Disclaimer: Several new characters are mine, including the plot. X-Men belongs to Marvel and Fox.

Angelica: I'm glad you like it! However, the activities of Roxanne began right from the beginning, so it is very possible that this story won't be as long as the last. But we'll see.

Omala Moola: I know, but it makes a good story line. I'm hoping the story will stretch out well, cos I've got like 3 storylines running throughout. Wish me luck guys =/

Blix Howlett: Hehe, I'm glad you like it. We need to keep in the connection. Yeah, though none of the X-Men notice anything.. yet. =P

Jenny: Yeah, it must be terrifying. I removed them because I haven't got time to devote chapters to them. I know it sounds rotten. But it had to be done.

In one of the next few chapters, an original character will be introduced. I'll not mention who it is yet, but once the story gets going and you have any comments on how I portray them, please do not hesitate to let me know via email or review. I have indeed researched the character using various websites. Please note, I've never had the chance to read the comics, I only watched a couple of programs when I was younger – and did not understand them! So, bear with me, for I am nothing but a movie-watcher. ):

Chapter 9

Quietly did Logan close Rogue's door behind him as he exited. He only left after her insistence that she needed to have a shower. He glanced up and down the corridor with a small sigh, unsure of what to do. He didn't wait for very long, for he heard the repetitions of heels a few corridors away. Curious, he slipped from his lean on the wall and went off in search for the person. He wanted to go find Aurora, but he knew she was teaching a lesson now. He then considered Roxanne, but she too had gone to shower. His steps were silently made as he travelled up along the corridor stealthily. His head turned to peer round the comer, and he saw the main doors falling shut behind the footsteps. Logan straightened with a frown eyeing the now closed doors.

The familiar click-clack of high-heeled boots sounded as a figure descended down the rise of steps of the main entrance. The sun had duly risen and nestled in the sky amongst a gleaming sheet of azure satin. Not even blots of cloud to mar the perfection on this striking summer day. The boots continued over the gravel of the driveway, crunching quietly as the heels dug into the bits of stone. They paused.. Siren turned her head to peer over her shoulder at the large building before she hurried on down to the gates, dragged them open and sprinted out onto the tree-shrouded road.

"In the summer time when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky!" The singing voice floated cheerfully through the building of Xavier's mansion, for the corridors were silent in lesson time. Logan glared around him inquisitively, now trying to seek out whom was singing.

Michael came wandering around the corner, in his arms carrying freshly cleaned clothing. Armed with a jaunty smile, propped up sunglasses and a hearty manner he sung as he passed by Logan, "When the weather's fine you got women, you got women on your mind. Have a drink, have – "

"Michael?"

"Yep Logan?" Michael turned to him, peering round the stack of clothes.

"What's put you in such a good mood?" Logan asked, his arms folding as he watched the English man.

"Lot's o' things! Aurora's got her job, you got the girl, and I found my singing socks!"

Logan stared at him, ".. Singin' .. socks .. ?"

"Aye!" Said Michael joyfully, his fists now brandishing a pair of white and red England socks at Logan. He pressed the bottoms and the socks began to tunefully squawk out, "The Three Lions."

Logan's brow rose at this, "Marvellous." He commented dryly.

Michael grinned, slipping his sunglasses back over his eyes, "Gonna go and catch some rays in a bit!"

Logan lowered his folded arms and nodded gently at him, "All right.. so.. where is everyone?"

Michael turned, walking away still carrying his clothes, "Everyone's teachin' but Scott. He's readying his next lesson, Roxanne's in her room, and Charles is in his office."

"Right.." Muttered Logan, glancing down the opposite way.

"And Siren's somewhere about.. I dunno." He called before disappearing around the corner, his socks still joyfully warbling.

Logan shook his head with a smirk after he waved his friend away. He inhaled mightily at the morning air before he set off on his travels to find Charles Xavier.

A few lingering rays highlighted the passing dust of the air like floating glitter over the front of the grand oak doors. The golden doorknobs in the middle of the panelled oak sheets glistened beautifully in the light. The air was quiet, but Logan found a tension in the atmosphere. Nevertheless Logan gripped his fist around one of the doorknobs and forcefully entered with a noisy motion of the door. Straight ahead of him, behind his desk, was Charles Xavier, sat writing quietly on a pile of gathered papers. However, as Logan stalked in, the elder mutant continued to write not looking up, as he greeted nonchalantly, "Good morning Logan."

