Summary: After Jean's death, Logan runs again. He returns to find everything's changed once more. Logan/Marie, Marie/Scott

Warnings: It's rated R. Expect everything that comes with that warning.

Author's Note: Thanks to those who reviewed! I probably wouldn't have continued if I hadn't gotten some positive feedback, but I did, so here's the next segment. To respond to one review in particular: the first chapter was meant as kind of a prologue. It was fast so I could get the scene set quickly and get right into the thick of the story. The pace should slow down a bit from here on in. And to respond to another review: I'm not really sure yet who she's going to end up with…guess we'll find out together!

Oh, and if anyone happens to notice any typos I missed, please let me know. I'm writing this very late and I'm not fully awake…thanks…

Marie dreamed Scott's dreams that night. It was a disturbing side effect of using her power on someone - especially someone she knew. Dreams were just so personal…and the worst of it was, she couldn't control what she saw any more than she could control her own dreams. She couldn't block it. And as she sank deeper into sleep, dread crept through her mind. Hints of what lurked in Scott's subconscious began to surface: jealousy, anger, even hate. Marie tossed and turned as she struggled with the intruding thoughts. She didn't want to see, didn't want to know. It was easier just to pretend.

She strained against the Scott part of her mind, but she was too weak…she was falling…and suddenly, was caught. It's all right. I'll keep it out if you want me to. It was the voice of the Professor. She threw a mental affirmative in his direction, desperate not to see more than she already had, and suddenly she was fully awake, back in control of her brain. Meet me in my office. I doubt you'll be wanting any more sleep tonight. His voice again. She nodded, and after stealthily checking that Scott was fully asleep, she crept out of bed. Marie threw on a bathrobe and started toward the door. Suddenly, she stopped and turned. Her eyes fell on Scott, sleeping peacefully, no doubt under the influence of the painkillers he'd been given. Marie approached the bedside. She reached out slowly and caressed the bandages covering half of his face. After a few moments, she turned and strode briskly from the room, tears beginning to run down her cheeks yet again.

She knocked softly on the Professor's door, and heard his calm voice bidding her to enter. He was sitting and staring out his window, as he so often did. Marie was surprised to see that he was fully dressed…there was no sign that he had been to bed at all…strange, at this late hour. Then realization came over her. "You've been up all night, haven't you? You saw this coming and you didn't tell us!" she cried. He sighed softly and turned his chair to face her. His deep eyes fixed Marie in a hard stare.

"Yes, I knew Logan was coming back. But even if I had told you, do you really think things would have been any different?" he asked. Marie began to reply, but stopped herself as she realized that he was right. The Professor held her in his gaze for a moment longer, then turned back to the window. "He's running. It's what he does - what he's always done. But this time, it's different. He wants to stop. He wants to put the past behind him, but he can't do it on his own. Logan feels that he doesn't have anything to live for - except you," he said quietly. Marie bit her lip as she tried to hold back a sob, but her efforts were in vain. Her hands came to her face as she tried to block out the feelings now consuming her. "As long as he can remember, his life has been about pain, about death. It's all he really knows. Can you imagine what that must be like?" he continued. "And yet, Scott couldn't take the loss of another woman he truly loves - especially to Logan. And he does love you, Marie."

That was too much. She let out an agonizing wail and fell to her knees next to the Professor's chair. "What am I going to do? This is all my fault…so much pain, and it's all my fault! It's not enough that I hurt people when my skin touches them…now even my love causes only pain!" She collapsed against the Professor, her cries sounding her unspeakable agony. He looked down on her with a look of pity, and stroked her hair gently with one hand.

"Now that's not true, and you know it. It will be all right in the end. You'll see," he murmured, trying to comfort her. She shook her head violently, now too upset to speak. "Yes, it will," he said. They sat there like that for a long time, Marie crying in utter desolation, the Professor whispering calm, comforting words to her. Finally, Marie's tears began to slow, and she lifted her eyes to the Professor's knowing, fatherly face.

"What do you think I should do? I don't even know how to start to fix things…it's too complicated…." she trailed off. The Professor didn't reply, only turned his eyes once more to the window overlooking the grounds of the estate. Marie followed his gaze. Her imagination began to wander, and she could almost see Logan out there, trying to outrun the hurt. Almost without realizing it, she stood and placed one hand against the glass.

Then the Professor spoke once again, startling her. She'd almost forgotten he was there. "Go to him. He needs you."

She looked doubtful for a moment, and started to speak. "But Scott…"

"Will sleep well into tomorrow. Go. Give him the explanation he's looking for. Keep him from doing more damage to his already fragile mind," the Professor said, giving her a look she knew better than to say no to. After casting one more longing glance out the window, she turned and ran out of the room. The Professor smiled sadly, closed his eyes, and relaxed. His work for the night was done.

Marie ran through the mansion, her bare feet hardly making a sound. She burst through the doors and shivered at the sensations of dew-covered grass and cool early morning breeze. The sky was still pitch black - it seemed this night would never end. The wind tore her hair from its bonds and began to dry the tears still on her face. She didn't even notice the transition from neatly mown lawn to thick forest, so focused were all her thoughts. She didn't know where she was going, only that it was toward him. She felt that she would have made this journey a long time ago, had she only known which way to run. At some point, her robe fell from her body, torn away by the grasping branches. She looked otherworldly in her white silk nightgown, hair flying free as she ran. Suddenly, for no reason, she stopped in her tracks. Silence filled the night. Marie was suddenly afraid. She stared into the trees, straining to see in the darkness. A noise sounded behind her, and she whirled around. Nothing. There was nothing there…and yet, she knew better. He was here. "Logan?" she asked timidly. "Where are you?"

Logan watched as Marie turned in circles, trying to find him in the thick undergrowth. Anger flowed through him, overriding any rational thought. His eyes narrowed and he bared his teeth…extended his claws…prepared to strike….

Marie was beginning to panic. She could feel that someone - or something - was watching her. She swallowed hard, trying to suppress her growing terror. "Logan, it's me! Please, let me explain! Just come out where I can see you…." she begged.

The sound of Marie's voice sparked something in the back of Logan's head…a memory of happiness, of hope, of love. But it was too late…he was too far gone. The animal had taken over. With was left of his mind made up, he leapt out of his hiding place with a loud roar, claws at the ready. The last thing he remembered before the world sunk away was the sound of Marie's screams ringing into the night.

The Professor's eyes sprang open. "Marie!" he cried. "Oh God, what have I done?"