Warren carefully folded another sweater and put it away in the middle drawer of the new bureau. He and Remy had wasted no time getting their new room settled. That first day, they'd headed out and shopped for a bunch of furniture that they both liked. Warren hadn't felt so free in a long time. They'd laughed and joked, not caring how open they were with their affections. And people had just smiled when they saw the two young men together. They hadn't painted the room but planned on getting a wrap-around-the-room mural done. The furniture could easily be covered with drop cloths for the duration. But they hadn't decided what they wanted as a pattern yet so that would wait. Warren had called his staff and had his things sent to New Orleans. It wasn't as if he couldn't run his business from anywhere he wanted. Cell phones and the internet were wonderful inventions.

While he didn't stay in full-time residence at the X-Mansion, he did keep a room there. He wanted to keep some clothing and things there of course, for when he'd join the team again. he knew he would, they had been his only family after his parents had died and besides, he enjoyed being an X-Man. But there had been a few favorites that he'd wanted to have with him, so he'd called up and asked Jean to send them down to him. Jean being Jean, everyone had known what he was doing within minutes of the call and he figured there were probably at least a dozen rumors floating around the team. the X-Men were horrible gossips. but Warren figured he wouldn't have to deal with the rumors just yet. He and Remy had only had a few days to start getting used to this new relationship after all.

Remy had been like a little kid again since he and Warren had become lovers. He constantly had to be in contact with Warren, even if it was only holding his hand or sitting shoulder to shoulder. Tante had noticed and given her approval to the relationship. he hadn't been this free since Belle and she knew that Warren had to be special to capture her Remy's heart as he had. She hadn't really liked Rogue, finding her standoffish and cold. Whether it was her or her powers didn't matter. All Tante knew was the disappointment and hurt Remy displayed briefly every time she saw them together.

At the moment, Remy was on the phone with Logan, arranging for his own things to be shipped. Unlike Warren, there were only a few he felt really comfortable with on the team. And as long as Rogue was there, he wasn't looking forward to returning any time soon. He hung up and came into the room, smiling at his lover. "Y'know Angewe ain't gonna get away wit' not showin' up soon. Could hear Jubilee in de background makin' kissy face noises."

Warren laughed, "How Logan hooked up with her I'll never understand. Did he suddenly get the urge to be a father?" He shrugged as he carefully hung up one of his expensive suits, the last item of clothing he had to unpack. the batch had arrived that morning. "I suppose they'll call us if they need us. Give us a bit of time for the rumors to die down. knowing the X-Men, something equally sensational will come along like Jean dying again or Scott gaining a long-lost relative."

"Oh pleasede horror! Another Summers? Anythin' but that!" He pretended to be really scared, but the truth was, he respected Scott, and enjoyed at times pressing Scott's buttons. Jeannie was okfor a mother hen. "Everyt'ing here now? Anyone tell you, you got more clothes den a fille?" he teased. "Logan said he would send mine. Don' plan on goin' back t' stay myself."

"I have to look my best, don't I? And after buying several cars, a dozen different houses, and a plane, what else am I going to spend my millions on? I never stay for long at the mansion, usually only a month or so if something's going on or I just want to be with people."

"Wellya can show off at de Guild events. Dey all wanna meet you. Belle said dere was a pool goin' on how long it was before I got rid of Rogue. She won." Remy grinned, enjoying the idea of showing off with Warren. "So what should we do t'day?"

Warren smiled mischievously. "Hey, does that mean all Worthington businesses won't be targets of the Guild? I suppose, if they want to meet me, I should oblige. It's an important part of your life, I'd like to know more about it."

"Yah. You protected. neither T'ief or Assassin can touch ya or your companies. How t'describe de Guildwell, ya can guess what we dobut we also do give t' charity as well. Someone wants somethin' dey can hire us. Assassinswell, Belle Matriarch of dat but we work t'gether now."

"That would make more sense logistically actually. It's not as if the two Guilds go for the same territory, business-wise. I mean, Worthington Enterprises locks horns with Stark-Fujikawa in some departments but not in others."

