Disclaimer: I do not own.
The Ballad of Honor and Tess
Meanwhile
It's empty in the valley of your heart. But I will hold on hope, Cause I have other things to fill my time But I will hold on hope So come out of your cave walking on your hands So make your siren's call
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind.
The harvest left no food for you to eat.
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see,
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat.
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck.
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
You take what is yours and I'll take mine.
Now let me at the truth,
Which will refresh my broken mind.
So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears.
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears.
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again
And see the world hanging upside down.
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's land.
And sing all you want,
I will not hear what you have to say.
'Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be.
~The Cave, Mumford & Sons
Belle knew she was being trailed by the white-faced woman with a black eye like a Dalmatian. She had some superhuman ability and didn't require rest periods. Belle was in fantastic shape. She was more fit now than she had been at eighteen, but she wasn't superhuman. She'd been on the run now for four hours. Damn LeBeau for building his house in the middle of Nowhere, New York! The sun was rising somewhere behind the trees, casting long and faded shadows that helped her find her way. She knew she was headed for the city, but she had no plans beyond that. Her legs cramped, and knowing she'd make them immobile if she kept pushing, stopped to catch her breath. She had no ammunition left, but was facing the possibility of a confrontation. She didn't even know what sort of challenger she was facing. Nature held its breath in the final moments before the woman closed in. Belle felt a distant warmth approaching her from the rear and jumped to the right, but she didn't move quick enough. The woman threw her whole body at Belle, so that even though Belle was larger, she was thrown painfully to the ground. The black-eyed attacker moved her hands supernaturally fast, quickly securing Belle's hands. If she'd been pursuing anyone else, she would've been successful. But Belle didn't just inherit leadership of the Assassins Guild – she'd had to earn it. She grasped at her last possible hope – a free elbow – and slammed it into the woman's pretty face. Her head flew back as both hands lifted to her nose. Belle wiggled her hands free of the restraints, lifted herself up and tossed the woman to the ground. She reached for the woman's firearm, but the white-faced girl stopped her with a swift blow to the gut. Belle felt a blinding pain, which she knew would only subside on its own. So she pushed through the burn, grabbing the girl's head and slamming her knee into her pretty face. Superhuman or not, that would slow her down! She let the girl fall to the ground and limped away as quickly as she could. The pain in her diaphragm threatened to swallow her. Already, her vision was slipping into white. The intensity was comparable to childbirth, but childbearing pains are acute and hit in waves. This pain was omnipresent and immortal. It was in her bones. She reached out a hand and leaned against a tree for support, weeping tears of hate for herself. Her children would die for her failure.
The girl broke her concentration and Belle could hear her panting. Then, she spoke. "Repeat? But I've almost got her!... Cannonball? Boomer? Come in…Damnit!"
…
Sam Guthrie watched the small faction inside the house mosey from one side to the other. The tower was more cut off than the master bedroom, and really only had one way in: a narrow, winding staircase which could be easily defended. Defended. This was getting out of hand; no wonder Wolverine refused the mission. Sam hadn't come to Poughkeepsie to terrorize a woman and her pups, but that's what the situation had turned into. The hitch started nine days ago when Gambit tried to kill his own daughter. Naturally, Cyclops had to contain the threat quickly and effectively, but little Honor didn't agree with his means. Gambit had gone astray and rather than back Cyclops in finding him, Honor retaliated. She destroyed Cerebra – Gambit's best chance at being found – and killed Emma for getting in her way. Scott blamed himself for not predicting this prior. When Honor was younger, she had a very curious bond with her father that was never fully explained. They often had the same, bizarre mood swings, and could sense each other's distress across great distances. As time progressed, the link seemed to settle into a father typical father-daughter bond. But this folie á deux was proof of a shared mind. If Gambit was a threat, then so was Honor, and they were both clever, mercurial and powerful. Actually, the whole clan was powerful, which was why Cyclops needed to cut Honor off from them. Isolating a teenaged supervillian (possibly out of her mind) from her family until she was forced into a vulnerable position was a fine line between a felony and a rescue operation. That's why Sam was called in. He had all the skills needed to handle this situation, but unfortunately, he'd underestimated Belle's… aggression. What sort of mother leaves her daughter behind? Hero was three-years-old with no father to speak of! It stood to reason Belle's place was with her child, but apparently, she had somewhere else to be.
"Cannonball!" said Boomer, "The perimeter's been compromised!"
Sam lightly touched the communicator unit in his ear and responded: "By who?"
"Can't tell for sure, but I think it's-!" Her voice suddenly cut off.
"Boomer? Boomer!" Nothing. "Domino, double back. We've been compromised."
"Repeat? But I've almost got her!" Domino whispered with the strained breath following a battle.
"I said-!"
Sam was interrupted by a man's figure emerged from the house, carrying something in his arms. He didn't want to give away his position, but the man was alone and unarmed. Hoping to resolve the situation peacefully, he left the cover of the nearby forest and approached the man on the front lawn. As he stepped closer, he could see two children in the man's arms. They were limp. The burning, pink sun blinded Sam until he was within spitting distance of the man. He knew this guy – it was Johnny Sanchez, the pop singer. But Sam's attention was drawn instead to the sleeping children, twins Ollie and Becca. No, not sleeping. They were too still. There was no rise and fall of their little chests. All the color had been drained from their skin so that their freckles stood out like soot. And the right side of their temples bore bullet wounds, which had stopped bleeding.
How?
"Belle didn't want Cyclops to get them," said Johnny in a distant voice. "She said he would… I tried to stop her… Will you help me bury them?"
Sam felt sick. How could she do this? They were children – just innocent children! If he'd known she was this unstable, he would've stormed the house instead of just surrounding it. No, he should've never come at all. The only reason she'd done this was because of him. He put a hand on Becca's arm. She was cold and stiff like meat in a supermarket. His heart dropped like a block of ice, sickening his stomach and making his head spin. How could he ever explain this to Gambit and Rogue?
"Sam?"
He turned and saw the very man he dreaded. When Gambit's eyes saw his children, Sam knew better than to speak. He didn't have to explain anything – the deed was done, the albatross was around his neck. No one spoke – but condemnation echoed through the silence. Sam knew he'd been responsible for the deaths of the innocents: he might as well have pulled the trigger himself. Like a dishonored Samurai, Sam fell to his knees. He closed his eyes, turning away from the horror of death and retreating inside himself where he was still a good man. The last thing he saw was a flash of pink.
…
There was a blast outside which startled the children from their sleep. Johnny hadn't dared shut his eyes, and quickly swept them all into his arms at the violent sound. Just when the guardian thought about playing brave to encourage them, they heard someone in the house. There were two people – strong and confident.
"Bonjour?" called out Remy's voice, but it sent chills down Johnny's spine.
Remy ascended the staircase and lingered on the threshold of Honor's room, watching his children cower in Johnny's arms. "Dat any way t' welcome your fat'er?"
"You're not my Papa!" yelled Becca.
