Relations

Summary: An AU version of Remy's changing relationship with Professor Xavier and the X-Men

Disclosure: I own nothing recognizable, it all belongs to Marvel.

Author's Note: I am not following any particular comic series, and have changed various things about the history of the X-Men characters. If that bothers you, then this story isn't for you.

Chapter 1:

The small cafe was very popular in New York City and was frequented by many business men and women on lunch breaks and coffee runs. The small tables and simple chairs were reminiscent of cafes found in Europe. The simple but tasteful décor complimented the delicious pastries and sophisticated coffees that the cafe offered it patrons.

Professor Xavier sat in a standard wheelchair at one of the small tables with a coffee cup in front of him. He held the newspaper, but it didn't capture his attention. Every time the door opened a small bell chimed to welcome the new patron. Upon hearing the bell he continuously looked towards the door hoping that it was his awaited associate.

Taking another sip of his coffee he once again glanced at his watch. He was now worried, they had planned on meeting an hour ago. He would give the man another half hour before he would regretfully exit. He once again wished that he had a way of contacting the young man, but he had not thought to bring his laptop and the only way they communicated was by e-mail.

He was not angry that the man was late, but he was concerned. Trouble seemed to follow the young man no matter what the circumstances. He had come alone because this was an associate that the X-Men had no knowledge of. Despite the secrecy he had been very valuable to the team.

Xavier ordered a scone and a refill of his drink in order to keep his table. He sighed gently as he realized that the man may not show up. He tried to force his attention back to the paper that he had set upon his lap. He found himself still unable to focus on any of the articles that he glanced at. He once again wished that he was able to contact the man to insure his safety, at the very least.

He wasn't startled when his companion silently slid into the seat across from him at the small cafe table. "Je suis désolé," the young man admitted.

"It is good to see you Remy," he greeted. "I was beginning to worry," Xavier informed him while he appraised the young man's appearance. He was dressed casually in jeans and a simple charcoal colored shirt which was mostly hidden beneath his long black trench coat. His dark red hair hung loose, grazing his shoulders. Sunglasses hid his eyes even though it wasn't sunny outside and Xavier understood the reason for that.

"Flight was delayed," Remy informed him. As he made the statement Xavier noticed his bags for the first time. He had placed a duffle bag under the table and a laptop bag upon his lap.

"I didn't realize you were just arriving," Xavier replied. He knew the young man spent most of his time traveling so he wasn't very surprised.

"Oui," Remy said as he stood. "Need a drink," he informed Xavier as he walked away from the man.

Xavier nodded and watched his retreating form. Remy seemed more nervous than Xavier had ever seen him in the past and that worried him.

Remy ordered a large black coffee and instantly felt his tired body gain some much needed energy as he drank the dark liquid. He had almost decided not to meet with Xavier because he would much rather have checked into a hotel, but he had set up the meeting over a month ago. His next stop would be the hotel for some much needed rest.

"Is everything alright?" Xavier questioned as he sat back down at the table.

"Tired," he informed the man. He wanted this meeting to end quickly, but he had no intention of being impolite. The man paid him well and he had no need to upset their relations.

"How long are you in town?" Xavier asked.

"I have a few days," Remy informed him. The statement had a hidden meaning that they both understood. If Xavier had a job for him then Remy had time to do it.

"How have you been Remy?" Xavier asked concerned.

"Fine," he replied. "Look Xavier, I ain't got the patience for small talk today."

"And yet you came," Xavier countered. He was surprised by the outburst; his conversations with Remy had always been formal.

"Respect ya Monsieur," Remy said honestly, "just too tired for pleasantries."

"Are you in trouble?" Xavier questioned. He was very concerned, the young man before him had never looked so worn down before.

"Oui," Remy confessed. "Was being followed," he admitted, "mais I think I lost him."

"You know I can offer you safety," Xavier explained.

"Non," Remy insisted. He always denied Xavier's offers of joining the X-Men; he wasn't the good guy type.

"I am not suggesting that you join us," Xavier informed him, "although that offer always stands."

Remy nodded, but was honestly unsure of what the man meant. He finished off his coffee and looked towards the counter trying to decide whether he needed another.

"I am simply offering you a safe haven," Xavier explained. Xavier understood that Remy lived a dangerous life and felt the need to offer the young man assistance in case it was ever needed. Remy had never asked for his help in the past, but Xavier didn't feel that he should stop offering.

