* * * * *

Jean smiled as they came in the Professor's office. Rogue was not exactly a morning person, Jean noted, as the girl rubbed her eyes sleepily, but Logan looked much as he had the night before, if better rested.

And equally tense.

"How do you feel?" she asked, taking a step toward them and noting Logan's eyes on her--not so much suspicious as wary, an instant evaluation of her potential threat and dismissing it all in one look.

"If I say fine, can I get out of being checked out again?" Rogue asked. Logan, just behind her, growled something and she threw a disbelieving glance back at him. "You don't have a vote."

"Since when?" Jean watched him study the room briefly, and finally, it clicked, and she knew who that other personality in Rogue was. Made sense. Rogue, with a smile and a brush of fingers across Logan's arm, went to the coffee at the far side of the desk, and Jean tilted her head as he looked at her.

"Dr. Jean Summers," she said, extending a hand. A hesitation, then he took it, shaking it briefly before glancing at Rogue. "Do you need anything?"

"Out of here." He crossed his arms across his chest--classic 'I do not want to talk', and so unsurprising that Jean almost sighed herself.

"Be nice, Logan. Talk to the nice doctor, maybe you can share healing jokes." Jean turned to see Rogue's wicked smile, and Jean heard Logan sigh softly. "He's perfect regenerative--if I have to be in that damned lab, Logan, you do too. It's fun. She has drugs and big metal equipment that makes lots of noise."

"Not now," Logan shot, but Jean could see he was fighting a smile. "Drink your coffee."

Rogue leaned against the wall by the small table, cupping her mug in both gloved hands. Giving him another smile before she took a sip. Then she slowly straightened, strolling across the room, eyes going to the door as it cracked open and Scott and Ororo walked in.

That's when the tension took over and Jean saw Rogue's eyes narrow before she placed the cup on the edge of the desk, and the girl moved--perfectly casual, almost as if it was an accident--between Logan and Scott.

"Logan--this is Scott Summers and Ororo Munroe," Rogue told him, and damned if she didn't sound just as casual as she looked. "Cyclops and Storm, as I understand it."

Logan nodded at Ororo, but Jean didn't miss the look between Scott and Logan--and damn if she could figure out what it was either.

{He knows Scott.} Jean was sure of it, watching the flicker of the older man's eyes as they took his measure. {They've met before. Scott doesn't remember--but Logan does. Shit.} Looking at Rogue, seeing the tense look on the girls' face--remembering her early behavior to Scott as well and piecing it together--{I need to talk to Rogue, soon. Find out what happened. Because Scott doesn't know he knows them, and--and damn, damn, damn.}

"Good morning," and Jean almost collapsed in gratitude when Professor Xavier slowly wheeled in. The sharp brown eyes went up, fixing on Logan instantly, and Jean got the feeling the Professor knew too--had known, in fact, that Logan knew of them. The other man nodded briefly in response. "I'm Professor Xavier. Please, sit down." His glance went to Rogue, who had moved to stand by Logan, and Jean saw the girl's hand was lightly pressed against Logan's back. Then she moved by him, hooking a chair along the way, and finally, everyone was seated and damn, did it feel like a classroom.

Jean tried to remember the last time she'd felt this uncomfortable and honestly couldn't remember.

"Logan, I understand you are familiar with Eric Lensherr, from what Rogue has told me," Xavier said. Logan nodded, but Jean saw him give Rogue a quick glance, saw the girl's bare nod. "He has shown some interest in acquiring Rogue--though I'm not sure for what yet."

"He's been after her for awhile," Logan answered shortly. "You're not sayin' anything I don't already know. The question I gotta ask, is she safe here?"

An incline of the Professor's head, and Jean took a breath, letting it out slowly.

"Yes. The grounds of the school are protected from Eric or his associates. So you need not worry about her safety." A pause. "I would like to know, however, about your acquaintance with Eric."

For the first time, Jean sensed amusement from him, though Rogue was suddenly tense, eyes fixed on Logan, one hand covering his.

"Logan, sugar--"

"So you figured out that part?" Logan answered, then a small smile, one that made Jean shiver, an unconscious flexing of the hands. "That why you're holding Rogue here?"

Jean watched the Professor lean back, elbows braced on the desk, fingers lightly folded together. Something he hadn't told her, and that annoyed her somewhat, even if she didn't really have the right. She saw Scott's jerk, but a glance from the Professor froze him in place. Ororo, as always, was unreadable.

"I'm not Eric. I don't utilize blackmail, Logan. That's the first thing you need to understand. Nor would I hold Rogue here against her will--you are both free to leave now, if you wish. But I would assume that your deal with Eric is off, if he has sent Sabretooth after her." Then a pause. "What kind of deal was made?"

