Chapter 16

So who agreed to this?

That's a good question. It has no precise answer.

The truth is up to now Emma had been as good as her word when it came to the Hellions and their behaviour...at least as far as they could tell.

Could they really trust her?

No.

But how long could they keep ignoring her and her students?

Plus if any of them are up to be persuaded to leave the Hellions and join the Institute then you have to allow them to see what it is the Institute offers...and what are the students but a product of the Institute.

So someone, somewhere suggested a small start could be a friendly game of sports.

Wasn't a bad idea they decided in the end. It wasn't like a partnership or student exchange or anything that might endanger the secrets they have to keep.

Perhaps in the end it is simply Charles' hope, the hope so many others mock, his hope that there is a better way forward and if you give people a chance they'll share it with him. Maybe it's his hope that somehow he can redeem what he perceives as his failure in relation to Emma.

And the fact that Emma is here, dressed to participate in the game herself, gives him a momentary moment to believe it's not beyond the realm of possibility Emma can be redeemed.

So here they are taking the 1st small step hopefully forward.

It is the X-Men versus the Hellions in a game of baseball.

On the Hellions side you had Emma, King Bedlam, Beef, Hellion(star pitcher!), Roulette, Firestar, Bevatron, Dust(who, of course, wears her normal veil, but with a track suit that completely covers her instead of her usual robes), Catseye, Murmur(who admittedly was still hidden under his hooded cloak) and Ali. They even brought Penance along. She won't play of course. She doesn't have the mental awareness required. Though someone had put a baseball cap on her head making her look sort of adorable with her innocent expression...and she so did love getting out. She was like the team mascot. So 9 on the team and 2 subs.

To make it fair the X-Men team would consist of the same numbers with Beast, Domino, Storm, Wolverine and Banshee umpiring.

Jonathan and Martha had gotten themselves talked into being the commentary duo. Don't ask how that happened because they haven't a clue...but you know what, it was a lovely day and the kids were here to have fun so why the hell not?

As for who was on the X-Men team...well that raises an interesting point. They hadn't actually gotten around to replacing Spyke on the team yet. They hadn't felt an overwhelming rush to do so...though for some reason Bobby had been badgering for promotion from Generation X to the X-Men last couple of weeks.

Course without the adults there are only 6 X-Men so they did have to pick another 5. The team therefore was Cyclops, Jean(star pitcher!), Nightcrawler, Tarot, Shadowcat, Thunderbird, Iceman, Cannonball, Boom Boom, Havok and Husk. The X-Men too had their own set of two-coloured uniforms of grey and blue with the x-badge on the left side of the chest.

In the bleachers was where everyone else was and for both girls and boys all these fit young teenagers in uniforms provided plenty of eye-candy.

For this game even Cypher had been persuaded to actually leave the confines of the mansion for once...though he still sat apart from other people and kept mostly to himself.

Amanda was there too cheering on Kurt and Scott and Jean's friends Paul and Taryn had also come along. It was something to do.

Clark, glasses disguise and all(ok sunglasses but the point remains) was sat at the back, quietly, out of the way because you know of his unreadable mind...plus the fact Emma had been in his mind once and there is a fair chance given an opportunity she would spot who he was. Now he could have found an excuse not to be here but he wished to stay and cheer on his friends.

It is more likely than not, with Emma herself playing, she'll be too busy to try any of her tricks. Plus the Professor made assurances he would keep an eye on her. And so did Jean, though her reasons involve her intense dislike of the blond telepath. Betsy also said she would keep a psychic eye on Emma so Clark guesses he'll be alright. Nice to have friends like that though.

"So whose idea was this again?" Wanda asks, sunglasses perched on her nose as she peers over the top of them as the 2 teams begin to line up opposite each other. It could just be a residue of her terrible vision last night but she had a bad feeling about this. She had never actually met the Hellions before now(she was already at Dr Strange's when the X-Men 1st met them) so this was her 1st chance to see what they had to offer 1st hand.

"Haven't a bloody clue," Betsy replies, taking in the sun. "In fact no-one seems to."

"So what? It just happened?"

"Apparently so, luv."

"Don't you miss the days when stuff like that didn't happen?" Ray says with overblown nostalgia.

"Yes!" half a dozen voices say in unison. God do they miss those days. You know before mutants came out and the world treated them worse than dirt.

The X-Men and Hellions are now lined up face to face.

"Your team's going down, Summers," King Bedlam promises, team leader to team leader.

Scott's eyes narrow behind his shades. "Bring it on," he retorts, not backing down in the last.

