(Begin A/N)
Kai: Sup? We are Back!
Remy: Finally!
Kai: Go to hell! Anyways I want to thank all those who have reviewed and/or Favorited this story
Remy: And those are
Kai: This is gonna take a while :3
* Mayumi Uchiha
* BatfamilyFan01
* Sun-MoonGoddess
* Anonymous (Who commented on all my music choices XD)
* 1990chance
* Diana Fay
* Katrine0309
*Lady Syndra
* MarsPlanetsGirl
* Ninjallama1998 (Love the name)
* Protagonist Of Life
* RosePotter123
* Shadow Cards
* SparkleNicole
* SummerCupcake
* TsubakiHana
* XxShadowDuskxX
* animesmile147
* kali yugah
* Masqueraderose9
* reita189
* talie,coyne
* vampireorvampyre
*Akemi713
* Alavear
* BookLover4Ever Yay
*Calistacat98
* Forever Dreaming Grace
* Little Madam Russia
* MommyMayI
* MusicalLover17
* ORgasmicPigeon (This is weirdly awesome)
* Prototron MJ Tornada
* Sammi Waves
* Sapphire Psycho
* TheMostRandomOfRandomWriters (Stay Random my Random Friend)
* XxxBellaBellaxxX (Ciao Bella)
* hotvandy101
* Ixaah11
* parksemmie
* ramsayreader
* sarahbluerose13
* valeries26
*vnienhuis
Kai: That is a lot of people, I'm actually shocked. I thought there was going to be alot more repeat names than there actually was. I feel loved :3
Remy: Yep
Kai: Anyways if you have any questions about this story. Post a review and I will answer them in the A/N of the next chapter
Warren: Read and Review please
Kai: Ja!
(End A/N)
"Are ya sure about this Cher?"
Lae looked up from the clothes she's currently shoving into her duffel. "I'm sure Rem." Her lips twisted into a smirk full of mischief. "What kind of Marauder should I be if I passed up a chance to troll the shit out of Stark."
Remy barked out a laugh, smiling with Lae as he went back to raising her closet. "Yo Lae. You want your robe?"
"Of course. Why would I leave it behind?"
"Good answer." He smirked over his shoulder.
Rustling of clothes and the squeaking of hangers being pushed around the racks filled the room as When we stand together played in the background. A resounding knock echoed through Lae's rooms causing her head to jerk up and her nostrils to flare.
"I know it's you Feathers." Why he even bothered to knock, Lae rolled her eyes, it was probably a misguided attempt at being polite, seeing as everyone normally just bursts through the door.
The door creaks open and their stood Warren Kb all his Feathery goodness. "Dude sometimes that scenting thing is creepy."
Lae rolled her eyes. "It's not scenting. That's normally for when I'm trying to learn sometimes scent. And I know what you smell like."
"And that would be?"
"It's an earthy scent. A mix between clay and the open air."
"Clay?"
"Yeah. You know when you feathers molt and they grow back in that weird casing?"
"Yeah."
"It's smells like clay." Lae bobbed her head and spun towards her bed where another duffel rested waiting for attention.
"I didn't know that."
"Next time your pulling off the casings. Smell them and you'll understand."
Remy snickered, "Yeah Feathers, smell your fingers."
Lae cackled as Warren groaned about how disgusting that sentence could be in a different context.
"Why is Warren smelling his fingers?"
Lae and Remy broke into uncontrolled laughter, collapsing onto her bed as Rogue walked into the room followed by Kurt and Piotr, with their faces twisted into something so unmissable that would cause passersby to laugh.
"Why does everyone walk into things at the worst possible moments." Warren groaned sending the insufferable duo curled around each other on the bed into another fit of laughter.
"We told his to touch something and smell his delicate fingers." Remy cackled.
"I believe they were talking about Warren's scent."
"Kurt." Lae gasped in between chuckles. "How you come to the correct conclusions based upon the smallest details. I will never know."
"Vell you told me once after you vere playing with his vings that your fingers smelled like clay."
"That was a long time ago."
"I may be a teleporter. But even I can smell the clay."
"How come I can't?"
Lae rolled her eyes at Warren's screech and tossed her hand up pointing at his noise. "Cause even though your part bird, Archangel. Your sense of smell ain't the best."
Warren huffed in agitation, which caused his feathers to ruffle up showing his annoyance. Lae smiled as she lunged across the room tackling her feathered friend which received an answer of a surprised screech, as they tumbled across the floor. She lifted her head up after successfully pining him to the floor with his pearly white wings spread out across the black carpet. Warren lips were clamped shut most likely trying to keep in laughter, if the twitching at the corner of his lips was anything to go by.
"Give it up Feathers. You know you can't stay mad at me."
Warren snorted and tried his best to glare at Lae, who did nothing but smirk down at him.
"Come on Feather you know ya love me."
His lips twitched again but gave away nothing else. Lae pouted and collapsed onto of him giving out a small soft sob. "I'm leaving and you can't even tell me you love me."
Warren wiggled beneath her, completely uncomfortable with the current moment."Ah. Lae. You know I love you."
