Healing

Chapter 15


" 'lo? Whu... Just a minute..."

Scott's soft voice cut of the harsh ringing of a phone. Logan felt the man shift behind him, and listened as he sat up and fumbled for his glasses.

The young man went out the bedroom, and Logan turned over, trying to get back to sleep with a cooling spot beside him. Sleep still had a grip on him and he began to drift off again.

A moment later, Scott was shaking his shoulder.

"Logan? Logan... Marie is on the phone. She needs to talk to you."

The mention of Marie's name dragged him back from the edge of sleep. He accepted the phone of his boy and sat up.

"Marie?"

"Hey there."

"You ok?"

"Yeah... I got rid of it. My ... power. The cure works."

"So... you can ... touch people?"

"Mmm. It's great... kinda..."

"Kinda?"

"I think it'll take some gettin' used to. I feel really weird." The girl sounded quite upset, regardless of her insistence that things were fine.

"You comin' back?"

"Can I? It's a mutant school... I'm not a mutant anymore..."

"Come back kid. We can talk when you're here."

"Right. I'll see you soon, won't I?"

"Yeah. Later."

He hung up, and handed the phone back to Scott.

"What did she say?"

"Took the cure, and it worked. She's gonna come back so we can talk to her though."

Scott smiled and removed his glasses. He lay back down, then a moment later reached up and pulled
Logan down as well. The Canadian stared at the other as his breathing evened out. He looked deceivingly fragile without the protective sunglasses on. Logan knew he wasn't though.

They had been dong extra training recently, especially now they had Raven, or Mystique. Logan had watched the kid fight his way through different simulations with his eyes blindfolded.

It was about midnight, and the two men had settled down nearly an hour ago. Logan couldn't believe he was in bed so early, compared to his old late nights. However, lying beside a warm body relaxed him.

His mind wandered, thinking about Marie. He hoped she would be fine. There had better not be any side effects of taking this cure, or someone at Worthington's was going to regret it. She was his little girl now. He'd do all he could to keep her safe.

He knew Kitty missed her. The young girl could often be heard crying at night. He had a feeling she knew why the other girl had gone. Bobby was very quiet now too. He knew Xavier wouldn't object to Marie coming back, because she could pull those two out of their new shells. Both were drowning in guilt and regret, missing the other terribly and feeling they personally had pushed her away.

He lay down, a light smile ghosting over his lips. She'd come back. He knew her type. Stubborn, but caring. He ran a hand over the firm side of Cyke, the grin becoming more prominent. There were many people like her around here. Impossible to bash an idea out of their head once they'd decided to go for it.

He pulled Scott closer and pressed his face into the back of his head. His boy definitely cared, possibly too much. Logan knew he would have done anything for Jean. Probably still would if he came across Jean as herself. The kid did everything Wheels asked of him. No matter how insane or impossible the task, he went for it. His boy would probably do anything for him now. Whatever he could, at least. He knew Scott didn't like him sulking, so always tried to make him smile if he noticed Logan's expression darken.

He was the same with his students. Loyal, and caring. Someone they could rely on. Well, usually. He realised Scott had not exactly been strong after coming back from that Lake. He knew the kid was still pretty bitter about everything. Thankfully, he didn't focus much on it.

He let his head sink into the pillow as he drifted back off, for another five hours or so, until Scott got up at some inhumane time in the morning.

XXX

"He is planning his war." Frank, blunt, harsh.

"War?" 'Ro looked worried.

"He is going to destroy Warren Worthington II. You have his son here, don't you? I'm sure I saw him."

"Yes, we do." Logan looked up as Scott confirmed what Raven, or Mystique, already knew.

"Really?"

"You weren't here when he came, Logan. I must have forgotten to mention it to you."

"Well, Warren Senior had better look out. He's going to make his first strike. He's been gathering his forces. I'll give you what information on the mutants he has that I can."

"Thank you. Logan, you are still in contact with Victor, right? With two, we should be able to get a good idea of what their strength and weaknesses are."

Logan nodded, his gaze going back to the woman sat beside him. Behind him, Kurt was hovering. It was clear he wanted to talk to her, but didn't know what to say. Maybe they could talk after this.

Xavier sits beside Scott, occasionally frowning slightly. He knew he was searching Raven's memories to find relevant information that could help.

Scott and 'Ro were sat in a huddle with Raven as they discussed different plans. Apparently the cure was a boy; a mutant boy. They wanted to get him out alive.

"I'd say send Kitty in," mumbled 'Ro, "But she won't be able to get out with him."

"True... Maybe she can go ahead of you, and unlocked doors and stuff?" Raven softly suggested.

Ahead of you... clearly, Raven wasn't getting involved. She'd help them destroy Magneto, but couldn't do it herself. Probably for the best. Not a good idea to take in a fighter who could change positions at any point.

