Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men. Evie is my character.

Troubles of the Past

Personal thoughts

telepathic communications

Dream

Chapter 10

The other fist buried itself into the taut flesh of Matubu's side. Another punch found a home in his abdomen. Adamantium reinforced fists were more than enough to counter Matubu's mutant strength. Logan pummeled his opponent with hit after hit as the man couldn't seem to get a chance to strike back. Even after forcing the man to his knees, Logan didn't let up. Blow after blow was released and with each went Logan's fury and the retaliation for the men of the offenses to both Ororo and Shalimar. This finally felt good, too good. Logan's release bordered on berserker; that was until he heard her.

"Logan, stop," Shalimar whispered as she moved to his side, "that's enough."

He turned a wild feral look on her. Her feral eyes meeting his managed to reach in and stop the rage from continuing. Letting his opponent go, suddenly took all energy with it. He watched as the man fell unconsciously to the floor.

"Just watch dem. Sooner or later some of dese kids are gonna wander. When dey do, we grab dem. Take dem home, den make a call. He'll be rushin' home in no time."

"Enough," Saket finally declared.

Ororo stood shocked in her place as Onnaka hugged her. After only a moment she began to move.

Cheering blared. Logan fell to his knees then back against Shalimar as he sensed her there. Panting heavily he let her give him a small drink and wipe his face with the towel. When he looked up Ro was standing there looking at him through tear filled eyes. He watched her fall to the ground before him and into his arms. He just held her as she sobbed and he waited for his heart to stop pounding.

Everyone moved to approach them but Saket stepped forward and held up a hand to still everyone. Silence ensued as everyone curiously waited for him to speak. He stood silently as he looked across the clearing at Matubu, who was beginning to move.

Shaking the daze from his head, Matubu pushed himself from the floor. On his knees he looked around and saw his opponent with Ororo in his arms. "No, this is not over," he tried to yell but his voice wouldn't cooperate. He tried to stand then shakily stepped toward Logan but stopped when he was immediately blocked by 5 men who stood together, each with his arms crossed over his chest. The looks on their faces and their posture gave him pause.

"Matubu," Saket moved to the center of the clearing. "The challenge has been declared over. Logan has won for Ororo, her right to choose. Do not dishonor yourself by continuing this. Will you concede?"

"NO!" he yelled, wild with fury he lunged at the men in his way, determined to get to Logan. As he collided with the wall of bodies, he used his speed and strength to knock them all from his path.

Seeing him charge, Logan pushed Ororo from his arms and stood to meet the attack. With a furious growl he braced himself. A ching of metal was heard as his claws shadowed his fists and waited to do his bidding.

Scrambling away horrified at the sudden attack, Ororo screamed. Onnaka was by her side in an instant.

The claws and the wild look in the eyes of his adversary cut through his fury and froze Matubu in place. He looked from face to face. He knew he had no choice left. He failed. Saket was right. Further conflict would only bring about total dishonor. Hanging his head in shame he spoke, "I will concede. Ororo is freed by right of challenge. I will gather my belongings and return to the village today."

Once the situation was in hand, the girls ran to their men who had been thrown like pins knocked by a bowling ball. All were shaken but none seriously injured.

Logan retracted his claws but did not lower his defenses as he just eyed Matubu's every movement.

With renewed strength Ororo reigned in her emotions and stood abruptly. Angrily wiping the tears from her face, she moved to her fiance's side. Reaching up she placed one hand on his shoulder and met his eyes. She stepped forward as Logan followed as closely as he could.

She stood proudly justified before Matubu and looked into his eyes when he turned. A crack was heard as she slapped his face. Then in a voice that was so low and strained that it was almost too hard for everyone to hear she said, "I have been freed and the honor of my family upheld. You are never to speak to me again. You are never to look at me again. If you carry this further or not honor my wishes in any way, I will not hesitate to allow my husband to finish what he started here today." Turning on her heals she walked quickly from the room as her friends parted to let her pass then silently followed.

Scott and Adam stayed to relieve Brennan and Jesse of their duty to escort Matubu. Adam knew what Brennan would do to him if given the chance, for touching his wife. He also had no doubt that Jesse would try and give him that chance.

When only Scott, Adam, Charles and Matubu remained, Saket turned to speak. "My sister has spoken. If you wish you may tell the elders that you accepted her refusal. My family and I will never speak of this matter again." He turned and left with Charles. Matubu was gone within the hour.

Logan had showered and changed and joined the rest in the dining room. As he walked in, a cheer was heard from all.

Ororo stood, walked to him and let him lock his arm around her. She stayed silent as she watched her brother approach.

Saket extended his hand to Logan. "You have fought bravely for the honor of my sister and my family. Words can not express the gratitude we carry." He stopped and looked down at his sister. Touching her face he continued to address everyone gathered. "This has been a dark page in what is now, thankfully, our family history. It has brought more pain to Ororo than anything I have ever seen. We all suffered through this time, together. Now that it is indeed in the past, I respectfully request that we keep it there and for all our sakes, but especially Ororo's; we never speak of it again. From this point on we are here to celebrate and enjoy the wedding of my sister." He looked from face to face then smiled when he heard them all chorus their agreement.

