Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or X-Men, titles or characters. Evie is my
character.
Chapter 11 - Guy Talk
After a couple more losing hands, Remy stood up. "Dat's enough fo' tonight. Got to save some cash fo' the rest of de weekend. See you again." He shook hands around the table.
"Come find us tomorrow. I'll give you a chance to win some back," Adam offered.
"A true gentleman," Remy smirked and he heard them laugh as he walked to the bar.
Soon Chastity was by his side once more. "You still got it, LeBeau." He smiled into his drink. "Ah was watching you. You're setting those boys up for a big fall."
"All part of de fun." He turned and smiled at her. "You kept this place nice. It feels like---comin' home." He was sincerely happy for his friend's success.
"Keepin' it up is the easy part. Keepin' it staffed, now there's the trick. Ah keep losin' waitresses. These boys tend to get a little too friendly and scare off the young girls. Ah just lost three today."
"Maybe Remy can make a few phone calls---get you some short term help." He finished his drink.
"You know some girls who might take a job in a saloon like this?"
"Remy knows lots a girls, chere." He smiled as he placed his hand over hers.
"Now, Ah'm the one with the broken heart, you ol' flirt. You get me some girls and they'll be hired on the spot. You're a good enough reference, Ah suppose." She kissed his cheek and walked away.
Back in his room Gambit closed his eyes and tried to reach the professor.
~Gambit, report.~
~Gambit got good news. Just lost a few hands of poker to our frien', Adam.~
~Very good news. Wait, just a minute. The rest of the team is coming in now. I will connect us all and you may tell them.~
The professor summoned everyone to his room. When they arrived he explained his intention of taking them all into a section of his mind for a meeting. All sat and closed their eyes. In a matter of moments, everyone was gathered in what appeared to be a large room. Marie immediately went to Remy's side allowing their minds to touch.
He took Marie's hand then smiled at Evie. ~Gambit had the pleasure of playing poker with Adam.~
~Adam---~ Evie whispered as she raised a shaky hand to her chest.
~Do you think he recognized you at all?~ the professor asked.
~Non. He was---not himself. Whatever dey did to him, he is very different.~
~What do you mean by different, exactly?~ Shalimar asked.
~Adam had many drinks, while we played. Scotch. He also won most of de night. De only time he folded was on purpose to not upset de oter players.~
~That's not unusual.~ Brennan told him. ~Scotch has always been his chosen poison.~
~And he reads the best pokers faces like open books,~ added Shalimar.
Evie giggled at the image that was just drawn of her husband. ~I'm sorry but I could just see Adam sitting victorious at a poker table.~
~Dere's more.~ His sad tone drew her attention. ~He's not acting like the gentleman he norm'lly is.~ Remy looked for as gentle a way as possible to let them know about Adam's current lady hunting. ~He's looking fo' a date to a party, day after tomorrow. Spent the evening---watching de waitresses.~
Charles moved to Evie's side and took her hand. ~Behavior modification,~ he stated. ~They must have thought it would help prevent his real memories from trying to break through.~
~Gambit also know de owner is looking for more waitresses because de 'friendly' patrons tend to scare dem off. Might be a good idea to let Adam catch one of our girls befo' he go get mixed up wid a stranger.~
~Very wise,~ Charles said.
~I can wait tables. Maybe seeing me will help him fight the memory blocks.~
~No, mon chere, Evie. Dat's not possible. Dey are definitely on de look out for Mutan' X. Dere's no tellin' what dey do wid Adam if dey spot you.~
~Gambit's right, my dear. You will have to trust my X Men to bring Adam out safely.~ Charles turned from her. ~Rogue, you will go in and---keep an eye-- -on Adam. Storm, you try to find a way into the base. Perhaps we can find out what they want him for. Gambit, you keep your eyes and ears open for an opportunity to get everyone out.~
~Send de petite. Gambit will need a date for de party, too.~
~What's the matter, Swamp Rat. Loosin' your touch?~ Marie teased.
~Non, Remy sees many lovely files but better to have someone who knows what's goin' on den try to sneak away from a girl lookin' fo attention.~ He leaned in and kissed her before she could react.
~Very well. If there are no questions we should begin at once. Gambit, expect the girls shortly.~ Charles released everyone.
As they opened their eyes, Jesse bolted for his room before anyone had a chance to say anything.
"Ladies, please prepare to leave within the hour. Mutant X will stay here and will go in only if there is need." As he spoke, Jesse returned.
