Angel LeeAnn: I love when people actually comment on what happens in the story - thank you for that. I agree that Jean deserved an Ass Kicking but I'm really trying not to make her too bitchy, hopefully she'll get better.

Kadyn: Mind powers? *puppy dog face* I enjoy free will so here you go. I'm glad you think my portrayal of Logan and Marie fits. When I first started this I was seriously scared that I wouldn't get them right. Thanks for letting me know I'm on track.

Mish: Longer? Yes. Thank you sweets, now all we have to do is get Melly in here to review then I'll be happy.

Well this is Chapter Nine… which means only two more left. Reviews would be nice - maybe even thoughts on how you guys think it should unfold. I love thoughts and ideas. Thanks so much to every one who's reviewed so far - I never have quite liked FF.net for the feedback but you've revived my faith or perhaps hope I don't know pick a word and run with it. Enjoy this part and know that anything that unfolds is not my fault my hands have minds of there own.

~Gimpy~

{Chapter 9}

****

A florescent light accosted her senses, its persistent presence forcing her eyes to stray from the spot she'd been staring at for endless hours. Not long after her captor had left her distraught and blanketed in the dark she'd given up the fight with the steeled cuffs. Broken and numb she'd bowed her head and simply stared. She never blinked, even when her drying eyes cried out to her to give them a brief moment of protection from the dusty air. She just stared, uncaring, unfeeling, unmoving. The sounds of people waking, talking and laughing in the early morning hours didn't register to her. Nothing did.

Now, no longer cocooned in the catatonic bliss but still lethargic, she paid attention. Her captor's voice floated through the air, assaulting her ears with its smooth tones. He was preaching, what she couldn't decipher but she could guess. He was preparing her soon to be victims for what lay ahead of them. Pressing back into the stone pillar she curled even further into herself. Try as her captor might, he would never be ready for the shock that would come.

The tiny voice of Logan in her head told her to stay strong reassured her that the real Logan would come but even his words weren't enough. Her Logan growled at her willingness to just give up and she smiled at the familiar sound. The barely there grin lasted a moment snuffed in the realization that she would never hear that animalistic growl again. The tears she wanted to cry wouldn't come, there were none left. Not a single drop for herself, for the people in the other room, even for the love she'd leave behind.

"Logan," she moaned his name, desperate just to see him, tell him he'd be okay with out her. The inner Logan protested the thought and Marie knew with all her heart that he wouldn't be okay. For a long time after today nothing was going to be okay, for him or her makeshift family at Xavier's school.

Marie didn't know what hurt more, the fact that she was going to be the end for dozens of lives as well as her own or that she was going to leave Logan alone in a world he barely tolerated.

The sheltered bubbled she lost herself in burst as a new presence entered the room. She didn't glance away or hide from the new comer. No longer was she going to be the helpless victim. Cocking her head she glared into the smug face of her captor who had now entered the room.

"Morning Marie," he smiled. "Sleep well?" His crude remark didn't unnerve the coldness Marie was exuding.

Slowly a tender chuckle rippled through the air forcing the words from Marie's captor to stop. Where it came from Marie didn't know but she couldn't stop it. Malicious laughs flowed from her small form, directed at the thoroughly confused man. Her dancing eyes mocked him with vigor and for once a hesitation could be seen behind his coif exterior.

"What?"

Marie sobered slightly, letting out a content sigh. The crooked smile lingered, her lips unwilling to move. She delighted in the faltering of her composed captor. Relaxing into a pretense of being calm she simply eyed him until he could no longer hold her gaze. It was a victory however small and Marie relished in it. He may have control over her future but she wouldn't let him control her emotions.

"You are an enigma - unpredictable in every sense. Mock all you like, play mind games if you wish, your death will still be a torturous end."

"You don't scare me William's," her voice horse from remaining idle all night still resounded in the small room. At the mention of his name his head snapped back around and she smiled. "Or should I say Mystique."

Shimmering gray eyes flashed a vibrant yellow and Marie found herself shoved menacingly into the pillar. Her fortitude didn't falter for a moment, her own gleaming eyes matching the venom of yellow before her. Seething breathes struggled to escape the furious mutant and Marie's lips curved even deeper. Every feature of the young woman screamed of malice.

"Seems I got a little more in my head than you thought." Her slicing words enraged Mystique even further and her masculine hands clamped down with bruising force.

A light seemingly switched on in her attacker's eyes and she pulled away. "It changes nothing."

"I suppose not, they'd never believe me not over you, their charming leader."

"Exactly."

"Course…" Marie drawled, her words vibrating through Mystique. "If Charles knows about you… he does have the unique ability to coerce Eric for information. He could be in his cell right now…"

As if accentuating Marie's words a small ringing sound filled the room. Both mutants froze, Mystiques eyes reverting back to the man she'd personified.

