Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights belong to Marvel, and whomever else owns the X-men.

Hey everyone, here is the final chapter. Sorry for the really long delay. Thanks to all of you great readers who took the time to reviewed. Plus thanks to all my silent readers. You know who you are. Thanks for sticking with me throughout the ride.

I also want to say Hey to GypsyWitchBaby, and thank her for her kind words, also for kindly kicking my butt into gear about getting some work done on my own story. I hope this helps with the desperation for a little while. And please no dying, I need all the fans I can get. Plus I can't do without your story either. If you perish, what ever would I do, without one of my favorite stories to make my day.

Happy Reading!

Chapter 24

As soon as the presents were sat aside, the rooms atmosphere grew somber. Feeling nervous about what was coming, Marie started fidgeting. Unable to sit still, she jumped from her seat.

"Where are my manners, I didn't offer you any refreshments. I'll go start some coffee. Cream, sugar, honey, anyone." Marie asked her voice high with forced cheerfulness as she headed for the kitchen.

"I'll get the coffee, Darlin." Logan said with small frown and concern in his eyes. He started toward her, but she forced a smile and shook her head.

"No, it's alright, I've got. I don't mind. I'll get the coffee. We have brownies too. I baked them fresh this morning. I'll get those too. I'm sure ya'll will want something to go with your coffee." Marie hurried out brightly, then nearly rushed into the kitchen away from everyone's gaze.

The others watched her go, their expressions full of concern and sympathy, knowing this wasn't easy for her.

Hearing a cup crash to the floor in the kitchen, and Marie's quiet 'damn', had Logan entering the kitchen. He found Marie on her knees picking up the broken pieces of a coffee mug. His eyes caught the tremors in her hands as she collected the bigger pieces. The room was filled with the scent of her nervousness and anxiety. As much as he knew she was happy to be reunited with Chuck, Hank, and Yellow, he hated seeing her like this, knowing she was suffering.

"Here Darlin, just leave it, I'll get it. Come on get up off the floor." Logan said going over to her and squatting down in front of her.

"No, I've got it." Marie rushed out coming to her feet, to toss the broken mug in the trash. "Can you hand me the broom and dust pan behind you? I need to get this cleaned up so no will get hurt."

"Sure Darlin." Logan agree, doing as she asked.

"Thanks Sugar," Marie force a smile, taking the broom from him and quickly sweeping up the smaller pieces of broken ceramic. Once the remains were in the dust pan and tossed in the trash, Marie grabbed another mug from the cabinet then started back on arranging the mugs and coffee on a tray, with the brownies and dessert saucers.

Logan remained silent while he watched her arrange and rearrange the serving tray. When she had rearranged it for the third time, he spoke. "You know you don't have to do this, Marie. Nobody is going to force you to talk about anything you don't want too. I'll tell them the plans changed, and to get going. You don't have to do anything." Logan spoke seriously.

Marie sighed closing her eyes, trying to relax, knowing she was over reacting. That the Professor, Hank, and Jubes already knew some of what she had done, which was bad enough, but they still cared about her. But they didn't know the worst. Even Logan didn't knowing everything. She never told him much of what had happened to her or what she had done under the governments control during the three and a half years they had her. The memories, and shame were to painful and overwhelming to even think about. She didn't want anyone to know the things she had done to innocence people, even children. She didn't think any of them would be able to look at her the same way again if they knew the truth. Not even Logan. She wasn't willing to loose what she had worked so hard to have, and was blessed with to have a second chance with Logan. No, no one ever needed to know all of it.

"Darlin?" Logan asked concerned when he smelt Marie's pained and shamed scent. He stepped up to her, gently grasping her shoulders, turning her to face him. His frowned deepened when he felt her stiffen at his touch. "Marie?" He asked growing more upset at the pained haunted look in her eyes when she first looked up at him. He watched as she tried to forced the haunted look away, but couldn't erase the pained look or the scent. He cursed under his breath when he realized there was things in Marie's past, that she hadn't told him about. Things that still and would forever haunt her. Logan pulled Marie in to his embrace holding her tightly against him, kissing her head trying to comfort her. He laid his cheek against the top of her head as he held her and thought of what the government, and the monster, Stryker most likely had made her do. He could image the terror and hell Marie was capable of making as Stryker's perfect weapon. She would be unstoppable. Knowing that Stryker had used her to do his bidding, unimaginable things to anyone in his way, made Logan wish he could bring the man back from the dead, so he could kill him very, very slowly. Making him suffer as much as the monster had made his Marie suffer. However Logan knew he couldn't. The only thing he could do was to reassure Marie, that he didn't care what she had done, that it wasn't her fault, that it was Stryker's and his lackeys fault, and that he would always love her no matter what was in her past. Just like she had done for him.