"If someone can get this into any one of the computers on the base, I should be able to get in and find out what's been going on." He handed the small device to Ororo. "Good luck," he said then stole one quick look at Kitty, turned and left.
Marie walked over to Evie. "Evie, Ah---Ah'll try to---" she muttered as sorrow flashed in her eyes.
Evie reached out and took her hands. "Marie, listen to me. You do whatever is necessary to bring my husband home safely. I trust you and so does Adam." Marie smiled and kissed her.
"Please don't worry, Evie."
"Thank you, Charles." She got up to leave and reached for Brennan and Shalimar's hands. They took her back to her room.
"Be careful out there, girls." Logan looked at Rogue silently affirming her ability to take care of herself and the others if need be. "Ro, make sure you call in for back up. Don't try to take on the military by yourselves." Logan kissed Ro then moved over to Kitty. "Don't let worry about Jesse distract you from the mission. Stay focused." He pointed a finger and touched her nose. "Brennan and I'll talk to him. He'll be ok. You'll see." He smiled as she tiptoed and kissed his cheek.
Logan got the girls on the road then went to make good on his promise to Kitty. He found Brennan in the hall about to enter Jesse's room. "Are Shalimar and Evie settled in for the night?"
"Yeah, the professor's gonna stay with Evie in case she begins to dream again. He wants to be able to stop her so no one will know she's trying to make contact, especially since we're so close by."
"Ok, then all we have to worry about is Jesse. Let's go." Logan nodded toward the door and Brennan knocked. They didn't get an answer so Brennan opened the door and they entered. Jesse was just coming out of his bathroom after a shower. When they didn't speak he did. "I figured with the girls on a mission, I needed to sober up. Thought a pot of coffee and a cold shower might do it." He saw them both chuckle as Brennan sat on a chair as Logan leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest.
"Jesse, what's goin' on?" Brennan asked not wanting to beat around the bush.
"I don't know. I miss Emma. I loved her so much that when we first got back home I wanted to die just to still be with her. I never imagined ever loosing her. I know that risk goes with every mission but there's something about love that makes all reality seem so distant. I hurt so much---it hurt to breathe." Jesse began to pace. "Then I had a dream the night before the funeral. Emma came to me. She told me how happy I'd made her since she came to live with us. She told me that she didn't want me to mourn for her. She said she wanted me to be happy and find someone else who could love me as much as she did. She kissed me and I could actually feel it. I could taste her lips and smell her perfume. It was that real. It was just as real--- when she said 'goodbye.' I tried to hold onto her but she smiled and just faded away." He finally stopped and sat down. "After I woke up, I was shaken by the dream but later I realized that I didn't hurt anymore. I went and bought her favorite flowers and spent time saying goodbye. The funeral was hard. It made me realize how final it was." He moved to the table and poured coffee then passed it out. "I got involved in the search for Adam and found I could actually concentrate. Her memory seems to be in the back of my mind, giving me peace somehow. I can't explain it. It's like I know that she'll always be a part of me." Jesse got up again and went to the window. "That much I've thought about a lot. Then I start to feel guilty for being able to get over her so easily. I feel guilty for being able to work and for being able to think about anything else." He turned and plopped on the couch again. With a deep breath and a heavy sigh he continued. "Then---there's Kitty. I've always been fond of her. We always seemed to be able to connect. She's done so much for me. Just her being with me has helped more than I can explain. Everything was fine and--- platonic---until we were dancing at the club. When I held her and she put her head on my shoulder, it was like---that's where she was meant to be. In a heartbeat my feelings changed and just as fast I was flooded with guilt, like I was cheating on Emma and taking advantage of Kitty. I felt like my emotions were controlling me and I couldn't trust myself. Everything inside me was screaming to kiss her. I knew that if I didn't get her out of my arms I would have." Running his hands through his now dry hair, he continued. "How bad is that? The girl comes to take care of me and the only way I can think to thank her is to take advantage of her. I never thought I could be so low and dirty." With that he slumped back into the sofa and was finally quiet.
Brennan and Logan looked at each other for a moment and then Brennan began. "Maybe the dream was real." He saw Jesse's eyes open in disbelief. "Evie said that she saw Emma, too and that Emma was trying to tell her something about you. Evie's dreams turned out to be telepathic connections. Suppose she was really connected to Emma's spirit for a brief moment. Your dream was right before the funeral. She loved you more than anything. Maybe she needed to communicate with you and give you that peace so she could finally rest. I know that she would never want you to feel guilty about anything. She'd want you to go on with your life and be happy and find someone else to love." He could see that Jesse was trying to grasp what he was saying. "Emotions are running high right now for everyone. I think that's what triggered the guilt. If you could hold on to the peace she gave you and just take everything slowly, you'll be ok---We all will."
