Body Guard

Chapter 1

He watched her as she stepped from her car and handed her keys to the attentive valet. Her long white hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was dressed casually in an old pair of blue jeans and a white tee shirt. However, even dressed as she was, her beauty still shone like a bright beacon in the otherwise dark night. He rubbed his hands in barely contained anticipation. He could just imagine her expression when she found his little surprise. Tonight, she would finally learn that she was being hunted and his favorite part of the hunt would begin. He continued to watch her until the doors of the elevator slid shut, but he didn't need to see her to know what she was doing. For the past three months, he had watched or rather stalked her. And like all good hunters, he knew that in order to catch your prey, you must know them know better than they know themselves. He shut his eyes and smiled coldly. Yes, this was definitely his favorite part of the hunt.

Ororo Munroe stepped from the elevator and walked to the door of her penthouse. She punched in her access code that shut down the alarm and opened the door as well. Kicking off her shoes even before the door had completely shut, Ororo continued on into her bedroom where she removed her clothes and wrapped herself into her favorite terry robe. She walked into the kitchen and placed a pot of water on the stove to boil hoping that a cup of herbal tea would help her to sleep. She then headed for the bathroom to run her bath. Flipping on the lights, she paused to stare at her reflection in the mirror. Although she had no ideal why, lately she had begun to think of herself as being a lost orphan again. She shook her head trying to banish the melancholy thoughts. "You're just tired," she muttered to herself as she turned to tub and pushed back the glass door. However, the butchered body of a lamb dissolved all thoughts of fatigue. Swallowing down a scream that threatened to erupt from her, Ororo stumbled out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. With shaky hands, she picked up the phone and dialed 911.

"Ms. Munroe, who else has the access code to your penthouse?" Lt. Bishop asked.

"Only my father and my brother," Ororo answered as she sipped the now cool tea.

"Have you received any threatening phone calls or letters lately?" Lt. Drake questioned.

"I receive threats all the time, Lt. But this is the first time that someone has actually followed through."

"I don't suppose that you kept any of the letters?" Drake asked

Instead of answering, Ororo only shook her head.

Lt. Bishop stood up frowning. "Well, we've checked your apartment from top to bottom, but we didn't find any signs of forced entry. You have valuables lying all around, yet nothing is missing. Are you sure that this isn't some type of a prank?"

Ororo took a deep breath and slowly counted to ten. By the time she finished, she was able to speak without yelling. "I'm afraid that I have better things to do than to place a dead animal in my own tub." She stood and headed for the door without another word to the officers.

"Good going, Bishop. Blame the victim for the crime." Lt. Drake said as he watched Ororo shut the door firmly behind them.

Bishop narrowed his eyes and looked around at the expensive surroundings. "Ms. Munroe may be a lot of things, but she definitely isn't a victim. I'd bet my badge that she's hiding something."

Chapter 2

Charles Xavier watched the man who sat across from wishing that he knew what he was thinking. "How have you been?" Charles finally asked.

"Not that I don't appreciate yer concern, but let's cut the small talk, Chuck. Why am I here?"

"Because," Charles answered slowly, "I need your help."

Logan slumped back in his chair and released the breath that he realized he was holding. "Chuck...' he began.

"Logan, hear me out. I know what you went through on your last mission, and I know that you don't want to be in action again. But someone is after my daughter, and you're the only person that I can trust to protect her."

Logan rubbed his hand down his face. "What about the police?"

"You know how the police work, Logan. I can't risk Ororo's life. I need the best and you are the best."

Logan stared hard into his old friend's eyes easily seeing the parental fear. Apparently, Chuck was really afraid for his daughter's life or he wouldn't have contacted him. But at the same time, Logan knew that he was still scarred from his last mission. However, maybe working would be the best thing for him right now instead of wallowing in self-pity. "O.k., Chuck. You've got yourself a body guard, but we do things my way."

Ororo lazily swam her way back to the edge of the pool. After three days of being back home, she was finally able to sleep at night without dreaming of the slaughtered lamb, and she was even beginning to convince herself that maybe it was only some sick joke. As she reached the side of the pool, Ororo automatically reached for the gold bars to pull herself up. However, instead of the bars, Ororo found herself being pulled up by a very strong pair of hands.

"Ororo, I would like you to meet Logan," Charles said as he pushed his wheelchair closer to his daughter, "He has graciously agreed to become your body guard."

"Body guard?" Ororo turned to face her father. "I don't need a body guard, Father."

Charles immediately noticed the set of her shoulders and the stubborn tilt of her chin and realized that he was in for another fight. "Ororo, someone entered your home without activating the alarm and left a dead animal in your tub. Now I know that you can take care of yourself, but I would feel a lot better if I knew that Logan was around to help."

Logan stood to side watching the argument. While he had personally never meet Charles' daughter, he had seen photos of her. But then again, who hadn't seen photos of her? Currently, she was considered to be one of the hottest models in the industry. Her photo literally graced thousands of magazines around the world, which of course meant that any nut could be after her.

