Series Title: X-23: No Way Back

Series Title: X-23: No Way Back
. Story & Chapter Title: Ties That Bind – Chapter Four: Defensive Reactions
. Author: ChickRockGuitar
. Date Written: September 2008 - (words written: 2268)
. Fiction Group: X-Men Comics
. Story Rating: T (some mild language)
. Summary Of Story: Part Four of "Ties That Bind". Having found safety with Logan, Laura's heath continues to rapidly deteriorate. Logan swears he'll help her, but will he be able to keep his promise?
. Auther's Notes: This is the fourth chapter to the first story arc of a fanfictional serial of stories written by chickrockguitar. These stories are set in a slightly alternate Marvel universe - set with a new spin on the character of X-23.
. Disclaimer: Marvel/X-Men characters, established concepts and previous storylines full credit goes to Marvel, Stan Lee, Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, and Co. Original storylines credit goes to me.

Chapter Four: Defensive Reactions

It was light when Laura woke. Perhaps six or seven a.m. It took her a few moments to remember where she was, and what had happened the previous night. She uneasily, pulled herself up into a sitting position, and immediately winced from the pain. In the few hours that she'd been asleep it had worsened. On top of the pain and feeling dizzy and sick, she now felt a sharp sensation throughout her body, as if somebody was was constantly slashing at her insides. She let out a low cough, and almost cried out as the pain from the cough's echo rocketed though her entire body.

Trying to pull herself together, it was then she noticed she was covered with an old brown blanket. Logan must have draped it over her while she slept. She knew that if she still had her senses, she'd be able to smell his scent on it. Logan. She was glad he was here. She still couldn't help the flicker of anger that surged though her occasionally. She was still angry that he'd left her all those months ago, but he was here now, that was good enough - not that she was about to let him know that.

Laura moved the blanket to one side, then forced herself to stand. As she did, she felt a rush of blood to the head, and swayed a little. After a moment she regained her balance, just, and began to look around the room. Her gaze fell on a slightly open glass door, which she supposed led to some kind of baloney. Slowly Laura made her away across the room towards the glass door, careful to avoid the old wooden coffee table, positioned a few inches from the Sofa. As she passed, she caught sight of the contents that lay upon the table: bandages, a couple of blood stained cloths and a bowl of murky-red water lay amongst a dish full of at least two dozen golden bullets. It was these small objects that were responsible for the pain she was feeling. She couldn't pick up a scent right now, but she knew with no uncertainty that they had been laced with some kind of poison.

Letting go of the memories of the previous night, she slowly made her way across the room to the glass door. Looking through the glass, she could now see that it did indeed lead to a small baloney. Sliding the glass door back a little, Laura stepped out into the chilly morning air. The balcony was perhaps a meter in width and maybe just over two in length. Laura looked to the left to see Logan, bear bottle in hand, sitting on a worn padded porch-swing, which took up most of the balcony itself. He saw her and shifted over a little to give her room to sit. She look the invitation, and sat.

For a few moments Laura watched Logan drink his bear. She had once asked him why he drank so much of the stuff, he had told her, "For a little while, it makes all the pain go away". Laura just thought it smelled fowl. He caught her watching him, and she quickly turned away. Suddenly she let out an uncontrolled cough. "Yer're gettin' worse, aren't yer?" he asked. "I'm fine..." she lied, not looking at him as she spoke. "Cut the crap, kid" said Logan sharply, "I got the same abilities as you" he carried on. "One, I can smell yer're lyin'. Two, I can hear yer vitals slowin'. Three, I can see yer in pain", he paused for a moment, "Yer want me to go on?" he asked. Laura shook her head. He had made his point. Logan watched her, waiting for her to speak. She sighed, "What do you want me to tell you, Logan? When you can smell, see and hear what's happening to me" she asked. "I don't want yer to lie to me, kid" he replied. Laura felt a slight ache in her stomach towards that sentence. She bowed her head, and turned away from him, looking out ahead at morning smog.

But then, she thought, he left me. Why should he be able to make me feel bad? That's not right, it's nor fair. Her thoughts were interrupted by Logan, "Yer're shakin'...", he observed. Laura hadn't even noticed, until now. She was freezing. "Here," said Logan as he took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders. "Thank you..." she whispered. They both sat in silence for a few moments. Laura broke it, she'd been watching him. "It's not cold right now, is it?". She knew New York City's early morning Summer climate was nothing that their healing factor couldn't handle - usually. Logan slightly shook his head, "No", he confirmed. "Then why I am I-" she broke off, realising the answer. She was feeling so cold because she was sick. Something she'd never experienced before.

"I have a friend. He's good with the science stuff", he told her. "Gonna ask him to check out one of the bullets, see if we can find out what A.I.M shot yer to hell with" he carried on. "A friend?" asked Laura, "You mean Doctor McCoy" she stated. Logan didn't answer, instead he moved his bear bottle to his lips and drank. "Logan, after what I did... do you really expect the X-Men to help me?". "It wasn't yer're fault. Or your choice" came his sharp reply. There was a moments pause between the two of them. "That is not what I asked" answered the teen. Logan stood up, Laura waited for him to answer her question. He wasn't going to. The truth was, he didn't know if Hank would help. "I'll be back soon. Stay inside the apartment" he told her, then made for the balcony's glass door.

"Logan?". He turned back to face her, "Yeah?". She paused for a moment before speaking, "Will... will you tell them... That I'm sorry?" she asked in an almost pleading tone. At first Logan wasn't sure how to react. He could see the kid was generally sorry for what had happened, even though she'd had no control over the situation, but he knew if he brought up her apology, it wouldn't make a difference in the slightest. Everyone at the school was still very much in the grieving process - and they all were very pissed off. Going in there right and asking them to help her, he knew was pushing his luck way beyond reason - even if he was part of the team, but he had no other choice. She was sick, and he was desperate. He wondered if he explained, would she understand their emotions? He wasn't sure, so he didn't. He gave a nod, but he refused to make direct eye contact.

