Fighting his way to this specific cargo elevator turns out to be easier than he expected. Infiltrating at the same time as such a large assault is taking place does have its benefits. Logan was expecting to have expended most of his munitions by now and planned on attacking the lab below with just an SMG. Instead, he still has three clips of ammo for his assault rifle and even a grenade left over. It would have been much faster if he went with Marie to disable the generators, the combined might of Charles, Erik, Raven and their team would have made short work of this facility even at half strength. But he needs the time to deal with the lab his way, and Marie’s presence complicates matters, still, he is certain he will be successful.
He closes his eyes just as the elevator doors click shut, letting out a deep breath, Logan tries hard to push the thoughts of Marie away. With the information, he has provided to her, and the presence of her friends, he is certain she can complete her part of the mission. The real problem lies with him. When he first arrived in the past he had overshot his destination by thirty years, and found himself in the rolling hills of Sicily, serving with the 1st Canadian infantry division. From there he fought his way up the Italian Peninsula all the way to Rome before he was air-dropped into France to prepare for Operation Overlord. It was exhilarating, liberating, the simple and focused life of a soldier. Even after the war, that drive remained with him, and he threw it everything he had into the preparation for 1973.
With Trask exposed he completed the mission he traveled back in time for, gave up what little time he had left with Marie for. He successfully set the Sentinel program is back for decades if it wasn’t permanently mothballed. Now the very last obstacle to Marie’s happiness is before him, well within his reach, and he is conflicted, an especially rare moment considering he has had no qualms about all he has done in order to be here.
There is a part of him, the part of him that awoke when he first thought Marie was killed, that lead him to set that first bomb in Berlin, that drove him on for decades after. The voice that he thought he had buried along with the sentinel programs are stirring once again. This child, this Leech, his power is dangerous, he is the cause of so much pain and anguish for Marie. He can be stopped here, Logan can stop him here, with just one bullet. There is so much blood on his hands already what would one more life matter.
Glancing at the LED atop the door, he adjusts his mask. While it is certain Emma will delete any surveillance footage, he can’t be sure he can eliminate all the witnesses in the lab complex. He doesn’t need to be completely anonymous, the powers that be have a good inkling of what he does, he simply needs plausible deniability. So he dons masks and uses guns, things the Wolverine has never been known to use.
The telltale tingles fade from his skin, and Logan smirks under his mask. The field is down, Marie is successful, which means he is getting short on time. He needs to finish this before there is a chance she could be involved. The doors open to a vast medical bay, a place that at full capacity could have held several hundred mutants. Not today, the place is a mess right now, papers are strewn all over the floor, the evacuation has already started. Logan’s mood darkens, someone has given the lab a warning. Not that it’s going to matter, the elevator he is in is the designated evacuation route. Popping the pin on his grenade, he lobs it into the room before cocking his assault rifle.
The explosion rocks the lab and the scientist scatters before him, frantically calling for help into their radios. Logan knows it is a useless gesture, he already eliminated the force tasked to secure the evacuation, Charles and Magneto’s men are dealing with the rest. Logan sights a random scientist near the edge of the room and drops him with a shot through the head, his head disintegrates in a shower of red, splattering on to several of his colleagues. There horrified screams make Logan's heart pound with excitement. Regrettably, There are far too many people here for him to hunt down and kill one at a time. It’s why he directed Victor to plant the explosives on a southern section of the floor above, right by the main emergency lift.
His keen hunting instincts unfurl in his mind, eagerly going to work. Using precisely placed shots to herd the scientist, lab workers, anyone and everyone involved in this disgusting work towards his trap. Logan chuckles at the scientist already gathered under his trap are trying to get an emergency exit open. It won’t open, not all the way, not enough to let more than one man squeeze through at a time, he's made sure of that too, thanks to Emma inserting some software provided by Microchip into the lab network.
He calmly drops three more men, not going where they're supposed to, it is at times like this his animal is the strongest. The sight of so many preys fleeing before him, bumbling unknowingly into his trap. He fights off the euphoria seeking to burst free in his mind. He is not doing this for fun, or to be entertained, he reminds himself harshly. He is doing this because every one of these men could be a threat to the future, to Marie’s future.
It doesn’t take much time to gather them all, people driven by fear are easy to manipulate. There are a few stragglers remaining, but he has enough time to hunt them down separately. He pulls out the detonator, the small black device twirls in his hand a few time before he clicks the trigger. A series of explosion rock the complex, a chorus of scream is silenced by a wall of fire, steel, and concrete descending from above, entombing most of them and burning the rest.
Logan catches a burning piece of paper floating in the air and use it to light a cigar. The loud crunch of boots on steel informs him a guest just decided to join him. It is Victor, he must have dropped down from the gaping holes that now litter the ceiling, a low rumble echoes in his chest. Only a psycho like him can get pleasure from this slaughter. Which begs the question where does that leave Logan himself.
