Westchester, New York
The Jean Grey School
The Present

"Last time, Logan," Tony Stark said. "This is the last time."

"Last time for what?" Logan asked. He was seated before his computer in his office.

"We have another one of your kids over here," Tony said, leaning close to the camera. His face appeared large on Logan's monitor. "Are you expecting a new student?"

Logan huffed. "Why in the world would he be at Stark Tower?"

Tony leaned back in his chair and shrugged. "He said he, quote," Tony made air quotes with his fingers, "wanted to meet the real superheroes, end quote. Actually, this one is kinda cute. Has a knack for machines. I let him try out a robot."

"Looks like flattery will get you everywhere," Logan scratched his head and sighed. "I'll be there to collect him." He closed the communication link.

"So, it's not a hoax?" Kitty asked hopefully. She was perched on Logan's desk, listening to the conversation. "There really is a new student?"

"Not a hoax," Logan confirmed.

"I told you it wasn't a hoax," Kitty said to Bobby, who was struggling through a pile of bills.

"I'll believe it when I see it!" Bobby responded. "This is just an April Fools' joke! You're going to drive all the way down there and find Thor packed into a JGS uniform. Hunh, what is this?" Bobby mused, looking at a cylindrical package addressed to himself. He unscrewed the top and there was a minor explosion followed by a shower of glitter and snowflake-shaped confetti.

"Robert Drake!" Bobby screamed, spitting glitter. "You're dead!"

Kitty dissolved into a cascade of laughter. "Get this cleaned up, Bobby," Wolverine said tiredly as he paced from the room. "And don't threaten to kill yourself."

An hour later, Logan arrived in the lobby of Stark Tower. Stark employees passed through security, came in and out of elevators, clustered around a coffee station. Tony was speaking with Pepper Potts in the center of the lobby. Occasionally he greeted an employee with a wave. Beside Tony stood a skinny twelve-year-old boy. He had a mop of white-blond hair with the faintest tinge of red in it. There were smoke-colored glasses on his nose. He was wearing jeans and a tee-shirt that had the old Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters logo on it. Around his neck was a blue and bronze striped scarf.

"Morning, Headmaster," Tony Stark said as Logan approached. "Coffee?"

"Just the kid," Logan looked at the boy. "Jean-Jaques LeGrix?" he asked.

The boy nodded. "Jack," he corrected.

"You're in the wrong place at the wrong time," Logan said.

"I'm expecting a delivery," Jack said, consulting his pocket watch and then pointing to the revolving doors of the lobby.

Logan and Tony turned to see Matt Murdock enter a moment later. He was in his business suit and carrying a briefcase.

"Good morning," Matt said, he turned from Logan to Tony.

With a jolt, Logan recalled the security footage he'd seen of Gambit, Daredevil, and the missing Jean clone. "Murdock!" he said. "Where's Gambit? The woman he was with? Where did they go?"

Murdock's eyebrows came together. "Jean?" he confirmed, and Logan's heart leapt. Matt paused. "Well, I mean... I was just with them last night."

"Where?" Logan barked, irritated with Matt's reticence.

"The Manhattan Diner," Matt responded. "Gambit wanted pancakes."

Logan gaped at him.

"From what I gathered, they seemed to be on their way to the school. He mentioned it was a school night."

"And the woman," Logan countered. "Jean? How did she seem?"

"Good," Matt said, considering. "She was troubled. But certainly a lot better than when I'd first run into her. I think she'll be okay."

"You have a spring in your step, Murdock. Am I being served?" Tony interrupted.

"No, I don't have the pleasure," Matt said. "I'm here to meet someone."

"That's me," Jack said. "The Witness sent you."

Matt cocked his head. "You...seem familiar."

"I don't want to confuse you any more than I need to," Jack said. "D'you mind opening the briefcase?"

Matt shrugged and said: "Okay, sure." He unlocked the briefcase, turned it and held the opened briefcase towards Jack. Jack perused it's contents. He picked up a velvet pouch and put it into his back pocket. He picked up an envelope and checked the contents. Jack turned to Logan and offered the envelope.

"This is for you," Jack told him.

Logan looked at the envelope with consternation.

"It's a cheque," Jack said. "A charitable donation to your school in Grant Moreux's name."

