A dark figure watches Wolverine from a rather safe distance, as not to set off his detection. It's keen eyesight sees his every move as if it were day light. It watches as he settles in for the night, moving closer, waiting to be sure he is asleep. Hearing his even breathing, it teleports in and in a perscision movement, covers his mouth and nose with a cloriform cloth, rendering him passive. It then smiles to it self, teleporting away with the unconscious Wolverine.

Later that night, in a high performance laboratory, Logan is laid ever so gentily to rest on a bed of the softest substance. "Can you do it ?" Came a soft velvety voice of a young woman, her face hid by a wide brim hat.

"What you are sugesting is pure madness." The doctor replied. "I could lose you both."

"Yes, but can you do it ?" She repeated in a demanding tone.

He ran his hand through his hair, contimplating the risk. "Yes, I believe I can. But it may cost you more than you realize."

"Then let's begin." She replied, waving off his warning and removing her hat, onyx black hair cascading forward, she laid back on the bed.

Days later.....

She awoke in a room of her own, her face hid as to her request prior to the retrieval of Wolverine. The Doctor beside her. "How do you feel ?"

She stretched like a cat, her hair laying over her right shoulder. "Fine. A little tired, but fine." She moved from the bed to dress, the Doctor turned away to give her privacy. "How is Logan ?"

"Resting peacefully. His claws are releasing and retracting un-hendered. It seems that your idea worked, my congradulations." He informed her.

"Good." She replied as she finished dressing. "I will want to see him before I leave." She pulled on her boots. "I am expected in New York by tomorrow morning."

He was shocked by this, turning to face her as she replaced her hat, sliding on her sunglasses. She looked so young. "That was not part of our deal. You haven't had enough time to recover yet."

"I am making it part of it. I heal rather fast, I'll be fine." She gave him a reasuring smile, making him feel comfortable with her leaving.

"Then promise me, don't over stress yourself, not for a while. They tax your remaining stregnth." He sounded concerned as they walk to Logan's room. "You nearly died on the table."

She stopped just outside the door, placing her hand on his cheek, making him feel at peace with her smile. "Don't worry, I will be fine in a few months, you'll see." She turned, opening the door, she walked in, moving to the bed. "Remember, he's not to know about me. I don't need him tracking me down." Her back to him showed that her hair cascaded down in soft black curls all the way to her knees, like a thick mane. She bent over Wolverine, whispering only to him. "Get well daddy." Kissed his cheek then turned away, not seeing his eyes open. His vision blured, he grabbed her hair. "Damn !" She swore under her breath. "He's got a good grip for an `old man'." She said, trying to pull away. "Cut it." She demanded.

"What ?!" He was sure he heard her wrong. Her hair was like a fettish. She never cut it except to get the split ends.

"I said `cut it'!" She growled.

He grabbed the scissors. "Yes My Lady." He would cut as little as possible, his hands shaking as he reached for the hair. Wolverine's, now adamantium claws released before he could touch it, taking four inches from above his hand.

Her head snapped forward, tears in her eyes. "I have to go now." She replied, nearly running from the room, her hair falling to just below her butt. She never looked back, letting no one see her sorrow.

Wolverine was returned shortly later as quietly and unoticed as he dissappeared, In his hand laid a rubberbanded clump of the richest, softest black hair.

"Oh... man, I gotta quit those late night parties." Logan groaned, looking at the clump of hair in his hand. He chuckled to himself. "Never made them cut and run before....... AAARRRRRGGGHHHHAAA!!!!!" He screamed as metal claws once again riped from his hand. "What the...???? AHRRGGHHAA!!" Again he cried out, the other hand releasing their claws. "Oh my.... How?" Again he looked at the onyx hair. "Bet she knows. Now all I gotta do is find her." He muttered to himself, dressing and heading out the door.

New York.....

"Come on Lassy, Xavier's students duennae take a liking t' tardiness." Moira called out to the closed bathroom door.

"Alright already." Came a barely whispered reply. The door opend and a black haired girl with dark red framing her face walked out as she pulled the front of her hair into a white bow barette. "I'm commin already." She let the black half of her hair fall down her back in a cascade of waterfall curls. "It's not like I be a student there." He words thick with a scottish brogue. "I am t' be an assisstant, neh more." She threw on her jacket, barely covering her tank top and landing at the top of her jeans. "'Sides, it just be another way fer ye t' send mae away. All I wanted was some 'family' support after Tishy died. Between her and Steve, I just..." She trailed off, throwing her bag over her shoulder. "Didnae ye want t' go fer breakfast before ye dump mae off?"

"I am not 'dumping ye off', Lassy, I am merely taking ye somewhere you'll be safe and around others like ye." She laid a hand on the sixteen year old's shoulder. "They can help ye where I caennae any more."

She pulled away, as if Moira's touch hurt her. "I thought ye said they frown on tardiness." She grabbed a suitcase, leaning to pick up another one. "As if ye ever tried t' help mae." She whispered.

"Serina, please." Moira pleaded. "Be careful of...."

"Momma, please. I am fine. I just want t' get going." Serina stressed quietly. Picking it up and walking out the door.

The two road in silence in the cab, Serina looking out one window, and Moira wishing there was some way to reach her. At a stop light, Serina's eyes lit up. "Momma, you go on ahead, I'll meet you at the resteraunt. I just saw something and I want a closer look." Serina stated, rather than asked, opening the car door and getting out.

"Serina!" Moira began as the door closed and the light changed. "Fifteen minutes, Ye hear?!" Handing Serina her cane.

Serina took it and just waved her off, walking up to an antique store window. {If only I could touch it.} She sighed with her thought, looking at an antique No-Dachi. Suddenly she felt like she was being watched. She slowly turned, catching a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye and walked from his view while he was distracted. {I duennae know who ye are, but I'll be sure fire t' keep mae distance.} She thought, pulling out her cane and lighting a cigarette. {Moira'd kill me if she knew half of what I do.} She thought. {Smoke, drink, sing in a band, ride a motercycle.} She rubbed her leg. {So much t' do and too little time to do it in.} She thought as she made her way to the resteraunt down the way, where Moira waited for her.

R.