Flame of the Heart
The rays of light penetrated Scotts goggles, and he woke with a frown. He turned and his hand brushed against a body. He froze, then turned to see Candra's sleeping form next to him.
"Oh shit." Last nights memories crashed into him, and Scott turned around in the bed. *What the hell have I done. you've made love to a beautiful woman. NO! I made love to an External... So what Scotty boy, you got it made, now if only you could get the red head. NO! Shut up. Hehehe. Why the hell am I talking to myself?*
"Mmm."
Candra moved languorously in the bed, stretching like a cat. Even though he was shocked he couldn't help noticing the woman. She was flawlessly beautiful, that much had to be admitted. Unbidden images of another woman came into his head, a redheaded beauty, with flashing green eyes. He made the images go away. Candra was reaching for him, and as much as he was tempted, he had to get out of here.
"Not now mistress, I must inspect my troops."
Candra smiled, again in a slow lazy manner.
"You don't have to go, but I have to have you."
Scott nearly gulped as she stroked him; Candra was looking suspiciously like a predator with its prey in its grasp.
"Mistress, if I do not, I have no way of assessing how to strike at the rebels."
Candra pouted, and Scott knew she would not argue against him. Even she had to concede the necessity of eliminating the rebels, but oh how he was tempted.
He gathered his clothes, wearing the tunic and pants quickly. He looked around for his socks, then shrugged and put on his boots sans socks. Candra watched him from the bed, a distinct gleam in his eye. The watched her a bit uneasily, then prostrated and went out. The guards outside didn't make any comment, in fact they didn't even look at him. That pleased Scott, it meant that his guards were efficient if nothing else. He nearly laughed aloud as he felt himself overcome with hysteria. In the last twenty four hours, his life had been turned upside down, all because of two women. He sobered as he remembered what he had been told by Jean, and what had followed. He would have to deal with it later. Now he had to go and perform a surprise inspection of the troops. He had never intended to, he knew his troops well, but he couldn't just get away with telling Candra he would and not do it. It wouldn't be wise to lie to an External, even one he had just had sex with. Sex. he could barely remember his first. She had been some mutant who had been under his command. She had died three weeks after they had done the deed. He had only had sex twice after that, thrice counting last night. He grimaced; he had to stop thinking about it. He opened the door to his quarters and went to his bedroom, to change.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean was feeling a bit out of sorts this morning. She had spent over four hours with Cecilia yesterday. She had not expected much to come of it, but she had found out a lot about the Prelates from the doctor. She had also found out a lot about Scott. That was the problem with her today, she decided. Scott had not called her yet to his quarters, not since yesterday when he had suddenly become. different. There was no question that she had woken something in him, something he had kept below the surface. She wondered what it could have been to evoke such a response from him.
A guard came for her then.
"You're wanted."
She looked up and followed the guard. The guard kept her eyes ahead of her, yet also seemed to be taking watch of her. Extremely well trained, though she couldn't expect any different from Scott. She suddenly halted to a stop. He was her goddamned enemy! She should hate him, not admire him!
The guard had stopped too.
"Are you done?"
Jean looked at the guard, who nodded and continued walking down the hallway.
She followed.
The room was as she remembered, and Scott was sitting in the same chair.
"Ah, miss Grey. Sit please."
She sat daintily into the same chair as before. Her small hands clutched her thighs though, and she forced them to rest easily. By contrast his hands, which she found fascinating with their wide palm and long thick fingers, were resting easily on the armrests. He smiled at her.
"How do you feel, Miss Grey?"
Strange, he was talking to her so seriously, did he even remember yesterday?
"I'm doing well, thank you."
He probably knew how she was doing better than she did. Dr. Reyes examination had been thorough.
"Well, now that the formalities have been dealt with, let us continue our discussion of yesterday. We have you in our hands, you know that. We extracted enough information to pinpoint the headquarters of roulette from Miss Braddock. I'm sure we'll find any information we need from there, about your own illustrious island base."
Jean couldn't help it, her eyes widened. If he had managed to get answers from Betsy, he wouldn't have too much greater difficulty with her.
"You would be wise to tell us the whereabouts yourself."
He was bluffing, that's why he wanted to ask her. That had to be it. Roulette's base was better hidden than Muir Isle, even though Muir Isle had more resources. She shook her head.
"You won't be wise, or you won't tell me?"
"Both."
He laughed then, as though she had cracked a great joke, but she was unperturbed. It must all be a ploy. A way to make her break. She wouldn't break, she'd die first.
"Do as you wish, however I warn you, we will kill any member of Roulette we find, and extract the information quickly. You would avoid great loss on either side if you told me."
Jean looked at him, straight in the eyes, or where she assumed his eyes must be at least.
"No."
Scott smiled slightly, but Jean could see it was an irritated smile. She smiled back at him, tauntingly.
He frowned then, and she went cold. He was still very dangerous.
"I see."
Then still frowning, he stood and walked over to her. He cupped her face with one hand, the grip his fingers had on her cheeks was hard.
"You have marks on your face, why?"
She was surprised. Was this some new ploy?
"The containment units aren't all that comfortable."
He looked at her searchingly, and she saw it then, the outline of his eyes behind the ruby glasses, so faint as to be barely visible. The sight so enchanted her she stared, a small smile on her face. She didn't notice Scotts face become tighter, and his hand coming up to touch the side of her face almost tenderly. His face dipped, and she felt a tightness in her chest, an exhilaration flooding through her. He stopped an inch away from her slightly parted lips.
"This is crazy, I can't do this. What am I doing?"
Jean could barely hear his whisper and she didn't care. She tilted her face upwards and met his lips with a sigh. As soon as her lips touched his she knew she was playing with fire. It seemed as though a current was passing through her body, setting each part, each cell aflame. She closed her eyes and moved deeper into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, coming partly out of the chair. His hand went to her waist and slipped around to her back, holding her in place. His other hand went down from her cheek to her shoulder, then down her back, to join the other hand in the small of her back. His tongue pressed against her lips and she opened eagerly for him, eager for tastes of heaven that only he could provide. As his tongue slipped past her lips and into the waiting moist recesses of her mouth, Jean felt another jolt go through her, this time far more powerful than before. All her senses were alive, and her body was singing. Her own tongue touched his, and then slipped past, to reach his mouth. All the while her mouth was moving over his, no contact broken, and it felt as though he was literally sucking her soul out, so close were they now pressed.
Suddenly he pulled slightly away from her, breathing heavily. Jean could almost hear her heart beat, and was herself flushed with desire, her breath coming out gaspingly from her mouth. His face registered uncertainty and surprise. She didn't even want to know what her face showed. He seemed on the verge of kissing her again, and at that time her brain began to function again. She pulled out of his arms hurriedly, and looked at him, slightly gaping. How could she have kissed him? He was her enemy! She had to remember that, he was her enemy. This was probably set up by him. He must have kissed her to throw her off guard. She had to be prepared. He probably kissed Betsy as well. Suddenly a wave of jealousy went through her. Jean was shocked. Why did she feel jealous? It's not like she liked the man. A little voice came from inside her, *don't you Jean?*, and Jean had to admit it.
