Aaaah you guys are amazing! Your reviews never fail to make me smile! :D
I want to thank Scarlett Burns again for beta-reading, she is the epitome of awesomeness!
And I don't own X-men, unfortunately D:
Please enjoy! :D
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"Victor, I don't need to even search for Logan. He's here," Xavier explained.
Silence. Pure, unadulterated silence. Creed blinked once, then twice. Then, "Excuse me?"
"Yes," Xavier nodded. "He actually just arrived yesterday from Canada." Creed's face went blank.
"Here? As in New York? Or here, as in, this school?" the mutant asked, his eyes growing wider.
"This school. He's currently…" Xavier closed his eyes, concentrating. "Ah, watching a hockey game with a few of our students in the living room …and smoking a cigar," Xavier added with distaste.
Creed's eye twitched. Jimmy was here. Here. In this school. Not even a mile away. It actually made him frown.
What would he say to Jimmy? Honestly, he hadn't even thought it …having been too caught upon the seemingly impossible act of finding him. It's been thirty years! His brother could be a completely changed person.
After all, he was.
Xavier smiled. "So you're Logan's brother?' he mused. "I thought Logan had no living relatives."
"Neither did I," Storm said, looking him up and down. "At first I didn't believe it, but I'm starting to see similarities between the two of you."
"Like what?" Scott asked, raising an eyebrow. "They look nothing alike."
"They talk the same," Storm pointed out, scratching her jaw. "And… I dunno. There's just something about them…"
Creed however, wasn't listening. His mind was somewhere else. Jimmy probably had changed. Was he nicer? Most likely, seeing as he was currently watching a hockey game with a bunch of punk kids; something Creed could never do even if you paid him. Would he have more patience? Once again, probably, if he could tolerate a bunch of kids. Was he more revenge-driven? Would he slash n' gash Creed the second he saw him? As Creed's mind buzzed with dozens of thoughts, Xavier spoke up.
"Mr. Creed, before you see Logan, I need to tell you something."
Snapped out of his thoughts, Creed looked down at the old geezer. "What do you wanna tell me?"
"Well, you obviously know a lot about Logan's past. I wanted to tell you he's been having some…trouble… remembering. So don't be disappointed if he doesn't remember some aspects of it."
Creed's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Won't remember? Since when did Jimmy have problems remembering things? Honestly, Creed couldn't remember what he had for breakfast; Jimmy could tell you every meal he ate in the past week and what time it was when he ate it.
Was what happened on that island so traumatic to Jimmy-boy that he blocked it out? Or did he just block out unhappy memories? That seemed more reasonable. But then again, how could he block out all those memories? Creedwasn't capable of blocking out the horrible things he's done and he highly doubted that Jimmy'd be able to either.
Xavier considered him furthur. "He's never mentioned you before, either."
Creed knew what he was suggesting, but refused to consider that possibility. "He'll remember. Believe me, he will," Creed grumbled. Memories of him and his brother fighting side-by-side in all those wars flashed in his mind. He would remember that. He had too.
Once again, Xavier was probing his thoughts. We can see, Xavier told him.
Creed gave a firm nod.
"Can we get Jimmy now?" Victor asked, his voice edging on impatience. Honestly, he didn't just come here to yap about memory problems.
The telepath gave a solemn nod, and closed his eyes, most likely trying to contact Jimmy with his mind. They sat in silence for a moment before Scott spoke up.
"So how old is Logan really? It's been kind of a mystery around here," he said, curiosity dominating his face. Storm couldn't help but look interested too.
Victor blinked at them, nonplussed. Out of all the things they could know about Jimmy, they wanted to know his age? "Well, let's see… he was born in 1837...it's 2003 right now… 160, roughly."
Storm stood agape, while Scott smirked and stated, "So he really is just a grumpy old man." Storm shot him a scolding look.
"Don't tell him that," Storm said to Scott. "He'll be even angrier at you….and God knows what kind of hell will break loose then." Storm shivered at the thought.
Creed raised an eyebrow. Jimmy was mad at Scott? Why? Did they not like each other or something? Victor sighed. He'd be able to figure out all these goddamn questions as soon as Xavier got a hold of Jimmy.
Xavier's face had a slight frown on it. "We'll, he's currently ignoring me, which is no surprise."
"Why is he ignorin' ya?" Creed asked.
"I failed to give him some….information,." Xavier explained.
Creed snorted.
"That's Jimmy for ya."
Xavier smiled. "I'd just bring you to him, but judging on your thoughts, odds are the reunion might end a little bloody. I could send Sco-"
"No," Scott deadpanned.
