Chapter 2: Weapon X
Jean slipped on her mask, then adjusted her gloves as she walked out of the locker room to head to the hanger. She had overheard Warren and Bobby talking about how tired she looked, but she really didn't care. She could rest on the flight to Canada. Her mind was focused on saving the man from her dreams, not on what her teammates thought. At least, Lorna understood there was more going on with her than just sleep deprivation. As she entered the hanger, Jean heaved a sigh as Scott stood between her and the ramp to the Blackbird with his arms crossed. By the look of his set jaw, Jean could tell Scott was not happy in the least about the mission, or how tired she looked. She wondered, offhandedly, if he suspected about the mysterious connection to the mutant they were going after.
"You sure you're alright to go on this mission?" Scott asked as he stopped Jean at the bottom of the ramp by placing a hand on her arm. "You look like you haven't slept in three days."
"I'm fine, Scott," Jean narrowed her eyes at him, pulling her arm away roughly. She was not in the mood for his fearless leader self, or his argumentative self, for that matter.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt," Scott tried again with a kinder voice, but she could tell by his undertone that she was right about him not liking anything about this mission. Jean glared at him. "You can make mistakes if you haven't slept…"
"Scott, there is a mutant in that facility that they have tortured and experimented on for who knows how long!" snapped Jean. "By some chance, I happened to see what they did to him! If you think I'm not going on this mission because I lost a little sleep from it, you are sadly mistaken!"
"But…"
"Cyclops, a word," Professor Xavier called harshly. Scott frowned as he turned. Scott walked over to him, still in a bad mood. Jean shook her head. Things had changed with him, and he just wasn't the same person he was when Jean first met him. That sweet boy was long gone, and she didn't know what had happened.
With a quiet sigh, Jean took the opportunity to board the Blackbird. She chose a seat in the very back of the crew cabin as far away from the pilot's chair as possible. Out of the corner of her eye, Jean saw Scott frowned at her as he boarded a minute later. Jean refused to look at or even speak to him as he walked past her to the cockpit. Lorna and Alex were the last to board. Lorna whispered something to him before Alex looked forward at the empty co-pilot's seat. After another quick word with Lorna, Alex moved up the cabin to take the empty position. Bobby and Warren exchanged confused looks as Alex walked past them. Warren looked back as Lorna sat down next to Jean in the very back. Shaking his head, he exchanged a look with Bobby. Bobby shrugged as he sat back in silence, not wanting to get into the middle of whatever was going on.
"Hey," Lorna whispered as the engines started to roar.
"Hey," Jean grunted, still miffed at Scott's attitude.
"You wanna talk about it?" Lorna asked quietly after they were in the air.
"Not really."
"You sure?" Lorna asked with a concerned face, placing a hand on Jean's arm.
"Besides Scott being a jerk?" Jean asked.
"Well, yeah," Lorna glanced to the cockpit for a second. "What's really going on? You looked awful at the briefing."
"Do you really want to know?" Jean asked in return.
"I want to know what has my friend so spooked," Lorna nodded. "And sitting back here instead of up front as usual."
Jean looked at the others, who were all looking forward. She sighed as she thought about how the Professor had reacted to the images. Jean focused on some of the less disturbing ones. She held her hands at the sides of Lorna's head. "Relax your mind."
Lorna relaxed and closed her eyes. She felt Jean's gentle telepathic touch. Then a barrage of images assaulted her mind. All the pain and torture the people had put the unknown mutant through. Her eyes flew open. Tears gathering in the corners as she swallowed hard. "Oh, dear God!"
"Yeah," Jean sighed. "And those were the mild ones."
"I understand," Lorna hugged her tightly.
"Thanks, Lorna."
"No wonder you're not yourself," Lorna told her. "Did you show Scott?"
"No," Jean huffed. "And I don't plan to. He's being a jerk, again. He can just go on being that way, no matter what the Professor said to him before we left." Jean crossed her arms, sending a glare to the cockpit.
"Jean," Lorna said slowly. She paused to think about what she wanted to say very carefully. "Maybe…maybe it's time you started rethinking your relationship with him."
"I already am, Lorna. I already am," Jean nodded.
"When did this start?" Lorna asked after shooting a glare at the back of Scott's head.
"He's been like this for a couple of months now," answered Jean. "And, believe me, I don't like it! He used to be so sweet, but ever since we professed our love for each other, he's changed. He's been demanding to spend every extra second we have together and he wants to do that alone. If he doesn't get his way, he starts being a jerk, like he is now."
