turning point [part i and ii]
X-Men Evolution: Turning Point
Part I
“I’ve told you before,” WHACK! The sound of a fist connecting with flesh rang in the air, dancing around the room. “I’m in charge.” A twist of the wrist and the crack of bone breaking and a muffled cry. “I make the rules.” Another punch, this time to the gut, a rib cracked, the break confirmed by the pain. “And you will follow them.” The bruised and battered body was thrown into the room, hitting the wall with a painful thud. The door closed and locked, the darkness engulfing the space. The sound of footsteps going down the hall slowly and a sigh of relief was released. It wasn’t as bad this time, it could’ve been worse, it had been worse.
Remy slid down the wall, sitting on the floor cross-legged, nursing his broken wrist and holding his side. It was something Jean-Luc had mentioned before Remy had been taken by Magneto. When rules were broken there had to be punishment. At first Magneto seemed reluctant, but that was Erik, not Magneto. After a while it was clear Magneto was enjoying it. The ‘punishments’ became more frequent, the Cajun found himself breaking rules he didn’t even know existed. Eventually Magneto stopped hiding it, rather than focus his abuse on concealed areas of the body, such as Remy’s legs, back, chest and arms, Magneto was growing bolder, causing cuts to Remy’s face, bruising the delicate features of a once flawless face. It was only recently that the breaks started. Bones crushed under pressure, the strength behind most of the blows just told Remy more about the fact that Magneto was no longer doing this because it was upheld by Jean-Luc. Magneto liked having power over someone; he liked the feeling he got when Remy just couldn’t fight back. Of course this caused the others to notice the strange markings. John and Piotr had made a big deal of it but both Magneto and Sabertooth, who also took some pleasure in beating on Remy whenever Magneto was really pissed, had disregarded it. Remy had been very grateful about their concern, but it was pointless. Remy hardly ever spent time around the mansion anymore; it didn't feel like he should even be there anymore.
There was a sound at the door and red eyes shot up. He hadn't heard anyone coming. The door was being unlocked, but it was being unlocked manually. Remy winced, Sabertooth was much worse company than Magneto, and personally Remy would rather face Magneto again tonight than have Sabertooth pay him a visit at all.
"LeBeau?" A head came around the door and once more there was a sigh from the Cajun.
"Piotr?" The thief stood, wincing slightly, "Der will be trouble if you be found here, mon ami." Piotr shook his head.
"John and I have decided, it's time you were out of here Gambit." Remy frowned. Leave? He had tried, several times but for some reason he always ended up back at the mansion, with Erik being mad, and all those times Creed had made sure Remy knew not to try it again. Which he would, and so it would be repeated. Maybe Remy should've just learnt his lesson the first time. "I've got a key to your window, John's going to open the garage, you take that bloody bike of yours and get the hell away from here. You got that Cajun?" Remy didn't get why Piotr would think he would do anything else. Mind you he did always end up back here; it just took a few weeks.
"Don' worry non, dis Cajun know when it be time to take his leave." Piotr nodded once, moving to the window. The giant male opened the window, moving to let Remy climb through, gingerly.
"Hope I never see you again, LeBeau." Remy nodded, smiling a little at other man. Piotr left Remy's room, which was in the sense of it more of a cell, and headed down the hall again. Remy jumped out the window, landing a little less gracefully than he normally would've have.
“Gambit, that you?” Remy rolled his eyes. Had it been Magneto or Sabertooth they would definitely know something was up now.
“Oui, ‘though I t'ink you should be grateful for that, feu-demarreur.” John nodded, pulling Remy’s bike out of the bushes.
“Man do I hope you get gone this time.” John said, giving the French thief a pat on the back. “Don’t want to be seeing you around here again man, not ever!” Remy shook his head.
“Merci, keep your ‘eads down. Der be trouble for you both if it found out you helped Remy leave.” John nodded, and Remy didn’t stick around for the last goodbyes. Kicking the bike to life Remy drove off on the bike, trying to steer with his good hand alone. The Cajun knew where he was heading first. A hospital.
- - -
“But Rogue, it’ll be fun!” The goth shook her head again, ignoring the pleas from her friends. “Why? Why don’tcha wanna come?” Evan moaned, kneeing beside the sofa on which Rogue was lying, reading a book.
“What’s tha point? Y’all know that ah don’t like crowds. Ah’d rather just sit here with mah book thanks.” She answered, not looking up from what she was reading. Kurt looked at what it was she was reading anyway.
“Another book on Vampires?” He exclaimed. “Rogue, dis is the fourth one dis week!” The southern belle sighed, resting her book against her knees.
“So what? Ah like reading about them.” She looked around the crowd. Bobby, Amara, Kitty, Kurt and Evan were all trying to get her to go to another party with them, but she seriously wasn’t in the mood. “Why don’t y’all go out an have fun. Ah’ll just stay here an have fun by mah self as well. Everyone wins.”
“X-Men to the Black-Bird hanger. Suit up.” Kitty sighed after hearing Professor Xavier. Rogue put her book down on the sofa and made her way to the hanger, stopping by her room to change into her uniform.
“If I find out Lance had anything to do with this, like, I am so going to dump him.” Rogue shook her head.
“No ya won’t. Y’all are totally into each other. Ya’ll just argue some more.” Kitty laughed at Rogue’s comment; the two female X-Men arrived in the hanger just as the others did. “What’s goin’ on?” Rogue asked as the Professor entered with Logan behind him, the Wolverine suited up to go as well. The whole team was being dispatched for this one.
“Is there another prospective mutant on the loose?” Scott asked, they had picked up three in the last two weeks, all of the teens joining the Institute to train their abilities.
“No, we have been seeing some strange behaviour from one mutant. He is currently in some danger and I wish for you all to help him.” Everyone shrugged, seemingly agreeing to help.
“Professor, we, like, totally wanna help. Why wouldn’t we?” Kitty asked in her own perky nature, causing Kurt to laugh.
“Ja, we are like totally there.” The German agreed.
“Hold up there fuzz. Don’t you all wanna know who this mutant is?” Logan asked, arms folded over his chest. The younger X-Men all realised then that it really hadn’t mattered who it was. It could’ve been Lance, Pietro, Todd or Fred. It might have been Juggernaut for all they knew. The question of who it was hadn’t passed through their minds.
“I don’t think any of us were really bothered.” Jean replied, wondering if Professor Xavier was going to be angry with them. She almost laughed, Professor Xavier wouldn’t be mad, or angry, Logan might but not the Professor.
“As much as it relieves me how much you care about doing the right thing. This time you must all take into consideration whether you wish to go on this mission or not. Myself, Logan and Ororo have agreed that this is all up to you.” Scott began to worry.
“Professor, who is it?” If the Professor wanted them to think carefully about helping someone, anyone, then there had to be a reason for it.
“Gambit.”
“That Swamp Rat?” Rogue asked, shocked. “Why would he even ask for our help?”
“Yeah, usually he just manipulates someone into doing what he wants.” Evan added. Gambit had the Midas touch, a forte if you will, when it came to manipulation; he was almost as good as Mystique.
“That’s the thing, he hasn’t asked for our help, but he needs it.” Storm said from the other side of the Professor. “Now is when you see if you can help someone, even someone who appears to be the enemy, even if they haven’t asked for help.” Storm said to them. This was test of sorts? Kitty sucked up a breath then let it out.
“Well, like, I don’t care what he’s done. I will, like, totally go and help him.” Kitty argued. She seemed set on helping; Rogue looked at her roommate and friend. If Kitty could put Gambit’s past actions behind her then surely Rogue could too. Right?
“I’m going too.” Scott said, that sealed the deal for Rogue.
“Yeah, ah’m in.” Kitty beamed at the streak haired girl, it was clear Kitty was proud.
“Sure, vhy not? I don’t have other plans.” Kurt added. The rest of the group nodded, saying they would also go to help Gambit, although Evan was rather miffed at having to help the egotistical male.
“Good. I’ll send the co-ordinates, be careful, I don’t know what it is that Gambit is running…” The Professor trailed off, his face going slack before a look of sheer agony crossed the telepath’s features. “Argh!”
“Professor!” Jean ran to kneel in front of Xavier. “Professor, what’s wrong?”
“Go, you must go now.” He croaked out, not opening his eyes. “Gambit must be in serious trouble. Go, quickly!” Scott didn’t wait to be told again.
“Okay X-Men, let’s move!” They all rushed onto the Black-Bird, Hank appearing to tend to the Professor as Jean made her way to the jet just before it took off.
“I fear that they may be too late, Hank.” The large blue Doctor sighed.
“The world of demons is a frightful place for the young.” Charles nodded.
“Yes, and I suspect Gambit’s demons are only just hatching.” The Beast looked at the older man in the chair.
“You mean you don’t know what it is that Gambit is facing?” Charles shook his head.
“No my friend. Gambit is very good at keeping his thoughts locked away. It was only recently that they started to reach me. I do not receive memory’s or thoughts. Only pain and anger from him. Something is troubling him, Hank. And I worry that it may destroy him as well.”
- - -
When the Black-Bird landed at the spot where the Professor and Hank had sent them there was nothing but open grass and trees surrounding it.
“You think we missed him?” Kitty asked, looking around the area. Logan got out the jet and sniffed at the air.
“No, he’s still here. I can smell him.” Logan didn’t sound too pleased to be there. Fact was that he didn’t care much for helping the Cajun. He didn’t care much for helping any of Magneto’s cronies.
