Logan Howlett (takes place after issue 30):

Logan Howlett had every reason to be cynical towards the world. He had every right to have a bitter viewpoint, given his dubious past and what it contained. His past, as far as he knew, consisted of things that were deeply hidden from his mind.

However, the one stable thing that he had in his life – aside from being a personal trainer to the X-men – was a love that was unshaken. It was a love that he shared with a woman who had her own demons that she hid behind a hard-nosed persona.

The most sexy, tough-as nails woman sharing my bed . . . either I'm drunk, or I'm dreaming. Half the time, I think that I am in a drunken dream where I am experiencing nothing but what one would call "ignorance is bliss."

That ignorance is bliss bullshit could mean two different things. It could mean we are content with what we've built fer ourselves. Or, it could mean something else. It could mean an excuse for assholes to live in a world where they are right, and anyone who asks questions is wrong. Fer me, I'd clouded myself in my own type of bliss over these years. And she's right here, next to me.

The cold of the bedroom was ignored due to the warmth that was in the bed. Logan looked over at who was sharing the bed with him. Carol Danvers lay there beside him, her short blonde hair messy, and her face signifying that she was in a deep sleep. It appeared to be a deep sleep that wasn't being plagued by nightmares.

For that, Logan was content. Tightening his arm slightly around his lover, he looked at the alarm clock. It read 8:30 in the morning. Logan wasn't even sure what had awoken him. For all he knew, it was a suppressed memory from his past that continued to haunt his mind every day and night. Every little thing could trigger it. Oftentimes, he didn't understand why.

All he did understand was that he was pretty content at where he was at the moment with Carol in his arms.

Carol was an unexpected surprise. But before her, I don't know much. All's I know, is that prior to having stumbled upon the members of Alpha Flight, I was nothing but an animal. According to the Prof, I was nothing but rage. I'd been found by Jean-Marie and her twin brother, out in the woods running wild until they shot me with tranqs. Even then, my rage and my healing factor kept me going on an adrenaline rush, and I did whatever necessary to keep them from doing anything to me.

They'd managed to get me to the Alpha Flight base, where Chuck performed a psychic intervention. All's he did was help me remember my name.

Logan.

I ain't even sure that "Logan" is my true name.

However, when I awoke, I was in medical quarters at Alpha Flight, being examined by a doctor there. My first instinct was act on defense, and I'd nearly stabbed the woman as I began running out of the facility. However, before I could make my escape from the facility, it was Carol, as well as Heather Hudson who ended up stopping me.

I still remember how I'd acted towards them when I first met 'em. I'd nearly stabbed Heather. That didn't sit well with her husband, James MacDonald-Hudson, who'd ended up taking the stabbing for 'er. I still remember the glare he'd given me as he lay there on the ground, bleeding from stab wounds to the stomach. Heather was kneeling next to James, begging me to not hurt him. Then James and John Proudstar ended up grabbing me and restraining me, with Carol's help. But then the professor came, and he began explaining to me where I was, and why I was there.

I was confused shitless.

Breathing a deep sigh, Logan reached for an opened can of beer and took a sip, before shaking Carol awake. She was naked underneath the sheets, given that the previous night they'd had a heated moment of lovemaking.

"Carol," he whispered to her.

"Mmmph, babe, what time is it?" Carol groaned, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"8:45," Logan told her. "We gotta go. We've got a Danger Room session with the kids."

"Of course. Though I am assuming that Warren is not going to be partaking in the session?" Carol asked, sitting up and reaching for her shirt.

"No, he ain't. Kid's still recovering," Logan said, reaching for a pair of jeans that were slung over a chair.

Carol nodded, reaching over and grabbing underwear, pants, and a bra. She quickly ran a brush through her hair as she made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

What I'd done after I'd met the Alpha Flight members gave them every reason to hate me. Hell, it would've been just if they turned their backs on me. But fer some reason, they were willing to give me a chance.

I wasn't deserving of that chance. But apparently, they'd seen worse degenerates over their years. Plus, Carol pointed out to me I wasn't the only person who had been mind-controlled. Still, it wasn't easy adjusting to the new life that I was being given.

Alpha Flight had been set up by the Canadian government and SHIELD. It was set up by means to arrest mutant criminals who used their powers for the purpose of causing trouble. Now, I will admit, that when I'd first been part of the team, I didn't play along well with others. I more than once flipped off my superiors. In fact, the only members that I respected were Heather, James Proudstar and his brother, and Carol. Carol and Heather's feelings were always what I tended to put first before missions. It probably rubbed James MacDonald-Hudson the wrong way, but overtime, I gained the man's respect.

I'd gained his respect after having saved Heather.

It had been a mission that had led to things getting fucked up, real fast.

We'd been dealing with trying to arrest a mutant degenerate named Black Tom Cassidy. He'd been wanted for drug trafficking throughout the United States and Canada, and at the time, we were working with Black Tom's brother, Sean Cassidy. Unfortunately, Black Tom's immune to Sean's powers, as apparently often with mutants who are related to one another. But what Black Tom did was dirty. It was all the members of Alpha Flight stuck in a building with him, and the motherfucker decided to send an energy strike towards a gas tank, causing it to leak. Then, he set it on fire and nearly burned the place to the ground.

Unfortunately, Heather was barely making it out. As much as a dick her husband had been over the years, I knew I couldn't let her die. So, I'd ended up being the one to stay behind and I got her outta there, before the building exploded. I remember the look Guardian gave me. It had been a look of thanks. Since then, he's respected me. It's a respect that I sure as hell ain't deserve, but I am glad that I have it.

