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6 Title: Pack Loyalties
Author: eoen Pairing: Logan/Remy pre-slash... I
think... Rating: G/PG (two at this level,
what's happening to me?) Summary: Logan and Scott are injured.
Logan goes to the woods to heal, Remy brings him back. Archive: yes, just let me know
where Email: wedschild@mail.com Series/Sequel: not as of yet. Web Page: www.yathink.tvheaven.com Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Warnings: the reference to the
women of the X-men as "bitches" is in the context of a wolf pack.
Jean would be the Alpha bitch or head female, etc. It is *not* meant in a
derogetory manner. Darkness and pain and screaming metal
were all Logan knew. Then, he smelled blood and gasoline. He dragged himself
out of the car. He frowned at the twisted metal frame, nostrils flaring. He
found the battered body of his pack-leader and pulled him free of the wreckage.
He covered the injured pack-mate with his body. Flames seared across his back
and he howled. Rogue, Storm, and Gambit returned to a
somber house. "What's wrong?" Storm asked Jean. "Scott and Logan were in an
accident." "Are they okay, sugah?" Rogue
asked, her hand rising to her mouth in dismay. "Scott will be fine. He has a
headache and new scar, but that's about it. Logan's not in such good shape.
He's been so badly hurt that we thought he'd still be unconscious. But at some
point when Hank was checking over Scott he slipped out of the med-lab and went
to the woods. He took a swipe at me when I tried to keep him in the
house," Jean ended miserably. Storm put a comforting arm around her
friend. "Rogue and I will fly over the
forest to watch for him," she said. Rogue nodded her assent at Ororo's
questioning glance. "Fine, I'm getting tired of holding
Scott in here. Hank threatened to tie him to the bed if he didn't stay in it.
He tried to go after Logan and nothing I said could convince him. He's
convinced that he should go out after the man. But if he's swiping at me, Logan's
not in his right mind. It could be dangerous." Ororo soothed Jean some
more and finally the red-head went to check on her husband. Logan sniffed. What was the pup doing so
far away from the pack? That wouldn't do. He limped quietly towards the young
one. He smelled fear as he got closer. The pup stopped and turned, alert. There
was relief as he saw who it was. The pup went to Logan's side immediately.
Logan growled in warning and the pup stopped and shifted uneasily. "Logan?" Logan sighed and the pup shortened the
distance between them. He stroked the one one's singed parts with feather light
touches. Logan turned and went back to his temporary den. The pup followed silently.
Logan settled into the shelter he'd made in the cover of a fallen tree and
lined soft ferns and leaves. He snarled as the pup folded himself down next to
him. "Gambit'll keep watch, Ole
Man," the pup whispered. Gambit eyed the rustic shelter with
little enthusiasm, but didn't complain. Logan was still healing. By all rights
the injuries Gambit could see should have killed him. Much of his hair and skin
was singed. There were cuts and punctures from flying metal. He was limping and
Gambit thought that most of the bones in Logan's hand were still broken. The
Canadian had gone to ground to lick his wounds. Remy understood that instinct.
He also knew that Logan's swipe at Jean had been nothing more than a 'get out
of the way, woman.' If he'd truly gone after her, she would be dead. Gambit ignored the snarl and the growl.
He wasn't prone to civility when he was seriously injured either. He wrapped
his charm around Logan's exhausted mind. "Sleep," he whispered. He
eased the man's pain as he gently stroked the healing skin. He had to stop
after a couple of minutes. He sat back and leaned against the log. Logan cracked his eyes in the dark. The
pup was shivering, but hadn't moved from his spot near Logan's feet. The old
man snorted. He sat up and impatiently tugged the pup into the den and laid
down half-over him. The pup watched him warily. Logan nipped at his jaw and laid
his head down. Eventually, the pup drifted to sleep and Logan followed. Gambit was startled when Logan dragged
him into the sleeping area. He didn't think he'd been projecting *those* vibes.
Then, Logan nipped sharply at the edge of his jaw and laid his head down.
Logan's heart made him realize how cold he'd been. He shook his head in
chagrin. Trust Logan to notice something like that even when he was injured. He
closed his eyes and slept. Logan awoke to the kid nuzzling his
throat under his chin. He tightened his grip. The pup sank into the embrace.
