disclaimer: Except Jenny, all characters are the property of Marvel. I expect no monetary benefit from this work of fiction which is for entertainment purposes only.

pre-note: This story takes place during chapter 20 of "Human and the Demon".

An Unexpected Guest
by Dizi

"This is a very strange party favor." Jessica Drew held up the pretty shoe and wondered if she could find a pair in her size. Though any size would do actually.

"De X-men try to be original, non?" Remy grinned at her, glancing away from the dancing bride and groom.

"I think I'll just go put it with the gifts." She walked away casually. She stepped behind a group watching the dancing couple intently...

... and Silver Sable stepped out. She nodded to the detective turned superheroine as she passed by her, smiling as she watched the former thief do a double take at the woman's greeting.

Looking around, she saw Wolverine on the other side of the room. She strolled to the small side room with the large TV, taking advantage of his absence to satisfay her curiosity about the newlyweds. She hadn't taken the opportunity before because he was to be avoided at all costs.

On the screen Jenny and Kurt were dancing in the kitchen to the same song currently playing in the main room, their dress much more casual to say the least. Someone else might have foudn it touching, but she had never considered herself to be sentimental. She couldn't have said why she was even here. But she had some free time and had heard through channels about the wedding, so why not? Yet she palmed a copy of the video on her way out ten minutes later.

Jumping back, she just missed being run down by three boys. Shaking her head, a slight smile on her lips, she watched them run off to find more mischief, the small pink one giving her an apologetic look.

"Little rambunctious, aren't they?" Steve Rodgers said from behind her. "I'm surprised to see you here, Sable."

"I had some time." She pushed back the long silvery hair which was Silver Sable's trademark, turning to face him.

"Still, I thought you were too busy lately for 'social occasions', as you put it." He persisted.

"I didn't say I had much time, but I had enough I thought I'd drop by." Shaking his hand, she added, "Excuse me, I need to powder my nose."

"Of couse," he murmured.

But she felt the eyes of Captain America on her the entire way to the restroom. Closing herself up in a stall, she rested her head against the cool tiles of the wall. Why had she come? It was a foolhardy decision and she was acting the fool. Not paying close enough to her aliases and their known allies was an amatuer mistake. She'd been aware of Captain America's friendly association with Silver Sable but hadn't watched for him. She had to either leave or be more careful.

She splashed water on her face and stared at herself in the mirror for several minutes. Then she carefully opened the door...

... Robbie Baldwin, Speedball, walked out brash and confident as only a young superhero with his temperament could. More careful it would be. No one really knew what to expect from this one anyway.

He mingled with other guests, laughing at inappropriate times and talking too loud. All in all, being the young man people loved to avoid while still accepting that was the way of young unsophisticated men.

When a lively currently in vogue song started, he pushed his way forward to dance with the bride. Bumping into other dancers and making a spectacle of himself, he played the role to perfection. His partner never batted an eye, though she wouldn't have previously met him.

The song ended, a new one began, and he found himself facing Namorita. She leaned forward, saying loudly to be heard over the music, "You could have told me you were coming."

"I wasn't sure I had anything to wear." He returned with a lopsided grin.

"Just when we start to think you're growning up you backslide." She shook her head in disappointment, walking away presumably to speak to her cousin as she was going in his direction.

Perhaps this particular guise had outlived it's usefulness. He looked around, saw Nick Fury obviously on his way outside to smoke a cigar since he had it in his hand and ready, and ducked behind Ben Grimm...

... Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow, former Avenger and currently an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., gracefully avoided being hit in the head by The Thing when he turned around.

"Didn't see ya there," he said.

"Sorry." She waved at him before turning to lose herself in the crowd.

"But Ah just got hold of him," Rogue protested a few feet away.

"His parent are your friends, you get to hold him all the time." Wanda pointed out, holding her hands up to take Zelig. "I only had him for a couple minutes when Scott took him from me. And he's such a good baby. Yes, you are," she cooed at him.

