Chapter 6
Logan was sitting at his desk in the hospital records office, but his mind was a million miles away. Staring at the calendar on his desk, he tried to deal with the fact that it had been five months. FIVE MONTHS. And no concrete memories whatsoever, unless he counted the dreams that only came very rarely now. The decision to not care anymore about his past had been the right decision; he knew that. But he wished it were easy done as said. He didn't talk that much about his past anymore with Eve, but he couldn't help his mind from worrying. Not because he wanted to know, and not because he wasn't happy with his new life, but because he couldn't shake the feeling that he had important things to do.
A knock sounded at the door, jarring him from his thoughts. He looked up to see Dave, the doctor who had saved his life. Smiling, he gestured to the extra chair.
"What's up, Dave?"
"I have a few minutes off for lunch, and I was wondering if you wanted to come to the cafeteria with me."
"Oh, sure." Logan saved the spreadsheet that had been open on his desktop for the last twenty minutes while he had stared off into space. Standing, he followed the doctor out of the office and to the elevator.
They talked about mundane things as they took their place in line and walked slowly down it, grabbing food here and there. Nodding to some of the other hospital employees, they grabbed a table off in the corner and continued the conversation. About halfway through lunch, Dave looked toward the entrance of the cafeteria and smiled, gesturing with his head. "There's Eve."
Logan turned, a smile on his face. She saw them at about the same time, waved and headed over to their table.
"Hi guys."
"Hey, Eve." Dave said, while Logan pecked her on the cheek.
"Why aren't you guys watching the news like everyone else?" She pointed behind her to the TV, which was surrounded by employees and family members of the patients. "There's apparently something big going on in the Senate today."
"Oh?" Dave leaned over, trying to get a better look at the screen, even though they couldn't hear anything from where they were sitting. "Probably something to do with the Mutants."
Confusion and amusement filled Logan's face. "Mutants?" His voice was incredulous.
"Yeah, you're probably right, Dave." Logan turned toward Eve.
"What are you guys talking about? Is this some joke? Why would the Senate be dealing with Mutants? What Mutants?"
Eve and Dave glanced at each other, and then looked as one to Logan. "Mutants. The Registration Act? Doesn't any of this mean anything to you."
Logan slowly shook his head, fear filling his heart. And the doctors felt it too. Over the last couple of months, they had pretty much determined that Logan could only not remember things that had happened personally to him, but that he did know current events, basic math and everything else.
"That's...interesting. Here, let's go watch the news report. Maybe that'll jump start your memory about it."
Dave and Logan stood, and all three went over to the back of the group around the TV. The screen showed one of the legislators speaking about the merits of the Registration Act, but quickly jumped back to the guest speaker. Logan barely heard the reporter's comments about the speaker, a frequent lobbyist for Mutants in front of the Senate. His eyes were glued to the screen, as his heart seemed to stop when he saw the speaker, a Dr. Jean Grey.
"Jean." The whisper was so quiet compared to the sound of the TV, but his companions heard it and turned to look at him. His face was white, and his eyes were beginning to glaze over.
Jean. The flood. Alkali Lake. Jean. Logan. Rogue. Bobby. Liberty Island. Professor X. Westchester. Words, faces, memories and events started screaming through his head, just as they did in his dreams. But now they made sense. The memories and feelings started racing each other round and round, faster and faster, until his mind hurt from the intensity of it.
Dave and Eve cried out only a few seconds after he did. They watched him clutch his head in pain, drop to his knees and cry out again. Kneeling next to him, they said his name, but it was clear he could not hear them. His eyes were clenched, and he unconsciously turned away from the group, now watching him instead of the TV.
"Logan!" Eve screamed, desperately scared for him. That scream was what finally got his attention, and he opened his eyes. The concussive force of the beams from his eyes caused the table in front of him to explode, and the wall beyond it to crumble. Dave and Eve screamed in fear, jumping back from him as the rest of the occupants of the cafeteria panicked and fled.
Logan closed his eyes, and the beams abruptly ended. Hyperventilating, he fell to the ground, covering his eyes with his hands. Eve had never been more scared in her life, but all of her fear was for Logan and none for herself. She didn't know what was happening to him, or how she could possibly help. Meeting Dave's eyes, seeing the shock in her heart mirrored on his face, she stared at the rubble and destruction caused by her boyfriend. Pulling herself together, she crawled back to Logan's side and gathered him in her arms, almost crying when she felt him trembling. She knew then that the experience was even worse for him than she had thought - never had he allowed himself to be so weak in front of her, despite her reassurances that he could trust her enough to be himself.
"Logan?" The whisper seemed even quieter compared to the crashing that had filled the room only a few minutes ago. She felt him tense in her arms, but knew that he had gotten past the worst of it. When he spoke, she knew everything was going to change. Even his voice sounded different than the happy, carefree loving way it sounded just now at the cafeteria table. He sounded like a broken man, but she knew that, in actuality, he had finally been fixed.
