Disclaimer and copyright: Buffy belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy
Inc., and Warner Bros.
Logan/Wolverine belongs to Marvel.
Kai belongs to Kaylee, and you don't mess with her.
No one is making any money, so don't sue, please.

Ok, that's out of the way.  This is my first and was written for fun,
not accuracy, so please be kind.  This would not be possible without the
collaborative efforts of Kaylee and Shera.
Much credit goes to them.

If you happen to like it, let me know.  Please do not archive without my
permission, though.
If you don't happen to like it, have a nice day and read something
else.  :-)

_________________________________

X-Slayer
Chapter 2

"Well, are you just going to stand there, or help a lady up?"  Kai said,
as she lay sprawled on her backside, heavy backpack holding her down.

"Quit your belly achin', darlin'.  You're the one who insisted she could
carry a full pack," said Logan.  The well built, well-muscled man
reached down to the slightly shorter "lady" on the ground.  She smiled
as he helped her up, and playfully bowed once she regained her footing.

"Thank you, m'lord," she said, with a grin in his direction.

"Aw, cut it out.  This was your idea.  'Let's go hike the Rockies' you
said.  Well, here we are and you won't leave me alone.  You'd think I
was the one who pushed you into it."  Still grumbling, Logan began to
continue on.  "Must be a guilt complex," he said without turning around.

Hearing this, Kai hitched her pack up and promptly caught up to him.
Nearing him her right foot shot out and connected solidly with his
posterior.  "Guilt, my foot," she said as she fell into pace behind
him.  "Look, I wanted a small vacation where we could both get some
well-deserved rest, and a chance to be outdoors.  It was you that had to
find a lame work excuse to come.  On top of your weak information, you
might even be chasing old mountain tales."

At this Logan chuckled.  "I wouldn't be so sure of yourself.  Despite
your 'obvious' concern, my sources aren't that bad.  My immediate
concern, and it should be yours, is the thought that a teenager hiked up
here by herself today.  Besides being stupid, she's puttin' herself in
danger if even half of what I've heard is true."

Stepping over a large branch, Kai said, "I'll give you the first part,
but believing the townspeople's tales of disappearing hikers and them
hearing howling at night isn't exactly scientific in nature."

"Doubt all you want, but don't let down your guard.  You know you have
seen some strange things in your short career, so don't go Doubting
Thomas and stupid on me now."

"Yes, m'Lord," Kai said with a snicker.  She was determined to have a
good time and get Logan to relax.  He seemed determined to ignore her
wishes.  She would see about that.

Both continued up the mountain, neither exhibiting the fact that the
exertion they were going through would have even a strong athlete
panting by now.  As they climbed higher, each could sense the clear air
and open freedom of the mountain.  The beauty was not wasted on them as
both had a natural affinity for the outdoors.  As Logan walked he kept
his keen eyes sweeping around them to make sure all was normal, and his
powerful nose tuned for anything out of the ordinary.  So far all he had
smelled was freedom, and the normal wildlife.  He kept himself tuned to
the hike and the possibility of danger lest he let himself go and run
the mountain like those wild animals he could sense.  The temptation was
strong, but he knew that would not be safe. He did not wish to put Kai
in danger, even though she was quite able to take care of herself.  If
Kai had a clue how protective he was being, she might just throw him off
a cliff.  Or try, he thought, smiling to himself.  He really wasn't sure
what they were walking into, but he knew it would not be easy or safe.

As the sun began to set and the woods darkened, Kai suggested they find
a camping site.  "Not yet," Logan said somewhat forcefully.  "We can go
a little further and maybe catch the young'un."

"That might not be such a good idea if your bogey men are running around
loose up here."

"Don't get smart," Logan snarled back.

"If you say so, mister woodsman.  Just don't go running into a tree
trying to impress me in the dark."  This said, they both went quiet and
increased their pace up the mountain.