Consultation

They held a meeting with the senior members of the XMen team to discuss Logan's 'episode'.

The new teacher, Morph, was also asked to join them, as his skills as a shape shifter would be used to have a visual on the woman that both Jubilee and Logan had seen.

"Just relax, Wolverine," Jubilee urged, even as she herself struggled to compose herself.

She had never done this before. True, her powers of telepathy had risen itself late in her mutation, but she had instinctively known how to wield it. But this was an aspect that she had never tested, having no guidance and not wanting to harm anyone in the process.

Surprisingly, Logan was the one to take hold of her hands, and looking her directly in the eye, he said, "Relax, kid. You'll do fine."

His words went a long way in calming her nerves and she settled.

She placed her hands on the sides of his head, her finger tips lightly at his temples.

"Now go back to before everything happened tonight. What were you doing?"

"I was reading one of Marie's letters. She had written it to me about three years aback, thanking me for saving her life at Liberty Island. She had spoken of how she was glad that it was my truck she had decided to sneak into. How much meeting me changed her life; all the good that's done," he said mockingly.

Ororo watched the pair, the petite Asian firecracker, and the gruff, lonesome Wolverine, sharing something so profound. And she thought of what Logan and Marie shared, what Jean and Cyclops had shared, and in the deepest recesses of her soul, she wondered if anyone cared that much about her.

Chiding herself for her selfishness, she returned her attention to the pair, as she recorded every word that was said for further reference.

"What happened after?" Jubilee encouraged.

"I fell asleep, I guess. I had been playing with the tags; they make me feel closer to her, y'know and it reminds me of my promise. There was such pain in my chest, I felt like I couldn't breathe. The Wolverine in me was mourning the loss of its mate. And then I was sleeping, dreaming of the times when she was here, how happy she was. She has such a lovely smile. One look at her smile and you can't help but smile too, happy to be alive. And then-"

"Then…" Jubilee prompted.

"Then the dream changed abruptly. It was almost as if I'd been yanked out of it. And all I could feel was rage. Such pure, unadulterated rage. It felt like I was in the middle of a berserker rage, and that's only happened once, that I can remember…"

"And that was when?"

"When we broke out of Stryker's labs. The feeling of rage against another being we had never felt against another being until now. It caused my leash on the Wolverine to slacken. But there was Marie, right in front of me."

And then his voice became deeper, rougher, more of a growl. For a moment Jubilee pulled back, as she felt the change in him. But he continued.

"Why did she leave me, my Marie? Was it because I always left her? That was Logan. He needed to see her grown before he would claim her as our mate. But I knew she was mine. She was here, and here she was safe, both from me and from those who would seek to harm her. Logan kept me on a tight leash, but I monitored her progress. And I worked on him too. Got him to notice from time to time that she was a woman; almost ready for the taking; just a little while longer."

"And you are?" Jubilee asked, but already knowing the answer.

"Wolverine."

"What happened after you saw Marie, Wolverine?"

"She was strapped down. She didn't even notice we were there. I was there watching as the bitch tortured her. I could smell the lab reeking of fear, and all the humans were diving for cover, but there was one, the bitch, she just stood there, mocking her, mocking me with my helplessness. And my rage grew, and I attacked. Had to tear the bitch to pieces. Hurting my mate. She had to die. But as much as I tried, I couldn't get to her. I howled, I whined, I cried for Marie to look at me, away from her, and she wouldn't be able to hurt her, hurt me. But Marie wasn't Marie. She was more. She was all."

"What do you mean, she was all?"

"She was all of them. All whom she had ever absorbed, their scents combined to make a new one. One that was strange, disturbing. Why won't my Marie come back? Why did they take her? Who took her? Must kill! Kill all of them! They must pay."

"What did the woman that hurt Marie look like?"

"She was tall, about 6' 2, long brown shiny hair, brown eyes, heart shaped face, straight nose, slim but not skinny. She would not have been hard to kill. One slash to the throat. But I would take my time. I want her to suffer, the way she's making my Marie suffer. I want to cut her to pieces so she could still feel it. And then after it all, I'd rip out her guts and shove her heart down her throat. She has to die!"

Jubilee shuddered at the pure menace in his voice, but she continued.

"Alright Wolverine, continue with what happened."

"The rage increased, and all I could taste was blood, all I could feel was blood rushing through my veins, through her veins, through their veins. My vision turned red with bloodlust. But Marie was getting worse. They were taking control. She was hurting. And she came right up in Marie's face and pressed the button. There was blood pouring out of her nose! Her eyes! And her mouth! Mariiieeee!" he howled.

Jubilee had just a split second before his claws popped out.

Instantly the trance was broken, the memory – gone.

"What the hell just happened?" Logan roared.

And then he glanced over at Morph, who bore the image of Lilly.

And he went berserk, instantly attacking.

"Wolverine! No!" Storm shouted.

But he was too far gone.

A blast of lightning had him falling and convulsing on the floor, as Beast quickly went over to help the wounded man.

"We are sorry we had to do that. We didn't realize how strongly you would have reacted to her face, but we should have anticipated. Let me just get you up into a chair now."

But Wolverine just growled in return.

His eyes cleared and Logan regained control.

Carefully Beast helped his comrade, all the while marveling at the rate of healing. The first degree burns were already healing and it was only a few seconds.

"We need to find her now, Beast!"

"I know, Logan. We'll find her."

"You don't understand! Now, Beast! He's getting stronger! And fast. Whereas he was content to let me lead before, this has pushed him past his own limits. The animal is aggravated. It's longing to break free… I don't know how long I can control it again… I think I need to leave… It might be safer."

Storm stepped in. "Why don't you go work it off in the Danger Room, Wolverine? We can't afford to loose you to your animal. You're our only link to her. We need you! There's someone I know who might be able to use Cerebro. Let me call her."

"Why didn't you call her before?" Logan growled.

"Because I wanted her no where near my children. But… but this has become necessary. I'll… I'll make the call," she stammered.

As she picked up the phone to do so, the door burst open.

"There's a news bulletin that you must see! I think it has something to do with Rogue!"

A/N: So there you have it, chapter 8. What do you think of it? Was it too lame? Feedback people, it's necessary to me (he he he)

Thanks to all my reviewers, as usual. For those who had any questions or concerns, I hope I answered all.