Mark C: Yep, Emma being under stress is putting it lightly and hey Kurt/Wanda really did deserve that. Yeah, Emma will have a better meeting with him later on.
Aaron: Oh yeah, that is a big ironic twist. Emma will apologize later, when Jack isn't hiding that is. I thought it was time for Kurt and Wanda to take the final step in their healing. More Kitty/Piotr up first and you'll see the mansion's reaction soon.
Kaliann: Yeah, I know don't worry about it. True, Emma was freaking out, but she's stressed and maybe the hormones are starting up too. The baby shower will be in a different fic.
Doza: Well it was a bit of seriousness and humor for that scene. Yep, Emma will need her best friends for the baby. I just threw in that bit with him finding those sketches of Emma because I thought it would be funny.
Jenskott: Yeah, I know Emma being so calm and collect suddenly going off like that is kind of funny. Actually yes, that is a Warren/Betsy in this chapter.
Coldqueen: Oh no, Jack is NOT the father. Trust me on that. Besides, Emma is a few weeks pregnant and that happened months ago. You're guess is right about that vibe. I told everyone I had a plan to who to hook her up with. Well as for Jack/Mystique, you'll just have to wait and see. I crated Vince, Slickboy made Slayer, and Uncanny R-Man made August.
The Uncanny R-Man: Yeah, Emma's condition will pretty much be common knowledge soon. And Kurt/Wanda are cute and a tail does come in handy. Yeah, that is one heck of an image for Kitty. The title has a few different meanings.
ViciousAssassin: Thanks, we thought it was the perfect way to end it too. Yeah, that would be a very embarrassing, but a funny thing for his mother to ask them. Yep, we learned a bit of both of them, plus you got to admit Emma is kind of stressed at the moment. Yeah I thought it was time for Kurt/Wanda, and I thought it would be nice if Kurt couldn't speak English at certain times.
Craaaaazy: You'll know more about Jack very soon. The Kiotr part will continue on in this and Romy won't be in this chapter, but we'll try and work some more in soon.
Thanks to: X00001, Simba317, BlazeStryker
Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 68: OUT IN THE OPEN
-Kitty/Piotr-
Piotr could only stare as Kitty walked into the room. For a moment it seemed like time either stopped or just slowed down. Kitty smiled seeing him like this, for it was good to know that she could have this effect on him. She knew that she was pretty, but not sexy or at least could be looked at like a sex object. She didn't always think like that because being 'cute' or pretty had been enough for her. But she was in her last year of high school and was dating an older, more mature boy and she wanted to not be seen as a girl, but more as a woman.
She wanted the man she was with to look at her and desire her like she saw the other men look at the women they were with. Scott, Vince, Warren, even Logan and Hank looked at their respected women with more the just love. She wanted to be seen like that and seeing Piotr like this was very nice, for it made her feel so much older and mature at the moment.
"So…Do you like it?" She asked him a little shyly.
"D-da…" he simply said still in shock.
He couldn't believe that Kitty…His Kitty was dressed like that. It was like some kind of dream, but he felt his blood start to warm up and his heart racing as his eyes roamed over her body. He knew she had a very great body, at least to him, but now it was like looking at it in a new light. He felt his mouth go dry at the sight of her.
Kitty giggled at his reaction. At first she just wanted to entice him a little, but she remembered that last time they were like this with her just in her underwear and how far they had gone. She had been wondering if maybe this was the right moment for her. Of course, in that bag she had placed a few things just in case on the girls' advice and now she wondered if maybe today would be the day.
She sat down on his lap her arms hooked around her neck and smiled, "Piotr…Have you ever…Been with a woman before?"
She saw him blush a bit, "Uh…Not really no…"
Kitty smiled shyly at him, "Well…It's just that…I really like you a lot. I mean, you're so totally the perfect guy and after all of this and what's to come…I…I just want to know what it's like and I want it to be with you."
Piotr swallowed, "A-are you sure Katya?"
"Yeah I think I am…"
She had given this a lot of thought lately and to be honest, if she ever was going to do this, then now would be the prefect time. It might also be the only time if things were going as they were. Plus, she felt like she was being left behind, given all the other girls seemed to be enjoying the full company of their loves and she wanted that too. She wanted to know what it was like first hand and she wanted him to be the one for her.
