In Fear of Three Little Words

Well, damn. I didn't realize how close I was to the chapter that I needed the spelling for Adamantium. Hopefully, I'm spelling it right. If not, please forgive. Thanks for reading. Now, I'm going to bed. Goodnight, all.


Chapter 44


Pain and weakness filled Kurt up, pervading his body. Through the fog of near unconsciousness, he felt Logan lift him up, carrying him out of this terrible place. And he knew his friends...his team mates were there also, but all seemed like a dream until a new wave of agony swept through him and the memories of what had been done to him slammed him back into a nightmare.

He heard his moanmoans, heard Logan’s voice soothing his mind if not his pain and someone he didn’t know was there beside him, checking his pulse and heartbeat, a military type that made him jerk back and cry out.

Logan’s reassuring voice led him back to some safe place and the sensation of taking off in the Blackbird wrapped around him.

“Are we...going home?” he managed to whisper, sucking in air and wishing the aching of his body would stop. He opened his eyes and Logan gazed down on him, tears threatening in dark eyes.

“You better believe it, elf.” Logan caressed his face as if trying to absorb his pain and wrapped the blanket now around him closer.

Kurt managed a nod.

“Can you tell us where you hurt, Kurt?” Hank asked.

Kurt tried for a smile that failed miserably. “All...over.”

“He must have absorbed an immense amount of electrical energy short circuiting that collar,” Hank observed. “And who knows what else has been done to him.”

I know, Kurt thought, but couldn’t manage to get the words to come out of his mouth.

Another wave of pain racked his body, swarming down his torso and into his limbs. He moaned and gasped, breath thick in his throat.

“Can’t you give him something for the pain?” Logan asked, tone desperate.

“We will,” the new man said and Kurt realized he was a medic of some sort, but whose? “But until we’re in a medical facility and able to assess his injuries, we can’t without jeopardizing his life. I don’t even know what he can take.”

“Anything you’d give any other human,” Hank said, starting to sound exasperated. “He’s not allergic to anything.”

“And I know nothing of his physiology.”

“How many times does Hank have to tell you?” Logan hissed through gritted teeth. “He’s human. Everything’s right where it’s suppose to be.”

Kurt opened his eyes and stared up at the man, young with wary eyes and slender hands.

“He doesn’t look human,” the medic declared, mesmerized by Kurt’s golden gaze. “He looks like...like an animal or a demon.”

“I am not...a demon,” Kurt choked out. “I am not...anyone’s...dog. Logan...please tell him....”

“Easy, elf,” Logan said then turned a growl on the medic. “You’ve got a lot to learn, bub. Your bedside manner stinks. If you’re the best Fury can manage, he needs some new recruits.”

“We’re coming in for landing,” Ororo’s voice sounded from the cockpit. “Everybody sit tight. We’re almost home.”

Kurt reached out, touching Logan’s face, the growth of beard rough to the touch, but the feel of his lover’s cheek soothed Kurt’s anguish. “Logan,” he whispered.

Logan’s gaze latched onto his and he saw the same anguish there.

“Sabertooth....h...he....” A sob robbed Kurt of words.

“I know, sweetheart. God, I know. I’m so sorry.” Logan pulled Kurt close, holding him, trying to suck up his pain.

“I...couldn’t stop...him,” Kurt sobbed. “I couldn’t teleport. I couldn’t get away.”

“I know.” Logan sniffed and wiped at his eyes. Looking up at Hank and the medic, Logan said in a low voice, “he’s been raped.”

“How would you know that?” the medic said, his already strained composer deteriorating further.

“Just believe me. I know,” Logan replied.

Kurt felt Hank’s hand slip into his and give it a squeeze. “We’re going to take care of you, Kurt. Don’t worry.”

Kurt gave a nod and closed his eyes.

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

Jean leaned against the wall and watched Scott pace back and forth in front of the closed infirmary door. Fatigue had a grip on her, but she couldn’t think of going to bed until they knew how Kurt was...if there had been any serious damage.