"If this had happened to Scott," Ororo was saying, "would you have hired a body guard?"

"Yes," Charles quickly answered. "You and your brother are all that I have. I would do anything to keep you both safe."

Ororo reached for her towel and wrapped it around her hips. "If I agree to this, I want my life to continue as normal."

"Only as normal as safety will allow." Logan spoke for the first time.

Ororo turned to look at her new "body guard." He was shorter than her, but then a lot of men were. Standing at 5'11 Ororo found that most men found her intimidating. Some because of her height, but most for who she was- a very famous model who also happened to be the daughter of one of the richest men in America. However, instead of being intimidated, Logan seemed to view her with contempt. She frowned slightly, not used to being snubbed by men.

"Well, Mr..." Ororo paused waiting for him to give her his last name.

"Just Logan," he finished.

"Well, ...Logan, it appears that you are stuck with me for a while."

He smiled, but the smiled did not reach his eyes. Instead, his eyes glittered coldly at her. Ororo resisted the urge to drop her graze from the frigid grey eyes, but she could not stop the icy vines of fear from wrapping around her heart.

Chapter 3

He sat in the trees beyond the mansion watching them as they headed back inside. Although he had counted on Charles hiring someone to protect Ororo, he hadn't counted on Logan. Not that it mattered. In fact, Logan's presence would only make the hunt more fun. He laughed silently to himself. The little runt would never know what hit him.

Ororo sat on the couch watching Logan as he searched her penthouse. Although they had now been together for over six hours, he hadn't said more than 10 words to her since her father's introduction.

"Charles said that you used to work for the government," Ororo commented attempting to break through the thick wall of silence.

"Yeah." Was the only reply that she got from her bedroom.

Ororo sat back and crossed her long legs. "Are you always so talkative?"

Logan walked into the living room and took a seat across from her. "Your dad asked me to protect you, not to keep you company."

Seeing that she wasn't going to draw him into a conversation, Ororo rose from the couch and began to water her multitude of plants that were beginning to wither from their recent neglect. As she clipped away the dead leaves, Ororo found herself wishing that she was home with her father. But Logan had been insisted that her father's mansion had too many possible places that could be breached.

Logan sat on the couch and watched Ororo as she moved from plant to plant humming softly to herself. He had to admit she didn't act like the spoil brat that the media had made her out to be, and he knew from experience how misleading the media could be. But there was something about her that he just couldn't trust. Something that screamed that she was hiding something. With a sigh, he reached for the folder of information that Charles had provided for him.

As he had expected, the police report was brief and didn't give him much to go on. However, to make sure that he wasn't overlooking anything, Logan quickly read through it. At the end of the report, Logan discovered a black and white photo of the slaughtered lamb. There was little blood around the body, which meant the animal had been killed somewhere else. The lacerations, Logan noticed, seemed to have been made by someone in a fit of rage. Yet, there was something about them that almost seemed controlled and methodical. Logan frowned. Whoever had inflicted the wounds wanted to seem unbalanced yet had been unable to hide their expertise. Logan slowly shut the file. He wasn't dealing with some crazed stalker, but a trained assassin. Chuck's little girl had apparently stepped on somebody's toes and they were out for blood.

The next morning, Ororo was just stepping from the shower when she heard the doorbell. She quickly wrapped herself in a towel and ran for the door only to find that Logan had beat her to it.

"Ororo, have you seen the papers this morn...." Scott started, "Who the hell is this?" He asked as he attempted to get past Logan.

"Name's Logan and you would be?"

"This is my brother, Scott and his wife, Jean. And they're suppose to be on their way to Scotland." Ororo said as she came to position herself between the two men.

Jean placed a calming hand on her husband's arm. "Actually, we were in the taxi headed for the airport when Scott saw today's paper."

Scott thrust the paper to Ororo. "Have you seen this?" He asked her although his eyes never left Logan.

Ororo gingerly took the paper. On the front page was a picture of her. However, it was the headline and not the photo that grabbed her attention. "Famous Model, Ororo Munroe, Finds Herself The Target of a Stalker."

Ororo turned to Logan and silently handed him the paper.

"Why didn't you come to me?" Scott questioned.

"Dad and I both decided not to tell you until you returned from Scotland."

"For God's sake, someone breaks into your house and leaves a dead animal and you decide not to tell me."

"Scott calm down. Ororo's been through enough without you yelling at her. Now why don't we all sit down and discuss this like adults," Jean insisted.

"There's nothing to discuss. Ororo pack a bag. You're moving in with us until the police catch this psycho."

"Ororo's best bet is to stay here." Logan commented as he lowered the paper.

"Look, buddy. This is family business."

Logan pushed Ororo to the side and stepped closer to Scott. "Unless you want your sister dead, I think you'd better listen to me. This "stalker" isn't your run of the mill psycho. He's a professional who will continue to come at Ororo until he finally gets her."

