Chapter 3: The Wild Man
Professor Charles Xavier watched as the Blackbird landed in the hanger under his mansion. He scanned his students' minds gently before the plane settled onto the ground to get a feel for their moods. He could sense Bobby and Warren were slightly confused, Alex and Lorna were tired but otherwise happy. Jean was relieved to be home. Scott's anger and hostility were what concerned him. The young man had been upset before they had left, and it had only grown. Charles frowned in thought, wondering what could be the cause of his team leader's dark emotions. Charles considered a few passing thoughts he had overheard the last few months from the others, Jean's in particular, and was concerned further. Scott was not acting like himself of late. But he had to put those thoughts to the side for now as the ramp lowered.
Bobby and Warren exited the Blackbird with cheerful expressions as they greeted the Professor. Charles wondered what their confusion could be about as the young mutants approached him. They stopped to chat for a short minute, giving no indication that they had any confused thoughts before they left to change and rest before dinner. Charles looked up with concern as Scott walked down the ramp with a deep frown and was clearly angry. He turned back at the bottom of the ramp, spoke something back into the plane, only to turn again shaking his head with pinched lips.
"Lighten up, big brother," Alex called to Scott loudly as he and Lorna walked down the ramp hand in hand.
"Whatever, Alex," Scott shot back over his shoulder. "I didn't ask for your opinion."
"Stop acting like a twelve-year-old," Alex bit back with a look of disgust.
"Fuck off, Alex!" Scott growled as he turned back to his brother. Alex let go of Lorna's hand to come closer to Scott. Both were posturing to have a fight as they glared at each other.
"Cyclops, a word," Charles interjected quickly. Scott turned with a frown as he began to stalk over to Charles. "Havok, Polaris, please go change and rest."
"Yes, Professor," Lorna nodded, pulling Alex with her before he could start fighting with Scott. They had discovered early on when Alex and Lorna had first joined the team, that the brothers' powers didn't hurt the other, only charged their powers more. This led to numerous fistfights between them. During one such fight, Warren had tried to separate them and received a black eye for his trouble. They all knew it was better to separate them before they came to blows by now.
"Cyclops, your report, please," demanded Charles, to keep Scott's attention away from the retreating couple as Scott watched them leave. Each brother shot the other a dirty look as Alex and Lorna exited the hanger.
"It could have gone better," Scott sighed as he turned back to his mentor.
"How so?" Charles asked calmly.
"We freed all three of them that were there, but only one came back with us."
"I see," Charles nodded. "Continue."
"There was one woman, and two men. The woman ran off looking terrified," Scott shook his head as he crossed his arms. "The first male we freed acted like a wild animal. He was almost cat-like, even had claws for fingernails to match."
"I see. We will have to be mindful of him in the future, no doubt," Charles agreed thoughtfully.
"The other one wasn't much better," Scott sneered in utter disgust. "He acts like he's a dog or something."
"Scott, you have no idea what those people put them through," chastised Charles. "They tore their very minds apart, only leaving them basic animal instincts. That does not mean they are not human. Under conditions like that, it is a way of the mind to help survive. Your mind would do the same. You cannot judge these mutants on what was done to them."
"Well, the first man attacked without warning. Jean was too focused on the other one and almost got herself killed. We had to knock him out to save her, but he slipped away while we were dealing with the one Jean brought back with us," Scott continued bitterly. He shook his head again, giving the Blackbird a fervent look. "He came out of the tank growling and ready to attack as well. He has these metal blades that come out of his hands that look sharp enough to cut through steel. How they got there is beyond me, but he's the same way. All animal, no human."
"As I told you, Scott," Charles reminded him again. "They tortured them."
'Professor, we're ready to come out, but Logan really does not like Scott,' Jean's thoughts sounded in Charles mind. 'Please ask him to leave.'
'One moment, please, Jean,' he answered her mentally. "Scott, we will continue the debriefing later. Go change and rest."
"Yes, sir," Scott said through gritted teeth as he shot a heated look back at the Blackbird.
Charles watched the young man leave and could only shake his head. Scott was definitely out of sorts lately. Charles turned back as Jean walked backward down the ramp slowly, coaxing the mutant to follow her. His wild black hair came into view as well as his face. His muscular body seemed tense, wary. His head and eyes darting back and forth quickly, taking in the hanger. Charles then considered what the man had been through to break his mind this way. The pain and torture alone would kill a normal human. He had every right to feel scared of a new environment.
