....And Then, There Was Chaos

Author's Notes: Thank you to OriginalCeeNote for the help with the rest. You are a true muse!!
WARNINGS!! There is an f/f scene in this chapter. If you cannot handle that, please do not read it.


The caravan had stopped in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere but had really been the middle of downtown Manhattan. Mac shut off the engine and got out to look around at the delapidated building remains in the distance. Glancing over at the fourth vehicle to stop behind her, she pointed over to an old building that looked like several skyscrapers stuck together and stepped over to Logan as he caught her gaze. "There's Sinister's hiding place."

Logan crossed his arms about his chest and nodded. "Why not go in and get him? Seems like we're wastin precious time sittin here."

"No one does that these days, Logan. We learned that the day Jersey fell. Right now, we'll need to cover ourselves and come up with a workable plan." Copying Logan's stance, she hid her glance to him out of the corner of her eye as she smiled. Mac was delighted to actually be working with Remy and Logan as well as the other X-Men on an assignment.

Turning to face her, Logan dropped his arms and placed his hands on his hips. "So, we'll be better without it. Humans built this country, they can destroy it as they please."

Mac took a deep breath and let it out before sweeping a hand at the barren landscape around them. "This used to be Central Park, Logan. The rest of the country doesn't look too much different." Walking away and back to her SUV, Mac caught a slender shadow making it's way towards her in slow stride. She smiled as her skin felt the familiar caress.

The figure came into view and stopped a few feet away from the young Cajun woman. She smiled and looked Mac up and down before shaking her head and reaching out for a hug. "Still giving orders, Mac?" A younger looking woman with long, dark pink hair pulled back into a braid and bangs that fell into her eyes, stood as tall as Mac with the same graceful features.

Smiling and stepping forward, Mac shook her head and laughed, "no one else to give 'em." Mac reached out and hugged the woman before giving a long, deep kiss to her ex-lover. "Still taste as good, cherie. Where you been hidin?"

"Well, I been here an' dere." She stopped and looked around at the groups of people and picked out a few familiar faces. "I hear your poppa an' dem made it here. You just can't let anythin go, can ya Mac?"

Mac shook her head and glanced over at Remy and Rogue as they leaned against her SUV and chatted. "Nope." Looking back up at the woman, Mac quirked her brow. "How'd you know?" Something tingled inside of her head that made her think something she wished she hadn't. The next twinge made her flinch but she shook it off as the woman shrugged and smiled.

"Word travels fast, Mac. Seems like you need some cover from de big bad men, no?" Bending down to scoop a handful of dirt, whisper something to the handful and then toss it behind her, the woman stood up and replaced the smile on her face. "How's that?"

Nodding, Mac smiled and wrapped an arm around the woman as they walked over to the middle of the group. "Gettin better, chere. What other tricks you got in dat bag of yours?"

Logan had been watching the entire conversation with reserve but grabbed Jonathon's arm as he strolled up next to the brawny man. "Who's that with the girl?" He hadn't taken his eyes off of Mac and her pink haired friend but glanced over to Jon as he hadn't answered right away.

"Her name's Kimber de Sante, or 'Thought'. She and Mac had a thing going awhile back, a pretty hot thing at that. Sometime's it's like they never quit but, Mac ain't that stupid to get back in love with her again." Jonathon stared over at Mac as well before cringing at the site of Kimber turning to face them.

Logan caught something on the air and looked over at Jonathon. "What happened?"

Jonathon took a long breath and stared at the ground. "When Benji was two, Kim came back from wherever she went and pawned all over Mac. Kim wanted to get married and have a family but, Mac wasn't interested. She said that she already had Benji and didn't really want another. Kim got upset and swore under the sun at Mac, about everything. She hated the fact that someone had replaced her and that Mac wasn't hers anymore. Mac's just like her kin," he glanced over at Remy and then back to the ground.

"LeBeaus aren't anyone's property but their own," Logan finished.

