Thanks for sticking with me ... least I made it a big one right?

And as always special thanks to Cheshire and Canuckle


Greer practically sprinted back to the Mansion and leaped straight from the windowsill to her closet. At first she was relieved that she'd taken K's advice and taken most of the pieces Jacque had sent her, the image of K's slinky, sparkly, black number of a dress still fresh in her mind. But as she reached for one of Jacque's more daring gowns ... she froze.

Another bit of K's advice hit her and as she walked over to her dresser and picked up her inducer she remembered that all of those outfits had been designed for ... well Tigra. Not Greer Nelson.

"Dammit." she cursed softly

With a brief twitch of her tail, Greer slipped on her inducer and headed back to her closet. Suddenly her options became much fewer and not daring to go raid Jean's closet and aware she was wasting time, grabbed a forest green satin dress that she'd gotten a few years ago. The fact it was a princess cut and not as high brow as K's earned a few growls but tossing a pair of heels, some jewelry, and make-up into a bag along with the carefully folded dress, Greer jumped out the window and dashed back to the Shack in record time.

She didn't say a word as she headed down the stairs and straight into the dressing room. Finally putting some high school expertise to work, the tigress was on a roll as she shucked out of her uniform. Applying make up with one hand while puling up the dress with the other. As she finished zipping up her dress, K called out from where she and Logan were waiting, his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him, though Greer tried to ignore her finish the rest of her makeup. She was about to start on her hair when K gave her the warning.

"Five minutes," K called out.

Greer shot a glare over her shoulder, noting the intricate updo K had given herself… Curling her lip a little, she quickly ran her fingers through her hair and managed an almost as polished quick side part with soft waves. With that done, Greer stepped out with her arms wide as if asking K if she passed but all she got was a look up and down and a, "We don't have time for show and tell."

Greer fought down another growl and settled with making a face as she rushed out of the changing room to find the boys finishing up final prep.

"Not bad, right?" Greer asked with a smirk but Colton walked over all business and handed her an impossibly small earpiece. Mentally scolding herself, Greer took on a harder expression and slipped it in. This was a mission ... not dress then Logan tossed Apex a gun holster and as Apex turned back to Greer it was his turn to freeze as the two felines shared a similar look of confusion. Apex looked back over his shoulder and K let out a sigh.

"I could have sworn you said this was a mission you could handle," K muttered as she strutted over, grabbed the holster from Apex and before Greer could even ask what she was going to do with it, the tigress let out a short roar of surprise as K reached up Greer's dress and adjusted it into place quickly.


Greer was trying not to fidget too much in her seat as she glanced over at K. She knew she had a gun in the thigh holster under her dress - but how she could sit like that - and how it was still hidden she simply had no idea. Subtly, the tigress tried to replicate what the brunette was doing. At least she thought she was being subtle when she heard K giving a bark of laughter.

"Sit like that and the guards will be onto you like *that*." and Greer looked down and felt a twinge of annoyance when she could make out the outline of the gun through her dress. Sighing, she quickly uncrossed her legs before once again shooting K an annoyed look.

"Don't give me that kitten." and Greer looked up confused.

"Don't give you what?"

"I can see the faces you're making. Not exactly reassuring me that covert espionage is your thing." and K watched carefully as the tigress looked just a little too offended before just simply leaning back and taking a breath.

"Yeah… Yeah I guess you're right." Greer mumbled before quickly trying to justify herself. "About the faces thing, but I AM trained for this and I know what I'm doing."

"I think you're way in over your head." K said simply and Greer felt her tail give a violent twitch as she tried to keep her voice leveled.

"Why do you keep saying that? I've been on X Force, I've seen and done the things that Colton, Logan and even you have done. Why do you still keep doubting me?" and K just rubbed her temples.

"You still don't get it kitten." and the brunette leaned forward.

"You and me, we're from two different worlds. You may think you've seen it all but trust me, you've barely scratched the surface and sometimes…" and Greer went still as K's tone seemed to make the whole atmosphere go tense. "Sometimes that isn't such a bad thing." Greer bit her lip, she seemed to remember Colton telling her the same thing and before she could get another word in, K had stood up.

"I'm not doubting you. Not completely. I'm just confused as to why you keep trying to force yourself into something you claim you're against." and Greer could only sit there, a little shell shocked as K left her alone to sit with Logan.

It had been another few hours, and the tigress didn't have much else to do aside from go over the folder Colton had told her to familiarize herself with. Her name for the remainder of the mission was Katherine Pope and she was the daughter of a rather rich and really nasty man. She guessed it was an effort to keep most people away from her once she told them who she was. She held back the growl at the insinuation that she wouldn't be able to handle herself ... but K's speech once again rang in her head and she shot K yet another glance, watching as the little feral was comfortably tucked into Logan as the two looked like they were either snuggling or carefully going over the grounds or both…. so she simply went back to studying.

When Colton landed the jet, Greer looked out the window onto a deserted stretch of darkened Jamaican beach near an old dock. Logan jumped out first and Greer could make him out talking to some man standing next to a rather expensive looking boat that looked pretty out of place but after a few minutes Greer saw Logan hand the man a stuffed envelope and with a wave the man headed down the beach away from them.

"Our ride?" Greer looked up at Colton who gave a nod and taking a breath, Greer was about to head out when Colton gently grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.

"Stick to your cover. Find the targets. Bring them home." Greer couldn't help but smile at the work Colton put on to sound 'professional' when the look he was giving her through that usually stone faced muzzle nearly screamed 'do you really have to do this?'

"I love you too." Greer purred, the sound not matching her very human exterior, but that didn't stop her from wrapping her arms around Colton's neck to bring him down as they gently bumped foreheads. Taking in a breath, Colton at least seemed a bit calmer as he straightened up and looked toward K and Logan.

"If anything happens -"

"Nothing will happen," Logan replied, sounding a bit short with the panther as Apex locked eyes with K for a moment until Greer put a hand on his muzzle and guided him back to her.

"I can do this. Hey -" Greer pointed a finger up at the tense panther, "whatever happens, I can do this."