"Wasn't always dis way though. And not all like it. Still tension, but it's better. Different business; we steal and fence, dey kill. But we gotten wit' de times and even t'ieves have some honor. We don' do kidnapping, not do we deal in drugs or porn. Assassins don' like killin' women or kidsor killin' in front of bebes. Well, some do but we don' condone it. If we find it happenedwell, it ain't nice."

Warren shrugged, "I may be an X-Man, but I'm a also a businessman who's active in world politics. I know exactly where both your Guilds get a lot of your business." Stealing information was much more important and profitable in this new century than taking jewels or paintings or what have you. And assassinations were usually in the political arena. Oh, not so much in America but a lot of other countries practiced it often. The U.S. was much morediscrete. but Warren knew how things were played.

"Thanks for not judging me on dat. Most people don' understand it, but ya t'ink about itleast we honest about it. What do ya say we get out a while? I gotta go t' de Guild house anyway and ya can meet a few dere. We can go t' de swamp and fly afterwards if ya like. I can have Tante pack us some food?"

Warren smiled and nodded. "Sounds great." He grabbed his emergency cell phone off the dresser. He kept it on at all times and only the X-Men and the top executives of his company had the number. he'd only gotten calls about a dozen times in two years, but he usually tried to keep it on him and if he couldn't, he always checked for messages. Those first few weeks he hadn't had it with him, but now that he wasn't nearly so depressed, it was best to keep it close, just in case.

When they got to the kitchen, Tante handed Remy an insulated bag. "Go, get out of here and get some sun." Remy kissed her cheek and then smartly saluted. in return, she threatened him with her wooden spoon. "Warren, I'm sorry you got such a brat. I tried but de homme is beyond impossible. Do on Remy. Out!" The spoon connected with his hand as he snitched one of the cookies she had out to cool. Once outside, he grinned, "I swear she a telepath at times."

Chuckling, Warren handed him one of the two cookies Tante had given him on the sly. She liked to spoil him too and had found that he could eat a great deal without gaining weight due to his avian-like physiology so she kept feeding him her wonderful cooking. "So, who am I meeting?" he asked as he took a bite of the cookie still in his hand.

"Eitienne. Belle probably. mercy, my sister-in-law. Maybe Poppa as well. how come she give you de goodies and I get a rap? Hmmnow I know who her favorite is." He pretended to be hurt as they walked towards Remy's car, but he wasn't really. Henri had complained a few times about the same thing, but Tante spoiled them bothin different ways. "Dey, ahhdo know about you though. From the scouting reports. you can have de pleasure of yellin' at Eitienne."

Warren quirked an eyebrow up. "He's the one who said my place was a good one to steal from? make him uncomfortable anyway, yeah. And she doesn't give you any when you try to steal them. You may be a thief, but you need more manners."

"But it's a fun game, no? Sides, I got mannersjus' more fun t' try and see if I can beat her. And yahEitienne usually better den dis. Although he was rightyour place was a t'ief paradise. he jus' forgot to show me de surveillance video. If he had said ya had de wings I would have known, but he claims he never saw dem."

Warren looked dubious. "It's not as if I was hiding them. I thought I was the only one there."

"Gotta yell at him about being more observant. probably when he was watchin', he did so in de dark. if ya didn't have lamps or lights onmay not have seen. here we are. Ready?" Remy had pulled up to a stately house that could have been any city residence. it had no insignias or any clues that gave it away as a Guild house. Walking in was like walking into an expensive club. Several people greeted Remy and regarded Warren with curiosity as remy introduced him. They were met by a tall blonde in red spandex. "So dis de one, neh?" She eyed warren and gave an approving grin. "So tell me Warren, how do ya put up wit' him? He bribin' ya?"

Signing, Remy said, "Love ya too mercy. Warren, dis is Mercy. mercyWarren."

Warren grinned, "What could he bribe me with? I have more money than he does! It's difficult, it really is." He gave a theatrical sigh of long-suffering. "But someone's got to do it." His wings fluttered playfully. he hadn't worn the harness since that night a few days ago when he and Remy had finally revealed their burgeoning love to one another and started working on a relationship. After the mind-blowing sex, of course. He held out a hand and then air-kissed the back of hers when she responded. "Please to meet you, Mercy."

