A/N - Thank you one and all for the kind reviews! This certainly isn't a perfect story with perfect spelling or perfect characterization but it is my story and I hope you'll enjoy it with all it's imperfections!

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Chapter Three - Departure

Scott, his arm draped possessively around Jean's shoulders, watched the little group as they prepared to board their plane. They were flying commercial, which he was adamantly against but, his objection had been over ruled by the Professor, much to Scott's chagrin. He had no faith in Logan and felt the Professor was putting himself at risk. He knew the man was reliable, skilled and dangerous as an adversary but he also knew him to be unpredictable-a rebel and therefore a loose cannon. Logan didn't play well with others. While he didn't hate Logan he didn't care for him either. He hated to admit it but it also irritated him that the man could always come back into their lives and everyone would drop what they were doing and run to his aid. He grunted in disapproval but ignored Jean when she looked at him. The truth was that wherever Logan went trouble followed. He didn't even want to think about Jean and Logan. If he allowed his thoughts to go there he was sure that he'd do his best to kill the man. Maybe that's what disturbed him the most-he knew Logan would survive any attack he could throw at him and in the end Logan would kill him.

Jean, feeling safe and loved with Scott's arm wrapped around her protectively, watched Logan as he helped Ororo with her carry on luggage. She would not miss Logan yet she felt a tinge of sadness as she watched Ororo give a smile of thanks to Logan and watched him grin back at her. She couldn't recall him smiling so carefree when he had hung around her. And he was so gallant in Ororo's presence, now almost bowing and elaborately sweeping an arm out to let her go before him. Was he trying to make her jealous by treating Ororo so considerately? Was he trying to anger her? Or was he just playing with Ororo? He'd never played with her like that. Was he even aware that she was watching him? And wasn't she the woman he was supposed to be in love with? She shivered; suddenly feeling cold and alone but she ignored Scott when he looked her way. She realized that Logan truly wasn't aware of her at all.

Ororo was thankful to have Logan busying himself by helping her. She felt his gallantry was an effort to put Jean far from his thoughts and she hoped it was working. She had hoped her talk with him hadn't been too unfathomable or too subtle so that he would not consider her words. She turned to wave a final farewell and as she looked at Jean and Scott she thought how very close and in love they looked, safe in their knowledge of each other's love. Safe now that Logan was leaving. Safe for how long Ororo wondered as she stole a glance at Logan and started down the ramp.

Once onboard Ororo smiled as Logan sat in the seat next to hers. She felt exceptionally comfortable and settled back into her seat. It was a nice change to travel on a commercial flight in first class, to sit back and not have to worry about co-piloting or wonder what villain or group of villains would be on the lookout for the X-Men jet desiring to wreak havoc. The Professor had made it clear that this was to be a vacation if at all possible with no reminders that they were mutants that fought to save the world on a daily basis.

"Guess ol' one eye an' Red'll be happy now," Logan said, his words bringing her out of her reverie.

"I believe they're always happy as long as they're together and one shouldn't expect otherwise."

"You're very protective of Jean," Logan observed.

"Jean's my best friend and Scott is also very dear to me. They're the only family I have."

When Logan made no reply she laid her hand on Logan's and said, "You're family too now."

Logan looked at her but said nothing. She removed her hand and closed her eyes sighing softly.

"So when do I get to ride those wild winds with you, Ro?"

Ororo's eyes opened wider than usual and she stifled a laugh. Ro? Where'd that come from she wondered?

"One day. When it's time," she said, her eyes closing again. She turned on her side, her face close to Logan's shoulder. He instinctively leaned closer to her breathing in the freshness of Ororo. He felt almost as comfortable as she looked he thought to himself.

"Vhat goes on vith those two, eh, Professor?" Kurt whispered from across the aisle.

"I'm not sure, Kurt but it would seem that Ororo is a very good influence on our friend. I believe this trip together will be of great benefit to Logan especially with her support."

"Ja. I think you are right. Ororo has a way vith all of us."

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When Ororo woke from her long nap she found herself touching something hard and solid beneath her. She slowly smiled as she enjoyed the feel of the solid muscular chest and the distinct smell of soap, cigars and leather. Vaguely she thought it smelled just like Logan. Then, realizing she was using Logan for a pillow her head jerked up and she found herself staring into Logan's eyes. She wiped self-consciously at her mouth wondering if she had been drooling. 'Please tell me I wasn't,' she thought and bit her lip. She looked down at his chest for tell tale signs, saw none and sighed in relief.

"Comfortable would be an understatement, darlin'-you made yourself right at home," Logan teased.

"Well . . . well, I appreciate that you let me," she mumbled.

He smiled and watched her stretch in her seat. When he was finished she settled back and seemed to relax once again.

"I'm sorry, Logan. I hope I didn't drool on you," she gave a small laugh.

Logan's own quiet laughter joined hers. "If you did I didn't notice but I could think of worse things."

"How much longer?"

"Before we get there? Dunno."

"Any idea what you'll do first?"

"Wait, let Chuck meet with his contacts. Wait and see for awhile anyway."

"Very wise."

"I can be wise sometimes you know."

"I have no doubt after all you are a very old."

"Old? This old man can give you . . ." Logan caught himself and looked away.

"Give me what?" Ororo asked.

"Give you a run for your money," his eyes bore into hers.

"I wonder."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"If you could keep up with me."

He laughed so loudly others turned to see what was going on. "I'm the Wolverine! I can keep up and surpass you any day of the week-kid!"

"Cocky but not well thought out considering I wield lightning," she whispered in his ear. "Not to mention that I can fly but tell you what, I'll let you ride my wild winds one day and we'll see who can keep up. We'll see if you can survive that."

Logan started to reply but Ororo was snuggling up to him again and with a soft sigh she was soon fast asleep.

"Hey, Logan I think ve need to change seats," Kurt joked.

"No way, elf-you use Chuck for a pillow!"

"I think not, Kurt," Charles muttered sleepily. He turned away from the two and resumed his nap.

Logan felt engulfed in Ororo's sweet fresh scent. He felt completely relaxed with Ororo sleeping soundly beside him and with Kurt's bantering across the way. He wondered if it was a good or bad thing, feeling so comfortable and as if he belonged. He had never belonged anywhere before or at least he had no memory of belonging. Ororo had said he was family now just as Charles had said earlier to Scott. Family, he liked the way that sounded, liked the way it felt though he would admit it to no one, not even Rogue. The problem was, did he want that? Feeling safe and comfortable meant being weak and letting your guard down. He shook his head careful not to disturb Ororo. One step at a time. See what awaited him in Japan and go from there. For all he knew he had a Japanese wife and five kids in a little village somewhere. He chuckled quietly at the idea.

"Five kids, that'd be nice," he thought just before he drifted off to sleep.