Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story but Allegra.. I know, it's a bit of a Mary Sue, but I couldn't help it. Originally written in 1998.
When Worlds Collide Part 1
"I still don't know why I can't go with you." The young raven-haired woman asked, lighting a cigarette. She was speaking to the older gentleman she was sitting with in the back of the limousine as it was speeding down the highway. He took the cigarette from her and threw it out the window.
"Allegra, I told you not to smoke in the limo before. And you cannot go with us because you're not ready for a mission of this magnitude. How many times do I have to explain this?" "As many times as it takes to get you to let me go. It's as simple as that." She looked down at the cigarette pack she was holding and decided against lighting another, for fear the Professor would throw it out the window again. "Smart girl." he mumbled, and she returned his comment with a dirty look.
"Listen, Allegra, it won't be so bad at Wayne Manor. You'll have all you could ask for there and Gotham High Society to play with. Remy shall be there, too."
"You're leaving Remy behind to baby-sit me? How sweet." she said, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Not to baby-sit, just to make sure you don't get yourself into trouble. He also needs a break since his last run-in with DeathStrike. Just think of this as a nice, expensive vacation, Allegra. That's all."
"I'll try."
The car pulled off the main road and into a large gated area. Looking beyond the gate, Allegra could see one of the largest estates she had ever seen before. Its size and grandeur rivalled even the Professor's estate where are had lived for the last two years.
"Gods, it's beautiful." she mumbled as the gates opened onto the road leading through an emerald green expanse of lawn that was almost the size of a football field. At the other end, a large mansion sat, impregnable to natural destruction, at least Allegra believed.
As their car pulled up to the massive front doors, two people emerged from them. The older was the epitome of the proper British gentleman's butler, the younger a strikingly handsome twenty-something in a cut-off Tee shirt and tight, worked-in jeans. His hair was close-cropped brown, but it just enhanced his face and bright smile.
I could definitely have fun. Allegra let slip telepathically. The Professor glared at her.
"Allegra." he replied, warningly.
"Just kidding Professor." she said with a sweet little girl smile. He didn't buy it for a minute, and she knew it.
The older gentleman opened the door to the limousine as it came to a stop in front of him. The Professor got out of the car and shook his hand.
"Alfred! How have you been?" the Professor said as he grasp his hand.
"Just fine, Professor. I should like to introduce you to Master Dick Grayson. Master Dick, this is Professor Charles Xavier, headmaster of the School for the Exceptionally Gifted. Professor Xavier, this is Dick Grayson, Master Bruce's ward." the older gentleman, Alfred, said with a curt, proper British accent.
"And general pain in the ass," the young man said with a wide grin. "At least that's what Alfred thinks most of the time."
"Well, nice to meet you, my boy. You should get along with one of my students quite well." the Professor said, also with a wide grin. "Allegra, come along, my dear."
She stepped out of the car with calculated moves and steps that would make a devout Southern Baptist forget his God.
"So nice to meet you, Alfred. And you, what was it? Oh yes, Dick. I think I like Grayson better." Allegra said, shaking their hands in turn. The Professor glared at her, then turned to go inside.
"Shall we?" he said, motioning to everyone.
"Of course, Professor." Alfred said with his crisp accent.
Allegra had her breath taken away yet again by the grandeur of the interior of the mansion. It was not overbearing, yet it almost oozed of ultimate class. Allegra had been in places like this a few times before, but it was usually when she was on a job for the Shop. This was the first time she took notice of her surroundings without looking for a quick exit.
They were walking from the foyer into the parlour when the Professor spoke again.
"So where is Bruce? At the office still?"
"Yes, Professor. They are working on a take-over of a smaller company today. He said he shall be here at dinner, though." Alfred said.
"Well, by that time the rest of my students should be here, so we'll have a bit of time to discuss matters before I leave in the morning."
"Why are you leaving so soon?" Dick asked, trying to ignore the way Allegra walked.
"This is just a stopover trip for all of us, except Allegra and Remy. They are to be guests here at the Manor until I return."
"Where are you headed?"
"Ah. I'd rather not discuss that right now." the Professor looked evasively at Allegra.
"He won't tell you in front of me." Allegra spoke as Dick looked towards her. "He doesn't want me to know so I won't try to follow them when they leave. He's obstinate like that." She pulled out a cigarette and looked at Alfred. "Is it alright if I smoke in here?"
"Yes, miss. Just let me get you an ashtray." Alfred said, then promptly disappeared down the hall.
"Anyway," Allegra began, "he probably won't tell you anyhow."
"And why is that?" Dick asked as she lit up a cigarette.
"Because," the Professor answered for her, "she would glean it from your thoughts. Watch the one, Dick. Not only is she annoying when she doesn't get her way, she is also telepathic. It makes for an irritating combination."
"Oh, Professor." Allegra said in a sweet voice. "Don't ruin all my mystery so quickly. It'll make the next few weeks so much more interesting if he doesn't know all my secrets." she smiled slyly.
