Still Not Quite Out, 07/05, Really Fucking Early

[Fury]

(Continued from Xavier's Office - Shaft and Picard: Balder is Better)

Clicking his radio on, Nick barked a quick, "Status," into his mouthpiece his tone betraying all of his irritation. After all, what were soldiers if not his own personal whipping boys?

::We're t-minus ten for take off, sir.::

"Good. I'm on my way," Nick responded. "And see if you can't make that five minutes, private."

::Yes, sir. We'll see you on deck."

"Roger that." Nick clicked his comm off and set his expression. Now, if he could just get out of this damn place without any more fucking distractions... not that he'd ever actually believe he had a shot at that one. Curse of the job (and his handsome good looks)-- everybody always seemed to want a piece of him. Wasn't his fault he was The Man (in more than one sense of the term). Nick smirked. Then again, maybe it was...

A soldier came running toward Nick from the nearest copter, which was now blessedly within his sights. "Sir! Sir! I think -"

Nick held up a hand, silencing him. "Soldier, if the next words out of your mouth involve staying here any longer for non-critical reasons, I suggest you reconsider what you're about to say." The soldier blinked at him with a slightly confused and very fearful look on his face. "Seriously reconsider."

"Uhm... the, uh, Commander said that, uh..." He paused and seemed to make some kind of decision. "Sir, you can leave at your earliest convenience. The last of the ground troops will follow."

Smirking lightly, Nick nodded. "Good answer, soldier." The poor boy let out a breath of relief and jogged back toward the main of the three helicopters. Still smirking, he removed a cigar from the breast of his pocket and made quick, methodic work of lighting it. Yep, he was almost home free now. He could get back to base, ignore the annoyance of impending paperwork, have a drink or five and enjoy being one of the most powerful men in the world (if not the one). It was so close-- he could almost taste it...

[Wolverine]

In the shadows of the branches of a nearby tree, Logan sat perched in a squat, unnoticed. Getting past Fury’s goons wasn’t ever all that difficult. They were well trained little pups and all, but him? He was something else entirely. Digging into the thick branch he was squatting on were three shining blades, unnecessarily keeping him balanced and fixed in place.

It wasn’t long before Fury stepped out. Clean up time from last night’s fun was almost over. Didn’t matter what kind of arrangement the Professor had with this group, Logan didn’t trust them at all. He had his own idea of how government agencies like SHIELD worked, and he had his own opinion of Fury.

Logan’s sharp ears picked up the not too distant conversation effortlessly.

"Soldier, if the next words out of your mouth involve staying here any longer for non-critical reasons, I suggest you reconsider what you're about to say."

His top lip curling up, Logan sneered. Seemed Fury didn’t want to be here any more than he was wanted. Shouldn’t come as a surprise. Fear wasn’t something Logan had smelled off of the militant asshole much, but loathing was.

"Seriously reconsider."

The underling of a soldier backpedaled and changed his story, scurrying away in an attempt to just get away from the presence of Nick Fury. Logan squinted his eyes through the canopy of leaves and his nostrils twitched as the sudden and familiar smell of smoke wafted over his way.

Slowly the blades pulled free from the wood in the tree branch and slid silently back into his knuckles. The skin quickly knitted up and the wounds disappeared without a trace. Logan dropped like a shadow to the ground, his feet hitting without making a sound. Then he leaned against the tree and studied Fury.

“Don’t tell me yer leavin’ so soon,” he said in gravelly tones. From his own shirt pocket he fished a half smoked cigar out, popping it into his mouth and then patting the rest of his pockets in what was a futile search.

Finally giving up, he sighed in exasperation, and held out his hand for Fury’s lighter.

[Fury]

There was almost nothing quite as satisfying as the first few breaths of a beautiful Cuban cigar. It was like the ultimate in irony-- the things that give the most pleasure will kill you in the end. Of course, Nick was nowhere near naïve enough to believe he'd live long enough for the damn things to get their shot in. He was good but, one day, there would be someone better. There was always someone-- better, smarter, younger... eventually. But that day wouldn't be today. And it wouldn't be tomorrow.

If anybody would understand that, it'd be Logan. And, what did ya know? The man in question just happened to appear over by the tree. Shocking. Nick took a long puff of his cigar and waited. No sense in stealing his moment, not when he'd spent all the time and effort to time it seamlessly. Having one himself, Nick couldn't help but appreciate a good flair for the dramatic. "Don't tell me yer leavin' so soon."

Ah, good. There was the Logan he knew so well. Complete with his own cigar, the true mark of a bad ass. He smirked, shaking his head lightly-- definitely lost points with the out of matches shtick. "Breaking your heart, I'm sure," Nick answered dryly, tossing his lighter to his old acquaintance. "It's a good thing you heal so quickly." Then, he took another drag. "So, this going to take long or what? I'm a busy man, you know."

[Wolverine]

"Breaking your heart, I'm sure," Fury intoned as he tossed the lighter over to him. Logan snatched it out of the air and gave Fury a small kind of snort before snapping a flame and bringing it within inches of his cigar. He puffed on the cigar until the tip began to smolder, and drew in a couple of large drags to savor the cigar smoke. Finally the end of the stogie was glowing a nice and warm orange. With one fluid motion he snapped the lighter shut and tossed it back towards Nick without even looking at him.

