A/N: OK, this is it: the final chapter. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I really appreciate and thank-you all for your most encouraging reviews. So sometimes my odd ideas are worth it after all, (qv chapter one) :D I'm still writing, though my next effort will eventually be posted in the Spider-Man section (as are most of my other fics). Thanks again and take care.

Kerewin: Don't die, please! Not a staunch reviewer like you... :) I like your second suggestion, but you know, once Wolvie's a male again, dang if the ol' testosterone don't kick in again, heh. Oh well...

Stormie04: Oh no! What is it with you lot dying on me? LOL. Look alive, here's the last chapter!

summers2004: Thanks. I did think long and hard about the romance thing (and fyi, it was almost Logan and Kurt...). Perhaps another time?

TheWolf: The last instalment for your reading pleasure :)

silvergryffin: Sorry, I couldn't resist it - it was such a good place to break, heehee.

giveGodtheglory: Did I get it right? I don't know that I'll write any more Wolverine (at least not any time soon). I'm about to shred any rep I may have to pieces, but I'm afraid I'm a spider-geek at heart, though it was fun to dip a toe in a different pool, LOL.

Ice Lynx: I've finished, I've finished! Call off your attack of the saccharine stuffed toys. :)

Cheers, and Ka Kite Ano,

Apteryx

************************************************************

Chapter 21: Saying A Fond Farewell

"Wait." Logan leant her head back to avoid being touched; she'd had an idea. "Can ya - do your magic touch thing before bedtime? I've got stuff ta finish before getting back ta m'normal self."

"Sure. Whenever," replied Charles, not at all concerned. Hank raised his brow in astonishment at Logan though.

"I never thought I would witness the day when you were at all dilatory about this - I am indeed amazed at your reticence."

Logan growled faintly in her throat. "Don't be," she said shortly, "I just want to set someone straight about somethin'... Anyone else know your control's this far advanced?" She turned to Charles.

"Nup. The Prof might, but he doesn't strike me as a babbler."

"Hell no." Logan stood up. "See ya later. An' thanks."

And she left, leaving Hank still worried about her reaction.

Some time later, Logan entered the darkened rec room, one of the last places in her search for Scott Summers. He was there in the burgundy shadows, in a chair in the corner, reading a book, with a single standard lamp shining over his shoulder to provide illumination.

"So, where's Jeannie tonight?"

Scott shrugged his shoulders at Logan's question, then put his book down with a sigh, careful not to lose his place as he did so.

"What do you want, Logan?"

She held up her hands in supplication. "Want? Want? I don't want anythin'. Well, maybe a beer'd go down well, but I'm not complainin' mind." Logan dumped herself into the chair opposite, draping a leg over the arm, and leaning back, stretching with her arms over her head. She couldn't see Scott's eyes behind his glasses, and the light put his face in shadow, but she had no doubt he was watching her intently.

"A tiger doesn't change its stripes," said Scott testily.

"O'course it don't. I ain't a tiger." She paused. "Instead, I'm a woman. An' it looks ta stay this way for a while. If ya want ta find out how much I've changed, go ask Kurt."

Both of Scott's eyebrows rose above his glasses.

"An' keep your mind out of the gutter. I dunno, I've... mellowed somewhat..."

"The Wolverine, mellowed? This I got to see. What have you been into - something your healing factor can't kick out quickly enough?"

A low growl came from her throat. Dammit. It's not going to work if you let him get your back up...

"Dammit, Scott. I'm tellin' ya... I'm tryin' ta tell ya I've changed. I even got somethin' for you. I was goin' ta give you one of m'bikes, but if yer ain't interested..."

Scott sat up straight. "What, no kidding? You're serious?"

"Damn straight. Y'know the Harley Knucklehead? It's yours."

"You mean it - you are serious." Scott was very still; if he were a telepath, he'd be at this moment trying his damnedest to scan how truthful Logan was. But as he wasn't, whatever he got from Logan's tone of voice and her stance, was enough to reassure him.

