HA HA! Chapter 12 is complete. After all those years of writing and rewriting- what? It's only been a week? ... erm... okay, right then. Here's the chapter anyway. Sorry to have left you with such a downer last episode, but from the looks of things, you enjoyed it. Wow, maybe I should kill off more characters more often!

I'm kidding...

Or am I?

This chapter follows a different path in the plot, but you'll be able to catch up with Wanda and the others next chapter (Yeah, I know it's all about them, isn't it). This one was a little painful to write sometimes, but it had to be done.

Disclaimer: Amieva doesn't own the rights to X-Men, or anything related. She doesn't claim to know everything about preternaturual beings or witchcraft, nor does she ever plan to go and find out. Life is just too short.

He felt something cool and wet dab gently at his forehead.
"Where did you find him?"
There was a slight shuffling sound, followed by heavy foot-steps. "Out in the bush." a gruff voice replied. "Poor bastard has prob'ly been runnin' fer days."
"What happened to him?" asked the first voice. It was much softer, but had a very strong and proud tone.
"Bitten. Probably happened last cycle."
He groaned and shifted in his place. He cracked an eye open and was met with the faces of a young native woman and a rough-skinned little man. "Oh dear. Am I dead? Where am I?"
"Laughun City, British Columbia. You ain't dead, bub. And if yer careful, ya won't be for a very, very long time."
The young native woman placed her hand on his shoulder and kept him from sitting up. "It's best if you lay down, sir. It may be easier on you when we tell you what is going to happen."

"You know a lot about these creatures. I'm impressed." David North complimented her as Valerie cleaned her gun. He watched her in amusement. "So, you decided that a firearm was more effective than a carrot?"
Valerie gave him a sarcastic smile. "Watch it, buddy. I've got more in the kitchen."
Over the course of the past week, Valerie and David had seen each other every now and then. They had agreed to meet at the pharmacy, then walk back to Valerie's apartment to talk. They were settled in her tiny living room and going through the information that Valerie had found. It was safer for her there. Maverick knew that if Bastion, his employer, knew that this FBI agent had found their headquarters, he'd be forced to kill her.
"I probably don't know nearly as much as you do, Maverick. Like, where's the most effective place to shoot them, or what caliber of bullet is best."
David frowned as he put his own gun back together. "Is that what you want to know?"
Valerie looked up from her cleaning and saw the distressed look in his eyes. "Oh! God! I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"No, it vas an honest question. I am a Hunter, after all." David set down his gun and began stroking Valerie's pet/stray cat. The feline purred in appreciation and rolled over on her back.
"Hmph!" Valerie snorted, "you slut." she began piecing her gun back together, bit by bit. "So, if you don't mind my asking, why did you become a Hunter?"

Hank smiled broadly, despite the terrible and atrocious things his hosts were describing to him. He knew most of this information anyway. The short, broad man was named Logan Howlet. And from what Hank gathered, he had quite a bit of expertise on the subject of werewolves.
The woman, Danielle Moonstar, was also quite knowledgeable. She explained that she was from a long line of Shamans that had dealt with the curse for centuries. Hank found this all very fascinating, as a man of science would be. "Absolutely fascinating." he marveled.
"I don't see what's so fascinatin' 'bout it, bub!" Logan snapped. "Don't you know what you are now?!"
Danielle grabbed his shoulder and prevented him from going berserk. "Forgive him, Dr. McCoy. Logan has been like this for so long, the animalistic tendencies have become second-nature to him."
"I see." Hank grinned. "I suppose I'll just have to make the best of this situation, then." he inspected the bites and scratches on his arm. They had already begun to heal. "I'll be able to get some real first-hand experience. This could possibly make my research a lot easier."
Logan didn't say anything, for his mind was in shock. Had this man just say 'research' and 'first-hand experience'?! He remembered when he was bitten. Logan had fallen into a deep depression. Not to mention all the damage he had cause in his first fifty years as a Lichenthrope. He was still suffering the repercussions of his wild actions. "Mind explainin', pal?" he snarled impatiently.
"Ah." Hank's smile didn't waver at all as he went into describing his research and discoveries about the 'curse'. "I've recently went into a partnership with one Dr. Moira McTaggart. She's the expert on the subject of werewolves."
Logan was flabbergasted. "Expert?!" he snapped. Danielle squeezed his shoulder to tell him to calm himself. He conceded.

