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As they tried to watch the rugby match and not think about that short lived moment between them, despite better judgement Skye had found her way to the hospital she’d left Jonathan at. She walked up to the nurses station. “Excuse me. Ah looking fer Jonathan Fuller? Ah’m Skye Kearney, one of his friends. Wat room is he in?”, she asked not wanting to give too much away about knowing why he was there. “Mister Fuller is in room 203. He’s resting at the moment but last checked he was still awake.”, the nurse answered pointing. “T’anks.”, Skye nodded heading in the direction the nurse had pointed. She was nervous, why was she nervous. “Ya dinna need ta be flustered. Get it taget’er lassie. He just a bloke.”, Skye muttered to herself as she kept wringing her hands walking to the room. She took a deep breath forcing her hands to stop as she opened his door stepping inside. It was dark in the room, it was very late at this point, she could hear the sounds of machines tracking his heart rate and seeing the little lights from them as she walked closer. “Jonathan?”, she whispered softly. Jonathan was sitting partially upright having the bed adjusted as laying flat right now hurt the exit wound stitches. He turned his head hearing someone in the darkness. The nurse had turned the light off telling him to sleep. But he couldn’t sleep. Him mind kept replaying the night’s events trying to figure if there was any tells from his date that she was really just there to kill him.
“Skye? Turn the light on please.”, he questioned. Skye nodded flipping the switch before looking at him. She held back a gulp looking at him in the hospital bed. He had machines connected, as she figured, to keep track of his heart rate and a couple ivs hooked up with slow dripping bags hanging delivering medicine to him. “Thought you said I probably wouldn’t see you.”, Jonathan smiled. “What changed your mind? Don’t tell me you felt guilt over me getting shot. You saved my life, that bullet was meant for my heart and Josie’s gun was pressed to my head and you stopped her.”, Jonathan smiled a little shifting on the bed. He winced a little as he shifted. “Ah kne wat Ah said. Ah canna say wat made me come ‘ere. Ah wanted ta kne ya were going ta be okay.”, Skye explained walking closer bringing a chair to the bedside sitting down. “Dey get ya patc’ed up okay? Dey call yer folks yet?”, she questioned. “Interesting. So the beautiful heroine cares about me. And yes they stitched me up. I recall vaguely a doctor commending whoever dressed the wound because it slowed the bleeding enough that I didn’t need a full transfusion just a little to make up for the blood I lost. You’re American mate has medical training? And yes they called my parents. I told them to wait till morning to come. I doubt they will.”, he sighed. Skye rolled her eyes as he tried to flirt a little complimenting her and reading into her reasoning for being there. “Dat good. And Aye Wolverine ‘as medical training.”, she nodded. “Wolverine? Right codename. And she called you Iolar. Gaelic for eagle. I can see that, with your ability to fly. Well thank this Wolverine for me. She helped save my life. And I’m guessing from the pile of blokes in the alley she helped you fight all of them. So thank her for me for having your back. I’d hate for you to get hurt trying to save my worthless ass.”, he smiled reaching over not really thinking about it and holding her hand.
“Aye, code names. Ah called her in fer backup so she ‘elped take down all dem blokes. Ya aren’t wort’less Jonathan. Yer article w’en it comes ta print will be exposing dem fer wat dey are. Ya’ll be giving da public facts, warning dem bout da type of organization dis is. And yer risking yer life ta do it.”, Skye shook her head before looking down at his hand holding hers. Her hand felt cold compared to his warm hand holding it. She looked up and locked eyes with him. Why did she feel this? She had Mason who is an incredible man. Mason was gentle, kind, loving, passionate, patient, honorable and physically he was gorgeous. But he had a darker side, she knew that. He’d killed before and he was capable of killing again, even if he’d promised to not. And she still had her doubts that Mason was over Adder. Skye had always told herself she’d never be second to any woman in a man’s heart. If she couldn’t be first that was when she knew it was time to leave. But was leaving Mason the right thing? She did love him and he’d not actually done anything, she could just feel that deep inside he was fighting his feelings for Adder. And now here she was at the bedside of another man. “I might not know you very well Skye, but you seem off. You okay?”, he asked. Skye smiled softly and nodded. “Ah fine. Just got t’ings on mah mind.”, she explained being vague. There was a lot on her mind. She was confused about how she felt in regards to him. Worried about how she might feel and worried about Mason’s feelings for Adder. But she couldn’t discuss this with him.
“Anything I could help with? Promise all off the record.”, he smiled yawning. “No ya can’t. Ya s’ould get some sleep.”, she sighed getting up and turning the light back off. “You leaving?”, he asked. “I mean they might come back to kill me in my sleep…”, he only partially teased. Skye shook her head lightly sitting back down. “Ah’ll stay till ya fall asleep.”, Skye assured. “I suppose I should take a night with you anyway I can get one.”, Jonathan smiled hitting the button on his bed lowering it. “Ya somet’ing else Jonathan.”, she sighed hiding a smile in the dark. Jonathan groaned a little in pain rolling to his side not wanting to sleep on his back and wanting to face her. It was dark in the room only the light from the machines flickering in the dark. But in the dark he could still make out her bright eyes. “Can’t really recall anyone but my parents watching me sleep. Know any good songs or stories? I know a good story.”, he yawned. Skye sighed. “And wat da story?”, she asked relaxing in the chair. “Once upon a time, cause all the good ones start that way, there was a beautiful fiery red haired Scottish lass from the grassy knolls of Glasgow. She was what people called…”, he paused to yawn. “A free spirit. She lived a life without inhibitions. She was well loved by her family and close friends.”, he continued speaking quietly. Skye rolled her eyes a little, he was making up a story about her.
“One day she had to leave the grassy knolls of Glasgow as she was to wed a Lord in London. She’d been reluctant of the idea of leaving her home for a man she wasn’t sure she’d even like. But she did as she was asked and moved to London to meet this Lord she was to wed. He was handsome and kind. He easily won over her heart. But there was something about him that left her still unsure but she couldn’t place what it was. And it weighed on her mind.”, he continued. Skye arched an eyebrow. The Lord in the tale was obviously Mason. But how did Jonathan known there was something about Mason she was uncertain about? Did he know what Mason did in the dark behind his mask? “One day while she was strolling the streets of London, looking at shops getting things prepared for the pending wedding a simple bard noticed her walking. He was in awe of her beauty. How the sun made each strand of her vibrant red hair light up, how her eyes shined even in the dim of the London fog, how she walked with such pride and of course the unintentional sway of her hips as she walked.”, he smiled looking at her in the darkness. Skye laughed softly. He was obviously the bard in the tale. “The bard…”, he yawned again.
“Decided he needed to know who she was, because he’d never seen someone more beautiful. So he spoke to the other bards and was told that she was the scottish bride of Lord York. Which to some being told she was betrothed to a man of far more wealth, land, and station would be a deterrent. The bard would not be deterred. So he found a way to speak to her, yearning to hear her voice to know if beyond the beauty on the surface there was an equally beautiful soul. So he managed to speak to her.”, he continued. Skye smiled a little quietly listening to him. “And her thick Scottish accent captivated him, her witty and insightful words kept him hanging on her every word, and her laugh sealed the feeling he felt in his heart. There was no woman like her in the world and it made him ache that she was to wed another. And she seemed to be in love, but there was something in her eyes that showed doubt. So the bard refused to be deterred from at least trying. But his interest in the Lord’s bride had not gone unnoticed and hired men had been sent to do him harm. None gave notice to the woman when they came for him, but he was a bard a man of words not of actions. He was not really built for the fight. The hired men realized their mistake in neglecting the presence of the woman for she was a woman of actions and built for the fight. Without even messing her fine dress she dispatched the hired men saving his life and cementing his love for her. And something changed that day in how the woman looked at the bard…”, he yawned closing his eyes.
Skye arched an eyebrow. He was obviously describing in a more medieval or at best Victorian age way what had been happening between her, Mason and him. “Jonathan?”, she whispered as he hadn’t continued the story. She sighed smiling a little. He’d fallen asleep. She wondered if that was intentional because the reality he was parodying had not played out. She certainly wasn’t going to wake him to ask how the story ends. He wasn’t her cousin Atif, his tale couldn’t predict the future. She wondered if Atif could tell her how this would play out. Or if he’s even tell her for that matter. Atif was guarded about some things he knew about the future. Unless it was life or death and the future needed to be altered or it was small enough that him interfering wouldn’t affect the future negatively he kept things to himself or spoke in riddles. He’d probably give her no useful insight about her situation and at best would try to be a psychologist about it and analyze her indecision. Skye yawned looking to her watch. “Ah’ll stay a tad longer just fer good measure.”, she said quietly to herself. But that plan failed as she leaned forward resting her arms on the bed and her head on her arms falling asleep. Her head resting at Jonathan’s chest, his left hand having moved during their sleep to rest on the center of her shoulders his fingers subconsciously weaving in her long hair.
Skye grumbled a little feeling eyes on her and hearing thoughts of ‘don’t they look cute’ and ‘he didn’t mention a bird’. “Hmm?”, she questioned her eyes opening realizing she was still at Jonathan’s hospital bed and the sun was out. “Fook..”, she said moving to stand realizing quickly his hand was tangled in her hair. “God damn it, bloody bastard…”, she muttered reaching and untangling his hand and her hair. Jonathan didn’t stir but Skye noticed a fresh iv bag was hung so someone had come in and not bothered to wake her. She sighed shaking her head cursing herself in her mind as she turned and stopped blinking looking at an older man and woman. She quickly realized by facial features and their not so quiet thoughts they were Jonathan’s parents. “Er… morning.”, she greeted a bit uncertain. His father arched an eyebrow at her as he replied. “Morning and you are?”, he greeted with a question. His mother elbowed her husband gently. “Good morning dear. I’m Ellen Fuller and this is my husband Brian.”, she introduced trying to be slightly more tactful than her husband. “Um… Ah’m Skye Kearney. A friend o Jonathan’s.”, she explained the best she could. “Uh huh. And you stayed the night at his bedside as his friend…”, Brian commented. Jonathan groaned from behind Skye opening his eyes. “Lay off dad. Skye’s a friend as she said. I was supposed to do a follow up interview last night, but got myself shot instead. So being a nice person she came to check on me when she was told I wouldn’t make the interview.”, Jonathan explained. Skye glanced over her shoulder impressed he made up a lie that quick and sounded believable.
