Title: The Clash of Two Worlds
Author: Angel LeeAnn
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Time couldn't prevent the inevitable war.
Disclaimer: Anything X-men related that you recognize doesn't belong to me!
Chapter One
Sanctuary
Her heart beating wildly, Rogue crouched further into the dense underbrush. Sweat trickled down her back; and her face was burning and flushed from exhaustion. Her muscles screamed their soreness due to her rushed escapade through the forest; and were now cramping under the strain of her body pressing them into the mud. Her murky green eyes peered between the leaves of the prickly bush at the world around her as the thick sheet of rain sent chills jolting up her spine.
Suddenly, a hand from behind clasped over her mouth. An arm snaked around her slender waist and drew her back until she was firmly pressed against her captor. Her eyes went wide with shock and she squirmed to get away. When her attempts failed, she reached up over her head, grabbing the attacker by the shoulders. Shoving the assailant, she kicked back her foot and felt a moment of triumph as the ball of her heel connected with soft flesh. The attacker squealed, releasing her and stumbling onto his behind.
Rogue leapt to her feet, whipping around to see a bulky man withering in pain two feet from her, holding onto his crotch. He glared up at her and hissed, "You fucking bitch."
Rogue kicked him in the face, taking in a twisted form of pleasure as blood sprayed from his broken nose. Damn these "normal" humans. Damn them for being heartless bastards whose only goal in life was to torture the mutants of the world. Her heart had turned cold and bitter toward the ones without the evolved gene. They had accomplished nothing except to give her heartache.
Satisfied with the man's injuries, Rogue sprinted through the trees, zigzagging in order to throw off anyone who may be following her. The man she had left behind had had friends lurking after her earlier.
She ran; time ticking away slower as each passing minute lazily rolled by. Tears stung her eyes, but Rogue refused to cry. I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't…damn it! Damn these blasted tears!
Finally, her lungs on fire, she reached the outskirts of the mansion. A bronze plaque on a pillar explained it to be a School for the Gifted. What a sick joke. To be hated was not a gift – it was a curse. Yet setting her anger aside, she staggered through the harsh rain towards her sanctuary. All she needed was to get inside.
Rogue stumbled and collapsed onto the flooding sidewalk, her adrenaline pouring out of her. She whimpered, gazing at the front doors longingly. Please, someone, she thought desperately. Please, come help me. Shivering violently, she bit into her lower lip, crimson blood seeping into her mouth. Professor Xavier was in Washington. Jean Grey was dead. There was no one else left to hear her mind.
Miraculously, a door burst open and a figure stood between her and the glaring lights from the foyer. There was a shout followed by the Heavenly sound of footfalls as someone rushed to her aid, gathering her fragile body into a pair of strong arms. She blinked, focusing on the face of her rescuer. "Logan," she whispered. And then she drifted into unconsciousness.
Logan dashed back into the house, cradling her trembling body against his brood chest. Bobby was immediately at his side with the afghan from the couch. He draped it over Rogue, worry creasing his brow. Logan sidestepped the furniture, heading straight for the blazing fireplace.
"Get everyone to bed," he barked.
Bobby "Iceman" Drake complied without a word.
Logan gently lay Rogue on the Oriental rug and yanked off the afghan. Delicately, but hastily, he stripped off her outer apparel until she was dressed in only her bra and panties. He then secured the afghan around her frail frame. On instinct, he cupped her cheeks, rubbing his thumbs along her jaw line. He felt the pull of her power. "That's it, kid. Heal yourself."
She jerked awake, her eyes wild and sparked with fear. Logan wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him, burying his nose into her dripping hair. As she sobbed into his chest, he fought back the lump in his throat. Why did things have to be like this?
End Chapter One