"I'm alright," Remy insisted.

"For how long?" Xavier asked.

Remy had already contemplated Xavier's question, but admitting that to a client wasn't in his best interest. So it was best to simply change the subject. "Do you have a job?" He asked uncomfortable.

"We both know that is not what this meeting is about," Xavier replied.

"Oui," Remy conceded.

They had met every few months for the past two years. Neither remembered why they had begun the tradition but neither objected to it either. Xavier used the meetings as a way to make sure that Remy was alright because he genuinely worried about the boy. His ulterior motive was always to convince Remy to join the X-Men because his skills would be an asset to the team. For now however, he forced himself to be content with simply checking on his safety and making sure that he wasn't in any real danger. Today Professor Xavier was not reassured.

Remy didn't know why he continued to meet Professor Xavier. It had become a habit before he could avoid it and now he was leery of breaking it. It felt good to know that there was someone looking out for him. Plus Xavier paid him well for his services and he didn't want to upset one of his best clients by neglecting to meet with him in person when it was requested.

"If there's no job then I'll be leaving New York shortly," Remy informed him. It wasn't a threat; he was simply informing the man that he was only in New York for this meeting.

"Who was following you?" Xavier asked. He understood the hidden meaning to Remy's words immediately and hoped to spend a few more minutes with the thief.

"Not sure," Remy replied as he stood up. He wasn't sure who was trailing him, but there wasn't a short list of people that it could have been. He'd figure it out eventually, but for the moment he was pretty sure that he had shaken them from his trail. He wouldn't have met with Xavier if he hadn't truly believed that. Exposing an employer wouldn't have been a smart idea. "Need anything?" Remy asked as he motioned back towards the counter.

"No, but thank you," the Professor replied. He didn't turn to watch Remy as he walked towards the counter and requested another caffeine filled drink. When the young man returned he pulled out his laptop and turned it on without a word. Xavier sat patiently without objection.

"I hacked into your system," Remy informed him after a few minutes.

Xavier nodded. "Do you have any recommendations?" he asked. He should have been angry that someone had hacked into the X-Men's computers, but Remy was the one exception. Remy was encouraged to hack in; Xavier paid him for the service.

"Already fixed most of your new problems," Remy informed him as he looked up from the screen in front of him. "E-mailed you the details," he continued.

"Anything drastically wrong?" Xavier asked.

"Non," Remy replied. "Mais you may wanna be careful what you download. I got rid of the viruses, no extra charge."

Xavier laughed, "how considerate."

Remy couldn't help but join in the laughter. "Oui," he agreed charmingly.

"I'll wire your payment when I return to the mansion," Xavier informed him.

"Merci," Remy replied while closing the laptop in front of him. He hadn't needed it for his conversation with Xavier; it had just seemed like a good moment to check on a few things. "I best be going," he informed Xavier.

"I do have a job," Xavier explained.

Remy nodded and leaned across the table, placing his elbows on the now closed laptop that sat in front of him. "Quoi?"

"There's a new Sentinel being designed," Xavier explained, "and I need the plans."

Remy sighed. "That's simple. I'll e-mail you the plans by tomorrow." With that said he slipped the laptop back into its bag and finished his coffee.

"Your usual fee?" Xavier asked.

"Just charge you for the hotel Monsieur, the info I get you for free." He planned on getting the nicest penthouse that the city had to offer for the night, so he wasn't truly doing the job for free.

"That's unusual," Xavier replied frowning. He had been willing to pay Remy's usual fee and was surprised when the price wasn't being charged.

Remy shrugged. He knew that finding the design of the Sentinels would only involve some hacking online instead of breaking into a facility. He could find the details in the cafe, but he was too tired to work on it before getting a few hours of sleep. "Be seeing you Monsieur," Remy stated as he stood up with both bags in hand.

"Please Remy do not hesitate to call me if you need anything," Professor Xavier insisted.

"I'll be fine," Remy insisted. He had no intention of getting any more involved with Xavier and the X-Men then he already was.

"In case you change your mind," Xavier replied as he shook the younger man's hand. He slipped a card with his number on it into Remy's palm the same way he did every time they ended one of their meetings.

"Merci," Remy replied and accepted the card like he always did.

Remy slipped out of the cafe just as quietly as he had entered it. He didn't even spare a glance back as he hailed a cab.

Xavier paused for a few moments before calling Scott Summers to pick him up from the small cafe.