Logan exited the Baloney, and then a few moments later, Laura heard the apartment's front door open and close. Laura pulled Logan's jacket closer to her skin, wrapping herself in it - not so much to protect herself from the New York morning chill, but more in a way of comfort. Her mind drifted back to what she had done at the school. She remembered the blood, the sounds of the other kids' screams as her claws pierced their flesh. She remembered Sooraya looking up at her with dying eyes. "No!" muttered Laura, shutting her eyes tight her shaking her head trying to block out the memories and the images. She covered her face with her hands, as if the gesture would help. Of course, it didn't. They shouldn't help me, she thought. After what I did, Logan has no right to ask.

"So, what do yer think, Hank?" asked Logan. He had arrived at the school about thirty minutes ago and soon located the fury blue Mutant in his Laboratory. It's fair to say that Doctor Hank McCoy, has one of the most obvious mutations known to the world. Although Hank walks like a man, his body is covered with thick blue fur, and he has facial feature's much like that of a panther, including cat-like snout and ears. But despite his Beast-like appearance, Hank is known as a gentle being, always having time for his friends and the students. "What I think is," Hank looked up from his telescope equipment, "This DNA looks very familiar. I've worked with almost the same strand in the past". He rolled up the sleeves of his white laboratory coat and looked directly at Logan, "Yours to be exact", he paused, then said in a matter-of-factly tone, "Something you want to tell me, Logan?".

Logan sighed. Busted. He should have known Hank would have figured it out straight away. After all, he was one of the smartest men Logan had ever met - and he'd met a lot of people. Under all that fur, Logan knew, was a brilliant scientific mind, especially in Biochemistry and genetics. "The, friend who was shot with this - It's Miss Kinney, correct?". Logan didn't answer. The look on his face was enough to confirm Hank's question. "Ah. I see" said Hank, seeming not very impressed.

Logan immediately jumped into defensive mode, "Look, Hank, I know what's she done, and 'cause of that I know I got no right to ask yer to help her, but, she... Hank's she's sick, really sick. Whatever A.I.M shot her to hell with, it's killing her...". "Logan-" interrupted Hank, but to no avail, "Hank, she's just a kid. A kid who's been though hell. A kinda hell I know something about. I kinda hell nobody deserves to be put though". Silence filled the room while Hank seemed to absorb that. "No matter what she's done, she's still my family. The kid's a part of me - literally. If I don't help her... who will?" finished Logan quietly, in an almost broken and desperate tone.

Hank cleared his throat, he'd heard Logan talk this way perhaps once or twice in all of the years he'd known him. "Logan, what makes you think I that can help her?", "Come on, I'm takin' to the guy who cured the Legacy Virus" replied Logan. "Yes, well..." began Hank, then proceeding to clear his throat again. "Hank, please, I'm asking yer as a friend". Silence filled the room once again. After a few moments Hank spoke, "Alright" he agreed. "I should have a result by tonight. I'll call when I know something". "You mean you'll do this? You'll help her?" asked Logan, surprised. He really thought persuading Hank would have been much more difficult than this. "Yes" said Hank, "I am a scientist, Logan. I crave knowledge. But, as they say, you now: owe me one" he smiled. "Thanks, Hank. I really appreciate it" said Logan. Hank gave him a nod, then turned back to his equipment to to re-study small golden object. Logan left him to his work and exited the Laboratory.

Logan had made it though the School corridors and to the main entrance when he sensed Scott behind him, moments later he spoke, "This really isn't fair, Logan". With a sigh Logan tuned to face the taller man. "I mean, could you be more insensitive?!" he carried on. "Keep yer pants on, Summers", he pointed to the door, "I'm goin', ain't I?". "Logan, you damn well I'm not asking you to leave. You're part of the team. This is your home". "It just ain't hers, that what you're saying'?". Scott sighed. "I stand by what I said. I'm sorry". "Yeah. Right" muttered Logan, turning to leave. "You should have come to me before asking Hank to-" "How'd you know about that already?" asked Logan, "Oh wait", he realised, "Havin' a telepathic girlfriend has it's perks, I'm guessin'?". The look on Scott's face confirmed it, Emma had indeed informed him of the meeting in Hank's Lab. "Pity she weren't around doin' her mind-crap when that Facility Agent walked in here", Loagn carried on.

"And, What went down between me and Hank, is none of yer business, Summers. Alright? It's between me and him!", "Anyone coming in here and asking the X-Men for help is nothing but my business!". "You know" began Logan, stepping up to Scott, "Laura's not the only one who's been forced to hurt innocent people, hurt people in this school". Scott spoke in a slight and careful tone, "I'm well aware of that, Logan". "Right. And Chuck gave me a second chance. Maybe you should learn from that" retorted Logan. "I did give her a second chance! I even went against Emma for you - for her. No matter what you think of me right now, I did not come to this decision lightly. I have to protect the rest of the students. I thought you could understand that". "Oh, I can" replied Logan, "But it's the way yer goin' about it that really pisses me off!" he growled.

Scott sighed. This was getting them nowhere. "Logan, I couldn't have known that they'd come here succeed in getting to her. I couldn't have seen what was com-", "Exactly! Nobody coulda done, Summers! Including Laura!" spat Logan. "And the worst part is, I promised her she'd be safe here!". He turned back to the front door and opened it. Before walking out, without tuning back to face Scott, he spoke, "Oh, and, not that it'd mean a damn thing to anyone here, but the kid asked me to tell you she's sorry". And with that he walked out of the front door and down the steps.

Currently working on "Chapter Five" – please stay tuned