It was ridiculously easy to get onto the grounds of the X-Men HQ, the infamous Xavier Institute for the Wayward Children or something in Westchester, and Deadpool wondered if everyone had taken off for a holiday he hadn't been aware of. And if so: rude! They could have told him. Maybe left a note on the gates. He wouldn't have made a redundant trip.

He climbed over the fence, then made his way toward the impressive building. Well, if you liked castles.

Deadpool didn't.

Nothing personal. He just wasn't the medieval type.

No one stopped him and the groomed lawns and well-maintained gravel paths were empty of all life. No supers or preters frolicking around, testing their powers, doing homework or just fooling around.

"Geez," he muttered to himself. "Mind-numbingly photogenic. Like the next Homes and Gardens issue. So not gonna buying that one. Vomit inducing much?"

When the door to the mansion swung open and revealed none other than his favorite grouchy Wolverine, Deadpool smiled widely behind his mask.

Things were looking up already!

"Hey, mate!" he drawled in a faux Australian accent. "I expected my favorite emo X-Girl or Chrome Dome, but no worries! You're running hot second to her first place in my heart. How'sit hangin' down under? Smooth as always, I hope! Did you get a new haircut? Changed your stylist? Or did your better half finally intervene with all the weird hairdo you had going on?"

"Fuck off, Wilson."

"No can do. Actually, I came to talk to the man of the house, not the pet poodle."

Logan bared his teeth. Impressive white teeth. Broad-shouldered, muscular, with long sideburns, dark, messy hair, swift blue eyes and the stance of a bull fighter, Logan was an opponent to take very seriously.

Deadpool never took anyone all too seriously; and if he did, he wouldn't show it.

"And I said fuck off," Wolverine repeated.

"Since you already sent all the kids to bed early you could at least invite me in for a night cap."

The growl was a warning most people took very seriously.

Deadpool wasn't most people and warnings were kind of lost on him.

He feigned to the left, then dodged right, only to shoulder the shorter man out of his way as he walked straight ahead. It would have been easier with a gun or his katanas, but he was trying to be good.

Peter would have been so, so proud!

Logan's snarl was fearsome, but he wasn't really bothered. Since the claws hadn't come out yet, Deadpool was rather relaxed. Adamantium claws the length of a human's lower arm sticking out of one's chest were usually a good indicator when it came to Logan's temper.

"Growl all you want, my hairy friend. Not leaving. I was courteous and rang. Even brought a gift." Deadpool dropped the potted plant he had napped from the outside and it shattered on the hardwood floor. Soil and plant parts scattered everywhere. "Now, Professor, can we talk or do you need to call in your boyband first?" The last was called out.

Charles Xavier rolled out of the shadows, ageless as ever, bald as ever. Deadpool cocked his head.

Blue eyes, infinitely calm and patient, met his gaze. The telepath didn't really seem rattled by his entry. Nothing about him told of fear apprehension or fear, and Deadpool was a rather good judge when it came to the human state of flight.

"You never change. What's your secret?" he asked lightly.

"Why did you come here, Wade?" Xavier asked, voice mild.

"Deadpool. The name is Deadpool. It's not so hard to remember. Just as many vowels as it has consonants."

The telepath's expression was patient, almost fatherly, and Deadpool wanted to kick it off him. It was one reason why he had never, actually ever, seriously considered the multiple invites to join the X-Men. He didn't want sympathy and understanding. He didn't need a guiding hand. He didn't want the fatherly advice over a game of chess. He didn't want to change his ways and do good.

Wait. Doing good. Back up there.

Wasn't that what he had done for Spideybabe?

But Peter was different. He hadn't pushed it at him. He hadn't tried to make him into the hero he wasn't. Peter wasn't Chuck on Wheels, trying to better the world one fucked up preter or super at the time.

And he really sucked at chess.

"You want to know why I'm here? Aside from the scenery and the expectation of lovely tea and biscuits?" He leaned forward. "Since no one picks up my calls and your Facebook page sucks, I had to come in person. To tell you to mind your own fucking business! Threaten my mate again and I'll end you."

The last was said in a sugary sweet tone.

Wolverine growled a warning and the claws snicked out.

"Puleaze," Deadpool sighed. "So yesterday. You're not going to kill me and you know it."

"A lot of pain is all I'm looking for! And your guts on the floor."

"I can deliver that, too. No problem-o! But who's the unlucky bastard who has to wipe up the mess?"

Wolverine advanced.

Deadpool easily unsheathed the katanas, twirling them. "Oh, I dare you to bring it on," he crooned. "I haven't had a good tussle in a long time. Being good has a few disadvantages. One being the no killing clause."

"Logan," the Professor's quiet voice stopped him.

