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A New Threat
chapter 2: Ferals At Odds Summary: Logan attempts to tell a bedtime story to his daughter |
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| "Come on, little
darlin'. Daddy's taking ya somewhere special today," Logan said picking
Jean Marie up out of her crib after the toddler finished jumping up and
down excitedly. "Da Da," Jean Marie said quickly wrapping her little arms around his neck. "You two be good. And Logan, don't go scarin' all the animals now," Danielle playfully warned. "Why would I do that?" Logan said. Danielle narrowed her eyes in jest at him. "I'll be back before six," Logan said. "Ya got everything?" Danielle asked as she swung the baby bag up onto Logan's shoulder. "All set - baby bag with baby goodies, tickets to the zoo in wallet, wallet in back pocket...oh, no... I forgot something," Logan said sounding a little frantic. "Where's the baby? Where's my little darlin'?" "Da Da, here," Jean Marie responded. "Oh, there's my little darlin'. Who loves ya?" Logan asked the child. "Me," Jean Marie responded hugging her father. "Give Daddy a kiss, sweetie," Logan said. The child instantly kissed her father and then hugged him tightly. Danielle smiled at how wonderful Logan was with Jean Marie. It never failed to amaze her that Logan was so capable of such gentleness and just how intelligent Jean Marie was as such a tender age. She also thought of how Logan was a walking killing machine, as she herself was, and in ways that always made Danielle feel good. No one, unless they were incredibly ignorant, would ever take on Logan or attempt to injure his child. But, despite the hot temper and animal instincts, Logan proved to be a loving doting father and that thought always made Danielle smile. "What are ya up to today?" Logan asked Danielle rather coldly. "Some stuff with Jean. You have fun," Danielle said. Logan was just about to turn for the door when Danielle stopped him. "I love ya." "I know," he replied with a half smile. ************************** "Hi, Danielle. How are things going?" Jean asked as the med lab doors closed behind her visitor. "Fine." "That was a little bland sounding. Is everything ok?" "I had hoped it all would be, but..." Danielle trailed off and turned away. "What is it?" "You know Logan. I told ya he was pissed at me because of my attentions to Mr. Jackson the other night. He's sunk into his emotional abyss and I just can't reach him no matter how much I try to apologize." "Danielle, you really need to stop teasing him. That might have been too much for him to handle, especially since you two only recently reconciled over the Mystique thing just a few months ago. You know Logan loves you. Do you want me to talk to him and try to smooth things over?" "No. But, I think I am going ta have ta call his bluff and make him let it go. Well, enough on that. What can I assist ya with?" Jean opened several files on the computer – spreadsheets, word documents, emails – all containing data on a project Jean was hard at work on. "I didn't know if you could help me compile all this stuff into one neat little package." "I'll give it a try," Danielle said sitting down in front of the computer and cracking her knuckles before beginning to type. "Have you seen Kurt today?" "No, why?" Danielle asked. "I saw him last night on my way to bring your daughter to your room. He was deep in prayer – but different than any other time I have seen him. And his mind was full of fearful thoughts – the projections were really scary." "Hum. It's not any religious holiday or anything, is it? I haven't sensed anything different. Have you really talked with him?" Danielle asked. "He didn't seem to want to discuss it. He said something strange though. He said he felt there was an evil rising." Just then, the computer beeped that an email was coming through addressed to her. ~hjackson@uk.net~ ~Hey! How are things over there? Hope you don't mind my being blunt, but your hubby seemed a bit uptight the other night. I kinda got the feeling he didn't like me. Just thought I'd drop a note and say howdy from Down Under. Glad you and your friends had a good time at the private screening. It was a joy to meet you all. Keep me posted if Logan decides on having a movie done about him! Yours truly, Hank~ ~panther@xavier.org~ ~Hi Hank! We all had a blast! It was the most fun I can say I have had in a long time and a joy for all of us to get to meet you, your fabulous wife, and all the cast and crew. You must understand