Never Having To Say You're Sorry
Chapter 75
Rewrite: 08/06/2009
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Archlight reclined in the posh leather seat of the sports car she was driving. Taking out her communicator, she dialed the number that would set up a relay to the satellite that would connect her to the new home base of Mr. Sinister and his Marauders. When the connection was made, she heard Prism on the other end of the line.
#Hello Archlight.#
"No time for pleasantries Prism. Is the Master in?"
#Well ... yeah. He's in one of the lower level laboratories conducting an experiment. He asked not to be disturbed.#
"Forget that! I have news that he will want to hear so go get him to the phone!"
#Are you mad?! He's liable to take my head off and yours when you get back! You know how he gets when he's on a verge of a discovery!#
"I said to go get him to the phone! NOW!"
Some things never change. She's still a royal -itch. #Look! I don't care if you are number one on our team now, I'm not gonna ...!#
"The way I see it! You either risk his wrath by getting him to the phone now or risk it when I get back! And I promise you, once the Master hears my news and finds out you were blocking me from telling him about it, he will destroy you without a thought! So name your poison!"
Prism knew when he was up against a brick wall. #Very well. Hold on while I switch you down there.#
Archlight waited as the communicator beeped in the transfer. She didn't have long to wait before Nathaniel Essex AKA Mr. Sinister came on the line loaded for bear.
#WHO DARES INTERRUPT ME!#
Archlight swallowed the lump in her throat. *gulp* "M-Master, it is I, Archlight."
#ARCHLIGHT?! HAVE YOU TAKEN LEAVE OF THE SENSES THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU! I'M ON THE VERGE OF A MIRACULOUS BREAKTHROUGH! ONE THAT PROMISES TO CREATE A MUTANT BEYOND ANYTHING I HAVE EVER CREATED BEFORE!#
"Y-yes Master. Prism told me as much and I apologize for this disturbance..."
#YOU HAVE BEEN SCOUTING FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND HAVE REPORTED NOTHING! SO YOU'LL DO MORE THAN APOLOGIZE IF THIS ISN'T WORTH MY TIME!#
"I understand ... Master."
#WELL ...! OUT WITH IT WOMAN I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!#
"Y-yes Master. I found your clone."
#YOU'LL HAVE TO BE MORE SPECIFIC THAN THAT! I'VE CREATED DOZENS OVER THE YEARS! NOW HURRY UP AND FINISH TELLING ME WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU STOPPED ME IN THE MIDDLE OF ...!#
"It's the one you made of the X-Man, Bishop." She interrupted.
#WHAT?!# After his surprised scream, Sinister got real quiet on the other end.
"I said that I found the clone you made of the X-Man, Bishop. He is alive and functioning independently. From what I have gathered, he's living with the X-Men."
#Are you absolutely sure that it is him and not the 'real Bishop'?! Remember the last time you all tried to bring him in, YOU BROUGHT THE WRONG ONE!#
"I'm positive it's him Master. He's with the ones they call ArchAngel, Joseph, Cannonball and Ice Man. I've spoken to him. He speaks of Bishop in the second and third person, like he's totally separated from him. He also told me himself that he was not Bishop. He calls himself Marcus. They are all in the store where I'm parked right this very moment!" She said excitedly.
Sinister laughed a deep blood curdling laugh of satisfaction. With that laughter came a calmer more settled persona. #Archlight, my dear girl. You are not to let him out of your sight. Do you understand me?! He still belongs to me and I want my property back! Do whatever you have to in order to get him back here as soon as possible.#
"Suppose he will not come willingly? He seems not to remember anything about you or us."
#Hum? Interesting.# He thought about it for a time. #Sounds as if he is becoming a mixture of Bishop and Scalphunter with the Bishop side being dominent. I would wager that he doesn't know every thing about his origin either. You must tell him all. If that don't work, hit him over the head with something!
"And if none of that still does not jog his memory, what then?"
#Oh please. You are a fully functioning woman aren't you? Use your imagination.#
That might not be such a bad idea. A.K.A. Marcus is fine as -ell, she grinned to herself. "Very well Master."
#And Archlight ...?#
"Yes Master?"
