Chapter 8

Hellfire Club

New York City

"So you're sure she's here, Logan?" Scott asked.

"She should be. I'm also pickin' up Juggernaut's scent -- he must've brought Jeannie here after our scrap. When it comes to trackin' someone, I'm the best at what I do, Slim," Logan answered.

"Yeah, yeah, I know your catchprase," Scott said back. "Still, good work."

"You sure you can't sense her?" Logan asked.

"No. I don't know how or why, but my link with Jean has been completely severed," Scott said.

The whole situation was unsettling. The X-Men had been expecting heavy resistance inside the Hellfire Club building, but there was nothing there. No mercenaries, no members of the Inner Circle. This had to be a trap.

Emma Frost strolled into the Hellfire Club's Grand Hall, alone.

"The X-Men. I knew you'd drop in for a visit eventually," she said. "I must apologize for the lack of hospitality. The Hellfire Club is going through something of an overhaul."

"We don't care, Frost," Scott said dismissively. "What have you done with Jean?"

"Rest assured, Miss Grey is fine," Emma answered. "I have no malicious intent towards her. Or any of you, for that matter. In fact, I'd very much like to talk to you."

"What's your angle, Frost? If you've hurt Jeannie in any way..." Logan growled, unsheathing his claws.

"Easy, Logan. I told you, Jean's fine. In fact, she's happier than she's ever been," Emma said with a wicked grin.

"What the hell do you mean by that?"

Emma motioned for Jean to enter the Grand Hall. "Ask her yourself. Jean, my love, you have guests."

The X-Men couldn't believe their eyes when they saw Jean for themselves. Her red hair done up, wearing all black outfit consisting of knee-high boots and a corset, nearly identical to Emma's all-white outfit. She smiled widely upon seeing her old friends.

"It's good to see all of you!" Jean exclaimed. "It's been too long. I take it you're here for our wedding?"

"Wedding? What are you talking about, Jean?" Scott asked.

"My wedding to Emma! Surely that's what you're here for?"

"You two aren't engaged!" Scott attempted to explain. "You're an X-Man, Jean! Emma, what have you done to her?"

"What do you mean, Scott, Emma hasn't done anything..."

Emma sighed. "Oh, no, I was afraid of this... the rest of the Inner Circle must have gotten to them. They've altered your friends' memories, Jean!"

"That's bullshit, Jeannie!" barked Logan. "You're an X-Man! Snap out of it!"

"Don't worry, love, I'll put things right. I'll bring them around."

"You won't get the chance," Logan growled, charging at Emma.

"Stop!" Jean cried, throwing herself between her old friend and her future bride, stopping Logan in his tracks. "I won't let you hurt her..."

"Rrrrrrrgggghhh... Dammit, Red..."

"I know it's hard to believe, X-Men, but you've been manipulated. Please, let me help," Emma pleaded.

Emma suddenly felt a voice in her head; it was Charles Xavier, his powers amplified by Cerebro. In most cases, Xavier's powers on their own were enough to overpower Emma's. With Xavier using Cerebro, Emma normally wouldn't stand a chance. But she'd expected this confrontation, and she was prepared for it...

"Emma Frost! Release your hold on Jean at once!" said Xavier.

"I'm sorry, Charles, but you know I can't allow that. But I can guarantee that the Hellfire Club will not be your enemies in the future."

"Think of the consequences of what you're doing--"

"I already have. I'm sorry Charles, but I've no intention of continuing this conversation. Jean, my darling, if you don't mind, I could use your help..."

"Of course, love," Jean said, using her psychic link to Emma to amplify her telepathic powers to cosmic levels.

The X-Men all saw a bright flash which consumed the room. When they came to, they saw Emma Frost, White Queen of the Hellfire Club, and her fiancee, Jean Grey, the Club's Black Queen; both women were trusted allies and friends to the X-Men.

"I... the Hellfire Club? What are we doing here?" Scott asked.

"Cyclops! I'm glad you and your team are OK," Emma exclaimed.

"Emma? What happened here?" Scott asked, still somewhat dazed.

"We'd invited you to discuss the alliance between the X-Men and the Hellfire Club, and how we could use our ties to help mutantkind," Emma explained. "We were attacked by Sentinels. Your team defeated them, but one activated a self-destruct sequence... thankfully, it only knocked you out." the havoc Juggernaut had wreaked in the room made Emma's story seem that much more believable.

"That... that's right," Scott said, the memories Emma had planted in his head taking hold. "Are you and Jean OK?"

Emma gave a reassuring smile. "We're fine, thanks to you and the rest of the X-Men. Rest assured, the Xavier Institute will be getting a very generous donation from Frost Industries soon."

"I'm glad we could help," Scott said as he and the rest of the X-Men slowly got to their feet. "Let us know if you need anything else."

"We will," Emma said pleasantly. "And please, give Charles my regards."

"That was quite the display," Selene told Emma. "Charles Xavier is the most powerful telepath in the world. The Phoenix **** is truly something to be reckoned with."

Emma nodded. "You see, Selene? Subtlety and cunning are far more effective -- and exciting -- to use than **** to get what you want."

"So I see," Selene agreed. "I must say, I enjoy your hedonistic lifestyle more and more with each passing moment."

"And we're only getting started. You know, Jean's taking a shower right now. Care to indulge in a little more hedonism with her?"