| Summary:
Wolverine and Panther bond in their new relationship |
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| Logan lay on his
back holding Danielle tightly. Then, he tensed expecting her to leave
as he had been left so many times before – whether it was the drunken
barmaid or streetwalker after she got paid for services rendered. His
heart pounded with nervousness. But, Danielle wasn't going. She rested
her head on his shoulder as her hand began to gently skim over his
chest. She sensed his concern somehow, and she continued stroking him. "What's wrong, Logan?" she asked. "I was waitin' for ya to leave," he said. She rose to meet his eyes. Logan closed his eyes – Stupid thing to say, you jackass, he cursed himself. "Only if you want me to," she replied and glad in an odd way that he was informing her on what was on his mind. "I'm sorry - this is all so new to me. It's not like I ever got this close to someone before. I don't want ya to leave," he replied. "I won't go anywhere, then," she said as she nuzzled closer to him. Her hand rested on his chest feeling his heart beat. He laid his hand on top of hers gently pressing it against his heart. She could feel it pounding wildly. "You do this to me – makin' my heart race," he said softly. "I've been afraid to say anything, figurin' you wouldn't really want me – that I'm too dangerous for ya, especially after everything that happened to ya before," he said. "I wanted to tell ya what I was feelin'. But, I thought you were still too hung up on Jean. I hate to say it, but I'm glad Jean refused ya," Danielle said. "I felt like shit after kissin' ya that time in the hallway. I figured I really fucked it up good," he said. "Ya didn't fuck up. I did by not respondin' in a more favorable way. I was so angry thinkin' ya just wanted to add me to your long list of conquered women," she said. He softly laughed. Yes, he couldn't deny that. But, he never felt love the way he was now. "I don't blame ya for feelin' that way," he replied. Danielle sat up and looked into Logan's eyes. "Are we..." she trailed off. Logan pulled her down to him and held her tightly. Her ear was to his heart as his fingers trailed over her arm. His caressed her face and pushed her hair back. "Listen to my heart whisper I love ya," he said softly. Danielle was shocked. Gruff bad ass Logan being poetic? She looked into his eyes. "What? I'm not allowed to be a little romantic? I ain't all animal," he said gruffly. She gently smiled. "Don't get so defensive. I love ya too – wild man," Danielle said lying back down at his side. "Why did we do this – wait so long to say somethin'?" she asked. "I dunno. Jean said dangerous men are only to flirt with. Guess I took it too much to heart," he said sadly. "I wasn't just flirting. I meant it – but figured Jean was still too important to ya. And, I didn't want to get hurt again," she responded. "Guess we both messed up," Logan replied. "Hope I convinced ya to stick around a little longer," she said. "I guess I can manage to hang around a while," he said. "Hey, I need a beer. I'd like some company. That is, unless you got somethin' better to do," he added. She waited a moment before responding. With every passing second, Logan was dying a little more. "I'd love to go with ya," she said then kissed his chest. He was in heaven. Danielle hopped out of his bed and tossed on her clothes. "I'll meet you in the garage, say around 8," she said before leaving his room. Logan smiled happily – his heart relieved that she didn't say no. Why would she after all this? Logan smiled and got up to shower and change. Danielle ran down the hall to her room. Bobby and Rogue were in the living room playing video games when Marie heard Danielle running down the hall. Marie followed her. "Danielle, what's going on?" Marie asked coyly. Danielle was rifling through her closet pulling out an outfit to change into. "Going out for a beer - with Logan," she said as she dashed into the bathroom. "A date? Oh, gawd, this is great! And, it's about time!" Marie said with excitement. As Danielle turned around, Marie looked at her oddly. "Danielle, you look different. Aw my gawd, you two – that's what all that racket was," Marie said. Danielle smiled and that was enough of an answer. Danielle pulled out her black leather pants and a swooping and clingy black blouse. "It's not too – you know – slutty?" Danielle asked. "I think it will look great," Marie said. Danielle showered and dressed. Rogue watched her put on her make up and silver studded leather jacket. As she puffed up her hair a bit, Marie looked Danielle over. "Aw, my Gawd. Yer gonna give Logan a heart attack," Marie said. "Oh, I don't wanna do that," Danielle giggled. "Go have fun. And, don't get into too much trouble," Marie said. With that, Danielle hurried off. Logan was seated on Scott's motorcycle anxiously awaiting Danielle. She slid to a halt just before rounding the corner opting to walk out slowly and nonchalantly. Logan's enhanced hearing picked up the sound of her leather shoes on the pavement. As Danielle entered his field of vision, his heart skipped a beat. He began looking around bewildered. "Holy shit. You