A/N: Source of some material in this was taken from Origins II.
Chapter 5: Clawing Out of the Dark
Jean opened her eyes looking around. She was confused about how she got there, but she was clearly inside of Logan's mind once again. Jean looked up seeing the sections of his memory they had repaired so far in one place, protected by a psychic wall from the many more shards of memories that floated about. Jean felt a slight burning sensation on her left arm and looked down. Her mark was glowing again. Jean heard a grunt behind her. She turned to see Logan with his back to her, staring at his left arm.
"I don' get it," he grunted. "What the hell is goin' on, Jeannie?"
"I'm not sure, Logan," Jean answered honestly. He turned to her with a frown. "I didn't do this on purpose."
"Then why're we here?" Logan asked. "Thought our next session wasn't til Friday mornin'."
"It's not," Jean replied as she walked over to him. She noticed her mark was pulling her in a certain direction. "I think our marks are doing this."
"Our marks?" Logan asked confused, glancing at his arm then hers. Jean saw it was the first time he realized the marks were there on both of their arms. "What the hell?"
"I think they want me to restore more memories," she answered thoughtfully. She considered her mark for a moment. "It's like they're preparing you and me for the things we still need to talk about. Or that's the feeling I get from my mark."
"Well," Logan sighed, "let's get started then. Got a feelin' I ain't gonna like what I see."
"Hey," Jean breathed, stroking his arm. "I meant what I said before we fell asleep. I'm here for you, I promise."
Logan stared into her green eyes, seeing only honesty and caring. His ears only hearing her truthful heartbeats. His nose was telling him, she was not lying. Her touch felt reassuring. The taste of her scent in the air was completely honest. Logan trusted his senses more than anything else. He always had since they had manifested that long-ago night.
"Let's get started," Logan sighed with a nod. Jean gave him a soft smile. She could tell he trusted her more than he trusted even himself, something she knew she had to work on.
Jean closed her eyes, letting her feelings lead her to the place she needed to go. She opened her eyes, stepping to her right. Jean concentrated on the shards, then waved her hand in an arch. Several shards moved to become three separate memories. Looking at them, Jean noticed a theme with each memory. A past love interest. Jean was certain she had been right about the marks preparing Logan for the things she still had to tell him.
"Do you remember them?" Jean asked as she turned to Logan as he stopped beside her.
"Yeah," he swallowed hard. "Clara, Itsu, and Kayla Silverfox."
"Past loves," Jean nodded.
"Clara was with Creed when we met," Logan pointed to the blonde woman. "We had feelings for each other and one night we…"
"You slept with her," Jean finished for him. "Even though she was with Creed at the time."
Logan looked down. Jean could sense he thought she was disappointed in him.
"It's okay," Jean assured him. "As old as you are, I'm not surprised. Everyone needs love and happiness, Logan, even you. It was a long time ago."
"Yeah. Creed found out and was pissed. Then Creed sold us out to this mad scientist by the name o' Essex," Logan continued. "We fought after they freed me. I'm responsible for why Creed looks like that now."
Jean stared in horror as Logan pointed to the man who had attacked her when they rescued Logan from Weapon X. Jean watched as Logan walked away from Creed and Clara, never looking back after the argument they had.
"The others?" Jean asked gently.
"Itsu," Logan's voice trembled as he pointed to the Japanese woman in the middle. Tears filled his eyes. Jean could see the sadness reflected in his psychic self. Her heart broke to see him like this, even in his mindscape. "Met her just after WWII. Married her. She was pregnant when someone killed her. I found her dead in our house."
"And the baby?" Jean asked. Logan looked down with a shake of his head.
Jean wrapped her arms around him. There was really nothing she could say to ease his pain. Even in the mindscape, it took a few minutes for Logan to regain his composure. Finally, he turned to the last one. Jean's eyes widened as she recognized her.
"Kayla," Logan swallowed. "Creed killed her. Stryker convinced me ta undergo dis," he unsheathed his claws on one hand, "ta kill Creed."
