It's Not Me (2/?) Scott/Logan

[scottxlogan]

Title: It's Not Me
Fandom: X-Men
Pairing: Scott/Logan
Rating: NC-17.
Word Count: 8433
Summary: Sequel to Starting Over. Coming home again is never easy especially when changes and secrets are all around you. Scott and Logan deal with their beginnings and an uncertain future when an old threat emerges to challenge their future together. *Slash*

"So I think we've got everything covered," Storm closed the agenda on the desk before her, "This year should be a very productive one from what we've outlined. Any questions?"

The room was silent. Quieter then usual now that Scott had returned, joining the other staff members for their weekly run down of what was ahead for the students at the school. Although Scott had only been back interacting with the faculty a couple of days, it seemed that his friends and coworkers were still tiptoeing around the issue that remained with Storm in control of things at the school. Granted it might've been a non-issue when Scott wasn't around, but the fact remained that Charles decision to promote Storm to running things had proven to be a point of contention within the faculty, creating an uneasy, unspoken, unsettling feeling between the staff during most of the exchanges for the night. Scott could feel it and judging by the tension that creased over Storm's brow for most of her talking, he knew she was weighed down by it as well.

"Thanks again everyone," Storm smiled graciously saying a few more pleasantries before the staff started to filter out of the office, leaving her and Scott alone with one another for the first time since Scott's return to the school.

"Scott," she cleared her throat with a sudden uneasiness. She smiled at him politely, but Scott could sense she was weary, uncertain on how to approach him given all that had transpired in Scott's absence. Although Charles had also returned around the same time Scott had did, inevitably Charles was taking a more passive role in running things, settling back into his old habits and allowing Storm to continue on her path leading the students for the time being, "how are you?"

"I'm good," Scott noted politely, his smile a bit forced and unnatural despite his inability to carry any ill-will towards her given that he realized she hadn't chosen this new path for them, "You?"

"A bit tense," she admitted honestly, rubbing her palms together before taking a seat on top of the desk before him, "I guess tonight's meeting reflected that, huh?"

"Just a little bit," Scott finally relented, offering up a genuine smile, "but you'll be able to win them over soon enough."

"If I haven't been able to win them over yet, well, I'm starting to think it's never going to happen," she confessed with a small breath, her lips parting as if to say something more, but she stopped herself.

"Give it time," Scott suggested leaning back in his seat, "If Charles felt you could do this, then I'm sure his faith in you hasn't been misplaced."

"He's always been far more optimistic then most," she brought one hand up through her soft, white hair.

"Optimism is a sign of hope and hope brings promise for the future," Scott noted thinking about all the changes he'd seen within the school, "You've done a great job of keeping hope alive in his absence. Everything around us reflects that."

"On the contrary, you're the real sign of hope," she smiled back at him, "You have no idea what it was like for everyone after you were all gone. When it all began we were in denial, but after acceptance was difficult. It was as if a giant part of who we were was ripped away from us, first with you, then Charles and Jean…"

"I'm sorry that I stayed away for so long," Scott replied guiltily, unable to hold back on the regret in his voice, "I never should've put all of you through that."

"I can understand you had your reasons," she nodded sympathetically, "In losing those you loved…in being without Jean…"

"Jean," Scott repeated thinking of the lover he'd lost to madness. Closing his eyes he thought back to their final moment together, to her kiss that had torn his world upside down and ripped it apart at the seams.

"She wasn't herself at the end Scott," she added breaking through his thoughts, giving weight to his memory, "If she had any idea what she was doing, what Phoenix was capable of, then I'm certain she would've fought harder. I know that she never, ever would have…"

"You're right Ororo," Scott interrupted tightly, unable to quell the unsettling tension building in the pit of his stomach at the memory of Jean, "It wasn't Jean. It wasn't at all the woman we all loved and cared for."

"She was one of my best friends," she added unable to hold back on the small choked tone that carried over her, "Losing her was devastating especially in learning that we could've fought it. If we only would've seen what was happening to her sooner. If we could've saved her somehow…"

"There's not a day where I don't regret my inability to do just that," Scott lowered his head shamefully, feeling the memory of Jean surround him. "I just wish…"

"She didn't mean to hurt you Scott," Ororo blurted out causing Scott to raise his head up again to meet her concerned eyes, "She loved you with everything inside of her and I know if she could've stopped herself, she would have. She would've gone out of her way to ensure that you were safe that you were…"

"I'm still alive," Scott conceded with a small breath of a sigh, "That in itself says something. Maybe there was still a part of her inside that couldn't kill me, that couldn't destroy Xavier either…"

"I'd like to think so," she nodded, bringing one hand up to wipe at the single tear that carried over her cheek. "I'm sorry Scott. I didn't mean to bring this up considering I know what you went through. When Logan told me about what happened with you and Jean at the lake, well I didn't want to believe it, but when I took the time to let it sink in, I just felt as if…"

"You don't have to say it," Scott interrupted shifting on his seat uncomfortably, "It's in the past now."

