Chapter 6

She held the knife in her hands. Scott was busy giving them orders to everyone, Logan growling his disproval. Ann frowned; this wasn't going to be easy, for a place bent on keeping its occupants in, it sure was heavily guarded to keep anyone out. She looked out to guard towers. Hmm, it most definitely wasn't going to be easy.

"Ann, you go with Jubilee," Scott turned to her.

"Sorry Cyke, not tonight, got other plans," she turned to face him. "Logan, stay clear of Blade's claws, same goes for everyone, you get hit, that's it there is no antidote," she turned ready to leave the trees.

"Red," Logan held her arm.

"What?" he pulled her close.

"I'm not letting you go alone," he said. Ann kissed him lovingly. Pulling away she looked to the razor wire fence.

"Logan all I'm going to ask of you is this, don't stop for me, what I'm going to do will only last a short while but it should get you all in, Scott you get them in the minute I fall," She touched Logan's face kissed his cheek and said "I'll be back, when things change," she smiled, then turned to leave. Logan looked after her. She crept down the hill silently shoving the knife down her black leather bodice. Her hair was short and spiky, and she wore no heels. She came into view of the light.

The men on guard duty came down to see who she was.

"What are you doing here?" one of them asked pointing a gun at her. She tilted her head.

"I'm lost," she answered. They scoffed at her.

"Lost, baby? Maybe we can help," they approached her.

Logan watched as one stepped forward, he never saw her blade only saw the one closest to her fall dead in a torrent of blood, the other one's gun went off and she fell to her knees, then on her face her own blood pooling in the dirt. Logan wanted to cry out, to run to her side. Jean pulled him back; this wasn't what he had planned on.

"Logan, no, we need to keep going, she did it for us, for you now let's go!" she hissed. Logan didn't move. "That's an order," Logan turned and moved with the rest of the team.

Ann woke up in a cloud of blackness, good they'd left her here. She stood got her bearings. Looking to her watch, half past two, if they were still in there, they were running out of time. She walked around the fence looking for a power box, finding not one she broke inside and found it near a guard house. She released her claws opened the steel door and surveyed the wires. Green apparently was the security code. Knowing Scott they wouldn't be able to disable the whole system completely especially in this place, she rerouted the wires. Sirens went off, the loud wail sent guards everywhere. Ann cringed in pain, a bullet hit her, and she traced her steps up to a hill and out of site.

She watched, they were fleeing and heading back to the blackbird. Good, they were all safe. Ann fell against a tree. A tear or two fell from her eyes. They were gone. She heard the jet over head; it passed her and disappeared into the dark morning.

"No!" she shouted and rolled off her bed, the nightmare woke her up. She looked to Logan, he was still sleeping. She stood it was a long night. He stirred and rolled over to face her empty space.

"What'd you see?" he asked her. She shook her head sinking back into her place beside him.

"Nothing worth repeating," she said.

"Do you really not want to get involved?" he asked her, kissing her softly.

"No, not really,"

"Then why aren't you?"

"We can't risk it," she said softly.

"You can't, but I can,"

"Logan,"

"Ann, I love you,"

"Look, I can't retire from SHIELD, not until this all works itself out I-" she cut herself off. She fell silent, no more talking tonight. Soon again she was sleep.

"I heard it too," Logan got up, Ann with him and went down stairs. Both releasing their claws they heard whispered voices.

"Shut it, they could've of heard them,"

"We get in; we get out, no lolly gagging around, understand?" they all confirmed that they understood. Ann and Logan listened closely.

"Sir,"

"Yes?"

"You smell that?"

"Private, you're right, gentlemen keep your eyes open," they heard footsteps. Logan pulled Ann into a closet. She pressed herself against him listening to what was going on outside. Carefully Logan opened the door one arm around her the other arm pushing the door open he looked out just in time to see one pass. Softly he closed the door.

"Who are these people?"
"The ones I told you about!" She hissed.

"Weapon X?"
"Shh! They're just like you and I!" she leaned her head against him muttering a soft prayer. "Alright let's go," she led him out. The private didn't see it coming, he dropped dead. Ann advanced on the next, dead. Logan snapped someone's neck. Dead, dead, dead, Blade. He caught her throat.

