Disclaimer: not mine, a fact I mourn when I think of Hugh Jackman.

Thanks again to all my fantastic reviewers and those that have put my story on story alert, favorite alert and author alert. This is my first story, so the encouragement really means a lot to me. You guys are the best! Now…on with the show!

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"Amnesia, huh?" Anatolie said, puffing on a cigar. He'd led Logan to the back patio for a smoke in the pre-dawn morning. Logan was surprised to find that, despite the lilac-colored dress shirt, Anatolie was a pretty cool guy.

"Yep. I don't remember a god-damned thing before waking up naked and covered in blood."

Anatolie snorted and rolled his eyes sympathetically. "Oh, man, we've all been there. That happened to me in Istanbul…and Singapore…and Russia. And once in Delaware, but I don't like to talk about that one."

"Bet you're fun to party with." Logan smirked before clearing his throat. "So…how exactly do you know me? Other than our whorehouse romp together, I mean."

"Ah, good times." Anatolie smiled, shaking his head. "You're my Spawn, Ja- I'm sorry - Logan. I Made you."

"What the hell does that mean? You're like my dad or something?"

"God no!" Anatolie scoffed. "I'm surprised Bianca didn't explain this to you already."

"Yeah, well, we've been busy." Anatolie smiled wide and wiggled his eyebrows. "Busy killin' people." Logan clarified.

"Oh." The Vampire said, disappointed. "Well, a Sire is the person who made you into a Vampire. Technically, I'm your mother's Sire, but yours too, by extension. There's really no human equivalent for the Sire-Spawn relationship. They all start out the same way, with the Sire being a mentor to the new Vamp but where they go from there is anyone's guess. A Sire may stay a mentor or they can become a friend, an enemy, an estranged acquaintance, a parent-figure, a lover. And keep in mind, this is a very long-term relationship; they can be all those things to one Spawn in the course of their lives. Case in point: Bianca and I."

"You made Bianca into a Vampire too?"

"Logan, half of our community can trace their lineage back to me, either directly or a generation or two removed. It's no secret that I have an unhealthy fascination with humanity. Even when I was mortal, I understood people well enough that I was rarely surprised by anyone. And now, as a Vampire, when I come across someone that holds my interest, someone truly unique, I can't help myself! Each individual is a puzzle to be solved, with their own fascinating quirks. If my interest is strong enough, I Turn them. Over twelve centuries, that's a lot of people." He shrugged unapologetically. "Immortality can be difficult to bear at times and a hobby is good for the soul; this just happens to be mine."

"And Bianca…what was it about her?" Logan asked intently. "What grabbed your attention?"

"Besides her hot little body?" Anatolie joked, his laughter dying down when he saw Logan was not amused. He sighed. "I first met her when she was 18 and by that time, she'd already been married for four years and had three young children. Understand, this was medieval Italy and that was the way things were done in those days. Her husband was a blacksmith and I needed some work done. He was a cruel, disgusting man. Bianca hated him; it was written all over her face. Once, he invited me into his home while he completed a commission. Bianca made small talk while preparing the evening meal and I made some passing joke at the expense of her husband. Before I could blink, she had a knife at my throat and warned me never to say an unkind word about him again. When I asked her why, when she so clearly despised him, she said, 'He gave me my children. That earns him my loyalty…to a point.' And that piqued my interest."

The two sat in silence for a moment, smoking into the chilly air.

"You know," Anatolie said casually, pausing to make smoke rings. "With everyone else I've Sired, I can point to a concrete reason why I chose them: their intellect or sense of humor or beauty. But with Bianca…I Turned her because of her lovely, lovely contradictions. She is such a nurturing person and the woman has an incredible capacity for love: from her own children down to her last descendant, she has loved them all fiercely. But she is also the most ruthless, dyed-in-the-wool killer I've ever met. She holds no regret over ending a wasted or evil life, but the guilt of killing an Innocent plagues her forever. She has more experience with deceit and persuasion than you can fathom, yet things like betrayal and disloyalty are completely beyond her comprehension. Her loyalties are absolute, but not blind. Her love is unconditional, but rarely given. She is outgoing, but part of her is always held back. She has loved her mortal family for generations, yet she refuses to Sire a Spawn of her own. After all this time, she can still surprise and confuse me."

