Rachel woke up with a panic and an ache in the pit of her stomach. Tears were streaming down the sides of her eyes as she looked up at the ceiling. How could she do this alone? The Logan she knew was gone.
She straightened stiffly while swinging her legs off of the bed and stepped off. She could feel the tightness in her shoulder, feeling the bandage that covered the stitches with her hand she made a mental note not to extend her shoulder too much fearing she'd rip the stitches out.
There were voices in the hall, "Colossus almost was a goner for a minute, thank god it was only a simulation" She heard Kitty laugh
She opened the door to find a few X-men members strolling through the hall, having just come from the danger room. Rachel's favorite room. She remembered begging her dad to take her in when she was only a child, to see what it was like for him on missions. She grew up teaching strategy lessons in that room, many of them with Kitty and Colossus who were walking out looking as if they just had a lesson themselves.
She stared at the door tempted to walk in for old times sake. But as she stepped towards the door across the hall it opened again, She jumped back to find Logan walking out bemused at Rachel standing in the hall.
Logan was younger, much younger. But still well on in his years Rachel was certain. He stood with a harsher demeanor than what she knew of him. She looked down trying to concentrate and remember this was a different time. It was only a few months since he himself had gotten back, he was still somewhat jarred from his previous life. But he was getting there, to know that this was his home.
Logan watched the girl closely, the lab door behind her was open and by the looks of the bandages on her shoulder and forearm and the cut on her forehead, she had been treated by Hank not too long ago. He found it funny Charles never mentioned treating a stranger this afternoon. But it wasn't the bandages or the blood that had him taken back, it was how much she resembled Jean.
She had Jean's calm beauty but she stood with an edge, an alertness that made him wonder where she came from. Her bright green eyes and fire red hair were such strong features. She wasn't aware of her beauty while she stood, or she had been through such trauma that she was on edge he thought.
Rachel's head was spinning reading his thoughts, his conflicting emotions being in this time, seeing her and trying to make sense of the resemblance between Jean and her. His memories of being back in time, memories from his future. All things she had seen before, but knowing she was a stranger to him was killing her.
It was her Logan standing in front of her, but it wasn't. Her Logan was gone, and the man in front of her loved her mother.
"Can I help you?' He finally asked
Rachel shook her head, "Uh" she stumbled, "I came in a few hours ago, and the professor said when I woke up I'd have a room, I just have to find Hank"
Logan titled his head at her familiarity with Hank, "Do you know the professor and Dr McCoy?"
Rachel looked at the floor trying to cover, "Old friends" she said simply
Logan nodded still suspicious, but he couldn't help but stare at her, not out of mistrust, but he was taken by her presence. "Old friends huh? You don't look a day over 30" he quipped
Rachel was silent
"He's upstairs probably in his study, you'll find it, go up the elevator and it's the second room on the right" Logan said knowing he'd find out soon enough. Charles always introduced new guests. Or he'd ask Jean next time he saw her.
Rachel knew where his study was but gave an appreciative nod. "Thanks" she said quietly. She was standing in front of the man who loved her mother, the days she remembered as a child reading Logan's thoughts that were surrounding her mother, how much he loved her, and how much it pained him to know he couldn't have her.
"Logan" he held out his hand with a small but mischievous smile. That smirk was killing her, she knew it well with a few added lines around his eyes and mouth. The younger man she once loved stood thinking what any man thought of when he was in front of a beautiful woman.
Her nerves were done for as she stared at the large strong hand in front of her. His eyebrow rose slightly at the pause. But she couldn't help but fight with everything in her to turn off her emotions while standing in front of the man she loved with all her heart, the man who could send her spiraling into a wave of emotions just by a look or a touch.
Slowly she slid her hand into his and he engulfed it with his as he shook it, "Rachel" She said with an even expression.
Logan found the tension a bit odd, never was a woman this tense in front of him, this tortured. But he let go of her hand not wanting to and watched as she glided through the hall almost at a jog to the elevator.
As the doors shut to the lift Rachel leaned against the wall and let out a cry, trying to catch her breathe. The hand that was encased in Logan's clutched to her chest. God did she miss him.
