Kyler blinked wearily at the clock on the wall, midnight. Damn, she had been pouring over the numbers for hours now. Where in the hell were they? Apparently, Remy made a large cash withdrawal in a bank near the Virginia line then disappeared.

Hotel registries, car agencies and restaurants were all coming in negative, nada, zip. On the plus side to the situation, the hospitals didn't have a Cajun type John Doe either. Plus was good but it still didn't give her any clues.

She bunched her fists and slammed them down on her makeshift desk, rattling the computer console. The pounding didn't help her frustration level any but the burning pain in her hands would ensure her wakefulness for the next hour.

"Did it do something wrong?"

Kyler jumped up from her chair and whirled around shocked to hear someone in her room. "Ororo? What are you..."

Ororo peered in the bedroom from the hallway. Kyler waved her in and watched her glide across the floor with regal serenity. "The vanity." Ororo pointed as she stepped over a bottle of lotion. "Did it do something wrong?"

"No." Kyler flushed embarrassed that someone had witnessed her small tantrum. Even in her eagerness to set up her computer she hadn't knocked her cosmetics to the floor. That only occurred after she had lost her temper.

She gazed with envy at Ororo's cool sophistication. The air rider probably never had the urge to throw her toys around the room even as a child.

"I am not concerned for the vanity." Ororo sat on the edge of the bed. "I knocked but you didn't answer. It was my intention to intrude."

"You weren't intruding." Kyler quickly reassured her.

"We haven't talked much." Ororo began with a touch of uncertainty. "I would like to rectify that."

Kyler was stunned. It took several moments before she could respond to Ororo's friendly probe. "I...I would like that."

She didn't know what to say beyond that. The X-men accepted her presence in Remy's life without complaint but with the exception of Jean, Hank, Logan and the Professor they hadn't offered her friendship. Remy had told her it would take time but it had still concerned her.

How could she tell Ororo that she appreciated the offer but didn't have the time to accept the long awaited bridge? Ororo and Remy didn't share the same relationship they had before his exile but Ororo was still important to him. And what was important to him was important to her. If Ororo wanted to talk then she wanted to listen, just not now.

She clasped her hands together and leaned toward the other woman. "I want that, I really do and please don't think I am trying to brush you off but well, I am in the middle of something right now. I'm sorry."

"You are correct this isn't the time. How was your search for Remy going?"

"How did you know?"

"The Professor has grown concerned. He would like Logan, Hank, Jean and myself to accompany you."

"I don't need a babysitter!" Kyler gasped angrily.

"I am sure that wasn't his intention. There is safety in numbers. That isn't the only consideration, Hank is a doctor and the baby may be in need of medical care when you get him back. The Professor has authorized use of the blackbird to reach our destination more quickly and for that Logan, all of us, are accomplished pilots. Jean's telepathy may help their location go more smoothly."

"And you?" Kyler asked searchingly. "Why are you going?"

"Because Remy is my friend and he may need me."

Kyler nodded. She could accept that, they were going because they cared. In her mind, they owed him a few rescues but that between Remy and his team. When all was said and done, it didn't matter if they were gong to keep an eye on her or to help Remy. She would consider help from Satan if it would get them all out of this in one piece.

"The first X-men Babysitter's Club. I am touched." Kyler slowly stood from her chair, ignoring her popping joints. "I hope you guys have better luck than me." ******************************************************

Remy was beginning to believe Sinister was very singular in his decor. This lab resembled the few others he had the misfortune to see. Lab tables filled beakers and test tubes, restraining devices on the walls and lots of strange medical equipment would make any professional decorator shudder with distaste.

Surrounded by Marauders' and knowing that Sinister still held the trump card, Remy and Tawla surrendered passively. Playing along seemed the best way to get close to his son. Surely Sinister wouldn't be able to resist the urge to taunt him with some information on the child.

At least he hoped Sinister wouldn't. Sinister was unpredictable at best. Strategic at worse and all around dangerous at all times.

Remy scanned every room they passed listening for even the faintest infant sound. Fear rising in him as he couldn't detect the smallest gurgle. It was driving him insane he was so close. He had to be here, he just had to be.

The image was firm in his mind. Round chubby checks that would dimple at the slightest smile. Red fluff that doubled as hair, huge gray eyes like Kyler's. It was the face of his future, his and Kyler's.

Tawla took hold of his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Gambit okay." He whispered for her ears only.

She nodded and refocused on their surroundings.

In all his searching and anxiety, he hadn't spared many thoughts for her. She had stepped from the shadows shortly after their capture, saying nothing, taking her lead from him. He was grateful for her acquisition. They would have the devil's own time getting out of here, every bit of corporation would help.

Remy studied her profile for a moment. With her courage and determination, she really should have been one of the X-men. She stood in front of Sinister showing no hint of fear or weakness. She appeared more bored with the situation than anything else.

"I had envisioned an elegant setting when I met you but this will due." Sinister said startling them both after the long minutes of silence.

Remy knew it was time to deal. Good thing he remember his cards. He surveyed the three marauder's Sinister had chosen to aid him, Scalphunter, Scrambler and Blockbuster. With one exception there was more testosterone in the bunch than brains. That was workable.

Before he could make the first play Tawla stepped forward, her voice cool and even. "I am not here for introduction Mr. Sinister. I am here for the child."

"What possible interest could you have in LeBeau's offspring?"

"De babe is here?" Remy interrupted to ask.

"Ye of little faith. The offer was a legitimate business proposition. And I must say that you have really out done yourself Gambit. I would have settled for the file but having Reaper here is much more satisfying."

Sinister tapped one black tipped fingernail against his lips. "However, you haven't answered my question, Reaper." Sinister continued. "What inducement did the Cajun use to lure you here? Seduction? He is very good at the one."