"Even so, with what she did to you. In causing you to lose your powers, to feel like you couldn't return…" she bit back on her emotions. She took a moment recomposing herself with a thoughtful expression, "No matter. We're glad to have you back. You've been missed."

"I've missed everyone here as well," Scott admitted honestly, thinking about how being back at the school meant no more being alone. He didn't have to hide from who he was any longer, being lost in a life that wasn't meant for him. He was able to embrace his powers, to return to his old self without hesitation, to have purpose and reason in his life. Yes, he'd changed, his powers had evolved to something else, something he hadn't been ready to share with the others yet, but here life made sense. At the school he wasn't simply a bored accountant breezing through life doing what was expected of him. He was a teacher, a leader, someone who could make a difference in a great many lives. He had purpose again and he owed that all to Logan.

"If there's anything I can do for you," she broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to the moment once again.

"Actually," Scott pondered aloud, unable to shake the thoughts that carried over him in the moment, "Logan mentioned there was a break in at the school around the time Victor abducted me. He was a bit sketchy on the details of what happened. I was hoping that maybe you could tell me about it."

"Do you think the two were connected?" she pondered aloud, a frown carrying over her soft features.

"I would tend to think that it was very unlikely," Charles interrupted alerting the both of them to his presence. Scott stood up, turning around to discover his mentor in the doorway taking in their words with a great interest. "Although the timing was very close, it would seem highly unlikely."

"Not necessarily," Scott replied watching move across the room, "Mystique said that the people who had taken you were tracking me through Logan. They had been following him, so if they came in here searching for something…"

"Those people wouldn't have the ability or methods to make their way inside the school," Charles dismissed Scott's words, "Given the levels of security were heightened after Stryker's previous attack to prevent the further upset of the children, it would be next to impossible for someone to…"

"But not impossible," Scott interrupted with concern in his voice. "Anyone could find their way in here if they wanted to with a little persuasion and deception…"

"No one on staff would allow it," Storm added quickly, "We've been very careful with monitoring things and…"

"What about Mystique?" Scott looked over his shoulder at Storm. "She had been seeking out Magneto, hoping to find him. Was it possible that she broke in here and tried to go down to Cerebro again? Perhaps she wanted to give it a try and see if she could…"

"Mystique's abilities don't allow her to perform such a task Scott," Charles explained simply, "Even with all of her capabilities, you know as well as I do for her to even attempt to use the machine the results could be deadly. Only a trained telepath could be able to access the machine and…"

"What if she found a loophole?" Scott suggested thinking about his new powers, "What if somehow in regaining her mutation, she was able to pick up on something else? We all know that the cure was fallible, so what if in having it pushed upon her, it further mutated her genes and…"

"As it stands right now it's an impossibility Scott, one that is without any kind of warrant considering that none of the other mutants who had gone through the experience have shown any sign of enhanced mutations," Charles answered with a simple shake of his head.

"Nothing's an impossibility," Scott added quickly, his voice growing heightened in the moment, "There's a chance that somewhere along the line the cure created something else, brought about other changes that we weren't aware of. They could be dormant for a while, but then as time goes on…"

"Nothing supports that yet Scott," Charles offered up softening his tone, "Although there could be a remote possibility as you suggest, it still seems as if…"

"Whomever broke in did try to make their way to Cerebro," Storm added breaking her silence. "They had ransacked a few rooms, but I think that was simply meant at distracting us, at turning us away from what their real goal had been."

"Obviously they weren't successful in their attempts given what you explained to me," Charles nodded towards Storm, his blue eyes seeking out answers from her.

"No, they weren't," she admitted with a crease in her brow, "but it was clear they'd tried."

"So it could've been another mutant or even a telepath," Scott continued wondering if somehow the truth had been linked to what had taken place with him and Charles. "They could've been seeking out someone and…"

"Right now I think we should focus on building up a sense of ease and understanding within the students," Charles interrupted with a firmness in his tone, "While it is something we will have to investigate further down the road, in this moment I think it's more important to have the children feeling safe. Their security has been shaken and it's up to us to provide them with comfort in knowing that they're safe here."

"Being safe means taking action and being proactive about this," Scott couldn't help, but protest, "If we can discover who was behind the source of the attack, then we can neutralize it before another one takes place. We can…"

"Scott, I don't think we should be taking that leap just yet," Charles frowned up at him, "Given that we're both simply trying to adjust to returning…"

"If we don't take a step to seek out the source of the chaos, then we could be blindsided by it again in the future," Scott mouthed stubbornly, "If we don't try to understand…"

"Understanding is important, but at the same time peace of mind is also…" Charles spoke up in warning.

