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Thanks to all my reviewers once again hope you enjoy this chapter, things are really starting to heat up now! Enjoy!
Chapter.5.
Logan freed his right hand from Ororo's lush, soft hair, bringing his powerful arm down to join his other around her waist. He inhaled her scent liberally and it managed to clam him somewhat considerably. He thanked god that her body was mercifully free of HIS scent. They remained that way for a few blissful moments, he dared not speak after his desperate plea. In fact he was just content to hold her close in his arms. Feel her heart beating and the steady rise and fall of her breathing.
Suddenly Logan's head snapped up, his ears practically pricking up as he listened to the soft footfall on the bare oak staircase leading to the room. He reluctantly began to release Ororo from his hold. She remained blissfully unaware that the peace that was settling over her was about to be rudely interrupted until a low growl rumbled deep from Logan's throat. She turned to face him, a questioning look on her face as she observed his change in mood. His eyes were trained on the tie-dye throw that covered the doorway.
Logan instinctively began to hunch, flexing his hands at his sides, the low growl developing into a full-blown snarl. He looked ready to attack.
"What is it Logan? What is the matter?" This odd display was scaring Ororo when she realised the cause of his behaviour. The sound of the footsteps finally travailing to her less sensitive ears.
Ororo's heart leapt into her mouth as the throw moved gradually to the right. As she gazed upon the partially gloved hand gathering up the thick material her own hand stole up to cover her dry parted lips and her head became light as air. For a split second she truly though she would faint.
Remy stepped into the room and instantly an expression of confusion marred his handsome features as he first observed Ororo's shocked form. Then his gaze drifted across to Logan who was still posed for battle.
"What de hell yo' doin' here mon ami?" He didn't bother to hide the fact that he was severely pissed with Logan's presence as the confusion transformed into annoyance.
"Remy---" Ororo started to speak but for the time being he ignored her.
"If yo' don' mind I'd like a word wit mah wife in private." He gave a quick toss of his head, whipping his hanging auburn locks from obscuring his vision. "If dat be O.K wit yo' homme?" Sarcasm positively dripped from his velvety tones as he made his way further into the room, never once taking his eyes from Logan.
"No." Logan straightened his back as he uttered his reply, making himself as tall as possible to face Remy's six foot four figure.
"Pardon moi?!" The confusion flooded back but mixed clearly with anger this time. "Jus' get de fuck out o' mah room Wolverine!"
"No." He repeated louder this time and without taking his gaze from the other mans eyes he said, "Tell him."
"No Logan please, do not do this. Not here not now." Her voice was pleading but she knew he wouldn't relent.
"Tell him now damn it or I will!" His vicious demand echoed around the space.
"What he be talkin' abou' 'Ro?" Remy looked over to his wife, taking in the obvious terror in her shimmering blue orbs as tears spilled down her already tear stained face.
In that instant rain started outside, hammering on the X- mansion roof, the din reverberating tenfold in the openness of the attic.
All Ororo could physically do was shake her head as she watched Remy walk over to her. When he reached her he placed both his hands on her arms in a firm steadying hold. But to his dismay all his touch did was force a loud, uncontrollable sob.
"Fo' chris' sakes 'Ro what de hell be wrong?!" Remy was getting increasingly irritated but concerned. He was shocked from his train of thought by a roaring shout.
"GET YER HAND'S OFFA HER NOW!" Logan leaped through the air towards Remy but he just about managed to spin out of the way in time, adamantium claws grazing his T-shirt.
"LOGAN!" Ororo screamed at him unable to believe what he'd just done. She ran over to a very shocked Remy, placing her hands on his chest, searching the ripped area of the shredded T-shirt for any sign of injury.
"Remy's O.K, I'm O.K." He reassured her as he ran one hand firmly from the top of her scalp and down her loose hair. Almost like an owner trying to calm a distressed pet. "I jus' wanna know what's goin' on? Why he be actin' like a crazy bast'ard ?!"
Remy pulled away from Ororo, instinctively searching in his left hand back pocket. He pulled what he was looking for out swiftly, whipping his gloved hand back out in front of him. Six playing cards fanned out at lightening speed in his grasp as he raised his hand up to just above his head, ready and waiting to charge.
"Leave Wolverine. Leave now." Ororo stated the request with an icy calm, consciously deciding the time for weeping hysterics was over. She had to get a hold on this situation before it became potentially deadly.
"I ain't goin' anywhere darlin'" He replied low and deep. Determination gleamed in his eyes, his claws were still unsheathed.
"I need to discuss this with Remy on my own terms. Not like this." Ororo said sternly but to Logan's ears there was a hint of pleading in her tone. She hoped against hope that he would listen to her and let her deal with this in her own way.
"I can't do that 'Ro. I'm sorry darlin' but Gumbo her needs tellin'. With that it was clear to Ororo that the time was now, Logan was not backing down.
"O.K if someone don' tell Remy what' goin' on dis minu'e dere goin' be some serious injuries in dis place!" Remy clearly directed the threat at Logan.
"I'm sorry to tell yer this bub, but the kid-" Logan paused briefly, Ororo allowed herself to think for a spit second that his resolve was faltering. She held her breath. "The kid--- it ain't yers." He spoke quietly but with that ever-present determination. Perhaps a little remorse also. Despite his strength of feeling towards Remy at the moment he couldn't ignore the pangs of guilt. Underneath all this shit still lay an honourable man, even if that man was extremely difficult to find at this point in time.
"What!" Remy said with a disbelieving laugh, a sardonic grin touching his quirked lips. "I always knew yo' had a screw loose homme but yo' well an' truly flipped now!"
Remy turned his attention to Ororo and as he took in her expression that hint of a grin disappeared instantly. "'Ro?"
Ororo was glaring at Logan, fury raced across her face and her lips were drawn tight with barely concealed rage. She gulped down audibly and her lips parted slightly as she prepared to speak.
"I am truly sorry my love." She was still turned away from him.
"I don' under--- what yo'---Stormy?" The use of his pet name for her, that had long since ceased to be an irritant forced her to face him. Her heart wept as she observed his expression, he looked like a hurt child.
"I am sorry Remy. I am so, so, so sorry." She whispered.
