Tuesday, June 8, 2004
11:13 a.m.

Oh god.....!!!!!!! I've just realized something...didn't even send the entire file for smh and Luc to see....>_> ....I'm stuck now..and I don't know what to do... here is the current entire draft of Promonade

Drinking at Willy’s bar had its perks. No humans, only creatures of the night like yourself and best of all, through the black market at times there was the ever present human blood without a hospital smell being offered at the bar. This was the place where all demons hung about, that’s why no one would ever do anything to the owner of this place, neither they would to the female occupant sitting at the far end of the bar bench.

Oh, they might call her a traitor and all sorts of nasty names, but no one would dare touch the heir for the line of Aurelius. Right now the vampire was on her tenth glass of spirits for the evening and she could only stare morosely into her drink.

“Barkeep, another Bloody whiskey on the rocks; make it more whiskey and a drop of blood” said Rogue, her voice, slightly unsteady.

Willy could only sigh as he handed her an already prepared drink. He knew that he shouldn’t care about this vampire, ever since she was very much disliked in his bar, but one can’t help but feel pity for Rogue as with a kind of admiration. Spike might pound on him for information sometimes, but had also offered protection from the demon population that might be out for his own demon blood.

“Cheers.” called back Rogue as she saluted the empty air.

All the demons in the bar were staring at her with wariness as the vampiress drank by alone. No one had dared to approach her, when rumors circulated around that when Rogue was intoxicated; she turned more deadly and harsh in her killings.

There was a pattern though in this drinking time, at certain times of the year and on the night of the full moon. Rogue would be there, at the bar drinking away memories.

Spike and Angel found her there. It was several months since they had left the mutant mansion and this behavior was starting to worry them. Angel had opt to stay with his vampire family for a while when Spike mentioned Rogue’s behavior.

Spike allowed this drinking pattern to occur, because he could relate on some level to the temporary relief that alcohol can bring. One where there were painful memories to forget, would bring upon this behavior; however this time, he was getting worried. It had been an increasing pattern that had Rogue coming to this bar frequently in the last several months instead of the normal once in a blue moon type of visits.

Angel also saw the temporary relief alcohol could bring, but he knew that it also wouldn’t solve the problem and was therefore very worried about his grand-childe’s behavior.

Rogue in her drunken state, felt her family behind her. She turned and smirked as she said, “Evening pappy, grand pappy sit, and have a drink with your childe.”

“Rogue, we’ll have a drink with you, but then you must come home with us. This state you’re in wouldn’t help solve your problem.” said Angel quietly.

“I know grand-pappy, but to hide behind this lovely method is to forget and push everything away is like a dark dream being fulfilled.”

Spike observing the conversation had ordered himself a bloody scotch. He was very worried about his Rogue. Every single time, she always let herself sink to levels like this was the past and her skeletons from that mansion. He had the feeling that if any more involvement with that place, would definitely end up having drastic effects for his childe.

Earlier that evening, he had cornered Angel and said, "Angel, this is a serious situation, I don’t want my childe and I to be involved in anymore of your Charlie sodding Xavier’s assignments. You could bloody well have someone else to do those jobs. No matter how much commission there is, I don’t want Rogue to be hurt. She’s already hurt enough.”

Angel nodded in agreement as he called back to his firm notifying them to cut off ties with Professor X and his mansion if they call. Now he was standing with Spike, trying to get Rogue home, but it seems that now; it would be a while before anyone can move. Angel just gave up to his mental brooding as he also ordered a bloody whisky.

The three vampires drank and after Rogue finished her glass. She slumped over in a drunken slumber. Spike stroked her hair as he and Angel finished their drinks. Paying for the tab, Spike lifted his childe up in his arms and left the bar with Angel.

Traveling home, Angel dusted several vampires that attempted to jump them. Spike just walked past the dust and when they got back home, Spike brought Rogue inside her bedroom and laid her down on her bed to tuck her to sleep.

Later when the other two vampires were asleep, Rogue’s eyes opened and she could only start to cry silently as her mind went through old memories.

-------------------

When she heard her old name that she entrusted to the man she loved long ago. Inside her stilled heart, she felt a sliver of ache as she said, “The person you called had already has been dead for a long time now. You buried and mourned her already, the moment you all found her in that graveyard I am not her and have not been her for a long time. She’s dead to you as for the rest of you. I am the vampire Rogue now.”

Jean said on the side, “Yes, we found your body in that graveyard, but how can that be? How can you go and become a vampire?”

“Jean Grey, the road I chose in the past is the road I go. It is not any of your concern on the reasons why, just know that she died with regrets and I was born upon her death.”

“What do you mean, when you say that you’ve died with regrets?” Scott called out.

Spike felt Rogue tensed slightly as he growled and was about to tell the one eye named man to “Sod off.” when he felt his childe’s hand on his arm. Rogue ignored the Cyclopes question and said in a quiet voice, “Pappy, come on. I only want to go home. Let’s go.”

“Marie…” called out Logan.

Rogue turned back in her game face and growled at him.

The X-Men could only step back as step as Logan’s heart was hardening and he snarled back.

In her game face, she said, “Logan, if either you or the Wolverine dares come for me to attempt to rekindle what Marie had with you, then it would be something that you will dearly regret. For I will kill you, so stay away.”

