The others were engaged in battle and couldn't break away yet. It was up to her and no matter what, she had to keep moving. Somewhere in these dingy corridors they held him. She couldn't rest until she had him safe in her arms.

A whisper of scratches sounded from behind sending a chill through her blood. She threw herself flat against the wall and hoped she heard it in time. Peering into the darkness, she kept a dagger ready to strike at the first available target.

A laughable weapon giving her build and skill but she dare not make more noise than necessary. Even the small advantages were advantages.

The scratchy sound came again, helping her secure the location of the threat. She swallowed a relieved sigh when the she recognized the source of noise. A large rodent passed her hiding place against the wall to continue its hunt for food.

Stepping away from the wall, she quickly made her way down another seemingly endless corridor. Her heartbeat accelerated wildly as a high keening wail broke the silence. She froze when the sound of pain and terror echoed through again. It was a child's scream. It was his scream.

The third such cry shattered her paralysis and she broke into a run, praying for the X-men to hurry. She ran faster and faster toward the source of what was now a continuous cry of agony.

Her side ached and her breath came in short painful pants from exertion but still she pressed herself faster. She was desperate to reach him, desperate to stop the cries that pierced her heart like red-hot irons.

Then the cries abruptly stopped. Please! She begged to God or Satan she didn't care who answered as long as they were willing to deal.

The door at the end of hall loomed before her but she did not slow her charging stride. She awkwardly pulled a gun from the holster under her arm and aimed for the lock. The cool metal became and extension of her arm as she squeezed off several shots. There was no sense of satisfaction as the lock disintegrated under the punishing bullets, only a soulful urgency that grew with each step.

She bent slightly at the waist forcing her shoulder forward. Flesh and wood met with a sickening crunch, sending a flash of pain that ended in her thighs. Will power alone kept her on her feet as the door crashed open and she stumbled inside.

Blinking several times trying to adjust to the bright lighting, she surveyed the room. Steel tables filled every available space, some held chemicals and beakers, others held odd-looking machines. Only one table held her riveted attention, the one that held her son.

"I am afraid there won't be much left after I am finish with your sample."

She whirled around to face the voice that sent shivers down her spine. Satan must have heard her prayer. Seeing the black lips against the stark white face she raised the gun and took aim. "Release him!"

"The program is not yet complete. Do you see the diamond shaped devise?"

She wanted to charge over there and pull the boy from the table but dare not present the devils advocate her back, not if she was to get him out alive. Her eyes slid carefully back to the table.

The air left her lungs in a hissing breath. She stared at the object in question. The smooth planes of its surface gave it the appearance of a harmless toy. The small blue light that licked its way from the machine to her son did not appear harmless at all.

He was engulfed in blue flames from the fluff of his red hair to the tiny little toes. She watched as horror as the energy flames grew into a blaze that luminated the table. The apparatus' light appeared to be striping layer upon layer of his skin.

"An ingenious invention I recently procured. It can take solid matter and transport it into data. I can then take selected data and recreate the desired traits I seek in my experiments. You should be honored to witness the execution of its trail run."

Honored? The person who could send this demon back to the hell from which he had slithered would be honored. She had no noble sentiments of saving humanity from such a creature, only the ones a lioness feels when protesting her cub.

The urge to strike out and tear his eyes out was choking her but she held back. The attack would be futile. Her strength was no match against his. Her knees almost buckled under the waves of helplessness. What could she do? Her baby was dying a few feet from her and she didn't know how to stop it.

"Release him!" She hated the terror filled tone that warned him of her waning control.

"Surely you are not foolish enough to try and force me?"

Her control snapped at the taunting words. The gun focused on a new target and she fired listening to the twang as the bullet plowed through metal and circuitry. The gun fired once before plasma blast knocked her across the room.

"You fool!" He stood over her, his black shredded cape brushing the side of her leg. His black gloved hand reached down and picked her off the floor by the neck.

All her energy was reserved for trying to breathe, there was none left to struggle. She hung from his grasp gasping for air, knowing short moments remained of her life.

The area became darker and darker until it felt like night itself had entered the room to enfold her. Calm drifted over her conscious and she stopped fighting for breath. She stared up into her capture's face and let him see all her pain and hatred. There was even pity for him being communicated from the stormy gray eyes.

Then she was falling. Bright lights and the sounds of explosions were all around her, thank God they were finally here. She wanted to open her eyes and watch the scuffle but she was too tired so she listened to it instead.

The sound of air sucking in upon itself drew her attention immediately. Damn, the devil was escaping. That was okay. They were here now and everything would be all right.

Gentle hands touched her softly and soothing words filled her ears asking her to open her eyes. Obeying the summons she looked up into a blue furry face.

"The baby? Is he okay?"

Tears dripped down furry blue checks. "I am sorry."

She shook her head in disbelief. "No!"

Despite the pain racking her body, she rolled to her side and struggled to her knees. Hands reached out to help her and she pushed them away. She lacked the strength to walk so she began crawling toward the table.

The steel edge was smooth making it difficult to pull herself up. She battled to regain her footing but knew she wasn't going to make when strong familiar arms circled her waist.

"Don' look, chere."

"I have to." She whispered.

He reluctantly nodded and lifted her higher so she could peer onto the table. What was on the table couldn't be recognized as a baby, let along her baby.

A strangled sound of pain and despair escaped her lips as she violently threw herself out of his hold. She landed with a thud against the cold floor. She heaved until her stomach was empty and only shuddery spasms remained.

Collapsing next to the vomit, she pounded the floor with her fists and screamed her agony. She had failed again. She had failed him again. *************************************************************************************************

Kyler woke up screaming.

"Wha?" Remy jumped out of bed in battle ready tension, grabbing two cards off the nightstand. The energized cards provided a small measure of light to search the room. Seeing no threat, he let the charge fizzle out the cards.

"Chere? What wrong?"

"Nightmare."

He sat down on the bed and reached for her huddled form. She flinched at the first touch of his hand on her shoulder but he would not back away needing to comfort her. He gathered her closely and cradled her against his chest.

Her arms wrapped around him and she buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her tears fell in warm drops against his skin. He rocked her, stroked her hair, while she told of him of her frightening dream.

"I failed him again." She sobbed.

"Failed who? Don' understan'." Kyler shook her head in distress and remained silent. He couldn't let it go, for her sake and his he had to help. He loved her. "Failed who?"

"The baby." She whispered harshly.

"Didn' fail, cherie. Just dream. Dat's all." He offered the words in a soft soothing voice.

"I felt so helpless, so lost. I made the wrong choices."

"Ain't your fault, not in dream or weeks go. Dat's fate. N'ther us prevent it. We go on t'gether. No matter what game Sinister's playin', we deal wit it t'gether."

"My world fell apart when I lost the baby, it hurt so much. But through all that, thinking that you hated me was the worse. I need and want you so much, I don't know if I could survive without you. It is scary."

"Mayb' better not knowin' bout de picture, neh?"

She lifted her head from his shoulder. "No! Not knowing would have been worse. Please don't feel bad about telling me. I needed to know."

Yes, he knew her well. Kyler was fierce about justice and rights. It was her right to help him decide how to handle the situation. Their goal was common. They would retrieve what was theirs and leave justice for another day.

They were going to need help though. That is why they would go to the others tomorrow and inform them of the latest happenings and request help. It was the safest and fastest way.

He would not be a fool again. He would guard what was his more preciously this time.

To be conitnued....