“Interview?”, Ellen asked moving around Skye to her son. “You going to explain to us how you got shot in the first place?”, she demanded. Brian was still looking at Skye uncertainly. “The article I’m writing. The follow up on the terrorist attack on the Leah’s Lost Souls event. Skye was at the event, in a way she kicked off the fight that night.”, Jonathan smiled a little as he winced sitting up. Brian kept his eyes on Skye curious now. “And what...pray tell were you doing at that event that started the fight?”, Brian asked. “Ah was dere wid mah boyfriend, Mason Templeton. It’s his foundation. And Ah dinna start da fig’t. Da bloody bastard dat got it in his wee brain ta lay ‘and on me did.”, Skye explained. Ellen and Brian both blinked at the news that the girl they’d seen sleeping faithfully at their son’s bedside, with their son’s hand in her hair had a boyfriend and not just any boyfriend but someone like Mason Templeton. “Yeah my understanding from all accounts of that night the man learned very quickly you don’t mess with Skye. She punched him, in the gut and disarmed him in basically one movement letting him land at Mason’s feet. And that man wasn’t the only to learn it, she was part of the brawl that ensued and helped with the capture of every terrorist there. I’ve seen her fight and am glad I’ve yet to find myself at the wrong end of one of her fists.”, he laughed but stopped holding his side were the stitches from the bullet had gone through. Skye rolled her eyes a little but noticed him move to hold his side. “Ya need ta rest. Ya blow a stitch or ‘urt yaself furt’er ya’ll find out ‘ow ‘ard Ah can hit yerself.”, Skye said firmly scolding him. “Promise?”, Jonathan asked with a smirk which resulted in Skye shaking her head.
“Yer terrible ya kne? Talking like dat ta a spoken fer woman wid yer mum and dah present. Ya got some explaining ta do ta dem bout wat landed yer arse in dis place. And Ah outta get going.”, Skye rolled her eyes. “Right..suppose I’m not the only one owing someone an explanation. I’m sure Mason will be wondering where his gorgeous girlfriend was all night.”, Jonathan smiled. “Bye Fuller. Nice ta ’ave met ya Mister and Misses Fuller.”, she said giving a nod to both Brian and Ellen before quickly leaving the room. What was she even supposed to tell Mason? Would Mason even ask? After all she’d gone to him first last night, but he was watching rugby with Adder enjoying a night in with his mate. He probably hadn’t even called her let alone gone to her flat during the night looking for her. As she walked out she was checking her phone and did see a message from Mason and listened to it as she walked. “Hi love. Just wanted to check in on you. You didn’t seem quite right when you came by. I wish you’d have stayed, you seemed to have needed the company and you know that I’m always here ready and willing to be that. Was thinking maybe going dancing or to a film tonight after work. Ring me back. I love you Skye.”, Mason voice played in the message. She smiled softly hearing his voice and him say he loves her. But then her shoulders sank a little as she thought about how she’d stayed at Jonathan’s side all night. And she knew she’d need to keep an eye on him. Being in the hospital didn’t make him safe, it made him an easier target.
Early in the morning Mason had gotten ready to leave with Adder for some training with Turner, Ian, and Garrison. As he checked his phone he sighed he’d still not heard back from Skye. He hoped she was okay. They generally didn’t discuss their team’s business with each other so he had no idea what was going at the moment. Adder arched an eyebrow walking out of her room wearing her track pants and tank top pulling on her hoodie. “Mason? W’at’s wrong?”, she asked seeing him frowning a little. Mason sighed tucking his phone into his jacket pocket, much like her he was dressed as if he was going to the gym. “Haven’t heard back from Skye. I left her a message last night. Something didn’t feel right last night and I just want to know she’s okay.”, he explained with a small shrug. “Ah’m sure she’ll call w’en she gets t’e c’ance. Come on let’s go w’ip da new recruits into s’ape. It’ll take your mind off it.”, Adder suggested. Mason nodded. “Yeah. It’ll serve as a distraction. Just before we go I want to swing by her place to check on her.”, he said as they were leaving. Adder nodded keeping her opinion to herself. She knew better than to voice the opinion that him being involved with a member of Excalibur was not going to end well. They’d always have secrets between them and not ever see things eye to eye metaphorically speaking. So they left the flat and stopped at Skye’s building. “I’ll be just a minute.”, Mason said getting out of the car Adder only nodded as he shut the door leaving her in the running car.
Skye sighed as she reached her door at last and pulled out her phone calling Rose. “Skye?”, Rose questioned wide awake having a clinical early that morning. “‘Ello Rose.”, Skye sighed leaning her forehead against her door. “What’s wrong? You sound a bit off.”, Rose asked shifting her backpack on her shoulder as she walked to her next class. “Ah suppose Ah am. Last nig’t it just got mah mind and insides all twisted up.”, Skye tried to explained. “Okay well I know that feeling. I’ve been worried all night about Fuller. He is our responsibility and he got hurt.”, Rose sighed pausing to duck into an empty room not wanting the conversation to be overheard. “Aye. It just…”, Skye tried to think how to explain this. But stopped as she looked to her left hearing the ding of the elevator and there was Mason dressed like he was going to the gym or running. “Mason?”, Skye questioned. Rose furrowed her brow. “It just Mason? What?”, Rose asked confused. “Eck no Rose. Mason just got off da elevator. Ah’ll call ya later. Ah sure ya got a class ta attend.”, Skye said hanging up and pocketing her phone. “Morning. You okay love? I called you last night but you didn’t answer and I’ve no reply this morning. I’ve been worried, figured I’d check on you this morning...are you wearing the same clothes from last night?”, He greeted looking her over and seeing the same outfit from when she’d shown up at his door. “Aye, dis da same clot’es. After Ah left yer place Ah dinna come ‘ome. Mah mind was and well still is too fogged. Been trying ta clear it out all nig’t wid no resolution.”, Skye sighed explaining as she turned to look at Mason leaning against her apartment door. Mason sighed so something had happened last night that was bothering her and given she was being coded about it it was probably Excalibur business so she couldn’t tell him.
“Skye..”, he sighed walking closer putting a hand on her waist and brushing back her thick red hair from her face with the other. “I know that there will be many things we can’t tell each other, it’s just kind of the life we’ve chosen with our masks. But I just want to you know that I’m here when you need me, even if we can’t talk about what’s wrong. I’ll still be here for you, to hold you if you need it.”, he smiled softly kissing her forehead. “Because I love you and I won’t let our masks come between us.”, he added. Skye sighed smiling a little. Having him close, touching her even in this innocent yet intimate way, and the way he spoke it made her feel a little better. As she looked up her eyes locking on his she wondered how she could ever look at those sweet brown eyes and feel the way she does for him for anyone else. She wanted to wash away last night. To forget her conflicted feelings about Fuller being injured and about staying the night at his bedside in the hospital. “Ah love ya too.”, she smiled kissing him pulling him closer as she wrapped an arm around his neck. Her other arm reached behind her opening her door pulling him in with her as they kissed. “Skye…”, Mason tried to speak as she brought him into the flat. He knew that downstairs in a running car was Adder and across town in the warehouse they used for training were his three new recruits waiting for their training. Skye sighed hearing his thoughts and him say her name. She pulled back from the kiss and let him go.
“Ya’ve gotta go.”, she stated. “I was coming to check on you before going to do some training. Adder’s still in the car waiting. Hadn’t really expected to get jumped by you upon arrival.”, he smiled a little glancing back to the door. Skye nodded. “Ah understand. Go do yer training. Ah outta shower and dress fer da office. Ah’ll speak ta ya later.”, she forced a smile. She’d wanted to erase last night and the best way she could think to accomplish erasing any doubts about Mason and any conflicted emotions about Fuller was to seek the exhilaration and satisfaction of bedding Mason. But of course Adder was waiting, he couldn’t leave her in the car for how long they’d take. Even if they were quick about it Skye would have kept him for close to half an hour. Mason nodded. “Trust me, love, if I didn’t leave my car running with my best mate sitting in it I would more than happily oblige both our more carnal urges. But tonight…”, he smiled giving her a light kiss. “As my message said we can go catch a film and maybe also go out dancing if we don’t decide we’d rather be doing something a tad more physical with less clothes involved.”, he suggested. Skye laughed a little. “Mm sounds wonderful. Ah’ll c’eck mah availability. But Ah outta be able ta make it. Now go on before Ah decide Ah dinna care yer mate’s waiting and drag yer arse inta da shower ta ‘ave mah way wid ya.”, she smirked. Mason smiled laughing a little. “Till later than. Love you.”, he nodded giving her another quick kiss. “Love you too.”, she smiled watching him leave. She pushed aside her other thoughts and went about getting ready for her work day.
