Mail Call
sapphireskies - Thanks for the review. I try to stay fairly true to canon.
MagnusXXN - I love your reviews. You make sure I keep things straight.
Elizabeth Braddock-Grey - Thanks to a fellow Jean hater for a wonderful pic of Remy and Betsy. Wish I could post it but I'm not subscribed to the support services. By the way, recognize Betsy's car? ;-)
Marissa - Storm's just working through a few things right now but once she does, duck!
Ethix101 - Probably won't be the fireworks you were expecting, but the battle lines are being drawn. Trust me, there'll be some later.
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Chapter 12
Scott glared around at the mutants standing nearby who were, in turn, glaring at each other. "Ok, what happened here?"
Several people began to speak at once but were cut off by Storm's authoritatively stating, "I will tell you, Scott. What happened is the animosities on this team have run unchecked and ignored too long. What happened is that we have sunk so low into our own pain and own interests that we can no longer be relied on to protect our own." Her eyes were still glazed over in fury as she looked over at Rogue.
The southern belle glared back. "Ya got somethin' y'want ta say ta me, sugah?"
"I want nothing whatsoever to do with you, much less to speak to you." Contempt dripped from the words.
Warren immediately came to Rogue's defense. "Hey, it's not like anyone wants the traitor here..."
His next words were cut off by an angry growl of a voice, "I ain't a traitor." Everyone turned to Remy, surprised at his defense of himself. "Didn't know de X-men most a m' life an' when I did, neva' betrayed ya."
Scott tried to regain control of the situation even as he grabbed one of Warren's arms to restrain the winged mutant from charging at the Cajun. "Everyone calm down. This isn't getting us anywhere."
Storm nodded her agreement. "Besides, it is not the point. The point is that Rogue can not be trusted..."
She was cut off in mid-sentence by Rogue's outraged voice, "What do ya mean ah can't be trusted. Ah neva' betrayed anyone like him! Neva' hurt no one like he did!"
"Carol Danvers." Wolverine said the two words as if they were an accusation and explanation in themselves. Apparently, to some, they were.
"That was an acciden' an' you know it!" Rogue's voice started to rise into a shriek of indignation and Besty could see fear in her eyes.
She made a mental note to check up on this later. "The fact is, Rogue, you attacked your teammate from behind and left him vulnerable to opponents." It made Betsy sick to say those words, but, due to Ororo's reactions, she was sure it was the truth.
"People," Scott tried once again to gain control of the growing animosity, "This needs to stop..."
"Damn right this needs to stop." Warren lunged at Remy but was brought up short once again by Scott's hold on his arm.
Betsy formed her psychic knife while Remy prepared to charge a card and Logan extended his claws making themselves ready and waiting for an attack. Ororo, however, seemed ready to take the fight back to Warren. Winds whipped around her, lifting her hair while lightening fairly crackled from her fingertips.
Warren met her white eyes with a fierce but confused gaze. "Why are you taking his side? He fucking murdered the Morlocks, your people. He found Harpoon who almost killed Kitty or have you forgotten that?"
A look of pain crossed Ororo's face but she did not back down. "Regardless of what happened, regardless of what he may or may not be guilty of, it is wrong to attack a teammate. It is a betrayal in itself. I will not tolerate it any longer, particularly from a member of my own team."
"We were supposed to spar," Warren spat out defensively.
"Yes, spar, not intentionally try to injure. However, that does not matter. The practice ended, making us all teammates once again. You have tried to attack Remy twice since then. If you make a third attempt, you will regret it."
"Ok, people I think tempers are running too high right now. Let's all get out of here and calm down. We'll discuss it all later." Scott was hoping to defuse the situation but no one made a move toward the door. "That's an order people!"
Still no one moved, the only sound the doors of the Danger Room opening as Professor Xavier entered and added his voice to Scott's. "He is correct. Everyone please separate while Ororo, Scott, and I discuss what is to be done about this situation."
Bobby grabbed a hold of Warren's arm. "C'mon, let's get out of here. They're not worth the time."
Hank added his voice to Bobby's as he laid a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "Yes, let us go somewhere and relax."
