Chapter Three

I walked into the kitchen of the mansion and could smell the wonderful aroma of Christmas cookies and saw my mother busy making holiday treats. I felt myself getting hungry and knew the baby was behind my hunger so I smiled at my mom. "Mother they smell nice."

"You have always loved these cookies Kat."

"You're right. So have you heard from Logan yet mom?" I asked hopefully as I bit into one of the cookies enjoying the wonderful mixture of gingerbread and other spices. Mom always could make a great cookie. I was disappointed when she shook her head sending stray strands of red hair into her face. "Oh." was all I could say to that reply and slumped into a chair in front of the table. Suddenly we heard Alexis's telepathic voice in our heads telling us to come to his office immediately. ~What is it Alex?~

~Just come to my office please.~

I grinned remembering what Logan had told me he saw Alex and Fox doing earlier his office and decided to tease him a little. ~Are you dressed guys?~

~Very funny Kat. Now come to my office will you?~

~Okay...Okay keep your pants on!~ I replied and got up off my chair and heard Alex's mental laughter in my head. Boy I sure could bring a laugh to that guy when I tried hard enough.

I walked out of the kitchen after grabbing two more of those wonderful cookies and headed down the hallway towards the headmaster's office. I took in the scents of the pine tree in the front hall as I walked up the staircase and looked at all the brightly-lit decorations. Oh I loved Christmas so much and figured I was going to go to New Orleans and bring my father his gift considering all the support and love he has given me all these years. I even got a gift for my stepmother and cringed slightly thinking about her since I knew that she hated me. I laughed thinking about the wicked stepmother concept from Cinderella and my red and black eyes lit up in pure amusement. I smiled as I walked into the office and my mood suddenly dropped dramatically when I noticed the serious looks of the other occupants of the room. 'What was wrong with their holiday spirit?' I thought but then found it hard to swallow as a lumped formed in my throat. Had something happened to Logan? I felt a pang of panic flow through my body and my eyes flashed in fear and frustration. "What is wrong?"

"Um well we have just heard word that there is a new laboratory making biological weapons to use against mutants. We were discussing this just before you came in and..." Foxlind start trying to give me enough information that she thought I would need and I pretty much guessed the last of that sentence and spoke it outloud to them.

"And you want me to slip in quietly and destroy all the chemicals and weapons right?" I finished for my sister smirking thinking they could at least have asked before committing me to this mission before they told me about it.

"Basically yes."

"Hold it she can't" Mom said standing in the doorway as she looked at all of us.

"Why not?" Alexis inquired looking at my mother obviously not sure what she meant

"She's pregnant."

"What since when?" Asked my sister looking directly at me. "Well that settles it, I guess we have to find someone else."

"Hold it! Just because I am pregnant doesn't mean I can't take this mission." I said getting somewhat annoyed considering that they thought I was some kind of a delicate flower that couldn't get hurt. I mean give me a break people! I had been stealing from people even when I was pregnant and this mission was not different. "I'm pregnant...not crippled and I am going." With that said I managed to give them a serious look, which meant that I was not going to change my mind any time soon. I looked as the others looked at me and nodded in agreement. Ha! I had won this fight and it filled me with a deep sense of pride that they had given in to my argument but what other thief could they get to enter into a laboratory without being detected and efficiently rid the scientists of their precious chemicals. I smiled at the thought of really sticking it to those damn humans and I felt a real surge of anticipation as they told me all I needed to know about the building and where it was located. After they had informed me of all I really needed to know, I wondered towards the X-Men locker room to collect my black uniform so that I could leave almost immediately to complete this mission hoping that Logan would be back when I returned. I sighed and took the golden key to my uniform locker and sighed. Well this was it...it was now or never and I read my code name in the same gold lettering as Logan's and read my name. Hmm I began to wonder if WildKat should return or not but I shoved that doubt out of my mind as I unclicked the locker and reached in to take my uniform out of it place. I looked at the black leathered uniform with the gold and blue stripes on it and grinned. I quickly put on my uniform and tied my long brown hair into a braid. It was like old times alright.

