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Sorry I didn't update yesterday but I didn't feel like writing, what with four papers, two tests, a presentation and about five hundred pages of reading looming over my head and all. There I said it.

I know I must be terribly computer illiterate, but what does AU stand for? Does it mean Alternate Universe? Just wondering.

Um…yeah. I don't own x-men. What I *do* own is a lot of other characters that are like five bazillion times cooler! :o

That said…

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Kurt focused all of his being on the lab where he'd been captured. As he squeezed his eyes shut he caught one last glimpse of the girl called Rogue, looking disappointed and confused. Then he teleported.

In an instant he was in the half-lit room, and there on the desk lay the vial. He dropped to all fours and dashed to it, this time he would not fail. His heart leapt, it was within reach! He snatched it up and prepared to leave the accursed mansion once and for all. But a large heavy hand landed on his shoulder. The boy spun around and was flabbergasted to come face to face with a huge mutant covered in blue fur. A strangled gurgle of surprise issued from the boys throat.

"I'm afraid I cannot allow you leave with that pathogen." The elder's tone was gentle but very firm.

Kurt bared his teeth and growled. To his surprise the other mutant growled right back.

"Two can play at that game, my little thief." The massive ape-like creature chucked.

"You can't stop me," Kurt sneered.

Beast shook his head sadly, "I doubt you even know what it contains."

Kurt ducked out from under Beast's hand and backed away, but lingered, his curiosity had been aroused. Even his mother had not told him what the vial was. The teenager cocked his head slightly, questioningly.

"That vial contains a newly isolated virus known only to the lab that discovered it and as yet unnamed. The strain is derived from a highly contagious and deadly disease you may know as the bubonic plague."

Kurt's eyes widened and his tail twitched spasmodically.

"This strain has been modified and enhanced to such a degree that it is no longer dangerous to humans, but it is, however, toxic to mutants." Beast watched the reaction in the younger boy go from cautious to frightened, his hands had begun to tremble. "It targets the nervous system first, secreting a toxin that essentially inhibits the function of the x-gene. Then it moves on to the respiratory and pulmonary systems, killing the victim within days. You see, if that virus were to be introduced into the outside world, a world where it does not currently exist, it would wreak havoc upon the mutant community."

He felt weak in the knees, his mouth was dry. Here he was, Kurt Darkholme, holding one of the most deadly diseases known to man in his hands. His resolve faltered. What did his mother want with it?

"Please Kurt. Give it to me."

He stretched out his hand slowly, as if the boy were a wild animal on the verge of bolting. The teen stepped back.

"Don't do this Kurt. Give me the vial."

Just then the door to the lab burst open and Wolverine lunged for the small blue mutant. Before he could think Kurt teleported and found himself on the quiet outskirts of the grounds. It had been an instinctive reaction and he half regretted it in light of the knowledge he had gained, but he wasn't about to go back. The big oaf was probably lying to scare me, he reassured himself as he stuffed the container into his pocket.

Evening was settling over the mansion, and though it was summer and they should have been well populated with birds the trees were ominously silent. A stick cracked in the woods beyond him. All of Kurt's senses were instantly on alert as he cast his gaze suspiciously around the darkening trees. There was someone out there; someone was watching him from the shadows. A sudden overwhelming fear washed over him and he began to run, trying to shake the feeling that he was being pursued. His heart was pumping; he strained his arms and legs, urging them on to greater lengths by thoughts of an unknown foe.

With a high pitched metallic whistle something sharp buried itself into his back. He stumbled and crashed into the thick brush sending leaves flying in a cloud around him.

~Get up, get up! ~ His mind screamed.

He staggered upright and stumbled forward a few paces, dragging his tail which had rapidly become numb. Limbs began to sag as they too turned leaden. Groping desperately for the dart in his back he lost what remained of his balance and fell gracelessly to the loam.

~What's happening to me? ~ His thoughts were desperate.

Eyelids heavy, mind slowing. Sleep. He struggled to retain consciousness.

"This the one?"

"Yeah that's it."

"Damn mutie."

A hard voice sniggered as blackness overtook him.

"Think he's got it?"

"Huh. He will soon."

The two voices laughed eerily in the fading light.

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Okay, I know this is short and bad but I've lost pretty much all ambition to write. Buh. Send reviews. Maybe it'll renew my desire to finish this story.