CHAPTER TWO

Five years. Five long years it had been since Remy last saw the front of this mansion. In all the time between, it looked like nothing had changed at all. The same trees were there, the same carefully manicured lawn. Even the swiveling security camera peering down at him was the same.

What would he face inside however? What had the years done to its occupants?

"Mr. LeBeau," Dr. McCoy's gentle tone came over the intercom. "When the Professor said you'd be coming, I didn't really believe it." Well, Remy should have expected Xavier to know he'd be coming. Perhaps he knew it even before Remy did himself.

"Bonjour," Remy said, leaning out the window of the rented car. "I know I ain' got any right t' be here…"

"Nonsense," the other man interrupted. "We are always here for a mutant in need, be it friend or past enemy."

"It's for a…" Remy glanced back at Belladonna who was trying to make herself as small as possible. "For a friend. We need th' professor's help."

"Come in. We'll meet you out front."

With a groan, the iron gates opened and allowed Remy to pull in. He'd been on the grounds several times in the past, but never through the front door. What a weird start to a weird journey.

"Who is this Professor?" Belladonna asked in a harsh whisper. "Why does he know 'bout us?"

"He de only guy in th' country can help y'," Remy said. "Now play nice, Belle. I'm here as a favor t' you. Y' don' want t' be on these people's bad sides." Perhaps he did make them sound more frightening than he should have, but anything to keep Belladonna from starting any more blood feuds was worth it. One at a time was his absolute limit on blood feuds.

There wasn't anyone visible on the grounds as he made his way to the front door. The autumn season had done this place justice, and it made him feel slightly homesick for New York, though he'd barely spent any time in it at all.

When Remy parked the car across from the front door, the first of the X-Men walked out. It was Dr. McCoy himself, looking as friendly and furry as always. Remy got out of the car and offered a hand, relieved when it was only shaken and released. Did they really hold no enmity for him?

He noticed that Belladonna stayed where she was, just watching with wide horrified eyes. If the situation were any less bizarre, he would have found it hilarious. The ferocious Princess of Assassins, scared stiff by an overgrown teddy bear who wouldn't harm a fly.

"Is this your friend?" Hank asked, nodding to the woman.

"Of a sort," Remy shrugged. Beyond the doctor, he saw a few more mutants file out to see the new arrivals. Some he knew by name, others by sight. The younger ones were completely unfamiliar to him.

One mutant he was familiar with was the leader himself, Cyclops, walking out with a disapproving scowl on his face. Apparently he wasn't as welcome by everyone as he thought.

"What is he doing here?" Scott asked. He'd only changed a little since Remy last saw him. He looked stronger now, more sure of himself. Probably the same ol' tool as ever. Five years couldn't fix everything after all. Still, Remy reminded himself to stay civil for now, at least until Bella could control her need to set things on fire.

"He's here as the professor's guest," Hank said as if that would resolve everything.

It didn't.

"We don't house Cajun trash as guests," Wolverine said, pushing his way through curious students. He looked Remy up and down like his very presence was offensive. "Send him on his way, Hank."

Well there was a man who hadn't changed at all. It somehow made things more reassuring for Remy, angry pile of badger aside. This was a man he knew, and a man he knew was a man he could predict.

"Oh, stop it." Jean stepped forward and offered Remy a smile and a hand. "If the professor says he can stay, then we have to make him feel welcome. Hello, Remy."

He returned the smile and lifted her hand to kiss the back of, enjoying the look of disgust on Scott's face. "Bonjour, ma belle." The years had been kind to this one. She was more beautiful than he remembered, and as with Scott, more sure of herself. This wasn't the team of teenagers he last saw; perhaps he was right to warn Bella to behave herself.

Jean blushed but released his hand, walking toward the car where Bella sat. The women sized each other up, but the telepath offered her a smile as well. Slowly, as if ready for attack, Belladonna finally emerged from the car, stiff and awkward. It wasn't like her to show discomfort, but then, she'd had a rough couple of days. The moment she believed she had this mansion pegged, the ferocity would return. Of that, Remy had no doubt. He could only hope it would be a while before that happened. She was liable to get them both kicked out and missing a few limbs besides.

