Not Mine Alone

Chapter eleven: Out Of The Shower And Into The Fire

"What do you think you're doing.........delivering a shower gram?" Logan growled menacingly.

Before Scott had time to react, Logan's fist connected with his left jaw sending him sprawling to the ground with a ceremonious thud. Scott just sat there, too stunned, hurt and terrified to move. Logan looked like he could kill Scott without breaking a sweat.

"Get your fucking pansy-ass up!" Logan yelled at the fallen man.

Marie heard the commotion and came charging out of the bathroom, forgetting she was also wrapped in only a towel. She froze in place at the sight of Scott lying prone on the floor and Logan towering over him, obviously well beyond pissed off.

"LOGAN!" she screamed, to get his attention.

Looking over in her direction and noticing her attire or rather lack of it, Logan grew even angrier. He couldn't believe he'd caught them together again and in the shower no less. This was too unbelievable. Well, he had his answer, even if it wasn't the one he'd hoped for.

"The shower, Marie? You had to fuck him in the goddamn shower, didn't you?" His hazel eyes were burning with a rage Marie had never seen before, not even during their worst battles with the fiercest of enemies. Marie was suddenly afraid, very afraid, but then Logan's anger had never been directed at her before, either.

“Logan, it’s not what you think, I swear to God...........” Marie started pleading, trying to reason with him.

“I have eyes, Marie! I know what just happened in there,” he said indicating the bathroom, “How stupid do you think I am? I can’t believe I trusted you when you told me it was over between you two.” He threw daggers at her with his eyes.

"It is over. Nothing happened. Scott, tell him." Marie directed her plea to Scott.

"I'm sorry, Logan. I'm sure Rogue didn't mean to hurt you," Scott offered.

"SCOTT!" Marie screamed in surprise, "Why are you doing this? Nothing happened and you know it. Scott, tell Logan the truth!"

"We kissed and caressed each other. That's what happened," Scott claimed as he stood up slowly, keeping an eye on Logan's proximity the whole time.

"I never laid a hand on you, why are you lying?" Marie couldn't believe him.

"Are you telling me, you didn't let him fuck you?" Logan demanded.

"No............. as God is my witness, Logan. We did not have sex."

"You're not denying the kissing part, I noticed that, Marie. Did you kiss him?" Logan questioned, wanting to know and yet afraid of the answer at the same time.

"He kissed me," Marie admitted guiltily.

"Did you respond? Did you kiss him back?" {Oh, God, do I really want to know?}

"Yes, for a brief second I responded. Ok, I admit that part. It was a few seconds, that's all."

Marie was shaking, on the verge of tears. Scott had kissed her and she'd not only let him, but she'd responded. It could have been ten seconds or ten minutes -- she knew it didn't matter in Logan's eyes.

"Did he touch you, too?" Logan continued. {Please say, no, Marie.}

"Yes, he touched me." {Might as well get it all out, I'm toast anyway.}

"Did you let him do that, too?" Logan asked sarcastically, his anger returning.

"I thought it was you. I swear, Logan, I thought it was you. I was washing my hair. I didn't realize it was Scott behind me. Please, Logan, I'm not lying to you."

She was crying now, the tears flowing freely. Logan felt confused, angry, hurt and upset all at the same time. He didn't want to be mad at her, but how many times could he listen to explanations? Marie was failing to get the situation with Scott under control, which was something she had to accept responsibility for. It would never work between them if there wasn't any trust.

"Fine, but you did kiss him and you did let him touch you, even briefly. I've heard enough."

Logan turned to leave the room. For good measure, he clobbered Scott again, sending him back to the floor. If he had to hit anyone, it was going to be Scott, who should shoulder most of the blame for this mess.

"You're a dick, Scooter. Always have been, always will be," Logan declared furiously.

Logan walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him with a loud bang. Scott stood up again and turned to Marie, who slapped him across the face hard enough to leave a red handprint.

"You bastard!" she screamed at him, her rage making her shake.

"I did it for your own good, Rogue. He's not right for you," Scott informed her, as if he was doing her a big favor.

"And you are, I suppose," Marie challenged.

"If you don't want a relationship with me, fine, but Logan's not the best alternative."

Marie couldn't believe his impudence. Who did he think he was, her father, telling her whom she can and can't be with? The sheer arrogance of the man was incomprehensible.

"Why not, Scott? What the hell is it exactly that bothers you so damn much about Logan?"

"What doesn't bother me would be a shorter list. Rogue, you know I'm right about him. You should just be honest and admit it to yourself, so you get on with your life instead of pining for a man who'll only bring you grief."

"Yes, and we all know how much joy you're bringing me. And honesty, how dare you stand there and lecture me about honesty. You're such a fucking hypocrite, Scott."

"I'm not a hypocrite. I do love both you and Jean. I know I shouldn't, but I do. "

"No, Scott, you love Jean.......... me, you just love fucking - big difference."

"Rogue............"

"Get out, Scott. You've inflicted enough damage today. Your work here is done."

Scott decided there would be no reasoning with Marie in her current agitated state, so dressing quickly; he left the room as quietly as he'd entered. Marie collapsed on her bed, sobbing bitterly. Logan believed she'd been with Scott again and she didn't blame him. She had to admit they looked pretty guilty coming out of the bathroom wrapped in towels. Damn, Scott. She sat up and wiped her eyes with the corner of the towel. She would go to Logan and try to explain it better. Explain what? She had kissed Scott, she had let him touch her and even though it did stop short of actual intercourse, she wasn't completely innocent, either.

She wasn't lying to Logan when she told him it was him she loved - only him. Would she get another chance to make things right? Marie decided she'd never find out unless she tried, gave it her best shot, because at this point she had nothing more to lose.

Dressing hastily and tying her hair in a loose knot at the nape of her neck, she walked nervously across the hall and knocked gently on Logan's door.

"Come in, Marie," Logan instructed calmly.