Insert Funny Worded, Grammatically Incorrect Disclaimer Here:

It's 8:45 in the morning. Anna steps up to the waiting room door to find that it is unlocked. She steps in to find that James left all the lights and office equipment still on. Anna shakes her head and walks towards her desk. She sits down at her computer, and pulls up his schedule. She scribbles down a list of appointments on a piece of paper, then opens a filing cabinet behind her, and pulls out the personnel files that James will need for his morning meetings. Anna returns to her desk. She sits down, and checks her messages. She picks up the receiver and dials the voicemail. "You have 34 Messages....." Says the electronic voice on the phone.

Anna's eyes widen at the number of messages she has, and begins to listen to them one at a time.

Message 1, Kurt: Hey hot stuff, So when are you going to call me. Come on, we can hang out, and if you're up to it, we can go to Jeans and.....

Voicemail: Message deleted.

Message 2, "Yeah, this is Fred Dukes calling about my lunch meeting with James. I won't be able to make it, so please return this call as soon as possible so that I can reschedule.

Anna looks at her watch. "Well he called a few minutes ago, so I guess he'd be awake. I'll call him after I check all the messages." She thinks to herself.

Message 3, Kurt: Hey Baby .....

Voicemail: Message deleted

"What a creep!" Anna says disgusted, "Do I have to spell it out!"

Message 4: :::Silence, then whomever it is hangs up the phone:::

Voicemail: Message deleted

Message 5: :::Faint breathing in the background, then they hang up:::

Voicemail: Message deleted

Five minutes later.....

Message 23: :::Heavier breathing, then hang up again:::

Anna, very aggravated at this point grunts and hits the delete key.

Voicemail: Message deleted

Five minutes after that.....

Message 34: :::Hang up:::

Anna hits the delete key, then slams down the receiver. "What the..... Pervert!"

Anna picks up the phone, and calls Fred back. She waits patiently as the phone rings.

"Hello Mr. Dukes, I'm returning your call from the Programming Director's office about rescheduling your meeting."

"Yes, anytime this afternoon would be good."

Anna glances over at James' schedule on her computer. "He has an opening at 1:00."

"That sounds good, Thank you." Fred says before hanging up the phone.

"You're welcome....." Anna says slightly miffed.

Anna gathers all the files, and walks into James' office. She places the files in a neat stack on his desk, and attaches a note to the top folder with a paperclip. Anna goes back to her desk, and gathers her things. She turns off her computer, and leaves the office. The café was only a few blocks, and she had some time before she had to meet kitty, so she decided to walk to the café.

9:30 a.m.: James comes into the office in a full power stride. Even though he had a full day of meetings again, after last night, he couldn't help but have a spring in his step. He enters the waiting room, but Anna isn't there.

"Perhaps I just beat her in today....."

James enters his office, and walks towards his desk. He finds a stack of file folders on his desk with a note attached:

Hi James,

I'm meeting a friend for breakfast, so I came in early, and got everything ready for your morning meetings. I should be back in the office by 10:30 at the latest.

The Maximoff twins will be in at 10:00 followed by Todd Tolansky, Raven Darkholm, and Lance Alvers. Fred Dukes called and said that he can't make it for his lunch meeting, so I rescheduled him for this afternoon. Give me a call if you need anything, otherwise, I'll see you when I get back.

Anna,

James sits in his chair, and turns to look out his window.

"Hmmm, The Maximoff twins....." James gets a devilish grin on his face.

A short time later, Anna is sitting at a table reading a menu. She peruses the various selections until some one walks over to the table, blocking the sun, and casts a shadow over Anna's menu. Anna looks up from her menu to see Kitty standing before her.

"Oh.....Uh.....Good morning Ms. Pryde."

"What is with this Ms. Pryde crap, you can call me Kitty." Kitty says as she takes a seat across from Anna.

"I thought you didn't like being called Kitty?"

"Nah, all my friends call me Kitty, I just don't like it when James calls me that."

Anna inwardly smiles at the thought that Kitty thought of her as a friend.

"Thanks for calling me last night. I didn't think that you were going to call. Oh and sorry about snapping at you yesterday morning. It was a touchy subject, I just broke up with Piotr."