"Something we'll only achieve if we seek out the source of tension and work to find a way to neutralize it," Scott blurted out, feeling a surge of impulse overtake him.

"Neutralizing it won't prove to be an easy task and given what we've both experienced, I would imagine that you'd rather focus on healing. In going after this without being prepared it's asking for trouble, it's inviting danger into this school, into the walls of our home and allowing an opening for trouble," Charles added.

"Trouble is sitting back and doing nothing when…" Scott snapped back at Charles, feeling an uncharacteristic rage spiraling through his body.

"I'm sure we can look into it," Storm suggested unable to ignore the growing tension in the room between the two men. She stepped forward hoping to smooth the waters between them, "Given that the semester is just beginning, I think it would be best for us to focus on the children and their education. We've already taken measures to ensure their safety-to make sure that a situation like that won't happen again."

"Famous last words," Scott muttered under his breath.

"Scott," Charles chastised with a frown, "What has gotten into you?"

"What's gotten into you?" Scott couldn't help, but shake his head. "There was a point in time when you would fight for the truth, for the safety and security of those around you, yet you refuse to investigate the break in. You refuse to look into what's happening when you and I both know that if anyone can discover the truth it's you. All you would have to do is look and…"

"The security cameras were down that night," Storm added quickly, "there was an outage and…"

"Of course there was," Scott mouthed sourly, "because that in itself ties into the whole strengthening of security around here, doesn't it?"

"Scott," Charles spoke his name in warning.

"Forget it," Scott threw his hands up in the air, "It's not up to me to think about what's best for everyone anymore, now is it?"

"Scott," Charles called out to Scott, watching Scott exit the room full of agitation and upset.

"What just happened here?" Storm couldn't help, but question worriedly. "How did we just go from a civilized conversation to…?"

"Give him time," Charles suggested with a small sigh, "He'll come around."

"This isn't like him," Storm added, unable to hold back on the sentiment that carried over her, "Since his return something's changed. He's relaxed in so many ways, yet at the same time he's so angry, so bitter and…"

"He's adjusting to what he experienced with Jean," Charles explained smoothly, "We all are."

"Even so," she paused looking to Charles again, "The way he just spoke to you…"

"He doesn't mean it," Charles waved his hand dismissively, "Deep down he's just as confused about things as we all are. He's seeking out answers about what's happened to him, about what's continuing to happen to him and about his place here at the school."

"I never meant to step on his toes. I know that he was the one you initially wanted to run things, to…" Storm softened her voice, her worries getting the best of her.

"I don't regret my decision and neither should you," Charles clarified with a firmness in his voice, "I stand by having you here running things. Scott is in no position to step up to the task, especially not now when he's fighting a battle from within in trying to understand."

"Even so," she hesitated, her thoughts lingering to Scott's retreat, "what if he's right? What if we should be looking further into discovering the source of the break in? What if there is something that we missed? Maybe we should get a team together and investigate just to be safe. I'm sure if we can pull a few answers from that night, then…"

"Everything will be fine," Charles promised facing her fully, "It will just take time. I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right," she added thinking of Scott's cynicism and wondering if perhaps it wasn't completely unwarranted as Charles had wanted her to believe. Still in trusting Charles implicitly, she allowed the worry to leave her instead focusing on what was important in pulling together the school and it's students in a more unified front.

XXXXXX

"Son of a bitch!" Logan heard a voice shout from inside the garage. Now standing at the front with Scott's bike beside him, engine turned off and rolling forward into the garage in the hopes of being undetected Logan realized he'd been caught. He hesitated knowing only too well that the angry voice was none other then Scott's sounding incredibly annoyed. He'd hoped to avoid irritating Scott in taking the bike especially after the frustrating turn his evening had taken when Bert had up and vanished again bringing him no closer to resolution where Victor was concerned. Now with the adamantium in his pocket and a new set of questions overtaking him, Logan realized that the night was just going down a slippery slope faster with each passing second. Then again that wasn't entirely true, he pondered knowing only too well that he didn't mind ruffling Scott's feathers every now and then. Still in hoping to return without anyone noticing he was gone in order to avoid questions, Logan figured he'd beat the end of the staff meeting, make his way upstairs and pretend he'd been bored reading through one of Scott's endless novels, but obviously fate had other plans. Taking in a breath Logan returned the bike to it's parking spot before raising his hands up in the air defensively.

"It was just a small ride and I filled her back up," Logan confessed with a sheepish grin, half anticipating finding Scott standing before him in a neatly pressed shirt uptight and agitated. The thought in itself was a bit of a turn on, now that Logan found himself eager to see Scott's frustration. He could almost feel Scott's angry eyes upon him, watching with arms folded tightly across his chest in an attempt to hold back on the inevitable irritation that had consumed Scott. Logan could almost sense the tight scowl that would be stealing the softness from Scott's otherwise handsome features, but when Logan turned towards the source of the sound ready to plead his case, he discovered no one was there.

