My Uncanny XMen Mini's

by LoganAlpha30

Archangel, Psylocke, Warpath, Siryn, Cannonball, Meltdown, and Psyflare vs the evils of Apocalypse and the Crimson Dawn. All New 4 Horseman. Chapter 39 Now Up...

24. My 24th Mini

UNCANNY X-MEN MINI:  BEGINNING ANEW

BY: LOGANALPHA30

( )-Art Instructions

[ ]-Caption Boxes

-Thoughts

""-Words

+ + -Time, Place Boxes

[He wonders if this is what being dead is like].  [He's come close on more than one occasion].  [The only thing that tells him that he's still alive is the sharp shooting pain in his neck].  (We open with black panels that then shift to as if we're looking out of somebody's eyes and the eyes blink as we only see the ground with some blood on it).  (Then we see a panel of someone trying to pick himself up out of a pile of rubble and he's struggling to do it).  (Then we see that it's Rictor and as he stands up he has a hand on his neck with a pained grimace on his face and he has a cut on the side of his neck).  (Then we see him try to look around as then someone says from off panel), "Everybody okay?"  "Aye…I think," (Banshee then says with a pained grimace on his face as he pushes some rocks off of himself and he then sits up and shakes his head and coughs).  "That was an experience that I will not soon forget," (Shatterstar then says as he stands up and begins to dust himself off). 

(And beside Shatterstar we see Pete pull himself back to his feet with the aid of the crimson dawn warrior's weapon that he took earlier).  "Warren…luv…are you," (Betsy then asks Warren with a worried look on her face as she helps Warren back to his feet as it takes some effort and they're both in the water and Warren coughs on some water and then sheepishly says as both he and Betsy are drenched), "I don't think anything's broken."  (Then we see Betsy and Warren hug tightly and then kiss).  "Here's a thought…why aren't we dead…," (Rictor then says as he wobbles through a few steps and then looks over at Warren and Betsy).  "God only knows," (Banshee then says with a slightly confused scowl on his face as he scratches his chin).  "Well I think that it's safe to say that it's not for lack of War and Death trying," (Betsy then says with an almost sickly look on her face as Warren and Betsy, each with an arm around the other, slowly walk out off the water).  (Then we see Warren help Betsy to sit down on a particularly large rock as beside her we see Shatterstar cleaning and checking his swords and Warren is kneeling uncomfortably in front of Betsy and he has one hand on her knee and the other is on her shoulder). 

"We can talk about the why later, right now I need to get you to a doctor…sorry but I must say that you…," (Warren then says with a very worried look on his face as he moves his hand that's on Betsy's shoulder to her face and with his thumb in a close up panel of her face he lightly rubs her cheek and she smiles slightly and closes her eyes before she then opens her eyes and smiles at Warren as she says with also a hand on Warren's hand that's on her cheek), "I know…I look like hell…death warmed over n' all."  (Then we see Pete limp over towards Warren and then as he's leaning heavily on the weapon that he stole he says), "I don't know…I've seen worse."  (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy glaring over at Pete and we then see Banshee sigh and then say with an unhappy look on his face), "Pete being a pain in the ass notwithstanding…I don't know abut you but I don't feel like walking…or flying…the whole way back into town."  "Fekt…you disappoint me, a man of your experience should have no problem performing such a task," (Shatterstar then says with his usual grim look on his face as he's putting his swords away and then Banshee turns around and glares at Shatterstar). 

(Then we see Rictor stiffly shake his head and then say), "Great move 'Star, once again you've demonstrated that you still have yet to learn any tact whatsoever."  (Then we see a panel of Pete laughing as he then sits down on a rock nearby and then proceeds to shake some of the dirt out of his hair).  (Then we see Warren turn angrily and then start to yell something to Shatterstar but then a huge cloud of dust and dirt gets kicked up and then in a few panels we se the team react as Betsy yells), "Warren…what," (Warren yells), "I don't know Betts," (and then we see Warren stand up a bit and wrap his wings around himself and Betsy).  "Bloody hell," (Pete yells as then we see the wind die down and then someone yell from off panel), "Sorry about that…but I needed to check out the new stealth feature that I installed in your X-jet."  (Then we see Betsy yell angrily as she pushes one of Warren's wings out of the way in a panel), "Forge…what the hell do you think you're doing…?"  (Then we see a panel of Forge as he's rolling down the X-jet's ramp in his wheelchair as he then says with a sigh and a slight shrug of his shoulders), "Being your ride back to the hospital, because I highly doubt that any of you feel like making the long walk back." 

"I'd argue with you until hell itself froze over if I thought it'd do any good…but something tells me that it'd probably be like trying to get the young lad here to lighten up and maybe…just maybe act normal for a change instead of like a bloody statue," (Banshee then says with a sigh and shrug of his shoulders as he steps up next to Forge and looks down at him as we also see that Shatterstar is being held back by both Rictor and Pete Wisdom).  (Then we see Warren look around and say with a frustrated and tired look on his face), "That's enough…all of you…we can pick each other apart later…right now we need to get Betsy and Rictor to the hospital to get checked out…once we do that you two can kill each other for all I care," (and he then finishes with a glaring look aimed at both Banshee and Shatterstar). 

(Then we see Warren put his arm under Betsy's as he then helps her get up and then walk towards the X-jet as Betsy then says with a slightly angry scowl on her face as she tries then to push Warren away), "I can make it Warren…I don't need to be coddled…."  "Damn your pride Betts…you're not getting rid of me that easily," (Warren then says with a scolding and slightly angry look on his face as he then moves in closer and supportively wraps one of his arms around her waist and then he helps her into the X-jet as Forge turns slightly and watches Warren and Betsy go up the ramp with a distant and sad look on his face as if he's remembering better times).  (Then we see Shatterstar turn to Banshee angrily and look like he's about ready to say something but Rictor gets in first and shoves Shatterstar up the ramp and into the X-jet).  (Then we see both Banshee and Pete share a tired and sarcastic look before they then trudge up the ramp).  (Then we see Forge shake his head before he looks over at the sun and then we see a wide panel of Forge sitting in his wheelchair at the base of the ramp as then we see a close up panel of Forge's face as he looks very downcast and the panel is very dark and he looks sad and upset).  (Then we see Forge roll back up the ramp and then the ramp and door closes before the X-jet lifts off and then flies away).

+Almost Two Months Later+

+Downtown San Francisco+

            +2 A. M. +

[Arthur Royce for most accounts, looks and acts like your regular everyday low level account clerk].  [But for those who know him, truly know him, they know his true occupation to be anything but a simple clerk].  [His true purpose, at the present time, is serving at point man in the completion of his master's latest great endeavor].  [It is one of the utmost importance and possibility to bring about the end of the world].  (We open with panels that show a middle aged man as he's walking through the streets and he's using an umbrella as it's raining and he looks slightly paranoid).  (We see that he's also carrying a briefcase before he then gets through a door in a back alley after giving a password and getting his retina's scanned).  (Then we see him being led through a lot of dimly lit hallways and then down some steps before he's led into a big room before he stands very still as a lot of red scanning beams pass over him before all the lights go out and then a door opens and light streams into the small room).  (Then we see Arthur walk through that said door before we then see him enter a big room and we see that the door is guarded by two crimson dawn warriors with weapons). 

(Then we see that the big room looks like a construction site and there's a big drill in the middle and the floor of the room has been torn up and the drill is drilling down into the ground and there are crimson dawn warriors and other humans milling about).  (Then we see Arthur wave over some crimson dawn warriors that push in a big cart that has something big on it that's under a sheet).  "Let's get this over with…we're already behind schedule," (Arthur then says with a grim look on his face before we then see the crimson dawn warriors pull the blanket off and we see under it is a very big nuclear warhead).

[Meanwhile…on a candlelit hill overlooking San Francisco Bay]

(We start off with a couple of panels in which we start off up in the sky and we then move down onto a hillside that has a blanket spread on the ground, along with a small box nearby it, and there is a whole lot of lit candles place all over that light up the area).  (Then we see a panel of two figures emerging from the darkness and then through that darkness in the next panel we see that the two figures are Warren and Betsy and they're both dressed in comfortable clothes, jeans, sweaters, full length coats, and we see that Warren has his hands over Betsy's eyes and he's smiling and Betsy has a slightly confused look on her face).  (Then we see Betsy say with her hands now on top of Warrens and an almost smile on her face), "Is this all really necessary Warren, it's two in the morning, why aren't we in bed…and warm, instead of being out here in the cold."  "Trust me Betts, you'll understand why we're out here very soon…and I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised," (Warren then says with an expectant smile on his face). 

