“Hey! Look where we are!” Logan leant forth in his seat, peering down the winding road to a small dingy bar further down through the flurries of snow. Rogue slowly glanced over to Logan at his words. They had been travelling for most of the day since leaving their hotel in Manitoba, and they had recently entered eastern Alberta. Rogue’s eyes followed Logan’s line of sight to the building, which sat tucked away at the roadside, obscured by the darkness of the night and surrounding firs.
Rogue raised an eyebrow, “It’s another bar,” she said simply. “Like the hundreds of others bars we’ve driven past today.”
“No, no,” said Logan shaking his head as he began slowing the car and pulling into the cramped car park. “It’s Athabasca Bar – one of the oldest cage fighting joints in Alberta. Popular one too. What time is it?” he asked himself, “Quarter to nine – can book myself in for a round.”
Rogue glanced over at him curiously as he began unbuckling his seatbelt and hopping out of the side of the vehicle. This was just another bar, right? She hadn’t seen him quite so keen to enter any of their other rest stops. It made her ponder if it really was the fighting circuit that had lured the Wolverine here. However, she was about to find out. She had only shut the door when he locked the car and set off across the car park, his head bowed against the fierce blizzard that dotted the evening sky. Rogue hurried on after him, pulling her green coat tighter about her body. Her hood was lightly settled over her head, to keep the snow off of her, and it give her more coverage as she pushed into the busy bar behind Logan.
Rogue had only managed to walk a few feet through the bustling crowd when a delighted, “Logan!” sounded and Rogue glanced up in time to see a woman stride out from behind the bar to meet Logan with a kiss on the cheek. Rogue stopped dead as she watched the exchange, blazing green eyes taking in the female’s form. Strawberry blonde hair was pinned back tightly, her face enhanced by a reasonable quantity of make-up. Pristinely slim torso was swathed by a combo of a fitting scarlet blouse and a short denim skirt. Long, bare legs were on show, smooth pins disappearing into red high heels. Rogue’s eyes settled back on the woman’s face, making an instant negative judgement, for the woman had draped herself languidly around Logan as she then embraced him, her laughter tumbling softly from rouge lips.
Logan smirked down at the woman, his hand remaining against the small of her back. “God, it’s been years since I’ve seen ya, Susan.”
“Can’t believe it, you’re back in our neck of the woods!”
With a shrug Logan continued, “Figured I’d stop by, check out how things are goin’, y’know.”
“Things are goin’ good. Al’s still here y’know.”
“Albert?” questioned Logan with a broad grin. “The old dog. He shoulda packed off into retirement decades ago.”
A hearty laugh sounded as a large man came to the front of the bar, his red cheeks gleaming in the low lighting, as was his balding grey-haired head. “Not just yet, Logan. How you doin’?” he leant over, meeting Logan with a handshake.
“Survivin’,” answered Logan with a wolfish smirk.
Susan had backed away a little, now leaning against the corner of the bar with a welcoming smile. “Why don’t you come through to the back, Logan? We’ve got a lot to catch up on. And don’t worry about the cage fight, Al will book ya in for a late slot if you’re desperate.” She continued to watch him, idly leaning herself against the wooden corner in such a posture that her chest was thrown out and her hips were tilted.
“Forget about the fight. I’ll come through,” agreed Logan, running a hand leisurely through his hair as he headed closer to the bar hatch.
With her lips drawn tight, Rogue spoke up gently. “Logan?”
Logan looked startled for a moment; apparently he had completely forgotten she was there. He looked round at her, Albert and Susan following his gaze. “Well, who we got here then?” asked Susan in a soft drawl. “Not like you to pick up a lil’ lady like this.”
“She hitch-hiked with me a while ago, we kinda stuck together, didn’t we kid?”
Rogue threw Logan a challenging glare at his pet name. “My name is Rogue,” she told Susan, tilting her chin up as she pulled her hood down. She automatically felt on her guard with this woman. Her actions around Logan made her uncomfortable.
Susan raised an eyebrow slowly with a wry smile, “Very interestin’,” she commented, glancing over to Logan.
“Any friend of Logan is a friend of ours!” boomed Albert cheerfully as he strode out from behind the bar to greet Rogue. He threw an arm around her shoulders jovially, catching Rogue by surprise and she was lightly shaken inside the hold. Rogue peered up sheepishly at Albert, his warm welcome causing her to have a quick likening to the man. The same couldn’t be said for Susan however, who was watching Rogue’s dowdy appearance with a hint of disdain. “Let go through then, we’ve got staff on tonight, we can have a break.”
