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 12
Kat looked at the sleeping Tom Cat next to her. They'd been at the mansion three weeks – even Toad was complaining about the lack of action. They hadn't heard from Mystique and Kat was getting worried. At least Logan was still breathing – if not exactly the most comfortable person in the world at the moment. She had to laugh a little – he was acting like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs – jumping every time he saw Kat or Tayla or Victor.
It wasn't that he was nervous – exactly – he just had different reasons for avoiding each one. He and Victor were avoiding each other on principal – Kat was keeping Victor on a short leash and Logan had been trying to provoke him into a fight – probably to ease his own frustrations. Victor was being good – VERY good – especially last night – but that had nothing to do with Logan – and he wasn't going to do anything to risk being sent to the couch – not that she would – not after last night. Kat was avoiding him because she just didn't like him – she didn't know if it was all the bad blood between him and Victor – or just something instinctive – but she flat didn't like the man – and guessed it was mutual – and she just couldn't help verbally sniping at him – he was just that easy a target.
Of course he was avoiding Tayla – and those reasons were too numerous to count – frustration probably being the biggest one. It wasn't like he could hide the fact that he wanted his mate – or the fact that he was single handedly raising the water bill for the mansion – the man showered – cold showers – at least eight times a day. Kat was surprised he hadn't developed pneumonia – in spite of his healing factor – and was wondering how he was keeping mold from growing on his hair – it NEVER dried.
Victor stretched next to her – distracting her from her thoughts.
"Mornin." He grinned.
"Mornin your self." She leaned down to kiss him – and he crushed her against his chest, his mouth hungrily devouring hers – she just moaned – and returned the favor.
"Think they'll let us stay in bed today." He grinned – when she let him talk.
"Doubt it – the kids will be up running the halls soon – getting ready for classes – the noise will drive us nuts." She grinned, running her fingers through the soft hair on his chest.
"Well – if I distract ya well enough – I know I won't hear a damned thing." He leered.
She laughed. "I just think you could do it."
He leaned up and captured her mouth again, before rolling her over – and trapping her body under his. She moaned as she felt him pressed against her belly – his teeth gently grazing the chords of her neck as she threw her head back and offered him her throat.
"Baby – you are beautiful." He whispered – she loved it when he was like this – human, vulnerable – the side of him he only ever let her see.
"Look who's talking." She grinned back at him. He actually blushed – she realized just how rarely she actually complimented him. "Victor – you are – you know – completely."
"Yeah right." He said as he brushed his lips along her collar bone. She laced her fingers in his mane of hair and pulled his head back so she could see him.
"You ARE! Your body – my God- wow!"
"What?"
"Do you even know just how wonderful you are?" He leaned down and kissed her.
"I know how wonderful YOU are." He reached up to trace her cheek with one finger.
"Do you know just how much I love your hands?" She whispered, leaning into the palm with her cheek, brushing her lips along the heel of his palm.
"Darlin – keep talkin like that – and we WILL stay in bed all day." He grinned – but she could see just how uncomfortable he was.
"Victor – you are my mate – the only man I will ever love – and I – well with what we have been discovering – I want you to know – I love you for YOU – not the bond between us." She said softly, turning and kissing the center of his palm.
"You've been thinking about Tayla – haven't ya?" He whispered his other hand tracing down her side, to the swell of her hip.
"Yeah – I hate that she is so miserable – and alone – even with a mate."
"They will work things out – they don't have a choice. But YOU need to think about something else." He slipped his body off of hers – and gently cupped her belly.
"I know – the cub." She smiled.
"I was actually going to say – YOUR mate – and keepin' him happy." He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned at her.
"Oh – YOU!" He leaned down and kissed her again. Maybe a day in bed wasn't a bad idea.
XXXXXXXXX
He prowled the school – Creed and his woman were at it – again. The woman was already pregnant – but they were still rutting like she was in heat. He really didn't expect any better from Creed – but the smell was driving him insane. He slipped out the side door and onto the grounds. He could smell HER down in the basement – Xavier had given her space for a lab – and she started work early in the morning- which screwed up his schedule – he usually hit the Danger Room first thing in the mornings – now he was running instead.
