Elizabeth Braddock-Grey - Of course I read your mind, it's such a fun
place! :-) I'm glad you like it. Don't worry though, I'm not done
torturing Warren yet.
girlonthm00n - Cool, a hyper reader. Glad to have you.
MagnusXXN - You're right, Warren's not going to be happy at all and he's not going to be shy about showing it. Like I said, I'm not done with him, yet. I'm also not done with Rogue and the rest either.
BJ2 - Welcome. I like getting new readers as much as I like keeping my veteren readers. I'm glad you like Betsy. I think she got a raw deal in the X-men because, if you look at her in other series, she's actually quite interesting, more multi-faceted.
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Chapter 19
They slept well into the morning, wrapped in each other's arms, sated and comfortable. Once they finally woke, it took them even longer to actually get out of the bed, content to lay there sleepily sharing kisses and soft touches. The link was still open and pleasant feelings of affection and joy slid back and forth between them.
*Chere. Tres bien.*
Betsy smiled but did not pause in her mouth's languid exploration of his lightly stubbled jaw. *You taste good.*
His hands continued to pet her hair, massaging her scalp. *So do you.*
A light pang of hunger began to intrude along their link and Remy smiled at her. *Don' know which of us dat is, but looks like we need ta eat.*
*Ah ha! Now I know how to make sure you eat, just be completely unladylike and let you know when I am hungry.*
He kissed her deeply, softly. *Non, you always a lady.*
They reluctantly parted and cleaned up as best they could before paying the hotel bill and stopping at a nearby restaurant for an early lunch. Betsy waited until after they had eaten before reaching across the table and taking Remy's hand. *Remy.*
*Oui?* He could sense her nervousness and wrapped his hands around hers comfortingly.
*When we get back, I want you to do something for me. I know it will be hard, but...*
Remy could feer her anxiety increase and it began to scare him. "Chere, what are you wantin'?" He spoke out loud, toning down the link in case what she was wanting was to leave him. Self disgust filled him. She had said she would not leave him like this and he knew he should trust her, wanted to trust her. However, the fear was always there, unreasonable, unwanted, but still there.
Betsy felt the link fading but, as was normal now, it did not shut down all the way. She was beginning to wonder if it could be shut down anymore and, even if it could, did she want it to. Her hands tightened around Remy's, feeling the thin thread of anxiety over the link, knowing he must be feeling hers. "I want you to let Hank give you a physical."
He jerked back in surprise and her grip on his hand tightened, keeping him in the chair. She could feel his panic at her request and took it as more confirmation of her suspicions. "Non! Don' like de med lab. Don wan' a check-up. Don' need it."
"Remy, please, hear me out." His body was still tense and anxious but he remained seated. "You said you have not had a physical in years. I assume that means not since Sinister's labs, correct?"
"Oui."
Betsy was beginning to wish she had done this somewhere less public so she could hold him, give him more physical comfort. As it was, all she could do for him was stoke his hand and focus on her concern for him. "Tell me if I am wrong but I think it was his labs that gave you this...apprehension of labs."
"Why not jus' say it? You t'ink Remy's scared of de labs."
Betsy nodded.
His eyes hardened for several moments and Betsy remained quiet, concerned, worried. He finally dropped his gaze to thier joined hands and the link increased as he softly stroked her shields, asking for admittance. *You're right. De labs scare Remy bad.*
*It is no shame. You are not the only one to fear labs because of experiments.* Actually Betsy believed it went deeper than that but she did not say so. *Remy, I am worried about you. I want to make sure you are getting well, that there is no hidden physical damage...or disease.* Almost against her will, her distaste for the inconvenience of the condoms flowed over the link, making Remy smile.
*Don' like dem eit'er but not takin' chances wit' you.* He was silent for long moments, considering. Finally, he looked up at her with apprehensive but determined eyes. *You come to de lab wit' Remy?*
*Yes, I will be there to hold your hand and, when you get a clean bill of health,* Her smile became wicked, *I will hold something else.*
His lips turned up in an answering smile, just as wicked. *Remy gonna hold ya to dat.*
*Good, now let us go home, the sooner we get the exam over with...*
His smile turned rueful, *De sooner we can get yelled at.*
The previous night's confrontations came back suddenly and Betsy frowned. There were going to be some very unhappy people waiting for them.
Remy lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm. *Don' worry, chere, Remy back you up. We in dis toget'er.*
They shared a comforting smile before paying the check and leaving for the mansion.
Betsy ran her fingers through her wind blown hair as she dismounted the bike in the garage. "That is it," She gave Remy a mock glare, "You are packing some necessities on that bike, especially a brush."
Remy laughed at her, his amusment tickling her brain, "Oui, chere, Remy get right on dat."
