The feral creature stared out past the tree line, hiding in the shadows and shifting uneasily. His nose twitched, scenting the air for the stench of men. He strained his ears, eyes darting around.

His senses told him it was safe.

He moved out of the trees slowly, still sniffing, senses straining for any sign of human life.

Quietly, silently, he padded down the rocky bank, crouching at the edge of the swirling river and bending down to drink, eyes still searching warily while doing so.

He lifted his head suddenly when a splash occurred further down the canal.

Silently he stalked downstream, halting at the edge and moving back so his reflection wasn't in the stiller water. For a moment he hesitated. Then with expert killing skills his hand flashed out and three claws speared the large trout.

"Albert!" A voice called.

The creature glanced up quickly, sniffing before he climbed up the bank, fish in hand. He spotted the owner of the voice inside of the trees and ran over. "Jean. Found water. Fish!" He proudly held up the trout.

"Good Albert." Jean Grey patted him on the head briefly. "Give it here." She held out her hand.

He snarled, pulling it closer to his chest but was quickly smacked on the nose.

"Give it."

With a reluctant grumble, he handed it over, rubbing his nose. "Hungry."

"I know. You catch some more…and maybe find Laura while you're at it. She's run off again." Jean cast a longing glance around them, as if hoping the young girl would spring out from behind the bank or the trees.

Albert returned to the river to do as he was told, and Jean collected some fresh water while keeping an eye on him. He gave her…a strange feeling. She wasn't sure if she really had words to explain. And it wasn't just because their dearest 'Albert' had been—was—X-25. Weapon X's project sent to track them and drag them back to the facility.

Jean and Laura had decided quickly that killing him was going to be too much of a mission. So they'd taken a different plan of attack. One that had terrified Jean to start with considering her weakened powers and Laura was so young…but the girl was fierce as her father, and X-25—Albert—quickly submitted to his new 'alphas'.

He was more of a pet now than anything else…and Jean did feel sorry for him. He reminded her of Logan…of what Logan might have been—could have been—was…at one point. Except Logan had been far more savage.

And that was the other reason why Albert gave her an almost sickening feeling. Weapon X had done a wonderful job of mirroring their latest weapon to the man they idolised.

There were differences, but the resemblance was uncanny.

She missed Logan…very much. And having around someone so like him was painful. So alike…but so different.

Jean swallowed the lump forming in her throat, standing up and turning to glance at Albert.

He'd caught plenty more fish and was looking very pleased with himself as he ambled over with them in his arms. "Fish."

Jean felt a ghost of a smile curve at her lips, but her eyes were sad as she walked with him back to the trees, briefly turning her head to gaze up at the snowy mountains overlooking the forest. They were almost there…to the place Logan had told them to run.

'Logan…'

Bloody Logan. Everything reminded her of him. Especially out here in the wilderness…she knew he always felt more at home here than anywhere else.

"Jean?"

The red head turned back, noticing Albert was quite far ahead. "Coming, Albert."

…

It was late. The fire crackled. Deep in the forest, a wolf howled.

Albert sat a few meters from where Jean and Laura slept, curled up underneath the pink fluffy blanket with unicorns on it. He was watching them, protecting them.

His nose twitched, ears pricked as he listened to the wild dogs.

Quietly, he moved away, going down to the stream to drink. He couldn't settle, couldn't sleep. Something set him on edge tonight.

Far away, something was happening. Something terrible.

There was the faintest stench of blood in the breeze.

He licked his lips and returned to the campfire, brief panic setting in when he spotted Laura sleeping alone.

"Jean gone." He scented the air before bounding off, following her trail.

He caught up with her quickly, she wasn't walking that fast.

She turned quickly hearing him, and he caught the disappointment that flooded over her face when she saw it was just him.

He slowed, moving over quietly, blinking, smelling her tears before he saw her wet cheeks. Her sadness flooded off her in hot waves. "Jean sad…"

"Hey, Albert." She wiped her eyes, looking up at the large moon above the tree branches. "I'm just thinking."

Albert moved to stand next to her, following her gaze. He was silent for a long moment. "Why sad?" he glanced at her with his large brown eyes.

Jean swallowed hard, because she wanted his eyes to be blue. Because she wanted him to hold her tightly and promise he wasn't leaving again. Because she wanted him…to be Logan.

Tonight she had searched, stretching her powers to find him. She'd been too scared before.

And she'd found him, found what had happened. Weapon X had made some deal with him…they'd gone into his head…

She blinked quickly at the thought, shaking her head and briefly running her fingers through her red hair.

She didn't want to believe it. That Logan had gone savage again. Not her Logan! How could he have agreed to this?

"Jean miss someone. Albert find." He murmured quietly. "Tell Albert."

"You…you can't." she whispered quietly. "You can't find him. No one can. Not you, not Laura…not even me. He has to find himself this time."

Albert turned to gaze deeper into the forest as another wolf howled. "Logan."

Jean nodded stiffly, following his gaze with tear filled eyes.

Come back to me, Logan...