A/N: I know this listed in the comics section, but I took a few elements from the movies for this chapter. Some may say Logan is acting a little OOC in one section but given his feelings for Jean, and the advice of someone, he would do it.
Chapter 6: School Invasion
It had started as such a good day! Jean had woken up in Logan's arms, they were moving across the hall into a double room later that day. Lorna had helped Logan that morning with packing their things to move while Jean was in class with the Professor. Alex had joined Lorna in helping because he had the morning off so they were ahead of schedule. Jean had received a great grade for her homework project on family genetics. The Professor had told her she was already doing third-year college-level work on all of her exams and homework. She was on track to graduate with her Bachelor's Degree early. Jean had joined Logan for lunch in the kitchen with Alex and Lorna, and after telling them the great news, they had been enjoying a good laugh at Bobby's expense, thanks to Logan's antics. Then Jean had excused herself to use the restroom when the day took a wrong turn.
"Jean!" Lorna hollered excitedly into the restroom.
"Out in a second, Lorna," Jean called calmly not catching the urgency in Lorna's voice.
"Hurry up! Scott just showed up in the kitchen!" shouted Lorna.
"Shit!" Jean cursed as she quickly dried her hands. She had been too focused on the good parts of her day that she hadn't felt the sudden shift in Logan's mood until Lorna hollered to her the second time. She hurried out the door, heading back to the kitchen.
"Why should you get special privileges?" Scott asked disgustedly. "You're not even a student here! Much less a teacher!"
"I'd stop talkin' if I was you, Scooter," Logan growled as he glared at him with his fists clenched.
"Stop! Both of you!" Alex shouted standing between them quickly. He knew this could get out of hand very fast. Alex breathed a slight sigh of relief as Jean hurried into the kitchen.
"Logan," Jean spoke quietly by his shoulder. "Stop. He's not worth it. He's just jealous and has a hard time with change."
Logan relaxed his stance somewhat but still glared at Scott. Warren and Bobby were holding a snidely sneering Scott by the arms as he fought to get free of their grip.
"You answer the question then, Jean; since he won't tell me," Scott shot at her angrily. "Why does wolf-boy here get a double room?"
"Scott," Jean warned. "Don't! It's not your concern."
"It's a simple question," stated Scott spitefully.
"Because he's not living in the room alone," Jean snapped. "If you must know!"
"Who would share a room with him?" sneered Scott with loathing.
"I would!" Jean growled with narrowed eyes. "Come on, guys, let's finish up."
"Sharing a bed and your body with him already, huh?" Scott scoffed with a shake of his head. "You wouldn't even cuddle with me for the last three months that we were together, and now you're moving into a room with that?" Scott motioned to Logan disgustedly.
"Please, Jean, just one slice. One slice," Logan huffed as his claws sprang out. He was visibly shaking as he held himself back. Warren looked at Logan with a raised hand, then turned punching Scott in the jaw. "Heh, Thanks, Birdie!" Logan smirked and chuckled.
"Anytime, Logan," Warren nodded. He turned back to Scott. "Get over it already, Scott! Stop being a jackass! Jean has moved on and is over your ass, and that's not even taking into account their psi-link."
"Next time, Scott, if I'm near you and you say that shit again," Bobby threatened, "I'll freeze your crotch right then and there, and then punch you with an ice-covered fist."
Logan snorted loudly, while Alex and Warren cringed, but fought snickers. Jean and Lorna looked shocked at Bobby's words. He had never cursed before, let alone threatened to intentionally freeze someone.
"Try it, Ice pop," Scott snapped as he got up stepping close to Bobby.
"Enough!" Lorna shouted, shoving Scott back with a magnetic wave pinning him to the wall.
"Jean, get Logan outta here," Alex advised. "Lorna, go with them, we'll handle my hotheaded brother here."
"Thank you, but there is no need, Alex," Xavier spoke from the door. He turned glaring eyes to Scott. They could all hear the anger and disappointment in his voice. It was something they rarely heard, but when they did each of them knew Xavier was serious. "Scott, my office, now!"
Xavier waited until Scott was walking down the hall, before turning to the rest of them. "Warren, please, no more violence against our own teammates, you know better. Robert, no more threats, they do not become your kind personality. Lorna, slightly less on the use of your powers to defuse a situation next time. Jean, Logan, I commend your restraint for the level of tension that was raised here today."