Rogue leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed tight against her chest. The look on the girl’s face could have killed a bull elephant with a glance.

Kitty sat cross legged on the floor, her chin cradled in her hands. Sadness and a new awareness of the cruel world had stolen the innocence from Kitty’s teary eyes.

Ray and Bobby had gone to call their fellow team mates to let them know Kurt had been rescued, obviously uncomfortable with the knowledge of what had been done to Kurt.

This assault would not remain a secret, Trask’s people talking too much, trying to save their own skins by cooperating.

Now they all knew and Jean didn’t know what kind of consequences would come of the team having that knowledge. She hoped none. She hoped everyone would be supportive towards Kurt and understanding that none of this was his fault. And that Kurt would be able to bear their knowledge.

“What is taking so long?” Scott said, stopping in front of the door and staring as if he could will it to open with a thought.

Jean moved to put an arm around him. “It’s only been an hour, Scott. They had to take x-rays and do some tests. Give them time. He’s going to be all right. I just know he is.”

“We don’t know that at all,” Rogue said.

Jean and Scott turned to look at her.

“After what that lowlife scum, Sabertooth did to him, how can Kurt be okay? How will he ever be okay?” Tears sprang to Rogue’s eyes and the anger rolled off of her like the squall line of a raging storm. “They’d better find that walkin’ fur pelt or I’m goin’ ta find him for them. And I promise it won’t be pretty.”

“Calm down, Rogue,” Scott said, gently. “We’re all upset. We’re all shocked by what was done to Kurt. Let’s let Fury do his job. He’ll come through for us. His people will get Sabertooth.”

“Yeah,” Kitty said pushing up to stand. Her hair was falling out of her ponytail and dark circles marred her youthful prettiness. “But if Agent Fury doesn’t then we go after Sabertooth and we get him.”

Rogue turned away, but nodded her agreement.

The door finally opened and the Professor rolled out, Fury and his medic with him.

Scott turned. “How’s Kurt? Is he going to be all right?”

Weariness radiated from the Professor, but he nodded. “Yes, Kurt will be fine at least physically once he has time to rest and heal. But he took a great deal of abuse from both Trask and Sabertooth. And short circuiting that collar took a toll on him as well. He’s exhausted and has suffered terrible pain for two very long days and nights.”

“How bad are his injuries?” Scott asked.

The Professor took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. “He needed stitches and his ankle is badly bruised. Sabertooth did some damage, but nothing irreparable. I’m more concerned about Kurt’s state of mind, his mental and emotional health. He’s going to need time. Time to deal with what has happened to him and time to accept that you all know what happened. Please be supportive and understanding.”

“Of course,” Jean said. “We understand. We all love Kurt and care about him very much.”

The Professor nodded. “He’s on a morphine drip so don’t expect him to be coherent at the moment. Just let him rest for now. Logan is with him and Hank will be monitoring his progress.”

“How is Logan?” Jean asked.

Professor Xavier looked away. “As well as can be expected. He’s consumed with guilt over Kurt being taken. About not killing Trask when he had the chance. And now about Sabertooth escaping. But I think as Kurt heals so will Logan. He needs your understanding as well as Kurt does.”

“Don’t worry,” Fury injected. “We’re going to find Sabertooth.”

“That’s what you said about Trask,” Rogue countered. “And we all know what happened because you didn’t.”

“Rogue,” the Professor said in a warning tone. “We owe Agent Fury our thanks. We very well may not have found Kurt if not for SHIELD.”

“And if SHIELD had found Trask earlier, this wouldn’t have happened to Kurt.” She whirled and ran down the hall, her sobs floating back to them.

“Forgive her, Agent Fury. Kurt is her adoptive brother,” the Professor stated.

“Nothing to forgive. The girl’s right. We did fail to bring Trask in. At least in time to save your boy, Kurt from Trask’s madness.”

The Professor glanced up, acknowledging Fury’s confession.