"And you think that you can protect Ororo?" Scott questioned.

"I'm the best at what I do." Logan answered.

"And what exactly do you do?" Jean asked.

"Let's just say, it isn't very nice."

Chapter 4

Logan pulled his jeep to a halt. With a frown, he removed his shades and looked warily at the huge house before them. After Scott and Jean had left, Ororo had been insisted that she had to get out. But she hadn't told him their destination. Instead, she had just given directions and remained silent throughout the trip. He looked over at her as she opened her door and stepped from the jeep. She was dressed casually in jeans and a tank top, but somehow she still managed to look elegant. Her hair (which she had left down) was wind-blown and she hadn't bothered with make-up. Not that she needed any Logan noticed. Her smooth brown skin was flawless, and her sky blue eyes gave her a natural exotic appearance. She turned to him and smiled, but whatever she was about to say was interrupted by the hoots and hollering of a swarm of kids.

Logan watched as she hugged and kissed each of the kids even though over half of them were covered in some type of sticky dough.

"Roro, you're just in time for cookies," the smallest boy said.

"I am?" Ororo smiled as she picked the child up. "Wonderful, but do you have enough for Logan?" She asked as she pointed over to Logan.

Twenty eyes switched over to him and he immediately got the feeling that he was under a microscope.

"We got enough for him too. But he got ta sit by me," a little girl commented as she took his hand.

"You were surprised?" Ororo asked as she and Logan were driving back that night.

"Surprised would be putting it lightly," he commented as he easily maneuvered the jeep to another lane.

Ororo smiled. "Let me guess? You had me pegged as a stuck up, spoil brat who only cared about the latest trends."

Logan took his eyes from the road and gave her a little smile. "Actually, I thought you were a spoil brat who didn't care about anything."

Ororo chuckled. "And now what do you think?"

Logan turned his attention back to the road. "That maybe I don't know you at all."

"O.k. so what do you want to know?"

"Everything," he quietly stated.

"Everything. Well, let's see. My parents died when I was four and for the next five years, I lived on the streets of Cairo until Charles adopted me and brought me back to America. Two years later, he adopted Scott. Scott grows up and becomes a professor at the University founded by father. And I grow up to become a model with a soft spot for orphans due in part to my own childhood. End of story."

"So how did your parents die?" Logan asked quietly.

"The hotel that we were staying in was blown up by a terrorist's bomb. So who was Logan before he became my body guard?" She suddenly asked changing the subject.

"I worked for the government."

"Doing what?" Ororo pressed.

"If there was a problem that needed to be taken care of, then my team and I were the people to call."

A cold shudder ran down Ororo spine as she realized what he was saying. "You were an assassin?" She finally asked after a moment of silence had descended upon them.

Logan threw her a quick glance. "I've been called worst things."

Ororo turned to him wishing that she could she his face, but the sun had long set leaving only darkness. "So why did you quit?" She finally asked.

Silence filled the jeep, and Ororo began to suspect that maybe she had overstepped the boundaries of their relationship. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that." She asked hoping that he wouldn't go back to not talking to her.

He took a deep breath. "On our last mission, my entire team was killed. I was the only one to make it out." He laughed, but the sound was bitter. "I didn't want a new team assigned to me so I quit."

Ororo turned and stared out into the dark night. Even though she hadn't known him for very long, she had a feeling that he wouldn't want her pity so she allowed a blanket of silence to descend upon them.

Chapter 5

Ororo and Logan silently stood waiting on the elevator. Since their conversation in the jeep, both seemed lost in their own isolated world. The doors of the elevator slid open and they both stepped in. As the elevator began to make its way to the top, Ororo leaned against the wall and shut her eyes. However, when a loud explosion went off followed by the elevator suddenly jerking to a stop, Ororo found herself being thrown into Logan.

"What happened?" She questioned as he released her.

"I don't know." He picked up the emergency phone and dialed the front desk. Ororo stood besides him attempting not to panic.

"The phones are down," Logan said as he hung up the phone.

"The phones are down?" Ororo shrieked. "But I can't stay in here!" She began to frantically push the "door open" button as if she could will the door to open. Tears began to run down her face and her breathing began to come in short breaths.

Logan grabbed her by her shoulders. "Snap out of it, Ororo." However, instead of responding, she appeared to be drawing further away from him. Her eyes glossed over and began to roll back into her head. He realized that he was losing her to whatever nightmare she was reliving. With a deep growl of frustration, he raised his hand and slapped her. The sudden bolt of pain jerked Ororo back from her spiral of descent.

"Are you o.k.?" Logan asked when she finally began to wipe her tears away.

Ororo nodded slowly.

"Then I want you to listen to me. I'm gonna get you out of here, but I need you to help me. Can I count on you?"

She bit her lip and nodded.