"Scott?" Logan questioned taking another tentative step forward. He looked around the garage wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him after he'd headed out to the bar to get a few rounds in before returning. Although alcohol seldom had an effect on him, tonight he was starting to believe that insanity along with his encounter with Bert was guiding his thoughts in discovering he was alone. Still unable to see Scott around him, Logan instead relied on his sense of smell, feeling himself hit by the distinct odor of his lover's aftershave from across the room. However, when Logan found himself focused on Scott's Corvette parked across the far side of the garage, he couldn't help, but wonder if everything was off.

"That's never happened before," he brought his hand up over his head knowing that usually alcohol burned through him, unable to render his senses off for very long. However, with the delicious aroma of Scott consuming him, guiding him over towards the dark colored sports car, Logan couldn't help, but find himself intrigued. It was then that he heard a clicking, banging sound coming up from the ground beneath him.

"What the…?" he mouthed to himself, seeing a pair of long, denim covered legs stretched out from underneath the elevated car. He could hear muffled cursing from below the vehicle where the top half of Scott's torso was buried underneath, clearly working on whatever project had guided him out into the garage at such an hour. Unable to keep from admiring the way the now dirty jeans fit Scott, Logan smirked. Pushing his sour mood aside, he settled in against another one of the cars behind him, opting to admire the way the denim was far more restrictive in outlining the contours of Scott's body then the usual pleated slacks that Scott donned during school hours. Yes, jeans were an upgrade, Logan realized when he let out a low rumble of a breath. "Having trouble?"

"You wouldn't believe how much trouble I'm having right now. I'm supposed to be…" Scott slammed something into the bottom of the car again. There was a loud popping sound that caused Logan to step back when Scott started to slide out from underneath the vehicle. Logan stood straighter, a mixture of amusement and arousal carrying over him in seeing Scott slide out from underneath the car in a jerky movement. Logan's golden eyes widened watching Scott wiggle out from the heavy metal above him, clad in a dirty, white, sleeveless t-shirt. For some reason Scott had abandoned his usual, reserved attire to return to something casual and sexy in the moment. His hair was wild and unruly, his blue eyes filled with a stubborn determination as Logan spotted Scott's glasses resting on the hood of the car.

Dropping his gaze down again to peruse Scott completely Logan's thoughts slipped away from his nagging worries over Victor, in order to focus on the delicious new distraction. He watched Scott run his dirty fingers down over the jeans, pressing them over his thighs to wipe excess black grease off of his hands before sliding out from underneath the car more completely. His words were lost on Logan when Scott pulled himself up, springing to his feet and turning away from Logan to face the car again. Scott moved around the car popping up the hood and dipping inside to retrieve something. Involuntarily Logan's gaze dropped down to Scott's bottom, appreciating the way the faded, old jeans showcased it, putting it on display for Logan with Scott bent over in a savory fashion.

"So as you can see without the part I'm not going to be able to finish, which means this project is going to take another day," Scott stood upright and reached for the hood again. "I should've had it done already, but because some people feel it's best to put things off and ignore the problem completely when it's right in front of you, it's easier to delay. For some it's better to simply sweep it aside and…"

"Rough day?" Logan questioned catching the sour tone in Scott's voice. He could sense it in the air surrounding Scott, could feel the frustration indicating that clearly Scott's night had been about as productive as Logan's had been. Both men had hit a metaphorical brick wall, caught up in their own personal agitation, yet in seeing Scott standing before him looking sexier then ever, Logan found himself pleasantly distracted by thoughts of re-channeling his frustrations into something more exciting.

"What gives you that idea?" Scott mouthed with irritation, still focused on the car in front of him. He continued to huff impatiently, agitation enveloping him with an air of distain when Logan stepped forward bringing his arms around Scott's waist possessively.

"I take it your meeting didn't go well. Let me guess they aren't letting you run the chess club this year," Logan teased bringing his nose to the side of Scott's neck, inhaling in the distinct scent of sweat and frustration surrounding his lover. It should've been a hint at Scott's demeanor, but even in his frustration, Logan couldn't help, but long to move in for a taste, to tempt and tease Scott until finally both men could be contented in each other, ignoring the world for a while. Yes, Scott was certainly a distraction, but one that Logan readily embraced in the moment with his thick arms surrounding him. Unable to resist taking a bite of Scott's deliciously agitated skin, Logan sank his teeth into Scott's shoulder.

"Logan," Scott groaned outwardly, his body tensing up when Logan's hand placed over the center of his chest, fingers squeezing at the muscled contours possessively, "I'm all dirty right now."

