Eighteen Songs to Converse By


Title: Eighteen Songs to Converse By
Author: Terri
Email: xgrrl26@yahoo.com
Rating: PG - 13, swearing, violence, sexual innuendo
Summary: Sequel to Eighteen Minutes. Logan and Rogue fight, drive, make up, and shop. Logan decides to turn on the radio while they do, and eighteen songs provide a window into their feelings.
Series: Eighteen #9
Disclaimer: Neither the songs or the characters are mine.
Archive: Ask, and I'll say yes.
Feedback: Please! Pretty please?
Comments: This would've been done a lot quicker if I could've found my Cowboy Junkies CD in less than two days. If you'd like the lyrics to any of the songs I included just a snippet from, just ask and I'll be happy to provide. And I just wanna say that I've always thought (well, since I saw the movie) that Steve Earle = musical voice of Logan. Oh yeah, and Joni Mitchell = goddess.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Until It Sleeps - Metallica
Load
......And the fear still shakes me
So hold me until it sleeps.....

....So tear me open but beware
There's things inside without a care
And the dirt still stains me......

"Are you doing that because you don't want to talk?"

"No. I'm doin' it 'cause I wanna hear some music."

"So, that's it, you're done yelling at me, and you're just going to listen to the radio, give me the silent treatment for a while?"

"Goddammit, Marie, I just don't know what the hell you coulda been thinking! When I tell you to fucking run, FUCKING RUN! You coulda been killed!"

"OK, apparently, not done yelling at me. You want to know what I was thinking? I'll tell you what I was thinking. I was thinking, 'Hey, maybe Logan's gonna get killed, why don't I help him out?' That's what I was thinking."

"Don't fucking help me, do you understand? You get to safety. You do not worry about me. Do you know what that motherfucker could've done to you? Do you?"

"I have everything Magneto knew about him. I have a pretty good idea."

"Then what the hell were you doin'? Do you think I wanna see you get hurt like that? Goddammit!"

"Watch the road. I didn't get hurt. I'm fine."

"You're not fucking fine! You're bleedin', I can smell it!"

"I have a few scrapes, that's all. I'm fine."

"How can you be so fucking calm? Do you know how close you came? Huh? Jesus Christ, try to take this fucking seriously, Marie. You could be dead right now, real easy."

"I know that."

"That fucker can't kill me, nothin' can kill me. You don't worry about me, you run when I tell you to run, do you fucking understand?!"

"You're not invincible, Logan. Going around thinking you are is going to get you killed one day, or worse."

"I've already seen 'or worse,' kid. And I don't really give a shit what happens to me if it means that you're safe."

"I'm not going to just leave you if you need help. That's not how it works."

"Yes, that is how it fucking works. That's exactly how it fucking works, goddammit! I am not worth it, Marie. Your life is more important. I promised to take care of you, not vice fucking versa!"

"I told you before, we take care of each other. That's how it works."

"Dammit, kid - "

"No, I don't wanna hear it, I don't wanna hear all this crap about how your life isn't worth anything. That's bullshit. It's worth something to me."

"How can you be so fucking calm? You're talkin' about this like it was a Sunday fucking picnic."

"It was no picnic."

"You're not even upset. What is it, just another day, huh? Get kidnapped, get mauled by Sabretooth, wait for dumbass Logan to show up and try to rescue you? Is that it? Huh? Hang around so maybe he can watch you die as a bonus?"

"Stop it."

"Then tell me what it is, dammit. Too much of an adrenaline junkie already? That just wasn't enough to get a rise outta ya?"

"You know what, fuck you. I can't let myself get upset about it, I can't even really think about it until you stop yelling and calm down. Because we're not in the clear yet and one of us has to keep a fucking level head, Logan. And you can't stop indulging your own emotions right now, so I guess I have to be the calm one. I'll tell you what, if it'll make you happy, I'll have a huge fucking nervous breakdown as soon as you return to your normally grumpy-ass mood. Would that do it? I can cry and be scared and tell you how I felt like I was gonna throw up the whole fucking time. I can tell you how every one of Magneto's memories of that sadistic bastard played back in my head in vivid fucking detail. Hey, I'm sure I'll even have lots and lots of gut-wrenching nightmares about it. Would you be satisfied that I'm taking it seriously then?"

