"Most people don't hate mutants, in fact, they wouldn't even know much about us if it wasn't for the media. They over-exaggerate, fill the news stations with only mutant news, and try and make celebrities and politicians say something just so they can make mutants the front page. Does anyone know what this is called?"

Sam stands at the front of a classroom, looking less like a teacher, and more like one of the students, dressed in light wash jeans and a yellow vest, a soft blue cardigan running down her arms, covering the large bandage around her wrist and the bruises still scattered along her back.

She points to a student at the back of the class, their hand raises ever so slightly.

"Deviancy amplification," they mutter but Sam hears it, grinning.

"Yeah! Well done," she leans on the oak desk behind her "And what's the public's reaction to this?" She points out to a raised hand once again, this one stronger and more confident.

"A moral panic. They start to fear the group of people identified. Us, in this case. Just because they're different, they don't conform to the rules of society,"

"That's perfect Rogue, exactly," Sam watched the girl smile, pride rushing through her, she couldn't tell if it was her's or Rogue's. Maybe both.

She'd settled into student life easily, making friends in all her classes, and even participating in friendly matches of table football with Bobby Drake.

Over the past week or so, she'd leaned on Sam a lot more. Logan was still unconscious, a consequence of him saving Rogue: bringing her back to life, sacrificing his own healing factor in the process, and so Sam was a friendly face, someone who Rogue knew was on her side.

She'd felt her, knew that she was there, trying to keep her safe all while Magneto exploited her.

Sam found her in the kitchen one night, soft tears dropping down into a tub of ice cream.

"Hey," Rogue had jumped, brushing the tears from her eyes quickly as she rushed out a greeting Sam just raised an eyebrow, coming to sit next to her "You can't fool me, Marie,"

"Yeah, I guess not," Rogue sniffed, looking at the older woman "It's just, a lot,"

"I know," she reaches out, touching her clothed knee

"And I don't even know if Logan'll wake up, he risked himself to save me...Why?"

"Well..." Sam gulps, figuring out what to say, "I think that he pretends to be this big, gruff man with no cares in the world," Rogue snorted "But he cares...he cares a lot. And hey, he'll wake up, he's strong," she decides not to mention the dreams she falls into, the ones where Logan is screaming, masked men trying to sedate him.

It was little comfort, but at least she knew his consciousness was alive.

"Focus on yourself, yeah? On making friends and school, time will fly and soon it'll all be okay,"

"It doesn't help that every time I look in the mirror, I remember what happened," she picks up a lock of hair at the front of her head, a bright white twirling around her finger.

"Maybe that's a good thing," Sam shrugs "You survived, it's a scar, proving how strong you are," she squeezes her knee and lets go, smiling lightly "Also, your hair? Looks amazing. Platinum blonde highlights without the damage? I'm jealous,"

Rogue had laughed at that, thanking the woman for the talk, and going up to bed.

"Hey, Sam?" she's knocked out of her flashback by a knock on her door, Ororo stood was stood there, a slight smile on her face "Jean asked to see you down in the labs,"

"Thank you," she nods, standing and clapping her hands together "Alright then, class dismissed! Remember, I expect the project The Professor set you at the start of the month, on my desk by Tuesday,"

She watches them all groan, then slowly file out. Sam waves back at Rogue before looking at Storm with worried eyes "Is everything okay?"

"The professor's awake,".

Sam had practically run to the labs, nearly tripping in her boots. If the professor was awake, he could help her and Jean get inside Logan's mind, and try and unlock his mutation again.

She also needed to ask about her new...powers.

Oh, and also, she was happy he was alive.

"Charles!" she enters and finds him sat up in his wheelchair, his hospital gown still on.

"Ah, Saman-" he's cut off by her body gliding with his, her knees scraping the floor as she kneels for a hug. He wraps his own arms around her, and Jean watches with a smile.

The professor was familiar, something solid to lean on in the changing times. After a few moments, she lets go, standing up "Sorry...,"

"It's quite alright dear, I hear you've had quite the few weeks,"

"I guess," Sam shrugs, she smirks slightly and puts her arm out, searching the mansion for a psyche to lock on to. Finally landing on Storm - she was annoyed, probably marking homework.

Taking a deep breath, she lets the feeling consume her and then...she lets go.

There's a rush of energy, and Charles watches with widened eyes as the hospital bed in Sam's path is violently pushed away and against a wall with a loud crash, nearly falling over if not for Jean's own hand, steadying it.

"I'm uh, still learning," Sam says bashfully, thanking Jean.

"I'll sign you up for some classes next term," Charles jokes and Sam rolls her eyes "How did we do?"

The two women sobre up, glancing at another body, lying still, breathing shallowly through an oxygen mask whilst hooked up to many tubes and monitors.

"He's not healing,"

"I tried um, entering his dreams, trying to wake him up..." Sam walks over to Logan, brushing her fingers over his arms "But I'm not strong enough, I'm just stuck in the cycle of nightmares with him,"

Xavier sighs, wheeling over to the man, placing his hands on either side of his head "I suppose I should just be glad you're getting some sleep,"

Sam watches as Charles concentrates, his eyes fluttering closed as he enters Logan's mind. The Wolverine starts to thrash in bed, and the monitors start to beep in warning before he suddenly calms.

Charles searches his mind for a long time, Sam and Jean left to watch anxiously before he finally removes his hands, sighing.

"It's a maze in there...repressed memories locked in place. I found something," he looks up at Sam "Guided him through the doors of freedom...it'll have to do,".

They stay in silence for a moment, Sam looking down at Logan, her hand tracing the veins on his wrist.

Jean, sensing that the two needed to be alone, speaks up "Professor, I'll take you up to your rooms and inform the students you're alright," 

"An excellent idea," the two leave, and Sam takes Logan's hand, she leans down to whisper in his ear

"If you heal, I'll let you take me out on a date," she brushes a stray hair back off his face, leaving a soft kiss on his forehead before she turns, grabbing a chair and settling down on it.

When she glances back, Logan's facial scars had healed.