-1After the nights thunder storm it wasn't surprising that the camp would have seen better days. Immediately Logan began packing up his things so they could get on the road. Hannah just stared at her soaking wet backpack and realized that more than likely not one thing in it was dry. Zipping it open she pulled out a few wet shirts and then in disgust and frustration threw them to the ground and sat down in a huff.

Logan noticed her frustration and found a dry shirt of his own. He had left his own bag under a tree and the branches had kept it fairly dry. "Hey", he called out and as she turned he tossed it in the air.

She caught it and their eyes locked for a few seconds but that was all. Nothing was said, even the hike back to the jeep was made in complete silence.

Once on the road, the silence in the car was deafening, this time for Logan and as soon as he found a station he settled the dial there. Anything to keep his mind off Hannah. She sulked, her body as close to the side of the car as possible. Dressed only in his shirt, her legs tucked up on the seat under her, her toes wiggling nervously. Once nearing civilization he stopped at a general store and gas station. Hannah refused to move. Her body ached, her arm throbbed, she felt dirty and hungry, but nothing was as painful as the fact Logan was shutting her out and whatever happened between them last night seemed to have disappeared from his mind altogether.

She on the other hand couldn't think of much else. As he walked into the store she couldn't help but notice that firm back and butt that had been such a beautiful sight that morning. That same back and butt she had explored with her own hands and lips thoroughly. Why was she torturing herself? She might as well just believe she was a one night stand and leave it at that.

When he headed back to the car he had a bag and threw it onto her lap through the window, startling her. Bringing her out of her daze. As he stepped into the driver's side she glared at him, "What's this?"

"In case of an accident, wouldn't want you to be dressed inappropriately. And thought you might be hungry."

She looked in the bag and found a pair of sweat pants and a bottle of orange juice and some beef jerky, something she was unfamiliar with.

"It's not much but they'll have to do."

She managed a thank you. The first decent words she had uttered since she had stormed off in the woods. He watched as she slipped them on under the oversized shirt, getting a glimpse of her upper thigh. His way of suppressing any sexual thoughts concerning her had been to completely ignore her and concentrate on getting back to the mansion, but clearly as his heart raced it wasn't working. The images of her lying naked in front of the fire were not easy to push to the back of his mind.

She tore into the jerky with a gusto unbefitting of the English woman she had been raised as, but for those few moments she was oblivious to Logan's hunger of a different kind. Satisfying her own was all that mattered. He couldn't help but find this amusing. The last thing on his mind was food.

Settling into the driver's seat and his thoughts now clear, he started the engine, but had one more issue to bring up, "Oh, and by the way I phoned the mansion."

She looked up surprised. Her hunger satisfied for the minute she waited to hear what he had to say.

"Talked to Hank. Wanted them to know we were on our way. Thought maybe Chuck might be a bit frantic since you didn't return any of his calls."

Hannah didn't say anything. She felt bad how she had handled her father's messages. Wanting to prove to him that she didn't need a father figure now, it seemed clear she was wrong especially since this whole week had now turned into a disaster.

"Is he okay?" she asked in all sincerity.

"Yeah, I think he will be now. He just wanted to know you were safe. That's a good thing, having someone care about you. I don't know how much of that you got when you lived in England, traveling all over with your playing. One thing about the school, those people care, they're family when you don't have any." As he said it, he realized he was talking about himself. And although he liked being the loner, making his own rules, he also liked knowing the mansion was there when he needed that sense of belonging somewhere. For a brief moment the image of the portrait popped in his head and he couldn't shake it. Still unclear about its significance he hadn't decided what his next step was going to be, but he knew once he saw Hannah safe back at the school he would be off to pursue some unanswered questions and was pretty sure some of those answers were at the house in Canada.

Professor Xavier rolled his wheelchair to the picture window of his office and looked down at a group of his charges involved in a basketball game. As he watched their delighted faces as they scored a hoop, he only wished he was still able to find those simple joys in life. The older he became the harder it seemed to grasp onto them. Hannah coming back into his life should have been that type of joy, but instead everything had become more complicated and he felt he was losing her before he had actually found her. In the past few days his attempts of phoning her had been fruitless, not even a voice mail to pick up the messages. He was able to track Logan through cerebro and knew that their whereabouts had not changed but Hannah had chosen to ignore his calls and this had disheartened him. He was no longer concerned with her safety, knowing that Logan would have that under control, but he was concerned she wanted nothing to do with a father figure at this time in her life and there wasn't anything he could do about it.

On top of that he had received a phone call from his old friend, more often advisary,Eric Lehnsherr this morning. He insisted on meeting with Charles this afternoon concerning the welfare of all mutant kind. It could not have come at a worse time. He seemed so unable to deal with personal family problems, how could he possibly concentrate on the bigger picture?

