A New Threat

chapter 1: Rising Evil

Summary:  Logan attempts to tell a bedtime story to his daughter
Nightfall had again fallen on the city and the Lord of the Night looked out his penthouse window. He began to feel the need to satisfy his desire to feed again. It had been many years and he was not about to try to understand why after all this time he was able to rise from the grave yet again. He was neither summoned nor reborn – it was a mystery to even himself and may never be answered.

"Sir, do you require anything more before I retire for the night?" a short stocky man of middle age asked.

"No. You may go. I require no more from you tonight," the Count replied – his voice tinted with the sound of an old European accent.

"Do call on me should you change your mind," the servant asked before leaving.

The moon was full and the night sky clear and full of stars. The human form morphed into the hideous beast and took flight in search of a victim to appease his hunger. It was easy enough to find prey – the back alleys were full of homeless people and any one of them would serve his purpose well.

He stood above the body and gently wiped the side of his mouth – removing the drop of blood that had stained his lip.

The Count was a fast learner – adapting to a modern world with great ease and in a city he could lose himself in quite quickly. New York was full of people and tall buildings – what better for him to begin a new life.

There were so many ways to take advantage of the world. What would take the average man years to accomplish, the Count did nearly overnight – creating his identity, attaining a small fortune, and a penthouse residence in the heart of the Big Apple.

His hunger now satisfied, he returned to his new home and sat back relaxing in front of a computer system fit for a king. He absorbed knowledge like a sponge – learning of modern life with just the click of a button.

"Life is indeed different from what I remember," he mused.

***************************

Kurt looked outside his window holding his crucifix tight in his hand. He began reciting several prayers.

Jean walked by carrying her son and Jean Marie, Logan and Danielle's daughter. She peeped inside Kurt's open door.

"Kurt, are you ok?"

Kurt turned to her and tightened his grip on his crucifix.

"I am fine," he replied before turning to look out the window again and continuing his prayers.

Jean sensed he was bothered by something but opted to leave him for now.

She knocked on the door of Danielle and Logan.

"Come on in," Danielle said.

Jean opened the door slowly.

"Hey, I think JM is ready for bed. I know Patrick is," Jean said.

"Thanks for taking over."

Danielle lay in bed next to a sleeping Logan. He was tuckered out from a hard day of play with his daughter. Jean Marie was fast approaching three years old and was running the Wolverine ragged. She had incredible energy and Logan wondered at times if he would ever keep up with her. The feisty Wolverine could all but say he met his match in a little girl of his own flesh and blood.

"How's Logan doing?" Jean asked.

"Look at him. She did him in again," Danielle giggled.

Logan was sprawled out on his stomach and sound asleep - an arm hanging off one side of the bed, a leg over the other - not a pretty picture by any means.

"She's giving him a run for his money," Jean said.

"It's so funny. He has the unending energy to fight bad guys or battle bullies in bar room brawls, and we won't even discuss his non- stop antics in bed, but he can't keep up with his own daughter!" Danielle said with a laugh.

"That's exactly what he needed, though. He's found a direction in life instead of wandering aimlessly. He needed this - you, a family, and that little girl," Jean responded.

"He did. Except there are times I don't know who the kid is - JM or Logan. He's just so into her," Danielle said.

"I think many of us had no idea Logan had it in him - to be so devoted not only to you but to his child," Jean said.

Danielle brushed her fingers through Logan's hair.

"He's still pissed at me over the whole Hugh Jackman thing the other night, though."

"He's jealous because he loves you. You gotta stop teasing him," Jean playfully scolded.

"I know. I know. I can't help it. Sometimes it's fun to test him."

"Hum," Jean replied slyly as she narrowed her eyes.

"Well, it's time for bed. Hey, if you have some time tomorrow, could you come down to the med lab? I need some help with some data I have to process," Jean said handing JM to Danielle.

"Sure. How about tomorrow, say around 11. Logan's going out with JM and Yulanda - he's taking her to the zoo in the Bronx," Danielle replied.

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow. I gotta get Patrick to bed," Jean said.

"Ya know, I am so surprised Logan and Scott haven't set up a baby pageant yet to compete over who's got the cutest and most talented baby," Danielle said.

"Oh, you were doing riding lessons yesterday and missed when Logan and Scott were comparing notes on what their kids could do. It really was funny! I will have to fill you in on it tomorrow," Jean said.

"See ya then. Goodnight," Danielle said.

Jean waved goodnight and quietly closed the door.

"You men just can't stop competing," Danielle said as she looked over the still sleeping Logan.

She put Jean Marie to bed and attempted to slip into bed by Logan's side. Danielle tried to push Logan's body over but he was like dead weight. The only other thing she could resort to was pulling up his shirt and tickling his side. That always woke him up.

He grabbed her hand just as she tugged his shirt.

"I know what yer gonna do," Logan said with a yawn.

"Move yer ass over. Yer hoggin' the whole damned bed," Danielle said.

Logan rolled over onto his back and Danielle curled up next to him laying her head on his shoulder. Almost instantly, Logan fell back asleep. Danielle quietly ran her hand over his chest until she too drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Jean was heading down the hallway when she again passed by Kurt's open door. He was down on his knees and deep in prayer. There were several candles lit around a picture of Jesus Christ on the cross. Kurt heard Jean.

"Am I being too loud?" he asked politely.

"No. You seem tense. Is something wrong?" she asked.

"I do not know. I feel there is a great evil rising in the world."

Jean walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I am unsure what I may do. Perhaps this is another test," he said referring to the picture of Jesus.

"Please come talk to me if you wish," she said.

Jean always knew Kurt was a very religious man and she had never seen him so strongly involved in prayer before and again decided it was best to let him be.