Unspoken: Rogue Laughter

Rogue Laughter
by Victoria P.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: "She had a headache from the miasma of unresolved -- possibly unresolvable -- tension that hung over the mansion. And Rogue was laughing with Logan."

Timeline: Directly follows jenn's awesome "Blind Jump."

Notes: Thanks to everyone who's done such a great job, and especially to Andariel, who's struggling with the timeline even more up close and personally than I am. <g>

Dot, Meg, Pete, Jen - thanks, as always. You rawk.

Date: September 27, 2001

She was on her way into the living room, a copy of “His Girl Friday” in hand, when she heard laughter.

Laughter that had been absent -- and sorely missed -- over the past two weeks.

And in response, the low rumble of a male voice.

Ororo sighed. She had a headache from the miasma of unresolved -- possibly unresolvable -- tension that hung over the mansion.

And Rogue was laughing with Logan.

They passed the door of the living room, where she stood, and stopped short, laughter dying on their lips as if they suddenly noticed how out of place it was.

They were soaking wet and smelled of the lake. Bright Lady, she thought, they'd gone swimming -- *Rogue* had gone swimming in the lake for the first time ever. The lake that Ororo had managed to convince her was the home of a monster, Westchester's very own Nessie. Things had progressed far faster between Logan and Rogue than she'd ever have expected.

She'd known the Canadian was interested in the southerner -- he'd been so attuned to her that he'd noticed when she'd disappeared, distraught over the Scott-Jean situation, and run right into Magneto's arms. Interested and more -- no man as seemingly uncaring as Logan risked his life for a woman he barely knew, unless they were more than passing acquaintances.

What she'd thought was a triangle was now a quadrangle, and no doubt Warren was doing his part to make it a, a pentagon.

She allowed none of these thoughts to show on her face, though, when she said, “Did you have a nice swim?”

They exchanged a speaking glance -- <Oh yes, definitely more> -- and Logan nodded. “Just testin' the water.”

And didn't that have meaning on oh so many levels? She found her mouth curving in a reluctant smile. “I'm sure.” She took in the way Logan's eyes caressed Marie's soaked form, her clothing clinging to every curve, concealing nothing. A quick fuck seemed like the *last* thing Marie needed, and Logan's personality and reputation didn't make him the best candidate for a stable relationship, but the connection between them was palpable, much like the one between Jean and Scott was.

<Of course,> Storm told herself. <He touched her and held on. Something Scott has never done.>

“No monsters?” she asked wryly.

Rogue giggled again. “Logan frightened them away. He's much scarier than any old lake monster.” She touched his arm lightly and said, “I'm going up to change, sugar. See you later. You, too, 'Ro.”

Ororo noted the casual touch, something so lacking in Rogue's life, and felt her chest tighten. Rogue practically skipped up the stairs, and Ororo turned her eyes back to Logan, who was intently watching her climb. It was a look ‘Ro knew well, having seen it on Frank's face many a time. She felt like an intruder, until he swung his gaze back to her.

“Say whatever you want, ‘Ro, but just spit it out, okay? I can't take any double-talk right now,” Logan said, his tone wary but determined.

"What are you doing?"

"At the moment? Dripping on Chuck's no doubt expensive carpet."

Storm made a sound that, had it come from anyone less regal, would have been called a snort. "With Rogue."

"Went for a swim."

Her fists clenched and there was the sudden smell of ozone in the air. "Metal is a fine conductor of electricity, is it not?" she asked conversationally, and Logan gulped. "Shall we start again? What is going on with you and Rogue?"

A shrug. "Don't know. Ask her. I'm just along for the ride."

"You're lying. I can see it in the way you look at her."

"She needs someone lookin' after her," he responded.

"Now who is indulging in double-talk, Logan?" He dropped his eyes and she continued, "I just don't want to see her hurt. Or you, either. Despite what Scott says, I like you, Logan. I think you're a good man. And you made her laugh. Rogue hasn't laughed since Jean came."

"She does have a great laugh," he mused, as if Ororo weren't standing right there.

"She loves Scott." Storm felt like a killjoy for pointing it out, but he'd asked for straight talk.

"Yeah. But she can do better. She can have more, if she wants it. If she's not scared to take that leap. And I don't think she is."

Ororo put a hand to her forehead. She was obviously missing an important piece of this conversation; he was making her dizzy. Which was kind of ironic, since he was not noted for being a conversationalist, let alone someone who could twist you up with words.

"What makes you say that?" she asked finally, hoping for a clue.

He quirked a grin and she could see why the girls were swooning over him. "We went for a swim."

And with that, he followed Rogue up the stairs, leaving Ororo staring after him. She remembered Scott trying to cajole Marie into the lake, every summer since she'd been in Westchester, with no success.

Perhaps Logan knew what he was doing after all.

~*~

Unresolved by Victoria P.

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Disclaimer: All X-Men characters belong to Marvel and Fox; this piece of fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights.