DISCLAIMER: Don't own them, don't sue me, I have no money, I am but a lowly
art student.
Hope any readers I may have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed or at least were intrigued by the last chapter. I do love angst and forbidden love I have to admit so expect nothing less from my fics. Hope you enjoy! (By the way Betsy Braddock is still alive, Dr. Reyes is married to the good Dr. McCoy but other than my other more obvious readjustments the Marvel Universe is otherwise intact, o.k?)
P.S. Sorry about the closely packed format, damn-fangled new technology! Will I ever get to grips with the computer age? Well at least I managed to get my fic posted! And thank- you v. much to all my reviewers much appreciated.
CHAPTER.2.
FIVE WEEKS LATER.
"FALL OUT! FALL OUT!" Storm's voice boomed from above as the X-Team was being repulsed by bright, powerful rays from the giant out stretched palm of a sentinel.
"Archangel's down!" Beast's baritone voice echoed through the wasteland they were fighting on. Some bleak flat landscape that was render grey with thin mist, fine rain droplets clinging to the air, threatening to drop at any moment. No sooner had he said the words he was sent cascading backwards through the air by a now familiar yellow energy beam. Hitting the burnt out stump of a tree, one of many that littered this dark place, he slide down it and hit the floor with a sickening thump.
Storm flew behind the sentinels, three of the monstrosities and mustered her most powerful, fierce lightening bolt. She only managed to turn one into a smoking wreck before the other two turned sharply, in belie of there huge forms. They began to focus their attacks now on the weather witch. Her black cape swung with reckless abandon behind her as she gracefully dodged shot after shot, returning each one in kind.
At that point, seemingly out of nowhere ream after ream of kinetically charged playing cards whistled through the drizzle soaked air, hitting the sentinel to Storm's left in several critical places. As it crashed to the earth below Gambit made his way across to it in several unnecessary and flamboyant back flips, landing on top of the flinching robot, his already charged staff smashing down into the main circuit panel at the base of its neck. The resulting explosion flung Remy clear, but with his skilful acrobatics he managed to land feet first somehow. The sentinel ceased all movements. "Dat be fo' takin' pot shots at Remy's woman mon ami." He chimed with his customary devil-may-care grin plastered to his face, his dark and strange eyes glinting with glee. He turned then to see Storm and the now recovered Archangel finishing off the last purple and red robot in a combined effort. As the giant hulk of sparking metal crashed to the ground the atmosphere around the X-Men began to hum audibly creating a strange and unnerving sensation in their ears. Suddenly the landscape around them began to distort and break apart.
"Sentinel Program 101534 completed. Status of X-Team member" Several loud beeps echoed around the space ending with a resounding click. "Dr. Hank McCoy, code name: Beast. Minor abrasions." The soft feminine but distinctly computerised voice rang out against the now hard metallic interior of the danger room.
"Thank-you for that informative assessment of my condition" Beast replied, his voice dripping with good-humoured sarcasm as he rubbed the back of his large head with a large blue furred paw.
"Good team. I am pleased with our performance here today." Storm praised her team as she descended from the heights of the room, her X-Men almost subconsciously moving toward her, forming a stiff line before her. Like soldiers falling into line at a generals shout.
"Your back-up technique was particularly commendable Gambit." Ororo favoured her husband with a short smile but she managed to keep her body language authoritative. Remy, unfortunately did no such thing, stepping up to his wife with a petulant smirk on his face. He reached up taking her long slender chocolate coloured left hand in his right one, bowing down to meet her hand as he raised in swiftly to his lips. He planted a light but lingering kiss on her wedding band.
"Anyt'in' fo' you ma chere." He crooned, gazing intently into her eyes the entire time.
"Gambit!" Ororo said low and warningly, but at the same time smiling shyly yet seductively at him. Heat was rising in her cheeks turning them darker than usual, but not for the reason Gambit had thought.
She turned from him then, pulling her hand from his tender grasp and with her most neutral tone spoke the orders that followed every danger room session.
"Computer file and access todays data and battle program."
"Command noted" the robotic voice replied.
"Archang--" Storm spun around sharply to face the X-Man she was addressing but suddenly her head began to swim, the room span uncontrollable. She could feel herself falling to the ground but it all seemed to be happening in slow motion, she was unable to stop herself. So she began to mentally brace herself for the impact against cold, hard metal when suddenly she felt herself being pulled into a strong warm grasp, felt someone's body hard against her as it cradled her protectively.
"Stormy. mah god. Stormy, you o.k. girl? STORMY! Her husbands panicked cries were the last thing she heard before darkness consumed her.
