Never Having To Say You're Sorry
Chapter 74
Updated: July 1, 2009
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Warren busied himself with setting the alarm of his S.U.V. as the others came and stood at the back of the truck with Marcus.
"Do you feel better now that you are out in the open?" Asked Bobby.
Marcus stood all the way up from where he had been leaning against the truck. He gave them all a slight smile. "Yes, thank you."
"Maybe we should take you back to the man----?"
Before Joseph could get his sentence out good, Marcus was all ready shaking his head, No. "I appreciate the offer, but I've been cooped up in that place for who knows how long. I wouldn't trade this outing for all the tea in China."
Warren walked up. He looked at everyone else then he eyed Marcus. "Better?"
Marcus narrowed his eyes at the other man as he stood all the way up in his back, "Much."
Warren recognized the gesture as one Bishop used when he was ready to challenge someone. He chose to ignore him as he hooked his keys on one of the holsters of his jeans. He then stepped off in the direction of the large electronics store front, "Then let's go. It's getting late."
Bobby trotted off in order to catch up with Warren's steps. Sam soon followed. That left Joseph and Marcus lagging far behind. "Is this the way it's going to be with the two of you all evening?" He asked as they approached the front of the store.
Marcus shrugged. "Maybe."
"Marcus, you need to understand ... there is a lot of history between Angel and Elizabeth." He laid one hand off in Warren's general direction. "... He's bound to be a little sore about her being with someone else."
Marcus made a face as he pointed toward Warren with his head, "If my potentially 'dating' Elizabeth has bruised his ...ego, then he needs to put an ice pack on it. I'm not the one to be messing with."
Joseph shook his head in a No fashion, Looks like a fun evening for all.
The automatic doors opened then closed to let them enter in. Marcus was stunned by the hustle and bustle of the large warehouse styled store with it's bright lighting and endless rows of the latest, cell phone, computer hardware, stereo equipment, flat screen TVs and kitchen appliances, both small and large. There were even a huge sections of computer software, gaming consoles with game ware and aisle upon aisle of peripherals for the enhancement of your electronics, along with all types of music and DVDs to choose from.
Joseph caught him staring, "Well ... what do you think?" He asked over the boisterous sound of the piped in music, gaming systems being tried out by different customers and stereo equipment blasting. Not to mention the sound of other customers trying to communicate with each other over the loud noise as well.
Marcus squinted then paused to look around the large store, "This place is very loud." He said as he walked up beside Joseph.
Joseph turned to see which direction the others had headed toward. He smiled when he saw them off in a distance heading for the stereo section. "Yeah. It's loud, but if this place doesn't have what you are looking for ..." He pointed in the direction they needed to go. "... then it can't be found."
Marcus followed suit as Joseph headed in the direction that would take them to join the rest of the crew. He looked around in mild admiration. "I think you maybe right about that.
While Warren, Bobby, Sam and now Joseph busied themselves with picking out new equipment for the TV Room as well as their own bedrooms, Marcus decided to walk over a couple of aisles to where the smaller stereo and TVs were displayed. He didn't think it would be feasible to actually purchase something big because of his upcoming departure, but at least he could get something small that he could take with him.
The aisles were packed. From Samsuni to Soni there were countless different brands of small personal electronics for the buyer. Every thing on the shelves appeared to be in ample supply. The bottom shelves were stack full of brand new boxed items, just waiting for someone to take them home.
Marcus was busy looking at one CD player in particular. He thought it was really nice. It was the only one that could house and shuffle seven CD's at once. He was playing with the volume and the radio tuner when someone walked up to his right. "Does this model suit you?"
He didn't bother to turn around to look at the 'salesperson', he was too busy checking out the boom box's other features. Hum? ... Detachable speakers. "No. I'm just looking right now." He commented in hopes the woman would stop bothering him.
She moved closer then laid her hand out to another unit, "What about this one? It has an extra bass?"
I wish she would go away. He let his eyes roll briefly up in his head, "I'm just look--- ..." He voice trailed off when he finally turned to face the woman. Oh ... My ...God! It's her! He stood there gaping at her for a moment. He then closed and opened his eyes tight to make sure he wasn't seeing things again. She was still there.
Archlight smiled sweetly at him. "Hello gorgeous."