"Yes, sir," most of them nodded while looking abashed.
"Thank you, Professor," Jean nodded with a relieved look.
"Chuck, he's pushin' it! I don't know how much longer I can hold back," Logan grunted, shaking his downcast head as he retracted his claws.
"I understand, Logan," Xavier nodded, then turned to the others with a sterner face. "Would one of you consent to share the conversation that ensued with me?"
"Yes, sir, I'll show you," Alex stepped forward. Xavier gently reached out to touch his mind.
"I see," he frowned after he broke the connection. "Thank you, Alex. Lorna, our class is canceled for today. You may continue helping Jean and Logan."
"Thank you, Professor."
Xavier nodded to them, before turning down the hall, wheeling back to his office. He sighed deeply as he neared the door. This had to stop. He wondered how exactly he could execute a safe plan that wouldn't alienate any of them. That was the last thing Xavier wanted. He had to conceive a plan quickly. A plan suddenly came to mind. Xavier just wasn't sure how to enact it. Maybe if he could receive some help from an old friend that most of them, especially Scott, were familiar with and trusted enough to be open with. He would have to make a telephone call to ask another opinion.
"Professor, I…" Scott began abruptly as Xavier entered the office.
"No, Scott," Xavier stopped him with a raised hand. "You have been warned several times, in fact, and there is no argumentative reason you can give me that will change my mind about your punishment."
"But, sir, the others…", Scott tried with an exasperated expression and waving his arms toward the door to try to explain things.
"They have been reprimanded and reminded of the rules," Xavier stated calmly. His tone telling Scott that the matter of this discussion was closed. He took a deep breath, trying to focus before his emotions took control. "In regards to Jean and Logan, that is none of your concern. They have my permission to change rooms. That should be enough for you to give them their privacy."
"Yes, sir," Scott hung his head sheepishly.
"I am extremely disappointed in your behavior," Xavier told him with a stern and disappointed voice. It cut Scott deeply to hear his mentor, his father-figure, speak to him in that tone. "I have no choice, but to suspend you from classes for the next two weeks, in which you will receive no credit for any assignment or exam, and you are restricted to your quarters for that time. Your meals will be brought to you by someone other than Jean or Logan. Also, you are barred from any missions that may arise for us during this time of punishment."
"But, sir…" Scott's head shot up with an indignant, shocked look with his rising rage temper.
"No, Scott," Xavier shook his head before using his right arm as a prop rest to his chin. This whole matter was giving him a severe headache. "I have thus far been too lenient towards you regarding Jean and Logan. This must stop! I understand that you and Logan may never be friends, but that does not mean I will tolerate you verbally attacking him or Jean."
"Yes, sir," Scott sighed sounding dejected and defeated.
"In addition to your punishment," Xavier continued, "I will be calling Dr. MacTaggart for you to receive some counseling after your two weeks of confinement has expired. Whether she will come here or you will do it over the telephone shall be her decision."
"Yes, sir," Scott all but moaned.
"You must accept this and move on. As I have stated before, there is nothing you can do or say that can or will change things." Xavier sighed again, before continuing in a gentler tone. "If nothing else, Scott, you have to understand that Logan and Jean are meant to be together. They share a connection that is unbreakable and not yet completely understood, for we do not have all the information of their bond. As to your remarks towards Jean: what they do behind closed doors is their business, not yours, not mine, or anyone else's."
"Just for my understanding, sir, may I ask why they are going to be sharing a room?" Scott inquired politely but with a little trepidation.
Xavier sighed again to hold back his growing irritation with Scott. His behavior was completely irrational, yet calculated. It made no sense to Xavier. "Their marks on their arms make them a mated pair. It is the source of their link. Have you not noticed that they are in the same shape of a triangle, on the same arm, and in the same placement?"
"Mated pair?" Scott asked in confusion and disgust, ignoring the question. "That sounds to me like they're both animals."
"As I said before, Scott, we still do not fully understand their connection," Xavier sighed again. His agitation was getting to a level where it was interfering with his state of mind. He could not afford to let his anger out. "It is not my place to tell you more, and honestly, Scott, you have not earned the right to know due to your recent actions. It is a personal and private affair between them. I have been privy to it only because of my position here at the school and they have personally asked for my assistance in their research. I cannot, and will not, tell you anymore."