Logan drove the boat across the water for almost 20 minutes until a light on the horizon turned out to be their destination: a roughly 3 mile wide island with a house - well series of houses it looked it - taking up most of the usable beachfront and sprawling into the center of the island. Greer worked to keep her breathing even as Logan pulled their boat in line behind the other arrivals. Greed had thought their boat had been pretty fancy but it was honestly dwarfed by some of the other ones they passed.

Logan smoothly pulled their boat up to the dock, a hat pulled low over his face, and held out a hand as he helped Greer off the boat. She turned in time to see him extend K the same courtesy, though she was pretty sure the pinch he slipped in wasn't caught by the other guests heading towards the mansion or the six security guards she counted lined on either side of the dock.

Greer followed K's lead and tried pretending that the security wasn't even there, K's expression reading entirely uninterested as she seemed to mildly take in the obviously opulent surroundings. Greer tried to do the same…

"Channel Lauren…" she whispered in her head over and over and smirked internally as she managed to make someone back off a little just by glaring at him but she stiffened up as they approached the final security checkpoint - a pat down.

"Oh no…." and Greer ran a hand down the side of her leg… Could you feel fur through the fabric? There were bigger problems as well, the scrambler K had carried along inside the lipstick tube had allowed her to breeze through the metal detectors with no trouble - but a pat down would have to reveal that gun and if that was the case... K however looked totally relaxed as the two men separated them and started their pat down. While Greer was a bit concerned, that tail just aching as she kept it stationary, K just smirked confidently even as the bouncer felt the gun on her leg. He looked up at her and she just raised an eyebrow and kept eye contact until the man straightened up and leveled with her.

"I understand the precaution, but I'm afraid you can't take that in there," he told her. "I should throw you out. No weapons allowed."

K actually looked like she was nearly ready to pout "Fine," she said. "Just be careful when you take it from me." She gave the guy a smile and he completely froze before he grinned and took his time reaching up her dress to remove the weapon, quickly letting the two of them pass through the checkpoint without patting Greer down. Much to her relief...

"Did you do that on purpose?" Greer whispered as she risked a glance back at the checkpoint but K barely smirked.

"Eyes forward, Miss Pope. I can't hold your hand through everything that happens tonight - entertainment included."

The two walked through a wide opening that led into some sort of open-air foyer, the warm Jamaican air blending with cigars, perfume and fresh seafood. Greer expected to sense some sort of tension in the air but ... there really was none. Quickly scouting the room like Colton and Logan had taught her, she counted at least a dozen armed guards and she thought at around half-that mixed in with the guests. Plotting out the quickest exit (side entrance used by the waiters) ... the tigress felt pretty proud of herself.

But as K looked around the room, she casually took note of anything of interest. The fact that there were no cameras was expected. The guards peppered throughout the crowd and lining the exits in the best suits they could afford - also expected. Most of the men there that were wearing a wedding band were with women who clearly were not wearing anything of the sort, leading her to believe that most of those in attendance were simply using many of the women there as further proof of their wealth - which meant she needed to take the commanding, in charge bitch approach lest they think she was there to fish for her next sugar daddy.

No problem.

"Well, I was planning to run this differently - but okay boys, I hope you're entertained," K muttered low enough for the mic to pick it up.

"So ... what now?" Greer asked as she came to a stop at K's elbow.

K didn't miss a beat as she plucked a martini from a passing tray and lifted it to her lips as she put easily put forward her most sensuous, confident strut. "We get to work," K breathed out to her as she led the way straight through the center of the room.


Looking back at the next hour Greer could never be sure exactly where she slipped up.

Her cover had worked exactly as she assumed Colton had wanted it. Five different men, almost all of them old enough to be her father - one even her grandfather - had come up to the raven haired beauty with rather overt questions as to where she would be spending the rest of her evening. But one mention of her name and all of them had quickly backed down. On the one hand she was relieved but ... she really was trying to get something done here.

Of course the glimpses she caught of K looked like she was having no trouble slipping through the crowd. But maybe it was just that ... having her mind elsewhere ... that made Greer stumble.

Yet another man, this one seemingly closer to her in age, had struck up a conversation with her and - maybe it was stumbling over where she went to school in London, or mispronouncing that random city in Sweden where she was supposed to be spending her time - but suddenly the look she was getting shifted from flirtatious to cautious ... to suspicious.

"Move on. Now." Colton's voice rumbled low in her ear.

"Excuse me," Greer tried smiling but it felt strained and as soon as she stepped away she went straight for K who, seeing her coming, smoothly stepped away from her own conversation and seemed to wander to one of the waist high stone walls the bordered the open foyer.

"Enjoying the party?" K asked. She wasn't quite looking at Greer as she came to stand right next to her.

"I think I have a problem," Greer admitted softly. K's face stayed neutral as she caught the man staring straight at Greer then quietly leaned over to whisper to another guest ... who happened to be carrying a Beretta under his jacket. Security.

"Ms. Pope," K said haughtily and Greer fought to keep her gaze outwards as K spoke low. "I want you to count to seven after I walk away and head for the northwest exit. Tap your finger if you understand."

"K what's goin' on?" Logan asked with a tense tone.

"Catch a tiger by the tail," K muttered to Logan. "Plan 'B'," she directed to Greer and shot her a look before she looked pointedly at her hand.

Greer tapped her finger and silently counted in her head the longest seven seconds in her life as she watched K walk away.

...

"This way," K muttered and Greer slipped right behind her. Soon the two found themselves in a more deserted part of the estate, but the sounds of security were still following them. One thought entered Greer's head: 'We've been made.'

"K, we gotta get out of here," Greer whispered but K wasn't listening, still clearly focused on the mission as their heels clicked through the empty halls. To Greer it sounded like thunder.

"K! We need to go."

"Get outta there darlin'. Forget the op. We'll find the kids another way," Logan urged through the earpiece.

"Would everyone just shut up and let me work? The whole layout on this place is not what it showed in the blueprints," K growled and as she made a final turn she opened a side door. Suddenly Greer found herself in a large inner courtyard. Both women glanced around and it didn't take long to figure out. They were trapped.