Nodding, Jonathon looked back at Logan. "Kim didn't like those words so, she tore out of the house and Mac went after her. Mac had no interest in marriage after watching the two people that ever meant anything to her, break her heart. She says love is just a cruel lie and all who believe it are just as stupid. If she's back, Mac won't be much good to us if she stays." Jon sighed and walked towards the fire where the groups had come in to meet, Logan followed and replayed what Jonathon had said.

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While most sat around the fire, Mac and Kim stood just inside the circle and looked into the faces of their comrades. "We have an old friend with us. Thought has agreed to help us end this war. Seems chances are good. We'll rest here for a few hours, gather a plan and then head out before dawn. The closer we get to the tower, the less the beam can hurt us. Once we shut down the beam, the war will have to come to an end." Mac's eyes sifted around to fall on Logan's gaze and she took a breath before speaking again. "There's a temporary 'gram on us so we can get some sleep without checkin our backs. We're no good to anyone tired."

Duke had been standing in the back but came forward when he heard Thought's name. "Is this gonna be another disappearin act, Mac?" Crossing his arms as only the growing fire sat between he and Mac, Duke stared evenly at Thought. It wasn't that he was jealous over either woman yet, he had been burned by Kim de Sante once before and wasn't about to let it happen to anyone else on the critical moment. Though, he and Mac had their differences, he hated to see her upset even at the expense of her own emotions.

"We don't have time to be selfish, Duke. We need all the help we can get." Standing on guard, Mac stared back at him with the same cold graces he gave Kim. "Kim's as good as anyone else." A feeling in her gut told her that she was fighting something that had no contest. Duke's emotions ran through her like a freight train at the end of the line but Mac casually shook it off as they stared at one another in a tense moment of silence.

Duke scoffed and shook his head as he turned around to walk away. "You just remember the rest of us ain't playin' house, girl."

"Just what are you getting at, Duke?" The white glow in Mac's eyes were much brighter as she became more angry.

Turning fully so that his back completely to her, he called over his left shoulder, "not a damn thing, darlin." As he walked away, most of the group had gotten up and followed his idea of getting some sleep before morning. The ride had been long and attacking straight through was no way of doing things.

In one last attempt to curb her anger, Mac narrowed her eyes and caused her energy to send sparks out to the fire which sprang to life with white flames to accent her anger. As she turned back to Kim, their eyes met and Mac had to face fact of what Duke had said. "I can't let you go, Kimmie."

"Because of what that reject from de Army said? Kensie, we've been together for a lot longer than he's known." Thought's anger peaked at the hurt in Mac's eyes.

Shaking her head, Mac took a breath and held it for a minute. "This time, it's too dangerous. I ain't about to lose you too, Kimmie. I appreciate your help but,...... go home. No sense in both of us dyin." Breaking the contact, Mac closed her emotions before the flood of rage and hurt swamped her subconscious. Leaving to go set up her tent, she paused as Kim spat a retort before walking away. Picking up to walking again, Logan caught her arm.

"You trust her with your life?" Logan found it hard to keep the brashness out of his voice.

Mac blinked at him, knowing that he was asking about someone he had not met yet and someone Mac spent many years trying to get over. "Yes, I do. I would never put my team in harm's way, Logan."

Letting go of the frail arm, Logan leaned in and lowered his voice between them, "you make sure you wash wherever she touches you, okay?" With that, Logan turned and left her to sort out the meaning before giving up and going back into her tent.

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Mac's feet crunched through the leaves as she headed back to the tent. She crawled inside and inflated the air mattress with the tiny pump, unenthused at the prospect of so little protection between her body and the hard ground. She felt the familiar pulse of Kimber's emotions before she ever heard her light footsteps. Affection and frustration tinged their rapport with each other, channeled from both ends.

Kensie, can I come in," she beckoned. Her voice was plaintive and resigned.

"I didn't say you couldn't come in here, chere. Entre-vous, s'il vous plait, Mac drawled. Kim sighed as she tugged open the flap and did as she was told. She watched as she unfolded her bed roll and smoothed it over the makeshift bed.

"Nice digs you've got," she offered. Mischief danced in Kim's eyes.

"Been thinkin' of a few houseplants. Maybe a cat. New curtains might spruce it up a little, non?"

