The next morning Professor Xavier went down to the med lab to see what the results of Retley's tests were.

He found Hank sitting at one of the counters, examining something through a microscope. "This is most definitely perplexing," he said to himself.

"What is it, Hank?"

Hank looked up. "Oh, Professor, I did not hear you enter." He looked back into the microscope for a few moments, scribbled down a few notes, then turned to Charles. "I have been examining the results to the tests I ran on Miss Marks yesterday. And my findings are most enigmatic."

"What is wrong?"

"That is exactly the cause of my baffled state; nothing."

"Nothing?" The Professor looked confused.

"Yes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her. No abnormalities in the slightest."

"What does that mean, Hank?"

"It appears Miss Marks is well—human. There is no evidence what-so-ever to indicate that she is a mutant."

"Not a mutant?"

"That is what the evidence suggests."

Charles rubbed his temples for a moment. "I don't understand. If she were a creation of Dr. Treager's, It would only make sense for her to be a mutant. He dedicated his life to studying mutants, their genetics and evolution. Why would he create an average human being? We do have the right person, don't we? Is there a possibility Retley is not the one we were looking for?"

"The test verify she is Dr. Treager's experiment." Hank thought for a moment. "Perhaps he was trying to reverse the mutation in a potential mutant?"

"Perhaps. But then why would she be considered so much of a threat that she was kept secret? Was he afraid someone would want to use her to discover a way to stop mutation?"

"But if that were the case," Hank provided, "Retley herself would not be needed, only the Doctor's research." He let out a sigh. "I must admit, a solution to all of this would be more easily obtained with the recovery of the files. There are an infinite number of possibilities as to what the secret behind Miss Marks is and why someone might want to abduct her. The disappointing results of the tests proved unhelpful in those aspects."

"I guess the only way to find what we want to know is by finding the files."

"Have we some any closer to discovering who has them, Professor?"

"No, I'm afraid not. I just hope we can find them soon, before anything malicious occurs."

That day Retley had gone to the med lab to see Hank and ask how the test results had turned out.

She entered to find Hank and the Professor, just sitting there in silence, like they had just ended a very thought-provoking discussion.

When they saw her enter, Hank jumped to attention and went over to greet her. He told her that the test results were fine and explained how she was fit and healthy. His odd behavior left Retley a little confused. Were they again not telling her everything? She didn't mind anymore. She was under the protection of the X-Men. Nothing bad was going to happen to her.

After Retley returned to her room she took a long, hot shower. It was nice being in a place with a seemingly unlimited supply of hot water. Shortly after she had finished getting dressed, there was a knock on the door. "Retley, it's Jean." She went and opened the door for Jean.

"We're all going out tonight if you would like to join us." Retley thought for a moment, but decided she just wanted to relax tonight.

'If it's okay Jean, I would just like to stick around here for tonight.'

"That's fine. The girls are all going shopping tomorrow afternoon. You're welcome to come."

'I would like that.'

"You'll have to fend for yourself at dinner tonight. I think the only people who are staying are Logan and the Professor, and I don't think either of them will cook anything. Well, I'll see you in the morning." Jean gave her that glowing smile and left the room.

After they had left, Retley decided to wander around the mansion. She had done some thinking and she wanted one of the X-Men to teach her how to fight. Or at least defend herself. With all that was going on, she didn't want to think of herself as helpless. After watching them fight this morning, she figured her best bet was Logan. All of the others were relying on their flashy powers to destroy the robots. Granted, Logan had those claws, but he had also been using a lot of fighting moves that didn't require them.

While wandering down one hall she heard a noise, like someone repetitively hitting something. When she found the room where it was coming from, she peered in. It was a gym, one that would put the best health clubs to shame. There was every type of exercise machine in the world there. She noticed that many of the machines had ridiculously heavy weights attached to them.

In the far corner was Logan, pounding away at a punching bag. He seemed to be venting some frustration, for he was beating on it ferociously. His energy seemed to keep building, like he was going to blow any minute. Retley watched in fascination. Sure he was short, only a few inches taller than her, but that didn't make him any less powerful looking. He was built. He was currently shirtless, so she could see the movement of all his muscles.

All of a sudden Logan let out a loud growl, extended a set of claws, and slashed through the punching bag. Retley jumped with shock, putting a hand over her mouth in surprise. She quickly turned to flee the gym, but as she turned she bumped into one of the machines, hitting her forehead. She grimaced in pain, threw the other hand on her forehead, and ran out of the gym.

Logan hadn't known she was there. He was too busy beating the crap out of the punching bag. When he saw her hit her head and run from the gym, he went after her. It didn't take him long to catch up. He grabbed her by the elbow and turned her toward him. She looked at him; all her could see were her eyes, since her mouth and forehead were still covered by her hands. He carefully took her hand that was on her forehead and lowered it. She had a small cut by her hairline, which had already started to bleed.

