A/N: I know, I know, I know. It's been forever. I'm sooooo sorry. Homework, college, work, too much to do. But its here. I told you I won't give up until its done. And heres the chapter dammit. Next one should come as soon as I get an idea. Please R&R!!!!!1

Chapter 58

The X jet landed in the back lot of the building, undetected by the alarms. Through the windshield they stared at the tall building that seemed to be nothing more than a giant tombstone at the moment that marked any one of their deaths. The silence was painful as each held their breath in wonderment. Questions ran through each mind. Weighing the chances of life and death that were more than a simple gamble of dice or a card. More was at stake than money, more value than any amount could add up.

"We need a plan," Wolverine's voice cut through the tension. Each blinked and turned their eyes away from the building.

"What do we do?"

"Well, the front is heavily guarded," Gambit filled in, blinking his red eyes. "And all the back entrances are signaled with alarms. Not ta mention the high tech security system that's liked ta the bigger system. Ya can't break inta it. She made damn well sure of that. Dis place is more locked up than a vault. There's no way in. And if ya get in, there's no way out, least not alive."

Everyone let out a sigh and fought the temptation to look back at death because maybe if they didn't, death wouldn't see them and call their number.

"What about the basement, Remy," Tristian asked. Thy forgot he was there for a moment. The new mutant hadn't spoken. Just stood closely and protectively next to Jean, his fingers touching hers in comfort.

"What bout it?" he asked.

"Is it locked?"

Remy stared at him, mouth open a bit, moving but no words came out. He shivered, "No, no it's never locked..."

Jean frowned at Remy's discomfort. "What's in the basement, Gambit?"

His eyes stayed on the floor and he shook his head. "I-I won't go down there."

"Why not?" Jean turned to Tristian. His face was passive.

"It's the only way in," he said softly. "It's where she'll keep Rogue and Bobby."

"Then we'll go down there," Wolverine said at the mention of Marie and the boy in trouble.

"No!" Gambit shook his head. "Not down there, not with dat thing."

"What's down there?" Cyclops asked. "Dammit what's got him so riled up."

Tristian stared at the building, staring death in the eye. He didn't falter and he didn't blink. He just held his gaze, never fearing death. There wasn't much he had that could hurt him. Nothing but the hand he held onto. He gripped it tighter, feeling her heart beat in her palm and only then did he falter, and close his eyes, turning away from the loss he could feel.

"It's a creature. I've seen it twice before. It's huge with red eyes and a power that can kill any mutant. A power that you can't heal from. That I can't heal without dying."

Jean felt her eyes water as she knew Tristian's had to be. She squeezed his hand. "The thing...the one that had Bonny."

Tristian nodded for fear of speaking. His voice would break if he tried to utter a sound. "He...he manipulates DNA with a touch." Tristian opened his eyes and stared at Remy. The mutant was huddled in his chair, head in his hands.

"Gambit, I need you to help me save them. To save us all and stop Frost."

"I don't think I can," he said and lifted his head up. "She's locked me in there with dat thing before. I don't want anything ta do with it."

"Please, Remy," Tristian said. "For me. For us. For your freedom. Killing her is the only way to stop this. It'll make it all go away, Remy. Al the nightmares, all the fear will be gone and you'll be free."

Remy looked at the building at the mention of freedom. He stared a it with a new confidence and took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll do it. But I ain't happy bout it."

"None of us are. Fear is what makes us human," Storm said softly with a warm smile. "Let's us know we aren't entirely different."

"Are there any objections to the basement?" Tristian asked.

No one spoke. The silence filled the jet like a cemetery. Death didn't even whisper. But the thoughts could be seen and heard on each face. The wonderment was back after only a few minutes of peace. Wondering if it was their night to part from this world to the next. And silent hopes of not wanting to leave.

"Then it's settled," he stared back at Death, not faltering as he squeezed his only link in the world next to him. "We go in."