TURNABOUT CHAPTER 12: ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE!
Scott's Point of View
I got a frantic call on both my cell phone and in my mind from Professor Xavier while I was waiting in the lobby. I raced to the elevator and opened the doors and charged into the elevator like the building was on fire.
I was thinking in the elevator on the way up to Michael's office…If Logan hurt him; I was gonna blast that hairy brute to kingdom come! When the door's opened I dashed to the office and burst inside. The oddest sight caught my eyes. Logan was lying on the floor passed out, and Michael was kneeling beside him, talking to him gently, and trying to wake him up. I turned to the professor.
"What happened?" I asked.
"It would seem that Logan got somewhat of an overload to his memory. Just couldn't seem to handle it…he dropped like a stone." The professor said in calm tones. He didn't sound worried at all.
I looked at Michael and noticed the resemblance to Logan right off. "Hey, Scott, how are you?" He said pleasantly.
"Uh, I'm fine, Michael." I said quietly and looked down at Logan.
"Dad, dad. Wake up dad." Michael said quietly, shaking him a bit. I heard a groan coming from Logan.
"Ugh, Kate…it's your turn to feed the kids and send them off to school." He muttered and turned onto his side. Michael chuckled.
"Uh, dad…I haven't been to school in years and mom's been gone awhile." Michael said gently. Logan rolled to lie on his back again. I heard him groan some more and his eyes opened like he'd been in a deep sleep. He blinked repeatedly.
"Michael??" I heard a very confused Wolverine say quietly. "What am I doing on the floor?"
"You passed out." Michael said smiling gently.
"I don't pass out." He said stubbornly.
"You did pass out Logan; you hit the floor in a dead faint." The professor said evenly.
"Logan? Why are you calling me Logan?" He sounded confused and a bit upset. I looked at the Professor.
"Is that what I'm going by these days?" He groaned and grabbed his head. "What a headache. I'd take a whole bottle of aspirin, but I don't think it would make a difference." He grumbled. He sat up and his eyes crossed and he sighed and looked at Michael. "Sheesh, Michael! What happened to you?" He said surprised.
"Nothing, dad…just got older…that's all." Michael said smiling.
"Yeah, right…now I remember. My brain seems to be all mixed up at the moment."
"Here dad, let me give you hand in standing up." Michael held out a large hand. I noticed immediately that they had the same body build. I noticed that when Logan stood up he had that elegant smooth quality that cats had while stalking.
"Charles, do we still have Vic in holding?" Logan asked.
"Yes, Logan we do." The Professor said calmly.
"I guess we better let him out then." Logan said. My mouth dropped open. "You plan to catch flies and moths with that?" He asked, pointing at my mouth. I snapped my mouth shut and he grinned almost kindly at me.
"Hey dad, before I forget!" Michael said excitedly. "Let me give you some things I've been keeping for you. I've been preparing for this day for years!" Michael practically jumped for joy. He dashed over to an office closet and dived into it. He emerged from the closet carrying one of those very thick briefs used in hauling thick files. He put onto his desk and opened it up with glee, chuckling.
"Okay!" He announced, pulling some stuff out of it with all the flair of a magician that was pulling a rabbit out of a hat. "I got some things together that you will need. Here are your portfolios, and some keys to your houses and some stocks that I added to the collection as payoffs to the loan you gave me to start my business up with."
"Uh, that's not necessary, Michael." Logan said, quietly looking at the thick envelopes that Michael was pulling out of the briefcase.
"Yes it is, dad." Michael said, broking no argument. "I also made some photo albums, ya know, stuff of my kids and sis's too…all the time you've missed out on." Michael said with a little rancor. I doubted that it was at his father. "Most of your bankbooks are accounted for…you seem to have collected some nice interests on the accounts over the years." Michael said looking at them. "Oh, and I have a bonus surprise for you downstairs." Michael said with a little excitement as he put the stuff he took out back into the briefcase. He snapped it shut and handed it to Logan. He took it somewhat in shock, and felt the weight of the case.
"Come on dad, let's go downstairs." Michael led us out the office door to a private elevator. I was a little flustered about the whole thing. But if I was flustered, there wasn't anything I was feeling that came close to what Logan was going thru. He had a dazed look on his face and he seemed to be mulling over things that I hadn't even begun to understand about him. It was easy to see that his demeanor changed in only a few minutes. His body language was different, and he didn't seem quite so aggressive now. The Professor had a smile on his face and he seemed pleased about the whole affair.
