Kitchie ran as fast as he could down the corridors of the sleeping institute. It was all he could think to do, he didn't want to face Mark, to see anyone, and he just wanted to be alone. Things were better when he was alone, he could just not think. He didn't have to pretend or face questions, he could just hide away. He didn't know where he was going, but anywhere would do.

He found himself reach a dead end, the corridor ended and lead only to the South Lounge area. He slowed down and walked inside. It was lushly decorated and full of the TV's much like the lounge he normally went to. But it was much smaller, without the vending machines and sofas. It also strangely smelt of smoke.

"You alright kid?" Said a voice behind him, Jake spun round in surprise to find the stranger he had seen on the mission sitting by a small table not far from the door with a glass in his hand. A bottle of amber liquid sat on the table, next to the remains of stumped out cigar. Jake smiled politely before heading for the door.

"You look like you need to sit down." The stranger said. "Here, pull up a seat."

Not wanting to offend the rather scary looking man, Jake obeyed, though made sure not to make eye contact as he sat opposite him. The man poured some of the liquid in the glass and slid it over to him. Jake eyed it up, not entirely sure what it was meant to be. The smell of it burnt the hair in his nostrils and so he could tell that it probably wasn't apple juice.

"Try it, but its best not to sip it, just drink it all in one go." The man said. Jake looked unconvinced at it, how bad could it be, he wondered. Then again, he had once tried a taste from one of Quinn's secret drinks and the liquid from that made him sick. She said it was vodka, and that it was a gift from her cousin. He thought it was more like bleach.

"Trust me; with the way you look, it might help." He added. Jake took a deep breath and grabbed the glass. He brought it up to his mouth and drank, slowly, allowing it to pool briefly at the back of his throat before it glided down. At first his mouth tingled, but then it began to burn, leaving a trail of agonizing pain wherever the liquid touched. He was thrown into a fit of coughing and spluttering, which seemed to amuse the stranger.

"I told you not to sip it." He said as he began to pat the boy on the back whilst smirking. After a minute or two Jake stopped coughing and the pain subsided. He was left with a stinging tongue and a foul taste in his mouth, but oddly he wanted more. As if sensing what Jake was thinking the man reached over and poured slightly less liquid than before into his glass. This time Jake followed what the man said, throwing back the drink without letting it linger in his mouth. The pain returned, but was less intense than before and he only coughed for a few seconds.

"I think you've had enough after this glass." The stranger said as he added more liquid. "It's your first time, and a little frame like yours can't handle too much brandy. I don't want to get you drunk. So then, why are running around late at night? Something's obviously wrong."

"I err, I don't know, trying to get away I guess." Jake said before throwing back the drink, this time he only pulled a pained face before settling down.

"From what?" The man asked.

"From, I don't know." Jake said, feeling slightly dizzy. "From everything."

"I knew a man who ran from 'everything' once." The man said before taking a mighty swill of the whiskey straight from the bottle. "Trouble was, everything kept following him. Eventually he couldn't run no more and everything caught up with him."

"I'm a fast runner." Jake said back, he felt the dizziness turn to an odd buzz over the course of a few seconds.

"You probably are, but it's harder to keep running than just stop and take it." The stranger retorted.

"Sorry, I never asked who you are." Jake said, looking straight at him for the first time.

"Logan, or Wolverine if you prefer." The man replied, taking another drink from the bottle. "And you're Jake, I was told about you on the flight back from Vegas. So tell me Jake, why are you running."

"Because it feels easier, I tried to pretend, but that didn't work. I tried to deny it, but in the end, nobody was fooled, so I ran." He said casually.

"You could face up to your problems." Logan suggested.

"But I'm afraid what we happen if I do." Jake said in a more somber tone.

"The way I see it, you're plainly not happy like this, so why not just let what happened happen." Logan asked.

"It's not that simple, there are things in my past I never want to think about again." Jake replied, beginning to feel the fear returning.