"Anything else I need to know about you?" Dick said, grinning.
"Oh yes, I am evil," she said with the same smile, "in a sweet little seductive way, of course."
"She so modest," a tall, auburn-haired man said as he walked into the room. His thick bayou accent proclaimed the fact the he was Cajun. "That's why I adore her."
"Remy!" Allegra exclaimed, jumping to her feet like a school girl. "I thought you'd never get here!"
"Bonjour, ma'tite." Remy said with a wide smile. "Sorry I'm late Professor. 'Te rest are behind me a bit. We had a small problem wit 'te car, but Logan dun fixed it." He was then pummelled by Allegra hugging him.
"Don't worry about it, Remy. I'd like to introduce you to Dick Grayson, once Allegra finishes her hello." The Professor said as he stood.
"Uhff." Remy grunted as Allegra released her grip. "Cher, you know I got some ribs still out of whack. Take it easy." He backed away a step, holding his ribs.
"Oh, Remy." Allegra said, covering her mouth dramatically. "I'm so sorry! I forgot." She put on her best little girl face. "Do you forgive me?" She stuck out her bottom lip for emphasis.
"Of course, cher." Remy said, equally dramatic. "Now, let's meet dis young man." He put out his hand to Dick.
"I'm known as Remy LeBeau. Even though dey sometimes call me Gambit."As Dick returned the handshake, Remy pulled one of his cards out of a side pocket and charged it with his power. "I gots what my tante called de dark one's own luck." He released the charge on the playing card and slipped it back in his pocket.
"They both have a flair for the dramatic, Dick. Don't let them get to you too badly." the Professor said.
"No problem, Professor." Dick said, then turned back to Remy.
"Nice to meet you, Remy. I've heard a lot about you."
"They is all lies, Dick. Don't you believe none of it." Remy said, laughing and patting Dick on the back. "I just got one question, Michie. Where can I git a drink 'round here?"
"I can help you with that, Master Remy," Alfred said, seeming to appear out of nowhere with Allegra's ashtray.
"I was wonderin' where you was goin' ta pop up from, Alfred." Remy said as he went to shake Alfred's hand. "How are you?"
"I am quite well, Master Remy. You are looking a bit worse for wear, though." Alfred replied, taking his hand.
"Nothin' I can't stand, anyways." Remy said with a grin. Alfred showed him to the bar and he helped himself.
"Where are the others, Alfred?" the Professor asked when Remy got settled.
"They asked to be shown to their rooms, Professor."
"That sounds like a good idea." the Professor said, going towards the stairs. "Could you show us ours?"
"It would be my pleasure, Professor. Please follow me."
~~~~~
Alfred opened the carved oak door to Allegra's room and her breath was taken away again. Two large-paned floor to ceiling windows lit the room, scattering light through the pale gauze curtains surrounding the huge four-poster bed. All of the furniture was done in heavy, dark oak while the colours everywhere were ivory and grey.
"Is this adequate, Miss Allegra?" Alfred asked, placing her two lightest bags on the floor beside the bed.
"More than adequate. Thank you, Alfred." Allegra replied hazily. Allegra turned when she heard mild cursing and heavy breathing coming up to her door. Dick appeared in the doorway, struggling with all the rest of her bags.
"Alfred, why did you have to put her on the third floor? My back's killing me!" he said between breaths.
"You'll recover, Master Dick. I'm sure of that." Alfred said, taking the bags one by one from him. "Besides, you need the exercise. Not much has been going on for the past few weeks." Alfred hid a smile as he said this.
"Exercise? Yeah, right." Dick mumbled, then thought to himself that it was more like torture in a Turkish prison.
Allegra picked up on this and replied, "No, Grayson, Turkish prisons are completely different." as she unzipped one of her suitcases.
"What?!" he started, not understanding at first.
"You should expect me to pick up on such things, Grayson. After all, the Professor did warn you about me." She turned and gave him a wide smile. He looked like he was about to say something, but then thought better of it and stormed out of the room.
Allegra began unpacking, with Alfred's help. She stopped short and said, "Alfred, I have to apologise."
"For what, Miss Allegra?"
"For being such a spoiled little girl I've been taking out my frustration on you and Grayson."
"Nothing to apologise for, Miss Allegra. I have to say, confidentially, that I enjoy your antics much more than Master Dick's most days." he smiled at her.
"Thank you, Alfred. I just didn't want you to get the wrong opinion of me right off. I just can't believe the Professor is leaving me behind to twiddle my thumbs while everyone else gets to run around doing whatever they please. I have more field experience than most of them!" She stamped her foot in frustration, then realised she had probably said too much. Alfred didn't seem to notice her calm up quickly.
"Are you tired, Miss Allegra? Dinner is not until seven thirty, so you could take a short nap." he said, gathering the last of Allegra's things and putting them away.
"Actually, Alfred, that sounds absolutely divine. I think I will. Could you wake me up about six or so?"
"Of course, Miss Allegra. It's not a problem."
~~~~~
More to come in Part 2! Please review!