"Oh, I feel ya, buddy." Logan commiserated. "I'm no stranger to her 'lovely contradictions' and I just met her. Before she knew who I was, she started the most intense seduction of my life! She's been running through my head for days, doing the most unspeakable things to me in fantasy after fantasy. But now that we've got all this history with each other, she won't even let me touch her! Go-fuckin'-figure, right?"

Anatolie burst out laughing, clutching the arm of his chair to keep from falling to the ground. At one point it sounded like he was going to retch from the force of his laughter. Finally calming down, he wiped his eyes and chuckled. "Oh my god, I would have given my entire fortune to see her face when she realized who you were! Absolutely priceless!"

"What's so fuckin' funny?" Logan growled.

"Jesus, didn't Bianca tell you anything?" Anatolie mused. "Logan, Bianca helped raise you! She loved you like you were her own son! Do you understand what I'm telling you? You were her little boy and she made a pass at you! And knowing her, it was pretty graphic too. She must have been sick with herself!

Logan dropped his head into his hands and sighed at his bad luck. He'd never been more attracted or connected to another person in his life and she thought of herself as a second mother to him! Wonderful, just fucking peachy. Just when he was starting to feel something for her other than lust – he couldn't put a name to that feeling – he finds out nothing will ever come from it.

"Ah, cheer up lad!" Anatolie said jauntily. "She'll come around."

"To what, incest?" Logan shouted. "She sees me as a child, for Christ sakes! Worse, she sees me as her child! This isn't just a bump in the road; it's a mother-fuckin' brick wall!"

"Haven't you listened to a word I've said?" Anatolie demanded impatiently. "Vampire relationships are highly adaptable! Circumstances change, people change and we have to allow them to change in our minds if the relationship is going to progress. Her body recognizes you as a man, but her mind still sees you as a sixteen year old boy. This must be very difficult for her, Logan! She already loves you, but that love is changing course and becoming more intense. It may take a while and she may try to fight it and push you away, but she will come around. Just be patient."

"Not my strong suit."

"Never was." Anatolie shot back.

"Hey…you think I need to worry about that Black Ops prick?" Logan wondered.

"Jack?" he tilted his head and considered. "Probably. He's a pretty determined guy and between them, they have enough war stories to talk for years."

"Thanks. I feel so much better." Logan grumbled, pausing to take in all Anatolie had said. "Wait. So, Bianca's done this kind of thing before, then?"

"Are you kidding?" Anatolie cried. "She's one of the most respected members of our community! Those that haven't met her personally have heard the stories. She's battled Rogues and Hunters and traitors, extricated Vampires from hostile communities and she always comes out on top; her work spans continents and centuries! She's even considered the champion of our people by some. Don't tell her that, though; she'd be mortified to know people called her that. To her, what she does is a natural extension of her loyalty to the community, but to us, she goes way above and beyond. That's just the kind of person she is, though."

"Yeah." Logan said. "I'm startin' to see that."

Anatolie looked the younger man over critically, but Logan must have met his approval because the Vampire clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "One thing about Bianca I know for sure, Logan: when she loves, it's forever. Now, as debonair, intelligent and dashingly handsome as I am, I've only managed to secure her fondness. In fact, to my knowledge, the only Vampire she's ever loved was your mother. But she loves her community. She loves her descendants. And she loves you."

"I…I don't really know what to do with that." Logan said awkwardly.

Anatolie rolled his eyes in exasperation and cuffed Logan upside the head. "Love her back, retard!"

"I don't know how!" Logan shouted. His own admission stunned him and he was immediately overwhelmed with self-disgust. What an animal he must be, to not know how to love a beautiful, sensual, incredible woman like Bianca. Merciful Jesus, what was wrong with him? He could delude himself into believing he was a decent person, but moments like this left his true nature exposed – he was an animal and could never hope to be more.

