Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men. I do own Rose.

A/N: Hey there! Hoping everyone is having a great summer. Here is the second chapter of my first on going AU fanfic A New Beginning, the sequel to Haunted House. This chapter has been a lot of fun to write and I am really proud of it. I hope you all enjoy. Here goes!

"Guten nacht, Frau Rose," murmured the voice as she felt fangs on the right side of her neck. Fangs intent on breaking her skin and drinking the blood that pulsed underneath. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought of her life being sucked away by this demon.

Willing herself to calm down, Rose took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She needed to be calm in order to concentrate. As she had the day she met Logan, the silver cheetah sent vibrations from her body into the voice's owner.

Her attacker gasped in surprised and backed away slightly. That small opening was all she needed. Rose sped back down the stairs to the first floor, searching for Logan but she could not find him.

He must not have found anything, not surprising since the 'mutant' we are looking for is upstairs, cursing quietly the teenage girl headed back upstairs. Though what she really wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

Reaching the landing, Rose glanced left then right. No one, or thing, was there. She shivered as she remembered Logan saying he could not smell anything human then instantly chastised herself. She was being ridiculous. The only thing that was here was a mutant like her and Logan, no demon. Yet she could not shake the feeling of his fangs on her neck.

Shaking her head, Rose decided to check the left half of the floor first. She was halfway down the corridor when she saw the doorknob she was about to grab turn. She backed up, tensed to spring as the door opened and a figure appeared.

She leapt and they tumbled to the ground with her ending up on top. Even in the darkness Rose could make out blue eyes staring up at her. Instead of jumping the mutant, she had jumped Logan, whoops.

"Damn Goldilocks," He said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say ya were jumpy."

Usually she would have rolled her cat-like eyes at suh a remark but not this time. He was right. She was jumpy.

Logan's teasing look turned to one of concern when she did not banter back. She hated seeing him like that. She did not want him to see her weak and afraid like a little girl. She wanted him to see her strong and brave so she stood up, dusting herself off.

"I encountered the mutant," she told him.

"What? Where?" He demanded, jumping to his feet.

"Down the hallway that way," she said, pointing back the way she had come. "When I reached the landing I turned right and felt a presence behind me. I stood still as I heard a German accented voice and felt…"

"Felt…what?" Logan asked. Rose turned away. "Felt what Goldilocks?"

Rose bit her lip. Her hair fell in front of her face. Logan would think she was crazy if she told him the truth. Who knows, maybe she was crazy. Crazy or not she had to tell him what she had felt so she took a deep breath and turned back around, pushing her hair out of her face. "I felt fangs on my neck that would have broken my skin if I hadn't used my powers to get away."

"Fangs?"

"Yes, fangs," She said. "Don't give me that look. I know it sounds crazy but I know what I felt."

"So we're chasing after a bloodthirsty mutant with fangs," he said, still looking dubious with his arms crossed and an eyebrow quirked.

"You know what? Fine, don't believe me," She said, turning her back on him. "I'll go and find the mutant myself. Then you'll see that I'm telling the truth."

"Come on, Goldilocks, don't be like that," Logan said, grabbing her bare forearm. "Yer right. I shouldn't be doubtin' ya. We're a team. We have ta work together."

Rose said nothing for a moment then nodded. "So, what's the plan?"

"We continue searchin', but this time we stick together."

"I watch your back, you watch mine, huh?"

"Somethin' like that," he replied, giving her a slight smile.

She smiled back as they turned and headed down the other half of the floor. As they reached the end, after checking every other room, they heard what sounded like soft music.

Rose placed a finger to her lips and grabbed the doorknob. Logan nodded, understanding, and took a step back unsheathing his bone claws. Rose counted to three in her head and opened the door, revealing a dark room. The only light, a small candle on a nightstand, revealed a crouched form playing a violin.

The second they entered the room, the figure shot up, dropping the violin.

"Wait, we don't want to fight you," the silver cheetah said in what she hoped was reassuring. "We just want to talk."

"Nein, you're like everyone else," the mutant said, shaking his head. "You zink zat I am a monster and zat I should be destroyed. Vell, I von't let you!"

The mutant disappeared in a cloud of smoke that smelled oddly like sulfur.

Rose coughed, waving a hand in front of her face. "Well, that didn't work."

Wolverine said nothing, sniffing the air.

"What is it?"

"This is what I've been smellin' the whole time," he murmured, more to himself than to Rose. "This…"

"Sulfur," Rose sighed in relief. "That's the non-human scent you smelled when we entered the church."

Logan nodded. "The mutant reeks of it."

Then maybe this mutant is human after all, thought Rose. Maybe his fangs are a physical mutation just like my spots and eyes.

"Well, he's no longer here," her partner was saying.

"Yes, he's long gone by now," she agreed.

"So what do ya wanna do?"

"I'm not sure to be honest," Rose yawned making her blush.

"How 'bout we find a place ta rest and get a little sleep," he suggested, holding up a hand when she started to protest. "We might be able ta get some information too."

