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Chapter Five
Buffy couldn’t believe she had told Logan that she was responsible for her friend’s deaths. She had only known him for a couple of days and now she was sharing her darkest secret. She needed to get away from him, soon. Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a valid story for him to believe. She had a feeling that it wouldn’t be an easy task. After all, it was getting harder for her to disguise the truth about who she really was. She was lucky she had a lot of practice over the past couple of years controlling her emotions so he wouldn’t be able to smell the changes in her scent. Just her luck, the first human she had been attracted to since Riley and he ends up having all of the attributes of a vampire. Buffy had to resist the urge to yell at the Powers. It was all extremely unfair the way they played with her life and emotions. She sighed instead and began to pick her way absently through the rubble. She did hope Logan found something useful down there. His lot in life seemed as bad as hers. The blonde didn’t want to get too close to him, though. If she got close then she would care. And once she cared then his life would be in danger. And with the danger would be his eventual death. Hence the reason she needed to leave. She was just going to have to hitch rides with someone else once they reached a more civilized area. It was the only way she could be sure that he would be safe. Meanwhile, Logan could only sit inside the compound in confusion. He found it hard to believe that she could be the cause of anyone’s death. While it was true that he had only known her for a couple of days, she didn’t seem to be the kind of girl to intentionally lead anyone to their death. Not to mention her overwhelming grief about it. He doubted that anyone who felt that bad about it would have committed such a heinous act. The only way she could have been involved would have been indirectly. At least that cleared up a few questions he had about her. Such as why she was out on her own with no definite destination or ties. It was something that had been bothering him. She was friendly and personable, but she had never mentioned friends or family before today. His mind mulled over this as he stood and started to head back to the surface. He wanted to know what happened, but he was afraid of pushing her away cause he most definitely didn’t want to do that. He wanted her to stick around for as long as possible. Logan again contemplated the strange desire to keep her close. He was by nature a solitary being, but being around the blonde beauty for the past couple of days had brought about a new craving. He needed someone to share his life with, and his soul pulled to her. As he was getting ready to suggest that they head back to the motel, a ringing noise came from his hip. At first he was confused, but then he remembered the communicator he wore there. He pulled it off his belt, flipped it open, and held it to his ear. “Yeah?” Buffy turned around when she heard Logan talking. She saw him standing there with a sour expression on his face. “Professor, you’ve got to be joking.” “I’m afraid not, Logan,” came Charles’ voice in his ear. “Couldn’t you send Storm or Jean?” Logan asked impatiently. “They’re currently investigating a possible mutant and they cannot be reached. I’m afraid you’re the only one available.” “You know that the kid and I don’t get along. Can’t the mission wait?” Buffy’s ears perked up. Mission? What kind of mission? Her mind quickly went through two thoughts. One, was he military like Riley? And two, if there was a mission maybe she could get in on it and curb the desire to pound something. “I’ve waited as long as I dared before sending someone out to check these disturbances. Something needs to be done now before the situation gets out of hand.” “But I’m not alone, Professor,” he whispered. “You’re not?” Charles asked in an amused tone, hinting that he already knew. “No. I picked....well she’s....it’s complicated.” “I’m sure she’ll be safe if she stays on the jet.” “It’s not that, she can take care of herself. What I mean is, she may not want to go.” “Ah, yes. I see your point. If she wishes to accompany you that is acceptable. If not, have Scott drop her off wherever she wishes.” “Fine. When will Cyke be here?” “He should be there within half an hour. He left quite some time ago. I’ve had trouble reaching you.” “We were underground.” “Did you find what you were looking for?” Logan seemed to consider the question for a moment before replying, “Maybe.” “Very well. I’ll see you when you get back. Goodbye Logan.” Logan hung up without saying goodbye. He turned to face Buffy. It seemed his questions for her would have to wait since he