Piotr couldn't believe this…Kitty was just the perfect to him and truth was, at this moment he did want her. He wanted to feel her soft skin and taste her lips. He leaned in and gently kissed her as she leaned forward and very soon, this act quickly deepened. He loved the taste of her lips…They tasted like strawberries. Soon the two of them were caressing each other and kissing passionately. Kitty's robe then fell to the floor and soon she lifted off his shirt and she grinned at the sight as she ran her delicate and slender hands over his muscular chest.
She couldn't help but marvel at how he was built. He was just so big and strong and yet he was so kind and peaceful. Piotr smiled down at her and took one hand in his hand and brought it to his lips to kiss it. He then slowly went to untie the front of her corset and soon she found herself topless as he was as it eventually hit the floor. She had to frown a bit looking down.
"Kitty what is it?"
She sighed, "It's just that…I feel so inadequate compared to all the others I mean…Aren't they a little small compared to all the others?" He just gave a small soft laugh and she looked up at him, "What's so funny?"
"You American women and you're images on beauty," he said as he gently reached up and took each in his hands sending a small shiver of pleasure down her spine, "They are perfect to me Katya…Don't ever think you aren't."
He whispered to her kissing her neck. She gave out a small moan feeling the warmth of him against her. After some time and after they had removed all of their clothing and made a makeshift area with a white tarp as Kitty had gone to the bag to get a condom she had just in case. Kitty was on her back now looking up at him as she spread her legs as wide as she could go as he took his place between them. She was still worried about if she could have sex with him given his size, but she wanted to do this she wanted him to be her first.
He poised and ready at her entrance as he looked down at her, "Are you sure?"
She nodded her head and felt him start to push in. She whimpered a little, thankful he was taking this slow. If he did anything faster or harder, it probably would have hurt like hell. He stopped now and then to get used to the feeling and by the time he was fully inside of her, she was breathing hard as he waited for her to tell him to continue. Piotr looked down at her face her eyes closed and her groans and whimpers made him rethink this.
Then her beautiful blue eyes opened and she looked into his eyes with love as she reached up and pulled him down to her and kissed him slowly. After that they started up slowly as their bodies start to rock together. Kitty soon found the pain leaving her and the pleasure start to build up. She ran her hands over his large strong back, feeling his chest against hers and his hot breath on her neck. Soon she was moaning out in pleasure as they rocked with each other faster and harder both, building up to their release.
Kitty had always wondered what her first time would be like and she wasn't disappointed at this part as her nails started to dig in a little as she heard him groan as she did so. He started speaking softly to her in Russian and even though she had no idea what he was saying, the meaning behind them was still clear.
"Oh god Peter I've wanted this for so long!" she moaned out to him.
"Oh Katya," he moaned back holding her close, "You are an angle…My love."
"Oh god I love you!" she cried out feeling herself get closer and closer to the end, "I…I think…I'm almost ready! I'm so close! Don't stop…Please don't stop!"
He muttered something else, but again, she couldn't understand it. She was just so beautiful and she felt so warm and tight to him. He kept up the pace trying his best to give her pleasure. He found that when he moved a certain way she seemed to really like it and so he tried to move that way again. He got the same reaction and did his best to continue on doing so. Soon, the two of them, with a small amount of sweat forming from the warmth of their bodies, were close to the end. Kitty wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him into her until suddenly she felt like all that bent up pressure inside of her suddenly released.
"Oh god Piotr!" she wailed feeling herself climax.
This was all he needed to reach his own.
"Katya!" he cried out as his hips slammed into her one final time.
A powerful burst of pleasure inundated them both, taking them to a world of bliss. Their moans filled the room as their bodies eventually collapsed on one another, tired from all the passion and exertion. Eventually, they both just rested there as the pleasure of the moment consumed them, leaving behind a memory that they were sure to treasure for the rest of their days.
Later, they laid on the floor with a white sheet over them with Kitty resting her head on his chest as her hand slowly moving over the other side of his chest a smile on both of them as his arm was around her waist his hand on her lower back. They were just enjoying the moment together like this. Kitty couldn't believe she had actually gone through with it. She had lost her virginity and to the perfect guy too. She had to admit though, she was sore from it to some extent, but from what the other girls told her, that will pass with the more times she did it with him, at least for the most part.
"How are you feeling?" Piotr asked her.
She smiled, trying to find the right words to symbolize what she was experiencing at this moment, "Mmmmm…Pretty good. I've always wondered what that would be like. Thank you Piotr…You know, for like being my first."
He kissed her head, "I am glad and that you were my first too Katya. I had been waiting until the right woman came around and you are that woman to me."
