A few days later, Retley started to feel like her old self again. Well, not exactly like her old self, Logan was doing a pretty good job at keeping her quite the wanton vixen.

She smiled to herself as she walked through the halls, making her way out to the garage.

Sure enough, there was Logan working on his Jeep. He had the hood up and he was leaning over into it.

She came up behind him and put her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek to his back.

"Hey darlin'." He turned to give her a kiss.

She pulled back to give him a quizzical look and nodded toward the Jeep. "Oh, just messin' with it. What'cha doin?"

She just shrugged and pulled away, walking over to look at the motorcycles lined up by the wall.

"Ya ever been on one?"

She shook her head.

"Ya wanna go for a ride?"

She looked at him and raised her eyebrows, then turned her attention back to the bike. She was biting her lower lip, debating on whether or not to take him up on his offer. Her expression changed to a mischievous one and she nodded.

"Well then, let's go."

She held up her hand to stop him, then nodded toward the house. "It's okay, darlin'. They're used to me leavin' all the time." She gave him a disapproving look as he dragged her toward his motorcycle.

It was like flying. The wind whipped through her hair as the scenery zipped passed her. She tightened her arms around Logan. Even though it was amazing, she still wasn't used to moving at such high speeds and not being buckled in.

The seemed to drive forever, not that Retley minded, she liked being with Logan. He made her feel like a new person. That fact that she couldn't speak didn't matter when she was with him.

When they finally stopped, Retley noticed they were at a bar. He helped her off the bike; she raised her eyebrows at him and looked toward the rather rough establishment. "I go here a lot when I want to be alone."

Retley was touched. This was his special spot, just like her place by the lake. She had welcomed him in there, now he was inviting her here.

He took her by the hand and led her in.

It wasn't as bad as she suspected. Although there was a cloud of smoke that filled the place, it wasn't that unpleasant. There was a jukebox in the corner, playing country music. A few pool tables, which were all currently being used, were back there too. Tables scattered around filled up the rest of the place. Logan took her over to the bar and they sat. A big guy, arms covered in tattoos came up to them from behind the bar. "The usual Logan?"

"Yeah."

Retley gave him a look, that pretty much said, "Come here often?"

Logan gave her what she almost considered a sheepish grin.

The bartender looked at Retley then back to Logan, giving him an impressed smile. He turned to Retley. "What can I get you, honey?"

"She'll just have a coke." The big man nodded and went to fetch their drinks.

She scanned the bar for the bathroom. Being on the back of that bike for so long, she really had to go. After spotting the sign indicating the direction to them, she tapped Logan on the shoulder and nodded in the direction of the bathroom. "Okay, darlin'. I'll be right here."

She made her way down the shady hallway to the bathroom. She turned the knob and found it locked. It must have been the kind with only one stall. So she waited, turning to look back down the hall into that barroom.

When she heard the door open, she turned back. Before she made it all the way around, she felt something come in contact with her head and everything went black.

Logan looked toward the hallway. What was taking her so long? He got off the stool and made his way down there. When he reached the door he tried the knob; it was locked. He knocked, but there was no answer.

He popped a set of claws and forced the door open. It was empty. A sense of dread filled him. With his enhanced sense of smell, he was able to tell she had been here. But her trail ended here. It was if she had just vanished.

"What do you mean she just vanished?! I can't believe you Logan. You take off with her without telling anyone. You knew there might be people after her." Scott was fuming. It was their job to protect her and now some unknown assailant kidnapped her.

"Look," Logan growled, pointing a set of his claws at Scott, "I know I screwed up, but instead of yellin' about it, we could be lookin' for her."

"I agree with Logan," Hank added.

"Yes," the Professor said. "Rogue and Storm can check out where she was last seen. The rest of you stay here while Jean and I try to locate her telepathically."

Retley awoke to a pounding headache. It took her awhile for her eyes to adjust. There was a bright light above her, so she couldn't see much. She tried to move, but her wrists and ankles were tied to the table she was on.

"So, you're finally awake," an unfamiliar voice said. Even if the bright light hadn't blinded her, she still wouldn't have been able to see him. With her being strapped to the table, he was standing out of her limited line of vision. "I thought with your newly acquired healing factor you would have awakened much sooner."

She could hear him arranging something on a table.

"You were a hard little thing to find, my dear." Although he was speaking lightly, she couldn't deny the evil edge to his voice. "After reading Dr. Treager's files, I just had to have you. It was quite the inconvenience that his research failed to identify you. I had to do a lot searching to discover who you were. And of course the ever-noble Doctor was less than eager to cooperate. It was so unfortunate I had to dispose of him. But I couldn't just let him go. Sad really, he was quite brilliant, if I do say so myself. The way he made you was impressive."

Retley closed her eyes, not just from the blinding light, but from the fear that was steadily taking over.

"You did know you were an experiment, didn't you?" He paused. "Look at me, here I am, babbling on. I haven't even introduced myself. I'm sure you are curious as to who I am. Of course there really isn't much point in telling you." His voice then darkened. "It's not like you'll be around long enough to appreciate it." That was when the fear seemed to take over. She didn't even notice the tears seeping through her clenched eyes.

He came closer. "What?" He said mockingly. "Nothing to say? You can speak, you know? Not vocally of course. You can speak with your mind. Not quite like a telepath, you can't read people's minds, but you are still more advanced."

