Unfinished Business - REVIEW THIS STORY

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

Chapter 2

The next morning, Warren was startled awake by the sound of the alarm clock buzzing.

Betsy reached across him to hit the snooze button. Warren reached up, instinctively, to embrace her.

"Rise and shine, lover," she cheered.

"What are you so happy about?" Warren asked between yawns.

Betsy looked stricken. "After last night, you have to ask?" She replied with her own question. She flashed him an evil grin, and stretched languorously in his arms.

Now he remembered the activities of the prior night. A smile spread across his face. He had really needed the relaxation after all the thefts that had occurred yesterday. Betsy had been more than happy to oblige. He smiled again and pulled her down for a steamy kiss.

"Now, now. You've got things to take care of, this morning," she projected into his mind.

"Aww, I know," he said with mock resignation that wasn't entirely mock.

"Go take a shower, while I get some breakfast ready." With that she shrank back into a corner shadow and was gone.

He still wasn't quite comfortable with this newfound ability, but let it go. He grabbed a towel from the dresser, and a suite from the closet, and headed to the bathroom.

An hour later Warren landed on the roof of Worthington Ind. He folded his wings and put his jacket on. He didn't like flying from the mansion in broad daylight. If someone saw him taking off from the grounds, it

could be awkward for Professor Xavier and the X-Men.

He'd have to go out and buy a new car today. The loss of the car wasn't that big a deal. Truth be know, he was becoming bored with the Jag. No, it wasn't the loss of his car that upset him, but he's lost too much to thieves recently. Including the 3zpII-computer chip he'd just completed. The thieves would all pay, especially the one who'd

taken more than any other. Gambit's time was coming.

Warren entered the building and took the steps down one level to his office.

At the receptionist's desk was Molly. "You're here rather early, Mr. Worthington," she commented, slightly surprised.

Warren looked down at his watch; sure enough the time was 8:15 a.m., almost two whole hours earlier than he was used to coming into the office. "I just have a few things to take care of. I won't be in for too long today, Molly," he said.

"Oh, by the way," she said quickly. "Officer Perry is waiting in your office."

"Thank you, Molly," Warren said as he entered his office. There, sitting in front of his desk, was a middle-aged man. "Hello, Roland. Any news? Uh, how did you know I'd be in this early?" Warren asked as he shut the door.

"I've known you since you were a baby. I knew you'd be in. As for 'news', I have some good and some bad. The good news is, we found your car and arrested three suspects after a high speed chase," he said.

"That's great!! I guess I won't have to buy a new car, after all. So, how long 'til I get my car back?" Warren asked with a tinge of relief. Three down and several thousand to go. His lips twitched in a smile.

Roland looked uncomfortable. "Uh, that's the bad news. During the chase the driver, of the stolen Jag lost control and drove into the side of a warehouse near the docks. I'm sorry, Warren. The car was totaled," he said apologetically.

"SHIT!!" Warren exploded. Then he calmed himself. "Ok, I guess a new car wouldn't be too bad. How's a Porsche sound?" He asked, brightening slightly.

"Sounds good, I guess. I've always been partial to Lamborginis myself," Roland replied sarcastically. "Now, about the chip, still nothing there. But I've got the entire department working on it. It's only a matter of time."

"Thanx, Roland. Have you checked into the Thieves Guild? I'm sure they..." Warren began.

"I told you to keep your nose out of that," Perry blurted. The more quietly, he said, "If you start inquiring into the guild, I can't protect you. You hear me?"

"Yeah, I hear you, Roland. It's already forgotten," Warren said calmly. I guess I'll just have to do this on my own, he thought to himself. "Well," he said out loud. "I have some things to take care of, if you'd excuse me? Keep me informed of any changes?"

"Of course. I'll be in touch," Roland said. Then, just before leaving, he added, "Oh, one more thing, we took statements from the owner of the warehouse." He pulled out a folded sheet of paper from his jacket pocket. "Yeah, this is it. One Jean Luc Lebeau. He asked not to be included in an official report, but if you'd like I have the

address of the warehouse."

