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ENJOY!
Chapter 8: Looking for an Antidote
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Copacabana
"Meu filho veio para casa!(1)" Roberto's mother cheered in Portuguese running from out of the front door of their three story mansion to greet her son. Her long brown hair floated in the air as she ran to hug her son. Her brown eyes streamed with tears in happiness since it had been a year since she saw Roberto.
"Eu faltei-o demasiado, mom. (2)" Roberto embraced his mother. He then looked up to see his stepfather looking at him from the door frame, "Hello pai." (pai father)
"Hello, Roberto." He nodded slightly at Roberto. He was a tall man wearing a white loose shirt and black slacks.
Roberto gestured to the two men behind him. "These are teachers from the school in America, Remy LeBeau and Dr. Hank McCoy." Roberto lied slightly. It's one thing for his parents to send him to a school to control his powers. It's another thing to send him to a school that lets him use his powers to help mutant-kind which usually puts him in life-threatening situations. "We've come to help a friend of ours." At least that wasn't a lie.
"Well, we will try our best to assist you." Roberto's mother replied smiling. "My name is Nina. I'm Roberto's mother. And over at the door is Roberto's stepfather, Emilio Garcia." Nina said politely shaking both men hands.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Hank greeted. Remy nodded. If it was any other time Remy would had used his charm to give a proper greeting but right now he was only thinking about Rogue. After they received the news of Rogue's vastly receding health they hurried to conceal the jet and make their way to Roberto's home. He was worried about her and it showed on his face with great intense.
"It's still dark out. Please come in. I will have Yelena bring you something to drink." Emilio stated walking back into the house. Roberto frowned. Ever since his stepfather found out that Roberto was a mutant his relationship with him had been strained.
"Don't worry about him. He's just grumpy because he's waking up so early in the morning. He is just as delighted to see you as I am." Nina tried to defend him.
"I highly doubt that." Roberto sighed.
"Oh, filho. Don't say such things." Nina frowned. Roberto didn't say anything to her. "Let's get settled shall we." Nina sighed and ushered the X-Men into the mansion. She led them to the sitting area of the house where Emilio was already seated. Yelena was standing next to him.
"Please, have a seat." Emilio gestured to the couches in front of the coffee table across from him. "Would anyone like a drink? I know it has been a long ride for you."
"I will have some water, please." Hank said.
"Y've got anyt'ing strong?" Remy asked.
"Yes." Emilio turned to Yelena, "Um vidro da água e um vidro do caipirinha. (3)"
"Algum suco para mim, Yelena. (4)" Roberto added. Yelena nodded politely and walked out of the room.
"So, you men want to find the Black Market?" Emilio questioned eyeing them suspiciously. It wasn't the first time Americans came knocking at his door looking for a way into the Black Market. He usually turned them away. However, this situation was special being that his son was involved. From what he could tell the two other men were mutants. One of the men seemed normal and the other had strange eyes.
"Correct. A friend of ours has been poisoned with a toxin from a native flower of Brazil. We have reason to believe that the person who poisoned her acquired the toxin through illegal dealings in Rio de Janeiro." Hank explained.
"I see, well I can assure you that it maybe possible. But encounters with these people are not pleasant." Emilio warned
"We are quite aware of that. We weren't expecting anything less." Hank replied. Yelena returned to the room and handed all three men their drinks.
"Pai, she will die if we don't help her." Roberto pronounced urgently.
"Exactly what do you need from the Black Market?" Emilio questioned.
"If they sold the poison they might have the antidote too." Roberto explained.
Emilio looked hard at his son and muttered, "Very well, then. I will accompany you to Rocinha."
"Are you sure? Rocinha is the toughest favela in the Rio. It's dangerous at this time of night!" Nina protested. (favela – ghetto)
"It's dangerous anytime of day there." Emilio laughed tensely. He looked at Remy who had been quiet during entire conversation. "From your facial expression I take it that this girl is someone special to you."
"Oui." Remy agreed solemnly.
"You're willing to put your life in danger?"
"I will do anyt'ing to save her."
Emilio nodded at his loyalty. "Let us go, then." He rose from his seat.
"Be careful! And come back in one peace, aprovação?" Nina said to her son and husband.
"Don't worry mom, we will." Roberto hugged her. He followed his stepfather in silence to the garage with Hank and Remy shortly behind them.
"So now that your mom is not here, mind telling me what you really do at this school in America?" Emilio asked him unexpectedly.
"I told you. They are helping me control my powers." Roberto replied.
"You've been there five years now. It seems to me that your mutation is under control."
"Well, we also learn---"
"You seem more built than when I last saw you, son." Emilio went on.
"I work out a lot." Roberto said simply. He didn't like lying to his stepfather but he knew Emilio wouldn't understand.
"I see." Emilio left it at that. He turned to Remy and Hank, "I will drive the truck. You two follow behind in the jeep."
The men nodded in agreement and headed for the garage.
Xavier Mansion
War Room
3:00am
Xavier had summoned all of the X-Men back to the War room. When everyone gathered they found that he hadn't reached the room yet. Instead Kitty stood up and spoke.
"I called this meeting to tell you all that we have some bad news. Apparently the toxin is affecting Rogue faster than what we original thought…" Kitty began with her head down. She was trying hard to hold back tears that now stung her eyes.
"What do you mean? Deadpool said she had 24 hours." Kurt looked at her confused.
"There were complications with her mutations…" Kitty went on.
"Kitty what are you trying to say!" Kurt jumped out of seat becoming hysterical. Kitty looked at him sadly.
"Quiet, bub! Let the half-pint talk." Logan ordered him. Kurt sat back into his chair. Ororo nodded to Kitty to continue.
"Rogue has only ten hours!" Kitty blurted. For the most part everyone was silent. She could hear a couple gasps throughout the room but that was it. Kitty sat down and put her face in her hands waiting for the shock to sink into everyone. Logan made the first reaction by getting out of his chair and stalking out of the room. Piotr, who was sitting next to Kitty, put his arms around her in a tight grasps to console her.
"What happened?" Ororo asked after a moment.
"Well, Rogue and I were just talking. And she was fine! Even though she still seem sick she was still acting normal. But then she started having hallucinations and Jean said she was in her last stage of infection… she…she..." Kitty burst into tears in Piotr's arms.
"This is horrible." Jubilee gushed. Bobby took hold of her hand and squeezed it. She leaned into him and began to cry into his shoulder. Bobby sighed with anguish and hugged her. Amara also began to cry while Sam rubbed her back. Jamie hung his head low. He had successfully snuck into the meeting undetected and was ready to give Rahne and Chloe a full report. Unfortunately, they weren't going to like it. Tabitha frowned at the site in front of her. She was pining for Roberto to be there and hold her like he always did when she was upset. But she knew he was helping to save Rogue which was more important.
