Pack Instincts

It was a stupid accident. It was no one's fault. It was too
embarrassing to admit to. The end result was that Gambit ended up
with a broken wrist, Storm a sprained knee and Iceman a concussion.
Remy fidgeted as Hank carefully aligned the bones and
prepared it for a cast. "Henri, mon ami, just use a wrap. Gambit
heals better dat way." Hank sighed and wrapped the wrist with an ace
bandage.
"Does it hurt?" he asked the Cajun.
"Non," Remy lied. Hank let it go with a stern look. Gambit
ignored him and went to fuss over Storm who was in the middle of a
Shi'ar treatment for her leg.
"I'm fine, Remy," she said with a smile. "Go get dinner
started." Remy kissed her cheek and went up to the kitchen. He found
Jean in the middle of a recipe.
"We've been switched," she smiled at him. "I figured your arm
isn't up to it tonight."
"Merci, Jeannie."
"Go reassure Wolverine. He's been growling since you went
downstairs."
"Dat's weird. Oh, merde, f'got about practice. He's gonna
kill m'." Remy streaked off.
"He has far too much energy," she said to the air.
//I heartily agree,// Xavier informed her as he entered the
kitchen.
//Stay away from the frosting or you'll get a wooden spoon
imbedded in the side of your chair,// Jean threatened with a smile.
//Jean, would I dare to touch your precious chocolate
frosting?// Charles asked with wide innocent eyes. //After last
time?// he added hastily.
//No, you don't make the same mistake twice. Scott! What do
you think you're doing?// she demanded as he husband disappeared from
the kitchen with a bowl of the frosting she'd just finished making.
//Following orders, Honey. Just following orders. Mmmm… this
is good. I might have to agree with him on this one. By the way,
Darling, how is the med-lab contingent doing and why won't anyone
tell me what happened? I think I'm going to have to threaten Bobby.//
//I don't know, they're all shielding from me,// Jean
responded. //And Professor, isn't this one of the things you tried to
*break* Scott of?//
//----//
"Professor! Come back here when I'm ranting at you!" Jean
called, starting to giggle.
*****
"Logan?" Remy asked warily. The older man looked him up and
down. He frowned at the bandaged wrist.
"What happened? Yer hurt."
"Fell. That's all," Remy said evasively. He didn't want to
tell Logan what had happened. He really didn't think he'd be able to
handle the laughter. Logan growled. He caught Gambit's good arm at
the wrist.
"What happened, kid?"
"I fell," Gambit snapped back. Logan's grip
tightened. "Logan, mon ami, lighten up," Remy pleaded.
"If ya don't want two broken, ya better talk."
"I was walkin' wit' Stormy. An' Bobby was climbin' up de
willow t' rig somet'in' up f' Halloween an' fell. He iced up when he
fell. Stormy an' Gambit ran t' help an' ended up slippin' on de ice."
Remy blushed. Logan nodded.
"Fine. Yer hurtin'. Didn't Hank give ya somethin'?"
"Don' like pain pills, me."
"Slim know yet?"
"That there's injuries? Oui. What happened, non. An' he ain't
gonna, oui?" Remy asked hopefully. Logan looked at him oddly.
"Why not?"
Remy blinked. "Y' sure y' feelin' okay again? It been a
couple days, but if'n there's somethin' inside that y' body just
ignorin'…?" he suggested. Logan's grip on his wrist had loosened a
little bit, but Remy's hand was immobilized.
"Answer the question, kid."
"Cuz it's embarassin'."
Logan shook his head. "That ain't yer decision."
Remy eyed Logan warily. "Y're actin' weird, homme. I'm
thinkin' y' still ain't y'self." Logan tugged on Gambit's arm until
he gave up resisting and started following. Logan followed his nose
to where Scott was talking to the professor.
"Logan?" Scott said a slight frown on his face. He looked
from Wolverine to Gambit and back again. Something was going on and
he wasn't sure what.
"Kid's got somethin' to tell ya, ain't ya?" Logan said.
Gambit frowned. "Just slipped. It ain't nothin'," he
muttered. Remy scuffed the floor next to Xavier's hoverchair with his
toe.
"Three people in the med-lab is not nothing," Scott informed
him. "Sit down and tell me a story." Logan's grip didn't release when
Remy settled onto the edge of the bench. The thief looked up at the
Canadian, but didn't say anything.
He quickly told Scott what had happened, then tacked on, "And
I t'ink there's still somethin' up wit' Logan. He ain't actin'
normal."
Logan snorted. Scott tended to agree with Logan's
assessment. "Thank you for telling me, Gambit. Dinner's in 30
minutes. I'll see you two then. I've just been summoned to help chop
veggies."
Xavier nodded and Scott left him with the bowl of frosting
and the other two men. Xavier looked from one to the other. Logan's
fingers would probably bruise if he tightened his grip a mere
fraction. Remy was looking decidedly worried, but it was the faint
pain lines around his eyes that made Xavier frown. "Is the sprain
hurting, Gambit?" Xavier asked carefully. The thief glared at him.
"It's fine, Professeur."
Logan snorted. "Kid's wrist is broke, Chuck. Won't take any
meds fer it." Gambit glared up through his bangs, eyes flashing. He
stood suddenly. Logan adjusted his grip automatically.
"When de hell'd y' decide y' were my pere? Let go." Remy
pulled against Logan's hold.
"Nope. Yer goin' back to see Hank."
Remy blinked in surprise.
"Yer no use when yer hurtin'."
"Ain't no use when m' head's fuzzy neither, 'specially when I
take de f… frelling roof off," Remy said, conscious of the
professor's presence. Xavier hid the smile.
Logan growled. "Ya don't think straight normally. Get yer ass
downstairs, Gumbo."
"Professeur," Remy whined.
"I happen to agree with Logan in this matter. There is no
need to be in pain."
Remy snorted at them. "I ain't gonna take de damn pills,
Logan. Deal wit' it. It ain't y'r decision." Logan felt the palm of
his hand getting warm.
"Don't even think of it, Cajun. I'll take it outta yer hide."
The burning eased and Gambit glared at the shorter man. Logan pulled
roughly on the trapped wrist. "Move."
Remy grumbled under his breath, loudly enough for Logan to
hear, "Connard." Logan's grip never faltered.
*****
Hank looked up in surprise from where he was checking a
complaining Bobby's eyes. "Can I help you, gentlemen?" he asked.
"Kid's hurtin' bad. Says he ain't willin' to take a pill, but
I figger yer smart enough to get around that." Gambit glared daggers
at Logan.
"Don' y' dare, M. Bete. Y' get a needle near m' and Gambit'll
blow it."
"No, he will not," Storm said firmly. "There is no point to
being stubbornly prideful, brother." Bobby snickered. Gambit glared
at him. Bobby's smile widened with glee. He knew the thief wouldn't
do anything while they were in the lab. Then, Gambit's eyes narrowed,
promising retribution. Bobby's smile faded with nervousness. It was
nearly Halloween, Bobby realized. The prefect night for pranks. And
Gambit wasn't afraid to prank Wolverine, of all people.
"I will be with you in one moment, if you think you can keep
our stubborn Cajun friend from fleeing the scene?" Logan nodded.
Bobby groaned as Hank's attention returned to his concussion. Hank
nodded to himself. "You will live. But you will have to remain
overnight for observation." Bobby sighed.
"Fine. You're going to wake me up every hour aren't you?"
"Most probably, my friend."
"Sadist."
"Y' bring out de best in everyone, Iceman," Remy informed him
with a gleeful grin. The idea of Bobby being awakened every hour was
comforting. Now, if he could just talk Logan into letting his wrist
go. Carefully, Remy reached out with his charm. He saw Logan's
shoulders relax, just a bit. He pushed a bit more. Then, he was on
his knees. His wrist was held tight to the small of his back and,
Logan's other hand was on the back of his neck. He fisted his free
hand and the pain was surprisingly sharp.
"What the fuck was that, Gumbo? Talk fast."
"Just tryin' t' loosen y' up, Ole Man. Get dat tense y' gonna
give y'self a heart attack," Remy said with a sunny smile.
"Don't try screwin' with my head again. Got it?"
"Oui," Remy sulked. He frowned as Logan let him up. He
twirled the wrist Logan had finally freed. At least he'd gotten what
he wanted. "Y' didn' mind before," he said, glancing at Logan.
Wolverine glared at him. "Before?"
Remy clamped his jaw shut. "Nevermind. I'll see y'all at dinner," he
said. Hank caught him gently by the elbow.
