Grey Frost

Grey Frost
Chapter 13: Hellfire Strikes Back

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The next day Jean was sitting at her desk in her room casually reading a book for school and listening to music. After the ordeal with Emma yesterday she kept her distance. She did her chores, participated in a Danger Room session, and hung out with Kitty and Rogue for a movie. Emma crossed her path a few times, but they didn’t speak. She still got the feeling there was bitterness towards her.

Scott dropped by to chat a few times, but never with Emma. He assured her they talked and worked things out. He went on to say Emma would catch up with her, but Jean was skeptical. Emma had a knack for being stubborn. Even Scott admitted that. She didn’t expect too much. Emma really went off on her and she was still getting over it.

Throughout the day Jean thought back to what Emma said. Harsh as it was, there was some truth to her ranting. She was right about her and Scott being close and she couldn’t blame her for being worried. But at the same time it made her wonder. When Emma saw her and Scott together, did she really see something deeper than friendship? It had been over a month since Scott and Emma started dating and Jean still couldn’t forget her feelings for him. She was beginning to accept they weren’t going away.

It sure didn’t make her life easier. She was single now. At least with Duncan she had an excuse. Now what could she do? Emma wasn’t going to give Scott up and she wasn’t going to stop feeling for him. It seemed like a no-win situation.

Suddenly, Jean saw something out of the corner of her eye. Taking off her headphones, she turned to her door to see that somebody had slipped a note underneath. She set aside her things and walked over to her door. She picked it up and opened her door, looking around for anybody who was still near.

“Hello?” she called out.

No one answered so she turned back to the note. Upon opening it, she read the handwritten text to herself.

Jean, we need to talk about yesterday. Meet me at the fountain out front in fifteen minutes.

Emma

Jean smiled to herself and looked at her clock. This was definitely Emma’s. She avoided her all day so she turned to more novel methods to avoid awkwardness. Somehow she suspected Scott’s involvement. Emma was a stubborn woman, but she was tied to that man more than she would admit.

Crumbling up the paper, Jean finished up the assignment she was working on. Any chance to make things easier between Scott and Emma was vital. She had to earn her trust if they were to keep things civil. It would have seemed so much less daunting if only her feelings for Scott weren’t so strong.

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Sebastian Shaw waited patiently in his office for what he hoped would be the key to getting his queen back. Business hours were over and it was time for the cut-throat businessman to take a back seat to the Black King. High atop his opulent office, he changed out of his Armani suit into his Hellfire attire of late Victorian era clothing. Being one of the oldest societies on Earth, it was only proper they kept with tradition.

Hellfire had undergone some upheaval lately. Ever since Emma’s escape, there had been constant infighting. Shaw found himself the center of the conflict. The Inner Circle never took kindly to failure. Even kings could not escape Hellfire’s wrath. Success was often a matter of life or death because a common way to move up in the organization was assassination. And given his high status, Shaw couldn’t afford to be a target.

Then he got the announcement over his intercom he had been waiting for.

“Mr. Shaw, sir, he’s here.”

“Excellent, send him in,” he ordered.

Shaw sat behind his desk awaited the entrance of one of the world’s most feared assassins. His services didn’t come cheap and he was not an easy person to work with. But he got the job done.

A commotion rang out from just outside his office and the doors flung open. Shaw shook his head in exasperation as a man dressed in a red and black ninja suit with a gun at each hip and a couple of katanas on his back barged in.

“Hey, hey, hey there’s my favorite Black King!” exclaimed a loud, over-the-top voice, “Sebastian, baby, how the hell are ya?”

“I’ve been better, Deadpool,” he groaned, “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“What? And miss a chance to bust a few heads for a high paying client? It’s every mercenary’s dream! Dare I say, wet dream!”

“I’d appreciate it if you stop right there,” said Shaw in a threatening tone, “I called you because I have a serious situation.”

“Ah you know me, they don’t call me the merc with a mouth for nothing!” scoffed Deadpool, “But I’m good at what I do and you know it! So who do you want me to kill?”

“Nobody, this time,” said Shaw.

“Aw man! Can I at least shoot somebody?”

