Chapter Twenty
Do Not Go Gently
Part One
Logan slashed at his assailants, blinded with rage and the burning need to protect the cherished life lying on a gurney behind him. Her every breath was entwined with his as he pierced the flesh of one man after another. If she died tonight he knew his soul would burn for eternity out of his own self-loathing. He would sentence himself to damnation.
A dozen men pounced on him, swaying him off balance, but he quickly recovered, slicing into abdomen after abdomen. How would you like your hearts torn out! He ducked from a blow, swinging around and slamming his fist into an opponent's jaw. How would you like it if I kidnapped one of your loved ones and committed fucking experiments on them!
A large man in uniform punched Logan in the ribs; stunned when the mutant whirled around and whacked him in the chest, flinging him across the room. His comrades jumped into action, all flinging themselves at Logan at the same time, dragging the powerful man to his knees.
Logan growled, his muscles straining as he burst from the pile, tossing men aside. No one was going to keep him down.
Suddenly a shot rang out and all fell still. Logan glowered at a woman as she sauntered closer, the semi-automatic held in her hand aimed at his head. "Stryker warned me about you, Wolverine. He said you were his greatest potential, but ultimately his greatest failure."
"Sorry to disappoint, Ashley" he snarled. He recognized her scent from the elevator.
"I know you would come after her."
"Is that why you took her?" He stood rock solid, the urge to tear the woman apart nearly overwhelming. But if he got a bullet in his head, he may not recover in time to keep them from taking Rogue. And this time he had a sinking feeling he wouldn't find her – at least, not alive.
"No, no, no. We didn't take her, Wolverine. The Brotherhood did – or at least they think they did. Shadow is a double-agent."
Logan jerked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Paranoia. You thought you had to watch your back before, but now…" she grinned mischievously. "You have no idea what you're up against."
"Enlightenment me."
"I don't think so, Wolverine." She trained the weapon on Rogue. "You, however, are going to do as I say or I kill her."
A burst of blue ignited in the air followed by a body swirling, and a tail whipping the gun out of Ashley's hand. Bobby came rushing into the room, followed by Kitty. Iceman placed his hands on the floor: a sheet of ice spreading rapidly across the tiles and spreading up the soldiers' legs to imprison them.
Kurt shook his finger at Ashley, scolding her. "Gunz aren't toyz."
Logan flung around and raced towards Rogue, gathering her up in his arms. "Kurt, take her out of here," he ordered, handing the fragile woman over to the transporter.
Kurt immediately complied. Then moments later he reappeared and wrapped his arms around Kitty. "Time ta go," he muttered, vanishing once more.
"This isn't over, Wolverine," Ashley hissed, struggling to break through the ice that had wound itself up to her waist.
Logan stalked forward and leaned into her face. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you," he growled, his claws ready to skin her alive.
Kurt was back and he tugged on Logan's arm. "No, Logan."
Logan didn't even look his way. "Get Bobby out."
Kurt hesitantly stepped away and went to get the younger X-man to safety, reluctantly leaving the Wolverine alone with their enemies.
Logan pressed a razor to her face. "I'm waiting."
Ashley gazed into his hard eyes and hers turned frightened. She had no doubt that he would kill her. "Stryker was wrong. You did turn out perfectly – just working for the wrong side."
"Too bad for you."
Kurt zapped back and instantly wrapped his arms around Logan. "Not today," he said as he transported them out.
On the other side of the compound's fence, Kitty and Bobby were crouched on the ground with Rogue nestled between them. Logan stiffly walked forward and scooped her up, cradling her once more against him. Silently he marched off toward the car they had stashed on the other side of the hills.
Part Two
The whirring of the machines was the only indicator that she was still alive. Logan paced the room, filled with adrenaline that had no outlet. Doctor Hank McCoy rapidly glanced his way. "Logan, you are distracting me. Please, wait outside. I am almost finished."
Logan halted and faced the doctor. "No," he snapped.
Beast sighed. "Please."
Logan grunted, hesitating before storming out of the room. He needed to tear something apart. The memory of seeing Rogue so vulnerable inside the glass tube made his blood boil and his veins pop. She of all people didn't deserve such a violation. She'd already been through enough with Magneto and himself.
The image of her panged and shocked face after he had stabbed her through the chest was engraved in his mind. Furious, Logan roared and punched a whole through the wall. She deserved more – something greater than all this. She deserved to have her dreams be reality.
Children. Logan slid to the floor onto his knees. She wants children.
Could he do it? Could Wolverine accept her love and in turn give her what she most desired?
This is foolishness talking, he thought. You're just upset.
But you love her, a tiny voice in his head said. You've told her.
I know that! But that doesn't mean anything has to become of it.
She's dying. She needs someone to love her.
Logan growled. Damn his conscious. Damn his conscious for being right.
End Chapter Twenty
Snoob: Lol. No problem.
RogCher: How someone can't possibly love him is beyond me!
Rog/Kit/Dan fan: I don't know who Danielle Moonstar is. I don't watch the cartoon. Sorry. I only know about Kitty because she was vaguely mentioned in the movies.
Madem Morte: You know, I've read a few, but none of them stuck with me. If I think of one, I will certainly let you know.
SouthCanWrest: Lol. I'm a hypocrite, too. I hate cliffhangers!
Hotaru: Thank you so much. You made my day!