Disclaimer: This fan-fiction is not written for profit and no infringement of copyright is intended. Still unbetaed, mistakes are all mine.

CHAPTER THIRTY

“Ah’m getting real tired o’ people stabbing me, darlin’” Marie muttered.

“It’s one thing that’s never- that’s never…” Her voice was failing, lungs filling quickly with liquid, “It’s one thing that’s never fun.”

And she fell forward.

Fingers clenched in a death-grip around the front of Logan’s uniform. Brown eyes wide and staring as her blood perfumed the air. She was getting cold, pulse dropping, body failing her-

And fer maybe the second time in his life, Logan was totally numb.

He pulled her to him then, hands going to her wounds. Trying to keep pressure. Trying not to hear her heart racing. Wishing fer just one second that he didn’t know as much as he fucking did about what a mortal wound looked like. There was so much blood on his hands… Her heart was thudding like a jackhammer, fear and panic and plain old instinct conspiring to hasten her death and there was nothing he could do, no possible hope of saving her. The claws which had pierced her had been retracted, her wound left open and ready to bleed. Logan put his hand to her face, thumb brushing her lips, trying to use the Old Reliable- But nothing happened. Her immunity to him was too perfectly built up, had been ever since she’d started touching him regularly without her gloves. Ever since she’d started kissing him, loving him, leaving herself at his mercy-

As if mercy was a word he knew the meaning of-

“You cannot save her,” the child said dispassionately then.

The little girl shift shifted into a crouch, hazel eyes narrowed. Holding her claws before her, every feral instinct clearly focussed on him. Every inch of her body looking lethal and wicked and like the thing that fucking killed his Marie. Beneath her hospital rag she couldn’t have been more than twelve, her bones elegant and narrow as sparrow-wings, her scent completely devoid of emotion or remorse. Barefoot, two claws sticking out of her feet. Eyes turning black on red as Remy’s had been. Essex must have realised Marie was trying to release her and gone to get his Masterpiece. Must have told her to follow him and murder an innocent woman who’d only been trying to make her safe. For a second all Logan could see was his own rage, his hate and heartbreak and then-

“That’s it,” the child said in Essex’ voice. “That’s it. Give me what I’ve always wanted, Patch. Let the monster out to play…”

Logan lost it then.

There was red and black behind in eyes. In his head. Under his skin.

And there was so much blood on his hands…

He let out a roar, darting forward. Claws out before he even thought of popping ‘em, every ounce of rage he’d ever felt focussing on the thing that had killed his Marie. The child moved back, dodging, elegantly lethal and engaging. Stronger than any little girl should have been. Dancing her way around him, piercing his flesh with her claws. They traded blow fer blow, cut fer cut, claws gouging and ripping. The little one not even crying out as he hurt her, not slowing down as he ripped her skin. Logan was beyond caring, beyond hearing anything but his own anger. To have had his Marie so near and yet so far from him- He’d lost her, He’d lost her, He’d lost her, He’d lost her, was like a chant screaming through his head. “That’s it,” Essex was muttering tightly through the girl, “Show me your broken heart, animal! Show me your humanity, Wolverine!”

And as if in answer he landed a sharp blow, his claws sliding into the little one. Metal and bone slicing flesh like butter though the child didn’t say a word. He just wanted Essex t’shut up. “That’s it,” the doctor was calling, “That’s it! Let go, let it all go! Punish her for taking Marie away! Open your mind to your anger and let me in!” Essex’ words were acting on his mind like liquor, like opium, like rage and that was one high he was already familiar with. That was one high that’d always come to him like a friend. Logan let out a roar, twisting his hand at the wrist as he pushed more deeply into the child, inflicting pain just fer the sake of it. Her feet leaving the ground with the force of what was done to her, her blood filling his nostrils and making his head swim. Just fer a second his pain disappeared, the beast within him howling its triumph- Kill her, it muttered, kill the thing that took our mate from us- The child’s eyes finally widening, turning back to their usual hazel colour and pain flooding her scent. Behind him he could hear Essex encouraging him, calling out fer him. Telling him to punish the thing that had taken his woman from him. Telling him to show him what kind of a man he was-

And what kind of a man are you? Marie’s voice demanded in his head. Are you the kind that kills children just because they’re in the way of his rage?

Suddenly, there was… quietness in his head.

“No,” Essex was snarling, “No, I nearly have him-” He rounded on Marie, kicking at her prone form, snarling like the beast people always said Logan was. “No, I had finally gotten access, I had finally gotten in-”

But the Wolverine wasn’t listening.

