They belong to Marvel. I ain't makin a cent.
I'm branching out guys. Trying my hand at writing other X-Men characters...with the fine assistance of my galpal grrl4vic.
Loyalties
The dark figure moved silently through the lower level of the mansion, negotiating the corridors with a knowledge not borne from familiarity. The intruder stopped at a large steel door, the words Danger Room signed above it. Fingertips danced lightly across a keypad, easily breaking the unknown code.
The door hummed as it slid open, and the figure moved quickly. Crossing to the main control panel, the trespasser disabled the security system, unlocking the interior doors. As a side door opened, the figure moved with surety through it, stopping a few feet from a manacled giant.
Sabretooth. Victor Creed. The mutant assassin was chained to the basement wall, currently a "guest" of the X-Men. He had come to the mansion seeking solace after the death of his sidekick Birdy. Birdy. His prisoner. His lover. Supplier of the "glow", the incomparable telepathic rush that erased all horror of his monstrous acts. He had been lost after her death. A pitiful junkie begging at the mansion door for a psychic hand-out.
The X-Men had promptly and rightfully imprisoned him instantly.
He stood against the wall eyeing his visitor. His powerful body restrained at wrist and ankle with heavy eighteen inch chains. He raised a curious eyebrow. He was not afraid. The scent of the person before him was as familiar as his own.
"Well", he growled softly. "Look who's back from the dead."
The slender form pulled the knit hood from their head in a fluid motion. Blonde hair fell softly to slim shoulders.
His dead assistant stood before him in the flesh.
"Hey boss."
Birdy hesitated, keeping several feet between them. They stared intensely at each other. Creed shook his wrists, making the chains rattle.
"Come ta see the chained monster?, he whispered, his voice acid with hate. "Like the freak-show Birdy.?"
Birdy was nervous. She spoke quickly. "I've got all the systems disabled except for the wall restraints. They must be on a separate line." She took a deep breath and moved within his reach. She wrapped her slender arms suddenly up and around his neck, and pressed her face to his chest.
"I never meant for this to happen. I can't stand to see you like this."
Creed's instinct was to hurt her. Just extend his claws and bury them in her throat. But he was momentarily stunned by her touch. The warmth of her body and the sweet smell of her hair. He remained tense, the chains straining at the wall. But he lowered his head slightly, nuzzling against her face He felt her telepathic intrusion and he opened his mind to share his thoughts..and receive hers.
The brooding figure watched the monitor with rapt attention. It's green glow casting a ghostly pale on his hard features. He watched with a voyeuristic focus, amazed, bemused. He observed the exchange far longer than a sentry would have. Jeanne had woken him within moments of the blonde girl's invasion. But he was fascinated by the duo's apparent reunion.
Logan stood, rolling his corded neck until the joints popped. He stretched his arms and flexed his hands, which cracked loudly in the silent room.
"Time's up moll. Visitin's hours over."
Logan felt the adrenaline surge through him as he moved down the corridor toward Creed's improvised cell. He was sorry the bastard was chained up. No excuse to hurt the prick while he was helpless. But the girlfriend had better not start any trouble....
His head turned sharply at the sound of the girl's cry. His claws extended as he ran towards the room.
Creed was leaning hard against his chains. They groaned in protest from the force of his body, but remained attached. He was standing and laughing at the surprised girl sitting at his feet. Birdy scrambled back quickly and stood a safe distance from him. Her voice quivered with emotion.
'It's not like that boss. I only wanted to help you."
She turned as Logan entered the room.
'Damn!" she said in an annoyed tone, as if he were a servant interrupting a private moment.
"What are you doing here?"
Logan laughed at the outrageous question, and at the sight of the frustrated Creed and his inept rescuer. He retracted his claws.
The blast came suddenly, as if a hot wave had washed over him, starting at this ear, whipping across his face. It was instinct that moved him. He lowered his shoulder and surged his weight against the girl, propelling both of them across the room and into the wall. Birdy's head and shoulder cracked against the barrier. Her eyelids fluttered briefly, and she sank to the floor. Logan collapsed on top of her, his mind clouded, his ears ringing.
After a few moments, his head cleared. He heard the sound of laughter.
"Nice job runt! Whadja forget she was a telepath? Let your guard down?"
Logan rolled off the girl. He stood slowly, pressing one hand against the wall for support. He
hit the manual alarm switch, even as he heard faint footsteps hurrying down the hall.
"Hey Birdy" Creed taunted cheerfully, "Didn't I tell ya about the X-Mens brand of hospitality?"
'Shut the fuck up psycho!", Logan growled as he examined Birdy. The shoulder looked dislocated. He didn't know about the face.
Scott entered the room, his hand ready to trigger his visor. Upon seeing the prone girl, he used his beeper to signal Dr. McCoy. Logan spoke in low tones, explaining the girls presence. Creed's tirade continued.
"Whadya think skirt? You betray me and I'm gonna give you a big, wet one when ya show up?"
Logan lunged suddenly, shoving Creed hard against the wall, his claws pressed against the bigger man's throat.
"I said shut the fuck up psycho!"Creed was breathing hard, but his voice was cold.
"I ain't a little girl runt. You'll havta do better than that to hurt me."
Logan smiled slightly at Creed's challenge. He got a grip on his anger. He retracted his claws and stepped away from his nemesis.
Hank McCoy was examining the X-Men's new guest. He unrolled a stretcher and motioned for Logan's assistance.
"Please Logan..I'm quite sure Sabretooth will be available to torment you tomorrow. In the mean time..?"
Logan glanced at Scott, who was busy resetting the security system. He moved over to the girl and physician, and crouched down next to them. Together, he and Hank gently moved the girl to the stretcher.
Creed had been quiet while he watched them tend to his former assistant He called to Logan as they carried her from the room.
'Why doncha just leave her with me? I can take care of her for ya...save ya some trouble."
Logan and McCoy ferried the injured girl out of the room, ignoring Creed's laughter. Logan almost wished he could. He didn't miss the look of reproach in Hank's eyes. The girl may have tried to scramble Logan's brains, but all Hank saw was a pretty, young girl that might just die as a result of tangling with the Wolverine. This was already a mess. Logan groaned his disgust as they carried her to the elevator.
They could still hear Creed's baritone. Laughing, angry.
"You can't trust her runt. She's a wicked girl, I tell ya. Not to be trusted."
The men and unconscious girl entered the elevator. The sound of Creed's mocking voice disappearing only as the doors closed behind them.