Rachel walked into the bedroom behind Hank, "I suppose I don't have to show you where everything is" he said with a grim smile
She looked around to find paint stains on the wall and realizing it was her own room. She shook her head with a small smile "Thank you Hank"
He nodded, "I suppose with Jean and Scott being your parents, you literally grew up in this house"
She nodded, "Pretty much"
"Didn't you ever want to go anywhere else?" he shrugged, "I mean travel?" he couldn't imagine spending his whole life in the same place, sure he'd spent his fair share at the house, but he'd had a life before meeting Charles
Rachel sat down on the bed, "I did a bit of traveling" she protested, "I spend a summer in New Orleans" she said remembering meeting Remy and bringing him back to the mansion.
Hank nodded, "fair enough" he started to walk out, "You know" he started as he turned to study her a little more. He didn't have to be psychic to know she was broken from what happened, that she was sitting on the bed hopeless and alone. "Logan had that same look once before, and because of him, we were able to change things" he said certain, "It can happen again"
Rachel nodded letting him have his hope. But she didn't believe it as she looked at her hands. "Yeah sure" she let out
Hank left the room hoping she'd come around, but wondered what it was like living out of time but in the very surroundings she came from.
A knock brought Rachel out of her daze as she looked out the window. 'Come in" she said tiredly
She watched as Jean entered with a warm smile to find Rachel at the window. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped at the sight of her. Rachel stood timid, an old habit after her last encounter with her mother.
But jean stood controlled, younger. Her fire red hair was swept over one shoulder, and a red dress covered her slim body. Rachel thought her mother was the most beautiful person in the world, and constantly people compared Rachel to Jean, in looks and demeanor. But Jean was no comparison Rachel thought. Jean looked at the girl with a curious eye. She looked so much like Scott, not many people would know, but Scott had the greenest eyes, and they were staring back at Jean just now.
Her hair was the same vibrant red as Jeans, the way she stood. She looked like Jean did as a young girl.
Rachel looked down wondering if it was the right time to tell her. She kept her thoughts closed off, but she could tell Jean was trying to get a read on her. Jean's mind was trying to push herself into Rachel's but she only pushed back.
"The professor hasn't said much, but that we have a new guest staying with us" she said, "I'm Jean Grey, I'm one of the teachers here at the school"
Rachel tried to smile, "Rachel" she said, "The professor and I have known each other for years"
Jean nodded interested, "ah, there you two are" Charles said "Jean would you mind grabbing the others. We need to have a meeting"
Jean gave Rachel one last glance and nodded, "Sure" she said in compliance.
This girl is curious. Who is she.
"It was nice meeting you Rachel" Jean said walking out
Rachel was trying to hold it in as she gave a simple nod. But as Jean left the room Rachel fell back down into the window seat trying to catch her breath. Charles wheeled over to consol her. "There there" he laid his hand on her shoulder.
"That was my mother" she cried, "My real mother" Seeing her mother again after having killed her was ripping Rachel apart on the inside. How could she interact with Jean knowing she had killed her.
"You don't know it's to happen again" Charles said, "The future is already shifting with you being here, who knows if it'll happen again, if she'll give in"
Rachel shook her head, "What if she catches me off guard and see's" she worried, "I think about that moment everyday, I stabbed her through the heart with a metal rod" she said blankly
Charles couldn't comprehend the thought of Jean succumbing to the Dark phoenix, he'd seen it through Logan's memories, but it was because of that he made sure he nurtured Jean and taught her to control the power, not shield it from her.
"We need to tell everyone" he nodded, "In my study in ten minutes"
Rachel was relieved, "Do you have a plan?"
Truthfully he didn't "Not entirely" he admitted, "But you listed mutants who have yet to step foot in our school"
Rachel shrugged not following yet,
"Logan once told me the names of people I had to find, in order to assemble the X-men, to make this mission what it is, and so far it's worked in our favour. These mutants you speak of are pretty powerful if they managed to out run the sentinels" It was the only thought Charles could think of at the moment. They needed the numbers right now in case they needed to fight, in case Jean turned, or worse Trask Industries started operating early. But he was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that
"So you're going to recruit?" Rachel asked not sure if she was confident in his plan
"Them and Magneto" Charles added
Rachel nodded, "Mystique and the rest of the family wouldn't exactly be my first choice, but seeing as he's been through this before I hope you two can put aside your differences for this cause"
"What do you mean family?" he realized Rachel's comment
Rachel looked out the window again, "Magneto has a son and daughter, Peter and Wanda" she answered, "I believe you've met Peter before" she turned to face him
Charles remembered the headache that was Peter Maximoff and closed his eyes in frustration. "Eric" that idiot he thought
Rachel couldn't help but smile at the thought. The vision of them as young men. Rachel let out a shrug, "Eric Lensher was a bit of babe" she let out
Charles titled his head in surprise. She was feeling more comfortable, letting her true self come out. But Rachel retreated back into her even expression and looked away, "Sorry" she said, 'Let's get this meeting started then we have a lot of people to find"
Rachel stood behind the professor's desk as the team entered the office. All younger versions than what she knew. Her parents, Jean and Scott noticed Rachel's position and gave a worried glance to the professor. But Jean let out a warm smile as she passed Rachel The professor trusts her, she must be coming on to stay and help.
