Getting him set up for this proved to be a bit more of a task than Spencer had anticipated. First things first, they had to figure out the best way to move him so that not only his wings could be reached, but the glands on them. Then they had to find a way for him to stretch his wing out enough for Remy to access them without damaging the injured bits. Remy was the one to finally come up with a suggestion that they all thought might work. "We need a bigger space dan dis room." The Cajun told them. "Henri, y' t'ink dey got an OR or somet'ing dat might be big enough to let him stretch on out? Gotta have at least, what? Ten, fifteen feet fo' space?" Remy eyed his wings speculatively. "Y'r wings are bigger dan Ange's, dat's f'sure. " Then he grinned and flashed Spencer a wink. "Prettier, too."

The way the compliment had his feathers ruffling only served to further Spencer's embarrassment.

Twenty minutes after the suggestion had been made, Spencer found himself lying once more on his bed as the Remy and Hank wheeled Spencer down towards the largest of their operating rooms. It wouldn't be enough space for him to stretch out both wings at once—not that he could, with the one broken—but he'd be able to stretch out his good one and Remy would have room to work. Their security detail followed them. Two from the Stark team and then Logan as well.

The ride down there wasn't the most comfortable of experiences. Spencer had to fight back a groan as his body was jostled around. The sling he was in made for a strange, swaying sort of side, and that brought home for Spencer that he had barely any food in his stomach to help soak up the pain meds, which was always a recipe for nausea for him. All he could do was close his eyes and pray that he wasn't going to make a fool of himself by throwing up all over the place. That was the last thing he needed to do. He was already looking pathetic enough as it was.

Still, once they arrived in the operating room, Spencer took a moment after the bed was parked so that he could just sit there and gather his composure once again.

When he finally opened his eyes again his stomach had stopped churning and the room felt like it had finally stopped swaying. He looked up and found that Logan was watching him carefully as if not quite sure whether or not he should come close or back away. Spencer's lips twitched a little. "I'm not going to throw up on you, Logan."

"Appreciate it." Logan shot back, just a bit dry. Then he flashed a smile at Spencer that had the young genius smiling in return.

Careful hands helped Spencer get himself sitting up and then a tray was brought over, covered with a pillow and some blankets, and it was set and locked into place right in front of Spencer. It was probably a surgical tray most of the time, or maybe a dinner tray. At the moment it was a perfect sized place for Spencer to lean forward and fold his arms down over top of it, even rest his weight there some. That took the pressure off of his stomach and ribs, even off his back, and let him relax just the slightest bit more.

He heard both Remy and Hank move around behind him. To his surprise, Logan stayed in front of him, settling in like he wasn't planning on going anywhere.

Spencer didn't get a chance to ask about it. A familiar hand settled against his shoulder. By now, Spencer had grown comfortable enough with Hank's touch that he didn't flinch under it. He just held still and tilted his head that way to listen to what the doctor had to say. "We're going to carefully extend your left wing, Dr. Reid. I want you to let us know at any point if it begins to pain you. The last thing we want is for this to become a painful experience for you."

There was no real point in telling them that it already was. Spencer held still and forced himself to relax his wing into the hands that took hold of it. He wanted to stretch his wing out himself and had to fight to let them control things. He did really well, right up until the end. Until he felt a little twitch in his muscle and he couldn't quite help himself. On a soft groan he stopped holding back and extended his wing the rest of the way, The feeling of stretching out his muscles had him letting out yet another groan, this one a whole lot more pleasurable. It was like that feeling of waking up in the morning and getting in a really good stretch while still lying in bed. Muscles that had been cooped up for too long were given a chance to finally stretch themselves out.

He heard the two men behind him stumble and then he heard Remy's delighted laugh. "Feel good there, cher?"

"Absolutely." Spencer bowed his head down and gave another little stretch, working out some of the knots that had been building. God, it felt great! The only way it would've felt better would've been to stretch out the other one as well. But he knew it wasn't quite ready for it yet. It wasn't healed enough. Still, he'd take what he could get with this one.

"You ready fo' dis, or y' want Remy to give y' a moment?"

