Chapter Four

"Got all the stuff ya asked for loaded into the car, boss." Logan approaches Storm from behind, lighting his trademark cigar as he speaks.

"Thank you, Logan." She turns away from the kitchen counter to face him, a worried look on her face. "Has Rogue returned yet from the city?"

"Nope, haven't seen her." He draws on his cigar and exhales slowly. "Wasn't she with the Cajun?"

"Yes, they went out for dinner last night and have not yet returned. I am beginning to worry."

"She's a big girl. She'll be here." Logan leans against the refrigerator and regards her silently through the wisps of smoke. Hailed as a weather goddess in her native homeland of Africa, she commands a quiet respect with her regal bearing and staunch self-control. Stark white hair provides a startling contrast against her chocolate coloured skin, complimented by her vivid blue eyes.

"Are the others ready to go?" She glances up at him over the rim of her coffee mug.

"Yep. Beast is in his lab getting' the last of his do-dads together, Psylocke and Sage are lurkin' around the car givin' each other the evil eye, and poor Thunderbird's caught in the middle." Logan chuckles beneath his breath and adds. "Sure ya don't want me to tag along, just in case?"

"I am sure, my friend. I need you here to act as a liaison between the home team and mine. Only you and Rogue possess a natural resistance to telepathy, and since we are keeping this mission from Charles' knowledge you are the best choice to stay here. Also, since these diaries belonged to Rogue's late guardian, Destiny, she might provide some insight. Besides, I do not think I could stop her from coming even if I wanted to."

"Ya got that right, hon." Rogue bounces in, smiling.

"Beginnin' to think ya weren't comin', sweetheart."

"Not a chance, Wolvie." Rogue brushes a strand of hair out of her eyes. Walking over to the coffee pot on the counter, she retrieves a cup and pours herself some of the hot brown liquid. Jumping up onto the counter, she eyes her teammates over the rim of her cup. "What's the sitch?"

Ororo sighs at Rogue's use of slang. "All is set for our departure. We were merely waiting for you to return from your excursion with Remy."

"Okay, mah bag's packed, Ah just gotta go get it." She jumps down off the counter and dumps the rest of her coffee into the sink. "Just gimme a sec, an' Ah'll be right down." Rogue flashes a smile over her shoulder as she leaves the kitchen.

Logan takes another drag on his cigar as he escorts Ororo outside. "Will she be alright?" She asks.

"She's doin' better." Logan replies. "Long as she keeps up with the meditatin' we've been doin'. But there ain't no guarantees. There's no way of knowin' when the powers she's absorbed in the past will surface. There's not much else we can do right now 'cept be there for her." He stops mid-step and looks at her. "An' be careful."

Storm sighs. "An unfortunate response—she is a dear friend. But with her powers as they are now, she is very dangerous indeed."

Storm places a hand on Wolverine's arm. "All will be well, my friend. We are a family, we look after our own."

"Storm, thank God you're here." Thunderbird rushes towards her.

"What is the matter, Neil?" Strom closes the distance between them. Glancing between Elizabeth and Tessa, Neil urges her toward the two women.

"I've been trying to break them up, but they won't listen to me."

"What are they arguing about?"

Neil clears his throat. "Um, me actually." Logan snorts.

"Logan, please."

"Sorry, darlin'."

"I will take care of this, please see that Hank is on his way down."

Wolverine mock salutes her. "Sure thing, boss lady." He turns abruptly on his heel and heads back to the mansion.

Minutes later….

"Alright, Storm. The gang's all here." Rogue says as she throws her army surplus duffle bag into the trunk of the car. "Let's get this show on the road."