Disclaimer: So much for the seven day waiting period. Oh well, guess you can't win them all! Anyway, here's the next chapter for the story, and be prepared for a surprise.

Chapter IV
Dirty Deeds

It was already closing time for a Boston museum, and security guard Wes Cameron was going through his nightly patrol. Many exhibits were lines across the walls, all dating as far back as when the first humans walked the Earth. Wes didn't really care much for the exhibits, save for the notion that if they were to be broken, the repairs would generally come out of his paycheck. That was really something Wes couldn't afford to happen. Again, it made no difference to Wes whatsoever, considering there was that one person roaming around the Egyptian exhibit. No one should've been there at closing time, Wes thought, and he had to confront this person.

"I'm sorry sir, but we're closing," Wes told the man. "I'm going to have to ask that you leave please."

The man turned to face Wes, appearing no older than him and with a slight smirk. "Aw, I can't stick around a little longer? I was just admiring the merchandise."

Wes didn't have a good feeling from this man and reached for his sidearm. "Again, I have to ask you to leave the building."

"Who gonna make me?" another voice said from behind Wes.

Wes turned to face an exact copy of the man he'd encounter. There was two of this guy? Make that three! A third copy appeared at Wes's left side, and another at his right. Wes didn't have a chance to defend himself as the quartet of clones beat him down. The copies rejoined the original, obviously the workings of James Madrox AKA Multiple Man, one of Magneto's former followers. He shrugged at the sight of the guard down and out on the floor.

"It's nothing personal, pal, just business." he said.

Multiple Man reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a glass cutting tool, and then placed out the glass of the exhibit he'd been observing. Inside the glass was a single amulet. It would likely have fetched Multiple a hefty sum, but that wasn't why he was stealing it. The second he started cutting the glass, an alarm sounded. The guards would be on him soon enough, so Multiple Man made copies of himself to thrown them off while he worked. As expected, the guards didn't know where or how to catch the copies and if they did, the copies simply disappeared. It bought Multiple Man more than enough time to finish the job and grab the amulet. His job done, Multiple Man made for the back exit while his copies kept the guards distracted. Once outside, Multiple Man summoned his copies back to him and left the guards confused. Multiple Man smirked at his latest triumph as he examined the amulet he'd stolen.

"This was too easy," Multiple Man said to himself. "That Essex guy owes me big time for this."

Hopping onto a motorcycle he'd recently stolen, Multiple Man sped off into the night. He was obviously at this point of his criminal career working for Nathaniel Essex. Essex apparently required the amulet for some reason or another, that much Multiple Man knew. He didn't see much reason to question why, so long as the pay was good in the long run. Then again, Multiple Man had an annoying tendency to become a little curious.

"As of now, the only reported theft was that of an artifact dating back roughly three thousand years. As for security guard Wes Cameron, he's expected to make a full recovery."

"I know that museum," said Bobby as he watched the television along with Kitty, Hank and Ororo. Warren and Jubilee were in the background, as was Emma. "My parents used to bring me and my brother there when we were kids."

"Wow, I had no idea you were into museums." Kitty said, albeit with slight sarcasm.

Bobby looked at Kitty and said, "Actually, I'm not, but I did see that artifact before."

"Judging by the artifacts intricate design," Hank added. "It appears to be of Egyptian origin, but there's no telling exactly how far it dates back."

"But who would want to steal an Egyptian artifact?" Ororo asked.

"James Madrox, also known as Multiple Man!" Emma answered.

Jubilee and Warren overheard Emma, and Jubilee asked, "How do you know that?"

Emma simply looked at Jubilee, smirked and said, "Well, I am psychic! I've been following his movements for some time."

Ororo glared at Emma and asked, "You didn't say anything earlier because…?"

"No one asked." Emma said.

"Well, what would Multiple Man want with a three thousand year old relic?" Warren asked.

"It could be any number of reasons," Hank added. "Remember that he did, at one time, rob seven banks in seven different cities."

"Unfortunately, I can't penetrate any further into his mind," Emma said. "There seems to be a series of mental barriers, similar to the ones found within our Cajun visitor."

