As students walked around him, he realised that he was sitting right
in the way, right in the centre of the staircase. But none of the students
had complained though, he had noticed. After a few more moments, he stood,
moving out of their way. They smiled appreciatively and carried on their
way.
Logan sighed and made his way down a corridor, searching for no one in particular, just hoping to find someone he could speak with. He didn't even want to talk about anything in particular... he just wanted to talk. He had so many things pent up inside, he wasn't sure what he was thinking anymore.
He felt anger towards Magneto and his goonies for taking Cyclops. Fear as to what was would happen. Confusion because of all the things that were happening at once... and love. Love for Jean Grey.
He just couldn't help it. He hated himself for having these feelings towards her, especially whilst Scott was being held captive by Magneto.
Logan and Scott weren't exactly the best of friends anyway, but if he were to make a move on Jean now, in this time of desperation, Scott would hate him so much, and so would Jean. It was Logan's fault that there was a tension between them in the first place. When he had first arrived at the school, he had rejected Scott's friendship, even teased him. But gradually he began to realise just how damned important Scott was. Just how much of a leader he was capable of being.
But now, Logan was playing leader, and he wanted to prove his worth. He wanted to show them that he was capable of being a good leader too. Logan had no intention of showing off, not in the slightest. That was the last thing he wanted.
Ahead of him he could see a figure he would recognise anywhere.
"Rogue?" he called out, checking it was who he had thought it to be.
As the figure failed to stop, he moved after them. They quickened their pace, as did he. Now he was certain of who it was.
"Rogue!" he shouted, breaking into a jog to catch up with her.
She ran.
So did he.
Why was she running?
"Marie!" he cried. "Stop, please!"
She ignored him, turning right sharply.
He turned the corner after her, and stopped. She was gone.
Then a scent crossed the hallway to him. He knew that smell, had grown to love it.
He turned to his left to see Rogue hiding in an alcove, crouched down to the ground.
He moved to her, and lowered himself to level with her. "What's wrong? Why did you run from me?" he asked softly, touching her covered arm gently.
She shied away from his touch, and he grew concerned.
"What's wrong, Rogue? Tell me. I wanna help you."
Still, she remained silent, avoiding eye contact.
"Don't push me away. Because I won't just forget about you. I said I'd take care of you, and I meant it. I won't give up on you."
Suddenly, she broke down into a fit of sobs, and Logan carefully took her into his embrace, soothing her as best he could. Something was wrong with her, and he needed to know what.
Sure, the incident with Mystique must have been disturbing and frightening, but she didn't need to be so distant towards everyone.
"Rogue?" a voice said from the end of the corridor. Glancing up, Logan saw it was Bobby and Jubilee, and he knew that Rogue didn't need their company at the moment. It might have helped her, but Logan knew her better than anyone. They had shared so much.
Bobby came up beside Logan, and knelt down, moving to ease Rogue, but Logan shook his head.
"No, Bobby. Leave her."
"What? Why?" Bobby inquired, looking offended. Jubilee watched intently.
"Just leave her alone. She needs some time, okay?" Logan told the boy.
But Bobby would not accept it; "No, that's not okay. I'm her friend, and I think she needs me."
Rogue raised her head, tears streaming down her pretty face, and told Bobby, "I don't need you right now. I just want to be left alone. With Logan." When Bobby refused to move, Rogue insisted, "Bobby, please. Just leave, and I'll see you later."
Reluctantly, having no other choice, Bobby stood, turned and walked away, Jubilee following close behind him.
"Come on," Logan said, his voice softer than he thought possible, "let's go somewhere."
* * *
"Come on," she pleaded to him, clutching his hand tightly with excitement, "let's go somewhere." Her face resembled that of a child begging to see something in an amusement park.
He smiled, releasing a small laugh. "Where could we possibly go?" he asked, curious, but reluctant. But no matter what, his mischief took control. He too wished to go somewhere.
"I don't know." She shrugged, looking him in the eye. "Somewhere fun. I'm bored."
"So am I," bellowed a huge voice.
The two of them turned to see Juggernaut enter the area.
