Disclaimer: I own just the storyline.

Emma was completely shocked. They weren't supposed to arrive now. Their arrival had been scheduled for tomorrow.

"Nice to meet you," Scott said, smiling. The four women gave a small smile back. It was eerie how they did every action in complete and flawless unison. It was as if their minds were synchronized.

"Likewise," they responded.

"So what are your names?"

The sister on the farthest right glanced at Emma before answering the question.

"I'm Esme. This," she said, gesturing to the sister next to her, "is Phoebe. The next two are Celeste and Irma, but you can call her Mindee. We used to have another sister, but she died. Her name was Sophie."

Scott and Betsy gave their condolences and waited for Emma. She realized what they were staring at her for and she quickly gave her condolences.

"Thank you," Phoebe said. "Yes, it was difficult, with her being the oldest and all. But now that's changed and I'm in charge." She smiled, and Emma knew that it was directed at her. Whatever they were planning, she would have to be one step ahead.

"So, are you mutants?" Scott asked.

"Yes," Emma blurted. She bit her tongue and wanted to take that back. "I mean, I picked up their thoughts. They're mutants."

Esme glanced at Emma once more, clearly delighted by Emma's blunder.

"Like she said, we're mutants. We're telepaths. We also have a hive mind, allowing us to constantly stay connected."

Betsy looked at the sisters. "Do you always talk in unison like that?"

The sisters responded in unison, again. "Only when we're asked general questions."

Emma rubbed her temples; she was both agitated and stressed.

"Are you okay, Miss?" Phoebe questioned. Emma dropped her hands and glared at her. All the sisters were enjoying her misery.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be? Now, if you'll excuse us we have to be going."

"Going? Where?" Betsy was confused.

"We're going to France," Scott replied. They were about to leave when Scott suddenly stopped.

"You know, maybe we should stay. After all, with everything that's happened it wouldn't be good to leave. And now that the sisters have arrived, it wouldn't be appropriate to leave."

Emma began to protest but Scott gave her his suitcase. "Put everything away, okay?"

She glanced at the sisters out of the corner of her eye and swore she saw their eyes turn white.

Remy drove up the street, looking for the address. He finally found it, a large house surrounded by trees. It was old but still beautiful.

He parked his car a few feet away from a nearby fire hydrant and slowly left his car.

Should I really be doin' this?

He was about to contemplate leaving, but his legs decided otherwise. Striding to the front door, Remy knocked on the door. A light turned on inside and he could see a woman through the glass of the door.

"Why, hello there, monsieur." The woman who greeted him was a few years younger than him. He knew she was 27; her birthday had just passed.

"Bonjour. May I come in?"

She smiled and motioned for him to step inside. Once he was in the house, he heard the lock turn and felt her lips smash against his. The kiss was mutual, with both participants enjoying every moment. It was a few minutes before Remy finally pulled away.

"Bella, I don't know if I should be doin' this. It doesn't feel right."

Bella Donna Boudreaux pouted and wrapped her arms around the Cajun's neck.

"If it doesn't feel right, then why'd you bother to show up?"

Remy was speechless. He tried coming up with an answer but his mind was blank.

Bella chuckled. "That's what I thought. Besides, I thought you were all about doing the wrong thing." She emphasized 'wrong' and made Remy shudder with pleasure.

"Now why don't we go and be 'wrong?"

Remy nodded, not realizing what he was doing. She had him under her control and he loved it. It was about time someone else took charge.

"What d'ya have in mind?" he asked.

Bella pulled out a pair of sturdy handcuffs.

"Remember these?"

Jean could feel the coolness of the examination table as she regained consciousness. Her eyes began to open and a bright light floated above her. It began to diminish and she was able to see the ceiling.

"Look who finally decided to wake up."

Jean slowly turned her head; her neck was stiff from lying down.

"Logan?"

"How ya feelin'?"

She let out a small laugh. "I don't know. I just woke up."

It was then that she realized she was inside, not outside.

"Who brought me inside?"

"Cyclops. He saw you outside and went to get you. Or so he says."

She sighed. "You have to get over this feud with him, Wolverine. It's going to tear you apart."

"Unless I tear him apart first."

Jean tried getting up and Logan rushed to help her. He held her arms until she regained her balance.

"Look, Logan. I know that you and Scott have your differences. But you have to get over them. What is this even about? Love?"

"How about you and Emma?"

Jean paused before responding.

"That's different. Scott and I have moved on. I don't mind that Emma is with Scott now."

"Then why don't you let me in? Why don't you let me replace him?"

Logan walked up to Jean and planted a soft kiss upon her lips. It was very unusual; Jean wasn't used to Logan being soft and sensitive.

After Logan stopped, he smiled at her.

"What do you think?"

"I think… that I need more time."

Not caring what her current condition was, Jean got off the table and pushed past Logan. She heard him call out her name but ignored it.

"Jean! Please. Don't do this again."

Ryan pushed against his metal restraints with his arms. He had been doing this constantly for the past few hours. At first, he had believed that he had actually dented the metal. However, he soon realized that the metal was still intact.

I am not going crazy. I am not going crazy. I am not going crazy.

Ryan recited the same words in his mind again and again. He had heard how patients in insane asylums became paranoid with each day.

Just as Ryan had decided to give up, Sabretooth walked into the room. Ryan could make out the anger and resentment that burned in his eyes. Magneto treated him like an ignorant, idiotic animal.

"Did he send you up here?"

Sabretooth glared at the man. Why was he talking to him?

"What's it to ya?

Ryan tried shrugging but the restraints stopped him.

"Just wanted to make sure you aren't going to kill me."

Sabretooth grinned sadistically. "Don't worry. It'll come."

As the beast walked away, Ryan called out to him.

"You know, you don't have to take his crap."

Victor stopped walking.

"What?"

"He's treating you like shit and you're taking it. He should be grateful that you're even helping him achieve his 'dream.' It's time you take a stand and show him what you're really made of."

"Stop it. I know what you're tryin' ta do. It ain't gonna work."

Ryan tried once more.

"You need power. In order to take him down, you need power."

Concentrating on Sabretooth, Ryan could feel the power grow inside the beast. He smiled as Victor let out an inhuman roar.

"You're welcome."

Emma continuously muttered obscene words. She cursed the sisters, Betsy, and anyone else she could think of.

"Stupid bitch. She had to let them inside. Just wait until I'm finished with her."

Emma was putting away the suitcases when it hit her. They were here for Sophie. They were going to make her life worse than Hell and were going to enjoy every minute of it. And unless she could find a solution, the X-Men were going to kill her.

Consumed by fear, Emma didn't hear the door open. She didn't hear the odd pattern of footsteps, as if the person had only one leg. It was only until she closed the door of the closet that she saw the figure lunge at her.