The Boogie Man
Sequel to Kittens Have Claws, Too. Victor, Katherine, Tayla and Mystique discover the secret to helping keep female ferals alive…But will nightmares be the setback for an old friend, or will her personal Boogie Man be the one to save her soul.
I DON'T own them…at this point I wish I did…I would put them all out to pasture and go on with my LIFE…SOMEONE get Victor Creed OUT of my head. Wait, never mind. (Victor muse purring in the background as he throws back the covers on the bed…) I am going to pet the kitty while you guys enjoy the story.
Chapter 6
He didn't expect it to be over quite like that. He had become adjusted to the routine – rest between cycles – then escorted to her room. But nothing – he had been left alone for sixteen hours. He was kneeling again – in front of the dresser, the small picture reminding him of his loss again.
"Darlin' I don't know how – or if – this is goin ta work out. All I know is I miss ya like hell – and wish I could join ya." He whispered the words into the quiet of the room. He could hear footsteps approaching, and waited to see if the door opened.
It didn't – the footsteps passed by. He closed his eyes and tried to relax – but the meditative state kept eluding him. He could feel Wolverine rumbling in the back of his mind – angry about Tayla – about how he was planning to just let her go. He knew the animal in him wanted her – wanted to carry her off and make her his – force her to accept it. But he wasn't an animal – and the woman hated him – worse feared him, and he wouldn't live with that. She wanted him to leave – he would leave.
The door opened suddenly – with no warning.
"Here are your things – your friends will be waiting in the courtyard." Katherine said, as she threw the leather uniform on the bed. He just nodded. "We even refueled your jet."
"I want to talk to her – before I go."
"No – after what happened she has flat refused– and I know it wasn't your fault, especially after going over the data base, we would have lost Miranda anyway. At least the other three have a chance now, and I wanted to thank you for that. Tay – well she had no call to say what she did, and the timing wouldn't have made a difference." SHIT! Creed's wife was being understanding – even kind. He really wanted to double check that they hadn't flown through a dimensional rift or something.
"I just wanted to let her know – I will respect her wishes, but if she – or you – needs anything, don't hesitate to call us. I know we ain't been on the best of terms – but we can work together on this."
"Thank you for that, Logan. Victor will be surprised – and I think pleased – at the offer, I know there is something going on that him and Myst don't want me to know about. They are both worried about something."
Logan nodded. "Just be careful – all of you. There are organizations out there that would like to take advantage of something like what you have here. These kids don't deserve to end up like me."
She just nodded and closed the door behind her. He slipped out of his borrowed sweats and walked into the bathroom. A hot shower didn't help with the conflict in his head. Part of him wanted to cut that door down – find her and force her to come with him, and part of him wanted to run as fast and as far as he could – away from the shame of what he had been forced to do.
He slid the zipper up, the leather comforting against his body. It was a part of him – now. Xavier's – the kids – the team. They were his responsibility. He had learned something here – something that was almost frightening. The 'bad' guys weren't so bad after all – and his perception of things had become quite stark over the last few years. He remembered being able to see the shades of gray a whole lot better – but now things were more black and white and he didn't like it – one bit.
He walked to the door, expecting it to still be locked. It opened under his hand, and he stepped into the hallway. There were no guards – no sounds in this wing at all. Everything was peacefully quiet. He walked down the hall until he found a flight of stairs and slipped down them, expecting opposition or at least a challenge at every step. Nothing.
In the courtyard, Storm, Rogue and Colossus were waiting; some of the older residents standing watch, but no one was trying to stop them from leaving. One of the girls walked over to him.
"I'm sorry – you shouldn't have had to go through this – not like this. We are grateful for you saving Tay – but, it's not fair – to either of you – what she did." He was surprised at how much these kids seemed to know about his personal business.
He noticed several boxes being packed, groups of children working to dismantle things. Something was wrong – very wrong.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"Myst says we are going to have to move – there is another location we can use, and we will be moving in groups as quickly as we can get packed. She didn't say why – just that there had been some kind of alert." He wondered what had spooked the shape shifter.
"Your jet is ready to go." Said a young man – with very canine traits, Logan remembered him from Miranda's room.
"Is everything ok, are you guys going to need any help?" He asked.
"No. Even if we did – Tayla wouldn't let you help. Just go – the sooner you are gone – the sooner things can get back to normal around here." The four of them followed him to the Blackbird.
As he and Storm sat in the cockpit getting the jet ready to fly, she asked "What exactly happened?"
"I really don't want to talk about it." He said – running through the pre flight checklist.
"Logan – something happened – that child died, and no one will explain anything. Charles – and Hank will want a full report, especially since you gave them access to the database."
"Fine – it can wait until I have to give a full report. I DON'T want to talk about it, Ro." He growled. He could feel Wolverine fighting for control. He hated that Tayla wasn't on the plane – wanted to go back and force her to come with them. It was taking every bit of his concentration to keep the animal in him at bay.
XXXXXXXXXX
She watched from her window as the black jet rise outside the walls of the compound. Part of her wanted to be on it – to be with him, but she forced it down. He was a monster – Miranda was dead because he was a selfish bastard. He had – no he hadn't. It was driving her insane. He had never once been violent – or hateful, even when she provoked him. Where was the monster her father had always told her about?
Now that her emotions were more under control she could look back at everything and see her own blame – her own culpability. If anyone was a 'rapist' it was her. She had forced him into something he had despised – into something he had hated – not because she hated him – not to punish him – but simply because she was afraid.
