(Two)
Remy had been a busy boy, indeed. His newest adventure had gotten off to a bang early. Only a few hours after he had left Kimble safely back at the Mansion, he was walking down a deserted alley way, stewing in his frustration at his inability get a line on Jael. His stomach growled, reminding him that he had put off eating for far too long. He was like this, getting so caught up in what he was doing that he neglected his own needs. Impatient still, he pulled out a tiny notebook and did a quick scan of his checklist. He'd been everywhere and done everything and found out nothing about the elusive Mr. Jael. He was going to have to return home empty handed again. How embarrassing.
His stomach growled again, a curse of his high metabolism.
"Si bien. I get de idea. We go to de nearest Starbucks, 'ave a coffee, too, non?" he grumbled to himself. Maybe they would have something new and interesting there for him to bring back to Kimble. He was always on the lookout now for treats and goodies for his new friend. It was helpful that Kimble was so easy to please.
He spun quickly when he suddenly sensed the presence of someone behind him. Too late. He felt the sharp sting as he was pricked by several tiny flying darts. He felt the toxins hit his system immediately and as he fell onto a soft yet fragrant pile of garbage, now numb and helpless, he saw a strange female form hanging off of the fire escape above him. Shakra, the human poison dart and one of Jael's flunkies, had tagged him and now he was going down. It was almost a relief in a sick sort of way, he thought to himself. All this time he hadn't been able to find Jael, now Jael was coming to him.
Shakra grinned and wiggled her fingers at him in a playful gesture of hello. She was humanoid, but covered head to toe in small shiny spikes, like a human porcupine. They were tinted blue and purple, giving her an alien appearance. She looked up and pointed in greeting at her normal looking companion, Razel, who happened to be a teleporter.
All dis an' a free ride, too. Gotta send Jael my t'anks, Remy thought and blacked out.
(break)
Gambit shivered and moaned as he struggled to wake. He could feel that he had been stripped down to his pants and was now lying on a cold stone floor. His hands were tied behind his back and a restraining collar lay cold against his neck. He could probably wriggle free from the ropes at least, but was more interested in sticking around to see what Jael had to say. He opened his eyes, but saw only a big black blur.
"He's comin' round," came a rough, growly voice.
Gambit wheezed as he was rudely grabbed and hauled to his feet. The floor was cold and damp, like an underground cavern or a cave. He swayed and gagged as he was hit by a strong wave of vertigo, a residual effect of Shakra's toxins. It passed and he was able to see a little more clearly. He was definitely in some kind of cave or stone building. The walls were as stony and roughly carved as the floor. A row of torches flickered on the walls, eerily reminding Gambit of Clan Station Nine, or worse yet, the Morlock tunnels.
He had been raised to his feet by two strong men he didn't recognize. Both were warriors, but thankfully dressed in regular human street clothes. At least he hadn't been teleported off world again. " 'Ey, take it easy fellas," he joked weakly. "Dis jus' our firs' date, non?"
"Funny guy."
Remy was dragged down a hallway. He found his feet and shuffled along, trying to get his bearings while taking care not to stub his toes, his boots had been removed from him as well and he was barefoot. He was taken down a long winding corridor with open doors to other rooms. He was quite the object of curiosity, people Remy did not recognize came out to see him as he was towed along to who knows where. All of them wore military style clothes and carried many large weapons, not a good sign.
Remy's rough journey ended as he was dragged through a large, cavernous room and tossed down on a large bear skin rug, not your usual fashion accessory for a Morlock tunnel. He sat up, getting comfortable, and took in his new surroundings.
Seated before him on a large wooden chair was a huge man, dressed only in a rough leather sarong, leaving most of his furry skin exposed. He looked like an Egyptian lion idol or better still, like Maylee's older brother if she'd had one. Remy realized to his confusion that he was looking at a Dognan/ Clan hybrid, not unlike Fallen's little foster child. The man had light brown fur covering his skin and the Dognan face of a lion. He was well built and heavily muscled, moving with a liquid feline grace as he rose and stepped down from his massive chair to inspect his captive. His hair was long and straight, loose about his shoulders like a mane. His chest was less furred and Gambit could see tattoos there, very similar to Valentin's but not the Honor Sword. No half breed freak would ever be given that sign of Honor. Still his markings were unmistakable. This man was once Clan.
"Well, well. If it isn't the little Morlock tunnel rat. Feel at home here, Cajun, do you?"
