Disclaimer ; X-men aren't mine etc. Sorry this chapter took so long but I had school exams!





The strong headlights cut through the darkness on the empty road as I stopped the Land Rover outside the gate. I placed my hand on the door handle but was hesitant to open it.

Why had I come back? Aren't I just going back to the fighting and the death that is slowly eating away at my soul. Shaking my head, I cleared my thoughts and concentrated on constructing as strong a mental shield as possible.



Pulling on my blood covered hooded coat, I opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle. Looking around me, I took a deep breath, stepped away from the Land Rovers door and closed it behind me.

Approaching the gates, I placed my head against the cold steel and peered through the bars. Staring down the black asphalt drive, I caught sight of the familiar brick building. Spotlights on the roof cast a dim light over the mansion. My chest ached with a longing to go home, to feel loved.

Stepping away from the gate, I searched the bushes around it, hoping to find a way in. Carefully maneuvering myself past two bushes, I stood up in the darkness. Moving along the line of bushes, I crouched beside the largest bush, pushing away the branches to reveal the perimeter security system.

Entering in Logan's code, I deactivated the hidden monitors by the front gate. Brushing the leaves from my hood, I jogged past the thin line of trees and shrubs out into the open field. I stood still facing the mansion and closed my eyes as the light breeze ran across my skin and playing with my hair. Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and began to walk towards the main buildings.


Following the tree line, I made it to the main door and gingerly opened it. Not hearing an alarm, I took off my sneakers and stepped inside. Looking around, I moved towards and up the stairs, the floorboards groaned quietly beneath me. Pausing at the top of the stairs, I ducked as a pair of feet passed me and went into the bathroom down the hall.

Ducking into a storage cupboard, I waited as student finished his business in the bathroom and watched him carefully as he moved back to the dorm rooms. Silence once again filled the dark and empty hall ways. Slipping out of the cupboard, I reassured myself that no one else was coming and moved down the hall.

Passing Jubilee and Kitty's room, I paused and gently opened the door. Jubilee's sleeping figure lay curled up under a thin sheet, her hair messy and splattered across her pillow. "I'm back Jubes." I whispered gently to her. Kitty stirred in her sleep so I quietly closed the door and moved back into the middle of the hallway. Smiling to myself, I walked down the hall, unaware of the person behind me.


'Snikt'. The unexpected sound of Logan's claws frightening me. I stood frozen to the spot as low growl came from behind me.

"Move and you'll get three new air holes in your back" He growled quietly, his voice dripping with malice.

Holy shit! Logan must have seen me and smelt the blood on my coat. Forcing my body to move, I held up my hands in surrender and I placed them behind my head. I knelt on the wooden floor as the floorboards creaked as his footsteps approached and his sharp breath. The silence filled with tension as I waited for him to speak.

Finally a shaky voice spoke. "Marie? Is that you?"

"Yeah Logan. It's me." I said quietly.

Dropping my hands to my side, I turned my body round as I stood up. Logan stood facing me, his eyes looked into mine, his gaze uncertain and bewildered. His claws hung by his side as he stood tense, looking at me.

His gaze followed mine as I stepped toward him, his body so close I could smell his scent, that unique mixture of sweat, beer and the musk that all males have.

Reaching my hands up towards his, I grasped his bare hand through my silky gloves.

"I missed yah." I said quietly, searching his eyes for the acceptance I so desperately needed to feel.

His gaze soften and his lips curled into a smile. Retracting his claws, he let go of my hands and pulled my into a gentle hug. I stood in his arms for what seemed like forever until he loosened his arms and looked down at me, his face puzzled.

Why is there blood on this coat?" His puzzlement turned to shock as I stepped away from him.

My mouth opened and closed as I fought to find the words to tell him. Finally I was able to speak two words.

"Follow me." I whispered gently. I walked over to my old room and the pad beeped as I typed in the password. The door made a loud clunk noise as the lock disabled and the door opened. Pulling him inside, he sat down on the bed and looked at me.

"What happened while you were away"

Hesitating, I took a deep breath. "I entered a bar out in the middle of no- where...