The school had been quiet, kids were doing their finals and Marie was learning how to cope with a stomach that seemed to get in her way for everything. Logan loved to watch her sit in the warm sun, sat under her favourite tree with Jubilee next to her reading a gossip mag.
He’d been busy the last couple of weeks, getting the kids ready for their first nights camping in the grounds. The foraging skills of the kids were coming along nicely and now he wanted to give them a practical test, the warm May sun was a godsend it brought out the life in the forests around the school. Ororo had assured him that she’d try to keep the worst weather away for their little excursion but he had wanted them to experience everything the world can throw at them, just not all at once.
He was working on a plan on the garden seat when someone blocked his sun, looking up annoyed his features softened when he realised who it was. It was a new student, one who’d managed to impress him with her skills, showing him she knew nearly as much as he did about survival. Her face looked a little troubled and her scent was different, he didn’t ask her what was wrong he just followed her gaze. She was looking over to Marie and Jubilee, but her eyes were up in the tree, she just looked at him and made a breaking movement with her hands.
Suddenly understanding what she was saying to him Logan moved like the wind, he was over there and picking Marie up even as he heard the tell tale groans from the heartwood. Piercing Jubilee with his stare he noticed she didn’t argue with him and just moved away from the tree, putting Marie down on the other side of the garden Logan cautiously went back to the tree. The branches were moving in the warm breeze and he could feel the roots snapping underneath the ground, looking around the field, he shouted out warnings to everyone. Marie sent a child to fetch Peiter and Hank, they would be strong enough to move the large tree if it came down.
The open branched oak shifted in the wind and Logan stepped away, the bright green of its leaves reflecting the sunlight as it began to fall. As if pushed by a hand the tree fell forward, snapping in the midsection as it did so, a large spike of wood going through the ground where Marie and Jubilee had been sitting. Looking over his shoulder Logan saw Marie and Jubilee holding each other while the one who’d warned him stayed silent and just walked away smiling to herself. Logan watched the young woman leave, quietly as if she didn’t want anyone to see her. Now the tree was down Logan saw Peiter and Hank coming over, they’d help to get the thing safe and out of the kids way. Yet Logan couldn’t help but wonder how she’d known, maybe he’d better ask a few questions about their silent prodigy, he owed her one, she’d saved Marie’s life and that of their baby.
Peiter was the first to speak, “Bad things are coming my friend, for a tree to fall like this with no reason.” His eyes were scanning the healthy tree, seeing nothing that could have caused its fall, the heartwood was strong and showed no sign of infection or disease. Hank moved a large piece of the crown and looked puzzled too, the winds were light so there was no reason for the tree to fall. Shifting his position Hank went to the stump and began to push against it, Peiter seeing the large man straining against it went to help him. It wouldn’t move. The whole thing just sat there immobile as if it was set in concrete, after a few minutes they both just gave up and looked at Logan. He was damned if he knew what was going on with it, he’d heard the roots snap and give way, he knew it was free down there he’d felt it shift.
Sighing he just looked at the large crown and walked off to get the sled, they’d be busy for the rest of the afternoon cutting the crown into logs. Hank left them to it as he returned to the lab, stopping briefly to talk to Marie and Jubilee, catching part of the conversation on the wind. Logan heard Hank asking about the baby and that he’d like to do another scan that afternoon, just to be sure that everything was okay. Nodding to Hank she looked over to Logan and waved as they went indoors, leaving him to deal with the newest casualty of the garden.
Lunch was half over when he finally finished and walked into the dining room, finding that Marie had already gotten him his plate and was waiting patiently for him. Her own food was being slowly eaten each bite being chewed properly and swallowed, over the last month Marie had become a little stickler for nutrition. She wanted to make sure their baby had the best start it ever could have and she’d questioned Hank about everything to do with the development of the baby and what nutritional needs it had from her.
Sitting down at the table Logan saw her face erupt in a smile that melted his heart, she seemed to get more beautiful the further she went. Her skin was flawless and her eyes sparkled, being pregnant suited her but it was more than his life was worth to ever mention it again. He’d complimented her last week about it and she’d almost taken his head off for it, hormones aside she had a damn good right hook. Seeing her swallow the latest mouthful he waited for her to speak. “Hey sugar, you always going to be rescuing me?” Her eyes shining with mischief making him forget the rapidly cooling food in front of him and making his blood head south.
“Uh-huh, it’s my job don’t ya know? Saving the world on weekends and being a bad ass the rest of the time.” Smiling his best ‘come to bed and find out’ smile he watched Marie blush as she read the intent in him.
“Ooohhh so you’re the one we have to thank for all the security drills?”
Looking at Marie’s eyes he could tell that that wasn’t the type of drilling she was after this afternoon. Feeling a little tense he just picked up the meat from his plate and ate it, using his fingers and teeth, scenting the change in Marie as she watched him devour it in front of her. Knowing he wasn’t concentrating on the food but on her reactions to him which were all kinds of interesting to his senses. Putting down her own knife and fork Marie quickly scanned the room, no one was watching them and she leaned over to talk to him. “Fancy finishing that somewhere else?” Seeing the Wolverine pop up his head in Logan’s gaze she smiled as she pushed out of her seat and walked calmly out of the dining room. Logan went after her, knowing he’d regret leaving most of his lunch behind him but he could eat later, time like this with Marie was worth every lost bite. Both of them so wrapped up in each other they never noticed their silent saviour watching them from her seat, a curious smile on her face.