"I noticed," Logan massaged his thick, oversized fingers over Scott's body, feeling just how thin the t-shirt was beneath his grip. It left little to the imagination now that Logan could sense the heat radiating off of Scott's body beneath him. Although Scott's mood was far from savory, his body had immediately warmed up to Logan, readily welcoming him home again in their embrace. Sliding his fingers down over Scott's abdomen, Logan couldn't help, but reach for the material, drawing it out from inside of Scott's jeans without invitation. "I like it."

"Logan," Scott breathed turning around to face Logan fully, his face twisted with contemplation, thoughts clearly in another place as Logan stood before him, "I'm trying to work here."

"You said it yourself that you were done for the night," Logan wiggled his brow suggestively, "so if you're finished and I'm finished, then why not find a way to have us finish together?"

"Logan," Scott's cheeks grew a deep shade of crimson, his blue eyes even more inviting when Logan touched the side of his face.

"You look delicious," Logan dipped forward, stealing a kiss from Scott's now parted lips, "Good enough to eat actually."

"Right now I feel like I need a good shower and…" Scott attempted to protest, only further fueling Logan's desire to move in closer, pinning Scott against the car's side door. "Logan!"

"What?" Logan questioned lazily, his senses heightened by the nearness of Scott, knowing only too well how incredible it was to have Scott standing before him, wild and unruly, a deep contrast to the otherwise composed man he'd fallen for.

"Tonight's been kind of frustrating," Scott groaned bringing his hands up over Logan's chest in an attempt to place a distance between them.

"So let's work on changing that," Logan hooked his fingers in the loops of Scott's jeans, using little effort to guide Scott's lean, muscular body up into his. Dipping down to release a hot, needy breath, Logan's fingers squeezed at Scott's bottom eagerly.

"You've been drinking tonight," Scott pulled back ever so slightly, curiosity carrying over his tone.

"Maybe a little," Logan slurred, leaning in closer to Scott, unable to ignore the welcoming press of Scott's body into his, fitting like a glove against Logan's broad, muscular form. Dipping down to trace his tongue along the side of Scott's neck, Logan couldn't help, but smirk outwardly, "but I'm not drunk. You know that."

"Even so, why were you out drinking when you said you were going to be reading up on the facility we were at before?" Scott questioned involuntarily dropping his head back to give Logan access to his neck. "I thought you were going to work on research a bit…"

"I was working on research and besides maybe I just wanted you to spank me," Logan pulled back wiggling his brow suggestively in the hopes of putting his encounter back at the bar behind him for a little while, "What do you say?"

"Tempting," Scott sighed closing his eyes and falling back into the car, "but given the night I've had…"

"The night isn't over yet Summers," Logan traced the tip of his index finger over the center of Scott's abdomen, settling in over the button on his jeans with a low, rumble of lust building up inside of him, "What do you say we stick around here for a while and wax the car?"

"Wax the car," Scott repeated with wide eyes before frowning, "What? No. No. Noo…Come on Logan. You know that we can't just…"

"Sure we can," Logan pushed his leg in between Scott's thighs eagerly, parting them just enough to capture Scott's attention, "It's late, no one is awake, so why not just…"

"I can think of plenty of reasons why not," Scott offered up in protest, reaching out across the hood of the car for his glasses.

"Such as?" Logan asked lazily.

"For starters there are students all around us. If any of them wake up and find us, then…" Scott began in protest, his body tightening when Logan balled the t-shirt up over his abdomen, stretching it out enough to yank Scott in closer to him.

"Wrong answer," Logan frowned snaking his hand around the back of Scott's neck, sliding his fingertips through Scott's damp, dark hair before meeting his eyes with a sudden seriousness, "You can do better."

"Fine, I'm not in the mood," Scott challenged, meeting his eyes again with a new determination.

"Liar," Logan dipped down, sliding in closer as if he was going to kiss Scott, but he held back, keeping a distance between them. "You forget I can smell it on you Scott. I know when you're aroused and…"

"I'm angry," Scott slurred, his lashes fluttering to a close when Logan held him.

"About what?" Logan questioned almost afraid to ask knowing the answer would undoubtedly lead them away from seduction. In remembering his own evening of roadblocks Logan found himself suddenly wishing that Scott would just let loose for once, opting to react first, to give into physical pleasure long enough for them both to get off before returning to the issues that had surrounded them. Heaven knew it was what Logan needed right now.

"Over the fact that…" Scott's words came to a halt when he reopened his eyes and spotted the motorcycle across the room. "Damn it Logan. Did you take my bike again?"

"Yeah, so what of it?" Logan shrugged his shoulders while watching the way Scott's brow creased with fury, "I put it back and…"

"It's leaking," Scott detangled himself from Logan's arms. Moving over to inspect the bike more closely, he frowned reaching down to one of the hoses, "You broke a hose."

"I'm sure it was that way when I took it. It's no big deal. It drove just fine and…," Logan attempted to move in closer to Scott.

