Cat's POV

As the door opened I closed my eyes. I'd already dealt with Sabertooth… that was enough to last a month or so. I opened them when I sensed Xavier come in first. He was followed by Magneto. I hissed and heard a growl from Logan.

"Well, this is charming. I should have looked here first for you, Thundercat. Nice to see you again, Logan." Logan growled again, this time with more warning to it.

"We're no match for him, Wolverine." I whispered so low that I knew Logan was the only one who could hear it. Xavier was too busy trying to figure out why Logan was so protective of me. I was wondering the same thing. All of sudden, I'm not exactly sure what happened, but Logan was pulling my arm and we were making a beeline for the door. He practically pushed us through Magneto and I noticed we were heading to the garage.

When we arrived in the garage he stopped and turned on the light. I looked at my dark blue bike… "Good, someone brought my bike in."

"Yeah, I saw it sittin' out front. I figured who's ever it was could just get as easily from the garage as they could from it being at the front. Besides I figured it had something to do with why Beast called me." Logan said as he walked towards his own bike. "Come on, kid. Let's get out of here and away from him."

I grabbed my own helmet before making my way to Logan. "Aye. Please. Where we goin'?" Ok I'm not sure what was with my accent. It was a mix between the Irish I had picked up and my native Cajun. "Gawd, what's with mi accent?" Point proven.

"I was wonderin' the same, kid."

I wish he'd stop calling me that. "I thought I lost mi Cajun accent awhile back. I guess bein' around Remy is bringin' it back. Saint's preserve us… I like mi Cajun but really? And now my Irish is coming full force too?" With that I put my helmet on and stopped talking.

"Just get on. Worry about your accents later, kid. Let's get out of here." He said as I hopped on behind him and he started the bike.

I loved the feel of his body against mine… it didn't help that my body was screamin' for male contact. I tried to keep my mind distracted from the feeling of his warm body pressed against mine… Anything to keep my mind off that. I wonder what Magneto wanted. I'm sure the Professor will tell us tomorrow… well, he'll tell the X-Men tomorrow anyways. I can just get Remy to tell me. At the thought of not being included with the X-Men there was a pain deep in my chest. I never thought that I would want to be part of a team. Except for Remy, I was, in all intensive purposes, a loner. I kept to myself; hardly letting anyone in. I'd made that mistake once, I wasn't going to do it again. When Logan asked how we knew each other, I held back a few things. I told him the truth about me sticking to him like glue because I didn't want the attention of the other guys there… but it was more than that. I stuck to him because I liked him; you could say it was a crush. There were times when I thought he felt the same… but then when his girlfriend had showed up… Logan and I had actually started talking about things, nothing too in depth but enough to where I was letting him into my life and into my heart. When his girlfriend showed up… he didn't pay any attention to me anymore even though he did let me stay close as long as I stayed out of his way when he wanted to be with his girl. It hurt me. I'd thought of him as a friend, I told him things I never told anyone else. With those thoughts I felt my arms fall to my side. The only thing keeping me on the bike was the grip of my legs. I knew I couldn't hate him, he is after all the Wolverine. He's more of a loner than I am; it's in his nature to be so distant. Even though I didn't hate him, I couldn't wait for this ride to be over. It was a rollercoaster of emotions being this close to him after all these years… Only three people had gotten me through some of the horrible things I had to endure. Remy, Laura, and Logan; though I'd never admit, at least out loud, the third. Ok, Laura knew that, but I knew she wouldn't tell and I'd never actually told her… she just sort of figured it out after he left.

Logan's POV

I was headin' to a place I knew very well. It was one place that I had all to myself. You could catch some of the most breath taking sunrises and sunsets at this place. I wasn't sure where I was takin' her at first… I just knew that she and I needed to get away from that house while Magneto was there. She had been through so much already… and I wasn't sure I could trust myself around him. Even with Charles there. I loved the feel of her arms around me. It somehow felt familiar, something from another life. I was relishing in the warmth of her body pressed against mine when I suddenly felt hers arms drop. If it wasn't for the feel of her helmet against my back I would have thought she'd fallen off. I could barely sense her emotions. We were moving too fast and the wind was taking her scent away. As I was about to pull over and ask her what was wrong I realized that the turn off was just ahead. I made the turn and then slowed the bike down before stopping all together.