"Who?" Logan said, and looked at the cheque. His eyes widened at the sight of numerous zeros.

"A mutant who died at birth," Jack told him. "This money is from his mother. To benefit other mutant kids."

"The cheque is real, Logan," Matt told him. "If you need to get in contact with Ms. Moreux, you can go through me."

Logan was no longer annoyed with his new student.

"Moreux?" Tony muttered to himself. "That's a weird coincidence."

Jack took the folder of papers from the briefcase. "Thank you, Mr. Murdock."

"No problem," Matt told the boy.

"You know that's a lie," Jack responded. "It was a pretty big problem."

"We should probably get going," Logan told Jack, anxious to return to the school. "Professor Pryde has some kind of orientation program set up for you."

"Great," Jack said with no enthusiasm.

"Good luck, young man," Tony said and patted the boy on the back. "Sounds like you're going to need it. Next time you're in the neighborhood, you can test run the Delta model."

"Really?" Jack brightened a bit.

Pepper gave Tony's arm a squeeze. "See, I told you it wouldn't kill you to be nice."

"Mr. Stark, it was a pleasure meeting de brainchild behind much of the enterprise I'll someday head after the Stark/Fujikawa merger," Jack told him.*

"This kid is hilarious!" Tony laughed, shaking the boy by the shoulder. "Such an imagination!"

Logan glanced sidelong at Jack. "Uh, what was your power again? Something to do with chronology?"

Jack resettled his glasses on his nose. "It's complicated."

"Thanks for lookin' after him," Logan said and gave Tony a mock salute, touching two fingers to his forehead. "Murdock, we'll be in touch. This your stuff, kid?" Logan asked and indicated the army green canvas bag at Jack's feet. When Jack nodded, Logan stooped to pick it up.

"G'bye," Jack told Tony, "thanks for making me privy to trade secrets." To Matt he said: "Nice meeting you again." He hustled a bit to catch up with Logan.

When they were out on the sidewalk, Logan said: "This is us," and hauled open the van door. Wolverine tossed the bag onto the floor of the backseat. "You can sit up front if you want. "Where are your parents, kid?"

Jack nodded at him and climbed into the passenger seat. "They're at the school," Jack answered as he buckled himself in. "And probably not happy."

Logan raised a bushy eyebrow in Jack's direction. He pulled away from Stark Enterprise's entry, took the drive down the plaza in front of Stark Tower, and turned onto the busy New York City street. "Make it a habit of disappearing on your folks, hunh?"

"More like reappearing on them," Jack replied. "When they least expect it."

Jack flipped through the contents of the folder he'd been given. Logan glanced at him sidelong while also keeping an eye on the slow flow of traffic. Jack separated a sheaf of files, some kind of contract, and ripped it to pieces. After balling up the remains, he rolled down the window. With amazingly accurate aim, he threw the wadded up paper into a passing garbage can. A passerby dumped the remains of his breakfast in the garbage immediately afterwards. Jack shut the window, opened the glove compartment and placed the manila folder with the remaining files inside. Logan thought it might have been a birth certificate. Jack snapped the glove compartment shut.

"What're you-?" Logan began.

Jack reopened the glove box, and the manila folder was gone. He instead removed a map of New York and opened it.

"What the hell was that?" Logan asked.

Jack said: "That? That was somethin' from a previous chapter. I couldn't figure out how t'get it there in the right order." He tsked, and chided himself with a shake of his head. "Total amateur. I need practice."

"Wha-ah..? What did you throw out the window then?"

"Hm," Jack said distractedly. "See, there's de thing. Those were records pertaining to two hired assassinations. Y'see, my adoptive father's biological father hired an assassin to kill his biological son to conceal the fact he - the biological father I mean - was both having an affair and that his biological son was born a mutant. The biological father feared he was about to be blackmailed and have his political career ruined. The assassin also happened to be the biological son's ex-wife, who was, as it turns out, also employed by the biological father's ex-lover - my adoptive father's birth mother that is - who wanted the ex-wife to murder the biological father out of revenge for letting her believe her biological son was dead. But in reality, the adoptive father of my adoptive father assassinated his adoptive son's birth father. And do you think my adoptive father needs t'know any of this? Does it do him any good? No. He's already got enough daddy issues for a decade-long subscription to Why Won't Daddy Love Me? Magazine."