* * *
Remy jumped to his feet with uncanny swiftness despite the dead weight of his wife's limp form in his arms.
"Computer. Code name: Gambit. Open de door!!" Remy barked the order out as he ran towards the door. It opened immediately so that, Remy didn't have to break his stride as he ran through the opening and straight to the med-lab just two doors down from the danger room. Hank and Warren were right behind him.
"Put her down there!" Hank shouted as his large paw shot out to point at the nearest examination table.
"I'll. I'll go and inform the Professor." Warren stuttered as he stood ridged in the doorframe, uncertain as to what he could do to help. So he turned on his heals and sprinted up the strip-lighted corridor, headed for the lift that sat at the far end.
Gambit kneeled at the side of the solid metal plinth his wife was laid flat on, her left hand clasped in both of his. He pressed her limp hand to his mouth, the look of total anguish, fear and confusion consumed his face. Suddenly Storm began to stir, her head turning from side to side gently, her brow was furrowed as if the harsh lighting was hurting her eyes, even though they were closed.
"'Roro!" Remy gasped as his left hand stole up from Ororo's hand to caress the hair on the top of her head, his hand trailing softly down to brush past her smooth right cheek.
"Remy?" Her eyes fluttered open, sensitive to the harsh lighting. She turned her head to the left to look at him. "What the.what happened?" A look of total confusion came over her usually smooth facial features.
"Well!" Hank's voice boomed from behind her husband but she couldn't quite locate where he was, somewhere just out of sight. "I am just about to find out my dear lady."
He came into view then, an empty syringe in one large hand and a small, slim metal object in the other. Beast came around to Ororo's right side, clicking a button on the top of the pencil like object. It sprung into life, emitting a thin strong beam of light.
" Could you please look forwards Ororo?" He lent over her, shinning the intense beam directly into each eye in turn. Her pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints, tiny islands lost in a bright blue sea. "Could you look to the left please" She did as he asked as he repeated the procedure. " And now to the right."
Satisfied with what he saw there he beamed a toothy smile at her, "O.k. So there doesn't appear to be anything drastic going on in the old cerebral cortex. Now lets just check this." Two of Beast's thick fingers came to rest on the right hand side of her neck as he raised his right hand to view his watch more closely. " Pulse is completely normal."
" So what be wrong wit' her mon ami?" Concern still etched on his face, his eyes never lifted from Ororo as he spoke to Hank.
"Oh, I am fairly certain that it is nothing of great import my dear friend. Just a dizzy spell perhaps? tiredness? even heat exhaustion. You have been working your self rather hard over the past month or so have you not?"
Hank peered down at Ororo over his tiny clear-rimmed glasses, a quizzical spark in his yellow, feline eyes.
"Maybe." Ororo conceded, smiling briefly.
"Den what dat for?" Remy pointed to the syringe that lay on the hard bed next to his wife.
"Oh this? I thought it best that I take some blood samples. Just to be on the safe side."
"O. K Hank you are the Doctor. Do whatever you need to." Ororo turned her head back to her husband, smiling sweetly but weakly at him. She placed her right hand on his cheek, cupping his lightly stubbled face, running her thumb over his lips that were still drawn tightly in concern.
"Do not worry my love. I am sure I will be fine. Why don't you go and clean yourself up. By the time you come back down I'm sure we will be done here."
"But chere I--" Remy started in protest.
"No buts my love, your leader orders it!" She said with a playful little laugh. Remy looked up at Hank hoping he could validate his protests but he simply nodded in agreement with Ororo.
"O. K den but I'll be back down here in a flash." Remy stood up to leave but not before leaning in closely and placing a slow tender kiss on Ororo's full lips.
"Dis boy love you chere." He smiled down at her then kissed her again shortly before making his way out of the lab.
* * *
It was a glorious day outside so Remy and Ororo decided to have breakfast out on the patio. She had protested at first at her husbands suggestion, saying maybe down by the lake might be nicer but after some gentle coaxing had finally agreed.
Ororo was sat in Remy's lap as they playfully fed each other pancakes dripping with maple syrup, laughing at the mess they were making of each other and kissing in-between mouthfuls.
After the argument over a month ago Remy had taken a whole week to return but when he had to his surprise there was no screaming, hitting or chastising. Instead he returned to open loving arms, in fact she'd nearly choked with the grip she made around his neck as she embraced him to tightly. Ever since then things had returned to normal between them. Life seemed perfect to Remy Le Beau at this point in time.