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They were tired, Marie was still trying to fend off sleep but her body had just expended energy and now it wanted to recuperate. Logan brushed her hair out of her eyes, gently kissing the delicate skin of her cheek, having to be gentle with her now. The baby dictating as and when they could have sex, once they’d been a little too enthusiastic, Marie had been kicked viciously in the kidneys. Since then he’d made sure that he always played it soft and gentle, knowing that he’d need to go and see Hank soon. Just to let rip a little, Marie could feel his frustration too yet she didn’t say anything about it, she understood and he loved her for that.
Running his hand over the baby a thought popped into his head, the tree that had come down was oak, fine grained and pale in colour. It was time they made some plans for the baby, they hadn’t bought anything for the new arrival yet. Marie felt it was a little superstitious of her but she wanted to get past her second trimester before they did anything, then even if things went a little pear shaped the baby had a fighting chance. Making a decision he kissed the large bump that had taken over most of his thoughts and left Marie to get some sleep.
Filled with new purpose he headed downstairs to the workshop that was next to the stables, it’d be a surprise for her a crib made of oak for their baby. Smiling at his own cleverness Logan whistled as he walked downstairs, not noticing the silent watcher who smiled as he passed her. Making sure he was gone she quietly went upstairs into the room he’d just left, coming out a few seconds later with something small clutched in her hands and a satisfied grin on her face.
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The sound of the stables always made him happy, but there was an odd scent in there today, curious Logan went to look. There stood in the large atrium at the end of the stable was a small forge, the smell of iron being heated singeing the already warm air. Kurt was watching the farrier do his work, heating each horseshoe and measuring it against the last one using it as a guide. He was glad to see the farrier, it was someone who never seemed to annoy him, when he’d walked in on him one day doing his work he’d just allowed Logan to watch him. Knowing he was seeing a master at work, the old calliper on the farrier’s leg never slowing him in his movements. He’d never asked him how he was injured but he knew it was a sore point with the man, seeing Kurt notice he was there he nodded to him. “He’s here to shoe Tempest.”
Looking at the huge shoes in the small forge Logan looked at the man in front of him, wondering if he could handle the temperamental animal. Hearing the quench of the shoe Logan waited for him to turn round, always finding a smile on his face when he saw the blue eyes of the farrier. Seeing him turn Logan smiled as the blue eyes met his and the black hair and beard that covered his face broke into a warm smile, “Logan, nice to see you. Come to help me have you?”
The offer of help hadn’t been given but Logan was sure that Kurt wouldn’t be much help with the stallion. Smiling he answered the broad shouldered man.
“Didn’t think you’d need it, after all you’ve been doing this longer than I have.” A quick wink to Logan and a smile that reached the blue ice chips in his eyes warmed Logan through.
“True lad, true but this is the first time he’ll have had road shoes on. I’ll need a strong hand with him, someone who knows how he’s going to react before he does it.” There had been no discussion about his gifts, his mutant talents but the farrier knew Logan was like him. Nodding to himself Logan walked down the row to the stall and saw the large stallion, his large head nodding as if telling Logan he was ready.
Making a soothing sound Logan opened the door and reached for the harness, Tempest just let him touch him sensing the wildness and strength in him. He never challenged Logan, it wasn’t worth the trouble as far as the horse was concerned. Leading him quietly down to the farrier Logan could hear the farrier saying the words he’d heard him say over the months he’d seen him. It was a Gaelic charm he’d said, something to placate the horses, something they understood from ‘the old time’.
The way he said it made the whole stable quieten, as if everything had stopped for a moment, Kurt watched the words tumble from his mouth and Logan watched the little man as he played with his crooked crucifix. As soon as the words were finished the little silver crucifix snapped from the rosary, Kurt gasped and looked down at the floor. The crucifix was in three pieces and the farrier just picked up the pieces as Logan stood quietly with Tempest.
“That’s a pity lad, I’m sorry. Words often don’t mix do they?” The look he gave Kurt was one that spoke volumes and Kurt found himself quiet as he studied the pieces in his large careworn hand. “Do you want me to fix it or would you like me to make you a new one, from the horse nails? Iron lasts longer than silver, stronger, older, in the blood if you like.” The tone he was using was soft but the intention was one of regret that he never meant to hurt Kurt or his possessions.
Looking at the small pieces of silver in his palm and the hand made horse nails Kurt made his decision.
“Yes I would like that very much but I have nothing to give you for the work?” The farrier laughed and closed his hand on the silver pieces, putting them into his large apron pocket.
“Let’s call it a trade then, your silver for my iron. I’ll get Tempest done first and I’ll do your cross after. That alright with you?” Kurt nodded and made himself comfortable on his perch, watching the large horse as Logan brought him round to the farrier.