Adder tapped her fingernails, getting impatient, on the dash as she waited. “W’at taking him so long? He better not be s’agging leaving me sitting in t’is damn car.”, she grumbled to herself but smiled in relief seeing him walking out in the same condition he’d walked in. Mason smiled getting into the car. “Ready to go?”, he asked. “Been ready mate. Was starting to consider just leaving ya ‘ere in case ya’d found yer bird and decided on a morning s’ag.”, Adder answered. Mason chuckled pulling away. “The option was there. But I didn’t want to leave you sitting down here in the car for that. That’d be rude. Plus I said I’d help train the boys. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll see Skye later.”, he advised. Adder nodded. At least he wouldn’t have left her there while he had sex with his girlfriend. “She tell ya w’at was t’e matter?”, she asked casually as the drove. “No and she doesn’t have to give explanations. I know she had Excalibur business last night and whatever happened left her unsettled. She can’t and won’t talk to me about that stuff. Just like I can’t and won’t talk to her about what my team does. Which eventually will need a name for this endeavour of ours.”, he sighed thinking about all the secrets that would never be shared between them. “Ah suppose t’at not easy, but ya’ll figure out ‘ow ta make it work. If Ah know anyt’ing Ah know that when you decide on somet’ing no’ting will c’ange it. As for a name w’y not just take up the mantle of your dad’s club… Hellfire?”, she offered as a suggestion as they parked setting one other car and the three recruits standing waiting.
“Well I suppose we can, unofficially. Since only Sebastian Shaw or more likely a descendant who could hold a hereditary claim to the Lord Imperial can properly reinstate the club.”, Mason concurred getting out of the car looking at his recruits. They looked a tad worse for the ware. He and Adder had been putting them through some grueling training as of late so there was still some bruises fading visible as he looked at their faces. Ian Corbett an eighteen year old who had hidden his mutant powers enough during adolescence that his foster families never even knew that was till the day some muggers tried to attack the small family and he’d doubled his size using his own body to protect his foster parents and foster sister. Despite having saved their lives that night they threw him out for his mutation. He’d been wandering the streets for the last three years on the brink of starvation most times when he heard of Leah’s Lost Soul and found one of the locations. Mason liked the man well enough, he seemed loyal and intelligent. Though sometimes looking at his steel gray eyes Mason wasn’t always confident in putting trust into the young man. But he pushed it aside the young brunette was doing well both in his mailroom position at the company and in his training for the team.
To Ian’s right standing but a few inches taller was Garrison Wells. Garrison's ability was the innate ability to have insects follow his command. To some this might not seem all that versatile or useful, but Mason had seen its potential. Mostly for stealth missions. Garrison like Ian had found his way to Leah’s Lost Souls after being outed as a mutant. Mason had offered the young man a job just as he’d offered Ian. Garrison had a depth to his brown eyes that made one believe his convictions and loyalties. Given that Garrison’s abilities would be more suited for stealth than direct conflict Garrison trained more in that style than the others. Then at the end with the most bruises still slowly fading was Turner Wilson. He was the shortest and youngest only being seventeen. If a stranger looked at Turner they’d never guess he was the brother of Ashton, they looked like two very different people. Ashton was tall with blue eyes and generally favored their father in appearance while Turner was short with hazel eyes favoring their mother. The only common denominator in their appearance was having almost the same shade of brown hair. Turner had the abilities to not only sense one’s emotions but also to shapeshift to look and sound like anyone he’d seen before. Also making him apt for more stealth missions. Ashton had refused to train Turner for the team so he was sent to work for Mason in London and be trained with Ian and Garrison. It wasn’t that Ashton would go easy on his little brother, he was worried of the opposite of going to hard and really hurting his own brother. Mason was not a coddle type of instructor but he also knew a person’s limits and only just pushed them slightly past that point.
“Morning boys.”, Mason greeted walking over with Adder. Adder coldly looked at each of them with her copper snake eyes. “Morning Mister Templeton and Miss Adder.”, Ian and Garrison greeted both refused to use speak to them in any informal way. They both felt they owed too much to Mason to speak informally to the man and Adder had their respect so they wouldn’t speak informally to her either. “Morning Mason...Adder.”, Turner smirked. He didn’t care about formality or really respecting Mason or Adder for that matter. Mason was his brother’s best friend, so he saw no need for formality. And Adder...well everything he understood from what his empathic powers picked up indicated, at least as he summarized, was she just needed a good shagging and she’d be less of a bitch. He continued to make offers of his services, always when Mason wouldn’t hear. He knew exactly how protective Mason was of his pet snake, he’d need Oliver days after his fight with Mason about how Oliver cheated on Adder and the bruises were still bad. Turner’s attention moved between Adder and Mason, he was picking something up between them, he always did, an unspoken sexual attraction. Today however he felt something more from Mason. “You going to have your head in it today?”, he asked teasing. Mason and Adder both looked to Turner while Ian and Garrison covered their faces. “Why’s he gotta start things with Mister Templeton or Miss Adder every time?”, Ian grumbled.
“I beg your pardon. What are you talking about and who are you talking to?”, Mason asked arching an eyebrow at Turner. “Well both really. But mostly to you Mason. I mean not sure how in it your mind is today.”, Turner shrugged. Adder’s eyes narrowed at Turner holding back a hiss. “And w’at t’at suppose ta mean little boy?”, Adder questioned. “If you’d give me the time of day, I’d show you exactly how far from little let alone a boy I really am. Fairly certain I could prove better than anyone you’ve had in the past.”, Turner said not thinking as he said it. Adder did hiss this time and went to punch Turner in the face for his words but before she could Turner found himself pinned to the outside of the warehouse by a strong wind. Ian and Garrison quickly moved out of the way. “Turner Christopher Wilson you try my patience. You will apologize for your vulgarity and you will keep any additional comments like that in reference to Adder to yourself. And if you don’t I will happily dispatch notice to your parents that I snapped their youngest son’s neck for being a despicable piece of filth that dared to call himself a gentleman. Do we have an understanding?”, Mason said sternly. Adder smirked a little, sure she could have dealt with Turner herself but there was something about seeing Mason quick to defend her she liked. “Ye...yes…”, Turner managed to breath. “And the apology?”, Mason demanded. “I...I am sorry Adder.”, Turner managed to speak though his airways were feeling the pressure of the gust of wind that held him. Mason nodded curtly and the wind died down and Turner slumped to the ground.
“So that will be lesson one this morning. Keep your mouth shut, speak when spoken to or you have something of value to say. We deal in a business that requires secrecy and to keep secrets one must understand how to remain silent and that when you violate that silence there will be consequences. Adder, Ashton, Tiffany and I all understand this. If something was to ever happen to any one of us on a mission we know we are to never speak of our team and what we do. When we go on a mission our masks are our lives they are all we know. And given that Adder has made a timely suggestion as we exited the car I now know what code names we shall use. Our code names will be the only thing that you refer to us in any situations pertaining to our masked lives. So this means on missions and going forward with training we will only use these names. In public and the office you will still refer to us as Mister Templeton and Miss Adder or in the case of Ashton and Tiffany as Mister and Misses Wilson. These guidelines will be maintained for everyone’s safety. Anyone that breaks it I will break. Am I understood on this point?”, Mason said his eyes slowly looking from Ian to Garrison to Turner and back around as he spoke. “Yes sir.”, Ian and Garrison spoke. “Yes.”, Turner relented. Adder smirked watching as all three, even Turner, moved to stand perfectly straight the more Mason talked. She even caught Turner gulp when Mason said he’d break the individual that broke the rules. “And what will our team be called and our code names be?”, Turner asked. “The Hellfire Club.”, Mason stated simply. Ian and Garrison shrugged it had a ring to it they’d admit but only Turner knew where it stemmed even if he’d never believed the stories. “Seriously? That old wise tale our parents told us about?”, Turner asked in disbelief.
“They were not tales Turner. You chose to think they were made up. But the Hellfire Club was very real in the time of our fathers and our ancestors dating back to the 1700s. Without a Shaw to claim the imperial lord role and to properly reinstate the club we are just named in it’s honor. As for names I will take my father’s and that which by birthright I am entitled to, Black King. Ashton, as is his birthright, will be Red King. Tiffany to suit her status will be Red Queen. Adder has and always will be my right hand and will be the Black Bishop. Ian, Red King has shown interest in your talents and the updates I’ve given on your skills so far in training. After training is complete and I feel you are ready you will transfer from my company to his and become his Red Bishop. Garrison you will remain with myself and Black Bishop as my Black Rook. And Turner you will return to your brother and act as Red Rook.”, Mason instructed. Turner held back a laugh at Mason calling Adder his right hand. He knew he meant it in regards to covering his weak side and basically always being there to assist. But in Turner’s more dirty mind he couldn’t help but think to himself, ‘I’m sure you’d be in a better mood if you let her do what most blokes do with their right hands or more.’. “So the Reds will have a team of four and we shall only have a team of three?”, Garrison asked. Mason nodded. “For now yes. We may expand our numbers over time. But I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Black Bishop and I have been handling things well just the two of us here in London. You will just help to alleviate any strain we’ve had in keeping the Church in check on our own. Now come on lads time to start your training for today I’ve got plans for later.”, Mason smiled walking into the warehouse Adder right behind him. The trio were quick to follow and so began their day’s training.
Skye was trying to just focus on work but her mind kept bouncing between thinking about how much she wanted to get to tonight and Mason to her flat, perhaps even skip the movie, and her worry about Jonathan at the hospital. Rose, Atif, and Billy were both trying to get through their classes each having not only homework for classes, their part time jobs but Excalibur related business to attend to. Donovan was the one who currently had a lighter load and was covering missions and monitoring from Muir Island. He sighed looking at the monitor. “Ah canna wait till mah coz and her husband get back from deir honeymoon. Xavier is far better wid tech dan me.”, he frowned looking at a flashing light wondering what it was. Then another light started to flash. “Okay wat da…”, he muttered trying to figure out before he noticed they were flashing on a map. He glanced to his watch and saw it was flashing like he had calls coming in. he picked up the first line. “Ello? Laoch ‘ere.”, he said uncertain. “Dis dat tip line Ah been told bout?”, a Scottish voice answered in a whisper. “Aye. Dis is. Wat can Ah do fer ya?”, Donovan questioned wondering why the man was whispering. “Dere about ‘alf a dozen armed men in ski masks surrounding my ‘ouse. Dey yelling fer me ta come out or dey coming in. Ah got a five year old daughter dey want ta string up fer ‘aving blue skin since birth. Can ya ‘elp us? Ah canna fig’t six armed men alone and keep ma barren safe.”, the man whispered. Donovan could hear shouting in the background and the soft whimper of a child. “Ah’ll be dere in two s’akes a lamb tail. Dinna fash mate.”, Donovan said getting up and pulling his mask down. He at least was able to lock in on the call to know where to go.