"Come on. It's alright," Jean spoke softly to him. "This is part of your new home. This is where the plane is kept. We live elsewhere."
Charles observed as the mutant gave the Blackbird a fearful look over his hunched shoulder as he stepped off the ramp. Charles heard him growl and snap once at the plane, making Jean giggle slightly. The mutant turned back to her with a tilted head and the ghost of a smile. Charles thought that was most interesting. He could tell, in just this short time, Jean had earned his trust.
"We need to meet someone," Jean told him, placing a hand lightly on his cheek. "He's our…teacher…and…father figure."
The man tilted his head, confused. Jean bit softly on her lower lip, thinking. Charles sensed her thoughts as she projected a male wolf with cubs to him. Charles heard a grunt and saw a slight nod as he looked like he understood. Jean motioned him to stay where he was for a moment before turning to Charles and walking over slowly.
"Hi, Professor," Jean smiled.
"Hello, Jean," Charles greeted her with a smile. "Is he the one?"
"Yes," Jean nodded.
"Please, introduce me."
"Hold out your hand, palm down," Jean instructed him, before turning. "Logan, come meet the Professor."
The man approached slowly, walking more on his hands and knees than his feet. Cautiously, he leaned forward, nose flaring as he sniffed Charles' hand. He proceeded to circle the man's wheelchair, sniffing loudly with a curious expression. Charles followed him with his eyes as the man knelt by Jean again, giving her a questioning look.
"Oh, the wheelchair," Jean realized. "He…is an injured…elder of the pack. The high alpha."
As Jean spoke, Charles picked up the pictures she was sending him of an elder wolf that stays behind to guard the den while the young hunted. He looked back to Charles with his head tilted for a moment. He turned back to Jean. Charles looked startled as he picked up on the image of a wounded wolf being protected by the pack. Jean smiled and nodded at him. He gave a grunt and a small nod.
"Professor, this is Logan," Jean finished the introduction.
"It's nice to meet you, Logan," Charles smiled and spoke softly. "I assume he is only truly comfortable with you?"
"Afraid so, Professor," Jean answered. "That's part of Scott's problem."
"I see," Charles nodded. "Well, let's get him settled. The power testing room to the right of the Danger Room is set up for him until we can return some of his humanity."
"Thank you, sir," Jean nodded, motioning Logan to follow her.
Unseen by them, Scott turned away from the open door to hurry down to the changing room with a grumbled curse on his lips.
XMXMXM
Jean led Logan into a large room that was covered in plants and trees. Dirt and grass covered the floor making it seem like a small nook in a larger forest. The only manmade things in the room were a chair and a bed from the infirmary in the corner. The observation window was disguised as a large painting of a forest with a river and mountains in the background. Logan looked around the room confused, not understanding how a part of the forest could be inside a building.
"The Professor had this room set up so you would feel more at home until we can help you more," Jean told him. Logan looked at her, still unsure. "Those people hurt your mind, Logan. The Professor and I can help you heal."
Jean knelt down placing a gentle hand on his cheek. She projected a few of the images from her dream to him. She heard him whimper and pulled him into a hug. She swallowed hard as she heard the fear and sadness in his voice. Tears welled in her eyes, but she held them back for now.
Jean sent images of her and the Professor trying to undo some of the pain. Logan slowly understood and nuzzled her neck. Jean could feel that he felt absolutely safe and comfortable with her. She was surprised when he wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug. Jean had to smile when she felt safe in his arms as well. She knew it had to be the connection she had felt between them since that first dream. She fought back the urge to cry again there on his shoulder for the pain he had gone through. It wasn't the right time to break down again. Jean pulled away to look at him again.
"Why don't you have a look around," Jean swallowed as two tears escaped her eyes. She was even more surprised when Logan reached up, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Jean smiled when she looked into his concerned eyes. "I'm okay. Go on."
Slowly, Logan let go of her as he backed away, but kept eye contact until he was slightly out of Jean's reach. Logan turned as he began sniffing around the room, walking around slowly. As he came to one of the trees, he extracted his claws. Jean tilted her head slightly confused as to what he was doing at first. Logan swung his arm in a short slash, leaving three shallow cuts in the bark. Jean understood immediately. He was marking his territory.