"It wasn't your fault, Marie. He made you do those things. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing was you fault. I love you, and that isn't ever going to change. No matter what's in your past. No matter what that monster made you do. Do you hear me?" Logan demanded intently, pulling her back a little so he could see her eyes. "I mean it Marie. Nothing has changed or will change. No matter what's back there. I love you, you hear me." He stated absolute.

Marie nodded as a few tears leaked from her eyes, no matter how much she tried not to cry. She loved Logan and was so thankful that he loved her, and that he wouldn't hold her past against her. If anyone understood about being used as a weapon, it was Logan.

Logan reached up with one hand to wipe away her tears. "Stryker is the monster, Marie, not you. We both know that you would never hurt innocence people, on purpose. It's not in you, Darlin. Your heart is to pure and clean." Logan saw her getting ready to deny his words, so he stopped her before she could. "Nah, you listen to me," Logan stated firmly, not about to let accept what Stryker tried to turn her into.

Marie looked doubtful, but remained silent. After everything she had done, there was no way she was pure or clean anymore. However she was thankful and touched to know that Logan believed her to be. She could tell he spoke from his heart, and not just trying to make her feel better.

"I'm not very good with words, Marie. You know me, but you also know I have never lied to you either. You are a good, pure, and clean woman. What Stryker did to you, doesn't change that. What you did while under Stryker, doesn't change that. You're good, and that's all there is to it, and I don't want to hear any arguments, hear me?" He stated gruffly, while holding her gaze intensely.

"Thank you. Knowing that you see me as good and pure, no matter what anyone else says means the world to me. I love you, Logan, so much." Marie whispered with a real smile this time as she reached up and kissed her husband's lips affectionately.

"I love you too, Darlin." Logan hugged her tightly for a few moments, then stepped back to meet Marie's eyes once again. "Now, you don't have to tell them anything. Whatever you want to do or say is up to you. I don't care how much Chuck wants to know, it isn't any of his business, if you don't want to tell." Logan told her seriously.

"Thanks," Marie said with a brave smile, pulling herself together. "Come on, lets go." Marie lifted the serving tray, but her hands were still trembling. "It might be better if you carry it, I might drop it, and spill coffee on someone."

"Sure." Logan said taking the tray from her, and following his wife out of the room, ready to support her in whatever decision she made on what and how much to tell the others.

"The brownies were delicious Marie, thank you." Charles said genuine, placing his now empty coffee cup and saucer on the coffee table. He didn't need his telepathy to know that Marie was very nervous to talk about what had happened while she was under Stryker's control. Not wishing to cause her any more undue stress, especially after yesterday, and with her pregnant. Charles decided to keep the questions minimal and not push her if she didn't wish to answer. He had picked up Logan's concern and protection of her ever since they came back with the refreshments.

"Yes, they were quite outstandingly superb brownies. I am certain you can tell by my having regrettably eaten the last one. You are a wonderful cook, Marie." Hank grinned at her, then glanced over at Logan. "Your culinary skills were surprisingly tasty, as well Logan. I myself love to dabble in the pots myself every now and then, but sadly none of my dishes have been successful." Hank admitted sheepishly.

"Yeah, Hank's forte in downstairs in the lab, not upstairs in the kitchen." Jubes quickly agreed with a chuckle, then glance over at Hank who was looking not very happy at her. "Sorry dude, not that you don't kick butt as a scientist, but maybe you should leaving the cooking to the cooks." Jubes tried to soften her blow.

"Perhaps, Jubilee is correct, I have yet to turn out a desirable dish as of yet that anyone is brave enough to try after my last three dishes." Hank sighed.

"Don't give up, Hank. If it's something you really enjoy doing. I'm sure you'll find the prefect recipe for you. Perhaps, you should start off with something a little more simple, like from a mix before you start from scratch. That's how my mama started teaching me how to cook." Marie encouraged. Her nervousness and anxiety forgot for a minutes, her mind to involved in not want to see Hank give up on something he enjoyed.

"That is a quite reasonable suggestion. Just because I excel in science, does not mean I would at cooking. I do believe I will take your suggestion to heart, Marie, and see how a box mix will do. Thank you." Hank beamed appreciative of her support.

