**  ** indicates thoughts

"Where the hell is Remy?"

Rogue's irate voice brought Jean and Storm running.

"Rogue? What's wrong?" Storm asked, sensing her friend's unease.

"What's wrong? We're nearly ready for his 'show stopping' number and he's no where ta' be found!"

Rogue's irritated reply immediately put the other two X-Women on alert.

"He's not here?" Jean asked as Rogue ran a hand through her hair.

"Ah' just said he ain't, and if he doesn't show up, we've got a major disaster on our hands," Rogue replied as the three women split up to begin searching for their missing colleague.

Rogue headed for the basement, muttering dire threats under her breath about what she'd do to the Cajun if she found he'd backed out of their deal.

Everyone was counting on him, especially 20 young kids in the front row. Not to mention 200 of the world's most elite and richest people.

**No luck upstairs**

Jean's voice barely cut through the curses Rogue was uttering as she neared the Medlab.

**Remy ah'm gonna kill ya' slowly if you don't go through with this**

The thought was uppermost in her mind as she pushed the door open, gasping at the sight that greeted her.

"Remy!"

**Jean, get down here! He's sick!**

Running as she sent the thought, she reached her friend who was at the moment doubled over a bedpan heaving up what looked like most of the gourmet dinner they'd eaten several hour ago.

"Remy, it's okay, ah'm here," Rogue muttered as she caught her friend's wavering body as Remy passed out. Her superhuman strength came in handy and she easily lifted him onto the examining table as Jean and Storm burst through the doors.

"What happened Rogue?" Jean asked as she began checking Remy's vital signs.

"Don't really know. Ah' opened the door, saw him heavin' up his dinner, then he passed out," Rogue offered, concern etching her features as Jean began prodding and poking the still figure on the table.

"All his vitals are stable and he seems to be resting easily, I'm betting it's a bad case of the flu, it's going around," Jean muttered as she reassured her two worried friends.

"The flu? Our star of the night, the man many people paid hundreds of dollars to see do something spectacularly amazing, has the flu?" Rogue muttered in disbelief as Jean sighed as she gave Remy a shot of antibiotics.

The door flew open at that moment, admitting an irate Jubilee and Bobby.

"What's going on? Kitty and St. John are ad-libbing a storm up out there, keeping them laughing, but they're waiting for the main attraction," Kitty rambled, trailing off as she noted the Cajun's slumbering body on the examining table.

"What happened?" Bobby asked in concern as Jean began to explain.

Rogue simply started pacing, wracking her brain to figure out how in the world she was going to deal with this latest problem.

The whole effort had seemed so wonderful at first. Remy had agreed, against his better judgment, to call upon some of his lesser known talents to perform the fundraiser's stunning spectacular finale. And even though he wasn't exactly the person she'd hoped would step up to the plate, at least he'd agreed to do it.

Unlike the real person she'd hoped would surprise her.

Of course, that was only in her fantasies.

She jerked back to the present at Jean's next words.

"Sorry but he's out for the count. I think he's got to sleep it off," Jean muttered as she pulled off her gloves and looked over at the other occupants of the room.

"Which leaves us with a major problem," Storm muttered as the door burst open again, this time to admit Scott and Logan.

"The crowd's getting restless out there, what's keepin' ya?" Logan asked, eyes immediately going to Rogue, his eyes darkening with concern as he noted her obvious agitation.

"What happened?" Scott asked, taking in Remy's prone figure and Rogue's frantic pacing.

"The flu, that's what happened, and it royally screwed over our benefit tonight," Rogue muttered, running her hands through her hair in desperation.

"What'cha mean darlin'?" Logan asked as he watched Rogue pace before him.

"What I mean is that Mr. Unconscious here was the main attraction for all those people gathered for the Professor's benefit. With him down for the count, I don't know how we're going to deliver on our promise to those guests to deliver something they 'don't see every day,'" she muttered as Storm frowned.