The significance of what he had been told gradually sank in and he began to shake his head from side to side in grim defiance. The hand holding the cards dropped limply to his side as if it had become a dead weight. The cards in his grip splayed out onto the floor below with a light pitter- patter.
For what seemed an eternity the three X-Men stood there not moving a muscle, hardly daring to breath. Only the sound of the increasingly violent rain could be heard as howling winds and the odd rumble of thunder joined it.
It was Ororo who summoned the courage to break this insanely tense deadlock.
"It could be yours." Her voice was quiet, her tone hopeful. But on hearing the words the torrent of untamed anger in Remy burst to the surface as he gained his senses. All he could see was the proverbial red as he lunged at Logan.
A roar of pure rage more akin to the other man erupted from Remy as his clenched right fist connected with Logan's jaw. There was an n almighty crack that was in part the sound of Logan's unadamantium covered upper and lower left molars crumbling. The other part was Remy's middle three fingers breaking. But he was beyond the point of feeling the pain right now as adrenaline surged through his body.
It had been a long time since Logan had been taken off guard like that and even longer still since he'd been punched quite that hard. Even though somewhere in his mind a voice said #you deserved that# he saw fit to ignore it and set out to return the punch in kind. But just as he began to lift himself up from the position he'd landed in, spitting out bloody and shattered teeth as he did so, he felt Remy barging into him.
After knocking him once more to the floor Remy raised his fist, the left one this time, poised to hit Logan a second time.
"YO' FUCKIN' BAST'ARD!!" He began to bring his fist down full force on Logan's blood splattered face. But before it managed to connect Logan started bringing his legs up from underneath his attacker, his thighs resting horizontally on his chest and his knees brought together under his chin. Placing his booted feet on Remy's chest he kicked out with all his strength, sending him flying across the room and crashing into a small pine coffee table. Remy grunted in pain as his spine connected with its edge, splitting the wood with the force of the impact.
Logan sprang to his feet swiftly and proceeded to make his way over to his temporarily dazed opponent, snapping out his claws with a flick of his wrists as he went. But he was stopped in his tracks by a firm hand on his right shoulder.
"Stop it! Stop it now and get out!" Ororo cried in anger as she pushed past him and knelt down next to Remy. Up until that point she had been to shocked to do anything, it had all happened so fast. Under the circumstances she could be forgiven for not quite having her leadership hat on yet.
"Remy? Remy my love are you O.K?" She placed her hands on each side of his face as she gazed at him in anguish, brushing her thumbs tenderly over his unshaven cheeks.
"Get off me!" Remy brought his hands up and grabbing her wrists roughly shoved hers away from his face. "Don' yo' eve' touch me again!" The words stung Ororo as she recoiled from her husband's side.
"RemyIamsorry.Iamsorry.Pleaseyouhavetoforgivememylove,youHAVETOFORGIVE ME!" She spoke with such speed the words were practically unintelligible. But even if she had have been as clear as a bell Remy would not have listened.
He struggled to his feet, accidentally trying to push his weight up with his right hand. He winced, his face screwed up in obvious discomfort as a blisteringly sharp pain rippled through his entire arm. He tried again with his left hand, lurching forwards and almost overbalancing as he stood. Another pain from the impact with his back shot up his spine, but he was determined not to show it.
Ororo stood up behind him, not knowing what she could say or do to make this nightmare disappear. What had she done to this man that she loved with all her heart? She couldn't stand to think of the possibly irreparable damage she may have done to him and their marriage. Ororo Munroe had never really had recourse to feel true, deep self-loathing. But she was feeling it now, at this moment it was all she was capable of.
Looking over her husband's shoulder she was surprised to see that Logan seemed to have calmed down somewhat. He was stood stock-still with a stern look on his rugged features, features that had seen and been through far too much. Looking at him now Ororo realised just how much she'd hurt him too.
"What have I done?" She whispered, more to herself than the other occupants. "Neither of you deserved this." Her head dropped down, unable to face either man any longer.
"Yer can't just blame yerself for this mess darlin'." He sounded truly remorseful. "I'm sorry Remy."
"Shut de fuck up!" Remy snapped, the obvious regret that Logan was displaying cutting no ice where he was concerned. "Yo' sleep wit' mah wife, tell me she be carryin' yo' child an yo' 'ave de fuckin' nerve to make a poli'e apology to me!"
Remy span around to face Ororo, ignoring the continuing pain in his back as he stepped closer to her. Ororo's head was still bowed as he stood before her, he was one of the few people in the mansion tall enough to loom over her.
"An' yo', screamin' at me to fo'give yo'! What kin' o' limp-dicked pussy do yo' t'ink I am petite?" His left hand shot up with frightening speed to roughly clasp around her chin as he forcefully jerked her head up to face him. A gasp of shock escaped her mouth as she stared wildly into his eyes. "FO'GIVE YO'?!" The anger, hate and pure hurt that she saw on his face burned into her aching heart like a white-hot poker.
Logan froze for just a second as he watched with surprise Remy's rough handling of Ororo. He never thought Remy was capable of behaving like that, especially towards her, no matter how pissed he was. But it only took another second for an aggressively protective instinct to overcome him as he found himself hurtling at Remy.
He managed to knock him away from Ororo, she was sent flying by the impact and force of being so unceremoniously wrenched from his grip. She landed relatively lightly on her behind. But no such luck for Remy though as he crashed into the remainders of the coffee table and then felt Logan's unbearable weight smash onto him, winding him badly.
Ororo gained her wits swiftly this time, her eyes whiting over in that almost supernatural manner. She could see through her slightly misted gaze Logan raising his right arm back, claws extended ready to strike down on her wounded man. She felt the dull pleasure/pain of natural electricity coursing through her body as she mentally and physically willed a bolt of lightening to come forth from the raging storm outside.
The blinding, jagged streak of nature's wrath tore deafeningly through the thickly insulated roof of the mansion. It struck Logan directly in the centre of his back. The weather witch knew she had taken a massive risk with Remy's life. The lightening could have easily passed through Logan and into her husband, but she had gambled and it had paid off. Ororo had counted on her assumption that the bolt would be dispersed through Logan's metal enveloped skeleton, treating it like a lightening rod. To her eternal relief the gamble had worked.