He was trying to avoid her – she was uncomfortable around him – even with people around – and he didn't want to do anything that would spook her – not now. He didn't know what kind of progress they'd made – but she wasn't running screaming from him – and wasn't in full panic mode when she saw him – which was an improvement.
Of course he couldn't stay in the same room with her for more than two minutes without reacting to her. Kat tried to explain that it was the bond – trying to force them into physical contact in the most elemental and basic way possible – but that didn't help him out much. Part of it was the fact that she was so damned beautiful – part of it was the fact that she was carrying his child – and he could smell it every day – and part of it was the fact that frankly he'd been celibate for six months BEFORE he met her – something he wasn't used to at all.
That thought brought memories of Mariko crashing in on him – another problem he'd been having. He missed her. She'd been his friend – his lover – made him laugh – hell – she'd made him happy for the first time he could remember – and she was gone. He was trying very hard not to resent Tayla – resent her anger, her fear. She couldn't help it – and she was trying – he had to give her credit for that – she was trying to at least tolerate him – but she wasn't Mariko – she would never be Mariko.
He wiped a tear from his face. This entire situation had him on edge. He wanted the woman – damn it – but he still didn't like her much – certainly didn't love her – and he was starting to feel trapped – his entire body ready to bolt – run for the hills. That wouldn't help – and he knew it.
The forest was a blur as he ran down the path. At least he could get away this long – it was peaceful out here first thing in the morning – the only peace he managed through out the day. The nightmares weren't helping things – he was sleeping less and less – his dreams a strange hodgepodge of parts of his life – blending current situations with past pains. Last night it had been Tayla strapped to a table – Stryker leaning over her belly with a scalpel – ready to cut the baby from her for experimentation, while he'd been chained to a wall – unable to stop him.
In the light of day – he knew Stryker was dead – it would never happen – could never happen – but he was still on guard – watching every day for any sign of trouble. Xavier and Ororo both told him he was being paranoid – but his gut was telling him they were in danger – serious danger.
He slowed down to a walk – across the lawn and back up the stairs to the side door. Ro was standing there – a cup of coffee in her hand – waiting for him.
"Good run?" She asked.
"Yep." He took the proffered cup.
"Did you get ANY sleep last night?"
"No – why?"
"You look like hell."
"Thanks."
"Logan – I owe you an apology."
"What."
"Xavier wants us in the War Room."
"What's happened?"
"He didn't say – just that he wanted the team in the War Room – and included Sabretooth and Toad."
"Shit – do I have time for a shower?"
"No." He just nodded and gulped down the scalding hot coffee.
He followed the weather witch down the hall to the elevator – a random wish that it had been her instead of Tayla he'd been stuck with – at least she was a friend – something he doubted his mate would ever be.
Creed was there – and not looking very happy. Toad glared at him from the far corner of the room. Rogue, Jubilee, ShadowCat, IceMan, Colossus, and the new kid, Gambit were seated around the table. Hank came stumbling in behind him. Xavier sat at the controls of the holographic table – the image of a fenced compound in silvered relief in the center of the hologram.
"We are waiting for one more." The telepath said as Logan took his customary seat at the table. Ro sat to his left, but the seat to his right – the one that had been Jean's – was still empty. The one across – Scott's – was empty as well – he wondered if anyone would ever have the courage to sit in either of them.
The door opened – and the last person Logan wanted to see at that moment walked in – Mystique. She looked pretty rough – her blue skin showing bruising – and there were several deep cuts that had been roughly stitched together.
"Mystique arrived this morning." Charles said, drawing everyone's attention. Logan almost unsheathed his claws as the blue bitch sat in Scott's chair. He let out a low growl – but she didn't even respond – a sure warning that this was serious.
"The FoH found the secondary fallback location for our facilities." She said softly, and Logan could smell the fear and pain rolling off of her. "This was the facility where the mated pairs who had chosen to remain and assist with our work were housed." He heard a low growl from Victor. "We lost eight pairs – over half of the couples. Six pairs were taken prisoner and the facility burned to the ground. One of the couples managed to wipe the computer and destroy the files before they were killed – so we believe the main location – where the children and unmated females are housed is safe."
