Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X Men. Evie is my character.
Troubles of the Past
Personal thoughts
telepathic communications
Dream
Chapter 11
The professor looked back up at the nervous boy in front of him. "You have done very well, thank you. Go back into the house and remain here until we all return." Looking up at the others he continued, "4 children are missing." He turned and saw Logan and Shalimar dart passed him in the direction of the lake. "Rogue would you be so kind as to assist me?" He saw her nod and step up to his side. "Storm, can you get everyone else there?"
"Yes, Professor. Everyone, please step off the porch and gather together." Her eyes turned white and in an instant everyone was airborne.
The lake wasn't far. Logan and Shalimar made the clearing in about 5 minutes. They saw Peter standing guard over the rest as they all sat in a tight group in the center of the clearing. As they approached they heard him say, "Kidnappers." Nodding to each other they split and went in opposite directions.
The rest of the adults were on the ground in a matter of minutes. Rogue lighted to the ground gracefully and seated the professor on the edge of the deck. The rest went through the group checking the children. Donna handed a crying Thomas to his mother as Peter approached the professor.
Evie knew in an instant that Nadene wasn't there. She held her breath and turned as Adam put his arm around her.
"Peter, report," the professor ordered.
"Professor, Sissy and Sammy ported back with Thomas and said that Kira, Nadene, Eli and Jack were taken by two men."
Logan and Shalimar returned at that moment. "They were here, two men. They had motorcycles. I smell bike oil," Logan reported.
"Nadene?" whispered Shalimar as she took off with Logan right behind her.
Within seconds the rest heard the cause of their flight. Adam, Evie and the rest of Mutant X took the lead.
Hearing the rustling in the brush and the leaves and twigs crunching under approaching footfalls, Eli held Nadene closer and crouched low to the ground shielding her with his body. Shalimar smiled when she saw him and touched his shoulder as she spoke gently to him. When the frightened boy looked up at her with recognition and relief she took the crying baby from his arms. Logan scanned the area then turned to look at the boy. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, Sir. They took us then sent me back with Nadene."
Evie ran into view and sighed in relief when she saw her daughter safely in Shalimar's arms. Coming up and taking her, she turned to her husband. "She's fine," she told Adam as he smiled and touched his daughter.
"Come on," Logan said as he patted Eli's shoulder. "You can tell the professor exactly what happened."
"They suddenly stopped and the one guy tried to pull Nadene from Kira," Eli reported. "Jack tried to stop him but the guy whacked him and he fell. Then he grabbed Nadene, gave her to me and pointed. Jack told me to bring her back here."
"And Kira?" Saket asked as he stood with an arm around Onnaka.
"They grabbed Jack and Kira again and took off. I'm sorry, Sir."
"Very good job. Thank you, Eli. You may return to the others," the professor told him.
"We have no idea who these men are?" the professor asked everyone.
"Miss Jean," Eli stepped back. "They were the same guys I told you I saw in the vision, before."
Jean stepped closer to the boy. "Are you sure, Eli?"
"Yes," he answered confidently.
"What vision, Eli?" the professor asked.
"It was yesterday. Mr. LeBeau came into the kitchen while we were eating. He put his hand on my head and I saw them." Eli glanced nervously at Remy as he walked closer then knelt in front of him.
"You see dese men when Remy touch you? You not say anytin' about it."
"I'm sorry, Sir, but I didn't understand what it was."
"No, it's ok. It's not your fault. You were on de porch when Remy trow out his cousin. Was he one of de men?"
"No, Sir."
Jean patted his back, "Ok, Eli. Thank you for your help. You can go back with the others now." She watched as he walked away.
"Your cousin?" the professor questioned.
"Remy come home from a meeting to find Jean Paul in de kitchen wit mon amor, tryin' to take wat don' belong to him."
"He said he came to meet meh? He looked so much like Remy that even I was…" she dropped her head in shame.
Evie must have sensed it. She moved to place a hand on Marie's arm. "It's ok, Marie. I saw him, too." She turned and looked at Charles, "The resemblance is that close."
If de boy not see Jean Paul, den must have been Pierre and Claude.
"More cousins," asked Scott.
"Non, dey are just men from Remy's past who would be better to stay in de past. Don' look like dey want to, dough. If dey take the young ones, dey call for Remy to come, too. Dat was wat de meeting was about. Dey want Remy back for a job. Dey threaten de family if Remy don' cooperate. Looks like dey give Remy no choice."
"If that is the case then we can assume that these men will call. Let us all return to the mansion." Everyone walked back except for Hank who easily heft Charles into his arms. "Suzanne," Charles called. When she came to him he smiled at her and said. "Do you think you can help me avoid the trek through the woods as Dr. McCoy's weight bag?"
"I'll try, Sir." She reached up and touched one hand to Hank and the other to the professor and in a matter of a nano second they were on the porch of the mansion.
Hank lowered Charles into his chair as he stated, "You seem to have mastered your powers very well."
