Chapter Seven:

The sun was just finishing its descent to the horizon as the blue car pulled into the cul de sac of the Malloy home.

Mary sat in the back seat, next to the mutant Rebecca introduced as Toad, and listened to the conversation of the others quietly. Remy had greeted the new mutant affably, but Toad seemed content to ignore the bantering from the two people in the front seats.

Since Mary had been the only one in the car not abducted by the Sentinel, Remy took it upon himself to regale her with their saga, beginning in Chicago and ending with their escape from Stryker's mutant cells. Rebecca chimed in every now and then to correct Remy's exaggerations of his own heroics, or to add details like floating appliances or killer robotic arms.

The tone of the entire tale was humorous, and much different than the somber ending, which no one really spoke about. Remy was laughing merrily about their first attempt to destroy the doors of the mutant cells.

"...and then, it just blew up in our faces," he said with a broad grin and Rebecca laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, that was great," she said, "The blankets on the closest cots were just ash...it was so great..."

"And so we're thinking and thinking..." Remy continued, "Until Becca just gets up, stands in front of a security camera and begins cursing at it, hoping to insult the guards enough to get them to come down to the cell..."

Mary was listening politely to their unrealistic story, when she heard Toad chuckle quietly. He was listening then, despite the disinterest on his face. The other two kept calling back to him to confirm their account of the events, as if they did not notice his attitude.

Mary tried to watch him closely out of the corner of her eye. Any time either Remy or Rebecca would address him, Toad would glare at them, his expression almost hostile. But, occasionally, a measure of humor would sneak through, almost a sense of ease, just to be covered up again when someone said his name again.

"Until..." Remy concluded dramatically, "I just stood in front of the doors and said the magic words..."

Mary joined in their laughter as Rebecca pulled the car into the open garage. As they exited and headed toward the house, Rebecca glanced up at the twilight sky and bit her lip thoughtfully.

"Uncle Bas will be up soon," she said, mostly to herself as she led the others into her home.

When they reached the top floor and entered the apartment, Mystique, along with Sid and Pyro, was waiting for them. She examined each person as they walked through the front door, taking special care to watch the people from Xavier's school closely. She recognized them, of course, from the encounter in the Sentinel's hanger, and gave Mary a particularly wary look.

Rebecca greeted Mystique pleasantly, and told the newcomers to make themselves at home. The blue woman nodded politely, but her manners did not reflect the antagonism in her eyes.

Mary walked past her to get to one of the sofas in the living area, and found herself comparing Mystique to another blue skinned mutant she knew. In fact, the sudden impression of Kurt Wagner was so intense, Mary realized she could ken one echoing thought directed at her above Mystique's other hostility.

This bitch is living with my son.

Rebecca and Sid seemed completely oblivious to the growing tension in the room.

"You guys will love Oz's band," the female Malloy said, "Pyro's been to one of their shows before so he can testify to their talent."

"You can introduce Mystique and Toad to Lance," Sid offered with a grin.

Pyro nodded with agreement, but Mystique spoke before he could reply.

"It's wonderful to hear Pyro is making friends," she said coolly, "But Magneto wants a report on his training."

Pyro suppressed an angry retort as Rebecca smiled politely, "Oh, sure. The club's not far from one of the Underground gyms..."

"...If you'd like to visit one tomorrow it shouldn't be a problem," Sid continued after his sister, "But, tonight..."

"...We'd like to give you all a little introduction to the Underground first," Rebecca continued without pause when Sid ended.

"That sounds like an excellent idea," Remy chimed in, glancing at Mystique challengingly, "We all have much to catch up on, no? Our previous partings were not at all pleasant."

"Thank you...Gambit, is it?" Mystique said, and the Cajun nodded to acknowledge his code name, "But despite your illusion of a happy reunion, we are not here to socialize with you."

Before anyone else could reply, Remy grinned broadly and narrowed his eyes at the blue mutant.

"Perhaps you are not, madame," he replied, his typically charming demeanor fading, "Cependant, I happen to be interested in what my allies from under the mountain have been doing since our abrupt departure."

"Allies?" Mystique questioned doubtfully, enjoying her opponent's increasing anger, "You have no allies with the Brotherhood."