"My name's Jean," the red head introduced herself. "What's yours?"

Bella looked as if she would remain silent, but a warning glare from Remy reminded her. "Belladonna," she said, lifting her chin up as if to answer a challenge.

Good, the girls were playing nice.

Hank cleared his throat, and Remy turned to face him again. "The professor said he would like to see you both once you're settled in. We can take your bags and put them in your rooms." While he kept the same friendly tone as before, the Cajun knew this was not a suggestion. This place had its rules, and he would have to follow them if he wanted to remain welcome. Merde, but Bella owed him for all of this. When he imagined returning to this place, it certainly wasn't with a suddenly mutant ex-fiancé in tow.

"I'll take them," said a quiet voice behind the doctor.

Remy's eyes widened as he caught sight of a very familiar face. It was a face he'd memorized in the short time they knew one another. The goth make-up was gone, and the hair was longer, but the sharp green eyes were the same. Rogue.

"Hey, Chère," he breathed. One corner of her lips twitched, but she otherwise kept her reaction neutral.

"Hey yourself," she said, her eyes flitting to Belladonna for a moment. Did she know who Bella was, having absorbed his memories before? Did she care, one way or the other? He wasn't sure why, but he wondered if she did. What had the years done to her?

He opened his mouth to say more, but she turned and headed back into the mansion, pausing at the door for him to catch up. Remy nodded to Belladonna to follow, and she took her place near him. He couldn't blame her for being uncomfortable really. He was the only mutant she'd really ever had contact with, and for all her feelings for him, Bella knew he was dangerous as well.

Now she was one of them. She had to adapt to that fact, like it or not. Her world now included blue furry doctors and red-haired telepaths among dozens of others. It was a strange bit of karmic justice really. Watching her squirm these past few days was as satisfying as it was nerve-wracking.

Rogue led the pair up the stairs and towards the library where the professor kept his office. She was still covered from head to toe, but rather than black leather, she wore simple jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. On her hands were the same old gloves she'd worn before. It was nice to see that not everything was different with her. She'd filled out some, and he couldn't help but admire it as he followed her.

When they rounded a corner, Remy was nearly knocked down by a pair of identical twin boys. They looked to be about ten years old, and were playing tag as they alternated between deer forms and human.

"Watch it!" Rogue snapped, narrowly avoiding an antler to the gut. "What'd Scott tell you 'bout powers in th' house?"

"Sorry, Miss Rogue!" one of the deer called out, galloping to catch his brother.

"Miss Rogue?" Remy asked her, amused.

She shrugged and gave a wry smile. "Kids," was all she offered by way of explanation.

"Dey just… just change like dat?" Belladonna asked, a mixture of horrified and amazed.

"Only when they ain' supposed to," Rogue said and moved on.

Belladonna shot Remy a look as they followed. He'd known her long enough to know what that look meant: how could this all be taken so blasé? Well, she'd certainly have a wake-up call by the time this was over. Not that it would do anything for her attitude, of course. Her powers seemed limited to pyrotechnics, not complete personality changes.

The professor was waiting for them when Rogue knocked and opened the door. He wheeled forward to greet them, a welcoming smile on his lips. The most powerful man in the world, and he always seemed so genuine.

Remy leaned forward to shake his hand, and Bella just nodded her head to him politely.

Once the pleasantries were over with, Xavier turned to look at Belladonna, his eyes sympathetic to her plight. "I understand how difficult this must be for you," he said. "Usually when a mutant's powers reveal themselves, they're much younger than you are."

Bella's eyes narrowed dangerously at the mention of her age, but she didn't say anything in response. Remy would have laughed if he wasn't afraid of the mansion going up in flames.

If the professor noticed her ruffled feathers, he didn't mention it. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need to. I will help you as much as I can so you can control your new powers. Perhaps, if you choose to, you can join our team."

Fat chance of that, Remy thought. Why would Belladonna suit up in spandex when she had a whole Assassin empire waiting for her back home?

"Merci," Belladonna said. "And de payment?"

