Two Weeks
Scene XII
Rogue's Room
11:40 p.m.
Although Gambit heard the door creak open, and comprehended the Canadian's words of comfort, he did not glance away from the precious link of evidence he held in his hands. The man called Remy was currently in two separate realities. In the first, he sat just as he did, at the edge of his love's bed, listening and believing Logan's vows to retrieve their teammate.
In the second reality however, he was miles away in thought, contemplating the many ways of tracking Rogue, and simultaneously imagining himself rescuing her from the captors. The two worlds existed simultaneously, however it was the second world in which Gambit no longer felt helpless, and therefore he poured the majority of his attention into the fantasy.
Wolverine on the other hand was very much a part of the first reality, and was currently surveying the damage and replaying the scene in his head. He vividly imagined each moment conspiring during the few crucial minutes leading to Rogue's capture.
Just as a flashback in a movie, Logan's mind incorporated the black and white tones into the scene in his mind. He saw one man crash against the vanity, as Rogue threw the second across the room and into the wall. He followed her flight through the door and into the hallway where his own two worlds clashed.
Magneto leaned heavily against the doorframe and absorbed the damage. Logan could easily see the anger rising in his face, and soon the crunch and groan of metal joined the Jewish man's ragged breathing.
Sparing a glance through the shambled window, Logan witnessed the helicopter turning inward on itself as the master of magnetism vented his frustrations on the only physical evidence left behind by the men.
Logan lowered his voice and forced it into a soothing tone. "Easy now Mag's. Ya can't go destroying the only link we go t' these bastards." Eric apparently agreed with the statement and the screeching sound of metal on metal ceased.
Beast, Morph, and Bobby soon joined the others and it was not the splattered glass, nor the desolate room that made their hearts cold. Rather it was the sight of Gambit, slumped at the edge of the bed tat made them loose hope.
Remy seemed broken somehow, like he had lost something that would never be returned. His posture screamed of defeat and self-torture, screamed of a man who had lost his cockiness and self-confidence.
His lack of arrogance was the clincher though. Gambit had a reputation to go headfirst into any situation and simply know he would come out on top. This time however, none of his usual characteristics shone through. There was no commentary of how he knew that Rogue would be okay. There were no reassurances that she would soon be safely returned. On that bed sat only a shell of a man who for the first time, was not sure of the outcome.
Scene XIII Lounge 11:55 a.m.
Beast held an icepack gently to the back of Storm's head. He had just come from Rogue's room upstairs where the mood was unbearable. Hank turned away from Storm as he felt a tear slide down his furry cheek. Ororo, feeling the same agony, reached her hand towards her friend.
"I am worried too Henry." She whispered to him. The fuzzy blue man faced her with a mournful look in his gaze, and suffered a small smile. Ororo's wounds were obviously painful, but she was trying to put on a brave face despite her discomfort.
Henry stroked Ororo's hair back and rose. "I'll get you a glass of water my friend." He did not wish to think about the recent occurrence, and Storm's physical pain seemed a constant reminder of the emotional misery of the mansions current occupants.
As Hank turned toward the kitchen, Cyclops and Jean burst through the front door. They were in costume and ready for battle. Cyclops held his hand near his visor, ready to blast anything in sight.
When the two realized there was no immediate danger however, they relaxed slightly. Jean spoke first, "What's wrong Henry? I got a psychic flash of something horrible, but I couldn't make it out." Beast's face remained stoic, but the pain in his eyes spoke volumes.
Scott frowned at Hank's look of agony, and looked around the room. He noticed Storm lieing on the couch and cried out for his close friend. "Storm!"
Jean and Scott went to her side immediately, leaving Beast standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the lounge. The redhead grasped her friend's hand lightly. "Storm, what happened? Are you all right?"
"I am fine, Jean." The weather witch responded wearily. Beast interjected from his position across the room, " A few broken ribs, lacerations, and a mild concussion, actually. She'll be fine within a few days and a great deal of rest though."
Morph and Bobby entered the room to find Scott and Jean crouched on the floor. "What are you two doing back?" Scott questioned roughly. "Where's Wolverine and Gambit?" Jean picked up on the sullen mood reverberating throughout the room. She stood up, trying to compose herself as the fear set in. "What happened here?" she asked urgently, searching for an answer.
Beast hung his head before making eye contact with the other two X-Men. "Eric, Logan, and Remy are upstairs, in Rogue's room. I would imagine you would best understand what has occurred tonight from that location." With that said, he shuffled out of the room and into the kitchen. Jean and Scott looked to Morph and Bobby before heading up the stairs.