An image of him brushing her hair flashed through her mind and she smiled at his silent offer even as she planted her hands on her hips, trying to look severe. "You are just trying to get out of seeing Hank."
"Non, if Remy was lookin' ta do dat, he offer dis..." His voice had lowered and his expression was wicked as he sent Betsy images of her spread out over the hood of Scott's car, writhing in pleasure under his mouth.
A bolt of pure heat and desire speared through her and her body trembled with it, tempted by it. Not trusting her voice, she sent, *It would be more action than that vehicle has ever seen.*
Remy's smile became even more wicked. *Remy wouldn' say dat.*
*What do you mean? What do you know?*
Remy's grin became wider as he turned and began to walk casually to the door. "Le's see, Henri's lab be dis way, oui?"
Betsy could feel mischief dancing over the link but could not restrain her curiousity. "Remy, what did you mean by that?"
"Mean by what?" Remy's eyes were dancing as he looked down at her walking by his side. He could feel the curiousity building inside her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he smiled innocently, "Remy didn' say he knew anyt'ing, jus' dat he wouldn' say dat."
Betsy wrapped her arm around his waist companionably still trying to glare. She only succeeded in stifling her laughter and knew that Remy was feeling it over the link anyway. "You are hiding something, I know it."
"Swamp rat's real good at hidin' things." Rogue was standing in the foyer as they passed it on their way to the elevator. Neither of them acknowledged her presence.
"Remy don' know what ya talkin' bout. 'E jus' a simple boy from N'Awlins. Too innocent to have seen..." He purposefully left the sentance tantilizingly unfinished, smiling even wider as Betsy rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Liar." The affection in her tone and over the link belied the harsh word.
"And thief, and murderer, and traitor!" Warren was equally ignored as the laughing pair continued through the foyer toward the infirmary.
"Moi?"
Betsy could no longer keep her laughter inside as he looked down at her with exagerrated innocence. "Yes, you."
"See, Warren, I toldja somethin' was goin' on between them." This comment was also ignored.
Betsy looked up at the Cajun accusingly. "You are only doing this because you have to go see Hank."
"Oui, ain' gonna get a sucker from de doctor, so I gotta do somet'ing make me feel better." Remy grinned down at her without remorse as he pushed the elevator button. "Dis better dan candy anyway."
The elevator doors closed behind them before they could hear any more comments from their two teammates.
Remy's good mood lasted until the elevator opened in a sub-basement and they were standing before the infirmary doors. *Tell Remy 'gain why he doin' dis?*
Betsy tightened her arm around his waist. *You are doing it for two reasons. One, to relieve my worries and, two, for sex.*
It earned her a half-smile from him. *Remy good wit' de second reason.*
Betsy smiled reassuringly and they stepped into Dr. McCoy's domain.
The blue-furred genius did a double take of surprise when he saw who had just stepped into his infirmary. Betsy was not one to come down for idle chitchat and Remy was not one to come down unless he was unconcious. He was immediately worried. "May I help you?"
Remy looked on the verge of making a break for it so Hank was not surprised that it was Betsy who answered. "Remy needs a full physical, including a cat scan."
Hank nodded and immediately gestured Remy to a changing room, handing him a pair hospital pajamas. He did not use hospital gowns anymore. The X-women did not like the fact they opened all the way in the back and Logan had a habit of shredding them 'accidently' when Hank would hand them to him.
Remy took the material reluctantly, turning a reproachful look toward Betsy. She sent comfort through the link, trying to soothe him. *It will be fine, I am here.*
Remy lay his head against hers for a moment before sighing and walking into the changing room. Once he had closed the door behind him, Hank immediately turned his attention to Betsy. "Though I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, how..."
Betsy held up a hand to stop the question, she had something more important to discuss. "Will a cat scan reveal any changes done to his brain or spinal cord?"
Hank's face reflected his confusion. "Well, yes. Is there something I should be looking for?"
"I...am not sure." Her eyes bore into his. "This is all under the heading of patient confidentiality, correct?"
"Yes. Of course." There was one thing everyone knew about Hank. He was a physician first and X-man second. When those two parts of his life came in conflict, it was always the physician that won and that was what caused Betsy to trust him.
"I...suspect that something was done to him or installed. It would be old, but there may still be a trace of it."
His eyes were very serious and worried. "It would aid me if you could share these suspicions with me more fully. It will be easier if I know what I am looking for."
Betsy cast a glance at the closed door. She needed to get this done quickly, not wanting to worry Remy with her suspicions. "I think Sinister did something to him during the Massacre."
"May I ask why you suspect this?"
"Several reasons but none I can go into right now. We do not have the time, just, please, check very thoroughly."
He nodded. "I will. Trust me, I have been worried about him since Antartica. I have fear he is not as healthy as he would have us believe."