"Is he trying to pressure you into something?" Lorna asked suspiciously.
"I think so," Jean nodded. Lorna flashed Scott another dark look. "But I'm not ready, or willing, to go that far yet. He brought it up once, and I told him not a chance yet. He got mad and left. Since then, I've avoided being alone with him. And now this…I am beyond rethinking it!"
"You know it will awkward for a while if you do break up?" asked Lorna. Jean nodded. "But, I'm here for you, and so is Alex. You know they don't always get along."
"Yeah," chuckled Jean, remembering the brothers squabble over the last piece of toast a few days before.
"We've both noticed it, and neither of us like the way Scott's treating you of late," Lorna placed a hand on Jean's arm. "Say the word, and we will do our best to keep him out of your hair for as long as you need. Even if we have to get Bobby and Warren to help."
"Thanks, Lorna," smiled Jean. "It may come to that. There's more to this mission than what the Professor told everyone. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel a connection to him."
"The one we're going after?" asked a shocked Lorna. Jean nodded. Lorna took a deep breath. "That changes things."
"I know," agreed Jean.
"We'll find him and help him, I promise. You get some rest," Lorna patted her arm. "I'll keep the boys quiet for you."
"Thanks."
XMXMXM
The Blackbird landed in a clearing on the far side of the mountain that overlooked a lake with a large dam complex. As the X-Men climbed down the ramp, they each looked around cautiously. They spread out in a defensive circle a short distance from the jet. Jean's eyes roamed over the forest, but all she could see or sense were trees and wild animals. She felt the life all around her, but there was a feeling of deep, dark sorrow and pain to this place.
"Angel, air recon," Scott ordered in his leader's voice. "Stay as high as possible."
"On it," Warren replied as he spread his large white wings, soaring into the air.
"Marvel Girl, any minds around?" Scott asked over his shoulder. Jean frowned with narrowed eyes. Scott could be really cold while in his leader mode.
"Two guards on each side of the dam, two more at an entrance at the bottom of the ridge," Jean answered after a quick, broader scan with her telepathy. Scott nodded without turning.
"Stick to the trees," Scott ordered as they moved up the ridge.
At the crest, they spread out behind the dense bushes that lined the top. They could see the two guards standing by the bunker-like door. Each held a rifle and had a sidearm on their belts. Jean did a gentle scan, but they didn't know much. As she thought, the guards weren't told what they were guarding. Warren landed a short way behind them. Scott turned, waiting for his report.
"Two at each entrance. The others are too far away from here to react to any noise," Warren told them. "But they do have radios and there are odd drainage pipes all over the place. Some could easily hide a person in and they all have bars and gates."
Scott nodded. He turned back to the guards below them, deep in thought. A plan started to form. He turned to Jean. "Can you put them to sleep with your telepathy?"
"I think so," Jean answered. "I've never it before, but the Professor has taught me how."
"Good," Scott nodded. He turned to the others. "Listen up, Havok, Angel, I want you two to stay out here. Havok, we may need cover fire if we have to run out. Angel, your wings will be a hindrance in there. Go back to the Blackbird, prep it for fast take off. Grab the stun nut launcher, then wait here with Havok."
Alex and Warren both nodded. Warren turned and flew quickly back to the Blackbird.
"Polaris, Iceman, Marvel Girl, and I will go in and get the mutants and any info we can," Scott told them. "Whenever you're ready, Marvel Girl."
Jean concentrated on the two minds by the door. She pushed thoughts of exhaustion and fatigue into their minds. Soon they both yawned before falling to the ground, fast asleep. Scott waved them forward. As they got closer to the door, Jean felt two more minds, just inside. Repeating the thoughts, she felt them slump into a deep sleep.
"Card key," Bobby handed Scott the thin plastic card. Scott nodded.
"Search for any others," he ordered. Bobby and Lorna quickly went through the two guards' pockets. Both shook their heads after a minute. "Let's move."
They entered the bunker, only pausing briefly to search the other two guards. Jean scanned the hallways ahead of them, putting anyone that was too close to them to sleep as they moved deeper into the complex. Lorna found a map on the wall at a checkpoint by another locked door. Scott read the map quickly, pointing down he flashed two fingers to the others when they reached a staircase at the end of the hallway.
