APOLOGY: Sorry that it's been awhile since the previous update. Oh the agony! Forgive me! BUT I AM BACK!
Chapter Nine
Falling For You
They split off into three groups, Rogue clenching her teeth as Scott designated her and Logan as a pair. Wolverine growled under his breath, marching stiffly over to the young woman and glanced down at her before stalking passed. Rogue seethed and whirled around to run and catch up. Mutely, they trekked up the rusty iron stairs leading to the observation deck and offices.
Stepping into a dark room, Rogue muttered: "Why would the disc be here anyway? It would be stupid to keep moving it from warehouse to warehouse." Her voice faded off as she disappeared deeper into the room, leaving Logan prowling around the entrance.
Logan sighed, his nose twitching. A sudden clattering erupted the silence and he barked hissing-like, "What did I tell?" He stormed into the room to see Rogue standing by a tipped over filing cabinet looking sheepish. "The Brotherhood is lurking around. I can smell their anxiety."
"I'm sorry," Rogue apologized, rolling her eyes while making sure her gloves were secure. "Maybe you're smelling their lingering scent. We've been in here ten minutes and still no sign of them. Or maybe your nose has just short-circuited."
Logan snarled, flicking out his claws. "Don't you wish," he scowled as he plunged the razors into her chest, blood pooling from the gaping wounds, sliding down his fists to drip onto the cement floor. "Where's Rogue?"
Warping back into her blue self, Mystique gurgled, "Dead."
"Don't lie to me," Wolverine howled, twisting the metal claws deeper into her body. "She was just here! Now where the hell is she?"
He was met with deviance and a snotty smirk.
"Logan," Rogue's muffled voice called out to him from an air vent directly above the tipped filing cabinet.
Logan shoved Mystique aside and she collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as he lunged into the air vent. "This hasn't been my day, bub," he growled at the captor he couldn't see. "For your own damn safety you better hand her the hell back!" He crawled all the way through, sliding out into another room. He could distinctly pick out Rogue's fear and the stench of Stone. That dick.
Wolverine followed his nose down a back way stairwell; he could hear the sound of battle up ahead. Storming out the fire exit, he tackled the first mutant he saw. It was the cat-like creature that had dropped Rogue over the railing. Enraged, he wrestled with Cat, surprised by her strength and agility to maneuver around his plows. "I just busted my ass through a claustrophobic air vent, bitch: don't screw around with me! Where's Rogue?"
Cat hissed, piercing her claws into his face. "What a handsome face," she shrieked. "Too bad I'll have to slice it into mince meat!" She swung at him again, but he deflected her attack.
"Logan," Storm cried out as she scuffled with a man for all intents and purposes liked relatively normal except for his unusually slanted eyes. "He took her towards the woods!"
Logan deflected a blow from Cat, twisting around and slamming his clenched fists into her abdomen. As she wailed in pain, Logan tore off into the direction of the woods. "Rogue," he yelled as he zipped through the trees, his ears straining and his nose flaring. Where the hell is she?
"Logan!"
He whirled around…and then back again. "Rogue, kid, where are you?"
"I'm up here," her voice filtered down from the height of the nearest tree.
Logan peered up, his chest constricting at the sight of her dangerously perched on the highest branch. "Rogue," was all he could mention to say, too stunned and still releasing the fear that had gripped him.
She shrugged. "I kicked his ass, but he came at me again and I just sort of…ended up here."
"You mean you flew."
"Whatever. But I can't…I don't know how to get down," she admitted sheepishly.
"The same way you got up."
"Logan," she scolded, her auburn hair whipping around her angelic, irritated face. "I'm serious."
"So am I. Just let go. If for some bullshit reason you don't fly then I'll be down here to break your ungraceful fall. Now let go, kid, we ain't got all day."
"Oh how compassionate you are," she bit sarcastically. "And what if I fall and you don't catch me?"
"I will." He held his arms out, ready to take the burnt of her fall. "I promise."
"Why don't we just wait for Storm? She can fly up and get me."
"Damn it, kid, we're in the battle of a fight. She can't just waltz over here and get you. Now jump!"
Rogue braced herself then let go, sailing through the air for seconds before colliding into Logan, his arms enfolding her as he stumbled backwards, loosing his footing as his knees buckled, but miraculously staying upright. He inhaled sharply, the fragrances of her lilac shampoo, wild rose perfume, and natural sent electrifying his senses. Her face was pressed into his neck, her sultry breath tingly his skin deep into his blood. Impulsively, he moaned, closing his eyes. He felt her shift in his arms and when he opened his eyes he found himself staring intently into her pools of liquid green.
"Marie," he whispered reverently, his eyes searching hers. Why was he so attracted to this young life he now held in his arms? What was it about her that he couldn't ignore? "I…see, I told you I would catch you."
"I knew you would."
"Is she alright?" Cyclops came running towards them, his face grim.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Rogue replied as she disengaged herself from Logan. "Did you find the disc?"
"No," Scott spat, disgusted with him self. "Another dead end. Storm's waiting at the ship. Let's go."
As Rogue stepped further away, Logan felt more and more empty.
NOTE: In the Marvel world, Rogue's eyes changed from green to blue. I think it has something to do with her absorbing Ms. Marvel's life. I don't know. But I made them green, ok?
End Chapter Nine
SouthernersCanWrestle: I hope you were able to stay upright this time. /smiles/
Canadian-Lynx: He didn't necessarily take her, but I hope it was too your satisfaction.
Roguechere: Hee, hee, hee…but I think Logan already knows. He's just trying to deny it like a typical man.
Jo: Thanks a bundle!
Fantasy Cat: I'm writing, I'm writing…
Substantivo: Of course I know it, but do they?
Galxychld: I think Rogue does, too. And wouldn't you feel embarrassed and worried if you were in their situation?
Venus Smurf: Ha, ha, ha thank you VERY much for all eight of your marvelous reviews! (And for the ones you sent for my Lost World stories.). And as for your Chapter 3 review: I'll fight with you! And with your Chapter 5 review, I would be honored if you put me on either list. Heck, I'm touched just knowing that you considered it! To help you out (talking about your Chapter 7 review): According to the cartoon, she gained her ability to fly from absorbing the power from another mutant whom she killed. And she is able to control it. And like you mentioned in your Chapter 8 review, Logan is easy to go nuts for! I don't blame you one bit.
AsderBlair: As usual, your review made me smile! Thank you so, so, so much!
Terminatrix T-X: I'm sorry it flew by you. Mmm…I'll try better next time. First he mentioned how the only missions that failed were the ones the "kids" were there. That pissed Rogue off because 1.) She isn't a kid; 2.) Just the previous night they had kissed; and 3.) She's a damn good X-man. She felt he was patronizing her in more ways than one. From there it became a silent argument of looks and a double meaning conversation. I hope that helps to explain it.