"Grey," Emma greets her fellow telepath in the usual icy tone they reserve for each other. Course it had escaped no-one with eyes the fact that Emma's uniform seemed to be designed to only highlight her stupendous curves and the fact she is in a pair of shorts has almost every teenage boy here drooling at the sight of her long, perfectly shaped legs. And a few of the girls whose interests lie that way also make sure to memorise the view.

"Frost," Jean says back in the same tone. And if you're going to make point about what Emma looks like you could also say back that Jean fills out a uniform pretty darn well...in fact more than pretty darn well if you ask Scott. In return Jean would say Scott look pretty damn good in his uniform. She's allowed to be shallow occasionally and just ogle her hot, buff boyfriend.

Beef is getting a unique experience as he faces off against Thunderbird as the two virtually the same height, similar built, similarly powered men glare eye to eye...and that is what is unique. The plus 7 foot blond boy tends to look down on people but not this new X-Man.

James is not intimidated. He's been here long enough now to learn the issues about these Hellions and this Hellfire Club they work for. Unlike the X-Men they seem to have little sense of honour and as a warrior of honour James just naturally can't give them respect. Oh he respects the threat they may pose but not any of the people in front of him.

The uniforms of the two giant men highlight just how ripped and built they are. They say nothing but simply exchange glares.

Nightcrawler finds himself facing off against the part were-cat girl Catseye who looks pretty darn cute in her uniform. As for Kurt...well Amanda thought him utterly adorable in his little uniform and earlier couldn't help herself to ravishing him a little.

Catseye smirks like a hungry predator, her purple tail swishing. "To Catseye boy looks like overgrown mouse."

Kurt swallows. He was his natural blue fuzzy self. "Uh," he stammers for a response. "Lets all have a good game?" he offers in return.

"Give him hell, Sharon lass!" a cheering Wolfsbane shouts from the bleachers for her now, fairly good friend.

"Whose side are ye on?" Terry asks her close friend in her Irish lilt.

"Hey, I can cheer for me friend if I want," Rahne defends herself in her broad Scottish drawl.

"Yeah, Terry," Amara says in agreement. "It's only a game. Lets just relax about them today and worry about them tomorrow." Though lately Amara has wondered just whether they should see the Hellions as a threat. She and Manuel have talked about it since they made an offer to him to join Emma's Academy and he made the point that having a different point of view doesn't automatically make someone your enemy.

And you know what Amara couldn't argue that. It's true. Plus the Hellions have been as good as Emma's word lately. They helped out in Smallville and apparently their aim these days isn't to destroy them but form a partnership of some sort to aid mutantkind.

The Professor says not to trust them...nor their methods...nor what they might ask in return and Amara can't forget that they work for a group her hated 'grandmother' Selene(Amara still gets ill thinking about it) is a part of.

However doesn't the Professor teach the very principle of giving people the benefit of the doubt. Therefore shouldn't they give the Hellions a chance despite it all?

So to put it mildly she's sort of in two minds about it these days.

It always seems so much clearer when she's with Manuel. He makes everything seem clearer...and Amara can't help but remember how happy he makes her feel. She hopes one day soon he'll feel confident enough to allow her to show him off to her friends.

Back to the line-up Havok and Roulette face each other, boyfriend vs girlfriend.

Roulette makes her uniform look absolutely stunning as it adheres, shows off and amplifies her generous figure. Havok is trying very hard not to admire her too much or this could turn out very embarrassing because how can he not be turned on by how she looks...especially when he knows exactly what she looks like under that uniform.

Roulette smiles as if she can guess what is going through Alex's mind...because, well she can. It's the same thing that goes through every boy's mind upon seeing her because yes, she is that damn hot. Though she has to say he too can pull off a uniform because dayum! "I'm afraid, sweetie, I'm going to have to kick your ass," she coos an apology. "Team pride for the Academy of Tomorrow. We must excel in all we do."

"You already excel in all you do," Alex says back, innuendo sent and understood.

Roulette runs her hands over her body in a very sensual manner. "Thank you," she grins sultrily. She leans in and whispers, "But to make it up for the ass kicking, later I promise you can kiss my ass all you want," she vows, her intent not subtle at all.

Alex tugs at the collar of his shirt. Wow. Is it hot today or is it just him?

Hellion finds himself opposite Iceman. He snorts arrogantly. "I'm not impressed," he states at what he sees in front of him.

"Is that what you say in front of the mirror every morning?" Bobby quips.

Julian's eyes narrow. Smart-mouthed little punk. Julian's going to flatten him. Just you watch.

Bevatron locks eyes with Cannonball, the two blond haired boys measuring each other up.

