AH yes... yet another story from moi. Now children... remember... I don't own the X-men because if I did... I'd be rich. RICH I TELLS YA! EVIL LAUGH

so lets just all sit back and enjoy the show... shall we?

1

Logan sat at the bar, nursing his beer as he enjoyed the slow, easy way of the country style bar. Granted, it was close to 1:00 a.m. and the bar was nearly empty, but that was the way he liked it anyways.

A young woman had been there since before him, slowly drinking her own beer. She looked out of place. He took notice. Her leather jacket was slung over the back of her booth, a duffle bag sat at her feet. She wore a low cut, bodice like tank top. Its deep purple hue made her heavily made up blue eyes pop. She flashed him a small smile before her eyes wandered over to the group of young men over by the pool table.

He didn't care anyways. He was enjoying the setting too much to care. He propped a cigar between his lips, taking a puff as his gaze fell back to his beer.

The young man walked over to her with a cocky strut, stopping at her booth, leaning with a grin. "Care to join us?"

He asked, pool cue in hand.

She let out a small laugh "I'm… not very good at pool."

"That's alright. We'll take it easy."

The three other guys chuckled to one another. The young woman nodded.

He watched from his bar stool, picking up every word that was spoken despite the distance between them.

The main guy introduced himself as Phil. She didn't introduce herself at all. She bent over, giving the men a nice view as she took aim. She missed terribly.

The guys laughed.

"Come on boys… no fair." She shook her head with a flirty grin. "I can figure this out."

"Sure you can." The one smiled, elbowing his buddy in the ribs. "I got five bucks here that says you can beat this guy hands down."

The guy she was playing against slapped down a ten "I'll take that bet!"

Her jaw dropped "Fine! Make it twenty." She smiled.

The other two bet twenty against her.

They made this too easy.

She bent over again as they racked up the balls. She watched intensely, observing every angle, scrutinizing the table in a flash.

She took her shot, knocking the cue balls about the table, none managing to drop in the pockets.

"See… it's your stance." Phil moved in behind her, placing his hands on her hips and bending over her back "You need to stick your..."

She stuck her rear end out another inch, bumping into him "Like that?"

He exchanged a glance with his friends who were yet again, laughing, before giving her a nod.

"Here… let me show you."

He took his pool cue and bent over, taking aim. She moved behind him, running her hand along his back as she watched.

He took his shot eventually, allowing her to touch him as long as he could.

She nodded, bending over the way he showed her, taking her shot. She sunk three balls.

Phil's look of shock was priceless.

"Wow! You're a good teacher." She smiled, taking another shot. This time, the cue ball managed to roll in a horse shoe like way, curving around the opposing ball and knocking two more balls into two different pockets.

She missed on her next turn, allowing one of the other men to take their turn. She watched intently, causing him to miss the cue ball completely. He cursed.

She smiled to herself lightly, glancing at the clock on the wall. She'd have to wrap this up. When it was her turn again, she took two shots, managing to finish up the game.

She stuck out her hand "I guess that means I won."

"You cheated!" Phil was angry. The others weren't laughing.

"I did not! You watched me win fair and square." She grinned easily. She took the money, sliding it into her back pocket.

She turned to walk away. Phil grabbed her arm, yanking her back and pushing her up against the wall. "If you didn't cheat then you're some kind of… of… mutant." He hissed.

"You watch your mouth." She narrowed her eyes. "Now if you please…"

She pushed him back forcefully, causing the other three men to bristle. He regained his stance, pushing her up against the wall again, this time with a thud. She winced.

"I'll get my money back one way or another..." He whispered fiercely in her ear, running one hand up her neck to her streaked messy up-do. "You understand?"

"You can't handle me baby." She grinned effortlessly before he tightened his grip on her neck.

"Back away Bub, or you'll be leavin' here in a zip lock bag." A gruff voice came from behind Phil. He turned around, to see his three friends, their hands in the air. The owner of the voice had his claws fixed in their direction. And another set in his.

Phil stepped away, his hands in the air. "Alright… settle down…"

The girl slipped away, grabbing her jacket and duffle bag and heading for the door.

"Hey!" One of the men took a step towards her "My wallet's gone!" He spun around, chasing her to the door and putting a hand on her arm causing her to grab his arm and throw her over her shoulder. Simple self defense move.

Phil took his chance to strike, knocking Logan across the jaw. He clenched his jaw, his claws retracting just as his fist was about to meet Phil's face. The bartenders' shouts went unnoticed as the other two guys scurried away with their tails between their legs. She slapped down a five, giving the bartender a wink. "Relax a little will ya?"

He continued to shout at her as she slid out the door.

She pulled her jacket on as the rain pelted down on her, pulling it closed as she picked up her pace. She glanced over her shoulder before turning around just in time to stop. He stood in front of her. His arms crossed, the rain pelting off of the cowboy hat drawn over his eyes as he rolled a toothpick around between his lips.

"You're leavin' awfully quick."

"Guess so."

"No thank you?"

"Thank you?" She let out a laugh "Listen tough guy... I had those boys right where I wanted them."

"Looks like it was the other way around t'me." He pulled the toothpick out of his mouth and tossed it to the ground, pressing his lips together.

With a smirk she shrugged "That's why you're just the tough guy..." She stepped around him.

"Need a ride?"

She slid into the passenger seat of his truck, running a hand through her wet hair as he climbed in.

"I'm AJ." She held out a hand, he admired her dark nail polish as he shook her hand.

"Logan. Where y' headed?"

She shook her head "I don't know." She pulled out a cigarette. "Mind if I smoke."

He shook his head. "What do ya mean y'don't know?"

"This… hot shot institute… for 'gifted children.'… although I'm neither a gifted nor a child." She put a boot up on the dashboard as she took a puff, rolling down her window a crack.

He shook his head "You're a mutant."

She shrugged, taking another puff. "That's what they tell me." She let out the smoke from her lungs as she spoke. "Anyways, you should know the place I mean… those daggers in your fists don't exactly look 'au naturel'."

"Yeah." He grunted.

Chapter one complete! Woot!