"Everyone, we need to keep courage. Rogue is not dead. We can't give up hope now." Scott told them although he too was hurting but he couldn't break down as the team leader. Everyone looked up to him and he had to set an example. Jubilee cries became soft sniffles and Amara looked up wiping her tears away.
"Deadpool iz a piece of shit! If anyzing happenz to Rogue I'm going to hunt him down and…" Kurt began angrily.
"Hunt him down and do what? X-Men don't kill." Scott cut in.
"Would you say the same thing if it were Jean or Rachel?" Kurt snapped at him. Scott opened his mouth to say something but shut it soon after looking away from Kurt.
"Kurt, that was uncalled for." Ororo scolded him.
"Well, if anyzing happenz to meine Schwester I can't promise that I will have X-Men code of honor in mind." Kurt retorted and teleported out of the room. Ororo frowned.
"We need to do something! We can't just sit here. It's driving me crazy just sitting here. We're running out time." Tabitha cried out.
"What do you suppose we do? Go find Deadpool? We wouldn't even know where to begin to look!" Ray complained.
"We can always use my idea." Bobby offered.
"What was that?" Jamie asked.
"It was stupid!" Jubilee rolled her eyes still sniffling.
"I still want to know." Jamie pushed.
"We get Mystique to pose as Marie so we can get the antidote." Bobby clarified.
"No we are not making deals with the devil!" Scott said firmly. Jamie left the room hurriedly to talk to Rahne and Chloe.
"Where is he off too so speedily?" Tabby asked looking at Jamie leaving.
"Beats me. Hey! He wasn't supposed to be in here anyway." Bobby pointed out. Everyone ignored his findings not caring about Jamie's disobedience.
"We can interrogate the Chinese boys again." John suggested.
"No! I don't feel like cleaning up another mess." Scott shot him down.
"I would understand that if you were the one who cleaned it up!" John scoffed.
"We should at least figure something out. Rogue won't even be able to last until we meet up with Deadpool again." Jubilee said drying her tears with her sleeves.
"Think people! How are we going to get around this?" Tabitha looked at everyone.
"Do we know anything about the guys in Brazil?" Piotr looked around.
"I contacted Hank. They had just landed and were on their way to Roberto's house." Kitty informed them.
"So that means they might not make it back in time, either." Scott frowned.
"They will! They have too." Kitty replied erratically. She hadn't slept since yesterday and the lack of sleep and worry were beginning to take a toll on her. "I'm going to go sit with Rogue." Kitty stated tiredly getting out her chair. Piotr followed her out of the room grabbing her arm when he caught up with her.
"Katya, I think you need lie down for bit. You look weary. You're putting too much pressure on yourself." Piotr implied to her.
"How can I! My best friend is dying." Kitty cried agitatedly.
"I know how you feel Katya. We all are going crazy over worry for Rogue. But you are not looking too good. Why don't I go check on Rogue and you lay down just for an hour." He offered.
"I can't Petey. If I lie down my head will just start driving me nuts with thoughts and I totally won't get any rest, anyway. I promised Remy I will be by her side and I intend to keep my word."
"But---"
"I will get some rest when she gets better." Kitty gave him a pleading look. Piotr sighed and let her go. Kitty gave him a weak smile and continued down the hall passing the Professor as he came up to Piotr.
"How's Rogue's condition, Professor?" Piotr asked solemnly.
"She's stable. For the most part." Xavier answered with a frown. Piotr nodded grimly. "I have to ask of you a favor."
"Anything, Professor."
"I need you, John, and Scott to accompany Marie to her home in Manhattan. She has to gather a few things for her stay at the mansion. Although, it's still in the wee hours of the night I believe that this is best time to enter the apartment unnoticed."
"Da Professor we will get right on it." Piotr walked back into the War Room to inform the others as Xavier rolled down the hall toward his quarters.
"Scott, John, let's go." Piotr signal to the men.
"We're exactly are we going?" Scott eyed him warily.
"The Professor wants us to escort Marie to her apartment." Piotr told them.
"Why! It's three in the morning. I haven't had my coffee yet." John whined. Piotr and Scott shot him a threatening glare. "I can skip the coffee." John replied sheepishly. Piotr and Scott walked out the room with a reluctant John.
"I guess the meeting is dismissed until further notice. Everyone try to get some rest." Ororo told the other students while also walking out the room.
"Man, everyone is so depress and Rogue's still alive." Bobby frowned.
"And we need her to stay that way!" Jubilee slammed her fist on the table.
"Cool it, Jubes. We will figure something out." Bobby said calmly. Bobby, Jubilee, Ray, Tabitha, Sam, and Amara sat in the room in silent contemplation for a long moment.
"Guys, I think I have an idea." Amara said finally breaking the silence.
"What is it?" Sam asked her.
"Remember that teleportation device the 'ninjas' used to teleport with?" Amara looked everyone and they all nodded. "Well, we have one. It should still be in Mr. McCoy's office. So why don't we pressed that little red button and go where the ninjas were going. I mean we will probably find Deadpool there too."
"Are you crazy! You know how much trouble we can get in for doing that! Scott and Logan will kill us!" Ray shouted.
"Wait, man! She has a point. We can steal the antidote." Bobby pointed out.
"I think you hang out with Remy too much." Ray scrunched his nose.
"I think it's an excellent idea. I'm in!" Tabitha jumped up.
"So am I!" Bobby said giving Tabitha a high-five. He looked at Jubilee with a pout.
"Okay, I'm in too." Jubilee said rolling her eyes.
"Jubes, if you keep rolling you're eyes at me I'm going to have to kill myself." Bobby joked. Jubilee glared at him. "I think I like it better when you roll your eyes."
"Shut up, Drake!" Jubilee snapped. "Is everyone in?" They all turned to Ray who still seemed skeptical.
"Fine! But if we are punished I'm going to say I told you so over and over again, until I'm satisfied." Ray assured.
"Whatever! Anyway, we need a name for our mission." Tabitha affirmed.
"A name?" Jubilee arched an eyebrow.
"Yes! I mean every great mission has a great name." Tabitha insisted.
"Okay, how about Project Cure?" Sam submitted.
"Nah, too generic" Tabby shook her head.
"Project punishment?" Ray added.
"No one asked you." Tabitha snapped.
"Operation G.R.A.B.!" Bobby declared proudly.
"Grab what?" Ray asked confused.
"No, it's an acronym." Bobby explained.
"For what exactly?" Sam questioned.
