To Forgive is to Forget
Chapter 9
by
Hunter
DISCLAIMER: When my plot for world domination comes into effect, I will buy Marvel comics, 20th Century Fox, and all characters attached thereto, but until then, nothing is mine, only the lame characters I make up to play with the X-Gang.
DEDICATION: With major hugs to Leylue, All Great and Powerful Wolverine Lore Protector and Guide. . . without whom, this little South African wouldn't of even have gotten this far. And to Barbara, Tyger, and whoever gets this site next. . . excellent job grrrrls.
Heather slowly closed the bedroom door behind her. As the light faded, and before her night vision had to kick in, she caught a glimpse of Jean keeping vigil next to Logan's bed. Though Heather had only been in the mansion for a few hours, the X-Men had accepted her. They had shown her around and told her to make herself at home.
Beast had explained that there were usually many more people around the mansion, but they were all away on vacation. He had shown her to Logan's bedroom and explained that they were keeping watch on him. Apparently, it was very unusual for Logan to be unconscious for so long. Jean was as worried as the rest of the team, but both the Professor and Beast had assured them all that Logan was probably just mentally exhausted.
"How is he?" Heather whispered.
"Still sleeping," Jean answered.
Heather made her way to Logan's bedside and pulled up a chair next to Jean. Jean noticed Heather looking at the leather bonds that ran from under the bed and around Logan's wrists. They were just visible from under the blankets that went halfway up to Logan's chest leaving the rest of him exposed, and verified that they had finally succeeded in removing the dissection lines.
"Those are necessary," Jean explained leaning forward to move the blanket up. Heather looked doubtful.
"I'm sure you've seen his claws," Jean added, trying to make Heather feel more at ease.
"Yes."
"Well, I can assure you, you don't want to have those flying lose when he wakes up. Ask Marie."
Heather puzzled for a moment wondering what on earth was Marie doing near Logan as he woke up. Jean saw her puzzlement and laughed quietly. She then told Heather the story of how Wolverine had been introduced to the team.
Jean had begun to talk about the other members of the team when a sharp noise filled the air.
"SNIKT"
Logan gasped awake, and sent pieces of mattress flying as his claws sank into the bedding.
"Logan. . . Logan. . . It's me, Jean. You're okay, shhhhh."
Jean calmed Logan and gently pushed him back down on the bed. At the same time she sent out a mental call for the Professor.
"Jean?" called out Logan.
"Its okay, Logan. We got you."
Heather backed quietly out of the room as Jean begun to untie the bonds that held Logan.
* * * * *
The Professor and Scott watched the Doctor as the Professor once again tried to communicate with him. It was no use. The man sat in a corner and screamed every time anyone came near him. The Professor closed his eyes, and started for the door.
"He's awake, Scott."
"Logan?"
"Jean just called me," Xavier answered nodding his head.
"What about him?" Scott looked over at the sobbing Doctor.
"There is nothing we can do for him now."
They left the room together.
* * * * *
A week later everyone was gathered in the lounge for the evening. It was pleasant when it happened; the entire team getting together sharing jokes, stories, drinks, and friendship.
"This doesn't happen often enough," reflected the Professor. He smiled as Scott and Jean hugged each other on the sofa.
Marie wasn't here, nor was Lloyd's sister, Heather. Lloyd sat with Beast discussing technical subjects that were even beyond Professor Xavier.
Logan wasn't there either. He hadn't left his room since he had awoken. The Professor had decided that he would talk to Logan in the morning if he weren't out by tonight.
* * * * *
Marie knocked on Heather's door, and it was a while before she opened it.
"Hi," Marie said to Heather who peered out from behind the door.
"Hello," Heather answered.
"Uhh, I was just wondering if you were coming down to join us this evening?" Marie smiled.
Heather stared at her.
"In the lounge," Marie added hopefully.
"Sounds nice."
"Well, I was just thinking that you might want to come and join us. Your brother is there. And I thought you might want to come too." Marie silently screamed at herself for sounding so lame.
"I think I will. Later, OK?"
"OK," said Marie.
"Bye." Heather slowly closed her door.
"Bye." Marie stared at the door for a second before walking back down to her friends.
* * * * *
Heather leaned against the closed door, and sighed. Marie had been trying so hard to be friendly to her. A fact that Heather greatly appreciated considering Marie had all the rights in the world to hate her.
