Yes, for sure! Scott got LUCKY this time. I wonder how long he can keep that streak going? The boy is learning a LOT, and yes ... of course ... Logan sees things slightly differently. Yes ... there might be a little perspective issue there, but ... it'll get better. I think. I am biased, but I still believe it.
Robbie, Scruffy & Griezz - here we go. Everyone else - let me know who you are.
Chapter Eleventy: Game Changer
When they got to their snow covered camp, they were surprised to see that it had been left untouched. However, there was a fresh set of tracks, and Logan couldn't help but growl a little when they got there. As Scott packed up, Logan slid under the jeep to look it over - his paranoia showing clearly as he looked for explosives or a sheared brake line.
"Well? We're not going to blow up?" Scott asked, leaning over to see Logan.
"No," he said as he got out from under the Jeep. "I don't think he had anything with him to use. Might actually think he finished the job too."
"If that's the case, maybe he'll leave us alone," Scott said.
"We can hope," Logan replied, brushing the snow off of his jeans before he gave Scott an appraising look. "Wanna drive to the road?" He held out the keys and just waited for his answer.
Scott couldn't help the grin that started at the corner of his mouth, though he still tried to school his features into something a bit more reserved. "Yeah - sure," he said, though his words totally obliterated his attempts to not look too excited.
Once their gear was loaded - and it took longer than Scott realized with Logan wincing and having to stop from time to time - the two of them climbed into the Jeep. It was apparent suddenly why Logan had asked him to drive when the older man simply leaned his seat back and kept a hand pressed to the ribs on his left side - eyes closed.
Scott frowned on watching him. He couldn't see any injury - and he figured that Logan had healed … he'd looked healed anyhow. And if there was some internal damage - there would be bruising. He was frowning deeply when Logan turned his head in Scott's direction and cracked open one tired eye. "Ready when you are, Slim."
"Right. I just …"
"Just follow the trail," Logan said. "We got enough gas that even if you find a way to get lost - we can get back out again. Though I doubt you'd get lost." He closed his eyes again and Scott watched out of the corner of his eye as Logan shifted and crossed his arms over his stomach loosely.
Scott did his best on the way out - and only nearly stalled it once as Logan coached him through the clutching process with a little smile on his face. Scott had been careful on shifting to get the clutch just right - and by the time he got them to the road, he was honestly disappointed that he had to hand over the keys.
"You can drive off road from here on out," Logan promised as they switched spots. "At least until we get you your licenses."
"Thanks," Scott said with a little grin, already looking forward to it. "I'll probably get the one for the Jeep before flying, though."
"Why?" Logan asked. "You can start training for the flight one this summer."
"If we haven't moved again," Scott pointed out. "That Creed guy - you said he might be able to find the cabin."
"Yeah, but I'm not letting that jackass drive me off. And the flight hours you log in count no matter where you are," Logan pointed out. "I asked Harry."
Scott didn't look surprised that Logan had considered how to get him his license even if they had to move, the guy was thinking of everything. "I guess we'll just have to see if we're close enough to Harry," Scott said with a shrug as they headed off down the road.
The drive wasn't terribly long, and the heater was kicking out enough that Logan insisted he didn't want to ruin another shirt just by virtue of putting it on over the blood that was only half dried.
But when they pulled into the cabin, he was swearing to himself for not doing it anyhow since it was clear that someone was waiting for them. Two black, nondescript cars with government plates. "This can't be good," Logan said half under his breath, and trying hard not to growl, though he didn't try to avoid it entirely. "You can stay here if you'd like," he told Scott as he put the car in neutral but did not turn it off. "I'm going to see what the spooks want."
"Spooks?"
"CIA. Probably." He gave Scott an unreadable look before he slipped out of the car and toward the three black suited agents waiting for him, leaving Scott behind to wonder what kind of trouble Logan was going to get into for walking up to government agents with half dried blood all over himself.
Logan didn't look amused as he crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the three agents and though the youngest among them certainly looked a bit taken back by the blood still splattered on Logan's face, not one of them was stupid enough to say anything about it.