“Fuck Jimmy! That was fucking beautiful!” Clapping slowly and loudly Victor walks up to Logan. “I saw it all. Getting goosebumps just thinking about it.”
Logan ignores Victor’s jabs. He doesn’t get off on this kind of shit, if only because he doesn’t let himself. Instead, he pulls out the quickest way to get Victor off track. “Did you get him?”
“Nope, fucker ran off the first thing, got his trail though.” And it works like a charm, it mildly amusing to see Victor so single-mindedly chase after his old nemesis Stryker, it all makes perfect sense though. It was Victor who participated in the Weapon X program this time around after all.
“Then why ya still here?” Logan presses on, he needs to get Victor out of here, with his own beast as active as it is, Victor’s presence would only serve to rile it up even more.
“What, can’t a guy watch his little brother work?” Victor actually sounded happy, short of their childhood together Logan doesn’t think he has ever heard Victor happy. He is not sure what's more disturbing, whether the thought of chasing herding and killing all those people put Victor in such a good mood or it is the fact that Victor liked that he is the one to do it.
“Fuck off Victor!” There is still work to be done and he needs to be clear-headed to consider the consequence, it is not just him now.
“Hey, I can take a hint.” Victor backs away with his hands raised, grinning. “Just invite me to the next party, Jimmy!”
It took some more time to hunt down the stragglers, than he expected, not that they ever had a chance of escaping. But he needed some time to collect himself. Now he stands before the only occupied cells in the entire complex and wonders how many mutants met their end here. Three teenagers each huddle under a desk in their own cells, Leech is among them. He grips the SMG in his hand tight, it would be so easy to say they were was killed in the crossfire, much of this section is already destroyed by explosions, courtesy of Victor. With his years of training in Kun-Lun, his already considerable mental defense is even stronger now, if he claims that a few shots went astray here and there, no one would know exactly what actually happened. His fingers tightened on the trigger when he spots the bald child Leech, huddle in a corner of his cell, under a table. But before he can finish the deed the sound of familiar footsteps stays his hand.
“Logan! Are they okay?” A few moments later Marie, rushes into the room, her worried expression, breaks into a smile when she sees him standing by the teenager’s cells. “Still have that odd habit of picking up strays, huh?”
She runs straight into him and hugs him tight. Involuntarily he takes a deep breath taking in what little of her scent through his mask. She always has the same effect on him no matter what state of mind he is in. A part of his mind reminds him that there is an audience, so he forces himself to not return her hug, but her presence breaks him out of his trance. He certainly can’t involve her in this. The trauma to her psyche aside, there is her reputation to think off, she found a good place at the school, she is from a good family, and he knows she would be willing to throw all that away to defend this indefensible crime. Letting out a breath he nods back, the opportunity has passed but there will be other chances. “They’re ready for extraction. Let's get outta here.”
Kitty and Jubes jog in a few minutes after, Logan watches as Kitty quickly and expertly hacks open the door, somewhat impressed by her skills. Marie then leads each teen out of their cell and wraps them all in wool blankets. He is almost proud of the fearful looks he is receiving from the new kids. Until Marie rubs one of them soothingly on her back, she glances at him with a smile. “Don’t worry he is not as scary as he looks.”
He loves it whenever she looks at him like that, how much trust she is placing in him, it makes him feel unstoppable. And he almost would like to believe what she is saying, but deep down he knows better, he is far more terrifying than he looks.
Logan is not himself she can feel it, and she has this incredible urge to take him back to the school, sit him down in her room and make him feel better. And what’s even more unbelievable is that while he is out completing the mission, she is here facing down Magneto’s goons over Leech. Magneto and his men were waiting in the hangar when they exited the elevator. Sensing something amiss Marie quickly put herself between Magneto’s men and the rescued mutants.
“Is he the cure?” Two hulking figures from the acolytes approach them, eyes focusing on Leech. Even with the backing of her friends Marie knows they are not intimidating enough to make veteran combatants on Magneto’s team hesitate. They close in together defensively, Marie looks past the two men to Magneto’s amused grin, he is not going to stop them.
“I wouldn’t if I were you.” Emma is a whole different story, Marie always knew Emma was a formidable woman, but she is starting to see her in a whole new light since the start of the mission. Like now where she just made both men reconsidered with just a few words.
Even Magneto’s expression darkens at the sight of Emma’s defiance. This only serves to strengthen Marie’s suspicions, stemming from that disturbing encounter with Magneto in the locker room, that he and Emma have a history. Even though Marie can see the two men’s confidence faltering, she also knows they’re not going to just back down, pride can lead people to such foolishness. The arrival of the Professor and Mystique ends the chance of sparking a conflict.
