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.

Omala Moola: Logan, caring? In the same sentence?! Lol. Well, I let Siren disappear for now. But if she returns or not.. well, we'll have to see.

Jenny: I know about that Logan Scott thing.. I pondered over having them talk some more.. but I didn't want to go too over board. It was a weakening bond in the enemy sort of thing.. but it just proves that deep down there is no real hatred. Logan is just a mean guy. :D I'm glad you found out the qualities of Siren! Hehe! They will admit their love somehow. But it doesn't have to be words. I just can't picture Logan saying, "I love you." He's a pretty silent type, so, perhaps words aren't the way to go..

Blix: I know ): It was pretty brutal.

Chapter 57

Slowly the mutants made their way into the awaiting jet. Scott was the first in, looking slowly around the jet before he jumped and let out a yell at the human sat in one of the seats, "Not another!"

Charles quickly entered behind Scott with reassuring words, "Don't fear him Scott.. just sit down and let's get out of here." The Professor's words were short and swift, and the usual power that came with them had lessened.

No questioning was directed to him and the mutants quickly set about placing themselves in seats. The dead were placed at the back of the jet, upon the situated tables for the seriously injured. The other mutants lowered themselves into their seats, Scott and Bandit taking the pilot seats. Logan gently helped Aurora into her seat, now pressing a ripped section of his shirt against her bleeding gut wound.

Shortly, the mutants were settled into their respective seats before the jet burst into life and soared out from the small street and over above the tall dark rooftops of the buildings of London. The rain of the throbbing clouds slowed, and the dark skies were slowly beginning to reveal the sparkling clusters of merry stars. From a lonely peak of a tall office building did Siren watch the mutants leave. Her eyes followed the trail of the jet as it exploded into speed and soared across towards the horizon back to Yorkshire. In it's wake, she gave a gentle nod, a respective signal to the departure of the mutants. A slow turn of her head shifted to the streets below, where police cars and several other kinds of emergency crew began to speedily make their way to the now quiet compound. However it was alive with burning fires from the blasts of the weapons. The French thief watched the flashing lights of red and blue disappear within the compound walls before she spun from the building ledge and into the shadows of the alleys and away from the howling sirens of the vehicles.

The journey was solemnly quiet. No one spoke. Lenny remained watching the large group fearfully.. especially terrified of the Wolverine. But everyone remained respectfully hushed. But of course, Logan for one couldn't stand the disconcerting tension that lingered. He had been stalking around the jet for the past fifteen minutes. Though he too remained quiet, he was quickly becoming aggravated by the lack of dialogue. However, his pacing stopped when Charles looked sharply his way. Logan managed to catch this glare almost immediately, and so stopped his movements, respectful to Charles's wishes. However, Charles's gaze lingered before he made a single nod at Logan. The other mutants missed the silent exchange. But Logan instantly realised the meaning. Logan moved over to Charles after the quick beckon. Logan dropped down somewhat heavily into the seat near Charles and looked at him in wait before announcing a rough but quiet, "Yeah?"

"Logan, you must – "

"Professor!" A sudden gasp drowned out Charles's words, and the mutant quickly turned his head to the requesting voice.

Logan too turned his attention, as did several other mutants. The gasps were shared around the jet as eyes fell upon the cause of the shout. Electro had lifted from his seat, and was leaning over the body in the seat beside him. Electro repeated his shout, "Professor!" The reason for the distress was clear. For the body in the seat was slouched under the restraining belts. Skin had gone pale with loss of blood, and bullet wounds still steadily bled.

"Phantom.." Whispered Logan softly, lifting from his seat and towards the woman, "God.. "His voice suddenly rose, "Why didn't anyone help her!"

Responses were silent.

Jayne was now beside Phantom also after her silent presence in the far corner. Her tightly held features and reddened eyes remained as she watched the mutant quietly before she spoke up, "We wouldn't have been able to save her. The wounds are too severe. Internal bleeding is the cause. She has been weakening right from the time she was shot."

"Is it too late?" Whispered Bobby softly, glancing over to where Jayne was stood.

Jayne quickly slipped her hand across to Phantom's bare neck, then to her forehead, "She died in her sleep. She's been like that for a while."

A heavy sigh came from Charles as he lowered his head sorrowfully, "Is everyone else all right?"

