Rodeo Hearts

by Dazzler and Emily


A shadow stretched across the parking lot as Logan Patch crawled out of his blue and white '81 Chevy Silverado. He stretched and looked around. The coemption was getting younger and younger. Most the guys there were just boys. He noticed a few faces, the Cajun Remy LeBeau whose horse was named Gambit, Charles Xavier also known as the Professor cause he knew everything. Then the Professor's young pupil Scott Summers, Junior to most of the group. He looked for his southern beauty friend Rouge Sabine, he expected to find her near Remy but couldn't see her. All he could see was the Rodeo Skank Jean Gray. She had done all the old circuit ... twice. Now she saw fit to try and rope the younger Junior. This rodeo was not going to be good.

Dazzler

On the other side of the building...

Jubilation Lee, woman of 22, stepped out of her convertible. A little strange considering her current occupation.

"Momma?", six year old Patrick replied coming up.

"Hmm...," Jubilee murmured looking back.

"Why are we here again?", he asked looking up at her with emerald eyes.

*His fathers eyes*, Jubilee though wirily.

"Because Momma has to compete to make some more money," Jubilation sighed, and looked back at her son. She really did wish his father would help financially, but after all she had just been the cheap girl he had used for sex. Child support was never on his mind.

Jubilee suddenly snapped back into reality as Sparkler, her horse, came a snort. Jubilee looked around, "Patrick!", she yelped quickly. But it was useless. He had disappeared.

Oh that child. Will he ever stay in one place", and with that she went off in search of her young son.

-----------------------------------------------

Patrick wondered around, interested. This wasn't his first rodeo. He'd done a lot with his mother. He'd even been all for the idea of joining that circus his mother had thought about joining. They needed a new bareback rider. And his mother was the best at what she did, as she so commonly bragged. But right now he just wanted to find something to eat.

"Who ya looken for kid?", a suddenly gruff voice jumped out at him. Patrick swung around to see a short man leaning against a stall and smoking a cigar.

Emily

" Umm, no one. Who are you? I've seen you before? " Patrick asked.

" Logan Patch is the name. And you're? " he asked.

" Patrick Thomas. My momma is Jubilation Lee is my momma. She's the best bare back rider there is. You know you shouldn't smoke those. They're bad for your health. " Patrick commented.

" Rodeos are bad for my health but ah still do 'em. What about lil' man? Do you ride? " Logan asked as he went to the back to unlatch the padlock and let his black stallion, Wolverine, out.

" Yeah. But momma really hates it when I ride. " Patrick said.

" Patrick! Patrick! Patrick Everett Thomas get over here now! " he heard his mom say as she trotted up behind him on her Arabian mare.

" Yes mem. Momma, this is Logan Patch. " Patrick introduced his new friend. " Logan this is my momma. " he smiled.

" Jubilation Lee, Jubilee for short. " she said reaching out to sake his hand. She was a vision of an angel to Logan with baby blue eyes, China doll black satin hair and ruby lips.

" Logan Patch. Logan to my friends. What are ya entered in? " he asked.

" Barrel racing and bareback. " she said.

" Then I guess I better go watch them. " Logan said.

" I guess you better. Come on Patrick let's get your horse and get registered. " Jubilee said helping the boy up on to the horse.

" My horse is Sync and momma's named Sparkle. " Patrick said.

" Well good luck Patrick, Miss. " Logan said tipping his hat then turning back to Wolverine.

Dazzler

Patrick grinned as his mother turned the corner on Sparks. She was warming up for the next day. When everything started. He looked around suddenly. His eyes fell on Logan Patch. The man was on the other side of the empty arena stands, watching his mother with narrowed eyes. Jubilation sighed as she let the wind whip against her. It felt good to just ride. She hated doing it for money, but she didn't see where she had much of a choice.

After all she had a son to raise. Her parent's had disinherited her when she had gotten pregnant at 16, and she had to quit school. Everett, the father, wouldn't pay anything. The jerk was engaged to that French girl he had met over the summer.

