Author's note: Also those of you that are not members here can leave a review. So please do it! ; ) Thanks to those who have reviewed the last chapter!!! : )

The problem with the login/review function had was really annoying…

Anyway, who else watched the Oscars? Our channel aired it but stopped after Hugh said good night, so we didn't get any trailers for upcoming movies here. : (



Oh, and after seeing the Oscars I might have an idea for a second part to "The Mutant from Oz". lol But I'm not so sure about it.



Thanks to all of you that took part in the poll!!!



Changes Sequel – II. Covenant Part 48

"Oh, damn!" Northstar cursed after he realized where he was and especially how late it already was again. He sat up to glare at his watch and ran a hand through his tousled hair. "Not again…," he mumbled and pulled the duvet aside. "I told you to just kick me out of bed!"

"And I told you I don't fucking care if you're here or not," Daken grumbled next to him. "You wanted me to show you the moves, so get up before I change my mind!" he added and walked over to the door behind which he disappeared shortly afterwards.

Jean-Paul sighed and got up, still tired and tensed. It was a really bad habit of him to fall asleep on other people's beds as soon as he felt warm and comfy. Especially on Daken's bed that was it. He had stuck to his words that the feral shouldn't be alone all the time and the two of them had built up a rather strange routine, which consisted of just sitting together in silence, while each of them was reading a book, watching a movie together or working out together. Nevertheless, he fell asleep in the feral's bed every time before he could get back to his own room. It was dangerous, Jean-Paul knew that, but he couldn't help it. Warm and comfy meant he fell asleep, no matter where and on whom it was. He thought he could still hear Logan complaining about it in the cabin…

After he had stretched he slowly left the room and, of course, ran into said man on the outside who gave him an odd look. "Don't ask, okay?" Northstar mumbled and closed the door behind him. "Just don't ask, Logan!"

"Yer an item now?!"

Northstar cringed. That was exactly the question he'd expected… "No!"

"Then why is it the sixth time I catch ya leavin' his room?!" Logan asked and crossed his arms, the eyebrow still higher as high.

"I fell asleep, okay?"

The feral rolled his eyes. "That's the reason I never let ya drive, kid!" he grunted and turned to leave.

"You're going somewhere?"

"Yeah."

"Care to share?"

"Chuck wants t'update the security system'n Forge said he doesn't know what else he could do t'update it. So…," Logan said and sighed. "I'm tryin' t'find the damn phone now t'make a phone call. Did ya see it?"

Northstar shrugged. "Jubilee had it just yesterday."

"Great," Logan growled and reached for his cell phone. "That means I can pay for the call myself. Thanks a lot, Jubes…"

"Hey, you have a Blackberry?!" Jean-Paul noticed agape. "Why do you have a Blackerry?!"

Frowning at him, the feral remained silent for a moment. "Coz Jeannie wanted me t'have a stupid phone because of the kids. That's why!"

"That's so unfair…," Jean-Paul sulked and remembered that he still had something to do. "Gotta go. See you later!" he said and jogged towards the gym, in which Daken was already beating up a punching back. "Sorry!"

"Stop talking and warm up!" Daken growled and didn't bother to stop his punches and kicks.

When they were on the judo mats minutes later, he tried to explain the basic moves, kicks and punches with as few words as possible, before he let Jean-Paul try them. "If you do it like that, you'll never be able to throw me," he sighed.

"Why not?" Northstar asked, confused and still held onto Daken's arm.

"Your hip has to be attached to mine. You lift me over your back with it," the feral replied and pressed their hips together, picking up on the changes in breathing and heart beat. "Now, you go down a bit and lift me over your back." A second later he landed rather awkward on his back. "You throw like a girl!"

"I'm new to this…," Jean-Paul shrugged.

"No, you don't focus!" Daken replied and looked aside when the door opened and his siblings entered, all dressed in work out clothes. He frowned at them and his eyes narrowed as Logan followed next. Both exchanged a brief look only. Since the accident they had gotten out of each others way as good as possible and if it was up to Daken, it could stay this way. "What are they doing?" he asked and watched how Lily and Jack and Rachel and Laura stayed together and listened to what Logan told them, then began to warm up.

"He teaches them martial arts," Jean-Paul said and watched the children with a smile.

Daken huffed and gave him a push. "Go on and focus!"

"I do focus!"

"No, you don't!"

"How can you be so sure that I don't focus, huh?" Northstar demanded to know and received a look that spoke volumes.

"It's not my heart that's racing," Daken mocked and rolled his eyes when his opposite looked down a bit flushed. "Try again and concentrate this time!"

From the corner of his eyes Logan watched the interaction between his son and Jean-Paul for a while with a heavy frown on his face. He wondered how Northstar had gotten Daken to first, talk to him, second, stay with him and third, work out with him in the first place…

"I told you he has at least a bit of respect for him, Logan."

"Whatever, Chuck."

"And I believe it's good for Daken to interact with at least someone."

"He ain't used t'it. What if he snaps and hurts or even kills Paul?"

"I doubt he will, Logan. I didn't pick up on any dark thoughts of him lately… Oh, and he is looking for the third volume of Shakespeare's tragedies, if I am not mistaken you still have it?"

Logan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I still got it somewhere… Tell the Furball I hate him!"

He heard Charles chuckling in his head. "Logan, it wasn't Hank who told me about you reading Shakespeare. It was actually your wife."

He growled. "She's off my birthday list…"

"Anyway, did you reach him?"

"Yeah, I did. He'll come over later."

"Good. Thank you, Logan."

"No problem, Chuck."

"Daddy?" Rachel whined and he chuckled as he realized that she and Laura were a mess of legs and arms on the ground.

"What did ya do, baby?" he asked and helped them both up again. "Yer not supposed t'tear each others limbs off."

Once more he showed them how the move worked and sat back down on the ground to watch them interacting with each other. He always had fun passing on his knowledge to his children and watching them try out what he had told them before. "Watch yer arm, darlin'," he told Lily and chuckled as she send her brother over her head. "Good work, baby."

"She cheated!" Jack sulked.

"I did not!" his twin pouted. "I'm just better than you!"

"So not!"

"Oh, yeah!"