“Look!” Rogue pointed past a few trees. “There’s smoke. Y’all think maybe this was a trap? That fire could’ve been Pyro.” Rogue looked from Storm to Scott and then to Logan. Once more the Wolverine sniffed the air, looking for something more specific.
“That wasn’t no fire-starter, that was a crash. I smell gas,” he paused, giving another sniff, as if to be sure of something, “and Sabertooth.” Scott turned to him.
“So it was a trap.” Logan didn’t answer.
“Storm, fly on ahead, see if Magneto’s hanging around. We’ll make way through the trees.” The weather witch nodded and took off with a gust of wind, heading for the area near the smoke. The rest of the team ran through the trees, all with the feeling that they had been set up by Magneto and Gambit again. Storm’s voice over the communicators changed that quickly.
“Logan, get here quick. Gambit and Sabertooth are fighting.” Kitty gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Rogue frowned, why would the swamp rat start something between one of his own? Unless they weren’t his own anymore?
Wolverine and the others arrived just in time to see Gambit get thrown against a tree and a log get thrown at Storm. The woman moved out the way easily, but she didn’t notice the other log heading for her. Scott was just about to blast it when it blew up in a flash of yellow. Gambit knelt on the grass, cards in hand. Sabertooth growled, grabbing the Cajun man by the throat.
“Ain’t you learned yet?” Gambit winced in pain as Sabertooth lifted him by his throat, pinning him against the tree.
“Let him go.” Scott said, the rest of the X-Men standing beside him. “Or we’ll make you.” Sabertooth just laughed.
“Look’s like it’s the runt bunch to the rescue.” Turning back towards Gambit he sneered. “I’ve had my fun. Be seeing ya.” Sabertooth’s claws scratched along Gambit’s face before the Cajun was dropped to the ground on his knees as Sabertooth dashed off through the trees. Logan took off after the fleeing Sabertooth while Storm took to the sky, following that way. Rogue was the first to approach Gambit.
“Ya alright, Swamp Rat?” She asked, trying to mask her concern. Gambit didn’t look up. Rogue sighed. “Look Gambit, we’re just trying ta…” The girl trailed off, looking down at Gambit she noticed he was shaking, panting for breath and clearly in pain. “Remy?” Rogue dropped to her knees and wrapped an arm around the Cajun’s shoulders. What she hadn’t expected was for Gambit to recede from her touch.
“What’s up?” Kitty asked, stopping in front of the two kneeling mutants. Rogue shrugged and then used a gloved hand to force Remy to face her. When he did she almost cried. His face was cut and small bruises littered his cheek and jawbone. His usually fiery red eyes were dulled and he was pale. There was no way this was just a result of an attack by Sabertooth.
“Cajun, what’ve they done to ya?” Remy barely even registered that it was Rogue holding him before he passed out, his head falling to her shoulder as his body went limp.
“Logan, Storm, you better get back here. Gambit’s in a bad way.”
- - -
“Well, we don’t really know what it was all about.” Jean told the Professor. “By the time we got there Gambit and Sabertooth were fighting.” Since Gambit had passed out the team had yet to find out anything about why Gambit and Sabertooth were battling one another.
“Professor, he will be alright, won’t he?” Rogue asked tentatively. Charles knew she was worried about the Cajun, it was clear to see.
“Rogue, I…” The Professor was interrupted by the opening of the doors to the infirmary.
“Sorry, but Dr McCoy wishes to speak with you Professor.” Zaire, a dark headed, young elementalist stood in the doorway. Zaire had been on the run from her past when the Professor had sensed her. She arrived at the Institute a few months ago, and after showing an interest in medical treatment Hank offered to take her on as an assistant and student.
“That’s alright Zaire.” Charles left the team standing outside and Zaire just shrugged at them before heading back in. “Hank, what’s wrong?” Charles had no idea that Zaire had accidentally left the infirmary doors open and that the X-Men could hear what he was saying.
“Well, Charles, it’s our young patient. Zaire did an examination and tended to his wounds and, personally, I think his condition wasn’t fully caused by Sabertooth.” Charles frowned.
“What do you mean?” Zaire stopped Hank.
“Can I?” Hank smiled, nodding. He had figured she would want to show off what she knew. “Well, at first it was nothing serious, the contusions around the jaw-line and small gashes around his face were all relative to the ones a person would get in a fist fight. But he has severe haematoa around the waist line, back and up his arms. There have also been several incisions made into his wrists and chest, all of which were not self-inflicted. He has a possible broken wrist; we’re waiting for x-rays to come back, and two cracked ribs. Severe internal bleeding and one self-inflicted laceration on his left wrist. It was pretty deep.” Charles was stunned, he never thought it could’ve got so bad, surely Gambit wouldn’t have let this be done to him.
“How can you be so sure it wasn’t Sabertooth?” Logan asked, entering the infirmary with the rest of the team behind him.
“Zaire?” The professor encouraged.
“Well, around some of the contusions there are some faint traces of a metallic like substance. The traces were indistinguishable, but we did find proof of metallic toxins causing burns. Not too serious, but enough to sting for a few days. Sorry but, everything we can find points to long term abuse, by old bucket head.” Zaire held resentment for Magneto long before she arrived at the Institute, but no one except the Professor and presumably Hank knew why.
“When will Remy wake up?” Rogue asked. Zaire looked over her shoulder, noticing that Hank had left, going into his office for something. He had left it to her to explain, Zaire felt a wash of pride come over her.
“We gave him a unitdose of a soporfic drug, it acts as a sleep inducer. His body needs time to mend itself internally before we can do much on the external damage. He should be out for at least the next few days.” Rogue seemed down hearted. “But we’ll have to wake him after about three days; we’ll need to make sure the way I’ve set his wrist isn’t painful or causing damage. If it is broken we’ll need to set it in a cast rather than the gauze bandage.” Charles nodded.
“Thank you Zaire. We’ll leave you and Hank to take care of Remy.” She nodded her head once before heading towards Hank’s office, ready to be told what she was to do next. “As for the rest of you, visiting hours will be later. It’s time for you all to go to bed I think.” The teens moaned a little before heading up to their rooms. Rogue looking back to the bed where Remy lay, motionless besides the rise and fall of his chest.
“Charles, do you truly believe that Magneto could do such a thing to Gambit?” Ororo asked, shocked herself about the cruel treatment of the young mutant.
“I don’t know Ororo, I really don’t know.”
- - -
For almost three days the X-Men heard no news on the condition of Remy LeBeau. He hadn’t woken up; he hadn’t shown signs of recovery or a decline in health, nothing had happened at all. Hank had asked Zaire to take over the care of Remy, making him her patient. Zaire had accepted the responsibility readily, she was sure she had learned what she needed in the first week she had spent with Hank to take sufficient care of the Cajun. And by all means it appeared she had.
“Zaire?” The runaway looked up as her name was called. Standing at the doorway to her room was Rogue, along with Kitty and Kurt behind her.
“What’s up? Wait, no, let me guess. Ya wanna know how the cute Cajun guy is doing?” Zaire was currently getting bombarded by questions about Remy since care had been handed over to her. After the rest of the Institute found out he was there they were all curious as to why and how he was. Even Evan had asked her how he was, although being rather underhanded and attempting not to be interested or concerned.
“Can you tell us?” Kurt asked. “Zer isn’t any doctor/patient confidentiality, is zer?” Zaire laughed a little at the German.
“No, come on in. Since it’s you guys I’ll fill ya in.” Zaire put her notes on the floor and signalled for the three X-Men to enter. “What do ya wanna know?”
“When he’s gonna wake up. Y’all said it would only take a few days; it’s been a few days. Why ain’t he waking up?” Rogue asked, standing in front of Zaire’s bed. Kitty sat on the bed and Kurt leaned against the edge of her desk. Zaire sighed.
“Dr McCoy and I figured that since the internal damage is so substantial and the contusions around his ribs haven’t healed sufficiently then we should give him a little more time.” Kitty frowned.
“So, like, he had bruised insides?” Zaire nodded. “Does that happen to a lot of people, cause, like, sometimes I get all sore and…” Zaire held up her hand.
“Yes, it happens to a lot of people. Ya probably feel it a lot after ya been fighting or something that caused a bump against a bone, that’s when there’s internal damage but not external because the skin ain’t broke. But with Remy it’s so severe that his body needs to heal as much as he can, so it’ll take up more energy, that’s why he’s been asleep so long.” Kitty nodded, understanding what the doctor in training was telling her.
“So, once he’s alright, we’ll know?” Rogue asked, “Ah mean, y’all will tell us. It’s just that ah worry about that Cajun.” Zaire smiled a little.
“Don’t worry, Rogue. The minute he wakes up I’ll get someone to tell ya, kay?” Zaire told the southerner, figuring that there had to be something between the thief and the gothic girl. Rogue seemed to relax a little and then smiled slightly.
“Thanx, ah gotta go. Ah have a training session with Logan.” Rogue thanked Zaire again and then left the room, heading for the danger room. Zaire watched her leave before turning to Kitty and Kurt.
“Are she and Gambit an item?” Kitty shook her head sadly.
“There is, like, totally the potential, but Rogue doesn’t want to get too close. She thinks that he’ll, like, just get hurt.” Zaire nodded. She looked at her watch before moving to stand.
“Well, if you’d excuse me, I have a patient who needs seeing to.” She stopped thinking that over. “Ya have no idea how cool that sounds.” Zaire said with a grin. Kitty laughed and Kurt smiled at her.
“Ve’ll see you later, ja?” Kurt said, looking over at Zaire who was collecting all her stuff and changing her shirt.
