"No way!" Jean stared at me in shock.
"Yes way! It's true, I swear!" I smirked at her, letting everything settle in her mind. I had just filled her in on everything that had happened to me in the past few weeks, including all of the not-so-terrifying details of my kidnapping.
"Nick Fury, huh? This is big, Annie." She shook her head in disbelief.
"I haven't even gotten to the fun part yet, red."
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"You might, actually." I smiled broadly. "He's giving my own team of scientists to help me wake Steve up. I don't trust most of them." My eyebrow twitched at the thought of the information I found in the dossiers. These guys were your run-of-the-mill geniuses who would do anything for money. They would've fit in perfectly in Weapon X.
"You've got a point, I know it."
"I trust you, Jean."
"Oh, god."
I got down on one knee and grasped her hand. "Jean, will you do me the honor of helping me reestablish this man's genes to help him survive being unceremoniously cryogenically frozen?"
"OMGoodness! This is so awesome!" She ran over to her computer and pulled up a calendar. "Soccer's over, so my schedule is free except for classes. I could totally do this!"
"And think of all the connections you could make by doing this. You could get all kinds of awesome science-y military jobs after this." I patter her on the back.
"But why did you want me?"
"Cuz, like I said, I trust you. I know you're smart. You can help me."
"But you're better at science than I am. I'm more into psychology."
"That's the main reason I want you. You know more about people than I do. I hate people; I am so not sociable. You can tell what people are thinking and judge their character better than I can." I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest.
"Yeah, you're not very good at being a people person." She flipped her hair back out of her face and laughed.
"So, you'll do it?" My eyes lit up like Christmas lights on fire.
"Yes! This will be so exciting!" She reached up for a hug, I bolted away.
"Woah, there, Nellie. Let's keep this platonic."
"Annie, you're so mean." We both broke out in laughter.
Now that that bit of awkward story telling was over, I had to go see Wade. I ran up to my room, hoping to see him lounging on my bed. My hopes were shot when I came in and my bed was devoid of human life. I went over to my desk and pulled out the teleporter Weasel had made for me. Weasel was Wade's faithful geek. He was a genius, but he stayed true to Wade's love of money morality. He didn't kill anyone, but he didn't help if the money wasn't right, either. He was hella funny, though, and great at a game of pool.
I pushed in the coordinates of Wade's house in San Francisco, and reminded myself not to puke as I pushed the button.
"Don't you dare puke." An old woman sitting in a chair yelled at me. "Deadpool said you might be over today. I heard you 'port in. I swear, if you puke on my rug I'll feed you to the dog."
"How would you know if I puked, Al? You wouldn't be able to see it." I gasped, trying to reign in my stomach. Teleportation was hell on the insides.
"I'd step in it."
"That'd be funny." I giggled.
"Ya know what else is funny? My shoes up your—"
"Language, Al!" I shook my finger at her, then laughed, remembering the blind bat couldn't see it. "Where's Wade?"
"In his room, I guess. I haven't heard from him all day."
"Doesn't that strike you as odd? You can always hear Wade."
"Well, now that ya mention it…"
"I'ma go check on him…" I walked upstairs and knocked on the attic door. "Singing sexy gram!"
"Oooo is the blonde I ordered?" I heard him yell back. I scowled. He opened the door to my fist in his face. "Nope, just an angry redhead. I get a lot of those these days."
"Wade, pumpkin, we need to talk."
"Oh, God! You're going to break up with me!" he sniffled.
"We're not dating, Wade."
"Oh, right." He laughed and sat down in a chair. "'Sup, kitten?"
"I've got some news that you might wanna hear."
"Oooo, I do love the gossip." He giggled in anticipation.
"First, promise me you won't overreact."
"Scouts honor."
"I know where Killbrew is."
I visibly saw his face darken; he wasn't wearing his mask. He clenched his hands into fists and stood up.
"Wade, you promised."
"Where is he, Analya?" He asked evenly. He always scared me when he used my name.
"Under SHIELD protection."