She walked away ignoring the howl that Logan had released as she left. Holding Spike’s hand tightly, Rogue determinedly ignored the breaking feeling in her chest area. Wesley and Angel had followed and they made the flight back to the west coast in silence.

Three days after she went to Anya to cleanse herself of the demon’s connection; Rogue started to go to Wille’s bar in regular intervals to drink and forget.

-------------------

Now her mind took her back to the time nearly sixteen years earlier.

She was twenty-one, an adult and still untouchable; her helplessness showed. There was finally a possibility for her to touch someone, but it failed on her after six months of undergoing test after test. The professor was apologetic and had wanted to look for more solutions, but Marie had resignedly accepted what was always to be the truth. At least she still had Logan He had come back after several months of looking for his past. Finding that it only ended with Stryker, he decided to return to the mansion to stay.

Marie and Logan had slipped into a platonic relationship, that often left them frustrated. Their situation was finally resolved when there was a sudden X-Men mission. The Wolverine was wounded with a poison that inhibited his regenerating ability. Rogue could only watch helplessly as Jean told her to stay away from Logan, while she went and try to concoct up an antidote.

When the antidote was finally made, Marie was waiting by his side as the medicine was inserted into his body. Jean had come over and was checking on his progress when he suddenly touched her with his bare hand. At that moment, seeing the contact, it was pretty much the final straw. Marie realized with finality that she can never satisfy Logan even on such a simple level. The stress had been more then she could bear so with a scream. Marie pushed herself away, mindless of the occupant’s responses.

Using the powers that she stole from Carol Danvers, Rogue jumped out of the window and took to the air.

Crying, she flew to a location far from where the mansion was. Sitting down atop of a grave, she was taken off guard when someone grabbed her from behind and started to drag her away into a secluded area.

“Look at what sweet thing we have here and such lovely blood. I’ll have a fun time before I eat you,” whispered a harsh voice into her ear.

Scared and shocked beyond belief at the touch. She realized with fear from the cold hands that held her was somehow repealed by her mutation. Somehow this was another thing. Marie had realized something with horror, from the tone and action of the man, something bad was going to occur. Marie screamed mentally and silently. She saw her attacker as revulsion and pain shot through her body when the thing bared her neck, forcing her into an immobile position. Her mind started to shut down, it wasn’t until the demon was suddenly exploded into dust; did she realize that there was someone there. Scooting backwards, with tears, she stared with wide eyes at her obviously drunk savior.

He slurred out, “Pet, you shouldn’t be out this time of the night. Did you know what just attacked you? New fledgling vampire, it was a good thing I was here to save you, otherwise he’ll drained you dry and left you dead, but then again what would he know about savoring something as lovely as you.”

The man’s feature was then revealed and Marie stifled a gasped as she stared in shock at the same ridge forehead, yellow eyes and fangs that the thing had.

“No thanks to me? Why not just sit here and recover from what just happened and Spike will sit here to recount to you his bleedin woes. My love has just been taken from me again. Cursed the bloody fates that be, for taking my slayer away again! Everything was starting to look for good as well and sod it all. She died just like the way her dear mum did. Now chit, do you get what I mean when I say that love is taken away? Just be careful from now on and stay out of graveyards at night. Next time you wouldn’t meet another big bad like me.”

Marie could only nod as a numbing feeling started to set in. Her eyes surveyed this man as a life changing decision was made in her.

Marie said woodenly, “If you’re going to be my savior, then turn me. If you say I should be careful of vampires out in the dark, then why can’t you turn me then?”

The vampire hiccupped and replied, “You don’t know what you’re talking about, but you know pet, the resemblance you have to my dear beloved sis, Em is very uncanny.”

“If I look like your sister, then please change me. You can either kill me or turn me, my life is here for your whims,” whispered Marie as she arched up her throat.

“Whatever you say sweets, don’t ever say I didn’t warn you… You will become my childe and you shall know your sire to be by the name of Spike or William the Bloody,” replied the vampire as he stepped forward.

Waiting for an endless moment, Marie felt the man held her body as his fangs bites into her neck. Marie felt weak as she felt her life blood being drained. At the last moment, the vampire pulled away and bite into his own wrist. Holding his bloody wrist over her mouth, he said, “Drink the blood and you’ll then fall into the darkness.”

She willingly took the proffered wrist and started to drink in the blood. The bit on her throat healed as her skin started to grow cold. After a while, Spike pulled his wrist away and Marie died with a small smile as she fell back into a dead slumber.

Spike held her in his arms as realization suddenly came upon him. His eyes cleared from the alcohol and then widens at what he has just done. This girl would rise in a week’s time. The only thing he could do now; was either dust her, or perform that soul spell on her.

Red had given him the wording and ingredients to the spell and he dimly knew what to do. The girl did bear an eerie resemblance to his dead younger sister, Emma; so perhaps it would be nice to have her around and she would be for him, a family companion. The poof wouldn’t object to him finding a new heir for the line. It has been getting tiring to be the only heir for a wasted old dying line.

Spike cleaned the blood off of her lips and left the body of his new childe to be found. He hid himself and observed as to what would happen.

A half-hour later, the X-Men came onto the scene with the Blackbird. Cyclops kneeled down on the ground and gathered his friend that was like a sister to him into his arms. Jean felt for her pulse and grew cold as she felt none.

Jubilee lean on the ground, shook her friend’s shoulder as she said, “Roguie, wake up. Come on wake up. Don’t play, please.”