So she was left to raise Patrick on her own... Suddenly, since she wasn't paying attention, when the horse got shocked and reared up Jubilation was thrown off...

Emily

Everything moved in slow motion she could feel herself flying threw the air and landing on the ground. The breath was knocked out of her.

" Momma? Mom? Are you okay? " she heard Patrick ask.

" I'm fine. Help me sit up. " she said.

" You should lay still mem. " she heard someone say.

" I said I was fine. You don't have to worry about me. Okay? All it did was knock the wind out of me and hurt my pride. " she said. It was the first time she had been thrown from a horse since she was thirteen and just starting to ride.

" Let the girl up. I'll help her. " Logan said.

" I just bet you'll help da petite. " he heard Remy say.

" I said I was fine Mr. Patch. " Jubilee said annoyed.

" Do ya want these fools to bother you anymore? Then let me help you to the stands. " he said picking her up and taking her up to the stands area.

Dazzler

Jubilation flinched as he picked her up. She realized she probably bruised a couple ribs, and probably shouldn't ride the next day. Unfortunately, she didn't have a choice. She would ride, as always...

"Patrick", she called out as Logan sat her down lightly on the bleachers. Someone coming with ice for her for head.

"Yeah Momma?", Patrick replied coming up beside her.

"Put the horses up tonight, and make sure they are both brushed down and fed. Understood?", she instructed.

"Yes'm", Patrick immediately answered.

Jubilation looked at him critically. "Do not forget son", she quietly added as he rushed off.

"I'll help you, boy", Remy told the small child, and before Jubilation could say another word he and the child disappeared.

Jubilation sighed as a rush of pain shot through her head. This was not good. "All I need is a good night's sleep", she reassured herself.

"Hey, where's your hotel. I'll drive the boy and you", Logan suddenly said.

"The Holiday Inn", Jubilee said through clenched teeth. She wouldn't let these people see how much pain she was in.

"Good. I'm there too. Come-on", Logan scooped her up, ignoring her shouts that she was OK.

Miz Frost (Emily)

The disco ball was in the shape of a cow's skull. Bright lights flashed as Logan, Remy, Rouge Sabine, Charles "Professor " Xavier, Scott "Junior " Summers, and Jean Gray sat around a table at the honky-tonk bar called the Silver Moon. The old friends always met there to swap rodeo stories, drink, and have a good time.

Logan looked around the room. His eyes hen landed on his blue-eyed angel.

" She's ah pretty one Logan. " he heard his southern bell friend whisper in his ear.

" That she is darlen. " he answered back.

" Go dance. " Rouge said.

" With who? " he looked at her.

" Go save her from all them youngens. " Rouge laughed. Logan crossed the room to her. She felt his approach and turned to look at him.

Dazzler

Jubilee almost scolded herself when her heart began to beat faster as he approached. What was it about this man that got to her?

"Hey, Darlin", he said calmly. Talking to her quietly.

"Hello", she greeted him coolly.

"Care to dance?", Logan asked almost immediately.

Jubilee looked around, noticing all the other men staring at her. She knew exactly where they wanted to dance, and it wasn't on the dance floor.

"Okay", she tried to sound nonchalant.

Logan's arms encircled around her waist as a slow song came on. Jubilee put her arms gently around his neck. She tried to ignore the small space between Logan and herself. She peered up into his eyes, and noticed he was staring straight into hers. As the song neared to an end he suddenly leaned down, and lightly brushed his lips to her.

*God no, I can't do this. Not this time*, Jubilee pushed away and ran out the door.

E.Frost

_ What's the matter with you? _ she scolded herself. This wasn't in her life's plan. This wasn't anywhere near it. There wasn't supposed to be any men in her life. The only man in her life was supposed to be Patrick. It was Patrick. But then she remembered how she felt in Logan's strong arms. _ NO! NO! NO! No more men. Only Patrick. He was the only one that mattered. _ she thought as she entered her hotel room.

