Logan and Marie. A Love Story. Probably.

2 April, 1981. A quiet diner near Anchorage, Alaska.

The diner's neon sign flickered as Logan pushed open the door, the familiar jingle announcing his entrance. The warmth inside was a stark contrast to the biting cold of Alaska. He took a seat at the counter, letting out a sigh as he settled onto the stool.

He noticed her right away. Her scent cut through the usual greasy odor of the diner—a sweet, wild rose amidst a rainy forest. There was something else, too, something that called to the Wolverine. I found My Mate. What the fuck was that about.

He shook off the strange feeling, focusing on the details he had: a file with "Project X – classification TOP SECRET" stamped on it. The only useful information was a photograph and a few lines of text: 'Name – Anna Marie No Last Name; Codename; Rogue; Date of Birth – 08/26/1955. Mutation: Power Absorption through touch.'

The target was a twenty-five-year-old woman, 'bout 5'6", with brown auburn hair streaked with white. Pretty. No, gorgeous. Fuck, he was not himself right now. Her scents already making the Wolverine going crazy.

Marie appeared in a waitress uniform, and Logan's thoughts derailed. "Coffee, Sugar?" she asked, Fuck, her voice sounds like a music to his ears.

"Thanks Darlin', Black please," he replied, taking the menu she offered. Her name tag read 'Marie.' Logan noticed the gloves and the long-sleeved top she wore under her short-sleeved uniform. Probably due to her mutation, heh, smart. She chooses to hide where people didn't really asked question about her cover up because her mutation.

Marie disappeared into the kitchen. Logan could hear the hum of conversation and the clatter of dishes over the sink. When she came back with a small bucket of water and bleach, he tried not to stare, but her presence was magnetic. Their eyes met, and he felt a surprising warmth. She smiled, then looked away bashfully, exposing the delicate curve of her neck.

Her eyes were deep, dark moss green with a hint of brown—like pools hidden deep in a forest. She smiled shyly, and Logan's pulse quickened. He found himself drawn to her in a way he hadn't expected.

It was past two a.m. in a sleepy truck stop in the middle of nowhere. Marie, as her name tag indicated, had already offered him refills on the coffee he didn't really want. He'd been the only customer for at least an hour, watching her tidy up, trying to piece together fragments of her life from snippets of conversation with the fry cook, who clearly had a thing for her. My mate, protect mate. Motherfucker! Stop, she didn't even know us!!! he cursed the Wolverine inside him.

Logan knew she was running and hiding from Mystique and the Brotherhood. He had been assigned to recruit her, not to get involved in her life. But as he watched her, he found it harder to keep his distance.

"Can I get you anything else, sugar? Maybe something hot?" Her southern accent was as comforting as ever, and the faint hint of blush on her cheeks made her even more endearing.

"What's good in here Darlin'? Any recommendation?" he asked, trying to shake off the feelings.

"Well… the breakfast hash is pretty nice in here Sugar, but it's usually served at six."

"That's a shame."

"Hang on, I'll see if Mike will make an exception, sugar!" She hurried off, her ponytail swinging, her figure catching his eye. Logan felt a pang of admiration. It had been a while since he'd seen something—or someone—so beautiful. Christ, he'd not seen a thing so beautiful in a long time.

When she returned, he managed to refocus. "It's your lucky day, Sugar!"

"Thanks Darlin'," he said, softening at her easy smile. He had to keep his head in the game.

"So, what's a guy like you doing out on a night like this, sugar?"

"A guy like me?"

"Well, you don't have a truck." She gestured out the window at the empty parking lot.

"That's a good point. That's my ride Darlin'," He pointed to his bike resting against a flickering lamppost.

"That a Harley? My father had one when I was a kid."

"Yeah? Do you want to take a ride sometimes with me, Darlin'?"

"No kidding? Really? You'll do that, Sugar?"

"After your shift then?"

"After my shift, Sugar,"

The conversation fell awkwardly silent after that, and Logan felt his ears burning, its lucky for him that Marie didn't really notices. It wasn't like he had no social skills but small talk with her really taking his control over the Wolverine down. He had a job to do, and it was becoming harder to separate his duty from his growing interest and the Wolverine inside him trying to dominate to claim her as his mate already.

"You in the army?" she asked, noticing the chain of his tags peeking out from his collar.

He quickly tucked the chain away, the weight of his employment pressing down on him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"It's okay," he said, forcing a smile.

Logan took a sip of the coffee, his gaze locked on her. "I'm here on business. I know about your… situation."

Marie's eyes widened slightly, and she took a step back. "What do you mean?"