"Bonjour, Jael. You a 'ard man to find," Remy purred smoothly, hiding his surprise to find himself in an atmosphere so similar to Clan Station Nine, nevermind the Morlock tunnels. He had hoped to leave all that behind him as an unpleasant episode best forgotten.
"The real question is why are you looking? I've no quarrel with you pathetic X-men."
" 'Eard you was lookin' for sumptin'. Maybe you need some 'elp, n'est ce pas?"
Jael threw his head back and laughed, deep and hearty. "Oh, sure. And are you offering your services, little boy? Looking for a little work behind the backs of the home team?"
"P'etetre. 'Pends on de money."
"I've already obtained the services of the talented Mister Creed for what I seek. What use would I have of you?"
Remy shuddered inwardly at the mention of his former nemesis. If Jael was using Sabretooth to find something that only spelled trouble for someone. "Gambit's better'n 'im. Le meilleur, de best. Lot less bloody, too."
"What do I care of blood spilt? The norms slaughter my people at will. I merely follow their example. If Sabretooth kills a few, big deal."
Gambit changed tack. "Mebbe you find dis 'whatever' a bit faster wit more dan one team."
"Maybe I'll find it faster without the X-men disturbing my inner harmony. You are a spy, my Cajun friend, and not the least bit interested in working for me. Still, I am flattered by your attention and a man who respects talent and a challenge. I'll be generous and let you live, just to have the pleasure of watching you quail in terror when the power I seek is finally mine. Maybe then you will see the folly of your pathetic, crippled Master. The norms will never accept us and so shall be removed."
Jael nodded to the two men who had dragged him in. "Work him over and dump him. Not too close to home now. Let him crawl back to Westchester on his belly."
"Espe're! Wait!" Remy cried, but was roughly dragged away. He could hear Jael's crude laughter following him as he was taken back to his cell.
Gambit looked up at his two baggage handlers and knew this was going to be bad. They were both quite large and since he was still bound and collared, he had no defenses against them. He tried his best to keep his head down when the blows started to fall, but it was a wasted effort. At least it didn't take him long to pass out.
(break)
He woke some time later, in a fog and disoriented again because his surroundings were so strange. It was night time now and he was outside, lying on his back in the middle of what looked like a farmer's field. He remained dressed only in his pants with his hands still tied behind his back. There was a strange ache in his upper left arm, reminding him of that last tetanus shot Henry had given him. He didn't want to think about that much, he could only hope it was because they had kept him drugged for the trip here - wherever here was.
He wriggled and discovering that the ropes that bound him were now quite loose, freed himself easily and tossed the ropes aside. He looked around him without sitting up, but only tall grass and weeds met his eyes, nothing more. Nowhere could he hear the sounds of civilization, only crickets and the low croak of frogs making him think there must be some water nearby.
He sat up slowly, feeling his head start to pound from the movement. He could now see he was in fact in that farmer's empty field, the house wasn't too far away. He did hear a car coming and then saw the lights as it passed him by, the road wasn't far. He staggered to his feet, then swayed drunkenly as his head swirled and spun. He toppled over and lay gasping for a moment. Jael's thugs had really worked him over good, his head was thundering and spots swirled in front of his eyes. He wasn't sure if he could walk or if he even should. At least the night was warm. It felt better to just lie still, so he closed his eyes and relaxed, falling asleep again after only a few moments.
It was morning when he next opened his eyes. He felt a long, wet tongue lick his face and jerked away. The farmer's dog had found him and not being an overly protective creature, had slobbered all over him in hopes of getting him to play. It was a good sized Golden Retriever with a huge sloppy grin. Gambit gave the dog's ruff a gentle rub and tried standing again. After his night's sleep, his body had recovered enough to allow it.
"Bonjour, pup. Where is dis place?" he asked the dog playfully, but it only wagged its tail and barked up at him. "Not much for talkin' den, I see. Dat's okay. Gambit's been lost b'fore. 'E gets found one way or de other."
Remy slowly made his way to the road. He looked either way, but saw nothing to indicate which way he should go. He shrugged and made his way to the left, hoping someone might pass him by and give him a ride to the nearest phone. When he passed by a puddle and took one look at his face, he saw that wasn't going happen. Both his eyes had been blackened and his lip was split. Blood from a small cut on his hairline left a long trail of dried crimson down one cheek. It looked a lot nastier than it actually was. His upper body was covered with bruises, but he didn't really feel that bad. All in all it could have been a lot worse.
