Sorry everyone that this has taken so long to update. I have dealt with holidays, stress, illness, and now tech nazis who have blocked my computer at work from the net and blocked it from disk drives. So, I have been having an entertaining time losing information as I tried to find a way to post again. I have found a way but it's slow and annoying. Therefore I will not be posting as often as I would like. Right now, I am going to try to update each story at least once a week.

Again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

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Chapter 9

Star quickly searched the mansion, seeking Wolverine. He found the older man in the weight room and walked over to him, stating without preamble, "I found him."

The older man quickly stood, the weight in his hand dropping unnoticed. "How? Where?"

"I am not sure where. I saw him on the television. I have memorized the numbers on the channel box and the digital clock."

Without another word, the short Canadian led the way out of the gym to the computer room where he yelled for Hank over the intercom. It seemed forever before the blue furred doctor came in and Shatterstar almost growled in his impatience. Julio was so close yet still unreachable. They had to find him.

Eventually the scientist entered the room, an inquiring look on his face and Star immediately spoke up, wishing to waste no more time. "I saw Julio on the television, channel 30, immediately prior to 2:37."

The other man seemed taken aback by the information given him so rapid fire and abruptly, however, neither warrior was in any mood to be understanding. "What're ya waitin' for, Blue? Get on the computer 'nd find out what the hell was on at that time." Logan gestured impatiently to the chair and Hank immediately moved to it, watching the two men warily as if they were rabid animals.

In a calmer moment, Shatterstar may have been more understanding but at the moment, all he could think of was that his flame was somewhere out there and Hank did not seem to be moving quickly enough. It seemed an eternity but was in reality only a few short minutes before the large screen showed the news clip he had been watching and he saw Julio again. The picture was gritty and indistince, not well-filmed at all but Star knew it was him. He would know his flame anywhere.

The healer, however, did not seem convinced. "I can not verify that it is truly Julio. The picture is from a security camera and at a bad angle. Let me try to clear it up and enhance the picture some."

"NO!" Shatterstar brought his fist down on the console, startling the other man. "It is him. There is no need for a better picture, only a location. Find where this was filmed!"

Hank recoiled in fear, looking over at Logan as if for help but none was to be found. "You heard him, get us a location. NOW!"

The furred mutant smelled of fear as he began to type desperately on the keyboard. Satisfied that the other man now felt the proper amount of urgency, Star stepped over to the comm unit, calling up Kurt's comm unit which they referred to as a cell phone. The smaller boy answered before the first ring was complete. "Star?"

"We have a location."

"I vill meet you at ze Blackbird." The phone went dead instantly but Shatterstar was not surprised. Kurt was almost as anxious as he was.

True to his word, the blue furred mutant appeared in the plane wearing his uniform just as Logan and Shatterstar climbed in, armored and ready to go. The Professor had tried to get them to wait for the others, had even suggested that they wait until Hank had refined the picture to make sure it was truly Julio. "The picture is not good enough for positive identification. There are hundreds of young men with long brown hair out there."

Star had wanted to howl and his voice rose alarmingly in his rage. "It is him. I am sure of it."

Charles had continued to try to soothe him. "Star, I know you miss him a great deal and there is the possibility you are seeing what you are wanting to see..."

He did not get the chance to analyse further as Shatterstar's voice grew futher in volume and tone, reaching into a range that made the glass around the room shake. "I know my flame! I will go to him with your help or through you if I must!"

The telepath had looked around nervously at that moment. It was the first time he had been exposed to Shatterstar's true mutant power. His accelerated healing and fast reflexes were standard in every gladiator. The copper haired man, however, was capable of emitting sonic waves which he usually only used as focussed blasts through the unique metal of his swords. It was not something he did often as he found it physically draining but at this moment, in his rage, his desire to lash out, he did not restrain it.

Luckily, however, the older man had seen the wisdom of allowing the warriors to go without further arguement and now the three of them were flying toward some place called Colorado.

It took several hours to get there and, during that time, Kurt had demanded to know what they had found so Star passed the time describing the short video clip he had seen. It had been at an angle but there he had been shown sitting in a parking lot for several moments. Suddenly, there had been an explosion off camera and a shadowy figure had reached down, pulling Julio to his feet and leading him off somewhere. Shatterstar had been unable to see any details of the figure nor did he care. If whoever held Julio hurt him, they would die. Shatterstar swore it.

They landed in a clearing a little ways away from the town and Logan pushed his mask back, hiding it down the back of a black leather coat. Star wrapped a long coat around himself, to hide the swords and white Cadre uniform he wore while Kurt merely turned on the inducer. There was not reason to call undue attention to themselves as it would only delay them and let their prey know they were coming.

