Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story but Allegra.. I know, it's a bit of a Mary Sue, but I couldn't help it. Originally written in 1998.
When Worlds Collide Part 2
Allegra dressed for dinner with steady grace, taking care that nothing was out of place on the reproduction jazz age tango dress. The last time she had been more than two years ago, and she was glad that it still fit. As she placed her pearl string around her neck, there was a knock at the door.
"Come." she said, fixing her earrings.
"Bonjour, petite. My, don't you look delicious. Why are you all dressed up?" Remy said as he walked in the room. She turned around slowly and dramatically so he could look at the dress and her in it.
"I brought all the clothes I could think of that fit with the Professor's description of Gotham High Society. Do you think it will work?" she put on other rings, taking care with what looked to be a silver wedding band. Remy looked at it thoughtfully, remembering the story behind that ring, how she got it from her instructor after her first assassination for the Shop. She said that it symbolised the main tenet of the Shop and the DSI, that you were in a marriage, a commitment, to the Shop, and there was no such thing as divorce from it. Well, she divorced it. Successfully so far. No one had come looking for her since she showed up on the doorstep of Professor Xavier's, having just faked her own death on a mission. Remy thought it must be hard for her still, two years later, considering he knew she still had nightmares of them coming to kill her. He had sat through many of them with her.
"Remy, you aren't paying any attention to me." she said, pulling him out of train of thought.
"Je regrette, cher. This medication seems to mess wit' my mind. What were you saying?"
"Oh, nevermind." she gave him a hug, almost as if she had peeked into his thoughts. "Let's go on down. That grand staircase is just begging for me to make an entrance on it."
They went downstairs arm in arm, with Allegra stopping every so often in front of come piece of artwork to comment on Bruce Wayne's impeccable taste.
"Is he very old?" she asked.
"Non, cher," Remy said with a laugh. "He only 'bout my age."
"Well, with his taste in paintings and such," she said, "And with the way the Professor speaks of him, I got the impression that he was much older."
"Alfred raise him from very early on. His parents were killed in a mugging when he was very small, and wit' all this money and no one relation wise, he grew up here wit' Alfred to watch over him. He taught him in the finer things to do wit' all that money."
They reached the double doors leading to the dining room, with the Professor speaking to a distinguished man in his thirties. Allegra noticed that the Professor had given up his exo-skeletal legs for his electric wheelchair. There would still be bugs in the electrical circuits, Allegra thought.
"My, Allegra, don't you look beautiful tonight." the Professor said as they walked up, "Bruce, this is my newest student, Allegra Bradshaw. Allegra, this is Bruce Wayne."
"Glad to meet you, Allegra Bradshaw. I hope everything is alright with your room." he said, extending his hand after shaking Remy's.
"Gods, yes. This whole estate is simply divine. I could get used to this kind of living." She took his hand and was assaulted by images of caverns and bats. She released her grasp and staggered back into Remy.
"You're ... you .. bat .."
Yes, Allegra, he is the Batman. the Professor said telepathically, then added with his own voice, "You really need to work on your insulation against random thoughts." He took her hand, dulling the images burning in her brain.
"I'm sorry about that, Miss Bradshaw. Xavier told me you were a telepath, but I had no idea I would do that." Bruce said, afraid to touch her.
"It's my fault, actually. I've had these talents since I can remember, but it took me over twenty years to get act together and get some discipline. Please, call me Allegra since I'm going to be your houseguest."
"Of course, as long as you call me Bruce. Mr. Wayne is far too formal, especially if you are to be my houseguest."
"Alright." she replied as the rest of the group of Xavier's students reached to bottom of the staircase. Allegra noticed that Ororo looked stunning with her shock of white hair against he dark caramel skin. The amazing thing was that she seemed to have gotten Logan and Sam Guthrie to dress in suit jackets and slacks. Of course, Allegra thought, it would be a miracle to remove the smelly cigar from between Logan's lips.
"Now that we are all here, shall we go in?" Bruce said, offering his arm to Ororo. Allegra took Remy's arm and followed them in.
"Sam, where's Bishop and Rogue?" Allegra asked as she sat down next to the blond young man. He seemed to be a bit uncomfortable and fidgeted constantly in his suit jacket.
"Oh, Rogue's not hungry and Bishop is feelin' a might poorly at the moment." his Southern drawl became more pronounced the more uncomfortable he became.
"Bishop's a freak, I say." Logan's raspy growl retorted. "Bastard can travel through time just fine, but he catches a cold and becomes a total wimp."
"Logan ..." Ororo said warningly, sitting next to Bruce and the Professor.
Alfred and Grayson entered from the kitchen, each carrying a tray. Grayson stopped short when he noticed Allegra sitting at the table. She hid a laugh when she heard his thoughts, and the Professor smirked as she started to blush.
"Professor," Bruce said, interrupting that train of thought before it could really get started, "why is this mission of such great importance?"