Turning his head, Spencer lowered his wing enough to look at the smug look that Remy was wearing. To his credit the Cajun just laughed at the glare Spencer gave him. Then he reached out for the tray that was set up near him. On it were two spray bottles that were full of warm water they could mist the wing with. The rest of it was going to have to be done by hand.

The first bit of water had Spencer jumping. He had to close his eyes against the pain that brought up. Dammit! Moving like that was definitely not a good plan.

"Y' all right up dere?" he heard Remy ask.

Spencer kept his eyes closed and nodded his head. "Yes. Continue, please."

He was grateful when no one said anything on it. They stayed quiet as Remy started to once more wet down his wing. For the next little bit, there was mostly silence around them. It gave Spencer time to relax once more. When it finally came time for Remy to start the actual grooming, he gave Spencer a murmured warning before he reached out to touch the first feather. What came next was something that was so much better than Spencer had expected it to be. The feel of Remy's fingers carding through his feathers, righting the crooked ones and cleaning out the dust he found along the way, was the most wonderful thing Spencer had ever felt. Better even than when he did it himself. He couldn't help his low groan when Remy smoothed down a patch close to the base. Trying to smother the sound, he dropped his head down to rest on his arms.

Logan and Hank started talking lowly off to the side of him. At some point Spencer was sure they tried to say something to him. He just didn't really care enough to pay that much attention. All of his focus was on the amazing fingers that were working their way through his wing.

For his part, Remy seemed content in his work, humming lightly as he worked. He'd admired Spencer's wings since the first time he'd seen them. As he got all the dirt and dust off and straightened the feathers back out he got a chance to really see and appreciate them. They were beautiful. And the colors seemed deeper, more vibrant, the cleaner they became. Remy stroked his fingers over a couple. He found a tiny little pebble between a couple of them and winced in sympathy before he gently worked it out. No wonder the kid had been twitching! Having his wings like this had to be uncomfortable.

Spencer had told him that wetting them down and cleaning them was important to do first. Once that was done, they'd worry about the oil. That meant that once Remy was done with the good wing, they had to do their best with the broken one.

Unwrapping it and stretching it out wasn't an option. It needed to stay wrapped so it could heal properly. But if it was anything like Spencer's left wing—and it was probably worse, seeing as it was the one that had been pinned—they couldn't just leave it like that. This was the part Hank had been the most hesitant about. It was also the only part that Spencer had agreed to let any other hands help with.

"It hasn't even been a full week yet, Dr. Reid." Hank pointed out as his hands moved gently over the bandaging holding Spencer's wing. "By all rights, we should simply change the bandage and keep your wing in tight. The last thing I want is for the bone to heal wrong."

"I don't want that either, Dr. McCoy. Trust me."

Only, when the bandage was removed and Spencer shifted his wing, just the slightest bit, he was stunned to find that there wasn't anywhere near as much pain as he was expecting. He gave another little shift. That… that should be hurting more than it was. With his eyes closed he focused on the wing as he drew it in a little. "Dr. McCoy, would you mind showing me where exactly the break was located?"

Large, gentle hands moved over Spencer's wing until they were at the 'forearm' of his wing. "Though we were unable to x-ray your wing, as I'm sure you understand, the other doctors and I were quite certain it was here in the radius, close to your elbow joint."

Spencer focused his attention there as best as he could and gave another little movement. When there was only an ache, no serious pain, he stretched it a bit more, ignoring Hank's admonishing "Dr. Reid!" There was still pain, yes, but nothing like a broken bone, and Spencer knew what broken bones felt like. He drew his wing back in and stretched it a little bit more. The muscles protested and there was a bit more pain. Still, no agony. None of the usual broken bone feelings. He drew it back in loosely, allowing Hank's hands to find it once more. "Feel over it for me, would you, Dr. McCoy? I believe there's a chance that the swelling might've made things look worse than they actually were. I'm not feeling any breaks. A sprain, maybe, in the elbow joint. Some bruising, definitely. But it doesn't feel broken to me." He wanted to make sure it wasn't just wishful thinking. The idea of a broken wing terrified him.

The room was quiet as Hank did what Spencer requested. There were a few long, tense moments in which Spencer sat silent, not even flinching from the pain of the touch. He drew a little strength from it when he felt Remy press a hand gently against his good wing and card through his feathers much like one would to someone's hair.

