Chapter Five

Stranger in the Dark

Rogue instinctively kept away from the shadows as she padded down the stairs.  She'd been unable to return to the blissfulness of sleep, her stomach churning as she pondered over Logan's behavior.  It didn't truly surprise her for he was a man of little words when it came to his emotions and fears.  And, yet, there something oddly unsettling about the way his hazel eyes had been glazed over.

She went straight for the kitchen.  It was where he usually ended up when he couldn't sleep or needed to get away.  She was baffled when she poked her head in to find the room empty.  Worried, she searched the TV room, recreation room, patio, and sunroom to no prevail.  Unease crept into her gut and she headed for the garage.  Could he have gone out?

She entered the pitch-black room, her hand sweeping across the wall rummaging around for the light switch.  She shrieked when an iron grip clasped around her wrist and yanked her away from the wall.  Losing her balance, she stumbled; and she would've crashed to the floor if a strong arm hadn't wrapped around her waist and jerked her back to her feet causing her to cry out. 

Her assailant breathed heavily against her right ear, causing her auburn to sway.  "Quiet," a deep voice ordered.

Rogue flailed, trying to get away, but she was no match for her attacker.  He swept his foot around, knocking her off her feet and slammed her down, his large body pressing her against the concrete of the garage.  The breath was knocked out of her and she lay utterly still, fighting to inhale, but finding it damn near impossible with the weight of her attacker crushing her.

He leaned his face down, his throat rumbling in a deep growl.  "Who are you?"

Rogue, finally managing to breathe, snapped, "What the hell do you want from me?"  The face of her baby danced into her line of vision and Rogue knew she'd do anything to keep Charlie safe.  Anything.  There was no way this man was getting passed her.

"I'll kill you," he threatened softly, pressing a knife into the smoothness of her pale neck  "And I'll do it with pleasure.  Now take me to your commander.  Now."

Oh God, Logan, where are you?  Rogue, her heart pounding, nodded her agreement.  Maybe if she could just stand she'd be able to gain the upper hand.

The man climbed off her, holding her arms securely against her back.  She winced as her shoulders strained, fearing he may pop them out of their sockets.  He pushed her forward.  "Move it, girly."

Rogue staggered toward the door that was still ajar, a small beam of light falling over a tiny portion of the garage.  "What are you doing here," she asked.  "Do you work for Stryker?  The Brotherhood?"

He shoved her harshly through the door, her left side smacking into the doorframe.  "Shut up and keep moving."

Risking a glance, she looked back at her assailant.  If she couldn't fight him off, she wanted to at least know what he looked like.  She gasped when her eyes fell on his hardened face.  She released his name in a breath of stunned air: "Logan?"

He snapped his cold eyes to hers, glowering daggers at her.  Rogue had never been more terrified in her life.  "Logan, it's me.  It's Rogue – Marie?  What the hell is going on?"

He struck her across the face.  "Shut up," he roared.  "I'm not Logan!  I'm Wolverine!  And if you dare try anything stupid I'll shred you into pieces!  Now move it!"

Tears burned her eyes and she trudged ahead.  What the hell was going on?  She led him down the hall, not knowing where to take him.  Other than Bobby, all the other X-men were gone for D.C.  Did she want to place her former boyfriend into this danger?

Charlie.

Rogue veered off toward the back stairs.  She'd take Logan to Bobby's room the long way to avoid passing Charlie's bedroom.  Moments later she knocked on Iceman's door and called out, "Open up!"

A minute ticked away before Bobby swung open his door and peered out with blurry eyes.  "What," he grumbled.  He caught a better look at the way Logan was holding Rogue, and Bobby's sense went on high alert.  Something was obviously wrong.

Logan tossed Rogue aside, snapping out his claws.  "Your mine," he growled, lunging at Bobby.

Rogue leapt onto Logan's back and he roared, flinging her off.  She crashed into a bookshelf.  This gave Bobby enough time to grab Logan's arm.  Instantly, a sheet of ice spread over his body, coating him in a thick layer.  Rogue, grimacing in pain, struggled to her feet and rushed over.  "Bobby!  No!  You'll kill him!"

"I'm only putting him into a frozen sleep.  And what would you have me do?  He tried to kill us!"

Rogue caressed the ice over her husband's face.  "No.  It wasn't him."

"What?  Rogue, what are you talking about?"

Rogue peered into Logan's eyes.  "At least it wasn't the Logan we know.  I think it was his past."  Oh, Logan.  Why didn't you tell me?

End Chapter Five

Snoob:  Thank you very much!  I struggled over Charlie's power for a bit, trying to incorporate both his parents' powers.  I'm glad you approve.

Vegeta:  I don't know why yet either, but I'll think of something.