The Uncanny X.S.E.

Chapter 1: Bishop's Valentine

By

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer- I don't own anything, all familiar characters belong to Marvel.


Xavier's-

Sage was in her usual place in the monitor room in the Xavier Institute, overseeing the every-day coming and going of the institute's occupants.

Sage pinpointed the view of the main gates as a familiar car drove up.

Surveillance- Main Gate, Xavier Institute- 1407 Graymalkin Lane- Subject: Lucas Bishop, code-named Bishop.

Sage narrowed her eyes as she saw Bishop take something out of the car. She couldn't see what it was however, as Bishop was purposefully keeping it hidden. Her interest piqued, Sage decided to follow Bishop.

Surveillance- Xavier Institute- Camera 5- Subject: Rahne Sinclair, code-named Wolfsbane. Subject: Warlock, techno-organic being.

Bishop stopped and greeted Rahne and Warlock. He was keeping his voice down so the cameras couldn't pick up what he was saying.

'I don't even know if she likes flowers, Bishop.' Rahne said.

'Since when have you ever known her?' Warlock replied. 'You've hardly said a whole sentence to each other.'

Rahne fixed Warlock with a glare.

'But I'm sure she'll love them anyway.'

Ah, so Bishop was carrying flowers, now to see who they were for. Sage continued to watch Bishop as he made his way down the corridor.

Surveillance- Camera 18- Subject: Robert Drake, code-named Iceman. Subject: Lorna Dane, code-named Polaris. Subject: Warren Worthington III, code-named Archangel.

'Hey there Bish, those flowers for who I think they are?' Bobby asked.

Bishop merely put his finger to his lips and indicated the cameras.

'Ah, so they are for who I think…' Bobby nodded. 'It's S…'

Lorna quickly smacked Bobby upside the head, shutting him up.

'Quiet Bobby!' She hissed. 'Don't spoil the poor guy's surprise.'

'Yeah, he hardly ever gets to do stuff like this.' Warren added. 'Leave him be.'

Sage continued to observe Bishop as he neared the elevator for the lower levels.

Surveillance- Camera 39- Subject: Talia Josephine Wagner, code-named Nocturne.

'Valentine's Day is coming up soon, Bishop.' TJ said. 'You got anybody in mind?'

'I sure have.' Bishop replied. 'Have you and Rachel got anything planned?'

'Oh just a little dirty weekend down in Florida.' TJ said, a cheeky smile spreading on her face. 'We're gonna go top up our tans, amongst other things.'

Bishop chuckled at that and stepped into the elevator.

'See you later, TJ.'

'Seeya.' TJ nodded.

Sage narrowed her eyes further more. She was starting to get suspicious. Valentine's Day was less than a week away, who could the flowers be for?

Sage watched as Bishop patiently waited for the elevator to get to its destination.

The elevator stopped and two more people got in before Bishop got out.

Subject: Hank McCoy, code-named Beast. Subject: Emma Frost, co-headmaster of Xavier Institute.

Hank cleared his throat and smoothed his shirt. Emma did likewise and straightened her hair. The pair was quite red-faced and bedraggled; it was obvious that they were getting up to something in Hank's lab.

'Bishop.' Hank nodded.

'Hank, Emma.' Bishop replied as he made his way down the corridor.

The door to the Danger Room opened and Logan, Ororo and Kurt stepped out.

Surveillance- Camera 69- Subject: Logan, code-named Wolverine. Subject: Ororo Monroe, code-named Storm. Subject: Kurt Wagner, code-named Nightcrawler.

'Guten Abend, Bishop.' Kurt nodded. 'I see you got the flowers you were looking for.'

'You sure she'd like them posies?' Logan asked. 'She don't look like the type ter me.'

'Oh leave the poor man alone, Logan.' Ororo replied as she swatted Logan on the arm. 'I am sure that she will love those flowers.'

'Thanks, Ororo.' Bishop nodded. 'She in her usual place?'

'Been there all day.' Logan replied.

Sage's eyes widened in shock as she realised that Bishop was heading for the monitor room. With flowers. For her. Some living computer she was, not even being able to deduce the fact that Bishop had bought her flowers as an advance Valentine's gift.