They almost didn't notice when Jean, Scott and Warren had come out to join them, they were so wrapped up in each other it was almost sickening! The group sat and chatted for a while, discussing their plans for the day when Hank's huge blue form came through the patio doors, a tray piled high with food in his paws.
"Good morning my dear friends and may I say what a glorious morning it is!" He chimed in his usual robust manner, sitting down directly opposite the happy couple.
"So I see someone's feeling better this bright morning. Good nights sleep?" He enquired as he began to dig into his mountain of food that lay before him.
Remy and Ororo exchanged knowing glances, small mischievous smiles playing on both their lips. Ororo turned to face Hank, answering his question with a short, warm laugh. "Something like that!"
Jean just giggled like a schoolgirl, her hand stealing up to cover her mouth and cheeks as she felt herself blushing childishly. Scott just quirked a slightly disgusted eyebrow at the pair then refocused his attention on his morning paper. Warren cleared his throat and looked down at his orange juice somewhat sheepishly. Hank, to interested in his food seemed to miss the insinuation completely.
"Oh that reminds me, my wonderful wife Dr. Reyes completed your blood tests last night. The results should be ready for you now. Just drop by the lab when you have a chance."
" I will Hank, thank-you for-" Ororo's were cut off by the deafening roar of a motorcycle tearing up the mansion driveway. All eyes turned in that direction, though they already new who the new arrival was without looking. The colour in Ororo's face seemed to drain almost completely, the smile that had been plastered to her face all morning disappearing instantly.
"Well lookie here. The wanderer finally returns!" Scott's sarcastic comment earned him a short, sharp kick from underneath the table.
"Ow! What the hell-" He stopped abruptly, Jean's blazing glare being enough to stop a battalion charging into battle! Scott simply sniffed indignantly, his eyes drifting back down to his paper once more.
They all watched as Logan dismounted his Harley, slinging his old black rucksack over one shoulder, stopping briefly to light a cigar, then he started his loping stride towards his teammates.
"Where yo' been at mon ami?" Remy inquired casually, not really expecting nor caring if he received an answer.
Logan was stood right before them now, regarding Remy for a moment and noticing how Ororo was refusing to meet his eyes. He turned his head from them, looking out over the plush, immaculate mansion lawn. Leisurely taking another drag from his cigar and exhaling slowly before turning back to look Remy square in the eyes. "Around." He finally replied.
"That's specific!" Warren quipped, before taking a sip of his orange juice. He picked up the FT and began scanning the pages intently.
Logan just grunted at him before settling his gaze on Ororo. His eyes raked up her body slowly, clothed in only a thin, rather short, pale yellow cotton summer dress. Her glistening hair fanned out over her rich warm chocolate coloured shoulders, draping casually down her partially exposed back. The front strands of her platinum hair were tucked behind her ear on her left side, giving Logan a full view of her profile as she stared down at her own hands. They were clasped together tightly as they rested on Remy's right shoulder, her long arms draped loosely around his neck. It bothered him it really did when he noticed Remy's strong yet slender hands resting firmly on Ororo's body, one on her trim midriff, the other griping her long bare thigh. Logan could feel the heat, heat of pure rage rising up in him at the sight. He felt like gutting the son-of-a-bitch right there and then but he forced himself to cool it by settling his gaze back on Ororo's serene and calming face. Well her usually serene face, at the moment it was becoming tight with worry.
Logan's prolonged looking at Ororo did not escape Remy's notice as he shifted slightly in his seat, unconsciously gripping his wife that little bit tighter.
"Somet'in' de matter mon ami?" Remy ground out the words, something like irritation and anger bubbling just under their surface. But Logan ignored him and continued to stare at her, almost unable to look away at this point. Ororo turned her head towards him then finally meeting his intense eyes for the first time since THAT night.
"How have you been?" Her voice was neutral and controlled but her pulse was racing, she could feel the sweat under her skin, threatening to break to the surface.
"Fine." He replied shortly whilst bringing his cigar to his mouth once more and with that he turned on his heal, making his way into the house.
"What de hell was his problem?!" Remy asked looking at Ororo then to Jean, confused and still slightly angered by Logan's behaviour.
"Oh you know what he's like sometimes Remy. I've given up trying to work out his odd moods." Jean said as she turned to look at the door he'd just entered, turning back again she laughed quietly to herself. "I swear he just enjoys making people feel uncomfortable at times!"
"Well!" Ororo piped up, trying to sound as upbeat as possible and hoping to change the subject. "I am off to get my blood test results."
"I'll come wit' yo' den." Remy said as Ororo made her way of his lap. She bent down and kissed him briefly.
