| "It's
fine with me." That certainly hadn't been the answer Scott expected. He'd expected Rogue to be at least a little uncomfortable about the women and children staying, especially given the apparent glee with which she'd received the news that all but two of the other humans were dead. On the other hand, maybe she empathized with the plight of the women, having been in a somewhat similar situation herself. "Can you ask Hank to come up later to check on Logan? I have a few questions, and I'll need some more morphine for him too, a lot more. It takes a lot to keep the pain down and keep him out." "Sure. How's he doing?" "Better. Scott, I wanted to - to say thank you for helping him." She didn't meet his eyes and she was very fidgety in her chair. "So, ah, thank you." "You're welcome," Scott answered softly. Since she seemed to be opening up to him, maybe now was a good time to raise some of the topics he and Hank had discussed last night. "You know, Rogue, since you're - you're Logan's partner, I was hoping to talk a few things over with you." "What things?" "Things like how we're going to run things now that Logan is incapacitated." Scott saw her eyes widen, and harden, a bit at that. He pressed on, feeling like the can of worms had already been opened. "Decisions need to be made on a daily basis, you know that. Logan can't do it now, and someone has to. Until he's well, I'll be making those decisions. I thought you should know." Her eyes went from wide to narrow in an instant. "Rogue, someone has to do it." "And you've been dying to be in charge since you probably set foot here," she said acidly. "Logan being out gives you a perfect chance, doesn't it?" "That's not what I'm trying to do here. I'm trying to make sure the needs of the people here are taken care of and that things get back to normal in the wake of this attack." "Bullshit," Rogue hissed, all traces of softness gone. She looked much less like a scared, upset teenage girl and much more like the formidable force she'd been yesterday morning. "You really don't have a decent bone in your body, do you? You're going to take advantage of Logan being hurt and - and what? Kick us out of here? Convince the settlement residents they'd be better off with you in charge? You really are an asshole, you know that?" Scott was more than a little offended by her words, but he fought to keep his emotions in check. He knew her perceptions of him were influenced by what she'd suffered. He tried to stay calm, stay rational. "I'm not planning on kicking you out. I - I - " "Right. Sure." "Look," Scott said a little more firmly, "if you'd just listen to what I have to say, you'd see that I'm not thinking anything of the sort. I just want to make sure the settlement is run properly." "Because Logan's done such an awful job up to this point? What the hell evidence is there of that, hmm? Honestly, do you think you're fooling anyone? You know, Logan may not have liked you much, be he used to respect you. You're repaying his trust and respect for you, you're repaying him for taking you and your son in, and not only giving you a place to live, but indulging your ego and your need to me Mr. Team Leader with -with this? Why the hell do you think he lets you play the big organizer around here, Scott? He knows you need it. It's never you that has to fight and bleed when there's a conflict, though, is it? No, it's always Logan. You never risk anything, but you want all the power. You waited until the second you knew Logan couldn't physically stop you, you decided to take over everything. You're nothing but a fucking coward." "Rogue," Scott spat her name out through a clenched jaw. His indulgence of her was reaching its limits. "If you don't like it, I'm sorry, but that's the way it's going to be." "No, this is how it's going to be - I need to take care of Logan right now, but if you pull anything that I don't like, I won't hesitate to fight you on it. You might be able to put me down with a blast, but you won't stop me. If I have to fight you, Scott, I won't pull any punches. I know you probably think that just because I got used and hurt like some cheap whore by all those men - I'm sure you think that I'm some helpless, terrified little kid. Think again. I've got these now - " Rogue popped her claws for emphasis. Scott noticed that the outside claws were each missing their end joint. She'd told him she used them to scale the sheer, rock cliff of the gorge to get out and get help, but she hadn't mentioned her injury. Scott absently wondered why her bones hadn't regenerated like Logan's flesh was, but her harsh words soon broke his reverie - "and skin that can take your life in less than ten seconds with just a little touch. And, unlike everybody else around here, my life doesn't revolve around making sure your son has you for a father. Don't fuck with me, Scott. I might not have been able to fight and defend myself before, but I'll sure as hell fight harder for Logan now." "I don't want a fight with you, Rogue. I don't want that." "Then don't try anything that would hurt Logan or take this settlement away from him." Scott didn't agree or disagree, but he rose from his chair. Rogue mirrored his actions. "I'm heading to the storehouse. I'll send Hank over." There was really nothing more to be said here, Scott thought, and arguing the point any further would only upset the girl more. Rogue's piercing brown eyes stayed on his visor. "I didn't mean to upset you." She let out a bitter laugh at that. "Bye." She watched him all the way out the door, waiting until she could smell that he was gone before collapsing back into the kitchen chair and bursting into tears. Hank approached Logan's cabin bearing lots of morphine and even more trepidation. Scott had recounted his conversation with Rogue this morning. It had gone even worse than