The trip was quick and there were no words exchanged during the ride down. The elevator stopped and Michael left the elevator the moment the doors opened.
Logan's Point of View
I couldn't believe this! It took only a few minutes to take away 15 almost 16 years of my life to set it back to where it was. The search for my past was over; it was crouching over me looking down with happy eyes.
My son Michael, how happy was I to see him??!! Gee, and I thought I wouldn't ever find the answer to all my questions. Victor was back to his old self, and so was I! And when I get my hands on that miserable good for nothing Stryker, his life is not worth the cloth of his uniform. But for now I'm happy to bid my son his wishes. I wonder what he has in store for me now.
"This way dad," He instructed. He was as excited as I've ever seen him since he was a kid. He led me to a door and he unlocked it and pushed open the door. "TADA!" He sang and motioned me into a large storage room with a wave of his arm. I walked in and was then frozen to the spot.
"Oh my god! Is that who I think it is???" I said almost choking. I heard Michael laughing at me.
"I kept her in good shape for you, dad. She's been rode every weekend, tuned up every year and there is not a scratch on her." He said proudly.
"Giselle," I whispered, I swallowed. I remembered the first time I had seen her. Sitting in the display room surrounded by lights and reflection on the large windows at the dealership; calling, no… whispering my name seductively. I heard Scott gasp in recognition. I heard Chuck say, "Oh my." I chuckled at their reactions.
"It looks brand new. I know that it can't be." Scott said quietly.
"Her name is Giselle." I said firmly.
"Oh, right. My apologies, I didn't mean to insult anyone." Scott said. At first I thought he was making fun, but I couldn't smell it on him. He was being sincere.
"I never expected to see one in such mint condition." Scott said with reverence. "What year is she?"
"She's a 1938 Indian. Would you believe I bought her brand new, straight out of the dealerships showroom?" I grinned at his startled expression. I walked over to her and placed the briefcase into one of her saddles. Michael came over and handed me a leather riding jacket and a helmet.
"And here's her keys, dad." He grinned at me with such pride. "She's all yours again. You will bring her for visits won't you?" His eyes shone with mischief. "Oh, I put my address and phone number they're in your address book; it's on the bottom on the inside of the case."
"Okay, thanks, I'm sure I'll be able to sort thru it later." What was I going to do now? I had my memories of the long ago past, and of the recent past. Which one will I choose to live?
Professor Xavier's Point of View
Iwas incredibly pleased for Logan, or James or whatever he wishes to be called. I can hear his thoughts and they seem rather jumbled at the moment. I got a thrill of joy from Logan when he saw the motorcycle. He obviously remembered that particular motorcycle well. I had hear of Michael speak of a Giselle, but I assumed it was an old flame or friend of his. But it was a very large black, white and red Indian motorcycle that would make most Harleys look like miniatures. Even Scott would have a hard time riding it. It was probably as heavy as a small car. I heard him make up his mind and I made up mine. I mentally called Jean and told her to let Victor out of the cell and have Ororo take him shopping for some clothes. She was startled and was reluctant to have her friend take someone that she was fearful and hateful of their company for any length of time. I told her that it would be good for her to confront her fear and hate and try to be civil to Victor. It was obvious that he would behave himself from Jean's description of his behavior since our leaving.
Logan had been having a conversation with Scott. I heard him ask Scott if he would like to have a ride on Giselle tomorrow. Scott said that would be great. It was good that Logan was coming back with us. I suspected that he would be going by Cycle rather than Car. He put on the jacket and helmet, straddled the large cycle and placed the key in the ignition and started it up. A huge roar filled the room like thunder and I saw and felt a satisfying grin spread over his face. The rumble of the large machine vibrated thru our bodies and I felt it in my bones. Logan attacked the kickstand and before we could say good bye, Logan was heading out the door and out of the parking garage towards home.
The echo died away as we stood in the storage room and shared each others company.
I heard Michael very softly say, "I got my dad back," with a closed throat.
"I'm sorry that you didn't get to spend more time with him. He probably wants to take care of a few things now." I said to Michael. Michael seemed to be phased, not at all.
"That's all right Charles. I know that dad needs some time to sort things out. He hasn't been changed that much. In certain ways, he's always been a loner, a tough guy, despite his outward appearance." Michael said wisely.
"I hope this means he'll stop flirting with Jean." Scott said. Michael laughed.
"Oh, he always flirts, that's how he is. Is Jean, by any chance, the redhead I've seen you with Scott?"