“No!” said Shaw sternly, “This is a different kind of assignment. I need you to infiltrate a well-secured area and secure someone for me.”

“Oooh, a little hostage taking? Sounds like fun!” grinned Deadpool, “How fucked up do you want them?”

“None and no exceptions.”

“Come on! Just a little? At least let me break a few bones!”

“I mean it, Wade!” shot Shaw angrily, “You are not to do her any physical harm! Just bring her in!”

“Oooh? You didn’t mention it was a she,” said the deranged mercenary.

“Indeed, and I would ask you be very careful around her. She’s a lot tougher than she looks. Her name is Emma Frost.”

Shaw reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of Emma. When Deadpool saw it he grinned underneath his mask. This guy sure knew how to pick them.

“Damn, Shaw! Where do you find these girls? Please tell me the Playboy Mansion!”

“Sorry to disappoint, but she’s at a place called the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. It’s over in Bayville and that’s where you’re going.”

“Ah hell,” he sighed, “At least tell me you hit that ass!”

Shaw cast Deadpool a threatening look. He was really pushing it. As good as he was Shaw had his limits to the amount of obnoxiousness he could take.

“I would advise you to take this seriously!” he shouted, “Emma is very important to me. I don’t care who you go through to get her, but I want her unharmed and at Hellfire Manor by tonight!”

“Hey, take it easy, your royal crankiness!” said Deadpool, putting the picture in his pocket, “You know I’m up for anything as long as you pay the usual fee.”

“You’ll get your money as soon as I get Emma,” said Shaw assertively, “But be warned, she’s a powerful telepath in a house of other telepaths. The reason I chose you is because of your ‘unique’ ability in dealing with psychics.”

“If by ability you mean knack for driving them nuts whenever they try to probe my messed up mind, then I follow ya,” he said.

“I’ll also be fitting you with a mini-cam so I can oversee the operation,” said Shaw, “If at any time I order a change in plan, I expect you to follow it. Your paycheck is determined by whether or not you obey.”

“No sweat, boss!” said Deadpool with a thumb’s up, “You pay the bills and I kick the ass! Just one more question about this Frost chick…are they real?”

Shaw was not in the mood for perverse banter. He had a meeting with the Inner Circle tonight and if Emma wasn’t there at the proper hour, it was going to get ugly.

“There is an unmarked van in the parking garage with some tools, weapons, and a map with detailed instructions,” he said sternly, “I suggest you make haste.”

“Aw come on! We’re both guys! You can just whisper it in my ear? I promise I won’t tell,” he said obnoxiously.

“This conversation is over, Deadpool,” said Shaw as he gathered his things, “Now get to work!”

“You’re no fun.”

Deadpool sighed and followed Shaw to his private elevator. As much as he loved working for ruthless rich guys, they just had no sense of humor. No wonder they had so many enemies. He had killed for Shaw before and made a handsome profit from it. Kidnapping wasn’t usually his thing, but if the price was right who was he to argue? On the plus side, at least he got to wrestle with a hot blonde. Maybe then he’d find out if those knockers of hers were real or not.

Shaw was already on edge. Working with Deadpool was impossible at times, but as long as he brought him Emma he didn’t care. She could still join the Inner Circle yet. Just because she rejected them didn’t mean she wouldn’t come to their side. Hellfire had any number of ways of changing her mind. It was all for the better. Every king needed a queen and Emma was going to learn that she belonged to him and no one else.

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It was early in the evening as Emma sat out front at the fountain waiting for Jean. She couldn’t believe she was doing this, but she just had to have a boyfriend who knew how to guilt her. It just wasn’t right. Only women were allowed to use that trick against men. Why did Scott have to be such a good lover?

However, she did see some merit to his request. Emma wholeheartedly admitted she went a little overboard with Jean. She couldn’t help it. Her relationship with Scott was very important to her. He was the most important person in her life right now. And despite the cold, stern persona she had developed while working for the Hellfire Club, she wasn’t immune from having her emotions get the better of her.

“So now we’re passing notes?” came a voice, “You know there’s been an invention called email.”

