Disclaimer: Several new characters are mine, including the plot. X-Men belongs to Marvel and Fox.
Blix: Hehe, of course with Logan. Naturally. XD
Sych77: I know! She seems to have more than any of my other female character. Well, there's Siren, but she's sultrier in her ways. And that guy (not necessarily a barman!) is probably afraid of mutants, or more likely distrustful of them. Remember the guy with the gun in X-Men 1? Logan womanising? Never? I thought he just liked to be generous with his heavenly self. o.o
Chapter 47And so for the next thirty minutes Logan drove the traumatic vehicle down the roads of snowy Canada, soon passing the American and Canadian borderline and travelling in the general direction of New York. His passenger had relaxed, since the journey had been very uneventful. Whilst Logan drove, Hellion had leant back into the seat rather than sitting bolt upright and clinging in fear. Blake had chosen to reside on the dashboard, stretched out on his front as he watched the scenery pass with alert eyes. Small conversation had drifted, Logan talking about some past fights he had had in the bar, her talking about what she thought on the fight with Hacksaw. So far it appeared to be the only thing they had enthusiastically in common.
But Logan then took a change of topic, asking his question whilst keeping his eyes on the dark road, "So, where would you like me to take you?"
"Like I said," Hellion began quietly, "I'm not bothered, New York is fine, well, it's great actually. One of the busiest places in the world. I may be successful."
"Successful?" queried Logan as he shifted in his seat slightly for comfort, "What you plannin' on doin'?"
Hellion shook her head gently, "It's not a career change or anything like that."
"Oh? What then?" Logan knew he was probably being too nosy for his own good. But hey, he was bored of sitting in silence. And Hellion was taking his mind off things.
But Hellion answered with a certainly sombre tone, "I'm looking for someone," her head turned slowly and she watched the trees that lined the narrow road pass by. The dense woodland continued beyond it, the same one Logan had eventfully roared through a few days back.
Logan nodded his head gently, eyes temporarily shifting to her, "I hope you find them," he said quietly in a genuine tone.
"So do I," she whispered softly, looking towards Blake and stroking his neck gently.
"So.." murmured Logan. He decided he needed to change topic before things got too heavy. His eyes went back on the road again, "Where did you get Blake?"
Hellion shrugged as she picked the ferret up off the dashboard and held him in her arms instead; "My mum got him for me when I was younger. A family pet I guess.. but he's just stayed with me since I moved out,"
"Moved out onto the streets? Why didn't you stay with your mother?" asked Logan. He knew he was prying really badly now.
"I moved out simply to move closer to a University. But after that my mother went abroad for work reasons and I haven't been in touch with her much. We used to contact each other by email very frequently.. but I haven't received one from her for months.. I ought to give her a call I suppose." Hellion shrugged her shoulder gently, watching thoughtfully at Blake, who curled up in her lap.
Logan decided he better shut up now. The girl had gone very quiet and Logan was worried he had gone to far. Hell, he'd tried to drive himself out of his broodings and instead drove someone else into theirs. So without another word, Logan focused on the road, relieved to see the New York night skyline appear on the horizon in all its glittering glory.
Westchester was to the West, New York to the East. He knew the way he wanted to go, but what about Hellion. She wanted New York. He glanced slowly to her, tapping his digits slowly on the steering wheel as he contemplated his direction choice on the junction. No, he would take her to New York, he had to stop being selfish and put others first again. As he turned down onto the dual carriageway into New York, he spoke up again, "You got somewhere to sleep tonight kid?"
"Mm.. I have a good few dollars on me. I'll be alright.."
"But what about for the rest of the week, the rest of the month?" asked Logan with a frown, glancing slowly to her before back to the road, "You don't wanna be on the streets."
"Logan, I'll be fine. Honestly. You don't have to worry about me, it's not your place."
With a mix between a derisive snort and a sad laugh Logan replied, "I get kinda fed up with worrying about myself."
Hellion smiled gently, "I appreciate your concern, Logan. But I'll be all right. I'm not totally innocent and helpless."
"I know, just be careful though, all right kid?"
"All right."
With a satisfied nod Logan quietened for a few minutes. He was becoming rather sleepy now, it was going on 1am and he had yet to get any more sleep. He'd kill for a soft bed right now, in his room at the mansion. That familiar feeling of warmth and safety, the smell of his own home. The streetlights ahead continued poured on by, moving strips of light shining down upon the car as he travelled beneath.
"So who is it you're lookin' for?" Logan decided to ask, again he was pushing his luck, but maybe he could help the kid? Who knows, "Are they a mutant too?"
