The torture was quite evocative. When I was reading it, it felt like it was going on forever (not in a dragging way but in a so-full-of-emotion-and-detail way). But then I went back and looked at it and was surprised at its length.

Author's Response: What a compliment! Yeah, to be honest, I had a vague notion of Logan and Marie having to take advantage of a brief window of touchability eventually, and that's why I put in the two-hour delay until the collar kicks in. And then I realized I had written myself into a corner, and had to make it seem reasonable that two hours pass from the time they take collar off Marie until the time she takes them down. I felt like the torture was getting repetitive, but I wanted to make sure it seemed to fill the appropriate time span. Thanks for your review!

I so look forward to Marco's imminent demise...Slow and painful, right, just like Logan promised... --Wendie

Author's Response: Well, we didn't actually see Marco's demise, but we can just assume that he'll suffer agonies trapped in Marie's head. And even if it was fast, her mutation still seems like a pretty painful way to go.

Eek! Gore. Thanks for the nightmares. But you get muchos props for realism, there. As a reader I could really *feel* Logan getting tortured. Yay him for holding out. God, I just want to cuddle him or something.

He watched helplessly as the light of hope died from her eyes, replaced by a look of utter betrayal. She began to fight like a dervish, kicking her stockinged feet against his legs, turning her head to try to bite his wrist, jerking against the cuffs until the scent of her blood tinged the air.

Whew, badass Marie is right. It would take some serious guts to put up that kind of fight when you're so clearly at someone else's mercy. She and Logan are perfectly matched in this story! I can't wait to see them bring down the baddies together.

Overall, this chapter was grisly and disturbing and actually quite difficult to read at times--which is exactly what it was supposed to be, I expect. Here's to hoping Marie drops that Wolvie-torturing bastard and saves the day =D.

Author's Response: Aw, sorry for the gore. I think I overcompensated...I think we get so used to thinking of Logan as invulnerable to all harm, we forget that he actually even feels the pain. I wanted to make it clear that he still feels pain, and that without his healing he is as vulnerable as anyone. I also wanted to make it clear that time was passing (because I knew I wanted a lag before powers kick in after the collar comes off) so it went on a bit.rnrnIt's funny, I just went back and made edits to make Marie a little more tough/prickly in subsequent chapters. If I'm going to live up to the inspiration (Matilda in "The Professional") she's got to be that weird mix of street-toughened and gutsy but underneath kind of innocent and sweet. I haven't seen that movie in awhile, but I keep thinking of that scene where Matilda walks right past the apartment where her whole family had just been murdered and stands in front of Leon's door, appearing cool but frantic inside. I think that's what I want for this Marie -- someone who acts smart and tough when she needs to, but it does take a toll on her.

OMG.

That is crazy intense...or just tense. And a horribly cruel place to end it. :(

Marie to save the day! Okay, I really like that twist. It's kind of like they're saving each other. Without him, she wouldn't have gotten free and now without her he won't. I really, really hope that they don't both end up in a lab somewhere or something. I'd love for them to go on a quest to find Jubilee and Kitty. And OW. Oh, Logan. What a horrible man Marco is. ::shudder::

I know you said it'll be slow going and I'll try to be patient, but I hope the next chapter squeezes its way out swiftly. Otherwise I'll just imagine all manner of horridness that I hope won't happen.

Great story, btw!

Author's Response: Aw, sorry for the cliffhanger. I just can't figure out where to end chapters otherwise. I think you'll really like the next chapter, it's my favorite so far. ;-) Just for you, I promise I'll post it tomorrow at the latest.

Wow, that was intense. I wonder how Marco knew it was a set up. I wonder if there isn't a telepath helping him somewhere. The text seemed to correspond with Logan formulating his return plan. Marco must be letting Logan heal some while he is passed out.

Hopefully Marie can drop them both and get some information about the organization while saving Logan.

I am really enjoying the way you are playing this out. I am interested to see who ends up having Kitty and Jubliee and if this group leads Logan to them or if Marco is just a middle man. Good Luck with chapters 5 & 6.

Author's Response: Yeah, sorry, I didn't want to be too gory for gory-ness's sake (nice word, huh?), but I did want it to make it clear that Logan was very, very injured and in mortal danger. I think we're all so conditioned to think that he's invulnerable that it takes a lot to drive home the point of his vulnerability once his healing is taken away. I think it'll be clear in the next chapter that poor Logan is getting no breaks to heal. He's just one tough motherf*cker. My husband very kindly supplied me with the Big Bad for this fic, so hooray for having *some* idea where this is going!

wow. wasn't expecting that. I feel bad saying I loved it. But it was great. exciting and fun (in a twisted way). I can't wait to see what happens next! More please.. soon!

Author's Response: Yeah, poor Logan. It's amazing how vulnerable he is once the healing gets taken away. You know me, I'm sure I'll get the next chapter posted way earlier than I should. ;-)