The Set Up Sinister's headquarters.................. "I still duen trust her." His companion stated. "She defied you every chance she's gotten." "And she ran after him when he left Washington." Sinister sneered. "And she showed up wherever he has been. Something attracts her to him like a moth to a flame. She's been in New York now for years, setting up her base of operation out of an apartment near Central Park." He checked his monitor, caressing his chin. "She is friends with two of the X-men and related to another." He smiled. "I have an angle and she has a blind date." He mused, watching a figure leave the room on the monitor. Angelo's.......... "I don't know why I let you talk me into this." The composed red/black haired woman stated. "I have a 7:45am flight to Paris tomarrow and you want me to cheer up one of your friends." "Lightnen up, Luv, He's been real down lately and I figured aone night with the fair Seri would hepl him out." Betsy Braddock replied. "The least you could do is meet him." "I'll meet him, bt I am not promissing anything." "Well you could make yourself more attractive, and less wound up." She bit back. "Let down your hair and take off your glasses. You act like the fossils you represent." Betsy stated, freeing her friends hair frome the clip that held it. "Beth! Hey!" She exclaimed, her hair cascading down her back and framing her face. "I am not here to seel myself to the guy. I am here cause you asked me to come. I have an exhibit to open tomarrow night in France and this could very well be a waste of my time." She said removing her glasses to fix her hair. Betsy Braddock had always been smoothe, but it was hard sometimes to pull one past her friend Serina. She deftly and quietly slipped the glasses in her purse. "I heard that." Serina mused. "So now what? Is he so homely that you don't want me running scared?" She chuckled. "Oh I get it, you want me to meet him, but not see him." "No, Serina, I want you to relax and enjoy yourself." Betsy replied, pullig out the glasses. "You used to be so rebelious, and now, "She handed her the glasses. "you're so wound up, you're going to snap." Oh whatever, Beth." Serina replied, replacing her glasses. "I know what you're thinking, Beth and you're wrong. I don't date because........welll ... Things change and my job, well I am in different circles now. Just last week I went out." She defended under Betsy's scruteny. "Well the moment of truth has arrived." Betsy nudged Seri. "Here they are." Serina looked up, seeing them fully. "I think I need another drink." She said, rising and leaving. "Don't you dare walk out on me." Betsy threatened. "How can I? You drove." Serina piped back. "Yeah, but in your car!" Betsy reminded, as Seri made her way to the bar. Remy LeBeau definately noticed the gentil sway of the woman as she approached the bar. She wore a black suede mini skirt, waist coat and grey silk blouse. Her curvey legs, sat gracefully in black, silverheeled pumps near 5" high. Her red/black hair hung to caress the back of her knees in sovt velvety waves and curls. She some how seemed familiar. "I don' know, Mon Ami. You sure she don' mind you setting her up like dis?" He asked Warren. "Don't worry, you'll charm the pants right off her and she'll never be the wizer." Warren replied as they move to approach Betsy. "I don' usually go for de sophisticated type. Dey too stuffy." He stated, watching the girl return to the table with a glass of wine. <'Dere be no way dat be de brainiac dey discribe to me.' > "Dat her?" He asked stopping short of the table. "Yeah, that's Serina," He replied, taking a good look at her. "I think." "You Think!?!?!?!?" Gambit exclaimed quietly, in a worried tone. "Well" Warren began, "I have always seen her with her hair up and glasses on. But the rest of her looks right. "Warren explained, watching for a moment. She moved her hair, showing her glasses. "Yup, that's definately her." He smiled, walking over to Betsy. "Sorry we're late." He said, Kising her on the cheek. "Hello Sweets." "Oh, Hello, Warren." Betsy said, caught off guard, distracted by Serina's thoughts. Warren moved to Serina. "Remty had some 'things' to clear up before we came." He kissed Serina's cheek. "You look ravishing to night, Seri." "Thank you, Warren." She purred. "Seri, I would like you to meet Remy LeBeau, Remy, this is an old friend of mine, Serinia MacPhiersien." Betsy introduced. "How do you do." Remy purred in Cajun accent. "Onjonte~, Missure LeBeau." Serina purred back almost like a cat. Then she got a good look at him. <'Oh Goddess, No! It can't be!' > She caught her breath as his lips brush her hand. <'It has to be. No one has eyes like that!' > She thought to herself. <'Don't recognise me, please don't recognise me' > "Poliveu France~?" Remy purred, not releasing her hand. "Oui." She replied, trying to not look like it, but puling her hand free, and failing. "Oh Now, don't you two start, that's as bad as her and I talking telepathicly." Betsy complained. "Telepath?" Remy quized, keeping a firm hold of her hand, caressing the back unconsciously. "Yes." She replied, still trying to free her hand. <'Gods, I know you, I can feel it. This can't be! I avoided you, yt your friends are my friends. No matter where I go, or what I do, there you are.' > She thought, continueing to gentily slide her hand away. <'First Washington, where