"I know the feeling…You're like so perfect," she said as she hugged him, "I wish we could just stay like this…"
"I know what you mean," he sighed his hand stroking her brown hair, "But sooner or later something will happen that we will need to be there for."
"Yeah…I know," Kitty said in a disappointed voice she really wanted this moment to last forever., "We need to clean up after this you know."
"Yes we should," he nodded.
"You know…There is a shower in that bathroom…It would be easier and faster if we share," she told him a blush on her cheeks.
"You wash my back I wash yours?" he asked her.
She giggled and nodded her head, "Yeah like…For starters at least."
Bayville Mall
Bayville Mall was bustling with it's usual midday activity as Vincent Freeman made his way through the sea of people into a place he never thought he'd have to enter. With the aftermath of the revelation concerning Emma's pregnancy still rippling throughout the mansion, it was nice to get away for a change. In addition, Emma was adjusting to the new regiment of being a pregnant woman after having never expected to get pregnant in the first place. Naturally, Vincent wanted to be there for her every step of the way…But at times, he knew full well that she also needed time alone. And now that she was going in for numerous checkups with Hank, she would definitely need such time now more than ever.
Vincent had left after having laid Emma down for a nap. Her last examination had been quite stressful on her since Hank had to talk to her about things like having an ultrasound, managing her diet, and setting a delivery date. Everything was happening so fast and it was nothing short of mind boggling for the young telepath, but either way it was happening…Both she and Vincent were going to be parents. It was only a matter or preparing for the arrival of this new life that they had created together through their love…And of course, with a little help from Jack's magic.
Vincent didn't know what the hell he was doing as he walked into one of the upscale jewelry stores on the second level of the mall. He had never done something like this…Picking out a wedding ring. Hell, he couldn't even imagine himself doing something like this a year ago. But so much had changed now…He had lost Father Michaels, he had been abducted by the Hellfire Club, he met the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, she had almost died in his arms only to come back to life, and now she was pregnant with his child. And in the spirit of this change, he found himself making yet another monumental decision…Picking out a ring that he would give to Emma when he asked her to be his wife.
"Damn…So many rings. Which one do I choose? Is there some kind of book for this kind of thing?" wondered Vincent as he loomed over a few of the glass display cases, thinking none of these rings really did much for him.
He thought he must have looked over this same glass display for the last half hour, and yet he still wasn't getting anywhere. He vowed to leave this place with a ring in hand, but right now, he was beginning to have his doubts as to whether or not he could make a decision.
Letting out a deep sigh, he decided to move on to the next display, still no closer to finding the ring he wanted than he was an hour ago. But as he remained fixated on all the high end jewelry, he didn't notice that there was someone else in his way, so naturally he bumped into him…Forcing him out of his daze.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I just…"
Then suddenly, he stopped in mid sentence as he saw just who he had bumped into. And from the looks of it, he was just as surprised.
"Vince?" said Scott, his eyes widening behind his ruby quartz glasses.
"Uh…Scott?" he said, equally dazed by what had just happened.
Scott was holding a little black box in one hand, which pretty much gave away the reasons as to why he was here. So naturally, an awkward silence fell over the two men…A reaction that neither of them found too surprising given that one wouldn't expect to run into a friend while shopping for a wedding ring. But given the kind of lives they had both lived up to this point, it probably shouldn't have been too mindblowing.
"I…Take it you're here for the same reason I am," said Scott, finally managing to break the silence.
"Yeah…Uh…Jean isn't pregnant too, is she?" he asked, mainly out of instinct.
"What! No…No, she's not pregnant. But…She told me about Emma."
"Yeah…I had a feeling."
"So it's true? But I thought…" began Scott, however Vince didn't let him finish, not wanting to go through the same bit again of explaining it.
"It's a long story man…But yeah, she's pregnant."
Another silence fell over them, not knowing where to go from here. Scott had learned from Jean about Emma's pregnancy, but like the others, he had been led to believe that she couldn't get pregnant. But he guessed that probably wasn't accurate anymore. It was amazing to think that a couple in the mansion was going to have a kid. And personally, he always kind of thought he and Jean would be the first since they had been together for so long. But if Vince's expression was any indication, he was every bit as surprises by it as he was.
"So then I guess you're just here to buy a ring for Jean?" said Vincent, not liking these awkward silences.
"Yeah, well I…I've been giving it a lot of thought lately. You know…Since the whole demon thing."
