Prologue: Chasm

It's been a while
Since I could
Hold my head up high
And it's been a while
Since I first saw you
And it's been a while
Since I could stand
On my own two feet again
And it's been a while
Since I could call you
~Staind


“All right, Ororo, one more lap. That’s it,� the cool voice of her physical therapy instructor was beginning to grate on her nerves, but the white-haired mutant obediently shifted her hands on the metal bars.

Turning slowly, she grit her teeth and took a wobbly step forward. The short walking track seemed insurmountable, as the doctors said it would, and yet she continued. Being bound to bed for weeks had soured her disposition…as well as the weather.

Four months had passed since the accident and shooting that had nearly taken her life. In that time, life at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters had moved on. The children continued their studies, the X-Men went on with their fight for mutant rights. All was as it should have been.

Accept for the fact that Ororo Munroe, also called Storm, was still unable to walk without assistance.

Taking another painful step, she blew out a breath, beads of sweat breaking out on her dark brow. Lying in bed had been a test on her self-control, but attempting to walk through the blinding pain was a test on her will.

“Come on, Ororo. You’re almost there,� the middle-aged woman prompted. “You’re doing very well.�

Irritated now, the mutant woman took two more steps in quick succession. This, of course, was a mistake. With only a grunt to betray the pain, Ororo’s still-weak legs crumpled, making her grasp onto the railing to keep from crashing to the floor.

Holly, the nurse, quickly grabbed hold of Ororo’s back and arms to steady her.

“Are we finished with our temper tantrum?�

“I am finished for today, period,� Ororo snapped back, snarling in a fair imitation of her lover. “You may go now.�

The honey-haired woman snorted in amusement. “Keep at it like this and you’ll never walk again. We’ve talked about this.�

“And I am a grown woman,� came the icy reply as Ororo used her upper-body strength to pull herself standing again, paying no heed to the sharp rivets of pain shooting up and down her back. “I can make my own choices.�

“Your fear won’t help you overcome the pain. Now, finish this lap.�

The tone was sharp, one seldom used by the patient woman. Ororo took a deep breath, grinding her teeth together so that they started to ache. She wished, for the millionth time, that Jean would fire this damnable woman.

Slowly, more cautiously than before, Ororo took three more steps. Gripping the thin metal bar tightly to balance herself, she followed those up with two more. Sweat poured down her face as she took the final steps toward the awaiting wheelchair.

Not content to sit right away, she turned to her blue-eyed nurse. “Are you satisfied?�

Holly grinned sweetly at her patient, taking her hand so the younger woman could ease into the wheelchair her benefactor had provided for her.

“For today, yes. You’re doing much better, but you have to take it slowly. If you push yourself, you’ll do more damage.�

Settling into the chair Charles Xavier donated to her, she looked up at the cheerful woman with a roll of her eyes. She did feel better after completing those laps, even if her back and legs ached terribly.

At least she felt as though she was making progress.

“Now, I want you to increase your exercise time to 40 minutes starting tonight. Make sure you’re not letting your helper do all the work,� she patted Ororo’s shoulder gently.

“I will,� Ororo, still feeling out of sorts, shooed the woman with a slight change in tone. “Until Thursday, then.�

Holly made her exit after neatly scooping her jacket and pocketbook up into her hands. She left the door open behind her, but Ororo remained where she was, staring at the room Charles had converted into her training room.

Learning to walk again was the cherry atop a tempestuous year. With Jean’s recovery, falling for their resident Wolverine and the attempts on her life, there was little time left for Ororo to simply sit and absorb it all.

In the last months, her life had slowed to a dull crawl. Confined to bed for over a month and then to the steel of her wheelchair was difficult for the free-spirited mutant. While her gifts required near-constant control over her emotions, the sudden lack of control of her body strained her already fragile temper.

Storms had ravaged the Westchester area for a solid month while Ororo came to terms with the words “temporary paralysis�. Though she was relieved that her condition was not permanent, now she faced a long, grueling year relearning to do things she had often taken for granted.
Sighing, she raised her hand to the navigational knob that controlled her chair and whipped around effortlessly. She’d had three months to master the controls, giving her all the time in the world to wind her way through the mansion without breaking furniture.

She sat for another few moments, closing her eyes and breathing slowly. Logan would be searching for her soon, and if he did not locate her, Jean would. Wanting to be alone, she tried to think of an excuse to rush out the back door and into the freezing gardens, but nothing came to her.

“Hey.�

Startled from her musings by the familiar voice of her old friend, Scott Summers, she opened her pale eyes and managed a small smile.

“Hello.�

Scott’s lean form entered the room quickly, sliding the door closed behind him. He dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Hiding out?�

Her smile widened. Oh, how well he had come to know her in all their years together. Closer than any flesh and blood brother, she shrugged her shoulders gracefully.

“Feeling down today, is all.�

She could see the skin surrounding his ruby-quartz eyeglasses tighten into an expression of restrained concern. He took a few more steps toward her, resting against the bars she used to exercise her legs.

“I don’t blame you. Jean’s in a mood and I think I saw Logan scowl at Rogue when I left the kitchen.�

“Ah, so I am not the only X-Man hiding, am I?� she teased.

Scott grinned from behind his glasses. “Guess not. I was thinking of taking a walk through the gardens, but it’s like below freezing out there right now.�

With a toss of her snowy hair, Ororo smirked smugly. “The cold does not affect me.�

Her friend smirked back at her. “That won’t matter to either of them.�

“I do hate it when you are right,� she paused, not wanting to think about how her lover and best friend hovered constantly. “How was the training session this morning?�

Scott gave her a look that clearly said he knew she wanted to talk about anything but her condition and eagerly filled her in on his team’s progress. She listened intently, adding her comments where it felt needed and remaining silent the rest of the time.

Before they could get in to talk of new Danger Room sessions, the door opened quietly. A tall, slender girl of nineteen entered the room, looking surprised to see Scott and Ororo talking.

Over her shoulder, the girl called out, “No, Ah don’t see her in here, either!�

Thanking young Marie with a smile, Ororo nodded to Scott as he excused himself, following the younger X-Man out of the room.

When she was alone again, Ororo turned her chair toward the window and stared out of the thick paned glass into a cloudless sky.

~@~

She managed to find her way to the bedroom she once nearly shared with Logan without further incident. It took a good deal of patience and resting to lift herself into her bed and fold her legs under her bottom, but she did it without any assistance at all.

Taking up the hand-bound book of poetry Logan had given her just weeks ago, she flipped to her favourite page and stared at it. Her eyes did not move to read the memorized lines, nor did she turn the page as the minutes ticked by.

Lost in her thoughts, she found that pretending to read while “resting� in bed kept her hovering bodyguards from pressing too terribly much. And today, Ororo felt a deep need to simply sit and think.

Jeremy Stevenson, the “spy� within the mansion had vanished the day the team returned from their excursion in Colorado. No one had been able to locate him or his mother, and she knew for a fact that even Charles had called in favors from the government for help.

Logan seemed to think the kid would try something again, but Ororo was certain he had merely been frightened and vanished as so many troubled teens did. She hoped that one day he would return to them, so she could speak with him.

Though many thought she had lost what remained of her mind when she voiced this, so she learned to keep those thoughts to herself.

Her eyes darted to the bedside table on her “side� of the bed, where a photograph of her beloved Wolverine rested in a polished wood frame. She had snapped the picture herself, when he happened to not be looking.

It was her favourite. Her brooding lover had donned his leather coat and cowboy hat as he leaned against the outside wall. He was in the process of lighting his cigar, his hands cupped protectively around the flame.

She took up the frame in her hand tenderly, as one would caress a lover, allowing her fingers to trace the outline of his body.

Four months ago, she would have thought them inseparable.

Now, however, she could feel the gulf between them widen with every passing day. Why it had happened, or even when was still a bit hazy to her. Some time after his return from the Rockies, Logan had begun to draw himself away from her, pushing her gently until she no longer knew where she stood with him.

She had tried, desperately, to get him to discuss the events of those three days they had been parted after her near-fatal accident. Every conversation ended by him leaving the room or simply changing the subject until she was forced to give up.

Her slow recovery had not helped the damaged relationship. Unable to move without blinding pain, no matter how medicated she allowed Jean to keep her, Logan had taken to treating his one-strong love as though she were delicate crystal. She, in turn, began to resent his presence and drove him away from her.

Days of stolen kisses and nights of uninhibited passion had turned to avoidance at all costs. Logan still sought her out to ensure she was well cared for, but his once frequent visits to her room became few and far between.

Then he stopped coming all together.

Though any perks to the relationship had faded into the winds, Ororo was certain Logan was still as loyal to her as ever. As she was to him. She loved him, more deeply and completely than she had ever thought possible, and yet she found herself unable to confront him about all that had gone wrong between them.

Instead, she played her games, keeping herself busy and making up excuses.

Sighing, she replaced the photograph on the nightstand and grasped each of her legs in turn so she could shift her position.

Tunza, the now enormous Mastiff Logan had given her as a birthday gift, lay on his faded canine bed he dragged about her room, looking up at her with his dark, soulful eyes. As though he were a child, he had taken the gradual separation of Ororo and Logan the hardest.

He still howled whenever he heard Logan pass by her room and he constantly shot her accusing glares, as though he wanted the ability to speak, so that he might tell her exactly what his feelings were about the situation.

Still, the loveable pooch was loyal to his mistress. He heaved his sandy body up from his place beside her bed and padded over to her. Laying his black muzzle on her thigh, Tunza whimpered pitifully.

“I am quite all right,� Ororo assured him, reaching over to scratch behind his floppy ears.

He snorted.

Ororo raised her eyebrow at him, sighing as she patted the bed beside her.

“Come on up. I think I should nap before dinner.�

The huge puppy stepped carefully onto the bed, being sure to not jostle her too much. She often wondered about this dog. He seemed much too intelligent and caring for an animal.

She shifted herself again, lying gingerly on her pillows and forcing her legs to move of their own accord until she was mostly comfortable. Her eyes once again drawn to the beautifully clear day just outside her window, she did not even notice when she fell asleep.

~@~

The water was cold.

It was so cold she could feel it seeping into her bones, ice taking the place of warm flesh. So cold.

There was blackness. A thick, inky darkness that kept her vision clouded. She was reaching, but all her freezing hand found was more of the suffocating water.

Pain. Pain etched into her side. The metallic projectile had lodged itself inside her. Metal seeping into her skin, like the cold, like the water.

She opened her mouth to scream, but no words would travel on the frigid tide. No one could find her. The darkness would consume her.

Alone.

Come so far to be alone. Her life given to the hungry dark that had forever threatened to consume her. She was alone.

Would die alone.

Where were the hands? Those impossibly strong hands to lift her from the water. Why did he not come? Had he forsaken her as she had him? Would he ever come again?

Thick, syrupy dark crept closer and closer to her heart, poisoning what little life she had left.

Dark. Cold. Pain.

Death. Dying.

Logan.


She woke with a muted gasp, as she always did. Shaking, shivering with the imaginary cold, she pushed the suddenly overwhelming blankets aside and struggled to sit up.

Her room was darker than pitch and she fumbled for the light switch blindly. Something on the nightstand fell, the sound of shattering glass making her jump in her skin.

Finally forcing her fingers to manipulate the switch, she blinked the spots from her eyes. Looking over the side of the bed, her heart clenched at seeing her beloved photograph of Logan broken on the floor.

A whimper from the foot of the bed was silenced with a soft command in her native tongue and she brushed the locks of brilliant white from her eyes as her breathing regulated.

The creak of a door opening down the hall made her breath catch. Silently praying that Logan had heard her erratic breathing and the glass breaking and was coming to check on her, she held her breath.

Another eerie creak coupled with a faint click told her someone had decided to stay in his own room and her heart fell to her the floor with the photograph.

Nightmares had ever been her companion, but these were getting out of control. Flashbacks of the Friends of Humanity’s attempts on her life had been upgraded to complete panic attacks in her dreams.

Her unconscious mind ensured that she was never rescued from these horrible memories. Instead, she was left to die, alone in the dark.

Now there was not even the comfort of Logan’s warm embrace to soothe away the demons of her sleep. Only a sleepy Mastiff and her own sense of self. Neither of which was going to keep her nighttime terrors a secret for much longer.

Ororo gingerly swung her legs over the side of the bed, grasping the pole they had installed to help her move about her room. She pulled herself to standing, wobbling only a little as she did so. Carefully, muffling grunts of pain by worrying her lip between her teeth, she forced herself to the open balcony doors.

With a vicious gust of wind and a sting behind her eyes, she shoved herself into the waiting night, running from her dreams.

From herself.

~@~

Logan lay awake in his bed for a long time after she left the mansion. His first instinct had been to follow her, to make damn sure she didn’t hurt herself flying around in the dark.

Course, he never acted on those instincts anymore.

There wouldn’t be any more sleep for him tonight, not until he was positive she’d returned to her room unscathed. He’d keep his ears open and smoke a cigar.

She was never out too long. While she hated her physical therapy and the very thought of needing help to do anything, ‘Ro knew her limitations. She would be back within the hour, probably a lot calmer than if he’d gone into her room and tried to chase away the bad dreams.

He hadn’t allowed himself to do that in so long, he could scarcely remember how she felt in his arms.

It wasn’t entirely her fault. He’d made some mistakes, kept himself locked away from her after promising to be honest and open. It wasn’t as though he wanted to drive her off. He just didn’t have the heart to tell her what he’d done, to admit that his hands were just as stained as her attacker’s had been.

They’d never talked about it. The once rock solid relationship had gradually faded away until he couldn’t remember any of the reasons she wanted him around. He’d filled himself with doubt, giving him more excuses to lock himself back inside.

When he’d become too concerned, watched her too closely, she’d started pushing him back. Somewhere along the way, they had both pushed too hard.

Back in his old room, he spent night after night listening for sounds that she needed help from down the hall. Once or twice, he’d actually made it out of his room before his brain caught up and he slipped back into his lair.

He continued studying his ceiling, ears trained in the direction she had gone off in. She’d be back before anyone else knew she was missing. She wouldn’t say anything to anyone and he was too ashamed to admit he still kept close tabs on her when he couldn’t bother to say more than “Mornin’� and “Night� to her.

Turning onto his side, he reached for the half-smoked cigar he’d stashed there earlier and the Zippo lighter Ororo had given him months ago. The brass plating was engraved with his name, codename and a large “X�. She’d surprised him with it and no matter what happened between them, he couldn’t leave it to sit in a drawer.

Without turning on the bedroom light, he deftly flicked the lighter open, pinching the cigar between his teeth. Inhaling deeply, he set the lighter back down and lifted a hand to crack open the window above his bed. He could hear better with it open and One-Eye wouldn’t bitch too much about the smoke smell in the morning.

He tucked the arm back behind his head, letting the chilly breeze caress his bare chest…Damn, why did it have to remind him of her? Anything that vaguely had to do with the elements brought the image of her face to his mind.

As if reading his thoughts, his fingers located the worn and faded bit of leather he’d cut from her uniform that fateful day nearly a year ago. Logan took a deep breath, not pulling the piece of cloth from behind his head as he remembered pushing his hands into her chest, begging her to breathe.

That had been the start of it all. He wished, for the millionth time, that he could go back and start it all over. She would have been safe from Stevenson, they wouldn’t have drifted so far apart.

She would still be in his arms and not embracing the night alone.

Shoving away the morose thoughts that always seemed to run rampant in the dead of night, he kept his ears trained on the window, waiting to hear the telltale sounds that would herald her return.

It was not until he heard the winds rise and fall, coupled with Tunza’s happy panting that he finally turned over, put the cigar out and fell back into a restless sleep.

Chapter One: Old Flame


It’s been awhile
Since I could
Look at myself straight
And it’s been awhile
Since I’ve seen the way
Candles light your face
And it’s been awhile
But I can still remember
Just the way you taste
~Staind


Logan felt a sort of sick satisfaction as his fists turned the enormous vinyl punching bag into shreds. One-Eye’d probably be pissed off, but that wasn’t really his problem.

If he were to turn his head just a fraction to the right, he’d be able to see her. Hell, he could smell her. That heady fragrance of rain and wet earth. It intoxicated him. Drove him to the very brink of madness…only to have her pull him right back again.

Not mine anymore, he reminded himself snidely.

At the treacherous thought, he slammed his fist into the vinyl, grunting with the force. He didn’t really need the extra hour of training, but he did it every Thursday anyway. Refusing to turn, to see her struggling to walk with a cane…weak he continued on, trying to not listen to the sound of her labored breathing.

He heard a distinctly familiar laugh and nodded to himself. Rogue was the perfect person to help Storm with her daily routine. She was patient, but she didn’t take any shit. From anyone.

Without his permission, oversensitive ears honed in on the two female voices.

“Ah think yah can make it down the hall, whatcha think?�

“I think I can give it a try. Step back just a bit.�

“Oh. Sorry. Didn’t mean tah crowd you. That’s it, easy does it.�

“Good morning, Logan.�

A hostile grunt, echoed by his fists meeting the punching bag was the only response the dark beauty received. Inside, however, his heart leaped to a frantic tattoo at the sound of her lightly accented voice saying his name.

The duo moved away a moment later, and Logan could feel the heavy weight of Rogue’s glare on his back. Even as the hair on his neck stood up, he studiously ignored them both, concentrating with inhuman intensity on the torn and battered bag suffering under his hands.

Murderer’s hands.

His fists stopped almost instantly at the wayward thought.

Though he tried, the crystal clear memory of those three days only months before kept returning. Whether he was sleeping or wide awake, the hours ticked by, but he was locked in that horrifying time.

Panting with the excessive force used on the punching bag, he steps away, wiping the sweat from his brow.

One gloved hand reached up, tapping his forehead roughly. “Get out of my head, kid.�

Tearing the gloves from his hands, he left the training room with a dark scowl on his face. Outside, the grounds were covered with soft white snow and Christmas lights. The entire mansion was decked out in festive colors, wreathes and candles.

The whole thing made him want to claw someone.

Trotting up the stairs, he easily sidestepped the kitchen, where he could hear Hank McCoy and Rogue urging Storm to sit. He wanted to peek into the room and ensure she was all right, but he shoved the urge down to his feet and forcefully marched toward his room.

He passed her room, taking a moment to capture a breath of rain-scented air as he did. No one could see him, and it gave him a bit of her back. Just a touch. That’s all he wanted from the day he made the decision to not tell her what happened to the young man responsible for plugging five bullets into her chest and back.

She’d reached to him, so many times. It had been harder than anything else he could remember, pushing her away. Day by day he could see the pain in her eyes grow, the distance forming between them.

And like the stubborn prick he was, he’d never tried to fix it.

Just one time, one word of reassurance could have healed this rift between them. Would have been easy when it was a small divide, but now he had a Grand-fucking-Canyon to leap across.

Slamming the door to his bedroom, he stared down at his adamantium-laced hands. Blinking furiously, he rushed to the bathroom, locking himself inside and turning the sink faucet on to full.

He could still see the boy’s blood on his hands, no matter how much time had passed. How could he touch another person with murder on his hands? How could he think himself worthy of her when he was nothing but a monster?

With a guttural growl, Logan caught his reflection in the mirror and gripped the edges in his wet hands. The sting of sharp edges tearing at his skin was satisfying. It told him he was still human on some level.

Grunting, he used as much force as he could muster and ripped the mirror from the wall, tossing it to the floor with a deafening crash.

Snkit!

Six claws tore through his skin and he sliced the mirror to pieces. Looking at himself was harder than looking at her. An animal. Untamed. Unworthy.

He sat heavily amid his destruction, claws still extended as he thrust his hands into his hair. For a long time, the only sound was that of his labored breathing, his mind reaching for the light…for her.

~@~


“She’s not breathing,� he muttered, sitting up and placing his hands below her breasts.

Jeffrey didn’t reply as Logan tilted Storm’s head back, opening her airway before he started chest compressions. Fifteen hard pushes on the sternum, two deep breaths into her mouth while holding her nose closed.

“Come on, ‘Ro. Don’t you die on me,� he pleaded quietly, repeating the process.

Nothing happened. For nearly a full minute, Wolverine worked on her, trying to force air into her lungs, her heart to beat, ignite in her a will to live.

He could hear someone moving behind him, but he never stopped his pace. Every reason for her to live ran through his mind. They couldn’t lose another one, not so soon. Not because some asshole with a sniper rifle decided to take a shot at her.

“’Ro, breathe, darlin’. Breathe!� he begged gruffly, putting his lips to hers.

No change.

“Breathe, ‘Ro. Come on, baby, come back,� he pounded on her chest again, heart ripping to shreds as the light that surrounded her beautiful body seemed to flicker before fading.

He could feel her die, the life he’d cherished more than his own drifting away under his hands. He howled, a broken sound that echoed in the confines of the jet. He turned to the kid…the kid was laughing, blood covering his hands.

Logan lunged, but instead of the flesh of his enemy, he gripped the cold metal of a car.

A white car.

“Look! Look what they did!� the voice of a man destroyed.

His voice.

“Look what they did to her!�

Her body was lifeless in his arms, her blood soaking through his clothing, his skin. Suffocating him.

“No, ‘Ro. Come back…�

He chased the light, shying from it at the same time as though it burned. Light. Rain. Ororo.


Logan sat up in bed, claws thankfully still within the confines of his skin. Swallowing over the lump of emotion in his throat, he jumped out of bed, looking for something, anything to destroy.

Why? Why did it always have to be those dreams now? Memories mingled with his deepest fear. He couldn’t escape them, no matter how hard he tried. Never in the years he could remember had he wished for the nightmares of Alkali Lake.

He did now. Nightly. Anything except seeing the woman he loved die in his arms again and again.

Panting for breath, he crossed to the bedroom door and stomped from the room, not caring who he managed to wake up in the process. No one would dare approach him when he was in this kind of mood.

When all he wanted to do was rush into her room, into her arms, and let her warm light chase away the consuming darkness.

“Logan.�

Surprised, Logan whirled about a loud snikt! echoing in the silence.

He noted Professor Xavier, still in his nightclothes, wheeling toward him. Unnerved that the man had managed to get so close without Logan knowing, he retracted his claws instantly, sniffing the air for anyone else.

Just as he detected the scent of peppermint, Jean came quietly from the room she shared with Scott, dressed in her uniform.

“I have a mission for you.�

~@~

Logan adjusted the collar of his uniform, one hand on the jet’s controls. Jean, now codenamed Phoenix, sat beside him, her eyes unfocused.

“Not bad enough I’m teachin’ kids, but now he’s got me into diplomacy,� he grunted, checking the instruments as Ororo had taught him.

“What was that?� Jean’s voice was altered, with a sort of echo.

That was never a good sign. He studied her profile, shaking his head. “Nothin’.�

Jean’s delicate features, which reminded him of a fragile china doll, were the very definition of serenity. Unable to really understand what her deal was, he tried to shrug it off, though the temperature in the cabin seemed to skyrocket.

“This is a good mission, Logan. Charles wants us to make Magneto an offer.�

“Why we’re dealin’ with that mother--�

She cut him off with a slight look. Logan could almost see that radiant fire behind her eyes. Chuck insisted that Jean had control of the “other� personality she’d been given during her time in Alkali Lake, but there were times when Wolverine wasn’t so sure.

The last time Jean had been in battle was two months ago. After Cykie took a bad hit to the back, she’d gone and lost her damn mind. Next thing they all knew, she was lifting two-ton trucks and hurling them at Juggernaut.

All it all, it’d been an interesting couple of hours. Once they got Jean calm enough to listen to reason, she’d gone back into deep telepathic sessions with the Professor.

Still, Logan knew he’d have to watch her closely.

“There’s the landing strip,� she said in that same utterly calm tone.

Nodding, he flipped the switches for the landing gear, readying the jet for landing. Dawn was just breaking over the Canadian Rockies as the jet made it’s smooth descent. Logan could almost hear Ororo’s patient voice instructing him.

Damn it. He couldn’t escape her memory.

Once the jet was safely on the private airstrip outside of Magneto’s new compound, Logan went through the checklist quickly, securing the jet for takeoff when they were ready to leave.

Jean exited the plane first, lifting herself effortlessly into a low hover above him. She’d taken to doing that in the last few weeks. He didn’t know if that shimmering ring of fire was a good idea when walking into what he felt was enemy territory, but he thought it best to keep his trap shut about it.

Almost the instant he’d thought the words, a blinding force sent him sprawling back into the solid side of the jet. With a grunt, he instantly opened his eyes, growling when he noted a red haired young woman.

“Scarlet Witch,� he growled as Jean soared higher into the air.

“You remember,� the girl replied with a grin. “That was for the stunt at the club.�

Wolverine leaped to his feet, flinging both arms out with a grating snikt!

“If I remember right, you guys started it.�

The girl laughed heartily, only to be silenced by an almost nonchalant wave of Jean’s hand. Scarlet Witch flew back into the brick building, just before Magneto eased out of the large wood doors.

