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Chapters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
 
 
 

Unfinished Business - REVIEW THIS STORY

Written by X-Treme and Loup Garou
Last updated: 01/02/2007 02:01:11 AM

Chapter 1

by Loup Garou & X-Treme

Warren Worthington stormed into his room angrily, but with a smile of satisfaction on his face.

"Lover, you better stop projecting." Chided Betsy gently. "Your anger and ill thoughts will start to spill over onto other people."

"Come here." Whispered Warren hoarsely.

Betsy, with graceful strides, came over and sat on the bed. Before she could get a word out, Warren was hungrily pressing a kiss to her lips.

"What was that for?" she asked dreamily, taking a comfy position on Warren's bed.

"That's for caring." He said simply. Despite the dreamy feeling, Betsy felt something was wrong inside Warren. It troubled her.

"What's the matter?" asked Betsy sternly. She was going to get an answer!

"Let me just tell you about my day…"

That morning, Warren went into his office at Worthington Industries.

Molly, his secretary, didn't want to tell him the awful news. He had frown on his face, almost as if he was expecting it. With a sigh, she knocked on the door.

"Yes?" he answered.

"Sir, security asked me to deliver a message." She paused as his eyebrows raised. She took a big gulp, "You 3zpII chip was stolen last night…"

Poor Molly couldn't get another word in, "Damn! Those damn thieves!" He stalked out of his office to find his chief of security. They are not going to get away with it this time. He fumed silently.

Molly ran to her desk and picked up phone. "George, the tiger is on the way down and is WAY pissed."

"Thanks for the warning Mol." He said with a slight chuckle.

George Halley, the head of security, had been at this position for seventeen years now and never in his whole career did he see so many things stolen! Poor Warren must be livid.

At that moment, Warren came storming through the door. "Again! It happened again! It thought we had it under lock and key!" he ragged.

"We did. But you have to realize that people knew we were producing it and the fact that it was finished. They just didn't know where it was, but any professional thief would have been able to locate it." George sat down with a sigh. "We had it under the best security money can buy. I can't think of anyone who could have pulled it off."

Warren's anger had abated, "Do you think it was an inside job?"

"You know as well as I do that only you, me and Dr. Clark are the only ones with access to that chip and I can't see her throwing six years of her work down the drain!"

"Yeah, I know." Replied Warren. He now had a headache. "But we just can't cut our loses. This project is too far along for that. Well, as long as we have the plans, I don't mind putting more money towards it."

"Sir…" George hesitated.

"Wait, let me guess. The plans were stolen too?" said Warren caustically.

George shook his head yes. "I should of guessed." He mumbled.

Warren put his face in his hands. "What do we do now?"

"We tell the police, they tell the FBI, and the media swarms. You should know the routine by now." Sighed George. He had failed again.

"George, it's not your fault…" began Warren.

"Yes it is." He snapped. "Don't you see? This is my job! I'm paid to keep you and this company safe."

"You said it yourself George. We took every possible step to keep it as safe as possible.' Said Warren trying to comfort his long time friend.

"Yeah well, I'll call the police and you keep yourself open for the rest of the day. You hear?"

"Loud and clear." Sighed Warren going into the elevator. Maybe I'll stop on the worker's floor. Instead of going all the way up to the 32nd floor, he went down to sub level four.

When the elevator doors opened, everyone's head popped up. The low whispering started to spread. The head of the department came rushing over.

"Sir! It's been a long time since you visited us." He stammered.

"Can you show me some of the projects you're working on?" he asked politely needing a distraction.

"By all means, sir. Would you please follow me? As you know, this is the area known as the 'think tank'. Dr. Clark started here before you moved her…" The man kept on babbling on and on and on. Warren tuned him out as he followed and

instead, looked at all the people sketching, designing and building.

He stopped all of a sudden; something had caught his eye. The man just kept on walking and babbling. Warren had no wont of stopping.

"Hello," Warren smiled. "What are you working on?"

The man looked up at his narrowly. "Who are you?"

"I work here. Who are you?" asked Warren formally.

