Chapter 19

December 31st, 2011
Tangier's Ballroom
10:21 p.m.

"Well if it isn't our very own little X-Man," Jim smiled as Sara joined them.

"Bite me Solider," Sara countered with a smirk.

"That's General, Little Lady," Jim countered with a smile.

"What is it with the army being so commanding, especially of us mutants," she sighed as she twirled the left lock of pure white hair that framed her face around one finger as she cocked her head to look at Jim in his army uniform.

"It's such fun to tell you mutants what to do of course," Jim countered as he looked at her. "By the way, hadn't told you Cookie, love the outfit," he continued as she laid her free hand on her hip and propped a rather suggestive pose.

"Glad you like," she smirked. She was dressed simply enough in black jeans, and a white shirt that looked reminiscent of the hippie days, and elbow length white gloves. Add to that a navy blue cotton jacket that had a patch on the right shoulder of a sky blue X within a circle, the X-Men symbol, which she kept unzipped. Completing her transition to the infamous Rogue, her hair was back to it's dark brown instead of the natural dirty blonde she'd let it become, and two sections of her hair, one on each side of her face, were pure white, and she had a new earring in the cartilage of her left ear, and a set of dog tags around her neck. "But I think you keep this up and the pirate may kill you."

"I keep it up, and your pirate won't get me until after the Renaissance Queen gets done with me," he countered

"You and me both," Sara agreed as she glanced across the room to where Katrina was basically holding court with what appeared to be a power ranger, a witch, a sorcerer, and a belly dancer. She could hardly believe it had been four months since the events that had nearly destroyed them all once more. Since they almost lost Nick...

He had been in the hospital a couple of days, when he was released, though she still had to wonder why they didn't keep him longer, but the doctors had claimed they had done all they could...he had been on paid leave until October. He'd spent the majority of the time at the house with Liz and Nicole, a few weeks in Texas visiting family, and introducing his family to Liz and Nicole. He'd been back for two months now, and while still having issues with small spaces, and the dark, he was doing fairly well all things considered...

The biggest surprise in the whole mess had been the who and the why. It turned out what Liz had suspected was right, though none of them actually heard her suspicion until a few hours after Nick was admitted to the hospital that morning. The mastermind behind the whole thing was his ex, Rebecca. She'd been determined that if she couldn't have Nick, then no one, especially Liz, would. And she'd got her brother involved in it. He had been the man who'd nearly cost them Warrick as well...

Rebecca was in prison now, serving a life sentence. Her scarf in the evidence bag, the scarf she'd worn at Nick's sister's funeral, one of the most damning pieces of evidence against her. There had been a brief discussion of whether or not she belonged in an institute, before she was deemed sane and fit for trial, and subsequently put in high security prison. A fitting end really.

"Company's coming," Jim spoke catching her attention. Turning her attention she saw the Lab's version of Captain Jack Sparrow making his way over towards the two of them, having left the only other mutant in the room, they assumed it was Greg under the blue paint and tail.

"So any clue yet as to why Pete came up with the idea of a Masquerade ball to celebrate the New Year?" Jim asked curious.

"Beats the bloody hell out of me," 'Jack' answered as he joined them. "Hello gorgeous," he continued to Sara.

"Hey Sugah," she drawled with a smile. "You haven't seen a big guy with claws running around have you?"

"'fraid not, will a rum addicted pirate do?" he asked with a smirk.

"Hmm, for now," she shrugged.

"Well, I'll leave you two love birds alone and go see if I can charm Queen Elizabeth over there," Jim smirked as he raised a hand to the place where his hat and mask met.

"Any sign of our girl yet?" Sara asked as she looked up at her husband.

"None yet, nor Nick. Well, I'm assuming they aren't here, considering half this group we can't tell apart until we hear their voices..." Warrick shrugged as he slipped a hand around her waist.

"Pretty risky there sugah, dangerous skin and all," she teased slightly.

"I'll take the risk," Warrick winked. "So, all we know is that Pete decided to throw this ball for the holiday, no one can come in the same outfit as their significant other or something that would obviously identify them, and masks stay on until midnight. Anyone else think there is something else going on here?"

"Leaves one wondering, but I'm not going to stress over it," Sara shrugged. "Oh look, the Phantom just arrived...definitely not Bertie this time though," she mused as Warrick followed her line of sight to see a figure coming down the staircase dressed in a black tail coat with a silver vest and ascot tie over a white shirt. A black cape with silver lining tied at his throat and the sides flipped back over his shoulder. He wore black gloves and a white mask that covered most of his face, only his mouth visible under the mask.

"Definitely not," Warrick agreed as 'The Phantom' made his way over to where 'Nightcrawler' was with who they assumed was Pete dressed as a king.

"Well, I need a drink, want to come, Sugah?" Sara asked looking up at him.