"The only answer is to come up with something else, find something else to amaze and amuse them, to make them donate more money. If they don't, it's not us but the children who will suffer," the weather goddess replied softly.

The occupants of the room looked at each other in frustration.

"Damn you Remy! How could ya' do this ta' those kids?" Rogue muttered, still wracking her brain for ideas.

"Well Cyke, ya' got any hidden talents there that ya' could pull out of the bag?" Logan asked as Scott shot him an annoyed look.

"Not that would really amaze or amuse those people gathered on the back lawn," he muttered as the group sighed.

"You can count me out too, I'm really a rather boring person," Jean added, missing the wry stares Rogue and Logan shot at her.

"Storm, couldn't you conjure up a weather event or something?" Scott asked as Storm sighed.

"Scott, you know I can, but what's amazing about that? People see the weather change every day," Storm added softly.

"God, I can't stand to see the faces of those kids when they realize the 'amazing act' of the night isn't going to go on! Some of them are so sick, this is the one bright spot in their lives! And those rich patrons out there hold the key to them getting better. But they'll only donate money if there's something worth donating it for. Callous as that sounds, it's the truth. They came here for an unusual evening of 'Un-Xmen' like entertainment, and if they don't get it, this fundraiser will go bust," Rogue raged on as the group watched.

"Ya' mean spendin' a few hours with a group of mutants like us isn't unusual enough?" Logan muttered as Rogue shot him a glare.

"I don't think there's any other option. All the other acts have gone on or are finishing up. Remy was supposed to be the grand finale, but now, I'm afraid we'll have to go without him," Jean muttered sadly.

"No! We can't just give up, we've got ta' think of somethin'!" Rogue muttered desperately as her pacing increased.

"Maybe you're giving these people too little credit, I mean, most of them are here to give money, aren't they?" Scott asked as the others nodded.

"Exactly, they'll give money, but not as much as they would have if they'd have seen Remy perform his 'magic disappearing act.' We'll make some money, but not enough to really help," Rogue trailed off desperately.

"Rogue, I know you feel for those children, we all do, but sometimes, we have to accept that we can't do all we thought. We have to trust fate," Storm added quietly, watching as the younger woman tried to control her temper.

Logan stood quietly by the door, the glimmer of an idea beginning to take root in his head.

It was a stupid idea.

A really, really stupid idea.

An idea the Wolverine would never, should never have even imagined having.

But he did.

And it was all because of Marie.

His Marie, who cared so desperately for the sick children this fundraiser would help, that she was making herself sick over disappointing them.

His Marie, whom he hated to see upset or unhappy. Something the rough and tough Wolverine would not admit to anyone but himself.

He was totally wrapped around his Marie's finger.

Only she didn't realize it.

Yet.

Oh God.

He wasn't really going to propose this crazy idea, was he?

As he pondered the question, his eyes watching Rogue pace, he remembered the little boy who'd he met earlier that night.

The kid, Christian he believed was his name, had the biggest eyes he'd ever seen, save Marie's when they were amazed at something. At first he'd felt awkward around the boy. He was really sick, some form of leukemia, made worse by whatever mutant gene he had in his body.  But despite his frailty, hadn't been afraid of the Wolverine. He'd actually asked intelligent questions, and seemed fascinated by the work the X-men did. He'd also asked to see his claws. And something about that request made him comply. He'd slowly released them, feeling the sting that always came with the action. He'd expected the boy to jump back in fright, but instead, curiosity shone clearly in those brown eyes. The kid had been fascinated. So fascinated, he'd forgotten for a few moments about the pain Logan knew must be wracking his body. The occasional wince and pained statement in his eyes gave that away. But right now, he wasn't thinking about his pain. He was thinking about the metal that ran throughout the Wolverine's body.

And he wasn't afraid.

Something about that inherent trust touched something deep inside his harrowed soul. The part of him that so far only Marie had been able to reach and bring to the surface with her love.