"Good. Now we're trapped between floors so we're going to have to exit from the top. I'll lift you up, but you'll have to push open the hatch and pull yourself up." Without waiting for a reply, he lifted her up and watched as she opened the hatch and crawled through.

"Now what do we do," Ororo asked as Logan pulled himself through the hatch.

"You sit tight and I'll get the doors opened," he answered as he began to pull at the doors.

Realizing that there was little else she could do to help. Ororo glanced around the elevator shaft taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. She was relieved to find that although it was still enclosed, it wasn't as bad as being trapped inside of the elevator. As if sensing her thoughts the elevator suddenly jerked beneath her causing Ororo to look up. The elevator was now hanging precariously from one cable and that cable was beginning to tear.

"Hurry, Logan." Ororo prompted as she watched the tear in the cable increase.

"I've... almost... got it." The doors sprang open just as the cable snapped. With trained reflexes, Logan grabbed Ororo and pulled them both through as the elevator slipped from beneath them.

Hours later, Ororo sat on the couch with a large blanket wrapped around her. "Why is this happening to me?" She asked aloud.

"I don't know. You tell me."

Ororo looked up to find Logan watching her. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Ororo. Cut the crap. I saw the way you just reacted when the cops questioned you about any possible enemies."

"I don't have any enemies," she replied through clinched teeth.

"Everyone has enemies. Even you."

"I'm telling you the truth."

"Then why do I get the feeling that you're lying?"

"I don't know." She replied as she stood up. "You tell me."

Logan reached out and grabbed her arm. "Do you always run away from your problems?

She tried to pull free, but he only tightened his grip. "I'm not running."

"Then sit down and talk to me," he patiently ordered. "Tell me about your parents' death." He insisted as he pulled her down besides him. "You said they were killed by a terrorist's bomb."

She nodded her head in confirmation. "When the bomb exploded, my mother threw herself on top of me. My father was killed instantly, but my mother and I was trapped for days. I felt her die and then I was all alone. I didn't realize I was claustrophobic until I moved back to the states with Charles."

"And you survived alone on the streets for five years before Charles found you?"

Ororo covered her face with her hands. "I survived by working for the Shadow King." She pushed for hair back from her face. "He was the King of the underworld in Egypt. They called him the "Shadow" King because no crime could ever be traced back to him. It was like he was a shadow. A shadow who took orphans off the street and turned them into professional thieves and killers."

"And he did that to you?"

She nodded wearily. "But I turned out to be a better thief than a killer. I could never develop instincts for killing."

"And you think he's the one who ordered the hit?"

Tears slowly rolled down her face. "It was my testimony that put him away. He told me that I would die for my betrayal."

Chapter 6

"The media would crucify her," Scott exclaimed.

"I should have been told," Logan growled.

"You don't understand, Logan. If word got out about what she was...about what she's done...." Charles started.

"Damn it, Charles! I'm suppose to be protecting her. How in the hell can I do that if you're keeping secrets."

"Look, buddy..."

"No, Scott. Logan is correct. If he is to protect Ororo, he has to know the truth." Charles sighed deeply. "Ororo was nine years old when I found her. Or rather when she found me. She tried to pick my pocket." Charles smiled absently at the memory. "She was so young, yet she had lost so much. I was determined that she wouldn't lose her soul as well. It took me weeks to get her to open up to me. To convince her to tell me about the Shadow King and the stealing and finally the killing. I finally convinced her that by testifying against him, she could prevent him from doing the same thing to other children. And with her testimony, he was sentenced to life in prison."

"And where is he now?" Logan asked.

"He escaped from prison three years ago." Scott answered wearily.

Chapter 7

Logan stood to the side watching Ororo as she smiled for the camera. At the moment, she was dressed in a very revealing black swimsuit with a black panther lounging lazily at her feet.

Beads of sweat ran the length of her body and her long hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Logan had never considered sweating to be sexy, yet somehow, Ororo had managed to make sweating look like the most sexy thing in the world. While her movements were graceful and elegant, there was something about her that seemed untamed and exotic. As if sensing his thoughts, she turned towards him and smiled, and Logan realized that he was allowing her to get too close to him.

"You do realize that you owe me big time."

"Just take it out of the money that you owe me from our last poker game."

"Ha...ha." Nick Fury laughed drily. "After looking under every freakin' rock in Egypt, I still haven't found any leads on the Shadow King."

"Damn," Logan cursed softly. "So we're back to square one."

"Not necessarily. I'm going to try a few unofficial channels and see what I find.

"So what do you think?"

Logan turned around and nearly dropped his cell phone. Ororo was wrapped in a silky material that was the exact same color of her skin so at first glance, she almost appeared naked. The top of the dress was cut low revealing just the barest of hints of her breasts. And although the dress was long, it was wrapped tightly around her revealing every curve of her body.

"Let me know when you find something." Logan muttered into the phone."

"So do you like it?" She asked again as she turned around giving him a view of her bare back.