"Sounds fantastic, Love," Warrick smiled as he moved to take her hand and they walked towards the refreshment table.

"Hey it's Cinderella! When did she get a twin?" Nightcrawler called and Sara glanced over to see what he was looking at.

"Beats me, but she did," she grinned having a bit of a feeling about who they might be, she continued to Warrick.

Greg's comment had gotten more than just Sara's attention. Everyone gathered in the room turned to see who had created the stir, only to see two women entering the room. The first was dressed in a light silver strapless organza ball gown with a rhinestone and sequin bodice. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head with a one and half inch high rhinestone Paris hearts tiara. She had on a thin rhinestone bracelet over the top of elbow length silver gloves. A silver mask covering the top of her face.

The second woman, who was only a few feet behind the first, was dressed in a white satin off the shoulder sleeveless ball gown that had lace appliqués around the bottom of the skirt. The dress had a Basque waistline, a floor length hemline and a cathedral train. Her blonde hair was pulled up in French twist, a few tendrils falling in curls to frame her face under a three inch fine heart multi stone rhinestone tiara. She wore a pair of rhinestone duster earrings that brushed her shoulders, a rhinestone choker that was half an inch in width and a rhinestone bracelet that was one and a quarter inches wide over white satin gloves that extended up just past her elbows. On her feet you could see a pair of white satin pumps as she lifted her skirt just enough to walk down the stairs leading into the ballroom. She wore a mask much like the woman in front of her, except hers was white to match her dress.

Shortly after she'd arrived, Cinderella as Greg had deemed her had been whisked out onto the dance floor by the person dressed as the King.

"Well, Pete got one Cinderella, I'm after the other," Sara smirked as she took off towards the Cinderella in silver where she was mingling with the belly dancer who'd been with Katrina earlier, a.k.a. Catherine if Sara recognized that figure right; and Einstein. She didn't know if she'd get used to Griss having that particular hairstyle...

"How you managing Princess?" asked Pete when he noticed the concern in Liz's eyes through her mask as they danced. "A little worried actually," admitted Liz quietly. "I'm not so sure this was such a good idea."

"This afternoon or the ball?" wondered Pete curiously.

"I wouldn't change this afternoon for the world Pete. It's this," sighed Liz. "I'm just afraid that everyone's going to be really upset with us for fooling them like this."

"Liz don't worry so much. I promise you no one's going to be angry with you. If anything they'll be beyond thrilled for you, especially after they see how happy this has made the two of you," reassured Pete.

Liz nodded, still uncertain in her head and her heart that this had truly been the right thing to do as she let Pete continue to lead her around the dance floor.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?" called Pete as he stepped out into the middle of the dance floor, spotlights being trained on him. "I would like to thank you all for coming tonight to our masquerade ball. I'm sure many of you are wondering why you are here but never fear all will be revealed shortly. As I'm sure you are all aware, midnight is not that far off when more than just our identities will be revealed. But first I would like to present you with a special treat. I'm sure you've all seen a princess walking amongst you; well I would like to invite our princess to share a dance with the prince of her choosing so if I could have all you men out there form a circle around the center of the ballroom." After all the men formed the requested circle, Pete held his hand out for Liz to take and escorted her into the centre of the circle. "My lady, pick your prince," he instructed before stepping back.

Liz walked around giving the guys a cursory look over before walking over to where The Phantom was standing; taking his hand she led him into the centre of the ballroom as the others all fell back once more. As The Phantom took his Princess in his arms, the opening refrains of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Waltz started playing through the room, surprising those watching as the pair started a classical waltz, completely in time with each other and the music.

"When did that girl learn to waltz?" Nightcrawler asked taking a double take.

"Do you even know who 'that girl' is?" Sara asked glancing over at Greg with a smirk.

"Well no, but does anyone we work with know how to waltz?" he countered

"Obviously the answer to that is yes. Besides, Rick knows how," Sara pointed out. "Even I learned a small bit as a child, though Jewish dances are more my thing...so chill and enjoy the show Kurt."

"Nien," Greg grumbled before she smacked the back of his head.

"Don't make me find Wolverine and sic him on you," she warned with a wink.

"Yes ma'am," he answered before moving his head to the music and everyone continued to watch the couple dance.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, get ready to take your masks off and kiss your sweetheart cause midnight is in 10...9..." Pete began as the couple continued dancing

"5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year!" everyone exclaimed a few moments later before doing as instructed, and choruses of Auld Lang Sane echoed through the room.

When the singing died off, Nick broke his kiss with Liz, pulling back slightly and sticking one hand into his cape. "I believe this belongs to you." he said as he affixed Liz's veil to the back of her tiara, where it had been prior to the masquerade ball.

"Why thank you Mr. Stokes," replied Liz with smile

"You're quite welcome, Mrs. Stokes," Nick said returning Liz's smile and kissing her lightly once more.

