Chapter 8 – Twists

- A week later

Bronx, New York.

"Hello, Warr, what's up?" Jean asked her friend on the cellphone.

"Hey, Jeannie, I'm good. Just calling to check on you," Warren Worthington was trying to hide the concern in his voice.

The redhead sighed. "I'm fine. Would you and Ororo stop worrying about me already?"

"Sorry, can't do," he paused, and the line went silent for a few seconds. "We care about you, Jean… and we don't like the fact that you're pregnant and alone."

"As if the two of you would leave me alone for one damn minute," she muttered, immediately regretting her words. "Shit. I'm sorry, Warr. That was… plain mean."

The blonde man gave a short laugh and said. "Wow. We can always blame the hormones, huh?"

"Sorry."

"It's all right, spitfire. You know I can't get mad at you for long. Anyway, listen… I've talked to a friend of mine who happens to run the Westchester Children's Hospital. He said they're looking for an assistant doctor to cover some night shifts. I arranged an interview for you tomorrow at two o'clock. Can you make it?"

"W-What? Are you serious?"

"You bet I'm serious."

"But… I don't have my medical diploma, Warren. How can your friend hire me?"

"Look, Jeannie… I told him you have all the necessary qualifications, and that you had a minor issue with your college paperwork that you're currently trying to solve. He didn't question me beyond that, and I didn't elaborate. It appears that the previous junior doctor's quitted three days ago and they're in desperate need for a decent replacement," he paused, and then added. "Plus, Worthington Enterprises provides regular donations to the hospital's research department. Dr. Stevens won't be asking you too many questions."

Jean drew a long breath. Once again, Warren had used his name and money to call in a favor; this time, for her sake. "Warr… Are you sure you won't get in trouble for this?"

"What? Are you nuts? The guy loves me, Jean. He'll love you too, I'm sure. So… can you make it?"

"Yes, I can. I'll be there. Tomorrow at two p.m."

"Good."

"Warren, I… I don't know what to say."

"Well… You can start by thanking me…"

The woman giggled. "Right, thank you. You're an angel, you know that, right?"

"Yes, I happen to have a full-length mirror at home," he joked, and then added seriously. "Just… don't mention about your pregnancy yet, okay? I haven't had the chance to explain that to Dr. Stevens."

"Okay. Good thing it's not showing yet, then."

"Yeah. Speaking of the baby, Ro told me your next scan is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, Warren, thanks. It's very kind of you, but I know you must be busy. I'll go by myself."

"Jean, I can always make room in my agenda… I'm the boss."

The telepath thanked her lucky stars for her loyal friends. "I really appreciate it, Warr, but I don't think Candy would approve. I'd rather go alone. I'll be fine, really. You've done more than enough for me."

She heard her ex-boyfriend sighing on the other side of the line. Warren knew how jealous Candy could become, specially where the redhead was concerned. "All right, Jeannie. Call me if you need anything."

"I will. Thanks for everything, Warr. You're my angel."

"I know. Take care. Love you."

"Love you too."

Xavier's School for the Gifted Youngsters, Salem Center, New York.

On the next day, Ororo Munroe found herself in the X-Men's headquarters, displaying her weather powers like never before. Thanks to her relationship with Forge, she'd recently been introduced to Professor Charles Xavier and the rest of the team. The white-haired woman was still mad about getting kicked away from college and was eager to seek revenge. She hoped they'd allow her to be a part of the X-Men.

Wolverine and Xavier were in the observation booth watching attentively as Rogue, Nightcrawler and Gambit trained with Ororo inside the Danger Room.

"So Chuck, what d'ya think?"

"I think Ms. Monroe is a remarkable woman and will be a great asset to the team, Logan. Have you talked to her about it?"

"Not yet, but Forge told me she's dyin' to join the party," Wolverine informed him.

"Well, no time like the present then," Xavier pondered with a kind smile. "I understand that Ororo is your girlfriend's roommate…"

"Yeah. Not sure I still gotta a girl though, Chuck," the feral man scoffed, but Charles could sense all the grief radiating from him.

"You know, Logan… in all the years that we have known each other, among all the life-threatening situations we have been through together… I have never regarded you as a deserter before," the bald man spoke in an even tone.

Wolverine glared at his face and growled. "What the hell ya're sayin'? I'm no quitter."

Professor Xavier suppressed a grin and instead raised an inquisitive brow at him. "Aren't you, though? From my perspective, you are easily giving up the woman you love and your unborn child… without even a fight. I must say, I expected more from the X-Men's leader," he said, quite aware that he was poking the beast with a stick.

Logan paced around and snarled. "What d'ya have me do, huh? I told Jean I was sorry, that I've fucked up… I tried to call, I knocked at her door, I even sent her goddamn freakin' flowers! She made it clear that she hates me and don't ever wanna see me again. So enlighten me, Chuck, ya're the fuckin' telepath around here. What else can I do?"

His mentor gave him a weak smile. "Do you love her, my friend?"

"Yeah," his pacing stopped. "More than anythin'."

