Hope and Darkness
Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodies?
But who will guard the guardians themselves?
[Logan's Camp]
Logan got out of the Jeep and crossed over to the other side of the barricade, giving the young guard with the strange red and black eyes a rough nod. The kid took a long drag on his cigarette, readjusted his rifle, and nodded in return as Logan made his way to the large, blue-furred mutant who was waiting outside the commandeered army truck. He wondered why Hank had made an unscheduled run so late in the season. It wouldn't be long before the first hard snowfall.
"Whatcha got?"
"Greetings to you as well, Wolverine."
Logan grunted and took the cigar out of his mouth before repeating, "Whatcha got?"
Hank sighed, wishing things could be different. This was never easy. "Five girls, ranging from ages eighteen to eight."
"Unclaimed?" Logan's voice was sharp. He didn't take in claimed women. He didn't want any trouble that could be avoided. Life was hard enough without having to constantly be on the lookout for an angry husband or lover.
"Yes. We have determined the two who are of age have yet to be claimed."
Logan took a slow drag and Hank watched as the tip of his cigar glowed red. "Any alphas in this bunch?"
Hank nodded. "Yes, but I must warn you-"
"Let's see 'em." His tone left no room for argument and Hank did as he was ordered. Logan was the best chance these girls would have at survival.
He tossed back the canvas flap at the back of the truck and peered into the dim interior. "Ladies, if you would please be so kind as to exit the vehicle."
"Coddlin' 'em ain't doin' 'em any favors, Hank." He crossed him arms over his chest. "This ain't Club Med."
"I believe we are all quite aware of that, Wolverine."
Logan watched as Hank helped the first three little girls from the truck. The last two jumped down without assistance.
"Let's hear it." He hated this part. Hated deciding who would have a chance and who would be sent away. Even if they needed women desperately, he couldn't provide for them all. Winters this far north were just too harsh.
Hank pulled a file from the front seat of the truck. "We have one hailing from-"
"Cut the crap." Logan came to stand in front of the two older girls and jerked his head at the tallest one. "Start with her."
"Very well. Age eighteen. Alpha class. Telekinesis and some latent telepathic ability. Tests showed an aptitude for a medical based-"
"That's enough, Hank." Logan turned to her. "What's your name, Red?"
Hank was a little surprised by that. Usually Logan didn't like to know their names until after he'd made his decision. There was no point in adding a name to go with the faces of those turned away. Curious.
She lifted her chin haughtily to cover her fear. "I'm Jean." She could tell he was interested in her. Most mutant men were. Jean smiled inwardly. She could sense the lust in him lying just under the surface. It boded well for her. Perhaps he wasn't bonded and was looking for a woman. She had no problems with that. He looked a little rough around the edges but belonging to a powerful man meant his status was transferred to her, and she'd always liked being in a position of power. It meant that in turn, she had power over her own life and the power to help those she cared about.
Logan's eyes lingered on her small, upturned breasts for a long moment before he turned to the next girl. "What 'bout her?"
Hank shuffled some papers and began reading. "Age eighteen. Alpha class. Psionic ability to control climactic and meteorologic-"
"In English, bub."
"Oh, yes. Remarkable. Simply, remarkable." He broke off at Logan's stern look. "In a nutshell, she can control the weather."
"That's one helluva handy mutation, honey." He came to stand in front of her and inhaled. He could smell a lie on this one and he was pretty sure he knew what it was. "How old're you?"
Her cool measured gaze met his unflinchingly. "Eighteen."
"You sure?" He sniffed again. He could tell she was lying. Logan watched with interest as her eyes whited over and suddenly, a strong breeze eradicated all trace of her scent.
She never moved. "I am sure."
"Fair enough." He knew she was probably close, so he let it slide. Mutant women above the age of consent were not only afforded special rights, but also protection. Obviously, this one knew that, and was not about to give up control of her own life and follow along blindly just because she was a few weeks shy of eighteen. Logan respected strength and intelligence and she had both in spades. This one was a survivor. She would do well here.
