Eric stood up and peered out of his window, "They asked for power and I gave it to them. Say what you will about those boys, but they have determination. They have the necessary will to survive."

Logan let out a low feral growl, "When?"

Eric placed his hands behind his back, "If I recall correctly, shortly after the boys attempted to expose mutants at a soccer match."

Xavier shook his head, "Was this another attempted at your Cauldron?"

Eric shook his head, "No Charles the effects of the Cauldron are chaotic at best. I returned to the basics of genetics and discovered a way to bring out a mutants latent talents."

Logan's face twitched in anger, "Why did you stop with the boys? Why didn't you try it on those Acolytes?"

Eric sighed, "It seems Mr. Alvers' temperament far out weighs his destructive capabilities. When it didn't appear to work he destroyed my lab and the only sample I had made."

Xavier furrowed his brow, "Why not make more?"

Eric shrugged, "I assumed it was a failure, so I abandoned all work." He paused for a moment, "Before you ask, they are genetically stable if somewhat unethical in nature."

Logan shook his head, "What about long term effects?"

Eric smirked, "I assume we'll have to wait for those." He then turned towards Xavier, "Charles I will be leaving your institute shortly, I appreciate your hospitality but I feel that I may have outstayed my welcome."

Xavier only nodded, "I understand Eric. I am sad too see you go."

Eric turned back to meet Xavier's gaze, "Tell Dr. McCoy he may have my notes."

-A few days later in the living room-

Anna lied against Pietro's chest as they sat on the couch. They enjoyed each other's company as they watched some meaningless game, or so it seemed. Every so often she would steal a peek at the silver-haired speedster. This of course did not go unnoticed to Pietro

He leaned his head on top of hers, "What's wrong?"

She sighed, "Ah'm just thinkin' about mama."

He peeked an eyebrow and nodded, "Uh huh."

She looked up into his eyes, "Do ya ever think about her?"

He shook his head, "What are you trying to hint at?"

She sat up and took in all of his features, "Ah'm just saying, ah know how she can be. She can speak in a way that will make ya believe every word that comes out of her mouth."

He tried to look back at the TV, "Listen I know where this is going, so just stop. We'll both be better off."

She leapt out off the couch and pointed an accusing finger at him, "She used ya Pietro! That's what she does, she uses people!"

Pietro got up and stared into her eyes, "Used me? She didn't use me. You think I didn't know what was going on? Do you think she tricked me into something I didn't want to do? It was something I wanted!"

Anna glared at the speed demon, "So what? Ya were experimenting with her?"

Pietro threw his hand into the air; "I was experimental. I didn't want to limit myself to the possibility of missing that one person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I didn't know what I wanted until we, you and me, got together and then I was satisfied! With you! Not her or anyone else, just you."

She took a step towards him, "Why would ya need to go through so many people?"

Pietro shook his head, "Why do you need to question a good thing?"

Anna glared at him, "Ya know when ah first met ya, ah thought ya were the biggest jerk in the world. You haven't changed at all!"

He crossed his arms and smirked, "Still am, you just like to pretend I'm not."

She began to storm off out of the room, "Go to hell Pietro!"

Pietro sat down on the couch, "Been there, wasn't impressed!"

-Meanwhile in the Kitchen-

Lance and Piotr were sitting at the table having a drink. Lance sat across from Piotr as he pulled out a bottle of Russian Vodka and began to pour it into to two glasses.

Lance took a swig of vodka, "Piotr once the thrill of being married to a stripper is gone all you're left with is a wife who always has change for a five."

Piotr nodded, "Dah, Katya was very mad at you comrade."

Lance shook his head, "You have no idea. Kitty's gone nuclear. The wife is making me see things I don't want to see."

Piotr took a long drink from his glass, "What do you mean comrade?"

Lance sighed, "I married a mutant stripper in Vegas. Even better she's Mastermind's daughter. Same powers and everything, well except you know for the boobs and not looking like a monkey."

Piotr looked at Lance in amazement, "How?"

Lance set his glass on the table, "Well you see Piotr, when a man loves a woman… well he doesn't have to love her, anyways I'm getting off topic."