"Darling, you and that dress should be registered as a lethal weapon," he finally managed to get out.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she replied as she took in his black tuxedo.

"So who's throwing this little shing ding?" Logan asked attempting to bring the subject to less personal topics.

"Warren and Elizabeth Worthington. They're both old friends of mine. In fact, Warren attended school with Scott and I."

Chapter 8

"Ororo, we were beginning to think that you weren't going to show." Elizabeth Worthington said as she approached them. "But now that I see your friend, I can understand why you're late. Jean was right, he is handsome."

Ororo smiled as she and Elizabeth embraced. "Betsy, this is Logan. Logan this flirty, but harmless woman is Betsy.

Logan took the offered hand. "Nice to meet you, Betsy."

"And you. We've all been wondering why Ororo's been in hiding. Now I see why."

"Honey, stop harassing the guests," Warren laughed as he hugged Ororo. He turned to Logan and offered him his hand. "And you must be Logan. We've all been waiting to meet you."

Logan shook Warren's hand. "Really? I didn't realize I was so popular."

Warren laughed. "Don't worry. After tonight's party, you'll be old news."

"Petite, you jus' get more beautiful every day."

"And you need to get some better lines," Scott said dryly as he and Jean approached the small group.

Remy LeBeau grabbed his heart as if he had been wounded. "Dat hurt, homme."

"That's not all I'd like to hurt," Scott muttered.

"Logan, this is Remy," Ororo said. "And you've met my over-protective brother and his wife."

Remy smiled as he shook hands with Logan. "You be the talk of all de ladies lately. Dey all be wanting body guards now."

"So I take it that body guards are the "in" thing?" Logan questioned.

"Only if they look as good as you," Betsy explained as she led the small group into the lavishly decorated ballroom.

"You didn't tell me that Raven would be here," Ororo suddenly accused.

Betsy cringed. "Sorry, luv. I invited Rogue and she invited her mum."

Logan looked over in the direction that Ororo was staring. In the corner, two women stood alone drinking drinks. The younger one had long red hair with a white strip going down the center. The older one, who Logan assumed was Raven, had long red hair as well only minus the white strip.

"You'd tink that Raven allow Rogue to come on her own for a change," Remy whispered as the two women approached the group.

"I must say, Ororo. I didn't think you were going to make it. I mean with the stalker after you and all."

Logan felt Ororo stiffen. "You know me, Raven. I never miss a good party."

"Ah just can't believe that some creep is after ya," Rogue said.

Raven laughed coldly. "Really, Rogue. I doubt that there's really anyone after Ororo. I'm sure that this is just an attempt to get Forge back."

"Trust me, Raven. If I really wanted Forge back, he'd be back," Ororo said as she smiled seductively.

Raven's smug smile dropped into an angry smirk. "Come, Rogue. We wouldn't want to be standing near Ororo in case the stalker takes a shot at her," Raven said as she walked away. Rogue smiled apologetic at them and turned to follow her mother. However, Remy reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Save a dance for me, petite."

Rogue blushed heavily, but she quickly nodded and disappeared in the crowd behind her mother.

"That Bitch! Do you want me to have her escorted out, Ororo?" Elizabeth asked in outrage.

"No, that would be admitting that she gotten to me, and I refuse to give her the satisfaction."

".....the cells are then induced to split naturally. The possibilities are ingenuously endless."

"Hank, would you mind terribly if I stole Logan for a dance," Ororo asked as she slid her arm around Logan.

"Of course, my dear. But please bring Logan by my lab for a tour sometimes," Dr. McCoy called after them as they made their way to the dance floor.

"I owe ya, darling," Logan promised as he pulled her into his arms.

"Oh, so that was a bored expression on your face and not one of vivacious interest?" Ororo asked mischievously.

"Let's just say that Dr. McCoy lost me somewhere after his third sentence."

Ororo laughed softly. "Hank has that effect on most people, but he is truly a brilliant bio-chemist."

"And what about Forge?" Logan found himself asking.

Ororo pulled slightly back to stare in his face. "I was wondering when you would ask me about him.

"That doesn't answer the question, darling." Logan commented quietly attempting not to show how much the subject was really bothering him.

"Forge and I dated for a little over a two years." Ororo sighed heavily. "It took me two miserable years to realize that I was more in love with love than with him. And I think he felt the same way. Forge just wants someone who is totally committed to him, and Raven gives him that."

Logan sat in the dark listening to the storm as it raged over the sleeping city. Lightening flashed across the sky snatching at the darkness in the room as thunder wrestled with the heavy silence. Well, not total silence. For the past two hours, Logan had listened to Ororo as she tossed and turned in her bed alerting him that she wasn't getting anymore sleep than he was. He sighed deeply. The tension between them was becoming unbearable. It had come from no where striking them both with an attraction for each other that was stifling. He had never been more sexual aware of a woman than he was of her. A soft thump from her room alerted him of her approach even before the gentle scent of sandalwood reached him. He closed his eyes and slowly counted to ten.