"Well, lookie here, I thought you were in Canada losing your head over killing Logan, what the hell are you doing here?" Blade's hawk yellow eyes looked her over. "Looks like you haven't," he released her throat.

"That's right bub, you jus' back on outta there, nice an' easy," Logan hissed pressing his claws against his back. Blade turned around to face him. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Blade, looks like you're alive after all," Blade released his claws. "Know what? I ain't got time for this,"

Ann sat up in a cold sweat. Logan was still asleep, she must not've screamed or shouted. She fell back against him. She was so tiered and they both still had a long way to go.

Months past, it was near spring. And Ann was getting more edgy her nightmares were lasting longer and were getting steadily worse. Xavier and Hank had tired everything but nothing worked, Ann would just simply have to deal with them or not sleep. Meanwhile her relationship with Logan was escalating to a place she wasn't sure of. The idea of Blade and his band of terrorist not having attacked was worrying her to the point she found herself, sick and restless with worry some nights. She had to get away, it was eating away at her sanity bit by bit, and even though it could kill her, she couldn't stay here.

She called up Cutler a few nights ago, telling him she needed more information, he suggested she seduce Saber that might give her some pointers, once she'd found their motives, break into their headquarters in Canada and copy their plans for review. If she could do this then she could leave the institute and possibly be discharged, and live a life quite from the wars, and conflicts of the world. Maybe go back to Jack, or someone else. But in the meantime she was there, and was going mad, a feeling kept hidden from even the Professor.

The sweet night air was cold, it was one of the few times she and Logan could get away, and do something romantic for once. He held her hand in his leading her on a walk around town. She took in a sharp breath.

"You all right love?" he asked. Ann shook her head.

"Stranger, I don't know what to do anymore," she said, he looked to her. There was something she couldn't find in his eyes. It scared her. He pulled her close holding her in his arms. She just wanted to stop everything and cry. She wished she could but she couldn't. He just held her.

"Ann I love you, and if I know anything, it'll all turn out right," he kissed her softly and walked on. Ann felt safe with him, that's what separated Logan from most other men, he made her feel safe. She leaned her head on his shoulders putting his arm around her waist. Logan stopped at a florist cart and bought a flower. Ann looked to him puzzled. He brushed the flower petals in her face.

"Remember these?" he asked holding the flower so she could see. It was a rose, the shade of ruby. Ann smiled softly. "You used to look so pretty, when your hair was that solid black you know like the night sky? And you had it tucked behind your ear almost all the time, you looked so damn pretty that way, still do," he smiled putting it behind her ear, pulling locks of her currently mahogany hair around the bloom. He pulled her closer, and walked on.

"Things were so different then," she said sadly.

"They were," he agreed.

"You and I we were so close,"

"Still are,"

"Without risk?" she shook her head. They were stopped by his car. He had bought it few weeks ago with the back draft SHEILD owed him eight years ago. It was a sleek black mustang, Ann had chosen it. Logan couldn't have agreed with her more. He unlocked the door, slid in and offered her his hand. She took and slipped in next to him. He started the engine and she leaned on him. City lights flashed by, the drive was smooth and relaxing. She was tired, and sleep was hovering on the horizon. Logan pulled into the gravel drive. He stopped the car in the garage. Unbuckled himself and shoved Ann into a more awake state. She stared up at him. He smiled and kissed her cheek. He took her out taking her hand he led her through the dark house, most everyone was asleep.

The walk seemed to last forever almost. But finally they reached his room. Logan opened the door, and led her in closing it behind him. Ann wasted no time in wrapping her arms around him. She kissed his neck, and felt his hands run over her. Logan found her mouth and kissed her deeply. Ann responded by leaning in. She took off his jacket and threw it down. Logan took hers off. Articles of clothing fell to the floor like rain. Logan picked her up and placed her atop the sheets. And consumed her.

Ann was shy, and a bit afraid. It was the first time she had made love to Logan; in fact it was her first time making love to anyone. Thoughts slipped into her mind. She couldn't hardly breathe. Logan was so strong, possessive, and unafraid. Ann could do nothing except gasp when his lips brushed her skin. There was tenderness to his touch, Ann found charming. She lay there shaking with it all.

Logan couldn't believe he was finally making love to her. True they'd been together longer than god, but somehow whenever, Logan had wanted to make love, she found someway out of it, she always avoided it. But now, he wondered. She was shaking, as if she were afraid. He moved himself over, and kissed her mouth gently, and all the fear seemed to vanish.