Kitty started to sob into Bobby’s shoulders as everyone had shocked expressions.

Wolverine even in his weaken state, slowly walked toward what he knew was the body of his beloved. Collapsing onto his knees, a single tear dropped out of his eyes.

All around him, nearly everyone was crying. Cyclopes finally picked her up carefully and took her with him into the plane. Everyone else followed him slowly. Logan braced onto Remy and Bobby and tried not to howl his grief. Everything for him in his world had turned gray.

Jean didn’t do an autopsy, realizing that this might be something more then an accident. She didn’t dare question upon it, not wanting to dredge up old grief; for when Rogue and Logan had came to the mansion; something passed through her like jealousy as the attraction, she felt emanating from most of the male population within the mansion at the time and the professor’s growing concern for her, after realizing that they had a common ground through Magneto. The Professor had never forgotten the friendship they had, so it was with regret and love that he treated Rogue like Magneto’s closest relative. They started to play chess when the personality of Erik surfaced in Marie. Several times this happened was when Jean wanted to see the Professor for something important and was told by Ororo that they couldn’t’ disturb the professor at those time periods.

Given to these factors, Jean didn’t want to question how she died, for she reasoned that it would probably make Logan more pained then possible. They couldn’t even touch the corpse after they got back to the mansion. Logan had taken her from Scott and went upstairs with her. Later when Jean and the professor went to check on him, they found Logan in a stilled position with Marie’s body close to him. He silently mourned and Jean had to take Rogue’s corpse from him.

With that event, it was followed by a grand funeral and within a week’s time, Rogue rose. Spike was waiting for her, when she got up from her grave. Spike immediately forced her into a prepared circle and then performed the spell that restores her soul within her undead body. After the ceremony was done, Spike recovered up the grave and they left.

So, there it was, fifteen years that past, with an occasional visit to see how the mansion was doing and yet even if Rogue could exist. She knows that there could never be a Logan and her anymore. She’s a creature of the night now and she wasn’t too sure if she would trust any man with her heart once more.

It had taken several years before Rogue even had the confident to go to the bars, even with the obvious fact that she can touch. When she did go out however, it became a numbing experience and with Spike she found her new family.

For now, she knew that she would always be in that immortal husk, and fight as a protector of the night…

-------------------

“Where is she, Chuck,” growled out Wolverine as he sank his claws into the desk before the Professor.

Ever since the weeks when Rogue left with the two other vampires, the Wolverine had emerged and it was feeling more caged and angry. When she walked out on him, Logan had thrown his head back and howled his pain as his claws shot forth. With an enraged snarl, he had run out of the mansion to the place of Marie’s grave. He slashed his claws forward toward the gravestone and broke it in half.

Then he retreated to the forest, where for nearly several weeks. The animal and the man howled and raged over his grief, to have found his mate and to lose her in the space of nearly twenty years. At the end of that brief stay, the animal walked out of the trees, with the man in the subconscious. They had reached a decision and it would come about, no matter what.

Upon entering the mansion, the X-Men were confronted with the same man when he first came to the mansion years earlier. No one blocked his path as he went to talk to the professor.

“Please calm down. You’ve got to let me contact, Mr. Angel first. Without his consent, I’m not sure we could go and talk to Rogue without offending her sire. They’re not people that I think you can go and offend.”

“Screw this sire business. Xavier, we’ve treated her as if she was dead, for fifteen years, I’ve stayed here in this mansion, despite the memories, to stay near her grave, to have done my grieving. Now to find her, you would dare deny me from seeing her.”

“As I said, please calm down. It wouldn’t be good, if you continue to stress yourself out like this. We shall have to see what they say. Let me phone the firm of Mr. Angel…”

-------------------

On the opposite side of the continent, Fred picked up the phone when it rang. “Wolfram & Hart's, Fred speaking. How may I help you?”

Xavier on the other end replied, “Can I speak with Mr. Angel.”

“I’m sorry, but Angel is out of the office for a while. May I take a message?”

“Yes, this is Charles Xavier calling with a request and wish…”

“Wait, you’re Charles Xavier?”

“Yes.”

“Great apologies, but unfortunately our firm decided to terminate any future commissions you would ask our services for. Have a nice day…” said Fred before abruptly hanging up the phone.

On the other end, Xavier stared into at the phone for a moment, before putting down the receiver, “That’s strange, they terminated any contact we are to have with them.”

The Wolverine gave a loud roar then as he slammed his other hand into the desk and pulled it out after ripping the desk in half.

-------------------

“Pet, are you okay? Sleep well?” asked Spike curiously as he went and sat next to his childe.

“I’m fine, sleep was decent, where’s grand-pappy?”

“Peaches left back for the city,” Spike.

“Why didn’t you say so then? I wanted to go back with him, need to go and see Lorne.”

“I didn’t know. We’ll leave this night then. Get some of your stuff packed. While we’re in the city, I’ll give you my card, so you can go for a chit shopping thing with the time warper and the dark slayer.”

He then mentally thought at the moment, Maybe with an extended trip, she’ll move on from the bloke. The memories will still be there, but it will be quelled. My Rogue is a survivor and will pass through this stage. I’ll be willing to risk my bank account to let her shop till her heart’s content then.

Rogue sighed and her mind thought, Once again, there is the glass treatment.

