Could This Be Love?

Xavier Institute for Higher Learning

"I would have thought that you of all people would want to rid the world of Dark Beast. Just think of everything he's done to you Hank, murdered your friends, walled you up and left you to die. Yet you're telling us to leave him and his traitor friends be, while we go on some wild goose chase against the Hellfire Club. I just can't understand you Hank,"

Hank sighed heavily, he'd hoped he could reason with Warren but, deep inside he'd known it would be futile. Warren was blinded by anger and hatred towards Remy and was out for blood. Perhaps you couldn't blame Warren when the Mutant Massacre had cost him his wings but Hank was still disappointed in him. After all Angel had made his own wrong choice by joining Apocalypse as his Horseman Death. His own choice and when you thought about it was he really any better than Remy?

Scott too hadn't been prepared to listen and he too was blinded by anger towards McCoy. In Scott's case it seemed that McCoy had mortally insulted the X-Men with his sheer audacity. He'd taken the place of the Hank they knew and loved and lived among them with nobody the wiser. He'd learned their every beastly little secret and then in the end he'd betrayed them all to Onslaught. Now he'd gone one step further by the fact that four of their former friends and allies were now working for him including Wolverine, the very soul of the X-Men. But what had stung Scott most of all was Dark Beast accusing them of hypocrisy and the fact that he was right.

"You're right Warren I'll confess I look forward to the day Dark Beast is brought to justice for his crimes. What I'm saying though is that he's not the only enemy out there and certainly not the deadliest. Besides Selene and the Hellfire Club we're forgetting, Exodus and the Acolytes, Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Apocalypse, Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike, Bastion, Juggernaut, Emplate, Stryfe and all the other enemies. There may be another threat to earth from the Brood, the Phalanx, the Skrull or even the Shiar Empire. Even as we speak a new threat even deadlier than Onslaught may be arising. Then we've got the problems of Xavier's whereabouts, the Legacy Virus and the ever present hatred of mutants to face. Let's not forget that Dark Beast is just one of the problems,"

Hank growled deep in his throat when he saw Warren had already turned and left. No doubt he'd gone to find Scott and continue working on the war plan the two were formulating. Hank shook his head sorrowfully, Scott was a good leader and there was nobody more devoted to Charles Xavier's dream than he was. That was part of the problem; Scott's devotion to the X-Men was sometimes close to fanaticism. Hank knew only too well that fanatics found it difficult to listen to reason.

"Oh stars and freaking garters. Why did I even bother trying to reason with him? Perhaps I'll have better luck talking to Jean or Kurt. Maybe just maybe I can stop this before we do the true enemies job for them by fighting amongst ourselves. If I don't it won't be through lack of trying,"

Somewhere in New York

Puma of course wouldn't have been allowed into the theatre, a seven foot tall furred feline with razor fangs and claws wasn't desirable clientele. Fortunately he was also Thomas Fireheart, CEO of Fireheart Enterprises and one of the richest men in North America. Thus it was easy for him to reserve a private box so that he and Rogue could watch the play in opulent comfort. It was better this way for Rogue, no fear that someone might accidentally touch her. He was glad as well that Rogue seemed to be enjoying his company and she'd even smiled during the play. Perhaps he was helping just a little to mend her broken heart. Maybe he could even persuade her to come back with him and speak to Remy. He could sense she still had feelings for him and she genuinely regretted her terrible mistake. Remy too didn't hate her; he could tell that he too regretted his harsh words. Why did he care about trying to bring about rapprochement between them? Perhaps because his sympathy was for both of them he hoped to bring harmony between them. It just didn't seem right that they should remain enemies when with a little help they could perhaps find peace with each other.

"Did you enjoy the play Rogue?"

"Ah sure did sugah. Ah believe yah said something tah me about going fer dinner afterwards?"

"So I did. It just so happens that there's a certain restaurant just a couple of blocks away I think you'd like. I'm one of the shareholders so you'll be sure to get excellent service."

He'd got it planned out, a private table in a quiet corner of the restaurant well away from other customers. Candlelight, gentle background music, a glass or two of good wine would help to set the mood. Then when the moment was right he could tell her how he felt. Perhaps if he was fortunate she'd not be offended or hurt. He wasn't a telepath by any means but a hunter like him could pick up a lot from the body language. There was at least some mutual like between them, maybe it would never be anything more than friendship. Puma could live with that but he hoped that in time it could perhaps become something more. Of course he'd also have to remember to talk to her about Remy.

As they stepped into the street outside he tensed, something in the air just didn't smell right. Sniffing at the air he caught the rank stench of sweat and his keen hearing picked up a rapid heartbeat. Someone was waiting just around the corner and for a minute he thought it might be a Hellfire Club operative sent to punish him for reneging on his contract. He dismissed that thought quickly, far more likely that it was a mugger lurking in ambush. Tapping Rogue on the shoulder to get her attention he silently bade her to stay where she was. It was time that there erstwhile assailant was taught a lesson.