"Operation Get Rogue's Antidote Back. G-R-A-B. It's a double meaning since we are grabbing the antidote and getting it back here quickly." Bobby clarified. A unison of 'Ooohs' was heard in the room
"Good job, Robert Drake." Tabitha smiled. "Next we need a leader of the operation."
"I should be leader. I'm highly qualified." Bobby asserted confidently.
"How can you fit a brain in your head with that big ego?" Jubilee rolled her eyes.
"Don't be like that. You know you love this big ego!" Bobby winked at her. She didn't say anything back knowing she would be lying is she said she didn't.
"Okay mini-Scott, what's first on the agenda?" Ray asked irritated by Bobby's ego.
"The first phase of Operation G.R.A.B. is to retrieve the teleportation device from Dr. McCoy's office." Bobby informed. "Obstacles?"
"Jean might be in there. People will be all over since his office in the Med Bay." Ray noted.
"True, we need to get in and get out without getting caught." Bobby added.
"What do we do after we get it?" Amara asked him.
"Boys and Girls fear not, I have plan!" Bobby announced with a sly smile. "I'm going to get the teleportation device. You guys all get suit up in X-Men attire and report back in ten minutes."
Xavier Mansion
Rogue's Infirmary Room
Logan sat in an armchair beside Rogue's bed staring at her sleeping. He was angry. No, he wasn't angry. He was furious. He was furious for letting this happen. He was furious with Deadpool for doing this to someone he cared about so much. Someone he thought of as his daughter. No, she was his daughter. Even if it wasn't by blood she was still little girl who grew up in a world that hated her and he had to protect her. She was not his blood but she was still the teenage girl who he watched fight her own mind for control while he stood by given her courage. She won every time. She was not his blood but she was the girl who looked up to him for support, screamed at him when he wasn't being fair, and cried on his shoulder when she was betrayed. She was not his blood but she was the kid who gave him a card and gift every father's day. She was not his blood but she was the woman now laying in a hospital bed fighting for her life. It was tearing him apart and he was furious.
"You better not give up, Stripes." Logan mumbled and then got up from the chair walking out the room. He couldn't sit in there any longer knowing that she was suffering and he couldn't do anything to help her. It was as if something meaningful to him was being ripped away piece by piece and her agony made him furious. He somehow found himself in his room. He was staring at the wall with anger bubbling inside him urging for release. He let out an angry cry as he slammed his fist into the wall. Breathing hard he pulled his fist back to his face and watch the cuts and scraps heal up instantly.
"Impaling the wall is not going to help Rogue get better." Ororo said quietly behind him. Logan swung around to see Ororo sitting on their bed staring at him calmly. He hadn't realized she was there.
"I don't need a lecture right now, Ro." Logan grumbled.
"Between you and Rogue I don't know who destroys more walls in this mansion." She went on not phased by his roughness.
"She could never beat me at angry wall punching." Logan grunted.
"But she has you at angry door slamming." Ororo pointed out.
"True." Logan sighed sitting next to Ororo. Ororo wrapped her arms around his waist as he pulled her toward him. "Ro, I'm worried." Logan confessed to her.
"We all are." She replied resting her chin on his shoulder.
"I sat with her. She looked so tormented sleeping. Sleeping is supposed to be peaceful."
"Rogue is a strong girl. She's going to fight that poison."
"I couldn't watch her fight…" Logan growled.
"Logan, keep hope. Rogue will be fine. She's going to pull through." Ororo assured him looking in his eyes.
"I hope so, darling. I really do." Logan got up and began to pace the room. "It probably was a lie, Ro. That twenty-four hour spill was just a bunch of bullshit. I bet that bastard knew she wouldn't last long and we would give up Marie. He probably has no antidote. That sick son of bitch wants her to die."
"We don't know that." Ororo said jadedly.
"What I do know is that I should have protected her. I just stood there and he pulled that damn trigger. I want to rip him to shreds!" Logan yelled letting lose his metal claws and stabbing them into the wall. Then something came to his head that made him freeze suddenly.
"What is it?" Ororo eyed his abrupt nature.
"Rogue's invulnerable." Logan said still looking at his claw marks in the wall.
"That she is…"
"He knew it." Logan growled.
"That telepath had our powers nullified. That's why the needle penetrated her skin." Ororo suggested.
"No, he didn't have to nullify our powers. You heard Remy. The man had healing abilities. He probably would have fought us off if he wanted to. But he didn't. He picked a person out of our group and threatened to kill her. Even when we backed off he still shot her up with the toxin. It wasn't a random pick. He knew exactly what he was doing and he knew that Rogue meant a lot to a certain Cajun." Logan looked at Ororo.
"The two men did seem to know each other and not be too happy about it, either."
"I'm starting to think that all of this was more for revenge than ransom."
"If that's so then I can understand the hostility between the two men."
"I know. Gumbo going to have a lot explaining to do when he gets back."
"I'm sure he will. In the meantime you have holes in our room wall to fix." Ororo said sternly.
"Ro!" Logan began to protest.
"Uh-Uh! What was our agreement?"
"I can punch out as many walls as long as I fix them back." Logan grumbled.
"Good." Ororo smiled.
Xavier Mansion
Jean and Scott's Room
Chloe and Rahne sat peacefully in Jean and Scott's spacious room. Rahne reclined on the bed lazily flipping through the channels on the TV while Chloe sat on a couch near the door reading a book.
Knock-knock
Chloe got up from the couch and went to door. When she opened it she saw a frazzled Jamie with a backpack in hand. He pushed passed her and stalked into the room.
"Jamie! We are going to get in trouble if Scott finds you in here!" Rahne hissed at him from her sitting position on the bed.
"Don't worry about that now. We got bigger problems." Jamie told them.
"What do you mean?" Chloe's ears perked up.
"Rogue's dying! She's getting worse." Jamie said hysterically.
"What are you talking about? Deadpool said that---" Rahne began.
"Forget what that ingrate said! Right now Rogue is dying and we need to get that antidote before is too late." Jamie yelled.
"Lower you're voice. Rachel is still sleeping." Rahne whispered rashly. Jamie sighed and slumped on the foot of the bed with his head down.
"How much time does she have?" Chloe asked quietly.
"Kitty says ten hours." Jamie said somberly with his head still hung low.
"Damn it!" Chloe cursed. She walked to window and sighed heavily. Rogue was like her older sister and she would never want anything to happen to her.
"What about the guys in South America? I thought they were getting the antidote." Rahne asked. She could feel a huge lump growing in her throat.
"They might not make it back in time." Jamie sighed. "I was talking to Bobby and he said that we could have Mystique---"
"Have you lost your damn mind! We are not bringing that crazy lady into this. Rogue has enough to deal with. Bringing her psycho mother into the mix is bound to cause trouble." Rahne shook her head.