Turning to Remy, Mercy smirked. "I like dis one Remy. Smart mouth like you. Bout time ya finally woke up and realized dat skunk was trouble." Remy just rolled his eyes. "Yah yah, I know, I know. Ya were right, I was wrong. I'm a romanticsue me. Eitienne and Belle around?" Mercy shook her head. "Belle left, but Eitienne and Jean Luc are here. Meetin' room. Gotta go." She kissed Remy's cheek and whispered something before taking her leave. Remy found Warren's hand and they started walking towards the meeting room.

Warren smiled softly, a bit nervous, but handling it with Remy right there next to him, clasping his hand. "I get to meet your father?"

"Yah. You ok wit' dat? You can stay here if ya want. But he'll love you. What not t' love? He knows aboutwell, how ya been livin' wit' me and all. He ain't gonna be upset."

Warren shook his head, "No, I want to meet him. He's your father."

"I won' leave you, I promise." As they walked in, they were met by a large, well-built older man and a young red-haired man who jumped up nervously from his computer. The older man had his long hair tied back, and he wore all black. When he saw his son, he smiled. "So dis is Ange, neh? Well, come on in, I don' bite. Warren is it? nice t' finally meet you. How you feelin'? Better?"

Warren nodded and shook Jean Luc's hand. "Yes, thank you sir. Much better. It's wonderful to meet you. I keep hearing great things."

"Sit down. Tell me about you. Such aswhat are your intentions toward my son? Hmm?" After Rogue, Jean Luc had become very protective of his younger son and didn't want him hurt again. "What exactly have you heard?"

"Remy talks of you a lot, Tante some too. You did a wonderful job raising him. As for my intentions, welljust see how it goes I suppose."

"I see." At least this one looked him in the eyes. "Well, long as Remy is happyand he seems to bewelcome Warren. Eitienne? Where are you goin'?"

Remy turned to the younger man who had been edging towards the door. "Mesieu?" he squeaked. He knew he was in big trouble after screwing up the surveillance on Warren.

Warren's eyes twinkled. "this is Eitienne? I've heard about you too." he spread his wings, showing their full sixteen-foot span. "How in the world did you miss them?"

"Uhhwell, Iuh, youit was dark" Remy simply watched, enjoying the show, then felt he had to add something. "Mebbeya need glasses, no?"

Warren shook his head sadly, "A master thief who can't see something obvious in front of his face."

"Well, who said he was a master?" Remy asked. Eitienne could only stammer and sweat. "II don't know"

Warren chuckled, "Relax, I should probably thank you. if Remy hadn't gotten there" His eyes were slightly shadowed. It seemed a look that never left him for long.

"Ummyou, ahwelcome?"

Remy finally decided to let him off the hook. "Jus' don' do it again." Eitienne nodded and made his escape.

Warren chuckled again at the look on Eitienne's face, forgetting the moment of darkness. He turned back to Jean Luc. "So, any embarrassing childhood stories and/or photos you can give me?"

Jean Luc grinned widely. "Wellwhat's it worth to you?" he asked, laughing as Remy turned red.

Warren batted his eyes, "What do you want?" He was only flirting a little. As he'd told Remy, it was a part of him. But he figured Jean Luc would name something in the form of another kind of information on his son, like about the team he spent time with.

"I will have to consider. now tell me thoughwhere can we get equally embarrassing info about you? Not gonna have Eitienne find dat. Boy gotta stick wit' de computers den spying. you two stayin' here, or goin' back wit' de X-Men?

Warren shrugged. "Embarrassing info, what they have of it, is with the X-Men. there are a few photo albums at home that I hid long ago. And we figured we'd stay here but help out in emergencies." At that exact moment, his cell phone rang. Warren jumped and then looked down at his pocket as if it had suddenly broken laws. He took out the small high-tech piece and flipped it open. "Worthington."

Remy looked at Jean Luc and shrugged. He didn't know what was going on, he was just hoping it wasn't anything major. he wanted to go to the swamp and watch Warren fly. Maybe do a little more than just watch Warren.

