Author's note: I'm back and am very sorry for not posting and updating for so long. I've been having some computer issues and haven't been able to write much at all. But I am trying to get back into writing and will do my best to update more often. A big thank you to all my readers and followers, you help me to keep writing! I love and appreciate you all! As always – I only own my OC family, which is Sammie/Foxy and her kids (the pack), and my amazing co author ImMyOwnDefender owns a few other OC's that will also be making appearances very soon. I hope you enjoy the chapter~

Chapter 7

Xavier Institute

Third Person POV

Since Charles's accident, Jean knew that she had to go and check out Cerebro. As far back as she could remember, not once had it actually hurt the Professor. She wanted to check it out and see if there was any chance that it may have had a system failure or perhaps if it was sabotaged. She was really hoping that it wasn't, but with what was going on with Magneto… she really wouldn't be surprised.

As she looked things over, she found an extra part, filled with some sort of dark liquid. She had no idea what it was, but she knew one thing for sure – it didn't belong there. She hooked the machine back to the way it was supposed to be and braved up to try and put on the helmet. Even if she wasn't as strong as the professor, she knew that she had to give it a shot. She had a strong belief that she was the only one who could attempt to use it.

There was one other person – the institute's guidance counselor, Miranda, who also had telepathic abilities, but her and Jean never got along. Miranda would always be the last person that Jean would turn to for help. Well… her and Gabby… The kid just seemed to hate her, for no reason. Then again – most of Samantha's kids seamed to prefer to ignore her and others, keeping to themselves. As Samantha, herself, assured Jean at one point – it wasn't anything personal, it was just what they were used to, growing up in a small town with little to no other mutants, except for other members of their family.

Jean took a deep breath and slowly lowered the helmet onto her head. She could hear Scott's voice behind her, but she chose to ignore it. She had to do this; she had to try and find Magneto.

Images, thoughts, voices filled her head. It was agonizingly painful, but she did however manage to get a good clue on where Magneto was going.

Liberty Island

Third Person POV

The guards really had no idea what was coming their way. Sabertooth, Mystique and Toad were, as always, loyally following Magneto's orders to take out the guards and start setting their plan in motion.

It was Mystique's job to deliver both the machine and Rogue to the base of the Statue of Liberty and she was making sure that the teen was securely chained up and wouldn't escape. Magneto sure was happy with how smooth things were going so far. He walked past Rogue and glanced up at the Statue.

"Magnificent," He said, admiring the view with a smile.

"I've seen it," Rogue said quietly, but with a hint of arrogance still in her voice.

"I first saw it in 1949. America was going to be the land of the tolerant," Magneto said with a bitter chuckle. "And peace."

"Are you going to kill me?" Rogue asked, looking nervously at the limp body of one of the costal guards on the floor of the boat.

"Yes…" Magneto said slowly, as he looked down at the girl.

"Why?" Rogue chocked out. She didn't want to die. She didn't want any of this to have happened in her life.

"Because there is no land of tolerance, no peace; not here or anywhere else. Women and children, their whole families destroyed because they were born different from those in power," Magneto said as he hovered over the teenager. "Well, after tonight, the world's powerful will be just like us. They will return home as brothers – as mutants. Our cause will be theirs. Your sacrifice will mean our survival."

As he said this, Rogue heard a growl and looked up and over her shoulder. There stood Sabertooth. For a moment, he was just staring at the girl. For a moment, an entirely different face appeared in his mind's eye. It was the face of someone from his past; someone who he could never just forget. The face of the girl that, years ago, he let get away.

Rogue resembled her enough, but for a split second, with her large eyes and dark hair. He growled under his breath, reminding himself that this was not his girl, but just a pawn in Magneto's plan. No, his girl would never be foolish enough to let herself get caught and used in such a way.

"I'll understand, if that comes as a small consolation," Magneto said to Rogue, then straightened up and turned to Sabertooth. "Put her in the machine. I'll raise it."

