Fleurdelys--I'm sorry about the (lack of a) fight between Remy and Bishop, but I wasn't sure of how to go about it and I wanted to get on with the story. As for focussing on other team members, I do so this chapter! ^-^
Wishful Thinking--Yes, I did indeed spell Harley wrong. But, I have an excuse! I have a friend by that name and he spells it Harly. So now ya know.
crazytook--I'm sorry to hear that the ninjas stole your imagination. I'd let you have mine, but I drove myself out of my mind a long time ago, and I'm not certain of where it is.
T.--More again!
Jean1--I originally intended the story to focus on Remy and Franklin, but the rest of the characters have done some growing on me since that time. What I enjoy is character development, so expect a pile of it.
Lucky439--I'm afraid this is far from soon, but I did provide.
Disclaimer: The X-men? Yes, I own the X-men. It's on that VHS tape on the shelf over---Oh! You meant the *intelectual property*? Nope. Why? Are you offering it?
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CHAPTER 9: FOR SELF-PITY'S SAKE
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Davis Cammeron flinched. Slipstream? He might have figured. No 'Davey' or even 'Davis'. No regular or pet name of affection or carring concern. Just worry over a former teammate. A treachurous teammate. A Judas Iscariot that Ororo Munroe was probably just dying to kick back out into the street. He didn't blame her. He'd probably do the same to himself. So it surprised him to find her supporting him, taking him from Neal and Heather's arms.
She stumbled. He hadn't even realized how injured she was. He cursed himself all over again. Of course he didn't know. How could he notice how hurt any of the X-men were when he'd been in such a hurry to escape from Madripoor? And he'd been in such a hurry because of what? Childish fear. Fear of a sister who loved him. And fear of her changed physical apperance.
Now here he was again, being supported by Storm, a woman in need of support herself. That was all he had ever been to the X-men, he mused. A burden getting in the way. He struggled to collect his thoughts, only to realize that he didnt' want to be where he was. He was barely even aware of how he had gotten to be where he was.
He remembered a feeling of groggy sleep, the sound of shattered glass, the sensation of flying, and having a door opened to reveal a shocked-looking weather witch. Oh yes, he remembered one other thing: the pain. The pain, he realized, that he was still feeling. It made him weak and tired. He couldn't even try to focus anymore, the pain was so bad. He became dead weight against Ororo's fragile self, unbalancing her. They both fell to the floor in a heap.
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When Logan had decided to take a break from the hectic life at the mansion, he thought that spending a little 'quite time' in New Orleans helping with Ororo's therapy would do him good. Since the arrival of Franklin Richards and his 'Robo-ben', he had drastically changed his mind. Since then, he had found himself going out more often. In this case, to bars.
He stalked in and set his butt at the bar stool. He ordered a drink. Strong. The Wolverine didn't get drunk easily, but he might as well try since he didn't have anything better to do. He glanced up at the TV. At first, he didn't pay attention to what the anouncer was saying. He was acting on instict and merely watching the movement on the screen. Soon enough, though, his ears picked up on what the man was actually saying. He then realized it was worth his concern.
"--Latveria. Trackers say that Dr. Doom is a man that obviously doesn't want to be found. The country's political status is in an absolute upheaval. Several petty dictators have already attempted to take over the country. We go now to Stan now for the opinion of the current leader of the Avengers...Captain America!"
The setting on the screen switched to reveal a smug-looking reporter and a passively contenanced Steve Rogers.
"And I'm Stan The Man here, reporting live at the Avengers headquarters for their insight on Dr. Doom's intentions. So, Cap, ol' chap (he chuckled to himself), what do you think ol' Vicky's up to?"
Captain America winced in annoyance.
"Von Doom, no doubt, has gone into hiding to plan something in depth. Usually, we can depend on the Fantastic Four to discern his intentions, but sadly they are no longer with us."
"According to our sources, Cap, Mr. and Mrs. Fantastic had a young son. What's become of the boy? Some of our sympathetic viewers are curious."
"It is not my place to reveal Franklin Richard's whearabouts at this time..."
He turned to the Scarlet Witch for confirmation.
"Suffice to say that he is being well-cared for."
The reporter irritatedly wrinkled his nose.
"Ah. I...see."
Logan turned away from the set. The reporter had returned to asking mere gossip inquiries. The old Canadian pulled out his wallet. Paying for his drinks, he wondered to himself, What is Doom up to?
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This is....certainly awkward. Ororo Munroe pushed against Davis' unconsious body in a futile effort to rise. She couldn't have been less shocked if she had answered the door to Magneto. It seemed as though merely the thought of the australian surfer had brought him to her. She felt his weight pulled from her.
Rogue and Remy had heard the commotion and were now easing Davis onto the couch. Sage had also risen from her seat, and helped Ororo to stand up. She turned to Franklin. He was looking up in wonder at Lifeguard. Apparently, he had never seen a big, metalic bird-lady before.
Ororo leaned against the wall for support, and made her way to the couch. She glanced over Slipstream's injuries. They were brutal, but in the process of healing. She wrinkled her brow. But just how healed was he on the inside?
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Heather Cammeron entered the living room. Davey had the couch, but there was a very plush-looking bean bag still available. She plopped down on it. She had just begun to settle down when she squirmed, realizing she was being poked and prodded.
"What in bloody....What are you doing?"
Puppy dog blue eyes looked out at her from under golden bangs.
"Lookin' for the 'on' switch."
She stared at the child, not comprehending.
"The 'on' switch?"
"Yeah. Robo-ben has one, I'm lookin' for yours."