Hank would've thought, and he was even more concerned by Scott's apparent lack of a problem with that. His attitude seemed to be - too bad if Rogue doesn't like it. He also didn't seem to think Rogue would really fight him. Hank had little doubt that she would, and he desperately wanted to avoid that. It would only escalate tensions within the settlement, which Hank pointed out to Scott wouldn't be good for anyone, and it would not sit well with Logan when he finally did heal. Scott, too, had little reaction to that. Hank was beginning to be very concerned about him. Perhaps, after his visit with Rogue, he would try talking to Scott again. Giving a final silent prayer that Rogue would not let her anger toward Scott bleed over to him, Hank knocked and soon heard movement from inside. She opened the door, scowling. Hank put on his best friendly smile. "Hello. Scott said that you wished for me to come." "Yes," she answered slowly, gesturing for Hank to come in. He noticed now that he was closer to her that her eyes looked quite red. He wouldn't be surprised if she was having difficulty dealing with such immense emotional trauma - her conversation with Scott was only the last in a long line of stressors, ones that a girl of her young age would have enough trouble with, even given a strong emotional support system and professional help. Rogue had turned aside offers of therapy from Hank and her sole emotional support was currently unconscious, so she now had neither. "Could you check on Logan? It - it looks like everything, ah, that was missing filled out and his skin looks a lot better, but it's not healing on his back. Should I - should I turn him over?" Hank could tell she was nearing tears - her voice wavered at the end, and he knew how hard she must be trying to hold it all in. "Let's take a look," he said kindly, stooping to examine Logan. She was correct - his nose and ears, and tongue were back, along with his penis and testicles. His skin was pink to red in most spots, but his burned skin had fallen off. His new skin looked much like what one would see beneath a blister or boil. There was one patch of skin on his face that looked very good - only a little pink. Hank gingerly placed a hand beneath Logan's shoulder and his hip and rolled his bulky frame over. His back was, as Rogue had said, not faring as well. The burned skin still clung to him, but Hank could tell he was healing there as well - the burned skin looked nearly ready to flake off. Perhaps Rogue was right, perhaps he did need to rest on his stomach a while to allow his back to heal. "I think we should expose his back to the air a bit." Rogue had recomposed herself and she nodded. "It's been taking about three of those vials of morphine you gave me every other hour to keep him out. He - I think the rest is helping." "It is," Hank confirmed. "And the morphine supply I've brought should last you through the week. Call me if you need more. I have the key to that part of the storehouse and will be happy to retrieve more should you require it." Rogue nodded with a small smile. "May I ask a question? There was one patch of skin on his cheek that was healing more rapidly than the rest. Have you done anything different to that area? Perhaps a salve or ointment?" "Uh, I was hoping to ask you about that, actually. Don't - don't think this is weird or anything, but I licked him. I just - I had this strong, instinctual urge to do it, so I did, and then when I woke up, that skin was better." She blushed and looked at her feet when she finished, but some irritation showed along with her shyness. Hank would wager she was mad at herself for being embarrassed. "It is actually not strange at all. Saliva often has curative properties. Since you have inherited Logan's power, your saliva may be particularly potent, and it may work especially well on him. I would, ah, recommend continuing to administer your saliva if you can." Hank tried to smile reassuringly. "You are taking very good care of him." "Am I?" she asked, looking up at him with a watery half-smile. "I - I don't know, really. I've never had to take care of someone. I hope I'm doing it right. I hope I'm not hurting him." Her eyes slid to Logan's slumbering form. Hank couldn't resist laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You are doing very well. He is healing more quickly than I expected. I would suggest turning him occasionally and continuing to keep him sedated. Rest is the best medicine now. In another day or so, wake him and try feeding him a protein shake - as many as he will eat. Has he been urinating?" "Yes. Yes. This morning. Heck of a wake-up call. I'm glad you put that plastic sheet down. I changed the other sheets right away." "Would you like me to catheterize him? I'm somewhat reluctant to since he may still be internally regenerating on some level in that area, but - " "Then let's not. I'll just - I can keep changing the sheets and cleaning him up. He - he should be OK again in a few days, right? Or, uh, OK enough to use a bedpan, right?" Hank nodded. "Let's just do that then." "Very well." Hank paused for a moment, considering whether he should say anything about Scott. Seeing Rogue's pinched lips and tense shoulders, he forged ahead. "You know, Scott is - he has always been quite protective of those in his care. He can be inflexible at times, but he is not ill- intentioned. The way he approached you this morning was unfortunate, and not his best moment." "But you'd still side with him, wouldn't you? If push came to shove, you'd side with him." Her vulnerability was receding behind a hardening mask of anger. "I hope it will not come to that. Scott would never harm you, Rogue. He would never kick you and Logan out of the settlement." "Yeah, well, the Summers people seem to wind up doing lots of things they'd 'never do' when it