"One moment, M. LeBeau," Hank said gently. Remy saw the
needle in Beast's hand. "Don't be stubborn, Remy." Remy nearly
growled at the man. He shook off the sleeve of his trench and
unbuttoned the warm cotton flannel to reveal the long-sleeved tee
beneath.
"Shit. You have enough layers there, Cajun?" Bobby asked,
snickering.
"Notherners," Remy muttered. The baring of his teeth at Bobby
could by no means have been defined as a smile. No one else seemed to
notice it, but Bobby decided that the pranks he'd been considering
pulling on Storm and Gambit had to be shelved. Hank pushed the sleeve
up without commenting and deftly inserted the needle into one of the
clearly defined veins on Remy's forearm. The Cajun hissed at the
needle. He hated needles. He hated medicines. He hated doctors. Most
of all, he hated med-labs. He scowled at Hank and shoved his sleeve
down, and pulled on his shirt and coat, ignoring the protest of his
wrist. Suddenly, he realized something. "Merde."
"What is it?" Hank said, putting the needle into the sharps
container.
"Just realized I ain't gonna be able t' do somet'ings dat's
all." He shrugged. Like write, or climb, or handsprings, or vaults,
or fight properly, he thought morosely. "Jus' take some gettin' used
t'."
"We could use the…" Hank began to offer.
"Non. I ain't gettin' near dat ding less'n I'm dyin'," Gambit
said sharply. "Now, y'all satisfied? Bein. G'night." The Cajun
stalked out of the med-lab coat flying behind him. The four people
left in the lab stared after him.
*****
Scott looked around the table. Everyone was there except for
Remy and Rogue. Well, that wasn't too unusual, at least. Logan was on
the far side of Jean. Scott's teeth were starting to grind from the
constant low-range growl. He tried to focus on dinner, but his
attention kept getting drawn back to the Canadian. He carefully
responded to the occasional comment, but didn't really get into the
conversation. The professor was watching him in amusement. Scott
wished he could control his blasts without the visor. He really
wanted to give the professor's chair just a *tiny* shove in the
counter-clockwise direction. If he hit it just right, it would spin.
He was sure of it. He shook his head with a rueful smile to himself.
Something was getting on his nerves. He never had impulses like that
anymore. Well, not often at least. It had to be Wolverine. Gambit
wasn't actually *present* to be irritating him, so it *had* to be the
Canadian.
//Scott, you promised you would confine your calculations to
situations that would not cause me undue embarrassment.//
//I didn't *do* it did I?// Scott knew that came out sounding
like a sulking schoolboy. //Sorry, Professor.//
//Perhaps I will let you examine the possibilities in the
Danger Room. With a decoy in place of myself of course.//
//Where's the fun in that? Live a little, Charles.// Scott's
smile made several members of the room pause. He was up to something.
The Danger Room would *not* be a safe place in the morning. "Hank,
quick question. What's Gambit's wrist up to handling?"
"Nothing. He should *not* be using it for anything that will
put any stress on it. Although I doubt that he will be willing to
agree to that."
"Thanks." Scott went back to his calculations. No one was
surprised when he didn't participate in the rest of the dinner
conversation.
//Scott?//
//?//
//What's got you so unnerved?//
//Nothing. I'm going to jam Logan's teeth down his throat
right after dinner.//
//SCOTT!// Jean exclaimed.
//He's asking for it.// Scott glanced at the Canadian
again. //If he doesn't stop growling, I'm going to….//
Rogue walked into the room. "Sorry Ah'm late for supper," she
said sweetly.
"Hey, Rogue. Haven't seen you all day," Bobby said with a
grin. Rogue took her favorite seat and dished up a plate for herself.
She looked at the empty place between her and Storm.
"Where's the Swamp Rat?" she asked.
"We thought he was with you," Scott said, a frown crossing
his lips. Logan's growl got louder. "So just go already. Jesus. That
man is going to give me an ulcer," Scott muttered to Jean. Logan
glared over his shoulder. He followed his nose up to the roof. The
Cajun was laying on the roof, coat spread open like butterfly wings,
arms splayed out like a crucifix. He was asleep. The sun was down.
Logan pressed a hand to Remy's forehead. The red eyes blinked open.
"Bonjour, M. le Wolverine."
"Yer gonna freeze up here. Need a hand up?"
"Non, merci. Jus' gonna lay here f' awhile."
"I ain't gonna letcha sleep up here, kiddo. Come on." Logan
hauled the Cajun to his feet. "Yer arm's hurtin' again?"
"Oui. Pain pills don' last. They just make m' sleepy and don'
do not'in' f' the pain. M' body don' process them right."
Logan grimaced. "Sorry."
"Pas de problem. Why y' watchin' m' so close, Logan?"
"Ya need a keeper, kid. I'm the only one that knows yer a
natural lefty." Logan grinned. "Yer gonna be in serious hurts
tonight."
"Already am. Keep f'gettin' not t' pick things up wit' it."
Remy frowned. "How'd y' figure it out? I do m' best not t' use it too
much."
"Ya punch backwards." The Cajun startled at that. He blinked
at the older man.
"I punch backwards?"
"Ya lead with yer left when ya get into things."
"I'll have t' work on that," Gambit said thoughtfully. "Well,
g'night, Logan."
"Yer room's in the other direction."
"Oui, but Stormy's is upstairs." Gambit grinned and winked
over his shoulder. Then, he bounced up the stairs.
*****
"What's eatin' at ya, Slim?" Logan asked.
"You are," Scott ground out. Logan's brows rose and Scott put
his hand to his mouth. "Well, I'd apologize in abject horror, but you
gave me the straight line. I just *had* to. And this fucking headache
is enough to make me give in to that impulse. So, how's Gator-bait?"
"Goin' up to sleep with Ro tonight."
Scott nodded. "I figured." He put a hand to his forehead and
closed his eyes.
"Yer head still botherin' ya? Hank said ya got a concussion?"
"Yes. My head had a disagreement with the dashboard. At least
I'm awake. Although he tells me that I may not remember anything I do
this week." Scott shrugged. "We'll see what happens. And don't you
dare. Might I remind you that…" Logan cut him off with a kiss, then
left a speechless Cyclops alone and in shock. Scott heard Logan's
chuckle echo down the hall. "I'm going to fucking kill him," Scott
stated. His eyes narrowed. He hadn't programmed the morning session
yet.
*****
Logan wondered how exactly Scott was going to get back at him
for that one. He chuckled at the thoughts his brain was coming up
with. Too bad Cyke had a headache or they'd be already fighting in
the Danger Room. He was pitifully short on sparing partners. Scott
wasn't up to fighting. Gambit wasn't up to fighting. Bobby wasn't a
challenge. Angel was a bastard and he was screwing Betsy at the
moment. Logan could smell them. Hank didn't like to fight. And if
Jean had any sense, she'd have Scott otherwise occupied soon enough.
That left Rogue or Storm. Storm probably shouldn't be fighting on
that newly healed leg of hers. That left the Mississippi Marauder. He
stalked her to the den.
"Hey, Rogue. Up for a spar?" Green eyes blinked at him. She
shoved her hair out of her eyes.
"That depends, sugah."
"Huh?"
"You over your whole protectin' the pack thing?"
"What are you talkin' about, darlin'?"
"You usin' your claws on me. Twice. Or threatenin' to."
"Sorry, darlin'. Promise not to claw ya…. Often." Rogue
laughed and agreed to a session.
*****
"Remy, are you all right?" Ororo asked worriedly.
"Oui, chere," Remy's voice drifted back from the roof near
her sky-light. She shook her head and continued to comb out her hair.
She glanced at the clock when she stopped hearing the tap of his toe
on the shingles that he'd been keeping up to let her know he hadn't
left yet.
"Brother? Come inside. It's cold out."
"I'm fine, Stormy," Remy said poking his head through the
window. He grinned at her.
She frowned at him. "Do not call me Stormy."
"Of course, Stormy, whatever y' say."
"Do not make me come and get you, Remy," she warned. He made
a talking hand in the window and her eyes narrowed. He jumped in a
second later, landing as lightly as a cat. He was giving her puppy-
dog eyes, but she looked down her nose at him like a stern
librarian. "To bed," she ordered.
He quirked a brow at her. "Why, petite, I never knew y'… Not
the ribs!" He arched away from her fingertips. She saw the effort it
took *not* to backflip and took mercy on him. She crossed her arms
and glared at him until he stripped off his coat, flannel and boots
and settled into her bed, claiming most of the space. She knew he'd
snuggle close as soon as she went to bed. Hopefully, he wouldn't have
nightmares if she were close.