"Shit, Marie - "

"Don't talk to me."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sick of Myself - Matthew Sweet
100% Fun
......But I'm sick of myself when I look at you
Something is beautiful and true
In a world that's ugly and a lie
It's hard to even want to try
And I'm beginning to think
Baby you don't know........

"I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Nothing. She's not even looking at me. She turned her whole body to face away from me. Even pulled her legs up underneath her. It's like she's trying to get as far away from me as possible without leavin' the car.

"I was outta line. I shouldnta said those things. I didn't mean them, I was just mad."

Still nothing.

"Marie, talk to me."

"I don't want to talk to you right now."

"OK."

Fuck, I have no idea what to do now. She's never been this mad at me. I know I was outta line, way outta line, but, dammit, doesn't she realize how much it shook me up to see him go after her like that? He threw her a hundred yards if he threw her an inch and it was just pure dumb luck that she didn't smack up against a tree. She has to get the idea through her thick skull that she is the priority, not me. Goddammit.

What was that? She made some kinda little noise. Aw, shit, she's crying. Or about to. Fuck. I can smell the tears, but she's not breathing different. Fuck. Great job, Logan. Made her cry again. Way to go. Way to comfort her after a life-threatening experience.

"Look, I know you don't want to talk to me, but can I talk to you?"

"Not...not right now, Logan. Just leave me alone for a little while."

"OK."

Fuck.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Your Winter - Sister Hazel
10 Things I Hate About You Soundtrack
......What else, what else can I do?
I said I'm sorry, yeah I'm sorry
I said I'm sorry, but what for?
'Cause if I hurt you then I hate myself

I don't wanna hate myself
Don't wanna hurt you
Why do you choose your pain
If you only knew how much I love you, love you
Well I won't be your winter
And I won't be anyone's excuse to cry
And we can be forgiven
And I will be here.........

Goddamn motherfucking wire. This is the eighth fucking time. Hate this fucking car.

"Stay put. I'm sure it's just the wire. I'll just go fix it."

Nothing. She's still not really crying and I have no fucking clue if that's good or bad. I didn't mean to do this. Fuck, she has me in there, doesn't she know I didn't mean it? Don't she know how crazy it makes me to see her in danger? I mean, wouldn't the fact that I stabbed myself through the fucking chest to get free and save her from Magneto give her a clue? Shit.

The bitch of it is, she's right. I was mean to her on purpose because I was mad. I let shit come out of my mouth without checkin' in at my brain. I didn't think about her at all, I just said it to make myself feel less mad, to get it out, and to punish her for makin' me so fucking scared for her. I really am a selfish, stupid, fucking bastard. Here I am saying I'll take care of us now and she still feels like the one who's gotta keep a fucking level head.

Bitch of that is, she's probably right. Fuck, Magneto and Sabretooth and Mystique coulda been holdin' a carnival by the side of the road for the past ten goddamn miles and I wouldnta fucking noticed. I'm still pretty pissed.

Have to not be, though. Fuck. Have to convince her. Have to take care of us and keep my promise.

"There we go. Fixed the wire, no problem."

"Where are we going?"

My heart just stopped. Christ. I didn't think she was gonna talk to me again. I thought I'd have to try to draw her out. If she'd talk to me ever.

"Up north. I know a place. We'll be safe there."

"OK."

"Look, Marie. I'm calm now. I promise. Whatever.....whatever you wanna do, you just do it. I got a level head now."

Nothing.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Good Enough - Sarah McLachlan
Fumbling Toward Ecstasy
.....I never would have opened up
But you seemed so real to me
And after all the bullshit I've heard
It's refreshing not to see
I don't have to pretend
She doesn't expect it from me

So don't tell me I haven't been good to you
Don't tell me I haven't been there for you
Just tell me why nothing is good enough.....


"Do you want to stop?"

I don't trust myself to talk to him. If I open my mouth, I'll start crying and I won't be able to stop.

"Marie?"

I can't, I can't. He says he's calm but he's not. He's not even paying attention to his driving, he's all over the place.

"It's just that this'll be the last town for a long while."

I can't. He's trying so hard to keep his voice even, but I can hear the strain. He's still upset.

"Maybe we'll just stop, and you can decide what you want to do."

Breathe, just breathe. God, I don't want to think about it. I don't want to think about it. Just push it back, you can deal with it later. Just keep it together. He's not paying attention and if we stop, I need to be on the lookout. Either one of them could still be out there, could be following. Deep breaths, get it together.

