Chapter 3 – Discoveries

– 11 months later

Anchorage, Alaska.

"Oh my God, he's such a cutie, Scott!" Lorna Dane exclaimed as she held little Nathan Cristopher Summers in her arms.

"Thanks, Lorna," Scott smiled proudly. "I'm glad you guys could finally come and meet the newest member of the family."

"We're sorry it took us three months, bro. But we had to wait for the end of classes to, you know, cross the continent… You guys don't live exactly nearby. Plus, this semester's finals were more than tense! I'm not even sure I've passed the tests."

"Oh, come on, sweetie, don't be humble. You're in the top five of the class. Professor White even calls him 'the rock lover'," the green-haired girl explained to her brother-in-law.

Scott chuckled. "Really, Alex? You're 21 and still acting as the teacher's pet?"

"No, man! I'm just really good at analyzing rocks…"

"No wonder you're studying Geology, babe. Here, hold your nephew for a moment. I'm going to see if his mom needs a hand preparing dinner."

When Lorna entered the kitchen, Madelyne was busy taking the roast beef out of the oven. "Hey Maddie, do you need any help?"

"Oh Lorna, dear, dinner's almost ready. Would you mind setting the table, though? We keep the plates in the cupboard over there and the silverware in the first drawer."

The younger woman did as she was asked, using her hands to grab the plates and her control over magnetism to take hold of forks and knives. Suddenly, a terrified female yell, followed by the sound of porcelain crashing against the floor, echoed across the house. Lorna spun around to see the panting redhead glaring at her face, and potato salad spread all over the floor.

"Madelyne, are you okay?" Lorna asked concerned, reaching out for her opposite with her hand. But her sister-in-law jumped back, scared. "Don't touch me!"

Soon, the two brothers were at the kitchen's door. "Maddie, Lorna, what happened?"

"N-Nothing, honey, I, uh… I dropped the potato bowl, that's all," Madelyne explained, staring at the other woman and silently daring her to say otherwise.

"Jesus, what a mess. Here, let me clean this for you," her husband offered, kneeling on the floor to carefully pick up pieces of shattered porcelain and bits of smashed potato.

"Thanks, Scott. I, uh… I need to feed Nathan. Excuse me," she told them, taking the baby from Alex's hands and exiting the kitchen.

Alex noticed the strange look on the redhead's face and glanced forward at Lorna, who was paralyzed on the spot beside the table. He saw her moist eyes and pale face, and quickly moved to her side to hug her tenderly. "Don't mind her, babe," the blonde man whispered into his girlfriend's ear, "she just doesn't get us…"

xxxxx

Later that night, Scott and Madelyne were lying in bed together, watching television. Lorna and Alex were already fast asleep in the guest room next door. The tv news showed a bank robbery in Washington, allegedly assaulted by a group of criminal mutants. Just the day before, a prison break had taken place in Los Angeles, also claimed by mutant delinquents. Next, the face of Senator Kelly appeared on the screen – he was giving an official statement about means to prevent mutants from committing crimes.

"This recent event only proves how dangerous mutants can be. We have metal detectors in our banks, airports, even schools, but we do not have any devices or technologies to detect mutants walking around us. These people don't need weapons to threaten our lives, they are the weapons."

Some surprised babbling was muttered among the reporters. "Senator Kelly, what actions do you suggest the United States' government take to stop this recent wave of crimes triggered by mutants?"

"That's easy, Jonhson. I have just submitted a bill to the Senate to allow the U.S. authorities to test every person in this country for the mutant gene. After that, the ones who turn out to be mutants will be advised to register themselves… That's the only way for the government to acquire control over their actions. The good American citizens deserve to know who the people who represent a risk to their lives are."

"Oh my God, Madelyne! Did you hear this? Kelly wants all mutants exposed!"

"Well… There are so many dangerous mutants out there, Scott… Do you think it's a bad thing?"

"W-What? Of course it's bad," Scott faced his wife, baffled. "Can you imagine the government having access to the names, addresses and abilities of all mutants? They're going to keep us on a short leash, control every damn thing we do! So yeah, it's more than bad, it's outrageous!"

"Oh… I see," Maddie slowly turned away from her husband to stare at the sleeping baby in the crib beside her. 'I hope you don't carry this goddamn gene, son.'

The Hellfire Club, New York.

Rain was pouring over Manhattan, the sky dark and heavy with humidity. It was barely past eight p.m. when a black sedan turned into the empty street and parked in front of the Hellfire Club's ostentatious building. The driver quickly exited the vehicle to help his passenger out through the back door. The latter glanced up and noticed the Inner Circle's Black King waiting for him on top of the stairway.