David held the park gate open for his companion. Valerie blushed and walked in ahead of him. "Thank-you." she said quietly. They walked in silence until they came to the pond. David took off his jacket and lay it down on the ground for them to sit on. Valerie felt uncomfortable with the situation. She felt like a high school girl again. She sat down on his jacket and pulled her knees up to her chest. "Nice night..." she commented.
"The moon is waxing." he replied, laying back with his arm tucked under his head. "Soon enough, it vill be full. Then I get to test my new bullets."
"That's what the silver-nitrate was for."
"Hmm?"
"That day in the pharmacy." she said, thinking back to that day. "You picked up a box of silver-nitrate. Isn't that what you were going to use it for? Killing werewolves?"
He nodded slowly. "And vampires."
"Right!" Valerie snapped her fingers. "I remember that." she smiled down at him. "I'm enjoying this."
He couldn't help but smile back. There was something about Valerie that made her enthusiasm contagious.
"It's so nice to be able to talk to someone about this stuff without having them suggest I seek professional help."
He chuckled. "Das ist gutt. I'm glad I have someone I can talk to outside the guild. No offense to my teammates, but sometimes I need to get away from them before I break my 'no killing humans' rule."
"It isn't that bad, is it?"
"Yes."
"It's a lot better than living alone." she frowned. "I've nearly driven myself crazy on multiple occasions." she laughed. It sounded forced. "It's a wonder Cecelia has been my friend for so long. But it's the price I pay for my career."
"Ah, professional, carrot-wielding, FBI agent."
She snorted and slapped his arm with the back of her hand. "I left my gun at home, okay? It was... quick thinking in unusual circumstances." she looked up at the stars. "But seriously, all I have is my career. I mean, what else is there?"
He seemed to consider her for a moment. "Meeting people. Finding a companion?"
"I don't have time for that! My work is too important to me."
David's eyes softened, as he too, watched the sky. "You sound just like me when I vas vith the CIA, except," he rolled over on his side and propped himself up with his elbow, "you're not working."
Valerie's head snapped around so quickly, she was fortunate not to have pulled a muscle. "How?! How did you-"
"The police have never bothered us before." he said casually. "I figured you were on a personal mission."
"You looked up my records, didn't you."
"Yes, that too."
"Fair enough..." she grumbled. "An eye for an eye. I read your records too."
"Then... I suppose we know each other fairly well, then." he pushed himself up into a sitting position.
Valerie watched him carefully as his face inched closer to hers. "I guess..."
"And vould you say that ve are both in the same field of vork?"
She nodded slowly, feeling his warm breath against her cheek. "What are you trying to suggest, Maverick?"
He placed one of his large hands on her cheek, and let his actions speak for themselves.