"Yeah, why?" Scott answered.
"Dad's first wife was a redhead." Michael chuckled. "He's had a thing about them since then. Mom on the other hand was a strawberry blonde, like me….but any good looking gal is to be flirted with." Michael said with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Don't worry, he won't try to take her from you, unless she wants to leave you anyway, you have nothing to be concerned about. Besides, he probably does that to try to get a rise out of you. He does that to those he thinks needs lightening up." Michael said smiling. "You could probably use some lightening up." Scott growled quietly.
"I should have seen it, the two of you…two peas in a pod." Scott said a little angry shaking a finger at Michael. He then smiled and laughed.
"Come on Scott, let's go home." I said, chuckling. Scott laughed some more and chucked Michael on the arm.
"Don't be a stranger, come visit." Scott said to Michael. "Bring the family, too."
"By all means, Michael…It is an open invitation…it always has been." I said nodding.
"I will endeavor to find the time, now." Michael said grinning. "It's been good seeing you, and thanks."
"You're quite welcome, Michael. Good-bye." I turned my chair and headed to where I knew Scott had parked the car. Scott walked behind me, keeping any thoughts mainly to himself.
"What a coincidence." Scott said quietly.
"The Chinese believe there is no such thing as coincidences. They believe things happen for a reason. And I am beginning to believe it as well. We better hurry and get home. I hope it's still standing when we get there." I said with a little humor.
"Oh, why is that, Charles?" Scott asked.
"I told Jean to get Ororo to take Victor shopping for clothes." I said lightly.
"WHAT! Are you sure that's wise, Charles. I mean the way Ro feels about him, anyway."
"She needs to handle her feelings. It would seem that he is to become on of us. That is if I can get everyone to agree."
"Sabretooth one of us, hmmmm." Scott rolled that thought around in his head for a while. "Well, it would sure beat having to fight against him all the time." Scott chuckled. I was surprise how fast he was able to accept the idea. But he had seen all the pictures in Michael's office and watching Logan become Michael's father, had him convinced that anything could happen.
BACK AT THE MANSION: Ororo Munro's Point of View
"CHARLES WANTS ME TO DO WHAT??!!!" I exclaimed loud enough to be heard on all levels of the school and most of the grounds. It was amazing to think that Charles would want me of all people to take that 'person' shopping. I felt the wind pick up outside and thunder rumbled threateningly as black clouds started rolling in out of nowhere. Jean gave me a stern look. "Alright, I'll calm down. You're right, you're right…. I let myself get carried away." The wind started to die down a bit and the clouds lightened up and drifted away.
"Look Ro, I understand that you have a problem with him, but he's no longer Sabretooth. Sabretooth has been caged, or something…I feel that it he is no longer a part of him anymore. Charles wants us all to get to know him and accept him better. I think he's going to ask him to stay and become one of the X-Men." Jean said. My mouth dropped open. Sabretooth as one of us! You have got to be kidding. Then on cue he came out of nowhere and walked up from behind Jean. He was holding a book.
"Hello, Ms. Munroe." He said politely.
"You let him out, already?! Why didn't you wait until Charles and Scott got here?" I asked incredulously.
"Because, Charles asked me to let him out now; and for you to take him shopping for some clothes and personal supplies, before he got back." Jean said calmly. "I understand why you won't want to do it. I can take him into town myself, instead." I thought a moment.
"I need to return this book to the girl that loaned it to me. I could probably get my own copy at the local bookstore, or library. It might be best for one of you to escort me. I wouldn't want any of the students getting scared or panicky about me." Sabretooth said quietly. "Please, call me Vic if you like." He smiled. There wasn't a look of malice on his face or in his eyes. Truly, the beast Sabretooth didn't seem to be anywhere to be found. I calmed myself. Everyone deserved a second chance. That's what this school was all about. I took a calming and cleansing breath and plunged forward.
"Vic, I will take you to see the girl in question so that you may return the book. Do you know who it was?"
"No, but I could find her with no problem." He said, smiling.
"It was Jubilee, Ro. She was generous enough to loan the book to Victor." Jean said smiling. "She's in the TV room with the others watching a movie or something." Jean added.
"Very well," I said. "Let's start by giving back the book. We'll take the van to town to do some shopping. Maybe some of the other students would like to come along." I said pleasantly. I saw a light shine in his eyes; he looked like he would be pleased about it. I turned around and he followed me quietly.