But the other light was still beeping. He needed to check so he answered. “Ello dis Laoch.”, Donovan greeted. In his hospital bed things had gone from good to very bad very quickly for Jonathan Fuller. While visiting with his parents a doctor Jonathan didn't recognize, but he hadn't been worried since he'd been rather out of it when he came in. But when four men followed the Fuller family seemed a bit confused. The doctor had explained the four were resident students must shadowing him. Seemed legit enough till one of the students pulled down the shade over the window of the door and locked out. Then two of them pulled his parents from their seats holding knives to their throats. The doctor has demanded that Jonathan call his masked friends, specifically the two redheads that beat up some of his comrades the night before. Jonathan hadn't wanted to call the number Skye had given him, he didn't want Skye or her mate hurt because of him. But the man was persuasive with his parents held as hostages. “Hi Laoch. Um this...is Jonathan Fuller… Iolar said to call this number… if I got into trouble.”, Jonathan explained trying to draw this out. He didn’t really want Skye or whoever her friend was to come like these men wanted. “STOP STALLING!”, the doctor shouted. “Aye...Ah kne who ya is. Ah can get dere quick…”, Donovan answered hearing the shouting in the background but then remembered his other emergency a father with a small child. “They want...Iolar and Wolverine. This bloody prick and his pals currently have knives to my parents throats and us locked my hospital room.”, Jonathan explained before the phone was snatched from him.
“You tell those two red haired bitches if they don’t show all three of the Fuller family will die within the hour.”, the doctor spoke angrily before hanging up. “What do you think you can do to them? Have your buddies not told you what Iolar and Wolverine are capable of? You seriously think that the five of you are going to be able to take down these women? They beat the crap out of twenty of your pals last night. You five stand no chance in hell against these women. Let my parents go, just walk away now before you force them to…”, Jonathan realized by the looks in the men’s eyes. They didn’t plan to walk out of this alive, they wanted to be martyrs. To force Skye and her mate to kill them so people won’t trust the masked vigilantes. “That’s the plan. we won’t be letting anyone go.”, the leader said giving a nod to the two men not holding Ellen and Brian at knife point. They shifted their lab coats showing they were currently wearing bombs strapped to themselves. “Seriously? You are going to blow up a hospital? All this to get me to not write that article exposing your Church for what it is? All this to kill me for daring to tell the truth!?”, Jonathan demanded sitting up suddenly wanting to lunge at the doctor but stopped wincing as the stitches hurt. the doctor had cut off all his iv drips. “Oh it’s more than that boy. Yes this will shut you up and serve as warning to anyone who thinks they should speak against the church. But it will also kill those two red haired bitches. They better show because even if they don’t this place is still going to blow.”, he smiled wickedly.
When the line went dead Donovan groaned and punched a wall. “Wat da fuck Ah supposed ta do? Ah canna save both. But Ah canna let Rose and Skye go ta Fuller. Dey want dem fer someting. But if Ah go in deir stead…FOOK!”, Donovan was fuming. He pulled up his communicator and did a conference call to his twin and Rose. “Ello Laoch.”, Skye greeted after shutting her office door. “Hey Laoch and apparently Iolar. What’s the emergency?”, Rose whispered having had to duck into a maintenance closet at the clinic she was working. “We’ve a problem. Ah’ve gota two emergency calls on da hotline. One in Farr a man wid his wee daughter under attack. But da ot’er...is Fuller. Some got him and his folks hostage at da hospital. And dey verra specific dey want da pair of ya. Ah don’t want ta send eit’er o ya. If ya can take da emergency in Farr and Ah’ll go ta Fuller. Dey want mah twin, it’ll be over mah dead body.”, Donovan explained. “Dey got him and his folks….and dey want us… No Ah’m going. Dey want me dey get me and dey gonna regret deir request.”, Skye said anger in her voice. “They want us for a reason Skye. Maybe you should handle the Farr situation and let Laoch take Fuller.”, Rose suggested. “No. Dey want us Wolverine. Fer protecting Fuller last nig’t. If he goes in lord knows wat day gonna do. Dey could decide ta just killer da Fullers because dey dinna get da Excalibur members dey wanted. Ah going and dere ain’t any way dat da pair o ya can stop me. Laoch ya go save dat family. Ah’ll go save da Fullers. Wolverine ya come or ya don’t Ah can deal wid dese pricks.”, Skye said dropping out of the conference call. “Mark Ah’ve gotta go fer a bit. Ah’ll be back soon as Ah can.”, she informed her receptionist before she rushed out of the office quickly teleporting home to change into her uniform and get to the hospital her blood boiling that the COH couldn’t just leave Jonathan alone.
Donovan groaned when his sister got off the call. “If she gets ‘urt…”, he sighed. “I’ll go with her. I’ve just gotta duck out and give an excuse for why. But she’ll have back up. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”, Rose assured before hanging up. Donovan sighed and put in the location for the Farr call to deal with them group trying to hurt a little girl and her father. Rose had to make up a quick excuse saying she didn’t feel good, which was impossible because she never got sick but they bought it. She quickly teleported to the cottage and changed into her uniform hoping to beat Skye there if she could. Something about them being called out had gotten under her skin but also had her worried. They had something planned that much Rose was certain. Skye and Rose arrived at the hospital at the same time. Skye glanced to her right seeing Rose appear. “Ya ready ta greet our fan club?”, Skye asked. “Let’s just be smart about this. They obviously have something planned.”, Rose said. “Fine but first we gotta get ta his room. Come on dis way.”, Skye nodded taking a side entrance into the hospital not wanting to draw attention to masked women. “His room just round da corner.”, Skye whispered peeking around the corner. She closed her eyes wanting to figure out how many there were. She could hear all their thoughts. She easily found Jonathan’s mind ‘Please for the love of god don’t let Skye show up. I don’t want her to get blown up because of me.’, Jonathan kept thinking even in mental voice sounded worried. “Blown up?”, Skye questioned still checking the room. ‘Please don’t kill my family.’, Ellen and Brian were both thinking the same thing. They were terrified. Then she found the minds of five men. Two were focused on holding Brian and Ellen with their knives. Two were scared their minds thinking about the bombs strapped to their bodies wondering why they got volunteered for this. Then there was the leader. ‘Those two bitches are in for a big surprise. As long as this serum Trask gave me works. They won’t have those fancy powers to protect them.’, he was thinking as he smiled watching the clock.
“Five men. Two ‘ave Ellen and Brian ‘ostage wid knives. Two are wearing bombs. And da fifth he got some serum dat he says will take our powers. Dat possible?”, Skye informed Rose. Rose sighed and nodded. She knew it was possible to temporarily take a mutant’s powers. “Yes it’s very possible. It’s been used before. A number of the X-Men when held hostage were injected with that to prevent them from using their powers. It’s temporary and not able to knock you out unless they added a tranquilizer to the serum. As for the bombs...maybe if we can get to those two first use one of our watches to send them somewhere far away, like into the ocean so if they go off no one can get hurt.”, Rose offered. “Aye no one but da daft idiots wearing dem. But Ah say dey earned dat.”, Skye said her eyes narrowing as she looked down the hall. ‘Jonathan? Can ya ‘ear me?’, Skye thought to Jonathan. Jonathan blinked hearing Skye’s voice in his head, but remembered how she told him about her ability to read minds. “Um..yes. I can hear you. You shouldn’t be here. They plan to kill you.’, Jonathan though his eyes locked on the leader of the group. ‘Aye we kne dey tink dey gonna kill us. Dinna fash. Me and Wolverine can ‘andle dis. Just sit tig’.’, Skye thought before looking to Rose. “We need ta defuse dis before we crash in.”, Skye said. Rose nodded. “Think you can knock them out from here? Or at least knock out the bombers? If we get shot with the serum that’s fine we don’t need powers to kick their asses. But if the bombers can be out it’ll be easier to get one of our teleporters on them and get them a safe distance away from people.”, Rose said. “Ah can try. Ah’ll try fer dem all but Ah’ll get da bombers first.”, Skye nodded closing her eyes focusing.
The two man standing near the window watching the traffic passing by the hospital simultaneously held the sides of their heads in pain. “What the...owww…”, they cried as the crumpled to the ground in their pain. “One of those bitches is a telepath!”, the leader shouted. “They can’t be far.”, he added reading his gun with the special darts. “You are in for such a world of pain.”, Jonathan glared before looking to the two wearing the bombs that were now unconscious. Skye and Rose were starting to move down the hall Skye locking on the mind of the leader. He started to tell in pain pointing his gun at the door waiting. “Let’s do dis.”, Skye nodded to Rose before standing and kicking the door busting the lock. The leader was on his knees in pain but he got on shot off the dart hitting Skye in the arm. “Ha bitch can’t hurt me now...now you’re just some little bird ready to be beaten.”, his lips turning up into a sinister smile as the pain in his mind started to fade Skye no longer able to use her powers. Skye looked at the dart and pulled it out. “Wolverine ya get Brian and Ellen safe. Ah got dis fooker.”, Skye said before slugging the man. She may not have her strength but even before her powers came in Skye was a fighter. Her father had taught her and Donovan to box when they were young. Her dad didn’t like the idea of his daughter not being able to defend herself. “Ah don’t need…”, Skye glared hitting the man with a left as he stumbled into the wall. “Mah powers..”, she continued to talk while punching him again. “Ta kick yer ass. Ah’m a…”, she said setting him for another punch. “Highland lass we born ta fig’t.”, she concluded with a snort knocking him out.

