"Mystique... Mystique?" Pyro whined as he scampered to her room. "Mystique? Raven?" He walked into her dark, seemingly empty office. "Never around when you need her..."

He suddenly felt hands on his chest, and a head on his shoulder, he started.

"You know, boss, I hate it when you do that.."

"Yes.... that's why I do it." Mystique cooed as she walked to lean onto her desk, facing John. "Now, what do you want?"

"How much longer are we going to keep him around?" He walked up to her. "He's grating my last nerve.."

She sighed and jumped up to sit on the desk.

"Not much longer," She began to slowly pull him to her. "I'm going out tonight to do some more investigating."

"Why? We've got all we need..." He gave a slight yelp as she gave a final tug and wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Not exactly," He braced himself by resting his hands on either side of her. "You see, he'll never agree to sacrifice himself to do something for me.. unless he's got a good reason." She began leaning back onto the desk further, pulling John with her.

"L-like what?" He stuttered as she pulled him closer.

"Like someone he cares about... a friend, or.." She pulled him onto the desk. "A lover.."