"You'd better hope so or else you'll be sleeping out on the couch until…," (Betsy then starts to say slightly angrily before Warren then sighs and says as he removes his hands from over Betsy's eyes), "Quit complaining…I was just trying to be a little…romantic."  (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she opens her eyes and then looks around as her face lights up in a close up panel as then we see from behind Warren take Betsy's hand and they then walk through the small field of candles).  (Then we see Warren and Betsy get next to the blanket).  (Then we see Warren reach down and open the box and then he takes out a cd player and he then turns it on and he then asks), "May I have this dance my love?"  "Yes you may," (Betsy then says with a smile as then we see Warren and Betsy dancing slowly and also very close together, as Betsy has her head on Warren's shoulder and they're wrapped in each other's arms and they both look happy).  (And we then see them dancing in a sea of candles in a few panels of various sizes and viewpoints). 

(Then we see them stop dancing and Warren then reaches back into the box and he takes out a bottle of champagne and two glasses and he then pops the cork and also then starts to pour some champagne into the two glasses as we also see Betsy take a step back and turn her head away with a sad and uncomfortable look on her face as she brings a hand up and wipes a knuckle on the underside of her nose as she sniffles).  "I thought that we might make a toast to our recent successes," (Warren then says with a happy smile on his face as he then gives Betsy one of the glasses and he then sets the bottle down and then proceeds to stand back up and then both Warren and Betsy say as they clink their glasses together), "To continued happiness and success," (and then Warren takes a drink but Betsy's smile fades quickly to a somber frown). 

"What is it…what's wrong Betts," (Warren then says with a worried look on his face as he then puts a hand on her shoulder).  "I'm sorry Warren…but I can't tell you yet…ask me tomorrow…okay," (Betsy then says with a very sad look on her face before she then hands the glass back to Warren and then turns and walks away).  (Then we see a panel of Betsy walking away and she gets back into the car and then the rain starts to fall as Warren then looks up into the sky with a confused and upset look on his face as he says with him throwing his hands up slightly), "Great…just what I needed right now."

[The Next Morning]

(We open with panels of Erica and Siryn as they're finishing their morning jog as there are panels of them running along the country roads and they then get back to the mansion).  (Then we see them come to a stop and Warpath is there and he smiles as he seems them and then says), "Hey Terry, Erica, have a good run?"  (Then we see Siryn step up to him and kiss him as she then says), "Of course…but I'm surprised that you're up this early, after last night I would have thought that you'd sleep until well past noon."  "Rapid recovery…one of my greater but lesser used abilities," (Warpath then says with a smile as he pulls Siryn close and then the two start to kiss).  (Then we see Erica make a grossed out face and wave a hand as she turns a bit and says), "Eww…get a room you two."  "That's the plan…but not yet…not till later tonight," (Siryn then says with a happy smile as the three of them then walk into the mansion and we see that Sam and Tabitha are sitting on the couch watching television and Sam has his arm around Tabitha who's busy eating chocolates out of a big red heart shaped box). 

"You eat all that and you'll ruin your dinner," (Erica then says with a joking smile before she takes one of the chocolates from the box and Tabitha looks hurt).  "Funny…you're just mad that Rictor left yesterday and hasn't returned any of your calls," (Tabitha then says with a slightly angry look on her face before she stuffs another chocolate into her mouth as Sam and the others look on in shock as we see a panel of Erica with a very shocked look on her face).  "What…but…#$%* you," (Erica then says with a very angry scowl on her face before in a panel she turns and storms off and slams a door as then Siryn leans over and says with an unimpressed scowl on her face and she also pats Tabitha on the shoulder), "Way to go Tabitha, just when I thought that you were turning the corner."  (Then we see Tabitha, with her mouth full, look around in shock and then she gets all upset and then hangs her head and says), "Sorry."  "Ye should tell that to Erica…c'mon Jimmy," (Siryn then says at first with a scolding look on her face that then changes to a more hopeful look as she and Warpath then walk out of the living room and into the kitchen to find a frumpy looking Betsy sitting at the kitchen table in a bathrobe and she's drinking a steaming hot cup of tea). 

"You two have a full day planned," (Betsy then says with a meager smile as she then takes a sip of the tea).  "Of course…but you don't look so good, everything okay," (Warpath then says with a slightly worried look on his face as he takes an apple out of a basket on the counter and he then leans up against the refrigerator).  "I would say that I'm right as rain…but then I've by lying…not I'm not alright, but don't worry about me…Warren and I will deal with it," (Betsy then says with a very tired and almost sick to her stomach look on her face before Siryn and Warpath look at her oddly and then slowly saunter out of the room).  (Then we see Tabitha come walking into the kitchen with the chocolates box in her hands and she then says), "You don't look so good…want a chocolate?"  (Then we see Betsy get a sickly look on her face and then look like she could almost throw up as she says), "No…thank you…if you'll excuse me," (and then stands up and walks out of the room and she brushes by Warren as he's coming into the kitchen and he's wearing workout clothes). 

"Is she okay," (Tabitha then asks with a look of concern on her face as she opens up the refrigerator and takes out a can of pop).  "No…she's not, there's something wrong but when I try to ask her about it she either quickly changes the subject or just ignores me," (Warren then says with a sad and worried look on his face as he looks back at the door that Betsy just went through).  "You don't have any idea as to what's wrong with her…she hasn't given you any hints…maybe you're not looking or listening hard enough," (Tabitha then says as she opens the can of pop and then takes a drink as beside her we see Warren open the refrigerator and take out a juice drink of some type).  "Even though my room is several floors and hallways away from yours I know that you have a nasty habit of snoring in your sleep," (Warren then says with a very serious look on his face as he closes the refrigerator door and then turns around and then continues), "So no there is absolutely nothing wrong with my hearing." 

"O…kay sorry I asked oh audibly enhanced one…but you've missed things before…need I remind you about a certain new team member that ended up stealing away your one and only love," (Tabitha then says at first very defiantly and then it's as if she wants to stop talking but she can't as she then takes a step back and stares at the floor).  (Then we see Warren turn away from Tabitha and bow his head slightly and then say as he's obviously holding back his emotions), "Because of your long standing habit of speaking your mind and then instantly regretting that you ever uttered a single solitary syllable I'll let that go with just a warning…." 

"Thanks…I do tend to stick my foot in my mouth…royally…sorry about that, but I'm just saying that I have a funny feeling that whatever's going on with Psylocke isn't necessarily bad…it's almost as if she's more scared of what's going on and what it means for the two of you and your future together than…," (Tabitha then says with a very thoughtful look on her face as she slowly walks around the kitchen and then leans back up against the wall near the door that Betsy went through and she looks up innocently at Warren).  (Then we see Warren turn to Tabitha and then say with a slightly surprised look on his face as he's also taking the cap off of the juice drink), "You know Tabitha, when you want to be you can actually be a tad insightful…although that still doesn't help me…it's tearing me up inside that there's something wrong and she's not letting me in."  "She loves you and you love her, talk to her Warren…before she left she looked kind of sickly…who knows…you don't think that maybe she's…you know…do you," (Tabitha then says with at first a slightly confused look on her face before the look changes to a very deep in thought look on her face). 

(Then we see Warren as he's drinking some of the juice and he chokes on it before he then says with a scared look on his face as he uses the back of his hand to wipe the excess from his mouth), "D…don't even joke about that."  "Why, would that be such a bad thing…you and I have both seen people…friends…that we love get sick and die in the fight that we've chosen to fight…I'd say that it's about time that something…positive happens, and I can't think of anything better to have happen then if you and Psylocke…," (Tabitha starts to say with an almost sad frown on her face before her look changes to an almost look of happiness and bliss as she has a big smile on her face).  "That's true…but I don't know how…my father and I never had a very good relationship and Betsy, well she…she," (Warren then says with a very worried look on his face as he looks out the window). 