"I figured as much. Kurt told me about that bit…Says Jean was really on the brink."
"Yeah…She was. Believe me, I could feel it," said Scott, shuttering somewhat at the memory.
"I know the feeling…" said Vincent truthfully, thinking back to that moment at Sinister's when he had nearly lost Emma as well.
"Well I guess that because of that, I don't want to waste any more time with her. And with all this talk of darkness and evil, I want to make every moment count."
"So you're really going to ask her to marry you?" Vince asked, although he kind of saw this coming, as did the rest of the mansion to some extent.
"Yeah…I'm going to ask her," Scott said confidently, although saying it out loud made him feel nervous as hell.
"Well I'm happy for you man. I know you two really make each other happy," he said with a smile, which helped to ease the overall tension in the air.
"Thanks man…I mean it. I just hope I don't choke when I ask her," Scott replied, already feeling nervous about it.
"Yeah, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. After all, it's not like you two don't act like you're already married anyways."
"I know, I know…Pretty much everybody in the mansion has told me that," said Scott, managing to laugh at that, "And in retrospect, it's kind of true. I mean, Jean and I have been together forever. Even before we started dating, I guess it was kind of obvious."
"Either that or you both did a very poor job of hiding it," said Vince with a smirk.
"Yeah, I won't argue that."
As things finally began to ease, the two men actually found themselves laughing at their current predicament. Here they were, having unexpectedly bumped into each other at the mall shopping for wedding rings to ask the women they loved to marry them. As awkward as it sounded…It was still kind of funny in the end.
"So what about you and Emma? I take it that now she's pregnant, you both want to get married."
"Definitely…But I'm not marrying her just because she's pregnant. I mean, I knew this was going to happen sooner or later…It just happed to be sooner," said Vincent, shifting his focus back to all the beautiful rings, "I love Emma…I love her with all my heart. And if we're going to be together and have a family, I want to make it official. I want us to be husband and wife. And besides…She made it clear that she wants to get married before she gets too fat."
"Well I'm happy for you man…" said Scott, smiling back at his friend, glad to see that someone like Vincent, who had suffered so much all his life, was going to find some real happiness.
"Thanks. I just…I had no idea shopping for a wedding ring would be so tough. I mean, how do you go about choosing a ring for the mother of your unborn baby and your future wife?"
"Well…" said Scott, laughing somewhat at the lost look on his face as Vince went over all the displays, "Maybe I can help you with that."
-Outside the Mansion-
Ororo and Logan were watching the younger students play outside, simply taking the time off from training since Jack was still hurt over something and everyone was just kind of giving him space. On the basketball court, they were teaching X23 the game. She picked up on it pretty fast and was currently on a team with Jamie, Rahne, and Sam.
On the other side was Tabitha, Jubilee, and Bobby. And in the distance Amara could be seen with August. She had been showing the other girl around the mansion and it seemed like the two got along. Ororo smiled at the sight of all the children laughing and enjoying the day. She noticed that Ray and Roberto must have taken the time to leave the grounds. She had heard they had met a pair of sisters and she guessed they were with them.
"You know this is very nice Logan," she said leaning against him on the ground against a tree as the kids were playing and laughing. They all knew that something was coming, but they wanted to enjoy this moment while they could they all needed something to help cheer them up.
Logan sighed and nodded looking at the kids mainly his own, "Yeah and I'm glad she's getting along well with the others. She's had it rough and seeing her making friends and all is nice to see."
He could even see her smiling and that was truly a sight for him to behold. She was so distant when she first got her and now she was finally opening up as well. He felt Ororo's arm snake around his waist and looked at her.
"I think she's doing great and you're right, this is good for her," she said back to him.
Logan had to smile down at her as he hugged her close. He looked at the scene and even he had to smile a little at them. He didn't remember his own youth and now he wondered if he had been happy like they were at some point.
The game itself was just for fun with no one keeping score, although they were trying not to use their powers for this one…Or at least trying to see how long they could go without using powers. Laura had to admit, she was having fun with the game. It had taken her a bit to get the hang of the ball and the rules, but she had an excellent memory. She was also playing with her two friends on her side as well, so it was more enjoyable.
Jubilee and Bobby were doing well together as this was a very light workout compared to their training ever since they had increased it. Although Tabitha was staying with Sam most of the time guarding him, but the two let her. Besides if they had been on opposite sides then they too would have done the same. They were all sweating in the hot sun and from the exertion, but they didn't mind they were having fun.