"I'll be ready tah back yah up sugah just in case yah need me,"

Zeke couldn't believe his luck when a likely target staggered drunkenly right by his hiding place. Singing off-key the man looked about as drunk as they come. He was obviously rich and that leather jacket and those boots looked expensive and probably he'd have a mobile phone and a credit card. A target too good to pass up and so drunk he'd never even notice if his wallet was being stolen. Just to be on the safe side though Zeke would make sure to use the knife. Slowly and stealthily he drew his knife, crept over and was surprised when his knife arm was suddenly grabbed and twisted painfully behind his back. Shrieking with agony as his wrist was dislocated he dropped the knife.

"I'm not as drunk as you thought friend, must be your unlucky day. Care to surrender and turn yourself in or do I have to get rough?" asked Puma pleasantly.

"Screw you," snapped Zeke reaching with his good hand for the revolver in his pocket.

Then his eyes were practically bugging out as the man began to slowly change. Before his eyes the man put on at least six inches in height and a hundred or so pounds in weight, all of it muscle. Fur sprang up all over his body, canines lengthened and claws sprouted from the fingers and the eyes became a feral yellow. Zeke gasped in horror, the man must be some sort of werewolf or maybe a were-puma. The growl deep from the bestial creature's throat was matched by a high almost whisper-like wail of terror from Zeke's own as he sank to his knees in shock. His last sight was of one of those clawed hands swinging towards his throat. At the last instant Puma retracted his claws and settled for a punch, fracturing Zeke's jaw and sending him into merciful unconsciousness.

"Good one would-be mugger dealt with. Now where did I put my pen?"

Whistling cheerfully to himself Puma reached down and grabbed the unconscious mugger by the collar. Using the pen he scribbled a quick note on the man's white vest. The message read, 'To Spider-man, one less criminal for you to deal with, your friend Puma'. Nodding in satisfaction Puma decided to shift back to human form and get on with the important thing, taking Rogue to dinner.

"Sorry about that Rogue, just had a minor problem to deal with which is sorted now. Do you still want to go to dinner?" asked Thomas as he returned to the patiently waiting Rogue.

"Ah sure do sugah,"

McCoy's apartment

Alex hadn't thought that Marrow was even capable of crying and it was a shock to come across her like this. Sarah was sitting huddled in a corner arms around her knees just quietly crying her eyes out. Despite the bones sticking out from her body she looked nothing more than the vulnerable, saddened young woman that she really was. This wasn't the Marrow that Sarah let the world see, the terrorist, the killer, the girl robbed of her childhood and forged into a monster. This was the true Marrow, Sarah a young woman in distress and Alex couldn't just stand by without at least trying to help.

"Sarah, I'm here for you. Please tell me what the matter is and I swear I'll try and help if I can and you'll let me."

Alex stood back, expecting a sarcastic comment or to be ordered to just leave her alone. He was even expecting her to laugh in his face at his sympathy and do any of the other things she did to defend herself. He hadn't expected her to look up at him with tearstained eyes, and the bewildered look she gave him evoked a wave of sorrow in him. Even after all this time she still wasn't used to sympathy from others, only hatred or fear. He hoped he could make her feel better, if he could just reach through to her.

"Why do you care?" she asked trying to sound dismissive but it had come out as a plea.

"Well I just don't like to see a woman cry," was the best Alex could come up with. Pathetic though it might have been it seemed to satisfy Sarah.

Alex saw the turmoil on her face, knew she was wrestling with a decision. In the end her face softened somewhat as she decided to unburden herself. He did his best to make sure he was listening patiently and he had to resist the urge to put an arm around her. Much as he might want to comfort her he knew that Sarah didn't want that from him, she just wanted someone to listen to her.

"I guess I've always looked at Remy and liked him, he's handsome and I guess it was like a crush. Then I find out from Logan that he's the one who saved me when I was still Sarah. I never knew he was the one and I guess I always wanted to thank whoever had done that. I was angry too with Storm and the others, why couldn't they forgive Remy when they forgave me even after all I'd done. I went with Logan, back to see Remy and thank him. That's when I, I'll kill you if you tell anyone this but I think I love Remy."

"Then tell him,"

"I can't Alex, I mean just look at me. You're not blind so you can see why it couldn't work. See these bones, they keep growing and who wants to date a girl with her skeleton sticking out of her. Ordinary guys just scream and run when they look at me and even some of the X-Geeks didn't like to look at me. What would Remy want with me when he can have any woman he wants? I can't tell him Alex, I'm just too ugly for him," she sighed bitterly.

"Sarah you're not a freak. I look at you and I can see past the bones. I can ignore the bones and see you for what you really are. You can be beautiful if you want to be, the bones aren't the real you. You're not a freak, no more than me, Logan or even Remy."

"That's easy for you to say Havok. You're lucky, you're one of the pretty ones," snarled Marrow.