"She's the Princess Bride!" Greg exclaimed. "Where's the six-fingered man?"

"Greg, shut it," Sara ordered as she elbowed him in the stomach. Marching towards them, she waited for them to break apart once more.

"Sara's standing next to us, isn't she?" asked Liz.

"Yep." replied Nick.

"Hey Sara," greeted Liz innocently as she turned to look at her friend, Nick stepping behind her, his arms around her waist.

Sara looked at them, hands on her hips before shaking her head. "You two are so..." she began. "...determined to give me a heart attack aren't you!" she continued with a grin before launching at them. "Congratulations!" she squealed as she hugged Liz.

"Sara? Are you okay?" asked Liz as she hugged Sara back, not quite certain what to make of her friend's reaction, especially since it wasn't the one she'd been expecting.

"Okay? My best friend's married. I'm assuming you're married, I'm beyond okay, I'm ecstatic!" Sara grinned.

"We are," admitted Liz. "You're not mad? I mean you have every right to be mad Sara. I mean we kept you in the dark on this."

"Girl, I'd be mad if you ran away for three years then told me. But this? Hell no, I'm happy as a clam," Sara giggled.

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Good," sighed Liz as she removed her gloves. "God I'm glad to get those things off. Be right back," she said as she walked off. "The Princess Bride Greg?" she asked smacking him on the back of his head before turning and making her way back over to where Nick and Sara were still standing.

"God, that was good," Warrick grinned as he joined them. "It's great seeing that boy get beat up, isn't it?"

"Yup," Sara grinned.

"Congratulations you two," he continued to them. "So details would be a good thing," he added with a smile.

"Can we possibly find a table? My feet are killing me," commented Liz as she stopped next to Nick, taking his hand.

"Sounds lovely," Sara grinned

"Come on," Nick said leading them all over to a table hidden away in a corner of the room, pulling Liz's chair out for her before sitting down next to her and taking her hand once more.

"So, what exactly do you want to know?" asked Liz once Sara and Warrick were seated. "Love the costume by the way Rick."

"Thank you darlin'," Warrick smiled. "And we want details. When, how, where, you know those little important things that Sara will drive me nuts not knowing if you don't tell us."

"Sadly that's true," Sara smiled.

"Well, when was about six hours ago. Where, the bridge at the Venetian. I think you know the how," replied Liz.

"And there are pictures, yes?" Sara asked.

"Of course." replied Nick. "We'll get them in the next few days."

"You're sure you're not mad that we didn't tell you? That we just kind of sprung it on everyone here, you included?" wondered Liz

"Do I have to reach across the table and try to zap you with non-existent mutant skin there, Girl?" Sara asked rolling her eyes. "Beth, honey, I've got my best friend who's now married to one of my surrogate brothers. They gave me a gorgeous goddaughter, who I got to see born, and get to spoil rotten whenever I want. I found out about the wedding within twenty-four hours, and in the most romantic way possible. I'm so not mad that most people might declare me ready for the nut house but I don't give a damn. Okay?" she asked smiling at the end.

"Okay," laughed Liz. "That was my biggest worry. Almost made me not come in here tonight. If it wasn't for Nick and Calleigh I probably would have bolted. I can't believe I let Pete talk us into this." she said shaking her head.

"Hmm, Pete is an evil man. But that's okay" Sara laughed.

"That he is. It's all his fault," agreed Liz.

"Definitely Pete's fault," commented Nick

"Oh well, revenge is mine tomorrow," Sara shrugged.

"Well, you'll have to tell us all about it when we get back." replied Nick.

"Honeymoon? Where?" Sara demanded

"We're spending a few days in Dallas with my folks before heading off to Venice for ten days," offered Nick. "My folks were quite taken with Liz when they first met her despite the circumstances surrounding that first meeting."

"Oh, how sweet," Sara sighed. "Hormones, emotional wreak. Lovely thing," she continued as she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.

"I think that's the cue to get her home," Warrick smiled. "Are you talking the bumblebee with you guys?"

"We're taking her with us to Dallas and then she's going to spend some time with her grandparents while we're in Italy." explained Liz. Our flights go out of Dallas so that we can collect her on our way home."

"That sounds great," Sara smiled.

Less than an hour later, Liz and Nick were leaving the ball, heading up to the suite Sam had given them. Watching them leave Sara leaned back against Warrick. "I think they're happy."

"Me too," Warrick smiled as he twisted the lock of white hair around his finger. "You know, I kinda like these."

"Me too. Thinking of keeping them for a while," Sara smiled. "You wouldn't have left me you know."

"I know," he smiled back. "If it had been me, I'd have realized it."

"Good to hear," she grinned up at him. "Love you Warrick Brown."

"Love you forever Sararita Brown."