He was standing by the door now, and a guard came to the door. He went back in and stood by her. She nearly flinched.
"I'm sorry."
Then as she stared open-mouthed behind him, he walked into his bedchamber and closed the door behind him.
Jean sat in her prison again, night having fallen while she was with Scott. She had sat in thought for a few minutes now. She had battled long and hard against her feelings but she had to admit it. Scott Summers had made her his the moment their lips had touched. Her smiling boy was a grown man now, one she had fallen for, hard, in the space of a day. She was lost, and she had never even guessed a battle had been fought. A tear traced its way down her cheek, and she put her head into her arms and for the first time since being captured, Jean cried.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Council was in session. At the table, Asmodeus impatiently drummed his finger on the table. He was not a man used to waiting, however strange that may be for an External. He couldn't help it. They, the Council were the last remaining External's who had not gone over to Apocalypse, or had been killed by Apocalypse's Externals. He was a tall thin man, with wispy white hair, that was combed back in severe fashion. He wore a dark overcoat over a suit. On his left sat the only other individual in the room. Galaire, another External and Council member. They had reached a few minutes ago, arriving at the same time. Galaire was a dark beauty, a woman who could be said to have an elf-like face, with delicate features, but still managed to look dangerous. She was dangerous. She was the only elemental External still living. She commanded the forces of water, to a very great extent. She could literally whip a tsunami out of thin air. A feat he had seen her perform only once. She was also invulnerable to physical attacks. He himself had a more exotic power. Asmodeus could command temporal energies. Apart from generating concussive energy blasts, through this he could in theory travel back and forth in time. His powers were great, and he could also absorb the energies of others through sheer will power, in case he needed to. He could also transport himself anywhere he wanted. A useful power to have, but not too effective in combat, unless a strategic retreat needed to be employed. He was also benefited with fast regeneration, and almost malleable skin.
The door opened then and the two occupants of the large room looked up. Three other Externals entered. Behamen, with her shock of platinum blonde hair came first, dressed to kill as usual, with high heels, and a backless dress. She was also pretty, yet more fleshed out. Where Galaire was slender, Behamen was well-endowed, and short. She was tiny, with a slightly over large bosom. Her waist in comparison was even smaller. A model for an hourglass figure if any. She was strong though, her power being the ability of empathy. She was the only known empath to the Council. Her only other powers were the ability to fly and attack with psi-blasts. It was not quite certain how she came by the power of flight. The other two men were Astaroth and Gilgamesh. Astaroth was a brute of a man, with massive strength, and the power to manipulate the molecules of objects into whatever form he wished, much like a variation of Nur's powers. This made him dangerous with even a plastic bottle. He was swarthy, with massive shoulders and a perpetual half-day growth of beard on his jaw. His nose looked like it had been broken several times. Gilgamesh was a mystery. He was always in a hood, and had a grayish complexion. His powers were uncertain, but Shaman's last words about him before being killed were that he could command the shadows. Shaman had been one of the oldest Externals, who knew the most about them. Asmodeus was not sure why he was in the Council, or even why they didn't kill him. Still, he was an External, and they would need all the help they could get against Apocalypse, and the betrayers.
"Excellent, we're all here then."
The only answer to this was a small snort from Astaroth. The others remained watching him.
"You know how dangerous it is to call us all at the same time. The power levels are high enough for the Betrayers to find us." Behamen was harsh in her critique.
"Yes, I do know, and I would not call this meeting, unless it was worthwhile. I have found him."
The other Externals took the statement in varying degrees of astonishment. Behamen's mouth dropped open. Astaroth stopped scratching his stubble to gaze at him with surprise. Galaire nearly fell back from rocking her chair. Only Gilgamesh didn't react to this news. He simply kept on staring.
"You found him? That's excellent! Finally one of the few people who can match us Externals in strength."
"Is he here?"
"How did you find him?"
The questions hit him in a rush.
Asmodeus held his hands up in a call for silence. The other Externals stopped, but only when Gilgamesh spoke.
"Quiet. We are Externals. We don't behave in such a manner. Asmodeus, the question I have is whether he is willing to join us."
Asmodeus shrugged.
"I haven't talked to him yet. I only sent a messenger."
"What? Then why call us?"
"Are you wasting our time Asmodeus?"
"Where is he?"
Again Gilgamesh silenced them.
"You have sent the messenger to call him here?"
Asmodeus nodded.
"That's why I called the meeting. He is going to be coming here in a couple of hours. He was interested, but wanted to know more."
"This meeting is basically to agree on what is planned for him, and how he'll help us."
"His power would be just what is needed to combat that madman Sammael," Behamen pointed out.
"Yes, his hatred of us, and his single minded determination to rid us from this planet more than matches Shamans hatred for Apocalypse."
"I think Galaire, that the most pressing point is whether he would have to come work for us?"
Astaroths question made all of them think.
Then Asmodeus spoke.
"I think that if he does not, we may all be doomed."
----------------------------------------------------
Scott was perturbed. His life was not as simple as it had been. He was under more pressure than he thought he could handle. He worried about the impending attack by the X-men, to rescue their comrade. Candra was worrying him, apart from all the other Externals, with her secretive smiles, and the knowledge in her eyes of more to come. To top it all was his struggle to come to terms with what he felt for Jean Grey. It seemed that she was the root cause of all his troubles. Except perhaps with Candra. The X-men's attack would be initiated because of her, the Externals demanding he obtain information from her. All her fault, and there was of course the biggest of his problems, what he felt for her. Even when he was planning strategy, he would find himself dreaming of her clear green eyes that could spit like fire. Her red tresses that shone like a beacon of light. Her nearly full lips that would pout naturally in the most adorable manner. Then there were other parts of her body, those that tantalized him, inflamed him. He would himself thinking of them as often as he thought of her herself. There was no denying that she had a beautiful body, that had molded almost perfectly into his when they had kissed.
A voice broke through his reverie.
"How do you fare my son?"
Scott's head whipped around. Sinister was in the room, looking at him. Scott stood up and saluted, before prostrating himself.
"Get up son, you don't need to be so formal in private."
Scott stood up, but he was slightly wary. Sinister didn't usually make house visits. Sinister frowned, Scott seemed different. His mouth was just a bit tighter than usual, a difference none but he or perhaps Cecilia would be able to see. Perhaps it was the strain of handling too many things at once. He decided then that he would not continue the experiment now. He wanted Scott for the gauntlets, but he now decided against it. Scott didn't look in any shape to handle it.
"On second thought, perhaps it would be best you didn't come just now."
Sinister turned to leave.
Then a guard came in.
"Sir, the Externals. oh!"
The guard stopped mid-sentence, noticing Sinister.
"Yes? What do the Externals want?" Sinister asked.
The guard prostrated low.
"Sire, the others sent me to summon the High Prelate."
"Indeed? Then he can accompany me to the Hall."
The guard bowed and left.
"Come Scott, it seems the others want something from you."
