In The Twilight Hours – by Darlin
Chapter Two – Bump in the Night
He appeared out of nowhere. Wild and foaming at the mouth. Had I not known better I might have mistaken him for a Wendigo in the pouring rain. I veered trying not to hit him. I skidded off the road, hit a tree, came to an abrupt stop and was engulfed by the airbag as it released. He landed on the hood of my car crouched, laughing, baring his teeth like he's wont to do.
I'm not in the mood for his games. Why we must suffer him and Mystique along with Emma I do not know and yet I was all for letting Mystique join. Probably to ensure I wasn't acting with bias. And then there is the fact that if I had not once accepted Rogue as a member of our group I would have missed out on one of the best friends I have. Not all evil is redeemable however.
A lightning bolt sends him flying. I fumble with the airbag and manage to push it aside more or less then turn the key. Thankfully the engine starts. I back up to the road and continue driving. What he thought he was doing I could care less. I am not cruel or heartless mind you. I know his healing factor rivals Logan's. He'll survive. Now, if I were older perhaps I would not have survived. Frightening people out of their wits can cause heart attacks. On the bright side perhaps my little greeting will discourage him from these antics in the future.
I'm feeling rather good despite the odd sounds my car is making. It somehow seems like the perfect ending to a fine night. I'm actually in high spirits. I don't even feel bad when I slip momentarily and imagine doing the same to Emma. One lightning bolt, just one teeny tiny bolt when she's not diamond hard. Daydreams can harm no one after all can they?
My peace is shattered as I hear Scott's worried voice on the com link I always keep in my car. Deep and strong his voice is commanding yet pleasant. I respect this man and trust him with my life but I've been angry with him ever since he took up with the White Witch. I don't want to answer and briefly wish Victor would perk up enough to go taunt Scott and his lady love. They can't be too far behind me now though Scott drives like an old man. I know I'm bad tonight – very bad but I still smile. I can't help myself. Sometimes it's good to release a little tension in harmless ways.
He's relieved when I tell him it was only our friendly neighborhood psychopath playing games but there's a touch of anger in his tone. Neither of us can agree as to what Sabertooth was up to. No, I do not think he was trying to warn us of some impending doom. Scott does not appreciate my humor. I find it amusing and my mind takes an odd turn. I briefly wonder if this is how Logan felt while pressed up hard against me showing me what he's made of while I tried to maintain my cool. I must admit it is rather amusing to see one who's usually quite collected lose control.
Pay attention I remind myself as I find a spot to turn around in. Scott is insistent – find Victor while Emma telepathically contacts the mansion. I'm not sure why I obey and yet I'm sure he is regretting listening to her – no cell phones, no com links, no communication for the evening, just an enjoyable evening out for once – even I can feel a tad sorry for Scott. Still, I'm tried and ready to go to bed yet obey I do as images of lightning bolts deliberately aimed dance through my head. Just tonight a girl can have some bad thoughts. Tomorrow I'll be good. I promise. Really. It's what they expect anyway.
xox
When I finally meet up with them they're all gathered around Ororo's car. Skid marks show where she ran off the road and ended up headlong against a tree. I smell burnt flesh, blood – singed fur? But she's not hurt. Even smiling. It's a forced smile but she looks okay. I check her out, up and down. No blood on her anywhere and I circle her to be sure. Looking good, slightly annoyed but she's safe. Only thing is I smell something that shouldn't be there – Sabertooth.
I can hardly believe it when Ororo tells me what Vic did. I ain't got time to get angry though. She tells me what she did and I see that gleam in her eye that she gets when she's being herself for a change – none of that emotional distance stuff she pulls most of the time. She's in a mood tonight. Not sure what to make of it but ya gotta love a girl that can send a lightning bolt up Sabertooth's ass. Definitely my kind of woman.
I can't help laughing at Scott. Usual Boy Scout complex. Wants us to scour the woods, try to find the dumb ass. Doesn't listen to me either when I tell him Creed got what he had coming. 'Course Scott don't think that's funny. Hanging with Emma might be helping him in some way I haven't figured out yet but it sure ain't helped his sense of humor any. I'm with Ororo on this – the guy ain't gonna die. He got what he deserved tryin' to scare Ro like a little punk out for kicks. Rookie.
I go with Ororo on foot. It's not raining now, kind of sprinkling but there's the low sound of thunder in the distance. We're both pissed. Emma's mind games aren't enough to track the dope and she hasn't been able to contact anyone back at the school. Times like this you miss a first rate telepath. 'Course it's late. Figure they're either ignoring her or asleep.
Ororo must've sent him flying for a few miles by the smell of it. It ain't pleasant an' I ain't in the mood for tracking him but after a while I start to chuckle just picturing Ororo and Vic and pretty soon she joins in. Ororo's a hell of a woman. You wouldn't expect her to have a temper or a kind of twisted sense of humor sometimes but she does. Made of steel and fire. My kind of woman. I kind of hate to see her hit the skies for an aerial reconnaissance.
After an hour's search Emma links us telepathically. Scott's called the search off. Emma's picking up bad vibes back at the mansion. Maybe the goof's gone crazy, made his way back there and – well, don't want to even go there. He's supposed to be a good guy now. Right. While we're deep in the woods chasing after him. Neither of us is thrilled about the situation. She's tired and my buzz is long gone. She flutters down to me like a butterfly almost; she's so light on the air. It's always a treat watching her but this time she's still in that short black dress an' the view, with my eyesight is damn fine. White panties. Little. Very little.
