Memories
Troublesome Discussions
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men or any of their characters. Tora and Weapon X-ii are my own though.
Jean gazed over the crowds in the airport. Where on earth were they? Their flight had come in half an hour ago. Suddenly her phone ran. She flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"Jean, we may be a little late."
"What happened?"
"Logan's been arrested."
"WHAT?"
"He got a bit annoyed when they insisted on searching me at the metal detectors."
"Oh…"
"Didn't you hear the sirens?"
"Er…"
"Well that was Logan."
"Oh…"
"Don't tell Scott will you?"
"I'll try not to. Oh…"
"What is it? That was the 'Oh dear, Tora isn't going to like what I have to say' tone of voice."
"The news channel is just showing Logan being leapt on by airport security. You're on national news. Scott is going to kill him."
"No he won't. I'll have already killed him."
"Good point."
Jean heard the tone that told her Tora had rung off and sat down for a long wait. It was three hours before they released Logan.
"Sorry Jeannie."
"It's fine Logan. Etana will be the one who's upset."
"Why?"
"Because she had a meeting at four and may be away for three days. She was hoping to see you before she left."
"Ah…"
"Yes, ah. And Kurt just rang. Scott is going to kill you."
"Like to see him try."
"Logan, I'll be helping him. That was so embarrassing. And what did it achieve?"
"Er…"
"Exactly."
"I got you a female security staff member to search you."
"And all the male security was too terrified to search me. Because you kept glowering at them."
Jean giggled.
"So that's why he went crazy."
Tora went to collect their bags from the lost property office, leaving Jean spluttering with laughter and Logan getting annoyed with all the security staring at him. When she came back with the bags, they walked out to the Professor's Rolls Royce, which Jean had commandeered to bring them back. She could feel Logan's emotions plainly. Where Tora should be, there was still absolutely nothing. Jean had given up on ever reading her mind. The shields were too strong.
Phoenix smiled slightly. It was quite interesting to go back to see how she used to be. It was a good idea to relive the past.
Etana had stayed long enough to say goodbye to Logan. She mentioned she may be gone a while. Three days at the least, a month at most. It all depended on what leads she could get. They'd had time to thank her for the use of her home before she disappeared to do some mission for Nick Fury with Captain America. Apparently to do with them working together back in the War.
The other X-Men had decided to surprise them by moving all their stuff into a room away from the others. Tora's books lined one wall, Logan's Japanese artefacts another. There was a desk with a small album put together of wedding photos. The only thing they hadn't quite been prepared to rearrange were the bathrooms. That didn't take long to sort. Within twenty minutes of returning, Scott had them back in the Danger Room, training to show that they hadn't lost their edge in the week away from the others.
Later in the evening, Tora, Jean, Ororo and Rogue were in Storm's attic, talking about all sorts. Then Jean gave a slight glance at Tora.
"So, what was the house like?"
"Amazing. Apart from the piranhas."
"What?"
"Etana keeps piranhas. Horace kept trying to eat me."
"Horace?"
"The big one."
"Let's get this straight. Etana keeps piranhas. As in the carnivorous fish that can strip a cow to the bone."
"Yes. Those piranhas."
"May I ask, why?"
"She bought them to punish a traitor. She didn't kill him. Just terrified him."
"Why can I imagine Logan doing that?"
The conversation ebbed there, as people tried to find a topic that could eventually lead to the thing they were all interested in. The piranha comment showed them a side of Etana not usually seen. The side of her that meant she was able to do what she did with ease. Jean managed to get back to the subject.
"So, what did you do?"
"Went walking. Talked a lot. Avoided anywhere we could hear news from the States."
"You really took the 'under no circumstances are we to be disturbed' thing a little too far."
"'Ro, you know as well as I do that Scott would have us back at the slightest hint of a problem."
"She has got a point sugah."
Finally Jean managed to get to the thing she'd been trying to ask.
"What's it like to sleep with Logan?"
Tora glanced at her then an odd look crossed her face.
"He snores a lot and hogs the quilt. But he doesn't mind me using him as a hot-water bottle."
"No…"
Tora shook her head then jerked it towards the door, mouthing 'The girls'. Jean scanned and found Kitty, Eloise and Jubilee all leaning against the door, listening in. She decided to tease them.
Girls, stop listening in. If you want to find out about Logan snoring, come in. If not, scram.
She felt them run to get away before anyone else caught them.
"You know what I mean Tora."
But Tora just gave a slight smile and offered to get drinks and making a remark about being tired.
"I admit, I was interested. She never mentioned anything she wouldn't say in front of the girls."
"She never said anything about someone she wouldn't say to their face."
"Like when she told Tony Stark she thought he was an arrogant twit but he was basically okay."
"You weren't there."
"I heard about it. I must say, I wish I had been there."
"You'll see it, don't worry."