"Let me finish. If we could get Mystique to pose as Marie then Deadpool is bound to give us the antidote. It will work." Jamie upheld.
"No, it won't. Besides how will we find Mystique anyway?"
"We go to the Brotherhood!"
"Okay, now I know you lost your damn mind!"
"They will know where Mystique is. We find her, get a hold of Deadpool, make our exchange, and save Rogue."
"That plan sounds retarded!" Rahne snapped at him. Jamie shrugged nonchalantly and got up easing his way to the door. "Where are you going!"
"Sssh the baby is sleeping." Jamie mocked.
"Jamie Madrox you get back here right now!" Rahne rushed after him.
Jamie stopped at the door and turned to her. "I'm going to help Rogue with or without you."
Rahne let out a growl. She hated when Jamie did this. He always would go out and do things on his own trying to prove a point. However, his adventures would always end up getting him more trouble than possible. She had to go to make sure he stayed out of trouble. Letting out a sigh she finally conceded. "Chloe, we will be right back." She waved to her friend.
"Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid this time." Chloe said rolling her eyes.
"Hey!" Jamie pouted. Rahne pushed him out of the door and closed it.
"The Brotherhood gang is not going to like us knocking on their doors at four in the morning." Rahne grimaced walking down the hall toward the stairs very quickly.
"Rogue used to live with them. I'm sure they will care if she's on her death bed." Jamie insisted keeping in step with Rahne.
Rahne quickly turned to him and snarled, "She is not on her death bed!"
Jamie put up his hands in defense. "Just a figure a speech. Don't get all edgy about it."
"Just watch what you say!" Rahne continued walking with Jamie hot on her heels.
"Sorry."
"We need to get a car without letting anyone know we are leaving." Rahne told him walking down the stairs.
"No can do." Jamie shook his head. "We will definitely get caught if we drive through the gates. We got to do this on foot."
Rahne stopped in her tracts, "Are you kidding me! I am not walking in this freezing cold weather all the way across Bayville. It's not even daylight out!"
"So! And their house is only ten minutes away by foot so stop being a drama queen." Jamie walked past her towards the kitchen.
"I am not a drama queen!" Rahne protested following him.
"Yes, you are! If they gave out Oscars to the most dramatic person on the earth you would win by a long shot." Jamie teased as he entered the kitchen.
"Jamie, if you don't stop calling me a drama queen I'm going to turn into a wolf and rip you apart limb by limb!" Rahne threatened. She looked around at the disaster in kitchen. "Who did this?"
"Judging from the holes in the wall it had to be Scott." Jamie shrugged. Damaged furniture and fixtures in the mansion was nothing surprising.
"Why are we in the kitchen anyway?"
"We just can't go through the front door, DUH!"
"I know that idiot." Rahne made an annoyed face at him.
"Roberto, Ray, and Bobby sneak out the kitchen to go to the bars all the time. This is our best bet." Jamie said walking out the back door unto the patio.
"Whoa! They are not even legal enough to go to the bar. How the hell did they manage that?" Rahne asked following him.
"Fake I.D.'s. They got them while at school. Roberto says he's going to get me one too." Jamie stated smugly.
"If they get caught by any of the senior staff they will be in deep shit."
"Let them worry about that when they get caught." Jamie pulled two flashlights out of his backpack and handed one to Rahne. He then looked into the bushes next to patio and grabbed two winter parkers. "Here."
She took one and eyed him. "You little weasel! You knew I would come with you."
"Maybe." Jamie smirked at her. "Come one. Let's not waste too much time." The two made their way through the institute's grounds and unto the main road toward the Brotherhood Mansion.
&()&
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rocinha
Remy exited Emilio's jeep and looked at the scenery in front of him. The town was deep in a valley hidden between two hills. The houses looked like shacks and there was trash everywhere. Some homeless people could be seen wandering the roads or sleeping under piles of paper.
"My stars and garters!" Hank gasped.
"Dis place looks pretty run down." Remy said looking around.
"Yeah, all the ghettos in the Rio are like this." Roberto stated. "Pretty sad."
"This is very unfortunate." Hank frowned.
"It's called poverty. It wouldn't be like this if the land wasn't being exploited for tourist attractions." Emilio replied gruffly. He then pointed to a shaggy building across the road. The lights were still on in the building and shadows of people could be seen moving about inside the building through the shaded windows. "Over there is a bar owned by a notorious gang in the city called the Serpentes Pretas, means the Black Snakes in English. You can always tell a gang member by the black snake tattooed on the back of their necks. They are stationed all over South America. Some members are even in the States. The gang claims to sale coffee beans but they actual deal in all kinds of things, one of them being the Black Market. Always giving the people what they want. If the price of food goes up they steal it and sale it at a lower price. If a child needs a kidney, they steal and sell that too. The leader of Serpentes Pretas is named Marcelo Salgado. Salgado is one of the most powerful and influential individuals of Rio de Janeiro. He's also the most dangerous. People who are stupid enough to cross his path don't get out alive. Nonetheless, on thing I do know about Salgado is that he keeps tabs on all transactions of his business. If someone acquired a poison from his business he would know."
"Den we need t' talk t' dat homme." Remy sneered.
"This is as far as I can take you. I don't deal with these men and I don't want any parts of them." Emilio told them.
"We understand." Hank nodded to him. He knew that if there was any trouble Emilio might put his of his family's life in danger. For the X-Men they could leave and go back to their highly protected mansion but for Emilio is was a bigger risk to take.
"Be careful, filho. Your mother will kill me if I let anything happen to you." Emilio warned Roberto.
"I will, pai." Roberto assured his father. Emilio got back into his truck and drove away.
"You guys ready?" Roberto looked at the bar across the street.
"Hold on one second. Let me check on Jean to see how she's doing with Rogue." Hank told them.
"Okay, that's fine." Remy nodded. "Let me talk to Rogue when you're done."
The BrotherHood of Mutants Mansion
"Okay, knock already!" Rahne ordered Jamie as she shivered from the cold temperatures of the night.
"You knock!" Jamie shot back her. They were currently facing the Brotherhood of Mutants' front door.
"This was your stupid idea so you knock!" Rahne argued.
"You're the one who's cold. You knock!" Jamie retorted.
"How about I knock!" Chloe said coming up behind them. While they were arguing they didn't see a car come up the driveway.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jamie asked her.
"I figured you two couldn't go five yards without arguing and I was right." She said crossing her arms.
"What about Rachel?" Rahne asked.
"She's with Ororo." Chloe informed.
"You took Rogue's car?" Rahne eye-brow rose pointing to the black Mercedes-Benz parked in the driveway.
