Well, It's Only a Suggestion (July 2012)

Serena’s mind tried to work to figure out a way out of this situation and how to help everyone break free of this man’s grasp. She watched as he held up his empty glass and suggested that she go get him some more. Strangely, she didn’t feel compelled to do as he said and she just stood there. She saw his mind try to work out what was happening and she realized before he even said it that it must have something to do with Nyx. When she found out he was her son she knew this was a very dangerous situation. She didn’t want to go anywhere near this man, but when he told Peter to hold his breath she knew he was going to kill Peter if she didn’t do as he said. She walked over and sat down where he had told her to.

“I did as you instructed. Let Peter breathe.”

Soran rolled his eyes as if Serena was really a party pooper. He sighed in exasperation. “Alright, Peter, take a breath,” He said and Peter, whose face had turned red and his lips purple finally took a breath.

“Isabella, you get me that drink,” he said as he held up his glass. Isabella moved up and took his glass then moved toward the bar that was just to the side of the kitchen.

Soran put his arm around Natalya who leaned onto him. She unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and snaked her hand in to play with the dark hair that peeked out from the neck of his shirt.

“You know, mother never told me how much ‘fun’ humans were. I think that taking over this realm might actually be a worth while endeavor. What do you think Serena?” he said as he watched her. He could see that she wanted to do something to him. Violence perhaps? He thought that’s what they called it. He chuckled. “I tell you what. I LOVE games like this Gambit I think,” he said as he looked at him. “If you can hit me with one of your...whatever it is, blasts? I will pack up my toys and leave. But if you fail, you will select someone for me to kill,” he said with a smile. “It’s your choice, do you want to play?” He asked. “And I promise, I won’t move out of the way, or use my power to stop you and it,” he said and he stood up. His confidence was...certain for some reason.

Serena was relieved to see that Peter was alright. She could only watch helplessly as her mother did as Soran instructed and took his glass and went to go refill it with Bourbon. She looked at Natalya and couldn't help but wonder how all of this was going to affect her once Soran's influence on her was gone. She had been controlled her entire life. This wasn't going to aid in her recovery. Serena became angry and her fists clenched up into tight balls. She thought about lashing out at him and seeing if she could hurt him with an energy blast. Soran seemed to know what she was thinking because he suddenly smiled and chuckled a little and suggested a game. If Serena hit Soran with one of her energy blasts then he would leave. However, if she didn't then she had to choose someone for him to kill. At first, she considered saying yes and then, if her blast didn't hit him, she would choose herself for him to kill, but then she remembered something...Nyx was in her consciousness. She likely wouldn't allow her to hurt her son and he wouldn't kill her.

"It's a no win game for me...so I choose not to play."

Isabella returned with his drink and she handed it to him. Soran looked up at her and, casually twirled his finger at her. Isabella slowly turned around as he felt her bottom. When Serena saw her face she saw horror in her dark eyes as Soran’s hand explored her body a moment.

“Alright Isabella, why don’t you open that case,” Soran said as the other two women touched him, blew into his ear and rubbed the back of his neck to try and vie for his attentions. There was an aluminum case on the coffee table. Isabella stepped up to it and began to open the case as Soran turned toward Natalya. She kissed his lips but Serena heard an odd sound come from her throat as if she was trying to scream but couldn’t. She looked over at Logan and saw his hand shift and point across the room. It was then that she knew he was asking her to distract the man. Could Logan move? She saw his eyes shift. Was he faking all this time in order to get control of his body? She couldn’t know for certain.

Serena felt helpless as she watched her mother. It upset her to see how horrified her mother was that this man was touching her like he was. Out of the corner of her eye she could see her father become furious, but he couldn't move. Her mother then moved over to open up the aluminum case that was sitting on the coffee table. Serena watched Natalya begin to kiss Soran. However, Serena could see that Natalya did not want to kiss him...she didn't want to do anything that she was doing, but she was powerless to stop it from happening.

