Part.7. (The Wardrobe)

Betsy gasps as she open the lights in the washroom and sees just how big it is. She realizes that she had been living in a little run down room for the last two months that is smaller than this room. Even back in England, such luxury is hard to find. She starts to wonder just how powerful Scott is, and why would he risk everything by not putting her in the pens.

She walks over to the mirror, and looks at her face, seeing the blood and dirt that coats it. She quickly removes her clothes and throws them into the corner, before returning to the mirror to examine herself. Satisfied that she has no open wounds, or scars, she walks over to the shower and steps in; she realizes that the shower alone could fit eight people standing up, comfortably. She turns on the water, and stands there, enjoying the feeling of hot water pouring over her body. She can't believe how much dirt and blood she is covered in, but then remembers that living in hiding for two months doesn't give one many opportunities to bathe properly. She spends a little extra time washing her long purple hair, which had gotten so knotted and dirty that, she had felt that she would have to cut it off eventually.

When she is done, she grabs a towel and dries off, before wrapping it around her and stepping back into the living room; she sees Scott across the room talking to a young Asian woman. When he sees her, he waves her over, and says, "Betsy, this is Karma, Angel's personal assistant." He turns to Karma and says, "And this is Betsy, my new personal assistant." Betsy notes that he didn't mention that she was to be his bodyguard as well, and is sure that Karma, dressed in body armor, was Angel's bodyguard as well as his assistant.

The two women shake hands, and Scott continues, "Karma here was nice enough to bring over some clothing for you; I have placed them in your room. I was unsure as to your size, so Karma only brought over a few things, but has agreed to meet us tomorrow so that we can get you a proper wardrobe."

"Yes, Prelate Summers has asked that you be given only the best money can buy, and that price is no option." Karma says. Scott clears his throat, causing Karma to say, "Sorry."

"Thank you, Karma, and tell Warren that I appreciate all his help. I'll contact you later for that meeting."

"Not a problem, Prelate Summers. Angel is always happy to help you." She bows quickly to both of them, and shows herself out.

Scott turns back to Betsy and says, "I think that we should both get some rest, it is, after all, almost morning. I will see you later; sleep well." He walks past her, and into his room.

She watches him go, feeling somewhat disturbed by his seeming non-reaction to her current state of undress. She believes she is an attractive woman, and has been able to use her body, in the past, to seduce men; but Scott seemed to not even notice that the towel barely covered her body.

She walks over to her room, and steps in. The light is still on and she sees the clothes that Karma had brought over for her. "He calls this 'a few things'?" she says out loud. "I've never even had this much selection back home." She walks over to the closet and rifles through all the clothes; evening gowns, normal dresses, casual pants and tops, and, of course, body armor. She looks over at the dresser and sees that the drawers are partially open. She walks over and sees that there is a selection of undergarments, and sleepwear.

She suddenly realizes that she is rather tired, so she grabs one of the nighties, pulls it on, closes the light, and heads to bed.


She wakes up several hours later, and changes into a fighting suit. She heads into the living room and notices the smell of food coming from the kitchen. She walks in to find Scott at the stove, cooking bacon and eggs. "Good morning; sleep well?" he asks.

"Yes, thank you; yourself?"

She notices a slight hesitation before he answers, "Yes." He hands her a plate with bacon and eggs, as well as some toast. "Here you go."

"Thank you." She says as she sits down at the table. He brings her a glass of orange juice and a cup of tea. "Thank you again." She looks down at her food and can't believe that he can actually manage to get this stuff. "I didn't think any of this stuff could be found in the States anymore."

He sits down opposite her with his own plate and a cup of coffee. "It can't, but with the right connections, almost anything is possible to get here." The two of them eat in silence, and then Scott takes the plates and puts them in the sink. "I contacted Karma, and she is going to meet us at Warren's warehouse."

"That won't be necessary; the clothes that she brought earlier will suffice."

"Nonsense; we'll head on over and get you fitted properly, then we'll get you a proper wardrobe."

Realizing, by the commanding tone in his voice, that it will be pointless to argue; so she follows him out and towards the garage. She hadn't been in here yet, only knowing what it was because Scott had told her during the tour. She is surprised to see the size of it, and that it holds no less than five vehicles. She once again accesses Scott's place in Apocalypse's organization.

Scott walks over to a hover-cycle and hops on. "Jump on." He says. Betsy walks over and climbs up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Hold on tight." He says, as he presses a button to open the garage door, and launches them out. She pulls herself closer to him, pressing herself to his back, as she realizes that he is a speed-junkie; he is driving faster than anyone really needs to be, and she can feel his heart pumping rapidly.

Within minutes they arrive at a very large building that is heavily guarded. A guard waves them through, and Scott brings the cycle to a halt right before the door. Karma is standing outside, waiting for them. "Good morning, Prelate Summers, Betsy."

"Good morning Karma." Scott says. "Will Warren be joining us today? I had hoped to talk with him."