"Shit," K half snarled. "This wasn't on the map, goddamnit!" K had only been partly right. The scent of fresh air had led them outside ... just not to an exit. "Move it!" K hissed to Greer as they turned from the way they came and the two shared a look and moved further into the ornate inner garden with small trees and lush bushes laid out around gravel paths.

They stood behind a massive arbor vitae and glanced around the courtyard. K froze for a moment as she looked through the windows on the opposite side of the courtyard. Her head tipped to the side as she saw what exactly was going on in that building. The big sale they were attending wasn't just high dollar buyers ... it was high dollar buyers with ... pets. The horror of it struck her numb until Greer interrupted her thoughts.

"What are we gonna do? They're still coming – we're busted, K ... we have to get out," Greer hissed. The tension in her voice was palpable. If they were found ... particularly without a ... a pet -

"Climb the walls, darlin .. I'll take care of the guys on the roof. Apex is warming up the jet." Logan's voice rumbled through her ear piece with a tone of impatience. But K shook her head almost imperceptibly

"Take off your clothes," K said in a near monotone.

"What?" Logan spit out. But Greer was staring at her open mouthed.

"I'm sorry ... you want me to -"

"Strip. NOW!" K growled as she grabbed Greer's purse and shoved it into the vitae. Greer simply stared back at her in sheer disbelief.

"Trust her Greer." Colton's voice in her ear earned a scowl from the raven haired model and with a stream of curses she started taking off her jewelry which K took and quickly stuffed into her clasp as she kept a watchful eye. The shoes she kicked off into some nearby bushes went with a sorrowful look from the tigress.

"Spread out!" The sounds of soldiers were at the entry to the courtyard, their heavy boots crunching the gravel pathways.

"Hurry up Greer ..." K had tensed up, her fists clenched and ready to pop her claws.

"I'm ... trying. Stupid zipper is stuck," Greer sounded in a near panic as K looked the dress up and down and slipped behind her. She could smell them now ... five of them. No time.

"Hold still," K warned just before a resounding *snikt* echoed the courtyard.

"Hey!" Greer turned, hands going to cover her more intimate parts as the shreds of what was once her gown were kicked under the vitae to join her purse. K was just happy she'd chosen to wear a plain black bra instead of something more delicate ... otherwise this would be impossible to pull off with Greer's current lack of confidence.

"Gimmie your inducer," K said, her hand out.

"My inducer – No. K what are you -"

"DO IT!" K hissed and hesitating only for a moment Greer tore off her necklace and handed it to K, the tigress once again standing before her.

"Get down."

"I am not -" K didn't have time to argue and with a simple trip Greer found herself flat on the ground and just as she flipped back to all fours, they were surrounded. Greer froze but somehow, K actually appeared to relax.

"Stop what you're doing! Where is she?!" Guard1

"What - are you talking about, you brutish fool?" K said with pure disdain.

"The raven haired woman ... tall ... green dress!" Guard1 barks back.

"Should I be concerned for my safety?" K asked. "I was under the assumption that this was a secured event."

"What are you doing out here? Why isn't the thing restrained?' One of the soldiers shouted. Greer noted that of course they only addressed K.

"What am I doing out here? Why are you pointing guns at my beloved tigress? Is this how you treat all your platinum clientele?" K drawled out with just the right balance of outrage and snootiness.

"Nice, darlin. Just keep it cool," Logan whispered in relief through her earpiece as the guards shared a look.

"Miss, this is a restricted area. No one is supposed to be out here," one of the men said, straightening up slightly, though his underlings did not relax in the least. "So what the hell are you doing here – and why isn't your pet restrained?"

K huffed in indignation as she gestured to a very irate Greer. "All the smells were getting to her and she needed ... a little fresh air. This courtyard looked simply lovely from inside ... and I thought it the perfect place for her to ... take a break."

"And the restraints?"

"My tigress doesn't need restraints, she's impeccably trained. Why don't you think you saw her in the entrance? She's been prowling around your grounds for almost an hour." K finally answered, looking affronted at the insinuation as Greer nearly snarled. The only thing keeping her on her haunches was the amount of pressure K was placing on her shoulder.

"She's covering your ass, Tigger ... roll with it," Logan directed in Greer's earpiece, though that did earn a little growl and the soldiers cocked their rifles in her direction.

"Put those infernal toys away. Can't you see you're upsetting her?' K stroked Greer's face possessively as she stepped in front of her, blocking her bodily from the rifles and unbeknownst to the men ... holding her back. The action caused the soldiers to all share a look and slightly lower their rifles. She gave Greer a pleading look to relax before she really turned it on.

"I said put them away," K hissed as she turned to face them, stomping her foot as she glared at them, chest heaving and hands balled into fists. "I demand to speak to Mr. Broderick! Immediately. If this is how you people do business, then I'm out." Her angry glare and flushed cheeks had Greer and the guards convinced.

"Of ... of course, miss. Just wait a moment," the unit leader said sheepishly before turning his head toward the com on his shoulder.

While they waited, K took the moment to try and communicate to Greer. With her back to the guards, K stepped in close to Greer and began to fix her hair. When the guards began to talk among themselves, Greer took the opportunity to make her thoughts clear to Logan's little ... wife.

"I'm going to shred you if we get out of here, K," Greer promised quietly as K discreetly double checked that Greer's earpiece was still in place.

"What do you mean, if? We're getting out – with the kids, and they're going to roll out the red carpet as we do it." K replied easily, as if she wasn't describing what sounded impossible when surrounded by bad guys with guns.

"Easy for you to say – you're still wearing clothes," Greer grumbled as what appeared to be a perfectly manicured man in a white tuxedo jacket, likely from the island K deduced, made his puffed up appearance.

"Mr. Clarence ... no sign of the woman. Just this one." The head guard spoke quietly, but not quietly enough for the ferals, to the newly arrived man. He gave a slight nod, not breaking stride, and approached K like an old friend.

"I must say – how on earth did I miss seeing such a beautiful creature on your way in?," the glorified matridee said with a greasy smile as he took K's hand in his and raised it to his lips to kiss her knuckles. "Your pet is stunning as well." K let out a restrained sound before she gingerly pulled her hand from his.