"Perhaps someone who hasn't had a turn should get to hold him." Natasha snatched the child as he leaned away from Rogue before the Scarlet Witch had a chance.

Wanda frowned. "I didn't even know you were here. Much less, that you might be interested in holding a baby."

"Well, you just said how good he is." She wiggled her nose at him and brushed back her short red hair before he could grab it. Timing had alway been a specialty of hers.

"You're good at that." Rogue commented. "He gets hold of mine if Ah'm not careful."

"Oh, I've held a few babies in my time." She smiled secretively and jostled him a bit, whispering to the baby, "We'll just walk around a bit, hmm?"

"I didn't think she even liked babies. She always seemed uncomfortable around them." Wanda said to Rogue, still frowning.

It had been some time since she'd held a baby like this. Not that she'd really missed it, but it was nice. The Scarlet Witch had been right, he did seem to be easy to take care of as long as she kept him away from her hair. As it was currently short, that really wasn't a problem.

She wandered around a bit, murmuring to him occasionally. Everytime someone who knew her well attempted to talk to her, she used him as an excuse to wander some more. Until she thought she couldn't get away with it anymore and saw Wolverine coming her way.

Luckily, he was stopped by Tony Stark, but she felt another change was in order. Which she couldn't do with the child in her arms.

Then she spied the three boys she'd avoided earlier near the food. Perfect, she could lose the child and maybe get a distraction at the same time.

"Hi, boys," she greeted them. "How about one more?"

Their eyes lit up and they took him eagerly. Now another trip to the bathroom was in order since she didn't see anyplace to hide for a few seconds. Halfway there she was distracted though.

"Fraulien," Kurt gave her a friendly, if surprised, smile. "I am sorry ve did not greet you." He gestured to the dancing couples nearby. "Vould you like to dance vith me?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fury and Wolverine watching them and knew she needed to change or leave. But to refuse to dance with the groom would send red flags up throughout the room, wouldn't it? And who was she to refuse to dance with the groom at his wedding reception? "That would be nice."

With a few exceptions, most of the guests were people who were required to move quickly and carefully daily which usually made for excellent dancers. Knowing his history and having observed his dance with his new bride, she had expected no less of Nightcrawler.

Whether he was being polite or was used to it, he didn't indicate in anyway that he had an issue with her subtly directing them to where she wanted to go.

"Fraulien, if you are to continue to avoid your boss, I suggest you move quickly. He is coming zis vay." Kurt smiled again at her as they came to a stop on the other side of the dance floor.

Letting out a low laugh, she replied. "Oh, I intend to, Herr Wagner. I intend to."

His reasoning gave her an excuse to move at a fast clip through the entrance way. Once out of sight of the main room, she practically ran down the short hallway to the exit...

... Tony Stark, the guise the adventure had actually started with, walked out the front door, pulling out a set of keys to a Mercedes-Benz.

He pulled out of the parking lot and drove down the road a good five miles before relaxing. If S.H.I.E.L.D. or anyone else had followed there would have been an indication by now.

At the third red light, Mystique pulled down the visor to check her lipstick, then winked at a little boy staring at her from the backseat of the car in the next lane, her mood now light and carefree.

There was nothing like walking away from a job, not that this was really a job. It was more dangerous for one thing, though that was really just an added spice. Overall, she'd had a good time. She might have generated some suspicion, but had basically left undetected. She had danced with the groom as any mother should at her son's wedding reception, and also with the bride. She even had a souvenir with the theft of the video.

Yes, it felt like a job well done. She might have to do it again sometime.

Now onto other matters. She wondered where she could get a pair of those shoes...

note:
I couldn't resist having Mystique go to the wedding. I just couldn't.

The next chapter is already written so it shouldn't be as long of a wait. I'm really sorry about that. Had some beta problems again, but XLF kindly helped me out there and so we got a posting.

Just a quick reminder that if you don't login or leave an email address I can't reply to your reviews.

Thanks for reading and the support,
Dizi