Warren's jaw was hanging open. He closed it. What luck!!! He stifled a burst of laughter. "Uh, thanx. I'd very much like to talk to this Jean Luc, uh, L-Lebeau, is it?" He said. As he ushered the officer out the door, Warren took the piece of paper from his hand. "Thanx, again, Officer Perry." he said for Molly's benefit.

"You're, quite, welcome, Mr. Worthington." Roland said as he entered the elevator.

Warren turned to the receptionist's desk. "Molly, Have a limo waiting in front of the building in five minutes, and have Dr. Carl Wellington meet me in the lobby, and have him bring some of his special project," Warren said non-challantly.

Molly looked up, startled. "Uh, yes sir."

Warren smiled warmly. "Don't call me sir. It makes me feel old," he said, still smiling.

Molly smiled too. "Yes sir...I mean, as you wish, Mr. Worthington." she replied, blushing. He's such a hunk!!! She thought.

"That's better," he said as he headed for the stairwell. He didn't like to use the elevators. He preferred to keep in shape. Besides, he kept seeing it plummet at incredible speed until it crashed on the basement level 2, twenty-eight floors below. The mechanics kept assuring him that it was perfectly safe, but he chose not to take the

chance.

He ran down all twenty-six levels, to ground floor, without breaking a sweat and only just beginning to breath hard.

Dr. Wellington wasn't there yet, so he sat down on a couch, picked up a Popular Mechanics magazine and waited.

Carl Wellington sat in his small office, working on the chemical composition of a DNA altering soft drink he was working on in his spare time. It worked fine for the first few seconds, the DNA would begin to break down and dissolve. It was very frustrating.

He frowned as his latest attempt, again, ended in complete DNA breakdown. It was supposed to cause the DNA to regenerate damaged cells. Oh well.

The phone to his right began to ring. He picked up the receiver and put it to his ear. "Hello?" He said, hesitantly.

"Hi, is this Dr. Wellington?" A cheerful voice asked on the other side.

"Uh, yes, this is he," Carl said suspiciously.

"This is Mr. Worthington's receptionist's. He asked for you to meet him in the lobby in five minutes. Oh, and he also wishes for you to bring a sample of your 'special project,'" Molly said, happily.

Carl's hesitation turned to excitement. This could be what I've been waiting for!!! He thought. "Thank you, Miss...uh...?" He stammered.

"Oh, you can just call me Molly," she said brightly.

"Well then, thank you, Molly," Carl said, regaining his equilibrium.

"Your welcome," Molly replied, the hung-up.

Well, well, well. We wouldn't want to keep the boss waiting now, would we? He thought. A chuckle escaped his lips. He put his work in a plastic bag, sealed it and sprinkled it with some invisibility fluid, until it appeared to vanish. Then he put it into a safe in the wall. Nobody was gonna steal his work.

Carl, then, picked up the jar of fluid, screwed on the lid and left the office.

Warren looked up, from his magazine, as the elevator door opened. Carl Wellington stepped out.

"Good morning, Dr. Wellington," Warren said, good-naturedly.

"You wished to see me, sir?" Carl asked.

"Call me Warren," he said with a smile. "And yes, I asked for you. You have information of a unique nature, that I believe will be of great importance in my next endeavor."

"Anything you want to know…Uh…Warren," Carl said.

Warren could tell that Carl was a bit uneasy about this. "Good, let's take a ride. I have some errands to take care of. We'll discuss it on the way."

"Alright," Carl said as they entered the limo. The rear compartment was large and plush. There was a small fridge on the far side and a television at the front. "Wow," was all Carl could say.

Warren smiled at the doctor's boyish enthusiasm. He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle. Then he grabbed two glasses. "Scotch?" He offered.

"Uh…Sure," Carl said as Warren pored him a glass. Carl accepted it and took a sip. It was warm and smooth going down. "Now, what did you wish to discuss?" He inquired.

Warren's face turned grim. "Before we start, you have to promise never to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you," he said.

