DISCLAIMER: I do not own Wolverine and the X-men
A/N: This story is currently unbeta'd, updates will be slow
thoughts: italics
flashbacks: bold
Storyline
To save his Son,Gambit goes to the last people he thought would ever help him,the X-men
edit 4/28: Changed layout to make more reader-friendly.
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Chapter four
Remy wakes abruptly, momentarily forgetting where he was. Quickly he remembers everything that's going on and groaning,he rolls over. " We are having a meeting in about ten minutes." says a voice behind him, making him jump out of bed. Rogue just stares at him for a moment,shocked at his reaction,before stating " You might want to dress, I doubt Logan would appreciate you coming down in your boxers." She quickly walks back out of the room before he can say anything.
Eight minutes later, he joins the others in the war room. He sits between Kitty and Rogue, they were less hostile towards him then the others,as Logan comes in. Logan pauses when he sees who Gambit is sitting with, before continuing to the front.
" All right." Logan begins. " Here's what we know so far. The child, Jean-Luc, Seven months old, disappeared from the family home one week ago. He was taken By Mr Sinister, or Sinister's men. Currently whereabouts unknown. However sometime in the next two weeks, they will arrive in Sinister's labs in the tunnels. Shadowcat and Iceman went to the tunnels last night. They reported no sign of current occupancy, however, they observed evidence of intended arrival. They placed alarms and sensors through out the tunnels to alert us as soon as they arrive. Storm and Beast have not yet checked in. They went to New Orleans to attempt to pick up Sinister's trail from there. Cyclops and White Queen Checked in an hour ago with no new report. They are currently stationed outside Kelly's office, in case he is somehow involved in this mess. However,they are on stand-by for the tunnel if we need them."
Rogue then continues with " I have checked in with our contacts in Genosha, as well as the Brotherhood. They have heard nothing of Sinister's intentions, but were completely appalled by his actions. He will find no safe haven with any of them."
Logan nods and continues. " I want volunteers, two at a time, to watch the tunnels to ensure we do not miss the arrival of the Mauraders. The sign up roster is right here next to me, please feel free to pass it around. Gambit, I would feel better if you did not sign up for a watch. You are personally involved in this, and it may cloud your judgement. We can't just go in half-cocked. We will need an organized plan of attack to ensure the safety of both the child and the team. Rogue I don't want you on watch either. Right now you have Gumbo running through your head, which makes you emotionally involved as well."
Both Rogue and Gambit want to argue over this, but judging by Logan's expression, he won't change his , both slump in their seats, their movements mimicking each other enough that the rest of the team sees Logan's point. The meeting breaks up shortly after that, with Kitty and Kurt on first watch.
~o~O~o~
Remy and Rogue head to the kitchen for breakfast. Both are still annoyed at effectively being 'desked'. After Rogue began the omelets, and was sure no one was following them she stated " This is crap! We could handle guard duty. and what does he mean I'm emotionally involved, just because I know how you feel about this, doesn't mean that either one of us would loose our heads and rush in. I know... and I know that you know... that that would only end badly for Jean."
Remy nods, quietly annoyed by Logan. It wasn't as if he was part of this team. How dare he tell Remy what to do? If he wanted to, Remy could go stake the place out right now. But what if they don't show up there. It would be better to stay here, in case something new comes up... still.
Logan walks into the kitchen a moment later, and seeing the expressions on the southerners faces states " Look. I know that you think I'm being unfair, and that you could handle it. But think about it... If you saw them arrive with the baby, would you really be able to sit and wait for the rest of the team?" The silence that follows was the only answer he needed.
Because the truth was, neither one of them would be able to do it, and honestly for Rogue at least, Logan wouldn't be able to even with out Gambit running through her head. He knew that didn't make it any easier to take. Hell, if it was him, he'd have already taken off to try to handle it himself. Secretly he was impressed with Gambit's restraint.
~o~O~o~
" *sigh* Why are we even here? We should be looking for where they are now, not where they will be." Kurt states." The quicker we find the child,the better."
"I know,but we know for sure that eventually they'll be here. Judging by the supplies down there, I think they'll be here soon." Kitty replies.
"... I know what the Professor said, but...I don't want him on the team. I think he's bad news, and I don't want him around you girls. " Kurt continues.
Kitty nods, not really agreeing with Kurt, but not wanting to argue with him either. The Professor had said that Gambit should join...So she thinks that he should join. After all, the Professor is the one who knows what's happening. Besides, if Gambit was going to do something that would hurt them, the Professor would tell them... right?
She notices movement near the entrance, which turns her attention to the matter at hand. Vertigo and Blockbuster are down below, carrying in more crates, there is no sign of Sinister or the baby, so Kitty and Kurt stay put. Kitty however, does call in this update, along with the suggestion that they follow the pair.
Logan is hesitant to allow them to head out in a location completely unknown to them, however, this may be their best chance to find the boy early. He reluctantly agrees, along with promising to send the next team to take over their posts. Seventeen minutes later, Kitty and Kurt are discretely following the Maurarders, and Scott and Emma are on the way to the tunnels.
Kitty and Kurt spent the next forty-five minutes following the pair, as they traveled around town, doing what appeared to be mundane errands, like the grocery store, and Wal-mart. They were buying what appeared to be mostly baby supplies. Well at least there was no doubt they knew where the baby was. Now, if only they would lead them to the baby.
~o~O~o~
Gambit was getting impatient, it was all well and good that they had spotted some of the Mauraders. But this was taking to long. It was all he could do not to rush out after them. Rogue found him pacing in the Lounge, holding his son's pacifier, and staring out the window.
" Hey." She says quietly.
" I can't just sit here. I asked them for help, not to take over completely." Remy states. " I... He's the most important person in the world to me... I know I've done some terrible things,unforgivable things. I would do them all over again to get him back. But ... I just... How am I supposed to do this. "
Rogue hugs him. This alone would shock the rest of the team if they saw it. After a minute she says " I know how hard this is for you. I've felt it. I wish we could get him back for you right now. No, I wish this had never happened at all. But we both know Logan's right, we have to do this smart. If they catch even a glimpse of you, they will go to ground. Then who knows how long it would take to find them."
" ...I know. " Remy says,finally hugging her back. " But, he's my son, I promised myself,he would never be with out me. I would never let him think I abandoned him. Ever. I've never been away from him this long. Even the Genosha nightmare only took me three days to come home from. And Tante was with him the entire time."
" I know. I know how hard this whole thing must be for you. " Rogue states,pulling away." We are doing everything we can to find him. I promise we will do everything we can to make sure he comes home safe."
Logan clears his throat in the doorway. When they look his way he says " C'mon Gumbo, I gotta talk ta ya" Shrugging Rogue gestures for him to follow Logan. He sighs again, puts the pacifier back in his pocket, and follows the X-men's current leader.