"Well, there has been some disturbances in the rip in the astral plane in the last few weeks. At first I thought it was normal temporal disturbances, but then they became more severe."
"Shadow King?" Bruce replied.
"That's what I thought." Allegra spoke up as Alfred served the first course. She didn't want to think of the alternative.
"I thought so at first also, but it isn't his style. It's almost as if this entity is fumbling around, not quite sure of what is going on." the Professor explained, taking note that the thought on everyone's minds as he said that was Legion, the Professor's son. He was a disturbed amalgamation of multiple personalities that had extremely powerful mutant abilities.
"Yes, everyone," the Professor said, acknowledging their thought, "I should admit it to myself now, before this begins, that it could be Legion. I don't like that possibility, but is sounds strongly of him." He looked distraught for a moment, then his emotions gave over to determined resignation. No one said anything for a time.
~~~~~
The next morning, everyone said their good-byes standing in front of the manor to the Professor and the group, giving the feeling of close family ties. Allegra walked up to the Professor and put on her best little girl look.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Allegra. It's for the best, and you know it. I don't want your first mission out to be your last." he said solemnly, softly touching her cheek. She returned his look as if to say she understood, then turned to give the rest of the group hugs.
When the rest started to get into the limo, Bruce said, "Godspeed to you and return safe. When you get back, you should spend some more time here at the Manor."
"Of course, Bruce. See you soon." the Professor replied, getting into the car.
After they left, they returned inside to get out of the sun. Allegra noticed a maid scuttle through the hall into one of the parlours.
"Bruce," she spoke softly, "I've been meaning to ask you all morning, why are all the servants around? Is it cleaning day?"
"I'm giving a ball this evening for the governor. It's his reelection year and he's an old friend, so I thought I'd drum up a little support for him." Bruce replied.
"It's gonna be tres formale, cher. Bruce don't go no half-assed on his parties." Remy said, and Bruce laughed.
"Does this mean I'll finally get you in a tuxedo, Remy?" He said, throwing an arm around Remy's shoulders companionably.
"Eh? You know, Bruce, I seemed to have forgot mine again. That's a damn shame." he replied, looking away sheepishly.
"Well, you know, mon ami, I just so happen to have a spare that should fit you quite well, actually. I'll have Alfred find it for you." Bruce laughed as Remy sputtered at his comment.
"What about you, Grayson?" Allegra said, dropping back to where he was walking.
"Oh, a tux was one of the first things Bruce bought me when I moved in here. Even though it's the most uncomfortable thing to wear after about fifteen minutes." Grayson said, looking down at his shoes every time they made eye contact.
"But every male looks good in a well-cut tux. Gods, it even makes the Prime Minister look almost sexy." she said as they started up the stairs. Neither of them had noticed that Bruce and Remy had turned off and gone into the drawing room downstairs. Grayson looked at her and laughed.
"You know, You're right about that. I never thought about it that way before."
"Listen Grayson," she said, taking a serious tone, "I've already apologised to Alfred, and I need to apologise to you." She stopped on a landing. "I didn't mean to be such a bitch to you yesterday. I was still upset at being left out of the mission, and I was taking it out on you."
"Oh, don't worry about it. I understand a little too well. Even though my opinion of you wasn't real high to start out with."
"So," she said, extending her hand, "Friends?"
"Sure, friends."
"Okay, now that's settled, I need you to do me a favour."
"What's that?"
"Help me go through my wardrobe and find something devastating to wear tonight. I haven't a clue anymore." she laughed.
"What about that dress you wore last night?" They began walking to her room.
"Oh, that's tame compared to some of my others."
"Oh, my." was all he said quietly.
~~~~~
Allegra looked down at all the people milling around the first floor and sighed. It had been so long since she had been to a party of this kind, and it made her a bit nervous. It reminded her of the first party like this that she had been to.
Just out of training for the Shop, she was seventeen and looked twenty-five. She had melded into the crowd effortlessly, with dignitaries and public officials everywhere around her. Her slinky black dress heaved up and down with her uneasy breath, making her look all the more desirable to the men surrounding her. She sauntered up to her target with easy grace, then put her gun to his ribs and shot. The only sound was like a slight exhalation, then collapse.
A rush of adrenaline blasted through her body as the first of his bodyguards noticed that their charge had collapsed. She controlled her urge to bolt and sauntered, albeit quickly, out the doors and into the comforting night.
"Gods, not another party." Grayson said from behind her, startling her out of the remembrance.
"Grayson, you scared the hell out of me." she said breathlessly. She shook it off and took a good look at him. "Damn, you clean up well."
"You don't look so bad yourself, Miss Thing." he said, bowing to her dramatically. They both laughed, then looked back down at the people. Allegra got a wistful look on her face again.
"Are you sure that you're alright? You look like you're about to cry." Grayson asked, concern covering his face.
