"They've been treating me like a child... Forcing me to live at home, go by their rules... Never letting me do what I want to do. Hell, even my job as a swimming teacher was handed to me. They're all been holding me back.. But not you." She cupped the side of his face, "You always pushed me, always encouraged me to do more. How happy you looked when I showed you my improvements." She blushed lightly. "All I need is you."

"Perfect" Sinister took her hand and lead her out of the room, "We have so much to do" his eyes flashed red with glee.

"Scott, we've been out here for over 12 hours. If we don't turn back, we won't have enough fuel to get home..."

Scott hands were in fists, he was worried out of his mind but on the outside was cold and calm. Well, as calm as a older brother could be.

"Emma, are you picking anything up at all? You must be able to pick SOMETHING up."

Emma turned to Scott seriously, "Honey, the only thing I'm picking up is your wild hopes that she's still here." she walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, "She isn't in the ocean, she isn't in the air and she isn't on any nearby land. She's gone, and we're done here."

Scott paused, "We'll regroup in Genosha... Go from there. Shadow Cat, take over the wheel." Scott got up and entered the back compartment where he kicked and punched the wall. "I should have stopped her. I should have... I can't lose you too."

Kitty took the controls while Emma followed Scott into the back, "Scott, darling" she cooed in his ear, "There's nothing you could have done. She was determined to get away on her own-you know how she can get"

He moved away from her "I know excalty how she can get... Always trying to take care of everything herself. She'd put the world on her shoulders if she could... Damn, how the hell did we not think of the air ducts?!"

"Scott" Emma snapped, forcefully taking his hand, "You need to stop this" she looked him straight in the eye, "You're freaking out and you're blaming yourself and none of it is going to help. We need to find out what she was doing in Japan-what's so special about this girl she brought back for us and that should give us our answers as to how to find her. Stop attacking yourself and put your feelings for Ciara aside, because if you don't do that now-if you don't start thinking clearly now, then you may as well say goodbye her instead."

Scott paused, then relaxed his shoulders a bit, "You're right. You always seem to be." He put his hand on her shoulder, "Thank you Emma."
--

Ciara lay on her side as two of the boys held her in place. Needles. Why did it have to be needles? She'd agreed to be a part of his gang but they still had to restrain her for these sort of tests. "Nate. I changed my mind I don't-" She bit her lip and tensed, whimpering softly. As the day went on, Ciara started to notice the little gems on the fellowas bodies. One had it on their hand, another behind their ear hidden mostly by their hair.

"Why does everyone seem to have gems on them?" She asked, trying not to think of the feeling of Nate taking Spinal fluid from her back.

"It makes it easier for me to communicate with them over further distances" Sinister replied simply while he worked.

"Neat." She curled her head to her chest and finally relaxed when Nate was finished. She sat up and punched G.G. in the arm, "That's so trying to coup a feel." She follow Nate over to the counter where he was preparing the fluid. Ciara handed him things as he went. She had a pretty good knowledge of how these sorts of tests went. "Will I be getting one?" She asked, curiously.

"Hmm... perhaps, would you like to have one?" Sinister looked at her.

She nodded, "Mhmm." She played with his sleeve, "I'd like that very much... I don't want to feel out of the loop. If I'm going to be one of you, I might as go all the way right?"

"She's got a point, Boss," Ruckus noted, picking up a box and moving it.

Sinister smiled, "Well, if that's what the girl wants, then that's what the girl gets. Where do you want it?" he asked

" Well.. I wouldn't mind having one just like yours." She ran a finger over his forehead jewel and then pressed the finger to her lips. "If that's possible of course."

"Entirely so" Sinister replied, "Head into the operation room, I'll meet you there momentarily."

As soon as Ciara was out of the room, Ruckus leaned against the counter beside Sinister, "Well that was a lot easier than planned. Though we were gonna have to hold her down again..."

"She's still going to need to be restrained for the operation" Sinister replied as he headed over to a hidden safe and pulled out a large red crystal. Chipping off a suitable size of it he put the rest back and held the small piece up to the light, "I'm sure you recall the... sensation of your own implant to be less than pleasant. Fortunately, the pros outweigh the cons. Our psychic connection cannot be so easily broken, nor can it be interfered with."

"Don't have to remind me...The operation room has been prepped and is ready whenever you are, Boss."
--

Ciara sat on the operation table and felt rather uneasy. It almost looked more like a butcher shop than an operation room. So many blades and knifes hanging from the opposite wall. They were all clean of course but still made her restless. She was taking short breaths. It had been at least a half an hour when she felt she couldn't take it anymore and headed for the door.

Sinister met her at the door, "Ciara, relax" his eyes glowed as he tried to calm her, "Why don't you lay down?"

The tension in her shoulders gave way, "But... I don't like it in here. Why are there so many blades?" She asked as she backed up as Sinister advanced.

"I don't have to use all of them for this. Just the little things, nothing to worry about" he urged her back to the table.

Ciara did as she was told and got up on the table, "But you didn't answer my question..." Ruckus started attaching the restrains to the bed and took a hold of Ciara's arm which she quickly pulled away. "I have to be held down?" She asked, not liking this more and more.

Sinister came over to her on the table, gently stroking her hair as his eyes glowed into hers, instilling calm, "Everything will be alright" he cooed, "The process can be a little... jarring, but it will be over soon-and then you'll never be alone again. I'll always be here to keep you company, to keep you safe."

Ciara smiled softly, reaching up and cupping the side of his opposing cheek. "Promise?"