"No, he didn't," Jean turned to Logan. He looked at her confused. "Here, let me show you."
Jean closed her eyes, concentrated on her memory then made an arch with one hand. Logan stared at Jean's memory of his rescue. He saw Kayla, alive and well, heard her mental conversation with Jean, heard Kayla ask Jean to take care of him. Logan swallowed hard. He couldn't believe it. He looked at the other two tanks, saw Creed and himself in the green liquid with helmets on their heads. He shuttered.
"See," Jean said sadly. "She was as manipulated into it as you were. You can't blame her or Creed for what Stryker did to you."
"I'll kill that bastard!" Logan growled. He looked up at Jean. "I wanna train with ya an' th' others."
"I can defend myself," Jean smiled sensing his thoughts and feelings. He wanted to protect her, make sure she was safe from the fate that had befallen his past loves. Jean placed her hand on his cheek. "But I understand. We'll talk to the Professor in the morning."
Logan nodded as he heaved a deep breath.
"Now, I think we've done enough in here for the time being," Jean told him as she hugged him.
Jean opened her eyes. She felt Logan next to her trembling from crying again. Jean couldn't blame him, the memories had been traumatic, especially the memory of Itsu. She reached out, wrapping him in her arms, pulling him closer, holding him as he wept. "It's okay. I'm right here. Just let it out."
XMXMXM
"No! I won't do it!" Jean yelled at the Professor as they and Logan stood in the Danger Room.
"Jean, please…" Xavier started calmly.
"No, Professor!" Jean snapped back. "I will not hold Logan still in a TK field so you can cut him, just so you can measure his healing factor!"
"Jeannie," Logan spoke softly to her placing a hand on her arm. "It's that or I cut myself with my claws."
"Don't you dare!" Jean growled angrily at him, pointing her finger at his face. Logan visibly recoiled from the angry look on her face. Xavier sighed, which prompted the angry redhead to turn to him. "Professor, this is no better than what they did to him at that facility! I don't care if you think it's justified to measure his healing factor or not! You have the records we took from there on what they did to him! Program those into the Danger Room!"
"Chuck, give us a minute?" Logan asked. Xavier nodded before wheeling out of the Danger Room. Logan turned back to Jean who still had an angry and stubborn look on her face. "Red, you know he can't. It's not how the Room works. You told me that."
"I still don't like it!" Jean snapped crossing her arms over her chest.
"Darlin'," Logan sighed.
"Don't darlin' me right now, Logan," Jean bit out crossly.
"Jean, stop," Logan sighed again closing his eyes briefly. "You've seen me, I heal quick. You an' Chuck tol' me th' Room has ta have a power used in it ta measure it, right?"
"And?" Jean glared at him. "Doesn't mean I have to hold you and let the Room cut you!"
"Yeah, it does," Logan breathed. "Like I tol' Chuck, my instincts'd take over an' I'd slice the blades ta bits. Unless ya want me ta pop a claw an' do it myself?"
"No," Jean sighed, her anger deflating. "How many cuts do you need, Professor?"
"Two should suffice," Xavier's voice sounded from the observation booth. "One on the arm, one on the leg."
"Th' rest o' my powers are easier ta do," Logan told her.
"Fine," Jean agreed begrudgingly. "But I still don't like it!"
"Not crazy 'bout gittin' cut either, but…" Logan shrugged. "I'll make it up ta somehow."
"How do you intend to do that?" Jean asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll think o' somethin'," Logan smirked at her. Jean's breath hitched a little as some of his thoughts leaked through their connection and made her blush crimson. She then realized she had had those same thoughts several times before. Especially after seeing him with his shirt off.
"It better be good," Jean warned him with a smirk of her own.
"They don't call me the best fer nothin', darlin'," Logan winked at her.
"Ready if you are, Professor," Jean cleared her throat with a gulp.
