*Note* As said above, this fic forms a series with "Everything Changes" and an upcoming fic. It will probably only make sense if you've read that first. Especially since it sets up the basis for Rogue and Scott talking at all *g* And please don't forget this is based on movie canon, I'm pretty sure comic canon would cause this to fizzle and die ;-)

Second Note: I don't believe in Rogue/Logan shipperdom. Personally, I just don't see it. However, I do think he's wonderful as a big brother, protective type and all that. This is written with that in mind, but I hope you'll give me a chance all the same :)

Thanks: I can't help but feel I'm getting repetitive in these things :-) But - as always, thank you so very much to Nix for the beta, ear, endless plot bunnies and absolutely psychotic late night chat and fic sessions *g* Even when we cowrote in TPM it wasn't this insane although it was probably close. Why break a pattern that works, huh? Who knows, you'll be a crack beta yet! You're already a great friend, and I'm grateful to see it outliving TPM ;-)

Disclaimer: yeah, right, like Scott's mine. I wish. *g* Last time I looked, neither he nor any of those herein belonged to me. They go to (at least) Marvel and 20th Century Fox.

When the mechanics class ended, the handful of students quickly gathered their books and went on their way. Waving off a confused look from Bobby, Rogue hung back while the others left, needing to talk to Scott.

"Rogue?" Scott looked at her as he rolled the bike back into the large garage. The weather had been unexpectedly nice, so the class had met outside for the day. It meant a hands on session, rather than an indoors book lesson. "Something wrong?"

She shook her head, clutching her books to her chest. "Not really." She waited until he was done with the bike to continue. "I just needed to ask you something."

He nodded, grabbing his jacket from a chair back. "Sure. Just ask." Gesturing toward the house with a tilt of his head, he slung the jacket over his shoulder. "Come on. Let's go inside it's getting late."

Brushing a lock of white and brown hair behind her ear she walked beside him. "It's about the test," she finally admitted hesitantly, risking a glance up at Scott.

Hearing the tone of her voice Scott stopped walking and smiled. "You're worried about it?"

The smile did what it was supposed to - Rogue relaxed. Scott really wasn't that hard of a teacher. He wasn't a bad guy either she had come to realize. Ever since her parents' letter they had developed some sort of understanding. She would give life at Xavier's school one thing - it was rarely dull.

Nodding, she shifted her books in her arms. "It's just there's some things I still don't get."

Scott pointed at her books. "Here, let me have some of those." She wasn't surprised by his offer, Scott was nothing if not courteous. "What'd you do, forget your backpack?"

"Not exactly." Glad for the help she handed the textbooks from the precariously balanced stack. When it was obvious he was waiting on her to continue, she added, "Kitty left hers . . . Somewhere." She sighed, rebalancing the remaining notebooks. "Anyway, she lost it and asked if she could borrow mine a couple of days ago. Today's just the first day I actually needed to carry so much."

Tucking the books under his arm, Scott nodded. He gestured around them with his hand. "At least the campus is small, huh?"

Rogue laughed. "Yeah, you could say that." She paused, giving Scott an appraising look. "And the help isn't so bad either."

"Finally. I'm up to being the help," he dead-panned. "It's the promotion I've always wanted." Rogue rolled her eyes. That was another thing that had changed. Scott at least tried to show a lighter side more often, even if he didn't do it around anyone else. "Funny, I thought I was the teacher."

"Funny, I thought you said you had a sense of humor," she replied without missing a beat. Her eyes twinkled, but she managed to keep an innocent look on her face. "Maybe we were both wrong?"

Shaking his head, he chuckled quietly. "Now that's just low."

"I try," she said, unable to keep the serious look on her face. "Anyway, as to what you're supposed to be teaching me."

He stopped walking. "I thought I was just the book carrier. Now you want me to teach." Even though she could see herself in the mirrored glasses and not his eyes, Rogue could have sworn he rolled his eyes at her. "Kids. You never make up your minds."

"Like you're that much older than some of us." She gave him her best doubting look. "Right."

"I guess the mileage makes me older." He tilted his head to the side in thought. "Or in a case like Logan's it's possibly both age and mileage. Although we may never know."