God, that kid needed all the help he could get.

Could he really let his own pride and embarrassment stand in the way of helping the kid stay alive?

Or was it worth making a total fool of himself in front of the other X-men and all those strangers?

He suddenly remembered the hope he'd seen so clearly in that little boy's eyes.

And he knew he would do what he had to, to make sure that kid had a chance at a long, healthy life.

That all those kids out there had that same chance.

And if fate didn't mean that to be, at least they'd go from this world with something to make them smile.

Even if it was at his expense.

Oh God, he was really going to do this.

Taking a deep breath, he broke into the conversation.

"Marie," he stated quietly as all heads turned in his direction.

"What sugah?" Rogue asked distractedly, hands still pulling at her hair, not even registering that he'd used her real name.

"Marie, you still got Jubilee's birthday present from last month?" he asked, earning incredulous stares from the other X-Men.

"What they hell are you talking about Logan? Can't you see we've got other problems at the moment?" Scott asked, only to be cut off by Rogue's reply.

"Ah' think so sugah, why?" she asked, curiosity perked as she picked up on something in his eyes. What she wasn't sure, but she had a feeling her Wolverine was about to save the day.

Always the hero, wasn't he?

But what could it have to do with saving tonight's show? And how did it involve the sexy red corset and black lace garter belt that Jubes had gifted her with?

Come to think of it, how the HELL did Logan know about that gift?

She'd been embarrassed enough by the card which Jube's had enthusiastically signed "for when Wolvie decides to claim what he really wants."

"Get into it, add the accessories and what you need to make it work," he growled, forcing himself NOT to imagine what she'd look like in the finished product. That wouldn't do at the moment. He was going to have a hard enough time carrying through with the number as it was, the added distraction of a scantily clad Rogue was something he'd deal with later.

Much later.

Hopefully in the privacy of their room.

She was going to owe him big time for this one, and if it turned out the way he hoped, it would help both of them take the final step they'd been avoiding in their relationship for the past year.

"Logan, get your mind onto the matter at hand," Jean muttered as Logan shot her a hard look.

"That's what I am doin' Jeannie, if yah'd all shut up an' let me finish," he growled as he turned back to Rogue.

Rogue stared at him in confusion, wondering what in the world he was thinking.

The blank statement on his face wasn't helping.

"What are you thinkin' sugah?" she drawled carefully, watching as his eyes sparked.

Logan watched the hope slowly begin to resurface in Rogue's eyes as she looked at him, sensing he might have a way to save the day.

Damn, that look sent a lightening bolt right through him every time she gave it to him.

"Just go change, I'll be up in a minute to explain, but I'll give you a hint," he began as Rogue's statement turned wary then hopeful.

He sighed.

There was no turning back now.

"Just think about that movie you dragged me to a few weeks ago because of your obsession with that Scottish actor, and that one scene," he muttered almost under his breath.

It took a moment for his words to register. When they did, he watched the disbelief appear in her eyes as they turned huge.

"Sugah, you're not thinkin' what I think you're thinkin', are ya?" she asked in a small voice, unable to believe she'd heard him right.

Logan simply growled, aware they were wasting time. He'd decided to do this, he now just wanted to get I over and done.

"Go get changed Marie, and you'll see," he muttered, feeling some of the trepidation removed from his heart as he watched her eyes suddenly light up as she threw herself into his arms gave him a huge hug.

"God ah' love ya' for this sugah," she whispered in his ear as he returned her squeeze.

"Ya' might be the only one after we do this darlin'," he muttered as Rogue simply gifted him with a huge smile, a quick kiss on the lips, then untangled herself from his arms.

"Jean, Scott, go stall them, ah' don't care how, just do it. Logan, meet me upstairs and we'll figure this out," she called as she bolted from the room, leaving most of the X-men staring at each other in confusion.

"Would somebody please tell me what's going on here?" Scott asked in frustration.

