**Remy:
His head pounded as consciousness returned to him. He brought a hand up to cover his eyes and sank back into his pillow. It took a few moments for awareness to completely return but when it did he removed his hand slowly to check where he was. Relief flooded him as he realized that he was in his room at the mansion. He glanced around wearily because he didn't remember returning to his room the night before. One look at his attire revealed that he hadn't changed his clothes either.
He never meant to get drunk; the thought hadn't even crossed his mind. He had less alcohol the night before then it should have taken to get him drunk. At some point in the night he had felt the need to keep up with Logan which was both irrational and unwise. Even so, he couldn't convince himself to stop.
The fact that he found himself waking up in his own bed meant that Logan hadn't left him behind, or worse. He smiled despite the painful headache that plagued him. He would have to thank the man when he saw him. He laughed as the thought of his confidence returning to him amongst a hangover amused him. Unfortunately his body didn't agree with his amusement and he found himself running to the bathroom.
His head pounded as he emptied his stomach and sat down upon the cold tiled floor. He should be miserable, but he wasn't. He was happy to know that Logan hadn't been lying. He was happy to know that he had a friend. He hoped that it could last and didn't want to dwell on the fact that it probably wouldn't. He felt more alive than he had in weeks.
He heard the gentle tapping on his door, but didn't call out. "Remy," Storm called his name quietly a few seconds after he heard the door open.
"Ain't feeling so good," he admitted just as quietly.
"Did you have a good night?" she asked as she entered the bathroom and filled a cup with water.
He figured she meant to be condescending, but he answered honestly anyways. "Oui," he informed her with a genuine smile. She handed him the cup and he rinsed out his mouth. "Merci," he added as he placed the emptied cup upon the floor beside him.
"Can I help you back to bed?" she questioned.
"Non, I best stay here," he told her. She sat down beside him and rubbed his back gently in response. "You don't have to stay," he informed her with a smile still gracing his face.
"Why are you so happy this morning?" she questioned amused as she continued to rub his back.
"No nightmares," he admitted without looking at her.
"That is good to hear," she told him.
When the urge to throw up returned, Storm held back his hair without a judgmental word. That surprised him.
He sat back down and she filled a new glass of water. "Merci," he said as he accepted the glass.
"Can I get you anything?" she asked with concern.
"Non," he told her, "I be fine Stormy." He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
"Logan should not have gotten you this drunk," she said with a frown.
He laughed again. He wanted to explain it to Storm, but he couldn't find the words. Getting Remy back to the mansion had proved to him that he could trust Logan completely. If the man had wanted to kill him or hurt him or lose him or anything else he could have done it easily the night before. "I trust him now," he admitted self-consciously. The words were both too simple and too complex to explain the situation and Remy wasn't sure if Ororo truly had a right to have heard them.
"Perhaps we should have gotten you drunk weeks ago then," Storm suggested with a laugh. He was thankful that she had broken the tension. "I have longed to see you smile again."
He gave her another genuine smile before he attempted to rise from the floor. "Think it be time to go back to bed," he informed her.
"Of course," she replied as she helped him stand. His head spun and he almost gave in to the urge to sit back down. "Come Remy," she encouraged as she held him still.
"The room just decided to spin around me," he joked.
"I have missed you brother," she told him as she pulled him close to her.
"Been here for weeks Stormy," he replied confused.
"No Remy," she told him as she looked up at him to stare into his eyes. "The man you've been the last few weeks was not my brother."
Remy pulled out of her arms irritated and almost lost his balance. Why did they have to judge him so harshly? Did they really think he enjoyed being frightened? Did they truly think he wanted to be suspicious of their every action and suggestion? "Go away Stormy," he insisted.
"I am sorry Remy," she admitted. "I did not mean to upset you. I am simply glad to see you happy once again."
He could see the tears shining in her eyes and felt the too familiar tinge of guilt in his heart. He wanted to be angry at her comment, but he couldn't be. She had spoken the truth and it wasn't her fault that he didn't want to hear it. "Sorry Stormy," he admitted as he opened his arms back up to her.
"Stop apologizing," she insisted as she wrapped her arms around him once again.
He laughed as he remembered Logan's demand the night before.
"What?" she questioned confused.
"Logan say the same thing," he explained. "Don't know why it's funny," he admitted.
She couldn't help but chuckle herself. "Perhaps we should get you to bed now," she suggested.
"Oui," he conceded.
She placed a cup of water and two tylenols next to him on the nightstand. "Would you like me to stay?" she asked warmly.
"Non," he replied. "Just gonna sleep."