Warren said nothing but was eventually maneuvered into leaving the room with his two oldest friends. Rogue gave the three of them a glare and took a step nearer. Betsy returned the glare and raised her knife into a more combat ready poise. The southern belle responded with a sneer and then a cruel smile, as if she had realized something that would benefit herself at the expense of another. Turning, she hurried after Warren. Scott and Jean accompanied the Professor out of the room and Ororo followed, carefully avoiding looking anywhere near Remy's direction. The three remaining X-men relaxed once they were alone and Logan immediately lit up a cigar.
"This ain't over."
Betsy nodded her agreement with the Canadian mutant, as did Remy. He stared at the floor, giving his own opinion. "Maybe it be better if Remy leave."
His two companions immediately opened their mouths to protest but it was Betsy who spoke first. "You can not leave yet. There is still your earlier promise."
Logan nodded, not knowing what she was referring to, but giving her his full support. "Hey, a promise is a promise. Ya better keep it with this one." He pointed at the smiling telepath.
"Yes, plus we were supposed to get breakfast and I am famished."
Remy held up his hands in surrender, giving a small laugh. "Ok, Remy give up. He know he can' win 'gainst two stubborn people like ya."
Logan gave him a hard pat on the shoulder. "Naw, she's stubborn, I'm hard headed. You kids go have fun, I'm gonna keep an eye on the place."
Betsy smiled after the departing mutant before turning back to Remy. "Hurry up and get dressed and we will go. I am not going to try to eat in this place."
He nodded and in a very short time, they were racing toward the city in Betsy's silver BMW. They were silent, as usual, and tense. Both of them sensed today was a milestone.
Either Betsy would keep her promise to listen nonjudgemently and be there for him or she would break him. Remy shivered in more fear than hope. What would he do if this went wrong? But maybe, maybe, it would go right for him, just this once. There was hope, after all, Stormy had helped him. She still would not look at him but she had helped him. And Betsy...Betsy had kept her promise, so far, started breaking through his defenses and that's why he had to do this, had to tell her before it went any farther. After today, she would have the power to break him, easily, but he had to do this. He could not let her allow a friendship with him to hurt her relationships with the other X-men. Not without knowing exactly what she was getting into, without being able to decide realistically if he was worth it.
And what would he do if she decided he was not worth her time?
The car slowed, breaking him from his thoughts and he was surprised to find them pulling into the Waldorf hotel. Saying nothing, he followed her inside after she turned her car over to the valet. The desk clerk smiled at her approach; after all, she looked exactly like she belonged in this finery, a far cry from himself in his comfortable but battered trench coat.
The man eyed Remy's disreputable appearance disdainfully but was too well trained, not to mention paid, to keep his opinion of guest's companions to himself.
Betsy gave an order for a simple breakfast to be delivered right away before taking her key and wrapping her arm through Remy's as they walked to the elevator. Inside, Remy leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes and concentrating on ignoring the others around him but he was tired and his nerves were too frayed to completely ignore the negative feelings around him.
He could sense Betsy staring at him in concern and he held to it tightly. The elevator finally reached their floor and the two of them exited, making their way quickly to their assigned room.
Betsy opened the door hurriedly and watched in worry as Remy gracelessly fell into chair, taking off his sunglasses so he could massage his temples. He declined aspirin when she offered it and breakfast when it arrived. "Would rat'er get dis done."
Betsy sat on the couch near his chair, silently waiting for him to continue.
He glanced at her through slitted eyes, wincing at the bright sunlight and Betsy was about to stand up to close the blinds when his voice stopped her.
"Non, need ta get dis done, jus' don't know where to begin."
"How about Sinister and the Marauders?"
His smile became self-mocking. "Non, dat's not de beginnin', have to tell you somet'in' else t' get t' there." He sighed and took several deep breathes, refusing to look at her. "Remy's an empath."
Betsy's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
"An empath 'nd dat's where he get in so much trouble. Remy been aroun' t'ieves most o' his life and t'ieves are a controlled bunch. De laugh and de joke but y'never let emotions get de best o' you. So, de empathy was neva' a problem 'til Remy got exiled. Felt so 'lone, before Remy knew it, he reachin' out to anyone to give him comfor' and his empathy reachin' out for de emotions, used 'em t' make ot'ers feel good so de stay, used 'em t' make me feel better. But, de get outta hand, kinetic's start getting outta cont'ol too. I start lookin' for someone ta help but can' go to a known physician. Meet up wit' Sinister 'nd he say he can help.