Lae gave out a cheerful shout and snuggled closer to the Archangel. "I knew you lived me."
Feathers jerked and tried to get out from beneath his feline friend. "You were faking!"
Lae chuckles and pulled her head away from his neck, smirking at her friend. "Looks like I fooled the Canary."
"You little Minx!"
Lae let out a mewl of surprise as Warren switched their places and poked mercilessly at her sides.
"No Feathers! Don't!" She choked out in between laughs, if she had one weakness it would be the sensitive nerves below her ribcage, which Warren happened to be currently attacking.
"Ah. Mercy! Mercy!"
"Alright Warren let Lae up. We have to finish packing."
Lae glanced over at Rogue, her time of voice sounded as if she's trying to hold something back. The look in her eyes told Lae everything she needed to know, it hurt Rogue to know that Lae was leaving. She turned to look at Warren and knew he came to the same conclusion. Lae gently pushed on his chest to let her up so she could go to Rogue.
She gathered the girl into her arms, resting her chin on the brown locks. "I'll be back. You know I will. It's not possible for me to stay away for too long." She pulled back and smiled at her female companion, brushing her white locks behind her ear. "Don't be sad. You are so much better with a smile. It brightens my world."
Rogue gave a small smile, even though it contained sadness, Lae felt happiness flow through her. The brunette tossed her arms around Lae drawing her back into a tight hug. Lae smiled, running her fingers through the brown locks and closed her eyes, enjoying this moment cause she wasn't sure when the next time was going to be.
"Now my friend. Would you mind helping to make sure Rem doesn't forget anything that's important."
Rogue nodded and slowly pulled away. Lae smiled gently and leaned down to place a kiss on Rogue's forehead, conveying how much she would miss all of this in that simple little gesture.
Everyone gathered up the rest of Lae's belongings, placing then in their designated bags. By the time they were done the room was mostly bare, Lae made sure her dresser and closet still had clothes to show that she promised she would return.
Lae sat on the edge of her he's and closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath cataloging ever last scent. It smelled like home, her pack, this room had more memories then anywhere else in these stone walls.
"Hey Lae we'll meet you near the garage. Ok?"
Lae looked up at Remy and nodded with a small smile. Once the door closed with a soft click, Lae collapsed back in her pillow-less bed. She knew it would be hard to leave this place but she had questions that needed to be answered, and Fury made in known last night that he had a lot of the answer she was looking for.
She took another deep breath, slowly releasing it as she ran her fingers over the mattress. Her fingers twitched when they brushed against something soft. Her fingers curled around the object as she sat up, drawing it into her lap. She smiled down at her favorite leather jacket, it used to be a dark cherry wood but it started to fade in multiple spots from being worn. She ran her fingers over the different colored tooled work into the leather. This was a gift from her pack a few years back, each symbol drawn deep into the leather was a symbol for each member.
An eagle covered a majority of the back, representing Warren, and within his talons was a flaming ace of spades, and a staff embedded into blown out rocks beneath it to represent Remy. On the right sleeve stood a female figure with her arm outstretched towards who ever looked at it, her lips curled into a kind yet shy smile, creating Rogue. Curled around the collar were swirls of dark almost black blue that slowly formed a beautiful dragon, the way she saw Kurt. But something was different, she could smell the oil they used to color in new tooling. She turned in over and smiled at the new work of art on the left sleeve. Done to make it look like it was made of metal itself was the Celtic symbol for earth and metal, surrounding by Celtic knots that wrapped around the sleeve, circling around each other ending at her shoulder. A small laugh escaped her lips as she hugged the jacket to her chest and buried her face within the soft leather to hide the tears that had gathered in her eyes.
After sitting like that for many minutes she finally stood and slipped her arms through the sleeves. Taking a deep breath, she smiled as pack, home, family, and love filled her lungs. Grabbing her duffel and tossing it over her shoulder she took one last look around the room, making sure she had everything. The lights shut off with a quiet click and the door closed behind her as she headed down the hallway.
As she rounded the corner, she spotted her pack waiting at the top of the staircase with smiles on their faces. Her lips curved into an answering grin as she paused in front if them all.
"Like the jacket Lae?"
"Like is an understatement Rem. I love it." She turned to Piotr and dragged him into a hug. "Thank you for this."
He smiled and pulled her in closer with a gentle hand in the small of her back. "I'm glad you enjoy it."
"It means more to me than you can ever I own."
"I think I understand."
Lae leaned away and placed a hand on the back of his neck to pull him down so she could place a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you." She whispered against his cheek, and slowly moved away with a gentle smile.
As they made their way down the stairs a hand slid against her palm entwining their fingers together. She gave the hand a gentle squeeze and pulled Rogue closer to her side as they entered the parking garage. Everyone loaded up the bags in Remy's car, and turned to look at each other.
Lae sighed, "I wish I could take all of you with me."
Rogue squeezed her hand around Lae's, "We do too. But this isn't goodbye."
Lae shook her head, "No. It'll never be goodbye."
Lae let go of Rogue's hand, walked to stand in front of Piotr and pulled him into a hug. "I'll miss ya Big Guy."