To say that he was floored would be an understatement. Before him stood the same woman he had seen in the horrific nightmare killing Storm; the same woman he had seen in the expensive sports car on the way to this very store. She was 100% real. I didn't make her up! She stood right in front of him, smiling with ruby red lips from behind those dark shades dressed in tight leather pants, high heel leather boots, a laced up boostier and a leather choker around her neck. "You!" He said hoarsely as he tried to steady his breathing.
She smiled beguilingly as she reached up to take off her shades then she batted her thick lashes at him. "Yes, it's me. Is that all you have to say Bishop?"
He arched one eyebrow at her, "My name is 'not' Bishop." He said sternly.
Archlight squinted at him hard, "You mean ... you aren't the X-Man known as Lucas Bishop?!"
"No I am not. My name is Marcus."
This must be the clone the Master made. She scratched behind one ear, Wait until the Master hears about this! He will be so pleased to know that he is still functioning independently. "Well how about that. My mistake."
Marcus shook his head, "Tell me ... what is your name?!" He took a step toward the woman.
She pouted as she stepped up closer to him, nearly rubbing herself up against his tall frame. "Don't tell me you have forgotten what we meant to each other 'Lover'."
'What we meant to each other ... Lover?' Isn't that the same name she called me in that dream I had earlier?! He instantly took a step back, "Lady, how could I possibly have ever been your 'lover'?! I don't even know your name!"
She cocked her head to one side as she studied him. So ... he has forgotten me. "My name is Archlight." She waited for his reaction to hearing her name. He squinted at her again. She could see by his expression that he was running her name around in his head as he thought about it. If there is part of Scalphunter within him, it must be still dormant. She reasoned as she took a step closer to him again, this time he didn't move away. "We use to work together ... " She gave him a catty grin as she studied how well his clothes were fitting him. Looking up into his face, she continued, "... among other things."
Marcus shut his eyes then took a deep breath as he ran Bishop's memories through his mind. He opened them back up then looked down at the woman. "You lie. None of mine nor Bishop's memories have anything to do with us ever working together. At least none that I can recall."
She bobbed her head from one side to the other. "You are climbing the wrong tree. 'He' wouldn't have any memories of working with me. But ..." She waved her index finger in the air at him. "... he does know who I am. So that's fine. It will all come back to you ... in time." Archlight smiled as she let her gaze walk slowly up then down his body again. "I must say ... " She grinned knowingly at him. "... I think I'm going to like the new and improved you ... much better."
"Marcus?!"
He looked around when he heard Joseph calling to him from a distance. He then looked back at Archlight who was walking away in the opposite direction, What does she mean by saying that?! "Hey ...!" Marcus turned to follow her.
Archlight stopped then held up one hand to halt his progress. "You need to go back. You and I can't be seen together, not yet. It'll ruin every thing."
" 'Ruin every thing...?!' " He repeated to himself because to him, every thing she said just didn't make any sense. What the devil is she talking about?! "What do you mean?! Tell me!"
"I can't, not now..." She pointed at him. "... 'Do not' tell anyone you have seem me. If you do, I will tell you absolutely nothing."
He nodded, Yes. "Very well."
"Marcus?!" Joseph's voice was getting closer.
I won't say anything about this to the X-Men. I must know what she is talking about! I gotta know more! "When and how will I see you again?"
Archlight winked at him then put her dark shades back on. Turning, she called out over her left shoulder as she walked toward the opposite end of the aisle, "Be at Harry's tonight around 10:30 pm and I'll tell you all."
Marcus turned from watching her disappear around the corner almost at the same time Joseph appeared at the other end of the same aisle. He smiled with relief, "There you are. We didn't know where you had gotten off to."
"Yeah ... here I am." It took Marcus a moment to get his bearings. "Uh ... I was just savoring a moment alone ... and checking out the portable units here on the shelf." He half lied as he pointed.
Joseph came to a stop beside him. "See anything you might want?" He asked as he looked at the different models too.
Marcus let his gaze wander toward the direction Archlight had left in. She was gone. When he turned back, he found Joseph looking at him closely. "Uh ... this one..." He pointed at the seven disc changer boom box he had been admiring earlier. "... I like this one."