Anatolie took pity on his Spawn and sighed. "Love is natural, Logan, and anyone can experience it. Don't fight it, don't over-think it, don't try to predict it and it will just happen organically. And it will happen; I believe it was meant to. Even as a child, you understood Bianca better than I ever did because you two were so alike. A lot has changed, but I doubt that ever will."

"Well, I'm a dam…a duhom…I'm part-Vampire, so at least I have eternity to figure her out."

"That's the spirit! Think on the bright side!"

Logan didn't bother responding because he heard pounding footsteps inside the mansion. Both he and Anatolie turned around to see Remy skid next to the sliding glass door. He shoved it open roughly with a huge smile on his face.

"Pack yo' shit, boys! We goin' to Louisana!" he shouted excitedly. Anatolie chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm while Logan just shook his head. "There's a strategy meetin' later and we leavin' right after! Mon Dieu, Remy can't wait to have himself some Andouille sausage. No, wait! A big bowl of Gumbo! NO, WAIT! CRAWFISH ÉTOUFFÉE! OOH! PECAN PRALINES!"

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The Vampires and the mutants gathered in the Situation Room that afternoon. Shayla was positioned at a computer terminal and looked like she'd been there for some time. Scott looked over her shoulder at the work she was doing, but after exactly three seconds recognized that it was way over his head and moved back with the group. Shayla continued typing for a few more seconds before addressing the room.

"Done!" she said triumphantly. Immediately, a 3-D diagram raised itself on silver flow board and a holographic projection flickered to life in the middle of the room showing an aerial view of a cluster of buildings. "This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the Eastland Scientific Research Annex. It's a cover for the Hunters; this is where they develop new and inventive ways of killing us. It's also the birthplace of their infamous tracking system. So, basically, you're looking at our mission."

The holographic projection showed a sprawling compound. The fences were high and topped with barbed wire. There were armed guards every twenty feet and a mag-lock gate. And those were just the entry points.

"Now, unfortunately, this is the best resolution I can get. The Air Force desperately needs to give their satellites an overhaul…their firewalls could use some work too." she smirked. "But, as you can see, visual data on the inside of the compound is limited; we'll have to do more recon when we get there."

"You hacked a government satellite?" Scott yelled.

"Well, they weren't using it." Shayla said defensively. "Look, I wasn't brought here just to give you all a history lesson. My technological expertise is, quite frankly, beyond your comprehension. I'm that good. Now, may I continue?"

"Before we do, we should organize a team." Bianca said.

"She's right." Jack agreed. "We should limit the number of people based on the skills we need. Bianca and I will take the lead on strategic planning and overall mission operations. Obviously, Shayla is our tech expert. Connor is our medic. But I'm not familiar with the staff's abilities."

"Well, I'll be staying behind." The Professor smiled easily. "Someone has to watch the students."

"We only need one doctor." Bianca hinted, looking between Connor and Jean.

"I guess I'll sit this one out." Jean offered reluctantly. "Connor has more medical expertise than I do, anyway."

"Ana, I think we all know you're not going." Bianca snickered. "No offense, but you're pretty useless with stuff like this."

"No arguments here." he shrugged. "I'm more of a diplomat than a warrior, anyway. I'd rather stay here and learn more about the mansion. If that's alright with you, Charles."

"I'd be delighted!" Xavier exclaimed.

"Alright then, we have our team." Jack said, looking at the group. Ororo, Scott and Remy would be going for the mutants. Shayla, Connor, Bianca, Jack and Logan made up the rest of the team.

"I'm going too." A voice said resolutely from the doorway. Everyone whipped around at the sound and saw Rogue standing in the doorway, but it was Rogue as they'd never seen her before. She was already in her body-hugging, leather uniform and her hair was in a high pony-tail. Her face was serious, her stance was strong and her eyes were filled with determination. The insecure, frightened little girl was nowhere to be seen and a fierce, hardened woman stood in her place.