*****
Rogue peered into Remy's room and frowned. Logan growled as
he passed her. She didn't think anything of it. After all, she had
just dropped him two stories down off the side of the roof they were
fighting on. She closed the door softly. They weren't engaged or
anything, but Remy usually told her when he was going out, even if he
didn't offer to take her with him. And he wouldn't leave the mansion
when Storm had. . . That was it. He was probably fussing over Storm
and making her life hell. Well, it was a dirty job, but someone had
to do it. He needed the excuse to help the weather goddess out in the
garden.
*****
Logan stretched under the steam of the shower. His head still
ached from the drop. Maybe Hank was right about not pushing opponents
that could physically throw him around. But where was the fun in
that? Hell, Rogue, Storm and Jean were the only ones in the place
that could actually lift him. Not counting Hank, who wasn't much for
sparring anyway. His head ached like a knife slicing through muscle.
Maybe the thief was right and there was something wrong. He stretched
and went to bed. If the headache wasn't gone in the morning he'd deal
with things.
*****
Gambit pushed his hair back out of his eyes and blinked at
the clock. The bed was empty, but the dent where Storm had spent the
night was still warm. He wondered how she'd managed not to wake him
when she got up. "You look as if you've been out all night, padnat,"
Storm teased. "How is your arm?"
Remy shrugged and turned onto his back. "S'alright, petite.
Y'r leg?"
"It is fine, Remy. As it was last night. And if you would
just allow Hank to give you the proper treatment."
"Non. I ain't goin' t' stay down there because of a broken
wrist."
"Is it really better to suffer with a broken wrist for three
weeks than the med-lab for a few hours?"
"Yes," Remy said sharply.
Storm was taken aback. Remy's eyes rarely flared so brightly
when he was talking to her. She knew him well enough to know that the
brightness indicated anger. She settled on the bed next to him with
her brush still in her hand. "Why?"
The anger died and he sat up stretching. Wordlessly, he
pushed up the left sleeve of his shirt. She saw the perfectly round
needle scars. She'd never really noticed them before. "Y' spent a few
days under that rubble and y' can't stand bein' in a small space. I
spent six months or so in a lab bein' poked and prodded and tested. I
*hate* it, Ororo." He brushed the back of his hand along the side of
her face.
"Bright Lady, Remy. Why did you not tell me?"
"Y' never asked, petite." His eyes began to twinkle with
their more familiar light. "I best be gettin' back t' my room.
Roguie'll kill m' if'n she finds m' in someone else's bed."
Storm laughed. Remy rarely spent time in his own bed except
when he'd been out for the night and Rogue knew it. Goddess, he'd
even been known to crash next to the professor. Remy winked at her
and left her room.
*****
"Hey, Swamp Rat," Rogue said. She was leaning against the
wall outside his room. "How's Ro?"
"She's fine, chere. How y' doin' this mornin', Roguie?"
"Better than you, obviously, sugah. Did ya sleep at all?"
"Some," he sighed. "Least I know Hank ain't gonna let Scotty
drive this po' boy into the ground t'day, non?"
"Seems like an awful lot of trouble ta get outta the Danger
Room." She suppressed a smile as he gave her a sunny smile.
"I see y' in a few minutes, less y' want t' join m' in the
shower?" he offered hopefully.
"In yahr dreams, boy."
"Mebbe Roguie'll watch then?" He raised his brows.
She laughed. "See ya in the Danger Room, Cajun."
*****
Logan stretched in the sunlight, enjoying the feel of it on
his back. It would be getting colder from here on out. The air was
crisp. It was time to lay in supplies. He frowned and sniffed at the
air again. Snow was coming. A hard winter to follow such a
beautifully mild summer. Damn. It would be getting too cold to sleep
out in the woods. He shook his head. He must be getting sloppy in his
old age. He should have noticed the snow days ago. Now there was
barely enough time to get the hunting done. He wondered why Scott
hadn't done anything about it.
*****
Scott glared at Logan as he wandered into the Danger Room
five minutes late. "Logan." The Canadian nodded at him. "Fine. Now,
that *everyone* has decided to join us, let's get started. Gambit and
I will be in the control room. As soon as we get there, this place
will turn into a Chinese puzzle box with you in the center of it. The
trick is to get out without getting killed." Cyclops smirked at them
with cheerful menace. "Have fun."
He caught the Cajun by the back of his coat and directed him
into the control room. He wasn't going to let him off the hook just
because he was injured. It wasn't like Hank couldn't have healed the
break if Gambit had let him. That meant he got to program traps for
the next session. And tomorrow he could check the security again. And
after that Scott would find *something* to keep him occupied, even if
that meant cleaning the kitchen.
*****
Logan growled softly to himself. Leader-boy was in a mood and
he we taking it out on the pack. Damn it there was hunting waiting to
be done. And why was that funny smelling bitch still here? Why hadn't
she flown off to join her flock?
*****
Storm looked around the windowless and doorless room with a
frown. She knew there was a way out. Cyclops would not have put her
into a position where escape was impossible. She just had to stay
calm enough to find it. She felt Jean give her hand a squeeze and
smiled at her. Storm looked up. There at the very top of the
room. "Angel, look up. What do you see?"
"A trap door." A smile spread across his features. He flew up
a bit closer and stopped suddenly. "There's a force-field."
"Can you see the source of it?" Storm asked.
"No."
"Phoenix, check that wall. Angel, over there. Rogue, there.
And I will take this one. Look for anything that could be a
generator. Wolverine, listen for the hum of the batteries. Iceman, I
want you checking the floor under that trapdoor. See if it is an
illusion."
*****
Cyclops grinned to himself as the team spread out. This was
going to be interesting. They were getting the hang of things.
Gambit sighed and went back to picking out the program on the
keyboard. Suddenly, he sat up straighter. He had an idea. "Who y'
want runnin' in this little maze?"
"Same as today." Gambit nodded and went back to his
programming. He frowned.
"Can this room access the powers profiles?"
Cyclops started. "Sure. Why?"
"I need t' know if Iceman can do what I think he can or not."
Gambit shrugged. Cyclops called up the appropriate file. "Merci."
The field leader looked over the Cajun's shoulder
curiously. "Yeah, he *can* change into water, but his control isn't
all that great."
"That's the whole point, non?"
Cyclops snickered. "Go for it. Just make sure it won't kill
him or splash him. I don't really know what would happen if bits of
him splashed away."
*****
Bobby flopped down on his back on his bed. "You are a
sadistic bastard, Scott," he stated quietly to the ceiling. Warren
was on his stomach, Betsy straddling him massaging his wings which
had gotten a workout today. He sighed in contentment. Ororo braided
her hair and went to finish harvesting the pumpkins and squash from
the garden. Rogue went through her usual aerobics routine, the door
to her room locked so she could strip down to nothing but a sports-
bra and shorts without being ogled. Remy perched on the tree limb
that gave him the best view into Rogue's room for a good ogle. He lit
a cigarette as she started to stretch out. Logan went out to the
woods to control the deer herd. Scott chopped wood for the
fireplaces. Jean started prepping the cinnamon and vanilla sugar she
wanted to use for the marathon cookie baking session she had planned
for December. Hank returned to his lab and his research. The
professor hummed to himself and continued to blow up pigs on the
computer screen.
*****
Logan frowned and looked around. There was something strange
in the woods. Something he didn't really recognize. He tracked the
noise carefully. Then, the scent hit him. He knew that scent. He
attacked first this time and Sabretooth went down with a snarl and
spurt of blood.
*****
Security alarms went off and everyone seemed to freeze in a
moment of suspended animation. Then, they were moving towards the
security room. Cyclops was there first because he'd just taken a load
of wood into the emergency supply room. Scott skidded to a stop in
front of the machines. He noted the sectors easily. "What the f…
frack?" he finished as the professor joined him. The professor
blinked suddenly.
"Is that where Gambit picked up that habit? Odd. What is it?
There didn't seem to be anything unusual in the woods. Logan was
hunting."
"Sabretooth," Scott said shortly as the rest of the team
piled in. Rogue was wearing a robe and no gloves. Very
strange. "Sensors 18 and 32 are down."
Gambit immediately took a station and tried to coax them
back. When that failed he attempted to overlap 19 and 20 and 31 and
33 into the broken areas. "T'encule moi," he muttered. He checked the
heat scanners. "We're losin' scanners, Cyke. Too quick f' one or two
people. Whoever's out there don' want us watchin'."
