Chaper Seven
***
"So what the hell happened??" Bishop asks. "The guards used to really crack down on the Stryke. Now the Stryke's gotten a lot worse and the guards aren't doing shit about it." He looks at Jean Paul. "It all started when you got here – you do something to piss off the guards here??"
The X-men's meeting in their bunk starts off on this note. Since Bishop has voiced some of the questions that others have been wondering about, the others listen. They want answers too – at least those who don't already know the answers.
Bobby looks around the room. He knows that Remy knows the situation, and suspects that if Remy does, then at least a few others do. Those who do not, he muses, will find out one way or the other. Perhaps it is better if they find out from Bobby.
"Petrizzo's mad at me," Bobby admits. He tries to keep is voice steady and not small.
"Why is he mad at you?" Charles asks.
"Well," Bobby begins, his cheeks already red, "he and I were kinda of…um, together. And now we're not anymore."
There is silence in the room for a moment or two.
"'Together'??" Bishop asks. "You mean…? So Petrizzo's a – " he stops himself just in time from using a derogatory term, "a gay??" he manages.
Bobby nods. "So I think that's what's causing the change here – he's pissed at me."
Hank looks at his friend. At least the sense of distance he had felt the past few weeks has now been explained. Part of him had suspected something like this; he had been able to tell that Bobby was distracted. This revelation, though, somehow causes Hank to feel some coldness in the pit of his stomach when he looks at Bobby.
"I gotta say," Scott begins, "that that's kind of low, Bobby. What were you sleeping with him for??"
"Let's not be judgmental," Charles suggests, holding both hands out and open. "We're only trying to learn what has happened – we're not here to judge."
"I'm sorry," Scott says. "It's just that I've been separated from Jean – the woman I love, my wife! I have to suffer every day because we can't be together. Meanwhile, Bobby's off having a fling with one of the guards, who I don't think he even cares about!"
Bobby is angry enough, and tired of being judged. "It's because of me that you got a private room when Jean visited! All of you who got private rooms with your girlfriends can thank me," he says, pointing a thumb at himself as he says the last word. "The officers didn't do that out of the goodness of their hearts. It's also because of me that we finally got the heating in here fixed. And it was because of me that Petrizzo put a stop to the Stryke when they started their shit – which, I have to add, all started when Bishop outed me against the Professor's orders. Instead of judging me, you should thank me!"
"He's got a point," Remy says.
"I agree with the Professor that it is not our place to judge," Kurt speaks up. "We should discuss what happens next."
"So," Logan begins, looking at Bobby, "Petrizzo's mad at you. What's the scoop? Is he gonna stay mad at you?"
"Does he have a quid pro quo arrangement with you?" Hank asks. "If you refuse him, is he going to let the Stryke run amok?" Hank pauses and adds, "I am not trying to pry; I simply want to know – as do we all - what we can expect."
Bobby turns to look at Jean Paul. Many of the other X-men follow his gaze.
Jean Paul looks back at Bobby. The room is quite silent now.
Bobby then speaks, his mouth dry, "Well, Hank, in terms of what we can expect…I think Jean Paul and I need to have a talk in private at some point before I can answer that."
Logan nods. "So you gotta pick one or the other." He states the fact plainly.
"If Jean Paul even wants me back," Bobby says, quietly enough that only Jean Paul and a few others hear.
Bobby's quiet words are nearly overshadowed by Scott's outburst.
"I need to see Jean again!" Scott insists. "Whatever it takes – Bobby, go back to Petrizzo if you have to. Make him arrange another visit. I'll go crazy if I can't be back with her!"
"Cyclops!" Charles exclaims, using the X-men leader's code name. "Please calm down."
"I can't! I can't live without Jean! Now there's a way I can see her again. Bobby, do whatever it takes. I order you!"
Scott makes a motion as if he is going to grasp Bobby's shoulders, but Hank reaches an arm out and gently restrains Scott.
"Being held captive here is difficult for all of us," Hank says to Scott. His voice is remarkably soothing. "I wish we knew when we will be free and when we will be reunited with the women we love. We have to accept that fact that we do not know when that shall occur. I trust that the day, however, will arrive."
"We don't know when," Scott repeats. His voice is now more glum than impassioned and his voice nearly cracks. "I might not see her again for twenty years."
"It won't be that long, Scott," Charles says. "That I know."
"We must have faith," Kurt adds. "We must accept things as they are, and try to live day by day. And trust that someday things will get better."