"NO!" three voices shouted at once. Logan, Bianca and Remy all looked at each other oddly, but quickly turned back to Rogue as she entered the room.

Rogue narrowed her eyes at the three and spoke sharply. "I'm going if I have to knock you all into comas and pilot that plane myself! I'm not sure what's goin' on here or who these strangers are, but I do know that this has somethin' to do with me." She arched a challenging eyebrow at Bianca.

"You're right." Bianca said tensely. "You are involved in this and now I'm free to tell you exactly how. I'll tell you anything you want to know, but you're not going on this mission!"

"I am." Rogue said, her voice hard as diamonds. "You just said recon is part of this job and you're leaving both telepaths at home. No one can get information better than I can."

"You're stayin' here, kid, and that's fin-"

"How do you get information?" Jack asked, intrigued.

Rogue smirked and looked around the room. "Remy, can I use you?"

"Remy be so hot for you right now, you could fuck him wit' a pinecone and call him Pink-Eye if ya wanted." Remy breathed heavily, never taking his eyes off Rogue.

Anatolie burst out laughing. "I like this kid. Did I tell you I like this kid?"

"Watch it, punk." Logan warned, while Bianca just scowled.

Rogue came in front of Remy slowly, stopping only inches from him. The Vampires in the room heard their hearts pound faster and their blood rush and roar through their veins. Bianca felt a sharp pang of Thirst at the enchanting rhythms, but shoved it aside and watched. Rogue stripped off a satin glove finger by finger, almost erotically and brought her hand up. Remy raised his as well and clasped her hand, interlacing their fingers and stepping closer so their bodies were pressed against each other. The Vampires watched in fascination as Remy's veins came to the surface and he gasped for air. Rogue threw her head back and groaned before tearing herself away from Remy. They both stumbled away, Remy leaning on the conference table for support and Rogue holding her own.

"If I'm after somethin' specific, I can concentrate on that and find it faster. I didn't hold onto him as long as I would for a real interrogation, but enough to get his most recent thoughts." Rogue explained breathlessly.

"Then you should know how Remy feels, chere." Remy panted, still weak. Even so, his fiery eyes locked onto hers with all the strength he could muster.

"We've talked about this, Remy." Rogue whispered brokenly. "Leave it alone."

"I say we bring her." Jack announced, interrupting Rogue and Remy's intimate moment. "We need information not only about the compound, but the tracker too. And finding out about their other projects couldn't hurt either. A talent like that could come in handy, considering we don't have time to beat it out of anyone."

"I said no!" Bianca hissed. "We'll find another way."

"Sorry, B, but I have to go with the new guy on this one." Connor said, Shayla nodding beside him. They winced as Bianca pinned them with a deadly glare. "This mission is all about information and our lack thereof; we need to gather some intelligence if this is going to work. I don't know why you're so against the lass going, but you've never let personal matters get in the way of the community's safety before."

"Fine." Bianca ground out, realizing she was outnumbered. "But if she dies, I'll saw your fucking heads off myself."

"You would put this mortal above your own?" Shayla demanded.

"SHE IS ONE OF MY OWN!" roared Bianca, her eyes glowing blue and her fangs growing. Shayla took an unconscious step back and gulped. The only ones not affected by Bianca's rage were Anatolie and Logan; the rest were awed and terrified by her. "She is my child and I will bake in the midday sun before I see her hurt!"

"I-I'm your what?" Rogue squeaked.

"It's a long story, my love, one I'll be happy to share with you. Just please, please, do not endanger yourself like this." Bianca begged, her fangs receding.

"Bianca, the people I love are endangerin' themselves!" Rogue exclaimed, gesturing at the mutants around the room. "They are my friends…my people! What kind of person would I be if I didn't do all I could to help them?"

Bianca eyes fell shut. She'd believed nothing could convince her to let Marie go, but leave it to the girl herself to do just that. Bianca had lived her entire life by those words and she'd never been prouder of a descendant in her life.

