Chapter 5 - Revelations

Bronx, New York.

Logan could smell Jean's tears as he ascended the staircase to her apartment on the third floor. He rushed, climbing the steps two at a time. He didn't have a key, so he just forced the lock open with a twist of his wrist. He found the woman naked and sobbing on the toilet floor, messy red strands covering her eyes and cheeks.

"Jeannie, what happened?" He crouched in front of her and quickly scanned her body for any injuries. His fingers combed the hair away from her face and his heart almost sank at the look of pure sorrow emanating from her green eyes. "Darlin', talk to me, please…"

"Lo-Logan…," she uttered his name in between sobs, clinging to him as if her life depended on his.

Despite the hot weather, Jean's body was cold and shaking. Logan snatched her robe from the hanger and put it around her shoulders. Then he picked her in his arms and entered the bedroom, carefully laying her on the bed. He was more than worried, his feral senses fully alert; he noticed she smelled like grief and something else. "Tell me what happened, darlin'," he pleaded, sitting on the bed and caressing her hair.

Jean's eyes welled up further and she curled up in a fetal position. At this point, Wolverine's senses were overwhelming him, and he felt his knuckles itching. "Anyone hurt ya?"

The redhead shook her head faintly, and her boyfriend exhaled in relief. "What happened then?"

"I-I had to drop it," she managed to mumble, not making any sense to him.

"Drop what, darlin'?"

"Med School."

Logan furrowed his eyebrows. "Why?"

"'Cause I'm a mutant," she sniffed. "They had all students tested in college," she added in a small voice, and her lover didn't need to ask who 'they' were.

Wolverine felt the need to stab something… He knew how much Jean loved helping people and how hard she'd studied in the last years to become a doctor. He hated to see her this heartbroken.

"Did they offer you the 'cure'?" He suddenly asked.

Jean looked up at his face, puzzled. She used her two hands to wipe the tears off her face and sat up, her back leaning against the headboard. "Yeah. Dean Phillips said I could graduate only if I let them inject me with some kind of mutant-gene targeting vaccine… as if I have a disease," she told him with disgust, and then asked. "It happened yesterday, Logan, so how do you know about it?"

He sighed. "It doesn't matter, Jeannie…"

"Don't you Jeannie me!" She hissed angrily, tears gone. "I'm tired of all the lies, all the secrecy… You were gone for six weeks! Six fucking weeks! And you never told me where you were or what you were doing, dammit!"

At Jean's outburst, the bulb in the table lamp exploded, startling the feral. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. Logan realized he'd never seen the redhead lose control of her telekinesis before.

"All right, darlin'… Ya deserve to know the truth."

They sat on the bed for more than an hour while Logan explained all about the X-Men and how he was their field leader. Jean listened attentively as he told her about his team having tracked Robert Kelly down and discovered he was linked to the bigots from Friends of Humanity. He also told her there was an aristocratic mutant secret society behind the 'cure', and that the group was selling the vaccine to the government. Finally, he revealed all his recent missions and whereabouts during the last six weeks as the X-Men tried to prevent a war between humans and mutants - his team had been controlling riots and fights all over the country. "I'm sorry I kept these things from ya, Red," he said, "but I thought the least ya knew, the safer ya were."

"I'm a big girl, Logan. I think I can handle the truth," she scolded him.

"Sorry."

"So… You're a mutant rebel… an X-Man."

"Yeah."

"And your boss Chuck… is actually Professor Charles Xavier?"

Logan chuckled. "Yeah. Ever heard of him?"

"Are you kidding? I learned how to control my telepathy by reading his books," Jean told him, then added. "I was only ten when my powers manifested, my sister Sarah got me his first book… I owe Xavier my sanity," she admitted. "Did you ever mention me to him?"

"'Course, darlin'. He knows all about my gorgeous telekinetic-telepath girlfriend, and keeps buggin' me to take ya to him," the man said with a smirk. "But I warned him ya're totally outta his league," he joked.

"I have no interest in joining a rebel superhero team, Logan," the redhead declared seriously.

"I know, Red… I'd never ask ya to. I want ya to be safe," he said, cupping her face in his hands and gently pulling her in for a kiss. It started slow and gentle, and Jean almost felt herself drowning into his warm embrace. But six weeks was a long time, and after a few seconds of innocent caressing, feelings of sheer wanton entered her mind; she realized they were mostly Logan's – he was broadcasting. Suddenly, flashes of their last encounter invaded her thoughts and the telepath recalled his dangerous eyes and demeanor. Jean broke the kiss and stood up abruptly, tying the robe's ribbon around her waist. Logan gaped at her, baffled.

"Sorry. I'm not in the mood," she apologized.

"Huh," Logan sniffed the air, confused since he had been left with the impression she had wanted it too. Jean smelled kind of different but he dismissed it, attributing the slight change in her scent to grief. It made him angry again. "Sons of bitches."