"At de time, didn' see why not. Remy a t'ief 'nd hurtin', Sinister a back alley doctor. No big deal. 'Sides, it relaxin' t'be 'round him. No emotions t' overpower me. He do somet'in' 'nd it's all under control 'gain. Sinister wants paymen' but 'e don' wan' money, 'e got enough. He wan's DNA. Leas' dat's what he says. Can' get a reading off 'im but I don' know. Don' know why I did it. Didn' know den, don' know now. De instan' he bring me 'round de Marauders Remy should'a known, should'a been able to read but...Remy couldn' and for some reason, it not bot'er Remy. Couldn' 'splain it den, can' now. It like Remy was asleep, gone dumb for awhile. Led 'em down into de tunnels, down to de Morlocks 'nd when de killin' start, Remy wakes up. 'M a t'ief, not a killer, try t'stop it but powers were lower den' Remy expected and Sabretooth bigger 'nd badder. He cut me up 'fore I got through a tunnel. Guess he don' t'ink I'm wort' huntin', cause he doesn' try to dig me out.
"Found a kid down dere. Marrow. I get her out but when we get topside, bot' o' us end up in de 'ospital. By de time Remy get outta dere, 's over. De Morlocks dead 'nd Sinister jus' disappeared."
Betsy wanted to reach out and laid a hand on his arm but he did not seem to notice.
"Foun' out later, m' powers not as low as I t'ought. De Morlocks, der pain and der fear, de emotions live on in m'head. Dat's why Rogue leave me. She heard dem when we kissed 'nd dey..."
"No." Betsy's throat was dry and ached with unshed tears. "Do not make excuses for her. She has had the minds of much worse than you inside her head and she has not gone insane."
"De weren' her friend."
"Oh, really? Rogue has absorbed Mystique. That woman has quite a lot of blood on her hands and raised Rogue but that has never driven Rogue to do to her what was done to you." Standing up, she moved to sit on the arm of his chair and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
He immediately turned, wrapping his arms around her desperately, resting his head against her shoulder. She held him tightly and stroked his hair in comfort, silently crying the tears he could not.
sapphireskies - Thanks for the review. I try to stay fairly true to canon.
MagnusXXN - I love your reviews. You make sure I keep things straight.
Elizabeth Braddock-Grey - Thanks to a fellow Jean hater for a wonderful pic of Remy and Betsy. Wish I could post it but I'm not subscribed to the support services. By the way, recognize Betsy's car? ;-)
Marissa - Storm's just working through a few things right now but once she does, duck!
Ethix101 - Probably won't be the fireworks you were expecting, but the battle lines are being drawn. Trust me, there'll be some later.
**************************************
Chapter 12
Scott glared around at the mutants standing nearby who were, in turn, glaring at each other. "Ok, what happened here?"
Several people began to speak at once but were cut off by Storm's authoritatively stating, "I will tell you, Scott. What happened is the animosities on this team have run unchecked and ignored too long. What happened is that we have sunk so low into our own pain and own interests that we can no longer be relied on to protect our own." Her eyes were still glazed over in fury as she looked over at Rogue.
The southern belle glared back. "Ya got somethin' y'want ta say ta me, sugah?"
"I want nothing whatsoever to do with you, much less to speak to you." Contempt dripped from the words.
Warren immediately came to Rogue's defense. "Hey, it's not like anyone wants the traitor here..."
His next words were cut off by an angry growl of a voice, "I ain't a traitor." Everyone turned to Remy, surprised at his defense of himself. "Didn't know de X-men most a m' life an' when I did, neva' betrayed ya."
Scott tried to regain control of the situation even as he grabbed one of Warren's arms to restrain the winged mutant from charging at the Cajun. "Everyone calm down. This isn't getting us anywhere."
Storm nodded her agreement. "Besides, it is not the point. The point is that Rogue can not be trusted..."
She was cut off in mid-sentence by Rogue's outraged voice, "What do ya mean ah can't be trusted. Ah neva' betrayed anyone like him! Neva' hurt no one like he did!"
"Carol Danvers." Wolverine said the two words as if they were an accusation and explanation in themselves. Apparently, to some, they were.
"That was an acciden' an' you know it!" Rogue's voice started to rise into a shriek of indignation and Besty could see fear in her eyes.
