Chapter 14

She chuckled, and then stopped with a sorrowful look in her eyes. Logan sensed the change in her mood, and grasped her chin, nudging her lips with his. "Hey, whatcha thinking, darlin?" he rasped in a low voice that sent shivers down her spine.

"He must know Logan, he must know," she whispered as Logan nibbled on her collarbone. "God, he knows…"

"I didn't see any recognizing from his angle, cause ya up and ran so fast," Logan said, turning her chin to face him. His frown lines deepened with the protective concern, and she felt rather than heard the possessive growl at her safety being threatened.

"But if I DO avoid him, he's gonna know… I mean he did know about my powers… ohmigod Wolvie what do I do?"

"First of all darlin, its Logan to my friends and loved ones, and secondly, I'm gonna protect ya. And I've got something VERY special in mind to prove whether or not he's after YOU or this is a coincidence, and I smell a big rat…"

"Wol… Logan the mission…"

"To flamin hell with it. This'd be the biggest monkey wrench in it all… if you're in danger… then the safety of the team's top priority."

Jubilee looked away and Wolverine again turned her face to him. "I don't remember what he DID if anything? Just pieces… and yet the thought of BEING with him… I have memories of being with him… intimately and yet when my memories were returning I had this revulsion. Of everything he stood for…"

"Sounds like Pygmalion to me, darlin," said Logan. "What I don't like see, is that his ol man had someone the likes o' Creed workin' for him. Granted he sounds nice enough, but the apple don't fall far from the tree if ya get my drift…"

"But Nightcrawler's mom is a murderer and he isn't," Jubilee protested.

"True, but she abandoned him at birth and he was raised decently. Yer ex boyfriend doesn't give a rat's tail about mutants fighting aggressively and yet in the other breath he says he has his own costume and he seems VERY sure of himself. You said he didn't want YOU fighting with the X men… and that mutants shouldn't fight but use their powers productively. What I think he meant was that he doesn't want you with the X men cause he was protecting you… cause he had something nasty in mind…"

"But Logan… he saved me from Creed…"

"Did he?" asked Logan slowly.

"You can't think that he… no friggin way!"

"Smells like it to me. Creed hates yer guts darlin. What better way to get a hold over you than to make him look like the big hero, and then conveniently use mental therapy to blur your memories so you forget MORE than just the traumatic event. Prof. X blocked my memories, but he'd NEVER use his talents to suppress them entirely. "

"He blocked Rogue's of Carol Danvers."

"Not the same Jubes. That was another person inside her. Yours was traumatic. You try to tamper with that… you're worse than I am. Blocking it out's only temporary. Jean would never block it totally, just live through it with you. That's how she n' Chuck helped me. By confronting them head on…"

"Emma said she was suppressing the memories…"

"Yeah, but not erasin' em. You say you got gaps in your memory. Part of ya wants to defend this bozo, while the rest wants to damn him. Yer instinct's fightin' with your reason, and your reason tells ya one thing while your gut tells ya otherwise."

"Are you saying he DELIBERATELY used Creed to attack me, just so he could manipulate me into loving him? That's SICK!" Jubilee snapped, leaping off his lap.

"Seen it a million times. Brainwashing, clean and simple…" Logan said, getting up off the sofa and taking a step towards her. Jubilee backed away, her eyes wary, and Logan smelled fear and outrage.

"You can't be serious… how could I EVER…" Jubilee trailed off, and turned away from him to peer out the window. Her yellow gloves were visible on the sides of either arm as she hugged herself tightly and shivered.

"Yer losing yer grip on your powers cause yer mind is a fragile thing," Logan said. She heard the flick of a lighter, and smelled the bitter smoke of a cigar curling into the air.

"Excuse the hell me?" she snorted, still not facing him.

"Whatever memories were suppressed, your mind's fighting tooth n' nail to recover, and reject the programming'. I know what I'm talking about Jubes. You've got a stubborn will, as stubborn as my own, and it's buried under all that head job stuff that's blocked your memories…"

"Logan, you realize what you're saying? I just thought I was suppressing memories, but you're saying that he deliberately messed with y head… and I had no friggin clue? My God Logan… how can I trust anyone or anything again?"

"I swear Jubilee, by all I hold holy, I'm gonna find out WHAT he did, and make him PAY," Logan said angrily, and she heard the rasp of his claws unsheathing at his sides. Jubilee wheeled on him, her blue eyes sparking and her fingers misting with multicolored plasmas.