“No,” Logan said softly. “No, I’m not that man anymore.”

I stopped being that man the day I met my Marie.

And just like that the rage began to dissipate. The world began to look like the world again, and not some nightmare from inside Essex’ brain. Blue and gold and brown flooded out the black on red, the memory of light made itself felt. The memory of Marie’s touch moved under his skin. Logan looked down at the child and saw every child he’d ever known in Xavier’s: Saw Jubes and Kitty and Sooraya. Saw Ashida and Gwynne and then ‘Ro and Jeannie. Even saw, her eyes smiling, Marie. Oh God. He pulled his claws outta the girl. Pulled her to him and psychically hollered loud as he could to Storm that they needed a medic now. He wouldn’t be that man he’d been in Madripoor. He wouldn’t be the man Essex wanted him to become. He would be Marie’s Logan even if it killed him- Or her. Because it was what she wanted.

“Logan,” he heard Marie’s voice sound then.

She was standing on her feet, the wound in her chest healing. Brown eyes wide and staring at the man she’d loved- The man who had nearly killed a child because of his own rage. She watched as he closed his eyes, not wanting to see what he’d done. Shame flooding through him at his actions, even if he’d brought them to a halt. Gently she took the little girl in her arms and held her to her chest. As soon as his claws were outta her the little girl began to heal, fear and then panic spiking her scent. “Where am I?” the child muttered. “Where’s Father?” She tried to stand up but Rogue calmed her. “It’s okay, sugah,” she said soothingly, and fer a moment he couldn’t be sure whether she was talking to the kid or him. “We’re gonna get you outta here.” And she picked the girl up, arms wrapping around her. “We’re gonna bring you somewhere safe.” Logan skittered back as if he’d been electrocuted, the thought of being allowed to touch either of ’em making him suddenly ill-

“Shuggs,” Marie whispered softly, “We have t’get outta here now-” Her gaze went darkly to Essex, “We gotta get the kid away from Daddy Dearest there.”

But the doctor didn’t seem fazed. “I’m afraid I can’t let you take Laura out of the base,” he snapped. “If your child-murdering lover’s not going to let me in, I’ll have to take what I can of him with me… And what I have of him is that child.” And he gestured to the little girl, holding his arms out to her. Calling her over to him. The child looked reluctant- perhaps the memory of the hurt Essex had sent her into was too fresh?- but she tried half-heartedly to get lose. Tried to do as Father commanded. Marie knew how that felt. She shook her head but didn’t budge, dropping her stance instead, pulling the little one more tightly against her chest. Tracing soothing circles on her back like she used to when she babysat Kitty’s kids. “You didn’t hear us, Essex,” Logan snarled, “You ain’t taking her-”

And in that instant- Marie was flying. They both were.

One moment she had the child in her arms and then she was lifted off her feet. The child yanked out of her grasp. She tried to summon Kitty’s mutation but just like when she’d been stabbed nothing happened; Instead she was thrown backwards and up, fingertips reaching out to keep hold of Logan on instinct though nearly losing her grip. He reacted instantly, swinging himself up and tugging her tightly backwards, melding her spine to him. Protecting her. For a moment Marie couldn’t process what was happening- So fast, it was all so fast- and then she felt a bone-shattering impact as Logan, still holding onto her, was smashed into the lab’s roof. Once, twice- blood filling her mouth, bones cracking painfully- and then they were both thrown further upwards, darkness filling her vision and dizziness making her head swim. For a second they stalled, whatever they’d smashed into refusing to give, but with another hard impact they were off again. Gaining momentum. Tumbling head over heels, debris smashing into her arms and legs, wood digging into her skin and cracking her head so that she thought she might throw up. Marie wanted to scream, she opened her mouth to do it but the breath was snatched from her throat as if by a frozen hand… She felt Logan breath against her ear, “I got ya, darlin’, I got ya-” and then-

Stars in her vision. Logan’s arms still around her.

The taste of blood coppery in her mouth.