"He's working with you?" He snapped, incredulously.
"Yes." I sighed. "I've been forbidden to kill him, though I defiantly tried." I grabbed his wrists, trying to make him relax. "After we've awakened Steve, he's all yours, pumpkin. I've got his address and everything."
He stared at me. "You got the info for me?"
"Sorta. I was gonna kill him myself, but I figured you'd want to."
"You're too good to me, kitten." He smiled manically and sat back down. I let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding.
"Now, I have more news.'
"I don't think I can handle anymore."
"This one's not quite as shocking, I promise." I giggled. "As we know, Carson was killed by Hydra when he got too close. Ten bucks says I'm next. SHIELD has agreed that I need a bodyguard."
He growled. "I'm capable of watching over you myself; I don't need no SHIELD flunky gettin' in my way."
"That's why I said I was going to use you.' I smiled innocently. "I trust you more than any of them."
"This is why I love you."
"And here I thought it was because I bought you tacos."
"Well, that, too." He smiled and leaned in to kiss me, I pulled back.
"Wade, you know I can't touch you." I whispered.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." He pulled on his mask, and kissed my cheek.
"Take it off, Wade. I hate that mask on you."
"Ya know, most chicks don't wanna see the damaged goods."
"Damaged? I only see sexy."
"Now I'm gonna puke!" Al yelled from downstairs.
Logan and I had a Saturday ritual; we'd always jump on his bike and take a relaxing ride through the scenic route. What Logan didn't know, is that I got him a present. With part of the enormous check SHIELD gave me, I bought him a new denim jacket. I had patches sewn into it; there was a skeleton hand giving the finger, the acronym DILLIGAF, and a Canadian flag. I was hoping he liked it…he was so hard to shop for.
"I packed us a couple ham sandwiches and a large bag of Doritos for lunch." Logan said as he picked up his helmet.
"Sweet. I love Doritos." I smiled, and watched him put on his leather jacket. "Isn't your jacket kinda hot? It's a warm day out, especially for March."
"It's the only jacet I have, and a helluvah lot safer than going without one."
"You sure you don't have another one?" I asked, trying to keep from smiling.
"I think I know my own wardrobe." He growled.
"Check your saddle bags."
"Why? There's nothing in there, Annie."
"Just check, ok?" I rolled my eyes and buttoned up my grey denim jacket. He sighed, and lokoed, obviously trying to humor me.
"Annie…where did this come from?"
"Call it a belated Christmas present." I smiled and watched him put it on. It fit him perfectly.
"This is…nice."
"The only reason I'm not taking offense right now is because I know you don't know how to accept a gift." I smiled, and handed him his helmet. "Let's just skip the awkward step and get to our ride, ok?"
"You know me so well, kid."
"I'm your daughter, it's my job."
He climbed on the bike, and I shimmied on behind him. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and took a deep breath. I always felt a little nervous when he started up the bike. Pulling out of the driveway was the worst part; I hated having to lean with the bike as he turned. He took off, and I stared at the upcoming turn. I closed my eyes as he began to lean; I leaned with him. I tried to keep my breathing regular and slow as my body came closer to the pavement. Logan could feel my body tense; he always did, but never commented. He knew I felt weak at being so afraid.
As the bike straightened up, my eyes flew open. I smiled broadly as the wind swished past my ears. There was no feeling in world quite like racing down the road on a low-rumbling Harley. The vibrations from the engine traveled up my body, making my fingers shake in my leather gloves. Little traces of hair fluttered over my face, having escaped from the ponytail under my black beanie.
The world zoomed by in a blur or color, after a while all I could see were blots of green as we went deeper into the woods. Our bodies bounced up as Logan took us off the main road and onto a dirt path. Harleys are not built for off-road ventures, but Logan was such a good rider that he made it work. He would never let his bike get hurt; much less would he ever allow me to be hurt.
