Takes place immediately after X2: Reunion

Chapter 1

It was dusk when the jet landed back at Xavier's, and the mood was very subdued. The team quietly changed out of their uniforms and hung them up, and no one spoke. Rogue had been self-conscious at first, about changing in front of her teachers and Logan – and Bobby! – but no one looked at anyone else, preferring to keep his or her grief private.

Professor Xavier called Scott and Logan into his office to speak with them privately, and just as they were finished Piotr showed up with the rest of the students who had escaped the raid. Logan, mindful of what the professor had just said, gave Scott some reassurance about Jean's feelings before they separated.

Dinner was quiet too, and afterwards Scott and Logan, with a wordless understanding, headed for the liquor cabinet together. Kurt Wagner was introduced to the rest of the students – it turned out he had already met Kitty before – and was settling in. Bobby ate with Rogue, but they didn't talk much. He wanted to spend the evening with her and have a private debriefing, but she explained that with Pyro in her head, she needed some time alone. What she really meant was, she needed some time away from Bobby. With him and Pyro having been best friends, she was finding Bobby very confusing to be around. After their kiss in Boston, she had just a hint of Bobby himself in there as well. Already she had had to bite back some retorts that were the product of her inner battles, rather than her low, desultory conversation with her boyfriend.

The next day, they had Jean's memorial service in the morning and then her wake. People ate their lunches and talked about Jean – it was not so much a funeral as a "celebration of her life," according to Professor Xavier.

Later, in the afternoon, called a meeting of all the X-men and students. He introduced the new doctor he had hired a week ago, a mutant named Hank McCoy, whose codename was "Beast" because of the form of his mutation. He introduced "The Incredible Nightcrawler" as well, and invited Kurt to stay with them as long as he liked. Kurt graciously accepted the offer, and after a few other words, Xavier closed the meeting. As people were filing out, he asked, "Rogue. Logan. If you aren't busy right now, I would like to meet with the two of you in my office."

Rogue shrugged at Bobby's questioning look, and joined Logan in the professor's office.

Xavier took a moment to gather his thoughts as he viewed the unlikely friends before him. Rogue sat gracefully, while Logan sprawled, scowling, in an armchair. His arms were folded and he looked as if he'd rather be anywhere than here.

"Thank you both for coming," Xavier said finally. "What I have to say affects both of you, and I would prefer that you keep it confidential for now. You should know that I am considering some additions to the team, and have been thinking about them for some time. I had even gone so far as to speak with Jean about them, and with Scott." A flash of pain crossed his eyes as he spoke Jean's name, then it was gone.

"What does this have to do with us?" Logan asked, staring out the window.

"Well, Logan, I had planned, upon your return, to offer you one of the spots. With special considerations, of course, and an agreement worked out beforehand regarding your absences and your… let's call them 'extracurricular activities'. I had been considering a couple of the younger people as well, but taking recent events into account, I can only feel comfortable promoting one of them."

He gave Rogue a paternal smile. "Rogue, there's a spot on the team for you as well, if you want it."

Rogue blinked. "A team member? Me? You mean you want me to be an X-man?"

Xavier nodded, smiling. "This past year, and especially these past few days, you have repeatedly shown skill, clear thinking in a crisis, and excellent mental discipline. I think you are ready to start the serious training, if you wish it. And Logan, I hope you'll find no fault with her decision, whatever she decides."

Logan's scowl deepened. "What's it got to do with me?"

Xavier explained, "Since the incident with Sabretooth, shortly after you met each other, I am aware that you have viewed Rogue as your responsibility to some extent."

Logan's eyes flicked over to Rogue's, then back, and he nodded. "Yeah, I told her I'd take care of her. Why?"

"Simply that I would like your blessing on her promotion," Xavier said. "Legally, she is an adult and can make her own decisions, but I would like to make sure you are all right with this too. After all, if you both accept, then you'll be team-mates."

Rogue snorted. The two men looked at her questioningly and she blushed. "Uh, sorry," she said. "But my mental Wolverine is having a tantrum at the thought. I'm just dying to hear how the real one feels about it." She grinned.

Logan shrugged. "Well, kid, it's your decision. It's pretty dangerous, but you know that. I'm not too keen on your flying missions and risking your life all the time, but I think you've proved you can handle yourself." He paused to consider, and added, "And the Blackbird."

Rogue smiled back, then asked, "Professor, what about Bobby? Is he going to be an X-man too?"

Xavier's face tightened up a little. "Not just yet, Rogue. We feel he still needs some more training before he will be ready to don the uniform permanently."

"Is it 'cause he didn't freeze the lake?" Logan asked quietly.

Xavier did not reply, but his expression made Logan nod to himself. He could understand Xavier's not wanting to discuss it in front of Bobby's girlfriend, but he was pretty sure he could figure out why Bobby had been asked to give back his black leather uniform after their visit to the President. Here was one mutant with the power to actually do something about all that water that had claimed Jean's life – and instead he had sat shaking in his chair while she drowned. He hadn't even tried to help. Not to mention he had done nothing to help when John had fired the police cars. Instead it was Rogue who had taken the initiative and temporarily stolen John's powers. Xavier had gleaned the whole story from everyone's minds.

To break the tension, Rogue said, "Professor, what would I be doing? Wouldn't I need more training?"

"Yes," Xavier replied. "Scott and Storm are working up a training schedule for you, and you'd be starting next week. You'll be learning to fly the jet – not that you didn't do a fine job for a beginner – learning combat techniques, training in the Danger Room, and apprenticing with Hank to learn some field medicine."

Logan shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the "replacement" doctor. "So was that all you wanted to talk about?" he asked.

"Not precisely. Logan, I would like to offer you a spot, not only on the team, but on the teaching staff as well. I know that you're familiar with many combat techniques, and I thought you might be willing to help with Rogue's training." Having laid all his cards on the table, Xavier sat back to calmly wait for the decision.