"Your guards seem to think it's acceptable to point ... weapons at platinum clients. I think I'd like to be seen out now," K said as she wrapped her arms around her middle and stepped back until Greer was nearly touching her. The little brunette certainly looked the part of a spoiled rich woman that wasn't getting her way.

"Oh no, that just won't do," he turned to the soldiers and waved for them to step back a few paces. "Madame I assure you, as Mr. Broderick's executive assistant, that you have our sincerest apologies. The auction will be starting within the hour – you don't want to leave before then. And while I'm certain you have trained her beautifully – your hard work shows for how docile she is, honestly. Simply beautiful work. I'm afraid I must insist you restrain your beast while inside the hall. I'm certain you understand miss ..." His smile fell a hair as he waved for his assistant who carried the book and a basket of collars.

"Ingrid Christiansen," K replied without missing a beat. The assistant checked the book as K looked the concierge up and down critically. A half second later, the assistant looked up at Clarence with a nervous look on his face and nodded before he whispered 'top tier'. Clarence took a moment to look properly upset before he started to mutter out apologies to a disgruntled looking 'Ingrid'. Greer would have rolled her eyes if she'd been able to believe them.

"I'm so sorry for any trouble, Miss Christiansen. Please, for the benefit of our less ... experienced handlers - you may select from any of the spare collars we keep on hand." K didn't move, tipping her chin up so she could look down her nose at the assistant as they stepped closer with a wide assortment of expensive looking collars. K wrinkled her nose and pulled her fist up to her chest as if it was a basket of slimy objects rather than the gold and diamond encrusted near jewelry before her.

Clarence took up a familiar look of one who is used to dealing with pampered rich people. His tone became quite warm all at once. "Madam I assure you they are quite humane and very appealing to the eye once they're in place. Might I be so bold as to suggest this one in gold and emeralds?" K tutted and dropped her shoulders before turning to give Greer a look, then back to him.

"Could you hold it up ... maybe put it on yourself for a moment ... just so I can see before committing?"

"That's a bit ... unorthodox, don't you think?"

"Sir, if you wouldn't put it on yourself, you can't possibly expect me to subject such a beautiful tigress to ... that?" She fluttered her eyes as she decided to try a different angle. "It's so hard for me to see it properly with all the others ... and her stripes simply make everything look dull." With a bit of hesitance, Clarence finally nodded and held it up as if he was putting it on, but did not clasp it shut. One look at Greer showed K that whatever she had to choose ... Greer wasn't happy about it.

A few moments later as K stepped toward Greer with the collar in her hands, Greer looked near tears. Gingerly, K slipped it around her neck, but she could see her pulse racing in her neck. They met eyes as K clicked the collar shut and Greer flinched. K's heart sunk.

"Wonderful, may I call you Ingrid?" Clarence asked as Greer opened her eyes again. K hesitated just a second before she blinked back to reality.

"No. Miss Christiansen is just fine," K replied. She knew she should keep it casual, but she was still angry. Clarence faltered a moment.

"Of course, my apologies. If ... if you're ready, I'd like to personally escort you and your tigress ... um ... "

"Kattunge," K offered.

"How charming. I'd like to escort you both to the ballroom. Refreshments should be ready to be served – and there is a wide variety of treats for Kattunge as well." K glared at the soldiers, who quickly dispersed before she took Greer's hand in hers and followed Clarence out of the courtyard and down two halls to the ballroom.

"Mr. Broderick will be in shortly. I'll make sure he finds time immediately for you before the auction," Clarence said clearly as K regained her snooty composure in the ballroom of mutant horrors.

"See that you do," K replied. Greer hadn't been listening though. She'd been stuck on the stares and comments of praise that she'd already started to receive from the scores of strangers in that room ... eyeballing her like livestock, commenting on how well toned she was ... how her fur was so glossy ... but over all, how incredibly well trained she was.

K's focus however wasn't on the people in the hall, but the hall itself. She was confident her performance had allayed any suspicions for the moment, but she wasn't one to take chances. K wanted to find those kids. She wanted to find the points of entry. And she wanted to get out. The stunning and seemingly aloof brunette gazed around the hall as if somewhat surprised that this was what passed for American luxury.

Greer's eyes were fixed straight on the ground as her ears had at this point fallen flat to her head as her hackles raised noticeably. She had taken one look around the hall and had never felt such an urge to run. To just run and run and never look back. But then she'd felt a slight tug ... and suddenly she was in the hall. She was hyper-aware of the feel of the collar around her neck and the slight pull she felt from the - the leash leading from it that was held delicately in K's hand. K ... Greer glanced up to check on her and let out a huff.

The little feral was the perfect picture of calm ... bored even. The tigress furrowed her brow and glared around the opulant hall, meeting a number of the stares directed at her and feeling a surge of pride as they lowered their gaze. Alright ... if K could do this ... so could she. All the she had to do was -

"Hey!" Greer whipped around as she snarled, pulling her tail out of the hands of some man dressed in a tuxedo. She was about to ask him what the hell he thought he was doing ... when she noticed that the entire hall had gone silent.

"I - I'm sorry. I just -" Greer took a step forward to apologize when she almost fell backwards as the slack around her neck was suddenly gone, the lead from the front disguising a choke collar.

"Kattunge," K's voice was suddenly pure authority and ice as she hissed at her. "Kom nu. Fot. (come here. heel.)" Greer was only vaguely aware that K was speaking to her until she met her eyes ... and withered. Her tone was ice ... but her glare ... her glare directed at her was positively frightening. K hadn't moved a muscle and still looked more or less relaxed but something about her stance ...

"But ... kthhh." Greer hissed at another pull forced her to take another step towards K.

"Jag sa sitta." As K snapped her fingers, Logan's voice whispered in Greer's ear to go to her and keep quiet.

"Damnit, K ... can't you use something easier than Swedish, goddamnit."

The tigress subtly looked around and realized that all eyes were on her. K's hand tightened around the delicate chain that led to her collar, forcing Greer to lower her head, and she stepped forward slowly as K raised her chin, her eyes never leaving her. Greer's arms crossed over her stomach and her tail wrapped self consciously around her leg.