"Of course it's not a big deal because why would anything be a big deal when I say it," Scott threw his hands up in the air. Returning to his earlier sour disposition, Logan could see anger surrounding Scott, building and explosive seeking out the right target to unleash it on. "Heaven forbid what I say actually holds any weight around here."

"Scott," Logan tipped his head to the side giving him a sideways glance, "what's going on?"

"Nothing. Everything," Scott stood up and pouted, "I mean why one thing can't go right tonight is beyond me, but since I'm already having so much fun, why not add to the tension, right?"

"Look I don't know who decided to push the stick up your ass again, but you'd be best suited to pull it out," Logan grumbled in response unable to ignore Scott's attitude shift from the man he'd been in bed with earlier in the morning. Thinking of his own road block with Bert, Logan felt his earlier agitation carrying over his body. He folded his arms in front of his chest and glared over at Scott disapprovingly, "before it gets old."

"Gets old?" Scott repeated with an outward groan waving his hands around in the air, "Wow, far be it from me to annoy you Logan. What ever was I thinking?"

"Screw this," Logan decided with a roll of his eyes, "Have fun being an asshole tonight Scott. See if I care."

"Logan," Scott frowned, calling out to Logan, but it didn't matter. There was no point in arguing over nothing when it was a losing battle. Tonight was turning out to be a complete loss, Logan realized stomping out of the garage ready to put the whole ridiculous evening behind him once and for all.

XXXXXX

Logan slammed the door to the bedroom, not giving a damn if it woke anyone up after his confrontation with Scott. It was bad enough that his lead on Victor hadn't panned out like he'd been hoping, but then to have Scott walking around with that same sour attitude he'd carried with him before Jean died, it was too much to take. Yes, maybe Logan had overreacted in walking out the way he had, but he wasn't in the mood to listen to Scott's whining, especially not now when it seemed that Logan was the only one really concerned about their future. With adamantium on the open market, proving to be the subject of Victor's latest obsession Logan knew their problems were only going to be compounding in the future. Finding Victor would be of the essence. It would undoubtedly overrule a great many days in the future, yet in hoping to have a few minutes of time out with Scott, Logan had hoped to unwind. Unfortunately Scott's complaining and whining had only served to further annoy Logan. Now tearing his shirt over his head, Logan decided he'd go to bed, say to hell with everything else and get in some sleep before starting over again in the morning.

"Fuck it," Logan mouthed to himself stripping down completely. He tossed his pants across the room, sending them into a gaudy piece of artwork Scott had spent far too much time admiring in the past. Logan had hated it, wishing that Scott would've simply left it back in Ohio, but Scott was drawn to it, immersed in praising it and pondering it's worth time and time again. That in itself made Logan want to tear it down, tossing it in the trash when Scott wasn't around. However, he would settle for just knowing that his jeans smacked the painting causing it to slant in such a way that Scott would be annoyed enough to spend a great deal of time straightening it out. That in itself sent a bit of satisfaction through Logan in watching it spin on the wall before him.

"Serves him right," Logan decided bouncing onto the bed and doing his best to ignore the headache that had overtaken him. Yes, a first glance maybe it was a combination of his frustration and annoyance with Scott, but now with thoughts of how close he'd come to seeking out Victor only to end up hitting another brick wall, he couldn't help, but be agitated. He pulled the adamantium rock out of his pocket, opening up the nightstand drawer before pushing it inside. It might not be much, but it was a start. It was something he could work with and if he could discover where Bert had sent off the other shipments of it, then maybe just maybe Logan would be able to track down Victor. He could work on eliminating the threat to his life once and for all. Of course all of that would take time, which meant having a certain sense of patience. That was never a strong point for Logan, he realized with a scowl dropping down further on his bed.

Now alone and irritated, Logan couldn't help, but wish that Scott had been in a better mood. They could've talked about what had taken place at the bar, could've discussed strategy with one another. Hell, they could've just screwed like lust obsessed teenagers and Logan was pretty sure it would've put him in a much better mood. On most occasions it wouldn't have been a problem, but tonight given that everything else wasn't going Logan's way, he should've known that Scott would've been an issue as well.

"No matter," Logan mouthed to himself, "I don't need him to help me with this. I can figure this out on my own and…"

Bringing his arm up over the back of his head, Logan stretched out on the pillows realizing that perhaps he should've pushed further to see what was going on with Scott as well, but knowing what kind of stubborn idiot Scott could be in the midst of a tantrum, Logan didn't even bother. He would've pushed, Scott would've pushed back and they would've still wound up in the same deadlock with Logan annoyed, Scott bitchy and the two of them not accomplishing anything together. Now naked, angry and horny as hell, Logan couldn't help, but wish things had played out differently in the garage. Then again in seeing Scott bent over inside the hood of the car, poking and prodding around with things, Logan couldn't help, but smirk. So maybe the situation didn't end well, but the memory would be enough to get him going through the night. Maybe he'd find a way to distract himself a while before…