"Yes, of course, I promise," Carl stammered. This was getting interesting.

"Alright," Warren said. "Have you ever heard of the X-Men?"

This caught Carl offguard. "Well…Uh…Yes…Yes, of course. Who hasn't? They're mutants, outlaws." He looked sad for a moment. "It's too bad about them, you know?"

"How so?" Warren asked, interested.

"Well, they seem like decent men and women. If people would just give them a chance," Carl said, enthusiastically.

"Indeed," Warren agreed. "People fear what they don't understand. And they hate what they fear." He said reasonably. "Anyway, back to the topic at hand."

"Right, the X-Men," Carl said, helpfully.

"We'll come back to that," Warren said. "You used to be a member of the thieves guild, correct?"

"Technically, I still am," Carl said, his nervousness returning. "No one stays out for long. When they find me, and they will, I'm a dead man."

"Then why did you leave?" Warren asked.

"I'm not ready to discuss it at this time," Carl said.

Something in the scientist's eyes told Warren to drop it. He changed the subject again. "As you know, my computer chip was stolen, the other day. I believe the Thieves Guild may be behind it," he said calmly.

Carl's nervousness increased. "Surely, you don't suspect me! Sir, I assure you, I'm done with that!" Carl was becoming hysterical.

"Carl, calm down. I believe you. Your loyalty's not in question." Warren tried to sound as reassuring as possible.

Carl relaxed. "What do you want from me?" He asked, a bit skeptically.

"As I said, I believe the Thieves Guild is responsible for my missing chip. No one steels from me and gets away with it. I want to take the guild down, permanently. And I want you to help me." Warren's face was grim.

Carl's jaw dropped. "You're nuts. Nobody can take on the guilds, not if they want to see the next sunrise." His hysteria was returning.

"Calm down, doctor. You don't know who I am. I will take on the guild, and I will destroy them. There can be no peace in this world until the are brought down." Warren said, becoming more animated.

"Jesus, you really are nuts. What the hell is all that supposed to mean? I know who you are. You're Warren Worthington III, a businessman. And what's this talk about 'peace in the world'?" He was

getting really scared now.

Warren sighed. "I'm sorry. I handled this badly. Let me explain who I am. This brings us back to the X-Men."

Carl looked astonished. "You know the X-Men? Well that certainly changes things. The X-Men could probably take on the guild on, no problem."

Warren cut him off with a hand. "You don't, quite, understand. Yes, I know the X-Men, quite well, in fact. You see, I'm an X-Man, myself," he said.

"Yeah, right, and I'm one of the Avengers," Carl said, sarcastically.

"I can prove it," Warren said, confidently. "But first…" He started, then flipped a switch on the door. The black window, separating the rear compartment and the front seat, slid down. "Tom, take us to the School," he said.

"Yes, sir," Tom said.

Warren flipped the switch again, and the window slid back up.

"Now, back to proving the validity of my prior of my being an X-Man." Warren reached into her pocket, and pulled out a small device. "This is what Hank likes to call a holographic disguise. It changes a person's

true form to whatever he/she wants it to be. Some of us have to use it to look normal in public places." He flipped a switch, and his skin turned blue. Then he took of his jacket, and his wings became visible, though he couldn't spread them in the limo. Then he gave the device to the doctor to inspect.

"It's true. This is incredible. I never though I'd ever meet… I mean…Wow," Carl said, boyishly excited, again. "The technology here is incredible. I've never seen anything like this. I'd like to meet this Hank." Then he handed the device back to Warren, and said, "So, you and the X-Men will take down the Thieves Guild. Sure, I'll help."

"Um, I'm afraid not," Warren said, apologetically.

"Huh?" Carl inquired, stupidly.

"You see, it's just me. The other X-Men are not involved," Warren explained.

Carl groaned. "I was afraid you'd say that," he complained. Carl chewed this over for a moment, the he said, "Okay. Okay, I'll help you. So what happens now?" He asked.

"Now, you go back to work, and I attend to my own errands." Just then, the limo pulled into the driveway of a big mansion. There was a sign in front. It read:

"THE XAVIER SCHOOL FOR HIGHER LEARNING".