After I was completely dressed in my X-Men uniform, I walked to the garage to get my black and blue motorcycle out of the garage. It was time for the WildKat to go on the prowl and get this mission done. I smiled as the engine purred at my touch and climbed on and then drove out of the gates of the school and headed to New Orleans determined to give my father his gift before heading out on my mission. I decided on this hours ago considering how unsure I was that I was going to return before Christmas and figured I had a little bit of time to see my father. I drove down the roads and felt a surge of real happiness when I reach the guild house. It was a mansion now since the two guilds had merged into one and with that came the riches of both guilds allowing them to build this exquisite mansion on the east side of the woods in New Orleans. I parked my bike and took off my helmet and walked towards the front steps and took a deep breath. I looked at the now alerted guards and took out my guild medallion that was gold plated and with blue in the center. I had chosen blue because I liked the colour...always have. I looked at the two guards closely and cleared my throat but wasn't surprised when they demanded what my business was. "Kat LeBeau...I am here to see my father."

I was then led down the well-lit and well-decorated hallways towards a large dinning room that was decorated in a rich dark red colour. I looked at the large wooden dinning table and saw the guild members eating dinner but I was unable to see my father. I however, did recognize my stepmother Bella Donna sitting at the head of the table and saw the look on her face when she saw me. It was a look of hatred but then again the old witch never had liked me very much and I never was sure entirely why but I could tell you...there was no love in her eyes as she looked at me. I rolled my eyes and waited for her scorn me. I did not have to wait long though as she sneered at me as she took in my ever-present youth, which was also some reason, I was sure she hated me.

"Well if it isn't the young t'ief. Come home for a visit brat?" The leader of the guilds said with a long of pure hatred in her eyes and disgust in her voice making me want to slap her across the face...and slap her hard. I clenched my hands into fists at my sides trying to control my anger towards the older woman and just looked straight ahead at her instead of resorting to physical violence.

"I am here ta see my papa Bella." I replied as my Cajun accent came out in full in my anger. I could sometimes hide the accent and my heritage at times but it always came out when I was angry with someone or something.

"Well you papa isn't here Kat."

"What da you mean he in't here?"

"He disappeared a couple days ago."

I looked at her stunned and was not sure if she was lying to me or not but when I used my telepathic abilities I knew she was telling the truth to me. Why did someone not inform me that my father had disappeared and where was he and what had happened to him. I looked at her with a tense look on my face and was full of bitter rage but I kept my anger in check still as I watched the look of Bella's face turn from anger to sadness. She was actually sad? I couldn't believe it and I hated to admit it but I felt a twinge of sadness for her myself. "I tell ya what Bella. You get me de tools ta break inta a building and I gonna find papa for you. Do we have a deal?"

I watched as Bella sighed and looked at my Uncle Bobby and they both nodded in agreement to my demands. I smiled slightly as my uncle got up from his red velvet chair and led me to the room with our tools in it. He opened a drawer and then looked at me with his light eyes. He handed me my bag with my name on it and I checked to see if it contained everything I would need and if the tools were in peak condition. They appeared to be in order to me and I closed the bag completely satisfied with the results of my inspection. "T'ank you Uncle Bobby. I'll fine papa...I promise."

"How you going ta find him Kat?"

"Simple I have my skills. I'll find 'em and bring him home." I stated as I left the room and then headed out of the house and climbed onto my bike after I had placed the backpack on my back. I revved up the engine of my bike and rode off into the sunset and enjoyed the feel of a light wind blow through my hair. I sighed and the feel of the wind reminded me of Logan suddenly and how I used to ride with him on his bike. I felt a wave of unhappiness hit me as I realized how much I missed him and how much I loved him. I had to place that at the back of my mind as I headed in the direction of Northern Canada towards the laboratory I was going to sabotaging.

It was dark the next night when I finally got to the building and parked the bike a few blocks from the building. I crept towards the building and hid in the bushes near the main gate checking on how many security guards were on patrol and counted five of them and then I reached into the bag and took out my gas gun. I carefully loaded the cartridge and got ready to fire the gun and then I grabbed my grappling hook and attached it to my firing gun and then I was ready for the fun to start. I carefully flipped over the fence with the use of my staff and landed in a crouch in the nearby bushes as I shrunk my staff down again placing it back in my uniform side pocket of my belt. I sighed and unzipped my uniform down to expose most of my large breasts hoping to use my cleavage as a perfect distraction and then stepped out from the bushes. I let my long hair lose and seductively walked to the front entrance swaying my hips and hid the guns behind my back. I smiled innocently when I was stopped but I never panicked. "Is something wrong officer?"

"This is a restricted area miss."

