Ntcrwler and I are working on a X3 rewrite with an X4 attached novel like project. Here is a missing scene with Ororo and Logan that takes place after Logan crashes the danger room session. Feel free to review, beta, or burn! BTW this was like 97% Ntcrwler's idea.
[*** Scene - Ororo's gardens behind the mansion. Outside. Daytime]
Ororo walks over to a group of white hydrangea bushes. She is visibly upset
and under stress. She raises a pair of sheers and gets to work trimming the
bushes. Her motions are jagged and stiff, reflecting her state of mind
Logan is taking a stroll in the gardens. He's smoking his cigar. He goes
around a corner and comes across Ororo.
Logan:
Hey?
Ororo looks up, annoyed
Ororo:
Logan... What are you doing here?
Logan:
I needed some... fresh air. [puffs on his cigar].
What are YOU doing here?
Ororo:
It's my garden, Logan. I **** to work on it.
It helps relieve stress!
Ororo trims the bushes violently, betraying her feelings
Logan:
Not doing a good job, are you?
Ororo:
Why don't you go get some fresh air somewhere else?
Rain clouds coalesce overhead. A few drops fall down
Logan:
Hey... Ro...look.... I'm sorry about this morning, all
right? I'm sorry if I came off like a jerk...
Ororo:
It's not all right. And yes, you were a jerk. What kind
of an example did you set for the students?"
Logan:
They deserve to know how to fight and win instead of
spending all their time hiding
[Cut to window on third floor of mansion. Standing in window is Jubilee]
Jubilee looks down, smiling mischieviously
Jubilee:
Oh man, those two are at it again? This is gonna be good!
[Cut back to Logan and Ororo]
Ororo:
Logan, sometimes the best plan is to evade and escape.
But I'm sure you know all about escaping
Logan:
What's that supposed to mean?
[Ororo looks at him angrily]
Ororo:
You neven stick around, do you?
[the rain clouds form into a thunderhead. We hear a low rumble of thunder]
Logan:
I know when I'm not wanted...
Logan turns around and leaves. Ororo calls him with a tone of authority.
Ororo:
Logan!!
Logan stops in his tracks and turns back to face Ororo
Ororo:
In case you didn't notice, people appreciate your help
here. Some actually do give a damn about you and WANT you
to stick around
[the thunderhead dissipates into broken cumulus clouds]
Logan:
No, I didn't really notice...
Ororo:
Why do you pretend not to care?
Logan:
Why do you?
Ororo takes another violent cut with the sheers, then jerks back and yelps out
in pain. She cut her index finger, drawing blood. The clouds reform into a
menacing thunderhead and another rumble is heard.
[Cut back to window above]
Jubilee:
Oh man, he must have REALLY ticked off Miss Monroe this time!"
[Cut back to Logan and Ororo]
Ororo:
DAMN!
She tosses the sheers aside angrily and nurses her finger with her lips. Logan
moves in to help, tries to touch her, but Ororo slaps him back aside
Logan:
Take it easy, will you? Don't get excited!
Ororo:
It's bad enough all the stress I have to deal with without
you having to add to that pile!
Logan [gently]:
I really was trying to help the kids this morning
Logan takes her hand, closes it into a fist, and cups it with his own, hiding
the index finger and blood from view. Ororo does not fight back this time
Ororo:
Logan... you can be so difficult sometimes!
Logan:
So can you
Ororo:
Sometimes you make wounds in other ways than with your claws
that hurt just as much.
Ororo looks down at her hand. Logan covers it protectively with his own so she
can't see the wound or blood, and strokes her wrist with his thumb.
Logan:
Believe it or not, I can't stand the sight of blood
The thunderhead above clears up again into scattered clouds
Ororo:
Stop that
Logan:
Stop what?
Logan keeps stroking her hand, and smiles a little
Ororo:
Why don't you give people a chance to... like you?"
Logan:
I didn't think people cared
Ororo:
If you give them a chance, some of those people may
actually return feelings for you...
Logan leans in a little towards her
Logan:
I didn't think YOU cared"
Ororo leans towards Logan, her hand and wound forgotten
Ororo:
I... I....
A gentle breeze starts to blow around them, playing with Ororo's hair like
that of a fashion model's. They both lean in and are very close
Ororo [cont'd]:
I do care
A rainbow appears in the skies above the mansion.
Logan:
So do I...
They tilt their heads, close their eyes, and move in for a kiss
[They suddenly stop in their tracks as they hear a strong voice in their
heads]
Xavier:
Ororo, Logan! I need to see you both immediately in my
office! I believe something...extraordinairy has happened.
It may involve...Jean
Both Ororo and Logan raise their eyebrows, their faces a mere inch away from
each other
Logan:
Did he just think 'Jean'?
Ororo:
Jean?
Logan:
Jeannie? What the hell?
All thoughts of the moment and each other are forgotten. Logan quickly pulls
away and turns to head back to the mansion. But Ororo does not follow. She
stands there, stunned. Disappointed. Sad. Tears well up in her eyes.
The rainbow is lost and in its place the clouds reform into a sinister mass
dark as night. Without warning, torrential rain starts to pour down on
Westchester.
Logan stops and turns around slowly. He sees Ororo is still standing among her
garden, staring back at him, being drenched by the downpour
Logan:
Ro?
Ororo sighs very slowly, sadly.
Ororo:
Logan... [sigh]
She bends down to pick up her sheers, turns her back to Logan, goes back to
trimming her bushes, very gently this time. Oblivious of the rain.
[*** END SCENE ***]
---
[SCENE - Xavier's office. It is raining heavily outside. Daytime]
A very wet-looking Wolverine walks in quickly to see a very grave looking and
serious Xavier.
Xavier:
Logan, where's Ororo? Weren't you two together?
Logan:
She's... drying off. You gonna wait? Or you gonna explain
what the hell you just threw into our heads about something
involving Jean?
Xavier:
Logan, I think...you'd better sit down...
[*** END SCENE ***]