Ororo scrambled on her hands and knees back over to Remy, never sparing Logan's smouldering form that had been blown clear across the room and had smashed into her full-length mirror, a first glance. Let alone a second one. Rain started to pour in through the small tear in the roof.
Remy started to right himself, he was shocked to the core that Ororo would do such a thing to Logan. All to protect him.
"Thank- you goddess! You are O.K, you are O.K!" Ororo gasped with breathless delight as she buried her head in Remy's chest, her arms wrapping possessively around his torso. He shifted over slightly to support himself against the side of the sofa to his left.
Looking over at Logan, who appeared to be drifting in and out of consciousness, Remy returned his wife's embrace in spite of himself. He knew at the back of his mind that Logan probably would have killed him or at least seriously maimed him if Ororo hadn't intervened.
"My love!" Her voice muffled by the torn material on his chest. "Forgive me."
Remy's brow furrowed as he held Ororo close, emotions warring within him. He couldn't decide whether to reject her or continue to hold on for dear life as he was doing now. He wanted so much for this child to be his that it hurt to think of it.
After a minute or so he cleared his throat and said in an uncharacteristic, unconfident stutter, "Is-is dere-dere a chance chere?"
Ororo knew exactly what he meant, her eyelids flipped open like a 'sleepy- baby' doll on hearing the question. Turning her head so that her right cheek lay flat on his hot body she offered her answer.
"Yes." She paused, uncertain as to whether it would be wise to say more. But she decided to anyway. "There is a chance Remy. But if I am to be completely honest with you I genuinely do not know if you are the father." Her eyes drifted closed when she finished in tepid anticipation of his reply. When it arrived it had shocked her greatly.
"How many times chere?" His tone was flat but bitter.
"What?!" Ororo lifted her head up to look at Remy, her dishevelled and lightly damp locks falling about her in a strangely arresting manner.
"How many times 'Roro?" H repeated, the precision of the words diluting his often thick Cajun drawl. A flush of heated embarrassment darkened her highly defined cheekbones and she had never felt more like a slut in her usually regal and proud life. How degrading was it to have your own husband ask you, quite frankly, how many times you have fucked another man? But she summoned the guts to reply from somewhere deep inside her.
"It only happened the once. I swear it to you." The slow emphasis on every word intended to convince him that she spoke the truth.
"When?" Remy remained stern and aloof as he continued his line of questioning.
"Does it really matter?" As soon as she'd said it she realised what a fool she was. Of course it mattered, that was what this whole mess was about. She sunk her front teeth into her bottom lip as she considered her response. Eventually she pulled in a quick breath with a soft hissing sound and said, "That night."
Ororo sat up from Remy as he released her from his embrace willingly.
"What nigh'?" Still cold, still remote.
"That night we argued---the night that you walked out." Her head drooped, more in shame than anything else. "You left me alone and hurting." She sounded vaguely accusing as she spoke the words. Remy didn't miss the tone and replied to it with a rare but understandable malice.
"So I upset yo'? Huh? Dat giv' yo' de righ' to go an' sleep wit whoever yo' wan' chere? What kind o' god-damn excuse is dat!!" Remy sprung up from the floor and looked down at her. "Do yo' realise what yo' done to me chere?!"
"Yes!" Ororo shouted, shaking her wild mane. "I know what I have done! I know that I am a degenerate whore!" She stood up too, placing her hands on her hips in a subconsciously defiant gesture.
"Well at leas' yo' got one t'ing righ' petite!" He spat back spitefully.
Ignoring his jibe and forcing herself to remain cool she said, "Remy you have to believe me when I tell you that I have never and will never do anything like this to you again. It was one stupid, STUPID mistake." She walked forwards to stand directly in front of him. "I implore you, with all that I hold dear, Remy you have to believe me, you have to forgive me."
Remy snorted in exasperation, he couldn't quite get his head around all this. Everything had happened so fast he felt like he was in a dream or a waking nightmare. It was the last thing he thought Ororo would ever do to him. He had always trusted her one hundred percent, UNCODITIONALLY. Now he found that illusion crashing down around his ears.
Why had she done this to him?
"I don' t'ink I can chere. I ---" He stopped and turned his face away form Ororo, he didn't want her to see the excruciating pain that he knew stained his weary eyes. He needed to stay strong as he muttered several gutter expletives in bastardised French. He hoped the anger of their release would hold of the creeping sense of despair. He walked away from her and over to the sideboard. Yanking a draw open with unnecessary force, he rummaged about in it for a moment before pulling a roll of off white gauze out. He slammed the draw back shut as he held his badly swollen right hand out in front of him and set about the task of wrapping it. The action proved painfully difficult to do with one good hand.
" Fo' fucks sake!" His non-existent patience snapped.
"Here let me do that for you." Ororo offered tenderly as she removed the bundle from his hand and began wrapping the injured hand up careful, with a light and gentle touch.
They remained in silence as she worked, she concentrating on the task at hand whilst Remy stared absentmindedly out at the rapidly fading storm outside. Once Ororo had finished, securing the end with a carefully placed safety pin, she lifted her hands up to cup his strong jaw line, gently coaxing him to face her. Remy flinched visibly at the touch but did nothing to protest as he let her soft hands guide him.
"I love you Remy. We can get through this, I know we can. If you still feel the same." She paused before asking the ultimate question. "Do you still love me?"
Remy felt his jaw tighten as he observed his wife through rapidly blurring eyes. All he saw on that angelic face was remorse and maybe a little hope. It hit him at a gut level, how much he still loved her. You can't just stop loving someone in an instant no matter what they'd done. He cursed at himself in his mind as he thought about how he wished he could simply switch his feelings off. But he knew he couldn't.
"O' course I do chere." He said softly, and then he turned his head away once more.
"But?" Ororo's hands still caressed his cheeks and firm jaw as she made him look at her again.
"I don' trus' yo' no more. I don' t'ink I eve' can again." His expression became stern as she reached up to grip her forearms, slowly pulling her hands away. "I'm sorry chere but what's love if yo' don' 'ave trus'?"
"I understand. But that works both ways."
Remy furrowed his brow in confusion. "What yo' mean chere?"
