Disclaimer: I do not own the Hellboy comics, or movies! I do not own any characters but Rogue and her parents, and of course the star kitties :)
A/N: Greetings, lovely readers! Surprised? I know, I know, it's been like forever. Hey, school, you know? Here's a little filler chapter for you. I hope you enjoy it!
Rogue stirred "awake" somewhere around midnight. Of course, she hadn't been sleeping. She couldn't. She silently turned onto her side and placed her feet on the furry floor. She bit her tongue as to avoid groaning while she carefully shoved the cats out of her way. Sitting up, she looked around in the darkness and then over her shoulder. Hellboy was sound asleep with a blanket of cats covering him. Rogue smiled and stood, making her way to the bathroom to relieve herself. She ignored the magazines littering the floor and went to wash her hands. Sighing, she splashed some cold water on her face.
There was a sense of anxiety overwhelming her as she kept her eyes closed, leaning on the sink, hanging her head. Would this turn into a routine until she was defeated? Would she waste her nights in bouts of paranoia and suffer sleep deprivation?
Rogue yelped when something touched her foot, and she nearly stomped on it until she heard a quiet sound, all too familiar. With a sigh, she reached down and scooped up a black cat. Her black cat, presumably. It purred when she scratched behind his ear, and she smiled.
"You wanna take a walk, little guy? I bet the big monkey doesn't let you out of this room." Rogue whispered as she exited the bathroom.
She was quick to skip across the room, careful not to step on any tails. She sighed internally at the sight of the large, heavy door. She placed the cat down and put her hands on the freezing metal of the wheel. She took a heavy breath and turned it carefully and as quickly as possible. There was a rather loud clicking noise when the door unlocked, and Rogue winced, freezing in place. After a moment of silence, she pulled the door just a crack open and slid through after grabbing the cat. She closed it just as carefully, not bothering to lock it as to avoid more noise.
"Mission accomplished. Come on, let's take a tour of this place." She said quietly to the cat.
She looked around. All of the lights were on and very bright. She understood now why Hellboy had such a large, heavy door. Aside from the fact that it kept him inside whenever Manning wanted him there, it kept the chaos outside from reaching him.
There was so much noise. Agents and scientists scurrying around making orders, utensils and machines making terrible ruckus, creatures screeching and growling, alarms blaring down different hallways. It was chaos. She felt a small vibration in her hand and she looked at the cat. He was growling at something to her left.
A man wearing a black suit turned the corner, pushing a metal cart with something laying on it. Rogue had to jump back to avoid being run over. She gasped upon seeing what was on the cart. A body. Not a human body, but a large, green, slimy body with four legs and a mouth full of jagged teeth.
"What's that?" She whispered, but the man ignored her and continued down the hall, disappearing around the next corner.
Rogue shook her head and decided to go down the hall in front of her. She peered into the first door to her right, expecting to see some other creature on a gurney like she had witnessed on her first day here. To her surprise, she saw a tall silver tube, full of water. Bubbles erupted from the bottom of the tank every so often, but it was otherwise empty. It made her wonder what they had been keeping there.
She turned to look into the room on her left, and there were a few men in lab coats bustling around, taking notes and exchanging a few words. Still nothing overly interesting. She continued down the hall, hoping to find something extraordinary. Finally, nearing the end of the hall, she heard angry growling behind a closed door. The cat in her hand also heard it and flinched, trying to escape her hold.
"Shh, shh, don't be such a pussy cat." She pat his head briefly and then moved to the side, pressing her back against the wall next to a large display case. She shimmied against it and stood on her toes, peering in through the small observation window. Inside, there was a large cage with thick bars. Inside that cage, were small creatures. She couldn't get a good look at them through the window.
"Tooth faeries."
"Ah!" Rogue yelped at the sound of someones voice to her left. She pushed herself off of the wall and peeked around the display case where she could see someone standing. She couldn't quite tell who it was until she was looking right at him. "Myers." She acknowledges.
"You remember my name." He says, almost surprised.
"It's your last name, isn't it?" Rogue says, but her tone is wary and he knew it. She still didn't trust him, and he didn't really expect her to. She had made it very clear that she didn't trust his kind.
"Yes." He said, nodding.
"I take it your first name is Agent then, right?" She responds sarcastically.
"No! It's J-John." He stutters with embarrassment.
"Rogue." She nods.
"Oh, I know. Words' been going around." He says, and she narrows her eyes. "There aren't many secrets within the Bureau." He explains. "What brings you out here at this hour?" He wonders.
"Couldn't sleep." She replies dryly, averting her gaze somewhere else. It was awkward enough as it were, she wasn't going to force herself to look at him.
"You probably shouldn't be out here." Myers said nervously.
