It was dark and smoky in the bar, but the jukebox played good tunes and the pool table was level. Logan, also known as Wolverine, dropped another ball in the pocket, fully aware of the eyes that had been boring into his back for almost an hour. He could sense no threat, and quickly finished the game, collecting his winnings with a grin and an invitation.

"Come back anytime ya wanna lose more money, chump," he said and was surprised to find a fresh, cold beer at his elbow.

"Courtesy of the lady in the sunglasses," the waitress told him, with a jerk of her head. He turned to look at the woman in question and raised his glass to her in thanks. So, she was the one that had been burning holes in him with her eyes. A sensual half-smile curved her full mouth and she raised her own glass in reply. She had high cheekbones and her hair was pulled back from her slightly pointed face, but it was too dim to see what color it was. Taking a drink, she licked her lips slowly and tipped her head to regard him.

He was an impressive creature, she realized. Not tall, but very muscular with thick black hair and an air of animal magnetism that made him not only dangerous, but very intriguing. He turned back to his next challenger at the pool table, breaking contact with her eyes almost regretfully, though he remained very aware of her.

While waiting for his next shot, he watched her walk toward the restroom, moving with the gliding grace of a cat. When she stepped out, one of the bar flies stepped up to her, leaning against the wall to block her path. She looked up into his face, her eyes still hidden by the dark glasses.

"Been watchin' you," the man told her, reaching out to touch her hip-length braid. She slapped his hand away without seeming to move and started to step around him.

"Hey, I'm talkin' to you!"

She merely looked up at him impassively then sunk her fist into his stomach, doubling him over while his friends laughed. Logan watched with a grin as she walked around the man, firmly stomping on his instep as she passed and leaving him doubled over and hopping on one foot.

She slipped into her chair again and smiled at him, nodding her thanks as he saluted her with his pool cue. She gave him a small salute in return and pointed out the fresh glass of brew behind him. Intrigued, he wrapped up the game and approached her table.

"You mind some company?" he asked and she smiled again, indicating the chair across from her.

"Of course not," she replied, her voice husky and smoothly British, reminding Logan of hot whiskey and honey. "I was hoping you would, actually. I've been watching you."

"I know. I could feel the holes ya were burnin' through those sunglasses o' yours." She liked his voice too; it was deep and had a hint of a growl to it. "Thanks for the beer." He'd never quite trusted someone wearing sunglasses in the dark, but he was intrigued by her.

"You're quite welcome. I'm glad it finally worked. I wondered how many it would take to get your attention," she laughed softly.

"Darlin', you get a man's attention without havin' t' try too hard." He inhaled deeply, catching the light perfume she wore mixed with her other, more earthy smells and grinned. Maybe the night wouldn't be a total waste after all, he thought, not realizing she had picked up the same olfactory signals from him.

"Thank you. I'm certain you have women picking you up all the time."

"Wouldn't say all the time," he answered, grinning wolfishly and leaning back to throw an arm over the back of his chair. Her soft, low laugh made his gut tighten as if she had reached out a hand and stroked him. "You got some voice, darlin'," he admitted, shifting in his chair.

"So do you," she replied, leaning her forearms on the table. The dim lights gleamed off her silk shirt as well as the frames of the sunglasses. Curious, he also leaned on the table and looked into her face.

"So, what's the deal with the dark glasses? Shy? Or just got somethin' t' hide?" To his surprise, she pulled back and her smile faded.

"It's been my experience that people are more willing to talk to me if they can't see my eyes," she admitted softly. "I wanted to get to know you a bit before I chased you away."

"I can't imagine anythin' about you that would chase me away, girl. Try me. I don't like talkin' t' people when I can't see their eyes." She studied him for a moment longer, then ducked her head and slipped the glasses off, folding them carefully before looking up at him sadly. "Ya got real pretty eyes, darlin'. Why hide 'em?"

She started, surprised, her gold-brown eyes widening and making the slit pupils even more obvious.

"They ... don't bother you?" she whispered, and he just raised an eyebrow as he took a drink of his beer.

"Darlin' I seen a lot scarier than that. You oughta meet this guy I know. Pupils o' his eyes're red, an' the rest's black. You wanna see unnervin', he's it."

Curious now, she again leaned her forearms on the tabletop, tilting her head to study him.

"I don't understand you," she stated. He leaned closer to her, so close she could feel his breath, and she felt a thrill of desire. She wanted to kiss him, and he could tell.

"Go ahead, darlin'. I think we'd both enjoy it," he urged with a grin, looking from her slightly parted mouth to her eyes. "You wanna take a chance on kissin' a mutant?"

"I guess it takes one to know one," she whispered and pressed her lips onto his. Both of them were startled by the power of the electricity that arced between them, and Logan's hand cupped the back of her head to deepen the kiss. She was breathless and a bit glassy-eyed when they parted, and he found himself a little stunned himself.