This kid is nuts, Logan thought. "I'm really sorry I asked."

"You should probably take 9A," Jack added, looking at the map.

Logan was shaking his head in an effort to clear it. "But-wha- so did anyone…? I just don't—Never mind! I'm not taking 9A. I know how to get to the place, seeing as how I live there," Logan growled.

"I'm just sayin' there's an accident on the Parkway."

"Can you just sit there and be normal?" Logan asked. "For at least the hour it takes to get there?"

"Hour and forty five minutes if you take this exit," Jack muttered. "Oh, we're takin' it then. Okay."

After a period of silence Logan finally remarked: "So, from the Big Easy?"

"Mostly."

"Weather's a bit different up here," Logan said.

"Not a big fan of th'cold," Jack said.

"No offense, but it doesn't look like you get out much," Logan observed.

"I have albinism," Jack replied.

"Oh. Erm. Well...the seasons are nice," Logan added awkwardly.

"Small talk is painful," Jack said.

Logan wholeheartedly agreed. They drove for the most part in uncompanionable silence, especially after getting stuck in traffic for forty-five minutes. Jack watched the scenery change from city to suburban. After a while, he removed a loop of string from his pocket and began twisting it into different patterns.

"What's that?" Logan asked, glancing at the boy. "Please don't tell me it's an interdimensional time portal."

"Something t'do with my hands," Jack said. "Keeps me in the present."

They came to the affluent town of Salem Center and finally to the Jean Grey School. Jack watched as they passed the statue in the courtyard, its reflection sliding across the windscreen. Laughter burst from Jack's lips.

"What's so funny?" Logan asked.

"She won't like that," Jack replied.

Logan felt a flash of trepidation. The kid was more than precocious, he was downright enigmatic, eerie even. Probably crazy. Logan pulled up behind a pearly white Lexus SUV in the driveway. "These your folks?" Logan asked.

"That'll be them," Jack responded.

Through the windscreen, they could see two figures seated in the SUV. Though the windows were tinted, they could see the driver was gesticulating wildly. The passenger responded with some angry poking in the driver's direction.

"What're they doing?" Logan asked, mostly to himself.

"Arguing," Jack said, in a tired tone. "Or flirting. It's hard to tell."

Logan stepped out of the van just as the SUV's driver side door opened. The driver emerged, leaned down to peer into his vehicle, and yelled: "Fine then!" before slamming the door. The driver pushed his longish brown hair back from his forehead in frustration and then smoothed a hand down his bearded face.

Logan came to a halt. Once again, it seemed the man before him had changed his appearance. Besides the addition of facial hair, it looked like he was dressed in a less haphazard fashion. Though coordinated, one had to wonder where a man could buy bright pink denim. "Gambit!" Logan shouted.

Remy startled and looked at Logan. "Oh, hey Logan," he said.

"'Oh, hey Logan,'" he repeated. "Is that all you have to say?! Where have you been? We've been searching-!"

People were emerging from the school front doors. "Welcome!" Kitty announced grandly, her arms outstretched. Then she saw it was Remy. "Oh, you're not the...new…" she drifted off in confusion.

"Gambit! You're alive! Now, you're really in for it!" Bobby said, joining Kitty on the top step. "Hey, did you know your dad was here? He's a badass! Shame that doesn't run in the family!"

Last to appear were Ororo and Rogue. They both looked at the new arrival with astonishment. "Remy, thank the Goddess!" Ororo cried.

Rogue ran down the staircase. Remy had a moment to put up his arms defensively before she crashed into him. He was surprised to find she was hugging him. "Oh," he said, "well dis ain't so bad."

Rogue backed up and punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" Remy clutched his bicep. "Okay, that's more like it."

"You. Had. Us. Worried. Sick!" Rogue punctuated each word with a jab to Remy's chest.

"Hey, c'mon now!" Remy attempted to shield himself from the onslaught.

Remy found himself surrounded, interjections peppering him like gunfire.

"-Sinister's clone in your apartment-!"

"-National news! Bank robbery? You should see the photo of you-!"

"-Said you were homeschooled! Why didn't you just tell-!"

"-Followed down into the Morlock tunnels-!"

"-Phoned you multiple times-."

"-Time-traveled and was really, really sick-."