"I excepted you when no one else here would. I took you back into my life and I forgave you whole-heartedly. I trusted you. Now you are saying that our love is so frail, so weak that you can not find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Remy gave a short incredulous laugh. "Yo' gon' t'row dat at me? Emotional blackmail, nice move 'Ro!"
"For goddess sake, I did not mean it like that!" Ororo was beyond irritated that he'd misconstrued her point.
"Oh, so how did yo' mean it den? 'Cause from where Remy be standin' yo' were suggestin' dat yo' fo'giveness fo' de Morlock t'ing obliges me to except anyt'in yo' do!" Remy was becoming increasingly angry. "What yo' wan' me to be chere? Eternally grateful?"
Ororo shook her head, "No, no I do not! I am simply trying to show you how much my love for you can injure, to show you how much I truly do care for you." She paused for breath and then added, "But I do think that your betrayal of my trust back then is no different from what I have done."
In a very rare occurrence, words failed Remy. He was simply too furious and to hurt. But eventually he had had to concede to himself that maybe she did have a point. Their love had overcome many trials and tribulations but for all the give and take, it had been Ororo that had done most of the giving. Perhaps now was his opportunity to return her the same courtesy.
With this thought in mind he stepped away from her, letting go of her arms and paced back and forth briefly. Coming to a sudden halt he cleared his throat and said softly, "Maybe, maybe---" He rubbed his palm a couple of times across his stubbly chin. " Maybe we can--- I don' know--- work t'rough dis. I don' know.."
Ororo clasped her hands together with a loud clap and sighed in audible relief. "Thank the Bright Lady!"
"But on one condition chere." Remy looked directly into her glistening eyes. "I wanna know if de chil' be mine. Hank or-or Cecilia coul' do a-a test or somet'in', no?"
Ororo opened her mouth to answer but before she had the chance they were both startled by the sound of crunching and scrapping glass assaulting their ears. They watched as the practically forgotten Wolverine struggled to his feet, his consciousness fully regained and his extensive upper body burns almost completely healed. Most of his clothing was now nothing more than charred shreds hanging from his body save for his jeans and heavy-duty biking boots. He growled somewhere deep and low in his chest, like a bear waking from its winter slumbers. Shaking his head vigorously as if trying to clear it he steadied himself and trained his predatory gaze on the surprised couple.
One look at Logan assured the pair that he was furious beyond belief, that berserker spark flared in his darkening eyes. He was visibly teetering on the edge of the abyss.
" Well what a fuckin' happy scene this is!" He snarled whilst taking uncertain steps towards Ororo. Despite being only semi-conscious at the time he had heard most of what had just transpired. But he could do nor say anything as he had lain on his back on a bed of broken mirror shards, waiting for his neuro- motor function to restore. She'd gotten him good with that lightening bolt.
"I am sorry I had to do that Logan but you left me little choice. I thought you were---"
"I know what you thought darlin'," he interrupted, "An' yer would've been right."
Remy regarded the other man for a moment as he struggled to control his own violent urges. His face darkened when he said, "Get outta 'ere homme. Yo' done enough damage already."
"An what if I don't bub? Yer gonna throw a few o' those pink, glowin' party tricks my way?" Logan gave Remy a rather vicious sneer before addressing Ororo once more. "What happened wasn't just some throw- away drunken fuck 'Ro. Yer gotta at least admit that to yerself."
Ororo said nothing for a moment, she simply observed him with that world famous icy gaze.
"What I said before still stands darlin'" He was completely sincere and Ororo was shocked. She'd just fried his ass for goddess sake!
She ignored her surprise and replied, "Logan don't you understand? I cannot. I do not feel about you the same way you feel about me. I love my husband and that is the end of it."
"That's bullshit darlin' an' yer know it. An in case yer forgot there's somethin' else at stake hear too, not jus' yer precious feelings!" Logan coughed violently and to his surprise a welt of frothy blood exploded from his mouth, trickling down his chin. He spat the remainder in his mouth to the floor and wiped the offending liquid from his face with the back of his hand.
"Oh my goddess! Logan!" Ororo was worried that she may have done more damage than she had anticipated. His healing factor had dealt with MUCH worse in the past though.
"It's nothing darlin', don't worry about it." He tongued the gums on the left side of his mouth, feeling the new teeth gradually ripping through the hard tissue. The metallic, salt tinged taste of blood filled his mouth again, its scent invading his highly sensitive nostrils. He spat it out once more onto the littered wooden flooring.
"Look me in the eyes 'Ro and tell me yer feel nothing for me."
"Don't be so ridiculous!" Ororo was incredulous as her eyes darted from on man to the other.
"Look at me and tell me!" Logan insisted. Then Remy interjected.
"Go on petite, yo' don' love him. Yo' can tell de man to his face." Remy's tone was curiously calm, misleadingly so Ororo thought suspiciously.
"Alright." She stated quietly as she prepared to lock eyes with Logan. But as she did so she froze. Her heart caught in her throat as she peered into his bluish, green orbs. What she saw there shocked her, it was a hint of what she'd seen on THAT night. That smouldering animalistic lust, the lust that had always been present whenever he had looked at her. She had just never registered it in the past, she'd never had reason to suspect before. But seeing it again reminded of how she had felt when she first noticed it. A burning need, a need to touch him, to feel his firm but gentle hands on her skin. The need for him to take her completely, body and soul.
She shivered internally at the memory, a trill akin to the electricity that often coursed through her veins. She didn't love him, well at least she didn't think she did. All she could admit was that there was SOMETHING between them. An undeniable attraction, something instinctive, something primal. She couldn't even begin to explain it, but she couldn't ignore it either. Especially when it screamed at her that it was Logan's child that grew inside her.
Remy felt heat rising through his entire body as Ororo's silence became awkwardly prolonged. His hands started to glow with kinetic energy, even though he was holding nothing to charge. It was like an instinctive reaction, he hadn't even noticed that it was happening.
The spark between this man and his wife was plain as day. That's when he let the fury consume him whole.
-TBC-
As you may have gathered this is not the conclusion as I said it would be so stand by for more. Please review. I'll post the next chapter as soon as. Chao for now!
