It was a rare occasion when the X-Men and the Brotherhood found themselves on the same side of a battle. The reports of mutant experiments at a government facility in the Catskills had spread like wildfire. A small group of escapees had run for cover, some making it to Xavier’s and others running into Magneto sympathizers. Eric and Charles had met, agreeing that a united effort would be best. So Magneto and his top lieutenants, Mystique and the Wolverine were seated in the Professor’s office, along with Scott, Jean and Orroro. As the leader of the B-Team, Scott insisted the meeting would be a perfect learning opportunity for Rogue.
“You’ve already been through a small part of hell on some of our missions,” Scott said as he made his way toward Xavier’s office, Rogue at his side. ” It’s time you’ve learned the art of dealing with the devil.”
Rogue mustered an amused smile as she followed him down the hall, wondering what he would say if she told him she’d made her deal months ago.
***
Six Months Before
It had been a rough night. The X-Men were fresh off a mission; rescuing some teenager with the ability to make multiples of himself from a bloodthirsty gang of FOH who still managed to out-number him. It was a hard fight and the X-Men had taken a tough hit when Cyclops had been knocked unconscious. She and Gambit had to go in after him and barely escaped themselves. The kid was settling into the dorms, Scott was still in the Med Lab and all Rogue wanted to do was sleep.
She was half way under the covers when Jubilee popped into her room a never quit ball of energy. Missions only seemed to jack her best friend up even more. Sometimes Rogue was tempted to drain her just for the peace and quiet.
“Hey Roguey…”
“What is it, Jubes? I’m really beat.”
“Phone for ya, chica. Some hot sounding guy.”
Rogue had to admit curiosity trumped tiredness as she rolled out of bed. She had no idea what guy would be calling her, let alone a hot sounding one. Nodding to Jubilee, Rogue padded into the sitting room on their floor and grabbed up the telephone.
“Hello?”
“Yeah, um, Rogue?”
The voice was rough and warm at the same time, yet not unfamiliar, though she didn’t recognize it. “This is me.”
“This is Lo… um Wolverine.”
Shock rocketed through her as she rushed toward the door. Peeking out into the hall, Rogue glanced up and down the hall before pushing the door closed and turning the lock, leaning back into the solid oak. It was all she could do to stay upright.
Rogue had seen him in action: the Wolverine. He was one of the best fighters on any side of the line and the most mysterious. Not even the Professor knew more than his name, he was a super healer and that the Adamantium that covered those wicked claws that sprung from his hands ran through his body. How or why he’d ended up that way or where he’d come from, word was, not even Magneto knew.
They had never come to blows with one another, but their eyes had met often over the settling dust of a battle. He’d stare until she nodded. He’d return the gesture just slightly before following Mystique back onto their jet. It became a ritual whenever they ran into one another. When it was all over they’d silently ask one another:
~Good?~
~Good.~
Rogue had almost forgotten what had sent her into a near full blown panic until she heard a static grumbling near her ear. Pressing the phone to her ear, Rogue whispered into the receiver although she knew she was alone.
“Hello?”
“Yeah, everything all right? I thought you went to call the cavalry on me.”
“Uh, no, no. I was just um, surprised.”
“Well I, uh, heard about your run in with those FOH head cases; heard Cyclops took a hit.”
“Yeah, it got pretty bad. Scott’s resting, right now. He should be fine by tomorrow.”
“Didn’t hear much about you, though?”
Rogue couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “I’m fine, Wolverine.”
“Logan. My name is Logan.”
“Mine’s Marie.”
In a phone booth outside a Brooklyn bar, Wolverine leaned into the glass and smiled. “Marie.” He liked the way her name felt on his tongue. He wondered for what seemed liked the millionth time since he’d first seen the petite beauty flatten Toad with a roundhouse kick, what she’d taste like. “Well Marie, if you ever need to get some air or something, there’s this bar … Boneshakers…”
“I know it. You go there?”
“I’ll be there tomorrow night.”
“What a coincidence… so will I.”
“Well, I’ll see ya then, Marie.”
“Thanks for calling, Logan. It was real sweet of ya.”
She smiled at his rusted chuckle. “Quiet for ya ruin my reputation.”
“It’ll be our little secret.”
Logan smiled. “Glad you’re okay… g’night, Marie.”
“See ya tomorrow, sugar. G’night.”

The Night after Logan Calls

Logan sat at the bar pulling on the last of his Molson, his third of the night. He and Rogue hadn’t set a time when they would meet at the out of the way place, but he’d taken his seat at the end of the bar just a little past nine. It was nearly midnight.