Logan went around to all the trees, repeating the marks. He reached the chair and bed, sniffing uncertainly as he encircled them. Logan reached out, touching the chair, making it wobble a little. His curious look at Jean made her realized he was wondering why they were there. Jean projected her and the Professor helping him again. Satisfied, he scratched the paint on the chair and bed with his claws. As soon as he was done, he returned to her side, looking tired again.
"Go ahead and sleep. I'll be back a little later," she smiled at him. "I need to shower and change anyway."
He grunted with a yawn. Logan then nuzzled her hand, not wanting her to leave.
"I'll be back, I promise," Jean stroked his hair.
Logan gave her a hopeful whine, before looking at the door with a frightened look. Jean winced slightly with the strength of the fear in him. He didn't want to be caged in; it drove him insane to be in an enclosed area with no way to get out. Jean knelt down again with a reassuring look on her face.
"And don't worry about the door," Jean placed a hand on his cheek. "It will be closed so the others don't get in and disturb you, okay? It's not to cage you in. You have the whole room to roam around in."
With another grunt and yawn, Logan wondered off to the small bushes to the left of the door. Jean watched him curl up as he got comfortable and fell asleep before she left.
XMXMXM
"Just relax," Charles told Logan as he tried to enter his mind as he lay on the bed in his forested room. Charles leaned forward, over Logan's head.
Logan growled a deep, menacing snarl. Charles sighed sitting back. Jean stepped forward placing a hand on his cheek, and Logan calmed immediately. Jean sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning close. Charles looked thoughtfully at the interaction as Jean spoke softly to Logan. It had been three weeks since Logan had arrived, with no progress in repairing his mind. It was not for lack of trying, but Logan seemed to block out any and all attempts by Charles to help him or he would growl before Charles could even start. Charles nodded to himself as he made a decision.
"Jean," he spoke softly to her. "I believe we need to do two things to help Logan."
"Yes, Professor?" Jean asked as she turned to him from soothing Logan, but kept her hand on his cheek.
"First, I would like to observe how Logan interacts with the rest of the team," Charles began. "We need to begin to get him comfortable with others, not just you. No, I don't mean having the others do as much for him as you do. That I know is not possible. I just want him to feel comfortable with the others as well as you."
"Alright," Jean answered. "But I'll warn you again, he does not like Scott."
"I understand. One or two interactions with Scott should give me the information I need," Charles nodded. "Second, he still refuses to let me into his mind. I believe he would be comfortable with you trying. Therefore, I would like to begin to train you to help to reconstruct his mind."
"Alright, Professor," Jean nodded.
"We will begin after dinner, and maybe by the day after tomorrow we can finally have some progress," Charles nodded. "I'm going to watch from the observation room while I send the others in one at a time."
Charles left without another word. Jean had a sneaking suspicion he would send Scott in first. Jean shook her head. Charles could be so incorrigible at times. It was a trait that got on her nerves at times, and this was one of them. Jean had warned Charles repeatedly that Logan didn't like Scott, and she could tell Scott didn't like Logan. This was going to be a disaster. The others, with the exception of Warren, had already met Logan, so his reaction to them was predictable, but meeting Scott was not going to end well.
Logan moved off to do something in the far corner as Jean walked toward the door. Jean had the feeling she was going to have to intervene when Scott arrived. She sighed as the door opened and Scott walked in.
"Hey," Scott greeted her. "So, this is where you've been hiding from me."
"Not now, Scott," Jean sighed in frustration.
Suddenly, a loud growl sounded around the room. Jean snapped her head toward the back as Logan leaped out of the bushes with his claws extended, looking totally angry. Jean grabbed him with her telekinesis holding him in the air, stepping between Logan and Scott. Logan all but roared in Scott's direction as he took a step toward Jean.
"I think you should leave, Scott," Jean grunted as she felt Logan struggling to get free.
"Still an animal, I see," scoffed Scott. "But who are you protecting? Him or me?"
"Leave, Scott!" Jean glared at him.
"Fine. Come find me when you want to talk," Scott huffed before stalking out of the room.
Jean glared at the door as it closed. She had no intention of finding and talking to Scott at the moment. Jean turned back, gently placing Logan on the floor, kneeling down as he came over to her.
"It's okay. It's alright," she soothed him. Logan huffed a little, giving her a look of displeasure. "I don't want you two to fight over me."