"Gambit, see what info you can get us. Suit up, people. Move
it. Professor?"
//I'm scanning, Cyclops.//
"Good. Jean set up a link up. Betsy keep contact with the
professor. We'll need immediate information transfer. Is Wolverine
responding at all?"
"No response from his communicator. He might not be wearing
it," Angel stated.
"Damn the man." Cyclops took a breath to think as he was
running to grab his battle visor. This was bad news any way you cut
it. There was definitely going to be injuries. "Beast, get the med-
lab prepped. You're on back up with Iceman. Storm, Rogue, Angel, I
want flying surviellence. Psylocke, Phoenix, I want a scan on every
inch of that forest. If Professor X is doing one part, I want you
doing the other. Beast, when we get back, Gambit's wrist gets healed
up even if you have to drug him unconscious, got it?"
"Of course, Fearless Leader, your wish is my command. I still
think that with your concussion you shouldn't be traipsing about on
missions."
"Stuff it, Beast. Get into position."
*****
Gambit had the base panel off and was splicing wires. Xavier
watched as he scanned. The young thief was muttering to himself in a
mixture of languages, or it could merely have been technobabble, as
he worked. "Cerebro, list mutant activity, last t'irty minutes."
"Tesseract activity noted outside of set alarm parameters."
"Y're supposed t' alert m' t' *any* tesseract activities y'
piece of shit," Gambit informed the computer.
"Command not understood."
"Fuck y'self, Cerebro."
"Command not understood."
"I see your restraint has worn thin. Any further results?"
"Non, Professeur. the sensors are down. There's no way t' get
them back up. They're dead. The wires been cut. It's messy but
effective." The moue of distaste on Gambit's face made it clear that
it was beneath his standards. "The hope is that dey don' know about
the extras. Cerebro, list all sensor shortages in the past t'irty
minutes."
"18, 32, 19, 33, 20, 34, 17, 35, 21, 36, 16, 37, Boathouse,
15, 38, Lake."
"Saints," Gambit sighed. "Back up transmission data from Pier
sensor, sil vous plait."
"Back up sensor indicates two mutants moving at high speed
into the boathouse."
"Merde, Cyclops, Phoenix, attack pattern on boathouse
indicated. Tesseract activity noted. Watch y'selves."
"Did you say tesseract?" Cyclops' voice replied.
"Oui."
"Dang."
Gambit blinked at the communications speaker for a moment,
then went back to his fiddling. "That boy makes no sense."
Charles Xavier had to agree.
*****
Logan looked down at the bloody meat at his feet. Well,
Sabretooth might heal, or he might not. Wolverine lifted his head to
sniff the air. He heard the alpha barking out something. He nearly
howled, the hunt was on. It was about time. He started after the next
unfamiliar scent he caught. It was near the alpha's private den. That
couldn't be allowed.
*****
Storm located Vertigo as the sky seemed to change
shape. "Goddess preserve me," she sighed and let herself fall nearly
on top of the woman. Vertigo's eyes went wide the moment before her
head connected with the ground and she passed out. Storm took to the
skies again, the barest hint of a smile on her face.
*****
Gambit sighed. "Need t' go up t' de roof t' realign de
scanner, Prof."
Xavier nodded absently and the Cajun left him in the com room.
*****
Riptide found out that telekinesis stops flying objects. And
if the wielder is very clever, she can reverse said items' flight
paths. Then, he died as his shurkiens ripped into his body.
*****
Arclight blinded the fighters completely by refracting her
light through Prism's body. Prism wasn't good for much, but he was
one hell of a distraction. In that moment of distraction, a tesseract
opened behind Cyclops and he was dragged through it.
*****
Cyclops uttered a sharp yelp when a cold hand clamped around
his wrist and swung him into weird non-linear world of the tesseract.
A stunned heartbeat later he was looking at Sinister's cold
smile. "I'm so glad you could join me, Scott. It's been quite
awhile." Then, the field leader of the X-men impacted the metal
floor, fast asleep.
*****
Phoenix nearly screamed when her husband's mind was cut off.
She new he wasn't dead, the link was still there, but it put her off
her guard for a moment too long. Arclight's fist connected with the
TK shield and the red-head staggered. Then, she attacked, tearing
into Arclight with fighting skills the Marauder had never seen her
exhibit. She fought without abandon and Arclight went down under the
assault. Quickly, the X-woman searched the fallen body for evidence
of a communicator or a beacon. She had to find her husband.
*****
Harpooner didn't even realize that he was dead for a few
seconds. He looked down in amazement at the foot-long claws through
his chest. His harpoon dropped from his lax fingers and exploded in a
shower of splinters. Wolverine didn't give a damn. The other stranger
that had been in the den was gone. He tossed Harpooner's body onto
the pier and headed for the main den. The only people left there
would be the pup and the old man. Neither of them was up to hunting
or fighting when it came down to it.
*****
Gambit looked down from where he was perched on the roof and
started cursing. "Why you?" he asked the figure. Then, he slid down
the banister past Storm's room to the landing. He very nearly jumped
the landing, but something hard and cold caught him around the
throat. "I'm sorry, Remy, but you cannot be allowed to interfere."
His lungs strained for air that wasn't forthcoming. Something sharp
pierced his arm and darkness overcame him.
*****
Logan grinned in pleasure as the prey turned to fight him. He
knocked the gun away.
*****
Charles Xavier had never been quite so glad to see anyone as
he was to see Wolverine at that moment. Scalphunter paused a moment
before killing him, sensing danger. He turned and his eyes widened as
foot long claws came after him. Wolverine was feral poetry to watch
as he fought. Xavier found himself entranced by the deadly dance.
Scalphunter fought viciously, but without a healing factor he knew he
was going to die. Still, he refused to back down. Finally, Wolverine
stood over the dead clone.
Xavier reached out for all of his X-men. Cyclops was gone.
Angel was unconscious. Iceman and Beast were in the med-lab. No one
had thought to contact them. Phoenix was frantic. Psylocke was
nursing broken ribs and a broken nose. Storm and Rogue were piling
the dead bodies together for disposal. Gambit never registered when
Xavier was looking for him. For some reason he was extraordinarily
resistant to having a telepath keep track of him. He activated the
communicator. "Gambit, respond immediately," Xavier demanded. He
didn't know why he bothered, Scott was the only one who ever got the
man to behave, but he had to try. "Gambit!" Again no
response. "Wolverine, find Gambit."
Logan nodded and left the room warily.
*****
The X-men gathered in the war room. Phoenix looked around the room
and frowned. "Where is Gambit?"
"He isn't responding. Wolverine is looking for him now." Jean
reached. Gambit would respond to her, even if he wouldn't talk to the
professor. It wasn't something she ever actually told Charles, but
she assumed he already knew. She frowned. She searched for Logan's
mind. She didn't find either of them.
"Professor, was Wolverine himself when he left?"
"He didn't say much, merely disposed of Scalphunter. I sent
him after Gambit when he didn't respond to the com." Xavier reached
out for Logan's mind. "Damn it. He's gone feral. I can't find
anything except a desire to protect the pack."
*****
Logan looked down at the crumpled form of the pup. He nudged
him carefully onto his back. He didn't smell any blood, but the pup's
skin was chill. He stroked the pup's fur. The kid's breaths were
short. Too short for normal sleeping. He used a claw to cut away the
fabric that was caught around his throat. The breaths became a little
easier. Logan rubbed along the pup's side trying to warm him. That
didn't seem to be working so he laid down next to him and pulled him
close. The pup was limp in his arms. At least his heart was steady,
if a trifle slow.
*****
Jean found them first. She called for Hank. Logan nuzzled her
hand, then licked it with a grin. She found herself giving him a
quick smile. Then, she frowned as she spotted the black fabric. She
picked it up. It had a knot in it, holding two strands together. She
realized that it had been cut. It looked oddly like part of
Sinister's cape. "Logan, where did you find this?"
*****
Logan looked up as the alpha bitch made a questioning noise.
He saw her fingering the material he'd cut away. She questioned again
and he sighed. He grunted and went back to rubbing the pup to warm
him. Women. What *was* their fascination with scraps anyway?
*****
Jean felt her lip curl up in frustration. If only Logan were
verbal in this state life would be a hell of a lot easier. She
watched him rubbing Gambit's arms and chest and paused. Was he trying
to increase the blood circulation? Yes, it seemed he was. Then, Beast
arrived with his bag. He took Gambit's pulse, brow furrowing at the
chillness of his skin. He checked the young man's eyes. "He's been
drugged," the doctor announced.