comes to me," she retorted. "I know what he thinks," she continued in a low voice. "He thinks - hey, my wife didn't have any trouble dealing with that kid when she wanted something, and I won't have any trouble either. Well, you can tell him from me that things will be different this time." Hank's mouth fell open a little. It hadn't dawned on him until now that, to Rogue, Scott's moves to usurp Logan must seem like some awful repeat of Jean's betrayal. He didn't know what to say to reassure her, and he found himself surprised that promises that Scott would not fight her wouldn't come. Hank's gut told him Scott might fight her, hurt her, if he continued down the emotional path he was following now. "I will do everything in my power to prevent him from harming you, Rogue. I will - I will talk with him." She gave him a tight smile that said she appreciated the sentiment but she wasn't buying in to Hank's words. He would wager that the only promises she'd ever believed came from the man now lying in her bed; he was as helpless to enforce those promises now as he was to enforce his control of the settlement. That must be freaking her out quite a bit as well, Hank realized. "Thanks for coming, Hank." Her words snapped him out of his thoughts. "I'll call if I need you, OK?" "Please do," he said with a heavy dose of sympathy. "Please call me if you need anything at all." "Thanks," she repeated, ushering him out the door. Once again, Rogue's tears followed his departure. Hank drove home on auto-pilot, his mind on Scott and Rogue the entire time. He arrived before he quite realized he was there, and his mind was still drifting when he exited the car. He didn't notice Holly approach him with a worried look on her face. "Hank? Hank?" "Oh. Ah, yes?" He refocused on Holly and tried to smile. He knew she was anxious to hear how the meeting had gone, but he would've hoped that that news had already arrived with Scott's return. His SUV was here, he had made it back. "We've got a little problem with the baby. I'm so glad you're back." "Problem?" Hank was alert now, and following Holly inside the cabin. The infant had spent the night in Jules' old crib. "She's got a fever. I don't know where it came from. Her ears look OK, it's not an ear infection. I don't know what it is." "How high?" Hank approached the crib, where the child was now sleeping fitfully. "103. I gave her some children's Tylenol, but it's not coming down." "When did you administer the Tylenol?" "About two hours ago. She's not eating well either." "Her vitals?" "All normal except the fever and her lungs sound good." Hank was actually quite impressed with Holly's abilities. It was very nice to have something in the way of medical assistance at long last. "Let's watch her for the next three hours. If the fever doesn't subside, we'll do some testing." Holly nodded. "You've heard the news from Scott? The settlement agreed to let you stay until all of you no longer require medical care." The vote had been close, but Scott had spoken persuasively, and the settlement had come down on the right side. The bad news was that popular sentiment was fairly well- set against any of them staying permanently. The thought was that human settlements ought to take them in. The only exception that seemed to have some support was in the case of any of the women willing to marry mutant husbands. The settlement had somewhat of a female-shortage, and some of the men seemed to be considering it. Of course, Scott specified that there could be no coercion, no duress on the women to marry, but he had offered to mention the option to the humans. No one offered to adopt Rita, the baby, or any of the other children. Still, the news that they could stay for the time being should've been welcome; yet, Holly was frowning. "I'm glad we can stay, but I was really hoping someone would take her, take the baby. I think two of the other women are talking about taking the older kids, seeing if someone will take them to the southwest side of the park, and trying to get to the San Diego settlement from there, but I don't think that anyone's willing to take the baby with them, even its mother." Hank nodded in commiseration. A serious kernel of a thought began to form in his mind, though, one that might not be as crazy as it appeared on first blush. "I'll stay with her and keep an eye on her fever," Holly offered. Hank smiled, and nodded once more. No, maybe not crazy at all, he thought. Marie sat on the bed next to Logan, resting for a moment after she'd finished changing the sheets around him and cleaning him up. She hoped that this would be the last time he'd mess the bed - he'd been more awake than ever this time, and he'd almost been able to wait until she'd gotten the makeshift bedpan she'd transformed one of their pots into. He'd been out almost four days now; tomorrow morning would be the fifth. Marie hated seeing him like this - mostly because she hated to see him hurting, but at least also partly because seeing him so helpless scared her. She'd let herself come to rely on him emotionally, to depend on his strength and protection as a stabilizing force in her life. With him out like this, she could no longer pretend she was perfectly safe at the settlement. Logan was the only one here who would protect her no matter what; the others, even Hank, couldn't be relied on to stick up for her if she needed them. Marie was sure that the only thing keeping some of the settlement's rougher residents from attacking her was the knowledge that Logan *would* recover. The threat of suffering the consequences of his eventual wrath was the only slim thread holding them back, she was sure of it. The longer he was out, the slimmer that thread became. Scott was another source of great concern for Marie. She didn't trust him, needless to say, and God only knew what he