Sorry for the wait, guys! I have officially graduated from college so I have a bit more time now between my internship/*hopefully* career to write! Thanks for everything guys! Here comes chapter six!

Chapter Six

There's a clear, significant difference, outlook wise, when someone is made to wake up far too early than they would like. Being roused from a deep sleep because of Laura's cries was one thing. She, of course, is his daughter. It never mattered how exhausted or out of energy he was, hearing his child's wails of distress was a good enough reason to awaken from the deepest of sleeps. Even if her displeasure was merely a product of boredom and her desire to be freed from the confines of her crib. That he could deal with. That he had dealt with. But he sure as hell could not deal with this hell on Earth he was being flung into. A field trip.

"Watch it!" Logan growls as a group of young students, who have taken to roughhousing, bump into one of Charles's various glass shelves that hold what can only be assumed as precious artifacts to the professor. It shakes slightly, but thankfully doesn't do much more than that. Why the telepath kept things such as this in a figurative (and sometimes even literal) war zone, he'd never know. "Keep it outside."

It's evident that none of the children at fault take notice to the older man's words as they continue to hurry, shoving past one another with accompanying laughs towards the mansion's front doors. Logan inhales deeply, holding his breath for a few, long seconds before exhaling. If he had a real say in the decisions of the school, there would be a student populace cut off number. Charles somehow manages to successfully collect at least a half dozen new mutant kids a day. Okay, maybe not that many, but it sure seemed like it. And though he'd never admit it out loud and in words, he too had a soft spot for the children. Well, depending on his mood, of course.

"They're just excited," Jean says, giving the other mutant a mixed expression of amusement and sympathy. "It's rare any of the classes get to have a day of learning outside of the mansion, much less the entire school."

Logan looks the telekinetic mutant up and down, momentarily appreciating the deep red locks that fall past her shoulders and splay perfectly across the top of her blouse. It's only when he catches Jean eyeing him curiously that he suddenly remembers the woman is telepathic and most certainly had already scanned his mind. He turns his head, clearing his throat as he tries, and most likely is failing at, hiding his embarrassment. Much to his relief, and most likely due to the woman sparing him anymore mortification, Jean does not bring up his ogling. Instead, she immediately redirects the subject of conversation elsewhere.

"Where's Laura," she questions, Logan finally finding the courage to meet her eyes. "I'm surprised she's not here with you."

"Still asleep," he replies, mouth twitching into a small frown as, what can only be assumed as ivy, wraps around his ankle.

His eyes lock with the young mutant in question almost instantly, the color in the kid's face draining away in turn. With a sheepish expression, the boy draws back the dark vines. Out of the corner of his eye, Logan notices a group of children snickering, the plant attack evidently meant for them. Of course, the quiet laughing disappears the minute the students see the irate glare burned across the Adamantium claw bearing man. Before he can step forward to berate them, he feels Jean's hand rest on his shoulders.

"Don't," she says gently. "They didn't mean anything by it." She holds up her hand before he has a chance to argue his point. "Children," she reminds him. "They can't help it."

He grumbles something inaudible in response, but Jean chooses to ignore it. Instead, her eyes flicker down to the clipboard and to the long list of students. Christ, there had to be at least sixty names from Logan's rough calculation and that was only the first page. Charles really needed to put a cap on how many applicants he accepts.

But he wouldn't, the man's too damn generous and selfless...basically Mutant Jesus. Logan shakes his head, briefly thinking about how annoying it'll be when the eminent construction for another wing finally happens. At this point, they might as well open up a small village. Possibly large town. Hell, maybe a city. By now, he wouldn't be surprised.

"I'm gonna go get the baby," he says, more so to himself than Jean. "Don't wait up." He sure as hell can hold some hope that all of the vehicles will be filled by the time he makes it outside. "If people have to use my truck, don't let them screw with the infant seat. That thing's shit to get together."

At least three students collide into Logan as he pushes through the swarm of hurrying students. One, much to his displeasure, had been toying with a golf ball sized sphere of electricity...that, upon running into Logan, smashed into his crotch head on. God, until that moment, he thought that he knew what real pain felt like. Now, with his newly electrocuted nuts, he was proved otherwise...not that he could really even think clearly at that point. Thankfully, he was completely fine with being the parent to only one child. Even with his healing abilities, Logan's quite certain his fried nuts will ever be the same.