Unlike Magneto who is still in near-vintage condition, the Professor looks worn and haggard, his blue and yellow jumpsuit torn in various places; dirt and oil smearing his face. He speaks out in a commanding voice, no doubt amplified by his telepathic powers, “What’s going on here, Erik?”
“Charles.” Magneto returns his greeting with his usual arrogant grin. “I was simply hoping to take charge of young Leech. But some of your students seem to be suspicious of my intentions.”
Charles looks at Marie’s group with a hint of disappointment. “We are all friends, Marie. Erik is just as devoted to the mutant cause as I am.”
Marie huffs in frustration but holds her tongue. She has been wondering if she is reading too much of the Magneto from her memories into this one. It hard to be the only person in the entire school aside from Logan not to trust that man. Occasionally Marie wonders if the problem lies with herself.
The Professor turns to face Magneto and in a voice that brooked no argument, made his intention known, “Despite that, she made the correct choice. I would like young Jimmy to attend My school in Westchester”
“You would put someone who can neutralize mutant powers in a school with mutants?” Magneto gives the Professor his most condescending look, “Surely, Charles, not even you can think that is a good idea.”
“Of course it is a good idea, he is a mutant child and the school for mutants is the best place for him.” The Professor is undeterred, if he is anything like the Professor Marie remembers then the argument is already settled.
Magneto is not giving up, however, and tries a different tactic, appeal to the other co-founder of the school. “Raven, you would agree to this?”
“I’m not completely comfortable.” Marie is surprised that Mystique would admit it. Then she feels Mystique's eyes flicker in her direction landing on the teens behind her. “But we simply can’t let the child wander and fall into the wrong hands”
Magneto shakes his head in disapproval but it appears to Marie that he anticipated those answers. To her surprise, Magneto asks Logan next. “And you Logan? You also agree with this madness?”
She didn’t even notice Logan enter the hangar, she follows Magneto’s gaze and spots him. His is sitting off to the side on a stack of pallets, a large briefcase in his hands.
“Too late to kill him now, so I say let Chuck take him.” Shock ripples through the room, Marie herself is not sure exactly how she should feel. She is certain that Magneto would kill Leech, the one in her memories tried. But for Logan to come out so casually and say it, not even sounding bothered by it, troubles her. But what is disturbing her the most is that it really does not change one bit about how she feels for him.
She feels a hand grasp onto hers from behind. She squeezes it reassuringly, and gives Logan the we need to talk look. Even though she knows he won’t respond or even acknowledge it, not with so many people around them. Either way, she is now completely certain that this lab raid is adversely affecting Logan. Perhaps even this Logan has unpleasant memories regard mutant labs, being deep inside one must have brought out his more vicious side.
“Yes of course.” Magneto’s the first to speak, his eyes flash menacingly, Marie is not sure which part of the statement Logan made he is agreeing to. It can’t be the ‘now’. To say that Logan and Magneto don’t get along is a significant understatement of their animosity. There is simply no possible way Logan and Magneto just agreed to plan to kill a mutant child in front everyone. Logan for one would never kill without a good reason.
The Professor sighs and rubs his forehead, and Marie wonders perhaps this type of thing is something the Professor is used to in his dealings with Logan. “The Blackbird will be here any minute, everyone please get ready to embark. We will address this issue back at the school.”
As everyone in the hangar bay begins to pack up, Magneto pulls the Professor, Mystique, and Logan to the side. Even from her place in the working party far on the other side of the hangar, Marie can see the discussion heating up. Despite the obvious disagreement amongst the four of them, they seem to reach a conclusion rather quickly. The four founders of the X-Men disperse soon as the conversation is over, none of them looks to be in a good mood.
Seeing Logan by himself next to a pallet of Lab equipment, Marie briefly considers satisfying her curiosity of that conversation. However, the arrival of the more injured mutants test subjects from below, followed by the Blackbirds landing pushes any such thoughts to the back of her mind.
Logan wanted to leave the country as he entered, through a customs checkpoint. He wanted to keep the paper trail neat and tidy. It is how they end up in a rustic condo in Bogota, close to the airport. Emma flew out this morning, she had some business she needed to take care of in D.C. But due to some bureaucratic issues, Marie’s passport is held at customs for verification. The whole situation is worrying, it is possible that they might have figured out the ruse, that Marie D’Ancanto is not a real person.
She decided on cooking to occupy herself while she waited for Logan to return from the embassy. The small condo Logan got them came with an even smaller kitchen, but it is enough for her to prepare a decent meal for two in an acceptable time. Luckily the dishes Logan prefers while numerous are rarely complex to prepare. After a quick trip to the local market, she settled on some pan-fried pork chops.
Marie is certain she has never thought about something like this, she grew up with a full kitchen staff, she is all but certain to become the CEO of her family’s corporation. Her cooking skills, while excellent are the result of idle curiosity as opposed to some kind of nostalgia for domesticity.