Heather had told no one, other than the Professor, about the extent of her involvement in the taking of Logan. Lloyd had agreed to keep quiet about that event as had the Professor. Everyone did know about what she could do, her 'gift.' Lloyd and Heather had been accepted into the school until they were ready to go out into the world again and start over.
Heather wasn't so sure she wanted to go out into the world. Lloyd had already found some job over the Internet in Europe. She would be lonely when he left. Letting her breath out slowly, Heather walked over to her bed.
"Join them in the lounge. Ooooh, what fun."
She flung herself down and spread out her arms. One by one, she relaxed her muscles. Heather started to daydream with her hands outstretched and reaching towards the bedside table. Her fingers tangled into something cold and spiky. Turning her head, she saw the tinsel that hadn't moved since she had removed it from her pocket and dumped it on the table.
Sitting upright, Heather held the tinsel in front of her eyes. She twirled it around her hand like a golden feathery snake. For some reason, an image of the Doctor popped into her head. He was gone now; sent to a hospital for the mentally insane. For days, the Professor had tried to help him, but Heather had totally destroyed any semblance of the man the Doctor once was.
Logan was down the hall. Heather hadn't seen him since he had woken up. Neither had anyone else for that matter. Ignoring everyone, Logan had barricaded himself in his room.
Heather played with the tinsel some more and made up her mind.
* * * * *
Logan looked at his door from his sofa, and ignored the knocking. When the person continued to tap away, he growled. Stalking to the door, he swore he would nail whoever it was for rudely disrupting his brooding.
He swung the door open wide.
"What!" he began to snarl, and stopped halfway when he saw the girl in front of him.
"Hi," she said in a small voice. Heather noticed Logan was wearing only a pair of faded jeans.
"Hi," he answered quickly losing interest.
"I thought you might want to come down, and join the others in the lounge," Heather said.
"No." Logan started to close the door, but Heather swung out her arm and caught it midway.
Logan shrugged his shoulders and left the doorway. He walked back inside his room leaving Heather in the doorway. She pushed the door open wider and followed him in. The room was dark and perfectly tidy. That surprised Heather considering that a guy had been in it for a week without room service.
Logan sat slumped on the sofa. He continued to ignore her, and stared intently down into the floor.
"Are you sure you don't want to join them? They really miss you," whispered Heather into the silence.
Logan remained quiet.
Heather decided to try another tactic. She moved in closer and sat on the sofa next to him. She remembered his claws and prayed that he was not in the habit of killing indiscriminately.
He suddenly swung his head towards her, his eyes wide.
"You were there!" he gasped. Heather's smell had finally registered to his senses.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"You're her!" Logan said pushing himself out of his seat. He moved across the room, and into the moonlight coming in from the window.
He snarled, showing his claws. "Get Out!"
Heather got up and walked over to him.
"I said, GET OUT!" Logan screamed. He moved menacingly towards her.
When Heather reached him, she raised her head. In the moonlight, Logan saw that she was crying.
"I'm so sorry," Heather said again. Falling to her knees, she wept into her hands.
Logan stood in front of her dumbfounded. This was not what he had been expecting. Heather tumbled out her story, from Lloyd's phone call to Logan's waking up. Logan stood still the entire time and listened.
Finally, Heather reached into her pocket and pulled out the golden tinsel. She held it out to him.
"You had this on you. On the helicopter," she said.
Logan stared at her outstretched arm for a moment, and then burst out laughing. Heather stopped crying. She looked up as Logan took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He hugged her and took the tinsel from her hand.
Smiling at her, he said, "I heard you're the one who brought back my tags, too."
Heather nodded.
"Well, I guess all is forgiven then."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I just wish you could have kept that 'doctor' together for me a little while longer."
Heather smiled as Logan placed a tinsel crown on her head.
"I suppose I better clean up and join the rest down there before I get a talking to from the Prof." Logan said.
"Marie misses you," Heather said.
"I miss her, too."
* * * * *
An hour later Heather watched as Logan came down to the lounge. He crept up behind Marie who sat in a large over stuffed chair. No one knew he was there until he 'booed her,' and she had shot up screaming little screams of joy.
Heather had never seen so many people hug one person at the same time.
Maybe this was going to be a good place to stay after all
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