had some more explaining of his own to do. “So you some kind of secret agent?” Buffy asked warily. Logan just gave her a look that clearly said, huh? “You were talking about a mission.” “Eavesdropping?” “Hardly. You weren’t exactly whispering until you started talking about me. So what’s up?” He paused for a moment while he tried to decide what was the best way to explain the situation to her. Deciding on a course he began, “Remember the guy I told you about? The one who runs the school for mutants?” After she nodded, he continued. “The teachers at the school are not only mutants, but they belong to a group called the X-men. They go around trying to stop other mutants from hurting people.” Buffy couldn’t help but make a comparison to the scoobies who went out and defended the citizens of Sunnydale and the world. “And you’re part of this group?” “Not officially. I went on one mission with them almost two months ago. The only reason why I did was because a friend of mine was in danger. But the Professor needs me to check out some disturbances with one of the members.” “And someone is coming to pick us up in....” “A jet.” “Of course,” she said with a sigh. “You don’t have to come with us. He said we could drop you off somewhere where you could get a ride.” “Is there going to be fighting?” She asked. “Probably...” “I’ll go,” she quickly interrupted. “You know...” “I do. But I want to go. I’ve been itching for a fight.” Before he could respond, his ears picked up the sound of the jet racing towards them. “Great,” he muttered. “The boy scout is here.” “Who?” “You’ll see.” Logan watched as the kid managed to land the jet a hell of a lot better than the last time. Before long, the ramp lowered and a man in a leather suit and a strange visor over his eyes emerged. “Where’s my bike, Logan?” The guy asked hotly. “She’s right over there,” he answered, gesturing with his thumb. Buffy had to suppress a giggle as she watched the man hurry over to the bike and check it over for damage. “Relax kid. There ain’t a scratch on her.” “You gonna introduce us?” Buffy asked with a smile. “Cyclops, Slayer. Slayer, Cyclops,” he answered gruffly before heading into the jet. The thought of the two of them getting along made his temper boil. “Nice to meet you,” Cyclops said with a small smile. “I’m supposed to ask if you’ll be joining us.” “Yeah. Got nothing else better to do,” she said as she took her bag off the bike before he had a chance to. The two started towards the jet, her with her bag, and Cyclops with the bike. “How long have you been traveling with Logan?” “Just a couple of days,” she replied simply as she found a place to store her bag. “I bet he’s a great traveling companion,” he said sarcastically. “Actually, Wolvie’s not that bad.” “Wolvie?” Cyclops asked with an amused look towards Logan. “Shut up kid.” “You let her call you Wolvie?” Cyclops was obviously trying to control his laughter. “Yeah, you wanna make somethin’ of it?” He asked darkly. “No. But wait until Rogue hears about this, she’s going to tease you mercilessly.” Cyclops said with a shake of his head as he started the jet. Buffy felt a brief flare of jealousy. Whoever this Rogue was, she was apparently a close friend of Logan’s. She just hoped not too close. To pull her mind away from dangerous thoughts she asked, “Are you a mutant too?” She noticed a slight tensing in the guy’s shoulders and jaw before answering, “Yeah, why?” “Just wondering. What’s your power?” “I can shoot laser beams out of my eyes.” “That’s cool. So what’s with the visor?” “I can’t control my mutation. The visor blocks the beams. I can open the visor to release them when I want to.” “Why can’t you control it?” “When I was a kid, I was in a plane with my parents and brother. The plane started going down and my parents shoved my brother and I out. My parachute didn’t open correctly and I was in a coma for several months. I have slight brain damage in the area that would have controlled my powers,” he answered flatly. “And you’re brother?” “He’s dead.” “I’m sorry,” Buffy said sympathetically, thinking of her mother and Dawn. Logan stared at Buffy in shock. In five minutes she had learned more about Cyclops than he had over several days. True, he hadn’t make an effort, but still. He suddenly got a brief insight into the kid’s behavior. Apparently, life wasn’t a total walk in the park for him either. “What’s your real name, Cyclops? Since Logan doesn’t seem big on the sharing.” “Scott Summers.” “Really? Huh, my name’s Buffy Summers.” “You two related?” Logan asked, half scared of the answer. “I doubt it,” Scott replied. “It’s a pretty common last name.” “So, where are we going?” Buffy asked. “An abandoned factory on the outskirts of Westchester. There have been strange reports about