"There is no need my love. It does not take two of us to pick up a piece of paper, I will be fine. I feel fine!"
"But-"
"But nothing. Didn't Jubilee want you to teach her some Bo staff moves today? Why don't you go and find her?" Ororo leaned in to kiss him again, savouring his taste.
"Well if anyt'in' be wrong yo' come an' find Remy right away. Yo' promise?"
"That I do my love." With that she turned to leave when Jean stood up quickly.
"I'll walk down with you, there's something I needed to pick up from Cecilia. You don't mind me tagging along do you?"
"Of course not Jean." Ororo put her arm out, Jean excepting it as she linked hers through it like a couple of teenage girls. They left the patio then laughing loudly at something Jean had shot telepathically into Ororo's mind.
Remy twisted slightly in his chair to watch them leave. He really wished sometimes that Ororo wouldn't be so independent all the time. He wished she'd understand that he was there for her to lean on when she needed to. But then he thought #Hey de girl wouldn' be mah Stormy if she wasn' as stubborn as a bull!#
He smiled at the thought as he finished the last of his orange juice and left the table to find Jubilee, leaving the other three to finish their breakfasts in peace.
* * *
Ororo and Jean entered the lab still linking arms and laughing jovially. Dr. Cecilia Reyes- McCoy turned in her spinning stool, taking her attention reluctantly away from the microscope that sat on the bench in front of her.
"Hey guys, how are you?" She asked as she smiled politely at the pair.
"Fine!" they answered in unison, the dumb coincidence sending them into fits of giggles again.
"I just came down to pick up the file on that new pupil. Carmen Robertson? Charles thought I could work with her to try and control those psychic migraines she's been suffering from." Jean said, regaining her decorum.
Cecilia stood from her stool, making her way over to the file cabinet. Pulling open the R to T draw, she began rifling quickly through the papers before finding what she was looking for.
"Ah- ha!" She exclaimed as she pulled the file from the cabinet. "Interesting case this one." She said as she flipped through the pages idly. "Already an Alpha level at thirteen. You know she has the potential to be an Omega by the time she's sixteen?"
"I know Charles told me." Jean replied with interest as she took the brown card folder from Cecilia. "You want me to wait?" She said turning to face Storm. "We could go into the city afterwards if you want. See how high we can rocket are credit card bills! Or better still our husbands credit card bills!"
Ororo and Cecilia both laughed.
"O. K, why not?" Ororo replied, through her laugh.
" And you? Come on! You can't spend all of your time in this lab. You'd almost think you and Hank were married to it instead of each other!" Jean exclaimed as she addressed the doctor.
"I don't know. I've got a lot of-"
"Oh please!" Jean interrupted. "We'll grab Betsy and Kitty and make a real ladies day of it!" Jean's face lit up as she thought of the possibilities of the day, that included much drinking after much shopping.
"O. K, O. K then. You win!" Cecilia held her hands up in surrender.
"Goodie! Now just give Ororo here the all clear and we can get ready and hit the road before ten!"
The excitement on Jean's face was practically tangible, Ororo could help but smile at her joyous mood. She deserved it if what Logan had told her about Scott and Emma was true. The sudden thought of Logan made her heart skip a beat. But not in a first- pangs- of- love manner, in a heart- stopping- dread kind of way. She composed herself instantly, pushing all thoughts of that man and the guilt that was rapidly rising up her body to the back of her mind.
"Yeah of course! The results." Cecilia chimed with a little bit too much delight, it almost worried Ororo.
Cecilia skipped quickly over to her workbench, picking up a sheet that lay on top of some over loaded work files. She turned to Ororo then, with a grin a mile wide.
"Wh-what is it?" Ororo was becoming more nervous by the moment, a slight sickly feeling hitting her stomach.
"Well Mrs. Ororo Munroe- Le Beau." Cecilia's smile widened to impossible proportions. "You and Remy are going to be proud parents in about eight months time!" She stepped forwards to embrace Ororo tightly.
"Oh my god 'Ro! I can't believe it! I'm so happy for you both!" Jean exclaimed as she embraced her best friend also.
Bur Ororo could not return the hugs, she was too stunned, too completely shell shocked. Her eyes were wide as saucers and disbelieving. #I'm pre- I'm preg--# She couldn't even bring herself to think it never mind say it, it was all so unreal! But eventually it came out.
"I'm pregnant." The words were nothing more than a harsh whisper from her trembling dry lips. That was when an ice-cold hand gripped her guts and she felt herself breaking into a cold, cold sweat.
