Gambit is a Chess Move
.
Gambit sat on the window seal of his bedroom gazing outward unto the night sky. The soft chill in the air singled a change in seasons. Exhaling smoke through his nose he gazed outwards. His ruby eyes following the contour of the waining moon, the pixels of stars that encompased the sky in blues, whites, and pinks.
He inhaled, taping the periphery of his cigarette causing grey ash to tumble down the outside wall. His body belonged to the Order now, his heart belonged to Rogue, but his mind. He wasn't so sure. The cold air laced with nicotine did little for him. No matter how much he watched the whispy circles billow from his nose to the heavens he could not forget his present situation; if only for a moment.
Stretching his body he leaned harder against the window frame. From there his eyes saw the woman of the night sky, Andromeda, the chained lady. Her constellation if anything should had been ironic to him if not a cruel trick of nature.
Remy moved his cigarette to his left hand before reaching out towards the night with his right. He wanted to free Andromeda from her lavalerie. To rip the shackles loose with his bare hands. He was no closer to freeing the stars than he was to freeing Rogue.
"The night," Katana walked over to him. He didn't remember hearing her come in, not that he was listening for the click of the door either, "It is cold, sad, distant. Don't you agree?"
Eyes trained on the star princess, "Night is wat ya make of it. Ya can believe tat it singles darkness or watever else crap. Truth is te night is jus te night. Notin more an notin less."
"Spoken as a true male. Men do not take the time to see the beauty in life."
"Ya aint here fer another femminist lesson are ya?"
"No, Josef sent me," she undid a clasp on her neck. The burgandy fabric fell from her body in stark contrast to her pale flesh, "To entertain you."
"Entertain yerself," he inhaled deeply on his gasper only to toss the remains out the window.
"Josef wants you to be well taken care of. Your effort has made the Order proud."
He made a noise rather it was a snort or a weak laugh she didn't know. "My effort has notin ta do wit them. Gambit don't do wat they say fer them I do it fer her. If they really want ta reward me then take me to 'er before I get antsy."
"You are not in a position to make demands."
"Yall won't kill her."
"Yes we will. She is nothing to us."
"Not you, but Josef. Yall don't thank I aint heard te rumors? I know he been tryin ta bed her ever since she came here wit me."
"There are plenty of women for him to 'bed' as you put it."
"Non," he looked at her, "Katana ya missin te big picture. Why ya thank it is he want 'er in te first place? He want her cause she's mine. Cause I want her an am willin ta betray everythang I stand for fer her. Bedin her ta him is te same as winnin a war."
"Death wins wars."
"Non petite, they just slow 'em down," he removed himself from his ledge and closed the window, "Make yer boss aware of my request."
She dressed then left to do as he asked. Josef was presently in his own room reading Hamlet. He loved that particular text for some reason.
"Katana back so soon?" he flipped a page in his book.
"He wishes to see the girl."
"What girl?"
"The mutant girl sir."
His eyes grew dark, "Why does he want to see her?"
"He says he has no need of me. He says if he is to be rewarded than he should be rewarded with visitation privleges."
"He is not a man to turn down delicacies of the flesh so easily. That must had been insulting to you."
Ignoring that statement, "What is it you want done My Lord?"
"Let him see the girl and Katana I don't want your eyes off of him for a second."
"Hai." she bowed then exscused herself. Gambit was right he was getting just a wee bit to attached to the girl.
Opening his door, "He has allowed you a visit. Do not make such demands of him in the future."
"Bout damn time." he followed her. His barefeet bracing the cold of the marble floors. Rogue's room was still a few corridors away so he stuck up conversation, "You are just like this place ya know. Cold, heartless ..."
"I kill people. That doesn't make me heartless from what I've heard you had to do the same."
"Yer not like te other femmes in yall group. I see it in yer eyes an how ya walk. Ya aint notin but a wireless puppet doin watever her master says. If he wants ya ta dance ya dance. If he wants ya ta twirl ya twirl."
"It is the job of a servant to serve."
"Have ya ever even once questioned ya masters? Ya know blind loyalty doesn't really do ya intelligence any credit."
She whirled on him, "I do what ever is asked. You are right we are different. Unlike you I know my place in the world."
"Non, ya thank tis is yer place cause tis is all ya ever known not because ya love doin wat ya doin."
"We are here." she snarled holding open the door for him.
Rogues hands rested on her glass as if to do an impression of a child outside a candy store. Her emerald eyes scanned the sky for anything hope and otherwise. She hadn't seen him in sometime. A part of her missed him. A part of her waved se la vie. Still she was trapped with nothing to take her mind off her troubles. No books, no electronics, no visitors so she entertained herself with the going ons of the wold outside her window.
The blue suited mustasche man who at exactly 8:30 every morning would stop at the bakery a few markets down to get a fresh box of bagles. Another person. A woman often dressed in pink loved to get baguettes first thing in the morning. Across form the bakery was a small bank. Nothing special. People would drive their black cars with strange liscence plates up, pull out their card, slide it in the machine, and collect Euros out of its depositing mouth tray.
A boy in green tossed the daily rag at everyone's front steps every day off of his brown bike. Old and whithered ,but reliable none the less. Closer to her location was a plump woman who loved to sell hats. Not for a single moment did she think this was an average hat store. Most of the customers were middle aged men dressed in crisp black suits with shifty eyes. She often wondered if the plump lady sold weapons there.