all dolled up for someone special?" Logan asked as he eyed Danielle from head to toe. Oh, shit! Baby, let's forget the bar. She slid onto the motorcycle behind me and slowly wrapped her arms around my waist. Christ, it all of a sudden got really hot in here. Maybe we should go back to my room again. I feel her hands sliding up my sides and she leans against my back. "Never know who I might run into at the bar," she answered. Logan released the claws on his right hand and held up his clenched fist menacingly. "He better be ready for a gut full of metal," Logan replied. Danielle giggled. She liked what Logan was implying. "Isn't this Scott's bike?" she asked. "Scooter always let's me borrow it," he said. "You two really hate each other and I don't think `borrow' is the word you really mean to use," she replied. Just then, Jean and Scott were entering the garage on their way out. Scott wanted to scream at Logan for taking his motorcycle without asking. Jean grabbed his arm quickly. "Scott, let him go," Jean said sternly. Logan glanced over his shoulder with a smug look and raced the bike out of the garage leaving a trail of black rubber on the pavement as they screetched out of sight. I rode fast – fast enough to make her want to really hang on to me. I loved it – and I smiled. I musta been smilin' from ear to ear with the high I was on. The pub was a decent sized place holding a good couple hundred people. Logan and Danielle walked in. He had his arm around her possessively and she had hers around him with her hand in his back pocket. Then, her best friend spotted Danielle and they greeted each other with hugs. "Girl, you lookin' really good. So, introduce me to this fine example of maleness you came in with. Wolverine, right?" Loni asked. "Loni, this is Logan, my..." Danielle said before he cut her off. "Boyfriend," he said. Danielle peered at him. She was struck funny in hearing that word drift from his lips. "Logan, this is my best friend, Loni," Danielle introduced. He pulled off his jacket and set it on the seat where they were sitting. Loni's mouth dropped open upon looking at how snugly the white tee shirt hugged his well-built frame. They all sat down at the table and began chatting. Loni took serious note of how Logan and Danielle were apparently very close. Danielle would coyly lean into him from time to time, and Logan seemed so protective of Danielle. He was constantly staring down anyone who looked like competition. Loni looked Logan over sensing the restrained feral fury in his heart. "Hey, girl, I gotta hit the powder room. Come with me a minute," Loni said. Logan's attention was elsewhere not hearing Loni's request. As Danielle got up, Logan grabbed her hand. "Be right back – you know we girls can't go to the can alone," she snickered. He let her go and patiently waited for her to come back. "So, what's going on between you two?" Loni asked point blank. "Nothing, much," Danielle giggled. "You lie, girl. Gotta be awesome in bed. C'mon and tell Loni what else he does with them claws besides slice and dice bad guys," Loni probed. "Yes, he's good in bed... and I...I love him," Danielle said. A stressed look crossed her face. "What's botherin' you, honey? You know you can talk ta me," Loni said putting her arms around her tormented friend. "I do love him and it scares the hell outta me. What if I end up making another big mistake?" Danielle asked. "Ya know, if he made the first move, I would say let it ride – at least for the sex. See how things play out. Ya got plenty in common from what I hear," Loni said. "I know," Danielle said. "Then, just go with it," Loni giggled. They returned to their table. Logan instantly settled down with Danielle back at his side. "You ok?" she gently asked putting her arm around him. It was pretty obvious he was a little agitated. "I'm goin' ta get a couple more beers," Danielle said. As she approached the bar, Logan spied a familiar face getting close to Danielle. He had noticed John enter the bar a short time ago and his anger with Danielle's vicious ex-boyfriend was getting harder to restrain. Logan quickly walked over to intercept. "Let me get those," Logan said grabbing all the beers Danielle had ordered. He wanted her to follow him back hoping to avoid John. But, John did notice. "Hey, mutant," John said. "And I see ya came in with my girl." Logan slowly turned around to John as his eyes filled with rage. "I am givin' ya a little free advice, bub – stay clear of her," Logan threatened. "Or, what, tough guy?" John asked snidely. He was obviously very drunk. Danielle walked over to Logan's side. "She's quite spirited, ain't she? Why don't ya come over here, my little honey," John ordered. Logan's blood began to boil – first for the mutant insult, and next because of Danielle. "Like I would be that stupid. I know yer game, John," she replied putting her arm around Logan's midsection. My heart beat a little faster – adrenaline coursing wildly through my veins – it was a combination of her touch and my wanting to kick some ass that began to turn me on. "What are ya doin' with this mutant anyway? Come back to me, honey – be with a real man," John said. "Why? So