Another Life

Part 8

After Jean left the kitchen, I didn't feel like being kept in a small space let alone the mansion. Too many walls, too much tension. I needed air and space to think. I grabbed my jacket and headed out back to the woods. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still slick and muddy.

I wandered around for a while, letting my mind drift. I kept replaying the conversation with Jean, her soft voice echoing in my head. "I need time," she'd said. Time to figure things out. I understood that, I really did.

Eventually, I found myself near the edge of the property, by the old oak tree. That same tree where Jean kissed me in the rain. The bark was rough under my fingers, and I traced the lines absently, lost in deep thought.

"Logan?" A familiar voice called out behind me. I turned and saw Rogue standing there, her arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to hold something together. Her hair was loose, blowing in the light breeze, and her eyes were full of that same mixture of curiosity and concern that I'd came to know so well.

"What are you doing out here, kid?" I asked, "it's not safe for you to be wandering around alone."

She shrugged, stepping closer. "I could ask you the same thing, Logan. You got a lot on your mind?"

I grunted, leaning back against the tree. "Yeah, well maybe I do."

She came up beside me, her gloved hands tucked in her jacket pockets. "Is it about Jean?"

I glanced at her, surprised. "How'd you know?"

She gave me a small smile, almost sad. "You aren't exactly subtle, Logan. Everyone's been talking about it. Specifically after the fight you had with Scott."

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. "Yeah I figured. Word travels fast around here."

Rogue was quiet for a moment, then she asked "So, what's going on? You and Jean? Is it...serious?"

I hesitated, trying to find the right words. Rogue was like a little sister to me maybe even a daughter. She was one of the few who truly understood me, who got what it was like to be different... dangerous. I didn't want to lie to her, but I also didn't want to burden her with my problems.

"I don't know, Rogue," I finally said, "I'm crazy about. I have been since I laid eyes on her. But it's complicated...she's with Scott, and I don't want to get in the middle of that."

Rogue nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "But you can't help how you feel."

"Exactly," I agreed. "And I know it ain't fair to her, I don't really care for Scott but it's not fair to him either. She knows how I feel. I told her. But now...it's a waiting game."

Rogue looked at me for a long moment, her expression serious. "You think she's going to leave Scott for you?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "I don't know, kid."

Rogue reached out, her gloved hand resting on my arm. "You're a good man, Logan. Maybe not in the way the world sees it, but to the people who know you truly know it. Jean knows that too.

I looked down at her, surprised by the intensity in her eyes. "Thanks, kid."

She smiled, short and sweet, "just don't do anything stupid, okay? We need you around here. I need you."

I nodded, with a small smile tugging on the corners of my mouth. "I'm not going anywhere, kid. Not as long as you're around, I gotta look after you, you know."

She laughed, the sound bright and clear in the early morning air.

We stood there for a while, just the two of us, the quiet woods around us, the morning light breaking in through the clouds. It was a moment of peace.

Eventually, Rogue glanced back toward the mansion. "We should probably head back. Breakfast should be starting soon and I'm sure everyone is wondering where you are."

I nodded, pushing myself from the tree "your right."

We started walking back. Rogue was right, I had to be smart about this. Not just for Jean, but for everyone. I couldn't let my feelings fuck up everything.