Every time she looked at that picture sitting on her desk she felt a wave of emotions. All the memories of that short, but such joyful time come rushing back. Yes, there was a time in her life that Ororo Munroe was happy.

It all started roughly seven years ago. She was twenty-two, and decided that one last time she was going to do something crazy before she had to be an adult. Ororo took a leave of absence from her duties as an X-man to travel the world.

She was only about a week into her trip when she found herself walking into a bar in Canada. She only stopped there to have a quick drink and relax for the night; little did she know that this was where her life was going to change forever.

As usual, every pair of eyes was on Ororo as she walked into that bar. How could they not be? She’s drop dead gorgeous. Her look is so exotic and natural. Her beautiful white locks and stunning blue eyes are sure to make any man melt. Her flawless caramel skin and toned body could make any woman jealous. Ororo’s walk was even beautiful. She had such a grace that it seemed as if she was floating. She was a goddess.

Ororo made her way to the bar, completely unshaken by the attention she was receiving. She ordered her drink and not long after a drunken man decided to keep her company.

“So, what’s a pretty lady like you doing here?” The man was able to slurr.

“I do not see how that is any of your business. Now if you would please excuse me.” Ororo replied flatly before attempting to move, but the man grabbed her by the wrist.

“Awhh. Come on baby. Don’t leave now. The night’s still young.”

She tried to set herself free, but this man was a lot bigger than she was and now his grip was even tighter than before.

" You’re hurting me.Release me now.” She shot back coldly.

He yanked her in and leaned in close to her face. “Now why would I want to do that?”

Before Ororo could even threaten him, she was interrupted.

“Listen bub, the lady said to release her, so I suggest ya do what she says.”

Ororo turned to look at the man who had come to her rescue. Something about him made her heart skip a few beats. He had it all. He was tall, dark and handsome. Normally, she would have been livid. She hated being the damsel in distress, but this time she really was. There were too many people around who could get hurt if she were to use her powers.

“What are you gonna do about it?” The drunk replied.

That’s when her hero raised his fist and out came three nine inch long claws. At the sight of the deadly claws, the man instantly let go of Ororo and scurried off. Before she could thank this man, he was kicked out of the bar. Ororo instantly followed him outside.

“Excuse me!” She shouted.

The man turned to face her. Once again her heart skipped a few beats. Damn, she hated that. She walked directly up to him before finishing.

“I didn’t get the chance to thank you for what you did back there. So, thanks.” She said with a small smile.

“Yeah, well, yer welcome.” He waited a few moments then turned to walk away.

“I’m Ororo.” She said in attempt to get him to stop. It was successful.

The man turned to her, slightly confused.“Aren’t ya scared of me? Of what I am?”

“No,” She paused. “Because I’m a mutant too.”

A few moments passed. Both the man and woman stood there, staring. The man was impressed. She wasn’t lying to him. He didn’t scare her. Not many people could hold his stare, and yet, this woman could.

“Logan.” He said with a sly grin.

From that moment on the two were nearly inseparable. It was love at first sight. They were so different yet so alike. They had more in common than most would expect.They completed each other. For the next few months the two lovers had developed a life together. They were happy.

A year into their relationship everything changed in one day. It started out as normal day in their log cabin when Logan stopped dead in his tracks. Ororo looked over at her love from her spot on a chair and notice the change in his behavior. She knew this stance all too well.

“Logan,” she said with a whisper and joining him by his side, “What is it?”

“We’re being watched. I can smell ‘em.”

Before he could continue something was thrown through the window. Logan instantly covered Ororo with his body just in time before it exploded.

“Listen Ro. I want you to run. Get out of here. I’ll fight them off and then I’ll come find you. You need to get to safety.”

“No. Logan, I stay with you and I fight. I was trained to do this. I can-“

“Ororo. Please. We don’t have time to argue. Go. Now.” Logan pleaded. “For me.”

With that Ororo nodded and kissed her love before she attempted to retreat. It was too late. The house was surrounded. Ororo and Logan were trapped. Dozens of men barged into the cabin and instantly Ororo and Logan did their best to fight them off. They were holding their own until Ororo felt a sharp pain in the back of her head and the warmth of her own blood as it trailed down the back of her skull. Shortly after the pain she only saw black.

When she woke up she frantically searched the torn up cabin. She was alone. He was gone. For the first time since she met Logan, she felt fear. So she did the only thing she could think of. She called her best friend Jean.