"So then maybe you should stop talking to Tabitha and go and talk to Elizabeth," (We see come from off panel as then Warren and Tabitha turn to see Sam standing just inside the kitchen with his hand still on the door and with a serious look on his face).  "Sam's right Warren…you really should go and talk to her," (Tabitha then says with a serious look on her face before she then takes another sip of pop).  "Talk to who," (We see come in from off panel as we then see a panel of Siryn walking into the kitchen with a pair of cutoff shorts and a dark gray long sleeved shirt that has the sleeves rolled up and her hair is wet and behind her we see Warpath standing in the doorway with a calm look on his face).  "Not you," (Warren then says seriously as he sets the juice drink down on the table and then walks out of the kitchen as everyone watches him go).  "What's up with him," (Warpath then says with a slightly confused look on his face as he nods his head back towards the door).  (Then we see Tabitha frown and then sit down at the table and then say with a sigh and shrug of her shoulders), "You two had better sit down and take a load off…because this could take awhile."

[Meanwhile]

(We see Erica from the waist up and from behind as she's in the middle of her shower in the locker room and she's rinsing her hair as then we see Betsy then stumble into the locker room and sit down on one of the benches near the door). (Then we see a panel of Betsy as she leans back up against the lockers and she moans softly in some discomfort as from off panel we see the sounds of the shower shutting off).  (Then we see Betsy open an eye as from off panel we see Erica say), "Hey there Psylocke…how are you…whoa…you look like *$&#!"  (Then we see a panel in which Erica is walking towards us and she has a worried look on her face as she's using a towel to dry her hair but she's holding it in front of her so she's covered up and the bottom of the panel is at her belly button and that's all in the background as in the foreground we see Betsy from about her shoulders up say as she turns her head slightly towards Erica), "Thanks for the compliment…but you'd look the same were you in my position." 

(Then we see in the next panel Erica as she's finishing wrapping a towel around herself and she's opening her locker and she says), "With any luck I'll never be in your position…whatever it may be exactly."  "Trust me Erica, no matter what happens to you in your life and not matter where you go one day you will want to be in my position," (Betsy then says as she forces a meager smile in a panel before she then sits up).  "Whatever," (Erica then says a shrug of her shoulders as she pulls a few items of clothes out of her locker).  (Then we see Betsy start to say something but then there's a knock at the door that causes both Betsy and Erica to jump as then from the other side of the door we see someone say), "Betts…are you in there…I need…we need to talk."  "Alright…of course Warren…just give me a minute," (Betsy then says with an impatient scowl on her face as she leans forward and puts her head in her hands as beside her Erica looks on in worry).  "Okay…I'll be waiting for you in the study…it'll give us some privacy…I…I love you," (Warren then says in a panel that we see of him standing at the locker room door with his hand flat on the door and his head down with a very tired and frustrated look on his face). 

"I love you to," (Betsy then says with a forced smile on her face before she then stands up and then tries to make herself presentable).  "You look fine…or as good as you're going to get for now," (Erica then says with a small sigh before Betsy the slowly walks out of the locker room).

[Later]

(We see Betsy first get to the study's door and then take a deep breath with a hand on the doorknob).  (Then we see Betsy enter the room and look around and be somewhat relieved that Warren is not there yet).  (Then we see Betsy take another deep breath before she then takes a seat behind the desk).  [Her mind is a sea of turmoil].  [Ever sine she received the news that she is about to divulge her thoughts and emotions have been taken on a journey through their entire gambit].  [And now she has to tell the man that she loves that she is…].  What's this, (Betsy then thinks with a slightly shocked look on her face as she opens a drawer of the desk and finds a very expensive looking box).  [She has seen boxes such as this one many times before].  [With the last time being when she was much younger, and in that box had always been a very fine and beautiful item of jewelry].  (We see Betsy pick the box up and hold it up close in front of her face as she furrows her brows and studies it).  It wouldn't hurt to take a little look inside, (Betsy then thinks with a sigh before she then opens the box after she pushes aside the fancy ribbon that's holding it closed). 

(Then we see Betsy turn the box around and have a slightly confused look on her face).  (Then we see Betsy reach in and take out a slip of paper before then in the next panel it's almost as if we're looking up at Betsy's face from inside the box and the look on her face is a look of absolute shock and also on her face are sparkles as if something in the box is reflecting light onto her face and the surrounding area).  [It is quite possibly the most beautiful thing that she has ever seen].  [And yet at the same time the sight fills her with a strong sense of uncertainty].  [Her eyes sparkle like diamonds…and for a short fleeting moment all of her fears and misgivings are washed away in a sea of tranquility]. (We then see a panel of what's inside the box, it's a ring that's shaped like a butterfly and the wings of the butterfly wrap around and connect to each other and the ring is made of gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, in other words many different precious stones and gold with a great big diamond set right in the middle of the butterfly's back). 

(Then we see a panel of Betsy as she's just looking at the ring until she then looks over at the note).  (Then we see Betsy unfold the note and then read it).  (Then we see what's on the note in a panel that's almost a full page panel and what's on the note is all handwritten:  First Line -- For my beautiful, beautiful butterfly -- Second Line – Free as the Summer breeze – Third Line – As certain as the ebb and flow of time – Fourth Line – Strong as Tempered Steel – Fifth Line – And yet as delicate, fragile, and precious as a newborn babe – Sixth Line – I will love you…always and forever…until the end of my days – Seventh Line – So will you do me the extreme and unheralded honor of accepting this small and humble token – Eighth Line – of my love and respect and by becoming my wife…will you marry me…Warren).  (Then we see a panel of Warren from behind as he's standing in the doorway as we're pretty much looking over his shoulder and we see that Betsy is sitting behind the desk and she's reading the letter). 

(Then we see a panel of Betsy holding the note in one hand and the box is in the other hand and all that is in the very immediate foreground as in the background we see Warren standing in the doorway with a small smile on his face).  (Then we see Betsy lean back in the chair as if she's pondering the ring and the note).  (Then we see Warren knock on the door and say with a small smile on his face), "Find something interesting Betts?"  "You could say that…what is…when were…why," (Betsy then says with an almost flustered look on her face as she looks up at Warren in a panel as he's walking into the study with his hands in his pockets).  "I don't remember exactly what was in that note because I wrote and rewrote it so long ago…right about the time that you and Neal…," (Warren then says with a smile on his face at first in a panel before then in the next panel as he's finishing his words he becomes suddenly very sullen and sad as he hangs his head and turns away from Betsy and towards the window as the sunlight glitters all around him). 

(Then in the next panel we see Betsy with a look of extreme shame and regret on her face as she looks away and says), "Warren…I…."  "As for the rest of it…well I can tell by the look on your face that you…know the rest," (Warren then says as he shrugs his shoulders and turns back around in a panel before we then see Betsy look up at him with a very sad and apologetic look on her face).  "So what are you saying Warren," (Betsy then says with an unsure look on her face as she sets the box and note down on the desk).  (Then we see Warren walk over and puts his hands on the desk as he then says with a very serious look on his face), "Betts…I meant what that note says even after we split up…so yes I still mean it now, and I will mean it in the future."  "Good, because I'm not going to do this alone," (Betsy then says with a slightly somber scowl on her face as she picks the note back up).  (Then we see Warren sit down on the corner of the desk and then say with a confused look on his face), "Alone…Betts what are you saying?" 

(Then we see a panel of Betsy's face as she is hanging her head and she has a very sad look on her face as well as her shoulders are slumped as she says), "I'm pregnant Warren."  (Then we see Warren almost fall off of the desk but he then takes a deep breath and says), "P…what…pregnant…how?"  "How…Warren…I didn't think that I'd have to tell you how something like this happens," (Betsy then says with a slightly angry look on her face as she glares up at Warren).  "I…I'm sorry Betts…it's just that…it's just that…," (Warren then says with a flabbergasted look on his face before he then looks down at the floor).  "It's just that what Warren…this wasn't in your grand plans for your life…this going to inconvenience your vacation plans…is this not what you wanted for your life, to be bogged down by trying to raise a child…," (Betsy then yells as she stands up and gets in Warren's face). 

"Yes…no…it's not that Betts…I'm just having a hard time…me a father, I don't know the first thing about being a dad, my own father's view of parenting and how to properly raise a child was to make him just like he was, by using the Hellfire Club," (Warren then says with an unsure and almost overwhelmed look on his face as he turns back towards the desk and leans on it).  "My parents were much the same, but then again I was lucky…I had Brian to talk to, he helped me through it all," (Betsy then says as she lays a hand on Warren's shoulder).  (Then we see Warren turn his head to Betsy and he then shakes his head and says with a very sorry look on his face), "What am I doing…you tell me that I'm going to be a father and what do I do…act like a complete jackass…when I should be…doing whatever it is that a man in my position should be doing."  "You mean like being happy, supportive, and just as scared as a woman in my position," (Betsy then says with a look on her face that's as if she doesn't know exactly what to do or think).  "Something like that I guess…we should be happy, this is supposed to be a joyous occasion right…I'm going to be a father…and you are going to be a mother," (Warren then says with a happy but unsure look on his face as he brings a hand up and he brushes it softly on Betsy's cheek). 

