Chapter Seven: Safe Haven
The journey back to the school was long and grueling, the winter storm relentless as it clawed at them with icy fingers. Liam huddled against Rogue, his small body trembling despite the thick blanket they'd wrapped around him. Logan led the way, his sharp eyes scanning the woods for any signs of pursuit, his heightened senses attuned to every shift in the wind and creak of the trees. They moved quickly, speaking little, the tension between them a silent reminder of how close they'd come to disaster.
When the towering gates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters finally came into view, relief washed over Rogue like a tidal wave. The sprawling mansion loomed against the dark sky, its warm lights a beacon in the cold, unforgiving night. Logan keyed in the gate code without a word, the mechanical hum of the gates parting the only sound.
Inside, the familiar bustle of the school greeted them, though subdued by the late hour. Students peeked out from their dorms, curious whispers following the trio as they made their way through the halls. Liam clung to Rogue, his eyes darting nervously around the unfamiliar space.
In the foyer, Charles Xavier waited in his wheelchair, his calm presence an anchor amidst the chaos. Ororo stood beside him, her white hair gleaming in the soft light, her expression a mixture of concern and quiet strength.
"Logan, Rogue," Charles greeted, his tone warm despite the lines of worry etched into his face. "It's good to see you both back safely. And this must be Liam."
Rogue crouched down, offering the boy an encouraging smile. "It's okay, sugar. This is Professor Xavier. He's a friend."
Liam hesitated, then peeked out from behind her, his small voice barely audible. "Hi."
Charles smiled gently, his voice soothing as he spoke directly to the boy. "Hello, Liam. You're safe now. No one will harm you here."
The tension in Liam's shoulders eased slightly, and he let Rogue guide him closer. Logan crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he watched the exchange. "We ran into some trouble out there," he said, his voice gruff. "Big trouble. Mercenaries, Sentinels—someone's got deep pockets and a grudge."
Charles nodded, his expression turning serious. "I feared as much. Ororo has been monitoring reports of increased Sentinel activity in the region. It seems our enemies are growing bolder."
"They were after him," Rogue added, her voice quiet as she glanced at Liam. "We still don't know why."
Charles studied the boy for a moment, his eyes distant as if listening to something only he could hear. Then he nodded. "We'll figure it out. But first, he needs rest, as do all of you. Ororo, would you show Liam to a guest room?"
Ororo stepped forward, her voice soft and reassuring. "Come with me, Liam. We'll find you somewhere comfortable to sleep."
The boy looked to Rogue, and she nodded, giving him an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder. "You're in good hands," she said. "Go on."
Liam reluctantly released her hand and followed Ororo, his small frame dwarfed by her towering presence. Rogue watched until they disappeared around the corner, then exhaled heavily, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion.
"You two did well," Charles said, his gaze shifting to Rogue and Logan. "You brought him back safely, and that's what matters."
"Yeah, well, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park," Logan muttered, rubbing a hand over his neck. "That Sentinel was a new model. Stronger, faster—whoever's building them isn't messing around."
"We'll need to gather more information," Charles said, his tone contemplative. "But for now, you should both rest. We'll regroup in the morning."
Logan grunted in agreement, pushing off the wall. Rogue hesitated, glancing at Charles. "You think he'll be okay? Liam, I mean."
Charles offered her a reassuring smile. "He's resilient. And he has you both to thank for his safety. That will mean more to him than you realize."
Rogue nodded, though the worry lingered in her eyes as she turned to follow Logan down the hall. They walked in silence, the weight of the night settling heavily between them. When they reached Rogue's door, she paused, turning to face him.
"Logan," she said softly. "Thanks for tonight. For having my back."
Logan stopped, his sharp gaze meeting hers. "You don't gotta thank me, Rogue. We're a team."
She smiled faintly, her hand lingering on the doorknob. "Yeah. We are."
For a moment, neither of them moved, the quiet stretching between them. Then Logan gave a small nod and turned, heading toward his own room. Rogue watched him go, her thoughts a tangled web of gratitude and something deeper she wasn't ready to name.
Inside her room, she sank onto the edge of the bed, the adrenaline finally fading and leaving exhaustion in its wake. But as she stared out the window at the falling snow, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight had only been the beginning. The storm was far from over. And whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.