" Hi Mom! Guess what! Mr. Logan called and offered to take us to the caravel tomorrow. We can go can't we? " her son rarely got to do normal children things like carnivals

" Okay, sure sounds like fun. But for us to go you need to go to bed. " Jubilee said.

" I take de youngen to bed. " a smooth voice said.

" What the! Who are you? " she asked turning to see a Cajun behind her.

" Remy, like the cognac. " he said kissing her hand.

Dazzler

Jubilee looked him up and down. "What are you doing here?", she responded acidly.

"Just making sure you got home all right. Logan told me to check on you", Remy shrugged, but kept his eyes firmly attached to hers. "Care to 'ave a drink wit Remy?", he asked.

Jubilee shook her head. How dare that...that...cowboy ask this stranger to check up on her. See, if they went to that carnival the next day. If Mr. Logan thought he was going to get her anywhere, well he needed to rethink his goals.

Remy noticed the looks crossing her face. "I better go, 'tite. Sleep tight pup", he gave a fond smile to the young boy.

Patrick grinned and nodded. "Bye, Mr. Lebeau!".

Remy started to walk out, then turned once more in the doorway.

"Oh, and don't be mad at Logan. De man was just worried bout you after you ran out of de place like dat. Go easy on him. He's had it hard to, you might ask him about it sometime", Remy smiled at Jubilee once more, and silently exited.

Jubilee just stared after the handsome man. Then she dropped against the couch. She lowered her head angrily. Why did she feel like she wanted to forgive Logan so easily, even though being mad at him gave her a reason to avoid him and heartbreak.

------------------------------------------------

A Harley pulled in next to Jubilation's car. A tall man, with long blonde hair stepped off, and huge muscles stepped off. A cruel grin broke his handsome features.

"Well, well, well. Look's like that princess with her kid from the last town is here. Wonder if Logan's seen her yet?", then with a growl he threw his bag over his shoulder and walked inside.

Emily

Jubilee heard a knock on the door. She pulled on her blue jeans Lawmans and white Rockies tank-top with her brown Justin Ropers and went to the door.

" Ya ready? " Logan asked.

" Why should we go with you? I mean you had the nerve to ask someone... " she was stopped when he put a finger on her lips.

" I know darlen. I just figured you didn't want to see me but wouldn't mind seeing a friendly face. Plus the fact Patrick hasn't been to a carnival in two years. I doubt you're gonna let our differences deny him a good time. " he whispered. She rolled her eyes and knew she had been defeated.

" Okay. Let me get Patrick. " she said.

Victor Creed watched as Logan, Jubilee, and Patrick climbed into his truck and drove off. " I wonder if Foxy knows that her ex-lover is in with a younger toy. " Victor said picking up the phone and dialing a number. " Yeah, Foxy Silver now. " he barked.

Dazzler

Foxy Silver's eyes flashed. "He's what?", she screeched over the phone.

"He's with this little tart I met at another rodeo. Cute little frail named Jubilee", Creed laughed.

Foxy grew redder with fury. How dare that little man dump her, just because she slept with Creed, then go out with some rodeo slut. Pulling on a jacket over her tight body suit Foxy ran out the door, hanging up on Creed.

They would just see about this...

Frosty the White Queen...

Jubilee hated to admit it to herself but she was having a good time. She laughed as she saw Patrick drag Logan in the line for the roller costar.

" Are you enjoying yurself? " a female asked.

" Huh? " Jubilee turned and saw a beautiful raven haired woman. In her eyes madness glinted.

" Yes thank you. " she smiled.

" I bet you are since yur going out with my husband. " Foxy said.

" Hus.. Husband? " Jubilee stammered as tears began to well up in her eyes. It was then she realized in the middle somewhere she had fallen in love with him and all along he had planned on just having a good time with her and then leaving her for his wife. And didn't miss a hint of the pain she had inflicted on the woman. Her work here was done.

Dazzler

Jubilee tried to get control of herself. This man was just as bad as that jerk, Creed, from her last show. Thank God a couple of the other contestants had shown up when he had her cornered...