"Are you OK?"

I am so fucking far from OK - no, no don't think it, don't feel it, don't. You have to keep it together, Rogue. You can. You have to. Just a little while longer. When we get where we're going, you can let it out. Just keep it together now. You did it through everything at Los Alamos and after, you can do it again now.

"Look, I know you don't wanna talk. Just, just nod your head or something if you're OK."

Deep breath. Big deep breath. Steady, now. "I'm OK."

"Good. Marie, I - "

"We can stop."

"OK. Look, Marie, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

"I know."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Keep Myself Awake - Black Lab
Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV Soundtrack
I hate to talk like this
I hate to act as if
There's something wrong that I can't see
I have this dream at night
Almost every night
I've been dreamin' it forever, it's easy to remember it

It's always cold
It's always day
You're always here
You always say
I'm all right, I'll be OK
If I can keep myself awake
Keep myself awake......

"Why don't you let me drive for a while?"

"It's OK, I got it."

"Logan, I'd really rather drive. It'll help me stay calm to have something to do."

"All right."

"Thanks."

"Do you - do you wanna talk now?"

"Not really."

"OK."

"I'm sorry, I just don't....I just don't wanna talk yet."

"You don't hafta apologize. I know I pissed you off."

"You didn't piss me off. You hurt me."

"I'm really sorry."

"I know that."

"I'm really, really sorry."

"I said I know that."

"I don't know what else to say. I don't know how to fix it."

"We can fix it later. Just tell me which way to go."

"Take a left, then a right at that light up ahead."

"OK."

"Let me know when you get tired."

"I will."

"Let me know if you get a headache. I'll take over."

"I'll be fine."

"I'm really sorry."

"I know."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Stay (Faraway, So Close) - U2
Zooropa
.........And if you look, you look through me,
And if you talk it's not to me
And when I touch you, you don't feel a thing

If I could stay......then the night would give you up
Stay, and the day would keep its trust
Stay, and the night would be enough.......

Different car in the rearview. Good. Probably means we're still OK.

I don't think Sabretooth could've followed. There's no scent trail and no blood trail from me after we got in the car. Mystique....God, who knows what she'd do. My mother. Christ. Won't Logan be thrilled when I tell him that? Maybe I won't tell him. Shit, I can't think about it now.

Thank God he found me. He's right, Sabretooth could've - no, no don't think about that now. Thank God he found me.

Starting to snow pretty good now. Can hardly see the road. I wonder if I inherited my skin from her. I mean, isn't that how she changes shape? A mutation in her skin? I wonder why it turned out different in me. She didn't say anything about my father. God, it can't be Magneto, can it? I mean, how long have they been together. No, no they weren't together that long. It's not him. Who knew there was a perk of having him in my head? Whew.

Whatever I tell Logan about Mystique, I have to tell him what Sabretooth said. Maybe he just said it because of the general, but maybe he knows something about how Logan was experimented on beyond that. God, how could he say Logan was just like him? What an asshole. And to tell me he likes the taste of my blood - there's something I could've lived my whole life without knowing. Don't think about it now, Rogue. Just drive.

Logan just keeps looking at me. He looks sad. I can't deal with it right now. He is calming down a little, though. Good. I can use rational-Logan. I don't know what I would've done if Sabretooth had killed him. I know he thinks he can't be killed, but I don't think that's true. Jesus, I almost killed him, twice. I know I would've if I'd hung on any longer, especially the second time. He's not indestructible.

And he's got to get rid of this idea that it's all about me. It's all about the both of us, and we're a team. Neither one of us is going to get to have a normal life. It's always going to be something - evil mutants, parents that drug and kidnap you, life-sucking machines, mad scientists financed by the government - we'll never just, you know, eat dinner in front of the TV and become accountants or something. He has to learn that we're in this abnormal mess together.

I know he just yelled because he's upset I could've been hurt. I know he's sorry now. I just....I'm just not ready to have the big emotional conversation about it. I should try, though. He looks sad.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


All of My Life - Steve Earle
Transcendental Blues
........Everybody wants to be somebody's somethin'
Ain't nobody wants to be blue
Ain't nobody anywhere never loved nothin'
Half as much as I love you
Somebody somewhere said "love is a prison"
But no one really wants to be free
I have to be crazy to ever think someone
Could love a nobody like me

I've been waitin' all my life
All my life
I've been waitin' all my life
All my life

I'm here all alone in the dark
But I know where you are
'Cause I can hear you breathin'
You were meant to be mine
And you're the only reason....