we met as kids, then New Orleans, where you didn't know me, and when I leave there, you fallow me here. ods how do I get away from you. I can't let you back in to my life, never again will I let you hurt me like you did in Washington, then marring that bitch, Belle. I should hate you.' > Her pager went off, and the look on Betsy's face showed her concern for the silence. "Oh, excuse me." She suddenly said, pulling her hand free to retrieve her pager. "I thought you agreed to leave that thing at home?" Betsy wondered, thinking more into the deep toughts of her friend, Unfortunately, Seri had a strong berrier to prevent telepaths from just wandering into her mind. "I know, it's of habit." She looked at the number. "Could you excuse me for a moment? I'll be right back, I promise." She stated, grabbing her purse and walking to the phone just inside the door. "Hello, This is MacPhiersien." "I told you you were his. Now do yourself a favor and do what I created you to do, then your sster will be spared." The voice purred over the phone. She leaned to look out the window. "Oh yes, Serina, I am there, make no mistake, I am watching you. Now do as you were told. It should be easy. He's attractive enough. I hear he is even a good lover which should make your first time smoo...." She slamed the phone down. "Problem Chere?" Gambit asked from behind her, making her jump. "Huh? Oh!" She regained control of herself. "No.. No, nothing I can't take care of." She replied. "I'm sorry, Mr. LeBeau........." "Remy" He corrected. "Remy, but I have to go. There are some things I need to take care of before my flight tomarrow." He helped her with her overcoat, a suede black trench that fell to her heels. "Maybe we can get together when I return in a month." He took her hand silently, kissing the back of it. "Anytime, Chere, anytime." He purred. "I'll walk you to your car." He said opening the door. "Oh, that won't be nessessary." She rushed, "I will be fine." She waved him off, rushing to her car. She began to unlock the door when she felt a blow from behind.......... She was half conscious when she was hauled like excess baggage to a park near by and pinned against a tree roughly. "Going somewhere, Serinity?" Sinister purred, pressing near her face. "Now why would I do a thing like that?" She asked sarcasticly. He slaped her hard across the mouth. "That was not the answer I wanted to hear." Meanwhile.... Gambit didn't like her hurried "Good Bye'. Why he was getting involved was beond him, ut he fallowed her attackers, and now sat perched in a near by tree, watching Sinister, and calculating a good time for a one man attack. She reached up, wiping the blood from her lip. "Now now, damaging the merchandise before sale won't look good to the prospective buyer. I am only on loan from Apocolypse, you damage me and he'll take it out of your hyde." She sneered. He slaped her again, this time with a closed fist. "You belong to Him not Apocolypse. I only used you to get in to his good graces again. You are mine! I created you and I can distroy that in which I create!" He growled. "At one time, Me Amore~ that would have terrofied me." As she spoke, Gambit moved from tree to tree to ge a closer look, hearing every word that was said. "But not anymore." She kneed him in the groin, his cronies getting a weak grip on her as she kicked Sinister in the face. She shook the other two off easily and pinned Sinister to the ground, her silver heel at his throat. "One move to stop me and I slit his throat." She paused for a reaction. "Good." She said when she got none. "Now it is time for My demands First off, I am not a possesion for you to barter. Secondly,I do not have to do a damn thing you say. And thirdly, I will walk to my car with out any dissruption or attempt to capture or harm me, or I will see you dead before the rising of the sun. I will be no one's whore!" She growled deeply, flicking her ankle, making a small cut on his throat, then walked to her car. She opened the door, and climbed in, starting the engine. Sinister took that moment to blast her car with a kenetic power blast, causing it to explode. Gambit dropped from his tree. "NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Gambit Cried, rushing toward the blase. "Do you realize how much that costs!?!?!?!?" He couldn't belive his eyes, she was walking towards them in the flames. "A quarter of a million dollar car, a 2,000.00 dollar full legnth silver fox coat in the back seat." At this, Sinister's henchmen decided to flee. She was a sigh. A shadowy figure, with glowing green eyes. "Not to mention this outfit which is a total cost of 680.00 dollards." She was now clearing the flames, her outfit smoldering. " I think I'll take this one out myself!" She growled, stalking Sinister. "Don't threaten me, Little Girl. You couldn't compeat with th......" He didn't finnish, she blasted him with a glowing white ball of energy that sent him flying back in to the bushes. She turned to the blaze that was her car. "Damn." She muttered, walking toward it. "My insurance is going to skyrocket." She muttered as Gambit approached her from behing. "So how much did you hear?" "All of it, Chere, All of it." He said as he smothered the smolding of her shoulder. "Well," She sighed. "I need to call a cab. I have a plane to catch." She said, begining to walk away. "It was nice to meet