“Yeah, sure, you betcha.” Kitty frowned. “Something I picked up from some show on TV.” She shrugged, dismissing her strange little quirk. “See ya!” And Zaire headed down to the infirmary. She passed Jean and Scott, both of which asking about Gambit. Zaire told them the same thing she told Kitty, Kurt and Rogue, only in less detail and without any promises. By the time she arrived at the infirmary Hank had left. He had told Zaire earlier that he had a small meeting to attend, he was going to be away for the duration of the day. Zaire looked at her patient, still lying nicely in his bed.
“You know Cajun, there are a lot of people ‘round here who care ‘bout ya, wonder why that is.” Zaire said to herself, she took a small torch and went to check Remy’s pupils, trying to decipher when the male would wake up. Just as she was about to open his eye and hand shot up and grabbed her wrist painfully. “Ow!”
“Where de?” Zaire was stunned to see Remy awake, his red eyes alert but unfocused. She tried to loosen his grip on her arm but found he was just the little bit stronger than her.
“Listen, if ya’d just let go I can tell ya.” Remy released her wrist slowly, starting to sit up on the bed but stopping when the pain became too much.
“Qui sont vous?” He asked, his eyes not leaving hers. Zaire figured he was more than a little disorientated.
“My names Zaire. And ya’re at the Institute. We’ve been taking care of ya.” Zaire said, rubbing her wrist.
“Sabertooth?”
“Dunno, can I go call for Rogue and she’ll tell ya?” Remy rubbed his head but nodded at her. The dark haired girl moved to the intercom system and pressed for the Danger Room. “Rogue, can ya come to the infirmary, I need your powers please.” Zaire decided against stating that the Cajun was awake, Logan might not let her leave for that. Zaire sent a mental message to the Professor, hoping that it was true that he was always able to pick them up when they were sent his way, telling him that Remy was awake and wondering what was happening.
“Sorry, about the wrist chéri.” Remy said, noticing that she was still rubbing where he had grabbed.
“I think ya might’ve charged my skin.” Zaire stated. “But I suppose I can live with it. How ya feeling?” She went back over to the desk and picked up a stethoscope.
“Remy feel like merde, if you’ll pardon expression.” Zaire laughed; at least he still had a sense of humour. Just then Rogue walked through the door.
“Why do ya’ll need mah powers?” She asked, not seeing that Gambit was awake.
“I don’t. But I figured I’d say that so that Logan would let you go.” Zaire smiled. “I said I’d let ya know when the Cajun got up.” Rogue looked over and noticed that Gambit was indeed awake.
“You took your time.” Rogue said walking over to sit next to Remy. “Ah’m glad you’re alright, swamp rat.”
“Yes, Mr LeBeau, we are all very glad that you are alright.” Charles came in through the door, heading to the end of Remy’s bed. “However, we are wondering just what caused the fight between yourself and Sabertooth which caused such affects to your person.” Zaire cleared her throat and raised and eyebrow but the Professor ignored her. “Do you think you could fill us in?” The Professor asked, indicating to Rogue, Zaire and himself being ‘us’.
“It was nothing, a minor altercation.” Gambit said. Charles looked at Remy; the Cajun frowned, clearly wondering if the telepath was reading his mind.
“How exactly did it start?”
“Remy left the Acolytes.” The Cajun said with a shrug. “Magneto may not be too ‘appy.” Rogue’s head shot up from looking down at the Cajun’s bare hands.
“You’ve left the Acolytes?” Remy nodded. “Why?” Gambit cringed and frowned.
“Dat be a long story. One that Remy doesn’t want to tell.” Zaire seemed to be the only one who could see those walls suddenly go up, of course she had her own walls so she knew all too well.
“Okay, okay. Everyone out. He needs rest, Rogue, if you want and Remy’s okay with it, ya can come back in about two hours.” Rogue looked at Remy, seeing if he would mind.
“Remy would like de company.” Rogue smiled a little before heading out.
“See ya later then. Thanks Zaire.” The Professor watched Rogue leave, turning to Remy before he too left.
“Remember Remy, we can help you. But only if you ask for the help, and only if you tell us what’s going on.” Charles left it at that. Leaving Remy to consider what he said and for Zaire to stand in the background awkwardly.
“What did he mean by dat?” Remy asked, Zaire shrugged.
“Dunno, he’s got this whole Yoda thing going on. Without being small, green skinned and having big ears. But ya can trust us. We’re totally the good guys. But I suppose some bad boys on the ground could liven things up.” Zaire said. She checked all of Remy’s vitals before giving him the all clear. “It may take a while for the contusions to go away but it is going down. In a while there shouldn’t be any sign of bruising, internal or external.”
“You been the one treating Remy?” Zaire nodded, noticing his tendency to use third person when referring to himself. “Then you have Remy’s thanks.” He took her hand and kissed it softly.
“My pleasure. Man I can see why Rogue likes ya.” The Cajun seemed to perk a little at hearing that. Zaire managed to pick up on it also. “She’s been real worried. Almost took my head off when it took longer for ya to wake up than I first said. Ya know, if there’s a way around her powers, y’all make a cute little couple. The Mississippi Marauder and the Raging Cajun. Ha ha, I crack myself up!” Remy laughed a little at her joke, noticing how much she put into her laugh.
“You be one strange fille, but, maybe you got a point. This Cajun starting to like you.” Zaire shrugged again, looking down at Remy in his bed.
“I’m a likeable girl.” She grinned and he laughed again, the smile actually reaching his eyes.
- - -
Part II
Colossus and Pyro stood and listened to Magneto yell at Sabertooth. They were trying, and for all they knew succeeding, in keeping emotionless faces.
“So now he is gone. This is not good.” Magneto seethed. Piotr wasn’t sure if Magneto was worried about Gambit telling the X-Men anything or if he was just pissed that he didn’t have a punching bag anymore. Piotr knew that there was no way Eric would try it with him, or with Creed. And John would probably fight back. But then Gambit did that at first too.
“They’ll take him to the Mansion, he’ll heal and then he’ll leave. I’ll get him then.” Sabertooth said through clenched teeth. The larger male was angry himself at Gambit getting one over on him, even if it had been thanks to the X-Men, Gambit had got away this time, so he had got the better of the savage animal that was Sabertooth.
“No, he might stay with them. That girl, that Rogue, she holds his interest for some reason. He might join them.” Magneto said, starting to pace the room. He was getting agitated and his fists kept clenching. Around now would be when Colossus and Pyro were sent on some strange mission while Gambit and Creed stayed behind. Around now would be when Piotr’s blood would boil with rage and worry over his Cajun friend. No matter how forced he was to be here, he was still friends with John and Remy, both of them were his team-mates and comrades, but they had grown to trust one another.
“So we stir things up. Make it so that they don’t trust him. They’ll throw him out on his ear and then we can move in.” Sabertooth said, sometimes Colossus got the feeling that it was more than just Eric that used Remy as a tension release. Maybe that privilege had been handed over to Sabertooth as well.
“Pyro, Colossus, go and cause some trouble. Near the docks and don’t leave until the X-Men show up. We’ll take care of the rest.” Pyro nodded and Colossus followed suit. Both the Russian and the Australian leaving the master of magnetism with his head henchman.
“This don’t look good mate, not for our little Cajun buddy.”
“We will figure something out on the way.” Piotr said, sounding more confident than he felt. “We will not let Remy down now.”
- - -
“So, what are your powers?” Zaire asked Remy. They had been in the Infirmary for nearly an hour and both were getting bored.
“Remy blow t’ings up.” Zaire laughed, it was so simply put it was funny. “What about you? Never seen you wit’ the X-Men.”
“I’m not an X-Man. I just work here.” Zaire said, as much as she would like to be with the others on the team, it didn’t look likely that she would be. “I can control the natural elements. Wind, fire, water and earth.” Remy looked slightly impressed.
“And here was Remy t’inking you just a pretty face.” Over the time they had been talking Remy and Zaire had become somewhat friendly. With Remy owing her a great deal and Zaire just enjoying his company.
“Oh, looks can be deceiving Monsieur LeBeau.” She relied with a sly smile. Just then the intercom buzzed. “Excuse moi.” Zaire said to Remy in a phoney French accent before answering the small machine. “Oui?”
“Zaire?” Rogue’s voice came over the intercom, slightly confused at the other girls use of the foreign language.
“Yeah, what’s up Rogue?”
“We’ve all been called out. Ah might not be back in an hour so ah’ll just come down when we get back. Is that alright?” Zaire nodded before remembering that Rogue couldn’t see her.
“Sure, no problem. Have fun.” Zaire responded.
“It ain’t exactly what ah would call fun but ah’ll try.” Zaire laughed again, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
“Well, Cajun, it’s just us for a bit. Wonder if there’s anything fun we can do around here.” Zaire wondered. “Hey, ya wanna play poker?”
- - -
The X-Men arrived at the docks to find Pyro sitting on a few crates, his flames making strange bird pictures on the ground. Colossus was there too, the large Russian just throwing rocks into the water in his human form. To say that they were surprised was an understatement. Scott looked at Logan and Ororo before addressing the two Acolytes.
“What are you two doing?” Scott asked, more than a little perplexed. The Australian fire-starter looked over at the mutant team.
“It about time you lot showed up. We were getting bored.” Pyro looked over to Colossus. “Isn’t that right, my giant tin can of a friend.”
“Douse it flame boy.” Colossus said, moving towards the X-Men. Had be changed into his metal form they might have started to worry. “You guys got the Gambit?” This question took the ‘good guys’ off guard.
