Another Life

Part 21

I sent seen Jean since she walked out of our room after saying she needed space, figuring she needed time to process. Hell, I needed time, too. But the silence was eating me alive, gnawing feeling in my gut that I couldn't ignore. I knew I needed to talk to someone—someone who might understand the weight of what I was facing.

There was only one person who came to mind.

I found Charles in his study, a large room filled with books and old-world charm.

His wheelchair parked next to a small table. His hands rested on the armrests, his expression serene, but I could see a flicker of curiosity in his eyes as I stepped into the room.

"Logan," he greeted me with a calm tone, a small smile on his face. "I wasn't expecting you. Is everything all right?"

I hesitated at the doorway, my hand gripping the frame, trying to find the right words. "Mind if I come in?" My voice rough unintentionally.

"Of course," Charles said, gesturing to the seat across for him. "Please, take a seat."

I nodded and moved toward the chair, sitting down heavily. I could feel Charles's eyes on me, almost as if he's debating on reading my thoughts.

"You look troubled," he observed, inviting me to speak. "What's on your mind?"

"It's Jean," I said, leaning back in the chair, crossing my arms. "She's...talking about leaving the X-men. Leaving the mansion. Says she wants a normal life, whatever the fuck that means."

Charles nodded slightly, his expression thoughtful. "I see and how do you feel about it" he said.

I let out a harsh laugh, shaking my head. "How do I feel? Hell, I don't know. She wants to runaway, and I get it, I do. But it ain't right, we have responsibilities here, people are countin' on us."

Charles remained silent for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. "Logan, you and Jean have been through a lot. Together. Not together. I can understand why she feels this way. The life we lead...it's not easy, and sometimes it's natural to want to escape from that."

"Yeah, but you know as well as I do, there is no escaping this life." I countered, frustration bubbling inside of me. You think I can just walk away from this place, from everything we've built here? Everything we fought for?"

Charles sighed, his face etched with the weight of his years and the burdens he carried. "Logan, you've always been the one to fight for what you believe in, to protect those you care about. But sometimes, protecting someone means letting them go. Letting them make their own choices, even if it's not the choice we'd make."

I stared at him, trying to make sense of what he was saying. "You think I should just let her leave? Just like that?"

"I think," Charles replied carefully, "that Jean needs to find her own path. As do you. You've both been through a tremendous amount of hard times, perhaps what she needs right now is some time to figure out what that path is, even if it means stepping away for a while."

I grunted, not liking the sound of that. "And what about the team? What about the rest of us? What about Rogue? We're just supposed to carry on like the last few years of our lives don't exist?"

He smiled, sad but knowing smile. "We've faced change before, Logan. And we'll face it again. The X-men is more than just a team; we're a family. We adapt. We grow. And sometimes...we let it go. But we never forget. If Jean needs to step away, then we support her in that decision. It doesn't mean she's gone forever."

I rubbed my face with my hand, feeling the rough stubble of my beard. "I just don't want to lose her let alone leave Rogue." I admitted, "it took you years to make me stay and now I don't want to leave."

Charles's facial expressions softened a little bit more, his eyes full of compassion. "I know, Logan. I know how much the mansion and Jean mean to you. The best way to hold on to someone is to let them go and find their way back to you."

The lump in my throat growing more and more as the conversation goes on. "And what if she doesn't come back?" I said.

Charles looked at me, staying silent for a moment, "then you'll have to decide if you're willing to follow her, wherever that may lead."

A slow but long breath escapes my lips, feeling his words settle over me. "You always got the answers , don't you, professor?" I muttered, though there was a hint of a smile.

He chuckled softly. "Not always, Logan. But I've learned a few things over the years. And one thing I've learned over the years is that love, real love, is worth fighting for. But sometimes, it's worth waiting for."

I nodded, his words sinking in. I knew he was right, even if I didn't want to admit it. Jean needed time. She needed space. And I needed to be strong enough to give her that, even if it meant risking everything I had wanted for years.

"Thanks, Charles," I said, standing up from the chair. "I appreciate it." I pulled out a cigar and began to light it.

He nodded, his smile warm. "Anytime, Logan. Remember, I'm always here if you need to talk."

My mind still swirling with everything he'd said. As I walked out of the study and back into the hallway, I felt a strange sense of calm settle over me. I wasn't sure why I was calm.

Part of me doesn't want to let go of Jean. But it scared me even more if I chose to.

I made my way down the hall, my footsteps echoing off the walls. I needed to find Jean, to talk to her. To figure out where we stood, what would happen next.

But as I reached her old room and saw the room slightly ajar, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she hadn't left yet. Maybe she was still here, willing to talk. I pushed the door open gently stepping inside, my heart racing.

She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her back to me, staring out the window. She didn't turn as I entered, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her hands were clenched tightly in her lap.

"Jean," I said softly, stepping closer. "We need to talk."

She didn't respond right away, but after a moment, she nodded slowly. Her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Yeah," she said quietly. "We do."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever was coming next. "I talked to Charles," I said, coming around to sit beside her. "About...about what you said. About leaving."

She glanced at me, her expression guarded. "And what did he say?"

"He thinks you should do what's right for you," I replied carefully. "And...so do I."

She looked surprised, her eyes widening slightly. "You do?"

I nodded, "yeah. I don't want to lose you, Jean. But I don't want to hold you back, either."

She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. Then, slowly, she reached out and took my hand, her grip firm. "I don't want to leave you, Logan." Her voice trembling slightly. "But I don't know if I can stay here, either. Not like this."

"I understand," I said softly, squeezing her hand.

I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her, holding Jean tight.