Rogue brought her stare back to him and narrowed her eyes, "You probably shouldn't be telling me what to do." She hissed, taking a step closer.
Myers could feel the heat radiating off her body and he took a careful step back, tearing his eyes away from her and looking at the ground instead. "I-It was just a suggestion." He said. Rogue furrowed her eyebrows. Although the man was afraid, his voice was loud and clear instead of meek and mumbled. It was odd in a way.
"Well, keep them to yourself." She snapped, turning to look back into the room as to avoid him. She watched the faeries swarm, and they were now aware of her presence. She could feel Myers shift behind her, and she could hear him trying to steady his breath.
"Um, l-look, I think we got off on the wrong foot." He started, causing Rogue to roll her eyes. "I could maybe give you a tour of the Bureau if you'd like." He offered, this time without stuttering. It was easier to speak without her fiery blue eyes piercing his very soul. He paused for a moment, waiting for her answer, but it never came. "Maybe some hot chocolate?" He offered quietly. He didn't want to come off too strong.
Rogue shut her eyes to that. His offer became tempting. Hot chocolate is something she needed right about now as the freezing tiles sent chills all the way up her body through her bare feet. Her skin broke out in goosebumps and she shuddered.
"Fine." She finally said, turning to face him completely.
"Oh, will she be joining us too?" He asked awkwardly, finally noticing the cat tucked in her arm. It was hard to see it since it matched the color of her shirt. Or, Hellboy's shirt.
"He, and yes." Rogue said simply.
"Okay." He nodded. "Oh! Um, here. Take this." He said as he began to remove his black trench coat. He handed it to her, and she eyed it warily.
Rogue stared at the coat in his hand. A part of her felt suspicious, but another part of her was surprised. Surprised that he would be so kind. "Humph." She snatched the coat from him, shaking the ridiculous thoughts away.
Myers closed his fist where the coat used to be and slowly brought his hand down. She really must not like him. Then again, no one really liked him. No one likes the rookie. "Well, shall we?" He said, gesturing down the hall with his arm.
Rogue reluctantly obeyed, heading in that direction at a slow pace while carefully putting the coat on, cat still in hand. Myers shoved his hands into his dress pants and huffed. She could tell he was nervous, she could taste it in the air.
"Thanks." She mumbled. She wasn't a cruel person, so she wouldn't put him through hell as long as he behaved in a correct manner and didn't make her uncomfortable.
Myers raised his head and looked at her, confused for a moment, but then smiled, simply nodding his response. There was a tense silence between them until they entered a different hall. He decided he would take her to the more interesting sections of the Bureau. "This is the infirmary." He said.
"For who?" Rogue asked, and in that very moment, someone ran past them, pushing a gurney with a squid-looking occupant. "Oh..." She then mumbled, following the gurney with her eyes. She cringed when a tentacle slipped off and splat on the linoleum floor. "That's gross." She mumbled.
"That's nothing." Myers said, walking ahead to catch up with the medic. He tapped his shoulder and spoke a few words, pointing at the severed limb. The medic nodded and then entered one of the rooms. Myers smiled and made his way back to Rogue.
"Why do you care for them?" Rogue asked as she followed him.
"What do you mean?" Myers asked.
"I mean, why do you bother healing them after you've pretty much killed them?" She asked.
"Research." Myers said simply.
"Of course." Rogue grumbled angrily.
"Don't take it the wrong way." Myers said. "We don't do this for fun, you know." He added.
"Then why do you?" Rogue snapped.
Myers shrugged, "Well, first off, we have to keep these things off the street and protect the civilians." He started, but Rogue made a face that made him shut his mouth.
"What do you get in return?" She scoffed.
"Keeping the Bureau safe from the government. The less they know, the better." He explained. "If they find out about us, they'll shut us down. Who knows what they'll do to Hellboy and Abraham." He said. Rogue stopped walking abruptly, his words sinking in. She knew very well what they were capable of doing, and the very thought of them being hurt shook her to the core. "Are you alright?" He asked, reaching out to touch her arm, but she moved away, stroking the cat as an excuse.
"Fine." She said, walking ahead. "Go on." She demanded.
Myers retracted his hand with a sigh and followed after her. "Without the Bureau, all hell will literally break loose." He continued. "There are beings out there, that are just as spiteful towards humans as you are. They'll stop at nothing to exterminate them." He explained.
"And you're responsible of stopping that from happening." Rogue finished.
Myers nodded. "So, it's not so much for them as it is for you." He added, a small smile creeping onto his face. Rogue spared him a glance and was caught off guard by the look he was giving her. She scowled and turned away.
"Why does Red risk his life to save them? He's just another freak to them." She said bitterly.