Logan cracked open a beer and downed it with the speed of a professional. "So let me get this straight... You were in the same building as a werewolf, on the night of a full moon, and you say you KNEW what you were doing?!"
"Oh, absolutely!" Hank replied enthusiastically. "I was quite eager to begin my research. However, my excitement seemed to have gotten the better of me."
"I'll say-"
"Logan!" Danielle scolded. She looked at Hank sympathetically. "You're going to go through very hard times, Dr. McCoy. But I think I may have something that can ease your transition." she stood and walked to the other end of the log house. When she was out of sight, Hank and Logan sat in silence. It was almost as if Logan was sizing him up for a challenge.
Danielle returned with a glass phial of purple liquid. Hank could smell the contents from where he was sitting. It was strong, like an herbal tea. Danielle set it down on the table in front of him. "This is Monkshood." she explained. "I don't understand the chemistry behind it, but it cushions the transformation and allows you to be in your own mind while in the body of the wolf. It's what I've been giving Logan for the past three years."
Hank took the phial and inspected it. He marveled at the liquid. "An herbal remedy. Monkshood, you say..." he snapped his fingers, "of course! Why hadn't I thought of that?" he scratched his chin as he rambled on. "Miss Moonstar, I would greatly appreciate it if you would show me how to concoct this mixture."
Danielle smiled. "Of course, Dr. McCoy, if you think it'll help."
Logan growled. His territorial instincts were provoking him. He didn't like this other male consulting with his female. Logan shook his head. He had to get better control over his inner animal. The man was a scientist. He just wanted to know how to make Danny's potion. There was nothing wrong with that, as long as he left them alone after he got what he wanted.
Danielle directed Hank toward her greenhouse and watched him leave. When the American was out of sight, she leaned over and kissed Logan on the cheek. "Thank you for understanding, Logan. You're control has improved a lot since I first met you."
"I don't know what yer talkin' about, darlin'." he grumbled.
Danielle laughed that light innocent laugh that Logan adored. "I might not have super senses, like you werewolves, but I can tell when you get jealous." she tapped the side of her head. "Animal empathy, Logan. Passed down from generation to generation."
Logan felt her hand stroke the side of his face. It ran over the rough stubble on his chin. "I know how you feel about me, Logan. You don't need to worry." she kissed him again, tasting the beer and cigars on his breath. "We'll be back in an hour, unless you want to come with us?"
Logan shook his head. "Nah, I trust ya. Besides, you know I can't stand the smell of that damn greenhouse."

Moira hung up the phone. She nearly jumped when she felt a hand cover her shoulder. "Sean, y'startled me."
He smiled. "Y'weren't callin' the p'lice again, were ye?"
"Nae." she shook her head. "Tha' was the school board."
He lead them to the couch and sat down. "An' what did they have to say?" he asked anxiously.
"They accepted!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Sean's neck. "They said I start next week. God, I haven't taught for years."
Since Hank disappeared, Sean and Moira had agreed that it would be best if she applied for a job teaching science at the high school. They had discovered that Hank left a letter of resignation on the principal's desk around the night he vanished. Wherever he was, he was well. Though his absence stirred up rumors and suspicion amongst the students, Sean continued on his lessons as though nothing was wrong.
Rahne was adjusting well to her new life. She was attending junior- high, where she was mingling amongst her peers - well, those that appeared to be her age. When Moira had checked in with Rahne's teachers, they informed her that she was excelling in History, English and Physed. However, her social skills needed improvement. She had become a recluse and avoided the other students.
"So," Sean began, "you're takin' all Hank's classes, are ye?"
She nodded. "Any students I should watch out for?" she asked.
"Aha, no, I think I'll let ye figure that out for yerself, Moira." he laughed. "I didn't get a heads-up on my first day."
She gasped dramatically and pretended to faint. "Sean, how could you. All this time an' I though' you loved me."
Sean had been laughing, but he suddenly stopped and looked very, very serious.
Moira looked up at him in confusion. "Sean?"
He seemed to have become very interested with whatever was on the wall on the other side of the room - not much to look at. "Moira, I-"
Rahne burst into the room and cut off whatever earth-shattering thing Sean was about to say. "Sean, do ye have a French-English dictionary? Y'd think afta' hundreds of years of livin' in Europe, y'd understand it, but it jus' 'asn't sunk in." she stopped just before leaning over the bookshelf. She looked at her guardians. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didnae mean t'interrupt ye. I'll get back to m'homework."
"No! Rahne, it's oka-" Sean's voice faded as Rahne scampered back into her room and slammed the door. He was alone. Again. With HER. Moira smiled up at him. "What was tha' yui're goin' t'say, Mr. Cassidy?" she asked with a coy look, that barely masked the blush on her freckled cheeks.