The following months provided a calm, happy time for the residents of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Logan and Selene decided to stay permanently at the mansion, and had adopted teaching positions. Logan taught some History classes, as well as taking over Mechanics for Scott, while Selene took on a small English class. The couple happily, albeit rather tiredly, raised their infant sons, glad to finally have a home.
While simple lessons took place by day, a completely different type of study occurred at night. After classes got out, Selene went back to the suite to care for the children, while Logan joined Hank and Xavier in the subbasement. The trio focused on three pressing problems that concerned Logan and his young family. At times Logan and the Professor would examine his memories, trying to discern any clue as to who had captured them, and, more importantly, where they were holding James. Other times, Hank and Xavier would study the chip that had been removed from Selene, hoping it would yield some clue as to exactly what had been done to the couple during their time in the facility. Their third task, often the one that weighed heaviest on their minds, was what to do concerning Logan.
The feral mutant had still not yet recovered his healing capabilities after they had been drained on Liberty Island. Worse, Logan seemed to be weakening. Without his healing factor to compensate, his adamantium skeleton was literally weighing him down, making it harder for him to even walk, and leaving him physically exhausted. Though he tried to hide it, Hank and Xavier could tell that Logan was relying even more on his cane, and they wondered if even that would be enough to support their friend for much longer.
Finally, after months of study, Hank, Xavier, and Logan made a breakthrough concerning the chip they had recovered from Selene.
"It's a timer," Hank announced, wonder evident in his voice.
"So, what does it time?" Logan asked.
"Well, we know that the procedures in the facility were meant to produce class five feral offspring," Hank began, hearing Logan growl lightly at the technical categorization of his children, "tell me, Logan, have you or Selene ever felt an overwhelming, almost unnatural desire to… copulate?" The doctor finished, thankful that his blue fur hid any hints of a blush.
At first, Logan was confused by the question, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. "There have been a couple of times, I can't speak for Selene, but I know I went feral. It wasn't like the other times I'd gone berserk, though. Most of the time I get in dangerous situations, I get so mad that I just lose it and slice up anything I can reach. These two specific times, it was like animal lust," Logan swallowed, feeling a hint of arousal just remembering the feeling. He collected himself before continuing, "The memory is hazy, but it was like my skin was on fire, I wasn't thinking clearly. I felt like I was going to die, and that the only thing in the world was Selene. I just had to… you know… be with her…" Logan let the description trail away as he realized he was discussing his sex life with the two mutants.
"Logan," the Professor chimed in, "you say your memory was hazy. Why is that?"
"'Cause it wasn't me; it was the Wolverine." Logan responded.
"May I assume that 'Wolverine' is the name of your feral alter-ego?" Xavier asked.
Logan nodded, "All I remember is waking up with several days worth of flashbacks of me and Selene going at it like dogs in heat."
"Wait," Hank said quietly, running through a train of thought, "Could it be that simple?"
"Simple? What're you onto, Hank?" Logan asked.
"Logan, you said this hazy feral period has happened twice, do you remember when they occurred? Specifically, where do they fall in a timeline concerning Selene's pregnancies?" Hank asked hurriedly.
Logan faltered for a moment, his eyes wide, before answering, "Each time we lost it was a few weeks before we found out Selene was pregnant."
"It all makes sense. The chip is a timer that literally sends you and Selene into heat. If my assumptions are correct, you will have stayed in that state until Selene became pregnant, something I wonder if the heightened senses of Wolverine might have been able to detect?" Hank rambled.
"Uh, yeah, I guess so," Logan answered, still somewhat dumbstruck.
"And, if my timeline is correct, the timer will have been set to go off roughly six months after the previous birth, triggering the chemical release responsible for your amorous condition."
"Wait, why six months?" Logan asked.
"During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes vast physical changes to support the child," Hank explained, "If a woman were to become pregnant almost immediately after the birth of a child, particularly over multiple pregnancies so that she was almost perpetually pregnant, her body would become so overtaxed that it might cause harm to her or the child- especially if she were carrying multiples. Six months is a good allotment of time for the woman's body to return to some sense of normalcy."
"If your hypothesis is correct, Hank," Xavier began, "then would it not be logical to assume that this chemically-induced heat would occur again six months after the birth of the triplets?"
"Entirely likely, yes." Hank agreed.
"The boys will be six months old next week," Logan said darkly, "Selene's chip is out, so she might not go into it. But my chip is still in."
The room was silent as the three men considered the worrying possibilities.
"You gotta lock me up, Chuck," Logan said, desperately, "You gotta lock me up. You can't just send me away, 'cause I'll find her. I remember that feeling, and I know I'd swim oceans to find her."
"Impossible," Hank argued, "Without the release, you would remain in that hypercharged state indefinitely! At the very least, you'd go mad, if not die altogether."
"Well, if you can't leave it in, and you can't lock me up, then you've gotta take it out!" Logan demanded.
"Logan," Xavier tried to reason with him, "Without your healing factor, your adamantium plating will be hard to maneuver around. You could die."
"I don't care, I'm not going to hurt her." Logan growled.
"You would leave her, then? Widowed mother of your sons? You would abandon the search for James?" Hank asked.
"I think you should discuss this with her, Logan." Xavier said.
"Yeah, well, it's not always up to you, Chuck," Logan replied, "If you two think you can do it, I want it done tomorrow." There was a sense of finality in his tone that was not lost on either of his friends.
After a long pause, Xavier sighed, "Very well, Logan. We will make our preparations."
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AN: Finally got some answers out in this chapter, and more to come. There's so much to do and so many answers to give, I feel like this is more of a mini-arc in and of itself than filler. There's still a bit more to cover before we get to Arc 3 (which will deal with finding James and those that are holding him hostage). Thanks to everyone who's following the story, reviewing, favoriting, and putting on alert. I love y'all to pieces! Let me know what you think about what's going on! I crave your feedback, and love hearing your ideas. :)
Carlypso, Bridgette Potter, and kungfupandabear: Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad to hear the last chapter (particularly the steamier parts) was so well liked. I'm also glad that Selene finally got her sight back, being able to let her see Logan and her babies was really special for me. Also, I forgot to mention this in the last chapter, but thank you/congratulations to Bridgette Potter for giving the 200th review. Woohoo! That's an exciting milestone, and I'm really grateful to everyone who's reviewed to help me reach this place. Y'all are the best! :)