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

Blix: You think that was cosy? Read on my friend! ;D

Angelica: Don't forget everything Gambit says it wrote by me. You're giving Gambit all the credit! =P Hehe. Yeah, that's the problem. Remy is getting on with all the women, even Storm.. or 'Stormy' as he likes to call her. I know, I've had a plan in mind for a while about Scott, and with Remy arriving and add Logan's attitude, well, it's a dilemma waiting to happen.

Chapter 23

Scott watched Siren as she lifted from her seat, carrying the empty bowl across to the sink and filling it up. The pair had remained in silence for a long while as Siren helped clean up his lip, and it hadn't been broken yet. Then Siren asked the dreaded question.. One Scott had refused to answer so far with nothing more than, 'A wall.'

"How did you get injured?" came that question as Siren rinsed the bowl of watered blood out.

Scott's attention instantly lifted and he stared over at the back of Siren for a moment before he frowned, "I told you, I just ran into a – "

"Seriously Scott, just tell me. Who hit you?"

Scott fidgeted nervously a moment, looking down at Charles, "Logan," he murmured.

With a new cleanly filled bowl of water Siren came to sit back down beside him, "You and Logan don't seem to get along very well." Siren observed as she watched his averted face.

"I suppose you could say that," decided Scott humbly.

Siren rinsed the now clean cloth and place it back against his jaw gently, "Of course, I only ever seen you both in recent. When did Logan first join?"

"A few years back," murmured Scott, "Arrived with Rogue."

"Ah.. I thought he and her seemed close."

Scott peered at her curiously a moment, "Yes, they are.." he said uncertainly.

The cloth was lowered to be cleansed before it went back to his jaw. Scott made a soft sort of wince, but now was becoming used to the touch. "So, why on earth did Logan hit you?" asked Siren, keeping her hand on the cloth.

"I don't know," muttered Scott softly, "Probably because I spoke the truth," he added bitterly.

Siren tilted her head gently, watching him, "Why don't you and Logan get on?"

"He's rash, impolite, steals things from me."

"He steals from you?" then asked Siren incredulously. She knew Logan had a rough nature, but he didn't seem to have ventured down the path of crime.

"Took my fiancé off me," Scott then growled, looking from her, "Kept trying to lure her from me.. and then she died."

"Surely it wasn't Logan's fault she died.."

"No.. it wasn't.. she was determined to save us at the military base."

Siren gave a small nod in understanding. Remaining quiet. Scott looked slowly back to her, "I suppose part of me wants to put the blame on him." He made a soft sigh, "It's true what he said though. He did respect Jean.." Scott lowered his head down to hold his forehead in a hand, falling quiet. Siren dropped her hand from his jaw, looking at him gently.

"Logan's the sort of character that takes a lot of understanding. I doubt you'll be the first to have problems with him, and you won't be the last."

"Of course not, God knows how old he is and he's gonna live longer than me! I'm sure he'll meet plenty more Scotts." Scott replied with a faint smirk to her, "I suppose at times he can be alright.. if he controls that temper of his," he placed a hand to his jaw and made a wince, "I really ought to remember he has adamantium fists before I even start walking near him."

A smile came across Siren's face as she listened to him, taking hold of his hand gently so she could place the cloth back. Scott immediately flinched, taking his hand from hers, "Don't touch me!" he said worriedly looking down at her bare palms.

"It's alright Scott. I do have some form of control over it you know," Siren murmured softly, dabbing the small cut on his cheek.

Scott sheepishly grinned at her, lowering his head, "Sorry.." He eyes shifted her way, "Thanks for doing this."

"Someone had to," said Siren with a smile.

Scott turned to look at her, "You know, you've changed a lot since London."

The cloth dabbing paused and Siren raised her brow at him, "I have?"

"Yes, there you had this very confident and strict image, determined to do what you wanted and not caring for anyone else.. and here.."

"I'm still that person. You've just had chance to learn more about Adrienne than Siren," she cut in gently. "This is the rest of me."

Scott grinned still, "I like Adrienne more."

"Most do," Siren said with a smirk, lowering the cloth, "I judged you wrong at first. It seems you too uphold an image until people get to know you." Scott's eyes lifted to hers curiously, "And I prefer the man I now know," finished Siren with a nod.

"Thank you.." Scott murmured softly, watching her.

"For what?"

"For getting to know the real me."

"Thank you also.." Siren lifted the cloth slowly, still smiling to him.

"You're welcome," replied Scott as he watched her. He didn't look to the moving cloth, but as her hand pressed it gently to his face, he placed his hand over hers to hold the cloth, including her hand, there. There was no sensation of burning, no stinging or pain, just the smoothness of her hand underneath his. Siren didn't flinch or jump in shock at his actions, her smile just broadened, as did Scott's. But then, beside them, a soft noise sounded, and both instantly snapped their eyes upon Charles who was moving slightly. Scott's hand fell from Siren's as he turned to the bed, "Charles?"