"Do you mind?" he demanded, releasing her hand, much to her disapproval. He heard her pine like a small dog.
Juggernaut grunted, and came close to him, intimidatingly close. But he would not back down.
"What?" Juggernaut thundered, his great voice echoing around every corner of the room.
"I said beat it. We don't want you here."
His voice throaty, Juggernaut boomed, "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"I think I'm the one who's in charge around here, that's who, you big dumb asshole." He let out a laugh; one that he knew would drive Juggernaut crazy.
Fuming, Juggernaut swung for him. But he ducked under the blow, laughing again.
Too angry to continue, Juggernaut left, leaving the room to the two of them.
He turned back to her, and he smiled that certain smile, the one he knew she loved.
"That's better," she purred, moving closer to him, and wrapping her blue arms around him.
The small island that they stood on still contained the chair he had first been imprisoned on, but he couldn't have cared less. He knew he was stronger now, and that was all that mattered.
As they began kissing, they lay across the arms of the chair. He held her tight, unwilling to let her go
She ceased expressing her emotions for a moment to once more beg to him.
"Can we please go somewhere, Scott?" her voice appealed to him, and he found himself unable to resist.
"Sure, we can go somewhere. Any place in mind?"
She laughed her little laugh, and replied, "You know where I want to go."
Rising from the chair, they walked towards the helipad, Scott's new duster blowing behind him in the breeze. Magneto had given it to him, merely as a gift, a welcoming present he supposed. He liked it though, so it didn't matter.
"What do you say we take the big guy with us, just in case?" he asked her, turning her to him.
Frowning a little, she agreed, "Okay, just in case."
She pulled him close, and once more expressed the impossible.
* * *
Jean rolled over in her bed once more, and realised that sleep was impossible. Her mind was too busy, and it tormented her, filling her subconscious with tortuous images. She tried her best to banish them all, but a few remained to haunt.
She rose from the empty sheets, dressed and exited her room. It was too large and empty. It seemed cold in there as well for some reason. She dreaded to think why.
She made her way towards the mansion's stables. Maybe some kind of animal would calm her inside... it was worth a try.
She passed many students on the way, all who smiled and said hello. Jean supposed they were being polite to cheer her up, but most of them were polite children anyway.
After a few moments, she found herself surrounded by large powerful horses in stalls made from the finest timber. Hay hung from the walls in nets, and large troughs filled with water were placed in each stall, providing the animals with drink.
As she walked through the path area, a large horse stretched its soft muzzle out, and nudged her shoulder gently. It made a purring noise, and snorted.
She turned to it, and stared into its calming brown eyes. The horse was a pleasing brown colour, almost like that of a Labrador dog she had seen once. Its ears had a slight black tinge to them, as did its legs. The mane and tail were black, and three of the strong legs were white.
She stroked the soft white blaze down its face, and realised just what horse she was petting.
One time when she and Scott had walked through here, Scott had paid quite a lot of attention to this particular gelding. He had said it was a beautiful creature, and the horse had loved the attention it had received. As it did now.
She ran her fingers through its wispy forelock, and stroked the ears. She patted its neck, and placed her aching head against the muzzle of the horse.
It was warm, and the horse froze, simply continuing to make that soothing purring noise.
A male voice spoke to her, "He's lovely, isn't he?"
She looked to the man in the wheelchair, who moved up to her, and petted the large animal on the face.
"Yes," she agreed, nodding a little nod. "He's beautiful."
Professor Xavier was quiet for a while, and then continued, "I believe I've had him for two years now. I purchased him at an auction for charity... magnificent creature. Scott had advised that I buy him. A wonderful choice, a thoroughbred. Ex-racehorse I believe. Didn't quite make the big races, not enough speed, apparently." Then he added, "One of my favourites. Scott's too."
Jean released a sigh, once more placing her head against the horse's face. It snorted quietly.
Then Professor Xavier spoke to her again, but not in speech.
Jean, we will help Scott. We will find him.
Jean understood that he made perfect sense, and that she had been overreacting before. She turned to him. "I'm sorry about earlier," she said, "I was just upset... and angry, I suppose."
Nodding, he replied, "I know. I understand, it's perfectly natural."