It was night now however. Activity all but died on the streets. Sometimes her perseverance was awarded with late night trips to the hat store or stray cats searching for food to eat. On a really lucky night a few cars trugged by. She didn't know how much more of this she could take when the door opened.
"Gambit." she cursed herself for wanting to run to him. Biting her lip she took a seat on her bed instead.
"How are they treating you chere?" he asked sitting next to her.
"Great if ya consider being held prisoner without even a damn newspaper ta keep ya mind busy with sporadic visits from a man who enjoys smaking ya around a room in a heavy dress form te 1800's great."
"I see," he rubbed her leg through the chesmise she was forced to wear at night, "Ya remember when I tricked ya inta helpin me save my dad?"
"Yeah I remeber allright. Ya were all charmin then ya sprung on me like te coiled snakeya are."
He sqeezed her leg intently with a serious look in his eyes, "I'm glad ya remember. I don't know what I would do without ya. You hold te key ta my heart. Only you could set it free if ya could ever find it, be a shame ta lock sometin tis hot away all te time."
She nodded, "And where should one look fer te key ta ya heart."
"All one would have ta do," he pulled her covered hand to his chest, "Is find it."
She felt his heartbeat through the fabric of his shirt. For a minute she let his words, his presence soak in.
"I heard stories of ya when I did my research when ya ran from me. I heard how ya tried ta defend yerself before they took ya from home. Remember?"
"Yeah I do. I was scared that day."
He nodded, "Sometimes ya can only do thangs te unconventional way," he looked her over, "Nice necklace."
"Josef gave it to me. Want it?"
"Non, but I have ta say those mardi grass beeds looked better on ya."
"Will this visit take any longer?" Katana asked impatiently. She was not one for romance and listening to them reminese was sickening.
"If ya don wanta be here find sometin else ta do." Gambit snapped at her turning his attention once again to Rogue.
Katana rolled her eyes as she excited closing the door behind her. With it closed he pulled her ear to him and whispered fiercely, "I've been workin on a way ta get out. But we cant do anythang without a skeleton Key. I know Josef has it. You jus hav ta get it from him witout him noticing it missin so I suggest playin nice wit em."
"How we gonna get out?"
"By turnin them against one another. Don't worry bout te details jus get te key. When ya do te next time ya see me bring up our first kiss we ever had got it?"
She nodded, "Then what?"
"You'll see. Oh an start bein nice ta Josef. An forgive me fer this."
"Fer wat?"
He pushed her onto the bed and began straddling her. Rubbing her legs from her ankles inward.
"Remy ..." she whimpered when the door came back open.
"I was wondering why you both had suddenly gone quiet. These are visiting hours. Not playtime. Let's go."
He bent down kissing Rogue on the colar of her nightgown before slowly detaching himself. Lust brightening his eyes. He walked ahead of katana. The door was about to close when she shouted, "Remy please come back!" it closed before she heard his responce.
...
"Did he like his visit?" Josef asked.
"Yes."
"Clarify."
"They spent the greater part reliving past memories then he started to touch her."
He dropped the book, "Elaborate."
"He touched her senuously."
"I have no patience for your games Katana. Answer the question."
"Forgive me sir," she bowed before him, " He told her that she was the key to his heart and other nonsence before he tossed her on the bed. Straddling the girl. He ran his right hand down her right leg from her ankle to her thigh as he kissed the lining of her sleepwear. He probably would had went farther if I was not there to stop him."
"Anything else?"
"She, before we left she yelled to him."
"About what?"
"Her exact words were, 'Remy please come back!'"
Josef tried to fight back this feeling. He had that bastard by the balls and yet he still managed to piss him off. He didn't want to admit it. But going all the way with the girl would be rather empowering. He was sure that Gambit would truly be defeated then. He didn't just like to break men, but crush them. He would take everything from him. First he had taken away his freedom, next he planned on taking the girl, and after that anyone he has ever held dear. Such a pity he rather liked JeanLuc too.
"Is there any other matters that needs be attended to before I leave?"
"Yes infact." he removed his covers from his body. He like so many other persons in the world slept in the nude, "I seek release. Gambit's bitch doesn't quite cut it."
...
Katana disintangled herself from her masters sheets. The words Remy told her yesterday deeply engraved in her mind. She may not have a 'heart' or a 'soul', but that doesn't mean she has no feeling. Even statues weep. The whole night her master rode her calling her Rogue or Anna again and again and again. Telling her how beautiful her green eyes were. Telling her how her skin was made of creme and favored the moon that brightened the sea of the sky. He commented on how the grey streaks in her hair added a maturity to her that was odd yet rather appealing.
She spent hours listening to him screw her while imagining she was something else. Looking on the sleeping man she was filled with something new. Jealousy? Anger? What was it? She was good at what she did outside of her occupation as an assassin. She knew hundreds of positions that would make men putty in her hands, she was beautiful, flawless, the only imperfection marring her skin was left over from that short bastard back in the states, she had recieved only compliments. Not a single person she ever had sex with told her she was nothing. Then she had to hear her name all night long on her masters lips. She had to fight the sudden urge to cut his lips off with her blades as she dressed and left his bed vowing she would remind him of who she was the next go round.
...