"Get Patrick, and get away", she thought to herself. "Just leave this competition. We'll get money somewhere else", she continued thinking when she saw Logan and Patrick get off a ride together.

Briskly walking over she grabbed Patrick's hand.

"Thank you for your time Mr. Logan, but Patrick and I must be leaving", she said, desperately trying to keep the anger out of her voice.

Logan looked surprised. "Ya sure? Would you like me to take yall to dinner t'night?", he asked.

Jubilee vigorously shook her head 'no'.

"Yeah!", Patrick exclaimed. Eyes shining.

"I'm afraid, we'll be leaving this afternoon for Florida", Jubilee told Logan almost immediately. Then she turned and walked away. Patrick dragging on behind her. Logan watched her fleeting back. His eyes stayed glued to her. He wanted to go after her, and figure out why she had so suddenly turned cold.

"Hello darling. Miss me?", a familiar voice slurred behind him.

Logan swirled around, "Foxy!?!".

Foxy laughed, "Good to see you to, lover. Do tell me who is the young thing that was just here? Was that the little rodeo slut Vic was telling me about?".

E. Frost

" What did you say to her Fox? " Logan asked grabbing her arms.

" I always did like it rough. " she purred.

" What did you say to her? " Logan snarled.

" I just told her that you were my husband. Calm down. She probably wouldn't have been very good anyways. Plus she's got a kid with her. " Fox said annoyed

" Husband! That'll be a cold day in hell, Fox. " he laughed. " Plus the fact she's ten times the woman you'll ever be. " Logan said.

She slapped his face. " How dare you! " she said.

" What's wrong Foxy? Know I'm tellen ya the truth? Now here's a new fact for you Fox. I love her. I love her and her kid. I love them both more then I'll ever could love you. " he said with a smile.

___________________________________________________________________________

" What's wrong Mama? " Patrick asked. He had never seen his mother so upset.

" Nothing baby. It's just we have to go. " she said.

" You were falling in love with him weren't you? " Patrick asked.

" What do you know about it? " she snapped.

" I know that you runaway from every man who has ever had feelings for you! He was the closes thing I've ever had to a father! " Patrick screamed.

" Ya shouldn't talk to your mother like that shorty. " Victor Creed said coming up behind them.

" Creed! " Jubilee gasped.

Dazzler

Logan suddenly stiffened as he saw the blond man following the area where Jubilee had disappeared into. "Creed", he snarled.

Victor Creed was his worst competition. Not only did the man cheat, but him and his horse Sabretooth were almost as good as Wolverine and Logan were.

"Don't you dare walk out on me", Foxy snarled at the man.

Logan snorted. "I've already done that, Fox. Walked out on you two years ago, and ain't thought about ya since".

The last comment was lie. For about three months she had been all he had thought about, while drowning himself in alcohol. He had thought he had loved her.

The Creed came along...

Snapping back to reality he remembered what Creed was up to. Turning he raced after the blond man.

------------------------------------------------

"Miss me, kid?", he chuckled at her bewildered expression. She turned to run, but he grabbed her arm.

"Patrick run, get help!", she yelped to her son.

Creed grinned as he took off.

"Ain't gonna help ya none, frail. Now com'ere", he growled into her ear. Twisting her around, he threw her up against a small building, harshly assaulting her lips. A hand slipping up her leg.

An outrage roar brought him back to attention. Logan was behind them looking more than a mite pissed.

Emily

" What do ya want runt? " Creed asked.

" Get your hands off her. " Logan snapped.

" Why should I? You just betrayed her. Foxy told her all about you and her. " Creed laughed.

" Fox and I have been over for two years now. " Logan said.

" But...but...she said you were married. " Jubilee croaked.

" She lied. As usual. We're not married darlen. Never have been. " Logan said.

Dazzler

Jubilee stopped struggling and stared at Logan, her mouth opened slightly. "You weren't married...", she whispered hoarsely. "Aren't...", she added even softer.

