A/N - Hey all, been a lil bit, eh? Sorry bout that. I've been chipping away as the muse strikes me on this one. I have to admit, I need to be careful with how I handle this in comparison to other stories I've been playing with just because I have so much interwoven behind and ahead that I can't mess up. That and I need to be SURE that I don't spoil something in THIS one. KJAX - hi. Yes, there are things going on. And I'm loving writing Scott now that I feel as if I've taken the primer course from robbiepoo2341. She holds the world's only doctorate in Summers-decoding and I STILL find myself asking her to check Scott for me.

Again, apologies for juggling the 2 dozen different storylines that ... well ... you may never see because I'm having a crisis on what to put on here and what not to. Ah well. Anyhow. Time to get back to work here.


Chapter 10 - Something In The Air


Rachel had never been to her father's cabin in Alaska … until now. The entire short flight from Anchorage into the bush had been one awe inspiring moment after another. The mountains. The trees. The thick fog hanging over all of it … and the water landing they had with the pontoon plane had her gasping with delight and smiling widely - a point that had Scott grinning wider to himself with each more delighted noise she made.

The dock led to a rocky shoreline that gave way to thick brush right off the dock and the vast feeling of the place had Rachel clinging to her parents as she stared around her.

"What do you think, sweetheart?" Scott asked as he crouched down next to her. Already the weather was shifting from the short fall Alaska was famous for to winter, though it wasn't quite time for that yet.

"Wow," Rachel replied, wide eyed, which only had Scott smiling wider. He was right. They needed this time alone just the three of them. It would be the only chance they really got before the baby came - so, against his better judgement, he took Rachel's hand in one of his and stared at the comm in his other hand. Ever since he'd been a teenager he'd been in close contact with the X-Men in one capacity or another, but now? He needed to put his priorities in order. With a frown, he turned the comm off for the first time in years and shoved it into his pocket. It felt less like an emergency call and more like a tether. And what did he really need it for anyhow? His wife was the most powerful telepath in the world. She could reach out for help if they needed it. But the big help they needed now was to simply spend time together.

Rachel grinned at him and tried to contain her squeals of delight when she spotted a bear on the other side of the lake. Scott crouched down behind her, one hand around her waist and the other pointing to the animal as he started to explain how things worked there with Jean grninning wider with every word that Rachel was enraptured with.

By the time they got dinner settled, Scott was ready to actually enjoy his time with them. Every minute of it.


Maddeningly, in New York, almost as soon as the Summers family was gone, the pressure from the Avengers lifted slightly. Construction was well under way, though the school obviously wasn't going to be ready to start until mid-school year at best. Much of the Avenger's as a team had started signing up for the classes they wanted to teach. Which only included a couple of weekends for Logan and K to pitch in for a crash course in self defense.

Which was frustrating for Logan. Not because he wanted to help there more, but because he had little to do in the wake of the Summers family exodus than to simply stew on everything Scott had said.

"I'm not so sure that I like the look you're wearing," Kurt said as he took the creeper next to Logan in the garage and opened a beer bottle for himself. He took a long drink as Logan watched him, then frowned when it was clear that Logan wasn't denying anything or even reaching for a beer to drink himself. "What's going on?"

"Nothin'," Logan said, shaking his head before he got back to work quite suddenly.

"Logan …"

"Let it go, Elf. It's not important."

Kurt frowned then sat back watching his best friend and drinking Logan's beer for him. He made no effort to hide what he was doing, and no attempt to cover that he was concerned. "Is this because of Scott?"

"No," Logan said, resolutely pushing it off. "Just rethinkin' my involvement."

Kurt narrowed his eyes. "... in every team but ours, you mean." When Logan didn't answer Kurt leaned toward him. "We're not going to watch you cavort with Avengers rather than us are you? Because I must tell you, mein Freund, if you've talked your lovely wife into joining you with the Avengers only to utterly abandon us for those … showboating glory hogs, we may have to cross swords."

Logan turned toward him with one eyebrow raised. "I'm not lookin' to favor Avengers."

"Good," Kurt decided But when Logan refused to elaborate, Kurt found himself at another entirely unacceptable conclusion. "You're not thinking of leaving both teams, then … are you?"