Jean rapped her knuckles on the open office door lightly, peeking her head in and finding the professor a million miles away at the window. Not an uncommon sight this week and it was fairly obvious where his thoughts were. She tried to keep him occupied as much as she could, but for the most part it was no good.

He turned from the window, "Jean, do come in."

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Storm said you were upset this morning about a phone call. Was it Hannah?"

He shook his head as he rolled away from the window and went to his desk, "Actually, it was Eric."

"Magneto?" Jean seemed surprised.

"Believe me, I am as surprised as you. I do not have an inkling what is on his mind. He disappears for months at a time and then appears from nowhere with some new cause that he tries to drag me into."

"He must be desperate to come to you."

"Yes, that is what concerns me. It could not come at a worse time. I am not in any mind set to deal with a crisis."

Jean knew that he could only think about Hannah right now. "She's okay. You do know that?"

"Of course she is fine. For now. And when Logan decides to move on, then how will she be Jean? I have tried to accept this scenario but I still feel that nothing good will come of this situation."

"Maybe he will surprise us both."

"You always think the best of people, Jean."

"I try to. I got that from you, Professor and I know for a fact you don't hate Logan."

"Logan has been like a son to me. Granted a troubled son. I have tried to help him as best as I could and given him a place to call home."

"And he is grateful."

Charles knew this was true, but it was still extremely difficult to think of his daughter having an intimate relationship with the man, since he knew what he was capable of when he was angry and upset.

Storm appeared at the door, seeing Jean and the Professor in very solemn moods she quietly spoke, "I'm not interrupting am I?"

"Definitely not. Do come in, Ororo." Charles managed a smile and Jean was glad for the distraction.

She was very cheerful, "I thought both of you would like to know that Logan and Hannah are on their way home."

The professor was a little disappointed that he had not been the first to receive this news. But then he wasn't surprised under the circumstances.

When he didn't comment she quickly continued. She didn't care for the silence. "Logan called Hank. Said that Hannah's phone had gotten wet or something and she wasn't able to get back to you. He was calling from a payphone at a gas station. Didn't want you to be worried."

"Thank you, Ororo for the information. That was very considerate of him to let Hank know." Not being able to face either one of them right now, he moved his chair back to the window, his back towards both of them. "I am sure you both have a lot to do so I do not want to keep you and I am expecting Eric at anytime." His way of saying 'I want to be alone'.

"Maybe one of us should stay for this meeting with Magneto or what about Scott? I am sure he would be glad to sit in on it with you." Jean wasn't so sure this was a good time for him to be alone.

"Scott is too hot headed and will only cause more aggravation to the situation. The last thing I need. I really do appreciate your concern, but I can handle Eric."

"Well, you know how to reach us, Professor."

"That I do, Ororo. That I do."

They both walked out together and Jean turned closing the door gently a concerned look on her face, "I don't like this whole Magneto business. I just have a feeling that it has something to do with Hannah."

"You are still so set on blaming everything on her aren't you?"

"Look at how much grief she's caused him over the past few weeks?"

"I know how concerned you are, Jean. He's like your father, but he is HER father and with that responsibility comes grief. I don't think he has any regrets of her entering his life. And I think he's really trying to come to some peace concerning the relationship she has with Logan."

"I hope you're right. I just want things to go back to normal."

Storm laughed, "Normal? Since when is anything around here normal?"

"That is true. And I guess we wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, and I wanted to ask you. I have noticed Henry's newly acquired attentiveness to you. What's going on there?"

"Really, Jean. I don't have a clue. Ever since Logan left he's been following me around. I'm so used to him staying put in the computer lab or the infirmary, being on his own, it's very odd."

"Maybe it's in the air, Logan, now Henry…you could do worse you know."

"He's a sweetheart, but…"

"He's blue."

"That's not it and you know it."

"I know you feel that this is work and you need to keep it professional…"

"I've seen the problems that Logan and you and Scott have created."

"Henry's the diplomat remember, he would never stir up problems. I just happen to attract the hot headed ones that like to throw their manliness around. You won't have that problem with him. Give him a chance."

"Actually, we have a date, tomorrow night, if Logan and Hannah's arrival doesn't disrupt the whole mansion."

"A date?" She teased.

"Just late night movies here. It's nothing special."

"Well, we better make sure nothing disrupts those plans. Maybe Hannah has tamed the beast in Logan, and his temper will now be in check." there was sarcasm in her voice.

"Tame Logan? I think maybe you might have been able to do that Jean, but Hannah? She is such an innocent. I really wonder if she knew what she was getting into joining him on this trip."