Xavier's lip turned into a smirk. "Fair enough. Storm? If you'd please go get Logan?"
Storm smiled lightly. "I'd be glad too. I don't think he'd listen to Scott anyways." She started to walk towards the door, but stopped in front of Creed. "You ready?" she asked him.
"Been ready," he said, a smile playing on his lips. Storm had a smile of her own. Nodding, she proceeded to walk out the door to get Jimmy.
The room fell in to a dead silence again. As the seconds ticked on, Creed started to fidget. How would this go? 'Hey buddy! It's been a while!' No, that was just a no.
How about, 'Hey man, long time no see! I'd love to catch up but first I gotta tell you about the guy who gave you adamantium claws!' That just had awkward written all over it.
Creed sighed with frustration. This was gunna be harder than he thought. His impromptu greeting scenarios were quickly interrupted by soft mumblings outside of the room, coming from down the hall. An Average Joe wouldn't be able to hear a thing, but Creed was able to pick up a few sentences.
"Honestly Storm, ya pulled me outta watchin' a game for a chat with ol' Chuck? I bet $10 bucks with Bobby that Toronto'd win," said a horribly familiar voice.
"I think this is more important than a hockey game, Logan," came Storm's soft voice. There was a grunt that followed which was undeniably Jimmy.
The clunking of their feet could be heard a mile away with how quiet the room was, and Victor honestly didn't think it was possible that his heart could triple its beat in a few nano seconds. His brother was so close. So close.
It had been thirty long years since he'd seen the face of his brother. Despite the fact that he and his brother never aged, he wondered if Jimmy's face had changed. Would it look older, more mature? Or would it have the same young, rebel look it had always held.
The door opened silently with its well-oiled hinges, and Storm appeared again, taking her original spot next to Xavier. And then, in came James Logan Howlett.
Victor didn't know it was possible, but the room got even quieter. Seeing his little brother here…in the flesh….it was a weird, surreal experience. It was like someone just grabbed seventies Jimmy and plopped him in the twenty-first century. Honestly, he looked exactly the same as when he left him fighting Deadpool.
He even had the same old mutton chop-like beard on his face. The same posture too; slightly hunched like he was going to be attacked at any moment. Hell, the same flannel shirt with the undershirt tucked into very worn jeans. Jeez, there was even the cigar hangin' from his mouth. Everything. Everything was the same. It took Creed a second, but he did find one difference; the look Jimmy gave him.
Usually whenever Jimmy looked at Creed, there was always some emotion behind it. Whether it was joy or seething hate, there was always something there. But now… just a blank stare.
There was a beat of awkward silence as Jimmy glanced at Creed. Victor waited for a second, and very subtly shifted his feet at an angle to brace himself incase his little brother snapped and decided to tackle him. Seriously, this reunion could go anywhere.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened. Jimmy's face didn't even twitch. Now Creed was getting worried; Did he surprise his brother so badly that he'd gone into shock?
Jimmy's face suddenly sprung to life as he raised an eyebrow. His brown eyes left Creed's for a moment and met with Xavier's, giving him a look that clearly said, 'You brought me here for this?'
His eyes slowly returned to Creed's, and pulled his cigar out of his mouth.
"Who the hell are you?"
Creed was surprised how much five words could totally crumble his spirit. Yeah sure, he and Jimmy-boy had been through some tough times but he didn't think his brother would completely disown him. Storm gave Creed a worried look, while Scott watched on with interest. Xavier heaved a sigh of disappointment. Victor glanced at Xavier. No, Jimmy could've have forgotten. Not after how long they'd stuck together. They were brothers.
"It's me, Jimmy; Victor Creed," he said, hoping that'd get at least some kind of reaction out of his little brother.
But still, Jimmy continued to glance at him like he was some kind of stranger. "Who?" he asked, popping his cigar back into his mouth and taking a puff.
Xavier's eyes narrowed at the cigar.
"Your brother," Victor explained.
This actually did get a reaction out of Jimmy. He snorted. "Yeah, sure, brother. And my name's Logan. I think you've confused me with someone else."
"He hasn't," Xavier said quietly.
"What's that, Chuck?"
"He isn't confusing you with anyone, Logan. I've read his thoughts… there is no doubt you are, in fact, his brother," Xavier explained.
Jimmy snorted again, took another drag out of his cigar, and exhaled. "Sure your mind-readin' isn't gettin' a little rusty, Chuck?"