"Senator, it's an honor to have you here."

"Thank you, Sebastian," Robert Kelly addressed him from the sidewalk, grasping the huge umbrella from the driver's hand and looking from one side to the other to make sure no one was watching him.

"Please, follow me inside," Shaw instructed.

They entered the building through imposing front doors that gave way to an elegantly decorated hall. Two young maids dressed in short black dresses took care of the Senator's coat and umbrella, bowing politely at him. The two men turned into another large hallway and finally reached the Hellfire Club's meeting room. The White Queen was waiting for them inside, dressed in a scant white outfit.

"Good evening, Robert. I'm Emma Frost, C.E.O. of Frost Industries. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine, Ms. Frost," Kelly replied, not without staring at her cleavage with appreciation.

"Please have a sit. We have much to discuss tonight."

"We do indeed, Sebastian. You informed me on the phone that your company has a product that might interest me…"

"In accordance with your own beliefs, senator, Shaw Industries understands that mutants represent a threat to the American way of life. It is paramount that private corporations and the government work together in order to create ways to put an end to the mutant menace for good. That's why my company, in association with Ms. Frost's Industries, has developed a formula that can suppress the x-gene."

Kelly raised his eyebrows in awe. "What? Is that even possible?"

"Robert, darling, it's not only possible, it's effective," Emma responded with a seductive lopsided grin.

"Y-You… have you tested it?" The congressman asked, a mix of bewilderment and excitement in his voice.

"We have. And we can assure you that the mutants who subjected themselves to our experiment won't be an issue anymore. I can show you the videos, if you like..."

"How did you do it? Pills? Shots?"

"We've created a vaccine, Senator. Not only efficient, but perfectly safe. Apart from reports of mild pain in the site of injection, none of the subjects has developed other adverse effects," Shaw exposed.

"A vaccine against the mutant gene… The cure for the mutant problem. That's brilliant!" Kelly exclaimed, clapping his hands three times. Then he added, "However, I don't foresee many mutants agreeing to take it voluntarily…"

"Well, we have also anticipated that possibility, Robert. That's why our scientists are working on new means of administration… silent means," Emma explained.

"How so?"

"We believe it's feasible to spread the substance through the water. Of course, it would take a little longer for it to become effective, since the molecules would be diluted… But we think in the long run, it would be just as effective as the injection."

"So, if mutants refuse to take the shot, we could still suppress their powers by making they ingest the cure, without they even realizing it…"

"Precisely."

"I see that you have thought it thoroughly, Ms. Frost. I must admit, I am very inclined to call the president right now and convince him to make a deal with your corporation. I just need to know how much it will cost the government."

"Well, Senator… How much does peace cost to you?"

Hidden in the shadows of the Hellfire Club's manor, Nightcrawler decided he'd listened in enough. He used his powers to teleport away and hit the communicator on his chest. "Professor, we've got a situation."

Bronx, New York.

"I missed ya, darlin'," Logan told Jean between her moans and gasps as he kissed her neck and peeled her dress off.

She moved her hands down to unbuckle his belt. "It's been only three days," the redhead replied, pushing her tongue inside his mouth while using telekinesis to grab a condom from the top drawer.

"Triiimmm…"

They were suddenly interrupted by the uninviting ringtone of Logan's cell phone. Without breaking the kiss, he risked a glance at the device resting on the nightstand.

'Let it ring,' he heard the telepath's voice inside his mind.

"Triiimmm…"

Logan glanced again, and this time he was able to identify the caller's number. He gently pushed Jean away. "Sorry Red, I gotta take this call."

Still flushed, the young woman let out a frustrated groan, adding loudly before he could leave the bedroom, "Make it quick."

"Hey," she overheard his hushed voice from the living room. Lying on the bed only in her underwear, Jean fidgeted with the package of condom in her hand. Once again, Logan had avoided talking on the phone in front of her. Every time she questioned him about the calls, he'd tell her it was work-related or someone dialing the wrong number. On top of that, he often stayed away for days due to some freaking mysterious interstate job. She was getting tired of it, and more important, she was getting suspicious. Either Logan was hiding something, or he didn't trust her. And Jean was determined to find out which option was correct.

