A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I'm updating earlier than usual because some people asked nicely and I felt happy this morning. Though I do feel out of sorts for breaking my once a week rule with this story. No more until next week, ye hear!

A/N-2: 4th Rogan challenge still on thanks to some encouraging words from JohnPaulGeorgeandRingo and ady-ell. Yay! Please enter!

Marie should have known something was up. Three weeks and not a word from Magneto, not even a tiny attempt. Everyone was celebrating and going on with life. She tried, she really did. Jean helped her find online material so Charlie could be home-schooled here at the mansion. Different teachers were offering their free lessons to teach her different subjects. Charlie was happy, so happy. But as Marie's daughter and she could sense danger too. Whenever their eyes met they both knew something was coming. And it came after a blissful three weeks. Now Marie stood at the front door of the mansion, looking at the one person she never wanted see again. He stood smirking at her, his arms around Charlie, holding her tightly.

"I told you Marie, you can run but I'll always find you."

She wanted so badly to close the door and run, but he had her daughter. The growl from next to her reminded her where she was. Victor chuckled and turned to Logan.

"Jimmy, never expected to see you here."

"Excuse me?"

"Wow, you don't even remember your own brother. "

"Brother?"

Victor stared at Logan before laughing and shaking his head.

"Guess Marie never told you-"

"Victor!" said a sharp voice.

Marie jumped and turned to see the professor and the rest of the x-men behind them. She looked at Charlie who looked confused.

"I'm here for my daughter Xavier." Said Victor.

Marie snarled and took a step forward. Victor chuckled and shook his head.

"Even I didn't believe that, Marie."

He put Charlie down and patted her head. Then he turned to Logan and smiled.

"Short summary of your life. We're brothers. We fought in the wars together-"

"Which one?"

"All of them. We worked for Stryker. You chickened out. You met a girl, yadda,yadda, the chick betrayed you. Stryker put metal in you. You got mad. Then, because of your own stupidity, you lost your damn memory. Basically, your main mission in life seems to be pissing me off."

Marie turned to Logan who blinked a few times before closing his eyes. She saw the professor concentrating on Logan and realised that his memories were flashing through. She sighed and took Charlie's hand, nudging her over to where Ororo stood. Ororo nodded and pulled the little girl towards her. Victor smirked and crossed his arms.

"We need to talk babe."

"We'll all go into my office and settle this." Said the professor.

Victor let out a bark of laughter and shook his head. He shot a pointed look at her and then walked outside. Marie bit her lip and followed diligently. Someone grabbed her arm and by the pressure of the fingers she could feel it was Logan.

"I'll be okay." She whispered.

He was reluctant to let go but she managed to pull her arm away and follow Victor outside. He walked towards the forest and leaned against one of the trees. As she came closer he pulled her into a bone crushing hug. To anyone looking it looked like an affectionate hug, but if anyone looked at her face they'd see immense pain.

"Victor-"

"Shut-up! I warned you. I told you I'd find you." He whispered quietly.

"Victor, I can't breath-"

He let her go and caught her arm before she could fall. She stood up and rubbed her side.

"How did you get in here?" she whispered.

"You mean how did I waltz to the front door? This is me you're talking about. Some big gate ain't gonna stop me."

"What do you want, Victor?"

"I'll make you deal."

"What?" she asked.

"I have a new employer. He's particularly interested in you. Meet him at the front gate at midnight tonight and I'll leave Charlie alone."

"You work for Magneto?"

"Yup."

"What does he want me for?"

"That's a secret, Annie."

"Don't call me that."

"Why not? You used to love it."

"Shut-up."

He chuckled and shook his head. Then his face became serious and he grabbed her arm. He pulled her towards him, his eyes boring into hers.

"Midnight. Be there or I take Charlie away from you. Forever."

She whimpered and nodded. He smiled and walked in the direction of the front gate. Marie watched him for awhile before rushing into the forest. She ran through the trees, tripping occasionally but not stopping until she reached the lake. Once there she let her tears out and curled into a ball. She didn't know how long she was out there before someone sat beside her. Small hands ran through her hair before Charlie placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Do we have to leave?"

Marie shook her head and wiped her cheek.

"No." She whispered.

"I'll take care of her kid. Go back inside." Whispered a gruff voice.

Marie raised her head and saw Logan standing beside her. Charlie gave her one more kiss before hurrying towards the mansion. Logan opened his mouth but Marie held up her hand to stop him.

"Wait, she can still hear you."

They waited for about five minutes before Marie sat up. Logan sat beside her and put an arm around her.

"She's part feral. She has enhanced hearing and sense of smell." explained Marie.

Logan nodded before frowning.

