A New Light

[Gambit]

“Merci, Monsieur Guthrie,” the priest replied before leading Anna a few steps away with only the barest brush of his fingertips against her elbow. He was in the business of confidence, so it was perfectly understandable that whatever conversation they had to finish should be completed so.

Somehow he doubted the ruthless soldier they left behind them would see it that way. Remy could see through an act when met with one, but he also doubted that he could say the same about Anna. This worried him more than anything she thought she felt for him.

Perhaps it was not too late. He had said nothing as of yet, so it was possible she could be convinced that she was mistaken in believing he had deciphered her words to discover her intentions toward him. Perhaps if he spoke not of it she would doubt his perceptiveness.

“Anna,” he said, keeping his voice low so he would not be overheard. Tipping his head down slightly, he made sure she met his eyes before continuing, his own speaking volumes about his concern. “Y’r decision t’wards y’r new-found control is well t’ought out an’ admirable. Don’ let no one sway it. Don’ let fear or confusion guide y’r choices. Be careful who y’ trust. Some people ain’ all dat dey appear t’ be.”

[Rogue]

Anna obediently followed him, dreading the conversation at hand. Sam would, undoubtedly, hear what was to be said. Unless he was actually respectful of the priest’s request and kept his snooping ears to himself. Actually, she had been wondering, since he’d made his presence known, just how much of their previous talk he’d nosed into. The pompous ass, she glowered.

Her nerves were terrible as the man brought her off to the side. It was not the fear of Sam’s wrath, but the dread of the Father’s rejection.

Thankfully, he did not speak of her affections. He did not even touch on the subject, as if he hadn’t heard her or even noticed. Oh. Mah. Gawd. Anna almost laughed to herself through his entire spiel. Amazing, how such a situation could turn around so fast. And how some people could be so ignorant. What an idiot.

Turning a deaf ear to most of his words, although she managed to pick up the gist: Stay safe. Have trust issues. Everyone’s out t’ get ya. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever, she’d heard it all before. Anna was simply relieved to find that the Father was so sheltered that her comments had shot over his head. She hadn’t messed it up. She’d have to be more careful… Or make damn sure she had his full, ahem, masculine attention before she tried asking again.

Her mind was still elsewhere as he finished, looking expectantly for an answer, “Mmmhmm.”

Now, how in th’ Hell do ya seduce a Priest?

[Sam Guthrie]

In a surprising move, Sam took several steps away from the conversing duo, opting to look over his list of appointments and his to do list. He continued to move away, resisting the urge to do something....drastic.

If he wanted to complete his objective, he'd have to fight his own nature. Well for the most part, he was still fuming at the Priest's sheer nerve, perhaps an unexpected SHIELD raid would be in his future.

"And I have McKay's media circus to attend this evening...." He mumbled to himself. Of course he would enjoy every minute of it, but it was an inconvenience all the same, and speaking aloud was more so to complete the illusion.

His pace took him a comfortable pace away from the conversation, and he sat down in the grass.

He could be patient.

[Gambit]

At Anna’s distracted reply, Father LeBeau let out a sigh, a look of sadness sweeping over his features momentarily. He had already lost her. There was little more he could do to convince her of the seriousness of her situation. It was time to step back and trust her to make her own decisions.

She no longer looked uncomfortable or hurt, but the distance there was just as bad. Was this how it would be from now on? Would her visits grow less frequent? The thought bothered him more than it should, but he knew it was probably for the best. For him at least.

“Very well,” he finally said with resignation. “T’ank y’ fo’ de walk.”

Bowing his head slightly in her direction, he turned toward where her commander now sat. “Apologies fo’ de wait. Now if y’ll both excuse me,” he said, another nod of his head signalling his intent of departure before he turned and took his leave.

[Sam Guthrie]

"No apologies are needed...." Samuel said, rising to his feet, "Thank you for allowing me to steal her away..."

