The cell door was open when she approached, the transparent barrier active so that the captive was easily visible. She stood on the opposite side of the barrier, peering into the cell. The captive appeared to be asleep, laying on his side on the sleeping platform. The lighting was very low within the cell, but the hall light illuminated the interior.

"Wake up," she said to the sleeping form. She was disappointed to see red and black eyes open, regard her silently.

Slowly, awkwardly, Remy sat up with the sound of clinking chains binding him. He'd made no attempt at escape.

"Rogue," he said. "Chère, y'aint supposed t'be here."

"She isn't," Carol said. "I'm giving her...some time to herself."

Remy's expression was at first confused, then alarmed. "Ms. Marvel!" he shouted. "Wait! I—."

"Be quiet," Carol said, walking into the cell. She was in full possession of her powers, as they were not mutant in nature. A fact Rogue had failed to recognize. "I want to speak to Sinister. Bring him out."

Remy shook his head. "Hey!" he cried. "Hey! Logan! Magn-!"

Carol struck him across the face with an open palm and he toppled. Blood streamed from his lip. "I know all about you, Gambit. I know the brand of hot sauce you prefer. I know your ATM pin. I know how you taste. And I have a sense of what scares you."

"You can't be serious. You're an Avenger! What in de hell do you want Sinister for?" he attempted to stall. She struck him again with the back of her hand, causing him to fall in the opposite direction.

"I don't get tired, I could hit you all night," Carol told him. "I want to talk to Sinister."

Remy had half fallen from the cot, his feet struggled to propel himself back into a seated position. Carol seized him by the front of his uniform bottoms, yanked the belt free. "Sinister!" Carol hissed, raising the belt over her head. She could see Remy was struggling, both with his bonds and with the parasite in his mind. She struck him across the shoulder. The belt made a sharp crack and suddenly Remy had retreated.

Carol clutched the belt in her fist, panting slightly. "I won't strike you again," she said. "You can come out."

Sinister assumed a calm demeanor. He righted himself and sat stoically with a straight spine on the cot. "My dear, color me intrigued. What is it you wish to speak to me about?"

"I want to know more about these failsafes you have for yourself," Carol demanded. "You have another body prepared somewhere?"

"Several," Sinister smiled. "Yes. Should this form be grievously injured beyond repair, killed or otherwise destroyed, I would transfer my psyche to a new host."

"Do you retain your powers?" Carol asked.

"In most instances, yes. As well as acquiring the abilities of my next host. I have quite the collection by now."

Carol considered him. "Can you transfer my psyche? To another body? One I alone control?"

Sinister's expression was as close to a look of delight as he could approximate. "Why, it would be my pleasure. How do you feel about becoming a redhead?" He nearly chuckled.

"I'll free you," Carol said in confirmation. "I'll take you out of here. You give me a new body."

"We are in agreement," Sinister said.

"Finally," Carol said. "Having a choice. So much better than having no choice at all." She reached out a hand to grasp him by the inhibitor. "You will not harm the other X-Men," she ordered. "I'll break you of these chains, but the inhibitor stays on until I know you won't double-cross me."

Sinister slowly declined his head in a bow. "Your terms are acceptable."

Carol crouched to grasp the shackles around Sinister's ankles. The chains clattered against one another. She found herself held immobile. Carol sucked in a breath. "No!" she gasped, struggling to hold Rogue back now. She grit her teeth together, forced her hands to pull the chains apart. They strained.

"Ah...won't...let…" Rogue stammered.

"Let me! Let me? I won't wait for your permission...to live my life!" Carol shouted.

"You're...not...alive!" Rogue screamed. She threw herself backwards and away from Sinister.

Sinister realized his opportunity was slipping away. "Rogue. So nice of you to join us. You have proven yourself to be quite useful. Why attempt to torture my host, when he will readily commit to tormenting himself? The amount of horror and shame he feels, not just from what I have done with his body, but when he realized you—."

Rogue regained her feet. "Shut. Up!" she demanded. "Shut up!"

"Though, I admit, the amount of displeasure I took in re-enacting your rather vulgar activities may last with me for some time," Sinister continued, his expression conveying mild disgust.

Rogue's fist met with Sinister's already much-battered face. He collapsed and blood poured from his nose. Rogue hadn't realized she could hit so hard within the inhibitor field. "Oh, mah god. Remy!" She fell to her knees beside him, a hand on the side of his face. "Remy!"

Remy made a small moaning sound. His eyes rolled back into his head as he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Rogue cried, her forehead resting on his chest. "Remy," she whispered. "Please come back. Come back to yourself."


Next time: Sinister showdown.

Five more chapters left, still time to weigh in. Romance is in the lead with the most votes!