"Looks that way doesn't it," (Betsy then says with a cheesy smile in a panel before then in the next quick panel they kiss and then in a head to toe panel Warren and Betsy hug each other very tightly with at first slightly scared but then big smiles on their faces as they both say), "I love you."  (Then we see them almost separate and then Warren drops his head a bit and then says), "Well then, there's just one more small thing to do right…?"  "And that would be what…tell the others," (Betsy then says with a slightly confused look on her face as she then smiles and wipes away a tear).  "No…not yet anyway…it's something that I should have done a long time ago," (Warren then says as he turns his upper body back towards the desk and he reaches over and picks up the box with the ring in it).  (Then we see Betsy look at Warren with an eyebrow raised and a confused look on her face as she then says), "Warren…what are you?" 

(Then we see a slightly wider panel of the study as Betsy is standing beside the desk and her left hand is resting on an award that at the top is an eagle and her right hand is brushing some hair off of her face and Warren kneels down in front of her as then we see Warren say with a scared but hopeful look on his face in a second close up panel on his face), "The note says it better than I ever could but I'll give it a go…Elizabeth Braddock…will you marry me?"  (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy as if they're stuck in time before then in a small panel we see Betsy smile and then say), "Yes Warren…I will."  (Then we see a panel of Warren and Betsy hands in a small panel as Warren slips the ring on and then in the next panel we see Warren and Betsy hugging each other happily as in the far background we see Tabitha peeking in the doorway with a huge smile on her face).

[Later That Night]

(We see Sam and Tabitha walking out of a movie theater and we see Sam putting a baseball cap on and Tabitha also has a cap on except it's on backwards).  (Then we see Sam turn to Tabitha and then say with a sigh), "Ah know it's Valentine's day n' all Tabitha…but couldn't we have seen a different movie…?"  "You and your big mouth, I swear if you weren't so cute I'd…," (Tabitha then says with a laugh as she loops her arm around one of Sam's and pulls herself towards him as Sam just rolls his eyes).  (Then from off panel we see someone say), "You'd what Tabitha…drag him through a trough of…."  (Then we see Tabitha turn and then yell with a very big smile on her face), "Cable!"  (Then we see Tabitha run over and tightly hug a very startled Cable as he stammers out), "It's nice to see you to Tabitha."  "What are you doing here, how did you find us," (Tabitha then says with a happy yet confused look on her face as she stands right in front of Cable with her arms crossed). 

"Easy Tabitha, you don't wanna talk his ear off in the first five minutes…ease up," (Sam then says with an embarrassed smile on his face as he reaches out to pull Tabitha back as Cable just smiles at the slightly angry look that Tabitha gives Sam).  "I remember when you two used to," (Cable then says with a good natured smirk on his face and his hands in his pockets).  "Not another one of those stories Cable…if you haven't noticed that was a long time ago…," (Tabitha then says with a frustrated look on her face as she rolls her eyes and looks back at Sam).  "In a galaxy far, far away…where we're all still the same young kids afraid of their own shadows instead of embittered old souls that have made so many mistakes and hurt those we love so many times that they can never fully trust them ever again," (We then see Dani say with an unhappy and frumpy frown on her face as she pulls her coat tighter around herself and steps up beside Cable).  "Speak for yourself," (Sam then says with a cold look on his face as he also crosses his arms and glares lightly at Dani).  (Then we see Dani look over at Cable and say sadly as she shoves her hands into her pockets), "Not the answer that I was expecting…but to each his or her own I guess." 

"Alright kids let's settle down here…this is the last thing that we need right now, Dani and I aren't here to trade pointed barbs with the two of you," (Cable then says with an upset look on his face that's as if he's desperately trying to get control of the situation before everything goes crazy).  "We're here because we need your help…Warren's help actually," (Dani then says with almost an angry look on her face as she looks back and forth between Tabitha and Sam).  "Well sorry but Warren has tons of other matters on his mind right now…that deserve his attention," (Tabitha then says defiantly as she steps in front of Sam and glares at Dani).  "Is a nuclear Armageddon something that Warren would be concerned with," (Cable then says with a slightly angry scowl on his face as Sam and Tabitha look a little shell-shocked by the news).  "I think he would…," (Sam then says with a still shocked look on his face as he puts his hands in his pockets). 

"So then don't you think that maybe we should stop standing her in the cold and actually see Warren and at least try to stop the world from going up in a nuclear holocaust," (Dani then says with an impatient scowl on her face as she glares back at Tabitha).  "He and Psylocke had to go to the hospital for her checkup and then a little celebrating time so…," (Sam then says with a serious look on his face as he grabs Tabitha's arm and then pulls her back).  "Wait Psylocke…I thought she was dead, why would she have to get a checkup…and what would they have to celebrate, other than all of their money," (Dani then says with a completely lost look on her face as she's looking back and forth between Sam and Tabitha).  "Well like Sam and I here they're recently engaged…oh yeah and she just got the news…," (Tabitha then says with a look on her face as if she's having to tell the same story for the four hundredth time). 

[The looks of shock on their faces tell it all].  "Pregnant…Psylocke, I just don't believe it," (Dani then says with a look of complete and total disbelief on her face with her hands on her hips).  (Then we see Sam look around and then say with a slightly nervous look on his face), "I don't know about you but ah'm thinking that we should continue this discussion back at the mansion, where you two can grill Warren for all the answers that you want…it's getting a bit nippy out here and Tabitha and I still have plans for tonight."  "We do," (Tabitha then says with a confused look on her face as she leans into Sam and looks up at him).  "Yes we do," (Sam then says with a reluctant smile on his face as he motions Tabitha away towards the parking lot as she then says with a big smile on her face as she grabs Cable's arm and then starts to drag him towards the parking lot), "Then what are we still doing here…let's get going!" 

(Then after Cable and Tabitha are out of the panel we see Dani turn to Sam and stop him from immediately following after Tabitha and Cable with a hand on his arm and a serious look on her face as she then says), "Sam…may I have a word with you?"  (Then we see Sam turn back to Dani and say with an unsure look on his face), "Uh sure Dani…what do you want to talk about?"  "You and Tabitha…are you sure that's what you want Sam…are you sure that you can trust her, given her track record," (Dani then says with a very wary look on her face as she looks back and forth Sam and the ground and she then finishes her speech in a panel in which we see both Sam and Dani from behind as they're looking over at Cable and Tabitha, who are standing by Sam's car and Tabitha is obviously regaling Cable wit one of her stories and Cable looks like he's looking for a way out).  (Then we see Sam turn back to Dani and then say with a cross between an angry and confused look on his face), "Dani wait…what are you saying…she's my fiancé, of course I trust her, don't you?" 

(Then we see Dani say back with a slightly unsure and nervous look on her face), "Of…of course I do…it's just that…she has…I mean I just don't want to see you get hurt again that's all."  "Well I won't get hurt again so don't worry about me, we have far more important problems to worry about, problems that you don't even want to think about, especially after…my family," (Sam then says with a determined look on his face at the start of his speech and at the end of his speech he gets very sad and he stares at the ground).  "Your family, what happened to your family Sam," (Dani then says with a confused and very worried look on her face).  "They're gone…they…they died in an explosion…so now it's only Paige and I left, and Tabitha of course…once we get married," (Sam then says with a sad look on his face before he then coughs and then cuts off Dani as she's about ready to say something in response with a very worried look on her face), "I'm fine Dani, don't worry yourself about me…we'd better go before…let's go."  (Then we pull up and away as we then see Sam walking out towards the car with Dani just standing there on the curb).