Out loud she replied, “Okay Spike, I’m taking your suggestion in going shopping. Just be prepared for a long bill to come. Can you wait here for the moment; I’ll go and grab some clothes.”

Spike nodded as Rogue went and pack a small case of clothes.

-------------------

Once getting into the city, Spike drove his DeSoto to the Hyperion Hotel. Angel had continued to make the hotel his residence. Wesley, Fred, Gunn, Faith, Robin and Oz live with him. There were plenty of rooms, so Rouge and Spike also had their own set of rooms.

Rogue went and unpacked her stuff and Spike’s. After she unpacked everything, Spike came into the room and told her that he had to go with Angel to Wolfram and Hart’s. He kissed his childe on her forehead, as he instructed her to go to sleep. They had started to travel when night fell and when they finally reached Los Angeles, it was nearly early morning. Drinking a bag of warmed blood, Rogue felt really tired. Hopefully this time, her sleep would be without dreams for the moment.

-------------------

The Wolverine had decided to go straight to the law firm to demand why couldn’t he ever have contact with Marie, there was no way she would be this harsh toward him. Several days after his conversation with the professor, Logan resigned from his teaching position and left the mansion.

-------------------

Rogue slept fitfully, her mind still plague with dreams. Was she right in her decision? She was no longer a mutant human, she was a vampire now and had paid for that living with her mortal life. She had given up living in the daytime to live among the shadows of night. Living among the shadows was clearer cut then living as a mortal. There were many perils yes, however, by standards many demons would actually be very true on their intent of evil. Something had changed for her though, ever since her old human life was brought up, all she could think now was Jean’s reaction and what Logan had said when they were in the mansion.

Waking up several hours later, she still felt very tired, but didn’t want to stay in bed when she couldn’t sleep. Getting dressed in mid-drift revealing green cropped top and white pants with her duster, she went outside her room alongside the wall where it was safe from the daylight. Rogue could see that it was only mid-afternoon.

-------------------

Using a bit of money earned from countless cage fights and years of teaching at the mansion. Logan brought a single trip airplane ticket to the west coast. Landing on the airport of Los Angeles, Logan quickly went through the airport and rented a motorcycle as transportation.

Upon reaching the building, he cautiously entered the premises of the deserted main lobby. It was about three in the afternoon. There was only one elevator and after a single glance to the directory it was confirmed that the tall building only housed one office and it was at the top floor.

He had sniffed around and was nearly floored with the smells of just about everyone that walked through the lobby, yet from the flooring amount of scents, there was a faint smell of vanilla.

Logan stepped into the lift with a strong determination that nothing will stop him from claming her. Years ago, he may not have been able to take her, but if she was a vampire, then he could now freely touch her. He didn’t give a shit about her being undead. Rogue was Marie and Marie was Rogue, that’s all there is to be concerned about. She was still around and even if she’s dead, he’ll be sure to stay with her, his entire life. Nothing would ever break him from her again; if she refused then she could have him anyway, for life wouldn’t have any meaning without her.

-------------------

Walking to the kitchen, the vampire had a mug of warm blood. The hotel was devoid of humans, everyone was out in their day’s activity. Shrugging in thought, Rogue decided to go to the firm, so she climbed down into the sewer from its entrance within the hotel and started to walk toward the firm’s building. The hotel wasn’t very far away from the firm building, so it wasn’t long before she reached the basement. Climbing up from the shaft, Rogue started to walk up the stairs past the Caritas and up the long flight of stairs to the office at the top floor.

Reaching the top floor, she thought that she smelled something familiar. Shaking the smell as something else, she pushed opened the door…

-------------------

“Where is she…?! I want to see Marie.”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but there’s no one here by the name of Marie,” said Fred, annoyed after nearly a half hour of trying to talk to the man.

The four that were normally around the office just had to pick today to all be out investigating a case. It left her to be the only secretary and had to deal with this obvious mad man.

“I smelled her scent, so you better tell me where she is. Otherwise this…”

SKIRK

Sounds of his claws came out and he held it in front of an obvious bored face of Fred. “Do you realize Mister, that what you’re pulling will not intimidate me. I would rather you not try to damage the property here….now I’m asking for the last time for you to leave…”

-------------------

Rogue walked in the office and froze when she saw a familiar figure before her...

-------------------

The occupants of the room had heard the door open. Fred saw who the person was and was relieved; finally there was someone finally strong enough to kick out this intruder.

Logan on the other hand, smelled the scent of vanilla and then heard her voice, as he was suddenly thrown to the wall and held by the throat.

“Fred I’ll take over in dealing with this problem, I know the man. What did I warn you last time, so what the fuck are you doing here then?!” snarled Rogue in her game face, not caring of what her Fred’s response was.

Surprised that she could even hold up his body, Logan growled out, “Marie, you’re mine. I’m only coming to claim back what is mine.” His frame became tense as he was being held by only one hand.

“I’m not Marie; she’s dead, and now I’m the Rogue. I’m my own and you can’t lay claim on me,” whispered Rogue harshly as her hand tightens on his throat.

Logan only gritted his teeth as he mentally pushed back the Wolverine. Holding him in a choke hold was his mate. No matter what has been changed, she was still his. Many years earlier, she was untouchable by the blockade of her skin, but now she was holding him by her bare hand. He didn’t understand why she leaved him, but he spent nearly twenty years grieving for her. She was still Marie even if she used her code name. He didn’t expect her to welcome him with open arms, but why this treatment? He was being choked yes, but his eyes still searched hers.