"Yes, sir," Scott frowned with disappointment.
"Now, you will proceed to your quarters," Xavier ordered. "Do not stop anywhere along the way. Do not speak to anyone. If you do, I shall know immediately. I will be monitoring you from here. Dismissed, Scott."
"Yes, sir," Scott stood, the picture of perfect misery as he slouched his way to the door.
XMXMXM
Jean's Advanced Ethics class with the Professor had just ended. She slowly gathered her things as she waited patiently for Warren and Alex to exit the office before asking to speak with Xavier. This was an important topic for her and she needed to do it alone with her mentor, because of what it would mean for her and Logan. Jean watched as her friends laughed and joked about something as they walked to the door.
"Yes, Jean?" Xavier asked. "Something I can do for you?"
"Well…" Jean hesitated for a second. "Really it's more…asking permission to leave campus tomorrow for a…field trip."
"Field trip?" Xavier asked in confusion. He didn't make it a habit to read his students' minds, so he was completely taken aback by this request. Being a weekend, the campus was open for them to come and go. After hearing the hesitation in her voice, he knew she had a specific plan in mind.
"First, Logan needs some things, like clothes," Jean began. She paused for a few seconds before getting to her main point. "Secondly, I believe he's ready to venture out with my supervision."
"Where to?" asked Xavier, but began to understand.
"The mall," Jean answered quietly.
"The mall?" Xavier repeated with raised eyebrows. "Are you certain he won't get sensory overload there?"
"Well," Jean blushed. "I've sort of been planning this for a while…and placed a lot of scented candles…all around the mansion to get him used to it. I…uh…was hoping we…Logan and I, that is…could…uh…do this…as a date?"
"How long have you been planning this?" Xavier asked out of curiosity tilting his head. "And I have noticed the inordinate amount of candles around."
"Three weeks," Jean admitted with a slight squeak to her voice.
"I must say, the candles were a stroke of genius," Xavier conceded. "How long would you plan to be there?"
"Well, considering Logan has so little," Jean paused. "Most of the day."
"Alright," Xavier nodded reaching for his wallet.
"Oh, no, Professor," Jean waved him off quickly. "With Warren's help, we were able to claim Logan's inheritance from the Howlett Estate."
"Really?"
"It took a bit of fibbing on our part with Logan's healing and all, but Warren was able to get it for him," Jean answered with a shy smile. "It helped that Warren has an acquaintance that's an attorney."
"I see," nodded Xavier. "Perhaps I should speak to Warren about retaining this attorney in the off chance we need one someday. But that aside, what time did you wish to go on your 'field trip'?"
"Shortly after breakfast tomorrow since it's Saturday," Jean answered.
"Alright, be careful, and have a good date," Xavier grinned at her.
"Thank you, sir," Jean smiled brightly.
XMXMXM
Jean and Logan walked through the crowded mall carrying bags in one hand and holding each other's free hand. Logan was doing surprisingly well with his senses, thanks to her wonderful candle plan. Jean smiled at Logan as he kept glancing at her. Occasionally, he would steal a kiss from her if he noticed another male looking at her. Jean noticed a brunette looking Logan's way, and decided to return the favor. Something inside her was telling her, Mine, not yours! My mate, you cannot have him! Jean grinned as the other woman huffed, annoyed and disappointed, turning pointedly away from them.
"I'm getting hungry, how about you?" Jean asked as they neared the food court.
"Yeah, stomach rumblin' somethin' fierce," Logan nodded. They found a table, setting their bags down. "Got a cravin' fer anythin' specific, darlin'?"
"Orange chicken," Jean answered after a quick look around. Logan nodded before looking around. "Good practice to do this on your own," she whispered to him adding a kiss for encouragement. "I'll wait here with the bags." Logan took a deep breath, before nodding again. After another quick kiss, he left to order their food.
Jean watched him closely, making sure he could control his instincts around the crowd of people. She was surprised by how calm he had remained throughout the day so far. Sure, he had glared at some of the salespeople as they shopped, the possessive squeezes around her waist, and the stolen kisses, but all things considered, Logan was doing very well. Jean had a feeling it was mostly her presence, but she really wouldn't put him through this alone. Plus, they were having fun despite his complaints about all the stores they had gone into and all the clothes she had him try on.