"Hello," the lead agent said as the others looked on warily. "We're glad to see you in good health, Logan. I'll be honest, you dropped off of our radar for quite a while there."
"Because I didn't want to be found," Logan replied. "How do you know me?"
"Oh," the man said, turning toward the others. "You're … pretty well known in the industry. Honestly. We need you to come in and make a statement on what happened in the woods today." He gestured at Logan with a sweeping motion and his head tipped to the side. "Since .. it's pretty obvious something happened."
Logan glanced down at the remnants of his bloodied shirt and then back up at the agents. "I had an accident."
"We're well aware. We picked up Victor Creed just a few miles down the road looking like hell warmed over," the agent admitted. "So thank you. For … accidentally disemboweling him. That made it a lot easier to get him down."
"I can make a statement here," Logan replied. "But it'd be short. 'He was askin' for it.'"
"I'm sure he was," the agent replied before offering his hand. "I'm Special Agent Clay Quartermain, of SHIELD, by the way. I should have been more clear. It's not me that wants your statement. If it was, I would have already chalked it up to long overdue karma and sent you a fruit basket in thanks for a job well done. I'm afraid though that the person that sent us requires that you come to him."
"I know how you government types work," Logan replied, not even trying to hide the growl. "You got a beef with me, you can just get it off your chest now - but I'm not going anywhere with you until the kid is in safe hands. And I don't mean yours." He'd uncrossed his arms and his hands were at fists at his side. And for anyone that was paying any attention, it was easy to spot the dark purple bruising at the backs of his hands even through the blood that had dried there.
"We don't want to remove Mr. Summers from your custody, and we know that you don't have anyone here to leave him with," Quartermain replied frankly. "In fact, to expedite the whole process, we're more than happy to bring him along - we won't even separate the two of you - even for your meeting with Director Fury."
Logan paused at that and had to consider it, frowning slightly on hearing the name, but not quite placing it. He was sure he'd seen the name in the papers, but so far he hadn't seen a picture of the head of SHIELD. "The director of SHIELD wants to talk to me?" Logan asked with a frown, and Quartermain simply nodded his head in response.
A sinking feeling was creeping into Logan's chest, and his ear twitched slightly as he listened harder. Though the three agents in front of him looked perfectly calm, their hearts were racing and the scent of fear was plain in the air. He turned his head to the side, glancing at Scott with his peripheral vision. The boy looked calm. He was getting better at hiding it.
But then the wind shifted and for an instant, Logan's nostrils flared as he caught the scent of military grade gun oil on the breeze. His focus locked onto the head Agent and the man took in a quick breath as Logan's pupils constricted. "How many other agents have you got in the woods?" Logan asked. "Because their scent suits don't work nearly as well as you'd like them to."
Quartermain took a moment to compose himself, obviously not expecting Logan to have caught that. "Ah ...more than I'm willing to admit to. It wasn't my idea, but … it's protocol in cases like this."
"Cases where the order is to bring me in no matter what," Logan said flatly and as he glared at the three agents, the growl slipped loose. "There is a kid here. You can't pull this crap with a kid here." Logan's gaze flitted toward the still running jeep for just an instant. It was pretty clear that his best case scenario was to take Scott along. But he wasn't going to make the kid do anything of the sort. "It's his call if he wants to go," Logan said finally. "But you're not shooting me up in front of him."
"That's not -" Quartermain started to say, but a second agent stepped forward cutting him off.
"I'll talk to him," the second man said with an enigmatic sort of smile before he simply side stepped around Logan and headed toward the jeep. With a final glance Logan's way, he knocked on the window and gave Scott a warm smile. "Hi there. Could you talk for just a moment, please?"
Scott looked a little caught off guard before he slipped into more of a frown. He didn't step out of the Jeep, but he did roll down the window and lean out of it slightly. "Alright," he said cautiously.