Thanks to all my reviewers once again hope you enjoy this chapter, things are really starting to heat up now! Enjoy!
Chapter.5.
Logan freed his right hand from Ororo's lush, soft hair, bringing his powerful arm down to join his other around her waist. He inhaled her scent liberally and it managed to clam him somewhat considerably. He thanked god that her body was mercifully free of HIS scent. They remained that way for a few blissful moments, he dared not speak after his desperate plea. In fact he was just content to hold her close in his arms. Feel her heart beating and the steady rise and fall of her breathing.
Suddenly Logan's head snapped up, his ears practically pricking up as he listened to the soft footfall on the bare oak staircase leading to the room. He reluctantly began to release Ororo from his hold. She remained blissfully unaware that the peace that was settling over her was about to be rudely interrupted until a low growl rumbled deep from Logan's throat. She turned to face him, a questioning look on her face as she observed his change in mood. His eyes were trained on the tie-dye throw that covered the doorway.
Logan instinctively began to hunch, flexing his hands at his sides, the low growl developing into a full-blown snarl. He looked ready to attack.
"What is it Logan? What is the matter?" This odd display was scaring Ororo when she realised the cause of his behaviour. The sound of the footsteps finally travailing to her less sensitive ears.
Ororo's heart leapt into her mouth as the throw moved gradually to the right. As she gazed upon the partially gloved hand gathering up the thick material her own hand stole up to cover her dry parted lips and her head became light as air. For a split second she truly though she would faint.
Remy stepped into the room and instantly an expression of confusion marred his handsome features as he first observed Ororo's shocked form. Then his gaze drifted across to Logan who was still posed for battle.
"What de hell yo' doin' here mon ami?" He didn't bother to hide the fact that he was severely pissed with Logan's presence as the confusion transformed into annoyance.
"Remy---" Ororo started to speak but for the time being he ignored her.
"If yo' don' mind I'd like a word wit mah wife in private." He gave a quick toss of his head, whipping his hanging auburn locks from obscuring his vision. "If dat be O.K wit yo' homme?" Sarcasm positively dripped from his velvety tones as he made his way further into the room, never once taking his eyes from Logan.
"No." Logan straightened his back as he uttered his reply, making himself as tall as possible to face Remy's six foot four figure.
"Pardon moi?!" The confusion flooded back but mixed clearly with anger this time. "Jus' get de fuck out o' mah room Wolverine!"
"No." He repeated louder this time and without taking his gaze from the other mans eyes he said, "Tell him."
"No Logan please, do not do this. Not here not now." Her voice was pleading but she knew he wouldn't relent.
"Tell him now damn it or I will!" His vicious demand echoed around the space.
"What he be talkin' abou' 'Ro?" Remy looked over to his wife, taking in the obvious terror in her shimmering blue orbs as tears spilled down her already tear stained face.
In that instant rain started outside, hammering on the X- mansion roof, the din reverberating tenfold in the openness of the attic.
All Ororo could physically do was shake her head as she watched Remy walk over to her. When he reached her he placed both his hands on her arms in a firm steadying hold. But to his dismay all his touch did was force a loud, uncontrollable sob.
"Fo' chris' sakes 'Ro what de hell be wrong?!" Remy was getting increasingly irritated but concerned. He was shocked from his train of thought by a roaring shout.
"GET YER HAND'S OFFA HER NOW!" Logan leaped through the air towards Remy but he just about managed to spin out of the way in time, adamantium claws grazing his T-shirt.
"LOGAN!" Ororo screamed at him unable to believe what he'd just done. She ran over to a very shocked Remy, placing her hands on his chest, searching the ripped area of the shredded T-shirt for any sign of injury.
"Remy's O.K, I'm O.K." He reassured her as he ran one hand firmly from the top of her scalp and down her loose hair. Almost like an owner trying to calm a distressed pet. "I jus' wanna know what's goin' on? Why he be actin' like a crazy bast'ard ?!"
Remy pulled away from Ororo, instinctively searching in his left hand back pocket. He pulled what he was looking for out swiftly, whipping his gloved hand back out in front of him. Six playing cards fanned out at lightening speed in his grasp as he raised his hand up to just above his head, ready and waiting to charge.
"Leave Wolverine. Leave now." Ororo stated the request with an icy calm, consciously deciding the time for weeping hysterics was over. She had to get a hold on this situation before it became potentially deadly.
"I ain't goin' anywhere darlin'" He replied low and deep. Determination gleamed in his eyes, his claws were still unsheathed.
"I need to discuss this with Remy on my own terms. Not like this." Ororo said sternly but to Logan's ears there was a hint of pleading in her tone. She hoped against hope that he would listen to her and let her deal with this in her own way.
"I can't do that 'Ro. I'm sorry darlin' but Gumbo her needs tellin'. With that it was clear to Ororo that the time was now, Logan was not backing down.
"O.K if someone don' tell Remy what' goin' on dis minu'e dere goin' be some serious injuries in dis place!" Remy clearly directed the threat at Logan.
"I'm sorry to tell yer this bub, but the kid-" Logan paused briefly, Ororo allowed herself to think for a spit second that his resolve was faltering. She held her breath. "The kid--- it ain't yers." He spoke quietly but with that ever-present determination. Perhaps a little remorse also. Despite his strength of feeling towards Remy at the moment he couldn't ignore the pangs of guilt. Underneath all this shit still lay an honourable man, even if that man was extremely difficult to find at this point in time.
"What!" Remy said with a disbelieving laugh, a sardonic grin touching his quirked lips. "I always knew yo' had a screw loose homme but yo' well an' truly flipped now!"
Remy turned his attention to Ororo and as he took in her expression that hint of a grin disappeared instantly. "'Ro?"
Ororo was glaring at Logan, fury raced across her face and her lips were drawn tight with barely concealed rage. She gulped down audibly and her lips parted slightly as she prepared to speak.
"I am truly sorry my love." She was still turned away from him.
"I don' under--- what yo'---Stormy?" The use of his pet name for her, that had long since ceased to be an irritant forced her to face him. Her heart wept as she observed his expression, he looked like a hurt child.
"I am sorry Remy. I am so, so, so sorry." She whispered.