As they entered the Hall, Sinister walked to his seat. Once Sinister was seated did Scott enter. Scott bowed to them.
"Rise, High Prelate." Candra's voice came out, pure and clear, tinged with a little bit of humor. Candra had a bit of a coarse mind, Scott had found out. She had used that phrase many times in their interlude.
"You have been summoned to report on the status of the rebel. How much information has she given so far, if any?" Exodus got straight to the point.
"I have not found out anything yet my lord. She is difficult."
Exodus frowned, and Scott nearly paled.
"Will she cede any information?" Archanfel asked.
"I believe she will, but it shall take some time."
"Hmm, time is something we don't have. We may have to send her to Dark Beast."
Scott went pale before he could hold back. The Externals didn't seem to notice though. He had to think. He couldn't let Jean be sent to Dark Beast, better to sentence her to death.
"Sire, not yet. She will yield, I know it. I promise to have the information by day after tomorrow."
"If you can get us the information by tomorrow, we shall not send her to Dark Beast." Sammael spoke for the first time.
Scott bowed. There was nothing more he could say. Suddenly it seemed as though a light had gone through his mind. One of the Externals, very likely Exodus had scanned his mind. His blocks didn't work well against the Externals, they had seen to it. He hoped they had not found out anything.
"Leave us High Prelate."
Scott bowed, and left the room.
He walked out into the corridor. His mind was racing, he needed to get the information from her, otherwise she would be sent to Dark Beast. It was imperative that that didn't happen. He was certain now that he had feelings for her, but he wasn't sure of how far they would extend.
"He loves her."
The Externals looked at Exodus in shock. That had not been expected.
"Are you sure?" Sinister asked nearly growling.
"Yes Nathaniel. It was in the uppermost reaches of his mind. He has also remembered what he went through in getting the visor."
Sinister was even more shocked now.
"How, what could have triggered his memories?"
"That is unimportant for now. He loves her, that is what we must focus on." Sammael spoke softly.
"We should send her to Dark Beast immediately. He may try and help her escape." Candra spoke.
The others considered this, then, "No my dear, I believe that would not be necessary. He is still too loyal to us. He will try and make her give him the information. If it becomes necessary, then he will try and help her escape tomorrow. Leave him be, for now. If he gets us the information, we will let her be. Perhaps he could keep her as a playmate later." Exodus smiled at the look on Candra's face. He knew well of her liaison with Scott Summers.
Sinister nodded, "Yes that seems to be the best idea, though I am not convinced about the idea of keeping her as a playmate."
Archanfel nodded his assent.
"Hmm, it is a sound plan. Still, we must be wary. If it becomes necessary to send her to Dark Beast we shall have to watch him. His loyalty might well win over his love."
The others nodded at Sammaels words. They would just have to wait and see.
Scott had Jean brought to him as soon as he reached his room. He was afraid that the Externals may still change their minds. He had a glass of brandy to calm his shaken nerves. He sat down, she would be coming soon and he had to plan on what he would do. Should he tell her the truth, that she would be sent to Dark Beast. No, she might call him out on why he cared. He couldn't let her know what he felt. No best he try force. Yet he couldn't bring himself to consider hitting her. He couldn't hit her. He had broken others before, using force as the last option. He would have to steel himself and do it. The alternative, her being sent to Dark Beast was too horrible.
Jean was rudely woken up. The guard grabbed her and began dragging her to Scott's room. She was flung in front of his door. The first thought that came into her head was, *I can't let him see me looking so dirty!* that was followed immediately by, *what am I saying?* She got to her feet, wondering why the guards, who had been respectful to her before, were so brutal. She felt a chill go through her.
The door opened and she was pushed in. Scott was standing there, with his back to her.
"Ah, Jean you're finally here."
He turned and walked towards her with two drinks in his hand. *What is he up to?* Jean thought.
"You look rather peaked, have a drink, it'll warm you down."
Jean was fuming. The nerve of the man to have her dragged here like some sort of third rate scum and then offer a drink.
"No thank you." Jean replied in an edgy tone.
He threw the drink in her face.
Jean looked at him shocked as he calmly stood up, little rivulets of wine sliding down her face. What was he up to?
He calmly went and made another drink, again coming in front of her and handing it to her.
"If you don't like wine, how about some whiskey?"
"No." Jean was wary; Scott was not behaving like he did usually.
This time he struck her across the face. Jean looked at him, eyes wide open. This couldn't be the same man who had kissed her last time they were here. She had had no idea of what he would do next time they met. The kiss had let her taste heaven for a while, and she had wanted more, so much more it had frightened her. She had tried to remember Logan, their moments together, the kisses they had shared, but Scotts face had kept sliding in between. This was not how she had even in her darkest imaginings expected would happen.
Scott was going back, making another drink. Again he came back and handed it to her.
"Drink," was all he said.
By this time she was feeling defiant, and fearful of the drinks. Perhaps he had drugged them.
"Fuck you." That was all she said.
Scott's reaction was to hit her so hard she was thrown out of the chair and sprawled onto the ground.
She could feel pain in her temple, where he had hit her.
She looked up at him through tear filled eyes, her nervous system not being able to take any more.
"Why are you doing this?" To her horror her voice cracked as she said it.
To her surprise it had the biggest reaction she had ever seen. Scotts face grew haggard, and he sat on his chair, muttering, "I can't do this, what do I do? I can't do this!"
He put his head in his hands, and sat there.
Jean looked at him, her heart aching painfully at the pain he was obviously going through. She was also frightened. She had never seen him look so scared, and at the brink of losing control. She stood up and walked to him, gingerly. She touched his shoulder, "What's wrong Scott?" He flinched.
"Damn you woman." That was all he said, then he grabbed her and the next second his arms were wrapped around her and his lips were pressed to hers.
Jean was filled with rapture. His hands seemed to be everywhere. She moaned as he pulled her top off, and began to slide his hands over her breasts, down to her rib cage, going lower to her stomach. Her hands caught in his hair, and she reveled in the feel of the long strands. He lifted her to his lap and she pressed closer to him. Her nipples grew stone hard, pressing against his chest. He groaned in his throat and his lips lifted off her mouth and he buried his face in her shoulder. Jean lifted the strands from his face and cupped his chin.
"No, this is all wrong, why do I feel this way?" His question came out in a whisper, the plea in his voice clear. Jean kissed him again, hard and deep, showing with a kiss what she felt, expressing her love with a kiss.
"That's why." The only answer she could give him. His lips traveled down her neck placing biting kisses all the way down.
He lifted her then; their lips still attached and carried her into his bedroom.
As he gently laid her on the bed, she grabbed his shirt. She pulled it off, and ran her hands down his defined, heavily muscled chest. She pressed her lips to his stomach, feeling it tremble and clench, breathing in the scent that was all Scott. His hands caressed her breasts, and she trembled with desire.
This was what she had been waiting for all her life and she felt as though she was complete. In a hurry Scott stripped her and himself. She felt it happen then, and then he took her to a peak she never even knew existed.