She realised they’d stopped moving then. Beneath her she could feel Wolverine breathing heavily, something wet and sticky- she guessed it was blood- soaking through his clothes into hers. His breath was coming shallowly, arms still wrenched about her waist and Marie scrambled onto her hands and knees, crawling away from him. Trying to check his pulse- his face was unrecognisable, his mutation hadn’t kicked in yet- Head going to his chest and listening for his heart. It was still beating- He’d be fine, at least she hoped so- and she summoned Kurt’s mutation, bamfing back down to where Essex was trying to escape. Grabbing the little girl and teleporting away. No matter what happened, he wasn’t taking that kid. Instantly the smug smile disappeared off Essex’ face: Clearly he hadn’t realised the extent to which her New Reliable had changed her power and he sure as Hell hadn’t expected that. The bastard followed, using his telekinesis to glide through the hole he’d poked through the roof using Logan’s body. He feinted towards the momentarily helpless Wolverine, hand held outwards and fist clenched. The feral was tossed onto his side, letting out a grunt of pain but still conscious enough to flip the asshole the finger. That’s mah man, Marie thought. “Just give me the child and I’ll let him live,” Essex was muttering, even as Marie held the girl closer to her chest. Reaching out JJ’s mutation to fashion protective thought-form wings around Wolverine and the little girl. Trying again to summon Kitty’s mutation and this time it worked: She and the child phased together, though considering how much strain it was putting on her Marie knew she couldn’t keep it up for long. Essex frowned, confused, power pushing against Marie’s shields but having no effect. Anger flitting across his features as he pulled his hand in tighter. Eyes narrowed, the air thickening with the strength of his rage. Rogue gave him a moment, let his anger claim his attention, and then she moved stealthily towards him. Putting the child down for a moment as she got near, one un-gloved hand reaching out. When he saw what she was doing he lashed out at her half-heartedly- clearly not a good fighter hand-to-hand, it was why he’d used the girl- Kicking, the blow moving through her thanks to Shadowcat’s mutation. He frowned, not understanding, letting his guard down now he thought she was phased-

And Marie grabbed his throat in her bare hand, solidifying momentarily and dousing herself in his power. It felt, it felt-

Memories and desires and sheer, unadulterated lust for power rushed underneath her skin then. The urge to hurt, to punish, to…take apart and manipulate almost the strongest high she’d ever felt. It was intoxicating… Power beyond limits, beyond boundaries, knitting into her bones… Her eyes went black on red, glittering dark coldness and ambition surging into her and Marie felt herself borne aloft. The thoughts of every man, woman and child on the battlefield rushing into her mind. Speaking, whispering, screaming- Jesus, it was ecstasy- all their secrets and energies hers for the taking. For a split second she was overwhelmed by it, Essex’ voice moving inside her head, coaxing, trying to gain control. Her vision turning red on black. She felt the desire to give in, the revel in such power itching through her like lava, like burning sunlight. Like a phoenix behind her eyes-

“Ain’t losing control and doing something stupid my job?” Logan muttered brokenly then. Forcing himself upright and spitting out what looked like a tooth but standing strong.

Instantly Marie remembered herself.

Instantly she was back in her own skin.

“Hey,” she muttered brokenly, “Ah can multitask.”

He nodded grimly. “If you say so, darlin’. Now can we do this fucking thing?”

Marie moved back then, re-phased. Essex’ presence was a burning, angry thing inside her mind but she forced him back, refusing to give him her energy. Letting the Wolverine in her mind snarl at him until he fell back. She suddenly realised that Logan had his hand wrapped around her wrist, his breath coming heavily against her neck and she glanced over her shoulder, taking in his slowly-healing face, his popped claws. The protective, mean-sonofabitch stance he took by her side. He wouldn’t meet her eyes- too ashamed of what he’d done to the little one- and she felt a burst of love and pity, the strength of it nearly enough to knock her off her feet.

She turned to face Essex then.

“You’re finished,” she spat. “You’re never gonna hurt anyone again.” She gestured with her hand, as he had done, knocking him backwards and sending him sprawling in the dirt. All around her Rogue could see X-Men appearing, Kitty and Colossus scrambling down towards them, Pryde already phased in case that made her more difficult for Essex to hurt with his telekinesis. Storm was swooping down, half the senior class in tow, Hank and Braddock guarding their flank. The Loaner’s eyes glowing dark purple with her power, knives of psychic energy glowing in her hands and to her right Marie could just make out the smoky, purple-streaked form of Amahl lying on the battlefield where Braddock had left him to die. They had Essex surrounded: There was nowhere for him to run, nobody for him to sacrifice. Even his kids were ranged behind the adults like refugees, looking lost, frightened- Like children-while Remy and the Jean Grey clone held them back. Braddock had picked up the little clawed girl by now, enveloping her in her power, making her extra safe from Essex’ violations-

Marie felt the bastard’s desperation wash through her then.