"Smart girl," he said with a menacing smirk. Then Remy melted into a woman with bright red hair, yellow eyes and blue skin. She was dressed in black combat gear with a pistol at her side and a blade on her thigh. She crotched down and smiled at the kids. "I know you don't remember me, children, but I am your Momma's momma. She told you to call me, didn't she? Sometimes she's smart like that."
Another woman entered the room. "Come on, Mystique, let's grab 'm and go!"
"No need to frighten them, Mastermind," said the blue woman patiently.
Ollie was the first to stand and Johnny let him go.
"That's it, my dove." Mystique put an arm around him. The girls approached her holding each other's hands. "You've grown so much! It's hard for an old crone like me to keep up with the time! Why don't we go back to my house and play video games? You don't look like you're having fun here."
.::.
The room was dark and warm. Even though Charles lay under several layers of blankets, he complained constantly of being cold. He was no novice to the symptoms of death; he knew it was coming for him. But he refused to let the cold have his bones, and so he continued to ask for warmth. Moira continued to oblige him. Sadly, his most beloved on this earth were mutants, and vulnerable to the virus which was destroying his flesh. Charles put up a noble fight. He was extremely determined and strong-willed for one his age. In fact, Moira had never seen anyone hold off the effects for so long… But she should have expected nothing less from the legendary founder of the X-Men. Brilliant, kind-hearted Charles Xavier had given everything he had for his dream of a peaceful existence between mutants and humans. Every peak into the future or an alternate reality proved his dream fruitless, but that had never discouraged him. Moira still believed in it, too. Maybe it was the hope that helped keep his dream alive…
"Moira…" he croaked. His voice faded in and out like a distant radio station.
She grabbed his hand, the metal and flesh ebbing under her own soft, warm hands. "I'm here, Charles."
"Do you think…" He swallowed and licked his lips, trying in vain to find moisture for his throat. "…I was wrong… To train children… for combat?"
"Nae, love. Nae, nae, nae. Ye were a lighthouse in the storm for them. They will be more lost than ye know without y'."
He found the strength to smile and grasp her hand. Somewhere very far off in the distance was a rumbling noise, like thunder. The skin between his eyes pulled together and he asked: "What was…?"
"Must be a storm comin'," Moira said indifferently. "Won't that be nice ta listen ta?"
He smiled contently at her.
Honestly, the sound he'd heard was a riot. His quarantined room was far enough underground to keep them safe. He'd never see a protester or hear their raised voices as they destroyed the nation island. The whole world seemed to be crumbling. The worse Charles got, the more Genosha fell into chaos. It began with an increase in mental and mutation instability. Then the island started sinking. Dark clouds rolled in and blocked out the sun for more than a week. Soon, the flora would all wither away. The world was going to hell in an Easter basket, but Moira worked hard to ensure Charles never knew what was happening. Here, in his last little haven, he was safe. Once he had passed, a black hole would open up and swallow all evidence of his life, and the world would resume its course.
Across the ocean, Cyclops raced towards the Blackbird. A distress call came from Genosha, and he had little time to spare if he could help anyone. He was in the hanger – the jet was actually within sight – when Kitty phased up through the floor and stopped him.
"Scott! Where're you going?"
"Not now, Kitty." He moved around her.
"Why aren't you responding to our calls?"
Pixie, Hellion, Magik and Moonstar were already aboard and waiting for him. The Genoshan people were suffering and dying, but so were his friends and family. He couldn't be everywhere at once, but Kitty deserved a chance to encumber him a little more. So he paused at the plank way and sighed, "What is it? Emma? …Gambit?"
She shook her head. "It's Sam… Someone put a metal spike through his head."
"Is he…?"
"Alive. But just barely. They were ambushed and the kids were taken. Johnny and Bella Donna are missing, too."
He sighed again, feeling heavier than ever. "I'll be in Genosha."
.::.
It was like waking from a deep dream, where slumber land is more real than reality. He half-remembered things from his old life, but before he could fully recall a name or face, the knowledge ran from him like water through his fingers. He grasped at them again, but picked up only dreams. Sometimes he only recalled things to the steady hum of Lila's voice, her voice narrating his thoughts until dreams, memories and imagination all mixed together to become his torment. He felt like a ghost, drinking parts of another man's life.
The first time he saw Anna, he loved her like a mortal loves an angel. He imagined what she would look like in his bed, and since a spirit knows the thoughts of men, she received him with a kiss. He was under her spell. When she beckoned him away, what choice did he have but to follow? She took him on a strange vessel (which he didn't know if he should recall or not), and said she was taking him home. She was patient and sweet with him, explaining things in great detail when his mind failed. As if striking a bargain, she consummated their reunion on the space craft. He discovered that his hands had never forgotten how to please her, and he anticipated her responses. There was something unseen in them that would always be bound together – through space and time and reincarnations.
Their companion, Storm, pressed him harder to act as if he'd never lost his memories. She didn't supply him with answers or lose her patience, but she had no mind to wait for him, either. From the very instant she found him, she was pressing him the way he should've pressed himself. She readied him for a confrontation and told him a certain man had shattered his family. At first, his anger was one of selfish pride. He would destroy this man for daring to plot against him. But the closer he got to earth, and the more Anna spoke of their children, the more his anger grew and took root. The bitterness in his belly evolved into the blinding rage all parents feel when their child's been threatened – from the holiest deity to the lowest insect. His rage dwelled quietly inside him, waiting patiently for the chance to strike. Anyone standing near Summers was likely to feel the impact, too, but he didn't care. Let his retribution live in infinity.
.::.
Belle limped down a highway that never ended and only went one place – Manor LeBeau. She was completely exposed to whoever might be searching her out, but at this point, no longer cared. Her pursuers were distracted, which meant only trouble for Johnny and the children. With every ounce of her being, she wished to know what was happening at the house. Sometimes she wept with frustration, but there was nothing to do but press on. Press on and find Honor.
A black Sedan with heavily tinted windows appeared on the horizon and slowed as it approached Belle. The back door opened and Tess appeared.
"Would you care for a lift?" the young woman asked, as if she saw Belle passing this way every day.
"Gratef'ly obliged," she sighed and slid inside the back seat beside Tess. Only then did Belle realize how much she stunk.
Tess handed her a bottle of water. "I haven't heard from Honor since we left California almost a week ago. Thought she might've been in some trouble."
The girl wasn't being completely honest, and if Belle were wise, she would've done the same. But she was genuinely afraid for her health and her children's lives. If this was her final conversation, she wanted someone to know the truth. Her children were scattered and lost. The ones left in her care, she had abandoned. Rogue last said she was headed to Genosha, not because she thought LeBeau was there, but because there was a machine which might locate him. Rogue was just as lost as LeBeau now… And Belle was this family's last hope. After her confessional finished, she asked Tess why she bothered to help. Her agreement with Honor was fulfilled.
"You were kind to me once," Tess replied without much kindness. "I suggest we return to my penthouse. Honor is unreachable, but I know someone who isn't."
.::.