Jean noticed Logan turn around to smirk at her, knowing she was probably thinking too loud again. Logan had pointed that out to her once in a while as he started hearing her thoughts through their link. He tapped his temple, confirming her suspicion. She smiled back at him, sending feelings of love and pride to him. Logan grinned, giving her a wink before turning back to the foodservice line. Jean was too lost in her thoughts to notice the burly young man that walked up to their table.
"Hey there, sweetheart. This seat taken?"
Jean looked up with narrowed eyes. "Yes, it is."
"Well, I don't see nobody there," he persisted.
"That's because my boyfriend is getting our lunch," Jean spat back. This guy was starting to get annoying.
"Well. How about I just keep it warm for him?" he smiled like it was the best idea. "Wouldn't want a gorgeous gal like you to get lonely waiting on a loser like that."
Jean saw Logan approaching from behind the annoying guy. "I don't think so."
"Here ya go, darlin'," Logan placed the trays on the table ignoring the guy standing there.
"Thanks, babe," Jean smiled, adding a kiss for good measure.
"That's your boyfriend?" the guy asked with a laugh. Logan stood, glaring at the guy.
"Logan," Jean tried to stop him.
"Relax, darlin', I got this," Logan smirked. Jean could tell he was up to something; she just didn't know what it was. "Got a hearin' problem, bub? My girl tol' ya to get lost."
"Why not let the lady decide?" he asked arrogantly. "Me, or a shrimp like you."
Logan turned, giving Jean a wink and a smirk. For some reason that look made her nervous. "Logan," she tried again.
"Tell ya what, bub," Logan looked back at him. "I'll give ya one free shot. Ya drop me off my feet, you can have one free date wit' my girl."
"Logan!" Jean cried in surprise.
"Relax, darlin', it ain't been done before," Logan grinned at her. He turned back to the guy. "Maybe you'll be the first."
"Free hit, huh?"
"Yup," nodded Logan. He pointed to his jaw. "Right here."
"Alright," the guy accepted.
He pulled back his fist, taking a hard swing. He hit Logan full-force in the jaw. Logan didn't flinch. The guy's face and body froze as loud cracking sounds echoed throughout the food court. Jean hid her snicker as the guy crumpled over his broken hand.
"Oh, well, tough break, kid," Logan shrugged. "Now, get lost."
"Not so fast," a security officer came up to them. "You," he pointed to the guy as he moaned in agony, "are coming with me." He turned back to Logan, "I only have one question: how did you do that?"
"Oh, uh…I might have forgot ta tell 'im I was in a bike wreck a while back," Logan lied. He pointed to his jaw. "Good hunka my jaw's metal."
"Must be a bitch at airports," laughed the officer.
"You have no idea," Logan deadpanned.
"Have a good day, folks," the officer waved as he walked away with the guy.
"That was quick thinking," Jean whispered to him as he sat down beside her.
"Kinda true," Logan shrugged. Jean laughed kissing him before they started eating.
"Excuse me?" asked a young woman with dark skin and thick, wavy black hair as she stopped at their table. Jean and Logan looked up. "First, thanks for that. He tried that with me and my friends before. Second, are you Jean Grey?"
"Do I know you?" Jean asked. Logan stiffened a little.
"No, but I know your sister Sarah," she answered. "I'm Misty McKnight. I'm in her student group."
"Oh," Jean recognized the name. "Sarah mentioned you before." Jean shook hands with her, motioning to the free seat on the other side of the table. "This is my boyfriend Logan."
"Hi," Misty extended her hand. Jean noticed him sniff a little before taking her hand briefly. "Thank you. I had the unfortunate pleasure of going to high school with that jerk."
"T'weren't nothin'," Logan shrugged.
"I have to ask," Jean started, "how did you know it was me?"
"Oh, that," Misty laughed. "Sarah showed me your picture once. She told me to keep an eye out for you whenever I came home for the weekend and summers. She also told me to tell you I don't have a problem with your gifts. I actually think they're pretty cool."
"Wish there were more people like you," Jean admitted.
"I know, so do I," Misty nodded. "It makes no sense to me why there isn't."
XMXMXM
As Logan and Jean walked out of the food court, they didn't notice the man in the far corner of the tables stand and walk in the other direction. He glanced around as he picked up the receiver on the payphone in the corridor to the restrooms. The other end rang once.
"Yes?"
"I've found Weapon X."
