Chapter 2, "Too Bad"
By: MidnyteRogue aka RogueBHS
I poked my head out from the alley. The street was clear. I nodded to my accomplice, then slowly made my way out of the alley. Atleast that one hadn't had the stench. I hate it when the alleys stink. It gets into my clothes and takes forever to wash out. But right now, a stinky uniform is the least of my worries. Momma said this mission pays big money. Both guys have some big-shot government jobs.
I slide the nightscope out of my belt and look around. Why don't the dang Mexicans shell out for a few streetlamps is beyond me. Then again, any light would make this mission all the more dangerous. That I don't need. I glance to make sure Pyro is following me at a safe distance. He's doing exactly as Momma told him. Good. If he and I can work together, this mission gets easier. I signal to him, and he goes across the street and down an alley.
Now its just me. He'll make sure all goes right from a building near by, and alert Momma if I mess up. I've never messed up a mission before. And I don't plan to start tonight. I slide off my hooded jacket and flip it inside out so that its the same color green as my eyes rather than black. I slide it back on, and turn on the southern charm full blast. The doorman doesn't even ask me who I am or who I'm going to see, he just stares as I walk over to the elevator. I blow him a kiss as the doors close, and I swear his eyes almost bug out. God I love playing with the men on missions. They can be so easy to fool.
I press the button for the penthouse before I slide my jacket off again and turn it back to where the black is facing out. When the elevator stops, I step out and glance around. Nobody here. I pull a lockpick out of its slot on my belt and move towards the door. I listen for any sounds, but there aren't any. Mr. Government-worker and his missus are out for the night. Thank god. I hate going in to homes when the owners are still there. Makes me nervous. I kneel down and slide the pick into the door. They have an alarm system, but Momma managed to get the code.
The door opens, and the alarm light flashes. Still no sound though. I rush over to the system and punch in the code. 2836. Their grand-daughter's birthday...backwards. June 3rd, 1982. She's maybe around my age, or a little older. Since I don't remember when my birthday was for sure, I can't say. I go back to the door and slide it closed, then put up the lockpick. I glance around. Where did Momma say that safe was again?
Oh yeah. In the bedroom. Come on gal, get it together. I close my eyes, force myself to remember the blueprints Momma made me study on the way down here. Down the hall, second door on the left. My eyes open and I head for it. I can't keep from looking at the pictures on the walls. Pictures of family. Momma and Nanna are the closest thing I've had to a family since I was 4. That's when...I don't wanna think about that. I force my mind back on the mission. The safe is behind the mirror of the woman's vanity.
Thank God the mirror is light weight. I move it aside, and there it is. I put my hand on the dial and start turning. 27. 06. 21. *click.* I grin. Almost too easy. I open the safe door and reach in, then slide out the folder Momma wants. It takes me a second to find the box the other Government man wants, but I find it. I open it to make sure the piece he wants is in there, and it is. Good. I hear the front door unlocking. Oh shit.
Quickly and quietly I close the safe up and slide the box and folder into my jacket. I barely manage to get the mirror back in place without making any noise. I glance around. Balcony. That'll do. I manage to get to it, and out the door without them knowing, but shutting the door behind me without being heard is the hard part. But I do it. Memo to self...Thank Momma for all the stealth training. No stairs down. I almost laugh. That's not that big a deal. Not when you're a trained gymnast/acrobat as well.
I signal to Pyro, wait for the signal back. He understands what I'm going to do and will meet me below. I take a deep breath as I glance down. I forgot I'm 14 floors above the ground level. Well, good news is, there's another balcony one floor down and to the right. Now if I can just...Oh shit! I loose my footing and feel myself slip off the edge of the balcony.
I can't see anything...falling too fast. Won't and can't scream. Someone catches me. Oh god. Its one of the X-men...the one with the wings. What's his name? Oh yeah...Angel. Well, can't say I don't owe him one for this. He flys us both down to the ground and is surprised when I all but jump out of his arms. He doesn't know who I am I guess, since he saved me and all. And he's not saying a word, just watching me. I smile, readjust my jacket. "Uh...thanks."
He shrugs. "No problem. But...don't I know you?"
I shake my head. "Uh uh. I don't think so anyway." I pause, pretend to study him. "Wait a sec...you're Warren Worthington aren't ya?"
He nods slowly. "Yes. Yes I am."
I tilt my head. "What are ya doin' in Mexico, sugah? I thought ya worked in the States."
He smiles. Ya know...he's kinda cute. "I do normally, but my father wants to spred the business down here as well. So I'm here." He stops, studies me closely and his eyes widen. "You're a member of the Brotherhood aren't you?" He doesn't let me answer. "I knew I'd seen you somewhere." He reaches out to grab me, but I move quickly out of range.
He grabs again, only to stop when he feels a gun against his skull. Momma. She speaks, her voice slow, quiet and controlled. "Grab for my daughter again Angel-boy, and your flying days will be over quickly."
His eyes widen as I pull my gun out as Momma had signaled me to do. He gulps. He may have been trained by Charles Xavier, but I dobut he could get the guns from both of us. He realizes this and lowers his hands to his side. Fred walks up and Momma moves aside, letting Fred grab Angel by the arms so she and I can get away. No way on X-man could ever beat Fred. I grin at the blonde play-boy and blow a kiss as I run off to where Pyro and I were supposed to meet. The play-boy Angel just frowns. As I said...God I love messing with the men on missions.
I remember hearing about that from Warren not too long after the teams (X-factor and the X-men) were put back into one team. He wasn't fond of Rogue in the least. But like all of us, he learned to like her. Ok. I take that back. Carol still hates her, but I can't think of anyone else who's considered a "good-guy" who hates Rogue. Not really. She's more than made up for what she did with Mystique as far as all of us are concerned.
Now if only we could convince her of that...