Taking hold of the large head the farrier looked into the dark eyes of the stallion and smiled, turning his attention to the front legs he positioned himself to get the first shoe off. Quickly done he filed the hoof, trimmed it and made ready to shoe it. Heating the shoe he came back with the red shoe and placed it carefully on the hoof, smoke filled the area, Kurt gasped as the smell reached him. Logan watched as the large eyes of Tempest took in the smoke and just stood calmly, usually nervous about being shod, but today he seemed to understand what this was for. The shoe was positioned and tacked on, taking his time with the hoof, making sure the nails were pinched off correctly and the fit was snug and secure before letting the large forelock go. The others were done as quickly and soon Tempest was reshod ready for the hunt season, looking at the large beast as he led him back to the stall Logan noticed the small woven plaits in his mane. Someone had woven little green flowers in his mane, looking at the delicate small flowers he wondered who would have been brave enough to go near Tempest, he wasn’t known for his temper without good reason. Patting his flank Logan went to watch the master work on Kurt’s cross, a whinny from Tempest his goodbye for now.
By the time he got back the forge was roaring and the nails were in, already red the farrier pulled two out and hammered them together to form the upright, the large nails melding together easily. Using a punch he opened a small hole in them and forced a cold nail through one side then the other, creating a cross. Picking up the whole thing he put it back into the forge and waited for it to heat, winking at Logan as he pulled the red hot cross out of the forge and grabbed Kurt’s waving tail.
Quick as a flash he had a knife out and cut the tail across the flat part of it, a bright red streak flashing across the blade and down into the hot metal. Kurt only having a moment to react before seeing the blade returning away from his tail bright red with his blood. The bright bead dropping on the centre of the cross where the arms met, turning it dark, quick as a flash he hammered the cross flat against the iron anvil. A group of words coming from his mouth that were lost in the heat and roaring of the forge, quenching the cross quickly he held it out to Kurt. The centre was a deep red which seemed to flow down the two lines of the arms, Kurt found himself reaching out for the cross but the farrier dropped it into the water to cool.
“Later lad, let it cool. Sorry bout that but if it’s going to be yours you never want to lose it, doing that you never will. It’ll always be yours and keep you and your god tied together.” Kurt looked at the small wound on his tail, the graze was almost gone and he’d done worse to his own skin over the years. Quiet Kurt waited for the cross, fishing it out of the bucket he handed it to Kurt, the red was still there but softer, deeper. “Thank you.” The farrier’s eyes were alight with warmth as he began to pack up his tools, voice deep and his movements steady.
“Your welcome. Keep your faith little demon, I do mine.” Smiling Kurt bamfed away leaving Logan with the farrier and a new thought running through his head, smiling at his own cleverness Logan spoke.
“You can make stuff like that? Not just horseshoes?” The bright blue eyes sparkled as they met his.
“I can make things you wouldn’t believe Logan, why what do you need?”
“I’m making a crib and I’d like a few fastenings and nails. Think you’d be upto that?” The farrier just stroked his beard and looked sideways at Logan, as if he was weighing up the proposition.
“A crib eh? Who for? Didn’t take you to be the family man, more like the one who gets em that way.” The smile on his face telling Logan of the joke he was pulling at his expense, yet he could see the idea had merit.
“Yeah I have one on the way, five months now and I want to make a crib for her but I want it made strong, safe.”
The words reaching the farrier and his face suddenly becoming serious and his gaze calm.
“First kid eh?” Logan nodded. “That’d be the beauty with the white blazes?” Logan smiled as he realised that the farrier talked about everyone in horse terms. Nodding to the farrier as he packed up his tools, “What wood?”
“Oak, a tree came down today and I want to use the wood from it.” Lifting his shaggy head to look Logan in the eye he became serious.
“Oak you say? Well it’ll need some time to dry out, at least six months if it’s to be any good to a child. The sap needs time to leech out, unless you’ve got a kiln that’ll do it for you.”
Logan felt like an idiot, of course the wood needed time to season but he wanted to get started as soon as possible. Wracking his brain his thoughts dropped on Anne, Anne could control water, she’d helped out with a small flood in the kitchen by pulling and holding the water still while the repair was done. He could ask Anne to dry it for him, pull out the moisture slowly, it’d be like training for her, making her hone her skills and control them better. Smiling again he found the farrier’s gaze.
“Shouldn’t be a problem, we have a couple of people here who can do what we need.” Noticing the slow nod of the farrier and the grin that spread across his features as he realised what would be done.
“Aye lad I bet you have. So how big is this crib going to be and what shape?” Logan described the shape and the construction easily, it would be one that could be rocked backwards and forwards but not side to side. A solid base with four supports rising up to hold the main crib, the linkages being made of iron and bolted through the wood. The sides would be open bars so they could watch the baby and Logan wanted each side to be able to slide down so it would make getting her out easier on both of them.
Nodding to himself the farrier was making mental notes about the size and shape of the iron supports, pulling out a small pencil and pad he began to make notes. A few minutes later he showed Logan a drawing of the crib, it was exactly as he’d imagined it. The look of surprise in his eyes made the farrier smile, “Don’t be so surprised lad, not everyone is what they seem. Living here should have taught you that, how is your little filly? She blooming or is she a wilter?” The conversation taking Logan’s attention away from the drawing and the little measurements on the paper.