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As they tried to watch the rugby match and not think about that short lived moment between them, despite better judgement Skye had found her way to the hospital she’d left Jonathan at. She walked up to the nurses station. “Excuse me. Ah looking fer Jonathan Fuller? Ah’m Skye Kearney, one of his friends. Wat room is he in?”, she asked not wanting to give too much away about knowing why he was there. “Mister Fuller is in room 203. He’s resting at the moment but last checked he was still awake.”, the nurse answered pointing. “T’anks.”, Skye nodded heading in the direction the nurse had pointed. She was nervous, why was she nervous. “Ya dinna need ta be flustered. Get it taget’er lassie. He just a bloke.”, Skye muttered to herself as she kept wringing her hands walking to the room. She took a deep breath forcing her hands to stop as she opened his door stepping inside. It was dark in the room, it was very late at this point, she could hear the sounds of machines tracking his heart rate and seeing the little lights from them as she walked closer. “Jonathan?”, she whispered softly. Jonathan was sitting partially upright having the bed adjusted as laying flat right now hurt the exit wound stitches. He turned his head hearing someone in the darkness. The nurse had turned the light off telling him to sleep. But he couldn’t sleep. Him mind kept replaying the night’s events trying to figure if there was any tells from his date that she was really just there to kill him.
“Skye? Turn the light on please.”, he questioned. Skye nodded flipping the switch before looking at him. She held back a gulp looking at him in the hospital bed. He had machines connected, as she figured, to keep track of his heart rate and a couple ivs hooked up with slow dripping bags hanging delivering medicine to him. “Thought you said I probably wouldn’t see you.”, Jonathan smiled. “What changed your mind? Don’t tell me you felt guilt over me getting shot. You saved my life, that bullet was meant for my heart and Josie’s gun was pressed to my head and you stopped her.”, Jonathan smiled a little shifting on the bed. He winced a little as he shifted. “Ah kne wat Ah said. Ah canna say wat made me come ‘ere. Ah wanted ta kne ya were going ta be okay.”, Skye explained walking closer bringing a chair to the bedside sitting down. “Dey get ya patc’ed up okay? Dey call yer folks yet?”, she questioned. “Interesting. So the beautiful heroine cares about me. And yes they stitched me up. I recall vaguely a doctor commending whoever dressed the wound because it slowed the bleeding enough that I didn’t need a full transfusion just a little to make up for the blood I lost. You’re American mate has medical training? And yes they called my parents. I told them to wait till morning to come. I doubt they will.”, he sighed. Skye rolled her eyes as he tried to flirt a little complimenting her and reading into her reasoning for being there. “Dat good. And Aye Wolverine ‘as medical training.”, she nodded. “Wolverine? Right codename. And she called you Iolar. Gaelic for eagle. I can see that, with your ability to fly. Well thank this Wolverine for me. She helped save my life. And I’m guessing from the pile of blokes in the alley she helped you fight all of them. So thank her for me for having your back. I’d hate for you to get hurt trying to save my worthless ass.”, he smiled reaching over not really thinking about it and holding her hand.
“Aye, code names. Ah called her in fer backup so she ‘elped take down all dem blokes. Ya aren’t wort’less Jonathan. Yer article w’en it comes ta print will be exposing dem fer wat dey are. Ya’ll be giving da public facts, warning dem bout da type of organization dis is. And yer risking yer life ta do it.”, Skye shook her head before looking down at his hand holding hers. Her hand felt cold compared to his warm hand holding it. She looked up and locked eyes with him. Why did she feel this? She had Mason who is an incredible man. Mason was gentle, kind, loving, passionate, patient, honorable and physically he was gorgeous. But he had a darker side, she knew that. He’d killed before and he was capable of killing again, even if he’d promised to not. And she still had her doubts that Mason was over Adder. Skye had always told herself she’d never be second to any woman in a man’s heart. If she couldn’t be first that was when she knew it was time to leave. But was leaving Mason the right thing? She did love him and he’d not actually done anything, she could just feel that deep inside he was fighting his feelings for Adder. And now here she was at the bedside of another man. “I might not know you very well Skye, but you seem off. You okay?”, he asked. Skye smiled softly and nodded. “Ah fine. Just got t’ings on mah mind.”, she explained being vague. There was a lot on her mind. She was confused about how she felt in regards to him. Worried about how she might feel and worried about Mason’s feelings for Adder. But she couldn’t discuss this with him.
“Anything I could help with? Promise all off the record.”, he smiled yawning. “No ya can’t. Ya s’ould get some sleep.”, she sighed getting up and turning the light back off. “You leaving?”, he asked. “I mean they might come back to kill me in my sleep…”, he only partially teased. Skye shook her head lightly sitting back down. “Ah’ll stay till ya fall asleep.”, Skye assured. “I suppose I should take a night with you anyway I can get one.”, Jonathan smiled hitting the button on his bed lowering it. “Ya somet’ing else Jonathan.”, she sighed hiding a smile in the dark. Jonathan groaned a little in pain rolling to his side not wanting to sleep on his back and wanting to face her. It was dark in the room only the light from the machines flickering in the dark. But in the dark he could still make out her bright eyes. “Can’t really recall anyone but my parents watching me sleep. Know any good songs or stories? I know a good story.”, he yawned. Skye sighed. “And wat da story?”, she asked relaxing in the chair. “Once upon a time, cause all the good ones start that way, there was a beautiful fiery red haired Scottish lass from the grassy knolls of Glasgow. She was what people called…”, he paused to yawn. “A free spirit. She lived a life without inhibitions. She was well loved by her family and close friends.”, he continued speaking quietly. Skye rolled her eyes a little, he was making up a story about her.
“One day she had to leave the grassy knolls of Glasgow as she was to wed a Lord in London. She’d been reluctant of the idea of leaving her home for a man she wasn’t sure she’d even like. But she did as she was asked and moved to London to meet this Lord she was to wed. He was handsome and kind. He easily won over her heart. But there was something about him that left her still unsure but she couldn’t place what it was. And it weighed on her mind.”, he continued. Skye arched an eyebrow. The Lord in the tale was obviously Mason. But how did Jonathan known there was something about Mason she was uncertain about? Did he know what Mason did in the dark behind his mask? “One day while she was strolling the streets of London, looking at shops getting things prepared for the pending wedding a simple bard noticed her walking. He was in awe of her beauty. How the sun made each strand of her vibrant red hair light up, how her eyes shined even in the dim of the London fog, how she walked with such pride and of course the unintentional sway of her hips as she walked.”, he smiled looking at her in the darkness. Skye laughed softly. He was obviously the bard in the tale. “The bard…”, he yawned again.
“Decided he needed to know who she was, because he’d never seen someone more beautiful. So he spoke to the other bards and was told that she was the scottish bride of Lord York. Which to some being told she was betrothed to a man of far more wealth, land, and station would be a deterrent. The bard would not be deterred. So he found a way to speak to her, yearning to hear her voice to know if beyond the beauty on the surface there was an equally beautiful soul. So he managed to speak to her.”, he continued. Skye smiled a little quietly listening to him. “And her thick Scottish accent captivated him, her witty and insightful words kept him hanging on her every word, and her laugh sealed the feeling he felt in his heart. There was no woman like her in the world and it made him ache that she was to wed another. And she seemed to be in love, but there was something in her eyes that showed doubt. So the bard refused to be deterred from at least trying. But his interest in the Lord’s bride had not gone unnoticed and hired men had been sent to do him harm. None gave notice to the woman when they came for him, but he was a bard a man of words not of actions. He was not really built for the fight. The hired men realized their mistake in neglecting the presence of the woman for she was a woman of actions and built for the fight. Without even messing her fine dress she dispatched the hired men saving his life and cementing his love for her. And something changed that day in how the woman looked at the bard…”, he yawned closing his eyes.
Skye arched an eyebrow. He was obviously describing in a more medieval or at best Victorian age way what had been happening between her, Mason and him. “Jonathan?”, she whispered as he hadn’t continued the story. She sighed smiling a little. He’d fallen asleep. She wondered if that was intentional because the reality he was parodying had not played out. She certainly wasn’t going to wake him to ask how the story ends. He wasn’t her cousin Atif, his tale couldn’t predict the future. She wondered if Atif could tell her how this would play out. Or if he’s even tell her for that matter. Atif was guarded about some things he knew about the future. Unless it was life or death and the future needed to be altered or it was small enough that him interfering wouldn’t affect the future negatively he kept things to himself or spoke in riddles. He’d probably give her no useful insight about her situation and at best would try to be a psychologist about it and analyze her indecision. Skye yawned looking to her watch. “Ah’ll stay a tad longer just fer good measure.”, she said quietly to herself. But that plan failed as she leaned forward resting her arms on the bed and her head on her arms falling asleep. Her head resting at Jonathan’s chest, his left hand having moved during their sleep to rest on the center of her shoulders his fingers subconsciously weaving in her long hair.
Skye grumbled a little feeling eyes on her and hearing thoughts of ‘don’t they look cute’ and ‘he didn’t mention a bird’. “Hmm?”, she questioned her eyes opening realizing she was still at Jonathan’s hospital bed and the sun was out. “Fook..”, she said moving to stand realizing quickly his hand was tangled in her hair. “God damn it, bloody bastard…”, she muttered reaching and untangling his hand and her hair. Jonathan didn’t stir but Skye noticed a fresh iv bag was hung so someone had come in and not bothered to wake her. She sighed shaking her head cursing herself in her mind as she turned and stopped blinking looking at an older man and woman. She quickly realized by facial features and their not so quiet thoughts they were Jonathan’s parents. “Er… morning.”, she greeted a bit uncertain. His father arched an eyebrow at her as he replied. “Morning and you are?”, he greeted with a question. His mother elbowed her husband gently. “Good morning dear. I’m Ellen Fuller and this is my husband Brian.”, she introduced trying to be slightly more tactful than her husband. “Um… Ah’m Skye Kearney. A friend o Jonathan’s.”, she explained the best she could. “Uh huh. And you stayed the night at his bedside as his friend…”, Brian commented. Jonathan groaned from behind Skye opening his eyes. “Lay off dad. Skye’s a friend as she said. I was supposed to do a follow up interview last night, but got myself shot instead. So being a nice person she came to check on me when she was told I wouldn’t make the interview.”, Jonathan explained. Skye glanced over her shoulder impressed he made up a lie that quick and sounded believable.