"Where?"
"Salem Center, New York."
XMXMXM
Logan finally spotted the store he had been looking for. He had gotten the idea from Lorna when he talked to her that morning while Jean was changing. Logan smiled to himself as a plan came to mind as he glanced at Jean. She was looking at another store of clothes but it was for women's clothes only. Logan hid his thoughts as he pulled some money from his pocket.
"Go on, I know ya want to," Logan rolled his eyes. "Just don't take too long."
"Logan," Jean groused slightly. "What about you? This is supposed to be your shopping trip, not mine."
"Ya can't hide that ya wanna look, or that ya wanna find somethin' ya wanna wear fer me," Logan reasoned. Jean opened and closed her mouth with an annoyed look because she knew he was right. "Yeah, tol' ya! Go on. I wanna try a shop over there anyhow on my own, like th' food court." He pointed in a vague direction so he wouldn't lie to her. "Good practice fer me, right?"
"Fine," Jean rolled her eyes at his logic. "Meet me back here in twenty minutes."
"'Kay," Logan kissed her as she smiled. He waited until she was inside the shop before darting into the store he wanted to go into.
"May I help you, sir?" a man behind the counter greeted him.
"I hope so," Logan grunted. "Bit new ta this relationship stuff. Friend o' mind gave me an idea, so here I am."
Twenty minutes later, Jean was looking around for Logan in the place they had parted from. She didn't know which store he was in, so all she could do was wait. She caught wisps of thoughts from him about something taking too long. Then a wisp of relief as it was finished. Those thoughts confused her. Jean looked around again but still couldn't see him. She glanced at a passing group of giggling girls as they blocked her view of the side of the mall he had said he was going into. The next thing she knew Logan was close to her but not where he was. He was getting very good at hiding his position from her if needed or wanted. Almost too good.
"Hey, darlin'," Logan grinned as he hugged her from behind. Jean gasped and jumped as he chuckled.
"Don't do that!" Jean heaved, swatting his arm as she turned around. "Now I know how Bobby feels."
"Sorry, had ta," Logan smiled as he pulled her into a hug. "Now, ya ready to go, or do I need more shit?"
"No, we got everything on the list I made," Jean told him after looking over the bags.
"Good. This place is startin' ta make my skin crawl," Logan nodded as he picked up most of the bags while taking her hand.
Jean glanced at her watch. "Five hours in public and no growls. Not bad. I'd say no injuries, but…"
"Yeah, well, he was fool enough ta take a swing," Logan shrugged as they exited the mall at the nearest exit. Logan looked a little antsy, so Jean stopped for a minute.
"Go ahead and have a cigar," Jean told him. "The car is on the other side of the mall anyway, and you look like you could use one."
"Thanks for understandin', darlin'," Logan kissed her before pulling one out.
They walked most of the way in silence, avoiding the groups of teenagers that were entering and exiting from the other doors along the way. Jean could feel the nervousness Logan was exuding but thought it was just the crowds getting to him. When they reached the car, they loaded the bags into the backseat before climbing in the front. Jean felt Logan's eyes on her as she rounded the car to the driver's seat, but that was nothing unusual.
As Jean was closing the door, her right hand on the wheel, she felt something cold being placed on her arm. She turned her head to see Logan fastening a bracelet on her wrist. Jean stared with wide eyes at the gold chain with a plate in the middle of it. On the plate was an engraved "L & J". Jean gasped as she looked up at Logan.
"What…?"
"Just somethin' fer ya, darlin'," he smiled at her.
"Logan," Jean breathed. She was so touched he had thought about something like this that she was close to tears. "Thank you."
"Anytime, darlin'," Logan grinned as Jean pulled him over for a rough awkward kiss.
"I'll thank you more properly after we get back to the mansion," Jean smiled at him.
XMXMXM
Lorna had greeted Logan and Jean in the garage as they pulled in. She was all smiles to see her "brother" had listened to her advice to buy something nice, and little special, for his girl on their first official date. She had squealed quietly when Jean had shown the bracelet to her, keeping in mind Logan's sensitive ears. Lorna gave him an approving wink and nod for his selection, before helping them carry their bags to their room.