“Making friends, Wolverine?�

Old rage and new adrenaline pumped through him. Claws itching to slice into that smug grin, he held himself in control by the fingertips as Jean landed gracefully beside him. Her comforting hand patted his shoulder and he grudgingly retracted his claws.

“Control your girl, there, Maggie,� Wolverine snarled in response.

Erik Lensherr, also called Magneto, had the nerve to grin at him.

“Come inside, both of you. I have breakfast waiting.�

With that, he turned on his heel, cloak fluttering behind him. Wolverine exchanged glances with Jean before she shrugged and followed their enemy inside.

“I’ve got a really bad feeling about this,� he grunted to no one in particular.

But in the end, he trailed on after his teammate, wishing he were anywhere else.

~@~

“There have been several reports that our Friends of Humanity are gathering another large force, similar to the one we destroyed last year,� Magneto said almost cheerfully as he sipped his coffee.

He pressed a button on his table, bringing up a map over the plates of scones and tarts he’d set out for them. Wolverine ate and drank nothing, though his stomach grumbled. He wasn’t in the mood for eating. Once work was finished, he wanted to get back in the jet and go home.

“What kind of force?� Jean asked, her tone back to normal, much to Logan’s relief.

For a moment, Magneto’s eyes drifted toward Logan. His hackles up at the cool gaze, Logan stared back easily.

“We’re not yet sure. What Mystique has managed to get out of their offices so far has been vague. They seem to be more concerned with genetics and biology than all-out warfare.�

Jean placed her coffee cup down and reached for the file beside her. Her PhD eyes flicked over it quickly. Logan fought the urge to hum the Jeopardy theme. He’d heard of scientists trying to “solve� the mutant problem years before, but this was the first time he’d managed to get anything on the remnants of the “Friends� since the base in Colorado.

“Magneto, this looks like some kind of disease. I’ll have Henry take a look at it,� the telepath said a moment later.

The elder man nodded sagely, as if he’d expected her to have that reaction. Logan mocked him in his head. The jackass.

“No word on Storm?�

Logan surprised himself with the question, but again, Magneto gave him that superior look, as though he’d known all along. Was he a mutant or a psychic?

“Not as of yet, but since the incident which incapacitated her was a turning point of our last altercation with the Friends, I would keep a careful watch on her.�

“We always do,� Jean cut in before Logan could reply.

He settled against the back of his chair and crossed his arms. She always did that, just when things were looking interesting.

Magneto pressed the button again, explaining the layout of this new Friends hideout and what Mystique was doing inside the unit. Apparently, Magneto generated enough loyalty for the blue-hued woman to keep sending herself into the shark tank without a wet suit.

When he was finished, he manipulated the built-in console and threaded his hands together on the table.

“Now, what is this “offer� from my old friend?�

Wolverine made sure to avoid eye contact with Jean. This wasn’t his mission. He was along just in case things got out of hand. The diplomacy shit was all on Jeanie.

The red haired woman sighed, clasping her hands on the table primly…which looked ridiculous as she wore a leather jumpsuit. Logan used all of his self-control to keep the smirk off of his face at the thought.

With a deep breath, Jean met their host’s eyes steadily.

“Charles wants the Brotherhood and the X-Men to work together more closely this round…�

Logan turned in his chair and glared at Jean.

~@~

“He didn’t think you’d come.�

“Well, he was fuckin’ right.�

“Look, Logan, the Professor’s been getting more information the last few weeks, but none of it was conclusive.�

Wolverine paced the interior of the jet hours after their meeting with Magneto. They were close to home now. Jean had spent the entire flight listening to him rant and rave. Chuck knew the Friends were rebuilding, and what was worse…they knew how bad off Storm really was.

“She’s a goddamn cripple, Jean! She can’t hardly walk without help!�

Jean’s voice was patient, understanding, as always. “I know, Logan. We all care for Ororo, which is why we can’t tell her that they may be coming after her again.�

Logan whirled on her, glaring daggers. “You can’t ask me to lie to her.�

Without missing a beat, Jean took his knees out with seven words. “Why? You don’t talk to her anyway.�

He turned away from her, marching back to the cockpit as the jet’s alarms alerted them that they were entering the proximity of the mansion. Grumbling, spitting mad and without an outlet – Jean was right, after all – Logan fastened his seat belt, flicking the autopilot off.

“Scott’s sleeping, I think…� Jean said with a soft smile as she buckled in beside him. “Lets see if anyone else is…oh my god.�

Logan turned to her, then followed her shocked gaze out the windows.

The mansion was on fire.

Chapter Two: Downpour

The red-hot flame licked the high wooden beams of the mansion’s foyer, making her heart almost hurt as her home was destroyed again. Cyclops had Iceman contain the blaze as much as he could, but the younger X-Man had been injured somewhere along the way.

It was up to her now.

Storm used all of her power, every bit of will she could scrape together, to propel herself out of the mansion. The children had been evacuated to the lower levels with Beast and Rogue. They would be safe from the uncontrollable flame and the uniformed military searching for them.

Tears coursing down her cheeks as she moved through the blinding pain in her back, she found a good place aloft and spun her hands together. Torrential rain began to fall almost immediately, coupled with a telepathic push from the Professor.

Storm, I’ve located the jet. Phoenix and Wolverine are en route, they should be here soon.

Good, we could use them both.

Even in her mind, her voice sounded strained and she knew it. Keeping up the rainfall, she concentrated on silencing the winds, to keep the flame from spreading.

Storm, how long?

I will hold as long as it takes.

There was silence on the other end of her telepathic link, meaning the Professor would keep his worry to himself. She was grateful. Any other distractions could mean she would lose control. The mansion would burn and she would fall.

Taking a steadying breath, she gestured with her hands again, moving her soaking rain to the more damaged areas of the mansion. Once the jet arrived, they would be able to fend off their attackers more easily. Jean would help dispel them and Cyclops could load the children onto the jet.

She had hope and faith that this would all end well. She had to.

High above the mansion, controlling her beloved elements, she saw the flames begin to die. Keeping the downpour steady, the winds low, she tried to regulate her breathing. Pain zinged through her entire body, the dead weight of her legs making the strain worse than ever.

But she would hold her position until her friends arrived. Even if it killed her.

The roar of the jet turned her head, a grateful smile on her face as the side hatch opened.

“Storm!�

As quickly as she could, Ororo turned one hand from controlling the rain, using part of the winds that kept her aloft to catch Wolverine as he bailed out of the jet.

“Northeast!� she called to him.

He acknowledged her with a wave of his hand as she dropped him gently onto the sopping earth of the mansion’s gardens. Wolverine would help any left inside the smoldering ruins.

Storm watched as Jean landed the jet a few hundred yards to her left, the hatch converting to steps as the children began to emerge from the underground tunnels. The thick snow had turned into slush under their feet and several of them slipped before they climbed aboard.

Cyclops, Beast, Rogue, and Iceman also appeared, much to her relief. Concentrating on suppressing the fire, which still licked dangerously over portions of the blackened home, Storm barely heard the uniformed attackers approach her mutant family.

The X-Men were trained to fight and they instantly set upon their enemies with deadly cool. Storm watched from her perch, eyes flickering over the battleground and fire. Soon, they would be ready to leave.

Where is Logan?

Somewhere inside…he’s all right.

Thanking Jean for the quick report, Ororo began to “fly� back toward the jet, noting that reinforcements for the unidentified attackers were quickly approaching. She did a quick count of all students and mutants as the Professor was loaded onto the crowded jet with the others.

Children were instructed to strap in, to not look at what had been the sanctuary of their home as Ororo gingerly landed on the ramp, grasping the handle nearby for support.

“You ok?� Cyclops called from the pilot’s seat beside Jean.

“I am all right,� Storm replied, ducking a stray bullet. “All accounted for?�

There was a moment of silence among the mutants as shouts and gunfire sounded around them. They had very little time to get the children out of danger…

“All except for Wolverine.�

At Henry McCoy’s soothing voice, Storm turned, thrusting both hands in front of her. A gale force wind shoved the new wave of armed military back and she took two steps without any aid on the stairs.

“We have to go now!� Cyclops yelled over his shoulder.

“Wait! We cannot leave him!� she replied, her eyes straining into the dying light for any sign of their resident Wolverine.

“There isn’t any time! He can take care of himself!� one of the younger students screamed, undiluted terror in her voice.

Storm stood where she was, raising her hands palm-side up to bring down a smattering of white-hot lightning on the advancing troops. They could not leave him behind. She would not leave him.

With the troops safely pushed back for at least another few moments, Storm took one last step, standing on the very edge of the hatch as the jet’s engines screamed to life.

“Scott! NO!�

“I’m sorry! We have to get the children out of here! Get inside!�

“NO!�

She raised one hand, holding it into the moist air, reaching for him. Logan…hurry.

The others called for her again, most unwilling to leave their seats as Scott attempted to take the jet off of the ground with the hatch open. One quick gesture with her free hand kept it from moving too high.

“Storm, let go.�

“No, Charles,� she swallowed hard, fear and pain trickling through her entire system. “He will make it. He always does.�

“ORORO!�

“No,� one whisper was all the response she would give them, a tear slipping from her white eyes as her lone hand grasped nothing, save empty air.

“I’m sorry, Ororo…� Jean’s voice was all the warning she received before her powers were dampened by the stronger mutant’s telekinesis.

“No, please.�

They paid her no mind and she raised her foot, using every ounce of strength she had left, to step off of the platform. She would stay to find him alone, if need be.

A beat before her foot should have touched the ground, a large, familiar hand slid into hers. Gasping with relief, Storm let that hand lead her, pulling her to the safety of the jet’s cabin, into the warmth of his arms.

“What are you waiting for? Move!�

Ororo tumbled to the floor, courtesy of whatever momentum Logan had brought with him. He broke her fall, landing on his backside with her in his arms. She looked up into his sweat-soaked face, placing one of her hands on each of cheeks as the hatch hissed closed. Their gazes locked together, arms unwilling to release one another.

Neither of them spoke. There was nothing to say.

~@~

They landed the jet on the wide platform of the Brotherhood’s main compound, each mutant breathing a sigh of relief.

Charles had contacted Magneto when they still had a few options as to a place to rest. Surprising all of them, the hated mutant had thrown open his doors to them, with a snide remark that the school “needed to be remodeled anyway�.

Ororo stood after running the checklist, careful to make sure everything was ready for the jet to be refueled and ready to go as soon as they needed it. She was not surprised when Logan grasped her arm, helping her to stand as they filed out of the jet.

Magneto was waiting on the chilly platform, beckoning them all closer. The large building had enormous doors, which were already open, giving them all light for the short walk to safety.

Logan had not said a word during the entire trip. He had helped her take her co-pilot’s place, then carefully dosed her with pain medication before taking his place behind her. No one so much as snickered at the pair of them, though Ororo was certain every mind spun with questions.

“For you two,� Magneto said in his accented voice, indicating to the Professor and Storm. “I had Quicksilver bring you…�

“She doesn’t need it,� Wolverine interrupted, steadying Ororo by placing his hand on her waist.

Keeping herself quiet, she nodded her agreement to Magneto. Logan’s strong arms held her effortlessly, making it seem as though she were walking with little aide. The truth of it was that she need not walk at all. Logan practically carried her.

Scott settled the Professor into the wheelchair Magneto stood behind, then turned as though doing his own personal headcount.

“Let us get the children settled into their rooms,� Erik replied calmly, pushing his old friend’s wheelchair himself. “Then I have had a meal prepared for you all.�

“Thank you, Erik,� Charles said, gratitude in his voice.

Magneto did not reply as he led them into the compound. Ororo chanced to look up at her personal sentinel. One glance told her that he thought as she did.

There was more to this story than their mentor let on.

Hours after their arrival in Magneto’s stronghold, the children had been tucked into the spacious living quarters provided by their benefactor. Henry, Bobby, Scott, and Jean had all joined the Professor and Magneto in his parlor, no doubt giving him a quick overview of all that had happened.

Everyone had been bathed, fed, and given a change of clean clothes. Ororo took a cup of tea after allowing Jean to badger her into a quick examination. She’d not injured herself, but the strain had done a number on her back. So long as she rested enough, she would not find herself confined to bed again.

She limped around her room for a few moments, surprised by how soothing they were. Erik had ensured that her room had many windows and a terrace for her to keep the panic of claustrophobia from creeping into her nightmares.

At least she had managed to walk without a cane or Logan’s help. Smiling at the small victory, she took a few more cautious steps, wanting to do a dance of glee when she completed her lap around the room without falling over.

Taking the final steps to her bed, she sat down gingerly, worrying her lip between her lips. In all the commotion, she’d lost Tunza. Her heart clenched in her breast, hoping her beloved canine had managed to get himself to safety. With any luck, he had taken refuge in the woods.

How long could he survive in the cold New York winter alone? She had not taught him to hunt or defend himself. Praying, she reached for her tea, thinking back to the terror of the attack and fire.

She had been in the training room with Rogue when the explosion rocked the foyer. Children had come into the hall screaming, while the X-Men rushed to defend their home. There had been no warning, not even a hint of the dangers that lay ahead.

When the fire spread, she had taken to the air, leaving her cane behind. One of the soldiers had tried to shoot her down, shouting that he’d found her.

It was then that she realised who and what they were.

The Friends of Humanity had finally resurfaced. Shaking off the memories of the car accident and shooting, she had escaped unharmed this time. Setting her tea back down, Ororo quickly unbelted her robe, preparing to go to sleep. Jean had slipped something into her tea, not that it surprised her.

Before she could lie down, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. The feeling of being watched shivered down her spine, making her senses heighten of their own accord as they searched for the source.

“You waited for me.�

Exhaling slowly at the familiar growl, Ororo did not bother turning around. Instead, she cleared her throat, carefully folding the robe before settling it on the chair beside her bed.

“Yes.�

A soft footfall from her open terrace door made her shoulders tighten. Through all that had happened, Logan had still not said a word to her. Not after his rush into the jet, or their lingering looks and his steadfast presence by her side.

“Why?�

She took a deep breath, finally turning to face him. Logan stood stoically in the doorway, hands at his sides, those piercing eyes staring straight into her soul.

“I would never leave you behind.�

“I don’t deserve that, ‘Ro.�

“So you have always said,� her voice was more bitter than she had intended. “You have never allowed me to tell you what you deserve.�

For a long time, neither of them spoke. He watched her carefully, as though expecting her tirade to continue.

“Tunza’s in the lower levels, locked in the infirmary,� he said at last. “Got enough food and water to last him a good two months.�

Her heart nearly exploded. He had risked his own life to ensure their dog had survived the attack and fire. Without responding, she took a cautious step forward, wanting to feel the comfort of his arms around her again.

He nearly broke her heart all over again when he stepped back into the shadows away from her.

“Thank you.�

“Welcome.�

Logan turned away from her, as though he would leave the way he had come. Ororo made a split second decision, letting her mutation sting her eyes from blue to white. Raising her hands, palm-up, she brought a dense fog around them, making it impossible for him to see the end of the terrace.

He didn’t speak, but she could see him pause through the thick fog.

“You will not walk out on me again.�

Silence.

“What happened to you, Logan?� her voice, to her horror, was filled with tears. “Where is the man I fell in love with? I want him back.�

More silence.

“I think he died the day he let the darkness snuff out the light.�

I am right here, she thought desperately.

“Logan…�

“He’s dead, Storm!� his soft tone had taken on a sharp edge, coupled with the sound of his footsteps. He was moving away from her.

“No! He is not!� she reached for him, not surprised when all she found in the dense fog was air.

“Goodbye, ‘Ro.�

“LOGAN! NO!� Ororo’s hands moved to dissipate the fog, but it was too late.

By the time the air around her cleared, her Logan had vanished. She limped, crying the entire time, to the terrace, leaning on the stone rail and shouting his name into the night. The others burst into her room, searching for the cause of her frantic screams, but she did not even turn around.

No matter how hard she and loud she called for him, Logan never returned.

Chapter Three: Conundrum

All the miles that separate
They disappear, now when
I’m dreaming of your face
~3 Doors Down

“You’d better be right about this, Chuck.�

He stood a few miles from Magneto’s compound, trapped in a small phone booth, a cigar clenched between his teeth as he spoke to the Professor. Her screams still echoed in his ears, the wind’s howl and raging rainstorm tearing his heart to shreds.

“I am seldom wrong, Logan,� came the cool reply.

“Yeah, like when we first met, right? We almost lost Rogue that time.�

A long, weighted pause. “This is different, Wolverine. We know who and what they are after, we have the advantage.�

“I already agreed to do it, I’m just reminding you of what I had to do to get it done.�

A sigh, a click, as though the older man were adjusting the phone. “I am fully aware.�

Logan winced as a particularly violent gust of wind nearly knocked the phone booth over. Damn, she was pissed off. Not that he could blame her. In all the time they’d known one another, he had never let her call for him go unanswered.

Until now.

As suddenly as it had begun, the winds silenced, leaving a ringing in his ears. The rain ceased at the same moment, making Logan look to the sky.

“Why’d she turn the rain off?�

“Jean had her sedated,� Charles said bluntly. “She attempted to leave the compound.�

“Shit.�

“She is all right, Logan, and stronger than you think. She will get through this.�

But “we� won’t, he thought bitterly.

“You must leave New Haven tonight,� the leader of the X-Men said quickly. “Another mile down the road is a waiting motorcycle, along with your new identity. Travel southwest until you reach a small town called Canon. Your contact will meet you there.�

Logan memorized his instructions, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby as he hung up the phone. Exiting the booth, he jogged down the lonely street, the eerie quiet disturbing him more than he wanted it to. At least he knew she was all right when the elements screamed her fury.

Shaking the thoughts from his already crowded head, he located the hidden motorbike a few minutes later, pushing the protective cover from the old machine. It was a beautifully restored Harley Davidson, one of the few that was actually worth the time and money to rebuild. He’d give Chuck a nod for his taste later.

A small duffel bag was waiting on the seat, filled with fresh clothing and a new wallet. He changed on the side of the road, using a lighter he found in the bag to set his old clothes on fire. The Zippo Storm had given him was back at the compound. He’d been told to take nothing he could not afford to burn.

He’d rather be without it than destroy it.

Once he had everything set, he jumped onto the leather seat of the bike, kick-starting it to life. The roar of the engine broke the deathly silence, making his ears ring all over again.

In all the life he could remember, this was the single hardest thing he had ever been asked to do. Had he not believed in what he was doing, he would have told Chuck to go fuck himself.

But his weakness had long been exposed. Ororo was in danger and if a few months, even a year, could help protect her, he would do it. The aftershock of his decision would probably destroy any relationship they could have salvaged, but it was for her. If she was alive and well, he could attempt living without her.

He paused, bringing up the kickstand and balancing on the bike’s seat. Looking over his shoulder, he could still see the dim lights of Magneto’s compound in the growing dawn. When she woke up, she would be told the same story as the others. Wolverine had gone for good, leaving everything he loved behind. No one would know why or where he had gone…he had simply vanished.

If they forgave him, he would return to their ranks when his work was finished. If not…

There wasn’t time to think about the “what ifs�. Turning his eyes back to the road ahead of him, Logan took a deep breath and rode off into the night.

~@~

“Goldie’s� was the name of the bar he’d been told to enter when he reached the one-stop-light town called “Canon�. Letting his purring engine rest, Logan pulled the bike to a stop outside of it, snorting with amusement as a few of the smoking patrons outside gawked at his beautiful machine.

Ignoring their half-slurred questions, he entered the dingy bar and moved directly for the counter. Slamming his gloved hand onto the nicked mahogany, he ordered a whiskey and plopped onto a cushioned stool.

The drive hadn’t been bad, all things considered. His mind had played tricks on him once or twice, making him think he’d heard ‘Ro’s voice…but it had just been the chilly wind rushing past him.

It was not until he had reached the outer limits of Canon County that the weight of what she had said to him really sank in. She had wanted him back, no matter what had happened between them.

He’d been a fucking moron for just walking away from her.

Remembering those few moments after the mansion fire, when he’d seen her lean silhouette standing in the open hatch, one hand searching for something…his heart had soared. Her screaming that she would not leave him, the step she had taken to abandon her family to come back for him…it had given him hope.

Then, Chuck had to take him aside at the compound, asking for his help in the fight against the Friends of Humanity.

There had been no question that Logan would do anything for Ororo. Going deep undercover was the least he could do after what she’d already been through. While the mansion was repaired and she continued to recover, he would make sure she was safe.

“I hear you’re quite the conundrum.�

Logan didn’t bother to look up. “ Detective.�

The man sat beside him, but there was no point in trying to look at him. There would always be a different contact, though the codenames were to stay the same.

“Your instructions are under the bar stool. Drop your drink after I leave, make a scene, be sure you curse mutants and all that. Grab the envelope and leave. You will be contacted again in forty days.�

With that, “Detective� was gone and Logan took a deep breath. He couldn’t afford to keep on with his regret and doubt. Tossing his half-finished whiskey onto the floor, he tossed the bar stool over. The Wolverine was silenced, a new chapter had begun.

Chapter Four: Far Away

You know, I wanted you to stay
Cause I need to hear you say
I love you, I have loved you all along
And I forgive you, for being away for too long
~Nickelback

The mansion’s extensive repairs had been completed only days ago, leading the school’s staff and family to return once more. The grounds, still covered with a thick blanket of snow, bore no scars of the fierce fire and battle that had sent the occupants running.

Tunza bounded out of the front door the moment Scott opened it, his bark nothing compared to the joyful leaps into the air. Ororo managed to grin at the jubilant pup as she gingerly stepped out of the van that had brought the students and remaining teachers from the airport.

Pausing to open the side doors of the shuttle, releasing the other mutants eager to see their rebuilt home, Ororo knelt to scratch her beloved canine behind the ears.

“Have you missed me, my boy?� she clucked her tongue fondly, scratching his muzzle and neck thoroughly.

“I thought he was going to ruin the Persian when I told him you were all coming home today,� Scott laughed as the pup bolted for the students, taking Rogue to the ground with an enthusiastic leap.

Laughing as well, Ororo limped her way to the rear of the van, opening the hatch with a button on the key. In the two months since the mansion fire, she had worked thrice as hard to regain control of her legs, succeeding in casting away her wheelchair, at last. She depended on a cane if she had to walk far or stand for too long, but the most difficult part of the battle was behind her.

“You should see the classrooms!� Jean gasped, rushing up to the duo still pulling luggage from the rear of the van. “Actual classrooms! It’s beautiful! Oh, you should see the skylight in your rooms!�

“Jean, my darling, breathe,� Ororo teased, slinging her light duffel bag over her shoulder. “Before you hyperventilate and wind up spending our first night home in the infirmary.�

The willowy red head’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t even think to look at the infirmary!�

With that, she rushed off again, reminding Ororo of the teenager she had been. Shaking her head, she shrugged at Scott as he lifted the remaining luggage into his arms.

“Perpetually fifteen years old.�

“You say that like it’s a bad thing. With all the tempers around here, it’s nice to have someone that shows us the good,� he replied evenly.

Giving him a mock scowl for that little dig, Ororo took her carved mahogany cane and began the short walk into the house. Scott was right behind her, whistling for Tunza and ordering the younger mutants inside before they froze to death.

Ororo did not even have to turn her head to know Iceman grinned before skating along on a plank of ice, his newest trick. She heard Scott’s sigh of frustration and bit her lip to hide a smile. It felt good to be home.

The exterior of the mansion was largely unchanged, but the inside was a sight. Ororo stopped, her mouth falling open in wide-eyed shock as her feet halted on the long carpet leading from the foyer into the main hall.

There was no sign of the fire or the attack, only smooth polished wood and lovingly restored furniture. Photographs had replaced destroyed paintings, most of them of students past and present. Ororo noted the last year’s school photo was on the wall as well, showing a group of very silly students and grinning teachers.

She refused to let her eyes wander from the children to Logan’s foreboding scowl.

Almost three hours, Ororo, that is progress, she thought as she limped away from the pictures, dropping her duffel into the newly repainted den.

The game tables had all been replaced, the sofas now a soft cream color to match new curtains. A television and video gaming system had already been taken control of by a group of young boys, whom all argued over the controllers until they came to an understanding.

Smells of fresh paint and floor cleaners brought her the true sense of being home. Soon, she and Jean would find their way into the kitchen, the very thought of cooking a meal gave her to the urge to peek inside, to see what had been done.

“Oh…� Ororo pulled up short at the doorway, blinking at the now enormous cooking area.

The Professor had completely remodeled the room, giving it nearly twice the space as before. Two more tables accompanied the breakfast nook across from the industrial size stove and ice box. Ororo wanted to set about immediately making dinner, but she thought one o’clock would be a bit early.

There would be many fond memories of this beautiful kitchen. With a small smile, she forced herself to move into the living room, shaking her head at the teenagers, whom were playing with the huge remote control. The lights dimmed, making them all giggle. One of them would undoubtedly break the expensive equipment before the day was out, but that was part of raising children.

With a quiet warning, Ororo moved on, checking the more elaborate security panels before heading for the stairs.