Look, I know I'm not a smart man, or a good man, or a dependable man, or anything that she probably remotely deserves. But you know, I thought that she would understand. She has me in her head, and she has to have seen me fuck up a thousand times if she's got half of what I did in there. But it must be different or worse somehow to her because she's still mad and she won't talk to me. And what if she never does get over it? I mean, fuck. What then?

She said we'd fix it later, so she's not totally pissed, like, beyond forgiveness pissed. Then again, maybe she just said that to put me off, buy a little time. Maybe she's thinkin' later - like twenty years later. Or later, when I can finally get rid of your sorry ass, later. Fuck.

What the hell exactly was I thinkin' hookin' up with her in the first place? She's a young kid who don't need no God-knows-how old asshole taggin' along with her. Shit, tellin' myself I'm keepin' her safe. Like I'm some kind of bodyguard for her. Fucking truth is, I just like havin' her around. Truth is, I took her outta Westchester 'cause I missed her, knowin' full well she wouldn't say a peep against it, if I said it's what was best. Used her trust in me and fear of those Brotherhood bastards to drag her outta the one home she's got now. And why? So I could watch her draw and sleep and smile at me. Jesus. Look at me, selfish bastard and pansy-ass all rolled into one.

And what good did that do her? So far, we been runnin', nothin' else. She's had to put up with all kinds of shit from me, all kinds of danger on the road. I shoulda left her in fucking Westchester. She's gotten nothin' from me but a head full of nightmares and a lotta heartache. And she's probably the one person I've known who deserves it the least.

All that stuff she pushed out of her head and into mine, all that good stuff and I go and fuck up like this, bein' careless and hot-headed. She's always careful with me, what she says and what she does, and she always tells me the truth. More than that - she always lets me see her, lets me see all of her, and how do I repay her? Bitchin' about the damn car, givin' her nightmares, lettin' her get kidnapped - for the second fucking time, three if you count me bein' in some hole outside the arctic circle lookin' for who-the-hell-knows-what while Sabretooth grabbed her. Oh yeah, and accusin' her of liking getting kidnapped by Mystique or takin' it for granted that I'd rescue her or whatever the hell she's thinkin'. Real good, Logan. Just goes to show you that even when something good comes into your life, you manage to find a way to shove it right back out. Fuck.

Now she's lookin' over at me a little, at least. She still don't look none too fucking happy. And why should she be? Shit. She looks like she wants to say somethin' or do somethin' but not really. Like she's makin' herself or somethin'. Fuck, that can't be good. I gotta try to fix this. Maybe let her scream her lungs out at me, hope she gives me a chance to explain some shit and apologize. Then, I'll look out for her like I'm supposed to have been doin'. She can tell me to go to hell or whatever she wants, but I'm keepin' that promise to her about not leavin'. I don't hafta be in her life, she doesn't ever hafta speak another word to me, but I'm keepin' that promise. Gonna keep her safe, hide her up in the mountains, let her just live her fucking life for a few months. I won't lay a hand on her, or ask her for a damn thing. I'll just keep her safe. No more being a selfish bastard, not where she's concerned.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Everything - Lifehouse
No Name Face
Find me here
Speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That is leading me
To the place
Where I find peace again
You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything

And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you?
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this?

You calm the storms
You give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You still my heart
And you take my breath away
Would you take me in
Would you take me deeper now
'Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything

"Logan?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we talk now?"

"Yeah, look, I know I acted like an asshole. I know I hurt you and I'm - "

"I meant - me talk, you listen, OK?"

"OK."

"I really love you a lot. I really do. And I think you know this. I can't stand to see you get hurt, and when I saw Sabretooth rip your throat out, I could've just died. I couldn't stand it. I can't just walk away from you and say whatever happens, happens. I can't."