Jean lay languorously beside Scott, half on top of him, her head resting on his chest. Their subsequent couplings had been slower than the first frantic rush, and each time they had gone higher and higher. She was content, for now the world was safe. She cuddled closer to him, and his arm, slung around her, pulled her closer. Then he spoke.
"Jean, I'm sorry."
She looked at him, pulling slightly away. His eyes were hidden behind ruby red goggles.
"Scott?" Jean was worried, Scott sounded scared.
"I'm sorry Jean, about hitting you as well, but mostly about. God.. I failed you Jean. I wasn't strong enough."
Jean was surprised; he had already apologized for his assault, when he had seen the bruise during their later couplings. He had been remorseful then and Jean had been too filled with desire to care then.
"Scott, what are you trying to say?"
"The Externals told me if I couldn't get any information from you by tomorrow, they would send you to Dark Beast."
Jean stared at him in shock. When she had first lay in the containment unit, she had wondered if she would be given to Dark Beast. Not wondered, in fact, terrified. She had seen mutants who had been rescued from Dark Beast before. They had been so far gone, that they were beyond any mental and physical help. That had been what had terrified her. Dark Beast could destroy others mentally. Now to hear that she might be given to Dark Beast was like a nightmare come true. Scott was speaking again.
"That's why I had to hit you Jean, so that you would tell me the information, but I wasn't strong enough, I couldn't hurt you. I wasn't strong enough. You won't tell the information; I know you're too loyal. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were taken to him Jean. I . I don't know what to do!"
Scott's grip tightened around her, and they lay in the dark.
------------------------------------------------------
Remy lay in bed, his hands idly tracing designs on the stomach of the woman next to him. She was slightly turned towards him, a small smile growing on her face due to his ministrations. Her blonde hair was falling all over her face in disarray, and his hand came forward and swept them back. On the outside Remy was all calm and suave, on the inside he was triumphantly gloating. He had taken the White Queen herself, a woman eight years older than him. No one had ever managed to get in her bed, the entire time she had been teaching at Muir Isle. She was a telepath, not as strong as Xavier, though she and Jean were about evenly matched. Lucky for Remy, he had had an interest in her anyway; she was a heart-stoppingly sexy blonde, and Remy had had his eye on her for a while. She may have read his intent on being the first man on the island to take her, yet she had still given in to his seduction after two days. Remy put it all down to his Cajun charm. He had not lost any of it. Of course his empathy probably played a part, as he had very little control over it. He didn't care. Either way, he got what he wanted, and boy oh boy, wasn't it well worth the wait. The White Queen had become a white tiger in bed, and Remy had the claw marks down his back to prove it. Emma Frost had a lot of passion in her. Remy smiled softly as he saw Emma's eyes grow dark with desire. His own eyes began to burn as he reached for her.
Remy and Emma were sitting in his room, Remy dressed in loose pants and a tank-top, over which he wore his customary duster. Emma was dressed in tight black leggings and a shirt of Remy's much too large for her. They weren't doing much, sitting in companionable silence, both of them smoking, when the call came. Erik and Moira were calling all X-men and Roulette members, as well as Sean and Emma. They walked unhurriedly to the room.
Inside the hall, almost all the members were there. Emma's state of dress caught more than a few peoples attention. Rogue wasn't there yet. Remy had not seen her since their little altercation in his room a few days ago. Perhaps she was avoiding him. Then again he had been too busy with Emma.
Logan sat in a corner chair, brooding. He was the most impatient one of them all, his lover was in the enemy camp as a prisoner. Remy felt for him, knowing what it felt to lose a loved one. He knew very well.
"What's de matter mes amis?"
Moira answered him, "It's time to brief the rescue team on what's to be done. Erik and I came up with a good plan, it might well work."
They would split into two parties, one for assault and the other for infiltration. The infiltration would also break into two teams, one to search for Jen and rescue her, the other to destroy the Towers defensive systems. Logan would be leading the infiltration team, while Erik led the assault. The infiltration team would consist of Gambit, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Mystique, Psylocke, Rogue, Emma and Quicksilver. The assault team would be Iceman, Colossus, Storm, Angel, Renegade, Marrow, Scarlet Witch, and Banshee, who would be leading a whole army of rebels, and Moira would provide backup, in a large hover-craft, designed by Xavier for such an assault. The search and rescue part of the infiltration team would be headed by Weapon X, and would consist of Shadowcat, Psylocke and Quicksilver. Gambit would head the search and destroy part, which was to be made up of Emma, Rogue, Nightcrawler and Mystique. Remy smiled. It was a risky plan, but then he loved risks. People didn't call him Gambit for nothing. The only problem he found was that he and Rogue would be part of the same team. That would be a problem. On the whole though, things just kept on getting better and better.
-----------------------------------------------------
They had not waited long. A dark man approached the abandoned building, in a lazy indolent manner. He was dressed in black, and a large bo-staff was in his hands. He twirled it after every few steps. He had a large growth of beard on his face, trimmed to a straight line at the bottom and side. His hair was long, ruffling against his collar. He walked into the building.
'Ah, finally."
Asmodeus gestured at the man to sit.
"I'm not here to fool around Asmodeus; he wants to know, exactly, what you want."
Asmodeus contemplated the man. He was the compatriot of the man they needed. He always had been. For this man to be here meant that he was interested. He contemplated holding the man in front as hostage while he acceded to their demands, but then dismissed it. He would not take kindly to his friend being held that way, and may even become their enemy.
Asmodeus spoke.
"I want him to help us take down Apocalypse and the Betrayers, who you call the Externals."
The man in black stood still for a second, then, "HAHAHA, that's a good one lad! Och, I don'na think I've ever heard something so ridiculous in me life."
Galaire spoke then, coldly, "We are very serious. We ourselves are Externals, and the Betrayers in The Tower are our brethren, who went over to Nur's side in his bid to take control of the world. We want him to help us to fight them, and any help he can bring along would be welcome."
The man in black nodded then, and twirled the staff, which seemed to glow then. As the Externals got ready for an attack, the wall behind the man in black burst, and in walked an enormous man, clad in ruby red armor, over a black top and in black tights. His voice seemed to be magnified, and even the Externals flinched slightly, except Gilgamesh. He sat in his chair as though nothing had happened.
"I have heard your offer, and I accept. I have some mutants with me, they can help." Black Tom Cassidy whistled, and out of the shadows behind came a feral, with extremely long blonde and white hair, with claws for nails, and over- sharp teeth. He was clad in a black overcoat. From Juggernauts other side came a small man, hunched over with strange yellow eyes, and a greenish hue to his skin. Another man came and stood next to him, a nondescript man, with a small mustache and thin goatee, with graying hair, dresses in a black suit. Then came a man even larger than Juggernaut perhaps, a huge obese man, who resembled a beach ball more than anything.
"Our team, Sabretooth, Mastermind, Toad and Blob, apart from meself and Marko here."
Asmodeus smiled. He had his team. He would take down the Betrayers and Apocalypse and the Externals would take their rightful place on the throne of the world.
