Preface:

This story takes place after X1, X2, X3, and Wolverine. There are a few changes to the story line. Gambit is at the Institute. Jean is dead. Scott and Xavier are not. Sabertooth is very much alive as well (to me it was implied in X1 that he was killed since you never saw him again. if that's inaccurate then i'm sorry but that's how i saw it.) Logan as stopped leaving so often... granted he does go away for missions and the like but he's not really hunting down his past anymore; though he still has questions. Enter Cat. I have made her the sister of Gambit and a mutant much like that of Wolverine and X-23. Of course, with Cat being my own character I've taken the liberties of making her a very unique mutant as she has more than one mutation. You'll have to read the story to find out what I mean by that. Anyways, Cat's arrival at the mansion throws the team into a whole lot of trouble with the appearence of Sabertooth, Magneto, and Omega Red. I've also taken liberty in giving Stryker (who, yes, is dead) a little more power than was implied in X2. I gave him not only Alkali Lake but also three other lab facilities: one in Ireland, one in Russia (hence Omega Red's appearence in the story) and one in Africa (which I go a little more in depth in the sequel to this story which is not finished yet). You'll have to read the story to really understand all of this.

P.S. As for Rogue... well that's really up to you as the reader to figure out what happened with her as far as the cure is concerned. She's at the mansion and is with Gambit (as I always think she should be, not that I have anything against Rogans but for me it's always Romy). You can think that she never took the cure or that she did take the cure and it has worn off. Either way the story works because it's not really about her. It's about Cat and Logan.

Disclaimer:

I do NOT own any rights to the X-Men. As far as I know, Cat is my own character and the story plot, for the most part, is mine.

Please, read and review. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it and hope to get the sequel finished and up soon.

Rated M to be on the safe side. It's better to be safe than have this kicked off the sight.

-Never-

Gambit's POV

It had been a long day. I was on my way back to my room after an intense Danger Room session when I heard something outside. It was a motorcycle coming down the drive way. At first I thought it was Logan but then, as it came closer, I noticed that the rider was female. The only female biker at the mansion was my Rogue and I knew it wasn't her since I had just passed her on her way to the Danger Room. She pulled right in front of the doors. When she got off the bike she looked up at me; like she knew I was there. I couldn't see her face since she still had the helmet on. Because of my empathy I could feel her every emotion but the strongest one was nervousness. Who is she? Why is she here and why is she so nervous? I couldn't help but think that there was something familiar about her.

Catarina's (Cat) POV

I had finally made to the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. It had been a long journey. After escaping from one of Stryker's many labs it had taken a little while to earn enough money to buy my bike. I had been transferred from lab to lab and I was sick of it. After everything was said and done I had all but lost my Cajun accent but I'd pick up another along the way. My Irish accent wasn't as thick as it was when I was at a lab there. This worked in my favor though. I didn't want him to recognize me too early. When I looked up to the figure standing in the window I was thankful that I hadn't taken off my helmet. I knew who he was. I could never forget those eyes. I was five the last time I saw him, but those eyes; that red on black was so hard to forget. It was those eyes that kept me going through all the experiments. Besides our names and the fact that we were both mutants, there was only one other thing that was common between my brother and I. We were empaths. And I could tell that he was curious about me… he had no clue who I was. I looked back towards the doors before taking off my helmet and placing it on the back seat. I was here for a reason… I was here to try to join the X-Men. I also needed their help.

I was being lead by a voice in my head. I knew that it was none other than Professor Charles Xavier. He was leading me to his office and when I reached it the doors were already open.

"Come in, Catarina."

"Professor Xavier?"

"You wish to join the X-Men, is that correct?"

"Aye. I've traveled a long way to…" I started but was stopped when someone walked through the door.

"Remy?" I froze at the name. The Professor was giving him a questioning glance. I could feel eyes trying to figure me out from behind. It wasn't a very comfortable feeling.

I slowly turned around and faced my brother.

Gambit's POV

My breath caught in my throat when the woman before me turned around. I was looking into the icy blue eyes that could only belong to one person. "Cat."

"Hello, brother." She had already known who I was… but then again I knew my eyes would have given me away.

"What are you…?" I had taken a step toward her; wanting to get closer to the sister I hadn't seen in a very long time, but was stopped when she took a step back.

"She wishes to join the X-Men, Gambit." The Professor answered my question before she could.

"What about Stryker and the lab?"

"It's over, Remy. That's all finished. I'm never, ever going back. I can't… I…" Her eyes were filling with tears and turning a slivery gray. I couldn't help but reach out to her. She tried to struggle at first but then she gave up and I hugged her until she calmed down.

"What is this!" Oh, great. I knew if Rogue saw this without me explaining something she would take it out of context. That was how Rogue was.

"Rogue, wait!" I started after her. I took off running when she wouldn't stop. "Rogue!"

