Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men.

Chapter 15

A few of the girls were still screaming, terrified of what was going on. The kids had started to gather around as Logan pushed his way towards Peter. "Someone go get McCoy!" he shouted out.

"On it!" someone yelled back before racing out of the room.

Logan positioned himself at the edge of the panel before using all his strength to lift the projection panel. He let out a growl as he pushed it over, tossing it away from Peter.

The broken form of Peter laid motionless on the floor, blood coming out the corner of his mouth, limbs contorted at all different angles. Logan knelt down next to him. "Peter, say something," he insisted. "Say something!"

He didn't say anything but he did move. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring, holding it out to Logan. "Take care of Marie for me," he gasped, more blood escaping his mouth.

"You're not gonna die, Peter," Logan insisted, ignoring the ring. "Hank's coming and he's gonna help you."

"Promise me, you'll take care of her," Peter wheezed, still holding out the ring. "I need… her to be… safe…"

"You can take care of her," Logan replied solidly. This couldn't happen. Rogue needed Peter.

"Promise me," Peter repeated. "I need… to know…"

Logan hesitated before nodding slowly. "Okay. Just until you get better," he answered, taking the ring from Peter's hand.

More and more blood spilled from Colossus' mouth. "Thank you," he whispered. His arm dropped limply and his eyes shut.

"Stay with me, Peter," Logan insisted, placing his hands on the other mutant's shoulders. There was no response. "Peter!" he snapped, shaking him. Still no response. "Peter, wake up!"

And then he could hear it. The heartbeat. Very faint, very slow. Then… nothing.

"Out of the way!" the familiar voice of Hank bellowed as the sea of students separated. The blue mutant hurried over to Peter's side, looking to Logan.

Logan looked back at Hank with a shake of the head. "It's too late…" he whispered, getting to his feet.

Hank began CPR, certain that he could bring Peter back. The students around them were all shocked. Some of the girls were crying, most of the boys were stone-faced.

And just arriving and shoving their way through were Jubilee and Rogue. Logan's eyes met Rogue's and she knew. A hand flew to her mouth as tears sprung into her eyes and started rolling down her cheeks.

Logan approached her and took her other hand into his. He slid the ring into her hand, closing her fingers around it, and whispered, "He wanted you to have this."

She glanced down at the ring and a sob escaped. Jubilee hugged her friend tightly, looking up at Logan. He didn't say anything. He just stared at them for a moment before walking away.

He couldn't be there anymore.

Rogue hadn't been to a funeral in a long time. The professor's had been the last one she went to.

And even though years had passed since then, she felt like she was right back there.

The entire school was there. Rows and rows of mourners created a sea of black as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Bobby sat to one side of her, and while he thought she hadn't noticed, she saw him grip Kitty's hand tightly. She looked away from them, focusing on Storm as she spoke. There was already too much to be upset about, there was no need to get worked up about something that was possibly not even there.

Rogue hadn't seen Logan. There were rows and rows of people but no Logan. She knew that he wasn't the type to hang around for stuff like this. He didn't do emotions well.

However, there was a strange feeling that was nagging her. So, she glanced over her shoulder. And there he was. Dressed as though it were any other day, leaning up against a tree. She could see that the Professor's death was affecting him, too, even though he didn't really show it.

Today wasn't any different.

Rogue stood up in front of everyone, staring down at her hands. This had been the longest stretch of time in the past few days that she hadn't cried. She spun the engagement ring around her finger nervously. It seemed strange to put the ring on knowing that it wasn't actually symbolizing a wedding but in fact a death. But this was the last thread holding Peter to her and she wasn't going to let it go.

She raised her gaze back to the waiting crowd. Her voice left her. What was there to say?

And then she saw him. Dressed as though it were any other day, leaning up against a tree. His gaze met hers and she knew what to say. Only Logan could make her speak without doing anything. "Peter… He was… wonderful. I don't think there was anyone who didn't have something good to say about him. He was incredibly patient and kind, and even when something bad would happen, he tried to look at the bright side." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and continued, "Peter was the kind of man who knew when someone needed someone and knew exactly how to help. I don't think there was a selfish bone in his entire body." She sniffled, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall. Before she had gotten up there, she had sworn to herself that she wouldn't make it personal. But it was hard not to. "I fell in love with Peter because of his selflessness. He waited for years for me as I tried to get over someone else." She saw Logan bristle but didn't stop. "And when he saw that I needed someone, he helped me. Then, years later, he still showed me more kindness than I really deserved." The tears began to roll down her cheeks. "He had no problem forgiving me." She glanced down at her hands again. "He was the most wonderful man I've ever met." Her gaze met Logan's again and she said, "And I will never forget him."

The only sound was the sniffling and crying of the crowd as Rogue looked out over them. Seeing the whole school together, faculty and students alike, made Rogue miss Peter more. Sure, he'd been gone before, but now, it felt much different.

"If we could please bow our heads in a moment of silence," she instructed.

Everyone did as they were asked, bowing their heads. Except one. Rogue watched through her periphery as Logan backed away from the tree a few steps and then turned, heading away from the ceremony. She shut her eyes tight, squeezing out a few more tears. It felt like her life was over.

Rogue didn't see Logan for the first few days after the funeral. At first, she thought that he might've taken off again. But when she checked the garage, his bike was still there. Maybe he just thought that she needed time alone.

She kept her distance from him for a little while. Being in such an unhappy state, who knows what might've happened if she went to him sooner. It was just safer for her to stay away.

But finally, after about a week of keeping her distance, she went to his room. The door was wide open so she stepped inside.

Logan had his back to her and the door. His closet and dresser had been emptied and all other personal belongings were nowhere in sight. And she knew what this meant. "You're taking off again?" she asked, not attempting to hide the venom in her voice.

He didn't turn to face her but nodded. "Yeah."

"I can't say I'm surprised," she replied stonily. "It's just who you are."

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "It's different this time, Kid," he replied. He looked back down before saying, "Catch," and tossing a large roundish object over his shoulder toward her.

She had to lean forward to catch it but when she did, she realized what it was. A motorcycle helmet. "What's this for?" she asked.

"I may not wear a helmet, but that doesn't mean that you aren't going to," he replied, finally turning to face her. "I want you to come with me."

Taking a deep breath, she said, "But what about my classes? And Jubilee?"

"I've already talked to Storm and Jubilee," he said. "They both agreed that you need some time off."

She gazed down at the helmet, biting down on her bottom lip. "Just because… just because I'm going with you doesn't mean that there's anything-"

"I know, Kid," he interrupted with a smirk. "I just couldn't leave you behind this time."

A small smile crossed her lips. "Where are we going this time?"

His face grew more serious. "I have a son out there and I need to find him."

Rogue couldn't stop her smile from growing. "Let's go then."

Neither knew what this adventure held for them. But they both found that they were okay with that.

THE END

AN: Well, I love how this all turned out. And I know most of you probably hate that I didn't get her and Logan back together, but it just didn't seem right to me. She really loved Peter and it would take her a while to get over him, so it seemed okay to let her have a grieving process.

I'm telling you all right now, there will be no sequel. This story can and will stand alone.

Anyways, please let me know what you thought of the entire story and review!

MonsterChild