Logan simply sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Don't ask. You'll see soon enough, and I might never live it down," he muttered as he turned to follow Rogue from the room.

"What the hell are they talking about?" Scott asked in puzzlement.

Storm had a strange look on her face, but remained silent.

Jean simply sighed.

"I can't even begin to guess what they're up too. So I suggest we trust them. Let's go stall the show and hope to God they know what they're doing," she muttered as with one last check on Remy, she led the group from the room.

Logan swallowed hard as he looked at himself in the mirror.

God he hated suits!

Hated the confining nature of them, hated the stiffness of them, hated the point in general of them.

If he had it his way, he'd never wear one again in his life.

But tonight, he had to.

For those kids.

For that little boy Christian.

For his Marie.

"Ya' look good enough to eat sugah," Rogue called from the doorway, breath catching as he turned to face her, resplendent in a full tuxedo.

Logan nearly swallowed his tongue as he caught sight of her reflection.

Talk about heart-stoppingly beautiful.

And sexy as sin.

He was going to have to fight off half the men here tonight. Probably a few X-men as well.

What the hell was he thinking?

He wondered if he were crazy to let her go out in public looking like that.

But it was all part of the act.

And she'd be acting with him.

And if he managed to pull this off right, it wouldn't be acting at all.

The possibilities sent a shudder of desire through his body.

Of course, the thought of what he was about to do to get to those possibilities cooled that desire off pretty quickly.

What had possessed him to do this?

"We really gonna do this?" she asked quietly, staring him straight in the eyes, reading his mind, knowing if he said no, she'd leave it at that.

Logan knew it was a last chance offer to get out of this.

He almost took it.

But those brown eyes and that trusting face came back to haunt him.

"Let's go get this over with," he managed, earning another smile and a hard hug from Marie as she ran across the room and threw herself into his arms.

He thanked God she'd learned to control her powers several months ago.

Otherwise he'd certainly be dead by now.

"God ah' love ya', and I know all those kids will too, and ya' realize ya'r makin' one of my all time fantasies come true?" she whispered as he tightened his arms around her waist.

He sighed and pressed a kiss into her hair, forcing his body to calm at the feel of so much of her pressed against him.

"Remy owes me big time for this one darlin', and how could this be an 'all time fantasy' when ya' just saw the movie several weeks ago?" he muttered as she laughed and pulled him from the room.

Logan forced down his apprehension as he let her lead him down the hallway, every male instinct in his body going on red alert as he watched the sway of her hips in front of him.

He really was crazy.

Just before they reached the top of the stairs, Rogue whirled around and pressed a hard kiss on his lips. After a moment of stunned shock, he returned this kiss, delighting in the way she pressed her body into him and tangled her tongue against his. When they finally pulled apart for breath, they were both breathing hard, the desire that always hovered around them, unacknowledged until this moment, seeming to wrap them both in an erotic cocoon.

"For luck," she whispered as he sighed and tried to smile around the pounding of his heart, due to both Marie's closeness, and nerves about what they were about to do.

"For those kids," he replied, getting a wider smile in return.

"Let's do this sugah, before I truly fall out of this outfit," she muttered, missing the heated look he sent her way as his eyes traced her figure through the racy material barely covering her body.

"Might make my night more bearable," he muttered, hearing her light laugh in reply.

"Think of the possibilities for later tonight, with your very own Satine. I'm willing to bet I could put a courtesan to shame," she whispered back, holding back a smile at the stunned look that crossed his face as they reached the back door that was doubling for the entrance to the back of the huge stage set up on the lawn.

"There you guys areâ?¦ Rogue, what the hell are you thinking!"

Logan bristled at Scott's incredulous whisper, growling low in his throat as the other man's eyes, even through his special glasses, nearly popped out of his head as he got a look at Rogue's barely there outfit.

"Eyes off bub, she's mine," he growled, pulling Marie closer to him, trying to shield what he could of her mostly exposed skin.