The silver cheetah closed her mouth. He had a point. She was exhausted, no doubt he was too. They needed a place to rest and gather information.

"That's a good idea," She said at last. "Let's get out of here."

They left the church. It was nearly dawn; the sky was slowly turning pink.

"Ready ta climb back over?" He asked her, a teasing smile on his lips.

Rose swallowed. She really did hate heights.

"Don't worry," he murmured as they reached the gate. He stood behind her, his hands on her waist as he whispered in her ear. "The way I hear it, cats always land on their feet."

"Do they now?" She whispered back. "What about wolverines?"

Logan laughed softly, placing a kiss on her neck.

Rose closed her eyes and sighed softly as he continued to trail kisses down her neck. She looked up at him, her lips parted slightly as she gave him a meaningful look. Taking the hint, Logan kissed her on the mouth this time. They had not kissed since the other day in the training room and man was it a kiss. Rose felt like she was going to melt from the heat.

After a few heavy moments, the two mutants broke apart.

"And here I thought ya were a proper English girl," he joked, his breathing was heavy.

"You have no idea how improper I can be," she murmured back, also breathing heavily. Her cheeks were flushed.

Logan laughed as she turned her attention back to the gate. "I'm sure I don't."

He lifted her up and they climbed up and over the gate.

"You're still alive!" exclaimed a familiar voice as they looked from each other to the young driver staring at them with his mouth open. "How are you two still alive?! No one has ever returned vrom zere alive!"

"Well, there is a first time for everything," said Rose calmly, putting on her best smile. "Do you know of any inns nearby where we could stay?"

"Yes, zere is one a couple miles vrom here," he told her, stunned by her smile.

"Could you take us there?" She batted her eyelashes.

The young man melted. "Yes, of course!"

"Thank you," She said as he opened the carriage door for her and they climbed inside.

"'A girl has her ways' huh," muttered Logan.

Rose grinned. "Don't tell me you are jealous Logan."

He crossed his arms, grumbling. "Of him? Hell no."

"Good, because there's nothing to be jealous about," she told him as she leaned forward and kissed him. "Nothing at all."

~ A New Beginning ~

The carriage stopped in front of a small, cozy inn called The Angel's Nest. According to their driver, it was a frequent get away for young lovers.

"I don't suppose they will give us two rooms," murmured Rose as they entered the inn and spoke with the innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a large curling mustache. She asked him if they could have two separate rooms but all there was was a single room on the next floor.

The teenage girl sighed and thanked the innkeeper. They headed up the small staircase to the next floor.

"I can sleep on the floor if you want," Logan offered.

Honestly? I don't want you to sleep on the floor. I really have become improper, she thought as she shook her head. "No, it's alright. We can share the bed."

Logan cocked an eyebrow. "Ya sure?" She nodded. "Alright, we'll share."

The bed was large and covered in soft quilted blankets. Rose practically dove into them, trying in vain to ignore her rapidly beating heart.

"How's the bed?" He teased, watching her.

"Perfect," She sighed. "I could stay here forever."

He smirked, taking off his outfit leaving him in a short-sleeved shirt and slacks. They looked good on him. Really good.

The silver cheetah sat up and took off her boots and gloves as Wolverine looked at the bed hesitantly.

"Come on," she said. "I don't bite, much."

He rolled his eyes and hesitated a moment longer before joining her in the bed.

"See what I mean?" She said. "This is perfect."

"Yer right, it is perfect," He agreed as he played with a strand of her hair. "I could do this every day."

"Laying in the perfect bed?"

"Layin' here with ya by my side," He replied huskily making her heart stop.

"W-we should get some sleep," she said half-heartedly as she felt herself being pulled towards him.

"Yer right," he said equally reluctant, breaking away. He placed a kiss on her forehead and turned on his side facing away from her. "We've got a long day ahead of us I'm sure."

"Mm," she murmured, turning on her side too. "Good night, Devil-horns."

"Night, Goldilocks."

~ Later ~

Sometime while she was asleep, Rose had shed the quilts for something more comforting: Logan's chest.

Rose froze. Thankfully Logan was still asleep. She, on the other hand, was curled up on top of his chest with his muscular arms wrapped around her.

Oh. My. God. I must have moved in my sleep. What do I do? This is highly improper, she thought frantically. Even so, I kind of like this and I mean really like this. If I had the choice I would stay like this forever. Nothing has ever felt so right, but what's Logan going to think when he wakes up? He did say he could lay with me every day, that it was perfect and it is perfect. I really have become improper, and yet I don't care. I've never been happier my whole life. I should enjoy it while I can.

Rose let go the breath she did not know she had been holding and snuggled deeper into Logan's chest. It wasn't like they were naked or anything.

"Well this is quite the predicament," murmured Logan.

"A nice one?" asked Rose.

Logan's chest rumbled underneath her. "So full of yerself, aren't ya Goldilocks?"