Logan stroked the pup's silky fur. His nostrils flared. The pup smelled of sex,
which was probably why he was away from the pack. The alpha must have run him
off after claiming his bitch. Logan closed his eyes. Gambit sighed softly to himself. He
didn't remember where he'd fallen asleep, but he was warm and pinned by a firm
arm and gentle petting. He nuzzled sleepily at his bedmate's neck. "Where is Gambit?" Scott demanded
after the morning training session. "He's not in his room. Ah tried ta
get him up. The bed's still made," Rogue informed him. "Do you think he went after
Logan?" Jean asked. "Yes," Storm answered, "he
did." "Why didn't he tell anyone?"
Cyclops demanded. "He told me," Storm stated. "Would
the rest of you let him attempt this?" "No," Jean said firmly, glaring
at her husband. "Yes," Scott contradicted.
"He's fast enough to not get killed. Someone needs to watch Logan's
back." "He attacked me," Jean pointed
out. Scott snorted. "If he'd attacked,
you'd be dead." The rest of the team froze. "Uh. Oh. Fight." Was the
universal thought. Gambit woke to Wolverine's gentle growl.
He was looking much better to the thief's eyes. The burns were a soft pink and
his hair was no longer singed. He didn't radiate pain anymore. And he'd stopped
bleeding. Remy stroked the back of Logan's hand. "You better, Old man?"
Remy realized that Logan wasn't back to
himself yet. He turned into the gentle brush on his cheek. Logan stood and
stalked off into the woods. Remy followed. Logan turned and growled. Remy
stopped in confusion. Logan's claws extended and he moved forward
threateningly. Remy gave ground until he was driven back to the den. Logan
pulled in his claws and left. Remy followed and again was driven back. He sat
down. Logan left again. This time he didn't follow. Logan growled to himself. Pups. He'd have
to reassert his position after the hunt. "Jean, try to contact Gambit," Scott
said, staring out at the woods from the back porch. "You know I can't track him." "Just try." She scowled at her
husband and sent out a probe. To her surprise Gambit let her in. //Are
you all right?// //Oui, chere. Logan's lookin' better. He
ain't limpin' no more. He's still dinkin' wild.// //And where are you?// //In his den. Dink I'm grounded.// //What do you mean?// //He don' want m' t' leave de den. He's
huntin', I dink.// //?// //I followed him dis mornin'. He forced
m' back wit' his claws. Twice. I figured he'd hit m' if I followed again. He's
still hurtin', chere.// //Keep this channel open for me, okay?// Gambit hesitated. //D'Accord, Jeannie.// Logan brought the rabbits back to camp.
Couldn't let the pup starve. He saw the pup perk up when he got back. He set down
the rabbits. The pup approached warily. Logan pounced, pinning the pup on his
back. The pup struggled against the hold. Then, he tipped his head back in
surrender. Logan pressed his teeth to the exposed throat. The pup stayed still
for a moment after he was released, then settled down next to Logan. Remy's gut screamed at him to fight. He
was being held down by an older, stronger, man. That could only mean one thing.
He reached out with his charm to soothe the anger and found none. He found
affection and exasperation instead. He stilled. He took a breath and exposed
his throat. Logan's teeth against the tender flesh scared him, but there was no
pressure to the bite. Logan released him. He didn't move until Logan had
gone to the rabbits. He settled Logan noted that the pup was waiting for
him to finish and sighed. He gave him the other rabbit. The pup touched it
hesitantly. He glanced at Logan. The old man ignored him. Once he decided it
was safe, the pup ate. Satisfied, Logan finished his meal. He watched the pup
dispose of the leftovers and went back to the den to lie down. He ached. He
needed to heal. The pup wandered out of Logan's sight.
Growling, he went after him. He routed him back to the den with teeth and
claws. Then, he settled down again. The pup climbed up one of the trees and sat
in the branches. It was obvious that Logan didn't want him
out of sight, so Remy settled in a tree and closed his eyes. He tried to wrap
himself in the essence of the forest so that the birds would come to him. Maybe
if he proved he could hunt, Logan would let him leave the den. Logan ate the birds the pup brought him.