"Your welcome," Marie smiled, but became nervous again once the attention was back on her.

"Marie, I have no wish to cause more stress than you have already suffered, so if we ask something that you rather not discuss, please don't feel pressured into answering." Charles said soothing, hoping it helped to ease her distress, knowing she could not answer anything she didn't wish too.

"Okay." Marie said bracing herself. "Might as well get the boat going. It won't get any easier to keep putting it off."

"You're a very brave woman, Marie." Charles smiled compassionately. "I would fathom the question that everyone is curious about, is right after the explosion, where were you taken? Were there others held prisoner with you, and if so did they escape when you did?"

"I'm not sure exactly we were all the time. Most of the time I had no clue. For the first part, they kept me underground in some lab. After that we moved around a lot. The times I did know we were overseas. They moved me around a lot. Never staying in one location for long. I remember Japan, Scotland, Africa, and different places in Asia. What time I wasn't underground, I was drugged with some type of mind control drug, that they had surgically implanted in the base of my neck in my spinal cord. It was continuously feeding me heavy doses of the drug to keep my under control." Marie answered with a deep frown, wrapping her arms tightly around herself. Trying not to let the memories of that time over come her.

Logan, who had sat down beside Marie on the couch, pulled her into his side and wrapped his arm around her. Trying to comfort her, while giving her his support.

"As for other prisoners, they were at times, but they never were there for long." Marie answered not telling them that the real reason for the others not being around for long was because Stryker had her kill them for their powers, knowledge, or experience. Some he had her kill just to frighten the others into submission, and then she would kill whomever got out of line.

"How were you able to remove the implant?" Hank asked frowning distressed and outraged at what had been done to his friend.

"I, uh, cut it out after I escaped." Marie answered reluctantly, knowing the next question from Hank, would be how?"

"Gracious woman! Just how did you do such a thing? A spinal cord surgery is nothing to take lightly it." Hank stated clearly distressed.

"I had Logan's healing factor, so I knew I would heal. I just wanted it out. I had to get the thing out before they had a chance to refill the device. There was a small port attached on the back of my neck that allowed for a needle port to inject refills into the device. I couldn't take the chance, that they would get me somehow drugged again."

"But how where you able to get it out?" Jubilee frowned upset, but curious.

"I, uh, used theses." Marie frowned with a grimace as she released the five 9 inch long adamantium nails of her right hand, the one not tucked in between her and Logan.

"Good Heavens." Hanks exhaled in distressed shock.

"Ole my g-d." Jubes gasped in shock.

"Logan and I have a lot more in common that you might think. We've both been guests in the hands of the same man." Marie shivered looking more and more upset.

"The man's name was William Stryker, and before you ask, Chuck, he's dead. He isn't going to be getting his hands on anyone else." Logan growled out.

"What of his work, the doctors under him. They may not have been the ones to give the orders, but surely they now know the necessary knowledge to continue Stryker's work. We can not allow for something like this to happen again, or such knowledge to fall into another madman's hands." Charles stated clearly distraught.

"Stryker's knowledge on how to manipulate adamantium died with him, along with everyone who helped him." Marie spoke gravely, a steeliness in her eyes, that Charles had never seen in the woman, and was rather disturbed in seeing it now. He didn't agree with killing, unless it was the last resort, but he couldn't fault Marie for doing what she had done. The hell she must have suffered, clearly causing her to seek vengeance. No matter Charles' own belief in killing, the deed, as such was already done, and talking about it now would only service to upset both Marie and Logan, and that was the last thing he wished to do. Realizing there was really nothing more that they could learn from Marie's experience, that wouldn't just be to satisfy their own curious, Charles decided it was time to bring the questions to a close. Causing Marie distress so they could placate their curiosity was not worth the pain it would bring her.

"I am tremendously sorry for all that you have suffer Marie, I know there is nothing that I can say or do that can undo the horror you have suffered. Just know that we love you very much, and we do not hold any resentment or bitterness toward you, at what has transpired in the past. I know that I speak for Scott and Ro as well, when I say that you will always be a beloved part of our family Marie. If you or Logan should ever need us, please do not hesitate to call to us for help, or even just to catch up. We don't want to loose you again, my child." Charles spoke earnestly.

"I don't want to loose any of you either. I love all of you very much. Please tell Scott and Ro, that I am so sorry for everything and I hope that they can forgive me." Marie answered.

"I will make sure to convey you wishes. Would it be alright if they wished to call and speak with you personally?" Charles asked.