Tabitha currently had the ball and Sam was guarding her. She smirked as she faked to her left and twisted around to go to the right, but she accidentally tripped and started to fall forward. Luckily Sam was there to break her fall as she landed on top of him as they hit the pavement, "Ouch…You okay Sammy?"
"Ah think so…" he winced his back was a little sore but other then that he was fine.
"My hero…You know you're lucky as you are cute, Sammy," she smiled down at him, "I don't let just any boy cop a feel you know."
Sam looked confused and then looked down, his eyes widened in shock to see his hands on her breasts by accident.
"Damn!" he blushed fully red and quickly pulled away, "Oh god Ah'm sorry! Ah didn't mean to…"
She just smiled down at him and kissed him on the forehead, "You're a really sweet guy you know that?"
Bobby just sighed and looked at the others from seeing the two together like that, "Anyone want to take a break while these two try and untangle themselves?"
"Yeah," Jubilee said taking off the band that had put her hair in a ponytail and shook her long dark hair loose, she notice Bobby looking at her, "What?"
"Uh…Nothing it's just that…" He trailed off not sure what to say it was just that when she shook her hair like that it looked very nice.
"Come on Bobby, what is it?"
"I like your hair loose like that. I think it looks better that way," he admitted.
"Really?" she asked him with a small smiled.
Bobby nodded his head. It was nice when he told her things that he liked about her, so she took his arm in hers as they went to the shade of the mansion's wall and found the cooler they brought with drinks in it. They all lined up against the wall drinking some bottled water.
X23 watched some of the couples interact. Tabitha was flirting with Sam, Bobby and Jubilee were joking around, but she could smell the pheromones coming off of them and knew under that they were doing their own flirting a little she noticed that Jamie and Rahne were a bit more reserved then the others. She wasn't sure if this was because of their age or just because they were different.
This whole thing with relationships she was still trying to figure out. It was all so complicated and not one of them were totally the same. She looked to where her 'father' Logan was with Ororo and she had a small smile. Even though officially, Logan was just her parent. But for some reason, seeing them together like that made her feel happy. It was like she almost had a real family in her life now and she felt more complete with that. She never knew just how empty her life had been until now, but now she was just seeing how much life had to offer.
Jamie was sitting happily next to Rahne who in the last few months had been letting her hair grow a bit longer. It was shoulder length now and he had to admit, she looked better because of it. He really liked this relationship with her. Everything was just so new and fresh. Plus, she was really great to be around too, and he also liked how she kissed. Her lips tasted slightly sweet to him. Rahne also noticed how Jamie was looking at her and blushed a bit. She had to admit, these past few months with him had been great she had already told her mother all about him. Moira was actually wanted to come and see her soon since she had been meaning to take a trip and see how the mansion was doing for some time now, but work was always keeping her there. And of course, she wanted to meet him, but she didn't mind. Jamie was really nice and she knew her mother would adore him.
She adored him herself, gently taking his hand in hers and feeling him return it. She looked over and smiled at him as he smiled back.
Bobby and Jubilee were cuddled up close to him with his arm around her, "So do any of you know why Emma blew up on Jack like that?" Bobby asked everyone. "I mean, Vince said that they had some person issues to deal with, but that they would start talking about it soon."
"Yeah, I know it's weird," Tabitha agreed, "Frosty is usually so in control of herself. Man, what the hell can set her off has to be major though."
"Ah know, but have you all noticed something odd about Emma lately?" Sam had noticed a few things and had been wondering about it, "Like, Ah saw her makin' this really nasty looking thing that only Kurt could stomach, and she actually managed to eat one of those brownies Kitty made a few days back…Ya know, the ones that tasted odd."
"That's because she used some new age recipe with it. It was supposed to be more 'healthy' or something," Jamie made a face at that.
Rahne remembered that all too well. Thanks to her nose, she had picked up on Kitty cooking before anyone else seemed to and decided that they should be away for a few hours at least, "Ach, I know…At least she's been doin' better at cooking. She's nae as bad as she used tae be."
"Is that what they were?" X23 asked them, "I thought Beast left something out in there from the lab."
"Not that he or Sage have been seen much lately. They're helping out with that book thing. Does anyone else keep thinking of that book from the Evil Dead movies when that thing is brought up?" Iceman looked around and saw Tabitha and Jubilee nod.