After a long beat there was a low huff of breath from Hank. "I believe you might be right, Dr. Reid. If you're up for it, I'd like to get in the portable x-ray machine while we're in a space here with more room to move. We could confirm it then."

"But you don't believe it's broken." Spencer repeated.

"No, I don't."

The relief Spencer felt at that was immense. He sighed away a tension that had been sitting in his shoulders this whole time. Broken bones could take a while to heal. The rest of it, he could cope with. But waiting for his wings to heal? Waiting for a break to heal and hoping it healed right? He hadn't been eager for that.

Remy's hand joined Hank's on the other wing, leaving behind Spencer's good one, and there was a smile in his voice as he told Spencer "I'll make sure I'm real careful with dis one, cher, don't y' worry."

He'd just barely started to spray the water when a sound interrupted them. The whole room could hear as a voice outside called out "Sir, you can't go in there!" Spencer sat up straighter, his wings trying to straighten out as well in preparation for trouble. That sounded like Emily, and that was worry and annoyance both in her voice. He heard her again, louder and closer this time, demanding "Aren't you going to stop him?"

The doors to the operating room swung open and Spencer didn't even have to turn to find out who was coming in. The next voice that spoke made that absolutely clear. "Good luck with that, honey. I'm the one that signs their paychecks." Tony Stark strolled his way into the operating room without a single care for the agents trailing in after him. He only had eyes for one person. Spencer watched with resignation as one of his oddest friends came around the edge of the bed and into view, whistling as he pushed his sunglasses up and let his eyes run over Spencer's wings. "Well I'll be damned, would you look at you." He came to a stop in front of Spencer, completely unconcerned for the tense Wolverine who stood there as well, and held out the balloon in his hand. Spencer let his eyes travel up until he could clearly see the bright Tweety Bird on there with the words 'Get Well Soon'. "I brought this for you. I wanted to bring you a snack basket, too, but the nurse at the desk told me worms aren't exactly 'sanitary', and, well, I've learned to never argue with medical staff."

Spencer tried his hardest not to sigh or roll his eyes or any of the usual things Tony inspired in him. "Hello, Tony."

"Hey there, kitten. I heard you were trying to play hero again." Making a 'tsk' sound, Tony pushed the balloon off onto Emily, who had come up beside him with both Derek and Scott on her heels. She took the balloon, because it was either take it or let it float to the ceiling, and Tony turned back towards Spencer. "You know, you almost sent Nat into convulsions when she learned where you were. I've never seen her go so mad at someone who wasn't, well, me. I still have no idea how Clint got her to calm down, but he says you owe him."

The thought of that made Spencer grimace. He could only imagine. Natasha was extremely protective of the people she considered 'hers'. Somehow over the years Spencer had made it into that category.

"I'm sorry, Reid." Emily ignored Tony and moved up to stand by Spencer, reaching out to lightly touch his arm. "I tried to stop him from coming in. I didn't think you'd want an audience for this." At the word 'this' she gestured over his shoulder. There was something in her eyes that made Spencer want to look away. He didn't want to try and decipher what it was. However, that look right there was part of why he hadn't wanted an audience for this. It'd been bad enough with Logan and Hank in here, plus Stark security out by the door. Now he had Logan, Hank, Remy, Emily, Derek, Scott, and Tony. A whole audience! And none of them seemed like they planned on leaving.

Tony, he knew, wouldn't go. But maybe he could get the others to leave. He looked up at Emily and tried to smile at her. "It's fine, Emily. I knew he'd show up eventually."

"Of course. I've invested too much time and money in you to just leave you here." Tony said immediately. He moved forward, eyes moving beyond Spencer to the rigging behind him on his bed. There was a look of disgusted horror on his face. "And it's a good thing I came, too. What the hell is this setup they have you under? God, that looks uncomfortable." Tony bent over and looked behind Spencer. He didn't pay anyone else much attention. There was a look on his face that Spencer knew well, one that said he was thinking and probably already finding a solution. It didn't surprise him when Tony straightened back up and grinned. "You know what you need? A sling. An upper body sling with side cutouts that make it easy to fit your wings through. It'd allow full back support without putting all the weight on your shoulders while keeping you elevated enough that they could lower the bed top and your wings could actually rest semi comfortably. Or as comfortably as they can in here. I could have one rigged up in no time flat back home. Bruce could probably have it waiting for us when we get there."