the area. Citizens have been seeing strange looking people milling about.” “Mutants?” Logan asked. “We don’t know. The Professor is having trouble getting any sort of reading with Cerebro.” “Cerebro?” Buffy asked. “It’s a room specially designed to enhance his telepathic powers,” Scott explained. “Well, I’m gonna take a quick nap before we get there,” Buffy said as she moved farther back so the two mutants could talk without disturbing her. Buffy was awoken some time later by a strange feeling. She sat reclined in her seat with her eyes closed as she tried to place the sensation. It was evil. Something out there was radiating it, and it felt just like the hellmouth back at Sunnydale. She opened her eyes and headed back to the front of the jet. “Where are we?” She asked intently as the feeling got stronger. “I’m getting ready to land. I was actually just going to send Logan back to wake you up,” Scott answered. He was slightly surprised that he hadn’t heard her walk up to them. “Shit,” she muttered as she turned around and went to her bag. “What’s wrong, Slayer?” Logan growled. She didn’t answer as she rifled though her belongings. She pulled out several random objects and placed them on her body. Scott landed the jet and shut it down in time to see her pull out a wicked looking scythe. “What’s that for?” Buffy gave it a practice twirl before answering. “You boys stay here. This isn’t your fight.” “Like hell will we stay here. You’re not in charge here,” Cyclops argued. “I’ve got the name Slayer for a reason. And that reason happens to be in that factory. I’m the only one who knows how to deal with it. So, yes, I am in charge.” “You’re not going to kill those mutants. That’s not what we do.” “They aren’t mutants, but yes, I’m gonna kill them. And you can’t stop me.” With that she stomped out of the jet. Cyclops went to follow here, but Logan reached out to stop him. “Let go, Logan.” “You won’t be able to stop her.” “Why not?” “She’s better than you and me combined. Did you see the way she handled that thing? It’s as if it was made for her. I suggest we watch and stay out of her way,” Logan said. “What’s going on?” “I’m not sure, but I’m gonna find out,” Logan replied as he brushed past him and headed out of the jet. His mind was going back to the first night he met her and how those two guys she fought turned to dust. He had a hunch tonight would answer his questions about the incident. The two mutants caught up with the Slayer just outside the door to the factory. Logan picked up on the change of her scent again. “I thought I told you guys to stay behind. I’ll take care of this,” Buffy whispered tersely. “We’re just watching,” Logan said defensively. “Fine,” she really didn’t feel like arguing. “But these guys aren’t human. Don’t hesitate to kill them or you’ll be dead.” Then she kicked the door open. The building was dimly lit with all sorts of machinery and boxes lying around. Logan was picking up some strange scents. The scent of decay and death hung heavily about the room. Buffy was right, whatever was staying there, it wasn’t human. He was surprised when Buffy boldly marched into the center of the room and called out, “Anyone home? Nice, tasty morsel just waiting to be gobbled up down here.” About twenty people emerged from the shadows. They all had misshapen faces with gleaming yellow eyes and fangs. “Really. Couldn’t you guys think of a better place to hide out than an abandoned factory? It’s so predictable,” she said, placing one hand on her hip. “Who do you think you are?” Asked one of them. “Why don’t you come over here and find out?” Wolverine saw one try to sneak up behind her. Before he could yell out a warning, he smelled a huge wave of power come from Buffy and she neatly beheaded the guy without looking. The guy was dust before he hit the floor. “Jesus,” Cyclops whispered. “We ain’t seen nothing yet, I’d wager.” The rest attacked en masse. Cyclops made a move as if he would help her, but Wolverine held him back. Buffy never stopped moving as she made full use of her scythe. She would use the blade to decapitate the one in front of her, and then used the wooden stake at the other end to stab the one behind her. Wolverine and Cyclops could only watch in amazement as she quickly eliminated most of the strange men. As the last two tried to escape out the back, Buffy dropped the scythe and pulled out two stakes she had hidden. She quickly threw both of them and the last two turned to dust. “What just happened?” Cyclops asked. She held up a finger. “There’s someone else here.” She moved stealthily about the room. She quickly found a hooded figure tied up in the corner. Buffy couldn’t hide her surprise when she pulled off the hood. “Clem?” Previous Part Looking For Tomorrow Menu Next Part |