"I'm Special Agent Phil Coulson, from SHIELD" he said by way of introduction. "Your … friend has a pressing meeting to attend to. He's not under arrest, I assure you. But he is a little reluctant to trust us. We won't make you come along or stay behind. The choice is yours - but I feel as though I should tell you in the spirit of full disclosure that we have Victor Creed in custody, but there was intel that he wasn't travelling alone. I can't guarantee your full safety if you stay." He turned toward the cabin and took in a deep breath. "I'd be happy to leave an agent with you, or even stay myself, but … I have to admit. We're not very useful against trained mutant assassins."
"So you're saying I can either come with you guys or get jumped again," Scott summed up with a frown.
"I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying the main headache you had to worry about in Victor Creed is not a problem. He's already locked down in custody but that he may or may not have had a travelling companion," Coulson said. "In fact, we're not even certain how long Creed has been in the area or if his traveling companion was here with him willingly."
"He was here long enough to know that I'm playing Hockey," Scott said, earning a raised eyebrow from Agent Coulson.
"Then at least a few days then," Coulson said, nodding. "Thank you for telling me."
"What do you want with Logan, anyway?" Scott asked, still not sure what to do, after everything Logan had told him. There were three agents acting calm, but if they knew who and what Logan was - they'd have been stupid to show up with only those three. No. There had to be more of them.
"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say," Coulson replied. "I do know that the meeting Logan is being called into is with the Director of SHIELD. If that means anything."
Scott frowned on hearing the news. "He isn't - he hasn't done anything wrong."
"That would depend entirely on who you asked," Coulson said with a little smile. "But it's my understanding that Director Fury is not in the camp of 'detain' at this point."
"I want to stay with him," Scott said. He frowned at Coulson as he added, "I don't just mean waiting here. He hasn't done anything wrong, and I'll tell anyone so. Even the director."
"Then whenever you're ready, Mr. Summers," Coulson replied.
Scott paused, let out a breath, and then turned off the engine, set the brake, and slowly got out of the car. "Alright," he said, still cautious.
"Don't worry," Coulson said. "I'm sure the two of you will be back to your version of normal in no time."
Scott pulled the key from the ignition and closed the door before he followed Coulson back to where Logan was still looking like he was ready to gut Quartermain. The three agents led the way to their vehicles where Logan and Scott simply climbed in the back of one, though it was clear to Scott that this probably wasn't the first time Logan had been through this little song and dance.
The drive was short and silent all the way to a wide open field, where the agents leading them took them from the car to the middle of the field - where a cloaked aircraft seemed to materialize out of thin air for them to climb into.
And although not even the pilot spoke on the flight, Logan was just waiting for someone to say one wrong word and give him the excuse he wanted to put an end to their stupidity.
The flight was fairly short, and Scott was surprised that when they stepped out of the transport craft that the noise level was much higher than he'd expected. It still took him a moment to realize where he was, and when he did - he couldn't believe how blase Logan was acting to the sights around them.
The helicarrier was huge, and Scott couldn't help it that he lost his breath just looking out over it. This was like nothing he'd ever seen in the air, and it would have been huge and clunky if it wasn't so elegant. He tried to hide his stare - he didn't want to look like just some kid on a tour - but it was hard to do.
The path to the director's office was fairly straightforward, though there were at least a dozen security checkpoints - three of which were with metal detectors that had absolute fits when Logan went through - and the guards on them had worse fits when he just shoved them away from himself. The one that did manage to grab a hold of his arm figured out how much of a mistake that was when Logan grabbed his hand and gave it a quick twist - that crunched loudly as Logan told him in a hushed tone "No touching."
Quartermain caught on fast and as they reached the next checkpoint made sure to hurry ahead and tell the men on post to keep their hands to themselves as it was clear their guest wasn't having any part of their 'security' nonsense.
When they reached the director's office, the simple looking steel door opened up to a wide sweeping room that overlooked the flight deck, and Quartermain was quick to announce them as they entered. The guard inside the door took a step toward Logan, but backed off quickly when Logan skipped the 'normal' act and outright growled at him low.
"You're a hard man to find," Fury commented as Logan came to a stop in front of his desk. The man looked pleased - though to be honest, it was a look Logan wasn't used to seeing. At least … it didn't come off as something malicious. Yet. "We've been trying to find you since you resigned from Department H."
