Author's Note: Any ideas on how long we should make Bobby suffer? I mean, I'm all for letting him think that John's dead right up until our little pyromaniac lands back in the mansion as per the preview chapter...but that may be a bit harsh. Although, let's face it – the ice idiot probably deserves it...

Chapter Seventeen: Good Idea

Just ask her you wimp!

Oh don't bother. The little fag's probably dead anyway.

Don't call him that!

They probably figured out he was a mutant you know...

Yeah...he'll be locked up by now...if he's not dead.

Stop saying he might be dead!

Well if you're that worried then fucking ask her!

Who gives a damn? He was just a fuck.

Oh don't start...

Mystique glanced across at the mutant in the passenger seat, raising an eyebrow as he rubbed his temples wearily. He had been silent since the two had left the prison.

"What's wrong with you? You don't exactly seem that excited to be free."

"Just a headache," the duplicating mutant muttered, giving a small shake of the head, turning to look at the shapeshifter as he pulled a more sociable expression onto his face. "So...the cure's a dud?"

"It's not as permanent as they claimed," Mystique smirked, pulling into the side of the road, not too far from the building she planned for the other mutant to infiltrate. Night was falling, and the street lights had little effect in the corner she was parked.

"And your...brotherhood's back in business then?" Multiple Man glanced away briefly, frowning slightly as he played with the zip of his jacket.

"What's left of the brotherhood," Mystique looked at the other mutant pointedly, taking note of the way he shifted uncomfortably. She reached into the glove box and pulled out some small, electronic devices, handing them to Multiple Man. "Now...you remember what you're doing?"

"Get past security and simultaneously open five vaults," the multiplying mutant gave a wry smile. "You'd better hope my dupes are in a cooperative mood."

"They had better hope they are in a cooperative mood," Mystique's lips quirked slightly. "I do not take lightly to failure. Now, you have all the codes?"

Multiple Man held up the card with the codes. The shapeshifter nodded and gestured for the other mutant to get to business. He did so with no complaint. Mystique watched thoughtfully as he crossed the road and made for the heavily guarded building. With a small smirk, she reached into the glove box and pulled out a mobile phone, hitting the speed dial quickly and tapping her fingers on the steering wheel as she waited for a reply.

"Yeah?"

"Hiya fireball!" Mystique grinned as she heard Pyro's sleepy voice, knowing full well it was the middle of the night back at their temporary base. "Are you missing me?"

"Like a hole in the head," came Pyro's muttered reply.

"Oh you don't mean that!" Mystique pouted. "So how are things?"

"Fine," Pyro let out a yawn. "Magneto's grumpy. Just the usual. But apparently the new base should be ready next week."

Mystique laughed.

"Oh well, that might cheer him up a bit. Then we just have to figure out how to cheer you up."

"A packet of fags would be nice," Pyro yawned again. "You did promise to get me some last time you fucked off and abandoned me."

"Excuse me?" Mystique raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at her lips. "I think you'll find that last time I got arrested."

"Minor detail."

"Major detail! Besides, firstly you've quit and I will not have you start smoking those disgusting little things again and secondly, I actually promised to bring you back a man."

"Yeah, yeah," the pyrokinetic grumbled, remembering back to their little conversation.

"You know," Mystique glanced in the direction Multiple Man had disappeared. "The offer still stands..."

"What is your obsession with my love life?" Pyro muttered, pausing slightly, his voice growing a little softer. "When are you going to be back?"

"It's gonna be a few days yet," Mystique replied, frowning at the tender of the younger mutant's voice. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," the pyrokinetic sighed heavily. Mystique bit her lip, her concern not diminished any but she knew better than to push the other mutant, especially when not speaking to him in person.

"Ok then, I suppose I should let you get some sleep," she couldn't help but smile at the incoherent grumbling that met her ear. "I'll see you when I get back."

"Ok, see you," Pyro's voice grew quieter still. "Be careful, yeah?"

"Of course. Goodnight baby."

The shapeshifter frowned slightly as she hung up the phone and returned it to the glove box. The pyrokinetic just hadn't been the same since Alcatraz...

--- --- --- --- ---

Mystique let out an exasperated sigh as a squad of police and FBI cars came screaming down the street. She looked across anxiously to the huge, imposing building into which Multiple Man had disappeared – a ridiculously long time ago. Sure enough, within minutes she saw the multiplying mutant being led outside by a heavily armed battalion of authority.

"Damn it!" Mystique hit the steering wheel, seething at the failed mission. She didn't notice anyone approach the car until the passenger door opened. The shapeshifter snapped her head to the side to find Multiple Man sitting next to her, folder in hand.

"What?" he smirked at her startled expression.

"But...I thought..."

Multiple Man laughed.

"You know," he raised an eyebrow and grinned. "The best information to have on the enemy...is the type they don't know you have."

Slowly, Mystiques lips mirrored the other mutant's grin.

"Cunning," she nodded approvingly, slamming her foot down on the accelerator. Perhaps the multiplying mutant would be more useful than she had first thought...

--- --- --- --- ---

Mystique led Multiple Man up to the grand home in which the Brotherhood currently resided. The multiplying mutant raised an eyebrow.

"A little different from your last abode," he commented lightly, thinking back to the cold, stone and metal underground base from before.