"-told us you'd attacked Sinister so they could-."

"Help!" Remy called. "Help me!"

The passenger side door opened. For a moment, the voices stopped.

A woman with dark, mahogany-colored hair emerged. She removed her sunglasses to reveal bright green eyes.

"Jean?" Ororo asked, hardly daring to believe it.

"Is it you?" Logan asked.

"Not the most elaborate April Fools' joke ever?" Bobby asked.

"I told you," Remy said to her over the roof of the car. "Just dump it all in their heads and I won't have to explain anything!"

"It's me," Jean said, finally. "Sorry my entrance isn't more dramatic. Remy and I decided we'd explain everything. The normal way," she added in a pointed way.

"No, you decided!" Remy retorted.

Ororo moved around the vehicle to embrace Jean. "You are alive," Ororo said, smiling through her tears. She drew Jean into a hug. "You are home!"

Bobby threw his arms around both women. "Not a hoax!" he cried happily.

Ororo finally released Jean so that Kitty and Rogue could both welcome their friend. "I'm so sorry you had to worry," Jean told them. "I'm sorry I-we-ran away."

"I only got de one hug," Remy muttered.

"There will be time enough for explanations later," Ororo said, touching Jean's face. The two women smiled at one another. "Let us not concern ourselves with apologies."

"Whoo-hoo! I'm off de hook!" Remy declared and raised his arms in victory.

"Don't count on it, bub," Logan said, still hanging back.

"Double-standards," Remy huffed.

"Logan?" Jean asked, turning to him, her hands were twisting together. "Well? Do I pass the sniff test?"

Logan slowly came forward. He looked into her face to study her features, then he finally met her eyes. Jean released her hands and held them out to Logan, almost shyly. Slowly, he took her into his arms. Logan swallowed hard. After a few moments he released her. "You pass."

Jean released a breath she'd been holding. "Good," she said with a smile. "Now. Take down that god-awful statue." She pointed at the statue of herself in the courtyard.

"Told ya she wouldn't like it," a voice said.

The adults turned to look at the young boy.

Kitty looked surprised, then embarrassed. "Oh, my gosh. Our new student! I'm so sorry! You must be..."

"Jack," the boy said.

"Oh, we're goin' by 'Jack,' now?" Remy said in an undertone, his arms folded on the roof of the car, his chin resting on his forearms. "Well, all right then."

"Right!" Kitty said, remembering. "Jean-Jacques LeGrix! Welcome, Jack!"

"It's Jack Grey," Jean said. "'LeGrix' is...Remy's idea of a joke."

"Alias," Remy corrected. "It's an alias."

Eyes bounced from the new student to the recently resurrected Jean Grey like so many ping pong balls.

"Uhm, what?"

"But how?"

"He's not-?"

Jean and Remy shared a look. Remy raised his eyebrows. "Told ya, just brain dump 'em."

"Maybe we can-," Jean began.

She was interrupted by a loud sneeze. Jack buried his face in his sleeve and sneezed again. He sniffed. "Ugh, pollen," he said, before emitting a final surprise sneeze. He immediately vanished.

"Where'd he go?" Kitty asked, alarmed.

"Gotta be a new record for losing a student," Bobby observed.

"He'll be back," Remy said, unperturbed. "He always turns up eventually."

Logan recovered the canvas bag from where Jack had dropped it. "Maybe in the meantime, we could have that explanation?"

~oOo~

They were gathered in the conference room. It was a rectangular room with a picture window at the far end. It overlooked the expanse of the back yard. Students were playing a game of field hockey on the grass beyond. The walls were covered in a glossy white wainscotting and built in bookshelves. There was a single monitor on the wall, usually hidden behind a tasteful landscape painting. Snacks and a carafe of water had been arranged on the highly polished conference table. They all sat around the oval table facing one another, like a family. Someone had placed a large stuffed yellow chick at the head of the table, where Charles Xavier might have sat. It was wearing half of an Easter egg on its head as a hat.

"Are you sure we shouldn't be worried about Jack?" Kitty asked, scooting herself closer to the table.

Jean shook her head. She was seated across from Kitty. Remy was seated at Jean's side, staring at the snacks as if he could consume them with the force of his gaze. Absently, Rogue reached across the table and pushed the tray toward him.