"Payment?" Xavier asked. "I don't understand."
"For y' help."

Remy stepped in. "We can work on dat later," he interjected. "F'now, what do y' want us t' do?"

"I actually have a proposition for you, but that can wait until tomorrow after you're both rested and settled in."

A proposition? Remy's interest was piqued, and he wanted to know more. Ah well. Leave it to the old man to leave him hanging; it was probably just a tactic to be sure he wasn't off with the house silver by dawn.

And dammit it worked too.

"Rogue," Xavier said suddenly, looking up at her. He had a small smile on his face. "I do believe little Nathan is awake."

Nathan? What's a Nathan?

Rogue sighed. "I just put him down for a nap too."

"Babies are like that, I'm afraid," he chuckled.

Baby? Whose baby? Her baby?

Remy wanted to ask her, but she was already heading for the door. "Dinner's at six. Kitty's cooking," she called back, and then she was gone.

Xavier leaned forward in his chair with a small smile and a wink. "Then I would suggest you take some time to rest and freshen up. Once Kitty serves dinner, it will take about an hour for the replacement pizzas to arrive."

Well that sounded ominous. Still, Remy nodded and they were given the keys to their rooms and a list of house rules. It was rather like being a child again, but beggars and choosers and all. Bella really owed him for this.

As they walked out of the room, he noticed she'd been unusually subdued the entire visit. She'd been respectful enough so far, which was better than he'd dare hope. She treated Xavier like a Guild leader. Close enough.

With Belladonna, however, even discomfort couldn't keep her quiet for long. The moment they were at a safe distance from the office, she rounded on him, blue eyes tinted with gold.

"Why did y' bring me here?" she hissed. "Dis is a place f' crazy people, not me! It's crawlin' wit' freaks an' animals!"

"T'be fair," he pointed out. "De animals were mutants too, Bella."

Her hands began to glow, and the gold became brighter. "Remy! Ah can' stay here!"

"Y' gonna stay an' y' gonna like it," he reminded her, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. It seemed to work, a little. "Dese are good people, an' they can help y'."

A sudden boom shook their part of the mansion and nearly knocked Belladonna off her feet. She immediately shifted into Assassin mode, reaching for a knife tucked into her boot. Bah, and here he thought he'd confiscated all of them prior to coming here. While she readied for an attack, he just tucked his hands in his pockets and waited. If the X-Men were anything like he remembered, there was nothing to worry about.

Sure enough, there was a cackle of laughter and a screech of fury from a few doors down, in the male wing of the house. With a puff of sulfur and brimstone, a dark blue figure appeared in the middle of the hall and bounded towards them, a grin on his face.

"What de hell is dat!" Belladonna cried, reading to throw the knife. Remy reached over to grab her wrist, taking the weapon from her.

"Easy, Belle. Jus' another resident."

A door opened and a man completely clear like ice came running after. "Kurt!" he roared. "Get back here!"

A third figure peeked out from the open door, a young woman with a sheet wrapped around her. She simply shrugged and went back inside, the door shutting behind her.

Never a dull day. It almost felt like being back home when the Guild gathered together en masse on the LeBeau plantation.

Remy stepped to the side to let Kurt and Bobby by, tugging Belladonna along with him. Neither of the mutants acknowledged Remy's presence, too caught up in whatever prank had been pulled.

"Dis is a mad house," Belladonna sighed. For once, they agreed on something.

He guided her towards the female wing where her room was. Adults were able to keep their own room, and for that he was grateful. He didn't want to think what kind of roommate Belladonna would be to whatever poor soul she ended up with. It wasn't very large, but comfortable enough with its own bathroom attached and a sizable bed.

She sniffed at it regardless, but said it would do for now. Good enough.

"Where's y' room?" she asked.

"Wit' de men," he answered, not liking the sudden glint in her eyes. He didn't feel so bad for her that he'd offer physical comfort. That wasn't part of the deal and she'd known that.

Before she could try to argue the fact, he turned to leave. "See y' downstairs at seven," he called back, and then he was gone. He could only hope she didn't set anything on fire in the meantime.