"An ugly sight, a man who is afraid."

[xxxxx]

Chapter 16: Don't Be Scared

Extract from the diary of Samantha Barrington:-

"December 3, 2009.

Usually during this time of year, there is a sense of relief in the air. A sense that even if your life has fallen to shambles, there is always hope. It's as though happiness is everywhere, filling everyone with the spirit of the holiday season.

However, this year, I do not feel that same spirit. Perhaps it is me, perhaps I am changing. Or perhaps it is everyone else that is changing. Yes, everyone has a smile on their face and they all act happy, but it is not just my clairvoyance that tells me something is amiss.

Control is out there - somewhere - waiting for the chance to make her next move, and we will never be able to anticipate it.

Her shadow looms over us all, dampening the holiday spirit and keeping us awake at night. The one that worries me most of all is Logan. Day and night he stands at Lenore's side. We all fear for her safety, but he especially. He won't leave her alone for more than a moment; much less leave her with someone else, in fear that they are just an illusion set by Control.

The children however do not worry themselves one bit. They seem to ignore this looming threat. And I just pray that getting a date to the winter formal may be their biggest worry this winter.

Samantha Barrington, PSYD"

[xxxxxx]

Day after day, night after night, it was the same thing. He hardly had time to sleep anymore. His life was now running on someone else's schedule. He was at Lenore's side 24/7, watching her, protecting her. He was even cutting down on his smoking because she hated the smell so much.

But smoking was the only real indulgence he had anymore. He also considered working out in the Danger Room to be somewhat of a relaxation, but that only happened when Lenore was calm enough to stay in the control room and not touch any buttons. Even then, he had to check in on her almost every ten minutes.

He didn't know how long this was going to last. The worrying, the restless nights... all of it. What was Magneto waiting for? He had Control, he had more than enough mutants- it was the perfect opportunity to strike.

Yet, here Logan stood, outside on Lenore's balcony, staring out at the peaceful night. Far off in the horizon he saw a soft haze of light he knew to be New York City. The stars in the sky glistened brightly, almost twinkling. The moon was curved into a smooth crescent shape, like that of a crooked smile.

Even though it was now December, no snow had fallen yet this year. He doubted it would until later in the month.

Oh, how he missed Canada. Where the beer was cold and the stogies were hot. Where the nights were frigid and the women were warm.

He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, transporting himself back just a few years ago. He remembered the cage fights, the traveling and the loneliness... the mystery of who he was and where he came from. How long would it be until he was back there again? There was no doubt he would outlive the rest of the X-Men - Storm, Beast, Angel, Nightcrawler and even Rogue. They'd be old and dying while he remained young and healthy. Suicide wasn't even an option.

"Logan? Is that you?"

Quickly and instinctively, he extinguished his cigar on the stone balcony and threw what remained into the bushes below.

"It's no use." Storm said, leaning onto the railing beside him. "I can smell the cigar smoke from the hallways. You shouldn't smoke around Lenore so much. It's bad for her health."

"So I've been told. Don't worry; I'm cutting back- for her sake."

"That's good."

They stood there for a few moments, watching the stars as they twinkled in the cold black sky. Logan remembered someone telling him once that the stars were the only thing that truly remained in all of the universe, but even he knew that wasn't true. Even stars died- just like everything else.

"Did you know that all of these stars could be dead right now?" Storm said, gesturing up to the night sky. "It's just that it takes the light so long to travel here that we wouldn't know about it."

"Really?" He asked dryly, obviously uninterested.

Storm inhaled deeply. "Is there something wrong, Logan? You've been acting tired lately."

"I'm fine." He said curtly before adding, "Just a bit worried."

"We all are. There's no way we can prepare for Control's next move. You're just doing your job- protecting Lenore." She drew a long breath. "But I think you could benefit from a break."

Logan turned to her, about to protest, but she stopped him before he could start.

"Now, before you go and kick up a fuss, I know you said you wouldn't leave her alone until you knew Control was dead, but it's been almost two weeks and nothing has happened. I think it's safe to say that if she's going to make her move anytime soon, we would've seen something of her already. Now, you can sniff me or do anything you want, but I just want you to get some rest. You deserve it."

For a moment, Logan stared at her sceptically. Her scent was her own, as was most everything about her. Nothing was out of place so far as he could see. And besides, she was right. He needed sleep. Even with his heightened level of stamina, several days without sleep was beginning to render him useless.