"He'll know how to find us?" Rogue asked.

"He has a really good sense of direction," Jean added.

"So, is this like an adoption situation, or…" Bobby trailed off.

Jean looked down at her folded hands. "Jackie is my son. My biological son."

"From the future? Alternate timeline?" Bobby followed up, as if this was commonplace.

Jean shook her head. "No, from the past." She looked up at her friends. "After we-myself and another clone- escaped, I found out I was pregnant. If Sinister would have discovered me..."

"Jeannie can't break out of Sinister's control, if he ever got a hold of her again. So we just popped over to a little hidey hole outside the parameters of time and space for a bit," Remy added. He shoved a handful of chips into his mouth.

Jean put her hand on his wrist, seeming to pass Remy a silent communication. "I had Jackie almost twelve years ago. Or was it twenty-six?"

"How did you...," Rogue asked, looking at Jean. Then her eyes traveled to Remy. "Go back?"

Remy grinned at her. "Turns out she can hotwire my time travel powers, that only kinda sorta work."

"You've been in the past," Logan began with incredulity, "for twelve years?"

Jean shook her head, and let out a humorless laugh. "If it were that easy. Unfortunately, Jackie was born with a heart defect. Among other health problems. He was in and out of the hospital for the better part of eleven years."

"Felt longer," Remy added. Jean poked him.

"Remy and I used the-," Jean began.

"Hidey hole," Remy interjected.

"To stay out of the timeline," Jean continued. "For the most part. We had help...with Jackie. Jack's grandparents, Remy's father and mother-."

"Wait, hold up," Bobby made a T for "timeout" with his hands. He pointed to Remy. "You're the father?"

"Well, dat's an interestin' question," Remy's expression was guarded.

"Remy and I raised Jackie," Jean answered. "Together."

That statement was met with stunned silence.

"You guys are jerks," Remy said finally.

"We do not intend to cast doubt on your abilities, Remy," Ororo said. "It is only a surprising revelation." Her eyes met Bobby's, daring him to contradict her.

"Okay, I think we're almost up to speed," Kitty said, looking from Jean to Remy and back again. "One more question. Does that mean the two of you are a...thing?"

Remy leaned back in his chair and scratched his head. He was carefully avoiding both Rogue's and Logan's eyes. "Well, dat's an interestin' question...," he said again.

"In other words," Kitty said. "None of your business."

"Ah, Kitty," Remy said, "I'm glad to hear we're speakin' de same language now."

"We have a story to tell of our own," Ororo began, leaning forward to look past Jean at Remy. "Concerning you."

Remy held up a hand to forestall her. "If it's to do with de mini-me runnin' around, I already know."

"How's that?" Logan asked, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

Remy tapped his head with a forefinger. "Most of it came back t'me in bits and pieces. I thought I was going nuts. Who knew, when you're the nexus of a major time event it would be de trigger to bring back cherished childhood memories."

"You remember? You remember what happened?" Rogue asked.

"Mostly from when I was real little. But from here…? I mean, I recall a lot of teen angst, bein' held captive by a psychopath little girl, lost in tunnels, lots of explosions, gettin' real sick," Remy said. "Then I woke up back in Big Charity. I recollect some, but not all."

"That might be partly mah fault," Rogue admitted. "When Ah absorbed your younger self's powers to return you home, Ah might've taken some of your memories."

Remy gave a little shudder. "You can have 'em!"

"What psychopath little girl?" Kitty asked, concerned. "Only, the younger you was worried about...a girl named Alice?"

Remy held out his hands helplessly and shook his head.

"He doesn't remember," Jean said.

"And you came back here, now?" Logan said.

"Back t'de beginning," Remy said.

"So Jack could go to school," Jean said.

"I am so glad to have you home," Ororo told Jean and took her hand.

"Guess I'll go eat worms," Remy groused. Ororo stood then and crossed behind Jean's chair. She put her arms around Remy's shoulders and hugged him from behind.

"And you, as well, my friend," she assured him.

Jean looked at her reflection in the shiny finish of the conference table. "About that," she began. "I don't know that this is a home for me."

She was met with several objections. "Of course it is," Logan said.

Jean shook her head.

"It's not safe," Remy said. "Sinister could show up and possess her. She doesn't have a choice when it comes t'him."