Scott still was wondering about the memory Rachel projected into his mind. Was that even real? Why would I remember playing with my daughter when we're not even married yet.
Rachel closed her eyes trying to keep her cool, to keep controlled. She heard Storm's laugh as she walked in with Hank. Storm was her mentor growing up, when Jean wasn't herself it was storm that took care of Rachel, was her support. Storms' smile was warm like Jean's as he gave a single nod and sat down on the couch.
The younger team members followed, her teachers, her peers, Kitty, Rouge, Pete, and Bobby stood behind the couch and looked on curiously. Rachel was now their age, in her time they were starting to get a little on in their years, but as they became a family it didn't matter the age, they were all each other had.
Then came Logan lastly. He stopped short facing Rachel again as he placed his hands on his hips. Her again.
Rachel let out a quiet sigh trying to focus. Logan glanced at Jean then at Rachel again Holy shit
As Jean watched Logan for a moment she looked down at her hands disappointedly. Her powers were useless with Rachel, she couldn't read her. It was almost calming in a sense, but she was curious of her, and the look on Logan's face made her all the more interested but the pangs of jealousy were starting to surface.
"There is something you all need to know" Charles began, "Well something Logan should tell you" he looked at Logan
Logan stood aloof as he looked at his peers, he looked at Charles for a moment then a rush of guilt took over him, "I was smoking in the garage again?" Logan tried but everyone wasn't surprised, "I crashed Scott's Z8 and have been telling everyone it's just getting detailed"
"Son of a bitch" Scott shook his head
"Logan" Charles said sternly
Rachel lifted her eyebrows at the disfunctionality. They were the adults of the school, but still very much young at heart. Rachel hadn't remembered them being like this even when she was a kid.
Charles nodded Tell them
Logan's furrowed brow eased, "Professor.." he looked at Rachel now mistrusting. She looked away trying to avoid his gaze.
Logan cleared his throat hearing his thoughts, "This is going to sound ridiculous but this time we know of now could have been a lot different" he started, "In fact, it was different for a time" he glanced at Rachel, "In 1973, I came back in time from the year 2023, which you all know is still 12 years from now.." he cleared his throat and shot the professor a glare
Jean and storm watched with eyebrows raised, "Logan you feeling alright?" Storm asked
"Hear me out Storm" Logan put up a hand, "In 1973 something could have happened that would cause a program to be initiated that targeted humans, it was called the sentinel program, in my original time it was already introduced, and for years machines called sentinels hunted mutants, causing a war, and leading to a slaughter. But because I went back and with the help of Hank and the professor, we were able to stop that from happening" Logan looked at Charles,
"Why are you having me tell them this?" Logan shrugged
He looked back as did Rachel and they sat in disbelief. "I know what Logan just explained is far fetched, but a long time ago Mystique could have murdered the man responsible for creating these machines, and gotten herself captured, and paving the way for these machines to create havoc on our race, but we put a stop to it, changed the course of history" he explained
Charles looked at Rachel and saw how broken this girl was. Not even 30 yet and she's already seen so much death and destruction. Something he'd thought he had put a stop to.
"But it didn't" Charles added
Logan stepped forward, "What do you mean it didn't" He was looking at Rachel now, piecing together why she was here.
Charles looked at the group sitting in confusion, "Logan traveled back in time to change the course of history, because his future was at an end, he needed to change it for the sake of all mutants" he looked at Rachel, "And this is Rachel"
He turned back to the group, "Rachel Summers" he said to Scott and Jean
Jean covered her mouth with her hands as Scott shot up.
Logan looked at her, she was so much like Jean, in the way she stood. He looked at Jean and Scott and then back at the girl wondering if she was send from the future like he once was.
