Rory stood at the front of her classroom, watching as her students gathered their things and filed out one by one. The room was a mix of scientific equipment and forensic casework—a place where mutant students could hone their unique gifts while learning the real-world skills of forensic science. Her last student waved goodbye, and Rory smiled, waving back before collapsing into her chair with a tired sigh.

The door to the classroom opened just as the last student left. Scott Summers, her boyfriend, entered with a familiar easygoing grin. He had his usual getup on—jeans, a leather jacket, and of course, his signature ruby-quartz glasses that shielded the power behind his eyes.

"How's it going, Professor Nicks?" Scott teased as he approached her desk.

"Exhausting," Rory replied with a smirk. "What about you, Professor Summers? Defense training wearing you down?"

Scott leaned against her desk, arms folded. "Nah. But I did have an eventful morning. Me and Ororo ran into a real nutjob while we were out—Sabretooth."

Rory straightened up in her chair, concern flickering in her eyes. "Sabretooth? You mean Magneto's guy?"

"Yeah. Took the two of us to subdue him, but we managed. Though, I can't help but wish Charles would let me move on from this. I'm starting to feel like I'm on permanent patrol duty."

Rory shot him a pointed look, her voice soft but firm. "Scott, you know how important this work is. You're one of the most capable people on the team, and Charles depends on you. Don't act like this is just some burden."

He sighed, knowing she was right, but frustration still simmered beneath the surface. "I know, but I just—"

Before he could finish, the familiar voice of Charles Xavier echoed in their minds. Scott, Rory, I need you both in my office immediately. Bring Ororo as well.

Scott and Rory exchanged glances, their playful banter quickly replaced by concern. Without another word, they left the classroom and headed down the hall toward Xavier's office.

--------

Inside Charles' office, a gruff man stood just beyond the threshold of the doorframe, his body language radiating discomfort and irritation. His wild eyes scanned the room as Rory, Scott, Jean, and Ororo entered. Charles sat calmly behind his desk, his hands folded neatly in front of him. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Ah, Logan," the professor said, gesturing toward the group. "I'd like you to meet Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm."

Logan's eyes shifted to Ororo, studying her for a moment before giving a curt nod. Ororo simply returned a polite smile.

"This is Scott Summers, also called Cyclops," Xavier continued. Scott extended his hand for Logan to shake, but Logan only grimaced in response, ignoring the gesture.

Scott lowered his hand, unfazed. "And this is Rory Nicks, known to many as Spectra."

Rory offered a small smile. "Nice to meet you, Logan."

Logan grunted in acknowledgment but didn't offer much else.

"They saved your life," Xavier added, his tone calm and steady.

Just then, Jean Grey approached from behind the group. "I believe you've already met Dr. Jean Grey," she said with a slight smile.

Logan paused, his eyes lingering on Jean as a flicker of recognition crossed his face. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, his expression softening slightly.

"You're in my school for the gifted. For mutants," Charles began again, addressing Logan with his usual calm authority. "You'll be safe here from Magneto."

Logan's brow furrowed, his confusion evident. "What's a Magneto?"

"A very powerful mutant who believes war is brewing between mutants and the rest of humanity," Charles explained patiently. "I've been following his activities for some time now. The man who attacked you is an associate of his—called Sabretooth."

"Sabretooth?" Logan chuckled, the name seeming to amuse him more than intimidate him.

Logan's attention turned to Ororo, standing silently to the side. "Storm?" he said with a smirk, pointing in her direction before shifting his gaze to Charles. "What do they call you? Wheels?"

Rory shot Logan a sharp look, already growing tired of his flippant attitude, but Scott stepped forward before she could say anything, positioning himself between Logan and the door. His expression was a mix of calm and warning.

"Cyclops, right?" Logan said with a grin, grabbing the front of Scott's jacket roughly. "You wanna get out of my way?"

Scott's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. Ultimately, he backed down and looked towards the professor.

"Logan," Charles interjected, his voice cutting through the growing tension, "it's been almost 15 years, hasn't it? Living from day to day, moving from place to place, with no memory of who or what you are."

Logan's grip on Scott's jacket loosened slightly, but his eyes were still filled with rage and confusion. "Shut up," he growled, his tone low and dangerous.

Rory, who had been watching quietly from beside Scott, felt a pang of sympathy. She could see the pain beneath Logan's tough exterior—the fear and confusion that came with not knowing his past. She'd seen similar struggles in her students before.

"Give me a chance," Charles said, his voice firm yet soothing. "I may be able to help you find some answers."

Logan's eyes darted around the room, suspicion flickering in them. He was clearly on edge, but Rory could see the cracks forming in his defenses. His confusion was winning out over his anger, and it was only a matter of time before he let down his guard.

"How do you know?" Logan demanded, his voice rising in desperation.

Charles remained calm, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "I've seen men like you before, Logan. I can sense the trauma, the questions buried deep in your mind. I may be able to help you recover those memories."

Logan's breathing grew more erratic as his eyes flicked around the room, his hands clenching and unclenching. Rory could tell Charles was using his telepathy, trying to ease Logan's panic, but it wasn't having the desired effect just yet. Logan's instinct was to fight back.

"What is this place?" Logan asked, his voice laced with frustration and fear. "Why the hell am I here?"

Scott moved closer to Rory, instinctively placing himself between her and Logan again. Rory touched his arm gently, a silent reassurance that she was okay. Logan wasn't a threat—not yet, anyway. He was just scared.

"This is a school," Rory said softly, her voice cutting through the thick silence. "A place where people like us can learn to control our abilities, to protect ourselves. And others. We're not here to trap you or force you into anything."

Logan's eyes darted to her, then back to Charles. He was still clearly on edge, but something in Rory's words seemed to resonate with him, however faintly.

"Come, son. Let me show you around."