"Finally!" Jean said, exasperated, putting the head gear to Cerebro down. She got up and went into the kitchen. Jesse was there talking to Rogue quietly over coffee.

"I've located her!" She said happily.

"Really! Where is she? Is she alright?" Jesse asked, a huge amazed grin lighting his features.

"She's near here. She's being held in a F.O.H. 'club house'; looks like we're going to have to do a break and enter."

[ Katherine! Katherine wake up and get down here, girl! ] Jesse cried happily in her head.

[ Wha ... What Jesse? ]

[ Jean found our little Ally Cat! ]

[ Oh thank heaven, I'll be down in a minute ]

About ten minutes later the Xmen, plus Jesse and Katherine, were gathered in the War Room.

"So what's the plan Chuck?" Wolverine asked from where he lounged in his chair.

"I don't know Logan. I suppose we'll just have to break up their little 'demonstration'". Charles' usual calm voice held a slight edge, and with good reason. The Xmen didn't take well to the F.O.H., and now a innocent child was involved.

"I volunteer for this one." He growled menacingly.

Jesse had a similar growl of his own, "I may not be an Xmen, but you sure as hell can count me in."

"So I thought." Charles said, "And Remy as well."

Gambit nodded.

"I would like to go also." Katherine said softly from her place standing behind Jesse's chair, her hand on his shoulder.

Jesse looked up at her, "I don't think so Little Kat. It's too dangerous."

Katherine's eyes hardened into violet dots of anger, before her natural calm set in, "Allison is my child Jesse. You cannot stop me."

Jesse raised an eyebrow, his expression cocky, [ Really Kat? ]

She glowered at him, [ You wouldn't that to me Jess. ]

He smiled angrily at her, [ Might be the only way to keep you in line Katie. It's bad enough I had to feel Logan kissing me, but being snuggled in his arms is just ... sickening. ]

Katherine's eyes widened. The Xmen stared dumbfondedly at them, not hearing their private chat. Instead of his words being taken as a tease, tears welled in Katherine's eyes, "I ... Jesse ..." She stopped, took a deep breath, then turned and left the room.

Jesse frowned and got up to follow her. Before he left, he sighed, turned, and said, "Katherine will be coming too. Hope you don't mind," then followed her.

Logan looked worried, but Jean hid a smile. If Katherine was the type of person to do so, she could have Jesse doing her every bidding with a few well placed tears, probably Logan as well. But Katherine wasn't the type, and it was her silent strength, yet soft vulnerability that bound both men to her. And while Jesse had accepted it, Jean wondered how long it would take Logan to realize he was bound to Katherine's heart and soul.

[ Katherine ]

[ What Jesse? ]

[ Come here Kat, I'm sorry I said that. ]

Jesse walked over to Katherine who stood looking out over the grounds from the balcony in their guestroom. [ It's okay Jesse ]

[ Why are you so sad? ]

[ Because, Jesse ... I care about him ... ] Jesse looked at her and frowned. [ I know what you think Jesse, but it doesn't matter. Logan wouldn't hurt me; more like I'm going to be the one who ends up hurting him. Besides, what kind of relationship would we have? You'd feel everything we did together anyway. Let alone, we'd probably have to go out into the middle of the forest if we ever wanted to make love. ]

[ Who said anything about making love?! ] Jesse demanded.

Katherine burst out laughing, she turned to him and smiled, "I love you Jesse." She stated softly.

Jesse put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, "I love you to Little Kat."

"Let's go get my baby back. We'll talk about sex later." She smiled then turned and left.

"Kate! How about we talk about it never?" Katherine continued to giggle all the way down the stairs.

"Don't walk away from me," Jesse said, but he could barely keep the mirth from breaking loose.

Katherine giggled some more and ran into the kitchen. "Katherine, we weren't finished," he admonished softly.

Katherine giggled and crinkled her nose, "The minute you start talking about sex, Jesse, is when the conversation ends."

Jesse's eyebrows rose, "As I recall, you started it."

Katherine smiled softly, "Sure Jesse."

"It's good to see you smiling." Hank commented as he entered the kitchen on his way to the med lab. "I suggest you guys get to the War Room. They're discussing strategies."

Both Jesse and Katherine nodded and then made their way to the War Room.