Part Three: Moving In
Logan's truck pulled down the drive at Westchester, New York. Bare trees grew in a skeletal canopy over the road. Marilyn looked out the window with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. There were children playing in the snow on the front lawn. The mansion its self was a large warm looking building, a friendly atmosphere surrounded it like a child in its mother's arms.
As Logan pulled into the main garage Marilyn noticed that someone had been following the automobile. As the figure approached she realized that it was a young girl dressed in a black coat, trouser pants, and leather gloves. She also noticed that a white streak flowed from her forehead and mingled into the rest of her auburn hair.
"Logan!" She shouted, as he exited the cabin.
"Hey." He said as she pounced him in a hug.
"Ah knew you'd come back. I just knew it."
"I told you I would."
As Marilyn got out of the truck, it dawned on the girl that Logan had brought someone with him.
"Rogue, this is Ghost." He said as a matter of introduction. Rogue reached out her gloved hand, and Marilyn shook it.
"G'day. It's nice to meet you."
Rogue giggled, presumably at Marilyn's accent. "Its nice tah meet you too." Then she turned back to Logan. "Are you going tah take her to see the Professor?"
"Yes."
"He's got a class right now, but it let's out in about ten minuets."
"Thanks hon."
"Well, hey I have to go, Bobby's waiting for me." Marilyn's ears perked up at the mention of Bobby's name, and unconsciously she scanned the front yard for some small sign of the boy she used to know. Logan watched her silently for a moment. Then turned to watch Rogue dash away.
"Come on. I'll take you to see the Professor."
Logan led the way down the main oaken hallway. Voices could be heard behind doors, Laughter, children's voices. Logan stopped in front of a large door, and knocked softly, then turned to Marilyn and smiled softly.
"Come in." The voice called from behind the door. Logan entered with Marilyn at his heels.
"Ah, Logan. how are you?" He came from around his desk sitting in his wheelchair, with a smile on his face.
"Professor." Logan nodded.
"Hello, Marilyn. Good of you to join us."
"G'day. Um…" She blinked at him. Not knowing what to say. He had known her name, and taken her off guard, whether he meant to or not. The Professor smiled.
"I must apologize. My name is Professor Charles Xaviar. Welcome to my school for the gifted."
"How… how did ya know m' name?"
"As I told Logan once before, you're not the only one with powers."
"I see."
"This place is a haven. A place where you no longer have to hide what you are. Where you can finally be yourself."
"What's the catch?" She eyed him suspiciously.
"No catch. We are what you see. I know how hard it is for you to trust people. But it's not like that here." Logan watched her closely, as she took in what the Professor was saying. He had been right about her she was hiding something. He wondered if, in time, she would tell him. The Professor continued. "Our goal here is to educate, the students as well as normal people. Perhaps in time our cause will be your cause."
Marilyn wasn't sure if he was talking to her or Wolverine at that moment. The last statement seemed to be directed to the both of them. Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Please come in Jean." The door opened and Dr. Jean Grey stepped through. She was wearing a blue business suit, and doctor's lab coat. "Jean this is Ghost, I want you to make her feel at home while she is staying with us." Something passed between Logan and the woman. Marilyn didn't have to be a mind reader to see that Jean was attracted to Logan. She felt suddenly very possessive of the man she had shared a few tender moments with, snuggled safe in a hotel bed with his strong arms wrapped around her. She vividly remembered him twitching in his sleep. Of him unconsciously clutching her close, of his muffled gasps, and his flickering brown eyes when he awoke to find her still next to him. The tears present in his eyes, and a silent knowing that in that moment she had probably seen more of the man than any ever had. And then he had slept, still holding her. The first fair dinkam sleep he had had in years. For that one twilight his nightmares had ceased completely, and he knew it was because of her.
"Logan, it's good to see you back." Jean's greeting was cold, and Marilyn inwardly rejoiced.
"Doctor." Was Logan's only words to her.
"Will you please show Ghost to a room." Charles spoke to Jean, then turned to Marilyn. "After you get settled in we will talk some more."
Jean turned to leave with Marilyn. Logan started to follow, but the Professor stopped him.
"Logan, will you please remain behind for a moment." He watched as the two women left the room. His soul seemed to sadden as Marilyn left the room. She seemed a tad distraught at leaving him behind, but he nodded at her, as she left. Something silent passed between them, call it awareness, for they are both not mind readers. "Tell me Logan, did you find what you were looking for?"
"That depends. I found something, not necessarily what I was looking for."
"Ah, I see. The girl, or should I say woman."
"There's something about her."
"Indeed there is, but that's for her to tell you. What I was referring to was the primary goal of your trip."
Logan laughed a deep sarcastic laugh.
"You know as well as I Professor, that all I found were more questions. Yes, I unearthed the place where it happened. It almost destroyed me, seeing that place again, but I still don't know who did this to me. I'm beginning to wonder if I truly want to know."
"Give it time Logan. Answers are sure to come."