"Marie - "

"Let me finish. I hoped that when I touched you, you'd feel how much you mean to me. It's not gratitude, it's not a crush, it's not even really love, because it's too deep and too profound for something that gets said on candy hearts and valentine's day cards. It reaches all the way into me, and if I ever lost you, it would be like pulling my spine out through the top of my head. I wasn't about to let you get hurt if I could help it. I can't tell you I'd act any differently in the future. I can't tell you I wouldn't give up my life for yours, because I would. You mean something to me. I can't act like you don't. I get upset when you get mad at me for it. I get upset when you imply that I somehow don't really get how serious everything is. Because I do. I see everything that could happen in a situation like that, all the bad things that could take you away from me, and I take it very, very seriously, Logan. It hurts because you're thinking that, that I......I-- "

"Don't, don't cry. I - "

"It's OK. I just....I need a second. OK. I can finish now. It-it hurts because it's not some game to me, and you thinking that makes me feel like you don't know me at all. I would give anything to never have hurt you, to never have seen you get hurt because of me. Anything. I've seen you hurt because of me enough, Logan, I don't need to ever see it again. I wish I knew how to make you understand that. I-I'm not really saying this right, I'm sorry."

"Can I talk now?"

"Yeah."

"You said it right. Let me - I, I just don't wanna be the cause of somethin' bad happenin' to ya. I don't wanna be the reason you get hurt. I couldn't live with that. And, like you said, we've already had too many close calls, the both of us. Fuck, I still wake up in cold sweats seein' my claws run you through. I keep promisin' to protect you and take care of you, and I keep fuckin' up."

"You promised to take care of the both of us. That includes you."

"I know, but you come first. Darlin', I ain't never done anything good in my life before you. At least not that I can remember, and from what I found out, it's a pretty sure bet it's true for what I can't remember. You're just about everything to me, even if I don't always show it. I was pretty much an asshole back there, and I wouldn't blame you one bit if you wanna tell me to go straight to hell."

.........

"Say somethin', please? Marie? Aw shit, are you cryin'?"

"Yeah. It's OK. It's OK. It's just that, you know, sometimes you say exactly the right thing."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
Blue
......On the back of the carton coasters
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada - oh, Canada
With your face sketched on it twice

Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you, darlin'
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I would still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid

I remember that time you told me
You said love is touching souls
Surely you touched mine
'Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time...............

He's really beautiful. I don't always notice. OK, that's not true. I usually notice. But when he's relaxed like this, just driving and humming with the radio, he's really beautiful. And who knew he liked Joni? This song, it fits him.

Every now and then, he peeks over at me, checking to make sure I'm OK. I'm still crying a little, it's coming out now. I can let go a little.

He probably thinks it's all because of him. Have to be sure to let him know it's just everything. How am I going to tell him about Mystique? God, he hates her. Actually, so do I. Should her being my mom change that? Too much to think about, and I'll just cry more.

"Hey."

"Yeah darlin'?"

"How long to the place you mentioned?"

"Twenty hours, longer if the snow keeps up. You gettin' tired?"

"A little, but we can't really stop, can we?"

"It's not safe. Not for the night, not right now. But we're gonna have to stop for supplies before we make the last leg. I got a place in mind."

"OK."

"You doin' all right over there?"

"Yeah, just need to cry it out a little. It's not because of you. That's settled."

"You sure? You can bitch me out some more, I have it comin'."

"Nah. I'm all bitched out."

"Why don't you get some sleep? I know you gotta be beat, and we won't be stoppin' for about ten hours, at least."

"You're really beautiful."

"I'll be the same old ugly bastard when you get up. Go ahead, darlin'. Get some rest."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Transcendental Blues - Steve Earle
Transcendental Blues
In the darkest hour of the longest night
If it was in my power I'd step into the light
Candles on the altar, penny in your shoe
Walk upon the water - transcendental blues

Happy ever after 'til the day you die
Careful what you ask for, you don't know 'til you try
Hands are in your pockets, starin' at your shoes
Wishin' you could stop it - transcendental blues

If I had it my way, everything would change
Out here on the highway, the rules are still the same
Back roads never carry you where you want 'em to
They leave you standin' there with them transcendental blues

She's out. Like a light. Still cryin' some in her sleep, but not bad. She'll let it all out when she's ready. When she thinks it's safe, when she thinks she's safe.

For a while there, thought she might not wanna fix things between us. We're both frazzled, burnt as hell. Been through too much in not a lotta time. Fuck, she's still not over Arizona, I know that for a fact. We'll get some time at Snowshoe. Tuck her away up there, no one'll be able to find us, and no one'll be able to get there once winter sets in even if they did find us. She'll be OK. She'll be OK.