"Logan, come on," Scott's whining voice intruded on the moment of lustful contemplation that had overtaken Logan. Before Logan could get started on indulging the mood, he spotted Scott removing his glasses before standing in the doorway with hands placed firmly on his hips disapprovingly. Scott shut the door behind his arrival and opened his mouth to say something more, but when his gaze fell upon Logan's tortured flesh, seeing the steadily growing arousal before him, Scott gulped down hard, "Logan I…"

"You were being a dick and I'm in no mood for it. You're not the only one with problems Scott," Logan settled in over the blankets in a more blatant position, leaving no room for Scott to avoid taking a good, hard look at what he wasn't experiencing in the moment, "I don't know who pissed in your coffee this morning, but…"

"Xavier and I argued about," Scott opened his mouth to explain, hoping to find a rational answer to his mood swing, but when his blue eyes found themselves gravitating to Logan's overwhelming manhood, Scott gulped down even harder, "Never mind. Look I'm sorry…"

"What?" Logan brought his hand to his ear mockingly sensing Scott's sudden mood shift. While it wasn't a deep contrast to what had happened earlier, it was enough for Logan to ponder if perhaps the night was picking up after all, "I didn't hear you."

"I said I'm sorry," Scott took a tentative step forward, his chest rising and falling in a labored breath behind his greasy white t-shirt, "I was upset, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"No," Logan agreed tipping his head to the side, a naughty smirk carrying over his features when his hand settled in over his lap, drawing even more attention to his arousal, "but now that you have, what are you going to do about it?"

"I'll…" Scott licked his lips involuntarily, his hands still at his sides in a tentative position. He staggered forward, lips parting as he cleared his throat again, "I'll just hop in the shower, get cleaned up and…"

"How about you bypass the shower and work on making it up to me?" Logan suggested releasing himself suggestively. The movement caused his body to spring forward, accentuating his length to Scott all over again. He brought his arms up back over his head, settling in over the pillows in an attempt to get comfortable.

"I suppose that isn't totally out of the question," Scott agreed reaching down to tear his shirt up over his head. He discarded the dirty material on the floor, kicking his shoes off before unbuttoning his jeans. He started to unzip them when Logan shook his head slowly.

"Leave the jeans on," Logan ordered sitting up straighter, his voice firm and authoritative in the moment. "I like them on you."

"You'll like them even better off of me," Scott flirted in a thick, husky tone, desire carrying over him in the moment.

"Perhaps, but you weren't exactly in the mood to play nice, so now I'm not feeling inclined to be either," Logan stretched out further on the bed, "You'll have a lot of convincing to do before I'll forgive and forget."

"Forget," Scott eyed Logan suspiciously. Moving forward Scott crawled up on the bed, sliding forward on his knees to hover over Logan, "Now why in the world would you want to do such a silly thing when you know what we have is far too good to lose sight of?"

"You tell me," Logan stiffened refusing to make a move now that Scott hovered over him, blue eyes filled with longing and desire.

"I was being a jackass, but you," Scott's fingers fanned out over Logan's thighs, sending welcome sensations rippling through Logan's body. His lips parted, body responding to the warmth of Scott's hands upon him when Scott started massaging lazy circles over his inner thigh, "you deserve a proper apology."

"I do," Logan agreed, closing his eyes and leaning back further.

"Then let me work on it," Scott spoke up suggestively, the heat of his breath colliding with Logan's abdomen. Logan felt Scott lean over him, lean body stretched out over his thighs, his hair teasing across Logan's chest in a faint brush. A moment later Logan felt Scott's hand trace over his thigh, fingers dancing in the same familiar rhythm that Logan so enjoyed and appreciated. A soft sound of approval built up in the back of Logan's throat, causing him to reposition himself beneath Scott.

"You're so damn sexy Logan," Scott murmured placing a feathery light kiss over Logan's abdomen, "Even with the stress of work and everything else, I know better then to ignore just how irresistible you truly are."

"You do," Logan agreed feeling Scott's fingers wrap around his length, pushing upward in a firm, solid stroke. The movement caused another ripple of surrender to carry over Logan, causing his eyes to close even tighter.

"I'm sorry," Scott breathed against his skin, lips tapering off over Logan's abdomen, tongue swirling in slow, tiny flicks while Scott's fingers eased down over Logan's overwhelming length, doing their best to dote on ever inch of him in their grasp. Logan shifted, hips rising upward to meet Scott's movements halfway.

"Prove it," Logan dared half expecting Scott to throw out another round of flowery prose and apologize, but instead he was met by the feel of Scott's lips surrounding him, taking him into the hot, wet sheath. Logan groaned opening his eyes to view Scott before him, watching Scott's lips and tongue envelope him, tasting and teasing him with the same enthusiasm that Scott had carried with him in all of their encounters. Yes, maybe Scott hadn't been the boldest of lovers when Logan had first set out to claim him, but now Scott was well versed on Logan's body, knowing only too well how to please him. Logan pushed upward, rocking his hips up to meet Scott's tongue, pumping into Scott's mouth to offer his full length to Scott, wanting nothing more then to lose himself completely to Scott in his attempt at an apology.