Joseph helped Marcus find the correct model for purchase. All the while he could still hear Archlight's voice in his head repeating over and over again, 'Be at Harry's tonight around 10:30 pm and I'll tell all. Be at Harry's tonight ... Be at Harry's tonight ...' At the moment he didn't know how he was going to swing it, but he pledged to himself that he would definitely be there.
"It's a good thing you spotted this one. I think it was the last one of it's kind." Joseph interrupted his train of thought with his comment as they walked toward the back of the store to find the others.
Boxed player in hand, Marcus tried to push the encounter with 'Archlight' to the back of his head for later. But it wouldn't go.
He watched as every thing the others had purchased was being loaded
onto a flat for transport. Quietly, he let his thoughts revert back to
the woman named, Archlight.
Who exactly is she? I don't think she is
part of Bishop's memories ... at least not any of the parts that has surfaced
so far. I don't know how, but I think she holds the keys to the part of
my memories that I feel are missing? Then he thought of another aspect
to the entire situation. Since she's real, I wonder what are the chances
that the other horrible things I saw associated with her are real too?
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Storm took the last bite of her sandwich. Dotting her mouth with a napkin, she placed it and the plate on her night stand. "You are turning me into a Pagan." She smiled then turn to look at the man lying to her right in the large bed. "All I ever do anymore is eat and make love."
Bishop's laughter, shook the bed slightly. "Well ... we need some way to excercise off your mammoth appetitie. Besides it's not my fault you bent over in front of me with that short robe on."
She smacked him playfully on the shoulder then scrunched down a little to look at him. "In my own defense, I did think that you were still asleep." She smiled then carefully placed her head on his chest.
Bishop brought the hand of the arm she was laying on up to stroke her shoulder. "It was your fault you got out of the bed. That's what woke me in the first place ..." He playfully shook the curve of her shoulder in his hand, "...You know I can't sleep soundly unless you are beside me."
Storm laughed. "O. K. Then I will admit to my share of the blame if you will admit to yours."
Bishop chuckled, "And just what is my part in this?"
She sat up a little so that she could watch the palm of her left hand glide over his chest, "That you are a fantastic lover."
Bishop knew he could hold his own when it came to the workings of Storm's body, but modesty prevented him from accepting her compliments as true. When she would say things like that, it made him think that she was being overly complimentary because they loved each other so much. He cocked his head sideways then arched his brow, "I think you're being bias."
Storm smiled as she watch the slight blush play over his expression. "You do not believe me?"
He shook his head No, "It's not that I don't believe you it's just that ..."
She sat up more on his chest. "You doubt me ... do you not?"
"No Ororo..." He struggled with his explanation. "... I just don't ..."
She looked at him in astonishment. How could a man possess the skill that Bishop possess and not be confident about it? "Well Bishop, it is like I told the girls earlier ..." She was half way through her statement when she realized what she had just said. Storm prepared herself for his tirade as his calm relaxed expression melted away. Oh drears!
No ... she didn't! Bishop pulled back then narrowed his eyes at her. "What did you just say?!"
Storm pulled away from his chest then slunk down into the bed in order to hide beneath the pillows, sheet and coverlet. "Nothing." Came her muffled reply.
Bishop snatched the covers off to find her face hidden underneath several fluffy pillows. When he pulled those off, she hid behind the palms of her hands. "Ororo?! What did you do?!" He grated between clinched white teeth.
Storm peaked between her fingers at him. He was now sitting up, half leaning over her, his brow brought together, eyes squinted as he studied her. Bringing her hands down, she then turned on her right side as she cradled her head in the palm of her right hand. "Did you know that you are very attractive when you are angry?"
Bishop watched as Storm tentatively moved her left hand up to tickle his lower abdomen. If she thinks that's going to work ... Catching her wrist, he politely moved her seeking fingers from his flat stomach. ... then she has another thing coming. "That's not going to work ...!" He laid the hand to her side then sat up more in the bed. "... Talk!"
"Oh ... All right." Storm conceded defeat. She figured that she might as well tell him before he heard it from someone else. She propped herself up on her pillows then she pulled the cover up over herself. She then spied another look at him before she spoke; he still looked pretty upset to her. "O. K. Bishop." She laid her right hand out toward him. "I had every intention of keeping our agreement about not discussing yours and mine ... sex life ..." He raised an eye brow at her, but didn't speak. "... but ... uh ... " She started fidgeting with the coverlet as she tried to find the correct words to tell him what she had done. "... well ... they all thought I never talked about us because ... there was nothing to tell ... and I sort of corrected them on that. I told them about how spectacular our sex life is and how you are such a great an imaginative lover." She turned her head away and waited for the explosion to come.