Rogue looked surprised at his mentioning Logan. Logan had been back for a little while, but she couldn't even remember them acknowledging one another. She doubted they would ever really be friends. "You're probably right."

Glancing at his watch Scott said, "We better get a move on, if we're late for dinner we're both going to catch it."

"Like you'd get in trouble for that. Now I on the other hand . . ." Her exaggeration was ruined when she laughed. "Never mind," she added when her laughter faded and they started walking again.

The walked in silence for a few moments, and it was Scott who broke it. "So, what did you need to ask?"

She glanced over at him, noting that the teacher was back. "Like I said, there's stuff I'm confused on." She shrugged, looking out across the courtyard. "Maybe I don't want to get it, I don't know."

"Well, it has been known to happen that the things you don't want to learn can be something you actually don't mind knowing in the long run." She glanced at Scott in surprise. He shook his head at her shocked look. "I'll have you know I hated it when Jean was determined to teach me how to cook."

Putting her hand on her hip, Rogue stopped and looked up at him with a challenge in her eyes. "And now? 'Cause if you didn't learn, you're setting a lousy example. Not to mention losing this little debate."

"As a matter of fact . . ." Scott grinned, stubbornness written all over his face. "Okay, I'm not great at it, and don't do it that often, but I did learn."

Rogue grinned at the response. "Okay, one point for you, I guess." Shaking her head, she started walking again. "That wasn't at all what I figured you'd say."

He nodded. "I don't want to reveal anything too surprising too often." He didn't smile, but the humor showed on his face all the same. "How was it? Surprising enough?"

She stopped and turned, looking at him through narrowed eyes. "Who are you and where's the real Mr. Summers?" There was the faintest grin on her face by the time she finished speaking. Surprises indeed.

He leaned down after glancing over his shoulder. "I'm sure he'll be back soon." He paused, and she watched as he fought the grin that tugged at the corner of his mouth. "So is that two points for me?"

Trying not to laugh, but failing, she looked skyward for a moment. "Yep. You're a fake. There's no other possible explanation." Before he could reply, she snickered. "And yes, that makes one point for me. Besides, are you like this around all the students, or am I just lucky?" Rogue asked with a disbelieving laugh as they were nearing the outside steps.

Scott straightened and shrugged. The humor was gone as quickly as it appeared. It reminded Rogue of a smoke and mirrors magician - there, but gone in the blink of an eye. "I see something familiar in you. Like we talked about before. It makes it easier to act more like a friend than like the Professor, I suppose."

Rogue nodded, touched. Something told her Scott Summers didn't make many 'friends' like most people did. "I don't know if the others would even recognize that side of you." She winked. "But I'm glad I get to see it, I like it."

"So," Scott said, shifting the books slightly. "Do you want me to help you catch up for the test?"

She nodded, before pausing and looking at him hesitantly. "That is, if you don't mind."

"Why would I mind? I'd be glad to help." Holding the door open, he followed her into the house. "I'd rather you ask for help than do badly on the test. What classes do you have tomorrow?"

Rogue thought for a moment. "Physics and history before lunch, biology after."

Scott nodded. "Okay, what if we meet in the library after you're done with biology until dinner?" At the bottom of the stairs, he handed the books back to Rogue so she could take them to her room. "Think that will be enough time to help you understand it?"

"I hope." Sighing melodramatically she started climbing the stairs. Over her shoulder she added, "Otherwise I fear I'm completely hopeless."

Laughing, Scott shook his head. "Somehow I doubt you're quite that bad." He turned toward the kitchen. "See you at dinner."

"Yeah. Be down in a bit. Thanks." Her voice carried down the stairs, though she was already out of sight.

***

"Hey, kid."

Rogue looked up from where she was sitting crossed-legged on the couch and smiled when Logan dropped down next to her. "Hey yourself." Leaning over she elbowed him in the arm. "Where've you been the last couple of days anyway? I haven't seen you at all."

"Here and there," he replied with a shrug. He dropped his cigar onto an ashtray before leaning back on the couch he stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. Meeting her gaze, his eyes softened. "I just had some stuff to do."