It didn’t take Jean and Scott long to arrive to the aid of their friend. They were greeted with the same horrible sight that Ororo woke to.

“ Ro! What the hell happened here?” Scott frantically rushed over to her friend who was just sitting in the middle of the floor.

“Roro? Where is he?” Jean questioned.

“I-I d-don’t know. They took him.” She sputtered.

“Ro, you’re bleeding. Come on. Let’s get you to a hospital.”
……………..
Ororo just sat there in utter shock. She had no idea how to react to what the doctor had just told her.

“So what did she say?” Jean broke Ororo from her musings.

Ororo just looked up at her friends, her siblings, and waited a few moments.

“I’m pregnant.”
………………..
Ever since that day Ororo did all that she could to try and find Logan. Even while expecting a baby. She returned to Westchester shortly after what had happened. Charles, of course, helped his surrogate daughter in every way possible. Days went by and those soon turned to months. Before Ororo knew it she was in labor. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She held her child in awe. She kept thinking that Logan deserved to be here. He deserved to hold his daughter too. It was so unfair to this baby and him.

“So what is this beautiful little girl’s name?” Jean asked.

“Leila.” Ororo stated. “Leila Rose.”

Ororo remembered a time when she and Logan had ended up talking about children. They were talking about names and she recalled Logan saying how he thought that name Leila was nice. She chuckled to herself at the memory. Nice. That was the best comment she could get out of him.
.....................

It had been five years since she met him. Their child was now two years old. Leila was defiantly a winner in the gene pool. She had her father’s dark, raven hair and her mother’s beautiful blue eyes. Her skin was the perfect mix of caramel and olive. She was simply gorgeous.

Ororo still had no information on where her Logan was. She started to wonder if she’d ever find him. Was he even alive? Even through her insecurities she made sure that Leila knew her father loved them. One day, they would be together and a family.

It seemed like every time Ororo was just the slightest bit happy something had to change that. One day she came home from a mission to find Xavier unconscious and Leila missing. The rest of that day is a blur to her. She remembers screaming and crying. Someone was responsible here. She had a feeling they knew that her daughter shared Logan’s DNA. Clearly he was the one they were after in the first attack, in the second it was Leila.

It was a little over a year since that horrible day. Ororo sat at her desk in her classroom starring at the picture of her toddler. How she yearned to hold that child. Ororo would give anything to hug her tight. She still had no leads on to who took Leila or where she was. It took every bit of strength in her body for her to get out of bed in the mornings, but she did it. She did it for her child. She did it for her soul mate. The only reasons she kept on living.


**X-men. Please report to the War Room immediately.**

With that Ororo was drawn away from her thoughts and headed to where she was needed. She entered the room and took a seat across from Scott and Jean.

“Now that you are all here I have an assignment for you. I came across a disturbance near Alberta, Canada. Cyclops, Jean, prepare the X-jet and head out. I’ll send you the coordinates.”
………..
As the young couple left the room, Professor Xavier turned to the windrider. She is much more than an employee or a student of his. She is the closest thing he has ever had to a daughter. He cared for her as if she were his own flesh and blood.

“Charles? Is there a reason I am not a part of this mission? I mean, really, I am co-leader, I think-“

“Ororo,” Charles started. “There is a reason as for me keeping you here. When the time is right, you will understand.”

Charles Xavier earned himself that signature raised eyebrow. She was skeptical, she couldn’t deny that, but then again, she did trust this man with her life. It was a long moment before she responded.

“I trust you. Now, if you don’t mind, I have some work I need to catch up on.”

It had been nearly two hours since she left the war room, and Ororo had barely made a dent in the stack of essay’s she had. Every time she was remotely focused, something made her wonder about the odd answer Charles had given her. Yes she trusted him, but he was never so discrete. She couldn’t exactly figure out why, but this really bothered her.

Where was this going to get her? She couldn’t sit here all day and be bothered by something she doesn’t know anything about. With that, Ororo decided to get back to grading papers.

After finishing up the essays, Ororo was going to call it a night. She packed everything up and headed towards her loft. Of course, life could never be that simple. Jean and Scott had returned from their mission, except they weren’t alone. Ororo ran into the couple at right outside of Xavier’s office. With them was young girl. She looked to be about seventeen, the girl was the same height as herself, and she had brown hair. Now what really struck Ororo, were the girl’s eyes. They were big chocolate pools full of innocence. Ororo also noticed how scared this child looked. Instantly her motherly instincts took over.