"But Kitty, I pushed her away and hurt her, tonight." Jesse again dropped his head.
"Kitty's in love with you." Jesse's head sprang up in a flash as he saw Logan finally move and sit in a chair opposite Brennan. "It started as a teenage crush. She was happy to know that Emma loved you so much, so she played it cool but some of us knew. She never got giggly and talkative like Jubilee did whenever Sparky here, was scheduled to come to the mansion." Brennan's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped which made Jesse actually laugh for a second. "Eventually, Jubilee grew out of it, so she figured she would, too. But she never did."
Brennan unconsciously pouted for the love he never knew about. Jesse seemed to read him pretty well. "Knock it off or I'll tell Shal." Brennan silently put his hands up in defeat and smiled back.
"Both girls'll be out for revenge if they find out I told you guys, so let's not tell anyone, huh? Anyway, she begged Chuck to let her come when she heard. There was no reasoning with her."
Jesse stood shaking his head. "That still doesn't give me the right to just put the moves on her."
"No, it doesn't. You'd have to deal with me if you did." Logan gave him a mock glare.
Brennan decided to intervene. "I don't think you should turn your back on her either. Take it slow. Give both of you time to adjust and get to know each other. Then you'll be able to decide if you want to have a relationship or not." Then he added, trying to lighten the mood, "Once she gets to really know you, she might dump you like Jubes dumped me." It worked.
"I have to talk to her. I need to apologize and try to explain." The air around Jesse seemed much lighter.
"Yeah, well, it'll have to wait 'til she gets back from this mission." Logan brought them back to reality.
"Look, I know the X Men are trained, but how much experience does she really have in action?" Jesse's concern took over as he saw Logan frown.
"Don't worry, Gambit will take care of her." Logan knew what he said was true. He also knew that anything could happen on a mission. "Let's get some sleep in case they need us, tomorrow."
TBC
Chapter 11 - Guy Talk
After a couple more losing hands, Remy stood up. "Dat's enough fo' tonight. Got to save some cash fo' the rest of de weekend. See you again." He shook hands around the table.
"Come find us tomorrow. I'll give you a chance to win some back," Adam offered.
"A true gentleman," Remy smirked and he heard them laugh as he walked to the bar.
Soon Chastity was by his side once more. "You still got it, LeBeau." He smiled into his drink. "Ah was watching you. You're setting those boys up for a big fall."
"All part of de fun." He turned and smiled at her. "You kept this place nice. It feels like---comin' home." He was sincerely happy for his friend's success.
"Keepin' it up is the easy part. Keepin' it staffed, now there's the trick. Ah keep losin' waitresses. These boys tend to get a little too friendly and scare off the young girls. Ah just lost three today."
"Maybe Remy can make a few phone calls---get you some short term help." He finished his drink.
"You know some girls who might take a job in a saloon like this?"
"Remy knows lots a girls, chere." He smiled as he placed his hand over hers.
"Now, Ah'm the one with the broken heart, you ol' flirt. You get me some girls and they'll be hired on the spot. You're a good enough reference, Ah suppose." She kissed his cheek and walked away.
Back in his room Gambit closed his eyes and tried to reach the professor.
~Gambit, report.~
~Gambit got good news. Just lost a few hands of poker to our frien', Adam.~
~Very good news. Wait, just a minute. The rest of the team is coming in now. I will connect us all and you may tell them.~
The professor summoned everyone to his room. When they arrived he explained his intention of taking them all into a section of his mind for a meeting. All sat and closed their eyes. In a matter of moments, everyone was gathered in what appeared to be a large room. Marie immediately went to Remy's side allowing their minds to touch.
He took Marie's hand then smiled at Evie. ~Gambit had the pleasure of playing poker with Adam.~
~Adam---~ Evie whispered as she raised a shaky hand to her chest.
~Do you think he recognized you at all?~ the professor asked.
~Non. He was---not himself. Whatever dey did to him, he is very different.~
~What do you mean by different, exactly?~ Shalimar asked.