She crinkled her nose at the smell, wondering how he was getting away with smoking in the house. Usually Jean or Ororo would annoy him into taking it outside. Rogue had never cared for the smell of cigars, herself, but it was too much a part of Logan to expect him to stop smoking them.

She was curious about what 'stuff' he meant, but was wary of asking. Even with her, if Logan wanted you to know, he told you. "Ah."

"Don't 'ah' me." Closing his eyes, Logan growled and laced his hands together on top of his chest. "I don't do guilt."

"Sure you don't." Laughing softly, she winked at him. "That's not at all how I managed to get the last of the ice cream last week."

"Huh." When he didn't argue the point, she just laughed more. Ignoring her laughter, Logan reached over and flipped up the cover of her book. "Physics, huh?"

Nodding, she stuck her pen into the book and closed it. "Homework for the Professor."

"Can't say as I mind not having to do homework."

"It's not so bad." She smiled, dropping the books onto the floor beside her newly reacquired backpack. Leaning back on the couch next to Logan, she added, "It's something to do."

Logan laughed, shaking his head. "Doesn't seem like much fun to me."

"I never said it was fun. I said it was something to do. They've even managed to talk you into things to do. Though I never imagined you trying to help Ms. Munroe teach history." She laughed. "At least it made class entertaining that day."

Stopping just short of a growl, Logan closed his eyes for a second. "Ah, now just 'cause Chuck seems to think I can do that kinda thing doesn't mean I can." He looked at Rogue out of the corner of his eyes. "I don't think they know quite what to do with me just yet. Which is fine with me, I don't always know what to do with them, either."

"I think you liked it more than you'd admit," she baited. When he opened his mouth to reply, she knew he had taken the bait. Glancing over at him with a wicked gleam in her eyes, she beat him to it. "Besides, it's not like all of us can just go grab Scott's bike for a little fun anytime we want, ya know."

Groaning, Logan rolled his eyes. "Now look, I've only done that once since I brought it back. An' I haven't left a scratch on it." Looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, he grinned. "Though making Cyke think I did was definitely worth a little effort."

"And they say Bobby is bad about practical jokes." Rogue tugged one of her gloves up and glanced toward the window. The previous nice weather had finally given way, and the skies were cloudy and dark. Looking back at Logan, she added, "Though I think you just want to torment Scott in particular."

One of Logan's eyebrows arched higher than the other when he glanced at her. Pursing his lips he shook his head. "Can't imagine why you'd think that." At the stare she leveled on him, he relented. "Okay, so I gave him a little grief. He got over it . . . Eventually." The grin he gave her showed how pleased he was with himself. "Happy?"

"That you're home? Yes." Rubbing her hands on her arms, she laughed and moved to sit closer. "That you live only to drive Scott insane? I don't know about that one."

Waiting for her to stop moving, he dropped his arm around her shoulders. "What's up with you and ole' One Eye lately, anyway?"

Rogue pulled back just far enough to look him in the eye. "What?" Incomprehension shone in her dark eyes.

He shrugged, staring into the fire that had been built in the stone hearth to ward off the oncoming chill. "You two just seem to be kinda cozy since I've been back, that's all. Been meaning to ask ya about it."

"Cozy?" She glanced at him, confusion creasing her forehead. Brushing her hair away from her face she asked, "Why do you say that?"

Glancing at her, Logan made a noise low in his throat. The aversion that filled the sound was hard to miss. "Just an observation."

"Right." She looked at him for a long moment before leaning against his shoulder again. Listening to the rain that was beginning to fall, she said, "Tell me."

Rolling his eyes, Logan ignored the statement. "Just tell me how of everybody here, that it's Cyke you buddied up to while I was gone." Squeezing her shoulder, he laughed. "If I'd known you'd do something like that, I'd've come back sooner."

"Are you implying I have questionable judgment?" She pulled her feet up onto the couch as she spoke, staring at the fire.

Shaking his head, Logan flashed a half-grin. "Nothing of the sort. Your judgment I trust. Just curious how he managed to brainwash you too, that's all. There something in the water here? First Jeannie, now you."

