Publicly, the Hellfire Club was an old, upper-crust New York social club with A-List members, and a reputation for being mildly naughty. Privately, it was extremely naughty; members could indulge nearly any taste, sexual or otherwise, with extreme discretion. Secretly, unknown even to most members, it was not merely naughty, but ruthless. The Inner Circle was composed of powerful mutants who were also rich and well-connected. They didn't quite plan world domination (or, at least, most of them didn't) but they did work to protect and extend their influence.
They had once tried to kill the X-Men, but in the current climate of strained relations between mutants and humans, something of an armed truce had developed. Each group knew enough to expose the other, and in terms of raw power the mutants were fairly evenly matched. Their main area of competition currently involved identifying and recruiting newly-manifested mutants.
While little love was lost between them, at least the forms of civil discourse were maintained. The X-Men and New Mutants had been invited to a pre-holiday, members-and-guests-only party at the Hellfire Club's main facility, and it would have been rude to refuse.
Greg had seriously debated attending. His face hadn't been seen in public, and the X-Men were as certain as they could be that the Inner Circle couldn't tap the mansion's computers anymore. Allowing himself to be seen (and, no doubt, covertly photographed) just about guaranteed they would be able to track him down. He didn't want his family threatened later if the current cold war turned hot.
But, in the end, Rogue was going, and he wanted to be there for moral support. He was wearing a stunningly expensive suit, and trying not to make too many missteps as he and Rogue danced formally along with several other couples, many of them celebrities. "So, how soon can we get out of here?"
"Another couple hours, at least," Rogue replied. She had stuck with her signature green color for the dress, and sensibly wore long evening gloves. The waltz ended and they made their way to the bar, choosing non-alcoholic drinks. They had no reason to expect trouble, but neither were they taking foolish chances.
They stood, arm in arm, sipping their drinks, eyeing the crowd. Xavier was in some deep discussion with Sebastian Shaw, the 'Black King' of the Inner Circle, and Emma Frost, the 'White Queen'. Shaw had nearly killed Rogue once, and Greg had been briefed on Frost's telepathic abilities. They were keeping their distance from choice.
Kitty and Rachel were on the far side of the room, keeping half an eye on the New Mutants and the Hellfire Club counterpart, the "Hellions". Peter, Logan, and Kurt (using an image inducer to give him a less alarming appearance) were playing poker with some high-rollers at one of the tables. Peter wasn't doing so well, but Kurt and Logan seemed to be ahead.
"Ah, the young lovers. Introduce me to your friend, Rogue." Both were startled; Selene, the 'Black Queen', had come up behind them with total silence. She was clearly amused as their heads jerked towards the raven-haired beauty.
"Selene, meet Greg. Greg, Selene, the Black Queen." The air seemed to carry a chill as she spoke. Selene was very likely the most dangerous of the Inner Circle; a mutant 'vampire' who had stayed alive at least two thousand years, perhaps more, by draining the life forces of others. Rogue had survived her touch, but never forgotten it.
"No last name?" Her jet-black eyes twinkled as much as her voice.
"Ah never needed one, an' neither did you," Rogue replied.
"Quite so. Well, 'Greg', what do you think of our little celebration?"
He looked around at the splendid ballroom. Clearly, no expense had been spared - even the appetizers must have cost more to prepare than a midrange lawyer made in a year. "Not bad," he said, noncomittally.
"Is that all? Perhaps we should retire to the private areas. I feel certain we could impress you. All sorts of interesting diversions available," she grinned, slyly, nodding toward the scantily-clad waitresses passing by with hors d'ourvres.
Rogue tightened her grip on Greg's arm. "Don't worry, dear, there are accomodating gentlemen available as well. Oh, I'm sorry," Selene suddenly paused. "I had quite forgotten, that's not really an option for you, is it?"
Greg glared at Selene, who appeared not to notice. "We're fine, thank you very much."
She gave them a dazzling smile. "Ah, how fortunate you have this handsome young man, Rogue. Do keep him happy, now." She glanced over their shoulders. "Ah, Von Roehm appears to need my presence. I hope you'll excuse me?" Taking their silence for assent, Selene glided away.
Rogue and Fortress made a very quiet couple the rest of the evening.
Greg and Rogue were changing out of their formal clothes in her room. They had flown on ahead of the rest of the group, who were still driving home in a pair of vans. "That bitch," Rogue fumed, "had better pray Ah never get an excuse to go after her!"
"I know what you mean," Greg agreed. "I wanted to deck her myself."
Rogue whirled on him. "Oh, don't you start! You didn't exactly look away from those half-naked bimbos!"
Greg looked surprised and embarassed. "Hey, I'm sorry, I'm male. Those outfits are designed to make guys look! It's not like I was staring down anyone's dress..."
"Hell, you'd probably have taken Selene up on it if Ah hadn't been there!" Rogue had turned away, and was methodically putting on a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans.
{Aw, crud,} Greg thought. {Guess we won't be doing anything intimate tonight.} "That's not fair. Even if I was stupid enough to let my guard down there, I wouldn't do that! She was just trying to get under our skins. If she's as old as you say, she must have had a lot of practice."
"Well, it worked. Ah'm officially pissed. At both of you."
Greg was getting irritated. "We've been over this. I'm no saint, I admit, but I'm not the kind of guy who cheats. I can understand you being jealous, especially after what Peter did, but..."
"But you don't have to be," Rogue broke in. "Ah can't cheat. Ah might as well have a chastity belt on."
"That's not the point! Maybe I physically could cheat, but I won't! Cripes, I love you!"
"Ah can really hear it in your voice." Rogue glared at him.
Greg opened his mouth, stopped, and shook his head. "Screw this. I'm heading home. Maybe you'll be more rational Monday."
"Maybe, but Ah won't be here."
"Huh?" Greg paused in the middle of pulling his jeans on. "Where are you going?"
"Genosha. We're going to have a look around." Defiance burned on her face.
"What?" Greg stood up, looking a bit comical with his pants half on. "Are you crazy? I told you people what happened there! Those bastards are... are... cripes! I can't believe you'd just waltz down there and..."
"We need to know what's goin' on. The next mutant who passes by might not get away. And what about the ones they already grabbed?"
"I just... fine. Go get kidnapped and brainwashed, all of you! I'm done with this. Don't bother asking me to come." He pulled his clothes on rapidly and headed toward the door.
"Don't worry, sugar. We weren't gonna." Rogue sounded faintly amused.
Greg turned to look her, then stalked out without a word.
Rogue sat down on her bed. Suddenly she didn't feel very angry. And she certainly didn't feel happy.