Chapter 3

It's been a few years since the X-Men defeated Apocalypse. When Charles managed to persuade Eric to join him once again, after showing him the goodness Eric thought he no longer had. Jean remembered like it was yesterday when professor asked her to help him defeat Apocalypse. It was the first time she unleashed her powers, completely. She was terrified of what that might do to the people she cared about. Even Magneto thought that it was too great of a power for a young girl to control. She sensed it when he looked at her when they were telekinetically rebuilding the school for talented youngsters. But Jean managed to keep it under control, with professor's help, of course.
Jean was in a danger room practicing with Scott and Kurt. Jean and Scott truly cared for each other, but that didn't help fix their on and off relationship. Scott had a hard time opening up and Jean didn't want to intrude in his mind just to see how he felt. But they were good friends now.
"One more round with the Sentinels, and we'll go get some lunch, what do you say?" Scott asked. "Sounds like a plan!" Kurt said.
Jean frowned, trying to listen to something. "What is it?" Kurt asked her.
"Do you hear it? Sounds like people arguing," Jean said.
"I hear something…it's coming from the hallway," Scott said.
As they were getting closer, Jean sensed a mind she never sensed at the school before. That mind was familiar. Who was the brave mind, foolish enough to argue with the X-Men?

"Storm, what's going on? And who is…this?" Hank asked puzzled. "I found him sniffing around the mansion. He never explained why he came here," Ororo said. Hank looked the strange man up and down. He seemed strong, tough, and emotional. He would be a fine edition to the team, if not for the emotional part. "Hello, sir, who are you and what are you doing here?" Hank asked politely with a smile on his face. "I'm lookin' for the professor," the man said.
"Okay, who are you and why do you want to speak with him?"
"Can I just wait for him here, don't feel like talkin' to ya right now."
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. You were sneaking in with your claws out, that doesn't seem very friendly," Hank said, tracing the man's shiny claws with his eyes.
"Yeah, well, ya don't look all warm 'n' fuzzy yaself…"
Ororo couldn't help but chuckle a bit. She knew what the expression meant, but Hank actually did look warm and fuzzy. Literally.
"At least tell me your name," Hank said.
"Logan!" Jean blurted out awestruck. It was the man she met at that strange facility. She gave him back his memories that haunted her for all these years. Not a day passed by without her thinking about him. "How was he doing and will I meet him again?" And here he was.
"Red…" was the only think Logan could say. He never knew her name, but he remembered the fiery red hair. His red goddess.
"Observant, that one," Hank said sarcastically, looking at Jean's long hair.
Logan recalled the day they met. How she walked up to him, unafraid. How she touched his temples, giving him back his past. He memorized her face perfectly in case they would never meet again. But here they were. "She remembered my name. After all this time. My red goddess. Hope she can't hear that…" he thought.
"Do you know him?" Ororo asked. "I…um…ah…" Jean stuttered. "We met him that time when Apocalypse kidnapped the professor," Scott answered for Jean. Kurt nodded in agreement. "So he's harmless?" Hank asked. Scott and Kurt looked at each other, trying very hard not to laugh. This "manimal" was anything but harmless. "He won't hurt us." Jean managed to say. "Okay then, LOGAN," Hank put an emphasis on his name, "I am Hank and this is Ororo. We also go by Beast and Storm. Professor will be here shortly," he added. Logan was barely able to break eye contact with Jean, but he did so for a little while to nod at Hank.
"Come on, let's go. They probably want to catch up," Ororo whispered. Hank agreed and they left together.
"Hi Logan, do you remember me?" Kurt asked. Logan studied him a little.
"Oh yeah, the blue guy with a tail…"
"I'm Kurt, but I go by Nightcrawler!"
"Fits ya well," Logan admitted.
"My name is Scott," Scott said coldly. He didn't like how Logan was looking at her. Or how she was looking at him for that matter. Logan remembered him as well. He seemed like he was about to hurt him before Jean stepped in. Well, he was about to TRY to hurt him before Jean stepped in. "Logan," he introduced himself to him.
Kurt saw the tension between them. Some serious tension. He elbowed Scott and said, "Perhaps we should go as well..." Scott reluctantly agreed. He didn't want to leave Jean alone with him, but he didn't want to stay and witness whatever the hell was going on between her and this man, either. Was this why they couldn't make their relationship work? Was she thinking about Logan ever since? He obviously thought of her, the way he was looking at her. Scott knew that look. He would have had the same one if it weren't for the glasses shielding everyone from his powers.
"Yeah, let's go. See you later," Scott said. "Yes, see you soon, guys!" Jean said. Kurt waved them goodbye, and Logan awkwardly waved back.
Jean wasn't sure how to behave. They only met once yet she knew everything about him. Or as much as he did. And he knew absolutely nothing about her. She wondered what he was thinking but she didn't want to force herself into his mind. She's already done too much of it. The silence dragged on. "This is ridiculous, just introduce yourself!" Jean thought.
"Hello Logan, my name is Jean," she said softly.
"Nice to meet ya, Jean," Logan said as they shook hands.