"Don't care, darlin. All it needs is you. Then s'a home." She watched tension ripple through her onetime lover's body as she sat
back on her haunches.

"Seems like we've tried dat before, chere." Mac shucked her hat and tossed it aside. She shut her violet eyes with a sigh as she massaged her scalp, tousling her sweaty black locks.

"Naw. We made it work before, Kensie." She used the tone she reserved for quiet moments under the covers, even though they were fully dressed.

"Somethin' didn't work for it t'be 'before' instead of 'now.'" Mac still didn't deny the feelings of need and longing that Kimber
projected toward her, nor the passion that still burned beneath.

"Got room in this lil thing for two?"

"Knock yourself out."
Kim crawled onto the air mattress and untied her boots while Mac searched for another blanket. "Hope ya'll be warm enough." Kim looked graceful in her repose, all long, lean limbs and soft curves. Her profile was patrician, evoking the creamy elegance of a Victorian cameo pin.

"I can think of a few good ways to keep warm tonight."

"Silly."
Kim's boots hit the ground with a low thud. Mac was just about to spread out the blanket when Kim's hands stopped her. Her hand
felt cool as it closed around Mac's slender wrist.

"Silly, huh? Missed you. A lot." Kim slid off the pallet and knelt, tugging Mac close. "And you look chilly. You need warming up." Her
fingers snaked themselves through her belt loops, drawing Mac against her until their bellies and thighs touched. "How 'bout a decent kiss hello?" Her breath steamed Mac's lips as she leaned in for one that quickened Mac's pulse.

No one affected her like this, or made reason fly from her head. The satiny interior of Kimber's mouth was familiar and welcoming as Mac cupped her face, deepening the kiss and their mutual pleasure in theact.

The night sounds around them seemed to fall away. Mac heard Kim's breathing quicken and felt her desire building within her as she
mapped out her skin with her lips and fingers. She traced the soft contour of her cheek and the tilt of her chin.

"Kensie," she whispered. "Missed you!"

"Need you," Mac agreed weakly as she wrapped her arms around Kim's neck. She breathed in the rich scent of her hair as her mouth traveled down Kim's throat. She flicked the tip of her tongue over her tender earlobe, feeling Kim shiver against her. Warmth and arousal curled in her stomach in response, and she felt a tightening between her legs. She strained against her, giving herself more thorough access. Mac lapped at her skin, swirling over her neck in lazy circles. Excitement tingled through her limbs, rushing back into her womb at Kim's response.

A triumphant voice inside Kim declared I did that. It's me who she wants. Pride mingled with love.

Kim freed Mac's thick hair from its ponytail, letting it flow down her shoulders. She twined her fingers in it as Mac continued to kiss her, and she felt Mac taking the same liberty. Mac deftly undid the neat plait and combed her fingers through the loose, thick pink waves.

They took turns unfastening shirt buttons and lowering zippers. Bare skin was quickly covered with hands and mouths. A pile of crumpled clothing grew beside the pallet as they slid on top of the bed roll. Kim sank back against the pillow, drinking Mac's sigh of contentment.

Her skin was golden in the faint light from the lantern. Mac pried open the front clasp of Kim's satin bra, peeling aside the cups. The
faintest puff of breath from her lips brushed over her firm breasts, stimulating them even before she caressed one, remembering its pert
shape by feel.

"Still sexy, chere. So pretty an' sweet," Mac husked as she took the turgid, straining nipple into her mouth.

Kim gasped in pleasure, arching beneath her as she suckled her. Each lap of her tongue sent heat coursing through her core. Mac's dark tresses obscured her face as she teased and consumed one breast, then the other. Friction built between them as Mac slid her body along the length of Kimber's, resuming a rhythm and pace that never failed to push them over the edge.

Kim's hands blindly sought the straps of Mac's lavender cotton brassiere, tugging them down her arms. Mac loomed over her, lust
etched across her face as she leaned up enough for Kim to reach for her breasts. They were a generous handful and felt cool and smooth, warming under her touch. Their hard points kissed her palms as she cradled them. Kim's eyes darkened with want, and that quickly the dynamic changed. Her arms wrapped around Mac's narrow waist and she eased her higher to bring her nipples close enough to taste. The slow dance of their bodies arching into each other's heat continued. Kim caressed the length of her beautiful back as Mac rippled against her, moaning for the heat of her mouth.

