AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi again! Ok, sorry it took so long with this chapter. I hope you all still are enjoying the story so far. I know I am. I was re-reading the chapters I wrote, and I have quite a few corrections to make. So in the process of writing more chapters, I'm going to change the corrections in the past chapters. So re-read them when you get the chance. I also updated my info page here, or whatever it's called. If you really want to read that, do that as well. I wanna thank all of my reviewers so far, especailly Jinxeh! You guys are a big help! And if you the reader right now haven't reviewed this story yet, please do! I take any comments good or bad. Ok, enough said. Here's the chapter. I hope you don't mind the song. I couldn't find one for awhile for this chapter but as I was driving to work, this one came on. Oh and I also used some of the lines from the first X-Men book ( if you never read the books, I highly suggest you do). Ok I'll stop now!
P.S. Ok, one more thing to add. In this chapter, Naomi pray's in Japanese(yes, she does speak it well, but that will be explained later on.) It's not in Japanese writing, but I'm hoping to find a translator later on in the story so I can revise the chapter with it. Ok, I'm done now.
P.S.S. And if you don't like the praying, christian stuff, then don't read this. I like it and if you don't, that's your thing. But it's not my problem. Ok, really, I'll stop now.
DISCLAMER: You know the drill! None of lines from the book belong to me as well, only to the writers and Marvel themselves. Thank you.
bold italics inner thoughts
bold letters paragraphs from the book
CHAPTER 9:
The Space Between
Not long after Logan discovered Naomi to be missing, he headed strait to the Professor's office.
"I guess I really don't blame her for leaving." said Logan, looking out of the office's huge bay window."What should we do about it?"
The Professor came behind him. "I think it is best for the Ms.Oyama to have some time to herself. To clear her mind on the events of the last fourty-eight hours."
"And enough time to runaway from here! We can't leave her out there by herself! We have to find her before Magneto does and sends his other freaks after her." Logan yelled.
"Logan, I know you're worry. But you must remember that she has to make the decision to come back herself. And quite frankly, I think she'll be coming back anyways."
You cannot quit me so quickly
Is no hope in you for me
No corner you could squeeze me
"Yeah, right! She hates me! And she has every right to! What could possibly change her mind and make her come back running for the school?"
"Logan, it doesn't take a telapath to figure out that she needs you. A sixteen year old living on their own and barely making enough money to pay for living expenses is not a easy life. She's lost so much at a young age.She needs some stability in her life again, and she knows it. Besides, she's been looking for you for years now and I'm positive that you haven't scared her off yet."
But I got all the time for you, love
Logan just shook his head. He felt terrible for her. He felt even worse for allowing this to happen, to the only flesh and blood he has on this earth.
"This should of never happend to her. How could I of choose to be a part of Stryker's sick ploy if I had family to care for? Why did I make them suffer for my mistake? I stayed up half of the night thinking of what I could say to her in the morning to make her stay. But even words can't make up for the past and the life that she now has to live to me. "
The space between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The space between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
"You can't blame yourself Logan. There is a reason to every event and choice that happens in one's life." The Professor mentally told him."Come now, Logan. If you don't believe me, I'll show you. We'll go to Cerebro." Figuring Cerebro could give him the answers to his doubt, he agreed to the Professor's suggestion.
But will I hold you again?
The two walked out of the office and took the elevator to the lower level. They then entered into the large chamber and stood on the small platform of Cerebro after the Professor had registered in. The huge steel doors soon shut behind them.
Cerebro found Naomi at an old Catholic church called St. Lambert's Cathedral. She decided to have her own private mass instead of attending the church's congregation mass at 10 a.m. She was still new to the church and felt uncomfortable to go to a regular mass.
She first stumbled apon the church when she saw a billboard inscripted "Inactive Catholic? Lost the light in your life? Come join us at St. Lambert's Cathedral, where God can show you the light onto your path again.", following the address of the church. It seemed like a stupid reason to check out the church, but it the saying of the billboard was just corny enough to draw her to the church. She admired the antiqueness of the cathedral. It even reminded her of her old church, Sacred Heart Catholic, from her childhood. So many fond memories of Gramms and her years ago attening their masses and activities involving the church.Oh how she wished things in life now were more uncomplicated like it was back then. But time has changed, and so had she.