Jean concentrated on Logan as she stepped back a little, holding him in place. Two saw blades shot out of the wall, one cutting into Logan's leg, the other his upper arm. Blood oozed from the wounds for a few seconds before they both started to close. Jean watched in morbid fascination as Logan's healing factor kicked in. Both cuts were gone in a matter of seconds, all that remained was the blood that had escaped and the slice in his sweatpants.
"Remarkable," Xavier called down to them. "You may release him now, Jean."
"See, Red, nothin' ta worry about," Logan smiled at her as she cleaned the blood off his arm and leg.
"You better make it worth it," Jean warned him. "I don't like seeing you hurt."
"Hey," Logan gently pulled her up when he felt her handshaking. "That was a cakewalk compared ta some o' th' stuff they did ta me. No need ta fret over that kinda stuff."
"Still don't like it," Jean sniffed as she hugged him. "I saw what they did, felt your pain when they put the metal into you."
"What's done is done. An' 'cause o' you, I ain't their pawn no more," Logan placed a hand on her cheek. "I'm fine, darlin'."
Jean stared into his eyes. She could sense the truth of his words, and his compassion for how she felt about it. Jean was quickly lost in his blue eyes just as much as she could tell he was lost in her green ones. The world seemed to stop existing, except for the two of them. Jean felt the warmth growing in her mark and wanted desperately to tell him that he was her mate. But she knew it was still too soon, she had to wait just a little longer.
"Pardon the intrusion," Xavier cleared his throat. Logan and Jean snapped their heads towards the window remembering they weren't alone. "If you're ready, we can begin on your senses."
"Sorry, Professor," Jean blushed, letting go of Logan. He just gave her a smirk.
"We'll start with your hearing," Xavier announced.
After several different tones, most of which Jean couldn't hear, the Professor moved on to Logan's other senses. It was astonishing how well and much he could smell. As he explained it, Logan could even smell if someone was lying to him. Logan gave her a look as a thought crossed her mind. He grinned at her with a nod. Jean swallowed hard knowing he had smelled her body reacting to his many times. She gave a little shiver thinking about it as he cocked an eyebrow with a smirk. Jean turned away from the observation window to hide her blush.
"Jean, please exit the Danger Room so we can test Logan's combat skills," Xavier called to her.
"Yes, sir," Jean replied. She shared a smile with Logan before she left the Room.
Xavier began the test as she entered the booth. Jean was surprised to see the rest of the team watching through the window. She stepped in between the Professor and Lorna to have a good view. Jean's eyes widened as Logan slashed, flipped, sliced, and dismantled anything the Professor sent his way with his claws. It was like he was performing some kind of dance. A beautiful, deadly dance. Jean looked down at the controls and gasped. Logan was doing the hardest setting they had and not even breaking a sweat.
"I believe we will have to get new and harder programs," Xavier commented as the session ended.
"Wow!" Warren looked on dumbstruck.
"That was…" Bobby swallowed, "amazing!"
"I've never seen anyone move like that," Alex breathed.
"Ballet with a deadly twist," Lorna commented wide-eyed.
"What an animal," Scott said disgustedly. Jean spun around with an angry look, pinning him to the wall with her powers. If looks could kill, Scott would be dead from her scathing look.
"Scott, I have warned before," Xavier sighed turning to place a hand on Jean's arm. "Jean, please, let him go. That will be another five-thousand-word essay on respecting others and another two weeks restriction on privileges, Scott. If you continue this, I shall be forced to restrict you even further. Your last essay was subpar at best. If you do not put more effort into this one you will redo both of them. Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir," Scott scowled at Jean who had turned around again.
"You may go, but, please, stay out of the rec-room until called," Xavier dismissed them. He waited until only Jean remained. "Is he ready for this?"
"As long as we do it slowly," Jean answered. "Besides, he's come a long way in the last month and a half, and Hank is coming on Friday."
"Alright," Xavier nodded. "In this, you are the lead, the expert."