"Who?"

"Kelly, the president, the Hellfire Club… this asshole Dean Phillips… I can't believe he won't let ya graduate. Ya completed the whole fuckin' Medical program, for Christ's sake!" He wanted to stab onto something, but didn't. "Whatcha gonna do, Jeannie?"

"I-I don't know. Without a diploma, I can't work as doctor nor apply to a residency program. I thought about hiring an attorney… I mean, I know they've passed a law, but this must be illegitimate, right? They can't just obligate someone to take a vaccine."

"I don't think ya'd find a lawyer willin' help ya, Red… This shit involves some of America's big shots. Plus, ya'd just be puttin' a big round target behind your back."

"I figured that much," she sighed. "I don't know what to do, Logan… My scholarship's ended, and I can't borrow money from my sister – Sarah's already struggling to provide for mom and her children. Warren's offered to pay for my rent but I didn't accept it. I guess I'll just have to find a different job."

Logan walked around the bed and hugged her tenderly. "One of the X-Men is a doc… A real brain, if ya ask me. He's workin' on somethin' to stop the 'cure'."

"I hope he succeeds," she hugged him back. "Did the government force you guys take the test as well?"

"No, darlin'… We stay off of their radar, they can't find us."

She stepped back to stare at his face and pleaded into his eyes. "Promise me you'll be careful, Logan… I was worried sick over you these past weeks."

"I can't get hurt, Red… Ya don't need to worry 'bout me," he kissed her forehead and suddenly changed the subject. "Where's Ro?"

"At Forge's. They got kicked out of college as well."

"Huh. So Forge's also a mutant?" Logan asked, surprised.

"Yes. He's kind of a genius… He can imagine and create anything he wants. Not bad for an engineer, right?"

"Really?" Logan said and thought about it for a moment. "Jeannie, babe, ya just gave me an idea," he pecked her lips and went for the door. "I'm gonna need Forge's and flyboy's phone numbers."

"Wait, Logan. I still need to talk to you…"

"Sorry, Red, I gotta run. Text me the numbers, will ya? I'll see ya tomorrow," he told Jean and closed the door behind him.

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

Later that night, Wolverine, Professor X, Beast, Forge and Warren Worthington the Third met at the X-Men's headquarters. Ororo had wanted to join the meeting, but Jean wasn't feeling well, and she decided to stay home with her best friend.

The five men were gathered in the mansion's War Room. Xavier was the first to speak.

"Gentlemen, I appreciate you coming by in such a short notice. I am Professor Charles Xavier, founder of the group known as 'the X-Men'. These are some of my associates, Dr. Henry McCoy, a.k.a. Beast, our resident scientist and physician; and James 'Logan' Howlett, a.k.a. Wolverine, our field leader."

"So, you're the leader of the infamous X-Men, Logan. Why am I not surprised? Does Jean know about this little secret life of yours?" Warren asked in a reprimand tone.

"She does now, playboy. Not that it's any of your business," the feral replied. The dislike between the two men was mutual and evident, to Jean's constant dismay.

Forge interrupted before the animosity could escalate. "We've obviously heard of the X-Men, professor," he declared, motioning between him and Warren. "What intrigues me is why the two of us were summoned here all of a sudden?"

"I'll let Dr. McCoy explain our reasons," Charles spoke.

"Forge, Warren… I assume you are acquainted with the approval of the Mutant Registration Act by the U.S. Senate and the recent implementation of a campaign to 'cure' all mutants," the blue mutant began to say.

"We know all about it, Dr. McCoy. My family's company, Worthington Enterprises, is being forced to test all employees and board members. Nobody there, except for my father, knows I'm a mutant, so I had to pay someone else to take the test for me," Warren admitted, shamefully. Logan snorted and received a menacing glare from the winged mutant in return. "I've spoken to our attorneys and they're working to try to revoke the government's decision. Unfortunately, they were unable to accomplish anything so far."

"And I'm afraid they'll keep failing, Mr. Worthington. My X-Men have discovered there are much greater interests involved in this matter, and a few powerful individuals are earning a lot of money by selling the mutant vaccine to the White House. I fear this regrettable situation may escalate into a war soon."

"I figured that too, professor. So, how can Warren and I help?"

Xavier, Logan and Hank exchanged glances. This Forge guy was smart.

"Forge, I understand that your mutant ability involves creation?" McCoy inquired, and the Cheyenne engineer confirmed with a nod. "An exceptionally skilled member of our team has acquired a sample of the so called 'cure'."

"By acquired, you mean stolen?"

Logan rolled his eyes. "Can ya please let the doc speak, Worthington?"

Beast continued. "Well, yes. I have been studying its chemical formula and I am happy to inform you that I was able to successfully develop an antidote to it."

