Three
Remy watched the girls take their places on the judo mat and bow through half closed eyes; Asli was still refusing to talk to him and he was hoping a sparing match would put her in a better mood. The hacker was one of the few people he counted as a real friend-someone who would tell him the truth no matter what, who would watch his back, who he could count on-and the thief didn't want to loose that. Not over something stupid.
If Remy had been a gentleman he would have volunteered to let the hacker beat on him a bit by way of apology. Of course no one had ever accused him of being a gentleman-which meant that he could watch Rogue and Cypher fight while wearing tight black cat suits to his heart's content. He was also more than a little afraid of what Asli would do to him if she had carte blanche to do it.
Without a word the girls began duelling and Remy had to admit that Wolverine had done an excellent job training Rogue-Cypher's enhanced speed was the only thing keeping the younger girl at bay. Of course Rogue had been learning martial arts for the better part of three years, while Asli was a street-brawler through and through. As Rogue spun into a roundhouse kick the Cajun got to admire more than just her martial skills-she was younger than he normally liked his women but Rogue was still beautiful, smart and interesting-if totally unattainable.
It hadn't been her looks alone that had caused Remy to single the Goth out during that initial battle; they had helped but the file Magneto had collected on her had perked his interest more. He had really just wanted to meet the untouchable girl face to face-he could have given her a fully charged card if he had wanted to hurt her–and to date Rogue had not disappointed him. She was everything Magneto had promised them she was and every bit as dangerous too.
When Remy was being honest with himself-which was never very often if he could help it- he could admit that he had a bit of a crush on the girl. She was a mystery and a challenge-Remy loved a challenge especially when it came wrapped up in a pretty package. Usually girls flocked to him like flies on honey and Rogue's aloofness was an added bonus-it made him want to earn her confidence.
"Bonzer mate! How long have they been at it?" Remy turned to see St. John trying desperately to wipe drool from his chin, "You should have warned me-I'd have gotten some mud…this is too good to miss."
Remy opened his mouth to answer but a cough stopped him in his tracks. "You know," Cypher glared at the boys from the mat-she and Rogue had stopped their sparring, "You should really watch what you say around people with heightened senses."
The Aussie smiled nonplussed by the venomous look he was receiving from Rogue-Remy cringed for him, "Ahh, come on Sheila-let Pyro have a laugh will ya. You know I'd never…"
"That's right; you wouldn't," Asli smiled as she and Rogue shared a glance-one that told Remy to stay silent or he'd be as dead as St. John. "Because if you did we'd have to hurt you."
A memory floated to the surface of Rogue's mind and the Goth had to bite her lip to prevent a giggle-it seemed Asli had really gotten the dirt on Pyro. Pushing back her white bangs Rogue shot the Aussie a teasing smile, "Yeah Sugah, we'd have to tell everyone about your secret stash of romance novels."
The pyromaniac paled-it had been bad enough that Cypher had known-but now he had two more people to bribe into silence. Rolling his eyes heavenwards the blond hoped that it would all go away-but the knowing smirk on Remy's face told him otherwise. St. John knew he was beaten at his own game. "You can't fault a fella for dreaming my lovelies…the two of you are a sight to behold." He grinned sheepishly, "But since you seem invulnerable to my charm, I should inform you that Mags sent me to find you lot…He's got a new mission for us."
"If he wants us to get him ice cream I won't be responsible for my actions," Rogue snapped taking the towel Asli offered and wiping some of the sweat from her forehead.
Remy gave her a dazzling smile, trying not to let anyone see how disappointed he was to have to cut the sparring short, "Non Chère, he wouldn't call for Remy just for ice cream…that's Pyro's job."
"Buzz off…that was only one time." St. John grumbled totally mortified that his new team-mate was only getting to see his foolish side-an untouchable girl was still a girl to him.
Rogue's lips twitched into a smile. When she had agreed to help Asli defeat Magneto from the inside she had pictured his team as austere, lacking the camaraderie and fun that she had found with the X-Men. Now it seemed that appearances were deceiving-weeks ago she would never have seen herself laughing and teasing Pyro or seeing the softer side of Gambit. But within the first week both were plainly evident.
Now here she was stuck amongst enemies who weren't really enemies and the Goth knew something that the other X-Men didn't-that the men they had faced in battle were human after all. It was disquieting to think about but it seemed to reinforce her decision to help Asli free her friends.
Rogue tuned back into the conversation as Pyro…No, St. John- Rouge reminded herself of his real name explained the plot of the last romance he had read-something to do with heaving bosoms and swarthy pirates. He switched his voice from a lilting falsetto to a gruff baritone playing both parts for his audience. The Acolytes laughed all the way to the War room.