When Magneto's vessel returned, Genosha had transformed into a hellish island. It was no longer a Utopia for mutants, but a breeding ground for chaos, destruction and despair. The master of magnetism took one sweeping look at the scene and boldly said: "Charles Xavier is close to death. His mind rages against those forces which seek to destroy it… As a result, we rage with him."
Storm looked disgusted. "Professor Xavier would never inflict his suffering on others!"
The Blackbird shot overhead, striking them with a sonic boom.
Magneto shook his head and sighed. "There goes Junior. Once more, he's readied all his most prevalent weapons and aimed them at the wrong target."
"Dat's Summers," Remy said, "Then dat's where I'm goin'."
"Follow the sound of victorious trumpets," Magneto said dismissively. "I am going to Charles."
Only Rogue appeared to understand his words. She turned to him and said, "But he's dyin'… Ya could-"
"I no more intend to die than to allow Charles to die alone. Go. Your man is running away with his pride."
It was true; Storm and Gambit were leaving without her. She wasted no good-byes on Magneto, but flew after them. She lifted Remy by his arms, and the three of them quickly caught up with the X-Men. The entire island was in an uproar, but the most activity was in Jericho, the central city. People destroyed property and each other, and the billowing smoke that was drawing closer didn't frighten them at all. There was a fire raging uncontrolled, and if the looters remained in the city, they'd be trapped and consumed by flames. Cyclops was establishing a perimeter and delegating tasks as well as he could, since he no longer had Storm to kill the fire with rain or Emma to change the mass hysteria into something more manageable. Then he got a gift from Heaven. Dark clouds, heavy with rain, swept in and poured out their burden in sweet droplets. Most of the fire dwindled away, and although he couldn't see her yet, he knew who he had to thank for this favor. She should've never left in the first place! As an X-Man, she had a duty to the team and their wards first. He could understand Rogue running off (understand but not forgive), but Storm had more self-control. The fact that she'd returned meant she'd been successful in locating her brother by love. And that was a crisis on its own.
He turned around just in time to watch Storm and Rogue land gracefully; Gambit rode comfortably in Rogue's hands. Cyclops could feel the steam gushing from his ears, but kept his voice even.
"Nice of you to finally join us. Considering how slim our roster is."
"Then Ah reckon your procedure's pretty accurate," said Rogue.
He smoldered a million words on his tongue and said instead, "Who did you come to fight? Because I'm not available!"
The three of them exchanged quick glances, but he didn't have time to wait for an answer. He heard Hellion's telepathic voice echoing in his mind: 'These people are under some sort of influence… Not mind-control… Hormone control, maybe…'
'Can you handle it or not?'
A pause. Then, 'Not telepathically.'
"Alright, people!" Cyclops called, "We're doing this the old fashioned way! Hellion, create a containment shield around the city square! Moonstar, I want you to break this crowd up! Keep them from gathering! Pixie and Rogue will handle the stranglers! Gambit, Storm and Magik – find out what's making everyone go berserk! We'll hold the island together as long as we can, but-"
"It's Professor X!" Rogue snapped, hands on her hips. She was annoyed that he hadn't even bothered to ask if they knew anything, but then she remembered what she would be telling him and how the news would devastate him. Her face softened and she continued, "Magneto says he's fightin' with all his strength against the virus and it's affectin' everyone on the island."
Cyclops turned away and was silent for a moment. "People are dying out there!" he finally said, "Let's get the containment in place! You three," he turned to Gambit, Storm and Magik, "Fine out how long he has. We need to get the situation under control as soon as possible."
Rogue followed after Pixie without the slightest hesitation, although it broke her heart. Remy was headed the other way. After everything they'd been through, she didn't ever want him out of her sight again. Rogue and Pixie watched as the containment team quickly trapped everyone in the city's square, and then the younger girl said brightly, "I'll circle 'round once or twice and do my thing. Hopefully everyone has a good trip."
Rogue smiled. "Think Ah can handle the rest."
Meanwhile, Magik fled the chaos with Gambit and Storm. They had no idea where Professor Xavier was – other than Genosha – and their best chances of finding him would be away from the pandemonium. As they finally cleared the worst of the riots, Magik stopped and grabbed Gambit's arm.
"I can't work with you until I know the truth," she said. "Did you attack Sam?"
"Come again, petite?"
"I can deal with the truth, just tell me. Did you try to kill Cannonball?"
Gambit and Storm exchanged glances and Storm spoke: "I can assure you, we came directly from the Shi'ar outpost to Genosha. We heard the riot and came to lend our assistance. If Cannonball was harmed in some way, Gambit is not responsible."
Magik fidgeted. "Well, now I wish he had hurt Sam… Gambit, someone's taken your kids."
He didn't appear to hear her.
"Gambit, someone's-"
"Why would anyone take m' babies? Dey weren't left unprotected, non?"
"No! No, of course not! Cyclops sent a team to watch them, but there was… something happened, I don't know all the details. Someone attacked Sam, made it look like you did it. And now the house is empty."
Gambit and Storm were both silent. Perhaps they were waiting for her to continue, but she had nothing more to say. Finally, she offered a weak apology, to which Storm responded.
"Who has been sent to find them?"
"I don't know if anyone has. We found out about it literally as the jet was leaving California."
The two senior members looked at each other and Gambit seethed, "Important enough to 'protect', but not to fetch?"
"Rest assured, Cyclops would not frame you for the disappearance of your own children."
"Oui, he ain't dat cunnin'. But I know who is… We gotta get Anna."
Storm asked Magik, "Will you help us find our children?"
"But… what about Genosha?"
Storm's blue eyes faded into the white background. "Nothing brings a community together like a natural disaster."
The wind picked up and continued to gain momentum until people could no longer resist its pull. Loose objects like mopeds, trashcans and outside furniture flew past the people pressed against buildings or railings that they hoped would hold. The air heated, despite the heavy winds, and the dark clouds above circled around an invisible void. Lighting as thick as sky-scrapers streaked down in green, blue and purple bolts. It landed in deafening explosions, liquid fire blindingly bright as it slammed into light poles, buildings and roads, obliterating whatever it touched.
"Charles Xavier is not the only one who can rage!" Storm cried; arms outstretched as she bent nature to her will.
"Better come wit' me, petite," Gambit took Magik in his arms and used the wind to blow him back towards Anna. He couldn't fly, of course, and the wind dropped them several times along the way. Eventually they reached the center of the storm, and the wind stopped carrying them and began resisting them. They gripped light poles, building sides and railings to help them along. It was like walking up a mountain side. Finally, Rogue noticed them. It was a blessed miracle; they could never have reached her like this, and she could never have heard them calling against the wind. With her superhuman strength, the wind was no trouble, and she easily carried them back to the Blackbird. Storm saw the jet elevate and (smothering her thirst for vengeance), flew off to join the escaping party.
"Where the hell are they going?" Scott hollered.
With Storm gone, the weather calmed again, but the rioters were more energized than ever. They were like bees whose nest had been destroyed, and their rage was focused on the attackers – the X-Men. The would-be heroes were scattered and down three key players, and they were quickly overwhelmed.
