Chapter 16: Ashes
Author's note: I went back reread some stuff and might go back to change it so the story flows smoother but for now I'm gonna keep moving forward! The last chapter of this story will either be 20 or 21, depends on how I want to end this.
-Thomas P.O.V.-
~Next Day~
"So how much can you lift?" Iceman kept trying to talk to me, asking me stupid questions.
"Not sure." I mumbled, filing in with the other X-Men into the danger room.
Another long night, the hours felt like they dragged on, and nothing exciting ever happened, except for the night feedings Declan still needed.
"You picked up the blackbird; I'm sure you can pick up something bigger." Iceman kept talking, but I ignored him this time. Standing in the small formation and waiting patiently.
They called us at around five this morning, telling us to form up for a training session at seven.
"You should do a challenge against Piotr." Iceman nudged me, and I glared at him openly. He moved a few feet away, and I relaxed.
"Alright, X-Men, listen up, that includes you, Iceman." Cyclops ordered, pushing his shades up the bridge of his nose.
"Sorry." Iceman apologized, looking at the floor nervously.
How was Iceman a senior X-Men but acted like a damn twelve-year-old? I'd rather have Jones on the team.
"The professor has decided to split us up into two teams, to determine who will be in each group we will be having a field day." Cyclops began the session with one of his usual speeches, but I perked up when he mentioned field day.
"The leaders were already assigned by the professor, leader of the Gold team is me, and the leader of the Blue team is Storm." Cyclops announced, and I smirked.
Ororo, as a team leader, felt right, hope I'm good enough to be on her team.
"Colossus and Gambit, you two are up first. Based on skill and overall compatibility, we will determine which team each individual will be in." Cyclops tapped on his clipboard, pulling a pen out of his black jacket.
"Next individuals are Nightcrawler and Rogue; everyone else step out and get warmed up." Cyclops pointed everyone to the locker rooms.
"I wonder who's gonna go up against Wolvie and Tommy." Shadowcat whispered to Iceman, and Iceman shrugged.
There was silence for a few minutes and I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck. It lasted seconds, making my ears ring and my vision blur.
I didn't think much of it, my body had been acting out since I 'died'.
"I'd rather go up against Colossus." Iceman admitted, looking over at Logan. I nearly smiled when Wolverine flashed his claws at Iceman.
Does it ever hurt him when he unsheathes his claws? I wondered. Can't imagine if they gave me claws like his, I looked down at my hands and shrugged.
There were three buzzing sounds before the danger room door opened, and Colossus came out with a charred uniform, his nose bleeding.
Gambit strode out like he was walking out of bar, a smug smile on his face. I'm not even sure he got any sleep last night on his way back from Louisiana.
His red eyes caught mine, and there was anger. I looked unflinchingly, waiting for him to look away.
His eyes nearly turned black, his scent changing from anger to jealousy.
"Gambit, you are on my team. Colossus, you are on the Gold team." Cyclops patted Gambit's back, and he responded in French before heading to the showers.
That red-eyed fucker better back off, if he knows what's good for him. It was Rogue who came to me that night, I couldn't deny her.
Nightcrawler teleported next to Cyclops, his tail whipped back and forth like an excited dog.
"Nightcrawler and Rogue, you're up." Cyclops waved the blue smoke out of his face.
"Next is Beast and Shadowcat." Cyclops looked at his clipboard like he was trying to make sure he read that right.
Emma snorted loudly.
"Nightcrawler, you'll be apart of the Gold Team. Rogue, you're on my team." Cyclops patted Rogue's back.
Rogue and Gambit on the same team? Big mistake.
"Beast and Shadowcat, let's go." Cyclops' whiny voice broke through my thoughts. I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling stiff.
"Second to last is Emma and Iceman." Cyclops' gave his paper a skeptical look.
"Of course, I get put up with a boy." Emma hissed, stomping over to look at the sheet.
Shadowcat fazed through the doors, a small gash on her face. Beast came in after; his chest and legs had scratches and trails of blood.
She's stronger than I thought, good.
"Beast you're on my team, and Shadowcat is on the gold team." Cyclops wrote down a few notes.