Rogue glanced up at the three as they headed on through the bar hatch and into the back room. Breathing out a sigh she headed through, eyes upon the floor.
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“And then I find her in the back with my bike!” Logan explained with a smirk. The hours had dragged by for Rogue, who was now sat in the empty taproom with Logan, Albert and Susan. The business had since closed for the night and the three were gathered at the bar armed with drinks and rowdy conversation. Rogue has settled herself on a barstool besides Logan who was nursing his ninth bottle of beer as he chatted with Albert and Susan. The two had seated themselves across the counter and kept serving up the next drinks. The conversation had switched from old tales, blue jokes, local gossip and back to the ‘good ol’ days’ again.
Rogue hadn’t been completely ignored, she was offered refreshments often, but she sat in silence, on her second bottle of lemonade, only answering when spoken to. Whilst Logan had stripped of his leather jacket and made himself at home at the Athabasca, Rogue had remained firmly wrapped in her green coat, clearly not happy. No one seemed to notice.
“Didn’t I, kid?” Logan asked as he glanced over to Rogue. Rogue, who had been barely listening gave a simpering smile and answered automatically.
“Sure did.”
Albert unbuttoned the top of his shirt, an offendingly bright orange garment, plastered in green palm trees in a design that made him look like an out-of-place surfer. He fanned himself pointlessly with a hand before he continued with a chuckle that made his grey stubbly jowls quiver. “You heard about Barney?”
Logan looked away from Rogue with a brief frown, attention back onto Albert. “Barney, the fishing guy?”
“No, no, that’s Rupert,” Albert dismissed the response with a wave of his hand. “Barney, the old man with a false eye and the gimpy leg.”
“Oh yeah,” replied Logan with a note of understanding, “What’s he up to these days?”
“He’s only got himself banged up, ain’t he?” Albert said with an impressive nod.
Susan bobbed her head in addition, “Yup, got drunk one night and some guy got in his grill and Barney blasted his face off with his shotgun.”
“Always though he was a funny ‘un,” concluded Albert sourly, taking a swig of his beer.
“Do you want another drink, sweetheart?” asked Susan with a smile to Rogue. The woman was leant forward on the bar, absently studying her crimson talons. Eyes rose progressively to Rogue’s face.
“No. Thanks,” added Rogue hastily, quickly taking a drink of her lemonade as to give herself an excuse to not continue talking. She drank long enough for Susan to get back into the conversation. Rogue murmured a quick. “Toilet,” before she slipped off the stool and headed to the back wall where the bar’s toilets were located.
She pushed inside with a soft exhalation, traipsing towards the sink. She leant down on the white, chipped ceramic, staring at her reflection in the grubby mirror screwed there. “For God’s sake,” she muttered to herself. She just wanted a break from the three. However, she couldn’t help but feel pangs of guilt follow after every impatient thought she had. Logan had stopped by to see some old friends and she was getting the hump on. But she couldn’t help it, she felt so invisible. With Susan there, it was almost like Rogue didn’t exist, and with her shamelessly flaunting off her perfect body…
Rogue growled out quietly to the grumpy face in the mirror, something she hadn’t been able to do until Wolverine’s brutal nature had seeped through her. Rogue was also irritated by the fact Susan paraded her supple skin. Her beautiful, safe skin - she wasn’t tightly enclosed by the frumpy clothing Rogue was forced to don. Her fingers gripped the edge of the sink tightly, her fingers turning white at the harshness of her clench. As childish as the thought sounded, Rogue couldn’t help but repeatedly think to herself: It’s not fair.
But she knew it wasn’t fair. She had known for a long time that it wasn’t fair. Glancing down into the basin Rogue closed her eyes slowly. It wasn’t Susan’s fault, she was an old friend of Logan’s and she didn’t even know who Rogue was before today. She wasn’t aware of her mutation or just how close Rogue’s friendship was with Logan.
But to have someone to blame it on.. it felt better.
There was a light knock on the door to the ladies’ bathroom. “Honey, you alright?” called Susan. “You’ve been in there a while.”
Rogue shot upright from the sink, heading towards the door and pulling it open. She stared up at the concerned face of Susan, noticing Logan and Albert glancing back curiously. “I don’t feel too good,” Rogue explained hurriedly, “I’m.. I’m gonna go sit in the car.”
“You might feel better if you take that coat off, you must be roastin’.”
