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Logan was long gone by the time she got out of Sickbay.

Wasn’t his fault; Storm had gotten a late night phone-call and woken him at the crack of dawn to go looking for some new mutant. Something to do with a kid in Afghanistan, picked up by the forces on the ground there and perhaps in danger from a mob. He’d taken the jet, him and Bobby, headed out in the wee small hours long before she awoke from her troubled sleep. Long before they’d had the opportunity to not talk about what they’d done. Marie thought he might have come by her room, she could have sworn she heard his footsteps pacing outside her door for a while- But he hadn’t opened the door or said nothing. Just worried the floor for a little while and then bailed. Probably unable to find the words to speak to her-

Because considering what had happened, she surely didn’t know where to begin.

She sighed then, curling her feet beneath her and sinking back further into Logan’s chair. Breathing in the scent of him that still hung about it, no matter how long he’d been gone. It made her feel a little hollow inside, to wonder whether she’d ever be welcome to sit in it again- But she pushed the thought away. If she was gonna have her heart broken, it was gonna have to wait.

Instead she turned her mind back to the problem at hand.

Because Hank had been right to come get her. Turned out that like any other feline Creed went into heat, not as regularly as a cat apparently but just often enough to make “time of the month,” a worrying factor in his mental health. And a worrying bit of information for the poor bastard guarding his cell. When he’d attacked Marie he’d been slap-bang in the middle of his mating cycle, hormones going every which way and the will to mate driving every other thought out of that psychotic, pea-sized skull o’ his. Which was probably why he’d been so damn easy to track. When Beast checked his readings he’d discovered a testosterone and serotonin surge that would’ve put Viagra to shame: It was a wonder he’d been able to walk, let alone carry Marie off when he kidnapped her. But that hadn’t been the most worrying element.

The most worrying element had been Marie herself.

Because when Hank had checked her hormone levels, the readings were off the scale. Enormous. Marie had been more tanked up on testosterone than a human body should have been able to take from her skin-on-skin contact with the monster. And just to make it even more mortifying, Beast had been able to smell the pheromones coming offa her soon as she walked through the door. Just like he’d picked up the distinctive scent of Wolverine. Which had been pretty damn awkward, to say the least. He’d explained her prognosis hesitantly, awkwardly: Apparently she was at that moment in time at least the single horniest, most irresistible woman on the planet. There were rabbits who weren’t as sexually dynamic as she was. Or as ready to go. Marie had listened to his explanation with a mixture of dread, embarrassment, and (she told herself) relief. It had sure explained a lot, like the fact that she’d turned into a sex-mad dominatrix in the space of time it took to sit in a chair. Like the fact that Logan had tried to fuck her against a wall without a thought of the consequences, when most of the time he barely noticed she was female, let alone fully grown. Soon as Hank said the word pheromones she’d understood what had happened: Logan simply hadn’t stood a chance against her- It had been chemistry at its most basic and simple, nothing to do with attraction at all-

Is that so, little darlin’? her inner Wolverine growled dangerously then. Is that what you’re trying t’tell yerself?

Instantly Marie stilled, wondering where this was going. Her inner Wolverine rarely spoke to her except in the heat of battle, and when he did he never sounded as smug as right now.

Of course, that was because he was usually busy explaining how to beat the shit out of her opponent.

What did ya say t’me? She muttered defensively then.

Oh I think ya heard me fine, darlin’. Not wanting to listen ain’t the same as being deaf. And his smile grew wider, turning feral. Marie swore she could feel the ghost of his hands moving underneath her skin, fingers trailing across her lips. Between her thighs. She tried unsuccessfully to calm herself.

Because now that he’d started talking to her he didn’t seem inclined to stop.

You honestly trying t’tell me you need a shot o’ Victor t’make you wanna fuck me? the Wolverine continued, so close he mighta been standing at her elbow. You honestly saying you never thought about it before now? She tried not to notice what his voice was doing to her insides. Also cursed her body for responding to even the memory of his presence in this chair. She heard him chuckle- Oh, clearly darlin’ I don’t turn ya on none- And she squeezed her eyes shut. Tried to make him quiet. Because she had an out now, when it came to explaining things. She didn’t have to admit she wanted him, she could walk away scot-free-

And do what? the Wolverine scoffed. Go back t’pretending? Go back t’making out ya got ice-water in yer veins Marie, and no fire in yer belly neither? That’s who ya wanna be?