Scott was on the second landing, watching her carefully. “I grabbed your bag. Your room’s on the third floor now.�

Ororo nodded, taking her time with each step, knowing Scott would help her only when and if she asked it of him.

“Why have I been moved?�

“Charles thought you might like a bit more space, and you have a view of the gardens now.�

Raising a white brow, she paused in front of him at the landing. “He still holds hope that Logan will return?�

She watched her friend’s Adam’s Apple bob as he swallowed hard. “Yeah.�

Placing her hand on the railing, she continued on up the stairs, causally replying over her shoulder as she left Scott in her wake.

“He is fooling himself.�

They did not speak again as Ororo took the next two flights of stairs. It was slow going, but Scott never once sighed with frustration. She knew, as everyone did, that the very sight of her on her own two feet was still shocking. Most of her dear friends and family considered it nothing short of a miracle.

The truth of it was, that without Logan, Ororo felt she had nothing more to fight for, save herself. She pushed thoughts of him aside, as usual, not wanting to leave herself open for that blasted stab of pain the memory of her lost love conjured in her heart. It was best to simply not dwell on it.

When they reached the third floor, Ororo shook her head again. Jean’s voice wafted down the hall, no doubt going out of her mind with her own new room. Scott chuckled softly from Ororo’s side, pointing to the left side of the hall.

“You’re across from us,� he said softly.
Ororo took careful steps toward the bedroom, inwardly relieved that pain had not begun to creep into her back. She was able to go just a little farther every day.

Her bedroom door was exactly the same as it had been before the fire, but when it swung open, her heart nearly burst in her chest. The open skylight poured bright sunlight into the room, filling it with warmth. Open curtains showcased the new glass doors that led onto the terrace, complete with Tunza’s bed and toy box.

“Oh…oh!� she could scarcely speak as she limped into the room. All of her antique furniture had been restored, though the bed was new. Her dozens of goddess figurines were spread over large bookcases, a polished vanity table, and nightstands. She stood in the center of the soft blue carpet, tears standing in her eyes.

“I guess it’ll do, right?� her friend said from the doorway, laughter in his voice.

“It is beautiful…and it feels enormous!� Ororo looked up to the skylight, closing her eyes and allowing the sun to warm her face.

“Charles and I thought it would help, your claustrophobia’s been acting up and…�

“There is no need to explain. It is perfect. Thank you,� she moved toward the wardrobe, opening the now rust-free brass hinges with a small smile.

“I’ll leave you to unpack. The kids need to get settled too, but you take your time.�

She nodded to him absently as he left. Once the door closed, she allowed herself to pick up her cane and do a little dance of feminine glee, giggling girlishly to herself.

With speed borne of enthusiasm, she rushed around the room, tossing her cane onto the bed so she could inspect the new bathroom. The sunk-in tub nearly screamed at her to climb in for a soothing bath, but she resisted. There would be time for that later.

Unpacking did not take so long as one would expect. Two months at Magneto’s compound had given her time to heal, but not time to shop. She would rope the girls into a trip to the nearby mall one day soon.

Christmas had been lavish, thank in no small part to Erik’s sudden holiday cheer. There had been some talk of battle with the Friends of Humanity, but the majority of their time in his home had been relaxed and easy. A few of the children had even taken to their one-feared host.

Ororo slipped back into the bathroom, placing her toothbrush in the holder and her fresh towels on the rack. She paused, blinking at the holder for a few moments, wondering what seemed so wrong about it.

Logan’s is missing, I wonder where I lef--, she halted the train of thought before she could go much further.

“He is not coming back, Storm, stop torturing yourself.�

Sighing at herself, she moved back into the bedroom, pulling the top drawer open and frowning at it. Logan’s shirts…

“Damn it,� she mumbled, dropping her under things and nightshirts into it before closing the drawer almost violently.

At the bottom of her suitcase, which lay open on the bed now, was the photograph of Logan she had kept all this time. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to the bed, moving the rest of her clothing and taking the picture into her hands.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, she lovingly traced the image of her beloved Wolverine. Biting back the sting of tears and the threat of accompanying rain, she took a deep breath. Through all that had happened, no matter how hard she tried to stop, she still loved him.

The night he left Magneto’s compound still haunted her. It had taken hours for Jean to finally subdue her, and while she raged, the elements screamed for her. She had wanted him to hear her pain, to feel it with her.

Had it done either of them any good? No. He never came back to her.

“I miss you,� she whispered to the photograph, running her fingertip over the image of his lips. “I forgive you. Just come home to me.�

With a shuddering breath, she reached over, opening the nightstand drawer to drop the photo into it. She closed the drawer gently, fighting off the knife of longing in her heart. Falling onto her back, paying to heed to the clothing she was wrinkling by lying on it, she looked up into the skylight, reaching into her pocket.

Logan had left his cherished lighter, leaving her to collect it the day after he’d gone. She carried it with her constantly. Bringing it up in her hand, she flicked it open with trained precision, and then closed it. The faint smell of lighter fluid reached her nostrils as she continued, reminding her of him so much it only hurt worse.

Click, clink, click, clink, click, clink

“Come home.�

~@~

She dreamed of him. This was not uncommon. She often dreamed of him in the weeks he had been away. Though, most of the dreams became nightmares, memories of him leaving her.

This time it was more pleasant. They lay together in her bed, talking of everything and nothing in the silence of her room. There was no raging gulf between them, no fear, no doubt. Just the two of them locked in that comforting embrace.

It had been a long time since they had spent that kind of time together. She longed for it in the cold night, when the walls of her room seemed to be made of something stronger than steel, keeping her locked away from the rest of the world.

She woke shivering, alone on her bed. There was the naked fear that she would remain that way forever, that he would never return to claim what was rightfully his.

Hope was scarce for Ororo, though she pined for it with every breath. Each day that ended with her alone chipped away at the lingering hope that he would come back. The others tried to distract her, as they had – with more success -- at Magneto’s compound .

But here, among the memories of falling in love, memories of him, she was seldom without some sadness in her demeanor. She tried to play it off as back pain, but there was no one in the mansion that truly “bought� that excuse.

Ororo moved about her classroom, peeking at the children’s latest exam. She could already tell which students would do well and which would need to try again. Several of her young pupils had already tossed their pencils down, scowling at the papers on their desks.

Keeping her amused smiles to herself, Ororo completed her rounds, settling near the open windows. With the snow suddenly gone, a soft spring breeze had begun to poke through winter’s chill. It was early March now, meaning the children would soon be able to romp about the grounds without fear of a scolding from one of the teachers.

Restlessness had already set in, making the children more unruly than usual. They had been at the mansion less than a week, but things were returning to normal. Classes had resumed, children had returned. Xavier’s School once again rang with laughter and running footsteps.

The bell rang, signaling the end of daily classes. Some of Ororo’s students groaned, no doubt knowing they had just failed her exam miserably.

“Leave your tests on the desks and have a good weekend. Dismissed,� her voice broke the bitter silence, which shattered moments later with teenage chatter and rustling of backpacks.

Students flooded the halls as she rounded each desk, taking up the papers left behind and stacking them neatly in her arms. She had left her cane upstairs, determined to make it through the day without needing it. Thus far, she had done well, provided she took a seat every few hours.

A soft knock on her classroom door made her turn, smiling brightly at the big, furry mutant as he entered.

“Henry, what brings you to my humble classroom today?�

He smiled back at her, flashing his canines in a way that reminded her of Logan. Shoving that thought aside almost violently, she raised a brow when he held up a medical vial.

“I just need some blood today, sweeting,� he instantly held his hands up in defense. “Not for you, but for my research.�

Ororo had the good nature to roll her eyes with a long-suffering sigh that was more than a little half-hearted. “What is it now?�

Henry bounded gracefully over her student’s desks, landing on his feet in front of her. “Psionics paper for the new medical journal.�

She shook her head in dismay, though her smile softened her teasing sigh. “Oh, all right. You really are a vampire.�

Another canine-showing smile flashed her way as she set the papers down, rolling up the sleeve of her black sweater.

“So you tell me, often,� Henry chuckled, retrieving a syringe and latex band from his pocket.

A tiny needle prick and full vial of her blood later, Henry pressed a cotton swab to her injured flesh and lifted her arm. “Hold this there.�

Ororo rolled her eyes heavenward again. “Yes, Mother.�

At her teasing grin, he laughed again, pocketing his tools and holding the vial of her blood up to the light before shaking it to keep the thick fluid from clotting.

“How is the paper coming along?�

Her blue friend nearly bounced with excitement. “Fairly well, actually! I have been studying the effect of mutations on the mind, both chemically and psychologically. It is truly fascinating to see how much our mutations depend on a proper mental adjustment.�

Raising a white brow, she cleared her throat. “I am sure Jean appreciates being the center of your attention.�

He had the grace to blush under his blue fur. “Yes, well, she has been a very good sport.�

Ororo patted his fuzzy shoulder soothingly. “She is a doctor as well, I am certain she is just as interested in learning about her own mutations.�

Henry nodded. “She has learned a few things about herself, yes. But the goal, my dear weather witch, is to learn about each of us. Would you mind a romp in the Danger Room later?�

She chuckled, nodding her agreement. “While hooked up to your machines? Of course, my dear.�

He kissed her quickly on the cheek, flipping his enormous, yet agile body backward and landing on a nearby desk. “Then, perhaps we can have dinner? You should get out more.�

Ororo paused, worrying her lip between her teeth. “Not tonight, Henry.�

There was a weighted pause. She knew he wanted to say something and begged that he came out with it so she could escape. Everyone had an opinion where Logan was concerned. Jean was just as sure as Scott that he had finally left them all for good. Rogue and Bobby ranted almost constantly that Logan was off doing something for himself, but would return to his family.

Only Henry, whom had known Logan the least amount of time, was steadfast in his belief that Logan had not left them of his own accord. He preached on endlessly that their friend was either working for the Professor and Magneto or had gone off in search of some truth.

While she admired his loyalty, she was not in the mood to discuss it.

“Perhaps another time, then?�

Relieved, Ororo nodded, not addressing his sorrowful tone. “Perhaps.�

As her friend turned to leave, he called over his shoulder. “The Danger Room in an hour?�

“I will be there.�

Once he was gone, Ororo reached into the neck of her sweater, pulling out the thin lightning bolt necklace Logan had given her all those months ago. Watching the light flicker off of the beautiful pendant, she sighed.

“Damn you.�

Forcing herself to get back to work, she continued collecting the exams, taking her thin briefcase from under her desk before closing up the classroom.

“Miss Munroe!�

“Yes, Artie?� she looked about for the tiny boy, spotting him waving her over from the living room.

“You have to see this!� he called, bouncing over to take her bag and papers, tugging on her hand.

“All right, there is no need to pull me, Artie!� she laughed gently, letting him drag her into the living room.

The television was surrounded by at least a dozen students, most of them with their backpacks still on their shoulders. The volume was so loud, it nearly hurt her ears, but pleas for them to turn it down were ignored.

She perched on the armrest of the sofa, reaching over to make a newer student crouch down so she could see by pressing on the top of his head. Blinking at the screen, she noted the slow ticker on the bottom of a news broadcast.

“Anti-Mutant Riot kills four�

Gasping, she scrambled for the remote control, turning it up just a bit louder.

A tall, thin female reporter she recognized as Patricia Tilby was speaking into her microphone as people carrying various signs screamed behind her.

“Here in Canon County North Dakota an Anti-Mutant riot, which has raged at full force since just after dawn this morning, has been the site of four, yes, four deaths. Two mutants, unidentified at this time, were shot and killed just yards from where I am standing. In retaliation, two of the protestors were stabbed to death. There have no arrests at this time, of either Mutants or others.�

The screen split instantly, showing the anchorman with a frown on his face.

“There were rumors that an underground militia calling themselves “Friends of Humanity� are responsible for these protests, which have gotten worse over the last two months. Has anyone there been identified as such, Trish?�

Tilby was silent for a few moments as the feed reached her.

“At this time, none of the protestors claim to be a part of any such group, but I wouldn’t count it out. Canon County is an Anti-Mutant hot spot, breeding several new groups every year.�

“Have you managed to get any of the eye witnesses to speak to you?�

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have one here. Mr. Paul Cassidy.�

The reporter moved aside, showing a tall blonde man wearing a t-shirt with the logo blurred out by the network. Ororo frowned at the image, wondering if she had seen him somewhere before. Perhaps during one of the attacks several months ago.

“It was those damn muties!� the man instantly shouted into the microphone.

Before he could continue, a set of hands gripped the back of his shirt and he was dragged away from the camera. Gasping, the reporter ordered the cameraman to follow them. A few blurred images later, the camera focused on the blonde man being dragged away by--

“Logan.�

Chapter Five: Underground

When the last one falls
When it’s all said and done
It gets hard, but it won’t take away
My love
~3 Doors Down


“Have you lost your fucking MIND?� Logan’s fist connected with the glass jaw of his blonde partner with a lot less force than he wanted it to.

The boy sprawled back into the dirty wall of the alley, crying out in pain as Logan’s restrained second punch landed to his midsection. Two more well-placed blows later, Paul Cassidy was huddled on the ground.

“I’m sorry, Kinney. I didn’t think.�

“That’s fuckin’ obvious, you fuckin’ dolt!�

Logan took several deep breaths, his claws biting at the underside of his skin. He gave the boy another few minutes to gather his strength. Hauling him to his feet, Logan glanced back, hearing the reporter looking for them.

“Come on, before that nosy bitch catches up to us.�

Shoving the boy ahead of him, he rushed them both from the alley to the waiting pickup truck parked nearby. They’d been sent to make sure the riot went as planned, which it had. Until people starting dying.

That had been part of the plan they’d kept Logan out of. He’d only received orders to incite the riot with a few well-chosen comments and watch the fur fly. The kid had been told to draw a weapon and cap a couple of the mutants on the other side of the protest.

One of them couldn’t have been any older than Bobby.

Hopping into the truck, Logan fastened his seat belt, not bothering to remind the kid to strap in. He gripped the gearshift and pounded on the clutch. The truck shot out of the side street, nearly flipping with the force Logan used to propel it down the street.

He wanted to jump in, to save those kids. But his orders were clear. Only do what he was told, no interfering. He’d let them die to save his cover.

He hated himself a little more every day.
At first, he’d had a goal. Working his way into the underground syndicate that was the Friends of Humanity. The Professor had chosen this chapter deliberately. They were “ghosts� who knew nothing, save what they were ordered.

They had no conception of what any of the X-Men looked like. That made them the perfect chapter to penetrate. Their contact with other branches was limited, meaning the possibility of anyone identifying Logan as one of the enemy was slim to none.

Didn’t mean that it had been a cakewalk to get into the chapter. Logan had done nothing but wait for close to a month. Once he’d been recruited, they put his muscle and military training to good use.

If anyone knew anything about the chapter, they knew it was Logan Kinney that got the tough jobs done. Most of the riots in Canon County had been started by him. All that escalated into real violence, could be traced back to him.

He was the worst enemy of anyone against the Friends.

I fuckin’ hate my life, he thought bitterly as he sped the pickup toward the hideout of the Friends.

Every day he awoke he had a moment, just the space between two heartbeats, where he thought he’d never accepted this gig. He’d turned back to ‘Ro that night and taken her into his arms.

Harsh reality would smack into him, then, and he’d spend the rest of the day wishing he’d been smart enough to tell Chuck to go fuck himself.

Thinking about her was dangerous. The more he thought about her, remembered her, the closer he would get to going apeshit, destroying the base, and running all the way back to Westchester, to her.

He’d been close to that point a time or two. So close he could taste the blood of these mutant-hating fuckers. But then, something would happen. A report would come in that mentioned her, one of the assholes he worked with would mention how they’d “treat� her when she was captured…

And he would remember why he’d agreed to do this in the first place.

Being away hurt with physical force, but he continued to tell himself it was for the best. Maybe she would move on, live a full and happy life without him. He’d burned their last remaining bridge by walking away from her. She was free now.

He would be content to know she was safe and happy. There wasn’t any other choice.

Pulling the truck down a gravel path that served as a street for the hideout, Logan let the kid beside him whimper with pain. He knew Paul wouldn’t tell any of the leaders what had happened. Worse than being on the wrong side of the Friends was being on the wrong side of Logan on a personal level.

Having to prove it again wouldn’t be unwelcome.

He halted the truck, cutting the engine and flinging the door open. Stomping his heavy work boots in the loose gravel, he ground his teeth, moving toward the main building of their little home away from home.

“What the fuck was that, Kinney?� Howard Rankin, the cell leader, was already mid-rant when Logan entered the building.

“Ask him,� he growled in response, jabbing his thumb over his shoulder.

“I said covert. Did you hear me say covert?� Rankin turned to his other lackeys. “I heard me say covert because I was standing there when I said it.�

Logan clenched his fist in frustration. “Ask the fuckin’ kid if he heard you.�

Taking two strides to cross the map and paper-filled room, Logan grabbed Rankin by the shirt, hauling the much taller man down to his eyelevel. “No one said we’d be leaving bodies behind.�

Rankin paled slightly, though he attempted to look foreboding and in control. Logan almost smirked at the man’s gall. “I don’t have to clear everything with you, Kinney.�

“I can’t do my job if I don’t have all of the information, idiot,� releasing him so hard, the other man fell backward a few steps.

“It was a last minute change of plans, you were already in the field,� the leader replied lamely.

’Ro could teach this fucker a thing or two about leadership, he thought with an inward snarl.

“You could have contacted me.�

“Look, Logan…�

He held a hand up, glancing around menacingly to the others in the room. Most of them had stopped burning files and chattering to watch the scene unfold.

“You still don’t trust me, Rankin? Is that it?�

There was a ringing silence following his question. Doubt about Logan had often surfaced in the last few weeks. He had to work twice as hard as the others to prove his loyalty to the Friends of Humanity. Listening as they praised the works of late, great Stevenson and joining in the cheering. Standing guard duty during the infrequent raids, pushing through more training than the others combined.

He couldn’t blame them. A loner walking in off the street was seldom comfortable in a secretive group’s embrace. They all knew he’d had a past. The fabricated story that a mutant had murdered his late wife was thin, at best. Though he wore a wedding ring as a reminder, his lack of a description of the mutant…or his “wife� had sent up more than a few warning bells.

What he ached to tell them was that his “wife� was really alive and well, fighting against bastards like them. He salivated over the very thought of the day he would be able to repay every slight they dealt to mutants all over. It was one of the reasons he remained among them when everything in his body screamed for him to go home.

“We trust you, Kinney,� Rankin said at last. “We don’t trust your story.�

Logan snarled, the noise barely sounding human. “That’s your problem. I’ve got work to do.�

With that, he slammed back out of the rickety building and stuffed his hands into his pockets. A walk around the compound would calm him down.

Maybe he’d make it an hour without thinking about her.

~@~

Her skin was warm, softer than silk under his rough hands. She writhed and undulated beneath him, the ripple of her flesh silently begging for more. Sultry moans that whispered of sinful pleasure and dark delights fell from her lips, making him press his mouth to hers, capturing the sweet sounds with his tongue.

Then he was inside her, filling her. Sinking into her wet, receptive body, he found peace, love. Her inner muscles fluttered against his hard length, pulling him deeper…always deeper. His arms wound around her back, pressing the ample swells of her breasts against the steady beat of his heart.

Soft blue eyes met the dark of his own, giving him silent permission to ravage her body as he so long desired to. There was no fear, no regret, just the subtle dance of aching flesh and mingled seduction.

Looking down at her chocolate skin, watching as her body enveloped his again and again made him groan, stealing the breath from her lungs with another searing kiss. There was nothing to compare to this slow mating dance.
When they could finally endure no more, they cried out in unison. A soft feminine moan and rough, masculine grunt tangled together on the screaming winds. Shuddering with final release, locked in an embrace not even time can break, he met those soulful eyes again.

I love you.

They never speak, but it is understood as he lay his head upon the sweat of her breast, listening to the familiar heartbeat that matches his own.

Never let go.

Her gentle hand soothed the frown lines of his brow, her kiss bringing a small smile to his lips. He knew what she said without hearing the honey tones of her accented voice. There was no need for spoken words, she spoke volumes with every caress.

Never.

Logan felt his breath sob in his throat before he woke to harsh reality. The thin mattress that he claimed as his every night served no purpose except to keep his back from the dirt on the floor. He was alone, stripped bare of all pretense of standing tall on his own, if only to himself. There was no warmth beside him, no tender kisses to comfort him in the still night. Nothing.

Aroused, heart so heavy he was sure he would be unable to breathe, he blinked his eyes, adjusting his vision to the darkness of the room he shared with two others.

“Need me to get someone to take care of that, Kinney?� a laughing voice said from the bed across from him.

Noting with a sort of grim amusement that he was tenting the blanket with his erection, he threw his pillow at George. “Shut the fuck up.�

George, a skinny, tall excuse for a middle-aged bastard laughed harder, tucking Logan’s pillow under his head. “We aren’t monks, you know. Nothing wrong with slipping into the women’s rooms and slipping one of them a little something.�

“I said, shut up!�

“Both of you shut up,� a grumpy voice said from the other bed. “Just rub one out and be done with it.�

Logan sighed, pulling himself out of the bed with a groan and grabbing his jacket. As the other two argued about the finer points of jerking off, he slipped out of the room, pulling his coat on and jogging toward the southern side of the compound in his bare feet.

The dreams were getting worse. More real, tangible, and damn it, more intimate. It was not a wild, feral fuck against the bedroom door, as had often been the case with Ororo. This was something altogether different.

Union.

He dreamed of it in different ways, but it always ended the same. Some kind of poetic, loving embrace that he yearned for upon waking. Hating himself for giving into sentimentality, he lit a cigarette, having given up cigars alone with his former life.

Would it really be that way with her? Could he have experienced something else with her that touched his very soul? Why, in the name of God, did it haunt him now?

Too many questions he would never have answers for. Inhaling deeply from the cigarette, he leaned against a wood post, glancing at the closed gate that protected the community in the darkness before morning. Just a quick swipe of his claws and the lock would fall…he could be at the airport by the time the first flight left. Back in New York before the afternoon, back in her arms before sunset.

Shaking off the impulse got harder every night. It was a pull so strong it nearly took his knees out. He’d never been dependant on a person in his life…that he could remember. Then again, he couldn’t remember ever loving someone as he did her.

“Snap out of it, asshole,� he grumbled to himself, taking another drag from the cigarette.

There were more frequent reports coming from the New York cell every day. The mansion had finally been rebuilt, allowing the students and teachers to return. Logan had already heard there were plan to infiltrate it again.

Word had been sent out to the Professor’s contacts. They would be prepared for an attack this time. It brought him a sense of purpose, knowing he was doing something to protect the family he had left behind. At least with his help, they could save the mansion, save themselves.

It was worth it. He had to believe that if he wanted to make it through this impossible task. There were benefits to his subterfuge.

“We can’t let him know.�

A whispered voice, raised slightly with alarm reached Logan’s sensitive ears. Flicking the rest of his burning smoke into the gravel road, he turned silently, creeping toward the unwelcome sound.

“You can’t believe he’s really a spy.�

“Yes, I can. It doesn’t add up. You didn’t see him today. When I shot those muties, he looked ready to slice me up.�

“He tends to get touchy if things don’t go according to plan.�

“It was more than that, Rankin. I think he’s the one they warned us about.�

Rankin. Cassidy. Fucking bastards.

Logan located the voices in a nearby building. Peeking through a grimy window, he noted the twosome standing close together, holding a set of documents in their hands as though the papers held the key to the universe and they weren’t keen on sharing it.

Through the still of the night, their voices seemed to carry toward him, begging him to listen and know what they were sharing in the dead of night. In the darkness, when all others were tucked snugly into their beds, awaiting their orders for the morning, seldom was done without a tinge of sin. Logan had learned in the last weeks that there was nothing pure that had to be carried out in the night. This had to be no different.

Training his ears on them, Logan held his breath.

“If their plan is supposed to go off without a hitch, we have to keep him in the dark. We’ll send him back to the protests tomorrow.�

“Their plan is flawed. How will they get her to cooperate?�

A long pause, filled with the rustling of paper followed this before Cassidy replied.

“This is that paper the Mutie Doctor put out. Look. Says right here that psionic powers take a lot of mental control. All we have to do is slip her a bit of a sedative and she loses control.�

“Then what? I don’t see why they want he--�

“Drain her blood, use it to infect a few of the other mutants they have at the base. See how long it takes for them to lose control and destroy each other.�

“That doesn’t make any fucking sense!�

“Keep your voice down!�

“How do they know it’ll work? Pah! It’s just an excuse to kill the weather witch because of the shit she started a year ago.�

Snikt!

Logan’s claws extended for the first time in two months, his heart pounding loudly in his ears. He retracted them quickly, ducking from the window in case the duo had heard the grating sound of metal on metal.

“Either way. She dies and that’s justice for what happened to the Stevensons.�

“I’ll give you that.� A sigh. “Where will they take her?�

“The base in El Paso. Plan goes into operation--�

Logan winced as a telephone’s ring cut into the stillness. Grunting, clapping one hand over an ear, he tried to concentrate as the receiver was picked up.