"Hey, concentrate on yer task!" Logan reprimanded them gently and raised his head briefly to check on what Daken was doing. Seeing that the man still tried to explain how Jean-Paul could get better in hand-to-hand combat, he really wondered how Northstar had talked him into doing it… "Jack?" he asked and his son let go of Lily to look at him. "How did ya manage t'talk Daken into goin' t'the pool with ya?" he asked after the two men disappeared in the showers.

"I didn't," his son replied and earned a frown. "He said he didn't want to come and then Jubilee began to sing and he wanted to get out of the house as fast as possible."

Chuckling, Logan nodded. "I can understand him…" He turned his head to look at the watch. "Time for lunch, c'mon," he said and was about to get up as he was jumped by his children. Grappling with them playfully for a while and enjoying his children's laughter, Logan took hold of each of them with his arms and got up. "Gotcha!" he smirked and chuckled when they squealed.

"Not fair!" Jack complained as he was carried away like a package under his father's arms.

"So fair!" this one replied smirking and entered the kitchen.

"What are you doing with them?" Jean asked and watched him dropping the children off on their stools.

"He's kidnapping us, mommy!" Laura complained.

"Yes, I can see that," the redhead smiled and shook her head. "Had fun?" she asked and used her powers to pour them some juice, which they drank quickly and nodded while doing so.

"Wolvie?" Jubilee suddenly asked and went over to said man to hug him. "I know you love me very much and that you'd do everything to make me happy and…"

"In yer dreams!" Logan replied and cocked an eyebrow. "What do ya want, kid?"

"Well, Rogue and I decided that we have to buy our wedding gowns and you were chosen to drive us to the shop later today. Isn't that great?" For emphasis she grinned at him, knowing that she had just reminded him of his promise.

"When is later?" he grunted and cut the food for Jamie, before he put the plate in front of his son and placed a kiss to his head. "And eat with the spoon!" he warned him.

"After lunch actually," Jubilee replied and he shook his head.

"Won't work. Make it 3:30 p.m."

"But it will take some time, Wolvie!" she cried and pouted. "We have to look for a dress and try them on and…"

"How about tomorrow after breakfast then?" Logan cut her off before she could go on with her rant. "I can't leave today, sorry."

Skeptically, Jubilee began to scrutinize him and Jean. "You planned something with your wife, right?"

"No, I didn't!" he replied and sat down on his stool, feeling starved after not having eaten anything since breakfast. "Steak?!" he asked surprised and cocked an eyebrow at Jean, since the others had chicken. "Why steak?!" he demanded to know. Usually he only got steak for his birthday, on holidays or if someone wanted to apologize. When Ororo handed him a beer next, he knew why. "So ya think I accept yer apology when ya try t'blackmail me, huh?" he asked and began to chew on his food.

"I told you it was a misunderstanding and that I was sorry, Logan, and Jean said this would help," the weather goddess replied and sat down.

"Did she?" Logan grunted and gave his wife a cocked eyebrow. "Then she might have told ya that ya can't blackmail me, too."

"Oh, come on!" she cried and gave him a look, while he received a slap against his chest from his wife.

"Don't be so mean to her," Jean said and looked at Ororo. "He's not mad with you anymore, he's just making fun out of you."

"Is that true, mister?!" the white haired woman asked and he smirked. "I cooked a steak for you and you make fun out of me?"

"I'm just patient'n knew Jeannie would tell ya t'do so. That's all!" Logan grinned evilly and she pointed a finger at him.

"You….are evil!"

"I know, darlin'. And guess what? I enjoy it!" he replied and went on eating his stake with a passion that only a man was capable off. In between he downed his beer and kept on telling his youngest to stop eating with his fingers and use a spoon.

"No spoon!" Jamie protested and pulled a face when he pulled his plate away. "No, daddy!"

"Then stop eatin' like a pig!" Logan said and ignored the sulking as he handed him a spoon. While he listened to the chatting of the others and exchanged some sentences with Jean's father, he kept on watching Jean from aside which earned him odd looks from her.

"What?" she asked but he waved off, which made her frown even more and she wondered what he was thinking lately that he behaved that oddly. Jean started as Raven suddenly ran out of the room, closely followed by Scott.

"Thank God, ya never had to throw up that much," Logan grumbled and shook his head, before he waved at Ororo to hand him another beer, adding a wink.

"Impossible," the woman said and got up to get him one.

In the meanwhile Jean-Paul was still standing under the shower and let the water wash away the foam. His body was hurting in a good way, but he new he's have at least one bruise on his left shoulder. He sucked at rolling over it after being thrown. His hands ran through his dark hair and he lifted his head into the direction of the jets of water above him, just to startle in the next moment as he felt a hand touching his back.

"Stay like this," Daken growled in a husky voice right into his ear and he shuddered, while his heart was beating strongly and partially in fear.

"What do you want?" Northstar asked and tried to blink the water away that was still running over his face. He turned his head a bit just to see how Daken's dark eyes stared back at him and gave him once more the impression that a predator had just found his prey. Instead of replying the feral ran his hands up Jean-Paul's spine. "Daken…"

"Shut up!"

"Hey, let go!" Northstar said, slightly panicked, as hands grabbed his left shoulder and chest. It only took a second, a loud crack and a hiss from him before he was released again. "Damn, what did you do?"

"I relocated it. You must have pulled a muscle or nerve. You held your shoulder lower than the other one," Daken growled and still remained on the same spot while he watched how his opposite tried his shoulder and neck carefully. "If I wanted to kill you…, you wouldn't notice it," he added and received a look for the remark.

"Thanks…," was all Jean-Paul could come up with and rubbed his shoulder. He noticed that the feral's eyes were scrutinizing him. "What? Did I pull another muscle and you feel the need to relocate it?" he asked and turned around to switch off the water, as he was once more grabbed and held captive. His heart even gained speed, especially as Daken's breath stroked his neck and the feral's hand went lower.

"Maybe…"

Northstar threw his head back and bit his lower lip hard, but at the same time he noticed that his body's reaction to the feral was too rushed and abnormal. He'd been unsure before, scared even and all of a sudden the only thing that he could think about was sex. Remembering the last time it had happened, he thought he had figured it out. "You're manipulating me…," he noticed and bit back another moan.

"Maybe…," Daken said once more and pressed a hand on the other man's back for support.

"How?"

"Pheromone control," the feral replied and bent further over him. "I can make you feel what I feel, or…make you feel what I want."

"Then," Northstar said and had to support himself against the tiles, "this is rape."