"My name is Scott."
* * *
Jean and Logan were sitting outside in the gardens, enjoying the day. Ever since the night when he had held her while she talked, they had been spending a couple of hours a day together and had grown closer than either of them had imagined possible. Naturally, it fueled the speculation about a romance between the two, and Jean had already allowed herself to think about what that might be like. Several times. And, today, she was going to tell him that.
Her heart beat so loudly she was sure that his advanced hearing could pick it up. She didn't know why she was so nervous; the whole school knew how he felt about her, so she didn't have to fear rejection. A hidden part of her heart knew the real reason: she didn't want to admit her feelings to him because that would be the final and worst betrayal to Scott. But she had dealt with his death, and she knew he would want her to move on...although maybe not with Logan.
Shaking her head to once again bury her true love, she turned to Logan with a smile on her face. He cocked his head, confused by her actions.
"Logan." She released a shaky breath, looking away as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out sometime."
Logan's heart burst with joy. He had been hoping this day would come, more and more often lately as their conversations became less and less about Scott. He gasped, and then became embarrassed about his enthusiastic reaction to her question. Quickly he decided that he didn't care about his image anymore. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. When she pulled away after a few seconds, breathless and flushed, he thought her the most beautiful woman in the world.
"I take it that's a yes?"
He smirked at her and leaned in for another kiss, but was interrupted by a crashing sound coming toward them through the bushes. Releasing her quickly, knowing that she would not want to be discovered in a compromising position by a student, he turned toward the sound. Less than a moment after he released Jean, Bobby ran up to them, and stopped to crouch over against his knees, desperately trying to catch his breath.
"The Professor." He finally managed to gasp out. "We were in class, and he suddenly stopped talking. He had this weird expression on his face and then collapsed. I don't know what happened next because I immediately came to find you two."
Fear spread across Jean's face, and she immediately began running toward the building, with Logan and Bobby on her heels. The distance to the Professor's office never seemed so large before, and she thought she would cry if she weren't by his side right this instant. Finally, the door came into sight. An extra burst of speed brought her into the room. All of the remaining students were gathered around the Professor's wheelchair, as concerned for him as much as Jean was. Seeing her enter, they immediately moved aside to give her room to work. But her services were not needed, as he was beginning to come around.
"Professor. Are you alright?" Jean barely noticed Ororo run into the room and stand behind Logan and Bobby.
A brilliant smile erupted on the Professor's face. "I've never been better." The Professor took a minute to spare smiles to the students standing anxiously around him, reassuring them that he'd be okay. "I swear the two of you will be the death of me. Scaring me, and then making me amazingly happy. I don't think I can handle this emotional roller coaster again!"
Jean glanced back at Logan and Ororo. By their expressions, she could tell they were just as confused as she was by the Professor's statements. Turning back to him, she began to get a suspicious tickle in the back of her brain.
"What are you talking about, Professor?"
"Get the 'Bird. We're going on a trip. Ororo, can you ask Kurt to keep an eye on the students while we are away." Storm nodded and left the room, curious about the mission but sure the Professor would explain in his own time. She didn't have long to wait, as the Professor's voice sounded in her head before she had even finished exiting the room, and she knew that everyone in the school was hearing the same message.
Children. I have some good news. Just like with Jean, it seems we have been grieving for nothing. Just a few minutes ago, Scott's consciousness burst into my head. I don't know where it's been hiding, but it came back with a vengeance. Hopefully, we will have him home to you soon.
Jean was still kneeling by the Professor's side, shock having frozen her in that position. She thought her heart had stopped, or that perhaps she was dreaming. But the gloriously happy look on the Professor's face convinced her otherwise and, for the first time in months, utter joy filled her. Letting out a cry, she flew into the Professor's waiting arms and began to cry for her newfound love. Her eyes, buried against her mentor's shoulder, didn't see the happiness and hurt battling for supremacy in Logan. She didn't see him hide both emotions as quickly as they had come upon him, or see him turn stiffly on one heel and walk briskly out of the room and toward the plane.
* * *
Sitting next to the Professor and behind Ororo, who was piloting the plane, Jean didn't say much. She was too busy watching the airspace in front of them, willing the distance to be covered faster and faster, anxious to see Scott again. The Professor still didn't know what happened exactly, and Jean was afraid that Scott was in danger.
Glancing surreptitiously at Logan, who was sitting in the co-pilot seat but not actually having anything to do with the flying of the plane, she tried to determine how he felt about this. She knew he was happy that Scott was alive, as he had confided in her during a previous conversation that he "actually kinda liked the kid." But she also knew that he was upset at the amazing bad timing of them having discovered he was alive the same day that she had kissed him. She truly felt bad about that; she did have feelings for him, but they could not compare to her love for Scott. And she hoped that he would understand that and not make her have to reject him. However, despite the concern she felt for Logan's feelings, it was impossible for her to feel anything but joy.