"Ah, God, Kimmie! Please!" Mac gasped. Her breathing was ragged and fast. Kimber was insatiable for the grace and strength of her wiry body sliding and rubbing against her.

Kim palmed Mac's rump, measuring its shape and supple flesh. She kneaded it and moaned at the change in Mac's motions against her body. She moved with more determination, wanting to crawl inside Mac, body and soul, when she just couldn't get close enough. Her touch felt hot over the slick, slippery finish of the satin panties.

"These are nice," Mac panted. "But I want them off."

Kim obediently lifted her hips enough for her partner to work the scrap of fabric down past her hips, and she shimmied them the rest of the way off, kicking them free. A quick flick of her bra hook later and she was naked.

"Better?"

"Better," Kim sighed, and her world was upended as they rolled over the pallet. Mac stared up at her and nipped her chin, then trailed
openmouthed, scorching kisses down her neck. Her sheaves of hair tented their hot cheeks as they kissed. Each stroke of their lips was liquid and held promise of a long, late night. They sparred for dominance until Kim began her slow descent down Mac's body. She
followed a straight line between her collarbones, her breasts, tickling Mac as she caressed her ribcage and belly. She stifled a giggle as Mac's stomach jumped, almost coming off the bed as she swirled her tongue in her bellybutton. Kim paused, staring up at her with challenge in her eyes, and she crawled over her again, bowing her head and trailing her hair over her skin. Mac moaned low in her
throat. She spread her thighs apart in silent welcome, and Kim settled between them, coming home.

"Wanna feel you, Kimmie," Mac whispered, and her voice gave way to a hard gasp as Kimber's fingers stroked the dark, springy curls covering her supple mound. Kim's warm breath stirred the hairs and made delicious shivers run down Mac's spine when she dipped her head to kiss her; her search was brief but successful as she found the tiny, ripe pearl and savored it. Mac's head was flung back; she closed her eyes and only heard Kim's deep breathing and the contact of her mouth against her flesh, mingled with her own whimpered pleas. The rest of the world fell away. There was only Kim. Only skin and her heated touch and the spongy air mattress at her back inside the tent.

Kim lingered, slowly becoming reacquainted with the intricate workings of Mac's body, laid out like a feast. Her palm feathered over her flat belly, coveting how silky she still felt. Kim felt Mac's leg gently drape itself across her back as she focused on her. The ball of Mac's foot rubbed her sinuously, as though in approval of her attentions. Both women sighed in contentment.

The emotional bond between them was still strong and keen, burning Mac. She couldn't stifle the need flowing through her for completion at Kim's hands any more than she could block the feelings of desire Kim projected. It was humbling, and the need for release was urgent. "Kimmie, please," she moaned, "please." She ground herself against the source of friction and searing heat. So close.

"That's it, Kensie! Come for me, darlin!"

"Kimber! Oh, God, Kim! So…good!" Her words were unintelligible, shuddering prayers as she climaxed.

Kim felt the snug, sudden squeeze of Mac's legs and stayed with her, listening to the drum of her own heartbeat and Mac's frantic chants that she was perfect, that she felt so right. That she loved her.

Mac's skin was flushed and warm. She peered up at her lover with drowsy, hazy violet eyes, which glowed faintly in the lantern light.
Her features were painted in bliss. Kim thoughtfully covered them both with the blankets as she climbed beside her on the pallet.

"Bed time," she murmured, leaning down to kiss Mac goodnight.

She was having none of it. "Non. C'mere, chere."

"Brat," Kim protested, but Mac's smile was lazy and insistent as she cupped the back of Kim's neck and kissed her deeply. She sighed into her mouth. It was always right with Mac, that much never changed.

