Disclaimer: See part 1.

Not much action in there... yet. But the plot thickens. Like Storm, at least I have chosen a side!

Thanks for the comments! I appreciate them and try to make the best of your suggestions.

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What now

Part 2

Scott's question had been left unanswered. Asking Logan was at best pointless, if not down right suicidal. No one forced the Wolverine to talk when he didn't want to. As for the professor, everyone knew very well that he would not talk about others' personal matters.

So days stretched into weeks, and soon most of Xavier's students left for summer vacations with their family. The large school was now only home to the teachers and a few students. Rogue, not wanting to return home yet and being too busy with her dating Bret, had decided to stay in Westchester. So did her friend Jubilee.

By a sunny afternoon, both Rogue and Jubilee were enjoying the pleasant weather. Sunbathing on deckchairs by the patio, they were chatting about each other's *guy*. As usual, Logan's rather non-threatening behavior toward Bret was discussed.

"He's getting soft," Jubilee concluded on that particular topic.

Rogue snorted. "How many times I have to tell you that he isn't." Then pointing in the direction of Logan working on his *new* used Jeep in the garage, she grinned at her friend, "Go ask him if you dare."

Not one to back away from a good dare, Jubilee started to raise from her chair. But a voice stopped her short.

"I wouldn't do that, Jubilee," Jean Grey advised as she approached the girls. Only glancing at the Canadian, Jean sat on an empty chair, facing the young women, her back to Logan.

"Unless someone explains me why the northern caveman stopped threatening Rogue's beau, I'll say he's getting soft. Hey, he doesn't even watch his darn hockey games anymore..." Jubilee said.

"Jubes. The hockey season is over," Rogue pointed out.

Jubilee just shrugged. "He's just mooning over the sorry pile of rust he calls a Jeep..."

Jean listened to the girls chat, watching Rogue all the while. "I must admit that Logan not stalking Bret around is rather out of character for him. Do you have an idea why he's acting so... hrm... different, Rogue?"

Rogue sighed. "He knows Bret is a good man and that he is serious..." she started to explain.

"Hey, news flash!" Jubilee laughed. "As if /that/ ever stopped the polar bear to slice n' dice anyone? I tell you what, he's gone soft in his old age. Soon he'll be wearing pink *I Love My Wife* t-shirts."

Silence fell between the women for a long minute, while Jean and Jubilee waited for a reply.

Rogue slowly turned her head to look straight into her friend's eyes, as if to make her words sink into Jubilee's brain for good. "Logan is leaving as soon as his Jeep is fixed. Now pass me the sunscreen."

Jean seemed slightly taken aback by the news, while Jubilee didn't skip a beat. She handed Rogue the sunscreen.

"Cool. I'll have the remote all for myself!"

Jean ignored Jubilee's comment. "Did Logan tell you so?" she asked Rogue.

Rogue shrugged, then pointed at her head. "I know him well enough. Trust me on that one. And..." she let her voice trailed off.

"And?" Jean prompted.

"He won't come back." Rogue nonchalantly applied the sunscreen on her skin, seemingly not upset by the news she was sharing with the others.

Jubilee had to say something, the real shock to her being the fact that her friend was sitting there, talking about Logan living for good as if it was a discussion over some movie. "Roguey, next time will you please keep these good news for a Monday morning?"

"Why, Rogue?" Jean could only ask.

Rogue leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes and obviously enjoying the sun on her skin. "I'm safe. Secured. He knows it, I know it. Logan has nothing to do here anymore. He's free now. He'll only be happy when back to his old self. The least we can do, is to let him go."

"But I thought... after two years, that he... he..." Jean was the one more upset about the news of Logan's departure.

"Jean," Rogue sighed, not looking at her, "He has nothing more to do here. There's no reason for him to stay." And that was it. "Let's enjoy the sun, shall we?"

Despite Rogue's final words meaning that the discussion was over, Jubilee ignored it.

"Unless we find a reason for him to stay," she announced, mischief in her voice. Which was often a warning for incoming trouble.

"Remote, Jubilee. Remember the remote all yours," Rogue pointed out.

About desperate, Jean for once was ready to listen to Jubilee's plan. "Like what, Jubilee?"

Not answering, Jubilee stood and shouted, waving at someone in the distance, "Storm! I was just thinking of you!"

Storm stopped in her tracks and turned to wave back at Jubilee. Seeing the women sitting by the patio, she headed in this direction.

Jean raised her eyebrows. "Jubilee..." she warned.

"Don't get into something..." Rogue concurred.

Jubilee laughed. "What do we have to loose? Jean, someone to tease around with, Rogue a scary protector... and me, a remote!"