Chapter 6:  Liability

Sam watched as Mr. McCoy finished dressing the spy's wounds, they had given him a sedative earlier and he had been asleep since they brought him down.  He couldn't understand the concern for someone who was obviously an enemy of the institute.  The Professor turned from the bedside and wheeled over to Sam.

"Next time Sam I would appreciate it if you would merely report what you saw and not take matters such as this into your own hands.  He has learned more from this episode than he would have if you had restrained yourself."  The Professor said in a stern but kindly manner.

"I had no idea that you intended to save his life, in my experience it is best to leave a spy alive just long enough to learn what it was he was trying to find out and who he is working for.  Indeed I am curious, from the conversations I have overheard in the institute, I would have assumed you would prefer this person dead."  Sam said in a manner of professional curiosity.

"I had hoped that would be obvious to you.  Put simply, I do not endorse needless bloodshed.  Most likely he was here for no particular purpose other than not having something else to do with his time."  The Professor replied.

"I see, then it is clear that both you and that young man are fools.  If you will excuse me I believe I will take my leave."  Sam said as he turned and exited the room.

"Do you think you can reach him?"  McCoy asked from where he had just sat down at the computer.

"I don't know Henry, but I know he's in there.  I have sensed him a few times, especially after the training session where he had exerted himself to much.  There is a real human being underneath it all; we just have to work quickly to bring him out."

Sam sat and thought quietly in another hallway.  A non-client, in fact an enemy of his current client had seen his face, and knew at least that he had some sort of ability that had enabled Sam to shoot him even though he was traveling to fast to see.  He was a liability.  'Eliminate every liability you can no matter how small.  Liabilities have a way of coming back to haunt if you leave them to linger.'  His father's voice spoke in his head and he was so frustrated with its advice that he almost told it to shut up.  That wouldn't do however, he couldn't tell his father to shut up, no he had always told him what he needed to know in order to survive.  'Thank you Father, I won't let you down.'  Sam replied to the ghost in his head.

Sam waited in the recreational room for the Professor and Mr. McCoy to come up the elevator.  He read an old copy of national geographic to give a reason for his being there.  An hour later Sam heard the elevator rise, he closed his eyes and confirmed that it was the Professor and McCoy.  Sam pretended to be fully engrossed in the magazine as they walked through the room exiting it into the hallway behind him.  Waiting a few moments with his eyes closed to make sure that they were not returning to this room he got up and moved to the concealed elevator.  Punching the activation code he had seen Ororo use the other day it opened and he got in.

Briefly double-checking the berretta, he closed his eyes and proceeded quietly down the corridor.  Opening the door to the infirmary with almost imperceptible slowness he lightly stepped into the room.  Bringing the gun up in his right hand he carefully aimed the silenced weapon at the temple of the boy lying on the bed.  He had already begun to apply pressure on the trigger when an image flashed in his mind and he only had just enough time for reflexes to adjust his aim wide to the left.  Even so he barely avoided putting a hole in a surprised Kurt.  The bullet flew harmlessly into a cabinet above the computer.

"Step aside Kurt, this is none of your affair."  Sam said tersely.  Kurt looked nervously from Sam, to the gun, to Peitro lying on the table.

"You cannot do zhis, it is not right."  Kurt said with a trepid determination in his voice.

"I can and will do whatever I need to protect my interests.  The Professor may have his foolish ideals, but I am under no such moral obligations, and I will not for the sake of his ideals let a liability continue to be one."  Even as he explained he wondered why he was doing so, why did he feel as though he needed to justify himself to this person in front of him.

"But he is not a liability as you say, zhe Professor can alter his memory, he won't even remember he has been here.  You must trust me on zhis."  Kurt said with an increasing anxiety.

"Very well take me to see the Professor now, I will have his guarantee that he will do as you say he can before this person leaves here alive."  Sam said as he slid the berretta back into his shoulder holster and as he did so Kurt let out and audible sigh of relief.

"OK," Kurt said as he grabbed hold of Sam's Shoulder, "zhe Professor will fix zhis, you vill see."  And suddenly they were standing inside the Professor's study.  The Professor had a quizzical expression on his face and Wolverine had one of annoyance.

Apologetically and not without a little haste Kurt started to explain.  "Sorry to disturb you Professor, but zhere is a matter of some importance ve must talk to you about."  Wolverine turned to leave, but the Professor stopped him.

"No Logan, I don't think that this is something you need to be absent for.  What is it you would like to discuss with me Sam?"  The Professor said in a knowing voice.

"I would like your guarantee that the individual in the infirmary will in no way remember me or anything that might be connected with me before he leaves here alive.  I have been told you have the ability to insure this.  However foolish you are I have come to believe that you are a man of your word.  If you guarantee that he will not remember these things I will agree to Mr. Wagner's request to leave him alive."  Logan growled from where he was standing.

"There won't be any killing in this house unless it's me doing it, get that straight right now kid, or we're going to have problems."

"Unfortunately I will have to disagree with you unless the Professor agrees to Mr. Wagner's request.  My interests will not be compromised for the foolish ideals of an old man."  Sam replied ice in his voice while delivering a glacial stare at Logan.  Logan Growled and looked as if he was about to eviscerate Sam on the spot when the Professor spoke up.

"I can and will guarantee to you that he will not remember you in any way, I hope that is sufficient for your purposes."

"I will hold you to your word then, good evening to you."  Sam turned around and walked out of the room as though he was an executive leaving a board meeting.  His stature radiated confidence and cold professionalism.

"Thank you Kurt for bringing this to me, I am glad you were able to intervene.  Now I think you should go and try to talk with Sam."  The Professor said a tone of relief evident even in his own voice.

"Are you crazy Professor, he vas going to shoot quicksilver in cold blood, he is a madman."  Kurt replied vehemently.

"Kurt, remember what we talked about the other day, he needs your help.  I can already see your influence on him.  When he first came here he would never have hesitated long enough for you to convince him I could help.  He would have moved around you and eliminated what he saw as a threat and have done with it.  To him killing Peitro is just as acceptable and probably preferable method to my altering his memory.  It is only because on some level he has started to connect with you that you were able to do what you did.  Do not give up on him, he has begun to at least respect you, and that is the first step down the road we want him to walk."

Kurt Sighed, "Ok Professor, I vill try."

"Thank you Kurt."  The Professor said and Kurt nodded before turning around to try and find the lunatic.