MagnusXXN - I'm glad you liked the chapter. It was hard to write.
Unfortunately, Scott's rationlizing the good of the many versus the good of
the one in his reasoning (and listening to Jean). Hank will find something
very interesting very soon.
Elizabeth Braddock-Grey - Yes, ma'am, right away...after I finish my soda and cookies and lollipops and candy so... :-p
chrmdbythecajun - Thank you. I'm glad I could show you Betsy in a different light. She was actually a much more interesting character than the later Marvel writers made her out to be.
Ok...I'll shut up now and give you all what you're actually wanting.
**************************
Chapter 23
Ororo's words left the room in dead silence, each person digesting what she had just said. Having said her piece, the regal mutant sat back down and Remy put the deck of cards away so he could take her hand, squeezing it reassuringly without releasing his hold on Betsy.
It was Professor Xavier who finally broke the silence. "What is your suggestion, then? Are we just to forget this happened?"
Ororo stared back evenly. "That is an impossibility, Charles. However, I do believe that it should no longer be brought up in relation to Remy."
Jean stared at her in disbelief. "We're just to forgive him for his part in the whole Massacre?"
At this point, Hank spoke up for the first time. "I believe we should forgive him as he has forgiven us. He has not asked that any of us stand trial for leaving him in Antartica, for not going back for him. If we are to look at this fairly and make everyone answer for their actions, then we must submit ourselves to his judgement for that. Therefore, if he will allow it to lie, then I believe we must as well and do as Ororo suggests, put our efforts not in hatred of him but in finding the true architect of the Morlock's death, Sinister."
Bobby looked at his old friend reproachfully, "Hank, how can you?"
"A better question, Bobby, is how can I not. There can be no healing without forgiveness."
Rogue stood once again, unable to contain herself. "Cain't ya'll see what the Swamp Rat's doin'? He's turned us all against each other!" Rogue glared daggers at Betsy. "Warren an' Betsy were fine 'til he showed up. We were all fine."
Warren nodded. "Yes, isn't the fact that he stole Betsy from me proof enough of that."
Betsy glared at her blonde ex. "Remy did not steal me, never even made the attempt. You threw me away, Warren. If you miss me, you have noone to blame but yourself. Besides, we were not all fine. We were all sniping at each other long before this happened, we were just hiding it better."
Scott spoke up, once again trying to bring things back on track. "People, let's focus. We need to get this settled."
Hank spoke up, "It can not be settled without forgiveness, Scott, besides has not Remy suffered enough. He almost died..."
Bobby interrupted, "So what? The Morlocks did die!"
"Not all of them, Bobby. We do know one other fact about that night. Marrow survived only because Gambit almost died bringing her out of those tunnels."
"One life does not pay for hundreds!"
"Then how can his death pay for the Morlocks'?"
Bobby opened his mouth to retaliate but nothing came out.
"Is that not what this comes down to." Ororo spoke up once more. "Nothing can make up for what happened. Nothing and nobody can pay enough to make any of what happened right. We can hurt and tear each other to pieces over it or we can work together, use it to give us the resolve to make sure it never happens again."
Professor Xavier sighed. "I think we all need a break to think about what has been said here. We will meet again after supper and perhaps will be able to find a resolution then. Until then, I want everyone to show a degree of self control. No more fights outside this room."
The members of the team all nodded, some more reluctant than others and drifted out in pairs or alone.
"Betsy." Betsy looked up at Ororo. "Please, stay for a moment. I would have a word with you." She raised an eyebrow at Remy and Logan loitering near the door. "Alone."
"I think we're gettin' our butts kicked out o' here, Gumbo."
Remy smiled down at the Canadian. "Do believe you're right, Mon ami."
Ororo could not suppress a smile at the two men. "I was attempting to be polite. I forgot who I was speaking to. Both of you. Out."
"Yes, ma'am. Anything you say, ma'am." Logan gave her a mock salute before grabbing Remy's coat and walking out. "C'mon, kid, I need a smoke."
Betsy smiled as Remy's amusement flowed over her. She had worried about him, about how the confrontations would affect him but he seemed to be doing well.
The door closed behind them, leaving the two women alone and Betsy turned her full attention on Ororo.
"I wanted to thank you."
Betsy looked up at the other woman curiously. "Why?"
"You fulfilled your promise to me and cared for Remy when I could not. It is good to see my brother smile and laugh again." Ororo lips lifted in an attempt at a friendly smile.
Betsy returned her tentative smile. "It is good to see the two of you close again."
"We have not been close and I find myself regretting that. I would like to get to know you better."
"I would like that too. How about lunch later this week?" Betsy was unsure if the two of them had anything in common beyond concern for Remy so she did not know if the two of them could be friends. However, they did need to get to know each other better if they were both to be a part of Remy's life.
