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"Come on, pack your gear," Drachen looked up from her magazine as Logan slipped through the door into their current accommodation. This place really wasn't so bad, not like the last few, she hadn't even seen any bugs yet.

"Now? But its just gone eight out," she protested, confused.

"Yeah, which is why we're leaving. I made contact with Westchester and got given my marching orders," Logan's lips curled at the statement, but at least the request had stung less coming from The Professor, "We'll be traveling at night from now on to avoid our new friends," Logan was more concerned about the latter then he was letting on. They had escaped one abduction attempt by sheer luck, next time things they might not be so lucky. Even he could be taken down if the Brotherhood, or what ever they were calling themselves now, hit them with enough men.

"Great," Drachen muttered to herself, putting down the trash-mag, "I'm liking these nutters less and less." She headed towards the small bathroom to pack her few toiletries. After Logan had put her mind to rest about the fact that these mysterious X-Men were picking up the tab, she felt justified and buying some better quality hair products, even if they had only been from a convenience store. Drachen felt Logan move up behind her and hesitantly wrap his arms around her body. She leaned back into his embrace with a small smile. Things hadn't progressed much beyond what had occurred in the shower the other night, and they were both taking it slow. Logan was citing Drachen's injuries as the reason, but she thought that there was more then that. Regardless of the excuse Drachen was content not to push him for now. These spontaneous shows of affection were rare, and she always had the feeling that he was expecting her to protest every time he touched her.

"We should be there in about a week, give or take a few days," he mumbled into her neck. "It's not too bad there you know?" he offered coaxingly "The beds are nice, foods good. Better then these rat shit motels we been stayin' in."

"And the people?" Drachen queried with a raised brow.

"Yeah, I suppose they aren't too bad either, a bit self-righteous and anally retentive with their prissy god damn hair," he said with a smile, thinking of One-Eye's over styled locks "But you probably couldn't find a nicer bunch a people." Logan finished, tugging absently on one of Drachen's wayward scarlet curls.

"You sound like you miss them," Drachen stated quietly

"Me? Miss those do-gooders in spandex. Hell no!" Logan protested, "There might be one or two I could stand to say 'hello' to though…" he conceded gruffly. Drachen smiled at Logan in the mirror, turning to kiss his cheek and then moving to kiss his lips. She felt his arms tighten around her, pulling her flush against his chest and returning her tentative kiss with one of his own. All too soon his arms loosened. Logan looked down at her apologetically.

"Its not that I don't want to do this now darlin'," he said, "But we really gotta go." Drachen smiled, trying not to let the hurt of the rejection, however well meaning, show in her eyes.

"Let me just grab the rest of my gear," she said, slipping out of the loose embrace to grab her few remaining belongings.

…..

Drachen tried not to stare at her first glimpse of the mansion, but it was hard. The drive and gardens were impressive enough, with manicured laws and marble fountains, but she felt her jaw drop in awe as the mansion itself came into view. Their home in Washington had been large, and her parents were invited to all the best parties and had personalized parking spaces at the Country Club. But this here was wealth on a whole other scale. Logan rode right up to the entrance before he brought the bike to a stop with a smooth shifting of gears. They seemed to have warranted a welcoming committee made up of a preppy looking guy with red tinted sunglasses, a tall woman who was probably the mousiest red-head Drachen had ever seen, and a bouncing girl with streaks in her hair who despite the relative warmth of Westchester was covered head to toe in jacket, scarf, gloves, jeans and boots. She wasn't sure what to make of the group, but they apparently had no such qualms about them. Logan had barely cleared the bike when the bouncing girl was in his arms, her exuberant welcome running over the top of any conversation Logan was trying to make. The two figures on the stairs were smiling indulgently and not for the first time since this whole mess had started Drachen felt a pang of grief. She hadn't had much time for loneliness since meeting Logan, but now that they were here, surrounded by Logan's friends, it brought home to her just how much she had lost, and just how much she didn't know about Logan's world. He may not have spoken about them before, but there was real affection in his greetings towards his friends and she could tell that this affection was returned.