"No, it's not," the other man panted. "Because I'm not manipulating you just now…" He chuckled low as he heard how Jean-Paul's heart skipped another beat and the curse the man uttered. "I guess that means you don't have the hots for my old man anymore, huh?" he mocked and smirked as he received a look over Jean-Paul's shoulder.


"Logan…," Jean groaned as he was once more looking at her from aside. "Care to explain what's wrong?"

"Nothin'…," he said once more and pulled Jamie out of his high chair.

"Daddy, look!" the boy said and pointed at something behind him.

Turning, Logan saw what he meant. "Miloh, huh?"

His son nodded. "Mio."

"Wanna go play with him, pumkin?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, then go ahead," Logan said and put him down before he looked at his kids. "Watch him'n stay away from the pool'n wood, alright?"

"I don't wanna go outside!" Jack instantly said and backed off.

"Yer safe, okay? We're right here," his father tried to soothe him and watched how Rachel took Jamie's hand before she led him into the garden.

"No, I don't wanna go alone," Jack said and shook his head.

"Alright…" Logan sighed and looked at Jean. "Can ya watch'em?"

"Actually, no. We still need to buy food and drinks for my birthday and the barbeque," she replied and looked up when Daken was dragged into the room by Northstar. "Jack, nothing will happen to you. Daddy's here and Uncle John's here too. If something's wrong, just shout and they'll hear it."

"No…," her son mumbled.

"I can watch them," John Grey suggested but his son-in-law shook his head.

"Yer ain't a mutant. I want a mutant t'watch'em before the new system ain't up."

"He doesn't wanna go again?" Northstar asked and received a nod. "'kay."

Logan frowned as he began to pile up food on two plates, handed Daken both of them, took two bottles of water, received a frown from Daken next, before Jean-Paul looked at Jack with a nod at the door. "We'll protect you, okay?"

Insecure, the boy looked at them. "Really?"

"Sure." Northstar nodded and smiled when he ran past him to join his siblings.

"Hey…what?!" Daken growled behind him.

"We'll eat outside."

"No. I won't!"

"Oh come on, you big grouch!" Jean-Paul said and pushed him towards the backdoor. "He's afraid to be outside without an adult close by."

"And that's not my fucking problem!" Daken snapped and turned to glare at him, was surprised to receive the same look in return. "Don't push your luck!" he warned and was about to drop the plates as Northstar made a step forward.

"You act like a twelve year old, seriously!" he said and received a deadly look and growl. "He's your little brother, he's scared and all you have to do is sit down at the pond, eat your lunch and watch them!"

"Don't…push your luck!" Daken growled warningly and stepped past him to the outside.

"Ya forgot t'keep'em away from the pond'n wood," Logan grunted and had still an eyebrow cocked at him. "I think the two of us need t'talk later…"

"Why?" Jean-Paul asked him and watched how Logan pointed at his nose and then at his ears. He blushed. "Well… I'm…outside."

"Mhm…," the feral grunted and watched how he joined the others on the outside. A look at the watch made him groan. "Gotta go. Hope he's on time," he announced and was gone before anyone could ask where he was going.

"Stop sulking," Jean-Paul said and watched the children interacting with each other while eating. "You can't always stay inside…"

"Shut up!" Daken growled and still glared at the children.

"What's your problem, Daken…?" the man next to him sighed and shook his head. "You at least still have a family…," he added but spoke more to himself.

"Didn't ask for one…" Annoyed, the feral put his empty plate aside and turned to look at the wood. He thought he'd heard something.

"I really don't get you," Jean-Paul said and put his plate aside next. "You've seen the memories, you know your father didn't murder your mother, you know he wants to give you a chance and you push everything and everyone away from you. Why?! Is it a genetical thing too?" He shook his head. "I really don't get it…" He noticed that the feral gave him an emotionless look from aside. "Doesn't scare me."

"It should."

"Well, it doesn't."

Daken huffed and looked up when someone approached them. Seeing who it was, he narrowed his eyes.

"Will you play Baseball with us?" Jack asked and looked at them.

"Sure," Jean-Paul said and got up. "Why don't you get the things, Jack?" he asked and the boy stormed off. He looked aside. "You coming?"

"No…," Daken growled and crossed his arms.

"Why not?!"

"I won't play any games, especially not with a kid!" the feral snapped and Northstar sighed.

"You don't know how to play baseball, am I right?" he asked rather matter of factly and nodded when the man gave him a look. "As I thought… Look, you just have to catch the ball and throw it, okay?"

"Do I look like someone who plays with balls?!" Daken asked and his eyes narrowed further as Jean-Paul smirked at him. "Don't push your luck!" he warned him once more and turned to leave, but Jack ran into him at the backdoor.

"I thought you'll play baseball with us?!" the boy sulked and received a big roll of the feral's eyes. "We can't play baseball without you! We need another player."

"Then ask someone else. Get out of my way," Daken growled and squeezed past him into the kitchen where he ignored the looks he was given.

"You're mean!" Jack snapped and went outside, not seeing how the feral stopped and turned into his direction. When a hand grabbed him roughly by the collar he screamed for help.

"Let him go!" Scott shouted and pushed Daken away from Jack. He was quickly joined by the others.

"Get out of my way!"

"Move one inch and I'll blast you!"

"Get…out of my way I said!" Daken growled and pushed him aside to head for the back door, behind which Jack had quickly disappeared after being released.

"Hank!" Scott ordered and the furry mutant leapt over the kitchen isle to head after the feral. "Remy, go looking for Jean! Peter help Hank, I'll go and get Logan."

"Not necessary," he didn't hear Hank suddenly saying and Peter turned to frown at him.

"Why?" he asked and walked over to him.

"I said get the kids inside!" Daken snapped and gave Northstar a push towards the terrace. "Now!"

"What's he doing?!" Peter asked.

"I think he's sensing something…," Hank mumbled and made room for the whole group. "What did you pick up on?"

"Someone's here that doesn't belong here…," the feral growled and scrutinized all of them first, before his eyes went back to the garden.

In the meanwhile, Scott had reached the front door since a student had told him Logan had gone that way, and moved towards it in hope he'd still catch him. To his surprise he saw the mutant through the window and forgot for a moment why he had actually gone looking for him.

"What are you doing?"

Turning around, Logan saw how Scott closed the door behind him and descended the few stone stairs until he was on eye-level with him.