"What the hell, swamp rat!

"She's my sister, Rogue! I haven't seen her in years. Not since she was taken from me when her powers surfaced. She was taken by… she's been through so many experiments and lab tests…"

"She was taken by who?" I could see that she believed me but could also see that she was thinking of the experiments that Logan had gone through.

"Yes. She was taken by Stryker and his men. I only found out later what he was doing. I had all but thrown her out. What Stryker promised was much like what happens here. I didn't realize… I didn't think about how she felt." I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Remy." Her voice was soft, I had to turn around and look. Her eyes were the silvery gray I had seen them changing into in the office. I had to shake my head to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

Cat's POV

"I know. My eyes are silver when I'm sad, icy blue normally, purple when I'm terrified, and red when I'm angry. Remy, what happened with Stryker; with the experiments… it wasn't your fault. I could sense his feelings just as much as you. Something didn't feel right but since you weren't saying anything, I wasn't going to either. I tried to get out… tried to escape when I was in Ireland. I managed to and was free for about a year until then they found me. I had already gone through the worst experiment… the adamantium was so painful…"

"Adamantium?" Rogue's question stopped me. "Like Logan and Laura?"

"Aye. Like Wolverine and X-23." I answered and then extracted the three claws in each hand. "My claws are like those of Wolverine. He was the first to survive the experiment; I was the second and last for that particular process. X-23 went through a different process and her body was also different than Wolverine's and mine. But after that… Wolverine and X-23 were done with experiments and tests once they went through the adamantium process. I wasn't. Nowhere near finished when they realized I had more mutations than they first thought."

"More mutations?" Remy was trying to comfort me but when I brought up that fact that I had more than the mutations he knew I had… well, that got his attention as well as Rogue's. And a few other people… I hadn't noticed that Laura, Bobby, Kitty and Piotr had walked into the room we were in.

"Who is she?" Bobby asked… I did NOT like the way he was looking at me. The lust was oozing off of him and I'm sure Remy could feel it too.

"She's my sister." Remy said in the tone that told Bobby to back off or he was going to get hurt.

"Nice to see you again, Cat. I'm glad you got out of there." Laura said. She had been one of the only friends I made during my time in the labs.

"Hi, Laura. Yeah, me too. When word spread that Stryker was dead… well, there was no one to keep us in the labs anymore. Although, now I feel like I'm in even more danger."

"What do you mean?" Remy asked. I could feel him getting angry.

"I think we should take this to the professor. He has to know what's going on too." I said. I knew I was right. I was hoping that Storm would show up soon. I had a lot of questions for her. At least I could talk to Rogue about some things now. When I had been reading about the X-Men I somehow felt a connection to the fierce Southern belle and was eager to meet her. Little did I know she was dating my brother. "Shall we?"

The seven of us headed to the Professor's office where we were greeted by the rest of the X-Men team members except one. For some reason I had hoped he would be here, but I knew better. I also knew that he wouldn't remember who I was; it was a miracle that Laura did.

"My office is a little small for all of us. Let's go to the conference room. We have a lot to discuss." He looked at me when he said that. Somehow that look and tone did not make me feel very good. I knew that if my eyes changed colors when I was nervous… well they wouldn't be the ice blue I loved so much.

When we reached the conference room I sat next to Xavier and Remy. Rogue sat on the other side of Gambit. Everybody else took their regular seats. I couldn't help but notice the empty chair that was meant for the one X-Men I wanted to see again. Though the last time I saw him, he wasn't an X-Men, in fact, he didn't want anything to do with people. Sometimes not even me, but that didn't stop me from staying close to him when I could. Others didn't mess with me when I was near him… not even Victor. That all changed when he ran… I shook my head from my thoughts and focused on what Xavier was saying.

"This is Catarina Le Beau. Remy's sister. She's been through a lot and has come seeking to join the X-Men. Cyclops I will let you…"

"Professor… I am here hoping to join the X-Men but that is not the only reason why I'm here. I… Well, with my…" It was hard for me to say what I needed to say especially with everyone starring at me. Especially Cyclops, the leader of the X-Men and the emotions I was getting from him did not help my nerves any. "Um… well, with my multiple mutations… I'm in a whole mess of trouble. I'm being hunted by three very strong, very angry mutants. At least one of them would like nothing better than to use me as a weapon against humans. One wants… well, he wants me. The third wants me to rule alongside him… to be his 'queen.' I came here for help. Please, I know you've dealt with two of the three before and I know I'm no match for them by myself." I looked at Cyclops and to the Professor, hoping that my pleading tone would help my case.

"I don't know about this. We don't really have space on the team right now. And besides how can we know we can trust you?" I knew that was going to be his answer; I could feel the cat inside me trying claw her way to the surface. I knew my eyes were taking on a red tint; the claws were starting to come out on their own accord. I felt a growl make its way out; now I knew my eyes were red.