"For his father." Myers said, but then realized she has not met him, and never will. His heart sank at the memory, but decided it was essential for her understanding. "The founder of the Bureau, Professor Broom, was somewhere in Scotland nearing the end of World War II, sometime in 1944. Hitler was resorting to the occult to try and turn the war in his favor. The troops he was with, the Americans, found a group of Nazi scientists, working for Rasputin. They had a powerful weapon, named Kroenen. He protected the ruins where Rasputin was trying to open a portal to another dimension and awaken forces known as The Seven Gods of Chaos." He paused and glanced at Rogue. She was staring at him with wide eyes, intrigued in his story.
Myers led her down another hall, heading for the staff room. Rogue followed him absentmindedly, waiting for him to continue the story.
"Rasputin is just a second away from releasing what would have been the end of mankind." He continued. "But, the Americans take action, killing some of the Nazi scientists that were essential to the completion of their mission. Kroenen attacks the Americans, and manages to hurt Professor Broom, but that doesn't stop the man from grabbing a grenade and throwing it at the portal. It explodes, destroying the portal and taking Kroenen's hand with it." He says proudly. Rogue looked baffled and awestruck. "I don't remember what happened exactly, but Kroenen is presumed dead, and Rasputin somehow made it through the portal before it closes." He explains. "Now, Professor Broom was a wise man, even then for his young age. He tells the troops to search around, fearing that something may have made it through the portal before it closed. In this search, he finds him." He says quietly, and Rogue's eyes begin to sparkle.
"What was it like?" Rogue whispered.
"Professor Broom said he was an ape-like creature with a massive stone hand. Too big for his body, for he was still just an infant. The troops prepare to take it down, but the professor orders them not to. He pulls out... Guess what he pulled out." He says, smiling at Rogue.
"I don't know!" Rogue says quietly, desperate in the suspense of the story.
"A candy bar!" Myers exclaims.
Rogue blanched, "What? A candy bar? He pulled out a candy bar?" She asked, not believing it. It was ridiculous.
"A candy bar. Baby Ruth, to be exact. Hellboy loves those to this day." He chuckles. "So, with that, the troops realize he's harmless. They take him in, and dub him Hellboy." He finishes.
Rogue's eyes are still wide, her mouth slightly agape. "I wish I could have met him..." She whispers, and he could hear the pain in her voice.
He gave her a small smile, "Me too." He mumbled. "He was phenomenal. I feel privileged to have made his acquaintance. To know all of these stories." He said with a smile, though Rogue noticed the sadness in his eyes.
"You never told me what happened to him." She pointed out quietly. She could tell the death of this man had taken a great toll on the Bureau, and she didn't want to push the poor man into making him relive it. No one should have to feel the pain of losing someone, that she knew well.
Myers nodded but stopped their walk. He reached for a simple silver doorknob and turned it to reveal a dark room. He reached inside and switched on the light, stepping inside a makeshift staff room. Rogue followed him inside and he shut the door behind her after having checked if anyone had seen them.
"Rookies aren't allowed in here." He whispered with a small smile before she could even ask why he was being so discreet. He opens one of the cupboards and pulls out two mugs. He washes them in the sink and continues to prepare the cocoa. He flinches when Rogue hops up on the counter next to him. She looks at him with sparkling eyes, her legs swinging back and forth as she stares expectantly.
"Kroenen." He said finally with a heavy sigh.
"Kroenen?" She asked, searching for further explanation.
"Yeah. One night, while Professor Broom is doing research on Kroenen, Rasputin decides to visit the Bureau. He wanted some information that would help him complete his mission, but the Professor refuses to tell him anything, and for that, Kroenen finishes him."
"He wanted to protect his son." Rogue whispers, and Myers is surprised to hear her voice shake. He looks at her, and her eyes are shimmering with tears, her face flushed red. Myers nodded, and he believes she understood the reason behind the B.P.R.D much better now. He serves their hot drinks and hands her one of the mugs which she took eagerly. "Thank you." She whispers, taking a sip of the drink.
Myers smiled, knowing she wasn't just thanking him for the warm beverage. Rogue is silent as she sips on her cocoa, rerunning the story in her mind. How brave he must have been, to go on such a quest, and then unknowingly adopt what could have been a dangerous creature. It must have been difficult for Hellboy as well, growing up in a world entirely different than his own, if only just at first.
"And Liz?" Rogue asked then, her curiosity getting the best of her. She could see the way Myers tensed at her question, but she wouldn't retract it. She had to know.
"Elizabeth Sherman. She was an agent for the Bureau. A pyrokinetic like you. She was kind of on and off with us. She didn't like the lifestyle, but she couldn't leave Hellboy." He explained.
"She loved him." She stated, with a hint of curiosity.