"Stop this macho shithead trip!" Jubilee yelled at him.

Logan resheathed his claws. However he stood his ground, smoke curling from the cigar clenched in his teeth. He removed the smoke, and set it into the ashtray of the coffee table. "I can't help from wantin' to protect ya, Jubilation. You're not bein' fair to yourself or me. There's one thing you can always trust, and that's your heart and your gut. What do both of them tell you?"

"It's MY fight, don't you see?"

"I don't think so, darlin'. It's OUR fight. Cause he messed with someone very important to me. I'd do the same thing for ANY X man, and especially since ya said 'yes', how the hell can't I wanna slice that bozo to ribbons? I'd do it to ANY man who hurt you in any way, regardless…"

"Jeez Louise Wolvie… you can't just… we don't KNOW! And Prof. X isn't here to…" she trailed off, and then turned away. Logan exhaled deeply, picking up the cigar again, and he took a step towards her. Yet inches from touching her shoulder he hesitated. Jubilee stood there, hugging herself even more violently and trembling with rage.

"That's right darlin', he ain't here. I'm here, an' I guess you gotta put up with me whether ya like it or not. Cause I ain't gonna let this go. Or you either," he added. "Now are you gonna cry in yer beer and shut me out…"

"You're one to talk, Mister 'Leave me Be'," Jubilee snorted. "I'm asking you to do the same…"

"If that's what ya want now, then so be it. But I ain't gonna be able t' stay away from you for long…"

Jubilee flinched when Wolverine grabbed her shoulders with his large hands. He felt her body tugging away, and he turned her quickly to face him, his hands sliding down and grasping her hips. She was pulled towards him in an embrace she couldn't break, and all inclinations were to push him away.

She at first pushed against his chest with both hands, and then saw the determination on his face. He wasn't trying to prove anything, merely do what he thought was right. Protect her now more than ever before, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Once Wolverine made up his mind, heaven help anything or anyone that got in his way. Jubilee surrendered, muscles going slack as she lay her head on his shoulder and accepted his embrace. Still she kept the flats of her hands against his chest as he rubbed her back and held her tightly.


"Excuse me," Heather said. "I didn't want to bother you but you're shouting…"

"Sorry, I'll just go," said Jubilee quickly.

"No way, Jubilee…" Logan said firmly. "Got a major problem Heather. Jubes here knows Dmitry…"

"What?" asked Heather.

"Logan…" Jubilee sighed.

"No, she has to know…" Logan said softly, but firmly. Jubilee lifted her head from his shoulder and turned to face Heather. Logan released her from his embrace, but still kept his arm tightly around her waist.

"You do? How?" asked Heather, narrowing her eyes. "Northstar said that I needed to talk to Wolverine about an urgent matter… he DIDN'T betray you, but he wanted me to check and see if you were okay…"

"But he promised…"

"I did not tell, but I told her she had to speak with both of you. On a matter that was urgent. But she would have to ask you… either way, having you run away would have gotten her running to find out…" Northstar said.

"How are you connected with Mr. Ravina?"

"HE was my fiancée…" she trailed off.

"Oh shit," Heather sighed. "You should have told us…"

"She told me," Northstar said. "Because she didn't want to jeopardize the mission…"

"I was afraid that if Logan knew… I'd spoil everything…"

"Listen to me," Heather said. "That's NOT your fault. It's better that this comes out now before any lives are endangered. You're one of Alpha Flight and we take care of our own. Our top priority now is to determine if he deliberately knew you were here, and if so, find out his motives…"

"I smell trouble," Logan said.

"I don't trust him either," Northstar said. "He has a cruel look in his face."

"But he never hit me or anything…" Jubilee said, squirming against Wolverine. He released her, and she began to pace the room nervously. Logan folded his arms across his chest and let her walk off her restlessness.

"Mental manipulation's STILL abuse," Logan said calmly.

"If we had Jean or Prof. X…" Jubilee trailed off.

"We don't, but we do have a psychic on staff. And we have something better. Shaman's mystical abilities include hypnotic regression. He can use his medicines to look into your mind and remove the blocks… without poking around…"

"Spirit guide stuff?" Jubilee scoffed.

"Don't knock it darlin, it's actually less invasive. It works just as good," said Logan. "How do ya think I held it together for so long?"

"But I don't want to… screw things up…"

"They aren't. We're supposed to TRAIN with him, and we will," Heather said. "Logan, any suggestions?"

"Well, we're supposed to divide the team, so let's do it. I'll lead one, and you lead the other. Providin' Jubilee's with you, and not with that bozo."