“Rankin.�

The voice on the other end was female and high pitched with panic.

“They’re calling in all cells, putting them on alert. She vanished! The weather mutant vanished from the school!�

Relief nearly taking his knees out, Logan glance around, noting the pick up truck parked less than fifty yards from where he crouched.

“WHAT?! HOW?!�

Logan smirked at Rankin’s shocked exclamation.

“We don’t know. She was there and then she wasn’t. The other mutants are completely freaking out!�

“There goes the Kinney theory, Paul. No way he could have warned her. Wake everyone up, bring Logan here, I want him leading the search from our sector.�

Shaking his head, Logan pushed off from the side of the building, keeping low as he bolted for the truck. Sirens began to wail, lights and sounds erupting from every cabin on the compound as he slid into the front seat of the truck.

Grabbing for the extra set of keys and mobile phone he’d hidden under the seat, he forced the pickup to life, pounding on the pedals even as he dialed for his contact.

On the second ring, he burst through the gate of the compound, leaving this life behind. By the third ring, he was roaring onto the interstate.

“This is Conundrum,� he barked when the line picked up. “I’m blown. Repeat, cover blown. I’m getting the fuck out of Dodge.�

He tossed the mobile out of the window and into the forest, shifting gears with his free hand. It was over. He was going home. He was going to find his weather witch.

Chapter Six: Eye of the Storm

With you, I’d withstand
All of hell, to hold your hand
I’d give it all, I’d give for us
Give anything, but I won’t give up
~Nickelback


Ororo flipped the kickstand down on Scott’s old motorcycle just outside of Roman, Indiana, pulling the sunglasses up into her cropped black hair. Wiping at her dirty cheeks, she rested her aching back against the leather seat.

Hours on the road seemed to fly by, her mission giving her all the fuel she needed. After spending only minutes researching the riots in North Dakota, she had done the unthinkable. With a slice of Jean’s sewing scissors, she chopped off ten years of growth. A bottle of at-home hair color had changed her trademark white locks to black.

Henry would be upset when he discovered the dark-tinted contact lenses he had given her for undercover missions had gone missing, but Ororo knew that traveling into the snake pit would mean disguising her more distinguishing features.

Jubilation’s leather top and pants were somewhat too tight, but that fit the image she’d been looking for. Swinging her leg off of the bike seat, she raised her hands above her head, stretching knotted muscles.

After digging through her bag to find the prescription pain medication – label scraped off just to be safe – she took two, dry. There would be hell to pay when she finally got back to the mansion, but for once in her life, she was following her heart.

Glancing around the small city she had stopped in to wash up and refuel, she shivered. Anti-mutant signs hung in the nearby diner window, flanked by a group of young men in t-shirts and baggy jeans, obviously looking for a fight.

Roman was another area cram-packed with protests, demonstrations and violence. She had taken a risk, coming here. However, if the city did play host to the Friends of Humanity, there was a chance she might locate Logan or at least information regarding her wayward love.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Ororo made her way toward the diner, swallowing her pounding heart and covering the limp in her left side. With a saucy smile to the young men on the street, she swung the door open, entering the crowded eatery and moving directly to the booth in the corner.

Various bits of conversation wafted her way as the portly waitress took her order. Most of it was simply talk of work or family. Ororo smiled at a middle-aged woman flashing photographs of her grandchild around to the woman across from her.

“Damn, morons. They should have known Kinney’d have something up his sleeve.�

Perking her ears toward the counter, Ororo glanced to the side, opening her bag and digging through it to keep her hands busy. The older men at the counter were hunched together, speaking in low tones.

Ororo snorted with quiet laughter. She could almost hear Logan’s growling voice, telling her how ridiculous and conspicuous they looked that way. He would go on and on, detailing to her how they should be acting while talking about something covert in public.

Looking into the empty seat across from her, she could see his grumpy form, hunched over the table, cigar burning in the ashtray, a cup of black coffee in his hand, that small, private smile on his lips.

Heart aching with a bitter yearning for his presence, she concentrated her ears to listen in to what the men were saying.

“Kinney, fucking bastard,� the blonde man’s voice was filled with laughter. “Took off in the middle of the night. Rankin’s going on and on about how he knew Kinney would find her.�

As though someone had just “walked over her grave� – as Marie often said – a foreboding shiver went down Ororo’s spine. Without knowing how or why, she knew they were speaking about her.

“How would he even know?� the darker man growled in response to the blonde.

“It’s Kinney. He was always three steps ahead of Idiot Rankin. You just wait and see. He’ll show up in a few days with the white-haired bitch shackled to his truck.�

Ororo held her breath, glancing up at a lock of dark hair that had fallen into her brow. She could not be certain, but the way the duo spoke about this mysterious “Kinney� reminded her of Wolverine.

Swallowing hard, she gave the waitress a smile as her meal was brought to her. Eating slowly, to not rouse suspicion, she kept her ears alert for any other tidbits of information her lunch would bring her.

To her dismay, the men beside her did not continue their talk of Kinney and his “plan�. Ororo slipped a pair of brass knuckles into her pocket before paying for her meal. Bag over her shoulder, she headed for the door of the diner. A few minutes to refuel the motorcycle and she would be off again. There were hundreds of miles to cover before nightfall. If the roads and weather cooperated, she could be in North Dakota by tomorrow.

Just as she exited the diner, she felt a malicious presence behind her and looked up slowly, her face a mask of bored curiosity.

“Hey there, pretty lady,� one of the boys loitering outside said to her, a cocky smile on his teenage face.

“What do you want?�

“Oh, she’s a friendly one, isn’t she?� he chortled to his friends, whom laughed easily.

“Be sure she ain’t a freak before you go hitting the sheets,� a boy with spiked purple hair laughed, giving Ororo’s leather-clad for a thorough once-over.

Heart pounding in her ears, she slid a hand into her pocket, fitting the cool brass of her weapon into her fingers, preparing to defend herself without her mutation. The boys had already begun to surround her. Cutting her eyes to the street around them, she noticed a few of the on-lookers hurrying into various buildings.

Obviously, she was on her own.

“I think she’ll be a mite friendlier once we get to know each other, that’s what I think,� the first boy said, stepping closer to her.

When his over-shirt opened, Ororo could see the dingy t-shirt beneath and the embossed logo that chilled her blood…but provided her a quick plan.

Taking the metal-laced hand from her pocket, she waited until the boy’s hand found it’s way to her rear end. Whirling with natural grace and trained aim, she slammed her knuckles into the boy’s cheek.

Spitting blood, he fell to the sidewalk, howling with pain. As the others, shocked by her quick defense, moved in around her, she put up her bloodied hand, glaring at them all.

“Do you really want to hurt a Friend?� she rolled the last word off of her tongue meaningfully.

The boys stopped immediately, looking to their bleeding ringleader. For a moment, no one moved. Ororo held her breath, hoping she had bought herself time and a way to locate Wolverine. If they knew the Friends, perhaps they would believe a quickly conjured story that would get her into their ranks.

“You’re one of us?� the spike-haired terrorist said softly.

“Canon County cell,� Ororo supplied easily. “Recruited by Kinney.�


“How do you know you aren’t fucking us around?� the spike haired youth challenged.

Ororo allowed herself a naughty smirk, turning her hand palm-side up and beckoning him closer, her stance daring him to make a move to her. It was risky, they could call her bluff, but she had little choice.

“I’m here on Kinney’s orders, do you really want to defy him?�

“Prove it.�

She did not move for several moments, keeping her eyes on the new leader of the ruffian group. Taking on a growl she had learned from Logan, she motioned for him to come at her again.

“Make me.�

With wide eyes, the boys stepped back, a few stepping forward to snatch up the one with a broken jaw. Feeling a bit of pride that she had cowed an entire group of young men, she relaxed her battle stance.

“She’s with me. Anyone have a problem with that?�

Ororo’s heart stuttered to a stop in her chest. Dropping her brass-decorated hand, she turned quickly, a slow, seductive smile on her lips when she came face-to-face with the Wolverine.

He stood stoically against the afternoon sun, his leather jacket covered with a thick layer of dust, a cigarette held carelessly between his lips. But it was in his eyes that Ororo saw the restrained rage, the barely controlled hint of recognition.

“Gettin’ into trouble already, girl?� he inhaled from the cigarette deliberately, cocking a brow at her, a sneer on his perfect lips.

“I told you,� she said whimsically, flashing the brass knuckles at him. “Little Rory can take care of herself.�

Logan’s smile was easy, though she could see he was going to unload a heap of rage on her when he managed to get her alone. Swallowing her trepidation, she stepped closer, wrapping a hand behind his neck and taking the cigarette with her blood-streaked hand.

Pressing her lips to his in a noisy, wet kiss, she put on a good show for the on-looking teens, wanting to sell this new story they were following. He kissed her back, but it was nothing like the kisses she remembered. Stepping back again, she inhaled from the cigarette before handing it to him.

“Whoa, nice piece, Kinney. Sure you don’t want to share?� one of the boys catcalled, another whistling to back it up.

Jerking his head over his shoulder, Logan grunted at them, gripping Ororo’s arm possessively, almost painfully. “Fuck off, don’t you have homework to finish?�

The boys all stammered excuses, then filed away, not sparing Ororo another glance. Before she could speak, Logan tugged her forcefully away from the diner. When they reached her motorcycle, he handed her a helmet, hopping onto the seat and kicking the engine to life.

Strapping the helmet on, Ororo took her place behind him, holding on to his jacket as he raced the bike onto the street, narrowly avoiding a multi-car collision by the hair on his backside.

As they rounded a sharp turn, Ororo pressed her chest into his back, leaning with him.

Storm had found her Wolverine.

~@~

“What the fuck are you DOING HERE?�

Logan’s booming voice rattled the windows of the tiny cottage he had driven them to. Thankful they were in the middle of nowhere, their cover safe, Ororo pulled the bag from her shoulder and tossed it onto the beer-bottle filled table, not even wincing when a few of the empty containers shattered on the floor.

He was in a rage. She had known it would happen the second he had appeared behind her. There was no avoiding it. Swallowing over the lump steadily forming in her throat, Ororo met his gaze and planted her aching feet firmly on the floor.

“Looking for you.�

The silence was deafening. Only the sound of labored breathing dared touch it. Ororo wanted to run across the room, envelope her lover in her arms and caress every pain and worry from his soul.

It was the look in his eye, that borderline feral stance that kept her resolutely where she stood. The cabin had obviously been occupied recently. Layers of dust covered nearly everything, a bag of clothing spilled open on the bed, which she could see through the open door.

“Kinda figured, after I heard you’d gone AWOL from the mansion,� he ran a frustrated hand through his unruly hair. “You have to go back.�

Ororo shook her head. “We have to go back, Logan.�

He glared at her for a moment, then stomped into the small kitchen. She heard him rattle around before he produced a bottle of beer, opening it with his hand. Raising a brow at him, she bit her tongue to keep from chiding him about the drinking. Now was not the time.

When his eyes found her again, he looked her over carefully, as though really seeing her for the first time. His gaze lingered on her legs and she allowed herself to smile.

“I had to walk to find you,� she said in a quiet tone.

She saw his face crumble, emotions other than anger finally reflected on his handsome face. Pain was the most evident. Unable to restrain herself any further, she crossed the room cautiously. He let her approach, though the look in his eye reminded her somewhat of a skittish deer. If she moved too quickly, she would frighten him.

“You shouldn’t be here,� he whispered, not reaching to touch her.

Ororo’s hand found it’s way to his, tracing the lines between his knuckles where she knew his dormant claws lay in wait. Looking up into his eyes, she shook her head.

“I will not leave you,� her voice was soft, though determined. “I could not stay behind when I knew where you were.�

“’Ro,� he pleaded, closing his eyes as her hand traveled further up his arm. She could feel the restraint in his muscles and silently begged him to released.

“Why did you leave?�

At her question, his eyes opened again. “I didn’t have a choice.�

“Working for the Friends of Humanity?�

“Protecting my family.�

Leaning up on the balls of her feet, heedless to the scream of protest from her back, Ororo spoke in a husky whisper against his lips.

“And I am reclaiming mine.�

The beer bottle fell from his hand, crashing against the floor when Logan released it. Then he had her in his arms, crushing the breath from her lungs with a searing kiss. As he lifted her into his arms, she wrapped her legs about his waist, her arms snaking around his neck.

She could hear the frantic beat of their hearts, feel the primal energy between them as Logan shoved her against the nearest wall he could find. As he plundered her mouth with hungry kisses, Ororo reached up, tearing his white t-shirt from his body by pure force.

When he pulled away from her lips, he met her eyes, panting for breath.

“You shouldn’t be here.�

“My place is wherever you are.�

Her words seemed to unleash his final restraint. Pulling her back into his arms, Logan toed his boots off, carrying her to the bedroom just beyond the doorway. Lust pounded through Ororo’s body, reminding her that they had not done this dance since long before the mansion fire.

Logan tossed her carelessly onto the bed, Ororo holding back a wince of pain by force. He wrenched the remaining cloth from his chest before unbuckling his belt as Ororo ripped her shirt from her body, shimmying out of her leather trousers.

As Logan dropped his boxers to join their pile of clothing, she slid her panties down her dark legs, reaching for him almost instantly. When his hard, heavy body covered hers, she leaned up, stealing another kiss from his lips.

His taste, of sweat, liquor and smoke, was achingly familiar, sending wetness flooding between her legs. Logan’s hands found their way into her short hair, pinning her to him as he deepened their kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth to trace the ridge of her teeth.

Feeling the hard length of him against her damp thighs, Ororo groaned into his mouth, her body screaming for his touch. It had been too long since they had touched and teased in the darkness, since they had pressed their sweating bodies together.

“Almost didn’t recognize you,� he breathed when their lips parted in demand for air. He tugged on a lock of her hair. “Doesn’t suit you.�

She could not help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. “It was necessary. How did you recognize me?�

Logan dropped his face into the crook of her neck, sniffing her wolfishly, traveling down the column of her throat until he reached the hardened peaks of her breasts.

“No two women smell alike…and I know every scent you’ve got.�

A feminine, possessive thrill rushes through her as he continues to sniff her skin, as though remembering her scent. Arching her body into his touch, her flesh crying out with familiar pleasure, she whimpers, wanting to beg him for more.

“I want you.�

His answering growl preceded his mouth covering a distended nipple, her hands flying into his hair to keep him in place. Groaning as his tongue swirled over the taut flesh, she brought her legs up, bending them at the knee to cradle his muscular form between her thighs.

There was no rift between them, the pain of the last months seeming to wash away. It could all be different in the harsh light of day, when their brains caught up to their bodies, but for now, she would take this fragile moment for what it was. A reunion.

Without another word, she felt Logan shift against her, his hips rocking into her own. The heat of his erection against her wet folds nearly finished her on the spot. He soothed her with a tender kiss to her nipple, palming the other in his massive hand.

She wiggled beneath him, trying to get him closer, to silently tell him that she wanted to feel him inside her. As though understanding, Logan shifted his hips once more, plunging into her without pause.

Her head thrown back, a long moan of his name was torn from her throat, punctuated by a growl from her lover. Nearly mindless with the bliss of having him hard and heavy inside her, she arched her hips against him, meeting his thrust with one of her own.

“Fuck,� she felt him lick his way up from her breast until he could gently nip at her earlobe. “Better than I remembered.�

Within seconds, Logan’s pace had moved to frantic, his thrusts rough enough to move the bed several inches until the headboard slammed against the wall with resounding cracks. Digging her heels into the lumpy mattress, Ororo could only groan, her inner walls clamping down on the cock buried deep inside her.

Logan’s arms folded around her, bringing her fully into his arms. With their chests pressed so intimately together, his frenzied pace slowed somewhat, but she could feel the rapid pace of his heart.

She wrapped him into another scorching kiss, raking her hands into his hair. For so long pride or thousands of miles had separated them, but she had him back. She was keeping him.

“My ‘Ro,� he grunted as her body began to shake with the onset of a long-overdue climax.

“My Logan,� she panted in response, their lips clashing together again and again.

Finally, his moved just slightly to the right, as if remembering exactly which buttons to push. A breathless cry against his lips was all she could manage as white-hot light erupted behind her eyes, her neglected system shuddering her into orgasm.

The motions of her inner muscles milking him, Logan grunted loudly, his hands tightening around her as his body stiffened, his hot seed spilling inside of her as he climaxed. Both shaking to the point of violent shivers, their eyes met.

They said no more. There was nothing to say.

~@~

Ororo woke to the sound of a mobile phone ringing. Blinking sleep from her eyes, her body blissfully sore, she looked up, brushing the hair from her eyes.

Logan’s voice broke through the early morning silence, gruffly providing his false surname into the receiver of the phone. He glanced at her, as though sensing she was awake. A spark of alarm in his eyes made her sit up immediately.

“Yeah, I understand,� he clicked the phone off quickly, marching back into the bedroom.

Cautiously, Ororo drew the sheets around her nude form, swallowing the fear building in her chest.

“Logan?�

His eyes were cold as steel as he bent at the waist, pulling his jeans on to cover his own state of undress.

“They found us.�

Chapter Seven: Caught

And if I shed a tear, I won’t cage it
I won’t fear love
And if I feel a rage, I won’t deny it
I won’t fear love
~ Sarah McLachlan

He woke unnaturally early, startled by the warm presence beside him. Moving cautiously, so he would not wake the woman beside him, he sat up against the headboard, looking down at the familiar beauty of her face.

Her lips were parted in sleep, her breaths slow and even. He watched the subtle rise and fall of her bare chest for a long time before looking down at her long, smooth legs.

It had been a complete shock, coming out of the gas station and spotting the motorcycle parked outside. There was no logical reason that damned thing could be in the middle of Indiana, but there it was. He’d looked for her immediately, searching for that trademark hair.

Only when he caught a scent of fresh rain mingled with a hint of fear that he even bothered looking across the street. Unable to believe she was really there, he had waited until she decked the kid before crossing the street to intervene.

His sharp hearing had caught her “cover� and he took the chance to build on it. The Friends of Humanity were stupid enough to believe he’d really run off in the middle of the night on a lead, without so much as his boots. He took as good luck and played their idiocy against them.

If he hadn’t, there would have been no reason for him to use the safe house in Roman. No reason to be in the same city as ‘Ro. He wouldn’t have been able to find her in time.

As it was, he had to shake his “friends� off of his tail enough in the last forty-eight hours, telling them he needed space to track their lost mutant. Running from them was easy; especially when they had no idea he was evading them.

Ororo muttered a little in her sleep, turning onto her side, closer to him. He smiled at her, tracing the supple lip she pouted out in sleep with the pad of his thumb.

Either absence made the heart fonder, or he just didn’t remember how fucking gorgeous she was.

And she could walk, all on her own. If the sight of her had not shocked him, the simple fact that she stood tall and battle-ready would have. The last time he had seen her, she had been barely able to walk the length of a bedroom unassisted. Yet, he had watched her sinuous body stand ready to take down those idiot boys.

At first, his goal had been to park her supple ass right on a plane back to New York, once they were able to shake any lingering Friends from their backs. She had undermined his mental plan, breaking the resolve he had built in the last weeks with little resistance.

He couldn’t help himself. Her smell was so familiar, the flash of defiance in her eyes begging him to reclaim her as his own, the touch of her skin intoxicating. Finally, after months of longing to be hers again, they had held one another.

Then, of course, gone at it like hormone-crazed teenagers into the wee hours of the morning. He’d lost count of how many times -- ways -- he’d had her. Toward the end of their athletic mattress session, he had nearly blacked out.

Logan slipped out of bed, pausing to ensure he had not woken her. He had frequent phone calls from Rankin and the others, mostly just irritating him with updates on Storm’s “location�. Their information was shit and he knew it, but it kept them off of his tail.

Now that he knew where Ororo was, he could really get the hell out of Dodge. Once they were back at the mansion, he could give everyone a full report on what he’d been doing for two months.

He could go back to fixing his relationship with their resident weather witch. Get his life back in order from the mess he’d made.

When the phone rang, he picked it up immediately, knowing the sound would wake Ororo.

“Kinney.�

“You’re not gonna believe this, buddy,� Rankin’s voice was way, way too chipper and smug for before dawn, but Logan decided to not comment on it.

“What?� he grunted, feeling a pair of piercing eyes digging into his back along with the rustle of clothing and bed sheets.

“We found her. She’s real damn close to you.�

Logan turned to Ororo, knowing he couldn’t hide the twinge of fear that clenched his stomach.

“She was seen in Roman last night. She changed her hair, but the kid was sure it was her. Said her eyes turned a little white when she was pissed off.�

“Got it.�

He clicked the phone off, moving back into the bedroom. They had to get out of Roman. Now. His mind whirled as his lover sat up, wrapping herself in the sheet.

“Logan?� her sleepy voice held an edge of worry, but he knew time was against them and decided to just have out with it.

“They found us.�

He had no idea she could move that damn fast.

Blinking at her, he watched as she pulled her clothes on, running a hand through her sleep and sex mussed hair. Logan finished dressing himself, stuffing clothing into his own duffel bag.

She didn’t speak until she was pulling her boots on, the leather of her pants squeaking as she bent at the waist. It still surprised him to see her move without a wheelchair or cane or something to hold her up. It was almost as if the shooting had never happened.

“You have to stay.�

Whirling on her, heart leaping into his throat, he growled.

“Did I shake something loose last night?�

She gave him an amused, if fleeting, smile. “No. But your cover is still in tact, right?�

Logan gave her a one-shouldered shrug. “I was using it to find you.�

Shaking her head, she looked around carefully, as though searching for something she might have forgotten in her haste to get dressed.

“Then you have to keep it that way. At least until you can get out of here safely. If they know where I am, they will converge on this area.�

“Ro, we went through hell, twice, trying to fight these fuckers, and you want me to stay here with my thumb up my ass while you…what? Use yourself as bait?�

Her dark eyes flashed at him. Even with the alien color, the look was so familiar, it hurt. Her hands planted on her hips and she used that commanding tone she usually reserved for pulling rank on him.

“I can outrun them on the bike, if I leave now. You can wait until they have passed, then return to the mansion. I will find you there.�

Logan crossed the bedroom, walking on top of the bed to pull her into his arms. Cupping her cheek with his hand, dropping his forehead onto hers, he stood in silence for a moment, choking on sentimental words before he ground them out.

“I just got you back, there’s no fuckin’ way I’m letting you walk out that door alone.�

Her hands framed his face, her touch so tender and loving that it brought a lump of emotion to his throat.

“I can protect you. Us.�

“They can riddle me with holes, I’ll survive.�

“And if I get caught in the crossfire?�

Ororo’s blunt words hit him with more force than if she’d conducted lightning through his adamantium skeleton. The thought of holding her bloodied body, lifeless and limp, in his arms for a second time brought back memories he had tried so hard to forget.

“’Ro…�

She silenced him with a searing kiss, flattening her lithe body against his. He held on for dear life, terrified that if he let her go, it would be the last time he ever saw her.

“Trust me, like you used to.�

“Low blow, darlin’,� he sighed, stealing another kiss, his resolve broken. “Take the north-bound highway to Kelly, then go east, follow the back roads.�

Ororo nodded, the look in her eyes telling him she had already filed the information away in her brilliant mind. She wouldn’t fail, she never did.

“I love you,� she whispered against his lips.

“Yeah,� he replied just as quietly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I love you, too.�

His Storm pushed away from him, then, slinging her bag over her shoulder and turned. He closed his eyes, unable to watch her walk away from him. He heard the heavy sound of her boots taking her out of the bedroom and into the main area of the cabin.

The front door slammed closed a moment later, the roaring of the bike’s engine broke the dawn silence. He waited until the stuttering engine was out of his earshot before pulling his boots on.

He had to trust her, trust her instincts as he had before, in battle. She was well trained, smart…she could do it.

Right?

The important thing to remember, the thought that would carry him through whatever happened next, was the simple fact that she had actually said she loved him. In all the time they had been together, they never once voiced their feelings. Logan had seen no reason to and he’d never heard a complaint from his beautiful lover. They had simply accepted it without mucking it up with empty words.

It was different now. He had needed to tell her, before their fucked up lives stepped in to screw it all up. Again.

Stupid. Stupid. Fuck. I can’t…I just let her…fuck. Fuck. FUCK!

The mental dialogue continued as he quickly straightened up the mess he’d made of the safe house, ridding it of any trace that Ororo had been there. Burning the sheets in the clearing behind the cabin so they would never know she had spent the night in his arms.

It almost seemed as a dream while he waited for another call. Rankin was sure to notify him if she was spotted leaving town. It wouldn’t be that hard to just slip away once they were on her trail. Hell, he could even call them, say she headed south. Damn, good idea, Log—

The crunch of tires skidding over gravel brought him sharply from his inward thoughts, crouching low and putting nose to air, trying to locate and recognize whoever was approaching, he crept toward the front door.