"Charles.. I.. we got some bad news.." Muttered Logan softly, "The other's are in lessons an' stuff, they haven't had chance to tell you."

Charles now lifted his head gently and studied Logan warily, "What is it?" He asked quietly.

"Last night." Grunted Logan, "An assassin.. on the loose here."

Immediately, Charles's brow was graced with a deep frown. Instead of wasting time with pointless comments, he asked a straightforward and necessary question, "Did you find them?"

A little put off by Charles's overall calmness, Logan paused – But he knew that Charles was ever composed, "Tried. But they escaped."

"Who did they attack?" He persisted, his pen now lowered onto his gleaming desk, "Who was it Logan?" He demanded at Logan's uncomfortable pause.

"Me." Admitted the Wolverine quietly.

Charles let out a steady and somewhat vexed breath through his nose. His jaw was held rigid as his eyes bore to the figure sat opposite him, "What happened?" He finally asked, tone firm.

"They came into my room.." Logan began, running a hand cautiously through his thick hair as he averted his eyes anxiously, "With a gun to my neck as I slept.. but I woke, and they ran for it."

"Do you have any idea where they might have gone? Was it a mutant? A student?" Fired Charles, his voice still hard with anxiety and increasing worry.

Heavily did Logan push himself up, wandering around the room as he said his words, "I don't know Charles.. I couldn't get their scent. Masked the gun and escaped before I could even grab 'em.."

"Are they out of the school grounds?"

"Yeah, there's no unusual scent 'ere.. nothin' out o' the ordinary."

Charles let out a small sigh at this, perhaps relieved of the lessening dangers. But he continued quietly, "I suggest all the X-Men keep an eye out from now on. Any such disturbances of possible assassins and I want them tracked and stopped immediately."

"All right.."

"I shall inform the rest now." Announced Charles, before his eyes closed in a lengthy blink before his lids lifted and he nodded his conformation.

Logan give a single nod at this, his hands shoving gently in his pockets as he watched a painting on the far wall, "Charles.. 'ave y'heard about Rogue?"

"I have Logan."

"Well.. o' course you have.. but.. is there anything you can do?"

Charles made a small sigh at the question before he placed his fingertips together in a thoughtful pose, as he spoke, "I have never been able to remove the memories from her mind without causing serious damage to her brain and thoughts. Unfortunately I never will. Her mutations is strongly linked to her mind due to the input of powers and memories. Me meddling inside such a powerful tool will cause disruption to her own mind and could harm her lethally."

A sigh was heard from Logan.

"I'm sorry Logan. I really am."

"I know.."

"But this is one Rogue can only solve herself."

"And how the hell can she do that? You ain't seen her! She's gettin' hysterical over it Charles! She can't cope!"

"I have faith in her, one day she will realise what she has to do."

"Stop talkin' in riddles."

"Listen carefully to what I say, and maybe you'll understand." Charles replied sharply.

A provoked sigh shuddered from the Wolverine's throat as he leant against the window ledge, watching out of the large bay window with a intimidating glare. A large hand ran over his neck uneasily, fingertips brushing the smooth are at the back of his neck where he once felt the gun.. He frowned gently as his thoughts travelled over to that night.. who was it?

His attention was grabbed when he saw Charles look up from his work abruptly. Logan's quickly turned to watch the man, unsure of what was wrong. A sniff proved anxiety, "Charles, what's up?" He asked lowly with a growling tremor to his tone.

"Siren's gone." The elder mutant whispered softly, his eyes scanning slowly over to the Wolverine.

Logan let out an exhale of relief, "Charles, c'mon.. We always knew she wer' gonna take off one day.." Logan explained observably, "Does it matter?"

"It does matter Logan." Admitted Charles ruefully in a low tone, "It's where she's gone and why that worries me.."

Lyrics used: Mungo Gerry – In The Summertime

(Great summer tune! =P)