[Elsewhere]

[She stands at the end of the dock, lifting her gaze up into the clear and cool night sky].  [Pondering the many trials and tribulations of her past and what her future holds].  [Indeed she is so deep in thought that she doesn't notice when a figure emerges from the shadows].  (We see a few panels of Erica standing at the end of the dock and she's all bundled up by wearing jeans, a big thick coat, and her hair is all tied up in one big ponytail like Lara Croft and she's looking up into the sky at the moon and we also see her breath).  (Then we see a couple of panels of close ups of Erica's upturned face as in the second panel a tear runs down her cheek).  (Then we see a panel in which in the foreground we see a figure emerge from the shadows and in the far background we see Erica from behind).  (Then we see a couple of panels of a dark figure limping towards Erica with a cane that has a bright reflective point three fourths the way down the cane).  (Then we see a panel in which we're looking back over Erica's shoulder as we see that the person limping towards her is Forge and he says with a very serious look on his face as he's almost completely in the shadows), "Find any answers?" 

(Then we see Erica almost jump out of her skin as her eyes grow wide and she gasps and turns around and then says), "Huh…Forge…what are you?"  (Then we see Forge smile slightly and then cough as he then says), "I was just out taking a short walk and saw you out here staring up at the sky like I used to do many years ago."  "Yeah well thanks for stopping by but I'll be fine out here…if I get cold I'll just use my powers to warm me back up…I'm fine, really I'm fine," (Erica then says with a faked smile on her face as she jams her hands into her pockets and hangs her head a bit and looks away).  "I've learned many things over the years Erica…with only one of those things being that anytime someone says that they're fine three or more times in a sentence or response then they're anything but fine," (Forge then says with a look on his face as if he's showing Erica that he doesn't believe her words).  "Well your sage words of wisdom are wrong old man, when I say I'm fine…I'm fine," (Erica then says with a slightly angry scowl on her face with her arms crossed).  "And I'm captain kangaroo…you can bitch and moan all you want Erica, but I know from experience that you're acting like this to hide something," (Forge then says with a grim look of determination on his face as he then steps up beside Erica and stares out over the pond as Erica is looking the other way). 

(Then we see a look of anger flash across Erica's face in a panel before then in the next panel we see her with her shoulders slumped and her head down as she turns around and says while looking over at Forge out of the corner of her eye), "You're smarter than you look you know…I guess you could say that today just isn't a very good day for me…with my past and all."  "Today isn't my favorite day either Erica, for to short a time in my life I had a love like no other…until I foolishly threw it all away forever…possibly…and ever since then I've wished for another chance to make things right," (Forge then says with at first a very serious look on his face before his look changes to a very sad one as at the end of his speech we see a close up panel of Erica and Forge from their shoulders up as they're standing side by side). 

"You think you'll ever get one, a second chance that is," (Erica then asks as she turns her head to look at Forge with an equally sad look on her face).  "In this business you never know if you'll ever get a second chance at anything…but yes with her I truly hope that I'll get another chance…and I've learned to be patient," (Forge then says before he coughs a couple of times and Erica looks on with a worried look on her face).  "Does she know…about what's happened to you with what happened on Genosha…you almost dying and all," (Erica then asks with a worried look on her face before she brings her hands up in front of her face and then blows on them).  (Then we see Forge hang his head a bit and say with a very serious look on his face), "No…and if I have things my way then she never will, I don't want…or need her pity."  (Then we see a panel of Erica as she tries to make Forge look her in the eye but he won't as she then says with an I knew it grin on her face), "That's what I thought." 

"So what is it about today that bothers you so much…a bad breakup," (Forge then says with a very small smirk on his face as he has one hand on the cane and with his other hand he's zipping his coat up the rest of the way).  "You could say that, I always have a problem with Valentine's Day…because my family died on Valentine's Day," (Erica then says with a sad look on her face as she hangs her head).  "I didn't know…I'm sorry, I wouldn't have asked if I had known…," (Forge then says with an apologetic look on his face as he coughs a couple of times).  "Apology accepted, but what about you magic man…you got any family," (Erica then says with a serious look on her face as we pull away and we see her lightly punch Forge in the shoulder).  "No," (Forge then says with a serious scowl on his face before he then turns and starts to limp away as Erica is surprised by his actions and she turns around quickly and then says with a slightly hurt look on her face), "Hey wait…don't leave yet…at least…at least let me walk with you back to the house." 

(Then we see Forge stop for a quick panel before he then slightly turns his head back towards Erica and then says with a look on his face as if he could care less), "If you want."  (Then we see Erica catch up to Forge and then the two walk back towards the mansion with Erica sticking very close to Forge).

[Inside The Mansion]

[The Danger Room]

[The two homebodies on the team have sequestered themselves inside the teams training ground…].  […And on this particular night they have decided to ratchet up the intensity and danger level of their nightly practice session].  [Tonight they have chosen to try out one of the newest programs available to them…with the safety protocols turned off].  (We see panels as we move through the mansion and it's all dark and vacant except for one of the living rooms that is lit only by a roaring fire before we then get to the danger room).  (Then we see a few panels of the inside of the danger room and it looks like a dark and dank sewer tunnel system with a stream of water running through it and also some junk strewn about).  (Then we see a panel of Siryn standing by what looks like a junction box but it's actually an interface to the danger room and nearby Warpath is leaning up against the sewer wall with his arms crossed). 

"Are you sure that this is the new program that Warren installed Terry, I seem to remember that the last time Warren was in tunnels like these he got his wings clipped and he almost died…so then answer me this my Irish rose, why would our fearless leader program something that had that much pain and anguish attached to it," (Warpath then says with a combined confused and concerned look on his face as in the middle of what he's saying we see a quick panel of him in the background saying it and in the foreground we see Siryn facing us and she's smiling).  (We also see that Warpath is wearing a full body short sleeved suit that looks like it's one of the team's old spandex suits and Siryn has a very similar one but Warpath's suit is a dark blue and black and Siryn's is a dark red and black).  "Well Psylocke did say that in the fight we'd probably end up taking on Apocalypse and his horseman in every bloody environment known to man…and some that aren't, so I'm thinking that Warren set this up so that we'd be able to fight even through our darkest fears," (Siryn then says with a serious frown on her face as she finishes typing in the rest of the configurations and then she closes the panel and turns back to Warpath). 

(Then we see Warpath roll his eyes and stare up at the ceiling as he then says), "Great…when we get to Tabitha's nightmare of school uniforms and braces feel free to shoot me."  "Aye…but I hope that it'll nae come to that, or else uniforms will be the last of our worries…now let's see what surprises Warren had his techies put in here," (Siryn then says with an expectant look on her face as she walks over to Warpath and then shrugs her shoulders).  [They don't have long to wait before the first surprise rears its ugly head].  (We then see Warpath look around with a slightly bored look on his face before a low rumble rips through the tunnels and both Warpath and Siryn look around and tense up).  (Then we see a large group of crimson dawn warriors go charging through the tunnels with weapons drawn and shouts of anger).  (Then we see Warpath turn his head and then say as he's looking down the tunnel with a serious look on his face), "Here they come."  "You ready," (Siryn then says with a grim look on her face as she and Warpath turn to face the oncoming group of crimson dawn warriors). 

(Then we see Warpath say with a big smile on his face), "You know me Terry, I'm always ready," (as he barrels into the crimson dawn warriors as also Siryn jumps back and launches a sonic scream right into the heart of the crimson dawn warriors as the wave of them washes over Warpath and Siryn).  (Then we see several panels of both Warpath and Siryn as they're fighting the sea of crimson dawn warriors as Siryn alternates between using her sonic scream and using her fists and also her feet as she's fighting them in hand to hand combat and Warpath is tearing into the army of crimson dawn warriors as they try to overwhelm him).  (We also see Warpath throw some of them into the walls and also into each other).  (Then we see Warpath turn to Siryn and say with a smile on his face), "I wonder if this is all there is…."  (Then we see Siryn about to say something but then one of the golems comes charging through the opening of one of the tunnels and bricks and other things like that go flying around everywhere). 

"Look who decided to join the party," (Siryn then says at first with a smile before she then has to quickly leap out of the way to avoid being smashed by the golem's fist).  (Then we see Warpath charge the golem and then slam into it with his shoulder and the two go through the nearest wall and disappear in a huge cloud of dust and dirt).  (Then we see Siryn yell as we see her from behind as in front of her is the cloud of dirt and debris), "Jimmy!"  (Then we see a huge dark figure emerge in the cloud and start to come towards Siryn as we then cut back and forth between Siryn's face and of the dark figure coming out of the cloud and Siryn has an unsure look on her face in the first panel and it then changes to more and more worried look as time passes).  (Then we see a close up panel of Siryn's face as she has a look on her face that's of someone that has just asked a doctor whether or not someone that they love is going to live or die as she says), "Jimmy…are ye?" 

