Douglas's pov:

Sam fell to the ground again, probably having another flashback. I would have helped her, but I had claws. And wings.

Instead, I ran outside into the darkness, lifting my wings to take flight and soar. I flew above the tree tops, whirling in the wind.

Then a very suspicious wind slapped me in the face, and pulled me back down into the cottage.

Storm stood outside, her arms crossed, looking mad. "Douglas, I know you're confused. But it's dangerous outside! Magneto would want to capture a strong mutant like you-"

"Wait, what? Who's Magneto?" I asked, returning to human form.

"See, this is why you have to stay here. You don't know enough to survive! You're a powerful mutant, so you better be careful. Magneto had enough strong allies without a WERE-GRIFFIN on his side! Now get inside!" Storm yelled.

I went inside, and found Sam sitting on the couch. She looked like she'd been crying.

"Sam?" I asked, frightened. "Are you okay?"

Sam looked up, startled. "Douglas! You came back!"

"What? Of course I did!" I said dismissively, "I was only gone a few minutes. What happened? Did you have another flashback?"

Sam nodded.

"Of what? What happened that's making you black out? What was so terrible?" I asked worriedly.

Sam looked at Storm, and her eyes glazed over for a second.

"Hey!" I said indignantly, "You just did your telepath thing! What did you tell her?"

Storm stepped between us. "Listen, we'll explain everything in the morning, Douglas. Just go to sleep. Please."

I was about to argue, but one look at Sam's tired face made me stop. "Okay." I conceded, "But promise you'll explain in the morning."

"I promise." Storm said. "Now go to sleep."

I climbed onto the top bunk, and fell asleep. But in that hazy time when you're almost asleep, but not quite, I heard Sam whisper to Storm, "Is… is the Professor alive?"

"Yes." Storm promised. "No one's died."

I heard Sam sob. "Except for Logan."

Then I went unconscious.

Sam's pov:

I knew Douglas had heard me. I wish he hadn't, but he had. I just needed to know if there were any more sorrows I would have to face when I got back.

I fell into bed, telekinesis-ed the blankets over me, and fell asleep.

*Flashback*

I waited a whole year for him, but he never came back. The Professor used Cerebro, but we found nothing. I refused to believe Logan was dead, he couldn't be. More months passed, and finally the Professor called me to his office.

"Sam, I know that this is hard for you. I know what he meant to you. But I think the best thing for you would be to go away for a while."

"What?!" I cried. "You want me to leave?"

"No, Sam! I want you to stay. But I think that you need to leave." He said gravely. "I can enroll you into a college, and let you live among humans for a few years."

I wanted to refuse, but I saw the sense in that. Maybe I just needed a break. A long break.

"Okay." I said softly. I stood, and walked out the door. I didn't look back.

But I sent one last telepathic message to him. Goodbye, Dad.

*End Flashback*