Heavy work boots stomped up the drive, then up the stairs onto the porch. A loud banging on the door hurt his sensitive ears as he flattened his body to the wall.

Gunpowder. Chewing tobacco. Rankin.

“Kinney!�
Throwing the door open and hoisting a sneer onto his face, Logan glared at the intruder.

“What the hell do you want?�

Heart thundering in his chest, grateful Ororo had thought to leave without him, he leaned on the doorframe heavily, hooking his thumbs into the belt loops of his jeans.

“Couple of scouts spotted her a minute ago, heading north toward Kelly.�

Logan kept his eyes from widening in fear by sheer force of will. He grunted with a nonchalant nod.

“I’ll drive.�

~@~

His truck was flanked by four others, barreling down the highway in search of a lone mutant on an old motorcycle. Logan’s fist smacked the steering wheel over and over, his claws itching to slip from their hiding place with his barely concealed rage.

After convincing Rankin to ride with the others so that he could have his truck to himself, Logan released his pent up anger and worry on his poor steering wheel, not sure how in the name of hell he was going to get Ororo out of this one.

Flipping the mobile phone he’d purchased on the way out of town, he manipulated the keypad quickly, hacking directly into the mansion’s private lines. It was a useful trick he’d been given just before leaving for his assignment.

On the third ring, a familiar female voice answered.

“Xavier’s School For Gif—� Jean Grey said in her cheery tone.

“For the love of God, shut the fuck up and get me Xavier.�

“Logan?�

“Jean! Listen to me. I’m in deep shit trouble. I have to talk to hi--�

He could hear her breath hitch angrily in her chest and banged the phone against his forehead. When would the girl learn to just listen to him without turning everything into a goddamn brawl?

“You’ve got a lot of nerve.�

“Jeanie, shut up,� he skidded the truck around a corner, almost popping the machine up on two wheels. “Storm’s in trouble and the only one that could even think to help me right now, is the guy in a wheelchair. Bald, kinda skinny, you remember him?�

There was silence, the sound of clothing and the clicking of the receiver telling him that she had either handed the phone over or someone had taken it by force.

“Conundrum?�

Relieved to hear the clipped tones of his friend’s voice, Logan carefully avoided a head on collision, glancing into his rear view mirror to ensure the other trucks were safely behind him.

“It’s me,� he grunted. “We’re fucked. I found Storm, had her hidden, but someone tipped off my new friends and we’re in the middle of a high speed pursuit.�

“Where?�

“Outside of Roman, Indiana. They kept my cover for me, so I used it to find her,� he swallowed hard. “I didn’t know she’d left until yesterday…�

“Logan, it’s all right,� he could almost hear the powerful mutant’s brain working overtime to think him out of his situation. “Is Ororo with you?�

“No,� Logan growled. “She left on the motorcycle, thinking she could outrun them. We didn’t know they were so close behind us.�

“All right, remain calm, Logan,� the older mutant said, though Wolverine could tell his voice was raised an octave or two with alarm. “Do you think she can stay ahead of them long enough for the X-Men to arrive?�

“Fuck no, not on the gas she had left.�

“Damn it.�

Logan pulled the phone from his ear to stare at it, shocked into silence at hearing his friend actually swear. It was more rare than Ororo using contractions. Replacing the earpiece, he glanced into the rear view again.

“I could use an idea or four, here, Chuck.�

Before Xavier could answer, Logan heard the excited honking of horns from the trucks behind him. He poked his head out of the truck’s window, trying to decipher what was happening without stopping his truck.
“Logan?�

“Hang on,� he barked into the receiver, knowing from the older man’s tone that he knew something was wrong.

It wasn’t until Rankin’s truck pulled up beside his that Logan truly realised how bad things were about to get. The terrorist was grinning as he shouted to Logan from his open truck window.

“Looks like she had herself an accident!�

Logan’s eyes darted to the skid marks on the Indiana highway, his heart dropping to his feet at the sharp memory that brought to the surface. He could see that same group of young boys from the previous evening yanking something…or someone out of the brush along the side of the street.

“No,� Logan whispered to himself, heedless to the alarmed voice echoing from his mobile phone. “No, not again.�

Pulling his truck into a swerving stop alongside the others, Logan leaped from the seat, breaking the seatbelt in the process. He dropped the phone somewhere as he raced toward the excited male shouting and frightened female cries.

Boiling rage and cold fear fought for dominance inside of him, neither winning or losing, keeping him rooted to the spot as Ororo’s form was finally yanked out of the underbrush. She was spitting angry, though his heightened hearing could detect the fear in her voice, the escalated beat to her heart.

Across the accident scene, the dozens of men, the smoke, heat, and emotion running through the space between them, Ororo’s eyes met his. For a moment, Logan let his feral instincts take over, his claws screaming for release.

He could take them all down…he could end it here.

What if I get caught in the crossfire?

Her words pulled down the raging beast within him, that look in those eyes telling him to just leave it, to play along for now. She would not risk her life, or his, by exposing him too soon.

When Rankin appeared at Logan’s side to congratulate him, he turned to the man with a barely restrained growl.

“Take her back to camp. Lock her up, hands behind her back and eyes covered. I’ll interrogate her myself.�

Rankin’s face was split by a pleased grin, though he was gesturing to his boys to get everything and everyone off the street as soon as possible. They herded Ororo’s struggling form onto the back of a truck, one of the younger men slapping her smartly across the face when she tried to squirm away.

Logan had to count to twenty before he tore off into the group and gutted the idiot like a trout. He turned to Rankin, grabbing him by the front of his shirt.

“Don’t let them rough her up too much, we need her alive,� he jerked his head toward the caravan. “Cops’ll be here soon. Get everyone out.�

“Yeah, I’m on it,� Rankin laughed. “Come on, Kinney! Celebrate the victory here.�

Logan stomped away, scooping up the mobile phone as he yanked open the door to his truck. “We haven’t won anything yet.�

He turned the key in the ignition, revving the truck to life as he watched the scrambling Friends out of his windshield. Four of the younger men were guarding her, armed with pistols and semi-automatics. Ororo seemed to have calmed down, no doubt battling her own demons with guns.

Their eyes met – just for a moment – through the dirty glass of his windshield. Silently, he told her again and again that he would get them both out of this. She rewarded him with a small, quick smile.

Stomping on the gas pedal, Logan whipped the steering wheel around, redialing the number for the mansion.

Before the first ring even ended, Chuck’s voice came through the other end.

“They’ve got her. I’m going back in.�

“Godspeed, Logan.�

With that, he clicked the phone off, tossing it onto the highway as he drove back to the Friends’ compound, a plan already forming in his head.

Chapter Eight: Redemption

A glowing ember
Burning hot, burning slow
Deep within I'm shaken by the violence
Of existing for only you
~Sarah McLachlan

The truck needed a desperate shocks replacement, as well as a thorough restoration on the bed. She had scraped her knees at least twice on the rust-laden floor, though she would never betray the pain. She could feel a trickle of blood down her leg, but there was no way she was going to ask for a bandage.

Keeping her breathing slow and easy, her eyes on the blurring cornfields on the side of the street, Ororo tried to take stock of her current situation.

Four armed teenagers – they started young now – sat in a semi-circle around her. They laughed and jeered, but neither of them had struck her again. She could only assume they had been told to keep her in one piece rather than roughing her up as their eyes clearly said they wanted to.

Her cheek still stung from the smart slap the spiky haired boy had given her when she’d attempted to escape from the bed of the truck. She had seen Logan’s reaction, prayed that he would control himself long enough to keep his cover in tact.

He had, though she suspected it had taken all of his will power to do so.

Ororo felt her eyes lose focus, the heat and fatigue weighing down on her. She would likely lose consciousness soon. The thought frightened her more than she would have liked. They had all heard horror stories of what female captives were put through while being held by the “Friends�.

Ororo?

Careful to not let her relief show on her face, Ororo mentally embraced that familiar telepathic voice. Obviously, Logan had contacted the mansion. That would mean the Calvary was coming.

Jean. I am all right. Is there a plan yet?

The pause following Ororo’s silent question sent a bit of fear racing down Ororo’s spine.

Jean?

The Professor wants us to wait.

Biting back the surge of betrayal and anger that suddenly bubbled inside of her, Ororo sent a heated reply.

Why?

We may be able to find out more about them. I know it’s not the easiest request, but…

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?�

Ororo cried out when her head was drawn sharply back, the spiky haired boy standing over her, his hand fisted in her short hair. She glanced around quickly, noting that they were all watching her carefully, weapons raised.

“N-Nothing,� she replied quickly.

“Talkin’ to one of your mutie friends?� he leaned closer to her, his breath smelling terribly of garlic and beer. “Don’t think we don’t know all about those mind-readers.�

Swallowing hard, knowing Jean was likely listening in, Ororo shook her head. “It is hot, and I am dehydrated. Nothing more.�

Pain exploded behind her left eye, the result of a sharp backhand. Ororo’s head snapped to the side, her mind screaming with the pain, echoing with Jean’s gasp of surprise.

Drawing herself back up, trying to bite past the pain, Ororo met the boy’s eyes unflinchingly.

He shifted closer to her, leaning down to speak into her ear. “We know all about you, mutie. We know more than you think.�

She shuddered with disgust when he licked the shell of her ear, but she made no move to retreat.

“If Rankin wasn’t set on having you all to himself, we’d be having a good time with you, show you what real men are made of. But, since we’re being denied, maybe we’ll torture you another way.�

Ororo’s eyes flashed with fear and rage, though her face remained in a steely mask. The other boys jeered and snickered, some of them leering at her in a way that made her want to boil her skin in acid.

“We know,� her captor said in a husky whisper. “We know who Kinney really is. We’ll make him watch as we use you, kill you. And then we’ll get rid of him. It’ll be our greatest victory.�

Ororo, stay calm.

Not even Jean’s soothing voice could stop the thick taste of bile rising in Ororo’s throat. Cold fear threatened to take her completely, the sky blackening ominously above them. As her friend tried in vain to calm her fears, Ororo took a page from her beloved’s book.

She made a disgusting noise in her throat, turned her head and spit on the young man’s face, glaring at him defiantly when he drew back, wiping at his face. He silenced the laughter from the others with a single look, then struck Ororo across the face twice more.

Before they could continue their delightful display, a knocking came from the small window leading to the cab of the truck. A muffled male voice called through the glass.

“Pack it in, we’re coming up on the compound.�

~@~

They had sedated her sometime after reaching the compound. Ororo whimpered as she awoke, her arms and legs stiff. Her back screamed with pain, a very real fear that she would be back in her wheelchair crept into her drug-addled mind before she fully came awake.

When she realised her hands and legs were bound, she woke with a start, pulling against the rope that held her down.

Her wrists were raw from her struggles as she blinked her weary eyes, trying to make out what sort of room she had been taken to. It was darker than pitch, without even moonlight to break the stifling blackness.

Taking slow breaths, Ororo pushed down with her backside, finding whatever lay beneath her softer than wood or stone. Looking above her head, she made out a rickety headboard. Pushing with her feet, she decided she was tied to the head and footboards of a bed.

She could make out the faint outline of a door across the room and what looked to be a chair. The only window was closed tightly, shutters obviously keeping any hint of light locked out.

Fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up, alerting her that someone was in the room. Her groggy mind had not noticed it before, likely thanks to whatever she had been given before they had moved her inside.

She trained her hearing, listening for the sound of breathing to locate whomever thought it was entertaining to watch her struggling. It took several moments before she was able to discern which area of the cramped room was occupied by a malevolent being.

“I know you are there,� her voice cracked through the silence, seeming impossibly loud. “There is no need to conceal yourself.�

A faint rustling of clothing was the only reply she was awarded. Her eyes focused on the seemingly empty corner of the room, silently hoping it was Logan crouched there. He would have some sort of plan to get them both out of this mess.

“I pose you no threat,� she continued in a calm voice. “You have nothing to fear.�

Several minutes ticked by, seeming to stretch into hours as she awaited some kind of acknowledgement.

“I’m supposed to cover your eyes.�

The scratchy female voice was unfamiliar. Ororo took a deep breath, nodding toward where the woman had hidden herself.

“I understand. I will not fight you.�

A lengthy pause was broken only by a loud sniffle. “You promise?�

Ororo nodded again. “Yes, I promise.�

Slowly, with almost irritating caution, the silhouette of a young woman crept from the shadows. Ororo could only see the sway and dance of shadows as she approached, unable to see what the woman looked like in the pitch dark.

The feel of a scratchy cloth made her start, but she settled back down easily, lifting her head. She felt the woman tie the cloth behind her head, her eyes now useless. The rag smelled of age and garbage, making Ororo fight the urge to vomit.

“Where am I?� she asked softly, hearing the woman move away.

“North Dakota, headquarters for the Canon County cell of the Friends of Humanity,� the woman sniffled hoarsely. “I’m not supposed to talk to you.�

Ororo nodded, picking up a bit of sadness in the young woman’s voice. She remained silent for a few seconds, then replied in an equally quiet tone.

“I would not want to get you into trouble…� she trailed off, implying that she would like to know the other woman’s name.

“My Daddy calls me “Princess�, but my name’s Tess.�

“That’s a pretty name, Tess,� Ororo smiled, though the woman would not be able to see it. “I am Ororo.�

Tess seemed to laugh, though the sound was hollow. “What kind of name is that?�

Ororo chuckled softly, understanding. “African. My mother was from Tanzania.�

“That sounds like an interestin’ place. What was it like there?�

“I thought you were not supposed to talk to me,� Ororo replied carefully, hoping the girl would play into it.

“I’m not, but all the men are in a meeting for at least a couple of hours, they won’t catch me.�

There was a hint of guarded defiance and giddy thrill in the girl’s voice now, making her seem more animated, more alive. Ororo decided then and there that if she needed an ally inside the Friends of Humanity, her opportunity was pounding on the door.

If the others were in a meeting, perhaps there was a chance for escape. If she could get away, Logan would be free to flee as well. There was hope.

“Well, so long as you will not get into trouble, I think we can chat for a little while.�

Tess made a noise like a scoff as Ororo heard her move closer again. The bed dipped under the girl’s weight, she had sat down beside her. Ororo could almost feel all of the fear and animosity she had felt just moments before slip away. This girl was obviously lonely here in Canon County.

For the next hour or so, from what Ororo could tell of time without the aide of light or a watch, she told her captor about the villages and plains of her home country, embellishing a few of the finer details when pressed.

Tess was interested in visiting new places, or so she said. It had not taken very long to win the young girl’s confidences. Ororo had scarcely finished her stories of home when Tess changed the subject dramatically.

“You know, you’re not so bad for a mutant,� Tess said, her tone now bordering on chatty. “Usually when my daddy makes me watch the prisoners, they cry and scream, make a horrible racket. You’re all calm though. Aren’t you scared?�

Ororo knew this would make or break the entire relationship. She nodded slowly. “Of course I am afraid, but fighting would just make it worse.�

“Yeah, it would,� Tess said matter-of-factly. “If you were hollerin’ and all, I’d have to call the men. That’s when things get ugly.�

“Ugly how?� Ororo inflected her voice with fear.

“Oh, now don’t you worry,� the girl’s hand patted her leg comfortingly. “They gave strict orders that the men couldn’t use you til they got what they needed. Maybe they’ll just shoot you outright.�

If a quick death gives this child hope, I am in more trouble than I thought, Ororo mentally tucked that thought away.

“Do you know what they mean to do with me?�

Ororo could feel the young girl shrug. “Steal your powers, of course.�

Whatever she had been preparing herself for, Ororo was shocked into dead silence at this news. It was common for mutants to be imprisoned and experimented on, but this was the first she had ever heard of an intention to steal a mutation.

“Is that possible?� Ororo asked, the fear in her voice real now.

Her captor did not seem to realise she was feeding Ororo with information that was probably best kept to herself and continued on as though talking with a school friend.

“Well, I overheard my daddy sayin’ to one of the others that a mutie doctor named…McAvoy or something said the secrets to mutie powers was in the blood,� she paused, as though thinking. “Might have been McCoy, come to think of it.�

Remembering the day she had learned of Logan’s location, Ororo mentally swore at her friend, vowing to knock him on the head as soon as she saw him again.

“I have heard of a doctor by that name, but how does blood help a normal human take mutant powers?�

Ororo blinked as a sudden light came up in front of her. A cold hand reached up, taking the cloth from her eyes. The change in light made her close her eyes, prying them open a few moments later when they adjusted.

Tess sat beside her, a small smile on her face. She was a thin girl, perhaps in her late teens. Her blonde hair was matted to her sallow-skin, her dark blue eyes seeming too large for her face. She had various scars on her arms and face from obvious abuse and neglect.

And she held a ball of light in the palm of her hand.

“I don’t know how it works exactly, but my daddy gave me this from a mutant he captured last month,� she said softly. “First time it’s worked for longer than a few days though.�

Blinking at the young girl in horror, Ororo did not notice when the door to the tiny room swung open. She only saw a large hand grip Tess’ shirt and haul her outside. She could hear Tess’ pleading voice as the door slammed closed again, followed by the sharp slap of flesh striking flesh.

Lying back, terrified of what was to come, Ororo thought back to Henry’s research project. Somehow, the Friends of Humanity had found a way to create mutants from normal humans.

No matter how long and hard she thought about it, one question eluded her.

Why?

~@~

It was hours later that the door opened again. Ororo, her eyes still uncovered, looked up sharply at the intrusion. She was dizzy from lack of food and drink for nearly twenty-four hours now, but she was determined to not let that show.

The man that approached her was huge, even given the men she lived with in New York. He had an unsavory look about him, as though he enjoyed his work a little too much for it to be entirely healthy.

Without so much as a greeting, he cut the ropes that held Ororo to the bed, hauling her to her feet by the front of her sticky leather top. When she was unable to hold herself on her own feet, he snarled, gripping the back of her trousers.

He dragged her from the small room into bright midday sunlight. Wincing, trying to cover her eyes, Ororo weakly struggled with her attacker. She waited for a blow to fall, but none came.

Her new captor carried her through what looked to be the main center of the compound. It was crowded with men and women, most of them stopping in their tracks to hoot and holler in approval as she was carried through them. Some of the terrorists were so young it physically hurt Ororo’s heart to see them filled with so much hatred.

Every building was made in the same fashion. The compound had a slapdash look to it, as though it were made in a hurry, slapped together with a “this will do� attitude. Some of the roofs were slanted, some of the windows were without glass. All in all, it was an unpleasant sort of place.

The dirt roads were soggy from recent rain, mud caking her boots, making it difficult for her to gain her balance. She stumbled more than once, gaining her another slew of applause and jeering. The man holding her gave her an annoyed grunt, trying to steady her.

Ororo felt the bite of a blade in her side, making her turn her head. There, safely snuggled into the over-sized brute’s belt was a long dagger. Without bothering to think her actions through, Ororo twisted her body, heedless to her back’s cry of pain.

She gripped the black-handled blade in her hand, twisting against her captor and using his body weight against him. She sliced him in the arm easily, making him howl in pain.

When his grip loosened on her, she darted out of the way, ducking several wide swings of the man’s meaty fists. She turned the handle over in her hand, letting it rest more comfortably as he advanced on her again. Weaving her lithe body around him, she tore open his side with the blade before throwing herself into a back flip.

The commotion had drawn the previously giddy crowd to the fighting duo, most of them shouting for aide. Her captor finally fell to the ground, holding his wounded arm to his bleeding side.

Ororo took stock of the dozen or so that had come to their friend’s side. She could take out only two on her own, and even then it was unlikely that the others would leave her be. If she had any chance at all, she would have to use her mutation to get away.

If she could reach the Professor, Logan could get away.

As she dodged a new attacker, the spiky haired boy’s words came rushing back to her.

We know who Kinney really is.

It was then that she knew she would not leave this compound without Logan. If they had any chance of surviving, it would have to be together. Should their enemies truly know his identity, he was in more danger than she.

Slicing her stolen dagger into another young man’s leg, she turned herself into a quick flip, avoiding a woman’s agile kick. There were too many. She had known that the moment she had started this tussle. But her anger and fear demanded release.

A tall blonde man rushed her, succeeding in grabbing her around the waist. Ororo was not ready to be recaptured and brought her leg sharply back, hitting him squarely in the crotch. She grabbed for the gun in an ankle holster, hearing someone shouting at her to stand down.

As the man behind her fell to the wet ground, she clicked the safety from the weapon, thrusting her hand out and holding the cold steel tightly in her hand.

As she pulled back the hammer, she noted a familiar figure standing just a few yards in front of her.

She was staring down the barrel of a shotgun, willing herself to not wince as Logan readied the shotgun for firing. Everything around them had come to a complete standstill. Ororo’s breathing seemed impossibly loud as she glared at her lover.

“Drop it or I’ll riddle you with holes, mutant!�

Hearing Logan’s voice saying such a thing would have hurt her, had she been able to think of him as “Logan�. All she could think was that he had a gun pointed at her chest. Her finger began to squeeze the trigger.

“I mean it, girl!� Logan shifted the aim of the shotgun.

BANG!

Ororo did not take a step back or startle when the shot broke the tense silence, the bullet slamming into the ground at her feet. The splash threw more mud onto her boots and trousers.

“Release me!�

I am playing along, my love. We have to get out of here.

“Drop the gun!� he screamed back at her, raising the barrel of his shotgun toward her chest again.

“NO!�

“Don’t make me kill you,� he thundered back.

A slight motion beside her made Ororo glance, finding the willowy form of Tess in the crowd. Her face bore recent bruises, blood smeared on her thin lips.

Looking back to Logan, Ororo decided she had played long enough. Her head swam with need of nourishment, her legs shaking and back screaming. Raising both hands in surrender, Ororo dropped the gun at her feet.

Her eyes met Logan’s as he dropped the barrel of his shotgun. She could see the fear and anger swirling in the dark depths and begged that he hold on, just a little longer.

That was the last thought she had before she felt a blow to the back of her head and the world plunged into welcoming darkness.

Chapter Nine: Truth

I’d fight for you
I’d lie for you
Walk the wire for you
Yeah, I’d die for you
~Bryan Adams

Every minute was torture. Worse than endless nights of vivid memories brought sharply back to life, he had watched it all in silence. Waiting…hoping…praying that the moment would come, when he could release himself from this hell on earth.

She had been drugged, bled, drugged again…her head rolled languidly to the sides as she tried to fight the medicinal urge to give in, to spill her secrets for these bastards. But he knew she would never break. They could drain every drop of blood in her body, but they could not turn her into a traitor. It was a simple fact, to Logan at least, sure as the sun rising in the east.

Whatever they were doing with her blood, something had gone awry. Logan could see the scientists working in a small glass-enclosed lab, running their hands over bald spots and shouting at one another. Logan nearly allowed himself a small, knowing smile.

Only Ororo could drive a man that crazy.

He glanced at her for maybe the third time in the last several hours. He had always feigned indifference when it came to captures, preferred to let them all think it was the thrill of the hunt that got his rocks off. They’d never known how many mutants were freed because of his interference. For some reason, that thought always brought Logan a wave of comfort from somewhere inside he had assumed was long dead.

No matter what happened next, he had done right by his “people�. He had destroyed everything he loved for the “greater good�. Damn it, he really was letting these geeks get the best of him.

If he were truthful to himself, he had really done it for himself. To find a shred of self-worth after so much evil betrayed by his hands.

Ororo was held to what looked like a modified dentist’s chair. Her arms and legs were strapped down with flimsy metal clamps. When it was time, he could easily free her. The blow to the back of her head meant to “calm� her during the near-shoot out in the common area had not broken the skin, but it had left her vulnerable to their will. She had several puncture wounds on her arms from the various needles they had used to draw blood. They had not even bothered to bandage her, leaving swollen bruises and trickles of blood.

She no longer resembled all that was good and clean and bright in his dark world. He desperately wished to return her to that, replace this deity so he could worship properly.

The door to the lab slammed open, a handful of researchers talking in various clipped tones filed out, most looking frustrated to the point of insanity. Logan held a smirk firmly in check. Even his lover’s blood refused to cooperate. That had to be some sort of record.

“Any luck?� Rankin asked from beside Logan, where the two men had been watching over their prize.

A short, fat man with dark eyes glared up at his “boss�. “We can’t get the damned mutant gene to stabilize. It completely beaks down once it’s out of her body.�

Rankin let loose a string of exasperated curses. “Why?�

The other man shrugged, casting a curious glance at Logan, who studied the pair intently. “Its something in the way her mutation works. It’s not just bits and pieces, her entire body is suited for it. Unlike the kid last week, with the luminescence control, I can’t isolate this and keep it stable.�

For weeks Logan had heard rumors about experiments on mutants. He knew they had all been examined, but no one really knew the purpose behind it all. Somehow, he knew this would not end well. Why would terrorists want to know how to isolate a powerful mutant’s genes?

“Well, how are you going to fix this?� Rankin demanded, looking more agitated by the minute.

“I’m not sure. We’re going to get some coffee and come back to it,� the scientist clapped Rankin soothingly on the shoulder before following the rest of his team out of the building.