"Maybe you're right. But for the moment, all I want to do is forget whatever it is that want's me to remember."
"Go to her Logan, but be warned. She has a power she does not know she possesses."
Logan nodded, and left the room, a bit taken aback by the Professors warning. It was uncharacteristic of him to say such things, so logic would dictate that he had a good reason for doing so. Logan tried to shake off the notion that Charles was trying to tell him something without coming right out and saying whatever it was he saw in Marilyn's haunted eyes. He searched the hallway for her scent, letting that familiar trace of roses lead him to her. What luck, her room was right next to his. He stopped next to the door; inside he could hear Jean talking to Marilyn.
"I think you will find the room quite adequate. The cafeteria is down the hall and to the left; it closes at nine every evening."
"Thank you." Was Marilyn's only response.
"My room is down the hall if you need anything. Four doors down to be exact."
"Alright, then." Marilyn was being as brief as he had ever seen her. Logan smiled at the possibility that she couldn't wait for Jean to leave her new room. He wouldn't have to wait long. As she left she saw him standing outside the door. He gave her his trademark nod as she left. She smiled at him but he didn't notice, he had already entered Marilyn's room.
"Hey."
"Logan!" She said as she turned from inspecting the room. "Ya know, I can't help but get the feelin' that she don't like me much."
"It has to do with the company she keeps."
"What?"
"Nothing, you'll find out soon enough."
She smiled at him, her blue and gold eyes flashing. She turned to better look at her surroundings.
"Well, it's bigger than m' room behind the bar. I wish I would 'ave had time to bring some more clothes though."
"It was the same thing with me. I kind of just woke up here one day."
Running laughter passed by outside her door. Marilyn turned to listen to it echo down the hallway. Genuine laughter wasn't something she was used to.
"It's strange ya know. Just yesterday I was someone totally different."
"It takes getting used to, this place."
Logan moved close behind her, and wrapped his arms around her. She stayed pleasantly solid in his embrace. He held her for several long moments, breathing in her sweet scent all the little things only someone with his superb senses could detect. Marilyn almost felt herself falling into his arms. She reached up to hold his strong arms. The room had started spinning around her in a lovely way. All she could feel was his presence. In that moment nothing else mattered, not Australia, Canada, not any of the other places in-between.
A deep rumbling in her belly caused Logan to finally let her go.
"Hungry?" He asked moving to look at her face.
"I'm bloody starving. Where's that cafeteria again?"
Logan chuckled.
"Down the hall to the left."
"Let's go then."
Logan's truck pulled down the drive at Westchester, New York. Bare trees grew in a skeletal canopy over the road. Marilyn looked out the window with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. There were children playing in the snow on the front lawn. The mansion its self was a large warm looking building, a friendly atmosphere surrounded it like a child in its mother's arms.
As Logan pulled into the main garage Marilyn noticed that someone had been following the automobile. As the figure approached she realized that it was a young girl dressed in a black coat, trouser pants, and leather gloves. She also noticed that a white streak flowed from her forehead and mingled into the rest of her auburn hair.
"Logan!" She shouted, as he exited the cabin.
"Hey." He said as she pounced him in a hug.
"Ah knew you'd come back. I just knew it."
"I told you I would."
As Marilyn got out of the truck, it dawned on the girl that Logan had brought someone with him.
"Rogue, this is Ghost." He said as a matter of introduction. Rogue reached out her gloved hand, and Marilyn shook it.
"G'day. It's nice to meet you."
Rogue giggled, presumably at Marilyn's accent. "Its nice tah meet you too." Then she turned back to Logan. "Are you going tah take her to see the Professor?"
"Yes."
"He's got a class right now, but it let's out in about ten minuets."
"Thanks hon."
"Well, hey I have to go, Bobby's waiting for me." Marilyn's ears perked up at the mention of Bobby's name, and unconsciously she scanned the front yard for some small sign of the boy she used to know. Logan watched her silently for a moment. Then turned to watch Rogue dash away.
"Come on. I'll take you to see the Professor."
Logan led the way down the main oaken hallway. Voices could be heard behind doors, Laughter, children's voices. Logan stopped in front of a large door, and knocked softly, then turned to Marilyn and smiled softly.
"Come in." The voice called from behind the door. Logan entered with Marilyn at his heels.
"Ah, Logan. how are you?" He came from around his desk sitting in his wheelchair, with a smile on his face.
"Professor." Logan nodded.
"Hello, Marilyn. Good of you to join us."
"G'day. Um…" She blinked at him. Not knowing what to say. He had known her name, and taken her off guard, whether he meant to or not. The Professor smiled.
"I must apologize. My name is Professor Charles Xaviar. Welcome to my school for the gifted."
"How… how did ya know m' name?"
"As I told Logan once before, you're not the only one with powers."
"I see."
"This place is a haven. A place where you no longer have to hide what you are. Where you can finally be yourself."
"What's the catch?" She eyed him suspiciously.