They reached the lower levels only to have Jean stop them. She focused on a wide circle from her. Jean had to put three sets of roving guards to sleep quickly as they approached. She scanned the area for any more personnel. Jean felt the room three mutants were being held in. She gave a small whimper as she felt the mutant from her dreams. Scott turned to her with a slight glare, but Jean just looked at him with a frown.
"There's too many," Jean whispered to him. "Six guards, four technicians, and four scientists in that lab along with three mutants."
"Handle as many as you can. Polaris, can you jam their radios while Iceman and I take the rest?" Scott asked. Lorna nodded. "Ready?" They all nodded. "GO!"
All six guards dropped to the floor at once as Jean put them into a deep sleep. Lorna sent a wave of magnetism that jammed the radios and telephones but didn't damage the computers. Scott and Bobby fought with the technicians and scientists, knocking them out quickly.
"Polaris, see if you can revive them from one the computers," Scott ordered. "Iceman, cover the far door with ice and watch this one. Marvel Girl…"
Jean wasn't listening. She had walked over to the third tank where a shorter, muscular man hung in a greenish fluid with a breath mask and strange-looking helmet on his head. He wore a pair of tight shorts only. The helmet was fastened to several box style instruments on a belt around his waist. Lorna looked at her, knowing it was this man Jean had seen in her vision. Jean placed her left hand on the glass, ignoring everything else. She didn't know why, but she was scared that they had damaged him in some way. She stared up at the single red tinted eye cover with so many emotions running through her mind, she startled when Scott placed a hand on her shoulder.
"That him?" Scott asked when Jean looked at him.
"Yes," she answered turning back to the tank. She saw Scott's scornful look from the corner of her eye, but for some reason, Jean just didn't care what he thought.
"Polaris?" Scott turned back to her. "The woman first."
"Bringing the woman out first," Lorna sighed at him, tapping keys. She had a feeling this was not going to go well.
The tank drained as it tilted forward, the top raising up slightly. The woman slid out of the tank limply. Scott removed the helmet from her head quickly while she was still lying on the floor. She groaned as she sat up. Suddenly, she looked up in terror at them. Her eyes darted from one to the other and back. Jean turned and sensed her fragile emotional state. She reached out to the woman with her telepathy gently.
'Don't be afraid,' Jean told her. 'We won't hurt you.'
"Hey, whoa! It's alright. We won't hurt you," Scott told her, unaware Jean was alright talking with her.
'Who are you?'
"Do you understand English?" Scott tried but was ignored.
'We're the X-Men.'
'I have to save my sister! They have her in another installation,' The woman all but cried in Jean's head.
"Her file says she's Blackfoot," Lorna told Scott.
"Marvel Girl, can you translate?" Scott asked as he turned.
'We can help you.'
'No!'
"Marvel Girl?" Scott tried a little louder.
Jean noticed her looking at the third tank, but still ignored Scott. 'You know him?'
'We were in a relationship. They made me deceive him. He'll hate me if he remembers.'
'Then go. We'll take care of him.'
'All of you, or just you?' the women asked Jean as she looked at her with a strange feeling to her thoughts.
"Jean?" Scott asked close to her ear. Seeing he was still being ignored, Scott shook his head and move slowly back to the woman sitting on the floor.
'All of us, but, yes, me.'
'He really is a gentle soul.'
'Keep looking scared and run. The guards are all asleep. Head up the stairs three levels, turn left. The guards there have a key to the locked gate on one of the drains. Good luck.'
'Thank you!'
"We just want help…" Scott tried to soothe her again, reaching out his hand slowly.
"No!" she yelled and ran out the open door quickly before Bobby could stop her.
"Wait…" Scott started, only to sigh in frustration.
"Let her go, Scott," Jean told him calmly. "She was obviously terrified."
Scott frowned at her. Jean ignored him, turning back to the tank. "Next one, Polaris."
"But I think we should…" Lorna began.
"No," Scott bit out. "The center one."
Lorna shook her head with a glare at Scott as he turned back to the tanks. She had a feeling it was a mistake to even let the man in the center tank out, but Scott was team leader. Scott turned back to her with a significant look. Lorna sighed again as she typed in the commands.
