Logan stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Laura with an intensity that made everyone else in the group take a step back. His nostrils flared slightly as he inhaled, and his expression grew increasingly confused and agitated.
"Why do you smell like me?" he asked bluntly, his voice carrying a growl that made it clear this wasn't just casual curiosity.
Everyone went silent for a moment. Daniel shifted uncomfortably, Anna moved closer to Lucien, and even Emma raised an eyebrow at Logan's directness.
"Logan," Emma said with patience, "what he means is that this young lady appears to be related to him in some way."
Logan grunted, his eyes never leaving Laura. "Yeah. Same."
Laura didn't respond with words. Instead, she let out a low growl that matched Logan's energy perfectly, her posture shifting into something more defensive and predatory.
Emma stepped forward with concern. "Logan, you're scaring the kids." She gestured toward the other rescued children who were still waiting nearby, their eyes wide with confusion and growing fear.
Logan huffed and visibly forced himself to calm down, rolling his shoulders to release some of the tension. He looked at the group of younger kids and then back at Laura.
"Sorry," he said, though the word came out rough and reluctant. "It's just that smelling my own scent is oddly irritating, and it got to me for a second." He paused, studying Laura's face. "I assume you're feeling the same thing, huh?"
Laura's response was another low growl followed by a grunt that might have been agreement.
Lucien looked between them, then stepped forward slightly. "Well, I might know why that's the case."
Emma immediately turned her attention to the other rescued children, giving them a warm smile. "Why don't you all go to the guest room? We'll be back shortly. It's just the last room down that corridor."
The kids, though clearly interested in what was happening, didn't argue. They could sense the tension in the air and were probably grateful for an excuse to leave.
Anna started to follow them, but Laura's voice stopped her.
"They stay," Laura grunted, gesturing toward Anna, Lucien, and Daniel.
Emma was about to suggest that perhaps only Lucien and Laura should remain, but Laura's tone made it clear this wasn't a negotiation.
"Alright then," Emma said diplomatically. "My office will give us more privacy."
They followed Emma through several corridors to a spacious office decorated in crisp white and chrome. Emma closed the door behind them and activated what was probably some kind of privacy shield.
"Now," Emma said, settling into her chair, "what's this about?"
Lucien looked at Laura, who gave him a slight nod. "In the facility where I found Laura, the scientists were experimenting with Logan's DNA."
Logan's expression didn't change, as if this news wasn't particularly surprising to him.
Lucien continued, "I think Laura was created using Logan's genetic material."
Logan's eyes narrowed as he processed this information. "So she's a clone of mine?"
"Technically, yes," Lucien replied carefully. "But she's not just a copy. Among all the mutants I rescued, she was the most different. She wasn't captured like the rest of us. Rather, she was grown, born, raised... the hard way."
All eyes turned to Laura, who had been silent throughout the exchange.
Emma's eyes widened in shock. "Doesn't that make her your daughter?"
Logan grunted and looked directly at Laura. "You got claws?"
Without hesitation, Laura extended two metal claws from each hand, the adamantium gleaming under the office lights.
Logan studied them with professional interest. "That's new. I got three."
He seemed to be processing this information, putting pieces together in his mind. "Now I understand why you got a scent like mine."
Logan ran a hand through his hair and looked around the room as if searching for something. "This is too much." He looked at Emma directly. "You got cigars?"
"There are kids present, Logan," Emma replied with disapproval.
Logan continued to stare at her expectantly.
Emma sighed. "First drawer."
Logan opened the drawer, pulled out a cigar, and lit it. He took a long puff before speaking again.
"What do you want from me, kid?" he asked Laura, smoke curling around his words. "I'm not exactly the father type. Not at all."
"Logan!" Emma said sharply, thinking his bluntness might hurt Laura.
But to her surprise, Laura's response was completely calm.
"I wasn't here for that," she said simply. "I just wanted to see the man I was supposedly raised to kill." She paused, meeting Logan's eyes directly. "That was my goal from birth. But now I'm free from that. I'm free from you."
