-Title: The Hope Diamond Scandal

Authors: Wolfsong, Puma, Dusk, The Fourth Mind

Note: This is a low budget project consisting of four minds, 25 muses, and one can of Mt. Dew, now empty. None of us has ever written a X-men fic before, so plz. review nicely. There is really not a lot to do with the actual X-men in this story. They will show up in others to come.

Disclaimer: We don't own the X-men or anything pertaining to it. However the characters Shadow, Nature (Morgana Greywolf), White Saber (Illya Polav), Dodger (Darian Wells), Short Circuit (Alex Quinn), Hunter (Sean Hanrhan), and the dark-haired pixie (we'll explain later) are created by and owned by us. For more info on them just email us.

Ch.1-Dancing Lessons

I am a woman of few words, but those words I do speak are important. So listen carefully for you might not hear them again. This is a story of danger and excitement, of how one family came to be.

It was a dark night. The fog had just settled in. Perched high on the steeple of an old church, alone in the shadows, I wait, watching the gleaming city below. There I study my target. Calculating the moves of the guards watching the priceless Hope Diamond.

That's when I noticed him. Unknown to him while he watched his quarry, I was watching him. Realizing he was after my diamond. With one sweeping motion, I came upon my adversary. Unbeknownst to him, I was within striking distance. Next to his ear I said, "Don't even try it. It's mine." All at once I was staring into his deep green eyes. His focusing on mine, both waiting for the other to make the first move.

"First come, first serve." he snapped.

"Ladies first," I said taking a step forward, trying to intimidate him.

"Chivery is dead, m'lady."

"Believe me, boy, you don't want to mess with me."

"Oh, but, I do love to tango," a quirky smile growing on his moonlit face.

"What makes you think you could keep up with me?"

"I'm very well trained in the art of dance."

"It's time to change the tune," I said turning from him. "Mess with my diamond, and you'll be dancing to a different beat. That is if . . . you can still stand."

"Is that and offer?" his smile growing to a smirk.

I shot a glance over my shoulder, cold and searing, saying, "You're wasting my time." Before I could take my leave, he was blocking my path. "Maybe, I didn't make myself clear, boy. Stay out of my way." As I tried to walk past, he reached out and grasped my arm.

His strong hand still clutching my arm, he said, "Last time I checked, I had gone through puberty." He was clearly my elder by a couple of years. Then he released my hand, "This is getting us no where."

"You have a better idea?" I snapped to him.

"It seems to be that we both would benefit from the other," his arms folding gently across his broad chest.

"What are you implying?" I asked copying the move. Wondering what this man wanted and who he was. To prove my suspicions, I asked, "Just who are you?"

"Why, I am known here and there as Short Circuit."

"You act like that should indicate something." I interrupted.

"I am a famous, infamous, cat burglar."

"You're a mutant thief." I shrugged knowing of his recent history.

"But I do not hide behind my powers. They make me who I am." The smirk was on his face again. "And who I am is . . . someone who can help you."

"What makes you think I need your help?"

"Your plan is to go down there, take out twenty or so guards, steal the diamond, and get out?"

"Precisely." I said confidently assure of my abilities. My 'training' had kept me alive so far.

"What about the lasers?"

"Oh...yes . . . the lasers...Cake." 'What lasers!' I thought screaming.

"Okay so the lasers are cake. What about the weight panels?" My confidence was dropping, and he was noticing. "The touch sensitive display case it's in? Oh, and what about the cameras directly linked to the police and swat team?" "Enough!" I screamed. I couldn't take any more of his self-righteousness. "I get your point."

"Do you?"

"Yes!" 'This guy!' I thought almost out loud.

Short Circuit looked around then settled his gaze back on me, "You have an advantage."

"My ability to mimic your powers?" I questioned.

"Not at all. I don't believe I caught your name."

"Didn't throw it."

"If we're to work together..." he chuckled, "....I need to know what to call you by."

"Shadow." I stated flatly. "And who said we were working together?"

"I thought it obvious. They say two heads are better than one. Why not two thieves?"

He had a point. Work together for a common goal, and after safely stealing the diamond. I could lift it from him. I considered this longer.

"While you're mulling this thought, we are wasting precious darkness."

"Deal. We work together." I smiled, hiding my secret. Another one buried. "But not tonight. Too much time wasted. You seem to know the museum quite well. When do you think would be the best time to strike?"

"You make it sound like war, Shadow."

"What do you get out of this?"

"The thrill. Completing what no other thief had dared to attempt. Pushing myself to my limits. What do you get?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

"Thursday."

"What!?" I screamed confused.

"You asked what night. Thursday. Less likely to be as many guards. The ones that are there are more...relaxed, distracted." "You've been here awhile." I noted.

"San Francisco is my home, my jungle. I've been all over the world and keep coming back."

"So we do this tomorrow." I stated.

"Yes. We meet here, on the rooftop and hit together."

Before I could say anything else, he had vanished. I was alone again. Just me and my shadows.

End ch.1