"Aye, but tis nice tae see them happy," Rahne smiled at them everyone knew just how lonely Beast had to be, since he was the only adult that looked too inhuman to go out in public and then Sage comes along and the two had been seen going out to operas and plays.
"Oh yeah, they hardly leave that lab at times. I wonder what they do there with all that time alone," Tabitha grinned.
"I do," Bobby rolled his eyes trying to shut out that memory.
"What do you mean by that?" Jubilee asked him nudging him in the ribs with her elbow.
"Nothing."
"Don't nothing me Robert Drake!" He winched as she used his full name, which always meant he was either in trouble or could be if he kept this up. Neither one was good. "Spill it or I'll let Tabitha or X23 get it out of you since I bet those two are experts in getting information out of people."
"Oh you know it," Tabby grinned making a timebomb and Laura gave him this creepy smile.
"Fine!" he said as he threw his arms up, "I went down there once after a training session to see if they had anything for that slight scorch mark from one of the lasers. And well…I enter the lab, but my ears were still ringing from that blast…"
"I said I was sorry about that," Tabitha muttered to herself.
"Well?" Jubilee asked him.
Bobby made a face, "I saw them…Doing it…" The others laughed at his face, "Hey I'm glad you like it! Seeing him screwing her up against a wall ain't my idea of an image I want to keep you know and thank you all for making me relive that memory!"
"What did you do?" Jamie asked him trying not to laugh.
"I turned around and got the hell out of there before they saw me," he told them.
Then Jubilee started to laugh her ass off, her face all red. And then after a moment she managed to compose herself, "Is that why the last time I suggested he swing by to see Beast a few days back to see if he had anything for sore muscles, you went all pale on me?"
"Yeah…Kind of."
That got everyone laughing at him once again, causing him to just rub his head with anxiety…For as bad as facing demons were, there were just a few certain images he'd gladly trade them for.
Bayville Mall
After searching for another half hour, Scott eventually helped Vincent settle on the perfect ring for Emma. Having done his homework on the matter for some time, Scott proved that he knew a lot more about shopping for wedding rings than he let on…Showing just how long he had been planning something like this. It almost made Vincent laugh with how much thought Scott had given this, for it hinted just how long he had been planning to ask Jean to marry him. But then again, it's not like that was too surprising.
Now that they had the rings for the women they loved in hand, they took some time to grab a quick bite to eat in the food court before heading back. It felt both relieving and stressful at the same time, for now that they had the rings…It was only a matter of asking them. But they tried not to stress too much about that as their thoughts drifted towards other matters, such as Vincent explaining what all the commotion was with Emma and Slayer earlier.
"So Emma really went that ballistic on Slayer?" said Scott, finding the whole story to be quite remarkable.
"Yeah…She really went all out," he muttered in response, remembering how much it had affected her, "I can't say that I blame her…After all, we both thought that she was incapable of having kids. But I guess Slayer's magic changed that."
"Yeah…I guess so," said Scott, his thoughts once again drifting to the mutant warrior, "So what happened to him afterwards?"
"I don't know," said Vincent with a sigh, "He sort of…Just disappeared on us after Emma broke down. He really seemed kind of distant or something. But I didn't really get a chance to think too much about it."
"Oh…Damn, I hope Jack isn't kicking himself too much. He's really been messed up since he pulled that demon out of Jean."
"Really? Why? What's going on?" asked Vincent, suddenly growing more intrigued.
Scott thought back to that moment where the demon taunted him about something and he went nuts and nearly impaled Jean right then and there. He wasn't sure what it was, but it really set him off in a way he had never seen before. Then there was what happened earlier at the Gazebo where he and Jean just tried to thank him for helping them, but pretty much pushed them away. He knew from experience that there was definitely something to his behavior and it wasn't just him being a loner. No…There was something else. But he just couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"I'm…Really not sure. But something is seriously bothering him…" mused Scott, letting out a slight sigh, "And trust me, I know the signs. It's really something bad if it can affect him like this."
Vincent thought about this for a moment, growing equally worried about what could possibly be going on. He knew that Jack was an enigma who was truly a tortured soul. But he had always kept his reasons for being that way to himself. He never really confided in anybody, even some with friends like him, Amara, and Laura. But something told him that whatever was going on now most certainly had to do with his past. He had been down that road before and he knew the signs all too well.
"Damn…I don't think Emma's reaction did much to help," said Vincent, now feeling kind of bad about what happened, "If anything, it probably made things worse for him."