was planning to do now that he was effectively in charge. Marie had had nightmares ever since the first night she'd come back with Logan, nightmares of Jean returning, nightmares of Scott doing an exact imitation of his wife and turning Marie over to whoever wanted her. She often thought that Logan was the only one who didn't naturally see her as some *thing*, some treat or bribe to be handed out. He saw her like a person, and he treated her accordingly. If he doesn't wake up soon, Marie thought, I won't remember what that's like. I won't know how to act like a person, instead of a thing, any more. Some part of Marie knew she was overloaded, stressed beyond her limits; some part of her knew she needed help, and rest. But getting either would mean trusting someone other than Logan, and she couldn't make herself do that, not now. It was different before, she told herself, when she could still try to trust people. Then, she would be the only one to suffer if she made a bad choice. Now, it would be Logan that would suffer too, and that she couldn't bear. She was at least self-aware enough to know that the pain of making the wrong choice - of hurting Logan, who had already suffered so horribly and so much to keep her safe - could send her over the edge now. She was starting to feel panicky, terrified, so she did what she'd done each of the past few days when it started really getting to her. She talked to Logan. Her first words were always ones of reassurance, promises that she would continue to care for him and that he was healing. But soon, she began talking to him about what was bothering her, what was really on her mind. "If - if he does try something, I'll fight him. I told him I would and I will. I'm not going to just let Scott take over and kick us out or do something to hurt you, I'm not. But I am a little afraid. I just - I know bad things could happen to me if I fight him and lose. Really bad things. That's - that's what I'm afraid of. He could - he knows what happened to me and if he wanted to, he could make it happen all over again. He knows that would probably drive me insane or kill me. He knows that." Logan lay on the bed, unconscious and oblivious to her words and her fears. Full, wet tears began to fall across his unmoving body. "I really - I'd just feel a lot better if you could wake up, you know, for a while at a time. Maybe - maybe then Scott would really get it that you *will* get better, that you're not going to let him do anything bad. I really wish you would wake up." She paused to let herself cry it out a bit before going on. "I know you're hurt, bad, and that you need your rest, though. I want you to get better and wake up when you're ready, I do, that's - that's the important thing. I just hope it's soon." She sniffled, swallowed, and lay herself down next to him, drawing the thick blankets over her trembling body. "Logan, please get better, please wake up soon. I really need you. I'm scared, I'm so scared. Please - please wake up soon, OK? If - if you do, I promise I'll - I'll be braver, I will. I'll find a way to handle Scott and everything, but I need you to wake up, OK? I'll take care of you, I'll do everything, don't worry. I can take care of the house and go get supplies and greet the new people. Scott's - he's seeing the new people in his cabin now, but as soon as you're up, I'll help you see the new people. I promise I'll help with everything, just please wake up." Logan didn't move at all, save for the rise and fall of his chest with each breath. Marie wept while she watched him for a few moments before continuing. "I miss being with you, really a lot. I miss that so much. I - I know I said no to some things you wanted to do, but - but I promise I'll try them when you wake up. I'll try them and I won't think about the bad times or how I got hurt before and I won't be scared. I'll try so hard to make you happy, I promise, just please get better, please wake up. Please, Logan, please....." Marie could not find any more words, so she let her tears and her gentle caresses state the rest of her case. She only hoped he heard her somehow, knew how badly she needed him. If he would just get better, she thought, she could believe once more that she was safe, and that everything would be OK. Logan shifted in bed. He was warm, comfortable, and he felt only a slight tingling all across his skin, no more pain. He remembered waking a couple of times to Rogue saying something about reducing medicines and making him drink some god-awful shakes or go to the bathroom. He thought that was yesterday or two days ago. He didn't know how long he'd been out; he wasn't sure. It couldn't have been very long, he thought, what with his powers. The one thing he was sure of was the most important thing - Marie was safe. They were back in the cabin, and the humans had been dealt with; she had promised that's how it was in response to his frantic queries each time he'd woken. Logan was content for the moment with that knowledge, and he breathed in deeply, feeling something beside him squirm a little as he did. It was Marie, he'd woken her. He hadn't meant to, but he wasn't sorry that she was up. It sounded strange, but he'd missed her while he'd been unconscious. "Hey, how are you feeling?" She blinked sleep out of her eyes, and Logan thought, not for the first time, how beautiful she was and how grateful he was that she'd survived, that she'd healed. "Better." "Any pain?" "Nah, just tingly and a little tired." He reached out a hand to stroke her side, drawing a smile from her. He'd wager that she missed him too. "You OK?" She was safe, he was sure of it, and they hadn't gotten to her, he could tell, but something wasn't quite OK with her. That, he could also tell. Her smell and her expression were both a little off, and Logan was just with-it enough to be