Ororo nodded. "Yes, that would be a good place to start."
There was an awkward moment before the two of them turned and walked to the door.
Hank was waiting for Betsy outside and Ororo greeted the blue mutant before heading toward the stairs and her greenhouse.
As soon as they were alone, Betsy immediately demanded, "Have you found anything?"
"Yes, please bring him down to the lab when he is ready."
Betsy nodded. *Remy.*
*Oui, chere.*
*Hank has the test results.*
Apprehension and tenseness burned across the link. *Oui, be right der.*
*As will I.*
Gratitude and affection flowed over her accompanied by another emotion that she did not wish to identify at the moment. Instead she returned her attention to Hank. "He is coming."
Hank nodded but did not ask how she knew.
It was a tense group that entered the lab and Betsy kept her arm wrapped tightly around Remy's waist, giving physical and emotional comfort. Remy's nervousness was already spiking due to being in the lab and Hank's nervousness was only making him worse.
They stepped into Hank's office where he closed the door and sat down behind the desk, asking them to take a seat but Remy shook his head, preferring to stand. He leaned on the wall near the door and pulled Betsy to him until her back rested against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her waist tightly. She lay her hands over his, interlacing their fingers as they waited for Hank's news.
"First of all, I am glad to tell you that, except for the malnutrition I informed Betsy of last night, you are in good health. You have no diseases or lasting wounds, at least physical wounds, from your ordeal."
Both of them breathed a sigh of relief and Remy pressed a light kiss to her temple. *Looks like you be holdin' somet'ing ot'er dan Remy's hand tonight, chere.*
She rubbed against him slightly. *I am looking forward to it.*
"Unfortunately, I did find out something else." Hank immediately had their full attention and Betsy's grip on Remy's hands tightened. Hank cleared his throat. "Perhaps, Betsy, it would be easier if you..."
Betsy could feel Remy's curiousity focussing on her. "Perhaps it would be best." She turned so she could look up into his eyes. "I did some research on Sinister and, with what you told me of the Massacre, it occured to me that there was maybe a reason for your actions that no one had considered. I asked Hank to look for anything unusual in your brain or nervous system."
Remy's gaze switched from one to the other in bewilderment and, Betsy could feel, fear.
Hank's eyes were very serious as he said, "Remy, I found something."
Remy's eyes narrowed dangerously, his fear spiking as he turned to Betsy. "You said you wouldn' repeat anyt'ing Remy tol' ya."
"I did not, Remy." Betsy kept her shields lowered. She had feared that he would not take this well. "You can look if you wish. What I told him was something I suspected after reading the files on Sinister. I think Sinister did something to you, something beyond what you know."
"And she was correct."
Remy focussed back on Hank, his emotions a chaos of fear, curiousity, anger, shame, more. He still held Betsy, seeking comfort, support, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Hank took a deep breath. "There is the remains of a small implant over the part of the brain that controls your emotions. From what I have been able to determine, it would have interferred with the normal neural pathways, putting you into an almost sleepwalker state. You would still have your full intellectual and motor responses but any emotions attatched to the actions would be voided. You would become very tractable, having no resentment over the orders, nor anger or shame over any actions taken."
"That is why you were numb in the tunnels, asleep." Betsy stroked his face. "That is why you did it. You were not under your own control."
"Under Sinister's control. It wasn' my fault. Is dat what Henri is saying?" His eyes were incredulous.
Hank answered for her. "If what you were feeling was a vague numbness, then yes, that would have been the effect of the implant. However, the implant burned out, leaving you with the memories and returning your emotions."
"That must be why you woke up in the middle of it. It burnt out and released you from Sinister's control." She stroked his bangs away from his face.
"Why didn' ya tell me dis before?" His emotions were in such turmoil, Betsy could not know if he was asking out of anger or not.
"I only had vague suspicions and I did not want to raise your hopes or worry you more. I am sorry." She contined to stroke his hair, her other arm wrapped around his neck, holding him tightly as he did not push away.
Remy looked back over at Hank. "You said it's burnt out?"
"Yes, it has been inoperative for a long time and your body is slowly eroding it away."
"Could it be turned back on?"
Betsy could hear the worry and fear in Remy's voice and shared it. If Sinister could turn it on again....
"No. Whatever happened to cause it to burn out, it destroyed the connections between the curcuits. I would offer to remove the last of it, unfortunately I do not have the skill. However, please, believe me, if it could be reactivated, I would tell you. I just wish we had known about it sooner, perhaps things might have been different." He looked away. "Or perhaps not. I would like to inform the others but will, of course, say nothing without your consent." He paused then looked up hopefully. "Would you like me to?"