you can turn me in to yer military buddies? Logan's got more class than you'll eva have, John – mutant or not," Danielle retorted. As Logan and Danielle turned around to go back to their table, John gave Logan a push to his shoulder. His great strength and reflexive powers allowed him to stand his ground in the face of his adversary. "I don't think this conversation is over, mutant," John said. Logan's brows furrowed as he tried very hard to restrain his building fury. "Logan, please. He's not worth it," Danielle pleaded with the now angry Wolverine. He didn't reply – only casting hateful glares at the man. He had spent so many years getting into trouble with drunken idiots and this was no different. He actually was inviting a chance to get into a fight, and especially because of his feelings for Danielle – he would do anything for her. "Come on tough guy. Show me your stuff," John said raising clenched fists. Logan's instincts to defend himself and Danielle were flying high. Danielle took the beer bottles from him as he handed them off to her. The anger in his heart was so obvious in his eyes as he returned his sights to John. "I'll let ya take the first shot, jackass," Logan said sternly and dropping his hands to his sides. "First off, I'm gonna take care of you, mutant. Then, I'm gonna take care of my woman," he said. Now, Logan had had it. "She ain't your woman anymore," Logan growled pushing Danielle behind protectively. Loni pulled her back as Logan instigated the fight. Come on, punch me! John threw several direct punches that put Logan on the ground. Danielle wanted to run to him, but she knew better than get in Logan's way. He returned to his feet, wiped the blood from his nose, let his wounds heal, and took his first swing – a direct hit to John's face instantly breaking his nose. The sound of metal clanged as he made that hit. John stood up, wiped the blood away, and pulled two large knives from his jacket. The blades were indeed immense but Logan had no fear of it. "Let's rock," John said. "With pleasure," Logan teased. The drunken John took a swing slicing Logan's arm open. Logan was in pain. Within seconds, the bloody wound healed – and angered Wolverine even more. "Ya call that a swing, you pansy? Don't ya remember who I am?" Logan laughed. John charged at Logan and they fought in the middle of a circle of drunken guests. John broke through the circle of onlookers – his blade aimed for Danielle. "I can't let you go with him," John said taking a swing at her. Logan's agility in fighting showed through as he pulled John back, swiped the blades from his hands, and backed him to the wall. With claws extended, Logan pinned him by the shirt. No real bodily damage was done; although it would have been too kind to impale him for the hell he had put her through. As John tried to get free, Logan sent the middle claw on his right hand into the wall right between John's legs. "Next time ya try something bub, I'll make sure you speak with a higher tone of voice. And stay the hell away from Danielle. She's my woman," Logan said sternly. "I know where ya are, girlie. I'll get ya when ya least expect it," John threatened. "And, I'll be waiting, bub," Logan replied protectively. Danielle stood by Logan and looked directly at John. Logan retracted his claws, grasped John by the shirt and tossed him out the door. The entire bar applauded. Logan took Danielle's hand and they returned to the table to chat with her friend. Danielle sat down and looked at Logan with an intense amount of fear in her eyes. "I am impressed. That was some bit of fightin'," Loni said. Danielle trembled thoroughly. "Hey, stop shaking. I'm not gonna let anything happen to ya," Logan said trying to comfort her. Danielle knew he meant what he was saying, but the threat from John shook her to the bone. John wouldn't let up – she knew that for sure. "Logan, just hold me," she pleaded. He pulled her close feeling her continue to tremble. "What did you ever see in him?" he replied. She pulled away to look into his eyes. "Nothing much, compared to someone else I know," Danielle replied as she again nestled into him. Logan put his arms around her holding her close. "Oh, come on, girl. Fess up. She thought he was a decent lay," Loni said. "LONI!! That's not true!" Danielle shouted at her friend. Logan tried not to laugh. "Hey, Danielle, ya got yerself one hell of a prize there, girl," Loni giggled. Logan sat back proudly knowing he was being addressed. Loni went back to the bar to get a few things to munch on giving Danielle and Logan a few moments alone. Logan was still trying to get Danielle to relax. She looked deeply into his eyes. At that moment, Loni returned. "Hey, girl, you two look like ya need a room or somethin'," Loni giggled. "Don't mind her – she has an atrocious way about her – mind is always in the gutter," Danielle said. "Oh, look who's talkin' – Miss Sweet and Innocent. Yer eyes just be beggin' for him to take ya home and do a little dancin' in the sheets," Loni stated. "I'm headin' out for the night. Catch up with ya later – you call me, girl," Loni said with a wink and bid a goodnight to both Danielle and Logan. "Maybe