Wolverine's nostrils blew wide, his teeth still bared, and the play of muscle would have been a nice distraction any other day, too.

"Uhhhh," Deadpool mocked "James, please, stop, be a good doggy!"

Wolverine lunged forward and Deadpool moved just far enough to evade the lethal claws. "Missed me," he sang.

"Logan!" Xavier snapped.

Wolverine snarled, but he backed down.

"You've got him trained well. Never managed that. He was such a mangy little thing when I met him," Deadpool mused. "Now look at him! All grown up and ready to adoption. Flea collar's included?"

"Will you ever shut the fuck up?"

"Nope. You know me. Merc with a Mouth. Gotta work hard for the nicknames, right, James?"

"I never intended to threaten Mr. Parker," Xavier interrupted them. "I was merely curious. There is little we know about the chimera."

"Whoa, stop right there, Wheels! You know shit! Less than shit! You know nothing at all, and that is putting it nicely!" Deadpool radiated danger and lethal intent. "And it will stay that way. I'm no one's guinea pig any more. Tried it once, found it lacking the experience. No stars on Yelp. Never got my money back. And don't get me started about the promised t-shirt that was never delivered!"

"I would never experiment on a mutant."

"Just test us? Poke us with needles? Do useless scans and find zilch? No, thanks. The only one who's going to stick anything into me is a little spider. And he can stick it into me anytime he wants."

"Do you know what your powers are?" Xavier asked calmly, ignoring the words. "Your full potential? Your abilities?"

Deadpool sheathed the katanas again. "Endless wit and never-ending charm?"

"More like annoying like shit and unable to shut up!" Logan snapped.

Deadpool flapped a hand. "Nyah… Okay… sure… That, too. I'm a well of mutant abilities. The All You Can Graft On Buffet. Let's not forget… really hard to kill. Actually, immortal!" He spread his arms.

"You are also bonded to Spider-Man, a mutant, who is now your balance and anchor," the professor stated.

The tension came back into his frame and the chimera sat up, eyes narrowing dangerously on the wheelchair-bound preternatural. It didn't move, didn't try to break through the human shell that gave it a semblance of civility, but it was more than ready to.

"And who's a peeping tom now? Keep out of our lives! You've sent all your little hounds after me, blabbering on and on about how I'm 'better than this'! Newsflash, Prof! I am not! I never will be better than I am. I'm already perfect. Get that into you shiny bald head! And stay the fuck away from us!"

Xavier inclined his head. "I will. Just out of curiosity: have you noticed your increase in potential?"

Deadpool put his hands onto his hips, cocking them at a suggestive angle.

"I am pretty potent already, prof. You've got to give me a little help here."

The professor folded his hands. "You were born a preternatural and artificially enhanced. It put you on my radar. Your potential was immense. It hasn't diminished. While I was aware of Peter Parker as an altered, enhanced human through Cerebro ever since he became active, I am not anymore."

Deadpool stilled. The chimera rose out of the darkness, the massive head turning to look at the telepath with single-minded attention, eyes flaring. It bared dagger-like teeth, its focus completely on Xavier.

Like a super-predator watching its next meal, sizing it up, ready to strike. Swift, clean kill.

The professor frowned a little, but he didn't react otherwise, but Deadpool was convinced he felt the rise of the apex predator.

Wolverine did.

He could sense the other man's tension, the way he was prepared for a confrontation, even if he wouldn't be a match for what Deadpool could unleash.

He felt something primal inside of him claw its way out of the depth. The chimera turned and looked at him, silvery eyes narrowed, black lips lifting over gleaming white fangs. The insubstantial wings flared. The darkness rose, twisting and coiling closer. Alive and powerful, ready to strike out.

Logan's eyes narrowed, nostrils blowing wide. Neither of the two men could see it, but they sensed something. Logan more than Xavier, since he was more in tune with his primal instincts.

"You are immune to telepathy due to your preternatural nature, Mr. Wilson," Xavier said. "Mr. Parker has apparently inherited your ability."

"The name is Deadpool," he snarled. "And my so-called condition isn't infectious. My charm, yes. My sense of humor, perfectly infectious. Not this!" He gestured at himself. "I'm not spreading the disease!"

The chimera started to bristle, the infinite wings unfolding completely, unsheathing razor-like claws.

"Your mutation at the hands of Weapon X cannot be transferred," Xavier agreed. "Nor is any of you infectious. Preternatural abilities usually don't influence a potential or bonded partner either. I believe that against what scholars know, your preternatural nature has now become part of Peter as well. Cerebro cannot find him, like I can no longer find you. While I could never touch your mind, your thoughts, I could see you, Deadpool. Your presence was never a secret. Now the chimera has broken free and its power is enormous. It spans two lives, Deadpool."