"You don't say?" I replied batting my long lashes and leaned down near the desk giving a good view of my assets and I could swear the men nearly fainted looking at my curves. "So you boys into fun?" I smiled and winked at them and let my charm power flow to their senses. I never use this power on anyone usually but this was a great time to use it. I watched them look like they were going to fall over for me and then I and then once I was ready, I took of the gun and fired the cartridge into air and covered my own face with a mask and then send up my grappling hook to the roof. I placed both guns into my bag and then grinned as the men feel to the ground as I began to climb up to the roof carefully. "Night boys." I muttered as I climbed but had this strange feeling that this was a little too easy even with my skills. I reached the roof with no further incident and landed like a cat onto the roof gracefully. I took my rope and placed it in the bag and then took out my claws and cut open the door. I looked around me to make sure I was not discovered and was actually shocked that no one had discovered the guards yet and had sounded the alarm. I carefully walked down the dark halls to wards the labs and then used a security card I had taken off some scientist on my way down but figured he wouldn't need it since he was taking a little nap for now. I swiped the card and then opened the door after hearing a click and entered the lab. I walked into the dark room and began my search for the chemicals and weapons but suddenly I felt a hard object against my back. I gulped and the lights were turned on and I noticed that I was surrounded. I had been set up and I put my hands up knowing that I had no choice but to surrender. I growled lightly as my hands were secured behind me and my bag was taken from me.

"Well...well what do we have here?" A man said grinning and he circled me like a vulture looking at his prey. "It looks as if we have a new candidate for our weapon X program boys...don't we WildKat?" He said laughing but I didn't find it the least bit funny. The weapon what? I struggled as I was led at gunpoint to a locked room and was thrown into it landing on my side.

"You will pay for this you disgusting human!" I shouted as they locked the door behind me still laughing cruelly.

"Kat?" I turned and saw Logan chained to the wall and my eyes widened. I got up from the floor and quickly walked to him and hugged him and gasped noticing the bloodstains on his now torn clothes. What had they done to him? I saw his sad eyes and felt tears threatening to fall my eyes as I held him close. "What you doing here." He whispered in my ear and it sounded as if he had not had anything to drink in days.

"I um was trying to stop the chemical weapons from being used on mutants." I answered back now furious that this was a trap but how did they know about me?

"Yeah well darlin' they knew ya were comin' I guess."

"So what do they want with us."

"I don't know Kat but something tells me that we aren't gonna like it."

"Some Christmas huh Logan?"

"Hush darlin' try and get some sleep my love. No matter what happens tomorrow remember I will always love my kitten."

"I love you too Logan." I whispered back and let my droopy eyes close and went to sleep.

Christmas Day:

Tigress walked into the maximum-security prison and walked up to the front desk. She knew she looked hot in her blue low-cut blouse and her tight black mini skirt. It was so tiny that if she even bent down Leon was sure he could probably see his sister's panties. He grinned and hid the corridor as Tigress Cleo walked towards the desk flashing the most seductive and innocent smile she could. He walked as his sister leaned on the desk showing off her cleavage and Leon's eyes nearly popped out of his head as she gave him a nice view of her tight ass. He knew this act was not to give him a view of her but to distract the guard but wow he thought. He listened in closely as he moved to watch the action going on ahead of him. He knew there would be trouble since their father was looked up in maximum security and the public was not allowed to even go back there. "Hello officers. I was wondering if y'all do this lil ol' angel a favor." Leon heard his sister say and he chuckled...'boy she is laying it on thick."

"Yes miss."

"I was wonderin' if I could visit one of yur prisoners you big strong officer." Tigress replied batting her long lashes and playing with a lock of her long blond waves with a finger.

"Sure ma'am. Now what's his name?" The officer asked starting up the prison records on his computer to check which cell the person was in and whether they could receive guests.

"Victor Creed."

"I'm sorry miss but I can't let you see him."

"Not even on Christmas officer?"

"Nope says here no visitors."

Tigress' eyes turned from a lovely shade of blue to a bright white and she reached out and grabbed the now startled man's throat. She started to squeeze the air out him with a growl and she could hear Leon laughing. She pulled the gasping and struggling prison guard closer to her until she could smell the stall coffee on his breath. "When I said I wanted to see my father...it was not a request!" She growled out and threw the man into a nearby wall knocking him out.

"Oh Yeah Cleo!" Shouted Leon giving her five and was still laughing as he grabbed the guard's key as his twin sister checked the cell records. He grinned wickedly as he kicked the unconscious man in the side and followed Tigress down the hall way towards the corridor where the most dangerous criminals were kept. "Hey by the way Cleo where did ya get the killer outfit."

"Off a hooker I sliced open the other night." She replied grinning as she walked down the halls ignoring the whistles and catcalls she was receiving from the prisoners. "You like it Leon."