The three men travelled quickly and silently through the woods until they came to the edge of town where they slowed down to a quick walk. Upon reaching the parking lot where the newscaster had said the film had been taken, Kurt cursed in frustration while the two older men growled in annoyance. The entire block was cordoned off. Men in dark, official looking uniforms were swarming over the area and there was no way the three of them could enter unnoticed. Though, with Wolverine, they did not need to. It just would have been easier if they could have gone directly to the place the television had shown Julio sitting.

Glancing around to make sure no one was paying them attention, the three men quickly slipped into an alley. Logan led them through dim passages, crouching low to the ground seeking the Mexican's scent while Kurt and Star kept an eye out for any witnesses.

Suddenly, Logan stopped an knealt, lowering his face close to the ground. The grin he flashed the two younger men made Star go weak. Nothing had to be said, the smile communicated it all. Logan had found Julio's scent. Star had been right and his flame had been here. Their pace quickened as Logan followed the scent through a maze of alleyways until none of the three could have correctly guessed what direction the plane was. But that did not matter. What mattered was that Julio was ahead of them, almost within Star's reach.

Looking down at the younger man walking beside him, Star noticed Kurt's eyes contained fear as well as hope and the large man lay an arm around his shoulders comfortingly. He shared the same fears. What if Julio was hurt? What if he had retreated inside himself?

On the video, Julio had not moved with his usual grace. He had almost been like a sleep walker and the shadowy form had obviously been urging him to move. What if Julio had turned off the outside world again? Shatterstar's free hand clenched. It would not matter. He had brought Julio back once and he would do so again. No matter what he had to do, Star would not be separated from Julio, would not lose him. He would find his flame.

The trail led out into the woods and Star frowned. Julio did not like the wilderness. He would not have come out here of his free will. His flame would have stayed in the cities or along the roads. The fact that the trail led deeper in the woods meant someone else was in control. The copper-haired warrior reached back and lightly fingered the hilts of his blades.

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Julio and Adam had travelled all day and Julio was really beginning to feel sorry for the other man. He could easily tell that the blonde warrior could have moved much faster and quieter without him tagging along but the large man never said a word, did not complain or berate him. At least they did not have to stop for rest. Julio may not have been in best of shape, but he was getting there, thanks to Kurt and Star.

Even so, he was more than ready when Adam called a halt at dusk. Setting up the tent quickly, the blonde man gave Julio a few minutes privacy as he went back along their trail, trying to hide it as much as possible. When he returned, Julio had already inside the tent and had water and protein bars ready for his companion. The blonde took them gratefully and they fell into companionable silence until they finished eating.

Afterwards, however, the atmosphere became tense as Adam stripped down to just a t-shirt and jeans before sliding into the one sleeping bag. Julio eyed it warily, not liking the sleeping arrangement, not trusting himself and, at the moment, even after all he had done, not trusting Adam. The blue-eyed man though, quietly defused the situation. "Julio, I swore to keep you safe until you reached your lover, that means keeping you safe from myself as well. Come, I am tired and it is cold and we have still a long way to go tomorrow."

Julio smiled slightly to himself, his trust of the other man returning. He was just too much like Star for Julio not to believe him when he promised things like that. So, he stripped down to a t-shirt and jeans as well and crawled into the bag, facing away from Adam who, respectfully, also turned away so they were sleeping back to back.

Sometime in the night, Julio's nightmares returned and he found himself wrapped in strong, hard arms as the terrifying memories receeded slowly. Turning to the large body beside him, Julio began to nuzzle at the long hair, blindly seeking the warm skin beneath. The smaller man smiled at the sharp intake of breath as he found Star's strong neck and nipped at it slightly.

Suddenly, Julio was pushed away and his eyes flew open, crying out in confusion. Why was Star doing this, especially here in this dark place.

"Julio." His name was said in a voice rough with desire which confused Julio futher. Why was he being pushed away when his lover obviously wanted him. "Wake up, it was just a dream. Now it's time to wake up."

Their was something wrong with the voice as he continued to listen to it. It was not Star's low growl, it was a lighter tone. Suddenly, Julio realized what he had almost done and he recoiled in shame. "I'm sorry, Adam. I didn't mean...I just...sometimes...I'm sorry."

Adam reached and lay a hand on his shoulder. The gesture an offer of support and nothing more. "It was just a dream, Julio, you can not be held responsible for your reactions to a dream."

The brunette nodded, grasping at the excuse, grateful that Adam was letting it go so easily. If the blonde had not been so honorable...Julio shivered at how close he had come to betraying Star.

"Julio, lay down and go back to sleep. You need what little rest you can get." The source of Adam's voice had changed position and was somewhat muffled, telling Julio that the large blonde had lain back down and was facing away once again.

Reassured and grateful for the consideration, Julio lay down again, careful not to touch the body so near his and closed his eyes. Tomorrow, he would tell Adam to get him to a city. If he could reach a phone, he could call the mansion and Logan would come get him. He was sure of it. The older man would even bring Star with him and Julio would be with his lover again and everything would be alright again.