In Fear of Three Little Words

Chapter 55


Logan turned the last nut on the oil pan, tightening it with a few quick twists of the wrist. His mind kept trying to go upstairs to where Kurt sat in one of the parlor rooms talking with that therapist lady, hoping she could do something nobody else seemed to be able to do...help Kurt deal with the mess his life had turned into.

Kurt had asked him just the other day if he was deliberately avoiding meeting this woman.

Damned straight. Nobody’d ever see his shadow darkening the doorway of a shrink’s office. But if counseling helped Kurt, that was something else all together. And if the Doc recommended her, then that was good enough for him too.

Physically, Kurt seemed back on track, his strength back to normal and most of the aches and pains had disappeared. The elf had even returned to training and though they had started slow, Kurt had been driven lately to not only reach the level he’d been prior to the second kidnapping, but determined to excel well beyond that level.

Logan thought he understood the need in Kurt. Physical capability gave one a sense of power and Kurt had felt powerless during his captivity. But Logan saw something Kurt didn’t see in himself, a strength and power that comes from the inside and Kurt had shown plenty of that even if the kid didn’t recognize it yet.

But also Logan knew that Kurt hadn’t healed yet inside. Torn places still lay open and bled out anguish on a daily basis.

Cracked, was how Kurt had put it. He felt cracked all over and Logan feared the slightest upheaval might shatter the fragile shell that was Kurt’s emotional stability at the moment. Every step they took towards their former intimate relationship was carefully calculated now and Logan wondered if they’d ever have again that spontaneous explosion of passion they houndound with each other.

Don’t rush it. Whatever you do don’t rush him.

The soft whir of the elevator sounded in the garage, the door sliding back . An aroma of lilacs wafted on the air and high heels clicked on the concrete floor.

“Mr Logan?” a voice said and Logan let out a groan.

He pushed out from under the Jeep and grabbed a towel, wiping his greasy hands. A woman stood on the other side of the car, thirtyish, brown hair, blue eyes, nice figure, understated professional clothing.

Logan let out another groaning sigh and shoved up to his feet. “Yeah, you’ve found him. How can I help you...Ms Martin, I presume?”

“Hello,” she said, but hesitated, obviously looking him over and maybe finding him wanting.

“Sorry about the mess,” he offered indicating his greasy appearance. “I wasn’t expectin’ company while I was changin’ the oil.”

“That’s all right, we...just hadn’t had a chance to meet and I thought I’d just drop down and say hello.”

“You’ve said hello. Is everything okay with the elf?”

She gave him a quizzical expression. “Oh! You mean Kurt.”

“Yeah, something wrong? He okay?”

“Yes, Kurt’s fine. He’s quite a unique young man.” She stepped closer and glanced around at the array of vehicles.

“Unique in a lot of ways that has nothin’ to do with his looks.”

Her attention returned to him and she smiled a warm smile. “I completely agree. He’s a very intelligent and thoughtful young man. And there’s a compassion in him that rivals any I’ve encountered.”

Women with pretty smiles always want somethin’ from ya.

“He’s that all right. He’s got a great sense of humor too, but then I doubt you’ve had an opportunity to see that side of him what with talkin’ about rape and torture and such.”

Her warm smile almost disappeared, turning sad and on the verge of uncomfortable.

“I hope to see that side of Kurt,” she said with a sincere tone. “I’d like to know him that way.”

Logan said nothing, continuing to wipe his hands when he‘d wiped all the grease he was likely to wipe off with a rag.

“Do you take care of all these vehicles?” she asked, surveying once again the line of cars and SUVs.

“Yeah, it’s part of my job here.”

She turned back to him and he saw the questions in her eyes. Questions she was just dyin’ to ask him. And he was pretty sure he knew which one she was about to ask.

“You’re also an instructor, aren’t you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It must be difficult for you and Kurt, maintaining a relationship. Doesn’t the instructor/student situation get in the way?”

Logan threw down the rag. “Look lady. I don’t need to be psycho-analyzed. You want to help Kurt, help Kurt. I don’t need your help. But if you’re gonna go all righteous on us, maybe neither of us needs you around.”

The woman didn’t react, just let him have his say, watching him with her pretty blue eyes, judging him, Logan was sure.

“I’ve obviously touch a tender subject. Forgive me. I’m not trying to psycho-analyze you, Mr Logan.”

“Good, Ms Martin,” Logan flung back.

“Please, let’s not get off on the wrong foot. I’m sorry.” She came around the Jeep and put out her hand, offering a truce. “I’m Cassie Martin. It’s nice to meet you.”

She waited with her hand out and that sweet, warm therapist smile on her face. Logan let out a sigh and stepped forward, taking her hand and shaking it. He smirked when he saw a trace of grease left on her palm.

“Please, call me Cassie.”

“Sure. Cassie. Logan...just Logan. I still don’t want any therapy if that’s what yer gettin’ at.”

“Even if doing so would help Kurt?”

Logan leaned against the Jeep and crossed his arms. “Oh lady, yer good. Ya know that?”

“I’ve been told.”

“What exactly did you have in mind?”

“Just a few sessions, you and me, sort of a get acquainted period. I thought perhaps you could offer some insight into Kurt’s trauma.” She leaned one hip against the Jeep, getting more comfortable and warming up to the subject. “And then I’d like to have a few sessions with both you and Kurt. You could call it...couple counseling.”

“Couple counseling,” Logan echoed. “Great. You don’t ask much, sister.”

“Just enough. I really think it would benefit Kurt to know you support him.”

“I do support him. I want nothin’ more than to see the elf get better. That’s all that means anything to me.”

She gave him another quizzical expression. “Elf?”

“It’s a nickname. You got a problem with it?”

“Oh no. No. I’ve always found nicknames endearing.”

Endearing? Nobody had ever had the gumption to call anything Logan did endearing.

“Would Thursday afternoon at say two work for you?” Cassie asked. “Just before Kurt’s session.”

Logan hesitated. He really didn’t want to do this, but hadn’t he just said he’d do anything to help Kurt heal?

“Yeah, two’s just ducky.”

She gave another smile this one laced with triumph. “See you then, Logan.” Turning, she headed back towards the elevator.

“Hey, Cassie,” Logan called and she turned back with a questioning expression. “Who showed you how to get down here by elevator?”

That smile came again and Logan felt like he’d been baited, hooked and reeled in by a professional. “Professor Xavier, of course.”

“Of course,” Logan growled under his breath and almost forgot to put oil back into his Jeep.