"Desole, madame, but you are incorrect," Remy said, "I do consider both Toad and Pyro allies during the previous battle which we were all, unfortunately, involved with. Even though I don't know Pyro very well yet, I have heard good accounts of him from his friends at Xavier's school."

Pyro blinked in surprise, wondering if he should speak up, but had no window of opportunity during Remy and Mystique's debate.

Rebecca glanced at Pyro, and then over at her brother. This argument was going beyond all humor, and the tension in the room was thickening with each word.

"Any association the boy had with the X-Men is dead," Mystique said flatly, and then she shot a look at Pyro, "That is correct...isn't it?"

Remy LeBeau's face clouded over with fury. His red eyes flashed and he took a step toward the blue mutant. Toad had been crouching nearby, and was now on his feet, looking startled by the Cajun's vicious response, and he prepared to lunge at the X-Man if his gestures became more threatening. Ally under the mountain or not, Toad's loyalty was to the Brotherhood, Mystique included, and none other.

Remy's drawl became heavy as he spoke, "You are here criticizing how our hosts have trained this boy, and all you seem to teach him of is hate, where hate is not needed. I have known people like you, madame. Believe me, Gambit has known some of the worst...very well. And the best...both inside and outside Xavier's school."

Mystique rose to her feet fluidly, "You have no idea what you've become involved with..."

Sid and Rebecca also stood, and exchanged glances before speaking. The sun had set, and this was not how they wanted their guests to first appear to their uncle. If Mystique and Remy thought they knew about anger and hostility, they were in for a wicked surprise when Sebastian's vampiric rage kicked in.

"Please..." Rebecca began, "Don't do this."

"We haven't allowed you to stay here simply to invoke old conflicts," Sid shouted at both of his arguing guests.

Mystique threw the pair a stern look, and though she did not reply out loud, the expression spoke volumes. You have created this situation, and now deal with it.

"And Gambit has no old conflicts with you, madame," Remy continued on after Sid, "But...if you'd like to start a new one..."

Rebecca suddenly realized Remy had a playing card in his hand, though she had not seen him reach into his pocket to retrieve one. Toad had noticed it as well, and took another step toward the dueling mutants. Mystique simply stood with her arms folded, waiting without fear for the X-Man to initiate a physical conflict.

"Try it," Mystique said calmly, a wicked smile stretching over her features.

Mary watched with confused alarm as the two opposing forces prepared to face off with more than words. Barely three minutes had passed since they walked through the front door. The blue female mutant had not hesitated in instigating an argument, but it was Toad behind her who was preparing to fight with her opponent. None of it made sense to Mary, who watched in growing horror as Gambit held the playing card up before his eyes.

"Remy, put it down!" Rebecca shouted, and then glared at the two Brotherhood members, "I'm really not interested in losing another house!"

The wave of heat that rolled through the room was unmistakable. Mystique continued simply to smile, reveling in her success as the situation spiraled out of control.

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Suddenly, they all froze in surprise as the walls around them began to shake. Anyone standing was forced to brace themselves, as the shuddering became more intense. The first thought that went through most of their minds was of the Sentinel, even though it still lay in ruins under a fallen mountain in West Virginia.

Rebecca and Sid knew immediately these tremors were not caused by anything that big. They exchanged horrified glances, and recognized the signs of a quickly approaching, and obviously upset demonic presence. Their uncle's sanctuary was in the basement of the building, and they could feel a force approaching quickly from below.

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Mary was still seated on the sofa, and tilted her head curiously. Any anxiety regarding conflict between the other guests faded, and was replaced with quiet bemusement about what might come next. Demonic or not, the impending presence was nothing like what Kurt had battled in his church. There was no danger, per se. This demon seemed a little more...distraught...than aggressive...

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The main door of the apartment flew open, and everyone turned to see a single figure standing in the hallway. She was young, blonde, and her mascara had run down her face in black lines from her tears. Between her large, innocent eyes and the unicorn on her pink t-shirt, no one would have ever guessed she was a vampire.

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Author's note: Sorry I have not been able to reply to all reviewers lately, but I do appreciate every note of feedback! Okay...prepare for a little bit more crossover goodness. Character bios will be up soon on my web page so I'll write a note when they're done. Next chpt - Buffy x-over character and the movie The Craft x-over character...be ready... :-)