THE ILLUSIONIST WOMAN

one. Then, Pickles

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IT HAD BEEN A LITTLE over a year since Ximena had left on an adventure with Logan to find clues about the source of his memory lose. Who made him exactly as he was. Filled with adamantium and why. However, so far they didn't have much luck in the information department.

Much had changed between the two in a positive light. They weren't officially anything, but that wasn't very shocking seeing how much Logan detested commitment at the moment. So she didn't stress labels on what they were, they were just enjoying each other's company. Loving and living side by side. She tolerated it for the time, maybe elongating her patience a little while longer.

Right now, they were up in the snowy Rockies of Canada. Holed up in an abandoned cabin in the middle of the woods. The mid-morning sun reflected off the freshly fallen snow, brightening the entire bedroom. The rays streaming past the curtains into Ximena's face.

Although, she wasn't sleeping. Neither of them were.

Ximena sat up in the bed they shared. She hadn't shared a bed with someone in decades and now that it was on a daily basis again it settled its way back into her heart. She was home wherever Logan was. Her bare chest on display as she leant against Logan's hair scattered chest. Chin propped onto the back of her palms, she sighed knowingly. "You're thinking in circles," She mumbled sleepily.

Logan adjusted the pillow underneath his head, making sounds of discomfort as he settled. "I thought you couldn't read minds."

"I don't have to read yours to know when your mind is constantly going." She grinned down at him and lifted her hand to draw a lazy line down the side of his head. "You get that big vein poking out of your forehead. Just like it is now."

Logan grabbed her hand before she could slid her finger down his chin, bringing it to his lips to kiss. "What's going on... tell me," Ximena spoke softly, chocolate brown eyes softening adoringly.

"What if we can't find anything. We've been looking for months now, nothin's come up."

"We'll do what we can and if we can't," He looked away from her and in her attempt to reach him, she turned his head back. Eyebrows arching with utmost determination. "We'll look somewhere else. Find a new lead. There has to be answers somewhere. Don't be a pessimist."

"Then stop being such an optimist."

Ximena rolled her eyes and fully sat up on his lap. Her tanned skin glowed under the suns rays. The darkening of her areolas catching Logan's eye. The distracted sight made her eyes roll once more, the corner of her lip stiffening into a knowing smirk. "Ah, Wolfie you're distracted easily."

"More so, easily persuaded." Eagerly sitting up, Logan roamed his large hands down her chest, cupping her breasts gently as his thumbs brushed lightly over her stiffening nubs.

"We should get a head start. We don't know how far we have to walk today and I haven't had breakfast yet." Chuckling, his mouth made a rough path against her warm skin. Tantalizing in its heated path, akin to suckling she seethed a sharp breath through her teeth. Ximena sighed blissfully, curling her hands in his wild bedhead. Lengthy lashes fluttering.

"Neither have I," Logan mumbled hotly. He drew her skin between his sharp teeth, nipping the valley of her chest, causing an irritated whelp to form. He could feel her erratic heart beat under his tongue. The tempting tempo attracted him to her more than her body did. The pair momentarily watched her newly formed mark disappear right before their eyes in an addicting fade.

"Never get tired of that."

The Doctor groaned in annoyance, lifting his face towards her. "Shut up and just kiss me," She urged, smoothing her lips over his in a passionate dance between fluid dancers. She bit down on his bottom lip roughly before allowing her tongue to languidly stroke against his own in a soothing motion. Her breath came and went in short cycles, teasing her with enough oxygen to keep her adrenaline high.

They had been doing this for a while now, but Logan was still sure he hadn't explored every facet of her glorious body yet. His hands were greedy, as well as his eyes every single time. Searching and scouring the delicate build of her short frame. Each time they had sex he ravaged her like a man starved for sustenance. A wild animal sating his uncontrollable urges.

It was like they were speaking a secret language. Wherever he touched, she made a corresponding sound and each one had his mind whirling. Especially, because she was a loud lover. One that adored encouragement and praise. It made him smirk just thinking about it. His muscular frame overpowering her own as he flipped them over. They truly did fit well together in every sense of the word.

They didn't leave the hard mattress until a few hours later... furthermore they didn't leave the abandoned cabin for another half hour so Ximena could quickly eat something to regain her strength.

This was after all, the last excursion before they headed back to the school for a recharge. They had to make the most of it.

...

THE WHITE CLOUDS OF palpable snow fell heavily from the ashy sky, catching in her dark tresses, sticking to her thick leather and wool coat. Ximena usually allowed silence to permeate their time outside. It gave Logan space to think and navigate around and let Ximena time to observe the scenery.

She was never a snowy mountain with hot chocolate kind of woman. Growing up in Brooklyn during the summer was killer enough to imprint the heat in her blood. The air conditioning unit often broke down in her mother's apartment and they took ice cold showers to cool themselves off. Of course, when Ximena wasn't spending her time playing outside with her neighbor's kids.