"Waitin'…"

"For whom?" He looked at the still closed gate and then back at Logan. "An imaginary friend? Or does the stork bring an unexpected package?" He waited for a look or a reaction, but the man next to him just threw what was left of his cigar away and exhaled the smoke. "We have things called trash cans, you know?"

"A hot chick."

"A… What?!" Scott asked, his jaw dropping and stared at Logan, who gave him a serious look back. "Logan!" he warned as all of a sudden a loud car could be heard. He turned and watched how a silver, very good looking Audi sports car drove up to them and came to a halt.

"She's hot, trust me," Logan muttered and crossed his arms.

"That car is hot…," Scott said instead and caressed it with his eyes.

"Don't come in yer pants, Slim."

"Oh, shut up, Logan!" Scott said with a heavy roll of his eyes. "By the way. Your son attacked Jack."

"Yeah, I heard it."

"And still you didn't do anything!" Scott replied and shook his head. "He shouldn't be here…"

"The only thing he did was pickin' up on the UPS guy that brought Chuck a package just now," Logan grunted and looked up. "What a poser…," his fellow X-Men grunted and shook his head, watched how the car door was opened and a guy with dark, perfect hair, dark sunglasses and a perfectly trimmed beard around his mouth exited the car, wearing jeans and a grey sweatshirt.

"Logan!" the man greeted with a bright smile and the mutant let go of the pillar against which he had leant before.

Logan accepted the hug and gave Scott, who still eyed the car a look. "Don't drool on it, Cyke!"

"You like it?" Tony Stark asked and Scott could only nod his head in awe.

"R12?" Scott asked.

"Yep, with a few additional goodies," Tony smiled and patted his car lovingly. "Want to drive it?"

"Ya don't have t'ask, trust me!" Logan grunted and shook his head when Scott, grinning like a boy on Christmas, disappeared inside of the car. "What a big child…"

"I never thought I'd say this," Tony said after watching how his car disappeared through the gate, "but I'm glad to have you back."

"Thanks!" Logan nodded and gave him a look that spoke volumes. "One hug's enough!"

"Well, you wouldn't have gotten another one anyway." Tony shrugged.

"Fair enough." He beckoned the man to follow him. "I thought ya wanted t'stay for a couple of days?"

"The big child has my suitcase!"

"Ah," Logan nodded. "I can borrow ya clothes t'wear for t'night."

"Tonight?!" the man asked and came to an abrupt halt. "He's careful with my car, right?" Tony asked after freezing on the spot and gave Logan a look. This one only smirked.

"Scott treats cars like his balls. He'd rather sacrifice himself than the car."

"Good to hear that." Tony followed him casually down the corridors and took in what he saw. "Nice place…"

"Yep. Chuck's in his office," Logan grunted and knocked on the door after reaching it.

"Tony, it is so nice of you to follow our call," the Professor greeted the man and shook his hand. "I really appreciate it!"

"No problem. Nice house by the way," Tony said and his eyes looked around the room. "You said you're in need for a new security system?"

"I'm afraid so, yes," Charles nodded and beckoned him to take a seat, while Logan remained next to the window with crossed arms. "Our latest system is not that old, but unfortunately our enemies managed to get through without us noticing it."

Tony nodded and gave Logan a brief look. "Well, I'd need to take a closer look around and all available maps, updates that have been done, information on the old system…," he listed and made an and-so-on-gesture with his hand.

"That should be no problem. Logan will show you to your guest room and around afterwards."

"Good."

"Thank you, Tony," Charles said and shook the man's hand.

"You're welcome," Tony nodded and got up, patted Logan on the shoulder. "Then let's start, Mr. Tourguide. I'll follow your lead."

Rolling his eyes, the feral led him out of the room and towards the stair case. He kept his hands buried in his pockets as he looked for the free room on the level. "That's yer room," he said and nodded at it. "You'll have t'deal with somethin' smaller while stayin' here. So…no indoor pool in yer room."

Tony nodded and looked around the room for a moment before he turned to give him a look. "I think I can deal with that," he said before he added ironically, "That means…no room service either?"

"Ya even have t'cook yer own food. Imagine that," Logan grunted and beckoned him to follow him again. "I'll show ya around'n then we're getting' those maps. I bet Forge will be pissed that someone's actually smarter than him…"

"I assume that's the guy who's responsible for the old system?" Tony asked and followed him, seeing that the feral nodded. After they had reached the basement and gotten the maps, he took the one from the grounds and followed Logan to the outside. While the feral showed him the old system, he took notes and his brain already worked on ideas and updates. "Do you use the complete wood?" he asked and drew some crosses on the map.

"Parts of it," Logan grunted and watched what he was doing with crossed arms.

"Good. I need to see the front too. The gate especially," Tony demanded and followed him while his eyes still studied the map.

As he sat in an empty room in the basement later and had his personal computer set up, he began to work on a decent program and talked with his computer about possible changes in security.

"Jarvis, what do you think about scanners at the gate?" Tony asked and looked at the hologram of the map. "One for the eyes, one for fingerprints?"

"Might stop unwanted guests from getting through the gate, sir, but it can't keep enemies away for long."

"True, but it buys some time…" Tony looked at the map again. "I suggest infrared scanners all around the place, some which are programmed on the people in the house only. The only problem is… No forget about them! In the end they kill the UPS or post guy… Give me the map of the garden again. Yes, this one. Turn it." He took some notes as the double door opened and his interest was on something else.

"We thought you might want to eat something. In the end you're already working for a couple of hours without a break," Jean said, smiled at him and put the tray on an empty desk. "I'm sorry for interrupting anything."

"Oh, a beautiful lady can always interrupt me," Tony smiled and looked at her more closely. He knew he had seen her before, but couldn't remember where… "Tony Stark," he introduced himself and took her hand.

"Jean Grey-Howlett," she replied and shook it. "Any progress?"

He shrugged. "I'm still working on it. So, Jean… I can call you Jean, right?"

"Sure." She tried to hide her smile.

"Why is such a beautiful lady like you bringing an old, but still attractive guy like me dinner?" he asked and looked at her expectantly.

"Well, Mr. Stark…"

"Tony."

Jean smiled. "Tony. We thought you were hungry that's all."

He faked shock. "Now that hurt me. I just want you to know that!"

"Sir, what about the map?"