"Did he hurt you?"

"No." She whispered.

They both knew she was lying. Marie sniffed and looked at the clouds gathering. She realised that she trusted Logan and could tell him anything. Except what was about to happen.

"Victor was a 'friend' of my mother. I knew him since I was three. I hated him even back then. He drank a lot and was violent... when... when I was fourteen, he came into my room and told me I was beautiful. How I was special. And he... he..."

She shook her head and covered her mouth. Logan pulled her into his lap and rocked her as she sobbed. Her chest hurt so badly and she buried her face in his shirt to muffle her cries.

"He raped you."

She nodded into his shirt. He sighed and stroked her back. She calmed herself down before pulling back and taking a deep breath.

"My mutation came and pulled a lot out of him. He fell into a coma but before he did he managed to...you know. I have some of his abilities but they've faded mostly. I ran away from home and found out I was pregnant two months later. I managed to find a help centre for teenage mothers and stayed there. But when Charlie was three, he found us. We lived with him for four months before I managed to run again. From then on I just kept running."

"It's okay now Marie. You're safe now."

"No, I'm not. He's found me again."

"Yeah, but this time you've got people to protect you. You've got me."

"I know."

"I'll always be here to protect you."

"It's not me I'm worried about."

"Charlie's going to be fine."

"She will be."

Marie sighed and rubbed her face. She had until midnight. She stood up and walked back to the mansion, Logan following. She didn't know what Magneto wanted with her but as long as Charlie was safe it didn't matter.

Marie flopped on the bed, giggling uncontrollably. Charlie hopped on the bed and started jumping up and down before flopping down as well.

"Mommy did you see his face?"

"Yup."

"We shoulda taken a picture!"

"I know."

Marie laughed and rolled onto her side. Charlie did the same so that they were facing each other. Marie reached out and stroked her daughters face. It was too painful to even think about leaving Charlie but she'd rather leave and know her daughter was alive than to have to live in fear of something terrible happening. Charlie must have noticed the sadness in Marie's eyes because her face became serious.

"Mommy?"

"I love you, you know that right?"

Charlie nodded slowly. Marie smiled and pulled her into her arms.

"You're my big girl and the most important thing in the world. So I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"I'm going away tonight-"

"Because of daddy?"

"Yeah."

"Can't I come with?"

"No baby, remember what I told you?"

"Daddy's dangerous."

"Exactly. I need to go sort some things out. So, you need to make sure Logan doesn't know I'm gone."

"Cause if he knows, he'll come after you, right?"

"Right."

Charlie smiled and giggled.

"I think he likes you."

"Don't be silly Charlie."

"But-"

"There you are kid." Came a deep voice.

Charlie yelped and dashed into the bathroom. Logan chuckled and followed her in. There was a shriek and lots of squealing. Marie stood up, walked in and laughed. Logan was sitting on the floor, Charlie in his lap, tickling her. Charlie squealed and tried to escape but he growled and continued.

"Give up?"

"Never!"

Logan growled and tickled Charlie some more. Marie smiled and sat down on the lid of the toilet to watch them. Logan finally stopped tickling Charlie and glared at her. The little girl bit her lip before pouting.

"I'm sorry I put Barbie perfume on you. Don't be mad."

Marie held back her giggle at how quickly Logan's expression softened and he took Charlie's hand.

"It's okay kid. Just don't do it again."

"Okay."

She leapt forward and hugged Logan. Marie was startled and was even more surprised when he hugged her back, a soft smile on his face. A tinge of jealously went through her seeing their bare skins touching but was replaced by disgust when she realised that she was jealous of something her daughter needed. She closed her eyes and stood up.

"Excuse me." She whispered.

She hurried out the bathroom and went back into the bedroom. She checked the time. Eleven thirty. She'd spent the whole day playing with Charlie, even letting the little girl stay up late. But it was done now. Her time was up. She heard movement in the bathroom and hurried outside. She came to the heavy doors of the mansion and pushed. The cold outside air bit at her skin but she simply hurried towards the mansion gate. It was partially open and she slipped through. She stifled a scream as an arm wrapped around her waist.

"Hey Annie, you're early."

"Don't fucking call me that. It's Rogue."

"Whatever, Marie. You ready to go?"

"Yeah."

"You're chariot awaits."

He gestured to the sleek black car beside him. She nodded and slipped inside the back, Victor slipping in beside her. She looked up and shrank back as she noticed the green skinned man behind the wheel. Victor locked all the doors and leaned back in his seat.

"Drive." He ordered.

The slimy man in the front nodded and the car lurched forward into the night, Marie curled up on the back seat, wondering what would happen to her.