"Maybe we should take this somewhere else," she suggested, licking her lips and recapturing his taste. "I've a room at a motel nearby." He nodded, but caught her wrist as she started to move away.

"You gonna tell me yer name?" he asked, pleased to see her blush.

"Kit," she told him softly.

"Logan," he replied and they both stood as he released her wrist. "We can take my bike." She nodded and followed him out of the bar, every man's eyes following them with jealousy.

He led her to where a vintage Harley rested on its kickstand, and pulled her against his chest. He kissed her hard as his hands drifted down to grab her hips and she tangled her fingers in his thick hair, gently biting his lower lip as they parted.

"Hope this room ain't too far away," he growled and she shook her head. He mounted the bike and she swung her leg over, snuggling her hips close behind his and wrapping her arms around his narrow waist. He pulled up the kickstand and started the bike, letting her direct him to the motel. Once there, they slipped up to her room, unable to keep their hands off each other any longer.

Later, Logan leaned his shoulders against the headboard, her head and one hand resting on his wide, thickly furred chest and his arm tight around her. What seemed like miles of her fox-red hair lay tangled around them and he looked at their scattered clothes with a satisfied grin. It had been a very long time since he had met anyone equal to keeping up with him, but her appetite was every bit as animalistic and deep as his. She wasn't restrained about letting her nails and teeth dig in, but the marks had already healed.

Kit, meanwhile, lay very contented, listening to his heartbeat under her ear as it slowed back to normal. He was the most magnificent partner she had ever had as well. She was able to let herself go with him, knowing he could take it. She smiled like a well-fed cat, flexing her fingers before trailing them down his extremely muscular chest and rippling abs. He caught her hand before it slid under the sheet and she lifted her head to look at him, then sighed, shifting away.

"I guess you're ready to leave," she murmured, trying to tug her hand free.

"Hadn't planned on it. 'Less you're tryin' t' get rid o' me," he answered and her head snapped up, her eyes searching his face.

"You're going to stay?" she demanded, stunned. He slid down into the bed and pulled her on top of him, gently pushing her hair back from her face.

"You been used pretty bad, huh, darlin'?" he asked quietly and she ducked her head, embarrassed.

"I thought men always left right after," she admitted and he felt a tear drop onto his chest. He tipped her chin up to look at him, disturbed by the misery her saw in her eyes.

"Not by a long shot, beautiful."

"Maybe it's just me, then." She started to move away, but he pulled her back again.

"Maybe it was them," he corrected. "Most guys can't deal with a woman with as much sex drive as them. Me, I like it," he teased, patting her backside affectionately. She tipped her head up to regard him again and the seriousness in her face made him laugh.

"You're making fun of me, Logan."

"Nope," he assured her, loving the way she said his name as he suddenly rolled her underneath him. "Got other things on my mind, Kit." She stared up at him, then a sensuous smile softened her mouth and eyes and she trailed her foot up the back of his leg.

"Show me just what you have on your mind, then," she purred, laughing as he pinned her arms over her head with a hungry grin.

Back at the X-mansion, Jubilee approached Professor Xavier, concerned that Wolverine had been gone for several days with no word.

"I'm certain he's fine, Jubilee. You know he does this from time to time," he assured her, but she was insistent.

"But, Professor, don't you remember? There have been rumors that Sabretooth has been seen around the state. What if he ... I mean, Wolvie could be lying hurt in a ditch somewhere," she protested and Xavier sighed.

"Very well. I will use Cerebro to try and locate him." As they made their way to the Cerebro chamber, they passed Jean Grey in the hallway.

"Is everything all right, Professor?" she asked, falling in beside them.

"I'm sure it is, Jean, but Jubilee has expressed some concern for Wolverine's safety due to his absence and the reports of Sabretooth in the area," he explained and Jean hid a smile. Jubilee's crush was nothing to laugh at, and there was always the possibility she was right. She and the girl stood behind Professor Xavier as he donned the helmet that connected him to Cerebro and sent out a probe to locate Wolverine.

Only a few minutes later, he hurriedly removed the helmet and set it down, turning away. Jean came to his side, concerned.

"Professor?"

"Is Wolvie okay? What did you see, professor?" Jubilee demanded.

"He's fine, Jubilee. I believe he's spending some time with a friend," he stated, and Jean noted the faint color on his cheekbones. Relieved, Jubilee walked away.

"Why, Professor, you're blushing," she whispered, amazed.

"Yes, well, I'm afraid I intruded on a rather private moment between Logan and his ... friend. I only hope he was not aware of my presence." He glided away from her, leaving Jean standing in the room, smiling.

"Well, good for you, Logan," she said softly and also left the room.