"Logan?"

He opened his eyes to find Ororo standing before him dressed in a long white gown that revealed nothing yet still managed to speed up his already racing heart.

"Go back to bed, Ororo," Logan growled.

"I'm not a child, Logan," she said defiantly as she dropped to her knees before him.

"Your father..." he started.

"...isn't here," she finished as she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. "Besides, I'm a grown woman capable of making my own decisions."

"Ororo, ...'

"I'm not asking you for any promises, Logan. I'm only asking you for tonight," she whispered against his lips.

Chapter 9

"Could Forge be behind the hit?"

Ororo buried her face into her pillow. "And here I was dreaming that you would wake me by whispering sweet nothings in my ear."

"I just talked with Charles. He said Forge designed your alarm system," Logan commented.

Seeing that he wasn't going to let her go back to sleep, Ororo stretched and sat up in bed. "Forge designed the system, but I choose my own access code."

"But if he designed the system, he could override it," Logan insisted.

Ororo sleepily brushed her hair from her face. "Why would Forge want me dead?"

"Pride. Jealousy. Who knows, but I think it's possible."

Ororo slowly shook her head. "You don't know Forge. He wouldn't hire someone to kill me. Beside, I thought the Shadow King was our suspect."

"The Shadow King's dead."

"Dead? But how?"

"Heart attack two years ago."

"You've been busy," she commented quietly noting that he was already dressed.

"I made a few phone calls while you were asleep."

"I see. And I don't suppose this has anything to do with last night?" Ororo asked quietly.

"How can me making phone calls have anything to do with last night?"

"You're regretting last night." Ororo accused as she pulled on her robe.

Logan stood up. "Last night shouldn't have happened."

"Even if we both wanted it?" Ororo snapped she stood up as well.

"We made a mistake, but I won't let it happen again." Logan said.

Before Ororo could respond, the doorbell ranged. "This isn't over." Ororo said as she followed Logan into the living room.

Instead of answering her, he pulled out his gun and opened the door.

"Chere, I tink you need to hear dis."

"Remy, this really isn't a good time..." Ororo started.

"But Chere, dis is important. Tell her, petite."

Rogue slowly stepped from behind him. "I think that mah mama hired someone to kill ya."

Ororo walked into the living dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. Remy and Rogue sat on the couch nervously watching Logan as he paced in front of them.

"Rogue, why do you think that Raven hired someone to kill me?" Ororo asked as she sat across from the couple.

"Mama been acting really weird lately. Not eating, not sleeping. Just sorta keepin' to herself and drinkin'. At first, I thought that maybe she had ah argument with Forge or somethin', but then last night at the party she drank even more than usual and she got ta talkin' bout ya and how much she hated ya. And then she told me that I wouldn't have ta worried ‘bout ya much longer because ya were going ta be dead soon and that it would be worth every dime." Rogue wiped at the tears that had begun to fall. "So I waited until she went ta sleep and then I called Remy."

Ororo stood up and went to stand by the large bay windows. "But why would Raven want me dead? Sure we may not like each other, but for her to want me dead. That just doesn't make any sense." "Nothin' bout Raven make sense, chere. But tink, with you out of de way, Rogue would be de most sought after model in d'industry."

Logan stood to side silently wishing that he hadn't given up up smoking as he watched Ororo and Remy argue over what they should do next. While Ororo wanted to confront Raven alone, Remy insisted that the police be brought in first. Rogue, however, sat quietly now allowing the tears to run freely down her face.

"Remy, we cannot go to the police unless we are absolutely sure about Raven. If word got out and we're wrong, Rogue and Raven could be ruined. I think the best course of action is for all of us to go and talk to Raven."

"Petite, what make you tink dat Raven gonna talk to you? You know how much she hates your guts."

"If Raven refuses to talk, then we go to the police, but not before." She turned to Logan. "What do you think?" She asked afraid that he disagree with her decision.

"I think that you're right," Logan commented.

"Chere, are you o.k. wit dis?" Remy asked Rogue as he pulled her into his arms.

She nodded her head slowly.

Twenty minutes later, they all stood inside of the lobby watching the rain.

"Dis is jus' great." Remy complained. "De guy on de news said dat it wouldn't rain today."

"What's wrong, Cajun? Afraid of a little rain." Logan asked as he placed his cowboy hat on his head.

"Dat's easy for you to say. You got your hat and the girls got on rain coats."

"I apologize, Remy. But I only have two rain coats." Ororo said as she pulled her hood over her head.

"Since you don't want to get your hair wet, you stay with the girls and I'll go get my jeep," Logan said as he pushed open the door and ran out into the rain.