"It's a good thing you heal so quickly." The two men took turns at puffing on their cigars. "So, this going to take long or what? I'm a busy man, you know."

With another smallish snort, Logan gave him a dry and skeptical look. "Do I look like tha type that wants ta chit chat?" He turned his head and spat out some of the bits of cigar that had come loose.

Clamping the cigar in his teeth, Logan took a couple of short pulls on it as he looked Fury over. There were a couple of things he wanted to say to Fury. Not many of them would prove to be too useful right now, most likely.

"Too bad some of these kids don't heal so quickly," he said in a low growl around the edges of his cigar. "One of these days one of these yahoos is gonna actually succeed in blowin' tha head offa one of these kids." Odds were in their favor. "When that happens, I'm not sure I'll be responsible for what happens to 'em."

[Fury]

Nick caught his lighter fluidly with one hand. This wasn't going to be a pissing contest like it had been with Charles. Between Logan and himself, they knew the score. There was no point in posturing or any other bullshit. No, this was an entirely different ballgame. They weren't friends-- Nicholas Fury didn't have friends-- only enemies and allies. And if you weren't the latter, you were definitely the former. There was zero grey area here.

Looked like tonight, though, Logan was picking the latter (the claws were sheathed, after all). Good decision, considering the mood Nick was in. He didn't like it when people tried to attack his assets, and he especially didn't like it when he didn't like those assets much to begin with. So, they stood, in relative silence for as long as the moment would permit. Each smoking their respective cigars until Logan decided to break the peace. Shame, it'd been the first Nick had had since he'd arrived.

"Too bad some of these kids don't heal so quickly," [Logan growled] around the edges of his cigar. Nick gave a nod because it was a damn shame they'd ended up on the frontlines. If he'd had his way, he'd tell them the same thing he told that Parker brat. "One of these days one of these yahoos is gonna actually succeed in blowin' tha head offa one of these kids. When that happens, I'm not sure I'll be responsible for what happens to 'em."

Nodding again, Nick exhaled slowly. "Wouldn't expect anything less of you, Logan," he responded easily. Because he wouldn't, not now that the Wolverine had claimed them as his pack. "And I damn well wouldn't stop ya." He probably could if he wanted to-- probably-- but, hell, why would he want to? There was a reason he wanted Logan as a S.H.I.E.L.D. asset. Reasons like that mutant boy a little while back or the Weapon X fiasco.

"Unless, of course, that was some kind of misplaced, veiled threat," Nick continued, his expression and demeanor never changing. With Logan, it was always best to get straight to the point here. And use small words. "Then I would expect less of you, Logan. A whole lot less." Serious eyes betrayed the smirk hiding behind his cigar. Sure, he knew what Logan could do to him if he got the chance. But he damn well wasn't getting the chance. Not tonight, anyway.

[Wolverine]

A thin white screen of smoke dissolved in the air around Logan's head as the General listened to Logan's statement. With just a slight pause and a precursory glance, Fury answered in a noncommitted sounding kind of tone. "Wouldn't expect anything less of you, Logan."

Logan just chewed on the end of his cigar while watching the General with ever narrowed eyes.

"And I damn well wouldn't stop ya."

Couldn't stop him. But that wasn't worth mentioning.

"Unless, of course, that was some kind of misplaced, veiled threat," Fury continued, as he looked into what else Logan could have meant by his words. "Then I would expect less of you, Logan. A whole lot less."

Didn't really see the need to go explaining himself. Let Fury take a couple of different meanings away from it. Logan really didn't care. He didn't even acknowledge the last part of Fury's comments.

"So I'm guessin' you and tha other cueball got this one all figured out." Fury wasn't head of some damn espionage operation for no reason. Chances were pretty good that he knew a lot of things.

"Didn't seem like a random sniper attempt. These guys were after something," he said. "Or someone."

Xavier did not feel the need to explain everything to him. Logan learned a lot of things on his own...he had ways of finding out things without having to be told...but Xavier did not always offer up information freely. Not even to his most trusted friends.

Which Logan certainly was not.

And he doubted that General Fury would be any more helpful. "You need any tips on gettin' 'em to talk," Logan said and the claws on his hand at his side popped out and back in really quickly. "Just lemme know."

Logan didn't like the idea of working for Fury. But the idea of never finding out who his enemies were was something he liked even less.

[Fury]

Oh yeah, Logan thought he had it all figured out. Nick could practically see it written all over his face. The best at what he does. Unstoppable. Unbeatable. Yeah, right. The man ought to remember that Nicholas Fury was the best at what he does. Second only to God and don't anyone fucking forget it. But he could let it go. He knew his own greatness, didn't need some kind of lame validation from

"So I'm guessin' you and tha other cueball got this one all figured out." If it were anyone else, they'd probably already be dead for making fun of the 'do (or lack thereof). Logan was lucky he had that healing factor-- too much damn work to kill the bastard. As it was, Nick settled for chewing on the end of his cigar. And not answering. Not yet, anyway. The man mocked his style, so he could fucking wait. And that was all there was to it.

