A/N - What? Two chapters in 24 hours? See...reviews do make the difference. Well that and I wasn't going to leave you hanging mid-mission. I do have a soul after all.

Canuckle & Retro - not to worry...all things will be explained. And yea...Cassidy is a slimy SOB. Mutant selling mutants...let's hope his time comes soon. Retro, glad I've been keeping you engaged and I'll do my best to not disappoint. Canuckle...don't blame Logan, Remy just brings out the worst in all of us.

Cheshire - wait is over

Now things were going to hell.

Getting to the main furnaces that powered the Banshee production to place the rest of the charges had been easy...but that turned out to be because Weapon X was waiting for them. After that...things became hard to process for Greer. Just flashes of gun fire, her claws and Colton's voice yelling out where to go next. She just kept her focus on that voice...that voice would keep her safe.

For Apex things became simple. Everything he saw, he saw a weakness:scar tissue, ill healed fractures and surgically repaired joints. Target...and strike.

Head. Bullet.

Neck. Carotid.

Arm. Compound fracture.

Head. Wall.

Leg. Femoral and Saphenous vein.

The only other thing he was aware of...was that he never allowed more than a foot to come between him and Greer. Thus far they'd been lucky...the few bullets to hit him had gone straight through. Greer's suit was doing it's job...and so far so was she, leaving a moaning path of bodies behind her.

Apex glanced down at his tracker...just a few hundred yards and they'd be out. He glanced down, giving Greer a quick check.

"You alright?" Greer was out of breath so she just nodded her head. She was tired...her body ached...her head hurt from that damn alarm...and this damn suit was hurting her spine...she couldn't move right and it was pissing her off.

"Exit's this way." Greer and Apex ran through the next few hallways and stopped...the exit dead in front of them...with only three guards standing in their way. Greer smiled...once these three losers were out of the way, they were home free. She took a step towards them but stopped as she felt pressure on her shoulder.

"Something's wrong..." Apex had smelled it when they got close. Greer glanced from Colton back towards the three guards and tried giving them a closer look. Sure...they were bigger...the uniforms a little bit different...but it wasn't like they should be a real problem...

Apex raised his gun and fired at all three. Greer barely saw the movement as all three shots landed in the far wall as the guards suddenly ran towards them. Fast.

"Banshee..." Apex growled and ran for the two super soldiers on the left...leaving Greer with the one on the right. 'So...I get to fight a super-solider...great.' Greer let out a snarl and followed Colton's lead, dropping to all fours before leaping upwards. She had intended to tackle the soldier to the ground...instead, he caught her extended hands and flung her into a support beam. Greer felt the ribs on that side crack.

"Owww..."

"Tigra!" The roar snapped her back and she rolled in time to avoid the fist that cracked the ground where her head had been.

Scrambling wildly, Greer tried her best to to get onto her feet on time but her damaged side and the added weight of her suit seemed to be getting in her way. She managed to roll out of the way one more time, urging her body to heal faster but it wasn't working. With a strangled snarl, Greer struggled as the guard got her into a chokehold.

"Shit!" Greer thought as the man's hold on her got tighter, unlike Logan, he was taller and apparently stronger… and unlike Logan, he was out to kill her.

"TIGRA!" she heard Colton roar only to watch in horror as he himself was tackled to the ground violently by the two other guards. They managed to get a good hold on him and Greer was certain he couldn't handle himself while also worrying about her.

**Crack!** and Greer snarled in pain. Certain that whatever was left of her ribs was now broken as the guard slammed her to the ground. Greer gasped for air as she struggled to look up. She could see Colton had managed to kill one of the guards...or rather he should have. A large pool of blood forming under the now mangled throat of one but he was somehow still standing. Colton was doing his best to get through the two guards to get to her but his desperation was costing him. If the two of them didn't do something fast, they were both going to die...

Greer closed her eyes… She could hear her guard coming towards her, ready to stomp her head in.