"We're here. There's just a little walk, but we'll make it in time." She got off first and I watched as she took her helmet off and placed it on the seat. Something wasn't right. Her eyes were the ice blue, but there was still something about them that said she was thinking about something sad. As I got off the bike I noticed her move a little further away. Her head was down, causing her auburn hair to shield her face. Her hair was only a little longer than Remy's and had a wave to it right now. She was looking intently at the ground as though she found it more interesting than anything else. I made a slight move forward and tried to lift her chin so she had no choice to look at me, but she moved back too fast. I involuntarily growled and felt sorry about it because I saw her flinch. I didn't know what was wrong but I vowed then and there that I would find out before we headed back. "Come on." I tried to reach for her hand only for her to move it away. I knew she was struggling with her hormones right now, but that's not the reason for her sudden lack of wanting to touch me. I huffed and then led the way toward the cliffs. I knew she'd follow, but I was still upset that I couldn't figure her current state out.

"What's wrong, Cat?" I asked as we reached the cliffs. We still had a few hours before the sun would rise so I was going to get to the bottom of whatever was bugging her.

"…" All she did was shrug and move further from me. That movement did nothing but fuel my anger and annoyance more. I was not one to be ignored or shrugged at.

"Cat! We're not going back until you tell me what's wrong! Don't you dare ignore me!" My temper flared and as suddenly as I said those words I regretted the tone my voice took on.

"Don't. Logan, just don't. Like you care how I feel; like you ever cared about me." Her head was still down but I could smell the tears flowing down her cheeks. She was thinkin' of the past; a past I had no idea what had happened to me or to those around me.

"I don't know what happened between us in the past. Hell, I don't remember anything about that time of my life. Don't hold that against me now."

"I'm sorry. I told you that I wish I didn't remember. I wish I couldn't remember how you treated me like a friend one day and then the next I was nothing more than a child who wouldn't leave you alone. That's all I ever was to you, a kid. I told you things… things that no one else knew. I thought… I thought you cared about me, but I see I was only foolin' myself. I shouldn't have come here. I see now that that was a mistake. I think I'd like to go back now. I have things to do before I leave."

I was frozen. She was wanting to leave? Coming here was a mistake? I knew I could take him physically but I knew if I let her leave because of me, Remy would skin me alive. And I'm not so sure Rogue would try to defend me; she had seem to form a connection to this ki… woman. And that just didn't happen with Rogue. "You can't leave. What about Omega Red? Or Magneto? What about Remy and Rogue?"

"I'll deal with Omega Red and Magneto when the time comes. As for my brother and Rogue… I'll keep in contact." She was turning back towards the road before I had time to react. Before I was even thinking I grabbed her and pulled her to me. She tried to struggle against me, she might have even broken free had she not been so exhausted. All of a sudden I kissed her roughly.

"Kayla." I whispered a name I'd long forgotten. I wasn't even really paying attention. Memories were flooding back to me when I suddenly felt a sting across my face. Before I could comprehend anything I was standing alone. Cat had run off. I knew I wouldn't find her helmet on my bike. I knew she'd have grabbed that before flying back to the mansion. The place I'd hoped would help calm her and get her mind off her fear had been one where she'd been hurt. I didn't move, I couldn't. What have I done?

Cat's POV

I was so shocked when he'd kissed me. I thought maybe, just maybe things would be different and that he was kissing me and not her. Then my hopes, my world, shattered with one single name. Kayla. I'd liked her, I really had but I'd also hated her too. She had Logan, all of him. She was the reason he'd forgotten all about me and the worst part of it… she'd been the reason he was there. I'd slapped him as hard as I could, knowing that it'd only sting for a moment before he'd feel nothing. I had grabbed my helmet before taking off toward the mansion. I had too much to do before I would leave, but I'd be gone before morning. I would leave a note for Remy and Rogue and even Scott. I couldn't say good-bye in person, they'd only try to stop me. I knew that I might be able to resist Scott's and Rogue's pleas but I know I was no match for my brother. I would stay with him forever and he wouldn't have to beg at all. I wasn't going to face that. I had to leave. I had to get away from Logan. It'd hurt the first time he forgot me… I wasn't going to give him a chance to do it a third time. I managed to get back to the mansion in good time. I ran quietly to my room and after stuffin' everythin' back into my duffle bag I took a few minutes to write a note to Remy and Rogue.