Logan grunted, looking away. Jean placed a hand on his cheek, turning him to look at her. "Hey, where am I? Hm? Did I leave with him?" Logan looked down. "I'm right here. You have nothing to be angry about."
Logan sighed, nuzzling her hand again.
"Hey, Jean," Lorna spoke softly from the door. "Hi, Logan."
Logan growled slightly, but let Lorna approach. She raised her hand, letting him smell her again.
"Yeah, you remember Lorna," Jean smiled. Logan nuzzled Lorna's hand slightly in acceptance of her presence. Lorna smiled as she stroked his hair.
"Still going slow?" Lorna asked.
"Yeah," Jean sighed. "He won't let the Professor into his mind. The Professor thinks that Logan may let me in to do it, but he needs to train me a little."
Lorna nodded. "Just so you know, Warren's next."
Jean nodded. Lorna waved as she left. Jean took a deep breath; this might be as bad as Scott coming in. She knew Warren had a crush on her at one time but wasn't sure how he felt anymore. Jean steeled herself for another adverse reaction from Logan as the door opened.
"Hiya, Jean," smiled Warren as he walked in slowly with his hand out.
Logan growled at him menacingly, narrowing his eyes. Warren froze, not wanting to push his luck. Jean placed a hand on Logan's chest, making shushing sounds.
"Shh. He's a friend," Jean reassured Logan. Jean was surprised when Logan projected a new male wolf trying to steal a female from another. "No, Warren is a friend, not a rival."
"I see her as a little sister, not as a…" Warren stated softly.
Jean projected siblings to Logan, who turned to her with a grunt. He turned back to Warren, sniffing him and looking questioningly at his wings. Looking back at Jean, Logan projected an image that made her giggle but nod. Logan returned to her side as she tried to hide her amusement.
"What's so funny?" Warren asked.
"He thinks you're the baby bird to the Blackbird," Jean snorted.
"I'm…" Warren stammered. "Baby…"
Jean nodded, trying and failing not to laugh. Logan gave a chortle that sounded like a laugh to Jean.
"Bobby's next," Warren grumbled as he left.
Jean watched as Logan recognized the name and ran off into the brush. Jean looked at the bush he had disappeared behind with a curious gaze. Absently, she scratched her left arm as Bobby entered.
"Hey, Jean."
"Hi, Bobby," Jean looked up, still wondering what Logan was up to.
"Where's Logan?" Bobby asked as he looked around warily.
"I'm not sure," Jean answered, confused. "He was right here a minute ago."
Suddenly, Logan appeared behind Bobby, giving him a loud snort and growl in his ear. Bobby jumped, squealing like a young girl, and fell over onto the dirt-covered floor. He rolled over swiftly into a sitting position, breathing heavily as he heard Jean laughing and Logan's grunted laughter above him.
"Logan! Stop scaring Bobby!" Jean laughed, trying to sound stern.
"Again?" Bobby whined. Shaking his head as he stood.
"Well, at least he has a sense of humor," Jean tried.
"Twisted," Bobby groaned. "Alex is next."
Bobby walked carefully toward the door, watching Logan the whole time. Just as he was about to step out, Logan snapped playfully at him, making Bobby jump backwards through the door. Bobby sighed as Jean and Logan laughed again.
"Yeah, just pick on the youngest," Bobby complained as the door closed.
"Logan, don't do that," Jean scolded him with a smile. Logan made a shrugging motion, telling her he would keep doing it to make her laugh. Jean sighed as she placed a hand on his cheek. "What am I going to do with you?"
Jean could sense the others' amusement coming from the observation room, even the Professor's, and Bobby's annoyance at being the object of everyone's laughter, again. The only one she didn't sense was Scott. Curious, she reached out, feeling him outside the mansion by the lake, brooding. Jean sensed his dark thoughts and had to frown. He was thinking of her as his property. Jean was not impressed by those thoughts and withdrew. She would deal with him later.
Sensing her change in mood, Logan nuzzled her hand. Jean looked into his eyes, seeing only respect for her independence and individuality. Seeing that only endeared her more to the man in front of her. Jean smiled softly at him, feeling a blush color her cheeks.
"How you doing, Jean?" Alex asked from the door. Jean startled and gasped. Logan growled as he looked at Alex. "Hey, whoa. Sorry."
"It's alright, Alex," Jean told him. "Behave, Logan. You remember Alex."