Emma turned to see Jean approaching the fountain with her hands in her pockets, hiding a slight look of bitterness towards the girl who yelled at her so blatantly the other day.

“Sorry, I don’t usually do this sort of thing,” said Emma, getting up from her seat.

“Yeah, I figured,” said Jean, “Scott made you do this, didn’t he?”

“What makes you say that?” she scoffed.

“Because you’re a businesswoman and understand the rules of bargaining.”

Emma was mildly impressed. In the short time they had known each other she had learned how she carried herself. Hopefully she kept that in mind while she did this.

“So are we going to talk about this or what?” said Jean.

“Sure, let’s go for a walk,” offered Emma.

Jean shrugged and started walking with her friend around the vast estate of the Xavier Institute. Not far from the fountain were a collection of trees that led out into the woods off of the grounds. It was where Logan commonly practiced his stealth skills in the forest and where the New Mutants played team games. It was a nice night as well, giving them plenty of privacy to discuss this matter.

But as they walked, they were unaware of a lone figure scoping out the area from a perch just atop the perimeter walls. It was Deadpool and he had been surveying the area for hours since he arrived in the unmarked van Shaw had given him. The tools inside gave him an idea for the security of this place. It seemed pretty tight for a school, but he didn’t mind. He loved a challenge.

“Hello, hello what do we have here?” he said to himself, scoping out the two women through a pair of binoculars, “Wow, that’s some chick. Those tits can’t be real! Shaw, you getting this?”

Through the live-feed camera system Deadpool had wired onto his suit, Shaw watched with an annoyed poise from Hellfire headquarters back in Manhattan. He stared in a daze at the screen on his laptop of Emma Frost walking with an unknown redhead around her own age. It was definitely his queen.

“I see them. Proceed with caution.”

“Aye, aye captain! What about the redhead?”

“Focus on Emma for now. She’s the one I want.”

“Okie dokie! Enter Deadpool stealth mode!”

Deadpool leapt over the wall, avoiding the infrared sensors. He leaped atop a couple of tree branches and stealthily moved in for a closer look. His deranged mind was not detected by the two telepaths and they began talking as if nothing was amiss.

“So are you going to say it or what?” Jean began.

“Say what?” scoffed Emma.

“You know, how you may have gone just a little bit overboard when you yelled at me yesterday over some irrational fear about me stealing your boyfriend?”

“Funny, it didn’t seem too irrational to me,” she quipped.

“I’m serious, Emma,” groaned Jean, “Can we at least try and work this out?”

Jean and Emma stopped walking. This was the awkward moment Emma had been dreading. She was no good at humbling herself. It went against so much of what her family and Hellfire taught her. But since coming to the institute she had learned the value of humility. Plus, she made a promise to Scott.

And while they stood, Deadpool inched his way closer in the trees. The wind covered his moves and his ninja-like skill guided him. The time wasn’t right. He had to wait for the perfect moment.

“Fine,” she sighed, “I’m not good at this so I’ll just come out and say it. I’m sorry, Jean. I’m sorry for making a scene yesterday and accusing you for things you haven’t done.”

Jean smiled, amazed that this woman was humbling herself. Scott really had affected her. He had to be doing something to get her to admit she was wrong.

“Apology accepted,” said Jean with a smile, “So can we be friends again?”

“Of course, darling,” said Emma, returning her smile, “Who else am I going to talk sex, thongs, and lingerie with?”

“I’d be honored as long as we keep it appropriate.”

“A little too late for that, don’t you think?” she grinned.

The two girls shared a good laugh. Emma was still awkward, hugging her shoulders and looking around. She still didn’t notice Deadpool in the trees. His mind remained hidden as he inched his way closer.

“Boy, Scott really has affected you, hasn’t it?” said Jean, “You look as though you’ve never humbled yourself like this before.”

“I haven’t,” she admitted, “You can thank Scott later, but I ask that you not make a big deal about it.”

“Why not?” said Jean as they started walking again, “You’re the one who got so worked up.”

Emma groaned and shook her head.

“You still don’t get it do you?” she said in a more serious tone.

“Get what?” asked Jean.

“Why I yelled. Do you at least understand that?”