"Ain't tired quite yet, Kimmy," Mac shrugged, and her manner was so much like her father's, so cavalier and rakish. She charmed her.
Then she claimed her. The blankets fell away again as Mac covered her instead. She moved and thrust against her, and when her fingers gently parted her folds, filling her, Kim was lost.

"Kensie…" She moved in time to Mac's fingers; she felt herself pulsing, throbbing around them as she bucked into her hand. Mac teased her. Her face hovered above Kim's, barely letting her lips graze her rosy, open mouth.

"Tell me you're tired now, love," Mac soothed. Kim's hand fisted in her long black hair and dragged her down for a kiss that was hungry
and impatient.

"God, Mac, you're playing with me!" Kim hissed, but it was perfect. Her response was intense. Sensation rippled through her. She felt her completion edging closer when Mac removed her hand and settled over her, thrusting against her and building up more maddening friction. Their breasts grazed and tingled; a faint sheen of sweat gathered between them.

"I'd never play with you, Kimmie." Mac caressed her cheek and watched Kim in awe and wonder as her face changed, growing more desperate and pleading. "Kim…oh, Kim," she chanted. "Come for me."

"God, Kensie," Kim grated out harshly, but she craved it. Would die for it.

It rocked Kim senseless, robbing her of thought and drowning her in feeling. She embraced Mac hard enough to bruise as they strained against each other and reeled in the empathic backlash. Mac's mouth crashed down against hers. She couldn't not kiss her, sealing their covenant that no one else made either woman feel that way, nor react so deeply.

They panted and shuddered. Mac collapsed against Kim and allowed her to finally recover them in the blankets, pulling them up to their
chins.

They lay together and watched shadows flicker against the walls of the tent for a while before Mac extinguished the lantern for the night.

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Before dawn broke, Mac was up and dressed before Kim had rolled over to find herself alone in bed. Knelt down tieing her boots, Mac heard Logan's advise tumble in her head. Looking up to see Kim sitting up and staring at her while she was lost in oblivion, she smiled and as soon as she had tied the second shoe, leaned forward to kiss Kim on the lips. "Mornin, chere."

"Mornin, aready? Mm, come back to bed." Kim lay back down and smiled seductively over at Mac.

Mac shook her head slightly, "uh uh. Time ta get up and get gone."
Kim rolled onto her right side and let her fingers idly play with blanket edge. "Still want me to 'go home'? After last' nght, I'd a thought to change your mind." Lowering her eyes to watch her fingers play with the soft linen, she did her best to flood Mac with the feelings of the night's lust before hearing the answer.

"Go home, Kim. De sex was fantastic but, if de world is endin, I want you a long ways from it." Mac placed a hand over the other woman's on the blanket and stilled it.

Pulling away and sitting up to cover herself with the blanket, Kim snarled, "is that it? Rhythm LeBeau bein' the man of the relationship, again. No wonder you ain't married Sinister's guinnea pig. You don't like competition in bed, do you?" She knew it hurt for Mac to hear it as much as it hurt to say it but, Kim felt threatened with Jonathon's presence.

"Kimber, stop it. I ain't playin house with him, or you. I gotta job to do and I'm gonna do it how I know I can keep y'all safe." Leaning over to kiss Kim's cheek and feel the pang of heated rage from her lover, Mac opened the tent flap and went out to help ready breakfast. She hated the fact that she had used Kim for a night of warmth, and as Logan's promise of guilt rang into her mind, she caught a glimpse of the small Canadian and Remy, going over a map of the new terrain over the hood of an SUV.

The scent of sex and sickness and shame wafted through the air over to Logan. Looking over to the woman who strolled by, averting her eyes, Logan kicked himself for knowing what had transpired in the young Cajun's tent. Turning back to Gambit, Logan took a breath before offering a piece of advise to his friend. "Stick close to the girl. Yer closer to family, and she might just use a friendly shoulder right now."

"No problem, homme. De petite lookin too sick ta do much wit'out Gambit's help." Remy turned and caught Mac's eye, feeling something so familiar in them, before she turned into Duke's tent and was gone from their sight. "She so sad when she looks at Rogue an' Gambit. Too much sadness for someone so young, non?"

"Yea, Cajun, too much."

Continued.