"Huh?" asked Jubilee.

"Where else to hide you but in plain sight," said Heather nodding.

"I want to see what he's made of," Northstar flexed his fists.

"Exactly. Yer with me, bub," Logan said as he looked at Northstar. "And I suggest we divvy the teams into powers that'd be redundant…"

"Yes. You will take Northstar, and I Aurora. Jubilee is with me, and Firestarter will be with you. Puck I shall take also, and Shaman, to help Jubilee's progress. "

"Leaving me with Sasquatch and Snowbird?" he asked. "Ya sure?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Snowbird's abilities might prove useful to you, since you might not be able to rely upon him… and my electromagnetic powers are up to the test…"

"You don't have super strength darlin… Snowbird can always change into something more powerful…"

"He might underestimate snowbird. That can be his weakness. He was looking at her rather hungrily," said Heather with a smile. "And strength is one thing. Stealth is another. And we have plenty…"

"Leaving me with a male dominated team, to leave that bozo at ease, and then we'll watch and see how he does. If he's surrounded by fellow male mutants, he'll probably fess up. Nice going darlin," he grinned.

"So, I'm still going to be in 'hiding'," Jubilee nodded slowly, trying to make certain she kept straight all of what was going on. After all, seeing someone she had broken off a relationship with, on the heels of accepting a proposal from her long standing crush was the next part of the emotional roller coaster.

"While we sort out what the hell to do with this situation, yes," Heather said. "We won't let you become any more distressed. And hopefully

"Jubes… I hate to be away from ya…"

"You do what it takes," said Jubilee. "And I'll do my part. I'm scared if I'm near him, I might do something I'd regret…"

"Exactly why we need it to be like this. Go announce to the team. You stay here, Jubilee. Northstar, look after her, and we'll come back to get you both…"

"But he's going to wonder about me…"

"Exactly," said Wolverine. "He's not met either one of you really well. So I'll just let him think yer on a mission… take her for a flight Northstar and we'll meet ya at the training camp. I'll see ya soon Heather… and darlin…"

"All right Wolvie I mean Logan…" nodded Jubilee. "But be careful… I hope for all our sakes he DOESN'T know who I am…"

"Logan, just a moment… we're forgetting something…" Northstar said. "Isn't he a new arrival… and if so…"

"Wait a moment," Heather grinned. "I just THOUGHT of something… Logan, you should remember our rules…"

"How could I flamin… hey wait a minute… he has to PROVE he can work with us… but you said that he was…" Logan trailed off.

"I had forgotten in all the excitement," said Heather. "He was going to be evaluated at our training sessions… but that still leaves single combat…"

"And guess who he gets to go head to head with," Wolverine grinned, rubbing his hands together.

"Oho I feel sorry for him," Jubilee chuckled, walking back over to Logan, as he held his arms out to her.

"See ya at the training camp darlin. We'll see if he's innocent or guilty…" Wolverine nodded. He leaned down and squeezed her closely, kissing her lips.

"Just don't forget he's a pyrokinetic," said Jubilee quickly as she pulled away. "I don't want YOU hurt… Logan…"

"I don't plan on getting hurt. If anything, I'd worry more about the other guy…" Logan said sternly.


"So, was he like this to all the women you knew he dated?" Jubilee asked Northstar as they whisked along at breakneck speed.

"I never paid much attention to that. Logan kept to himself, and we knew better than to pry into his business," Northstar shrugged. He held Jubilee under the back and knees, and she had her arm around his neck. Her costume sluiced off the worst of the wind effects, and Jubilee was glad for it.

"Sorry you're cold, I'll slow down a little," Northstar suggested, and Jubilee felt his resulting deceleration.

"I'm okay. Just don't think I'll EVER be warm again… except…" and at these words Northstar saw her cheeks turning a slight pink.

"I hear you, Cherie," said Northstar with a chuckle. "But what I do know is that Logan was fiercely protective of what he considered 'his'. Heather and Mac Hudson included."

"How long did you serve with him on the team before he… left?"

"Hmm, only a few years," said Northstar. "I was only a teenager when alpha flight recruited my sister and me. Both 15 and full of spirit and fire. They trained us at their facility, and gave us the equivalent of a college education. Then when we graduated, we were given aid in making our civilian I.D. For instance I'm an Olympic skier, and Jeanne Marie is a schoolteacher. Snowbird is a forestry ranger, Michael's a doctor, and so is Walter."

