Joss reached the end of the street and stopped to look at the alley running down the side of it. The same alley where she'd met Logan for the first time, it seemed like ages to her, when in reality it had only been three months. Three months of relative security. She stopped herself and forced her mind to stay on topic.

'The Acoustic Motorbike' stood open and inviting in front of her and she let herself in through the main door. Inside, the air was deliciously warm and smelt of hops and coffee. Behind the bar, polishing glasses, leant a young looking man, wearing a cravat and sporting a fine moustache, he glanced up briefly at the door and smiled broadly upon seeing his visitor.

"Joscelyn!" he greeted. "How splendid to see you, where the devil have you been hiding yourself? We'd almost given you up for dead!" Joss smiled back and spread out her arms.

"Sorry to disappoint, Ferdinand, but I'm still very much alive." She hopped up on to a bar stool and tugged at his cravat. "The hell is this?" Her friend brought a hand up to his neck in mock concern.

"I think it makes me look rather cultured, don't you agree?" she laughed.

"You're aware, of course, that the cravat is actually a French thing. If you want to remind people of your English blood, Ferdy, you may want to stick to a bow tie and a pipe." Ferdinand frowned and shook his head vehemently.

"Horrible smelly things, couldn't possibly!"

…………………………………………………………

Hank McCoy threw down his screwdriver in disgust and frustration and swore colourfully under his breath, turning the air as blue as his fur.

"She sure made a good job of this." He grumbled to Logan who was standing impatiently next to him. "I'm afraid I can't say how long this is going to take, Logan."

His companion returned the curse and unsheathed his claws, intending to attack the door, but he knew it was useless; the doors to Cerebro were a foot of solid steel. His adamantium claws may be stronger than steel but the sheer thickness of the doors would make it impossible to break through in less than a day.

"Screw this." He muttered. "I going to go look for her in the city, I know where a few of her friends hang out, I might be able to find something. Keep trying, Blue."

Hank turned his attention back to the broken lock and Logan strode down the corridor in the direction of the left to the schools carport. On his way out he encountered Scott, looking for him.

"Logan." He greeted. "Listen, I was thinking that it might be worth trying a few of Joscelyn's old haunts in the city. You know where she likes to go don't you? I thought we might be able to find her the old fashioned way. In the absence of Cerebro." Logan scowled at the X-Man in front of him.

"That's exactly where I'm going, Scooter." He responded gruffly. Scott nodded.

"Oh, right. Well….." he tailed off, not sure how Logan would responded to an offer of help. The Canadian stopped, on his way through the carport door and turning, raised an impatient eyebrow.

"You coming?" he demanded.

…………………………………………………………………

"So." Ferdinand began, placing a pint in front of Joss. "You're obviously not here for general conversation or you would have already moved onto insulting my hair. How can I help you, my dear?" Joss grinned ruefully.

"You know me too well, Ferdinand." The Englishman smiled smugly and inclined his head. "I was actually hoping you could help me out with something." She admitted.

"What do you need? Money, a place to stay? I am not lending you my car again; I loved that Austin and you positively destroyed it!"

"I need information, and I need something made. Information first."

"Aha, information. Well, you've certainly piqued my curiosity, do go on."

"A location, on a person. I don't know much about him but it's really important Ferdy." He nodded seriously.

"Okay, I'll do what I can. Give me what you do know." She took a breath.

"I heard he's staying in a building somewhere called Ehmere Place. I need to know if that's true. I know his name in Lynaes, pretty sure he's a mutant. And, he's an albino, so he should stick out in a crowd. He's scum, Ferdinand, scum." Ferdinand scrutinized her for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Like I said, Joss, I'll see what I can do. In the mean time, would you please promise me that you're not going to do anything stupid?" she returned the serious gaze, then dropped her head and sighed.

"No." she answered truthfully. "But I need this. Please?"

With a long pause, Ferdinand lifted a phone from under the bar and dialled another New York number. He relayed the information Joss had given him, to the person on the other end and hung up.

"Geordie says he'll look in to it." He told her, she smiled gratefully. "Now, have another pint. The Jämtlands Brewery has a new head brewer, try this…

I know, i know. It's short and it still took me ages, sorry! Been very busy but things are quitening down so please bare with me. (I'm working on Gravities Weaknessess too). As always, thanks for reading and reviews are very much appreciated!