Shadowcat gave Nightcrawler a high five as she walked past him.
"Emma and Iceman are up; the last pair to compete is Dark Charge and Wolverine." Cyclops turned to look at me; I returned the gaze, even though I couldn't see his eyes.
Cyclops followed Emma and Iceman into the Danger Room; the pace of his heartbeat getting faster.
I eyed Logan, who sat calmly next to Storm, whispering. The truth is, I wasn't surprised that I was going up against him, hell I've been waiting for this moment since I first saw him in action.
We've had training sessions and practicing but never like this.
The rest of the team kept looking back and forth between Logan and me; we'd probably have an audience when our competition came up.
"Iceman, you're on my team, Emma, you're on the Gold Team." Cyclops announced, his eyes stayed on Emma while he spoke.
Emma glared at Cyclops and stomped away.
"Wolverine and Dark Charge, you're the last two." Cyclops stared at me, grinning. I bet he wanted me to beat Logan's ass; there must've been a rift or something between them before I showed up at the mansion.
The two had different personalities, but the friction between them was more than just a mutual difference.
I'll figure it out eventually; Logan and I were up now.
"I'll go easy on ya." Logan nudged me, and I stayed quiet, annoyed.
Multiple black bolts of lightning hit the ground around Logan; I filled the danger room with an avalanche of snow; Logan stumbled, and a bolt hit his left arm.
"How 'bout you ease off yer powers an' show me what ya can really do." Logan growled, standing his ground, I shrugged.
I crouched, mimicking his stance before lunging, changing positions before he had the chance to see my demeanor.
I made a move to punch him in the stomach, He brought his claws forward to protect himself like I thought he would, giving me the chance to elbow him in the face and sweep his legs out.
"Fuck." Wolverine cursed, crouching while he spat out blood.
"Stop going easy on me, these people coming after us aren't gonna come in here playing games." I snapped, keeping my eyes locked on his.
We circled each other, I noticed his jaw clench.
"Fine." Logan growled, charging me full force.
The attack was swift as he swung one set of claws towards my legs and the other set toward my head.
I sidestepped away, whirling my left leg, and kicking him in the upper chest.
He fell face first but was up a second later, going to sweep my legs out.
I caught his leg and swung him towards the floor. The tip of his claw caught my neck, and blood gushed out, but I was relentless.
I leaped toward him, flipping him on his stomach before, locking my legs around his right arm and his left arm with my arms.
Effectively restraining him but he took the opportunity to pummel me in the stomach with his head.
It hurt like all hell but I didn't let go and Wolverine continued to struggle, trying to slash at me repeatedly.
I began struggling to breathe; a burning sensation in my chest caused me to double over.
The room was turning red, a wave of heat rushed through me, beginning to burn me from the inside out.
My arms felt like they were on fire, but I couldn't let Wolverine go; my muscles contracted in pain.
"Thomas, let go ah me!" Logan shouted, his skin started smoldering.
"Danger, unknown energy detected." A siren came through the overhead.
I threw him as far away as I could from me, still trying to regain myself, but the room started to shake, and the lights flickered.
An energy blast from my hands shook the room, pieces of the danger room ceiling came down and I ran to, Logan, shielding him from the debris.
The doors slid open, and everyone ran in; I saw the fear in their eyes, and I tried to stand but my chest constricted.
"Thomas, what are you doing?" Cyclops demanded, putting his hand on his visor.
I was confused by his threatening posture, I looked down and my hands were two black orbs.
"Please calm down." Ororo came forward, putting herself between Scott and me.
"Thomas, it's alright. You're okay." Ororo walked up to me, but I walked backwards, trying to make some distance between the team and me.
I needed to get away now, I crouched down slightly before sending a gust of wind and pushing everyone far away from me.
I took the chance and hurled myself into the sky.
"Wait!" Storm's yell echoed through the air as I flew through the danger room roof.
-Ororo P.O.V.-
~A few days later~
The best part of my day always happened to be dinner, regardless if it was my turn to wash dishes on that given day.
"Logan, I am trying to clean." I laughed softly as Logan fought to gain my attention with his flirtatious antics.