"I asked you first. I've never seen you before and you didn't answer my question. I'd leave before I call security." he threatened, hiding his work.

"Now see here…" started Warren angrily, especially after the morning's events.

"No! Now you see here. I owe Worthington Enterprises my life. There have been many thefts of ideas and such. My theories are going to stay in the hands of Warren Worthington III. I don't care how much money you are offering this time. I'm not part of the Thieves Guild anymore. Now, you better leave!" the man seethed angrily, with a very low sound.

"I am Warren Worthington the III." He whispered softly, touched at the man's loyalty and noting the use of the words, 'Thieves Guild'.

The man blinked, grabbed for his spectacles and gasped. "I'm so, so sorry Mr. Worthington. I couldn't see clearly. Please don't fire me."

"Now why would I fire one of the most loyal employees I have?" he smiled his spirits somewhat restored.

The man was relieved. "What I'm working on right now is my pet project. Please shut the door."

Curiously, Warren shut the door to the small office and sat down.

"When things began to disappear, I wanted a way to protect my projects. There are quite a few people who have tried for them I can tell you that much. I needed a way to watch my things without being seen. Machines are not as reliable as humans are. Therefore, watch this Mr. Worthington."

He took out what looked to be like a perfume bottle and sprayed his pencil gently. It promptly disappeared.

"My God…" Warren breathed, he looked back up at the man. "What's your name?"

"Carl Wellington, at your service Mr. Worthington." He smiled, extending his hand. Warren grasped it and gave it a firm shake.

"How do you get it to reappear?" asked Warren curiously.

Carl picked up something. It looked as if he was holding nothing. He dipped his hand in water and it reappeared.

"Does anyone know that you've developed this?" Breathed Warren. Just then they heard a knock on the door.

The head of the department stepped in. "There you are Mr. Worthington! There is an urgent phone call on line one." He shut the door.

"May I?" asked Warren motioning towards the phone.

"Be my guest."

Warren picked up phone. "Hello?"

"Warren Worthington?"

"Yes, this is he."

"This is the head of the New York police department, Roland Perry." Warren could the voices in the back listening to their conversation on the other end.

What could he want? "Yes?"

"There was a break-in at your home. Thieves stole your Van Gogh miniature in your bedroom…" Warren dropped the phone and his body, numb. When he got a hold of himself a couple of seconds later, he picked it back up.

"Yeah, I'm here. Sorry, you caught me on a really bad day." His voice was neutral with no hint of emotion. This is the last straw!

"I'm sorry too, Mr. Worthington. I was just informed of the theft of your new computer chip."

"Yes. I found out about that this morning too." No hint of emotion escaped his voice. It was as cold as soapstone.

"Could you come down to the main precinct so that we can again discuss these thefts…" Warren wasn't listening anymore.

"Yes, yes. I'll be there as son as I can." He interrupted. "I'll see you soon Mr. Perry." Without waiting for a response, he hung up.

"I'm sorry Mr. Worthington." stammered Carl. "That's two in one say. But I also have to ask you to keep this conversation a secret."

"Thank you." He replied, getting out of his chair. "Keep up the good work."

He would not let them see him cry. Up the elevator went to the roof. He could see lots of the city from the top of his New York sky rise. Taking off his jacket, he let his wings unfurl. The feathers swayed in the breeze. I'm glad to have these back. His escapade in the Morlock tunnels had seen fit to take them away from him. Apocalypse had stolen him and made him his own. Not to mention, that the thief who resided in the same house as him led those Marauders into the Morlock tunnels in the first place. He took in a couple of big breaths and flapped his wings a couple of times before taking off into the limitless expanse

of air. Better keep a hold on my jacket.

Of late, the only thing that seemed to bring him peace was flying.

As he flew along between the gigantic building he saw a billboard:

"If there is light in the soul,

Thee will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

There will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house,

There will be order in the nation,

If there is order in the nation,

There will be peace in the world."

Chinese Proverb

He stopped on a ledge just to take a good look at it. If only that was true. He mused. The X-manor was chaos, literally. Gambit was back with lots to answer to. Xavier was back, but he had betrayed everyone. Where do we draw the line? Without another thought, he took off again. He set himself down in a back alley beside the main precinct. Pulling on his jacket, he walked into the building.

