Chapter Twelve
Remy sighed as he perused Hank's computer, remembering the soft words whispered through his head just hours ago, get the disks. I owe him. Ghost, why? He simply wants what was his back.
Yes. The same information that was given in copies to the highest bidders that could hurt him in the end. He values his reputation and ability as a scientist. He also does not like sharing what he finds in his prey, especially when dealing with the X-men. And the King Pin?
Remy flinched. King Pin was a touchy subject for him. The man was a powerful ally and rival to anyone in New York. The man was a descendant from one of the powerful mob families who once ruled the state years ago, and still do if one looks hard enough and in the right places. King Pin allowed Remy to remain in the city as a Master Thief, stealing from those his contacts wish. King Pin was also a high bidder who wished information on any person he chooses, especially a group homo-sapiens had called terrorists, the X-men. He had sold a copy of Sinister's information to King Pin just as he had sold information to the group's doctor. Now he had to find that information and place them on an encrypted disk to give back to the genecist or re-sell his soul as well as his friend's to Sinister as payment. That he would not do, not again. This would give Warren credit to me bein' a traitor.
No. Because to them, you are no longer an X-man. Therefore, you can't betray them. Besides, you aren't stealing or borrowing this disk. You are simply copying it to a separate disk for Essex.
And 'ow do y' plan on me gettin' back King Pin's?
Remy, Remy, Remy. Do you honestly think I think you haven't a copy already? How else did you sell that information to more than just the King Pin? The same exact information?
Remy mentally chuckled. The was true. He didn't give way his hand, not if he could help it. Like any good gambler, Remy refused to allow any emotion or sign to escape to show off his cards to an opponent. And like any good thief, he refused to give up his hard earned treasure, at least not the original. But he could make mistakes and one was giving that original disk to Hank. After all, a great person had said, to err is to human. And one error would be getting caught by Hank, if the gentle man didn't have his back to the thief while carrying a tray and trying to shut the door, giving him time to hide the disk in his pocket that had just been ejected from the computer. "Remy leave soon, Henri?"
Hank glanced up, chuckling to see Remy at his desk, knowing how bored his friend could become without something to read. "Find anything interesting, Remy?"
"Oui. Be dis report on de Legacy Virus."
Hank nodded. That report had every doctor around the world stumped. It was the effects and theories of how the virus was contracted. It told of who was at risk and theories of why. It even had theories on what could battle the virus and the effects if any such ones had been applied to the victim. "I see. Now since I know how you are quite eager to leave my care, may I examine the results of my care?"
Eager indeed, Remy hopped onto the nest that had been built for him during his rest. "Okay, Henri."
Hank hummed as he carefully examined his patient's heartbeat, breathing, eyes, and reflexes. He checked over the printouts from earlier before giving a satisfied sigh, "Everything seems quite satisfactory. I shall release you, Remy, but please take care for the next few days and drink plenty of fluids. I would like you back for a check-up when I decide," he hurried on seeing the hesitation, "It's a precaution, Remy. It's only been a few days since your abandonment among the ice and snow. I do not wish to see you suffer because of that when it can be avoided."
"Remy do dat." We both will, Remy. My energy levels are rising but who knows what happened during a theorized time travel. I will join you on your next visit. With a nod from his blue friend, Remy swiftly strolled from the lab and metal hallway to the eupstairs.
"Free, Gumbo?"
He twisted to see an amused Logan, smirking behind his cigar as he snatched a can of beer from the fridge. "Oui. Y' find Ghost?"
Logan lifted a brow, knowing the Cajun could call out mentally to his friend but shrugged while he answered, "Danger Room. Somethin' 'bout playin' with Creed."
Remy snickered. Not one of the X-man had been too happy with allowing Creed to stay among them. But Ghost hadn't cared what they felt or thought. His friend was very protective of those he loved or cared for and Sabertooth had been someone who amused and reminded his friend of a lost one. "Remy?" A large hand gently squeezed his shoulder as Logan frowned in concern.
"Be thinkin' 'bout Ghost."
Logan nodded and added a few bits of insight, "Speakin' of him, the boy said ya'll might be leavin'."
