Marvel owns the X-men, no profit is to be made by this work.
The crying had quieted not long after the police had come, Jubilee settling down and answering the questions with as few words possible. Lead off by Remy, they found a taxi waiting down the street with a man who asked no questions to where they were longed to go. She had kept Jubilee close in the winding drive, the times she thought to question the route Remy just raising a finger to his lips asking for her trust and politely hushing her. The cab pulled down into some back alley deep in Chinatown, the driver waving off the bills Rogue held in payment. Walking up to the back doors of some graffiti covered building, Remy just stared into a camera hardly hidden off at one corner.
"What are we doing here?" Rogue asked, so many questions running through her mind.
"Takin' you both somewhere safe, de bad men didn't play by de rules, time to find out why." Remy replied, his eyes darting to the door at the sound of heavy bolts drawn open.
The man standing there looked over them once to step past without a word, reaching for a packet of cigarettes to light one up. Taking his first drag he held his breath a moment, hissing with the smoke blown through his lips in tight cloud, a nod directing them in. Remy urged them on, closing the door behind them and bolting it shut once more.
"What the hell's goin' on Remy?" Rogue asked again.
"Someone else better at dis sort of t'ing be waiting to explain dat bit." Remy assured, leading them up a flight of stairs to an office that overlooked a martial arts studio.
"Is Dad coming?" Jubilee asked.
"But of course P'tite, Stormy too, pardon moi, I mean Ororo." Remy replied, a slip sounding hardly an accident with the grin she caught him throwing them.
"Who were those bozos?" Jubilee asked.
"Wannabe Yakuza, local help. Dey be lucky to get out of dat with only losing an ear or a finger I be t'inking. Too sloppy, I guess they t'ink...hey, dat pretty little girl over dere? What's she doin' here alone, well...we don look a gift horse in de mouth." Remy replied, pausing to knock at the door of the dark office.
"Yakuza?" Rogue asked surprised.
"Are they after Dad?" Jubilee asked.
Rogue looked to her little sister to be in a new light, her eyes still red rimmed and her cheeks damp but a sternness in them filled with worry for her father. Remy reached his hand to Jubilee's shoulder, crouching down to look her into her eyes without any of the playfulness Rogue had come to expect from him in the short time she'd known him.
"Non, but I don be guessin' your Papa care about dat much yes? T'inking he going to go bust some heads and do de sort of stuff dat 'ave bad men be very, very afraid of him." Remy said quietly.
"He's gonna kick their collective ass's." Jubilee said with a nod.
"If dey lucky." Remy chuckled, turning to the office as a light flicked on.
Rogue looked in and couldn't believe who she found sitting there, though she had heard Remy's call to her. Yukio stepped to the door and unbolted it, opening it and drawing her into her arms in a long overdue hug filled with relief. Kissing her once on the cheek she turned to Remy and Jubilee, beckoning them on in as she lead the way.
"What's going on? Someone tell me dammit, what's all this about Yakuza and Pappy Logan? Yukio? Remy? Jubes? Someone dammit!" Rogue asked after they had been settled down on a comfortable clutch of chesterfields.
The trio looked to another, Yukio and Remy hiding what they knew while Jubilee's eyes fell to her feet with her fists clutching at the hem of her shirt. Sighing in exasperation, Rogue fell back into the sofa and curled up, pulling Jubilee down with her.
"Forget it squirt, ya don't gotta say nothing. You two, if ya ain't gonna fess up then how about getting a bite fir us. It's been a whole hour since she ate, bet she's gotta be half starved huh?" Rogue asked, questing fingers poking and prodding Jubilee in a search for any aches and pains from her escape.
"Ah, quit it ya big dork, stop! Ow shit! That hurt!" Jubilee growled as she squirmed against the tight hold.
"Knew ya musta been fibbin' to that EMT, anywhere else hurtin'?" Rogue asked.
"Just my shoulder ya bully, maybe my ankle...didn't land right." Jubilee confessed, her eyes stubbornly looking at some offending speck on the wall.
"Yer just lucky I took a first aid course, there a kit in this place?" Rogue asked, slipping out from the sofa.
Spying Jubilee ready to join her, she turned on her with a warning look and a pointed finger, puffed cheeks and pressed lips answering her with glaring eyes. Easing the younger girl's shoe free and working the sock off she found the flesh already bruised, feeling around just as she'd been taught.
"Did a summer as a lifeguard back home..." Rogue remarked, a first aid kit finding it's way to her side as she rummaged through it.
"Oh? I be feelin' faint Chere, perhaps I need some mouth to mouth..." Remy purred in her ear, a swat shooing him off.
"Like I didn't hear that enough times. Scat." Rogue growled, catching a grin on her sister out of the corner of her eye as she wrapped a tension bandage about the abused ankle.