"Didn't think we'd see you here so soon, Mr. Worthington." Said the orderly at the desk.

"Likewise." He said tightly. He sat down while the person at the desk called Mr. Perry down.

A medium built man, in his forties came off the elevator to meet Warren. His sandy brown hair and ridge face gave him appeal for women and an air authority for men. Roland Perry way very good at what he did.

"Good afternoon Mr. Worthington." He said softly.

"Let's just get this over with." Warren sighed. This shock was wearing off. Mr. Perry motioned him into the elevator that would take them both up to his office. As soon as they were alone, all pretenses were dropped.

"Warren, come here." Roland said softly. Warren took a seat.

"Warren, you'll get through this. Your father was my best friend. Don't worry. I'll have everyone working your case." Said Roland.

"Thanks." Warren muttered.

"Not a problem. Hey, you're my god child." He smiled sadly.

Warren now had time to contemplate what he was going to do. This it struck him. All of his troubles were all connected to thieves.

"I wish all thieves would just drop dead." Growled Warren.

"So do I Warren. So do I." Roland whispered. "But even as police chief, we can't even put a dent in the number of them. The most we can do is keep them at bay."

Warren quickly jerked up. 'I'm not part of the Thieves Guild.' "What do you know about the Thieves Guild?" asked Warren.

"What's that?" asked Roland lying, his hands coming together.

"You're lying." Warren responded bluntly. "You lie when you do that little thing with your hands."

"Warren, listen to me, drop that question like a hot potato. It'll only get you killed." Whispered Roland turning his chair to the big window behind him.

"Thieves deserve to pay!" ragged Warren.

"There is more of them than us Warren." Roland sighed. "They can be anyone because they are ordinary people, with ordinary day jobs."

Warren made a disgusted sound, "And you haven't tried t put any of them behind bars?"

"There is no proof that they exist!" Roland exploded. "I hate thieves just as much as you do Warren. Thieves killed my wife! But from what information I've heard from rumors, they are people that you don't want to mess with."

Warren sighed, "You're right and I have no wont to attract anymore thief attention."

"That's my boy." Smiled Roland turning around in his chair. "I'll have people on it in the morning. It's almost supper time."

"Shit! I have to escort Betsy Braddock to a ball tonight, being thrown by Sebastian Shaw." Exclaimed Warren. "I'll talk to you later." He shook his hand.

"I'll talk to you later." He smiled in return.

Warren left his office and went onto the roof. Pulling off his jacket, his wings spread as he jumped off the roof. It was time to go and pick up his car at Worthington Industries.

He landed on the roof and went into his office. He needed to think. He poured himself a glass of scotch. Thieves need to be taught a lesson. The more he thought about it, the more right it sounded to him. Thieves need to pay. Not just LeBeau, but all thieves have to pay. It struck a chord with him - the right chord. The X-men fought to have human and mutants live together. It's quite a lofty goal. But how can that happen is there is no light in the soul? Then something clicked. The X-men were doing it all wrong! We have to make this world a safe place before aiming for world peace! They had to purge the world of all the bad things and people. He now had a new purpose.

The Thieves Guild, he mused to himself as he went back down to the think tank to see if Carl Wellington was still there. He was not there. It was not surprising. It was late and many people had already left.

He decided it was time to go home. He had danger room training in the morning. With a rueful grin, he left the building into the underground parking lot. He was fighting Gambit tomorrow.

His thoughts were filled with moved and strategies that he didn't head the ruffling of feet behind him. Swiftly he was knocked over the head with a lead pipe. Professor Plum, in he library, with the lead pipe, was his last thought as he lost consciouness.

Ten minutes later Warren woke up with bruise and a bump on the back of his head. It didn't take a genius to figure out that his wallet was gone. With an angry scream he picked himself off the ground swiftly. Whoa, too fast! He leaned against a pillar so that he could re-orientate himself. Then he noticed it. His car was gone too.