When they were gone, Rankin turned to Logan. “I can’t believe this! We’re so damned close!�

Logan seized the opportunity and carefully met the other man’s eyes. “To what?�

Rankin’s scowl turned to a slow, sinister smile. Logan had to take a step back, his keen, canine senses warning him of impending danger. Normal humans were one thing…insane ones were a whole new ballgame.

There was a madness in Rankin’s dull green eyes, a hypnotic insanity that seemed to scream for release. Logan instantly began reformulating his plan to get himself and his unconscious lover out of harm’s way and back to their abandoned family.

“You don’t get it, Logan,� Rankin said in a hollow voice as he turned his attention to Ororo. “You never have.�

Logan, his protective nature forcing him to circle Ororo’s inert form opposite his nemesis, never changed his facial expression. “You hate mutants, what’s so hard about that?�

The other man reached out, touching a lock of the woman’s dark hair as he spoke. “It’s not fair to the rest of the world, you mutants. You get to do things we can only dream of. God obviously made some sort of mistake, creating you. His babies, His favorites. He forgot about the rest of us.�

As Rankin spoke, he touched Ororo’s face, making her weakly flinch and draw away.

Logan slowly reached for the gun he’d tucked into the waistband of his jeans, looking about to ensure no one else had remained in the area unseen. A quick sniff to the air told him they were alone… His thought process abruptly stopped. Rankin knew.

“Do you think we asked for this?� Logan said evenly, knowing that calling attention to the fact that he’d just been “outed� would only make things worse.

“No, but you have done nothing to stop it, to help the ones forgotten by our Lord. So, I intend to even the playing field.�

“Seems pretty even to me. You out number us, hold all the real power.�

Rankin looked up at Logan, fire and hatred in his eyes. “Power? You have no idea what power truly is.�

He fisted his hand in Ororo’s short hair, drawing her head sharply back so Logan could see her pale face. The woman moaned softly through her haze, Logan’s pulse snapping to a quick pounding with restrained fury.

“She is the real power,� Rankin kissed Ororo’s forehead almost tenderly. “With her powers, she could rule the entire world…but she follows the teachings of an old cripple, ignoring the gifts He gave to her.�

Horror and cold dread seeped into Logan’s heart. Everything that happened in the last year came flooding back to him in a single instant. Jeffery and his father, the kid he’d killed in cold blood, pulling Ororo’s limp body from her mangled car…

“You sent them after her,� he said quietly. “You wanted them to bring her to you, so you could…become her.�

“Oh, you aren’t as stupid as you look, Wolverine,� Rankin said, still looking down at Ororo’s face, touching her as a loving father would.

“Why her? Why not the Professor or Jean? They’re just as powerful.�

“No,� Rankin whispered. “To control minds, that is a strong gift, but this girl…she controls the very world. Anyone can resist a telepath if they have the will, but no one…NO ONE can resist the fury of the elements.�

Logan pulled the pistol from his jeans, cocking the hammer back quickly. “You can’t take her gift…wouldn’t God have something to say about it?�

Rankin chortled. “My dear boy, I have perfected the art of stealing powers from mutants. She will fall, as the others before her. And then I will release the power over the weather. I will reign over mutant and human alike.�

Neither man spoke for a long moment. Logan glanced to the windows, wincing when he noted so many milling around outside. They would hear the gunshot and come running. But he knew this was his chance. He had to get them both out of here.

“I hate to kill her,� Rankin crooned. “She could have ruled beside me.�

Logan felt the man’s eyes on him, glowering with hatred. “You destroyed it. She was supposed to be mine. But she fell for you. An animal. Barely worthy to stand in her presence.�

A soft whimper interrupted Rankin’s raving. Glancing down at Ororo, Logan noted her eyes trying to flutter open. He had to move fast, get Rankin away from Ororo.

Inhaling deeply, Logan settled the pistol against his side and smiled broadly, wickedly. “So that’s why you let me get so close? Felt good to know I wasn’t with her, that it? You knew if I was here, I couldn’t make her scream my name I had her naked body under mine?�

With a roar worthy of Wolverine, Rankin leaped from Ororo’s side, tackling Logan to the dirty floor. Logan instantly flipped them both over, straddling Rankin’s thighs and drawing back an adamantium-laced fist. For the first time in months, he hit someone as hard as he could.

The echoing crack of breaking bones felt oddly comforting, so he did it again. And again. Howling with rage, he released every pent up worry, fear, and rage he had kept in check for so long.

This man had wanted Ororo’s powers, wanted her and for that innocent blood was on his hands. Uncontrollable tears coursed down Logan’s face as he recalled the young man he had killed in Colorado. A lackey that had been a lamb to the slaughter for another man’s ambitions. Innocence shed in the name of hatred, the lust for power.

Raging, screaming, Logan did not stop the onslaught of his feral blows until the first gunshot.

Grunting through the sharp pain, he heard the muffled shouts and clicking of weaponry from outside. They were going to open fire completely in seconds.

He threw himself off of Rankin’s lifeless body, toward the still form of his beloved.

Snikt!

His claws freed for the first time in weeks, he snipped the metallic bonds that held Ororo in place, catching her weakened body effortlessly. Laying her on the floor, hopefully sheltered from the bullets, he took up the rifle Rankin had set aside some time during their long vigil.

“’Ro? Now’d be a really good time to show me some of that tenacity,� he called over his shoulder, loading the rifle quickly.

The breath was pushed from his lungs as the rapid sound of semi-automatic weaponry shot through the building. Glass shattered mere seconds before the bullets imbedded themselves into Logan’s body.

He glanced at Ororo, who remained still and lifeless. “Baby, come on!�

Snarling through the pain and blood, he raised the rifle and returned fire. When he ran out of rounds, he sent another volley with the .9mm in his hand. There was screaming, the scent of death permeating the air already. Everything had gone to hell. Again.

The second round of fire tore through Logan’s body as he tried to shield his helpless lover. There were too many rounds, too many guns. He dropped the pistol in his hand, falling to the floor in front of his love.

“’Ro…� he whispered, reaching for her.

Rankin was right about one thing. She was powerful. She was damned near god-like when she needed to be. And for the first time in his life, he had to admit that he needed help.

Shaking her shoulder gently, he spoke in a low, pleading tone.

“Darlin’, I know I’ve done wrong, but I’ve tried to make it right. Maybe I just fucked it up worse…but I’m telling you now,� he choked on the blood rising in his throat. “I can’t do this without you. Help me.�

She twitched slightly. Logan swallowed over the oozing blood as yet another volley of gunfire whipped through the building. There was nowhere to run as the glass around the lab shattered, raining down on them.

With a growl, Logan further covered Ororo’s body, trying to catch as many of the bullets as he could. He had lost count of the injuries, hoping his famed healing factor would keep him alive long enough to do something, anything.

“’Ro, please. I need you to wake up. I need you to be stronger than me.�

Slowly, almost dreamily, he saw those familiar blue eyes open. Her gaze cleared, horror filling them almost immediately.

“Logan…� she whispered weakly, reaching for him.

He could smell the blood and knew he must look like something out of those horror movies Bobby insisted on watching all the damn time. He tried to smile, his ears twitching at the sound of the Friends reloading outside.

Taking her tiny hand in his, he squeezed it gently. “I need your help. I can’t…I can’t do this alone.�

Another grunt of pain followed the fourth round of ammunition that found a home in Logan’s weary body. Ororo cried out, scrambling to sit up, to protect him. Logan slumped over into her arms, looking up at her with a small smile.

“Stop bein’ girly and get us out of this mess.�

She rewarded him with a small smile of her own, forcing her body to move. She leaned closer to him as the gunfire stopped, the clicking of clips reloading like something out of a bad movie.

“You need not worry,� Ororo said as she kissed his lips. The warm smell of her gave him hope, peace, at least if he died, it wouldn’t be alone as he long feared. “I am going to save you this time.�

“Less talk, more rain,� he said back as she pulled herself to standing.

“Quiet, I am working.� He chuckled at her attempt at humor as she let her eyes turn to white.

Without another word, the skies instantly blackened ahead. Logan smelled burning ozone and the fresh scent of rain a moment before the winds hit. Ororo stretched her arms out, palms up and lifted herself effortlessly into the air.

The Friends of Humanity would probably be screaming about this one, but the mere sight of her in all the elemental glory was worth it.

The winds were so strong, so fast; that the rickety wood structure, already weakened from the gunfire tore up around them. Debris followed Storm as she spun aloft, whipping the winds and terrible rain up with her. Logan, however, was shielded from her fury. She kept he eye of her storm around him. Like a thick wool blanket in the dead of winter it was warm, comforting, safe.

She was screaming in her native tongue as she brought lightning down through the thick walls of wind that her made up her tornado. Logan watched her, only her, as she destroyed the small city around them. He could feel the blood soaking the floor beneath him.

He wasn’t healing fast enough.

The last thing he could see as the blackness overwhelmed him was the sight of his beautiful weather goddess held aloft in her element. The lightning seeming to come from her hair, the winds caressing her as a lover’s hand, the rain washing away all of the fear and doubt…

In the back of his mind, he thanked whatever gods he could think of that she was the last thing he would ever see.

~@~

Peppermint. Flowers. Burning ozone. Lab cleanser.

“Logan?�

A woman’s voice. He sniffed again, relieved the smells returned. Scents of home and comfort.

“Wolverine? Can you hear me?�

Someone was shining a light in his eye. He shifted, then grunted with pain. Everything hurt. Everything was too loud, too much.

“I’m supposed to be dead.�

His own voice was scratchy, unnatural. He opened his eyes slowly, carefully. A huge, furry, blue face was frowning at him, shining a light into his eyes again.

“Hank? Want to get that away from me? Before I turn you into canned Beast.�

There was the sound of soft chuckling all around him. Though his eyelids felt weighted down by two-ton anvils, he managed to keep them open, glancing down at his bloody chest.

“Seems you healed just fine,� Hank McCoy said matter-of-factly. “Though when we arrived, we all feared the worst.�

Logan nodded, understanding. His eyes widened as he glanced around, spotting the ruins of the Canon County chapter of the Friends of Humanity. Everything was destroyed.

Buildings had been uprooted and tossed aside, the ground was drenched with rain, trees scorched by lightning. Logan could see a few unfortunate bastards strewn about the place, either dead or wishing they were.

Ororo had left nothing untouched.

Ororo.

Struggling against Hank, who still seemed intent on examining him, he spotted Jean just beside him, talking with her fiancée in a low tone. They both crouched near a thin, motionless body.

“No,� he choked, shoving Hank away. “’Ro?�

Two sets of soft hands pulled him back. Turning, still weakened as his body desperately tried to knit itself back together, he glanced at Rogue and Jubilee. The fear must have been naked in his eyes, because they let him go almost instantly.

Jean turned to Logan, her eyes still alight with the fire of the Phoenix inside her. Obviously, they had arrived expecting a fight, only to find Logan and Ororo on the ground.

“She’s ok,� Cyclops said softly, jerking his head toward where Ororo lay. “Just exhausted and dehydrated.�

Logan crouched beside his teammate, touching Ororo’s face gently with the back of his hand. She still had smears of his blood on her, her clothing torn and sopping wet from the fury of her storm.

“When we got here, she just fell out of the sky,� Jean was saying gently, her voice filled with sadness. “We could see the storm from miles away. When she saw the jet, it’s like her will just…left her. She dropped from 100 feet.�

“Luckily, Jean just jumped right outta the jet,� Rogue chimed in. “Caught her before she hit the ground.�

Logan looked around at his friends, noting that Iceman and Colossus were a few yards away, looking for survivors.

“They aren’t dead,� Jean said as though reading his mind. “Most just knocked out or injured. Except for one…�

“That was me,� Logan said quickly, his voice hard. “Happened before the storm.�

Jean nodded, as though she had expected it. “The Professor… he wants us to bring you two home as soon as we can. He said you’ve both been away from home too long.�

Logan’s mind instantly filled with images of the mansion. He allowed himself a small smile, the ache to o home stronger than ever. He had done his job, finished his work. Tonight he could sleep in his own bed, see everyone again.

Reaching down, he slid an arm under Ororo’s legs and the other under her shoulders, drawing her into his arms. Though it hurt to even move, he pulled her against his chest and stood, cradling her in his arms.

No one said a word. Logan slowly carried his unconscious love toward the awaiting jet, his family following closely. Cyclops said quietly that they had called the authorities for the tornado victims.

Ororo had caused quite a stir with her F-6 tornado, the first on record. Logan had a feeling she would be none-too-thrilled over it. He would have to tease her mercilessly about it.

With Hank’s help, Logan strapped Ororo into a seat and took the one beside her. Rogue, sitting in front of him, gave him a small smile, reaching over the seat as Cyclops took the jet into the air.

“You’re not off the hook, you know. The Professor told us what was going on, but we’re all too relieved to still be miffed. Give it a couple of days.�

Logan grinned at her, leaning back in his chair and squeezing her gloved hand. “Good, I wouldn’t want to think you’d gone completely soft on me.�

Rogue’s smile was teary as she squeezed his hand in return. “Never. Now get some rest, it’s a bit of a flight before we’re home.�

He watched her turn back to Bobby, then glanced at Ororo.

You hear that, Darlin’? We’re goin’ home.

Chapter Ten: Waiting

She’d been staring at him for what felt like hours.

Lying in her bed, warm dawn light pouring through the skylight. There was silence all around her, except the soft snoring of the man beside her. She rested her hand on his bare chest, absently counting the gentle rise and fall as he breathed.

He no longer bore the scars and blood of battle, he resembled her long-gone lover more than ever now. Snuggled into the soft sheets of her bed, hair mussed by his movements on the down-filled pillow. This was her Logan, the man she had once thought was lost to her forever.

While she wanted to prod him awake, to just hear his voice as further confirmation that they were both alive and blissfully home, she refrained. It was a rare gift, watching him this way. When his guard was down and he could hide nothing.

There. He smiled in his sleep. Ororo shifted a little closer, her nose nearly touching his on the pillow they shared. She wondered what he was dreaming of. His sleep had been free of nightmares…perhaps he knew he had finally returned to his home.

Thinking back to the storm she had created to protect them, she winced. Waking to the sound of gunfire, her exhausted body wanting to simply slip back into darkness…very little had ever terrified as that had. He had voiced his need, that he could not save them.

Finally, after all this time, she had been able to rescue him, to return the favor.

Ororo slid her hand around his waist, pressing her body closer to his, reveling in the warmth and security she could still find there. When he woke, she was sure there would be things to say. For now, this simple embrace only strengthened her resolve to win him back completely.

“You smell like rain.�

Startled by the sudden, sleepy voice, Ororo pulled back a little, looking at the face of her love. He was smiling, his eyes still closed, though his nose twitched.

“So you continue to tell me.�

He hummed contently, one of his arms snaking around her waist to draw her closer.

“Am I dreaming?�

Ororo’s smile widened. “No, my Logan. We are home.�

“Nah,� he replied. “Too good to be true. I think I’ll stay asleep a while longer. Keep this nice dream.�

She chuckled softly, shifting in his arms. “Do I have to prove that I am truly here?�

He nodded, his eyes never opening. “Uh-huh.�

Her lips brushed his softly, her legs entwining with his.

“No, have to do better than that, darlin’.�

“Hrmm,� she pretended to think a moment before she pushed off from the bed, straddling his naked thighs under the blankets. His hands immediately came up to grip her hips.

Gently pulling up the silk of her nightgown that had become trapped between them, she fitted her already wet center against his awakening arousal. Rewarded by a soft groan from her lover, she rocked her hips languidly.

“That’s…better…� he grunted, his eyes still closed.

Taking his hands with hers, she brought them up to her silk-covered breasts, biting her lip when he instantly set to massaging them, pulling the material down to fit flesh against flesh.

They had already begun rocking together, eager for the bit of friction her movements had given them. Ororo let her head fall back, the exhaustion from her ordeal and escape seeming to evaporate as Logan’s strong hands traveled over her welcoming body.

Unable to bother taking it slow, she reached between them, taking the hard length of him into her hand. With one slow stroke, Logan groaned loudly, his hips arching up to meet hers.

“Darlin’…� he gasped. “Want you.�

With a swell of feminine pride, she continued to draw her hand over him, her mouth falling open at the look of ecstasy on his face. His head fell back against the pillows, his hands never leaving the curves of her body.

“I do not believe you,� she teased, swiping her thumb over the moist tip of his erection.

He growled in response, his lips parted as his breath hitched in his chest. He never looked so beautiful than when she had him locked in passion. She had missed seeing him this way. Even a brief taste in Indiana had only wetted her appetite further.

“’Ro, I want to be inside ya so bad it hurts…� he groaned.

Ororo felt herself grow hotter, no doubt wetting him as her own desires grew. Lifting her body gently onto her knees, she drew him closer, fitting him against her opening.

Logan’s entire face was screwed into an expression of pain and pleasure. Deciding to end his torture, she lowered herself onto his arousal, gasping when he slid into place easily.

His eyes opened immediately, meeting hers and flashing with all of the desire and love she had missed. Before he could speak, Ororo rocked her hips sharply. Logan thrust upward to meet her, his hands falling back to her hips, guiding her gently.

The squeak of her bedsprings grew louder as they moved together. Gasping, groaning, they upped tempo with every thrust. Ororo could feel him deep inside her, stroking the secret places only he could find. He pushed her higher, the scent of sex and the sound of their skin slapping together only making it more real.

When languid desire finally broke into uncontrollable passion, Ororo braced both of her hands on Logan’s hard chest. Lifting herself, his hands guiding her, she took him all the way inside of her again and again.

Logan struggled to sit up under her, his hands sliding from her hips, up her back until he cupped her shoulders. His lips met hers in a desperate kiss, searing her from head to toe. Greedy hands kept her in place as he lifted her effortlessly, controlling the pace. She could feel him growl against her lips, then whimper, as though caught between feral and longing.

Her breasts pressed against his chest, she could feel the frantic beating of his heart, completely oblivious to the howling wind that swirled around them. The curtains on her large terrace doors flapped about wildly, matching the freedom she felt in Logan’s arms.

Her lover pulled back just as her pleasure reached that unfathomable precipice, white-hot flame licking through her.

“I love you,� he whispered hoarsely, those soulful eyes trained on hers.

Unable to respond, the waves of her climax crashed over her, incredibly harsh and infinitely tender at the same time. She fell forward, surrendering into his arms.

With a final grunt, his stiffened beneath her, his hands gripping her shoulders tightly, holding her even as she completely collapsed against him. He held her as he fell back against the pillows, keeping them joined as they came down from the sexual high.

For a long time, there was silence. Ororo, through her post-coital haze, could feel the subtle change in Logan. She could feel the muscles seize in his arms, the way his heartbeat slowed, his breathing deep.

Goddess, not again, she thought in the futile hope that someone would hear her.

She pulled away, looking down into the now-guarded eyes she loved and knew so well. He was doing it again already, hiking up that invisible armor it had taken her years to chip away.

This time, she wanted to fight, to scream as she had the night he’d left her. But she knew him better than anyone. A fight was exactly what he wanted, an excuse to push her away while he worked everything out in his head.

Instead, Ororo dropped their locked gaze, gathered the sheet around her nude form and slid out of her bed, out of his arms.

She turned from him, tucked the sheet around her chest to hold it in place.

“’Ro.�

Ignoring the soft call of her name, wanting to give in to his silent demand that she help him push her back from the sacred walls of his heart, she raised her arms.

The instant her feet should have touched the concrete of her terrace, she took to the air.

~@~

Scott was waiting for her when she returned to the mansion. He held out a pair of jeans and an over-sized sweatshirt bearing the “X� symbol associated with the school.

He turned his back as she set her feet on the snow-free ground.

“Thank you,� she said coolly, pulling the clothing on and balling up the wet sheet she had been wrapped in.

Tunza barked merrily, turning from his daily inspection of the gardens to acknowledge his mistress before tearing off after an unfortunate rabbit or rodent. She watched the enormous Mastiff with a small smile for a long moment, not surprised at her friend’s silence.

Scott took a seat on a nearby picnic table, resting his booted feet on the bench and his elbows on his knees. The ruby-red of his protective eyewear glimmered in the morning sunlight as she took a seat next to him, her feet oblivious to the cold.

“Heard the wind a few hours ago, thought you and Wolverine were…� he coughed shyly. “Making up.�

Ororo kept a blush from her cheeks by sheer will, turning slightly from her careful watch on Tunza to arch an eyebrow at her friend.

“Then, a while ago, he comes downstairs all snarls and “fuck offs�, thought maybe you’d need someone to talk to.�

She sat for a moment, returning her gaze to the happy pooch while she gathered her thoughts. Hours in the air had done her temper some good, giving her room to haul up that icy exterior Logan tended to bulldoze whenever he was near.

“It is not easy,� she began at last, knowing whatever was said between them would remain that way. “It is difficult to love a man so tortured and saturated in self-loathing.�

Her friend did not turn his eyes to her, likely knowing it would make it harder for her to speak if he did.

“It’s not easy loving anyone, Storm,� he sighed. “But it’s harder when you come to a relationship with excess baggage.�

She waited for him to continue, taking the ball Tunza brought for her and tossing it back toward the frigid gardens. He chased it merrily, wrestling his foe and rolling in the grass for a few minutes before returning the ball to her for a repeat performance.

“I’m the first to talk shit about him, Storm, I admit it,� Scott’s voice was quiet, filled with that brotherly patience he had demonstrated with her so often. “But you didn’t see him That Night.�

Ororo’s breath caught in her throat. Scott had never spoken, to anyone, about the incident they all referred to as “That Night�. It was avoided by most, at all costs. No one, save Logan and Scott, knew exactly how Ororo had been found inside the mangled Mini Cooper. Neither man, as though acting on some Masculine Bylaw only men were privy to, had ever so much has brought it up.

Until now.

“He was like a madman when you took off like that. I’d never seen him that wound up. Worried, pissed off, scared out of his mind,� he stopped, the emotion thick in his voice.

“When we saw the accident scene, he took off into the woods. I was right behind him…I heard him start screaming. It was the worst sound I’ve ever heard. Broken, enraged, hopeless…

“Look, he’d said. Look what they did,� Scott turned his red eyes to her, but she continued staring straight ahead. “He wouldn’t let you go.�

Her eyes closed, lashes brushing tears down her cheeks. She remembered some of it, the unintelligible scream…that had been Logan. She tried to imagine herself in those shoes, remembering the shocking sight of Logan’s bullet-riddled form asking for her help.

“I let them capture me,� she said quietly.

The ruby eyes seemed to burn her, but she continued as though she did not notice, wondering why this beautifully chilly day seemed ripe for confessions.

“The first time it was to spite him, you, everyone. It was petty and it nearly cost me my life,� she exhaled slowly. “I failed to anticipate the angle of the slope.�

“In North Dakota, I left Logan behind against his better judgment. I had only gone a few miles when I realized I was being followed. I crashed the bike – your bike – so I could help him.�

“That was stupid.�

“I know,� she admitted softly. “I could not let him go, my friend. Through all that has happened and will likely happen in the future, I love him. I refused to allow him to fight alone. Ever.�

Her friend’s lips split into a slow, bemused smile. “Don’t know how many times I’ve said the same to Jean. Especially when she’s grappling with her mutations.�

Ororo reached over, touching his hand gently. While she was normally not tactile, he did not shy away from the touch, nor did he call attention to it.

“He left because he had to,� Scott winced. “That hurt. Anyway, I don’t want you…�

“I know why he left, Scott,� she replied, interrupting him. “I do not hold it against him, for various reasons.�

“Then what…?�

She sighed, clasping her hands together and studying the horizon under the steadily brightening sun. “Whatever is eating him on the inside has to do with what happened in Colorado. His sojourn into the Friends of Humanity was merely a distraction.�

Her friend was quiet for several moments before he murmured. “Well, what are you going to do about it?�

“When he is ready, he will talk about it. If I push or pull away, we will return to the same state we were in before he left.�

“So, you’ll wait?�

“I will wait forever.�

There were no more words after that. In companionable silence, Ororo and Scott watched Tunza play in the sun until Jean called them inside for lunch.

~@~

Three days after Ororo and Logan had returned to the mansion, she knelt in the small greenhouse set aside for her personal use, inspecting her lily bulbs carefully. She had donned an old pair of jeans, so worn they were down soft and a t-shirt Rogue had given her last year. Jean had helped her wash the dark dye from her hair, returning it to the signature white she had missed.

The children were playing in the warm afternoon sunlight, their shouts and laughter filtered in through the open greenhouse door over the sultry tones of Loreena McKennitt.

She loved the smell of earth and growth in the greenhouse, especially in the very beginnings of spring. Her planting would have to be done soon, preparing the gardens for the growing season was a task she took on fully.

Last season, she had been confined to her wheelchair and unable to participate. This year, however, she would be elbow-deep in dirt for days at a time. Smiling, humming along to the dreamy tune of Tango to Evora, Ororo settled her lily bulb into the pot, satisfied with how it had weathered the cold.