Seeing his eyes on her; was mentally able to let her guard down. Rogue didn’t want that, so with a loud growl, she threw him away from her. “Stay away from me…I didn’t want to see you…you can just…”

CRASH

Rogue didn’t get to finish her sentence as something with tentacle smash through the office from behind Rogue.

“Fred! Get the fire ready,” shouted Angel as he and the other guys were dumped into the office. Gunn ran to his wife. The black man was bleeding from the head, but he quickly helped his wife pull out the fire torches.

“We’re going to have ourselves a roasted, Cantitas,” called out Spike as he and Wesley continued to hack the demon on the tentacles.

“Spike!” shouted Rogue as she bared her fangs and tore a tentacle that was coming for her and Logan.

The demon gave a dying shrill scream as Fred and Gunn turned on their fire torches. Angel leaped out of the way with Spike as Wesley threw some holy water toward the demon as the Cantitas fell over. Its corpse turns into piles of dust around and across the office.

Spike groaned and said, “Bleedin hell, I’m not going to be the one who cleans this mess. Peaches hire someone to clean this…you can afford the cost.”

“Right, just treat me like a money tree. Fred, Rogue are you two all right?”

“We’re just dandy. Just have to deal with this man now,” replied Fred pointing toward Wolverine who was standing.

“You know, you’re in the wrong place. I terminated any contact with Xavier,” said Angel. He’ll have to say that the mutant was brave, considering the fact that there was a line of three master vampires surrounding him and if they were to attack, he would be dead.

“No longer associated with Chuck, Broody; I’m here out of my own will, with the intent of claiming Marie as mine.”

“Hey, new nickname for Peaches: Broody; that’s a big laugh.” called out Spike.

Angel shot a pained look at Spike as he said, “Interesting prospect Mr. Wolverine, but what’s to say that my grand-childe would be willing? What you’re asking has to be a two way agreement.”

Rogue only growled and said, “Grand-pappy, I’m not willing and I don’t need you to try and discuss my affairs.”

Turning to Logan, she said, “I’m not willing to have you in my life ever, so you can just stay the hell away.”

She said to the others, “I’m going out; I’ll see you guys later.”

With those words, she swept out of the office.

Spike turned to see Logan look after his childe with longing eyes. So this was the bloke that had his childe all hung over. The reason why she couldn’t let go of the past. The several meetings with the X-Men left no room, for him to even go and have a long talk or interactions with this man. Perhaps this is the time for him to change things.

Walking over, he pulled out his cigarettes and offered to him, “The office can’t be covered with more dust then it already is. Want a smoke.”

Logan refused the offer, pulling out a cigar instead. He lit it and under hooded eyes, surveyed the vampire that turned his Marie, and wasn’t sure of whether to dislike him or something. Because of him, he lost nearly twenty years with Marie, but without him, then Marie can’t touch. Even if she died and changed into something else, he would have to have her accept him again and her sire would be a person who would know her well enough.

As if he knew what the mutant was thinking, Spike said, “She didn’t want you X-Blokes to see what she did and be pitied for it. That’s why she left. Now that you’re around, you’ve just blasted any intention and my plan all out of the water, for her to be her normal vampire self. I didn’t sire her to have her now start brooding like Peaches. She is the heir to a long master line. So, if you want, what’s best for her, I demand that you wouldn’t expect her to do anything. What you ask for her in the terms of claiming is very serious in a vampire’s existence. She’s still a fledging and it’s not my intent to have her claim a mate now.”

Logan only regarded him silently as they stood there smoking in the ransacked room. Everyone else was about the office in different rooms. Angel was calling for cleaners and repairers. Finally he said quietly, “Whatever happens will happen. I’ve waited nearly twenty years and my purpose is to claim her. She may not accept it and try to kill me, but I will still try.” ”

“I realize that, but don’t expect to be around long enough then, because in my experience, Rogue’s not someone to be claimed. I just don’t know whether she’ll feel something for you” said Spike coldly.

“I am a mutant that has no memories, for all you can know. I might be just as immortal as you are,” growled out Logan, annoyed at the attitude that Marie’s sire was giving him.

“Not my concern. Point being that you hurt my pet more times I could count and that’s an offense to me. Do you realize how often she cried herself to sleep after going on a trip to the mansion? Now I don’t even know why I’m wasting my time yapping with you, when I can go with her and have a drink.”

Logan stopped and could only raise his eyebrows as he realized the depth of damage he was the cause of. Letting out his claws, he snarled, “I will do whatever is possible to make it up to her then.”

“You can try, but know this, Wolfy. She the heir to this line and I wouldn’t want the heir to feel that way, as she fights. It can be dangerous for her. Peaches and I don’t want to sire anymore, she’s an exception. If she rejects you this one time, then stay the bleedin hell away.”

“Humph,” replied Wolverine as he stalked out the door. He sniffed around and picked up the scent of Marie. He followed the scent and it disappeared where it was the center of the stairwell. Walking downs several flights, the scent disappear again....sniffing again, this time he caught another scent, a flowery scent.

Logan felt something’s presence behind him and quickly with a release of his claws he flipped backward to see a dark hair women holding an old antique doll and wearing a red lacy long French Victorian gown standing before him. He growled as he faced this vampire.