Ororo broke in on her thoughts to announce that they would be landing soon. Jean's heart soared and her face hurt because her grin was so wide. She braced herself for the landing, which was actually a few miles outside of the city, as it wouldn't do any of them any good for the plane to be sitting around where anyone could see it. Once safely on the ground, Jean led the way off the plane, quickly followed by the Professor, Ororo and Bobby, who had insisted on accompanying them. Logan was the last off of the plane, and he made sure it would be secure in their absence.
* * *
Dave growled in exasperation, walking into the hospital room where his friend was resting. Eve, her face drawn and tired, looked up from her seat at his bedside. She hadn't left him since the incident in the cafeteria six hours ago, and her exhaustion showed it. Looking back at her boyfriend to ensure he was still sleeping, she stood and walked over to whisper with Dave.
"Are the reporters still here?"
"Yeah, it's like a zoo out there. They're like vultures, the bastards." He sighed, rubbing a hand across his eyes and nodded toward the bed.
"How's he doing?" Eve looked toward him, too, clearly upset.
"The sedative you gave him in the cafeteria worked pretty good. He's been out cold the whole time. I'm sure it's good for him to get his rest, but I kinda wished he could wake up so I could find out what's happening...and ask him about what kind of life Scott led."
Dave gave her a compassionate smile and patted her on the shoulder. "It's kind of weird saying that, isn't it. Scott, I mean, instead of Logan."
"Yeah." She was obviously fighting back tears, and Dave's heart went out to her. "I - I just want to know what's going to happen. I'm so scared...that he won't want to be with me now that he can go back to his old life." The last sentence came out barely louder than a whisper, and Dave gathered her into a hug when she finally let the tears come.
A knock at the door interrupted them, and the door opened to reveal Lucy, the head nurse.
"Hi. Sorry, guys, but I thought you might like to know that there's some people here claiming to know Scott. Something tells me that they're not just a bunch of quacks out for a lark. Do you wanna come check them out?" Eve nodded, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. Dave held the door open for her, and they followed the nurse to the admit desk.
Turning the corner, Eve's eyes sought out the group, curiosity about the people who possibly meant very much to her boyfriend causing her to speed up her steps. Finally, she got her first look at them. An older, dignified man in a wheelchair was closest to the desk, and a young man with blond hair stood at the handles of his chair. Slightly behind them stood an attractive, yet very dangerous looking man and a black woman with shocking white hair. Finally, standing closer to Eve than the rest, was a pretty, young woman. Eve nearly stumbled in surprise when she recognized the woman as Dr. Jean Grey, the person on the TV in the cafeteria. Recovering, she continued walking toward them, but allowed Dave to talk to them, more interested in watching the actions and reactions of the strangers.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Starr. This is Dr. Crawford." The man in the wheelchair maneuvered around to face them, a smile on his face. "Hello, I'm Charles Xavier." He looked Eve in the eyes, and she had the strange feeling that he could see right through her. This feeling was not assuaged by the way his smile faltered. He glanced at Dr. Grey, but she appeared to be too excited to pay any attention. This, however, seemed to please the man.
"These are my associates: Bobby Drake, Ororo Munroe, Jean Grey. And, uh, this is Logan."
Hearing her boyfriend's former name being applied to the dangerous looking man threw Eve off, and she could tell that it affected Dave as well.
"Ah. Um, nice to meet you all. How can we help you?"
"We would like to see Scott Summers."
Scott Summers. Eve tasted the name with her mind. It's a good name. I could learn to call him by that. Scott Summers...
Dave smiled and shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm sure you can imagine that a lot of people have come in today wanting to see our patient. Why should we let you see him?"
"Because we truly do know him. And I can prove it. Scott left us about five months ago to go on a vacation. He was driving a blue BMW, with New York license plates. He's a teacher at my school, Xavier's School for the Gifted, in Westchester, New York. He always wears dark ruby red sunglasses."
Eve's head shot up in confusion. "Lo - Uh, I mean Scott never wears sunglasses." The Professor shared a look with Dr. Grey, both obviously unnerved by her statement.
"Actually, Eve, he was wearing ruby red sunglasses the night of the accident. I believe you know him; you can follow me, but only one of you can visit him at a time." The entire entourage headed toward the room Eve had spent so many hours in today. Finally reaching the door, Dave turned back to face the strange group of people.
"Who's first?" The group didn't even discuss it amongst themselves. Parting, they let Dr. Grey, who had been walking behind everyone else, pass through and enter the door Dave opened for her.
I wonder why they're letting her go first. Yet deep down, Eve knew the answer to that question. She just didn't want to admit it to herself. Unfortunately, the man in the wheelchair answered it for her.
Because, my dear Eve jumped into the air, a hand reaching out to the wall for support as she turned to stare at the man with fear in her eyes. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Jean is Scott's girlfriend.