"I didn't see any blood, but this was on the ground. I don't
recognize it." Logan took the scrap from her fingers and tucked it
around Gambit's neck. Her eyes widened.
Beast checked carefully and saw the bruises beginning. He
lifted the young man's body. Wolverine followed them down to the med-
lab. "Well, at least this makes it possible for that wrist to be
healed, Mr. LeBeau," Beast told the still form. "As much as your
whining can be bothersome, it would be better than this corpse
imitation you are attempting." There was no response and Hank hadn't
expected one, but he continued to talk. "And somehow I doubt that
Rogue will be too impressed with the bruises you've managed to
accumulate. On that note, you must tell me some day why it is you
manage to shrug off serious injuries without so much as a whimper,
but when it is something easily fixable you will carry on for hours."
*****
Jean set the communicator on the table. "If we can track
this, we can find Cyclops. I doubt that Sinister would be controlling
his little clones from somewhere he wasn't monitoring them."
"Cerebro is already tracing the transmission frequencies from
the other bodies as we speak," Xavier stated calmly. "Storm, Iceman,
go prepare the Blackbird for flight."
The only thing left to do was wait. Jean started the coffee.
Betsy gathered up some food. They had to be prepared.
*****
Gambit coughed awake, struggling in pure panicked reaction.
Hank had been prepared for that and held him still with large firm
hands in addition to the metal that held his wrist in the Shi'ar
machinery. "You are safe, Remy. It's Hank," the doctor said. The wide
eyes snapped to his face, not convinced and not calming in the least.
*****
Logan snorted and walked over to them. He gently moved Hank
to the side and set his claws to either side of the pup's throat with
the central one pressing lightly above the Adam's apple. The pup
stilled, fear still strong, but receding. He reached a paw out to
touch Logan's claws. He rubbed between where they came out.
*****
"Wolverine?" Remy questioned. He was confused. He remembered
Sinister. He remembered being drugged. He could understand Sinister
pretending to be McCoy, but to become Logan? Claws and all? He didn't
think the scientist would do that. He didn't think Sinister would
even consider it. Have Sabretooth beat the shit out of him, yes. Have
a Wolverine clone hold him down, no.
"Remy, you're in the med-lab. What do you remember?" Hank
asked calmly.
"Marauders, tesseracts, the sensor's bein' cut. I was on the
roof an' saw Scalphunter comin'. I was goin' t' protect Wheels, when
somethin' caught me by the neck. Somethin' burnin' in m' veins. Then
I woke up here."
"Cyclops is missing."
"Fuck." Logan's claws remained in place, as did the hand that
was settled familiarly on Remy's forehead. The thief did the
math. "An' Wolvie's feral ain't he? Tol' Cyke there was somet'in'
strange goin' on."
"It would appear that you are correct in that assessment."
Slowly the claws receded and Logan's hand settled firmly in the
center of Remy's chest.
*****
The pup was such trouble when he was injured. Logan nearly
growled in frustration. Blue didn't know how to handle things
obviously. You have to be firm with pups or they'll never obey. At
least this pup didn't do stupid tricks for attention like Icy. No,
Spice was easy to get along with if you put him in his place quickly.
He might grow up into an alpha position someday. If he survived that
was.
Damn, the weird bird was coming. He just couldn't understand
what the alpha was thinking in letting her stay. He turned to face in
the direction she was coming. She went immediately to the pup and
Logan stopped her with a hand. If the alpha let her stay, then he
wouldn't kill her. But he'd be damned if he'd let her near the pup.
*****
Rogue stopped and looked down at Logan's hand. "What's up,
Logan? I didn't think there was a problem once someone was in the
machine?"
He glowered at her and pushed her away from the bed. Remy sat
up. He reached out to catch at Logan's arm, but he didn't have a long
enough reach. "Rogue, chere, he ain't *thinkin'*."
Rogue's eyes widened and she took a non-threatening step
back. She put up her hands. "Calm down, Wolvie. I ain't gonna hurt
him," she soothed. "He's in full protect the pack mode."
"Oui, chere. Wolvie?" Remy put as much of a whimper into the
word as he could manage. He tried to free his hand from the
machinery, but Hank had been prepared for that and strapped his
shoulder down as well. He glared at the straps, but knew, somehow,
that if he blew them, Hank would have his ass in the lab for a
month. "Wolverine?" he asked hesitantly. "Y' leave Roguie alone?" He
reached a hand out for Rogue. "Take m' hand," he mouthed at her. She
moved slowly past Logan.
*****
What was that pup thinking? He couldn't allow this stupidity
to go on. The bird shouldn't be so close to an injured pack-member.
He flashed his claws between them. He growled at the bird. He set the
pup's paw firmly on the bed. The bird looked at him with big eyes.
The pup made a soothing noise, half-purr, half-question. He stroked
Logan's arm, then reached out for the bird. Logan slapped him hard
across the back of his hand and physically stepped between the pair.
*****
Gambit gaped at Logan's back. He knew Rogue was probably just
as surprised. Hank chuckled. "Rogue, I would suggest you simply allow
Logan to have his way. He has decided that our young friend needs
protecting. And, I believe, he's decided that you are a danger to
him."
"Why on earth would I hurt Remy?" she asked Hank.
"He don' t'ink y're part of the pack."
*****
Logan spun. He put his hand over the pup's mouth and glared
at him until the red eyes dropped. The pup queried him quietly. He
didn't respond. Instead, he made sure he was between the pup's line
of sight and the bird. Blue was talking to her now. Logan snorted.
The only use for a bird like that was dinner. Why were so many
members of the pack interested in a flyer? They already had Clouds
and Beak-boy. The pup was reaching out towards him again. He sighed
and settled on the edge of the bed with the pup. He caught the paw
that was reaching out and stroked it, much as the pup had stroked his
burns.
*****
Remy sighed and shut his eyes. Maybe if he took a nap things
wouldn't be so bad.
Rouge watched in dismay as Logan took up hand-holding duty.
Damn it all. It was her right to mope down in the med-lab with her
lover while everyone else went crazy upstairs trying to find Scott or
Sinister. But no, Logan had to go and interfere. She glared at the
older mutant. Logan stared at her challengingly and bared his teeth.
She shivered. No, even with super-strength she wasn't getting into a
fight with a feral Wolverine.
*****
Finally, the flyer was leaving. Took her long enough. The pup
was trying to pretend he was asleep, but his heart rate was still too
fast. Logan understood that. Blue's space always smelled of metal and
chemicals. He didn't know how the healer dealt with it. He brushed
the pup's fur back, trying in vain to put it into some semblance of
order. He didn't know why he bothered. The pup would just disturb it
when he gave up trying to play dead. He stroked the paw in his lap.
The pup opened his eyes and looked up at him shyly. He turned his
head into the touch. Logan sighed and petted soothingly.
*****
Hank watched in utter fascination. He hadn't realized the two
were so close. Of course, it made a weird kind of sense. They had a
lot in common. And Logan got away with breaking Hank's no smoking
rule, something the thief truly did appreciate.
Then, there was the fact that Gambit enjoyed touching. Rogue
was frustrated to no end by the fact that he touched her without
warning. She was so used to people flinching away from her, that she
always jumped just a little bit when he touched her arm when they
were talking. With Logan feral, they'd need Gambit at full fighting
strength. Hank worried about the bruises on Remy's throat. Had he
been fighting with Rogue again? The doctor wondered. It would explain
why she was so angry about having to leave him in the lab. Their
break-ups came regularly once a day. Sometimes they were more serious
than others though. She'd only ever hit the Cajun once that Hank
could recall. And at that time, he'd thought she was quite justified
in the slap. So did Gambit. He'd merely apologized for his harsh
words and they were back together again.
"Gambit?"
"Oui, Henri?"
"Are you and Rogue on the outs again?"
"Non. I t'ink we're back t'gether. But y' never can tell."
Remy lifted a shoulder.
"Hmmm. Do you think Logan could be convinced to let me close
enough to check on your progress?"
"He don' mind y'. He's gonna be right pissed when he figures
out that Cyke ain't here. Where's Jeannie? Mebbe he be willin' t'
listen t' her." Remy's eyes dropped closed and his head settled on
Logan's palm. The older man looked down with an amused grin on his
face. Hank came closer and met with no resistance. Logan just nodded
in greeting and continued petting. Hank checked the monitor, blinked,
checked it again, cleaned his glasses, checked it again, and then
once more to be sure.
