Logan blinked slowly to make sure he wasn’t imagining things. No, those half open eyes were still looking blindly back at him. Logan rushed to the bed and took the thin bruised face between his shaking hands. “ I knew you’d come back to Me.,” he whispered before he claimed the dry, cracked lips once again. He didn’t notice the terror in the eyes. He didn’t recognize the slight movement of the battered body as fighting back. All he knew was that Remy was back. Logan slowly pulled back and looked at him a moment before turning for the door and calling “ Hank! Doc, come in here! He’s…He’s awake.”

He found himself unceremoniously shoved out the door as a small army of nurses and the two doctors worked around his lover. He could do nothing but wait so he went to the pay phone and nervously punched in the mansion number. “ Xavier Institute, Ororo Monroe speaking. How may I help you?” All of a sudden Logan found his mouth very dry. Ro was the closest thing to family Remy had and he was suddenly at a loss for words. “ Hello?”
“He’s awake Ro, he woke up not more than a minute ago.” He forced the words out of his dry throat. “ Logan? …” It seemed that the regal Storm was at a loss as well. He heard her take in a sharp breath and imagined the hopeful look in her amazing cat eyes. “ Thank the Goddess. Is he all right? Is he?” Logan looked down the long hall toward the room that held his lover. “ They shoved me out when they started checking him.” Storm let out an aggravated moan, “ Are you still bringing him home? Logan please…” Logan felt bad for the wind rider; Remy was her brother in all but blood. The waiting and worry were as bad for her as him. “ I think everything’s gonna be okay now Ro. I gotta go, Hank’s comin’.” He could tell she didn’t want to hang up “ Alright, call me with any news.” she said reluctantly before she replaced the phone. He wrung his hands as he watched Hank walk towards him, the nervous energy needed a release and popping his claws was not an option in this small unsuspecting town. “ Well?” He didn’t want to waste words and he didn’t want one of Hank’s flowery speeches. All he wanted was for someone to finally tell him it was all going to be all right again. Hank steered him toward a seat and sat him down. He opened his mouth to speak and nothing came out. He tried again and still could not force the words to come. “ Damn it Hank, what?” Logan growled. “ Logan,” seemed a safe place to start Hank thought but the blue eyes that bore into him would not let him stop there. “ He’s no more awake than when his eyes were closed. I’m sorry. It does mean he’s moving toward waking but he’s no where near conscious yet.” He felt so bad for his friend. He knew this could take days, weeks, possibly months. Logan seemed to crumble inside, his shoulders fell and he stared at the bright tile floor. “ So he’s still in the coma?” Hank squeezed his shoulder, “Yes. I‘m afraid so.” The communicator in his pocket started to vibrate. That would be Scott. “ The Falcon has landed. I am going to make sure Remy is comfortable and ready to go home.” He stood and moved away from Logan, turning at the door to watch him a moment before continuing down the hall.

The flight home was somber. Hank sat beside Remy watching monitors and readouts. Logan found himself staring at those eerie eyes that occasionally would open and stare back. There was no life in them, no hint of the enigmatic young man they belonged to and they were, to his amazement, frightening like this.

Once Remy was situated in the med lab Logan relaxed a little bit. They were home, under the same roof. Although he hated the lab he felt sure that now Remy would have to be okay. Over the next forty- eight hours Remy slowly started to become more aware of his surroundings. He started to respond to sounds, even turning his head toward voices, but there was still no real recognition in his beautiful eyes. Logan stayed with him, talking and touching. When he grew tired Storm would sit and do the same. Everyone in the mansion had popped in at least once trying to draw the Cajun back to life.