Josef woke up rather unsatisfied. Which was strange considering the mind blowing sex he had the night before. It seemed no matter how much he used his hand or another body he could not completly gratify himself. He needed more. He went to bed with such a longing stiring deep into his chest. Last night after he was finished with Katana he dreamt of Rogue in his arms, under him writhing, screaming out his name while Gambit watched helplessly from the floor.
Excited again he had his bedsmaid send for Rosa. Maybe some girl on girl action would be enough to get him through the day.
...
Rogue had to recall every moment shared between Jean and Scott, Kitty and lance, Amanda and Kurt, Kitty and Pete and herself with Gambit. How did she intend to be nice to him? Nice was something she would have to work on. She figured he would expect something if all of a sudden she were clinging to him like a second skin. She was going to have to go about this subtle like, not to mention she had to have faith that whatever the Cajun had cooked up would work. He didn't give her any details. All he told her to do was turn on the charm. That Josef had a key.
She didn't recall seeing a key. Then again everytime she saw him she had to fend him off. This time she would have to take a crucial look. Glancing around the room she pulled a spare chair towards the window and glanced out of it trying to pull off a sad face. She thought of everything sad she could think of: her life, Ke$ha's career, Bambi's mom dying, All Dogs go to Heaven, the cost of gas, etc. She hoped it worked because she could hear the clatter of his boots as he walked towards the door.
"Darling," he paused. She looked so distressed facing the window. Her eyes held a water like quality as if she were fihting back tears, "Darling what is the matter?" he sat the white roses he brought down on her bed.
Instead of answering she continued to stare. Her eyes seeing the tiled tops of buildings, "The world outside my window." she said simply.
"The world outside your window?" Josef asked perplexed.
"Te world outside my window," she turned to him then, "I miss it. I miss te feel of rain in my hair. I miss conversation. I miss walking on my own two legs fer miles. I miss riding my motorcycle."
"You know as well as I do that you cannot be set free."
"Even still I miss it. I can't even pretend. I have nothin ta distract my mind from this ... this stuffy room save fer this window. If only I had a journal ta write in or a book ta read I could be at te very least comfortable."
He watched her return her eyes to the window. She couldn't be serious could she? He gave her the finest pleasantries and yet all she asked for was a simple book. He could manage that post haste. He left, as he did Anna noticed him pulling out a key to lock the door behind him.
Releasing a breath of air she didn't know she was holding she hoped all would be well. Minutes later he returned with Hamlet.
"Do you know of Shakespere?" he asked.
"Who doesn't!" she tried to sound excited, but not too excited. He motioned for her to join him on the bed.
"Hamlet," he showed her the book, "Is my favorite."
"Why?" She really could care less, but Remy did say play nice.
"Some like it for its pretty wording and graphic ending. I favor it for its inner meaning."
"Meaning?"
"Power. That is what Hamlet truly is about. It has nothing to do with loss love or betrayal per se. What the whole text is trying to say is that power is all encomposing. That it spreads as forest fire burning everything, not leaving a spec of land safe for someone to hide under, but Hamlet was foolish. He bitched instead of manned up and took his father's place. Instead he cried! He shied away from his true duty! He was weak and that is why he fell just like his father.
Hamlet's uncle was willing to do what was necessary to gain power even at the loss of his nieve brother. But when it came time for Hamlet to step in his fathers shoes he quickly realised that they were two sizes to big for him. I read this book to remind me of weaknesses and what it does to you. How it can cloud your emotion and you can loose everything."
"I aint quite have te same outlook as you, but now tat ya mention it I guess I can see where ya comin from."
"Bien, how about this you pick a few people to be and I'll pick a few people to be. That way we can read it together."
It took all she had not to flinch when his left arm rested along her shoulders. She could barely wait until the day she can rip it from its socket. Josef checked the ceiling clock. he had an hour till his meeting. that was more than enough time to atleast get started.
...
"Where is Josef?" Fredrick asked his fellow Order members.
"With that femme again bet you!" Shaw snapped.
Blake nodded, "He is becoming distracted. Best start without him. He will catch up."
"Oui." the others agreed.
"It appears we have a letter from our most favored Bordeaux." Blake said pulling out the letter to read to his companions.
My Lords Louis, Frederic, John and Bastillan,
All is well I hope. Everyone here is blissfully ignorant of what is trully happening. And I would like to point out that Gambit is reaching an age to which he should birth heirs. I would like to offer my services for the job. I will always be able to watch him and report to you if anything goes astray. Please let me be made aware of your decision.
Your Humble sevant,
Belladonna Bordeaux
"The woman has a point. Despite how we all feel about him it would be a waste not to put his genes to use."
"I agree Frederick," Shaw said sitting down his cafe, "Has he taken well to any of the Couteaus?"
"Not a single one." Frederick sighed, "I believe that American was born to give us strife."
"Not that we've done anything to deserve it." Shaw pointed out.
Blake sighed, "Bella would make a promising wife for him." they nodded, "But Bella is to constriciting. She is a boa constrictor. Once she gets a grip on you she tightens and tightens until you can no longer breathe. She would choke the talent out of the American. Despite our hatred for him he is still young and in my opinion has room to grow. Room that we as an Order should put to good use."
Giving his partner a sly look, "What are you suggesting?"
"I am not suggesting Frederick. Just thinking."
"Then what are you thinking about dear friend?" Shaw asked.
"Josef has always been our unsung leader. Now he has become distracted. We are on a path to power. We cannot have a weak link. That is why, while Josef has yet to return, I wish the Order to consider putting the American with his mutant girlfriend. That way we will strike two birds with a single stone. We stop Josef's distraction while giving his people the heir that they seak. Perfect non?"
