I hope this really is part 6...last time I got messed up!

Okay, I know it's been a while, but I had a nasty case of writer's block
and lack of time!  Please forgive me!!

DISCLAIMER:  Marvel owns 'em, I just love 'em and occasionally write
about them!  

Cold Relations-Part 6

"I don't think he really cares about *anything* anymore!  All he wants
to do is get his revenge on Mizz Frost and then kill them both!  He
won't even talk to me anymore!"

Tarot looked at the blond man she'd been talking to.  He seemed to be
quite distant, not at all paying attention to her.  She recognized to
look on his face, "My God, you're just like him.  I can't believe I
helped you...both of you are crazy!" 

She turned and left; his ominous laughter following her from the room.

* * * * * * * * 

Emma screamed.  She'd later realize that it was the only time in her
life she remembered doing so, but she was half asleep.  Not to mention
it hurt like Hell.  

Her arm was in flames when she awoke.  Actually, Bobby's jacket she wore
was in flames, her arm just happened to be *in* the jacket.  

She was vaguely aware of Bobby yelling for her to hold still.  She heard
him curse as she did exactly the opposite.

Bobby saw the flames making their way up Emma's arm and panicked.  Any
anger he still felt toward her was gone; replaced by his fear for her
life.  

She was too scared (though she'd never admit it later) to listen to his
commands.  And her arm woiuldn't last long, especially the way the
flames were spreading.

Emma was aware of the fact that her arm suddenly became very cold and
she could only stare at her ice-covered limb, not fully comprehending
what was happening.  After a moment she regained her wits and looked
toward Bobby.

He stood leaning against the wall, his breathing deep and ragged, his
face wet with perspiration.  He was looking back at her with only the
utmost concern in his expression, "Are you okay?"

She looked back at her arm, the ice already melting.  It hurt, and the
skin was badly burned, at least by the look and feel of it.  He'd saved
her life.  She could have burned to death.  She stared at him.

"Emma?"

Her eyes jerked up to meet his, "What?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine...I think."

Bobby picked up the lamp that had been the cause of Emma's mishap, "Why
do I get the feeling this didn't just fall off of the table and roll all
the way across the room and through the bars by itself?" Bobby inquired
to no one in particular.

He glanced over to see Emma looking at her arm.  Dropping the lamp, he
moved closer to look at it.  She winced silently as he touched it,
gently pulling what was left of the burned jacket, now wet from the
melted ice, away from her skin.  It was red, and badly blistered, but
nothing permanent.

Emma felt her head start to throb.  She closed her eyes against the
pain, but it persisted.  Even her psi-powers didn't lessen the agony
that now knifed through her brain.  She cursed the dampening of her
abilities as she lowered herself to the floor.  She pulled her knees up
to her chest and rested her head on them.

Bobby debated what to do.  She was in pain, that much was obvious; but
was it worth another argument to try and help her?  He knelt down next
to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "What is it?"

She looked up at him.  If she hadn't been in such pain, the look would
have been sarcastic, "Someone kidnaps me, locks me up, torches me and
I've got a killer migraine...and you wanna know what's wrong?"

She laughed weakly.

"Okay, stupid question.  Is there anthing I can do to help?"

She shook her head, "Unless you'd like to put me out of my misery?"

Bobby sat down, "'Fraid not."

He put his arm around her shoulder.

Emma looked at him coldly, "Stop treating me like a little girl, Drake! 
I can take care of myself!"

She tried to jerk away from him, but he held on tightly, "Maybe so, but
we're in this together, whether you like it or not, and I don't wanna
listen to you moan all night while I try to sleep."

"That doesn't mean you have to play mommy to me.  Just let me suffer in
peace!"

She looked up when he didn't reply and his arm loosened around her, "Is
that really what you want me to do?" he asked quietly.

She'd hurt him, this time she was sure of it.  His eyes reflected the
rejection and pain he felt.

"No," she replied in a near whisper.  "It's just easier for me to shove
people away than to let them care about me.  If there's one thing I've
learned in my life, it's not to trust anyone but myself."

He moved closer and his arm was around her waist now, "Maybe you should
revise that theory."

"Easier said than done.  There've been a lot of times in my life that I
would have died without that 'theory'."

"And I can respect that...but sometimes you have to let people show you
that you *can* trust them."

She was silent, but it was enough for him that she leaned back against
him and closed her eyes.

* * * * * *

"Which of you did it?"

Both men looked up at Marie-Ange, obviously confused.

"You've gone too far!  If you don't let them go, I will."

"My dear girl, what *are* you talking about?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about...one of you threw the lamp at
Mizz Frost while she slept!  She could have died!"

"She has the temper to match her hair," the younger man said as she
crumpled to the floor.  He layed the bottle back on the table.

"That she does.  What will you do with her?"

The other man shrugged, "Lock her in her room until it's over."

The blond man nodded and turned to go.

"You didn't do it, did you?"

"Did you?" he turned back.

"No."

"Nor did I.  But we will find who did, you may be sure of that."

He was gone.  The young man ran his hands through his dark hair before
picking Marie-Ange up and heading for her room.

* * * * * * 

Is it as bad as I think it is?  Honesty is the best policy!  Of course,
if it is, that means I'll have to either re-write it or give up!  I
finally get motivated and *I* think it stinks!  But, hey, it's there,
right?  Anyway, feedback is welcomed and appreciated!  Sorry it's so
short and icky! *smack* Amy hit me 'cuz I said it was bad!  I think
she's just humoring me!:) Anyway, better send this before I decide to
burn the disk!

~Montage~