"Thank you, sir," Jean blushed. "But why me?"
"Because he identifies with you more than with the others. He seeks comfort from you," Xavier began to list. "Not to mention your connection with him. And you care very deeply for him. That much was very evident earlier."
Jean nodded as she blushed more.
XMXMXM
"You'll be fine," Jean reassured Logan as they waited in the rec-room. She stood close to him rubbing his left arm. Logan sighed for the third time since they had arrived still not looking at Jean. Jean sighed, placing a hand on his cheek making him look at her. "You need to interact with every one and this what the Professor and I came up with. I will be right here with you the whole time."
"You owe me," Logan grunted still not happy with being put in a group of people, even if he did know them.
"Oh, stop," Jean grinned. "Besides, Hank is coming for dinner on Friday. We have a week to get you used to being around other people again. And other than Hank, you know everyone."
"Ya still owe me," complained Logan. "Especially if Scooter is gonna be here fer this."
"Scott's refusing to join us," Jean told him.
"Still owe me," Logan insisted. "Gotta be here when I'd rather be wit' ya alone."
"Fine," Jean rolled her eyes. A grin crossed her face. "I'll talk the Professor into letting you have a six-pack of your favorite beer and a box of cigars, happy?"
"It's a start," Logan grinned. He saw her glazed look and knew she was speaking mentally to the Professor.
"Just do not smoke in the mansion, please," Charles nodded with a smile as he wheeled in.
"I can live wit' that," Logan nodded. "Now, mind tellin' me this scheme o' yours?"
"It's actually my 'scheme' as you put it. We bring the rest of the team in one at a time, and you spend a few minutes getting used to a group of people in the same room," Jean answered, which surprised him. "What? Did you think I would bring all of them in at once?"
"You, no," Logan answered. "Chuck, not so sure."
"Logan," Charles spoke before Jean could. "I have given Jean the final say on your case. When it comes to you, she is in charge. Not me."
"Have anythin' ta do wit' th' other stuff we ain't talked about yet?" Logan asked Jean with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," she answered. "We'll get there. One thing at a time."
"Who should we call in first, Jean?" asked Xavier.
"Lorna," Jean answered.
Within a few minutes, the green-haired young woman entered. She smiled a knowing smile when she saw how close Jean was standing to Logan. Jean rolled her eyes at her. Logan nodded in greeting. Charles rolled back to observe the interactions. Charles began to wonder what the cryptic talk between the girls was about when a strong flash of emotions struck him from Jean. Several images of her and Logan asleep in one of their beds were broadcast to his mind.
"Jean," he spoke with a raised eyebrow. Jean looked up with wide eyes, knowing she had slipped and was broadcasting her thoughts. "It's fine. I expected something like that to happen."
Jean gave the Professor a questioning look. Charles just pointed to his left arm in answer. Jean's eyes widened, then she blushed and nodded. "Who should be next?" Charles asked to save her from embarrassment.
"Bobby," Logan grinned. Jean giggled at the flash of mischief Logan gave her. He moved over by the door, waiting.
"Hey, guys," Bobby waved as he entered, then looked confused. "I thought Logan was gonna…"
"Boo, popsicle!" Logan half-shouted from behind the young man.
Bobby jumped, spinning around. He lost his balance as he spun, landing heavily on the floor. Lorna and Jean tried to hide their laughter but couldn't when Bobby turned glaring at them. Bobby sighed as he heard the Professor chuckling at him. A large hand suddenly appeared in front of his eyes. Bobby looked up into the grinning face of Logan. Shaking his head with another sigh, Bobby took the offered hand.
"One o' these days, popsicle, ya gonna jump right outta yer skin," laughed Logan.
"Yeah, yeah," Bobby grumbled.
"Are you done scaring Bobby?" Jean asked with a smile as she took Logan's arm again.
"Not if ya keep laughin' at it, darlin'," Logan grinned. Bobby looked at him with a glare. Logan looked at the younger man with a raised eyebrow. "What? I like her laugh. Ya know that."