Logan jogged easily to the parking garage hoping that the few minutes alone would give him time to get his head together. He cursed softly under his breath. He hadn't meant for last night to happen, and although he wanted to- he couldn't make himself regret what had happen. For the first time since the mission, Logan felt whole and he knew that he owed that feeling to Ororo. Logan suddenly stopped and looked around the darken garage. His senses going on full alert. Although he hadn't seen or heard anything, he had a gut feeling that someone was watching him.

"Yer going soft, Wolverine. Two years ago, and I never could've got this close to ya."

Logan spun around and pulled out his gun. "Victor?" Logan questioned even though he knew the answer before the large man stepped from the shadows.

"I'm BACK!" Victor laughed.

"You're looking pretty good for a dead man, Creed." Logan growled.

"What can I say? The rumors of my death were exaggerated."

"Exaggerated? I saw you go down." Logan growled.

"I know. Pretty good, huh."

"Why?" Logan asked attempting to calm the animal that now lie just beneath the surface.

"Why?" Victor laughed. "Let's see. Stay a chained lap dog for the government or go into business for myself?"

"So you set us up?"

"I was paid to do a job, Wolverine," Victor grinned using Logan's codename. "Just as always. Just like now. Only thing is can you stop me before I do your new frail."

Logan raised his gun and aimed it at Creed's head. "Let's find out, Sabretooth."

"Yeah, right. You won't shoot an unarmed man. Your precious sense of honor won't let ya." Sabretooth grinned evilly. "Besides, shooting me would end it way to soon. And I'm sure that you're itching for revenge. I mean considering what I did to Maverick and Silver Fox." Sabretooth gave a shudder. "Maverick I killed quick, but not your squaw. I made her suffer for as long as I could." He smile coldly. "The same thing that I plan on doing to your new frail - that is, if you don't stop me."

"This is stupid. You should call the police and let them deal with him," Ororo said for what seemed like the millionth time.

"I can't do that," Logan replied through clinched teeth.

Ororo turned to watch him as he finished getting ready. "Logan, you're walking into a trap. Whatever he's done to you, it's not worth your life."

Logan pulled on his jacket. "To me it is."

"Well, it's not to me. You don't have to do this, Logan. We can go anywhere in the world. He would never find us. We can start a new life away from all this."

"I owe this to my team, darling. I owe this to Silver Fox."

"To get yourself killed? Don't do this, Logan..." Ororo begged. "if I mean anything to you."

Time itself seemed to stand still as they both stood motionless. The need for revenge burned deeply in Logan's heart, but to his surprise the desire to protect Ororo ran even deeper. And although, he wanted to do as she asked, Logan knew that as long as Sabretooth was alive Ororo would never truly be safe. "I can't, darling," Logan said as he turned and opened the door. "Take care of her, Cajun." Logan said as he walked into the living room where Remy and Rogue waited.

"Don't worry, homme. I'll take care of her. You jus' be careful, non."

Logan headed for the door telling himself that he wouldn't turn around; however when he opened the door, he found himself doing just that. Ororo stood by the bedroom door. Her back straight and her head held high causing Logan to wonder if she was daring him to leave or fighting not to break down in front of him. Part of him wanted to promise her that everything would work out, but Logan had never made a promise that he wasn't sure that he could keep so swallowing down the assurance, Logan walked out the door.

"Remy, I want you to take Rogue to the police and tell them everything." Ororo said as she headed for the door.

"O.k. petite, but where you gonna be?" Remy questioned.

"I'm going after Logan."

"Den, we going wit you."

"Remy..." Ororo started.

"Remy's right, Ororo. Ya can't go by yourself."

"I don't have time to argue with you two. So I'm asking you to trust me. The best thing for everyone is for you to go to the police. Once I find Logan, I'll call you and you can bring the police there. But if we all go after Logan, there is no one left to get help."

"But how are ya going ta find them?" Rogue asked.

Ororo said as she walked out the door. "I have my ways."

With his senses on full alert, Logan cautiously stepped from his jeep. The huge abandoned warehouse stood anarchistic against the already caliginous sky. Once again, the rain had stopped, but the sky itself seemed to be holding its breath. "Leave it to Sabretooth to pick a dump like this," Logan muttered to himself as he carefully opened the door. A musty, stale scent greeted him as he walked further into the warehouse.

"I didn't think you'd show, runt." Sabretooth said as he rose from his chair that was strategically placed in the center of the warehouse.

"What? And miss an opportunity to catch up on old times with you," Logan growled as he walked closer carefully scanning the room for any traps.

Sabretooth laughed loudly as he watched Logan's advance. "You know, me and you are a lot alike."

"I'm nothing like you," Logan denied.

Sabretooth shook his head. "Why fight it? You like the violence and the rush of a kill just as much as I do. You get a thrill from spilling blood. I know you, Wolverine. Better than you know yourself." Sabretooth walked closer. "I can smell the animal in you. Let him loose, Wolverine. Let him out to play." Sabretooth teased as he pulled out a large military knife.

