Chapter 14

The next few hours at the Institute proved to be quite a revelation. Once Logan and Domino managed to get the neural neutralisers off of everyone they had no choice but to give the whole story.

Essentially that they were taken out by a female clone of Logan.

The wisecrackers amongst them managed to turn that into a series of jokes that helped lift the mood...at least a little for some of them.

Hank had, naturally, wanted to know much more in detail about how it was done but understandably neither Logan nor Domino were really in the mood this evening to go into that level of detail.

Their mood only became worse after they couldn't find trace of the girl. Even Logan couldn't find her. She had covered her tracks too well. She was gone.

That only left Logan stewing in his anger and sense of failure as he drank several beers.

Storm stands at the doorway to the lounge looking at him. It was late now and most other people had gone to bed. She couldn't sleep knowing he was as upset as he is. She quietly pads along the floor in her bare feet, dressed in her nightdress and robe and sits down opposite him. She picks up a bottle of beer for herself and drinks it down slowly. "Are you going to talk?" she inquires.

"What is there to talk about? How my life continues to be screwed over repeatedly?" he snarls in anger. "When does it end Ro? When do I stop being fate's whipping boy?"

Ororo can see why he is angry. His whole life was ruined once by Weapon X and this girl, this X-23, is a by-product of it. The girl's creation can be directly linked back to that foul project and of course to Logan himself, with the girl essentially being his cloned daughter. Ororo waits patiently for him to continue. Logan's never that quick to express his feelings.

Logan drinks his beer. "You know how you're always criticising me for being too hard on the kids?"

"I don't always criticise you," Ororo lightly denies the accusation. "I just think you have to allow some time for them to be teenagers now and again," she says calmly.

"That girl has never gotten that. Can you even imagine what they must have done to her? To try and drive out her humanity and forge an unfeeling weapon?"

"I suspect that whatever I imagine won't be anywhere near as horrid as the truth," Ororo feels...and believe her she's plenty angry at the people responsible. She just deals with it better than Logan. "However it can't have worked from what you and Domino said," she points out. Otherwise this night would never have happened.

"She's still goin to be mightily mixed up...and I can't help her. I should. I could. I've been where she is...but she's gone. It's just like Rogue."

"Nonsense," Ororo dismisses that. "You can't compare the situations. It's utterly different circumstances."

"Is it?"

"Yes! You're comparing chalk with cheese. Logan...that girl could have killed us all but she didn't. What does that tell you? It tells you that despite it all HYDRA couldn't drive the humanity out of her. Just like Weapon X could never drive it out of you. Rogue's...essentially, having an extreme rebellious phase. The only thing in common is that neither was your fault. None of us saw any of this coming. And if you're thinking you've failed then someone needs to hit you because no, you didn't. That girl was here to kill you but you got through to her. You opened her eyes and allowed her to see the truth. That's the first step to healing. To know the truth."

"What's the next step?"

"Dealing with it."

Logan snorts. "I've been trying for the best part of 20 years."

"Well I never said it was a quick process now did I?"

Logan would have to give her that. "She still left," he says morosely.

"Yes...but if you were in her shoes what would you have done?"

"Left."

"Why?"

"To protect ya."

"Protect us from whom?"

"HYDRA. Do ya think they just let ya go? No-one just leaves HYDRA."

"Well it seems she is your daughter then," Ororo remarks with a smirk.

Logan takes a moment. He was answering on automatic there. Now he thinks on it he can see why she left and hadn't come back. "Still...now she's out there alone. Here...I think we could have protected her," he argues.

"Possibly...but it's doubtful she thought the same."

"So what now?"

"Now we carry on as we always do. Some day I'm certain we'll see the girl again."

"What makes you think that?"

"If she's anything like her father she's a survivor and on that day we'll all make sure we make this place her home."

Logan shakes her head. "You're a remarkable woman, Ro," he has to say because she's just so...so...there isn't a word to describe how wonderful she is but she just has her way of turning things round and making them seem a lot less grim than Logan thinks they are.

"Well I always thought so," she quips. "But it's nice to hear other people say it."

Logan manages a half-smile at that. He means it though. She is remarkable. The girl attacked her yet here she is saying how one day they'll make this place a home for X-23. Essentially forgiving without him even asking.

Ororo leans forward and takes his hand. "Now I have this big, cold, lonely bed. Can you think of anyone who could help keep me warm?" she asks with a welcoming smile.

Logan grins wolfishly at that. "Well I might be able to think of someone."