"Not interested," Logan replied, finally crossing his arms again.
"I didn't offer anything yet," Fury replied, though he didn't look surprised in the least. "Maybe you should hear me out before you turn it down."
"Fine. Tell me what you want so I can say no and point out how much of a waste of time this was," Logan replied evenly.
Fury outright chuckled. "We'd like to hire you - we're putting together a new team, and I need to know that the guys on it are top shelf."
"I just quit a gig like that, and they offered to have me lead," Logan pointed out.
"I already have a leader," Fury said. "I was looking for a tracker and if you don't mind me pointing it out - a wrecking ball. We saw what you did in that brawl with The Hulk and your record is impeccable. Second to none."
"What's your point?" Logan asked with a scowl.
"My point is that you did more in that little scrap than even I thought you were capable of," Fury said. "And I thought I knew your limits already."
Logan frowned deeper and started to look Fury over more carefully. "What do you know?" he asked.
"I know that you're calm under fire. Doesn't matter how hot it gets. And I know that you don't remember me, which is disappointing to say the least. I can't, however, say that I'm surprised. I think disappointed might be the word I'm looking for," Fury said, shaking his head. "Considering everything your last 'employer' did to you." He pulled out a cigar and lit it, taking a seat in the chair behind his desk as Logan's scowl slipped away into something more concentrated. "Just know that you and I? We have history. Good history. Agree to work for me and I might just give you a few clues that your other teammate can't."
Logan narrowed his eyes further and looked like he was ready to start a brawl on the spot when a hidden door opened and in walked a tall, broad blonde who took one look at the situation and broke into a wide smile.
"So you're here?" the guy asked as he came over to clap Logan on the shoulder. "What, did they have you on ice too? You haven't aged a day! Where have you been holed up?"
"Ice? No…" Logan said,taking a step back as he looked up at him with a look of clear confusion. "How do you know me?"
"Come on, Logan. I know there was a lot going on during the war, but I like to think I made a little more than a passing impression," the blonde teased.
"Yeah, I know who you are, but - you're going to need to help me out here," Logan said. "How do you know who I am?"
"He doesn't remember any of it," Fury supplied. "Multiple and extensive mind wipes." Logan's gaze shot over to Fury - the confusion and alarm clear on his features while the blond just pushed forward, not catching Logan's discontent.
"Oh," the blonde said, looking a little crestfallen. "Well maybe I can help with that. There was the fight you started with Baron Von Strucker in Madripoor in '41 for starters. Or, we could talk about how I found you in Poland a year later - they were calling you prisoner zero in that concentration camp."
Logan looked like he was thinking it over. "There seemed to be a lot of upset nazis in Poland," Logan muttered, smirking in spite of himself at the memory. "Couldn't take a little whistling. And the other one - you were trying to get Natalia out of there. Before they made her pledge to Hydra."
Steve was nodding with a little smile. "Yeah. Among other things. Are you still going by Wolverine?"
Logan just shrugged. "I guess so. Haven't found another name that fit better." He turned and looked at Fury for a moment. "Spain?"
But the answer was given more by Steve than Fury as he just grinned wider and let out a bark of a laugh. "See? We can get around memory mods."
"Hold on, blondie," Logan said, stepping out from under Steve's arm. "I'm not sure I want to. What's the deal here?"
The other men in the room just froze for a moment. It was clear that they thought that Steve Rogers would be more than enough to bait him in. And Scott was clearly of the same mind, his eyes wide and totally star-struck, mouthing 'That's Captain America' at Logan like he couldn't believe what was happening.
"This is a new team. A new adventure," Steve said, almost frowning before he drew himself up, chest out and a stern look on his face as his eyes flashed. "For the safety and security of our country."
Logan watched Steve for a moment with a matching frown before his lip curled up the slightest. "I'm Canadian."
For just a moment, Steve's mouth tightened further as if it was an irritation, but all at once, he simply couldn't hide the smirk that stretched into a smile. "I know. I'm asking anyway."