#Bring him back and your little 'indiscretion' with the X-Man Bishop will be forgiven.#
She froze because until this moment, she didn't know that he knew anything about that. And what scared her even more was that after all this time he'd never mentioned it. I wonder which 'indiscretion' is he referring to: the one where I had sex with him, the one where I helped organized his escape or the one where I didn't tell anyone he was hiding under that desk when he was shot? Oh well, whichever one he's talking about there is no sense in lying about it now. "Uh ... You knew about myself and ..." *ahem* "... Bishop?"
#Of course my dear.# He got quiet again. Then in a low voice that made the hair on Archlight's arms raise up, he said, #... Heaven help you if you fail me again.#
Archlight had been saving a certain piece of information in case she needed it one day. Today appeared to be that day: "Master, ... I also found out that the X-Woman they call Storm is expecting a child."
#THIS IS NOT SOMETHING TO KID ME ABOUT ARCHLIGHT?!#
She swallowed the hurt and betrayal that was building in her chest and throat, *gulp* "The X-Man Bishop appears to be the father." She answered back quietly.
#Re-e-a-l-l-y now ...!# Sinister paused momentarily as he thought about the endless possibilities. #... That's fantastic news! Archlight, listen to me ... this is what I want you to do ...!#
She closed her eyes. "Yes Master."
He went on explaining exactly what he wanted Archlight to accomplish and what she needed to go pick up at a nearby drug store. Opening her eyes, she listen closely and wrote down instructions. Once he was finished he hurriedly rung off the line, humming a happy tune. She slowly closed the communicator then placed it back in it's recharging cradle on her gearbox. Sitting back in her seat, she blinked thereby letting the tears roll down her face. What have I done?!
Thinking back, she recalled the day she saw Bishop and Storm together at that shopping mall. They were totally unaware that they were being watched from the second floor landing. Both appeared to be so much in love with each other. She also remembered the strong stab of jealously she felt in her heart as she watched Bishop lean down and kiss Storm on the lips so passionately in front of everyone. How she had wished it had been her he was kissing instead of that 'Weather Witch'.
Even though she knew that his laying with her had been a means to an end for Bishop, a small part of her still cared for him and regretted what she was about to do. Now in order to save her own skin, she had set the stage for Mr. Sinister to exact his revenge, there was no turning back at this point. She had to carry out his devious plan or face the consequences of defying him. Sorry Bishop.
She looked up just in time to see the X-Men come out the front of the store; the one called Sam was pushing a large flat as they headed toward the black S. U. V. she had seen them all riding in earlier. 'Marcus' lagged slightly behind. He appeared to be very deep in thought. The one named Joseph slowed his pace in order to walk with him.
Wiping the tears away, she sat up and started her car's engine. I can't let him out of my sight. She repeated Mr. Sinister's' instructions to herself.
Once every thing was loaded in the back of the truck they all climbed inside. The one named Warren, A.K.A. ArchAngel got in under the driver seat. A moment later they pulled off, headed for the opposite end of the parking lot that would take them to the nearest traffic light.
Archlight wiped away one last tear then she put her car into gear and
carefully took off after them.
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Bishop smiled while he folded the sides of the pillow he was laying on up around his ears. He loved Storm dearly but her singing voice, even from the shower, sounded like a cat being slowly ran over by a steam roller. She must have left the door cracked. Leaning over, he could see that she had in fact left the door to the bathroom partially open. It's a good thing I don't love her for her singing voice, he mused to himself.
Looking over at the phone perched on Storm's night stand, he reached over and grab it. Might as well see what father wanting to flatten Marcus over. Dialing Remy's extension, he waited for Gambit to pick up.
*ring* *ring* *ring* *ring*
#Hello.#
"Hello Rogue. I know it's late, but could I please speak to Remy?"
#Bishop?! Yah o'sly dog. Ah guess what they say is true ... still waters do run deep.# Then she giggled like a ten year old school girl in his ear.
Awh Man. Bishop shut his eyes as a wave of embarrassment washed over him.
#Storm told us about y'alls extra curricular 'activities'. Tell me this ... is she still concious?# Then she giggled some more.