Bishop sat there for a moment. He was surprised by how he felt about her disclosure. He wasn't near as mad as he thought he would be; as a matter of fact he felt like laughing. "So ... *ahem* what you are telling me is that you told them about us ... in defense of me? Am I correct?" He asked trying to hold in a chuckle.
Ororo slowly turned back to face him. "Yes."
His stern expression broke into a smile. "Exactly what did you tell them?"
Storm's mood brighten immensely at seeing the broadening smile on his face. "I ... I told them the truth. That I have multiple orgasm every time we make love and that I spend a lot of the time we have together, seducing you because I cannot get enough of you."
Bishop blinked a couple of times as it all registered. "_amn. You told them that?" She nodded Yes.
Storm then smiled. "At first, I do not think they believed me. That is ..." She patted little D. L. "... until I showed them proof."
Bishop shook his head from side to side as he thought about what she said. He then refocused his gaze on her, "You did not have to defend me. You know that ... right? What goes on between you and I is no one's business but ours."
Storm bobbed her head from side to side, "Yes. I know. But it was worth it to see them pick their faces up off of the floor ...?" She scooted closer to where he sat then rubbed her left hand up and down his arm. "Besides, thanks to you, I am now the envy of every woman at this mansion." She said proudly with her nose raised slightly in the air.
Bishop leaned over then kissed Storm on her right temple. He pulled her up to his side as he then snuggled back down into the bed with her. "Oh well, there goes my reputation as a hard -ss. You know ... it took me three years to get that established and you have just decimated it in one afternoon."
"I do not see where one has to do with the other. You can still be a 'hard -ss' when it comes to work ..." She cuddled close against him. "... as long as you still love me totally and completely any other time." Storm scratched her nails down his chest. To her satisfaction, she heard him inhale quickly.
Bishop had to stay his reaction after her last caress. She sure can play dirty. "So ... I guess I'll be getting funny looks from now on; not only from the female contingent, but the male as well once word gets out."
"I do not know." She let the hand come back up to rest on his chest. "Are you upset with me Bishop?"
Looking up at the ornate ceiling of their room, "I'm not exactly thrilled ..." her expression turned from playful to concerned again. "... but I'm no longer mad either."
The smile came back to her face. "I know we agreed to keep that part of our life private and I had every intention of doing just that ... but they were needling me something awful, especially Elizabeth."
Bishop made a face, "Elizabeth? Why should she care? "I didn't think she knew my name let alone was curious about you and I?"
"That reminds me..." Storm playfully smack him on the chest then sat up to look at him. "... Bishop, you did not tell me that she and Warren were broken up ... again. You know I am out of the mansion's gossip loop now. I had to find out from Rogue and Jean."
"Oh my word ..." He faked a look of astonishment. "... I am so sorry Ororo. How could I have forgotten about Warren and Betsy breaking up for the umpteenth time ...?" He mused sarcastically.
"Oh ..." She scoffed. "...Very funny."
Leaning down, he kissed her in the middle of her forehead before laying back down beside her. "Now ... what else did you find out about Warren and Elizabeth's breakup?"
Storm cuddled closer then sighed happily. "Not much except Elizabeth said she had a date tonight."
"With Warren?"
Storm shook her head No. "I do not think it is with Warren. She would not say exactly with whom." She made a face. "I do not know Bishop. Something about it gave me an odd feeling." She blinked twice. "Hypothetically speaking ... if we were to ever break up and I dated someone else, how would that make you feel?"
I sense a possible female trap. I don't believe she asked me that. "First off ..." He rubbed a possessive hand over D. L.'s position in her rounding tummy. "... we are not going to break up. And second ... make no mistake about it, I'd be more than a little bit pissed."
She brought her left hand up over his then patted it for reassurance. "Calm down, it is just a question. I would never leave you. And even if the unthinkable were to happen and we were parted, I would still consider you as mine, so I would be truly upset if you dated after me. I do not think Warren will be too happy about taking her back if she goes off and flounce around with someone else."