"Rachel has made a similar trip" Charles said, "Go on Rachel"
She watched Logan look on in awe as he stepped back. Everyone who stood in front of her looked at her as if she were a stranger, but they were her family. And now there were only a couple left, if any. She looked at Logan once more, going from her to Jean trying to make sense of it.
She sighed wishing she could touch him again, but she looked away "The future I'm from isn't as bleak as it could have been, or I guess as it once was" she shrugged pointing to Logan, though she knew about it all, "But it has the potential to be after what's happened. Trask Industries are on its way to producing these machines that can have the power to wipe out the entire mutant race" she looked at Logan again as the memory of the machine ripping through his body flashed in her mind.
Charles braced himself as he saw it too. It couldn't end up like that. Not again.
Logan couldn't believe Jean's daughter was standing in front of him, he couldn't believe her and Scott would ever have kids from the past he was so used to. He kept having to remind himself that he was from a different time, and now someone else from an even more different time stood.
"So what's the plan then" Logan crossed his arms ready to jump in. There was no way he was going to let the possibility of the future he once saw happen again.
"Rachel, the future where you come from" Storm started "How did it come to be?" she shrugged, "I mean there had to be a trigger"
Rachel and the professor glanced at each other. Charles nodded taking the burden of answering, "Rebellions, mutant uprising"
"Magneto" Jean answered
"They started with mutant containment camps, but it was just a more official name for experimental centre's" Rachel added telling the truth, "But some of the more public camps in the big cities were taken out. That caused the sentinel program to be reopened"
"If these camps emerge, they will come here looking for the children" Rouge thought out loud, "Wont they?"
Charles nodded, "It's not exactly common knowledge what this place is, but it's not a heavily guarded secret either Rouge, you're right" He worried out loud
"So what do we do?" Scott asked "Rachel is there a specific moment where all of this started?" he looked at his daughter still marveling in the realization. The memory she placed in his mind was real. He clung to the thought.
But as much as Rachel would love to sit and think back to those happy times with her father, she couldn't help but have those memories drowned out by the ones of her mother killing her father and her friends.
"There is something we need to do before we strategize changing history again" Charles said "There are several other mutants that will come through these doors and fight with us, but we need to find them now"
"Who is it that we need to find, and why?" Kitty asked "I mean what good will it do if they're on the team earlier than they're supposed to be?"
"We need the numbers" Rachel answered, "These mutants are some of the most powerful people in my time, we need them on our side"
"Who do we start with first then" Hank asked
Charles looked to Rachel letting her decide. She glanced at Rouge and let out a thin smile, "Remy Lebeau" she said, "He came here from New Orleans where he was notorious for two things, pick pocketing, and playing cards"
"What's his power?" Bobby asked
"He's able to transfer kinetic energy to anything he's touching. Causing that object to explode. He's got a bit of a flare for the dramatics because of it"
"Rachel will start there. Scott have the jet ready in an hour, Logan and Rouge you two go with them" Charles started.
Everyone got up with a nod and watched Rachel discuss details with the Professor while Jean Scott Storm and Logan watched. "I can't believe it" Storm shook her head, "You guys she's beautiful, and you didn't even have to do any of the work"
Jean couldn't help but smile, "She's ours"
Logan watched with a bit of a torn emotion, it gutted him to know Jean and Scott had a family at some time, but at the same time there was something about this girl that had him in a disarray. There was a familiarity with her,that told him he could trust her.
Charles and Rachel turned to the remaining members in the study. Charles couldn't help but smile at everyone's curiosity. "I'm sure Jean and Scott would like some time with Rachel" He said motioning for Storm and Logan to leave.
They shut the door leaving the three of them to get acquainted. Jean let out a happy cry as she stepped towards Rachel wrapping her arms around her. "I'm sorry she cried"
If only Jean knew what she could be apologizing for. It still sent a wave of pain through through Rachel hearing her mother apologize even though she had no idea what she had done, or will ever know.
Rachel nodded giving a comforting smile. But she couldn't help but feel on edge. Meeting her parents again for the first time as an adult, after seeing the destruction Jean had caused, what had happened to her.
"I guess we'll have plenty of time to catch up on things" Scott smiled, "I should go get the jet ready" he passed Rachel placing his hand on her shoulder
Rachel stood with an elated but timid Jean.
"So" she smiled, "Do you have a boyfriend back in your time?"
Rachel couldn't help but swallow hard