Shit, a quiet winter will be good for both of us. If we head in by November, come out in March, maybe early April, that'll give us time. Time to get our shit together. Time to teach her to protect herself, defend herself a little better. Time to let things between us get better without -

<Logan.>

"Chuck?"

<You need not speak aloud. You'll wake Rogue.>

<Think you could stay the fuck out of my head, please?>

<Are you both all right?>

<Yeah. We're fine.>

<Are you planning on returning to Westchester?>

<No.>

<Perhaps it would be best if you would consider it.>

<I appreciate your help in findin' her, Chuck, I really do, but I'll take care of her now.>

<I know you want to, Logan, but - >

<But nothin'. Get out of my head, Chuck.>

<But I would have expected that you discuss it with Rogue before making that decision for both you.>

<Christ. Fine.>

Goddamn telepaths.

<I heard that.>



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hanging by a Moment - Lifehouse
No Name Face
Desperate for changing
Starving for truth
I'm closer to where I started
Chasing after you

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held onto
Standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you

Forgetting all I'm lacking
Completely incomplete
I'll take your invitation
You take all of me

I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
I don't know what I'm diving into
I'm hanging by a moment here with you

There's nothing else to lose
There's nothing else to find
There's nothing in the world
That could change my mind

There is nothing else
There is nothing else

"You up?"

"Yeah. God, how long was I asleep?"

"'Bout seven hours."

"The sun came up."

"Yeah. It does that."

"Uh, is something wrong?"

"I got a call from Chuck."

"He called us? Wow. I must've been out, I didn't even hear the cell phone ring."

"Not on the phone. You know, in my head."

"Oh. Is something wrong?"

"Nah. He just wanted to make sure you were OK."

"Oh."

"And he wanted to know if you wanted to go back to the mansion. You know, after everything that's happened. He thought it might be a good idea."

"What do you think?"

"I think we can go back if you wanna, but I don't think it's a good idea, no."

"I feel better, safer with you."

"Well, Chuck thinks that history doesn't really favor me here. He's probably right. They helped me find you, you know. Chuck used Cerebro."

"You called them to help find me?"

"I knew it'd be the fastest way. You coulda been in deep trouble if I hadn't had them to fall back on."

"Why are you saying all this, Logan? Do you want me to go back?"

"I want you to do what you want. What you feel best with."

"But do you want me to go back? Do you want to drop me off there?"

"Huh?"

"Are you saying all this because you want to send me back?"

"Whaddya mean 'send you back'? I ain't sendin' you anywhere. If you wanna go back, we're both goin'."

"Oh, God, you scared the hell out of me for a minute."

"What, you thought I was just gonna ship you back there?"

"Sorry. I just thought....I thought you might me mad at me or something."

"Look, kid, I ain't mad at you. Not for anything that's happened, OK? And I'm not about to let you out of my sight for a second, let alone ship you to another fucking country. Ain't happenin'."

"Whew. You sure?"

"Hell yeah."

"Why'd you bring it up then? Why didn't you just tell the Professor I'd be staying with you?"

"'Cause Chuck said I had to discuss it with you before telling him no."

"Hmm. You didn't have to ask. You could've just told him no."

"Well, that's what I did in the first place, but then I thought you might wanna go back."

"Why would I want to go back?"

"Marie, honey, I hafta tell you, I don't really know what you're thinkin' half the time. I didn't really get a chance to tell you the plan, that we're gonna hole up for the winter. I didn't wanna keep you out here, pack you away in the mountains, if you didn't want that. Not just because that was my plan. I wanted to check with you."

"We're going to spend the winter in the mountains?"

"Yeah. What are you smilin' at so much?"

"You and me, in the mountains. All winter. Surrounded by nothing but snow."

"Yeah....."

"I like the sound of that."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Promises - Sons of the Desert
Whatever Comes First
.......You promised me honesty and your word was good
And you came through on everything you said you would
You gave your heart, you gave your all, and nothing less
And all you kept were your promises......

<Rogue?>

<Hello, Professor. Logan said you wanted to talk to me.>

<Yes. How are you feeling?>

<I've got a few bumps and bruises, but I'll be just fine.>

<Good. I am glad to hear it. Rogue, I wanted to discuss something with you.>

<Is it that you want me to come back to Westchester?>