“ He’s doing much better, aren’t you Remy?” Hank said on the morning of the second full week of his return. He was completely weaned from everything but the IV that feed him antibiotics and was sitting up in a chair when Logan entered. Hank stepped back and Logan knelt in front of the chair and kissed his young lover. “ Hey Darlin, I bet it feels good to get outta that bed.” He smiled at Remy a second then turned to Hank, “ What’s up?” Hank watched as Remy studied Logan’s face. “ It’s okay that you’re confused kiddo, you’ll get used to this ugly mug when your ready.” Logan said softly. The large blue doctor sat a bowl on the table beside them. “ I was going to help Remy with his breakfast but if you would like the job I’m sure I could find something else to do.” He couldn’t help smiling when Remy reached out toward Logan. The young man had come a long way in the past two weeks. Hank was a little concerned that he didn’t respond to his own name but patients coming out of comas were frequently confused so he let it slide. Logan caught the hand and kissed the palm. When Remy weakly pulled away Logan released him and lifted the spoon from the bowl,
“ What the hell are ya feedin him Blue, this looks nasty.” He lifted the spoon to Remy who turned away. “ I assure you that it won’t kill him.” Hank walked back to the doorway.
“ I don’t blame ya Darlin but ya have to eat.” He tried again and this time Remy swallowed. His throat was raw from the tubes that were there so long and from coughing up the remaining fluid in his lungs. He grimaced and weakly pushed away the next spoonful. “ Hank, any ideas?” Logan asked. This was like trying to feed an infant. He sat down the spoon and brushed his fingers through Remy’s soft hair. The motion caused something to stir in Remy’s mind but when he tried to grasp it the feeling was gone. He weakly rubbed at his temple and Logan could see on his face that he was trying to remember something. Hank walked into the room and waited for Remy to look at him.
“ Remy, I will be forced to replace the feeding tube if you continue to refuse.” He tried to sound stern without frightening the boy and it seemed to work, Remy sighed and reluctantly opened his mouth for the next bite. Logan gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “ That’s my boy.” Hank watched to make sure he would continue to cooperate. “ Any idea when he’ll start talking again?” Logan asked as he fed the young man. Hank sighed,
“ No, I guess we’ll just have to wait until he feels ready. I’m sure his throat hurts it looks raw. Maybe if we feed him ice chips and frozen juice it will relieve the pain and our young friend will join in on the conversations.”  Remy finished half the bowl of gruel then sighed and turned away. Logan put the spoon down and pushed back his lovers long hair.
 “ Alright. Hank, can we stop?” Hank checked the bowl, “ Yes. Why don’t you help him back to bed? I’m sure he’s tired and I need to do a few things before he can go back to sleep.” Logan helped Remy stand and threw his arm across the back of his shoulders so he could take Remy’s weight. The stitches had been removed, the internal wounds were nearly healed but the numerous scars were still red and looked sore. Hank returned with rubber gloves and a tube of ointment. “ Help him to his side.” Hank said quietly. He looked Remy in the eye, “ I’m sorry Remy, I know this hurts but I have to do it. I’ll only be a few minutes and then you can sleep.” Remy saw the glove and tube and tears welled up in his eyes. He looked at Logan pleadingly and shook his head. “ I’m sorry Darlin, he has to do it so you can get better.” He hated doing this to the kid but he gently rolled him to his side and pushed up his knee. Hank was as gentle as he could be. Very clinical so Remy wouldn’t feel like he was being assaulted again, but the young Cajun always let out a weak scream when Hank pushed the cream inside. It was the only sound the young man made and it broke Hank’s kind heart to hurt him like that. Once he was done he patted Remy’s hip softly. “ All done for now.” He couldn’t ignore the tears on the young man’s cheeks. He wondered if when he did this it brought on flashbacks. He turned to Logan “ I want him to start touching himself. It will help to de sensitize the area. Do you think you could help him with that? It should feel good to him and I want him to associate the good feelings with you.” Logan just looked at him for a moment, “ Yeah, I guess. It won’t make him remember…” Hank shook his head, “ Not if he does it. I just need you to show him it’s okay.” Logan nodded and looked down at his lover. The tears had stopped and he was listening to their conversation with apprehensive eyes. “ How much longer is he going to need the IV? It’s going to get in the way of things.” hank nodded understanding. “ I need to insert a catheter. The infection in his femur could take as long as two months to heal completely. I will remove the IV line once I get the catheter in place. We can give him the antibiotics he still needs through it and he will be able to leave the Med Lab and continue to recuperate in your room. Would you like that Remy?” He nodded slowly. “ Logan I am going to leave now. Just touch him, rub the scars. Help him understand that touch is good again.” Logan waited until he was gone and pushed up the hospital gown Remy wore. “ I love ya Darlin. Close your eyes and just relax.” Remy shook his head. “ You wanna watch?” Remy nodded. “ Okay.” He gently reached out and rubbed across his lover’s stomach and down his long legs, careful of the injured one. It felt so good to be touching the soft warm skin again, he moaned. Remy relaxed a little and spread his legs a fraction. Logan continued to pet and rub his young lover. Caressing his balls, stroking his cock, the scars felt strange on his soft skin, out of place. There was nothing sexual in the touch, just caring and love. He watched as the boy sighed, began to relax and enjoy the treatment. Logan talked quietly the whole time and soon Remy was sound asleep. It felt so good to be able to make the young man feel good again. He hoped when Remy was strong enough that he could remind him of all the good feelings he used to show him. He slowly stopped his motions and carefully covered him back up; kissing him gently he looked back at Hank. “ He’s gonna be okay, isn’t he?” Hank walked up to the bed and pulled the blanket up a little higher. “ I hope so,” he said quietly as he watched the young man sleep. “ He’s been through a horrific experience but I think your love and devotion will see him through it. What about you? How are you handling all this? He’s your lover and dare I say soul mate. Are you doing okay?” Logan played with a soft curl of auburn hair. “ I’ll be okay when he looks me in the eye and says Cher, I’m fine. Stop worryin’.” Hank smiled and patted his shoulder. “ That day will come. It may take a while, but it will come.”

