Chapter Five: The Calm After the Storm
The jet touched down on the X-Mansion's landing pad under a clear, star-strewn sky. The aftermath of the tempest seemed like a distant memory, though its effects lingered in the weariness etched across their faces. Faith leaned back in her seat as the Blackbird's engines powered down, exhaustion settling into her bones.
Logan glanced at her from his spot near the cockpit, his sharp eyes softening. "Don't fall asleep on me, kid. You're walkin' to your room."
Faith smirked weakly, too tired to retort with her usual sarcasm. She pushed herself to her feet, wobbling slightly before catching the edge of her seat for balance.
Ororo stood by the hatch, her white hair luminous under the faint light from the mansion. "You both need rest," she said firmly. Her tone softened as she looked at Faith. "Especially you. That kind of energy manipulation is dangerous, even for someone with your potential."
Faith nodded, her shoulders sagging. "I'll be fine. Just… a lot to process."
Logan snorted, stepping up beside her. "You handled it. That's what matters. But Ororo's right—you're spent. Go on, hit the hay."
Faith hesitated. Something about the way Logan had supported her in the storm still lingered in her mind. She wanted to say more, to thank him properly, but the words didn't come. Instead, she simply nodded and headed toward the mansion.
The next morning, Faith awoke to the familiar hum of activity in the school. The sound of students chatting in the halls mixed with the occasional burst of laughter, grounding her in a way that no amount of sleep ever could.
Her first class of the day was energy manipulation, and though she felt drained, she forced herself to focus. As the students filed in, she greeted them with a warm, if slightly tired, smile.
"Alright, everyone," she said, clapping her hands to get their attention. "Today's all about balance. You can't control what you don't understand, so we're starting with focus exercises. Pair up and grab an orb from the supply table."
The students groaned in protest but followed her instructions, each retrieving a small sphere designed to amplify and contain energy. Faith watched as they paired off, her own thoughts drifting back to the storm and the power she'd barely managed to control.
"Miss Faith?" A young voice pulled her from her reverie.
She turned to see Clara, one of the newer students, holding her orb with a tentative smile. "Can you show us how to stabilize it? Mine keeps sparking."
Faith crouched beside her, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Of course. Just remember—deep breaths, steady hands. The energy listens to you. Not the other way around."
Clara nodded, her small hands tightening around the orb as she tried again. The faint glow stabilized, and the girl beamed with pride.
"See? You've got it," Faith said, standing. Her chest warmed with a sense of purpose.
Later that evening, Faith found herself in the mansion's expansive kitchen, nursing a cup of tea. The quiet was a stark contrast to the chaos of the storm, but it felt almost too still. She glanced at the doorway as heavy footsteps approached, her pulse quickening.
Logan stepped in, a cigar tucked behind his ear and a bottle of beer in hand. He paused when he saw her, his eyebrows raising slightly. "Didn't think I'd find you here."
Faith shrugged, gesturing to her tea. "Just needed a minute. Things have been… a lot."
Logan nodded, leaning against the counter. "Yeah. You did good out there, though."
"Thanks to you," she replied, her voice softer than she intended.
Logan's expression shifted, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his face before he hid it behind a swig of beer. "Nah. You handled that mess on your own. I was just there to keep you steady."
"That's kind of the point, isn't it?" she asked, her gaze meeting his. "We're not supposed to do this alone."
He didn't respond right away, his eyes fixed on the floor. Finally, he said, "Yeah. Guess not."
Faith hesitated before stepping closer, her cup cradled in her hands. "I meant what I said last night. I'm glad you were there."
Logan looked up at her, his usual gruff demeanor softening. "You're stronger than you think, Faith. Don't let anyone tell you different—not even me."
Her heart skipped at his words, and she couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her lips. "You know, you're not as scary as you let on."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't go spreadin' that around."
They stood in companionable silence for a moment, the unspoken connection between them settling comfortably.
Finally, Logan pushed off the counter, tipping his beer toward her in a silent toast. "Get some rest, kid. You've earned it."
Faith watched him leave, her chest tight but her heart lighter. For all his gruffness, Logan had a way of making her feel seen, understood. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but for the first time in a long while, she felt ready to face it.
Because she wasn't alone. Not anymore.