Over the course of the five-hour viewing session, over three thousand people stopped by to bid a farewell to the great leader who had spent his life trying to pave a peaceful pathway between mutants and humans. At six that evening, the doors were closed and only a selective, intimate number of mourners attended the memorial. Xavier was buried under a Weeping Willow tree on the edge of the gardens you could see from his office window. Through the service, Logan remained stoic; only the tight, quivering muscles of his temples relaying any emotion.

The day was warm, the sun bright, and the birds happily chirped in their nests. It seemed fitting that Xavier should be buried on such a beautiful day. He had been – after all – such an optimistic man who always looked for the good in others. Yet, the cheery spring day didn't match the moods of the grievers. They had lost their mentor. Friend. Father.

Following the service, the X-men trickled silently into Xavier's study. Logan, out of some deep seeded habit, followed. He was surprised to see a few new faces. When he had left, the X-men had consisted of only five, excluding himself. Now there were eight. They were all dressed in their black uniforms to honor the Professor. Everyone but Logan.

Wolverine felt out of place. He wasn't one of them anymore; hadn't been for five years. Bobby, who had been the newest member before Logan left, stood beside him, a cold fog pooling at his feet. Logan took a step to the side, bumping into a large, hairy man. The blue giant smiled down at him, but remained silent.

Everyone was watching Scott as the new leader gathered strength to speak. "I…I know this is a difficult time for everybody. I…I don't know how to fill his shoes. I certainly don't want to take Charles's place."

Rogue, dutifully standing at her husband's side, gave him a reassuring smile. "We know, Scott. We aren't asking you to, but we need someone to lead us. And you're the best man for the job. We've all agreed to that."

Kurt nodded solemnly. "Yes. We agreed."

Logan had managed to slink into the back, observing without participating as the others mumbled their agreements. Storm, Kurt, Scott, Rogue, and Bobby might as well of been strangers to him. He glanced around the room, soaking in the others. There was the blue man, a young woman he recognized as one of Rogue's friends, and a middle-aged man with scaly skin that shimmered in the light.

His eyes drifted blankly across their faces. At the same moment, Rogue glanced his way. Logan had mastered the art of Rogue's eyes and there was never a thing she could hide from him. Not his Marie, anyway. Held in their swirling green depths was a secret she tried even keeping from herself, but he hunted it out, searching her eyes until he found the painful truth: Marie still loved him.

Rogue saw the slightest shift in his face, almost unnoticeable, and she gasped, snapping her eyes away.

He knew.

RESPONSE TO REVIEWERS

Roguechere: What color? Now, that would be the question, wouldn't it! Haha. Anyway, can't have an angst story without some major depressing themes, right?

Bodiless Pirate Fiend: Maybe I should hold onto the matches.

Trunksblue: Figured it was time to explain things.

Princess06: I love Gollumn! He was my favorite character – next to Legolas, of course.

Jupiterhime: I hope a year isn't too soon. Sorry for the wait.

Blix Howlett: I must confess…I never read the comics. Eek! I grew up when X-men was a big cartoon hit. Not that that has anything to do with the Rogue/Carol merge. I did it that way to explain her marriage to Scott. I'm glad you like it.

Saprkling-Diva: Oh no! You've figured me out! Now I must torture you to death!

Wapps921: What school do you attend? I go to Arizona State University in Phoenix, but will be transferring to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Anyway, as always, I appreciate your review. You rock!

Jackia: Thank you very much. I felt it was the best way to explain why Marie was with Scott. Glad you approve.

DevilsVamps: How can you not want Logan? Scott is cool, but he's no Wolverine!

Squishmich: Ok. That's fine. Not everyone needs to like it, but could you tell me why? I can't improve on my writing with simple criticism. Try constructive criticism.

Wakingbear: Angst is great!