She groaned in frustration.
"I'm not a robot, kid."
"You're not?"
"Nope."
"Oh."
Lifeguard looked over at him once more and chuckled. She was having a bad day, but she couldn't take it out on the boy. He was simply too precious. She took his small hand within her clawed one.
"It's organic metal." She explained.
"See? It covers up the rest of me. Underneath, I'm just as flesh an' blood as you are."
"I get it!" Franklin smiled. He began tracing her facial markings with his fingers.
"The tatoos are pretty. Can I get one?"
She looked over at a preoccupied Remy LeBeau.
"When you're older, kid." She admonished.
"When you're older."
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Logan walked through to door to discover chaos. With the scurrying for medical supplies, Sage's analyzing, Franklin's unceasing questions, and a general reunion of old friends, things were getting far to loud for the likes of his sensitive ears. He made his way over to Sage.
"We got a problem."
"Really? I hadn't noticed it. Just as I hadn't noticed all the others."
Logan snorted. He had absolutely no idea where she had begun developing this new sarcastic streak, but it was getting old quickly.
"There's trouble brewin' over in--"
"Latveria? Thank you for telling me, Logan; I found out a week in advance while browsing the records of the White House. Now if you will excuse me, I need to tend to Davis..."
Heather screamed.
"No! Don't even think of going near him, you bloody catalyst! Or haven't you done enough?"
"Lifeguard, if I do not analyze his injuries--"
"He'll be just fine! Not to mention a good lot better than the last time you tampered with his genes...or mine for that matter!"
Sage dropped the argument. To continue, would only upset both Cammerons even more.
Logan snorted at their petty bickering. It was too much drama for him. He sniffed the air and recognized Franklin's distinct scent amoung the scurrying mutants. He figured that where the kid was, the dog would follow. He headed on to bed. As late as he liked to stay up--healing factor or no--he would not endure razor-blade puppy teeth in his leg again.
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After Davis and been put back to sleep, and nearly everyone else had retired to bed, Lucas Bishop walked out into the garden. He knew that Remy sometimes came to the place to brood, and he figured that he might find the place equally appropriate.
He looked up at the stars. As the days flew by, Lucas became more and more certain that the future that he knew would never come to pass. Onslaught had been the traitor, and he had been defeated. And LeBeau, as it turned out, was brave and carring man that he was ashamed to have doubted. And was doubly ashamed to have failed.
BRIIIINNNGG!
He straightened, looking over his shoulder warily. The X-men had no reason to call him at this time and there was only one other person he had given the number to...
"Hello, Teri."
"Crikey! Don't do that to a gel, Lucas! Can't yeh just say 'Hello, who is this?' like normal folk?"
He smirked. Teri Baltimore. His guilty little secret. When the X-men left Sydney, Ororo had instructed them to errase all traces that they had ever been on the continent. Bishop had not complied: He had chosen to keep contact with his investigation partner.
Together, they had managed to bring down an entire crime ring. That was something a cop didn't take lightly. He had invited her to dinner, as a partner and as a friend, where they had proceeded to share their stories of mysteries, hard-to-nail criminals, and smashing sucesses. Bishop, of course, had to be careful to omit any references to mutants or alternate futures, but he had always been acurate with the basics of his tales.
As for Teri, she had been delightful. Her casual manner of dress and punk-dyed blue hair had often caused various bosses and crooks to underestimate her. It made victory all the sweeter to see their faces as she hauled her latest catch off to jail. She had even immited the looks she had recieved as she regalled him with the tales of her captures. She had made him actually laugh a time or two.
"Got any time to chat?"
"A little. Have you found a new case to pursue yet?"
"Well, there seemed to be a re-surgence of nasty buggers over in China Town, but it turned out to be some crazy mutant thing and I thought it best to leave it to Inspector Gavin."
Mutant. Bishop winced. He still hadn't told her about the whole X-men thing...or even the mutant thing for that matter. She didn't seem to have a known opinion of mutants one way or the other, at least, she had never expressed any opinion to *him*. He wasn't ready to touch on it yet. Not just yet.
"What about you, mate? Ready to open up a new case file yet?"
"I'm...in bit of a twilight right now. Nothing *is* happening, but anything *could* happen at any moment."
"Funny. Ya didnt' say much different las--awww, Crackers!"
"What's the matter?"
"Crackers. The new dog. My roomate brought him home the other day. She's not here, and he needs to go out *now*."
"Tell me about it. One of the men I'm boarding with brought home a dog, and a boy, and guests. I haven't had a moment's peace since."
"I feel your pain, Lucas. I'll catch ya later!"
"Goodbye."
CLICK.
Bishop sighed. As much as it went against his grain, he seemed to be keeping secrets from everyone nowadays. Teri didnt' know about the X-men, and the X-men didn't know about Teri. And now Gambit didn't trust him. The future-born mutant headed off to bed. He had a lot of things on his mind, and he was tired of thinking of them. Hopefully, things would look brighter in the morning.
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Author's Note: No cliff-hanger this time, but I'm already started on the next chapter, so it shouldn't take as long. My sincerest appologies for the long update, but my schedule has been packed with my summer tutoring program. I get finished with something, and something else pops up in it's place. As for Rogue and Remy, I'm also sorry that they got no spotlight this chapter. No fear, though. Rogue will be the very first person I touch upon next chapter. As for Teri, she's another minor character Claremont made for the Chinese Triad/Mafia frame-up story arc in extreme. I remembered that Bishop seemed to like her, and decided to see where their relationship could go. As for Doom, more of him later. Until then, PLEASE REVIEW!!