sure he was correctly reading those things as signs of something amiss. She just kept saying it was fine, though. "I'm good. Can I see your back?" Logan obligingly rolled over, with more than a little effort. It would be some time before he was back to one-hundred-percent-kick-ass, he knew that for certain too. "Hmmm. Looks better." After a moment, he felt the slick warmth of her tongue licking at his still- healing skin. He'd woken up the first time (well, the first time he could remember) to her licking him on his neck and shoulder. It felt incredible, and it had the reassuring side effect of producing an erection, proving that his regenerated parts were in working order. His heart clenched a little at the tenderness of it - her gently licking all over his ravaged skin so that it would heal more rapidly. It seemed so personal, so intimate. He gave himself over to her, basking in the feel of it, in the sensuality of it. It was so much different this time - waking up in a soft, warm bed with Marie by his side, touching him, kissing him, licking him all over - much more pleasant than the last time he'd woken from a bout of unimaginable pain only to find himself naked, freezing, and covered in snow with no one around for miles. The pain had been horrific this time, but Logan doubted he'd remember that about this episode in their lives. He'd remember Marie's tenderness and warmth much more strongly. He pushed all thoughts of the attack from his mind, and focused on enjoying Marie's attentions. Finally, when she finished, he rolled back over, seeing plain affection in her eyes. "Baby........" He tangled his hand in her hair, feeling himself already grow weak from the effort of rolling over and staying awake. She gave him her usual generous smile, but this time, he saw a few tears in her eyes. "Marie?" "Sorry. Sorry. Just - I'm really glad you're getting better. I'm glad you're coming back." The tears kept coming, even though he could tell she was trying to keep them back. Maybe now was the time to try to get whatever it was out of her. "I am better. I am back. Darlin', everythin's gonna be OK. I won't let anythin' happen to ya, you know that." He tried to make her feel safe with the words, safe enough to let out whatever was troubling her. "I do," she whispered, but her expression only became more distressed, and there were more tears. Logan let out a long, frustrated sigh, but before he could form more words, she spoke. "But we're in trouble, I think. It's - it's not safe, it's not OK." Logan was on alert at that immediately. "What is it?" Marie only broke into long, loud sobs, and scooted over to press herself to Logan's side. He put an arm around her, securing her to him. He waited for the worst of it to pass before asking again, "What's wrong?" "S-scott came here. He was - he said he w-will be making decisions for the camp now since you can't enforce the decisions you m-make any more. He said he wouldn't t-try to kick us out, but I d-don't believe him. It's just like Jean all over again, it is. He's planning something, he's already taking things over, but I don't kn-know what he's going to do, really. Whatever it is, it w-won't be good for us, and I'm afraid I can't st-stop him all by myself." She dissolved into tears again at that and Logan held her tighter. "It's gonna be OK," he murmured, inwardly thinking about what to do. He wasn't in any shape to go kick Scooter's ass, which was his knee-jerk response. He knew he could barely move and definitely couldn't move from the bed. Anger still flared in him strongly, though. He wouldn't have been surprised that Scott wanted to be in charge and would try to run the camp while he was out, but he was surprised that Scott had apparently been so tactless and forceful about it to upset Marie like this. And he definitely should have more sense than to do anything that smacked of Jean, even a little bit. A growl escaped Logan's lips before he could stop it. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything because I know you still need to get better, and I know I should be strong enough to just - just handle it all, but I can't. I can't. I'm sorry, Logan." She was shaking and crying now, and Logan cursed himself a fool for just laying there like some lump basking in Marie's attentions when he should've been paying attention to what she needed. "Don't be sorry. I'm glad you said somethin'. We'll figure out what to do, but I swear, Marie, he's not gonna get away with anythin'. He's not gonna hurt us, no way." He felt her nod against his shoulder and took encouragement in that. Sleep tugged at him, but he fought it. He needed to comfort Marie now. "It's gonna be OK, darlin'." Hank fidgeted. He'd been thinking over how to broach this topic with Holly for the past few days, and still hadn't managed to come up with anything that didn't sound stupid or salacious or both. He cursed himself and tried harder to think of what to say. He knew he had to say something, and very soon - the humans were all well enough to travel, save the young girl with pneumonia, and she'd accepted an offer of marriage from Paul. Hank actually thought they'd make a good match - they were both quiet, low- key, and Hank knew Paul to be a good man whose primary motivation was to help the young girl and to have someone to start a family with of his own. It wasn't the most normal thing he'd ever heard of, but then again, this was no longer the normal world. Paul was taking her to his cabin today, with instructions from Hank for her continued care, and the rest of the women and children were preparing to leave soon. Yes, Hank thought, it must be now. "Holly? Do you have a moment?" She'd been camping out in one of the tents, and had come in to check on the baby. She was doing well, the fever having broken several days ago. Hank suspected some virus or