"Am I making it hard for you, Darlin?" Logan whispered in my ear; goosebumps rose along my neck as he showered my neck with kisses.
"If you help me, we can get to our room faster." I proposed, pushing my rear against his pelvis suggestively.
He let out a soft groan and began helping me load the dishwasher; I gave him an appreciative glance as he bent over.
"Good point." Logan grumbled, taking a break to grab a sip of his beer.
"Cyke's team should be here any minute." Logan glanced at his watch for the third time in the last twenty minutes.
"Are you sure you're alright, Logan?" I asked, leaning against the counter.
Logan looked out the window, as though someone just called him before glancing back at me.
"Thinkin' bout the other day." He replied, frowning a bit.
"You healed well." I remarked, touching his neck tenderly.
The dark burn marks around his neck and arms were down to pale pink lines, Logan had his bandages removed just yesterday.
Logan put his hand over mine, a look of pain crossed his eyes. I subconsciously held my breath, waiting for him to answer.
"I wanna help him, Ro, just don't know how." Logan confessed, shaking his head slowly.
"It will take time, and we can not do anything for him if he doesn't want us to." I replied, sensing his apprehension.
I wanted to believe my advice but truth be told, I wanted to hover over him and ensure his safety at every turn.
"I feel you will be a great help to him in his process of healing, just as much as he will be helping you." I speculated, thinking back to the first few months of Thomas being here.
Thomas reminded me so much of Logan when he first arrived, the tenacity, his standoffish behavior, and the need to be a loner.
It was that same reason the two had come to butt heads so often, that and Logan's suspicion of Thomas being his son.
"How's that?" He asked.
"You both have been through a tremendous ordeal, maybe you both can confide within each other." I explained, winding my arms around his neck.
"Guess so, ain't put too much thought into it." Logan sighed, returning my embrace.
"It'll come with time." I assured, capturing his wandering gaze.
"Yer a good mama." Logan grumbled, leaning in close. His nose nuzzled mine affectionately.
"Yes, but I'm not your 'mama.' " I laughed lightly, his beard tickling my chin.
"That can be arranged..." Logan teased, moving his lips along my collar bone and nibbling.
"Logan!" I chided, trying to pull away as he growled playfully.
Ororo, Logan, a word, please.* The Professor interrupted.
Logan gave an annoyed sigh, mumbling something incoherent under his breath.
-A few minutes later-
"You wanted to speak to us, Charles." I spoke first, sitting in the leather seats across from him.
Logan stood behind my seat, a deep scowl marred his handsome face.
"Please, have a seat." Charles addressed Logan.
Logan ignored him.
"There is a gentleman who will be arriving in a week or quite possibly sooner." Charles simply went on.
"And what?" Logan grunted.
"He is coming to seek assistance from Thomas." Charles clarified.
"Is this something we should be concerned about, Professor?" I spoke first, unsure of how else to address the situation.
"It is difficult to say at this time; I want you both to be vigilant." Charles instructed and Logan growled.
"Who is he?" I questioned, leaning forward.
"A man by the name of James Barnes, he worked for the department that created Thomas." His voice wavered.
"If he thinks he's taking my ki... Taking Thomas, I'll kill the bastard." Logan emphasized his point by unsheathing his claws.
"I feel that Thomas would be more than willing to help Mr. Barnes." Charles contended,
"It is his decision to make." I agreed with Charles even as I felt a bit of apprehension.
"We'll see." Logan growled, leaving the office before I had the chance to stop him.
"Ororo a moment, please." Charles held a hand up as I tried to go after Logan.
"I wish to thank you for encouraging Thomas to remain here with us and allow us to help him." Charles expressed his gratitude.
I narrowed my eyes at him, disbelieving how Charles so easily took the decision Thomas made himself and determined it was my doing.
"I do need you to understand one thing Charles, Thomas decided to stay for his own reasons, do not assume I persuaded him.
"I understand but he does care for you Ororo, there is a bond between you two that goes beyond biological."
"That may be the case but regardless." I cut him off, intent on speaking my part.