“Umm, yeah.” Kitty answered, nervously looking at Logan.
“Why’d you care?” Logan answered, as intimidating as ever. Pyro was the one to answer this time.
“Well, that boy needs someone to keep an eye on him. He ain’t been the little boy scout Magneto wanted or anything.” The X-Men frowned, wondering just what the meaning of that was. Colossus sighed.
“Remy’s been getting into all sorts of trouble with Magneto. He had to leave. We helped, we’re just making sure he isn’t in any more trouble being gone.” The Russian made to leave, Pyro following him. “Just make sure he doesn’t end up back with us. It’ll be the death of him.” Without another word the two mutants left, leaving behind some very confused mutants.
“What was that all about?” Kitty asked out loud. Something triggered in Rogue’s memory.
“Zaire! She said that the cuts on Remy’s arms and face, they had traces of metal in them. She said that it had all been done by Magneto, not Sabertooth. So they must’ve known. Pyro and Colossus, they helped Remy get away cause they knew what was happening.” Rogue said, almost shouting at the others.
“So why would they be here?” Jean asked.
“I don’t know,” Kitty said, “like, maybe they heard from Sabertooth that we took Gambit in.” The young girl said with a shrug.
“Or maybe Magneto sent them out to distract us.” Logan said with a snarl. “As a trap to get into the Institute while we were out.” No one wasted time contemplating the possibilities as they all headed towards the Black-Bird. Rogue reaching the jet first. The group buckled up, ready for take off. Kitty looked over at her worried friend, about to comfort her. But for some reason Jean beat her to it.
“Don’t worry Rogue. Zaire’s with him, she has a good handle on her powers.” Rogue growled at Jean.
“What’ve ah told you ‘bout reading mah mind, Grey?”
“I didn’t.” Jean answered. “You were projecting your thoughts.” Rogue muttered a sorry, looking sheepish, but Jean didn’t seem to mind. She was used to the teens moods. Privacy was something Rogue needed, with everything going on in her head, she really didn’t need someone poking about in it. Rogue sighed, looking out the front of the jet. Yeah, Zaire did have a good handle on her powers, a really good handle on her powers. But could she protect an injured Remy from Sabertooth?
- - -
The smash in the hall was what alerted both Zaire and Remy that they weren’t alone. Zaire looked down at her watch. Hank wasn’t due back for at least another few hours, and all the guys that were usually hanging around the infirmary were away on their mission.
“What got you worried, petite?” Zaire looked at Remy; he was frowning at her.
“That won’t be any of the guys coming to check on ya. They left, ‘member?” Zaire got up and walked to the doors, hitting the lock button as she did. Peering through the glass window she looked for any signs of something. “Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I’m sure there’s something wrong right now.” Zaire turned back to Remy, who was now standing beside his bed, the white hospital like pants clinging to his hips. A small blush crept into her cheeks. Zaire tried to conceal it, moving past Remy, who had noticed her blush. “I don’t know what’s smarter, locking us in here or leaving one door open.” Remy looked at her, now his senses were on full alert, he too could sense something out of the ordinary.
“Remy t’ink that maybe you be right. Is der any way for us to leave here without going in dat hall?” Remy asked, pointing to where the sound had come from. Zaire looked around.
“There is one way, come on,” Zaire took Remy’s hand and pulled him to follow her, “we can go through Hank’s office, past the Danger Room and up to the main building. Problem is it’s a bit of a run.” Zaire looked back at Remy. “Ya up for it?” Remy could tell she wasn’t goading him, she was genuinely asking about his well fare. The Cajun nodded.
“Don’t worry, Remy can keep up.” At his reply Zaire’s face paled and her eyes widened. “What?” Remy turned, and saw what was causing the frightful reaction from the young female. “Sabertooth.” Zaire snapped out of her fright and pulled Gambit along after her. Gambit followed her, looking back a few times to see where Sabertooth was. He still hadn’t got through the sealed doors to the infirmary, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.
After leaving Hank’s office Zaire once more sealed the doors behind them, hoping to slow their pursuer down. They ran along the hall leading past the Danger Room, their feet slapping against the metal floor. Zaire was wishing now that she had put on a pair of shoes, instead she was running along the underground area of the Institute bare foot and wearing only a small tank top and pair of shorts. Of course she did have more on than Remy, who was clad only in the issued hospital pants, tied as tightly as possible around his hips to keep them up. The sound of the smashing door made Zaire and Remy aware of Sabertooth’s accomplishment in getting past Hank’s office.
“We have to move faster.” Zaire said, noticing the door to get into the main body of the school was nearing them. Once they got through there and closed the door there was no way Sabertooth could get them. But Zaire started to falter, her legs getting tired after the running. She fell behind Remy, who gripped her hand tighter and pulled her after him.
“Come on, cheri, not much further.” Zaire tried desperately to keep up with Gambit, knowing that if Sabertooth caught them it would be curtains. It was unfortunate there was no earth or fire here. Then it struck her, wind. She could use the air around them to become a source of wind. Not stopping her run Zaire summoned what she could, making the air behind them charge and start to move, causing the density to change and the concentration gradient to move. The whistling sound told her she was doing it, that it was working. But Sabertooth’s footfalls didn’t seem to slow. Remy stopped moving and Zaire realised they had reached the door. They both pushed, getting the heavy object to move before they fell through. Just as Remy was about the close the door, Sabertooth’s clawed hand grabbed Zaire around the throat.
“Hey there red eyes, miss us?” Remy glared, but didn’t move as Zaire trembled in fear. “Well, hadn’t expected the chase to be quite as thrilling, but at least I get my catch.” There was a sound from his throat that made Zaire close her eyes, willing the whole scene to just go away and for her to fall from her bed, waking from a horrible nightmare.
“Let her go,” Remy said, a noticeable tone of contempt in his voice.
“But we need a new play thing at home. If not you then this one would suit me.” Remy’s skin crawled at Sabertooth sniffed at Zaire. “She’s easily scared. Wonder what she screams like.”
“You not finding out.” Remy grabbed anything close to him, turning out to be a few marbles left by the stairs, and charged them. Sabertooth got a better grip on Zaire, his free arm clenching her waist, his claws digging into her hips. One tear slid down the dark haired girl’s face, but she didn’t make a sound, she didn’t cry out in pain or fear.
“Tell you what, Cajun, you come home and I’ll leave her. You stay here and I take her. Your choice, runt.” Remy’s jaw clenched, the muscles tensing throughout his body. He never wanted to go back to the Acolytes, but there was no way he wanted Zaire to go through anything like that. He sighed, uncharging the marbles before dropping his head.
“Fine.” Zaire’s eyes shot open. She clearly didn’t know if he was letting her be taken or if he was returning. “Remy leave wit’ you.” Sabertooth's face stretched into a grotesque looking smile.
“No ones going anywhere.” Remy turned at the sound of Scott’s voice. The entire team of X-Men stood in the foyer, all ready to attack Sabertooth. Sabertooth sighed and rolled his eyes.
“You know, you could’ve kept your little beauty here. Gambit just agreed to come home,” Sabertooth's comment was cut short.
“The Cajun ain’t going no where. And you’re not taking Zaire either, bub.” Wolverine’s claws were ejected and Sabertooth laughed, causing another shudder to go through Zaire’s body.
“Well how about I just take off her head?” Sabertooth's grip on her neck tightened, causing the entire team to take one step forward before halting. Gambit charged up the marbles again, catching Zaire’s eye so she knew where he was dropping them. As Remy dropped the marbles Zaire lifted her feet, kicking Sabertooth with her heel, simultaneously reaching out for Gambit to grab her hand and pull her away once Sabertooth's hand loosened around her throat as he growled out in pain. Zaire fell to the floor, on top of Gambit, and Cyclops immediately blasted Sabertooth with a beam. The large savage animal fell backwards, tumbling down the hall slightly. Rogue and Kitty quickly closed the door to the hall and locked it, knowing that Sabertooth would have no option other than to retreat. Zaire slowly got to her feet, helping Remy stand after her. The Cajun gripped his ribs while holding Zaire’s back.
“You okay, petite?” He asked, not really paying much heed to those around him. Zaire did a double check on her hip, wincing slightly when she saw the blood Sabertooth's grip had drawn.
“I’ll be fine.” Her voice was scratchy, a result of the death drip previously on her throat. “Not to sound ungrateful or anything but what are ya’ll doing back so soon?” Scott looked at Gambit before talking.
“Colossus and Pyro weren’t looking for a fight. They were asking about him.” Zaire frowned, not quite understanding.
“Ya mean like what Sabertooth was asking like?”
“No. It was more of a how he was doing question rather than…” Jean trailed off, thinking about how to put her next words.
“Rather than trying to goad us into sending him back.” Zaire looked at Ororo. The weather witch was looking slightly sheepish.
“Ya mean like Sabertooth trying to tear us limb from limb?” Gambit hadn’t really said anything, and Zaire noticed that his hold on her back had began to ease. It wasn’t so much the fact that he wasn’t touching her, more the suddenness of the withdrawal. “Ya alright there Cajun?” Remy looked up at her, but couldn’t mask the pain on his face. “Sit. Those ribs ain’t healed yet.” Remy did as he was told, his face slack from the exhaustion of running.
“Guess it’s just as well we showed up huh?” Kitty said, standing with Rogue in front of Zaire. The other mutant female smiled at them.
“Yeah, other wise I’d have had to burn the place down.” Rogue frowned and Zaire nodded her head to the small patch on the rug where a small burn mark had appeared. “Had to use something other than the wind that just didn’t work!”