Frederick grimaced, "The girl cannot be mated. It is my understanding that she cannot be touched."
"Then we will outfit her with something she can wear just for said occasion. Skin cannot make direct contact with hers. A thin fabric will do the trick."
"It is possible," Shaw agreed, "I believe I speak for Frederick when I say consider it considered."
"Bein."
...
How had the time slipped? The last time he glaned at the clock he had an hour to go now he was an hour late. He opened the doors glad to see the others still there.
"Late again Josef." Shaw inclined an eyebrow in his direction.
"Where were you?" Blake asked absentmindedly as he went over the few sheets of bills infront of him.
"I was dealing with the girl."
"You don't say." Frederic said making brief eye contact with Shaw.
"Let us get down to the point gentlemen," Blake stood, "Josef was it not you who along with the three of us agreed to have absolute power and share it equally?"
"Oui."
"Was it also you who vowed never to let anything stop you from that goal."
"Oui."
"Then why," Blake barked, "Have you been showing up late and all together missing meetings. If your nose wasn't up that girls skirts all the time you could focus! Are you in love with her! Have you been blinded by a pair of fluttering eyelashes so quickly that you have forgotten us!"
"Non!," Josef yelled back, "I am still the head of this Order! I have done more for our plans than any of you could have even dreamed. Messing with the girl is a necessary sacrifice. If I do not visit her often then the American will become suspicious and try to flee with her and we cannot have that now can we? Everything I do I do for us. Do not lose faith in me for without me you are nothing! This Order is nothing! Our reign will be nothing but a forgoten memory! You think just because I missed a few meetings that I have lost my way? For all you know she has a map to our goal under her skirts!"
"We see." Blake said simply, "Forgive us for questioning your loyalty."
"You are forgaven." he spat still flushed from yelling.
Blake nodded, "Do not let it happen again Josef. You may be the head but we are the neck. You cannot make a move without running it through us first. I trust you won't forget that in the future."
"As I trust we will not have the question of my loyalty bought up in this room again."
...
"Mi manca loro. Essi sono stati entusiasmanti. Non abbiamo avuto una lotta come quella di anni. E mi manca il sapore del cioccolato sulle labbra donna.[I miss them. They were exciting. We haven't had a fight like that in years. And I miss the taste of the chocolate woman on my lips]." Rosa finished dragging her slendor fingers over her lips for emphasis.
Max shook her head, "I didnae believe yee still got a wee bit of a crush on the brown lass."
Rosa glared at her, "Molto divertente. Che cosa è di sbagliato in amore? Non vedo per la lotta contro il suo nuovo! [Very funny. What is wrong with being in love? I can't wait to fight her again!]"
"Ha, you're one leaf short of a full clover ay?"
Alice smiled at them. They loved to bicker about nothing important like siblings. It made her miss the family she left to be here from time to time, "Stop picking on Rosa, s'il vous plaît [please]."
"Aright, but only cause yee asked." Max said defeated turning back to her computer.
"Are they arguing again?" Katana asked opening the door to their quarters.
"I dealt with it." Alice said promptly. Katana nodded at her before ging to check on Syp. Syp was, at present, lying on her bed dying from bordeom sickness.
"Syp?"
"I am bored. Ve have not been sent on mission in far too long."
"I know that you have become ... restless."
"Restless? If I have no one to kill soon I may kill you all instead."
"I will speak with master."
"Master cares nozhing about us. Zhey are caught up vith zhe power as is curse of all master. Ve are just pawns. Someday ve vill all outlive our use if ve have not already!"
"Syp," she put menace into her voice, "Master cares for us. There is a relationship between master and servant. As long as he takes care of us we take care of him."
"Zhen vhy have ve been sitting here useless for monzhs?"
...
"What is it you want Katana? I did not send for you."
"Forgive me master, but the girls and I have grown restless. We need to do something less we go mad and kill unintentionaly."
"You girls can last without killing someone for a while. Go take your fustrations out on some of the guards. That'll do. You're dissmissed."
"But ..."
"If something comes up you are first on our list now go."
"Vat did master say Katana? I know you asked."
"I did." At that all the Couteau's ears perked up, "He says that there is nothing to do as of yet. But when there is will be first on his list."
"The bloke ought as well say nay." Max complained.
"It is as I say Katana. Ve are outgroving our usefulness." Syp said before returning to her bed.
"He says we should relieve the tension by sex," Katana said, "If you feel like it."
"No not really. Most men or so boring. I am tired of doing all the work." Alice complained.
"Why does naebdy wantae botha wi' us?" Max complained before turning back to her computer presumeably to hack yet another government computer.
Katana hated that she was starting to have doubts. She never questioned her loyalty before. Why now? The world doesn't always need killing right?
...
"Monsiuer, your dinner is ready." The waitress brought Gambit some food. His 'favorite' eyes on fish with a lemon sauce and mashed roots instead of potatoes. It reminded him exatrly of something his Tante gave him one day. The worst damn tasting thing in the whole damn world and wait ...
He pushed the goup around until he decided to check the fish. There was something in its mouth. He unfolded the paper.
Information collection will take place outside of the fountana this night. Take packet then stop for cafe. I always enjoyed chocolate eclairs for dessert.
