Chapter Seventeen
Untamed
Part One
The sun was dipping over the tree line, settling in for the night. Logan paced, scowled at anyone who looked his way, and shot his claws in and out. Finally, his patience breaking, he flew into Gambit's face, grabbing the thief by his collar. "Where the hell is she," he snapped. "We've been waiting here for hours!"
"Let go of Gambit, mon ami," Remy warned.
"Or what," Logan growled, slamming his opponent against the side of the jet.
"Gambit won't help you get your petite amante back."
"Quit calling her that," Logan roared, smashing Gambit against the plane again. "She's not my little lover!"
"Oh no? Then what is she?"
"She's the most important thing in the world to me! And I swear on my life that if anything – anything – happens to her while we're dicking around here, I'm going to kill you, you pathetic-worthless-piece-of-shit!"
"Logan, enough." Scott placed his hand on Logan's shoulder.
Logan shoved the hand away and stormed off, stopping only once he was just inside the tree line where he crushed his fist into the nearest tree and howled.
For the next hour, no one approached him as he prowled the surrounding area. It wasn't until the distant sound of a chopper was heard before Logan came trekking back, rejuvenated with renewed hope. "That better be her," he hissed at Gambit as the helicopter set down.
Shadow leapt out of the helicopter, smirking at the X-men. "Do you have it?"
"Do you have her," Gambit replied.
Shadow paused, debating, before nodding to someone inside the helicopter. Rogue was shoved from the chopper, collapsing onto the ground with a sickening thud. Wolverine stiffened, anger boiling through his veins. Yet, he new that any sudden movements wouldn't benefit the young woman crumbled on the floor.
Gambit clucked his tongue. "You harmed her. You broke Gambit's deal."
"The disc," Shadow hissed. "Or you never see the girl again."
Bobby peered at Gambit nervously. Scott and Storm exchanged glances. Logan nodded to Kurt. Like lightening, the blue transporter zapped himself to Rogue, gathered her up, and reemerged by the jet. Shadow chuckled and began applauding. "That was well down. Yet, I knew there was a chance you would rescue her before I got the disc. So, I made preparations."
"No," Logan yelled. He glared harshly at Gambit. "Give him the damn disc!"
Gambit pulled the valued disc from his trench coat and stared at it. Closing his eyes, he tossed it to Shadow. Shadow grabbed it from the air and it immediately exploded, flinging the mutant back. In an instant, a unit of mutants rushed from the helicopter, descending on the X-men in a wave of violence.
Logan sprinted towards Kurt, scooped Rogue up in his arms, and darted for the coverage of the trees. Rogue moaned in his arms and he pressed harder, fighting to put distance between them and the enemy. "It's all right, Marie. I'm not going to let them hurt you."
"You promise," she murmured, a tinge of a tease overlaying her voice.
"I promise."
"Logan, tell me you love me."
He glanced oddly at her, whipping around a tight cluster of trees. "What?"
"Please. I need to hear it."
What have they done to her? "I love you, Marie. And I'm going to protect you forever."
Her smile turned malicious. "Perfect." Her foot came up, smacking into the side of his face as her elbow smashed into his jaw.
Caught off guard, Logan dropped her and staggered. Rogue attacked him again, using both her feet to slam into his chest. He stumbled, but balanced himself, ripping out his claws. He had been so blinded by his concern for her that he hadn't picked up on the scent hidden beneath Rogue's perfume. "I should've known. Mystique."
Mystique, still disguised as Rogue, bowed her head. "You're losing your touch, Logan."
"Where is she!"
"Your beloved little woman is where she belongs! With the Brotherhood!"
Logan snarled and lunged at Mystique, tearing his claws into her flesh. "I've let you live one to many times!" He stabbed her again and again, tears stinging at his eyes as he continued to assault Rogue's image. It's not her. It's not her. It only looks like her.
Part Two
Logan burst from the trees, covered in blood. His animalistic rage had broken free and he attacked like a rabid wolf: slicing and tearing apart the mutants who had stolen his heart. He would find her if it meant killing every living thing on this earth.
End Chapter Seventeen
Asder: I'm excited that you're so excited!
Galxy: Hey, keep hoping and your wish may come true.
Krypt: Lol. I noticed that about your name, too.
RogCher: Yeah, you're "RogCher".
BoredReal: Sorry, but this chapter is late. Anyway, if you can keep waiting, I promise it'll be worth it.
Snoob: I never understood the third-person thing either. If you ever find out, let me know.
Wapps: Yeah, Gambit's really tugging on Logan's nerves.
Loganlover: Of course I'm writing more! This story still has a ways to go!
Goldensnid: Your review cracked me up! I'll watch those short chapters.
Chamaeleon: Your review was from Chapter 4, so I'm assuming you loved his last line from Chapter 4: thanks a million!
Jo: That is a thought, but I don't want to drag another plotline into the story. Besides, Jean belongs with Scott. Logan's just going to have to fight for Rogue.