Dear X-Men fans

We all know they're not mine

Please read on…

Chapter 4

Breakfast had finished smoothly as Ororo and Remy left to see her plants. Before Hank and Kurt could leave, Logan stood up. "Hey, Blue, when's the last time Remy had his turn in the Danger Room?"

Hank stopped, brows furrowing as he thought. "I believe it would have to be before the trial." He said slowly. "Scott indicated that our dear Acadian did not wish to partake in this bit of activity with us. I didn't believe him then and I certainly don't now."

Logan nodded to himself. "I'm not sure what's up with Cyke and Red, but I don't trust them when it comes to Gumbo." He turned to Kurt, then, a light grin on his face. "Ya look exhausted, bub. How 'bout ya get some sleep. We'll do a bit of training tonight. You, me and Remy, how's that?"

Kurt yawned at that, nodding his head. "Yes, that does seem nice." He grinned.

"Good. And Kurt? Thanks. You don't know how much this means to him… or me." Kurt nodded back as they left the room, just in time to see Rogue and Bobby walk in hand-in-hand.

The rest of the day had been quiet, Remy spending most of his time with Ororo, Kurt and even Hank. Logan felt a bit of jealousy at that. He was the one taking care of Remy; the least the man could do in return was pay him attention. He shook his head. That wasn't supposed to matter. Remy's happy, ya should be happy for 'im. He headed for the boathouse again, the only place he knew he'd get any privacy. He flipped his cell open and dialled for three of his friends. He wanted to warn them about what was going on in the mansion, make sure which side these two were on.

When he called the third number, a young woman picked up. "Hey, Jubs, it's me." He heard her squeal, happiness flooding through the phone. "Did you know Remy was back? … Why am I not surprised? … Scott and Jean seem to be doing that a lot lately… I don't trust them right now, not with Rems…" Jubilee said something over the phone and he laughed at that. "I can't hide anything from ya, can I? … Doesn't really matter though, not right now anyway… I don't think he feels like that for me… Look, Jubs, I got to go. I'll talk to you soon." He hung up the phone, heading back to the mansion to see about some food.

Most of the team had decided to go out for supper, and Logan was thankful for that. He and Ororo had made supper for Kurt, Hank, Remy and themselves. "Hey, kid, Kurt and I were wondering if ya'd like to do some training with us tonight. I wanted to try this new team sequence I saw Bishop and Forge working on this morning."

Remy's eyes widened, his eyes sparkling with new life. Logan smiled at that. "Remy would love to go training wit you hommes. If you're sure, dat is…"

Logan smiled and nodded. "Good. I figured an hour after we're done eating. Wouldn't want ya and Kurt to get a cramp, right?"

"I'll be sure to monitor the three of you, friends, with a light medical kit on hand should anything arise." Hank added.

Logan felt great. The workout had gone perfectly. It had been a time-limit sequence and even the computer had stated they'd beaten the record by a few minutes. He knew Bishop would be pissed at that but it didn't matter right now. Remy smelt excited and he looked like part of his old self. This had been good for the kid, that's all that mattered.

He let Remy go up to his room alone, wanting to smoke a final cigar before calling it a night. He needed to steady his nerves. They'd be sleeping together again tonight and he needed to be calm to not jump the Cajun. After all, he'd told Jubs there was just friendship between the two of them.

Finally, he shook his head and headed to bed. As he crossed Bobby and Warren, both smirking, he knew something was wrong. He hurried a little more to his room, catching Remy mumbling. "No, Remy needs to do dis. Remy needs to take his place back." He smelt of sadness and a bit of fear.

Logan's heart sunk as he entered the room, noting Remy's bowed head and slumped shoulders as he held his clothes to him. "What you going on about, Cajun?" He asked, pretending he didn't notice the misery coming from the man.

Remy stood up a little too fast, the pile of clothes still in his hands. "Not much, homme. Remy just tinks he should move to a new room is all." His voice was cheerful, his expression a little forced, but his scent betrayed him. Too much fear, Logan noted.

Logan quirked an eyebrow as he walked a little closer to Remy, still giving him space. "You alright, kid? There's really no hurry." His voice was gruff, concerned and a little put out. I want you to stay. Damn, please just stay here with me.

Remy shook his head, making a detour around Logan as he headed for the door. "Everyt'in is fine homme, no worries. Gambit, he tanks you for de help, but he needs to settle back in. Can't sleep wit you forever, non?" It wasn't a total lie, Logan could smell that much, but he wasn't telling the truth either.

Logan tried to keep his emotions in check, but he couldn't help but feel a little upset. Come on, Logan, snap out of it. The kid was scared enough ta sleep with you the first time, what makes you think he'll stay a second time? He didn't say a thing as he watched Remy pick a room closest to the stairs. In case ya need a fast exit, huh. Logan turned back into his room.

Logan climbed under the covers, letting his sense of smell take over. The sheets and the pillows still smelt like the kid and Logan didn't think he'd ever wash them again. He might not be able to sleep with Remy, but this was the next best thing. His scent was everywhere. He let the smell lull him to sleep.

His eyes opened only to shut at the sting of the water around him. He was in a tank somewhere. He wanted to scream, but the liquid seeped into his mouth. It wasn't water, it didn't taste like it. He didn't know where he was. He forced his eyes open again, trying to figure out what was happening to him. He was standing, but he was also drowning in water that wasn't water. In front of him, he could see men in white coats smiling and laughing. He tried to move. There were needles in his arms and he wanted to scream again but he couldn't. The liquid would make him drown. He wasn't sure how, but metal claws popped out of his hands and the excruciating pain made him scream that much louder. To Hell with drowning.

Everything disappeared. He looked around him. He was sitting on a bed, the covers thrown on the ground. The light of the moon was coming from his open window. His claws were out. He stared at them for a moment. He was used to getting this particular nightmare but… there wasn't one last night. At least, not one I can remember.

He looked at the clock. It was already past midnight, but he knew he wouldn't be getting anymore sleep. Not like that. Not alone. "I know ya don't want me, but I just need one more good night's sleep. Just one more. I won't bother ya again after that, I promise." He whispered to himself, heading down the hall.

As he approached Remy's room, the kid had probably forgotten it was really his, he smelt the tears, the shame and the worry. Logan opened the door, adjusting his eyes to the dark so he could spot Remy on the bed. The waves of fear that came from the man made his heart clench. He almost turned back, but he needed the Cajun so much. "Hey, kid, you awake?" When he didn't get a verbal answer, just a change in heartbeat, he tried again, a little louder. "Remy?"

"Yea, homme." His voice trembled.

Logan frowned at that. He didn't want the man to be afraid of him. Still, he closed the door behind him and walked over to the bed. "Look, kid, I know you want to adjust right now, but I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight. Don't rightly know what you did last night, but I've never slept so good." He was desperate and he knew Remy could feel it.

He saw Remy nod and heard the sharp intake of breath like someone trying to steady themselves. "Sure, homme, whatever you want."

Logan felt the stress leave him as he climbed into the bed. He wanted to show Remy that he didn't mean any harm, though, and kept close to the edge of the bed before falling asleep. He was safe now. He'd watch over Remy during the day, and maybe Remy would watch over him at night from time to time. He could only hope not to screw anything up.