Xavier shook his head with annoyance. Creed decided to speak up. "You honestly don't remember?"
"Bub, I don't remember anythin' up to thirty years ago, and don't think I haven't looked. I have no family; certainly no ," Jimmy said gruffly.
"You don't remember when you escaped with me after you killed our dad? Or when we enrolled in every goddamn war America's ever had? Do you remember Kayla? Kayla Silverfox? William Stryker?! The man who gave you those goddamn claws in that goddamn experiment?!Anything? Anything at all?!" Victor yelled, furious.
Everything! Every freakin' thing Creed had done for Jimmy was gone. Wasted. Dead.
Jimmy's eyebrows furrowed as he quickly got into an attack position. "Watch it, bub! It ain't my fault I can't remember anythin'," he snarled.
"I dunno whose goddamn fault it is but-"
"William Stryker?" shot a voice from the back of the room. Everyone turned their heads to see Scott with his back ramrod straight, his white-knuckled fists at his side.
"William Stryker," Scott said again. His head turned towards Creed's. "And Victor Creed." Creed's furious face suddenly was one of horror. Oh no.
"Sabertooth," Scott ground out. Xavier had an alarmed look on his face.
"Now, Scott-"
ZAP!
If Victor Creed thought that getting his jaw shattered by Emma was one of the most painful things he'd ever experienced, then he was definitely wrong. Having someone pretty much blast your shoulder off was way worse.
Victor felt his whole body get thrown back as he slammed into the wall behind him. Several things happened after that which would be hard to explain. The sky outside, which was a dashing shade of blue, was now smothered in dark, terrible rain clouds as Storm's eyes went pure white; her hair whipping in non-existent wind. Jimmy's claws were out, and his arms were covering his face, probably from the blast that just shot from Scott's eyes. Scotty-boy, well he was standing there, his hand holding the frame of his glasses, completely and utterly still, like he was frozen in place.
"That's enough, Storm," Xavier said as he glanced outside. Storm blinked, her eyes returning to their normal color, and in seconds the clouds vanished.
Jimmy retracted his claws and glanced at Scott.
"What the hell was that?!" he shouted, and glanced at Creed. "Aww, God…!"
Creed, howling with pain, followed his brother's eye-line to his left shoulder.
Instead of seeing his shoulder, he just saw singed bone. All the skin around the bone was charred, burning flesh. If the sight didn't make him want to hurl, the scent certainly did.
Storm let out a horrified gasp and dashed to his side. "Oh no, Creed!" He could tell she was about to ask if he was okay, but she already knew the answer to that and thought better of it.
"Logan, hold Scott down for me, please. I need to un-freeze him," Xavier spoke calmly. Victor was in so much pain he was losing consciousness.
Jimmy, having a hard time looking away from Creed's wounds, ran to Scott and pinned his arms behind his back. All Xavier did was blink, and Scott was breathing rapidly and struggling to get out of Jimmy's iron-like grasp.
"Let go of me! I'm gunna blast that rat-bastard's sorry ass to Russia!" Scott seethed.
"What in God's name is going on?!" Jimmy cried, horrified. Creed couldn't blame him; this probably looked pretty screwed up from an outsider's perspective.
Creed groaned in pain, and said, "I think you blasted my shoulder off."
Scott glared at Creed, then at his shoulder. For a split second, Victor thought he saw a little guilt there, but it was mainly covered up by horrification.
"Scott," Xavier said with a stern tone that meant serious business. "Calm down a second so I can explain." The room fell silent again, save for Creed's howls of pain.
The pain came in nauseating waves, but Creed tried to stay conscious. He watched as Scott and Xavier stared at each other. They did this for at least thirty seconds while Jimmy walked over to Creed, inspecting the damage.
Whatever the Professor said to Scott, it did the trick, because Scott's stance was suddenly relaxed and his hand wasn't twitching for his sunglasses every five seconds.
"I see," Scott mused, and Creed was wondering when the hell his healin' factor would kick in.
"We need to get him to Jean, now!" Storm yelled over a particularly loud howl from Creed.
Scott had a look on his face that said he totally was not okay with Creed being in a room with Jean, but Jimmy threw Creed's good arm around him and heaved him up.
"I'm not sayin' I'm trustin' you here, bub," Jimmy began, "But seriously, your shoulder is disgusting. No offence."
"None taken. Just get me to whoever the hell Jean is," Creed grunted.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
You know Creed's slight distaste for trains? Yeah, well, multiply that hate times sixty and you'll get his hate for hospitals. Such pushy doctors, and pushy nurses, and pushy orderlies, and freakin' pushy patients and their sick, disgusting children. Creed shuddered.