"Got to hand it to her, for being persistent. I think Logan likes that about her. You once said he sees himself in her. I think you might be right. I know I have condemned this relationship before it even began but I'm beginning to realize that she might be the one that could reel him in. She could surprise us all."

Logan drove 2 full days, only stopping for pee breaks and something to eat, the words between them were few and far between and nothing personal. By dusk that 2nd day, he knew something needed to be done. If he showed up at the mansion with Hannah in such a state he would never hear the end of it and personally it was something he needed to take care of for his own piece of mind. Instead of making their way across the states he had stuck to the remote country roads of Canada for a more scenic trip, probably for his own sanity. Kept his mind off a lot of things, so falling upon a quant bed and breakfast near Thunder Bay on Lake Superior seemed like the personal solution to both of their needs. The last few hours Hannah had obviously been in pain from her arm noticeable by groans and the constant scrunching up of her face and biting her lip. The jostling of the jeep on the country roads probably wasn't helping matters.

Hannah felt the jeep stop and she looked out the window, "Why are we stopping?" she saw the quaint 3 story cottage with a sign out front, "Lady of the Lake B&B".

"I need a bath and a bed. That's why."

He got out of the jeep and didn't even wait for a response. Heading towards the stairs of the house. She looked out the window towards him in astonishment. This was sudden and his abruptness seemed to have some hidden meaning. He turned to look at her, "You coming, or do you plan on sleeping in that god-awful jeep another night?"

She quickly got out, not thinking twice. A real bed and a warm bath after this past week sounded like paradise. Who cares if she was mad as hell at Logan and she couldn't wait to see the backside of him. As she thought of that, she thought of it literally as well. He had a splendid backside. She found herself blushing.

Logan raised an eyebrow at her sudden flushed cheeks and tried not to look pleased. He needed to get back into control of this situation. "This is purely a stop out of necessity."

As soon as the words came out of his mouth he realized their double meaning.

Hannah smiled, "I would have thought a 2 star motel would have met those needs quite efficiently. This seems a bit posh for you."

He turned to her and snapped, "Maybe I was thinking of you, darlin'. Did you ever think of that?"

That put her in her place and he walked into the house, Hannah at his heels.

Quaint was not a word Logan found in his own vocabulary but this place was definitely just that. He liked simple, plain, just the opposite of this place which was cluttered wall to wall with useless stuff. Shelves with country knickknacks. Framed needlepoint sayings and proverbs, flowery curtains and a middle age woman behind the counter with a high collar dress and ratted died platinum blonde hair looking like she just got back from church. Logan thought about turning back, but who knew how far the next motel would be. He didn't feel he could take the risk.

The proprietress eyed them both with apprehension. Neither of them looked like her regular clientele. She was used to older middle class couples who enjoyed the outdoors and the friendly country hospitality she generated. These two were both shabby and dirty and she got a whiff of their aroma and tried not to grimace in disgust.

Logan didn't give her the chance to shoe them away knowing full well their appearance was a bit unruly by jumping right in with an explanation of their situation without being asked, "Got stuck in that storm a few days back, camping up in Alberta. Been driving ever since, could use a room and a bath."

She eyed Hannah up and down. Hannah managed a smile. It was a pleasant enough smile but she couldn't look past her tacky attire and the smell. The disgusted looks were now quite evident.

Still composed he added, "I got the money. Just one night, upfront. We'll be out of your hair bright and early."

But it didn't seem she was going to budge. She was repulsed by their presence in her hotel and this didn't sit well with Logan at all. Used to all kinds of prejudice he still had a hard time fathoming it. The frustration and anger was now building in his expression His brow furrowed and his lips formed a scowl. Hannah could see he more than likely was about to lose his temper.

"You got something against us, lady? Not good enough for your establishment?" he blurted out.

Finally Hannah spoke, knowing that Logan wouldn't like it but she felt they had no choice. She put her arm in his, smiling up at him, he scowled not knowing what she was up to, "I have to apologize for my husband." Not at all happy with this outburst, Logan's scowl intensified and was now directed solely at her, but he let her continue. He couldn't help but notice the lady's expression slowly changing to one of interest and concern. "He's extremely tired. This isn't the honeymoon we imagined. And he wants to make it up to me. Simple as that. I know we look dreadful and smell worse but I assure you once we bathed we really are quite presentable."

Hearing the English accent and her articulate manner of speaking, the proprietress right away knew this young woman was not at all the dregs of the earth like she imagined. Still not so sure of the man, but she felt sympathy for her, "You were stuck in that storm on your honeymoon? That is awful. Well, we can't have that now can we. I have a beautiful room with its own bathroom and it's quiet and charming with a view of the lake. And if any of your clothes need a wash, I'd be glad to take care of that for you."