Burning the letter with his hands he recieved a knock at the door. Josef came in, "We have work for you to do."
"Wat kind?" Remy asked stabing the dead fish in its eyes.
"Informative. Be ready to go in ten minutes."
...
He received the manilla envelope at the fountana as planned. Behind him was a small cafe. All spots taken. He walked over there to see two more than eager woman looking at him and they were twins too.
"He's looking at us Melinda."
"Well invite him over Melanie."
"No you you're the brave one."
He couldn't help but go over to them with a cocky smile, "Ladies."
They gave him the seat between them. He knew he was being watched. But his back was facing his watchers in the black van across the street from them.
"So which one of yall are older?"
"I am."
"No I am!"
"Two seconds doesn't count."
"Does too!"
"Ladies ladies relax." he placed an arm around both of them. While Melanie placed kisses along his left ear Melinda spoke into his right with her hand on his lap, "Michelle sent us. We wish to help. Do they have the girl as well? Whisper answer in her ear."
He turned to Melanie giving her a smoldering kiss while Melinda grouped him. He pulled back to whisper in her ear, "Yes they have her."
She smiled brightly at that. This time trailing a finger along his chin before speaking again, "Is he trying to take over America? Whisper in her ear."
He turned to Melinda who was completley enjoying stroking him through his tight pants, "I thank the answer ta that question ladies is gonna have ta be a yes."
Both girls giggled. This time Melinda leaned closer, "We need to see what you see to help. Flag down approaching waitor."
"Monseiur!" the waitor came to them, "I'll have te cafe."
"I'll have a water." Melanie said.
"And I'll have cafe on the rocks."
"Very good." the waitor left. They questioned Gambit the whole three minutes it took for the waitor to come back.
This time he was fondoling Melanie's breast per her request. Melanie placed her head on his shoulder, "Kiss Melinda."
Enjoying these orders he did as told. He kissed her feeling her tongue move something into his mouth as Melanie whispered to him, "It's a camera. We need you to place it on your person."
He moved one of his arms to place a napkin to his lips moving the camera from mouth to trench coat pocket.
"Good." Melinda smirked at him.
Melanie, "You may see us again. Now come with us."
"Chat, smile, laugh. You are unaware of being watched."
He did as told as the girls lead him to their sportscar. They drove him to a nearby hotel and took him to their room.
"You will be surrounded again soon."
"Michelle a sight fer sore eyes." Gambit told her honestly.
"I bet. I have an idea."
"That makes te both of us."
"Do tell we haven't much time left."
By the time Gambit's watchers came up he was thouroughly enjoying his gift from Michelle. It was nothing against Rogue. He is a man with urges after all and banging the two twins senseless might tide him over for a while.
...
While this was going on Logan and Storm were in an abandoned building not too far down the street watching security cameras of the local activity.
Michelle, who was hiding in a seperate room that conected to the one her master was using, spoke into the comunicator hidden at the base of her sleeve, "Have you identified the targets yet?"
"Yeah I got the smell of them." Logan told her through the communicator in his ear.
Storm wore one too as she fussed with the others present, "There names are James Baldwin and Marcous Fletcher. Both are upper middle class trained professionals with families."
"Do you see anyone else on those cameras? On the roof? Across the street? You know anyone who looks somewhat suspicious; normally the ones reading out of date newspapers, smoking, or taking an incredibly long time walking. Do not forget to check the people who continuously have their hands to their ears as well as those who constantly check their watches."
Storm placed her hand on the scrolling pad. Although there were nearly forty seperate screens for them to monitor there was one main screen infront of the XMEN that allowed them to scroll and lock on to a target easier as well as for identification purposes.
"Wait I believe I have four more on the rooftops directly surrounding your location."
"I see," Michelle nodded, "Identify them as well. Have my team find out everything about them and I mean everything. Who's their spouse? Who are they humping? I even want to know what and where they get their groceries. Understood?"
"No need to be so bossy we read ya loud and clear." Logan told her.
...
"What took so long?" Josef asked taking the manilla envelope from Gambit.
"Well," he rubbed the sweat of his brow whilst rearanging his close, "I got a little busy is all."
"Busy?"
A man appeared behind Gambit, "He found two girls. Twins. They brought him up to their hotel room where he proceded to engage in intercourse for nearly four hours."
"Damn nosy people." Remy glared at him. He didn't realise his stamina was so good.
Josef rolled his eyes, "I did not send you out there to get distracted. Do not let it happen again," Gambit turned to leave, "I wonder how she will take the news."
"She," he smirked, "Doesn't have ta know."
...
"HE WHAT!" Rogue shouted breaking the glass holding ice water in her hands.
"Yes he did sleep with twins. He even proclaimed it to the whole of the building. As a matter of fact he told me not to bother telling you that you were not worth it." Josef smirked. He was enjoying Rogue's tantrum as she paced furiously across the room.
'I shouldn't even be mad. it's not like we're datin each other or sometin' she thought to herself, 'Maybe this is apart of Remy's stategy. Josef seemes more than happy to see me so upset. Maybe I'm supposed to play on his feelings for me'.
"Darling pleasesit befoe you wear a hole in the floor."
"Well screw you an him. He may had cheated on me but yer no better holdin me up in tis room like some damn caged animal! I say ta hell with you an him!"
He wasn' smiling now, "I would never cheat on you."
"Of course not cause we aint even tagether! Now why don't ya go make yerself useful and die somewhere!"