It's your choice, Remy. Thought it was what you wanted. "Mebbe. Hard to stay wit' everyone, especially Roguie. Mebbe stand-by for Scottie?"
Logan chuckled, knowing it would be hard for Remy to remain among the team. He really didn't want to lose his friend but knew he had to, "Sounds good to me. Long as your happy. Me and Drake are on your side."
"Oui." Remy still wasn't sure what to do about an angry Rogue nor about Bobby. You loved her, Remy, and she threw it away countless times. You didn't deserve what she did. She doesn't know what she wants. Look what she did to you when you were in a coma and then tried to explain. She fled, only to return on the arm of someone else. She flaunted him before you, especially as they could touch. This is not what or who you need. At least with Bella you knew where you stood at all times.
Remy knows. Still love de girl, still be wantin' her.
One day at a time, Remy. It's all we can do when we lose someone. I still love Ginny. She was mine and I lost her to death. Rogue's seemed to be yours and you lost her through circumstances. We can go home?
Banished.
A mental laugh rang through there head, As if that will stop us. I am of fire and magic, Remy. Remember? Your opposing clan can try but I am determined when it comes to my family and friends. Plus, we have equally determined Chat, Logan, and Bobby, yes?
Remy blinked as the hand on his shoulder tightened, forgetting Logan never removed it. "Remy?"
He crookedly smiled, "Y' want to go?"
Logan was a bit wary of that question but was willing to be any friend needed by Remy, "Where?"
"Home. Ghost be wantin' to go. We be needin' help with me family…uh, Bella's family. Pere be happy to see Remy."
"Sure." He saw the shock and happiness before it was hid behind that poker face façade. Remy wasn't sure if he really would leave behind the X-men after the Cajun had been branded a traitor. Logan didn't care. Hell, he knew all about pasts. He had one, sure it was filled with lies and half-truths but it was still a past. He was also a creature made by the government, breed for violence and bloodshed, much like his rival Creed.
"Sure what?" A curious Bobby came stumbling into the kitchen, yawning loudly, stretching. With his eyes closed tightly as he reached for the ceiling one last time, he missed the appreciative looks, especially the heated glances to his stomach as his teddy bear pajama top rose several inches.
Remy eyed his fellow teammate, watching the childish pajama top rise with the tip toe stretch. He wondered if either man was right about Bobby's sudden interest, "Remy be askin' Logan to go on a trip to Remy's home." He was shocked to see the fallen expression a split second before it was hidden behind a cheerful smile. He be serious.
I told you, Remy. Now ask him as well. Remy saw his ex-girl, Rogue, coming in from her afternoon fly, through the kitchen window. But what really caught his attention from her was the sadden expression in those baby blue eyes of Bobby. He could read the intent, knew that Bobby thought he would never catch the eye of the infamous flirt called Remy. Finally making a decision, he sidled close to the forlorn Iceman beneath the amused stare of Logan. He practically molded himself to the surprised young man, lips close to that pale ear just as Rogue slipped inside. He smirked beneath a fringe of hair at her deadly glare, sent Bobby's way, and clenching of fingers around a water bottle. He allowed his words to reach her ears, "Y' be comin' to Remy's home? Be Remy's body guard?"
Bobby swallowed, barely turning his head to face the man of every woman's dream, flushing at the insinuation of the word bodyguard. "Y-yeah."
Rogue snarled at her ex-lover, "Ya aint nothin' but a slut, LeBeau. Ya always were. Ya never were worth mah time. Willin' ta bed anyone. Now ya workin' on poor Bobby." Before she could continue her rant, something painfully hot seared through her tight bodysuit, across her back in one burst, and through her invulnerability she always depended upon. "Yeargh!"
Ghost chuckled as he leaned against the doorway, smirking behind his laugh as he eyed the Southern Belle, "It's all in the mind, girl. No one is invulnerable. Every one can be harmed. You just need the right weapon." Then his eyes narrowed, emerald eyes turning into dark forest green ice, "Ever say that again and I can prove how deadly innocent me can become. I can break your shields as easily as they were created." At his back was a very furious feral, claws flickering in her view along with a deadly feral grin. Both men glanced away from the shaken woman to the three other figures, "So, are we ready?"
"We're leaving now? But Remy just asked!"