The little brunette continued to glare at her until she was standing at K's side.

"Sitt." K's whisper somehow carried and slowly - with all those eyes watching - slowly the tigress slipped down to crouch at her feet. Greer wished she simply could have kept going and let the ground swallow her whole. K glanced around the room - a clear challenge to anyone to try and cross her - as she gently rested a hand on her tigress' head. The weight of that hand felt like lead as Greer's shoulders scrunched up to meet her ears.

"Duktig flicka," K let out a slow breath as the noise in the hall picked back up, but before she could relax, a group of what appeared to be two couples stepped forward, clearly intent on finding out more about this foreign woman and her exotic pet. K braced herself and gave the incoming group a critical once over. Greer however had raised her eyes enough and had locked onto one thing ... the young boy one of the woman was leading behind them. He reminded her of Rahne. He cast Greer one curious look before glancing up at the woman and quickly returning his eyes to the floor.

"You my good lady, you have made quite the entrance for yourself. We were all just saying how exquisite your tigress was before she gave us all quite the show." Greer felt herself burn as one of the men with a faint southern accent addressed K as if she wasn't even there.

"Is that so?" K said distractedly as she looked around the room as if for anything more interesting.

"Oh please excuse my Harold. He's still just a simple boy from the south. Where are our manners ... I'm Mary and this is Harold, my husband. Over here is Mr. and Mrs. Hannover."

"Beth is fine." The taller blond extended a gloved hand which K looked at before she delicately shook it and gave a light nod to the other three.

"As I was saying, your tigress gave us all quite a fright," the socialite said with a nervous laugh as K let out an exasperated breath.

"I was led to believe that this would be a more enlightened affair. Of course my Kattunge would be frightened by some crude American touching her. But what am I to expect when Americans can't keep their hands to themselves." As K spoke, she gently ran her manicured nails through Greer's mane, like any socialite with their purse puppy.

"I could not agree more. Some people simply do not understand their place. Why if anyone laid a hand on my Cooper," Beth used the back of her hand to stroke the young boy's face at her feet, "I just don't know what I'd do."

"Regardless, you should be commended. You showed true form when it came to disciplining her," Harold complemented. K waved her hand his way dismissively.

"I'm afraid I dont feel the need to collect the commendations of strangers," K said in a bored tone. "She's an incredibly talented girl."

"And you've a firm hand I'm sure ... did you bring in a specialist? I've heard Dr. Zira has done some wonderful work even without the help of his conditioner - I think his name was ... Burr."

"I've never found reason to bring in brutes and boors," K lets out a breath as if the whole affair was just so terribly embarrassing for her ... and her precious Kattunge was clearly upset by all these crude Americans that don't know enough to keep their hands to themselves as she gently stroked Greer's hair. K looked totally put out as the conversation kept going.

However it wasn't any of the group that picked up on K's signs of wanting to be left alone ... but someone else.

"Would you all mind if I stole Miss Christiansen?" The group parted as it turned and Mary immediately went into overdrive.

"Mr. Broderick! I have to tell you this party put that one you through in Madrid to shame. I hope whatever you're offering tonight meets the same level we've all come to expect from you," the overly excited woman said with an overanxious grin.

Francis Broderick gave a smile that only came when one made their fortune working rooms like this. K recognized him as someone wealthy dealing with those that thought themselves 'rich' ... and didn't know any better. This guy was a shark.

"You'll just have to wait and see. Now, Miss Christansen ... if you'd be so kind."

K looked to the crowd around them and gave them a tight, condescending smile. "I'd love to," she said curtly before she took Broderick's offered arm and allowed him to lead her through the crowd that seemed to part in front of him with smiling asskissers on every side.

Greer trailed behind them as Broderick took them to a more quiet part of the hall. While Greer kept her head straight down, K looked unconcerned at the serious look he was giving the tigress but obviously seeing what he wanted, he gave a minute nod and turned to address K. She hated to admit it but it was damn lucky Greer wasn't acting at that moment.

"Clarence alerted me to the situation that occurred earlier. I wish to apologize for any inconvenience my staff may have caused either you or your ..." his gaze once again rested on Greer, "pet."

"Your security, they have little regard for your guests," K replied with a clear Swedish accent. "It's men like that who have kept me from attending previously. I will admit I'm regretting my decision to come."

"Yes ... I did notice that I haven't seen you at one of my events before. How did you make money if I may be so bold?"

"You Americans are not only bold but blatantly rude." She gave him a slow up and down. "In this business it matters not how it was acquired, simply that it is there."

He smirked a bit and nodded. "A fair point. And that accent ... Swedish?"

"Yes, of course."

"Stockholm?"

"Nej, Uppsala."

Shark smile.

"Then you must know Bjorn Helsingborg " Colton typing furiously and whispering into K's ear, "I've been told his investments are almost as widespread as his influence."

"I try not to admit to knowing anyone in that circle. The man lost most of his fortune to drink and blind faith. His son is now running the firm last I heard. Though I have to ask YOU if it's not too bold - do you make a habit of insulting prospective clients by questioning them all in this manner - or is this something you saved up just for me?"

"Forgive me," Frederick stopped forward and placed a hand on K's arm which she looked down at with clear distate as he let his hand slide down to her elbow so he could step in a bit closer to her, "I can be too curious for my own good sometimes. I actually had a question about your tigress."

His tone was clearly meant to smooth K's ego but the most she allowed was to stay and listen.

"I'm sure you do."

"Before I continue ... may I?" The host gestured at Greer who sat on her haunches at K's feet. K could tell something was off about her ever since that idiot had grabbed her tail. She just hoped the kid was aware enough to keep up the facade.

"If you must." And with a nod, Frederick took the leash from K and with a twist of his wrist tightened the choker around Greer's throat just short of choking her, rudely bringing Greer back to herself. She was about to slash this jerk's face off but then she caught the warning look on K's face and with a swallowed growl ... sheathed her claws and tried to go anywhere else as Fredirick began his inspection.