"It's in the garage."

"Uh, I'm sorry Logan, I misjudged you."

"'S alright." She pulled herself out of her chair, yawning. "I'm off ta bed. See ya."

Logan brought a hand up to her mouth as if smothering another yawn, but she was hiding a smirk as she watched Scott oh so casually pick his up his book again, as if he wasn't about to jump up as soon as she left the room and race off to the garage to slobber over his gift.

She made her way quickly to Charles' room and waltzed in without knocking. Charles was sitting at his desk, reading and trying to stay awake while he waited for Logan to arrive.

"What kept you? Saying a fond farewell to all your boyfriends?" He spoke without thinking through his tiredness. Logan realised this and lucky for him, decided to ignore the comment.

"Where's Hank? Didn't he want to witness this too?"

"Nah. He only told me to keep out of your way while you transformed again - something about hormones and male markers and I couldn't understand the rest..."

Chuckling, Logan came to stand in front of him.

"D-do you have to prepare yourself first or something?"

"Not much ya c'n do ta prepare yerself for pain, kid. Oh, flamin' hell, let's just get it done, eh?"

Charles stood up and stretched his hand out towards Logan's cheek.

"Wait!"

She had forgotten her belt. She loosened it - getting cut in half wasn't first on the list of her priorities once she was back to her normal self.

She met Charles' gaze; his eyes held some apprehension as he touched her cheek with his finger.

Logan knelt on the carpet and closed her eyes as she felt the hot and cold flushes start travelling over her body once more. She was aware of Charles prudently moving away, before the pain overwhelmed her.

It had worked; his sex was his own. Logan heaved a sigh of relief and staggered to his feet. He was nowhere near as disoriented as he had been when he had become a woman - he suspected it was because he had lived his life, apart from the last few weeks, as a male; it was imprinted on his psyche. He straightened up to see Charles' pale face watching him from the safety of the other side of his bed.

"Sorry kid," he said gruffly, "It's rather graphic, ain't it?" He patted his pockets, searching for a cigar. Charles took a breath and hopped over his bed to sit on it, still staring at Logan.

"I..." he started to say, rubbing his forehead with the back of a hand. "I thought you'd be taller..."

Logan growled; he'd have to put up with short jokes again. He knew that Charles hadn't really seen him as he actually was before his initial change, so he flagged his automatic threat response of claws extended. He found a cigar and tore the wrapping off, taking an appreciative sniff of the aroma as he placed it in the corner of his mouth. This was more to keep him busy and avoid looking at Charles, who was still in discomfort. Not that Logan was much better at this sort of thing. He started the pocket search again, this time for matches. Not finding any, he mumbled an excuse and turned to leave the room.

"Thanks would be nice..." Charles took a deep breath, and grinned when Logan turned back, scowling mightily. Fierce eyes stared into the boy's for a moment; then, with a chuckle, Logan relaxed.

"OK kid, I owe ya one. Happy now?"

"Can you show me the Danger Room? No-one's shown me it yet, but I hear all about it. I'm dying to see it."

"You're on. Jus' let me get m'gear from my room." It was about time he had another session - he needed to work out any kinks, get adjusted back to his body again. He was inordinately pleased to be back to his own uniform as well. One thing about his recent experience; he now had a unique understanding of women that very few men had ever had.

Less than a minute later, they were going down the stairs heading for the elevator down to the lower levels. Almost at the hidden panel, Logan paused, hearing a sound. Pretty soon, even Charles could hear it too, as it increased in volume. It was a cry of anguish emanating from the direction of the garage.

"What's that?" asked Charles, watching Logan, who evidenced no alarm, but instead just stood there with a grin broad enough to show sharp looking incisors.

"Cyclops not likin' the gift I gave him," said Logan, amused, then continued sauntering down the corridor of the Mansion.

*************************************************************