“Hush, little wolvie; you’ll scare Miss. Edith. Little White has flown has she.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“Shhh…that’s a secret; got to keep a secret from Daddy, don’t want him to know just yet. that his little dark princess is around.”

Wolverine only snarled at her.

“Don’t behave in such a manner. You’ll scare Miss Edith and that would make me mad. Drusilla’s is my name and you may call me, Miss. Drusilla.”

“I don’t care to call you anything. Where’s Marie.”

“Oh what a pretty name, Marie must be Little White? If you want to know where Little White is, then you must follow me. I know where she has gone. Like a small white dandelion, she wilts and then strengthen again,” sang out the vampire, walking slowly down the large flight of stairs.

Reaching the bottom, she points to an open hatch, connected to the sewer passageways.

------------

Upstairs, Angel felt the presence of another childe about; someone familiar and dangerous. Moving quickly he stepped outside and motion for Spike to follow. Just as he stepped out of the office, he told the others to stay around and wait for the cleaners.

Outside on the stairwell, for a moment the vampires stood there; until Angel spoke up.

“Do you sense what I’m sensing,” he asked quietly.

“I smell her. Dru’s back and just when that wolfy was leaving as well. Want to go and check up? See that Dru won’t pull any tricks?”

“Whatever Dru would be around for, wouldn’t be a good sign. She must have had a premonition. Come on, we’ve got to find her and Mr. Wolverine,”

“Following, Peaches.”

----------

“Where are you taking me?” growled out Logan as he walked through the cool damp tunnels.

“Shhh…be silent, wolvie. Otherwise you’ll wake all the little mousies and monsters. Edith tells me that it’s safe to leave the tunnels now. Come now.”

The Wolverine could only grumble and growl as they left the sewers. Night had indeed fallen and they exited in an alleyway. Next to them were the glowing signs that indicated shops.

Logan turned to see that the strange women’s eyes had lit up with an unholy glee as she sing-sang and swayed, “There she goes there she goes, with blood and denials all around her. Round the mulberry tree Little White goes. Daddy comes and my Spike comes to go around as well,” she finished with a coo.

A little confused with what happened, Logan hid his confusion and said with caution, “We have to go find Marie. Do you know where she is?”

Drusilla turned to him, her eyes cleared, “My niece is, her heart, denying and shattered. Something’s coming for her and I feel it. Miss. Edith does too. This is not a good sign.”

“It wouldn’t be a good sign, if you show up, Dru,” said Angel as he stepped from the end of the alleyway with Spike walking alongside him.

“My Spike… Daddy! Here to see your dark princess?” asked Dru as she stepped up to Angel and kissed him on the lips.

Her ex-boyfriend watched her impassionedly, Dru often showed around on occasion and something happened, but with each incident and visit; he realize that with loving Buffy, he would never love another again. Dru had taken this news with a shrug and a whisper to that damn doll, “My Spike’s tied down and lost in his blond slayer.”

“Dru, what are you doing here?” Angel questioned again as he took her by arm.

“The birds and stars told me to come. Something’s going to happen and it concerns Little White” replied Drusilla calmly.

Logan claws shot out as he growled. Spike vamped out and growled back. Annoyed Angel whipped out his arm and stopped Spike from moving. When Spike turned to look at him with his yellow eyes, Angel looked at him stoically. Spike calmed down and placed his human mask on. Dru was watching them both with an appreciative speculation.

“The time will come, must find Little White now. I’m sure she’ll be glad to see her aunt” said Dru gaily as she walked off. Angel let her go and watched as turned round the corner. He nodded at her direction followed his childe.

The streets were ablaze with Los Angeles night life and Dru wove around the people, not caring if they stopped and stared at her. She made a beautiful ethereal creature and it was unnerving to see her moving as if she was dancing.

Finally she stops in front of a graveyard, away from the main streets. They entered and heard strains of music being and the sounds of fighting.

Dru beams as they came upon, Rogue playing the violin and Oz lightly strumming on a guitar Rogue looked from under hooded eyes at the demon that Faith and Robin were battling. As the demon fell, did the group of three realized that other people were around.

Starring with disinterest, Dru stepped over the corpse and went to Rogue, where she stood silently; her music stopped.

“Little White,” she greeted, leaning upward to kiss Rogue on the lips.

“Dru,” replied Rogue as she accepted the kiss.

“D, don’t tell me that you’ve got a vision,” groused Faith as she leaned back onto Robin who kissed her on her head

“Well it’ll be fun,” remarked Oz causally.

“Easy for you to say, Oz,” shot back Faith as she looked to where Rogue was standing.

“Little White’s taking me to the nice place, filled with tea and humans…”

“Whatever Dru’s here for, I don’t think it’s that easy, and Dru, no fresh blood. Wait until we’re back at Hyperion. Grand-pappy’s got some blood,” the vampire replied quietly. She gave a silent nod of acknowledgement for her family.

Rogue gave her violin to Oz and said to the others, “I’m going with Dru to that bar; Faith when you have your hands off of Robin then come and meet us later.”

Following her vampryic niece, Dru looked back at Logan as she said, “Little White, wait, Wolvie’s coming aren’t you?”

“No Dru, he is not coming, now come on. Now, I’m sure Miss. Edith would like to have tea as well,” replied Rogue look at Logan. Her eyes were cold as they gaze at him for a brief moment. Logan stared back, his eyes hot as the Wolverine within him growled, having a resolved harden face, he resolved to follow them, whether Marie liked it or not.