Although, this wasn't so bad. He was currently sitting on one of the few beds in what Creed could only assume was an operating room. The only doctor here was that hot red-headed chick. That earned him a raised eyebrow from her.
Damn it is she a telepath, too?
The pain in his shoulder finally started to ease, despite the fact that his bone was still sticking out. Creed sighed lightly and glanced around.
Scott and Jimmy were back a ways, watching as Jean typed a few things on a computer. Scott looked well, pissed, to say at the least. Even if he did manage to burn Creed's shoulder to a crisp, Creed could tell that Scott was probably never going to forgive him. For once, Jimmy didn't look like he was mad at Creed at all. He definitely looked like he was concentrating, though.
Storm was currently filling Jean in on what the hell happened in Xavier's office. "….so yeah, to make a long story short: Victor and Logan are brothers, and Victor did something to Scott way back when, and Scott decided to blast him to bits."
"Wow, " Jean mused as she punched a few more keys into the computer and looked up. "Sounds like a Jerry Springer show gone bad."
Storm snorted.
Jean smiled at Storm and then looked at Creed. "Well, Victor, your shoulder is showing signs of improvement already."
"Finally," Creed grumbled. "I was wonderin' when it'd start to heal."
Jimmy looked up. "So… we're brothers."
"That's what I've been tryin' to tell ya."
"So you know everythin' 'bout my past?" Jimmy asked, hope appearing on his face. Creed was oddly reminded of that dream he had back before he ran into Emma.
"Well not everything, but most of it. Yeah," Creed said, nodding.
Jimmy frowned slightly. "But why are you showin' up now? Why didn't you contact mebefore now?"
"Well I-"
Creed was quickly cut off by the laboratory door opening, and Xavier rolling in. "Hello, Professor." Jean smiled.
"Afternoon, Jean. I trust our patient is alright?" Xavier asked, looking at Creed.
"Oh, he's fine. His healing system is a lot like Logan's, it's a bit slower though, she explained as she began to clean up around her station.
"Well, that's good," Xavier said. "Sorry for being late. I had to explain to all of the children that there wasn't a dieing animal in my office."
Creed grimaced as Scott sneered. Victor glanced at Xavier and Logan. "Well, since you're both here, I should probably tell ya."
"Tell us what?" Jimmy asked, folding his arms across his chest. Xavier, no doubt, was already reading Creed's mind, but nonetheless let Victor continue.
"Jimmy, do you remember William Stryker?" Creed asked, warily watching as Scott's fingers twitched towards his sunglasses. Jean shot him a scolding look.
Jimmy's face went blank for a minute, like he was concentrating on something. "Kinda ringin' a bell."
"Yeah, well, he's the one who gave you the adamantium claws."
Jimmy raised his eyebrows. "Why?"
"He was conductin' this experiment which required someone with unchartedhealin'abilities; that's you. Anyways, he needed your DNA to make the ultimate weapon. Weapon XI. He also captured a bunch of kids with really strong mutant powers…Scott was one of them," Creed explained, watching as Scott's knuckles turned white again. Jean and Storm looked surprised.
"Yeah, more like you captured me and made me blast a hole through my high school," Scott snarled. Storm and Jean then glanced at Creed.
"Well I'd say I'm sorry, but you're obviously not goin' to accept it."
"No, I'm not," Scott spat. Jean rolled her eyes.
Jimmy rolled his eyes, much like Jean. "We get it, Scott, you're pissed. You already blasted his shoulder to Timbuktu; just relax."
"I won't relax! You didn't know what it was like, being captured," Scott hissed.
Now it was Xavier's turn to roll his eyes. "Please, you're acting like children. Scott, what did I tell you?"
"That he's changed. Yeah, but it doesn't change what he did, and the fact that I don't like him."
Xavier sighed like it was a lost cause, and looked back at Creed. "Please continue."
Creed nodded. "Yeah. Stryker and I used to work together. I was screwed up back then, but that's not the point right now. The point is, I saw Stryker on the news, and I know he's going to try and create another weapon."
Scott looked up. "How do you know just by watching the news? The man isn't stupid, Victor. He wouldn't tell his plan to the world."
Creed looked at him. "Scott, I worked with him before. I know how he operates."
Jimmy sighed. "So ya came here to warn me? After hearin' what this guy did, there's no way I'm hidin', bub."
"I didn't say we'd hide, Jimmy. I'm sayin' we should destroy 'im."