Xavier's Institute

Samantha's POV

"Magneto is here, Liberty Island," Cyclops said as he and the rest of the Xmen stood in their command room, trying to plan out their attack. "Now, presumably, his objective is to mutate the world leaders at the U. N. summit on Ellis Island." The table moved and projected the malleable clay-like shapes and figures.

I was standing in my usual spot, on Logan's one side, while Jamie stood at his other. Jamie had her arms folded, as she listened to the plan carefully. Her eyes were narrowed as she nodded her head, following along.

"And Magneto doesn't know that his machine kills. And judging from what the professor saw, if Magneto gave Rogue enough power," Storm frowned, hesitating for a moment.

"He could wipe out everyone in New York City," Jean finished for her.

"We can insert here at the Washington Bridge," Cyclops suggested as the map formed the location, "Come around the bank just off of Manhattan. We'll land on the far side of Liberty Island, here," he concluded.

"That's still government property, they're gonna know we're there," Jamie said quietly.

"Jem's right," Logan nodded. "What about Harbor Patrol? Radar?"

"If they have anything that could pick up our jet they deserve to catch us," Scott answered.

"And what about the Institute?" I asked. I couldn't help but think about more than just the mission. Most of the adults were planning to leave the mansion. Usually we would have the Professor staying behind, but not this time. "We can't all leave. Someone has to stay in charge, to make sure the kids are safe."

"Jace is here, and so is Miranda," Cyclops answered, "And Eben, he's got security covered."

"Miranda? Don't think I met her yet," Logan said quietly into my ear. "Or the other guy. Evan?"

"Eben. He's Miranda's son. Also a mutant and one you really wouldn't want to anger," I corrected Logan, in the same quiet whisper, as I glanced over at him. "And don't worry. You will, when we get back with Rogue."

"Jace's my brother, Miranda is mom's best friend and guidance counselor here. She's just waiting for a visit from Rogue when we get her back," Jamie answered, in addition to my own comment.

I couldn't help but chuckle at my daughter. I always did think that she had inherited my sass and a bit… or maybe a lot, of her father's sarcasm. I watched Storm slowly look from Jamie to Logan. To her it seemed interesting to watch both of their behaviors. Maybe she was onto me?

Jamie did have certain traits that she got from her father; especially her hazel eyes and around the chin. Her hair was definitely darker than mine. It was a much richer chestnut color, with just a hunt of amber. If Storm could see Jamie's resemblance to her father, it wouldn't be surprising.

"In any case Jace, Miranda and Eben can watch the mansion and we can go and retrieve Rogue," Jamie said calmly.

I nodded, feeling better after hearing that, "yeah, that's actually perfect. They will be able to keep the place safe while we're gone," I said with a small smile. I knew that my son, along with his cousin, Eben, were a good team and wouldn't let anyone get hurt.

Looked like we had a plan now. The mansion would be safe and protected, and they could fully focus on rescuing Rogue. I made sure to fill Miranda and the boys on the plan, then went to get ready for the actual mission. The rest of the X-Men did as well and we were soon aboard the ship and taking our seats.

"You actually go outside in these things," Logan said eyeing his suit while adjusting himself in his seat.

"Would you prefer yellow spandex?" Cyclops asked, with a smirk.

I walked past Logan in my own uniform. It was also a black leather one piece, except it was somewhat open in the chest area, showing just a bit of cleavage. I made sure to sit behind Logan and watched him stretch his arms in the suit, adjusting to it.

"Wrong size, love?" I asked quietly, in a voice low enough for mainly him to hear.

I chuckled, seeing Logan give me a look, after giving me an up down. Jamie cleared her throat, noticing this, "Really, you two?" She asked, making a face at us.

I just gave her a playfully innocent look in return. Jamie chuckled and shook her head at me in a kittenish way. At least she was used to me and my behavior.

It wasn't like we were doing anything too bad. We were just talking, quietly enough for only them, ferals, to hear. I had to admit that I really liked Logan in the tight suit. He looked good. It really wasn't our faults that we were this attracted to one another. It was our inner animal personas, the Wolverine and Fox, after all.