“Scott, Jean.”She smiled and turned to the young girl. **This Marie, also called Rogue. Be careful to not touch her skin, it can be harmful to you due to her mutation.** Jean chimed in Storm’s head. “Hello, my name is Ororo.”

The girl was hesitant at first, but after a reassuring glance from the beautiful redhead, she warmed up.

“Mah name’s Marie.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ororo spoke with a warm grin.

“Roro, how about you find Marie a room? I have to get down to the infirmary to check on our other guest.” Jean voiced.

“Of course. Marie, if you would follow me.” She added.
Ororo knew exactly where she would place Marie. She decided to pair the girl with Kitty Pryde, the social butterfly. The two would be perfect together; Kitty had a knack for helping people feel comfortable.

Of course, Ororo was correct. Kitty and Marie instantly hit it off. The two were chattering away before she even left the room. She felt some peace there. Then a sad smile came across her face. Leila. Will I ever see her as a teenager? Will I ever get to see her go to prom or drive a car? Will I ever hear her laugh again? Will she remember me?

……………………..
Before she would let herself sulk, Ororo decided to head down to the kitchen. There, she came across Scott; her best friend, her brother.

“Hey, Ro.” He called to her as she approached the freezer. She acknowledged him with that sad smile she had just given herself moments ago. He watched her grab a container of Ben and Jerry’s and spoon. Now he knew something wrong.

“Okay,” He said and he took a seat next to her at the island, “How are you feeling? And don’t lie to me.”

She turned to face him and let all her walls down. She allowed him to observe her. He looked into her eyes and saw the anguish they held. That was all he needed as an answer. Scott hated seeing her like this. Ororo was the last person who needed heartache. She had been through more than anyone he knew, before she was even old enough to drive a car. What made him cringe even more, was the fact that most people would become bitter if they had experienced even half of what she has. Yet Ororo had a heart of gold. She always put others before herself.

“Ro, we will find Leila and bring her home.” Scott affirmed. “You have to believe that.”

“I know. It’s just,” She felt her throat tighten. She waited a few moments then took a deep breath and continued. “It’s just so hard, Scott. I am her mother. My only job is to protect her and I couldn’t even do that. She’s out there somewhere and I haven’t the slightest clue where. It’s really hard to keep up hope that she’s alive.”

She could feel the tears that were blurring her vision roll down her checks. Before she had a chance to wipe them away, her companion was already there; taking up his role as big brother. He embraced her in comforting hug. She could always count on him. Though he was only a year older than she, he always took care of her.

“Thank you.” She whispered before pulling herself out of his hold.

“Anytime.”

With that, Ororo headed up to her loft.


………..
“So class, we are done reading Macbeth.” Before Ororo could continue the class roared with excitement as the bell rang. She sighed and rolled her eyes. “NOW, for your assignment.” She chuckled at the over dramatic groans. “ You are to write a paper between three and five pages. The topic should be related to the play, I have some written down on the board. It’s due a week from Friday. Class dismissed.”
Just as soon as she dismissed her class, Ororo felt Xavier’s telepathic knock.


**X-men report to my office immediately. Our guest has awoken.**

........…………
Cold air and the smell of antiseptics were what greeted Logan. He sat up and noted that he was in a room that seemed to be some sort of medical bay. Quickly, he kicked his legs off the table and found his way out of the room. The hall that he entered seemed endless. It looked as if it was something taken right out of a comic book. Where was he? He was on high alert when he suddenly heard someone telling him which way to go. He shot his glare around and no one was to be found. He found his way to an elevator that took him to what looked like the main ground.

This area was completely different from where he had awoken. It was welcoming, like a home or school. Again, he heard the voice and again, no one was around. Footsteps. They were getting closer. He ducked into a room as fast as he could to get out of sight.

“Ah. Good morning Logan,” said a bald man in a wheelchair, “Would you like some breakfast?”

“Where am I?” Logan simply growled.

“Westchester. New York. My people brought you here for medical attention.”

“I don’t need medical attention.” He threw back. Then it hit him. That scent. Fresh rain and sandalwood with a hint of vanilla. He knew that scent. It wasn’t just any scent; it was her scent.

Before he even had the opportunity to question the man in front of him, the large door behind him opened. In walked a tall young man with a pair of red sunglasses. He was dressed in a polo and sleek pair of pants. Boy Scout, he thought. Right behind him, a woman, a red head with beautiful big green eyes.