"Focus Greer...You have to stay in control...Stay in-" and the guard couldn't help but screamed as something extremely painful sunk themselves into his calf.

Apex roared in anger as he tried his best to finish the two guards off. He had abandoned his gun when he realized that even when the bullets hit...they didn't seem to do much damage. In fact, even when he did damage...it was as if they felt no pain. They just kept coming. And he had to get to Greer.

Apex snarled. He had to get to Greer. He had to save her...Working through the pain, he clawed at his attackers only to freeze in surprise as two gunshots rang in the air...Followed by the stillness of the two guards as they went limp in his hands. He dropped them, seeing two smoking holes underneath where their helmets ended...just at the brain stem.

Ape turned his attention from the dead guards to the tigress who stood before him…a gun in her hand, blood trailing from her mouth while her eyes blazed a deadly shade of red.

"Greer?" Apex took a step towards her but she just shook her head.

"I'M FINE! I'm in control! Lets just get out of here!" Tigra snarled. As Apex moved to follow, he wondered what happened to the other guard. He didn't need to look far...The man way lying in the corner with what looked like a huge chunk of his calf missing...along with his head. Without a word, Apex followed an already sprinting Greer towards the exit...This wasn't going to end well.

...

Greer still hadn't said a word.

She had seemed alright as they made it out of the compound, Apex triggering the explosives ensuring any pursuit would be too occupied saving their precious research...research he had already stolen or corrupted.

It wasn't until they were a mile out that Greer suddenly slowed down. Apex turned to ask her what was wrong but saw what was happening...the red of her eyes were fading...reverting to their natural emerald. She eyed him with confusion, which transitioned into sadness, her brow furrowing as a hand went to her mouth.

He tried asking her what was wrong but she just shook her head, her breathing shallow and erratic. He saw her try to take a few steps forwards but she was tripping over herself...Apex now genuinely feared she might have another seizure. He quickly came over and gently held her by the shoulders, attempting to brace her.

"Greer...we can't stay here." But she just nodded her head. Without asking for permission, he scooped Greer up and carried her the rest of the way. She didn't say a word...just laid her head against his chest and breathed deeply.

Domino wasn't been happy when they reached the chopper. Greer shrugged her way out Apex's arms and started walking on her own, head bowed.

"What the fuck?! What part of 'play nice' don't you understand!?" They couldn't see the smoke but the fire from the explosion lit up the horizon behind them.

"They triggered a self-destruct. I have the package. Take us home." Apex moved passed Domino towards the chopper but she just ran beside him.

"Bullshit. Don't screw with me Apex...What the hell happened...and what's her problem?" Domino reached out to grab Greer's arm when she instead found herself whipped around and slammed into the body of the helicopter, Apex with his hand pressed against her chest.

"Don't touch her." He ignored the knife Domino had pressed underneath his arm to avoid the armor...the blade wasn't long enough to puncture his lung.

"I said don't play games with me." Domino's voice was light...as if there wasn't an ex-Weapon a few pounds of pressure away from crushing her chest cavity. Apex merely growled in response...until he felt Greer's hand on his arm. The two shared a look that Domino couldn't interpret and after a moment the hand that was puncturing her suit was gone.

"OK...," Apex had moved to stand beside Greer, his hands gently on her waist as her head rested against him. She knew ferals could heal and it wasn't like the feline was bleeding...so what was her problem. "If you two are done having a moment, what the hell am I supposed to tell Fury?"

Instead of responding, Apex just tossed a memory stick at Domino which she caught as the two ferals climbed onto the chopper. Domino looked questioningly towards Apex.

"It's there. Now...take us home."

He had Dom take his armor and their weapons back to base and drop the two of them off as close to the Mansion as possible without triggering any alarms.

Greer still hadn't said anything and it was starting to worry him. She looked distant...shaken. He kept an arm around her as she leaned against on the much slower walk back. They still had a few hours till dawn...

