xXrogue-demonXx , T-- Dealing with Franklin this chapter, so don't worryJukebox --here's an update for ya!khay --Wow! Thank you! I have an idea of how difficult that must have been for you! I've written a lot of stories, and it must have been a lot of work for you to read them all in one sitting! It's the greatest compliment and I hope to repay with an excellent chapter.. And consider yourself signed onto the hit list!Wishful Thinking2 --hope you're recovered from the flu by now Pookie Sanchez Through the Fantastic Four, Franklin and Doom share a history, but is that history revlevant to the story? Wait and see!Nicole Dernencourt--Doom is an old enemy of the Fantastic Four, which is the name of the superhero team that Franklin's parrents belonged to. He's got reason to hold a grudge against a little boy of Franklin's parrentage, considering the fact that his sanity is highly questionable. As for Remy, no. He does not have his powers. They were taken away after the Madripoor scenario in the X-treme comic book. For the same reasons, Rogue is misssing her mutant abilities as well. However, this doesn't make either of them a liability for two reasons: a) they still have their fighting skills and b) they're semi-retired anyway. But all this could change at the drop of a hat....

Recap: 1) Scott got shipped off to New Orleans. 2) Teri Baltimore began to check Bishop's background. 3) Jean explained why she kissed Remy [and is dreading Rogue's reaction]. 4) Davis explained where he'd been during his sabatical from the X-men.

Disclaimer: I've been told that I write the X-men well. That being the case, if I ever become a best-selling author, I'll be sure to use my wealth to buy the X-men. Unfortunately, I use my tallent to write about the X-men which I do not own, and therefore cannot make any money to buy them. I get the feeling that this set-up has been rigged.

_____________________________

CHAPTER 17: DARK REACTIONS

_____________________________

Rogue set her chair so close to Remy, she was practically sitting in his lap. She never asked for food to be passed to her. Rather, she reached across the table, taking every opportunity to enclose the Cajun with her arm; she shot furtive glances at Jean Grey-Summers as she did so.

Heather and Neal would not look at one another despite Bishop's attempts to engage them all in conversation. Eventually, Heather took lead, rambling about the various items she had shopped for. It eventually prompted Franklin to talk about the books he and Rogue had gathered. From that point, it developed into a discussion about education.

Rogue, Heather, and Remy argued about the importance of knowing regular school subjects. There was no guarantee that when Franklin grew up, he would want to be a superhero. He should at least have the option of living like a 'normal' person, and have a school education.

Neal and Bishop sided with vigilante training. Franklin was a mutant, and should know how to fight like one. Remy then pointed out that Bishop's training hadn't helped much when Franklin had faced off against the playground children. Bishop's face turned red, making Remy sorry for the low blow. But it was still a valid point.

It was then that Ororo and Davis arrived. They were late, but fashionably so. Remy noted the skin-to-skin contact and secretive glances between the two of them. He wondered if he should talk with them about their developing relationship, or mind his own business. He doubted that Davis knew of the wind-rider's background with her teammate Forge, but he didn't want to intrude on what was growing between his padnat and her new love-interest.

Their presence lightened the tension slightly, though it caused Heather to grow suddenly quiet. Rogue was concerned. Apparently, the Australian siblings still hadn't spoken to each other since Slipstream's arrival.

Sage did not join them. She was as secluded in her room as ever. But this time, she was actually having fun. She discovered that Robo-ben had an amazing capacity for speed-calculation. Together, they had logged onto a web site with various mathematical puzzles. They competed, each trying to solve the puzzle first.

When Sage had not responded to Jean's call for dinner, Remy had gone up himself to see what was taking the human computer so long. Watching the woman's expression focused soley on the screen, and the robtic puppy's occasional yip, Remy smiled and closed the door without disturbing them.

When dinner was over, everyone retired to their rooms. Everyone except Jean, who had to do the dishes as part of her unspoken penance.

________________________________

Dear Diary,

My name is Franklin, and I'm your new owner. I own a lot of other things too. I own a teddy bear, a buncha puzzles, some things that usta belong to Mommy and Daddy, and a dog named Robo-ben. I also have a new family.

I don't know what to think when I write that last part. It feels good because I know Remy, Rogue (She bought ya for me), an' alla the others care about me. But it also feels bad because my family is supposed ta be Mommy, Daddy, Unca Ben, and Unca Johny. But they're dead. So, I don't know what ta think.

I don't cry a lot about it anymore, though. I usta cry a lot before Remy took me to live here. When I'm with the X-men, I'm so busy and keepin' track of so many things, I forget that I'm supposed to be sad that Mommy and Daddy are gone. It doesn't feel like they died. I just feels like--alla a sudden--they weren't there anymore. Kinda like my powers: something's something...and then it isn't. The Fantastic Four were my family...and now the X-men are.

