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 7
The scent hit him as soon as he woke – her body primed and ready – but not for him. They had done it – she had conceived, and he felt a sudden surge of panic. Was he really ready for this?
"Don't you EVEN start changing your mind NOW, Victor Creed." She muttered as she opened her eyes.
"Not changin' my mind – you're carryin my cub." He grinned. It was Wednesday morning – something he was supposed to remember was nagging at the back of his mind.
"You never did tell me what Megan called about." She muttered as she rolled over and pulled the blankets up.
He sat straight up in bed. MEGAN!
"She's coming to dinner – tonight." He said.
"WHAT!" Kat sat up, and he almost forgot what they were talking about again.
"She called – wants to come by – invited your parents. She wants the family to meet the guy she's been dating."
"Really?" Kat looked dubious.
"I didn't buy it either – but she seemed sincere. She's family for crying out loud – if nothin else I've learned to appreciate that." He grumbled.
"What the HELL am I cooking for dinner?" She glared at him.
"I don't know – enough for all of us – your Mom and Dad, Dave Jr. Megan and her guy." He said.
"Well – at least it's warm enough to cook out. YOU can fire up the grill."
"Hey now – I don't cook – 'less it's for you." He grumbled.
"You are the one who waited till the last minute to tell me."
"You are the one who went into heat – and distracted me – Woman." He growled back, pulling her against him as she tried to climb out of bed.
"Don't you start that – I have a menu to plan." She pushed against his chest.
"Huh-uh – you have ta convince me ta cook for your family – Darlin'" He grinned.
"Get your big lazy ass out of bed and…" He shut her up with his mouth. They had time to plan dinner – he had other plans for the morning.
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Tayla glared at the screen for the fifth time. She couldn't believe it. Micah had asked her about the baby this morning. That was one secret no one could keep around here, with all the ferals – someone was bound to pick up on the scent.
"How the hell am I going to deal with THIS?" She muttered as she glared at the computer. He had a right to know, damn it – but she didn't want to tell him – didn't want him back here – didn't want him involved in her life – the baby's life. She hated him – didn't she?
She had been suffering doubts since the plane lifted off the ground – one part of her, a large part, the part that put her in this predicament in the first place – her feral part – wanted to be on that plane – to be with him. She had learned early to compartmentalize that – to push it back, but she was losing control over it. It was popping up at the worst times – she had yelled at one of the younger girls today, simply because that part of her didn't WANT to be here anymore.
Mystique seemed to know what was going on – was making arrangements for the move. The older trained pairs had already left for the fallback locations. They were setting things up so that the children could be moved next. The only ones who would stay would be the three waiting for mates, Tayla, Mystique, Victor and Katherine. As soon as the three girls were mated, they would be moved to the fallback locations, and Katherine and Tayla would execute the virus program to destroy the information in the computer system. All the data was backed up – and installed in the backup location computers, it would just be the most recent data – and the information from the X-Men – that Tayla would be taking with her.
"You okay?" Said Mystique from the door – she was in her usual blue skin and scales.
"Just getting ready for the move – have we heard anything from the males we contacted?"
"Two of them are arriving tomorrow, the other one is flying in from Germany – and will be here the day after. We have other problems, though. I just got word that the Friends of Humanity are planning a protest of the facility."
"How did they find out about us?"
"I don't know. I do know my 'wonderful' son will be leading the protest." Mystique couldn't keep the bitterness from her voice.
"Does Victor know Graydon will be in town?" Tayla asked. Victor and Mystique's son was a sore point between them.
"They have had the phone off the hook since Monday – and not answering cell phones." Mystique grinned.
"Well – then. I guess Vic's getting his cub." Tayla grinned.
"Guess so – hrmm what will we call it – BuBu?"
"That's a bear." Tayla laughed.
"True – I will have to think about it." Mystique grinned. "Let's get these girls matched and safe as quickly as possible. I want to sterilize this place and get to a safe fall back. We don't need the Brotherhood and the FoH fighting on our doorsteps."
"Are you going to report to Erik?"
"Not till you are all safe. He's not getting his hands on any of you, I promise." Her eyes were intense. Tayla knew the feelings still ran very deep between them – even if forgiveness wasn't something either one was capable of.
"Just be careful yourself – I don't want to see you hurt again." Mystique did something strange – she walked over and just hugged Tayla.
"You are one of the few who realize it. Even Kitten brushes it aside – I hate the man – but damn it I love him too." She said softly.
"Just be careful."
"You too – little momma." She grinned.
"Oh GOD, Micah and his big mouth."
"I kinda suspected – already – but well – yes Micah confirmed it."
"Don't tell Kat yet, she'll gloat something fierce." The two women laughed before Mystique left the room, and Tayla turned back to the information on the screen. This information couldn't fall into the wrong hands. They needed to set the virus loose and soon. At least it distracted her from the other problem she was having – fighting her feral side over her mate.