Piotr held his hands up in protest "I meant your marriage to the stripper my friend."

Lance rubbed his chin, "Oh yeah that. Well long story short, the rest of the Brotherhood and I went to a strip club. I met Regan and she taught me that I don't have to change who I am to be loved. Anyways six shots of tequila later, I'm getting married with Wanda as my best man."

Piotr nodded, "Very good choice with Wanda comrade."

Lance filled his glass then Piotr's, "Yup best forty-five bucks I spent for the best night of my life."

Piotr took a long drink from his glass, "Why did you decide to get married so fast?"

Lance stared at his glass, "She's everything Kitty's not. Kitty's a dreamer, and Regan's a realist. Kitty likes to try and make people better; Reagan accepts them for whom they are. Kitty's a conservative, and Regan's a stripper. You see where I'm going with this?"

Piotr nodded his head, "She is the Anti-Kitty." He paused for a few seconds, "Do you love her comrade?"

Lance genuinely smiled, "Of course. I don't mean that puppy love bullshit, or as a friend, although I think we're great friends. She completes me."

Piotr chuckled, "Wanda was right, you are more articulate after a few drinks."

-A few hours later in the dressing room of a strip club on the outskirts of town-

Lance peered out from behind the curtain and inspected the crowd. He looked over every occupant in the room very carefully. He then closed the curtain and retreated to his wife's side. She was sitting in a chair looking in a mirror and adjusting her make-up and 'outfit,' or lack there of.

Lance looked down at his wife as she applied a generous amount of blush on her cheeks, "Okay so this guy is…"

Regan put down the blush and picked up some eye shadow, "A man who specializes in exotic-mutant entertainment."

Lance nodded, "And I couldn't bring the Brotherhood because…"

Regan adjusted her corset, "They're perverts and they'd spend their entire visit ogling the women and not paying attention to the fight."

Lance furrowed his brow, "Hey! Wait… that's true." He paused for a second, "So why does he want you?"

Regan pull on some elbow length fingerless gloves, "My telepathic abilities. I can make his clients feel, smell, taste, hear, and see anything, all without actually touching them. Thus no risk of disease."

Lance nodded and began to walk off, "It's almost your turn. I'll be out in the crowd. Send me a signal if you need help." He walked out through the curtain.

Regan looked to where Lance once stood and smiled, "She wanted a knight in shining armor and couldn't settle for a thief with a heart of gold."

-A few minutes later on the main stage-

Regan had begun her striptease while Lance scoured the room searching for anything that could even be classified as suspicious behavior. Regan bent down to talk to a customer.

She peered at the muscle bound man who sat in front of her, "What's your name honey?"

He smiled and continued to stare at her assets, "Shaw, Sebastian Shaw. What a pretty young thing like you doing in a place like this."

She continued her tease and smiled, "What do you mean? Its clean and safe, isn't that all that matters?"

He chuckled, "You know what I mean."

She smiled down innocently at him, "No, I don't think so."

He smirked, "Why does a girl with your 'abilities,' want to perform for a bunch of Sapiens?"

Her eyes shot open in horror, "You…"

He finally looked her in the eyes, "That's right baby. I'm here to take you away."

She faked her best smile, "Really? Do you have any associates to help you?"

He smirked once more, "Why do you plan on running?" She immediately froze as he laughed, "I know you've heard the rumors about me" He had a sinister grin plastered on his face, "I just want to tell you that they're all true."

She tried to run but he grabbed her hand and prevented her escape. Her eyes began to glow with a surreal white light. Then all the patrons of the club saw a massive demon standing behind her and they began to flee in a panic, "That won't work on me girl. I know how to block your illusions," He pointed to his ear to emphasize his point.

Lance looked over to his wife and saw the demon, "Guess that's my signal." He rushed over to the man and effectively punched him in the face, "Hands off the wife!"

Sebastian let go of her hand as he fell to the ground, and Regan shook her head, "Lance don't hit him. He'll just get stronger."

Lance rolled his eyes, "Now you tell me."