**Logan:
"What happened last night?" Ororo questioned Logan as she sat down beside him on the dock.
"Got the kid out of the house," Logan replied, "should have done it sooner." He was prepared to defend himself; he had plenty of reasons why he thought that Remy needed a night out.
"I agree," she replied catching him off-guard.
"You what?" he questioned. That he had not been prepared for. Anger, frustration, disapproval, annoyance, and condemnation now those he had been prepared for. Acceptance he had never even considered.
"I just left his room," she informed him. "Can I infer that you haven't spoken to him yet today?" she asked
"He's been passed out 'Ro," he replied annoyed. She nodded and he noticed her smile for the first time. "What's going on?" he asked confused. He had checked to make sure the kid was alright before he came outside, but that had been hours ago.
"He is happy," she informed him brightly. "He is. . ." she stumbled for a word and he was anxious.
"You've never been one to stutter darling."
"I simply don't know how to explain it Logan," she said. "He's my brother again." The joy and relief behind her words were apparent.
Logan snorted, "Ro he's got to be hung over after last night." He couldn't help it when his laughter erupted as he thought about 'Ro considering her brother to be a miserable, hung over Remy LeBeau.
"He is," she sighed, "I believe he's asleep once again."
"Then what are you babbling about?" he couldn't help but ask the question.
"He was happy Logan. I spoke with him and he seemed to be like his old self." She seemed unsure of herself this time. "Perhaps I imagined it," she confessed after a pause.
"Ro," he said her name hesitantly. He wasn't sure how to interpret her sudden mood change. "What happened?"
"Thank you for getting him home Logan," she stated before standing up.
He was completely confused now. "What is going on?" he demanded.
"I'm not sure Logan," she admitted. "I believe I was too optimistic, he was probably still drunk." She started to walk away and he stood up. He was tempted to stop her, but she looked determined to walk away from him so he remained silent. He wasn't sure continuing to speak with her would cure his confusion anyways.
After standing on the dock for a few more minutes, he sat back down. He hoped that Ororo was right, but he thought it was a little too much to believe that one night could have that big an effect on Remy. It hadn't even been fun, it had simply been awkward.
Eventually, his hunger forced Logan to walk slowly towards the mansion. The moment he entered the dining room where everyone was assembled for lunch he realized he had walked in on a debate. He sat down and filled a plate while he tried to catch up on the conversation.
"I just don't think it's a good time," Scott voiced and Logan was left to assume that it hadn't been the first time that he offered the opinion.
"You both have valid arguments," Beast added.
"I simply don't know who to agree with," Jean admitted and Logan loved how angry her response made Scott.
"We have other priorities at the moment," Ororo insisted.
"We aren't simply forgetting about our current affairs Ororo, but I believe it is imperative that we at least consider it." Professor Xavier had spoken convincingly and Logan found everyone else at the table nodding.
"What are we talking about?" Logan finally asked when he couldn't interpret anyone's response.
"Professor Xavier would like to reopen the school," Ororo answered him.
"Why now Chuck?" Logan questioned. He wasn't sure why he questioned it; he didn't particularly care either way. It just didn't seem like good timing to him.
"There are children out there who have no other place to turn too. Our doors have been closed for far too long. Don't all of you want to welcome back the students that we were forced to turn away?"
"Shouldn't we rebuild the team first?" Scott questioned.
"The two do not have to be independent of one another," Xavier insisted.
"Chuck's right," Logan admitted. "It's about time we started doing something besides moping around here." If he wasn't going to let Remy continue acting like a kid, then the X-Men shouldn't be doing it either.
"Logan you can't truly believe that," Jean insisted.
"Of course I do Darling."
"Jean, I believe Logan simply means that we have dwelled on the events of the past long enough. It is time to look towards the future," Xavier offered.
"Hank what do you think?" Jean asked.
"We must resume our duties as teachers and teammates eventually. Perhaps we should seize the opportunity now that the discussion has arisen."
"We do not have enough people to teach a full roster of students," Ororo added.
"That is why we should concentrate on recruiting for the team first," Scott insisted. "Perhaps we could convince some former members to return," he suggested.
Logan growled.
"I didn't mean Rogue and Warren," Scott insisted.
"What about Kitty?" Bobby added to the discussion for the first time. He blushed as everyone's attention turned to him. "Or not," he quickly said causing everyone to laugh.
"I believe we must reflect upon this before deciding," Ororo added as the laughter died down.
"Of course," Professor Xavier admitted. "It is not a decision we should make lightly."
"Agreed," Scott felt he needed to add.
"Yeah, let's eat," Logan insisted.