“Can Miss. Edith have cookies as well?” asked Dru happily.

“Sure,” replied Rogue as her human face melted into her true vampire face. She was certainly in no mood to have that man followed them. Grabbing Dru’s hand, she started to move faster. They left the graveyard within seconds.

Logan looked murderous as he turned to see the group looking back him, with separate expressions of amusements, bored or blank looks.

Angel said then, “I have to go back to the firm to see how things are going. I’ll leave you guys here if you want.”

“Can I come along? Faith and Robin could find their way back home,” said Oz following Angel as Faith and Robin walked out of the graveyard holding hands and kissing briefly every second step.

The group left behind Spike and Logan as the mutant growled when he realized that Rogue was in no way talking with him at this moment. He would have to talk to her when she was in a better mood. Shit, his mind cursed.

“I wouldn’t even try to cross Rogue at a time like this,” deadpanned Spike.

“This is not helping,” said Logan crossly.

“Hey I’m not even helping you. If Rogue acts like this, then you have to know about her temper,” shrugged the vampire as he pulled out his pack and lit up a cigarette.

“No I don’t. She didn’t act like this, when she was Marie,” growled back Wolverine.

“She’s not Marie! Hasn’t been the person you knew, since I turned her; Rogue’s acts like this when she’s not in a good mood, which is your fault. She’s usually not in a bad mood, until this whole bloody thing happened with that mission,” replied the vampire looking very annoyed and pissed off. He was getting tired of dealing with this love sick stubborn prat and was ready to tell him off, when they heard someone scream…

----------

“Little White…why are you so cold to Wolfy. Edith tells me that he feels great remorse and a desire or wanting,” asked Dru as they walked away from the group. Dru had stopped several times to look at their surroundings in the graveyard while Rogue waited for her vampire aunt patiently.

Often if not, Drusilla was still a cold blooded creature of the night, but in certain times. Talking to Miss. Edith, Drusilla was lulled by the fact that her vampyric family had started to take her back into the fold. She didn’t want to be on the out fringes and without her clan, so she behaved in the presence of her sire. She was placated and in her own world of happiness that may often include the incentive of blood. There was the black market and the countless evils that kept her blood thirst satisfied.

Angel kept an eye on the childe that he had driven mad when he was Angelus; with a care that surpasses what other vampires clan would do, in penance of what had happened.

Since the death of Darla, her grand-sire and the takeover of Wolfram and Hart by Angel Investigation, Drusilla had shown up on various occasion. The only problem that occurred with the times she would be around to visit, she’ll be the bearing of bad news or prophesies and demons that would use it to take over the world. Dru would stay as a steer, but her words were cryptic and hard to break. However, it is because of her that several apocalypses were adverted.

Knowing that there was a new heir to the line of Aurelius had delighted her to no end. Claims that Miss. Edith had told her to treat Rogue as a close family had Drusilla desiring to be around as much as she can, playing aunt and giving gifts to the hilt. The gifts given were always somehow downright gory, like the bag of a strange assortment of eyeballs and ears, but Rogue accepted it with a gentle kiss and hug. Knowing that this gift may have caused the fading scars on her aunt’s hands at that time, she dried the ears and hardens the eyes with glass liquid. The gift was placed as a dish arrangement back at the Hyperion in her own rooms, where Drusilla also had her own suite of rooms.

Now it was several minutes after they stopped for Dru to observe her surroundings and Rouge replied earnestly, “It’s hard to understand. He’s not a vampire and I’m not the same person I am. How can you expect me to take him back, when every feeling I have for him is for naught. He has the X-Men to be there for him.”

“Surely, if you say so Little White; however, the stars and Miss. Edith tell me that it’s okay. It would be like my attraction to that watcher.”

Rogue perked up when she heard Drusilla mention someone. It didn’t take her long to pick up the meanings of her aunt’s speech, especially since the fact that whenever she was around. The young vampire would take care to spend time with the older vampire. “Dru, who’s this watcher that you’re mentioning about, is it who I know you’re talking about?”

Dru smiled dreamily as she said, “That’s my secret to keep. Things would go on, after that dark cloud surrounding you is gone. Miss. Edith told me that bad things will be happening soon. Now follow me, Little White, I’m sure the nice dead people around here would need company occasionally.”

Rogue nodded as she picked up her pace, yet it was barely a few steps forward when she suddenly felt a sharp agonizing pain. The pain was so intense that she screamed and dropped forward unconscious. Dru, upon seeing her niece’s condition knelt down and picked up her hand as she sang, “Bear the pain…Little White’s blood and trouble will be on its way.”

Her ivory face melted to her vampire features. She cooed as she held her Little White as best as she could. Miss. Edith was telling her to stay and wait until someone came. Dru smiled at the moon as, her caines gleaming in the night. She said softly in a sane manner, “Wolfy and my Spike are coming. Come they will, but too late to save Little White for now. Until Little White faces her own dark cloud problem would the wheel spokes of fate would move. Dark Diablo is coming and blood will be shed. But destiny will be resounded as blood will be returned and return to the bearer.”

“Dru…” gritted out Rogue as her teeth bite down on her lip, drawing blood. Dru didn’t respond as she bent down and licked the blood from Little White’s lips.