Logan turned his attention to the three younger girls and was shocked to see the state of the smallest one. She was thin and frail, with great dark eyes looking out of a too pale face. That in itself wasn't surprising. Many came here gaunt and starving, but by the looks of it, she'd had a rougher time of it than most. She had a healing black eye, a split lip and from the way she was standing, it looked as if she probably had a few cracked ribs. Her breathing was labored and her face was partially hidden by a long tangle of hair that seemed to be an odd mix of both brown and white. Something about her tugged at his heartstrings, rousing his protective instincts, and he cursed himself for his weakness.
Fuck.
Logan grabbed Hank's arm and steered them out of earshot. "What's with the runt?" They didn't have the provisions to waste on anyone who might not make it. "What the fuck do you think you're doin' bringin' her here?" This shit was hard enough without turning away beat up little girls who never should have had the chance in the first place.
"She's an alpha prime, Logan." Hank's voice was soft. "It is imperative she survives."
An alpha prime? Goddamn.
There were only a handful of known primes still living. Logan was one, as were Scott and Sabretooth. Female primes were rare, even before the war there hadn't been many. Logan only knew of two; one was Mystique and the other was Carol Danvers. Not surprisingly, both of them had gone underground when the war started.
Logan's brows drew together in thought. Both of them had mutations relating to their skin. Mystique's skin could mimic anything with nearly flawless perfection and Carol's skin was invulnerable. Logan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He wondered if this small girl would have a similar skin-based mutation or if it would manifest in an entirely different way. Both invulnerability and the ability to hide in plain sight, as Mystique could, would be welcome gifts in this bleak world.
Logan's mind was reeling. How could one tiny, frail body harbor that much power? He took a deep drag on his cigar and blew the rich smoke into the crisp air. He'd been waiting a long time for one like her. Someone who wouldn't bend under his indomitable will. Someone strong enough to lead at his side. A true mate in every sense.
Logan crossed his arms over his chest and gave the girl another look. "What's her story?" He looked back at Hank with an unreadable expression. "And what's with the white hair? Somethin' wrong with her?" She didn't have the shorn head that indicated she'd been rescued from a lab, but it was definitely odd to see a shock of white hair on one so young.
Hank read through her file. "She was rescued on her way to the camps." The disdain in his voice was clear. The death camps, as they called them, were beyond horrific. Most who were sent there wished for death long before it ever came to them, especially the women. "Her mother was a beta class touch telepath. From what we understand, she was also empathic - with the ability to both read others and to broadcast. Apparently, she had hidden her ability from her husband." Logan nodded. It was common enough for mutants who could pass as human to hide their gifts, even from their own spouse. "I am quite saddened to say that when she was exposed, her husband beat her to death." Again, Logan nodded. That was all too common. It wasn't even against the law anymore. "Unfortunately, she was holding the child at the time... and broadcasting."
"Fuck." It was more of a growl than a word.
"I concur. A most traumatic experience for the child." Hank cleared his throat and continued, trying for clinical detachment, but failing. "Witnesses on the scene reported that when she was pried from her dead mother's arms, her hair had already turned white and she was nearly catatonic." He didn't add that in the three weeks he'd been caring for her, she had yet to say a single word to him.
"Jesus, Hank." Logan's eyes flicked back to the child. "Those marks on her - they're from her father aren't they." It was a statement, not a question. Rage boiled through him at Hank's nod. "That fucker." Logan's teeth flashed dangerously, but the predatory grin didn't touch his cold, flat eyes. "I'd like some time alone with that asshole."
"It has already been taken care of." The words were quiet, but carried a hard edge.
"Placement team?" Logan saw a flash of something in Hank's eyes and understanding flooded him. Hank had been part of the team. It wasn't one of his regular duties. He was far too noticeable to move about in public, but even the most hardened hearts weren't invulnerable. "I hope it was slow."
Hank nodded and his lip curled in disgust, affording Logan a glimpse of his rather impressive canines.
