Teehee…Please, please don't kill me for this…I couldn't help myself…At least no I can start working on some Romy-ness…
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Three
Chomping on an unlit cigar Wolverine shook his head gently, "Kidnapping a sick girl seems low even for Magneto, Chuck."
"Indeed Logan it does," Xavier sighed deeply, "Is there any reason we should doubt Asli's word that the girl was kidnapped?"
Logan shifted uncomfortably; it was highly improbable that Asli Fraser would ever lie about something like this even to save her own hide. He could see her lying about weapons of mass destruction but not about a child being ripped away from its home-that would hit too close for home for the girl. "No. That's not her style."
"If you don't mind me asking what is her style?" Charles frowned wanting to know more about the hacker before trusting her with the safety of one of his students.
"As far as I know she was acquired by the program when she was eight." Logan wrinkled his forehead trying to remember, "This was before X-23-I'm not even sure it was a full branch of weapon X. I know the doctor in charge Carter messed around with her genetic code and added all the implants-but I don't know what they all do beside speed up her reflexes."
"You've recovered these memories?"
Making a point to stare at his feet Logan shook his head, "Nah, the kid found me when I was off looking for some answers last year…She gave me all the info she had…We're talking flies-even video tape Chuck. It jogged my memory real fast. I wanted to kill that son of a bitch Carter…"
Xavier frowned-Logan was defiantly projecting homicidal feelings about the Doctor, "I'm afraid I have to ask…But did you?"
"Nah," Logan reined in his emotions through sheer dint of will, "When I asked where he was Asli went weird on me…Apparently the whole operation was shut down by an accident which happened to kill Mengele Junior and provide a handy distraction while Asli made her escape."
"When was this?" the telepath wondered a loud.
Logan concentrated, "The kid would have been fourteen. She's been on her own living in the shadows since then. That's why I don't think she'd lie about this Chuck-Asli's got a thing for protecting innocent kids…it's as if she's trying to stop what they did to her from happening again."
Xavier could feel the truth in the feral mutant's words-he simply could not abandon an innocent girl to Magneto's whims, "Alright then Logan," he pushed a folder towards the other man, "Cypher has given us the co-ordinates and security specifications of the base Illyana is being held in. Are you willing to retrieve her?"
"Course Chuck." Logan stood and flexed looking forward to the fight ahead-life at the Mansion was making him soft. That was if you discounted the ever ready vigilance needed to stave off pranks pulled by the new recruits. "I'll leave in a few hours."
The Professor was about to answer when his office phone rang. Grimacing apologetically he picked up the receiver, "Charles Xavier."
"Professor Xavier?" a male voice queried on the other end-with his advanced senses Logan had no trouble hearing it, "This is Warren Worthington…"
"Ahh, yes Angel," Xavier smiled remembering the winged mutant millionaire, "Do what do I owe this pleasure?"
There was a pause, "I didn't know who else to call actually. Someone broke into my home last night…"
Xavier frowned, "Was anything taken?"
"That's why I'm calling," Worthington replied tiredly, "It was just an old box…but I have the best security money can buy…I have no clue how someone could have gotten in to take it. I was wondering if you could send someone to help me recover the item."
Logan nodded enthusiastically-he knew exactly who should play detective this time, "Chuck why don't' you send Cypher and Rogue…Give them time to work together. If all goes well…"
He didn't have to finish the thought. Charles inclined his head, it was a perfect solution, it helped Angel and gave Cypher a chance to gain his trust and Rogue's. "Warren? I can send you young Rogue-you met her already and Cypher as early as tonight. They will do their best to assist you."
"Thank you Professor," some of the strain in Worthington's voice ebbed away, "I'll ready guest rooms for them so they can stay here."
They disconnected. Xavier gazed at the phone in his hand and thanked Fortune for smiling on him. "Logan before you leave can you have Rogue and Cypher come for a briefing?"