The two men shook hands. Warren got out of the limo, and entered the mansion. The limo took Carl back to Worthington Ind.

Remy LeBeau could tell Archangel's smile was false, as they walked down the hall together. Rogue was beside him, as Betsy Braddok escorted Warren.

The two were dressed for battle, Remy as Gambit was dressed in his red suite with his trench coat over top. Warren wore his light blue suite with the gold ring on his chest.

They stopped at the large door that opened into the danger room. "Well, dis is it, eh, mon ami?" Gambit said, good-naturedly.

"Uh huh," Warren agreed, calmly.

Rogue turned to Gambit, and whispered, "You be careful, sugah. You know how Warren feels about ya."

"Don' worry, mon petite. Gambit has everything under control," the Cajun said, confidently.

At that moment, Gambit heard Betsy say, "Kick his ass, lover," to Warren.

Just then, the massive door slid open. The two combatants entered. Charles Xavier's voice came over the loud speaker. "Good luck, my students. Are you ready to begin?" He asked.

"Yes, sir," they, both, said in unison.

"Alright, the setting is the Louisiana bayou, at dusk. Good luck, gentlemen." That was Hank McCoy A.K.A. The Beast.

The room they were standing in disappeared, and was replaced by a swamp.

Warren was also gone. It was just getting dark and fog was developing.

Just like home, Gambit thought. He smiled.

Suddenly, a figure swooped down. But Gambit was ready. He let loose three charged cards. Archangel dodged them with ease. But the explosions, behind the winged opponent, were enough to disorient him for a moment. By the time Archangel found Gambit, he had already bounded off a, near by, tree, and was sailing through the air, feet first, towards him.

Gambit's kick caught him in the side, bruising his ribs. Warren was able to straighten himself out before hitting the ground, and headed toward the trees.

One point for the Cajun, Gambit thought, and followed the other combatant into the woods.

Five minutes later, Gambit found tracks in the mud. Was Warren injured? He wasn't going to take anything for granted. What's he up to? Gambit smelled something. It stank. His nose wrinkled. There was a skunk in the area.

Gambit followed the tracks, cautiously.

Warren appeared, soundlessly, from behind a tree. He threw something large and furry at Gambit. Furry? Oh no!

Gambit fell backwards, in an attempt to avoid the object, but it landed on his chest…AND SPRAYED HIM RIGHT IN THE FACE!!! The stench was appalling.

Gambit gagged and nearly vomited. He couldn't breath. Suddenly Archangel was on top of him, squeezing his throat, and holding his head under water. Gambit's arms were pinned under Warren's legs. He couldn't reach his cards.

Gambit felt the soothing darkness of oblivion wash over him. He stopped struggling.

Warren could tell Gambit was losing consciousness. His struggles were becoming weak, then they ceased, altogether, but still Warren held his throat. He could hear Xavier's voice, but wasn't paying attention. The

swamp disappeared, but Warren wouldn't let go of his stranglehold.

Suddenly, he was pulled off of his unconscious enemy. He struggled to free himself. Then he saw who held him.

"Alright, Rogue, you can let go now. I'm done," he said.

"Alright? DONE!?" Rogue exclaimed. "I oughtta break you in half, you sonuvabitch! Ya could have killed him!" She yelled.

Warren knew she wasn't exaggerating, she really could break him in half. And with her incredible strength and invulnerability, there wasn't much he or anyone else could do about it.

"Rogue, put him down," Scott said in his most commanding voice.

Rogue hesitated for a moment, the said, "Alright, Cyk." Then to Warren she said, "You just watch your step, flyboy." Then she put him down, and flew over to where hank was checking on Gambit. "How is he?" She

asked, nervously.

"He's breathing. The safety locks wouldn't actually let him breath in any water. Though, if Warren would have held his throat much longer…" Beast let his sentence trail off.

"How long until he wakes up, Hank?" Scott asked.

"Oh…A couple of minutes, maybe," Hank said, at ease.