After Lorna had left, Jean helped Logan with the tedious task of tag removal, folding, and putting his new clothes away. They talked about how much fun they had that day as they did their task before heading down for dinner. The kitchen was a lot more peaceful and friendly with Scott being confined to his room for another four days. Logan was much more comfortable with the rest of the team and interacted with them much easier than when he had first arrived. He and Jean talked about their day in detail, all of them having a good laugh at the persistent guy who was fool enough to try to flirt with Jean and then to hit Logan.
After returning to their room for the night, Jean and Logan sat up talking. They discussed subject after subject, learning more about each other than they had in the four months since Logan had been rescued from that bunker in Canada. Jean told him as many childhood stories about herself as she could remember, even the embarrassing ones, each laughing at the simple pleasures of a young girl. They hadn't been watching the time, although they did know it had gotten quite late.
Suddenly, Logan stopped laughing. He held his hand up for Jean to quiet. She looked at him concerned as he tilted his head toward the window. He stood, motioning her to stay on the bed and turn the light off. Logan gently opened the window slightly, sniffing the air. He stood quickly, looking alarmed.
'We got unwanted company comin',' Logan thought to her. Jean's eyes grew wide. 'Tell Chuck and the others ta shut off all their lights, an' get to a safe spot away from th' windows.'
Jean looked worried at what Logan was about to do. Logan gave her a frown as she thought he was going to ask her to hide. Logan motioned her to stay low and follow. Once in the hall, he tapped his head. 'Stay in contact wit' me an' th' others. Tell 'em ta stay low and get out here. We got about five minutes til they show up.'
Jean nodded staying close to Logan as the others joined them in the hall.
Logan raised a hand before anyone, even the Professor, could ask a question. "We got four choppers full o' troops comin' our way. They're packin' enough firepower ta bring down a small army. But they made one mistake a'ready, they landed close enough fer me ta hear 'em."
"How many?" Scott asked, his team leader voice coming out.
"'Bout fifty," Logan answered, giving him a narrowed gaze. In this situation, Logan knew their differences were set aside to protect the group as a whole. But that didn't mean Logan liked the little bastard.
"Havok, Polaris, take the west side of the mansion," Xavier ordered. "Logan and Jean, the east side. Angel, retrieve the stun net launcher to cover the north. Iceman, Cyclops, with me at the main entrance. Stay in contact with me or Jean at all times."
"Chuck, just turn me loose out there and…" Logan began as they started moving down the stairs.
"We do not kill needlessly, Logan," Xavier stated.
"Them invadin' your home…" Logan tried.
"Logan, I would tell you to bring me a prisoner, however, for some reason I cannot read their thoughts. This concerns me greatly," Xavier commented. Logan looked at Jean, who shook her head.
Jean stopped with wide eyes, grabbing Logan's arm. "No one knows we're mutants unless someone from Weapon X spotted us in town."
"Then their target would be Logan," Xavier agreed. 'X-Men, their target is most likely Logan.'
'Like hell, they're taking my 'brother' back!' Lorna thought over the open link.
Logan smirked at Jean about Lorna's comment. He knew Jean had her own reasons to want to protect him, and he had his reasons for wanting to protect her. After parting with others, they clasped hands as they made their way to the east side of the mansion. If the soldiers were fool enough to come here and try to take Logan, they were in for a big surprise if they thought he would come along quietly.
XMXMXM
Alex and Lorna entered the west wing of the mansion as cautiously as possible. There was no sign that any of the soldiers had breached the mansion yet, but they knew could change at any moment. They were almost into position when a soldier rounded the corner, firing two quick shots from his weapon. The first shot went between Alex and Lorna, but the second struck Lorna in the shoulder. At such close range, the impact spun her around, slamming her head into the wall hard enough for her to lose consciousness.
Alex fired his plasma blast at the soldier's gun, causing it to melt into a blob of scrap. The soldier screamed in agony at his burned hands. Alex punched him several times in the face to make sure he stayed down. Plus, it was a little revenge for shooting Lorna. Alex hurriedly went over to the open window, sending out a long pulsing beam of plasma at the approaching soldiers. The heat alone kept the soldiers from coming any closer and if they tried to cross the line Alex had made, their equipment started to melt. Satisfied, they couldn't enter from that direction, after pushing the blast door button on the wall, Alex scooped Lorna up, carrying her back to the main entrance where the Professor was.
"Lorna's hurt," Alex called worriedly.
"Set her down by the Professor," Scott ordered. "Your way blocked?"