Logan pulled out his knife as well. "Cut the crap, Creed. You want a piece of me? Then let's do this," Logan growled. They began to circle each other. Both waiting for the other to make the first move. Both looking for the other weakness. However, each knew that although Sabretooth had the height and weight advantage, both men knew that they were evenly matched. While Sabretooth fought with a wild carnage, Wolverine fought from years of martial arts training-years in which he had mastered several different forms. Sabretooth suddenly lunged swinging the knife at Logan's mid-section. Logan easily avoided the blow and managed to get a side-kick to Sabretooth ribs. However, instead of slowly Sabretooth down, the kick seemed only to enrage him. He began to swing the knife in quick jabs and swings causing Wolverine to go on the defensive. And although Logan was able to avoid most of the attack, Sabretooth managed finally to get through his defense. With a quick jab, he drove the knife into Wolverine's shoulder, but before he could get out of range, Wolverine swung low slicing Sabretooth's stomach. Both men continued their attack, neither willing to admit defeat although blood was now flowing freely from them both.

For Wolverine, the scent of blood was pulling at his instincts. For most of his life, Logan had fought against the animal in him- the animal that was a threat to his humanity. But as the fight between him and Sabretooth continued, Logan found himself slowly loosing control the beast. The kartas that usually came nature for him were becoming harder to execute as he resisted the urge to tear at Sabretooth. Surprised by the suddenly frenzy of Wolverine's attack, Sabretooth suddenly found himself on the defensive. Sensing his prey's loss of ground, Logan struck. And before Sabretooth could counteract, he found himself on the ground with a knife pressed to his throat.

"Finish it," Sabretooth angrily spat.

The animal in him roared for him to kill. To kill the man who was his enemy. With a yell that vibrated throughout the empty building, Logan drew back and plunged the knife into the ground besides Sabretooth's throat.

"You're going to jail," Logan said as he wearily stood up.

"I knew it. You didn't have the guts to do it." Creed moaned as he struggled to get off the ground.

"Oh, I got the guts. But death would be too easy for you."

"Can't no jail keep me for long, Wolverine. And when I break out, I'm coming straight for that new frail of yours."

"Yeah, yeah. And my little dog too. Now get up, Creed."

Creed slowly struggled to his feet holding a hand to his bleeding stomach. Wolverine turned and reached for his knife. Logan felt the danger before he actual heard the quiet click of the chamber, and before he could he could move, the gun went off twice. Logan instinctually rolled to the ground trying to figure out where he had been hit. Time seemed to seemed to slow to a stand still as Logan sprang to his feet readying himself to wrestle the gun from Sabretooth. But to Logan's surprise, Sabretooth dropped the gun on his own and fell to the ground.

"Logan!" Ororo cried as she dropped her own gun and ran towards him. "Oh, my God, Logan. You've been hit." Logan felt his legs slipped from beneath as Ororo reached him. "Don't you dare die on! Do you hear me, Logan. Don't you leave me." Logan struggled to keep his eyes open, but the temptation of unconsciousness became too enticing.

"I don't know if I can ever thank you enough for helping." Ororo said as she gently hugged Logan to her.

"I think that I should be the one thanking you," Logan said as he wrapped his good arm around her.

"If you're ever in Paris..."

Logan laughed. "You'll be the first person I look up." He suddenly became serious. "Are you sure about this?"

Ororo nodded her head slowly. "I need to get away for awhile regroup and to rethink my life."

"Have you heard from Remy and Rogue?" Logan asked.

"I talked to them yesterday, and they're having a ball in New Orleans. Without Raven controlling her, Rogue is finally able to enjoy life."

"Speaking of Raven, you were a lot more forgiving than I would have been."

"I don't if by not pressing charges against her if I was being forgiving or just sick of the whole thing. But I do know that Raven a hospital is the best place for her and not prison."

"Ororo, we're ready." Scott said from the top of the steps.

"Then I guess this is it," Ororo said as she quickly hugged Logan again and then slowly walked up the steps of the private plane. When she reached the top, she turned and waved before disappearing inside.

Logan watched as the plane turned and began to slowly make its way to the runway. Part of him wanted to run after the plane and to tell Ororo that he loved her, but part of him knew that she deserved so much more than he could ever offer her. Life had made him a hard man, and Ororo deserved someone who wasn't so scarred. He slowly turned away knowing that he would never see her again.

"Logan!" He turned around to see Ororo running towards him.

"Ororo?" He questioned when she threw herself into his arms.

"I love you, Logan."

"Ororo...." He started but she put a hand on his mouth silencing him.

"I'm not asking for any promises, Logan. I'm just asking that you give us a try."

Logan laughed. "Well, I'm asking you for a promise."

Ororo pulled back in surprise. "I don't understand."

"That's makes two of us. I don't know when or how it happened. But I love you. And if you're sure you're willing to be stuck with me, then you've got me. A twenty-four hour, seven days a week body guard."

Ororo leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. "I don't think that I've ever wanted anything more in my life."