saga/title/fandom: Orpheus (X-Men)

author: Kristy

rating/genre:(R) - drama, romance

warnings: het, sexual content, violence

summary:Logan's life has always felt empty. He felt dead inside and with Jean's rejection, Logan spent his time feeling more alone then ever before. One night, he stumbles upon an injured stranger and takes her to the Professor. A meaningless promise becomes Logan's link to the powerful mutant. The more time he spends with her, the less alone he becomes, as though she's breathing new life into his lonely soul. Attraction becomes passion and passion leads Logan to find love and strange connection with his past. Nightmares are altered to reveal a truth that could damage his future. (Wolverine/OFC)

comments/disclaimers: Standard disclaimers. This falls post X-1 but there is a small X-2 reference about Logan and Bobby's parents but the events that took place in X-2 have not happened. Right now it's PG but it will become more graphic later between R and NC-17.

It had been nearing the third day and still the young woman remained unconscious. The X-men had spent their time in and out of the lab, checking on their patient as much as possible. Aside from a couple minor missions, Logan barely left the unknown girl's bedside. No one questioned his actions, they all knew better. Logan had his reasons for doing things, so they allowed him his silent mission to watch over her.

It was close to 7:30 and everyone was gathered in Professor Xavier's office. "With Scott's help I was able to do a cat scan, despite her unconscious state," Jean said, handing the folder over to the Professor. "Her brain waves are off the map,"

"What does that mean, though?" Storm questioned from across the room in a plush leather chair. The Professor skimmed through the folder before laying it on his desk, focusing his attention on Jean. Logan stood in the corner trying to focus on the words that fell from Jean's lips but he was feeling a need to return to the girl who lay downstairs.

"Most scientists believe that the right side of our brains are not as stimulated as the left. Society depends on logic and memory to sustain life as we know it. However it is from the right side of our brain that we draw creativity, intuition as well as psychic ability..." Jean began, pacing the room.

"So mutants like you and the Professor..." Logan interrupted.

"Aside from the mutant gene and the evolution, the right side of our brains would be considered almost fully stimulated. Telepathy, telekinesis, anything of that sort is considered right brain activity..." Jean replied.

"So is that what kind of mutant our girl is?" Logan said gruffly from the corner. "The same as you or the Professor?"

Jean looked in Logan's direction. "To be honest, I can't tell. All I can say is that if she does possess any psychic ability, her power is enormous. I would have no doubt that she could easily match your ability, Professor," Jean said, her eyes resting on him. Professor said nothing, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

Logan used the booted foot that propped him against the wall to push himself to a standing position. He started for the door.

"Logan, where are you going?" Jean asked.

"Look, you guys can sit here all day with your charts and your information about this mutant's brain. But right now there's an unconscious woman down there and she can wake up at any minute with no one around..." Logan snapped. He couldn't finish, he wasn't even sure what it was he was saying. The way they were handling the situation, irritated him. Situation? She wasn't a situation...she was a person. A mutant maybe but she was still an injured, helpless girl. And here they were...the X-Men...the ones who fought to protect a world that hated and feared them. Always trying to fit in, to want nothing more than to be accepted, to be considered human with something special.

He let out an exasperated sigh. Even though Logan was never into the idea to being "part of the team", he did however know that he owed them for many things. Logan also knew they were merely trying to discover who the mysterious woman was. She was safe and in good hands. He just couldn't help feeling as though they were wasting their time and breath when this girl lay downstairs. He did not want to be subjected to their scientific ramblings when he had promise to fulfill. True, his companion remained quiet but Logan enjoyed the silence. He had grown accustomed to sitting with the beeping machines and the still figure. He felt relaxed, listening to the sound of her soft breathing, her soft scent invading his nostrils. But he had to escape that room. "I'll be in the infirmary if you need me..." He said in a voice that was much calmer. He exited the office and made his way towards the mysterious girl who he promised to protect.

"What's with Logan lately?" Scott question. He said what they were all thinking. The rest stared dumbfounded down the hall after him.

"It's alright, let him be," Charles said with authority.

"Professor?" Storm looked him with a questioning gaze.

"Did something happen? Was Logan...?" Scott started but with a quick gesture the Professor silenced him.

"He has a connection with her. Let him watch over her, if he wants," Professor Xavier said. He turned towards Jean. "Right now there's nothing more we can do than wait till she's awake and has time to heal before we begin to question her about her mutant ability," Jean nodded in response. "Right now I have a something I need you and Scott to look into," The professor changed the subject. Storm and exited the room. She had a meeting with a student and Scott and Jean stayed behind to receive their orders.

"Hmmmm..." The girl stirred slightly. She ached all over. She struggled to open her eyes. Where was she? She couldn't remember. Was she dreaming? Again she struggled to open her eyes, her left eye ached, but she successfully managed to get them open. It took merely seconds before she realized that she was not in her bed dreaming. Her pulse began to quicken and panic began to rise from her stomach. She tried to move, but it her limbs were sore. She struggled to sit up, her body tense with pain and panic.

"Mmmm," A small whimper escaped her. She could hear machines beeping, she was hooked to them, she could feel it. Again she attempted to raise her head from the pillow to look at her surroundings.

"Don't try sitting up. You're hurt," A gruff voice filled her ears. Footsteps approached her bed. Her heart was pounding in her throat. "It's alright. You're safe," Logan reached the bed and peered down at her. She stared up into his dark eyes. She was temporarily transfixed by them. They held this safety that she had never known and yet there was obvious pain from somewhere, his past maybe? She continued staring at him. His hair was dark and done in a most unusual away, almost animalistic, it suited him well. He had side burns that traveled down his face, framing his strong jaw.

Logan saw the confusion in her eyes melt away and become replaced with familiarity. Her clear gray eyes stared into his dark ones. "I know you... I dreamt about you...you were holding me..." She said softly. She struggled to sit up. Logan hurried to place some extra pillows beneath her so that she could sit up.

"Afraid that was no dream, darlin'," Logan said pulling a chair next to her. He knew that he should let the others know that their guest was awake, but he figured that he would give her a couple minutes to adjust. "What's your name?" He asked, leaning back in his seat. The girl still appeared very tired and confused. She put a hand to her head, gently rubbing her temple before feeling the cut on her forehead.

"I was attacked..." She said thoughtfully. Logan said nothing, he simply continued to gaze at her. "I remember," She said. "You saved me..." Her eyes fell upon him. She looked at him. Logan felt slightly uncomfortable, it was like she could see into him. His secrets, his pain, everything about him being pulled from him with those piercing eyes. "Thank you," She said quietly.

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