you, Mr..... I mean Remy." She tossed over her shoulder. He rushed to catch up with her. "How's about I give you a lift?" He asked "It's de least I can do, seein as I was your date an' all, Serina." She stopped, turning to face him, her car gathering quite a crowd now. "Are you serious?" "Sure." "Alright, I guess." She replied, taking his arm as he led her to his motercycle. She began to laugh. "You must be kidding, right?" "No. It's mine." He began to chuckle, picturing her climbing on to his bike in her skirt. "I won' look, I promise." He replied. "She chuckled. "Yeah, right. Since when." She muttered, mounting the bike as gracefully as possible, holding her skirt down. "Alright, I'm on." She said as he sat in front of her. "Hold on tight, Chere." He said as they pulled out, her arms tightly around his chest. <'Dis be too familliar. But she not be old enough to be her. She'd be 22 now.' > Memories......... His thoughts trailing to a time when he got his first bike. There was this girl he knew, 2 years younger, maybe 3 than him. He'd give her rides to school. She was this smart girl who was in his class and lived near by. They were real close friends, back in Washington, but she's gone to him now. dissappeared. "Where to, Chere?" "Central Park. I have an apartment that over looks the park and the bay." She stated, drifting off into her own thoughts. Her mind drifted to a time in Washington at a cove where they would play. She had developed early and her mother warned her that boys would start acting funny, but then she never believed it of him. Her bathing suit top got caught on a bush near the water as she jumped in. "Don' worry, Chere, I won' look." He had said. "Promise?" She asked, unsure of him, he was acting strange the past few days. "I promise." He said turning his back to her. She cautiously moved to retrieve it, trying to keep an eye on him, but shed have to look where she was jumping. Just as she reached her top, she noticed he was watching her. "OHHHH!!!! Remy!" She splashed him as he grinned at her, watching the whole time. "I'll never trust you again!" she screeshed, putting her top in place. "Ofcoarse you will, Renia." He said, tieing it for her. "You'll always trust me like we'll always be together." He said, turning her to face him. "Besides, Who'll beat up the bullies for me?" She smiled sarcasticly. "Cirtainly not the blond in third period." She turned her face away from him. "Lisa?" He asked, seeing her anger rising. "I hadn't noticed." "Hadn't noticed!?" That's it, she was going to explode. "Haddn't noticed my...." "Watch your mouth, Renia." He warned. "Why you!" She pushed away from him. "You nearly tripped because you watched her and not where you were going!" She was moving toward shore. He fallowed, catching up with her. "You're jellous." He taunted. "Am not!" She snapped. "You wouldn't know how to treat a girl even if she looked at you!" She stuck out her tounge. "Well if you acted like one, maybe I'd treat you like one." He challenged. "Act Like!!!!!?????, Why you Bastard!" She screamed, blasting him back with a ball of energy she'd never seen before. He landed in the water, floating face down. "REMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed, going in after him. She pulled him to shore, trying to rouse him. She then tried the CPR they were learning in class, when her eyes widened in panic. He kissed her. Present............ "Now where, Chere?" He asked, pulling her from her thoughts. "Left" She whispered. "Take a left. It's the third one on the right." She replied. "Thought meybe you fall asleep on me or somethin'." He stated. "No, Mon Chere~, Just deep in thought." She replied. His thoughts began to drift to a time where he'd last saw her. Their apartment, in New Orleans......... "No Remy." She stated flatly. "If she don' wan' me dere, den I not go." She stood her ground. "It be your an' her day, Remy, I won' spoil it for you." "But I won' be as happy if'n your not derey, Petite."He grew angry, growling at her. "It be my day too, Damn it." He had an ashtray under his hand and it began to charge. "Ok..Ok.." She spoke softly, taking the ashtray away, absorbing the charge. "I'll go... I'll go. Jus' don' distroy what be left o my now apartmen." She soothed, smoothing his hair and caressing his cheek. "I promise, I'll be there." She never showed that day. He waited for an hour, making his bride a bit angry, but finially he could wait no longer. He never saw her again, no "good bye" nothing. He had his suspiscions, but never could prove it. "Right here, Remy." Her voice purred through his thoughts, bringing him back. "Oh, Thanks." He replied, pulling over. She climbed off gracefully. "So, um... Do you wanna come up for a beer or somethin'?" Her voice now a thick Scottish accent. She slowly and unconsciously moved the hair from her neck. There it was, something only she would have. It was a small birth mark in the shape of a bird in flight. "Yeah, Chere. I'd love too." He smiled to himself.