The two made their way across the lawn and slipped back into their room. Greer felt like she was walking through a fog...she knew where she was...she knew she wanted to just get out of this suit, crawl under the covers, close her eyes and just...disappear. But instead, she was just leaning against the window sill.

Apex saw all of this and honestly didn't know what to do. He couldn't call anyone...so he just did what he could do.

Greer's suit had held up but it and Greer's hair was filthy and matted down with blood. Apex pressed a claw in the middle of her neckline and the magnetic strip that ran down the back of her suit relaxed. She didn't resist as he helped her out of it, slipping her arms out before he pulled it down the rest of the way and helping her feet out of the slings.

Greer shuffled behind him as he took her hand and guided her to the bathroom, marginally aware when the lights came on and she heard a shower running. Apex didn't even bother taking off his clothes and simply guided Greer into the shower and closed the door behind him. The first thing he did was position her directly under the water, watching the red flow down her fur as she just bent her head and allowed the water to fall on her.

Taking great care, he started cleaning her off while subtly checking to ensure she was alright. As his hands moved to her side, he felt the ribs healing on her left side and withheld a growl.

Greer had felt cold...hollow. When she felt the water hit her, as some bit of warmth sank in, awareness started to come back as well and she blinked a few times as if waking up...but still felt dazed.

When she realized she was in the shower...of Colton cleaning her...Moving slowly, Greer started peeling his clothes off, tossing it aside as he continued to get the blood out of her hair. Greer started using her own hands to get the blood out of his fur as well...being careful around the cuts and holes...she felt herself wince whenever Colton took in a sharp breath as she cleaned the wounds.

But with that awareness...came realization. She tried fighting it...of just staying numb...of just focusing on Colton...but she started from the beginning of the mission and slowly saw it play out until she was standing over those three bodies...she had used a gun...

"Colton..." Apex heard the strangled whisper and looked down as Greer latched herself onto him, her fingers sliding into his fur, as her breathing and pulse quickened, "I - I killed those men. I killed them...their gone...just like that...I - I shot them, and I..I..." Greer's eyes seemed to get wider, her claws sinking into Colton's fur.

"And those mutants...all those people..." that had come out a rattled whisper. Greer had been wrong. This was too much...she couldn't handle it, she had promised herself she would never kill...Never...and yet, "I'm a monster..."

"No...you're not." Apex rumbled, trying to tilt Greer's face up so she'd face him. But she only shook her head.

"How...How can you say that? After what I did?"

"Because if you hadn't...I wouldn't have you here...now." Greer finally looked up at Colton, to see that intense gaze focused only at her...

Apex didn't know what hit him when Greer suddenly pressed herself against him, mixing between kissing and nuzzling him. Apex hadn't been ready for the sudden force and found his back against the wall of the shower as Greer's hands wound themselves into the fur around his neck.

"Greer," Apex managed to pull her back slightly, "what are you doing?" Both of them were soaked, the blood washing down the drain beneath them.

"It's just that...I just...I need..." Greer couldn't put it into words. She needed to feel something else. Something warm. Something alive. Something safe. She wanted Colton...she needed him.

Apex however seemed to understand and soon Greer found her back against the wall as he nuzzled her neck as the water poured around them. The purpose of the shower was soon forgotten as the two felines fell into a long overdue session of mutual affection their bruises and cuts falling to the wayside as both tried to ease the pains of the other.

Kisses and caresses became more intense as the water continued to cascade down their fur, the last of the blood disappearing along with the recent mission down the drain. At least for now, they wouldn't be thinking about burning Weapon X to the ground. In fact, there was nothing but trying to get somehow even closer on either of their minds.

"Colton...I want you..." Greer's whisper was more of a growl and without stopping their affection Apex picked Greer off the ground as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Apex carried Greer to the bed and climbed onto it with her still attached. Greer's hands worked to free herself of the wet remains of her underwear before she went back to digging her claws across Colton's chest and back, illiciting a deep rumble that Greer swore she felt in her bones. Apex pulled back for only a second as he looked at her.