"Thomas did not deserve the childhood he endured, the level of trauma, and horrific abuse." I spoke through grit teeth.
"No, he did not." Charles agreed easily.
"I want to make things right for him, regardless of the fact that he is my son.
"I agree Ororo, we will do everything we can to set things right." The assurance in his voice did nothing to convince me.
"You offering him membership with the X-Men does not fix anything Charles." I sighed, forcing myself to control the impending storm outside.
"No, it doesn't but it is a start." Charles retorted, wheeling away from his desk.
I watched him wearily, closing my eyes with an effort to calm my nerves. It would be a long night ahead.
"Good night." He called out but I said nothing in return.
I simply walked away, going down the hall and pushing open two large French pane windows, rain poured down my face and chest.
Taking a deep breath, smelling the fresh rain pelt the earth below, and hearing the thunder erupting throughout the skies, calling me home.
-Thomas P.O.V. -
~A few hours later~
"Get the hell away from me." I warned Cyclops, slamming my fist against the button to open the ramp on the blackbird.
Cyclops stood a few feet away, putting his hands on his hips.
"Thomas, you need to follow orders when you are instructed to." He lectured, moving to m
stand right behind me.
I turned around so fast I nearly head-butted the shit out of him.
"Your bullshit order would've gotten him killed." I growled but he didn't take the hint.
"It is my call, and you will follow orders, or you will be suspended from the team." Cyclops shoved a finger against my chest, and I balled my fists up. Ready to beat his ass.
"What the hell is going on." Logan interrupted, and I cursed softly.
Logan came over, but I was already walking out of the blackbird and into the institute.
Hank had warned me earlier that the pressure was building up inside me again. If I got angry enough or let the energy inside me keep building up, I could cause an accident that could take the east coast off the map.
The danger room is still being repaired after the accident with Logan, can't imagine what would've happened if I didn't stop when I did.
"Your son here doesn't know how to follow orders." Cyclops shouted, I was already in the higher levels of the school, but with my senses, it sounded like he was right behind me.
I kept walking, taking off my gloves and shoving them in my pockets.
"I'll talk to him." Logan told Scott.
If he comes over here and tries to tell me off I'm probably gonna kill him.
I was walking out of the institute from the back door in the kitchen, making my way to the lake.
"Thomas, hey!" Logan called out, jogging slightly to catch up to me.
"Hold on." He said after I didn't slow down or stop.
"What?!" I turned on him, the same way I did with Scott. Thunder rumbled a few miles out.
Logan stopped, holding his hands up like I was gonna attack him. I took a deep breath and relaxed a bit.
"Leave me the hell alone." I said, calmer, and turned away to keep walking.
"I'll leave you alone. Just tell me what happened." Logan asked, walking beside me.
There was a part of me that wanted to tell him to fuck off but another part, one I didn't want to think existed, told me to say it and get him off my back.
"Cyclops damn near got the boy we were sent to recruit, killed." I grumbled, my teeth grating.
The idiot made a wrong call, putting the kid we were trying to rescue, Benjamin, right in front of trouble, me being me ignored Scott's orders and saved the kid.
"He walks around here with a stick up his ass but he don't always mean wrong." Logan said.
"I thought you didn't like him." I snorted, mainly when he mentioned the stickup Scott's ass.
"I don't, but if he's leadin' the team I'll listen, fer the most part. If I'm leadin', he'll listen to me."
"If the time comes and he makes another stupid-ass decision, I'm calling his ass out on it." I swore, clenching my fists.
When it comes to failing missions, I took it personally. It's in my DNA to succeed in missions, doesn't matter if they are good or bad.
"Yer just like me, an I hardly know a thing about Ya." Logan chuckled, but I didn't see the humor in the situation. I was still pissed, but I was calming down.
"Not much to know, that you haven't already seen." I shot back, clenching my hands into fists.
"I could say the same." Logan went on and I slowed down.
"We done here?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Also wanted to let you know ya did good the other day. No one's ever taken my ass down that fast." Logan said, pulling out a cigar.
"It's what I do best." I said sarcastically.
I watched him light up the dark brown stogie, the smell of uncertainty coming off of him.