Turning Drachen started to unload the bike of their few belongings. When they had first started on this little road trip from hell Drachen had been unable to perform even the simplest of tasks. Now she could do anything from set up a rough camp in whatever insect-infested patch of ground Logan decided was perfect for spending the night on, to keeping the bike well tuned and in mostly running order. She grabbed a few things from under the seat and then unstrapped the saddlebags from their perches.

Drachen almost jumped when Logan's arm snaked around her waist and turned her towards a somewhat expectant crowd that had somehow gained a forth member. The white-hared dark skinned woman stepped towards the bike with a smile

"Drachen, welcome. We've been very much looking forward to having you with us," Drachen watched as the redhead's expression soured slightly at Logan's hand on her waist "We hope that you will be happy here for as long as you might like to stay," she finished. Drachen returned the woman's warm smile with a small one of her own

"It's Drake," she corrected politely "And I think its me who should be thanking you. I really appreciate you all taking me in like this," she added sincerely.

"Well, any friend of Logan's…" said the visor wearing guy with a smile. Drachen felt Logan's hand tighten on her hip at the hidden sneer in those words.

"Regardless," Drachen said, widening her smile and ignoring the veiled insult "I'm grateful for your hospitality." The dark skinned woman smiled again, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrent of tension in the conversation, "My name is Ororo, this is Marie," Ororo indicated the bouncing girl whose pep seemed to have wilted somewhat when Logan had embraced her, "On the stairs are Scott and Jean. Baring Marie, we all teach at the school." Drachen's brows wrinkled slightly in confusion

"Wait, this is a school?" Ororo laughed kindly and gestured that they should precede her

"Come inside and I'll explain all about it," Drachen almost protested as Logan ushered her forward, keeping their packs

"Go take the Grand Tour darlin'," he said lightly, moving towards Scott and Jean, "I'll catch you later," Drachen smiled and tried to shrug nonchalantly. Scraping a hand through her hair Drachen stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to Logan's bristled cheek. The look of veiled venom Jean shot her was worth the effort of the unaccustomed display of public affection. Giving her curls a final shake she turned to follow Ororo into the mansion. Marie seemed torn between staying to talk to Logan and joining the tour. A somewhat pointed look from Jean seemed to convince her that the tour was a better idea. Drachen gave a mental snort at the subtlety. It looked like the 'adults' wanted to talk.

"So," Scott said when the small group had entered the mansion "You've obviously gotten close," the insinuation in the comment was unmistakable. Logan repressed a growl, not liking the way the one-eyed prick was eyeing up his girl.

"Close enough," Logan replied guardedly; eyes caught by Scooters newest 'toy'. The vintage Porsche had been given pride of place in the garage, its silver paintwork almost glowing under the lights. Logan's fingered itched to take it out for a spin. Scott meanwhile, was goaded by Logan's lack of response

"She's a little young for you Wolverine, or is that how you like them now days?" Scott shot back "Couldn't find a woman your own age that'd put up with you, so you had to rob the cradle?"

"Seems I remember a comment about me being older then the professor at one stage," Logan shot back "If that's the case, everyone on the planet is 'a little young' for me." Logan smirked "Don't see why I shouldn't capitalize on the situation as it stands,"

"Boys," Jean interrupted with a slight frown "Can't you wait at least ten minutes before you start baiting each other?" she scolded, even though she felt similar to Scott about the situation. It really wasn't right for Logan to be using a young girl this way.

"You look thinner," Jean commented, her voice showing her concern. Logan pulled his eyes away from the classic car. He shrugged

"Not so much," Logan argued, rubbing the back of his neck. "My old room still here?" he asked, changing the subject. Jean smiled

"Of course, just the way you left it. Minus the dirty laundry of course," Jean added

"Hey, I was keeping those clothes," He argued with a grin. Jean wrinkled her nose attractively as Scott rolled his eyes. "They were special," Logan added. Jean laughed as she leaned forward and embraced him. Logan, ever quick to take advantage of a situation, returned the hug

"It's good to have you back Logan," Jean said. The look on Scott's face was priceless

"Yes, Logan," He said mimicking Jean, though too quiet for her to hear "It's so good to have you back." Logan smirked at Scott over Jean's shoulder and released a claw, flipping him the bird while making up to his wife.