Xavier Institute For Higher Learning
Winchester New York
He struck a match, lighting his cigar and taking a long drag. This he thought absently is what he needed. A cold beer, a cigar and his motorcycle. Life didn't get any simpler than that and these days simple is what he wanted. The last year had been a long one, filled with the cure, Magneto losing his ever loving mind revelations, and marriage.
He reached for his beer taking a drink to wash away the nasty taste that had entered his mouth at the thought of Jean and Scott's marriage. Was he happy because she was happy ? No and he refused to play the part. His attitude towards Cyke had gone from mild to catastrophic. Every time Summers opened his mouth he had to fight the urge to bury his fist in his face.
So he stayed away, seeking refuge from the children and the other X Men here in the expansive garage. He let his eyes roam over the seven vehicles, H3 hummer, Jeep wrangler, Mustang convertible, Toyota Camry, Escalade, Denali, A Brand new BMW and last but not least the Professor's Brand new Porsche. He gaze went further falling on the 15 passenger van they had just purchased. It looked out of place in the large garage and he didn't consider it one of the Vehicles. Shaking his head he dropped to his knee beside his motor cycle, this he thought moving his hands over the sleek paint of the custom bike was his primary means of transportation. Rarely did he take out the other vehicles , but he did do the maintenance on them. It relaxed him, allowed him to free his mind and not focus on the- he paused sniffing the air. The corner of his mouth hiking as the smell of vanilla and sandalwood peaked his senses.
"By the goddess Logan, where you planning on spending the entire day out here?" Ororro Munroe stepped into the garage pushing a strand of white hair from her face as she stopped beside his bike.
"Thought had crossed my mind." He replied dryly, reaching for his beer. Her presence here in the garage could mean only one thing and currently he was not in the mood for it.
A white brow arched " I see and where you planning on attending the Danger room session you set up with the children?"
"Haven't forgotten about it."
The other brow went up " and the session with the rest of the X-men?"
He held her gaze a long moment reaching for his beer " Don't need it."
"Don't need the Danger room session or Don't need us Logan? "
He blew out a breath "Look Darlin' I know what you're tryna do , but right now I aint up to."
"You haven't been up to much of anything these days." She crossed her slender arms over her chest, leaning against the jeep , watching as he began working on his bike.
"How long are you going to wallow in self-pity Logan?" She asked after a long moment had passed
He reached for a wrench, " Is that what you think I'm doing "
"What would you call it?"
"Avoiding conflict. Ain't that what your always preachin' ta me Ro'?"
She sighed , her gaze turning to the heavens as if she were trying to call on divine intervention.
"Yes Logan, avoid confrontation. Don't go looking for a fight because you're in a bad mood. This- what you're doing is not avoiding confrontation, its seclusion."
"Damn it Ro." He threw the wrench into his tool box, turning to look at her "What do you want from me? I'm doing the best I can."
He walked towards the opening of the garage, her soft footsteps trailed behind him.
"It's not good enough. The children miss you. "She paused a moment " I miss you. "
"I haven't gone anywhere." He said quietly, but he had wanted to. If it weren't for the promise he'd made to Rogue – Marie as she wanted to be called these days. He would have been long gone. There was nothing he wanted more than to be on the open road, the wind in his face and miles between him and the institute.
" and for that I commend you." She motioned for him to follow her . They walked along the property in companionable silence for a few minutes, the stretch of silence only broken by her soft voice .
"I will not ask you to do something your not ready to do"
He made a face at her comment, watching as small smile lit her lips
"Just know, you are missed. Not only by the children and the rest of the team but by me. I want my friend back."
" Seems to me your just fine Ro'. Forge seems to be keepin ya real busy , not that I blame 'em."
He watched her eyes lower and knew she was feeling self-conscious. Her relationship with Forge was new and fresh. It was also something she was uncertain of.
"I-" Whatever she was going to say was lost as high pitch sound filled the air. Logan dropped to a knee his hand instantly covering his ears at the sound. The sound was unlike anything he had ever heard, a culmination of a the sound of a helicopter and high pitched wail. Each second the sound growing louder and more distinct as if it were approaching the institute.
X men! The professor voice sounded in his head. Turn your attention to the Sky he ordered.
Logan followed directions, his eyes searching the horizon for whatever the professor had demanded they find. He didn't have to look far, hurtling at an alarming speed was a large red mass surrounded in flames as it flew through earth's atmosphere.
What is it? Storm voice sounded in his head. The team was connected via the professor's telepath able to hear each other's thoughts only when linked by him.
I'm not sure. The professor's response was full of uncertainty .
How bout we find out. Logan dropped his hand, SKIT . His claws shooting through the back of his hands his feet moving of there own accord as he raced across the ground. He kept his eyes on the sky watching as the ball flew through the air faster. He tested the air, the smell of smoke hitting him squarely as the object careened closer. Smoke and he paused unable to place the scent he was getting.
Can we stop it from hitting the institute Jeans voice asked
We're going to try. A moment later a red beam flew through the air, connecting solidly with the object, changing it course only slightly.
Again Scott- Jeans voice ordered. Logan rounded the corner coming up on the back side of the mansion and he wasn't alone. Cyclops and Jean stood in the open field . Jean hands where extended, her face scrunched in concentration "I can't slow it down."
"Keep Trying." Cyclops sent out another blast from his visor, again changing the trajectory of the mass of flames.
"Storm, we need rain. We have to stop it from setting fire to the surrounding area."
She nodded, a mass of wind surrounding her as she took to the heavens, her Ice blue eyes clouding over. Logan watched as the clear sky changed and dark storm clouds rolled in surrounding the property. A moment later the air filled with the crackle of lighting . The clap of thunder barely heard of the high pitched sound.
They watched as the object cleared the tree line, crashing into the earth with a defining boom. He stood where he was, watching as the ground rolled and waved from the impact
"What the –"
"Logan," Scott started
"Already on it." He took off running, the rest of the X men on his trail. The damage of the impact was sizeable, the smell of singed wood and grass rich and pungent in the afternoon air. The lush green grass of the property turned to dry and barren land instantly. He jumped over a fallen tree, stopping short at the large crater in front of him.
Sonof-
"Logan!" Cyclops yelled coming up behind him .
"What is it?"
Logan turned to look at him his dark brows raised nearly to his hairline.
Cyclops steeped around peering into the large crater, "You have to be kidding me." He breathed, making room for the other X Men as they approached.
Logan sheathed his claws making his way down the steep slope and into the large hole. This was not what was he expecting, he didn't really know what he had been expecting but this certainly wasn't it.
It was no out of space intruder trying to take over the earth. It wasn't a sentinel or government trying to eliminate a threat. It was only a woman. The irony of the situation almost made him laugh. She lay motionless on the earth's floor. He took a moment studying her. She was dressed in dark leather uniform , a sleek gray belt around her hips, his gaze moved higher. His brow raising at the exposed skin of her abdomen and arms where the leather had burnt away exposing almond colored skin. He sniffed the air again, the un place able scent he had picked up on earlier tickling his nose.
"She did this?" Jean breathed surveying the damage around them.
"I believe so." Storm responded her voice full of disbelief.
He knelt beside her unconscious form, removing his shirt to cover the exposed areas of her body. " The better question." Logan said pushing to his feet "Is what do we do with her?"
They were saved from answering the professor's voice sounding in their minds.
Bring her to the Med Lab.