Enough was enough. He went back up to him office and reported the car stolen. In the background, he could hear the muffled laughter of people, "What will he lose next?" Warren held back the urge to scream "It was stolen!"

He needed to get home and the fastest, cheapest way was to fly. Exhausted as he was, he took off into the evening, the sun going down behind his back.

"That was my day Betsy." He said glumly, holding his anger in check.

"Why, that's awful!" she breathed horrified.

"Warren. My poor Warren…" she murmured pulling him in close to her. His back lay on her chest.

"Are you going to help me?" asked Warren softly. He looked up at her face.

Betsy gently ran her mind over his. "Of course. I agree with you. But light in the soul starts with us, just remember that."

"I will Bets." He smiled. "In fact, I totally agree." His hand reached up and pulled her lips towards his. He teased them with urgency.

"You're the brightest star for miles around." He whispered as he turned completely around to face her.

"That may be, but it's the angel that give heaven it's song." She breathed between kisses.

Warren gave a chuckle, "Tonight, it will be a duet."

"As much as that sounds appealing, don't we have somewhere to be tonight? After all, it is six now and the ball of Shaw's starts at eight." Grinned Betsy.

Warren groaned as he smiled at Betsy, "I totally forgot about that. You sure drive me over the edge. Are you sure you really want to go?"

"Yes." Replied Betsy determinedly. "I even bought a new dress for tonight."

Warren licked his lips, "That black one?"

"The one and the same. Remember? It's the one you wanted me to buy because of the low front cut." Grinned Betsy evilly.

"I don't know how I'm going to stand the night!" said Warren pitifully.

"You'll live." Laughed Betsy, leaving to go get dressed.

Warren watched her leave. I'm one lucky man. Quickly, he got dressed and went

downstairs. Knowing Betsy, she wouldn't be ready for a while. Therefore, he went in search of Scott. He found him in the kitchen.

"Scott, I need to re-schedule my danger room session in the morning."

"Oh? Why?"

"First of all, I'm going to a party tonight with Betsy."

"So what else is new?"

"Secondly, I have some legal matter I need to attend to at work."

"Legal problems?"

"My 3zpII chip was stolen last night. Not to mention that my Van Gogh miniature was stolen and to top it all off, I was mugged in the parkcade where not only was my wallet stolen, but also my car." He answered peevishly.

Scott's mouth fell open, "All in one day?"

Warren shook his head affirmative and he sat down at the kitchen table beside Scott. Scott understands!

"Scott, what had Gambit told you about the Thieves Guild?" asked Warren all of a sudden.

"Not much, in fact, nothing at all. I've wanted to ask him for a long time, but I've been afraid of the answer he might give." Admitted Scott. "Everyone here has a past. Not to mention the fact, that everyone here had proved himself or herself, even Gambit. I'm going to let things lay until it becomes important to know."

Warren rebelled inside, but he showed no sign of it. "I guess you are right."

But at least he is wary of Gambit.

"And yes, I'll re-schedule your danger room session. It'll make Gambit happy because he will be able to sleep in." Scott grinned. "I think I hear Betsy coming. Have fun."

Indeed they could hear Betsy coming. She was shrieking at the top of her lungs at Bobby to giver her back the new pair of shoes she had just bought today.

As Bobby came running into the kitchen, Warren tripped him. The shoes went flying right into Scott's lap. Bobby looked up apprehensively and decided his gag wasn't worth the trouble. Grabbing half of Scott's sandwich, he made a hasty retreat outside.

"Will he ever grow up?" groaned Scott and Betsy come storming through the doors.

Her look immediately softened, "Thanks for saving my shoes."

"It was my pleasure my lady." Grinned Warren, bending down to slip her shoes onto her feet. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I will ever be." She smiled. He held out his hand and she took it.

"Our carriage awaits." He stated pointing at the limo waiting outside the front door. Together, they headed off towards the party.

The circles that Warren traveled in were of that of high society. He was a member of the HellFire Club. Tonight was the night that he was going to make some polite inquiries into the Thieves Guild.