He smiled, keeping his eyes on the departing priest. He would be dealt with later. Now he had other matters to handle.

"I'd understand if you weren't up to it Anna," Samuel stated, not entirely being honest, "You have had quite a day...it'd be fine if you declined my offer..."

No it would not, but Samuel had planned for her to play hard to get, so it made no difference to him anyways. She would be his.

[Rogue]

If Father LeBeau thought this ordeal was over, he was very mistaken. She was going to have to be sneaky about it, but now that she had her powers under control wearing lingerie that peaked over the neck of her shirts would be much easier. Anna was actually attainable, which meant she needed to make him want to touch what used to be denied all men.

“No… thank you,” she smirked under her breath as he turned and walked away.

What uh beautiful man… Green eyes fell down the man’s back and then settled discretely on a rather attractive part of his anatomy. Such a waste of DNA, making him a priest.

Anna frowned; he had to have a reason. It was highly unlikely that he just woke up one morning and said, ‘I think I’ll devote my life to the Church today.’ Doubt it.

As she wandered back to Samuel’s side, Anna made a mental note that she would need to get new clothes before she went back to confessionals. She was a determined woman, and unlike men such as Sam, she would get her way by sneaking through the back door. Without a doubt, she’d catch his eye.

“Nah,” she replied simply as she drew nearer. “Ah’m fahne.”

Anna knew she couldn’t really decline.

“Thanks for bein’ so patient. You’re sweet.”

[Sam Guthrie]

"Don't mention it..." Samuel replied, "And thank you."

He smiled, casually flicked an insect of his hand, then added, "I'm not sure what to think of all this attention towards Father Lebeau..."

"In fact....it makes me a little bit jealous" Samuel said, shaking his head, "Not that I have any illusions on where we stand as two people, as of now we're just compatriots, two people working towards a common goal."

A little truth never hurt anyone. Especially when one was lying. Of course, he hadn't exactly been secretive of his feelings toward her either.

"Excuse me, I think I'm being a bit forward..." Samuel apologized, "It's your decision who to give your favor to, not anyone else's..."

He looked sorry, he truly did.

[Rogue]

Temptation to touch Sam’s forehead and find out if he had a fever was too great, as Anna stood, dumbfounded by his words. As such, she tried to mask her disbelief with a pleasant smile. Forward was an understatement, and with all the sugar-coating, she wasn’t exactly sure what she was supposed to say in return.

Instead, she simply nodded.

Yes, it was her decision, that’s for sure.

Took him a while to come to that conclusion.

“Shall we walk?” Anna thought it best to just glaze over his speech and move on to a different topic.

[Sam Guthrie]

Curses, that was not at all the reaction he had hoped for.

This woman's rejection of him was simply maddening! He was sure that the priest had said something to Anna, some little quip or phrase that had completely repelled her from him. It couldn't have been his own doing, no woman said "no" to Commander Samuel Guthrie!

"Surely." Samuel answered, hiding his frustration behind a "kind" smile, "Shall we?"

Then Samuel dropped the bomb.

"What exactly do you talk with him about?" He asked, "I've never been to confession before, how does it work?"

[Logan]

Church.

Of all places the Commander had to go and press himself where he shouldn’t have...it had to be church. Weapon X listened unseen in the shadows as the priest made his exit. Something smelled funny about that one. Maybe he just didn’t like priests.

But his focus was on Guthrie, who was doing precisely what Magneto had said he would be. He was distracted, and as he continued pressing toward what seemed like the inevitable, Weapon X waited immobile.

Waited and listened.

No sooner had Commander Guthrie uttered his last question when Weapon X appeared suddenly behind him with no more sound than a ruffle of cloth. The blade of one claw was propped against the soft flesh of his neck, the other dug into his crotch slightly.

His breath was hot on the Commander’s neck, and his voice was a raspy whisper.

“Our lord would appreciate it if you kept yer focus where he commanded it,” he said. The understated words carried ample threat, and his eyes flicked only momentarily to the girl.