With little to do for the shoulder other than rub some hot cold ointment on it, she silently gave thanks for Remy's care to find himself elsewhere as she worked Jubilee's shirt low. Massaging the cream in, she started working her way down her back feeling the knots of tension there and thinking how tightly wound the girl must be. That she didn't fight was a blessing, working at her neck with practised fingers, learnt from her Momma who always did the same whenever she herself got moody.
"You okay Jubes? I mean really, no bull this time please. Ya got no idea how scared I was when I heard ya screaming." Rogue whispered.
"Yeah...I was cryin' cause of those bozos pullin' me six ways from Sunday." Jubilee grumbled.
"Liar." Rogue accused, flicking her ear lightly.
"I wasn't scared, I did just like Dad always told me. Give 'em hell and scream, claw, kick and punch. Ta not care about how much it hurts until you're safe." Jubilee growled though her voice grew weak at the end.
"Jubes...you're safe..." Rogue whispered, the first trembling shake felt as she reached to draw her near.
The tears came stubbornly, not really a surprise Rogue had to admit, but the arms that reached for her and held tight as Jubilee finally broke down gave her pause. Her own eyes misty, she returned the hug and whispered to her again and again to not worry and just let it out, that no one was gonna hurt her again and that she was really and truly safe. Hearing a door click shut, she spared a glance there and saw the shadows of two people there with their backs turned, a bag of take-out sitting on the desk.
-=+=–=+=–=+=–=+=–=+=-
The call had come as a shock as they had lain together before the fire hoping the worst was over, already thinking of all the hasty planning she'd need to tend to the next day. There were walk throughs of the museum to be had, time to spend with whatever material Yukio had already found, multiple escape routes to find just incase. Looking down to her phone with a hint of irritation Ororo felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of her friend calling already.
"Yukio? What! Are they...yes, yes we'll be waiting. Tell them we'll be there soon, don't worry, no...I'll, I'll let him know." Ororo said, hanging up the phone after the short call and looking to Logan seeing the worry etched on his face.
"Let me know what?" Logan asked tightly keeping a leash on his emotions.
"To start with, they're both safe with Yukio now. Someone...someone tried to take Jubilee." Ororo whispered, her hands already holding tightly of his.
As furious and scared as she was she knew nothing could be done for it now, a relief knowing both of her daughters were safe. She could feel him trembling with anger, his hands stiff in her hands with the muscles of his arms flexing, his jaw working away with the low grind of his teeth heard. His eyes were distant and dark, the flames of the fireplace cast in them as he sat there silent.
"Where are they?" Logan asked after a time.
"Someplace safe, Yukio has sent a car for us...someone she trusts. We should pack, I don't think we'll be coming back here for a bit...not until the job is done." Ororo replied, her hand reaching to cup his cheek not knowing which of them it was meant to comfort then.
His hand found hers, hot and rough as he held it and kissed her fingers softly. The darkness was gone from his eyes though the flickering flames burned all the brighter, a trick of the light she wanted to believe. They said little as they packed, so much of their stuff still in their luggage that it took hardly any time at all. Locking the door, they took the stairs at his urging, waiting in the lobby with their eyes watching carefully until a car pulled up out front. Waiting for the sign from the driver, when it came they hurried and threw their luggage into the trunk and climbed into the back for a very different drive through traffic than they had enjoyed earlier.
Though he looked relaxed as he rode in quiet conversation with her, she could see his eyes darting through the streets and looking to the reflections cast in the windows of buildings as they passed. The soldier roused in his manner, the warrior in his eyes, that someone had dared to take his daughter was unforgivable and demanded repayment of the crime. Had it been Rogue she had no doubt his reaction would have been the same, the years they'd known another telling tales and stories of both their daughters. Long before a ring had found it's way to her finger she knew both had been considered family to the other.
"We getting close?" Logan asked as they pulled into China town, the driver just looking to the rearview once before his eyes fell to the road again.
"The man smoking waits for you to take you to them, it's a short walk but we can't be too careful. I'll bring your bags later." The driver said, falling silent as they pulled up outside of a restaurant.
Exiting the car as if just going for dinner, they wandered into the restaurant and found their company joined by the man smoking after he stubbed out his cigarette. Lead on through the kitchen and out the back, they wandered down the alleyway until they came to a set of doors at a nearby building. Heavy locks were thrown open, welcomed in by Yukio herself. The smoker bid them well as he left, lighting up another cigarette and vanishing into the night.
"Logan." Yukio said quietly, far too quiet for her usual way.
"Yukio." Logan replied, pulling her into a hug that found itself awkward for a few hammering beats of her heart until she eased into the embrace.
"Ororo told you..." Yukio whispered.
"Found out a bit before that, but she filled me in on the rest. Don't worry, we'll get her back, and I'll be makin' sure Kenuichio ain't gonna bother ya ever again." Logan replied in a rough whisper.