~Adam had many drinks, while we played. Scotch. He also won most of de night. De only time he folded was on purpose to not upset de oter players.~
~That's not unusual.~ Brennan told him. ~Scotch has always been his chosen poison.~
~And he reads the best pokers faces like open books,~ added Shalimar.
Evie giggled at the image that was just drawn of her husband. ~I'm sorry but I could just see Adam sitting victorious at a poker table.~
~Dere's more.~ His sad tone drew her attention. ~He's not acting like the gentleman he norm'lly is.~ Remy looked for as gentle a way as possible to let them know about Adam's current lady hunting. ~He's looking fo' a date to a party, day after tomorrow. Spent the evening---watching de waitresses.~
Charles moved to Evie's side and took her hand. ~Behavior modification,~ he stated. ~They must have thought it would help prevent his real memories from trying to break through.~
~Gambit also know de owner is looking for more waitresses because de 'friendly' patrons tend to scare dem off. Might be a good idea to let Adam catch one of our girls befo' he go get mixed up wid a stranger.~
~Very wise,~ Charles said.
~I can wait tables. Maybe seeing me will help him fight the memory blocks.~
~No, mon chere, Evie. Dat's not possible. Dey are definitely on de look out for Mutan' X. Dere's no tellin' what dey do wid Adam if dey spot you.~
~Gambit's right, my dear. You will have to trust my X Men to bring Adam out safely.~ Charles turned from her. ~Rogue, you will go in and---keep an eye-- -on Adam. Storm, you try to find a way into the base. Perhaps we can find out what they want him for. Gambit, you keep your eyes and ears open for an opportunity to get everyone out.~
~Send de petite. Gambit will need a date for de party, too.~
~What's the matter, Swamp Rat. Loosin' your touch?~ Marie teased.
~Non, Remy sees many lovely files but better to have someone who knows what's goin' on den try to sneak away from a girl lookin' fo attention.~ He leaned in and kissed her before she could react.
~Very well. If there are no questions we should begin at once. Gambit, expect the girls shortly.~ Charles released everyone.
As they opened their eyes, Jesse bolted for his room before anyone had a chance to say anything.
"Ladies, please prepare to leave within the hour. Mutant X will stay here and will go in only if there is need." As he spoke, Jesse returned.
"If someone can get this into any one of the computers on the base, I should be able to get in and find out what's been going on." He handed the small device to Ororo. "Good luck," he said then stole one quick look at Kitty, turned and left.
Marie walked over to Evie. "Evie, Ah---Ah'll try to---" she muttered as sorrow flashed in her eyes.
Evie reached out and took her hands. "Marie, listen to me. You do whatever is necessary to bring my husband home safely. I trust you and so does Adam." Marie smiled and kissed her.
"Please don't worry, Evie."
"Thank you, Charles." She got up to leave and reached for Brennan and Shalimar's hands. They took her back to her room.
"Be careful out there, girls." Logan looked at Rogue silently affirming her ability to take care of herself and the others if need be. "Ro, make sure you call in for back up. Don't try to take on the military by yourselves." Logan kissed Ro then moved over to Kitty. "Don't let worry about Jesse distract you from the mission. Stay focused." He pointed a finger and touched her nose. "Brennan and I'll talk to him. He'll be ok. You'll see." He smiled as she tiptoed and kissed his cheek.
Logan got the girls on the road then went to make good on his promise to Kitty. He found Brennan in the hall about to enter Jesse's room. "Are Shalimar and Evie settled in for the night?"
"Yeah, the professor's gonna stay with Evie in case she begins to dream again. He wants to be able to stop her so no one will know she's trying to make contact, especially since we're so close by."
"Ok, then all we have to worry about is Jesse. Let's go." Logan nodded toward the door and Brennan knocked. They didn't get an answer so Brennan opened the door and they entered. Jesse was just coming out of his bathroom after a shower. When they didn't speak he did. "I figured with the girls on a mission, I needed to sober up. Thought a pot of coffee and a cold shower might do it." He saw them both chuckle as Brennan sat on a chair as Logan leaned against the wall and folded his arms across his chest.
"Jesse, what's goin' on?" Brennan asked not wanting to beat around the bush.