"That is terribly kind of you." She looked up at Logan whose facial expression had not faltered. "It sounds lovely, doesn't it darling?"

Logan grunted, "lovely."

The woman's main thought was what did this pleasant young woman see in this animal. But she brushed those thoughts aside knowing it was none of her business and placed a registration slip in front of them. Hannah began to take the pen, only to have Logan grab it out of her hand and looked down at her and sneered, "I'll take care of that sweetheart." The tone in his voice sarcastic and cutting. He signed 'Mr. and Mrs. Logan'.

The woman handed them a key, "top floor, Mr. Logan. And just to let you know we also serve dinner at 7, if you're interested. "

Logan didn't like the way she was looking at him, Hannah quickly pulled him by the arm and dragged him up the stairs. Once out of her hearing range, he questioned her, "Husband? What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"She wasn't going to give us a room and you were going to start having a fit. I had to do something. We got the room didn't we?"

"I was handling it."

"Oh, yes, like you handle everything, with your temper."

He turned the key in the lock, knowing full well she was right and she was referring to the other morning at the house when he lost it with her. Wanting to explain himself he realized Hannah's mind now was on something else…she pushed passed him and took in the room. It was bright and cheery in yellow and pale pink. An antique four poster bed in the center of the room, looked especially inviting and opening the bathroom door, an antique footed tub. She sighed, "This is perfect." Almost forgetting their situation she nearly hugged him and then stepped back, awkwardly. She quickly moved to the window and looked out onto the lake. "This really is a beautiful spot."

"Glad it meets your approval. Didn't want your trip to be a total disappointment."

She turned towards him, "It's hardly been disappointing."

He was only too aware where this conversation could be heading, and he was definitely not ready to face any discussion of that kind right now, he headed towards the door, "Look, you get in the bath. Relax. I'll get those clothes to that witch downstairs, so you have something to wear." He noticed Hannah fiddling with the old sheet still wrapped around her arm, "and I'll get you a new bandage. I don't want to show up at the mansion, with you looking like you've been neglected.. I'm already on the professor's shit list."

"A new bandage would be good." She then added, "So are you doing this for my father? To stay on his good side?"

"Darlin' I'm doing this for you. I've been a shit to you, the past few days. You don't deserve that. I'm a selfish bastard, that's a fact, but I don't like letting the people I care about down." He then added, "Come to think of it I've let your old man down on occasion as well. I guess I'm killing two birds with one stone here. If you're happy, he'll be happy."

He had let her down, but she was amazed he was admitting it. She didn't know if she should bring up the incident at the house with the portrait. He was tired but seemed in better spirits than he had been in the last 48 hours.

"You didn't need to go to all this trouble to make me happy, Logan."

"Tomorrow we'll be back at the mansion. And things will be different, so just enjoy this and don't question my motives. Now get in the bath, before I change my mind and beat you to it."

She had tried not to think about what it would be like back at the mansion but knew the distance that had been between them for the past few days wasn't a good sign. There was also that possibility he would run off again. And she didn't want to deal with that. Not when she had just managed some closeness.

He headed for the door and as he turned the knob he heard her sigh. One of melancholy, one he had heard before but had tended to ignore. Not this time.

"You alright?" he questioned.

It took a minute for her to speak up, watching his eyes take on a concern awaiting an answer. "I don't want you to go." Once the words were spoken she couldn't believe she actually said them.

Moving closer to her, he placed his hand on her cheek, gently caressing his thumb across neck. The first time they had touched since they left the house. He took a deep breath; it was amazing the effect of such a small gesture could have on his libido. He managed to keep his senses clear and address the real issue here. Knowing that comment was more about him leaving once they got back to the mansion and not about leaving the room. Something they both knew would probably happen. "Better get used to it, I won't always be around. You know that." The words came out quite calmly much to his surprise. His bite was usually so sharp and to the point due to his lack of social skills and more often than not taken the wrong way.

She nodded. "It doesn't make it any easier." She closed her eyes and placed her own hand over his.

Now thinking he made a mistake bringing her here, he moved away from her. Then slowly looked up. "Maybe I should get another room."

"No, please…" there was so much she wanted to say, but was afraid he would back away again or she'd set him off. The scene in the house was still fresh in her mind. "I want you here."

Her eyes drooped, pleading. How could he resist? He moved back towards her, placing his hand back on her cheek. "You've got me so messed up, you know that?" He said it with a firmness but she sensed the tenderness underneath. He wanted to kiss her, it was tempting, but he took a deep breath, closed his eyes and this time made his way to the door without turning around, "I need a smoke, or a stiff drink…or both."