-TBC-
So what do you think? Please, please, please review!
Hope any readers I may have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed or at least were intrigued by the last chapter. I do love angst and forbidden love I have to admit so expect nothing less from my fics. Hope you enjoy! (By the way Betsy Braddock is still alive, Dr. Reyes is married to the good Dr. McCoy but other than my other more obvious readjustments the Marvel Universe is otherwise intact, o.k?)
P.S. Sorry about the closely packed format, damn-fangled new technology! Will I ever get to grips with the computer age? Well at least I managed to get my fic posted! And thank- you v. much to all my reviewers much appreciated.
CHAPTER.2.
FIVE WEEKS LATER.
"FALL OUT! FALL OUT!" Storm's voice boomed from above as the X-Team was being repulsed by bright, powerful rays from the giant out stretched palm of a sentinel.
"Archangel's down!" Beast's baritone voice echoed through the wasteland they were fighting on. Some bleak flat landscape that was render grey with thin mist, fine rain droplets clinging to the air, threatening to drop at any moment. No sooner had he said the words he was sent cascading backwards through the air by a now familiar yellow energy beam. Hitting the burnt out stump of a tree, one of many that littered this dark place, he slide down it and hit the floor with a sickening thump.
Storm flew behind the sentinels, three of the monstrosities and mustered her most powerful, fierce lightening bolt. She only managed to turn one into a smoking wreck before the other two turned sharply, in belie of there huge forms. They began to focus their attacks now on the weather witch. Her black cape swung with reckless abandon behind her as she gracefully dodged shot after shot, returning each one in kind.
At that point, seemingly out of nowhere ream after ream of kinetically charged playing cards whistled through the drizzle soaked air, hitting the sentinel to Storm's left in several critical places. As it crashed to the earth below Gambit made his way across to it in several unnecessary and flamboyant back flips, landing on top of the flinching robot, his already charged staff smashing down into the main circuit panel at the base of its neck. The resulting explosion flung Remy clear, but with his skilful acrobatics he managed to land feet first somehow. The sentinel ceased all movements. "Dat be fo' takin' pot shots at Remy's woman mon ami." He chimed with his customary devil-may-care grin plastered to his face, his dark and strange eyes glinting with glee. He turned then to see Storm and the now recovered Archangel finishing off the last purple and red robot in a combined effort. As the giant hulk of sparking metal crashed to the ground the atmosphere around the X-Men began to hum audibly creating a strange and unnerving sensation in their ears. Suddenly the landscape around them began to distort and break apart.
"Sentinel Program 101534 completed. Status of X-Team member" Several loud beeps echoed around the space ending with a resounding click. "Dr. Hank McCoy, code name: Beast. Minor abrasions." The soft feminine but distinctly computerised voice rang out against the now hard metallic interior of the danger room.
"Thank-you for that informative assessment of my condition" Beast replied, his voice dripping with good-humoured sarcasm as he rubbed the back of his large head with a large blue furred paw.
"Good team. I am pleased with our performance here today." Storm praised her team as she descended from the heights of the room, her X-Men almost subconsciously moving toward her, forming a stiff line before her. Like soldiers falling into line at a generals shout.
"Your back-up technique was particularly commendable Gambit." Ororo favoured her husband with a short smile but she managed to keep her body language authoritative. Remy, unfortunately did no such thing, stepping up to his wife with a petulant smirk on his face. He reached up taking her long slender chocolate coloured left hand in his right one, bowing down to meet her hand as he raised in swiftly to his lips. He planted a light but lingering kiss on her wedding band.
"Anyt'in' fo' you ma chere." He crooned, gazing intently into her eyes the entire time.
"Gambit!" Ororo said low and warningly, but at the same time smiling shyly yet seductively at him. Heat was rising in her cheeks turning them darker than usual, but not for the reason Gambit had thought.
She turned from him then, pulling her hand from his tender grasp and with her most neutral tone spoke the orders that followed every danger room session.
"Computer file and access todays data and battle program."
"Command noted" the robotic voice replied.
"Archang--" Storm spun around sharply to face the X-Man she was addressing but suddenly her head began to swim, the room span uncontrollable. She could feel herself falling to the ground but it all seemed to be happening in slow motion, she was unable to stop herself. So she began to mentally brace herself for the impact against cold, hard metal when suddenly she felt herself being pulled into a strong warm grasp, felt someone's body hard against her as it cradled her protectively.
"Stormy. mah god. Stormy, you o.k. girl? STORMY! Her husbands panicked cries were the last thing she heard before darkness consumed her.