Scene XIV Rogue's Room 12:00 a.m.
When Jean and Scott reached Rogue's room, they had already surveyed much of the damage to the walls, and had found plasma bullets embedded into the walls and floorboards. The two entered the chamber and saw Logan, Eric and Gambit looking out the window from different areas of the room.
Jean gasped as she took in the damage to Rogue's room. Glass covered the floor like a carpet of mirrors, casting a haunted glow across the walls and furniture. Scott's face grew hard as he realized the situation. Yet another villain had threatened his family, thus continuing the ongoing battle for the X-Men.
Scott stepped toward Gambit, trying to show him some support. "We'll find her Gambit," he began. "We'll get the men who did this."
"Oui," he replied evenly. "an den . . ." his eyes flashed with rage, "Ils mortent." Gambit's tone turned icy even though his face remained neutral. (They die* pronounced eel moor for those who care)
"Gambit, I know how you feel, but vengeance is not the way to solve this." Scott put his hand on the Cajun's shoulder briefly before Remy shrugged him off.
"You don't know nothin' bout how I feel homme." Remy jumped from his position on the bed and stalked out of the room.
"Gambit!" Scott called angrily, "Where are you going?"
The swamp rat turned and held up the syringe he had been holding. "T' talk t' Henry bout dis." He left again without hesitation.
Scott scoffed at his teammates departure. "I swear he's almost as bad as you sometimes Wolverine."
Logan snickered at the comment. "At least he's learned somethin' at this school, eh Cyke?" Scott glared at Logan, and Jean put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Scott, you must be patient with Gambit. He's unsure of how to react to this. I've never felt such agony in him before. He needs to know we're here to support him."
Logan interrupted Jean's heartfelt speech with a little insight of his own. "No offense Jeanie, but it seems t' me that the best way we can support the Cajun right now is t' find Rogue and nail these bastards." He walked quickly out of the room to check on Storm, leaving the other three to contemplate his words.
Scott sighed and grimaced after a few moments. Jean picked up on his mood and he voiced his thoughts without hesitation.
"I guess this really is serious, huh?" he asked his wife. "What makes you think that?" she inquired back.
"He didn't call me 'fearless leader.'" He stated with a completely serious face.
Scene XV Day One War Room 11:00 a.m.
The X-Men team was gathered in the War Room, waiting for Scott's orders. Remy leaned impatiently against one side fo the door frame with Logan on the opposite post. Storm sat gingerly in a chair as Jubilee tried to help her get comfortable. Morph, Bobby,and Magneto explained what had transpired to Bishop, Kurt, and Kitty, who had just arrived at the mansion.
The three latter mutants had rejoined the X-Men just after Xavier's departure and were quickly assimilating themselves into the team once again. The majority of the team had been on vacation for the weekend, visiting family members, or just getting some R&R, when they were contacted about the latest emergency. Some of the X-Men hadn't gotten word until earlier today, and therefore Scott delayed the meeting until everyone had arrived.
Jean and Scott entered, and the anxious chatter ceased instantly. Scott immediately took his place at the table and everyone in the room gave him their concentrated attention. "Okay people, for those who don't know yet, the mansion was attacked late last night by masked men who had access to some serious artillery. Beast and Magneto have learned that these same men have been abducting mutants from around the globe. Last night, they took Rogue too. We're going to do everything in our power to get her back. Beast is in the lab analyzing the fluid Gambit found, and the rest of us are going to split into teams."
"Logan, you Morph, and Jubilee take the jeep and visit some of the areas where others have been taken. See if you can dig up any information or witnesses. Bobby, Magneto, and Kitty, start working on rebuilding the security system. If you can, try to soup it up while you're at it. We don't want to risk this happening again. And Kurt, I'd like you to stay here and watch over Storm."
Ororo did not happen to like this idea however, and began to protest. "Cyclops, I am . . ." The leader cut her off, "Fine? When you can move around without wincing, I might start to believe that. Kurt, makes sure she gets plenty of rest okay?"
Kurt nodded, and Storm sighed grumpily, very unlike her normal goddess-like demeanor. Scott turned warily to Remy and Bishop. "Gambit, I want you and Bishop to scope out some popular haunts. See if anyone's seen or heard anything. Jean and I will stay here and find out where that helicopter came from."
There was a pause as everyone waited for Scott to say something else. Everyone looked at him, while he looked to everyone else. "What?" He looked to Jean, "Did I miss something?" The room was still quiet. "Uh, 1,2,3, GO!" he yelled at last, and everyone headed out towards their destinations.