"Well, my boy, it would appear that you are as right as rain
once more. And in much less time than anyone could have expected. I
wonder if this is some side-effect of the sedative you were given."
"What did that son of a bitch give m', Henri?" Remy growled
low and the doctor blinked at him. He took off his glasses and sighed.
"A designer compound. It appears to be designed specifically
for your genetic make-up. Considering the source, I don't find that
especially surprising. Who administered it?"
"Sinister," Remy spat out. "Who else? Y' really t'ink he
trust some thug if he want m' down f' the count? The Marauders can'
even manage t' fight effectively. An' none of them, 'cepting M. Chat,
could ever sneak up on m'. If he made it t' take m' down, then he
must t'ink I know somet'in'."
"Do you?" Hank asked calmly.
"Non."
"Too bad. I'll release you in a moment. I want to check your
breathing and your bloodwork once more."
"Y' let m' hand out of this t'ing?"
"No. No, I don't think I will."
Gambit blinked. He pulled at the restraint. Logan growled at
Hank.
*****
The pup's heart was racing. Blue wouldn't hurt the boy, but
there was something wrong. He stroked Spice's cheek until their eyes
met. The pup's breathing didn't slow down. Blue left them for a
moment and suddenly the pup was trying to get out. He was working at
the healer's restraints. Logan lifted his hand away. He accepted the
teeth that clamped onto his arm as a normal reaction. The pup jerked
back when he tasted blood. His head connected with the table with a
thunk. He blinked dazedly at Logan. Hank rushed over. He saw the
blood on Logan's arm.
*****
"Now what have you done, M. LeBeau?" Hank sighed. "Blast. Are
you alright? Does your head hurt?"
"Oui. A bit. It'll go 'way. Sorry, M."
Hank loosened the restraints and allowed Remy to pull his
hand from the machinery. Almost without thinking, the thief pulled
close to Logan. "Give me your arm, Remy. The sooner I do this, the
sooner I'll let you leave."
The Cajun scowled but allowed himself to be pricked. "That
all y' need?"
"Yes. If you have *any* trouble breathing, call me at once."
"Oui, M." Remy hopped off of the table, wavering a little
bit. His stomach growled. Logan snorted. "See ya."
Logan kept a hand on the pup's arm. He didn't want the boy
running off to find the flyer. Perhaps Clouds could talk some sense
into him.
*****
Jean scowled at the pair that had just walked through the
door. Then, she blinked. Well, it looked like Gambit was back in
fighting shape. The bruises on his throat stood out rather badly.
Logan was still feral. He wouldn't be holding onto the thief if her
wasn't. Would he? She asked herself suddenly. She watched curiously
as Logan glared the thief into a chair and went to the refrigerator.
Gambit grimaced at his back.
//What's the matter?// she asked suddenly amused at this turn
of affairs. It might just have the possibility of taking her mind off
of Scott.
//He wants t' feed me.//
//I think it's sweet.//
//*gag*//
//Come on. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy him taking an
interest in your well-being. Rogue told me all about his petting,//
she teased.
//Bitch. He drove off m' girlfriend. He pulls m' around like
I'm his chien. I don' know what the Hell he wants. He don' talk. He
don' listen. An' I'm followin'. Mais, I don' know anymore. I start
whinin' when I want him t' do somethin'. I *growled* at Henri!//
//You always growl at Hank.//
//Non, most of the time Remy's sweetness and light t' the
homme. M. Bete don' talk down t' me.//
//And I do?//
Remy didn't reply. "At least it's better than raw rabbit," he
muttered as Logan set a plate of chopped veggies in front of him. He
nibbled at a carrot stick. "Well, m' eyes ain't gonna be a problem.
Love the hair, chere," he told Jean. "Y' should try the windblown
look more often."
"That is why I have TK. Unlike *some* people, I don't like my
hair in my face."
"An' y' don' worry about people beatin' the shit outta y'
because of y' eyes." Remy snapped his jaw shut and stared down at his
plate. He shoved it away. "Sorry, chere," he said and left the room.
Logan growled and went after him.
Jean's brows rose as the thief suddenly took his place at the
table again. "Back so soon? Good. I'd hate to end our conversation so
suddenly."
"Y' keep y'r pet away from po' Remy? He's usin' his claws
again. An' he done scared po' Rogue near unto deat'."
"Now I know you're playing me. Your accent only get that
thick when you want something. Now, you were saying?"
Remy sighed and prodded the veggies again. Logan stalked back
in and settled in his seat. Remy looked at him warily. Logan growled
pointedly and the thief picked up another carrot stick. Storm sat
down. She smiled at her brother. "It won't kill you," she soothed.
Her smile was teasing. "It will do you good to get something of a
vegetable nature down your throat."
Remy stuck his tongue out at her then chomped on his
carrot. "I was sayin', chere, that y're a pretty. Y' ended up in a
coma. Oui, Remy knows this. But y' can walk down the street wit'out
people wantin' t' knock y' down because y' look different. They don'
call y' names. They don' toss y' in the trash cause y' ain't right.
And y' know it. Even Bobby understands better'n you. He can't go iced
up like he wants 'cause someone'd hurt him." He gestured with the
stick. "And don' start preachin' at m' 'bout mutant equality or any
of that shit. We all know that Xavier's pretty dream ain't gonna
happen while none of us are alive. And I really got t' learn t' leash
m' mout'." He glared at his plate. "I'm gonna get some real food. I
ain't a rabbit."
Logan caught Remy's arm in a vice-like grip. Remy bared his
teeth at him in a snarl. Logan's eyes narrowed. He popped one claw
and tapped it on the younger man's nose. Remy slumped back, pouting.
He pulled free and crossed his arms over his chest. Storm's brows
rose. "Would this be part of the reason why Rogue is currently in her
room packing a suitcase?"
"Merde! If Logan. . ." Remy darted quickly out of the room.
Logan followed.
Jean and Ororo shared a glance. //Oh, my.// Jean stated.
//Do you really think?// Ororo responded.
//I do. I really do. I think we need to find Scott quickly.//
*****
"Rogue, chere."
"No, Remy, I'm decided. I'm out of here until that man comes
ta his senses. This ain't about us, sugah. Ya know that. I know ya
don't want me leavin', but I can't stand it anymore." She shoved more
clothes into her bag. "And I ain't gonna send Jean and Scott out of
their home."
"Y' can't leave 'til we get Cyke back," Gambit said firmly,
straightening. "The team needs all the fighters it can get. I don'
care if'n I have t' beat Logan down f' it."
"You ain't tellin' me tah stay for the good of the team? You,
sugah?"
"Me, chere. Y're needed here. Y' can fly. Y're damn near
invulnerable. And y' got a good head on y'r shoulders t'anks t' Raven
and Xavier. I ain't gonna let y' go when we might need y'. And if'n
y' got a problem wit' it, talk t' Jeannie. Now put down that bag an'
get downstairs. I don' care what Logan t'reatens y' wit'. He gonna
back down if Jeannie jumps on him f' scarin' y'."
Logan growled behind the thief. Gambit turned to confront
him, eyes flashing. "And y' can just stand down. I'll be back down t'
finish eatin' in a minute," he said sharply.
*****
What did the pup think he was doing? He was actually going to
challenge for the flyer? Logan smirked. Let him try it. He popped his
claws out and moved to route the pup away from the flyer. The pup
bared his teeth and did exactly what Logan didn't want. He moved into
a challenge posture. Logan snarled at the flyer. He attacked first,
forcing the pup away from the danger. He swiped at the flyer and she
looked at the pup for a long moment. Then, she grabbed her horde and
left. Logan pounced on the pup.
*****
Gambit dodged the first swipe, knowing it was mostly for
show. He tried to convince Rogue to stay with pleading eyes. She
looked between them, shook her head and left. He cursed mentally at
his distraction. He almost made it out of Logan's way. The attack
took him to the ground. Remy wasn't ready to give up on it. He
pulled, but Logan's weight was too much for him to free his legs.
*****
Logan caught the pup's arms and pulled them up behind him
until he heard an involuntary whimper. He held them there. The pup
stilled.
*****
Gambit's shoulders burned. Damn the man. Damn him. He let his
head drop to the floor. Logan eased off on the pressure. Suddenly, he
was flipped onto his back. He struck towards Logan's throat. Logan
caught his wrists, not seeming to care if he hurt the thief or not.
He forced Remy's chin up with his head and bit his throat firmly. For
the first time, he actually drew blood.