"She lets me use it all the time. As long as nothing happens to it, it's all good." Chloe shrugged.
"How the hell did you get the car out of the mansion grounds?" Jamie questioned.
"Hmm, let's see. Remy and Hank are in South America. Piotr, John, and Scott went somewhere. Rogue is sick and oh yeah, everyone else is watching Rogue." Chloe smirked at them.
"Jamie, you idiot! I walked in the stupid cold weather for nothing." Rahne hit him hard in the arm.
"Oww!" Jamie yelped jumping back from her. Just then the door to the house swung open.
"What's going on out here!" Yelled a very irritated Wanda. She was wearing a black robe around her night gown with black slippers on her feet.
"Hi!" the three waved at her innocently.
"It's 4:00am and I do NOT like to be woken up before dawn." Wanda growled.
"Wow, when did you get back to Bayville?" Jamie asked her.
"None of your business! Now what do you want?"
"We kind of need your help." Jamie told her.
"Come back later!" Wanda roared. She was about to slam the door but Chloe released her claws and jabbed it between the door.
"You have to help us or Rogue is going to die." Chloe protested.
That got Wanda's attention. "What's wrong with Rogue?"
"She got injected with a poison by this guy named Deadpool. She only has ten hours to live if she doesn't get the antidote." Jamie told her.
Wanda's eyes widen. She step aside and let Jamie, Chloe and Rahne in. "How can I help, then?" Wanda asked more willing to listen.
"We need to find Mystique. She might be the only way we can get the antidote and save Rogue without putting another woman in danger." Jamie explained the whole story to Wanda.
"So you think Mystique will help?" Wanda asked after Jamie was done.
"If she cares about her daughter as much as she says she does she will help." Chloe said dryly.
"Look, I don't know where Mystique is. She didn't leave a note on fridge. Ask my father. He will know." Wanda shrugged and disappeared into her room.
"This is crazy! We are not going to Magneto. He might try to make us join the revolution." Jamie put air quotes around the word "revolution."
"Where are the other people who live her?" Chloe looked around the house. The mansion was big with hardly any furniture. The walls looked like they needed a new paint job and the floor looked as if they were gathering mold.
"I don't know but this house has definitely been neglected for a long time." Rahne shrugged. Wanda emerged from her room fully dressed in jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt.
"Are sure that Magneto is our best bet?" Jamie asked Wanda as she went to the closet next to stairs.
"I don't know how else to get a hold of her." Wanda put her coat on and headed for the door.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Jamie called to her.
"None of your business!" Wanda yelled at him and slammed the door shut.
"Great! Now what are we going to do?" Chloe slumped in one the couches.
"Don't know. Should we try Magneto?" Jamie looked at Rahne.
"Hell no! It was stretch trying to bring Mystique into this. Going to Magneto's base is just asking for trouble." Rahne asserted.
"But desperate times calls for desperate measures." Jamie protested.
"Magneto's base is highly secured. And what if we run into Sabretooth?" Chloe pointed out.
"We throw him a ball of yarn, come on!" Jamie ran out the door.
"Why! Why do we always follow him? We know it's a bad idea. We know it's not going to work. But we follow him anyway." Rahne threw her hands up in despair.
"I know why you follow him." Chloe gave her a sly grin and walked out of the house.
"Huh? What are you trying to say?" Rahne questioned her. Chloe didn't answer. "Hey, come back here!" Rahne ran out of the house as well.
Manhattan, New York
Marie's Apartment
"Nice place you have here, shelia." John told Marie looking around her apartment. The guys had reached Marie's apartment at 5am and were sitting in the living room patiently while she packed for her stay at the mansion. Before they left Scott had told them to suit up in their X-Men uniforms just case they ran into any trouble.
"Thank you, John." Marie smiled and walked into her room.
"Do you need any help?" Scott called to her.
"No thank you." Marie called back. Marie looked for her suitcase under her bed. She grabbed the handle and pulled it out plopping it on the bed. She opened it and sighed. She wasn't in the mood to pack. She sure didn't feel like leaving her home right now. She wanted to go find Deadpool and turn herself in so Rogue could get her cure. While in thought her phone rang. Marie dashed over to the telephone on the night stand and picked up the receiver hoping it was her fiancé.
"Hello?"
"Marie! Finally, I've been calling all day! You're not picking up your cell phone either." He cried.
"I'm sorry, honey. It's just that so much has happened." Marie gushed. She sat down on the edge of her bed.
"What do you mean? What has happened?" He asked curiously.
"Honey, you remember how all does doctors have been disappearing?"
"Yes."
"Well, I was attacked in the park yesterday morning…"
"What! Are you okay? Did they hurt you!" He shouted through the phone.
"No, nothing like that happened. Before they could even do anything two people, who were also in the park, saved me."
"Okay good, I'm glad you are okay. You really need to stop does early morning runs. I will buy you a treadmill, tomorrow. Who are these people who saved you? Give me their address and I will send---"
"I'm not out of the clear yet. People are still after me."
"Have you called the police?"
"No---"
"What the hell are you waiting for? Your life is in danger!"
"I know that. I'm actually going to stay at the Xavier Institute---"
"What! There is no way in hell you are going to stay with those mutants."
"Will! Calm down. I know you don't like them but I don't think they are any different than you and me!" Marie snapped. She hated when William would rant on and on about how he hated mutants.
"I'm getting on the next plane to New York City. I don't like the idea of you staying with those- those THINGS! I can't believe…" William went on with his insults. Marie just rolled her eyes and started packing again not really listening to him.
"Ooo! Can't wait for you to get to the underwear drawer." Came a voice behind Marie. She jumped and dropped the phone in the process. Turning slowly she faced Deadpool leaning on her closet door.
"Marie! Marie!" William yelled through the receiver. Marie let out a scream causing Scott, Piotr, and John into the room.
"Dr. Freeman, what's going…" Scott stopped quickly when his eyes lay upon Deadpool.
"Get away from her!" Colossus growled taken on his full metal form.
"Um, okay tin man." Deadpool replied ironically rolling his eyes. Marie scrambled away from him and went behind Cyclops causing Deadpool to laugh.
"What do you want with me?" Marie asked breathlessly.
"I don't want anything from you, sweet thang. I'm just hired to capture you and capture you I shall." Deadpool told her.
"You won't be doing anything if I have anything to say about that!" Pyro grinned flicking his lighter.
"Wait!" Marie stopped Pyro from attacking Deadpool.
"What?" Pyro asked her with a hint of annoyance.
"If I give myself up now will you give them the antidote?" Marie asked Deadpool.
"What antidote?" Deadpool asked back blankly.
"Don't play coy, you piece of shit!" Cyclops sneered.