"Who taught you?" Logan finally said.
It took me a couple minutes to say something, I didn't want to say too much but I figured why not, it's not like Bucky is gonna show up one day.
"I had a lot of mentors but the one who taught me the most was James, codename Winter Soldier." I kept my answer short.
"Ya care about him?" Logan asked.
"He's the closest thing I had to family or even a friend, except Anna." I didn't hesitate about that.
"It's good to have someone there when yer goin' through shitty times." He took a long drag.
I didn't want to say anything, but I had to know. I came to a stop in front of the lake's edge, he stopped a few feet away.
"I heard some of what happened to you, did you have a mentor?" The question slipped out.
"I can't remember, woke up one day and didn't remember anything about my past, the only thing I had on me was my dog tags." Logan pulled his dog tags out from his shirt, letting them dangle.
Maybe they mind wiped him, same thing happened to Bucky.
"Don't sound that bad, I can't even sleep, just memories playing over and over." I crossed my arms, thinking about the past couple nights.
"Till yer past comes back to bite you in the ass and you ain't got a clue why." he said bitterly.
"Putting it that way I'm surprised they didn't mind wipe me like that." I contemplated, thinking back to times where it would've made things easier.
"It ain't a joke kid." Logan growled, clenching the cigar between his teeth.
"I never said it was, just saying it would make their jobs easier. More leverage over me." I shrugged.
"Be glad it didn't happen." Logan ground out.
Guess I hit a nerve, good.
"I'll be glad when all this shit's over." I replied quickly, ignoring his words.
"The shit ain't pretty on either side, you gotta know where you stand. Ya can't choose to be an X-Men one day and go off by yerself looking to fix problems on yer own." Logan gave me a hard look but I didn't say anything.
"I had ta choose." He added, puffing on his stogie.
"Storm made you choose." I thought about it as a question but it came out as a statement.
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Makes sense she's a team leader. Your team leader." I was done with this conversation.
I couldn't choose, not now.
"Yeah." Logan shrugged.
He seemed like he was gonna walk away but he didn't.
"I need a favor." He said suddenly.
The fuck would he need from me?
"A favor?" I almost wanted him to clarify but at this point, I just wanted to be alone.
I guess he sensed that and gave me a brief answer.
"Tomorrow afternoon, meet me out by the garage." Logan gave me a last look, like he was going to say more.
"Sure." I agreed reluctantly, I hope it isn't some bullshit task.
Logan gave me a nod and walked off, disappearing into the brush.
Fuckin' Summers. Fucking Victoria. Fucking Viper.
I ran my hands through my hair, before kneeling.
I wish it would all just end.
I looked up at the dark sky, watching the rain like it was going to fix all my problems.
A loud rumble of thunder shook the ground; a single black lightning bolt struck the tree a few feet away from me, turning it into ash.
The ash settled over the grass like a Black Sea.
I held my hands out, watching the ashes cover my palms for only a few seconds before the rain washed them away.
It's time for a change
-Ororo P.O.V.-
~Next Day~
"I'm ready if you are love." I advised Logan, placing the finishing touches of my makeup on.
Logan sat on the bed flicking through channels on our tv, one of the students had an outburst and short-circuited every electronic device, including our VCR.
That left Logan with no choice but to watch new shows.
"Already? That was fast." Logan turned the tv off, pulling his heavy boots on.
I was almost self-conscious as I noticed Logan wore one of his nice flannels and a less worn pair of jeans.
"We are only going for a ride, aren't we?" I felt underdressed in my pink deep-v camisole and light blue jeans.
"I was thinking 'bout takin' ya somewhere." Logan insinuated, standing to his full height and watching me.
"I could change if you would like." I did have another outfit planned out when I remembered at the time that it was just a ride.
"You look gorgeous, Ororo." Logan stepped over multiple cardboard boxes before enveloping me in his arms.
Though I hated a disorganized room, it made me feel better that it was a sign that the relationship between Logan and I was taking a step forward.
"And you look handsome as always, Logan." I wrapped my arms around his neck, subconsciously.