Betsy's eyes were dark as she softly replied, "Trust me, he is not."
girlonthm00n - Cool, a hyper reader. Glad to have you.
MagnusXXN - You're right, Warren's not going to be happy at all and he's not going to be shy about showing it. Like I said, I'm not done with him, yet. I'm also not done with Rogue and the rest either.
BJ2 - Welcome. I like getting new readers as much as I like keeping my veteren readers. I'm glad you like Betsy. I think she got a raw deal in the X-men because, if you look at her in other series, she's actually quite interesting, more multi-faceted.
***********************************
Chapter 19
They slept well into the morning, wrapped in each other's arms, sated and comfortable. Once they finally woke, it took them even longer to actually get out of the bed, content to lay there sleepily sharing kisses and soft touches. The link was still open and pleasant feelings of affection and joy slid back and forth between them.
*Chere. Tres bien.*
Betsy smiled but did not pause in her mouth's languid exploration of his lightly stubbled jaw. *You taste good.*
His hands continued to pet her hair, massaging her scalp. *So do you.*
A light pang of hunger began to intrude along their link and Remy smiled at her. *Don' know which of us dat is, but looks like we need ta eat.*
*Ah ha! Now I know how to make sure you eat, just be completely unladylike and let you know when I am hungry.*
He kissed her deeply, softly. *Non, you always a lady.*
They reluctantly parted and cleaned up as best they could before paying the hotel bill and stopping at a nearby restaurant for an early lunch. Betsy waited until after they had eaten before reaching across the table and taking Remy's hand. *Remy.*
*Oui?* He could sense her nervousness and wrapped his hands around hers comfortingly.
*When we get back, I want you to do something for me. I know it will be hard, but...*
Remy could feer her anxiety increase and it began to scare him. "Chere, what are you wantin'?" He spoke out loud, toning down the link in case what she was wanting was to leave him. Self disgust filled him. She had said she would not leave him like this and he knew he should trust her, wanted to trust her. However, the fear was always there, unreasonable, unwanted, but still there.
Betsy felt the link fading but, as was normal now, it did not shut down all the way. She was beginning to wonder if it could be shut down anymore and, even if it could, did she want it to. Her hands tightened around Remy's, feeling the thin thread of anxiety over the link, knowing he must be feeling hers. "I want you to let Hank give you a physical."
He jerked back in surprise and her grip on his hand tightened, keeping him in the chair. She could feel his panic at her request and took it as more confirmation of her suspicions. "Non! Don' like de med lab. Don wan' a check-up. Don' need it."
"Remy, please, hear me out." His body was still tense and anxious but he remained seated. "You said you have not had a physical in years. I assume that means not since Sinister's labs, correct?"
"Oui."
Betsy was beginning to wish she had done this somewhere less public so she could hold him, give him more physical comfort. As it was, all she could do for him was stoke his hand and focus on her concern for him. "Tell me if I am wrong but I think it was his labs that gave you this...apprehension of labs."
"Why not jus' say it? You t'ink Remy's scared of de labs."
Betsy nodded.
His eyes hardened for several moments and Betsy remained quiet, concerned, worried. He finally dropped his gaze to thier joined hands and the link increased as he softly stroked her shields, asking for admittance. *You're right. De labs scare Remy bad.*
*It is no shame. You are not the only one to fear labs because of experiments.* Actually Betsy believed it went deeper than that but she did not say so. *Remy, I am worried about you. I want to make sure you are getting well, that there is no hidden physical damage...or disease.* Almost against her will, her distaste for the inconvenience of the condoms flowed over the link, making Remy smile.
*Don' like dem eit'er but not takin' chances wit' you.* He was silent for long moments, considering. Finally, he looked up at her with apprehensive but determined eyes. *You come to de lab wit' Remy?*
*Yes, I will be there to hold your hand and, when you get a clean bill of health,* Her smile became wicked, *I will hold something else.*
His lips turned up in an answering smile, just as wicked. *Remy gonna hold ya to dat.*
*Good, now let us go home, the sooner we get the exam over with...*
His smile turned rueful, *De sooner we can get yelled at.*
The previous night's confrontations came back suddenly and Betsy frowned. There were going to be some very unhappy people waiting for them.
Remy lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm. *Don' worry, chere, Remy back you up. We in dis toget'er.*
They shared a comforting smile before paying the check and leaving for the mansion.
Betsy ran her fingers through her wind blown hair as she dismounted the bike in the garage. "That is it," She gave Remy a mock glare, "You are packing some necessities on that bike, especially a brush."
Remy laughed at her, his amusment tickling her brain, "Oui, chere, Remy get right on dat."
An image of him brushing her hair flashed through her mind and she smiled at his silent offer even as she planted her hands on her hips, trying to look severe. "You are just trying to get out of seeing Hank."