"This is only temporary," Mystique replied, frowning concernedly as she caught sight of scorch marks and smoke damage around one of the top floor windows. Multiple Man just nodded, not looking at the window, and followed the shapeshifter into the house.

"So..." Magneto's nonchalant voice came from a nearby room. "He is your big idea?"

Mystique rolled her eyes and took the folder Multiple Man handed her, throwing it at Magneto.

"And a very good idea he was," she said pointedly. Magneto just raised an eyebrow, an ever so slight smirk playing at his lips as he looked down at the file. Mystique crossed her arms and glanced around, frowning as she caught sight of more scorch marks around the room. Magneto glanced up and caught her concerned expression.

"It would appear that bump to the head has affected your little pyromaniac's co-ordination," he commented absently, turning his attention back to the file in his hands. Mystique just scowled and backed into the corridor, ushering for Multiple Man to follow her. Sure enough, they found her little pyromaniac sitting in one of the smaller rooms, side on to them, the television showing some cheesy horror film. Mystique couldn't help but smile at the sleeping mutant.

"Almost looks sweet and innocent, doesn't he?" she smirked.

He looks twelve...

Oh don't fucking start...

Multiple Man just raised an eyebrow and leaned against the doorframe, giving a small shake of the head to rid himself of the voices, crossing his arms casually as the shapeshifter walked forward towards the pyrokinetic. He smiled as she sat down next to Pyro, the further away side from himself, reaching out to take his lighter only to have the lighter flick open, a small fireball being pulled into Pyro's spare hand.

"Don't even think about it," Pyro mumbled, opening his eyes slowly, waving the fireball at her not-very-threateningly. Mystique just raised an eyebrow as some of the flame dropped onto the sofa. The fire mutant hastily extinguished all the flames, turning slightly more away from Multiple Man so as while the fire mutant could not see the new arrival, the older mutant could still see the pyrokinetic's face. Mystique smiled sympathetically and reached out to brush away some of the loose hair from the younger mutant's face.

"How's your head?"

"Fucked up," Pyro muttered, batting her hand away.

"Oh well I knew that already."

Pyro pulled a face, sticking his tongue out at the older mutant. Multiple Man suppressed a laugh.

"I wasn't expecting you back yet," Pyro commented. Mystique smirked.

"It all went better than I was expecting," she shrugged and glanced up at Multiple Man. "Anyway..." she stretched her arms out leisurely, a small smile playing on her lips. "I think it's past your bed time."

"Fuck you," Pyro scowled. "You're worse than Summers," his eyes widened slightly as the shapeshifter's skin started to peel back. "Oh don't even think about it!" Pyro frowned heavily as Scott just grinned back at him. "You're a bitch."

"Oh, you know you love me!" the Cyclops shaped figure grabbed Pyro's face and pulled him forward into a kiss. The fire mutant scowled as he pulled away.

"I'm so gonna have nightmares..." Pyro mumbled. Mystique laughed and reverted to her natural form as the pyrokinetic stumbled sleepily to his feet. She raised an eyebrow as he turned towards the door. "Jamie?"

The older mutant just raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips as he waved back casually.

"Hey John."

"Good...you do both remember each other," Mystique smirked as she stood up, smiling down at the shocked fire mutant. Pyro tore his eyes away from the mutant in the doorway and looked up at the shapeshifter. "Pyro, can you show Multiple Man to one of the spare rooms?" she raised an eyebrow mischievously. "I'm not quite finished with him yet," Pyro opened his mouth to reply, but shut it abruptly when nothing came out. Mystique smiled as she gave him a small nod, moving towards the door. She paused next to the pyrokinetic as Multiple Man moved out of the doorway to let her past. "Apparently I did see another familiar name on that list," she whispered in Pyro's ear, laughing as the younger mutant's eyes widened slightly. With one last smirk, she blew the fire mutant a kiss and made her way out the door. Pyro gulped but kept a neutral expression on his face as he turned to Multiple Man, who merely raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"Follow me then," Pyro mumbled, making his way towards the stairs. Reaching the landing, he pointed to his left. "Magneto and Mystique are down there somewhere so I'd just avoid it," he pointed to his right. "The room at the end is mine and opposite is the bathroom apart from that," Pyro shrugged and dared to glance at the mutant behind him. "Take your pick."

I want the room at the end...

Don't even fucking think about it!

But look at him! He's so adorable when he's sleepy...

Adorable? He's a little nut job!

Says the guy who's speaking to himself...

Multiple Man closed his eyes briefly, inhaling sharply as he brought his attention back into focus. Opening his eyes again, his gaze fell immediately on the smaller mutant in front of him, shifting about anxiously. Adorable indeed. He couldn't help but smile as he moved closer, gently resting a hand on Pyro's lower back, leaning forward to whisper in his ear;

"I told you I'd see you after."

Pyro's eyes widened slightly but he kept his gaze fixed firmly ahead of him as the hand slipped from his back, the other mutant making his way down the corridor to the right. Finally the fire mutant glanced up, just in time to see Multiple Man disappear into the room next to his. Pyro sighed heavily and bit his lip, flicking his lighter open and shut quickly as he made his way to his own room. He knew it was going to be a restless night – and it wouldn't be because of Mystique's little Cyclops stunt...