"Isn't this tha wrong game for ya, Frenchie?" Sam queries, knowing baseball isn't that popular in France.

"I shall master it better than you just like I have mastered the English language superior to you."

"Ooh," Tabby chortles. "Big words," she mocks. "Told ya Sammie, should have gone for the 'cheese eating surrender monkey' line," she reminds him of what she suggested ahead of time for the smack talk. Course Sam may have not entirely been listening, too distracted by the way his girlfriend is squeezed into her uniform. He swears she deliberately chose a size too small just to highlight her figure and reduce him to a stammering wreck. She does that sort of thing.

The person Tabby is lined up against chortles. That person being Alison Blaire...who can also fill out a uniform and this one shows that take away her rock punk style Alison Blaire is one hot young woman. Just please don't ask how Frostie talked her into doing this. "I like you," she remarks about Tabby and her attitude Ali agrees with. "When this is over we should hang out," she suggests. Ali then whistles loudly and turns her attention to the bleachers. "Hey English! Where's my cheer?" she wants to know from her friend Betsy.

"Go, Ali, go," Betsy dead-pans with a smirk.

"Needs work!" Ali criticises...but with a smile. She gets Betsy was joking. "And next time bring a sign with that on it!"

"I'll think about it!"

Shadowcat finds herself opposite Murmur. She couldn't help but wonder slightly what he looked like under all those bandages. She also wishes Peter was here but 'something' came up. You know hero related...and hey what kind of super, wonderful girlfriend would she be if she didn't understand that. If he was here he would no doubt flatter her with how pretty she looks even in a baseball uniform. The teleporter doesn't say anything so Kitty feels the need to. "So, like, I hope there's no hard feelings after I kick your butt. Like that totally ok?"

Murmur says nothing in reply but he does wonder why he agreed to this. He's not comfortable around people.

"Ok I have to ask since no-one else seems to want to what the fuck is that?" Ali asks, pointing at the purple creature on the shoulders of the brown haired girl.

"This is Lockheed," Kitty answers as she strokes his chin making him 'purr'. "He's my pet dragon," she says with pride.

"Damn," Ali says. "I picked a hell of a day to quit drinkin'."

Many of her team-mates agree. A freakin dragon! What kind of mixed up world do they live in?

Husk, who frankly always makes anything she wears keep in style with her tomboy persona, finds herself facing off against Dust. "So just ta let ya know tha butt whoopin y'all are about ta receive ain't personal."

Dust's uniform does what she feels she needs to do and maintain her modesty. She bows her head respectfully. "I understand. Though I feel the enjoyment of a shared activity outweighs the personal elation of seeking only victory."

Paige is a little off-put at being hit back with philosophy. Luckily she has her own little fan club...literally since her boyfriend has copied himself several times over and are leading their own cheer. Jamie soon snaps her out of it.

"Paige, Paige she's our girl! Home Runs guaranteed!" the several Jamies chant.

Paige smiles at that.

That leaves Tarot facing off against Firestar. The two girls in their uniforms showing how pretty both are.

"Marie," Angelica says coolly, folding her arms over her chest.

"Angelica," Marie returns it.

"My, we've really ingratiated ourselves with our new friends haven't we?" Angelica remarks at how comfortable Marie looks as part of the X-Men, as if she had always been part of it even when she hadn't been. "Move on quick from betrayal don't you?" she says, still bitter over it.

"Was it betrayal, Angelica?" Marie asks back, now having had months to think it over. "I never chose to join. Ms Frost talked my parents into sending me. I did my best to do my best but I was never really a signed up member of the Hellfire Club or its aims. When I saw a way out I took it...but if I hurt your feelings I am sorry. I didn't want that."

"No. It was Claire you wanted...and now you have her."

"Yes. Now I have her," Marie confirms, strength flowing through her because the love she and Claire share gives her strength. When her vision last night reduced her to a shaking leaf it was Claire who was there, comforting her, giving her reassurance and strength. "I can only apologise, Angelica. You either accept it or not but in either case I am much happier here. I wouldn't change my decision even if I could."

Angelica's eyes narrow. She...so wants to hate the both of them. Marie and Claire...but finds she isn't so petty as to want to deny them happiness so she guesses she better get over it.

"Whoo! Go Marie!" Claire cheers from the bleachers.

"Can you be any more embarrassing?" Clark asks his sister, looking mortified by her. He can tell you that he misses that quiet, angry girl she use to be a lot at times like this. Though, of course, it's probably a good thing Claire's not only happier but can feel able to express that happiness.

"Bite me!" she retorts.

"I'll pass but seriously last week at your birthday party it was dancing on the table and now this," he moans at her...and yes she really did dance on the table. Clark is so disowning her.