"We better go before I end up changin' my mind and have us test out our new bed frame." Logan flirted playfully, swaying us from side to side.
"We could try it out after." Came my impromptu suggestion.
I stilled our movements, my eyes glowing white as I felt an unexpected change in the atmosphere.
"Ro?" Logan became worried.
"I'm sorry there was a sudden change in the weather pattern, but everything is alright." I promised, my eyes returned to their natural color.
"Ya sure? We can stay in and catch a movie in the rec room." Logan suggested, but I didn't want to spend another night in.
"No, I would like to spend quality time with you, away from the institute." I hoped that he would understand.
He grinned at me as I went back to my dresser and grabbed his cowboy hat, placing it on his head fondly.
"Don't know what I'd do without Ya Ororo." Logan became more serious, but I wanted to keep the night as carefree as possible.
"You'll always have me. Now let's go; It's getting late." I nearly dragged him out of our room.
Logan chuckled, helping me navigate through the cluttered floor on our way out the door.
"Let's take yer SUV tonight." Logan suggested once we got to the garage.
"No, Harley?" I was momentarily disappointed but I did not let it bother me.
"Just thought we could talk on the way." Logan opened the passenger door for me and I quietly thanked him.
"Is everything alright?" I began to wonder if he needed to tell me something important.
"Ya remember when we went to Africa and stayed in Kenya?" Logan answered my question with a question of his own and I couldn't help but worry.
Logan pulled out of the garage.
"I will never forget, and it was the best time I've had in a long time." I admitted, still curious.
"Why do you come back here? Why not stay over there and be the goddess that ya are?" Logan replied promptly, I nearly laughed at his expression.
I may have been worshipped as a Goddess but I am an X-Men first and foremost.
"I've thought of it many times over the years and contemplated going back, but I know my home is here, with my family." I asserted, knowing deep within my heart that I could never leave the X-Men.
"With you." I added grabbing his hand, kissing the back of it as he would mine.
He chuckled but leaned over and gave me a soft kiss.
"We're here, I hope ya like it." Logan pulled up to a dirt lot, at the top of a mountain.
The twinkling lights of the distant city, encompassed by the natural forest was breathtaking all on it's own but in the middle of a small clearing was a satin sheet. Upon it was a romantic set up of champagne, trays of food and pillows with candles on the edges.
If all of that were not enough there was a fresh layer of crisp white snow covering the grass and trees.
"Logan, this is wonderful, but how?" I was at a complete loss for words, Logan hadn't left the house all day and as for the snow...
Logan looked up, prompting me to see what he was looking at, a flash of silver hair was all I could see as the individual flew off towards the city.
"Let's just say I had some help, now come on."Logan grinned, leading me to the beautiful setup.
The hours felt like minutes as we laughed and spoke about the school, the students, and when we first met.
I found myself saying anything and everything from present to past.
"When I was young, my mother told me she wanted to name me Kendall; my grandmother fought her tooth and nail to give me a name, unlike any other." I went on recounting the story of my unusual name.
Logan turned on his side to face me, fully immersed in my story.
"Yer name suits you, it's unique just like ya." He rumbled, sipping from his long-necked bottle of beer.
"Thank you, Love, but I did make a promise to my mother that when the time came, I would name my daughter Kendall." I smiled fondly, imagining a gorgeous caramel-colored baby girl with white hair and steel grey eyes.
Overcome with sorrow I looked down, feigning interest in my empty champagne glass.
"It's a beautiful name, Ro." Logan beamed, his eyes wandering towards the city.
As if he were contemplating something.
"I wanted ta ask ya somethin' else." Logan went on, looking toward the city.
"Yes?" I quirked an eyebrow, wondering what was going on through that handsome head of his.
"Ya ever think about marriage? What it means?" Logan asked, turning over to look at me. The gleam in his eyes shone with genuine interest.
It took me a few moments as I pondered my answer.
"In my culture, marriage is a right of passage that every individual is expected to go through in their lifetime. I never believed that." I shook my head slowly even as I spoke, that belief was not my own.
"What do ya believe?" Logan countered, sensing my demure.