"Logan," she gasped. He said nothing only brushed her hair. The rose fell to the floor. The dark petals cascading down and fluttered to over the wood, just as Logan claimed her.

Ann had reached a void she could not escape from. All thoughts fled her mind and were replaced with an abyss. There was nothing, only here and now, and Logan pouring his heart into her.

When at last it was over, Logan held her in his arms. Ann pressed herself against him. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't speak, could only feel his arms around her.

"Ann,"

No answer.

"I want you to know, that I'll always be there for you, no matter what," he said. Ann collected her thoughts and summoned the strength to finally speak.

"I lost you once Logan, I don't think I could do it again," she said, sleep finally taking over.

"Ann, are you all right?" Jean asked the Saturday morning after. Ann shrugged.

"Just worried," she answered sipping on her coffee, Logan had been growing more concerned on what was happening next, she pored over a file on information of what they knew, it just didn't make sense. Blade couldn't possibly have laid low this long. She leaned back in thought. What were they after? Then it hit her, they were waiting for Logan and Ann to lose control. It wouldn't be long; Ann was near ready to loosing her sanity.

"About what?"

"Something just doesn't make sense," she said to herself. Jean frowned.

"You're worrying yourself sick over something, what is it?"

"I wish I could tell, you, frankly I don't know," she closed the folder and looked to her friend her brow furrowed. "They want something, I know it, but what is it?" she asked. Jean was puzzled.

"What are you talking about?"

"I hate to say it, but it looks like I'm just gonna have to drop my pride and kiss Scott's ass,"

"You what?"

"Nothing, I'm talking figuratively here, what's it take to get a favor out of Scott any ways?"

"What kind of favor?" Jean asked. Ann thought, whether or not she should tell her friend.

"A really big one," she settled with, Jean shifted closer.

"What kind?"

"I need information, not just any, the kind that's illegal, knowing Scott that's not gonna happen, damnit what are they up to?" she stood and poured her coffee down the sink. "Blade's running scared I know that much, otherwise he wouldn't've laid low for so long, but why?" she concentrated hard outside.

"What are you thinking?"
"Tell Logan I won't be back till late," she took a paper towel and pen and scribbled something out in French. "Give this to him, he'll know," Ann said and ran up to get dressed.

Indeed she did come home late. Midnight almost, when she pulled in the drive, she was tired, intoxicated and felt like shit. No one was going to be happy with her. Not even the professor, and least of all Logan. But she had it, she had gotten it. It took nearly all day and all night but she did it! She seduced Saber just enough to give her the information she needed. Hell Logan wasn't going to like this shit.

She put away her bike unlocked the door in and stumbled up the stairs. She opened the door put the folder on the dresser and slipped into her pjs, then into bed with Logan. He stirred upon feeling her body. He instantly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Where the hell have you been?" he growled to her. Ann sighed.

"Not now," she groaned.

"You realize how worried I was?"

"You seem to be doing a lot of that recently," he pulled tighter.

"Ann don't push me,"

"Look Stranger, I'll tell you in the morning, right now is not the time," she shifted in his arms so she pressed her face against his neck. He softened a bit. She laid against him. If anything the morning was going to be hell.

Ann didn't quite recall what woke her up, Logan shifting or him mumbling something to himself, but whatever it was, Ann saw him leafing through her report. She sat up, he glanced back to her, his face hard, and stern, he was not happy. She fell back to sleep, better for daylight than six n the morning.

Around nine, Ann was in the war room explaining where she was yesterday and the folder of information Logan had found.

"I don't believe this, I disappear for eight hours or more and you're all on my case," Ann threw up her hands.

"Where'd you go?" Scott asked this time not light heartily. Ann rolled her eyes.

"I stole it off Saber, if Bandit knew about that we'd see his head on the side of the road,"

"You stole it?" Scott echoed.

"Look, I needed it, Saber had it, and I either get him liquored up, or I sleep with the man, I chose whiskey, and in any matter I now know something that I didn't seventy-two hours ago, you better be thanking your lucky stars Blade didn't catch me," Ann said snatching it from his hands.

"What do you want to know?" Storm asked, Ann looked to her.