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"I'm sorry, Ro, but I need ta get away for a while. Get my head on straight." Logan said.
"After what you told us – I don't blame you, but why NOW! The Friends of Humanity and the Brotherhood are moving, and against Mystique and Sabretooth's facility."
"No – Tayla and Katherine's, Vic and Myst are just the financiers." He said.
"Does it matter?"
"I don't know – that's why I need ta get away."
"Logan – tell you what, I have a mutant that we picked up that I was planning on going to talk to about coming to the school – why don't you go – get away for a while. This one's going to take some convincing." Ro said quietly.
"I ain't sure I'm the one ta be convincin' anyone of anything right now." He said. He was feeling out of control – Wolverine was fighting him harder than he had since he woke up at Alkali Lake the first time – and Logan would be damned if he blamed that part of him for wanting his mate. Hell LOGAN wanted his mate – or did he?
She hated him – would he force a woman to stay with him if she hated him? WOLVERINE would – because she was his, but Logan wasn't just Wolverine. He dreamed about the fight – about her calling him a monster – and it ripped him to the core. Those dreams had replaced even Stryker and what happened with Weapon X as the dreams he dreaded the most. He hadn't slept in two days – every time he closed his eyes he heard her – anger and venom dripping from her voice.
"My father was right about you. YOU are a fucking MONSTER."
He wanted to prove her wrong – but part of him wanted to prove her right – to demand she give in to him – demand that she be what biology and fate had determined she would be – his mate.
"Logan."
He shook his head. He wasn't able to concentrate – all he could think about was Tayla.
"I'm sorry, Ro – I just can't. I need peace – quiet – I've got a place – up north, I'm gonna go there; try ta get my head on straight. I ain't much use right now."
"Logan – she'll come around. Hank looked over the information Dr. Creed sent. I know that still sounds weird to me – but she won't have much choice. She will have to seek you out – in ten years at least. Maybe by that time she will have reconciled herself to this."
"No – she hates me – wants nothin ta do with me – and Ro – that ain't somethin I'm used ta."
"Ego."
"Maybe – maybe it is an ego bruise – but I think it's more. I just need ta get my head on – face and deal with this."
"Alright – but at least take a sat phone – so we can get a hold of you if we need to." She handed him the small handset.
"Fine – Ro. And thanks." He walked out of her office and picked up the packed duffle off of the floor. He tucked the expensive phone in his jacket pocket and walked toward the front door.
"You runnin' again?" He knew she would stop him.
"No – just got ta get my head on straight after Colorado. Goin' up ta my cabin – Ro even gave me one of the new phones – so you can reach me." He grinned. He put down the duffle and reached for the chain around his neck.
"Ah don't need 'em. Ah know you'll be back." She grinned and hugged him. "'Sides – Ah'm not the one ya need ta give 'em to, anymore."
He just gave her a pained nod, and walked out the front door. His bike – no Scott's bike sat by the front door and he climbed on and kicked it to life. Maybe a good fight – hit some cages – get Wolverine to settle down a bit, and then he might be able to think clearly.
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She looked out the back door. Victor and Dad were at the grill, arguing over the right way to cook a steak. Mom and DJ were in the pool, relaxing. She just took the pasta salad out to the table on the porch. She really didn't want to do anything fancy – even if it was Megan and she WAS bringing a boyfriend home. She still felt a great deal of pain whenever she thought about what her sister had done.
The doorbell rang and she groaned. Well – time to put on a smile. She took a deep breath and walked into the entry. She opened the door and tried to smile at the woman standing there. Other than a new hair style – she hadn't changed that much.
"Hey Kitten – been a while." She smiled. Kat tried to keep from sniffing the air – to see if she was hiding something. It had been a habit when they lived together and she didn't want to fall into those habits.
"Gray, this is my sister, Katherine. Kat – this is Gray, my…"
"Fiancé – no need to be shy, Megan."
He was well dressed, and there was something familiar about the set of his eyes and his chin – something that was nagging at the back of Kat's mind. She held out her hand and he took it in a firm – professional handshake. She couldn't get over thinking she should know him.
"Everyone is out back. I hope you brought suits, the pool is perfect." She smiled.
"How's your husband?" Megan asked, venom dripping from her voice.
"Victor's fine – he's out back with Mom, Dad and DJ." She smiled – still the same Megan.
She showed them the hallway to the back and ducked into the kitchen to grab the pitcher of iced tea. She dropped it, shattered glass everywhere when she heard Victor roar in anger. What was wrong? She went running out the back. He had Megan's boyfriend against the wall, by his throat.
"VICTOR!" She screamed.
"GET THIS PIECE OF TRASH OUT OF MY HOUSE!" He roared at Megan.
"Hello – Father." Gray managed to choke out.