"Hey I was happy," Claire argues and defends her actions. "I'm 18 now and that means dear old dad'," she says that with spite, referencing Sebastian Shaw, "has no legal claim over me. I'm an adult." Plus also she was happy because Lionel's dead...whoohoo! She doesn't really care that she shouldn't be cheering the fact a man died. Not when that man was Lionel Luthor who had her captured and stuck in one of his god forsaken labs for months on end having inhumane experiments performed on her. Personally Claire hopes he's rotting in hell. Now if only that creepy, pale scientist who carried out those tests on her could go the same way she might finally be able to lay those memories to rest.

"He's the Black King of the Hellfire Club, Claire," Clark feels the need to caution. "I'm not sure how much he gives a care about the law...and you are so not an adult. Are you even seeing yourself right now?" he asks her as she bounces up and down cheering her girlfriend on.

"Says the guy who can't stop quipping every 5 minutes," Claire fires back...and boy is that embarrassing...especially when he fires off his really lame stinkers.

"Well it could be worse," Clark says, not really arguing that he does that.

"How?"

"I could be Spidey and quip every 30 seconds."

Claire pauses to consider that. "That one I'll give you."

Beast addresses the two teams. "Lets remember we agreed no powers. I want a good, clean game."

"We don't need powers to beat this lot," Julian arrogantly boasts.

"Well we can beat you lot blindfolded and one hand tied behind our back," Bobby retorts.

Logan shakes his head and grumbles. Ice-cube...that kid. Honestly he has been really annoying these last couple of weeks pushing to be promoted to the X-Men because Bobby had decided that suddenly he was good enough. He needs his ego knocked down a peg...or 5. "Are you ladies going to talk all day or are we playing ball?" Logan cuts it off in his stern, gruff tones.

"Lets play ball!" Beast announces and the game begins.

"Bottom of the 5th and still no score!" Jonathan announces over the PA, really getting into it. He must admit it was kinda silly but fun...though the sleeping Golden Retriever in the shade under the desk at his feet didn't seem to agree.

"What you're seeing today, ladies and gentlemen," Martha comments, "is a master class in pitching from our 2 star pitchers, Jean 'Marvel Girl' Grey and Julian 'Gives them Hellion' Keller!"

"We have 2 outs and coming up to the plate now is Scott 'The Slugger' Summers!"

Even though he is deadly focussed Scott can't help a wry smile and an amused shake of his head at the commentary duo and the endless list of nicknames they have seemed to have managed to concoct for everyone.

Scott comes up the plate with Beef behind him as the catcher. He ignores the look the huge teen is giving him and gets ready to face down Keller.

Julian must secretly confess this is fun. Mostly because he's tearing through the X-Men like tissue paper but you should never expect less from him. Heck he's even not annoyed at the name the 2 humans have come up from him. He's almost amused by them. So he gets ready to let rip another strike.

Julian pitches...and Scott barely dodges a shot that would have smashed into his hip. He glares at Hellion who is smirking.

'Son of a...' Scott grumbles in his head and resets himself.

Julian gets the ball back, winds up and lets fly...and Scott's head nearly comes off his shoulders as has to duck under that one. A ring of boos rises up from the bleachers.

"What the hell was that for?!" Scott yells, furiously.

Hellions shrugs with a smug grin. "What can I say Summers? If you can't stand the heat get off the baseball field."

Scott is going to blast this jerk into next week. He swears to God. He sets himself up once more, tightens his grip on the bat. His concentration is absolute. He and the bat are one and are going to hit this ball so far down Julian's throat...

Julian pitches...a more decent one this time...and Scott swings...and nails it perfectly.

"Holy smoke!" Jonathan exclaims in surprise and excitement. "There are two moons in the sky!"

"That poor ball is going, going, going...it's out of here folks!" Martha cries. "It's a home run! The X-Men lead by one!"

The bleachers erupt in celebration as the home team takes the lead.

Scott jogs round the bases, making sure to throw an arrogant, triumphant smirk at Hellion who is grinding his teeth so hard you have to worry he's going to break them.

As Scott gets back to the bench he is patted on the back by his team-mates and gets a big reward kiss from his girlfriend.

All the Hellions have rather sour expressions...except Penance who is currently innocently fascinated by a butterfly that is flying past her face. She goes off chasing it playfully.

The game resumes its incredible tightness after that with the X-Men remaining 1-0 up.

"Top of the 9th. 2 out. Bases loaded," Jonathan relays the current situation. It was masterfully clichéd in a way but if the Hellions' next batsman can get a home run then they would storm into the lead and put themselves in a great position to win. "Up next to face the might of Marvel Girl is Emma 'Diamond Hitter' Frost!"