(Then we see a crimson dawn warrior jump on Siryn from behind and Siryn is knocked down as she then struggles to fight her way back to her feet).  (Then we see the golem stagger out of the cloud of dirt and debris in a panel and it lords over Siryn as she's still on the ground).  (Then we see the golem reach down and pick up a rather large chunk of broken bricks and it then starts to bring the bricks down onto Siryn but then a slightly shaken Warpath reaches out of the thinning cloud and grabs the large chunk of bricks as he says with a very angry grimace on his face), "I'll take that."  (Then we see the golem start to turn around with a shocked look of anger on its face before we then see Warpath smash the chunk of bricks down onto the golems head).  (Then we see the golem drop to its knees and then off to the side as in the bottom of the panel we see Siryn use her feet to shove one of the crimson dawn warriors off of her).  (Then we see Siryn say with her teeth gritted as one of the crimson dawn warriors has its hands on her neck and it's squeezing her throat and she's trying to get it to let go), "A little…help…here!" 

(Then we see Warpath reach down and start to pull the crimson dawn warriors off of Siryn and she then gets up to a crouch and does a low spin kick and she knocks the feet out from under the nearest crimson dawn warrior before she then jumps to her feet and angrily blasts the next nearest crimson dawn warrior and it gets sent flying backwards and slams into the wall).  "I wonder if there are any more surprises," (Siryn then says in a panel in which she's standing in front of Warpath in an aggressive stance with an angry look on her face and Warpath is standing in a stance that seems to be daring the crimson dawn warriors to come near them).  "I think it's a safe bet that we haven't seen the last of the surprises Terr…," (Warpath then says with a grim look on his face as the crimson dawn warriors begin to come closer and closer).  (then we see all of the crimson dawn warriors freeze and then Warpath and Siryn look around with confused looks on their faces before Warpath then says), "What's going on…what happened to them?"  (Then we see a voice come over the intercom), "Hey you two…you guys busy?" 

(Then we see Siryn angrily sigh and drop her head into her hands as she then says), "We aren't anymore Erica…what do you want?"  (Then we see a panel of Erica standing at the doorway of the danger room and she's pressing the intercom button and she's leaning in close as she then says as we see that Erica is still wearing the coat that she was wearing earlier), "Nothing really…I just thought that maybe you guys would want to go out and hit a few clubs…have some fun ya know."  (Then we see Warpath shake his head and look over in the direction of Erica's voice and then say with a slightly angry scowl on his face), "Thanks for the offer…but…why don't you go out by yourself?"  (Then we see a panel of Erica as she ponders Warpath's question for a bit before she then says with a hurt and sad look on her face), "I would…but…but."  (Then we see a panel of inside the danger room as Siryn and Warpath share an indecisive look on their faces as Warpath then says with a frustrated look on his face), "What do you think Terry?"  "I know ye had plans for us tonight Jimmy…but we can just let her go out alone tonight…and who know it could be fun," (Siryn then says with a slight shrug of her shoulders as she turns around to face Warpath). 

"Okay…whatever you want," (Warpath then says with a quick nod of his head before Siryn then says over the intercom), "Ye still there Erica…give us a few minutes to get showered and changed and we'll be ready to go."  (Then we see a panel of Erica as she smiles and then says with a hand on the intercom button), "Right…I'll go tell Warren…."  (Then we see a panel of Warpath and Siryn walking towards the danger room's door as the program dissipates around them).

[A Short Time Later]

(We see a panel of a nice roaring fire and then a few panels of someone using a poker to move the logs around as we see that someone say), "How's your head?'  (Then we see a panel of Betsy wearing very comfortable clothes and she has a big thick blanket wrapped around her and she's resting on the couch with her feet up on the nearby coffee table with a small pillow under them as she then says), "Still hurts a bit but it's not as bad as it was."  (Then we see a panel of Warren, who's wearing similar comfortable clothes to Betsy, as he's leaning on the mantle with the poker still in his hand as he then says with a concerned look on his face as the only light in the room is from the fire), "Good…the doctors said for you to take it easy for a few days and now that we have some down time you won't have to miss anything."  "I'm pregnant Warren…not in a coma, I'll see you at work on Monday just like always," (Betsy then says with a slightly angry look on her face as she reaches over and picks up a glass of water and then takes a sip). 

"Fine…but you know what this means Betts…we're going to have to not only baby proof this place but we're going to have to make sure that we find someone that we both trust enough to be our nanny," (Warren then says with a slightly scared and nervous look on his face as he puts the poker back in its place and then walks back towards Betsy).  "That ought to be fun…but we'd better do it quickly before Tabitha volunteers…the last thing that we need is for her to…," (Betsy then says with a less than thrilled look on her face as she stares into the fire in a close up on her face).  "She'd probably try to feed him chocolate and God knows what else," (Warren then says with a frown on his face as he sits down beside Betsy and leans back and puts his arm around her).  "I swear I don't know how she survives on all of that junk food," (Betsy then says with a confused look on her face as she turns and looks over at Warren). 

"Don't ask me Betts…I never was much of a fan of candy…other than eye candy…but enough about Tabitha, we have much more important topics to discuss…," (Warren then says with a concerned frown on his face as he also reaches a hand up and puts it on Betsy's stomach as she furrows her brows and then says with the glass up at her mouth in a side close up on her face), "Such as?"  (Then we see Warren rub her stomach a bit and smile as he then says), "Well we have to build a nursery…top of the line of course," (as we also see Betsy smirk and say as she looks over at Warren without barely moving her head), "Of course," (and Warren then continues with a  smile), "Line up a preschool…grammar school…high school…college…probably Harvard, maybe Yale or Oxford…and then there's the trust fund and last but not least what are we going to name this little kid."  "Warren…calm down…I'm only a few months along, it's way to early to start dreaming up names…I'm far more concerned with whether or not I'll more resemble a cow or a bus seven months from now," (Betsy then says with a less than happy and almost sickly frown and look on her face). 

"Betts…whether you look like a cow or the Goodyear blimp I'll still love you," (Warren then says with a loving but serious look on his face as he brings the hand that was on Betsy's stomach up and he makes her turn her head so that the two are looking each other in the eye).  "You swear," (Betsy then says with a smile as we do a quick panel of Warren and Betsy facing each other with their noses almost touching).  "On all that I hold dear my love," (Warren then says with a sly smile on his face before he then leans in close and kisses Betsy).  (Then we see Betsy laugh a bit and then say as she brings a hand up and brushes the back of that hand against Warren's cheek), "You know you can't swear on what is already mine luv…the only thing that you still possess that I covet is the fact that you don't have to visit the bathroom every five seconds."  "That it Betts, because as much as I'd love to loan you that ability I can't…sorry," (Warren then says with a slightly cocky grin on his face as Betsy has a look on her face as if she finds that hard to believe as she then says), "I'll bet…but other than that there's only the uncanny ability that you have to be able to get people to follow you, they're usually very wary and distrustful of me." 

"Funny, and here I thought that I was the only one that got that response," (a person from off panel says that makes both Warren and Betsy almost jump in shock as they both then turn towards the direction that the voice came from with shocked and surprised looks on their faces).  (Then we see a panel of Cable standing in the doorway with Dani at his side as Cable then says), "Sorry for the intrusion."  "We're not interrupting anything…are we," (Dani then says with a slightly unsure look on her face as she and Cable step into the room).  "N…no…of course not, Warren and I were just taking advantage of some private time," (Betsy then says with a slightly embarrassed look on her face as she looks up at Warren as he stands up and shakes hands with Cable as Dani goes to warm herself by the fire).  "Is this a social call…or is the world coming to an end…again," (Warren then says with a very concerned scowl on his face as Dani squats down in front of the fire and Cable then says with an equally concerned scowl on his face), "Unfortunately it's the latter…and this time that could very well mean that it'll be in a nuclear winter." 

