Marvel owns the X-men, Starjammers, Marauders, Sinister and everyone else in the known Marvel universe that are in this story. I am not making any money or profit, ( but I can dream ) so don't sue the author.

The Cold Hearted Truth
Chapter Sixteen
Kaleidopy 

"Did you come down here to gloat?" Scalphunter glares through the energized bars. He was not only angry that he and the Marauders had gotten captured by the X-men and their unknown allies, but now to top off the insult, standing close to their cells was their former associate.

"If you want the truth, I never told Xavier anything that he didn't already know." Vertigo admits as she approaches the cells. She is careful to stay out of their reach. "I just wanted to get away and see..."

"You allowed the weakest member of our group to con you into believing that you could have a life outside of the Marauders." Arclight interrupts her. She knew the woman very well. "Vert, you and I go back a long time. We are like sisters, the only two of our group who can understand each other, unlike these dim wits." She pushes the others out of her way as they mutter among themselves after her comment. "Can you stand there and tell me that you are happy with your new living arrangements?"

"It is not what I expected." Vertigo lowers her head and sighs deeply. "This is not me. Prism is happy with the change of pace but I am bored."

"You are a Marauder, my sister." Arclight announces. "You belong with us, your true family."

"She's a traitor." Riptide snaps back.

"Silence your tongue Janos, or I will rip it out of your body and wrap it around your neck." Arclight glares down at the small man. She had a plan and she didn't need this idiot blowing it for her. Philippa was almost thankful when Blockbuster steps up and pulls Riptide back. She turns her attention back to the woman listening to her. "You know how Quested is, he doesn't speak for all of us. I am willing to forget the past if you free us."

"And when I do free you," Vertigo glances at the male members of the team. " What is to stop you from killing me?"

"I give you my word, Vert." Philippa answers.

"I trust you, Philippa," She says while eyeing Scalphunter. "I want his word as well, as I do the others."

"Just let me out and you have my word." Blockbuster responds not waiting for the others to answer. "I have no beef with you, Vertigo. I even miss you."

"Ok, Michael," Vertigo stands before them. " What about you, Kim?"

"I'm going to be honest with you." Scambler makes no effort to hide his anger. "It is going to take a long time before I ever trust you again, but I will not attempt revenge on you for turning turn coat."

Vertigo glances over at the fuming Riptide. "Janos?"

"We've killed others for less," Riptide spits out. "How are we to trust you? For all I know you could be working for the X-dummies."

"The only X-man in the mansion is Wolverine." Vertigo starts laughing. "He and Prism are all that stands between you and lowering the defences to allow Essex to send a portal." She eyes the unstable Marauder carefully. "The others are out celebrating their little victory over you among other things."

"Still don't prove a thing to me, girly."

"I promise no retaliation against you." Arclight breaks the ice between Vertigo and Riptide by giving the man a threatening stare. "Or I vow retaliation against the one who does."

"Don't threaten me Arclight, I am not so easily intimidated."

"Enough Janos!" Scalphunter silences everyone. He steps over to Arclight, nods to her and then speaks to Vertigo. "I am willing to forgive your little misgiven, for a price," He notices that she seems to relax a little. "but I can not guarantee what course of action Mr. Sinister will take with you."

"What price?" Vertigo asks as an evil smile creeps across her face.

"Prove your loyalty by killing the one who led you astray." Scalphunter answers.

"Do it my sister, you are one of us." Arclight pleads with her. She didn't have to wait long as Vertigo deactives the energy force field.

Scalphunter rushes over to the compartment across the room and retrieves their weapons. He throws each member their armor and weapons. "Vertigo, since you are an invited guest in this place take us to the War Room."

"This way." She takes the lead.

"Goin' somewhere, lady?" An angry Wolverine blocks her path.

"Vertigo, why?" Prism stands behind Logan, who unsheathes his claws.

He never got an answer as Vertigo released her power on them. Both men tumbled to the ground unable to get to their feet. Dizziness and nausea over takes them.

Wolverine, not one to be triffled with, tries his best to get his balance. A maniacal laughter sounds over his body, trying to look up to see who was over him. "Not so tough now, are you little man." Riptide snears.

"Who you calling little man, you twirp." Logan manages to answer with gritted teeth. He tries again to get to his feet, but to no avail. Riptide kicks him in the chest twice, breaking several ribs in the process. "Didn't hurt," Wolverine rolls over on his back, coughing up blood. "Jubilee can kick harder than that."

"Oh then let me accommodate you." Riptide was about to use his tornado power when Scalphunter grabs his arm.

"You fool!" The Marauder leader yells. " You want to kill us too?"

"Enough of this." Arclight steps over Wolverine and kicks him in the head until he is unconscious. She grins over at Riptide. "I see it takes a woman to deal with the likes of the famous Wolverine."

