Chapter 6: Party Like It's The Dawn Of A New Era

Emma had been right – getting through the front door was tricky enough, never mind sneaking in more heavily guarded back entrances. She wondered how Kurt and Rogue were doing, but a mental tap from Jean reminded her to keep her attention on the party. Armed guards circled behind busboys and waitresses. Doctors and scientists were indistinguishable from clients and sponsors, all in lavish dresses and smooth tuxes. Sabere thought she caught a glimpse of the Secretary of the Interior as she handed her coat to the staff. The black hierarchy processed in behind them – none of their "entourage" were X-Men. The dark-haired woman at the front, presumably their Queen, was wearing a positively ugly black sheer dress with artfully-cut undergarments drawing attention to her assets – but not in a good way.

Emma, on the other hand, shed her cloak fearlessly and immediately dared anyone to challenger her reign over the fête. She was wearing the most daring dress Sabere had ever seen. It was essentially just a skirt, with two structured panels in the front rising up to lift and cradle her cleavage in a way that didn't seem gravitationally possible. A massive diamond necklace covered most of her neck and collarbone, and her hair was swept up into a diamond-studded silver circlet. Sabere guessed that, despite what Scott had said about power struggles, Emma and her Whites definitely ruled Hellfire.

She felt Bobby tap her arm and saw that the Club was ready to enter the festivities. He offered her his arm with a wry grin. Storm had Logan's arm and seemed completely oblivious to the admiring stares she was receiving. She look majestic in her dress, while Sabere just felt exposed. But she took Bobby's arm and held her head high as she followed the Hellfire Club into the ballroom.

She immediately spotted Jean, circling and talking science with some old consorts. Her presence – as a scientist returned to the scene, as an X-Man, and as a very stunning woman – was almost enough to take attention from Emma Frost. The other guests, even some who were equally wealthy patrons, regarded the Club and Emma with fearful reverence. It was clear that everyone thought Jean was the only mutant in the room, but the Club's worldwide eminence was obviously just as awe-inspiring. Emma owned the room, but Jean was a distraction. Sabere kept her eyes open, knowing that there would be some in the room who suspected more than one X-Man was present. Storm's dyed hair made her less of a suspect, and the other X-Men were new enough to not register with the public eye. So far, their cover was holding.

The party had only been in swing for less than an hour, but Sabere could see several inebriated guests. She kept her face blank, like the rest of the entourage, as Emma circled the room and harvested compliments. With her nerves on edge, her reflexes had no trouble alerting her to the hand coming down on her shoulder. She whipped around and caught it, and had to restrain all her training that told her to do more damage. Fortunately, the man was too drunk to be alarmed.

"This must be a bore for a society doll like you," he grinned, slurring a little. "Lemme show you a little more excitement."

"Not interested." She pushed the hand away and ignored Bobby's glance. Kurt would have helped her laugh it off, after leaving the drunk flabbergasted with something witty.

Instead, there was Emma. She swept back, chest aloft, eyes flashing. "I certainly hope you're expressing yourself chivalrously to my entourage."

The man reeled back. Apparently he hadn't been paying attention, and even though Emma didn't know him, her certainly knew who she was. "I beg your pardon, Miss Frost, I didn't know, I – "

"That's enough." Emma moved on, and Sabere nearly dragged Bobby after her.

"They're taking a while," he whispered once they were gone. "Do you think something went wrong?"

"One of them would have noticed," she replied, meaning Jean and Emma. But still…over an hour, and no word. "Maybe they're just covering all their bases – we can't mess this one up."

Bobby nodded, and then –

/They're ready. Follow me./ And Emma somehow got a glass of red wine to spill on her dress.

Naturally, chaos ensued. Everyone surrounding Emma pushed in with apologies and offers of napkins. Emma burst into a fit and, shoving and slapping, pushed her way out to the restrooms, cursing the plebian fools who ruined her evening. The X-Men rushed behind, playing along. Emma led them past the restrooms, past guards who stared blankly at the walls as they rushed by, and to Jean, who was already belting her uniform at a blank gray door.

"Scott and Kitty are on their way in. Kurt and Rogue are holding the door on the other end of this hallway," she told them, shoving two large duffels in their direction. Logan opened it and distributed uniforms. Emma looked back down the hall.

"They're starting to wonder about me. I'll make my exit now, so you won't be missed." Sabere thought she sounded almost civil. Then, "God, this dress may never come clean…clumsy bastard, this wasn't the cover I had in mind…"

She strutted back down the hallway without so much as a goodbye. Logan shrugged and shed his tuxedo jacket.

Clearly there was no time for modesty. Despite her discomfort from the evening's dress, it was almost a relief to turn her back and shed the gown. She zipped the uniform with a sigh of gratitude and turned back to see everyone turn back as well. Jean's eyes flitted to the side like they often did when she was communication, then looked back and nodded.

"Everything's ready. We follow Kurt."