Felt him trying to push away from her, to fight his way out. Trying to seize control of a mind, any mind, to use as a host. But there were no takers; He had nowhere to go. Marie imagined her mind like a blanket, covering the power of his. Smothering it. Braddock nodded to her and joined in, Madeleine- the Jean Grey clone- doing the same. Then Hellion. Ashida. Gwynne. Kurt, Kitty, Pyotr- Remy last of all. Word going around anyone who had psychic training, Braddock asking them to send their energy to Rogue. To help make her strong. She felt her newly borrowed mutation flip sideways, felt the New Reliable make Essex’ mutation hers as the strength and love of every person in the battle flowed into her, making her stronger. Helping her fight him, and for the first time in her life she was thankful for her mutation. Thankful that the New Reliable worked the way it did. Because her power was draining Essex’ as surely as her skin would have done now, and he had no way to fight it. Just as her skin had let her take energy this time she could give it back, move it-

Essex didn’t seem to know what to do. As if in slow motion she felt herself take a step forward, making sure that she looked like a lone target and giving Essex his opportunity to grab at her. Letting him think her the vulnerable, reckless little girl he’d always said she was. Logan realised what she was doing but the doctor didn’t: He was running on pure rage and panic now. Which suited her just fine. Marie closed her eyes, gathering her strength and broadcasting as loudly as she could to Braddock and anyone else to get clear, trouble was coming. Checking from the corner of her eye as Remy started pulling his kids back, picking up a little girl who looked kinda like Jubilee and carrying her in his arms. Essex smashed into Marie, landing on her chest, his fingers going tightly about her throat and squeezing- Forcing her onto her back, all rage and muscle and questionable strategy-

“Perfect, my plans were perfect,” he was snarling, attention focussed entirely on her. “You and that fucking animal have ruined the work of a century, a lifetime-”

And with all his attention focussed on Marie Logan pulled his claws back.

Took the bastard’s head from his shoulders with one swift slash, making sure he’d never hurt anyone again.

A beat.

Essex’ face fell into a mask of disbelief then, eyes widening: The sight of his own body minus his head the last image he would take from this life to the next. Logan had used one set of claws to stake the corpse to the ground, almost as if he expected the thing to get up and continue fighting- Which, considering how long the bastard had been alive, might not have been that impossible an idea- and now he split the body in two. Gutting it. For a moment all was silence, Logan holding the head aloft like a trophy, Essex still trying to move- damn healers, they never die quick- And then Wolverine’s eyes met Marie’s. Nodding infinitesimally to her. Giving permission, no, asking her-

And without a word she reached out with Remy’s mutation.

Setting the corpse alight

The body flamed blue, then golf, then red, the scent of burnt skin hissing through the night sky. Turning it bitter. Reducing the monster who’d hurt so many to nothing but ash and dirt and bad memories- which was what he deserved to be. Rogue fell back, wrapping her arms around Logan and pulling him close to her. Letting the warmth, the presence and the realness of him wash through her, feeling his metal-heavy hands tracing circles on her back. “Thank God,” she was muttering. “Thank God…” He held her, rocked her while she went to pieces around him. The effect of everything that had happened since her mutation came back finally rushing free. Later she’d see Amahl in lock-up, awaiting deportation to Egypt on human trafficking charges. Later she’d discover that Remy and the Jean Grey clone had disappeared into the night, taking some of the kids with them but leaving the youngest behind. There’d be children to take care of, people to track down, explanations to be given. A shit long conversation to have with child services, though Bobby Drake would smooth the way with that one and act as legal counsel throughout. But here and now, it was just the two of them.

Here and now they were safe.

Another beat.

Sunrise came then and with it brightness, the promise of something better. Gold on red on purple on blue sputtering across the horizon, starlight giving into sunlight and the promise of a brighter day. They hadn’t noticed when the others left but now they were alone in the place which had nearly killed them both, Witch-breed country stretching out as far as the eye could see. Logan was still holding her but she knew he was upset, she could feel it in him. He was ashamed of what he’d done to the little one, of the way he’d let his anger claim him and make him more monster than man. Marie wished she could make him understand that he hadn’t been in control, that nobody could keep out Essex forever, but she knew he wouldn’t listen. Not now, maybe not ever. That was the man she loved, that was the man she knew he was. No matter how deeply it cut his heart. So they watched a new day being born as an old one lay dying. Walked away from the compound hand in hand, together but apart. Neither of them spared Essex another look-

Because as far as Marie was concerned, he’d done enough already.

Even in death he was still hurting those she loved most.