(Then we see a panel of Betsy and Warren as they share a look as if they're not surprised and Dani then says with a worried look on her face as she turns back to look at Warren), "You two don't look very surprised."  (Then we see Warren turn back and look at Betsy with a look on his face as if he's asking her whether or not he should tell Cable the bad news as she then nods her head and says with a serious and somber look on her face), "Tell them Warren…all of it."  "Why do I have a funny feeling that what you're going to tell me is only going to make things worse than they already are," (Cable then says with an angry scowl on his face as he sits down in a nearby chair and looks up at Warren).  "I'd better start from the beginning then…you see…," (We see Warren start to say as he sits back down beside Betsy).  [The next several hours come and go with little notice from those locked in deep discussion].  (We see several panels of Warren, Betsy, Cable, and Dani talking in several different positions and Sam and Erica each in a panel show up and are then gone in the next one). 

(Then we see Cable say with a very angry look on his face and a clenched fist), "It seems that not only are our problems related but in fact one in the same, and now that I know that Apocalypse is the mastermind pulling the strings behind the scenes it's all starting to make sense, now at least we know where the nuclear warheads came from."  "When we were in Parlau Pau we saw Death and War loading one of the warheads into what looked like a missile or rocket of some kind, I can only think of what Apocalypse will use that for," (Betsy then says with her hands wrapped around the glass of water that's now empty and a look of dread on her face).  "I think that it's safe to say that he will use it the first chance that he gets," (Dani then says with a less than thrilled look on her face as she takes a seat opposite Cable in the room as Cable then says with a very serious look on his face), "Then finding Apocalypse and relieving him of all of his nuclear capabilities is our number one priority."  "Well finding him will be easy enough…as we've already found Apocalypse's headquarters, in a place truly fitting of that bastard," (Warren then says with a grim look on his face as he refills Betsy's glass of water and then as he hands the glass back to Betsy we see Dani say with a slightly confused look on her face as she leans forward), "You found them…where?" 

"Genosha, or at least what's left of it," (Betsy then says after taking another sip of water).  "But how do you find that out, Apocalypse isn't one to let something like that slip," (Cable then says with an unbelieving look on his face as his hands are clasped together just under his chin).  "Actually we kind of just happened across Apocalypse and all of his horseman while we were looking for Forge," (Betsy then says with a very serious look on her face as she sets the glass down on her lap).  "Apparently Death had him hooked up to one of his machines that we're still not completely sure as to its purpose," (Warren then says with an unhappy scowl on his face as he runs a hand through his hair as then we see Cable scratch his chin and say), "So what happened to Forge."  "I'm alive…more or less," (We see someone says from off panel as then we see Forge standing in the doorway looking very tired and he's also leaning heavily on his cane). 

(Then we see Dani look up and over at Forge with a shocked and concerned look on her face as she says), "Forge, are you okay…you look…."  "Like someone that got used as a human…well mutant…fuse, and I would have died if not for a timely rescue," (Forge then says with a grim look on his face as he limps into the room and then takes a seat by the fire across from Dani).  "So Cable, what is it exactly that you want from me…so far all we've done is compare relative histories and the level of Apocalypse's nuclear capability," (Warren then says with a frustrated look on his face as he's sitting up).  "Dani and I have been able to ascertain that Apocalypse has the nuclear weapons but we've run into a wall in our attempts to locate the warheads, and we thought that will all of your technology…and contacts, you could help us locate them," (Cable then says with a serious look on his face as he stands up and walks over towards the fire as then we see a panel of Cable standing close to the fire as the light is casting all weird shadows onto him and he's looking back at Warren and Betsy). 

(Then we see Warren say as he's rubbing his hands together and with a slightly cheesy smile on his face), "Contacts Nathan…I don't know what you're talking about, I don't…."  (Then we see Cable lift his arm and rest it on the mantle and pick up the poker and then stab the logs as he then says with a very serious look on his face), "Come now Warren…you might be able to fool everyone else and the government but you and I both know that you have contacts in everything that goes down in this city, one of them has to have seen something, I'm not asking for you or any of them to blow their covers…all I need is for you to ask them if they've seen a man by the name of Arthur Royce."  "Should I know him from somewhere…have I met him before," (Warren then says with a slightly worried scowl on his face as he rubs the back of his neck and Betsy lays a hand on his back).  "I highly doubt it Warren…in the sham of a life that he leads he's only a low level account clerk…you and he are in two completely different worlds," (Dani then says with a serious look on her face as she slouches a bit in her chair). 

"You sound like you know enough about him…why don't you just pick him up and get your answers," (Betsy then says with a frustrated look on her face as she looks up at Cable).  "He's been surprisingly elusive…so far every time we've gotten close he's slipped away only to reappear somewhere else a few weeks later, then it starts all over again," (Cable then says with a slightly angry scowl on his face as he puts the poker back in its place and then puts his hands into his pockets).  "But if you've had that many opportunities to catch this man what makes you think that Warren or any of his informants will have any better luck of finding him," (Forge then says with an almost emotionless look on his face before he then looks up at Cable, who regards him with a not to pleased look).  "We think that he has friends…allies that are helping him," (Dani then says with a look on her face as if she's sensitive about not being able to catch Arthur Royce). 

"And I'll bet you a million dollars that Mr. Royce's eyes in the sky are most likely warriors of the crimson dawn," (Betsy then says with an angry at the world look on her face as she looks over at Warren, who looks back at her).  "Then we've got our work cut out for us don't we," (Cable then says with a not to pleased scowl on his face as he's standing in the middle of the room).  "Then we'd best get started," (Betsy then says with a determined look on his face as she then leans forwards and puts the glass of water on the coffee table as she also takes her feet off of that table).  "I think that it would be best if you stayed her and rested Psylocke…a woman in your condition needs her rest," (Cable then says as he takes a step towards Betsy).  (Then we see a look of anger flash across Betsy's face as she visibly starts to protest before we then see Warren lay a hand on her arm and then say), "It's okay Betts, Cable's right…besides I have a feeling that this is going to take awhile." 

(Then we see Betsy turn and look up at Cable with an angry scowl on her face as she then says), "Funny that you should be here on Valentine's day Cable, I would have thought that you would have been spending this day with…."  "She and I are no longer together…," (Cable then says with a look on his face as if he's trying to act like that fact doesn't bother him but it obviously does before he then turns and walks out of the room as everyone else in the room watches him go). 

[Elsewhere]

(We open with panels of a street with many different clubs on that street with people going in and coming out of them).  (Then we move into one of them and follow a young couple down a set of metal spiral stairs as some other partygoers are running up the stairs laughing and joking around and chasing each other).  (Then we pass over the bar area and see people getting drinks and talking to each other).  (Then we see Siryn sitting alone at one of the table's looking sad and she's dressed to kill and she has a drink in front of her).  (Then we see a guy walk up to her and she lifts her head to him as he says with a smile), "What's a beautiful lady like you doing over here all by yourself?"  "Trying to enjoy her one night out before she has to risk her life to save people like you again that'll never even know her name," (Siryn then says with a polite smile as it's obvious that she doesn't want to talk to him and longer than she has to). 

"Whoa…that bad huh…wanna talk about it," (the guy says with a concerned look on his face as he sits down across from Siryn).  "Thank ye but no, ye wouldn' understand," (Siryn then says with a sigh before she then takes a drink and leans back in her chair).  "You sure…I'm a pretty understanding guy and…," (the guy then says as he leans forwards onto the table with a very concerned frown on his face).  "You're in my seat," (We see someone say from behind the guy).  (Then we see someone step up behind the guy and the guy sighs angrily and then says), "Hey man…can't you see I'm talking to…."  "My girlfriend," (We see Warpath say in a panel as he's glaring down at the guy who's facing us and the guy then gets angry and starts to say something as he turns around but he then jumps out of the chair and scurries away).  (Then we see Warpath shrug his shoulders and then sit back down across from Siryn and say with a slightly embarrassed look on his face), "Sorry about that Terry." 

"It's okay Jimmy, ye didn' mean to scare him," (Siryn then says with a loving smile on her face before she then takes another sip of her drink).  "You wanna get out of here Terry…I can tell that you're not having a good time," (Warpath then says with a very concerned look on his face as he also reaches across the table and takes Siryn's hands in his).  (Then we see Siryn hang her head a bit and frown as she then says), "Ye're right about that boyo…but the mansion is like a crypt tonight…so still and lifeless."  "Well the same could definitely not be said about this place that's for sure," (Warpath then says with a small chuckle as both he and Siryn look around briefly in a panel as we see people dancing and running around).  "Ye seen Erica around anywhere," (Siryn then says with a slightly worried look on her face before she then picks up her drink).  "Yeah, she was dancing with some guy over by the stage," (Warpath then says with a frustrated scowl on his face as he nods his head back towards the dance floor). 

