Disclaimer: All characters and situations are the properly of Marvel Comics , Bryan Singer, and David Hayter. I make no money from this and no breach of copyright is intended.
In the Mind
"She was very close." Hank explained. "But Professor Casey was thinking in terms of cells and brains."
"Braaaiiinnss." Bobby droned, then stopped when nobody laughed.
"She thought in terms of the body, when she should have been thinking in terms of the mind."
Hank turned to look at Indio, who took one look at him and ran out the room, the door banging shut behind him.
"Hey kid."
"Hello Logan. I'm glad you haven't come to drag me back."
Wolverine shook his head, "It's still a bit weird when you do that."
"Sorry. I can't help it."
"I know." Logan looked up at the small figure crouched on the garage roof. "You gonna come down any time soon?"
Indio shook his head.
"Fair enough." There was a brief clatter as Wolverine pulled himself up. "Nice view up here."
"I've never seen this many trees before."
"City-kid, huh?"
Indio nodded.
"So, why did you run for it? Hank's upset, Scott's worried and most other people are confused."
Indio stared out over the grounds of the mansion. It was late afternoon and the shadows were already stretching out over the lawn. "He wanted me to use the machine again, the one the Silent Man had."
"Cerebro." Logan pulled out a cigar and lit it.
"The thing that made you…hurt."
Wolverine shrugged, "Don't worry about it kid."
Indio frowned, "But it did hurt you. And then it hurt me, because I was in your head. And since then you keep having strange memories."
Wolverine glanced at him, "It's really strange talking with you kid."
Indio sighed, "I know."
"But…kind of cool too. Seems like I have to watch what I say with everyone else in the mansion, but here and now, I can just say whatever I'm thinking. Hell, I might as well just say everything I'm thinking."
"Is there any way I can stop it?" Indio asked.
"Not that I know of. You'd need the Professor for that but he's…" Wolverine shot a glance at the kid's shocked face, glad for once that he wouldn't have to spell out Xavier's death. "Yeah. Well, he could've helped you. But I don't know anyone else who could."
"You want me to try using the Cerebro thing again."
Logan sighed. "It's not that I want you to, it's just…at the moment I don't see any other chance we've got. And as long as you don't concentrate too hard on any one person, it shouldn't be a problem." I think. At least, Jean said so.
"You think? You're not sure?"
"Just read my mind kid, there's not much point in asking is there?"
"But you said I shouldn't!" Indio said, worried because Logan was starting to look angry again.
There was a short silence and then Indio said, "You are worried about Rogue."
"Yeah."
"Do you love her?"
Wolverine shrugged. "I…guess. Not like, not like,"
"Jean." Indio whispered.
"Not like her. But, I guess I wouldn't want to see her hurt." And Iceman can pretend to be as innocent as he likes but if I ever see bruises on her arms or face he's going down. Hard."
"The Cajun man wants her back too." Indio continued, oblivious, "And Toad wants the other woman to wake up. Nobody seems to care about the Silent Man."
"What was that about the Cajun?" Wolverine growled.
Indio looked slightly panicky. "Uh. I shouldn't have said that."
"If he even tries…"
"I mean, he just thinks about her a lot. In a good way. He thinks nice things about her. Uh, Logan? Why do you want to rip his head off?"
"You idiot!" Quicksilver stared down at the body in front of him, "You weren't meant to kill her!"
Juggernaut shrugged, "Not my fault. I didn't realise I'd hit her that hard."
"Is she breathing? Oh my god, what if she really is dead?"
"It was your stupid plan." Juggernaut scowled, "What was going to happen next anyway?"
"How can we ransom someone who's dead? She works for the government doesn't she? They'll send the CIA after us or something. After you at least."
"What!"
"You killed her."
They both stood, looking down at Professor Casey's crumpled form. Juggernaut frowned, trying to think.
"I had nothing to do with it." Pietro continued, "If you decide to hit someone over they head with a crowbar it's got nothing to do with – waah!"
Juggernaut grabbed hold of his arm, crushing it tightly, "You're not offloading this on me."
"You were the one who, aah, let go of me!"
"I'm not going back to prison on the word of Magneto's brat."
Pietro struggled hopelessly, tears leaking out of the corner of his eyes. "Let go, you're hurting me."
"What, and let you run off back to daddy?"
"You're going to have to let go at some time." Pietro said sulkily, trying to ignore the raging fire in his arm.
Juggernaut stared at him for a moment, the reached down and grabbed his leg. Pietro's face went white.
"Wait, what the hell are you…"
Crack
Juggernaut watched dispassionately as Pietro gave a high pitched scream and collapsed, his broken leg folding up under him at an awkward angle. Then he picked up the unconscious body, slung it over his shoulder and headed off.
Hmm. Probably the most brutal thing I've written so far. Please do tell me if I start to get a bit gratuitous.
And Pyro will be in the next chapter. I promise :)