"Just a small bullet wound. I'll make it back to the manor." Said Scott quietly from the front of the jet.

Murmurs of agreement came from several others. Logan instantly glanced to where Aurora was laying in her seat, "Will you be alright Aurora?"

"Yes.." She replied quietly, "It's slowly healing."

"How long Scott?" Called Sora to the steering mutant.

"Ten minutes or so.. be ready to land."

"Are the others ready for our arrival?" Questioned Charles to no one in particular.

After a small close of her eyes and a quick mental message, Jayne spoke up, "They are now."

The return to the manor promptly arrived, and it was only a matter of hours before those injured were correctly patched up and given needed medicine and painkillers. Charles was quietly in the old sitting room, where he and Elizabeth used to spend many happy days all those years ago. Jayne had permitted herself entry after an hour to check up on him. She hadn't returned for the last half hour.

Whilst those more severely injured were sanctioned to rest in the infirmary and then those able went to check up on the students, Logan allowed his time to be spent wandering. Sinking into his old habit of sulking and thinking over various issues that so often troubled the Wolverine's mind. Then, all of a sudden, just when Logan was meandering through the main hall, a message quipped suddenly in his mind.

It was Charles, 'I want to speak to you Logan. Please come to the upper level sitting room.'

In response, Logan made a rather heavy grunt to the air around him before he turned and trudged up the staircase to join Charles Xavier.

The door was quietly pushed open as Logan tread in across the plush emerald carpet. The room was brightly lit from the warm rays of the morning sunshine and so cast a heavenly glow upon the obviously sombre mood. As Logan entered, he was met by a cautious nod from a visibly mournful Jayne. Logan watched her leave before he inaudibly continued his path to where the Professor sat by one of the many large windows of the room.

Logan came to a quiet halt behind the chair of the Professor, his mouth opening to try and express some words of apology. But before he could, he was relieved of his worry as Charles spoke first, "Sit down Logan." The tone caused Logan to stillened. There was a touch of anger to the tone. Not fury, but a disappointed edge.

Logan hesitantly lowered to the chair behind him, the creaking of the wooden legs deafening in the tense silence.

Charles wasn't looking at him yet..

"Logan. You must tell her."

Logan ran cold and froze at the words. It was a vile sensation. A prickly wave of heat then flushed through his chest and brain, as he instantly understood without any form of doubt.

There was an apprehensive pause.

"Logan?" Questioned Charles quietly, his head turning to glance over his shoulder before his chair followed suit.

"I 'eard yer.." Logan quickly growled, showing his utmost displeasure at the topic.

"There is no doubt in the response to my hidden statement. So I assume my words are true."

"It's nothing to do with you Charles."

"But Logan.." He began, now studying the Wolverine with a flash of eyes. The power was returning.

"But nothin'! It ain't your business what I do and don't do! I ain't gettin' no lecture Charles!" Logan had now risen to his feet, stance appearing imposing compared to the lower-heightened man. But Charles Xavier did not flinch nor back down at the Wolverine's actions.

"This is not a lecture, Logan. This is advice from a friend. I suggest you value it."

"I don't care! Stay out of it! All right? There's nothing going on!"

"But Logan, it is clear that you care for Aurora."

"Yeah! I care! Like I care for the rest of the team."

"It's more than that Logan."

"Shut it.." Logan now growled, his tone turning menacing, "Just shut it."

A calm expression remained as Charles composedly replied, "Even if I do. The truth is still there."

Logan now spun from Charles, pacing irritatedly across the neat rug between the thick sofas, "No.." He murmured quietly, still stalking his path up and down, "I ain't gonna."

"And why not?"

"I'm ain't having my name disrespected over some infatuation."

"Logan, no one would do that."

"She would.."

"And how do you know?"

"Because.. I.. I just do, alright?!"

Another tense period of silence graced the warm air of the morning atmosphere.

It was Logan who spoke up next, "I can't do it Charles.. It's nothin'. It's just some load of shit messing up with my mind. Probably had too many bad nightmares." He sighed softly. Hating at how right the wise Professor could be, "I can't say it."

"Logan, it doesn't always have to be words.. "

Logan glanced slowly to the deferential man before he made a slow and bitter exit, with a new load of worry piled upon the very same topic on his mind as before..

Review! Well, it wasn't that emotional.. but I'm pleased with it! But it appears the kleenex are not being needed yet =/