Jonathan unconsciously rubs the spot where that device was stuck to his forehead. Horrid sensation really. A lot of remarkable things have happened since the day they came here with Clark but a female clone of Logan attacking them certainly takes it to a new place.

Claire and Clark had already been apologising and guilty about not being here. Claire's fault was non-existence. She was away with Generation X on a mission. Clark, on the other hand, had given was of his vague answers again about being 'diverted' on the way back which is why he was late.

Diverted. What does that mean?

Honestly every day Jonathan feels like Clark is slipping further away from them all over again.

For right now Jonathan can't do anything for his son who was off on one of his brooding moods somewhere. Martha was spending some time with Claire and he was looking for someone he hadn't seen since this thing blew up. Douglas.

Jonathan finds they boy where he often is. In his room. "Douglas? Can I come in?" Jonathan asks, peeking round the door.

"Sure," is the quietly spoken reply.

Jonathan enters to find the boy sitting cross-legged on the bed. "You ok?"

"Yes...no...I don't know."

Jonathan sits on the edge of the bed. "Care to explain. I'm a good listener."

Doug takes a few minutes thinking. "When that girl was attacking I...just froze there. Useless," he says in shame.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of," Jonathan assures the boy. "None of us were expecting this. Believe me I was caught out by her as well. Doug you can't be expected to handle every situation. No-one can. But if you're worried that we'll walk away from you I can promise we won't. We don't do that around here. That girl...despite what she did, Logan and Domino spent hours trying to find her you know."

"They did?" Doug queries with a puzzled look.

Jonathan nods. "And they won't give up trying. There's another girl, Rogue, who's now with Magneto...it's complicated what happened to her but the day she is ready to return we'll welcome her back. Clark has been looking for yet another girl, who was possessed by a witch, for months and he will never give up looking no matter how hopeless it looks or how long it takes. We don't turn our back on anyone who needs us, no matter what they might have done or not done. You need us Doug, we're here. It really is that simple."

"And if I choose I don't want to be here?" he proposes.

"That's your choice but we would make sure to send you off with everything you need."

It's so...confusing for Doug. Lionel promised a lot of things too...but when Jonathan speaks Doug truly believes him. Reading body language and all. He brushes his hair back off his face. "I don't know where I belong or what I'm meant to be."

"You're what, 14?"

Douglas nods.

"Doug, no-one knows that when they're 14. Heck, there are people who don't know that when they're 40. All we offer here, right now, is a roof over your head and 3 square meals a day and if that is all you want that's fine. Though we would like to make sure you get an education if you're feeling up to it."

"Can I get back to you on that?"

"Of course you can. Now you going to be ok?"

"I suppose so."

"Want some late dinner?" Jonathan asks since Doug never came down earlier for it.

Doug's stomach rumbling answers that one.

Clark's good at guilt. In one way it is guilt that drives him to put on the Superman suit and do what he does. Guilt over the loss of his mother's baby and his vow afterwards to never allow his actions or inactions to cause such loss of an innocent life again.

Tonight his guilt is especially bad. The mansion, his parents, were attacked and where was he?

In bed, naked, limbs tangled up with Callisto. He mentally winces. The worst part is that he can't say anything but that he immensely enjoyed it.

What is wrong with him?

He goes to clarify things with her...as in ensure it was just a one-off...misjudgement on his part and what does he do? Falls back into bed with her.

And now he's back to having no clue where they stand. Is every time he goes to see her going to end up like that?

He can't even give a good reason why. One minute he's leaving. The next his tongue is exploring her mouth...and many other parts of her.

Clark runs his hand through his hair. It's not like she isn't pretty. She really is, despite the scars...and now he knows exactly how many she's got. And he does admire her. He meant that when he told her that but apart from that what does he know about her. Nothing. She doesn't talk about it.

This isn't him is it? He isn't someone who just goes in for some...gah!

He mentally screams. He doesn't even know what to call it...apart from sex. He knows that. What does he call what he and Callisto are now? Friends with benefits?

Again this isn't him surely? He wasn't brought up believing in casual sex. Not that he judges anyone else mind you, this is just how he personally thinks. He isn't someone who has a desperate need to have it. Sure he enjoys it as much as the next person...and sure it had been a few months since he and Rogue broke up but Clark's whole life is about self-control. Not just his powers. Himself. He has to. It's the only way he can live on Earth surrounded by fragile humans.

So again he asks why?

He could really do with talking to someone about this...but who? Right, no-one because then he would have to admit his guilt trip over tonight...and he just...just...can't face the disappointed look his parents especially would give him. He's already seen that one enough times...and God only knows what sort of comments Claire would invent for it.

So he's screwed.