- - -
Part I
“I’ve told you before,” WHACK! The sound of a fist connecting with flesh rang in the air, dancing around the room. “I’m in charge.” A twist of the wrist and the crack of bone breaking and a muffled cry. “I make the rules.” Another punch, this time to the gut, a rib cracked, the break confirmed by the pain. “And you will follow them.” The bruised and battered body was thrown into the room, hitting the wall with a painful thud. The door closed and locked, the darkness engulfing the space. The sound of footsteps going down the hall slowly and a sigh of relief was released. It wasn’t as bad this time, it could’ve been worse, it had been worse.
Remy slid down the wall, sitting on the floor cross-legged, nursing his broken wrist and holding his side. It was something Jean-Luc had mentioned before Remy had been taken by Magneto. When rules were broken there had to be punishment. At first Magneto seemed reluctant, but that was Erik, not Magneto. After a while it was clear Magneto was enjoying it. The ‘punishments’ became more frequent, the Cajun found himself breaking rules he didn’t even know existed. Eventually Magneto stopped hiding it, rather than focus his abuse on concealed areas of the body, such as Remy’s legs, back, chest and arms, Magneto was growing bolder, causing cuts to Remy’s face, bruising the delicate features of a once flawless face. It was only recently that the breaks started. Bones crushed under pressure, the strength behind most of the blows just told Remy more about the fact that Magneto was no longer doing this because it was upheld by Jean-Luc. Magneto liked having power over someone; he liked the feeling he got when Remy just couldn’t fight back. Of course this caused the others to notice the strange markings. John and Piotr had made a big deal of it but both Magneto and Sabertooth, who also took some pleasure in beating on Remy whenever Magneto was really pissed, had disregarded it. Remy had been very grateful about their concern, but it was pointless. Remy hardly ever spent time around the mansion anymore; it didn't feel like he should even be there anymore.
There was a sound at the door and red eyes shot up. He hadn't heard anyone coming. The door was being unlocked, but it was being unlocked manually. Remy winced, Sabertooth was much worse company than Magneto, and personally Remy would rather face Magneto again tonight than have Sabertooth pay him a visit at all.
"LeBeau?" A head came around the door and once more there was a sigh from the Cajun.
"Piotr?" The thief stood, wincing slightly, "Der will be trouble if you be found here, mon ami." Piotr shook his head.
"John and I have decided, it's time you were out of here Gambit." Remy frowned. Leave? He had tried, several times but for some reason he always ended up back at the mansion, with Erik being mad, and all those times Creed had made sure Remy knew not to try it again. Which he would, and so it would be repeated. Maybe Remy should've just learnt his lesson the first time. "I've got a key to your window, John's going to open the garage, you take that bloody bike of yours and get the hell away from here. You got that Cajun?" Remy didn't get why Piotr would think he would do anything else. Mind you he did always end up back here; it just took a few weeks.
"Don' worry non, dis Cajun know when it be time to take his leave." Piotr nodded once, moving to the window. The giant male opened the window, moving to let Remy climb through, gingerly.
"Hope I never see you again, LeBeau." Remy nodded, smiling a little at other man. Piotr left Remy's room, which was in the sense of it more of a cell, and headed down the hall again. Remy jumped out the window, landing a little less gracefully than he normally would've have.
“Gambit, that you?” Remy rolled his eyes. Had it been Magneto or Sabertooth they would definitely know something was up now.
“Oui, ‘though I t'ink you should be grateful for that, feu-demarreur.” John nodded, pulling Remy’s bike out of the bushes.
“Man do I hope you get gone this time.” John said, giving the French thief a pat on the back. “Don’t want to be seeing you around here again man, not ever!” Remy shook his head.
“Merci, keep your ‘eads down. Der be trouble for you both if it found out you helped Remy leave.” John nodded, and Remy didn’t stick around for the last goodbyes. Kicking the bike to life Remy drove off on the bike, trying to steer with his good hand alone. The Cajun knew where he was heading first. A hospital.
- - -
“But Rogue, it’ll be fun!” The goth shook her head again, ignoring the pleas from her friends. “Why? Why don’tcha wanna come?” Evan moaned, kneeing beside the sofa on which Rogue was lying, reading a book.
“What’s tha point? Y’all know that ah don’t like crowds. Ah’d rather just sit here with mah book thanks.” She answered, not looking up from what she was reading. Kurt looked at what it was she was reading anyway.
“Another book on Vampires?” He exclaimed. “Rogue, dis is the fourth one dis week!” The southern belle sighed, resting her book against her knees.
“So what? Ah like reading about them.” She looked around the crowd. Bobby, Amara, Kitty, Kurt and Evan were all trying to get her to go to another party with them, but she seriously wasn’t in the mood. “Why don’t y’all go out an have fun. Ah’ll just stay here an have fun by mah self as well. Everyone wins.”
“X-Men to the Black-Bird hanger. Suit up.” Kitty sighed after hearing Professor Xavier. Rogue put her book down on the sofa and made her way to the hanger, stopping by her room to change into her uniform.
“If I find out Lance had anything to do with this, like, I am so going to dump him.” Rogue shook her head.
“No ya won’t. Y’all are totally into each other. Ya’ll just argue some more.” Kitty laughed at Rogue’s comment; the two female X-Men arrived in the hanger just as the others did. “What’s goin’ on?” Rogue asked as the Professor entered with Logan behind him, the Wolverine suited up to go as well. The whole team was being dispatched for this one.
“Is there another prospective mutant on the loose?” Scott asked, they had picked up three in the last two weeks, all of the teens joining the Institute to train their abilities.
“No, we have been seeing some strange behaviour from one mutant. He is currently in some danger and I wish for you all to help him.” Everyone shrugged, seemingly agreeing to help.
“Professor, we, like, totally wanna help. Why wouldn’t we?” Kitty asked in her own perky nature, causing Kurt to laugh.
“Ja, we are like totally there.” The German agreed.
“Hold up there fuzz. Don’t you all wanna know who this mutant is?” Logan asked, arms folded over his chest. The younger X-Men all realised then that it really hadn’t mattered who it was. It could’ve been Lance, Pietro, Todd or Fred. It might have been Juggernaut for all they knew. The question of who it was hadn’t passed through their minds.
“I don’t think any of us were really bothered.” Jean replied, wondering if Professor Xavier was going to be angry with them. She almost laughed, Professor Xavier wouldn’t be mad, or angry, Logan might but not the Professor.
“As much as it relieves me how much you care about doing the right thing. This time you must all take into consideration whether you wish to go on this mission or not. Myself, Logan and Ororo have agreed that this is all up to you.” Scott began to worry.
“Professor, who is it?” If the Professor wanted them to think carefully about helping someone, anyone, then there had to be a reason for it.
“Gambit.”
“That Swamp Rat?” Rogue asked, shocked. “Why would he even ask for our help?”
“Yeah, usually he just manipulates someone into doing what he wants.” Evan added. Gambit had the Midas touch, a forte if you will, when it came to manipulation; he was almost as good as Mystique.
“That’s the thing, he hasn’t asked for our help, but he needs it.” Storm said from the other side of the Professor. “Now is when you see if you can help someone, even someone who appears to be the enemy, even if they haven’t asked for help.” Storm said to them. This was test of sorts? Kitty sucked up a breath then let it out.
“Well, like, I don’t care what he’s done. I will, like, totally go and help him.” Kitty argued. She seemed set on helping; Rogue looked at her roommate and friend. If Kitty could put Gambit’s past actions behind her then surely Rogue could too. Right?
“I’m going too.” Scott said, that sealed the deal for Rogue.
“Yeah, ah’m in.” Kitty beamed at the streak haired girl, it was clear Kitty was proud.
“Sure, vhy not? I don’t have other plans.” Kurt added. The rest of the group nodded, saying they would also go to help Gambit, although Evan was rather miffed at having to help the egotistical male.
“Good. I’ll send the co-ordinates, be careful, I don’t know what it is that Gambit is running…” The Professor trailed off, his face going slack before a look of sheer agony crossed the telepath’s features. “Argh!”
“Professor!” Jean ran to kneel in front of Xavier. “Professor, what’s wrong?”
“Go, you must go now.” He croaked out, not opening his eyes. “Gambit must be in serious trouble. Go, quickly!” Scott didn’t wait to be told again.
“Okay X-Men, let’s move!” They all rushed onto the Black-Bird, Hank appearing to tend to the Professor as Jean made her way to the jet just before it took off.
“I fear that they may be too late, Hank.” The large blue Doctor sighed.
“The world of demons is a frightful place for the young.” Charles nodded.
“Yes, and I suspect Gambit’s demons are only just hatching.” The Beast looked at the older man in the chair.
“You mean you don’t know what it is that Gambit is facing?” Charles shook his head.
“No my friend. Gambit is very good at keeping his thoughts locked away. It was only recently that they started to reach me. I do not receive memory’s or thoughts. Only pain and anger from him. Something is troubling him, Hank. And I worry that it may destroy him as well.”
- - -
When the Black-Bird landed at the spot where the Professor and Hank had sent them there was nothing but open grass and trees surrounding it.
“You think we missed him?” Kitty asked, looking around the area. Logan got out the jet and sniffed at the air.
“No, he’s still here. I can smell him.” Logan didn’t sound too pleased to be there. Fact was that he didn’t care much for helping the Cajun. He didn’t care much for helping any of Magneto’s cronies.