The significance of what he had been told gradually sank in and he began to shake his head from side to side in grim defiance. The hand holding the cards dropped limply to his side as if it had become a dead weight. The cards in his grip splayed out onto the floor below with a light pitter- patter.
For what seemed an eternity the three X-Men stood there not moving a muscle, hardly daring to breath. Only the sound of the increasingly violent rain could be heard as howling winds and the odd rumble of thunder joined it.
It was Ororo who summoned the courage to break this insanely tense deadlock.
"It could be yours." Her voice was quiet, her tone hopeful. But on hearing the words the torrent of untamed anger in Remy burst to the surface as he gained his senses. All he could see was the proverbial red as he lunged at Logan.
A roar of pure rage more akin to the other man erupted from Remy as his clenched right fist connected with Logan's jaw. There was an n almighty crack that was in part the sound of Logan's unadamantium covered upper and lower left molars crumbling. The other part was Remy's middle three fingers breaking. But he was beyond the point of feeling the pain right now as adrenaline surged through his body.
It had been a long time since Logan had been taken off guard like that and even longer still since he'd been punched quite that hard. Even though somewhere in his mind a voice said #you deserved that# he saw fit to ignore it and set out to return the punch in kind. But just as he began to lift himself up from the position he'd landed in, spitting out bloody and shattered teeth as he did so, he felt Remy barging into him.
After knocking him once more to the floor Remy raised his fist, the left one this time, poised to hit Logan a second time.
"YO' FUCKIN' BAST'ARD!!" He began to bring his fist down full force on Logan's blood splattered face. But before it managed to connect Logan started bringing his legs up from underneath his attacker, his thighs resting horizontally on his chest and his knees brought together under his chin. Placing his booted feet on Remy's chest he kicked out with all his strength, sending him flying across the room and crashing into a small pine coffee table. Remy grunted in pain as his spine connected with its edge, splitting the wood with the force of the impact.
Logan sprang to his feet swiftly and proceeded to make his way over to his temporarily dazed opponent, snapping out his claws with a flick of his wrists as he went. But he was stopped in his tracks by a firm hand on his right shoulder.
"Stop it! Stop it now and get out!" Ororo cried in anger as she pushed past him and knelt down next to Remy. Up until that point she had been to shocked to do anything, it had all happened so fast. Under the circumstances she could be forgiven for not quite having her leadership hat on yet.
"Remy? Remy my love are you O.K?" She placed her hands on each side of his face as she gazed at him in anguish, brushing her thumbs tenderly over his unshaven cheeks.
"Get off me!" Remy brought his hands up and grabbing her wrists roughly shoved hers away from his face. "Don' yo' eve' touch me again!" The words stung Ororo as she recoiled from her husband's side.
"RemyIamsorry.Iamsorry.Pleaseyouhavetoforgivememylove,youHAVETOFORGIVE ME!" She spoke with such speed the words were practically unintelligible. But even if she had have been as clear as a bell Remy would not have listened.
He struggled to his feet, accidentally trying to push his weight up with his right hand. He winced, his face screwed up in obvious discomfort as a blisteringly sharp pain rippled through his entire arm. He tried again with his left hand, lurching forwards and almost overbalancing as he stood. Another pain from the impact with his back shot up his spine, but he was determined not to show it.
Ororo stood up behind him, not knowing what she could say or do to make this nightmare disappear. What had she done to this man that she loved with all her heart? She couldn't stand to think of the possibly irreparable damage she may have done to him and their marriage. Ororo Munroe had never really had recourse to feel true, deep self-loathing. But she was feeling it now, at this moment it was all she was capable of.
Looking over her husband's shoulder she was surprised to see that Logan seemed to have calmed down somewhat. He was stood stock-still with a stern look on his rugged features, features that had seen and been through far too much. Looking at him now Ororo realised just how much she'd hurt him too.
"What have I done?" She whispered, more to herself than the other occupants. "Neither of you deserved this." Her head dropped down, unable to face either man any longer.
"Yer can't just blame yerself for this mess darlin'." He sounded truly remorseful. "I'm sorry Remy."
"Shut de fuck up!" Remy snapped, the obvious regret that Logan was displaying cutting no ice where he was concerned. "Yo' sleep wit' mah wife, tell me she be carryin' yo' child an yo' 'ave de fuckin' nerve to make a poli'e apology to me!"
Remy span around to face Ororo, ignoring the continuing pain in his back as he stepped closer to her. Ororo's head was still bowed as he stood before her, he was one of the few people in the mansion tall enough to loom over her.
"An' yo', screamin' at me to fo'give yo'! What kin' o' limp-dicked pussy do yo' t'ink I am petite?" His left hand shot up with frightening speed to roughly clasp around her chin as he forcefully jerked her head up to face him. A gasp of shock escaped her mouth as she stared wildly into his eyes. "FO'GIVE YO'?!" The anger, hate and pure hurt that she saw on his face burned into her aching heart like a white-hot poker.
Logan froze for just a second as he watched with surprise Remy's rough handling of Ororo. He never thought Remy was capable of behaving like that, especially towards her, no matter how pissed he was. But it only took another second for an aggressively protective instinct to overcome him as he found himself hurtling at Remy.
He managed to knock him away from Ororo, she was sent flying by the impact and force of being so unceremoniously wrenched from his grip. She landed relatively lightly on her behind. But no such luck for Remy though as he crashed into the remainders of the coffee table and then felt Logan's unbearable weight smash onto him, winding him badly.
Ororo gained her wits swiftly this time, her eyes whiting over in that almost supernatural manner. She could see through her slightly misted gaze Logan raising his right arm back, claws extended ready to strike down on her wounded man. She felt the dull pleasure/pain of natural electricity coursing through her body as she mentally and physically willed a bolt of lightening to come forth from the raging storm outside.
The blinding, jagged streak of nature's wrath tore deafeningly through the thickly insulated roof of the mansion. It struck Logan directly in the centre of his back. The weather witch knew she had taken a massive risk with Remy's life. The lightening could have easily passed through Logan and into her husband, but she had gambled and it had paid off. Ororo had counted on her assumption that the bolt would be dispersed through Logan's metal enveloped skeleton, treating it like a lightening rod. To her eternal relief the gamble had worked.