"I'm sure there's better ways…" Bobby began.
"Nope," Logan cut him off giving Bobby a hard pat on the shoulder. Bobby grunted under the pressure which made Jean laugh more and Logan to grin more.
"Wonderful," grumbled Bobby.
"Aww, cheer up, Bobby," Lorna faked a pout. Bobby rolled his eyes. "He could've done that by the pool."
"Don't give him ideas, Lorna," Bobby complained.
"Bird-boy next or green's mate?" Logan asked Jean, who snickered as Warren walked in. Logan sniffed the air. "Bird-boy."
"Bird…" Warren gaped. "Really?"
"At least you're a boy now and not the baby of the Blackbird," Jean chuckled.
Warren groaned as the others laughed. After a few more minutes, Alex joined them. He greeted the rest of the team as they were gathered around Logan and Jean. Logan's eyes stared at him, a snarl raising his lips as Alex took Lorna's hand.
"Got no problem with ya," Logan started. "But hurt my little sister, an' we will have problems."
"Don't plan on ever doing that," Alex nodded. "Care about her too much for that."
"Jus' so we're clear," Logan nodded.
"Aww. I didn't know you cared," Lorna smiled at Logan as she gave him a quick hug.
"Red's doin'," Logan explained. Lorna looked at him quizzically. "She taught me ever'one needs family. Ya got none, I got none. So, ya can consider me yer brother."
"I'd like that," Lorna smiled again. Jean grinned at Logan as she rubbed his arm.
XMXMXM
Logan was not happy. He grumbled at his reflection in the mirror for the third time, squirming in the light blue dress shirt Jean had given to him. It rubbed his shoulders in a funny way he didn't like and the sleeves, particularly the left one, made his skin crawl. The pants she bought for him were too breezy and light for his tastes and the material itched his skin. To top it off, Jean had insisted that he brush his hair. Logan gave his reflection another growl as Jean knocked on his door. Not waiting for an answer, she walked in with a bright smile. Logan looked up with a slight whimper and pained look that caught in his throat. Jean stopped in mid-stride. He heard her breath catch before she swallowed.
Logan let his eyes travel over Jean. Her hair was pulled back in a thick ponytail. She was in a tight black dress that hugged her curves with a thick gold necklace around her neck. The dress stopped mid-thigh showing off her shapely legs, and had on a pair of short heels. Logan swallowed to wet his suddenly dry throat.
"Ya look amazin', darlin'," Logan breathed out.
"You…you look very," Jean swallowed hard again, "very handsome."
Logan cocked an eyebrow at her. His nose picked up the change in her scent. Logan looked back at the mirror. If the way he looked had that effect on Jean, who was he to argue? He puffed his chest a little, thinking a little discomfort to please his… Well, to please her was well worth it.
"Yes, it will be," Jean spoke into his silent contemplation. "And no argument will change my mind."
"Wouldn't dream o' it, Red," Logan grinned at her. Jean walked over to him, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles from his shirt. "Ya just wanna put your scent on it ta keep me happy."
"Maybe," Jean smirked, then turned serious. "You have to promise me you will behave tonight. Scott will be at dinner, and you're meeting Hank tonight."
"Hank, I don' have a problem with from what ya an' green been tellin' me," Logan pulled Jean into a hug. "This'll work better if I gotta deal wit' Scooter tonight."
"Sure that's the only reason?" Jean smiled up at him with a raised eyebrow.
"No," he answered with a smirk. "Maybe I jus' like huggin' ya?"
"Maybe I like it, too," Jean smirked back.
"When ya gonna finish tellin' me?" Logan asked with a serious look.
"After dinner," Jean replied. "If you behave. No return remarks to Scott. Just ignore him. No scaring Bobby. No growling at Alex for touching Lorna."
"That's a tall order," Logan frowned. "'Specially wit' Scooter."