"Yeah, and I can tell that's the last thing he needs. But then again…This is Slayer we're talking about here. He's been at the institute for over a month and he really hasn't opened up much."
"I know, hell he could give me and Logan a run for our money in the loner department. But whatever happened to make him feel like this definitely had to do with something that happened during that exorcism."
"Yeah, I definitely noticed a difference in him afterwards," said Scott, trying to piece some of this together, "But I really don't remember a whole lot about it because I was so worried about Jean and I was so focused on helping her through our link. However…There was one thing that I do remember that I think Kurt and that August girl could back me up on."
"What's that?" asked Vincent, growing all the more intrigued.
"I remember the demon saying some sort of name to him…" said Scott, trying to sift think back to that hectic moment to get a clear picture of what had happened.
"A name? What kind of a name?"
"I don't remember…But I think it sounded like a girl."
"A girl? What do you think that could mean?" asked Vincent, thinking this was definitely a matter worth exploring…After all, he owed Jack as much for saving Emma and giving them a chance to have a family like they always wanted.
"I don't know…But whoever it was, it really meant something to him," said Scott confidently.
The two young men thought about this. Even though they didn't have much to go on, there were definitely signs that something was going on with the mutant warrior…Something that was eating him up inside. Whatever that demon had said to him really did strike a chord…And this name seemed to be at the center of it all.
"You think we should look into this?" asked Scott, not knowing if they should try it with somebody like Slayer.
"Definitely…" said Vincent without hesitation, "Jack saved Emma…And he saved Jean. And if he's in pain now, we should do what we can to help him. After all…We both owe him as much."
And with that, Scott and Vincent had a new mission ahead of them…Help the man who had already done so much for them. Jack Robinson was a riddle wrapped within an enigma…But he was still a friend. And as a friend, they were going to help him…But given his nature, that was not going to be easy to say the least.
Betsy & Warren
It had been a hectic day at the mansion and Warren was trying to unwind in the room he shared with Betsy, reading one of his books while he waited for his girlfriend to join him. It was already late and Betsy had been running around with Jean and Emma all day. He didn't intrude because he knew how those three valued their whole 'telepath club' routine. But with all the activity that had been going on since the failed mission to New York, namely with Jean's exorcism and Emma's unexpected outburst this morning, he had to admit, he was a bit curious.
Suddenly, his train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice that he had come to love so much.
"You waited for me…" said Betsy as she closed the door behind her, wearing just a purple robe to match her purple hair.
"Of course," said Warren with a smile as he put his book away, "You know I don't get a good nights sleep without you by my side."
"Always the charmer, I see…" she said, flashing her lover a sexy grin as she made her way over to the bed.
"Well isn't that one of the things you really like about me."
"No, it's one of the things I love about you, Warren."
That got him to smile broadly as he watched her undo the sash to her robe and let it fall to the floor. She was wearing a very nice, very sexy purple silk nighty that seemed bring out so much of the alluring beauty that Warren had become so enticed with. Betsy could tell that he liked what he saw and decided that she would entice him even further by crawling up on the bed on all fours and resting right atop his well sculpted chest.
Warren responded by enrapturing her with his wings, gently covering her as if to protect her like a real angel. She always loved this feeling…This warm, comforting sensation she got whenever he held her like this. It showed just how much he loved her and how dedicated he was to protecting her, even in times of uncertainty. And for that, she was very grateful to have a man like this in her overly complicated life.
"Mmm…You look kind of stressed, Betsy," said Warren as he held her securely in his embrace, sensing just how tired she was.
"It's been a rough day…" she said with a slight groan, thinking a pregnant Emma was going to make for one hell of an ordeal over the course of the next few months.
"Care to talk about it? I know that scene with Emma and Jack was probably heard in the next county."
"Well…There was a reason for that, luv…And a good one at that."
"Really? What is it? What's going on?"
Betsy let out a slight sigh, for no matter how many times she went over this in her head, she still couldn't quite get around it.
"Emma's pregnant…"
Warren's eyes widened at the sound of this revelation. Emma Frost? Pregnant? Had he heard right? Well that did explain a lot in regards as to what was going on with her like the food she had been eating and how she passed out during the last mission. But still, it was quite a shock…One of their friends was going to have a baby.
"Pregnant?" he found himself repeating, "Wow…That…"
However, he found himself unable to form the right words, a reaction that was pretty much standard when it came to things like this.
"Yeah, I know…Remarkable isn't it?"