Ororo scrambled on her hands and knees back over to Remy, never sparing Logan's smouldering form that had been blown clear across the room and had smashed into her full-length mirror, a first glance. Let alone a second one. Rain started to pour in through the small tear in the roof.
Remy started to right himself, he was shocked to the core that Ororo would do such a thing to Logan. All to protect him.
"Thank- you goddess! You are O.K, you are O.K!" Ororo gasped with breathless delight as she buried her head in Remy's chest, her arms wrapping possessively around his torso. He shifted over slightly to support himself against the side of the sofa to his left.
Looking over at Logan, who appeared to be drifting in and out of consciousness, Remy returned his wife's embrace in spite of himself. He knew at the back of his mind that Logan probably would have killed him or at least seriously maimed him if Ororo hadn't intervened.
"My love!" Her voice muffled by the torn material on his chest. "Forgive me."
Remy's brow furrowed as he held Ororo close, emotions warring within him. He couldn't decide whether to reject her or continue to hold on for dear life as he was doing now. He wanted so much for this child to be his that it hurt to think of it.
After a minute or so he cleared his throat and said in an uncharacteristic, unconfident stutter, "Is-is dere-dere a chance chere?"
Ororo knew exactly what he meant, her eyelids flipped open like a 'sleepy- baby' doll on hearing the question. Turning her head so that her right cheek lay flat on his hot body she offered her answer.
"Yes." She paused, uncertain as to whether it would be wise to say more. But she decided to anyway. "There is a chance Remy. But if I am to be completely honest with you I genuinely do not know if you are the father." Her eyes drifted closed when she finished in tepid anticipation of his reply. When it arrived it had shocked her greatly.
"How many times chere?" His tone was flat but bitter.
"What?!" Ororo lifted her head up to look at Remy, her dishevelled and lightly damp locks falling about her in a strangely arresting manner.
"How many times 'Roro?" H repeated, the precision of the words diluting his often thick Cajun drawl. A flush of heated embarrassment darkened her highly defined cheekbones and she had never felt more like a slut in her usually regal and proud life. How degrading was it to have your own husband ask you, quite frankly, how many times you have fucked another man? But she summoned the guts to reply from somewhere deep inside her.
"It only happened the once. I swear it to you." The slow emphasis on every word intended to convince him that she spoke the truth.
"When?" Remy remained stern and aloof as he continued his line of questioning.
"Does it really matter?" As soon as she'd said it she realised what a fool she was. Of course it mattered, that was what this whole mess was about. She sunk her front teeth into her bottom lip as she considered her response. Eventually she pulled in a quick breath with a soft hissing sound and said, "That night."
Ororo sat up from Remy as he released her from his embrace willingly.
"What nigh'?" Still cold, still remote.
"That night we argued---the night that you walked out." Her head drooped, more in shame than anything else. "You left me alone and hurting." She sounded vaguely accusing as she spoke the words. Remy didn't miss the tone and replied to it with a rare but understandable malice.
"So I upset yo'? Huh? Dat giv' yo' de righ' to go an' sleep wit whoever yo' wan' chere? What kind o' god-damn excuse is dat!!" Remy sprung up from the floor and looked down at her. "Do yo' realise what yo' done to me chere?!"
"Yes!" Ororo shouted, shaking her wild mane. "I know what I have done! I know that I am a degenerate whore!" She stood up too, placing her hands on her hips in a subconsciously defiant gesture.
"Well at leas' yo' got one t'ing righ' petite!" He spat back spitefully.
Ignoring his jibe and forcing herself to remain cool she said, "Remy you have to believe me when I tell you that I have never and will never do anything like this to you again. It was one stupid, STUPID mistake." She walked forwards to stand directly in front of him. "I implore you, with all that I hold dear, Remy you have to believe me, you have to forgive me."
Remy snorted in exasperation, he couldn't quite get his head around all this. Everything had happened so fast he felt like he was in a dream or a waking nightmare. It was the last thing he thought Ororo would ever do to him. He had always trusted her one hundred percent, UNCODITIONALLY. Now he found that illusion crashing down around his ears.
Why had she done this to him?
"I don' t'ink I can chere. I ---" He stopped and turned his face away form Ororo, he didn't want her to see the excruciating pain that he knew stained his weary eyes. He needed to stay strong as he muttered several gutter expletives in bastardised French. He hoped the anger of their release would hold of the creeping sense of despair. He walked away from her and over to the sideboard. Yanking a draw open with unnecessary force, he rummaged about in it for a moment before pulling a roll of off white gauze out. He slammed the draw back shut as he held his badly swollen right hand out in front of him and set about the task of wrapping it. The action proved painfully difficult to do with one good hand.
" Fo' fucks sake!" His non-existent patience snapped.
"Here let me do that for you." Ororo offered tenderly as she removed the bundle from his hand and began wrapping the injured hand up careful, with a light and gentle touch.
They remained in silence as she worked, she concentrating on the task at hand whilst Remy stared absentmindedly out at the rapidly fading storm outside. Once Ororo had finished, securing the end with a carefully placed safety pin, she lifted her hands up to cup his strong jaw line, gently coaxing him to face her. Remy flinched visibly at the touch but did nothing to protest as he let her soft hands guide him.
"I love you Remy. We can get through this, I know we can. If you still feel the same." She paused before asking the ultimate question. "Do you still love me?"
Remy felt his jaw tighten as he observed his wife through rapidly blurring eyes. All he saw on that angelic face was remorse and maybe a little hope. It hit him at a gut level, how much he still loved her. You can't just stop loving someone in an instant no matter what they'd done. He cursed at himself in his mind as he thought about how he wished he could simply switch his feelings off. But he knew he couldn't.
"O' course I do chere." He said softly, and then he turned his head away once more.
"But?" Ororo's hands still caressed his cheeks and firm jaw as she made him look at her again.
"I don' trus' yo' no more. I don' t'ink I eve' can again." His expression became stern as she reached up to grip her forearms, slowly pulling her hands away. "I'm sorry chere but what's love if yo' don' 'ave trus'?"
"I understand. But that works both ways."
Remy furrowed his brow in confusion. "What yo' mean chere?"