'Callisto already did that,' a voice in his head reminds him.

He winces. Bad choice of words.

While he has been thinking this Clark has been out walking around the mansion grounds away from other people. He comes to the cliff edge and he looks down at the jetty at the bottom and spots someone sitting on the edge drinking.

Clark suddenly realises he has found a way to...not take away his guilt but maybe alleviate it slightly.

He steps off the edge and floats down to behind the person. "Penny for your thoughts," he says lightly.

The head turns and the blue eyes of Domino flicker their gaze onto him. "Only a penny? I'm more a dollar for your thoughts sort of gal. I have overheads," she manages to turn it into a joke.

Clark smiles and gestures at the space next to her. "May I?" he asks for permission to sit.

"Free country and all," Domino gives it.

Clark sits down and looks out across the water in the dark sky. "You know Rogue showed me this spot when you want to be alone with your thoughts," he mentions.

"Yeah, those were the days. Whatever happened to that moody, broody Goth chick?"

"You know I'm not sure. Think she went on one of those journey of self-discoveries or something."

"Those suck," Domino declares.

"Kinda do, yeah," Clark agrees. "So how are you doing?" he asks.

"Can't say. Not drunk enough yet," Domino replies, waiting for the alcohol to kick in and clear her thoughts up.

"The arm?" Clark queries after her injury.

"It'll heal as good as new. It wasn't too deep," Domino reports what Beast had found as he treated her.

"I'm glad," Clark says genuinely. "You'll find her one day," he assures her. "The girl," he clarifies what he's talking about.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because how could anyone resist the prospect of having you for their sister?"

Domino's eyebrows rise slightly. "Good point," she accepts and sips on her beer. "Got any other words of wisdom to make me feel better?"

"Nope. That was it."

"Really?"

"I don't think I can come up with anything to make you feel better, Dom but sometimes, I reckon, listening to someone spout off about something they can't entirely understand isn't what you need. Sometimes all you need is a friend to keep you company."

Domino shakes her head and laughs lightly. "You're still far too good for this world."

"I'm really not," Clark feels the need to correct her considering where he was and what he was doing tonight. He slips his old red jacket off and places it over Dom's shoulders to help with the chill.

Dom leans in and rests her head on his shoulder. "Thanks. For the company," she says softly.

"You're welcome."

"Why did you turn the Avengers down?" she asks, since they're alone and it's safe to ask.

"Why would you?"

"Ah," she says, thinking she understands. "Don't want to work for the government."

"That...and it was all a ploy to gain access to my advanced alien technology."

Domino's head lifts from his shoulder and looks up into his baby blues.

"They know," Clark says grimly.

Domino makes a pained groan. She knows what he means. That he's an alien. "Shit," she swears.

"Yep, that's pretty much my feeling...but half the Avengers stood up for me when I refused. Captain America amongst them."

"Huh. I guess I do have good taste," she quips in relation to her hitting on him.

Clark shakes his head. "Well they're not getting my technology. Come what may. Make me public enemy number one if they want but the reasons you know why we had to find the stones remains strong. I won't give it to them and for as long as that is what they really want I won't even remotely consider joining the Avengers. Truth is, though, when it comes to the bottom line that in a choice between the Avengers and the X-Men I would choose you guys. I know I'm not part of the team right now but you're my family."

"So given the choice you would choose the messed up freaks of nature."

"Yep."

"Good choice," Dom approves as she rests her head on his shoulder once more.

"Always follow the pretty lady's advice. I'm just trying to be too good for the world."

Dom grins. That's her advice...and yes she is very pretty...though she's not quite sure she qualifies as a lady.

The next morning Logan had woken up next to Storm and he had spent a good hour just watching her sleep thinking things over.

His first thought, as always, is what the hell is this Goddess of a woman doing being with him.

The 2nd thought is that she looks unbelievably beautiful even in her sleep and that's he so addicted to her even his own self-doubts can't force him to give her up. Not that she'd let him he thinks.

Man can you imagine breaking up with her and what she could do to you in her wrath?

Logan involuntarily shudders.

His point is he does have doubts and he does worry for her that something from his past will destroy her. One day something might come along and he feels no option but to push her away for her own sake...but that day hasn't come yet.

As for the girl...his daughter, easier to think her that than his female clone(though Hank did spout some convoluted scientific nonsense as for what she was), Logan won't give up looking for her. Won't be easy. She's as good as him at vanishing but he can't give up because HYDRA won't. SHIELD won't. They'll both be looking for her and even she can't evade them forever. He can protect her at the very least. He's certain of that so no, he won't give up looking.