The redhead had never completely mastered her telepathy, but thought it was worth the try. She opened her mind and reached her boyfriend's in the next room, trying to be very careful so that he wouldn't notice her presence. At first, she sensed a great amount of worry and distress. 'No other woman, though,' she realized with relief. Digging a little deeper, Jean felt, rather than saw, a sudden flood of overwhelming rage and violence, and blood, so much blood… She had no option but to abruptly withdraw from Logan's mind. When she opened her eyes, she was panting.

A few seconds later, Logan emerged in the bedroom, staring at her oddly. Jean sat up on the bed to better look at him.

"What was that about?" She asked, motioning to the phone in his hand.

"Work," he responded coldly. "Did'ya read my mind?"

The redhead gulped, remembering how brutal his thoughts had felt less than a minute ago. "W-What?"

"Did'ya use your freakin' powers to get in my head?" He asked again, slowly but louder, and started approaching the bed with a vicious look.

Jean backed up until her back was pressed against the headboard. "I-I uh… I didn't mean to," she confessed, terrified. Her green eyes welled up and her heart started racing at a thousand miles per hour.

Silence filled the room. Logan stood barely a foot away, eyes dark. He inhaled the air between them and was suddenly engulfed by the sheer fear emanating from the woman. The sensation made something snap inside of his head, and his eyes became softer, his tone calmer. He took a deep breath.

"Shit, Jeannie… Why did'ya have to do it?" He sat in front of her and held her shaking hands in his.

The redhead was beyond confused by his sudden change of behavior. It was all too much for her, and she let her tears fall freely.

"I-I'm sorry, Logan, I uh… I-I thought you were… hiding something… someone…," she admitted between sobs.

Finally understanding her motivations, he gave her a brief smile and cupped her tearstained face between his hands. "Never, darlin'… There's no one else for me. I love ya," the feral man tried to reassure her. But somehow, his words made her sob even harder.

"I'm so sorry, I… I-I don't know what's gotten into me…," she tried to further explain herself, panic still lingering in her voice, and Logan realized how afraid she actually was of him. He let go of her face.

"What did'ya see, Red?" He questioned her, his voice very, very soft, but Jean didn't have the nerve to answer. She looked down at her hands, unable to stare him in the eyes. Logan shook his head, sighing, and pulled her trembling frame into his arms. He started caressing her back in a soothing way. "Ya saw my feral side."

"W-What?"

"It's part of my mutant powers."

"How so?" Jean asked, disengaging her body from his arms to risk a glance at his face.

"I've got a feral side in me, Jeannie. It's violent and rampant, sometimes even cold blooded. I wish ya'd never seen it," he said, cleaning the tears away from her face with his thumbs.

"Why?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I've done a lot of shit in my life I'm not proud of… most of it when I let that side of me go loose."

"Logan… Why haven't you told me this before?"

"Didn't wanna get ya mixed up in that part of my life, Red. Ya're too good for me, ya're pure… Now ya're scared of me."

Jean gazed down again, unable to deny her fear.

"Listen darlin', just… forget what ya saw, okay? I promise ya I won't let my shit get in your way. I'll keep ya safe."

Jean's green eyes darted up, and the feral mutant could see uncertainty in them.

"Logan, I… I thought you're going to hurt me," the telepath confessed, more tears gathering between her long lashes.

He shook his head vehemently. "No, Jeannie, never. I'd never hurt ya, darlin', ya have to believe me." Still, she didn't seem convinced at all. He sighed. "Look, I got pissed ya're pryin' in my head and lost my mind for a sec. I'm sorry. But I could never hurt ya. I love ya, darlin', ya know that, right?"

The redhead hesitated but nodded faintly after a few seconds. Logan's heart rate soared… Jean was the best thing that had ever happened to him, he couldn't afford to lose her. He realized he had to open up to her, otherwise he would lose her trust and love.

"That phone call… It was my boss, Chuck. Something ugly's 'bout to happen and I gotta make sure innocent people don't get hurt."

"You're leaving again?"

"I have to," he explained, caressing her left cheek, "I wish I didn't."

"How long?"

"A couple of weeks, maybe more," he stood up to get dressed.

Jean nodded and suddenly felt very exposed. She grabbed her discarded dress from the floor and quickly put it on.

"We'll talk more when I come back, all right? I swear I'll tell ya everything. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself… Things are gettin' dangerous to mutants," he advised her and headed for the door.

"Logan?" She asked from her spot on the bed, her tone urgent. He stopped on his tracks to look back at her. "Who are you supposed to protect?"

"Mutants," he responded, hearing how her heart suddenly skipped a beat. He turned away and walked out of her bedroom, his chest heavy with sorrow.

'Please be careful,' he heard her weak voice in his head.

'Always.'