"Who did we lose?" He heard the pained tone in the large man's voice.
"Here is the list." She passed it across the table to him. He watched as the paper slowly crumpled in Victor's grief and anger tensed fist.
"HOW! DID! THEY! FIND! US?!"
"We don't know. Micah is working on trying to find out – as well as being ready to move the children on a moment's notice. The six pairs are being held at this facility." She said pointing to the image on the table.
"We have the location – and know that they are still alive." Charles said. "The Brotherhood is unaware of this situation – and Erik is even now plotting an attack HERE on the mansion – he found out we have Kat and Tayla here – and that they are the primary researchers for the facility in Colorado."
"How did he find that out, Myst – pillow talk?" Victor snarled.
"NO! I didn't tell him anything – I wouldn't put either of them at risk – I wouldn't put ANY of them at risk. This is tearing me up. These are my children." Logan was shocked as she broke down in tears. He'd never expected to see her this vulnerable.
"When did you leave Erik?"
"Two weeks ago – I went straight to the primary location. I got a call from the secondary location – asking for help – they were being attacked. I got there as they were dragging my children away. I went inside to try to help anyone I could – and then came straight here."
Victor nodded. "Then the littles are safe?"
"Yes – as far as I know."
"Kat's gonna kill us." He said softly.
"It's not KAT I'm worried about." Mystique said. "This is going to KILL Tayla." Logan felt a twist in his gut – worry for his mate.
"Our concern at this point is the two prong mission – rescue the captured mutants – and defend the school against the Erik's attack." Charles said softly. "I am sending Rogue, ShadowCat, Colossus and Gambit to rescue the mutants. The rest of you will remain here – and protect Katherine and Tayla and the school."
"I'm going with the rescue team." Mystique said.
"You need to stay here – Raven – you are injured. Our medical facilities can take care of you."
"DON'T call me that – and I am going – these are my children we are talking about." She hissed at Charles. Logan was surprised by her vehemence.
"I am sorry – Mystique – but I cannot allow it – you need medical attention."
"You can't stop me – old man." She said.
Charles just nodded in defeat. "Very well – Mystique will go with the team."
"Me too." Toad said from the back.
"Very well. Logan – Victor I'd like to see you both after the meeting." Charles said. Victor growled but nodded.
Logan watched as the team filed out – heading to the locker rooms to change and head out. He knew Marie would have problems with both Toad and Mystique on this mission – he just hoped she'd keep her cool. Every one else left, and the three men looked at each other over the dissolving hologram on the table.
"Victor – I know this is hard – but you need to make sure Katherine and Tayla know what is going on – and both of you need to stay close to them. Logan – Tayla's safety comes before your bickering."
"NO SHIT! Charles." He growled.
"I want the two of you to stay with them – and keep them together as much as possible. I don't know what type of attack Erik has in mind – but I am assuming something stealthy – I doubt he'd jeopardize the children if he can help it."
"Does he know I'm here?" Victor asked.
"No – not that I am aware of." Charles said.
"Then that is an advantage – since he doesn't know about me and Kat."
"I am leaving this up to the two of you – I have to concentrate on the students' safety." Both ferals just nodded at the telepath.
"Fuck!" They both whispered in unison under their breath.
XXXXXXXXX
Victor didn't even glance at the man next to him – he knew what he had to do – and was dreading it. Kat was going to be pissed – and then very hurt. The crumpled list was still in his hand. Logan wasn't going to be much help with this – Victor was going to have two very pissed off female ferals to try to contain – one of them probably either in near panic – or worse consumed by guilt and grief – and he couldn't even trust her mate to handle it.
It was at that moment he realized – it wasn't Logan he was pissed at – it was Tayla. She needed to pull her head out of her ass – realize that she had a mate of her own to lean on – and grow the fuck up. He'd thought he was pissed at Logan all these weeks – that he was the problem – that HE couldn't get through. It wasn't him – it was Tayla's hard head that was the problem.
