AN:  We're done!  It's been fun, thank you to all my reviewers who needled me in the side to keep me going, especially those of you who had to listen to my half-cocked rants.  I don't know what's coming after this, but if I know myself, it won't be that long. 

Epilogue:

Logan stood outside the mansion, head tilted back to allow the sunlight to wash over his face.  A small wind whistled by, and ruffled his hair.  He stood like that for a moment, eyes closed, just allowing nature to run her fingers through his veins.  Leaves rustling brought him back, and he took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp scent of outdoors.  He could never imagine tiring of being outdoors, being free. 

And, he could never imagine Ororo tiring of it either.  Closing his eyes once more, he searched for her scent, earth and flowers mixed together with the natural female aroma.  Inhaling deeply, he filtered through the other, passing scents.  Kurt.  Wood.  Jean.  Recently moved dirt.  Gambit.  There.  There she is. 

Opening his eyes, Logan quietly stepped towards where he could faintly make out Ororo's scent, his wingtip shoes leaving brief indentations in the dewy grass.  He allowed his nose to lead him.  Through the trees where she liked to dance, past the fountain where she had once called a miniature waterspout to soak him, to the koi pond where she had, years ago started another small garden of exotic flowers. 

As he passed through the last of the dense foliage, he, if he blocked out the rest of the world, could just see the distinctive white hair that belonged to Ororo.  She was bent over her flowers, arranging the reds to mix with the oranges and the yellows.  As she had once declared, "If you're going to place orange fish in a pond, we need some warm colors to back them up."  Logan allowed his eyelids to slide over his pupils, and he tuned in closely.  There.  Her faint hum that she gave off only whilst among her flowers.  Whether she hummed to herself, or to the flowers, he'd never know. 

He took another deep breath, reassuring himself with her scent.  Yes, she was there.  He tugged on his jacket and necktie uncomfortably before sitting down on the edge on the pond.  "Hey, 'Ro."

She turned to the sound, smiling.  Standing up, she released the flower into the wind, and walked over to Logan.  "Hello, dear friend.  Why are you here?" 

When she sat down next to him, he could feel her warmth, feel her presence.  "Just wanted to talk," he replied, staring at the water. 

"About anything in particular?"

"No, not really."  He picked up a rock, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it skipping across the shallow pond. 

"How is Jean?"

"Fine, I guess.  Holding up alright."

"And Gambit?"

Logan skipped another stone.  "Haven't seen him.  He's been with Rogue for the last couple days."

"Mmm."  She hugged her knees to her chest, eyes focused on the horizon.  "You seem troubled.  Is there something else on your mind?"

"Did it feel good to save those two little boys?  Did you redeem yourself?"  Logan looked over at Ororo, eyes shining with expectancy.  His longing expression made it clear what he hoped the answer would be.

"Yes.  I faced my fears, and saved those two.  It was worth it."

"That's good."  He looked back out to the horizon, where the sun was beginning to melt into the earth.  "'Ro?"

"I'm sorry for being such an…"

"Let it go, Logan."  Her eyes softened, and she reached up to stroke the side of his face.  He leaned into her touch, trying to gain a measure of reassurance from it.  "Let me go."

"Mon ami?  Kurt's ready, it's time."  Remy stepped into the clearing, similarly attired in a dark suit.  When Logan didn't respond, Remy placed his hand on Logan's shoulder.  "Mon ami?"

Logan didn't turn around or acknowledge Remy in any manner for a moment.  "She's here, ya know.  Ororo. I can smell her, feel her here with us. " 

Remy sighed, eyes downcast.  "I know.  I can feel her, too." 

"She, she said that it was worth it."

"She always felt that way.  Come on, we must go."  Remy removed his hand from Logan's shoulder, and stretched it down to help Logan up.  They walked in silence back to the mansion, and then over to a small gazebo, where chairs had been set up and family and friends had been gathered.

Kurt stood at the front, facing out towards the crowd.  With a somber tone, and tears in his eyes, he began.  "Thank you.  We are gathered here today to celebrate the life and death of Ororo N'Dare Munroe…" 

Sensing something above him, Logan looked up.  A flash of white and chocolate, flying above.  No, he thought through the tears that were rapidly threatening to escape his eyes, Ororo wasn't in that casket.  She's still here.    

fin