He watched her as she grew from the kid he knew to the young woman she had become.

He watched as she slowly started pushing everyone away from her and only came to him to talk to.

He watched. And Remembered.

Logan found himself alone in the TV room, another night that he couldn't sleep, another night of waking up to the sounds of his loud breathing and fast beating heart. The TV was on, not because he himself had turned it on, but because whoever occupied the room last hadn't bothered turning it off.

He didn't feel like it was his job to either so it remained on.

He was drinking his third beer from his hidden stash when he heard her pass the room. Logan obviously was not the only one who couldn't sleep that night. And he wasn't the least bit surprised that it was her. Logan wondered how long it would take before she noticed that he was also up and come join him.

Not long at all.

Only a couple minutes passed before she entered the room. Marie was cradling a mug, he knew it contained hot cocoa. Her favorite drink during the nighttime. She was wearing long pajamas, and light gloves that seemed to match perfectly. She didn't say a word as she sat down on the sofa with him.

Several minutes passed in silence.

Then she got up and started heading out of the room. Logan was somewhat taken aback when she suddenly turned around walked back over to him, and stood right in front of him.

He looked up at her wondering what she was up to. Marie seemed somewhat fidgety and he knew she had something to tell him. For days she had been acting strange. Always opening her mouth and then shutting it again, as if she suddenly lost the courage to say whatever she needed to.

"Logan, tomorrow is mah birthday." she said softly.

"I know kid." he said, crumbling his beer can up and throwing it beside the other two.

"I will be 21."

"I Know."

There was a slight pause and she looked unsure of herself.

"Do y'also know that I love you? she said the words so quietly that he almost didn't pick it up.

"I love you too kid."

"No Logan, I... Logan I love you but not like that." Marie backed away from him and sat down on the coffee table in front of him, suddenly unable to look at him. "I love you like a woman loves a man, not like a girl loves her brother." She was twisting a piece of her white hair between her fingers, a habit she always did when she was nervous. "I want to know if you feel the same."

He stared at her blankly. No emotion showing on his face. But in reality he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

She loved him! Nobody loved him... He didn't even love himself. Hell, he didn't even like himself.

Logan had to hand it to her though. Being able to tell him that. He found that she was staring at him, Marie looked to be the object of calm as she waited for him to say something. But he could see her eyes clouded over with fear, not to mention he could hear that her heart was beating abnormally fast.

"I don't," he finally answered more gruffly then he meant to. "Your just a kid."

She jumped to her feet.

"A kid!" she said loudly "A kid, is that all I will ever be to you? A pathetic little kid who always needs your protecting?" She glared at him, her eyes wild. "Well I am not! In case you haven't noticed I am not that scared little girl you saved at the statue of liberty. I am a grown woman. Who can take care of herself!"

Her hands were waving about as she shouted but she suddenly stopped. Turning away from him she just stood there. Logan didn't hear her cry but could smell the tears just the same. He stood up to try to go to comfort her.

She must have heard him. Marie whirled around and kicked him hard in the stomach. He landed with a thud back on the couch.

"Don't!" she said looking down at where he was now positioned, anger contorting her pale face. "I don't need your pity, don't need your comfort and most of all don't need your touch!"

Her face suddenly softened as she realized what she did.

"I'm sorry, it just.. well.. ah thought y'cared for me."

"I do Marie.. I.."

"But you don't love me.." she said interrupting him... "don't love me like that."

Logan being one that never tiptoed around words answered right away.

"No... no I don't... I care for you Marie, a lot more than I ever have for anyone in a long time. But I will could never love you. Not like that." He didn't take his eyes off her, for this time it was he who waited for a response.

But Marie gave none. She just exhaled her breath as if she was holding it. Gave him a look of regret and sadness and walked even more quietly out of the room then when she entered.

So he went back to watching her.

Watching her as she slowly drifted further and further away from him. No longer coming to him for advice and their conversations becoming few and farther apart.

He watched as she broke of her relationship with the frozen icicle but somehow managed to remain friends with him.

Watched as Scott seemed to notice Marie more and more each day. Watched as they both formed a friendship that he thought only him and Marie would ever share.

He watched as guys would ask Marie out and she would always say no. Sadness in her eyes but determination in her voice.

He watched as she pushed herself harder and harder each day, learning how to fight, going to college to get a degree. She seemed totally obsessed with it, putting her body and soul into learning.

He watched as she went from depressed, to somewhat saddened until finally she returned back to the Marie he sorely missed.

And so it continued. Day after Day, Month after month. And then a year...

Until one day.

Logan was out tinkering with his motorcycle out in the garage when he heard someone enter it.

It was her. He would know that scent anywhere. He continued to work on his bike trying not to pay her any attention, which was somewhat difficult.

She started to speak to him. Confidence radiating in her voice.

"Logan, we need t'talk." He looked up at her, put his wrench down and stood up wiping grease on his jeans.

Marie saw his confused expression.

"Don't worry I am not going t'profess my undying love for y'again." she frowned while saying that although Logan heard humor in her voice.

"That's good to hear. " he gave her a half smile. She returned it. Marie then continued to speak.

"It's just that.. well... these last months have been really difficult for me." she said, her words edged with sadness. "I miss you. I miss ...our friendship, I miss y'being a part of my life... Is it too late t'start again?"