Myers nodded, "She was pregnant." He informed, and Rogue nearly fell off her seat. Myers hesitated before continuing, just to make sure she was recomposed. "Twins, actually." He added.
"Whoa." Rogue breathed, sliding off the counter before she fell off. She placed her feline companion on the counter and he quickly settled himself at her near empty mug, lapping up the rest of the warm drink.
"Unfortunately, she had a miscarriage. We all expected it, of course. Her body was too human to support two half-demons." He explained.
"Why didn't you stop her?!" Rogue said, appalled.
"You think we didn't?" Myers said, his tone raising for the first time. He sighed, "I tried for months to convince her." He then said, his tone back to normal. "Even Abe couldn't convince her it was too dangerous, and he had all the facts."
"And Red just let it happen?" She growled.
Myers shook his head, "He knew it was impossible, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her that. He couldn't tell her to give them up."
"And for that, he lost them all." Rogue said bitterly. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"There was no possible way to save them. An abortion would have been too dangerous, seeing as the unborn grew rapidly within the womb, two at a time. She was five months into pregnancy in only a matter of weeks." He explained.
Of course she couldn't say anything after that. It was just one of those things, one of those terrible fates. "I can't imagine what it was like for him..."
"He didn't leave his room for three months. He let no one in, and he never came out. He never made a sound. He never ate. He probably never slept. Abe said he would sneak out every night, but we never found out where, or how." He explained.
"Oh, Red..." Rogue said, pained for her friend.
"Eventually he made an appearance, but he wasn't the same. He was cold and bitter, and rarely spoke to anyone. He just went to work, came back, and locked himself away again. It wasn't easy for anyone. Specially Manning. Boy, did he have a hard time." He shook his head, remembering all of their glare competitions which always led to Manning needing a new pair of pants. "It was like that until you showed up..." He added at the end.
"What? That can't be true." She mumbled, feeling uncomfortable.
"It is. You've given him a sense of meaning again. You've given him a reason to be." He explained. "I've never seen him so determined for a mission before you showed up." He added.
"I did that?" She whispered, shocked. Myers simply nodded.
"Would you mind telling me a little about yourself?" He asked.
Rogue snapped out of her thoughts and sent him a glare, "I thought you already interrogated me." She hissed.
Myers paled, "No, no. I mean you. The girl under the mask." He said softly, trying to encourage her.
"There's nothing to tell." She said, void of emotion.
"Sure there is. Like, how old are you?" He asked, just to start with something.
"Nineteen." She answered simply.
"You're very young." Myers noted. "Um, where are you from?" He asked.
"Another dimension." She responded monotonously.
"What about here on Earth?" He asked, a little worried by her lack of interest in his questions.
"New York."
"Ah, a city girl." He nodded.
"I hate the city."
"Right. Well... Do you like dogs?" He asked.
Rogue raised an eyebrow. He was terrible at this. "I suppose. As long as they don't have a habit of chewing on my boots and resurrecting." She said.
Myers couldn't help but laugh at her remark. She was so serious when she said it too. "I hear that." He chuckled, agreeing with her. "Say, does he have a name?" He asked, pointing at the cat that was flicking it's tail lazily.
Rogue shrugged, "I haven't asked Red, but I doubt he has a name."
"You should name him." Myers suggested.
"I'll think about it." She said simply. "Well, Myers..." She averted her gaze awkwardly. "I'm leaving now." She announced, removing the mug from the unnamed feline and placing it in the sink. She picked him up in her arms and headed for the door.
Myers followed her, "I'll walk you back to the room." He said. Rogue knew it wasn't an offer, so she didn't bother rejecting him. The walk back was quiet between them, but it was filled in by the regular bustling of the Bureau. By now it had settled down, and she wondered just how long she had been wandering about with the agent.
"I think I can manage from here." She announced, glancing at the vault door at the end of the hall.
"Alright. Good night." He said, smiling.
Rogue sighed internally before giving a small smile. It was the least she could do. With that being done, she turned and made her way to the vault door, pushing it open carefully. She slipped in with extra stealth and released her partner in crime so he could scurry off to sleep. She went straight to bed, gently crawling in next to the still sleeping red giant.
As she closed her eyes, she hoped for a peaceful rest.
A/N: There you have it! Just a little recap of the first movie, and the story behind Liz's death. A fun filler chapter, to prove I haven't abandoned you all! I promise the next chapter will be more interesting and be jam packed with our favorite boy of Hell! Just a few little details in this chapter, and you'll see that take effect in the upcoming chapter.
Here's a question I've been meaning to ask y'all. Do you prefer the romance, the action or both? I think your answers will determine how this story goes along! Another question. What should be the cat's name?! I'll let you decide. Leave your answers in a review, and I'll choose the best one!
Love,
Mutinous Pirate.