"Alright." Logan said, yawning. "But you're gonna keep an eye on Lenore."

"Of course. Just go get some sleep."

"And you're not gonna fall asleep?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I haven't been able to sleep all night. Now go, before I make you." She escorted him to the door, cautious not to wake Lenore as they passed through her bedroom.

"If something happens, wake me up." Logan said before Storm shut the door.

After waiting a few moments, Storm turned around. She passed Lenore's bed and quietly shut the balcony doors, silencing the soft calls of faraway owls and the rustle of dead leaves as the wind blew them through the garden.

"Lenore," She said softly, crouching down beside her bed. She shook her gently, and Lenore groaned. "Lenore, you have to wake up."

Lenore groaned and rolled away.

"Come, now. Wake up." She shook her again, more forcefully this time. Again, she didn't move. "Alright, then." Storm stood up and slowly tore off Lenore's covers from her bed, carelessly leaving them on the floor. Carefully, she lifted Lenore from the bed.

"Storm?" Lenore moaned, still partly asleep. "Where's Logan?"

"I'll take you to see him." She lied. "Now go back to sleep."

She shut her eyes and fell easily back into unconsciousness.

Storm sighed. Avoiding stepping on Lenore's covers, she made her way to the door, which was opened for her by Samantha, who waited for her outside in the hallway.

"Wolverine's gone. There's nobody coming this way for a while." Storm said, shutting the door behind her. "We can drop the disguises." Her white hair grew and faded to white-blonde, her dark skin lightened into pale alabaster and her delicate blue eyes turned to cold black, now intent with corruption.

Both Control and Mystique were masters of disguise, each in their own unique way.

Control was a master of perception and emotion. She could easily disguise herself by using her telepathic powers. By scanning the memories of anyone around her and altering their perception just slightly, she could make them believe she was anyone they had ever met before. Still feeding information off of other's memories, she was also able to copy said person's personality almost exactly. She was the perfect actress.

Mystique, on the other hand, was a different story. She wasn't as much of an actress as Control, but focused more on costume. She was a true master of disguise. She didn't just look like anyone, or just act like them; she became them. The moment she decided to become someone else, their DNA became hers, their scent became hers and everything that belonged to them was now hers.

And tonight, she decided to be Samantha Barrington. Tonight, everything that belonged to Samantha Barrington was hers.

"We should keep them." Mystique said, brushing her silky dark hair behind her shoulder before taking Lenore in her arms. "Just until we get outside. To be safe, of course."

Control nodded. "Of course."

[xxxxx]

Adrian was glad to have her sister back. They were so alike, yet so different.

She remembered as young girls how they would spent nights staying up late in each other's rooms, hiding beneath a tent make of blankets and playing Mystery Date. She remembered how they used to tell each other all of their deepest darkest secrets and how they never kept anything to themselves. They were best friends, even through high school. But when Adrian went off to college, things changed.

She got involved in the mutant community and didn't have the time to spend with family anymore. She still loved Lenore, but supporting the mutant cause was more important than any sister could ever be.

But now Adrian needed her sister. The memories she held were too precious. The secrets that she knew could be used against the Superiors in too many ways. It was too dangerous leaving her in the hands of the X-Men, especially now that blasted Charles Xavier was...

Control spun around to face Magneto as he quietly entered the room and shut the door behind him.

"Is she ready?" He asked, joining Control at the foot of the bed, where Lenore laid, sleeping soundlessly.

"No, not now. It would be too problematic to operate now that she's in deep sleep. There would be a lot of backtracking through her mind and the process would become much more complicated." She said, staring down at her younger, redheaded sister. "And I'm much too tired right now. Tomorrow."

There was a moment of silence before Magneto left, leaving Adrian once again alone with her sister.

"You don't need to be scared." She whispered to Lenore once she was sure Magneto was far away from the room. "It won't hurt, I promise. And besides, you'll get to see mom. You guys always got along well. Dad will be there, too. You don't need to be scared, Lenny."

Without another word, Adrian left the room, locking the door behind her.

I know that it is currently 2010 and that X3 was made in 06, but for some reason I felt like making this 09. It is supposed to be set the winter after Alcatraz. So lets just say X3 was set in 09, okie dokie?

And, see! Adrian is not an unfeeling bitch! Ha!

Send a thank you card to martshi3 for being my beta!

The quote is by Jean Anoulih, a French playwright in the mid 20th century.