She made a mental note to check up on this later. "The fact is, Rogue, you attacked your teammate from behind and left him vulnerable to opponents." It made Betsy sick to say those words, but, due to Ororo's reactions, she was sure it was the truth.
"People," Scott tried once again to gain control of the growing animosity, "This needs to stop..."
"Damn right this needs to stop." Warren lunged at Remy but was brought up short once again by Scott's hold on his arm.
Betsy formed her psychic knife while Remy prepared to charge a card and Logan extended his claws making themselves ready and waiting for an attack. Ororo, however, seemed ready to take the fight back to Warren. Winds whipped around her, lifting her hair while lightening fairly crackled from her fingertips.
Warren met her white eyes with a fierce but confused gaze. "Why are you taking his side? He fucking murdered the Morlocks, your people. He found Harpoon who almost killed Kitty or have you forgotten that?"
A look of pain crossed Ororo's face but she did not back down. "Regardless of what happened, regardless of what he may or may not be guilty of, it is wrong to attack a teammate. It is a betrayal in itself. I will not tolerate it any longer, particularly from a member of my own team."
"We were supposed to spar," Warren spat out defensively.
"Yes, spar, not intentionally try to injure. However, that does not matter. The practice ended, making us all teammates once again. You have tried to attack Remy twice since then. If you make a third attempt, you will regret it."
"Ok, people I think tempers are running too high right now. Let's all get out of here and calm down. We'll discuss it all later." Scott was hoping to defuse the situation but no one made a move toward the door. "That's an order people!"
Still no one moved, the only sound the doors of the Danger Room opening as Professor Xavier entered and added his voice to Scott's. "He is correct. Everyone please separate while Ororo, Scott, and I discuss what is to be done about this situation."
Bobby grabbed a hold of Warren's arm. "C'mon, let's get out of here. They're not worth the time."
Hank added his voice to Bobby's as he laid a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "Yes, let us go somewhere and relax."
Warren said nothing but was eventually maneuvered into leaving the room with his two oldest friends. Rogue gave the three of them a glare and took a step nearer. Betsy returned the glare and raised her knife into a more combat ready poise. The southern belle responded with a sneer and then a cruel smile, as if she had realized something that would benefit herself at the expense of another. Turning, she hurried after Warren. Scott and Jean accompanied the Professor out of the room and Ororo followed, carefully avoiding looking anywhere near Remy's direction. The three remaining X-men relaxed once they were alone and Logan immediately lit up a cigar.
"This ain't over."
Betsy nodded her agreement with the Canadian mutant, as did Remy. He stared at the floor, giving his own opinion. "Maybe it be better if Remy leave."
His two companions immediately opened their mouths to protest but it was Betsy who spoke first. "You can not leave yet. There is still your earlier promise."
Logan nodded, not knowing what she was referring to, but giving her his full support. "Hey, a promise is a promise. Ya better keep it with this one." He pointed at the smiling telepath.
"Yes, plus we were supposed to get breakfast and I am famished."
Remy held up his hands in surrender, giving a small laugh. "Ok, Remy give up. He know he can' win 'gainst two stubborn people like ya."
Logan gave him a hard pat on the shoulder. "Naw, she's stubborn, I'm hard headed. You kids go have fun, I'm gonna keep an eye on the place."
Betsy smiled after the departing mutant before turning back to Remy. "Hurry up and get dressed and we will go. I am not going to try to eat in this place."
He nodded and in a very short time, they were racing toward the city in Betsy's silver BMW. They were silent, as usual, and tense. Both of them sensed today was a milestone.
Either Betsy would keep her promise to listen nonjudgemently and be there for him or she would break him. Remy shivered in more fear than hope. What would he do if this went wrong? But maybe, maybe, it would go right for him, just this once. There was hope, after all, Stormy had helped him. She still would not look at him but she had helped him. And Betsy...Betsy had kept her promise, so far, started breaking through his defenses and that's why he had to do this, had to tell her before it went any farther. After today, she would have the power to break him, easily, but he had to do this. He could not let her allow a friendship with him to hurt her relationships with the other X-men. Not without knowing exactly what she was getting into, without being able to decide realistically if he was worth it.
And what would he do if she decided he was not worth her time?