"Sure, Chuck." Logan stood gracefully, "You know when push comes to shove Stripes will go with Cypher if she thinks she can do some good."
Xavier nodded knowing full well that Rogue would be the first to offer aid if the cause was worthy. Sitting back in his wheelchair the telepath couldn't help a tired sigh, "In the end it will have to be Rogue's decision. We have given all of the X-men the knowledge and skills to choose their own paths."
Both men silently prayed that the young Goth would make the right choice.
************
Slowly shutting the door Asli shook her head in disbelief that Professor Xavier was allowing her and Rogue to leave his sphere of influence even for the briefest time since she had expressed an interest in the girl. Smooth Chuck, she thought walking beside Rogue towards the dorms to pack for their trip, Test my loyalty and hers in one shot. "This should be fun," Asli broke the silence-after all it was a free trip to New York City.
"Until the other shoe drops you mean?" Rogue drawled not as assuredly as she would have hoped-but here she was being offered a nearly unchaperoned visit into New York City on a silver platter-but she couldn't find any joy in it.
"Oh come on! Like you aren't looking forward to being out from Logan's all Seeing Eye. It's time to let our hair down," Asli waved her hands theatrically.
In spite of herself had a feeling that this trip would be a good mix of business and pleasure-ever since her psyche induced 'breakdown' she had felt confined in the Mansion. The prospect of some time in NYC even if it meant having to drudge around Angel's security systems was enough to temp a saint.
Rogue could feel her resolve slipping away inch by inch-it's not like she was Jean-perfect, rule abiding and boring as spit. She deserved some fun in her life. A trained observer could have pinpointed the exact moment that the Goth buckled under the onslaught of Asli's enthusiasm. "Maybe I could finally get my belly button pierced…"
"That's my girl! Fight conformity!" Asli grinned widely happy to have a chance to avoid Pitor's attentions and the sticky situation that could bring, "I know some cool clubs on the eastside…very dark and very loud."
Rogue pushed back her white forelock and choked back her comment about the advisability of taking her poisonous skin into a crowded night club-especially since it was attached to her under age body. Mostly because Asli had stopped dead in her tracks and the hulking form of Colossus was making it's determined way towards them. "Umm, I think I'm gonna go pack." Rogue backed away to allow privacy, "Why don't we meet in the garage in an hour?"
Asli nodded distantly but her eyes were locked on Pitor. He smiled softly, "Were you leaving without telling me?"
"The Professor wants Rogue and I to check out a security breech for a friend of his-it was kind of last minute." Asli hedged wanting to be anywhere but in the hallway right then.
Pitor stared down at Asli intently, "There was something I wanted to ask of you."
"Pitor…" Asli stammered struck by how close together they were standing.
"Shh…" His put a gentle finger to her lips to stop the torrent of words, "I understand that you heard Kitty and I talking…I do not want to rush you. But know that I will be here when you are ready."
He leaned downwards, moving his hand along Asli's chin to rest against her neck. So slowly that Asli felt aniticipation shooting through her every limb Pitor kissed her lips. At first he was gentle and Asli could not help but return the kiss-emotion churning her stomach-but the passion built between them and the kiss deepened.
Asli was about to curl her arms around Pitor's waist to pull her body closer when she stopped-this could not happen. She knew full well the lengths the Russian would go to for those he loved-and there was no way Asli wanted to be used against him-or to have him used against her. The need to protect Pitor even from loving her was a splash of cold water on Asli's heart and she forced herself to pull away.
Without a word Asli pushed past Pitor and walked towards her room feeling his deep eyes boring into her back with each step. It took all her strength not to turn back and fall into his arms-to take all that his kiss had promised. She slammed the door to the room she shared with Jean shut behind her and hoped that Pitor would leave before she had to meet Rogue.
The beating of her heart signaled that the closeness they had felt had become more. Ruthlessly Asli crushed that new born sentiment-she had seen the ravages of love firsthand-and she cared too much about Pitor to make him a causality of that particular war.