Once she open the front doors of the church, she quietly walked in, checking if anyone was around. With no one inside, she walked through the isle and strait to the front. She then knelt down, lit her candle, and began to speak in her native Japanese language outloud.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt, Amen."
She then began to pray.
"Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for this day you have given me, for the blessings you have given to me, and letting me come to You to tell You...to go to You and say...I'm completely lost! In fact, I don't think I have ever been so lost in my entire life besides the experiment and my two year imprisonment at Styker's base.
These fickle, fuddled words confuse me
Like 'Will it rain today?'
Waste the hours with talking, talking
These twisted games we're playing
"What do I do, Lord? What can I do to forget all the years I've waited on meeting my parents only to find out my father killed my mother without even knowing he loved her a lifetime ago? Or how he 'forgot' that she gave birth to his daughter that ended up on someone's doorstep during a storm for some great reason? I'm so sick of asking myself why all the time! What is it that you have in mind for me, Lord? Just answer me!" With all the anger that was consuming her, the particles of every candle in the church blew up, causing a explosion. She opened her eyes to see what happend. Smoke filled up the front of the church and ashes of the candles were all over, but the cathedral didn't seemed to be on fire luckily. It was all too much for Naomi, and tears came pooring down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Lord." she whispered as her tears streamed down her face. "But I'm just frustrated. I guess I don't understand You're meaning behind all of this. I don't mind being a mutant, you know that. It's just that these new powers, they're so dificult to control. They're more like a curse than a blessing. I can't even feel a hint of anger with out blowing up a tv, a hole in the wall, or almost a whole cathedral for that matter. I just feel so ashamed of myself for feeling this way. I know you love me, Lord. This must be another one of Your tests. But this lost counfusion makes it seem like You're so distant when I'm so far away. I need You now, more than ever. I know You're here now though, Lord, and I'm willing listen to what You want me to do."
We're strange allies
With warring hearts
What a wild-eyed beast you'll be
The space between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
She paused for a moment, finally stopping the tears she had. "I think I'm willing to give this so-called dad of mine a chance. But if it doesn't work out, I'll just move on then with the knowledge I gained. I guess that's it for now. Thank you for being the gracious, wonderful Father you are and be with me throughout the day and night. In Your name I pray, Amen."
Just as soon as she opened her eyes, she sensed something, or someone. Coming closer, Naomi quickly stood up. She spotted the church's priest, Father Andrew, setting in of the pews in the way back of the church. Her face started to turn red from embarrassment, hoping that he didn't hear her Oscar winning prayer.
"Is everything alright in here, I could of sworn I smelled smoke around here." he spoke to her as got up from his seat and walked over to her. And as he got closer to her, Naomi could of sworn she smelled that certin sent before.
"Duh Nomi, he's the priest of this church, of course he's going to smell familiar. Don't jump into conclusions, you just haven't gotten any sleep that's all. Besides, who would attack you in the open at a church for crying out loud?" Naomi said to herself.
"I don't believe we've met. I'm Father Andrew, head off this church. And who are you?" the man said as he reached his hand to introduce himself to her.
Naomi went to shake his hand. "Oh, I'm Naomi. I've been coming here for awhile to your masses." After she shook his hand, she really started to be suspious of this person.
"Wait a minuet, I'm getting bad vibes from this one." she told herself.
"Oh, well I thought you looked familar, but we have so many members in our congregation it's hard to tell sometimes." he chuckled. "So, there was no fire in here, was there?" he asked.
Naomi's face turn red instantly. "No, there wasn't. I was just having a few problems with the candles in here. But the cathedral's all in one piece yet, obviously." she started laughing nervously.
"No use of distroying a cathedral by fighting here. Better spilt fast if he's really after me."
"Well, sorry to cut our conversation short, but I really must be going Father." Naomi said before he could say another word.
"Yes, well, of course. You take care now Miss Naomi. May God bless you."
"Yes, same to you." Naomi exited the church as fast as she could before he could come back to get her.
