CANADIAN FORESTS - DAY
Logan rides a dirt trail, headed for a small log hunting cabin.
LOGAN'S CABIN - DAY
Logan sits at a weathered desk. There's an old showbox there, full of photographs, more than hundreds. Logan puts the photo of the Whitecap Bar, with its corner bent, in the box. He replaces the lid.
LOGAN'S CABIN - NIGHT
Logan sleeps, shifting, dreaming. He opens his eyes and sits up, abruptly alert. He turns his head and sniffs the air.
FOREST - NIGHT
Logan moves, stealth-like. Someone is heard ahead. In the dark, a man carries some sort of metal contraption. Logan leaps to action, runs... tackles the man. The contraption goes flying. Logan hits the ground with Cyclops pinned under him. Logan pops his claws, holds them close to Cyclops' face.
"Don't move, pretty boy."
Logan glances to the metal contraption: a folded wheelchair. "Good thinking. You're going to need that in a minute."
"Mister Logan, I presume." Cyclops says, staying as still as possible.
"Well, how about you... all calm, cool and collected." Logan retracts his claws, puts his fist against Cyclops' throat and lets only the claw to the left pop, close to Cyclops' neck.
"That's one... " He pops the right claw, surrounding his neck with metal claws of death.
"That's two. You want to go for three?" Logan looks up just as he's pulled skyward by an aura of Psionic energy and is tossed to one side. He tumbles, but comes up in a crouch, pissed. Jean Grey walks in, and stands beside Cyclops as he gets to his feet. She carries Professor Xavier in her arms.
"Back down, Wolverine. We're friends."
"How do you know that name?" Logan asks, surveying his options.
"I know a great deal about you. If you want, we'll leave... but we have no quarrel with you. Quite the contrary, in fact. We'd like your assistance." Logan studies them. He retracts his claws.
LOGAN'S CABIN - NIGHT
Jean, Cyclops and Xavier, is his wheelchair, are at the wobbly kitchen table. Logan sits on his bed, opens a beer.
"Ain't this comfy cozy... Goldilocks and the Three Mutants. So, you want me to join your... what'd you call them?"
"X-Men. So, named because they possess extra powers which ordinary humans do not." Xaiver answers.
"And, how'd you manage to find me?" Logan asks, stunned, thinking he'd lost anyone tracking him.
"I have contacts in the international intelligence community. But, you understand, I cannot go into details... not till I have your answer."
"Well, how would this work, exactly? I mean, the C.S.S. and Department H ain't just going to give me a goodbye kiss."
"You would disappear. Your Canadian citizenship would become null and void."
"You'd live in secrecy, the same as us." Cyclops cuts in.
Logan stands, nonchalantly placing his foot on the old shoebox on the floor and kicking it under the bed. Only Jean notices this.
"For the good of humanity, you said. Humanity. Are we a part of that?"
"We are, unless we make the mistake of excluding ourselves." Jean answers.
"You know, I could really get to liking you, sweetheart."
"You're out of line, Logan." Cyclops says, not liking the fact Logan was hitting on his girlfriend.
"Maybe. But, then again, I never was much of a team player." He smiles, showing his white teeth. "I'm declining the invitation. Thanks anyway." Logan plops down in a ratty easy chair, turns on the television.
"Let's go. He's a lost cause." Cyclops says, standing.
"Listen to me, Logan. Many of the tasks you've performed for your country were questionable, not to mention your methods. I'm willing to forgive that... to put past times behind."
"I don't remember asking forgiveness." Logan replies gruffly.
"You are a murderer by trade. This is the label which best defines you, isn't it? Murderer. Or, will you dispute that?"
"No. But, I can live with it."
"Can you?" Xavier pauses. "There is a war on the way. Humans against mutants, mutant against mutant... far worse than anyone imagines. And, as battles escalate, you'll be forced to choose, a side. I'm offering you an opportunity to fight for something far more honorable than a government agenda... without killing."
"Sorry... the answer's still no." Logan turns his attention back to the television. Xavier just stares at Logan, unblinking. After a moment, Logan looks at him.
"You can show yourselves out." Xavier wheels back, turning to leave. Jean and Cyclops follow.