"Then do not take no for an answer. Fight for her heart... Or you will spend the rest of your life regretting not having done it. Believe me, I know what it feels like," Xavier told him and wheeled out of the room.

Logan glanced back down at his teammates in the Danger Room. The training session was over, and the four mutants were hanging inside the room, chatting amicably. He looked to Ororo and rushed down the staircase towards the middle of the room. He heard Gambit addressing the weather goddess.

"Stormy, you were formidable. I hope you join de team," the red-eyed mutant said flirtatiously, kissing the back of her right hand.

Ororo furrowed her brows in response. "Stormy?"

"Hands off, Cajun. Don't ya' know the girl's taken, swamp rat?" Rogue scolded Remy in her typical southern accent as Logan approached the group.

"Good trainin'. Now piss off, ya three. I need to speak to Ororo alone," Wolverine informed his team.

Kurt blinked an eye at the woman. "Don't mind his manners, fräulein. Logan's not always zhis… charming," the Germain mutant said and teleported away.

After the other two had also left, Ororo asked the feral. "So, am I on the team or what?"

"Yeah, ya're in."

"Great!" The woman cheered and did a little victory dance performance. Logan rolled his eyes. "Listen, Ro, bein' an X-Man is not a ride in the park. The job comes with responsibilities… and it's dangerous. I hope ya know it."

"Yes, yes, I know the drill," she replied, still grinning. "I'm ready for it."

"We'll see. How's Jean?"

Ororo's smile immediately disappeared at the mention of her best friend. "What do you think, jerk?"

Wolverine sighed. "Look, I'm tryin' to make things right. I know I've screwed up…"

"Screwed up? That's the understatement of the year!" The woman's eyes started gleaming with fury, and she went on. "You've lied to her for months, stayed away for weeks without letting her know if you were dead or alive, and in what was probably the worst week of Jean's life, you accused her of cheating on you!"

"Goddammit, Ororo, don't ya think I know that?" He yelled. "She told me she was pregnant, and I… I fuckin' freaked out, okay? I know I was an asshole, but I'd do anythin', anythin' to make things right again," he admitted, and the female mutant noticed that the anguish in his voice perfectly matched his eyes. "She's everythin' to me, Ro… and she's carryin' my child," his tone was close to desperate. "Please help me."

The white-haired woman sighed. "All right. Just… talk to her, Logan… I'm sure she'll forgive you if you tell her what you've just told me."

"How? She won't return my calls… Last time I tried your apartment, she refused to open the door and your asshole neighbor threatened to call the cops…"

"Yeah, that was kind of fun," she chuckled, and he held a growl. "Anyway… Jean's still pissed. You should probably try to reach her in a public place."

"Where?"

"Oh goddess… Jean's going to hate me for telling you this, but I don't think she should be doing this alone, and I won't be able to get to her in time…"

"Doin' what alone?" Logan's tone was suddenly filled with worry.

"The baby scan."

"What?"

"Her twelve-week ultrasound scan. It's today, at eleven o'clock."

"Twelve-week? Fuck," he glanced at his watch. "It's 10:15 already. Where's it?"

"At Saint Claire's Women's Clinic, in Queens," she informed him, and Logan was out of the room before she could finish her next phrase. "Hey, what do you think of 'Storm'?

Saint Claire's Women's Clinic, Queens, New York.

"Ms. Grey, the doctor will be seeing you now," a sympathetic brunette lady informed Jean from behind the reception desk. "Just follow the blue lines on the floor."

The redhead thanked her and stood up from her chair, doing as she was told. When she arrived at the ultrasound room, she was greeted by a blonde female physician.

"Hello, Jean. I'm doctor Melany Riley, it's very nice to meet you. How are you feeling today?" She questioned cheerfully.

"I'm fine, thank you," the redhead replied, letting go of the door behind her.

"Okay then. You may lay down on the bed and pull up your shirt, just below your breasts is fine," the doctor ordered and then asked. "So, are you excited to see your baby today?"

"Yes," she responded truthfully.

"What about the father, is he around or are we doing this just the two of us?"

Jean was about to reply when a coarse voice came from the doorway. "I'm here, doc," Logan said as he let himself into the room. The redhead's neck whipped to her right side and she was met with his apologetic eyes. 'Please let me stay,' Logan sent into her head, hoping she wouldn't make a scene in front of a complete stranger.

"Great! We were just waiting for you, daddy," the telepath rolled her eyes at the doctor's remark. "Let's start, shall we?" The blonde woman said, pouring cold gel over her patient's lower abdomen and pressing the ultrasound probe against her skin. Jean's eyes turned expectantly to the monitor while Logan approached the examination bed timidly. "So… I can see the baby's head and spine, and his or her tiny arms and legs… so far so good," Dr. Riley informed them while pointing at the monitor, and then continued. "Its stature and weight seem adequate for a twelve-week fetus. Now, let's listen to the heart," she pressed a button on the machine and a red and blue flow line appeared on the screen over the spot where the child's heart was supposed to be. "Are you guys listening to this sound? That's your baby's heart beating, and it sounds just fine. The colored doppler is confirming that everything's all right. Isn't it amazing?" The cheerful doctor asked them. Jean nodded and smiled, happy tears sliding down her cheek. Logan's mouth was open, but he was unable to speak. "Okay now, who wants to know the baby's sex?"