*****
He hadn't actually meant to hurt the pup, but Spice did
insist on fighting. He licked at the blood he'd drawn and took in the
sharp tang of fear. He held position, teeth pricking against the
flesh of the pup's throat until the pup gave up. It wasn't a surprise
that Spice was out of control. The alpha wasn't around and that meant
the hierarchy wasn't defined. He needed to be put firmly in his
place. He'd let the kids fight it out on their own, but for now, he
had to be in charge.
*****
Finally, Remy just gave in. He went completely limp in
Logan's grip and let him have his way. Logan rubbed against his cheek
gently. Remy sighed. Logan's grip stayed firm. Finally, he tipped his
head so that his cheek rested against Logan's hair. The older man
finally let him up. Remy touched the cut at his throat with surprise.
He rubbed the blood between his fingers. He hoped that Hank would let
it go. He was routed back to the kitchen, just as Jean was about to
come after them. Rogue's description hadn't been that
disturbing. "Where'd she go, chere?" Remy asked. He ignored the fact
that Logan's hand was wrapped around his hair.
"She went to a hotel. Remy, what's happening here?"
"I ain't sure, chere. I can' tell no more. It was easier last
time. He was hurt. This time, I don' know." Remy shrugged. He tried
to twist out of the grip, but Logan merely growled at him and shook
him none to gently. Jean's eyes widened.
"He's reestablishing pack heirarchy," Hank said from the
doorway.
"Then why focus on m'?" Remy demanded.
Hank blinked at him, then smiled. "He thinks you're the only
one who'd challenge for Scott's position."
Remy's jaw dropped. "Bullshit, Bete. No way."
Jean stared at Hank. "So, this is because Scott isn't around?"
"Non, chere, this is because there's somet'in' wrong wit'
Logan's head. He ain't focusin' on m' because Scott ain't around.
Mebbe he's just lonely." Remy leered at Logan. The Canadian snorted
and finally let go. Remy automatically straightened his hair. "I
gotta find Rogue."
"Why?"
"Because M. Logan here ain't exactly gonna follow orders an'
if he goes off we ain't got no way t' stop him from killin'. He ain't
gonna stop short of destroyin' whatever's huntin' his pack and y'
know it an' Rogue's the only one that stands a chance of survivin'
him in a rage. We also gonna need a flyer wit' tactical use."
Jean shook her head. "We have Storm and Angel."
"Ange ain't got superstrength and Stormy ain't invulnerable."
"True."
"And ain't neither of them a scrapper."
"And you wonder why Logan thinks you're the closest to an
alpha male we have?" Jean smirked. "Honestly. If you'd just apply
yourself, Remy, you'd be perfect."
"I don' *like* bein' the boss." Remy sighed. "Papa's been
plannin' on me takin' over f' him when he dies. I ain't lookin'
forward t' it." He shook his head. Logan tugged on his ponytail. He
glared at the Canadian. "Now, what y' found out?"
"That you need to eat something. And that Bobby is going to
go with Rogue."
"Non," Remy snapped, eyes flashing. "Where is the lil'
connard?"
"Remy!" Jean snapped. "Bobby and Rogue have been friends for
years."
"Oui, chere, but she's still m' girl. I'll go wit' her."
"We need you here. You're the only one who's been able to
connect with Logan in this state. You'll be the only one who can pull
him out of it this time."
"Bullshit, Jeannie."
"Are you calling me a liar, Remy?" she asked mildly.
"Oui."
She smirked at him. "Silly, silly, Cajun." She shook her
head. "Do you see him interacting with anyone else in this house."
"Rogue."
"In a positive way."
Remy considered the argument. "Charles?"
"Remy."
"Oui, chere. I know it. But y' can' tell Remy that it gonna
stay like that. If I ain't here, he'll find someone else t' bat
around." Jean just glared at him. Remy put his hands up in
defeat. "Fine, y' force me an' Rogue int' a break up, y' get t'
explain it t' her."
"Why would she break up with you?" Jean asked in amusement as
they made their way back in to finish lunch.
"Because I should've been wit' her t'day. Y' know that. Y'
know I shoulda just shoved Logan int' the closet or somet'in'." Remy
bared his teeth at the back of Logan's head. The Canadian released
his claws.
*****
Good, Logan thought, the alpha bitch was taking Spice in
hand. Spice was going to drive him insane. What did he think he was
doing challenging? He was still far too young. At least the flyer was
gone. Maybe the pup would settle down now.
*****
"We have coordinates," Betsy stated. "They're close." The
team scrambled and headed for the lab.
"Gambit?" Jean queried gently. "Rogue will meet us there."
Remy snorted. "Bullshit, Phoenix. Get Claws strapped in, we
gonna land hard. Y' know I ain't the best pilot in the world."
Jean shook her head. They moved cautiously into the facility.
Gambit frowned, flipping a card through his fingers. Wolverine
scouted ahead warily. He couldn't smell anything but chemicals.
Phoenix scanned the area. She frowned. //Feels like a trap.//
//Oui.//
The attack came literally out of thin air as the Marauders
flowed through a tesseract. There were only three of them, however,
and they were quickly felled. It felt like misdirection and Gambit
was looking for the other options. His eyes widened. Sinister had
never been interested in Rogue and Iceman before, but there was a
first time for everything. //Rogue?// he asked Jean.
//She's not responding. Nor is Iceman. Shit.//
//Cyke?//
//We've got him here,// Betsy informed them. //Returning to
the plane now. He's okay.//
//Good. Pull out.// Jean broadcast the message.
Cyclops blinked behind his glasses, only half-awake as he was
lead onto the plane. He settled thankfully into a chair. His head
ached from a combination of his concussion and the sedatives he'd
been fed. He swatted at Logan when the man started fussing over him
and the Canadian snorted, pronouncing him fine.
*****
Remy pounded his fist into the mattress too angry to speak.
How dare Sinister! How dare he disrupt his life like this! Logan
watched silently from the door, but Remy didn't slow down.
*****
Logan strode forward, he caught Spice's arms in a tight grip
and stopped the relentless pounding. He was just going to get hurt if
he kept on like that. The pup twisted and snapped at the restricting
hands, but Logan held firmly until he stilled.
*****
Remy curled into Logan's arms eventually, tired of struggling
against hands that weren't easing their grip. Rogue and Bobby were
missing. Cyke was back and now he knew. Sinister had started talking
to him about his protegee. Jean had informed him of that little fact
before they'd trundled Scott off to Hank's care. No one else knew
yet. It smelled of misdirection to her and she wanted to make sure
Sinister hadn't left them any surprises along with their leader.
Remy shook in silent rage.
*****
Logan smelled the anger pouring off of the pup's skin. He
held him firmly, but gently. The pup tucked his head under Logan's
chin and Logan rocked him until the rage fled, replaced by dull
resignation. The passivity was disturbing. Logan set the pup down and
pushed his chin up with his nose. There was no resistance. Logan
frowned. He stroked the pup's forehead. Maybe he was still hurt? Blue
would know. He tugged at the pup's wrist and Spice followed without
question. Logan's heart clenched in fear.
*****
Hank looked up in surprise when Logan opened the door. Scott
was "resting" until the drugs left his system. What that really meant
was that he was seething with inactivity after having been
constrained for nearly a day. Scott was pleased to see the pair, but
less pleased when he realized something was wrong. Remy settled on
the table, eyes flat and dull. "Gambit?" he questioned.
The thief's eyes turned towards him and he frowned. He'd
never seen fear in them before.
*****
Logan growled at the alpha. The pup was upset enough already.
There was no need to be questioning him. The alpha snarled at him and
pushed himself off of his bed. Logan rolled his eyes. Stubborn
bastard, old One-Eye was.
*****
Hank lifted Gambit's chin and checked his eyes. There was no
sign of a concussion or anything else of that nature. He was willing
to bet that there wasn't anything physically wrong, but he had an
almost sick feeling that there was something psychicly wrong. He
called Jean down to his lab. Everyone would assume that Scott was
being a pain in the ass. Let them.
Scott wracked his brain. His eyes widened. She hadn't. He
hadn't meant to let it slip. Damn it.
"Jean?" he queried when she came in. She cocked her head to
the side.
"What's wrong?"
"We don't know and he's not talking. Why don't you ask Logan?"
Jean rolled her eyes. "Because he's feral."
"He is?" Scott blinked. "Oh." He rubbed his head. He had a
feeling that he was going to forget a lot more before the night was
over.
"Y' know," Remy whispered, hands folded in his lap. He was
waiting for judgement.