Jean heard the motors and gears working, but she was too focused on the man in the last tank. She was looking at his face but didn't notice that his fingers and hands were twitching slightly. Hidden by the breath mask, Jean didn't see the snarl on his lips as the tank beside her opened. Jean saw the tank next to her out of the corner of her eye as it leaned forward, but not that the occupant was awake and tensing his body to leap out at the right moment. She heard a roar from above her as the large man in the tank leaped out over her head. Just as Jean turned to defend herself, one of Bobby's ice beams covered the floor under the snarling monster of a man as he landed ten feet from her.
His fingernails looked more like the talons of a large lion or tiger. He had a thick layer of blondish hair over his whole body, with large tufts at his elbows and on his shoulders, making him look even more savage and wild. Sharp fangs shown from his upturned lips as he growled a predatory snarl at her. His eyes were hidden in the helmet that all three of them had on their heads. Jean saw as his nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply a few times. She realized that he must have enhanced senses, like a wild dog or big cat.
The beast of a man stepped forward, suddenly, only to slip on the ice as a red beam of energy struck him. He was slammed into the opposite wall with a long gash across his side that was bleeding heavily but stayed on his feet, the helmet flying off with the impact. He ripped the belt off with an easy swipe of his hand. He only gave the others a short glance before turning his attention back to Jean. The look in his black eyes made her freeze. He let a roar that sent chills down Jean's spine. When he leaped at Jean again, Lorna sent a wave of magnetism at him with such force he left a full body dent in the wall behind him. He finally dropped to the floor unconscious, much to Jean's relief. They stared at him as his wound closed before their eyes.
Taking a deep, calming breath, Jean went to turn back to the third tank. Scott suddenly grabbed her arms roughly, turning her to face him with a stern gaze. Jean was surprised by the anger he was radiating. It almost didn't seem natural, as something else was fueling the emotion. Jean looked at his face closely, seeing a shadow cross it for a brief second.
"What are you doing?" he half-shouted at her. He gave her a shake. "Wake up! You said yourself we don't know what shape their minds are in."
"Shut up, Scott!" Jean glared at him as she pushed him back sharply. "You have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Enlighten me!" Scott yelled, stepping to within inches of her. He pointed over to the wall. "Your inattention nearly cost you your life!"
"I was trying to assess his condition," Jean hollered back, shoving Scott back again, she pointed at the third tank. "It was him I saw. It is him we came after. Not those two, Scott! The Professor said help all of them, but you gave the order to start with the woman, not the man we came after! So, if you want to point a finger at someone, point it at yourself!"
"Whatever. Pay more attention," Scott frowned. He turned back to Lorna, who was glaring at him as well. "Let's get this over with."
Jean stepped back a bit as the tank tilted. Halfway through the opening cycle, the man inside jumped out, landing five feet in front of Jean. She saw as his nostrils flared, sniffing the air. He growled turning to the spot where the other mutant had just been. Jean was astonished that she didn't even notice that the large man had slipped away, or even when. The man in front of her growled more menacingly as Scott stepped forward.
"Scott, stop!" Jean ordered, never taking her eyes off the mutant in front of her. "Back off! He sees you as a threat."
"What are talking…" Scott started but stopped as the mutant flexed his forearms. Three silver metal blades extended from each hand as he growled aggressively at Scott. He gulped, backing up slowly. "Got it. But what about you?"
"He doesn't see me as a threat," Jean told him with absolute certainty. She turned back to the man as he stared at her with a confused look on his lower face. "Shh. It's okay."
"Jean…" Scott started again as he heard a low growl from the man.
"Get your hand away from your visor!" Jean ordered without facing him. Scott slowly lowered his arm. "Bobby, go back to the door. Lorna, stay put."
Waiting for her friends to comply, Jean watched the man in front of her as he followed their movements. Jean slowly approached him, sending calming thoughts to him telepathically. He turned back to her, tilting his head slightly. Jean noticed his nose twitching, sniffing the air, and slowly raised her left hand after she pulled her glove off.
"You want to scent me, don't you?" Jean asked very quietly. She stood very still as he sniffed her hand. He looked up, tilting his head to the side again.
"Here, a little show of trust," Jean told him quietly as she slowly removed her mask.
"Jean, what are you doing?" Scott all but yelled.
"Shut up, Scott!" Jean growled at him. The mutant turned his head in Scott's direction, his body tensing to pounce. "Shh, it's okay. It's alright."
He turned back to Jean, visibly relaxing.
"See? I won't hurt you," Jean reassured him with a quiet voice. "Can I take that helmet off of you, so you can see better?"
