Marie's POV:
Did I just drop them? I have had them for six years. SIX YEARS! I don't know, I kinda feel naked without them. Even when I wasn't wearing them, when they were safely tucked away in my jewelry box, I felt whole knowing that they were there. But now they're not.
Why was I so upset? No…better question…why was Logan so upset? So what if I was kissing a girl. I mean…I know that it was nothing. I talked to Jubes, and I guess I can understand, it's not like those kinda ideas never ran through my head…I just never acted on it. And now that we both have…ya know…tried it…we both know that we didn't really enjoy it. It was just one of those experiences. I guess I wouldn't have been so upset with her if Logan hadn't have seen. If he hadn't of acted like such a prick.
"Rouge…Rogue." Whoops…Scott's talkin' to me. He looks serious, too. "You better suit up and get down to the Ready Room."
"Right. Sorry, Scott." I gotta be in my head. I can't be distracted on a mission. I got scars to prove it.
They always make the leather look so damn glamorous. It's always, 'oooo…look at my curves in black leather. Don't I look sexy.' They never tell you that it's hot and stuffy. Oh, and do they mention that you have to peel the stuff off? No…and have you ever tried getting it back on…not a snow balls chance in hell. It's like tryin' to push a square peg in a round hole. In essence…it's not happening. Only good thing about it is when ya walk into a room. I am NOT cocky, I just know that I look good. I mean, with as much training as I go through at the ultra nutritionally balanced meals the school gives, it's hard to look anything but good. When you walk into a room with that leather on, eyes tend to follow you. And damn it, it's just flattering.
Today was no different. I walked into the Ready Room tying my hair back in a bun, and like always the guys watch. It's hard being the only girl under thirty on the team. But then there was Logan. He seemed to look at me kinda funny. I mean, in a way it was no different then how Remy and Bobby were looking, but he also looked…I dunno…astounded. He seemed to snap out of it and walk towards me. He didn't look astounded anymore…he looked angry.
"What are you doing, Rogue?" Was he growling at me? He better hope to God I don't take it the wrong way.
"What does it look like I'm doin', Logan? I'm getting ready for instructions."
"Marie I want you to get your ass upstairs and go back to makin' lesson plans or whatever you teachers do. You should not be here." He was pushing forward, trying to get me out the door. Does he think I'm stupid? Who's the one with an education above the 4th grade?
"Logan, I really don't care what you want. I have been on more missions than you can even count and I don't need ya babysittin' me. Now if you excuse me, I am going to go get my instructions." I push past him. I really didn't think it was possible, but I pushed past him and he stumbled. One small triumph for the Rogue.
"All right. Is everyone here?" The professor has wheeled onto the platform. He looks serious, but then again, when does he not look serious before a mission.
"I'll be quick because frankly, we don't have time to get into an in depth description. The government is experimenting on mutants in a remote area called Constantine Valley. We need to get there and get out. Our objective is to retrieve the twelve mutants that are being held there. We have reason to believe some or all are under the age of 10. Try not to scare them and for God sake, be careful with your aim."
"Okay guys. Lets go." Scott yelled as we made our way to the jet. He seemed to cling next to Jean. I don't blame him. There's no way in hell that he doesn't know. And just my luck, guess who gets the empty seat next to me. That's right. Wolvie.
"Marie," He's leaning over and whispering in my ear. His hand is grippin' my arm kinda tightly. "You can get off now. Ya proved to me that you're an adult now. Just don't…don't go on this mission." He's looking kinda like he's pleading. Yeah right, Marie. Keep on dreaming. THE Wolverine begging? I think not.
"If you think I am going to get off this jet, Logan. Then you must have not learned anything about me." I said as I pushed his hand from my wrist. I am not going to let him get to me. We were silent for the rest of the trip. And damn it if it wasn't uncomfortable. We made great time with Scott at the controls. Like the professor said, we had to get in and get out. We were assigned different areas of the complex, and again, I was paired with Logan. Was someone up there trying to play some big celestial joke on me?
He grumbled that we should take the south entrance and I gave a nod. I had to keep my mind on the mission and stop thinking about Logan. It was quiet as we made our way through the corridors of the building. We knew it was too silent, this was too easy. We snaked along the walls. I was starting to feel a bit worried until I saw a troop of soldiers coming at us. I know this sounds stupid, but I was relieved to see them. It meant that nothing was out of the ordinary. There was no trick up their sleeves.
Logan took most of them out, being careful not to kill, but only maim. I got a few, but for the most part the cocky bastard wouldn't let me get into it. When they were all down for the count we started going deeper into the complex. I was still a little wary but feeling better as we found the first of the holding cells. We where told that there were four holdings. One at the South, North, West and East.
We hit our first target. I came up to the door and peered through the protective glass. What I saw there made my stomach turn. Two narrow straw mattresses rested on a filthy floor. A tiny disgustingly dirty toilet lingered in the corner. But the saddest sight of all was the occupants. Two boys sat on opposite sides of the room. Neither one could have been more than 6, but they were so quite, pale and sickly looking. Not happy or full of energy like other kids their age. They were broken, and everyone, including then knew it.
The lock was electronic. Not one of my specialties. I fiddled with it for a couple minutes then turned reluctantly to my partner. "I can't get it open."
He gave me a smirk and growl. Claws extended he rammed the lock with the adamantium that adorned his knuckles. The lock seemed to squeal and howl in pain as he ripped his claws away from it. It sparked and gave an electronic gurgle, as it's last sign of life left it. I rolled my eyes and smiled tightly. "Thanks."
The two boys were unfazed by our entrance. They just seemed to look off into nothing. Even as we each gathered one into our arms, they didn't stop staring into the abyss.
"Let get out of here, Kid. Then we gotta talk." He looked longingly into my eyes, and I couldn't tell why. He looked as if he was realizing something about himself at that moment and I had no clue as to what it was.
"O-okay." Is that all I could say? I am supposed to be an English teacher for cryin' out loud. He gave me a sorta half smile and started walking back the way we came in. We were almost to the entrance; I could almost see the light shining through the doorway we had blown apart. There was a shuffling behind me. I knew something was up. I knew it was just to damn easy. Logan was a good ways away and somehow I could anticipate the uselessness of calling out to him. I set the boy down and looked him straight in the eye. He seemed to focus in on me.
"Run." I pushed him towards the exit and he turned towards me only for a minute to make sure I meant it. I nodded and as soon as I saw him catch up to Logan I turned slowly. I never saw what hit me. All I remember is the painful darkness washing over me. Even in this state of unconsciousness, there was pain. Extreme pain.