"You here to drink, help, or ride my ass?" Logan asked with a scowl.

"I didn't think that I needed to explain myself," Kurt said almost sullenly. "What a ridiculous question." He leaned back, his tail swaying behind him irritatedly as he took a drink. "I am always a help wherever I go and you know it."

"And a nag lately, too."

"And you're being overly sensitive lately," Kurt shot back. "Are you upset at how Scott left to spend time with his family - not unlike what you did before the Avengers stuck their big noses in things?"

"No," Logan said as he got to his feet and tossed the socket wrench into the tool box nearby. "If anyone needs a damn break, it's him."

"Then are you upset that Storm has decided that you need to cook every night that you're not with the Avengers?" Kurt said with a growing smile.

Logan gave him a sidelong glance as he headed to the cooler to grab a beer for himself since Kurt had helped himself. "No. That's just her way of admittin' she's handed it over to K."

"Ah. Do you always find ways to blame your wife when she's been nothing but a joy?"

"I'm goin' inside. You can stay here and be delusional all night for all I care."

"But then I would miss out on being your sous chef," Kurt teased, quick to catch up with Logan as he headed into the house. "And I would also miss out on the chance to find out why you're so sullen when you're getting what you want."

"What makes you-"

"You had told me before that you wanted the Avengers to stop dragging you into their drama, though that was followed quickly by your wife catching whatever turn coat traitorous affliction you have and joining their overrated team with you." Kurt paused. "Or are you angry that they're requesting her to come in while you help our lovely Storm get matters in line?"

"No," Logan said, then turned so quickly Kurt nearly bumped into him. "What's with the twenty questions, Elf?"

"Inquiring minds want to know what's going on with you and Scott. You're both more … like you were years ago. No one likes it. Desist immediately or -"

"Yeah, yeah, we'll have to cross swords. I already told you I didn't wanna hurt you."

Kurt let out a sound of pure indignation before he grabbed a hold of Logan's shoulder and teleported the two of them to the far side of the property. "You have not been yourself lately."

"No one has been," Logan growled back in irritation. "Not one damn person around here has been actin' like themselves!"

Kurt crossed his arms and tipped his nose up. "Scott has. I can't believe I'm defending him, but the truth is that Scott has been acting exactly how Scott has always acted. Particularly when he's worried about Mrs. Summers."

Logan waved him off with a scowl. "Jeannie's fine."

"Likely, yes. But that doesn't mean they don't have reason to be worried," Kurt said as he paced in the forest, well hidden in the trees. The more he spoke, the more he gesticulated, both hands and his tail betraying the depth of his emotions. "Don't you remember how long it took them to get Rachel? How relieved she was when things kept going right? That worry has not evaporated."

"What the hell'm I supposed to do about that?" Logan challenged loudly. "That's so damn far out of my hands it ain't even funny. Hell, I couldn't do a damn thing to stop it when K lost one, so don't try an' lay this out as anything I can prevent!"

Logan was glaring at him by that time, irritated at the very thought that he had any power to help or harm any of the women around him that were building their families. He'd tried before - and failed. And he knew first hand there was nothing he could do. Nothing but sit by and watch. And Scott sure as hell had that covered for Jean.

"I take it the two of you have given up the idea of another?"

"We ain't Catholic, Elf," Logan said flatly. "It's on her word. She says it's time to go, I'm there, but that ain't at the top of our list right now." When Kurt stared back at him with honest betrayal, Logan closed his eyes and shook his head. "We've got three already. What the hell do you want from me?"

"A fourth. Obviously." Kurt kept his nose tipped skyward. "Which you would have time and inclination to do if you'd take care of what matters."

"I get plenty of time with my woman. If it happens, it happens. I'm not stressin' over it."

"Wunderbar. Not what I meant." Kurt let out a sigh then took the handful of steps to gently rest his hand on Logan's shoulder. "I swore to Storm that I would not get too involved-"

"Too late."

"-and I won't overstep, but honestly. Logan. How can you not see the effect you have on those around you?"

Logan glanced up at him with his chin tipped almost to his chest. He considered replying, but it struck Logan that he might just be taking it the wrong way, and in that moment, the last thing Logan really needed was doubt of his worth. But that was, naturally, exactly how he took it. "Are you done?"

