It was still night time when the rescue crew got up and put on their uniforms. "How do you like your uniform, Logan?" Ororo asked.
"Meh," he shrugged, "Little heavy with the yellow...but I think I can pull it off," he said, making Eric laugh.
"The hell are ya laughin' at, magnet boy?" Logan asked, sounding more amused than annoyed. Eric shook his head, smiled, and put his helmet on.
"Jean's supposed to have a new uniform," Ororo said, winking at Logan.
"Surely not the most interesting sight he gets to see..." Pietro said.
"Very subtle, Quicksilver," Ororo said sarcastically.
Logan smiled remembering last night. The way they lost themselves in the moment, how the only thing on his mind was Jean, how she completely gave herself to him, and how damn good she felt. Barely any time has passed since then but he already missed her.
"Good morning, early birds!" Jean said, walking up to them in her new uniform.
Logan's jaw dropped. The new red uniform only enhanced her beauty. The yellow on the sides hugged her beautiful curves. Her long, silky red hair was loosely swept to one side, partially covering the yellow phoenix in the middle. She truly was his Red Goddess.
"Oh my goodness, Jean! You look amazing!" Ororo said.
"Thank you!," Jean smiled, "Do you like it?" Jean looked at Logan, who was lost for words.
"Beautiful," was all he could say as he studied her like a renaissance painting. She was a work of art for sure. Jean blushed and looked away for a second.
"Are you reading my thoughts?" Logan thought.
Jean nodded an gave him an all knowing smile. "You're pretty handsome as well," she said. She still felt a bit lightheaded. The effects of Logan giving her a dose after dose of pleasure. She began to tremble just thinking about it. She wanted to be his again, she wanted to give him everything she had. She loved this man like she would never love anything else.
Ororo caught Eric staring at Jean a little too long, "Seriously?!" she whispered.
"I was just looking at the uniform!" he said defensively.
"First you try to kill him, and now..."
"That was ONE TIME! Can everybody just get over it already?"
"Good morning!" Charles showed with all the other X-Men.
"We came to wish you guys good luck," Hank said, sounding sleepy.
"Although I don't think you'll need it," Charles said.
"Be careful, Jean," Scott said, worried.
"I will be. You watch over the school," she said.
Scott nodded. He wanted to kiss her but he knew she wouldn't appreciated, and Wolverine definitely wouldn't. Jean gave him a hug, and went on to say goodbye to the rest of them.
"Come back in one piece, okay?" Raven told Eric. Even though she loved Hank, Eric would always have a special place in her heart, as he was the one who made her embrace who she truly was.
"Planning on it," he smiled as she wrapped her arms around him. "And you watch over her," he told Hank. He knew Raven's heart was his, and maybe that was for the best.
"Stay safe, Eric," Hank said.
Kurt hugged Pietro. "Come back soon, but please, no more singing," he said, making Pietro laugh.
They all said their goodbyes, and it was time to go. The rescue crew walked out of the X Mansion, and looked at it really well for one last time. Hopefully, they'd find it looking the same way when they come back.
"You say those tunnels are in The Alley?" Pietro asked Logan.
"Yeah," Logan nodded.
"I know where it is. I can take you there quickly," Pietro said. The group looked at each other.
"That sounds great!" Ororo said.
"Okay, but ya only take us to it. I'll lead the way into the bomb shelter," Logan said.
"Sure," he said, and he disappeared with Ororo. In an instant, he was back for Jean, "Ladies first!", he said. He then took Logan, and left Eric for last.
"Best for last!" Eric said as he appeared with Pietro in front of the rest of the group.
"Sure," Logan chuckled.
"Well, I must say, that was impressive!" Eric told Pietro. "It's like we didn't even travel. We just...appeared!"
"I know, wouldn't it be great to have a so...," Jean stopped talking when Pietro pinched her arm, "ability like that?" she recovered.
Eric looked at Jean, confused, "I suppose."
"Ouch!" Jean whispered. Pietro put his finger to his lips, showing her to be quiet.
"How do we get in?" Ororo asked.
"There's a tunnel that goes underground over there. But there's lots secret paths. It's dark, and it's easy to get lost, so everybody stick with me," Logan said.
"How will you know where to go in the dark?" Ororo asked.
"My senses are sharp. Best navigation system ever," he said proudly.
"Wow, I really can't see anything!" Pietro said as they were walking down the tunnel.
"Told ya," Logan said. He took Jean's hand to keep her close.
"What are we actually looking for?" Jean asked.
"Their headquarters, darlin'," he said affectionately.
"How can they fit headquarters in here?" Eric wondered.
"You'll see when we get to it," affection now completely gone from Logan's voice.
"How do you put up with him, Jean?" Eric asked.
"How does Raven put up with you?" Jean asked without thinking. Now she wished she could take it back. Eric was just having fun, but she hit the soft spot. "I'm sorry, I..." she apologized quickly.
"That's okay," Eric's voice was flat, "She doesn't put up with me anymore."
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Jean asked.
"There's not much to say. She deserves someone who didn't try to kill her," he said, remembering the whole Trask business. He said it as if it didn't pain him but Jean knew better.
"Besides, I've had a family not too long ago." Eric couldn't believe he was opening up to them. He would barely share personal things with Charles. Maybe it was the prospect that this could be the last chance he'll get to talk about it. "No matter how hard you try to keep them safe, they'll end up dying on you," sadness crept into his voice.
Now Logan understood why he was curious about him and Jean. He knew that Logan lost it all before, and yet he was putting his heart and sanity at risk again.
"And as of right now, family would slow me down anyway," Eric said, coldly. Pietro could feel his heart sink. He was trying to gain courage to tell him, he was imagining the moment he finally finds out. Now he didn't know how he could ever tell him. Ororo squeezed Pietro's hand to show that she was there for him, even if Eric wasn't.
"You're not scared of being slowed down, you're scared of experiencing another loss," Jean said.
"You're a clever one, aren't you?" Eric said, annoyed, no longer enjoying the conversation.
"Jeannie's got a point. Ya just too scared to get hurt. But I tell ya, Eric, I'd go through every damn thing that happened to me again and again to be here with her," he said, and he felt Jean lean onto him.
They walked on in silence, when Logan abruptly stopped.
"What is it?" Jean asked.
Logan made a sniffing sound, "Someone's here."
The lights came on, strange creatures emerging at them from every direction. Now they could see what a maze this truly was. They wouldn't be able to find a way out even if they managed to escape the Morlocks, unless Logan led them.
"They trapped us," Pietro said.
"I told ya that might happen," Logan shrugged.
A lady in black took a few steps closer to them, "Well, well, who's gracing us with their presence?"