"You know Jake; life is full of painful memories. Things happen that you don't want to remember because you're afraid the feelings will be too painful." The man said. "But if you don't deal with them, they'll ruin the good times."

Jake paused, listening to what was being said. It made perfect sense to him, perhaps he should stop running, and it wasn't making him feel any better. He'd hid for too long, it was time he faced up to what was happening. Jake wondered why it was suddenly so clear, then Logan took another drink and it suddenly became obvious where his new-found confidence had come from.

"I need some advice." He said slowly. "I, I think I'm gay. Is that bad."

Logan stopped mid-swig and stared in shock at the boy. He lowered the bottle from his lips slowly and placed it on the table before sitting back quietly.

"What makes you think it's bad." He said carefully.

"I, I was always told it was wrong." Jake said. "That it wasn't natural."

"Jake, I'm pretty sure it aint natural to be able to turn your body into super glue, does that make you wrong?" Logan asked, Jake frowned looked away. "I meant do you feel unnatural.'Cause if it don't then it aint."

"I don't know." Jake said before looking straight into Logan's eyes. "It feels strange; I don't know what it feels like."

"Jake, there you are." Jake looked around to see the familiar sight of Mark behind him, looking worried as usual. But it was more than that, he looked drained and unwell. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"Sorry, I just needed to get away, I'm sorry." Jake replied.

"Don't be." He said, he seemed to see Logan for the first time, and then he noticed the bottle. "Have you been drinking?"

"Not as such, a harmless amount." Logan said as he got up. "But it had the intended effect; you seem much more relaxed Jake. Now, I'll leave you two alone, I have a feeling you'll be needing to talk."

He sauntered off out of the door leaving the two boys facing each other in silence. Mark pulled out the chair Logan was sitting on and sat himself in front of Jake.

"Since when did you start drinking?" Mark asked with a slight smile.

"Since I started hanging out with strange men." Jake replied, which sent Mark into hysterics. A questioning look told his that Jake hadn't intended to make a joke, which seemed to make it funnier.

"Has my kiss sent you that far over the edge?" Mark asked with a smile, but Jake looked even more confused. "Can we talk, without you running away?"

"Yeah, I don't want to run anymore." Jake said confidently. Mark didn't know whether this was Jake or the alcohol talking, but it didn't matter. If Jake was ready to talk, he was ready to listen.

Mark began by asking him about why he seemed so depressed all of a sudden. Jake explained how the Baseball game had brought back memories, which lead to him reciting the incident the first time he used his powers. Mark listened intently, offering supporting comments where needed but generally just staying quiet and looking friendly. Jake went on the orphanage, how he felt isolated and was bullied. Mark wanted to press him about what he had said earlier, about the man, but decided against it. Finally, Jake explained how he had been affected by the recent events. He had been overwhelmed by it all, seeing Jubilee get shot, hearing how badly wounded the others were, it scared him. Jake sat looking at his hands throughout, occasionally glancing up to see Mark's warm smile.

"I'm sorry." He said once he finished. "I've been selfish, all I've thought about is me, and you must think I'm stupid or something."

Mark shifted closer and put his hand on his shoulder. "No I don't, I've been worried. I miss the old Kitchie, the one I couldn't shut up. The one with the silly smile. I understand that some of that was a cover, but I liked seeing you happy."

"It wasn't a cover when I was with you." Jake said quietly, his lips finally curling into a small smile.

"I'm glad. But there's something you still haven't told me about." Mark said, his stare becoming slightly more serious. "You don't have to, but I'd like to know what happened."

Jake bit his lip and froze for a moment. Finally he nodded, before saying "OK, I'll tell you"...

XxXxX

A/N Cliffhanger, but not for long, I'm writing the next chapter now, so it'll be up by the time you read this.

I got tired of Jake running away, and didn't want to repeat everything I already wrote, I hope you like it. What happened to Jake in the orphanage is not graphic, but still quite sad. Hopefully it'll make sense and you'll like it.