"It'll be worth it, trust me," Jean gave him a pleading look, batted her eyelashes at him with a pout on her face.
Logan sighed. Jean had found that look a few days before when she brought him the clothes. It had made his resolve melt, and she knew it. "Fine," he grumbled. "But ya might have ta remind me when it comes ta Scooter."
"I can do that," Jean smiled. She glanced at the clock, taking his hand, something she had been doing a lot more of since the previous weekend when she had shown him the pictures. "Come on. Hank will be here soon."
They walked down the stairs together slowly. Jean looked at Logan every so often with a smile and blush. Logan smiled every time he caught her out of the corner of his eye, smelling her anticipation for the dinner to be done. He could tell she was excited but nervous about what she had to tell him. He stopped them at the bottom of the stairs to look at her.
"Calm down, darlin'," Logan told her. "You're makin' me nervous, an' that won't be good fer Scooter."
"Sorry," Jean smiled sheepishly. "It's just what I'm going to tell you could change…"
"Hush," Logan put a finger on her lips. "Unless you're like my great-granddaughter, ain't gonna change the way I feel fer ya."
"No, I'm not," Jean smiled.
"Then stop frettin'," Logan gave her a serious look. Jean sighed with her eyes closed for a second. "Better?"
"For now," Jean answered. They turned as a loud laugh came from the dining room. "He's here. Come on."
Jean pulled Logan into the room where a large muscular man with huge hands and feet stood laughing with Warren and Alex. He turned as they entered, revealing a large round face with glasses perched on his nose. He smiled broadly as he caught sight of Jean, but raised an eyebrow at Logan and their intertwined hands.
"Hank!" Jean cried, hugging him.
"How are you, Jean?" Hank asked, returning the hug. "You look like you've gracefully but powerfully matured in years since I last saw you. You hold yourself like a woman in her mid-twenties, not eighteen."
"In a way, I have," Jean answered. "You're looking good."
"Thank you," Hank nodded. He turned a raised eyebrow to Logan and their linked hands.
"What happened with you and Scott?" Hank asked confused.
"We broke up," Jean answered simply. Hank looked confused. He was about to voice a question, but Jean stopped him. "And please, Hank, don't ask."
"Alright," Hank nodded. "And who is this attached to your hand?"
"Oh, sorry," Jean blushed. "Hank McCoy, this is Logan Howlett."
"Aww, your special project Warren and Alex spoke of," Hank nodded. "Glad to meet you."
"You, too," Logan nodded.
"Bit more than a special project," Jean put in as they shook hands. "And also, a very long story."
"Semi-feral?" Logan asked looking at Hank with a critical eye.
"Slightly enhanced senses," Hank answered. "But nothing like yours or so I've heard."
"Probably the stench of yer feet keepin' 'em down," joked Logan with a smile.
Jean was about to get angry with Logan when Hank burst into laughter. "Now that is original!"
"Where did you get that from?" Jean whispered to Logan.
"Only sayin' what, Bird-boy tol' me about his feet after a Danger Room session," Logan defended pointing to Warren.
"Oh, really?" Hank asked with a grin as he turned to his old friend.
"Warren!" Jean scolded.
"Trust me, it's the truth. The boys' locker room still stinks!" Warren raised his hands. Jean shot a glare at him. "Back me up here, Bobby."
"Nope," Bobby shook his head as he walked in. "You're digging your own grave, I ain't helping."
"Teenagers!" Jean rolled her eyes. Logan nudged her, looking at the smile on Hank's face as they continued their good-natured teasing and banter between the males.
'See, I'm learnin,' Logan sent mentally to her with a grin. 'Deflect and make light humor.'
'Alright, I'll give you that one,' Jean conceded back as the others were laughing and joking with each other. She returned his grin, adding a wink for good measure.
"Henry! So good to see you again," Charles smiled as he wheeled in.
"Good to be home again, Charles," Hank replied shaking hands.