"Then you might want to park that with mine in the garage." She said as she began to walk to the underground garage. Boy! Had she changed. She had a walk that could drive a man insaine, yet the grace of a queen. He watched as she stopped at a stall that held a 67 indian bike> "Just park it there." She purred, waiting for him. "OK, now where, Chere?" He asked, offering his arm. "Up." She replied, accepting it. She led him to the elevator and pushed the top floor. "So what is it that you do for a living, Remy? " His name seemed to roll off her lips with a seductive purr as the elevater began to accend to the top floors. "I am an X-Man." <'Great!' > He thought. "I mean I work for Professor Xavier, as so I can attend his institute" He stammered. "You got a McCoy there?"She asked as they neared the top two floors. "Yes." He answered. "He working on that Legacy Virus?" "Yes." He answered. "Tell him to get in touch with me, I may have some data for him." She purred as the doors opened, and they walked out. She led him down the corridor that held only four doors for the entire floor, to the door at the end or the hall. "Here we are." She stated, punching in a code on the alarm, then unlocking the door. "My humble abode." She smiled, hitting the lights and the answering machine as she walked by, kicking off her shoes. "There's beer and other in the fridges, small one has wine, large, the beer and other." She offered as she opened up the apartment and turned on the lights. "Must be 50 calls telling me my car exploded tonight." She mused. "I'm going to get comfotable, feel free to do the same." She smailed as she drop her jacket and coat in a chair. Her walk to the bedroom made him shake his head. Either she was trying to seduce him, and succeeding, or she had no idea the effect she had on men. He grabbed a beer and headed for the couch, as he walked he noticed the door open and was mesmerized by her removal of her clothes. He leaned in the door, watching as she removed her stockings one by one. Instead of lifting her leg to remove them, she bent to roll them down her leg, slowly and carefully, as not to ruin them with her long nails. After that he decided to go out for some 'cooler' air. <'She was definately built' > He thought. <'Not too large, but not too small. She had a classic shape to her, timeless. Her hair cascading to the back of her knees, like fire kissed onyx. The fire framing her face with long lush curls and waves.' > He thought to himself. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear her come out, turning on the stereo, getting a drink and walking out behind him. "Decided to cool off?" She asked, leaning on the edge. "Breath taking view." "Yes it was........ I mean is." He stammered. "Don't flatter yourself, Cajun. I don't usually have visiters, so I forget to close the door. But thanks for the compliment anyway." She moved to stand beside him, leaning against the rail. "So," He began. "What ties you to Sinister?" <'There, it's out.' > "I stole something fromhim when he stole something from me and he is using it against me." She replied. She had changed in to a tank top, jeans, no shoes, socks and pulled her hair into a barret style pony tail. She now leaned against the railing, faceing him. "You got caught?" He asked. "No, he has no idea I have it." She replied, walking to her computer and booting it up. "I hacked my way into his data base and downloaded all his information." She beamed. "It was simply astounding." Showing him the breeding data. He read several files including one on a Serinity MacPhiersien. She was a "generation" of a member of weapon x and a 4th generation telepath. Serinity, as to date was the stronges, most powerful one from the group. He also read on other MacPhiersien's, one 17 years older than Serinity, a set of twins that are 6 years older and one 4 years younger, as well as ajoining files for a relation named simply Onyx, (Same father) and a MacGreggor (A cousin). Most dissappiered when Serinity was aproximatly 4 and their where abouts are unknow except for Serinity and the youngest, Breanna. "Let me guess, you are Serinity and Breanna is what he holds to control you." "Very good, Gambit, there may be hope for you yet." She purred, sitting in a swivil rocker. "Alright, Renia, cut de crap." He snapped, pinning her to the chair. "What does he want from you and what does it have to do with me?" He growled in a demanding tone. "Getting pushy in yer old age, Neh, Remy?" She leaned forward, kissing him lightly. "Be careful, Mon Chere~, you may not be able to handel de fire you be startin' ." She purred. "Don' push me, Renia." He warned. "She teleported to land behind him, on his back, pinning him face down in the chair. "Ohh, you are such a turn on." She purred in his ear. "Only problem, Chere, de parts, dey be in de wrong places." He purred back, she had him dead bang. If he got free of her, he may never know Sinister's plan. "Very funny, now what exactly do you want to know, Remy and don' try to bully mae, it's not yer style." She said in an irratated tone. "Den let me up an' we talk." He said. She seemed to contimplate this for a moment, but the let him up. He pulled her tightly against him. "Watch what you say, Petite~, I may take up de offer." He threatened. "Anytime you t'ink yer man enough, Mon Ami." She challenged. "More man den you can handle, Chere." He said, kissing her deeply, her hands involentarily going around his neck. "Oh... that...... that was good." She said softly. "But don't you have any... um............ passion?" He didn't answer, his frustration on his face as he kissed her again this time freeing her hair from the clip. She pulled away slowly, catching her breath. "That... hmmmm. that was much better." She breathed, clearing her throat. "You've been practicing." She admitted, pulling away and moving back to her chair. "What do you want to know?" She spoke as if his kiss didn't phase her. <'Can't let feelings get in the way. He'll try and stop me'.