"Thank you." Sadly she turned to the professor. "Will we see Kira and Jack again."
"Fear not, Child. The X Men will find them. They will be home before you know it."
Anxiety was high by the time everyone got back to the mansion. Jean and Evie put their babies down for naps as Jubilee and Kitty got the other kids calm and settled back home. Everyone else was gathered in the professor's office.
"What will they do to them?" Onnaka's voice shook as she spoke.
"L'enfants are just a lure for Remy. Dey won' hurt dem. Dey know dat if dey did, Remy be more trouble den dey lookin' for." He stood with his hand in Marie's.
"If they want you, they will call," Charles spoke into his steepled fingers. "We just have to wait. I suggest we all rest so that whatever is ahead we are ready for it."
Just as they all were about to leave, Remy's phone rang. He quickly activated it. "Oui,…Pierre, you…If you lay one finger on dem…Oui." He closed the phone and looked up at the many worried faces around him. "Eli was right. It is Pierre and Claude. Dey took dem and will call again to tell me where to go." Facing Saket and his family gathered around him, Remy continued. "Dey won' hurt la petite. Remy will do whatever dey want." He dropped his head and left the room.
Marie was about to follow him when Scott reached out and stopped her. "Marie, stay with him. They're setting him up and I don't even want to speculate for what. Don't let him leave without us."
She nodded and left to find him.
Kitty and Jubilee sat on the porch with Jesse and Bobby. "This has been an exhausting day already and it's not over yet," Kitty sighed.
"That's true but I think the baby has you worn out," Jubilee offered. "This wouldn't have wiped you, normally."
"She's right," Jesse agreed, "Do you think Hank or Adam should check you?"
Kitty turned a mock glare at her friend. "See what you did? You got him started." She turned and smiled at her very overprotective husband. "I'm fine," she cooed.
"Well, at least let me take you for a nap. There isn't anything we can do and the professor told you to rest." He stood and extended his hand to help her, denying her any chance of refusal.
"Fine," she pouted and then turned to Jubes. "You just wanted to get us to leave so you could be alone." She teased, really knowing better. When she saw Jubilee childishly stick out her tongue, she laughed and left with her husband.
"Wow, I'm glad we're not like that."
"Like what?" Bobby turned to face her.
"All mushy and overbearing," she answered with a sour face.
"What's the matter? I thought all girls liked mushy." Before she could protest he pulled her toward him for a deep kiss. After a few seconds of lip massage, he felt her stop resisting and give in to the kiss. He only moved away after he was sure she was good and kissed. "Yep, I was right. Girls are all the same." He ducted away from the swing at his head and bolted off the porch with Jubilee hot on his heels.
Marie found Remy in her room. He was sitting on the bottom of the bed with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Slowly she crossed the room. Silently sitting beside him she waited for him to speak to her.
After long moments of silence, Remy spoke but didn't move. "Life is good here. Since de professor find me and let me come to stay here, I've been happy. Happier den in all my past. De Bayou not a bad place and Candy's dere, but dis is home, Chere. I knew talkin' to dem would only bring trouble. Now I have no choice. I have to go back."
"You don't have to give them what they want, suga'. We just have to play along long enough to get the kids. Then we leave them and come home."
He looked up and found her eyes gently caressing his face. "You don' understand, Mon Chere. I was bad news when I was wid dem." Ashamed he put his head back in his hands. "Real bad news."
She gently put her hand to the back of his neck and let her fingers spread through the longer hair that fell there. "That doesn't matter. That was the past. You're not like that anymore. Now you're here with meh. Ah'm glad this is your home. This is where you'll come back, after the kids are rescued."
Looking up at her again, he touched her face. "You sound so sure. You don' know dat I been stayin' away from dem all dis time on purpose. I don' know if I can trust myself, Chere." He again turned away. "When dat life get's you, it don' want to let go. I don' know if I'll be able to leave it again."
She lovingly reached out and put her hand to his chin, for the umpteenth time thankful to Adam and Hank for fixing her so she could touch him. When he faced her again she smiled at him and placed a small kiss to his lips. "Ah won't leave you alone. We'll do this together and then come home…together."
His heart pulled at the love and confidence she was showing in him. As he moved in to kiss her lips and gently recline her on the bed, he prayed that what she said was true and that he could make her proud.
Interrupted by the ringing of his phone, he broke his kiss and looked at her for a moment. Jumping from the bed he pulled his phone from his pocket and…"Where are dey, Pierre?"
Logan was holding Ororo's hand as she and her family were in Charles office with Hank, Adam and Evie.
"I share your concern. Though just children, Jack and Kira are mature and both very intelligent. Because of his mutation, Jack has had excellent training and will be very careful to ensure their safety above all."
"But he is just a boy. His physical abilities have not yet developed." Onnaka worried terribly at the fate of her daughter.