“I get the whole you being protective about your relationship,” said Jean, rolling her eyes, “I just feel a little singled out given there are plenty of other attractive girls in the mansion who have given Scott the eye at some point.”

“But none of them get Scott’s attention the way you do,” retorted Emma.

Jean looked over at her friend, not sure whether to laugh or be offended. She wasn’t making this easy on her. No matter what happened or how things were between them, she always had to bring up her feelings for Scott.

“Emma we’ve been over this,” groaned Jean, “I’m not trying to steal Scott!”

“I know you’re not,” groaned Emma, “But it just gets to me every time you two look at each other with that dreamy daze. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand Scott is attractive and all and girls will look at him. It’s when the feeling is mutual that I start to worry.”

Jean stopped walking and so did Emma. Up in the trees, Deadpool leapt onto a branch that gave him a nice clean shot. His target was in the clear and they still didn’t suspect a thing. They were too caught up in their girly gossip to notice. Leave to women to not notice a killer mercenary watching them as they cooed over cute boys.

“Wait…you think Scott feels the same way?” said Jean warily.

Emma hugged her shoulders and looked away. This was the part she hoped to avoid.

“He doesn’t mean to, but I’ve sensed it. There are moments he feels for you and I’m not talking about the passing ‘oh she’s cute’ stuff.”

Jean felt somewhat awkward at that revelation, but at the same time she was intrigued. She admitted she still felt for Scott, but she didn’t expect him to feel anything in return especially since he was with Emma.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“You think I’d joke about something like that?” Emma scoffed, “It bugs me, okay? That’s why I yelled. I was worried one thing may lead to another and all of the sudden I’m not the only woman in his life.”

“I won’t let that happen,” said Jean, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“That’s not something you can be sure of,” said Emma, “Sometimes I get the feeling that if I never showed up you two would have hooked up.”

“I…I don’t know about that,” said Jean, now blushing profusely.

“Oh please, don’t tell me you wouldn’t have at least considered it,” said the older blonde.

Jean shifted awkwardly. Emma was not the kind to joke about these things. She called her out on this before, but never so seriously. She was backing her into a corner, trying to get her to admit what she didn’t want to admit. And the more she stammered, the more she confirmed Emma’s suspicions.

“Just tell me flat out, Jean. From woman to woman,” said Emma strongly, “Do you feel something for Scott? Something beyond friendship?”

It was the question Jean didn’t want to answer and Emma didn’t want to ask. But they had to address it if they were to put this behind them. Jean hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Every second she delayed frustrated Emma further. She was about to respond, but Deadpool had other ideas.

“Enough of this teen drama shit. Time to start the fireworks!”

Grabbing one of his grenades, Deadpool leapt into the air and threw it right at the two unwitting girls. Emma was so focused on Jean she didn’t notice, but Jean was alert enough to see the faint blur of the stealthy mercenary’s outline for a brief second. But it was long enough for years of training in the Danger Room to kick in.

“Get down!” yelled Jean.

Emma’s eyes widened with shock as Jean leapt forward and tackled her to the ground, using her telekinesis to divert the incoming projectile. It exploded with a loud bang and a blinding flash, kicking up a cloud of dirt as Deadpool landed right in front of them.

“Come on sugar! Daddy’s got a sweet tooth tonight!” he exclaimed.

He lunged forth with a taser weapon in his hand, but Emma caught it and reverted to her diamond form just in time to catch him.

“Back off, creep! You’ll break every bone in your body if you try that again!”

“Eh, wouldn’t matter. If that’s your idea of foreplay I’m game!”

Emma kneed him in the gut and shoved him off. Unfazed, Deadpool did a skilled back flip and landed perfectly on his feet. The two girls backed off, still reeling from the shock. Anybody who tried to infiltrate the institute had to be off, but this guy seemed to fit the bill.

“Who is this guy? Ex-boyfriend of yours?” asked Jean.

“He wishes,” she scoffed, “Who sent you?”

“Santa Clause, he said you’ve been naughty and I have to punish you.”

“Cute,” said Emma snidely, “Let me guess…Hellfire hired you.”