"Non, if Remy was lookin' ta do dat, he offer dis..." His voice had lowered and his expression was wicked as he sent Betsy images of her spread out over the hood of Scott's car, writhing in pleasure under his mouth.
A bolt of pure heat and desire speared through her and her body trembled with it, tempted by it. Not trusting her voice, she sent, *It would be more action than that vehicle has ever seen.*
Remy's smile became even more wicked. *Remy wouldn' say dat.*
*What do you mean? What do you know?*
Remy's grin became wider as he turned and began to walk casually to the door. "Le's see, Henri's lab be dis way, oui?"
Betsy could feel mischief dancing over the link but could not restrain her curiousity. "Remy, what did you mean by that?"
"Mean by what?" Remy's eyes were dancing as he looked down at her walking by his side. He could feel the curiousity building inside her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he smiled innocently, "Remy didn' say he knew anyt'ing, jus' dat he wouldn' say dat."
Betsy wrapped her arm around his waist companionably still trying to glare. She only succeeded in stifling her laughter and knew that Remy was feeling it over the link anyway. "You are hiding something, I know it."
"Swamp rat's real good at hidin' things." Rogue was standing in the foyer as they passed it on their way to the elevator. Neither of them acknowledged her presence.
"Remy don' know what ya talkin' bout. 'E jus' a simple boy from N'Awlins. Too innocent to have seen..." He purposefully left the sentance tantilizingly unfinished, smiling even wider as Betsy rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Liar." The affection in her tone and over the link belied the harsh word.
"And thief, and murderer, and traitor!" Warren was equally ignored as the laughing pair continued through the foyer toward the infirmary.
"Moi?"
Betsy could no longer keep her laughter inside as he looked down at her with exagerrated innocence. "Yes, you."
"See, Warren, I toldja somethin' was goin' on between them." This comment was also ignored.
Betsy looked up at the Cajun accusingly. "You are only doing this because you have to go see Hank."
"Oui, ain' gonna get a sucker from de doctor, so I gotta do somet'ing make me feel better." Remy grinned down at her without remorse as he pushed the elevator button. "Dis better dan candy anyway."
The elevator doors closed behind them before they could hear any more comments from their two teammates.
Remy's good mood lasted until the elevator opened in a sub-basement and they were standing before the infirmary doors. *Tell Remy 'gain why he doin' dis?*
Betsy tightened her arm around his waist. *You are doing it for two reasons. One, to relieve my worries and, two, for sex.*
It earned her a half-smile from him. *Remy good wit' de second reason.*
Betsy smiled reassuringly and they stepped into Dr. McCoy's domain.
The blue-furred genius did a double take of surprise when he saw who had just stepped into his infirmary. Betsy was not one to come down for idle chitchat and Remy was not one to come down unless he was unconcious. He was immediately worried. "May I help you?"
Remy looked on the verge of making a break for it so Hank was not surprised that it was Betsy who answered. "Remy needs a full physical, including a cat scan."
Hank nodded and immediately gestured Remy to a changing room, handing him a pair hospital pajamas. He did not use hospital gowns anymore. The X-women did not like the fact they opened all the way in the back and Logan had a habit of shredding them 'accidently' when Hank would hand them to him.
Remy took the material reluctantly, turning a reproachful look toward Betsy. She sent comfort through the link, trying to soothe him. *It will be fine, I am here.*
Remy lay his head against hers for a moment before sighing and walking into the changing room. Once he had closed the door behind him, Hank immediately turned his attention to Betsy. "Though I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, how..."
Betsy held up a hand to stop the question, she had something more important to discuss. "Will a cat scan reveal any changes done to his brain or spinal cord?"
Hank's face reflected his confusion. "Well, yes. Is there something I should be looking for?"
"I...am not sure." Her eyes bore into his. "This is all under the heading of patient confidentiality, correct?"
"Yes. Of course." There was one thing everyone knew about Hank. He was a physician first and X-man second. When those two parts of his life came in conflict, it was always the physician that won and that was what caused Betsy to trust him.
"I...suspect that something was done to him or installed. It would be old, but there may still be a trace of it."
His eyes were very serious and worried. "It would aid me if you could share these suspicions with me more fully. It will be easier if I know what I am looking for."
Betsy cast a glance at the closed door. She needed to get this done quickly, not wanting to worry Remy with her suspicions. "I think Sinister did something to him during the Massacre."
"May I ask why you suspect this?"
"Several reasons but none I can go into right now. We do not have the time, just, please, check very thoroughly."
He nodded. "I will. Trust me, I have been worried about him since Antartica. I have fear he is not as healthy as he would have us believe."
Betsy's eyes were dark as she softly replied, "Trust me, he is not."