"I don't know. I miss Emma. I loved her so much that when we first got back home I wanted to die just to still be with her. I never imagined ever loosing her. I know that risk goes with every mission but there's something about love that makes all reality seem so distant. I hurt so much---it hurt to breathe." Jesse began to pace. "Then I had a dream the night before the funeral. Emma came to me. She told me how happy I'd made her since she came to live with us. She told me that she didn't want me to mourn for her. She said she wanted me to be happy and find someone else who could love me as much as she did. She kissed me and I could actually feel it. I could taste her lips and smell her perfume. It was that real. It was just as real--- when she said 'goodbye.' I tried to hold onto her but she smiled and just faded away." He finally stopped and sat down. "After I woke up, I was shaken by the dream but later I realized that I didn't hurt anymore. I went and bought her favorite flowers and spent time saying goodbye. The funeral was hard. It made me realize how final it was." He moved to the table and poured coffee then passed it out. "I got involved in the search for Adam and found I could actually concentrate. Her memory seems to be in the back of my mind, giving me peace somehow. I can't explain it. It's like I know that she'll always be a part of me." Jesse got up again and went to the window. "That much I've thought about a lot. Then I start to feel guilty for being able to get over her so easily. I feel guilty for being able to work and for being able to think about anything else." He turned and plopped on the couch again. With a deep breath and a heavy sigh he continued. "Then---there's Kitty. I've always been fond of her. We always seemed to be able to connect. She's done so much for me. Just her being with me has helped more than I can explain. Everything was fine and--- platonic---until we were dancing at the club. When I held her and she put her head on my shoulder, it was like---that's where she was meant to be. In a heartbeat my feelings changed and just as fast I was flooded with guilt, like I was cheating on Emma and taking advantage of Kitty. I felt like my emotions were controlling me and I couldn't trust myself. Everything inside me was screaming to kiss her. I knew that if I didn't get her out of my arms I would have." Running his hands through his now dry hair, he continued. "How bad is that? The girl comes to take care of me and the only way I can think to thank her is to take advantage of her. I never thought I could be so low and dirty." With that he slumped back into the sofa and was finally quiet.
Brennan and Logan looked at each other for a moment and then Brennan began. "Maybe the dream was real." He saw Jesse's eyes open in disbelief. "Evie said that she saw Emma, too and that Emma was trying to tell her something about you. Evie's dreams turned out to be telepathic connections. Suppose she was really connected to Emma's spirit for a brief moment. Your dream was right before the funeral. She loved you more than anything. Maybe she needed to communicate with you and give you that peace so she could finally rest. I know that she would never want you to feel guilty about anything. She'd want you to go on with your life and be happy and find someone else to love." He could see that Jesse was trying to grasp what he was saying. "Emotions are running high right now for everyone. I think that's what triggered the guilt. If you could hold on to the peace she gave you and just take everything slowly, you'll be ok---We all will."
"But Kitty, I pushed her away and hurt her, tonight." Jesse again dropped his head.
"Kitty's in love with you." Jesse's head sprang up in a flash as he saw Logan finally move and sit in a chair opposite Brennan. "It started as a teenage crush. She was happy to know that Emma loved you so much, so she played it cool but some of us knew. She never got giggly and talkative like Jubilee did whenever Sparky here, was scheduled to come to the mansion." Brennan's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped which made Jesse actually laugh for a second. "Eventually, Jubilee grew out of it, so she figured she would, too. But she never did."
Brennan unconsciously pouted for the love he never knew about. Jesse seemed to read him pretty well. "Knock it off or I'll tell Shal." Brennan silently put his hands up in defeat and smiled back.
"Both girls'll be out for revenge if they find out I told you guys, so let's not tell anyone, huh? Anyway, she begged Chuck to let her come when she heard. There was no reasoning with her."
Jesse stood shaking his head. "That still doesn't give me the right to just put the moves on her."
"No, it doesn't. You'd have to deal with me if you did." Logan gave him a mock glare.
Brennan decided to intervene. "I don't think you should turn your back on her either. Take it slow. Give both of you time to adjust and get to know each other. Then you'll be able to decide if you want to have a relationship or not." Then he added, trying to lighten the mood, "Once she gets to really know you, she might dump you like Jubes dumped me." It worked.
"I have to talk to her. I need to apologize and try to explain." The air around Jesse seemed much lighter.
"Yeah, well, it'll have to wait 'til she gets back from this mission." Logan brought them back to reality.
"Look, I know the X Men are trained, but how much experience does she really have in action?" Jesse's concern took over as he saw Logan frown.
"Don't worry, Gambit will take care of her." Logan knew what he said was true. He also knew that anything could happen on a mission. "Let's get some sleep in case they need us, tomorrow."
TBC
