Kitty jumped up from the television as soon as Jean came through the front door. "Logan's been spotted in Australia!"
"What," she asked, following Kitty to the living room. The local news chatter went on about a dangerous Mutant being sighted in Sydney. They showed Logan's prison photo, which made Jean's stomach jump, but none from the people who allegedly saw him. Wasn't that what camera phones were for nowadays? "It's been two years, just another hoax."
"But he's so close!"
"It's probably some other guy who looks a little like him, just like all the others," she hit the power button the remote. "Go get Jubes, we're going for a weekend in the city."
It was nice to distract herself from letting Justin down. Though she cared for him, he wasn't Logan and all the energy she had spent convincing herself Justin was a better choice had been for nothing. Logan was on her mind more than ever, and would have been even without constant media speculation. But she refused to continue her fantasy that he was combing the continents searching for them. Living in a land of make-believe could get her and the girls killed. The girls nearly exploded on the streets of the city, chattering happily as they hopped from window to window. She trailed along behind them, smiling as they dragged her into stores to try on clothes. Jean used to love shopping, and she felt a little pang as it seemed her interest had faded.
What did you do to yourself, you look like a lesbian.
Jean almost fell over herself at the voice in her head, trying not to look like a crazy person as she tried to get a read on the Mutant's location. Emma? Where are you?
Across the street, in the cafe.
Jean glanced over, and saw the slight lift of an index finger on a to-go cup. Emma was wearing a dark brunette wig, still dressed like a model. Emma, you don't know how good it is to see you.
Your...outfit is horrendous. But at least your fashion sense hasn't changed, nice to have consistency. A frown crossed Jean's lips, refusing to rise to the usual bait. Emma gave a tired sigh. Doesn't pain me to see you, either.
Jean was glad for the distance between them, because she unexpectedly teared up upon seeing the icy woman. Through their connection, she felt Emma spot Kitty and Jubliee.
How is it playing Mommy?
The girls are wonderful.
They look like you haven't screwed them up too badly.
Would you like to have a turn, then?
It was bad enough working with that...what did you call him, 'arrogant little upstart'?
Logan?! Where is he?
Haven't seen him in four months.
"Ford! Ford, what are you doing?"
Jean jumped as the girls swarmed around her. "Sorry, distracted."
Looks like our chat has come to an end.
Take care, Emma.

Afraid that someone was possibly tailing Emma, Jean loaded the girls up a day early and made for home. They seemed to understand her anxious mood, and packed their things instead of picking a fight to stay the whole weekend. Back at home, Jean barely reached for the doorknob, and knew something was wrong.
"Get back in the car."
"Jean..."
"Do it," she demanded, closing the door in their faces.
Holding her breath, she pressed herself against the wall, silently thanking the girls for cleaning up before they left. Reaching her mind out, she lurched forward as it touched upon a familiar mental wall. She found him in her room, asleep on the bed. He didn't even bother to take off his boots or jacket. Kitty and Jubliee came through the wall behind her.
"Oh my God," Kitty breathed.
"Let him rest," Jean whispered, turning away like nothing had changed.

Unable to sleep on the couch, she found herself walking back to her room repeatedly, making sure he was still there. While her hair had grown out to her shoulders, he hadn't changed at all. There was no way for her to tell how many times he had been injured unless she went into his mind. Looking closer, she realized he had some of her old hair tangled around his fingers. He slept so heavily he didn't even move when she sat next to him, and still when she reached out to touch the leather of his jacket. For so long she thought of how they'd meet again, and now that it was here she didn't want him to wake up. She was afraid she had changed too much, that he had become lost in his own head, drawn here only by instinct and not by memory or love or anything.
"Told you I'd find you," he breathed, the only sign he had woken up.
"You took long enough."
"I didn't expect you to get so good at hiding."
"If I didn't make it hard for you to find me, anyone could have gotten to us first."
He turned on his back with a gruff laugh that rumbled in his chest. "Two years."
She nodded.
"Well," he chuckled.
"Well what," she asked.
"Are you just gonna sit there like a virgin on her wedding night," Logan smirked.
Her mouth dropped open, unable to find a witty comeback. Logan sat up, using her open mouth to his advantage as she placed a hungry kiss on her lips. "How long are you staying?"
"Long as I can and the three of you stay safe," he answered, skimming her jaw with his fingers.
"What did you do all this time," Jean traced his eye socket, seeing that same tortured expression from the cell they kept him in.
"I did what I had to do."
"So it's best I don't ask," she muttered, turning away from him.
"Jean, you'll see one day." Too tired to argue, Logan sighed as he got up to sleep on the couch. "Don't go."
Logan looked down at her with dark eyes, watching as she made herself comfortable on her side. He took off his jacket and boots to lay behind her, nuzzling into the back of her neck.

Kitty and Jubliee were talking in excited tones at the breakfast table, while Jean shuffled around the corner for a cup of coffee. They waited until she had the cup filled and secure in both hands.
"Is he still here?"
She nodded, curling up on the couch.
"Is he staying?"
"The adults aren't awake enough for questions," Logan muttered, sitting next to Jean as she offered her cup to him. A knock at the door caught them all by surprise, and Logan disappeared into her bedroom.
"Hey Ford," Mac nodded her way.
"What brings you by?"
"Thought I saw someone on the property last night, you have any problems?"
"None."
"I'm goin' into town, you still comin'?" She nodded. "See you then, girl."
Jean sagged against the closed door, dangling the coffee cup by her fingers.
"We'll be good," they answered reflexively.
"Uh huh," she smiled wryly, filling the cup again before going into her bedroom.
"How long you gonna be gone," Logan asked, taking the cup from her.
"Most of the day. You'll have the place to yourself."
"Where the girls goin'?"
"They have chores," she moved around the room, gathering clothes for the day.
"Can you trust the old man, if he finds out?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know," he growled.
"He knows we're hiding from something, and he hasn't given us up. That's something."
"What will you do if you can't trust him?"
"I'll do what I have to," she answered him cryptically with his same reason.
"Oh no, don't you get that way with me-" he grabbed the bathroom door as she tried shutting it.
"Tough, that's what you get," she smirked, shoving him back with her power.