"Gambit, I don't care what that psycho told me," Scott
informed him. He touched Remy's hand, knowing the thief was
physically oriented. His skin was cold. "LeBeau, what. . . Remy," he
tried. The thief's attention was somewhere very far away.
"An' know he's got Roguie. An' he's gonna tell her."
Scott closed his eyes. "Remy, Rogue will be fine. Sinister
never kills his subjects."
Remy snorted out a short laugh. "Lot y' know 'bout it." Remy
shivered. "He don' kill Summerses. De rest of us be expendable."
"I don't know. He seemed fond of you," Scott said before he
could stop his mouth. Hank blinked.
"Oh my stars and garters. Is that the trouble, young man?"
Hank took Remy's pulse for lack of anything better to do.
"I thought it was only fair to tell him," Jean stated. "It's
his life."
"I wasn't planning on telling him. I was planning to forget I
ever heard it," Scott shot back. "This isn't a problem."
"Y' want me out?"
"Where else am I supposed to find a thief?" Scott
demanded. "This is your home. I don't give a damn about your past.
Only your future."
Remy looked up hopefully. "Honest?"
"I don't lie. Well, not often at least," he amended before
Hank could interject.
*****
Logan rubbed the pup's arm and he turned to him. The sparkle
was beginning to return to his eyes. Logan smiled in encouragement.
*****
//Jean, am I missing something?//
//Logan has been keeping Remy in line while you were away.//
Jean smirked. //Ro and I think it's about time Logan admitted his
feelings. It's sweet.//
//Sweet? Logan? Right. You're a freak Jean. But the two of
them? Honestly?//
//Can't you see it?//
//Well, yes, but I never thought Logan would overcome his
lust for you.//
//He hasn't.// "The professor thinks he's located Bobby."
Remy's eyes lit up with a darkling flame. Scott raised his
brow.
"You're staying here, with me," Scott stated.
"Why?"
"Conflict of interest."
"Y' want t' torment po' Remy."
"Exactly."
"Merde."
Jean and Hank left. Logan looked between the two men. Scott
jerked his head in the direction Jean had gone and Logan took off.
"I want the whole story, not the propaganda version, Gambit.
And then, tell me about your adventures with a feral Logan." Scott
grinned.
"Y' evil. Pure evil."
"I wouldn't be wanted if I was nice."
"I don't know. Probably fool a few of the femmes still."
"Talk, Gumbo."
*****
Rogue rubbed at her eyes. Remy was waiting for her to wake
up. He was sitting quietly by her bedside, a book in his hand. It was
something in Japanese, she could tell that much. "Hey, sugah."
"Welcome back, chere."
She smiled. There was a sadness in his eyes that he didn't
want to address. "Where's Bobby?"
"He's in his room. He was fine by the time y'all got back
here."
She frowned. "Ya didn't come with them?"
"Scott kept m' here."
"Sugah?" He looked miserable.
"He wanted a run-down on what he'd missed. What he'd
f'gotten. Didn't want m' goin' nuts tryin' t' get y' out neither."
Rogue reached out with her bare hand to trace his cheekbone
the way she had a million times before. She stopped barely above his
skin and Remy didn't move, except to tip his cheek into the non-
existant touch. "Oh, Remy," she sighed. "I'm goin' to Scotland," she
stated.
He blinked. "T' visit Kurt?"
"To see if Moira can help me."
His jaw dropped. "Chere? Y' goin' alone?" he asked.
A single tear ran down her cheek. She nodded. "I been
thinkin' a lot about it recently. I don't want to hurt ya, but this
ain't workin'. I've been livin' in this house since I was 16, Remy. I
need to try somethin' else. Xavier's too busy. And I ain't wearin' a
collar."
"I'll come wit' y', Rogue," Remy said softly.
She shook her head. "No, sugah. Ya need someone who can take
care of ya. Ya been takin' care of my needs since ya showed up."
"Because I love y', chere. Rogue, I don' mind takin' care of
y'. I can put up wit' anyt'in' y' t'row at m'."
"That's just it, sugah. I need to throw things. I need to be
somewhere it don't matter if I get into a screamin' fight. This place
is too close, Remy. I need. . ."
"Y' need t' be free, chere. T' grow up." Remy sighed. "I knew
it was comin', chere."
"I hate to point this out, swamp rat, but ya're younger'n me."
"But I been married, have a career, have enemies that are
mine alone." He smiled at her. "I didn't do my growin' up here, and I
don't think I could live with Jean-Luc at the moment without wantin'
t' throttle him m'self." He put his hand up to keep her quiet. "I
love ya, chere. I always will. I can come t' see y' whenever y' need
m'."
"I need to do this alone, Remy. It's over, sugah. For real
this time. I ain't gonna play games. I don't want to see ya for
awhile. I need to control this before it makes me crazy. Maybe, maybe
after."
"Mebbe. Je t'amie, Roguie." He kissed his gloved fingertips
and pressed them to her lips. He left her there. His shoulders were
tight and she felt like a bitch, but leading him on would have been
worse. She wiped angrily at the tear on her cheek. Someday, someday,
someone else would do that for her.
*****
Logan frowned. The pup was crying. He could smell it. But
when he peered into Spice's area, the pup was just sitting there,
staring at a rag toy. He stepped in and the pup bared his teeth in
warning. Logan growled at him and shut the door. Spice smelled of
pain. He didn't like that. He paced closer and the pup pulled away,
back onto his nest, trying to hide among the soft pillows.
*****
Remy clutched the little terrycloth frog like a lifeline. He
knew it was stupid, but it was the frog that Mattie had given him the
first night he awakened screaming from a nightmare. He'd kept it safe
and hidden for a very long time. He'd thought of giving it to Rogue
once, but he couldn't bear to be parted from it. It was the only
thing he'd never left behind. It rode around in an inside pocket of
his trench. He snapped at Logan's fingers when he tried to take it
from him. Logan smiled gently and rubbed at the tears Remy didn't
know he'd actually let free. He let the Canadian sniff at the toy.
*****
Logan sniffed at the rag. It was impregnated with Spice's
scent. He didn't smell the bird on it at all. That was good. He'd
seen a lot of those rag things in her nest and he didn't want her to
have any excuse to be near the pup. She was gathering the things from
her nest right at that moment with Icy's help. Icy didn't seem to be
too close with her, so he'd let it slide.
*****
Remy tucked the frog away into his pocket. He looked at Logan
through his bangs. He didn't know what the man was up to. He reached
out with his charm. Logan was offering comfort, he decided finally.
Did he know that Rogue was leaving? Did he even understand that that
was why Remy was upset? Probably not, Remy decided. Logan tugged on
his bangs. It was an affectionate gesture and Remy felt the tears
he'd been mostly able to fight choking him. Logan pulled him into a
warm embrace and he let go.
*****
Logan let the pup cry. He wasn't sure what was bothering him,
but he'd had a hard two days. The return of the alpha had calmed him
down at least. He breathed deep, enjoying the familiar scent. He laid
the exhausted pup down and started to move away. He recognized the
pup's particular call for him and turned. Spice didn't sound like the
rest of the pack. He'd been turned out of his own. He'd probably
though that the alpha was going to throw him out of this one two. It
was nearing winter and they didn't have near enough food for everyone
in the den. He laid down next to the pup and tucked him under his
chin.
*****
Remy sighed in contentment as Logan stroked his hair. He
liked being petted. Logan always helped him get his head on straight
when the nightmares started. He kept them away somehow, like a lucky
charm. His mind was even more calm now than usual, his emotions
comforting. He slept.
*****
Logan smirked at Remy snuggled close. Then, he started. He
wasn't in his room. The Cajun hadn't snuck in in the middle of the
night for whatever comfort his heart gave him. He cursed quietly and
Remy woke, eyes wide, scared. "Hush, kid. I'm just pissed that I
can't remember." He stroked Remy's throat, seeing bruises there. He
wanted to know what had happened.
Remy grinned. "Short story?"
"Please."
"Y' went feral. Sinister came. Took Scotty, hurt me. We
rescued Scott. Sinister took Rogue an' Bobby. We got them back. Rogue
announced she's goin' t' Scotland and broke up wit' m'. Y' came in
and held m' last night. Rogue's leavin' this mornin'. Y' should tell
her y' ain't mad at her. Y' been t'reatenin' her wit' y' claws."
"Aw, shit. Come on, kid. Let's go say goodbye."
"Remy already said it."
"Gumbo, get yer ass outta that bed and say goodbye to Rogue
before I skewer ya."
"Welcome back, Logan," Remy smiled. "Welcome back."
Logan just smiled.
FINIS