"Hell yeah! So how was the hooker's blood anyway."

"Quite refreshing as usual. Come on he is in solitary confinement room 216." Tigress grabbed the keys from her brother and ran to the door and was followed by an anxious and excited Leon. They peered into the room through the small window and watched as Sabertooth paced the room like a crazed wild animal. He stopped suddenly as if he could smell the two young mutants and just stared at the door for what seemed to be a moment in time then he turned and sat down on his bunk. He looked up when he heard the loud click of the door being opened and Tigress walked in silently and quickly. "Father we must hurry."

Quickly Cleo led the others towards the front desk where she had left the unsuspecting guard lying on the ground and noticed he had regained consciousness. Cleo growled loudly and moved with deadly reflexes as the man reached for the alarm button. She clamped her hand around his throat and glared at him. Suddenly a deadly smiled crossed her lovely silky lips and she showed her white canines to him. The man looked like he was about to have an accident as his captor brought him close to her and whispered. "That is the last mistake you'll ever make." With that said she exposed his neck and bite into his artery making him scream as his warm blood filled into Cleo's mouth until he died. She tossed the guards dead body against the wall with so much force that if he had survived, he would have broken his neck. She turned and smiled at her father and brother as she licked the blood off her lips. "Now this is the part of the job I like the best."

Creed chuckled and then heard another guard coming close to their location but they didn't have anytime to waste and they headed out of the building as they attempted to avoid the bullets that went flying in their direction. Leon howled in pain as a bullet grazed his left leg as it whizzed passed him. Cleo watched him stumble and snarled as she ran to help him get into the car. After they had all gotten into the car, Cleo sped the car down the highway still mad that their fun had been cut short by the stupidly of that human that had went for the alarm.

Canada:

I woke up from the sound of the loud click as the guards opened the door and growled. They had obviously come for us and I was helpless to stop them. I struggled angrily against the chains that bounded my hands behind me as they roughly grabbed me. I could see Kat struggling as well and she screamed as they threw her out of the dark room and onto the pure white floor of a laboratory. I looked around frantically and felt my fear rising as well as Kat's. I looked around and noticed that there were two large pod-like machines with a lime green water sloshing within them. I also noticed that these pods has large needle-like spikes that hung from the lid and I felt a thick lump in my throat forming as I was dragged to one of the large white pods. "No!" I screamed as they took off my clothes and I was shaking as the scientist I had seen earlier when I was first grabbed approach me. "Interesting machines aren't they?" I heard him say cruelly towards me. I was dragged towards the pod still struggling and screaming and then they placed me into the pod. I could feel the cold water splashing all over my naked body and then I was strapped down to the bottom of the pod. I nearly screamed as I felt a long needle in the side jam into my arm and suddenly felt drowsy. I could hear Kat's frightened screams as I was consumed by darkness.

Kat screamed as she watched Logan being placed into the first pod and then watched in pure horror as the lid was closed onto his now sleeping form. She watched the spikes pierce into his body and felt like crying but screamed further as she was suddenly grabbed. She shrieked as her black uniform was taken off her body and then she turned to look at the head scientist. "Why are you doing this?" She demanded as she was forced into the second pod and then she felt ill as she was knocked out and heard the man laugh cruelly and said, "Cause I can you mutant bitch!"

He watched with pure evil glee as the green liquid flowed into his guinea pigs' bodies making their metal bones stronger and more destructive. It would take them for days to be completed and he closed the lid on Kat's pod down on her locking both pods. He then walked out of the laboratory grinning like a Cheshire cat enjoying the sweet taste of victory.

Westchester, New York:

Foxlind paced the room worried about Wolverine and Kat since they had not checked in yet. They were supposed to have been giving the other x-men their progress reports but none had come in as of yet and she was starting to get worried. 'Where are they and why do I have this arching feeling in my stomach that something is wrong?' She asked herself as she looked at the happy scene playing out in the main room as the children all played with their new toys and chased each other around. Fox tried to smile for the benefit of the young children not wanting to worry or upset them. 'Please be okay guys' she thought as she smiled walking to sit with her husband as they others began to sing Christmas Carols starting with Jingle Bells. Fox tried to sing with a joy in her heart but she still felt something was wrong and she could tell Alex knew something was wrong as he squeezed her hand and kissed her. ~We will find them my love.~ He whispered in her mind and she knew he was right. They would find them and would bring them home soon. That was a Christmas promise that Alex had said to her and she always knew she could trust him to keep his promises.