13

The frantic knock on the door woke him up. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock. It was nearly 6:00. AJ hadn't returned from her spot on the roof. She must have fallen asleep.

He stood up and moved over to the door with a frown, yanking it open.

"What."

Jean's jaw dropped slightly, looking away bashfully at the sight of him in his boxer shorts.

He realized quickly – obviously not quickly enough- that he was answering AJ's door.

Rogue walked by, already fully dressed, stopping at the sight of Logan. She raised an eyebrow.

"Nice sleepin' attire." She grinned. "Where's AJ?"

He turned around and pulled his jeans on "She ain't here right now. Why?"

"What do you mean… not here? Like… not here here?" Jean furrowed her brow as she spoke.

"I mean she ain't in the room." He looked at Rogue "What the hell is goin' on?"

Rogues face looked serious. "Pyro. He left."

"So?" Logan shrugged. "The kid's got free will-"

Rogue shook her head. "There was another attack. Guess where."

"Just tell me." He grunted.

Rogue clenched her jaw. "Two words. Skyler Scott."

AJ climbed up to the roof and did exactly what she'd said she would. She was there to think. After a few minuets of thinking, she knew exactly what she had to do. She'd never be alright knowing the man responsible for her self destructive ways was alive and well.

She sat up and watched as Pyro snuck out of the mansion, climbing down and hurrying to his side.

He looked at her with a silent nod.

She'd made up her mind.

The car pulled to a stop in front of the two, its door swung open.

They climbed in and Sabertooth growled. "What's she doin' here?"

"Just drive." She barked the order, slamming the door shut behind her.

When they arrived at the building, a shiver danced its way down her spine. She couldn't help but feel terrified at the thought that her most hated enemy resided within those walls.

She squared her jaw "Let's go."

"He'll be in there y'know." Sabertooth grinned.

She glared at him. "I know."

Pyro flipped his lighter open, sending the flames up along the edges of the window as AJ pulled her black outfit on that Magneto had provided for her.

"I knew you would come." He grinned. "You need us."

She ignored his comment, zipping up the leather suit and pulling on the leather gloves.

"We're good." Pyro let the flame die, looking over his shoulder. He'd melted the glass away. "Let's go."

AJ cracked her knuckles as she walked in. This place would be crawling with security; especially since the last attacks on such a similar establishment.

She stomped off in her own direction. She put a hand to her head as the scene flashed through her mind.

Skyler's disgusting grin. The look of vile satisfaction written all over his face.

Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe she shouldn't have come.

It wouldn't be too late to leave.

She let out a breath and continued down the hall, pressing her back against the wall. She could hear the security guards muttering to one another.

She peeked around the corner sneaking up behind the nearest guard. She put her left hand over his mouth and twisted his head violently towards her, lowering him to the ground gently. She knocked the other guard over the head with the butt of the first man's gun. She let him drop to the ground before tossing the gun on his chest. She wouldn't need that. Too clean. She ripped the radio off of his chest. It'd come in handy to know what they were saying to one another.

"Flames t'fox… come in fox."

AJ rolled her eyes at the voice in her ear. "What Pyro?"

"Thought y'd like t'know… I'm in the surveillance room. Your man's in the north corridor… just went inta room 118. Looks unarmed." He paused "An' don't use my name. Ovah."

"Right… flames. Over an' out."

She made her way down the hall.

"Flames 'ere Animal… watch y'back." She heard Pyro warn Sabertooth, giving her head a shake. She didn't understand how he could go back to them as if nothing had happened. Then again, she hadn't really wanted to be there with them in the first place.

Just for this. For this very moment.

She looked at the door. 118.

"Pyr-" She let out a breath. "Flames… it's Fox. Am I clear?"

After a moment of silence his voice whispered in her ear "He won't suspect a thing doll."

She pushed the door open quietly, gritting her teeth at the sight of him. His back was to her, watching the computer screens in front of him intently.

"I hope you have a good reason for disturbing me-" He spun around. A flash of shock in his eyes was quickly replaced with that sickening grin.

"Adiah. What a… pleasant surprise."

"Don't get your hopes –among other things- up." She crossed her arms, squaring her jaw. "I won't be here for long."

He chuckled. "Quite the humor you have."

She grabbed his neck, pushing him back against the computer. "And yet, I'm not laughing."

"Day's not over yet."

She gasped and spun around. There were two guards standing on either side of the door. They'd been there the whole time.

How had she not seen it?

"Pyro! You said all clear!" She shouted, her eyes scanning the room. There weren't any cameras. He was lying. He couldn't even see.

The guards took her roughly by the arms pulling her back. She knew it was a bad idea to come back here. She knew it!

"Pyro!" She shouted.

Nothing.

She spun around stomping on the first guards foot, elbowing him firmly in the face before kicking the second in the gut as he drew his weapon. She jumped up, grabbing the pipes above her, pulling herself up, wrapping her legs around his head and twisting. After a sickening crack, the guard fell to the ground.

She kicked the first guard again as he came at her, knocking him off his feet. It was obvious they had directions not to kill her. The thought caused her stomach to turn, only fueling her anger.

Both guards now lay on the ground.

Skyler stood up with a frown. "You've improved. I'm quite impressed. I hope you didn't do it for me."

She pressed her lips together, noticing the large needle he lifted out of the drawer. "Either way sweet heart, you won't be doing much moving when I'm done with you."

She growled and lunged at him, punching him a few times, knocking the needle out of his hand. He grabbed one of the guards' guns and pointed it at her as he scrambled for the needle.

He moved over to her, backing her up against the wall with an evil grin. "I'm quite surprised you had the guts to come here AJ. I didn't think you had it in you." He pressed the gun up under her chin. "The only problem is… we both know you don't have the guts to do it. I'm big… powerful… strong. And you? Well, everyone knows what you are."

She gritted her teeth. He was right. She'd never really have the guts to go through with it. She was just a little girl. He was practically her step father. As tears welled up in her eyes she shook her head.

"Please don't."

He frowned "Aw, now we've resorted to begging. Pleading." He shook his head. "Pathetic." He let out a small groan. "You look good."

A tear rolled down her cheek and she looked away as he moved his free hand about her body, moving his face close to the flesh on her neck. He breathed heavily before running his tongue along her skin, slowly beginning to undo the leather outfit with the zipper at the front.

The door swung open. Without hesitation, Skyler spun around and fired a shot. Pyro ducked out of the way, narrowly missing the shot.

AJ took her chance. She lifted her leg, pulling out the knife she had concealed against her ankle and stabbing him in the chest.

"You're pathetic!" She screamed, kicking him back, letting him fall into the chair. She grabbed the needle and jabbed it into his arm, injecting the substance into his system.

Pyro stared at her. "I didn't know he was like that Sheila… I swear. I just thought… they'd put a little scare inta you."

She threw the knife, narrowly missing Pyro's head before wiping the tears from her eyes and zipping the leather top back up that had been undone to just below her chest.

"Finish your job. Without me. I'm done with you." She snapped as she walked past him.

"I'm sorry AJ… I-"

She slammed him up against the wall. "I don't want to hear it!" She growled, heading back down the hall and out of the building, ripping the earpiece from her ear and grinding it into the ground.

She knew she shouldn't have come.