I honestly am ain't sure how Carol and I even got together in the first place. It just happened one day when we kissed. I ain't sure why we've kissed in the first place. I do not even know why it happened. Maybe it's got something to do with that we are both fucked up in our own ways.

Carol emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed. Flashing Logan a smile, the pair proceeded to head to his motorcycle so that they could take the Alpha Flight private plane to X-Corporation.

Carol got onto the back of the motorcycle; her arms wrapped around his waist as he drove them towards the plane Alpha Flight used for traveling to the states.

After Carol and I got together, almost everyone at Alpha Flight noticed a difference in the both of us. They noted that Carol was suddenly becoming less uptight, and I was becoming less of an asshole. We somehow managed to balance one another in ways we hadn't expected. We are both damaged individuals with shitty memory of our pasts, and reputation for bein' aggressive when we lead. Carol is a woman who doesn't take shit, especially from me. She has an ability to whip anybody into shape.

We gave ourselves to each other just after our fourth date, and by the time we were datin' fer a month, we were moving in together. It moved fast-paced. But fer Carol, ya need to be a special type of man to keep up with 'er. Maybe that was why I was so attracted to her. She was someone I could easily go toe-to-toe with. It wasn't until something else came to us. It was another responsibility thrust upon our shoulders, as not just members of Alpha Flight, but also giving us roles to be teachers.

We had been called in by Professor Xavier to be personal trainers for Warren Worthington III, a winged mutant teen that he picked up from a hospital who had been living on the streets. When I met Warren, the kid had been undernourished, bruised, and weak after years of living on the streets. To say that he was eager to get whipped into shape would be an understatement. He was willing to learn, and he was a natural at it.

Little did I know, it would expand over to Scottie, Jeannie, and Bobby.

Scottie and Jeannie don't tell me much about their pasts. Jean's only told Carol and I the strict necessary, and other than that, she doesn't like speaking it about. But from my understanding, their experiences of losing their families was rather traumatic fer them to have to deal with. When Carol and I arrived to train them fer the first time, both were undernourished after years of having been through what they've went through. But I understand why they don't wanna talk about it. Carol and I both know how it feels to not want to talk about certain issues. I know Scooter doesn't want to talk about being abused by foster parents. I know Jeannie doesn't want to talk about spending time in the cuckoo's nest fer nearly ten years of her life. So, Carol and I haven't bothered asking them anything. We know if they want to talk about it, they will.

But I can say, that things feel pretty complete. I may not be part of the X-men as a permanent fixture, but I'm still one who is there to train them daily. I'm the one making sure that they are in the best physical shape. I am the one there teaching them how to defend themselves. Those kids are capable. But I ain't gonna just stop training them.

I know that they need to continue with their training, and Carol and I will continue to teach them fer as long as we have to.

Oftentimes, I question what I did to deserve those kids.

I truly didn't do anything to deserve them at all. I'm a screw-up with an even more screwed up past and a drinking problem. But fer some reason, those kids make me feel different.

It's a feeling of having family, and in the oddest of ways, being like a father.

I'd never thought that I could ever have that.

It was all a blur. Logan could barely remember having boarded the private plane and flying to New York. However, before he and Carol knew it, they were at X-Corporation, preparing to head down to the Danger Room for the session. However, as they passed the gym area while they took the stairs to the basement, they could see that Bobby, Jean, and Scott were playing a game of basketball, with Scott alternating between teams. Forge was off to the side, supervising. Cecilia was filling in the role of referee.

"Hey Forge! You mind joining in?" asked Bobby. "This isn't a fair game at all!"

"I'm supervising, Bobby," Forge said.

"Oh, please," Bobby said with a roll of his eyes. "If only Warren were here. Then it would be a fair game!"

"Bobby, Warren's in recovery in the medical bay. Shut up!" Jean said, stealing the ball with telekinesis.

"Jean, no powers allowed!" Bobby yelled.

"You snooze you lose," Jean said, running in and managing a half-court shot.

"Okay, you used your powers again, Red. Quit cheating," Scott told her.

Carol and Logan could only chuckle at the sight of the kids having their moment of fun. The sight of them being kids and having a good time was truly a sight to behold. However, Carol went into the gym, knowing that she had to break the news.

"Guys, Danger Room session in fifteen let's go!" she yelled, clapping her hands together.

"Thank you fifteen!" Scott yelled, grabbing the ball and putting it away. The three ran past Carol and Logan to beat them to the Danger Room.

Watching their retreating backs, Carol and Logan couldn't help but share grins at each other before kissing chastely.

"Let's do it, darlin'," Logan said.

Carol nodded, grabbing his hand as they headed to the Danger Room for the session.

A/N:

And here you have it, the final of the reflections for volume 2 of Peace in Our Time! Thank you for those who took the time to read and be sure to come back for volume 3, which will be posted on January 26th! Excelsior! And be sure to review on this. Crimsonknight700, I know you requested reflections for Wolverine in this volume of reflections. Hopefully this satisfied you and I hope you read the other reflections that accompany this one.

Also, I'm aware of the lacking of email notifications for PMs. It's been beyond frustrating for me, because I always reply to every review I ever get for these stories, because you all take your time to read my work and I just want to let those of you who are avid readers of the series how much I appreciate it. An A/N will be posted here after vol 3 goes live. I will also see if I can expand my audience by posting it to Archive of Our Own as well, which I think will help with giving it more attention.

DC-MarvelGirl 1997