===================================================
The rays of light penetrated Scotts goggles, and he woke with a frown. He turned and his hand brushed against a body. He froze, then turned to see Candra's sleeping form next to him.
"Oh shit." Last nights memories crashed into him, and Scott turned around in the bed. *What the hell have I done. you've made love to a beautiful woman. NO! I made love to an External... So what Scotty boy, you got it made, now if only you could get the red head. NO! Shut up. Hehehe. Why the hell am I talking to myself?*
"Mmm."
Candra moved languorously in the bed, stretching like a cat. Even though he was shocked he couldn't help noticing the woman. She was flawlessly beautiful, that much had to be admitted. Unbidden images of another woman came into his head, a redheaded beauty, with flashing green eyes. He made the images go away. Candra was reaching for him, and as much as he was tempted, he had to get out of here.
"Not now mistress, I must inspect my troops."
Candra smiled, again in a slow lazy manner.
"You don't have to go, but I have to have you."
Scott nearly gulped as she stroked him; Candra was looking suspiciously like a predator with its prey in its grasp.
"Mistress, if I do not, I have no way of assessing how to strike at the rebels."
Candra pouted, and Scott knew she would not argue against him. Even she had to concede the necessity of eliminating the rebels, but oh how he was tempted.
He gathered his clothes, wearing the tunic and pants quickly. He looked around for his socks, then shrugged and put on his boots sans socks. Candra watched him from the bed, a distinct gleam in his eye. The watched her a bit uneasily, then prostrated and went out. The guards outside didn't make any comment, in fact they didn't even look at him. That pleased Scott, it meant that his guards were efficient if nothing else. He nearly laughed aloud as he felt himself overcome with hysteria. In the last twenty four hours, his life had been turned upside down, all because of two women. He sobered as he remembered what he had been told by Jean, and what had followed. He would have to deal with it later. Now he had to go and perform a surprise inspection of the troops. He had never intended to, he knew his troops well, but he couldn't just get away with telling Candra he would and not do it. It wouldn't be wise to lie to an External, even one he had just had sex with. Sex. he could barely remember his first. She had been some mutant who had been under his command. She had died three weeks after they had done the deed. He had only had sex twice after that, thrice counting last night. He grimaced; he had to stop thinking about it. He opened the door to his quarters and went to his bedroom, to change.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean was feeling a bit out of sorts this morning. She had spent over four hours with Cecilia yesterday. She had not expected much to come of it, but she had found out a lot about the Prelates from the doctor. She had also found out a lot about Scott. That was the problem with her today, she decided. Scott had not called her yet to his quarters, not since yesterday when he had suddenly become. different. There was no question that she had woken something in him, something he had kept below the surface. She wondered what it could have been to evoke such a response from him.
A guard came for her then.
"You're wanted."
She looked up and followed the guard. The guard kept her eyes ahead of her, yet also seemed to be taking watch of her. Extremely well trained, though she couldn't expect any different from Scott. She suddenly halted to a stop. He was her goddamned enemy! She should hate him, not admire him!
The guard had stopped too.
"Are you done?"
Jean looked at the guard, who nodded and continued walking down the hallway.
She followed.
The room was as she remembered, and Scott was sitting in the same chair.
"Ah, miss Grey. Sit please."
She sat daintily into the same chair as before. Her small hands clutched her thighs though, and she forced them to rest easily. By contrast his hands, which she found fascinating with their wide palm and long thick fingers, were resting easily on the armrests. He smiled at her.
"How do you feel, Miss Grey?"
Strange, he was talking to her so seriously, did he even remember yesterday?
"I'm doing well, thank you."
He probably knew how she was doing better than she did. Dr. Reyes examination had been thorough.
"Well, now that the formalities have been dealt with, let us continue our discussion of yesterday. We have you in our hands, you know that. We extracted enough information to pinpoint the headquarters of roulette from Miss Braddock. I'm sure we'll find any information we need from there, about your own illustrious island base."
Jean couldn't help it, her eyes widened. If he had managed to get answers from Betsy, he wouldn't have too much greater difficulty with her.
"You would be wise to tell us the whereabouts yourself."
He was bluffing, that's why he wanted to ask her. That had to be it. Roulette's base was better hidden than Muir Isle, even though Muir Isle had more resources. She shook her head.
"You won't be wise, or you won't tell me?"
"Both."
He laughed then, as though she had cracked a great joke, but she was unperturbed. It must all be a ploy. A way to make her break. She wouldn't break, she'd die first.
"Do as you wish, however I warn you, we will kill any member of Roulette we find, and extract the information quickly. You would avoid great loss on either side if you told me."
Jean looked at him, straight in the eyes, or where she assumed his eyes must be at least.
"No."
Scott smiled slightly, but Jean could see it was an irritated smile. She smiled back at him, tauntingly.
He frowned then, and she went cold. He was still very dangerous.
"I see."
Then still frowning, he stood and walked over to her. He cupped her face with one hand, the grip his fingers had on her cheeks was hard.
"You have marks on your face, why?"
She was surprised. Was this some new ploy?
"The containment units aren't all that comfortable."
He looked at her searchingly, and she saw it then, the outline of his eyes behind the ruby glasses, so faint as to be barely visible. The sight so enchanted her she stared, a small smile on her face. She didn't notice Scotts face become tighter, and his hand coming up to touch the side of her face almost tenderly. His face dipped, and she felt a tightness in her chest, an exhilaration flooding through her. He stopped an inch away from her slightly parted lips.
"This is crazy, I can't do this. What am I doing?"
Jean could barely hear his whisper and she didn't care. She tilted her face upwards and met his lips with a sigh. As soon as her lips touched his she knew she was playing with fire. It seemed as though a current was passing through her body, setting each part, each cell aflame. She closed her eyes and moved deeper into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, coming partly out of the chair. His hand went to her waist and slipped around to her back, holding her in place. His other hand went down from her cheek to her shoulder, then down her back, to join the other hand in the small of her back. His tongue pressed against her lips and she opened eagerly for him, eager for tastes of heaven that only he could provide. As his tongue slipped past her lips and into the waiting moist recesses of her mouth, Jean felt another jolt go through her, this time far more powerful than before. All her senses were alive, and her body was singing. Her own tongue touched his, and then slipped past, to reach his mouth. All the while her mouth was moving over his, no contact broken, and it felt as though he was literally sucking her soul out, so close were they now pressed.
Suddenly he pulled slightly away from her, breathing heavily. Jean could almost hear her heart beat, and was herself flushed with desire, her breath coming out gaspingly from her mouth. His face registered uncertainty and surprise. She didn't even want to know what her face showed. He seemed on the verge of kissing her again, and at that time her brain began to function again. She pulled out of his arms hurriedly, and looked at him, slightly gaping. How could she have kissed him? He was her enemy! She had to remember that, he was her enemy. This was probably set up by him. He must have kissed her to throw her off guard. She had to be prepared. He probably kissed Betsy as well. Suddenly a wave of jealousy went through her. Jean was shocked. Why did she feel jealous? It's not like she liked the man. A little voice came from inside her, *don't you Jean?*, and Jean had to admit it.