Father Andrew turned his back on the church's exit doors and walked to the front of the cathedral, glaring at the statue of Jesus being crucified to the cross. And an evil, mocking smirk appeared on her face. "So, the little twit still comes to the all mighty God in belif that He will save her of her weary soul. How pathetic can one get?" He turned all the way back to face the doors."Not if I have anything to do with it." He then left the church slowly, preparing for his next move.
"Have you seen all you needed to see, Logan?" asked the Professor.
"More then I really wanted to know, but yeah I guess." Logan answered back to him. "So, we wait for the girl then?"
"Yes, Logan, Naomi will come soon. Be patient now, time will tell what she desides to do."
Will I hold you again?
"Easy for you to say." he replied as the both left Cerebro and headed strait upstairs of the mansion.
Will I hold...
Meanwhile, down in the dark underground tunnels somewhere in New York, heavy footsteps could be heard, echoing through the walls of the long tunnel. A light soon apeard twenty feet away from mysterious figure. As they reached to the lighten doorway, the darkness uncovered the face of non other than Logan.
Logan opened the huge metal doors and entered into a metal office. "You wanted the to see me, bub?" he said firercely as he was walking up to office desk. After he uttered those words, a metal chair out of no where and slides quickly from behind Logan. This caught Logan's senses off guard, but he still managed to flip off of the chair and land on his feet in a matter of seconds.
"Well I came to tea time just as you asked!" Logan threw his head back laughing as he walked to the desk.
Magneto turned his chair to face him with a stern look. "I'm not amused by your childish games." He paused to take a sip off his tea. "Now, did you do as asked and collect any new information on the girl Mystique?"
Mystique immediatly shapeshifted from Logan's physique and back into her body form. "Oh, sorry to catch you in a bad mood. PMS is a bitch, isn't it?"
"Do I have to punish you?"
"Oh yes, I've been a naughty girl lately Eric." she mocked to him. She pulled up the metal chair that was after he only moments ago.
"Just tell me what you know already!" Magneto demanded her.
"The girl was previously at the school to unite with her 'long-lost daddy'. I just got back from that cathedral she attends to. This is working out marvellously!"
"Marvellously? You once again missed a perfect oppertunity to grab the girl!"
"Just listen to what I have to say." she asked him. "The girl will stay at the school permanently and the two will eventually trust the school and trust Wolverine. But when the time comes, we will come back for the little emo punk and turn her against the all of them. And the lost will rip that mangy beast's heart out, making him valnerable for our diabolical plan." She let out an evil laugh.
Magneto smiled. "I believe that will work out just wonderfully. I'm sure you've put your little plan into action already, am I right?"
"Oh don't worry about that, I made sure that the girl will be visiting the school indefinitly. I only hope she's not as stuborn as her father. Otherwise, it might take longer for her to trust and we will just have to work harder."
"We?" he asked her. "You mean you will have to work harder. Your life is depending on it. You can not fail this time."
"And I won't. I have every intention to get back at him in any way I can."
Magneto turned his chair away from her. "So do I, Mystique. So do I." he replied to her. He reminisces way back almost a year ago when Logan got in the way of his plans, distroying the machine he took years creating. His one chance to change the perspectives of mutants to all humans by changing them into one themselves. All by the adamantium claws of that ravage animal.
Magneto stood there, his face crimson with anger and bleeding from a gash along his forehead. He stormed toward Logan. "You have ruined it!"
"That was the plan," Logan said, bracing himself. "Just not yours."
Magneto waved his arm, and a few small pieces of wreckage went flying at Logan. But nothing big.
"Feeling a little weak, huh?" Logan asked. He batted the small hunks of metal aside like annoying flies and stepped right up into the face of the old mutant.
"You disgust me."
Magneto's eyes went round, as if he were suddenly afraid of his own life. And that disgusted Logan even more
With one hand he gripped the old man's vest and lifted him into the air. Then he extended the claws on the other hand and reached back, holding his fist up in front of Magneto's face, clearly ready to swing.
"Say good-bye," Logan growled, his voice low and mean.
Then, just as he was about run the man through, he retracted his claws and just decked the guy with the hardest punch he could throw.
Magneto's head jerked around, his helmet flying off into space. The old mutant slumped to the surface of the statue, out cold.
Logan stood over him for a second, then shook his head. "That was a lot less then what you deserve."