* * *
Remy jumped to his feet with uncanny swiftness despite the dead weight of his wife's limp form in his arms.
"Computer. Code name: Gambit. Open de door!!" Remy barked the order out as he ran towards the door. It opened immediately so that, Remy didn't have to break his stride as he ran through the opening and straight to the med-lab just two doors down from the danger room. Hank and Warren were right behind him.
"Put her down there!" Hank shouted as his large paw shot out to point at the nearest examination table.
"I'll. I'll go and inform the Professor." Warren stuttered as he stood ridged in the doorframe, uncertain as to what he could do to help. So he turned on his heals and sprinted up the strip-lighted corridor, headed for the lift that sat at the far end.
Gambit kneeled at the side of the solid metal plinth his wife was laid flat on, her left hand clasped in both of his. He pressed her limp hand to his mouth, the look of total anguish, fear and confusion consumed his face. Suddenly Storm began to stir, her head turning from side to side gently, her brow was furrowed as if the harsh lighting was hurting her eyes, even though they were closed.
"'Roro!" Remy gasped as his left hand stole up from Ororo's hand to caress the hair on the top of her head, his hand trailing softly down to brush past her smooth right cheek.
"Remy?" Her eyes fluttered open, sensitive to the harsh lighting. She turned her head to the left to look at him. "What the.what happened?" A look of total confusion came over her usually smooth facial features.
"Well!" Hank's voice boomed from behind her husband but she couldn't quite locate where he was, somewhere just out of sight. "I am just about to find out my dear lady."
He came into view then, an empty syringe in one large hand and a small, slim metal object in the other. Beast came around to Ororo's right side, clicking a button on the top of the pencil like object. It sprung into life, emitting a thin strong beam of light.
" Could you please look forwards Ororo?" He lent over her, shinning the intense beam directly into each eye in turn. Her pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints, tiny islands lost in a bright blue sea. "Could you look to the left please" She did as he asked as he repeated the procedure. " And now to the right."
Satisfied with what he saw there he beamed a toothy smile at her, "O.k. So there doesn't appear to be anything drastic going on in the old cerebral cortex. Now lets just check this." Two of Beast's thick fingers came to rest on the right hand side of her neck as he raised his right hand to view his watch more closely. " Pulse is completely normal."
" So what be wrong wit' her mon ami?" Concern still etched on his face, his eyes never lifted from Ororo as he spoke to Hank.
"Oh, I am fairly certain that it is nothing of great import my dear friend. Just a dizzy spell perhaps? tiredness? even heat exhaustion. You have been working your self rather hard over the past month or so have you not?"
Hank peered down at Ororo over his tiny clear-rimmed glasses, a quizzical spark in his yellow, feline eyes.
"Maybe." Ororo conceded, smiling briefly.
"Den what dat for?" Remy pointed to the syringe that lay on the hard bed next to his wife.
"Oh this? I thought it best that I take some blood samples. Just to be on the safe side."
"O. K Hank you are the Doctor. Do whatever you need to." Ororo turned her head back to her husband, smiling sweetly but weakly at him. She placed her right hand on his cheek, cupping his lightly stubbled face, running her thumb over his lips that were still drawn tightly in concern.
"Do not worry my love. I am sure I will be fine. Why don't you go and clean yourself up. By the time you come back down I'm sure we will be done here."
"But chere I--" Remy started in protest.
"No buts my love, your leader orders it!" She said with a playful little laugh. Remy looked up at Hank hoping he could validate his protests but he simply nodded in agreement with Ororo.
"O. K den but I'll be back down here in a flash." Remy stood up to leave but not before leaning in closely and placing a slow tender kiss on Ororo's full lips.
"Dis boy love you chere." He smiled down at her then kissed her again shortly before making his way out of the lab.
* * *
It was a glorious day outside so Remy and Ororo decided to have breakfast out on the patio. She had protested at first at her husbands suggestion, saying maybe down by the lake might be nicer but after some gentle coaxing had finally agreed.
Ororo was sat in Remy's lap as they playfully fed each other pancakes dripping with maple syrup, laughing at the mess they were making of each other and kissing in-between mouthfuls.
After the argument over a month ago Remy had taken a whole week to return but when he had to his surprise there was no screaming, hitting or chastising. Instead he returned to open loving arms, in fact she'd nearly choked with the grip she made around his neck as she embraced him to tightly. Ever since then things had returned to normal between them. Life seemed perfect to Remy Le Beau at this point in time.