"It was." Something dark and wild that might have been satisfaction burned hotly in Hank's eyes for a split second before he returned his golden gaze to the file. "It is unconscionable what they do to even the smallest of us."
Logan's face was hard. "She ain't any more damaged than the rest of us." The truthful words were low and quiet. Hank nodded again, all too aware of what the war had cost each and every one of them. "It's just more noticeable on some than it is on others."
Near the truck, two of the smaller girls stepped closer together and grabbed each other's hands as they watched the two men talking. They looked over at the smallest girl, who seemed content to stand all by herself a few steps away. The one with blue eyes started shaking and risked a whisper to her new friend. "I'm scared, Jubes."
The other little girl shook her head in uncharacteristic silence. "Me too, Kitty. Hairy-face looks mean. Do- do you think he's gonna keep us?" Although 'hairy-face' could be a term applied to both men, Kitty knew which one she meant. They'd realized pretty early on that Hank wasn't the least bit scary - at least not to them, but woe be it to anyone who threatened his charges.
"I don't know." Kitty had already been through this at Cyclops' camp. If hairy-face didn't take her, she would have to try her luck at one of the smaller, less secure camps or try to make her way on her own. "I'm scared. What if-"
"Shhh. They're coming back," Jubilee whispered as she clutched Kitty's small hand tightly.
Logan and Hank made their way back over to the girls. The 'runt', as Logan had dubbed her in his mind, moved protectively in front of the other two little girls and looked up at him through her dark tangled hair.
"You're scaring them." Hank's eyes shot to the girl. Those were the first words she'd spoken since she'd been in his care. Her voice had a soft southern accent, but the tone was hard. She unwrapped her arm from where it had been cradling her cracked ribs and let her arms hang free.
Logan recognized the gesture. She was preparing to fight him. His eyes widened in shock and something tightened deep in his chest. There wasn't much that could surprise him after all he'd seen, but this tiny girl's bravery could and did. He covered his momentary lapse with a grunt.
"Scrappy little thing, ain't ya?"
For some strange reason, hairy-face didn't scare her at all. She could tell he was strong and dangerous, but something inside her insisted he was... safe. She pushed the other girls farther behind her and held her ground as he came to stand directly in front of her. She was sure he wouldn't hurt her, but she wasn't very sure about what he would do to the others.
Christ. Most grown men wouldn't stand toe-to-toe with him, yet here she was, not only holding her ground, but staring at him defiantly. Something twisted sharply inside him. Logan inhaled, instinctively taking in her scent to see what it told him about her. What he smelled underneath the dirt and the blood shook him profoundly. Her scent called to him, spoke directly to the animal coiled inside him. His every primal possessive instinct rushed to the fore, screaming at him that this girl was his.
It was distinctly unsettling. He'd never had such an extreme reaction to a scent before and he'd certainly never smelled anyone who just smelled 'right' to him. What was most disconcerting was that she smelled familiar. Not like he'd met her before, but on some level a part of him recognized her as belonging to him - with him.
He slowly dropped to a crouch before her, taking care not to move in any sort of threatening way. Logan rested his forearm on his bent knee and stared at her intently, taking in every detail. She stared back at him and he got the distinct impression she saw far more than he was comfortable revealing.
"What's your name, darlin'?"
At the soft question, she looked around at the others before meeting his eyes again. "Rogue."
Logan frowned a little at that. He wondered if the others weren't around if she would have told him her real name. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. So young and already building walls to protect herself. He understood why she did it. They all had to if they wanted to survive in this world. She tensed a little at his frown and he tried to lighten her mood a little.
"What kinda name is Rogue?"
She looked at him quizzically for a long moment. "What kinda name is Wolverine?"
Logan let out a sharp bark of laughter that sent Kitty and Jubes scuttling backwards and he smiled - a true smile that touched his eyes. He hadn't smiled a real smile in a long time.
"Can ya keep a secret, kid?" Rogue nodded, staring at him with wide brown eyes. He pitched his voice low enough so only she could hear him. "My name's Logan."