She turned her back preparing to leave and growled when he blocked her path. She pulled free one of her bones ready to threaten him and make him stand aside. Something in his look made her stop; he was looking beseechingly at her and apologetic. Maybe she ought to hear him out; he might even have something worth listening too.

"Sarah maybe you're right. I'm lucky enough to look just the same as ordinary humans so maybe I don't know what it's like. Like you though I'm different, a mutant and believe me I've been through rough times myself so maybe I can relate to you a little. I'll leave you be but I'd like to ask you some questions. You revere McCoy and look up to him yet you look far more human than him. Does he look like a monster or a freak to you? As for Remy, he isn't exactly human in appearance either. How many men have red-on-black eyes like him? Look they don't look like freaks to you so why should you look like one to them. Please just tell Remy how you feel,"

Alex took his leave knowing he'd given her plenty to think about.

Lounge

"Well how are you feeling now boys, exhausted are we from our little rough and tumble? I mean what is it with you men and all that wrestling around? I suppose you would call it male bonding. I would have to call it an overdose of adrenalin and testosterone," Martinique Jason quirked an eyebrow.

"We were not just 'wrestling around' as you put it Mastermind. Logan and I just had a few issues that needed to be sorted out and since chess wasn't to Logan's liking I suggested we spar. I thought letting him use me as a punching bag might help work out his feelings towards me. Additionally I want to be able to handle myself if we come up against Sabretooth again and Logan is an excellent teacher," McCoy gave Logan a surreptitious wink.

"Yeah, I have ta admit yer a better fighter than I thought. Ya don't hold back, not like Hank and yeah, I was lucky ta get one fall out of three," Logan grinned broadly.

Mastermind sighed and decided to find some more intelligent conversation. If need be she could always talk to herself.

"Hmm, that was fun Logan, good to let of steam and I do enjoy a good fight. Stars and garters, we'll have to do that again some time. For now what would you say to a refreshing alcoholic beverage?"

"Yeah yer on, I wouldn't exactly say that ya my friend, not yet anyway bub. I think I can live with ya at least fer now."

"Then Logan I shall be satisfied with that. It's good to know that at least you'll be standing by Remy's side when the X-men come for us. You know Scott will be out for blood, both mine and Remy's. I hope you'll be prepared to fight your former comrades as I sincerely doubt they'll give us quarter. Don't worry though for I don't desire Scott's death. I merely hope to teach him the painful lesson that it's not just worth his while dealing with me. Besides I won't give him the satisfaction of making him a martyr to his pathetic pipe dream of human and mutant coexistence."

McCoy smiled, he looked forward to seeing Scott fleeing with his tail between his legs. He was just starting to discover that mercy was its own reward, just as satisfying in its own way as killing. Besides anyone could kill but conquering the enemy without destroying him took class.

Still smiling he brought back a couple of cans of Budweiser and handed one to Logan. The feral gave him a grin and drained half the beer in one go. The grin was wiped from his face when McCoy drained his can in one gulp.

"Cheers bub," chuckled McCoy.

"Just watch it furball, I ain't keen on yer trying ta get a ride out of me. If ya don't watch yerself I just might take a piece out of yer hide with my claws."

"My apologies……………… bub," McCoy gave Logan his most disarming smile.

Just outside Fatale's room

"Merde, oui dis is a lot dat Remy must think about," sighed Remy.

Fatale was right of course, they liked each other but there wasn't love between them. The sex was great but it was just fun that was all. She was satisfied with that and wanted nothing more than that out of him but she knew Remy needed something different. For all his flirting and flings with any beautiful woman he could charm Remy was never really satisfied. He was looking for love, would settle down if he found the right woman for him. For a long time he thought he'd found that woman in Rogue. Now though things were over between them and it looked this time like there could be no reconciliation. Not after those harsh words he'd said to her and striking her down.

"Strange chere dat I'd wanted to say those thing to you but dat I regret dem so much afterwards. Maybe de thing was to forgive you but dat the one thing dat Remy couldn't do. Non chere dere no going back between us now but Remy always think of what dere might have been," a single tear formed at the corner of his eye and trickled down his cheek.

Perhaps now that he no longer had hatred in his heart for her he might be able to forgive her one day in the future. Maybe she could be a friend again one day because no matter what he would never be able to see her as an enemy, no matter where his path might take him.

Still he was satisfied he was taking the right path at the moment. He could never be an X-Man again, could never forgive their hypocrisy even if he could forgive them as individuals. No McCoy was the one who had taken him in and McCoy was now his friend and ally. He had a future as a member of the Brotherhood and all the friends and allies he needed, Logan, Fatale, Havok, Random, Marrow, and Mastermind were all the family he needed. Perhaps in time Puma too would be an ally. Yes he could be happy just as soon as they'd dealt with the X-Men if need be and the Hellfire Club. Then maybe he'd even find another woman he could love as much as Rogue.

"Bonjour chere, is dere anything dat Remy can help you with?" he asked as he noticed Marrow was standing close by and looking decidedly nervous.

"Remy I need to tell you something," whispered Sarah.