"Take it easy there, I mean, I just want to know what you two are planning, and if the hearts of some of the more elderly people out there, not to mention the innocent eyes of those kids, could take it," Scott began, struggling for words as he forced his eyes away from Rogue.

"Don't worry Scott, it's not gonna be an "R" rated number, we just have ta' look the parts we're playin'," she whispered as Jean and Storm suddenly appeared.

The looks of shock on their faces nearly made Rogue burst into laughter.

"Okay, enough staring, just introduce us and we'll take it from here," she hissed, pushing them towards the front of the stage. She smiled at Jubilee and Kitty who were fast approaching, looking delightedly at the sight before them. With a smile, Rogue handed them a CD, noting their comprehension as they recognized the case.

"Damn, this is gonna be worth every penny," Jubilee nearly whooped as she dragged a stunned Kitty over to the sound system.

Meantime, after exchanging worried looks, Storm and Jean slipped in front of the curtain and a few moments later could be heard addressing the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the final act of the night, the one you've all been waiting for," Storm began as Jean picked up.

"It was originally scheduled to be Remy and his 'magical illusions' but due to a sudden illness, the players and venue have changed. We're not even sure what it's changed to, but here to explain and perform are two of our own, the Wolverine and Rogue," she finished as the crowd burst into surprised applause. Exchanging another worried look, the women slipped off stage and into the front row where the rest of the X-men had gathered to watch the show.

The crowd gasped as the curtain parted and they got their first look at Rogue.

Cat calls and whistles abounded, and from this group of people, that was saying something.

Rogue handled it with grace, motioning for quiet and smiling down at the amazed faces of the kids in the front row.

"Thank ya' all so much, ah'm sorry Remy couldn't be here to entertain ya'll, but Logan over there and ah' are gonna take a stab at it ourselves," she began, looking over at a very nervous looking Wolverine. If she hadn't loved him before, she did now. It was going against everything he believed in to show this side of himself to anyone other than her.

"All ah'm really gonna say is that this number takes place in a little French nightclub called the "Moulin Rouge" and it's between two lovers who's love is forbidden, but as we all know, that doesn't stop true love," she finished, cueing Jubilee to hit play on the stereo system.

"One other note, Logan over there, well, what he's about ta' do is somethin' none of you've seen before, and probably won't again, so savor the moment," she finished, ignoring the dire look Logan shot her way.

As the opening strains wafted through the air, Rogue locked her eyes on Logan, willing him the strength and the courage to do this.

Logan forced the fear as far down as it could go.

He'd never, never done this before. Certainly not in public, rarely in private, and only with Marie.

Now he was about to reveal his best kept secret to a lot of people. Friends and strangers.

Oh God, what had he gotten himself into?

As the panic started to rise, he found his gaze captured by Rogue's.

The look of love in her eyes, and the reassurance shining from them, gave him the courage he needed.

After all, it was their song.

Maybe it was time the world knew it, and how they felt about each other.

What the hell.

Smiling into Marie's eyes, he took a deep breath, put on his most puppy dog look and before the fascinated crowd, turned into his own version of a penniless writer, trying to convince the woman he loved, that she could love
him.

Wasn't life funny how it imitated art?
 

A life without love? But that's terrible!
Love is like oxygen!
Love is a many splendored thing!
All you need is love.
 

Rogue couldn't believe how her heart jumped as she watched him suddenly turn into a more gruff but just as gorgeous version of Ewan McGregor.

He'd only sung this song once for her, when they'd been out on a walk. She'd coaxed him into doing it, knowing he had a wonderful voice, he just didn't publicize it. It wasn't fitting for the "Wolverine" image.

Not to mention that he also sang show tunes.

But that was a whole other story.

Tonight, he was showing the world a very un-Wolverine like side of himself.

For these kids.

For her.

God how she loved him!

