"Shadow!" Storm exclaimed, embracing the girl as she strolled back into the school. Shadow gave Storm a big hug, allowing herself to be comforted by the woman.
"Where have you been?" Storm asked. "We've been worried sick."
Shadow looked back at Logan, who was standing in the doorway. "I'm sorry," she said, turning back to Storm. "It won't happen again."
Storm smiled warmly. "C'mon, I bet you're starving," she said, placing her arm around Shadow's shoulder and walking with her towards the cafeteria.
Logan walked inside to where he found Scott and the professor standing in the hallway.
"What happened?" Scott asked him.
"She was strong," Logan answered. "Stronger than I would have been." He looked back at Shadow and Storm. "I don't think she needs my protection anymore. She's going to be okay."
Scott walked away, not saying anything. Logan looked after him, confused at his reaction.
He then looked down at the professor, who was beaming back at him. "She'll make a fine X-men someday," the professor told him.
Logan patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah, but let's give her some time to be a student yet. She's due for a break." The professor agreed and began pondering the next student he could get Logan to help out with.
A month later, Logan was watching the news on television in the common room when his jaw dropped.
"Yesterday, a massive fire broke out at Shamco Oil Company's headquarters in Virginia," the reporter said, a photo of a completely demolished building burning in the background. "Fortunately, no one was hurt but the oil containers exploded, destroying everything inside the building. Sources say this damage will cripple Shamco's Company, costing President Donaldson millions of dollars in product and revenue."
Logan jumped up and went to find Shadow. He didn't have to look far, for she was running towards him.
"Did you do this?" Shadow exclaimed.
Logan looked confused. "No, did you?" Shadow shook her head. They stared at each other for a moment, bewildered. "I guess it was just an accident," Logan said.
Shadow nodded, a small satisfied smile crossing her face. "Guess what goes around comes around," she commented, walking away a little taller. Logan agreed. He stood there a moment, pondering what could have happened. Suddenly, something flashed in his mind. He turned to Nightcrawler, whom he saw walking…well, creeping…in the halls.
"Hey, where's Scott?" Logan asked him.
"Mr. Summers is in the garage," Nightcrawler told him. "He just got back from his camping trip."
Logan nodded and ran towards the garage. He saw Scott sitting on his motorcycle, staring at the ground, a little bit out of breath.
"Scott," Logan greeted casually. Scott stood up, a little too quickly.
"Logan," he answered, rubbing his hands on his pants.
"How was camping?" Logan asked. He didn't hear Scott's answer, though, because he was too busy noticing the stains of ash on Scott's pants and his burnt jacket arm.
Logan looked back at Scott. "Scott, what did you do?"
Scott shrugged. "I don't know what you mean."
There was silence between them for a moment. Logan motioned to Scott's ensemble. "You might want to change before anyone sees you."
Scott looked down at his pants and his breath caught. He slowly looked back at Logan, realizing he knew. "He deserved worse than his business crumbling," Scott said strongly.
Logan just nodded.
Scott studied him for a moment. "Are you going to tell anyone?" he asked quietly.
Logan shrugged casually. "Tell them what?"
Scott sighed.
Logan smiled, shaking his head.
"What?" Scott asked wearily.
"Nothing," Logan said, grinning. "I always thought you were such a goody two shoes."
"Disappointed?" Scott asked.
"No," Logan answered. "Impressed."
Scott smiled slightly. Logan patted him on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's get a beer."
THE END
