The X-Men were gathered around the table in the Ready Room, waiting for answers which weren't long in coming. "Bishop called us out because he picked up a transmitter signal. Turns out it's Wolverine's emergency beacon," Cyclops said quietly into the silence. "You all know that means it's a pretty hairy situation. Bishop, where is he now?"

Bishop tore the receiver from his ear and growled. "I just lost the signal. He was getting pretty close to our position; I was going to suggest we wait for him here. More secure."

"Agreed." But before he could say more, he was cut off by the intercom.

"Anybody that's goin with me better be aboard in five minutes." The growl could only have come from one person. "Or get left behind. I'm in no mood to be reasonable."

"Wolverine, what's happened?"

"Explanations once we're in the air, Slim. An make sure Gumbo comes along, too. Might need him, he knows his way around better than I do, least in New Orleans."

Wolverine lit another cigar and considered his teammates. They hadn't said a word since he'd finished bringing them up to speed on what had happened at the cabin. Gambit looked fit to kill. "So what Cadie doin up dere wit' you, anyway, mon ami?" he said quietly, his strange red on black eyes glittering.

"That's between me and her, Gumbo. Let it go." No one was fooled by the deceptive mildness in his voice. "None o' your business, anyway."

Gambit rose to his full height and looked down at Wolverine, his jaw set angrily. "I ask you a question, homme. Now why don' you be tellin me de answer, hehn?"

"I got no intentions of answerin, Gumbo. Drop it." Wolverine didn't even look at Gambit when he spoke, concentrating instead on the smoke from his cigar. He gave off an air of indifference, but inside he was seething. *Go on, Cajun. Push me just a little more. I'd love to bust a few heads right now. Maybe I'll start with yours.*

Gambit's hand dropped to his arm and Wolverine's eyes turned hard. "Las time I ask, mon ami. What she doin dere wit' you, eh?"

"Boy, you don't know when to quit, do you?" Wolverine growled as he turned to face the Cajun. "Get it through your head, bub. It's none of your business. Last warning."

Storm's voice overrode both of them, and they squared off, glaring at each other. "Stop this, both of you. You are acting like children. This sort of behavior will not help Cadie." She stepped between them, her voice cold. "Do I make myself clear? You both must act like adults until she is retrieved safely. This childishness will only hinder that process."

"Step aside, Stormy. He already answer my question, de way he won' answer. Mon ami, best y' make peace wit' whatever y' hold dear." His silver bo-staff appeared in his hand.

"'Roro, move. Somebody needs to teach this pup some manners, and I aim to do it."

Reluctantly, she stepped back, but she did not let it end there. She went forward to find Jean.

"Enough talk, bub," Wolverine growled as he threw his cigar to the side. "Put down the toy and walk away peacefully, or you'll walk away in pieces."

"Don' t'ink so, homme."

He feinted to the left, then quickly connected with the bo-staff, smashing into Wolverine's jaw hard. Wolverine responded by a roundhouse kick in the stomach and an uppercut. Then abruptly neither of them could move. "Jeannie, let go." The rage in his voice chilled her.

Gambit looked over at Phoenix and sighed. She released him, but only after returning his gaze with a glare of her own.

#Both of you settle down!#

Wolverine felt as though a bucket of icewater had been dumped over his head, and he expected the Cajun felt the same. Jeannie wasn't fooling around.

"Now if you boys will promise to play nice, I'll stop. Gambit, you go sit down. Logan, I want to talk to you."

He settled into a seat next to her and waited, knowing what kind of "talk" she wanted. His anger had cooled, leaving a cold lump of dread in its place.

#What in the hell do you think you're doing???? Attacking Gambit is not going to help Cadie.#

#Wait just a flamin minute, Jeannie. He started it by not backing off when he was asked.#

#Do you have any idea how you sound, Logan? How childish and immature that sounds to someone on the outside? Think about it. "But mom, he started it." Grow up! we need to help that child and we can't do it if we're fighting amongst ourselves.#

#Back up, Jeannie. She's a lot of things, but she's not a child.#

He caught a burst of humor in her thoughts. #Wondered how long it would take you to notice.#

#Oh I noticed all right. Just like you wanted. Did you think I wouldn't know who told her where I was?# He allowed a little humor to color his own tone. #Remind me to thank you sometime.#

She placed a hand on his forearm and smiled. #If you'll promise to behave yourself I'll leave you alone.#

He growled, but she only gazed at him steadily. #Fine, I'll let the Cajun live. For now, anyway.#

#Well that's a start I guess.# She moved back toward the cockpit as they felt the plane begin its descent into New Orleans.