It reminded K of the trainers she'd see at high stakes dog shows as Fredirick's hands probed and prodded the tigress far past what anyone would ever consider decent. The man even checked her teeth. In fact ... K suspected he wasn't just checking Greer's health but seeing just how far he could push her before getting some sort of reaction. It wasn't until he started moving his hand down her stomach that K finally spoke out.

"That is beyond acceptable inspections," K said sternly, though how she kept the growl out of her voice, Greer and Colton both couldn't quite figure out.

Fredirick glanced up at the imperious looking Swede and smirked, seemingly impressed that he irked the master before the pet.

"I am truly impressed. Clarence said as much ... truly amazing work. No scarring ... not even any bruising," mostly to himself, "did you buy her as a cub or purchase her later?"

"It really doesn't matter if you know what you're doing," K replied haughtily.

"How long did her training take?"

"Until I was satsified," she replied with narrowed eyes. "Why do you ask?"

"And it's true that you trained her yourself?"

K just scoffed openly as she took back the lead. "Why is that so hard for men like you to believe?"

"Perhaps that is the truth," Frederick chuckled, "men just might be the problem."

"They do tend to complicate things," K replied with a raised eyebrow and a bit of a smirk.

"What I mean is that all of the trainers that I employ and recommend are men. They are very good but their methods seem to extend to brute force. True ... some rely on chemicals or surgeries but ... almost all of their charges seem to end up as broken things. None survive very long or simply get put down when their owners tire of having to pay for retraining." Frederick explained as if the things he was so casually discussing were pets ... and not human beings.

"In my experience it's often the owners that need to be retrained - not the pet," K said in a challenging tone. "But again - what's your point?"

"My point ... was that I was wondering if I could convince you to be part of my show tonight. After your little display I am certain a number of my guests would pay handsomely for a chance to have you as their trainer. How about it ... say a 80/20 split of the final bid?"

K let out a breathy laugh. "That is, as you Americans say - /rich/." She tipped her head to the side and just shook it lightly. "What makes you think I'd be so base as to allow my work to be available to anything as pedestrian as the highest bidder? I'm far more discriminating in my tastes."

"I'm not appealing to your discriminating tastes, as fine as I'm sure they are, but to your executive acumen."

"I'm not sure I see your angle," K said in an appraising tone.

"I saw how you looked at the other properties in the hall. And you clearly care for your own," Frederick gestured at Greer, "and it's to that which I'm appealing. In fact, I have two new mutants up for auction tonight and to say that they are in need of training is an understatement. I typically don't acquire properties so old but the market for their unique properties was too much. The boy in particular has been difficult ..."

Takes step closer to K

"I already had to pass them off to my own personal handlers to prepare them for tonight and I am concerned the pair will not last long. I had hoped the promise of having either one trained by you ... but as you said ... you are a woman of discriminating tastes. If you'll excuse me." Frederick gave a slight bow and turned to leave as if K didn't know it was all a poorly shielded act. But as it turned out, this all worked even better than she could have hoped.

"Forty."

Frederick had barely gone a yard before he turned back with that predatory smile K imagined others took for charming.

"Thirty." K appeared to weigh things for a moment and gave a curt nod.

"Done. But ... if I were to agree to such an arrangement - I would need total control. My facility, in my own time, or I won't even consider it. I'll not have some boorish twit lurking over my shoulder at every move, nor will I teach another my methods."

"I'd expect nothing less." Frederick.

"And I need to see the charges. Now if possible ... to guage their condition and temperament." Frederick furrowed his brow for a moment as he looked straight at K and gave a curt nod of his own.

"Fair enough ... I'll arrange for you to meet them, along with their new owners, after the bid."

And as K shook the offered hand she could hear Logan and Colton quickly making plans in her ear.


Once K was free from Broderick she had hoped she'd have a moment to talk with Greer but these damn rich cesspool of human beings just couldn't leave them alone. And unfortunately it was more often Greer that kept them coming. Each conversation more infuriating then the next.

"Oh well done. Very impressive. Did you have her muted? Oh it would just be right if she didn't talk. I can barely see the scar." Some red haired heiress with a Germanic accent.

"Muted?" K glared her way with a look of severe distaste. "That sounds barbaric."

"Oh no, not at ALL ... you see I had Onyx here done in the spring." The tart gestured to a large, almost ink blank and stone skinned mutant standing behind them. Looking closely K noticed the scar across his throat.

"Ociviliserad," K said, wrinkling her nose and turning from the redhead.

"Tell me ... do you have any plans to breed her? You must let me know. Could you just imagine the kittens? Oh honey the girls would just die!" A middle aged coupe.

"I'm sure you couldn't afford my fee," K said with a sneer. "And I won't risk my dyrbar Kattunge."

"Have you ever taken her to show? I don't remember you at Havana last year but you should really consider entering this year. They'll be hosting in Singapore, please let me sponsor you." Man in his 50's. K just chuckled and walked away.

"It is ... kind of you to offer, but I don't need a sponsorship," K said dismissively with a breathy chuckle and a wave of her hand.

Something about her clearly being well groomed. Must not set her in fights. "Don't be ridiculous. She's no fighter."

And despite the nausea, K was grateful for Colton's foresight as she seamlessly placed tracers on every 'pet' in attendance. Their owners would be easily identified later - when they removed the captive mutants. That part of the job was amazingly simple since many in attendance were more than happy to try to get her opinion on their pets and had no qualms whatsoever about letting her do whatever she liked to them.

To Greer ... she thought getting picked up by weapon x would have been hell. But no ... no she realizes this would have been worse. Had the xmen not picked her up that night ... it wouldn't have taken much for her to end up here. Just like this. A pet. A slave. Less than human ... would they have muted her too? Just able to growl and hiss and ...

"Just hold on. Auction is about to start." Greer looked up at K and she didn't like what she saw. K felt awful about Greer's position, and at this point she was more than aware of the struggles Greer lived with and it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this was hell for her. But as much as she wanted to just get her out of there, she needed the tigress to hang on. The job had to come first. If nothing else, perhaps the next time K tried to tell her that she needed to stay home - she would.