But that’s who Ah have t’be! She retorted. That’s all he needs from me-

And what ‘bout what you need from him? The Wolverine was growling now, showing his teeth to her. Ya honestly think I wanna woman who don’t have a spinal column, don’t have needs of her own? He rumbled in her head, beneath her skin. Getting ornery. Marie tried to push him away but she couldn’t. He just wouldn’t shut up. Why ya think I never wanted Jeannie, Marie? he demanded. Why ya think the Wolverine always chased after you, no matter what Logan said? Because you’re flesh and blood and balls, woman. Not some perfect image he’ll never sully with actual affection-

Then why did he stop things? She mentally snapped. Crossing her arms in irritation. If he’s so interested why’d he push me away?

Because, sweetheart, he’s a moron. Marie gave a ghost of a smile despite herself. And even worse’n that, he don’t know what he wants. Tells himself he gotta have nothing and leaves your sweet self alone and cold in bed at night when you’d both be happier fuckin’ like tomorrow will never come. The Wolverine sighed like a martyr and Rogue fought the urge to giggle. He sounded like he knew what he was talking about, and she wondered how much of this might be a part of Logan and how much of this was her own desires speaking through his voice. You don’t know how many times he’s told himself not to look at you, darlin’, the Wolverine continued. You don’t know how many times you nearly got to road-test your mutation control once you turned eighteen. Shit Marie, even you notice it. Wouldn’ta put so much effort inta pretending if there wasn’t something there you weren’t willing t’face-

So you’re saying this is mah fault? She demanded.

Don’t pull that crap with me, woman, the Wolverine growled. Just cos I said something you don’t wanna deal with, don’t shift this around so it becomes about me. You’re not worried about guilt, you’re worried about fear. You’re worried that you’ll never match up to whatever idea you have about the competition in your head. And that’s your bullshit Marie, not mine.

She rolled her eyes then. He really didn’t get it, if he could say that to her. Well, have you seen mah competition, sugah? She retorted, arms crossed more tightly now. Either they’re dead and flawless like Jeannie or they’re horny and crazy like every other woman he jumps inta bed with. Where exactly do Ah fit inta that?

His smile was smugly serene. Same place ya always have darlin’. Right inside his heart. Marie opened her mouth to answer him and closed it with an audible snap. She couldn’t really say anything to that. We’re both nuts about ya, Marie, the Wolverine continued more softly at her silence, I’ve just got the balls t’admit it. Happen t’be prettier’n him too, but that’s neither here nor there. She shook her head, not really willing to believe him. And not really wanting to disbelieve him neither, if she were being honest with herself.

She couldn’t have admitted that before now, she realised with a start.

But say Ah even wanted to, she began cautiously, He can’t- Ah mean, we don’t- She threw her hands up in the air. Why couldn’t she bring herself to say it? What if you’re wrong about this? She demanded eventually. What if you’re seeing something that just ain’t there?

Now the Wolverine rolled his eyes. Look, sweetheart, just ask him. Straight out. No ceremony. You know us better’n anyone: If he’s lying you’re the one’ll be able to tell it. And you’re the one’ll benefit when he grows a pair and admits how he feels. Ask him what happened and watch him.

You make it sound so easy, she thought gloomily.

That’s because it was easy, before you thought too much about it. It was easy before he went and cocked it up. She felt his hands sliding underneath her clothes now, kneading at her breasts, her ass. It felt- It felt really fucking good if she were being honest with herself. That’s because I’m the best o’ the best at what I do darlin’, he growled smugly. And it ain’t like this chair won’t see worse by the time you an’ him are through with it… So why doncha give me some time t’play..?

Marie tried to concentrate but he was making it So Difficult. Maybe if she lay back and relaxed a little she might have more luck…

The Wolverine laughed again. That’s it darlin’, you get comfortable… Pull that little shirt off and show me those pretty titties again… Without thinking twice she yanked the shirt off, shivering as the cold air hit her flesh and he growled appreciatively. He might not have been the real thing-Hey, now that was uncalled fer- But what he was doing to her sure as Hell felt real. His hands were everywhere underneath her skin, teeth nipping, lips sucking- Marie tried to remind herself that to be caught jerking off in a man’s favourite chair once might be considered unfortunate, but to be caught twice was downright negligence- But the Wolverine didn’t listen none. Just squeezed her, licked her, rocked her. So she didn’t press the point. If she was right and Logan did want her, the scent would drive him crazy. And if she was wrong and he didn’t, if it all went horribly, horribly pear-shaped, well then she’d just tell him Sabre-tooth made her do it and never look him in the eye again. It was a win-win situation- Oh Jesus, sugah, right there, Ah’m going straight t’Hell for this, anyway- And she would just be better off accepting it.

Especially if she was gonna try seducing his flesh and blood counterpart just as soon as he got back home. She could think of this as a trial run-.

That’s my girl, The Wolverine growled. Gotta love that can do attitude.

Marie didn’t think she could get so hoarse from screaming “Yes!”

But three hours later she was forced to admit that she could.