Logan's eyes widened slightly, and for the first time since the conversation began, he smiled. He took the cigar out of his mouth and looked at Laura.
"You are free indeed," he said. "And I'm sorry for before. These instincts sometimes take over." He paused, studying her stance and the way she held herself. "Well, stick around and I'll teach you a bit about how to use your abilities effectively."
"No need for that," Laura replied immediately. "I'm not staying here anyway."
Logan raised an eyebrow at that and looked confused. "What does that mean? Isn't Natasha here to drop you all off?"
He looked at Emma, who was frowning as well.
Lucien stepped forward. "Laura, Anna, Illyana, Daniel, and I aren't going to stay here."
"Then where will you guys live?" Logan asked.
"We have an apartment," Lucien replied simply.
Logan was about to ask more questions, but Lucien cut him off. "I worked out a deal with Fury."
Logan just grunted and looked at Emma, who immediately tried a different approach.
"Are you sure about this?" Emma asked gently. "The mansion offers security, education, and community. You'd be among people who understand what you've been through."
"We appreciate that," Anna said politely, "but we've made our decision."
"You're all still young," Emma continued. "You need guidance, structure, and people who can help you develop your abilities safely. The world is not exactly safe right now."
Emma looked at each of them in turn, clearly trying to persuade them, but their minds were made up.
"Well," Logan said finally, "if you change your minds, you know where to find us."
With that, they left Emma's office and made their way back toward the main hall. They found Illyana waiting for them near the entrance, and she looked noticeably lighter than when they'd first arrived.
"How did things go with your brother?" Anna asked.
"Better than expected," Illyana replied with a small smile. "We talked. It's... complicated, but better."
"Ready to go?" Lucien asked, he did not know if she wanted to stay here, after all she had her brother here.
"More than ready," Illyana said.
They made their way to the room where Scott and Natasha were waiting. Scott looked up as they entered, and Natasha must have already informed him of their decision because he didn't seem surprised.
"Agent Romanoff told me you won't be staying here," Scott said to Lucien.
Lucien nodded. "That's right."
Scott stood up and gestured toward the door. "Walk with me for a moment?"
They stepped outside onto a balcony that overlooked the mansion's grounds. The sun cast long shadows across the perfectly manicured lawn.
"I won't try to stop you," Scott said, his hands clasped behind his back. "Natasha told me you're strong, capable. But if any problems arise and you need help of any kind, just tell me." He paused, meeting Lucien's eyes directly. "I owe you for doing what was supposed to be my job as a leader. And even outside of that, you're one of the last of our kind."
The respect in Scott's voice was genuine, and Lucien felt something he hadn't expected—a connection to this man who carried the weight of leading a dying race.
"Also," Scott continued, "protect the others. They see you as their leader."
Lucien already knew that and responded firmly, "I will."
Scott was quiet for a moment, then asked something that surprised Lucien.
"What do you think we should do?" Scott asked. "Should we accept SHIELD's offer? I'd like to hear your thoughts."
"Why would you like to hear my thoughts on this?" Lucien asked.
Scott smiled, "Just humor me, will you?"
Lucien nodded and considered the question seriously. "I'm not sure. If you accept, you'll have to risk your lives for others. With your current numbers, that might not be worth it." He paused, looking out at the grounds where mutant children were playing under the watchful eyes of armed guards. "But if you refuse, you'll be restricted to this mansion for who knows how long."
Scott nodded slowly. "That's exactly what I've been thinking about."
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, both lost in thought about impossible choices and uncertain futures.
Finally, Scott relaxed and tapped Lucien on the shoulder with a smile. "Well, I'll think of something. You kids rest and enjoy your freedom."
As they prepared to leave the mansion, Lucien looked back at the imposing structure one last time. It was beautiful, safe, and well-protected. But it was also a cage, no matter how gilded.
He'd made the right choice for his group. Now he just had to make sure he could live up to the responsibility that came with it.
.....
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