"I suppose I must be," Kurt said with a tone of honest anger lacing his voice as his entire body language shifted. "Because if I were to continue, I would be talking to myself."

"So what're ya gonna do now? Keep preachin' on your pulpit or shut up and drink?"

"Why do I even continue to try?"

"C'mon, Elf-"

"No. Honestly. Why do I bother trying with you?" Kurt asked, looking far more irritated than Logan thought was warranted. "No matter what we do - or say, or show you, you can't get it through that thick head of yours what you're worth to those around you!"

"What's got into you?" Logan asked, even reaching for Kurt's arm, but Kurt not only avoided the gesture, but recoiled, scowling at Logan hard.

"Maybe it's time we all listened to what you're always trying to tell us, hmm? Perhaps Scott really is onto something for once," Kurt growled out.

"What the hell'do you expect me to say, Kurt?" Logan shouted, finally fed up with the rapid twists from his best friend. "You can't even seem to decide which side of the fence you're on and you want me to do … what?"

"I don't expect you to say anything. And as far as what you should do, perhaps you should make good on all those threats to leave that you've thrown around for so long. You obviously don't want to be here, helping the team, and if I go by how you tell the stories, I have to wonder how much you helped versus what you've brought down on us."

If Logan hadn't been so used to the people that meant the most to him turning on him, that little barb would have knocked the breath clean out of him. But … he'd grown accustomed to having people turn on him just when things got a little rough and instead, the only outward sign that Kurt had gotten to Logan was an instant where his lips parted just before he doubled down on a hard glare.

"Fine." Logan abandoned trying to get anything done and shoved past Kurt as he stood his ground.

Kurt watched him go with a scowl, and continued to scowl at his retreating back for a long moment … until very suddenly, the anger ebbed and Kurt relaxed, blinking as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. His tail went still behind him and his ears drooped as the weight of the conversation he'd just held became more clear.

His heart sunk, and he couldn't remember why he'd gotten so angry at Logan … or where those accusatory words had come from. He took a few steps after Logan, set on trying to get to the bottom of things - and to apologize … but by the time he was to the hall where the Howletts lived, the door to their suite closed hard and he knew it would be unwise to try and talk to him now.

Not to mention he had no idea where that outburst had come from. Yes, he'd thought those things at one point or another - but it was always a fleeting thought, always in a moment of frustration … and he hadn't been that frustrated with his best friend. Certainly not enough to lash out. Kurt's entire body drooped as he weighed out what to do. If he didn't do something quickly, he knew Logan would stew - but he also knew that there were times to simply give him room to breathe. Considering that Logan had gone to his suite - for privacy - he knew it was best to stay back. But he couldn't wait too long either …

With a sigh, he stepped back even though everything in him was screaming to fix it now. Perhaps it would be best to let his wife try to handle it for now. He could always try again later when tempers had cooled.


Logan was frustrated - to a point he hadn't felt in years, and for the first time since he'd been with the X-Men, Logan felt trapped. And all that really meant was that he was restless and antsy - and believing in his place at Xavier's even less than normal.

He couldn't relax - or at least, he couldn't until Abbey made her way over with a book in her hand. She tugged at his hand, simply looking up at him since she could see how tense he was. "Can you read, please?" she asked when Logan turned her way, and for a moment absolutely everything he'd been stressing about simply paused.

Logan let out a breath and crouched down so he was looking up at her. "Whatcha got, lil' darlin'?"

She held the book out to him, looking hopeful, and even going so far as to hold her breath when he took the book to read the title. "Sure you want this one?"

"Please?"

He thumbed through the pages - the edges worn from decades of use and pulled her over to wrap his arm around her back. The Call of The Wild was one that Logan found himself re-reading again and again … he just hadn't realized that she'd watched him do so. "Alright, darlin'," Logan said, taking her hand as he stood up and led her over to the chair by the window. As soon as he sat down, letting out a deep sigh, Abbey climbed up to sit with him, snuggling into him before he could even get the book open. "Buck did not read the newspapers," Logan started, half watching her as she smiled to herself.