She smiled as she began the back and forth dialogue, surprised her own voice sounded remarkably passable.

"All you need is love," Logan sang, smiling as he sidled up to Rogue, trying to win her over with his charm.

"A girl has got to eat," she whispered in reply, hoping she had achieved Nicole Kidman's rather breathless whisper.

"All you need is love," he replied in song, watching her eyes light up, against her will.

"Or she'll end up on the streets," she whispered in reply, sliding slightly away from him.

"All you need is love," he sang as he whirled her back to him.

"Love is just a game," she replied, tearing herself from his arms and bracing herself to remain stoic for his next line.

Kind of hard when he suddenly turned into Logan imitating Ewan imitating Tom Jones.

"I was made for lovin' you baby, you were made for lovin' me," he drawled as he swiveled his hips towards her.

Rogue fought for control as she responded to the look in his eyes, trying to remember her line.

"The only way of lovin' me baby, is to pay a lovely fee," she managed, gasping for real as he suddenly reached for her and pulled her tightly into his arms, stealing her breath for a moment.

"Just one night, give me just one night," he sang/whispered, looking deep into her eyes.

God how she wanted to do just that.

Many nights to be specific.

But that thought could be dealt with later.

"There's no way, cause you can't pay," she shot back, knowing she'd pay just about anything for a night with him.

"In the name of love, one night in the name of love," he belted out, sounding remarkably well singing a song from a band he wasn't too fond of.

"You crazy fool, I won't give in to you," she sang back, pulling away from him and turning, waiting for his words to call her back.

This was getting good!

"Don't, leave me this way, I can't survive, without your sweet love, oh baby, don't leave me this way," Logan whispered, amazed as he read the true emotion in Rogue's eyes as she played off his words. He was pretty happy to note the shocked and stunned gazes of the rest of the X-men out of the corner of his eye.

This wasn't so bad after all.

He'd pay big money to see that statement on Scott's face again, not to mention Jeannie's.

Rogue simply turned around and smiled into his eyes as she picked up the tune.

"You'd think that people would've had enough of silly love songs," she sang sweetly, watching as he moved towards her.

"I look around me and I see it isn't so, no," he whispered back, caught in the magic of her eyes as they glowed into his.

"Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs," Rogue almost whispered, breath catching at the look in his eyes.

"Well what's wrong with that, I'd like to know, 'cause here I go again," he belted out, twirling away from her and launching into the verse he knew would bring the house down. Surprisingly, most of his self-consciousness was gone.

He'd never admit it anyone, but he was actually enjoying himself.

Would wonders never cease?

"Love lifts us up where we belong! Where eagles fly, on a mountain high," he belted out in a melodic voice, smiling as Rogue pretended to pull him back as she answered him.

"Love makes us act like we are fools," Rogue managed as his arms closed around her again. "Throw our lives away, for one happy day," she finished, tearing herself from his arms as the scene dictated.

"We could be heroes! Just for one day," Logan belted out, stopping Rogue in her tracks.

Damn, that was better than she'd ever heard him sing before!

"You, you will be mean," she whispered, still not looking at him.

"No, I won't," he replied, moving towards her with a bashful smile, not quite getting the "Ewanness" she loved on film, but a smile bashful in its own "Loganish" way.

"And I, I'll drink all the time," she managed, whirling to face him as she awaited the next line she knew would blow the crowd away.

Logan took a deep breath, focusing all his attention on Marie as he put all his emotions and feelings into the words. Hell, he was making a fool of himself enough, why not put it all on the line?

He knew Marie understood from the widening of her eyes as he focused his eyes on her and belted out the next line.

"We should be lovers!" he called, watching her struggle to reply.

"We can't do that," Rogue whispered back, stunned as she realized he meant the words. It didn't matter that they were part of the scene. He meant them, that was that.

"We should be lovers, and that's a fact!" Logan called in response, desperately hoping she understood. The light in her eyes as she sang back lifted his heart.