"Six months ago, Blade went ahead, just a few nights after I came here, I don't know what he was looking for, I have no idea why he threw his plans down the drain just like that, and why he ran," Ann explained. "Now it was to collect DNA, can't believe the sonna bitch tired to outsmart me, he will not be an easy feat next time around. I'm expecting blood or worse," she thought for a moment.

"What are you talking about?"

"Weapon X is this terrorist organization bent on making the mutants the one with the upper hand while slaughtering the humans till they're extinct. Now I'm here to make sure that shit doesn't happen or Scott fucks up, and I mean fucks up," she quirked her eyebrows.

"Ann this doesn't make sense," Logan said. Ann laughed.

"On the contrary, Logan, it makes perfect sense! I still have no idea why I didn't see it! It was clear as day!" Ann hit her forehead; she leaned over the steel table at her fellows. "They don't want you and me, Logan, not procreation, they want Scott and Jean," she hissed. "Damn they're good," shock ran through everyone, Ann laughed she flipped through the folders pulling out a graph of genetics, she handed it to Hank.

"My lord," he breathed.

"Yep, they already have the genetics mapped out, hilarious really, this one here is with Jean and Logan," she passed up another graph, "And this one is me with Logan, and the last one, Blade and I,"

"Ann what's going on here?" Scott asked.

"Alright, bear with me here, you know how Nathanial what's his face says your children will be rather powerful?" Ann began. "My nightmares are impressions of the future, you have a son, I call him Apollo, he grows up goes off does his own thing comes back bent on destroying anything, yes even you, that opposes himself, or Weapon X," Ann laughed.

"What?"

"Yeah, I know a bit farfetched, this was back when they recorded my nightmares, anyway you can imagine this is the big break they all need," Ann marveled at the graphs she held.

"Why is this so important to them?" Xavier asked.

"Weapon X, creates living weapons, much like Logan and myself are, they don't hire outside unless they have to, every operative they have, is created, Blade also has this thing for me," Ann sat satisfied. "They feel the world owes them something for having been created for such a thing, a weapon, course that's what made Blade go to hell was that thinking, course he didn't have Logan to train under either," she smiled to herself.

"What are you saying?"

"Weapon X is in its infancy, the only difference between the brotherhood, is they will kill and slaughter every single human out their, I find that unholy,"

"What do you suggest?"

"Scott, I'm gonna make you a deal, I disappear forever, kill off Weapon X, and get outta your hair no questions asked, if you and the X-men agree to do a little favor,"

"Oh yeah?"

"There's a facility up north where they operate, now aside from protecting this place, we need information, once we have that we know what we're up against regarding numbers, weapons, locations, that sort of thing, " she smiled, paused and then continued on. "What I'm asking of you is highly illegal, dangerous, and the possibility of not making it back, but the rewards I can't explain, we break in copy the information hand it over to SHEILD, and then I leave you, simple as that,"

"No,"

"Well then I guess I'll be staying here, breathing down your neck,"

"We'll need a plan," Logan pressed.

"Already have it mapped out, you'd be doing all the gathering, Cutler will show up when you get back just hand it over, I'll get you in,"

"Why should we trust you?" Jubilee asked Ann looked her friend over.

"Because, you're not the one who gets shot,"

"And you do?"
"Bingo," she turned to leave. "I'll have the all the minor details on your desk tomorrow Scott, Hank you'll need the codes, we take off Wednesday night, arrive about eleven sort things out, you had better be out of there around one, I'll give an extra hour if you get behind, but I'm not guaranteeing much." Ann left followed closely by Logan. She picked up her pace wanting to avoid him.

He cornered her at the elevators. Ann had never conceived of a silence so loud. Logan stepped closer to her. She stepped away. The doors opened she stepped out, Logan with her; he took her hand, and led her away to the grounds outside.

"Ann," he pulled her with him to place where he knew they would be alone. Ann let him hold her resting her head on his shoulders. "I can't believe, we're having to, say good bye so soon," he whispered.

"Logan, I'll be back, I always will be, you know that," she kissed him. Goodbyes were always hard. She was here for so short a while, so she did the only thing she could, and that was cry. This place had gotten out of hand. There was no addiction she needed to be cured of, her dreams were just her curse, and Logan was the only right thing in her life right about now. He held her close. It was hard to believe that she had to lose him all over again.