Sorry these are just short little nuggets, but I am trying to keep my momentum. This should wrap up in Chapter 19 or 20.

Selene was shown into an over-decorated sitting room where a table was laid out for tea. The Collector was seated in a large, plush chair that more than vaguely resembled a throne. She cast her gaze slowly around the room, ignoring the seat that was offered to her. When her cold gaze finally settled on the man, she stated, "The dagger is not here."

The man, smiled, showing his rotting teeth. "I thought you might like to have some tea first."

She stared at him for another moment, her expression stoic. It was a long moment, and she could see the man begin to visibly sweat under her gaze, well, that and the room was uncomfortably warm. The temperature was the result of the fire burning in the grate next to him, likely because he thought it would add a certain effect to the meeting. Suddenly, the tea service lifted into the air and smashed against one of the walls. Tea, sugar cubes, cups, and spoons flew every which way. Delicate china shattered, and one, long shard rose in the air and slowly floated over to hover above one of Selene's upturned palms. Throughout the entire event, she never moved her gaze from him. "I think we should both agree that the time for chitchat is over." The shard moved in a slow line toward The Collector until it hovered just in front of his nose. He went cross-eyed trying to watch it and withdrew until his head was pressed deep into the thick cushioning of his chair. Logan and Laura stood behind her still, simply observing the spectacle emotionlessly. "Take me to the dagger," Selene commanded.

The Collector edged himself to the side, at one point having to move forward enough so that the shard pressed against his nose, leaving a small scratch. He didn't pause or attempt any other grandiose gestures. He simply scurried out of the room and down the hallway. Selene and her two captives followed behind him at a sedate pace. They traveled down a maze of hallways and had to stop at several intervals while The Collector allowed a panel to scan his eyes, fingers, or voice. Sometimes they went down stairs, sometimes up elevator shafts.

When they finally reached The Collector's showroom, he seemed to have regained his composure. After the doors opened, he bowed at the waist and gestured into the room, though he kept his head tilted at an awkward angle to keep his eyes on Selene.

She walked past him without a word or even any response that she'd noticed his movement. She stopped several feet into the room. It was huge, more like a cavern, and was brightly lit, There were items spread across the expanse of the room, some in tall pods, others resting openly on pedestals or in cabinets. There was one section of the room with scorched floorboards with a hole just large enough to fit a human emptying into blackness. A few feet away on an ancient and expensive-looking carpet was the largest pod. The Collector moved quickly past Selene and moved toward it.

"This is where I'll keep them. I will have to have another made, but for right now, I think they will both fit," His voice was excited, having lost all traces of fear. He stood before the capsule, rubbing his hands together. "It's terribly exciting to think of having a matching pair, you know."

Selene moved toward him, the two following behind her. When Laura seemed to falter, Logan's stepped closer, taking her hand behind the folds of their voluminous cloaks. She stared at the capsule, her face still showing no emotion. "How do you prevent them from escaping?" She asked the question in a bored way.

He cackled, still rubbing his thick hands together. "It's really very brilliant, if I do say so myself. Since they can only fight with the adamantium they are made with, I thought it might be best to coat the inside of the capsule with the same substance. A very costly process all around, but definitely worth it." He turned to her, his eyes alight with excitement. "Shall we put them in now?"

Selene turned away, walking a few feet to pick up her dagger, which was resting on a pedestal nearby. She held it up, admiring it in the light. She tucked it into the pouch at her belt before turning back to the smaller man. She didn't approach him, but held her hand out, "Certainly. But first, shall we seal the deal?"

The Collector let out another cackling laugh as he hurried toward her. He placed his hand in hers and began to pump it vigorously, but it wasn't long before he seemed to lose a bit of his energy. He let out a weak mewing sound and dropped to his knees, staring up at her in shock and surprise.

"NO!" Laura screamed, lunging toward them, but Logan caught her in his arms, holding her squirming, fighting form against his chest. "Damnit! No! He's mine! That was the deal!"

Selene didn't stop staring down at the man whose hand she still held, a slight curve to her lips. She ignored the writhing figures and simply watched as the man seemed to sink into himself, aging as she seemed to grow younger. When she finally released his hand, all that was left of the Collector was a pile of flesh and bones. She ran one finger along her lips as if she'd just had a delicious drink and turned toward the howling woman, still being restrained. She appeared much more attractive, probably only around the age of 25. Her cheeks were flushed with health and vitality, and her eyes sparkled.

"I'll say he was a poor excuse for a meal, but when one is hungry..." she left the words trail off.

"He's dead..." Laura croaked, and she stopped fighting with the realization. When she looked at Selene, her eyes still blazed with anger. Logan did not let her go. She snarled at Selene, "You were supposed to let me have him."

Selene laughed, "As if I would give you anything little thief. You should consider this a very light punishment for having crossed me. You are getting off very easily," she turned her gaze to Logan, "because of him. But do not make the mistake of crossing me again. I can promise you will not be so lucky."

Selene patted the pouch as if to assure herself that the dagger was still there and glanced around the room thoughtfully. "It's a shame that I'm not much of a collector." She lifted a shoulder in a shrug and began moving toward the door. When she got there, she paused and turned slightly so that she could look over her shoulder at the two who had turned to watch her go. "Consider my debt to you fulfilled, Wolverine." When he nodded, she stepped through the door and disappeared.

Laura moved over to the crumpled form on the floor and glared down at it, her hands fisted tightly at her sides. Logan sighed, and moved away, searching in various places until he found the item he was looking for. He pocketed it and went to stand next to Laura, lifting a hand to place it on her shoulder.

"Revenge ain't good for ya anyway. She mighta done you a favor."

Laura shook her head. "All that kept me going for months were my plans for making him pay..." She shook her head, still not looking away. "I don't know what to do with that, with those plans. I just don't know..."

He tightened his grip on her shoulder and pulled her gently. "Come on. We gotta get outta here. You know Jubilee and Remy are waiting."

Laura stood for a moment longer, shaking her head silently before she let herself be turned and led out of her former prison.

Growlscout: I hope you're not disappointed! You almost always seem to figure out what's going to happen, so I hope that this plot twist doesn't differ in a disappointing way.

Thanks for the reviews everyone! I am really glad you are enjoying the story.