"So we are government agents?"

"More like a division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police."

Jubilee burst out laughing, and Northstar raised an eyebrow. "Oh my god that is too funny…"

"Good to see you laugh, but what's so amusing?"

"Nothing… just the mental image of you guys in the uniform like Dudly Do-Right…" snickered Jubilee.

"Ah, I get you," Northstar snickered. "Don't let Logan know about that. I'm sure he'd find a suitable way to punish you…"

"But seriously, how much do you know about his…"

"Past? Good question. Should I start with what we DIDN'T know at first? Surely he's told you… on second thought maybe not," said Northstar slowly as he thought to himself. "Well you know about where the Hudsons found him… how they took him in. We all knew that. And we also knew about the adamantium when we um…tried to persuade him to come back those few times…"

"But where did he come from before? He's told me he served in WWII, among other wars. But he's got some 'Swiss cheese' memory… and some of those memories were implants… fake ones that whoever pumped him full of adamantium did too…"

"Mac's looked into that. It was a government project, but very top secret… not related to Dept. H. But when they found out the history file, it made it that more important to get Logan back. The other three were unaccounted for. Believe me they TRIED to get them back, but it wasn't worth it… and now…"

"Sabretooth, Silver Fox and Maverick?" Jubilee asked.

"Yeah," nodded Jean Paul. "But they're not worth the trouble. Two are mercenaries, and the other's a confirmed enemy. The first two are working for Hydra, so it's not even an option…"

"Ugh… the Red Skull and all," Jubilee shivered.

"You know your history…"

"Logan told me a LOT of what he remembered…" Jubilee trailed off.

"But we suspect that he might be even OLDER than we first imagined. There were legends about a wild man running with the wolves in Alberta that go back at least a century."

"But if THAT was the case he'd have to be… no way…"

"Could be coincidence. We don't know. But Mac and Heather have always tried to figure out his elusive past. When they had time of course. He can't remember anything earlier than WWII… or so he says…"

"Or he won't fess up," Jubilee said softly. Her mind spun at the possibilities.

"He does have a healing factor that won't quit. And Michael and Walter hypothesized that he could be literally immortal, or extremely long lived…"

"Yikes, shades of Highlander," Jubilee shivered.

"Tell me about it," Northstar nodded grimly.

"Still major heavy," Jubilee murmured. As old as she thought he was, he seemed almost ageless. He had no idea how far back his memories went. No memories of childhood whatsoever, just snatches from the pit of dark dreams, the substance of nightmares.


"Get a move on, people, we haven't got all day," Heather shouted.

One after the other they climbed into the large van that contained the mobile command center of Alpha Flight. Michael Twoyoungmen sat in the furthest seat up front next to Heather Hudson, while Aurora sat opposite Walter and Snowbird just behind him.

They were in a spacious compartment, upholstered with bucket rotating seats, while two Mounties drove the unit, both armed. The driver's cab was armored, as well as the entire vehicle, which looked like an armored truck carrying money.

"So Bub you gonna take in the scenery or get moving?" Wolverine barked at Flashpoint. The orange and black outfit was form fitting and molded to a well muscled yet lean body. Much like Bobby or Scott. He was about six foot two, and his long blonde hair was done up in a braid at the nape of his neck, which was tucked into the hood and left to hang down like some plume.

"Damn idiot looks like Omega Red," Logan mumbled to himself. Minus the long tendrils and the bad attitude. As for himself, Logan wore a form fitting black leather outfit, with yellow boots, belt, and a leather jacket that had the Canadian emblem on the back. Heather wasn't surprised to see it. There was no trace of his X Men persona. Rather he wore a replica of his first uniform, Weapon X, and it sent chills down her spine. He'd shaved and trimmed his hair somewhat, and the tinted shades hid his eyes from everyone.

"My apologies," said Dmitry politely as he climbed on board and sat next to Aurora.

"Excuse me," Walter said.

"Reign it in, big guy," Wolverine whispered to him. "Remember the plan… if he gets outta line, THEN you can pound his butt."

"I don't like how he's LOOKING at her," Walter hissed as Logan held him back.

"For HER sake, don't lose it… till we know for sure…" Wolverine whispered.

"It's a weird day when you advocate self control," Walter snorted, and his features blurred back into his human form. Reluctantly he backed away.

"Au revior Cherie," Aurora smiled as she blew him a kiss.

"How come you're going?" Logan asked as he roughly pushed past where Dmitry sat next to Aurora. "No offense, Guardian…"

"Both leaders must be present when testing," said Heather.