"I know we'll find him. Logan has assured me that he will," Jean agreed.
When Logan made a promise, he kept to it.
He had given her his word.
* * *
Rogue sat with Logan on the steps to the mansion's main entrance, and breathed in deeply. She was calmer now, and felt safe with Logan. Some time ago, he had made a promise to her. He had said that he would protect her, and so far... he had kept to his word.
Rogue always felt safe with Logan.
"So," Logan began, breaking the soothing silence, "why did you run away from me back there?"
She stared off into the distance, not quite sure of the answer herself. But she had to explain her actions somehow, and she struggled to find a plausible excuse.
"I guess I was just scared. I wasn't sure if you were who I thought you were." The excuse had actually been genuine, and she only realised it when she spoke. She looked into Logan's brown eyes, and continued, "When Mystique came, I was certain she was Scott. Then she started acting all... mean, and I knew something was wrong."
"So what did you do?" he asked, tilting his head as if in deep thought.
She looked away again. "I took off my glove, and I slapped her. That was when I knew it was her. Her eyes went yellow, and she threatened to kill me.
"Before her eyes went yellow, they were blue. Really blue. It shocked me for a minute... and then I remembered who it was."
"Lucky 'Pinkie' was there," came Logan's reply.
Rogue glanced up at her older friend, confused. "Who?"
"Pinkie," Logan repeated. When Rogue merely blinked, he continued to clarify, "You know, Jubilee. Pinkie."
For the first time in what seemed like months, Rogue laughed. When she cast a glance in Logan's direction, he wore a look that increased the humour of the situation. He was trying to look innocent, and failing miserably.
After a while, he too broke into laughter.
Nearly a minute was wasted in their laughter, but it felt good to just... laugh, and not cry for a change.
Rogue smiled at Logan, tucking her white-streaked hair behind her ear to clear it from her face. Logan returned the friendly smile, placing his arm around her small shoulders.
As Rogue looked around at all the other kids playing and laughing, she realised just how lucky she was. She couldn't see why she hadn't noticed it before; it was so plainly obvious that she was in good company, with a great little circle of friends.
There was one friend in particular she had to apologise to though.
Logan sighed and made his way down a corridor, searching for no one in particular, just hoping to find someone he could speak with. He didn't even want to talk about anything in particular... he just wanted to talk. He had so many things pent up inside, he wasn't sure what he was thinking anymore.
He felt anger towards Magneto and his goonies for taking Cyclops. Fear as to what was would happen. Confusion because of all the things that were happening at once... and love. Love for Jean Grey.
He just couldn't help it. He hated himself for having these feelings towards her, especially whilst Scott was being held captive by Magneto.
Logan and Scott weren't exactly the best of friends anyway, but if he were to make a move on Jean now, in this time of desperation, Scott would hate him so much, and so would Jean. It was Logan's fault that there was a tension between them in the first place. When he had first arrived at the school, he had rejected Scott's friendship, even teased him. But gradually he began to realise just how damned important Scott was. Just how much of a leader he was capable of being.
But now, Logan was playing leader, and he wanted to prove his worth. He wanted to show them that he was capable of being a good leader too. Logan had no intention of showing off, not in the slightest. That was the last thing he wanted.
Ahead of him he could see a figure he would recognise anywhere.
"Rogue?" he called out, checking it was who he had thought it to be.
As the figure failed to stop, he moved after them. They quickened their pace, as did he. Now he was certain of who it was.
"Rogue!" he shouted, breaking into a jog to catch up with her.
She ran.
So did he.
Why was she running?
"Marie!" he cried. "Stop, please!"
She ignored him, turning right sharply.
He turned the corner after her, and stopped. She was gone.
Then a scent crossed the hallway to him. He knew that smell, had grown to love it.
He turned to his left to see Rogue hiding in an alcove, crouched down to the ground.
He moved to her, and lowered himself to level with her. "What's wrong? Why did you run from me?" he asked softly, touching her covered arm gently.
She shied away from his touch, and he grew concerned.
"What's wrong, Rogue? Tell me. I wanna help you."