She didn't miss those days because it was a struggling time. However, she missed the nostalgia it gave her. The simplicity of seeing the world through child like eyes. Nothing was impossible and everything seemed so much more adventurous.

The snow crunched underneath her boots. Tall trees surrounded her on either side. A babbling brook rushing along the brush beside her. Logan pulled a branch out of the way for her up ahead, revealing that they were standing on a tall mountain crest, which deepened into a man made, hydroelectric dam. The weathered sign below reading Alkali Lake Industrial Complex.

Ximena tapped his arm, her breath coming out in a puff of white smoke. "James," She called, "Look..."

"What is it?" He came up behind her, letting go of the branch as it snapped back in place. His lips parted in astonishment, thick eyebrows furrowing as he set his sights upon the seemingly abandoned base below, half buried in the snow. "Holy shit."

"Let's go," Ximena started down the incline, but Logan stopped her short. His hand grasped her wrist, causing her to turn to him in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what could be down there–"

"James, you know I can take care of myself." He shook his head, pulling her closer till she was a foot away.

"It's not that. I know you can." His dark eyes did a once over up and down her body as if looking for nonexistent injuries. "But I don't know what I'll become once I see what's there. What kind of – monster I'll be."

Ximena frowned deeply, stepping closer to place her hands on his shoulders securely. "Hey, you remember what I told you last week when you were in the middle of the fighting match?"

Logan laughed, tilting his head towards the sky as his stomach clenched. "Don't be a little bitch and beat his ass already."

Her eyes widened in amusement as she punched his arm. "Yes I did, but that wasn't what I was talking about. Before that, dummy."

Scratching the back of his head, he made an epiphany sound in the back of his throat. "You and me."

"Yes, you and me. I'm not running away, are you?" The chocolate mass of her long hair shifted over her shoulder as her head titled in question. Her body language was resembling someone completely enthralled with the person they were speaking to.

Dedicated. Ximena was a loyal and dedicated woman. Once she made a decision, she stuck by it. Now, Logan would call that stubborn, but in this beautiful setting while she looked so gorgeous, he would call it dedicated.

Placing a chaste kiss to her forehead, he sent her a wry smile. "No. I'm not... Let's go."

The wind picked up as they clambered down the high hill. She carefully watched her step, grasping exposed roots on the way. Logan offered to help her down by the waist but she simply pursed her lips and gave him an unimpressed look. After that, he learned his lesson to leave her be unless asked.

"Why couldn't you have memories from Nevada, huh? Or Cozumel? Where the sun is hot and I could work on my tan." He scoffed at her in amusement but she was serious, brushing the snow from her hair and face in agitation.

"I'll get you a heat lamp and some foil. We'll have a field day." Ximena fake laughed before rolling her eyes, the sound getting stuck in her throat as she spotted a lone wolf. White fur with fierce, dark black eyes. Her eyes widened, head tilting to the side as both she and Logan observed him.

The wolf stared between the two before prancing through a cracked opening of make shift wood doors. Logan glanced to Ximena in question and she made an obnoxious expression. "Follow him," She urged, thinking this could be a way in to the base.

It sounded crazy to be following a wolf into an old, abandoned base, but here they were. Logan didn't have any other options. This was his last strand of his memories. End of the line. So he would bite just about any bone being throwing at him right now.

What struck Ximena the most is when Logan grasped her hand in his own. His grip tight as if he were holding onto a lifeline. Whether he believed the gesture was for her safety or his own sanity, she mentally saved the moment in her mind. Because it was just another little thing that showed her that Logan felt something real for her and she wasn't just a year-long piece of ass. She was his comfort, if nothing else.

Squeezing his hand back in confidence, they carried on. Walking passed the barrier with wariness in every step. Logan held his breath unconsciously. The time before. His memories, feelings and lost time would have direction, meaning. Some resemblance to why he is who he is today. All of it would come to a head here now.

The exhale that rushed past his lips was devastating. Full with enough despair and disappointment to make Ximena's stomach drop.

There was nothing. Absolutely nothing there.

Nothing but snow, debris, wasted time and energy.

Logan slowly closed his eyes, shaking his head with his nose cast down to his shoes. A silence surrounded them that could only be described as crestfallen. For a moment, Ximena just let him process it alone. She stayed back by the entrance and watched as he walked around aimlessly. Looking for some reason of all the searching they had done. Her heart clenched at the sight.

The crunch of the snow under her boots gave away her movement. She stood by his side, without a word, and laid a gentle hand on the side of his face.

Snow flakes clung to his beard and eyelashes. Melting off the tops of his cheeks, falling down the crest of his chin. Ximena's mocha eyes softened at the sight. Her thumb caressing the wetness from his warm face. "We'll start again... you and me."

Though Logan didn't look convinced, he turned his head to kiss the inside of her palm. That was enough for her. "C'mon, let's get you something to eat before we head back."

...