"We better get that cleaned up," was all he said. And still holding onto her hand dragged her down the hallway to the med lab.

She sat there as he cleaned and bandaged the wound. He sure was a mystery to her. He didn't seem like the type to play nursemaid.

When he was done he growled out a, "There, you can go." This caused Retley to smile. She just shook her head, put her hand on his shoulder, and nodded a thank you.

When he turned to go, she grabbed his arm. She looked at him with a confused look. How could she ask him? Spotting a piece of paper and a pen on the counter, she jumped over to it and began to write. When she was done, she handed the note to Logan.

He read it and looked back at her. "You want me to teach you to fight?"

She nodded. When she had seen him slash through the bag, she questioned whether or not to ask him. But after his display in the lab, she figured she could trust him.

"Why?" He asked.

She rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated sigh, then looked at him with a "Why do you think?" expression.

Logan thought for a moment. "It's the whole doctor thing, huh?"

She nodded again.

"Why me, darlin'?"

She shrugged, with a "Why not?" attitude.

Logan thought about it for a moment. She should learn how to defend herself, especially if there were people after her. What if she ended up in a situation where the X-Men weren't able to protect her?

"Alright. Meet me in the Danger Room tomorrow morning at seven."

Retley gave a big smile. She jumped at Logan giving him a quick hug and practically skipped out the med lab.

She was in the Danger Room at precisely 6:55 the next morning. She really didn't want to be late. He didn't seem like the type to tolerate tardiness.

Logan walked in at exactly seven. He was dressed in the spandex looking outfit he was wearing yesterday. That must be what they always wore.

He noticed she was dressed in a black tank top and sweatpants. She was more muscular than he suspected. Of course the oversized outfits she had been wearing before hid that. Before she looked like a little girl. She certainly didn't now. She was standing there with her hands on her hips, looking at him. A few strands of hair had come loose from her high ponytail and were hanging in her face. Her blue eyes were at attention, waiting for instruction.

During the training session Logan showed her some basic defensive moves. They worked on movement, rhythm, and timing. He was surprised at how fast she learned. When they were finally done she gave him a beaming smile and left to go take a shower. He was beginning to really like that smile.

Retley, Jean, Storm, and Rogue piled into the van and were on their way to the mall. It sounded odd. The X-Women, going to the mall.

But what a mall it was. She had never been to this one. It was filled with quite a few expensive clothing stores, which seemed to be their reason for going. These women were on a mission. Find clothes; lots of expensive, stylish clothes. Retley didn't have much money, so she wasn't even inclined to try stuff on.

"Retley, you gotta try this on, sugar." Rogue made her way over carrying an absolutely beautiful, elegant dress. It was a shimmering deep blue that matched her eyes. It had thin straps, and was silky and slinky.

Retley just stared at it and shook her head, putting her hands up, as in "I couldn't possibly."

"Come on." Rogue insisted. "You're gonna need somethin' ta wear when we go out next week."

She returned Rogue's comment with a puzzled look.

"Didn't Jean tell ya?" Retley shook her head.

"Every year we go ta this fancy show for charity and then we all go out dancin' afterward." Rogue didn't wait for a response; she just dragged Retley over to the dressing rooms and shoved her and the dress inside.

Later, after stopping by the rather fancy food court for a bite to eat, they made their way back to the van, Retley with her new dress in hand. They insisted she had looked fabulous in it. When Retley had informed Jean that she didn't have any money, she insisted on paying for it. She said it would be her welcoming present. And some present it was, the price tag alone made her want to faint. But they didn't stop with the dress. Rogue decided to play dress-up with her. She kept throwing accessories at her that she insisted where necessary to complete the outfit. Jean was helping out just as much as Rogue. Storm remained her calm, collective self, just standing there with an amused smile on her face.

When she got back to her room, Retley put her dress and all the accessories in the closet. She then stopped by the rather large library she had discovered the other night. Taking a book, she made her way out to the lake.

She had been reading for awhile when she looked up. Feeling as though someone was there, she turned. There was Logan, leaning against the tree, arms crossed, and an unlit cigar in his mouth. She gave him a friendly smile and patted the spot on the grass next to her, inviting him to sit.

He stared at her a few moments, then went over and sat next to her. She gave him another smile, then went back to her book.

She seemed so relaxed around him. He thought that was strange. Most people were pretty nervous. He took the cigar out of his mouth. "Ya mind?" She didn't even look up, only shook her head. So they sat there, Retley reading, and Logan puffing on his cigar, content just as they were.

When it started to get dark Logan got up. "'Bout time fer dinner." He looked down at her and offered his hand to help her up. She closed the book and took his hand. They walked back the mansion in silence.