"Calm down. Cat, let's talk before you get too angry." Remy's voice and hand were the only things keeping me sane.

"Look pretty boy, I know you're the leader and all. I know you're just looking out for your friends and family. I don't even care if I can't join the team right now. Just don't you dare turn me away and force me to face Magneto, Sabertooth, and Omega Red by myself. I won't survive. Magneto will either use me as a weapon or kill me. Sabertooth will kill my soul and I won't have any reason left to live. I'd kill myself before I joined Omega Red. Right now, I'm asking for protection from these three. Please."

"Scott, please. You wouldn't turn your brother away. Don't you dare turn my sister away! If you do I'll no other choice but to go with her."

"Remy, no."

"Cat, now that Gambit's found you again, he ain't ever lettin' go." It was comforting to hear him speak in the third person.

"If Gambit goes, I go. Think about it Scott. She's been through a lot already. She needs our help." Rogue was sticking up for me. I knew very little about her, but I knew enough to know that her threatening to leave the only true home she's ever known means a lot.

"We will not turn away a mutant in danger who has come seeking our help and shelter. Cat, you have a place here at the school. We will do everything we can to keep you safe. Hank, call Logan, tell him we need him back here right away. Now, Cat, tell us everything you think we need to know. Why are these three after you?" I could tell that Scott wasn't happy with the Professor's comment but there was nothing he could do about it.

After Hank returned from contacting Wolverine, I proceeded to tell them all about the labs. All the experiments that Stryker and his men had put me through. And told them about the mutation that had led them to me.

"A female wolverine… great." Scott's sarcastic tone was annoying.

"Yeah, I may have the same metal attached to my skeleton, the same heightened sense, regenerative healing, stamina, and strength that Wolverine has but I'm not the same as him. I'm not cold; I don't detach myself from people. I had someone to keep me alive through those horrible times. I vowed that I would see my brother again; that love kept me going. There were many times when I wanted to die; I had thought about killing myself but then I would see his face and remember what I promised myself." I looked at Laura. "There were a couple other people that kept me going. Laura kept me sane while in the lab at Alkali Lake before I got the adamantium, and after. There are times when I would like nothing more than to forget everything I went through. Somehow, my mind managed to heal and though I let them think I had lost my memories, the truth was… the truth is, I remember everything."

"What about these other mutations?" Hank was curious. Everyone else was too, but he was the only one to ask the question.

"I can control the weather. I'm not as powerful as Storm, but I can. I discovered that while I was in Ireland. It was when I was free for about a year that I started using the name Thundercat. I had begun helping crack down on the crime. I worked closely with the police but also stayed hidden. Somehow word got back to Stryker and I was recaptured and went through more tests and experiments. It was through one of those experiments that I acquired the ability to fly. I believe I was beginning to be formatted to be the ultimate weapon. I remember hearing them talk about how I was going to be more powerful than any other mutant weapon; that they wouldn't make the same mistakes they made with Weapon X. There would be guards posted everywhere with no chance of me escaping again."

"How did you escape?" Scott's tone was, again, not something I liked. There was some reason he didn't like the fact that I was here.

"We were released from the labs when news of Stryker's death spread. We were to be contained in a facility somewhere in Africa. I took the opportunity to escape. There were so many of us who did that they couldn't keep track. We were in a lab in Russia. That's where I ran into Omega Red. That's where I… he…" It was too hard to speak it. I looked at the Professor, I'd rather him hear it from me through my mind and then let him say it.

"He almost raped you." He understood what I wanted him to do.

"What!"

"Remy, calm down. Almost, he almost raped me."

"How does someone 'almost' rape you?" Scott was again questioning my motives. If he continued down this path he was going to get hurt.

"I was able to stop him before he got too far. I used my newly found weather abilities to slow him down enough for me to escape. I took off. Literally, I flew out of there with only what I could carry of my belongings. I ended up back in New Orleans. After a run in with a very heated Sabertooth… which he was little easier to deal with then Omega Red… I headed here."

Scott snickered. "How can we believe anything you say?"

"That does it! I'm sick of your attitude Cyclops! I don't need this from you! You and your perfect little life… you have no idea what I had to go through. I wasn't a teenager when my powers manifested… I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD! I was a kid; taken from my home, from my brother! You have trust issues, pretty boy! You think Wolverine gets mad… you ain't seen nothin' yet!" I knew my eyes were blood red; the color they turned when I let my anger control me. My claws were out; the cat in me had been released. I needed to get out of this room before I did something I'd regret. I bolted. Ran outside and then flew. I flew as high as I could before the air got too thin. Suddenly, I was growling, hissing, and then the sky started to rumble. I was controlling the weather and was now getting ready to unleash an intense storm. Lightning streaked the sky and the thunder was so strong I'm sure it shook the ground. This was my outlet.