He couldn’t blame the girl. His calling could have been a set up for all she knew. Hell her agreeing could have been a trap for him. What had he been thinking calling Xavier’s like that. The X-geeks probably monitored their call for all he knew. Although the professor didn’t lean toward the capture and torture methods like Lescherr, Logan was sure that do-gooder Cyclops would have no qualms about turning him in to the police. He should just cut his losses and get out of there.
Smirking, Logan threw a few balled up bills down on the scratched wood next to his now empty bottle and stood. He started to shift into the shadows when a familiar scent caught his attention. I was something like vanilla and the air after a spring rain. He had first noticed it mid-battle with the Beast. She was close to him going kick for kick with Mystique. His eyes had shifted to her for the briefest second, losing focus and the big blue monster had connected with his jaw. The clean, calm scent of her even in battle had haunted him ever since and he longed to smell it mixed with his own.
It came to him now over the mesh of the old building, wasted alcohol and hormones permeating the air around him. Logan turned toward the front of the bar, his eyes searching. A small smile tugged at his lips as he watched her move up to the bar. Her brunette hair, streaked white spilled down her back in soft curls.
Logan had wanted to hurt Leshcherr when Mystique told him how the Rogue came by her distinctive look, two years before he had joined up with the Brotherhood. He had stopped trusting them that day. Anyone who would use that beautiful girl and leave her for dead was the worst kind of bastard as far as Logan was concerned. Sure he took Magneto’s money, but it was only until something better came along. Watching her perfectly curved body, encased in leather, lean against the bar, Logan suddenly had the feeling better had finally arrived.
If there was ever a place to get lost it was Boneshakers. It was always dark, always crowded and full of no-names. It had taken Rogue longer to get out of the mansion than she thought. With Scott still on the mend, she was expected to sit in on planning sessions. Couple that with Jubilee’s latest crisis with Remy and she was late. Ordering a beer and sitting at the bar, she decided to wait. Hopefully she’d beaten him here. Him: the Wolverine. No, Logan. Codenames were for battle and fighting with this man was the last thing on her mind that night.
“I thought you’d changed your mind?”
Not bothering to hide the effect his voice had in her, Rogue let a delicious shudder run through her as she turned slightly to watch him slide onto the stool next to her. She awarded him with a smile he felt in his bones.
“I make a date, sugar, I keep it.”
He chuckled at that. “I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had… changed your mind.”
“The thought of not meeting you tonight never crossed my mind.”
Covering her hand with his, Logan let his eyes run over her. She was beautiful and he told her so.
Smiling shyly, Rogue ducked her head pushing her heavy hair behind her ear. “I don’t know about that.”
“You’re right,” he whispered leaning closer to her. “You’re gorgeous____”
Rogue stilled as Logan’s voice dropped away. She watched something cold seep into his eyes as he fingered the bandage at her temple. The one her heavy hair had hidden from his view.
“What’s this?” His voice was sharp. “I thought you said you weren’t hurt.”
“It’s just a few stitches, Logan. I’m fine.”
His jaw clenched as he let his hand softly trace the curve of her cheek. “You shouldn’t have to put your life in danger just to keep a roof over your head.”
“It’s not like that,” she snapped. “Besides, don’t you do the same thing for Eric?”
“Working for Lescherr is my choice and not my only paycheck. My place I got on my own.”
“And being an X-man is my choice. I could still live at the mansion even if I wasn’t on the team. The Professor and the others are my family. I’m sure you feel the same way about Eric.”
Logan couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry, but ole’ Buckethead doesn’t exactly inspire the warm and fuzzies. They ain’t my family, Marie. I don’t have one.”
She turned fully to face him, letting her hand rest on his face. “You got me now.”
“You don’t even know me,” he said more harshly than he had intended.
“I’ll learn ya; like you’ll learn me. Ain’t that why we’re here, Logan? You wanna know me?”
He leaned forward nuzzling her neck. “Yeah, darlin’, I wanna know you.”
“Lesson number one,” she whispered in his ear. “I like to dance.”
Logan shook his head as he followed Marie out to the dance floor. He was actually here with her, holding her hand. They fit together perfectly on the dance floor and he told her so. He told her how he had wanted to kill Magneto and Mystique for what they’d done to her. She told him she never wanted him to put himself in danger for her. She watched him with steady eyes as he lowered his head to touch his lips to hers.
“I don’t know why,” he whispered against her mouth, “but I’d walk through hell for you.”
“I don’t know why, but I’d follow you.”
Moving to the slow rhythm of the music, Logan ad Marie stared into each other’s eyes and felt the world shift and for the first time for either of them, everything felt right.