Scrambler and BlockBuster hold a struggling Prism as Vertigo walks over to the three. "You sweet talked me into believing your lies, Prism." She begins to chuckle as she holds her hand out. "Philippa, would you be so kind. I am unarmed."

"Of course, Sister." Arclight places a dagger in her hand.

Gripping the dagger in her hand, Vertigo begins to trace the curves of Prism's face with the dagger careful not to cut him. "I am a Marauder!" She smiles before she removes the dagger and holds it up in the air before ramming it into the stomach of Prism. " Sleep well, Lover."

Blockbuster and Scrambler release their hold on the man as he falls dead to the floor. Scrambler smiles slightly. "Death to all who betray the Marauders, one down and one to go."

"I gave my word that no Marauder is going to harm Vert, Kim." Arclight glares over at Scrambler. "You even try to cross that line and you will be dead before you can blink an eye."

"You're so emotional, Philippa." Kim snaps at her. "Nobody is threatening your authority at this moment." He made sure he said the last three words very slowly. "And I wasn't talking about Vertigo either."

"Don't go there, Kim." Scalphunter motions for the others to leave for the War Room. Vertigo takes the lead and deactives the security system. She turns to Scalphunter and he sends out a message. "You have our location, Sir."

Within Seconds a glowing portal appears and the Marauders step through it and disappear.

Xavier had rented out a banquet hall of his favorite restaurant for his guest. He wanted the occasion to be special without interruptions coming from the locals about his alien allies. The group was seated at a huge table. Only a few of the X-men wanted to stay where the crowds were, Xavier allowed his students their freedom. Corsair was a little upset that Alex and Remy wanted to mingle with the locals instead of remaining with the others. Bobby, not wanting to be left out of possible mischief joined Havok and Gambit, with Rogue, Storm and Bishop joining them as well. Scott was still suspicious of Havoc. He was constantly watching his younger brother out of the corner of his eye. Alex getting tired of Cyclop's suspicious nature was the one who suggested the move up front.

*You are going to have to stop this, Scott.* Jean telepathicly speaks to her husband. * I know you still do not trust Alex, but at least give him the benifit of doubt. He is trying to make amends, can you at least meet him halfway?*

*It's going to take a lot more than apologies from him to make me believe he is sincere.* Scott drinks from his glass before he gets up from the table and makes his way up front, searching for his brothers and his friends, he finds them in a corner booth. "Alex, can we go outside and talk?"

"Sure Scott," Alex stands and pushes his chair back to the table. Looking at the others he excuses himself and follows Cyclops out of the room.

"Well it's 'bout time those two settled their differences." Rogue comments after the two were out of ear shot. She sighs deeply when she realizes that Gambit was deep in thought. "Sugah, ya not eatin', ya alright?"

When Gambit doesn't respond, Bishop clears his throat loudly enough to wake him out of his day dream. "I've had better company with my guns than you are tonight, Remy. What's on your mind?"

"Nothin', just thinkin' dat's all." Remy admits.

" Hey Remy, I know what you are going through. My dad hated mutants long before he knew I was going to be one." Bobby sighes deeply but then smiles again. " But he changed and our relationship has never been better. Maybe it will turn out," He suddenly stops and makes a face when he realized who he was talking about. " Well look on the bright side of all this, Sinister probably hasn't experimented on anybody in the past few minutes."

" Jean-Luc is de only father I have, Bobby an' nobody is gonna take his place, not Cosair an' Essex don' mean nothin' t' me." Gambit tells everyone around the booth. He changes the subject and smiles slightly at Ororo. "You and Pup becomin' an item, huh Stormy?"

"Item? What am I produce?" Storm leans in towards the table and fingers Remy to do the same. Once he does, she pats his face gently. "Is my brother worried about my honor?"

"Non," Remy grins widely as he backs away and leans back into his chair. "Was worried more 'bout Bishop's."

Rogue and Bishop burst out laughing while Ororo raises an eyebrow. She suddenly straightens up in her chair eyeing Remy every second. Breaking into laughter herself, she only shakes her head. "Oh forgive me, William."

"It's Remy!" Gambit corrects her. He was about to shrug his shoulders when it happened. A small cloud formed over the top of his head and a massive rain storm soaked him good.

Bobby started laughing. "I thought you were going to electrocute him, Storm." He was still laughing while Storm dried Remy off with a hot dry wind. A huge man from the booth behind Bobby glares down at the group. "Can you stop laughing for at least a minute? You sound like a cat with his tail caught in a car door."

"Yer face looks like it was smashed in a car door." Rogue yells at him. "Why doncha turn around an' mind yer own business before Ah get mad an' stuff ya food up yer nose."

"Don't you talk to my boyfriend like that, skunk hair." A woman suddenly raises up on her knees to look over the booth down at Rogue. "What's the matter girl, your hair stylist forget to use enough hair dry to finish the job like he did with your friend over there?" She points in Storm's direction. "White hair! Now that is soooo tacky."