"Oh yeah! That antidote. By the way, how's Feisty holding up?" Deadpool questioned with a grin.
"Like you give a damn." Cyclops growled.
"I don't… You got me! Now Dr. Freeman… sweety… come along or Feisty doesn't get her antidote." Deadpool said waving the woman over. Cyclops put his hand on his visor sending a beam into Deadpool's abdomen sending him sailing into the wall.
Colossus jumped over to him and gripped Deadpool's neck tightly. He lifted Deadpool in the air and glowered at him. "Now you either give us the antidote or I snap your neck. We'll see if your healing powers are fast enough to mend a broken spine before you die."
Deadpool tried to say something but all that came out was a spluttering murmur. Colossus loosened his grip allow as little air as possible to let him speak. Deadpool let out a small laugh. "Y-Your loyalty t-to the bitch i-is moving! Bowel-movements m-mostly." Colossus tightened his grip. "Okay…O-kay!" Deadpool gasped. He moved his hand to his pocket and pulled out a vile of blue liquid. Colossus snatched it out his hand and dropped Deadpool to the ground.
"As much as I love chilling with you guys I have a job to complete and you are kind of in my way." Deadpool said rubbing his neck all the while smiling.
"Too bad! I suggest you leave, mate! I'm not as nice as the metal man!" Pyro said as flames grew from his hands.
"Hey, shouldn't you be making nice with alligators and monkeys or something?" Deadpool jeered. Pyro grimaced at the comment and lounged a flame toward Deadpool. Deadpool jumped out the way just in time. "Fine, I'll leave. But I will be back for the woman." Deadpool gave Marie a wink which made her sick to her stomach. "You know what. I realize I didn't label that vial. It could be the antidote. Then again it could be another poison. I guess you guys can figure it out! Bye-Bye!" Deadpool waved and teleported out of the room.
"That son of bitch!" Colossus yelled balling his fist.
"Calm down, mate." John extinguished his flames. "Don't want to wake the neighbors."
"How the hell are we supposed to know if it's the antidote?" Scott looked at the vial in Colossus hand.
"I guess we can take it back to Jean." Colossus suggested. He returned back to his non-mental appearance and placed the vial in his pocket.
"Look sheila, I know you want to do the right thing and everything but we were sent here to protect you. You don't need to surrender yourself." John said to Marie.
"I was trying to help Rogue." Marie protested.
"I get that but we don't know what they want with you so it will help out a lot if you just stay out of the way let us do our jobs." John rolled his eyes. "I'm going to check around the apartment to make sure Deadpool isn't hiding somewhere." John walked out the room.
"Are you almost done here?" Piotr asked Marie.
"I just need to gather a few more things." Marie said solemnly. She realized that she had dropped the phone when Deadpool scared her. She hurriedly picked up, "Honey, are you still there?"
"YES! What the hell was going on? I heard men speaking…"
"Honey, I will call you later and explain everything that happened. I'm in a hurry right now. Talk to you later." Marie said quickly and hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" Scott asked curiously when Marie hung up.
"Oh, it was my fiancé, William Banks." Marie conveyed to him.
"Whoa! As in Metropolitan Enterprise William Banks?" Scott raised his eye-brow.
"Correct." Marie nodded closing her suitcase.
"Wait a minute. You're engaged to a billionaire?" Scott gaped in awe.
"How did you land someone like that?" Piotr scratched his head.
"We met at a business banquet a few years back." Marie lifted her suitcase from the bed.
"I will take that for you." Piotr offered taking the suitcase out of Marie's hand.
"Thank you. I hope this is the antidote. If not we are back to square one."
"Let's hurry and get back to the mansion." Scott ordered.
Xavier Mansion
Hanks Office
Jean sat in Hank's office with an array of medical books in front of her. She was trying to find a way around the poison that maybe Hank overlooked. So far she found nothing. She slammed the last book closed and sighed heavily rubbing her temples. It was no use. There was no known remedy for Abrin. It was a deadly poison and it was going to stay that way. She put her head down on the desk and let tears run down her cheek.
Ring! The loud sound from the phone caused her to jump up from her thought. She lazily extended her arm to pick up the receiver and bring it to her face. "Hello?" She groaned.
"Jean. Is that you?" Hank asked from the other end.
"Oh Hank, I'm such a horrible doctor! I don't even think I can be one…" Jean began hysterically.
"Jean, do you mind telling me what you're talking about?"
"It was awful. I broke down. The number rule is to not let your patient see you break down and I did just that." Jean cried in the phone.
"It's alright!"
"No, it's not! I froze. She was screaming and crying and I just froze! You should have seen her face when she saw me crying. It was like she lost all hope…"
"Stop crying, Jean. Rogue is your friend. It's understandable to break down when it's someone close to you. That's why most doctors never work on their own family members or friends." Hank said calmly.
"But you---"
"I was hired to take care of all you. Over the years you have all grown to be my own family. There are occasions even I want to break down, too. But I don't because you all have your confidence in me and you are depending on me to help you feel better. I have learned how to properly deal with my emotions and in time you will too."
"I don't know, Hank."
"Wasn't' it your dream to be a doctor?"
"Yes, it still is."
"Then stick to it. You can't become a good doctor overnight. It takes years of experience." Jean smiled at Hank's words. She felt so lucky to have as a mentor. Bobby knocked on door gaining Jeans attention.
"Hold on Hank." Jean then looked up at Bobby, "What's up?"
"I… uh… was wondering how Rogue was doing? That's it!" Bobby said
Jean arched her eyebrow at him. "She's still the same. Probably sleeping."
"I see." Bobby walked further into the room.
"Is there something else? I'm kind of on the phone here."
"Go ahead and talk. I just left something in Hanks office the other day. I'm going to look around for it."
"Cool." Jean put the phone back to her ear. "Sorry, Hank. It was Bobby."
"I see. So how is our Rogue fairing?"
"She's in the last stage of the infection. So far it's only hallucinations, nothing else too severe. The professor put her to sleep psychically but I don't know how long it will last." Jean updated him.
Hank was silent for a minute, "Did you try all the meds in the lab?"
"Yes, she's not responding to anything. How is the search coming?"
"We haven't gotten anything yet."
"I found it! See you later, Jean." Bobby called waved to Jean hurrying out the door.
Jean gave him a funny look, "Hank, I swear the lack of sleep has got the younger students acting weird. Especially, Bobby."
"Indeed, keep an eye on them if you can. When they start acting weird that means they are up to no good."
"You could be right."
"Can you go check if Rogue is up? I know someone who would love to talk to her."
"Sure thing." Jean got up for the chair and took the phone with her to Rogue's infirmary room.