"They're upstairs." Yukio replied as she found herself free again.
Finding the office littered in take out containers and empty soda cans, only the light spilling in from the hall cast the darkness aside. Two sofas had been pushed together, the pair laying together with the elder still stubbornly awake as she held the younger close. Waving to them, Rogue smiled and pressed a finger to her lips calling for quiet. Settling close, Logan's hand found his daughters hair to stroke it softly with relief finding him finally.
"You okay kiddo?" Logan asked in a whisper, looking to Rogue then with just as much worry for her.
"Yeah...we're both fine Pappy Logan. Brat here gave me a heck o' a time, what kinda macho crap ya teachin' her." Rogue whispered back with a smile and misty eyes.
"Sounds like my little Darlin' alright, sorry about that." Logan replied, reaching to brush at her hair and trail a finger through her white streak.
Catching her gaze falling on her mother, filled with unasked questions, he leaned near and placed a gentle kiss to both of his daughters. Taking Ororo into his arms he kissed her in kind, chaste and loving with whispered words of promises shared between them alone.
"Why don't you have a little girl time together, bet ya got a lot ta talk about. I'm gonna go work through a few things." Logan said, one last kiss shared before he left.
Darkening the doorway, he watched as his wife knelt near their daughters and spoke in hushed tones to the questions that came. Closing the door behind, he found his way down to the studio beneath and let the anger he'd held so tight to out with a gravelly growl. Stripping out of his shirt and kicking off his shoes to tear off his socks, he looked around and found just the thing he'd need to burn off a bit of the rage that had welled in him. Hidden in with some well cared for shinai he found a dusty bokken, memories flooding him as he took the hilt in hand.
The stance came natural and the kata unbidden, a voice from his past yelling instruction and insults, the flesh never forgetting the lessons beaten into him. Lost to sound of the wooden blade tearing through the air, his movements becoming more fluid as he found his centre and calm. Sweat shining on him and his breath coming hard, he felt the presence behind him and turned to answer with his blade. The man blocked the blow, a staff his weapon, staring into his eyes filled with a coolness.
"Care to spar, homme?" Remy asked, leaping back and twirling the staff as he prowled around.
"Only if ya don't mind me messin' up that pretty face o' yours." Logan growled.
"Dat just makes it more interesting, especially if I get to say I beat de famous James Howlett." Remy said with a grin, lashing out with a strike as the wood met with a loud crack.
"S'name's Logan, guessin' you're a friend o' Yukio's?" Logan asked, rolling to avoid an attack and lashing out with one his own.
"Oui, and Stormy too." Remy replied, dancing out of a strike, letting his staff slide through his fingers to swing in a wide arm and put Logan on the defensive.
"You know Ro?" Logan asked in a ragged breath, blocking the flurry of blows coming in as he backed to a wall.
"She and me be old friends Homme, she never mentioned me, I'm hurt." Remy joked, flicking back twice hand over hand to gain some distance again.
"Wanna stand still twinkle toes?" Logan rumbled, dashing after his quarry.
Swiping, stabbing and slashing his way at him, Logan set the pace with his sword striking forcefully to rock both men with the strength behind the blows. Dropping low, Remy lashed out with his legs to knock Logan low, rolling back to his feet and pointing the tip of his bo staff at his throat.
"Cheap trick..." Logan rasped with a cough, struggling for breath.
"Bang, you dead..." Remy whispered.
"Least I get me a souvenir..." Logan chuckled, tapping the tip of his bokken against Remy's crotch.
"We call it a draw, non?" Remy asked, his eyes staring into Logan's for the slightest tell.
"Got a name?" Logan asked, letting his blade fall and offering his hand.
"Remy LeBeau, monsieur Logan." Remy replied, hefting the man to his feet.
Logan stared at him for a long quiet moment still holding his hand, Remy meeting the intensity of the gaze with his lips drawn tight. Hissing away the breath he'd been holding, running a hand over his drenched face and slicking back his sweat damp hair, he gave a nod and shook Remy's hand. The tension of the moment fading, Remy pulled a pack of cigarettes out and offered one, both walking off to the exit of the studio and standing out beyond the doors looking to the throng of humanity as it passed.
"Ran into a man by the name o' LeBeau a few times, down in New Orleans. You don't know a fella by the name o' Jean Luc do ya kid?" Logan asked, savouring a long drag of his smoke.
"Ya might say dat." Remy replied, flicking his ash.
Nodding, Logan held his tongue and enjoyed the cool evening air against his bare chest, resting his wooden blade against the wall for a stretch. Muscles he hadn't used like that for an age ached, satisfied he still had it though. Next time he held a sword in hand he wouldn't hesitate, next time it would be a thing of steel forged hundreds of years ago, next time he'd be paying the debt owed for a past mistake. Taking his last drag, he held it with his lungs burning, exhaling slowly and flicking the butt to the gutter. Taking up his bokken he turned to head back to the studio, a glance to Remy as he darkened the doorway.