A deal. Jean stared at Rogue, watching the play of emotion on the young woman's face--anger, guilt, fear, and edges of frustration. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but her mouth shut tight suddenly and Jean saw that Logan's fingers had closed tightly over her wrist.

"Rogue's safety was guaranteed. I did a few things for him in exchange." Silence, and Jean saw the shock reflected on her husband's face. But Logan's eyes were fixed on the Professor, an intense gaze that made her want to intervene. She wasn't not what would happen if she even moved, if Logan was even aware there was anyone else in the room now. "Seems like he found out we were planning to break for it, though, if he felt comfortable sending Creed after us." Jean stole a glance at Rogue--the dark eyes were turned down and Jean saw a trace of tears before they were hastily wiped away.

"He didn't have a choice," Rogue said finally, softly, then turned her head, looking at Xavier. "Eric dictated the terms--we were--" she took a breath, letting it out in a slow laugh. "If I hadn't gone to Laughlin, we'd be gone by now, and even Eric wouldn't be able to find us."

"I suspected as much, Rogue." A slow, understanding nod, and damn, why hadn't any of them said anything about this to her? "I think Eric is also aware of Logan's ability to vanish when necessary," the Professor said gently, then turned back to Logan. "Do you know what he wants with Rogue?"

"No."

"Nor do I." A pause. "But I mean to find out. If possible. Until then--Logan, you have no reason to believe we have any intention of turning Rogue over to Eric. I would prefer you stayed, at least until she is well enough to move comfortably. And until I can find out what Eric wants with her."

A pause, and Logan glanced at Rogue, who nodded slowly.

"All right. Until Rogue's ready." Then a cool look that took them all in. "Then we're both gone." Without ceremony, Logan switched his grip to her hand, pulling her to her feet. "She needs to rest." Jean saw Rogue throw her a quick glance and forced herself to nod in return, then the girl turned away, letting him lead her to the door.

It slammed shut with an edge none of them could ignore. Ororo let out a breath.

"That was interesting," she murmured, her eyes meeting Jean's, and there was almost amusement on her face. "I guess Rogue wasn't exaggerating on his temper."

"I don't believe this," Scott muttered, already on his feet. "Sir--"

"Scott, we can't afford dissension right now." Scott stiffened at the sharp tone. "Do not make this situation more difficult than it already is."

"He works for Magneto, sir," Scott shot, and the Professor's eyes narrowed.

"He works for himself--I am going to ask that you restrain yourself until we know more. Jean, how much did you pick up?"

A little surprised, Jean leaned back in her chair, frowning--she understood his question however. Of everyone there, she'd spent the most time with Rogue, forming the closest acquaintance.

"He's telling the truth," Jean offered, leaning back in her chair thoughtfully, refusing to meet Scott's betrayed gaze. "Rogue's afraid, but not for herself." Thinking, remembering Rogue's expression. "Professor--I don't think they're a danger to us."

That was pushing it, she knew, seeing Scott's narrowed eyes, the beginning of protest that died when the Professor spoke again.

"I have to agree. We have only a few days--I suspect the second Logan feels Rogue can travel, he'll leave. And I need to know what Eric wants with Rogue before this goes too far."

"He's been interested in her for at least five years," Jean offered, and Scott jerked. "I've talked to Rogue--she's allowed me to ask some questions." Silence, and Jean uncrossed her legs, taking a deep breath. "I'll talk to them both--and Scott," she stopped, frowning a little, then decided to try anyway--even knowing exactly what his reaction would be. "It'd be better if you--" and failed to figure out a way to frame her request. Scott, face dark, did it for her.

"Stay away from them?" he answered coolly. "Fine. As long as they're watched." He turned to the Professor. "Remy and Bobby, I'll give the order, sir."

A slow nod, and Scott walked out of the room, deliberately closing the door softly behind him. Jean sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"That didn't go well."

"No, it went as expected. Logan would have been more suspicious with a private meeting--and Scott needs to know." The Professor sighed. "He'll expect to be followed, and it should be interesting to see how he handles it. Jean--" he turned a quiet gaze on her. "Rogue trusts you. I suggest you spend time with her--try to keep the lines of communication open. When I know more, I'll tell you." It was a dismissal, and Jean and Ororo both rose. "Ororo--"

"Sir?"

"Do you have anything you wish to add?"

Ororo smiled a little.

"I think they'll tell you in their own time, sir." Jean, startled, saw the woman's lips twitch. "But nothing else." She glanced down at her arm. "I have a class starting in a few minutes--if you'll excuse me. Jean--"

"Yeah," Jean answered, frowning a little. "Can you get Bobby to take my class? I need to go do a few things." A glance at the Professor, who nodded shortly, then she followed Ororo out.