Stephen felt more than saw the short man sitting by his bed. He sensed feral power and strength but also a nearly overwhelming amount of protectiveness and love. He liked this man, he felt safe with him. The blue man was nice too, he hurt him but he was always regretful and sorry afterwards. Stephen wondered about these new feelings and who was Remy? The name meant something to him he was sure but he had no idea why. “ Remy? You can stop pretending to be asleep, I know you’re awake.” The wolf man spoke quietly and held his hand. “ What happened to you? Why didn’t you come home? I need to know Darlin. I know your throat hurts but couldn’t you say something? You don’t have to be afraid, what happened doesn’t change anything. I could stop breathin easier than stop lovin ya. Please try.” Remy looked up through long bangs and swallowed hard. In the softest of whispers he said “ My name…Stephen.” Logan’s eyes grew as he tried to understand what he’d just heard. “ Hank, get in here.” He said quietly as he stared at his lover. Hank entered looking puzzled, “Logan you sound-” before he could finish his sentence a tiny whisper said “ Who’s Remy…Who’re you?”  He reached up and rubbed his raw throat. Hanks eyes grew too as he looked from Remy to Logan. “ Remy?” He shook his head, “ Oscar said…Stephen.” He pointed to himself. Hank’s heart broke for the young man; he looked so lost all of a sudden. Hank reached out and brushed back the long bangs, “ Sleep young man. We can talk more later when you’re feeling better, okay.” Stephen nodded and closed his eyes. His head hurt. Dozens of sights and sounds were swirling through his mind. He felt if he could just make them stop everything would be clear. Hank nodded toward the door, “ Logan.” They moved to Hank’s office. Logan turned and ranted, “ He doesn’t remember us? Me? Who’s Oscar? Do ya think he’s the bastard who…” Hank stopped his pacing with a strong hand to his shoulder. “ Calm down Logan, this won’t solve anything.” Logan looked him in the eye. “ He said Oscar said Stephen. He has to be the one that… the one who made him…” He couldn’t say the words. The one that made Remy sell himself. The one who turned Remy into a Prostitute again. “ Let’s allow him time to get stronger before we push this. He’s just coming out of a coma; he’s confused right now. It’s hard for him to think straight.” Logan sighed,
“ Alright Hank but I don’t like this. I want some answers and I want them soon.”