Yet she finds a strange comfort cooking for him, something about this, preparing dinner and waiting for her man to come home, calms her. Right now thousand of miles away from her friends, her family, her obligations, Marie feels different, liberated. Here just for tonight, she can be anyone she wants.
Logan returns not barely ten minutes after she finishes cooking. Walking into the room his grim features fade when he catches sight of her standing next to the small dining table in an apron with a bowl of tossed salad in her hands. The look of surprise on his face is something Marie will definitely treasure for the rest of her life. Unable to resist the urge to tease him, she first beams him a warm smile, “Welcome back sugar.”
Logan continues to stare at her, his mouth opens then closes, before opening again. “It’s good to be back.”
His voice is light wistful, and the way he looks at her, the longing in his eyes, make her heartache. She sets the bowl down on the table and nervously wipes her hands on the apron. There is one question on her mind, and she briefly recalls with fondness the last time she asked him this exact question. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.” Placing the documents folder on the coffee table he takes a seat with her at the dining table. He places his napkin on his lap, and he looks at the meal she prepared for him, then at her again, his face breaking into an uncharacteristic smile. Blushing furiously she looks away from him, yet can’t stop herself from watching him out of the corner of her eye. He cuts himself a piece of the pork chop and chuckles under his breath, “Yer full of surprises darlin’.”
Wiping her hands on her apron, Marie’s lips curves at the sight of Logan sprawled out on the sofa, still dressed for the embassy, in an unbuttoned silk shirt and slacks. A cooler full of beer on the floor near him, somehow Logan manages to enjoy the foreign television programs. He asked her to join him right after dinner, they were only staying the night, and the condo comes with cleaning service. But leaving all the dirty dishes in the sink riles Marie up something fierce, so she chooses to clean up first.
It is times like these, alone with Logan that she feels most at peace, her normally tumultuous, conflicting mind calming down and settling. The two parts of herself in total agreement over her situation, and she is content. As soon as she finishes the dishes, Logan’s eyes drift over to her and beckoned her towards him. Marie hesitates, while Logan is fully dressed, she is not, apron aside she just has a long white tank top over gym shorts. She is far too dangerous right now, she doesn’t want to hurt him, so she delays, flashing Logan a smile. “Umm... let me use the restroom first.”
She dithers as much as she can inside the bathroom. She showered, brushed her teeth, twice, dried her hair, and is considering another shower when Logan calls her from the living room “Marie, ya bout done?”
“Yes, almost!” She squeaks a reply, brushing her hair quickly one more time before she leaves the bathroom. Logan is looking slightly different, standing next to their dresser. He has a new shirt on, it is buttoned up, high collar, long sleeves tapered by cufflinks. From her memories, she knows he only dresses like this when it’s an evening out in the town. Her mood takes a dive off a cliff, the one night they have together, totally alone and Logan is going out to pick up girls.
“You're going out?” She can’t keep the disappointment from her voice, she has just been building up the courage to lounge on the sofa with him. And now Logan is leaving. Probably to find himself a woman, a real one he can touch.
“Why ya say that?” Logan gives her the look, normally she loves the look. But not right now, not when he is just about to leave her here. She suddenly notices that Logan is putting on gloves, thin dark leather gloves. She tilts her head in curiosity, it is hot inside their condo, even with the AC on full blast, it is even hotter outside. She has a good idea why Logan would wear gloves and the mere thought of it sends her heart racing, but she dares not hope for too much.
“You’re all dressed up.” And to Marie he is looking wonderful, her mind flashes back to the date with Remy, she can’t help but compare. Remy had been dressed up too, but Remy frequently dresses up. Marie is sure she has seen him more times in a suit or tux than out of it. Logan dressing up is a special occasion, the only other time she remembers was on her birthday.
“Yeah, cause I owe ya a dance.” Logan flips on the clock radio nearby, soft smooth jazz floats towards her. He doesn’t wait for her to respond, doesn’t even ask for her hand. He just walks right up to her, reaches out and pulls her towards him. She couldn’t help but gasp at the feel of his touch. His drifts from her shoulders, slowly down her back and settle comfortably on her hips. With a smirk, he suddenly yanks her forward pulling her body flush against his.
“W-wait Logan…I...” She wants to say she is not ready yet, not dressed for a dance. But when he looks down at her and smiles, a soft warm smile that in any other situation would be totally foreign on his face, she does the only thing she can do in that moment. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she lays her head against his chest and closes her eyes. She can feel him, the hard muscles of his chest, the firm grip of his hands, the shift of his body against hers as they sway to the music, the steady beat of his heart pulsing through her entire body; she clings to him tighter and his scent fills her.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
I still feel this chapter could use more polish. But with the holidays looming, I want push to the end of this story arc and break at a good place.
Chapter End Notes:
Up next, back to Westchester.