"Cripes, I gotta eat that damn rule book to get it through my thick skull then," Logan mumbled.

Wolverine sat down and crossed his knees, leaning back in his chair and glancing at the man they called Flashpoint. "So, ready to roll?"

"Ready," Heather nodded. The door hissed shut. The diesel bus moved forwards, and slid out of the front entrance, winding its way along the road to the first guardpost.

"You have quite the facility here," said Flashpoint. However several large opaque panels slid down over the windows, blocking out their view.

"Too bad you won't get a better glimpse of it," said Heather.

"Security, then?" Dmitry raised a blonde eyebrow. "I commend you."

"Standard procedure," said Heather. "So are you aware of the regulations…"

"Every mutant who comes on Alpha Flight's base is subject to test their powers for security classifications…"

"You have my personal profile data…"

"Yes," Shaman nodded, as he tapped keys on a small laptop the size of a small paperback book. "Right here. You're registered as an Alpha Class pyro, but your file denotes no formal combat training…"

"I have trained to defend myself when necessary. I abhor physical violence…"

"Do ya?" Logan asked, as he slid out one claw, and started sharpening another along it. Dmitry blinked at the rasp of metal, and the appearance of a skewer on either hand. However Heather noticed Logan had kept the other four claws sheathed, and raised an eyebrow. She guessed from Logan's expression that he didn't want to give up TOO much of his identity.

"Impressive armaments," said Dmitry slowly. "They resemble several mutants on register…"

"I take it your company has a list of known mutants on file… presumably since your organization only employs mutants," said Heather.

"He does…"

"We aren't the Mutant Registration Corporation," Dmitry said smoothly. "I do my research on many mutant organizations including Hellfire, and other covert teams."

"Like who?"

"Private ones that seem to show up out of nowhere…"

"Does the public know you're a mutant?" asked Logan.

"Not necessarily. Only when dealing with other mutants," said Dmitry. "We pride ourselves on living in peace, much like the citizens of one particular town in New Mexico…"

"Terrific," Wolverine mumbled, retracting both claws.

Dmitry narrowed his eyes for a moment. "Impressive…"

"What's the matter, bub, I got dirt on my face?" Logan asked, glaring at him through his shades.

"No, it's just those retractable blades… in your gloves remind me of a mutant I'd encountered… in the X men…"

Aurora was about to say something, but a sharp cough from Heather shut her up. Logan raised an eyebrow and glanced at him in mild interest. Although his hackles were up, he was sniffing out the measure of his opponent.

"Really?" Logan asked. "Since WHEN did you run into the X men?"

"Well, we only had brief brushes with them. We've tried to stay away from them as little as possible. It's not like they're commonly known except in mutant circles… this can go no further than here…"

"Please, we've all signed the proper forms, in triplicate," Heather snorted.

"My apologies, Ma'am," he said with a smile that made Logan want to puke it was so saccharine. "I meant no disrespect. I simply wanted to know if I was stirring up any particular bad situations… I understand that you and the X men were not on the best of terms…"

"Really?" Logan asked.

"My memory's vague. But since I have experienced certain tragic circumstances… I can trust you'd understand my recent lapses in judgement…"

"Such as…" Heather asked.

"Allowing my father's company to harbor dangerous mutants that only seek to use their powers for selfish ends. Without considering the impact of their actions on fellow mutantkind," said Dmitry diplomatically. "Which is why I am here… to show your team that our private organization is willing, ready and able to help clean up our operation…"

"So how much DO you know about the X men?" Heather asked.

"Although I have no access to Alpha Flight's data of course… only second hand data, and files and testimony from employees who knew them… and one personal tentative connection…"

"Thank god for small favors," Michael Twoyoungmen said under his breath, and Logan mentally agreed.

"Such as?" asked Logan, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs. "You have a personal vendetta against these bozos who infiltrated your company? Have anything to do with this missing fiancée of yours?"

"Everything and nothing possibly…"

"And what's THAT supposed to mean?" Logan asked.

"My fiancée was a student of the Massachusetts Academy, run as you know by Emma Frost, a member of the Circle Club," said Dmitry. "We met in college…"

"At New York University?" asked Heather. He nodded.

"But what has THIS got to do with…" asked Aurora.

"All will become clear in time, dear," said Dmitry. "My fiancée and I in the process of getting to know one another, had naturally our own secrets to keep. She did not speak much of her time at Xavier's Institute for the Gifted."