They almost didn't notice when Jean, Scott and Warren had come out to join them, they were so wrapped up in each other it was almost sickening! The group sat and chatted for a while, discussing their plans for the day when Hank's huge blue form came through the patio doors, a tray piled high with food in his paws.
"Good morning my dear friends and may I say what a glorious morning it is!" He chimed in his usual robust manner, sitting down directly opposite the happy couple.
"So I see someone's feeling better this bright morning. Good nights sleep?" He enquired as he began to dig into his mountain of food that lay before him.
Remy and Ororo exchanged knowing glances, small mischievous smiles playing on both their lips. Ororo turned to face Hank, answering his question with a short, warm laugh. "Something like that!"
Jean just giggled like a schoolgirl, her hand stealing up to cover her mouth and cheeks as she felt herself blushing childishly. Scott just quirked a slightly disgusted eyebrow at the pair then refocused his attention on his morning paper. Warren cleared his throat and looked down at his orange juice somewhat sheepishly. Hank, to interested in his food seemed to miss the insinuation completely.
"Oh that reminds me, my wonderful wife Dr. Reyes completed your blood tests last night. The results should be ready for you now. Just drop by the lab when you have a chance."
" I will Hank, thank-you for-" Ororo's were cut off by the deafening roar of a motorcycle tearing up the mansion driveway. All eyes turned in that direction, though they already new who the new arrival was without looking. The colour in Ororo's face seemed to drain almost completely, the smile that had been plastered to her face all morning disappearing instantly.
"Well lookie here. The wanderer finally returns!" Scott's sarcastic comment earned him a short, sharp kick from underneath the table.
"Ow! What the hell-" He stopped abruptly, Jean's blazing glare being enough to stop a battalion charging into battle! Scott simply sniffed indignantly, his eyes drifting back down to his paper once more.
They all watched as Logan dismounted his Harley, slinging his old black rucksack over one shoulder, stopping briefly to light a cigar, then he started his loping stride towards his teammates.
"Where yo' been at mon ami?" Remy inquired casually, not really expecting nor caring if he received an answer.
Logan was stood right before them now, regarding Remy for a moment and noticing how Ororo was refusing to meet his eyes. He turned his head from them, looking out over the plush, immaculate mansion lawn. Leisurely taking another drag from his cigar and exhaling slowly before turning back to look Remy square in the eyes. "Around." He finally replied.
"That's specific!" Warren quipped, before taking a sip of his orange juice. He picked up the FT and began scanning the pages intently.
Logan just grunted at him before settling his gaze on Ororo. His eyes raked up her body slowly, clothed in only a thin, rather short, pale yellow cotton summer dress. Her glistening hair fanned out over her rich warm chocolate coloured shoulders, draping casually down her partially exposed back. The front strands of her platinum hair were tucked behind her ear on her left side, giving Logan a full view of her profile as she stared down at her own hands. They were clasped together tightly as they rested on Remy's right shoulder, her long arms draped loosely around his neck. It bothered him it really did when he noticed Remy's strong yet slender hands resting firmly on Ororo's body, one on her trim midriff, the other griping her long bare thigh. Logan could feel the heat, heat of pure rage rising up in him at the sight. He felt like gutting the son-of-a-bitch right there and then but he forced himself to cool it by settling his gaze back on Ororo's serene and calming face. Well her usually serene face, at the moment it was becoming tight with worry.
Logan's prolonged looking at Ororo did not escape Remy's notice as he shifted slightly in his seat, unconsciously gripping his wife that little bit tighter.
"Somet'in' de matter mon ami?" Remy ground out the words, something like irritation and anger bubbling just under their surface. But Logan ignored him and continued to stare at her, almost unable to look away at this point. Ororo turned her head towards him then finally meeting his intense eyes for the first time since THAT night.
"How have you been?" Her voice was neutral and controlled but her pulse was racing, she could feel the sweat under her skin, threatening to break to the surface.
"Fine." He replied shortly whilst bringing his cigar to his mouth once more and with that he turned on his heal, making his way into the house.
"What de hell was his problem?!" Remy asked looking at Ororo then to Jean, confused and still slightly angered by Logan's behaviour.
"Oh you know what he's like sometimes Remy. I've given up trying to work out his odd moods." Jean said as she turned to look at the door he'd just entered, turning back again she laughed quietly to herself. "I swear he just enjoys making people feel uncomfortable at times!"
"Well!" Ororo piped up, trying to sound as upbeat as possible and hoping to change the subject. "I am off to get my blood test results."
"I'll come wit' yo' den." Remy said as Ororo made her way of his lap. She bent down and kissed him briefly.