"Son of a bitch!" He hisses through clenched teeth. "I swear to whatever higher power, if someone slams into me one more time…"

Luckily, fate gives him a moment of peace and Logan manages to get to his room with injured, but still intact testicles. Laura's already sitting up by the time he enters, her face lighting up with her usually ever present smile when she sees him. He returns the gesture with an unintentional grimace, but his daughter is none the wiser to her father's present state.

"I'm glad one of us is having a good morning," the older mutant says, his words almost muted by the loud, happy babbling of the infant. "If you give your old man a break today, I'd much appreciate it. I could do without poop explosions or you somehow managing to get messy."

Slobber covered hands wipe against his face as Logan lifts the baby from the confines of her crib. As if on cue, the moment he manages to get a good hold on her, the all too familiar expression of pure concentration crosses her now, scrunched, red faced features. The smell that follows is almost horribly potent enough that her father actually considers if he'd take another shock to the balls rather than face what would most certainly be the literal hell of all diapers. He makes a mental note to himself that tonight, he'll enjoy a beer or two as an award for his courageous actions-or rather, for remaining sane by the end of the day.

"There's an entire aquarium full of animals out there and all you guys want to do is stay in the gift shop."

It isn't a question, more so of a remark as Logan watches his assigned group of kids happily explore the wonders of the over priced, cheaply made items in the ocean themed souvenir shop. At least it's easy enough to keep an eye on all of them, there's a positive. However, he knows well enough that the trip was planned as a learning experience and window shopping didn't fall into the educational category.

Meanwhile, sitting in the baby carrier strapped across his chest, a very drowsy Laura tries her best to fend off sleep. At first, Logan held a lot of resentment towards the bright pink, floral patterned device he'd have to sport-seeing as it felt like a kick to his manhood, but now it proved to be a godsend. One less thing to worry about, even if it did take away from his rugged appearance. But it holds Laura well enough and she seems to enjoy it, so maybe it's not as horrible as he originally led himself to believe.

Hello New York Aquarium guests! The unexpected voice over the intercom catches Logan by surprise, the volume far louder than it perhaps should be. We hope you are enjoying your day so far! In fifteen minutes, there will be a live feeding for our seals so we highly recommend that you make your way to the designated area so that you and your family can witness this fun event.

As if someone rang a dinner bell, Logan's suddenly rushed by the formally, preoccupied children who seem to have instantly forgotten the various knick knacks they'd been eyeing. Already knowing the question, or rather, pleading, about to be posed to him he holds up his hand as a means to shield himself from the assured bombardments of overlapping conversations.

"We can go," he says slowly. "But no racing or using any powers that would get us in...well, let's act normal and...respectful I guess."

Laura's lost to the world when they finally make it to the seal exhibition-which is, as he expected, already overcrowded. Before he can even comment, his assigned students had already pushed through the mass of people and disappeared. Cursing quietly to himself, Logan begins to look around, hoping to see someone he recognizes. And, much to his luck (for the first time that day) his gaze meets Storm's.

"How're things?" She asks, sounding slightly out of breath from making her way to him. "Hank and the Professor are back there," she gestures behind her. "...At least they had been." Ororo smiles and Logan cannot help but give her a small, half smile in return.

"Learned a lot about how pricey the gift shop is," Storm raises an eyebrow curiously and Logan, in turn, shrugs. "Hey," he states. "Least I kept them all together and in one piece...until now." He looks around only to see more guests filing in. "What about you?"

"Stopped a kid from trying to sneak a starfish into his pocket," she smirks. "But that was the only exciting event I've had to deal with."

Logan nods thoughtfully before his attention is drawn to the front where the glass enclosure sits. Despite being in the way back, he can clearly make out the shapes of the seals perched on rocks in anticipation for their meal. Murmurs of excitement wash across the crowd as a smiling employee enters into the exhibit, a bucket of raw fish in hand. As she goes to grab one, most likely planning to make the poor animal do a trick as a means of payment for his meal, a large, deafening sound ricochets off the walls and the glass surface of the display.

For a brief moment, everything is still as if the massive crowd of individuals has tapered down to a few. Then, in the distance, Logan sees Hank McCoy. He stands there, stare unfocused as something dark and wet blossoms from his chest, the shade a deep contrast to his blue fur. He sways slightly. Once. Twice. And quietly, face completely blank of any emotions, he collapses.

Then all Hell breaks loose.

Yes, Hank McCoy has been shot. Finally, it's time for some action in this story! Reviews are greatly loved and appreciated! I'll try to update soon! -Jen