Charles opened his eyes slowly, blinking a moment before his gaze went upon the pair beside his bed, "Scott.." he said softly, "I know what's wrong with Roxanne."

Even though the hours were moving on to the early morning, Logan still had yet to fall asleep. He had lain in bed awake for a good while, his mind endlessly rolling with thoughts over Roxanne, and a few curses about Gambit. Roxanne had been gone now for over twelve hours. She had nothing with her, no clothes or money, and yet she just disappeared. What did he do to make her go? Why did she want to leave? Staring at the ceiling was becoming tedious, so Logan finally rose himself upright, positioning himself on the edge of his bed. He made a quiet sigh, his feet slipping down to rest against the soft carpet of his room. He eyes closed when he found himself yawning. Logan rose from his bed with a hefty stretch, again those adamantium joints of his clicking loudly in protest.

Logan turned sluggishly to enter his bathroom, automatically lifting a palm to stamp the switch. His eyes narrowed in response to the onslaught of light, but he continued onwards to his sink to fill up a glass of water. He swallowed the glassful in a few goes, lowering it back to the shelf once finished. He peered at his reflection in the sink's mirror blearily a moment before he suddenly perked up as his ears caught a sound - beeping, and running footsteps. Becoming instantly anxious Logan turned from his bathroom to quickly throw open his bedroom door to stare into the dark corridor. He saw a figure running closer, and he stepped out cautiously.

It was Storm. Logan's eyes widened slightly as she continued to run, but showed no sign of stopping as she persistent on through the blind darkness. Logan held out his hands to gently stop her from hitting his body at full speed. Her head snapped up to a gasp of surprise.

"Storm?" asked Logan, looking down to her, "What's going on?"

Storm moved to get round his figure, "It's Charles, he's awake!"

"Oh.. that's good," said Logan, watching her, "But why so panicky?"

"He knows something about Roxanne. Apparently she's got some link with a military base up in the Canadian Rockies!" with that Storm was off clutching her pager, running down the corridor.

Logan stared at the blackness around him with widened eyes. Canadian Rockies. That's where she was heading for. He knew it. Perhaps she would go on the same track they used to go to their summerhouse. Logan spun to hurry into his room, but he froze in his doorway; they used to go on holiday together? His mind was really digging up some stuff.

And what was he going to do now? Follow her, find her. Bring her home, he decided determinedly as he forced his feet into his usual boots. He dug around the room to find a shirt before snatching his leather jacket off his chair, and the pair of gloves he had received from Rogue one Christmas. He shut his door, stomping out into the corridor with a new breath of adrenaline in him. There was something wrong with her, and she was attempting to get up to snowy Canada alone with nothing, only the clothes on her back, and even those weren't suitable for the dangerous temperatures. He broke into his run, if he didn't hurry; she was going to freeze to death out there!

The X-Men had wasted no time running down to the underground levels, clad in nay but their nightwear. They gathered around Charles's bed, all looking distinctly pleased to have him back, but also worried by the information in Scott's message. Storm was busying herself checking all of Charles's equipment. Charles watched with a rather exasperated expression, "Storm," he said, his soft but clear voice ringing through the silence. It proved he was certainly back to good health.

"Yes, Charles?"

"I'm fine. Please.." he gestured to the seats of the room and she nodded sheepishly, stepping back to sit. Once the silence had resumed Charles looked over them all with a decisive expression before he began to speak, "Roxanne is the one who has been launching the attacks at the mansion," instantly faces were brought alive by surprise and anger. Scott however stared determinedly at them, clearly proud that he had been right, "But.." continued the Professor, ".. she has not been administering them."

"What do you mean?" suddenly asked Scott, looking rather horrified that his short-lived accuracy was fading.

"Just before Roxanne's mind managed to close the mental waves I managed to get very good knowledge from her. She has not been able to control her actions for a long time. Someone has used a powerful drug upon her stored in the bracelet she always wore. Cleverly done too. None of us noticed anything odd about it, and so even if we did suspect her, we would have never have thought to remove it. And we wouldn't have been able to anyway, for the bracelet was made out of adamantium."

The X-Men instantly looked rather alarmed, "William Stryker? He's alive?" gasped Storm, "He wants to kill us all?"

"Close," answered Charles, "It's Graham Stryker, William's second son." Charles lifted his head to watch them all, "He captured Roxanne, a former link to Logan and forced the drug upon her and sent her to Westchester to kill us all."

"But why?" then asked a quiet voice from Aurora, "Why does he want to kill us?"

"Revenge," stated Charles simply, "We killed his father, he sees us as nothing but murderers."

"So she's gone up to the Canadian Rockies? What's it got to do with us?" asked Scott softly.

"I want you to go and get her, and by any means necessary free her from the wretched drug and bring her back here."

