A/N reading through the story I've decided to stop using words for Marie and Logan's accent.

Chapter 9

"What do you mean a mutant?" Berty's red face seemed to go a shade brighter. He had returned earlier that day and it was over lunch that Marie decided to tell them about Sam. Di, Berty and Marie were sitting round the breakfast table in the kitchen. Sam and Frankie were out on the back garden. Marie could see them from the window in front of her.

"You've seen the news about those people who can do unexplained stuff, the mutants. Well these people have been born with a different gene to others. It's called the X gene. Normally it doesn't show until puberty or after an emotional trauma." Marie sighed. "Has anything traumatic happened to Sam? Im not accusing you of being bad parents its just rare for the X gene to be active at such a young age."

"Bloody right we're not bad parents!" Berty piped up.

"Berty be quiet, Emily is only asking because she cares." Di placed a comforting hand on Berty and turned towards Marie. "I can't think of anything traumatic that could have effected him. How do you know so much about this Emily?"

"It's because I'm a mutant too. My name isn't really Emily either," Marie looked down at her hands. The power that was with her skin still amazed her. By simply touching someone long enough she could kill him or her. At least she had control now. "I ran away from home when my X gene became active. My parents couldn't accept what I was. This kind man called Xavier took me in. He is a mutant too, he looked after me, taught me how to use my powers for good. He runs a school just for mutants in New York."

"That's horrible!" Di gasped covering her mouth. Seeing Marie's unsure look she explained what she found so horrible. " I mean about your parents, that Xavier man sounds nice."

"I think you should take Sam to see him and Frankie too. He will be able to help and even tell you if Frankie has the gene too." Marie smiled reassuring at Di, she was worried about what Berty would say though. "I have a friend who works at the school. He's down here at the moment; I can get him to take both you and the kids to Xavier. I really think it will be the right thing to do."

"Why should we listen to what you say? Your not even who you said you was! What's your real name anyway?" Berty eyed Marie wearily.

"Berty!" Di exclaimed

"It's ok Di. My name is Rogue."

"Sound likes a scallywags name to me." Berty sneered. Marie never thought a man as kind hearted as Berty was could get so flustered.

"I know I haven't been total truthful to both of you, but you took me in to your home, rent-free. I owe you a lot and I care about your kids. You're the family I could never have. All im asking is for you to please take Sam and Frankie to see Xavier." Marie pleaded with Berty. If they agreed she will get Logan to take them to Xavier and she will move on. She wasn't ready to go back to Xavier yet, there would be to many questions to answer. She knew she was just running away from her fears but it was a hell of a lot sager than facing them. "What do you say?"

"Come Berty it wont hurt. It could be like a mini vacation. It will only be for a couple of days, it will be nice to spend sometime just as a family, no work or anything. I trust Emily…er…Rogue." Di squeezed Berty's hands and looked pleadingly at him. Marie felt jealous of the love between the two knowing she could never have that herself.

"Fine. Ive got the week of work due to development next door the whole firm is shut down while they rewire and whatever else their doing. We can leave as soon as you like." Berty stood up from his chair and walked out the room.

"How will we go about this Em?" Di frowned after she said her name. "I really don't know what to call you anymore."

"Don't worry about it, call me Em if that's what you feel comfortable with." Marie smiled. "I will get my friend to take you up."

"Will you be coming?"

Marie looked outside and watched the children play together. She would miss them; she would miss all of them. She didn't want to leave but if she stayed that meant facing Xavier. Was she ready for that?

Honestly?

No, she wasn't. She was scared shitless of setting eyes on Xavier again. She felt like she had left them down. She felt like a child, running away. The cowards way out. She had let herself down.

Some good had come out of it. She had grown up. Time away from the restricking Manshion was what she needed. She has gotten over Logan, she has learnt how to control her powers. She is a better person for being a coward. Marie was a better person, she can deal with things now, and she can go back to the mansion.

"Em? Are you coming too?"

"Erm…I don't think I can." Marie the new reformed person was still a coward.

"Well we can't go then. I wouldn't feel safe without someone I know there."

"You will have Berty with you." Marie suggested.

"He will be just as scared and worried as I will be. We need you there with us." Di stood up and started to clear the table. Marie returned to watching the children. She could do it for them. She wouldn't have to stay afterwards she could leave with them. Come back here. Forget all about Xavier again. Be apart of the family.

"Ok, Im gonna come too."

Logan was surprised to say the least. He did not expect for it to be this simple. Here he was leading the way to the school with Marie and her adoptive family in tow. The fact that Marie was coming at all still amazed him. Something was different about her.

She had changed a lot.

What was that saying?

'You never realise what you have something until it's gone.'

Whatever it was he understood it now.

And he missed her. He missed the closeness they had; he missed seeing her smile, he missed making her smile. He couldn't remember the last time he managed to make her smile. They were close and then Jean died.

Jean.

She was something else altogether. She had something raw about her. Something untouchable. Jean was something nobody else was. Jean was the woman he could of loved.

Jean was now dead.

Logan was now over her. He was now at peace with her.

Marie wasn't the only one who could change for the better.

Logan realized how much of an ass he had been. How he had pushed Marie away. She had turned to him when she needed him the most and he turned his back on her. He was a bastard. Guilt swept over him. He would put things right. He will do so for Marie. The woman he could love.

A/N. Ooo what do you think of Logan? Im stuck between making him evil or nice. Evil or nice? Evil or nice? Help!

Thanks too all those who have read and reviewed. It really means a lot to me!

Please R&R

Sammis