"Yeah, Lorna's…mate," Alex held out his hand. "Didn't mean to startle you or Jean."
Logan growled slightly, but let Alex approach.
"We have something in common, pal," Alex nodded as he spoke gently to Logan. Logan looked at him with a questioning look. "We both don't like my brother much."
Jean projected brother wolves snarling at each other. Logan grunted, understanding.
"So, how's it coming?" Alex asked.
"This is as much as we've been able to accomplish," Jean admitted with a sigh. "He won't let the Professor into his mind."
"I'm sure he'll let you do it, Jean," Alex nodded.
"That's what the Professor thinks, too," Jean nodded as Logan nuzzled her hand again. She stroked through his hair before turning back to Alex. "But I have some training to do first."
Alex nodded. "The Prof said were done for the day. I'm gonna head to the changing room before dinner."
"Alright, see you then," Jean waved. "I'll be back a little later than normal tonight."
Logan whimpered sadly.
"Don't do that," Jean stroked his cheek. "The Professor has some training for me to do so I can help you."
Logan whimpered again.
"I will be back, I promise," Jean smiled. "You go play while I'm gone, okay?"
Logan huffed before nuzzling her hand again.
As Jean left for the changing room her mind focused on Logan's reactions to her teammates. Scott was naturally viewed as a rival, but Jean was really thinking that would change soon. Lorna was a female, so Logan reacted as gentle as possible. Jean was intrigued. Logan viewed Lorna in a different way than her, almost as if it was a sisterly view. Bobby was a cub. Warren, that was still a mystery. Alex, he tolerated to a point. Charles was an elder and needed protection. Logan must view life in the position of a pack. But what did that make her? Absently, Jean sat on the bench scratching her arm as her birthmark began to itch again.
XMXMXM
"Come in, Jean."
"Good evening, Professor," Jean nodded as she entered.
"Have a seat," he indicated the chair in front of his desk. "We are going to train in the astral plane. It will be far easier and faster. I will project the process to you after we arrive, show you an example on how to do it, and allow you to try on that sample. Do you understand?" Jean nodded. "Relax your mind."
"Yes, sir," Jean answered as she closed her eyes.
Jean focused on her telepathy, felt a rush of movement, then opened her eyes again. Looking around, she saw the Professor standing to one side of the stone platform.
"Very good, Jean," he smiled. "Come this way. I will show you the process first."
After an intense few seconds of instruction, mentally, Charles waved his hand at the shattered pieces around them. Nodding at Jean to try, she waved her hand only to have all the pieces repair themselves into a giant screen of pictures.
"Well done, Jean," Charles smiled. "However, depending on how many and what they consist of, Logan's may not be so easy."
"I understand," Jean nodded. Charles looked at her in surprise, her voice sounded different. "What is it, Professor?"
"Jean, your eyes…their…glowing," Charles breathed. Jean blinked, her eyes returning to normal. "It is always a teachers' ambition to have their students surpass them in knowledge and power."
"Professor?" Jean asked as he paused for a long moment.
"I believe you shall do both very soon," Charles smiled. "Come, let's head back to our bodies."
After blinking her eyes again, Jean found herself back in Xavier's office looking at her mentor.
"That was…" Jean breathed.
"Exhilarating?" Charles asked. Jean nodded. "Yes, it can be. But I caution you, using the astral plane can be dangerous. It is not to be taken lightly. There are unseen and un-sensed dangers."
"I understand, Professor," Jean paused. "May I try to start with Logan tonight?"
"I would prefer that you waited until tomorrow morning; however, I can sense a need in you to discover answers sooner rather than later," Charles admitted.
"I can't explain it, Professor," Jean took a deep breath. "It's like the connection I feel to him. I just can't explain it."
"Very well," Charles nodded. "He will need sleep after, maybe it will bring him some peace. I know you have sensed his nightmares as well."
"That may be the reason that I feel I need to get started," Jean agreed as she bit her lip, looking away from the Professor.
"Very well," Charles nodded. "Good luck."
XMXMXM
Jean entered the room Logan was using, looking around for him. She reached out with her mind feeling him trying to sneak up on her. Before she could react, his arms gently encircled her waist as he nuzzled her neck.
"Hi, Logan," Jean giggled. She turned as he let go. "I told you, I'd be back."