Ororo, I'm gonna ...! "Look Rogue, what goes on between Ororo and I is no one's business but ours. Now, may I please speak to father?!"
*giggle* #Oh now don't get'ya britches in a twist; besides, Ah thought it was sweet the way she was defending yah and all. Must be love.#
That broke Bishop's growing anger and shredded his embarrassment somewhat. He answered back curtly, "Must be. Now may I speak to father?"
#Yes yah may. Hold on a minute.#
He heard her put the phone down and call out to Gambit, #Remy?! It's...# *giggle* #... Bishop on the phone.#
Bishop continued to simmer as he waited for Remy to pick up the line.
A few seconds past then he heard Gambit pick up, #Al'lo.#
"Hello Remy."
#Hi'yahself Pup. Wha' can Gambit do for'ya?#
Storm had been singing at a lower octave for the past two to three minutes. However at that moment, her voice rose up louder than before. "Hold on a moment." Bishop put the phone down then climbed out of the bed. Stepping over to the bathroom's door, he quietly shut it. It muffled her voice immensely. Climbing back in the bed, he picked the phone up again. "Sorry about that."
#Wha' de devil was dat?!# Remy exclaimed on the other end of the line.
Bishop laughed, "Believe it or not, it's Storm. She's singing in the shower."
#Goodness gracious. Sounds like nails on a blackboard.#
Bishop chuckled, "Yeah. I know."
He heard Gambit chuckled in return. #O'kay Pup. Wha'yah need?#
"Nothing. I just wanted to check on something that I heard. What's this about your trying to take Marcus' head off with a basketball?"
Gambit laughed, #Stormy told'ya?#
"Ya know she did."
I can't tell him the real reason why I did what I did. It will just fuel his anger toward Marcus even more. If dey get ta fight'h again ...Stormy was so upset de first time dey fought. Dat not good for her nor de baby. #Good news travels fast I see.#
"Father, I hope you didn't feel obligated to go after him just because I did."
#Ain't 'bout dat. Besides ...Remy don' like him nei'ter. Him and I had words earlier dat morn'in.#
"Really? What about?"
#De fact dat he's a sorry imitation of de original and I called him on it.#
What Gambit said sort of warmed Bishop's heart. "Thank you Remy. But you don't have to take up for me."
#Yeah ... I know. But what kind of poppa would I be if I didn't? Besides, it was worth it ta see de look on his face when I told him dat ya and me are de best of friends.# Remy began to laughed.
Bishop laughed too. "Let me guess ... 'You LIE!' "
#Hey, dat's exactly wha' he said!# Then they both laughed out loud together. Once the laughter started to die down, Remy finished it with a chuckle, #Eh, he can' play poor little lost clone wit' someone else. I not buying it.#
"I heard that." Bishop let the smile fade from his face. "All right then, I appreciate the sentiment."
#Ya're welcome.#
"Ya' know when Cyclops gets wind of this he's gonna ground you."
#Been dere, done dat.#
"Oh. For how long?"
#All weekend.#
" 'All weekend' ", Bishop echoed. "That's pretty harsh. I know how much you like your freedom Remy. Are you gonna be o'kay?"
#Remy be fine.#
"You heard he's leaving?"
#Yeah. I heard. 'Scottie' told me raht after he gave me my sentence. Ain't he 'jis special?#
Knowing Remy as well as he did, Bishop knew that Gambit had done something to retaliate against Scott. "O.K. What you do in return?"
#Wha' else? Slam de door in his face.#
Bishop laughed. He didn't know what it was between Scott and Remy but they always seems to rub each other the wrong way. "Two many alpha males under one roof." He said down low halfway to himself and to Remy.
#X'cuse'?#
"Nothing, just thinking out loud." With Remy being punished so severely, it got him to thinking about his own impending punishment ... If Cyclops tagged Remy that firmly for 'almost' fighting Marcus what was he going to do to me for actually 'fighting' him? "Ut oh."
#Wha's de mat'ta?#
"If Cyclops put you in seclusion for what you did, what's he gonna do to me?!"
#No'thin.#
"What do'ya mean 'nothing'...?! I still plan on proposing to Ororo, regardless ...!"