"Guess he doesn't know," Heather mouthed to Logan, who nodded.

"But she finally admitted that she had been an X man," said Dmitry. "Naturally I was stunned to discover this. Considering the reputation of that covert mutant team, and their noble, if counterproductive means of action…"

"Counterproductive in what way?" asked Logan.

"Resorting to violent confrontation, while they could be using their mutant powers in more benevolent means…" said Dmitry. "At first my fiancée, was hesitant to see my point of view. But gradually as we grew to love one another, we realized that she had earned her right to live a quiet life…"

"And yet you're here with us, a covert action team, donning a costume… isn't that a bit hypocritical?" asked Snowbird. "If you'll excuse me…"

"It is for the sake of my fiancée as well as myself, and my company. Jubilation means more to me then life itself. The loss of her is a tragic blow. And it was my suspicion that one of the saboteurs, one called Victor Creed specifically, had kidnapped her…"

"Maybe she just went back to the X men?" Aurora asked.

"There was no sign of her in their presence. I don't know the exact location of their headquarters, but recent activity shows no sign of her among their ranks. It is literally as if she disappeared off the face of the earth. Psychometric traces from Bridy… she's one of our psychics on staff… showed her telepathic traces ended abruptly along one of the routes the smugglers use…"

"Really?" asked Logan. "And so you have an ulterior and more personal motive working alongside us professionals?"

"Wouldn't YOU do anything to get the woman you love back?" asked Dmitry.

"Depends on if the feeling's still mutual, pal," Logan rumbled. "Did she get kidnapped or did she break off your engagement?"

"She wasn't in her right mind. Creed had attacked her a year ago, and she still suffers traumas. Bridy's therapy, along with Emma Frost's has helped to block the memories of her tragic encounters…"

"So she's mentally ill?" asked Michael.

"That's a harsh word, but she was so fragile then. As if life itself was not worth living. Up till that point, she had been vivacious, albeit a bit wild. I had a grounding effect on her. She was a glamorous young lady, and we had so much promise ahead of us…"

"What precisely WAS wrong with her? Post Traumatic stress disorder?" asked Michael. Logan's eyes grew dark, and he hid his anger.

"Yes. The encounter with Creed triggered a nervous breakdown. She then revealed her past with the X men, and I realized that Creed's motive was to get back at my father and I through my fiancée. To save her, I had to erase all traces of her past with the X men, and protect her…"

"What do ya mean erase?" Logan asked, suppressing the growl.

"What was the nature of these treatments?" asked Michael Twoyoungmen. "You mentioned a psychic."

"Bridy is one of the best at working with mentally distressed patients. She had been working with Victor Creed, but unfortunately he did not respond to her treatment."

"What were ya thinking having a psychopathic furball like him on yer payroll?" asked Logan.

"He made a good bodyguard. But my father's foolishness was all too apparent. Fifteen years ago, he sacked Creed, and there was always mutual hatred between them. Sabotage and all manners of other problems plagued us. But it was our attempt to right the wrongs by taking him into custody and using our best psychic doctors to try and heal his shattered mind. However he used the opportunity to learn about our secrets… and I fear that is the source of our competitor information. He had someone else inside feeding him information…"

"What a mess," Snowbird shook her head. "And you think that he's responsible for your fiancée's disappearance."

"Yes. Not him alone, but the others."

"Any ransom notes?" Logan asked.

"Threatening phone calls, and traces of her in the woods, and along the route… I found this the other day… psychometric traces revealed that she abandoned it over three months ago…" said Dmitry as he pulled out a small velvet box. Logan saw him open it, and blinked at the two-carat marquis cut diamond flanked by four 1/2-carat gems, set in white gold with a twist of yellow streaking around it.

"That's quite a ring," Aurora breathed.

"Good Lord who'd want to leave THAT behind?" asked Heather slowly.

"That is why I think she was taken against her will. She had been having flashbacks of her traumatic memories… and sudden nights where she woke up screaming… she has difficulty controlling her powers… and well…"

"What powers?" asked Michael.

"She's like me, a pyrokinetic. However she has only used her powers to create beautiful sculptures of light, and yet when she wakes up in her sleep she has destroyed extensive amounts of property. But through conditioning and treatment she was almost recovered…"

"How together WAS she? You make it sound like she was pretty loosely wrapped," Snowbird murmured.

"I loved her. I knew that I could get back the woman I fell in love with. And for that reason, I seek to destroy Victor Creed for the harm he has inflicted upon my Jubilation."