Rogue considered that for a moment. She looked around again at everyone else and whispered back just one word. "Marie."
Surprised yet again by her soft admission, Logan felt a warm rush of satisfaction that she'd trusted him enough to tell him her real name. Not even Hank had her real name in his file. He nodded at her, suddenly aware that all eyes were on them. He knew he didn't have a lot of time - the longer they were outside the perimeter of the camp, the more vulnerable they were - but he would make time for this.
Again he spoke the words so softly only she could hear them. "You don't hafta be afraid, kid. I'll protect you."
Marie looked back at him. "Promise?" Her big dark eyes were full of tears and Logan was pretty sure it was because nobody had offered to make her feel safe in a long time - maybe never.
"I promise," he whispered back. He stood up and stepped back gesturing to the other two. "Okay, Hank. Let's have it. Her first." Logan inclined his head towards Jubilee. He was well aware of the conversation between the two girls earlier. His sensitive hearing had easily picked up their hushed whispers.
Hank reopened the file. "Age eleven. Beta class. No manifestation as of yet."
"And her?" Logan nodded towards Kitty. Logan watched with interest as something in Hank's demeanor and scent changed, but his voice remained level.
"Age ten. Alpha class. Again, no manifestation." Logan could tell Hank was holding something back there, but he let it slide - for now. Hank closed the file and smiled at his smallest charge. "And last but not least, we have Rogue. Age eight." His voice hesitated for just a second. Nobody but Logan needed to know she was a prime. "Alpha class. No manifestation."
Logan looked over the bunch. He had room for two maybe three if he pushed it a little. Fuck, he always hated this part - deciding who would have a chance and who would have to try to make their way at one of the smaller camps or on their own. His own law dictated he had to take the two women who were of age. They were unclaimed and above the age of consent. In return for protection, they would be allowed to choose from all available men who were capable of supporting a woman.
No woman above the age of consent was allowed to live in camp and go unclaimed. It caused too many problems, too many fights. Those girls he took in who were underage were given his protection until such time as they came of age and moved from his guardianship to that of the man they had chosen. It was a crude system, but drastic times called for drastic measures.
As crude as it was, the system worked. In the last seven years, sixteen children had been born at his camp. Regretfully, none of them had been girls, but at least it proved that not all women had been rendered barren by the Legacy virus, and in this time - in this world - each newborn child, each woman with a swelling belly, provided hope for the rest of them.
Again, Logan and Hank walked out of earshot of the girls. "Have you decided?"
Logan nodded and worked the cigar in his teeth. "Gonna take the oldest two." He looked away for a moment and then looked back at Hank. "And I wantcha to take the smallest one to Scott."
Hank looked surprised. "You forget, my friend, that I saw the way you interacted with my young charge. Are you certain you wish to send her away?"
Logan took the cigar stub from his lips and met Hank's eyes for a long moment. "Christ, Hank, you think I want her here, growin' up seein' me as some kinda father figure?"
Hank smiled and nodded knowingly. "Scott formally requests that you accept the blue-eyed child for the same reason."
That rocked him back. Logan's eyes flicked to Kitty. "One-Eye finally picked one for himself, huh?" He looked at her again. She seemed a little skittish, but there was a certain quiet stillness about her that he knew would appeal to Scott's sense of order. "Interestin'."
"Indeed."
Logan raised an eyebrow at Hank and grunted. "He ain't more 'n a kid, himself."
Hank smiled. He was used to the banter. Logan knew full well that Scott had proved himself many times over. One did not go through what they'd all been through and remain a 'kid'. In truth, Scott was a young man, but one who'd had his youth violently ripped from him, and he was every bit as hardened and callous as Logan was when it came to running his own camp.
Hank chuckled quietly. This was an old game. Logan and Scott had known each other before the war and their bickering was one of the few constants in a world that had changed far too much. Both men held a deep respect for the other, although they'd never admit it. That each man was willing to send his future mate to the other to raise was telling in itself.