He was standing by the door now, and a guard came to the door. He went back in and stood by her. She nearly flinched.
"I'm sorry."
Then as she stared open-mouthed behind him, he walked into his bedchamber and closed the door behind him.
Jean sat in her prison again, night having fallen while she was with Scott. She had sat in thought for a few minutes now. She had battled long and hard against her feelings but she had to admit it. Scott Summers had made her his the moment their lips had touched. Her smiling boy was a grown man now, one she had fallen for, hard, in the space of a day. She was lost, and she had never even guessed a battle had been fought. A tear traced its way down her cheek, and she put her head into her arms and for the first time since being captured, Jean cried.
------------------------------------------------------------
The Council was in session. At the table, Asmodeus impatiently drummed his finger on the table. He was not a man used to waiting, however strange that may be for an External. He couldn't help it. They, the Council were the last remaining External's who had not gone over to Apocalypse, or had been killed by Apocalypse's Externals. He was a tall thin man, with wispy white hair, that was combed back in severe fashion. He wore a dark overcoat over a suit. On his left sat the only other individual in the room. Galaire, another External and Council member. They had reached a few minutes ago, arriving at the same time. Galaire was a dark beauty, a woman who could be said to have an elf-like face, with delicate features, but still managed to look dangerous. She was dangerous. She was the only elemental External still living. She commanded the forces of water, to a very great extent. She could literally whip a tsunami out of thin air. A feat he had seen her perform only once. She was also invulnerable to physical attacks. He himself had a more exotic power. Asmodeus could command temporal energies. Apart from generating concussive energy blasts, through this he could in theory travel back and forth in time. His powers were great, and he could also absorb the energies of others through sheer will power, in case he needed to. He could also transport himself anywhere he wanted. A useful power to have, but not too effective in combat, unless a strategic retreat needed to be employed. He was also benefited with fast regeneration, and almost malleable skin.
The door opened then and the two occupants of the large room looked up. Three other Externals entered. Behamen, with her shock of platinum blonde hair came first, dressed to kill as usual, with high heels, and a backless dress. She was also pretty, yet more fleshed out. Where Galaire was slender, Behamen was well-endowed, and short. She was tiny, with a slightly over large bosom. Her waist in comparison was even smaller. A model for an hourglass figure if any. She was strong though, her power being the ability of empathy. She was the only known empath to the Council. Her only other powers were the ability to fly and attack with psi-blasts. It was not quite certain how she came by the power of flight. The other two men were Astaroth and Gilgamesh. Astaroth was a brute of a man, with massive strength, and the power to manipulate the molecules of objects into whatever form he wished, much like a variation of Nur's powers. This made him dangerous with even a plastic bottle. He was swarthy, with massive shoulders and a perpetual half-day growth of beard on his jaw. His nose looked like it had been broken several times. Gilgamesh was a mystery. He was always in a hood, and had a grayish complexion. His powers were uncertain, but Shaman's last words about him before being killed were that he could command the shadows. Shaman had been one of the oldest Externals, who knew the most about them. Asmodeus was not sure why he was in the Council, or even why they didn't kill him. Still, he was an External, and they would need all the help they could get against Apocalypse, and the betrayers.
"Excellent, we're all here then."
The only answer to this was a small snort from Astaroth. The others remained watching him.
"You know how dangerous it is to call us all at the same time. The power levels are high enough for the Betrayers to find us." Behamen was harsh in her critique.
"Yes, I do know, and I would not call this meeting, unless it was worthwhile. I have found him."
The other Externals took the statement in varying degrees of astonishment. Behamen's mouth dropped open. Astaroth stopped scratching his stubble to gaze at him with surprise. Galaire nearly fell back from rocking her chair. Only Gilgamesh didn't react to this news. He simply kept on staring.
"You found him? That's excellent! Finally one of the few people who can match us Externals in strength."
"Is he here?"
"How did you find him?"
The questions hit him in a rush.
Asmodeus held his hands up in a call for silence. The other Externals stopped, but only when Gilgamesh spoke.
"Quiet. We are Externals. We don't behave in such a manner. Asmodeus, the question I have is whether he is willing to join us."
Asmodeus shrugged.
"I haven't talked to him yet. I only sent a messenger."
"What? Then why call us?"
"Are you wasting our time Asmodeus?"
"Where is he?"
Again Gilgamesh silenced them.
"You have sent the messenger to call him here?"
Asmodeus nodded.
"That's why I called the meeting. He is going to be coming here in a couple of hours. He was interested, but wanted to know more."
"This meeting is basically to agree on what is planned for him, and how he'll help us."
"His power would be just what is needed to combat that madman Sammael," Behamen pointed out.
"Yes, his hatred of us, and his single minded determination to rid us from this planet more than matches Shamans hatred for Apocalypse."
"I think Galaire, that the most pressing point is whether he would have to come work for us?"
Astaroths question made all of them think.
Then Asmodeus spoke.
"I think that if he does not, we may all be doomed."
----------------------------------------------------
Scott was perturbed. His life was not as simple as it had been. He was under more pressure than he thought he could handle. He worried about the impending attack by the X-men, to rescue their comrade. Candra was worrying him, apart from all the other Externals, with her secretive smiles, and the knowledge in her eyes of more to come. To top it all was his struggle to come to terms with what he felt for Jean Grey. It seemed that she was the root cause of all his troubles. Except perhaps with Candra. The X-men's attack would be initiated because of her, the Externals demanding he obtain information from her. All her fault, and there was of course the biggest of his problems, what he felt for her. Even when he was planning strategy, he would find himself dreaming of her clear green eyes that could spit like fire. Her red tresses that shone like a beacon of light. Her nearly full lips that would pout naturally in the most adorable manner. Then there were other parts of her body, those that tantalized him, inflamed him. He would himself thinking of them as often as he thought of her herself. There was no denying that she had a beautiful body, that had molded almost perfectly into his when they had kissed.
A voice broke through his reverie.
"How do you fare my son?"
Scott's head whipped around. Sinister was in the room, looking at him. Scott stood up and saluted, before prostrating himself.
"Get up son, you don't need to be so formal in private."
Scott stood up, but he was slightly wary. Sinister didn't usually make house visits. Sinister frowned, Scott seemed different. His mouth was just a bit tighter than usual, a difference none but he or perhaps Cecilia would be able to see. Perhaps it was the strain of handling too many things at once. He decided then that he would not continue the experiment now. He wanted Scott for the gauntlets, but he now decided against it. Scott didn't look in any shape to handle it.
"On second thought, perhaps it would be best you didn't come just now."
Sinister turned to leave.
Then a guard came in.
"Sir, the Externals. oh!"
The guard stopped mid-sentence, noticing Sinister.
"Yes? What do the Externals want?" Sinister asked.
The guard prostrated low.
"Sire, the others sent me to summon the High Prelate."
"Indeed? Then he can accompany me to the Hall."
The guard bowed and left.
"Come Scott, it seems the others want something from you."