Serena's mind raced as she tried to figure out what to do. It was then that she saw Logan. She saw his hand shift and point across the room. Did Logan have control of his body? She could guess that he wanted her to distract Soran. She gave Logan a slight nod and then pushed Kate off of the couch so she could get in close to Soran. "You don't want those two. I'm the more powerful...and I'm much more fun," she said with a grin.

Soran’s hand shot out toward her as quick as a viper and he grabbed hold of her throat though he continued to kiss Natalya a few more times. He was alot stronger than Serena had thought and he felt her hands go up to try and pry his hand off of her. He felt her nails dig into his hand and he casually turned to face her. “Are you now, well, Let us see what is so special about you then,” he said. But the case opened just as Logan moved and everything seemed to happen at once.

Logan leaped at Soran. He shoved Natalya out of the way and buried his claws into the man’s chest. Sorena was let go just as she was enveloped in a pale, violet fume that came from the the tablet that was in the case. Her body fell to the floor as she convulsed as voices began to fill her mind. Voices that spoke a language she could not understand at first and then she did.

“You picked the wrong woman bub!” Logan snarled as he jabbed his claws in a few more times in different spots. Blood spilled from Soran’s mouth and he smiled and coughed as he tried to push Logan off of him. Everyone else suddenly jerked as they gained control over their bodies once more. Soran laid back as Sorena stopped convulsing. She looked at Soran and a part of her felt sorrow for him. The part that wasn’t really her. Sorrow for him and Rage at Logan for killing him. She could feel how badly Nyx had tried to come out of her box but Charles had added a few more countermeasures that kept her secured...for now. But Serena felt Nyx’s consciousness become much stronger than it was before the second tablet. If she were exposed to the third, to Darkness, she was certain that she’d cease to exist and Nyx would take over. Gambit’s face was in her vision and she slowly began to recall him. His face, his name...the ring they bought together. The love he had shown her.

“Serena...are you alright?” He asked as Soran took his last breath. Natalya lay in a heap weeping as Tony moved up to comfort Isabella. Steve moved and tossed a blanket over Kate whose face was as nearly as white as a sheet.

Everything seemed to happen at once. Logan leaped across the room with his claws out just as the case lid was opened. Serena was enveloped in a cloud of violet that seemed to come from another table that was inside the case. Her body hit the floor and began to convulse as voices speaking in another language filled her mind. Serena could feel Nyx in the box in her mind. She could feel how much stronger she had become. She remained secured however...for now. Serena knew that if she was exposed to the third tablet that there would be no holding Nyx back anymore. She would be able to break free from the box and she would use her body as a vessel to destroy the world. They had to stop that from happening.

Suddenly, she saw Gambit's face above her. His eyes were filled with worry as they looked down at her. "I...I think so," she said as he helped her up to a sitting position. She looked around the room and saw the damage Soran had caused. It wasn't physical damage...but emotional damage. Natalya was on the floor crying. Her mother was standing quietly as her father put his arms around her and whispered something into her ear. Kate pulled the blanket tightly around her that Steve gave her. Kate's face was pale and she was trembling slightly.

Logan sat back from Soran and retracted his claws. He didn’t spare him another glance as he moved over to Natalya. He picked her up and settled her into his arms. “Shhh, shhh, its alright baby, it’s over now,” He murmured as he kissed the side of her head. He stepped away from the others and moved with her toward their room.

“Go ahead Isabella, I’ll...I’ll clean this up,” He said. He felt her trembling and kissed her forehead. Peter was aghast at everything that had happened. Oddly though, he was more focused on the tablet then anything else though he did look at Serena. He wanted to help her, to comfort her if he could but he wasn’t certain if he should and besides, Gambit was there for her. She didn’t really need him. He picked up the tablet.

It looked much like the first one but the rune ofcourse was different. “Somehow their consciousness can exist outside of their plane. And they bring these….these runes with them. How they are doing this or where though,” he said as if talking to himself.