Remy shook his head. "Non, gotta t'ink 'bout dis."
Hank nodded, "Of course."
Elizabeth Braddock-Grey - Yes, ma'am, right away...after I finish my soda and cookies and lollipops and candy so... :-p
chrmdbythecajun - Thank you. I'm glad I could show you Betsy in a different light. She was actually a much more interesting character than the later Marvel writers made her out to be.
Ok...I'll shut up now and give you all what you're actually wanting.
**************************
Chapter 23
Ororo's words left the room in dead silence, each person digesting what she had just said. Having said her piece, the regal mutant sat back down and Remy put the deck of cards away so he could take her hand, squeezing it reassuringly without releasing his hold on Betsy.
It was Professor Xavier who finally broke the silence. "What is your suggestion, then? Are we just to forget this happened?"
Ororo stared back evenly. "That is an impossibility, Charles. However, I do believe that it should no longer be brought up in relation to Remy."
Jean stared at her in disbelief. "We're just to forgive him for his part in the whole Massacre?"
At this point, Hank spoke up for the first time. "I believe we should forgive him as he has forgiven us. He has not asked that any of us stand trial for leaving him in Antartica, for not going back for him. If we are to look at this fairly and make everyone answer for their actions, then we must submit ourselves to his judgement for that. Therefore, if he will allow it to lie, then I believe we must as well and do as Ororo suggests, put our efforts not in hatred of him but in finding the true architect of the Morlock's death, Sinister."
Bobby looked at his old friend reproachfully, "Hank, how can you?"
"A better question, Bobby, is how can I not. There can be no healing without forgiveness."
Rogue stood once again, unable to contain herself. "Cain't ya'll see what the Swamp Rat's doin'? He's turned us all against each other!" Rogue glared daggers at Betsy. "Warren an' Betsy were fine 'til he showed up. We were all fine."
Warren nodded. "Yes, isn't the fact that he stole Betsy from me proof enough of that."
Betsy glared at her blonde ex. "Remy did not steal me, never even made the attempt. You threw me away, Warren. If you miss me, you have noone to blame but yourself. Besides, we were not all fine. We were all sniping at each other long before this happened, we were just hiding it better."
Scott spoke up, once again trying to bring things back on track. "People, let's focus. We need to get this settled."
Hank spoke up, "It can not be settled without forgiveness, Scott, besides has not Remy suffered enough. He almost died..."
Bobby interrupted, "So what? The Morlocks did die!"
"Not all of them, Bobby. We do know one other fact about that night. Marrow survived only because Gambit almost died bringing her out of those tunnels."
"One life does not pay for hundreds!"
"Then how can his death pay for the Morlocks'?"
Bobby opened his mouth to retaliate but nothing came out.
"Is that not what this comes down to." Ororo spoke up once more. "Nothing can make up for what happened. Nothing and nobody can pay enough to make any of what happened right. We can hurt and tear each other to pieces over it or we can work together, use it to give us the resolve to make sure it never happens again."
Professor Xavier sighed. "I think we all need a break to think about what has been said here. We will meet again after supper and perhaps will be able to find a resolution then. Until then, I want everyone to show a degree of self control. No more fights outside this room."
The members of the team all nodded, some more reluctant than others and drifted out in pairs or alone.
"Betsy." Betsy looked up at Ororo. "Please, stay for a moment. I would have a word with you." She raised an eyebrow at Remy and Logan loitering near the door. "Alone."
"I think we're gettin' our butts kicked out o' here, Gumbo."
Remy smiled down at the Canadian. "Do believe you're right, Mon ami."
Ororo could not suppress a smile at the two men. "I was attempting to be polite. I forgot who I was speaking to. Both of you. Out."
"Yes, ma'am. Anything you say, ma'am." Logan gave her a mock salute before grabbing Remy's coat and walking out. "C'mon, kid, I need a smoke."
Betsy smiled as Remy's amusement flowed over her. She had worried about him, about how the confrontations would affect him but he seemed to be doing well.
The door closed behind them, leaving the two women alone and Betsy turned her full attention on Ororo.
"I wanted to thank you."
Betsy looked up at the other woman curiously. "Why?"
"You fulfilled your promise to me and cared for Remy when I could not. It is good to see my brother smile and laugh again." Ororo lips lifted in an attempt at a friendly smile.
Betsy returned her tentative smile. "It is good to see the two of you close again."
"We have not been close and I find myself regretting that. I would like to get to know you better."
"I would like that too. How about lunch later this week?" Betsy was unsure if the two of them had anything in common beyond concern for Remy so she did not know if the two of them could be friends. However, they did need to get to know each other better if they were both to be a part of Remy's life.
Ororo nodded. "Yes, that would be a good place to start."