“She looks wonderful but I don’t tell her.”
“Oh really? Why not? Most women like to know they’re beautiful when they’re carrying your kids.” Logan looked into the honest gaze of the lame farrier and saw nothing but shared humour.
“She’s got a wicked right hook that’s why.” The laugh that met his ears made Logan smile and the usual darkness of the stable seemed to retreat for a second, the scent of the coals spiking and the rich scent of the horses deepened. The warmth prickling his skin as sweat began to form on its surface, looking back into the farrier’s gaze Logan couldn’t help but smile.
“Ah love, the one thing that’ll lead a man to grief but it’s a small price to pay for the chance to see such beauty shared with the likes of us.” He held the brace on his leg for a moment and Logan could feel the cool iron supports under his fingers as if he was touching them too.
Snapping his head away the farrier spoke as he turned out his forge. “I’ll be back tomorrow to start the work on the pieces you’ll need, it’ll take a while but nothing that was worthwhile was ever done quickly.” Logan nodded and made his next thought to go and find Anne.
“How much will it cost?” Logan wasn’t worried he had money from his years of cage fighting but the next comment from the farrier shocked him.
“Nothing. See it as a blessing on you both, children are a gift and things haven’t always been easy here.” Logan felt a spike of anger rising in him, he wasn’t a charity case and he wouldn’t let someone see him and Marie as one. The farrier raised a hand as if he knew what he was thinking, “I’m not saying your needy Logan, I’d never do that but let me give you something for the times you’ve come and listened to my ramblings. Maybe we can share something a little harder when I’m done eh? Something to remind me of home.” Logan’s features softened a little when he realised what he was asking him.
“Where’s home?” When Logan thought about it, he’d never bothered to try and pin down his accent it seemed to rove around, taking in pieces from everywhere. Looking at the dark hair and blue stare facing him Logan expected him to say Montana or some other western state.
“Wales lad, Wales.” The look that covered his face was one that seemed to age his features. “I’ve been gone too long from there and people wouldn’t recognise me if I went back but Wales is home. Place of dragons, deep valleys and women with soft skin and warm breasts.” He looked smaller then, as if he’d shrunk a little as he finally packed the forge up, a sadness quickly covering the joy of earlier. Lifting his gaze to Logan he smiled again, “I’ll be back tomorrow and I may as well leave this here. There’s no point lifting it onto the truck just to pull it off again. Something occurred to Logan then, the farrier knew his name but he didn’t know his. Following the lame man as he walked out of the stable into the light Logan put his hand on the broad shoulder in front of him. Turning to face him the farrier smiled, “What? I forgot something?”
“Yeah you did, your name. I don’t know your name.”
Names were important to Logan and the farrier knew it, smiling he just sighed and fished out a small coin from his large pocket. Putting it into Logan’s palm he closed Logan’s fist over it, the rough skin touching his own making his own hands feel soft and small. “My name’s on there but one thing Logan. You can look at it when I’ve finished the crib. Then and only then, do you understand?”
Meeting the strong gaze coming from the man in front of him, the stare something that seemed to echo into the metal on his bones, “It’s important to me Logan, can you do that?” The farrier let go of his hand leaving Logan holding the coin tight in his grip, he was asking for trust here a small promise something he knew Logan valued highly.
“Yeah I’ll wait.” The smile that shone from his eyes brightened the day for them both. Moving quickly the farrier walked toward the battered pick up he had, waving once he pulled out of the school grounds leaving Logan with the coin still in his hand. Without looking at it he pushed the coin into his pocket, the next task on his list to find Anne. Looking across the field he spotted her quickly sat with Rebecca her smaller friend, remembering their conversation at Christmas he wandered over.
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He heard their conversation before he got there, they were talking about the various teachers at the school. Anne was in full flow, “I don’t see why you have such a problem with her, I mean it’s not as if she makes you do anything difficult Becca, art is easy. You just draw what you feel Ms Munroe isn’t that bad. Just wait till you get old enough to start self defence lessons then you’ll know what torture is.”
He saw Anne flick her gaze upward to him and saw the blush colour her face from where he was and her scent deepened accordingly, she liked him more than was healthy for her. He had to keep a straight face he’d made the mistake of cracking a joke at some other young student and had an unfortunate accident with some food the next day. Standing over them both Logan noticed how Rebecca looked up into his face eagerly, while Anne did everything but look at him, crouching down he was met by Rebecca’s voice, “Hello Mr Logan.” Meeting her gaze head on he answered her.
“Hello Rebecca, do you mind if I have a word with Anne for a moment?” Anne’s eyes finally hit his face and her scent spiked again, nerves this time. Rebecca grinned like she’d been let in on some huge secret and got up quickly.
“I don’t mind, I’ve got a project to do anyway for Miss Munroe. We have to draw something we like, something that makes us feel good, I was struggling for something but I think I’ve found something now. See you later Anne.” Running across the field into the school he watched Anne’s eyes follow her as if she was her only life line and she’d just been abandoned.