“Look!” Rogue pointed past a few trees. “There’s smoke. Y’all think maybe this was a trap? That fire could’ve been Pyro.” Rogue looked from Storm to Scott and then to Logan. Once more the Wolverine sniffed the air, looking for something more specific.
“That wasn’t no fire-starter, that was a crash. I smell gas,” he paused, giving another sniff, as if to be sure of something, “and Sabertooth.” Scott turned to him.
“So it was a trap.” Logan didn’t answer.
“Storm, fly on ahead, see if Magneto’s hanging around. We’ll make way through the trees.” The weather witch nodded and took off with a gust of wind, heading for the area near the smoke. The rest of the team ran through the trees, all with the feeling that they had been set up by Magneto and Gambit again. Storm’s voice over the communicators changed that quickly.
“Logan, get here quick. Gambit and Sabertooth are fighting.” Kitty gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. Rogue frowned, why would the swamp rat start something between one of his own? Unless they weren’t his own anymore?
Wolverine and the others arrived just in time to see Gambit get thrown against a tree and a log get thrown at Storm. The woman moved out the way easily, but she didn’t notice the other log heading for her. Scott was just about to blast it when it blew up in a flash of yellow. Gambit knelt on the grass, cards in hand. Sabertooth growled, grabbing the Cajun man by the throat.
“Ain’t you learned yet?” Gambit winced in pain as Sabertooth lifted him by his throat, pinning him against the tree.
“Let him go.” Scott said, the rest of the X-Men standing beside him. “Or we’ll make you.” Sabertooth just laughed.
“Look’s like it’s the runt bunch to the rescue.” Turning back towards Gambit he sneered. “I’ve had my fun. Be seeing ya.” Sabertooth’s claws scratched along Gambit’s face before the Cajun was dropped to the ground on his knees as Sabertooth dashed off through the trees. Logan took off after the fleeing Sabertooth while Storm took to the sky, following that way. Rogue was the first to approach Gambit.
“Ya alright, Swamp Rat?” She asked, trying to mask her concern. Gambit didn’t look up. Rogue sighed. “Look Gambit, we’re just trying ta…” The girl trailed off, looking down at Gambit she noticed he was shaking, panting for breath and clearly in pain. “Remy?” Rogue dropped to her knees and wrapped an arm around the Cajun’s shoulders. What she hadn’t expected was for Gambit to recede from her touch.
“What’s up?” Kitty asked, stopping in front of the two kneeling mutants. Rogue shrugged and then used a gloved hand to force Remy to face her. When he did she almost cried. His face was cut and small bruises littered his cheek and jawbone. His usually fiery red eyes were dulled and he was pale. There was no way this was just a result of an attack by Sabertooth.
“Cajun, what’ve they done to ya?” Remy barely even registered that it was Rogue holding him before he passed out, his head falling to her shoulder as his body went limp.
“Logan, Storm, you better get back here. Gambit’s in a bad way.”
- - -
“Well, we don’t really know what it was all about.” Jean told the Professor. “By the time we got there Gambit and Sabertooth were fighting.” Since Gambit had passed out the team had yet to find out anything about why Gambit and Sabertooth were battling one another.
“Professor, he will be alright, won’t he?” Rogue asked tentatively. Charles knew she was worried about the Cajun, it was clear to see.
“Rogue, I…” The Professor was interrupted by the opening of the doors to the infirmary.
“Sorry, but Dr McCoy wishes to speak with you Professor.” Zaire, a dark headed, young elementalist stood in the doorway. Zaire had been on the run from her past when the Professor had sensed her. She arrived at the Institute a few months ago, and after showing an interest in medical treatment Hank offered to take her on as an assistant and student.
“That’s alright Zaire.” Charles left the team standing outside and Zaire just shrugged at them before heading back in. “Hank, what’s wrong?” Charles had no idea that Zaire had accidentally left the infirmary doors open and that the X-Men could hear what he was saying.
“Well, Charles, it’s our young patient. Zaire did an examination and tended to his wounds and, personally, I think his condition wasn’t fully caused by Sabertooth.” Charles frowned.
“What do you mean?” Zaire stopped Hank.
“Can I?” Hank smiled, nodding. He had figured she would want to show off what she knew. “Well, at first it was nothing serious, the contusions around the jaw-line and small gashes around his face were all relative to the ones a person would get in a fist fight. But he has severe haematoa around the waist line, back and up his arms. There have also been several incisions made into his wrists and chest, all of which were not self-inflicted. He has a possible broken wrist; we’re waiting for x-rays to come back, and two cracked ribs. Severe internal bleeding and one self-inflicted laceration on his left wrist. It was pretty deep.” Charles was stunned, he never thought it could’ve got so bad, surely Gambit wouldn’t have let this be done to him.
“How can you be so sure it wasn’t Sabertooth?” Logan asked, entering the infirmary with the rest of the team behind him.
“Zaire?” The professor encouraged.
“Well, around some of the contusions there are some faint traces of a metallic like substance. The traces were indistinguishable, but we did find proof of metallic toxins causing burns. Not too serious, but enough to sting for a few days. Sorry but, everything we can find points to long term abuse, by old bucket head.” Zaire held resentment for Magneto long before she arrived at the Institute, but no one except the Professor and presumably Hank knew why.
“When will Remy wake up?” Rogue asked. Zaire looked over her shoulder, noticing that Hank had left, going into his office for something. He had left it to her to explain, Zaire felt a wash of pride come over her.
“We gave him a unitdose of a soporfic drug, it acts as a sleep inducer. His body needs time to mend itself internally before we can do much on the external damage. He should be out for at least the next few days.” Rogue seemed down hearted. “But we’ll have to wake him after about three days; we’ll need to make sure the way I’ve set his wrist isn’t painful or causing damage. If it is broken we’ll need to set it in a cast rather than the gauze bandage.” Charles nodded.
“Thank you Zaire. We’ll leave you and Hank to take care of Remy.” She nodded her head once before heading towards Hank’s office, ready to be told what she was to do next. “As for the rest of you, visiting hours will be later. It’s time for you all to go to bed I think.” The teens moaned a little before heading up to their rooms. Rogue looking back to the bed where Remy lay, motionless besides the rise and fall of his chest.
“Charles, do you truly believe that Magneto could do such a thing to Gambit?” Ororo asked, shocked herself about the cruel treatment of the young mutant.
“I don’t know Ororo, I really don’t know.”
- - -
For almost three days the X-Men heard no news on the condition of Remy LeBeau. He hadn’t woken up; he hadn’t shown signs of recovery or a decline in health, nothing had happened at all. Hank had asked Zaire to take over the care of Remy, making him her patient. Zaire had accepted the responsibility readily, she was sure she had learned what she needed in the first week she had spent with Hank to take sufficient care of the Cajun. And by all means it appeared she had.
“Zaire?” The runaway looked up as her name was called. Standing at the doorway to her room was Rogue, along with Kitty and Kurt behind her.
“What’s up? Wait, no, let me guess. Ya wanna know how the cute Cajun guy is doing?” Zaire was currently getting bombarded by questions about Remy since care had been handed over to her. After the rest of the Institute found out he was there they were all curious as to why and how he was. Even Evan had asked her how he was, although being rather underhanded and attempting not to be interested or concerned.
“Can you tell us?” Kurt asked. “Zer isn’t any doctor/patient confidentiality, is zer?” Zaire laughed a little at the German.
“No, come on in. Since it’s you guys I’ll fill ya in.” Zaire put her notes on the floor and signalled for the three X-Men to enter. “What do ya wanna know?”
“When he’s gonna wake up. Y’all said it would only take a few days; it’s been a few days. Why ain’t he waking up?” Rogue asked, standing in front of Zaire’s bed. Kitty sat on the bed and Kurt leaned against the edge of her desk. Zaire sighed.
“Dr McCoy and I figured that since the internal damage is so substantial and the contusions around his ribs haven’t healed sufficiently then we should give him a little more time.” Kitty frowned.
“So, like, he had bruised insides?” Zaire nodded. “Does that happen to a lot of people, cause, like, sometimes I get all sore and…” Zaire held up her hand.
“Yes, it happens to a lot of people. Ya probably feel it a lot after ya been fighting or something that caused a bump against a bone, that’s when there’s internal damage but not external because the skin ain’t broke. But with Remy it’s so severe that his body needs to heal as much as he can, so it’ll take up more energy, that’s why he’s been asleep so long.” Kitty nodded, understanding what the doctor in training was telling her.
“So, once he’s alright, we’ll know?” Rogue asked, “Ah mean, y’all will tell us. It’s just that ah worry about that Cajun.” Zaire smiled a little.
“Don’t worry, Rogue. The minute he wakes up I’ll get someone to tell ya, kay?” Zaire told the southerner, figuring that there had to be something between the thief and the gothic girl. Rogue seemed to relax a little and then smiled slightly.
“Thanx, ah gotta go. Ah have a training session with Logan.” Rogue thanked Zaire again and then left the room, heading for the danger room. Zaire watched her leave before turning to Kitty and Kurt.
“Are she and Gambit an item?” Kitty shook her head sadly.
“There is, like, totally the potential, but Rogue doesn’t want to get too close. She thinks that he’ll, like, just get hurt.” Zaire nodded. She looked at her watch before moving to stand.
“Well, if you’d excuse me, I have a patient who needs seeing to.” She stopped thinking that over. “Ya have no idea how cool that sounds.” Zaire said with a grin. Kitty laughed and Kurt smiled at her.
“Ve’ll see you later, ja?” Kurt said, looking over at Zaire who was collecting all her stuff and changing her shirt.