"So will I."
She pulled away and spun to hug Kurt. "Stay blue and keep an eye on Rogue for me."
"You know I will. I'll miss you."
"And I you."
Warren grabbed her from behind and spun her in a circle before gently setting her on the ground. He wrapped her up in his arms followed by his wings, surrounding her completely by his presence. "Don't forget to come back."
She closed her eyes to fight back tears and buried her face in his chest. "I promise. You guys are my home after all."
He leaned back and brushed the tears from her eyes as he ran his other hand through her crimson ponytail. She smiled her thanks and he slowly unwound his wings from around her, letting her go. Remy grabbed her hand a spun her into his chest earning a small laugh. He grinned like a goof as he tucked a stray stranded behind her ear. "Bout ready to go?"
She nodded bout a cough behind her dragged her from the world of her pack.
"Gonna leave without saying Bye, Kit?"
Lae spun and smiled at Logan who had his arms outstretched with a raised expectant eyebrow raised. She ran over and clasped her hands into Logan's tee, hiding her head there. She drew in a shaky breath as he slid his fingers through her hair and drew her in closer.
"You'll be fine kit. Your strong, remember?"
"This is the first time I'll be away from everyone Papa."
Logan's face softened as he pressed his face in Lae's hair, she hasn't called him that in years. No one except the Professor knew that Logan knew Lae before the time he and Remy found her. She was so young, abandoned in a park, all the children avoiding her, and her parents no where to be seen.
"You'll be fine Kit. You'll be fine." Logan wasn't sure if he was reassuring Lae or himself.
She slid back and smiled over his shoulder. He patted her back as she passed him to hug the Professor.
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. "Try and be good to them Siren."
"Not sure I can promise that." She laughed.
"Stay in touch." He spoke softly as she backs away.
"I will Professor."
"Hey Lae we should probably get going! We have a hell of a ride ahead!" Remy whooped and high fived Warren as he passed.
Lae laughed at their antics. "I'll be right that."
"Be good Kit."
She smiled at Logan. "I will Papa."
She turned towards her pack, shaking her head as she zipped up her jacket. "Alright let's head out."
Warren and Remy whooped as Lae slid get leg over her bike and pulled on her orange tinted riding goggles. She revved the engine and turned to Rogue as she slid on the helmet. Lae held her hand out which Rogue took as she climbed on behind her. As Rogue got situated behind get she looked at the rest of her pack that were climbing into Remy's classic Corvette. Everyone clasped their communicators around their necks and slid the ear pieces in.
"Everyone good."
A chorus of different affirmatives ran through her ear. She Reeves her engine again which caused Rogue to squeak and wrap her arms around Lae's waist.
"You good back that." She snickered, earning a smack upside the head. "Hey no abusing the drive unless ya want to crash."
"Like you would." Rogue mumbled.
Lae hummed. "Your right I'm just that good." Before Rogue could smack her again she tapped the accelerator and they were off with Remy's car close behind them.
"So Lae." Came Remy's mischievous drawl through the com link. "Who would top. Tony or Steve?"
Lae laughed while Rogue gasped, "Remy that is not appropriate!"
"Steve."
"Lae!" Rogue smacked her shoulder and Lae purposely swerved.
"Holy Zeus, Rogue!"
"I'm sorry."
Lae cackled which earned her another smack. "Seriously Lae!"
"Dead Sirius." Lae didn't even need to see her face to know that Rogue rolled her eyes.
"Anyways. Why Steve Lae?"
"Dude why not Steve. He can also knock Tony down a peg. And your lying if you say that doesn't need to happen."
They were chuckles flowing through the com left and right at that.
"Alright. How this. Since we played it a few nights ago let's go with Final Fantasy."
"Alright Warren. Name the characters."
"Hmmm. How about... Sephiroth or Vergil?"
"Dude!" Remy chirped. "Vergil is from DMC."
"I know that!"
"Seemed like ya didn't."
"I friggin did!"
"Sephiroth!" Lae chirped.
The boys stopped arguing and Lae's reply circle through their heads.
"Why the hell?!"
"Dude Sephiroth is sex on legs. He screams top. Regardless of who ya put him with. He would top."
The com stated dead silent for the next few seconds, leaving Lae to listen to nothing but the howling of the wind.
"I have to agree." Rogue finally spoke up.
"Ha. See boys?"
"Fine then. How about Vergil and Cloud?"
"Vergil." Was the immediate reply from Lae.
"Why now?"
Lae chuckled, "Cause Cloud can top no one."
"Not even Zak?"
"Not even Zak."
"Hey guys the entrance to the expressway is coming up."
"Thanks eyes in the sky."
Lae squeezed Rogue's thigh to let her know she's getting ready to change lanes. Her arms held tighter as they leaned slightly to the right to head to the far lane. Lae looked around trying to spot Rem but didn't see him anywhere. "Rem where's ya go?"
A loud car horn went off behind her, alerting her of Remy's where a bouts and causing Rogue to jump. Lae raised her hand to give Remy the birds and nudged the throttle to gain speed. "You alright?"
"Just startled me is all."
"Thanks Rem."