Ghost chuckled, "We would like to but I know we must allow your leader to know we are stealing two of his members for an unknown length of time. Or we could just kidnap you now." But he soon grew serious, knowing what was awaiting them around the corner, "I do believe that kidnapping wouldn't work, considering your team has been trying to question me."
Logan nodded, knowing what it was about. Hell, he knew because he had been involved with a select few, especially Jean. "Jeannie's worried. We dealt wit' the Phoenix before, wasn't pretty."
Ghost's eyes narrowed dangerously, glittering with dark amusement, "Lead the way, Old Man." Logan growled, popping out his claws in which only gained a raised bored brow, "Seen worse, like Chat." Bobby leaned against Remy, laughing at the two offended ferals.
Scott interrupted, upset that his meeting wasn't starting considering the two guests-of-honor had yet to arrive, especially as he had called to awaken Bobby and had Jean call out the other member's. "Gentlemen. I do believe Jean tagged three of you for a meeting after Hank allowed Remy release. Please, follow me."
Jean did not let them step any further than the open door before she demanded answers, "When did she come to you! She swore never to pass on her gift nor allow her darker side freedom after the sacrifice made to control it!"
Remy flinched with several others. They knew this was a touchy subject for the young woman, even if it was just a clone of her body while the original was placed in a cocoon. Ghost on the other hand felt he didn't need to explain but knew this was the perfect time to clear up any mishaps, "Why should you care? Promises are meant to be broken. Oaths are much more reliant. Why should you care if she promised and broke her word?"
"She kills!"
A dark brow rose high at the shrill shriek. Interesting choice of words. He kept his tone calm, though it rose slightly in volume, "Oh, I see. It's okay if your lover was once a hustler. It's okay if Braddock was, and possibly still is, a trained assassin. It's okay if Worthington was once a Horseman. It's okay if Rogue once willingly absorbed life energy, even willingly destroyed Carol Danvers' life and inadvertently caused the death of her sweetheart. It's okay that your darling Professor houses a dangerous entity bent on destruction. It's okay you trust a killer whose mind knows not the truth from lies. It's okay to befriend a supposed Goddess whose emotions control the deadliest of weathers, one that could kill with a blink of an eye. It's okay to allow thieves, runaways, orphans, and such to become members, even students. It's okay to give everyone a clean slate but should their past come to light they are instant traitors."
"I don't…."
"I'm not done, Summers." He quite liked being linked to Remy, knowing each of the X-man's faults and fears. They came in quite handy when dressing down the team, "This team of yours was built to help anyone and everyone who wished help with their powers or to start over. Then you promise not to dig far into their past, such the appropriate knowledge to aid in control of powers or trust issues. Such hypocrites now. You allow Remy entrance long after his past; trust him despite his willingness to steal. Then you," Ghost corrects himself, knowing it wasn't just Scott but others, "or most of you badger him for something you all try to hide. When the truth finally comes out, you're shocked and angered, for something he didn't do." He held up a hand to silence any protests, "he led them to the tunnel but if you realized who was among the team and who wanted the team, Sinister, you would realize without Remy the Morlocks would have still died. Is this how you will start treating new teammates?"
"Now see here!" Warren exploded, unhappy with the words being flung about.
"Warren, stop."
Warren turned angry eyes to Charles, "But, Sir…"
Charles shook his head, "No. I created this team in hopes of second chances and to help mutants in control. It was a chance for lost children to find a family who understand and support them, to find trust, to find freedom, and to find hope. But now, listening to someone not a part of us tells me we have lost our way. Perhaps it is time we move on from this…trial to a brighter future."
"You can't be serious, Professor!"
Charles nodded to the multiple protests, "As I said, it's for the best. Too much has happened. We have turned from a member who needed us. The X-men promote loyalty and second chances. We have burned both bridges for Remy. I refuse for anymore students to feel that way. I refuse for Remy to feel as if he cannot return or depend on us for help."
Bobby wiggled impatiently, wanting to burst out the news to lighten the serious mood. He was the clown of the team and could be counted upon to crack a joke for others to enjoy but he wasn't sure if this would work when he burst out, "We're leaving."
Instead of laughter he got stunned looks of disbelief, "What?"