Tawla's lips twisted into a dark smile. "How can you be certain I didn't seduce him for the chance to get close to you?"

"Touché. I have heard you prefer having a secret agenda. Perhaps this meeting will be more beneficial than wither us imagined."

Remy did not like the by play between Sinister and Tawla. It served to remind him how little he knew of her. She claimed she owed the professor a favor but people backstopped each other everyday. How much could he really trust her?

"I am sure we will have plenty of time to discuss such matters at a later date but for now, I really must insist you conclude your business deal with Remy. I want him and the kid out of here."

"That surprises me. Women are notorious for fawning over babies. Especially women of a certain age."

"If you're referring to my biological clock, save it."

Sinister raised one black brow in question.

"My clock went off like other women's but I was fortunate enough to crush the damn thing before it became inconvenient."

"I see. In other words, infants don't hold a maternal lure for you?"

"No, they don't." She told him flatly. "Now if you don't mind..." she trailed off meaningfully.

"You are quite correct, the hour grows late. We will get to your reasons later." Sinister snapped his fingers and Scalphunter left the room.

"In the future, LeBeau, remember that procreating with unmutated humans is unwise. Their weak genetic netting has diluted your son's potential abilities. I could find no evidence that he will ever achieve a sufficient level of power." Sinister chastised Remy.

Remy's whole body crackled with rage. "Wha' you do t' him?"

"Nothing that will stunt his growth, I promise." Sinister broke off as Scalphunter reentered the room holding an infant.

Remy didn't think the baby was alive, his eyes were closed and he laid uncommonly still. He appeared more fragile than he had in the photograph Sinister's messenger had given. He thought he would chock on his grief when the tiny head rolled lethargically. Thank God, he wasn't dead, drugged maybe but not dead.

The heart felt relief was painful. Almost as painful as the effort he was exercising keeping himself from running over and grabbing the babe out the marauder's arms.

"Give him the boy." Sinister commanded of Scalphunter. Scalphunter approached and shoved the baby at him.

Remy's heart swelled as he drank in the sight of the little face. He had to blink back tears as he buried his nose in the child's neck to savor the baby's fresh scent. He was stunned by the love that filled him. This was his son. How he wished he could revel in that knowledge but there was still the problem releasing them form Sinister's enforced hospitality.

"Very touching. I never knew you were the home and hearth type. I shall remember that the next time I need a favor." Sinister stopped and studied Remy.

"You know LeBeau, if you joined me I could guarantee you the type of offspring that dynasties could be founded from."

"Don' wan' nothin' more from you." Remy growled.

Sinister noticed the protective way Remy cradled the baby to his chest. "Ah, but I am not quiet through with you."

Scalphunter and Scrambler approached their intentions clear, to take the baby back.

It was awkward but Remy managed to hold onto his precious burden and fish some cards out of his pocket. The charge flowing through felt more potent than usual. He wondered briefly if all parents get a greater strength when protecting their children.

"There will be none of that today, Sinister. Remy and the child will go." Tawla words were etched from ice. "You wanted to meet the Reaper? Allow me to introduce you."

She turned bleak eyes to Remy. He recognized her expression immediately. It was the look of someone about to do something so distasteful it bordered on abhorrent. He had been to that point many times in his life. Perhaps she knew better than he that survival was all.

He wanted to tell her they would find another way but with the babe in his arms he would be ineffective fighting. It was the reason she came, to help and now she had no choice.

"Run!" Tawla screamed.

The air began shift and shimmy uneasily. Tawla's body began to fade until the skin was no longer its normal porcelain white but a translucent gray. Her body dissipated until it was nothing more than a shadowy mist outlining a human form.

He had read about her power but he had never experienced it first hand. The transformation was more terrifying than he could contemplate. In a world full of mutants, ghosts were still scoffed at and yet, here before him he could think of nothing else to describe the thing floating above the floor.

Remy stared in wonder at Reaper. And it was Reaper. There was none of the Tawla's humanity in the pitiless eyes that surveyed the room.

The mist swept down encompassing Sinister and his Marauder's. Hundreds of see through tendrils reached out from the Reaper's fingertips and surrounded their throats. Trapped in bonds of steel, they were lifted from the ground left to dangle.

Reaper's face held no anger or sadness just simple resignation. "The place between life and death is cold and empty. This is where I tread. Your curiosity will cost you dearly Sinister. I will sip upon your soul this night."

Reaper's voice reminded him of brittle winds crossing a windowpane. It sent shivers down his back. More shivers came as he watched their bodies glow in Reaper's grasp. Their light shined brightly at first but began to dim quickly.

As their light faded she began to pulse. It was grotesquely awesome. Reaper was actually feeding from their souls.

There was a poetic justice in observing Sinister hang from Reaper's grasp, not too long he had held Kyler that way. Yet, eventually, observing the destructive power became wearing and he had to turn away from the flailing bodies like hooked fish.

He had seen death before and it hadn't affected him like this. He understood cries of pain and the smell of blood but not this drifting away. It was too surreal, like being caught in a violent nightmare only he could see.

He clutched the babe more tightly to his chest preparing to finally make the breaking run. The sound of the first body hitting the floor with a thud stayed his feet. He turned back and saw Reaper release her dangling captives, allowing them to fall.

Unmindful of the bodies scattering the lab, she floated down and began to solidify. Reaper disappeared and Tawla fleshed out the spectrum.

An outerly exhausted Tawla. The porcelain skin was pale in the extreme and her breath was shallow. Apparently she was taxed from her feed.

"There aren't dead." She gasped between breaths as she stumbled toward him. "Unconscious maybe even coma but I didn't kill them, stopped in time. Kept my promise to Charles."

That all she managed to say before she pitched face down at his feet.

To be continued

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