"Ah. Come on. I didn't know she would freak."
"Dude we're doing 86. And Rogue doesn't heal like me. Think."
"Sorry Cher. I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's fine Gambit."
"So Rem want to play some music through the com seeing as you have the only radio?"
"No problem Feathers."
Citizen Soldier started up and Lae glared at Remy as he pulled up beside her. "You stole my music box. Didn't you?"
"I've got all you're bags Babe. Of course I have it."
Lae shook get head and refocused on the road. "Dick."
"Eard dat!"
"That was the point. Anyways when we get closer let's stop for lunch. I'm not dealing with Fury on an empty stomach."
"You think they know your coming?"
"Fury or Mariah probably already alerted them. I hope."
"Are ya gonna troll the Hulk. Till he you know Hulks out?"
"Nah if anything I would hug the guy."
Dead silence, Lae knew they would freak it's just a matter of.
"Why would you do that?!"
Good old Warren and Remy, trust them to never miss a chance to blow up.
"Cause based on the shield reports I managed to high jack. Bruce Banner hulks out when his heart rate is dramatically increased."
"So?!"
"Seriously boys? Accelerated heart rate?"
"Once again so?"
"Oh sweet Gods! The poor dude can't get laid!"
Silence, till Remy and Warren laughed so hard, one nearly fell from the sky while the other almost swerved into the car next to him.
"Wow. Really mature boys."
The com had been over taken with laughter, even though she could see the humor in it. Didn't mean the boys needed to laugh at the poor man's lack of a sexual life, not his fault he might turn into a giant ass green monster man in the middle of the act. I mean come on, most likely her fangs and claws would come out to play. A small voice in the back of her mind said it might make it more fun, but she's learned how to control and ignore her feral side a long time ago.
Remy's gasping voice broke her out of that train of thought, thank the Gods. "Awww. Come on Lae. You have to admit it's funny."
"In a way. Yes it is. But I would still hug him. The poor man probably refuses to have a relationship cause there's a chance he might hurt them."
"Guess he needs someone he can't hurt. Huh."
She didn't need to see Remy or Warren to know they were both wearing smirks filled with perverted intent.
"If your implying what I think you are. You better shut up. Now."
"Awwwww. Come on Lae."
"Now." She used what her pack classified as her alpha voice. The voice was more of a growl and held no grounds for argument. They started to call it that after they watched Teen Wolf. When Derek used his alpha voice for the first time they did a triple take and said Lae used the same exact voice.
"You did not just use the alpha voice on us." Remy squawked through the com.
"And if I did?"
"No. Just no. We went through this Lae. Alpha voice is bad. You sound to much like Logan. It's creepy."
"Well I guess I learned from the best then."
"Ok enough. Remy no egging on Lae. Also you guys need to take the next exit."
"How would you know Feathers?"
"I'm flying," he stated. "Did ya forget that?"
"You're so lucky I can't get up there to beat your ass."
"Not like you could... Get over now."
Lae followed his command with a roll of her eyes, these two, honestly they will never stop bickering.
"Well how far are we then Feathers?"
"Not too far. I can see the tower."
"The distance from the institution to Stark Tower is approximately 55 miles. Which would be an hour and 11 minute ride. At our current speed we should be their in about half an hour."
Freaking dead silences were going to be the death of Laelia, she swears.
"Lae how do you know that?"
"You really think I would drive around New York without an idea of where I was going. This place is insane. And not in the fun way."
"You don't like New York?"
"Dude I'm originally from Ireland. That place is way less crazy. No offense."
"None taken. New Orleans, babe."
They all shared a laugh till a freaking sports car came out of no where and cut off Lae.
"Shit!" Lae reached behind her and wrapped the arm around Rogue's waist, keeping the younger girl flush against her as she leaned her weight to the right, nearly hitting the cement guardrails before straightens out. Her leg slid back scraping the blockade preventing Rogue from being injured. The jeans tor from knee to mid-thigh taking flesh with it. She grit her teeth and let up on the throttle till the ass hat in red passed. Leaning her weight brought her back into her original lane.
"Friggin Mother of Poseidon! That freaking Jack Ass!"
"Lae you ok?"
She didn't answer to busy panting through her nose trying to ignore the throb in her leg and the steady flow of blood trailing from the open wound.
"Lae's hurt Rem. Pretty badly. We should stop for lunch."
Lae waved a dismissive hand once Rogue's comment made it past the pain. "Don't stop on my account. I'll be fine."
"Sy your muscle is almost completely shredded. You shouldn't drive in this condition."
"If it's really that bad."
"It is."
Lae sighed and flicked on the blinker, "Looks like we're getting off a few stops early boys."
Rogue gave her a reassuring squeeze, silently telling her she made the right decision.
"That's fine. I know a great Philly place down a few roads from here."
Lae backed off the throttle and grit her teeth at the sudden punch of pain. "Hope it ain't to far."
"Worse than ya thought, Cher?"
"Way worse."
"Shit. Yeah, ok, follow me then."
Remy approaches rapidly from the side lane and pulled in front of Lae, leading her to this Philly place he liked so much.