“Interview?”, Ellen asked moving around Skye to her son. “You going to explain to us how you got shot in the first place?”, she demanded. Brian was still looking at Skye uncertainly. “The article I’m writing. The follow up on the terrorist attack on the Leah’s Lost Souls event. Skye was at the event, in a way she kicked off the fight that night.”, Jonathan smiled a little as he winced sitting up. Brian kept his eyes on Skye curious now. “And what...pray tell were you doing at that event that started the fight?”, Brian asked. “Ah was dere wid mah boyfriend, Mason Templeton. It’s his foundation. And Ah dinna start da fig’t. Da bloody bastard dat got it in his wee brain ta lay ‘and on me did.”, Skye explained. Ellen and Brian both blinked at the news that the girl they’d seen sleeping faithfully at their son’s bedside, with their son’s hand in her hair had a boyfriend and not just any boyfriend but someone like Mason Templeton. “Yeah my understanding from all accounts of that night the man learned very quickly you don’t mess with Skye. She punched him, in the gut and disarmed him in basically one movement letting him land at Mason’s feet. And that man wasn’t the only to learn it, she was part of the brawl that ensued and helped with the capture of every terrorist there. I’ve seen her fight and am glad I’ve yet to find myself at the wrong end of one of her fists.”, he laughed but stopped holding his side were the stitches from the bullet had gone through. Skye rolled her eyes a little but noticed him move to hold his side. “Ya need ta rest. Ya blow a stitch or ‘urt yaself furt’er ya’ll find out ‘ow ‘ard Ah can hit yerself.”, Skye said firmly scolding him. “Promise?”, Jonathan asked with a smirk which resulted in Skye shaking her head.
“Yer terrible ya kne? Talking like dat ta a spoken fer woman wid yer mum and dah present. Ya got some explaining ta do ta dem bout wat landed yer arse in dis place. And Ah outta get going.”, Skye rolled her eyes. “Right..suppose I’m not the only one owing someone an explanation. I’m sure Mason will be wondering where his gorgeous girlfriend was all night.”, Jonathan smiled. “Bye Fuller. Nice ta ’ave met ya Mister and Misses Fuller.”, she said giving a nod to both Brian and Ellen before quickly leaving the room. What was she even supposed to tell Mason? Would Mason even ask? After all she’d gone to him first last night, but he was watching rugby with Adder enjoying a night in with his mate. He probably hadn’t even called her let alone gone to her flat during the night looking for her. As she walked out she was checking her phone and did see a message from Mason and listened to it as she walked. “Hi love. Just wanted to check in on you. You didn’t seem quite right when you came by. I wish you’d have stayed, you seemed to have needed the company and you know that I’m always here ready and willing to be that. Was thinking maybe going dancing or to a film tonight after work. Ring me back. I love you Skye.”, Mason voice played in the message. She smiled softly hearing his voice and him say he loves her. But then her shoulders sank a little as she thought about how she’d stayed at Jonathan’s side all night. And she knew she’d need to keep an eye on him. Being in the hospital didn’t make him safe, it made him an easier target.
Early in the morning Mason had gotten ready to leave with Adder for some training with Turner, Ian, and Garrison. As he checked his phone he sighed he’d still not heard back from Skye. He hoped she was okay. They generally didn’t discuss their team’s business with each other so he had no idea what was going at the moment. Adder arched an eyebrow walking out of her room wearing her track pants and tank top pulling on her hoodie. “Mason? W’at’s wrong?”, she asked seeing him frowning a little. Mason sighed tucking his phone into his jacket pocket, much like her he was dressed as if he was going to the gym. “Haven’t heard back from Skye. I left her a message last night. Something didn’t feel right last night and I just want to know she’s okay.”, he explained with a small shrug. “Ah’m sure she’ll call w’en she gets t’e c’ance. Come on let’s go w’ip da new recruits into s’ape. It’ll take your mind off it.”, Adder suggested. Mason nodded. “Yeah. It’ll serve as a distraction. Just before we go I want to swing by her place to check on her.”, he said as they were leaving. Adder nodded keeping her opinion to herself. She knew better than to voice the opinion that him being involved with a member of Excalibur was not going to end well. They’d always have secrets between them and not ever see things eye to eye metaphorically speaking. So they left the flat and stopped at Skye’s building. “I’ll be just a minute.”, Mason said getting out of the car Adder only nodded as he shut the door leaving her in the running car.
Skye sighed as she reached her door at last and pulled out her phone calling Rose. “Skye?”, Rose questioned wide awake having a clinical early that morning. “‘Ello Rose.”, Skye sighed leaning her forehead against her door. “What’s wrong? You sound a bit off.”, Rose asked shifting her backpack on her shoulder as she walked to her next class. “Ah suppose Ah am. Last nig’t it just got mah mind and insides all twisted up.”, Skye tried to explained. “Okay well I know that feeling. I’ve been worried all night about Fuller. He is our responsibility and he got hurt.”, Rose sighed pausing to duck into an empty room not wanting the conversation to be overheard. “Aye. It just…”, Skye tried to think how to explain this. But stopped as she looked to her left hearing the ding of the elevator and there was Mason dressed like he was going to the gym or running. “Mason?”, Skye questioned. Rose furrowed her brow. “It just Mason? What?”, Rose asked confused. “Eck no Rose. Mason just got off da elevator. Ah’ll call ya later. Ah sure ya got a class ta attend.”, Skye said hanging up and pocketing her phone. “Morning. You okay love? I called you last night but you didn’t answer and I’ve no reply this morning. I’ve been worried, figured I’d check on you this morning...are you wearing the same clothes from last night?”, He greeted looking her over and seeing the same outfit from when she’d shown up at his door. “Aye, dis da same clot’es. After Ah left yer place Ah dinna come ‘ome. Mah mind was and well still is too fogged. Been trying ta clear it out all nig’t wid no resolution.”, Skye sighed explaining as she turned to look at Mason leaning against her apartment door. Mason sighed so something had happened last night that was bothering her and given she was being coded about it it was probably Excalibur business so she couldn’t tell him.
“Skye..”, he sighed walking closer putting a hand on her waist and brushing back her thick red hair from her face with the other. “I know that there will be many things we can’t tell each other, it’s just kind of the life we’ve chosen with our masks. But I just want to you know that I’m here when you need me, even if we can’t talk about what’s wrong. I’ll still be here for you, to hold you if you need it.”, he smiled softly kissing her forehead. “Because I love you and I won’t let our masks come between us.”, he added. Skye sighed smiling a little. Having him close, touching her even in this innocent yet intimate way, and the way he spoke it made her feel a little better. As she looked up her eyes locking on his she wondered how she could ever look at those sweet brown eyes and feel the way she does for him for anyone else. She wanted to wash away last night. To forget her conflicted feelings about Fuller being injured and about staying the night at his bedside in the hospital. “Ah love ya too.”, she smiled kissing him pulling him closer as she wrapped an arm around his neck. Her other arm reached behind her opening her door pulling him in with her as they kissed. “Skye…”, Mason tried to speak as she brought him into the flat. He knew that downstairs in a running car was Adder and across town in the warehouse they used for training were his three new recruits waiting for their training. Skye sighed hearing his thoughts and him say her name. She pulled back from the kiss and let him go.
“Ya’ve gotta go.”, she stated. “I was coming to check on you before going to do some training. Adder’s still in the car waiting. Hadn’t really expected to get jumped by you upon arrival.”, he smiled a little glancing back to the door. Skye nodded. “Ah understand. Go do yer training. Ah outta shower and dress fer da office. Ah’ll speak ta ya later.”, she forced a smile. She’d wanted to erase last night and the best way she could think to accomplish erasing any doubts about Mason and any conflicted emotions about Fuller was to seek the exhilaration and satisfaction of bedding Mason. But of course Adder was waiting, he couldn’t leave her in the car for how long they’d take. Even if they were quick about it Skye would have kept him for close to half an hour. Mason nodded. “Trust me, love, if I didn’t leave my car running with my best mate sitting in it I would more than happily oblige both our more carnal urges. But tonight…”, he smiled giving her a light kiss. “As my message said we can go catch a film and maybe also go out dancing if we don’t decide we’d rather be doing something a tad more physical with less clothes involved.”, he suggested. Skye laughed a little. “Mm sounds wonderful. Ah’ll c’eck mah availability. But Ah outta be able ta make it. Now go on before Ah decide Ah dinna care yer mate’s waiting and drag yer arse inta da shower ta ‘ave mah way wid ya.”, she smirked. Mason smiled laughing a little. “Till later than. Love you.”, he nodded giving her another quick kiss. “Love you too.”, she smiled watching him leave. She pushed aside her other thoughts and went about getting ready for her work day.