"What."

The night terror inside him hissed a last warning. It stalked closer to the shell that contained it, just shy of breaking it.

"Your lives are entwined. The chimera is part of Mr. Parker now. I believe you already know that to a degree. You also protect him, Deadpool. Not just physically, but on a psychic level, too."

"Well, good," he said levelly. "Thanks for the news update. Now stay the fuck away from us, capiche? We don't need guidance or baby-sitting!"

Wolverine had the gall to snort and Deadpool pulled a gun on him, the bullet tearing through Logan's bicep. It was the least violent reaction to the threat level in here. Wolvie should be grateful he hadn't aimed for his thick head.

"Fucker!" the other man exclaimed.

"Last warning," Deadpool only said, his eyes never leaving Xavier's.

"You have achieved control," the older man said, almost like he was talking to himself. "I can sense the chimera. It is powerful. He gives all of that to you."

"Now that we caught up on the family feels, I'm gonna leave," the merc announced. "If I see any of your guys hanging around us, you won't be seeing them again. At least in one piece."

He turned and stalked out of the mansion.

Since he didn't get his spine severed by adamantium claws, Xavier had put a leash on his guard dog.

And he had so been looking forward to a good brawl.

"Don't mess it up, Wilson."

The low growl caught him just before he could cross the threshold. Deadpool felt something primal inside him surge forward, snarling furiously at the implications. He fought down the need that rose inside him.

Protect. Mine. Protectminemine!

He turned, eyes narrowed, expression deadly behind the mask. Deadpool had to fight down the urge to eradicate a perceived threat. He could almost taste the fury. He wanted to tear into something, hit something…

Wolverine looked almost impressed. He even smirked a little.

"That, hm?" he remarked, daring to laugh roughly. "Didn't think you'd ever find the one since they cut that out of you. Or shot it."

Deadpool felt the insane notion to sprout claws and fangs and tear the other man's throat out. He played it cool, though, forcing the tension out of his muscles, to relax, to let the words wash over him.

"Good things come to bad people, too," he quipped instead. "You should know. Where is the little firecracker anyway?"

Logan snarled, reflecting the very same emotions Deadpool had felt moments ago. He allowed himself a smirk of his own.

Wolverine caught himself, then chuckled with a rueful shake of his head. "Fucker." It sounded almost friendly.

"You need to get laid," the merc said cheerfully. "Get your rocks off. Xavier got him on a top secret mission that needs only brains not brawns?"

"None of your damn business, Wilson."

"Ditto," he shot back.

Wolverine grinned, showing more teeth than was really friendly. Deadpool hadn't found out whether the other man had truly bonded or not. Where the chimera shouldn't have been able to bond to anyone due to its artificial nature, Wolverine fell into an equally obscure category of meshed-up DNA. He was a supernatural, most likely a fenris wolf, the more primal version of the werewolf, if wolves could get more primal than they were already. He was old blood, unable to shift completely for some reason, but several times more ferocious than any werewolf Deadpool had ever unalived.

What Weapon X had done with him… Deadpool had never read a file. It had been just as bad as what they had done to Wade Wilson.

Wolves only ever bonded to other werewolves. They could happily spend their whole lives with a human or any kind of preter-or supernatural, but a life bond was reserved for their own kind. Hellhounds never bonded to another hellhound. And Deadpool didn't even want to think about how nuckelavee only ever fit to a hecate.

So… Logan. Fenris wolf. Bonded, yay or nay? He wouldn't place any bets. He only knew he was pretty possessive of a certain X-Man with an eye affliction.

Both men looked at each other, sizing the other up, then Wolverine nodded once. Two men who shared a similarly fucked-up past. One who had found what he needed to give himself at least a little more stability. And one who might one day.

Deadpool knew he was lucky in that regard.

"Don't mess it up," Logan repeated, softer this time.

"You know me."

It got him a dark laugh. "Yeah. Good thing your bond-mate has more sense."

"Match made in hell," he replied with a cheery note. "And on that note: toodles. By the way: get laid, Logan. Soon. You really need it."

And Deadpool was finally out the door.

He waved at some X-Kid, then came to a full stop before he skipped though the open gates.

"Brianna!" he called cheerfully. "Oh, wait. Wrong universe. Miss Warhead." He curtsied. "Getting crowded here today. You really worked on raising funds for adding more X-Men this time. Did the studio give you a good deal?"

"Douchepool."

Deadpool clutched his heart. "Ouch. Still with the pain."

She looked unimpressed, chewing her gum. "Heard you got hitched. Must have been really desperate to get some."

"I prefer 'determined'."

"Well, congrats."