"Ya got room ta talk, girl." Rogue picks up her glass of wine and begins to slush it around. "Ya got enough oil in that hair of yers ta cause an oil slick." She throws the wine in the girl's face. "Wash it!"

"You Witch!" The girl grabs Rogue by the hair and slings her down on the floor. She picks up a tray of food and throws it at Rogue, who manages to kick it out of her way before it could touch her. The food flies off in several directions hitting customers everywhere.

Remy gets to his feet, but is grabbed by another guy from the same table. "Let the babes fight, pretty boy."

"Pretty boy?" Remy glances at the man. " Who y' callin' pretty boy?"

"Pretty Boy is a mutie!" The man announces to his friends at the table. He turns back around to see Gambit glaring at him. "Oh did I hurt Frenchy's feelings?" He puckers his lips out and kisses the air towards him. "Let's kiss and make it all better."

"Kiss dis!" Remy balls his hand into a fist and knocks the guy in the face, breaking his nose in the process. "An' it's Cajun, not French, M'sieu!" Gambit notices that two guys were about to charge him, he backs away a little to give himself some room.

As the two men come out of their booth, they are both hit with a snow ball in the face. "Hey chill, guys," Bobby gets to his feet and joins Remy. "or I'll freeze your butts to your seat."

"I can't stand you muties." One of the two wipes the snow off his face. "Think you own the world, well you don't." He and his friend both attack Iceman and Gambit forcing the four of them into a salad bar.

OUTSIDE THE RESTRAUNT

"Are you going to say something, or are we just going to stand out here all night?" Alex leans against the building watching his brother pace back and forth. "Look Scott, if you want me to leave tomorrow just come out and say it."

"No, nothing like that, Alex," Scott stops, looks up into the night sky. "I'm sorry I have been so hard on you today. I guess I...."

"You want to trust me but you are afraid of getting hurt again." Alex finishes saying what was on his older brother's mind. He inhales deeply thinking hard what to say next. "Look, I'm not going to beg, it's not my style, all I can do is be myself."

Scott looks at him closely before nodding his head. "Maybe it's time we buried the hatchet." He grabs his brother into an embrace. "I have missed you, Alex. I want you to stay as long as you like at the mansion, consider it your home now."

"I'll stay a few days and we will see how things work out." Alex pulls away from his brother after seeing several people come running out of the building. "What's going on in there?"

"Come on!" Scott runs back in the building with Alex quickly behind him. " What the....?!" His voice trails off as a snow ball goes flying across his line of sight, he screams the name of the person who he knew threw it. "Bobby!"

"Bishop, do something!" Storm watches as the fight becomes out of control. Rogue has the woman's head by the hair repeatedly ramming it into a dessert table as Remy and another guy were throwing punches. Bobby had a tray in his hand, using it to hold all the snow balls he had formed and throwing them at two men, who were trying to stay on their feet but the melted slush made them lose their balance and fall on their backside, hard.

Bishop walks over to the two women fighting, pushing them apart. "Enough!" He thunders, stopping both women in their tracks. "You two go back to your tables." He waits long enough to see the two women glaring at each other but do as he ordered them. "Drake!" Bishop yells over at Bobby who was having fun at the two men on the floor's expense. "Get back to the booth before I force you back."

"You sure know how to spoil a party, Bishop." Bobby rolls his eyes and then walks back to the table. He takes one look at Rogue and starts laughing. "If you could only see yourself."

"Go look in a mirror, Icebox." Rogue stares at him before laughing herself. "Ya don't look so cool." It was then when she sees Scott glaring at the two. "Uh th' party pooper has arrived."

Bobby turns to see who she was talking about and takes a deep breath. "Oh Lord." He sits down quickly and pretends not to notice the two approaching their table.

Remy grabs the man by his shirt and tosses him onto a table where two woman were eating. Both women scream before they angrily grab what food they can and start throwing it at the man who had just landed on their table. "My apologizes, ladies." Remy gently takes the wrist of both of the women and kisses them, pulling out several large bills he gives them to one of the women. "Mebbe dis will cover what losses y' suffered by de hand of dis rude one?" He grabs the man and pulls him off the table and drops him to the floor. "May I?" Remy asks one of the ladies for their drink. The lady hands it to him, raising a toast to her. "Merci," He takes a sip before dumping the liquid in the man's face.

"Who is responsible for this?" The owner comes running out with several waiters behind him.

The man on the floor grunts twice before looking up at the owner and his associates and then up at Gambit, a crooked smile creeps across his face. "Frenchy boy over here threw the first punch and I defended myself."

The owner glances over at Gambit. "That right boy? You start this?" He didn't wait for an answer as he yanks Remy by the arm. But the protest of the two women stop him from leaving.