"Yes, put it on, Jarvis. And where are your manners? Say hi to the lady here," Tony said and turned to sit down at the desk on which the tray stood.

"My pleasure, ma'am," the computer voice said and the Avengers nodded approvingly.

"That's amazing," Jean said in astonishment and looked at the hologram from all sides. "Where did you get this one?!"

"I built it actually," she heard him saying.

"Seriously?!" she asked and he nodded, while eating the food.

"Sir, after calculating it the infrared is indeed a bad idea," Jarvis commented and the hologram of the mansion changed.

Tony beckoned Jean to sit down opposite of him and listened to the explanations that were given. He kept on eating his meal, but his mind was already calculating and thinking about other plans, while his eyes studied the redhead from aside. "So, what are you doing here? At this place, I mean."

Jean tore her eyes off the hologram and looked at him. "I teach."

"And what, if I may ask?"

"Biology and first aid classes in between," she said and returned his smile. "And I'm one of the doctors here."

"A woman with brains and good looks then," he nodded in appreciation and drank the rest of the water bottle. "That's nice."

"Thank you," Jean replied and brushed her hair back with another smile. "So, do you have any ideas because of the new system?" she asked.

"Nah," Tony shrugged and shook his head. "We're just working through some stuff. I suggest something and Jarvis calculates the pros and cons. We always do it that way. Right, Jarvis?"

"Of course, sir."

"See?" He returned her smile. "So… For how long are you already living here?" he asked and got up to walk back to the hologram.

"Since I was 14, I think," Jean said and watched him. "Where do you know Logan from?"

He chuckled. "Who doesn't know him? He was an Avenger for a while, but it's been a couple of years actually…," he told her and typed in some commands. "Word has it that he's been tamed…"

Unseen of him, she smiled.

"For how long is he already staying here?"

"July 2000," Jarvis said all of a sudden. "The 25th to be more precisely."

"How come he knows?" Jean asked surprised and got up to have a better look at the computer.

"Did you hack into S.H.I.E.L.D. files again?" Tony asked. "I told you not to do that. Nick will only get another fit, if he notices it."

"I'm terribly sorry, sir," Jarvis apologized.

Tony watched how the redhead took her time with the system. "What?"

"How did you manage to create intelligent artificial lifelike this?!" she asked and looked up from the hologram, saw him shrugging and blushed when he winked.

"What can I say, I'm full of surprises." Taking her hand, he pulled her over to him and handed her a pen-like instrument. "Try it. It's easy."

"W… Trying what?" Jean asked and was about to say something as his hand covered hers and the hologram began to move. She couldn't help but being fascinated with the technology…

"See? As I said, it's easy," Tony said and moved her hand in sync with the pen. "Don't worry about messing everything up, because that's what you're doing just now, Jarvis can handle it."

"Truly amazing…"

"Not as amazing as you…," he whispered and took the pen from her as she stepped back from the table.

"I should go… It's already late," Jean said and brushed her hair back.

"Jarvis, how late is it?" Tony asked.

"10:32 p.m., sir."

"Really?" he said in surprise and looked at his watch. "Well, okay, shut the system down, Jarvis. We'll go on tomorrow," he added and followed Jean to the elevator. "So, it's a school with a military-like basement, huh?" he asked her after the doors had closed and wondered why she kept a distance all of a sudden.

"Yes, the public and most students don't know about it."

"It's been the same with the Avenger Tower, but by now most people know who we are… I just had to tighten up security last week."

"Because of Peter Parker?" Jean asked him and he nodded. They both continued down the corridor.

"We can't risk that someone tries it again, or tries to kill someone else…," he said and stopped next to her. "That's your room?" he asked and nodded at the door behind her.

"Yes it is. Will you be able to find yours?"

He hissed and wobbled his head playfully. "Considering that my assistant thinks I can't even bind my shoes without her help…. I'll do my very best," he replied and earned a smile. "Good night."

"Good night." She watched how he disappeared behind a corner and ascended the stairs to her rooms. As she had expected they children were already sleeping and also Miloh and Callie were asleep on their blankets with their cubs. As quietly as she could, Jean got ready for bed in the bathroom and headed towards it next, once more surprised that Logan was already sleeping too.

"Ya were supposed t'bring him food'n not t'spent the evenin' with him…," he suddenly grunted and made her startle in bed.

"Jesus, Logan…," Jean gasped and switched on the lights. "I thought you were asleep."

"Why? So that ya could spend some more time with him?" he asked and she rolled her eyes. "Ya even smell like him," he added growling.

"Tony just showed me how his computer worked…," she defended herself and he huffed,

"Yeah… 'n I always show a chick my stamps collection."

Jean sighed and ran a hand over her face. "Logan, we just talked, okay? Thank you for trusting me that much!" As she turned her head to look at him, she decided to make actually use of having his attention. "But since you're awake, I can finally ask why you're so odd this week?"

"Odd?" he grunted.

"Yes, odd!" she nodded. "You keep on giving me those weird looks and every time I ask what's wrong, you just shrug it off. Mind telling me what's wrong now?" Jean waited but he remained silent. "Logan, I don't want to celebrate my birthday with you behaving like that, okay?" she said and noticed that he had trouble looking into her eyes. "Does it have to with what Charles did?" she asked and nodded as he turned his head away this time. "As I thought… Logan, I'm not mad, okay?"

"Ya should be…," he grunted after a moment.

"But I'm not," Jean assured him. "You loved her, she was pregnant with your child when she was taken from you and I know how much you love Japan…"

Logan snorted and sat up with a shake of his head. "Ya can't tell me it didn't hurt ya t'get t'know about it, Red!"

Looking away, she pulled absently on the sheets. "I was…surprised…"

"Ya shouldn't be fine with it! Or ya should at least ask me why I think about it!" he demanded and met her gaze again. "If I were ya, I'd be pissed off!"