Kate allowed Steve to help her up and they went back to their room. Isabella heard what Tony said, but she looked over at her daughter and decided that she wasn’t going to leave. She looked at Tony. “I...I’m alright,” she said, though she wasn’t sure if she truly was or not. She walked over to Serena and Gambit. “So, that was the second tablet....” Serena slowly nodded. “I can feel Nyx inside my head. She’s gotten stronger, but she’s still contained. However, if I’m exposed to the third tablet she’s going to break through that box...she’s going to escape.”

Isabella looked at Tony. “We need to get her to Wakanda as soon as possible.”

Tony’s face darkened but it lightened almost immediately and he nodded. “Then we need to set moving, I’ll call security and have Richard...clean up this mess,” he said with more than a little disdain. “I’d like to remain here but...but someone has to pilot the jet,” Steve said as he looked at Kate. “Go, go get dressed, I’ll wait for security,” Steve said.

Gambit helped Serena up. “Should we bring these tablets?” He asked. “Bring them where?” Peter asked. He had been out of the loop since they came back. “We’ve discovered another possible solution to destroy these tablets,” Tony said. “Uh...Wakonda?” Peter asked wide-eyed. “Yes and you’re coming along,” Tony said as Peter closed the case. “Ok then I’ll prepare the other tablet for transport,” he said and began to do just that as Tony got onto his phone.

Kate managed to go and get dressed. She was still upset, but she knew that they needed to get Serena and the tablets to Wakanda as soon as possible. Logan was going to remain behind with Natalya, while the others made the trip. They packed quickly and Peter prepared the tablets. Once everything was ready, they got into the jet and took off. Kate was piloting with Steve as her co-pilot. She was quiet for a while as they made their way. Finally, though, she broke the silence between them and spoke to Steve.

"I didn't want to do what he told me to do..."

The beginning of the trip had been very silent with just the hum of the jet in their ears. Gambit held Serena’s hand but said nothing right then. “I know,” Steve replied as he reached up and put his hand on her shoulder. He was thankful that she didn’t flinch but he saw her force down her initial inclination to do so. He didn’t like how the women looked and acted...enthusiastic about what Soran had asked of them. And there was several minutes, maybe shorter, maybe longer that he was with Kate in their room. And also with Natalya helping her pick out something he wanted to see her in. Eventually Kate just came out naked and he made her wear the apron. Soran said it made her look…’domestic’. He had vowed to make her his domestic woman and Natalya the woman he had on his arm. Logan had ended that nightmare when he impaled the man’s body that Soran had inhabited. No one knew who the man had been.

“The hard part was seeing how you smiled and looked like you were enjoying his touch. That must be part of his compulsion. To make you believe in how you felt,” he said. He didn’t really understand it himself nor did he really want to remember it. But he knew kate needed to talk about it to get it all out of her head. “He was with Natalya for a long time...do you know what he did to her?” he said. “We couldn’t see from where we were,” Steve said. “When you came out...when you came out, I thought...I thought he had had his way with you,” Steve said. “I wanted to scream, to fight but I couldn’t even lift a finger,” Steve said.

It was going to take time for Kate to get over what was done to her, however, she knew she would. She didn’t want to think about what happened, but she knew she could talk to Steve. She knew he didn’t blame her and would never be ashamed of her for what happened.

“Yes, it seems that it was part of the compulsion. It was like I was trapped in my own body. I didn’t want to be doing what I was doing, but I couldn’t stop myself either.”

She sighed as she thought about Natalya. “I’m afraid this is only going to set her back further. I feel really terrible for her. I don’t know what he did to her, but I don’t think it was good.”

Steve winced and felt a little guilt over feeling relieved that it wasn’t Kate that this Soran had...had assaulted. Though he did assault her, if by a lesser degree. He would have to thank Logan next time he saw the man. Tony glared at Gambit and Gambit glared right back. He would not put up with being treated like this. No matter if it was Serena’s father or not.

“Serena, your mother packed snacks, do you want anything?” he asked. The bag of provisions was on his right while Serena was on his left. “Some tea or a candy bar?” He asked. He really didn’t know what to do. There was little Gambit could do to stop this from happening. He could lose Serena forever. “We should have just gotten married,” He said softly as he fingered her ring. It glittered in the dim light of a flight cabin. “I want to see you in a dress,” Gambit said.