Logan stood, his hands on the table. "We won't let that happen."

"We've had plenty of time to come to a decision," Jean said, straightening her spine and regarding her friends.

"We decided," Remy affirmed. "That Jackie can stay here and try t'learn t'get along with other people. So long as...where he came from...is a secret. Sinister doesn't know a thing about him. Like for it to stay that way."

"And, you all," Rogue pointed her chin at Remy and Jean. "What're you gonna do?"

Remy gestured to Jean. "She does de steerin', I just paddle."

"We're not planning on making any waves," Jean smiled at him.

"You're funny," Remy told her.

They were interrupted by the sounds from outside. Or rather the lack of sound. The voices and shouts of children at play had been creating a sort of background noise. The sounds seemed to have abruptly stopped. The gathered adults turned to look out the window. It looked as if the scene before them had frozen in time.

"That's mildly abnormal," Kitty observed, peering out the window.

Remy and Jean shared a look. "Looks like Jackie's back," Remy said.

"He'll probably need his inhaler," Jean said and moved to rise from her chair. To Remy she said: "Did you remember to pack it?"

"Ye-esss," Remy said in a put upon voice. He put out a hand to stay her, then stood. "It's in de front pocket of his bag. C'mon, chѐre, dis ain't my first rodeo."

"I didn't mean to imply anything," Jean told him. "I was just asking."

"Inferring I'm forgetful," he said as he rummaged in the green bag Logan had set by the door.

"Well, you are," Jean said. "Were you not involved in the conversation we were just having?"

"Henpecked t'death, me!" Remy said as he exited the conference room, closing the door behind him.

"I've had enough of your sexist language!" Jean shouted after him.

"Peck, peck, peck!" came Remy's muffled voice though the closed door.

"Uggh!" Jean growled in frustration, her hands flying up in defeat.

Rogue stood from her chair. "Ah'll just," she said and pointed at the door. "Ah'll...be right back."

The remaining X-Men regarded one another.

"So…," Kitty said, regaining her seat and folding her hands on the tabletop. "Tell us more about - Jack. Do you think he'd like to sign up for any extracurriculars or-."

"Kitty," Logan said, cutting her off. "Do you think now is the time to be discussing class schedules?"

"Well-," Kitty began.

"I know what you're thinking, Logan," Jean said quietly. She fingered the space where her ring used to be. "I know you're trying to make sense of..to come to terms with..." She exhaled suddenly. "Believe me, I have struggled myself. I almost chose...to not...have him. But. He was a part of me, and I'd already lost...a piece of myself. Or thought I did. And I knew him, I knew him, Logan. Before he was even born. Then, I thought I might...give him up. Only he was so small when he was born, and needed so much help."

"I cannot imagine what you must have gone through, Jean," Ororo told her. "I only wish you had come to us for support."

Jean smiled sadly at this. "I appreciate that. I just didn't feel like I could. I wasn't in the right frame of mind," Jean told her. "And I am aware of how this must look to all of you."

"You do not need to offer explanations-," Ororo began.

"I'm not explaining myself. I'm defining myself," Jean insisted, pressing her friend's hand. "I am entitled to do so, before anyone else does that for me."

"Of course, Jean," Kitty said softly. "We wouldn't…"

"I understand human nature, Kitty. I make my own assumptions. My own judgements, about others, myself," Jean looked to each of her friends. "Here I am, once again back from the dead, and immediately involved with a man. I have enough sense to see how pathetic that looks." She did not give them the chance to contradict her. "But I couldn't do it alone, and I couldn't face my closest friends. Remy and I have spent a considerable amount of time together, mostly driving each other crazy," here she gave a brief smile. "We've both spent time trying to reconcile with...who we really are. Let me tell you, raising a child and battling personal demons is not for the faint-hearted. But when someone really needs you, like Jackie did, it gives significant incentive to make peace with your fears. And now I can say I know who I truly am. Remy, too. We have made sacrifices...for other people. I am not trying to make myself seem a martyr. I have no regrets, as far as Jackie is concerned. I can't speak for Remy, if he has regrets or not, but there isn't anything he wouldn't do for Jackie. Or me."

"Thanks for setting us straight," Bobby told her with a kind smile. "You're the master of giving us a good talking to."