As the group continued their discussion, none of them were aware that Rogue was eavesdropping outside the room. No one except for Emma, although she kept tight lipped about it. Rogue did happen to overhear mention of the Cajun thief that arrived recently. To her knowledge, Gambit was still being kept in confinement in the lower levels of the school. Logan was down there too, in the Danger Room. Something inside of Rogue compelled her to go there. It could've been any number of reasons.

Rogue did indeed make her way into the lower levels. She passed by the Danger Room but stopped short upon hearing a commotion. It was likely Logan going through one of his rather aggressive training sessions. Obviously, Rogue would've had a death wish if she entered, but it wasn't like she couldn't simply absorb Logan's healing factor. Yes, she was still stinging after the return of her own abilities and her decision to remain at the school. She just wondered if it was the right decision for her personally. Rogue sighed and kept walking, and she must've absentmindedly wandered into the confinement area. She could hear a very faint crackling sound, and knew it couldn't be Jubilee. A little further in and Rogue noticed a faint light inside one of the cell. There was Gambit, lounging out while flicking playing cards to the floor. Of course, said cards never touched the floor before detonating in a flash of kinetic energy. Rogue moved in a bit closer and Gambit noticed her.

"Well, hello there, Chere," he greeted. "That was a mighty nice trick you pulled off. Took my breath away!"

"Any longer and I would've taken more than your breath." Rogue pointed out.

"Touché, petite," Gambit got up from his seated position and approach the glass that separated himself from the Rogue. Taking an arrogant bow, he said, "Since I already introduced myself, you can just call me Remy, or whatever you want for that matter."

"I could call you a lot of things," Rogue said. "Why'd ya come here?"

"Now, that's an interesting question," Remy said while cocking an eyebrow. "I guess there'd be plenty of reasons. Of course, I didn't expect to find Logan here either. He and I go way back, but I suppose he don't remember. What about you, Chere? What's a pretty Southern belle like yourself doin' in a place like this?"

"I don't see how that's any of yer business, swamp rat!" Rogue spat.

"That's harsh, Chere," Remy said. "You're hurtin' my feelin's. C'mon, there must be a reason."

Rogue pulled away from the glass that separated her from Remy. Where the blazes did this Cajun get off, trying to sweet talk the poor girl? On the other hand, Remy seemed quite the charmer. Rogue couldn't help but be a little curious about him. Maybe more so than she should've been.

"I just don't have anywhere else to go." Rogue finally said.

Remy nodded to Rogue's words. "I suppose I could understand that. Tell ya what; you get me outta this here cage and I'll take you back to New Orleans with me. Gotta be betta than sittin' here, waiting for somethin' to happen."

Again, Rogue thought about multiple things at once, until she heard a grunting noise. She turned toward the entrance way, as did Remy. There was Logan. His clothes appeared shredded at various areas, particularly around the chest area. An awkward silence filled the cell block. Rogue glanced back at Remy, then to Logan and back at Remy. Finally she decided to leave of course that didn't stop Logan from cocking an eyebrow.

"You okay, kid?" he asked.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I was just leavin'," Rogue said, and then she quickly added, "I meant, I was goin' to back upstairs."

Logan let Rogue pass by him and then glared at Remy. Remy said, "I guess you done good for yourself, Logan."

"Yeah, well, do yourself a favor and stay away from Rogue, you got that, bub?" Logan said.

"C'mon, I was just having a friendly chat with the girl," Remy claimed. "There ain't nothin' wrong with that, I don't think."

"Whatever, just don't say a damned thing to her, got it?" Logan asked before taking his leave.

Before Logan did leave, Remy shouted, "Ya ain't still scared of flying, are ya?"

Logan stopped just short of the entrance way and snarled at the comment. He'd remember if he were aviophobic, which of course he didn't remember. Ignoring the captive Cajun, Logan kept going and the automatic doors shut behind him. Logan wondered if Rogue was still present but she was long gone. He still had her scent but thought better of trying to confront her about Remy. Better to just leave her be for the time being.