"Great… take a number," said Logan with a low growl.

"From your reaction, we have a mutual enemy," said Dmitry.

"You could say that… he's not the top of our hit list," said Heather. "We're approaching the training course now…"

"So, here's the deal," Wolverine said. "You're gonna go through a combat simulation, and show us what you can do with your powers. Then you're gonna take one of us on, one on one…"

"Which one?"

"You'll find out," said Logan with a grin. "We need to know the limits of your powers…"

"I'll be monitoring you on the video link," Michael nodded.

"Vindicator and I will be watching from here and the Alpha Base as well… and making observations," Heather Hudson nodded.


The van pulled to a stop, and the door hissed open. Everyone unfastened seatbelts, and Snowbird was the first to leap out. Dmitry was next, followed by the rest. Cold air hit his face, and his breath misted around him as his protruding plume of blonde ruffled in it.

"Much like the Urals in winter," he murmured as he glanced at the snow-covered wilderness. Logan grunted in agreement, seeing the distant streak that indicated Northstar was taking Jubilee for that requested flight.

"We are at the edge of the training ground Sigma," Heather said as she adjusted her visor. "If you'll come this way, Mr. Ravina…. We will commence with phase 2… since you underwent phase 1 in Toronto…"

"I look forwards to this. It has been a while since I put my skills to use in this manner," he said.

"Now I know you're pullin' my leg," Logan muttered to himself as Dmitry strode up to the fence, which slid a section aside with the blinking of a light. He stepped behind Heather, and then was followed by the others present. Logan hung back and then followed at a wary distance, sizing up this man.

Trees and various shrubbery were snow coated, and Dmitry glanced around expectantly. Heather nodded towards the command vehicle, and a sudden sizzling shot past his cheek. Snowbird leapt up; spreading her cloak as Heather took to the air. Aurora did so as well.

Flashpoint kept his head, tumbling out of the way easily. He brought up his hands, and his eyes narrowed at the source. A laser gun which had risen out of the snow. Beams crisscrossed the perimeter, and he fixed them in firm stares.

One after the other exploded in flames. He panted, and then glanced movement out of the corner of his eye. He only just turned his head in time to fix the hovering battle pod in his sights. A net dropped down from above, and wrapped around him. A quick thought, and it exploded into flames.

"So soon?" he asked, glancing around as his feet left hissing steam in the snow. He glanced around for the other members of Alpha Flight, but all he saw was Heather Hudson hovering over him.

"You have to expect the unexpected," Heather said. "You have to show us you can reach the end of the training course. The next part involves fighting your opponent after you get to the end of the obstacle course… by that artificial cell phone tower…"

"The one shaped like a tree?"

"Affirmative. You have thirty minutes… good luck…"

"Chert," he cursed as Guardian dipped out of view, and he was alone on the training course. A gold streak dipped down, and he turned quickly to see the shape of a speeding woman zip by. He narrowed his eyes, and a curtain of flame erupted behind her, just barely keeping up with her before she turned her course vertical.

A White Mountain lion slammed into him from one side, and he twisted his body, pinned. However he fixed a firm stare on the creature. It snarled, breaking his concentration. Yet the presence of heat was enough that it backed away, and enabled Dmitry to twist and throw it off balance.

He rolled over, hearing the sizzle of an EM blast, and dodged. Trudging through the snow he ran ahead, his feet steaming as he directed the force of his mind to clear a path just ahead. The sharp staccato of machine gun fire sounded next, and Dmitry narrowed his eyes at the hale of bullets. Just before him they incinerated in a wall of heat that blurred and twisted with flame before him.

"Too simple," he laughed as he sought their locations, and both machine guns were vaporized with a blinding flash. With a grin he forged ahead through the trees, his eyes tracking every available direction.

Occasionally he would shield any missiles with a circle of heat before him, or incinerate the guns or cannons that were trained on him. Living and nonliving obstacles were avoided by gymnastics, while the swooping attacks of Alpha Flight members were rebuffed with some difficulty.

"Not too shabby," said Heather as she swooped down, and narrowly missed him with her EM beam. A fireball exploded from the oxygen around her, and she zoomed out of its heart, her EM shield crackling around her. Aurora gasped as she narrowly avoided having her hair singed from the creeping barrage of flame, while Snowbird's transformations to various beasts were all rebuffed with rings or walls of fire.

Nobody could touch him, it seemed. Even after twenty minutes he was that much closer to his goal, shaken, tired and triumphant when he crossed the gate into the Red Zone. He wiped sweat from his brow, and glanced left and right. Guardian landed just before him, hands on her hips.