"It won't be too long," Fury said. "A couple weeks at most, and of course - after that, if you like the way we run things, I'd like you to consider joining SHIELD."
Logan looked between the two men and over to Scott for just a moment. "Yeah, but you're skipping over something important here," Logan said. "I can't pull the kid out of school just because you two yea-hoos wanna go play toy soldier and I'm sure as hell not gonna leave him alone with Victor Creed wandering the woods with a vendetta."
Scott looked surprised and almost reluctant to be dragged into the conversation - especially when both Fury and Steve glanced his way. "Victor Creed is currently tucked away in a secure SHIELD facility. He's not going anywhere, but if you're concerned about the boy, we can keep an agent or two with him for the duration," Fury offered quickly. "To keep him safe."
"Why do I not believe you?" Logan challenged.
"Because you're a pig headed pain in the ass," Fury said with a bit of heat. "And you know as well as I do that Creed isn't who you need to worry about."
"You think you can keep Department H and Department K off his back?" Logan asked as Steve just shook his head in disbelief. "They'd go to a few lengths to get some leverage and you know it." Logan was already shaking his head 'no'. "While we're on it - how do I know you won't just hang onto him to try to force me into doing what you want? No. I don't think so. I want outta this floatin' tin can."
"That's not how SHIELD works, Logan," Steve said with a look of pure disbelief.
"Maybe not for you, Cap, you're a national treasure," Logan replied. "Me? I'm a dangerous mutant. Ain't that right, director? Rules aren't the same for you as they are for me. And you know it."
"Don't let me stop you," Scott said at last, cutting in with a halfway awestruck and halfway scared tone. "I'm fine."
"I'm not going along with it for a helluva lot more reasons than just your hockey schedule," Logan replied before he turned to Fury. "How long have you been director, Nicholas J Fury? At least what … seven or eight years?"
Fury looked reluctant to answer, but nodded his head. "At least," he agreed through gritted teeth.
"Then you knew what that Departments H & K did and you haven't pulled the plug on 'em? How many others went through those doors - and for how long?" Logan replied. "Or is it just that SHIELD doesn't give a damn about experimentation on mutants until they need to make use of the results?"
"SHIELD makes it a point not to get involved in the politics," Fury replied. "Let the chips fall where they will. It's not our job to intervene."
Steve looked floored for a moment as he stared between Fury and Logan - who were just having an honest to God staredown. "Huh," Logan said finally as he took a step back, shaking his head. "Not what it says with your motto. Good luck with your mission." With that he just turned toward the door. "C'mon, Scotty. I've got no business here."
Scott did a bit of a double take as Logan headed out, torn more when Steve started to follow them at a jog. "Logan, wait," Steve said. "I need the back up on this one outside of the Avengers."
"Then I suggest you talk to Fury about it," Logan said. "Only reason he isn't being a pain to me is because he knows what I can do and what they did to me to make me worse. Or better, depending on which side of the trigger you are."
"That … doesn't sound right," Steve said, frowning deeply as the three of them came to a stop near the door that lead to the flight deck.
"Read the file before you tell me that, Cap," Logan said. "I know how both of our governments classify me. And it's not a citizen or a soldier."
"I think I will read that file," Steve said, looking disturbed. "And I'm going to come find you when I'm done."
"Good. You can tell me what it says. Seems like you've got the clearance for it when I don't."
At that, Cap just stopped and watched as Logan and Scott stepped out onto the flight deck, where Coulson and Quartermain were waiting, though Scott couldn't help but look back at Steve on the way out.
"I take it you didn't like Director Fury's offer?" Quartermain asked as he held the hatch open for Logan and Scott to climb in.
"He didn't quite get that far," Logan said. "We had a slight difference of opinion."
"That can be a recurring problem," Quartermain agreed.
Coulson and Quartermain shared a look as the pilot started the engines. "Be sure you buckle in," Coulson said to Scott before he took a seat across from him. "I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like what he had to say."
Logan just let out a little huff and crossed his arms, refusing to speak to either of the agents on the way back and still seething and on edge. If SHIELD was anything like what he was used to dealing with - this little encounter likely was not the end.