Index Page
written by Soar and most expertly edited by Jeanne Kalvar
email ksg3@le.ac.uk
With the smell of fresh air and the bright sunlight hitting their bodies, Remy and Ororo seemed to recover somewhat. They seemed exhausted but were moving, their own fears carrying them forward. None of them wanted to be caught by Sinister, especially not in the mood he had been in when they had left. Jean looked at her friends anxiously. Neither had said anything to her, or to each other. She thought that the whole experience must have been traumatic for them.
As they had expected, they were miles from anywhere. Jean just hoped that Scott had had enough sense to keep Cerebro constantly scanning for their presence. As it was, they would have to keep moving so that they wouldn't be easy targets for the Marauders when they came. And she knew with a certainty that chilled her heart that they would come.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Remy trip over his own feet. He recovered himself quickly, but the fact that he had tripped at all meant that the usually graceful Cajun needed time to rest and recover from his ordeal. As, of course, did they all.
She knew that the Marauders would have an advantage when they finally located her little group. They would have the use of transport, and, what was worse, if Sinister was there he could teleport them all.
She pushed her own fears aside. She had to be strong for the other two now. They were probably still partially thinking like children and God knew she couldn't switch off her own maternal feelings.
They had been walking for about an hour. Jean wasn't sure anymore. But she felt like the Marauders were playing with them--as if they had deliberately given them a head start in order to raise their hopes only to suddenly appear and squash those hopes.
They had had to slow their pace; it was too taxing on Remy and Ororo. But they really were trying their best.
"Scott please be on your way, please," she prayed to whatever God was listening.
There was a sudden sound. Jean spun around to see the Marauders approaching fast.
"Remy, Ororo. We've got to run quickly and find cover," she said to them, already starting to move into a jog.
They followed her, stumbling and breathing heavily, but it was no good. The Marauders quickly surrounded them.
Scalphunter approached them, "That was rude of you. Sinister wasn't ready for you to leave yet. He insists you return and continue to sample his hospitality." He grinned.
Jean saw Remy gave a start at the mention of Sinister.
"Clever, did Sinister give you that speech to memorize?" Jean asked facetiously.
Scalphunter's grin faded, "Get them," he said to the others.
The Marauders, all grinning maniacally, began to close in on them. A sudden growl and a red beam blasting into Arclight were the only warning the Marauders had that the X-Men had arrived.
"Well, lookie here." Logan grinned toothily. "Something new to play with."
He approached the Marauders, and they backed away.
"Jean," Cyclops called to his wife.
"Scott!" Jean smiled in relief. Her prayers had been answered and at just at the right time. She ran to her husband, dragging Remy and Ororo behind as the Marauders moved closer together to defend themselves.
"Get them to the Blackbird, and fire up the engines," Scott said, briefly kissing her.
Jean nodded and saw Hank beckoning at her to come with him.
"Come on, you two," she said to Remy and Ororo.
They followed, still without saying a word. When they reached Hank, he started running with them towards the Blackbird. Jean glanced back. She could see the optic blasts from her husband. She saw Rogue viciously flying towards Vertigo. Wolverine was grinning in satisfaction as he made a dent in Harpoon's side. She turned back around and ran faster towards the Blackbird.
Once on board, she and Hank strapped Remy and Ororo in as though they were still children. Then she joined Hank up in the cockpit, and they prepared the Blackbird for take off.
Hank sent a message through to Scott.
"The Blackbird is ready for departure Cyclops, Jean and the other two are on board."
"Great, the Marauders are on the retreat anyway. We'll join you shortly."
As soon as they arrived back at the mansion The three former captives were sent down to the infirmary, to remain in the care of Hank until he declared them fit to leave.
Jean was allowed to leave straight away.
"You seem to have suffered no mishaps in the course of your stay with Sinister," Hank said smiling at her, "Not even a scratch."
"I was lucky," she said and looked over at the now sleeping Remy and Ororo, "We need to watch them closely Hank, especially Remy. I don't know if he remembers everything but if he does he's going to need our love and support. They've both been through so much, and it's exacted its price on them. They both still seem so childlike still."
Jean sighed, then she left the infirmary for a long waited for reunion with her husband.
In Sinister's lair, the Marauders had made themselves scarce. Sinister was in a foul mood, and they knew better than to be within reach of his powers.
Sinister sat in his throne room on his throne. A commotion at the door made him look up in surprise. Who had dared to disturb him now?
A stranger walked into the throne room. None of the Marauders had tried to stop him. The stranger smiled a strange and evil smile at Sinister.
"Hello, David!" Sinister said.
THE END
anyone fancy a sequel?