"So, is that warm-up the best you have in store?" he asked with a slight smile.

"You're pretty impressive," said Heather. "But you only get a few minutes before your last exam…"

"Alpha class?" he asked.

"Yes," nodded Heather. "Shaman's still assessing the tests. Are you certain you've never been in combat?"

"Like I said, my dear Guardian, a man does have to defend himself… these are dangerous times. And I do not resort to physical confrontation unless necessary…"
"You think you can handle a mission alongside us?"

"That will be proved shortly," he said.

"Help yourself to some hot drink and lunch, and we will gear up for the final exam," Heather said. He saw the mobile HQ pulling up, its satellite dish aimed towards the large tall artificial tree. Glancing left and right he blinked.

"Something wrong?" Snowbird asked as she landed and walked up. Aurora mumbled as she shook snow off her hair.

"My apologies ladies. I do hope I did not singe a hair on your lovely heads…"

"You only barely caught me, Monsieur," said Aurora with a gleam in her eye that suggested she was not altogether thrilled at what had transpired, but she calmed down at the charming smile he cast her.

Taking her hand he kissed it softly, and said, "My apologies. Had I wished to harm you, it would be far worse…"

"No doubt," Heather said, waving him to the van.

She followed him on board the warm vehicle, and he sat down. He grabbed the towel she threw him, and she rested her chin in her hand. Her dark eyes had lightened with a twinkling smile, and she caught him admiring her long shapely legs. Snowbird picked up the pot of herbal tea to pour herself a cup, while Heather slid the door closed.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked.

"Vodka perhaps?" he asked.

"Right here," she said, and he heard the clink of ice into a glass, followed by the swishing sounds of a drink being prepared.

"And perhaps a sandwich or two?" Aurora suggested, reaching into a mini fridge near her seat. She had taken the wide sofa in the rear, near the kitchenette where Snowbird was fixing beverages. Various glasses hung above the mini-bar, while the separate food locker was a few steps away. Soon they munched on hot beef sandwiches, potato soup, and baked apples.

"Where is your other member?" Dmitry asked, finishing a bite of his baked apple

"Gearing up for the final test. You'll be up against him…" Heather Hudson said, between chews of roast beef.

"Interesting. What are the limits of his powers?" Dmitry inquired, sipping his vodka.

"They aren't known, but you'll discover them in time…" said Heather.

"No doubt," said Aurora, as Dmitry cast them a smile.

"Now, I am just curious as to how certain you are that your personal involvement won't somehow jeopardize this mission… you volunteered your services in exchange for our aid in stopping this smuggling operation… but since you mentioned your connection I am hesitant…"

"I must insist I can handle myself," he said. "There will be no difficulties. I do after all run one of the larger corporations… Fortune 500… and despite what some may say, I've had to face my share of confrontations from disgruntled employees…"

"That explains your training," said Aurora.

"Yes, Malishka," he nodded. "And that is not all I can do with my abilities. More benevolently I can illustrate some of the finer points of a long folktale by a fire…"

Flames crackled into view, drifting and undulating but emitting no heat, from his glass of Vodka. A scene of a great bear, and snow princesses and the Baba Yaga and wild horses flickered in three dimensions, directed by his hands and his intense gray stare.

"Cute, but I don't think that's going to help on the battlefield…"

"Perhaps not, but think of how a flame replica of a person could temporarily decoy or deceive an attacker…" he shrugged. "Do you always think in terms of militaristic uses…"

"We are a special ops team," Heather said curtly.

"My mistake. I intend no disrespect…"

"She means none… I understand how difficult this must be for you… to work alongside someone or something you don't fully agree with," said Aurora as he turned to look at her.

"Indeed. I will defer to your better judgement, provided that I can be assured that we can work together for a mutually beneficial outcome…"

"Spoken like a true salesmen," Heather said.

"And may I remind you of his generous offer of the electronics components?" asked Aurora. "Guardian, with all due respect he is…"

"Yes, but we can't get distracted. Are you ready for the next phase?" asked Heather.

"Indeed. Shall we begin?" asked Dmitry.

"Aurora, prepare to fly him to the white zone. Explain the rules to him… and how he is to engage Weapon X…"

"Yes, Guardian…"

"I'm enchanted to have such a lovely host," he said as he offered Aurora his arm, and she slid hers through it. The door slid open, and both of them stepped out into the snow.