The pup watched him with eager eyes. Logan licked the pup's cheek
affectionately and laid back down. As long as he stayed submissive, the kid
wasn't so bad. When the sun went down, the pup wrapped his
arms around himself. Logan pulled him to the sleeping area and settled down
over him. Remy was getting accustomed to Logan
holding him. It was odd to fall asleep in someone's arms. Rogue always kicked
him out well before that point. And he had always held Belle. Logan's arm
across his chest was hard, heavy, and hot. The air was so chill that the closeness
was nice. Logan's hot breath against his neck was comforting. He found himself
listening to the steady heartbeat as he drifted to sleep. Logan growled at the strange smelling
creature. His claws were out. The creature froze. Rogue froze as Logan threatened her.
"Wolvie?" she questioned as he growled and extended his claws. She
saw Gambit behind the shorter man. "Remy, sugah, what's wrong with
him?" Gambit slipped closer. He opened his mouth to speak to her, but stopped
and glanced at Logan. "Go home, Roguie. He don' like y'r
scent right now," he said softly. Logan shifted so that the pup was behind
him. The pup spoke. The creature took to the sky. Logan spun on the pup,
sniffing him carefully. The pup squirmed away from his claws. Logan growled. He
licked the pup's throat comfortingly and smoothed the ruffled fur on his head. Rogue watched Logan's actions from above.
She saw Remy look up at her as Logan wrapped an arm around his waist and urged
him back to bed. Logan tried to calm the pup's anxiety.
The red eyes kept looking up at the strange bird. Logan laid him down with
gentle tugs. //Jeannie, don' let Rogue come out here.
De Kree part's settin' off Logan. An' no one wearin' perfume neither, I don'
dink.// //Okay. Are you safe?// //Need a shower an' a brush, but Remy'll
live.// //We're going to try to trank him
tomorrow.// //!// //We're going to program the Danger Room
to mirror the forest. Hank will be able to monitor the healing.// //----// //Gambit?// //Don't.// //Why not?// //Because it won' smell right an' he'll
go nuts.// //We have to bring him home.// //Chere. Dis *is* his home.// //Remy?// //He needs dis place. Not some fake
forest without smells an' dirt.// //We'll be there tomorrow, unless you can
get him home.// //Oui, Jeannie,// Remy replied. The pup was distressed by something.
Logan couldn't scent anything. The pup nuzzled against his palm and licked it
gently. He tugged on Logan's arm and started for the rest of the pack. He looked back to see if Logan followed.
He returned to the older man's side and tugged on him again and started off.
Logan held his ground. The pup gave him a pleading whine and Logan relented.
The pup missed the others and Logan ought to check on the injured. He gave in and moved towards the pack
den. The alpha was on the back porch waiting for them. The pup let Logan take
the lead as the leader frowned. Logan snorted. Pup needed to learn his place. Logan sniffed at the leader. He smelled
pain and frustration and anger and concern and relief. The leader gave Logan's
shoulder a squeeze. He glared at the pup. Then, he led them inside. Logan
itched to get back to his own den. The pup pulled on him again. "Please?" Remy begged in the
same voice that had worked earlier. Logan caved and Remy got him inside and
locked the door quietly. Rogue approached and Logan snarled at her, making sure
both Cyke and Gambit were behind him. Remy tried to step by him and
received a hard blow to his thigh. He stepped back, rubbing his new bruise. The strange bird was in den. The pack
needed protecting. Logan extended his claws. Rogue backed away carefully until she was
out of sight. //Rogue? What's wrong?// Jean asked. //Can Ah stay at tha boathouse until
Wolvie gets his head on straight?// //Of course.// Logan knocked the pup to the ground and
put his teeth to his throat. He bit firmly, forcing the pup to still. The pup
whimpered deep in his throat. Logan held him firmly until he whimpered again. The
pup leaned his head against Logan's hand as Logan smoothed the rumpled fur. The
leader watched carefully. The alpha pulled the pup to his feet. "What the Hell is going on?"
Scott demanded of Remy. "T'reatened his authority," Gambit
answered. He rubbed his throat. "He's tryin' t' protect m'." Remy
shrugged. He went to Logan, shoulders slumped, eyes down. Logan snorted and
patted Remy's arm gently. He turned to leave and Remy grabbed his arm. Logan
nipped at the thief's fingers. "Please stay," Remy betted sweetly.