Still, she remained silent, avoiding eye contact.
"Don't push me away. Because I won't just forget about you. I said I'd take care of you, and I meant it. I won't give up on you."
Suddenly, she broke down into a fit of sobs, and Logan carefully took her into his embrace, soothing her as best he could. Something was wrong with her, and he needed to know what.
Sure, the incident with Mystique must have been disturbing and frightening, but she didn't need to be so distant towards everyone.
"Rogue?" a voice said from the end of the corridor. Glancing up, Logan saw it was Bobby and Jubilee, and he knew that Rogue didn't need their company at the moment. It might have helped her, but Logan knew her better than anyone. They had shared so much.
Bobby came up beside Logan, and knelt down, moving to ease Rogue, but Logan shook his head.
"No, Bobby. Leave her."
"What? Why?" Bobby inquired, looking offended. Jubilee watched intently.
"Just leave her alone. She needs some time, okay?" Logan told the boy.
But Bobby would not accept it; "No, that's not okay. I'm her friend, and I think she needs me."
Rogue raised her head, tears streaming down her pretty face, and told Bobby, "I don't need you right now. I just want to be left alone. With Logan." When Bobby refused to move, Rogue insisted, "Bobby, please. Just leave, and I'll see you later."
Reluctantly, having no other choice, Bobby stood, turned and walked away, Jubilee following close behind him.
"Come on," Logan said, his voice softer than he thought possible, "let's go somewhere."
* * *
"Come on," she pleaded to him, clutching his hand tightly with excitement, "let's go somewhere." Her face resembled that of a child begging to see something in an amusement park.
He smiled, releasing a small laugh. "Where could we possibly go?" he asked, curious, but reluctant. But no matter what, his mischief took control. He too wished to go somewhere.
"I don't know." She shrugged, looking him in the eye. "Somewhere fun. I'm bored."
"So am I," bellowed a huge voice.
The two of them turned to see Juggernaut enter the area.
"Do you mind?" he demanded, releasing her hand, much to her disapproval. He heard her pine like a small dog.
Juggernaut grunted, and came close to him, intimidatingly close. But he would not back down.
"What?" Juggernaut thundered, his great voice echoing around every corner of the room.
"I said beat it. We don't want you here."
His voice throaty, Juggernaut boomed, "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"I think I'm the one who's in charge around here, that's who, you big dumb asshole." He let out a laugh; one that he knew would drive Juggernaut crazy.
Fuming, Juggernaut swung for him. But he ducked under the blow, laughing again.
Too angry to continue, Juggernaut left, leaving the room to the two of them.
He turned back to her, and he smiled that certain smile, the one he knew she loved.
"That's better," she purred, moving closer to him, and wrapping her blue arms around him.
The small island that they stood on still contained the chair he had first been imprisoned on, but he couldn't have cared less. He knew he was stronger now, and that was all that mattered.
As they began kissing, they lay across the arms of the chair. He held her tight, unwilling to let her go
She ceased expressing her emotions for a moment to once more beg to him.
"Can we please go somewhere, Scott?" her voice appealed to him, and he found himself unable to resist.
"Sure, we can go somewhere. Any place in mind?"
She laughed her little laugh, and replied, "You know where I want to go."
Rising from the chair, they walked towards the helipad, Scott's new duster blowing behind him in the breeze. Magneto had given it to him, merely as a gift, a welcoming present he supposed. He liked it though, so it didn't matter.
"What do you say we take the big guy with us, just in case?" he asked her, turning her to him.
Frowning a little, she agreed, "Okay, just in case."
She pulled him close, and once more expressed the impossible.
* * *
Jean rolled over in her bed once more, and realised that sleep was impossible. Her mind was too busy, and it tormented her, filling her subconscious with tortuous images. She tried her best to banish them all, but a few remained to haunt.
She rose from the empty sheets, dressed and exited her room. It was too large and empty. It seemed cold in there as well for some reason. She dreaded to think why.
She made her way towards the mansion's stables. Maybe some kind of animal would calm her inside... it was worth a try.
She passed many students on the way, all who smiled and said hello. Jean supposed they were being polite to cheer her up, but most of them were polite children anyway.