"He wasn't the one who interrupted our dinner," One glares at the owner before she points her finger at the other man. "He's the idiot who jumped on our table and ruined my new dress." She then glares hatefully at the man. " You owe me three hundred dollars buster!"

"Three hundred dollars?" The man laughs out loud, he didn't care how many people were staring at him. "You're out your mind if you think I am paying you three hundred dollars."

"Oh you will or I am hauling your butt into court, Buddy." The second woman replies. "I'm a lawyer and I saw everything." She smiles sweetly at Gambit and pulls out a card from inside her low cut dress. "My number is on that card honey, call me anytime."

Taking the card and glancing at it, Remy returns the smile. "Oui, mebbe Gambit do dat." He was about to take her hand again when a peice of chocolate cake hits him in the side of the face. He angrily turns and sees who had thrown it.

"Ya betta put those eyes of yours back in ya're head or Ah'm comin' over there an' put em out fah good." Rogue yells across from the room, her hand already armed with another round of ammunition. Bobby was snickering beyond control, Storm was deep embarrassed by the commotion her friends were causing, wishing she was anywhere but where she was as Bishop just sat with his arms folded.

"I should have known better than to let you muties in here and eat with real humans." The owner angrily grabs Remy by the sleeve again. "Why can't your kind behave like normal people?"

"Normal?" Remy starts laughing as he jurks his arm free. "An' y' are wrinklin' de fabric." He was about to walk off when he sees Scott walking towards him. He could only shake his head, what else could go wrong tonight. He knew that look on Scott's face. "Look Scotty, dis ain' what it seems."

Cyclops gives him a threatening glance before addressing the man in front of him. "You want to tell me what is going on?"

"This punk destroyed my restraunt and now I'm calling the cops." The owner answers. "What's it to you anyway?"

"He's my brother and I will deal with him once I get home." Scott again glances over at Gambit and this time he didn't hide the fact that he was clearly mad. He turns back to the man. "What if I pay for the damages and cover the losses you have tonight? Would that make everything square?"

"Yeah, that would do it." The man admits. He glares over at Gambit. "You best be thanking your brother for keeping you out of trouble, young man. I normally do not do this for just anyone."

"Y' mean y' don' have people payin' y' off, don' y!" Remy mutters loud enough to be heard by the three. It was Alex who pulls him back to the table as Scott and the owner went inside his office.

"Well you three look like you had fun without me." Alex remarks as he looks Rogue in the eye. "You must have really enjoyed yourself, Rogue, you're wearing more food than what's left in your plate." He starts laughing as the young woman gets red in the face. Bobby and Remy join in but it is short lived when the office door slams shut and Scott comes marching towards them, each step he takes only fuels his anger.

"Remy, you and Bobby just cost The Professor a lot of money and believe me you two are going to work it off every last penny." Cyclops nods in Storm's direction. "Ororo, who started it?"

"Scott, we were minding our own business and the ones behind us insulted Bobby." Storm answers.

"So Bobby threw the first punch?" Scott glares down at Drake, who quickly shakes his head negatively.

"No, uh Scott there's something Ah gotta tell ya an' Ah hope ya don't get mad an' blow yer top." Rogue clears her throat. "Ah was th' one who threw th' first punch it wasn't either Remy or Bobby, Ah did it an' Ah'd do it again if that low down alley cat crosses paths with me."

Cyclop's stares at her almost in shock. "Rogue, I don't know what to say." He motions for everyone to follow him back to where Xavier and the other were still eating. Once they appear, the people at the table gasp at the sight of Rogue, Remy and Bobby. "Don't ask." Scott tells everyone as he hands the bill to Xavier.

"I think we better leave before we make this situation worse." Charles tells everyone. Corsair takes the bill out of Xavier's hand and looks at it.

"Can we leave now? Ah got icing all in mah hair an' it's starting ta get hard." Rogue gets to her feet, quickly followed by Remy and Bobby who wasted no time getting out of the building as fast as they could go.

"Wait!" Jean yells out as soon as everyone was outside. " I have lost contact with Logan." She looks over at Xavier and Pyslocke. "Can either of you pick him up? I feel something terrible has happened."

"Besty, teleport as many as you can back to the mansion." Charles begins after confirming Jean's fears. "Warren, carry Raza, Storm, you take Gambit and Bobby, transform and use your slide to get to the mansion as fast as you can. We need to get as many people there to help Logan." He turns to Rogue. "I need for you to carry Bishop and Ch'od, hurry my X-men."

Psylock teleports herself, Scott, Jean, Beast, Hepzibah leaving Charles, Alex and Christopher behind. Waiting until Charles can get his wheel chair inside the van, Alex starts the vehicle and drives off. Corsair takes the jeep and follows behind, both vehicles hurry home towards the mansion.