"There is no need my love. It does not take two of us to pick up a piece of paper, I will be fine. I feel fine!"
"But-"
"But nothing. Didn't Jubilee want you to teach her some Bo staff moves today? Why don't you go and find her?" Ororo leaned in to kiss him again, savouring his taste.
"Well if anyt'in' be wrong yo' come an' find Remy right away. Yo' promise?"
"That I do my love." With that she turned to leave when Jean stood up quickly.
"I'll walk down with you, there's something I needed to pick up from Cecilia. You don't mind me tagging along do you?"
"Of course not Jean." Ororo put her arm out, Jean excepting it as she linked hers through it like a couple of teenage girls. They left the patio then laughing loudly at something Jean had shot telepathically into Ororo's mind.
Remy twisted slightly in his chair to watch them leave. He really wished sometimes that Ororo wouldn't be so independent all the time. He wished she'd understand that he was there for her to lean on when she needed to. But then he thought #Hey de girl wouldn' be mah Stormy if she wasn' as stubborn as a bull!#
He smiled at the thought as he finished the last of his orange juice and left the table to find Jubilee, leaving the other three to finish their breakfasts in peace.
* * *
Ororo and Jean entered the lab still linking arms and laughing jovially. Dr. Cecilia Reyes- McCoy turned in her spinning stool, taking her attention reluctantly away from the microscope that sat on the bench in front of her.
"Hey guys, how are you?" She asked as she smiled politely at the pair.
"Fine!" they answered in unison, the dumb coincidence sending them into fits of giggles again.
"I just came down to pick up the file on that new pupil. Carmen Robertson? Charles thought I could work with her to try and control those psychic migraines she's been suffering from." Jean said, regaining her decorum.
Cecilia stood from her stool, making her way over to the file cabinet. Pulling open the R to T draw, she began rifling quickly through the papers before finding what she was looking for.
"Ah- ha!" She exclaimed as she pulled the file from the cabinet. "Interesting case this one." She said as she flipped through the pages idly. "Already an Alpha level at thirteen. You know she has the potential to be an Omega by the time she's sixteen?"
"I know Charles told me." Jean replied with interest as she took the brown card folder from Cecilia. "You want me to wait?" She said turning to face Storm. "We could go into the city afterwards if you want. See how high we can rocket are credit card bills! Or better still our husbands credit card bills!"
Ororo and Cecilia both laughed.
"O. K, why not?" Ororo replied, through her laugh.
" And you? Come on! You can't spend all of your time in this lab. You'd almost think you and Hank were married to it instead of each other!" Jean exclaimed as she addressed the doctor.
"I don't know. I've got a lot of-"
"Oh please!" Jean interrupted. "We'll grab Betsy and Kitty and make a real ladies day of it!" Jean's face lit up as she thought of the possibilities of the day, that included much drinking after much shopping.
"O. K, O. K then. You win!" Cecilia held her hands up in surrender.
"Goodie! Now just give Ororo here the all clear and we can get ready and hit the road before ten!"
The excitement on Jean's face was practically tangible, Ororo could help but smile at her joyous mood. She deserved it if what Logan had told her about Scott and Emma was true. The sudden thought of Logan made her heart skip a beat. But not in a first- pangs- of- love manner, in a heart- stopping- dread kind of way. She composed herself instantly, pushing all thoughts of that man and the guilt that was rapidly rising up her body to the back of her mind.
"Yeah of course! The results." Cecilia chimed with a little bit too much delight, it almost worried Ororo.
Cecilia skipped quickly over to her workbench, picking up a sheet that lay on top of some over loaded work files. She turned to Ororo then, with a grin a mile wide.
"Wh-what is it?" Ororo was becoming more nervous by the moment, a slight sickly feeling hitting her stomach.
"Well Mrs. Ororo Munroe- Le Beau." Cecilia's smile widened to impossible proportions. "You and Remy are going to be proud parents in about eight months time!" She stepped forwards to embrace Ororo tightly.
"Oh my god 'Ro! I can't believe it! I'm so happy for you both!" Jean exclaimed as she embraced her best friend also.
Bur Ororo could not return the hugs, she was too stunned, too completely shell shocked. Her eyes were wide as saucers and disbelieving. #I'm pre- I'm preg--# She couldn't even bring herself to think it never mind say it, it was all so unreal! But eventually it came out.
"I'm pregnant." The words were nothing more than a harsh whisper from her trembling dry lips. That was when an ice-cold hand gripped her guts and she felt herself breaking into a cold, cold sweat.
-TBC-
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