Scott shook his head in confusion and disbelief before asking Jean. "How did the Professor ever make this look so easy?" Jean simply shrugged and patted her husband on the head before heading to the office to begin making calls.
Scott stood alone in the room for a few moments before he realized everyone had left. He looked around, and then ran after Jean. "Hey, Jean! Wait up! Honey?" Down the hall, Jean rolled her eyes and continued walking.
Scene XVI
Upstate New York
11:24 a.m.
Logan, Jubilee, and Morph drove down the Interstate en route to the nearest kidnap victim.
Morph turned to Logan from the passenger's seat and asked, "So what's this town called again Logan?"
Logan cocked a sideways grin, "Copenhagen." Morph looked to his friend in disbelief, but when the Canadian nodded in affirmation, the shape-shifting mutant laughed characteristically.
Morph transformed himself into a hillbilly redneck with a broken guitar and began to strum a song. "Oh. . . Twelve-pack of Bud, Eleven Wrastling tickets, ten 'o Copenhagen, nine years probation, eight table dancers, seven packs of Redman, six cans of Spam," The mutant inhaled loudly before continuing in a screechy, off-pitch voice. "FiVE flanNNel SHIRts!! Four big mud tires, three shotgun shells, Two huntin' dogs, and some ParTs tO A musTanG GTEEE!"
Jubilee covered her ears in the back, and Logan shook his head with an amused look on his face while Morph cackled maniacally.
"Eh he hee hee he hee!"
After a while, the mood became serious once again, and Jubilee leaned through the two seats to talk to Wolverine. "Hey Wolvie, do you think those guys'll come back?" She paused for a moment as her nervousness began to rise. "You know, fer more of us?"
Logan could sense the rising panic in his young friend, and instantly reassured her. "No kid, I don't think they'll come back, but if they do, we'll be ready fer um this time."
Jubilee sighed with relief and Logan chuckled lightly under his breath. The vehicle rumbled along for a while before Jubilee spoke again. "Hey Wolvie?" The teen started cautiously.
Logan looked into the rearview to make eye contact with the girl. "Yeah darlin'?"
She took a deep breath before continuing, "Whaddya think they want with Rogue?"
The Canadian sighed warily before returning his gaze to the mirror. "That I don't know Jubilee. I jus' don't know."
The jeep's passengers fell silent once again as they contemplated the answer.
Although Gambit heard the door creak open, and comprehended the Canadian's words of comfort, he did not glance away from the precious link of evidence he held in his hands. The man called Remy was currently in two separate realities. In the first, he sat just as he did, at the edge of his love's bed, listening and believing Logan's vows to retrieve their teammate.
In the second reality however, he was miles away in thought, contemplating the many ways of tracking Rogue, and simultaneously imagining himself rescuing her from the captors. The two worlds existed simultaneously, however it was the second world in which Gambit no longer felt helpless, and therefore he poured the majority of his attention into the fantasy.
Wolverine on the other hand was very much a part of the first reality, and was currently surveying the damage and replaying the scene in his head. He vividly imagined each moment conspiring during the few crucial minutes leading to Rogue's capture.
Just as a flashback in a movie, Logan's mind incorporated the black and white tones into the scene in his mind. He saw one man crash against the vanity, as Rogue threw the second across the room and into the wall. He followed her flight through the door and into the hallway where his own two worlds clashed.
Magneto leaned heavily against the doorframe and absorbed the damage. Logan could easily see the anger rising in his face, and soon the crunch and groan of metal joined the Jewish man's ragged breathing.
Sparing a glance through the shambled window, Logan witnessed the helicopter turning inward on itself as the master of magnetism vented his frustrations on the only physical evidence left behind by the men.
Logan lowered his voice and forced it into a soothing tone. "Easy now Mag's. Ya can't go destroying the only link we go t' these bastards." Eric apparently agreed with the statement and the screeching sound of metal on metal ceased.
Beast, Morph, and Bobby soon joined the others and it was not the splattered glass, nor the desolate room that made their hearts cold. Rather it was the sight of Gambit, slumped at the edge of the bed tat made them loose hope.
Remy seemed broken somehow, like he had lost something that would never be returned. His posture screamed of defeat and self-torture, screamed of a man who had lost his cockiness and self-confidence.
His lack of arrogance was the clincher though. Gambit had a reputation to go headfirst into any situation and simply know he would come out on top. This time however, none of his usual characteristics shone through. There was no commentary of how he knew that Rogue would be okay. There were no reassurances that she would soon be safely returned. On that bed sat only a shell of a man who for the first time, was not sure of the outcome.