Looking at Anne he noticed how much she’d grown over the last few months, her face had filled out a little and her eyes no longer looked haunted like they had done when she’d first come here. He didn’t take much notice of the students apart from his classes, he wanted their attention then and expected nothing less than their full attention. Although at the moment Logan thought Anne would give anything for something to take him away from her so she could breathe again. He knew the effect he had on the female population here and there were times it was flattering but other times he found it a problem, like now.
Anne ‘liked’ him in that general young girl crush type way, he seemed ‘safe’ to like, he had Marie and everyone knew he would only be separated from her when she died. No other woman got a look in, so he was ‘safe’ to moon at and try out their new skills on before they went after their real prey, the younger males of the school.
He’d watched the way the girls worked as a team, doing it as professionally as a pack of wolves, separating the male of choice from his safe ‘herd’. Honing in on their weaknesses, allowing them to feel superior and stronger until they got the responses they wanted then attacking with their own arsenal. He’d walked in on several of these attacks and the boldness of the girls always surprised him, but he assumed that they’d learned to take control and get what they could as soon as they could. After all who knew what tomorrow would bring them, if the world had it’s way some of them would be dead by now. Noticing her scent had calmed somewhat when she realised he wasn’t going to do anything he caught her eye.
“Anne I want to ask you to do something for me.” Her scent rocketed and her blush flared again, time to change tack as he struggled to keep Wolverine from reacting to the needy scent coming from her. “I’d like you to help me make a crib for me and Rogue.” Her eyes widened, her scent plummeted and he found himself grinning at her disappointment, keeping his tone light he continued. “You know the tree that came down today?” Logan nodded over to the large jagged stump that was like a broken tooth in the afternoon sunlight, Anne followed his gaze and finally spoke her voice a little unsure.
“Yeah, Katherine warned you didn’t she?”
“Yeah she did.” Looking at the stump Logan wondered how she’d done it, was she a precog or psychic? Turning his gaze back to Anne Logan saw her face had lost some of its colour and was back to normal. She still found it hard to look him in the eye, but she was at least trying to look at him.
“Anyway I need your help to dry out the wood from the tree so I can use it to make a crib for the baby. Thing is I don’t want Rogue to find out about it until it’s finished so I’m asking you to keep a secret as well as dry out the wood for me. That is if you want to, if you don’t I’ll understand.” Anne looked thoughtful and he left her to make her decision as he looked around the field, when he looked back at her, her face was set she’d made her decision.
“I’ll help, I’d be glad to. I think it’s great that you and Rogue are having a baby, kind of makes you hope things will work out for the best doesn’t it?” A shadow passed her face then and something spiked her scent that he found confusing, loss, pain and sorrow. Smiling again she looked around the field but he was sure she didn’t see anyone on it her gaze was somewhere else, sometime else.
“Can I ask you for something in return?”
“Depends what it is.” Anne nodded at the sense of his words and she blushed again.
“Nothing that would hurt Rogue or you I promise. I just need some help with a paper for Mr Summers class, we’re supposed to find someone we trust and ask them things. Just boring bog standard life stuff, like ‘How do you like to spend the day?’ type questions. Could you do that?” Looking at Anne Logan saw her expecting him to say no, to pull the ‘I’m a bad-ass’ manoeuvre on her so he didn’t.
“Sure as long as it keeps out of the bedroom stuff, I don’t want Cyc to come after my head.”
Giving her a quick look he saw the smile that had settled on her face, she was grateful but she was still wary of him. “So do you mind if we get started today? I need to have some wood ready for tomorrow, have you finished for the day, classes I mean?” Anne nodded as she got up, picking up her books she waited for him to tell her where he needed her, standing up Logan noticed that she’d grown some too. The top of her head was just under his nose now and she looked a little nervous when he was so close to her, moving out of her space he walked off toward the shed the wood was in. Following at a distance Anne made her way over, not noticing the eyes of her friends narrow in jealousy, one pair in particular watching every move they made and her hands weaving the small plait as she watched.
As soon as he’d told her what he wanted her to do Anne was quickly grasping the idea and had used a couple of thin branches to experiment on. The water that Anne managed to remove was sticky and green but it had filled the air with a sweetness that neither of them had expected. Logan watched as she quickly grasped the amount of water that needed to be removed before the wood was useful. He got a small bucket and watched as her hands seemed to pull the water from the fresh wood, letting it rise like steam, condensing it and listening to it fall like green rain into the bucket.
The first log gave half a bucket, the wood dry and seasoned as if it had been out in the air for a year, half it’s weight gone. Anne looked a little tired but she went onto the next one, pulling the moisture out with a more practised hand, she kept the sap in the air while Logan emptied the bucket behind the shed. Leaving a treat for the insect population Logan went back to the shed, Anne was still working on the log when Logan walked in her face showing the effort it took for her.
He knew all the pupils had lessons on how to control their ‘gifts’ but exactly how do you train someone who could suck out all the moisture from your body when they got upset or excited? Putting the bucket down he watched as Anne condensed the fog and let it pour into the metal, her face calm but showing the serious effort it took for her. The two large pieces she’d done were enough for now, they’d give him the four supports he needed to start work tomorrow. Putting his hand on Anne’s shoulder to let her know she’d done enough for today, he never expected her to shift out of his shadow and her scent to show fear.