Emma sets herself up to face her hated rival. Behind her Scott is the catcher. She then gasps suddenly. "Why thank you Scott. My shorts do make my rear look magnificent don't they?"

Scott looks like a deer caught in the headlights. Jean almost telekinetically throws Emma into the ocean but stops herself. She stares at her boyfriend, waiting to see if he denies it.

Scott's in trouble here because that was the thought that went through his head but come on. He's still a teenager technically and have you seen Emma's ass?

'Oh just he wait until later,' Jean vows because he'll pay for that. And Emma will pay right now because Jean is going to pitch the bleached blond haired bitch into oblivion.

Jean throws two vicious balls high on the inside just to demonstrate her dislike for the woman and it's not hard to see Emma feels it right back.

Jean winds up and throws a beautiful strike ball that Emma not only misses but she ends up falling on her ass...maybe because Jean used her powers to push the already off-balance woman over. Jean doubles over with laughter because she is so not missing this opportunity to humiliate Emma.

Emma's face twists up in fury. She gets to her feet and storms right up to Jean.

"Oh hell," Logan says, recognising where this is going. "Hank!" he shouts as he and Beast chase after Emma.

They barely manage to grab the girls before a fight breaks out though there is a lot of unladylike cussing at each other. Scott soon joins in trying to drag Jean back but damn she was stronger than she looked.

Most of the Hellions stand back and wish they would just let them go at it because man, what a cat-fight that would be to witness.

Suddenly everybody stops at the sound of large, powerful wings flapping and a shadow being cast over the field.

"Angel," Clark remarks, instantly recognising the soaring form of Warren Worthington III even if it had been 16 months since he saw him last but perfect memory and all.

"Someone pinch me," Betsy says, dreamily as her eyes take in the utter hunk of a man with beautiful white wings. "OW!" she yells as someone pinches her. Betsy rubs her arm and glares at the one responsible. "What the bloody hell did you do that for?"

Wanda manages a sweet, evil smile. "Well you did ask," she points out and hey who would turn that chance down.

"You know this guy, stretch?" Bart asks from Clark mutterings. "Stretch?" he asks again when he gets no reply. He turns his head but Clark is gone. "So that's what it feels like," he comments because Bart's done that to loads of people too. Just vanishing at superspeed. Course apparently you don't need superspeed to take him down. Logan's girlie clone managed to do it a couple of weeks back. Bart still hasn't gotten over the embarrassment but in his defence she took him completely by surprise. How can any guy, with girlfriend or not, resist being lured in by those luscious green eyes and fluttering eyelashes. She used her feminine charms to seduce him in...or at least in Bart's head that is how she did it.

Angel lands in the middle of the ballpark, many eyes trained on him.

"Warren Worthington III."

Warren's head snaps round to the blond haired woman who said that. "Emma Frost?" he queries in surprise at seeing her here of all places.

"You know him teach?" Julian inquires.

Emma's lips curl upward. She has calmed herself down...though mark her words she has not forgotten nor will she forgive what Jean did. Revenge is a dish best served cold after all. She says in answer to Julian, "A rich and powerful family like the Worthingtons? Of course I do."

"They're members of the Hellfire Club," the Professor can easily guess as he rolls onto the field.

Warren is completely shocked to see Emma here. Sure they've met at some Hellfire Club gatherings previously but he hasn't been to one in years, certainly not since he got his wings.

Emma eyes Warren appreciatively. She hadn't been aware he was a mutant. He was always a most handsome man but with these wings and his little costume...my she might almost becoming over a flutter.

Scott moves to greet Warren and interrupt this. "Angel. What's going on?" he asks, since he figures that something must be for Warren to suddenly show up without warning after well over a year since they last met.

Warren snaps out of it. "I must speak to Professor Xavier immediately," he states, his mind refocussing on why he came here.

"And how can I help you, Mr Worthington?" the Professor asks.

"I need your help. Last night I was robbed...by Magneto."

Charles blinks a little surprised to hear this. Petty thievery doesn't seem like Magneto at all. What could Erik possibly be up to now?

"I think we're going to have call the game quits early, Frosty," Logan states.

"So it seems," Emma can see. They obviously won't let her stay and find out the story. Still she can't help but wonder what this is all about though.

Author's Note: Ok so I know next to nothing about Baseball so apologies if I got it wrong. I tried to keep it as simple as I could with my limited knowledge. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Under Lock and Key part 3 as Warren's arrival sparks off a new quest for the X-Men.