There was an awkward moment before the two of them turned and walked to the door.
Hank was waiting for Betsy outside and Ororo greeted the blue mutant before heading toward the stairs and her greenhouse.
As soon as they were alone, Betsy immediately demanded, "Have you found anything?"
"Yes, please bring him down to the lab when he is ready."
Betsy nodded. *Remy.*
*Oui, chere.*
*Hank has the test results.*
Apprehension and tenseness burned across the link. *Oui, be right der.*
*As will I.*
Gratitude and affection flowed over her accompanied by another emotion that she did not wish to identify at the moment. Instead she returned her attention to Hank. "He is coming."
Hank nodded but did not ask how she knew.
It was a tense group that entered the lab and Betsy kept her arm wrapped tightly around Remy's waist, giving physical and emotional comfort. Remy's nervousness was already spiking due to being in the lab and Hank's nervousness was only making him worse.
They stepped into Hank's office where he closed the door and sat down behind the desk, asking them to take a seat but Remy shook his head, preferring to stand. He leaned on the wall near the door and pulled Betsy to him until her back rested against his chest and his arms were wrapped around her waist tightly. She lay her hands over his, interlacing their fingers as they waited for Hank's news.
"First of all, I am glad to tell you that, except for the malnutrition I informed Betsy of last night, you are in good health. You have no diseases or lasting wounds, at least physical wounds, from your ordeal."
Both of them breathed a sigh of relief and Remy pressed a light kiss to her temple. *Looks like you be holdin' somet'ing ot'er dan Remy's hand tonight, chere.*
She rubbed against him slightly. *I am looking forward to it.*
"Unfortunately, I did find out something else." Hank immediately had their full attention and Betsy's grip on Remy's hands tightened. Hank cleared his throat. "Perhaps, Betsy, it would be easier if you..."
Betsy could feel Remy's curiousity focussing on her. "Perhaps it would be best." She turned so she could look up into his eyes. "I did some research on Sinister and, with what you told me of the Massacre, it occured to me that there was maybe a reason for your actions that no one had considered. I asked Hank to look for anything unusual in your brain or nervous system."
Remy's gaze switched from one to the other in bewilderment and, Betsy could feel, fear.
Hank's eyes were very serious as he said, "Remy, I found something."
Remy's eyes narrowed dangerously, his fear spiking as he turned to Betsy. "You said you wouldn' repeat anyt'ing Remy tol' ya."
"I did not, Remy." Betsy kept her shields lowered. She had feared that he would not take this well. "You can look if you wish. What I told him was something I suspected after reading the files on Sinister. I think Sinister did something to you, something beyond what you know."
"And she was correct."
Remy focussed back on Hank, his emotions a chaos of fear, curiousity, anger, shame, more. He still held Betsy, seeking comfort, support, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
Hank took a deep breath. "There is the remains of a small implant over the part of the brain that controls your emotions. From what I have been able to determine, it would have interferred with the normal neural pathways, putting you into an almost sleepwalker state. You would still have your full intellectual and motor responses but any emotions attatched to the actions would be voided. You would become very tractable, having no resentment over the orders, nor anger or shame over any actions taken."
"That is why you were numb in the tunnels, asleep." Betsy stroked his face. "That is why you did it. You were not under your own control."
"Under Sinister's control. It wasn' my fault. Is dat what Henri is saying?" His eyes were incredulous.
Hank answered for her. "If what you were feeling was a vague numbness, then yes, that would have been the effect of the implant. However, the implant burned out, leaving you with the memories and returning your emotions."
"That must be why you woke up in the middle of it. It burnt out and released you from Sinister's control." She stroked his bangs away from his face.
"Why didn' ya tell me dis before?" His emotions were in such turmoil, Betsy could not know if he was asking out of anger or not.
"I only had vague suspicions and I did not want to raise your hopes or worry you more. I am sorry." She contined to stroke his hair, her other arm wrapped around his neck, holding him tightly as he did not push away.
Remy looked back over at Hank. "You said it's burnt out?"
"Yes, it has been inoperative for a long time and your body is slowly eroding it away."
"Could it be turned back on?"
Betsy could hear the worry and fear in Remy's voice and shared it. If Sinister could turn it on again....
"No. Whatever happened to cause it to burn out, it destroyed the connections between the curcuits. I would offer to remove the last of it, unfortunately I do not have the skill. However, please, believe me, if it could be reactivated, I would tell you. I just wish we had known about it sooner, perhaps things might have been different." He looked away. "Or perhaps not. I would like to inform the others but will, of course, say nothing without your consent." He paused then looked up hopefully. "Would you like me to?"
Remy shook his head. "Non, gotta t'ink 'bout dis."
Hank nodded, "Of course."