Disclaimer: A whole host of new characters are mine. Please don't use them. Of course, the X-Men and other such characters involved in the comic, books and the movie belong to Marvel, and new ones are mine. Also the plot is my own.

Throughout story:

" " = Speech

' ' = Thoughts

^ ^ = Telepath

Jenny: It is meant as a link between Aurora and Logan.. I don't think I could write anything in about Jean as Phoenix.. because I've steered completely away from that for too much of the stories. However, I was planning on writing a completely different story (not a sequel) focused and Jean and the Phoenix. But we'll see how well I get on with this story first. (:

Blix: Michael is cool isn't he? We should have some more of him later in the story.. *hint hint*

TheWolf: Noo! *thwaps* My Wolverine!

Chapter 38

            Aurora found her eyes being dragged open to witness the strong beating sunlight of the morning sky. Even though it was through the roof of her tent it was still blinding to tired eyes. She made an incoherent mumble as she staggering out of the blanket and poked her head blearily through the tent flap. She saw Logan crouched on the grass quickly tying up the cords of his tent into a tight bundle.. her eyes scanned across the clearing and she saw that everything was packed and ready for leave.. apart from her and her tent.

"Didn't want t' wake yeh.." Said Logan with a gruff tone, not even looking her way, still with his back to her.

Aurora pulled herself out of the tent and stretched mildly as she stood, "Well.. you should have done.. we could have set off earlier."

"No point in travellin' when we're fallin' to sleep."

Aurora made a small nod before she turned to her tent and began to unpack the structure. She blinked a few times, eyes battling sleep that she longed to go back into. Her hands lightly fumbled at the cords, not at her best when just awake.

She heard a rustle of clothing beside her as Logan crouched next to her, "I'll do that.." He said softly, looking down at the tent, but not at her, "You go and freshen up.."

Aurora made a sleepy sort of appreciative mumble as she stood slowly to her feet and moved over to where her backpack sat in the glistening morning grass. She dug through slowly in search for some water.

As she took a drink of some specially brought water she turned and watched Logan hurry round and pack. He was either oblivious or ignorant to her watchful eyes.

Logan suddenly lifted from the grass with the two backpacks hoisted upon his shoulders. He strode silently to the burnt out pile of wood and stamped on them before kicking the broken pieces of wood around to make their fire less noticeable. He then walked right past her, saying quite simply, "We have to go now."

Aurora swallowed the water, blinking at his current mood, "Alright.." She said quietly, quickly shoving the bottle back into the bag that Logan was carrying. Aurora didn't even have chance to run a brush through her hair since Logan had straddled the bike and revved up the engine with a fresh rumble.

For one mad moment Aurora thought he was going to drive off without her. But as he sat upon the bike, revving it gradually, he looked to her slowly, waiting..

            Logan felt an inside sigh shudder at his chest. He felt incredibly distant from Aurora this morning.. and he knew by the look on her face that it was noticeable. What was he supposed to do? Start telling her everything about Jean? Admit he hadn't really let go just yet? Since Aurora mentioned Jean.. his sleep had been even more restless than any other.. because he didn't dream about his time at Alkali Lake this time.. but he dreamt of Jean.. dead.. in the snowy hills of Canada.

He had just fell into thoughts over this dream.. but as he felt a warm brush of material behind him he felt himself being awakened. Logan looked mildly round a shoulder to study Aurora who was getting comfortable on the back of the bike.. he felt her arms slide round his thick upper torso. He found a small smile lift his stubbly chin and sideburns. He made a heavy sigh that was drowned by the purring of the bike's engine.. but his hand left the throttle to lightly pat at her slim unaffected hand tenderly.. as apologetic as the Wolverine could get.

But as the bike then roared off across the damp paths of dirt and stone.. Aurora cradled her head to Logan's back with a satisfied smile.

            The sun beat heavily upon the grounds of Xavier Manor, the grass lightly shivered in the cool morning air, and birds chirped softly as they flew along in the passing breeze. The front door of the Manor opened for the second time that day.. but this time the exiting pair were Jayne and Scott. As the pair walked down the drive, they turned momentarily to wave to the couple of faces at the doorway before they turned on round the corner.. heading down to Heathstead train station.

Jayne passed by at a brisk pace, surprising Scott who had to almost double his speed to keep up with her. Jayne still carried on, inhaling mightily at the morning air with a smile upon her face. Whilst Scott continued to lag behind, he could only watch the woman walk cheerily in front of him. Her hair vibrantly shone in the sunlight and he found himself drawn into the shimmering red.

They were walking along the country lane, the narrow track of grey guiding them towards the village, trailing between dry-stone walls and miles of green fields.

"Uh.. Jayne?" He said quietly, hurrying a little to get alongside her.

"Yes Scott?"

"We're heading to the station?"

"Yes."

"The last time I went to a station I blew the roof off.." Said Scott with a frown.

Jayne raised a brow slowly, looking to him, "Why?"

"Magneto was there.."

"Don't worry.. it's only a small station.. and the platform is outdoors anyway."

Scott nodded slowly, still trying to keep the brisk pace, "So.. you know where Logan and Aurora is at the moment?"

"I don't know where they are.. but I know what they're doing."

"Oh..?"

"They heading down through a wood at the moment.." Said Jayne quietly, her eyes gently narrowing as she thought, "Travelling quite fast.."

"They're running??" Said Scott urgently, suddenly jumping to the worse conclusion.

"No.. not running. I can sense an engine.."

"Well that's fantastic!" Cried Scott, "The Wolverine is wanted and he's going round stealing vehicles. He's gonna get picked up! How lame-assed can the guy get! God!"

Jayne's slim brow rose again, "Hey.. eye-boy, calm down."