* * * * *

Marie sighed as she sat down on the bed, absently pulling off her gloves. She had a feeling that if Logan had anything to say about it, she was going to get way to familiar with these four walls, and that just depressed her.

"That went badly." Though God knew, it could have gone worse, though not by much. The fact that Logan had yet to tear into anything had to be some sort of good sign.

"What the hell did you expect?" asked Logan, leaning against the door, giving her a long look, and she could practically feel the impatience coming off of him. "Marie--"

"Don't." Rubbing her temples distractedly, she lay back on the bed. "And the whole Rogue needs to rest crap was just great. I'm not an invalid."

"Look, I--." One step in, then his head snapped around. He looked around the room, eyes narrowing, taking a breath. "Someone's been in here."

Marie lifted her head, then sat up, blinking. Without thinking, she got to her feet, wishing rather paradoxically that she'd kept more of his abilities, because it was only the faintest linger in the room to her. "Who? Where'd they go?"

"Bed, back wall, desk--" Logan took a breath, eyes narrowing, and dropped into a crouch beside the chair, stripping his gloves and running his fingers under the seat, then beneath the desk. "Check the closet."

Unnerved, Marie ducked in, checking through the clothes, fingers running across the walls, closing her eyes to listen for the hum of bugs or video.

"They're pretty advanced," Marie said as she came out. "They could have something we haven't seen before. Find anything?"

Logan had dumped out three of the dresser drawers, going through them quickly and efficiently, before growling softly. "I don't recognize the scent--I will by the end of the day though." Marie didn't envy anyone who met up with him. "I don't like this." He sounded more thoughtful than angry, though, and that was odd enough to capture her attention completely.

"After what they found out, you think they should trust us?"

"Not that--" He stared at the door, then stood up. "Jean's coming."

"You know here scent that well already?" Marie shot, before she stared at the door and it reluctantly opened. Seeing Logan's gaze, she shrugged, tapping her head. "Jean."

The tall woman took one step in, then frowned a little, seeing the mess of clothes on the floor, the overturned chair. Logan leaned back against the desk, not moving, and Marie shot him a glance before finally taking a step toward her.

"Jean--"

"I think we need to talk." And Jean pushed the door shut behind her. If there was anything in her voice, it was anger, wonderfully controlled. "I don't expect you to understand us--but when were you going to tell us you worked with Eric Lensherr?"

Marie sighed.

"It's not that I don't trust you--"

"You don't." Cool, and it hurt Rogue, in a way she hadn't expected. "You know Scott and pretend you don't, you don't tell us about your deal with Eric--Rogue, what am I supposed to think?" And Jean spun around, looking straight at Marie. "Tell me how the hell I'm supposed to trust a single word you say."

A pause, then Marie glanced at Logan, who shrugged, keeping his gaze steadily divided between her and Jean.

"Jean--" she stopped, glancing at Logan again, and fuck him, he wasn't helping at all. If anything, he looked amused. Damn "It's not that easy, you've got to understand--"

"You know who and what we are," Jean answered, still in that cool, expressionless, and Marie shivered a little at the tone. "I've given you my trust--my memories--" Marie saw Logan's eyebrows jump at that, with a silent promise that they'd be discussing it once they were in private, "--and I expect at very least--"

"Jean." Marie half-rose, knowing that this was more or less up to her to fix. Shit. "I'm sorry. I just needed--some of this isn't mine to tell, you understand? And how the hell would you have reacted if I told you Logan worked with Eric, hmmm? I needed to know more--and I needed to wait, until I could be sure--." Marie sighed, shaking her head in frustration. "And apparently, either Logan's usefulness has run out or my value has gone up, because it's over anyway, and I knew that much when I saw Creed in the street." Marie paused, seeing the woman's eyes cool, and she looked like she would at least listen, which was something.

"I'll go find something to do," Logan announced suddenly, and Jean turned to look at him in surprise, but he was already going out the door.

"I'll find you later," Marie told him, and Logan nodded. The door closed with a click, and Marie led Jean to sit at the desk chair, pacing, trying to figure out a way to explain.

"It's a little odd, but I think--maybe this will make sense if I try to explain why we were put in this position. It was mostly my fault--Logan has certain principles that he wasn't entirely happy with breaking," she smiled at Jean's raised eyebrows. "Trust me, I know. I was only eighteen and things were--everything was very--different then. I didn't--" Marie shut her eyes, wishing she could still use that trace of telepathy that would help Jean understand. She dropped on the bed, staring down at her gloved hands, then at Jean. "I made a stupid mistake, Jean. The stupidest I've ever made. I was young, but that's no excuse. Just let me finish, and I think you may understand."

End Part III