The party was in full swing as dinner was served and dancing began. People

began mingling, as business deals were not being discussed.

Warren sought out Sebastian Shaw.

"Mr. Shaw, might I have a word with you?" asked Warren politely.

The man looked at hi carefully before putting down his glass of wine. "Follow me." He replied quietly.

Shaw led them into an empty room and sat down on the couch. Warren sat down on a chair across from him.

"Mr. Worthington, it's an honor to have you here tonight." Mr. Shaw began formally.

"I thank you for the invitation." He replied.

"What's on your mind?"

"The chip we were designing was stolen." Said Warren bluntly. "It was completed as well."

"I am totally aware of that Mr. Worthington. Right now my sources are checking the possibilities to who could have stolen it. In fact, it should be arriving any minute now."

A man walked in with a sheet of paper and then left. Warren was impressed but elected to stay quiet.

"They narrowed it down to seven people who could have pulled it off and three who could have done it the way it was done. One of which is now dead. That now leaves us with two possibilities and both are tied to the Thieves Guild." Murmured Mr. Shaw.

"Did I mention that my Van Gogh miniature was stolen today too." He said caustically. "I'm so sick of thieves!"

"You hate thieves as well?"

"They double cross and have no loyalty!" ragged Warren quietly.

"The Thieves Guild has always been a thorn in my side." Mr. Shaw responded thoughtfully. Warren just sat there.

Mr. Shaw took out a pencil and began to write on the paper. "Anyhow, could you send Mr. Conrad in here? He is waiting outside the door."

"Yes sir." He smiled a fake smile. As he opened the door, he spied the man he was supposed to send in. "He would like to speak to you."

The man nodded and entered the room leaving a little crack in the door. Warren decided to spy.

"Jerry, here is a list of my most reliable contracts. I need you to see if that chip can be stolen back. Remember to stay away from the Guild. They are the ones that stole in the first place." Said Shaw.

"Which Guild?"

"New Orleans. We have it narrowed down to two - Jean-Luc LeBeau and Remy LeBeau.

"Noted."

Warren had heard all he could. Carefully, he slipped back down into the party to mingle.

A couple of minutes later, Warren saw Mr. Conrad come down the stairs. Mr. Shaw left the room to attend his party, about five minutes after Mr. Conrad.

The rest of the night went fabulous. On the way home, Warren considered what information he overheard. Everyone was telling him just how dangerous this Thieves Guild was. The fact that Gambit wouldn't talk about the Guild also made him nervous. If this Guild found out that he wanted to topple it... who knows what would happen? Gut instinct told him every contact on this list he had made from talking with friends would double cross him. I need to find new contacts and I already have one, Carl Wellington.

"Earth to Warren, come in Warren…" said Betsy.

"Oh sorry. Did you say something?"

"I asked you if you were crazy or not." Demanded Betsy. "Any trained telepath can hear you broadcasting your thoughts even though you are trying to hide them. I think what you plan to do is dangerous and I wouldn't even think of letting you do this without me."

Betsy, you and I know that's a bad idea. It's dangerous, but it's something that HAS to be done! The world will sleep better at night knowing that they have nothing to fear from them. Well, at least I will anyway." Said Warren softly.

"Warren, we have to get even with Gambit." She said fiercely. "He used you and he has been using everyone that the X-manor to gleam information and spy on us."

"I know! That's what I've been saying for a while now!" whispered Warren fiercely. "But we have to be quiet about it now. I think I have a plan."

Betsy nodded and smiled, "You know, you are going to be very tired tomorrow morning with danger room session and all."

"Nah. I'm going to sleep in and go into work. There are some things I need to take care of." He smiled.

When they got home, Betsy said her goodnights. Warren needed a drink. It was late and everyone had gone to bed already.

He poured himself a glass of brandy and sat down in the foyer. Just then, Gambit came strolling through the front door.

"You were out late. Hot date?" asked Warren airily, carefully maintaining his guard.

"Mais oui." Replied Gambit, with a sexy grin. "Bonne nuit." He didn't let Warren have the chance to say anything else before he bounded up the steps.

Soon Gambit, soon.

 

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