She had ten years to work this out – before she had to face him again. Maybe – next time – things could be different. She turned and went back to the computer in front of her. She had two potential mates for the other three girls and was searching for a third. They had teams out trying to convince the two men she had found to come in – and meet the girls.
She winced. Were they doing the right thing? Was it right to match people based on genetics – to stop nature from culling the herd in its own way? After her experience she doubted everything. Were they saving these girls or were they taking away their choices? Were they imprisoning the males in genetic servitude to mates they might not have otherwise chosen? Just because it worked for Kat and Vic – and for most of the others – she had to admit – did it mean it was right? Or was it her – was she the bad apple? Was she the one that couldn't accept what nature intended? He wasn't even that bad looking – not that she had much of a chance to notice – and even when they spoke – the one time – he hadn't done anything but kiss her.
She frowned. NO! She wouldn't think about that. He was an animal – and a monster – and everything her father had told her. She had to believe that – because if she didn't – then who was the monster? The phone next to her elbow rang and she nearly jumped out of her seat.
"Hello?"
"Tayla – we are calling a meeting in the conference room now that our guests have left." It was Myst.
"On my way." She said and hung up the phone. Something was going on.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Victor walked up the porch steps. The house was quiet since they had moved the little ones to the compound for security. He missed them. Kat was back at the compound but he wanted some peace. He needed to think. Not much had changed in ten years; they liked the house the way it was. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and went into their study.
He was juggling financial matters when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Well, well if it isn't Uncle Vic." He nearly threw the phone across the room. Ten years he had been trying to find out what happened to her for ten years.
"Megan."
"I am going to be in town this week; I thought I might come by and see how you and my baby sister are getting on." He growled into the phone.
"She's busy – on a project at the genetics institute." He said.
"Oh – but surely you won't mind us coming by for dinner." He could hear someone in the background.
"Who is 'us'?"
"Well – I am seeing someone. I was going to see if Mom and Dad wanted to come too – make a family party out of it."
Well – hell. If the kid had settled down, maybe – she was family after all.
"Alright – I'll see if Kat has anything planned. When were you thinking about doing this?" His hackles were up, but she was family and if she were truly making an effort – he could too.
"Wednesday, we will be there Tuesday but he has plans that evening."
"I will see what Kat has on her agenda. Can we reach you at this number?"
"Yes. I am looking forward to this, Uncle Vic." He didn't trust her.
"We will try to plan something for Wednesday."
"Talk to you later. Give Kat my best." The line went dead. He felt a sudden chill. Nothing as frail as fear – just caution – she was up to something. At least the Runt was gone – he didn't have to deal with that issue anymore. He dialed Kat's cell phone.
"Hey, Baby." She said as she answered the phone.
"Do you answer all your calls like that?" He gave a mock growl into the phone.
"Only when I know it's you." He could hear something in her voice.
"Darlin' – Kitten – do ya need me?"
"Always – but I am heading home now. Myst called a meeting, something about wanting to get the kids moved. You know how she is – seeing danger in every shadow."
"This is a pretty damned big shadow, Darlin." He said. "Why are you heading home if Myst is going ahead with the move?"
"Ummm – I don't know – cycles and babies and stuff like that." He sat there grinning foolishly. Even after ten years the idea of making love to his wife caused that grin – and they had DAYS of lovemaking ahead.
"So – are you taking off the rest of the week?"
"Why would I do that?"
"I don't know – cubs and cycles and stuff like that." He dropped his tone to a rumbling purr.
"DAMN IT, VIC! I am driving. Don't do that unless we are alone – and in bed. SHIT! I ran a damned red light."
"Darlin' just get home – safe. You drive like an old lady anyway."
"OHHH and who taught me to drive?"
"Your father."
She laughed.
"Speaking of – your sister called." He said.
"WHAT!? Is she ok? Never mind – I am in the driveway – you can tell me when I get inside." He heard the click of her cell phone disconnecting and the engine turn off outside.
He was leaning on the study door frame when she opened the door. He could smell her – and his body rushed to respond – not that it didn't under normal circumstances – but this was different. He hadn't felt this rush of need in ten years.
"Megan called?" She said as she closed the door, locking it behind her. He nodded. She was already stripping off her shirt.
"Yeah – you ain't wastin time are ya?" He said as her blouse hit the floor.
"And why should I – I have a very willing husband standing there." She grinned, her skirt landing with her blouse. To hell with Megan – he had other things to think about. His clothes joined hers, and she walked slowly across the entry – his eyes following every movement, his hands itching to touch her skin.
"Couch or bed, Darlin'?" He asked as she slipped into his arms.
"To be honest, floor sounds good to me at the moment." She grinned.
"Couch it is." He grinned back, picking her up and carrying her into the study.
As he lay her down on the couch a stray thought crossed his mind – something to do with her sister and dinner – but it was chased away by her fingers tangling in his mane and her tongue slipping inside his mouth. Megan – who the hell was Megan?
XXXXXXXXXX
He stared at his hands, gripping the yoke of the plane. Why were they leaving – where was his mate? The white haired woman wasn't Tayla – neither was the kid. He could remember finding them interesting – even enjoyable a time or two – but all he wanted now was Tayla. He remembered her taste – the feel of her body under his – and her scent – their scent. She was breeding – carrying his child – and LOGAN was forcing him away from her. He was going to have to remind LOGAN who was the boss. A sudden wave of darkness – cutting off his senses and he knew – Logan was showing HIM who was boss. Someday – the tables would turn again…and Wolverine would be in charge.