Ororo moved to hug her brother. After a moment she was pulled away. "Hug him later." Logan grinned. "I'm starving. Let's eat." A very usual, very noisy lunchtime began as everyone started to discuss all the details of a wedding that was only 4 days away.

"Sissy, will you and Jack watch Thomas and Nadene for me. I need to clean up this mess," Donna asked.

"Sure. Can we take them for a walk?"

"I think they'd like that but don't go too far. Stay close enough to get back fast if one of them needs a change."

"Can I go too, pleeease," begged 7 year old Sammy who was sitting with Thomas.

"Sure, Sam. Come on." Sissy smiled as he tried to get Thomas to walk holding hands. "Let me carry him," she smiled, "or we'll never get anywhere."

Jack led the way as Sissy carried Thomas and Kira carried Nadene. Playing with the babies for most of the morning allowed Nadene to get used to this new girl. Now she happily played with Kira's long beaded braid as they walked down a path. Jack and Eli followed close behind, keeping a sharp eye on the active Sammy. "There's a group of rocks just beyond those trees," Jack pointed. Let's go teach Thomas to climb.

"Oh, like he needs to be taught," Sissy declared. "He's been climbing steps forever now." The friends happily walked along unaware of the eyes watching them.

"Dere's too many."

"No, Don' worry. We grab dem when dey separate."

About 5 minutes later, Thomas was happily showing them he didn't need their instruction as he worked his way to the top of the small rock pile. Sissy stood near him in case he decided he needed a hand. The rest went to sit on a fallen log about 20 feet away.

They laughed as Thomas seemed to be stuck. He couldn't find where to put his foot next. Sammy went and stepped on the rocks behind him. "Look, Thomas, put your foot here," he showed him and stood behind him as he tried. "Good job. You did it."

As the friends laughed, a sudden rustle was heard in the bushes behind them. Out jumped two strangers. Claude wrapped his arms around a wide eyed Kira and pulled her backwards off the log as she held Nadene securely in her arms. Pierre, being a larger man covered the mouths of Jack and Eli with his hands and pulled them both back and into the bushes, out of sight.

The noise and struggle got the attention of the two on the rocks. After only a moment's shock, they both yelled for their friends. Thomas was already crying. Sammy began to step down when Sissy grabbed Thomas in one arm and put her other hand on Sammy's shoulder. In the blink of an eye they were standing by the side of the lake. "Peter!" Sissy screamed. He was at her side in an instant and she quickly explained what had happened.

"Donna, Joseph, gather all the kids and count heads. I want to know exactly whose missing." He ordered. Looking at the faces who were quickly gathering he spotted Jonah, the 8 year old speed demon of the group. "Jonah, listen. I need you to run back to the mansion. Tell the professor that we have a problem and we need help out here now. Got that?" When he saw the boy smile he patted his back, "Good, now go."

The first few minutes of sitting around the table together trying to put the morning's events out of their minds was awkward but as wedding conversation continued everyone's moods lifted. Ororo even managed to smile. After lunch the girls gathered to do the first of many detail checks that would happen over the next few days. They sat at the now cleared dining room table as the men sat on the porch, digesting from their overeaten lunch.

Conversation was a melee of strung out sentences sometimes started by one and finished by another. Questions and answers were flying gaily across the table until Evie suddenly sat up straighter.

Shalimar sensed the fear immediately. "Evie, what's wrong?"

Silence suddenly filled the room. "It's Nadene, she's afraid."

"Jean?" Marie noticed the far away look on her friend's face.

"Thomas is crying." Standing up sharply she added, "All the children are panicked." She quickly headed for the porch with all the ladies right behind her.

They got out onto the porch just as a small gust of wind and dust swirled in front of the professor. Coming to a sudden stop and falling into the professor's lap Jonah appeared.

"Hey kid, you gotta work on those stops. You can't be falling into your opponents." Logan smirked.

The professor gave Logan an amused grin as he helped Jonah to stand. "What caused this rush, Jonah?"

"Wait," Pierre called to halt their escape. Not wanting to talk he moved to Kira and tried to take the crying child from her arms.

"Leave them alone," Jack yelled as he tried to push the man away from them.

Pierre swung and backhanded Jack's face, knocking him to the ground. Pulling the baby from Kira's arms he forced the baby into Eli's arms. Pointing back in the direction from which they had come, he pushed Eli.

"Eli, go back," urged Jack. "Take Nadene back, hurry!"

The men grabbed Kira and Jack and headed off the grounds.

"Peter sent me," Jonah stood straighter to report. "He said there's a problem with the kids and he needs help now. He was doing a head count when I left." He nervously looked around as everyone went on sudden alert.

"Were they still by the lake?" the professor asked as he held the boy.

"Yes, Sir."

Charles lowered his head and closed his eyes. Peter, what has happened?

Professor, there's been a kidnapping. 4 of the kids are missing.

We will be right there.

TBC