Scott sharply looked to her at the name, "Eye-boy?" He said testily.

Jayne just smirked and continued to walk on.. leaving Scott once more lagging behind..

            Down in the living room of Xavier Manor, Charles and Bobby were conversing. Charles nodded as he spoke, his wise eyes glinting with the warm rays of afternoon sunshine.

"Then.. hoping that persuading Lenny will be straightforward.." Charles continued, "We re to head down to London to help and pick up the four London travellers." Said Charles gently, telling Bobby their plans that he missed.

Bobby nodded slowly, "And the London travellers are Logan, Aurora, Scott and Jayne?"

"Yes."

Bobby now gave another nod, "Alright.."

"Then we can head back across to America."

"Will it be safe?"

"Well, when the virus is destroyed, the humans shouldn't be attacking.. though I think another visit to the President is necessary."

Bobby nodded once more, "He needs to know what's happened."

All of a sudden, Storm's voice called through the upper floors of the mansion, and her running footsteps from overhead could be heard, "Bobby!"

Bobby blinked and lifted his head to the ceiling.

"Bobby!" She repeated.

Then, Charles suddenly smiled and nodded his head once at Bobby, "Go on.."

Bobby frowned, studying the Professor a moment before Storm called again. Bobby turned out of the room, a swift walk at first before he began a run, "Storm??"

"Come up here Bobby!"

Bobby grabbed onto the staircase and began to run up, his feet heavily pounding at each step as he tried to spur his body to go faster, "What wrong?" He called.

He hurtled himself round the top of the railings and ran on down the corridor.. she was shouting from Rogue's room..

Bobby panted softly as he sped on towards his destined door and flung himself ungracefully through, staggering lightly over his own two legs. His eyes slid over Storm, not even noticing her expression since his eyes flung themselves upon Rogue.

She was awake!

Bobby almost flew across the room as he hurried over to her, his arms automatically flinging round her to give her a contented hug. Rogue smiled gently in his warmth, holding him close.. only did Bobby pull away when he felt the familiar draw of her powers.. it was a vile feeling.. like the air was being sucked out of him, but he put up with it, he'd put up with anything for Rogue.

"Are you o.k. now?" Asked Bobby softly, not hearing Storm leave quietly to leave them alone.

Rogue rested back on the thick pillows gently, as she nodded her white strands bounced lazily in front of her face and she pushed them away impatiently by slim fingers, "Yes.. " A small pause, "It was Logan wasn't it?"

"Logan?" Said Bobby slowly, trying to steer it away by disguising his knowledge.

Rogue nodded again, "He saved me didn't he? I caught the virus.."

Bobby said nothing, but he looked extremely uncomfortable. He felt as though he had to battle for Rogue's heart every time Logan was mentioned or when he passed nearby. For she had a silent respect for the Wolverine.. Bobby could see it in her eyes every time he was talked about or in presence.

"Yes.." Said Bobby quietly, being defeated with her desperate stare.

Rogue now threw back the covers of her bed, sliding out and moving to slip by Bobby.

Bobby knew what she was going to do..

He stepped in front of her, holding his hands out gently to stop her proceeding, "Rogue you can't go looking for him!" He said, head shaking.

"Why not?" Demanded Rogue, a resurfacing gleam in her eye when she felt as though the Wolverine was being disrespected.

Bobby guided her back down, but she was very determined to stay standing, "He's not here anymore.." He said quietly.

He felt a cruel stab of satisfaction when he saw Rogue's face fall. The Wolverine had gone. He didn't mean to mutely run some sort of contest, but it felt like he was participating in one. Rogue just seemed so happy when Wolverine was around, and so greatly lifted by him.. and Bobby felt left behind and awkward.

"Where's he gone? What's wrong? What's happened?!" Rogue cried, grabbing onto the shirt of Bobby whilst she demanded the questions, firing them.

Bobby jerked back a little, her bare hands dangerously close to his flesh as she almost pleaded for information, "He's gone down to London.." He said quietly, "The mission has begun."

"The mission?"

Bobby nodded, "Yes.. Charles has organised it all. We have an idea of where the virus is coming from and four of them are going down to tackle it whilst the rest try and find Lenny."

Rogue fell quiet as Bobby answered, but she spoke up cautiously after, "He's gone down to London? On his own? With all the stuff that's happening?" It was rather ridiculous to worry about the Wolverine, he could get along perfectly fine without the rest of the team, he had always proved that. But he needed someone to guide him through life.. since in the past he had took bad turns and ended up becoming a fighter to earn money to keep himself alive.. Just because he was a mutant and a fugitive.

Bobby shook his head gently, now sitting down with her on the bed, "No.. he's gone down with Aurora. They will both be meeting up with Jayne and Scott once in London." Upon seeing the lingering apprehension on her face, he continued, "They're going down through the wooded area's to avoid being seen. Those two are fine in the wilderness."

Rogue nodded slowly, looking down at her lap, "Yeah.."

Bobby tilted his head, smiling some, "I'm glad you're alright now."

Rogue lifted her head gently, smiling, "Me too.. as soon as this virus is gone perhaps we can start getting back to our old life."

Old life? Did that mean going after Logan again and spending hours at a time just in conversation? Going back to being abandoned when the Wolverine arrived?

Bobby just nodded slowly, a strained smile.

"So.. what else is happening?" Asked Rogue, her head tilting interestedly.

Rogue fell quiet as Bobby began to explain to her the happenings.. and what Charles was planning on doing. She nodded slowly from time to time whilst she listened intently to Bobby with a warm shine in her eyes..

***

Revieeeeeew, loooooong. Maaaaakes meeee haaaappy! Yeah. o.o I'm hyper :P

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