"Sure if they want. I've given Jubes our number. She can share it with you." Marie smiled welcoming the chance to start to reconnect with the others. At least Scott and Ro if they truly didn't hate her. She knew they may still be untrusting or uncertain of her, but she did want to let them know that she loved them still, and hoped they could one day forgive her.

"Thank you." Charles smiled fatherly, as he came over to stop in front of her and Logan. "May I?" He asked holding out his hand, asking to hold hers. Marie smiled taking the Professor's hand. "I know that you must be tired, my child. So we are going to be going. However this is not a good-bye, but only until we see each other again." Charles smiled squeezing her hand, then releasing her to hold his hand out to Logan.

Logan took Chuck's hand. "Good to see you again, Chuck."

"The same to you, Logan. Remember, my friend, we would like to hear from you as well. You are a part of our family, just as much as Marie. We all care about you too." Charles stated.

"Thanks Chuck," Logan stated simply, not caring to get all mushy with the man. Marie was the only one who warranted that from him.

Charles smiled, then moved aside so Hank and Jubilee could say their farewells. Logan and Marie both came to their feet, so Marie could hug everyone. After hugging both the Professor and Hank, with a warm until next time from Hank, Jubilee latched on once again to Marie. Logan took the time shake hands with Hank, and said his farewells.

"Don't forget, Chica, you've promised to help me plan my wedding. I've only got six months so we've got some serious shopping and planning to do."

"I haven't forgotten, Jubes. Call me next weekend and well work something out." Marie promised. She needed some down time before she'd be up to going shopping with Jubes.

"It's a plan, Chica. I love you, girl. Never forget that, and don't you forget that we're sisters. And that gives me rights to being this little one's aunty. I want updates and sonogram pictures. I need details, Chica, the more the better." Jubilee demanded when she pulled away a silly grin on her face, causing Marie to giggle as was the plan.

"I'll see what I can do for you." Marie agreed.

"The kid isn't even born yet, and you're going to be giving it nightmares at the thought of Yellow being his or her Aunt." Logan grunted with a smirk at the two women.

"Hey, I'll have you know, I make a prefect Aunty." Jubes looked insulted then gave a smirk of her own, that worried those that knew her well. "I'm going to fill him up on sugar, make sure to keep him up past his nap time, and then hand him off to his Papa Wolvie to tame."

"You make sure to keep her away from our kids, Marie." Logan warned.

"You know you can't do that, Wolvie. Who else is going to be brave enough to baby-sit the Wolverine's rugrat for you, so you and Marie here can let loose, and work on a brother or sister for him." Jubilee grinned and winked at Logan.

Logan rolled his eyes, but chuckled. Jubilee was annoying, but she had a good heart, and Marie loved her. So he could tolerate her, plus she did have a point about needing a babysitter. Of course he wasn't to sure about the idea of giving her the chance to corrupt his son or daughter. "You're something else, Yellow."

"Aw, you know you love me." Jubilee grinned, wrapping an arm around Marie's shoulder. Causing Marie and the other two men to smile as well.

Logan was glad to see Marie smiling, so he didn't burst Yellow's bubble. He held a fondness for Jubes, but love had nothing to do with it.

"Come Hank, Jubilee, we need to be returning to our hotel so we can pack." Charles called.

Logan and Marie once again stood on their porch as they waved good-bye to their friends. Once they were gone from sight, Logan lend down, putting his lips next to Marie's ear. "How you feeling, Darlin? Ready to lay down and take a nap?"

"I'm alright, Sugar, but laying down sounds good to me, as long as you join me." Marie smile up at her husband.

"Sure Darlin, doubt I'll sleep, but holding you is always good."

"That's sweet Sugar, and believe me by the time I'm finished with you, you'll be snoozing like a baby." Marie grinned impishly up at him.

At smelling Marie's arousal starting to grow, a pleased growl, rumbled deep in Logan's chest as he leaned down and captured Marie's lips. "I'm liking the idea of these naps more and more. What are we waiting for?" Logan grinned back, sweeping Marie up in his arms, taking them upstairs so they could enjoy their nap. A nap they were sure to take sometime in the next few hours.

The End

A\N: Well that's it folks. I hope everyone enjoyed the ride as much as I did. I couldn't have done it without everyone support and kind words. All of you are great. Well two stories down, and two more X-men stories to go. What was I thinking in starting four stories at once. I should be ashamed of myself. Hopefully I get back around to the next two soon. But until then farewell.

P.S. I hope to be reading a lot more great stories from all of you as well.