Scene XIII Lounge 11:55 a.m.
Beast held an icepack gently to the back of Storm's head. He had just come from Rogue's room upstairs where the mood was unbearable. Hank turned away from Storm as he felt a tear slide down his furry cheek. Ororo, feeling the same agony, reached her hand towards her friend.
"I am worried too Henry." She whispered to him. The fuzzy blue man faced her with a mournful look in his gaze, and suffered a small smile. Ororo's wounds were obviously painful, but she was trying to put on a brave face despite her discomfort.
Henry stroked Ororo's hair back and rose. "I'll get you a glass of water my friend." He did not wish to think about the recent occurrence, and Storm's physical pain seemed a constant reminder of the emotional misery of the mansions current occupants.
As Hank turned toward the kitchen, Cyclops and Jean burst through the front door. They were in costume and ready for battle. Cyclops held his hand near his visor, ready to blast anything in sight.
When the two realized there was no immediate danger however, they relaxed slightly. Jean spoke first, "What's wrong Henry? I got a psychic flash of something horrible, but I couldn't make it out." Beast's face remained stoic, but the pain in his eyes spoke volumes.
Scott frowned at Hank's look of agony, and looked around the room. He noticed Storm lieing on the couch and cried out for his close friend. "Storm!"
Jean and Scott went to her side immediately, leaving Beast standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the lounge. The redhead grasped her friend's hand lightly. "Storm, what happened? Are you all right?"
"I am fine, Jean." The weather witch responded wearily. Beast interjected from his position across the room, " A few broken ribs, lacerations, and a mild concussion, actually. She'll be fine within a few days and a great deal of rest though."
Morph and Bobby entered the room to find Scott and Jean crouched on the floor. "What are you two doing back?" Scott questioned roughly. "Where's Wolverine and Gambit?" Jean picked up on the sullen mood reverberating throughout the room. She stood up, trying to compose herself as the fear set in. "What happened here?" she asked urgently, searching for an answer.
Beast hung his head before making eye contact with the other two X-Men. "Eric, Logan, and Remy are upstairs, in Rogue's room. I would imagine you would best understand what has occurred tonight from that location." With that said, he shuffled out of the room and into the kitchen. Jean and Scott looked to Morph and Bobby before heading up the stairs.
Scene XIV Rogue's Room 12:00 a.m.
When Jean and Scott reached Rogue's room, they had already surveyed much of the damage to the walls, and had found plasma bullets embedded into the walls and floorboards. The two entered the chamber and saw Logan, Eric and Gambit looking out the window from different areas of the room.
Jean gasped as she took in the damage to Rogue's room. Glass covered the floor like a carpet of mirrors, casting a haunted glow across the walls and furniture. Scott's face grew hard as he realized the situation. Yet another villain had threatened his family, thus continuing the ongoing battle for the X-Men.
Scott stepped toward Gambit, trying to show him some support. "We'll find her Gambit," he began. "We'll get the men who did this."
"Oui," he replied evenly. "an den . . ." his eyes flashed with rage, "Ils mortent." Gambit's tone turned icy even though his face remained neutral. (They die* pronounced eel moor for those who care)
"Gambit, I know how you feel, but vengeance is not the way to solve this." Scott put his hand on the Cajun's shoulder briefly before Remy shrugged him off.
"You don't know nothin' bout how I feel homme." Remy jumped from his position on the bed and stalked out of the room.
"Gambit!" Scott called angrily, "Where are you going?"
The swamp rat turned and held up the syringe he had been holding. "T' talk t' Henry bout dis." He left again without hesitation.
Scott scoffed at his teammates departure. "I swear he's almost as bad as you sometimes Wolverine."
Logan snickered at the comment. "At least he's learned somethin' at this school, eh Cyke?" Scott glared at Logan, and Jean put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Scott, you must be patient with Gambit. He's unsure of how to react to this. I've never felt such agony in him before. He needs to know we're here to support him."
Logan interrupted Jean's heartfelt speech with a little insight of his own. "No offense Jeanie, but it seems t' me that the best way we can support the Cajun right now is t' find Rogue and nail these bastards." He walked quickly out of the room to check on Storm, leaving the other three to contemplate his words.
Scott sighed and grimaced after a few moments. Jean picked up on his mood and he voiced his thoughts without hesitation.
"I guess this really is serious, huh?" he asked his wife. "What makes you think that?" she inquired back.
"He didn't call me 'fearless leader.'" He stated with a completely serious face.
Scene XV Day One War Room 11:00 a.m.