Logan was hitting full speed and racing across the roads as he headed north up to Canada. Knowing full well he would be meeting icy roads further ahead he had decided to use the black 4x4 from the garage. His gloved hands gripped the steering wheel uncertainly and he looked out around him at the empty roads of low mist and damp tarmac. The air was muggy, heat still riding with the atmosphere. Logan let out a steady breath, looking over to where he saw a small opening in the dense forest beside the dark road. With a sudden idea, Logan rotated the wheel left and spun off the safety of the roads and bounded heavily on through the trees and began to continue his raging path through the dark woodlands. His headlights burst to life, alighting everything ahead of him. Reflective eyes of passing wildlife darted off into deeper woodland as they came across the roaring beast of metal. Logan narrowed his eyes, continuing to glare ahead as his vehicle soared over the rough terrain, making terrorized noises as the tyres rampaged over fallen branches.

Above the sky was heaving with thick humid clouds. Rumbling was beginning to sound distantly and was quickly coming closer. Within the next few seconds, rain began to patter gently on his windscreen that was now smeared with dead leaves and dirt from his noisy charge through the dense forest. Soon enough Logan set his wipers on, and they furiously began to erase the rain, which had quickly turned to a torrential downpour. The raindrops noisily smacked upon the roof and windscreen, begin pushed away by a furiously fast wiper blade. Logan leaned forth in his seat, peering out ahead desperately as he tried to continue driving safely though the dark storm.

Soon enough, thunder began to tremendously rage in the above heavens, the bass of the night sky that boomed its sounds down to the innocent earth. A spectacular display of lightening crashed mightily and lit up the monstrous grey clouds. The eerily beautiful and enchanting display of nature continued to perform above Logan, who regardless roared on across the growingly muddy ground. The large thick wheels of his 4x4 jeep charged through the growing lake water as he drove along, creating a pair of swooping waves to cascade skywards each side of the jeep before they plummeted to land back to being attacked by the rain.

Logan was so determined. Nothing was going to stop him..

Scott rose to his feet beside Charles's bed, "Alright.." he said softly, "Change into uniform everyone," he said without looking to them, keeping his eyes on Charles before he finally nodded his admiration for the man and turned to follow after his team. As Scott turned through the automatic doors of the Jet Hanger, he noticed the team waiting for him in the uniform room. His eyes slid around the room and he frowned when he spotted two uniforms left stood in their glass cabinets.

His.. And Wolverine's.

Scott now worriedly looked over the group, "Where's Logan?" he asked suddenly, turning as if expecting him to be somehow lurking behind him.

A voice then spoke into his head amidst the poor knowledge mutterings from his team, 'He's already ahead. Go and catch him up before he risks himself in the base. He doesn't realise the danger." Scott turned his eyes upon the waiting group and sighed softly at Charles's telepathic words,

"Logan's already gone looking for her. He's heading up there himself. Get in the jet, we must find him." Just as the other X-Men began to embark the lowered steps of the Blackbird, Scott heard a noise behind him and turned to view the opened door of the room, seeing Gambit peering in interestedly, "What do you want?" asked Scott rather sharply, completing the zip of his uniform.

Gambit wandered in, looking over to Scott, "Ah, so dis is where all da fun happens."

"Oh don't understate it," murmured Scott sarcastically and he checked his visor was firmly on, "What do you want, Remy?" he repeated.

"Just wondered what was all 'appenin'. Heard voices down 'ere."

"Yes, we must go up to Canada immediately."

"Remy?" a voice then called as Siren came down of the steps to look at her brother, "I thought I heard you, what is you doing here?"

Gambit's eyes widened and he walked over to the jet, "Adrienne! What is you doing in dat uniform!"

A shrug came from Siren, "I'm doing my bit for the X-Men.." she then looked over to Scott gently.

"Nice suit," purred Gambit with a satisfied nod, "Man, I want one o' dem!"

Scott eyed Gambit a moment, "That was Jean's suit," he said softly, straightening the shoulders of his suit before turning to close the cabinet. He then saw Logan's uniform stood grandly illuminated behind the glass. He watched it a moment before looking over his shoulder to Gambit, "I suppose I could lend you one."

Gambit's lips spread to a smirk and he moved offer to nod to Scott, "I don't mind givin' a hand. Gotta look after my lil sister, no?"

"Hey!" came Siren's voice.

Suddenly, Storm came running down the steps and paused beside Siren to look at the pair before to Scott, "Scott! The engine's down."

"What?" cried Scott, spinning to her, "What is it?"

"The landing was unstable, whoever was driving it back crashed landed somewhat. Knocked the thrusters offline."

Siren made a sheepish nod, "That would be Logan."

"How long will it take to fix?" asked Scott to Storm.

"At least an hour.."

Scott sighed softly, lowering his head, "I hope we manage to catch Logan up before he walks straight into danger."

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