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It took a while for Natalya to stop weeping. And after she was still wracked by the occasional sob. Logan sat on their bed and Natalya was laying with her head on his lap. He stroked her long, dark hair softly. He was very well accustomed to being where he was now. He knew what she needed and just being available to cuddle with or to talk was very important early on. It always was.

He didn’t know what Soran had done to her but he could guess. ‘He died too quickly’ he thought. He wanted him to suffer. He wanted the SSB to suffer. ‘Natalya is MINE!’ He growled. “All of these...these monsters seem to think that you are not yet taken, but ya are. You belong to me. Your body, your heart, your soul is mine, battered as it is. I’m never letting go Natalya...never,” he whispered.

Serena could tell that Gambit was upset over what had happened. He had been fussing over her ever since they had gotten on the jet. She wanted to say she wasn’t hungry, but she decided it would probably make Gambit feel better if she ate something. She nodded and accepted one of the sandwiches. It was ham and cheese but somehow her mother always made everything taste even more delicious.

“I think I’d like to have a real wedding,” she told Gambit softly. “I think it would make my mother happy and that would give you and my father more time to get to know each other.”

Isabella sat next to Tony and she sighed as she watched him glare at Gambit. “What is it exactly about him that you don’t like?”

Gambit looked at Serena and blinked. “I will give you a real wedding,” Gambit said but his words were a bit off as if he was repeating what she asked. “I would like to make your mother happy and to get to know your father better,” he said.

“Well we know where he came from and can you really think that you can take ‘the scoundrel’ out of the man? Who gambles for a living Isabella? Serena needs someone who will challenge her mentally, not drive her crazy emotionally. I see so much more for her...not...not ‘him’, Tony said in a whisper.

Serena looked at Gambit and thought what he said was odd. It wasn't what he said, but more how he said it. "Are you alright?" she asked, starting to become worried. So much had happened recently that she wasn't sure if he was still being affected or not.

Isabella sighed and looked at Tony. "We're not going to change her mind Tony. So either you can find a way to get along with Gambit, or we can lose our daughter. I'd rather not lose her Tony. Please...please just try to get along with him. He clearly loves Serena and I've talked Serena into not eloping, but having a real wedding. Don't you want to be able to walk your daughter down the aisle?"

Gambit just looked at her with a concerned face. Are you alright. echoed strongly in his mind over and over like a shout that filled his ears It compelled him to answer. “Oh no, I'm worrying bout you...Nyx popping out and killing everyone. I’m a little threatened by Peter, your father hates me, I’m frightened about getting married and not being a good husband and the sex not happening so much. When you don’t orgasm during sex, about asking you to do sexual things you haven’t done,” He said and he didn’t look like he was going to stop at any time soon.

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“I can be civil but I won’t lie nor will I lose my daughter because I don’t like her husband. She never gave me a chance to like or dislike him. He was just suddenly there in our lives. Thats BULLSHIT!” He said a bit too loud and he saw Serena’s eyes shift briefly then look back to Gambit.

Serena was rather surprised when Gambit started speaking. He just began rambling on about everything he was concerned about. It just all started pouring out of him and he didn't look like he was going to be stopping any time soon. Everything he said began to concern her..

"Ok, that's enough..." she said, hoping he would stop. There seemed to be something odd about all of this. She suddenly heard her father though and she looked over at him for a moment before looking back at Gambit.

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Isabella was rather startled by Tony's outburst. She sighed and looked away from him. She was clearly very stressed about everything that was happening with Serena. And now she had to worry about whether or not her husband and daughter's fiancee were going to get into another physical altercation.

Gambit stopped talking. Uncertain of what she meant but ceased what he could cease with limited instruction. Peter had been watching the exchange and he had the strong belief that what Serena had was some of the same abilities that Soran had. He leaned forward to speak to her.