…
The knock, though soft and brief, startled Moira from her deep concentration. She thought she'd certainly misheard – no one knew how to get here or even had a reason to try. But there it was again! Now Charles was concerned, too, and she had no way of comforting him. If the riot had reached them, Charles would be deeply upset and most likely lose his fight. If it were a harmless passerby, they would most likely contract the virus and be condemned. The knock sounded again, this time more insistent. A voice, deep and muffled, spoke with confidence.
"If there is anyone able to open this door, I suggest you do so immediately. I know Charles Xavier is within, and I have come to make my peace. You have ten seconds to comply or I shall open the door myself."
"Mag… nus…" Charles sighed. "Stay… Away…"
"He dinnae want ye near 'im!" Moira called. "What the virus could do t' ye… Please, won't ye let 'im have this moment in peace?"
There was no response. Moira felt both relieved and remorseful. She turned back to Charles. He had the most serene expression on his face. He wasn't gone yet, but he was fighting anymore, either. Her heart welled up in her throat and her eyes filled with tears. She called his name and he turned his blue eyes towards her.
"Jean…"
Moira suddenly realized she wasn't alone. Turning her head so quickly she heard a crack, her eyes beheld the late Jean Grey, very much alive and well. The girl looked happier and more rested than Moira had seen her in a long, long time. She was long and lean, as always, and wearing her green Phoenix uniform with the gold embodiment above her chest and womb. Her skin was flawlessly white, like an angel's complexion would be – so pure it almost glowed. And her hair was the color of flame, wild and free around her tranquil face. She moved as slowly as silk through water, gracefully extending her hands to her former mentor.
"I'm not called that anymore," she told Charles. "I am Hope now."
"You always… were…"
She smiled mercifully and leaned down to kiss his brow. As her flesh met his, the room faded away into the blinding purity of her complexion.
…
A female mutant with the ability to mentally cripple mobile objects had turned her sights towards Cyclops. Another assailant – a male with bones protruding from his hands – closed in. Cyclops wanted nothing more than to blast them away, but he couldn't do that knowing they were being controlled. He regretfully thought of Megan, and wondered what sort of person she would grow to be as an orphan. Just as the bony blade neared his neck, the world sighed in relief. The dark, smoky clouds parted and the rioters stopped in their tracks. The telepathic grip on his body lessened and finally, he broke free of its hold entirely. Turning around impatiently, he didn't see Storm or Magik, as he expected to. Instead, a walking torch flickered easily through the crowd. At first, people parted in silence for the fire. Then they dropped to their knees, some to their faces. He should've been alarmed, but he wasn't. He felt tranquility and certainty like he hadn't known since… Well, since before Jean died. There was a fire in his heart, a passion for sympathy which was entirely foreign to him. He knew it was the strange fire that had given him this gift, this love for the world. And he understood the desire to bow down, although he stood firm.
Then he saw the face of his love and his knees gave out, anyway.
"Scott… I have missed you…"
"Jeannie…"
"No, I am called Hope now."
He examined her more carefully and noticed that despite the uncanny resemblance, it wasn't Jean. This girl was younger than Jean was when she was killed. She looked like Jean had at sixteen, but her face had more freckles, her eyes were green instead of blue, and her body was too thin. Now that he looked for similarities and differences, he cursed himself for ever mistaking them. Jean had pierced ears and her eyes weren't so round and her hair was more auburn than copper … Had she been gone so long that her face was disappearing from his memory?
"The things you wanted with Jean Grey can never be," Hope continued. "I love you with a passion you can scare imagine, but I am mother to the world. I have too much to do. My heart belongs to this place, and there are many wrongs to be righted. Now… let's get started."
.::.
Tess escorted Belle to her penthouse in the City. It was enormous with a view over Central Park. Having briefly rented an apartment in Manhattan, Belle knew exactly how much a place like this cost. Shaw paid very well. It was hard to believe Tess had once been an Afghan orphan with no friends or hope. She'd been happy just to have a place in the LeBeau family, invited to dinner with them or included in their holidays. Three years ago, she followed Honor into hell; undergoing an artificial aging process that left her face scarred with tear-tracks, and traveling to the moon with no way to return. She had nothing to gain but bad memories and everything to lose. Her only motivation had been love for Honor, her only friend…
Now?
Belle hated to admit it, but Tess's loyalty and love were for sale. The price was high, but that didn't make it any more respectable. The girl was too smart to prance around in stilettos. She was too kind to expose her ass to anyone with eyes. She was too young to harden her heart against the advances she must surely endure. Belle wanted nothing more to take her home, but Tess wasn't a puppy. Nor was she Belle's child. She was a tool to help Belle find her real children, just as Belle was a tool to help Tess in whatever she had to gain here. Belle wanted to think Tess truly was acting out of kindness, like she said… But she wasn't that naïve. At any rate, she kept her opinions to herself and accepted the help Tess provided. Water. A shower. Food. She offered a bed, too, but there was no time to rest.
"Renegade and Uriah are in Mexico with Johnny Sanchez's mother," Tess told her while picking up a video phone. "They were instructed to wait there until retrieved, so they'll undoubtedly be exhilarated to hear from you. Here."
Momma Sanchez answered and after a rushed greeting, passed the phone on to René. The Sanchez household phone didn't have a camera component, for which Belle was grateful. Otherwise, he would've seen her turn into a mess. She'd missed her children with a fury she'd never known, and it was fury that kept her going. Hearing René's voice deflated her into a puddle of helpless longing. She was a terrible mother for sending him into danger! And for letting Honor go, too. Her children's lives weren't worth LeBeau's. Now Hero was alone with Johnny – who may or may not even know how to fire a gun! And the twins, so trusting and sweet, would probably run to greet their Oncle Logan: the Judas! There was no doubt in her mind that he had led the siege. No one knew their habits and security measures better than Logan… except for Storm (who was helping them). Belle hated the world – everyone had turned her back on her – and hearing her son's voice made her want to do something other than kill. So she wept.
"Momma, what's de matter?... Momma, please don't get upset… We'll find 'On, it'll be good."
"René, you such a good boy… Such a good brother… I love you, cher."
"I love you, too. Momma, please don't cry."
"We're gonna get you home, fils."
"I know. I gotta tell y' somet'ing, just in case. Sister's workin' on somet'ing 'sides getting' her father home. She asked me t' find Summers's personal files, get somet'ing t' make 'm look real bad. Told me t' make it if I had t'. I didn't have t' come up wit' nothin'. He had a plan for takin' out our whole family… She doesn't know, no way she could know. Trust me, Momma, if she knew, she'd kill 'm. But she asked me t' pass it on t' Storm, and I not so sure she ain't gonna do it 'stead."
The fury returned in spades. Shaking, Belle said, "Did it include surroundin' de house and cuttin' off our ties t' help?"
.::.
