Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine, except for Aurora. Plot is mine though.

Throughout story: " " = Speech ' ' = Thoughts ^ ^ = Telepath

Chapter 7

A silence had now resumed over the car, even though both inhabitants were fully conscious. Logan was gripping the steering wheel, eyes staring ahead as he raced on along a lane shrouded by looming trees. It was now 10.16pm and they had been solid driving just over 6 hours. No real conversation had been made since their exit from the bar. Except for the odd couple of questions from Aurora about the mansion.

She spoke again, her head lifting from the window. She was still firmly beneath the blanket, chin snuggling down upon it, "So, what are the students like there?" She asked, peering over to him with a pale gaze.

"Hm? Oh, they're fine. Just fine."

"Oh."

"It's a good place y'know. You'll be treated right there."

Aurora straightened slightly, for he had finally replied to her with more than one word.

A short silence passed swiftly.

"Thank you." Aurora said softly, still watching him.

Logan nodded firmly, "It's alright, kid. Couldn't just leave you there could I?" He gave a slight smirk, now looking over to her.

Aurora's head tilted at being called 'kid'. She hmphed softly, "I'm not that young you know."

Logan had lit up another cigar and shoved it roughly upon his lips. He looked to her again, brow raising, "Sorry. Got a slight habit o' that." He murmured, sending a stream of smoke gently towards her.

Aurora's head lifted, looking to him as his head turned from her to focus on the road, "What's your name?"

Another exhale of swirling smoke, "Logan." He answered in his usual rough manner. "Or Wolverine." He added after a small pause.

Aurora nodded, a small smile lifting her cheeks again, "Louisa." She leant back in the seat, her hand firmly lifting the tag that hung round her neck, "Or Aurora."

"I know. Saw it."

Her head lifted again, dropping the tag, "So, how long now?"

"Few hours now." He said with a faint rumble from his chest, giving a single nod to her. He rested his hand back to the steering wheel, holding the cigar firmly as he drove.

It was late afternoon when Logan strolled the car in through the mansion gates. Tired eyes watched ahead as he pulled up, Aurora was sleeping soundly beside him. Lights shone through many of the windows of the tremendous building. Old architecture adorning it in many places, aged features enhancing its beauty. Logan exited the car; he stood beside the black bonnet, leaning slightly against it as he looked up at the building. He was rather glad to be back.

The main doors opened with a loud thud, out came Storm and Scott, followed instantly by Charles. Logan grinned, straightening, "Hey."

Bang in front of Logan appeared a faint cloud of blue smoke then a tall blue skinned male shot into view with a loud hiss, facing him, noses touching. Logan struck back from this, hitting the car bonnet with a dull thump, "Kurt!"

Kurt staggered back slightly also, bowing his head, the markings that grooved across his face shimmered softly in the sinking sun, "Sorry. I still learning to teleport without seeing." He muttered softly, a heavy German accent on his words. He then disappeared again and came back into view behind Charles and the others, casting Logan a worried look from over Scott's shoulder.

Logan straightened, pulling his jacket firmly back over his shoulders, clearing his throat, "Right... Right."

"Logan. The girl?" Came Charles' voice. Charles was sitting up straighter now, eyes peering to the girl in the car seat.

Logan looked round behind him and moved over to the passenger door, "Oh, yeah. She's alright now, woke up and everything, gave her a bit of food." He trailed off, carrying the sleeping body in his arms.

Charles turned his chair round; "Take her to the laboratory Kurt."

Logan frowned as Kurt shifted over cautiously, placing his arms round Aurora before disappearing with a poof of blue smoke.

Charles, accompanied by Logan, Storm and Scott travelled through the underground levels of the mansion passing through a brightly lit corridor to where the lab was.