The door to the monitor room swished open as Bishop walked in.

'Hello Sage, I've brought you something.'

Sage turned around in he chair and looked at the bouquet. Orchids, her favourite.

'Bishop, they are…'

'Flowers aren't the only things I've brought you.' Bishop said as he fished something out of his pocket.

'Tickets to the ballet.' Sage stated. 'Swan Lake.'

Bishop stood there, unsure how to continue.

Sage ran several possible replies through her mind. Should she kindly turn him down and say that she was too busy with her work in the monitor room. No, that was not applicable, Sage wasn't that cold. Perhaps she should accept the gifts, when was the last time she went out on a date? Never.

'I would be honoured to accompany you to the ballet, Lucas.' Sage said, the merest hint of a smile gracing her lips.

Bishop broke in to a he smile and grabbed Sage in a huge hug.

'Oh thank you, I'll pick you up at eight, okay?'

'Lucas, you're hugging me…'

Bishop realised what he was doing and quickly broke the hug.

'Sorry…' He winced. 'I got caught up in the moment.

'There is really no need to apologise.' Sage replied. 'I liked it.'

Bishop could hardly believe his ears, Sage enjoyed a hug!

What surprised Bishop even further was the fact that Sage stepped closer and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Nothing really to get excited about, just a quick, chaste smooch.

'I shall meet you in the foyer at eight o'clock, okay?' Sage asked.

Bishop just nodded dumbly and watched Sage walk out of the monitor room.

Sage stopped at the doorway and turned to look at Bishop.

'Are you coming? I feel like having some coffee.'

'Yeah, coffee is good…' Bishop replied, still a little shocked from the sudden turn of events.


Hellfire Club HQ, Manhattan-

The Hellfire Club was changing. The old Black Queen had reformed and joined the Fantastic Four, so the top spot was up for grabs. The one person powerful enough to grab it was Morgan LaFey, immortal sorceress and frequent sparring partner of the Avengers.

Morgan tucked a strand of her raven hair behind her ear as she looked around at her assembled Hellfire cabinet. There was her Black King, the man only known as McCoy, dark counterpart of the X-Man Beats from an alternate dimension. Then there was one of the Black Rooks, the Russian mutant known as Omega Red. Luckily, McCoy had whipped up an antidote to Omega Red's death spores, so he and Morgan weren't in any immediate danger.

'Seeing that the rest of my operatives are away on missions, I may as well begin the meeting.' Morgan said.

'About time too.' McCoy sniffed. 'I'm damn well starving. I haven't eaten in the last… hour.'

'Patience, McCoy.' Morgan replied. 'You'll get to eat soon enough. Omega Red, how are the prisoners that your fellow Black Rook sent to us?'

'Xavier, Magneto and the Morlock woman are down below.' Omega Red replied. 'Legion is quite a worthy assistant.'

'I'm sure that the Xavier kid doesn't see it that way.' McCoy snorted. 'You know how arrogant these telepaths are.'

'And where is Legion now?' Morgan asked.

'He is assisting Deathbird in Mumbai.' Omega Red replied. 'The members of X-Corp should be here soon for McCoy's experiments.'

'Excellent.' McCoy nodded. 'I've wanted to get back at my doppelganger ever since he asked form me that time.'

'And how fares young Miss Gwendolyn?' Morgan asked.

'She should be addressing the Spider at midnight.' Omega Red replied. 'Her victims are waiting down below also.'

'And to think I doubted that you could bring people back form the dead.' McCoy snorted. 'You sure showed me.'

'I have learned a few things in my time.' Morgan nodded. 'Resurrecting Legion, Deathbird and young Gwendolyn was absolutely no trouble at all. Our plan will soon be complete gentlemen, once McCoy's mind-control device is complete, Xavier and the others will be putty in our hands. To the Hellfire Club!'

McCoy and Omega Red raised their glasses in a toast.

'To the Hellfire Club!'

TBC…


Next: A New Team, A New Hellfire Club

Just as the Hellfire Club has gone through some changes, so have the Uncanny X-Men, with Nightcrawler, Cannonball and Marvel Girl elsewhere, it's up to Jubilee, Skin, Archangel and Husk to take their place.