"Did she look like she was having fun," (Siryn then says with a slightly sad look on her face before she then moves her chair closer to Warpath).  "I think so…but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least throw out the possibility that it was all for show," (Warpath then says with a slight shrug of his shoulders as he puts his arm around Siryn and she leans back into him).  "For her sake I hope that she wasn' bluffing…she needs a little happiness in her life," (Siryn then says with a very sad look on her face with her drink up near her mouth before she then takes a drink as Warpath then says with a tired look on his face), "And I truly hope that she finds some…you to."  (Then we see Siryn look up at Warpath in a panel in which part of Warpath's face is in the very immediate foreground and Siryn is looking up right at us with a relieved and loving smile on her face as she says), "As long and ye're by my side Jimmy my happiness is a given."  "Ah the two lovebirds…so cute…," (We see someone say from off panel as then in the next panel we see Erica standing by the table with her arms crossed and she's also dressed to kill and showing plenty of skin and she's smiling). 

"How are you doing Erica," (Siryn then says with a smile on her face as Warpath is tapping his fingers on the table).  "Oh you know me…non stop fun," (Erica then says with a big smile on her face and a wave of her hand before she notices the sarcastic looks on Warpath and Siryn's faces).  (Then we see Erica slump her shoulders and frown as she orders a drink and then takes a seat across the table and smiles at Warpath and Siryn).  "Don't worry about me so much Theresa, I've been down in the dumps before…I'll pull out of it," (Erica then says with a smile before someone brings her a drink and she then thanks that person and then is taking a drink as Warpath then says), "Sorry but in this business worrying is a prerequisite."  "Is it now," (Erica then says with a smile and an eyebrow raised as she sets her drink down on the table).  "Aye…Professor Xavier has turned worrying about people…even those who hate and fear him, whether they be human or mutant…into an art form," (Siryn then says with a tired sigh before she then takes another sip of her drink). 

"But what about that other splinter group that broke off because they didn't agree with how the Professor was running things…ideological issues and all that," (Erica then says with a confused look on her face as she uses her straw to stir the ice in her drink around).  "Well that's their choice…as it was ours to go after Apocalypse, however we differ greatly in our views of the Professor and those that have remained behind at the mansion than Storm and those who have chosen to follow her," (Siryn then says with a serious look on her face).  (Then we see Warpath add with an equally serious scowl on his face), "They no longer trust him, they feel that he has gone back on the dream somewhat by mainly focusing on protecting mutants and leaving humanity to the wolves."  (Then we see Siryn nod her head and then says with a serious look on her face), "But the Professor isn' doing that at all, in fact he's furthering the dream by turning the mansion back into a school to teach a new generation of mutants to live in peace and harmony with humanity instead of destroying them." 

"But didn't you guys leave the mansion because of a difference of ideals a few years back," (Erica then says before taking another drink).  "Well when we left the mansion is was a very different matter entirely that made us leave…we left to find our own way in life, we still trust the Professor and the other X-men, we even helped them out from time to time…but how we went about it was different as well…the Professor could always contact us if he needed to and other than one or two minor misunderstandings we all got along and coexisted without hiding our true intentions and whereabouts," (Siryn then says with a contemplative frown on her face before she then takes another drink).  "So now we're the front lines in the fight against mistrust and fear," (Erica then says with a frown that turns into a smile as she watches a couple of guys walk by). 

"Aye…but enough about all that, it's getting pretty late…we should head home," (Siryn then says at first with a smile that then changes to a yawn as she checks Warpath's watch).  "What…no, come on guys we still have plenty of time, I doubt Warren is sitting in his bathrobe back at the mansion waiting up for us," (Erica then says with a look of disbelief on her face as she leans forward in her chair).  "Well I guess we could stay a little while longer," (Warpath then says with a sigh as Siryn also takes a drink and she shrugs her shoulders).  "So what's up with you two…sitting here all night…not dancing, what's up with that," (Erica then says with a daring smile on her face a she crosses her arms and leans on the table).  "Jimmy and I aren't very good…dancers," (Siryn then says with a slightly embarrassed look on her face as she then blushes).  (Then we see Warpath hang his head and smile as he says), "I never really learned how to dance, my time was spent mostly between training and helping my family."  "Neither one of you ever learned how to dance…what did you do at all of the dances and other events like that," (Erica then says with an unbelieving look on her face before she takes another drink). 

"We didn't go to any…for me they didn't have to many dances on the reservation other than traditional ones and for Terry she went to a private school that was pretty strict so…," (Warpath then says with a slightly sad frown on his face as Siryn also nods her head).  "Man you two must have had no fun growing up at all," (Erica then says with a sad look on her face as she's leaning on the table with her forearms).  "We had fun Erica, just not the same as you," (Siryn then says with a defensive look on her face before Warpath pulls her closer to him).  "Whatever…now come on we," (Erica then starts to say with an impatient frown on her face before we then see a loud beeping sound that at first makes Erica, Warpath, and Siryn look around with confused looks on their faces before Siryn then pulls up her purse and takes out what looks like a suped up palm pilot and the screen is flashing as Siryn then says), "It's one of Forge's new gizmo's…I'd almost forgotten that I even had it, now let's see if I can remember how this thing works."  (Then we see Siryn with a very thoughtful look on her face punch in a few buttons as Warpath and Erica look on as Erica is watching as she's taking another small drink).  (Then we see Siryn say with a triumphant look on her face), "I got it!" 

(Then we see a close up of the face of that palm pilot and we see a picture of an obviously tired and weary Warren as he says), "Terry…glad I caught you, sorry about this but since you three are out I thought it best to contact you and tell you that you're needed back at the mansion…we've got trouble."  "What's the problem Warren…Pestilence or Death show up again," (Warpath then says with a tired look on his face as he's looking down over Siryn's shoulder).  (Then we see a panel of Warren sitting in the darkened ops room where the only light is from a couple of screens right in front of Warren and with a very tired Betsy sitting beside him with her feet up on his lap and he's massaging them with his left hand while he's pushing the comm. button with his right hand as he says), "For once I wish…actually Cable and Dani unexpectedly showed up and informed us of a potentially apocalyptic mess…it seems that Apocalypse has begun to move those nuclear warheads that he had Imol steal from that Russian base into the strategic major cities of the world…New York, London, Dublin, Moscow, Paris, Berlin…and now…." 

(Then we see a panel back in the club as Siryn and Erica are shocked at the news and Warpath just sits there in silence with a very serious and somber look on his face before Erica then looks up and says with a scared and serious look on her face), "And now, let me guess…San Francisco…."  (Then we see another panel of the suped up palm pilots screen as Warren then says with a serious look on his face), "Correct…so right now that I need for you three to do is quickly finish whatever you're doing there and then get back here for a good night's sleep so that we can have an early morning briefing session in the ready room."  "Alright Warren…we'll be there," (Siryn then says with a small sigh as she nods her head and then Warren says as the screen then shuts off), "I'll see you then."  (Then we see Warren turn to Betsy and then say with a smile), "Time for bed Betts."  "Oh joy," (Betsy then says with a tired look on her face before we then see Warren and Betsy walk off into the darkness).  "So much for staying here and partying long into the night," (Erica then says with an upset scowl on her face before she then takes the straw out of her drink and drinks the rest of it in one gulp). 

"Well business calls Erica…we'd better get home and get to sleep," (Siryn then says with a tired sigh as she, Warpath, and Erica stand up and then walk out of the club in some panels as then we see them start to get into Warpath's jeep, all that is in the background as we then see a bunch of shadows in the foreground in an alley).  [It catches them off guard].  (We then see a panel of Siryn shutting her door and then she rolls down the window as then someone runs up beside them and throws a glowing sphere into the jeep as Warpath, Erica, and Siryn shout in alarm).  (Then we see a few panels of the sphere exploding and the three in the jeep get violently shocked until it then stops and the three are knocked out and injured).  (Then we see a big van pull up beside them and crimson dawn warriors jump out and drag the three into the van as one then says happily), "Yes Mr. Royce…we have them."  (Then we see one of the crimson dawn warriors throw in a big cylindrical shaped device with a timer on it and then the van races away and a few panels later we see a few close and wide shots of the jeep blowing up and the people around the jeep react with fear and shock as they run for cover).  (Then we pull up into the night sky and we see in a final panel the smoke rising in the bottom of the panel and there's a full moon and a shooting star). -END