"No, never were. Never will be. I love you, Darlin. Really do", he told her quietly.

Jubilee started whimpering softly, to hear those words after such a long time, and after such a betrayel..."I love you to", she murmured.

Creed's face got even angrier. "Well, ain't this sweet. To bad you ain't gonna git yur lover back in good condition. This rodeo slut owes me", he snarled.

Frosty

" Ah don't think so Creed. Victor Creed your under arrest. " the three turned to see a Texas Ranger behind them and Patrick behind the ranger.

" Is this good enough help Mama? " he asked.

" He'll do just fine baby. " Jubilee said.

" Raise yur hands up. " the Ranger said handcuffing Creed and then leading him away from Jubilee and Logan. Patrick ran to his mother.

" So how'd ya meet Creed? " Logan asked.

" He wanted it from me but I wouldn't give it up. " Jubilee said. Patrick looked at his mother not understanding but Logan knew all to well what happen when Victor Creed didn't get his way.

" Did you really mean what you said about loving me? " Jubilee asked.

" Yeah. " he said kissing her. " But I'm willing to take it real slow darlen. " he said taking her hand. She smiled gratefully. That night Paige agreed to watch Patrick while Logan took Jubilee out for dancing so he could order in two special songs.

One was how he felt towards her.

SHAMELESS

Well I'm shamemeless when it comes to loving you
I'll do anything you want me to
I'll do anything at all
.

And I'm standing here for all the world to see
Oh baby, that's what's left of me
Don't have very far to fall
.

You know now I'm not a man who's ever been

Insecure about the world I've been living in
I don't break easy, I have my pride
But if you need to be satisfied
.

I'm shameless, oh honey, I don't have a prayer
Every time I see you standin' there
I go down upon my knees
.

And I'm changing, swore I'd never compromise
Oh, but you convinced me otherwise
I'll do anything you please
.

You see in all my life I've never found
What I couldn't resist, what I couldn't turn down
I could walk away from anyone I ever knew
But I can't walk away from you
.

I have never let anything have this much control over me
I work too hard to call my life my own
I have never let anything have this much control over me
I work too hard to call my life my own
And I've made myself a world and it's worked so perfectly
But it's your world now, I can't refuse
I've never had so much to lose
Oh, I'm shameless
.

You know it should be easy for a man who's strong To say he's sorry or admit when he's wrong
I've never lost anything I've ever missed
But I've never been in love like this
.

It's out of my hands
.

I'm shameless, I don't have the power now
I don't want it anyhow
So I got to let it go
.

Oh, I'm shameless, shameless as a man can be
You make a total fool of me
I just wanted to you to know
.

Oh, I'm shameless, I just wanted you to know
Oh, I'm shameless, Oh, I'm down on my knees...shameless

And the other song was how they both felt about the thing that had brought
them together.

. His eyes are cold and restless
His wounds have almost healed
And she'd give half of Texas
Just to change the way he feels
She knows his love's in Tulsa
And she knows he's gonna go
Well, it ain't no woman, flesh and blood
It's that damned old rodeo
.

Well, it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
.

She does her best to hold him
When his love comes to call
But his need for it controls him
And her back's against the wall
And it's "So long girl, I'll see you."
When it's time for him to go
You know the woman wants her cowboy
Like he wants his rodeo
.

Well, it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
.

It'll drive a cowboy crazy
It'll drive the man insane
And he'll sell off everything he owns
Just to pay to play her game
And a broken home and some broken bones
Is all he'll have to show
For all the years that he spent chasin'
This dream they call rodeo
.

Well, it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in the buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo
.

It's the broncs and the blood
It's the steers and the mud
And they call the thing rodeo

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THE END. I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE HOW I FINISHED IT. THE SONGS SHAMELESS AND THE RODEO ARE BOTH FROM GARTH BROOK'S ALBUM ROPEN THE WIND AND THAT'S WHAT GAVE ME THE IDEA TO WRITE THIS SO HERE IT IS. THE END OF RODEO HEARTS.

Dazzler