"_amn straight he won't ..." Bishop shook his head No as if trying to clear the conversation out of his head. "... Do we have to discuss the ins and outs of the assorted X-Men love lives? All I care about is ours." He pulled her closer to him.
In other words ... let us change the subject. "Very well Bishop."
He leaned his brow down against the side of her head, "Thank you."
I need to tell him this before someone else does. "I know you are bound to hear about this, but Remy and Marcus almost got into it earlier at the ball goal."
At the mention of Marcus' name, Bishop nerves stiffen immediately, his heart quicken and brow furrowed. Instantly, he sat up straight and started climbing out of the bed. "Marcus is starting up with father?!" I'll just go kick his _ss right now! He threw the remaining covers off his body.
She grabbed at his arm before he moved completely out of reach. "Calm down Bishop! Remy is fine."
"Then what happen?!"
"Marcus was standing outside the fence. I do not know what Gambit did to the ball but he did something. He was suppose to be checking it with Sam. When he threw it, it zoomed by Cannonball and practically hit Marcus in the face. It made all our jaws drop. When the ball hit the fence in front of Marcus's face, it vibrated the entire structure. Took Hank, Bobby, Sam and Joseph to keep them apart."
Loyal to a fault. Half hanging out of the bed, Bishop looked at her then threw his head back in laughter. "Good for father." He chuckled some more as he slid back into the bed beside her.
Storm rolled her eyes around in her head then looked back at the satisfied grin on his face. "You are actually pleased with his behavior?"
Bishop refluffed his covers, "Yes."
She shook her head No. "Men! You are all a bunch of Barbaric Cavemen."
Bishop made a play at beating himself in the chest like Tarzan, "And proud of it too." He laughed as he resettled in the bed beside her. I'll call Remy later and find out exactly what went down. Bishop's broaden his smile then he gave her a sly wink.
Storm laughed then shook her head No. Then she remembered her earlier conversation with Hank. "Oh ... yes. Hank called a little while ago."
"Yeah. What did he want?"
"He called about my afternoon appointment."
Bishop started to get up again. "Then we should get dressed ..." His voice trailed off as Storm grabbed his arm again.
"I rescheduled."
Bishop cocked his head to one side. "I don't know about that Ororo."
"Well I do. I explained to Hank that you were sleep and that we were ... well, anyway, he said that as long as I felt fine that we can wait until in the morning for it."
"Are you sure?" The last thing he wanted was to risk her health or the baby's because he couldn't keep his hands off her.
"I am sure. He also wanted to tell me that Marcus will be leaving for Muir Island in the morning."
That's great! Thank God for small favors! Bishop arched his brow high. "Really? Did he say what time he is scheduled to leave?"
"No. He did not."
"He can't leave quick enough for me." He groused to himself. "How long will he be gone?" Forever, I hope.
"He said that he will be gone until D. L. is born."
"Good riddens." Bringing his brow back down to it's normal position on his head, Bishop stared off into nothing as he contemplated what this meant. This is fantastic news! The stress of him being on the grounds will be lifted off of Ororo and myself. I need to find a way to make his departure more permanent ... short of killing him? If I could get him gone for good, that would be wonderful. Maybe I need to appeal to Cyclops again or perhaps I need to ...
Storm watched as Bishop mulled every thing over in his head. The entire time, he had an odd look on his face and was nodding his head up and down as if another part of him was agreeing with what his brain was thinking. "Bishop?"
Bishop snapped back to the present at hearing Storm call his name. He looked around blankly, "Yes. What is it Baby Girl?"
Storm gave him a rueful smile, "Where did you go?"
"Uh ... nowhere. Just thinking about the possibilities ..." He gave her a wan smile. "... That's all."
Storm dropped her head down, "Yes. I know." She then looked back up at him. "Hank thinks that it is a good possibility that one of the other X-Teams may take him on. If not, he said he'd try to get Cyclops to make other arrangements for him."
That sounded promising to Bishop. "Remind me to thank Hank the next time I see him." He gave her a warm smile as he threaded the fingers of his left hand with her right one. Bringing the hand up, he turned it so that he could softly kiss the back of her hand. "I can live with that."