And there was the part he'd been waiting for. He finally gave in and rolled his eyes; it hurt less than a sigh. "I'm not going home with you, Tony."

"I could just wait till they give you your meds and just take you. You'd never know."

"Tony." Spencer put as much warning in the man's name as he possibly could. He heard the tone underneath those words that had suggested Tony was actually thinking about doing it. He must not have been the only one to hear it because Derek straightened up and firmly said "You do realize you're talking about kidnapping a federal agent in front of his team, don't you?"

Tony waved a hand dismissively in Derek's direction. "More like birdnapping, really." He beamed brightly at Spencer. "I've never had a pet bird before! I had a hamster once. We're not allowed to talk about that anymore, though. But I bet I'd be a great bird-owner."

"He aint a pet fo' y' to own." Remy snapped, speaking up for the first time since Tony had come in.

His voice brought Tony's gaze up and over Spencer's shoulder. There was amusement written in every inch of him. "Says the man grooming him."

Remy was, in fact, still grooming Spencer. He'd started back up as soon as he realized who'd arrived. It was kind of nice that the man hadn't stepped up until now. He'd let Spencer speak for and defend himself. That, plus the fact that he didn't flinch or seem the least bit bothered to be called out on his grooming, gave Spencer a little more courage. Enough to shoot Tony a warning look and tell him "Be nice to my friends, Tony."

"Are you kidding me? I'm not even nice to my friends."

That wasn't technically true. To an outsider, it might seem so. But Spencer knew better. He knew the type of friend Tony could be. It was the reason he put up with things like this. So he glossed right past that remark and opted instead to open his eyes and look over at his team, all of whom were looking at him curiously. "Ignore him, please. He's harmless, I assure you. He just likes to rile people up." He slanted a look at Tony. "Usually you're a bit better behaved. Where's your keeper? I wasn't aware they let you out without one anymore."

Instead of being offended, Tony grinned. "I slipped out. I imagine they'll catch up soon enough once they realize I left the tower. I would've brought Bruice with me but I didn't think it'd be smart to bring Big Green to a hospital surrounded by reporters and mutant-haters. I told him I'd do my best to convince you to come back to the Tower where he can look at you all proper like."

"I'm not going back with you." Spencer repeated. He'd repeat it as many times as it took.

"Hm. We'll see about that. In the meantime!" He twisted to look at Hank now, wearing that Cheshire grin that had let him charm so many people. "Dr. McCoy. It's been a long time since we've had a chat. Why don't we go talk and see about rigging up a better bed for our little birdie while he finishes up his bath?"

And just like that, the whirlwind that was Tony Star was on his way out of the room, taking Hank with him. His exit had the others leaving as well, for which Spencer was eternally grateful. He was left with just Remy and Logan in the room, and Logan seemed to have retreated over by the door to give them a bit of privacy. Remy, bless him, didn't speak. His hands continued in their easy movements and Spencer was able to push away all thoughts of Tony, his friends, and anything else, just getting lost in the sensations that were echoing down his wings. The medication Hank was still giving him might've helped with that floaty feeling, too. Spencer had agreed to something a little stronger since he was going to be upright for a while.

When Remy made his way around to the front, Spencer was half asleep. He felt as something soft was pressed at his arms. It only took a second for him to realize that it was a coat—Remy's coat. He gave a happy little chirp and drew it in, pillowing his head all the more comfortably. There he lay, half asleep as Remy groomed him.

There was a brief moment when those long fingers found his oil glands that some part of Spencer tried to surface again. A bit of embarrassment tried to creep in and his wings lifted and ruffled just a bit. But Remy's free hand stroked over his hair and the Cajun made a low shushing sound. Spencer gave a sleepy little chirrup and settled back into his makeshift pillow. He drifted, mostly asleep, as those gentle thief's fingers smoothed the oil over his feathers and the soft sound of humming filled the air.