"Really, I didn't know that you guys were going out. If you don't mind, why did you break up? "

"He cheated on me."

Of course she knew. Anna had the best network of gossip mongers in Hollywood, and she was the head monger. But, she didn't want Kitty to know that she knew. She also knew why they broke up, but she wanted to keep up appearances, and showing that she was concerned was sure to be a good way to score bonus points with the object of her infatuation.

Anna was elated yet guilty when she found out that she and Piotr broke up. When she found out, she was half tempted to send the Grips to rough him up for breaking the heart of her beloved Kitty.

"Oh, I'm sorry....." Tries to feign sympathy.

"Well, it's not so bad, Cyborg just asked me out last night."

Anna blushes at the sound of his name. "What is it with her and assholes that play big metal clad guys?" Anna thinks to herself. "Errrr, Well if you don't like guys who cheat on you, I wouldn't go out with Cyborg."

"Why, have you heard something about him."

"Let's just say that I have it on good authority that he's not commitment material."

James was out in the waiting room pouring himself a cup of coffee when the Maximoff twins enter.

"Oh, good morning Pietro," James nods to Pietro, then does the same to his twin brother. "Wayne"

"How many times have I told you to call me WANDA!!!!!"

"Oh crap, here we go again!" Gripes Pietro.

James looks Pietro's brother over. His hair is still streaked red like his Evolution character. He is wearing a red leather bustier with a matching skirt, knee high high heeled boots, and a ¾ length black trench coat.

"Of course, I apologize.....Good Morning Wanda."

Pietro rolls his eyes. "Can we get this meeting over with, I really don't like hanging around this fruit cake!" Points his thumb in the direction of his brother.

"Hey is that anyway to talk about your older brother."

"Pffft, only by two minutes!"

"Yes, Yes, follow me please." James motions towards his office.

Pietro walks into James' office followed by his brother Wanda. James enters his office behind the two boys, and closes the door behind him. The boys take their seats at James' desk. James walks over to his desk, and sits down.

"First off, Wanda, you did a great job last season. The fans really loved your character."

"Hey, It was my idea to get him to play my sister on the show!" Pietro quips.

"Oh please, I got the job even before you talked to James about it."

"Oh shut up Freak Boy!"

"You see the abuse I have to put up with?" Wanda (Wayne) says.

"Wel....." James tries to add.

"What do you mean?!?!?! What about what I have to put up with????? My brother is a Fruit Cake! Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to be seen out in public with you!"

"Oh you're just jealous because the fans like me better than you."

"Well boys....." James tries to start the meeting.

"How can they like you, you're a disgrace to the family!"

"I'm a disgrace?????" Wayne says, "I'm not the one that got that Misty chick from Pokemon pregnant!"

"Hey, I paid for the abortion, and I even put her up in a spa for a week while she recovered." Pietro says defensively.

"Well, that explains why she put in for personal leave in the middle of last season." James thinks to himself. He tried to interject in on the two boy's conversation. "Uh, boys....."

Wayne leans towards James. You know Mr. Faster-than-the-speed-of-light over here is a closet Pokemon fan. He even has a stuffed Togapy ((I think that's what it's called)) on his bed."

"Hey!!!!!" Pietro says as he tries to swing at his brother.

"And did I mention his Picachu boxer shorts?????"

"Shut the Fuck up, you're one to talk about how to dress. Look at yourself!!!!! You're a second rate cross dresser!"

"I beg to differ." Wayne says as he turns to James. "I'm a five time Ms. Golden Goddess. They don't award those to a second rate cross dresser, as you put it!"

"Boys....."

"And at least I have a girlfriend. What have you got?"

"I still say that she's a lesbian, and she just hasn't figured out that you're a man yet."

"BOYS!!!!!"

The brothers stop their bickering for a minute and look over at James who is now standing with his arms crossed.

"If you two are finished, I would like to get this meeting started."

The two boys look up at him, and nod in unison.

"Well, first off, Pietro, we have decided to drop you from the cast."

The two boys gasp in shock, but for different reasons. Pietro sits in his seat, dumbfounded, while his brother gets a big grin on his face.

"I'm sorry Pietro, but we have decided that we just can't afford keeping you on the show any longer."