"I don't cry anymore. I can't." she said coldly, then changed her tone quickly. "It's nothing, let's go down now. We'll time it perfectly." she locked her arm in his and began to descend the stairwell slowly, Allegra taking care to explain the little things that show style and grace to him in a slight whisper.
"Why are you telling me all this?" he asked in the same whisper.
"Because," she began as they reached the bottom of the stairs, "I won't be seen on the arm of someone without tact. You may be cute, Grayson, but cute only goes so far."
Her last words were said on the last stair, then she looked forward towards the people with a bright, vacuous smile. Grayson noted that her whole demeanour changed when her foot touched the floor. Bruce met her in the hall, arms outstretched. He then seemed to waver for a moment, still wary of touching her.
"Don't worry, Bruce. I've dealt with that little ... difficulty." Allegra said, accepting his hug with no problems.
"Good, because I would love to have such a beautiful young woman on my arm tonight. As long as you don't mind, of course." Allegra looked to Grayson for a moment and he nodded his head.
"Of course, Bruce. I am yours to command." she said with a small, musical laugh. Bruce and Allegra drifted through the crowd with Grayson following a short distance behind. She felt right at home traipsing between the "Beautiful People" of Gotham. Almost every male in the house was in a well-tailored tuxedo and every lady was in a designer original evening gown. On some it looked fabulous, on others it seemed as if they were trying to regain their youth unsuccessfully. To Allegra, it was a grand homecoming.
Bruce excused himself for a photo opportunity that he could not decline, then turned and asked Allegra if she would mind coming with him.
"Thank you, but no, Bruce," she replied, distancing herself from the photographers. "with my past, I'd rather not have my picture taken for the papers,"
"You should tell me about it sometime. Xavier never got the chance to. Oh, well, business calls." He said, handing her arm to Grayson, then went to talk to the reporters.
Grayson and Allegra walked for a bit not saying a word. He slowly led her away from the large part of the crowd and sat down in a large window seat in the library.
"Why don't you want your picture taken, if I'm not asking too much?" he said after they had sat down.
"I ... um," she began, "Well, let's put it this way, I used to work for an organisation that doesn't like its people to leave, and I left. The Professor took me in when I had nowhere else to go, and now I'm here." She lit a cigarette, looking very uneasy.
"I'm sorry I asked you if it upsets you that much. Was it military?"
"No." she replied curtly.
"Oh, okay. I think I'll just shut my mouth now, before I dig my hole any deeper."
"I'm sorry, Grayson. I didn't mean to snap your head off there, it's just a very touchy subject with me."
"I'll remember that." he said, fidgeting with his tie. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Sure. To fit the occasion, how about a vodka martini?" she bit back the words, shaken not stirred.
"Alright. I'll be back in a moment." He walked over to the bar where Remy was holding court with three young socialites. Allegra laughed to herself when she saw that Bruce had won their argument and got the infamous Remy LeBeau in a tuxedo.
She looked through the open double doors and scanned the crowd yet again. That had always been one of her favourite things to do at gatherings of this sort.
Grayson returned with her drink and sat down. They chatted amiably for a bit, discussing the people around them. They were in a heated discussion when a slight man in a worn-out suit jacket walked up to them.
"Excuse me, Mr. Grayson," the small man said, wiping his face with a ragged handkerchief. Allegra was reminded of a rat when she looked at him.
"Could I get a picture of you and the lady?"
"No pictures this evening, Sal. I'm not up for having my face plastered all over Gotham tomorrow. Also, confidentially," Grayson said, edging closer to the man, "The lady here thinks you'll steal her soul with your camera, and she's not hot for it to be taken."
She hid a grin as the photographer stormed off, not finding Grayson humorous at all.
"I thank you, my kind lord." she said, curtsying as best she could sitting down.
"Not a problem, mi'lady. Anytime I can be of service, just ask."
They sat there and talked for the rest of the night, delicately side-stepping Allegra's past where it became tricky. Remy and Bruce, at different times, came over and asked Allegra to dance, her appeasing them as much as declining. Once, she danced with Grayson and he only stepped on her toes a few times. She graciously ignored it.
When all the guests finally left, Allegra and Grayson helped Remy to bed then stood outside her door for a moment.
"Gods, Remy's going to be in such pain tomorrow. Of course, he's feeling no pain right at the moment." she said, looking towards his room.
"That's for sure." he replied. "I'm definitely glad I'm not him. I don't have the stamina for that kind of living."
They stood for a moment, saying nothing. "Well, I'm off to bed. See you tomorrow, Grayson." she said, opening her door a bit. She impulsively kissed him on the cheek.
"What was that for?" he said. "For being such a sweetheart to me. Goodnight." and went into her room.
"Goodnight." he said to her closed bedroom door softly, lightly touching his cheek.
~~~~~
More to come, of course! Please review!