Magneto whispered to himself in a deep, dark voice "We'll see who gets what he deserves this time Wolverine. And you won't get away so easily either."
Naomi reached her apartment complex after hiding in the streets for most of the afternoon. She noticed the patrol car that was parked outside from the building. Hoping that the creep from the church decided to be stupid and got caught here, she cautiously entered into the main office and lobby. When she went inside, the police officers were still talking to the manager. They noticed her arrival.
"Miss Naomi," the manager asked her, "Could we have a word with you? It's about your apartment."
"A burglary has taken place and we need to ask you some questions..."
Back at the mansion the house was full of kids in the main living room enjoying their evening. Every Sunday night, the school has a movie night for the students. Tonight was the younger kids turn to pick out a movie, which they usually pick some cheesy preteen movie. They decided to watch Raise Your Voice this time. And Logan was sitting, pretending to pay attention to the horribly lame movie. He had to babysit again for the team since everyone was out doing their own things and Logan had nothing else better to do. Well, actually, he really just wanted to stay home just in case Naomi decided to come back home.
"So why did I decide stay here again?" he asked himself again for the tenth time, staring a the mansion's front door."I'm in a house full of braty, whiny, snotty kids pretending to be interested in some horrible melodramatic preteen cult movie with that stupid Hilary what's her name in it. She's probubly not coming back tonight. " He sighed, "Why do I make myself suffer?"
"Cause you know you love us all deep inside and can't resist missing an oppertunity to watch a Hilary Duff movie!" Rogue said as she plopped on to huge sectional couch.
Logan did a half laugh and half snort when he heard that comment. "Yeah, sure. Maybe in you're sick twisted world!"
Rogue began to laugh "Too late, it's already a sick twisted one anyways! I mean, look what it has come too? Violence, war, and Hilary Duff! So yeah, we're all screwed!" The both began to chuckle a little bit, and started watch some of the movie. Rogue noticed that Logan was still staring at the door yet.
"Don't worry, she doesn't hate you that much. She'll be back in no time." Rogue told him.
Logan started to growl quietly. "Why does everyone seem to be mind readers today? Do I look worried?"
"Um, yeah."
"Well if you seem to know it all, what makes you think that she will even bother to come back?"
"Well," Rogue looked him strait in the eye, "As I recall, I at one time was kinda in her shoes in a way. When I came here, I didn't think a place like this could ever really exist. I didn't think that I could have a family or a place to call home ever again after what happend to me because of my mutation. It's a confusing time for her yet. A lot has happend to her, you know."
"Yeah, that would be my fault."
"No, it wasn't. Don't think like that. You found her and she found you, and that's all that matters right now. Look, what I'm saying is give her sometime to adjust to things. She's not going to instantly be in the whole happy, loving daughter mode just yet. She doesn't hate you, she just doesn't know you that well yet. Infact, I think she's just like you. Tough on the outside, but has a heart of gold on the inside."
Look at us spinning out in
The madness of a roller coaster
"Gee, how swell." Logan replied sarcasticly to her tearjerker advice.
"What, it's the truth! You just don't want to admit to it. Now you should be saying to me 'Thank you Rogue for your wonderful advice. I feel much better now! What would I do without you? Oh woe is me, woe is me!'" she dramatized and began to tease him a little bit.
"Ha, in your dreams!" he laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, well it was worth a shot. Besides, why wouldn't she want to come back to some awsome people like Jubilee and me here? She'd have to be crazy not to! You should reward us for doing such a good deed for befriending your only daughter!"
Logan laughed. "Ok, so how should I repay you two for doing so?"
"Buy watching the rest of this movie while Jubes and I go out for tonight. I can't stay here any longer or watch this crap anymore, it could permanently damage my brain. See ya!" she quickly got off the couch and started for the stairs. "Jubes, Logan said it was ok for us go out!" she yelled up those staires at her friend.
"Hey wait a minute!" he yelled back at her. " Where the hell are you going?" He got up from the couch and followed her."That's not fair! What am I going to tell the Professor when he comes back? And when are you coming back?"
"We'll be back by midnight!" Jubilee said as she was running down the stairs to follow Rogue. "We wanted to go see a movie at the mall."
"Thanks for letting us go, Logan." Rogue smiled as they both left the mansion.