"Though nothing, will keep us together," she began as he picked up on her words.

"We could steal time, just for one day," he answered, moving to pull her into his arms as they both let their voices flow to their full potential.

"We could be heroes, forever and ever, we could be heroes," they harmonized, looking deep into each other's eyes as they geared up for the final chorus.

"Just because I, will always love you," Logan knew he sang the God's honest truth as he sang to her.

"I can't help loving," they both harmonized, Rogue knowing he meant the words with all his heart. She felt her eyes filling as she heard him whisper 'you.'

"How wonderful life is, now you're in the world," they finished sweetly together, staring into each other's eyes, knowing they held the audience spellbound.

"You're gonna be bad for business, I can tell," she whispered the line, smiling into his eyes as her breath caught.

Logan simply smiled feraly at her.

"How 'bout we really give 'em somethin' ta' talk about darlin'," he whispered, delighting in the amusement and love that sparkled from her eyes.

With that, she pulled his head down to hers and kissed the living daylights out of him.

The cheering, catcalling crowd was on their feet now, though Logan and Rogue were too lost in each other to notice.

Scott and Jean looked at each other, speechless as they watched the couple locked in a heated embrace on stage in front of them.

"Damn, Wolvie can sing, who'd have thunk it," Jubilee muttered, a look of shock on her features.

"And it looks like Rogue's finally got her man," Kitty replied as she smiled through her shock.

Storm simply smiled to herself as she watched her friends kiss as if it were going out of style.

It was certainly going to be a night to remember.

Logan and Rogue finally pulled apart for breath, becoming aware of the cheering crowd, that by now was screaming for an encore. They looked at each other, then out at the stunned faces of their colleagues, the delighted faces of the children and invited guests.

They were a hit.

This crowd wanted more.

Rogue looked back into Logan's eyes as her ears picked up the music that hadn't stopped.

Logan met her gaze as he too registered the music.

"What do you say, wanna give 'em a second dose sugah?" she whispered, seeing him pause for a moment, then smile down into her eyes.

Logan knew it was worth it in that instant.

Marie was sparkling, happy, and in love with him.

He knew it.

And he knew she knew he felt the same.

But what could expressing it in one more song hurt?

After all, he'd already ruined his rough and tough reputation, why not go for the gold? Especially with a willing and delighted Rogue in his arms?

As he nodded and smiled into her eyes, he caught the amazed and delighted statement on the little boy's face as Christian applauded as well as his weak body could.

His heart went out to the young child and he knew in that moment that seeing that smile made everything worthwhile.

That and the look of love in Marie's eyes.

Taking a deep breath he began to sing, noting the crowd quieted immediately.
 

Never knew I could feel like this,
Like I've never seen the sky before.
Want to vanish inside your kiss,
Every day I love you more and more.
 

In the front row, Scott's jaw dropped nearly to the floor as Jean's eyes widened to almost improbable proportions. Storm simply looked dazed and the rest of the X-Men standing around had looks of shock on their faces.

The earlier number had showcased Logan's amazing voice, but this number positively spotlighted the fact that the big, tough Wolverine could sing beautifully.

Though no one there would ever dare say that to his face.

It would have been quite funny if the two on stage had noticed the looks they were getting, but they didn't.

Logan was looking deep into Marie's eyes as he let his voice caress the notes of the love song he'd only sung for Marie before, in the privacy of their room.

Well, it was private no more.

And he meant every word.
 

Listen to my heart,
Can you hear it sing,
Telling me to give you everything,
Seasons may change,
Winter to spring,
But I'll love you,
Until the end of time.
 

Taking a deep breath, he moved towards Marie, putting his all into the chorus, knowing this was the part he was best at.
 

Come what may,
Come what may,
I will love you,
Until my dying day.
 

Rouge felt her eyes fill with tears as she listened to him singing the familiar words to her.

She still couldn't believe he was doing this.