****************
Pitor kept his stride brisk, wondering just what had caused Professor Xavier to call him to his office at midnight on a school night. Even though he was no longer in school the former Acolyte had found it easier to conform to the schedules of the younger mutants around him-up at dawn and in bed by ten at the latest. When the mental summons had come tonight Pitor hadn't been sleeping-he had been trying to draw a portrait of Kitty to thank her for standing by him.
The Russian's disobliging hands however kept tracing the sharp features of Asli Fraser…Cypher. He wouldn't use her real name-Asli had been his friend but Cypher was Magneto's lackey. Separating the girl's two aspects was the only way he could think of her and keep his sanity. No matter what he did, how hard he tried her face haunted him. Pitor had burned everything that had reminded of his traitorous friend but she was still there-woven into his heart and refusing to let him go.
His lips tingled at the memory of the kiss that she had just for one second shared with him. For that bright shining moment he had been the happiest he had been since meeting up with Magneto. Pitor had hoped that despite everything that had happened to him God was offering him a chance to live a normal life. Now all her had left were troubled memories and art. When his art didn't soothe him Pitor would try reading-but soon he would find himself wondering what Asli would say about a passage-and all the work he had done to forget her was undone.
The only time Pitor could completely shut her out of his mind was when he was with Kitty-his new closest friend. Her bubbling presence didn't allow him room to dwell or brood and for that simple fact Pitor was extremely grateful. Lost in his thoughts the quiet mutant almost passed the door to Xavier's office but drew himself back to reality in time to knock, "Come in." the professor's voice rang out in answer-Pitor smiled lightly knowing that the telepath had waited for the knock before extending the invitation just so that he would be more at ease. Pitor appreciated the gesture.
"You wanted to see me Professor." Pitor focused deeply on his mental shields and kept each word precise-the way he always kept himself around the bald paraplegic.
Xavier's shiny head nodded, "Yes, Pitor. Please sit down, there is something personal I'd like to discuss with you…"
Doing as he was told Pitor sat opposite the elder man and waited for the Professor to continue. Once he was settled Xavier relaxed slightly-it was easier to look Colossus in the eyes when he was seated. "It was brought to my attention through an impeccable source that Magneto kidnapped your younger sister Illyana to encourage your participation with the Acolytes."
Pitor's blue eyes swelled to the size of dinner plates in shock-he had been expecting to be asked to leave just in case he was on a mission of influence like Cypher. "Da," Pitor closed his eyes and tried to find the English words that fit his thoughts but extreme emotion always limited the iron grasp he had on his second language.
"Thanks to this source," Xavier continued smoothly as if he didn't notice the young man's internal struggle, "I was able to locate Illyana. Her rescue was the 'humanitarian mission' that I sent Wolverine on. He should be returning within the hour."
The emptiness Pitor had been feeling in his heart filled-Illyana was safe from Magneto; he would be allowed to stay with the X-Men, his life was his own once more. Freedom at last. For the first time in nearly two years Pitor Rasputin was his own man all thanks to the Professor who sat watching the silent tears run down the young man's cheeks. Pitor opened his mouth to speak but he could not, it was all too much to comprehend. Perhaps God had not turned his back on him after all.
"It's alright Pitor," Xavier's smile was genuine, in all his years he had never seen another human so happy-the telepath wished that Asli could be in the room to see the fruits of her labour. "We'll meet Logan in the hangar so that you and Illyana can have a reunion. I'm afraid however that it may be a short one…I have an urgent mission for the X-Men I didn't know if you'd like to join them."
"What is it?" Pitor wiped his eyes with his sleeve curious as to what else Xavier's mysterious connection could have told him.
Xavier sighed; he hadn't really wished to interrupt Pitor's first night with his sister but time was of the essence in this situation and the young man's powers would be a Godsend. The message Cypher had passed to him troubled Xavier-even though he wouldn't let it show, "Magneto is planning an attack on a government installation that has been a center for research on mutants-my source has told me that the assault will occur tonight. If you wish to stay with Illyana I'd understand…"
"Niet," Xavier watched as the Russian's jaw set determinedly lending the young man the immovable air he usually only processed in metal form, "It is for her that I will help you fight him."
Knowing better than to argue with a mind well made up Xavier motioned to the door, "Then I suppose we shouldn't keep your sister waiting."
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A note from Krac: Yahoo! Another chapter in the bag. Now if I can keep up with what I have planned for the series I only have this and seven more fics to go! Okay now tell me…how was it? The Pitor broodiness? The Remy-Rogue interaction…okay the profusion of perverted thoughts courtesy of Gambit. The Acolyte banter…come on throw me a bone.
Keep the cycle going Ish…and the praise coming it means a lot…if I didn't get any adulation I wouldn't write anymore…
Was that a threat? Hmmmm.