"Ladies and gentleman ... the auction is about to begin!" Clarence's accented voice carried over the hall from an opened door that led once again into yet another hall, this one complete with a circular stage in the center of vaulted room. Taking a deep breath, Greer didn't even give K a nod, she simply slipped behind her and kept her gaze straight on the floor. K simply checked her lipstick and sauntered straight into the room.


The auction began fairly normal ... paintings, sculptures, and other rarities were auctioned off without much fanfare. K even made a bid on a new wave control collar.

Things took a turn however when an open contract with Hammer weapons came up to bid. The next item the opportunity to fund the next 'super soldier' program and have first option at its sale. The next a hacker collective selling the complete plans to Avengers tower and the Pentagon. K had kind of expected this... that they weren't selling items anymore ... but criminal opportunities. Ready made kits - all the tools needed to complete heists, espionage, and assassinations.

And so the night wore on and millions - hundreds of millions - of dollars was exchanged. After an hour there was a short break during which K appeared entirely bored with the offerings at hand and Greer tried to remain unseen. But then the lights dimmed once again and a hush fell over the crowd as two hooded figures were led to the stage, escorted by what K gauged as Frederick's 'trainers'.

She eyed them both up and down appraisingly and just smirked when one of the men met her gaze.

"Ladies and Gentleman ... before we get to the next round of items we have a special treat for you tonight. Two new acquisitions that we believe many of you have been waiting for. May I present Nymph and Horus!"

On cue the handlers ripped off the robes and standing in the center of the stage was Rachel and David. The fact the two were teenagers seemed meaningless as David wore nothing but some type of brown loincloth, the color matching the browns of the wings tucked at his back, and Rachel despite having on more clothing somehow appeared even less covered. The dark green leather bikini set doing nothing to cover her and seemingly presenting her to the crowd, her fairy like features accentuated with garish makeup and designs drawn onto her body.

Immediately Greer was a bit relieved that both students appeared alright if not furious and disgusted with how the were presented like livestock, twin matte black colors around their throats. But on closer inspection K noted the amount of makeup on both of their bodies likely covered heavy bruising and David a slight limp in his right leg and she raised an eyebrow before she glanced toward Broderick with a look that clearly read she was not impressed before she let out a little sigh and lightly shook her head as she very plainly mouthed out 'amateurs' so he could see it.

But Clarence wasn't done, having let the crowd's anticipation rise.

"Now as you can see ... Nymph here is quiet the item," with a nudge Clarence pushed Rachel forwards. She moved to cover herself but a look back at the handlers stopped her and left her trembling in front of the room, "she may be young but I assure you ... whether as decoration or for service she is not to be missed. Just look at those stunning features!"

Shooting Clarence a pained look, Rachel fought to stay strong and slowly turned showing herself to the room, tears silently falling down her face as her.

"And not to worry ... these designs can change at will. That's right, Nymph here can create any design on her body that you wish!" As he spoke, Rachel closed her eyes and as promised, the swirls shifted to a collage of butterflies across her back. The crowd clapped and excited murmers rushed across the hall.

"But speaking of features ... Horus is a true spectacle," Rachel took a relieved step back towards David who squeezed her hand and shot Clarence a look of pure venom as he took his own step forward, "excellent muscle tone and an impressive wingspan ... and not yet even in his prime!"

Again clearly on cue, David flared out his wings and the crowd gasped and broke into yet another round of clapping. David glared at them all.

"Now not to worry ... this little songbird won't be running away from you anytime soon. We took care of the hastle of having the wings clipped so you get all of the flare and none of the trouble!"

As the crowd voiced it's approval David's entire demenor changed from silent resilence to shock.

"You - no ... no!" Not seeming to realize where he was David pumped his wings and tried to jump off stage, the closest guests screaming as David managed to get a few feet in the air before falling to the ground.

"What did you do!? My wings! I can't - I can't fly! I can't ah!"

"David - gnnnn!"

Rachel had yelled out and tried getting to her friend but at once both dropped to ground as an obvious shock hit them. As they recovered, the handlers quickly got a moaning David back to the stage where Rachel was forced to her feet and tried to quietly comfort her friend.

"I apologize for the disturbance," Clarence called out with a soothing smile and raised hands, the crowd sharing a number of looks before slowly returning to encircle the stage, "but this brings me to an exciting addition to this part of our evening. Some of you may have witnessed her skills tonight and have certainly seen her beloved Kattunge /prowling/ our halls this evening. Ladies and Gentleman, Miss Ingrid Christiansen has agreed to provide her services in the training of these two items!"

A light suddenly fell on K and Greer as the crowd turned to politely applaud the stunning brunet and appraise her tigress who internally felt another piece of her crumble as the room full of eyes fell on her.

K however just held her head high, chin up, shoulders back - looking more like a princess as she demurely accepted their attention with a humble inclination of her head.

"And now to start the bidding ... do I hear $2 million?"


"This is not the best way to start up a partnership - even a tentative one," K said with a look of pure disdain. "I was told I'd have the opportunity to inspect them," she said haughtily as she waved one hand toward the limp forms of David and Rachel, the pair laid out on a makeshift table of covered boxes in what amounted to one of the island's loading docks, the covered dock leading into the large warehouse. Elsewhere the nights purchases were being prepped and boxed for shipment.

"My apologies Ms. Christiansen," Clarence was again present as he oversaw the nights deliveries, "but the flight plan you submitted to us shows an almost days flight from here and sedating the pair was considered the easiest form of transport -"

"According to whom?" She demanded. "How am I to work at all if I have to deal with your incompetence?" He looked properly insulted and affronted as he tried to ease the situation.

"Madame, I assure you they will be awake in a few hours, restrained of course, but you should have no trouble assessing them as is." Clarence gestured to two large boxes that K saw came equipped with straps and an oxygen tank. They were no bigger than coffins.

K had just finished speaking with the 'winners' of the auction, speaking confidently of her plans for the pair and assuring the Indian media magnate and his wife that their purchases would indeed be ready before their own similar event in a few months. K was certain to find out where the couple would be over that time should she need to ... reach out to them. But before she could walk out of here with the kids ... she had to deal with this idiot.