it's time we get back too," Danielle said. "Do we need a room?" Logan jokingly asked. "Yes, yer room," Danielle replied with a coy look crossing her face. Logan smiled. They returned to the mansion. Logan parked the motorcycle in its usual spot in the garage and escorted Danielle to his room. They were silent realizing it was 2:30 in the morning. They made love again and afterwards lay close in each other's arms. "I really had fun tonight. First time in years," he said. "I did too," she replied. "I'm sorry if I have been a jerk," he added. "I'm thinkin' of leavin' for a while – need ta get away from here," he started. Danielle instantly locked up with fear wondering why. "Where ya headin'?" she asked. "North. Wherever – it doesn't really matter," he replied. He watched her go cold and the scent of fear mixed in with the lingering scent of sex. "I want ya to come with me," he added. "Just you and I?" she asked. "Just you and I. Alone. I think we need it," he said. He could just barely hear her expel the breath she was holding. "When?" she asked. "As soon as you are ready to go. I will clear things with Wheels in the morning," he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning arrived and Logan woke up with a stretch and loud growl. He felt refreshed. Then, he realized something just as he finishing rubbing the sleep from his eyes – he didn't dream – no nightmares awakened him in the dead of night to bring forth the intense fury of released rage – no unleashing of deadly metal claws to harm a kind soul wanting to comfort him. He looked to his side. Danielle was still there sleeping peacefully. A small smile danced over his lips as he caressed her shoulder and cheek. He had his special someone now - his soul mate - and today they would leave on vacation to be totally alone together. She lay silent with her arm draped over his waist and her head on his chest. He gently stroked the side of her face. Danielle awoke and it took her a minute to realize she had not dreamed last night's experiences. "Good morning, Sunshine," Logan said to Danielle. He kissed her gently. This was the first time that he could remember ever waking up with someone. For the years he could remember, he slept alone - too afraid of hurting someone during the night. Danielle smiled, kissed him again before they got up, showered, dressed and headed down to the dining hall for breakfast. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The entire school was at the expansive table when Logan and Danielle finally ventured in. News of their finally hooking up traveled quickly and every student smiled as they passed by. "It's about time you two joined us," Charles said looking suspiciously at them as they nonchalantly strolled in. Logan and Danielle headed right to the buffet ignoring the comments. Bobby strangely watched Logan, as he certainly seemed in a much better mood than usual. Normally, he was cranky and irritable. But, this morning he seemed happier and more playful. Marie certainly knew why. As Danielle and Logan collected food from the buffet, Logan was softly cracking jokes and teasing Danielle to the point where she was giggling. They took the back table to be alone and he continued to play with Danielle. Rogue tapped Bobby on the shoulder with her gloved hand. "I told ya," she giggled. "Naw," Bobby said. Danielle tried to be discreet, especially with the children present. But, Logan's unusually playful behavior was proof enough to the adults. Kurt was silently saying prayers of thanks to God for his divine intervention in getting Danielle and Logan together. Charles smiled widely – happy that Logan was for once not in a cranky mood, even though he too knew why. As Logan retrieved more food, one of the kids dropped a spoon and Logan quickly caught it before it hit the floor. He handed it back to the young boy and brushed his hand over the child's head. Scott watched Logan curiously and nudged Jean. "What the hell has gotten into him this morning?" Scott asked Jean softly. Only the telepaths knew what had happened. Jean watched as Logan and Danielle settled down – Logan sitting by Danielle's side, holding her hand under the table and feeding her. "He's found his soul mate and fallen in love," Jean replied. With breakfast over and most of the residents leaving for assorted activities, Logan and Danielle remained behind sitting down together – Danielle seated on Logan's lap. Rogue and Bobby snuck back into the hall trying not to be seen. Danielle had her arms around Logan's neck as he held her close. Bobby and Rogue peeked around the corner just catching sight of Logan and Danielle kissing. Rogue elbowed Bobby with excitement. Logan and Danielle both sniffed the air picking up Bobby and Marie's scents. "No privacy," Logan growled. "We got plenty of time coming to us," Danielle said. "I'm gonna go chat with Wheels about us takin' off," Logan said between kisses. "I'll go situate things with the kids and put together a few things to bring along," Danielle replied as she hopped off his lap. Logan pulled her close kissing her one last time before they parted ways. |
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