She pretended to think about it. "Maybe."

His chest rumbled again as he ran a hand through her hair. "Maybe? More like definitely."

"And you're not, Devil-horns?" She shot back, lifting her head so their eyes met. Again she felt that force that pulled her towards him. She wanted to stay there with him forever, but then they heard someone knock on their door.

"It's probably the innkeeper," said Logan.

"Probably," She murmured as the knocking continued. Sighing, the silver cheetah pulled away from Logan and got off the bed. Running her hands through her bedhead, she walked across the room and opened the door.

"Ah, good morning," greeted the innkeeper with a smile. "Or should I say good afternoon."

"Is it that late already?" asked Rose.

"It is midday, yes," the innkeeper told her. "My vife and I vere vondering if you vould like to dine vith us."

"Yes, Logan and I would love to dine with you and your wife," She replied with a smile of her own.

"Zen I vill see you zere," Rose nodded and the innkeeper left.

"We would love to huh?" said Wolverine as soon as she had closed the door. He stood right behind her.

"It's a good way to gather information," she pointed out, turning to face him. Bad idea, as soon as she turned around she felt herself being pulled towards Logan until there was no space between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. Their lips met, soft at first then more passionately as if they were trying to swallow each other whole.

Rose barely felt the door as Logan pushed her up against it. Her nails dug into his shoulder blades, making him kiss her even more fiercely but it was all over too soon.

"We should go," breathed Rose as they broke apart. "I did promise the innkeeper after all. Plus the sooner we get information, the sooner we find the mutant…"

"And the sooner we get to go home," finished Logan. Rose nodded, still breathless. He gave her a rare full smile. "Let's go eat then."

They cleaned up and went down to the dining room where the innkeeper and his wife were waiting for them.

"Ve vere vondering ven you vould vake," mused his wife. She had pale blond hair pulled up into a tight bun and a kind smile. She passed a plate of sausages and eggs to Rose the moment she sat down. "Here you go, dear. You must be starving."

"Thank you," Rose took the plate as Logan sat down next to her and put the plate between them. "This may sound strange but have you heard of any stories involving demons?"

The innkeeper and wife shared a weary glance.

"Zere vas a girl vound at ze castle not var vrom here a couple hours after dawn today," said the innkeeper, grief marred his face.

"She was your daughter, wasn't she?" realized Rose.

He nodded. "Johanna, she vas about your age vith pretty yellow hair."

"I'm so very sorry," Rose said, regretful that she had to ask her next question. "What happened?"

"Her neck vas broken," whispered the wife. "I told her not to go zere but she never listened. Zat vretched demon broke her neck, drained her blood, and left her outside vhere someone vound her."

Rose felt sick. She shoved her plate away. "You said this castle was nearby?"

The innkeeper nodded again. "Half a mile vrom here."

"Thank you, for everything, but it's time for us to be moving on," She told them, standing up. Logan followed suit.

"But you just arrived," argued the wife. "You haven't even finished your food."

"I know and I'm sorry but we have to go."

The wife looked like she was going to continue protesting but her husband laid his hand over hers and shook his head.

"May you have a safe journey and Gott bless you," He said. They began to leave and Rose swore she heard him add, "You'll need it."

"So how do you want to get there?" asked Logan when they exited the inn.

"It is only half a mile," she said, giving him a mischievous grin.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not called Silver Cheetah for nothing," She said, holding out her hand. "And if you take my hand, you'll be fast like a cheetah too."

"I don't know," he murmured, eyeing her hand wearily.

"Don't you trust me?"

"Yeah."

"Then take my hand," she said.

"This is payback for the gate, isn't it?" She smirked making him sigh. He grabbed her hand. "I'm gonna regret this."

Rose grinned and they sped to what looked like a 14th century stone castle.

"Ya really think he's here?" Logan asked her.

"Only one way to find out," She replied, leading the way inside. "Do you smell anything?"

Wolverine nodded. "Sulfur, but that's not all."

"What do you mean?"

"I smell, I think two other people, or mutants," he told her, struggling to describe it. "One smells like metal and the other smells like a bunch of scents put together."

"Where?"

Logan paused then pointed straight. "Through there to the left."

"Are they all together?" He nodded. Rose groaned. "Perfect."

"What do you wanna do?"

The silver cheetah folded her arms in thought. "We could try to take them by surprise but we're outnumbered. If only we could get one alone."

"Well, here's yer chance," Logan said suddenly making her glance at him. The wolverine grinned. "Mr. Sulfur is comin' our way."

"Now that's perfect," she said, grinning back.

They hid off to the side, waiting for the mutant to appear. The second he did, they jumped him. Logan pinned his arms behind his back as Rose stood in front of the mutant, placing a gloved hand over his mouth.

"Hello again," she said sweetly, her cat-eyes glinting. "Remember me?"

A/N: And there you have it! Hope you liked it! Next to be updated: The Next Generation. Til next time: read, review, and show the love!