Scott looks at the floor. He nods. He slinks down and sits on the nearest bunk. "Okay," he says. "Bobby, it wasn't my place to ask you to do that."
Bobby nods. The room is very quiet. Many are watching Scott, who does appear calm now.
"There is something I must say," Jean Paul speaks up. "I am sure that some of you are looking at Bobby's behavior and feeling perhaps a bit of superiority. I think of the quote, 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' None of us have led saintly lives. I think we need to be reminded of that."
"Fair enough," Remy says. His voice is a bit eager.
"And Bobby is not a piece of meat to be used as a bargaining chip," Jean Paul adds. "Perhaps he made a mistake, used bad judgment…"
"So have we all, at one time or another," Kurt finishes for Jean Paul.
"And to his earlier point," Hank adds, "none of us complained when the heat in here was fixed."
"So," Bishop begins, after some more silence, "what do we do?"
Bobby again looks at Jean Paul. "I think he and I need talk in private."
"I agree," Jean Paul says. "We will leave lunch early and return here?"
Bobby agrees.
***
Hank is approached by a soldier during lunch. "You get a visitor today. You're one popular guy. Be at the main office at 1300 hours."
Hank cannot resist smiling widely.
***
Lunch cannot end quickly enough for Jean Paul. He races through his dull bologna sandwich and cream of broccoli soup.
The X-men are subject to more bad behavior from the Stryke during the meal. Perhaps they are becoming immune to it; a few taunts, glares, and a shove or two fail to stir most of the X-men. One of the stricter guards eventually yells at the Stryke to stop it. After a few more tries, the Stryke quiet down.
If it is any consolation to the X-men, the prisoners from the other teams eye the Stryke with contempt and avoid them at all times.
Jean Paul observes that Bobby is finishing his meal almost as quickly as he himself is. At Jean Paul's look, Bobby nods and they make their way to the X-men's bunk. Once they are settled inside and the door is closed, Jean Paul gets down to business fast. It has not taken him long to realize that privacy for one-on-one conversations is limited, and important.
"I have been thinking about this," Jean Paul says. "I think about it from your perspective. As you said to me earlier, you and I had only been on two dates before you were captured. There was no reason to think that our arrangement was exclusive, or that we had even had an arrangement. And you did not know if or when you would ever see me again." Jean Paul takes a breath. "So I do not think that you acted improperly. I think what you did was a mistake, but we all make them at times, and I am no longer angry with you."
"Thank you," Bobby says. A small, relieved smile is now on his face. "I'm more than willing to tell Petrizzo where he can go. If you're willing to give it another try with me."
"Yes. Yes, I would like that very much."
"Me too! I'm glad you feel this way."
The two men step closer together and embrace. Jean Paul cannot explain why, but instead of a kiss, he has a greater need to feel Bobby against himself. He enjoys the hug.
Bobby is the first to pull away. "But, uh, you know what happens next," he says. "Scott's not going to be happy. And the Stryke are gonna get worse and worse."
"They are bullies, and I've dealt with bullies before. We will find a solution." Jean Paul shrugs. "They looked a little bored with it all at lunch just now. Perhaps it will die down."
Bobby shakes his head. "It sure does bother them that the X-men have more than one gay guy now, though."
The Stryke make use of every opportunity to point out this fact.
"Maybe I am so happy to at long last be in a team where I am not the only one, that I cannot be too upset by their comments."
"I never thought of it that way," Bobby admits. He has a thought, considers whether or not to share it with Jean Paul, and then decides to do so. "I always felt so at-home with the X-men, and I always had good friends like Hank, so I never felt alone. Even if I was the only gay guy."
"That makes me even more glad to be a part of this team. And to be with you."
***
"How is your father?" Hank asks Carly, sitting across from her, separated as always by the glass. Her assistant Maria is with Carly, as she has been for the last several visits.
"He could be better," Carly admits. "He hasn't been feeling well for a while. Making this trip is not easy for him; he has a hard time sitting up for long periods of time now, and it's a long drive."
"I am sorry to hear that," Hank acknowledges. "I assume he has seen doctors?"
"He has. It's simply old age though," Carly responds. "His health is okay for his age; he just can't do everything that he used to. He might be moving into an assisted-care facility soon."
"Perhaps that will be for the best."
