Remy and Kyler awoke to Scott's voice, loud and clear, over the com unit telling them to assemble in hanger three. The waiting had come to an end. If they didn't find Sinister at the end of the signal it would be someone that could lead them to him.

Kyler grabbed the clock from the nightstand. It read four in the morning. Why couldn't villains work normal hours like everyone else? She carefully set the clock back and began to untangle herself from the warm body she had been using as a pillow.

Stumbling to the closet, she pulled out her clothes and began dressing. Remy followed her lead and got up to search for his uniform. She could feel his gaze on her as she made her preparations but he did not speak.

They finished dressing and left for the rendezvous. Neither willing to break the silence that commenced after Scott's direction. The whole Sinister situation had been talked to death. Simplified it amounted to she was going and he didn't like it. It took several days before they had to agree to disagree and let the matter drop.

Kyler tried to focus on anything but the anxiety that was beginning to engulf her. The echoing sound of their footsteps against the hall floor could not compete with the ringing emotions that swirled within her. The path to the hanger should have been longer considering the distance they had to cover but too soon the plain door loomed ahead of them.

She placed her hand in Remy's before they entered the bay. It was the first time she had touched since they awoke. She knew he could feel her sweaty palm but he remained blessedly silent.

The hanger was a bleak monstrosity of unpainted steel and cement. The team's colorful uniforms offered the only brightness. They reminder her of miniature rainbows against a gray cast sky. The equipment lights twinkling like little stars only served to emphasize the image.

Kyler looked around at the gathering faces of the team. Storm, Hank, Logan, Rogue, Joseph, Scott, and Jean, they stood there proud with determined expressions. Her distress began to ease. The X-men were good people surely they would succeed.

Hank withdrew from the group and approached them. "Remy would you mind if I had a word with Kyler before we board." Hank explained further at Remy's questioning look. "I would like assurance she capable of handling this task."

"Okay, mon ami." Remy released her hand and walked off to confer with the team before he boarded the jet.

Hank beckoned her further back from the small crowd loading the blackbird. He handed her a plastic cup of water and two small pills. "If you are still certain you have must accompany us then the flight will be more amiable if you take these. Although, I am afraid that our flight might not be long enough for them to take affect but I imagine by the end of the day you will be grateful for ingesting them."

Her face flushed a bright red. "I didn't even think..."

He cut her off before she could finish. "This is not the time to be distracted by the aliments of your condition. Concentration is vital for peak performance for everyone." He patted her arm affectionately belaying the harshness of his words.

"Thank you." She quickly swallowed the pills.

"You are welcome. Now shall we join the others?"

"Let's go." The dread that had been forestalled returned with a vengeance stopping her in her tracks. What was wrong with her? She had practically drooled over the idea of kicking Sinister in his unmentionables and now she was acting like a chicken.

"Kyler? Are you all right?"

A flush of shame covered her cheeks. "Yes." She gave herself a mental shake. It is okay to be scared as long as it doesn't interfere. Sinister had escaped justice too many times. She strengthened her resolve. She didn't want justice she needed it, for herself and those she loved.

She located Remy after boarding and took the seat next to him. The seat's harness didn't appear to be overly complicated but her shaky fingers only assisted her in twisting it in every way imaginable. Remy reached over and clamped her hands between his. He patiently waited until she turned her attention from the harness to him.

"Nothin' happen t' you, cherie." He swore to her in a near whisper.

"If you want to reassure me promise me that nothing will happen to you!" She was irritated by his startled expression. The loving issue was supposed to have been settled. "I love you, you idiot."

She knew she didn't sound very loving, sitting there and hissing like an enraged cat but it was the truth. She was afraid for both of them. It would be difficult for Remy to face Sinister. She was afraid the memories of the past might overwhelm him. She only wanted to protect him, physically and emotionally. She wished she were more adequate for the task.

His face softened and he bent down and placed a light kiss on her lips. "Know dat." He released her hands and with deft movements straightened the harness and had her locked in place in mere seconds.

"Let's go over our mission objectives." Scott paused long enough to give everyone a chance to settle and give him his or her undivided attention. "Detain Sinister and retrieve all information possible. Let's keep it quick and easy. Hit the marauders hard and fast. I want Wolverine, Gambit, and Storm leading in then followed by Rogue, Joseph, and Jean. Beast and I will bring up the rear. If we encounter Sinister before the marauders the order will reverse."

Scott settled his gaze on Kyler. "You will remain on the blackbird until the area is secure. I'll need you to access Sinister's databases. Take what you can on the other files but focus your search to anything relating to the Legacy Virus. Most especially information on a cure."

She nodded her assent. A small spear of guilt fluttered through her. Fortunately, the X-men were looking at the big picture. Sinister's crime against her was paltry against all those who had died due to the Legacy Virus. The anger she felt over her vulnerability could not compete with the grief of all the families that had suffered.

With luck, they will be able to acquire the cure and there will be no further deaths. She sent a prayer to Heaven requesting luck.

To be continued