After a few moments, she found herself surrounded by large powerful horses in stalls made from the finest timber. Hay hung from the walls in nets, and large troughs filled with water were placed in each stall, providing the animals with drink.
As she walked through the path area, a large horse stretched its soft muzzle out, and nudged her shoulder gently. It made a purring noise, and snorted.
She turned to it, and stared into its calming brown eyes. The horse was a pleasing brown colour, almost like that of a Labrador dog she had seen once. Its ears had a slight black tinge to them, as did its legs. The mane and tail were black, and three of the strong legs were white.
She stroked the soft white blaze down its face, and realised just what horse she was petting.
One time when she and Scott had walked through here, Scott had paid quite a lot of attention to this particular gelding. He had said it was a beautiful creature, and the horse had loved the attention it had received. As it did now.
She ran her fingers through its wispy forelock, and stroked the ears. She patted its neck, and placed her aching head against the muzzle of the horse.
It was warm, and the horse froze, simply continuing to make that soothing purring noise.
A male voice spoke to her, "He's lovely, isn't he?"
She looked to the man in the wheelchair, who moved up to her, and petted the large animal on the face.
"Yes," she agreed, nodding a little nod. "He's beautiful."
Professor Xavier was quiet for a while, and then continued, "I believe I've had him for two years now. I purchased him at an auction for charity... magnificent creature. Scott had advised that I buy him. A wonderful choice, a thoroughbred. Ex-racehorse I believe. Didn't quite make the big races, not enough speed, apparently." Then he added, "One of my favourites. Scott's too."
Jean released a sigh, once more placing her head against the horse's face. It snorted quietly.
Then Professor Xavier spoke to her again, but not in speech.
Jean, we will help Scott. We will find him.
Jean understood that he made perfect sense, and that she had been overreacting before. She turned to him. "I'm sorry about earlier," she said, "I was just upset... and angry, I suppose."
Nodding, he replied, "I know. I understand, it's perfectly natural."
"I know we'll find him. Logan has assured me that he will," Jean agreed.
When Logan made a promise, he kept to it.
He had given her his word.
* * *
Rogue sat with Logan on the steps to the mansion's main entrance, and breathed in deeply. She was calmer now, and felt safe with Logan. Some time ago, he had made a promise to her. He had said that he would protect her, and so far... he had kept to his word.
Rogue always felt safe with Logan.
"So," Logan began, breaking the soothing silence, "why did you run away from me back there?"
She stared off into the distance, not quite sure of the answer herself. But she had to explain her actions somehow, and she struggled to find a plausible excuse.
"I guess I was just scared. I wasn't sure if you were who I thought you were." The excuse had actually been genuine, and she only realised it when she spoke. She looked into Logan's brown eyes, and continued, "When Mystique came, I was certain she was Scott. Then she started acting all... mean, and I knew something was wrong."
"So what did you do?" he asked, tilting his head as if in deep thought.
She looked away again. "I took off my glove, and I slapped her. That was when I knew it was her. Her eyes went yellow, and she threatened to kill me.
"Before her eyes went yellow, they were blue. Really blue. It shocked me for a minute... and then I remembered who it was."
"Lucky 'Pinkie' was there," came Logan's reply.
Rogue glanced up at her older friend, confused. "Who?"
"Pinkie," Logan repeated. When Rogue merely blinked, he continued to clarify, "You know, Jubilee. Pinkie."
For the first time in what seemed like months, Rogue laughed. When she cast a glance in Logan's direction, he wore a look that increased the humour of the situation. He was trying to look innocent, and failing miserably.
After a while, he too broke into laughter.
Nearly a minute was wasted in their laughter, but it felt good to just... laugh, and not cry for a change.
Rogue smiled at Logan, tucking her white-streaked hair behind her ear to clear it from her face. Logan returned the friendly smile, placing his arm around her small shoulders.
As Rogue looked around at all the other kids playing and laughing, she realised just how lucky she was. She couldn't see why she hadn't noticed it before; it was so plainly obvious that she was in good company, with a great little circle of friends.
There was one friend in particular she had to apologise to though.