Adder tapped her fingernails, getting impatient, on the dash as she waited. “W’at taking him so long? He better not be s’agging leaving me sitting in t’is damn car.”, she grumbled to herself but smiled in relief seeing him walking out in the same condition he’d walked in. Mason smiled getting into the car. “Ready to go?”, he asked. “Been ready mate. Was starting to consider just leaving ya ‘ere in case ya’d found yer bird and decided on a morning s’ag.”, Adder answered. Mason chuckled pulling away. “The option was there. But I didn’t want to leave you sitting down here in the car for that. That’d be rude. Plus I said I’d help train the boys. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll see Skye later.”, he advised. Adder nodded. At least he wouldn’t have left her there while he had sex with his girlfriend. “She tell ya w’at was t’e matter?”, she asked casually as the drove. “No and she doesn’t have to give explanations. I know she had Excalibur business last night and whatever happened left her unsettled. She can’t and won’t talk to me about that stuff. Just like I can’t and won’t talk to her about what my team does. Which eventually will need a name for this endeavour of ours.”, he sighed thinking about all the secrets that would never be shared between them. “Ah suppose t’at not easy, but ya’ll figure out ‘ow ta make it work. If Ah know anyt’ing Ah know that when you decide on somet’ing no’ting will c’ange it. As for a name w’y not just take up the mantle of your dad’s club… Hellfire?”, she offered as a suggestion as they parked setting one other car and the three recruits standing waiting.
“Well I suppose we can, unofficially. Since only Sebastian Shaw or more likely a descendant who could hold a hereditary claim to the Lord Imperial can properly reinstate the club.”, Mason concurred getting out of the car looking at his recruits. They looked a tad worse for the ware. He and Adder had been putting them through some grueling training as of late so there was still some bruises fading visible as he looked at their faces. Ian Corbett an eighteen year old who had hidden his mutant powers enough during adolescence that his foster families never even knew that was till the day some muggers tried to attack the small family and he’d doubled his size using his own body to protect his foster parents and foster sister. Despite having saved their lives that night they threw him out for his mutation. He’d been wandering the streets for the last three years on the brink of starvation most times when he heard of Leah’s Lost Soul and found one of the locations. Mason liked the man well enough, he seemed loyal and intelligent. Though sometimes looking at his steel gray eyes Mason wasn’t always confident in putting trust into the young man. But he pushed it aside the young brunette was doing well both in his mailroom position at the company and in his training for the team.
To Ian’s right standing but a few inches taller was Garrison Wells. Garrison's ability was the innate ability to have insects follow his command. To some this might not seem all that versatile or useful, but Mason had seen its potential. Mostly for stealth missions. Garrison like Ian had found his way to Leah’s Lost Souls after being outed as a mutant. Mason had offered the young man a job just as he’d offered Ian. Garrison had a depth to his brown eyes that made one believe his convictions and loyalties. Given that Garrison’s abilities would be more suited for stealth than direct conflict Garrison trained more in that style than the others. Then at the end with the most bruises still slowly fading was Turner Wilson. He was the shortest and youngest only being seventeen. If a stranger looked at Turner they’d never guess he was the brother of Ashton, they looked like two very different people. Ashton was tall with blue eyes and generally favored their father in appearance while Turner was short with hazel eyes favoring their mother. The only common denominator in their appearance was having almost the same shade of brown hair. Turner had the abilities to not only sense one’s emotions but also to shapeshift to look and sound like anyone he’d seen before. Also making him apt for more stealth missions. Ashton had refused to train Turner for the team so he was sent to work for Mason in London and be trained with Ian and Garrison. It wasn’t that Ashton would go easy on his little brother, he was worried of the opposite of going to hard and really hurting his own brother. Mason was not a coddle type of instructor but he also knew a person’s limits and only just pushed them slightly past that point.
“Morning boys.”, Mason greeted walking over with Adder. Adder coldly looked at each of them with her copper snake eyes. “Morning Mister Templeton and Miss Adder.”, Ian and Garrison greeted both refused to use speak to them in any informal way. They both felt they owed too much to Mason to speak informally to the man and Adder had their respect so they wouldn’t speak informally to her either. “Morning Mason...Adder.”, Turner smirked. He didn’t care about formality or really respecting Mason or Adder for that matter. Mason was his brother’s best friend, so he saw no need for formality. And Adder...well everything he understood from what his empathic powers picked up indicated, at least as he summarized, was she just needed a good shagging and she’d be less of a bitch. He continued to make offers of his services, always when Mason wouldn’t hear. He knew exactly how protective Mason was of his pet snake, he’d need Oliver days after his fight with Mason about how Oliver cheated on Adder and the bruises were still bad. Turner’s attention moved between Adder and Mason, he was picking something up between them, he always did, an unspoken sexual attraction. Today however he felt something more from Mason. “You going to have your head in it today?”, he asked teasing. Mason and Adder both looked to Turner while Ian and Garrison covered their faces. “Why’s he gotta start things with Mister Templeton or Miss Adder every time?”, Ian grumbled.
“I beg your pardon. What are you talking about and who are you talking to?”, Mason asked arching an eyebrow at Turner. “Well both really. But mostly to you Mason. I mean not sure how in it your mind is today.”, Turner shrugged. Adder’s eyes narrowed at Turner holding back a hiss. “And w’at t’at suppose ta mean little boy?”, Adder questioned. “If you’d give me the time of day, I’d show you exactly how far from little let alone a boy I really am. Fairly certain I could prove better than anyone you’ve had in the past.”, Turner said not thinking as he said it. Adder did hiss this time and went to punch Turner in the face for his words but before she could Turner found himself pinned to the outside of the warehouse by a strong wind. Ian and Garrison quickly moved out of the way. “Turner Christopher Wilson you try my patience. You will apologize for your vulgarity and you will keep any additional comments like that in reference to Adder to yourself. And if you don’t I will happily dispatch notice to your parents that I snapped their youngest son’s neck for being a despicable piece of filth that dared to call himself a gentleman. Do we have an understanding?”, Mason said sternly. Adder smirked a little, sure she could have dealt with Turner herself but there was something about seeing Mason quick to defend her she liked. “Ye...yes…”, Turner managed to breath. “And the apology?”, Mason demanded. “I...I am sorry Adder.”, Turner managed to speak though his airways were feeling the pressure of the gust of wind that held him. Mason nodded curtly and the wind died down and Turner slumped to the ground.
“So that will be lesson one this morning. Keep your mouth shut, speak when spoken to or you have something of value to say. We deal in a business that requires secrecy and to keep secrets one must understand how to remain silent and that when you violate that silence there will be consequences. Adder, Ashton, Tiffany and I all understand this. If something was to ever happen to any one of us on a mission we know we are to never speak of our team and what we do. When we go on a mission our masks are our lives they are all we know. And given that Adder has made a timely suggestion as we exited the car I now know what code names we shall use. Our code names will be the only thing that you refer to us in any situations pertaining to our masked lives. So this means on missions and going forward with training we will only use these names. In public and the office you will still refer to us as Mister Templeton and Miss Adder or in the case of Ashton and Tiffany as Mister and Misses Wilson. These guidelines will be maintained for everyone’s safety. Anyone that breaks it I will break. Am I understood on this point?”, Mason said his eyes slowly looking from Ian to Garrison to Turner and back around as he spoke. “Yes sir.”, Ian and Garrison spoke. “Yes.”, Turner relented. Adder smirked watching as all three, even Turner, moved to stand perfectly straight the more Mason talked. She even caught Turner gulp when Mason said he’d break the individual that broke the rules. “And what will our team be called and our code names be?”, Turner asked. “The Hellfire Club.”, Mason stated simply. Ian and Garrison shrugged it had a ring to it they’d admit but only Turner knew where it stemmed even if he’d never believed the stories. “Seriously? That old wise tale our parents told us about?”, Turner asked in disbelief.
“They were not tales Turner. You chose to think they were made up. But the Hellfire Club was very real in the time of our fathers and our ancestors dating back to the 1700s. Without a Shaw to claim the imperial lord role and to properly reinstate the club we are just named in it’s honor. As for names I will take my father’s and that which by birthright I am entitled to, Black King. Ashton, as is his birthright, will be Red King. Tiffany to suit her status will be Red Queen. Adder has and always will be my right hand and will be the Black Bishop. Ian, Red King has shown interest in your talents and the updates I’ve given on your skills so far in training. After training is complete and I feel you are ready you will transfer from my company to his and become his Red Bishop. Garrison you will remain with myself and Black Bishop as my Black Rook. And Turner you will return to your brother and act as Red Rook.”, Mason instructed. Turner held back a laugh at Mason calling Adder his right hand. He knew he meant it in regards to covering his weak side and basically always being there to assist. But in Turner’s more dirty mind he couldn’t help but think to himself, ‘I’m sure you’d be in a better mood if you let her do what most blokes do with their right hands or more.’. “So the Reds will have a team of four and we shall only have a team of three?”, Garrison asked. Mason nodded. “For now yes. We may expand our numbers over time. But I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Black Bishop and I have been handling things well just the two of us here in London. You will just help to alleviate any strain we’ve had in keeping the Church in check on our own. Now come on lads time to start your training for today I’ve got plans for later.”, Mason smiled walking into the warehouse Adder right behind him. The trio were quick to follow and so began their day’s training.
Skye was trying to just focus on work but her mind kept bouncing between thinking about how much she wanted to get to tonight and Mason to her flat, perhaps even skip the movie, and her worry about Jonathan at the hospital. Rose, Atif, and Billy were both trying to get through their classes each having not only homework for classes, their part time jobs but Excalibur related business to attend to. Donovan was the one who currently had a lighter load and was covering missions and monitoring from Muir Island. He sighed looking at the monitor. “Ah canna wait till mah coz and her husband get back from deir honeymoon. Xavier is far better wid tech dan me.”, he frowned looking at a flashing light wondering what it was. Then another light started to flash. “Okay wat da…”, he muttered trying to figure out before he noticed they were flashing on a map. He glanced to his watch and saw it was flashing like he had calls coming in. he picked up the first line. “Ello? Laoch ‘ere.”, he said uncertain. “Dis dat tip line Ah been told bout?”, a Scottish voice answered in a whisper. “Aye. Dis is. Wat can Ah do fer ya?”, Donovan questioned wondering why the man was whispering. “Dere about ‘alf a dozen armed men in ski masks surrounding my ‘ouse. Dey yelling fer me ta come out or dey coming in. Ah got a five year old daughter dey want ta string up fer ‘aving blue skin since birth. Can ya ‘elp us? Ah canna fig’t six armed men alone and keep ma barren safe.”, the man whispered. Donovan could hear shouting in the background and the soft whimper of a child. “Ah’ll be dere in two s’akes a lamb tail. Dinna fash mate.”, Donovan said getting up and pulling his mask down. He at least was able to lock in on the call to know where to go.