"No catch. We are what you see. I know how hard it is for you to trust people. But it's not like that here." Logan watched her closely, as she took in what the Professor was saying. He had been right about her she was hiding something. He wondered if, in time, she would tell him. The Professor continued. "Our goal here is to educate, the students as well as normal people. Perhaps in time our cause will be your cause."
Marilyn wasn't sure if he was talking to her or Wolverine at that moment. The last statement seemed to be directed to the both of them. Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Please come in Jean." The door opened and Dr. Jean Grey stepped through. She was wearing a blue business suit, and doctor's lab coat. "Jean this is Ghost, I want you to make her feel at home while she is staying with us." Something passed between Logan and the woman. Marilyn didn't have to be a mind reader to see that Jean was attracted to Logan. She felt suddenly very possessive of the man she had shared a few tender moments with, snuggled safe in a hotel bed with his strong arms wrapped around her. She vividly remembered him twitching in his sleep. Of him unconsciously clutching her close, of his muffled gasps, and his flickering brown eyes when he awoke to find her still next to him. The tears present in his eyes, and a silent knowing that in that moment she had probably seen more of the man than any ever had. And then he had slept, still holding her. The first fair dinkam sleep he had had in years. For that one twilight his nightmares had ceased completely, and he knew it was because of her.
"Logan, it's good to see you back." Jean's greeting was cold, and Marilyn inwardly rejoiced.
"Doctor." Was Logan's only words to her.
"Will you please show Ghost to a room." Charles spoke to Jean, then turned to Marilyn. "After you get settled in we will talk some more."
Jean turned to leave with Marilyn. Logan started to follow, but the Professor stopped him.
"Logan, will you please remain behind for a moment." He watched as the two women left the room. His soul seemed to sadden as Marilyn left the room. She seemed a tad distraught at leaving him behind, but he nodded at her, as she left. Something silent passed between them, call it awareness, for they are both not mind readers. "Tell me Logan, did you find what you were looking for?"
"That depends. I found something, not necessarily what I was looking for."
"Ah, I see. The girl, or should I say woman."
"There's something about her."
"Indeed there is, but that's for her to tell you. What I was referring to was the primary goal of your trip."
Logan laughed a deep sarcastic laugh.
"You know as well as I Professor, that all I found were more questions. Yes, I unearthed the place where it happened. It almost destroyed me, seeing that place again, but I still don't know who did this to me. I'm beginning to wonder if I truly want to know."
"Give it time Logan. Answers are sure to come."
"Maybe you're right. But for the moment, all I want to do is forget whatever it is that want's me to remember."
"Go to her Logan, but be warned. She has a power she does not know she possesses."
Logan nodded, and left the room, a bit taken aback by the Professors warning. It was uncharacteristic of him to say such things, so logic would dictate that he had a good reason for doing so. Logan tried to shake off the notion that Charles was trying to tell him something without coming right out and saying whatever it was he saw in Marilyn's haunted eyes. He searched the hallway for her scent, letting that familiar trace of roses lead him to her. What luck, her room was right next to his. He stopped next to the door; inside he could hear Jean talking to Marilyn.
"I think you will find the room quite adequate. The cafeteria is down the hall and to the left; it closes at nine every evening."
"Thank you." Was Marilyn's only response.
"My room is down the hall if you need anything. Four doors down to be exact."
"Alright, then." Marilyn was being as brief as he had ever seen her. Logan smiled at the possibility that she couldn't wait for Jean to leave her new room. He wouldn't have to wait long. As she left she saw him standing outside the door. He gave her his trademark nod as she left. She smiled at him but he didn't notice, he had already entered Marilyn's room.
"Hey."
"Logan!" She said as she turned from inspecting the room. "Ya know, I can't help but get the feelin' that she don't like me much."
"It has to do with the company she keeps."
"What?"
"Nothing, you'll find out soon enough."
She smiled at him, her blue and gold eyes flashing. She turned to better look at her surroundings.
"Well, it's bigger than m' room behind the bar. I wish I would 'ave had time to bring some more clothes though."
"It was the same thing with me. I kind of just woke up here one day."
Running laughter passed by outside her door. Marilyn turned to listen to it echo down the hallway. Genuine laughter wasn't something she was used to.
"It's strange ya know. Just yesterday I was someone totally different."
"It takes getting used to, this place."
Logan moved close behind her, and wrapped his arms around her. She stayed pleasantly solid in his embrace. He held her for several long moments, breathing in her sweet scent all the little things only someone with his superb senses could detect. Marilyn almost felt herself falling into his arms. She reached up to hold his strong arms. The room had started spinning around her in a lovely way. All she could feel was his presence. In that moment nothing else mattered, not Australia, Canada, not any of the other places in-between.
A deep rumbling in her belly caused Logan to finally let her go.
"Hungry?" He asked moving to look at her face.
"I'm bloody starving. Where's that cafeteria again?"
Logan chuckled.
"Down the hall to the left."
"Let's go then."