“Ding, ding, ding! You’re right, blondie! You win the grand prize! An all expense paid trip back to the Hellfire Club in beautiful downtown Manhattan, courtesy of your old boy toy Sebastian Shaw!”

Emma’s face contorted with anger. She had a feeling Hellfire would come after her, but she hoped to keep it away from the mansion. They never took kindly to deserters. Nobody could escape their sick brand of justice. She couldn’t have her friends caught up in this.

“Run Jean!” yelled Emma, “I’ll take care of this!”

“No way! I’m not leaving you to face this nutcase alone!” said Jean, standing by her friend.

“Sweet! A three-way with two hot chicks!” grinned Deadpool, “This is my kind of fight!”

“Hey, psycho, do us both a favor and shut that filthy mouth of yours!”

Using her telekinesis, Jean ripped two large branches from nearby trees and flung them at the merc with a mouth. Deapool whipped out his katana’s and slashed them to bits, showing off his agile moves as he rushed the two girls again. He went for Emma, who was still in her diamond form. He slashed at her relentlessly, but her shell was too hard. He did cut her clothes a bit, giving him a slight peak underneath so it wasn’t a total loss.

“I’m not going back!” yelled Emma, using her arms to block his slashes, “You can tell Shaw to go fuck himself!”

“You can tell him yourself, toots!” grinned Deadpool, “You’ll be seeing him real soon!”

“Over my dead body!”

The training from Wolverine and the Danger Room kicked in and Emma pulled off a sweep kick, knocking Deadpool off his balance enough for her to deliver a firm punch to the gut. She didn’t hold back, feeling some bones crack under the hard shell of her fist. But the masked mercenary was hardly dissuaded.

“Fiesty! I like it!” he laughed.

“I just broke your ribs and you’re still making jokes?” exclaimed Emma.

“Babe, I could do this all night! I’m getting paid good money to take you home and I never leave a job undone!”

“First time for everything!” said Jean.

Jean clutched her temples and summoned her telekinesis. Deadpool was about to attack again, but she lifted him off the ground before he got his footing. Now he was suspended in mid-air, unable too attack.

Over the video feed wired into Deadpool, Shaw watched this feat with intrigue. He hadn’t expected Emma to be with a friend, but this woman she was with showed reliance. That power of hers also showed plenty of skill.

“Hmm…impressive.”

The two women carefully approached the suspended mercenary. He struggled somewhat, but stopped when he realized there was no breaking this chick’s hold. She was pretty good. Too bad he had to really hurt her now.

“Not so tough now, are you?” grinned Jean, tightening her telekinetic hold, “We better get the others.”

“Oh no! Please don’t hurt me, hot redhead girl!” cowered Deadpool in a mocking tone, “I’m just a weak little mercenary out to collect some cash to pay for my dying grandmother’s operation!”

“Any way you can telekinetically shut that mouth of his?” muttered Emma.

“Oh wait!” said Deadpool, “I just remembered something! I have more of these!”

Suddenly, the merc with a mouth grabbed another flash grenade and threw it over towards the girls. This time he didn’t give the redhead time to deflect it. He whipped out his gun and shot the grenade in mid air with a well-aimed shot, causing it to explode before either girl could react.

“Ahhh! My eyes!” Jean yelled.

Her telekinetic hold over Deadpool crumbled and the menacing mercenary landed on the ground. He was done playing games. If there really were other mutants in this area, he had to make his move and get out.

“Nighty night little red riding hood!” he grinned.

Deadpool whipped out another weapon. It was a high tech taser weapon Shaw so generously provided. With the blonde still in her diamond form it was doubtful it would affect her. But the redhead who held him in such an uncomfortable hold was another story so he took aim and fired.

“AHHHHHHHHH!” cried Jean.

A burst of non-lethal electric energy surged through the young woman’s body, knocking her out cold. Emma’s eyes widened with horror. This was exactly what she had feared. One of her friends got caught in the crossfire of her complicated life.

“JEAN!” she yelled, “YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH!”

“Sorry, my finger slipped,” he said innocently.

“You’re gonna pay for that! When I get through with your mind you’ll be a vegetable!”