> "What do I have to do with that file?" He asked, towering over her. "Breeding." She replied simply. "He wants you back, and he wants you to sire a child....................with me." <'There, I told him'.> She moved to the computer again, changing disks and opening a file. "This disk here tells of his plan for me from the begining. It is his personal journal, it dates back to my birth. He and my 'mother' aranged the time we spent together. They wanted a match and when they didn't get it, they resorted to more 'drastic' measures. Everything from phisical abuse to blackmail. If Beth hadn't fixed me up with you tonight, they'd be shit out of luck." She said defiantly, moving away so he could sit and read what was there. He read several things, and she was right, they had planned all along that they were to wed, and bear children. She was 'created' specificly for him. According to the disk, they thought she was a boy at first, but when they found her to be a girl, they matched her to him. One quote even stated it. "She belongs to Remy, only Remy. She'll be dead if she even thinks of bedding annother man before him. Nothing can be aloud to taint her." Annother refered to Belle. "I agreed to her marring him, the bitch, but she was to leave Serinity to me. Hanging her in view of the church as the bells rang for their wedding was a bit zealous. It was a good thing I found her when I did. She lost her voice for over a year, making the sell difficult since she could not display her most powerful weapon, her voice. She has a voice that can calm or create a war. She can conqure anyone or anything with but a song." He looked at her in disbelief. "Is that true?" He asked. "Uhh........is what tShe asked, reaching in a cabinet, digging for something on the top shelf. He walked up behind her, lifting her up. "Conqure with a song?" She gra bag of chips, turning in his hands without leaving them or the top shelf. "I guess. I never tried it." She kissed the top of his head. "You can set me down now." She spoke softly. "Oh...." He whispered, meeting her sparkling gold/green eyes. He set her down, the small space making their bodies rub all the way down. He inched away, feeling a bit strange. "What about the bit on bein' untouched?" He asked walking back to the computer chair. "Now that's personal." She said, bouncing past him to the far wall. "And it was my choice. I was busy collecting all of these." She stated, showing him her accomplishments over the past years. He moved for a closer look. She had 7 PHD's, 9 Batchlors, 8 masters, and 10 AA degrees. "Impressive." He whispered in awe. "Yeah, well..... I had to have a hobby. You left me for more 'earthly' persuets." She sounded almost bitter. "I did what I enjoy, aI happen t' love de....... Hey!" He realised she had insulted him. "I don' have to explain myself t' you." "Never said you did, you began all on yer own. I only made a statement. You were th' one who made mae believe that we'd be a team ferever." She strutted to her chair. "I thin' I can accoun' meself as bein' th' only one who could dance in front o' ye nude, be perfectly touchable an' remain untouched by ye." He started to open his mouth to retort, but she stopped him. Her head snapped the direction of the balcony. "Hold that thought, Remy, this one I know." She said in perfect english, no accent at all. She moved past him to the balcony, while he looked out the window. They both found the culprets easily. It was Sinister, a woman, and four of his men. "It's seems, Petite~ He know we're together." "Yeah, He has my place watched as closely as the mansion." She replied. "Remy, come here." She requested. "Why?" He asked, involentarily coming to stand behind her. "Why not ..." She turned to face him, her arms going around his waist. "Give them." She pulled him close to her. "something to." She slid her arms to around his neck. "cherrish." Pulling his face down to hers. "an' us some peace." She finished, kissing him deeply. He fallowed her lead. "Yeah, lets." He replied, kissing her with a searing passion. His kisses became more demanding as he lifted her to sit on the brick railing, her lags going around his waist as she hold on to him. He trailed his kisses down her neck as she arched her back, his hands holding her firmly on her firm utt cheeks. He trailed them across the exposed curve of her breasts as her hands entangled themselves in his hair, their breath coming in quick gaspes. Theyr kisses were as if they hungered for this as he made his was back up to her lips, her legs tightening around his waist. His hands massaging her cheeks as she began to lightly claw his back. "Maybe we should........." There was a knock at the door. "Shit!" She breathed in a labored sort of way. "Ah..... answer.......... tha......... door............... ?" She said between kisses. "Not....... exac'ly......... what.......... I......... had........ in......... mind......" He said, caressing her breast with his kissed. She groaned in pleasure. "Some...... t'ing.......... a........... bit........ more........inta.......mate......." He said as he continued his sensual assult, having her respond to his every touch. The knock became more insistant. "Damn!" She breathed in frustration. "They won't leave!" She was agervated, finially stopping him. He chuckled. "I'll get de door, you get yourself back togt'er." He smiled, agusting himself as he went to answer the door. She glanced down, she was almost compleatly out of her top. "Eerrrr!" She growled, righting herself, the recomposing her dignity, fallowed him in to the apartment.