"If I see that car again. I'm clawing it up and punching the driver in the face."
They made it to the place with no more incidents, but the fact remained that the damage happened to be worse than what she told Rem. After Rogue slid off behind her, she slowly turned in her seat and stared down at her leg. The skin and muscle torn in long strips, some even tangled with the hanging fabric of what was her jeans. It almost looked like someone held a high electric powered sander to her leg for an hour. Oh and was that a bit of bone, she leaned closer to get a better look. Yep, no wonder it freaking hurt, fragments of her bone were chipped away and digging into the still attached muscle.
She sighed and turned to Remy, pointedly ignoring the fact Rogue's facing the wall instead of get, she understood. "Hey Rem. Do me a favor?"
"Ah. Sure."
"Mind ripping off the rest of this leg and tiring it around the wound." She tugged on what was left of her jean leg.
"No problem." He knelt down in front of her, keeping his eyes away from the wound and ripped the rest of the fabric off. He gently lifted her foot from the ground to rest in his lap and quickly tied the makeshift bandage in place.
"Thanks. Now I need someone to please help me inside while someone else grabs the first aid kit out from under my seat."
Piotr walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist, helping her to stand after Remy moved out of the way. The way he stood had all of her weight on her left foot, with her right hovering off the ground. "Thanks."
He nodded and led in inside at a slow hobble as Remy grabbed the kit. The door chimed and the owners looked up gasping in shock at most likely the sight Lae happened to be. She could feel that her face was drained of all color except for hot pinpricks around her cheeks. Sweat dripped from her chin with the strain of standing in her current state.
"Oh God. Is she ok?" The owner or maybe the owners wife ran over with concern covering her aging brown.
Lae unclenched her jaw and managed to gasp out. "I'll be fine. Just a scrape ma'am. But do you have somewhere I can possibly clean up."
"Oh. Please. Follow me."
Piotr help Lae to follow the lady to the bathroom in the back of the shop, Remy following close behind with her kit. He helped Lae to sit down on the counter next to the sink and turned to smile at the woman.
"Thank you. I think we can take care of this."
"Of course. But if you need anything don't be afraid to ask." She left with a small smile that looked more terrified than kind. Remy left shortly after passing the kit off to Piotr with an excuse about checking on Rogue.
Lae clicked her tongue. "Don't let Remy fool ya. He just doesn't like to see me bleed."
Piotr smiled and set the kit down next to Lae's hip. Reaching over he untied the fabric and tried not to flinched at the sight. By the way Lae chuckled, he knew he failed.
"It's alright Big Guy. You can go out there with all the rest." She nodded towards the door as she popped the top of her medical friend.
"I don't think you should be alone."
"I've been through worse. Been shot before had to dig the bullet out so it could heal. The damn thing splintered and lodged in the bone." Lae pulled out a new pair of sanitized tweezers and unwrapped them. She twisted her body so she could easily gain access to the wound and slowly begin pulling out the bone shards.
"Shit!" Her body jolted and curled in on itself as her breathing free heavier, friggin nerve had to jump in the freaking way.
"Lae."
She looked up with glazed eyes at Piotr's nervous smile. "Let me do it. You can't see very well from that angle." She nodded and passed the metal contraption off to Piotr's gloved hands.
"Huh? Should of know you would out those on."
"Why is that?" He asked without lifting his head up from his work.
"You just scream. Must do medical shit by the book." She paused and looked away with a sigh, resting her head in her upturned palm. "Pardon my French. My filter has seemed to of died in the crash."
Piotr chuckled and shook his head. "It's fine. I can tell your in pain." He leaves closer and pulled away. "I think I got all the bone."
"Cool. Now I need you to slowly put the torn muscles back into place."
Piotr paused and Lae knew it was from the nervousness of doing it wrong. She placed her hand on his forearm, gaining his attention. "It's alright. All you have to do is follow the grooves."
He looks down and nodded, slowly lifting a pieces and laying it back where he thought it should be.
"Yeah like that. And don't worry about missing pieces. They'll grow back."
After many minutes of Piotr playing connect the ligaments, he was done and looked up for further instruction. Lae pulled out black thread and laced through a needle. Piotr reached out to grab it but she pulled it out of reach.
"It's fine Big Guy. I got this part."
He watched as she carefully sewed the skin back together where she could, everything else was left open. She tossed the needle away and grabbed a clear flat package that housed a square the color of skin.
"What is that?"
She looked up and followed his eyes back to the package. "Oh this. It's something I came up with." She spoke as she unwrapped it and laid it over the missing flesh. "See even though I have heightened healing. It still takes a while for skin, muscle and tissue to regenerate. I was messing in the lab a year ago, and came up with this idea. See. Let's just call all of this flesh. Well flesh all use the same organic compounds to regrow itself. So I figured why not make little slabs of this stuff to help the injured heal faster. And low and behold it actually worked."
Lae finished tying off the stark white bandage with little butterfly clips before wrapping it in a self sticking bandage, she told him in was horse wraps the best cover bandage in the world. After all was said and done, Lae packed up the kit while Piotr threw out everything else. He helped Lae of the counter and let out a breath of relief as she stood on both legs.