Logan went to the door to yell at them some more. "You kids stay out of trouble! And no going after boys! You both better be back here by midnight on the dot, or you'll both get it! And you guys owe me big time for this!" It was useless, they took off already without hearing a word he said to them more than likely and he was still stuck with two less kids in the bunch to watch for.
"Damn kids." Logan sighed and smiled a bit as he shut the door and went back to his babysitting duties.
A taxi pulled up infront of the school at 9:30 that night. Naomi walked out of the car with an a huge duffel bag. She paid the driver his money and walked slowly up to the school. Itsoon then began to rain.
"Crap, why does it seem to rain when I'm here?" she said looking up into the rainy sky.
"Must be a sign that I should be here."
You know you went off like a devil
In a church in the middle of a crowded room
She got up to the front step and notice through the window that the tv was still on. "I guess that's a good sign, no one seems to be sleeping." She staired at the doorbell, wondering if she was doing the right thing by coming back here. "Well, here goes nothing." She took a deep breath, and ran the doorbell.
All we can do, my love
Is hope we don't take this ship down
The doorbell's ring was heard inside of the building. The students didn't even notice there was someone at the door. Luckily Logan was still around and decided to get up from the living room to answer it. It rang one more time while he was walking down the hallway.
"Alright, alright, I coming." he yelled at the door. "Hopefully those two desided to come back early." he said to himself. He soon got closer to door, moments away from turning the knob, when suddenly he got the hint who it was.
"It can't be, can it?" he asked himself as he slowly opened the door to his beautiful daughter soaking wet from the pooring rain.
The Space Between
Where you're smiling high
Is where you'll find me if I get to go
The Space Between
The bullets in our firefight
Is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you
He couldn't believe that it was really her, even thought she was standing right there in front of him. It just shocked him that she actually came back so soon then he thought she would have. And then he looked at her, into those big emerald green eyes, sensing almost every feeling she had at that moment. Happiness, sadness, hopelessness, and fear all swirled up inside in the look she had. But most of all, her fear was the strongest emotion he sensed on her. For what reason, he didn't know. But he wanted to find out more.
"Hey." Naomi greeted to her father in a nonchant tone, pretending to act like nothing was wrong."Didn't think you guys stayed up so long."
Logan sighed."Yeah, well tonight's movie night for the kids. I got stuck babysitting at the moment."
"How terrible." she chuckled at him.
"So, what brings you here?" he asked her.
The rain that falls
Splash in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into your room
"Oh, I was just wondering if I could use your microwave?"
"The microwave?" Logan raised his eyebrow in confusion.
"Yeah, do you have a problem with that?"
"No, but why do you have suitcase with you just to use it?" he asked her.
Naomi stared at him. "Well, if it's going to be a big deal, I'll just get another taxt to take me to the nearest 7-11."
"Ok, alright, go head and use it then!"
"Good, cause I'm starving! Mine is broken at the moment. Oh and since I'm here, do you mind if I watch some tv. I can't miss the season premire of Charmed." she asked him.
"I guess when the movies are done." he answered her back. She sure was acting strange.
"So, are you going to let me in now?"
"Oh, yeah. Come on in." He let her inside and she immedatly warmed up from the cold air from the rain.
"Naomi," he asked."What are you really here for? I can smell your fear.What is it?"
She look away from him. "Nothing, it's nothing. I don't want to talk about it right now. I just need a place to go for tonight. There's some malfunctions with my apartment complex right now."
The Space Between
Our wicked lies
Is where we hope to keep safe from pain
Logan placed his hand on her shoulder. "Well, you came to the right place." he said as he gave her a smile.
She smiled back at him."Thanks."
"Can I use the same spare bedroom?"
"Go for it."
Take my hand
'Cause we're walking out of here
Oh, right out of here
Love is all we need, dear
Logan shuts the door and the small step to forming their bond was the big leap to starting their future toghether at last.
The Space Between
What's wrong and right
Is where you'll find me hiding, waiting for you
The Space Between
Your heart and mine
Is the space we'll fill with time
The Space Between...
END OF CHAPTER 9
"The Space Between" by the Dave Matthews Band
So what do ya think? Be ready for the next chapter as the adventure continues! Now go review! See ya!