Hellion had pulled a small photo out of her back pocket. The surface a little crumpled from the years she had held onto it, "Yeah.. my mum said he was. I never knew much about him. He left us when I was a baby apparently." Her eyes stared down at the photo, "Even though I hardly knew him.. I miss him so much. It's weird."
Logan's eyes remained fixed ahead as he watched the roads become busier the closer they got to New York, yellow cabs appearing everywhere, the roads still experiencing traffic in the early hours of the morning, "Your mum? He left you? I guess you're on about your dad, right?"
"Uh huh.." said Hellion quietly, "I gave up University halfway through my first year to look for him.. the year before I developed my mutation, the same year my mum left for England."
But Logan was only half listening, for his eyes had drawn upon a police car further up the road in the traffic. No doubt he'd get pulled over with the state his vehicle was in.. and he really wasn't in the mood to walk all those miles to Westchester. "Kid," said Logan quietly, "Can I let you out here.. it's just that.."
Hellion's eyes rose slowly upon the road ahead, noticing the police car and nodding her head with immediate understanding, "Oh, God. Yeah, of course," she muttered, a wobbly tone had overtook her voice, but she pushed back all possibilities of falling tears and she hurried to get her belongings. Logan turned off the main road and down a quiet little lane where she would be able to walk on the pavement rather than down a busy dual carriageway. Hellion scrambled out of the car hurriedly, Blake sat neatly on her shoulder. The girl shut the car door before turning and looking on in through the broken window, "Thanks a lot, Logan," she said with a wide smile to him, glistening eyes settling to their normal shine.
"Not a problem, kid," said Logan with a kind smile as he saluted humorously to her, "I hope you find your father here."
"Me too," she admitted quietly, hitching her bag over her shoulder, "Anyway, I better hurry and get myself a room in some hotel. I'll go down to the registry office or somethin' tomorrow.. Anyway.. goodbye Logan. Thanks for the ride."
"See you, kid," called Logan as he watched the girl run across the lane, waving to him until she disappeared around the corner. He smiled gently to himself, but it faded soon enough. The car felt very empty now. He could suddenly feel the wind lashing in at him, the air cold and heartlessly making the man shiver. Her presence had disappeared, like a light bulb burning out. The warm and bright glow replaced with a shadowy and uncertain surrounding.
Sighing quietly, Logan licked across his dry lips as he thought to himself. He wished her luck, he really did. But just then, something caught his attention on the seat beside him. It was the photo. Logan frowned gently as he moved his hand over to pick up the upside down photo. It must have dropped out of her pocket. "Damn.." murmured Logan, feeling pity for her. Out of mere curiosity, he turned the upside down photo round to view the image.
Nothing could have prepared him for it. His heart suddenly rammed against this ribcage in an explosion of shock and fright drenching his heart and stomach with ice. His eyes stared right down into the face of Roxanne, a younger version, hair coloured the magnificent silver, in her arms a young baby girl, who smiled angelically to the camera, eyes alight with happiness. Then beside them..
Logan didn't want to believe it; it was too surprising, exciting and horrifying all at once. He spun the photo upside down again, his eyes staring at the back of the photo where the text on the top left hand corner read, "James, Madeline and Roxanne. 2001." The coldness still clung at his insides, making his stomach leap nervously. He spun it round to stare down at his face again, then at the back where his 'old' name stood out in clear print, then his face, his name, his face, his name. Eyes snapped from one side to the other as he continuously flipped round the photo as if trying to work something out when it was as clear as day what it all meant. His face looked so bright in the picture, eyes were gleaming with pride, not a drop of poison in his smile. He was also visually different, like in his dreams, face cleaner, structure less defined. Hair shorter and brow raised as his face was woken up in a truthful smile.
No wonder she didn't recognise him now.. the years of unhappiness had brought him down, his years of unruly strength hardening him inside. Sadly his eyes stared at the happy trio..
"Madeline.." whispered Logan quietly, his eyes rising slowly to stare out of the windscreen, "Madeline.." he repeated to himself. His hands were shaking as he suddenly threw himself out of the car, boots hitting the road beneath his feet as he began a speedy run to the corner she had recently disappeared down. He was still clutching the photo, limbs shaking and eyes wide. "Madeline!!" he cried down the dark street. But he could tell it was empty by the lack of sound and scent. He ran on down the street, his boots splashing through puddles as he did so, drenching the lower half of his legs but he didn't care at all.
"MADELINE!!" he screamed into the blackness. No response. With trembling lips he fell upon his knees, holding his head in utter dismay, "Madeline.." he whispered.. but it was too late. She had gone. He had lost his daughter.. again..
Here it is, the final chapter of the Passion from the Past. I feel it is time to move on since the 'passion from his past' is no more. Look out for Story 4 (keep an eye on my profile for the firs chapter, which should be up shortly)