“Dru, what is happening!” shouted Spike as both men ran upon the clearing.

“Marie,” roared Logan when he saw the prone figure on the ground. He was already stalking forward to her when he saw disbelievingly at the black hole that was quickly forming around the mad women and his mate.

Spike noticed this as well and tense up his muscle. Something was telling him, this wouldn’t be good as suddenly Dru and Rogue dropped into the black hole and as quickly as the hole appeared. It snapped shut when both vampires were taken.

“Marie!”

“Bleeding fucking hell…Rogue…Dru!”

-----------

“So, I finish this letter by saying, Thank You. Space several times, Sincerely Charles Xavier Space Professor. Did you get what I said, Ororo?”

“Of course, Charles; sign here” said Ororo moving from her seat to hand the computer clipboard to her lover.

Xavier smiled and said, “Thank you…” yet with those words, he suddenly lumped forward.

“Charles! Jean…Hank…someone help!”

------------

The portal dropped the two vampires into a dark cavern, somewhere damp and cold.

Dru held onto her vampire niece and smoothed out Miss Edith’s dress at her side. “Little White, wake up. It’s not good to stay under so long. Diablo is coming and bad things happens if you’re now awake to see. Little White?”

The ageless vampire prodded her niece until she felt Rogue stir. With a heavy feeling, the younger vampire opened her eyes and stared listlessly at Dru. The pain had dulled for the moment, but her limbs felt leaden. Feeling the burning, tearing sensation streak again through her body, Rogue choked back a scream as they heard an evil filled laughter.

------------

“Marie!” roared Wolverine as his claws popped out and he ran to where the hole was. He attacked the floor with a vengeance, tearing up dirt and grass. Spike stood by and pulled out a cigarette. His mind was running with thought and he smoked it while he watched the man his childe was all affixed on. It seemed as if the feeling was mutual. Not like he was led to believe. From the way that his childe went on, it would seem that they had a breakup and he ran. Rogue never talked much about her past and so Spike wasn’t too sure now of what happened. It seemed opposite to what he was led to believe. This mutant reminded him of when he was younger and all, but knocked over by Buffy; however that was another thing and not prevalent to the current situation. Spike may be worried about Dru and Rogue, but he was not about to go bloody digging on the ground. The portal was made and had disappeared, locked away by the portal maker, so whatever the lobo man was doing, is useless.

The vampire knelt on the ground and leaned over to tap the mutant on the shoulder, “You know mate, that won’t work. They’re gone. Snap out of it. We’ll go back to the bleeding firm to look.

Wolverine only growled back at him, “What do you mean they’re gone.”

“Look here, bloke. They’re not here. The hole that got them was a portal. Not some random hole on the ground. Peach at the firm might know what to do.”

Logan glowered at the man fro a minute before saying, “If anything happens to Marie, I will not hesitate to gut you.”

Spike rolled his eyes at that comment as he grabbed Logan by the shirt and vamped out to sneer, “See here Dog. If I can’t find Rogue and if anything happens. I’ll lose my favorite childe and heir. Don’t think that I would allow that to happen.”

Pushing him away, the vampire muttered, “What business is if Rogue is harmed or not? She wrote you out of her life, so whatever happens. It’s none of your concern. Now if you don’t get off that high ‘mighty living’ pedestal. I’ll knock you right off. Appearances are deceiving and you wouldn’t want to be at the end of me and Peaches wrath.”

At that comment, Logan gave no response as he merely flicked a middle claw at the vampire. The vampire glared at the Wolverine and growled, “Well back at you, you arse bugger.”

------------

“Now what have I have here?” hissed a gravelly voice, as something slithered on the ground toward the two vampiresses. Dru and Rogue both vamped out albeit, Rogue shed hers with a grimace of pain. She felt her body throb with unseen pains.

“Who are you!” she snapped out.

“Marie D’Ancanto. An interesting girl with a past, you do realize that....

This is where I ended....do you think it sounds a bit rushed from the time of when Rogue leaves the firm to the last scene in the graveyard? Also do you think it's a bit too repetitious?

Friday, April 9, 2004
06:42 p.m.

Well on Spring break now. Trying to piece together a research paper, which I hate...really a lot. Also betaing a HP fanfiction and then hacking out my horrible fanfiction. God I'm losing steam....I don't know how to write out that damn scene with Logan and Rogue... God need to call Luc to ask her, otherwise I'll strangle myself...that and also FFX-2.....sphere break is sooooo annoying..... and now I sound like a damn kid. How mature is that?

Thursday, April 1, 2004
06:37 a.m.

Well I'm going back to NYC today.....oh it's also April Fool's day...oh welll.... Spring break...and I've been so awake...god I think that I will definitely fail a test today. Reminds me of HS actually.

Thursday, March 18, 2004
01:44 p.m.

What makes it snow? It's snowing again in big flakes. Just big flakes...Jeeze when will this end?

Friday, March 5, 2004
04:01 p.m.

Ahhh.....Friday....I'm not sure whether I'm glad to go back to school or not....soooo need to write several school papers. Except not enough information so bugger that. Now if only I could settle down to read my Globalization books, then life would be grand. But it's really boring to read..so I'm in a dilenma.

I was just thinking though, in some instances I like buying the soundtrack of a movie better then the movie or the other way around. I got K-Pax, the soundtrack for the techno opening. Not the movie...same goes for S1m0e, I got the DVD.