"Shall we?" Charles motioned to the table. "The others are on their way."
Within a matter of minutes, the rest of the team arrived in the dining room. Jean pulled Logan over to the table, so he wouldn't be overwhelmed by their arrival. Lorna hugged Hank as soon as she came in and took the seat between Alex and Jean. Logan and Hank were speaking about senses before Scott finally arrived. Scott shook hands with his old friend with a big smile on his face. His smile faded, however, when he spotted Logan next to Hank.
"I didn't know we were feeding the animals, too," Scott remarked with a sneer at Logan. Jean grabbed Logan's hand under the table as a silent reminder of his promise. Logan glared at Scott, clenching his jaw, but said nothing in return.
"Scott, first and only warning," Charles calmly but firmly warned him.
"Honestly, Scott, that was uncalled for," Hank chided him with a stern look.
"Sorry, Professor," Scott replied snidely, sounding anything but apologetic.
"Scott, take your seat, please," Charles stated with an irritated voice. He watched Scott move to the opposite end of the table to sit by Warren and an empty chair. Charles sighed slightly, shaking his head. "Now that we are all here; I wish to propose a toast to our first graduate and the first recipient of a Ph.D. in our small circle. To Henry!"
"To Hank!" the others toasted him, causing him to blush.
"Thank you all," Hank replied bashfully.
XMXMXM
Jean led Logan outside into the back garden through the woods toward the small lake on the property. She remained silent as Logan looked at her expectantly to start their conversation. The sun had started to set, making the lake shine with the reflected red, orange and pink from the sky. As they came to the edge of the lake, Jean stopped, pulling Logan into a hug.
"I'm proud of you for how you handled tonight," Jean smiled placing her hands on his chest. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, darlin'," Logan smiled back. "I'd do jus' 'bout anythin' to make ya happy."
"Is that so?" Jean smirked. Logan nodded with a grin. "Well, have to put that to the test sometime."
"Do I get to hear the rest now?" he asked
"Yes," nodded Jean. She took a deep breath. "You know were connected by our marks?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "Some kinda psi-link ya said."
"There's a bit more to it," Jean admitted. "And it goes much deeper."
"What ain't ya tellin' me, Red?" Logan asked with a sense of curiosity.
"It's not all just about the connection," Jean told him nervously. "It's also about feelings and emotions."
"I tol' ya b'fore," Logan sighed, "ain't gonna change how I feel."
"Good," Jean smiled. "Because just so you know, I feel the same way. Have since I had that first dream."
"What are ya tryin' ta say, darlin'?" asked Logan.
"Bear with me for a minute," Jean smiled. "My family has a legend that started with Rose."
"What'd it say?" Logan asked with an eyebrow raised.
"It says: Soon will come a child of immense power and strength with the power of will to handle the Force. Not sure what the Force is, but…" Jean shrugged.
"That it?" Logan asked confused.
"No. I'm going line by line, and letting it sink in," Jean grinned. Logan nodded. "Next: She will be the first daughter in three generations."
"First girl in three generations," Logan thought out loud with a playful smirk. "Hm, sounds familiar."
"It should," Jean swatted his arm. "Listen closely to the next line. It's very important. Her mate will share our family mark."
"Wait, did you just say, mate and family mark?" Logan looked at his left arm, then at hers. His wide eyes met hers. Jean nodded. "That would make…"
"Yes," she answered placing her hand on his cheek. "Is that a problem?"
"No," Logan smirked. "Continue."
"Their connection will be too strong for any others to ever break," Jean went on giving him a serious look. "That does include Scott."
"I can live wit' that," Logan grinned.
"Her happiness will only be found in her mate. Hm, there's that word again," Jean grinned.
"I'll do my best, darlin'," Logan winked at her.
"Now this last line should be self-explanatory. She will help restore what was taken from him, and he will be forever loyal to her," Jean recited.
"Couldn't be more clear," Logan nodded. His face took on a thoughtful expression.