"Yup," Alex answered as he set Lorna by Xavier. "Plasma line and hit the blast shudders."
"Give Warren a hand. Do the same," Scott ordered. "Then do the same on Logan and Jean's side. We'll try to bottleneck them here."
"On it," Alex called heading for the back door.
"Welcome to the party," Warren joked as Alex stopped beside him.
"Honored," Alex quipped back. "Launch that way, then step back."
"On it," Warren aimed the net launcher in the direction Alex pointed. He fired the weapon as sixteen soldiers come out of the woods.
After the stun net covered the soldiers, Alex stepped outside. He fired his plasma beam, joining it with his other line on the west side of the mansion. Hurrying back inside, Alex hit the blast shudders, sealing off the back of the house.
"Go join the others at the front door," Alex ordered Warren.
"What about you?"
"I got one more side to blast," Alex answered as he ran down the hall.
XMXMXM
Jean and Logan had just arrived on the east side of the mansion. Logan was getting edgy. He could smell one of the soldiers in the house. Suddenly, Logan jumped in front of Jean as three shots rang out. One bullet hit one of his ribs, causing it to ricochet into the wall. Another glanced off his sternum, embedding itself in the ceiling. The third found the narrow space between his ribs over his heart but lodged between them.
"Logan!" Jean cried. As Logan dropped to his knees to heal, Jean threw the soldier into the wall with enough force to break ribs. His helmet was knocked off with the impact. Jean could suddenly read his thoughts. 'Professor, their helmets are what's blocking our telepathy.'
'Understood, Jean,' Xavier answered before passing the information to the others.
Alex appeared, waving as he ran by to the windows.
"Agh! That hurt!" Logan growled as he pried the bullet out. Jean rubbed his back as he grunted with pain as his healing factor finished its job.
"Thank you, baby," Jean kissed his cheek. "You alright?"
"Twenty seconds," Logan gritted his teeth. He looked up at her, concern on his face. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, thanks to you," Jean smiled.
They both looked up as the blast shudders slammed shut. Alex came jogging back to them with a look of concern. He watched frozen as the hole in Logan's chest began to close. His eyes grew wide as Alex witnessed just how fast Logan healed. Logan grinned at him as he stood, handing the bullet to Alex.
"Keep it," Logan smiled.
Alex stared at the bullet with a look of confusion, then grinned. "Wish I had that."
"No, ya don't," Logan shook his head. "Jus' 'cause I heal fast don' mean it don' hurt like hell."
"I'll keep that in mind," Alex swallowed looking back at the bullet. "Anyway, Prof wants us all at the front door since I closed off the other sides."
Logan and Jean nodded. The three of them ran back down the main corridor to the entryway. Jean cursed as she saw three of the team had been hurt. She knew only she and Warren had any kind of medical training to help treat their wounded friends. Warren was checking on Scott's shoulder; Bobby was awake but she could see the pain on his face. What concerned Jean was Lorna was unconscious. Jean knelt next to Lorna as she looked at her shoulder. Logan handed Jean his tank top as Jean pulled the bullet out with her powers. Lorna groaned as she felt the lead pass slowly through the hole again.
"I know. I'm sorry," Jean soothed. Lorna's eyes fluttered open, but they were unfocused and glazed. Jean checked Lorna for other injuries, finding the lump on her head. "You have a bad concussion, Lorna. Stay down and rest. We got this."
"Jean, check Bobby," Warren called, wrapping Scott's shoulder. "I did what I could, but you have more training than me."
Jean moved over to Bobby who was grimacing in pain holding his leg on his inner thigh. She checked under the bandage, making sure an artery hadn't been hit. She felt the bullet still in his leg.
"This is gonna hurt like hell, Bobby," Jean told him. He nodded as he gritted his teeth. Jean pulled with her powers, yanking the bullet out of the flesh. Bobby growled in pain but kept his leg still. "There ya go. Little better?"
"I'll get back to you on that," Bobby groaned. Jean patted his shoulder before standing.
Logan had placed himself in front of everyone looking at the door. He was growling loudly as several soldiers entered spreading out in front of them. An officer walked in behind them. Jean's eyes bulged. It was him. The officer she had seen in her dream. He was the one responsible for hurting Logan. Jean wasn't sure if it was her own anger or Logan's that she was feeling. After a second of thought, it was more likely a combination of both. She glared at the older man as he walked up to the center of the soldiers.