Logan looked at Jean anxiously, but she was purposely avoiding his eyes. "I do," she told Dr. Riley.

"All right. So, Jean and… daddy, you're going to be the parents of a healthy baby girl! How about that?"

Logan finally regained his voice. "A girl? Really? That's… Oh, shit, that's amazin'. Did ya hear it, Jeannie? A baby girl…"

The doctor removed the probe from Jean's belly and gave her some paper towels to wipe off the gel. The redhead, however, became distracted by the sudden influx of emotions coming from Logan's mind. He was completely captivated by the prospect of that child, and so was she.

"Well, folks, you can take your time to dress up while I print the scan. I'll see you again in another twelve weeks," the blonde woman told them and exited the examination room. The door closed and suddenly it became awkwardly silent. Jean cleaned her abdomen, then her moist eyes, and slowly sat up in bed. Logan reached out to held her arm as she descended the two-step stair to the floor, pleased that she'd let him touch and help her.

"So, hum… a baby girl. What do ya think?" He tried to break the tension in the room.

"I'm just glad she's healthy," Jean replied, and then added in unusual calm. "What are you doing here?"

"Jeannie, I uh… I'm so sorry for bein' an asshole, I… I wanna make it up to ya… and to our daughter. Please let me try," Logan poured his entire soul into that plead. The woman remained silent. "I get it if ya don't want me no more, but… at least let me be a part of this. I wanna our kid to have a father."

The redhead sighed. She knew what it was like to grow up without a fatherly figure, and she didn't want her child to go through the same. Plus, she was feeling just too happy to argue with him right now. "Okay, Logan. I'll give you one more chance… for the baby. Don't you dare fuck this up again," Jean warned him, and he pulled her on a tight hug.

"I promise ya, Red," he whispered in her ear, breathing in her sweet scent, "I'm gonna be the man ya two need me to be."

"Right. You can start by buying me lunch. I've got about an hour, and I'm starving."

Logan opened the door for her and bowed jokingly. "After ya, my ladies."

Asteroid M, Somewhere over the Earth's Orbit.

"I am sorry for not being able to make acquaintances with you sooner, Piotr. The last rescuing mission took a toll on me," Erik Lensher explained, looking straight at the tall young mutant's eyes.

"You do not need to apologize, Magneto. I only wanted to thank you for saving me and my family, especially my little sister, Illyana," Piotr Rasputin told him.

"And you don't need to thank me, my boy," the white-haired man said. "The world has turned against mutantkind. We have two choices: unite and fight, or perish."

The Russian man raised his brows. "Although I despise violence, I agree that we must fight back, tovarisch. I only fear for the sake of innocent humans, like my parents. I fear they might get caught in the crossfire."

"Sometimes violence is the only viable alternative," Magnus responded. "Tell me, Mr. Rasputin… Do you think these so-called innocent humans - and I am not referring to your dear parents - would take a bullet for you? Do you think they would keep your mutant abilities as a secret in order to protect you from the government's oppression?"

"I cannot speak of those I do not know, Magneto."

"But I can, my dear Piotr. And I assure you that they would snitch you and your whole family at first chance. I have lived enough to see it happen before. I will not tolerate it a second time."

"I see... Even so, I would still prefer to endorse a pacific solution."

Magnus gave him a weak smile. "You remind me of someone… a man who believed in peaceful co-existence between humans and mutants. We became good friends, and I even tried to follow his non-violent path for a while…"

"What happened?"

"Humankind happened. He refused to fight back and ended up losing the use of both his legs."

"And you?"

"Oh… I did defend myself. That day he lost his ability to walk; as for me, all I lost was a naïve friend."

Anchorage, Alaska.

Scott was starting to get worried. He was on baby duty today, since Madelyne was away, working. It was past ten p.m. and Nate had been crying for the better part of an hour now. He didn't know what else to do. He'd fed and changed the infant twice, had given him some tummy ache medicine, and even checked his temperature - the baby didn't have a fever. Scott was holding his son in his arms, rocking him back and forth, when the phone rang.

"Hello, I'd like to speak to Mr. Summers," he heard an old male voice on the other end of the line.

"This is Scott Summers speaking. Who is it?"

"Mr. Summers, my name is Major Donald Williams. I'm sorry to bother you at this time, but I need to ask you a few questions. Do you know anyone by the name of Madelyne Pryor-Summers"?

Scott's voice trembled. "Y-Yes, Madelyne's my wife. What's happening, major?"

"Is she an airplane pilot, sir?"

"Yes, she is. We both are. Please tell me what's going on," Scott pleaded, his heart beating fast against his ribcage.

"Son… uh… I'm afraid to inform you that your wife was involved in a flight accident. We did our best to rescue her, but… unfortunately, she didn't make it."