Maria's eyes continually shift and scan the room, as Carly and Hank talk about what each has been up to since they last spoke. Carly's voice is quieter than usual throughout their exchange and Hank has to strain to hear her. At one point, Hank observes that the guards have walked out of earshot. Maria notices it too, and quickly pinches Carly's arm twice, in what appears to be a pre-arranged gesture. Maria then looks intently at Hank, imploring him with her eyes to listen closely to Carly.
"Have hope," Carly whispers passionately. "There is a plan underway."
Hank's ears perk up and he nearly wants to shout with joy.
"What shall we do now?" he whispers.
"Nothing. Just be ready."
"When?"
Carly shakes her head. "I don't know. Not too soon. A few weeks, or earlier if possible."
The guards walk again in their direction, coming closer, and Carly's arm is again pinched by Maria.
"Seven more minutes," a guard warns them.
Carly nods and then leans in closer to Hank. "There is one more thing," she says. "I was at the women's prison recently. Ororo is pregnant."
Hank gasps. "Are you certain?"
"I spoke with Jubilee. She said Ororo's certain, and that Ororo said it can only be Logan's."
Hank has quite a bit of news to share with the others.
***
After Carly and Maria are ushered away, Hank races to find Logan. The Canadian must have been in dire want of credits, as he is working in the laundry today.
If nothing else, the laundry room provides a secluded spot for a conversation. It is noisy and steamy, the floor is perpetually damp, and it is a place everyone avoids. Even the number of guards inside of it is low.
Logan uses his sleeve to wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead as Hank approaches.
"How's Carly?" he asks his friend.
"She is well," Hank says, looking around one more time to ascertain that no one is within earshot. "She told me some rather shocking news. She said that Ororo is pregnant."
Hank has known Logan a long time and has observed him in a variety of situations. Hank can say with some certainty that he has never seen Logan's jaws drop and eye pop in the manner they are now.
"Can't be," Logan manages. "We used protection." He does not add that they were very careful to use it correctly, too.
"Carly said that she spoke with Jubilee. She said Jubilee told her that Ororo is certain she is expecting and that it can only be yours."
Logan shakes his head. Although the only protection they were given were condoms, they were careful to use them properly. But then he then reminds himself of a fact he once heard: few or no birth control methods are 100% effective. He is too stunned to speak.
Hank is giving his friend time to absorb this news. As he does, he watches a guard walk from one end of the room to the other. When he is certain they are again alone, Hank continues.
"Carly also said we should have hope and that a plan is afoot."
Logan nods. He is happy at that news but his facial expression doesn't yet reflect that. He is still too stunned from the earlier bomb.
He then smashes his fist on the counter. "Can't even talk to her!"
Hank has seen his friend aggravated many times before. "If Carly is right that we have reason for hope…"
He allows his voice to drift off, especially given that a guard has taken notice of them.
"No violent outbursts, muties!" he yells.
"We are very sorry," Hank calls back.
"Get back to work if you want any credits for this shift!" the guard orders.
Logan nods at Hank. "I'm in shock," he says, when they are alone again.
"I know," Hank acknowledges.
***
Hank has an extra spring in his step. He slowly and unobtrusively works his way through the compound to each X-man to let him know that Carly said they have reason for hope. He has a twinge of fear that her information might not be accurate – after all, there is no way at all to verify it – and that he might be spreading false hope. But he knows that Carly is a logical and cautious woman; she would not have said the words had there not been solid reason for it.
It is delightful to watch his friends' reactions. He wishes he could shout the good news from the rooftops but, as a consummate professional, Hank is always certain that he is alone with each given X-man before he shares the news.
Hank has been looking forward to Scott's reaction most of all, and is not disappointed. For the first time in weeks, Scott has a glint in his eyes – which are still revealed to all as he has no need for his visor now. He looks as if he wants to hug Hank, but is mindful of any unusual displays which might catch the attention of the guards (or, for that matter, of the Stryke).
Scott looks around, as all X-men are now in the habit of doing, and then says, "Please tell me again exactly what she said."
Hank repeats Carly's words verbatim, whispering cautiously. Scott again looks thrilled. There is color in his face once more.
"I might get to see Jean again!" Scott breathes.
Hank does not find Bobby until last of all. Bobby is in the garden, covering plants in preparation for an anticipated frost.
"Wow. I hope she's right," Bobby exclaims.
"Me too."
A guard now walks in the distance, possibly within earshot. Hank and Bobby exchange the look that they both understand means no more discussion of Carly's words.
"Hey, I wanted to thank you again for all the French lessons," Bobby says, putting a hand on Hank's arm. "I used some of it with Jean Paul. He laughed and said my pronunciation is terrible, but I could understand him when he spoke to me a bit in French, and he liked that."