He let out a chuckle. "Just imagine, a superior being. One that can permanently absorb any mutant power, and there is not limit to the number of powers obtained. And yet her mutation is scientifically undetectable. So advanced, she is beyond the primitive concept of vocal communication. A mutant with the potential to become the most powerful being in existence."

He whispered playfully in her ear, "Sound like anyone you know?" He pulled away and went back to the table.

"I'm sure the Doctor didn't have that in mind when he created you. But, the endless possibilities! I myself am still wondering what exactly I will do with you. I think I might clone you. Imagine—an army of mutants, each with omnipotent powers. They would be unstoppable."

He carried over a tray to the table and set it beside Retley. "Of course, I'll have to play around with you and your DNA first."

Picking up a scalpel, he looked down at her. "I don't think I'll give you an anesthetic, I'm just going to kill you anyway." He grinned. "With that lovely healing factor, it will take a lot to kill you. But that doesn't mean it will hurt any less."

The last thing she remembered before going into shock, was the sharp pain of the scalpel cutting into her skin.

Retley awoke slowly, her body burning in pain. She was afraid to open her eyes, of what she might see.

"She's awake, Hank!" A hand tightly gripped hers, "It's okay, darlin', I'm here."

Was she dreaming? Was that Logan's voice? Or was that nightmare she experienced real? She gripped his hand tighter, forcing her eyes open. He was looking down at her. His face was a mixture of concern, affection, and guilt.

"How are you feeling, my dear?" It was Hank who asked.

Like shit, she thought. She looked at Logan, silently asking him to explain. His eyes averted her gaze. She then looked questioningly at Hank.

He lightly sighed. "I appears, a one Nathaniel Essex, also known as Sinister, abducted you from the bar. The Professor was able to locate you telepathically. We were able to rescue you and retain a good portion of the stolen files." He paused. "But unfortunately, Sinister managed to escape with some of Dr. Treager's research."

She closed her eyes. So it hadn't been a dream. She tried to lean up, but her body contracted in pain. "You shouldn't move around," Hank said concernedly. "Sinister…um…well, we came upon you in time to stop him from doing any fatal damage, but I'm afraid you are still quite injured. Fortunately your healing factor will speed up your recovery."

She nodded, eyes still tightly closed.

"Perhaps we should leave her to rest, Logan." Hank came behind him and placed his hand on Logan's shoulder. "She really needs to rest."

Logan slowly rose and silently left the room.

Logan hadn't been to see Retley the remainder of her time in the med lab. When she finally convinced Hank she was well enough to wander around, she sought him out.

She found him in the Danger Room, beating up on some robots.

She stood there, waiting for him to notice her.

When he did, he stopped. "End program." Immediately the robots disappeared. He turned to face her; he was breathing hard.

They stared at each other in silence for a long time.

"I…I'm sorry, Ret." She barely heard him; his voice was filled with pain.

She slowly walked toward him. When she was only inches from him, she took his face in her hands. Once again they looked into each other's eyes. She had forgiven him, Logan could see it in her eyes. He reached for her, pulling her into his embrace.

'I forgive you, Logan.'

"What?" Logan immediately held her at arms length, hands on her shoulders. Had he just imagined it?

"Did I just hear you?" Both of them had astonished expressions of their faces.

'You heard me?'

"What the hell? I just heard you again. What's goin' on?"

Suddenly Retley remembered what Sinister had told her. 'I can talk…,' she said more to herself. 'I can talk! Sinister told me I was able to, I just hadn't learned how yet!'

Logan was speechless. He could hear her, clear as if she were speaking aloud.

She smiled and threw her arms around his neck. 'I can talk, Logan!'

'Do you think he'll still try to come after me?' Retley had spent the last half-hour in the Professor's study. He had been explaining the details about Sinister and her rescue.

"I don't really know. He might. Sinister is not one to give up on what he wants."

Retley shook her head in confusion. What was she going to do? 'How much information does he have on me? Does he still have enough to clone me?'

"We believe he doesn't. He wasn't able to escape with much. And Logan pretty much destroyed everything in the lab."

'So to complete his plans, he would have to come after me.'

"But you said you didn't know exactly what his plans were."

She rubbed her eyes. 'Yeah.'

"I think it would be best for you to stay here. It's the safest place."

'What, until you capture him?'

"Until we are sure you can be safe."

'And how long will that be? Come on, Professor, what if you don't catch him. Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life hiding here?'

"You don't have to stay, Retley. It's your choice."

Retley nodded and rose. 'I'll think about it.'

"Alright." She then turned and left the Professor's office.

Logan had been napping when he heard a knock on his door. "Yeah?"

'Can I come in?'

Logan hopped off the bed and opened the door. "Hey darlin'."

She smiled at him. 'I just got done talking to the Professor.'

He gestured for her to enter. Once she was in, he closed the door. "What did have ta say?"

'He thinks Sinister might still come after me.' She turned to Logan. 'He wants me to stay at the mansion.'

"Are ya?"

'Should I?'

"It's up to you."

She looked down at floor. 'But do you want me to stay?'

He was silent for a moment. Then he approached her, putting his hand under her chin, lifting her face up to meet his.

"More than anythin', darlin'."