Abbey snuggled in with a quiet smile on her face as she listened to her father's voice - sounding different in one ear than the other since she was resting her head on his chest - and could feel the gentle rumble in concert with his voice. She wrapped one arm around his middle, peeking at the words on the page as he read them aloud for her. It was how Abbey liked to hear stories read - and it was calming to both of them to take the time to share the story.

His arm was wrapped around her, helping her to snuggle in better and after a few moments, Abbey reached over to take his hand and twirl the wedding ring on his finger, listening intently but looking at his hands as he read to her. He absently flexed his fingers as she turned his hand over in hers, letting her manipulate his hand. He paused when she seemed to be entirely distracted and in an instant, she picked her head up to turn and face him. Logan smirked, nodded, then pulled her back into a snuggle before he continued on, smiling to himself when Abbey let out a contented sigh as they got back to the book.

Before long, James and Rose came over as well, content to settle in on the floor together - James on the left and Rose on the right, their arms entwined until Rose fell asleep first, using James as a pillow.

By the time Abbey fell asleep, K decided to have mercy on Logan and came over with a drink in her hand for him. She traded off with him, picking up Abbey as he took the whiskey in the rocks glass, and then as she got Abbey settled into bed, he set the glass down and crouched down to help get the twins settled out as well. Rose clutched to her father when he picked her up and James curled into K's neck as he was carried to bed too. It only took a few minutes, but by the time the kids were settled, Logan's tension was slowly creeping back.

"What are you thinking, love?" K asked when he made his way over to her and pulled her close - not trying to get overly involved, just … wanting her close.

"I dunno yet," Logan admitted in a low rumble. It was a clear marker of what he thought of things - that even feeling as if he had screwed things up … he was reluctant to leave just as much as he wanted to stay. But that had never been reason enough for him to stick around when it was so clear he was screwing everything up. Scott was angry with him, Kurt was angry with him. Even Storm had been less than willing to talk to him in the past week or so. And the clear dismissal from the Avengers … having gone from near indispensable to not getting a call or text back … "Maybe it's time we walked away."

K frowned, but didn't want to contradict him. Not when he sounded that wounded. "Where would you want to go?"

"Don't know yet," Logan admitted. "Need to look into where'd be safest."

K nodded and wrapped him up a little tighter. He had been the one from the start that advocated staying in Westchester. She'd re-thought her entire lifestyle to accommodate his … but if he wanted to step back entirely and focus on his kids - like he clearly was leaning - who was she to argue it? "What about the team?"

Logan shook his head, but didn't answer. He didn't have to either. She'd heard how Scott had lost his temper. He'd laid out some pretty hard truths that didn't factor in Logan's side of the story - not that she was too surprised at that.

"You know I'll back you up, whatever you want to do," K said carefully. "But … I also know that there is some kind of misunderstanding going on - and I don't want to see you throw away your family after you've all come so far."

"Haven't figured it out yet," Logan said, pulling his arms around her tighter. "Long as I got you and the kids, I don't really care if I'm doing anything for the spandex crowd."

"Sweet," she said, kissing the side of his head. "But … maybe put a pin in it." When he pulled back to look her in the eyes, she continued. "Everyone is worked up right now. Scott is stressed out for Jean - who is stressed out for Scott. They build off each other."

"Don't account for anyone else," Logan said. "And I know Jeannie an' Scott are worked up about the baby. They get a little leeway."

"I don't know about the others," she said. "But … I don't want you to kill Scott by walking away from this group. Not when he's already circling an aneurysm. If you want to leave, wait until you know it's not going to work here anymore."

Logan nodded, then leaned in for a kiss that lasted a good long while. "That's what I was doin'."

"Then keep doin' it," she replied in a breath, then smiled up at him.

Responsibilities to the team or no, this is what Logan had always aspired to. And the fact that he knew she'd back him up gave him the luxury of being able to step back and consider his options more cleanly. He didn't have to worry about what she'd say - she already agreed to whatever he came up with. And she was right - at the very least, he needed to stick around until Scott and Jean were a little more secure about the baby. At minimum that would be a few months … at max - a little after the kid was born. In the meantime, he just needed to figure out if he was juggling time with the Avengers still or if he could just stay in Westchester.