She walked in, fixing her hair and turning off the computer. "Who is it, Remy?" "Warren and Betsy." He replied as she approached the door. She opened the door more fully. "Oh Hi." She said, clearing her throat, smiling. "You weren't out there too long, were you?" "No." Betsy replied. "Well actually........" Warren began but Betsy elbowed him in the ribs. "Owe.. No We just got here." He lied. "Oh.. good. We were on the balcony and barely heard you knock." Seri explained. "Come in, what would you like to drink?" "Enjoying de view." Gambit added. "I be back in a moment, Petite~, I left my beer out there." He excused himself. "Sure." She replied. "So what'll ya have?" She asked, trying to hid the warm rush that flushed her face. "Chablis." Warren requested. "Oh..I'll have a Blush." Betsy snickered. "No problem." Seri replied, opening the whiled rack, ever greatful for its coolness. She handed them thier drinks. "I'll go see what's keeping him." She smiled leaving. "See, I told you they'd hit it off." She heard Betsy say as she walked out on to the balcony. "What's keeping you, Love?" She asked, sliding her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back. "Nothin', Petite~, jus' thinkin'." "They still there?" "Yep, and dey bringin' in some friends." He said, running his hand over hers. She wore several rings. Two on the right hand and what looked to be two on the left. He lifted it for a closer look. It was two, on her ring finger. "A wedding set, Chere~?" "Yes, it keeps the creeps away." She replied. "Theyre are gys like you then there are guys who duen take 'no' fer an answer. This keeps them all away." "De others?" "One is from a very old friend, the other is from Lousi." She explained "Speaking of which, we have two in my livingroom." "An' even more down stairs." He replied, noticing more of Sinister's men coming out of the woodwork. She turned him to face her. "Look, I dinnae come this far with out knowin' how t' deal wit' th' likes o' him. I can take care o' meself." She turned and began to leave. He grabed her, pulling her hard against him. "True, but up til now, I had no idea. Now it's my turn." He leaned, dropping a kiss to her shoulder, then pushed her through the dorr to stop further arguing. "Who's the watchers?" Betsy asked. "Sinister." Remy replied. Serina elbowed him in the side. "Owe!!" He slaped her backside. "Hey!" She turned on him. "I said I could handel it!" She snaped, teleporting away. Betsy looked out the window to see her re-appear in a tree above Sinister. "I think she just got pushed too far." She stated retoricly. Remy took a look for himself out the window. "I t'ink we better get down dere." Serina sat, perched in a tree eavesdropping on them. "I still feel that our presence here may cause her to run again." The woman stated firmly. "I want to remain a thorn in her side as she is in mine." Sinister replied. <'I'll show you thorn.'> Serina sneered in her mind as she removed a feather dart from a pocket in her pants. She had absorbed just enough of his power to charge the tip. She threw it at the group Sinister was in, it exploded, exposing her position to a group she hadn't yet sensed from behind her. The group took her down, pummeling her to the ground. Remnants from her earlier battle had begun to fade, til now. She teleported herself to behind Sinister and facing her building. Gambit charged a few card, while Warren and Betsy went separate ways to counter attack Sinister's men. He threw the cards at Sinister, seeing no sign of Serina. Sinister dodged and ran to fight another day. But as the smoke cleared, he saw Serina, lying on the ground, twisted from his blast. In her shoulder, was lodged an un-blown card. "No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Remy screamed, rushing to her. She laid there almost lifeless, her eyes closed and barely breathing. He gently pulled her into his arms, carefully removing the card, then shielding her as it exploded above them. "Come on Girl." He pleaded. "I can' lose you now. Not now dat I find you again." He spoke quietly, holding her close, feeling her even breathing. "Is she alright?" Betsy asked as Warren flew off to see where Sinister had gone. "Don' know, Lil'beth. Need to get her inside." He replied, lifting her up. "I can walk." Serina said hoarsely. "No." Remy replied firmly, relieved that she was conscious. "I duen belong t' you or anyone." She sounded weak, but defiant. "Duen tell mae wha' ta do, Gambit." "Never said you did, Love." He chuckled softly, carrying her to her apartment."Never said you did." In her apartment.......... Gambit gently laid her on the bed while Betsy got a wet towel. "I said I am fine." Serina stressed, trying to get off the bed. "No." He told her softly, but firmly, pushing her back down on the pillows. "I need to see to your shoulder." He stated, pulling her shirt away. "No." She snapped, pushing his hand off, and rolling away from