"Well then…Why was she attacking Slayer earlier? What on Earth was that about?" he asked, his ears still ringing from that fateful incident.
"It's a long story, luv…" groaned Betsy, not wanting to go over it again, "But in simplest terms…She was infertile, Jack's powers healed her when he saved her life, she didn't know so she ended up pregnant, and she kind of took it out on him for not telling her."
"Damn…That's amazing. But it sure does explain a lot," said Warren, his tone lightening up a bit, "I can't say I blame her and I guess it really is the only explanation for why she's been eating like Kurt all of the sudden."
"Yeah…You're right about that luv," said Betsy, managing a smile.
The two lovers simply lay together in a peaceful state, soaking up the warm feeling of one another's bodies. It was a strange thought…Knowing that one of their friends was pregnant. And if they knew Vince like they thought they did, then chances are there would be a wedding to plan very soon. It was all happening so fast. Ever since they joined the institute, their lives had been nothing short of amazing…So full of uncertainty, excitement, and wonder. They had met and befriended so many great people and they had truly found a place for themselves here at the institute.
But with this most recent turn of events…It was beginning to make them think even more. They were now apart of a team that may just go up against some of the darkest force imaginable. There was always a chance that they would go out on a mission and not come back. And for that reason, it definitely got them both thinking.
"Warren…" said Betsy, feeling to restless to sleep.
"Yeah, Bets?"
"Do you ever think about the future?" she asked him, shifting her head slightly so that her gaze met his.
"What do you mean?" he asked, somewhat undertain as to where she was going with this.
"I mean…Do you see us together five or ten years down the road? Do you ever think about where our relationship will end up?"
"Well…I'd be lying if I said I didn't," answered Warren honestly, "I mean…I never really gave it too much thought because I never thought I'd find a woman out there like you who would love me for who and what I am. And I guess I just…I've been so happy since I met you that I really don't know where this is going to go."
His words made her smile as she began running her hands down the contours of his manly face, admiring the angelic features she had come to love so much.
"What about you though? Have you been happy?"
"Of course I have, luv," she answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "I love you Warren…I really, honest to God love you. I never thought I'd meet someone like you. I never thought I'd ever feel this way about anybody. And I guess…I guess that with everything that's been happening with Emma and this whole darkness bit lately, I've been thinking about the future…And where we may be by then."
"Well I can honestly say that I still see us together," he told her tenderly, "I honestly can't imagine my life without you anymore, Betsy. You really do mean a lot to me…More than I'll ever be able to put into words."
Her heart jumped slightly at those words, for with all the talk of babies and marriage going around, Betsy was seriously beginning to wonder if she and Warren may walk that path. And when she thought about it, the idea of her and Warren married with kids just sounded so…Right. She honestly couldn't imagine sharing something like that with anybody else.
"Hmm…You don't need words with me, luv," said Betsy in a low, passionate tone as she smiled warmly him, "I can feel it in your mind…The love you give me. And if you just open your mind up to me…Then I can show you just how much I love you as well."
Soon, she found herself drifting closer towards him, watching as a daze look fell over the young man's face. And when their lips met…She felt many of his once sturdy barriers come crashing down and she was inundated with a wave of new sensations in her mind. She wasn't sure what it was, but from the looks of it, Warren felt it too as his wings gently fluttered about her body, sending her into a daze of passion and bliss.
'Warren…Oh Warren. I…I can feel you,' she sent him telepathically, the warm feeling of his mind sending her into a fury of emotions.
'Betsy…My God…You are so…Amazing,' Warren responded, feeling her thoughts and emotions within the deepest recesses of his mind.
'Warren…Please…Make love to me. Make love to me right now…'
With the wave of new sensations to guide them, Betsy and Warren began to remove one another's clothes and make love tenderly into the night…Letting the sweet bliss of this newfound closeness through the deepest parts of their minds, guide them into a unique world of pleasure the likes of which neither of the had ever experienced before. It was so passionate…So sweet…So indescribably wonderful in a way that they could never put into words.
Maybe this was the link that she so often heard Scott, Jean, Vincent, and Emma talking about…Maybe this was how it was with them. She had always been told by them that no words could possibly describe it and that truly seemed to apply in this instance. There really was no proper description for something like this…It truly was something else altogether. And for Betsy and Warren, they sought to savor this sweet feeling together, hoping that this was a sign that whatever the future held for them, they would face it together.
NEXT UP CHAPTER 69: COMING TO TERMS