"I have always seen it as a sacred union between two individuals; it is more than just a piece of paper; it is a decision to wake up every morning and see them as someone worth fighting for every day. A love built upon friendship and respect, that grows stronger with each challenge faced." The words flower freely and I smiled softly, seeing the shocked expression on his face.
"Damn."
"I'm sorry I went off on a tirade for a moment." I apologized, my face became warm as I blushed.
Logan shook his head, putting a hand over mine.
"I love getting ya to open up. " Logan admitted, continuing before I could say anything else.
I woulda never guessed when first got here that you were like this. I called ya the ice queen. Closed off and cold ta anyone who ain't know you." Logan looked sheepish and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Do you still feel that way about me?" I ran my fingers over his knuckles lightly, feeling the hardness of his claws under the soft skin.
"I feel like goin' back and hittin' myself upside the head fer ever thinking like that. Yer nothing like that at all." Logan admitted, scooting closer until our legs touched.
"Neither are you." I immediately responded, remembering my first impression when I met him.
"Me? Whadaya mean?" Logan quirked an eyebrow, confused.
"Some of my first encounters with you led me to believe that you were not someone who wanted to have a family or help those in need. I was very wrong." I said honestly, feeling guilty about the previous thoughts about family.
"Wanted to have a family?" Logan picked up on it and I dropped my hand down that he was holding onto.
"Yes, a family of your own." I whispered, bowing my head.
"Well, there's only one person I'd want to have a family with Ro." Logan reached over stroking my stomach, lightly and I felt the tears well in my eyes.
I looked at him and saw the look of longing crossed his face.
"I'm sorry Logan." I whispered, pulling away.
"Ro, what's wrong?" He asked, trying to reach out to me.
"I thought we would be able to try again."
"Ro don't leave." Logan said as I fought to maintain space.
I turned toward him, tears welled in my eyes once more as I attempted to look at him.
"I should've told you before, I didn't want to believe it was true."
"Talk ta me." Logan nearly pleaded his hands on either side of my face, while his thumbs caressed my cheeks.
My tears flew freely, and I took a few moments before speaking.
"A few weeks after our miscarriage, I had gone for a check-up with Hank to see if it were possible for us to start trying, he... He told me it wasn't the kick in the stomach I received that caused me to miscarry." I took a shaky breath, Logan waited patiently.
"It was my powers." I finally said, the weight on my shoulders seemingly lifted.
Logan shook his head slightly, pulling me into a hug.
"Ya shoulda told me sooner Ro, ya are my family, you, Thomas, and the X-Men." He swore, brushing my hair to the side.
"I wanted us to have a baby, I want to carry our baby, something I did not have a chance to do with Thomas." I hugged him more firmly while I murmured the words into his broad chest.
Logan nodded slowly but didn't let me go.
"Ya talked to Hank again." he assumed and this time I nodded.
"Yes, and there is someone who might be able to help us, but I do not think you'd agree." I didn't want to tell him but I wanted to be completely truthful.
"Why, who is it?" Logan asked, pulling back slightly to look at me.
It's now or never Ororo, he would have found out eventually.
"My Ex-Fiance."
-Cyclops Room-
The night was long, the rain came and went, the moon shone and then it became dark once again.
All the while the white queen lay awake, her lover snored softly beside her.
She sighed ever so softly before slipping away from the soft embrace of her lover.
Victoria?* The white queen called out with her powerful mind, waiting for the call to be answered.
Emma, I've been waiting* Victoria answered moments later.
Yes, I was delayed..* Emma hesitated as she looked over at the bed she abandoned.
We are preparing to move forward.* Victoria drew the Blonde's attention away from her distraction.
Emma didn't answer right away.
"Emma?" A sleepy Scott called from the bed.
"I'm here, Scott." Emma assured, not moving toward him.
"You coming back to bed?" He asked, moving to sit up.
"I'll be right there." Emma promised, looking outside for a few seconds.
I will be ready.* Emma answered Victoria.
Do not forget who you work for, Ms. Frost.* Victoria hissed in reply.
The connection was cut.
'How could I forget?' Emma thought to herself as she rubbed the back of her neck.
-To be Continued-