“Yeah, sure, you betcha.” Kitty frowned. “Something I picked up from some show on TV.” She shrugged, dismissing her strange little quirk. “See ya!” And Zaire headed down to the infirmary. She passed Jean and Scott, both of which asking about Gambit. Zaire told them the same thing she told Kitty, Kurt and Rogue, only in less detail and without any promises. By the time she arrived at the infirmary Hank had left. He had told Zaire earlier that he had a small meeting to attend, he was going to be away for the duration of the day. Zaire looked at her patient, still lying nicely in his bed.
“You know Cajun, there are a lot of people ‘round here who care ‘bout ya, wonder why that is.” Zaire said to herself, she took a small torch and went to check Remy’s pupils, trying to decipher when the male would wake up. Just as she was about to open his eye and hand shot up and grabbed her wrist painfully. “Ow!”
“Where de?” Zaire was stunned to see Remy awake, his red eyes alert but unfocused. She tried to loosen his grip on her arm but found he was just the little bit stronger than her.
“Listen, if ya’d just let go I can tell ya.” Remy released her wrist slowly, starting to sit up on the bed but stopping when the pain became too much.
“Qui sont vous?” He asked, his eyes not leaving hers. Zaire figured he was more than a little disorientated.
“My names Zaire. And ya’re at the Institute. We’ve been taking care of ya.” Zaire said, rubbing her wrist.
“Sabertooth?”
“Dunno, can I go call for Rogue and she’ll tell ya?” Remy rubbed his head but nodded at her. The dark haired girl moved to the intercom system and pressed for the Danger Room. “Rogue, can ya come to the infirmary, I need your powers please.” Zaire decided against stating that the Cajun was awake, Logan might not let her leave for that. Zaire sent a mental message to the Professor, hoping that it was true that he was always able to pick them up when they were sent his way, telling him that Remy was awake and wondering what was happening.
“Sorry, about the wrist chéri.” Remy said, noticing that she was still rubbing where he had grabbed.
“I think ya might’ve charged my skin.” Zaire stated. “But I suppose I can live with it. How ya feeling?” She went back over to the desk and picked up a stethoscope.
“Remy feel like merde, if you’ll pardon expression.” Zaire laughed; at least he still had a sense of humour. Just then Rogue walked through the door.
“Why do ya’ll need mah powers?” She asked, not seeing that Gambit was awake.
“I don’t. But I figured I’d say that so that Logan would let you go.” Zaire smiled. “I said I’d let ya know when the Cajun got up.” Rogue looked over and noticed that Gambit was indeed awake.
“You took your time.” Rogue said walking over to sit next to Remy. “Ah’m glad you’re alright, swamp rat.”
“Yes, Mr LeBeau, we are all very glad that you are alright.” Charles came in through the door, heading to the end of Remy’s bed. “However, we are wondering just what caused the fight between yourself and Sabertooth which caused such affects to your person.” Zaire cleared her throat and raised and eyebrow but the Professor ignored her. “Do you think you could fill us in?” The Professor asked, indicating to Rogue, Zaire and himself being ‘us’.
“It was nothing, a minor altercation.” Gambit said. Charles looked at Remy; the Cajun frowned, clearly wondering if the telepath was reading his mind.
“How exactly did it start?”
“Remy left the Acolytes.” The Cajun said with a shrug. “Magneto may not be too ‘appy.” Rogue’s head shot up from looking down at the Cajun’s bare hands.
“You’ve left the Acolytes?” Remy nodded. “Why?” Gambit cringed and frowned.
“Dat be a long story. One that Remy doesn’t want to tell.” Zaire seemed to be the only one who could see those walls suddenly go up, of course she had her own walls so she knew all too well.
“Okay, okay. Everyone out. He needs rest, Rogue, if you want and Remy’s okay with it, ya can come back in about two hours.” Rogue looked at Remy, seeing if he would mind.
“Remy would like de company.” Rogue smiled a little before heading out.
“See ya later then. Thanks Zaire.” The Professor watched Rogue leave, turning to Remy before he too left.
“Remember Remy, we can help you. But only if you ask for the help, and only if you tell us what’s going on.” Charles left it at that. Leaving Remy to consider what he said and for Zaire to stand in the background awkwardly.
“What did he mean by dat?” Remy asked, Zaire shrugged.
“Dunno, he’s got this whole Yoda thing going on. Without being small, green skinned and having big ears. But ya can trust us. We’re totally the good guys. But I suppose some bad boys on the ground could liven things up.” Zaire said. She checked all of Remy’s vitals before giving him the all clear. “It may take a while for the contusions to go away but it is going down. In a while there shouldn’t be any sign of bruising, internal or external.”
“You been the one treating Remy?” Zaire nodded, noticing his tendency to use third person when referring to himself. “Then you have Remy’s thanks.” He took her hand and kissed it softly.
“My pleasure. Man I can see why Rogue likes ya.” The Cajun seemed to perk a little at hearing that. Zaire managed to pick up on it also. “She’s been real worried. Almost took my head off when it took longer for ya to wake up than I first said. Ya know, if there’s a way around her powers, y’all make a cute little couple. The Mississippi Marauder and the Raging Cajun. Ha ha, I crack myself up!” Remy laughed a little at her joke, noticing how much she put into her laugh.
“You be one strange fille, but, maybe you got a point. This Cajun starting to like you.” Zaire shrugged again, looking down at Remy in his bed.
“I’m a likeable girl.” She grinned and he laughed again, the smile actually reaching his eyes.
- - -
Part II
Colossus and Pyro stood and listened to Magneto yell at Sabertooth. They were trying, and for all they knew succeeding, in keeping emotionless faces.
“So now he is gone. This is not good.” Magneto seethed. Piotr wasn’t sure if Magneto was worried about Gambit telling the X-Men anything or if he was just pissed that he didn’t have a punching bag anymore. Piotr knew that there was no way Eric would try it with him, or with Creed. And John would probably fight back. But then Gambit did that at first too.
“They’ll take him to the Mansion, he’ll heal and then he’ll leave. I’ll get him then.” Sabertooth said through clenched teeth. The larger male was angry himself at Gambit getting one over on him, even if it had been thanks to the X-Men, Gambit had got away this time, so he had got the better of the savage animal that was Sabertooth.
“No, he might stay with them. That girl, that Rogue, she holds his interest for some reason. He might join them.” Magneto said, starting to pace the room. He was getting agitated and his fists kept clenching. Around now would be when Colossus and Pyro were sent on some strange mission while Gambit and Creed stayed behind. Around now would be when Piotr’s blood would boil with rage and worry over his Cajun friend. No matter how forced he was to be here, he was still friends with John and Remy, both of them were his team-mates and comrades, but they had grown to trust one another.
“So we stir things up. Make it so that they don’t trust him. They’ll throw him out on his ear and then we can move in.” Sabertooth said, sometimes Colossus got the feeling that it was more than just Eric that used Remy as a tension release. Maybe that privilege had been handed over to Sabertooth as well.
“Pyro, Colossus, go and cause some trouble. Near the docks and don’t leave until the X-Men show up. We’ll take care of the rest.” Pyro nodded and Colossus followed suit. Both the Russian and the Australian leaving the master of magnetism with his head henchman.
“This don’t look good mate, not for our little Cajun buddy.”
“We will figure something out on the way.” Piotr said, sounding more confident than he felt. “We will not let Remy down now.”
- - -
“So, what are your powers?” Zaire asked Remy. They had been in the Infirmary for nearly an hour and both were getting bored.
“Remy blow t’ings up.” Zaire laughed, it was so simply put it was funny. “What about you? Never seen you wit’ the X-Men.”
“I’m not an X-Man. I just work here.” Zaire said, as much as she would like to be with the others on the team, it didn’t look likely that she would be. “I can control the natural elements. Wind, fire, water and earth.” Remy looked slightly impressed.
“And here was Remy t’inking you just a pretty face.” Over the time they had been talking Remy and Zaire had become somewhat friendly. With Remy owing her a great deal and Zaire just enjoying his company.
“Oh, looks can be deceiving Monsieur LeBeau.” She relied with a sly smile. Just then the intercom buzzed. “Excuse moi.” Zaire said to Remy in a phoney French accent before answering the small machine. “Oui?”
“Zaire?” Rogue’s voice came over the intercom, slightly confused at the other girls use of the foreign language.
“Yeah, what’s up Rogue?”
“We’ve all been called out. Ah might not be back in an hour so ah’ll just come down when we get back. Is that alright?” Zaire nodded before remembering that Rogue couldn’t see her.
“Sure, no problem. Have fun.” Zaire responded.
“It ain’t exactly what ah would call fun but ah’ll try.” Zaire laughed again, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
“Well, Cajun, it’s just us for a bit. Wonder if there’s anything fun we can do around here.” Zaire wondered. “Hey, ya wanna play poker?”
- - -
The X-Men arrived at the docks to find Pyro sitting on a few crates, his flames making strange bird pictures on the ground. Colossus was there too, the large Russian just throwing rocks into the water in his human form. To say that they were surprised was an understatement. Scott looked at Logan and Ororo before addressing the two Acolytes.
“What are you two doing?” Scott asked, more than a little perplexed. The Australian fire-starter looked over at the mutant team.
“It about time you lot showed up. We were getting bored.” Pyro looked over to Colossus. “Isn’t that right, my giant tin can of a friend.”
“Douse it flame boy.” Colossus said, moving towards the X-Men. Had be changed into his metal form they might have started to worry. “You guys got the Gambit?” This question took the ‘good guys’ off guard.