"If ya see that prick, tell him he still owes me a bottle of scotch." Logan remarked, letting the door slam shut as he walked off.
-=+=–=+=–=+=–=+=–=+=-
"I'm sure you have some questions." Ororo asked softly, nestled in a chair pulled near the two girls.
"Stormy?" Rogue started as she thought of what Remy had let slip, Ororo smiling with a slight laugh.
"A working name..." Ororo said, holding up her hand asking for quiet seeing the furious blush pass over her daughter.
"To clarify, an alias, though perhaps a stage name too. It's Storm actually, though I take it you've met a young friend of mine. I suppose that explains that look I saw you with earlier." Ororo said with a fond smile finding her.
"What the hecks going on Momma?" Rogue asked a bit too loudly, Jubilee grumbling and waking.
"Yukio and I have not been honest with you but I imagine you understand that now, actually we're both thieves. Because of that, someone wishing something stolen has taken Amiko to hold as ransom that Yukio and now myself steal it for him." Ororo explained slowly, unable to resist tweaking Jubilee's nose as she yawned.
"Hey!" Jubilee growled, swatting at the hand.
"Are you well Jubilation?" Ororo asked, Rogue left to mull over everything she'd been told.
Crawling out from under the covers and wiping away at her eyes, she slipped to reach for a leftover egg roll to nibble on, Ororo wondering if it was out of hunger or to just stall having to answer.
"Why didn't he just pay ya to steal it?" Jubilee asked instead.
"Because we do not do business with him, and because of what he wishes stolen. Has your father ever told you of the Honour Sword?" Ororo asked.
Sputtering coughs sounded, Jubilee pounding at her chest trying to clear her through, Rogue already up and finding a bottle of water. Helping her with a sip, the two sat at the end of the sofa bickering and badgering with another.
"If ya didn't chew like a cow..." Rogue said as she offered a sip.
"Shaddup, I was just, hey...ya did that on purpose!" Jubilee growled, sputtering after having half the bottle spill down her chin.
"I shall take that as a yes, and that is what they us wish to steal. We saw it earlier today actually, and the man whom wishes for it is not one we do business." Ororo explained, her spirits buoyed as she watched her daughters.
"So you're really a thief Momma?" Rogue asked.
"One o' the best." Logan said from the door as he leaned in the frame.
Jubilee was on her feet and at is side in the blink of an eye, clutching tightly to him with her face buried in his chest. His hands finding their way under her arms, he pulled her up and held her in his arms as he walked on in, comfort taken by them both at the nearness of the embrace. Creeping to her Momma, Rogue settled on the sofa and found her hand in her own, still dazzled by the truth but finding it fit so many curious keyholes that littered their relationship.
"So how did you two really meet?" Rogue asked, Ororo blushing faintly.
"That's...a long story, lets just say your Momma there can be a bit o' a shameless flirt when someone captures her attention." Logan replied.
"As I recall, wasn't it I who had your attention first?" Ororo asked playfully.
"In a manner o' speakin', took me a while ta put two and two together, that I always happened to be bumpin' into ya when I was lookin' for the Storm." Logan replied.
"I bet ya were doing some bumping..." Jubilee grumbled from her perch in her fathers arms.
"Jubes!" Rogue shrieked, though both parents just had the good grace to appear bashful as their minds wandered.
"See, look at 'em. Told ya..." Jubilee argued, Rogue just shaking her head though she couldn't deny it.
"We're just both very relieved to know you're both safe." Ororo said as she spoke for both.
"So what are ya goin' to do? I mean god, ta think poor Amiko's..." Rogue started, her voice failing her as her mind painted too many pictures she could have lived without.
"We're both gonna do what we do best and make this right, startin' tomorrow. You two mind bunkin' together again?" Logan asked, neatly tossing Jubilee onto the paired sofas.
"Just as long as there ain't no bumping." Jubilee said with her chin pointed and shoulders set.
"Don't gotta worry about that, I think we've all had a long day and could use a good bit o' shut eye." Logan replied, ruffling his daughters hair.
Kissing bother her daughters as Logan helped to tuck them in despite the protests of both claiming they were too old for that, they lingered at the door looking to them nestled near another under the blankets. Shutting the door, they found Yukio standing there with Remy, blankets and bedding in hand. Lead off to another office, mats from the studio below had been stacked with the desk pushed to the back wall.
"Don worry, I wake ya up if I feelin' sleepy." Remy said, shaking Logan's hand.
Settling in and curling up under the covers, with the door open so they could listen to every creak and groan of the sofas as their daughters found their way to a nights slumber, only then could they find rest themselves.
Author's Note: Thanks to everyone, sorry to keep you waiting. This chapter was a little stubborn. Enjoy!