"I know you're being hunted. Not just by the Brotherhood. I work for a group that's interested in you." Logan's voice was low, careful not to alarm her. "They want to offer you protection. A job and a protections."

Marie's face paled, her composure faltering for just a moment. "You know about them?"

"Yeah," Logan said, nodding. "I know about Mystique and the Brotherhood. And I know you're more than just a waitress. I know what you can do."

Marie's eyes flashed with fear, but also a glimmer of hope. "Why would you help me? Who are you really?"

"I'm someone who's only doing his job," Logan replied honestly. "I work for a team with that also employ other people like us, other with abilities, mutants. They know what you're capable of, and they want you to work for them."

Marie's hands trembled slightly as she wiped down the counter. "And what if I refuse, sugar?"

"Then you stay here, and the Brotherhood will keep coming after you sooner or later," Logan said. "But if you come with me, We can offer you safety. We can protect you from them. It's your choice."

She looked at him, her dark green eyes searching his face for any hint of deception. Logan could see the struggle in her expression.

"Where would I go?" she finally asked.

"First, we'll get you out of here," Logan said. "Then, I'll take you to a safe place where you can meet the rest of the team. My boss'll explain everything to you. But right now, we need to leave before anyone sees us."

Marie looked uncertain, glancing around the empty diner. "I'll need time to decided, I'll tell you my decision tomorrow."

Logan nodded, understanding the weight of her choice. "Alright," he replied. "Still up for that ride, Darlin'? I'll take you home,"

"Its alright, maybe tomorrow sugar..."

"Okay then,"

After finishing the meal, he left money on the table and stepped out into the cold. The air was biting, almost metallic. He couldn't shake the thought of her walking home in that outfit, exposed to the chill.

My mate. Need to protect her, need to claim her. Fuck he really need to supressed the Wolverine, he never became like this near any woman but that woman he just met.

He ended up waited in the alley until her shift ended, watching her lock up and say goodnight to the cook.

He came back the next morning. Logan took a deep breath, steeling himself. He pushed open the diner door, the familiar jingle breaking the morning silence.

-

The sun had barely risen when Marie stepped into the diner for her shift, the cold morning air biting at her cheeks. Her heart was pounding, and her mind was racing with thoughts of the conversation she'd had with the handsome stranger the night before. She couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation mixed with fear.

She'd spent the night tossing and turning, weighing the risks of staying against the uncertainties of leaving with a stranger. A part of her wanted to dismiss his offer, but another part—a part she hadn't allowed herself to listen to in a long time—was intrigued and curious by the way she instantly attracted to him. You'll still never be safe, you'll only make it worse for him. Carol's voices rang through her. Shut up! I didn't mean to killed you! Can you leave me already!. She hated Carol, as she was a reminder of her betrayed past in the brotherhood.

The diner was quiet as usual, with only the hum of the refrigerator and the distant clatter of a coffee pot to keep her company. She tried to focus on her routine, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Logan.

She remembered his piercing gaze, the rough kindness in his voice. There was something about him, something that made her want to trust him despite her instincts to be wary. The way he had spoken to her, with honesty and a promise of protection, had stirred something in her that she couldn't ignore.

As she wiped down the counter, the door jingled, and she glanced up to see Logan entering. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked down, pretending to busy herself with the cleaning.

Logan approached the counter, his presence commanding yet comforting. "Morning," he said, his voice low and steady.

"Morning," she replied, her voice betraying her nerves.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their unspoken conversation hanging in the air. Finally, Marie took a deep breath, looking up to meet his gaze.

"I've been thinking about what you said, sugar." she began, her voice wavering slightly. "And I've decided… I want to go with you."

"You're sure Darlin'?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Marie nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. "You offering a job and security from them, It's not really a way out but I'm willing to take it, Sugar."

Logan nodded, understanding the gravity of her decision. "Alright," he said. "We should leave soon, before anyone notices."

Marie quickly moved to gather her things, her hands shaking with a mix of fear and excitement. She glanced around the diner, the place that had been her refuge for the past few months, and felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with relief.

As she shrugged on her coat, Logan watched her, his presence a steady reassurance in the midst of her uncertainty. "Thank you, Sugar." she said softly, meeting his gaze.

"No need to thank me, Darlin'" he replied. "We're looking out for each other."

Together, they stepped out into the cold morning, the diner's neon sign flickering behind them as they made their way to his bike. The air was crisp, and Marie felt a sense of freedom she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Logan handed her a helmet, and she took it with a nod. As she climbed onto the back of his bike, she felt a thrill of anticipation. This was a new beginning, a chance to find safety and maybe even a sense of belonging.

As the engine roared to life, she wrapped her arms around Logan's waist, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his presence as they started their journey to the base.