"I excepted you when no one else here would. I took you back into my life and I forgave you whole-heartedly. I trusted you. Now you are saying that our love is so frail, so weak that you can not find it in your heart to forgive me?"
Remy gave a short incredulous laugh. "Yo' gon' t'row dat at me? Emotional blackmail, nice move 'Ro!"
"For goddess sake, I did not mean it like that!" Ororo was beyond irritated that he'd misconstrued her point.
"Oh, so how did yo' mean it den? 'Cause from where Remy be standin' yo' were suggestin' dat yo' fo'giveness fo' de Morlock t'ing obliges me to except anyt'in yo' do!" Remy was becoming increasingly angry. "What yo' wan' me to be chere? Eternally grateful?"
Ororo shook her head, "No, no I do not! I am simply trying to show you how much my love for you can injure, to show you how much I truly do care for you." She paused for breath and then added, "But I do think that your betrayal of my trust back then is no different from what I have done."
In a very rare occurrence, words failed Remy. He was simply too furious and to hurt. But eventually he had had to concede to himself that maybe she did have a point. Their love had overcome many trials and tribulations but for all the give and take, it had been Ororo that had done most of the giving. Perhaps now was his opportunity to return her the same courtesy.
With this thought in mind he stepped away from her, letting go of her arms and paced back and forth briefly. Coming to a sudden halt he cleared his throat and said softly, "Maybe, maybe---" He rubbed his palm a couple of times across his stubbly chin. " Maybe we can--- I don' know--- work t'rough dis. I don' know.."
Ororo clasped her hands together with a loud clap and sighed in audible relief. "Thank the Bright Lady!"
"But on one condition chere." Remy looked directly into her glistening eyes. "I wanna know if de chil' be mine. Hank or-or Cecilia coul' do a-a test or somet'in', no?"
Ororo opened her mouth to answer but before she had the chance they were both startled by the sound of crunching and scrapping glass assaulting their ears. They watched as the practically forgotten Wolverine struggled to his feet, his consciousness fully regained and his extensive upper body burns almost completely healed. Most of his clothing was now nothing more than charred shreds hanging from his body save for his jeans and heavy-duty biking boots. He growled somewhere deep and low in his chest, like a bear waking from its winter slumbers. Shaking his head vigorously as if trying to clear it he steadied himself and trained his predatory gaze on the surprised couple.
One look at Logan assured the pair that he was furious beyond belief, that berserker spark flared in his darkening eyes. He was visibly teetering on the edge of the abyss.
" Well what a fuckin' happy scene this is!" He snarled whilst taking uncertain steps towards Ororo. Despite being only semi-conscious at the time he had heard most of what had just transpired. But he could do nor say anything as he had lain on his back on a bed of broken mirror shards, waiting for his neuro- motor function to restore. She'd gotten him good with that lightening bolt.
"I am sorry I had to do that Logan but you left me little choice. I thought you were---"
"I know what you thought darlin'," he interrupted, "An' yer would've been right."
Remy regarded the other man for a moment as he struggled to control his own violent urges. His face darkened when he said, "Get outta 'ere homme. Yo' done enough damage already."
"An what if I don't bub? Yer gonna throw a few o' those pink, glowin' party tricks my way?" Logan gave Remy a rather vicious sneer before addressing Ororo once more. "What happened wasn't just some throw- away drunken fuck 'Ro. Yer gotta at least admit that to yerself."
Ororo said nothing for a moment, she simply observed him with that world famous icy gaze.
"What I said before still stands darlin'" He was completely sincere and Ororo was shocked. She'd just fried his ass for goddess sake!
She ignored her surprise and replied, "Logan don't you understand? I cannot. I do not feel about you the same way you feel about me. I love my husband and that is the end of it."
"That's bullshit darlin' an' yer know it. An in case yer forgot there's somethin' else at stake hear too, not jus' yer precious feelings!" Logan coughed violently and to his surprise a welt of frothy blood exploded from his mouth, trickling down his chin. He spat the remainder in his mouth to the floor and wiped the offending liquid from his face with the back of his hand.
"Oh my goddess! Logan!" Ororo was worried that she may have done more damage than she had anticipated. His healing factor had dealt with MUCH worse in the past though.
"It's nothing darlin', don't worry about it." He tongued the gums on the left side of his mouth, feeling the new teeth gradually ripping through the hard tissue. The metallic, salt tinged taste of blood filled his mouth again, its scent invading his highly sensitive nostrils. He spat it out once more onto the littered wooden flooring.
"Look me in the eyes 'Ro and tell me yer feel nothing for me."
"Don't be so ridiculous!" Ororo was incredulous as her eyes darted from on man to the other.
"Look at me and tell me!" Logan insisted. Then Remy interjected.
"Go on petite, yo' don' love him. Yo' can tell de man to his face." Remy's tone was curiously calm, misleadingly so Ororo thought suspiciously.
"Alright." She stated quietly as she prepared to lock eyes with Logan. But as she did so she froze. Her heart caught in her throat as she peered into his bluish, green orbs. What she saw there shocked her, it was a hint of what she'd seen on THAT night. That smouldering animalistic lust, the lust that had always been present whenever he had looked at her. She had just never registered it in the past, she'd never had reason to suspect before. But seeing it again reminded of how she had felt when she first noticed it. A burning need, a need to touch him, to feel his firm but gentle hands on her skin. The need for him to take her completely, body and soul.
She shivered internally at the memory, a trill akin to the electricity that often coursed through her veins. She didn't love him, well at least she didn't think she did. All she could admit was that there was SOMETHING between them. An undeniable attraction, something instinctive, something primal. She couldn't even begin to explain it, but she couldn't ignore it either. Especially when it screamed at her that it was Logan's child that grew inside her.
Remy felt heat rising through his entire body as Ororo's silence became awkwardly prolonged. His hands started to glow with kinetic energy, even though he was holding nothing to charge. It was like an instinctive reaction, he hadn't even noticed that it was happening.
The spark between this man and his wife was plain as day. That's when he let the fury consume him whole.
-TBC-
As you may have gathered this is not the conclusion as I said it would be so stand by for more. Please review. I'll post the next chapter as soon as. Chao for now!