Johnny grew up on a dirt farm in the poorest part Mexico. His grandparents built a little shanty in the desert with their own two hands, and his parents lived next to them. After his grandparents died, Johnny's house looked like the only house in the whole world. There was nothing but dust in every direction, as far as his eye could see. He liked to get away from the tiny, over-crowded shanty, but he always feared getting lost in the wasteland. There was no one out there to help him. He imagined it would be easier getting lost in a forest – at least in a forest you could eat and drink things. But no. In a forest, you got confused. He was sure he'd been walking in a circle for days now. There was nothing to eat but tree bark. Actually, the forest was eating him. He'd been stung four times already… More bug bites than he could count… Absolutely no water to drink… Maybe he should've stayed at Manor LeBeau, at least he had supplies there, but how long would it be until help arrived? And who had taken the children? Some blue woman claimed to be their grandmother, but he couldn't trust her. When he tried to follow her, she knocked his head so hard that he passed out. When he awoke, he immediately set out. He wanted to pick up the trail while there was still one to follow. Instead, he'd gotten hopelessly lost in the sea of trees that served as fortress and moat to the house. Now, as he neared death, he finally came to a clearing. A house! And not the one he'd left, but a house with people and hopefully a telephone! Running water! He sprinted across the yard – oh, how wonderful it was to feel the sun and not vines and grass! He pounded on the door until a little girl in pig tails answered.
"Hello, honey," he said. "Are your parents home?"
"I know you," she said with excitement. "You're Johnny Sanchez!"
.::.
"Where is she, Forge?"
The man turned away from his work and with startled eyes turned to the two women entering his office. How they'd gotten in was a mystery, but not much of a surprise. Rogue and Storm were formidable alone and together, quite unstoppable. Still, the location of the X-Force Headquarters was top secret, with (supposedly) the best security in the world. What good was all their secrecy and offensive security if two members, however skilled, could slip through completely undetected? His pride prevented him from asking.
"Mystique," Storm said, crossing her arms. "Where is she?"
"I… What's she done now?"
"She's got my babies," Rogue said.
Neither woman looked very patient or quick to laugh at this joke. No, they were very serious. Forge's mind raced with possibilities. Had she hurt the children? Her hatred for Gambit was matched only by her love for Rogue, and there was no telling which emotion she'd attach to their children. But Mystique hadn't seen her daughter in years; why would she suddenly be after her grandchildren? Unless Rogue and Storm were themselves impostures, and Mystique was protecting them… Insane as that probability sounded, it was still a probability. Forge heard about Gambit attacking his own child and fleeing the scene. Perhaps this was another Golgotha scenario, and the insanity was contagious. He needed to buy himself some time until he had a better assessment of the situation.
"Why on earth would she take your children? Besides that, how-?"
"Sorry, sugah, Ah ain't got time ta socialize. Either you can give me what Ah came for, or Ah can make quick work of you like Ah did the rest of your squad."
"I'm sorry, Rogue, but I think you understand why I can't simply hand her over! If the situation is what you claim, we can get to the bottom of this peacefully… Mystique couldn't harm them, remember? Cyclops has her under control with that microchip he installed."
Rogue snorted bitterly. "Hate ta burst your bubble, but Ah helped her get rid of that thing ages ago."
"Wha-"
"I'm sorry for the intrusion, Forge. Is everything under control?" Dante Secada, the head of security, interrupted. He was a large, burly man with board shoulders and a thick head of black hair. He was dressed in a crisp, navy blue suit as always, and smiled a little too easily.
Rogue turned to the man and put her hands on her hips. "Momma, Ah'm in no mood for one of your games. Ya tell me where they are or Ah'll knock ya inta next week!"
"My darling girl, is that any way to thank the savior of your children?" Dante morphed into a slender woman with blue skin and red hair. Mystique was wearing the white kimono-style dress she favored and white boots. "Cyclops had them surrounded. He wasn't trying to keep them warm, either."
"Fine. Where are they now?"
"Safe."
"Ah'm takin' them home. If Ah have ta drain ya dry ta find'm-"
"I think we both know that won't work, dear. And then you'll just be stuck with my voice in your mind. What girl wants that? 'Rogue, finish your vegetables… Rogue, use a knife; it's quieter… Rogue, don't let that man touch you, he's a scoundrel'…"
"That's enough!" She snapped. "Let's go."
…
Why Mystique had taken Hero, who was not her grandchild, was something of a mystery. She wouldn't have cared if Hero died: she had no love for the girl. Rogue took comfort in knowing her children had better hearts than that, and they would never have left her behind. In their young minds, Hero was as much their sister as Honor, so that's how they expected her to be treated. Thankfully, Mystique didn't discard their feelings, and it made Rogue light with relief to know all her kids had survived together. Ollie, Becca and Hero were hiding in plain sight at a rented house in Saybrook, Connecticut. It was the most normal looking place Rogue could've imagined – brick, three bedrooms, with a cracked driveway and flower bed that needed weeded. It even had a swing set in the back yard, which was where the kids were playing when Mystique-as-Dante pulled up the drive. They saw Rogue and Storm in the car and leapt off the swings, sprinting towards their mother. She knelt down and took them each in her arms, happier than she could've ever imagined having their warm little bodies near her again. Becca, who smelled like cinnamon and sunshine, and was the taller one. Ollie smelled like wet dirt and grass, and was the stronger of the pair. Rogue knew every freckle on their faces, which echoed loudly of their father but with her eyes and expressions. Their harmonious voices rattled in her ears simultaneously, telling alternate stories of the same events, but all she really heard was that they were happy and well-fed.
"Mrs. LeBeau?"
Rogue looked up and saw Lena, their Russian nanny, standing on the porch. Knowing she'd been with them made Rogue's heart break with joy; and for the first time in years, she was grateful for her mother. Who else could've done all this? But Mystique refused to hear her gratitude. In fact, she refused to even acknowledge that she'd done anything, maintaining her Dante Secada façade throughout the entire reunion. Rogue could only pierce her heart by saying how sad it was that Renie had never met her children, and she wondered aloud if she'd ever seen them in her vision. Dante's eyes softened and moistened, but he claimed not to know anyone named Irene. He drove them all to the train station and wished them well; the twins never guessing that Dante, their mysterious benefactor, was really their grandmother.
.::.
I woke up to the sound of my heart pounding in my chest. Logan was near. Too close to escape. So close I could hear him, which meant any second now he'd-
"Ain't you a sight?"
I gasped and leapt away from Vaughn, who was still sleeping nude inside a sleeping bag. As he slowly awoke, both our eyes settled on the stout Canadian with crossed arms and impatient eyes. I knew I couldn't outrun him, but that didn't mean I couldn't try. And I probably would've left Vaughn right where he was, too, if not for the figure behind my former mentor.
"Can I pretend I don't remember dis one?"
"PAPA!" I ran and threw myself in his arms. As his arms closed around me, I rested my mind and body. Logan couldn't get me now!