I watched Logan's back as he continued to stretch, and then poke his claws through the gloves of his suit, making holes in them, ahead of time. I found myself smirking and shaking my head. For some reason he was reminding me of an overgrown child that wasn't comfortable in the clothes that his parents forcefully dressed him in. Either way it was adorable~

Before we knew it, we started getting close to the Island, "Storm some cover please," Scott asked. Storm's eyes clouded over as she focused and summoned a sheet of fog for them to hide the jet.

I glanced over at Logan, sensing his anxiety. It seemed that he still didn't like flying. It was either that, or he was just really anxious to pick a fight again. The reason became pretty obvious when they landed rather roughly. Scott basically just dropped the jet onto the ground. Nope, it was flying after all. Poor thing… So much for a fearless hero.

"You call that a landing," Logan asked after Scott apologized.

I reached out from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Oh, come on now, it wasn't that bad," I said, lightly, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Logan seemed to lose a bit of his tension and nodded as he got up from his seat.

Jamie only walked past us smirking as the crew exited out.

"Come on, big guy, let's go," I said, as I patted his back, making him walk ahead of me. Logan let out a low laugh and continued walking towards the exit.

I walked behind him, smiling just a little. I felt good, knowing that I was once again by his side and he trusted me, as well as Jamie to support him.

It must be nice to have your mate, and a Federal Marshal have your back either way. And said federal marshal being your mate's daughter was just as good, especially since Logan got a chance to know her a little and already saw her as a pack member.

We stood at the base of the statue for a moment, looking up at her.

"The torch," Scott said to the rest of us, noticing that it looked different than usual. With that we hurried on our way.

Jamie POV

It sure looked like my parents were bonding again. As for me, I just couldn't wait to see my father in action again. The few times that I did see him fight, I had to admit that he was pretty amazing. And it did look like I was going to get my wish early.

As our team walked through the metal detector, no one managed to set it off, until it was Logan's turn. It only made him angry and he impaled it with his claws to get it to shut down. Scott stared at Logan, silently judging him and regretting taking him in the first place. He shook his head questioningly, while Logan just shrugged and retracted his claws, leaving just his middle claw out. Scott grinned, snickering to himself.

How could I not smirk widely at this? My dad just flipped Scott off! I knew Logan was awesome, but this much? I caught my mom looking over at us and chuckling. She probably just knew that if I had my dad's claws, then that would be exactly the same thing I would use them for. Both of us were tough and, I knew she remembered, me being a daddy's girl when I was little, it only made sense that I took after him; or that he was my role model, weirdly.

Jean rolled her eyes at the exchange exasperatedly, while Storm just stared at us for a moment and then went on her way. I couldn't help but feel that she was making conclusions about my dad, because of the similarities in our attitudes. At least the ones that she could see or tell, for sure.

Logan shrugged as he winked at me and my mom playfully. Mom chuckled, scrunching up her nose cutely at him. I felt like I was a kid all over again and was watching my parents flirt with each other. For a while I was the only one who found it cute, since my siblings were both boys and chose to ignore our parents' show of affection to each other most of the time.

Logan smirked, probably feeling good about himself again, as he walked on but stopped and frowned as he stepped forward, "There's someone here with us," Logan said lowly. "Where?" Scott asked. Logan sniffed the air and his frown deepened, "I don't know. Keep an eye open," he said walking ahead of them.

He held his hand up to keep them back. I looked over at my mother. She nodded and motioned for me to go with Logan. I knew that she probably wanted to go herself, but didn't want to look like she was just planning to tail Logan everywhere and be clingy. I nodded and followed after my father.

He turned around, looking surprised to have someone backing him up probably, but nodded, letting me do whatever I wanted. If I knew anything about my father, it was that with or without help, he knew he'd be fine. This was most likely the first time, in 15 years, he was ever around people like him and had his own pack, so he would have to get used to it.

He better not have any complaints about it.

"You smell that?" Logan asked me lowly.