OLD, OUTDATED POP MUSIC played through the diner they stopped by on the trip back to the school. Monochrome checkered floors and squeaky, red leather seats. Long, dim pendants lights and wide tinted windows. All things that represented the diner aesthetic that Ximena, frankly, didn't care for too much. It reminded her of the old days, when her mom would try to get extra work and picked up shifts to clean. They paid her little to nothing, but it was something more than what they had.

Ximena brought Logan to a table and left him there to quickly go to the bathroom. He leaned back into the leather seats and winced when it made a sound of protest.

His fingers tapped thoughtlessly against the plastic table top. Dark, intense eyes uncommittedly searching the paper menu for a decent meal. Truth be told, he was so out of it, he couldn't get in the mood for this side date with Ximena. Not that she thought it was a date, but he made a habit to make every meal out with her something to remember. Whether it be by his mannerisms or the rowdy atmosphere, Ximena could say she never forgot one during the year they spent together.

"Hi, what can I get you?" A waitress, with a false smile despite her bright uniform, greeted him.

Logan shifted his gaze from the menu and didn't even have think before parting his lips plainly. "Old fashioned burger, everything on it," He pointed to where Ximena was sitting. "She'll have the same but no pickles, she's allergic."

"Alright," She muttered, writing down the minimal before turning to leave. Logan stopped her short, arching a brow.

"You guys don't happen to sell any beer, do you?"

The blonde woman blinked. "Uh, no sir."

Logan was unimpressed, waving his hand. "Alright, just get us Cokes then. Thanks."

All the man wanted was a beer, to wash down his woes. He rubbed his forehead with a closed fist. His eyes following the seduction walking towards his table. Ximena smiled at him lightly, sliding into the booth with a sigh. "Did you already order?"

"Yeah, got you the usual." She nodded easily, leaning her chin on her palm as she sat forward on the table. Ximena observed his taxing face. The frown lines in his forehead was a sure sign of his distress.

"Can I tell you a story?" Ximena smiled her appreciation as the waitress brought their drinks, her fingers habitually peeling off the paper on the straw before plopping it in her plastic cup.

"I don't know, can you?"

Rolling her eyes, she sipped the fizzy drink, sighing in delight. "Mkay, smart ass. Anyway, I wanted to tell you about the first time I remember coming to a diner."

Logan nodded, already settling himself in to hear her story. He leant back, crossing his hair riddled arms on the table with an interested light in his eyes. One that proved to her she had all his attention. It made her heart slightly pick up speed. "It was... the last time I remembered my dad. 1955, maybe -- I was around five years old.

It was lit up with neon lights and I remember they had this sparkly jute box that -- at the time I was so obsessed with because it looked so out of my reach, y'know. We couldn't afford stuff like that and I always wanted something big and shiny for myself just to say it was mine. At that little," Ximena chuckled to herself as if remembering it right there and then. The feeling and everything. "Us Hispanics weren't really allowed in the fancy diners. But my dad knew the owner's clean up crew and since my mom helped there whenever she could get some extra bucks -- well, he pulled a few strings for us when they closed for the night. We sat in the back booths and my feet couldn't even reach the floor."

"Sounds like you," Logan input with a husky laugh. Ximena rolled her eyes, pushing his arm playfully.

"No, but the only thing I really remember about him was his love of chocolate milkshakes and his laugh. I'd -I'd never forget it." Blinking lethargically, Ximena smiled sadly before glancing into Logan's eyes. "He left us the next morning."

Logan exhaled as if he had been punched in the gut, reaching across the table to hold her hand. He swallowed shallowly, licking his lips to prepare himself for what to say. "I'm sorry, Mena."

She shook her head, squeezing his hand back. "No-No I didn't tell you that to feel sorry for me. I wanted you to have a point of view of someone who's had all her memories. The good, bad and god damn ugly. So it doesn't discourage you from finding out the truth. If you want it, then get them. They don't make you who you are but it a good start."

Ximena shrugged and Logan didn't even get a moment to react to her inspiring speech before the waitress came with their food. The Doctor grinned in excitement down at her food, thanking the woman sweetly.

Pursing his lips, Logan reached for his burger and paused. He sniffed, frowning deeply. "Wait," He muttered, causing Ximena to pause mid bite.

Tugging her plate to his side of the table, he switched their places, making Ximena's frown grow. "What--"

"She gave us the wrong ones. This one had pickles." He bit into the burger without another word as if the gesture was no big deal. Ximena watched him silently, her heart fluttering with admiration.

The fact he knew that and remembered was another small tell that maybe this past year meant more to him that she originally thought. Smiling to herself, she reached over to his plate and nabbed a French fry, smirking around the food as she chewed. 

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Unedited. 6/26/21

I'm so fired up for this act to begin. I was a little delayed because that 2nd Covid shot don't play. Had me knocked tf out. Anyways! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I love writing moments of the two of them together.

Let me know what you think, comment, vote! Xx