…
After everything we'd gone through, I didn't think I would ever go home or see my family together again. My father and I rode a train from Texas to New York. It was the longest we'd been alone together, but we didn't talk much. We didn't need to. Being with him has always been like being with myself. We understand each other on a level beyond explanation, and as we sat in silence, I felt myself growing fonder of him. He didn't ask me why happened with Emma or Logan or why I destroyed Cerebra, although he must've known. Nor did he try to defend what he'd done to me or with Lila… Although he must've known I knew about that, too. It didn't matter what we'd done. Not to us. All that mattered was that we were safe and soon we'd be home. When our cab pulled up the drive, Rogue was waiting on the porch. Hero and the twins ran to us, and I actually cried at the sight of them. Ten days ago, I held Ethan and bid all my loved ones good-bye. Having them back meant more to me than all the victories in the world.
Momma, Uri and Renegade would arrive at the airport later that afternoon. I couldn't wait for them to come to me; I insisted on meeting them there. Hero would want to come with me, of course, but no one else wanted to leave the house. In the end, my father took me himself. It was terribly selfish of me, I knew it even then. Rogue and Papa never wanted to part again, but there was no sense in everyone leaving and I wasn't old enough to drive that far by myself. And honestly, I wasn't even trying to get an early hug from my brother and mother. I'd missed them whole-heartedly, but that wasn't my reason for rushing to the airport… Tess had helped my mother after her escape from Domino; she even put her in contact with Renegade. When it was safe for him to return, she acquired Shaw's personal jet to help expedite the process. This meant, of course, that she would be on the plane with them. When my father relented and agreed to take me, all I saw was Tess. I had butterflies in my stomach the entire ride. Hero's nagging questions and Papa's sideways glances did nothing to distract my mind. I knew she still cared for me, but I also knew we couldn't be together. She had Shaw and her job. I had school and Giana and my family; they'd never forgive me for supporting the Hellfire Club. And I was so confused about what I wanted. I hated that girl – truly, deeply, insanely hated her! But here I was, back where it seemed I always was, trying to make amends with her. I felt like a fish following my instincts. There was only one thing for me to do, even when it meant swimming against the current.
From the airport lobby, I saw Shaw's sleek G-6 land gracefully. Hero and I pressed against the large, dense windows to be seen, and I'm sure her little heart was pounding just as hard as mine. The side door of the plane opened, the staircase landed, and after an infinite span of time, I finally saw Tess. But my heart didn't swell like it should have. In fact, it sank into a cold grave. And then the worst possible thing happened… I remembered Vaughn shivering in his sleeping bag. I remembered making him blush, and the way his shoulder felt under my chin. Stepping away from the window, my hands turned to fists and my face fell.
This was my mother's doing! Her stupid love spell had ruined everything!
"I can't be here," I told Papa.
"Catin..?"
"Papa, take me home! I have to leave!"
"I'm sorry you're upset t' see Tess, but we didn't drive all dis way just t' turn around. T'ink how dat make your Momma feel."
"It isn't Tess," I hissed. Might as well tell him; it was the only way to save face. My mother would look the villain, but I didn't care. "It's Momma… When I was in Egypt with those boys, she put a spell on me to try and make me fall for Chaucer. But she doesn't know it didn't work that way. She accidently fixed Vaughn and me together instead."
"Vaughn… Daumier?"
"Yes! And if Tess sees me now, she'll know everything! But this isn't how I really feel about her! Please! I can't-!"
"Take Hero to de wrong terminal," he said quickly. "I'll get Tess outta here. You come back after she's gone. D'accord?"
I nodded, no longer trusting my voice, and lied to distract my baby sister. Hero and I lingered around a terminal that was out of sight of Tess and my mother, and once my father removed Tess from the area, I returned with Hero. Words can't describe how terrible I felt. I wasn't stronger or wiser than Vaughn, I just wasn't as lonely. He was right – I'd gone to him for a reason. He was a homeless vagabond who sold drugs and seduced virgins because they were the only ones stupid enough to fall for him. If I'd been any weaker, he would've kidnapped me when I went to him for help and raped me when he caught me bird-bathing in the desert. And this was the man (no, not a man! He wasn't worth comparing to an animal! He was the parasitic bacteria spread by maggots!) that my own mother had planted in my heart! I would never forgive her this! Never.
Hero ran to my mother, yellow curls flying behind her. She received kisses and I watched René and my mother fawn over how much they'd missed her.
Uri hugged me; he'd lost weight in Mexico. ((You okay, girl?))
I smiled at him when I didn't think I'd ever smile again. ((Uriah, you speak Spanish now?))
((Eh. A little.))
"Honor Julien!" My mother's voice cried shrilly. "You ain't gonna welcome your kin?"
I looked at her, shaking with rage. For the first time in my life, I felt my eyes burn so hot that they glowed. I couldn't stand to look at them! The witch and her pet! René I could forgive; he felt like he owed Momma his life. René never meant to hurt me. But my mother? Never! She and I were standing almost ten feet apart, but if I moved any closer, I thought I might strangle her. So I spoke loud enough for her to hear, and if anyone else heard, too, whatever.
"You put whatever spell on me you want to! I will never forgive you! And I will never love you again!" My voice started to break, so I turned and walked away.
Before I'd completely left the scene, I heard my father grab Momma's arm and tell her to fix this. Spells can be broken as easily as they're made, I know that. But I didn't want to break the spell because it would mean being in the same room as my mother and Vaughn. It meant acknowledging how the spell had affected me. I was more ashamed of my feelings for him than I could admit – even to myself. Unable to even look at her, I fled outside with as much dignity as I could muster. A small part of me thought Tess would be waiting outside with her getaway car, and we could drive off together. My fantasy was much better than facing the reality of what lay behind me, so I pressed on and stormed right out of the airport.
Tess was getting into the backside of her black Sedan.
Our eyes met and her face softened. She was torn between leaving – since that was clearly what we both wanted – and staying… Which we also wanted. I stayed put. Finally, she stepped away from the car and shut the door.
"'On-"
"Tess-"
"I know. About Vaughn. It's okay."
"It doesn't mean anything!"
"I know."
"I want…" I sighed, not knowing what I wanted, and lamely finished, "I want to apologize." Indeed, I had a lot to apologize for: not just for my family encumbering her, but for being back at this place. Last year, we broke up because I'd put a man who meant nothing before her. And now here we were again. Sure, the circumstances were different, but I couldn't blame her for getting impatient with me.
She came to me and took both my hands. "Honey, you didn't really think you were gonna come in here and sweep me off my feet, did you? After everything we've just been through and everything you're going through right now… You really thought this was the perfect time to talk to me?"
I shrugged. "Maybe. A little."
"I love you, babe, but you're a little bit of an idiot."
I was too hung up on the first part of her sentence to hear the last part. I wanted to kiss her. My eyes met hers and I noticed they were brighter than before.
"Go take care of things," she finally said. "It's okay. I understand."
I watched her get in her car and leave, but it wasn't the end of the world. Whether she meant to or not, she left me with a sense of peace.