I nodded at him. It was a familiar scent, but at the same time it wasn't. It could be a shapeshifter. Magneto did have one in his team, so we would have to be careful.

I let my careful nails morph into small but sharp claws. My fangs extended and I let out a low warning growl.

I moved closer to my father to cover his back. This way, hopefully, we wouldn't get separated. Luckily for my father, I know that I would be able to tell him apart from any other. Shifter or not. It was his scent - a mix of leather and tobacco, along with something else, which I was still trying to pinpoint. Motor oil?

Logan looked over at me and nodded, and motioned for me to follow him – he could hear movement. Footfalls that sounded familiar to what he believed were like his own.

"Shifter," I warned, under me breath. We would really have to rely on our senses now.

We heard a murmuring of voices and Logan must have sworn that he could hear his own. To me it definitely sounded like Wolverine. The shifter had joined the team disguised as him. It looked like he was going to attack Cyclops while the guy had his back turned. Logan ran at the Shifter tackling him away from Cyclops.

I followed after Logan, staying closely by his side. Their advantage was in numbers, and I also wanted to prove to my father that I could handle myself in a fight.

The shifter glared the both of us, then glanced in my direction and the glare turned venomous. Oh Mystique… After so long, she still hated me? It turned its head and sliced the hatch and the door slid closed separating the team. Up until now, I was so close to Logan, that I ended up in lockdown with him and the shifter that looked exactly like him. My mom however was on the other side with Storm, Jean and Cyclops.

Third Person POV

It was then they were ambushed by Toad who hurled Cyclops against an exhibition window, then knocked Jean down flat on her ass. Sammie chose to stay with Storm, knowing that Cyclops and Jean usually had each other's backs. Storm glanced at her and nodded. It was then Toad noticed her and approached her only to taunt her.

"Touch us with that tongue of yours Toad and you'll lose it," Sammie warmed darkly.

"Ooh~ can't wait to see if you'll follow through with it," Toad laughed then launched himself at Storm and Sammie.

Sammie quickly shifted into her fox form and jumped at Toad as well, fangs barred. Toad dodged her and swung out of her reach only to wrap his tongue around her leg and throw her up.

Two disadvantages to fighting Toad was that he was gross, and a slippery bastard.

Sammie barked at him, loudly, trying to wiggle out of his grip. He threw her against the wall and then charged for Storm

Sammie growled, barring her fangs and got back up onto her feet. She's been through worse than this after all. She wasn't going to let a few smacks keep her down. She tried to aim for Toad's ankles, to bite at them. It's a good thing while he was distracted. Toad shouted and kicked her off of him getting out of her hold.

Sammie was one determined fox~

With her eyes narrowed and her whole body crouched down, ready to pounce at any moment . Toad glared at her and was once again attacked by Storm. He really had no luck fighting two of the women until he ducked out then decided to attack the weakest link. He had blinded Jean with his slime and hopped off.

Sammie, still in her fox form, looked around, sniffing the air carefully. Toad wasn't gone, but still present it seemed, now it looked like he was trying to lure them into a trap.

Sammie made a snuffling noise of frustration with her snout, then turned her head to lick her side. Anything was better than tasting Toad.

Storm approached her, "Is he still here?" She asked softly.

Sam shifted back into herself and nodded, "keep your eyes peeled," she warned

Storm nodded and had just realized they were separated from Logan, Jamie, Jean and Scott.

"We should stick together," she agreed with her.

Sammie nodded firmly, "you got it, sister," she said, reassuringly.

Just then Toad surprised them with another attack sending Storm backwards into an elevator, another attempt on his part to separate Sammie and Storm.

"Bastard," Sammie growled lowly.

Toad advanced on her with a smirk.

Sammie narrowed her eyes, "fine, try me you slimeball."

Toad lunged at her once again going for a direct then sneak attack. Sammie kept dodging from him, trying to fight him off.

Just then the elevator flickered and opened with Storm levitating up and flying towards them as she summoned a strong wind to blow Toad out of an abruptly opened window.