But the other light was still beeping. He needed to check so he answered. “Ello dis Laoch.”, Donovan greeted. In his hospital bed things had gone from good to very bad very quickly for Jonathan Fuller. While visiting with his parents a doctor Jonathan didn't recognize, but he hadn't been worried since he'd been rather out of it when he came in. But when four men followed the Fuller family seemed a bit confused. The doctor had explained the four were resident students must shadowing him. Seemed legit enough till one of the students pulled down the shade over the window of the door and locked out. Then two of them pulled his parents from their seats holding knives to their throats. The doctor has demanded that Jonathan call his masked friends, specifically the two redheads that beat up some of his comrades the night before. Jonathan hadn't wanted to call the number Skye had given him, he didn't want Skye or her mate hurt because of him. But the man was persuasive with his parents held as hostages. “Hi Laoch. Um this...is Jonathan Fuller… Iolar said to call this number… if I got into trouble.”, Jonathan explained trying to draw this out. He didn’t really want Skye or whoever her friend was to come like these men wanted. “STOP STALLING!”, the doctor shouted. “Aye...Ah kne who ya is. Ah can get dere quick…”, Donovan answered hearing the shouting in the background but then remembered his other emergency a father with a small child. “They want...Iolar and Wolverine. This bloody prick and his pals currently have knives to my parents throats and us locked my hospital room.”, Jonathan explained before the phone was snatched from him.
“You tell those two red haired bitches if they don’t show all three of the Fuller family will die within the hour.”, the doctor spoke angrily before hanging up. “What do you think you can do to them? Have your buddies not told you what Iolar and Wolverine are capable of? You seriously think that the five of you are going to be able to take down these women? They beat the crap out of twenty of your pals last night. You five stand no chance in hell against these women. Let my parents go, just walk away now before you force them to…”, Jonathan realized by the looks in the men’s eyes. They didn’t plan to walk out of this alive, they wanted to be martyrs. To force Skye and her mate to kill them so people won’t trust the masked vigilantes. “That’s the plan. we won’t be letting anyone go.”, the leader said giving a nod to the two men not holding Ellen and Brian at knife point. They shifted their lab coats showing they were currently wearing bombs strapped to themselves. “Seriously? You are going to blow up a hospital? All this to get me to not write that article exposing your Church for what it is? All this to kill me for daring to tell the truth!?”, Jonathan demanded sitting up suddenly wanting to lunge at the doctor but stopped wincing as the stitches hurt. the doctor had cut off all his iv drips. “Oh it’s more than that boy. Yes this will shut you up and serve as warning to anyone who thinks they should speak against the church. But it will also kill those two red haired bitches. They better show because even if they don’t this place is still going to blow.”, he smiled wickedly.
When the line went dead Donovan groaned and punched a wall. “Wat da fuck Ah supposed ta do? Ah canna save both. But Ah canna let Rose and Skye go ta Fuller. Dey want dem fer someting. But if Ah go in deir stead…FOOK!”, Donovan was fuming. He pulled up his communicator and did a conference call to his twin and Rose. “Ello Laoch.”, Skye greeted after shutting her office door. “Hey Laoch and apparently Iolar. What’s the emergency?”, Rose whispered having had to duck into a maintenance closet at the clinic she was working. “We’ve a problem. Ah’ve gota two emergency calls on da hotline. One in Farr a man wid his wee daughter under attack. But da ot’er...is Fuller. Some got him and his folks hostage at da hospital. And dey verra specific dey want da pair of ya. Ah don’t want ta send eit’er o ya. If ya can take da emergency in Farr and Ah’ll go ta Fuller. Dey want mah twin, it’ll be over mah dead body.”, Donovan explained. “Dey got him and his folks….and dey want us… No Ah’m going. Dey want me dey get me and dey gonna regret deir request.”, Skye said anger in her voice. “They want us for a reason Skye. Maybe you should handle the Farr situation and let Laoch take Fuller.”, Rose suggested. “No. Dey want us Wolverine. Fer protecting Fuller last nig’t. If he goes in lord knows wat day gonna do. Dey could decide ta just killer da Fullers because dey dinna get da Excalibur members dey wanted. Ah going and dere ain’t any way dat da pair o ya can stop me. Laoch ya go save dat family. Ah’ll go save da Fullers. Wolverine ya come or ya don’t Ah can deal wid dese pricks.”, Skye said dropping out of the conference call. “Mark Ah’ve gotta go fer a bit. Ah’ll be back soon as Ah can.”, she informed her receptionist before she rushed out of the office quickly teleporting home to change into her uniform and get to the hospital her blood boiling that the COH couldn’t just leave Jonathan alone.
Donovan groaned when his sister got off the call. “If she gets ‘urt…”, he sighed. “I’ll go with her. I’ve just gotta duck out and give an excuse for why. But she’ll have back up. I’ll make sure she’s safe.”, Rose assured before hanging up. Donovan sighed and put in the location for the Farr call to deal with them group trying to hurt a little girl and her father. Rose had to make up a quick excuse saying she didn’t feel good, which was impossible because she never got sick but they bought it. She quickly teleported to the cottage and changed into her uniform hoping to beat Skye there if she could. Something about them being called out had gotten under her skin but also had her worried. They had something planned that much Rose was certain. Skye and Rose arrived at the hospital at the same time. Skye glanced to her right seeing Rose appear. “Ya ready ta greet our fan club?”, Skye asked. “Let’s just be smart about this. They obviously have something planned.”, Rose said. “Fine but first we gotta get ta his room. Come on dis way.”, Skye nodded taking a side entrance into the hospital not wanting to draw attention to masked women. “His room just round da corner.”, Skye whispered peeking around the corner. She closed her eyes wanting to figure out how many there were. She could hear all their thoughts. She easily found Jonathan’s mind ‘Please for the love of god don’t let Skye show up. I don’t want her to get blown up because of me.’, Jonathan kept thinking even in mental voice sounded worried. “Blown up?”, Skye questioned still checking the room. ‘Please don’t kill my family.’, Ellen and Brian were both thinking the same thing. They were terrified. Then she found the minds of five men. Two were focused on holding Brian and Ellen with their knives. Two were scared their minds thinking about the bombs strapped to their bodies wondering why they got volunteered for this. Then there was the leader. ‘Those two bitches are in for a big surprise. As long as this serum Trask gave me works. They won’t have those fancy powers to protect them.’, he was thinking as he smiled watching the clock.
“Five men. Two ‘ave Ellen and Brian ‘ostage wid knives. Two are wearing bombs. And da fifth he got some serum dat he says will take our powers. Dat possible?”, Skye informed Rose. Rose sighed and nodded. She knew it was possible to temporarily take a mutant’s powers. “Yes it’s very possible. It’s been used before. A number of the X-Men when held hostage were injected with that to prevent them from using their powers. It’s temporary and not able to knock you out unless they added a tranquilizer to the serum. As for the bombs...maybe if we can get to those two first use one of our watches to send them somewhere far away, like into the ocean so if they go off no one can get hurt.”, Rose offered. “Aye no one but da daft idiots wearing dem. But Ah say dey earned dat.”, Skye said her eyes narrowing as she looked down the hall. ‘Jonathan? Can ya ‘ear me?’, Skye thought to Jonathan. Jonathan blinked hearing Skye’s voice in his head, but remembered how she told him about her ability to read minds. “Um..yes. I can hear you. You shouldn’t be here. They plan to kill you.’, Jonathan though his eyes locked on the leader of the group. ‘Aye we kne dey tink dey gonna kill us. Dinna fash. Me and Wolverine can ‘andle dis. Just sit tig’.’, Skye thought before looking to Rose. “We need ta defuse dis before we crash in.”, Skye said. Rose nodded. “Think you can knock them out from here? Or at least knock out the bombers? If we get shot with the serum that’s fine we don’t need powers to kick their asses. But if the bombers can be out it’ll be easier to get one of our teleporters on them and get them a safe distance away from people.”, Rose said. “Ah can try. Ah’ll try fer dem all but Ah’ll get da bombers first.”, Skye nodded closing her eyes focusing.
The two man standing near the window watching the traffic passing by the hospital simultaneously held the sides of their heads in pain. “What the...owww…”, they cried as the crumpled to the ground in their pain. “One of those bitches is a telepath!”, the leader shouted. “They can’t be far.”, he added reading his gun with the special darts. “You are in for such a world of pain.”, Jonathan glared before looking to the two wearing the bombs that were now unconscious. Skye and Rose were starting to move down the hall Skye locking on the mind of the leader. He started to tell in pain pointing his gun at the door waiting. “Let’s do dis.”, Skye nodded to Rose before standing and kicking the door busting the lock. The leader was on his knees in pain but he got on shot off the dart hitting Skye in the arm. “Ha bitch can’t hurt me now...now you’re just some little bird ready to be beaten.”, his lips turning up into a sinister smile as the pain in his mind started to fade Skye no longer able to use her powers. Skye looked at the dart and pulled it out. “Wolverine ya get Brian and Ellen safe. Ah got dis fooker.”, Skye said before slugging the man. She may not have her strength but even before her powers came in Skye was a fighter. Her father had taught her and Donovan to box when they were young. Her dad didn’t like the idea of his daughter not being able to defend herself. “Ah don’t need…”, Skye glared hitting the man with a left as he stumbled into the wall. “Mah powers..”, she continued to talk while punching him again. “Ta kick yer ass. Ah’m a…”, she said setting him for another punch. “Highland lass we born ta fig’t.”, she concluded with a snort knocking him out.