“Umm, yeah.” Kitty answered, nervously looking at Logan.
“Why’d you care?” Logan answered, as intimidating as ever. Pyro was the one to answer this time.
“Well, that boy needs someone to keep an eye on him. He ain’t been the little boy scout Magneto wanted or anything.” The X-Men frowned, wondering just what the meaning of that was. Colossus sighed.
“Remy’s been getting into all sorts of trouble with Magneto. He had to leave. We helped, we’re just making sure he isn’t in any more trouble being gone.” The Russian made to leave, Pyro following him. “Just make sure he doesn’t end up back with us. It’ll be the death of him.” Without another word the two mutants left, leaving behind some very confused mutants.
“What was that all about?” Kitty asked out loud. Something triggered in Rogue’s memory.
“Zaire! She said that the cuts on Remy’s arms and face, they had traces of metal in them. She said that it had all been done by Magneto, not Sabertooth. So they must’ve known. Pyro and Colossus, they helped Remy get away cause they knew what was happening.” Rogue said, almost shouting at the others.
“So why would they be here?” Jean asked.
“I don’t know,” Kitty said, “like, maybe they heard from Sabertooth that we took Gambit in.” The young girl said with a shrug.
“Or maybe Magneto sent them out to distract us.” Logan said with a snarl. “As a trap to get into the Institute while we were out.” No one wasted time contemplating the possibilities as they all headed towards the Black-Bird. Rogue reaching the jet first. The group buckled up, ready for take off. Kitty looked over at her worried friend, about to comfort her. But for some reason Jean beat her to it.
“Don’t worry Rogue. Zaire’s with him, she has a good handle on her powers.” Rogue growled at Jean.
“What’ve ah told you ‘bout reading mah mind, Grey?”
“I didn’t.” Jean answered. “You were projecting your thoughts.” Rogue muttered a sorry, looking sheepish, but Jean didn’t seem to mind. She was used to the teens moods. Privacy was something Rogue needed, with everything going on in her head, she really didn’t need someone poking about in it. Rogue sighed, looking out the front of the jet. Yeah, Zaire did have a good handle on her powers, a really good handle on her powers. But could she protect an injured Remy from Sabertooth?
- - -
The smash in the hall was what alerted both Zaire and Remy that they weren’t alone. Zaire looked down at her watch. Hank wasn’t due back for at least another few hours, and all the guys that were usually hanging around the infirmary were away on their mission.
“What got you worried, petite?” Zaire looked at Remy; he was frowning at her.
“That won’t be any of the guys coming to check on ya. They left, ‘member?” Zaire got up and walked to the doors, hitting the lock button as she did. Peering through the glass window she looked for any signs of something. “Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I’m sure there’s something wrong right now.” Zaire turned back to Remy, who was now standing beside his bed, the white hospital like pants clinging to his hips. A small blush crept into her cheeks. Zaire tried to conceal it, moving past Remy, who had noticed her blush. “I don’t know what’s smarter, locking us in here or leaving one door open.” Remy looked at her, now his senses were on full alert, he too could sense something out of the ordinary.
“Remy t’ink that maybe you be right. Is der any way for us to leave here without going in dat hall?” Remy asked, pointing to where the sound had come from. Zaire looked around.
“There is one way, come on,” Zaire took Remy’s hand and pulled him to follow her, “we can go through Hank’s office, past the Danger Room and up to the main building. Problem is it’s a bit of a run.” Zaire looked back at Remy. “Ya up for it?” Remy could tell she wasn’t goading him, she was genuinely asking about his well fare. The Cajun nodded.
“Don’t worry, Remy can keep up.” At his reply Zaire’s face paled and her eyes widened. “What?” Remy turned, and saw what was causing the frightful reaction from the young female. “Sabertooth.” Zaire snapped out of her fright and pulled Gambit along after her. Gambit followed her, looking back a few times to see where Sabertooth was. He still hadn’t got through the sealed doors to the infirmary, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.
After leaving Hank’s office Zaire once more sealed the doors behind them, hoping to slow their pursuer down. They ran along the hall leading past the Danger Room, their feet slapping against the metal floor. Zaire was wishing now that she had put on a pair of shoes, instead she was running along the underground area of the Institute bare foot and wearing only a small tank top and pair of shorts. Of course she did have more on than Remy, who was clad only in the issued hospital pants, tied as tightly as possible around his hips to keep them up. The sound of the smashing door made Zaire and Remy aware of Sabertooth’s accomplishment in getting past Hank’s office.
“We have to move faster.” Zaire said, noticing the door to get into the main body of the school was nearing them. Once they got through there and closed the door there was no way Sabertooth could get them. But Zaire started to falter, her legs getting tired after the running. She fell behind Remy, who gripped her hand tighter and pulled her after him.
“Come on, cheri, not much further.” Zaire tried desperately to keep up with Gambit, knowing that if Sabertooth caught them it would be curtains. It was unfortunate there was no earth or fire here. Then it struck her, wind. She could use the air around them to become a source of wind. Not stopping her run Zaire summoned what she could, making the air behind them charge and start to move, causing the density to change and the concentration gradient to move. The whistling sound told her she was doing it, that it was working. But Sabertooth’s footfalls didn’t seem to slow. Remy stopped moving and Zaire realised they had reached the door. They both pushed, getting the heavy object to move before they fell through. Just as Remy was about the close the door, Sabertooth’s clawed hand grabbed Zaire around the throat.
“Hey there red eyes, miss us?” Remy glared, but didn’t move as Zaire trembled in fear. “Well, hadn’t expected the chase to be quite as thrilling, but at least I get my catch.” There was a sound from his throat that made Zaire close her eyes, willing the whole scene to just go away and for her to fall from her bed, waking from a horrible nightmare.
“Let her go,” Remy said, a noticeable tone of contempt in his voice.
“But we need a new play thing at home. If not you then this one would suit me.” Remy’s skin crawled at Sabertooth sniffed at Zaire. “She’s easily scared. Wonder what she screams like.”
“You not finding out.” Remy grabbed anything close to him, turning out to be a few marbles left by the stairs, and charged them. Sabertooth got a better grip on Zaire, his free arm clenching her waist, his claws digging into her hips. One tear slid down the dark haired girl’s face, but she didn’t make a sound, she didn’t cry out in pain or fear.
“Tell you what, Cajun, you come home and I’ll leave her. You stay here and I take her. Your choice, runt.” Remy’s jaw clenched, the muscles tensing throughout his body. He never wanted to go back to the Acolytes, but there was no way he wanted Zaire to go through anything like that. He sighed, uncharging the marbles before dropping his head.
“Fine.” Zaire’s eyes shot open. She clearly didn’t know if he was letting her be taken or if he was returning. “Remy leave wit’ you.” Sabertooth's face stretched into a grotesque looking smile.
“No ones going anywhere.” Remy turned at the sound of Scott’s voice. The entire team of X-Men stood in the foyer, all ready to attack Sabertooth. Sabertooth sighed and rolled his eyes.
“You know, you could’ve kept your little beauty here. Gambit just agreed to come home,” Sabertooth's comment was cut short.
“The Cajun ain’t going no where. And you’re not taking Zaire either, bub.” Wolverine’s claws were ejected and Sabertooth laughed, causing another shudder to go through Zaire’s body.
“Well how about I just take off her head?” Sabertooth's grip on her neck tightened, causing the entire team to take one step forward before halting. Gambit charged up the marbles again, catching Zaire’s eye so she knew where he was dropping them. As Remy dropped the marbles Zaire lifted her feet, kicking Sabertooth with her heel, simultaneously reaching out for Gambit to grab her hand and pull her away once Sabertooth's hand loosened around her throat as he growled out in pain. Zaire fell to the floor, on top of Gambit, and Cyclops immediately blasted Sabertooth with a beam. The large savage animal fell backwards, tumbling down the hall slightly. Rogue and Kitty quickly closed the door to the hall and locked it, knowing that Sabertooth would have no option other than to retreat. Zaire slowly got to her feet, helping Remy stand after her. The Cajun gripped his ribs while holding Zaire’s back.
“You okay, petite?” He asked, not really paying much heed to those around him. Zaire did a double check on her hip, wincing slightly when she saw the blood Sabertooth's grip had drawn.
“I’ll be fine.” Her voice was scratchy, a result of the death drip previously on her throat. “Not to sound ungrateful or anything but what are ya’ll doing back so soon?” Scott looked at Gambit before talking.
“Colossus and Pyro weren’t looking for a fight. They were asking about him.” Zaire frowned, not quite understanding.
“Ya mean like what Sabertooth was asking like?”
“No. It was more of a how he was doing question rather than…” Jean trailed off, thinking about how to put her next words.
“Rather than trying to goad us into sending him back.” Zaire looked at Ororo. The weather witch was looking slightly sheepish.
“Ya mean like Sabertooth trying to tear us limb from limb?” Gambit hadn’t really said anything, and Zaire noticed that his hold on her back had began to ease. It wasn’t so much the fact that he wasn’t touching her, more the suddenness of the withdrawal. “Ya alright there Cajun?” Remy looked up at her, but couldn’t mask the pain on his face. “Sit. Those ribs ain’t healed yet.” Remy did as he was told, his face slack from the exhaustion of running.
“Guess it’s just as well we showed up huh?” Kitty said, standing with Rogue in front of Zaire. The other mutant female smiled at them.
“Yeah, other wise I’d have had to burn the place down.” Rogue frowned and Zaire nodded her head to the small patch on the rug where a small burn mark had appeared. “Had to use something other than the wind that just didn’t work!”
- - -