"B-But what about my character?????"

"Wayn-Errr-Wanda will be playing both your roll, and the Scarlett Witch. By the way, Wanda, since you will be playing two parts, you will be getting a slight raise."

"W-W-WAIT!!!!!" Pietro protests "What the Fuck is going on here!!!!!"

"I think it's obvious, you just got canned!" His brother says gleefully.

"No, what about when Quicksilver, and Scarlett Witch have to be in the same scene together?"

"Oh, that will be taken care of by special effects, and by stand-ins. We already have it budgeted for the coming season."

"You can afford giving my cross dressing, freak brother a raise, added special effects, and stand-ins, but you can't afford my salary?!?!?!? You don't think that people would notice?"

"Well, the fans never noticed in Hex Factor when your brother played both rolls.....And to be honest, he's just a better actor." James says matter-of –factly.

"I cannot believe what the hell is happening!"

"Yeah, would you mind leaving now, I have to talk to James about my new contract." Pietro's cross dressing brother jibes.

"Wait, what about severance pay and all that shit!"

"Yes, I'm sorry, I don't have them yet, but if you stop by accounting before leaving the lot, they should be able to cut you a check."

"You'll be hearing from my Lawyer!" Pietro stands up and begins to storm out of the office. Before exiting the room, he turns back to face James's desk. "Are you coming?"

"Well, unlike you, I have some business to finish taking care of here." Wayne pulls out a set of keys from his pocket, and jingles them. "And besides, I drove."

Pietro turns with a huff, and leaves to wait in the waiting room while Wayne finishes his meeting.

Meanwhile, down the street, Anna and Kitty receive their breakfast, and, much to Anna's dismay, are deep in conversation about of all people, Cyborg.

"So, what did you hear about him? I mean he is kinda cute."

"Well," Anna tries to think of some excuse for why Kitty shouldn't stay away from Cy aside from the obvious reasons. After not being able to think of any other excuses, she thinks that the truth may work. "He was seeing me and Jean at the same time."

Kitty gasps. "That Pig! I'm never talking to him again!"

"Well, it's sorta the truth, minus a few key details," Anna thinks to herself.

"Yeah, it wasn't pretty."

Kitty leans in close and whispers. "Well, you went out with him, so is it true?"

"Is what true?" Anna whispers back, not sure what Kitty is insinuating at.

"You know....." Kitty with a wry smile points down beneath the table.

Anna blushes deeply as she figures out what Kitty is hinting at. "OH! Uh.....I really wouldn't know....." Anna tries to hide her guilt as she out right lies.

"Then why are you blushing?????" Kitty grins wickedly, and reaches over and cups Anna's hands. "You can trust me."

Anna's flush deepens at the touch of Kitty's hands.

"Her hands are so soft" Anna thinks to herself as she relishes in her gentle touch. "Uhhh, well....."

"I take it that from your flustered silence that it's true then." Kitty says with a wicked smile.

Anna blushes again, then looks up at Kitty and smiles. They spend the next half hour talking and laughing as if they were old friends.

Unfortunately, Time is running short, and Anna has to go back yo work. Anna and Kitty finish eating, and get ready to part company.

"As fun as this all is, I really need to get back to work." Anna sighs.

"I understand," Anna gasps as Kitty leans in close and gives her a hug. "Call me, and we'll do this again sometime."

"Oh trust me I will." Anna thinks to herself with a goofy grin on her face.

Anna stands at the café entrance, and watches contently Kitty walks away until she disappears from sight around a corner. Anna turns and blissfully strolls back the office.

Meanwhile, and short distance away, Anna is being watched from the shadows of a nearby tree. The stranger grins, and follows Anna down the street being careful to keep a safe distance so not to be noticed or recognized.

So, who is the Stranger? I'll give you all one hint. This person's alter ego hasn't been introduced yet, but their superhero counterpart was. If you follow comics any, then you would have noticed what appeared to be a mistake in the secret identities for one of the characters. This was not a mistake, it was intentional and meant to be a subtle clue as to the identity of the Stranger. Think Think Think, but don't let it keep you up at night. : P

Hope you liked the chapter, and please don't forget to review.