Upset he flung her over his shoulder. "Put me down!," she demanded, "Or so help me I will kill ya myself!"
"Quiet," his voice crisp, "I believe a little fresh air will clear your head."
"Fresh air?"
"Wasit not you who said you miss the feel of rain in your hair?" With that he jumped out of the window making his way down to the deserted road. She looked was so easy. She could just touch Josef and be done with it. A little bit of running and a hot wired car later she would be free, but what of Remy?
'What about 'em' she thought to herself as Josef sat her down.
"Now listen sweetheart ya best behave. Don't thank I want kill you."
'RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN' she thought. "I understand now lead te way."
After fifteen minutes of walking on high heels she grew impatient, "Where are we going?"
"When I was a child my mother always brought me to Nonas. It's an italian restaurant. It is rather small. It might be what you would call hole in wall. Ah there she is."
Indeed Nonas was a whle in the wall. It was in stark contrast to what she expected Josef to like. The whole place was small with no matching seating and china, but it gave off a warmth that so desperatly made her miss her friends and family.
"Let's sit at the blue table."
He ordered them tonic, yuck, with a bowl of pasta with meatballs to share. She ate only a few bites. Se had never been the hungry top. However he was more than adept enough to eat the rest.
"Excuse me I have to go to the restroom. Stay or you will regret it."
While she waited for him to return a man bumped into her back and dropped something. She called the person who was at least six feet tall with brown skin to tell him he dropped something, but he never turned around. She huffed taking a look at it. It was a white bottle with sleeping pills. Sleeping pills?
Reading it says it takes a good thirty minutes to kick in. Pulling some out and placing it in her napkin she used her heavy mug to crush them when no one was looking before mixing it into the pasta covering it with a thick layer of parmesean cheese for good measure.
They left seventeen minutes later. As they made their way back Josef began to yawn and rub his eyes. As he did she wondered if the pills were left on purpose. The thought seemed highly unlikely, but still?
He made it into her room through the window before he began to stagger. He opened the door and called for a servant. Before he could fall down all the way she helped him to the bed conviently removing the key from his pocket before he was helped to his own bedroom.
Looking about she couldn't figure where to hide it so that she would have it and it wouldn't be to obvious. Biting her lip she decided to hide it in the safest place she could think of.
...
"Hand me the list." Michelle said the moment she returned to their base of operations. The woman at the nearest desk handed her the set of names still warm from the printer.
James Baldwin
Michael Fletcher
Chris 'Kay' Jacks
Gerald Ames
Rose Wyler
John Polgean
Barten Press
Genise Morry
Saline VanZdant
Dorthy Writer
Meagan Carona
Steve Jackson
Scanning over the list, "They surely wish to keep an eye on him don't they. Alright who has the most to lose? Who is our weakest link?"
Pushing his glasses up his nose, "My bet Meagan Carona, her mother is dying and she needs the money their giving her to pay for the surgery." A man suggested.
The blonde who handed Michelle her papers snorted, "Her mother is eighty. She had her late in life. The Order will no doubt tell Meagan to just pull the triger and put her mother out of her misery. I suggest John Polgean, he has a record. If we were to conviently place evidence he could easily be apprehended leading into an investigation of the Order."
"No that's too direct." Michelle shrugged out of her jacket before joining Storm and Logan.
"I say we get Michael Fletcher." Logan suggested.
"Why?" Storm asked, "He is barely a man."
"That's good. He's still vulnerable, predictable, we can use him. Promise him a fortune or hold his girl hostage and he'll do what we want."
"No," Storm disagreed, "The young are often crafty. I suggest Genise Morry she's the one who gives the Couteau's their jobs. I say we rid ourselves of a few people and have the girls replace them. It would benifit both of our plans."
She smiled,"I agree."
...
James Baldwin was a simple family man save for his employment with the Order. On Sundays, however, he was free to be the simple family man he loves to be. His wife would have him go to the store and buy food for the family gathering they had every Sunday evening. So as usual he would stop at the bakery on his way to the store to treat himself to a chocolate covered pastry.
He did as he always did. He said hello to the man behind the counter, Barney, his eyes would then travel the glass case from right to left. Then he would pick his favorite pastry up on the gold stand at the end and would buy a bottle of orange juice to go.
After he thanked Barney careful to leave him a tip he would take the back alley between the bakery and it's neighbor to get to the parking lot behind the building taking a bite from the pastry while it was still warm. What he didn't expect was to this time fall to his knees, vision blurred.
Michael Fletcher was finally going on vacation and no not the kind to some lame theme park with the kids going daddy, daddy. The kids were at his sisters and his wife was with her sister since she was pregnant leaving him to some well deserved free time.
He was in security at the airport when the beeper continued to go off no matter what he did so he was pulled into a side room. Michael had a right mind to curse the security guard out when the door closed and the lights flipped on to reveal seven people with machine guns. He was caught and to add insult to injury they injected something into his neck.
Barton Press had went to his favorite cafe to flirt with one of the younger waitresses eating a simple ham sandwhich. The next day however he was deadly ill. Calling in sick he assumed that the ham he ate was a tad bit spoiled.
Saline never called off work. It was one of the many things she did after her and her fiance split six years ago. She was all set to go to work when she received a knock at the door. It was her fiance, Thomas, he claimed to be sorry and had been searching for her since she left England and just never knew where to look. He begged her to spend the day with him. She agreed and also called off work.