“No!” insisted Rogue abruptly, before quickly continuing, “I’m not, I’m cold actually.”
Susan glanced round at Albert before back to the younger woman, “Look, you go get yourself settled in a bedroom for the night. We got lil’ rooms out back for overnighters. Logan will probably want to stay till the mornin’ anyway. You go and have a lie down – it’s free for you.” She added, upon noticing Rogue’s dubious look.
Rogue relented with a nod, “Alright..”
“Here y’go, darlin’” said Susan, fishing out a key from her back pocket. “Have that one. I cleaned it this afternoon so it’s all perfect for you.”
With a strained smile, Rogue took the key into her gloved palm. “Perfect,” she repeated softly before turning off hurriedly and exiting the bar with a quick, “Thanks.”
As soon as she was out of sight, Susan glanced back at Logan with a raised eyebrow. “Strange lil’ thing ain’t she? Where did you say you picked her up again?”
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Trudging through the snow, Rogue reached one of the small houses behind the parking lot. Decently sized accommodation that the establishment obviously rented out. They were clearly newer that the bar itself, Rogue could tell as she unlocked the door and walked inside. It had not fallen into the slight ruin as the bar had. A pleasantly furnished bedroom welcomed her, a two-seater sofa against the far wall where a door led off to an en-suite. Locking the door behind her entry, Rogue made her way to the only bed in the place and sat herself down quietly. She leant over the large bed to switch on the lamp on the chest of drawers and a warm glow fill the small room.
Deciding against waiting up for Logan, Rogue set about undressing and changing into her nightdress. She had brought her kit bag in from the car with the spare keys Charles had given her. Just in case of emergencies, stranded from Logan, or simply if they lost the other set. Glancing out through the window into the thick blizzard, Rogue tied the back of her lilac nightdress against the nape of her neck. Tastefully chosen by Storm, the nightwear was suitable for it covered her skin well. Just as Rogue was about to close the blinds on the window, she froze still, for two shadows staggered across the snowy car park. Faint sounds of laughter could be heard through the wind, and Rogue saw the distinctive outline of Logan keeping Susan on her feet as she slipped a little on the ice.
The pair fell still as Susan turned to face Logan; the silhouettes stood watching each other for a short while. And then a wave of unmistakable fury blazed through Rogue as she saw the pair move closer into a kiss almost as fiery as her current temper. Rogue’s fingers clenched around the string of the blind; her tight fist trembling slightly. Her narrowed eyes follow the two figures as they continued across the car park, away from Rogue’s quarters.
They drifted in and out of the kiss, pausing by the doorway of one of the other empty lots. With Susan draping her arms around Logan’s neck, Logan took control of the keys she had slipped into his hand, and Logan unlocked the door behind them and they shuffled inside, the door shutting just as the light turned on. Rogue remained firmly at the window, her head craning and pressing against the cold glass as she continued to watch. She saw the dark figure of Susan come to the window, pulling the blind down. Their silhouettes were still faintly present as Logan’s figure reached her side. The two embraced passionately once more, before they sank out of sight.
Rogue’s heart rammed furiously in her chest, with her breathing rate fierce and fast. She turned from the blind after furiously ramming it closed, painfully burning eyes glaring at the double bed. She threw back the covers roughly; dropping inside and smacking the light switch off.
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Hours later, the door to the small house rattled softly as Logan unlocked it and he slipped inside as discreetly as he could. As soon as the door clicked on the latch, the blackness of the room burst into light. With a quiet mutter, Logan squinted his eyes across to the bed, where Rogue was sat, the light besides her switched on. The duvet was gathered around her feet, for she was seated with her knees drawn in and arms tightly clasped about her shins. Eyes glared at him unblinkingly as Logan dropped his keys down on the nearby table.
“Susie gave me her spares,” he explained quietly in indication to the keys he had placed down.
Rogue didn’t answer, watching him stonily.
“Rogue?”
“It’s 5am,” Rogue muttered quietly.
Logan glanced at his wristwatch before he nodded. “Yeah. You look like you haven’t had much sleep.” He remained stood in the doorway, looking a little unnerved by her attitude. He shrugged his jacket off his arms, revealing his shirt, which had been very hastily fastened up by the look of it.
“No. I haven’t,” Rogue replied impassively. “Nor have you.”
Logan threw her a sharp look, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, don’t play games with me, Logan,” growled Rogue darkly. “I saw you.”
“What, with Susie?”