"But I'm not… You told me yourself how difficult it is to build up a thought or memory that helps to keep the beast down. Logan, I witnessed it myself when you trained me and wanted me to control Phoenix…," Jean said. "And I know you loved her and that it was a trauma for you, but I also know that I'm in a safe relationship with you… I was surprised, but I understand it…"

He sighed and shook his head. "Ya shouldn't…" He closed his eyes when he ran his hands over his face and through his hair, opened them as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"But I do…"

"I just… I wouldn't know which memory t'pick with ya'n the kids…," Logan grunted after a moment. "There're too many happy ones… 'n I need t'focus on somethin', so it's been easier t'pick somethin' that was already established than…"

Jean sighed. "You don't need to explain yourself, I told you I understand…" She gave him a tired smile and stroke over his cheek. "I'd just appreciate it, if you finally talked about the things you've been through," she added and cut him off as he was about to interrupt her. "And don't tell me that it's the past and you need to move on. It still affects you and you keep on thinking about it… You can't just shove what happened to your father aside and forget about it, Logan. It's not that easy!" As she lay back down, she pulled him with her and switched off the lights with her powers. "And now sleep. You have a shopping marathon tomorrow." He groaned. "It's your own fault," Jean teased and cuddled up to him, was surprised when he shoved her away a bit. "What?"

"Ya still smell like him!" Logan growled and received a loud sigh from her.

"Well, then cuddle with me and make me smell like you again, you big grouch!"


Logan hated the following day before it had really begun. After getting up, he'd taken a shower and a look at the watch told him that he soon was deeper caught up in hell than he wanted to be. He hated shopping… And if that wasn't enough, he had to take his youngest with him.

"Stop sulking!" Jean said for the at least 6th time and received another grunt. "I can't watch Jamie while preparing my birthday. I need to help 'Ro and Hank with the cooking." And another grunt. "Logan!" she warned and got up to wake the children.

"Morning!" Tony greeted cheerfully and sat down next to Logan, who didn't bother to hide a glare that was directed at him. "I'm mad with you, you know?"

"Are ya?" Logan growled and received a nod.

"Yep. I am!" his former teammate said and leant in. "Why didn't you tell me that you live with such a hot girl under the same roof, huh?" he asked and either didn't notice the glare getting stronger, or chose to ignore it. "Is she single?"

"Who?" Scott asked and put down his newspaper. He began to frown when Logan's eyes turned into slits.

Tony nodded at the door and smiled at Jean. "Good morning, gorgeous."

"Morning," Jean greeted back and kept her eyes lowered. Of course she had noticed her husband's look.

"Well…," Scott said and tried hard to hide a grin. "Tony, why don't you take a look at her hands?"

"Her hands?" the man asked and shrugged after doing so. "So? What about them? She has nice hands."

"Isn't there anything that…," Scott began and took the redhead's left hand with a frown. "Where are your rings?!"

"I don't know. I took them off during my work in the lab a couple of days ago and now they are gone," she said and poured herself another coffee.

Puzzled, Scott exchanged a look with Logan, who shrugged. "Okay…"

"But what about her hands?!" Tony asked to change the topic again.

"Let me try something else, okay?" Scott asked and received a nod. "The children over there," he said with a nod at Jack and Rachel, who were both already occupied with their breakfast. "Who could be their parents?"

Looking at them, Tony shrugged. "The boy has weird hair…"

"My hair is not weird!" Jack protested.

"It is, trust me. It sticks up."

"Daddy!" Jack cried and looked at his father. "The man is mean to me!"

Tony followed his look and couldn't help but chuckle. "That explains the hair… So, he's your kid?" he asked and Logan nodded still glaring. "I see… Well, considering that he asked about their parents, I assume that the girl is your kid, too, am I right?" Once more a nod and a glare. "Good…. Can I say that I'm surprised that you have a kid?" he asked and held up a hand. "No, not surprised, actually I'm shocked. Why did no one tell me?!"

"I don't know, but look at the girl's hair color and guess who the mother is," Scott suggested and Tony followed his advice.

"Oh…"

"Exactly!" Scott nodded smirking. "Oh is correct. And now turn your head and look into Logan's face. What do you notice?"

Tony turned once more and gave the jealous and very pissed off feral an apologetic and embarrassed grin. "You know…," he said and took his coffee mug, "the light here isn't good for my taint, I think I should better sit over here." He walked around the kitchen isle and considered his decision. "Your arms are long enough to reach over, am I right?" he asked and Logan nodded slowly. "Right… Well,…I think I better sit at the end of the table then…," he said and sat down next to Hank. "Oh, and Jean?"

"Yes?" the redhead asked.

"You're so not my type, darling. I'm sorry!" Tony said and quickly occupied himself with drinking coffee, the growl Logan uttered still audible at the end of the kitchen table.

On a sign from Rogue, the feral got up and took a displeased Jamie from Jean. "I know, kiddo, I'd love t'sleep in too…," he grunted and headed with him to the garage, where he put him into the car seat. "Do ya know where this stupid shop is?" he asked the two girls and started the engine. "Coz I ain't in for…"

"No, no, we know where it is," Rogue waved off in hope that his mood wouldn't worsen.

They remained silent for the whole ride, except for Jamie, who had to show how much he didn't like to be first, awoke so early and second, to be driven around in a car.

"Wanna go home, daddy!" he cried and Logan sighed as he parked the car in a free lot.

"'n I wanna have a beer, kiddo, do I get one? No!" he grunted and got him out of his seat. "Where's that shop?"

"Second floor in the mall," Jubilee announced and led the way.

With Jamie on his shoulders, Logan followed them and took his time to glare at every person that dared to look at him. He wondered what they were thinking. A guy like him with a young child on his shoulders and two young women walking in front of him. Either that he was one of those poor men that were forced to watch the baby, while his wife went shopping with her best friend, or that he was one of those creepy guys who had two women at once and didn't make a secret out of it. But in fact…he couldn't care less…

"Over there, Wolvie!" Jubilee said aloud for everyone to hear and ran towards the shop in sheer excitement.

"Jamie, do daddy a favor'n behave, will ya?" Logan asked and pulled his son down to carry him with his arms. "Or better said," he added after seeing how crazy both girls acted after seeing the first wedding gowns, "start cryin' really loud when I give ya a sign, alright?"

"Yeah…," Jamie nodded without understanding what was going on and looked around the shop.

For the next hours Logan remained in a chair and tried to entertain his son, while Rogue and Jubilee reappeared and disappeared with one gown after the next. He asked himself if it had taken Jean that long to fine the dress she had worn on their wedding too? He had spent 15 minutes back then to by a suit: 5 minutes for picking one and trying it on, 10 minutes for arguing with the salesclerk about how overprized the suit was. "Woman…," he sighed after Rogue picked another one and shook his head. "If ya smart, kiddo, you'll pick a guy. They don't need that long in the bathroom. Chicks will drive ya crazy, trust me…"

"No crazy, daddy!" Jamie disagreed and shook his head.