Finally, Logan nodded. "I'll take her if he'll take Rogue and the little yellow one."
"You drive a hard bargain, my friend, but Scott was expecting no less. He will accept your conditions." Hank paused. "In truth, I was instructed to accept nearly any terms you dictated."
"Wanted me to take her pretty bad, huh?"
Hank nodded. "He did, indeed."
"Yeah? Well, you can tell him he'll be lucky if I don't fill her head with a buncha shit about his lame-ass flyin' ability." Logan grinned wickedly. "Or the fact that he's more goddamn uptight than a buncha old biddies at a garden party."
"Levity from the Wolverine?" Hank smiled. "Scott will be pleased he managed to rattle you that much."
"Hmph." Logan grunted and turned his gaze back towards the girls. This time when Logan turned back to Hank, all amusement was gone from his face. "Just be sure you get her there safe. She's-" Logan broke off, aware Hank was watching him intently - a little too intently. "Just get her there safe," he repeated.
"You can rest assured I will take the utmost care with her." Hank smiled. "It would seem our business is concluded, is it not?"
"Yeah." Logan inhaled, breathing in the crisp autumn air. He was silent for a time. "Good thing you didn't come any later. Gonna be snowed in pretty quick."
"I concur. Scott, too, is preparing for an early winter. I would not normally have made the run this late in the season, but he was adamant about getting the child to you before the first snow fell."
This time when Logan spoke there was a hard edge to his words. "You tell One-Eye I'll protect her with my life and I expect the same of him."
"I will deliver the message, although I am sure he is well aware of the conditions. This was not a decision he made lightly."
Logan's eyes came to rest on Marie. "Me either."
"Every precaution to ensure their safety will be made, I assure you." Hank's voice softened. "They are our future." That was especially true of Logan and Scott. There was precious little that kept them from being swallowed up by the darkness they waded through each and every day.
The two men walked back to the truck and Logan watched with some interest as Hank slid the file beneath the driver's side floor mat and then pulled something from under the seat. He grinned widely and offered the small package to Logan.
"Scott requested this be given directly to you."
Logan grunted noncommittally and looked in the sack. A low whistle escaped his lips as he closed the bag. "This a bribe in case I didn't wanna take the kid?" He had to admit if it was, it was a damn good one. The small bottle of brandy was more than fifty years old and quite a rarity these days.
Hank shook his head. "No. It is simply a thank you for considering the offer." He grinned again as he pulled a small box from under the seat. "This is the bribe." He handed it to Logan. "I was instructed to leave it with you as a gift if you agreed to take the child without any additional incentive."
Logan sucked in a breath when he realized what he was holding - nine honest to God real Cuban cigars. "Holy shit." He couldn't imagine where Scott had gotten these. They were quite literally worth a king's ransom now.
"I heartily agree." Hank smiled and answered the question he knew Logan wouldn't ask. "Scott took the Blackbird to Xavier's and liberated a few things he had left in the ruins." The smiles faded from their faces. The school held painful memories for all of them. Scott, Hank and Logan had all been wounded in the terrible battle that killed Charles and ended a dream.
"Jesus. And he says I'm reckless."
Hank smiled. "He prefers the term, 'calculated risk'." Hank ignored Logan's snort. "He did not undertake such a trip merely for cigars, Logan. He went because he finally found her." His voice softened as he looked at Kitty. "He went to retrieve a family ring he kept in Charles' hidden safe."
Hank didn't say the rest out loud, but Logan clearly heard the words. Scott wanted something tangible to remind him of what was waiting for him, something to hold on to when the darkness threatened to overwhelm him... and if he could do that, something to give her when he finally claimed Kitty as his.
Now Logan understood, but he couldn't resist getting in one last dig. "And he just happened to 'liberate' Chuck's stash of good liquor and fine cigars while he was at it?"
Hank chuckled. "That's about the size of it, yes."
"Cocky bastard."
"I believe I expressed the very same sentiment."