"Give me an hour and I'll walk just fine."
He followed her out with a hand at the small of her back to make sure she didn't fall over. At the table everyone smiled as she walked over, bandaged up and clean.
"Gotta say Cher. Love the new jeans." Remy snickered as Lae plopped down next to him.
"Gotta say Rem. I like them too." She smirked right back.
The little lady showed up with a nervous smile on her lips. "Are you alright child?"
Lae smiled, "I'm alright. Thank you for allowing me to fix myself up."
"Oh no thanks needed."
Lae could easily smell the bittersweet twinge of nervousness, at least she wasn't terrified anymore.
"My names Laelia."
"Oh. I'm Joanne."
"It's nice to meet you ma'am."
Her smiled was finally calm and the twang of nervousness quickly evaporated. "You too dear. Are you guys ready for good now?"
"Yeah." Remy chirped. "Can we have Phillys all around?"
"No problem." The lady left and headed towards the window that looked into the kitchen.
"You'll be alright?"
"Yeah. Sorry for scaring ya Rogue. It'll take a few hours to fully heal. But I'm good."
"How come you don't heal as fast as Logan?"
Lae hummed as she snatched a curly fry from the basket in front of Remy. "Logan has an Adamantium skeleton which blocks any damage to the bones. Any damage that happens to the little white buggers will take longer to heal." She nabbed more fries and slowly chewed them. "With me. Flesh wounds take seconds, muscle and tissue damage minutes, but bone damage takes hours."
"Like with humans. Days, weeks and months."
"Exactly. But because Logan has that skeleton of metal awesomeness. Everything only takes seconds or minutes the lucky Bastard."
Everyone chuckled, even Joanne who's currently carting their food to their table.
"Oh." Lae's head perked up. "That smells amazing."
Joanne smiled kindly as she set their food out. "Thank you. I hope you like it."
"I believe I will."Joanne left to take care of the few other tables, luckily Rem picked a table that was out of ear shot of the other customers. Lae took a bite of her sandwich and groaned in delight. "Oh Gods! It's like sex on my tongue!"
Remy shot coke through his nose, while Warren, Kurt and Piotr choked on their own subs. Rogue slammed a hand over her mouth trying to hold in her laughter as Lae smirked in victory.
"Oh God Lae!" Remy gasped, "What the hell?"
"What did I say something?"
"Not sure I want to repeat that Cher."
"Oh come on. Like I would know what sex on my tongue would be like."
Piotr choked and set down his sub, making sure not to pick it up again till this conversation ended.
Lae chuckled at their faces and took another bite from this heavenly palate of tastes. "You have to admit this is Divine."
"Yes. But please lay off the sex comments I think we might kill Piotr."
Lae chuckled and leaned up against the big guy with a sultry smile. "Don't worry buddy. I'm as pure as the day I was born."
Piotr coughed into his fist, attempting to hide his blush but by Lae's smirk he happened to be failing.
"Yeah Big Guy with the way Lae acts you never would of guessed that. Huh?" Remy smirked and tossed an arm over Lae's shoulder, pulling her into his side.
Piotr shook his head with a burning blush on his cheeks and went back to his food. Everyone else followed suit and a calming conversation started up.
Lae paused as a vibration passed through her collarbone, she unzipped her jacket and pulled her phone from the safety zone, the spot between her chest and bra. She tapped the screen and saw the alert for a text flashing in bold angry writing.
"Damn I was hoping my bust was blocking the signal again." She muttered as she saw the number of alerts. Everyone went dead silent but she chose to ignore it as she opened her messenger.
'Where the fuck are you?'
'Your ass was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago.'
'Get here Now!'
And so on and so forth, Lae decided to ignore the rest of the texts and replies with.
'I would be if some Jack Ass in a Porsche didn't try to turn me into a bloody skid on the highway.'
The screen didn't even go black before she received a reply.
'What color?'
Lae's eyebrow twitched, what the hell did it matter what color that pricks car was, but she replied anyways.
'Red.'
Another instantaneous reply popped up.
'Get Here. Now!'
Her eye decided it wanted to twitch uncontrollably, what the friggin hell was that about.
"Lae who are you talking to?"
She ignored the way Remy was leaning over her shoulder trying to see the name.
"Angry bald man."
Silence, this friggin dead silence was going to kill her eventually, the only thing filling it was her angry rapid typing.
'Bald Man. I'll get there when I get there. I m resting my leg that was nearly torn off'
'You think I care. Your ass needs to get here.'
"Your texting Fury?"
"Yes."
"And he's answering?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Oh sweet Gods Rem!" She jammed her phone back into her cleavage, ignoring anymore vibrations from Fury's texts. "Yes Fury is answering. But it's more like bitching me out for not being there."
"He does seem like the kind of guy who needs everyone to do everything his way."
"Oh he definitely is. Doesn't mean I'm not going to be defying him at ever chance."
"If you didn't. Then you wouldn't be Lae."
Another angry vibration passed and Lae sighed, standing up. "Guess we should head out before he comes looking for me."
