I returned to my room, walking slowly and leaning on my cane. Many of the students stared at me as I made my way back down the stairs. Scott Summers was ascending as I descended, laundry in his arms, and nodded cordially at me.

That was odd. I continued on my way, puzzling over his strange friendliness. Perhaps he had, to quote my … Logan, "gotten laid."

Logan was asleep on my bed when I returned. I stopped, looking at him. He seemed unhappy about something, flexing his claws in and out of his right hand and grunting. I was about to try to awaken him when I remembered his warning and desisted, instead going to my chair by the wall and sitting in it.

Dr. McCoy soon arrived and quietly took my vital signs. "Might I inquire about the Professor's response to your plan?"

I cleared my throat. "He has provisionally accepted our team, assuming the others agree to join me."

"Congratulations!" He shook my hand firmly. I kept from wincing with an effort and shifted my muscles to heal the slight damage he had caused. He then whispered, "Follow me."

I walked with him out to the corridor. He leaned in and continued whispering, "Should you care to join our mutual friend in his slumbers, I foresee no ill effects."

I translated his speech in my mind and smiled. "I assume you mean this time, Dr. Grey should have no concerns regarding my well-being."

"Precisely." He beamed at me.

"Did you inform Logan?"

"No. I had thought that task should belong to you, and," he bent closer and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "with you I would not have to give graphic descriptions of what I meant."

I laughed. Logan was many things, but subtle was not one of them, particularly when someone was sensitive on a subject.

"I see. Thank you, Doctor."

He winked. "If you ever need someone to give you a hand, or a foot, please do not hesitate to call." He swung away down the hall as I turned back to my room and the large problem awaiting me in it.

The problem in question was yawning and stretching on the side of the bed as I re-entered the room. I took a moment to enjoy the sight. He cracked his neck and held out a hand to me. "So, how'd it go with Chuck?"

I took it and sat by his side. "As well as might be anticipated. He insisted on our following general protocol, and he wished for all of you to remain available to him when you were not working with me, but generally very well."

"Good." He kissed my hand and yawned again. "What was up with Hank?"

I hesitated, then decided to keep this information to myself for the time being and surprise him with it later. "He told me that there were no further barriers to physical activities on my part, as long as I do not exhaust myself."He started laughing. "Yeah, that sounds like Hank, all right." I relaxed a fraction. He sighed. "So, you going to tell everyone about the prof's decision, or are ya gonna wait for them to come to you?"

"Let them come to me. I have never been one to force membership in a group on anyone."

His blue eyes twinkled at me. "Bet the elf'd appreciate bein' asked, though."

I thought about that, how hurt Kurt had been by the many things I had done over the years, and his current pain over my relationship with Logan. It came to me finally that one reason for his discomfort might be that I was choosing someone else over him. I nodded briskly. "Let us find my son."

He helped me to my feet, then took out his communicator. "Chuck give you one of these yet?"

I frowned. "No, though he did issue me a uniform. He assures me that by the time I am ready to use it, it will fit." The thing had hung on me. I looked like a child trying to wear her mother's clothing.

Logan spoke into the communicator for a moment, then closed it. "We're in luck. Kurt, Rogue, and Remy are all in the kitchen. Let's go." He readied my wheelchair. I sighed but reluctantly sat in the metal reminder of my inability to walk. I found myself pitying Charles as Logan wheeled me to the kitchen to tell my children what had happened. I would be able to walk again. He would not. He must hate his chair more than I hated mine.

*********************************

As the two of them approached, Mystique and Logan, two of the three figures at the table sat up. Remy remained relaxed, leaning against the back of his chair. Rogue leaped to her feet and took Mystique's chair from Logan, helping her into a spot by an empty chair. Kurt tensed and watched the two of them. God, help me to relax. It is none of my business … but still …

He sat by her, lifting a lock of her red hair from her face gently, and she smiled in thanks. Kurt watched, amazed. He does love her. I have been trying to deny it, but he does. She loves him. Where does that leave the rest of us?

Mystique rested her hands on the table, then stood. "I wanted to tell you in person," she said, slow and steady, amber eyes sweeping them all in turn. "Charles has approved my team with the proviso that you remain available to work with the X-men, should there be a need. I wanted to ask you each, personally, however, to join with me. I believe each of you have valuable skills you could bring to our team." She focussed on Kurt. "I also care deeply for you and wish you to remain close to me, whatever your decision."

Remy smiled, put a hand in his pocket, and pulled out a red poker chip. "Gambit's in." Rogue just nodded. "Mama."

Kurt held back a little. He was still worried, worried for Mystique and worried about Logan. He looked down at the table, watching the fur on his right wrist. He remembered the stories Mystique had shared with him about his father. He had to ask.

"Mother?" he said, not looking up. He felt glances being exchanged and then saw a slim blue hand, close to his own dark shade, take his.

"Yes, Kurt?" Her voice was neutral.

"Do you truly care for Logan, as you once did my father?" He waited, head bowed. Soft rustles met his ears. Her hand tensed on his.

"Logan is not your father. However," she paused to breathe, then rushed out, "I do love him and wish to stay with him."

Logan inhaled sharply. Rogue shifted in her seat. Remy remained lazily inclined in his seat, toying with another chip. Her hand remained tense on his.

He sighed and finally looked up. "And you?"

Logan tore his eyes away from Mystique, who was proudly looking off into the distance toward the cabinets above the sink. He looked amazed and pleased. "Much the same, elf."

"I want to hear it." He put his hand on top of his mother's, which had relaxed as Logan spoke.

"Of course I love her. She's stubborn, arrogant, irritating, cocky, and pushy. Just like me. Wonderful." He took her other hand and she looked into his eyes with love and exasperation.

Kurt smiled and sighed. "I will join you. I hope the best for the two of you. May He bless you." He felt a weight drop from his chest and squeezed his mother's hand.

Remy nudged him. "Take her hand wit' your other one, homme." He held out his gloved hand to Kurt, who switched hands and took it. The others quickly caught on and soon they were all holding hands in a circle, sharing the rare closeness of this moment together.