"Don't you people ever die," Toad yelled struggling against the attack.

"Nope~" Sammie smirked

Storm smirked and successfully pushed Toad out the window. He flailed and tried to grab onto the railing with his tongue. Storm stepped out on the balcony, "You want to know what happens to a Toad struck by lightning?"

"Same thing that happens to everything else," Storm smirked and willed lightning to strike Toad down. And just like that Toad went down, and they were faced with two more opponents to get through to get to Magneto.

"Storm, you have a very strange sense of humor," Sammie said with a light chuckle, as they walked to join the others, "Just thoughts out loud."

Logan POV

I had to admit Foxy's kid was actually a pretty damn good fighter. Funny, never pictured myself as a team player before, but here I was. The shifter was tough, but working as a team Jamie and I were able to chase her off. Not that it was a good thing, cause we both knew we had to find her.

As Jem and I wandered the hallway, both on full alert, we heard footsteps.

"Logan? Jamie? Is that you?" Storm asked, slowly approaching us.

"Storm?" Jamie whispered to me, with hesitation. She then quickly shook her head after taking another sniff. The look she gave me said it all.

"Shh," I said sharply, as I sniffed the air as well. The kid should know Strom better and if she didn't trust this one, then neither would I. "The other one ain't far away."

"Come on, we have to regroup," Storm said to us, as she approached us. The closer she got the more certain I became that this wasn't the right one.

"I know, but there is one problem," I said, with my back still to the woman. When I knew she was close enough, I pushed the kid aside and lunged at Storm. My claws went through her skin with ease, as I growled, "You're not part of the group."

Both Jamie and I watched the shifter's eyes turn pure white, then her normal yellow. Her hair went from platinum blonde to a very dark auburn red. When she finally fell to the ground, she was her scaly, blue self.

Jamie nodded in my direction, "Good one. She's lucky that she decided to go for Storm's look and not my mom's. Don't know about you, but even if I knew it wasn't actually her, I'd never be able to raise a hand on someone with mom's face," she said quietly, as we started to look for the others.

The kid was raised right, for sure. She wasn't just a kid, but a feral 'pup' and her bond with her parents must be hell of strong.

I didn't think I could either, unless I was positive that it wasn't actually Foxy. Not one woman that I've met so far managed to grow on me like the red. I smirked to myself – she really was something and in more ways than one. But I couldn't start getting distracted now. Her and I will catch up after all this is over and Rogue will be safely back at the mansion in the company of the guidance counselor. Foxy's kid was right, Rogue would need tons of therapy after this.

The kid and I continued on our search for the rest of the team. When we finally met back up with them, Boyscout actually aimed his lasers at us.

"Hey, hey.. It's us," I said, fighting back a growl, as I held my hands up in the air. I didn't even realize that I took a step in front of Jamie, shielding her from the Boyscout, if he was actually stupid enough to fire.

"Prove it," Boyscout insisted, still keeping his guards up.

"You're a dick," I smirked at him, widely, making the kid behind me laugh. What else was I supposed to say, if I really did think exactly that about the 'team leader'?

"And I'm here as well," Jamie pointed out. "There's no way the shifter would get either one of us to bring her along."

"Okay," Boyscout nodded, and both him and Jean who was standing behind him, relaxed.

"Hey," we heard from overhead. There were Storm and Foxy, looking down at us. Jamie smiled at her mother, obviously happy to see that she was alright. Foxy gave her a nod, while Storm motioned for us to join them. This time both me and the kid were absolutely sure that that Storm was the real deal.

We started our climb up to the torch, to try and get to Rogue, but of course we knew it could never be that f*cking easy. We were so close, we could literally see both the torch and Magneto's devise, when I knew something was wrong. My body refused to move, even though I was straining every muscle in my body to do so.

"Everyone, get out of here," I warned them, as soon as I realized what this meant. That old metal bender was back and that meant I was a f*cking puppet in his hands. Like hell I'd let him get away with that.