"You're a hard man to find," the officer stated as he stopped a few feet in front of Logan. He looked over Logan's shoulder. "Hello, Charles."
"You have no right to do this, William," Xavier glared.
"Oh, but I have every right," the officer smiled. "You're harboring an AWOL soldier, and now I can take all of you in for being accomplices. Oh, and don't try, Charles. We came prepared for you."
"I sincerely doubt that," Charles grinned. 'Jean, can you remove their helmets?'
'Yes, I can, Professor!' Jean replied. "Logan, don't kill him. Hurt him, but don't kill him.'
'No promises, darlin'.'
The officer's smug smile was suddenly wiped off his face as Jean ripped every helmet off the soldiers and him. Before he could think to pull a gun, he was on his back with a searing pain in his arm and leg. A heavy weight landed on his chest hard, knocking the air out of his lungs. In the span of a blink, he was staring at two blades an inch from his eyes and one just above the bridge of his nose. He heard commotion around him, only to realize his men were incapacitated.
"Now, Colonel Stryker," Xavier stated over the shoulder of Wolverine. "I believe my point to you before is quite valid. Come here looking for a fight, and you shall have one. Come here to try and take one of my students and you will be sorry. And I shall add, Logan is staying right where he is. I am not the only one here that feels that way. My students have become very attached to him, and they will defend him from you or any other threats to him or them.
"Tell your men to withdraw to the helicopters, Colonel," ordered Xavier. Stryker looked to his right, nodding at one of the scared looking soldiers. Xavier waited a few minutes, staring out the door with a glazed look. "Now, your men have been neutralized and their memories wiped of being here. I am sorry I could not help Jason, but mutants are not the threat you see us as. Logan, please let him stand."
Logan didn't move. "Come fer me or my friends again, and I'll gut ya six ways ta th' moon!" he growled in Stryker's face before he slowly slid off of the man.
'You will leave here. Your information was incorrect. Your informant made a terrible mistake. Logan is not in this area. You were hurt by a farmer protecting his property. Logan has disappeared and you will never be able to find him. You stop searching for him and move on with your life, not bothering any more mutants as long as you live,' Xavier planted in Stryker's brain.
Stryker's eyes glazed over. "Sorry for the misunderstanding, sir. And don't worry about me. A pitchfork won't kill me. Good evening."
Stryker turned, walking mechanically out the front door. The X-Men stood in bewilderment for a few seconds until he was out of sight. Jean turned to the Professor with a hard look.
"No, Jean, I did not know Stryker was behind the Weapon X program," Xavier stated before she could ask. "He came to me years ago, wanting me to cure his son of his mutation. Jason's powers were too much for his mind and he became catatonic. Because of his parents' ill will toward mutants, Jason's damaged mind drove his mother to commit suicide. His father blames me for it."
"Displacement issues much," Warren frowned.
"Quite accurate, Warren," Xavier nodded. "He will not be back. Now, if you will help your teammates to the infirmary, I shall call a friend for an extra hand of help."
XMXMXM
"Hel'o" a sleepy female voice came through the earpiece.
"Moira, it's Charles."
"W'at er ya callin' me at…three inna mornin' fer, Charles?" her Scottish accent laced with irritation.
"William Stryker paid the school a visit. I have three wounded students," Charles informed her.
"Ye lucky I'mma in New York, Charles!" Moira yawned. "I'mma on my way."
"Moira, I still require your council with Scott," Charles commented.
"I'mma packin' now. I'll be there inna hour, Charles," Moira replied. "Anythin' serious?"
"Lorna has a concussion and a shoulder wound. Scott also has a shoulder injury. Lucky the bullet missed the femoral artery, but Robert had a leg wound," Charles answered. "Jean and Warren have them stabilized, but we need an experienced doctor for the stitches."
"Un'erstood. Be there shortly," Moira answered.
A/N: The setup for the rest of this is three chapters away, as a not to my HP readers. As a matter of opinion (and fact to me) Scott (Cyclops) Summers is a jackass! My views of him will never change. I have thought that since I read my first X-Men comic way back in the 80s. I was accused of being an old school fan, GUILTY! In reply to a review: I have been thinking about it since the other site allows more graphic content and I have a scene in mind that may not allow. As always, Thanks for the R/Rs.