Warren was making more or less perfunctory noises into the phone. Then he turned to Remy and said, "Yes, he's here with me." he frowned. "Well, do you really needI understand, butfine, you talk to him." Warren sighed and handed the phone to Remy. "It's Logan."

Remy looked confused but took the phone. "Hello? Loganwhat's goin' on? What you need us for?"

Logan's voice was gruff in the speaker. "Sorry about this Cajun, but we got a bit of a problem in the Savage Land. We got word from Ka-Zar that Sauron's started to take slaves from the villages for a project of his and he's using the mutates to avoid retaliation. We need some extra manpower so they told me to call in you and Wings."

"Why us though? And, well" He looked at Warren worriedly. Knowing how Sauron had hurt Warren, he was concerned for his lover's mental health, which was still very fragile. "You absolutely sure ya need us? I need t' talk wit' Warren. I will call right back wit' de answer, but he comes first."

Logan's concern came through the small receiver. "Gotcha Cajun. But make it quick. the leaders're antsy."

"Promise. I will." He turned off the phone, took a deep breath, and faced Warren. His voice was firm, but Hean Luc could see his son was concerned. "Your choice. If you feel you canwe'll go. Or you can stay here and I'll go. Or we both stay. You more important t' me and I don' want you goin' jus' cause ya feel like ya have to. You gotta take care of you first chere."

Warren drew a deep breath and set his jaw. "You're not going without me and, well, it sounds like they really need us. I don't know why they can't call anyone else in, but Logan sounded worried. Andand I think I have to face this."

"Like I saidyou need it, whether ya admit it or not, I will pull you out. Sorry Poppa." Jean Luc waved a hand. "Go. I'll tell Tante. Warren, take care of yourself. Remy, take care of Warren. I want t' see you both back safe. Got it?" He hugged his son, then Warren, whispering for him to stay near Remy. "He loves you. Thank you for loving him." Then he shooed them out, telling them that the Guild jet would be waiting for them.

Warren followed Remy, rather bemused. "Wow. I think your dad likes me. We don't need the Guild jet, Remy, mine's still at the airfield." He had many corporate jets plus two private ones. When he'd come down here, he'd used one of them. The pilot was having a rather long paid vacation.

"Told ya he would Ange. What's no t' love?" He smiled sweetly at the man beside him and then said, "Fine, I'll cancel it. And we gotta call Logan back." As they drove, Remy told Logan they would be on their way, then called Jean Luc and told him about the new arrangements. Tante already knew and had both their bags ready. "Go. And come back in one piece."

Warren gave in to impulse and hugged her. "We will. Haven't not come back from a mission yet. The X-Men are a great team." Then they made their way to the airfield and Warren's private jet. He'd already summoned the pilot and the small plane was ready to go as soon as they boarded.

Remy was fine on the flight and the subsequent drive until they got close to the mansion. Last time he had been there, he had told Rogue off and hadn't looked back. What would he say to her? Would she ignore him? Would she even care he was here? What had she heard? And Warrenwhat about Betsy? Dis worse den goin' up against Magneto,' he mused to himself.

Warren was getting increasingly nervous as they approached the mansion and he hid it the way he always had: behind the mask of the airhead playboy. The slut. Remy found himself with a Warren who was suddenly even more overtly sensual than he'd gotten used to. This was the Warren he'd seen before they'd really known each other. The car pulled up in front of the mansion and Warren gave the driver instructions to head back to the Worthington Enterprises garage. His wings fluttered and as they walked in the door, Warren was suddenly the sex on legs he'd always been.

Remy looked at Warren and sighed. This was not a good sign. Sure, he liked Warren's flirting nature and was secure enough to know that while Warren may flirt, it was he who got the real Warren. The others got a mask. "Chere? It's okya safe wit' me. Jus' be yourelax. like when you wit' me at home. Dey can't hurt you." He took Warren's hand, lacing their fingers together. "I'm not gonna leave."

That made Warren realize what he was doing and he consciously tried to send the persona away, tame his body posture. He was mostly successful and nodded, squeezing Remy's hand. "Thisis kind of new to me." By that time, they'd been spotted.