Logan has also been found himself being unusually reflective about the way he treats the kids. The girl must have never been a kid, ever. He can imagine what she has been through and he wonders if Ro was right. Maybe he has been too hard on them. Teach them to survive yeah but like he said to the girl she was a child and so are the kids.

That being the case he has an idea what to do about that.

Later that morning the New Mutants are having another outdoor training session being run by Beast and Storm...so it was much more fun orientated than Logan's normally are. Several of them are running the gauntlet of a path with turrets firing small, soft balls at them, laughing and giggling merrily.

Even Wanda, who was back from Dr Strange's, was actually enjoying it. She was using some of her newly taught magical gifts to create ribbons of rainbow coloured energy that Bart was weaving through at superspeed.

That is when Logan shows up, carrying a large brown sack, slung over one shoulder. He signals for them to gather round.

They all collectively groan.

"Killjoy's here," Bart mutters. "It was fun while it lasted," he laments with a sigh as he joins the others.

Beast takes a second look at Storm who has a strange smile on her lips. "What?" he asks her.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all," Storm plays it off.

"What do you know?" Beast asks suspicious of her expression...plus the fact since she and Logan were involved in a personal relationship that she more likely than not know what this is about, what Logan has planned.

Storm makes a gesture of padlocking her lips shut and throwing away the key.

The New Mutants line up like on a parade ground as Logan walks along the line. "The course has a new objective today," he says in his usual gruff tones.

The New Mutants groan...again with a few muttered 'Oh mans'. They are so not looking forward to this.

"It's called..." Logan leaves it hanging as he moves the sack off his shoulder so he can empty it, "Mutant dodgeball," he smirks as several balls drop to the ground. One for everyone.

The New Mutants cheer in delight...and surprise. Jubilee is really surprised.

"Yes!" Bart whoops. "I am so good at this game," he boasts.

"Oh," Logan adds at that as he picks up a ball. "And extra credit for anyone who takes out Mr Impulsive here," he offers as he throws the ball hard to Bart. That should teach him for that ego.

Bart actually pales a little. "What?!" he cries.

The rest of the New Mutants grab a ball off the ground and look at Bart evilly. Ever since he got here he's been as bad as Bobby for the pranks and they all owe him one.

Wanda's just going to imagine he's her brother and to make sure he can't just run away she hexes his powers, leaving him as slow as anyone else.

"Let the hunt begin!" Betsy crows for the starting shot as Bart legs it with the New Mutants on the chase.

"Why the change in tactics, Logan?" Beast wonders.

"I decided to listen to my better half," he answers, looking at Storm.

Storm smiles. When he told her what he planned her heart grew just that little more for him. She elaborates for Beast what Logan means. "Sometimes you just have to let kids be kids."

They just decide to stand back and watch the show, even Logan with a small smile on his face at watching the kids have fun...especially when they manage to encircle Bart and all lob balls at him at the same time.

Bart curls up into a ball, hands over his face. "No! Guys! Nooooo!" he pleads but it's no good as he is pelted over and over.

Elsewhere...

Last night Laura had retreated to where she is most comfortable. The wilderness. She managed to shake SHIELD and make sure she couldn't be found.

She has been trying to process everything.

The way the man she had focussed all on her hate on was so...nice to her. That woman too. Her sister.

It has such a nice ring to it the way it sounds.

And truth is Laura's anger for Wolverine is gone...for the most part. She understands now. He's not to blame for her life.

Part of her would like to go back. Be with perhaps the only other people on Earth who have been through what she has. To be with people she might consider family.

But now...they're not safe. They're not in danger from her. From HYDRA. Laura always knew they would come for her but she figured she could kill Wolverine first before they managed to track her down and after that she didn't really care what happened to her.

In her mind it was 50/50 whether they would kill her for her betrayal or try and get her back and recondition her.

Bottom line is she had no intention of being taken alive in either scenario.

Now though everything's different.

In the last few weeks everything she thought she knew about her life has been completely turned around.

Now she has a father...sort of and a sister...and a mother.

Laura's green eyes widen.

Her mother!

Her mother is still in HYDRA.

She can't leave her there.

That's when Laura makes the 2nd mission ever for herself. Find and rescue her mother. And if she has to systematically tear HYDRA apart to do it then all the better since the full focus of her anger and rage has now fallen upon them.

Laura makes a vow, that before all this is over, she is going to personally give Madame Hydra an up close view of just what sort of weapon they created.

Author's Note: I think that sets it up neatly for X-23's return in Target-X. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Angel returns in Under Lock and Key.