“Logan, I’d like you to meet Scott Summers and Jean Grey.” Xavier stated. Then, the scent he previously smelled got stronger. Something else was said to him, but he couldn’t focus on anything except that scent; her scent.

Then, there she was right before him. “I believe you have already met Ororo Munroe.” The professor said with a grin.

The minute their eyes met, she gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth and her eyes started to moisten. She was in such disbelief she was visibly shaking. The two slowly approached each other; never saying a word and never dropping their gaze. Once they reached each other, Ororo simply put her hand to his cheek, a gesture of love and compassion. Logan instantly leaned into her delicate touch and took her dainty fingers in hand. It was like they were in a trance; the other occupants of the room were easily forgotten.

Charles knew that Logan and Ororo deserved this moment. No one else mattered. It was to be shared between them, and only them. Taking that point to mind, Professor Xavier telepathically motioned to Jean and Scott to leave the room with him. They left with curiosity, followed by Xavier. Anything else he had to discuss with either Ororo or Logan would just have to be put off for a little while longer.

There she was; right in front of him. Five long years all he could do was hope that she was alive and now he was leaning into her nurturing touch. How he had longed to hold her, catch her scent, and see her; it was finally happening. If his senses weren’t so keen he would have thought this was a dream.

“Ro,” he finally broke the silence, “you’re alright.”

“I am. I just, I can’t believe it’s you. After all of these years.” She uttered.

Before she could speak again, he enveloped her into a passionate kiss. It was just as she remembered; rough yet gentle at the same time. Heated and full of love and need. Having him back, being kissed like that was almost painful. It was too good to be true. How she missed his embrace and touch. Leila. Having the thought of their daughter in her mind, Ororo broke from the kiss.

“Logan. There is something I need to tell you.” She started, but wasn’t exactly sure how to go on. How exactly was she to continue?

“Ro, you know you can tell me anything.” The rugged man declared noticing her uncertainty.

She nodded, then took a deep breath and continued. “Logan, we have a child together, a little girl. You have a daughter.”

A daughter. Now this little bit of information was certainly not something he expected. Logan wasn’t even sure if he could be a good father. Shit, he couldn’t even remember his own father and wasn’t that where most men learn how to be a dad? Then again, he never planned on having a relationship, or for that matter, fall in love with someone. He could do this. Especially if this child was not only his, but belonged to the goddess in front of him. Even though Logan never met his child, he loved her. He was excited to be her father and to meet her. When the realization sank in, as well as the joy, he turned to face the mother of his child. Expecting to see her brilliant smile, he frowned noticing a somber look on her face. Something wasn’t right. There was more to the story.

“What else is there ya got ta tell me Ro?”

“Logan,” her voice cracked as she fought back the tears, but failed miserably. Seeing the love of his life sobbing hysterically was like taking a knife in the gut. Logan instantly enwrapped her in his arms and did his best to comfort her.

“Ororo, did she,” Logan felt a lump form in his throat and his heart ache, “pass away?”

Shaking her head in response, “No. Well, I don’t know. She was kidnapped. Scott, Jean and I were sent on a mission. We were supposed to recover a mutant that had been detained, but it was all a hoax. We were set up. So we rushed back here only to find everyone, including the Professor, unconscious a-and, that’s, t-that is when she went missing.”

Ororo was trying her best to regain her composure, but it was no good. All the pain came rushing back just by telling the short SparkNotes version of the story. The harder she weeped the tighter Logan’s hold became. The two sat there together and cried. They mourned for their missing child and their time apart. This was something they both needed more than anyone. Neither Ororo or Logan express their feelings, let alone cry, as often as one should. Sharing such an intimate moment together was in it’s own way comforting.

After the crying had ceased they sat in Professor Xavier’s office for an hour in comfortable silence. Neither one of the room’s occupants said a word. They were both lost in their own thoughts. All Logan could think about was what he was going to do to the bastards that took his child. He’d gut every single one of them for the pain they caused Ororo and now himself. And so help them, if one hair on his daughter’s head was every out of place. Then it hit him, he didn’t even know her name.

“What’s her name?” Logan broke the silence after letting his curiosity get the best of him.

“Leila.” Ororo smiled as the name left her lips, as well as Logan.

“What’s she look like?”

“She gorgeous, Logan. Come,” she said while standing, “ I’ll show you pictures.”