He stood very still as Jean slowly reached up with both hands, placing them on the helmet. She slowly and carefully lifted it off his head, being mindful to keep her arms as visible as possible to him. Jean held the helmet carefully as she saw the tubes and wires were still attached to several instruments and technical things that were on a heavy belt around his waist.
"Here, let me just take that belt off, too," Jean quietly pointed to it.
Cautiously pushing on the release, Jean watched as the belt fell to the floor. She looked horrified as she noticed that most of the electronics were still attached to him by tubes that were sunk deep into his sides and back. Before Jean could say anything, he retracted two of the blades on one hand, slicing through the tubes. Jean and the others watched mesmerized as the tubes and wires were pushed out of his body. Blood ran from the many holes in his sides and back, but as Jean was about to step closer to help him, the holes began to close and heal rapidly. Jean stared wide-eyed as he grunted a few times as he leaned forward holding his waist. He stood again looking at Jean with mostly black eyes, but his irises were lined with a thin ring of blue on the outer edge.
"That's better, isn't it?" Jean smiled kindly at him. He grunted in reply with the smallest ghost of a smile. "Now, let's get you out here. Do you want to come with me? I can help you get better."
He grunted again with the same sound. Jean took it as an affirmation and nodded with a smile. She slowly stepped forward, placing a hand softly on his cheek. "You poor man. What did they do to you?" she asked in a whisper. He gave her a very sorrowful look.
"Are you done?" Scott grumbled loudly. Jean shot him a glare. The mutant growling slightly. Scott glared back but turned to the others. "Good, let's go. Iceman, grab the helmet and belt. Polaris, are you done with the computer?"
"Just finished," she answered with an icy tone.
"Good. Let's move."
"Scott, you and Bobby lead us out," Jean advised.
"Why?" Scott asked as he turned back to her with an angry look.
"Because he doesn't trust you," Jean stated. "Lorna, come over here slowly."
Lorna slowly approached Jean and the mutant.
"She's going to walk behind us, so no one can attack us from there, okay?" Jean told him a soothing voice still rubbing his cheek. She glanced at Lorna as she stopped a few feet from them. "Take your glove off, slowly. Hold out your hand, palm down. Let him smell you."
"You act like he's a dog," Scott complained.
"Wolf, actually," Jean stated. "He has hyper-senses like a wolf. That's where his mind is right now. Mostly animal instinct, thanks to these so-called scientists." They could all hear the disdain and disgust in Jean's voice. Lorna stepped closer with her hand out. He sniffed her, tilting his head slightly. "See, she okay. She'll watch our backs."
The mutant gave a snort but then grunted in acceptance. He turned with a glare and slight growl toward Scott and Bobby.
"Shh, it's okay. They'll lead us out so you can keep an eye on them," Jean simpered as she placed her hand back on his cheek. "They won't hurt you. We have two more of our pack outside that are waiting for us. They won't hurt you either."
"Let's go," Scott sighed waving Bobby to take the lead as he finished stuffing the gear into a bag. Scott half turned to Jean at the door. "Make sure he doesn't attack us from behind."
"Just go, Scott," warned Jean with a glare. She turned back to Lorna. "Stay about five to ten feet behind us." Lorna nodded. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
Bobby smirked at her over his shoulder as he stepped out into the corridor. Jean could tell Scott was silently fuming as he followed Bobby. Jean really didn't care what Scott thought at the moment, he was being a jerk again and a drama queen. It took a little convincing on Jean's part, but she finally got the man to climb the stairs with her. They cautiously ascended the stairwell to the ground floor two levels above. Jean scanned for other minds or the minds of the guards as they went but still found them to be fast asleep. Finally, they made it to the bunker door.
"There's the other two I told you about," Jean told the mutant as they walked up the ridge. HE growled at Alex and Warren, but both of them took a few steps back slowly. "See, they won't hurt you. We came to help you escape."
"Marvel Girl, wake the guards and tell them to evacuate," Scott ordered. With a nod, Jean concentrated on the personnel of the base. Implanting a need for an immediate evacuation. Soon they saw soldiers, technicians, and scientists fleeing in almost every direction.
"It's empty," Jean informed Scott a few minutes later.
"Good," Scott nodded. "Havok, help me blow this place to bits."
"With pleasure!" Alex nodded.
The brothers stood at the top of the ridge, both letting their powers build as they took aim. With a sudden burst of red and yellow-white energy, the ground trembled with enough force the trees began to shake. A great upheaval of dirt and concrete rained down everywhere as a chain of explosions rock the ground.