Logan's eyes narrowed as he ran his rough fingers over the small box. "Why nine?" It was clearly a deliberate number. The box originally held ten. He knew Scott too well. He'd always had a strange affinity for numbers and patterns.
"Ah, yes. Scott was hoping you'd ask." Hank looked at Rogue. "He wanted you to have one to smoke each year on her birthday until she was returned to you." Hank knew he didn't need to tell Logan when her birthday was. Logan had read her file. He might not have Scott's talent for numbers, but he had a memory like a steel trap.
"She's eight." Eight plus nine was seventeen not eighteen. He couldn't touch her until she was eighteen.
"Yes." Yellow eyes flashed with quiet amusement. "He assumed you would want her returned to your keeping shortly before she actually turned eighteen." Hank chuckled quietly. "I believe he thought on the eve of her eighteenth birthday you would prefer to be filling your time with something other than cigars and brandy."
Damn right, I would.
Logan nodded once. "I know it was him that sent the cigars, but the brandy hadta be your idea. He'd have sent scotch."
"I thought that it would be a splendid addition to those very fine cigars."
"You're right." Logan clapped Hank on the back and slid the box of cigars inside the paper sack along with the bottle. "You tell him I'll make sure his girl always has somethin' nice on her birthday." Hank understood that was as close to thanks as the proud Wolverine would come.
"Consider it done."
Logan nodded. "Let's get this show on the road." Logan hailed his guard as he and Hank made their way to the back of the truck. "You two," Logan indicated to the two oldest girls, before turning to Kitty. "And you. Go with him and wait for me in the Jeep." Kitty gave Jubilee's hand one last desperate squeeze and turned to follow the others towards the Jeep.
Seeing the looks on the faces of the remaining two girls, Hank hastened to add, "Do not worry, little ones. You two are to be taken to Cyclops' camp. You will be safe there. It is a fine place to make a home." Hank smiled at them. "We will be leaving shortly. Do either of you require assistance entering the vehicle?" Marie and Jubilee shook their heads and silently climbed into the back of the truck. Jubilee moved quickly, eager to be out of the biting wind, but Marie moved slower, protecting her sore ribs as she climbed carefully into the back of the truck. Her lip trembled.
Logan couldn't help but feel proud she didn't ask for help even though he could tell she was hurting, but the sad, watery stare she turned on him before she disappeared behind the flap made his heart twist. He could only imagine what she must be thinking, being sent away after he'd promised to look out for her.
Shit.
She smelled like she was about to start crying, too, and he had no idea how to comfort a young child. While he had several children under his protection back at the camp, he had little direct contact with them. They were cared for by two mutant women who were well beyond their child bearing years. Running the camp took the majority of his time. He walked back to the front of the truck.
Maybe it would be best just to let Hank explain it to her. Hell, he had little experience with kids... although he felt more comfortable with her than with any other kid he'd ever run across. Come to think of it, he'd felt more comfortable with her than with anyone else he'd ever met. He was still deciding what to do when he saw Hank heading his way.
Hank approached Logan. "Are you going to tell her goodbye? Ten years is a long time."
Logan grunted. "Not for someone like me, it ain't."
"I suppose that is true, but it is for someone like her," Hank reasoned quietly.
Logan considered that for a minute before handing Hank the bag with a curt nod and heading to the back of the truck.
"C'mere, Rogue." He reached for the little girl, picking her up gently, with a care for her sore ribs, and carried her into the trees a short distance away; close enough to be safe, but unable to be seen and heard from the road. Her eyes were filled with tears and her little fingers found his hair and stroked softly in a sad effort to soothe herself. He set her down and crouched before her.
"Did- did I do something bad? Is that- is that why I can't st- stay now?"
Logan's heart constricted in his chest. "No, darlin', you didn't do nothin' bad." She was crying harder now and her tears were just tearing him up inside. "You did real good protectin' the other kids. I'm real proud of you for that. You gotta strong heart." Christ, his eyes were beginning to burn. "I ain't sendin' you away 'causea that or even 'cause I wanna."