"Charlatan," K sneered, "I didn't just want to check their condition. I needed to gauge their /mental/ condition. Skin and bones will heal ... it's the mind that requires the most work."

Clarence shot a look at the demure Greer and smiled, "Clearly."

"One more thing," Clarence turned his attention back to the still forms of Rachel and David, "the two have been injected with a tracker right about here." Clarence pointed to a spot just above Rachel's heart. "Global tracking of course and you might want to tell them that if they try to remove it ... they'll be ripping out their own hearts." He finished with a wistful tone as if the symbolism was somehow funny. K barely gave him a strained smile.

But K's skill as an actress and an operative won out and with the kids loaded in their crates, K followed a pair of security guards to Logan and his waiting boat. Greer walked slowly behind K, the leash still held losely in her hand, as Clarence called out to them.

"Mr. Broderick wanted me to thank you again for agreeing to what he assumes will be a long relationship," K didn't bother turning around for hired help, having what she was paid for, "and that he hopes the next time you attend you'll put your tigress up as well. He's already been getting calls for an animal like that."

K had been holding the chain attached to Greer's collar quite loosely and she almost let it slip through her fingers when she felt the leash in her hand start to slide. When she reasserted her grip and turned to look at Greer, it was clear her hackles were raised as her chest heaved. "Kattunge," she said in her most soothing tone. "Dags att gå hem. Bort från de sorgliga, dumma män."

'Time to go home. Away from the sad, stupid men.' Logan's tone matched K's and she watched as Greer closed her eyes and swallowed down whatever feral rage had been about to bust out. K wasn't about to test that though and shot Clarence a look over Greer's still trembling shoulder.

"Mr. Broderick already assumes to much," K replied with a tight smile. "And the tigress is not now, nor will she ever be a trade-able commodity."

Even well away from the dock as Logan took them back toward the island they'd stashed the jet on, K kept her facade in place. When Greer started to relax, she turned her head toward her but did not drop her image still. "They're still watching," she said, sure that her body was blocking anyone from seeing what she was saying to her.

Greer tensed and seeing the slight nod Logan gave went back to her position curled near K's feet, silently thanking every foot and mile they took away from that place.

Once they were at the jet, K strode past Logan and Colton to climb into the co-pilot chair and just closed her eyes, ignoring the situation as Logan and an inducer-clad Colton loaded the kids onto the jet and immediately took them out of the crates and secured them for the flight.

Greer meanwhile had walked onto the jet almost in a daze, before suddenly letting out a snarl and ripping the collar from her neck. But just as quickly as the rage and bile hit her ... it went away. Exhausted and still numb, Greer headed for the back of the jet.

Apex only had to shoot Logan a look once they were finished before he headed back as well and Logan towards the front of the jet. But as the panther sat down and reached out for Greer, she recoiled, earning a frown from Apex. Glancing over her shoulder she gave him an apologetic but strained look.

"Just ... gimme a second. OK?" Greer muttered before going back to staring out the window. But that didn't stop her tail from seeking out Colton's, as if it had a mind of it's own, settling Apex down slightly as he kept a concerned eye on his tigress.

When Logan sat down in the pilot's seat, K still hadn't opened her eyes before she turned to him. "Fly slow - and go to the coordinates we actually gave them."

"On it," Logan said. "Already called Scott to have Kitty to meet us there to deal with it," he said. "She's going to do both at once, just in case."


It had been stressful, certainly not as bad as some missions she could remember, but no where near as good as others either. She took a few deep, centering breaths then simply stood up and made her way off the jet. Her super uptight poise was gone - the persona shed as soon as they'd gotten on the blackbird, but she still looked, and acted, the part of a lady as she made her way upstairs.

Logan had promised to handle the debrief for Scott, since - the kids were returned and there was no way that Scott wasn't going to find out about it. And while he was busy with that, she silently slipped up to their room.

On entering, she kicked off her heels and twisted herself around a bit to unhook the back of her dress and unzip it. After she shimmied out of it, she kicked it to the corner and shed the rest of her clothes on the way to the bathroom. While she waited for the water to heat up, she pulled the pins that held her perfectly toussled waves and simply stepped into the flow of the water, her face upturned as she just let it wash over her.

She took her time cleaning up - make up gone and all the foreign scents from that horrid party gone down the drain by the time she stepped out and wrapped herself in a couple towels then climbed into bed to wait for Logan.

When he got there, she gave him a little forced smile and let out a sigh. "She's never going to trust me again," K said very matter-of-factly.

"Sure she will. Give her some time," Logan said, but K was already shaking her head in disagreement.

"You heard it - but you didn't see it, love," K said. "I wish I could say I was sorry, but if I didn't play along ..."

"I know. You did the right thing," he agreed as he peeled off his uniform and gave her a quick kiss. "Don't worry about it. It'll work out."

...

Greer's routine was oddly mirroring to K's, as she kicked off the sweats Colton had found for her on the plane and headed straight for the sanctuary of her shower the moment she got off the jet. Colton had intercepted Scott and she wasn't sure what threat he'd rumbled out to get him to back off and forget a debrief ... but she really didn't care. She just let that hot water pound down on her head.

She felt angry - no furious. And incredibly embarrassed. Shame ... she felt shame.

"Guess dresses and playing spy aren't my thing after all." Greer tried chuckling but then she thought of how she'd proved K right ... of all the faces of all those mutants they'd left behind ... and those eyes looking at her flashed in her mind and with a growl turned up the pressure.

When she finally got out she barely acknowledged Colton, sitting on the bed and watching her silently, as she pulled on a pair of shorts and one of his oversized tanks. As she got into bed neither one said anything and for a moment Apex was worried Greer might be more upset then he thought as he watched her roll so her back was facing him ... Right up until she gave a huff and scooted her way backwards until her back was pressed next to him.

Giving a low rumble, Apex wrapped Greer in his arm and rested his muzzle on her head, effectively hiding her orange among his black. He knew she wasn't going to sleep any time soon, the little trembles she gave evidence enough, so both settled in for a long night.

They'd deal with real nightmares tomorrow.