"Soooo, what's on your mind?" Jean asked.
"Does that mean I can do somethin' I been wantin' ta do since I wake up from bein' feral?" asked Logan with a sly grin as he placed his hand on her cheek.
"And what's that?" Jean bit her lower lip.
"This," Logan told her as he pulled her into a kiss. It only took a second for Jean to start returning the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her fingers in his hair. Warmth spread over them as their marks glowed. Deep in Logan's mind, emotions he never thought he would feel again rose up to take their rightful place in his psyche. They were both breathing heavily by the time they broke the kiss.
"You can do that as often as you like," Jean smiled.
"I can definitely live wit' that!" Logan smirked before pulling her into another passionate kiss.
XMXMXM
Jean and Logan had departed the dinner hand in hand shortly after they finished their desserts. Most of the team looked confused, except Lorna and the Professor. Alex gave Lorna a raised eyebrow in question. She pointed to her left arm. Alex nodded his understanding, moved over to sit next to his brother. Scott glared at Logan and Jean as they left, and was about to follow them when Alex placed a restraining hand on his shoulder, giving his brother a shake of his head. Scott huffed but remained where he was crossing his arms.
An hour later, Hank had departed while the rest of the team retreated to the rec-room to relax for the rest of the evening. Alex and Lorna laughed and joked with Warren and Bobby, but Scott sat in a corner sulking. Warren finally approached his depressed looking friend.
"What's got you all mopey, Slim?" Warren asked.
"What do you think, Warren?" Scott shot back.
"If I knew for sure, I wouldn't be asking, would I?" Warren pointed out. "Come on, what is it, Scott? You haven't been yourself in months. What's going on with you?"
"Jean broke up with me to be with that animal," Scott ground out.
"Logan is not an animal!" Lorna shouted angrily at Scott. She was just as tired of Scott's view as Jean was. In the last week, Lorna had spent quite a lot of her time getting to know Logan, especially after what he had told her about considering her his sister. "You have absolutely no clue what you're talking about, Summers!"
"I wasn't talking to you, Lorna," Scott sneered.
"You are now because you just insulted my brother!" Lorna fumed.
Scott chuckled. "He has all of you fooled, doesn't he? We'll all wake up dead one morning because of him."
"The only fool I see here, Slim, is you," Warren spat.
"Fuck off, Warren," grumbled Scott. "Why are all of you defending him all of sudden? What the hell has he ever done for you, huh? Nothing! All he knows is instincts!"
"Scott, you're pushing your luck," Alex warned with a serious face.
"Wasn't talking to you either, little brother!" snapped Scott.
"You want to fight, I'll give one," Alex stated as he stood. "But you keep this up, and Logan will hand you your ass on a claw! If you didn't understand the briefing yesterday, let me enlighten you. Logan's entire skeleton is metal."
"My optic blast will turn him into scrap metal," Scott scoffed.
"Yeah, good luck with that! The metal is adamantium," Warren shook his head. "It's indestructible."
"And Logan has that healing factor," Alex added. "Good luck using your powers on him."
"Besides," Bobby spoke up for the first, "the guy can fight better then all of us put together."
"And there is more, Scott," Xavier stated as he wheeled in. Scott glared at his mentor. "Logan and Jean have an unbreakable connection that even I don't fully understand."
"What are you talking about, Professor?" Scott ground out.
"I'm saying you have to move on and accept this, Scott," Xavier spoke calmly. "And Alex is correct. If you continue to push Logan, he will retaliate and you will be the one to be hurt, not him."
"In case you haven't noticed them, big brother," Alex started, "they both have a matching birthmark on their arm."
"So?" Scott scoffed.
"It is the source of their connection," Xavier answered with a sigh. Scott looked bewildered. "As I said, I do not fully understand it myself. But, Scott, whether you like it or not, you must accept that Logan and Jean are together, and there is nothing any of us can do to change that."
"Whatever," Scott grumbled, leaving the rec-room.