I would need that mustard seed of comfort she provided to deal with my family. The war with the outside world was over, but the one at home had just begun. Apparently, my parents (who'd been arguing and shaking and shoving each other inside the airport) had been holding back their real rage. It got so bad in the parking lot that I didn't think we'd ever make it home. Oh, they said all sorts of horrible things to each other… Momma accused Papa of brainwashing me, of lying about his cure, and still being a risk to the family. He accused her of using us like her pawns, when she was in a perfect state of mind. All the dark and decaying layers of their relationship got aired out in that parking lot. She blamed him for breaking her heart and all his promises; he said she was too selfish to ever work in any relationship, and that's why she tried to keep me under her thumb. She said he was such a terrible person that his own father kept him away from me for eleven years. It was ugly. When I tried to intervene – I said they'd both been crummy parents – they only stopped for a moment before leaping back into the ring. That's how I know they weren't really arguing about me. I knew Momma was intentionally pushing all his most sensitive buttons. She didn't believe he was completely cured and wanted to test him. I could've told her the truth, of course, but she knew I would've lied to protect him. I'd been doing it this long. But my father had honest intentions about that fight – he really was pissed. I suppose Momma got her answer eventually. Or maybe it was the sight of us all in tears that convinced her to swallow her pride. Either way, she was the first to back down. By the time Papa cooled off enough to get in the car, I wanted to blow us all to kingdom come. It did cross my mind.
.::.
Things were not any better once we got home. If anything, it got worse. My parents were back at it. This time, they were trying to hurt each other out of revenge. Renegade, Hero and I ran inside and locked them out – for all the good it would do! Rogue went out to them and threw her voice into the shouting match. It made me feel sick to see them this way. My skin was cold, my nerves knotted and tense, and my stomach felt slimy. We'd all survived and were home again, but for what? So my parents could stand on the lawn and curse each other while my brothers and sisters cowered in fear? No, this wasn't what we'd fought so hard to obtain.
I grabbed three beaded necklaces from my room – fake onyx, jade and amber strands – and wrapped them around my left wrist. Then I stomped out to the front porch and pelted them with charged marbles, continuing my assault even after they shut up. Afterwards, I went back inside and busied myself with making dinner. Since Lena had been with the kiddies for so long, she was on leave, more or less. So I got the little ones to help René and me, too. I think people really underestimate small children. They want to help, and are more patient than adults. They did a spectacular job as our little assistants. We had such a good time with it that we completely forgot about our stupid parents. They'd entered one by one while we were cooking, but disappeared without a word to any of us. I didn't really want to talk to them anyway. The cold presence of change was in the air, and it frightened me. They had something to say, I just knew it.
"You t'ink we should call dem?" Renegade asked me while we were setting the table.
My parents spared us from having to make that decision and came on their own accord. The jubilant atmosphere evaporated while we braced for another verbal didn't start shouting again. Instead, my father stood behind his usual seat at the end of the table, directly across from me, and spoke to the room at large.
"We've been pushed to our limits, all of us. And we've been pushed some more. It's a wonder we ain't broke yet, but we haven't and we ain't gonna break now. I'm… sorry for what I put ya'll t'rough. I don't deserve your forgiveness, so I ain't gonna ask for it. But I'm sorry all de same. If anyone feels like dey can't trust me enough to share my house anymore, I won't try t' stop you. On de other hand… I know dis family ain't complete wit'out everyone in dis room. If God took any one of y' away, I know I wouldn't be complete. And… dat's it."
"No one's going anywhere," I said, bursting with pride to have such a man for my father. He'd thrown himself on our mercy and at the same time, accepted us entirely. He hadn't asked for my mother and her children (who weren't his) to be a part of his life, but once they were, they always would be. He was the kindest, most generous man who ever lived.
There was relieved laughter and more tears as at last, we were home. Finally, we all put together the pieces of our stories… Renegade and I talked about our trip, assembling the team, and how we infiltrated the building. His story about stealing the files was interesting, but everyone waited with bated breath to hear how I escaped from Cerebra. This was the first anyone heard about Mr. Wagner still being alive; I hope it wasn't a mistake telling them. Rogue told us how she'd convinced Magneto to help her, and how wonderful it was to have Ethan's assistance. Momma and the kiddies were having a good time painting sun catchers until Johnny showed up. Papa said that after he and Rogue split up to fetch us kids, he contacted Kitty Pryde for a lead. She was the one who sent him after Logan, who was trailing me. Logan didn't want to hurt me, but he wanted answers and he wasn't above scaring me to get them. It fit Cyclops's needs, too, by distracting Logan from the mess he was creating in my house. We talked until we were all hoarse, although we'd never have the complete picture. Logan and Tante Ro, who'd been pivotal players, had returned to the X-Men to "hear Cyclops's side" – whatever that meant! I had no interest in hearing his version. Honestly, I had no interest in anything outside my home. Shamefully late, we realized someone was missing. Johnny. Before we could even begin an investigation, he turned up. On television.
"Johnny, why don't you tell us what happened, in your own words?" Anderson Cooper asked my godfather. They were speaking via satellite: Johnny was at his house in New York City and the Silver Fox was in a news studio.
"Scott Summers lied to me," Johnny said boldly, as a man with convictions. "He told me that my goddaughter was dead, knowing I would deliver the news to her mother in person. His reason for doing this was so his X-Force could-"
"Excuse me, Johnny, let me interrupt you if I could… By 'X-Force', you mean the illegal assassination team, which was dissembled last year?"
"Yes."
"You mean, it's still operating?"
"Yes, it never stopped. The X-Men just got better about covering it up."
My father started yelling at the television and we pushed him out, afraid he'd blow it up or that we'd miss something vital. I could practically smell the torches lighting as the mobs gathered once more.
"Alright, would you continue?" Anderson Cooper said.
"Once I was allowed into the house, the security alarm was disarmed, and X-Force surrounded us. There were three children and one woman on the property… not including myself, obviously."
"Why, do you think, he would send a team of trained killers after you?"
"I don't think they were after me. I think Summers was trying to get his teammate… Gambit… and when he couldn't, he went after his family instead. I think Summers is still after him and his family. I'm afraid for their lives. They've been disappearing one by one, and that's just not like them."
"Why didn't you take these concerns to the police?"
"You think they could stop him?" Johnny asked bitterly. "There's only one force to police mutants, and Summers heads them all."
I know Johnny was desperate and only trying to help, but he'd just isolated us from all of our allies. Not only did everyone know we were mutants and working for a dictator, but we'd also exposed the secret lives of the X-Men. No one wanted to be associated with us now, not humans or mutants. Immediately after the broadcast, we called him, but the damage was done. What should've been a happy reconciliation – however brief, as happiness is finite – turned into a restless night. Being restless, I tried to settle my spirit the best way I know how. In the dead of night, I grabbed my phone and dialed Tess, wanting nothing more than to hear the soft melody of her voice. She told me she knew I would call and laughed at me, which made me smile, too. We talked about everything that wasn't worth talking about. She must've been very lonely; she never indulges in idle chatter. I could've fallen asleep to the sound of her. Maybe it was my desperation, maybe it was her isolation… It was probably a combination of both that prompted her to invite me to a Hellfire Club party. I thought she was surely joking, but she insisted that Shaw was eager to make amends with me. She said I impressed him – whatever that meant. I told her I'd consider the offer, but I think we both knew I'd be there. Knowing I'd see her again got me off the phone and to sleep.