"Take him to the infirmary, Hank. I'll be down in a few minutes," Charles Xavier said, then, turning his hover chair towards Warren, he said, "I'd like to speak to you in my study." His voice was calm but

something in his eyes sent a shiver down Warren's spine.

Xavier was sitting behind his desk as Warren and Betsy entered the study.

"Sit down, Warren. Elizabeth, would you, please, wait outside?" Xavier's face was grim.

Betsy was about to argue, but thought better of it. Instead, she telepathically told Warren that she'd be monitoring their conversation.

"No, you won't," Xavier said, calmly.

"Well, it was worth a shot, Bets," Warren said, lovingly.

Betsy did not look happy as she turned and left the room.

"Care to explain what just happened in the danger room, Warren?" Xavier asked.

"Not really," Warren mumbled.

"Well, do it anyway," the professor suggested.

"Sir, how can you let him stay here after the…After what he did?!" Warren blurted, instead.

Xavier thought for a moment before answering. "I know of Gambit's part in the Morlock's massacre. Rogue gave me a full report on what she pulled from his mind during his, so called, trial. She also informed me that he was unaware of what was occurring when he led the Marauders in to those tunnels. Indeed, he even tried to stop it, when Sabertooth nearly killed him. Even then, he tried to save lives."

"One little girl!?" Warren exclaimed, outraged at Xavier's willingness to defend a traitor. "That's supposed to absolve him of any responsibility?"

Xavier sighed. "I won't deny that, what Gambit did, was wrong. He made a mistake. We have all made mistakes, and we would all be hypocrites to judge Gambit by his."

"He's a traitor!" Warren could hardly contain his anger. "He cost me my wings!" he blurted.

"So, now it comes out. This isn't about the Morlocks, is it? It's about personal vengeance," Xavier said. "Gambit is an X-Man. The X-Men have always been about second chances. He was wrong to keep this secret from us, though I can certainly understand why he would be afraid to tell anybody. He has proven himself, ready to die for what's right, time and again. You, Warren, had better learn to live with him. You can go now."

Warren barely contained his rage as he left the study. He found Betsy pacing outside the door.

"The Professor was psy-shielding the room. I couldn't get anything. So, how did it go?" Betsy asked.

Warren sighed. "You don't want to know, Bets. You do not want to know."

A few minutes later, Gambit woke up.

Rogue, Hank and Professor Xavier were in the room with him.

"How ya feelin' sugah?" Rogue asked, tenderly.

"Bit of a headache, Chere," Gambit said smiling wanly. "I can't believe he bet me wit' a skunk," he said, laughing. "Bye de way, how'd you get rid of de smell?" He inquired.

"Oh, just a little concoction, I made up," Hank replied.

"Gambit was about to get up when Hank restrained him with a hand on his shoulder. I'd like you to get a few hours sleep, before I release you," Hank said.

Gambit sighed, unhappily. "Alright." Gambit said, as he lay back down.

"Ah'll be here with ya." Rogue said, gently.

Gambit smiled warmly at her.

"When you're released, Gambit, I want to see you and Rogue in my study." Xavier said and left the infirmary.

Gambit and Rogue exchanged glances. "Uh oh." Gambit said, simply.

It was 5:00 in the afternoon when Gambit was released from the infirmary. He and Rogue entered the study a few minutes later.

Again, Professor Xavier was sitting at his desk, waiting. "Have a seat," he told them.

There was one chair in front of the desk. Gambit motioned for Rogue to take it, while he brought up another one, and set it beside her. He sat down in it.

"I'm sorry about this morning," Charles said to Gambit.

"So'm I," Gambit said, grinning lopsidedly.

"This is serious, sugah. Warren was way outta line," Rogue said, angrily.

"Indeed," Xavier agreed. "He has some very…harsh…feelings toward you."

Gambit's smiled faded. "Can you blame de man after what happened? He's got every right to be mad." Gambit didn't feel it necessary to tell them what he really thought of felt. He knew there would be a reckoning. He looked forward to it.