"That would be a good idea." Rogue slipped her gloves back on and walked around the table to Lae's side. "You alright to drive?"
Lae looked down and shifted all her weight to her right foot, feeling a slight pulling sensation but that was it. "Yeah I'm good."
Joanne came over once she noticed the group standing, "Was everything to your liking?"
Lae nodded with a smile, "It was amazing. I'll be coming here again."
Joanne smiled, "That's good."
Lae glanced back at the empty red basket on the table. "I was wondering if I could have a bag of curly fries to go?"
"That's would be no problem at all." She left and headed back behind the counter. Lae followed after her and stopped in front if the register, watching Warren head out the door from the corner of her eye. Joanne came back and ran everything up, giving Lae the total and her travel bag of fries. Lae paid with a promise to come back and Joanne smiled saying she would be happy to have her there.
Once out side, Lae noticed that Warren stood atop the small food place with his wings folded at his sides. She smiled and climbed back on her bike as Rogue slid up behind her, avoiding her leg injury.
"Rogue it's ok. I'm not made glass."
Rogue buried her face against the back of Lae's jacket with a smile. "I know."
Lae started the bike and revved her engine with a smile at Remy. He nodded and they slowly head down the road.
"Let's take the back roads." Remy spoke through the com link.
"I agree." Lae nodded and glanced up at Warren who glided along above them. "Bout how long Feathers?"
"I would say about 15. Want me to fly ahead and check it out?"
"I guess but don't get detracted by shiny objects."
"Ha ha ha. Very funny Lae. Oh look a shiny building with a giant freaking Stark sign. What ever could that be?"
"Jerk."
Warren took off with a beat of his wings. "You know you love me."
"That I do."
The com link went silent excerpt for light music playing through Remy's car.
"Keep straight on this road for a few blocks."
"Got it."
Another vibration went off and Rogue felt it that time. "Fury?" She asked in a soft voice.
"Most likely," Lae agreed. "Are you able to grab it? It actually might be important."
Rogue nodded and reached inside Lae's jacket, pulling out the phone.
"It's says. There's a blocked off road that leads under the tower. We park down there."
"Blocked off?"
"Like those toll both things?"
"Ah. Gotcha. Warren do you see it?"
There was a crackle before Warren's voice spoke. " Yeah I see it. Easiest way to get in will be to go around. After the next three roads turn right."
"Got it." Lae kept her eyes on the road, refusing to look up at the building that was going to be her new home.
"Turn right. Then left."
Lae followed the instructions with Remy close behind her.
" Go forward two roads then take the next left."
Lae nodded and backed off the accelerator, slowly to a stop at the light. She set her foot on the ground and sat up, taking her first look at the tower. Goddy, just like she thought it would he, it definitely screamed Stark.
"After the light changes get into the far right lane and turn down the road on the far side of the building."
"Got it." Lae looked away from the building and set her sights on the light, watching the traffic from the corner of her eye. When they started to slow down, Lae put her foot back and the throttle and leaned forward a bit. The light changes and Lae slowly accelerated, lifting her foot from the ground as they moved.
One turn later found her group on the back road and slowly to a stop in front of the gate. She grabbed her phone from Rogue and clicked on the ridiculous picture she choose for Fury's Id.
The phone rang a few times before Fury's clipped voice answered.
"You better be here."
"We are. Want to let us in."
"We? Never mind don't answer. Jarvis open the gate."
A soft British voice answered Fury's biting command, before the bald Bastard hung up. "Right away Director Fury."
The gate slowly lifted and Lae followed the curved road below the tower as the gate closed behind them. Down below was a parking garage no surprise there, but the amount if cars kind of was. Most of the cars where Goddy sports cars except for a few classics and what Lae classified as normal day to day cars. Slowing down she pulled into a empty space near an evaluator shaft and a beautifully restored 1969 Chevy Camaro.
Lae helped Rogue stand before turning off the ignition and kicking the stand down. Remy's shit nearly blew out her eardrum and she leaned to the right as if she could get away.
"What the hell Remy?"
"Your not gonna believe what's parked next to me."
Lae turned to look at Rogue with a raised eyebrow but the girl just shrugged and pointed down the Aisle to Remy's car. She pocketed her keys and followed after the girl but ended up stopped ten feet away. Sitting next to Remy's classic was the damned car that nearly killed Rogue and successfully injured her. She walked over with her eyebrow twitch and claws already unsheathed. Her fist clench and she drew it back, throwing her fully body weight into it. A resounding bang echoed through the basement and Lae smirked in satisfaction as the metal caves beneath her hand. She pulled away her fist and studied her handy work. The locking mechanism was smashed making it useless. The door itself wasn't any better, the entire thing caved in and even knocked the drivers seat off it's metal track which was now laying sideways across the passengers. The glass was covered in a spiderweb of crack, and the hinges we're knocked loose so if someone even touched it, it would most likely fall off.
Lae spun away with an evil smirk, her hand curling around her prize. Making her way to Remy's car and grabbing her duffel. "Ready to head inside?"
The pack shared a weary look and grabbed a bag each except for Rogue. Walking to the elevators, Lae passed Warren who took one look at her face and backed away.