.::.
Almost immediately after returning, my father contacting our security specialist Hector and made some major upgrades. Now no one could get into our house without an invitation. And truthfully, we didn't go out much. There would be no more guests, surprises or ambushes. The only person (outside the family) with an all-access pass was Tante Ro, who visited us pretty regularly with news about the X-Men. Of course, they'd all known about the trouble between my family and Summers before Johnny's interview, but now they were forced to acknowledge that they knew. Also, Xavier was back and in perfect health, which pressured some people to follow him in denouncing Summers. However, Xavier had been cured by the Phoenix, who strongly supported Cyclops. The girl, Hope, claimed to be from the future - returned to save humanity. After curing Xavier, she returned Emma Frost to her natural, fleshy state, and encouraged Cyclops to relocate to Genosha. Conveniently, he was out of the law's reach in Genosha… Emma said she would not follow him, which shocked the hell out of me, but not Tante Ro.
"Hope very closely resembles Jean," she told us. "In my opinion… He can no longer tell the difference. She is young still, but he is infatuated with her. I fear his children with Emma will be as disconnected from his as Nate and Rachel."
Some members of the team followed Cyclops, of course; as powerful as he was, one man did not an army make. Others decided to stay at the San Francisco base, now led by Sam Guthrie. Those remaining in New York at the school had voted my beloved Tante to lead and represent them. She selected Logan to be her second-in-command, much as she had been Cyclops's, and for a moment, I thought she was going to tell us something else about him, but she never did. Instead, she blind-sided me with a warning about Bishop. Ever since my friends and me time-traveled to save Hope as a baby, he'd been after her. She'd evaded his assassination attempts with the aid of Rachel Grey and Mr. Wagner. That was such a loaded gun; I didn't know which end was up… Mr. Wagner had apparently not been killed like we thought, but had never bothered to correct us. I can understand him wanting to cover his tracks, but we'd mourned him and honored his memory. We felt cheated. Then there was the matter of Bishop – Hero's biological father. Would he really come after us? And if he did, would he be for love or murder? Finally, there was the matter of Rachel. I knew Nate loved her very dearly, but when she left Mr. Summers, she left Nate, too, and I know that hurt him. It was such a mess… Why did they bother to return at all?
.::.
It must've been a hundred degrees and we were doing yard work. I know there was a lot to do, but couldn't we pay someone to do it for us? Hell, I'd pay them! We'd used gardeners in the past, but today we weren't just mowing grass or pulling weeds; we were cleaning up the literal mess left behind by X-Force. Rogue and Papa were fixing the window and outside defenses they'd damaged; Renegade was hauling the trash to the dump; Momma, Lena and Ollie were cleaning the broken glass and disturbed furniture inside; and the girls and I had been left to scan the property for any devices or – god forbid – bodies left in the woods. It might sound like we had the easy job, but we didn't. We lived on two hundred arches of land – most of it left to the wilderness. We hiked through heavy underbrush, throne patches and ant beds in search of anything unusual. Becca fell into a briar patch and I had to rescue her. Hero got too tired and I had to carry her back. When we returned, smelly and sweaty and miserable, we were stunned to find a car pulling up the long, brick drive way. We never had visitors anymore!
The car was black with heavily tinted windows, which meant it was a Guild member. Hoping it was Marie or Jean-Luc, I hurried towards the car. At last it stopped and Vaughn stepped out, smiling broadly.
"LeBeau! Had no idea you'd missed me so much!"
I let my face fall. "Oh. It's you. What're you doing here?"
"Your papa invited me! Good afternoon, Miss LeBeau. Boudreaux." He nodded at my sisters. He acted nice enough, but there was a dark glint in his eye. The look he gave me was unnerving, and I wished he'd stop. I knew I was disgusting and dirty, but his eyes kept roaming up and down my body, finally settling on my breasts.
"Hey!" I snapped. "Up here!"
"Eh? Sorry, was reading your shirt," he said, pointing right at my chest.
I shuffled Hero from one hip to the other and looked down at my white t-shirt, which had 'Mutant Freak' written across the bust. Not buying his excuse for a minute, I snapped, "You know my eyes say the same thing!"
"You got eyes?"
I didn't want to laugh at him, but I couldn't help myself. Now he thought he was off the hook, which he wasn't. Unable to stomach his disgusting attempts at flirtation any longer, I lead him to the house. I felt his eyes on my ass the entire time.
…
Vaughn and I stood together in a circle made of twain with candles at the four directions. I was so embarrassed that I forced my mind to be quiet. Any thoughts at all would only cripple me with shame and make this painful when it didn't need to be. I hadn't wanted an audience for the ritual, but Papa insisted. He didn't trust Momma anymore. I tried not to think about them or anyone else while Momma said the words and cut the rough yawn binding my hand to his. The ceremony was brief and painless, but traumatic all the same. Afterwards, I wanted to crawl in a hole and die, but Vaughn asked to speak with me.
"Do we have to?" I asked.
He sighed heavily through his nose, making his nostrils flare. His eyes darted irritably towards my parents, but then he looked back and me and spoke very plainly. "I t'ink after everyt'ing you put me t'rough, de least y' could do is talk t' me. But dat's fine, I know how you cousins are. Think I ain't worth speakin' to. Y' just call me up and take everything you needed – more than you needed! You took everyt'ing I had! And den you leave wit'out even sayin' good-bye?"
"If it's reimbursement you're after -" my father snapped, "Ask."
Vaughn lifted his chin. "I don't want nothin' in return." He looked back at me. "I just want y' t' acknowledge what I did. I laid down m' life for yours-"
"Dat's enough!" Momma said.
"-Do y' t'ink I did dat for some lame-ass spell? No, Honor, I did dat for you!"
"We're done," Momma told him, pushing him away from me.
Desperate to make things right, I moved around her and threw my arms around his neck. His body was stiff and awkward, and we were very much aware of my parents watching us. When they didn't protest (I think they were too shocked to speak), he wrapped his arms around me, too, and I thought he'd never let me go. The hold hurt my back a little – he was too tall. As horrible as it sounds, I longed to conform myself to Tess. We'd always fit together perfectly. I knew I'd be alright now, but as for him…?
"I do care about you," I softly said into his tobacco-scented ear. "But not the way you care about me… Isobel's a good girl, and she loves you a lot. Get your head out of your ass and see how lucky you are to have that."
.
To Be Continued…
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Author's Notes: I can't apologize enough for taking AGES to get this done… I really do feel terrible about it, but in my defense, wrapping up so many loose ends was like braiding a fish tail! Okay, now some explanations. Way back when Gambit was first introduced (in Marvel canon), he used metal spikes in lieu of cards. That was just a little too hardcore, and like the smokes, had to go. "Isobel" is Isobel Davis, the "stupid virgin" Vaughn seduced. Otherwise, I think everything here explains itself and helped to explain most of what's been going on. I really had a blast writing this chapter and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it. As always, please R&R!