Betrayal -
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Written by Valerie Jones
Last updated: 01/02/2007 02:01:11 AM
Chapter 8
"Congratulations," the Witness said into the stunned silence. "I'm impressed."
Bishop's gun snapped up, centering on him. The Witness smiled. "Y' really goin' t' shoot a hologram, pup?"
Bishop glanced down at the weapon in his hands, then self-consciously put it away. Remy noticed his discomfort on some level, but most of his mind was still reverberating with surprise. No, not surprise. It was more than that. He had *known* that something like this would happen. But to be standing face to face with . . . .well, himself. . . . was more than he wanted to cope with.
"Shut y' mouth, boy, an' deal wit it." The Witness watched Remy, a faint smile on his lips. But it did not go as far as his eyes, which were very cold. Remy realized in that instant that this man *scared* him. Not really because of the future he represented, but simply because Remy had met people with eyes like that before. He knew what they were capable of.
Remy didn't say anything, so it was Beast who spoke first. "Uh, hello. I'm assuming you know who I am?"
He, too, was obviously at a loss.
The Witness smiled. "`Course, Hank. It's been a long time, neh?"
"For you, I suppose." Hank adjusted his glasses. It was a nervous habit, Remy had noticed. He tended to fiddle with his glasses whenever he was uncomfortable in a social situation. "I, on the other hand, can't honestly say that we've met. If you know what I mean."
"I do." The Witness' smile remained in place. He seemed thoroughly amused.
The danger room door slid open and the X-men entered, led by Professor Xavier. There was a collective wariness about them, an uncertainty of how to react to the Witness' presence.
"Hello, Remy," the Professor said as his hoverchair slowed. His face was a pleasant mask.
The Witness met his gaze evenly. "Witness, please. It will save some confusion."
Although the words were polite, Remy could sense the underlying tension. This man met the Professor as an equal, not as an X-man. There was a tremendous amount of reserve written into the set of his shoulders and the tightness of his expression. Remy wondered if the professor noticed it, too.
"Very well. Witness it is. I suppose I should be blunt. It is obvious you've gone to a great deal of trouble to arrange this -- meeting. I am certain we'd all like to know why."
"All *I* want to know is who killed the X-men." Bishop stepped in front of the Witness, his stance beligerent.
"Sorry, pup. Can't tell y' dat one." The Witness turned away, his gaze sweeping the assembled X-men.
"Can't? Or won't?" Bishop was angry now.
The Witness turned back to him. "Won't." His expression dared Bishop to push him.
Storm laid a restraining hand on Bishop's arm. "Why not?" she asked.
The Witness gave her a nod of acknowledgement. It wasn't exactly a friendly gesture, but it was respectful. "Better question, ma chere. But still not good enough."
Storm edged around Bishop and approached the Witness. To perhaps everyone's surprise, she reached out and took both of his hands in hers. The danger room had created a solid projection. She stared directly into his eyes, searching. Remy felt a deep twinge. She was looking for a reason to believe, to trust.
"My friend, did you come to help us?" Her quiet words were like nails driven into Remy's heart. Still, he couldn't help but understand. He didn't know why this other version of him was there, either.
The Witness' expression softened and he drew her closer. "`Course, Stormy. I tol' you I'd always be dere for you. But dere are limits. . . . reasons it has to be dis way." His words were very low. Remy felt a bizarre stab of jealousy for the intimate moment.
Storm smiled. "I believe you."
Bishop'd expression was thunderous, but he held his tongue.
"So now all we have to do is figure out the right questions to ask, yes?" Hank asked, breaking the rapport.
The Witness released Storm abruptly and nodded. "Oui. Dat is all." The irony in his voice made Remy think that wasn't going to be an easy task.
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