"Trust me, they will!"

"I love this one, Wolvie!" Jubilee suddenly barked and Logan thought his eyes would pop out of his skull. At least he wished they would…

"Ya can't be serious…"

"Of course I am! This is p-e-r-f-e-c-t!" she cheered and turned in front of the mirror.

"Kid,…ya can't be serious!"

"Why?"

"This…" He shook his head at a loss of words. "I wouldn't marry ya!"

"Why?!" she asked once more and turned when Rogue left the changing cubicle. "Ohhhh, you look great!"

"Tell her she looks horrible!" Logan told Rogue, who, too, gave Jubilee's gown a rather surprised look. "Tell her that she can't wear that!" he went on and had his eyes still glued on the gown.

"Why not?!" Jubilee asked and put her hands to her hips. "What's wrong with this gown?!"

"It's yellow!" Rogue said and sighed. "Jubes, I know it's your favorite color, but… Why don't you pick a white gown and use a yellow…band or something?" she suggested and smiled embarrassed.

Huffing, Jubilee went back into the changing cubicle.

"She's nuts…," Logan mumbled with a shake of his head.

"Nuts!" Jamie agreed and his father nodded.

"Ya got it kiddo," the feral said and turned his head to smile at Rogue. "Ya look gorgeous, darlin'."

"Do you really think so?" she asked insecurely and once more she turned in front of the mirror.

He chuckled. "Did I ever lie t'ya?"

"No."

"See?" Logan said and looked up when Jubilee came back, her face looking rather sour.

"Fine, then I'll take this one here," she sulked and didn't bother to look at the other mutants.

"Jubes, it looked bad! Really!" Logan tried to assure her, but she only snorted.

"But I liked it!"

"It really wouldn't fit a wedding, Jubes…," Rogue said and patted her friend's back. "I'll go and get changed. Be right back!"

"Still…I liked it…," Jubilee said after a long moment of silence with a look at the yellow dress, making Logan sigh with it. "It's an evening dress anyway…"

"Then buy it, but don't wear it on yer weddin'," he suggested."

"It's too expensive…"

"How much?" Logan asked and moved his leg so that Jamie was hopping up and down on it.

"250,75. It was 570,80 before," Jubilee said and watched how the boy had the time of his life. "Kids…," she sighed.

Chuckling, Logan pulled his laughing son up and above his head. "I'll give ya 100 if ya stop sulkin'," he offered and put Jamie back onto his leg. "BUT!" he added while the young woman choked him happily. "Only if ya promise NOT t'wear on yer weddin'!"

"Promised!" Jubilee quickly said and crossed her heart. "I love you, Wolvie! You're the best foster-dad in the world!"

"Mhm,…say that again after my credit card's empty," he grunted and got up when Rogue returned. "Anythin' else ya need?"

"No, we already have the rest," Rogue replied and they went to the check out, where the feral's jaw dropped when he heard how much it was in total…

"Remind me that my kids ain't allowed t'marry. Ever!" Logan told them when they were back on the road.

"We told you that we could pay for…," Rogue began, but he shook his head.

"Nah, I paid for Kitty's'n I told ya I'd pay yers too," he replied and returned the smile they gave him.


"Mommy did what?" Lily asked agape and stared at her grandfather in shock.

"She really did that?!" Rachel asked and hugged her teddy tighter.

John Grey nodded. "She loved to do it to be more precisely!" he replied. "Every time we went to the supermarket she wanted to help us and pulled a tin or any package out of the shelves, of course not the one on top, but on the button. One time the whole shelf even collapsed thanks to her. Oh, and she always tripped! One time she went past changing cubicles at a mall, tripped, grabbed a curtain and it ripped off!" he told them further and Jack chuckled, while Jamie sat on his lap. "The couple behind it started screaming, your mommy started screaming and wanted to run away, tripped over the torn off curtain and ripped another one off. If it wasn't so embarrassing, it would have been funny…"

"But why was there a couple behind the curtain?! Only daddies and mommies are allowed to come into the cube too," Laura noticed and John paused.

"Well…," he began and shrugged. "Some…couples like to share a cube too, you know?!"

"Why?" Rachel asked and looked up when their room door was opened by their mother. "Mommy, why do couples like to share a changing cubicle?!"

"W…what?" Jean asked and looked at her father, who smiled slyly.

"I just told them the story about you ripping off curtains and…"

"You, what?!" she asked shocked and her face turned bright red. "Dad!"

John shrugged. "They asked me if I could tell them some stories about your childhood."

"MOMMY!" Rachel said louder and pouted.

"Sweetheart, we talk about that another time, okay? It's time for you to go to bed now," Jean announced, her cheeks still glowing red and she waited for Jack to hop into his bed, before she wished them a good night and pulled Jamie up. "Come on, go to bed," she said and guided Rachel and Laura to their room.

"And mommy really blew up the kitchen once?" Jack whispered as his grandfather wished him a good night next.

"Let's say we had to buy a new stove," the man replied and grinned back. "Good night!"

"Night!" the twins said in unison and waited for their father, who was still downstairs talking to Jean-Paul.

"I'm just sayin' that ya need t'be careful," the feral said once more and followed him down the corridor towards his room.

"We're not a couple, Logan!" Jean-Paul groaned. "I know that he's dangerous and can snap any moment. I'm not stupid! But it's wrong to treat him like an outsider. He's incapable to do the simplest things when someone else is involved!" he told him grimly. "He needs to learn how to act around other people… Still we're not a couple. He doesn't even understand what that means, if you asked me…"

"Still ya sleep with him!" Logan replied and noticed that his friend avoided his eyes now. "I just want ya t'be careful'n don't fall in love with him!"

"I'm not…"

"Ya sure about that?!"

"Yeah…," Northstar grumbled and stopped at his door, looking at the feral for a moment. "He's like you, Logan… More than he realizes…," he said and Logan looked down. "If you ask me,…he never had friends or people that cared for him. And he has your sense of humor…"

"Does he?" Logan asked in surprise and received a nod.

"What's that by the way?" Jean-Paul asked and nodded at the book in his opposite's hands.

The feral looked on it and shrugged. "Chuck said Daken looked for it… I still had it."

"I see… Well, he likes to read. He taught himself Greek," Northstar said with a look at the book.