"You won't forget my clothes."

"Well, if I do we'll be in trouble won't we? Since you've nothing to wear and the thought of you in this room bare naked all night, is a bit too much for me at the moment."

Hannah smiled. Part of her hoping he would forget the clothes.

Charles knew Eric was on his way up the stairway towards his office and likewise Eric knew Charles would sense his presence, so he kept his inner thoughts focused on something mundane just in case Charles should happen to get in his head. He had chosen to be inconspicuous on his visit to his old friend. Didn't want to have the Xmen lurking around thinking their beloved professor was in any danger. What Eric was proposing on this visit he was pretty sure Charles would hardily agree with.

As he entered Charles couldn't help but smile with the thoughts he had read, "Becoming a connoisseur of the arts now, Eric? I never realized you were so concerned with the paintings I've chosen to adorn the walls of the mansion."

"The art is the last thing on my mind, old friend, but I knew you wouldn't be able to resist getting inside my head. Thought keeping my thoughts on the mundane for a change." Charles was amused as Eric approached him and shook his hand, "and I do promise I will not keep anything from you. So you can relax and let me do the talking instead of jumping in to places you don't belong."

"Fair enough. You have me curious, that is for sure, on what I owe the delightful presence of your company this afternoon."

"Ah, Charles, I first must admit I am a bit disappointed that I wasn't informed of your daughter's arrival here in the states. I had to find out through a rather seedy source. You recall I introduced you to her mother."

"I haven't forgotten, Eric."

"And I watched you suffer tremendously over her choice of marrying that homosapian and then preceding to raise Hannah as one of them. It was ludicrous, Charles. I told you that back then."

"There was no reason to believe she would inherit the mutant gene and I saw no reason for her be able to live a normal life. This is what you came to discuss?
Since when have you had any concern about her and her life?"

"Since Alan Masterson was involved with setting up a mutant camp in Europe."

"That was never confirmed. Merely speculation."

"Do you have any idea what information your daughter stored in her head concerning that camp?"

"Her memory is gone, Eric."

"Oh, yes, I know. I've seen her recently with that animal…Wolverine."

Charles looked surprised.

"I am still in shock that you would allow your own flesh and blood to enter into a relationship with a man who is literally a time bomb ready to go off at any moment."

"You've seen them?"

"I paid a visit to them in the wilds of Canada. Wolverine is as congenial as ever." He said in sarcasm. "But I am afraid your daughter is no longer the innocent. But maybe you already had an inkling to that fact. She is smitten. For the life of me I do not understand the attraction, but she seems to find him irresistible."

"If you have come here to throw this in my face, her relationship with Logan, for some effect, you are wasting your time, Eric."

"Clearly, it distresses you."

"She is a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions."

"Oh, Charles, this is where I can help. Wolverine is easy to be rid of. The man killed Bryan Portman in cold blood. With just one word, I could have the whole world aware of this killer on the loose and it would send him running. Maybe back to that whore he has in Japan and the child. Away from Hannah. "

"And pray tell what benefit would you get out of this?"

"Hannah is still considered missing. Announce she is here with you and her adoring public will be relieved and overjoyed. It will bring Portman's right hand man right into her hands, where we can get the answers we need and put an end to another anti-mutant campaign."

"You want to use my daughter as bait?"

"I wouldn't use that term, but she will clearly draw him here looking for her."

Xavier moved over to the window, watching the sky cloud over. He couldn't believe he was even contemplating this scheme, but he had to admit having Logan out of the picture for awhile would give him time with her, and it wouldn't hurt Logan. He was a survivor and after awhile she would be the furthest thing from his mind.

He turned slowly, Eric smiled at him, "I take it you find the idea to your liking.."

"I will think about it."

"Charles, what is there to think about? Wolverine will be out of your daughter's life. Isn't that what you want more than anything?"

"I said I will think about it." He summoned Storm with his mind and she appeared at the door, "Now if you don't mind, Storm will show you to the door and I will be in contact with you in the morning."

Satisfied he had gotten through to his old friend, Eric followed Storm out of the mansion with no reluctancy. Although, there had been no definite answer, he was fairly certain, Charles' mind was already made up in proceeding with the plan and this stalling was only a way for Charles to deal with his own conscious. Being presented with newfound fatherhood was clearly having its toll on his dear friend and making the right decision for everyone involved was not an easy task. In the long run, Charles Xavier would do what he felt was best for her, whether she believed it was in her best interests or not and that is all Eric Lehnsherr could ask for.