Warren Sr. stared out the window of his office, looking out into the blue sky. He wondered if his son was flying among the clouds. Warren Sr. wouldn't know either way. Warren Jr. hadn't spoken to him since the events at Alcatraz, outside of the fact that he'd joined the X-Men. Warren Sr. still felt compelled to save his son from his mutation. His thoughts then shifted to the mutant population. Half of the populous would likely want to take the Legacy cure for the sake of being normal, while the other half would likely take about the same measures as the Brotherhood. Then Warren Sr. had to contend with the rumors of a mutant serving as his bodyguard. Painfully ironic for a man who claimed to want to help mutants. Those rumors were very much true, and that was something Warren Sr. couldn't allow to be made public. As he thought, Warren Sr. heard a faint knock on his office. His secretary entered the office.

"Excuse me, Mr. Worthington," she said in a slightly sheepish tone. "Carol Danvers is here to see you."

"Alright, send her in please." Warren Sr. said.

The secretary nodded, opened the door ever so slightly and another woman wearing a brown trench coat entered the office. That wasn't before she shot a glance at the secretary, scaring her off. The woman was exceptionally tall and beautiful with long blonde hair going passed her shoulders. But that was it. The expression on her face spoke volumes of some unspoken resentment, though it was a question of to whom that resentment was directed. The seemingly cold expression was more that enough for Warren Sr. to identify the woman as Carol Danvers.

"Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Carol." Warren Sr. greeted.

Carol Danvers seemed less enthused by the sheepishness of the greeted. "Save the Meet n' Greet routine, Worthington. I'm only here under orders of my superiors," Carol took a seat in front of Warren's desk. "So, it's come to my attention that you're producing a new cure. Legacy, was it?"

Warren Sr. sat at his desk. "That's right! I'm sure you'll understand that I'm still somewhat obligated to help the mutant community any way I can."

"Obligated?! That's a good one," Carol said. "You've obviously forgotten what happened on Alcatraz Island."

"Not quite forgot so much remembered, which is why I sent for you," Warren Sr. said. "The new cure will be going into production at my main pharmaceutical factory on Roosevelt Island. Needless to say, it's raised some concern from the mutant community."

"You're worried about a possible repeat of Alcatraz. I'm sure you're aware that Magneto was injected with a heavy dose of the older cure," Carol pointed out. "My superiors doubt that he's at all a credible threat anymore."

"There are still those loyal to Magneto, and that has me concerned," Warren Sr. continued. "The location of the factory hasn't been made public but Magneto's old group is bound to find out somehow. I need you to be ready if and when that happens."

Carlo simply balked at the request from Warren Sr. "I'm not some mutant guard dog you can order around on a whim."

"Please, Carol," Warren Sr. requested. "I cannot risk another incident like from Alcatraz."

Carol sighed heavily and rose from her seat. She leaned over the desk, fists on the tabletop and glared at Warren Sr. "I'll do it, but only because I'll be orders from my superiors."

Carol began to make her way out of the office when Warren Sr. called out, "One more thing, Carol, before you leave."

"What?"

"If you happen to encounter my son, please don't hurt him," Warren Sr. requested. It sounded sincere. "He may be a mutant but he isn't part of this."

An indifferent Carol simply said, "No promises!"

Carol stormed out of the office, leaving Warren Sr. alone with his thoughts. As ever, his thoughts fell to his son. Warren Sr. still felt compelled to help Warren Jr. anyway he could. The whole reason he made the original cure was for the wellbeing of his child. He was basically doing what any parent would do for their child. At the same time, Warren Sr. began to question if his actions were the right ones. Then there was Carol Danvers. Warren Sr. admittedly knew little about her, outside of the fact that she was a mutant working for a top secret government agency. Whatever sort of abilities she possessed, coupled with that temper, would've made for a very disturbing combination. Warren Sr. wondered if she could be entirely trusted, if at all.

Author's note: Surprised? Well, you probably already saw it coming and that's cool! Anyway, let me know what you think so far. For those of itching and scratching to see Apocalypse, please try to be patient!