Rogue couldn't help it, she started laughing. "Brainwashed me?" Taking a deep breath around the giggles, she sighed and wiped her eyes. "Where on earth did you come up with that?"

"From having eyes, kid," he replied with a grunt. "Why else would you be hanging out with him?"

Again Rogue turned so that she could see his face. "What? It's just the fact that its Scott that bugs you, isn't it?" She paused, and Logan glanced away. Ignoring the fact that he was suddenly far too interested in watching it rain, she continued. "I thought you two were finally starting to get along?"

Logan shrugged but didn't say anything for a minute, still not looking at her. "Never imagined you becoming friends with someone like that."

"Someone like that? Like what?" she asked, sitting up and moving away.

Turning he met her gaze. "I dunno. Boring, maybe?" He stretched his arms over his head, causing his shoulders to pop. "Dull? Tedious? Come on, Rogue. You've been around him, something in there has to be ringing a bell for ya." Logan grinned. "I promised I'd look after ya, kid. I don't want ya turnin' into a goody-goody, too." He shuddered.

Logan was surprised when she looked almost offended. Running a hand through her hair, she sighed and lowered her voice. "I just wish the two of you would figure out the other's not so bad."

"Yep. Brainwashed."

When Rogue all but growled at him, Logan's eyebrow raised. "Men!" She threw up her hands. "I swear you two are so much alike at times it drives me insane."

It was Logan's turn to look offended. "Don't be comparing me to One Eye, kid. We ain't nothing alike."

"You're the two most stubborn men I've ever met." The words were out of her mouth almost before he finished his statement. "And growing up in Mississippi I met my share of stubborn men."

After looking at her for a long moment, Logan shook his head. "I don't get it. What changed?" He sniffed, as if to emphasize the point. "You don't smell any different. But you'd hardly spoken to the guy when I left, now you're defending him."

"Maybe I changed," she replied in a low voice. Looking him in the eye, her eyes searched his. Not able to break the gaze, Logan couldn't help thinking she was trying to will him to understand whatever it was she saw in Scott. Not that it was going to work, he amended.

Reaching up, he almost touched her cheek with his fingertips. Pulling his hand back at the last second, he didn't quite skim the surface. In a deceptively quiet voice he asked, "How'd you change?"

Rogue fought the instinct to lean into the touch and closed her eyes. "I learned sometimes home isn't what you think it is. Or where." When Logan dropped his hand, she opened her eyes and rubbed her hand across them. "And that eventually you have to talk to someone when you're hurting."

"What happened?" Apprehension was etched in the words. Rogue was often surprised when she saw this side of Logan - the one it seemed like only she ever did. "You never said anything about it after I got back."

She nodded, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "I know."

He looked at her closely, his brow knitting. "Why didn't you say anything?" There wasn't any reproach in the question, just open concern.

"I've done my best to not think about it." Taking a deep breath, she looked over toward the windows when the sky was split by lightning. "I got a letter from back home, about a month before you got back. It's wasn't very nice."

He could see the emotions that were warring on Rogue's face. Holding out his arm, he waited until she uncurled from where she was sitting and moved to lean her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Sniffing, Rogue nodded. "I know." She cleared her throat. "Anyway . . . Scott was the one who found me. It was like he knew exactly what I needed and what to say."

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders in something resembling a hug, Logan was silent for a moment. "I wish I had been here for you."

"It's not your fault." She glanced up at him quickly. "Besides, it was a rather eye-opening conversation. I'm glad we had it."

Logan almost laughed, the sound echoing in his chest under her ear. "Is that so?"

Elbowing him in the ribs, Rogue smiled. "Hey, I'm being serious here."

"I know." He did laugh then - a low, rough sound. "But Cyke of all the people. Seriously, kid, what a choice."

Rolling her eyes, Rogue sighed. "He was there when I needed someone. And I think I understand him a lot more now because of it." Taking a deep breath, she added, "And my getting along with him doesn't mean I don't need you anymore, you know."

He blinked quickly, but she couldn't see it. "Yeah, kid. I know." A loud clash of thunder interrupted him, but he continued a moment later. "You're just the last one I expected to throw me a surprise. You gotta admit, buddying up with Scott Summers qualifies."