"Is it 'cause of my m- momma?" Her voice had gotten even smaller and her shoulders were shaking some now.
"No, kid. It ain't 'causea that either. Your momma loved you a whole lot. More than all things." Logan took a deep, shaky breath as Marie flung herself against him and wrapped her small arms around him, pressing her face into his neck and clinging to him like a little monkey. Logan stroked her soft hair and returned the hug. "I gotta keep you safe, darlin'. I promised you I would. It ain't safe here for you yet. I'm sendin' you to my special friend. He's gonna take real good care of you 'till it's safe for you to come back to me."
"Is he gonna hit me? I don't wanna go if he's gonna hit me."
Jesus, darlin'. That just about broke me.
"No, darlin', he ain't gonna hitcha. Not ever. He ain't gonna let anyone else hurtcha either. He'll kill anyone who tries. He's gonna watch over you real good 'till it's time for you to come back to me." She eased a little at his words, but she still smelled scared. Inwardly he cursed, wishing there was more he could do to ease her fears. "Marie?"
She pulled back to stare up at him. "Yeah?" She sniffed and wiped at her tears with the back of one grubby hand.
"I wanna give you somethin', okay? Anyone that sees this'll know that messin' with you means messin' with me." Logan took the tags from around his neck and showed them to her. "See this? That says Wolverine - that's me. You're a smart girl. You heard Hank call me that before. Everyone knows that name." Marie nodded and touched the tags with one shy, curious finger. "I'm gonna put 'em on you, okay?" Thank God, she was nodding more and crying less. He wasn't sure how much more of her tears he could stand. Logan fastened the tags around her neck. "That means you're mine, darlin', and nobody touches anythin' that's mine."
Marie looked up at him with her great, dark eyes. "Does it mean you're mine too?"
Out of the mouth of babes.
"Yeah, it does, darlin'. Forever and always." Logan's eyes narrowed as he watched her face scrunch up. She seemed to be thinking really hard about something.
"C- can I give you something too?" She looked at him with a gravity that was out of place on such a small child. "You gotta promise to take real good care of it. It's special."
Logan nodded, wondering what on earth she had to give him. "I promise, kid." He watched with interest as she pushed her hand into her pocket and drew out a small crumpled scarf. It was sheer and smelled of both a soft floral perfume and faintly of old blood.
"It's my momma's." Marie held it to her face and breathed in her mother's perfume one last time before pressing it into Logan's large, rough hand.
Logan could barely get the words past the lump in his throat. "I'll take real good care of it, Marie." He tucked it into the pocket over his heart and patted it. "I promise." Logan carefully picked her up. "You ready to go now, darlin'?" She nodded and he carried her back towards the truck. At the edge of the trees he pressed a quick kiss to her hair and whispered, "Anytime you get scared, you just remember you got the tags and you're mine." Crossing the distance to the truck quickly, Logan set her gently in the back and noted with satisfaction that her small hand clutched his tags fiercely but she wasn't crying.
Hank joined him at the back of the truck. "Are we ready to depart?" He gave the kids one last check and was shocked to see Rogue wearing Logan's tags. In all the years Hank had known Logan, he'd never taken them off. His eyes swung to Logan's and he almost missed the imperceptible nod.
"Yeah, we're good to go." Logan followed Hank around to the front and took the package back from him before he climbed inside the cab. "See ya in the spring, Hank." His tone grew more serious. "And you tell him to take care of what's mine."
"I will indeed, my friend. I will indeed."
Without a backwards glance, Logan headed back to the waiting Jeep feeling hopeful for the first time in longer than he could remember. Both he and Scott had found something worth fighting for. Something more than a piece of ground to hold and defend. Something more than homeless, hurting people to protect. Something to keep them from being swallowed by the darkness and becoming like Sabretooth, or worse.
There was a very fine line between leader and dictator, between justice and murder, between a man with a hardened heart and a man who was heartless. Logan knew the truth, the same as Scott did. They both walked a very fragile line and those two precious girls were all that stood between them and that unrelenting darkness.