Rogue’s eyes flashed dangerously, “Yes. With Susie,” she put a sarcastically sweet emphasis on the nickname Logan used. She glared at him as she saw signs of discomfort in Logan’s posture; his eyes glanced around the room unnecessarily, his feet shifting.
“So?” he muttered, eyes eventually returning back to her.
Rogue felt her anger come back in full force at the little word he casually tossed out. “So?” she repeated, voice surprisingly quiet, though it trembled a little. “You don’t see anythin’ wrong? Goin’ off with some woman just like that.”
“Susie’s an old friend of mine,” Logan replied calmly. “We have a bit of history.” He then jerked his head at her, “Anyway, I don’t think it’s really any of your business..” he gave her a small glare before he stomped across the room, beginning to unbutton his shirt the rest of the way.
“It is my business, Logan!” Rogue shot angrily. “I’m here, ain’t I? On this trip with you!”
Logan turned from the bathroom door, his glaring eyes back on her, but Rogue didn’t flinch at their intensity. “We don’t need to talk about – “
“Sex?” suggested Rogue, her tongue curling loathing at the word. She took vindictive pleasure at the way his eyebrows raised at her unexpected response. “No, Logan, I don’t want to talk about it. Because look at me, look what happens when I touch somebody.”
“This is ridiculous. I can’t believe this conversation,” Logan growled as he turned away from her, pushing open the bathroom door and turning on the light.
Feeling her insides writhe angrily at his indifferent attitude, she kicked the covers of the bed away from her feet, pushing to the edge. “Forget it!” she snapped, jamming her bare feet into her nearby boots. “I’m goin’!”
Logan reappeared in the bathroom doorway, pulling a towel from his damp face. “Goin’?” he repeated in astonishment. “Goin’ where?”
“Anywhere!” cried Rogue as she threw her thick green coat over the thin covering of her lavender nightdress. Her jaw set, she determinedly trudged towards the door.
Throwing the towel down, Logan came out of the bathroom, looking surly. “Marie, stop actin’ like a – “
Rogue spun round in a fury, her hair whirling over her shoulder. “Like a kid?” she repeated sharply. “That’s all you think I am, Logan. So don’t be surprised if I behave like one.” With that she wrenched open the door, storming outside with a furious slam. Clenching her coat tightly about her form, Rogue stomped forward through the thickening snow, her eyes blazing with tears that trickled down her rosy cheeks. She shielded her head down from the fierce blizzard, her sniffs disguised by the howl of the gale.
The wind was so noisy she didn’t hear Logan come running out after her, his speed swift and it wasn’t long before he came up behind her, a hand taking her shoulder. In her surprise, Rogue spun round, tearful eyes staring up at Logan. “Marie.. I’m sorry.” When she attempted to shrug his hand from her shoulder, his grip tightened. “I mean it,” he insisted as he stared down at her. “I’m sorry for what I did with Susan. But that’s all it is. Sex. She wouldn’t give a shit if I disappeared tomorrow and never contacted her again.” Exhaling a misty sigh he bowed his head, “She’s not important to me, Marie. And I’m.. I’m not important to her.”
With her eyes transfixed on his face, Rogue remained quiet. Logan stared down at the space between them, ignoring the snowflakes that danced in front of him, dotting his wind swept hair. Then, very softly she spoke. “You’re important to me.”
With a small nod, Logan’s eyes returned to her face. “I know.. and that’s a rare thing..” His eyes had lowered once more. “That’s why I’m sorry.”
“I’ll always be here for you, Logan,” her bare hand lifted gently to take his cheek, lifting his face so she could see his eyes once more.
Logan’s eyes firmly watched her, and after a pause he spoke quietly. “I’m important to you?”
With a weak smile, Rogue nodded her head, “Yeah, ‘course you are.” Her shivering fingers remained on his cheek, for there had been no tug of her mutation just yet. Her grip tightened a little, taking in the weathered texture of his face and the bristles of his muttonchops. She gazed up at him, almost longingly and her hand continued to stay on his face.
His eyes intensely returning the stare, Logan leant in a little before he frowned and pulled back gently but cautiously to cause her hand to lose its reach. “C’mon,” he whispered quietly, pulling the neck of her coat tightly about her upper chest. “Let’s get you back inside before you freeze. We need some sleep before we set off. Might be reachin’ Laughlin City.” He moved by her side, lightly settling an arm about her shoulder and urging her forward across the snow.
With a small smile, Rogue nodded her head in agreement, though as she glanced aside, a worried frown deepened her brow. What had just happened?
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