"Huh," Rogue exclaimed. "You're a lot more forgivin' than Ah'd be. That's for sure. Warren just tried to kill ya and ya wave it off like it's nothin'."

"Not not'ing, Chere. I just can't be mad at him because of it," Gambit lied. He was mad all right.

"Just be careful," Xavier said. "I don't want anymore incidents like this one, ok?"

"I hear you, Prof.," Gambit said, then looked at his watch.

"You can go now," Xavier said, smiling. "I wouldn't want to keep you two from your date tonight."

"How'd you know about that, Professor?" Rogue asked.

Gambit answered for him. "You can't keep much from the most powerful telepath in de world. He not so shy about using his powers since he got dem back," Gambit said smiling mischievously.

With that, the couple left the room to get ready for their date.

Warren called Carl Wellington and told him to be at the Harbor, at 10:00 that night, with enough of his invisibility fluid to cover a body. "I wish you'd let me help you," Betsy complained.

Warren smiled warmly at her. "I know you do, Bets. But this is a personal matter and I want to handle it on my own. I should be too long. A couple of hours, tops. I'll be home in plenty of time to tuck you in," he said, and grinned wickedly.

Betsy affected exasperation, but couldn't keep a grin from stretching across her lips too. "Get out of here, you incorrigible lout." She said and laughed.

Grinning foolishly, Warren left the room and headed for the roof of the mansion.

The fun was about to begin. Warren rubbed his hands together in anticipation, and chuckled to himself. Then He took off into the night.

At 10:00, Carl appeared, as instructed with a spray bottle, full of liquid.

Warren showed him to the warehouse where men were loading crates into big-rigs.

"This is it, huh?" Carl whispered, nervously.

"Yup," Warren answered, simply.

"I don't think Jean Luc will be here for this," Carl said.

"How do you know?" Warren asked, annoyed.

"I was one of them, remember?" Carl replied. "These men can handle this. He'll be taking care of business elsewhere."

"Okay, so I'll just have to settle for destroying the merchandise," Warren said, regretfully.

"Go ahead and spray this on. I'll get your back and wings," Carl said, helpfully.

Warren thanked him, and started spraying himself until his front disappeared. Then Carl sprayed his back. When he was completely invisible, Warren told Carl to go home.

Carl started to protest then thought better of it.

"How are you going to do this?" Carl asked, before he left.

"I'm gonna start with the trucks and go from there," Warren replied. "It's better if you don't know the details."

"Oh, yeah, sure," Carl agreed. Then he said, "Good luck, boss," and left.

Warren smiled. He liked the man.

Warren walked up to the first truck. It was almost full. He placed a small piece of C-4 plastic explosive on the gas tank. He'd have to thank Shaw for providing the explosives when this was all done.

He placed a block of C-4 inside the tractor-trailer, full of crates, and primed it. Then he fitted the other three trucks similarly.

When he had finished with the trucks. He entered the warehouse, unseen, of course, and began placing blocks along the inner walls and on crates.

He opened one of the big wooden boxes, and almost whistled at the contents. Weapons smuggling. There were plasma rifles, grenades, plastic explosives, and more. This would be a good hit. Warren smiled

again.

When Warren was finished setting the explosives, he walked down to the peer, pulled the detonator from his pocket and flipped the switch.

Back at the mansion, Warren poured himself a nightcap before heading to bed. He'd already had a shower to wash away the invisibility.

Just then, Gambit and Rogue stumbled in, laughing. When they saw Warren, the laughter stopped. Rogue looked angry, but Gambit continued to smile with genuine amusement. "We gotta stop meeting like dis,

non?" Gambit said, then the amusement left his face, though the smile remained.

"Indeed," Warren agreed, seemingly amiable. In truth he was trying to hide the fact that something, in Gambit's eyes, sent shivers through his body.

"Bonne nuit, mon ami," Gambit said as he and Rogue went upstairs.

Warren finished off his drink, and headed up the stairs, also. He smiled. He always looked forward to "tucking Betsy in". Warren chuckled as he entered their room.