Logan looked at Scott who nodded. Logan seemed to accept that and followed his
nose to the kitchen. He sniffed at Jean's neck and licked her.
Scott couldn't help it. He snarled, "Back off, Logan." Logan looked
at him with a grin and moved back. Scott put and arm around Jean's waist and
glared at Logan. Logan snorted in amusement. Remy watched from the door. Logan snorted at the alpha's claim. No
wonder the pup had gone to the woods to search for him. He left the kitchen.
The pup followed him back towards the woods, whining. Logan sighed deeply. He
didn't hurt quite so much anymore. He supposed he could spend one night more with
the pup. The alpha bitch would be out of heat by then. Remy nearly cheered when Logan returned
to the mansion once more. He left Logan with Scott and went to scrub his hair
and skin. He inhaled the pine scent of his most decadent vice, an all natural shampoo
from a tiny hold-out commune in Vermont. Logan sniffed at the meat suspiciously.
It was long dead. He avoided it, chomping down on the crisp carrot sticks
instead. The pup chattered merrily with the beta bitch of the pack. Logan shook
his head. Pups. His fur smelled of evergreens. It blended with his scent properly,
unlike the bitches' which smelled of metal and machines. He was tired. He need to rest to finish
healing. He went to his sleeping spot. The pup was trailing him. The pup pushed
him towards a cool running waterfall, rather than letting him go right to bed.
The cool water felt good against his skin. He shook off some of the excess and curled
into his sleeping spot. It was cold, he decided. The pup was trying to keep
guard even with his damaged nose. Logan shook his head. The bird was still
around. He grabbed the chestnut colored tail and
pulled the pup inside the room and pushed him to lay down. The pup struggled
and squirmed, but Logan held firmly until he lay still, breathing hard through
his nose. Logan laid down and pulled the pup closer. Remy struggled against Logan's grip on
the back of his neck. The only way out would be to charge something and he was
loath to hurt the man. Logan's body settled next to him, hand still holding
firmly. Logan tucked Remy's head under his chin. Eventually, Remy slept, one hand
wrapped around the wrist of the hand that held him to Logan's chest. Logan cataloged as he opened his eyes. He
was in his bedroom. The sun was shining. Bacon was cooking in the kitchen and
his hand was wrapped firmly in the Cajun's hair. He had no idea how he'd gotten
to that point. It wasn't that he minded the kid sharing his bed. It wouldn't be
the first time the thief had needed to cuddle to get his head straight. No,
Logan just hated having gaps in his memory. The Cajun blinked up at him.
"Logan?" "Yeah, kid." "Good, y're you again. Y' let m' up
now?" "Depends." "On what?" "Whether yer gonna move. Ain't ready
to get up yet." "Remy'll stay put 'til y' tell him
otherwise. Just got a cramp in m' neck. Can't move m' head with y'r hand
dere." Logan relented and the Cajun stretched. He arranged himself back
against Logan once more. "So what happened?" Logan
asked, running his fingers through the sweet smelling silk of Remy's hair
absently. "Dere was an accident. If it weren't
f' y'r healin' you and Fearless'd be dead. Den, y' got out of de med-lab and
went t' de woods t' heal." "So how's I get here?" "Remy went int' de woods. Eventually
he whined until y' came back wit' him. I was standin' guard 'til y' dragged me
int' de room." "Sorry, kiddo." Remy shrugged. "Pas de problem."
He closed his eyes to better appreciate the petting. "Give y' two days t'
stop dat," he said as Logan's fingers massaged the back of his neck. Logan
snorted in amusement. "You been sleepin' with me fer
awhile?" "Since de night of de accident. Cyke
don' like dat I followed y', but dat's more because he weren't allowed t' go
dan anythin' else. Y' won' let m' guard y' at night." "Yer night vision's good, kid, but
ya can't smell 'em comin'." Logan sighed. "Guess I'd better letcha
up." "Merci." Remy stretched.
"Y' know where Remy'll be if'n y' need him." "Sleepin'?" Logan said with a
smirk. "Oui." Logan's chuckled followed Gambit into the
hall. Remy curled up in his bed. It was cold. |