Logan opened the door. He looked grim, his shirt torn and caked with dried blood. Two days growth of beard gave him a more menacing look than usual.

“If you’re goin’ to see Trask, I’m goin’ with you.”

“Logan,” the Professor began. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Ya gonna deny I have the right to be there when you interrogate him?”

The Professor frowned and Jean sensed his turmoil and reluctance, but also could not deny Logan’s right.

“All right,” the Professor said with a sigh. “But promise me you’ll keep yourself under control.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever ya say, Doc.”

“Well, excuse us,” he directed to Jean and Scott and Kitty. “We have an appointment with Doctor Trask.”

“Professor,” Scott said as Professor Xavier rolled away. “I want to be there. For the interrogation.”

“So do I,” Jean said.

The Professor turned and gazed on them for a long moment until Jean thought he’d refuse them, but then he nodded. “Come along then. This could take some time. We have a grave decision ahead of us. What exactly is to be done with Dr. Trask?”

Jean and Scott followed the Professor, Logan and Fury down to a private room, windowless and nearly seamless in construction. Two of Fury’s men stood on either side of Trask who was seated, bound to a chair with straps across the wrist and the ankles.

Trask looked like any man one might meet on the streets, average height, medium weight, not unattractive, but there was something in his eyes that summed him up and a flick of a touch to his mind made Jean flinch from this man’s hatred of them all.

Logan leaned against the wall near the door, eyes trained on Trask and Trask stared back at Logan, hardly acknowledging anyone else’s presence.

Osionsion danced in Trask’s eyes, an unreasonable obsession with Logan that started long before this most currentfronfrontation. Did this obsession have to do with Logan’s mutant powers, with his healing abilities and his adamantium skeleton? Or was it because Logan had escaped Trask’s clutches, not once, not twice but three times now?

The Professor rolled closer, finally catching Trask’s gaze. Jean and Scott moved to one side
to watch. Fury moved with the Professor, still acting like he was in charge, but they all knew Professor Charles Xavier was in control.

“Have you anything to say for yourself, Dr. Trask? Your crimes are numerous, some so heinous that they deserve swift retribution,” the Professor stated.

Trask pierced the Professor with a look of disdain. “You hold no authority over me. You have no right to judge me or to pass sentence.”

A slight smile touched the Professor’s lips. “Oh, but I do, Doctor. Your government cronies have abandoned you to my mercy. They want nothing to do with a man who’d kidnap a boy, torture him and allow him to be ravaged by an associate. And don’t worry, you won’t suffer justice alone. Victor Creed will be caught and retribution will be meted out. Now, have you any idea where Creed might go to avoid capture? You obviously knew where to find him when you sought to employ him.”

A sneer spread across Trask’s face “As if I would tell you. And as far as I’m concerned, I hope he does avoid yours and Fury’s nets. Maybe he’ll come back for the little demon.”

A low growl came out of Logan and his claws snicked out.

“Logan,” the Professor said, his voice calm.

Logan took a deep breath and let it out, his claws sliding back into place.

“What a good little dog you are, Logan,” Trask said in a baiting tone. “The Professor has you well trained.”

“Enough!” The Professor reached out and took Trask’s face in his hands. “If you will not tell me what I want to know, I will take it from you.” Trask struggled but the guards held him still. Concentration registered on the Professor’s face, his mind seeking whatever knowledge Trask might hold to Sabertooth’s whereabouts. But by the look on his face, he was getting much more than Sabertooth’s location.

Finally, the Professor let go. The color had drained from his face and Jean thought for a moment that he’d pass out.

“What kind of mind conjures such perversions?” the Professor asked. “What kind of man can inflict such horror and pain without an ounce of remorse?”

“Remorse?” Trask replied, breathing hard. “What kind of remorse should I have for what a Satan-spawned demon suffers?”

Logan let out a snarl and crossed the distance in an instant. His hand shot out, grabbing Trask by the shirt front. Logan’s claws snicked out and lay against Trask’s throat before anyone could stop him.