FATHER! What the HELL!
"Mom – Dad, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Graydon Creed." Megan said. Katherine dropped onto the step of the porch like a rock. HIS SON! Her sister was going to marry her husband's SON!
Victor – with a flick of his wrist – threw the middle aged man right into the pool.
"I knew you were up to something – you little…" He raised a fist to Megan.
"VICTOR!" This time it was her father. He glared at Dave. "LET ME! She's my daughter." Victor just nodded and sat on the porch step next to Kat. She was in shock – all she could do was watch Graydon Creed struggling to the side of the pool and climb out.
"What – I just kept things in the family. Isn't that a good thing?" She sneered.
"MEGAN! ENOUGH!" Graydon roared at her. Kat knew as soon as she heard it there could be no doubt – he was Victor's son.
"What the HELL are you doing here, Graydon?" Victor snarled.
"I THOUGHT I was coming to meet my fiancé's family – I didn't expect to see you."
"Graydon – Victor's my brother- in-law." Megan smirked.
"I think I can grasp that, my dear. Tell me – is your sister the only mutant in your family?" He sneered.
"Yes."
"She'd better be. It wouldn't be seemly – me marrying a mutant."
"I'm not – I swear." She said, her face draining of color.
"We will just have to be sure – and I want to know all about this delightful little family of yours. It is certainly not their fault they spawned such evil – when they have such and angel to compensate." He kissed her gently – but Kat saw the iron grip on her elbow.
"You were right – Mrs. Creed – the pool's perfect." He slipped out of his sodden jacket and laid it across the back of one of the deck chairs. Kat was still stunned. "Or should I call you Mom."
"THAT'S IT! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Victor roared to life again, springing to his feet.
"Of course – I understand Mother is in town as well – A real family reunion this is. I suppose I will see you tomorrow at the protest. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens, I look forward to getting to know you in a less – hostile – environment." He picked up his coat, and grabbed Megan's arm, leading her out the gate – to the front of the house. Kat heard a car start and drive off.
"I KNEW she was up to something." Victor hissed.
"Vic – I didn't trust it from the moment she called us." Dave said. "But who the HELL is he?"
"Myst and I had a kid – about forty five years ago – that's him." Victor said.
"Myst? DAMN!" Dave grinned. Her Mom just glared at him.
"He looks normal." Dee said.
"He is. He didn't inherit either of our mutations. He's human as far as we can tell – and is running for President – would you believe?"
"Your SON is running for President?"
"Yeah – on an anti – mutant ticket." He walked past Kitten into the house. She was feeling very much like Kitten at the moment, she just wanted to curl up into a ball and pretend none of this had happened.
"WHAT THE HELL!" He had found the mess in the kitchen. She cringed. "KITTEN!" He came running out the door and grabbed her feet. She looked down – there were bloody footprints where they had been sitting on the step – and he started pulling large pieces of glass out of them. "Diane – would you go clean up the mess in the kitchen – I need ta get this glass out of my wife's feet."
She hadn't even felt a thing. She winced a bit as one of the pieces of glass hurt as he pulled it out.
"Kitten – you're not healin'" He said softly.
"What?"
"Your feet – the glass – the cut's ain't healin' least not as fast as normal." He said softly again.
"That's normal – the body suppresses the healing factor until the pregnancy is set – so the feral's body doesn't reject the fetus as a parasite." The words came out of her mouth – but she wasn't paying attention.
"YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT!" He roared.
She shook her head – what was he pissed about now?
"Victor, I thought you knew – it's why we keep the girls close right after they conceive, it takes two to three weeks for the healing factor to become fully normal again." He picked her up and carried her into the house.
"Diane – I need the first aid kit from under the kitchen sink." He shouted as he set her down on the living room couch.
"It just slows it down – doesn't stop it completely. They'll heal." Her feet were throbbing. He insisted on bandaging them, and making her sit on the couch. Her mother sat with her while he brought her a plate.
"Did I hear you say pregnancy?" She asked.
"Yes – Mom – we were planning on telling everyone at dinner." She blushed a little.
"Well – it's about time I became a grandma." Diane said, wrapping an arm around her daughter.
"Is she alright?" Dave asked from the living room door.
"Yes, just cut her feet on some glass." He was still looking worried. "They'll heal – just slower than normal – something about – I don't know becoming grandparents." Diane grinned at her husband.
"Grandp…A BABY!" He looked about as stunned as Kat had been earlier.
"Yes – Grandpa – a baby." Diane laughed.
"WELL HELL! This is a celebration – to hell with Megan." Dave said.
Kat tried to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening – but she had a sinking feeling things were only going to get worse.
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Why the hell were they going north - She was west. He wanted to growl but LOGAN was still in control. DAMN IT, where were they hiding his mate. He was going to win this battle - and when he did - he was going to find her. She was HIS!