Replacing the tray of small pots on the shelf, she turned to the herb seedlings she had begun for Jean. Her dear friend was in dire need of a few more fresh herbs for her kitchen. She gently traced the tiny, budding mint leaves, inhaling the sweet fragrance over the musky scent of damp earth.

Somehow, being in here, alone among the slow cycle of growth, was calming in ways she could never fully explain. She had a deep and abiding love for watching things grow. Perhaps that explained her attachment to her students. Watching them mature and grow was as fascinating as nurturing her plants to bud.

There was something in the process of creation that would never cease to hold her in rapture.

“This is certainly a wonderful crop,� came a cheerful voice from the door.

Ororo grinned softly, beckoning her friend closer by crooking a dirty finger at him. “I have something for you.�

Henry bounced over to her, nearly clapping with his delight. Of all the X-Men, only Henry shared her love of green plants, of the life contained within them.

She selected the sprawling fern she had set aside for her friend and winked at him. Perhaps it appealed to the beast beneath the man, but Henry adored wild plants that would choke an entire mansion should it be allowed free rule.

Her friend gasped dramatically, putting a hand to his furry, blue chest. “My dear Ororo, this is beautiful.�

Smiling brightly, she presented him with the glossy fern. “It is one that grew from the cuttings you brought me from Maine.�

Beast took the plant with a look of awe, leaning over to kiss her cheek gently. “I knew you could create something from those tiny cuttings. My, this will be perfect to hang in my bedroom window.�

Ororo nodded. “It will like the rising sun, actually. The eastern window will be perfect.�

Before Henry could reply, Bobby and Artie fell into the greenhouse, narrowly missing a towering rack filled with freshly planted seedlings. Ororo’s hands flew up, cushioning the boys’ fall with a gentle gust of wind.

“Boys!� she scolded, gliding over to them with a scowl on her face that would rival her Wolverine.

Both young men scrambled to their feet, looking sheepish, flushed, and as though they were thoroughly enjoying whatever they had been up to.

“Nice catch, Storm,� Artie offered meekly, biting back what she suspected were peals of laughter.

Bobby nudged him sharply in the side, glancing over his shoulder when entreating calls sounded from behind him.

“Sorry, I didn’t expect that pass to go quite that long,� he grinned, shouting back. “I thought Jean would throw like a girl!�

Ororo had to bite back a laugh at the affronted screech she knew belonged to her friend. “What in the world are you up to?�

Bobby produced a football from behind his back. The weathered ball looked ready to fall apart after years of use. There were other, newer balls, she knew. Somehow, the old favorite was always dragged out for friendly games.

With Henry trailing behind her, she followed the boys out of the greenhouse, watching them trot off to rejoin the game. Jean, Rogue, Jubliee and several others scrambled to resume their positions. Ororo coughed to conceal her laughter when she spotted her dear friend’s messy ponytail, the spaces under her eyes covered with a light-absorbing paint.

“Who is winning?� Ororo asked of Charles, whom had taken up residence on the sidelines and was watching the game with unguarded amusement.

He smiled up at her, indicating to Scott’s “Boys� team. “Unfortunately, the men. However, the girls are short a player.�

“Cause girls are sissies!� she heard Scott call out.

Jean seemed to growl, digging her heels in as she squared off against her fiancé.

Ororo’s eyebrow arched quickly and she un-tucked her t-shirt. “Is that so, Mr Summers?�

“Uh-oh,� Artie chortled. “Here comes Miss Munroe.�

“Do be careful,� Henry murmured as she turned to him with a wink.

“I will be, I promise,� she kissed his cheek and called for a time-out, racing onto the “field� to join her friends.

Chapter Eleven: Mated

Why must I feel this way
Just make this go away
Just one more peaceful day
~Staind


He was sneaking into the kitchen long after everyone had been shuffled off to bed, exhausted with the day’s events. For once, it was a happy, sated sort of exhaustion.

Logan had joined the action just as Ororo had decided to up the game’s ante by joining the girls’ side. The game had lasted another hour, with the boys winning by the narrowest margin in history. He’d just melted into the crowd. No one questioned him, which was a welcome relief.

The post-game party hadn’t wound down until the sun had long vanished behind the tree line. Everyone had been wrapped in warm sweaters by the end, when they all talked quietly under the blue-black sky. There had been no talk of war or anti-mutant protests. Little things like movies, books, and tales of childhood antics had ruled the evening.

Logan could not remember a better time. He’d never even known that people could truly just enjoy one another well enough to spend an entire day laughing. His sides had actually hurt by the time all of the adults had finished off the last of the beer and wine, after the children were inside, of course. He’d never known that Hank had once spent an evening drinking in medical school and actually took his mid-term while three-sheets to the wind.

Scott and Jean regaled them all with tales of the “original� crop of X-Men. A few he had never met and others he would never look at the same. They had traded embarrassing stories over their drinks under the twinkling stars above, enjoying the warm, familial evening.

Little things like that were what kept him at the mansion, why he fought the “good fight�. Not for the Dream or equal right or whatever the hell it was. He fought for the sliver of peace this place granted him.

Logan slipped down the stairs, ears alert for sounds of others waking for a midnight snack. His stomach rumbled angrily at him, making him look at his own body in annoyance. Hurrying to the kitchen, he could almost hear the leftover potato salad calling him.

After ransacking the refrigerator, he settled at the kitchen table. Jean had left the windows cracked, allowing a cool, fresh breeze through the cooking area. Sitting back against his chair, he ate slowly, enjoying the cold salad and a glass of water. It was so quiet, so peaceful. He could hear the soft sounds of the house sleeping around him, secure and safe. It was a rare gift, loving something. A home. A person. An idea.

It was something Logan was slowly coming to terms with. The house and children Logan had known would hook him on some level the moment he’d met Xavier. The sound of children laughing was like balm on his broken soul.

Ororo was another matter. He had been dragged, kicking and screaming, into loving that woman. In retrospect, he should have fought harder. Not that he was going to be filing a complaint anytime soon.

The sound of a soft footfall halted his fork before it reached his mouth. He waited, holding his breath and gently testing the air. Unfortunately, with the windows open, all scents were carried into the opposite direction.

“Hello?�

A soft, female voice cut through the silence. Logan relaxed, clearing his throat. “Yeah, it’s me.�

She poked her head around the doorway, smiling softly when she spotted him at the table. “Hello.�

Logan fought the urge to close his eyes, inhale the scent of her. Ororo came fully into the kitchen, dressed in one of her nightgowns. It was white, sleeveless, like something out of an old movie. The soft cotton whispered against her legs as she tiptoed to the fridge. She hummed as she rummaged through the contents of the icebox, bent at the waist. He did not resist the urge to peer over the island to catch a glimpse of her lean form through the thin material of her gown.

“Bother,� she said, coming up. Her pout was audible. “Someone polished off the potato salad.�

He allowed himself a grin, holding his fork up. “This potato salad?�

She gave him a scowl, coming over slowly. “Sneaky thief.�

Gesturing to the cabinets, he pushed out the chair across from him. The tinkling of plates and silverware preceded her arrival at the table. She sat across from him, handing him the plate. He carefully divided the salad and split it between them.

For a while, neither of them spoke, eating quietly in the moonlit kitchen. He felt her toes bump his, not surprised that she had forgone shoes before coming down. Pressing his foot against hers was a small gesture, but he wanted her to know it was all right to speak.

She smiled around her fork.

“Could you not sleep?�

Shaking his head, he took a moment to swallow before answering.

“No.�

“Nightmares?�

“Not exactly.�

When she did not press, he turned his thoughts inward. He had been dreaming, but not of needles and war and pain. The dreams were so similar to those that had come before his admission that he loved Storm. The dying light, the heartache at seeing it fade, her death lived over and over again by his broken mind.

Looking across the table to her, he could only hope that in some small way, she would understand that he loved her. She ate delicately, her beautiful lips wrapping around her fork carefully.

Her eyes, however, were emotionless. He knew that look. She was trying, very hard, to hide whatever she was feeling. They had not been alone since awaking together that first day back at the mansion.

He had been right about one thing in Canon City. He was tired of being alone. His fractured soul needed help to mend, help that only this beautiful goddess could give him.

If he closed his eyes, he could see her held aloft, the fury of her storm more fascinating than anything he had ever seen. Ororo’s power was unmatched. When he’d asked for help, she had told him that she would save him this time.

Did she not realise she already had?

Before he could think enough to stop himself, he spoke. “’Ro?�

She looked up at him, as though surprised that he had spoken.

“Yes?�

“I need you,� he said quietly. “I can’t do this alone.�

The sound of her nightgown rustling gave away the fact that she was moving. Before he could think, she was beside him, kneeling at his chair. Her hands reached for his face, palms on either cheek.

“You are never alone, my love,� Ororo said fiercely. “You have not been alone since the day we met.�

She paused and he knew she was about to hit him, hard. Swallowing, he braced himself for the blow.

“But I cannot help you if you cannot help yourself,� her voice was a pained whisper, the urge to flee written clearly in her blue eyes. “Why can you not tell me what happened in Colorado?�

To his horror, tears instantly bit at the back of his eyes. How could she ever understand? He had told no one of Rankin’s sadistic plan. He had not found the words to tell his family that he had killed a nearly innocent child, a puppet of another man’s insanity.

“I…�

But she was already gone.

~*~

Logan wandered the grounds until well after dawn. Tunza trotted beside him, giving the mutant reproachful looks once in a while. He knew the pooch was hoping Logan would rush back to the mansion, into the arms of his lover.

God, he wanted to. He would have, had her words not struck a cord inside him. She knew more than she was letting on, as always. It was not surprising. Ororo was perceptive, almost to a fault.

As the sunlight warmed his face, he kept his walking aimlessly. There was something soothing about being alone with nature, his thoughts drifting until he found something worth thinking about.

Unfortunately, his idle thoughts were consumed with the events in Colorado, with the child’s life on his clawed hands. He didn’t want to think about him. There was nothing he wanted more than to forget it had ever happened, to bury it so deep in his mind that it became more dream than actuality.

But there was no escaping it. He could see every moment behind his closed eyelids. The feel of the boy’s chest as it shredded under his hands, the fear in his eyes. What he had done was beyond unforgivable. His temper, his ire had gotten the best of him.

How could he face Ororo with that knowledge? What made him worthy of her?

She wanted him, all of him, but he was too piss-in-his-pants afraid to let her all the way in. What if she peeled back the protective layers of his heart only to find he was the monster he feared? What if that awful night last year came back and his claws were not buried in the material of her bed, but in the soft flesh of her chest?

Yes, he needed to be alone, to think this out. Unfortunately, that proved to not be an option.

“Logan!�

Turning at the familiar voice, he stopped walking to give Rogue a chance to catch up to him. She looked adorable, her little ponytail flying about her face. The young mutant gave Tunza a rough pat on the head before she came to stand beside Logan.

“You’re an ass.�

Both of his bushy brows shot up at her greeting.

“Nice to see you too, Marie. How’s your day been?�

The little woman gave him a glare, poking him hard in the ribcage.

“I want you to talk to me.�

“Aren’t we already talking?�

That earned him a smart slap on the back of his head.

“What do you want to talk about?�

“Colorado.�

Startling at her blunt topic choice, Logan began to walk again.

“I don’t want to talk about that.�

“Ah don’t care,� Rogue countered. “We’re talking about it before it destroys you and Roro in the process.�

Logan scowled, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Marie had that uncanny knack for seeing right to the heart of things and then using whatever information she had to manipulate him. It was irritating. He wondered, not for the first time, if the powers and memory she’d absorbed from him so long ago had granted her with a peculiar gift for seeing things as he saw them.

She fell into step beside him, nudging him with her elbow.

“I killed a kid, Marie,� he began at last. “And it’s hard to deal with that.�

“Ah can understand that,� Marie nodded. “But this was the guy that hurt your girl.�

Logan smiled, briefly, at her word choice. “Yeah. But that don’t make it right.�

She shrugged easily. “Ah would’ve done exactly the same thing.�

They lapsed into silence for a long moment before the girl spoke again.

“She was scared, when she woke up in the hospital, knowin’ you were gone. Ah’ve never seen someone more scared than that.�

Logan grunted.

“Except for when yah left like yah did at Magneto’s.�

He gave her a sharp look.

“Don’t get that way with me,� she said haughtily. “Yah left like you didn’t want tah be with us anymore. Yah hurt everyone.�

“I didn’t have a choice,� he immediately defended. “Everyone had to believe I was gone for good.�

“Why?�

“You think you or ‘Ro woulda stayed behind if you thought different?�

She paused. “All right, yah have me there.�

After another long, thoughtful pause, his young companion spoke again.

“Yah don’t think it’s over, do yah?�

He grabbed her arm, boring his eyes into hers when she turned to face him. The surprise faded from her face, her features screwing into a look of determination mingled with fear.

“What are you talking about?�

Marie inhaled deeply, blowing the breath out slowly as Tunza bounded ahead of them, in search of something that had caught his eye.

“Even if it’s not the Friends, there are others that will want to hurt us,� Marie said with wisdom beyond her tender years. “You and ‘Ro, all of us, we’re fightin’ a war that ain’t endin’ anytime soon. What are yah gonna do if somethin’ happens to you or her? Gonna leave it like this?�

Logan released his young friend’s arm gently, lapsing back into his own thoughts. She had a point, even if he didn’t want to admit it. All those months locked in the Friends’ hideout, something could have happened to him. Ororo would have never known how much he loved her.

If they went on a mission, if one of them fell in battle, what would she believe? That he had only loved her to an extent? That she was not the balm on his soul? Could he live with himself if she died never knowing?

All this thinking was making his brain hurt. The girl beside him was staring at him, obviously expecting an answer he didn’t have.

“All right,� she said with a long-suffering sigh. “Just think bout it, will yah?�

Logan nodded. Marie turned, sprinting back toward the mansion with Tunza hot on her heels.

He watched them go, looking up at the darkening sky. It would rain soon. For some reason, he knew it was not Ororo’s weather tampering, but true rain.

Maybe walking in it a while would do him some good. As the first heavy, fat drops hit him, Logan turned into the woods, vanishing from sight.

~*~

When Logan finally returned to the mansion, evening had already fallen. He was no closer to a solution than he had been before. Ororo deserved to know what she meant to him, just in case their reckless lives caught up with them.

Yet, he was certain that she deserved better. She needed someone steady, not this utterly fatalistic monster he could become at the drop of a hat. Her need for someone attuned with nature was just a byproduct of their relationship. She could get on well enough without it.

Yes, it was better if he just admitted that she was more beloved than life itself and then stepped back. Let her mourn and move on.

Still, the memory of that storm she had conjured to save them both flitted in and out of his mind. She had done that for him. To save him.

Mind a jumble of inconsistent thoughts, Logan trudged up the stairs toward his room. His mind was so occupied by this mismatched train of thought, that he never realized he had walked right by his bedroom.

He had already twisted the knob and stepped inside by the time he realized where he was. The scent of earth and rain met his nostrils a moment before he saw her.

Ororo stood at the terrace doors, as she had that night he’d taken her in the rain. A gentle breeze lifted the translucent curtains, making them billow around her. Ororo’s face was lifted slightly, letting the charm of nature wash over her.

God, it’s not right for her to be so damned beautiful, the thought held the hopelessness in his heart.

He would never stop wanting her. There would never be peace and silence in his soul so long as he was near her. Even if he gave into the impulse to run, screaming, into the wild, he knew it would be in vain. She would haunt his dreams and waking thoughts. There was no stopping it any longer, maybe there hadn’t been all along.

Logan loved her and she was his mate, in every sense of the word.

She turned, slowly, as though expecting to see him. Her lips were turned into a small smile, fire flashing in those beautiful eyes.

“I created an impossible tornado, for you,� she said proudly. “I would do it again and again if it meant keeping you here with me.�

“Tell me what to do, ‘Ro,� he choked in response. “I can’t stop loving you and fuck, I don’t want to try.�

Her sculpted chin lifted in response. “Trust me. Stop fighting me at every damned turn.�

“I don’t know how.�

“TRY!�

Her shout made him wince. There were barely concealed tears in her voice. Logan ached to rush across the room, to soothe her fears with words he wasn’t sure he really meant. But that had gotten him into this situation. He had loved and accepted her love without truly knowing what it would entail.

For both their sakes, he could not blindly fumble into it again.

“I don’t know if I can.�

Tears slipped down her perfect cheeks. What had he told her so long ago when she admitted her tribe had worshipped her as a goddess? Oh yes, he could see why. With the stormy backdrop framing her through the window, she had never seemed so untouchable, so immortal.

He knew better, but at that moment she was his deity. He wanted to fall to his knees and worship her as was only fair. He was a mere mortal; she was everything divine.

“I chose you, Logan,� she continued. “Perhaps not at first, but I when I realized I was falling for you, I let it happen. I wanted it to happen. And I do. I love you. Why are you afraid of me?�

Logan swallowed thickly. The space between them so resembled those awful months when they had grown apart that it was a physical pain to feel it again. If he did not act now, with feeling, they would never cross this chasm. There would be nothing left save pain and anger between them.

“I’m not afraid of you,� Logan said at last. “I’m afraid of what you make me feel. I’m terrified of hurting you, physically and every other way. I’m petrified that I’m not worthy of you. I’ve got blood on my hands, ‘Ro, and I don’t deserve to even look at you.�

“Stop,� she pled, her face wet with sorrow. “Logan, I want you. I want to wake up to your face every morning, to kiss you goodnight before I sleep. I want to argue with you, make love with you, and laugh with you until this world comes down around our ears. But you are so intent on pushing me away that it hurts me to even look at you.�

She drew in a shaking breath. “I told myself I could wait forever and I could. But I don’t want to. Please, let me help you.�

Logan felt his hands shake as he raised them to tug at his wolfish peaks of his hair.

“I killed that kid,� he admitted at last. “And I enjoyed it. I tore his innards apart and loved every moment of it.�

If she was shocked, she never showed it. Hope sprang in her eyes and that, more than his need for soul-rending confession, pushed more from his unwilling lips.

“He tried you kill you, and I couldn’t stand it. He joked about how you screamed when he shot you. I murdered him, in cold blood, for daring to touch you. I would do it again.�

Her icy resolve seemed to crack, her hand seemingly reaching for him of it’s own accord. He took one, fateful step toward her.

“Rankin was behind it all, Ororo,� Logan continued. “That kid was poisoned against mutants, against you. He didn’t deserve his death, you can’t fault someone for stupidity. I killed Rankin with my bare hands. I would have kept punching him until he was nothing but blood and broken bone, had those bullets not torn me up.�

“I killed five people that day,� Ororo said flatly. “The others didn’t want me to know. But I knew. I killed them intentionally. Lightning and hail tore their bodies asunder. And Logan, I enjoyed it. I thought they had killed you.�

Shocked by her admission, Logan could only blink at her for several seconds.

“We are more alike than you want to believe, my love,� Ororo finished. “You are the only soul on this earth that can truly understand the guilt and joy that comes with taking a life in revenge for the pain a person can inflict on a beloved.�

“You killed them?� was all he could say for several minutes.

The very thought that Ororo had killed in his name was repugnant, though it stirred that primitive mating call that howled within his chest. Did she feel it, too? The call that echoed primal longing, the success at finding that perfect mate?

One look into those fiery blue eyes spoke volumes of her needs. She wanted him. After everything, she still wanted him.

Something deep inside Logan snapped.

“I can’t promise I won’t piss you off.�

“I can make no such promise either.�

“Good,� Logan growled. “Come over here. Now.�

Ororo was in his arms before he even noticed she had left her place at the terrace doors. Her lips were on his, hot and ferocious. Logan’s arms encircled her easily, dropping them both onto the bed so hard that they bounced.

His clothing ripped under her eager hands. He tore her gown down the middle, latching his mouth onto any bit of exposed flesh he could find. One hand found the three, thin scars on her ribcage left by his nightmares months ago.

The touch sent Ororo into a low, sultry moan that resonated through the room, through his soul. He answered her call with a lusty growl. How they managed to remove all of their clothing would ever be a mystery.

Neither of them commented as naked flesh met flesh. He touched every inch of her skin that he could find. She answered him in kind, those burning hands scorching his body as she ran them over his flesh.

Logan thrust inside her without pause. She threw her head back, a scream lost in suddenly howling winds. He reveled in it. He wanted her to let loose, to destroy everything around them in her ecstasy.

Ororo rocked her hips against his, growling to mirror him as they both found the position sorely lacking. He pulled away from her, watching her lithe, beautiful body as she scrambled to her knees.

His hands molded to her hips, his cock finding it’s way back inside her with one rough thrust. She propped herself up on her hands, her hips moving like pistons against his.

It was frantic, carnal on a level he had never experienced. All thought, all words were lost in a frenzy of heated flesh and moaning demands. Logan and Ororo mated as animals, their primal nature finally overcoming every prohibition imprinted by society.

When at last it was over, in a flurry of sleet, hail, snow, and screaming growls, they collapsed into one another’s arms. Warm, sated, home, Logan turned to his mate.

“I’m never letting you go.�

“I will never allow it.�

With that, they fell on one another again, shaking the very walls of the mansion around them in a fury of passion unmatched by anything else to ever grace the earth. He took her and took her and took her until there was nothing left, save the sanctity of this embrace.

It was done. They were apart no longer, now a mated pair for life. They might regret it in the years to come, but for the moment, they fell into the thick, dreamless sleep provided by boundless love.

Chapter Twelve: Consequences

Logan and Ororo did not “come up for air� for three days.

They spent that time reacquainting themselves with their relationship. Hours were spent talking or laughing, making love until neither of them could move. She felt, for the first time since the shooting, that the Logan she had fallen in love with had returned to her.

Both of them were aware that the world marched on beyond the door to their bedroom and yet the pressure to return to their tempestuous lives was ignorable. Even now, as they lounged in her enormous bathtub, there was little in the way of urging to move on.

Ororo dropped her head back against Logan’s shoulder, letting the scent of his cigar smoke roll over her. The water had turned lukewarm, but she was too comfortable to suggest getting out or turning on the hot tap again.

The steady beat of his heart thudded against her naked back, a smile toying at her lips at the feel of his hairy, muscular chest. For the first time since the shooting, her back did not ache or shoot violent pain through her weary nerves.

A delicious soreness spoke only of their activities in the last few days. Here with him in this way, there was nothing between them. Nothing and no one else existed inside this room.

“How long do you think we have before they start banging the door down?� the low growl of her Logan’s voice made it difficult to concentrate on his question.

“Mmm,� she hummed, tilting her head slightly so she could look into his eyes. “I am unsure.�

His thick, masculine arms tightened around her chest. Ororo grunted a little, smiling at him warmly.

“You thinkin’ we should make an appearance, show ‘em we’re alive?�

“Unfortunately, yes,� she grinned, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Perhaps for dinner?�

He smiled wolfishly. “That’s still a few hours away.�

Placing a swift look of false innocence onto her face, Ororo fought a smile. “Is it?�

They fell back into silence, idly stroking one another’s wet arms and legs. There was a sense of timelessness wrapped in each other this way. As though pressure had reached a breaking point between them, the walls they had built to protect themselves were now broken, leaving them both without protection from each other.

That first night of reunion left her with an overwhelming sense of peace. She no longer bore the fear of Logan running from her again. They had bound themselves together, two incomplete parts of a whole. Oh, she had no doubt they would hurt one another again, and she was relatively certain they would both have moments of regret. That, she thought, was simply human nature.

Before they could speak or move, there came a knock on their bedroom door.

“Storm? Wolverine? Sorry to disturb, but we have a problem,� came the soft voice of Jean through the door.

“Surprised it took trouble so long to find us,� Logan growled into her ear.

“Yes, Jean,� Ororo replied to her friend, elbowing Logan sharply. “We will be right out.�

“We’re in the War Room.�

Logan met Ororo’s eyes again, one of his thick brows raising slightly. “Now that can’t be good.�

~*~

Several minutes later, Ororo and Logan entered the War Room to find a nearly comical sight. It was absurd to see the Brotherhood sitting elbow to elbow with the X-Men. Though she and Logan refrained from direct physical contact in the presence of the others, they remained close.

“Ah, there you are,� Charles said smoothly as they entered, his tone leaving no room for anyone to make a snide comment.

Ororo took her place on the Professor’s left side, with her team. Across the long table, the Gold team faced the Blue, with the Brotherhood on the opposite end from Charles. It was a strange spectacle, seeing former enemies gathered together as barely willing allies.

Logan’s throat vibrated with a soft growl, but Ororo shot him a look that quite easily shut him up. Once everyone settled, Erik began to speak, tapping a few commands into the console in front of him.

“We have a problem, children,� Magneto started, indicating to the map that appeared before them, compliments of holo-imaging.

Storm’s eyes flicked over the topographical map, noting a dozen glowing spots that seemed to be a sign of something. After everyone had taken several seconds to look over the image carefully, Erik continued.