#Pup ...?#
"... I've already made the appointment with the jeweler...!"
#Pup, take a breath ...#
"... I'm suppose to go pick up Storm's ring first thing in the morning, I can't be confined to my room!"
#Pup?! Will ya calm down for a minute?!#
"What?!" Bishop snapped back.
Remy got a little quiet on the phone. #My initial punishment was for one day. I took ya confinement for ya. So ya go ahead and propose ta Stormy. Remy got dis.#
Bishop fell silent as he grasped the enormity of Gambit's sacrifice. I can't believe he did that ... for me. "Remy ... But your freedom?"
#Yeah, well ... ya know how I feel 'bout ya, Stormy and Little D.L. 'Jis make me proud.#
If Bishop didn't know any better he could have sworn he was about to choke up. "Uh ... Remy, that's really considerate of you..." His voice fell almost silent with emotion, "... thank you."
Gambit smiled from ear to ear as he listen to the gratitude in Bishop's voice. #Yeah. I know. 'Jis make sure I de first ta see de ring on her finger and we'll call it even.#
Bishop chuckled then smiled. "Deal. Now ... what are you going to do with yourself during all this time?"
#Don' know ... rearrange my closet?#
Bishop laughed, "That could take two weekends instead of one."
Gambit smiled, #Ya're raht. Maybe I'll catch up on my read'in, watch a little TV or watch a movie. I don' know.#
"Well let me know if you want me to send you my DVD inventory in case there's something I have that you may want to see."
#Got any new titles?#
"As a matter of fact, I have several."
#Good. E-Mail me de list and I'll let ya know de ones I'd like ta see.#
"Remy ...?"
#Yeah Pup.#
"Thank you again."
#Aw ... yah welcome.#
Just then Bishop heard Storm stop singing yet he could still hear the water running. She must be finished, washing her hair or maybe she's soaping up one last time. That image played in his head. Hum? I think I'd like to see that. "I gotta go. There's something that needs my urgent attention. I'll send that list to you in a little while. Talk to you later."
#Uh ... Pup?#
"Yeah Remy."
*giggle* #Wha's dis Gambit hear 'bout ya be'in a plumber?#
What in the world ...? Remy's reference was totally lost to him. Bishop briefly took the phone away from his face to squint at it in puzzlement. Placing it back to his ear, he asked Gambit, "What the devil are you talking about?! You know that I'm in no way, shape or form a plumber."
*snicker* #Well ... according ta Stormy...# *giggle* #... ya're one _ell-of-a pipe layer.# Then he burst out laughing.
"Oh for crying out loud!" Bishop pressed the [OFF] button, thereby hanging up on Gambit's playful cackle. Leaning to the right side of the bed, he firmly placed the headset back in the cradle on Storm's night stand. Two humiliations in one afternoon ...! Climbing out of the bed, ... Wait until I get my hands on that woman!
Storm was busy lathering herself up before the final rinse when she saw Bishop come into the bathroom on the other side of the curtain. "I see you are still awake."
Bishop stepped up to the curtain. Snatching it back out of the way, he was ready to let her have it for embarrassing him so badly. But something happen the moment he saw her glistening wet lather slick skin, all thoughts of arguing with her went right out of his head.
He refocused his eyes to follow the cascading white soap bubbles as they coursed down, over and in between her large breast. The bubbles then separated around her growing stomach and pooled over her white haired apex at the top of her divide. He wet his lips as his eyes continued to follow the bubbles down her slightly muscular long shapely legs to her feet.
At first, Storm thought the look on his face was angry ... about what? She had no clue. However, now his mood appeared to be changing to something else, something more basic, more carnal. "What do you think you are doing?"
The sound of her voice broke the spell Bishop seem to have been under. Stepping up into the shower with Storm, he moved to where he was directly under the water's spray. "What does it look like I'm doing?" He then took the soap out of Storm's hand to start lathering himself up.
Storm watch him move in fascination. It took her a moment to realise that she was staring. *ahem* "I was here first."
Bishop turned from side to side, making the water rinse the soap all over his body. Turning back to look at her, "So ... does that mean you want me to leave?"
Storm didn't answer. She just watched as the water channeled down his magnificent body.