infection - the child was in poor health and ill-fed, and that never lead to a strong immune system. However, she'd fought whatever it was off, with the help and care of Holly, for the most part. Holly positively hovered over the child until she was out of danger. She was rocking the infant girl now, just enjoying the child's company and taking the opportunity to give her some affection. The baby still didn't have a name, but Holly had definitely stepped in as her de facto mother. The child's natural mother had seemed quite relived to relinquish all responsibility for the child to Holly; she had told several of her compatriots that it was up to Holly, not her, whether the child should come along with them to San Diego since Holly would be the one caring for her if she did. "Sure, Hank. What's up?" She smiled when he seated himself at the end of the couch opposite her. That was good, he thought, she was becoming more and more comfortable around him. That could be a good sign. "I wished to speak with you regarding your immediate plans. I was hoping - well, I was hoping to offer some options for your consideration." She looked at Hank with polite interest. Hank took a deep breath, telling himself that it was now or never. "I know that you are planning on keeping the child with you since there has not been an adoption placement made so far. It will be a very dangerous trek to San Diego with such a small child." "I know," Holly sighed, "But I just couldn't do anything else, really. Someone's got to take care of her. She deserves at least a chance, you know?" She beamed down at the beneficiary of her kindness, who cooed back at her in return. "I concur. Ah, there are some other options, options other than journeying to San Diego, that you may want to consider." Holly's expression was now curious, quizzical. "You see, ah, the, ah, settlement has only myself for - for medical assistance, and you being a nurse would add greatly to the, ah, medical assistance available." "But they said - wasn't the vote that we all had to leave? I mean, I didn't think they'd make an exception for me just because I was a nurse." "Correct. Correct. Quite right. You are correct." Hank squirmed, then gathered his courage for a final push. "Only one exception was provided for, that being, ah, marriage." "Right," Holly answered blankly. "So unless I get married, it doesn't really matter that I'm a nurse. I mean, I hear you, I know you need help, especially with the population here growing like it is, but - " "Holly, I am suggesting that you marry me." Hank got the words out in a rush, then let out a long, relieved sigh in their wake. Noticing that she was simply staring at him, mouth and eyes both wide open, he clarified, "Not - not that I would expect you in any way to live with me as my wife. Not - not as man and wife, no. Well, of course you would have to live with me here, at the cabin, but spring is an ideal time to build on an addition - a - a rather large and very private addition, of course, one spacious enough for both you and the child, should you -should you like to stay here and - " "You're - you're talking about marrying me and adopting this baby?" Holly's expression clearly conveyed her disbelief. "You're seriously suggesting that we get married and that you - you take on me and a baby?" "Yes, well, I know it seems a bit unusual, and I assure you that it is only my desire to - to secure additional medical help for the settlement that has prompted this offer. I am in no way expecting you to - to - to, ah, perform the ordinary wifely duties. Ah, I mean, the duties one would perform in the ordinary course of wife -of being a wife. Or a mother. I shall - I shall continue to parent Jules and you shall be free to parent this child. Of course, I shall offer you assistance with that if you so desire. But I do not have the, ah, ordinary expectations for our marital relationship. That is to say, I, ah, have no malicious intentions - or - or sexual designs on you and I realize that marriage to such an obvious mutant may not be - be something you would consider, but I - I would like to offer it as an option for your consideration nonetheless." Holly simply stared at him for several long moments. Finally, Hank prompted, "Ah, would you like to comment?" "Yes," Holly said slowly, rocking the infant once more. "Yes, I would. First, um, I'd like to thank you for offering. It's really - it's really very nice of you. And next I would like to say, um, OK." "OK?" "Yes. I mean yes. I'd like to say yes, I'd like to marry you - under - under those conditions. I think it's a good idea. This baby - she needs a home, and I - to tell the truth, I'd like a stable home too. It's been a while since - " she suddenly got choked up and it occurred to Hank that the whole time she'd been here, she'd never cried. She'd always been the calm one, the efficient one, the one in charge. She never talked about how she'd come to have been kidnaped by those men or what had happened while she was with them. Hank felt the sudden urge to comfort her, to hug her or pat her shoulder or something. Before he could do so, though, she gathered herself. "I'd like to get married. And I trust you to keep your word about - about how that's going to be for both of us. And I don't have any concerns about the mutant part of it. I'm - I'm pleased to be marrying such an obviously good guy." She finished with a shaky smile, one he returned. "Thank you. I am pleased that you will be staying with us. We will need to have a brief ceremony - Scott can perform it here if you like, and then sign the certificate. I think - I think it would be best if I adopt her." Hank gestured to the baby in Holly's arms. "I certainly shall not interfere in your raising of her in any case, but - but her being formally adopted by me may be best just - just in