"That's it," Logan dropped his hands down over the back of Scott's head, tangling his fingers through Scott's hair, pushing and guiding Scott's movements over him. A heaviness built in his stomach, the moist heat of Scott sending his senses on overload, carrying him to the edge, wanting nothing more, then to lose himself to the moment, to explode inside of Scott, reckless and wild in the moment.

Scott hummed against Logan's body, drawing out sensation after glorious sensation until Logan's eyes settled in on the jeans Scott was wearing. Suddenly remembering his lover's body hidden from his greedy eyes, Logan knew he'd made a mistake in refusing to allow Scott to take them off. Now he wanted more, needed something that felt better, a more perfect fit between them when his hands tugged at Scott's hair roughly, forcing Scott's mouth away from his body.

"Logan?" Scott questioned with confusion behind his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something more, to protest Logan's movement, but instead before he could speak Logan flipped Scott onto his back, slicing away at Scott's jeans until they were simply shreds of denim on the blankets beneath them.

"Don't say a word," Logan snarled reaching out across the bed to the nightstand. He opened the top drawer, pulling a few things out before flipping Scott onto his stomach without warning.

"Stay there," Logan warned bringing his hand over his own throbbing manhood, hoping to keep himself in the moment when Scott started to wiggle on the bed beneath him, rising up onto his knees.

"I told you to stay put," Logan snarled, shoving Scott back down into the blankets with a whimper. He could sense Scott's need for control, his desire to return to the role of guiding along their seduction, but tonight, well with Scott's attitude and sour demeanor, Logan was going to give him plenty to think about. Reaching down, Logan twisted his fingers through Scott's hair, wrenching his head up for a brief few seconds before slamming his face into the blankets again. Scott recoiled with the movement, tensing and pushing up on his arms to twist around on the bed, but Logan anticipated the movement, leaning forward to press his body over Scott's in warning.

"So help me Scott if you annoy me one more time tonight…" Logan's arousal brushed up against Scott's inner thigh causing him to let out a soft whimper of understanding. Scott dropped his head forward, awaiting instruction as Logan moved in behind him.

"Normally we'd be all about playing nice, but tonight," Logan snaked his fingers around Scott's body, coming into contact with Scott's arousal, knowing only too well that desire hadn't been skipped over in their moment together. He closed his fist around Scott's body, before reaching up to the back of Scott's head yanking on Scott's hair roughly. Leaning forward his teeth sank into Scott's shoulder and Logan bit down hard enough to pierce the skin. Blood carried over Logan's lip, the overwhelming taste of it mixed in with desire when Scott pushed back into Logan's body, hips grinding in a moment of involuntary protest.

"Don't move," Logan ordered again, wanting to drive Scott mad with lust, to send him over the edge in longing, but when Logan found himself between Scott's thighs, thinking about how much he'd wanted to claim his lover, he relented, instead releasing Scott in order to seize Scott's hips possessively. In an instant, he was inside of Scott, burying himself fully. Scott let out a harsh breath, a pained whimper building up inside of him, caught up in the momentary divide between pleasure and pain with Logan's body claiming him, possessing him in every way imaginable.

"Tell me how sorry you are," Logan stilled himself inside of Scott, reaching for Scott's hair again and twisting it tightly, "How wrong you were…?"

"I'm sorry Logan," Scott spat out behind gritted teeth, struggling to fight against the involuntary reaction to thrash back into Logan, forcing a movement between them. "I was out of line."

"You sure as hell were," Logan agreed rewarding Scott with a small, upward movement.

"I love you," Scott breathed, in between tiny pants, turning his head to the side and fighting to control the trembling inside of him, to stay focused on the moment when Logan had stopped moving, kept still inside of him, controlled and waiting for the opportunity to give Scott another taste of heaven between them.

"I love you too Summers," Logan confessed with a proud smile rewarding Scott with one movement, followed by another. In spite of the way things had started between them, there was no denying Logan's attachment to Scott. There was no hiding from the inevitable truth of how good they were together even when they were at odds. Yes, fighting was always good for foreplay, but sex, well that was something that they could always agree on-could always offer up to the other in the name of making up, fighting or just about anything else that they could think of. It's hold on them had expanded over time, intensifying with each building moment until finally Logan felt his control slipping away. His body began taking on a life of it's own, coupling with Scott in the most primitive of thrusts over and over again until finally everything else faded giving way to the moment leaving Logan to realize that tonight's disappointment couldn't be labeled as a failure after all especially not with Scott Summers in his life.