As they entered the Hall, Sinister walked to his seat. Once Sinister was seated did Scott enter. Scott bowed to them.
"Rise, High Prelate." Candra's voice came out, pure and clear, tinged with a little bit of humor. Candra had a bit of a coarse mind, Scott had found out. She had used that phrase many times in their interlude.
"You have been summoned to report on the status of the rebel. How much information has she given so far, if any?" Exodus got straight to the point.
"I have not found out anything yet my lord. She is difficult."
Exodus frowned, and Scott nearly paled.
"Will she cede any information?" Archanfel asked.
"I believe she will, but it shall take some time."
"Hmm, time is something we don't have. We may have to send her to Dark Beast."
Scott went pale before he could hold back. The Externals didn't seem to notice though. He had to think. He couldn't let Jean be sent to Dark Beast, better to sentence her to death.
"Sire, not yet. She will yield, I know it. I promise to have the information by day after tomorrow."
"If you can get us the information by tomorrow, we shall not send her to Dark Beast." Sammael spoke for the first time.
Scott bowed. There was nothing more he could say. Suddenly it seemed as though a light had gone through his mind. One of the Externals, very likely Exodus had scanned his mind. His blocks didn't work well against the Externals, they had seen to it. He hoped they had not found out anything.
"Leave us High Prelate."
Scott bowed, and left the room.
He walked out into the corridor. His mind was racing, he needed to get the information from her, otherwise she would be sent to Dark Beast. It was imperative that that didn't happen. He was certain now that he had feelings for her, but he wasn't sure of how far they would extend.
"He loves her."
The Externals looked at Exodus in shock. That had not been expected.
"Are you sure?" Sinister asked nearly growling.
"Yes Nathaniel. It was in the uppermost reaches of his mind. He has also remembered what he went through in getting the visor."
Sinister was even more shocked now.
"How, what could have triggered his memories?"
"That is unimportant for now. He loves her, that is what we must focus on." Sammael spoke softly.
"We should send her to Dark Beast immediately. He may try and help her escape." Candra spoke.
The others considered this, then, "No my dear, I believe that would not be necessary. He is still too loyal to us. He will try and make her give him the information. If it becomes necessary, then he will try and help her escape tomorrow. Leave him be, for now. If he gets us the information, we will let her be. Perhaps he could keep her as a playmate later." Exodus smiled at the look on Candra's face. He knew well of her liaison with Scott Summers.
Sinister nodded, "Yes that seems to be the best idea, though I am not convinced about the idea of keeping her as a playmate."
Archanfel nodded his assent.
"Hmm, it is a sound plan. Still, we must be wary. If it becomes necessary to send her to Dark Beast we shall have to watch him. His loyalty might well win over his love."
The others nodded at Sammaels words. They would just have to wait and see.
Scott had Jean brought to him as soon as he reached his room. He was afraid that the Externals may still change their minds. He had a glass of brandy to calm his shaken nerves. He sat down, she would be coming soon and he had to plan on what he would do. Should he tell her the truth, that she would be sent to Dark Beast. No, she might call him out on why he cared. He couldn't let her know what he felt. No best he try force. Yet he couldn't bring himself to consider hitting her. He couldn't hit her. He had broken others before, using force as the last option. He would have to steel himself and do it. The alternative, her being sent to Dark Beast was too horrible.
Jean was rudely woken up. The guard grabbed her and began dragging her to Scott's room. She was flung in front of his door. The first thought that came into her head was, *I can't let him see me looking so dirty!* that was followed immediately by, *what am I saying?* She got to her feet, wondering why the guards, who had been respectful to her before, were so brutal. She felt a chill go through her.
The door opened and she was pushed in. Scott was standing there, with his back to her.
"Ah, Jean you're finally here."
He turned and walked towards her with two drinks in his hand. *What is he up to?* Jean thought.
"You look rather peaked, have a drink, it'll warm you down."
Jean was fuming. The nerve of the man to have her dragged here like some sort of third rate scum and then offer a drink.
"No thank you." Jean replied in an edgy tone.
He threw the drink in her face.
Jean looked at him shocked as he calmly stood up, little rivulets of wine sliding down her face. What was he up to?
He calmly went and made another drink, again coming in front of her and handing it to her.
"If you don't like wine, how about some whiskey?"
"No." Jean was wary; Scott was not behaving like he did usually.
This time he struck her across the face. Jean looked at him, eyes wide open. This couldn't be the same man who had kissed her last time they were here. She had had no idea of what he would do next time they met. The kiss had let her taste heaven for a while, and she had wanted more, so much more it had frightened her. She had tried to remember Logan, their moments together, the kisses they had shared, but Scotts face had kept sliding in between. This was not how she had even in her darkest imaginings expected would happen.
Scott was going back, making another drink. Again he came back and handed it to her.
"Drink," was all he said.
By this time she was feeling defiant, and fearful of the drinks. Perhaps he had drugged them.
"Fuck you." That was all she said.
Scott's reaction was to hit her so hard she was thrown out of the chair and sprawled onto the ground.
She could feel pain in her temple, where he had hit her.
She looked up at him through tear filled eyes, her nervous system not being able to take any more.
"Why are you doing this?" To her horror her voice cracked as she said it.
To her surprise it had the biggest reaction she had ever seen. Scotts face grew haggard, and he sat on his chair, muttering, "I can't do this, what do I do? I can't do this!"
He put his head in his hands, and sat there.
Jean looked at him, her heart aching painfully at the pain he was obviously going through. She was also frightened. She had never seen him look so scared, and at the brink of losing control. She stood up and walked to him, gingerly. She touched his shoulder, "What's wrong Scott?" He flinched.
"Damn you woman." That was all he said, then he grabbed her and the next second his arms were wrapped around her and his lips were pressed to hers.
Jean was filled with rapture. His hands seemed to be everywhere. She moaned as he pulled her top off, and began to slide his hands over her breasts, down to her rib cage, going lower to her stomach. Her hands caught in his hair, and she reveled in the feel of the long strands. He lifted her to his lap and she pressed closer to him. Her nipples grew stone hard, pressing against his chest. He groaned in his throat and his lips lifted off her mouth and he buried his face in her shoulder. Jean lifted the strands from his face and cupped his chin.
"No, this is all wrong, why do I feel this way?" His question came out in a whisper, the plea in his voice clear. Jean kissed him again, hard and deep, showing with a kiss what she felt, expressing her love with a kiss.
"That's why." The only answer she could give him. His lips traveled down her neck placing biting kisses all the way down.
He lifted her then; their lips still attached and carried her into his bedroom.
As he gently laid her on the bed, she grabbed his shirt. She pulled it off, and ran her hands down his defined, heavily muscled chest. She pressed her lips to his stomach, feeling it tremble and clench, breathing in the scent that was all Scott. His hands caressed her breasts, and she trembled with desire.
This was what she had been waiting for all her life and she felt as though she was complete. In a hurry Scott stripped her and himself. She felt it happen then, and then he took her to a peak she never even knew existed.