"I understand." Bianca spoke softly. "I really do. You'll hear no more objections from me."

"You're just letting her go?" Logan yelled.

"What kind of person would I be if I didn't let her fight for what she believes in?" Bianca retorted. "Enough of this. We have more important things to discuss. Continue your analysis, Shayla."

"Right." Shayla nodded. "There's a small town about twenty miles from the compound. We can stay there and do recon in teams. Obviously, Bianca, Connor, Jack, Logan and I will take the night shift. The mutants can take the day shift."

"I'll go with the X-men." Logan said, wanting to stick to Rogue like glue.

"Will someone give this guy a crash course in Vampirism?" Shayla drawled disdainfully.

"Blow me." Logan growled. "I'm not a full-blooded Vampire so I can take a stroll in Death Valley if I want."

Shayla's eyes widened and she and the other Vampires whipped around to face Anatolie. "You Sired a dhampir and didn't tell us?" she shrieked.

Anatolie's normally light-hearted air became dangerous and stony. "Since when do I report to you?"

"Since you Sired a betrayer!" Shayla screamed. "This meeting is pointless. There's your leak, right there!" She pointed at Logan.

"Shayla, not all dhampirs are traitors." Bianca insisted. "And Logan is certainly not the tracker. He can't help the circumstances of his birth. He didn't even know what he was until I told him a few days ago!"

"Lies." Shayla hissed.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Logan shouted. The other mutants were so engrossed with the goings-on, they were huddled in the corner, watching the drama. It was like a soap opera with Vampires and all that was missing was the popcorn.

Anatolie came to Logan's side. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before, but dhampirs are…ill-received in our community. You've heard of the fictional character Van Helsing?"

Shayla interrupted, practically spitting her words. "There was nothing fictional about him! He was based on a real man, a dhampir. That bastard betrayed us, his own people! He inherited heightened senses, increased strength, and super speed and he used them all against us! He allied himself with the Hunters, for God sakes! His mother was the first to die at his hand, followed by her Sire. He tracked and slaughtered us like cattle until Bianca did the same to him! May he and all dhampirs rot in hell!"

Logan turned towards Anatolie and gave him a mocking look. Anatolie smiled sheepishly. "Maybe 'ill-received' understated the situation a bit."

"'Killed on sight' seems like a better fit." Logan drawled.

Bianca stood tall and came in front of Connor, Shayla and Jack. She narrowed her eyes. "I am vouching for him. I've killed more Rogues and traitors than you've even seen in your lifetimes and I am telling you, Logan is an honorable man. Say another word against him, and you'll have me to deal with. Understood?"

"You'd better be sure about him, Bianca, or someone will lose their head. And I assure you, it won't be me." Shayla sneered.

"Whoa, whoa! Ladies, put the fangs away!" Connor interjected, playing peacekeeper. "There'll be no beheadings on my watch! You've been friends for centuries and we're about to engage the enemy. Now is not the time to doubt each other. Bianca, we trust your judgment. Shayla, you're an evil bitch. Now shake hands and make up."

The women did so reluctantly, but both recognized the need for unity on a dangerous mission like this.

"Thank you!" Jack burst out, exasperated. "Maybe now we can focus on the task at hand for more than a minute? There's still the small matter of infiltrating this place!"

"I think I can help there." Ororo spoke up. "I can provide enough heavy fog that the guards wouldn't be able to see each other even at twenty paces apart."

"And if Ororo stayed with the jet in case of emergency extraction and provided cover, each Vampire could take a mutant over the wall easily." Bianca added. "But the complex is vast; I think we need a better idea of where to look for the tracker before we all go in. We're going to have to take a Hunter first."

"I think you and I can handle that by ourselves." Jack said. "We'll bring him back to the jet and your young friend can do her thing."

"It'll have to do for now." Bianca said. "There's not much else we can do here. Let's get going."

"Suit up, everyone." Scott smirked, pushing a button on the walls and revealing rows of X-men uniforms. Each team member, including the Vampires, grabbed a leather outfit and headed toward the jet.

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