He'd revealed his innermost secret, something he'd only reluctantly shared with her, to a crowd of their friends, family and strangers. Not to mention some delighted kids and shocked patrons.

And he was singing from the heart.

The earlier song had been fun, but this was their song.

A song she'd convinced him to listen to after she'd forced him to go see "Moulin Rouge."

A song he'd suddenly surprised and shocked the hell out of her by singing it softly in her ear one day while she was studying for a test.

God she loved this man!

Now it was her turn to show him, and their fascinated audience, just how much.
 

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place,
Suddenly moves with such a perfect grace.
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
 

As always, both Logan and Rogue were amazed to hear how perfectly harmonized their voices were. Neither was a great singer, but they blended extremely well together. Not that they'd ever told anyone this, but the fact of the matter was that they sounded damn good.

Even though they'd only sung together once or twice, and only since she'd dragged him to the movie.

And being that the song had a very special meaning to them both, it only added to the emotion that packed their voices as they gazed into each other's eyes and continued to harmonize.
 

And there's no mountain too high,
No river too wide,
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side,
Storm clouds may gather,
Storms may come through,
I love you (him)
I love you (her)
Until the end of time.
 

Storm felt tears gathering at the corner of her eyes as the emotion coming off that stage hit her in waves. Looking around, she could see the rest of the audience was held spellbound by the love story going on onstage in front of them.

Who would have known the Wolverine had a soft spot for "Moulin Rouge," and a great voice to go with it?

She was truly and utterly stunned.

She knew she wasn't the only one.
 

Come what may,
Come what may,
I will love you,
Until my dying day.
 

Scott felt Jean slip her arm around his waist and turned to see his wife's eyes filled with tears as she looked at their two friends on stage. He pulled her tightly to him, smiling into her eyes, the shock on his face still not having faded.

The Wolverine was singing.

And despite the sheer lunacy those words put together created, he was doing a damn fine job of it!

And even more surprising, he couldn't find it in himself to find one word of criticism or sarcasm in himself.

What was happening on stage was almost so personal, so private, he felt like an intruder.

But what a scene to intrude on.

"Will wonders never cease?" he whispered as Jean simply nodded and snuggled closer to him, spellbound by the web of wonder Logan and Rogue were weaving over the fascinated crowd.
 

Come what may,
Come what may,
I will love you,
I will love you,
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place.
 

Logan and Rogue had moved towards each other as the song progressed, and were now standing face to face, lost in the other's eyes as they built up their stamina for the final chorus.

Eyes locked, bodies and minds connected, they filled the night air with the beauty of two voices in perfect harmony, in perfect love, combined.
 

Come what may,
Come what may,
I will love you,
Until my dying day.
 

As he finished singing, Logan looked deep into Marie's eyes, knowing the song spoke the truth.

He'd love her until his dying day.

He always had.

He always would.

Rogue was staring into Logan's eyes, lost in the wonder she could see reflected in them.

Her words had been heartfelt as well, the song always conveying how she'd felt about him from day one.

Now the entire world knew how much they loved each other.

And it was the best feeling she'd ever had in her life.

As the final notes drifted into silence, the air was suddenly filled with a rumble, then a roar of applause.

The X-Men, all the children, and the patrons were on their feet, whistling, catcalling and applauding the couple on stage.

Every person there knew they'd just witnessed something amazing.

And as the applause continued, the purses and pocketbooks opened, and people began to donate.

Logan and Rogue were oblivious to it all, still lost in each other's eyes.

Logan felt nothing at the moment but his overwhelming love for the woman in front of him.

Rogue herself wasn't able to look away from him, from the love shining in his eyes for her.

"Ya' know I love ya," he whispered, brushing a finger down her cheek.

"Until the end of time," she replied, leaning up and capturing his lips with hers.

And in the front row, a pair of brown eyes glowed with pure happiness instead of pain and a small pair of hands rubbed themselves raw from applauding.
 

The End