X-men 3    By: Freelancer

Disclaimer: I own nothing, at least not yet.

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CHAPTER 3:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

-Some Bar in Westchester County

Wolverine at a bar was not an unusual sight. The cold beer tasted good and it helped numb the pain that he had been feeling for a month.  He felt bad for not going to the funeral, but he would not risk showing his emotions again, especially in front of Scott. If there was someone that cared more for Jean than Logan, it was Scott. After all he was her fiancé.

Logan took another drink. He also felt guilty. The last time he had been with Jean, he had tried to force her to do something she didn't want to do. Now she was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it.

For a month he had been living in hotel rooms and bars, not ready to go back to the school. He needed to be alone, but eventually he would go back, just not now.

His thoughts were interrupted when someone sat down next to him.

"Not surprised to see you here Logan."

"But I'm surprised to see you here, Scott."

"Me too. I haven't been to a bar since college. Jean never drank, and didn't like me to. We had the occasional wine, but that's about it."

Logan was nervous about getting into a conversation about Jean, and was glad when Scott didn't go on.

Scott turned to the bartender. "Uh… I'll have what he's having."

Scott took a drink, and immediately began coughing. Logan grinned.

"Whoa, what is this?"

"The strongest beer in the house!"

"I think I'll have a coke." Scott's eyes wondered around the bar. It wasn't long before he saw a couple sitting in a corner. They were smiling and laughing and kissing.

"We were supposed to get married in the spring.'

Oh no, thought Logan. Here we go…

Scott slammed his glass on the bar.

"Why'd she have to die?! Why her? God, I'd give anything to switch places with her. I just stood there in the plane and I let her die. I could've…"

"What? What could you have done? Nothing. It's not your fault she died, or anyone's fault. Things happen and sometimes there's nothing you can do about them." I probably should be saying the same things to myself, thought Logan.

Scott put his head down.

"Listen I've got to. You gonna be ok?" Logan asked.

"Yea, yea I'm fine. I've got to go myself. I got to catch a plane and meet someone."

Logan said bye and got up from his chair.

"The professor says you can come back to the school anytime. I know a lot of people would like to have you back, and I think I'm one of them." Scott said without lifting his head.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Without another word, Wolverine headed out the door with no where in particular to go.

-Cave near Alkali Lake

Jean tapped what she thought was the person's leg. No movement. She shook the person this time, trying to get them to respond. Nothing. She found a backpack near the person and opened it. Feeling around, she found a flashlight, some food, and some other things.

She realized then how hungry she was, and ate most of the food she found. While she ate, she tried to remember who she was. For some reason she could not remember. She couldn't remember anything! This greatly frustrated her.

Irritated, she then switched on the flashlight and shone it at the person.

She quickly covered her mouth to keep herself from screaming. The person's face was burned so badly, it was unrecognizable. What the hell is happening to me!, Jean thought. I must be going crazy.

Suddenly she heard a noise from outside. It sounded like… like a helicopter. Maybe these people know who I am, she thought. She carefully stood up, and using the sides of the cave as support, she walked outside. It was much colder than in the cave. She thought she was going to freeze to death. Bright lights were shown in her face, and she saw two silhouetted figures walk towards her.

Magneto's POV:

I don't believe it, Jean Grey is alive.

"Come with me…"

"Wait, who are you? Do you know…" As she said this, I noticed her eyes changed, they looked like flames.

"If you come with me, I will try to answer all your questions. Now please, step into the helicopter." I tried to sound nice and friendly. It was important to have her trust, at least for the beginning of my plan. I saw Jean debate with herself, but I knew she would come.

Finally, she stepped inside the helicopter. I told Mystique to check out the cave.

"There's a dead body in there. It's been burned pretty badly. Oh and I found an I.D. in the backpack. She's Jackal's sister."

I nodded and headed towards the helicopter.

"What do you want to do with her?" Mystique asked.

"Oh, just leave her there."