An hour later, there was a knock at the door. Logan, a towel around his waist and his hair wet from a shower, opened it and saw the young ensign there, a bundle in his arms.

"Yeah?" he demanded around a smoldering cigar, his massive arms crossed over his chest.

"Colonel Logan, Major Fury asked me to bring these...to...you..." His voice trailed off as his wide eyes saw Kit, wearing only her curtain of thigh-length, wet hair and a smile, step out of the bathroom.

"That's my wife yer starin' at, kid," Logan growled in warning and the young man snapped his attention away, staring at a point on the ceiling over Logan's shoulder.

"Sir, yes, sir! Sorry, sir!" He dumped the clothes into Logan's arms and fled quickly while Logan closed the door, chuckling.

"Yer a tease, Kit," he told her, tossing the clothes on the rumpled bed. She started combing her hair, smiling up at him through her lashes.

"You weren't complaining a little while ago," she replied, watching with appreciation as he got dressed. "Besides, you didn't have to scare the poor boy so badly. You enjoyed it."

"So did you, ya little show-off." She smiled over her shoulder at him, laughing softly and held out her comb to him. Zipping his jumpsuit, he came over to help her comb out the tangles so she could braid her hair. He then opened the bundle of clothes, finding a small jumpsuit and a thick pair of socks.

"Guess he couldn't find a pair of boots small enough ta fit ya, darlin'," he commented as she tied off her braid and walked over. "Socks oughta keep yer feet warm enough fer now." She shook her head and slipped into the jumpsuit and socks. She had to roll up the sleeves and pant legs and the socks came to her knees, but at least she was warm. She picked up the throwing knives she had worn under her dress from where they had been dropped on the floor and wrapped them around her waist, then met Logan's eyes.

"Shall we go? Unless you're going to tell me what this is all about. I'm sure Fury didn't agree to this little side-trip just because you were lonely."

"This was all his idea, darlin', so I'll let him explain. Not that I'm complainin'," he added and kissed her, then took her by the hand. "C'mon."

As they walked to the meeting room, a sudden thought made Logan concerned.

"Why were ya on the roof for 3 days, Kit? What happened?"

"We had a bad storm a couple weeks ago. Everyone had some kind of damage. We lost some shingles and some branches broke through of a couple windows, but we got off lightly compared to some of the others. We missed your help, love."

"Why were you up there by yerself then? Where was everyone t' help out?" She laughed and met his eyes.

"I had help. Donal MacKellan helped me fix the roof and windows and it only took a day. You didn't think I would let Fury off so easily by telling him that? I wanted him to feel properly guilty."

"Sorry I wasn't there for ya," he admitted quietly, but she hugged his arm in understanding. "Give 'im hell, kid," he whispered in her ear before leading her into the conference room.

"About time you showed up," Fury commented, turning from the screen he had been studying. He was a little surprised to see Kit with Logan, but took it in stride. Seeing the self-satisfied grin on Logan's face as he dropped into a chair, Fury just snorted and shook his head. Kit also sat and Fury eyed her warily.

"Everything fit okay?" he asked, checking to see if she still was ready to tear his throat out.

"As well as to be expected. Thank you," she replied civilly. "Perhaps eventually we can find something in the way of boots. Now, then, why am I here, Major Fury? Did you run out of Band-Aids in your first aid kit and need a healer, or was this just a favor to improve your favorite mutant's state of mind?"

He looked to Logan for help, but found nothing except a smirk. Giving his friend a look of promised murder, Fury turned back to Kit.

"Well, Vixen..."

"You can call me Kit if you'd like. Vixen is for business purposes."

"All right, Kit. I'm sorry Logan's been gone so long, but things have gotten a little complicated. This mission is coming down in a lot more stages than we expected, and the last op Logan pulled was a big one. We were afraid some people would be able to track you down as being a part of his life and do something... permanent to you."

"So, I'm not to be part of any of this? I was just carried off in the middle of a party with my friends so that you could keep me safe here in a SHIELD safehouse?"

"Well...yeah." Before he could blink, one of Kit's throwing knives was imbedded in the wall beside his head.

"I don't think so, Major Fury. Perhaps you'd better think again, or take me home." She pushed herself out of her chair and stormed out of the room.

Staying behind in the briefing room, Logan just chuckled and offered Fury a light before pulling her knife free.

"Be glad she was in a good mood or she woulda parted yer hair for ya."

"Damn. I see how she got her name," Fury mused, taking deep inhale on the cigar clamped in his teeth. "She is a vixen. Nasty little temper she's got."

"Yup," Logan replied proudly and clapped the SHIELD leader on the back. "Guess ya better come up with how she's comin' with me, or drop her back in Scotland. You try t' keep her here, she's gonna show up somewhere along the way. Trust me.”

Logan headed toward the door.

"Well, it's gettin' late, Nicholas, and I'm gonna go sleep with my wife."

"Hey." Logan turned at the door. "Just keep your mind clear, Wolverine. I wanna be able to count on you when I need you." Logan's brows lowered menacingly.

"Ya never hafta worry about me, Fury. Remember, bringin' her here was yer idea, but now that she is, she's my responsibility."

Irritated, Logan slammed the door and stalked down the corridor to his room. His mood lightened greatly, however, as he opened the door and saw Kit in the bed, her arms open in welcome. A slow grin curved his mouth as he locked the door behind him; they had 3 months to catch up on, after all.