"His muscle isn't all in yet but he's been trained in self defense. Every time we come, Brennan advances him in his martial arts training. He is well beyond the other boys his age. I'm sure if he felt it necessary he could defend both their lives." Adam, though worried himself, knew what he said was true and hoped it would give them as much comfort as it gave him.
"This is true," Charles added. "For now we must just wait and then deal with any situation that…" Charles stopped. He could sense the unrestrained emotions headed in his direction. "Hank, if you please," he nodded to the door indicating his request.
Just as the door was fully opened, Remy and Marie walked in. "Dey called. Want Remy to fly home. Dey say to bring Marie but every one else must stay home."
"No, I must go," Onnaka began to insist.
"Sister, please," Ororo moved to her side. "We do not know what we are dealing with yet. Please trust us." She smiled as her sister just put her head down in resignation.
"I do not think going alone is advisable." Charles didn't trust these men any more than Remy did.
Adam stood from his place and walked to the side of Charles desk. "Charles, if you would consider it, Brennan and Shalimar can fly them in the Helix. They would have everything they need and the cloak could be an advantage."
"They could either serve as back up or just relay information to us if necessary," Evie added from her seat "as long as you could contact them. Won't the Helix pick up the signals from their suits?" she turned her question to her husband who was smiling proudly at her.
"Yes, no problem."
"Remy don' want to go dressed for battle. Not yet. Dey want us to go to Candy's house. Her family have to be protected, too."
"I'll get Jesse, to make you a set of rings. He's been working on the designs for a while now. With rings you'll be in constant contact with the Helix and Brennan can keep tabs on your location." When he saw Remy nod, Adam looked to Charles for approval.
"Very well. For now there is little else we can do. When must you leave?"
"No more dan two hours. Need to be home by dark. Don' want anyone sneakin' up on us."
Adam saw Charles look at him; the questions didn't need to be asked. "I'm on it," he said as he reached for his wife. "My guys will be ready." He and Evie turned and left the office.
"Saket, your family must trust us. We will have the children back." Charles looked at the weary man in front of him.
"Thank you for all your efforts." He turned from Charles and nodded toward Remy before leaving the room with his wife and sister.
"You sure you don't want anyone else with you?" Logan stood up.
"Non, mon ami. We call if we need help." Remy shook Logan's hand.
"See you when you get back," Logan said as he led Ororo from the room.
Turning to the professor, Remy dropped his head. "Dis a trap."
"I sensed as much. Do you know why?"
"No. Dey want me out of de way. When I talk to Pierre yesterday, he threathen everyone if I don' keep my mouth shut about all I know."
Marie was shocked. With wide eyes she looked from Remy to the professor as realization struck. 1st person and Charles doesn't seem to notice, this is normal between them. Suddenly she knew she wasn't alone in her mind.
Only when he's very worried, My Dear, Charles didn't look at her but she sensed his care on her.
"Don't let the situation cloud your judgments," Charles warned both of them. "You must both stay focused. Go now and prepare. Meet back here in an hour and a half."
Adam gathered his team. "Jesse, what do you think? Do you have what you need to make a set?"
"Everything but time. I can't make new ones but I can modify ours." He took his ring from his finger and smiled as he held his hand out for Kitty's. "I'll be in the med lab with Hank." Kissing Kitty on the forehead he turned and left the room.
"Evie will you and Kitty please double check the Helix. Make sure it's well stocked." Adam smiled at them as they agreed and followed Jesse's path out the door.
"Adam," Shalimar began, "any idea how long this might take? I'm concerned about the wedding."
He sadly shook his head, "None. Find somewhere safe and just camp out in the Helix until they need you. Let's hope they don't." He touched her shoulder and smiled then left them alone.
"Well, camping out should be right up your alley." Brennan gently pushed her.
"I liked the plans I had, thank you." She turned and wrapped her arms around Brennan's waist as she laid her head on his chest. "I feel terrible for Ro. She put so much effort into this week."
"I know, Baby." Brennan warmly embraced her. "I do, too. We'll do all we can to get this business finished so we can get back on track." He leaned down and kissed her head.
At the appropriate time, Charles welcomed the team into his office. "Gambit, you must stay alert at all times. Don't let concerns for Candy cloud your judgment. Brennan and Shalimar will be able to protect her as soon as we know what we're dealing with."
"Here are your rings," Jesse offered. "Keep them on and Brennan will be able to track you. Touch them with your thumb and the com activates. Speak normally and they'll hear you. If you have to whisper, just hold a drink up or lift your hand to your chin. You've seen us work. When they speak, only you will hear them. Any troubles, pull out the user guide," he smirked and pat Gambit on the shoulder.
"Any trouble and Remy come after de manufacturer for full refund." He smiled and winked at Kitty as he saw Jesse move to sit beside her.
"Brennan, please make regular check-ins; every 4 hours if possible." Charles saw Brennan nod. "Go and God speed."
The Helix was off the ground in less than 10 minutes.
TBC