I don't really think of 'em as the X-men anymore though. I think they're the thing Daddy and Mommy wanted to be: retired. I mean, if something bad happens, X-men go to stop it, but not the ones I'm with. I guess I just think of 'em as Remy, Rogue, Mr. Bishop, Ms. Storm, Neal, an' the golden robot-lady. Oh, an' Davis too. I don't wanna think about Sage, though. She's scary.

Robo-ben doesn't really wanna play with me anymore. He usta like that scary man--Mr. Logan--but he likes Sage now. I guess that's because Daddy made Robo-ben like to count. Now, he plays counting games with Sage all day long, an' they never come outa that room.

But at least I've got books an' stuff to learn from now. Rogue's gonna learn everything that's in those books, and is gonna teach me. She's really, really nice. I don't know why Remy doesn't wanna marry her. Ok, so he does wanna marry her, I still don't get why he won't do it now! He told me he's afraid, but what's ta be scared of? I know Rogue tol' me not ta push they two of 'em into anything, but for grown-ups, they're acting kinda stupid. That's why Rogue needs ta read all those books before I do. Maybe they'll make her smarter. Maybe she should make Remy read 'em too.

Oh! I gotta go. I hear the doorbell ringin' and grown-ups always think that someone else is gonna answer it, so it never gets answered. I gotta take care of that...

--Franklin Richards.

________________________________

Scott Summers was a difficult man to shock. He had spent nearly his entire life since puberty fighting insane villains, dealing with mutant crisis, handling other-worldly negotiations, and coping with an unbelievably complicated family tree. But all this couldn't change the fact that the couldn't move at the sight of his wife standing a distance away from the door that had been answered by a small blond-haired boy.

"I'm going to see about Franklin Richards in New Orleans."

Upon second reaction, he wondered why he hadn't seen it earlier. New Orleans was a big city, but it wasn't that big. Of course, the professor would send him on the same mission as Jean. Why hadn't he put two and two together? He turned his head from her to the youth at his side. He remembered seeing a picture of the boy during a report about dangerous mutants and some playground incident, but he had dismissed it as another example of anti-mutant journalism. Who knew that the story would be critical to his next post?

But he couldn't dwell on details forever. The point was that the very woman he wanted to talk to--but was scared to death to do so--was standing in front of him, looking like she might break down in tears at any moment.

"Jean, I--"

"Don't. Say. A. Word. Not one word."

Scott could sense confusion coming off of the boy. The kid probably didn't have a clue as to what was going on, but he was still there. Scott furrowed his brow. Jean seemed to be on edge, but she would lose it in front of a child, would she? Perhaps it was best to avoid confrontation, and ignore her for now.

"Say, kid,"

The boy--Franklin, was it?--looked up at him with a small frown.

"Could you hang up my coat for me? In this humidity, I shouldn't need it."

"Who are you, mister?"

"I'm Mr. Summers."

That statement seemed to be the last straw for Jean, and she turned on her heal and fled from the room. Scott winced like a man taking a daunting wound as he began to remove his coat, revealing his casual uniform. The boy seemed to recognize what the X-logo stood for, and took his coat. But he didn't look happy about it.

"So, you're with the X-men?"

"Yes."

The boy's anger seemed to turn to confusion.

"Sir...why did you make Jean so sad that she cried?"

"People don't just cry when they're sad, son. They cry when they're angry, too."

Somehow, the boy seemed able to understand that.

________________________________

Sage did not understand. How could she have lost track of time so quickly? She should have been waiting and watching...not playing games with a little boy's robotic pet. But there in her message box was the letter from her contact--and the letter had been sitting there for hours. She quickly opened the message to read it, only to have her worst fears confirmed.

"Remy!"

She burst open the door, rampaging down the hallway. According to her contact, Doom had taken on a false identity and used it to book a plane ticket to the United States. He had arrived in New York and laid low for a small matter of days, and only the other day, had arranged for a private jet to fly him to the southern part of the country. The timing could not be coincidence.

Sage's cry had caused the X-men to gather in the hallway. Most were already in their pyjamas, but there were a few exceptions. Somehow, Cyclops was there, dressed in the usual uniform. Jean also seemed quite mobile; Heather was not only dressed--but still wearing those light-tinted sunglasses...

Sage froze where she was.

"Take those off--NOW!"

"Wot?"

The human computer was nearly shrieking.

"I said take them off!"

Lifeguard gazed at her with utter annoyance and contempt.

"I don't see why I should, you wear those red shades of yours alla the time."

Sage did her best to calm herself.

"Mine do not have hidden spy cameras in them! Now take those off!"

The Aussie woman ripped the glasses off quick as lightning and handed them to the pale lady. Sage deftly placed her fingertip to the joint next to the lens and squeezed, crushing the hidden circuits. Sage immediately looked up to question Heather. The blonde-haired girl seemed a little frightened.

"Where did you get these?"

"I... I was at a sunglasses vendor when this man came up to me and handed 'em to me. They looked nice, an' I figured they were from the pile an' I'd overlooked 'em."

"Did you notice anything strange or particularly hidden about the man?"