"Storm? I asked you a question."
She still didn't answer. What she did do was to reach out tentatively to touch the large forearm nearest to her.
Bishop watched her hand stroke the suds still remaining on his arm then he looked back at her. "Storm?"
"Yes Bishop?" She continued with her caress.
"... Do you want me to leave?"
She slowly shook her head, No as she brought the same hand that had been stroking his arm up over his chest. "No. You may stay." She breathe out in a seductive whisper.
Bishop turned all the way back toward her. Putting his hands around her waist, he held her away slightly. Lowering his head, he pressed his lips against her sternum between her breast.
Storm closed her eyes as her head fell back. The feel of his lips and tongue as he worked his way up to the column of her neck was so sexually charged that she had to place her hands in his hair to keep from losing her balance in the tub.
Bishop slowly went up her neck until he got to her left ear. Moving her damp tresses out of his way, he licked, nibbled and bit her exposed lobe.
Storm let out a gentle cry as her hands fell away from his hair to outline his chest and his defined abs. She trembled when he licked across her ear then breathe his warm breath into it with low growl. She then waited until his lips moved to her mouth. Prying it open with the tip of his tongue, he then nibbled at her corners before opening his mouth fully onto hers. "Oh-h-h ..." She gasped as the gentleness he used in kissing her rushed through her being making her knees go weak. She sensed that Bishop must have known how he was making her feel because he caught her up close then drove his tongue home.
Bishop applauded Storm's skill. There was nothing she would deny him. Don't care what the ryhme or reason, she was always willing and for that he loved her even more. Pulling slightly back, he watched as her glazed eyes slowly opened to look back at him. In their dialation, they were the deepest shade of aqua blue. I am so in love this woman and I can't wait to marry her, he said to himself. With a slight groan, he angled his head in the opposite direction then greedily reclaimed her supple mouth once more.
When Bishop had pulled back, Storm could see the love and desire in his eyes that he had for her. She had thought he was about to say something, but instead he had lean down and captured her mouth again. But now instead of gentleness, he acted as if he was starving or thirsty even. The intensity was so great that she completely collapsed against him and was greatful when he pulled them both down into the tub in order to make love to her again. Dear goddess, I really, really love this man. We could be at this all night ...... If I am lucky.
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Marcus stayed pretty quiet on their way to the mall on the far side of town. He watched as the others engaged in meaningless small talk and admired how well they all seemed to get along with one another. He also wondered secretly how much of his own past each one of them knew about, but had neglected to tell him. What is it that 'Archlight' knows about me and why do I feel so compelled to find it out?! What could it all mean?!
He looked around at the darkening sky. It was getting pretty late. Looking down at his watch, it read 8:47p. m. Not much time left. If I'm going to actually meet her, getting to the mall is of no concern to me. I wonder could I possibly get them to forgo the mall trip and go straight to Harry's instead?
"Marcus?"
He turned to answer Joseph back, "Yes?"
"We were discussing our plans for the rest of the evening. It's getting kind of late. Warren and Sam want to still go to the mall and Bobby and myself want go to straight on to Harry's. Since you are our guest, we decided to let you break the tie. So what will it be?"
Marcus couldn't believe his luck. The very answer he needed was staring him right in the face. All he need do now is take advantage of it. However, he knew he had to be careful. He couldn't appear too anxious. If he did, then they might suspect that something was up and keep a tighter watch of his activities. "Well ... I don't know. Whatever you all want to do is fine with me." Then he mentally crossed his fingers.
Sam waved a dismissing hand. "Aw now ... no offense, but that's the coward's way out."
He chuckled. "I guess you are right about that." He smiled at Cannonball. Then he looked around at the others, "Hank bought me practically every thing I needed the other night, including a new wardrobe ... so I really see no point in going to the mall, especially if you all were going just for my benefit. I'm good."
Bobby turned halfway in his seat to smile back at Marcus. "It's decided then." Turning to Warren, "Harry's it is."
Sure ... why not? After a day like today, I could use a good stiff
drink. He didn't answer back out loud, only nodded, Yes as he
turned the vehicle in the direction that would take them to Harry's
- The X-Man's favorite watering hole.