"I know, but rememberyou can jus' be you. Dey don't like it, too bad." He saw who was walking towards them and groaned. Logan and Rogue. Now was the time to practice what he preached. Rogue noticed their hands and frowned. She said nothing for now though. Remy inclined his head, "Logan. Rogue. Where everyone?"

Logan monitored the tension but didn't do anything. "Most of em are with Excalibur. There was some kind of huge fracas going on they needed help with. They won't be available for while. Some just ain't answering phones."

Logan looked at Warren. "You sure yer up for this Wings? Ya don't gotta ya know." He could smell the tension coming off Rogue. Only a nudge with an elbow had reminded her that she had promised to be civil. So far, so good. Well, at least verbally anyway. "Scott's waitin'. practically foaming to get this thing done."

Warren nodded. "I know Sauron better than any of you. You'll need me. let's get in there before Slim explodes."

Logan led them to the war room, Rogue trailing behind, glaring daggers at their backs. "Cyke? Got Gumbo and Wings here. Wanna fill em in?"

Scott nodded, looking at them briefly before turning to the screen that held pictures of their foes. "We got a message from Ka-Zar. Apparently, Sauron's back and he's leading the mutates in taking captives from the native tribes and using them as slave labor in a building project of some kind. Ka-Zar said they've already tried one rescue mission that failed and now they're asking for help. Along with Sauron, there's also Vertigo, Barbarus, Gaza, Lupo, and Amphibius. He's not sure if Brainchild is involved but it doesn't look like any more than that. He has no idea what they're building."

"So what's de plan? Go in and jus' try and take dem all out? Vertigoall she gotta do is look at ya and ya get dizzy." Remy was thinking out loud more than anything. Rogue took the opportunity. "Knew ya were a traitor, but nevah took ya for a coward Swamp-Rat." Her voice was sweet, but her words stabbed Remy better than any knife. Would he ever live that down? Logan growled at her to shut up.

Rogue turned on Wolverine. "Why should Ah? He got the Morlocks killed. He left the team and now lookhe's got poor Warren under his spell. Did ya know that he's a damn empath, Warren? He's probably manipulating you just like he did everyone else here."

Warren swallowed, used to attacks like this but not used to retaliating. He always just took it, was very good at it in fact. That was when Betsy joined in. She'd been sitting there with a cold look on her face making it impossible to figure out what she was thinking. She leaned forward and spoke in a velvet purr. "Oh, Warren's just doing what he always does." She leered. "How's the sex, LeBeau? Warren's very good at it, isn't he? Worth a whole lot except he'll give it for free." Warren shivered and Scott glared around the room with a barked, "WHAT is going on?"

Remy pasted a lazy smile on his face even though his stomach was in knots. he removed his hand from Warren's to wrap it around his waist instead. "Why don' ya ask de fillesand I use dat term loosely. Rogue, considering your past, you shouldn't be throwin' stones at me. Betsyunlike you, I don' kiss and tell. I don' need to brag t' feel good bout my relationship."

Logan smirked and silently gave his support. He didn't like either woman, but he liked Warren and Remy. And was happy for them.

Jean's eyes had narrowed at the hostile mental thoughts of both women and Hank was blinking rapidly behind his glasses, uncertain what all this meant. Storm had a faint look of disgust on her face, but it was unclear towards whom it was directed. Scott was still glaring, but it was directed at Psylocke and Rogue. "Look, if you two have personal problems, take it up some other time. Right now, we've got a job to do." He looked around the table. "Everyone ready?"

Remy looked at Warren, the question clear in his eyes. if Warren was scared, he would respect Warren's feelings. he himself had no real fear of dying, but he did have a fear of being alone again. Logan grunted and flexed his claws in response. "Enough yakkin' and let's go."

Warren nodded, "Let's get this over with." He didn't even look at Betsy or Rogue as he got up and headed for the Blackbird, his hand clutching tightly to Remy's.

A/N: Because it was brought up by one of our reviewers, the NC-17 version of last chapter is available if you ask me to email it to you. Also, I know the whole "they're building something mysterious in the Savage Land" plot is totally cliché, but hey, why mess with tradition? {evil grin}