"Are you saying you have created a substance that can unbind the genetic targeting induced by the government's vaccine, Dr. McCoy?"

"English, please," Warren requested.

"Hank's made a vaccine against the vaccine," Logan enlightened him.

"Wow," Forge exclaimed, "that's incredible! Have you tested it?"

"Yes, we have. All members of the X-Men have been given Hank's antidote this very afternoon, including me," Xavier told him. "So far, nobody has developed any adverse reactions."

"Pardon me, sir, but I thought you were a group of mutant rebels. Why bother taking the antidote? The government doesn't know where the X-Men live, it's not likely they'll assault your home and obligate you to inject the vaccine," Warren questioned.

"Indeed, Mr. Worthington, as individuals, the X-Men do not fear the vaccine. Nevertheless, it has come to our knowledge that the president has authorized the spreading of the anti-mutant molecule into U.S. waters. Rumor has it they've already dispensed great amounts of the so-called 'cure' into the West Coast's water basins. It's a matter of time before they do the same to the rest of the country."

"But that's… that's criminal, professor! Logan, Dr. McCoy… We can't allow it! We have to go public and release a warning to the West Coast's mutant population," Forge said with indignation.

"I understand your outrage, my friend, and believe me, the X-Men share your feelings. However, the mutant population isn't exactly one united nation… We don't even know who or where our brothers are," Beast explained.

"Yeah, but the assholes in the government know, and if we go public, those fuckers will just exterminate all mutants living out there, one way or another. We'll cause the civil war we're trying to avoid," Wolverine complemented.

"Precisely. That's why, gentlemen, we have to outsmart them."

"And how do we do it, professor?"

"Forge, do you think you can conceive a vehicle -some kind of conduit- efficient enough to spread Hank's antidote in the air?"

The mutant engineer thought it through for a moment. "I suppose so. And if I can imagine it, I can create it."

"Outstanding!" McCoy celebrated. "We should start working on it a.s.a.p."

"What about me? How can I help the mutant cause?" Warren asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

Logan raised a brow. "It depends. How much money can ya lend us?"

Warren gave a cocky smile in return. "It depends. How much money do you need?"

"I believe it's official, then," they heard Charles Xavier saying, "welcome to the X-Men, my friends."

Anchorage, Alaska.

Scott's cell phone rang, and he immediately smiled at the name displaying on the screen.

"Hello, Alex. How are things in the Big Apple these days?"

"Hey, Scottie, uh, they're fine. Listen, I need you to hear me carefully… Don't drink or use any water from the tap, okay?"

The older Summers brother sneered. "Why, bro? Are you afraid I might catch the stomach flu?"

"I'm serious, Scott. The government threw the mutant 'cure' into the West Coast's water," he heard Alex whispering on the other side of the line. "I know someone who's been analyzing water samples… I've seen the readings. That shit's all over the rivers and reservoirs."

Scott couldn't believe it. "Alex, what kind of joke's that?" He asked, tense.

"I'm not joking, man. Please, do not drink it. And for God's sake, don't give that damn water to my nephew."

Scott contemplated his brother's words. Recently, he was feeling kind of different. His eyes weren't burning so often, and the frequent headaches were almost gone.

"Okay, Alex. I'll stop by the grocery store and buy some bottled water."

"You do that," the blonde paused and sighed. "Scott… Have you ever considered moving to the East Coast? I mean, I'm sure you and Madelyne would easily find a job here, and the two of us could be nearer."

Scott's blood froze; he knew his brother, and for him to be asking such a thing… it meant he was very scared. "Alex, what's going on? What else have you heard?"

"Nothing, man, it's just… Ahh! Things are getting ugly for us… You know what I mean. I'd feel less preoccupied if you were around."

"I'll talk to Madelyne. I promise."

"Okay, bro. Take care."

"You too," Scott hang up, insecurity creeping under his skin. Maddie was away for the day, visiting her mother with Nathan. He ran to the north side of his property, the side that faced the waterway. He looked around, not seeing a living soul in the horizon, and took off his ruby glasses. The young man slowly opened his eyelids, a red beam leaving his eyes and soon fading away.

The world was suddenly colorful, and Scott was taken aback with surprise. "What the hell?" He squeezed his eyes shut again, and this time pictured a thin laser beam escaping his orbs. He opened them, and a stream of scarlet light was immediately released. He tried once more, this time picturing a thicker ray. Again, it left his eyes exactly as he had imagined. Finally, he concentrated on a nearby pine tree. When he opened his eyes, the tree got blasted away. Then, the world became colored again.

"I can control it," he muttered to himself, gawking around at the now vivid surrounds. He started crying, mesmerized by the beauty around him, "I can control it!" He screamed into the blue and green Alaskan landscape, brown eyes wide open.