“The light points are mutant hideouts, many of them simply families in hiding,� the powerful mutant said in his deep tone. “Every indicated point is where a mutant has been abducted over the last six hours.�

Her eyes going wide suddenly, Ororo chanced a glance around the table, not surprised to find her friends’ shocked expressions. With a pang, she turned to Rogue, who was staring in horror at a softly glowing light centered in Germany.

Kurt, she thought, swallowing thickly.

“It seems our troubles with the Friends of Humanity are not yet over,� Charles continued solemnly.

“Do you know where they have been taken or why?� Cyclops asked, carefully controlling his emotions.

“We know why,� Erik said bluntly, looking directly at Storm and Wolverine. “Where is a question we cannot yet answer.�

Storm exchanged a glance with Wolverine, understanding his sudden discomfort. They were to blame for this new inflammation of the Friends. Their brash exit had not only destroyed the base at Canon County and killed a number of the members, it was a rebuke. An insult.

“What is the plan?�

Mystique stood, changing the holo-image before them with a quick tap on the console in front of Magneto. Her hollow, echoing voice sent an eerie shiver down Ororo’s spine. The mutant woman’s eyes took in each person at the conference table. Storm wanted to bring down lightning when her yellow gaze lingered on Wolverine.

As though hearing her inward jealousy, Logan touched her hand under the table, calming her instantly. How he had known she was ready to commit murder again, was unknown, but part of her felt a jolt of giddy satisfaction that he was hers now.

“Between our three teams here, we will hit three other known Friends bases,� said the shape-shifter. “The Brotherhood will go to the rebuilt base in Colorado, the X-Men’s Blue team will lead an attack in Washington and the Gold to Germany, where we believe they are holding Nightcrawler.�

“Attack?� Cyclops said quickly, revulsion in his voice. “Are we sure a full attack will do anything?�

“Yes,� Magneto cut in. “They expect you to hold your positions, gather your mutants close and wait them out. They do not know that we are allied and they will certainly never expect a preemptive strike.�

“There is some wisdom in what Magneto says,� Storm chimed in. “If they know as much as we believe about me, they will assume I have not yet recovered from the incident in Canon County. I will have the element of surprise.�

She turned to Charles, whom seemed to agree with her. Several of the Brotherhood members looked surprised that she had spoken in favor of this plan. Cyclops, Jean, Henry and Logan all turned to her in minute shock.

“I know,� she nodded slowly. “And I would agree that my powers were pushed to the limit in Canon County, but I need to do this. Everything that has happened is because of me.�

“That ain’t true,� Wolverine began.

She cut him off with a single look. Her heart did a mysterious double beat, as though she could feel the building fear and rage within her beloved. He flinched for a moment, then raised a brow. Something odd was happening between them, but they had no time to sort it out now.

“We cannot allow this to go unheard,� Henry added a moment later. “Our creed demands we at least attempt to free these abducted mutants.�

“I am inclined to agree,� Charles said with an air of finality. “Erik, I expect the mutants in Colorado to be returned unharmed as well as any humans that may be held with them.�

Magneto’s face broke into a benevolent smile. “For once, old friend, we are agreed on that score. All those abducted will be rescued, including Homo sapiens.�

“Good,� the Professor turned to his team leaders. “Scott, you will take your team with one of the Brotherhood’s jets, Storm will take ours. You have your orders, good luck.�

The meeting was immediately adjourned. Storm motioned for the X-Men in her team to follow her at once. It would take some time to get the jet prepared for take off.

“Storm?�

At Cyclops’ call, Ororo sent Wolverine to prepare the jet, turning to face him as the other mutants rushed to their tasks. Mystique gave Storm a curiously amused smirk, which only served to make the white-haired weather witch ready to punch her.

“Take Jubilee with you,� Cyclops said quickly, motioning for the young X-Man to follow the Gold team. “We’ll be taking Quicksilver with us, so the teams will be even.�

Storm nodded, jerking her head to the side for Jubilee to get suited up. The Asian mutant’s exuberant jog reminded Ororo of Tunza at mealtime.

“You are concerned,� Storm said to Cyclops when they were alone.

“Yeah,� he admitted. “I trust the Brotherhood, on this at least, but something about this doesn’t feel right.�

Storm tapped her lips with a forefinger, contemplating his words. There was a certain truth to what her dear friend said. Though it was not so unusual for the X-Men to divide for missions such as this, the actions of the usually erratic Friends did seem oddly organized. In just over six hours, they had managed to abduct over two dozen mutants, many of them carefully spread apart over thousands of miles.

“I agree,� she nodded. “Keep Jean in close contact with me. If something starts to go wrong, save as many as you can and get out.�

“Same goes for you,� Cyclops rubbed her shoulder gently. “They’ll be gunning for you the second they see you, Wolverine too. Be careful how much power you use, the government is on the watch as well.�

“Lovely,� she retorted with a hint of sarcasm. “Though I can hardly blame them after the tornado in Canon County. It was a phenomenon.�

“Yeah,� Cyclops turned when Jean called for him. “Keep your nose clean, kid.�

“Stay out of trouble,� she returned, winking as he jogged toward his team.

Storm watched him move away for a long moment, then turned to find the Professor watching her just as carefully from the doorway of the War Room.

“Trust your instincts,� he said in a ringing tone. “Above all else.�

Nodding, though wondering if he meant while on the mission or about Wolverine, she offered him a small smile.

“Try to not worry overmuch.�

“I will endeavor to do so.�

Without replying, she moved down to the hangar, already noting the sound of a jet taking off from several meters down the corridor. It was going to be a long day.

~*~

The jet’s engines hovered somewhere between a loud purr and ear-piercing roar as the Gold team. Wolverine sat in his co-pilot’s chair, twisting the knobs and flipping buttons without her asking him.
The younger members of their team were all strapped in behind them, fidgeting from the long trip across the Atlantic. It was curiously quiet, even four hours into the trip. Storm glanced over her shoulder, frowning at the terrified look on young Rogue’s face.

“She’s all right,� Logan said quietly from beside her. “She’ll snap out of it soon enough.�

“I can hardly blame her,� Storm agreed. “She and Kurt are very close.�

They lapsed back into silence, both concentrating on the glowing and beeping of the equipment before them. Storm sighed, expelling the air from her lungs slowly. Logan glanced at her, raising a brow.

Shaking her head, she sucked in a breath suddenly, feeling a roll of concern that was at once alien and perfectly natural. Her frown deepening, she tried to shake the feeling, looking to Logan only to find his expression mirrored hers.

The screaming beep from the radar brought her attention sharply to the instruments in front of her.

“Bogey incoming, right on our tail.�

Wolverine’s voice was curt, clipped and completely calm. Storm looked over her shoulder.

“Strap in.�

Without waiting for her passengers to reply, she gripped the controls and whipped the jet into a stomach churning spin. Several of her teammates swore as she pulled up on the controls.

“Evasive maneuvers aren’t supposed to kill your passengers,� Wolverine grunted.

“I do not need a side seat driver, Logan, be quiet,� she replied, sending the jet into a sharp upward thrust.

After another few dives, Storm spotted the small plane that pursued them. Squinting at it in the growing dark. The sleek model was not something she was familiar with. Painted black with no distinguishing marks, she raised a brow, noting the single pilot through a narrow windowpane.

“Awful lot of guns on that thing,� Wolverine grunted, checking the scanning device.

“Yes,� she agreed, meeting the other pilot’s eyes and smirking at him. “Shall we dance?�

The masked pilot seemed to understand her, smiling even as her eyes stung with the use of her mutation.

She instantly brought clouds around them, cloaking the jet in a thick, heavy fog.

“Hold on to something,� Storm commanded her teammates.

Flipping the plane’s hydraulics off, she sent the jet into a spiraling spin, glancing at the radar that showed her adversary was directly on her tail. Slightly unnerved that no weapons lock was targeted on them yet, she dove through the air with the jet, trying to lose their pursuer.

“Somethin’ isn’t right bout this,� Rogue said, her teeth obviously clenched together.

Storm concentrated on her piloting, sending a searching thought to Jean, giving her a telepathic briefing about the situation. Her friend sent back an urgent message of her own.

“Wolverine,� Storm said quickly. “The Blue team is pursued as well as the Brotherhood.�

“Someone knew we were coming,� he answered on a growl.

“Yes, I think--�

She was cut off by the scream of the jet’s alarms. The jet gave a violent shudder, shaking so loudly that Storm was surprised it stayed in one piece at all. There was a moment of panic before the roar of the jet’s engines sputtered before going completely silent.

The other jet had cut directly in front of them making the larger plane run directly into the engines’ wake, the force knocking their own off line.

“Hold on!�

Wolverine’s voice shouted above hers as Storm frantically sent out a radio S.O.S.

“Vulture-Delta-Four this is Blackbird-Bravo-Two, our engines are disabled. Losing altitude. We are going down. Repeat. We are going down…�

The jet’s flat spin swung the passengers around, catching their breath in suddenly tight air. Unfathomable force flattened bodies to the seats, making it impossible to move.

“Get the chutes!� Storm screamed over the shriek of the air around them. The altitude monitor spun as she fought to unbuckle herself.

As she pulled on the joystick, trying desperately to regain control, she searched for the other jet, not surprised to find it was hovering several thousand feet above them. With a gasp, she pulled the parachute from the back of the pilot’s chair, strapping it on as Wolverine yanked on the lever that opened the hatch.
Several team members had already jumped by the time she managed to shove herself from her seat. A frantic call to Jean told her that they were on the way and would locate them as soon as possible after disposing of the jet above.

Logan was waiting for her at the hatch. Over the eardrum-shattering scream of the air, he shouted to her.

“Aim for that farm!� his voice was tinged with fear, though he tried valiantly to cover it. “That’s where the others are landing.�

“Logan…�

“I’m right behind ya. I promise.�

With that, Storm threw her body out of the jet, freefalling for hundreds of feet before she pulled the chute open. The enormous fabric imprinted with a giant X flew easily on the high winds, leaving her without the need to call on her mutation.

She pulled the handles quickly, moving closer to the other black parachutes. They were hundreds of miles from their intended destination. Thousands from home. Tilting her head back, she watched the other jet speed away from them.

No good will come from this.

Chapter Thirteen: Hand of God

Human pride sings a vengeful song
Inspired by the times it’s been walked on
~Creed


It had not taken long for the five X-Men to locate a small clearing in the woods surrounding the tiny farm that had served as their landing zone. The flight and subsequent jump had left Peter with a sour stomach and both young girls dizzy from the shift in equilibrium.

Logan bandaged a large gash on Rogue’s arm from the landing, which she desperately needed to perfect. Jubilee was fighting with the communication equipment she had managed to bring with her. He had to admit, the kid had good survival instincts.

The clearing was well protected by thick forest. Wide tree trunks and heavy underbrush provided natural camouflage for the stranded group of mutants. Logan checked on Jubilee and Storm, the latter patting Peter’s back as he vomited over a dead log before he began to make rounds.

His communicator was not working, which make him rather nervous if he wanted to be honest with himself. Though he knew Storm was in contact with Jean via that mysterious mental link, it was still preferable to have other means of communication. Hopefully, the other X-Men, who had escaped their own pursuit, would be along shortly to collect them.

Sniffing out the various scents of wildlife and old human trails, Logan contemplated the situation. It was somewhat obvious that they had either been betrayed or expected in some other capacity. Betrayal was unlikely, as the other two jets had been attacked as well. Not even Magneto was bastard enough to sacrifice his own people. He hoped.

Somehow, the Friends of Humanity had been waiting for them. The divided allies were weaker when separated and held aloft in a two-ton machine. There was little the group could do in the air. Storm might have left the plane to fight, but the others were hopelessly trapped in that enormous tin can.

They had all watched the jet crash into the woods beyond the farm. Ororo had taken a moment to activate the self-destruct, ensuring that the encrypted files housed in the jet’s computer would never reach the wrong hands.

So they had no choice but to wait for the cavalry. Logan wished he and his ‘Ro had decided to just stay in her bathtub together, letting the world fall to pieces outside their peaceful rooms. At least there he felt safe, untouchable, instead of naked for the world to see.

“Logan?�

Turning at the call of her voice, Logan offered his lover a small smile. “Hey.�

“Hey yourself.� She settled her leather-clad form on a nearby stump, crossing her arms over her chest. “Peter’s stomach has finally settled. I have Rogue looking after him.�

“Poor kid,� Logan grunted. “I think I saw his boots come out of him.�

Ororo chuckled softly, that light sound reminding him of a summer breeze. “Yes, I do not think taking him on roller coasters will ever be a good idea.�

He grunted in response again, looking toward the branch-woven canopy that blocked the dusk sky above them. “Any word from the others?�

“Yes,� she replied instantly. “The Brotherhood took heavy damage, but they did manage to rescue most of the hostages in Colorado. They are going back to the mansion to regroup. Cyclops’ team is working on locating us now. The jet’s transponder signal pointed in the direction of southern Germany.�

“Not far from our target, eh?�

“Not at all,� she agreed. “I want all of us to be alert. I do not believe that jet’s goal was merely to get us out of the sky.�

“If he wanted to kill us,� Logan continued her train of thought. “Why didn’t he use one of the twenty weapons on his plane? This whole thing reeks like One-Eye’s chili.�

“That was not just any pilot, Logan,� the white-haired beauty persisted. “He was well-trained. I have not seen such piloting outside of the military.�

“Whatcha thinkin’?�

A frown creased the lines of her face, her lips pursing in something dangerously close to a pout as she thought on all that had happened. He could almost hear the wheels turning in that brilliant mind.

“I am still unsure.�

Before either of them could continue, Logan’s sensitive ears picked up a soft clicking sound from several yards beyond the clearing. He stood, shushing the group quickly. Nose to the air, he inhaled several times, trying to find a foreign scent among the smell of woods and familiar mutants.

Softly, as a woman’s caress in the dead of night, came the tang of alien bodies and the rust of overworked metal. Concentrating his hearing now, Logan picked out at the sounds of at least a dozen pairs of running boots, though the wearers were cautious to make as little noise as possible.

“They’re surrounding us,� he said in a low growl. His claws bit at the underside of his skin, begging for release.

“How many?� Ororo asked as Logan detected the faint hints of fog coming in to cloak them all.

“A dozen, maybe more.� He sniffed at the air again. “Possibly German militia or some kind of organized group.�

“Friends?� Colossus whispered from across the clearing.

“Could be.�

“Now what?� Rogue chimed in, her voice equally low.

To his great surprise, Storm moved to the center of the clearing. “We allow them to capture us.�

“What?� Logan hissed, his eyes going wide. The sounds of troops came closer and closer still with every moment that ticked by.

A dozen soldiers was nothing in the grand scheme of things. He could easily take out six and he knew for a fact that Colossus could handle the others. It would be an easy thing, really. The girls wouldn’t even get their hands dirty. They would likely find a radio among them to get an update on all that was happening outside of Germany.

“We still have a mission to fulfill,� Storm reminded them all in a tone dripping with authority. “If it is the Friends of Humanity, we can locate their base and escape after we locate the hostages. Jean and Scott have already unloaded their hostages, so they will have room.�

“This is crazy.� Wolverine growled at her, not caring if the command in her eyes was something he knew better than to trifle with. “They’ll kill ya the second they realize who it is they’re holding.�

“I do not think so, Wolverine,� she said in a cold tone. “They want me alive.�

“Rankin wanted you alive!� he hissed back. “The others riddled you with holes, or don’t you remember?�

“This solves nothing,� Colossus broke in with his deep, soothing voice. “We must decide. Quickly.�

Across the clearing, with fog swirling around them and the sounds of approaching footsteps echoing in his ears, Logan’s eyes met Ororo’s. The solid white did not diminish her weighty stare in the slightest. She was still the goddess, to be worshipped and obeyed, even as the animal within him thrashed at the reigns. There was something to what she said, but the risk was too great. He had nearly lost her so many times…it was not an option to do so again.

“No.�

One word seemed to ricochet around the clearing as the footsteps told him they were completely out of time. Before any of them could move, dozens of machine-gun toting militia burst through the underbrush, immediately surrounding the marooned X-Men.

“Keine Bewegung! Hände hoch! Waffen fallen lassen!�

The seeming leader shouted in the thick burr of German as Rogue and Jubilee were forced onto their knees, hands folded behind their heads. Blood boiling in his veins, he watched as his beloved weather goddess fall to her knees as well.

“Wir wollen Euch nichts tun. Unser Flugzeug ist abgestürzt.I>� Ororo replied, much to Logan’s surprise.

“Wir suchen nach fünf Mutanten-Verbrecher. Ihr paßt auf die Beschreibung.,� came the swift reply.

Logan had no idea what either of them was saying, but from the sudden scent of fear that Ororo lit off, he had the distinct feeling it was not good news.

“Ist es ein Verbrechen ein Mutant zu sein?� Storm’s voice was soft, even to Logan’s sensitive ears.

“ Das kannst du den Anführer selber fragen�

Logan controlled a growl in his throat when Ororo was hauled to her feet by the hair. She did not cry out or even wince in pain, though she tossed her teammates a look that clearly told them all to behave or face her wrath.

One by one, the X-Men were dragged from the woods and tossed into the back of a beat-up Hummer, hands bound and mouths gagged.

It was going to be a very long night.

~*~

It was daybreak by the time the bouncing of the Hummer ceased, the squeal of oil-thirsty brakes hurting Logan’s ears. Rogue and Jubilee, whom had drifted off to sleep while leaning against one another, awoke with a start. Peter had bent his head in prayer some time ago, while Storm kneeled beside him, her back erect as though she were listening to something.

Logan, on the other hand, was spitting mad. She had gone and gotten them all into trouble now. He had the cold, crippling fear that his beloved had made her final mistake. For over a year, the Friends had terrorized her. They had crashed her car, shot her, kidnapped her, and attempted to take her mutation by force. And she played right into their hands this time.

Rage brought a thick, coppery taste to the back of his throat. If they got out of this alive, he was going to chain her to their bed, to ensure she never did something stupid ever again.

The younger girls straightened as the crunch of boots against gravel alerted the X-Men that someone was approaching the back of the truck. They would be released soon enough, likely taken into separate jail cells to await experimentation and death. Hopefully, Cyclops would realize what was happening and come to the rescue.

He almost snorted to himself. When it came to bullshit heroics, Scott was worse than ‘Ro.

The heavy metal doors were yanked open, spilling cold sunlight into the bed of the truck. Peter was immediately pulled from the truck, followed by the young girls with clipped instructions in German that he assumed meant for them to shut up and behave themselves.

Logan jumped down like a good boy, looking over his shoulder to see ‘Ro sliding down as well. The assembled group was given only a moment to take in their remote surroundings before they were shoved down the gravel path.

The phrase “Bumfuck� jumped into Logan’s mind almost instantly. All around them were rocky cliffs and thick forest. The gravel road stopped at rust-covered wrought iron gates and a chipped brick privacy wall. He could only guess what the inside would look like.

Cameras had been placed at various points, the hum of an electrified fence reached his ears from somewhere beyond these ancient gates. Whoever they were about to meet was a stickler for security, that much was a given.

One of the militiamen walked to the gate, pressing a button that alerted those inside to the presence at the gates. After several clipped words in guttural German, the man turned to his men and ordered them back to the truck.

Within moments, the X-Men were left unattended as the Hummer bounced back down the road. Both eyebrows lifted, Logan looked to Storm, whom was frowning in confusion.
“Now what?� he tried to ask through his gag.

She shrugged at him, looking around cautiously.

“Come inside,� a disembodied voice ordered as the gates creaked open. “Walk through the courtyard and into the brown door on the left. If you do not comply, the automatic weaponry mounted on the guard wall will open fire. Nod your understanding.�

One by one, the mutants nodded. Logan pinpointed the voice as blaring through a nearby speaker. He jogged out ahead of the others, leaving Colossus to bring in the rear with the girls fanned out in a circle between them. Even while bound and gagged on enemy soil, they were still the X-Men and some training had been so deeply engrained in them all, it was merely second nature.

The courtyard was smaller than the outer gates gave away. Gravel crunched under the mutants’ boots, sending the sound echoing through the rocky mountains and forested valleys. Rain-damaged brick was built into a gothic manor house, something out of those insane novels Kitty was always reading.

Stained glass adorned every window and sculpted gargoyles stood guard to protect the house from unwanted evils. It was so far overboard toward the eccentric insanity that came from fanatical hatred, that Logan snorted a laugh around his gag.

Spotting the thick oak door, which was painted a muddy brown, he indicated to it with a jerk of his head. The others closed in behind him, creating a solid wall of bodies that could jump forward or back to protect one another.

The low whine of machinery told him the mounted weaponry was indeed following their every move. Knowing that he and Colossus were least likely to die from such things, he ensured their bodies at least partially covered the others.

With a gust of dank air, the door swung open, banging on the side of the wall as it flew back from the force. Testing the air for the presence of people before moving, Logan took three steps into the room.

It was darker than pitch and the most recent scent was that of a woman, days old already. Knowing Ororo was likely to have a panic attack if she entered, he turned to attempt warning her.

Too late.

The others had already crowded into the dark space, the door slamming shut and bolting behind them. Without so much as a warning, as everyone grunted around their gags, he heard a faint click all around them, followed by the hiss of air or gas being forced through some kind of pipe.

It tasted of sweat and old gym socks. By the time the gas even reached his nostrils, the loud thud of bodies hitting the ground gave it’s presence away. He struggled toward Storm, attempting to pick her scent out of the others and the gas.

He managed to fight the effects of the gas for several seconds before his adamantium-laced limbs became lead and he toppled to the floor, his alert mind giving way to the land of sunlight and dreams.

~*~

Behind the thick glass that protected them from the effects of the sleeping gas, three men watched the various mutants fall to the floor, courtesy of the infrared monitors reflecting on the glass.

“Interesting,� said the first. “Almost triple the dosage for that one.�

“I doubt it will last very long on a mutant such as him,� continued the second.

“Quite,� chimed the third. “We must move them quickly.�

As the third man, one of raven hair and coal-black eyes signaled for the guards to collect their prisoners, the first and second leaned closer to the window. The five mutants were the only they hand managed to collect from the three pronged attack. Consolation prizes, at this point, to be honest.

“Put them all together, except for the Regenerating One,� offered the second. “Isolation for him.�

“I will fetch The Leader,� said the first. “We want them all contained as quickly as possible. Mindful of the Weather Controller. She is dangerous. Be sure you schedule the five for immediate termination.�

They all nodded, moving to the corridors that would take them to the inner compound. The first took the right, making his way directly to the chambers of their wise leader. A young man, to be sure, but he had already helped them do so much good. Though he had only recently come to them, the man was sure The Leader would direct the world out of the mutant infested present and into an Age of True Man. No more would these abominations fight against the hand of God.

He ran a hand through his blonde locks as he approached the inner sanctum. The crooned intonation of prayers from the atrium soothed him as he moved past the outdoor chapel. It was such a comfort, surrounding oneself with God and all his wonders. This perversion of the natural order, these mutants, were nothing that He would have allowed. It was human pride that changed the course of history.

God had given them The Leader to be his arm, and the Friends of Humanity would be his sword.

As he entered the inner sanctum, a place utterly devoid of pomp or comfort, he bowed his head at the Leader, as he knelt in prayer. Only a thick, dark wood cross adorned these blessed walls. Only the most severe of décor would do for one devoted to the work of God.

“Leader.�

“Yes, my child?�

“We have captured those you sought.�

“You will exterminate them immediately?�

“Yes, Leader,� the humbled man said easily. “Even now they are being prepared with the others.�

The Leader stood, his youthful face alight with the blessings of God. He placed his hand on the blonde man’s head.

“You have done well, my son. Go now, complete your duties and then you may pray.�

The blonde man left quickly, a skip in his step.

The Leader allowed himself a smile as the man left. He shook his head, laughing to himself. Oh, it had been so easy. Too easy. His power demonstrated courtesy of his mutation.

“Good boy, Jeffery,� he patted himself on the back. “Now that bitch and her mutt will get what they deserved.�

He did not sink to his knees in prayer, but removed the weathered photograph from his pocket. Gingerly, he touched the image of his father and brother.

“Now, I will have your vengeance, Father. I will show myself worthy of you.�


~**~

Translations:

(This is the conversation between Ororo and the militia leader, translated courtesy of the Babel Fish online translation dictionary. Any mistakes are because I don’t speak a lick of German and are not intended to offend.)
Freeze! Hands up! Drop your weapons!
Keine Bewegung! Hände hoch! Waffen fallen lassen!

We mean no harm. Our plane crashed.
Wir wollen Euch nichts tun. Unser Flugzeug ist abgestürzt.

We are looking for five mutant criminals. You match the descriptions.
Wir suchen nach fünf Mutanten-Verbrecher. Ihr paßt auf die Beschreibung.
(for this funny - looking "ß" you can write "ss" instead)

Is being a mutant a crime?
Ist es ein Verbrechen ein Mutant zu sein?

You may ask the Leader yourself.
Das kannst du den Anführer selber fragen.