Quickly he gave her room and made sure she could see the doorway, that he didn’t obstruct her path in any way. She recovered quickly and a thin smile covered her face, “I think that’s enough for today Anne, thanks for helping me. I know I can be a little hard on you guys in class but it’s for your own good really. If you can hurt me anyone else should be a walk in the park.” He kept his tone light but it didn’t keep the darkness from her eyes or her smile.
“Yeah I know, it’s just the bruises that’s all. We’re not all used to them.” Logan noticed the words she used, there was something under her words, something dark. Squashing his own curiosity he answered her.
“I know. So when do you need me to do that stuff for your paper?”
Her stance a little steadier now she picked up her books and walked out of the shed into the warm evening light, her face showing her thoughts.
“Maybe after class tomorrow when I come to do more wood? I mean I could try to do both, it’d help me with my concentration and control. Although it might get a little messy.” Nodding Logan agreed to the plan, they’d be both in the workshop after classes had finished, the farrier would be back late afternoon.
All he had to do now was keep Marie out of the way until it was done, something that he would need help with. Looking at the mansion he had an idea, there was someone Marie hadn’t seen for a while, she’d even told him that she missed her quiet talks with her now she was at college. Kitty, the little mouse of the school had gone to Harvard but surely by now she’d be on break. He knew who to ask, Jubilee, she’d know he’d grab her before they went down to dinner, smiling to himself he watched Anne leave, her quiet steps leaving a mark on his ears.
Noticing how she seemed to move sideways through the world not making enough of a movement to be noticed, but enough just to get through it, there was something inside Anne. Something she was hiding, yet most of the kids here had something they hid from everyone else, some trauma the world had dealt them. His eyes never left her as she walked inside the large patio doors, there was something odd about her though, something that intrigued him. Something that called to Wolverine, something dark and he wanted to know what it was.
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Shutting up the shed Logan wandered back to the mansion, his hand straying to his pocket and the small coin in it. Today had been strange but then again that was normal for the school, there was always something going on. The light was fading now and he gave a quick look at the broken stump, sticking up like a broken tooth, knowing he’d have to do something about that soon, it was dangerous to leave it jagged. An idea popping into his head unbidden, seeing Marie sat on the stump, cradling their baby and feeding it under the shade of the other trees. The thought sending a warm glow through him as he knew what he had to do with it tomorrow morning, he could carve out the top and turn it into a seat. Using the high back as a rest for the person sitting in it, pleased with his thoughts Logan turned to go inside not noticing the little face watching him from upstairs.
“So you’re sure you don’t mind?” Marie was nervous, Logan hadn’t put up much of a fight so far and it made her nervous. Usually he had a fit whenever she said she was going to the mall, never mind to Boston to see Kitty, okay Peiter was going with them as well as Damask. Jubilee had come and told her she was going to take a few days off and go and see how Kitty was doing. Peiter and Damask were going too, Peiter had been offered a place at a different college and he was using the trip as an excuse to go and check out the place. It also seemed to calm Logan that Peiter was going along, he could look after them all if anything happened and Logan trusted him.
Looking at Marie he could see she wasn’t sure about going, breathing deep he took in her scent and processed the information quickly. She wasn’t sure because he was letting her go easily, a dark smile flickered across his face, easily solved.
“Do you have to take so long? I mean you talk to Kitty all the time on the phone and computer, I’m not saying I don’t trust you, or that something is going to happen. It’s just that I wish you’d wait until I could go with you.” He gave her his best sulk face and her scent told him she was feeling better about this now.
“You can’t always be there Logan, you know that and it’s not as if I’ll be unprotected. I mean Peiter is rather large and impressive, not to mention Jubilee.”
He quirked an eyebrow at that and Marie became defensive immediately, “Hey remember who downed three F.O.H guys at the mall with one hand Logan? Jubilee and she wasn’t even angry, do you think she’d ask me to go with her if she thought it was a bad idea? I mean she’s the one who asked Peiter to go with us, she’s being responsible.” Not knowing that he’d told her that Peiter was going or she’d be without a car when she got back, he’d even popped a set of claws to make his point. She hadn’t been fazed by him but she knew why he’d done it, he was concerned about them going. Chuck had told him that they’d be staying on campus and they’d have security there too seeing as some of the wealthier families now had mutant kids there too. It’d be a few days away for her and time for him to get the crib ready for her return. He shrugged and turned over onto his back pulling Marie into a hug, her stomach resting on his body, his hand already stroking the skin of it. Knowing she found it reassuring when he did this, sighing heavily he let her win.
“Okay, but you phone me at least twice a day, got it? I want to know where you’re going every time you leave the campus. And I want Peiter with you every moment your out, no-one is going near you when I’m not there.” He could feel her smile from where he was.
“Logan! No-ones interested in pregnant women, don’t you get that?” Her tone was playful and light, her hand smacking him lightly on the chest. Looking into her eyes and seeing her smile filling her face he growled low and felt her smile deepen.
“That’s not true and you know it.” Her gaze took on a darker quality and he felt himself stiffen as she smiled at him.