Trails of dirt flew up our sides, and tried to blind me. I reached into my breast pocket and put on my Louis Vuitton sunglasses. Yeah, I was kinduva chick like that sometimes. I took a deep breath of the warm March air; the smell of pine trees was predominate, but there a lingered a stench that I quickly recognized. I moved my hand to Logan's shoulder and squeezed, hard.
He quickly stopped, the bike spinning us around in a full 360. Logan growled and sniffed air, smelling it, too, now. I slid off the bike and grabbed my sai blades out of the saddle bag on the left side. Logan pulled off his gloves and his claws sparked out. I took a steadying breath, and looked around, scanning every bit of the forest for movement.
"Come out, come out; where ever you are." I whispered.
"Ah, I see it is Wolverine and his little pet, out for a day's ride." A low, ragged voice shook from behind the trees. It sent vibrations through the ground and up my body, making me shiver.
"Sabretooth." Logan growled in anger. I widened my stance, getting ready for an attack.
"What the hell do you want, fur-boy?" I stared at him, hoping Logan would give me the all go to kill him.
He walked into view, smirking at me. "Little one, you shouldn't be so eager to attack me; not when I'm here to help."
"The only way you're gonna help me is by jumping into the pine box, and saving us the trouble." I growled.
"Tongue like razor; you've been spending too much time around her, Wolverine."
"What can I say; I'm a chip off the old block." I winked at him and shifted my eyes to Wolverine for a split second. He was staring at Sabretooth, waiting.
"What do you want, Sabretooth?" Logan boomed.
"I want to help you."
"How and why?" That's Logan, straight and to the point.
"Hydra is trying to kill your pet.'
"Tell me something I don't know.' I could feel Wolverine giving me a hard glance, but there was no time to explain now.
"I want to offer my assistance in keeping you safe, little one."
I couldn't help but laugh. "What the hell?" I asked between gasps of air.
"You heard me. I didn't stutter."
"Ok, how about why the fuck would you want to help me? You've been trying to kill us for years." I scowled at him.
"No, I've been trying to kill Wolverine. I have no grudge with you, little one."
"Oh, that makes everything better. And don't call me that."
"There is no way in hell we're gonna trust you, bub. Now get lost, or I'ma gonna claw off your face." Logan spat.
"I know who the first assassin is."
"Bullshit." Logan and I both said in unison.
"It's true. Let me help you, or she's going to die."
"Are you threatening me?" I threw one of my blades; he dodged and it sank four inches into the tree behind him. He stared at it, smirking.
"You're better at this than you look; maybe you'll actually survive."
"You have no idea."
"Let me help you."
"What's in it for you?"
"That's my business."
"No deal, furball."
"You're gonna regret that."
"What I'm regretting is killing you years ago."
"Well seem, little one." He ran off. I started to run after him, but Logan grabbed my arm.
"We need to talk."
"But he's-"
"He'll be back, and we can kill him then. Why didn't you tell me someone was trying to kill you?" he did not look happy.
"I didn't want to worry you."
"Annie, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"You knew I was working with SHIELD. You knew something like this would probably happen."
"Yeah, and I also trusted you to tell me when it did."
"I didn't want you to have anything to do with this."
"Why? You don't trust me to keep you safe anymore?" He looked like I'd smacked him across the face with a fish.
"That's not it and you know it!" I cried. "I didn't want you to be in danger, too."
"Annie, you're only 17."
"I can handle myself, dad, and I can prove it."
"You don't have to prove anything to me."
"Obviously I do, if you still want to keep me hidden under you wing. I go out with Deadpool doing God-knows-what and you don't get like this."
"I know Deadpool will keep you safe."
"Did you ever think that maybe I was the one keeping him safe?"
"Annie, I can't lose you!" He yelled.
"I'm not going anywhere, dad. I'm right here, and I can fight my own battles. It's time for you to start trusting me!"
He stared at me, not saying a word. His claws slithered back into his hands, and he mounted the bike. I pulled my blade out of the tree with a quick jerk, and put them in the saddle bags. I climbed on behind him, and we spend off. Thank God I was in the back; the wind speeding past my face swiped the tears falling down my face into the air, to disappear in the dirt.