She nodded, closing her eyes. It had been late when Logan found her working on homework, and she was getting tired. "You're probably not the only one who would think so." A yawn made her pause, but she quickly continued. "Jean might disagree, though."

Tilting his head, Logan considered her words. "You might have a point there. Not that Jeannie's liking him makes much sense as far as I can see it, either."

"But she does, and he loves her." The thunder was fading, but the steady drone of rain on the roof was helping to slowly lull her to sleep. "I know how you feel about her, you know. You might not want to share those thoughts with Scott."

"Huh." He chuckled darkly, the sound almost feral. "Wouldn't want to work the poor kid up, now would we? Might crack his shell a bit."

At that, she raised up and looked him in the eye. "I'm serious, Logan. I don't want to see either one of you hurt and that's the only thing that would come of it." Logan blinked, surprised by her response.

"I care about you both. I was an only child back home, you know. And here it's like I'm a part of this huge family. It includes both you and Scott." She paused, hoping he understood. When she continued, her voice was barely above a whisper. "I just don't want to see either of you hurt if I can avoid it."

A few replies came to mind, but in the end he nodded, not wanting to upset the one person in years that he had learned to trust. The one he was supposed to look out for. "Sure, kid. I'll play along."

"Thank you," she replied sleepily, laying her head back down on his shoulder.

"Your welcome, kid," he whispered. He was continually surprised by the power she seemed to hold over him.

Listening to her slow, steady breathing, he realized she was starting to fall asleep. He wished he could remember the last time he was able to trust someone that much. Someone trusting him, especially as much as Rogue did . . . He wasn't sure what to make of it some of the time. Part of him wondered if he had ever had a family or a little sister to watch out for. To hear Rogue tell it, apparently now he had both.

Pulling a quilt down from the back of the couch, he draped it over her. "Anything for you, it would appear." Tucking the blanket in closer, he lowered his voice. "Or I woulda left you in the snow."

Smiling sleepily, she pulled the quilt closer. "Nah, you wouldn't have left me."

The rain continued to beat against the window, the smell of ozone filling his senses, but he ignored it. "You're so sure?" he asked, a smirk on his face.

"Well, I wasn't then." She laughed, pressing her face into his chest. "But I am now, that should count for something. Besides, you make a good pillow."

Logan shook his head in disbelief. "Geez, kid. You trying to make me soft or something?"

"No, just to be you." Her words were slurred by hard-fought, but fast-approaching sleep. "Can't help it if you hide just like Scott does."

"There ya go again, comparing the two of us." Shifting slightly, he moved so that she could lay flat on the couch. Kneeling next to the sofa, he smiled. "Thought I told you not to do that?"

"Sorry, bad habit, I guess." She curled up under the blanket and listened to the sound of the rain. It surprised her that you could hear it so well on the ground floor of the huge house. Although she was glad, it was comforting in a way.

He chuckled softly. A deceptively soft sound Rogue couldn't help but think. Logan shook his head. "I think I can forgive ya, kid."

"I'm glad." Rogue blinked, trying to keep her eyes open. Realizing it was probably close to lights out, she managed to focus enough to read the grandfather clock. Sighing, she started untangling herself from the blanket. "I have to get upstairs."

Noticing the time, Logan nodded. "Want me to give you a hand?"

Yawning, Rogue stood and stretched. Seeing the pile of books and notebooks, she grimaced. "Mind grabbing my books?"

Hiding a grin as she worked to stay on her feet, Logan nodded. "Sure thing." After he managed to get them into her backpack, he threw it over his shoulder. "Always wanted to be a book carrier . . ."

Finally steady on her feet, Rogue rolled her eyes at the sarcasm. "And you say you're nothing alike."

"What?" he asked, beginning to wonder if Rogue was awake enough to get up the stairs under her own power. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Shaking her head, she smiled. "Never mind. You don't want to know."

Logan growled as he glanced at his now-ruined cigar and followed her across the living room. Hearing it, her smile widened. "Not him again."

"Sorry," she replied, still smiling.

Logan growled under his breath. Something told him she wasn't sorry at all.

End