him to the other side of the bed. "I am fine, now let me go!" She attempted a feeble escape. "Stay still!" He raised his voice at her, pulling her back to where he had her on the bed, pinning her down. "You had a bad hit." "No I didn't." She said stubbornly, struggling against him. "I....." She began. He cut her off, quieting her the only way he knew that worked with her....... He kissed her. This Betsy walked in on. "There.' He replied, a bit winded. "Now." He slid her shirt gently off her shoulder. "That I have your attention." He took the towel from Betsy. "Thank you." He told Betsy. "My card hit you." He returned to telling Serina. "De blast, she knock you out. One card, she get stuck in your shoulder. Now I will tend it and you will stay still until I am done." He told her as Psylocke left the room. Warren flew in through the balcony as Psylocke closed the bedroom door. "How is she?" He asked. "Ornery as ever." She replied, kissing him lightly. "What did you find?" "They circled around and are working their way to the building. We're surrounded." He replied, getting a glass of water. The arguing in the bedroom suddenly stopped in mid sentence. "Damn!" Warren breathed, heading for the door. "No." Betsy caught him. "He has his own way to tame her." She smiled. "Let s let the mansion know, we're going to be late."
In The Room...................... "Now listen to me, Petite~, you need to rest. You should reschedual your flight and please let me help you." Remy actually pleaded with her as she lay there facing the window, a pout on her face. She didn't answer. "I'll take dat as a 'yes'." He leaned near to her cheek, kissing it. "I'll be back in a moment, Neh?" He rose to leave. One last look at her and she was asleep. He quietly closed the door, turning to his friends. "How is she?" Betsy asked. "Is everything alright?" Warren inquired, a bit puzzled. "Yeah, she's sleeping." He replied, running a hand through hi hair. "What's de update?" "They've circled back and surrounded the building. called the mansion, they send their best." Warren explained. Gambit moved to the window, seeing them advance the building. "I hope one of us knows de way out of here unseen." He stataed. "I've only been here a few times." Betsy stated. "From what I saw out there, there very few and none are hidden." Warren added. "I know a way." A soft voice spoke from behind them. They turned to see Serina leaning in the door way, a bag on her un-injured shoulder. "I can teleport us almost anywhere." She began, walking towards them, swaying as she moved. Gambit moved to aid her. "No." He said flatly. "You're too weak, Petite~." She pulled away from him, slightly. "It's the only way, unless you want to battle, then I am as good as gone. With or with out you." She swayed, and both Warren and Remy grabbed hold of her, with Betsy touching Warren. Seeing this, she smiled. "Preferrably with you." She purred. Teleporting them to an alley on the nicer side of town. "What the........?" Betsy stammered. "I believe it is called The Regent." Serina replied, walking away, consitraiting on not swaying. "If'n yer plannin' on stayin' wit' mae, then I'd be a cachin' up if'n I were ye." He brogue slipping from lack of consentration, leaning on a post. She then turned the corner and out of their sight. They moved swiftly to cach up with her, but she was already in the lobby signing the receipt. "There's a letter for yo Miss MacPhierson." They heard the manager say, handing her an envalope. "Thank you." She replied, sitting down to open it, confused. Her eyes widened as she read it, folding it and putting it away hurriedly. >Hotel............. "What is it, Petite~?" Remy asked, moving close to her. Whatever it was stunned her. "Huh? Oh, nothing." She paused. "Nothing for you to worry about." She absently felt for the paper, then leaned into Gambit, feeling safer in his arms. They rode in silence to their suite, Serina opened the door. There was a sitting room with a bar in it, and bedrooms on either side. Serina went to the room on the left and set her bag down. She sat down on , the bed, beginning to thumb through some papers. Gambit waited a moment then fallowed her. "Renia? " He leaned in the door way. "You ok?" She stopped abruptly, looking up, but not at him. "Yes." She stated plainly, almost android like. "Why don't the three of you decide on dinner. I'm going..... I 'm going...... to take a shower." She then stood and walked to the bathroom, closing the door. "Somet'ing be up, Renia." He muttered to himself, then turned to Betsy and Warren. "You two order dinner. I'm going to see that we weren't fallowed." He stated, walking out of the suite. Serina entered the bathroom, locking the door (As if that would stop him). She turned on the shower, then teleported to her apartment. She gathered her things, and grabbed her disks. She said 'good bye' to all of her things, the set a small glowing ball on the couch. "You'll burn my things, but harm no one." She whispered, then teleported back to the hotel bathroom. She wet her hair, changed her clothes, wrapping her hair in a towel as she exited the bathroom. "Did you get everyt'ing?" Gambit asked, his back to her as he looked out the window. "I don't know what you are talking about." She said confidently. She knew he knew. Her apartment was only a mile away. It wouldn't take much for him to get