[Sam Guthrie]

Samuel's eyes went wide with terror.

Weapon X. Magneto's hand.

He had been distracted, and surely his lord was very displeased with his actions if he had sent Weapon X as a warning.

How could he have been so distracted? So foolish? His lord had little patience for such things, and Samuel had brought his master's wrath down upon him.

"A-As my lord commands....shall it be done..." Samuel managed to gasp, swallowing down a fearful groan.

[Logan]

Weapon X held his position another moment, and then with a snap his claws pulled back into his arms. Sniffing the air, he smelled the stink of fear, and rightfully so. If Magneto had ordered it he would already be dead.

The cloak ruffled again as he pulled his arms away and turned to leave. He didn't even acknowledge Sam or the girl as he walked down the aisle toward the rear exit. The light spilling in through the front door turned him into a dark shadow as he pushed his way out and left the two of them in the church.

[Rogue]

Anna was about to explain the concept of confession in a generic, still-converting, sort of way when a frightful looking figure slipped around behind her commander. She recognized him only as a soldier, harsh eyes, thin mouth, and a death-like expression that came with servitude to Magneto. They were all tools, and consequently, without them the ‘government’ would fall apart. Hence the sudden and not-so-pleasant visitation of Weapon X. Apparently, Samuel was distracted.

She hid a bitter expression. An’ ah was jus’ getting’ thru t’ him, too.

Then, he left and Anna felt a long held breath escape her lungs.

Turning to Samuel, she tried to speak comfortingly, “That’s not rahght. Ah know he’s Magneto’s help and all, but why’d he have t’ threaten ya lahke that?”

She was born and raised with manners, Ain’t no harm in askin’ nahcely.

[Sam Guthrie]

"I....had it coming, surely His Excellency wouldn't order such a warning without reason..." Samuel said, still obviously shaken up, "I've been foolish, allowing my trivial personal nonsense to distract me from his service..."

"My ambition should be only to serve his will, my life is his to use as he sees fit. My personal goal must be to maintain his favor through victory and strength. "

He took several deep breaths, he had to regain his composure. And was that a tear beginning to well up in his eye? He really did want nothing more than Magneto's approval, do much so that it often clashed with his own....elevated sense of self.

These little lapses in confidence only reminded him of his childhood. Samuel was no longer Lil' Sammy, the boy with the black eyes and bruised arms. He wouldn't let himself fall that far ever again.

"I am the Commander of SHIELD, my obligation is to serve him, not my own ends...." He stated, his face freezing up, "I must...have the strength...to put myself last."

[Rogue]

Anna froze, her mouth daring to fall agape in stunned silence at the spectacle before her. He was falling to pieces over this. No doubt, the big-scary-man had set her on edge too, but to have been the subject of that threat, she could only imagine. Poor Sam, she knew he’d been through a lot, with the position he held and all. Yet, what worried her most was the overwhelming sense of terror that flooded his eyes. Literally.

“Sam,” she said reassuringly, in her most calming voice.

After all, she’d be damned if she’d let protocol keep her motherly instincts at bay, he seemed even more human now than ever. Inwardly, Anna noted that it was probably a side of him nobody had ever seen before.

“It’s alrahght, Sam.” She continued, her voice smooth, trying to get him into a state of mind where he would stop rambling and catch his breath.

He’s so programmed.

With a sigh, she stepped closer to him, unsure of what to do. If Weapon X had thought that Samuel was distracted from his tasks by his pursue of her, the best action would most likely not be to touch him. But then, if he needed a reassuring hand… She’d let him decide for her. The Samuel she knew was bold enough to make his own moves.

“Ah undahstand, we all know that’s the way of things, but ya can take a moment for yourself, sugah. You’ve been out here fahve minutes.”

“We ain’t robots, an’ you’ll go crazy in there workin’ yourself to death.”