case anything should happen to you. In that instance, she would still have a place here." Holly pondered his words for a few moments, then nodded. "She'll need a name then." "I suppose so," Hank sighed, absurd relief beginning to wash over him. "What shall you name her?" "Oh. Oh. I - I don't know. What do you think she looks like?" Holly inquired with a shy smile. "She looks like she will make a wonderful sister and playmate for Jules," Hank opined, in a gentle tone. "Maybe - maybe we could call her Jane - you know, a J-name to match Jules'." Hank was oddly very touched by the gesture. "What's - what's your last name, Hank? I'm sorry, I forgot." "McCoy," he supplied immediately, smiling to show that he'd taken no offense. "Well, then she'll be Jane McCoy. What do you think?" "Very good," Hank whispered. "Very good." "Trust me, Marie. It's gonna be fine." Logan propped himself up in bed to sit up a little straighter. Marie helped him scoot up a little, and looked upon him with worried eyes. "Hey, I won't letcha down, darlin', I swear it. You know I keep my promises in that department, right?" Marie looked embarrassed, then upset, while she hurried to nod her response. "Darlin', don't - don't feel bad, I didn't mean it like that. I wanna take care of you. I'm not mad or anythin' 'bout what happened. I'm just grateful as hell that I thought to throw ya over that cliff, OK? Just - just relax, Marie, and trust me. I know Scooter, I know him inside and out. I'll talk to him and take care of things." "What if he tries something? He could - he could shoot you with his eyes or - or - get other people to come up here too and - and I just don't trust him. I trust you, but I don't trust him." Logan cupped her face in his hands and leaned toward her until their foreheads touched. She calmed a bit with the touch, but her eyes still darted away from his. "I don't want you in here when he comes, OK? You stay in the bathroom. Take the gun with ya, it'll make you feel better. There's no way he's gonna try anythin' but I know you'll feel better with the gun. You'll be able to hear everythin' that's goin' on. I'm just gonna talk to him, and if he's all assholey, then we'll wait. We'll just wait until I'm better and then I'll have it out with him, then I'll fight him. I'm not gonna let him do anythin' bad to you, no way, and he's not gonna hurt me." "He - he really doesn't like you, you know." Logan laughed, despite her dead serious tone, and he gave her a quick kiss. "I know. I don't like him either, but he's usually not this much of a prick. Don't worry, darlin', it's gonna be OK." As if on cue, Scott's knock at the front door interrupted them. "Go on, get the door." Marie parted from him, paused, and leaned back in for a hard kiss before following his instructions. Before she could reach the door, Scott knocked again. "Keep your pants on," Logan called out, winking at Marie to reassure her. She opened the door, fixing a hard expression on her face. She wouldn't let Scott see her fear or any potential weakness. "Come in," she greeted him simply, inwardly relieved that he appeared to have come alone. She moved to let him pass her, then closed the door behind him. Exchanging a look with Logan, she watched as Scott headed to the bed. When he was seated, she gathered the handgun Logan had spoken of and headed for the bathroom. After Logan heard her close, but not shut, the door, he spoke. "What the fuck is wrong with you, huh?" Scott frowned, said nothing, and sat down on the edge of the bed. "You go nuts while I was unconscious?" "I'm sure you don't care for having humans stay here, but the settlement voted to allow it." "I ain't talkin' 'bout that and you know it." Scott heaved an impatient sigh. "Look, I apologize for any distress I've caused Rogue - " "Distress?" Logan put in, making it clear that he thought Scott's choice of words did not come close to conveying Rogue's emotional state. "Yes, distress. I know she's very sensitive and easily upset when it comes to me and - " "Why do ya think that is, genius? I'd say she sure as hell has a right to be." Scott felt a pang of unease at that, but his long-held resentment of Logan forged through any sentimental feelings he may have had. "Did you want to discuss something or just yell at me? Because I've got better things to do than listen to you rant and rave. I've got a settlement to run." "Yeah, my settlement. You think you really wanna take this place over, huh? You wanna try bein' king for a while?" Logan seemed more than a little amused by the prospect. "Lemme ask ya somethin', Scooter - what do you think is gonna happen the first time somebody gets a hair across their ass and ends up stealin' their neighbor's land or car or woman? You think you're gonna talk to 'em in your big leader voice and make 'em see the light? Nah, you're gonna hafta *make* 'em do whatcha say, and lemme tell ya somethin', you won't do it. You won't and even if ya would, you can't, not anymore." "My powers don't require a lot of physical strength to be effective," Scott said levelly, "And things have been running pretty well so far." "Uh-huh. For all of two weeks." "Look, did you have anything else to say, because I have work to do." Logan gave him a hard, appraising look. "Yeah, I got a coupla other things to say. You're gonna start bringin' the new people up here. You're gonna start runnin' things by me. You're gonna do what the hell I decide, because this is my place. And you're gonna apologize to Rogue and live up to the word you gave me a coupla months ago about not doin' anythin' to upset her from now on." "Well, gee, Logan," Scott said in a tone dripping with sarcasm. "Since you said that in your big leader voice, I guess I'll have to do it." He let out a snort of laughter before continuing. "You're in no shape to *make* me, Logan, so just can