The Logical Exception

{ Chapter 16 - Arrival of the Rook }

"Our ride is here," Logan announced to the other. He maintained a confident and authoritative voice, though Virgil didn't miss the shaking of his hands. "Please make sure you have everything you need, because we may not be able to make it back here for a while." Logan grabbed his backpack after putting his computer into it, running his hand through his hair and adjusting his tie once more.

"And why can't we come back here?"

He sighed, Roman, an absolute paragon of stupidity. "After we rescue Morality and Sleep we will be running away from two of the fiercest people on this planet. They will not stop until we are hunted down and dead, do you honestly believe that we will be safe returning to this house?"

Roman opened his mouth, but for once in his life, shut it immediately afterward.

"Thank you," Logan whispered to himself before turning to walk out of the door, earning a smirk from Deceit and a look for worry from Anxiety. He didn't notice either. It was hard enough controlling his emotions when the chaos in his head was screaming that he needed to deal with the problem that was now Remus, he didn't need Roman questioning his every move.

"Logan, wait up." Anxiety came running down the stairs after him, already packed and ready to go, wanting to help Patton as soon as possible. "Why do you let him get under your skin?"

Another sigh. He had promised to answer every question that Anxiety asked him as long as it didn't directly address his secret, but this teetered in a gray area. "Roman reminds me of someone I used to know, in many ways. I guess his headstrong personality makes it difficult for me to think clearly."

"It never seemed to bother you before...."

"Yes, well pain does act very much against the task of subduing emotions." Logan took off his glasses, stopping to rub his eyes. "I have spent years having to repress my emotions so that my powers will not go out of control. Powers grow with age and where you gained your powers late and life through the experimentation of others, I was born with my powers. Their potency has only continued to grow."

"Wouldn't it have been better to, I don't know, talk about your emotions with someone rather than trying to suppress them."

Logan slipped his glasses back on and Virgil could almost see the hint of a sad smile behind his hand. "There was a time when I had that option, when I was free to express my anger and sadness in a more appropriate manner. However, my circumstances changed and I have been coping in this way, I am not sure that there is a way for things to return to the way they were."

He continued to walk forward and Anxiety grabbed his hand. "I mean as long as you don't betray us, you can talk to me about it. I'm pretty well versed in the overwhelming emotions category."

Virgil gave him a slight smirk and Logan could almost feel the tension melting away. He shook his head, not allowing himself to become complacent, but the words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop them. "I don't think I could betray that smile."

Pulling his hand from Virgil's, Logan turned to walk to the car, leaving a blushing mess behind him.

"Sir Logan,"

"Please don't call me that, I am no longer associated with that family or that title. I would prefer you simply address me as Logan."

"Really? I can drop the formalities."

"Yes, please." He said, trying to get his bag into the back of the van.

"Well then, do you how do new friend?" He said, holding out his hand. "I'm Emile Picani."

Logan shook his hand. "I know Emile, I have known you for years."

"Yes, but you didn't get to know the real me. I've always wanted the chance to really get to know you Logan. You can rely on me!" He gasped, "Like Kenai and Koda, just with less betrayal and lost family members."

Logan didn't respond, thankfully hearing Anxiety make his way over.

"Oh, hello, I'm Emile Picani, who are you?"

The voices faded out of his thoughts as Logan prepared the trunk. He didn't know what kind of state Sleep would be in when they got him but he knew that Morality would be weak, unable to sit up on his own and probably not conscious. Having an area prepared in the back of the van would mean being able to take care of both of them better. Logan also pulled out a few water bottles, making sure to Velcro them to the floor so they wouldn't roll around while Picani was driving.

"Alright nerd, we are ready to go," Roman said from his seat. It looked as if everyone was buckled in. Taking in a deep breath Logan nodded, looking at his still shaking hands. One crisis at a time. They had to rescue Morality and Sleep, then he had to make sure they were both in a healthy state, then he could finally worry about silencing Remus. Was it too late? Would it really change things?

He sat in his chair, seatbelt on as he closed his eyes and tried to push the thoughts out of his head. Infiltrate the base, find the captives, get out. It was as simple as that, though Logan knew nothing was ever that simple in actuality. He had planned for as much of this as he could but there were so many variables. He didn't want to be going into this without further information, but his parents would know that he had found out about Morality, would they have any use for him? Was he even still alive? No, he couldn't let that thought cross his mind. He couldn't fail this.

The car lurched to a stop, "Do you have your exit buddy?" Picani asked and Logan heard Virgil chuckle softly.

"Pats going to love him." It must have been a reference that Logan simply didn't understand.

"Alright, does everyone remember the plan?"

They said yes in unison and Logan nodded, quickly getting out of the car, trying not to wince as he put weight on his bad leg. Pain was temporary, and hopefully, this would all be over soon.

AN: Was the chapter title a bit weird? I normally know what to title these things but I was struggling with this one. I kind of wanted to keep the chess theming that I have but I didn't want to call Picani a pawn because... reasons. So I went with the idea of him being a Rook, partially because he isn't normally involved in any of the actual illegal stuff so he is kind of a Rookie and also because a Rook can move all the way across the board in one move if given the proper space.

I don't know, I'm not 100% sold on it.