"Right, so we know where he is. This is the topography of the area. If he's after a fight, he'll have large numbers. 'Ro, you keep us covered, try keep them uncoordinated. Logan? You wait back till after Magneto is immobilised. I don't want you to be a problem with the metal in your body. Once he's down, fight away. Beast? I'll let you decide who you want to take with you, but you'll be going for Magneto. Professor? If you could try stop them going all out against us."

Logan smiled, feeling arousal spike through him. Scott in full leader mode was very attractive.

"I'll be taking Bobby and Kitty with me, while you distract the main group. Hopefully there will only be a few threats in there; none too major. We'll get in and out for the kid as quick as we can. What did Warren say his name was?"

"Jimmy?" Logan twitched slightly, hearing his name called out by someone other than Victor.

"Thanks there, Professor. Once we're out with Jimmy, then we'll trying to stop Magneto, and leave as soon as possible. Remember; try not to actually kill people. I don't care how pissed off you are. Just knock them out. If possible. Anything else Professor?"

The man moved forwards slightly, so he was facing the group.

"Don't do anything too foolish. For our new X-Men, I realise this is quite the baptism of fire, but I'm confident you'll do fine. I had hoped to ease you into this with a bunch of easier things to do... anyway; Warren will be joining us too."

"Right. Let's move out."

XXX

Their plan was effective. With Xavier holding many of the mutants back, and 'Ro keeping them uncoordinated, all the others had to do was pick them off quick. A few were a problem, for example, a man who could multiply himself, and they had trouble attacking the person, rather than a copy. One young man had an electric current running through his body, and eventually, one of their allies knocked him out by throwing rubble at him.

The man who built up an unstoppable momentum had gone after Scott's small group, and Logan had felt his insides twist. He hadn't had time to worry much though, and was now fighting back to back with his brother. It was familiar, he was sure it was something they had done many times. He knew when to move left or right, according to Victor's movements. Now and then, the other would shout a command and Logan didn't hesitate to obey.

There was one problem they had over looked; Jean. She stood strong, aloof, beside Magneto. He knew Beast would attack at the opportune moment, but that wouldn't be till there were fewer opponents around.

He ducked out the way of a dagger and quickly dragged his claws up through the old man who attacked him. He hoped the other wouldn't die. He could remember Scott's orders or 'try to K.O. them.'

He shouted to his brother as he tossed the dagger into the air, knowing his brother would catch it.

A loud shattering noise above them caused him to pause. Two brilliant white wings stretched out above them, and Logan gaped as Warren Worthington III saved his father. He mind hopped to Scott again. The kid had better be safe. But a young man with grey skin and spikes was charging him. He shifted his feet further apart and lowered his centre of gravity.

XXX

A while later and the forces had been significantly lessened. Magneto was fighting off Beast and the two he had with him by manipulating metal girders to form a frame around him. Jean was grinning in a frighteningly evil way as she slowly disintegrated anyone who came near her. The joy in her eyes bothered Logan. Jean had always been kind. He knew she was just like everyone else in many ways, with an active conscience. There was no evidence it existed any more.

"Logan?" he heard a familiar voice call out to him. He turned, and could see the glow of Scott's visor, and he could make out the rest of Scott as he stepped out of the deepest shadows. Hurrying in the other direction, he could see Bobby and Kitty with a young kid.

Logan grasped his arm, momentarily; a grin forcing its way onto his face.

"You ok, kid?"

"Yeah."

"Hey, Pup."

"Victor."

But Scott's eyes focused on Xavier, who was protected by a few other mutants. He moved off in the man's direction, and Logan went back to fighting.

"Hey! What's your Pup doing?"

Logan spun, and watched in horror as Scott made his way over to Jean. His blood froze in his veins.

"No..." he breathed. He could see them staring into each other's eyes, and Scott was starting to get some skin burnt off. He heard Scott whisper something, probably her name, and the change in her face was almost tangible.

She gaped a moment at Scott, then threw her arms around his neck. She whispered something to him, and with a flick of her wrist, the mutants they were fighting were knocked out by whatever was lying around. She pressed a soft kiss to his lips, a tear trickling down her face.

He could make out the word she spoke. "Sorry."

Logan yelped and began to run, his limbs loosening back up, as he watched a dagger rise into the air behind Scott. He was still about 50 yards off when the dagger cut through the air.

Logan's limbs froze again. His mouth agape and he felt horror flood through him. A trickle of blood spilt over pale lips. Jean smiled lightly, before her strength gave. She pitched forward into Scott's arms; the dagger embedded in her throat staining a crimson red.

He forced himself to move closer to his lover.

"I'm sorry... Scott..."

She mouthed, her voice not working. She shuddered and twitched. Logan kept his numb limbs moving. Behind him, he heard 'Ro scream as she clearly noticed what was happening.

He couldn't turn back from the morbid sight though. He kept moving closer, and closer, till he was by Scott's side. The kid was trembling horribly. His face seemed completely blank, even to Logan who had learnt to recognise the kid's emotions though his glasses.

He wrapped a strong arm around the kid's shoulders, and carefully shut Jean's blank eyes.