The car slowed, breaking him from his thoughts and he was surprised to find them pulling into the Waldorf hotel. Saying nothing, he followed her inside after she turned her car over to the valet. The desk clerk smiled at her approach; after all, she looked exactly like she belonged in this finery, a far cry from himself in his comfortable but battered trench coat.
The man eyed Remy's disreputable appearance disdainfully but was too well trained, not to mention paid, to keep his opinion of guest's companions to himself.
Betsy gave an order for a simple breakfast to be delivered right away before taking her key and wrapping her arm through Remy's as they walked to the elevator. Inside, Remy leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes and concentrating on ignoring the others around him but he was tired and his nerves were too frayed to completely ignore the negative feelings around him.
He could sense Betsy staring at him in concern and he held to it tightly. The elevator finally reached their floor and the two of them exited, making their way quickly to their assigned room.
Betsy opened the door hurriedly and watched in worry as Remy gracelessly fell into chair, taking off his sunglasses so he could massage his temples. He declined aspirin when she offered it and breakfast when it arrived. "Would rat'er get dis done."
Betsy sat on the couch near his chair, silently waiting for him to continue.
He glanced at her through slitted eyes, wincing at the bright sunlight and Betsy was about to stand up to close the blinds when his voice stopped her.
"Non, need ta get dis done, jus' don't know where to begin."
"How about Sinister and the Marauders?"
His smile became self-mocking. "Non, dat's not de beginnin', have to tell you somet'in' else t' get t' there." He sighed and took several deep breathes, refusing to look at her. "Remy's an empath."
Betsy's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
"An empath 'nd dat's where he get in so much trouble. Remy been aroun' t'ieves most o' his life and t'ieves are a controlled bunch. De laugh and de joke but y'never let emotions get de best o' you. So, de empathy was neva' a problem 'til Remy got exiled. Felt so 'lone, before Remy knew it, he reachin' out to anyone to give him comfor' and his empathy reachin' out for de emotions, used 'em t' make ot'ers feel good so de stay, used 'em t' make me feel better. But, de get outta hand, kinetic's start getting outta cont'ol too. I start lookin' for someone ta help but can' go to a known physician. Meet up wit' Sinister 'nd he say he can help.
"At de time, didn' see why not. Remy a t'ief 'nd hurtin', Sinister a back alley doctor. No big deal. 'Sides, it relaxin' t'be 'round him. No emotions t' overpower me. He do somet'in' 'nd it's all under control 'gain. Sinister wants paymen' but 'e don' wan' money, 'e got enough. He wan's DNA. Leas' dat's what he says. Can' get a reading off 'im but I don' know. Don' know why I did it. Didn' know den, don' know now. De instan' he bring me 'round de Marauders Remy should'a known, should'a been able to read but...Remy couldn' and for some reason, it not bot'er Remy. Couldn' 'splain it den, can' now. It like Remy was asleep, gone dumb for awhile. Led 'em down into de tunnels, down to de Morlocks 'nd when de killin' start, Remy wakes up. 'M a t'ief, not a killer, try t'stop it but powers were lower den' Remy expected and Sabretooth bigger 'nd badder. He cut me up 'fore I got through a tunnel. Guess he don' t'ink I'm wort' huntin', cause he doesn' try to dig me out.
"Found a kid down dere. Marrow. I get her out but when we get topside, bot' o' us end up in de 'ospital. By de time Remy get outta dere, 's over. De Morlocks dead 'nd Sinister jus' disappeared."
Betsy wanted to reach out and laid a hand on his arm but he did not seem to notice.
"Foun' out later, m' powers not as low as I t'ought. De Morlocks, der pain and der fear, de emotions live on in m'head. Dat's why Rogue leave me. She heard dem when we kissed 'nd dey..."
"No." Betsy's throat was dry and ached with unshed tears. "Do not make excuses for her. She has had the minds of much worse than you inside her head and she has not gone insane."
"De weren' her friend."
"Oh, really? Rogue has absorbed Mystique. That woman has quite a lot of blood on her hands and raised Rogue but that has never driven Rogue to do to her what was done to you." Standing up, she moved to sit on the arm of his chair and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
He immediately turned, wrapping his arms around her desperately, resting his head against her shoulder. She held him tightly and stroked his hair in comfort, silently crying the tears he could not.