“Yeah but your weird,” her hand now travelling down his torso, tickling the skin with little touches, making him want her.
“Marie,” his voice was already needy and she picked up on it.
“Well if I’m going to be away for a few day’s…” He didn’t let her finish, closing off her speech with his lips as he pulled her upward toward him. Feeling the baby shift backward as if giving them permission to have sex, Marie smiled as she spoke, “See even the baby thinks this is a good idea.”
Grinning now Logan roved his hands all over her skin, touching feeling everything that was on top of him, his erection already nudging her belly and feeling the baby kick out against the hardness pressed against it making Marie laugh. Moving her upward so she was sat across his hips and comfortable Logan looked at her, her whole self shining with life and he wondered if it was such a good idea to let her go. If he said no now she’d have a fit and he’d have to explain his part in all this, which was not a good thing. He wasn’t lying to her, just wanting to surprise her with something when she got back. Five days wasn’t that long, hell it passed pretty quickly when you weren’t watching and he’d be occupied with the crib for most of it.
“I love you.” The words never feeling alien or heavy when he said them to her, because he meant it, meant every word with every fibre of his being. Marie stilled and touched his face, tracing the fine lines she saw there.
“I know, I’ll be safe Logan, you know I’d never do anything to hurt you or the baby you know that. I promise I’ll be careful, wrapped up head to toe and with Peiter to guard me no-one’s going to get a chance to be even close.” She kissed him then, Logan just let himself flow away from the feeling of unease into the warm embrace of his lover.
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He waved them off with Hank stood next to him, his large blue bulk making him feel small. When the suv was out of sight he turned to look at the large man, his eyes hadn’t left the road as if he was expecting them back. Finally his amber eyes met Logan’s own and he understood why Hank had come to see them leave, he needed him tonight but he’d waited until Marie had gone before approaching him.
They didn’t need to say it, they’d find each other later after everyone had gone to bed, Hank just touched Logan’s shoulder and he found Wolverine come close to the surface, growling low so only Hank could hear it. “I’ll see you later.”
Hank walked away back indoors, to the class who were waiting for their teacher to see to their final exam of the term. Looking over at the broken trunk Logan squared his shoulders and rolled his neck, easing some of the tension in them. He’d work on the seat this morning and get the rough shape hewn out, shouldn’t take him too long with his ‘talents’. Popping a set of claws he walked over to the tree trunk and began to work out his cuts. Not seeing the eyes that had watched the exchange between the two men and the small frown that covered her face, only clearing when she watched him work on the trunk. Something decided she began to unpick her work, there was something missing from it and she’d collect it later, she knew just where to get it too.
Anne arrived on time, her demeanour seemed lighter today when she walked into the workshop, the wood from yesterday had been sawn and shaped ready for the cuts he needed to make. Her hands held a notebook and pens, the project Logan had help her to complete in return for her help with the wood. He was dressed in just his jeans and vest as usual and her shock at seeing him like that pervaded the air, looking at her for the first time that day he noticed the small dark rings under her eyes.
Frowning he spoke, “You feeling okay? You look a little tired.” Anne smiled as she took a seat next to the wood pile, picking out a piece she turned it over in her hands before answering him.
“Yeah, just a bad night that’s all. Becca had some bad dreams and she can’t sleep unless I sit with her, it’s okay I’m used to it by now.” Turning back to the pile of dry wood he began measuring for the first cut, he heard her clear her throat and open the notebook. “Do you mind if I start asking you the stuff I need?” Checking his measurement Logan marked off the length before putting the saw to it, answering Anne as he began to cut.
“No go ahead.”
He heard her clear her throat and her voice became a little higher as she showed her nerves.
“It’s a sociology study, we have seven questions that are uniform and we have to come up with three others that show that we understood where the recipient, that’s you, was going with their answers.” Logan nodded as he went through the dry wood, the saw blade going easily through the oak.
“Fire away.”
“Okay, question one, where do you see yourself in the structure around you, in charge, a partner or separate entity?” Logan stilled for a moment as he thought about the question, his knee jerk reaction was the last one but he had a feeling it was more like the second one. Anne’s scent was filling the workshop drowning out the oak’s spicy scent, her nerves evident.
“Second one, next.”
“If you had to choose between yourself and someone else from benefiting from a legacy/inheritance which would you choose?” This was easy.
“Me, next.”
“Okay question three, if you had to choose between your own needs and those of others around you what would you do in a crisis? Put yourself first or help those around you?” Now this was a little harder, Logan checked the cut edge and used the measure to check he’d cut it correctly, yeah he had, perfect. Using it to measure up the other three legs he quickly marked out the wood and began to cut, mulling over the question in his head. Cyc was getting a lot out of these tests, this was more than just a social studies thing this was psychology. He decided to fuck around with the nice even results and have a little fun too.
“Well it kind of depends really, I mean I’d look after those I care about but the rest would have to look after themselves.” He turned to see Anne writing everything down, he waited until she’d finished writing, her eyes meeting his and her skin beginning to colour as she looked at him. “Know what I mean kid?”
“I think so, you’d take care of Rogue and the rest of us would have to fend for ourselves?” He nodded and regretted his decision immediately as he watched a coldness seep into her, her bright eyes going flat and cold, her voice showing her change. “Ah I see.”