"I am glad I could be of assistance."
Bobby looks down at the ground. He wants to shove his hands in his pockets, but his uniform does not have any and his jacket was flung onto a bench several steps away.
"I, uh, I hope you're not mad at me. For being so secretive the past few weeks. The whole situation with Petrizzo…it was weird, I didn't want anyone to know…"
"I am not angry with you. I had felt some distance between us, and I am glad that I now know what caused it."
"Yeah. It was just weird to be sneaking around. And I know there are some people who probably think I'm a total slut, but I really thought it was best for the team if I could get one of the officers on our side."
"I understand that you had reasons for what you did. Regardless, you know that you have no fear of my judging you."
"I know," Bobby smiles. "The fact that you're the least judgmental person on the planet is probably why we're friends. I sure wish everyone – especially One-Eye – was like that."
Hank smiles patiently. "Each of us does the best he can. And you know that I believe Scott is a superb friend and leader."
Bobby thinks that that is another area where Hank is superior. He never has a bad word to say about anyone, and Bobby almost wishes he could be like that.
"I told Petrizzo that it's over," Bobby divulges. "Jean Paul and I decided to give it a go, so I had to tell Petrizzo that I won't be going back to him. He wasn't happy." Bobby pauses. "He didn't seem too surprised though. But Cyke is going to be so pissed."
Hank looks around to ascertain that the nearest guard is not within earshot. "However if what Carly said is true, it may be a moot point."
"God I hope so."
Hank then pauses and begins to speak again. "Since we are discussing matters of a personal nature, there is an item I need to bring up."
His tone is so serious that Bobby is almost worried. "What is it?" he asks.
"I recently read an article about sexually transmitted diseases," Hank begins, trying to sound casual. "And I also happened to notice that the price of condoms in the store here is quite high. I hope that you are—"
"Don't worry. Jean Paul and I aren't doing anything really risky until we can afford them." At the rate they are going, it will be at least another two weeks before they have enough credits saved to purchase even one.
"And what about in the past, when you and Petrizzo were…"
"Again, don't worry. I swear to you that everything was safe." One good thing about Petrizzo, Bobby notes; the officer knew about safety and made sure it was practiced.
Bobby has cut Hank off twice not because he is embarrassed to discuss the subject, but because he fears Hank may be. Hank is such a good friend, he muses. When Bobby was first coming out, Hank was the person he told because he knew the older man would be supportive and would remain his friend. Hank had only expressed concern back then about AIDS too, and largely due to his insistence, Bobby had always practiced safer sex.
'Some things never change,' Bobby says to himself.
***
Remy is trying to sleep. He continually replays Hank's words. What does it really mean? What can Carly and the others be attempting that the X-men haven't tried before? Can they really be freed? It is possible, he thinks. People on the outside can do much more than those who are imprisoned.
Remy is used to narrow escapes and risky plans, but prison life for the past few months has been so dull that Hank's news has inevitably caused raised heart rates and excitement. Remy turns over again and fluffs his pillow.
He hopes that Rogue and the others will be safe. The guards had warned them that if they tried anything again, the X-women would be punished. How are they going to get around that? Could something happen to Rogue, Ororo, and the others?
As restless as Remy's night is, in the bunk above his, Logan is tossing and turning even more. He has seemed more agitated today. One would think he'd be happy given the good news, Remy wonders. 'Is Logan ever happy?' Remy muses wryly.
Remy tunes out his bunkmate and instead thinks back to the last time he saw Rogue. He smiles every time he sees the medical building in the distance, the building where they had their time together. It was almost like a dream and exactly as he had hoped it would be. Her skin was so soft, her moans so pleasurable to listen to. She was brave too, uninhibited, unafraid of being touched – and especially in such an intimate manner. Given that she hadn't experienced touch for so long, that was remarkable. It could not solely be explained, Remy knows, by lust; clearly Rogue trusts him too. He has so craved being seen as trustworthy and he loves the fact that the person who means the most to him finds him as such.
If the X-men do escape, what will happen next? Remy thinks that it is unlikely that they can return to the mansion since that is obviously the first place the authorities will search for them. Where will they go?
If they return to the mansion, what of Hank's research? The scientist had been so close to finding a way – albeit a slippery and gel-like one – for Rogue and Remy to touch. What would they do now? Assuming the plan to rescue the X-men involved them being able to use their powers again, this could present a problem for the lovers. Remy resolves to ask Hank whether he can work on his solution without his laboratory, though he fears the answer will be negative.