Logan knelt down grinning in that feral way of being happy.
"Come over here," Jean took his hand, leading him over to the bed. "Lay down up here."
Logan tilted his head at her as she patted the top.
"I'm done with my training," she told him. Sighing as he hesitated, Jean changed her mind about the bed. She sat down on the floor, patting her lap instead. "Alright, lay your head here."
Logan didn't hesitate this time. Jean smiled as he made himself comfortable.
"Now, I need you to relax your mind. I'm going to try and start the process of helping you, okay?" Jean asked. He gave her a scared look. "I won't hurt you; I promise. Just relax."
Logan took a deep breath, allowing Jean to feel his mind. Jean looked into his eyes for a moment until they both slowly closed them. Jean felt the rush of herself being pulled into his mind. As her eyes opened in his mindscape, she gasped at the shattered remnants of his memories and mind. Looking over to the corner of the platform, Jean saw Logan cowering away from everything with his arms covering his head.
"Logan," she spoke softly. "It's alright. Come over here with me."
Jean knelt down as he scurried over to her gripping her close. His inner self was scared and trembling. It was worse than she had imagined. She stroked over his head in the way she always did, in reality, to calm him down. Slowly, Logan relaxed into her arms.
"Better?" Jean asked. Logan nodded. "Good. Now, let's see if we can't make some kind of order in here."
Jean looked around, thinking of the best place to start. A fragment with red hair caught her eye. It looked to be the oldest from the color around the edges. The fragment had a tarnished edge to it as if it was an antique. Raising her hand, she waved it at that fragment, pulling the connecting edges back together. With a rush of wind, the shattered pieces flew back together. A rush of thoughts entered her mind as she and Logan were pulled into the memories.
A young boy greeted a young redheaded girl outside of a large manor in the middle of nowhere. Another boy watched from the field with a sneer. A man that looked like Logan stood by the back of the house with a glare. A man in very nice clothes smiled from the door. A dark-haired woman stood in an upstairs window with a worried look. An older man stood in a window on the ground floor with a frown etched on his face.
The seen changed. The older boy trying to assault the redhead, the younger one coming to her rescue. Time sped forward. The young boy was a little older, around twelve. His father called him James. Spoke to the girl named Rose. Sneered at the older boy who they called Dog. Tried to talk to a crying woman named Elizabeth. James spoke to her, calling her mother.
Time sped forward again. It was nighttime. Loud voices awoke the boy. He ran from his room. The man that looked like Logan was holding a shotgun pointed at his father. His mother screaming for them to stop. James came running down the stairs as his mother tried to stop him from getting in between the two men. A loud shot rang out. His father fell. James screamed. Bone claws erupted from the backs of his hands. He charged the other man, stabbing him. Before the man died, he spoke the truth to James. The other man wasn't his father, he was. Terror filled James' eyes. He turned to his mother, but his mother called him an animal, a monster. James ran. As he ran another gunshot rang out, but James kept running. It was later that night that Rose found him. But they didn't go back, they ran.
Years sped by in the blink of an eye. A mining colony. James looked more like Logan. Rose watched him as he worked, speaking to the foreman. Time sped up again. A fight. James, who people were cheering for, was being called Logan. Rose saying goodbye to Logan as she left with the foreman. Dog arriving and starting a fight with Logan. Rage filling Logan as he fought Dog. His claws sliding out of his hand. Rose breaking through the crowd, running into the claws. Rose using his full name, James Logan Howlett, to tell him she loved him as she lay still. Logan running away.
Jean caught something in the memories. Rose had a birthmark in the same place as hers. At certain times, Rose looked around with fiery eyes. Rose's eyes glowed the same fiery orange shortly after she stopped breathing. Everything froze. Jean watched shocked as Rose sat up, the holes becoming scars. Rose stood, watching as Logan ran into the woods with tears in her eyes before leaving the crowd of frozen people. She looked so familiar to Jean for some reason. Everything had looked familiar for some reason.
Suddenly, Jean opened her eyes and gasped. Logan stared at her with wide eyes, breathing in pants. Both blinking rapidly as they caught their breath.
"Thank you," Logan said hoarsely.
Jean looked at him in surprise. "You're welcome, James."
He looked at her with a tired frown. "Ne'er liked James. Prefer Logan."
"Hi, Logan," Jean smiled at him. "I'm Jean."