"Didn't seem like a random sniper attempt. These guys were after something," Logan continued. "Or someone." Nick tapped some ash onto the ground, still not commenting. There was more, he could feel it. The man hadn't become the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. by being unobservant, after all. "You need any tips on gettin' 'em to talk," Logan said and the claws on his hand at his side popped out and back in really quickly. "Just lemme know."

"Uh-huh," Nick finally responded, eyebrows raised slightly. "I'll be sure to do that." Because, really, having hundreds of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, several standing armies and the Ultimates at his disposal apparently meant jack shit. Right. "But, Logan, I gotta ask-- when'd you get so soft?" Because, damn. Seriously. This was almost sad. "Was it when you were screwing Jean Grey?" Fine piece of ass on that one. And with the mind powers... had to be some good shit. Heh, and now Cyclops was hitting that. Oh yeah, it had to hurt.

Nick smirked lightly. "Or maybe a requirement for joining up with Xavier's little crew?" He could see it now-- 'get neutered, join the X-Men'. "Either way, I suggest you talk to good old Charles about the incident tonight." Let him deal with his own fuckin' team. Nick wasn't about to do his dirty work for him and he especially wasn't going to explain to Wolverine how his precious Jean Grey might be in some sort of danger. Screw that. Tonight was already one of those drink-away evenings, he definitely didn't need the added hassle.

[Wolverine]

No sooner had Logan finished speaking then he knew Fury was going to blow smoke up his ass. "Uh-huh," Nick finally responded, eyebrows raised slightly. "I'll be sure to do that." Didn't take much to see that was crap. Honestly, Logan didn't really know that he expected any other response. He just kind of snorted in return.

Because really, talking to Fury was about as big of a waste of time as you could find.

"But, Logan, I gotta ask-- when'd you get so soft?" Just about to leave, Logan turned his head back up to him. Most of the time a person that said that to Logan was looking to find out just how soft he had gotten. "Was it when you were screwing Jean Grey?"

His fist curled up into a ball. "You watch your mouth, bub-"

"Or maybe a requirement for joining up with Xavier's little crew?" It didn't really take a whole helluva lot to piss Logan off. He'd fought and in his darker past killed men for being half as offensive. Logan's eyebrows were furrowed down as the bald military man in front of him kept flapping his jaw. "Either way, I suggest you talk to good old Charles about the incident tonight."

*SNIKT*

Claws popped out and with movements so fast you could scarcely see them, half of Fury's cigar went flying across the yard in a blaze of orange.

*SNAKT*

"Y'know, I think that's prob'ly tha best thing I've heard ya say all night," Logan said. Spitting on the ground in front of Fury he moved to walk past him.

[Fury]

Nick smirked. Oh yeah, he had him. For a so-called tough guy, Logan was sure proving Nick's point for him. Sure, the Grey comment might've been a bit low-brow and maybe uncalled for but, hell, it'd been one fucking long night and Logan was just grating on the General's very last nerve. So here they were. Smoking their cigars and pissing each other off. Nothing too unusual there, really. Except maybe the way he decided to take such offense to Nick's suggestion about hitting up his own bald leader with his questions.

*SNIKT* Nick didn't even bat an eyebrow when Logan unsheathed his claws. At least a dozen soldiers cocked the weapons they had pointed at his companion, waiting for the signal. He was a whole lot closer to giving the signal, too, when half his cigar was suddenly suspiciously missing. *SNAKT* Back in the claws went, though his men remained at the ready. "Y'know, I think that's prob'ly tha best thing I've heard ya say all night," Logan said.

"Well, I aim to please," Nick replied dryly, pulling out his lighter again. Logan didn't rattle him. And he ought to know enough to know that he would be paying for that. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But someday... someday Nick would collect. And he would be sorry as hell when that day came. But then he did something infinitely more stupid than anything else he had done before-- he spit in front of General Nicolas Fury. Well, now, wasn't that something.

Nick slid in front of Logan, blocking his path and blowing smoke into the other man's face. "Since I'm sure that's just some sort of misguided anger over the attack tonight, I'll let it go. But you only get one." One more than most people got but Logan was a rather handy asset. Not to mention the problem of his mutation, which made disposing of him almost more irritating than tolerating him. Almost. "Just remember, Wolverine, you're here because I let you be here. Don't make me decide to un-let you."

Smirking lightly, Nick gave Logan a light nod that also served to tell his men to stand down. "I'll be seeing you, Logan. Count on it." Then, without another look at the man, he walked at a comfortable pace to his ride. As he walked, the soldiers who had been stationed all around the grounds came out of the woodwork, so to speak, following behind him while remaining at the ready for any kind of attack. Overkill maybe but it made for one hell of an exit.

(And there goes Fury, back to NPC land until he's dug out once more. Sorry about the wait-- I'd written it and then the computer decided to restart without my permission. So this is what you get. >< Sorry, again. Holler if edits are needed.)