"He wouldn't dare."

"Then why are you nervous about answering a phone?"

Uncertain eyes roamed over the room landing on Williams's desk, the incessant sound vibrated from within its confines. Marie knew for a fact that line was for emergencies only, the information pouring through her from her earlier contact with William's/Mystique. She quirked her brow, imitating and satisfying the Logan within.

A low snarl echoed off the walls and Mystique charged towards the desk, snapping the phone to her ear. The voice that flowed from her lips was feminine and angered. "I thought I told you never to call me on this line!"

"He's already there, isn't he?" Marie quirked when a gaping mouth fell open.

Ignoring Marie, Mystique growled into the phone. "Stall." With that she snapped the phone shut, ending the conversation. "Don't celebrate just yet child. The timeline will just need to be tweaked a little." Slowly the feminine voice transgressed into the deeper baritone of Williams. Anger weighted feet marched out of the room.

The strength Marie had stumbled upon vanished in a split second and tears welled in her forest green eyes. "Logan," Marie whimpered softly. "Hurry…"

****

Xavier's subdued exterior attempted to slip as he was slowly wheeled down the clear plastic tunnel. The security officer behind him stayed silent as he positioned him inside. Xavier could feel his agitation towards the prisoner radiating from him and tried to shrug it off. His ability to ward off the thoughts of others was waning as his own emotions threatened to take over.

Eric ignored his presence already knowing who had come to visit him. Visitors were prohibited and only Charles had even come, his power reaching levels above the institute he was being held in. Waiting for the guard to retreat back into the fold it was only then that either man spoke.

"Have you come to rescue me Charles?" Eric's melancholy voice broke the silence first.

"Not today Eric." It was easy to fall into the light banter the two old friends had shared long before the rift between them had formed.

"Then to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked, pulling away from his bent position over the table to peer at his former colleague.

Collecting himself mentally, Charles went straight to the point. "Rogue's been kidnapped."

A flash of shock streaked across Eric's face. "Pity. The young woman had formidable potential but I know nothing Charles. If you haven't noticed my accommodations."

"True, but her kidnapper is a dear friend of yours. A certain woman with many faces." Conscious of the camera's that lingered in every corner of the clear cell Xavier endeavored to remain as aloof as possible.

"Ah yes, and many talents." Eric smiled at the thought but quickly shifted. "I'm sorry Charles but I cannot give what I do not have. If she is indeed within the grasp of…my dear friend…then she is lost to you."

The grayed man stiffened within the confines of his wheelchair. "Anything you can provide would be of help but I am not willing to give up so easily."

"I care for the girl as much as you do old friend, you know that. What happened…it never had anything to do with her and if I could…" Eric paused breathing in a solemn sigh. Charles felt his friend's emotions and knew without a doubt that he did indeed care for Marie. "A cause is a cause and the means sometimes outweigh the consequences, you know that."

"Would it help for you to know that even with my…our invention I still cannot find either woman?" Xavier asked, hope interlacing with his words.

A long moment passed as Eric's mind wrapped around that bit of information. Leaning towards Xavier he asked, "What would become of my dear friend and myself if I…happened to know something?" At the perturbed look on Xavier's face Eric quickly added, "Don't take that in the wrong context, I am simply trying to achieve what I must."

"I understand that…" With a disheartened sigh Xavier opened a link between himself and Eric. ~ She would not be harmed. I can promise you that. ~

~ Can you honestly predict the animal's instincts to protect what is his? ~

~ Leave Logan to my devices, Marie's life is at stake. ~ Xavier tried to keep his hesitation from his foe. Logan was not going to be easy but to his surprise Eric became fixed instead with the name he'd mentally spoke.

~ Is that her name? Marie? ~ A light fatherly smile graced his hardened features. A sight Xavier hadn't seen in many years. ~ A beautiful name for an even more beautiful girl… I'll tell you what you need to know and in exchange you will tell my dear friend my exact location. She'll take care of the rest. ~

Hating himself for even thinking of attributing to the escape that would likely follow, Xavier knew beyond a doubt that Marie's life meant more. With a somber nod, Xavier allocated the information Eric sent his way. Wheeling his way towards the door he motioned to the guards and turned back. "I suppose it was too much to ask that our interactions would be on level ground."

"Perhaps in the future we will see eye to eye Charles…" Eric smiled a secretive and sly smile.

"And until that day comes?" Xavier asked as the guard moved to wheel him back down the tunnel.

"We will simply have to endure the blind folds. When you find the girl…don't hesitate to let me know." It was a plea more then a request, one that Xavier had every intention of upholding.