Part 4

Inside Tara was rejoicing but she couldn't let Magneto or the others know it. Her mutation would allow her to escape and warn Willow. Unless Magneto put an inhibitor or force field or something around her she could walk right through the wall and back to Sunnydale. She just needed to figure out how to control it until Giles or someone could figure out how to reverse it. It wouldn't do to try to sit and go straight through the chair.

"We'll try some more tests, just to see what you're capable of going through."  Magneto turned off the warehouse images and motioned for the others to follow him.

Victor Creed smiled as he envisioned intimidating this one and using her to steal jewels, money, whatever.

Eric put his hand on Sabertooth's forearm halting him from the others. "I won't need you for these tests why don't you see if you can get Willow from Charles and his Xmen. She is still in Sunnydale. They haven't taken her to Westchester yet."

Sabertooth smiled with a hint of fang at the thought of going against Wolverine.

~~~~

Logan turned off his cell phone and looked over where Gambit was flirting shamelessly with Willow. He did not have time for the raging hormones of Gambit and the snit Marie was going to be in when they brought Willow to Westchester. Maybe he'd hop on his bike and head for Canada for a short reprieve after dropping Willow off.

Gambit turned laughing eyes to Wolverine when he heard him ending his conversation with Jean. He saw the look of irritation on Wolverine's face and wondered about it. The only time that Gambit relished that look was when either he, Bobby or Jubilee were the ones that put it there.

"Mutants on parade not going as scheduled, mon ami?"

"Scott and Jean just finished they'll be meeting us here soon to discuss Sabertooth's interest in Willow."

"Huh? Who are Scott and Jean?"

"Dr. Jean Grey, she works with the Professor on Mutant Rights."

"Oh yeah, I think I saw her give a speech before Congress once. What does mutant rights have to do with me?"

Gambit looked at Wolverine and waited to see what or how he was going to answer Willow's question.

If Willow was going to Westchester she would need to know everything. Wolverine looked over at Buffy.

Buffy knew that look, she'd seen it on Giles' face a number of times.

"You can just wipe that look off your face. I'm not leaving. Whatever you have to say to Willow you can say to me. I'm the Slayer, I think I know how to keep a secret."

Willow wore her resolve face as she came to stand next to Buffy.

Logan mentally rolled his eyes and thought about his cabin in the woods.

Logan pointed at Remy and said, "You already know Remy, but you might know his code name as well. He's Gambit and I'm Wolverine."

Buffy and Willow just looked at them with blank looks.

Remy softly smiled, "Have you heard of the X-men?"

Willow started laughing. "They're myths, just stories for young mutants to believe in. Xander used to pretend he was Cyclops. He'd wear sunglasses and put his hands on his hips."

Remy turned his laughter into a cough at Wolverine's sour look.

"The Xmen are as much a myth as vampires are."

Willow's eyes got wide as she looked from Logan to Remy and back again. "Are you saying that you're Xmen? And the Professor Xavier works with you?"

Remy smiled, "Not only does he work with us he's the leader of the Xmen. His school for the gifted is where he gathers the mutants that he finds. He trains them in the use of their power."

"So his school for the Gifted is for genetically gifted."

Wolverine nodded.

"Okay, I still don't see what being a mutant or mutant rights have to do with me and Sabertooth other than he's a mutant."

"The Professor believes that Magneto is taking up where he left off. Making mutants."

Buffy got up and began to pace back and forth. "So you and this Professor guy think Magneto sent Sabertooth to Sunnydale to pick a new person to experiment on?"

"That about sums it up."

"Why do you think he was after me? He was probably after Buffy. She's the closest to a mutant here." Seeing Buffy's look Willow smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, Buff."

"Sabertooth pushed Buffy out of the way to get to you. The Professor doesn't know why Magneto has targeted you but he thinks you should come back with us to Westchester until he can figure it out."

"No!" Buffy quit pacing and glared at Logan. "Willow's not going anywhere. He can figure it out but we can protect her better. Hello. Defeat demons, vampires and anything else the Hellmouth can dish out. We can protect Willow from anything this Magneto guy sends our way."

Logan glared at Buffy, "Really? What about a mutant that can shapeshift and become anything she wants? What happens to Willow if Mystique shifts into you and asks Willow to go with her? How can you protect her from that?"

"Well how can you protect her from that?"

"Charles' house uses security that no one other than those already prearranged can get in. She'll be safe there."

Willow softly said, "As safe as Marie was a few years ago?"

Remy winced as Willow unknowingly hit Logan's weak spot. He still blames himself and the Professor for the attempt on Rogue.

Willow and Buffy watched wide-eyed as Logan's claws came out and went back in. Willow saw that he was trying to get his anger under control and unconsciously shifted closer to Gambit.

When Wolverine had his anger under control he answered, "The Professor changed the security after that. There is no way that Mystique or any of the others from the Brotherhood can get in without anyone knowing."

Willow tentatively went over to Logan and put her hand on his arm, "I'm sorry if I brought up bad memories I just remembered she was taken from the Professor's school and figured it was the Brotherhood."

"So you'll come to Westchester, chere?"

Willow looked at Buffy, Wolverine and then Gambit before slowly nodding.

"No, Willow! We can protect you here."

"I know you can, Buffy but I can't put you guys in danger."

"Fine, then I'm going too. She's not going alone." Buffy crossed her arms over her chest and dared Logan to argue.

Willow smiled at Buffy, "What about patrolling the Hellmouth?"

"Giles and Xander can take care of it while I'm gone. They've done it before." It was an unspoken rule that no one mentioned the time that Buffy ran away and left them to take care of the Hellmouth.

Willow hooked her arm through Buffy's. "If Giles is okay with you leaving and there are no impending disasters I'd love for you to come with me."

Even though it would give her time with Remy she really didn't want to go to Westchester on her own. She'd feel better with Buffy being there.