Logan is jealous of you. I'm sure you've heard this all before – being such a huge star, sex symbol, and all. He's so stubborn. Trust me, it's ok. You want to do a movie about Logan? Giggle snort! He didn't mention it to me. Do you realize you might destroy your career doing a flick about a mutant? Say hello to your wife and daughter. Maybe some time we all could hook up again. Gotta run – in the middle of some work with Jean and then gotta plan a fundraiser for the school. Thinking about a concert in Central Park. Too bad you didn't sing some hard rock. It would be an honor to duet with you. Although, it might cause a riot if you showed up in black leather! Stay well and stay in touch! Danielle~ Danielle had a huge smile on her face. "Let me guess, Hank Jackson," Jean said with a giggle. "Can't hide it from you, can I?" Danielle replied. Both women giggled. "You better delete that before Logan sees it. He certainly will fly off the handle." The computer beeped again with another incoming message. ~hjackson@uk.net~ ~Fundraiser – cool! I certainly wouldn't mind singing a tune or two with you. Tell you what, I'm going to be in New York in a couple of weeks. We can chat about it then. And, I can sing a little hard rock and so what if we cause a little ruckus in Central Park. Might be a hoot! Hank~ "Eek!!" Danielle squealed. "What?" Jean asked. "Hank's gonna come and sing for the fundraiser I wanna do!" "Are you serious? Oh, my God. What are you going to do about Logan?" "Hum – not tell him until I absolutely have to. Oh, shit, look at the time. Logan will be coming home soon." Just as Danielle was getting up out of her chair, Jean reminded her to delete the email. Danielle smiled. ***************** Logan put his sleeping daughter to bed and then sat down on his bed stretching and growling. "Have fun?" Danielle asked. "Yup." "Did JM behave herself?" "Yup." Danielle eyed him angrily. "Logan, what the hell is bothering ya? There are times that you have as much personality as a wet mop," Danielle strongly stated. Logan looked in her direction and narrowed his eyes. A low growl escaped him. Danielle sat down on the bed by his side and ran her hand up his arm. "Darlin', tell me ya ain't still pissed off about the Hank Jackson thing." Logan turned his head eying Danielle angrily and then looked away. "Why won't ya talk ta me?" "Ya know, when I needed ya ta talk ta me after our last little fiasco, you ran away," Logan growled while pushing her off. "I thought we settled all of this. I needed ta figure things out on my own, Logan." "So, why the hell ya bustin' my balls ta talk ta ya now? Ya didn't give a shit how I was feelin', opting to take our daughter and leave me. Then, ya bust my balls because yer in heat for another man." "Ya slept with anotha' woman, Logan!" Danielle replied almost uncontrollably as tears began forming in her eyes. "Well, I need ta figure this out on my own. Ain't no concern of yers!" "But, it is my concern! I love ya, Logan! Besides, ya know I like kiddin' with ya!" "Then, why did ya run? That's the one thing I just can't put to rest." Logan stared long and hard at Danielle waiting for her reply. "I... I needed ta talk ta someone else - no one here. That's why I went ta be with Loni. I needed ta sort through what I was feelin'." Danielle sat down and covered her face with her hands and wept softly. She didn't realize that her playing with Logan would rekindle his hurt feelings when they separated a short time ago. Logan walked over to stand behind her and began rubbing her tensed shoulders. "I'm sorry, Danielle. I'm being a jackass." She stood up and he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Danielle pulled back looking into his eyes, and Logan wiped the tears away before kissing her gently. Then, she broke away and walked over to the bureau where she kept her special dose birth control pills. She was just about to pop the pill into her mouth when he walked over to her. "What?" His hand opened hers and removed the pill. "Forget about this shit," he said as he tossed the pill and the remainder of her script into the trash. "Let's have another baby. I want ta get ya pregnant again." Danielle looked deep into Logan's eyes. As she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him close, Logan's mind began to focus on her ability to arouse him at the drop of a hat. Her kiss was so warm and loving, and Logan strongly held her returning the kiss and roughly pushing her against the wall. |
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