Stephen was still until they left then opened his eyes and rolled to his back. He rolled his shoulder to loosen the tight muscles. It was much better now. His leg still hurt but nothing like before. The blue man gave him crutches to use to get up. Oscar didn’t even give him aspirin. Where was Oscar? Did he know these people? Were they clients too?  The wolf man, Logan was his name? He kissed me. He touches me, touches the ugly scars. He runs his fingers through my…  A memory fought its way to the front of his mind. “ I know him.” He whispered out loud. “ Logan…” He rolled off the bed and grabbed the crutches. Suddenly seeing the man again was the most important thing in the world. The IV was in the way so he ripped it out without a thought. He had to find Logan. Storm walked in as he took his first, very shaky step. “ Goddess!” she caught him as he lost his balance and fell. “ Remy what on earth are you doing?” She swept him off his feet on a cushion of warm air and gently placed him back in the bed. “ Hank!” she called as she ran to the bathroom and returned with a cloth to press to his bleeding hand. Hank asked, “ What’s going on?” as he entered, but seeing the IV dripping on the floor and the blood on the cloth he quickly jumped into action. “Let me see” he said as he moved to Storm. “ I have to get the IV back in. It is vital that he get this. Remy?” Getting no response from the confused young man he tried “ Stephen?” The boy looked wide-eyed at him, at everyone crowded around him. Surrounding him. “ Why does my brother answer to Stephen?”
“ That’s it! I’m hunting the raping bastard down and killin him!” The voices assaulted him as he lie shivering with fear between these strange people. He had remembered something. Something important but now it was gone. He was somehow lifted without being touched. He was falling then flying. The wolf man was growling and angry. Stephen had a terrifying vision of Carl backhanding him. A rank smell as he was pulled half off a bed and a cock was rammed down his throat. He couldn’t breathe! When he was sure he would die hot sour cum shot down his throat .He was pulled by his hair the rest of the way to the floor and flipped to his stomach. Bites, punches, a few scattered words “…refuse me?… I’ll make myself fit… tear you apart boy toy…you’re nothing but a pretty whore…” rained down on him.  The voices above him where getting louder, he closed his eyes; he didn’t want to see these people anymore. Shards of memories sliced through his head all demanding to be acknowledged. He tried to hold his head, the migraine was back, his head throbbed, but the blue man, the BEAST kept pulling it back. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed, a STORM was approaching. The little man growled and talked, claws appeared; he was as feral as a WOLVERINE. Stephen sobbed silently forgotten in the madness. He remembered gunshots and his head, shoulder and leg burned with pain. SHOT.HE WAS SHOT ON THE WAY HOME. He was on his way HOME. Carl’s face appeared again, biting, sucking, and burning pain as he tore his way inside an already torn and swollen opening. He was squeezing and biting and pulling his cock. A knife slashing madly…
“ …Blood makes it slide so easy…Come ya Whore! Need at feel ya milk me!” He was cutting, punching. Suddenly a gentle touch…a passionate kiss… coming forever…
“Logan”. Tears.

Jean stumbled half blind toward the shattering mind. Flashes of a brutal rape then passionate love. A savage beating then a loving touch. Running blood then warm scented oil. Insane brown eyes then cherished blue. “I’m Dying! I’m Dying!” then “Cher hold me I’m flying.”

“ STOP IT!” She shrieked as she stumbled to the bed holding her head. She reached down and pulled the silently sobbing boy to her, holding his head to her heart.
“ Shhh…Shhh…it’s okay.” She pet his hair, soothed him like a frightened child. The noise around him stopped as everyone’s attention finally turned to the cause of the heated discussion. He shook and sobbed hoarsely against her chest. “GET OUT!” was the only words she spared them as she telekinetically shoved them out the door and sealed it. Tears ran down her cheeks into his soft hair. He was trapped between who he was and whom he’d been turned into. Stephen the whore was being savagely beaten and raped. Remy the X-man was being cherished and loved and he couldn’t figure out which was right. He couldn’t figure out how he could be Stephen AND Remy. She gently gave him the suggestion of exhaustion and the hard sobs slowed and eventually stopped. She held him a while rocking him gently, suddenly seeing how truly young he really was. She calmed his thoughts and then she did the one thing the Professor told her never to do. She captured Stephen and all his memories and sealed them in a box in the back of his mind. It would dissolve slowly over the years but by the time it did the memories would be like old photographs, faded and dull. The feelings and sound track that accompanied them would be muted and too quiet to hurt anymore. She continued to hold the sleeping boy and rock him gently in her arms. She kissed his hair and whispered in his mind, “ My gifts to you…forget.”
 

TBC