Meagan Carona's mom died of natural causes. Sad she left to Dijon to help pay for the funeral avoiding the drugged muffin sitting on her counter.
...
For days Rogue had been easier on him. It was easy to distract Josef with books and a flash of skin around her ankle or a small smile. He often tried to claim her as his though he seemed almost possesive at times. When that happened she would calmly remind him that her heart still belonged to another and they both knew who the other was.
Because of that she hadn't seen Gambit since the night he told her his plan. All she figured on her own was to make Josef jealous of him and fall in love with her which kept him pleasantly occupied much to the beheast of his fellow council members.
"Don't ya have a meetin ta go to Josef?"
"I do," he smiled,"But I much rather spend my time with you."
"I wouldn't want to interupt anything." she said hurridly.
Brushing her off, "Are you see eager to view your 'Window World' as you call it?"
"No, but wont they be lookin fer ya? They'll probably send tat samurai chick again."
"Oh Katana? She's harmless if your on her goodside."
"Are you on her goodside?"
Meanwhile in the council room the other Order members had more than enough of Josef's infatuation. It had began simple enough. Threaten her life to force Gambit into helping them, but now. Now was different. Josef had become obsessed with seeing her. Knowing her whereabouts and knowing if she were thinking of him or a certain Cajun two floors down.
Josef began to come late and all together missed meetings. He would blame his absence on his duty claiming that he was doing what was necessary. Frederic near chocked when he heard that Josef had actiually slipped the girl outside for some fresh air. What if people were spying on them? What if the American was returning from a mission and saw her practically unprotected out in the open? Or worse what if the girl had ran away?
Shaw had even heard rumors that he was reading books to her and treating her to France's finnest meals spoiling her with jeweles and flowers. She was their prisoner and their control of the American depended on her well being. Sure she didn't have to sleep in the cellar, but she surely didn't need to be treated as a princess either!
Blake calmed the men after all rumors are just rumors. Hearsay spread by gossips with loose tongues. So he had Katana, the woman who had seen to Josef's personal needs for years spy on him to distinguish what rumors were smoke or made of real substance.
To their utter horror each and everyone was true. Why any day now they expected Josef to get on one knee before the girl. They couldn't have that. They had all sworn an oath. They had all given their souls to power. Their chain can not go unbroken.
"It is a surprise you showed up this evening." Blake said.
Josef looked at the dark expressions on the men's faces, "Why did you call an emergency meeting?"
Frederic coughed, "We believe that there is a matter of most importance that needs be tended too."
"Matter? Matters can be easily solved without me. Afterall we're not at war."
"Yet." Shaw finished.
"So why are we here?"
The doors to the chamber closed. Blake walked before the men giving them each a candle, "Louis Alexander Josef you have been summoned before the Order of Four in part of two descressions that the council has defined offensive. All aquisations that will be said hence forth has been gathered, researched, and checked for truth. So in turn we know the truth. It will endear you to not lie to us.
Your crimes are as followed. First. The sin of lust. You have let your duties slip in order to spend time with our mutant hostage.
Lastly you are in violation of the oath that we swore not twelve moons ago. The Order of Four finds you unable to do what is necessary to gain such power. When you assigned yourself to the girl you should had thought it through. We know that you are smarter than that. By hurting the girl at random intervals it ensures Gambit's cooperation. Treating her as Princess Diana does not bode well with us. We believe that you are no longer able to hurt the girl and or punish her. Or if need be kill her. What say you Louis Alexander Josef of Paris?"
"I am not in love with the girl." Josef said briskly.
"Remember it will endeer you not to lie." Blake hissed.
Frederic snorted, "We know all about your 'dates' with the girl. I have bills," he held up a stack of papers, "Seven hundred in flowers, three hundred in meals, thousands in clothes, even more in jewelery. We even know about the midnite stroll you took her on."
"I would like to ask the council where they got said information."
Blake nodded, "The Order recieved proofs from Katana Fey of Japan."
"I see."
"Do you deny any of these charges and or wish to dispute them?" Blake asked.
"Yes. I may be guilty of lust, but not of the second! What I have done, everything that I have done, is for the betterment of the Order!"
"Then prove yourself to us," Shaw said pulling out a dagger, "Kill her."
"But killing her will ruin ..."
"From what I here," Frederic enterupted, "The American sees far to little of her anyway. Her death will go unoticed long enough for us to set our plans in motion."
"As I was saying Josef take this dagger. Rid this world of her in the way of our ancestors. Behead her and bring her head and the blade back to us then all your crimes will be cleared," Shaw tossed the knie at his feet, "You have until midnite."
Josef ran his hands threw his head as he walked causing it to shimmer. The hand with the dagger shook violently. This should had been easy. He was both an assassain and a thief. He had killed hundreds so why did her death hurt so much. He was positive that his atraction for her was only that of taking what Remy so preciously horded. He was sure that his attraction was purely that. An act of spite.
He was wrong. Opening the door to her room he saw her tossing in her sleep. She always did that. Most nights she would call out Remy's name. That pissed him off.
"Louis?"
He froze. The dagger seemed to float in the air along with his arm he couldn't feel it.
She stirred from her sleep. Saw him, the dagger, then panic rose in her features.
"Are ya gonna kill me?" she asked. A simple question that should had been a resounding confident no. He knew at that moment with the look in her eyes and the moon gracing her features he couldn't. The Order was right. He had fallen in love.