Deadpool smiled beneath his mask. This was just what he was hoping for. He couldn’t get through that diamond shell, but since she was a telepath he didn’t have to.

Emma blindly sent an attack probe with her telepathy. But the second she entered Deadpool’s psyche she hit something unexpected. His mind was far from normal. It was a mess of deranged madness. Most minds had a certain structure to them. This guy had none of that. No wonder she or Jean didn’t sense him. Suddenly, Emma was overwhelmed with his maniacal thoughts. She tried to pull out, but she was too late.

“Errrrraaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!” she yelled, clutching her head, “Make it stop! Make it stop!”

“That’s what they all say,” sighed Deadpool, “Some people have no appreciation of good old fashioned crazy.”

Emma fell to her knees, clutching her head. She walked right into a trap. She should have seen it. Her body went limp as her overworked brain shut down. The last thing she saw was Jean lying besides her. She stayed to help and suffered as a result. All this after she yelled at her. Now they had both lost.

Standing triumphantly over the two unconscious girls, Deadpool put his weapons away and activated his radio.

“Oh Shaw honey, guess what I got?” he said playfully.

“I see them, Deadpool. Well-done as usual.”

“I’ll drive the blonde right over, but what do you want me to do with the redhead? She’s kind of cute. Can I keep her?”

Over the line, Shaw looked closer at the beautiful redhead who had helped Emma through the video feed. He hadn’t expected Emma to have an accomplice. She never was one for making friends. But this girl showed remarkable fortitude. She held her own against Deadpool, not an easy feat by any stretch. She had great power, not to mention a beautiful body. She was the perfect candidate for Hellfire recruitment.

“No, bring her back as well. It would be a shame to leave such a fine specimen behind. She’ll make a fine addition to our ranks.”

“Two abductees? That’s gonna cost extra,” warned Deadpool.

“I’ll pay it. Just bring them back. I’ll be waiting.”

“Your cash your rules,” shrugged Deadpool.

With a nice paycheck to look forward to, the merc with a mouth hitched the two girls over his shoulders and made his leave. He whistled to himself, another job well done. Too bad he couldn’t keep one of the girls though. They were both pretty good looking. And knowing Shaw, he’d put those looks to good use.

All seemed lost for Jean and Emma. Hellfire had won again. And this time they would not let go so easily. Emma couldn’t do anything, but before Jean went completely under she managed to project a single thought to the only person she could.

‘Scott…help.’

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Inside the mansion, Scott was hunched over his desk half asleep from doing homework. As far as he knew, Emma and Jean were working things out. It took some coaxing on his part, but it was for the best. The last thing he wanted was to be caught between his best friend and his girlfriend.

He was about to call it a night when he heard it. In the depths of his mind, a familiar voice rang out in a desperate cry for help.

‘Scott…help.’

“Jean…”

Shooting up from his desk Scott ran out into the halls. Just as he reached the stairs, he ran into Logan.

“We’ve got an intruder on the grounds, Cyke! Chuck just said the silent alarm was tripped!” he announced.

“I know,” said Scott grimly, “And I think we’re already too late.”

Rushing with Logan out the door, they ventured out past the fountain and up to the front gate. They arrived just in time to hear the tires of Deadpool’s van screeching as he drove away with Jean and Emma unconscious in the back seat.

Logan leapt over the wall while Scott opened the door. Short of breath and out at a loss, he looked down at the tire marks left behind and let out a defeated sigh. Logan sniffed the area, picking up three scents. One had to be Emma. The expensive perfume gave that away. The other was Jean, a scent he knew from years of raising her. And the other was unknown, but bore the distinct aromas of someone determined and driven.

“Can you smell anything, Logan?” asked Scott desperately, “What happened here?”

“Jeannie, Emma, and some wretched prick I never smelled before,” grunted Logan, “He was here. There was a fight.”

“So where are Jean and Emma?!” exclaimed Scott.

Logan grasped the arm of the bewildered young man. This was a double shot, involving his girlfriend and his best friend. The look in the feral mutant’s eyes told the whole story and he confirmed what he feared most with two words.

“They’re gone.”

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Up next: Jean and Emma confront the Hellfire Club