"Seriously?!"

"Yeah."

Logan nodded impressed and turned to leave. "See ya tomorrow."

"Yeah, good night!" Jean-Paul said and went into his room, whereas Logan went back downstairs and stopped in front of Daken's room. Carefully, he knocked and waited. It didn't take long and the door opened, angry hazel eyes glaring at his own.

"What do you want?" Daken growled.

"Chuck said yer lookin' for it," Logan said and handed him the book. "I still had it."

"Oh, thank you…," the younger man scoffed and took the book, his hand already reaching out to close the door again.

"Can we talk?" Logan asked calmly.

"Over my dead body!" his son hissed and the door went shut.

Sighing, the feral ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. He really didn't know what to do about him and decided that going back to his rooms was the best option for now. In the end Jean's birthday was in two days and he still needed to do some things tomorrow.

In his room, Daken lay on the bed and looked at the book in his hands. He hated that his scent was still on it, but opened it to read in it. To his surprise a white paper fell out of it and he frowned at it. Nevertheless, his eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the drawn picture and realized that it was his mother on it. His hand turned the paper and it was then that he noticed the few words his father must have left on it.

I asked Peter to draw her from my memory since you don't have anything from her. Keep it safe. L.

Daken stared at the writing for a moment, before he put the picture on the nightstand and stared at it in the dark. He raised his head briefly as the window went further open and a warm breeze made its way into the room. Not bothered about it, he closed his eyes to get some sleep, as a large hand suddenly grabbed and pressed him into the mattress.

"Think yer safe here?" Sabretooth low voice growled into his ear and he chuckled. "Yer not, runt. I can find ya anywhere." He lowered his head to grin into Daken's face and enjoyed clearly how the younger feral breathed hard. "Daddy won't save ya, kid. Romulus will find ya, no matter where yer hidin' 'n ya damn well know that." Still grinning, he sent one pair of claws right into his prey's back, chuckling. "Hurt, doesn't it?" he asked and twisted his claws until Daken groaned loudly. "I'm here t'give ya a message 'n I suggest ya better think about it…," Sabretooth growled and whispered what he had to say into the feral's ear, before he twisted his claws once more and disappeared through the window.

Panting, Daken grabbed the sheets hard and waited for his back to heal again, then went to close the window quickly with shaky hands. His heart was still hammering in his chest, as he stepped back from it and kept his eyes fixed on it. In the end, he pulled on a pair of boxer briefs and left his room quickly. He knew how messed up Sabretooth was and that the feral hated him, knew that he probably sat on the outside and only waited for him to fall asleep or feel safe again… Quickly, he slipped into another room and went under the sheets there.

"W…," Jean-Paul made sleepily and cracked an eye open. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He turned around in bed and looked at the feral more closely. "You're shaking… Did you have another nightmare?" he demanded to know, but there was no reply. Sighing, he moved over and wrapped his arms around Daken. "Try to go back to sleep, okay?" he mumbled and rested his head on the feral's shoulder, while his hand stroked absently over this one's waist.

Next to him, Daken kept his eyes fixed on the window and was sure he could see Sabretooth's silhouette on the other side, while his mind recalled what the feral had told him…


It was already way past 4 p.m. when Jean reached her rooms and went directly into the bathroom to shower after putting some papers onto the desk. She enjoyed how the warm water caressed her skin and took her time with showering, before she wrapped her hair into a towel and began to towel herself off. She didn't know what was wrong today or why Logan behaved so strangely, but she was determined to find out. He somehow ignored her completely, had gotten up alone, hadn't looked at her during breakfast and dinner and everytime she had asked him something, he'd shrugged. Tomorrow was her birthday and she'd be damned, if this went on until then. She wondered if she had done or said something that had upset him without her noticing it… After she had used lotion for her skin, she went into the bedroom and stopped in surprise.

On the bed laid a huge white package to which a note was attached. Curiously, she went over and took the letter, which clearly indicated that Logan had written it.

Jeannie,

please put it and the necklace I once gave you on and come to the boathouse at 7 p.m. You'll see why!

Logan

PS: It would be great, if you pinned up your hair and wore some sexy stuff underneath it too.

Frowning, but shaking her head because of the last bit of the letter, Jean put it aside and began to open the package. A gasp escaped her lips and she covered her mouth in shock of what was inside. "My God…," Jean whispered and pulled the object out of the box to have a better look at it, her heart racing in surprise. "Logan…"


At 6:50 p.m. she made her way to the boathouse, trying to figure out what Logan was up to and what he had planned. Her green eyes widened when small candles led the way further into the wood and ended at the boathouse, some candles even swimming in the water and giving the impression of small fireflies. Her confusion grew as rose leaves met her next and the redhead followed the track further down to the lake and stopped all of a sudden. Roses lay scattered on the ground, even more candles swam in the lake and right in front of her stood a shocked looking Logan, wearing a tux, hair short and face clean shaven as he had done for her on their wedding and was looking at her from head to toe, eyes wide and jaw dropped.

"Ya look amazin'…," he gasped after being over the first shock and kissed her, then looked at her dress again. "Absolutely breathtakin', darlin'…"

"What are you up to?" Jean asked, still confused and still couldn't get enough of staring at his face.

"Marryin' ya?" Logan asked smirking, but nervously and when he stepped aside she saw her father, Narya and John and the priest that had wed them years ago for the first time.

"W…what?!" she asked confused and he took her hand. "I thought we agreed on still being married?"

"The Elf said that officially we ain't 'n I want it t'be official," he shrugged. "So…," he began and took both of her hands into his whereas his eyes were fixed on hers. "Will ya do me the honor'n marry me again?" Logan asked full of hope and thought his heart would burst in his chest, but Jean remained silent…

This scene was pre-written on my harddrive for…I don't know how long already. Finally, I was able to use it. lol Thanks to all reviewers!! I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I hope you enjoyed reading this one here too. I wanted to post it before I have to work on my college stuff. I also uploaded the dress Logan has gotten for Jean, which I found on an Asian site. You can find it here. Just picture it to be longer. Just copy and paste the address and fill in the slahses and dots. :

http:(slashslash)i488(dot)photobucket(dot)com(slash)albums(slash)rr245(slash)Otasune(slash)PD-507549(dot)jpg

Please review and let me know what you think. I know that lots of you wanted the scene at the end. See ya!!