Xavier Mansion
Rogue's Infirmary Room
4:30am
She walked into the room quietly. She didn't want to disturb her. She just wanted to sit with her friend, see how she was doing, and leave. She didn't want anyone seeing her especially John. She new people were going to ask her questions and even though she left to deal with things on her own terms she wasn't ready to answer nobody's questions. She sat in chair next to her bed and took a hold of her hand. She looked down at her finger and smile. 'It looks like Remy finally popped the question. Took him long enough.' She thought. She sighed slightly. She was happy for Rogue. Rogue lived a hard life and deserved to be happy. She looked at Rogue face and frowned. The girl's skin which was already pale now looked as white as snow giving her a ghostly feature. She could see the sweat beads glistering on Rogue's brow. 'Must have a fever' She looked around and saw a small towel in a basin on a table in the room. She grabbed the towel and ran in through cold water at the sink. Wringing it dry she brought it back to Rogue's bed and dabbed her brow lightly. The sudden cool texture caused Rogue to grimace and stir in her sleep.
"It's okay." She whispered.
"Wanda?" Kitty stood in doorway shocked.
Wanda looked up at Kitty, "Hi Kitty. How come know one told me Rogue was sick sooner?"
Kitty walked further into the room. She put down the tray of food she had prepared for Rogue on the counter. "Sorry, I didn't know you were back. John didn't say anything…"
"John doesn't know I'm back." Wanda bit her bottom lip and went back to dabbing Rogue's forehead.
"Oh." Kitty said simple. She didn't know why Wanda didn't tell John and she wasn't going to prod an answer out of her either.
"She looks really uncomfortable." Wanda went on.
"Yeah, the professor put her to sleep after she had a melt-down. Jean's been giving her fluids and medicine to make her a little comfortable but there is just so much she can do. Only the antidote will help her now." Kitty said sadly.
"Goodness Roguey… you're going have me worrying about you forever." Wanda muttered.
"How did you know Rogue was sick anyway?"
"Jamie and his groupies showed up at my house about thirty minutes ago looking for Mystique…"
"What! They must have snucked out!" Kitty yapped crossing her arms. "They are so in trouble when they get back."
"They are just trying to help out, I guess." Wanda shrugged placing the cool towel on Rogue's forehead again.
"Stop that." Rogue groaned weakly pushing Wanda's hand away. She tightened her face and opened her eyes slowly.
"She's up! That's a good sign right?" Kitty came up next to Wanda.
"I guess…" Wanda didn't know either.
"Wanda… I-Is that yah?" Rogue asked weakly turning her head to the voice.
"Of course. You know Rogue, I only left for two months and you're already in trouble." Wanda teased.
"Ah-Ah figured Ah had t-tah do something tah get yah tah come back." Rogue smiled faintly.
"I wasn't going to stay away forever." Wanda rolled her eyes.
"Hey, Rogue… I brought you down some soup. Do you feel up to eating?" Kitty asked. Rogue closed her eyes and shook her head. "Okay well I will keep it here anyway.
"Ladies, who else is in the room?" Rogue asked with her eyes still closed.
Wanda looked at Kitty who frowned, "Just me and Wanda. Do you see someone else?"
"Yeah, Ah figure it's a delusion. Ah guess Ah'm going crazy." Rogue swallowed hard.
"Don't say that! It's just the toxin that's doing it to you." Kitty told her.
"As soon as we get that antidote you will be as good as new." Wanda added.
Rogue sighed. "Look at us. Acolyte girls reunited again."
Kitty let out a laugh, "I don't know why we call ourselves that. They are X-Men now."
"We did make a pact to stick with the name, though. No matter what happens to them." Wanda smiled.
Jean came into the room holding her cell phone. "Great, you're up! Someone wants to speak with you." She handed it to Rogue.
Rogue smiled knowing exactly who it was. "Hey."
"Bonjour, mon amour. How are y' feeling?" Remy asked from the other line.
"Bettah now that Ah can hear yer voice."
Remy frowned. She didn't sound good at all. "Same here, chere."
"Rems yer being careful out there, right?"
"Always, y' hanging on dere fa moi?"
"Of course."
"Très bon, mon amour. I will let y' get some rest. Je t'aime."
"Je t'aime, aussi."
"See y' soon."
"Ah will be waiting, sugah." Rogue waited to hear the click before giving it back to Jean. "He hung up already."
Jean nodded, "Hey Wanda. When did you get back?"
"Just now." Wanda gave her an uneasy smile.
"That's great. So you will be staying for good this time?" Jean asked oblivious to Wanda's uncomfortable attitude.
"I guess…" Wanda looked to Kitty with a 'please save me from her obliviousness' face.
"John didn't even---" Jean began.
"Jean, can you get Rogue some water?" Kitty cut in quickly.
"Mah throat's a little parched." Rogue added.
"Sure thing." Jean nodded going to the sink. Wanda mouthed a 'thank you' to Kitty and Rogue. Scott rushed into the room causing all the girls to jump.
"Jean, we might have something." He stated nearly screaming.
"Scott calm down. What is it?" Jean asked him.
"Deadpool was at Dr. Freeman's house…" Scott informed them.
"Whoa! Really? Is she okay?" Kitty asked wide-eyed.
"Yes, she's fine. She's with Piotr and John in Hank's lab." Scott said.
"He didn't try to take her?" Kitty questioned.
"He did but gave up." Scott informed her.
"That sounds really sneaky… Why is she in Hank's lab?" Jean asked confused.
"Deadpool gave us this small vial filled with blue liquid. It might be the antidote." Scott told them.
"Might?" Wanda arched her eye-brow.
"Yeah, the bastard might have giving us something else. We can't take any chances so Dr. Freeman volunteered to check the antidote. Make sure it won't do any damage." Scott said. "I'm going to see if they have anything so far." Scott left the room.
"Rogue, you hear that? We might have the antidote." Kitty cheered.
Rogue smiled weakly. "Ah…Ah" She stammered. She closed her eyes and suddenly the EKG machines began beeping faster.
"Rogue!" Kitty shouted.
"What's wrong with her!" Wanda shrieked still holding Rogue's hand.
Jean rushed over to Rogue checking her vitals. "She's not breathing on her own. I need to intubate." Jean said swiftly grabbing sterile supplies from a crash kit in the room. Jean moved quickly getting everything assembled. "I'm going to need both of you ladies help." Wanda and Kitty nodded at her nervously. "Okay Wanda, hold her head stable." Jean ordered her as she adjusted the bed so that Rogue was laying flat on her back. Wanda did as told and watched Jean do the intubation. "Okay, I'm in." Jean said mostly to her self. She attached the bag valve to the tube, "Kitty, while I'm setting up the ventilator I need you to squeeze the bag every three seconds for only one second and let it go. Just like this." Jean demonstrated to her. Kitty nodded and mimicked Jean's motions counting in her head to keep the pace. The EKG started beeping normally again.