When I tell her she's looking good she ignores me, not even sure what I mean, maybe didn't even hear. Don't blame her. She's in a hurry to get back home. It's near three in the morning by now an' all hell's probably broken out if Sabe's is on the loose. But the mansion's packed tonight. Betts, Kitty, Peter, Elf, Bobby, Hank, Rachel and a ton of others not to mention those pesky tin cans. If they can't put Sabertooth down I'm handing in my membership card.
xox
Men. I will never understand them. I do not look nice. My hair is a mess, come undone while I flew around searching for Sabertooth. Not only that but it's a wet mess. Not that I care but why lie? And I'm tired. Yes and possibly cranky. I want to sleep. I want to forget that I am surrounded by men with no sense and ruled by their lower regions. This was supposed to be a night off. No worries. I'm itching to see if Victor can handle a second electrocution by lightning. This time not so gentle.
I'm very tempted to head straight back, leave my car and them behind just fly home. But I can hear Scott now. "It might get towed. It could be a safety hazard. We had better move it to a safer location." Can't not do the right thing after all despite how little this road is traveled. I should always be as good as he strives to be.
Surprisingly he doesn't argue when I tell him my intentions. He's already parked my car neatly on the small shoulder of the rural road, Logan's motorcycle behind it. Hazard lights blink as we stand in a small huddle. Emma looks awful. I don't believe I've ever seen her with stringy wet hair and dripping makeup. She glares at me as if the rain were my fault. Fortunately, for her, she deigns to speak to me. My mood lightens considerably. One look at Logan and it's as if he's read my mind. I don't know why but I feel better when he puts his arm around my waist, that familiar smirk on his face.
His simple request – "Shall we?" and I'm delighted to take him up into the sky, black and starless and quiet except for Scott's soon distant shouts at Logan – "What about your motorcycle? You can't just leave it!" It is a fine art flying. I have mastered the winds after all these years and don't mind his weight, even enjoy it – the closeness. He smells of alcohol and cigars but of rain too and earth. I feel as if he would trust me with his very life when we fly like this and it is not only a comforting feeling but a sobering one.
xox
Nothing beats flying with Ororo for fun 'cept maybe a good ol' fashioned fastball special. Reminds me of the beginning. Good times those. We're a family now. Know it sounds funny that, coming from me but that's what we are. Ro and me and Kurt, Peter, Kitty even Scooter and the others. That don't include Emma though and Victor ain't even considered. Maybe Cain for a minute but Victor an' Mystique – don't see that ever happening. Don't know what Scott was smoking when he agreed to letting them join up.
The view up here's like nothin' you can imagine. Until you've flown like you got wings, like you're a hawk in its element you'll never know what it's like. The air rushes around you but you don't feel it 'cause Ro's got complete control over it. How she buffers the incredible amount of wind she's gotta control to make us fly I don't know. It's like a miracle but instead it's just another mutant with crazy powers. A powerful mutant I guess you don't ever want to pop out an' scare. Still makes me grin thinking about that.
Mutant, friend, boss when I'm with her team. I want more tonight. Tonight's no different than a lot of other nights. Up late talking, out on a date with Kurt or just the two of us, even out hiking or camping with some of the kids. Been a while since we've done that. Might have to suggest we go for a weekend – just like old times but no kids. I like that idea. Think she might too.
xox
Long before we get back to the school I see a fire engine heading away from the mansion. One word from Logan – "Smoke" And I feel my gut clench. Scott's on immediate alert when we tell him or rather relay through Emma. She tries contacting someone at the school again using her telepathic skills. Nothing. Too far she says. I've left my com link in my car and I can almost imagine Scott debating whether to go back for it or to continue driving. Not having the power of flight he orders us to get there ASAP which I'm already doing.
I'm sorry to say it appears that Sabertooth actually was attempting to warn us of impending doom, that the school had caught fire. It is now a smoldering ruin or rather one wing is. Couldn't he have simply said as much rather than appearing like some demonic mad man out of the night scaring me nearly to death? Scott will never allow us to escape the tethers of our com links again nor will he let me live this down I'm sure. It will always be in the back of his mind when I make a decision he would not have.
I wonder if a lightning bolt to the brain would be terminal for one with a healing factor. The school never once burned down when Magneto was with us or Juggernaut. I'm positive Victor was playing with matches. More likely a cigar forgotten somewhere. It's the teacher's wing that's burnt to a crisp. Thankfully no one is hurt. The children are safe. Extra tents have been put up. Nothing to do now but rebuild but that is for another day. Fortunately I no longer reside in the mansion and a warm bed is waiting for me. I find I'm slightly amused that Emma will have to bunk down in a tent or the med center though I do feel guilty when I think of Remy and Rogue, Kitty and Betsy and the others.
Bishop and Sage already have rooms at the boathouse. Separate rooms. I wonder why he doesn't make a move but it's none of my business. The thought makes me want to invite Logan to sleep on a couch but I find I'm . . . embarrassed and I can not bring myself to offer.
One statement changes everything. Clear and blunt – 'Guess I'm bunking with you tonight, 'Ro."