"Ok what did I miss?"
Lae's wicked smile grew even more. "Oh nothing Warren." She pointed over her shoulder to the red menace. "Just some collateral damage is all."
Warren leaned to his right and winced when he noticed the damage to the red Porsche. Oh yeah someone was not going to be too happy.
The pack walked with slow, careful steps being weary for the fact Lae stood next to the elevators with an evil smirk and typing rapidly on her touch screen.
'Fury what button do we press?'
'A'
'Ok then. We'll be up in a bit. Had to take care of somethin.'
'Not going to ask.'
'That is wise.'
The doors behind her back dinged open and she walked inside, spinning towards her back. Her eyebrow raised as they all stood there shifting nervously. She rolled her eyes and pointed at the metal floor of the elevator. "Really guys? Just get in here. You know that regardless of how I'm feeling I would never take it out on you."
That spurred the pack into motion and everyone clamored inside the shoot. Lae rolled her eyes and tapped the giant A on the screen when a freaking voice came out of nowhere.
"You are not authorized to this area."
He eye twitched. "British man I'm here under order of Dictator Fury."
"I believe you mean Director Fury."
Uncontrolled twitch meet eyebrow. "Yeah him. Go ahead and ask him."
"Name?"
"Laelia McCollins."
"One moment."
Lae whipped out her phone, 'Tell this British Ass to let me up! Or I'm leaving.'
No response but she heard the clicking of gears then that awesome sensation of everything leaving her body and pooling on the ground by her feet. Elevator, freaking evil contraptions, she would gladly take stairs or even a zip-line over them any day. A slight miscalculation and the entire holding suspension could easily snap sending them plummeting to their deaths. At least it would be a quick death, yeah always look on the bright side of things Lae. This was taking forever and Lae couldn't help it when her eyes hit the sign for the weight limit.
"I think we're way overboard."
The pack glanced at her then the sign she's currently glaring at.
Remy nudged Piotr shoulder with his own. "Don't you weigh that by yourself?"
"Only when I'm full metal."
Everyone froze and turned to look at Colossus.
Warren shoved himself against the furthest wall away from Piotr. "You mean we could plummet to our deaths if you so much as metalized your hand?"
"Possibly."
Lae couldn't help it she had to laugh, Piotr talking so casually about the possibility of them failing 40 plus stories, was awesome.
"Lae this isn't a laughing matter. We could die!"
"What. Are. You. Worried about. Warren." She gasped out between laughs. "You have wings. You'd survive."
"That's not the point!"
"And what is?"
"I would be the one that would have to save you all and it would be my fault if one of you happened to die."
"Nah we would have plenty on time. Plus me and Chiara would help."
"Your damned demonic cat?!"
"Chiara is not a cat!" Lae paused and tapped her chin in thought. "She's more like a cross between a Cheetah, Panther, and a Hell-hound."
"She's a demonic house cat from the bowels of hell that's come to steal our souls!"
"Hey! Don't diss Chiara or I'll summon her right now and we can all plummet to out deaths!"
Warren whimpered, "Please don't. She hates me!"
"She doesn't hate you. She just thinks your a giant Canary to play with."
"That doesn't make me feel better."
"At least you can get away from Chiara. Logan never gives up!"
They laughed at Remy's comment and all tension fled the metal death trap. The doors finally dinged and opened up to a freaking shiny room filled with glass and white walls. Good Gods, Lae's head already started to throb, she hated white, it was a bitch on her sensitive eyes.
"The Avengers are expecting your arrival in the living room, Mrs. McCollins."
"Ah. Thanks British Man I can't see."
Lae walked father into the building with the pack close behind her. As she rounded the entrance hallway, she saw Fury standing in front of the full wall length windows over looking the city. Every chair, love seat and couch filled with a figure that turned to watch her every move.
"McCollins a pleasure that you could finally join us."
She didn't glance at Fury to busy arising the face that were staring at her. "Sorry Dictator Fury. Got held up by some inconveniences."
"Dictator Fury." Tony chuckled. "I like it." His smirk was filled with perverted intent and Lae just rolled her eyes. Two seconds in and the playboy was already thinking about her in his bed, go figure.
Fury finally turned around with a scowl on his scarred face, but didn't bother correcting her, twenty points to Siren. His eyes zeroed in on the black bandages wrapped around her thigh and waved a hand towards them. "I'm assuming that is the so called inconvenience."
Lae glanced down and popped her hip out to study her bandages. "Yep. Which reminds me. Who own that pretty red Porsche with the hard top."
Tony stood up with a playful smirk and his hands on his hips. "That would be me. Pretty thing isn't she."
Lae smirked right back. "Oh she was," she cocked her hand and through a piece of red metal through the air. Tony caught it easily and took one look at it before all color drained from his face. In his hand was the driver's side door handle or at least what was left of it that is. His eyes shot up to Lae's wicked smirk and she nodded towards the item in his hand.
"Consider what I did as payment for endangering my pack-mate s life and nearly destroying my leg." Her hands fell to her hips as she shifted her weight to her left leg. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Avengers."