"No."

Sage's gaze turned inward in thought.

"In that case, he was probably a mere henchman."

Remy stepped forward.

"Chere, do y'have any idea what's goin' on here?"

Sage looked up as though awakened from a trance; she handed the printed-out letter to her Cajun teammate.

"Doom is on the move. I have reason to believe that he is trying to capture Franklin as a final strike against the Fantastic Four. But, from the construction of Heather's 'sunglasses' it appears as though he has been monitoring us for some time. He knows we're onto him now, and is probably on his way to bring us to a confrontation. Remy, I have no idea what sort of forces he has on hand. We are not ready for such a confrontation. We need some place to hide--and quickly."

Scott prepared to open his mouth, only to have it shut against his will. Telekinetically shut against his will. He turned his head to Jean, but her eyes were focused soley on Remy. Slowly, it dawned on Summers: he was here to help, but Gambit was the leader.

Remy looked towards Franklin. The boy was sitting on the floor next to where Rogue was standing. He held his arms around Robo-ben, as the cybernetic puppy nuzzled his neck. Both seemed scared, yet trusting. Remy looked up to speak.

"I know a place. It'll take some social tuggin', but wit' enough persuasion, de guild will take us in."

Scott's jaw dropped.

"You mean the thieves and assassins?!"

Remy stared past the visor, to look Cyclops in the eye.

"De very same, Summers. De very same."

________________________________

Victor Von Doom was not happy with it, but at least it was not unexpected. By the time he arrived with his team of lackeys, they X-men--along with the mutant he was looking for--were long gone.

He had already sent his team to search the house. In the meantime, he had made himself comfortable in the living room, allowing himself the largest armchair. He was an important man, and it had to show with everything he did.

________________________________

She should have known, but she didn't want to believe it: Bishop's credentials were fake. They had been well-made. Everything registered smoothly, with perfect paperwork. But the moment anyone tried to get in touch with an actual flesh-and-blood person who could refer Lucas as a diligent worker, they turned out to never be home, or to have never been born.

Teri Baltimore pounded the hotel's bed-side table in frustration. He had most certainly seemed honest. Based on the look on his face and the spark in his eye, she could have sworn before a court of jurors that he spoke the truth as he recounted his past adventures. And to think that Teri had always prided herself on being an excellent judge of character...

She needed answers and she needed them quickly. Lucas Bishop might have been a man playing at being police officer, seeing how far he could fool the system. But, there was always that small chance that he might be something more, that he might be someone dangerous. She only hoped that the address he had given for where he was staying was not faked as well. According to the papers before her, it was a small, quiet house in the New Orleans'garden district...

________________________________

...or perhaps not so small. And perhaps not so quiet. In fact, it looked like a super-villain crime scene.

Teri hid behind a bush in the garden. She had approached the house from the back, hoping to spy on her former partner before making herself known. Instead, she found herself spying on the media's foremost Latverian: Doctor Doom.

She had heard of him, but knew little of him. The question in her mind, was what business the politician had in Bishop's home. She watched the armored man retire inside the house, supposedly, to the living room.

As soon as the man's lackeys were done scanning the back area, she ventured forth. She was certain that she'd gotten the address right, but there was no sign of her mutant 'friend' on the premises. Was Bishop this man's ally or enemy? Teri had to know, and she had to get closer to find out.

She slipped into the house, and headed for--what she hoped--was the living room. Indeed, there was Doom. He seemed to be giving some sort of information or instructions to someone over a cell phone. She leaned in closer to hear, only to have the boards beneath her feet betray her as they let out a squeak.

Before she could fully register it in her mind, Doom had both of Teri's hands in his large fist. He forced her to hold her arms above her head as he looked her over. One of his men came up behind her, holding a cloth over her mouth and nose, making everything they said to her seem disjointed and fuzzy.

They said something about keeping her as a hostage....something about X-men...mutants...a boy...a thief.

Teri turned her head to take in one last image before her world went black, and it nearly broke her heart.

Standing on a small coffee table near the TV set, was a framed photograph. And in that photograph was a picture of Lucas Bishop with that murderer--that mutant murderer--Remy LeBeau.

________________________________

________________________________

A/N: My muse is a terribly inconvenient thing. She goes on vacation for over two weeks, and wacks me on the back of the head right in church Sunday morning! I could hardly pay attention to the sermon with the ideas she was pouring into my brain, and then she kicks back once I set myself at the computer. I'm sorry she's kept you waiting, but she's pretty much done the same to me.

I'm actually very sorry that you guys had to wait so long for this chapter, but if it's any consolation, this has got to be the longest chapter I have every done. With enough hope--and just as many reviews--I may not be able to create as long a chapter, but a far more punctual one.

PS. I realize that the URL I gave for the (small) gallery last post didn't show up, so hopefully, this

I had to type it right next to "will" like that, so it would show up. The actual URL begins with "http..."

PPS.Anyone still interested in joining the hit list so you can know when I update?