At the first sound of the loud noises, the mutant had covered his ears and crouch close behind Jean. She wrapped his head in her arms as she knelt down with him. Jean stroked his hair reassuringly as she sent calming thoughts into his mind. She whispered words of comfort into his ear as he trembled in fear. Lorna stood close by with a magnetic shield around them to keep them safe. She looked over at the others, seeing only an ice dome around them. Once everything, except the sound of rushing water, was calm, Lorna dropped her shield. Her face was sweaty and pale, her breathing coming in heavily pants.
Alex came over to Lorna, helping her stagger into the Blackbird. Scott helped Warren and Bobby break the ice dome before they walked up the ramp. Jean made sure they were all on board before guiding the man up the ramp as well. She sat him down in the back before hitting the button to close the ramp.
"It's okay," Jean told him quickly as he looked panicked. "I need to strap you in before we can take off." She projected the straps as a help to hold him from being hurt. He whimpered unsure as she clicked the clasp closed. Jean sat down beside him, fastening her own straps, giving Alex a quick thumbs up to let him know they were ready. When Jean turned back to him, he looked at her with wide eyes as they felt the Blackbird liftoff. Jean had to giggle a little as his thoughts reached her.
"No, we were not eaten by a giant bird," Jean smiled at him. She noticed the dog tags around his neck for the first time. She pointed to them. "May I see what's on them?"
He looked at her confused but stayed still as she slowly took the tags into her hands. One tag read "Logan" with a nine-digit number under it, the other simply read "Wolverine". Jean looked up with a soft smile on her face. She could finally put a name to his face.
"It says your name is Logan," she told him. A brief glimmer of recognition flashed in his eyes and mind. "Hi, Logan. I'm Jean." A grin spread across his face as he stared at her.
The safe altitude chime rang. Jean slowly unclasped her straps, then slowly reached over, undoing Logan's. Jean glanced back up the cabin as Lorna walked tiredly back to them.
"Hey," Lorna smiled softly as she slowly held her hand out.
"His name is Logan," Jean told her. "You remember Lorna."
"Hi, Logan," Lorna smiled tiredly at him.
Logan sniffed Lorna's hand lightly. He looked up with a calm look as Lorna continued to smile at him. Logan's eyes shifted to Lorna's right as he gave a low growl. Lorna turned seeing Alex approaching. She held her hand up, telling him to slow down and hold his hand up.
"He's alright, Logan," Jean soothed him. Logan sniffed Alex's outstretched hand, but still gave a slight growl. "That's Lorna's…mate."
Lorna's eyes grew wide as she looked at Jean for her choice of words. Jean could only shrug. Alex had a self-satisfied grin on his face that made Jean giggle. Logan looked at Jean with an odd expression. She could feel he liked hearing her laugh.
"I just wanted to check on you two," Lorna told her with a frown at Alex. "I'm gonna get some rest."
"Alright," Jean replied.
Before they could leave, Bobby walked back slowly.
"This the one you saw, Jean?" he asked as he raised his hand slowly.
"Yeah. Logan, this Bobby. He's more of a…cub then adult," Jean grinned, looking at Logan. He had a smirk on his face as he sniffed Bobby's hand. Logan gave a playful growl and snapped at his hand, making Bobby jump back. Bobby landed hard on his rear, making them laugh. "Logan," Jean smiled at him. "That wasn't very nice. Funny, but not nice."
"And painful," Bobby complained as he stood rubbing his backside. "What'd he do that for?"
"He was playing with you, Bobby," Jean stated. "Apparently, he likes my laugh."
"Well, ha-ha, jokes on me," Bobby frowned as he walked back to his seat.
"You can keep that up as long as you want, Logan," Alex smiled. Logan gave him an approving grunt.
"Don't encourage him," scolded Jean. Alex only smirked with a shrug, leading Lorna back to their seats.
Logan yawned suddenly. He leaned his head on Jean's shoulder. Jean looked at him with a smile as she wrapped her arm around his shoulder. It was progress, slow, but progress. Jean looked up as she felt eyes on her. Scott stood still by the pilot's chair, frozen, with a look of anger on his face. Jean narrowed her eyes and glared back at him. She was not going to let him dictate her life any more than leading the team. Jean didn't know why, but she felt it was the best choice she had ever made.