"Runt – Tayla's going to blame herself for this – be ready for her to lose it." He said softly to the other man.
"Great – just what I needed to hear." He replied.
"She's goin ta need ya – if she admits it or not – I am gonna have my hands full with Kat – and won't be much help." He said.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because – damn it – none of this is YOUR fault – something that bugs the hell out of me – by the way – and I can't deal with both of them – not on something like this." Victor was trying to keep the grief out of his own voice.
"You and Kat are going to need time with this – aren't you?" Damn, the Runt picked it up anyway.
"Yep. I knew these kids – practically raised half of them – Myst isn't the only one who lost kids on this." He heard his voice crack and cursed himself for being frail. Too many were lost – too many. Two of the girls had whispered their secrets to him right before they left the compound – there were more than sixteen dead in this – at least two more. He felt the moisture trail down his face and hoped the Runt wouldn't say anything.
"We should have them together when we tell them." Logan said.
"Plannin' on it." They found them both in Tayla's office. Kat took one look at him – and at the paper in his hand and just knew – he could see it in her face. She stood up and walked right into his arms.
"Who?" She whispered. He just handed her the list – not trusting his voice. He could see the realization dawning on Tayla – but he just couldn't deal with it – with her. Kat walked across the room – and handed her partner the list, before returning to his arms.
"Take me home." She whispered.
"I can't. Erik found out about the two of you – he's coming after you." His voice was tense – harsh. His Kitten just wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Take me somewhere – you are about to collapse." She whispered. He couldn't move. He was watching Tayla – it was like watching a train wreck. She slowly folded in on herself – her body becoming smaller – as the tears started to fall.
Logan didn't let her – which surprised him. He grabbed her arms and forced her to lean on him – forced her to let him support her as she collapsed – and her instincts took over. Victor was shocked to see her slip her arms around his neck – and just sob on his shoulder. Logan never said a word, just held her.
Victor looked down at the woman in his arms – and let go. He didn't care if the Runt saw him – didn't care if Tayla saw him – didn't care if anyone else walked in. He leaned down, buried his face in her hair and let the frail weak tears fall. They were his babies – his cubs – his children – and he hadn't been there to protect them. His legs gave out and he slid down the wall, dragging Kat down into his lap, and they wept together.
XXXXXXXX
Victor and Logan walked into her office – she took one look at the big man and knew something was wrong. She watched Kat cross the room – and slip into his arms. What had happened? She was starting to panic – and it had nothing to do with Logan standing there.
Kat looked at a piece of paper Victor handed her and suddenly Tayla knew – someone had hurt their children – she felt a twisting pain in her gut – she knew before Kat handed her the list – she knew it was bad. She looked at the names – her eyes blurring the familiar handwriting on the page – at least Myst was alive – at least when the list was written. Oh GOD! Sixteen of them – they'd lost sixteen of their children – sixteen lives they'd saved – ended by hate.
She could feel herself starting to fall – starting to crumble and then – with no warning she was supported. It was like a pillar rose out of the ground to hold her up – warm arms slipped around her – a soft humming sound vibrated through her – and her tears fell on something solid – and real. The pain was too great to allow fear to take over – she needed him – and somehow he knew it. She just slipped her arms around his neck. She'd deal with it later – right now she was grateful for his support.
"Thank you." She whispered. He just hummed – and rocked her, letting her lean on him, letting her pour her pain out on his shoulder.
She barely heard Victor say Erik was coming after them – but she couldn't worry about that now – she felt his lips on her temple, his hand stroking her hair, and she just let him. She'd worry about fear and anger later. Right now – she needed to feel his arms around her.
XXXXXXXX
She was in his arms – she was in pain but she was in his arms. He wanted to scream for joy – instead he hummed – and comforted her. He risked a brief kiss to her temple but she didn't pull away. He could feel her body shaking in his arms – as her tears soaked his shoulder – and he couldn't help a small feeling of victory. She needed him – and accepted it. He stroked her hair – the rest would come – in time – but now – she needed him. No one saw the smile cross his face – but he felt it – and the twinge of guilt at savoring the victory at a time like this – but just a twinge.