...
"Back so soon?" Frederic teased.
"I could not do it." Josef dropped the blade to the ground for emphasis, "As I am sure you knew."
"We had hoped to be proved wrong!" Shaw growled at him.
"Then it is decided on a vote from the council. All those in favor of keeping Josef alive please do not light your candles," no one lit theres, "Louis Alexander Josef do you accept the condition of life over death?"
"I do."
He nodded, "However we still believe that you should be punnished for your crimes. All who believe he should have a punishment fitting the crime do not light your candles," no one did, "My fellow members of the Order of Four I believe that I have a sufficent enough punishment. If you agree please do light your candles. Are you ready to serve your punishment?"
"I am."
"Good, then I have come to the decision that the American, although he has his faults should birth our guilds an heir. The procedure will begin immediately in two weeks from today. He will be mated with the mutant girl that he treasures so dearly. Also you Louis Josef are no longer permitted to see the girl. She is no longer yours to oversee. You will make up for the affairs missed and you will be on probation. You are not to leave the confines of this building till the Order deems you worthy. Worthy is defined as earning our trust back. You will also be stripped of your power. All that will be provided to you is what is needed. It will be up to the rest of the Order to decide other affairs."
Josef couldn't believe that everyones candles was lit but his. How dare they try to take her from him!
As if seeing his inner struggle, "Oh and Josef if you try to resist us you will die a most painful death."
He steadied himself.
Blake continued, "The Order of Four has henceforth delivered a fitting sentence to the trangressor. This is your first and only reprimand. Council laws prohibits third chances. If you cross us again you will die. If you run all you cared about and or once loved will die. Are we understood?"
"Yes."
"Then you are dismissed. This hearing is officialy over. What has been said in here shall be set in motion immediately."
...
Josef destroyed his room wishing dearly that his hands were gripping the hearts of the Order. It seemed like so little ago they were hanging off his every word and now they ban together against him keeping him from the one he cared for most.
"Sire." Katana entered his room.
"Did I ask for you!"
"No sire, you did not. But I have noticed that you are frustrated. I am here to aid you with your frustrations. You do not need to ruin your living space."
"Ha, and how exactly are you going to relieve me of my frustrations hmm?"
"The way I normally do sire."
"Katana I have had you many times. Too many in fact. I tire of your body. It is not fullfilling enough. After I am done with you I feel as if I were a strarved child looking into the store window with lent in his pocket.
"I tried to imagine you were her," Katana's hands balled into fist, but she kept still, "You are both pale and fiesty, but you are just so cold. So empty I need more and since I cant have her I think it is time for a change. Send me Alice. I am in the mood for some entertaining tonight."
"But sir I am yours!"
"NOT ANY MORE! Now go get me what I asked. I am done with you Katana now leave my sights and don't return until I have actually summoned you!"
Katana went to do as told. As she walked to her 'sisters' she felt oddly hollow. Was this because of how she felt or a reflection of how she was on the inside? It was not that she loved him. But Josef was hers. Her master. She had done everything to please him. Now he cast her aside. A limp horse. A tired dog with its brightest days long behind her.
She needed to kill. She needed to do something to relieve the tension.
"Ah what is the matter? Look like someone done took a piss on yah." Max said looking at Katana.
"Alice," Alice craned her head, "Josef wants you."
The room had went silent. Rosa had dropped her forks she was eating with. Syp stopped firing on her bust targets. Maxi nearly knocked her cup of joe onto her computer. Alice stood rather slowly.
"Are you certain that he wants me in that way?" Alice asked quietly.
"You are his to do with as he pleases. Leave my sights." with that she went into her room to practice on her wooden sparing buddy. She had managed to cut it completly to splinters when Max came in.
"Sorry to bother ya lass. But it seems Josef has not his full. Alice didnae do him. He has asked for me next. Donae take it personally. It is nae your fault."
Katana turned vengful eyes to Maxi although they were not directly directed to her, "Anyting else?"
She nodded, "During the morrow we be watching the American. Strictly surveillance. Something about a lack of staff."
...
"To what do I owe the pleasure of being infront of yall fine gentlermen again?" Remy asked sarcastically.
"We have a special job for you." Blake said.
"Is it fun?"
"It can be." Frederic answered.
"Does it get me outta this dump?"
"Non."
"So what is it?"
"In short," Blake said, "We want you to produce us an heir with that girl of yours. Do not worry everything will be properly situated in the coming weeks. Keep in mind that this is very important to us and will allow you two hours, three days a week with her. Should you take advantage of the situation and try to flee we will deal with the both of you permenantly. Understand?"
"Yes sir."
...
To our Dearest Bella,
We have read your proposal. You made some valiant points. Thank you for pressing this issue upon us. However, it is our job to tell you that we will not be using your eggs in this conquest. We have found someone more suitable for the job that will give us an ever brighter future. We believe that the key to your Guildmasters success is hidden in his advanced mutant genes. And yes before you read further we know of your talents, but the other girl is far better.
We have chosen his consort Anna Marie for the job. And do not frett all the proper precautions will be taken to ensure his safety as he is still very valuable to us. We will not enforce marriage on him with her, but it may be advised in the future. Thanks again for your part you played in our Guilds bright futures. You have no idea how useful you are and how proud you have made us. We will never forget this in regards to your family.
The Best of Luck,
John Blake
.
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