“Hey if…” Her gaze moved away from his and she began the next question.
“Question four, place these in order of importance, life, money, food, security,” her voice wavered a little here. “Sex, friends, family, morals, faith.” Okay this was another psych test, he’d had this question before but he couldn’t remember how he’d answered it before, a little annoyed with himself for doing something wrong he answered the way he felt.
“First I think it’d be life, second food, then family and sex, security next, money, morals, friends and faith. Yeah that’s the order.” He kept his back turned as he cut the remaining three legs, the question made him curious, “What order would you put them in?” Turning to look at Anne he saw her face a little red and her eyes bloodshot, her pen scribbling on the paper, she didn’t look up at him and he turned back as she began to answer.
“I think for me it’d go, life, food, security, morals, money, faith, friends, sex.” Her voice was quiet as he cut the wood, the rasp of the saw almost drowning out her voice, noticing she’d missed one he pulled her on it.
“You missed ‘family’.” The silence that came from her seat almost knocked him over, her scent had changed completely, it was back to fear and hate, lots of hate.
“No I didn’t, it’s just not important.”
“Okay. Next question.” Anne took her time and slowly her scent dropped back to how it had been.
He’d finished the cutting now he had to shape each leg, popping a claw he traced the line of each one, even scoring the where the tenon’s would be going.
“Question five, this ones a moral dilemma although I can’t see it as one. You have a choice to tell the truth or lie to one person you care about. If you tell the truth it could end your friendship, if you lie you have to take the chance of being caught out with the lie and losing the friendship. What do you do?” Another one that went straight for the jugular concerned now he asked Anne a question of his own.
“This paper, do you have to tell who you asked the questions to?” Anne shook her head.
“No it’s supposed to be about our skills to ask the last three questions, why?”
“Nothing, just something about the question. I think I’d risk it and be honest, it’s the only way to be sure. Lies hurt more.” Logan looked over at Anne and saw the first tear slide out, she was quick at wiping it away but he’d seen it. Gathering her composure she wrote his answer down and he made sure he wasn’t looking at her when she asked the next question.
“Okay, question six, When would you use a lie if at all?” Logan stopped and turned to look at Anne, her head was down so she never saw the look in his eye when he answered.
“Never, if it’s important enough to lie about it needs the truth to be said. There’s no reason to lie, not to anyone.” Anne met his gaze and she flinched when she caught the glare coming from him.
“I’m sorry if I’m prying I can stop if you want.” Her hands had stilled and her body language was all nerves. Dropping his gaze he turned his back again and got on with his work.
“Nah kid there’s only one more question of Cyc’s then there’s your three. Get on with it.” He didn’t mean to be gruff with her but she’d touched on a few nerves with him.
“This ones a little weird but I’ll ask it anyway. People have several sides to themselves how many do you think you portray to those around you? It gives an example ‘A mother is a wife, caregiver, lover and independent person in her own right’, I think it wants a list of things you believe you are.” Anne looked at Logan’s back and saw the muscles tense, “You don’t have to answer this one if you don’t want to.” If he didn’t she couldn’t ask her questions though could she? He’d have to shred something of Scott’s for this.
“No I’ll answer it, well I’m a loner to those who don’t know me, fighter to the x-men, survivor of what the government did to me, killer to those who hurt what I care about. Animal to most humans who can’t think outside their own heads, just a man to myself, lover and husband to Rogue.” He turned to see Anne writing it all down, her hands covering the page quickly, “What do you see yourself as?” Anne didn’t answer him at first, she finished her writing then looked up.
“I don’t, I’m just me.” Crossing his arms he leaned back against the bench and looked out of the doors of the workshop, he could see the farrier making the iron hinges and brackets for the crib in the sun. The scent of the iron making his nose want to sneeze, pinching it with the bitter tang of the metal.
“You must do, Rebecca sees you as more than just someone, so what do you see yourself as? I answered you, the least you could do is answer my question.”
“I thought I was here to cure the wood for you.” She left it open at that, she wasn’t comfortable answering him, Logan could have the wood or the answer she made that clear enough.
“Okay, ask your questions then.” He just waited for her as she read through his answers trying to formulate her questions, “While we’re waiting why don’t you get to the rest of the wood? Seeing as that’s why you’re here in the first place.” His tone catching her attention, seeing her own words thrown back at her and seeing her retreat from them. Putting down her notebook she closed it, pulling the bucket toward her to put the sappy water into, watching her as she began to pull the first tendrils of water vapour from the wood. Hearing the quench of metal Logan looked over to the farrier and saw he was nearly finished. A pile of wrought iron at his feet, seeing him work on the nails now Logan was taken aback by her first question and she had to repeat it.
“Why do you hate people so much?”
“Who said I did?” That seemed to stop her for a while until she thought it through.
“You did when you said what you thought you were, loner, fighter, survivor. All the caring stuff was later, as if it wasn’t as important.”
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Marie finds out how much Logan really loves her, theres a new arrival at the school who makes her own presence felt. A Old God comes calling along with a realisation of the burdens others carry in their hearts at the school.