Fear shone in Trask’s eyes, but the self-righteous hatred remained and the conviction of a zealot.

“Go ahead, Logan. Kill me. That’s exactly what a mutant animal would do,” Trask said, eyes gleaming, sneer playing on his face. “I’ll just be a martyr to all humans who already know what a menace mutants are to the human race. I’ll be the cause to rally around.”

“Logan,” the Professor said. “You gave your word.”

“Promises don’t mean squat, Chuck. Not when it comes to a lowlife scumbag like him,” Logan spat back. “You know what he did to Kurt. You know what he recruited Sabertooth to do to the elf.”

“And he will be punished. He will be safely put away so that he can harm neither mutant nor human again.” The Professor reached out and touched Logan’s arm. “We are better than this, Logan.”

“I don’t know that I am,” Logan growled. “I don’t know that at all.”

“You are, Logan,” Jean said, coming up on the opposite side of him.

“Jean!” Scott said, but she ignored him and put a gentle hand on Logan’s arm.

“Logan. You are a better man than Trask. You have compassion. You have honor and dignity.” Jean swallowed hard, unsure if her words were getting through to Logan. “And you know how to love, Logan. Trask has none of these things. Knows nothing of love or honor. Do not give him his martyrdom for he does not deserve it. Let him live in obscurity. Let him know what imprisonment is...what it’s like to be caged like an animal. That is the better justice...that is the better revenge.”

Logan’s nostrils flared and his teeth gritted together. His gaze remained locked with Trask’s, a battle of wills seeking a victor.

“Please Logan. Don’t do this,” Jean said. “Remember the man you are, not the man Trask tries to make of you.”

An eternal moment passed and Jean held her breath fearing Logan too far gone in his desire for Trask’s blood. Logan’s claws flexed and Jean gasped. But the claws drew blood from Trask’s cheek and nowhere else.

The claws slid back in place and Logan shoved Trask away. “Remember me when you look in a mirror, Trask. Remember that if they ever let you out...if you ever touch another mutant, I’ll cut you into little pieces and hang your head on my wall as a trophy.”

Jean let out a sigh and watched Logan turn and stalk to the door, slamming it behind him. Scott was there beside her and slid an arm around her waist. A sudden weakness tried to take her and she felt grateful for his support.

“I believe things must be as we discussed, Agent Fury,” the Professor said. “I’ve already made the call. If you’ll be so kind as to deliver Dr. Trask to the facility, they have made a place for him.” He turned his attention to Trask, giving the man a steely gaze. “I hope you enjoy your new home, Dr. Trask for you will be there for a very long time.”

The Professor turned and rolled towards the door.

“You can’t do this!” Trask screamed. “You have no right! Fury, you traitor! You mutant lover! I want a lawyer! You can’t do this without a trial!”

Jean and Scott turned away as well and followed the Professor out the door.

Outside, the Professor stopped, his hand pressed to his drooping head.

Jean bent to him. “Professor, are you all right?”

He nodded, but his expression told a different story. “Seldom have I faced such depravity couched in such self-righteousness,” the Professor said with a sigh.

“What did you see inside his mind, Professor?” Scott asked. “Does he know where to find Sabertooth? Did you see what was done to Kurt?”

The Professor looked up with a terrible sadness in his eyes. “Possibilities concerning Sabertooth. But yes...I know far too well what horrors Kurt suffered. We’re not talking a single assault, but multiple assaults.”

“But...they only had Kurt two days. How many times....” Jean trailed off not at all certain she wanted to know. Tears came to her eyes and she wiped at them with the back of her hand.

“It seems two days can last an eternity if one is in the wrong place with the wrong people,” the Professor stated. “Now, I think I could use something to drink. Perhaps, a drop of brandy. Would you care to join me?”

“Yeah,” Scott said, his voice flat. “We can have a Christmas toast and pray for the new year to be better than this one.”