The X-Men team was gathered in the War Room, waiting for Scott's orders. Remy leaned impatiently against one side fo the door frame with Logan on the opposite post. Storm sat gingerly in a chair as Jubilee tried to help her get comfortable. Morph, Bobby,and Magneto explained what had transpired to Bishop, Kurt, and Kitty, who had just arrived at the mansion.
The three latter mutants had rejoined the X-Men just after Xavier's departure and were quickly assimilating themselves into the team once again. The majority of the team had been on vacation for the weekend, visiting family members, or just getting some R&R, when they were contacted about the latest emergency. Some of the X-Men hadn't gotten word until earlier today, and therefore Scott delayed the meeting until everyone had arrived.
Jean and Scott entered, and the anxious chatter ceased instantly. Scott immediately took his place at the table and everyone in the room gave him their concentrated attention. "Okay people, for those who don't know yet, the mansion was attacked late last night by masked men who had access to some serious artillery. Beast and Magneto have learned that these same men have been abducting mutants from around the globe. Last night, they took Rogue too. We're going to do everything in our power to get her back. Beast is in the lab analyzing the fluid Gambit found, and the rest of us are going to split into teams."
"Logan, you Morph, and Jubilee take the jeep and visit some of the areas where others have been taken. See if you can dig up any information or witnesses. Bobby, Magneto, and Kitty, start working on rebuilding the security system. If you can, try to soup it up while you're at it. We don't want to risk this happening again. And Kurt, I'd like you to stay here and watch over Storm."
Ororo did not happen to like this idea however, and began to protest. "Cyclops, I am . . ." The leader cut her off, "Fine? When you can move around without wincing, I might start to believe that. Kurt, makes sure she gets plenty of rest okay?"
Kurt nodded, and Storm sighed grumpily, very unlike her normal goddess-like demeanor. Scott turned warily to Remy and Bishop. "Gambit, I want you and Bishop to scope out some popular haunts. See if anyone's seen or heard anything. Jean and I will stay here and find out where that helicopter came from."
There was a pause as everyone waited for Scott to say something else. Everyone looked at him, while he looked to everyone else. "What?" He looked to Jean, "Did I miss something?" The room was still quiet. "Uh, 1,2,3, GO!" he yelled at last, and everyone headed out towards their destinations.
Scott shook his head in confusion and disbelief before asking Jean. "How did the Professor ever make this look so easy?" Jean simply shrugged and patted her husband on the head before heading to the office to begin making calls.
Scott stood alone in the room for a few moments before he realized everyone had left. He looked around, and then ran after Jean. "Hey, Jean! Wait up! Honey?" Down the hall, Jean rolled her eyes and continued walking.
Scene XVI
Upstate New York
11:24 a.m.
Logan, Jubilee, and Morph drove down the Interstate en route to the nearest kidnap victim.
Morph turned to Logan from the passenger's seat and asked, "So what's this town called again Logan?"
Logan cocked a sideways grin, "Copenhagen." Morph looked to his friend in disbelief, but when the Canadian nodded in affirmation, the shape-shifting mutant laughed characteristically.
Morph transformed himself into a hillbilly redneck with a broken guitar and began to strum a song. "Oh. . . Twelve-pack of Bud, Eleven Wrastling tickets, ten 'o Copenhagen, nine years probation, eight table dancers, seven packs of Redman, six cans of Spam," The mutant inhaled loudly before continuing in a screechy, off-pitch voice. "FiVE flanNNel SHIRts!! Four big mud tires, three shotgun shells, Two huntin' dogs, and some ParTs tO A musTanG GTEEE!"
Jubilee covered her ears in the back, and Logan shook his head with an amused look on his face while Morph cackled maniacally.
"Eh he hee hee he hee!"
After a while, the mood became serious once again, and Jubilee leaned through the two seats to talk to Wolverine. "Hey Wolvie, do you think those guys'll come back?" She paused for a moment as her nervousness began to rise. "You know, fer more of us?"
Logan could sense the rising panic in his young friend, and instantly reassured her. "No kid, I don't think they'll come back, but if they do, we'll be ready fer um this time."
Jubilee sighed with relief and Logan chuckled lightly under his breath. The vehicle rumbled along for a while before Jubilee spoke again. "Hey Wolvie?" The teen started cautiously.
Logan looked into the rearview to make eye contact with the girl. "Yeah darlin'?"
She took a deep breath before continuing, "Whaddya think they want with Rogue?"
The Canadian sighed warily before returning his gaze to the mirror. "That I don't know Jubilee. I jus' don't know."
The jeep's passengers fell silent once again as they contemplated the answer.