Remy,

I'm sorry, brother. I had to leave without saying good-bye. I knew I wouldn't be able to resist your requests for me to stay. I will contact you in time. I don't want to be found right now. I have things I have to deal with; emotions I have to sort out. I really am sorry for leavin' like this. Know that I always loved you and always will. You are my brother. You were the strongest force that kept me alive. I know I'm hard to kill, but I'd actually done research on how I could die… It was you who kept me breathing. Rogue, take care of him. I know he loves you and you him. Take care of each other. I will contact you when I sort things out. Maybe one day we'll see each other again. I'm sorry.

Love,

Catarina "Thundercat"

I left the note on the bed that I would have been in. I propped it up so that they were sure to see it. I looked over my shoulder before leaving the room. I tiptoed quietly towards Scott's room. I slowly and quietly opened the door just enough to stick the note on his door. All it said was that I was leaving and I was sorry things didn't work out better for us. I told him that I would always remember his passion for his family. I knew he was strugglin' with Jean's death but I also knew that he would pull through and be alright in the end. I wished him well, and was sorry that we weren't able to work as a team.

With those loose ends tied I made it my mission to be as far away from the mansion as possible before Logan got back. I couldn't promise that I wouldn't hold back the cat that wanted to do to him what I had done to Sabertooth. As I walked past Logan's room I realized that there was something in my bag that I wanted to give back to him. It was one of his dog tags. Before Kayla had showed up we had exchanged them: I had one of his and one of mine and he had one of mine and one of his. I knew he'd also have another set, but wasn't sure if he even had either set. I decided to keep it… knowing full well that it would torture me if I held on to it. I figured that I was never going to get over him anyways… what did it matter anymore? Instead I had returned another gift he had given me. It was a figurine of a cat and a dog… such a symbol of me and him: the Thundercat and the Wolverine. I laid it on top of a note that only said one word "Good-bye" I set it on the foot of the bed and walked out of the room.

I had to pass by Xavier's office on my way to the garage. I stopped in front of his open door. He was still talking with Magneto but looked at me when I walked past. "Professor, I'd like to thank you for your offer for me to stay here… but I'm afraid I can't. I've too much to figure out before I can ever truly be happy anywhere. I'm not sure where I'll go. I've written a note to Remy, letting him know that I'll contact him when I feel ready to. I'm sorry. I hope that I'm strong enough to face Omega Red when the time comes. If not… I hope your mission comes true. We need a world where people don't hate others because they're different; where humans and mutants can work together regardless of the past. We sure as hell don't need another Hitler; either mutant or human." That last comment was directed more at Magneto than at the Professor. I just hoped he got the message. I was hoping to be gone before Logan got back. Knowing him he's still standing there stunned where I left him.

Cat, don't do this. Colossus is in my office… Omega Red is in the states. At least stay until we locate him. Professor's voice came to me just as I was reaching the gate. You can't stop him on your own. I'm not trying to say you're not strong enough… I'm just saying Omega Red is stronger. Think about what it would do to Gambit if he lost you for good. We'll protect you from Omega Red, but please stay here until he's stopped. Gambit's going crazy as we speak. He wants blood… I fear he may do something he'll regret. He and Logan are friends and I don't want to see Remy do something stupid. You're the only one who can stop him. I don't know what Logan did, but putting yourself in danger and putting your brother through the pain of losing you again… All I'm asking is for you to stay until we find and stop Omega Red. Please.

Good grief, Charlie Brown! Xavier sure does have a way with words and a way to get someone to do something. I never realized, through the pain I was feeling over Logan, that Remy would automatically blame him. Logan was, after all, the last person I'd talked to. Alright, Xavier, I'll stay until Omega Red is no longer a threat to me or anybody else. I mentally replied as I drove my bike back to the garage.