The next day, Rogue headed out to NYU in search of Kitty Pryde; a Junior X-team member able to phase through solid objects. Knowing that all rental cars were equipped with a tracking system, Rogue left it parked in it’s spot from the night before and borrowed Jessie’s motorcycle.
Pulling up to the main building, she realized that there were too many unknowns to risk a simple smash and grab. Instead, she scoped out the perimeter for a few hours before calling up the one person that she knew could help.
~ Business before pleasure and all that shit. ~ Rogue thought sourly as she waited for someone to answer.
“Hello.”
Gritting her teeth, she swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat.
“Hi, it’s meh, Ah need to see ya’.”
“Where and when?” Came the reply.
“Three, at the Silver Dragon. Come alone.”
“Ok.”
Ending the call, Rogue mentally cursed herself. She lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply.
~ Okay. Ah got a couple hours to train mahself not to kill the bitch on sight. It’ll be fine. ~
Arriving at the bar, Rogue ordered a beer and waited. Ten minutes later the door opened and a stunning blonde walked in. Rolling her eyes, Rogue looked the woman up and down before giving her a cold greeting, “Hello Mystique.”
The woman pouted, “How do you do that?” She asked, disbelieving.
“Ah break out in hives whenever ya’ close by.” Rogue answered with a plastered smile.
Laughing, Mystique walked with her to a back room, “It’s good to see you again.”
“Thanks. Ah’d say the same but we both know Ah’d be lying.”
“Now, is that any way to speak to your mother?”
“Spare meh the bullshit Mystique, Ah didn’t call ya’ here to play games.”
“So why did you call?”
“Business. Relax, it’s not you… this time.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Probably. A guy by the name of Wolverine.”
“Ooh, we’ve had dealings; he is a particular dangerous animal. You kill him and you will be doing me and the rest of The Brotherhood a favor.”
“Is that right? Suddenly Ah feel like letting him live.”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you Rogue.”
“Yeah, whatever. Look, the reason Ah called ya’ is… Ah need ya’ help.”
“You require my help in dealing with Wolverine?” Mystique asked, delighted by the thought.
“No, not with Wolverine… him Ah can handle. It’s those X-geeks he works with. Ah almost had him before, but the red-head and her boy toy turned up to ruin the party.”
“You want me to run interference?”
“Not exactly.”
Rogue inhaled deeply before regarding Mystique seriously, “Look, there’s no easy way to do this…” Giving a sudden, wicked smile, Rogue grabbed hold of the woman’s uncovered arm. “This is hurting me more than it’s hurting you… not.” She teased.
Dropping an unconscious Mystique to the floor, Rogue smoothed down her shirt and walked away; alerting one of the workers about a “mess” in the back room that needed cleaning.
Hopping on Jessie’s bike, Rogue drove back to the school, intent on putting the second part of her plan into action. Dismounting by a corner building, she morphed into a student she’d seen before and walked through the main entrance.
Navigating her way through the many subject department wings, Rogue finally came across the Computer Science office. Giving a naïve staff member a description of the student she sought, Rogue was pointed toward a classroom corridor where she quickly found Kitty.
“Hi.” She said, interrupting the young girl who’d been shuffling notes into a binder.
“Hello.” Kitty replied politely looking up, “Can I help you?”
“Actually you can. Ah have a message for Wolverine and Ah was hoping you could help meh give it to him.”
Kitty’s eyes widened, “How do you know Wolverine?” She asked suspiciously.
Leaning forward Rogue whispered conspiratorially, “Cos’ a few nights ago, Ah was fuckin’ him to death.” Shimmering into her natural form, Rogue laughed, “And it was a Hell of a ride too.”
Pulling Kitty‘s limp body into a supply closet, Rogue apologized, “Sorry princess, it’s nothing personal.”
A pink cell phone lay abandoned on the desk.
“Hello Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.”
“Hi, it’s Kitty.” Rogue impersonated, “Is Logan there? I need to talk to him.” She asked.
Waiting a few seconds, she heard a gruff “Yeah.”
“Hello lover.” Rogue cooed, having switched back to her own voice.
“Where’s Kitty!” He barked
“Oh, she’s here.”
“Put her on!”
“Sorry sugah’, she’s a little indisposed at the moment.”
“What the fuck do you want?”
“Just you sugah’… and you alone.”
“Where?”
“Here, outside of Princess Peach’s college.”
“Fine.”
“Oh, and hurry sugar’, cos’ Ah’ve been missin’ you. ”
Slamming the phone down, Wolverine stalked toward the foyer; Scott stepped in front of him, “And just where do you think you’re going?”
“Out!”
“Logan, it’s not safe.” Jean interjected, “With that woman out there trying to kill you. We don’t know where she is or what she’ll try next.”
“Wrong, I know where she is.” He told them.
“You do?” Hank asked as he joined the trio by the door.
“She’s at NYU.”
“Oh my God, Kitty!” Jean cried out.
Just then, The Professor entered, “I will try to locate Katherine using cerebro, until then I want all of you to remain here. For all we know this could be a trap.”
Scott, Jean and Hank agreed while Logan grunted an appeasement; impatiently waiting by the door to make his move.
Minutes later The Professor wheeled himself back to the entrance, “I was unable to locate her, we will have to pay the school a visit and investigate the matter.”
“Let’s go.” Said Logan, already heading to the garage.
“Logan, you are staying here.” Xavier told him.
“The Hell I am!” He roared, “She told me to come alone.”
“Precisely, which makes me think that she has this all planned out. She expects you to go charging in. But instead I am going-”
“Professor, are you sure that’s wise?” Scott asked.
“Yes I do. Ensemble the team, civilian clothing. Hank and Kurt can watch the children and Logan under no circumstance are you to leave the grounds.”
Five minutes later the team was ready and climbing into an SUV. As they pulled out of the garage they saw Logan stalking in the direction of the ground’s tree line.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thanks go again to Plainlayz for the beta, and for assuring me that this chapter didn't suck.