"Is she okay, now?" Wanda asked Jean while she got the ventilator ready.
"Well, she's stable for now. However, she's comatose." Jean answered. Wanda frowned. "Wanda can you go to the lab and tell them to speed up the process." Jean asked her. Wanda looked at Rogue solemnly and left the room. She went down the hall to where she remembered Hank's lab to be. Inside she saw Marie looking through a microscope. Piotr and Scott were talking to each other quietly in at a desk. John sat silently next to Marie waiting for a verdict.
Wanda swallowed hard before speaking, "Did you find anything yet?"
John looked up shocked, "Wanda? You didn't tell me you were back."
"Surprise." Wanda offered awkwardly. John got up and hugged her.
"Of couse I am, sheila." John said smiling, "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." Wanda said as tears stung her eyes. She held them back not wanting anyone see her tears. "Rogue is in a coma."
"She was just awake." Scott stammered.
"I know but her lung collapsed and she slipped to a coma. I she's hooked to a ventilator now." Wanda told them.
"Not good." Piotr grumbled sadly.
"Oh my God!" Marie gasped causing everyone to look to her.
"What is it?" Wanda asked walking up to Marie.
"It's not an antidote. I-it's more poison!" Marie cried in horror.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rocinha
"Let's go." Remy hung up the phone and began to walk to the bar with Roberto and Hank in suit. When they reached the entrance of the bar a tall well built man stood at the door glaring at them.
"Que você quer? (5)" he growled.
"Nós viemos ver Marcelo Salgado. (6)" Roberto told him. The man glared at them sternly.
"Quem são você?" The man boomed.
A smile crept across Roberto's face as he answered, "Roberto Da Costa."
The man's eyes widen at the name. He looked Roberto over once again and then said jadedly, "Espera aqui. Eu direi Salgado que você está aqui o ver. (7)" He walked into the bar.
"Mon ami, wat jus' happened?" Remy asked Roberto.
"The guy is going to tell Salgado that we are here." Roberto told him.
"I figured dat but why he get all strange wen y' tol' him y' name?"
"Well, when my real father was alive he was a very famous man, I guess. My father's family always had influence in Rio de Janeiro. Before he died he saved Salgado's life somehow. Salgado said he owed my father and promised that no harm would ever come to the Da Costa family." Roberto explained.
"Very interesting." Hank nodded at him. "Failed to mention that to us, Roberto."
"I know. I'm sorry." Roberto scratched his head awkwardly. The man came back out of the bar and stood aside.
"Salgado vê-lo-á agora. (8)" The man grunted. The X-men walked into the bar. As soon as they entered all the inhabitants of the bar stared at them. Mostly men sat around the bar. Some wore nice business suits. Others looked as though they were dressed for battle. All the men had scowls on their face staring at the X-Men passing by waiting to pounce at the slightest suspicious move.
"These people make me feel very uneasy." Hank whispered to Remy.
Remy smirked a little. The men didn't seem to coerce him in the least bit. He was almost hoping someone would approach him so he could take his anger out on them. "Au contraire, Henri, dey should be wary of us!"
Remy, Hank, and Roberto was escorted to a room at the other end of the bar. The door opened and they were ushered into a small room. A gruff man sat behind the desk. Off to the corner a little girl sat in a chair with her head hung shuffling her feet. Remy looked at the girl in shock. It was the same girl that he saw on the beach when they first landed.
"That's the girl I saw." Remy whispered to Roberto. Roberto nodded and looked at the girl also.
Remy looked around Salgado's office suspiciously. He didn't like the scenery one bit. Salgado sat behind his desk with his hands clasped together staring back at Remy. Two heavy men stood on either side of Salgado looking at each X-Man sternly. The little girl sat in the corner not lifting up her head once. Remy looked back at Salgado who was still staring at him. Either the man never seen a mutant before or the man somehow knew who Remy was. This made Remy wary. He shoved his hand in his pocket feeling for his deck of cards. He didn't trust this Salgado guy and he was ready if they pulled something stupid.
"Please sit." Salgado gestured to the couch opposite the desk.
"Sorry, but we ratha' stand." Remy answered glaring at the man.
"Very well. What brings you men here so early in the morning?" Salgado asked.
"We have reason to believe that a poison was acquired from your dealings…" Hank began.
"Maybe." Salgado shrugged.
"Fear not, we are not the police. A friend of ours was injected with the poison Abrin. We were hoping that we could buy the antidote." Hank explained.
"What makes you think that I have an antidote?" Salgado said nonchalantly lighting his cigar.
"Sources say y' do." Remy said smoothly.
"I don't do dealings so early in the morning." Salgado told them curtly.
"I t'ink it's time y' make an exception, mon ami." Remy responded in a warning tone.
Salgado looked up at him angrily for a moment. Then he turned to the girl in the room, "Isabel va afuera." (va afuera go outside/ Spanish)
"Sí señor." Isabel said getting up and walking out the door.
"If you don't mind my asking shouldn't the girl be in bed." Roberto questioned watching the girl go.
"She's a free spirit. Does whatever she likes." Salgado said simply. He stood up said something to one of the men in his ear. The man nodded. "My men will take you to get the antidote."
The men started walking out the room followed by the X-Men. When they were in the middle of the bar they heard a gun cocked. The men in the bar surrounding the X-men with multiple weapons at hand.
"Merde, it be a trap!" Remy growled.
"Really, what gave you that idea?" Roberto responded sarcastically.
"Roberto I thought you had amnesty with these people?' Hank asked him.
"I guess not." Roberto shrugged.
"Neva' trust s snake." Remy sneered. "Mes amis I'm thinkin' dat dis be a set up from de get go."
"My stepfather would never do that." Roberto protested.
"Dat's not what I mean. I t'ink Deadpool warned dem about us before he left. Which means dey not gonna give us de antidote willingly."
"Sounds plausible." Hank nodded.
"So what are we going to do?" Roberto said carefully looking at the men closing in on them.
"I guess we are going to have to take it." Remy grinned charging a card in his pocket.
Translations:
1-My son has come home!
2-I missed you too, mom.
3-A glass of the water and a glass of caipirinha. (Caipirinha is an alcoholic cocktail in Brazil. Made from strong liquor called Cabaca. Reading this story is like a cultural lesson. Hehehe!)
4-Some juice for me, Yelena
5-What do you want?
6-We came to see Marcelo Salgado
7-Wait here. I will tell Salgado you are here to see him.
8-Salgado will see you now
Next Chapter: Healed
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