“Serena, you might want to think about how you say something before you say it. I don’t mean to pry but I saw what happened,” He said.

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Tony didn’t want to upset Isabella but he wasn’t about to shine her on either. “Maybe you’re willing to let her fuck up her life but I’m not,” He said and then did not say more,” He said.

Serena didn't quite know what was going on, but Gambit didn't seem to be acting like himself. She heard what Peter said about being careful about what she said and she looked at him. "Why?" Then she thought about it. "You think that I inherited some of Soran's abilities?"

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Isabella sighed and shook her head. She was quiet a moment before getting up. "I need some tea."

Gambit reacting to what Isabella just said shifted and dug out the thermos in the bag. He leaned forward in his chair to offer it to her.

“Here you are Isabella,” he said then looked at Tony. “Tony, would you like anything?” He asked with an odd inflection in his voice. He had been asked by Serena and now he was doing what she asked of him.

“Thank you Gambit, Isabella said with a glare at Tony to be civil. Tony narrowed his eyes at her. “No thank you Gambit,” he said looking at Isabella all the while. If Serena looked at Peter he would give her a concerned nod cooberating what he said.

“Being held like that...not being able to do anything. It was horrible,” Peter said. “It has to do with intent maybe. Maybe it’s permanent or maybe it’s temporary. We could experiment with it, you could perhaps learn how it happens,” Peter suggested. If there was time. And maybe getting Nyx out of her head would remove all of that.

Isabella took the thermos from Gambit. She gave him a little smile. "Thank you Gambit," she said. She gave Tony a look to tell him to be civil and, much to her general relief, he was, though he declined any tea. She found a cup and saucer and poured a little in and then handed the thermos back to Gambit. Serena found the whole interaction...odd and she was starting to believe what Peter said might be true. As Serena looked at Peter she was struck by something...strange. Although she couldn't quite put her finger on it. After a while Gambit and her parents were asleep, but Serena knew that Peter wasn't. She left her seat and walked back and sat down next to him. "You and I haven't really had a chance to talk much." She was quiet a moment before looking at him. "Forgive this question, but who are you? You seem to just know a lot and my father has accepted you so quickly. That's not like him at all. The only person he has ever really trusted in his lab was me."

Peter had his laptop out and was working away. Shuri had given him a schematic of their diagnostic scanner and he had spoke to her in length about its capabilities. He was trying to figure out a way to configure the device to be able to remove Nyx’s consciousness and leave Serena’s intact and unharmed. It had something to do with how it mapped her memory engrams, a truly remarkable technological advancement. He was also well aware of the time crunch. If this...Darkness or Night guy or gal is coming, they might not have much time. He smiled brightly when Serena came to sit beside him. She was so beautiful and her hair looked so soft. Just being near her made his heart rate increase and his eyes dilate.

To her question his eyebrows drew up and his spider sense began to tingle. However he felt...compelled to answer. And to also forgive her for asking it. He tried not to speak but her question repeated over and over in his head. He had to answer though something inside of him cried out not to.

“I’m...I’m Peter Parker and I’m...I’m...I’m Spiderman,” he said. Right after he did he clamped his hands over his mouth and his eyes bulged. His cheeks and neck went red as well. And then he sighed and relaxed back into his seat and forgave her for asking the question. After that though he realized what he had done and looked...troubled.

“Mr. Stark told me not to tell you,” Peter said, though he didn’t know why himself. Only Tony knew that.

Serena hadn't really thought about the fact that Peter would feel compelled to answer her. However, by the time she realized it, it was too late. She was curious about what he was going to say though. However, what he actually said was not what she was expecting. He was Spider-Man? She knew who Spider-Man was of course, but looking at Peter she never would have guessed that he was him. She could see that after that revelation came out that he was upset at himself for saying it. She raised an eyebrow slightly when Peter admitted that her father had told him not to tell her. She wondered why that was.

"I swear I won't tell anyone Peter. What you're doing for the city is incredible. Your abilities are amazing. I've seen videos of you."