there and back. "You went back. Did you get everyt'ing?" He repeated, turning to face her. "I duen know, Gambit, you tell me." She said, stressing his name before walking into the sitting room. "You have t' trus' somebody sometime, Petite~." He stated, sure she heard him, before fallowing her. They ate with little conversation, Serina remaining distant. After the meal, they reminisced on old times. Meanwhile......... "Samantha, my dearest." Sinister purred as the chestnut haired woman approached him. "Yes, Father?" Her voice almost sang her devotedness for him. "I have a job for you." He stated wickedly. Warren and Betsy decided to step out for a drink and to let the two talk. "Talk to me, Chere~." He spoke softly, standing behind her as she stare out the window. "Nothing to talk' about, Gambit." She replied coldly, again stressing his name. "Fine, Serinity, but you have t' trus' someone." She shook with rage. "Did that once and what did it get mae?" She whirled on him. "I'll tell ye wha' it got mae! 8 months in the tha hospital an' 2 years rehab. I duen trust anyone!" He knew what buttons to push. He also knew if he kept it up, she'd slip, or so he hoped. She was so much like he remembered, only now she seemed always on the edge. "So what pushed you?" "You know damn well what pushed me! You did!" She never raised her voice, yet made her point known. He could remember times where she and Sinister would argue, yet only Sinister's voice was the only one heard. She teleported away. He walked to their room, the curtains blowing in the breeze. He could see her slender body silhouette in the street light. He walked out to her, putting his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Petite., Tell me about it." "No." She stated, pulling away. "You made your choice, now live with it." She said, walking past him to the phone in their room. She called the airport. "Yes, this is MacPhierson, I would like to know when the next flight to Paris is?" She paused. "Yes, I'll hold." Waiting for the receptionist to return. "Ahh, yes, Ok, could you bump me up?" She lit a cigarette. "Yes, that's fine, smoking. Thank you, I'll be there." She replied as he entered the room. She then called the front desk. "Yes, I need a car to pick me up out front in 5 minutes." She paused for an answer. "Thank you." then hung up the phone, putting on her pumps, then her jacket. She stood, putting everything back in her bag. "Don' go, Renia." He sounded almost sad. "Why?" She asked, "So I can stay here and be a target? No. I have a job now, a life." She threw her bag over her shoulder, stopping beside him. "I'd love nothing more than to in this hell with you, but there are some things, Amore~, that I must do alone." She kissed his cheek, her heels making her almost his height. "Good Bye, Remy, Me Amore~." Then she headed for the door. He walked behind her. "Renia, wait." She stopped short of the hotel door. She turned to face him, never saying a word. His eyes told her all she needed to know. "I can'[t Remy, I just can't." She stared to turn, but he stopped her, brining her face close to his. "I have lost too much lately, Re. Don' stay away too long." Then kissed her deeply, passionately. She kept her eyes closed for a few moments after they parted, never leaving his embrace. "If things were different, Remy, I would." She opened her eyes, her contacts in place. She caressed his cheek. "Always, Me Amore~, always." Then she turned, and walked away.
He watched from the door. His eyes burning through her. Other than Rogue, Renia was the only one able to enter his mind freely. A strong enough telepath to get past his berriers undetected. Her last words to him wre in answer to a question on his mind. Not hidden but never asked. He watched as the elevator doors closed, she never looked back, then he turned and closed the door. The Elevator.......... "Leaving already Miss?" The tendant asked. "Yes, a change of plans." She replied. He was the same one from earlier. "Long trip?" "Yeah." She answered, glancing up to see that they were going up not down. "Where are we going?" She asked, feeling for her dagger. "Got a pick up on the top floor." He replied. "Besides, we just couldn't let you leave." He replied shifting to his true form. "YOU!" Those were the last words she spoke, before falling unconscious from a nerve gas the woman sprayed. The door opened and a large burly man entered, lifting Serina up off the floor rather roughly. "Gentily, you baffoon, Father will have our butts if she is harmed." She snapped, fallowing him out of the elevator. In the room....... About the time Serina paniced, Remy was hit with a wave of danger. He watched for her out the window, but she never left the building. He decided to go down for a closer look. The elevator opened to reveal, Warren and Betsy. "Did you see Serina?" "No. Why?" Betsy asked. "She uped her flight, but never left de building." Remy explained. "I'll hit the ground, Warren, the air." Betsy too charge. "I'll be on de roof." Remy stated. "Maybe she teleported." Warren suggested. "Then why she call for a car?" Remy snapped. "Nevermind." Warren recounted. "We'll find her, Remy, " She comfprted as best she could. "We'll find her." Psylocke took the elevator, Warren, the window and Remy the stairs, to reach their places, searching for Serina as thoroughly as possible. Alternetive X-Pierences