Betrayal - REVIEW THIS STORY

Written by Valerie Jones
Last updated: 01/02/2007 02:01:11 AM

Chapter 12

The man stands before the fireplace, contemplating the flames. He is dressed elegantly in black and navy. His gray hair is drawn back in a black band. It is only here, in the privacy of his personal suites, that he drops his madman pretense. Only here, that he is still Remy LeBeau.

He pours himself a brandy. The amber liquid glows in the firelight. Silently, he toasts the woman who looks down from her place above the mantle. The portrait is, without doubt, the gem of his collection. It would be worth millions, if anyone knew it existed. He has never been very fond of X-art, as it is labelled. Having known the real things, he has little appreciation for the various artist's impressions-- and misimpressions. But the man who painted that portrait had somehow known who the real X-men were, despite the fact that he had not even been born until twenty years after their deaths. His work had become legendary.

The woman over the mantle sits in a bed of burgundy satin. Modestly, she covers herself with a swath of the rich cloth, its dark color setting off the paleness of her bare skin and the signature white streak in her red hair. She is flushed, as if her lover has recently been with her, and she looks down out of the painting with a secretive smile.

The man turns as the door opens behind him. Shackle stands in the doorway.

"Genesis is here. Should I send him in?" She glances at the painting without effect. It means nothing to her.

"Oui, chile."

Shackle steps aside, and a man enters. He is aging as well, though not nearly as fast as one might expect. He crosses the room with long strides and extends his hand.

"I came like you asked, Remy. It's been a long time." His smile is genuine.

"So it has, mon ami." Remy takes the proferred hand. "Brandy?"

Genesis nods and accepts the glass Remy hands him. "So what do you want? It's a risk for me to come here, you know."

"De endgame's on us, Forge. Thought y'd want t' be here." Remy sips his drink.

The mutant once known as Forge laughs. "So the impossible's really going to happen?"

Red eyes flash over the rim of the glass. "If de last few pieces fall into place."