He cocked his head. "Are you being serious? Is she serious?" he asked the world in general. "I can't tell due to the general air of teenage emo. Well, you are correct, my little fireball. Sorry, no invites to the party. And we already had the wedding night." He winked. "Steaming, NC-17 rated, explicit material, non-stop rabbit sex."

She rolled her eyes. "How come he hasn't shot you already?" she muttered. "In the balls and up the ass."

"Because he's a good guy. And we're not talking about what's going up my ass."

Negasonic smirked. "Good guy, huh? That's what they all say. Compared to you, anyone is anyway."

"Ouch, ouch and ouch. You're really killing me today."

"Too bad you never stay that way."

"Emo teen kill shot!" he proclaimed.

A cab pulled up and Deadpool waved at Dopinder, who gave him a bright smile in return.

"Anyways, wonderful chatting to you, my dear," he crooned. "Take care. Don't do anything I wouldn't approve of. Which, thinking about… just do what you always do. With a wham! Bye, bye."

He got into the cab, riding shotgun, and ignored Negasonic's one-fingered salute.

SDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSD

Charles Xavier watched the extraordinary preternatural go. His mind couldn't pick up anything from the chimera, the shields around it impenetrable and so multilayered and interlocked, it was like nothing the telepath had ever sensed before.

Even before the chimera had unfolded to its full strength, Wade Wilson had been immune to telepathy.

Now… it was like a vicious guard dog, looking at Xavier and challenging him to try it. Just once.

So the chimera was online now. Fully. Growing into its human shell, learning.

It was unique.

It was raw power and danger, a dark, ferocious, volatile power that ran untamed under this human guise.

Nothing like the chimera existed.

Just like no one like Deadpool had ever existed.

Now he was bonded to Peter Parker, a mutant with no psychic abilities, with not a single preternatural direct relative.

Xavier looked out the window, thoughtful.

Deadpool had surrendered to the other man, giving him everything, his trust, his body, mind and soul; his love.

Where others had called the mercenary soulless, Xavier had never truly believed it. A soul couldn't be destroyed completely. It had been twisted and mangled, beyond recognition, and now it was meshed with Peter's.

It would be interesting to see them grow together, to witness what the bond might bring forth in both men, and what the future had in store for them. The chimera's claim on Spider-Man soul was absolute and had already started to change him.

"This'll blow up in all our faces," Wolverine grumbled.

Charles smiled. "I don't think so, Logan. It's a mutual bond, grown out of affection, trust and love."

Logan gave him a dark look. "He's still a crazy son of a bitch and certifiable."

The professor chuckled, then moved the chair to his desk. "Let's give them the room to grow, Logan. No interference."

"Wilson's a crazy ass son-of-a-bitch and won't ever change, Chuck. He's a time bomb in the hands of a kid."

"I agree that he is dangerous and more so now than he ever was. His erratic behavior is one of his weapons and he always used it according to the situation to baffle his opponents and distract them from who and what he truly is," Xavier agreed. "There is far more to Wade Wilson than he shows us. Peter has become one of the few, maybe the only one, who has looked behind all those masks."

"You think he can really control the chimera?"

"Who says it is about control? Maybe taking away a leader or handler is exactly what the chimera needed. Spider-Man freed it."

"Pity the guy who thinks otherwise," Wolverine growled. "Deadpool's crazy, but he's crazy good."

With that he left.

Xavier smiled faintly.

Yes, it would be interesting to watch the chimera become all it could be.

Deadpool was an unstable, dangerous preternatural, but he had his bonded mate to rely upon to keep him from stepping over and off the edge. He had been hurt so badly, tortured and killed, his DNA mangled and spliced and then put together in a new order to create something never seen before, he would never be normal and stable again. No matter the bond.

But he fought every step of the way to be better, to keep his instincts in check. He was powerful and yet more vulnerable and in need of stability than he would ever let on. Peter was his anchor and the most important person in his life.

What bothered Xavier was the looming danger of what would happen should someone take Spider-Man from him or kill the younger man in front of Deadpool. An unchained, uncontrollable chimera would be a threat level never seen before. He would kill whoever dared to injure or kill his bonded mate.

Facing that… the telepath had no idea who would win this confrontation, if winning was even an option. Taking Peter away, trying to kidnap him, would result in carnage and death, many times over, and Deadpool wouldn't rest until he had his partner back.

As for death… Charles didn't think anything would ever permanently stick.

Hopefully it wouldn't happen any time soon.

Hopefully never at all.

And if it did, Xavier hoped fervently it would be in the far, far future when Wade Wilson had learned to balance and anchor himself enough to not lose all his humanity. Both men had a lot of work ahead of them, a future that was both infinite and uncertain, and the professor knew it would be an interesting one.

tbc...