Chapter 6: The Reunion

Ororo gazed out of the window as Logan flew them back to the mansion. As she said the night before, Logan wasn't going to let her out of his sight.

And he had not. He had taken her bags and placed them into his mini Jet that morning, stepping back down the platform to wait for her, making the decision for her to ride with him back to mansion.

"De man loves ya much, 'chere," her father told her as they looked over at the man who stood enjoying a cigar before the ride home.

"And I him, Papa, but," she began and the old man shook his head, cutting her off.

"Der be no buts. Follow yer heart on this one, no mattah what yer mind say," he told her, gently touching her heart before pulling her into a hug, "Don't be a stranger again. This ole man can' take not seeing yer beautiful smile."

"I won't. Merci pour tout, Pere," she replied, hugging him tightly, "Je te aime."

"Je te aime aussi ma fille," he replied as he pulled away, accepting her kiss on his cheek, "Now go, don' keep the man waiting."

She nodded, hearing the double meaning of his statement. She turned and headed to her brother who stood watching her stay goodbye to their father.

"Pere okay, 'chere?" he asked, taking a drag from his cigarette before dropping it and crushing it underfoot.

"Oui. Just sharing some wisdom, as always," she replied, "See you back at the mansion?"

"I'll be right behind you and lover boy," he replied with a glance toward Logan who scowled in return.

"Bye Gambit," Ororo told him, giving him a brief hug before heading toward Logan.

"Ready to go?" Logan asked, having heard her conversations with her father and brother but deciding to not discuss it right then. Time for that later, he thought.

"As ready as I ever will be," she told him as she looked back over at her father who waved.

"Don't worry, Ro. I'll be right there with ya," he told her, taking her hand and leading her up the platform.

Ororo accepted Logan's arm as she stood and they made their way down the platform to enter the hangar. The ride back to the mansion was a quiet one. A comfortable silence fell over the cabin as he guided them through the clear blue skies. She knew that Logan had heard the things that her father had told her but thankfully, he hadn't said anything about it. And if he had, it would have added another complication to an already complicated situation.

One thing at a time, she thought as Gambit joined them. Before they headed towards the door, Ororo pulled gently on Logan's arm to get his attention.

"Ro?" he asked, his voice causing Gambit to stop and turn to look back at them.

"I know this may be asking a lot, but I need the both of you to keep your composure during my interaction with Forge," she told them looking from one man to the other.

"What ya mean, 'chere? What ya not tellin' us?" Gambit asked, taking a few steps closer to her, his gaze concerned.

"I have my reasons as to why I will not share with you what happened just yet but I need your word that you will not interfere no matter what happens," she told them.

"Can't promise that, Ro," Logan told her, his words edged with anger.

"Do you not trust me to handle this situation alone?" she asked him, her free hand going up to cup his cheek.

"I'm not going to stand by and let that bastard hurt ya again," Logan replied, his resolve faltering as he gazed into her blue eyes.

"I assure you, he cannot hurt me any more than he already has," she told him, "Do it for me, my friend?" she pleaded softly, her eyes his undoing.

"Fine but the first thing ya do after is find me and tell me what the hell is going on. Deal?" he countered quietly, lifting his hand to gaze her cheek.

"Deal," she told him, sealing it with a kiss on his cheek. She turned to see her brother watching their exchange with a knowing smirk.

"Remy?" she asked, not liking the smug look on his face.

"I'm with Logan on dis one. Ya find Remy too and let him know what's going on," he told her before going to the door and holding it open, "After you, 'chere."

They walked through the winding hall, heading to the War Room to check in with the person on duty. Logan and Gambit entered first, greeting Scott and Jean.

"It's strange that you two came back at the same time," Scott told them without looking up, oblivious to the smile spreading across Jean's face.

"I think I had something to do with that," Ororo said, drawing Scott's attention.

"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle," Scott said, as he stood and walked over to hug Ororo.

"So ya finally admit it," Logan replied, unable to resist the easy jab.

Scott shot him a bird behind his back as he continued holding Ororo. "How did I not see you on the cameras?"

"A woman has her secrets," Ororo replied, winking at Jean and receiving a wink in return.

Catching the silent gesture, Scott rolled his eyes as Jean came over to hug her sister.

We were worried, Jean told her telepathically.

I know and am sorry about that. Is Forge still here?

Yes, he's with the Professor.

Does he know I'm here?

No. He's complaining to the Professor how inept we are in trying to track you down. He upset Hank so much that Hank locked himself in the lab, refusing to come out until he was gone.

Will you let the Professor know I'm here and would like to speak with Forge in private?

He knows and he says he can't wait to see you. Promise you won't be away this long again?

"I promise," Ororo replied out loud, needing to break the connection, "Please excuse me."

Ororo cast a glance toward Gambit and then Logan before heading toward the door.

"Remember our deal, Ro," Logan called out before she stepped into the hall.

"I will not forget, Logan," she replied not glancing back as she stepped through the automatically opened door and headed toward the elevator. The heartache she felt made each step she took seem heavier than the last but she preserved, knowing that it was only her anxiety.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the Professor's door. Steeling herself, she watched the doors open and looked up into the face of her husband.

"Ororo," he whispered.