"Yes, Angel, will join us soon, he is just finishing up with another customer." She says. "This way please." She leads them into the building, and Betsy can see that it is an enormous warehouse. "We might as well head over to the tailoring section and get you fitted, Betsy." They head over to the far corner, where they see a group of people busy making clothing.

"You make all the clothing yourselves?" Betsy asks.

"Most of it, yes. Angel expects the best, so he gets the best to make it for him." Karma waves over an older woman. "Susan, this is Betsy; she needs a fitting."

"Yes, Madame." Susan replies. She waves Betsy over to a room, and closes the door behind them. "Please remove your clothes."

"What?"

"Please remove your clothes; it will make the fitting more accurate."

"Okay." Betsy says as she removes her fighting suit.

Susan pulls out a tape-measure and starts taking measurements, while writing them on a piece of paper she has attached to her sleeve. When she is done, she says, "That will be all for now. You can get dressed and wait outside."

Betsy gets dressed and heads out to find Scott talking with Angel. She has already met him before, during her various works for the Human High Council, but decides it best to play like they've never met. "Ah, this must be her, then." Angel says, as he walks over to Betsy. He reaches out, and takes her hand, then leans in to kiss it, and whispers, "What are you doing with him?"

"I'm fine; he saved my life." she whispers back.

"I am Angel, but you may call me Warren, beautiful."

"And my name is Betsy; not beautiful."

Angel turns back to the others and says, "Oh, she's got an attitude; I like this one, Scott. Alright, Shan, why don't you take Susan and Betsy and start collecting a wardrobe; Scott and I have some business to discuss."

Betsy watches as Scott and Angel head into the office behind the tailors. Karma motions for her to follow and asks, "So any color preferrance?"

"Purple." Betsy replies, as she heads into the warehouse with the two women.

Angel closes the door behind Scott and says, "What do you need, Scott?"

"I need to talk to you about my new assistant."

"She is very pretty, but I don't think you're her type."

"Cut the bullshit, Warren. I know who she is and who she worked for."

"Worked? Are you sure she still doesn't?"

"If there's one thing you know about me, Warren, it's that I am a good judge of people."

"Except when it comes to your brother." Warren mumbles under his breath as he walks over to his desk.

"What did you say?" Scott asks.

"Nothing, I was talking to myself. Are you sure you can trust her?"

"Yes."

"That's it? Yes?"

"I 'interviewed' her last night, and even gave her the chance to use her powers against me. She answered each question honestly, and, seeing as I'm still standing, she didn't attack me."

"So if you trust her, what do you need to talk about?"

"I need you to get a message to her people, and tell them that she failed at her assignment, but that she is alright and safe; and, of course, there will be no need to mention my name in any of this."

"Alright, I can do that. But, Scott, do you think it's a good idea to keep her around?"

Scott runs his hands through his long hair, and sighs. "I had no choice, Warren. She was captured by Guthrie and Crisp, and McCoy recognized her as one of his old experiments; also, two prisoners escaped at the same time. It was this, or send her to the Pens, and how long do you think it would have taken McCoy to get his hands on her."

"Drink?" Warren offers.

"No thank you."

"So what now?"

"Business as usual, only I now have someone to watch my back."


Betsy has been following Karma and Susan for an hour now, as they select various pieces of clothing and handing them to a robotic servant. "Are we done, yet?" Betsy asks for the third time.

"I'm afraid not; Prelate Summers left specific instructions as to what he wants." Karma replies.

"How many different outfits am I going to need?"

Karma laughs, "Oh Betsy, you have no idea the kind of man you're working for now. Did you think that he was simply a prisoner guard, or something?"

"I know he's more than a mere prison guard."

"Yes, well, Prelate Summers has many responsibilities, and he has to attend many different functions. As his assistant, you will be expected to attend these functions with him, and be dressed appropriately; appearances mean a lot here."

"Well if he left specific instructions, then why do I need to be here?"

"You don't need to be here; Angel just needed some time alone with Prelate Summers. I suspect they'll be finished their meeting by now; let me check." She reaches for her com-link and whispers into it. A minute later she turns back to Betsy and says, "Angel has asked that I escort you back. Susan and I will finish this and have everything delivered by tonight; follow me, please."

Several hours later, after lunch with Angel, and a lengthy discussion with Scott about her exact duties, true to her word, Karma delivers the wardrobe that Scott had bought her. She watches as her closet and dresser are filled to capacity.

As she sits at the table, and Scott serves her dinner, she says, "Thank you; for everything."

"There is no need to thank me." He replies as he sits down opposite her.

She decides to try something and reaches out to place her left hand on top of his right hand. She gently runs her fingers over the back of his hand and says, "You may not think there is a need for it, but I really appreciate everything you've done for me."

She sees him looking at her hand on top of his, before he pulls his hand away. He lifts his head, but is unable to make eye contact with her. "It's nothing, really." He says quietly, but in a hurried voice. They eat dinner in an awkward silence.

Once dinner is over, Scott tells her to get some rest, as tomorrow her job begins.