***
As Remy well knows, Logan isn't sleeping either.
Part of him wants to snicker at himself when he realizes this fact, but Logan wishes he had someone to talk with.
Mentally, Logan shakes his head. He knows he's not as much of a loner as he used to be, but this is - still - a change. It may make sense though. Keeping such momentous news to oneself is not easy.
How can Ororo be pregnant? As Logan had told himself earlier, he knows that very few birth control methods are 100 percent effective. But they used the condoms properly and were careful.
He thinks of Hank's rendering of Carly's words: "It can only be yours."
In all the years he spent as Ororo's friend, only once did she have a potential love interest, and that was a long time ago. The human rights inspectors have told the X-men that the guards at the X-women's prison are all female; Logan even remembers Jubilee saying - during their visit - that the X-women don't ever even see members of the male gender.
There are plenty of X-men whom Logan feels comfortable talking to. He and the Professor have had many discussions over the years; the older man knows a lot about Logan's mind and can read his mental state well. Logan likes Remy quite a bit. Part of him even likes Scott somewhat, though again Logan has to smirk at himself when he thinks of this. But the logical choice to speak with is Hank. They have always been close, and besides, Hank is the only one who knows that Ororo is pregnant.
What will he and Ororo do? The answer to that question depends on whether or not they truly are to be rescued soon. If they remain in jail, will the prison administrators force Ororo into a decision? And if so, which decision? Will she even be allowed to talk with Logan – maybe over the phone – about the situation? If the X-men are freed, then will Ororo want to keep the baby? Will Logan find himself being a father, having a baby to raise?
He doesn't know the answers to any of these questions. And, he tells himself, neither does Hank. So perhaps discussing it with his friend will be pointless. It is so much easier to not open up, Logan thinks. It is habit.
The prospect of fatherhood doesn't scare Logan in the least. The more he thinks about it, the more he likes the idea of having a little one to raise. He has so enjoyed being Jubilee's uncle-figure.
What does make Logan pause is the fact that his relationship with Ororo is so new. But, he reminds himself, she is not a stranger either. He was her friend for years before he was her lover. He knows she would make a wonderful mother, if that is what she wants.
Logan tries to compel his mind to cease its thoughts. 'If we can't get outta here, no point in wonderin' about these questions anyway.'
***
The following day, Bishop and Jean Paul happen to have both landed shifts working on license plates. They sit side by side, working.
At another table, two Morlocks start bickering with each other. The guard walks over to them and tells them to be quiet. Surprisingly, once they comply he seems interested in their argument and asks them more about it. Jean Paul and Bishop take advantage of the diversion to talk to each other.
Not that they have too much to say to each other. Jean Paul has never been friendly or outgoing, and Bishop dislikes gay men. But their work is mind-numbingly boring and the two men could use a distraction of their own.
"Wonder what's going on with those FOH bastards," Bishop says.
"What do you mean?" Jean Paul asks.
"We're here 'cause the government decided we're enemies of the state. It used to be groups like FOH that would talk about how evil mutants are and how we should all be locked up. I never see much about FOH in the papers anymore."
"Perhaps their viewpoint became so mainstream that FOH themselves are no longer needed. After all they got what they wanted – mutants in jail."
"Damn hate groups," Bishop mutters.
"We had some hate groups in Canada," Jean Paul says. "I fought against them, years ago in Alpha Flight. In fact, I was instrumental in closing down the headquarters of a KKK group. I stayed on that case for months – tracking them down, finding their base. It was very satisfying when Puck and I raided their headquarters, and saw their leadership arrested."
Although Jean Paul is clearly doing something he enjoys – boasting – Bishop wants to hear more.
"You have the Klan in Canada?"
"Yes. Unfortunately."
"They must've been attacking gays and mutants too if you were fighting them."
"Not really. Their main reason for existing was racism. That's what they mostly did – harassed interracial couples, beat up on Blacks and Indians, burned crosses. I have no doubt that they disliked mutants and gays and lesbians as well, but that is not why I fought them. I fought them because racism bothers me as much as any other type of prejudice."
Bishop is quiet for a few moments, then nods slightly - just a lift and drop of his head - in understanding.
The guard appears to be finished with his discussion with the Morlocks. "Okay, enough talking! Get back to work everyone – if you want any credits for this shift."
***
TO BE CONTINUED
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