pryde_and_grit | Those long, cold November evenings...

Those long, cold November evenings...

Victor snagged his coat and stormed down the halls of the heli-fortress. He'd never tell anyone, but he really hated living up in the air. Having his feet off the ground made him edgy all the time...

Misery had come by to 'see' him before leaving for the SHIELD summit. They were held once a year, all the leaders and their team captains had to attend. Two weeks alone, from Thanksgiving to mid-December. And she always made sure that he knew what he'd be missing. Damn, it been years now and he still shook with need every time she touched him.

So here it was, down time again, and he'd be alone...

...well, mostly alone. "Yo, Runt!" he snarled when he made it to the team housing hall. "Wakey wakey, I need a buddy else I don't get to leave!"

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It was explanation enough for Logan, and although he wasn't looking forward to the ride down, being on the ground and away from the rest of the team would be nice. So he followed Victor.

The drop party wasn't thrilled to have them aboard but they knew not to piss off this pair.

Vic had bikes waiting. Just bikes, no gear.

"What the hell, Creed?"

Seeing the bikes Logan glared at Victor.

It wasn't that he needed much, but Victor had said he had everything taken care of and Logan didn't particularly like the idea of heading off into the wilderness with Victor without a thing.

It had too much of a 'stranded' vibe to it and no way was Logan going to get ditched somewhere while Victor headed back on his own.

"Little trust runt. I got reason. Just follow mf for a bit and then I'll explain." Vic tossed him a set of keys and peeled out.

They were headed to p truck stop. With showers.

"Trust. Right."

Logan continued to keep his eyes narrowed on Victor, but followed anyways.

If Victor tried anything Logan would just follow through on the threat to cut his head off. No biggie.

The truck stop was a big noisy place, and Uic pointed to the showers mutely.

"Buy a set of clothes from the gift shop. We'll get more later."

None of this was making any sense, but, for whatever reason, Logan decided to play along. He'd wait and see what Victor was up to. The guy obviously had a plan, which was rare for him, so Logan was curious to see where it was all going.

He had some ideas, but wouldn't voice them until he was sure.

The gift shop assortment sucked and Logan ended up with a black Route 66 T-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Grumbling to himself he headed for the showers.

Vic showered himself, scrubbing down almost fanatically before he emerged in a 'Chicago or Bust' t-shirt and sweats. They didn't carry his size jeans, and that...sucked. At least he could keep his own boots, he decided, he wasn't a flip-flop man.

When Logan emerged he took an experimental sniff of the air, then nodded "That'll do I guess. I'm guessing it's time for a chat by the bikes." he seemed oddly amused by the face Logan was making.

"Yeah, I think it's about time. An' ya better not be out here just screwin' with me 'cause I'm gonna be pissed."

Dropping into truck stops for a shower and wearing tourist duds wasn't exactly Logan's idea of a good time.

Victor smirked and meandered back to the bikes "You figure anything out about Mis yet? Like how her scent lingers..."

There's a flicker that passes over Logan's features that marks realization. It isn't that he just figured out what Victor said, Logan has known for awhile that Misery has a scent that was hard to shake. It clung to everything and when it was strong it made him crave her more.

What he realizes is that it's gone now. New clothes and a shower have taken care of nearly all traces of her lingering scent and for the first time in a long time she isn't tangled in all his thoughts.

This is the first time he hasn't been thinking about her constantly and it took Victor's bringing her up for Logan to realize it.

His eyes go up to Victor, obviously wanting him to keep talking.

"Oh, he's thinking now" he chuckled. "Docs say it's pheremones." he wasn't a scientist but he paid attention when it came to Mis.

"That means we're screwed, but sometimes a shower will let you think straight since your healin factor ain't kicking it." and that was annoying. He'd been banking on Logan leaving again within a month.

"Pheremones."

Logan eyed him, trying to decide if Victor was telling him the truth or trying to pull something.

"So why're you tellin' me?"

"Because I can't kill and having you around pisses me." he admitted honestly. "Figured if you got your head straight you'd remember where you're suppose to be."

He sat on his bike heavily and started up, eager to get into decent clothes. "Besides, it'll be funny to watch you trying to shake SHIELD."

"Vic, I didn't know ya cared." Logan drawled sardonically.

Logan got onto his own bike and started it up.

"Wouldn't happen ta know where it is that I'm supposed ta be, wouldja?"

"Logan, if I knew I'd make damn sure to forget quick." he sighed grimly. "If you've got outside ties SHIELD ain't going to play nice. They aim to keep you." and they had the power to play very, very mean.

"I don't fancy waking up gutted one morning 'cause I accidentally handed them your old life. I prefer gutting after coffee at least." that said he was headed out again. He had a storage unit with his camping gear and Logans. They'd get clothes at a thrift store.

"So you ain't so dumb after all," Logan smirked, following Victor.

Victor was right though, whatever he had away from SHIELD he'd have to find out himself, and keep it from them. They weren't the type to let go easy.

"I only have to use small words around you runt." The store was only 30 minutes away. Thank gnd, sweats felt weird on a bike.

"Help yovrself"

Logan found himself a couple spare sets of clothes, which was more than enough for him.

While picking out things he wondered what they were doing. If this was going to work, if he was going to be able to remember whatever the hell he'd forgotten, what his chances were of getting away and getting back whatever he'd lost when he was away from SHIELD.

It wasn't going to be easy, he knew that much at least.

Victor figured it was fifty-fifty if the runt would remember anything useful. Good enough odds. The cashier was kind enough to let them change there, and that made a hell of an improvement.

"Gear now...then bars. Bet I can maim more yokels than you can on the way up to camp."

"Yer on, bub."

The ride was great. The fresh air, the wind and open road all had a feeling of freedom that Logan had been craving without realizing he was. The longer he was out and away, the more he realized just how much he was being controlled by Misery and SHIELD, and the more he realized it the more it pissed him off.

The first bar was a bust, being it was an odd hour. Just lushes and the less-than-subtle waitress that wore to much make up.

The second bar was 'owmed' by a bike gang. Best stress relief in existence! "Shit..." Victor laughed as he eyed the place "It feels like Christmas. Dibs on the black roadbike." yes, he might have planned this.

And the group just might remember the last time he'd been through...

Those that remembered had to be thrilled that he brought a companion along.

The scent of smoke, beer, leather and sweat were familiar and stirred something in Logan's memories. He gave a feral grin to the group then ordered a beer.

Drinks first, then fighting. If they wouldn't serve him they'd skip straight to fighting and have a beer when the place was cleaned out.

Vic grinned at the lot, smile sharp and feral. His teeth were never a comfortable thing to see in full array. That caused some nervous shifting in the patrons, but the bartender did start pulling two beers off the keg after a brief caress of the shotgun under the wooden tabletop. Money was money after all.

It was the idiots in the corner that seemed to object. "Don't be serving that trash our booze..." one of the men at the table called.

"I love small towns," Logan said to Victor, picking up his mug once it was poured. "You can always count on there bein' at least one guy stupid enough ta start a fight."

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