"Please...don't stop..." Greer couldn't help the deep heat radiating out of her. This was what she wanted...what she needed.

Apex didn't resist as Greer pulled him back to her...

Greer didn't open her eyes right away. She just went into a deep stretch, letting a long purr show she appreciated whatever it was that Colton had been doing.

Apex had woken up once the sun had hit the bed. But instead of getting up, he had just rolled over and watched as Greer, asleep on her side with her back to him, slowly rose and fell...going over how he had gone from his box at Weapon X...to last night...and now here. When he saw Greer starting to stir, he had reached out a claw to slowly trace the stripes from Greer's lower back, across her hip and then the large one that covered her thighs...before starting over again at the top...that's when the purring had started.

"mmm...don't stop doing that..." Greer managed to mutter in between purrs as she rolled onto her stomach to give Colton more access. She was ready to lay just like that...until mid-stretch, Greer caught sight of herself in a mirror and her eyes popped wide open.

"What are you doing?" Colton asked as Greer tried to hide under her pillow suddenly.

"You can't see me like this, Oh my God ..."

"What are you talking about?" Apex managed to pry the pillow out from Greer claws but she just pulled the blanket around herself, leaving lose tendrils of red hair. "See you like what?"

"I'm a mess! I mean...My face..my hair is...and I'm...just...Don't look at me..." Apex raised a confused eyebrow as Greer let out a little groan at how ridiculous she must have looked right now. This was a very quick reversal from a few seconds ago...he preferred a few seconds ago.

"What's wrong with your hair?" Apex used a hand to drag Greer closer until it was wrapped around her stomach as he lowered his muzzle so that his chin rested on the back of her shoulder. "I like your hair."

Greer couldn't help but grin, turning her head slightly so she could peek at Colton.

"You're kidding right? I know I have to look like I spun on my head last night...I mean...not for a lack of trying." Thinking about last night just made Greer feel warm again...god...it had been so long...The last time had been with Billy...but that was when she was still a teenager. Greer inhaled, she'd almost forgotten how goooood it felt. Not to mention that whatever she had done with Billy...had no comparison to what happened last night...they were worlds apart.

"I disagree," Greer pouted a little, ready to go back into hiding until Apex flipped her over so that she was again facing him, "I always think of you as when you first wake up in the morning."

Greer's mouth dropped a little. He had just said it so...bluntly...as if it should have been obvious. Regardless, it was somehow exactly what Greer wanted to hear. She quickly reclaimed her composure with a grin.

"So what...that means you don't like me when I get all dressed up for you?" Greer maneuvered herself so that Apex was now firmly on top of her, her hands once again tracing designs in his fur as he returned the favor along her sides.

"I do...but there are certain benefits to how you are right now." Greer grinned wider, letting the blankets fall where they may as she slowly started to warm up to his viewpoint.

"Really? What's your favorite part?" she asked, sliding her hand across his stomach and biting her lip as she looked up at him...almost, but not quite coy.

"Your eyes..." Apex gently bumped his forehead against hers.

"Mhmmm...that's mine too."

"The two stripes...on your hip." Apex's hand traced his claws along them as Greer squirmed a little.

"I like your arms...how they make me feel." Greer claws left tracks as she traced her own claws along his arms

"How is that?" Apex was taking deep breaths as Greer's movement became a bit more insistent beneath him.

"Safe...And what about the hair...I thought you liked the hair?" she sounded a little out of breath as what Greer was doing was making it difficult for him to concentrate as she started to purr again.

"I do..." The growl in his voice had Greer's hair stand up, taking a deep breath all she could get was his scent. 'Alright...enough games.'

Greer let out a playful growl and without warning used her legs to flip Apex onto his back, the sheets no longer of use. She leaned back...just soaking in the look he gave her as both ferals lost the little restraint they had left as they picked up from where they left off last night.

She had to agree with him on that point...there certainly were benefits.