Chapter 2

Outside Cyclops had caught up with Storm looking rather worried. "Are you ok, 'Ro?" Storm sighed loudly. She knew this was coming. Every time they were out on a mission, no matter how simple, Cyclops always felt the need to make sure everyone was all right both physically and mentally. Sometimes she felt there was no need for his worries, after all she was quite capable of taking care of herself. This time however, there was some base to it. Still, she knew that what she was going through wasn't something that he could help her with. Not for now anyway. What she needed was to meditate and be on her own for a while.

"Scott, I am alright."

"You don't look alright to me 'Ro." He moved closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder squeezing it lightly as a gesture to encourage her to talk to him.

Wolverine found a window and had a clear view of the X-Men talking outside. He didn't know what to make of Cyclops' gesture running out after Storm like he had done, but now watching him an idea was forming in his head.

"Listen Scott, I appreciate your concern and you are right, I am not totally fine. But for now, I just need some time to deal with this on my own. Please?" She asked of him with pleading eyes and he backed off. Wolverine felt the tension he was feeling ease a little when Cyclops took his hand off of her.

"I wish that you could talk to me, or Jean. I'm not the only one who is concerned, you know, she is too." Storm remained silent but nodded her understanding. "Listen, since you are going to be dealing with whatever it is you need to deal with, there is something you should know." After listening to his words, it was now Storm's turn to be concerned and it showed in her features. Wolverine saw her face and wished he could be closer to hear what they were talking about. He wondered what could he be telling her to make her look like that.

"What is it?"

"Some of the kids are nervous. Some saw, others heard about your awesome display of powers. They seem to be a little afraid. It's almost as if it just hit them, you know, why is it that you are called Storm."

"By the goddess." Storm exclaimed flabbergasted, almost sad. The last thing she ever wanted and definitely didn't need right now was to feel like she had to keep track of every single cell in her body, every thought, every emotion, because there were people around her afraid of her loosing control and harming them. The very people she was there to protect that she had been protecting. She turned away from Cyclops almost about to cry surprising him with her reaction. Whatever she was going through was more intense that he had realized. He tried to grab her and calm her down but she wouldn't let him touch her.

Wolverine was pacing in front of the window now, but came to a sudden halt at Storm's reaction to whatever Cyclops had said to her. He saw his attempt at grabbing her and she shying away from him. His right hand's claws came out with a znit sound and he just wanted to run there and…do what? Why all of a sudden he felt he had the right to intervene?

In his study Charles Xavier raised his eyes from his newspaper. He thought silently for a moment. Then resumed reading.

"Ororo please calm down." Cyclops pleaded with her.

"How can they be afraid of me? I am here to protect them, to guide them. All of us are. How can I do that if they do not trust me?" She said sadly.

"I didn't say that they didn't trust you, only that they were a bit afraid. Maybe that's not even the right word. It is more like surprised. They are surprised of how powerful you really are. They trust you, they depend on you, they love you and they know that whenever they need you, that you will be there for them, for all of us no matter what. They know that. So do I." Cyclops saw her relax. What he had said had stricken a never, before and now as well. He reached for her once more and this time she let herself be guided into his embrace and accepted his comforting arms for a while. "Now I understand the things you need to sort through, and I'll give you time if you give me permission to worry as much as I know I'm going to worry anyway. Deal?" Storm looked up at him and smiled. It wasn't her usual radiant smile but he accepted it anyway.

"Deal." She said finally. He kissed her temple and then let go of her and saw her disappear into the huge garden, one of many in the immense mansion. He could only hope that her goddess would concede her the peace she was looking for.

Another znit sound, this time out of his left hand, filled the air around the window where Wolverine was practically fuming by now. He didn't know what was worse, Cyclops upsetting Storm to the point of tears, or him hugging and kissing her. The ideas faltered him before but now he knew exactly what he wanted to do to Cyclops. His imagination had no limits when he was this angry. Still, he was squeezing a rational thought among the murderous ones. Am I like this for Jean's sake or…? 'Logan, meet me in my study at once.' Wolverine almost jumped at the sound of the Professor's voice in his head. He looked down at his claws and pulled them in looking around to see if anyone had seen him in such state. Wolverine looked back to where Cyclops and Storm had been standing but no one was there anymore. He already knew what the Professor wanted with him if his tone had been any indication and reluctantly made his way to the study.

"Come in please." Wolverine couldn't help but chuckle. It was just natural that the Professor wouldn't even allow him to knock on the door. That was the problem with telepaths. They perceived too much for anyone else's comfort. Wolverine let himself in and closed the door behind him. "Logan."

"You wanted to see me?" He said avoiding eye contact. He seemed to be doing a lot of that this particular day.

"Indeed. Have a seat." The Professor guided his wheelchair towards the couch where he indicated Wolverine to take a seat. Once they were face to face, he proceeded. "Could you kindly explain why the sudden need to 'slowly gut' Scott Summers? I believe that one was the least horrid of your alternatives." Wolverine squinted a little at the Professor's words and shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but said nothing. "Well?"

"I have my reasons." It was all he said. The Professor arched his eyebrows and looked at him incredulous.

"I don't think your reasons are ever going to be good enough. I thought you and Scott were past this cold war."

"What ever gave you that idea? Besides, this is totally different."

"Then tell me."

"Not yet if ever. I'm not a hundred percent sure, just about half that."

"When you get to seventy five, I want you to tell me. I'm sure there are better ways to deal with the situation. Until then, restrain yourself from butchering anyone. I'm serious." The Professor said, warning him. Wolverine made his way to the door and opened it. Then he looked back at the Professor.

"I can promise you that much Professor, though I've been told I have a killer punch." Then he left. Professor Xavier shook his head. He knew the man they called Wolverine was called that way for a reason, but he just hoped that he wouldn't let that go to his head and do something crazy.

To be continued…