"How ya doin', darlin'?" Logan smiled back, placing a hand on her cheek.
Jean giggled, blushing. "Sleep. You need it."
Logan nodded. Jean readjusted to be more comfortable, not wanting to move. She was too exhausted. Logan's eyes closed as soon as she was still. Jean stroked through his hair until they were both fast asleep.
XMXMXM
Jean walked down the corridor to the Professor's office early the next morning. She was still confused as to why all of Logan's memories were so familiar to her. The manor, the boys, the parents, Rose…Jean's eyes grew large as an old memory of her great-grandmother came to mind. Her great-grandmother had the same red hair as she did. Lived in Canada as a little girl. Jean hurried to the Professor's office.
"Come in, Jean," he called before she could even knock. "Good morning."
"Good morning, Professor," she smiled. "May I call my parents for something?"
"Have you discovered something?" Charles raised a knowing eyebrow as he motioned to the telephone on his desk. He listened intently as Jean had a hurried conversation with her father. He wondered what the photo albums she mentioned were about. As soon as Jean was finished, Charles looked at her with a questioning expression.
"I'll know for sure in a few days, Professor," Jean began. "I think my father's heritage may have some answers to some questions that have arisen with Logan's first set of memories."
"So, you were successful?"
"Partially," Jean answered. "And if it's true, Logan is way older than you."
"From what I've discovered about this healing ability of his you mentioned, it slows the aging process down drastically," Charles confirmed. "It also answers why he was experimented on. But what does your family have to do with Logan?"
"I would prefer to wait on any explanations until the photo albums arrive," Jean admitted. "I need to be sure first."
"I understand," the Professor nodded. "But the process was successful?"
"It's a start," Jean lamented.
XMXMXM
"Package for a Miss…Jean Grey."
"That's me," Jean smiled as she opened the door two days later.
"Here you are, miss," the delivery man handed her a box. "Careful, it's a bit heavy."
"Photo albums usually are," Jean answered. He gave her a quizzical look. "Package from home for a school project."
"Got it. Have a good day."
"Thank you," Jean called as she closed the door.
Jean headed straight for the Professor's office. As she neared her thoughts were again on the memories she had seen in Logan's mind. She was almost certain she had seen, at least their younger selves, before. Jean was also fairly certain she recognized those scars Rose had on her shoulder.
"Come in, Jean," the Professor called as she was about to knock.
As she opened the door, she realized she had been thinking too loudly, again. Jean stopped when she saw Warren sitting opposite the Professor. He looked up with a smile, gesturing to the couch and coffee table.
"I'll be right with you, Jean," Charles nodded. He turned back to Warren. "It is ultimately your choice, but I believe it is a good decision. And I would be happy to help."
"Thank you, sir," Warren smiled. He stood with a wave at Jean as he left.
Charles wheeled over to Jean with a smile as she began opening the package. "I take it this is what you have been waiting for?"
"Yes, sir," Jean nodded as she pulled two very old looking albums from the box. "Before I start going through these, in answer to your question before, I think I recognized some of the people and the house Logan spent his childhood. These will tell me if I was right."
Charles nodded as Jean took the older of the two albums and started going through it. She turned several pages before she froze as she stared at a picture on the page. Her eyes grew large as she read the information on the label. "Jean?"
"I was right," she swallowed. She turned the album to the Professor. "This is the Howlett Estate in Alberta, Canada. This photo was taken in 1845. This boy here," she pointed to a dark-haired boy, who looked to be about twelve, "is James Logan Howlett."
"Is that…?" Charles looked up in shock.
"Yes," Jean nodded. "This girl, next to him, is Rose O'Neil, my great-grandmother."
"Are you related to Logan, then?" Charles asked.
"No, but she knew him for years," Jean giggled. "I think if I shared what I saw, you'll understand better, Professor."
Charles nodded as he opened his mind. Jean focused on the memories she had witnessed, sending them to her mentor. Charles' eyes grew wider as the memories ended. He looked at Jean with curiosity, before looking closer at the young girl in the picture in deep thought. Charles considered the glowing eyes, then something on the girl's arm caught his attention. A birthmark on her arm in the same place as the one on Jean's arm. Charles glanced up to see Jean rubbing her arm absently. He needed more information, but he didn't believe this was a family trait or just a coincidence. Something more was happening. Charles just wasn't sure what it was, or how it would affect the future.