Jean lay languorously beside Scott, half on top of him, her head resting on his chest. Their subsequent couplings had been slower than the first frantic rush, and each time they had gone higher and higher. She was content, for now the world was safe. She cuddled closer to him, and his arm, slung around her, pulled her closer. Then he spoke.
"Jean, I'm sorry."
She looked at him, pulling slightly away. His eyes were hidden behind ruby red goggles.
"Scott?" Jean was worried, Scott sounded scared.
"I'm sorry Jean, about hitting you as well, but mostly about. God.. I failed you Jean. I wasn't strong enough."
Jean was surprised; he had already apologized for his assault, when he had seen the bruise during their later couplings. He had been remorseful then and Jean had been too filled with desire to care then.
"Scott, what are you trying to say?"
"The Externals told me if I couldn't get any information from you by tomorrow, they would send you to Dark Beast."
Jean stared at him in shock. When she had first lay in the containment unit, she had wondered if she would be given to Dark Beast. Not wondered, in fact, terrified. She had seen mutants who had been rescued from Dark Beast before. They had been so far gone, that they were beyond any mental and physical help. That had been what had terrified her. Dark Beast could destroy others mentally. Now to hear that she might be given to Dark Beast was like a nightmare come true. Scott was speaking again.
"That's why I had to hit you Jean, so that you would tell me the information, but I wasn't strong enough, I couldn't hurt you. I wasn't strong enough. You won't tell the information; I know you're too loyal. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were taken to him Jean. I . I don't know what to do!"
Scott's grip tightened around her, and they lay in the dark.
------------------------------------------------------
Remy lay in bed, his hands idly tracing designs on the stomach of the woman next to him. She was slightly turned towards him, a small smile growing on her face due to his ministrations. Her blonde hair was falling all over her face in disarray, and his hand came forward and swept them back. On the outside Remy was all calm and suave, on the inside he was triumphantly gloating. He had taken the White Queen herself, a woman eight years older than him. No one had ever managed to get in her bed, the entire time she had been teaching at Muir Isle. She was a telepath, not as strong as Xavier, though she and Jean were about evenly matched. Lucky for Remy, he had had an interest in her anyway; she was a heart-stoppingly sexy blonde, and Remy had had his eye on her for a while. She may have read his intent on being the first man on the island to take her, yet she had still given in to his seduction after two days. Remy put it all down to his Cajun charm. He had not lost any of it. Of course his empathy probably played a part, as he had very little control over it. He didn't care. Either way, he got what he wanted, and boy oh boy, wasn't it well worth the wait. The White Queen had become a white tiger in bed, and Remy had the claw marks down his back to prove it. Emma Frost had a lot of passion in her. Remy smiled softly as he saw Emma's eyes grow dark with desire. His own eyes began to burn as he reached for her.
Remy and Emma were sitting in his room, Remy dressed in loose pants and a tank-top, over which he wore his customary duster. Emma was dressed in tight black leggings and a shirt of Remy's much too large for her. They weren't doing much, sitting in companionable silence, both of them smoking, when the call came. Erik and Moira were calling all X-men and Roulette members, as well as Sean and Emma. They walked unhurriedly to the room.
Inside the hall, almost all the members were there. Emma's state of dress caught more than a few peoples attention. Rogue wasn't there yet. Remy had not seen her since their little altercation in his room a few days ago. Perhaps she was avoiding him. Then again he had been too busy with Emma.
Logan sat in a corner chair, brooding. He was the most impatient one of them all, his lover was in the enemy camp as a prisoner. Remy felt for him, knowing what it felt to lose a loved one. He knew very well.
"What's de matter mes amis?"
Moira answered him, "It's time to brief the rescue team on what's to be done. Erik and I came up with a good plan, it might well work."
They would split into two parties, one for assault and the other for infiltration. The infiltration would also break into two teams, one to search for Jen and rescue her, the other to destroy the Towers defensive systems. Logan would be leading the infiltration team, while Erik led the assault. The infiltration team would consist of Gambit, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Mystique, Psylocke, Rogue, Emma and Quicksilver. The assault team would be Iceman, Colossus, Storm, Angel, Renegade, Marrow, Scarlet Witch, and Banshee, who would be leading a whole army of rebels, and Moira would provide backup, in a large hover-craft, designed by Xavier for such an assault. The search and rescue part of the infiltration team would be headed by Weapon X, and would consist of Shadowcat, Psylocke and Quicksilver. Gambit would head the search and destroy part, which was to be made up of Emma, Rogue, Nightcrawler and Mystique. Remy smiled. It was a risky plan, but then he loved risks. People didn't call him Gambit for nothing. The only problem he found was that he and Rogue would be part of the same team. That would be a problem. On the whole though, things just kept on getting better and better.
-----------------------------------------------------
They had not waited long. A dark man approached the abandoned building, in a lazy indolent manner. He was dressed in black, and a large bo-staff was in his hands. He twirled it after every few steps. He had a large growth of beard on his face, trimmed to a straight line at the bottom and side. His hair was long, ruffling against his collar. He walked into the building.
'Ah, finally."
Asmodeus gestured at the man to sit.
"I'm not here to fool around Asmodeus; he wants to know, exactly, what you want."
Asmodeus contemplated the man. He was the compatriot of the man they needed. He always had been. For this man to be here meant that he was interested. He contemplated holding the man in front as hostage while he acceded to their demands, but then dismissed it. He would not take kindly to his friend being held that way, and may even become their enemy.
Asmodeus spoke.
"I want him to help us take down Apocalypse and the Betrayers, who you call the Externals."
The man in black stood still for a second, then, "HAHAHA, that's a good one lad! Och, I don'na think I've ever heard something so ridiculous in me life."
Galaire spoke then, coldly, "We are very serious. We ourselves are Externals, and the Betrayers in The Tower are our brethren, who went over to Nur's side in his bid to take control of the world. We want him to help us to fight them, and any help he can bring along would be welcome."
The man in black nodded then, and twirled the staff, which seemed to glow then. As the Externals got ready for an attack, the wall behind the man in black burst, and in walked an enormous man, clad in ruby red armor, over a black top and in black tights. His voice seemed to be magnified, and even the Externals flinched slightly, except Gilgamesh. He sat in his chair as though nothing had happened.
"I have heard your offer, and I accept. I have some mutants with me, they can help." Black Tom Cassidy whistled, and out of the shadows behind came a feral, with extremely long blonde and white hair, with claws for nails, and over- sharp teeth. He was clad in a black overcoat. From Juggernauts other side came a small man, hunched over with strange yellow eyes, and a greenish hue to his skin. Another man came and stood next to him, a nondescript man, with a small mustache and thin goatee, with graying hair, dresses in a black suit. Then came a man even larger than Juggernaut perhaps, a huge obese man, who resembled a beach ball more than anything.
"Our team, Sabretooth, Mastermind, Toad and Blob, apart from meself and Marko here."
Asmodeus smiled. He had his team. He would take down the Betrayers and Apocalypse and the Externals would take their rightful place on the throne of the world.
===================================================