"Thank you for your candor," Ororo added.

Jean said: "There is another reason...for me to leave. Sinister-being part of me-literally, physically, so that he can control me, is a problem in itself. But mentally, I have not had my self to myself. To be my own person, outside of having a family, a son, and the X-Men. Remy's learned enough from the mistakes of his past relationships to not make assumptions or demands of me, to not have expectations about who I should be or what I should do. He doesn't define me. But he does provide me with some perspective. I value his experience and his opinion."

"I hope you can make peace with that," Jean told Logan directly.

Logan struggled to meet the challenge of her gaze. "You didn't even give us the choice," he said haltingly. "You could have come home. You could have given us the chance to help you. Instead...you ran. From us."

From me? She heard him wonder.

Jean nodded. "I was scared, Logan. I don't expect you to understand. I didn't run towards fear...like you would have. I ran and I hid. Part of me was scared. Part of me...felt shame. For what happened to me. It took me a while to overcome that, to even realize that. And also...I promised I'd help Remy."

"Help him?" Logan asked. Jean's heart ached to feel the man's unvoiced anguish. To have her back only to lose her again. "With what?"

"It's a long story," Jean answered. "And it's not my place to tell it. Maybe with enough time, and trust, Remy will tell you himself."

~oOo~

Rogue caught up to Remy in the hallway under the staircase.

"Ah've been wanderin' God's green earth lookin' for you, sugah," she told him.

"Didn't mean t'send you on a wild goose chase, chѐre," Remy responded.

Her eyes flashed in irritation. "You know, Ah really thought you were dead. Ah found your corpse, Remy. The clone version."

"Sorry y'had to see that," Remy said. "Thought I was havin' an out-of-body experience myself when I walked in to find myself dead on de floor."

"You mean, you found a dead body in your apartment, and just left?" Rogue asked hotly.

Remy held his hands out. "There was extenuatin' circumstances beyond my control," he said apologetically.

Rogue shook her head and exhaled. "Remy, Ah didn't come after you to get all mad again."

"I seem t'have that effect on women," Remy rubbed the back of his head. "Totally understandable. So what was the reason to come after me, if not to give me a hollerin' at?"

She looked into his face. He had a crease between his eyebrows she didn't remember him having before. But there was something else that had changed. He no longer seemed to have that air of sadness that used to linger in his eyes even when his mouth was stuck in a carefree smirk.

"Ah'm glad you're alright," Rogue told him finally. "Ah was scared t'death for you, for your younger self." She took a breath. "You know Ah love you, still. And Ah am sorry."

"Me too," he answered, smiling. "Thanks for lookin' out for me. I was a pretty cute kid, ain?"

Rogue blew air from her lips and rolled her eyes. "You were pretty ornery, is what you were." She paused. "And don't change the subject! You and him both, running away. Remy, are you ever going to grow up?" She smiled sadly to soften her words.

"Unlucky for you, I tend to run 'round in circles. So I always turn up again," he told her.

"You don't usually have a partner," she murmured in response.

He nodded, looked down at the toes of his boots. "S'true. Road seemed pretty rough there, but somehow it was easier to walk. Me and her shared the load. But neither one of us could bear the burden of other people's expectations, or in my case, the lack of 'em." He looked up and gave a self-deprecating grin. "We both balked at the yoke. And no amount of stick or carrot was going to make us go."

"Stubborn as mules," Rogue said.

"Speak for yourself," he told her.

They looked at one another for a long moment, then seemed to come to the consensus that they could share a hug.

Her cheek rested against his chest, his arms around her shoulders. She was glad to feel him alive and whole. "Jean and Scott," here Rogue caught herself, exasperated with the current circumstances that made her have to clarify her words: "The younger Jean and Scott, that is. Said you'd jumped Sinister so they could get away. We thought he had you. That he'd taken you. Ah thought maybe Ah'd never see you again. But maybe that's what you wanted?"

He smoothed her hair and placed a kiss on top of her head."Nah, chere. I thought I knew. I thought I needed space. I just needed time."

She pulled back to look up at him. "And how did you get away from Sinister?"

"Keep slippin' outta his hands," Remy told her. "At de last minute."


Next time: A monologue to a monster.

*XSE series, The Witness heads up Stark/Fujikawa