it, and be grateful that I - " Scott's words were cut off by a solid left hook. Rogue emerged from the bathroom at that, keeping her distance and taking cover behind the wall, but unmistakably aiming her handgun squarely at Scott's chest. He flashed back to the day the humans had attacked their cabin, and how Rogue had felled the sniper with a single shot. He was afraid of her now, for the first time he could remember. He hadn't been afraid when she'd killed Gary - that was justice and it wasn't really her idea, it was Logan's. He hadn't been really afraid when she came to him and demanded his help in rescuing Logan - that was desperation, and some part of him knew that she wasn't so far gone that she didn't realize hurting Scott would be counterproductive to getting Logan back. But now, looking into her resolute brown eyes, he was afraid. She could take him away from his son with a twitch of her finger, she really could. His eyes remained glued to Rogue's - her expression didn't give an inch. Finally, Logan's snarl drew Scott's attention away from Rogue. "I never expected you to be such a cold-hearted bastard. You really don't give a shit, do ya?" He was panting hard from the effort of punching Scott. "You got the nerve to be a smart-ass about makin' Rogue think you're gonna pull some shit, makin' her hafta worry 'bout that. After everythin' she's been through, after her fightin' to help defend you, after her takin' care of you when you were down, and your kid too, you still got the nerve to tell me I gotta *make* you be decent to her? Well, fuck you, Summers. You wanna fight about it, we're gonna go right now." He threw the covers off and swung one leg to the floor with obvious effort. Rogue let out a squeak and her lips pressed together so hard they turned white. "Get your ass outta my house, let's go." "No," Scott said softly. Somehow, he'd forgotten - forgotten how Rogue had cared for him and Christopher, how she'd done it even though Scott could tell at the time that it was very difficult for her. How could he have forgotten that? What had happened to him? He was upsetting her, he had been all along, it was written all over her. It was plain as day. And for what - some desire to run this place? For power? Some petty desire to annoy or one-up Logan? What had happened to him? Scott's head swum with a sharp change in perspective; somehow, he'd let his anger toward Logan run rampant, let his anger, period, take over. Maybe it was the trauma of finding out what had happened with Jean, maybe it was the reminder of it all that Rogue gave him every time he saw her, maybe it was his never- ending tension with Logan, but somehow, he'd managed to lose track of his compassion, his honor. The very things he prided himself on, the very things he differentiated himself from Logan with had somehow deserted him in recent weeks. What had happened to him? "Logan - " Rogue's frantic call broke Scott out of his thoughts. She'd lowered the gun and was rushing to Logan's side - he'd managed to stand up and make it about half-way toward the door, but he was walking with a lot of difficulty, almost dragging his legs forward by sheer force of will alone. Scott remembered how he'd looked just two weeks before - burned beyond recognition, twitching, disfigured. "Logan, please, no don't!" Rogue pressed herself to him, supporting him. Scott could see the tears in her eyes. "It's all right," Logan spoke softly to her, even smiled down at her. "It's OK. You just stay in here, darlin', I don't wantcha watchin' this." He caressed her hair and cheek tenderly, and she broke into sobs, clutching herself to him. "Hey, hey now, it's OK. It's OK, baby." "I can't take it," she sobbed, choked with hysteria and tears, "I can't take you getting hurt again, Logan please." "I, ah, I don't want to fight," Scott said, rising to face Logan with a stricken expression. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't know what - I didn't mean to upset you, Rogue." She didn't part from Logan to look at Scott. "I'm so sorry." Logan gave him a look that could kill. "I - I don't know..........I'm sorry." "Get your ass outside," Logan said harshly. "We're gonna settle this. It's too damn late for 'sorry'." Even as he leaned heavily on Rogue, he was undaunted. "I've had it, Scooter, let's go." Rogue finally parted from Logan a little, just enough to look up at him through pained, panicked eyes. "Please, I can't lose you. What will - what will they do with me if you're not here to protect me? Please, Logan." Rogue's desperation and naked terror literally felt like a punch to the gut to Scott. She was talking about him when she said 'they,' she was worried about what *he'd* do with her. She saw Scott as just as capable of hurting her as those men had been, saw him as just like those men who'd hurt and corrupted his beloved Jean. Scott felt the bile rising in his throat and he ran for the toilet. He threw up until there was nothing left to throw up, and only dry heaves came, then slumped to the floor beside the composting toilet, and struggled to breathe. Tears warred with more heaves, and he let himself slide down along the wall to rest his head on the cool hardwood floor. After a few moments, he saw Logan looming above him in the doorway. "What the hell is wrong with you?" "I don't know," Scott answered honestly. "Please, God, tell Rogue I'm sorry." Logan eyeballed him, then made his face an impassive mask. "Go on home. We'll have this out, Scooter, but not today. Go on home." Scott slowly made it to his feet, then hung his head as he rushed from the cabin, still reeling. He could hear Rogue's sobs along the way but he didn't dare look at her. Once he was out into the open, out in the fresh air, he gulped it down as though he'd been suffocating. It took him a long time to calm enough to make his way home. |