"Yeah, de encule de mere coulda killed me," he mumbled with a smile. In many ways he had always been lucky, just not with women. Ah well, can't have everyt'ing, he thought to himself and kept walking.
He went for quite a ways with no cars passing him at all. All around him were vast farmer fields growing plants he couldn't hope to recognize. He was obviously out in East Bumfuck or some such country place. He wasn't even sure what state he was even in. Finally he found a small convenience store that was made to look like a log cabin. Outside was a pay phone.
He went over to it gratefully and dialed the Mansion's main line collect.
"Xaiver's," Logan grumbled. Remy had used the radio room number, it would be picked up collect call or not. Logan had just gotten there from leaving his companions at lunch, what good timing.
"Yeah, I want a large pizza ta go, wit' anchovies an' olives and some of dem little green pepper thingies," Gambit teased playfully.
"Sorry, we don't do take out no more. Ya want somethin', ya gotta come down and get it yerself," Wolverine returned with a laugh. "Where ya been, Gumbo? Charley said ya didn't come in last night."
"Yeah, well. I got a little hung up. I found Jael - rather 'e found me - but 'e wasn't too 'appy to see me. He worked me over an' dumped me someplace. Gambit's got no fuckin' clue where he's at, homme."
"All right. Just hang on and I'll have Henry trace this."
Remy heard Logan put the phone down on the desk and use the intercom to speak with Beast. There were some clicking noises as Henry picked up the phone down in the lab and started a trace.
"Hey there, kiddo," Henry greeted. "You said they worked you over. Are you badly injured?"
"Naw, just half naked an' freezin'. De bastard took my boots. I just got dose, too. You know 'ow 'ard it is ta steal boots like dat? What a cryin' shame."
"Truly," Henry agreed awkwardly, not sure if Remy was joking or not. "I've got you now. Boy, you sure like your road trips. You're in Kansas."
"Nice try, Dorothy."
"No, you're really in Kansas," Henry repeated, laughing. "Manhattan, Kansas in fact. Got to love his sense of humor. We'll send the jet out to pick you up."
"How 'bout you send de Dragon? She got a cloak, non?"
"Fallen's still not quite up to traveling and Kimble...well he had a hissy fit with Logan yesterday. It's better if we just come and get you by jet. I've got this phone locked in by satellite. We should be there in a couple of hours."
Gambit rolled his eyes. Trust Kimble not to be able to hang long without him. "Si bien, but don' panic if you don' see me right off. I ain't too presentable right now an' I don' wanna get picked up by no po'lice or anyt'ing, comprenez?"
"I got you. We'll be there soon."
Remy hung up the phone and crept off to the back of the store. There was a garbage coop there so he hid behind it and tried to get as comfortable as possible. He was thirsty and hungry, but had the will to be patient. He closed his eyes and relaxed a little, hoping to nap to pass the time if he could fall alseep. He wondered what trouble Kimble had gotten into. At least Henry made it seem small.
Remy grinned, thinking about Kimble's childlike grin and hearty laugh. It just wasn't possible for Remy to stay angry with him for long. He had grown rather fond of the pilot, his troubles not withstanding. It had been kind of nice having him around actually. Remy didn't have many at the house he could truly call his friend. Certainly none as close as Kimble had suddenly become. Kimble had made this whole screw up with Rogue bearable and kept him there. The Professor's desire for him to stay would never have held him on its own, he was just too free and wild.
Gambit had one of the smallest rooms in the house because all of his things were temporary. His whole life could be packed into a bag at a moment's notice or could be easily replaced. It made him kind of sad when he thought about it, but having that kind of freedom doesn't come without a price. It would be nice to come home to someone for once. Gambit really did want a girl and babies and all of that good stuff in spite of his restless and carefree manner. He adored children and supposed that was why he got along with Kimble so well.
Kimble. Kimble. Kimble. Sigh...Still in trouble. Well, no more. Gambit made a promise right then and there that the first thing he was going to do was sneak that boy out, no matter what the consequences. Obviously the others weren't going to listen to him so he was just going to take things into his own hands. Lord knows he could use a good night out himself. He knew just who to call, too.
" 'Nessa...just like I promised," Remy mumbled to himself, growing drowsy again. "An' if she don' like de look of Kimble, I'm gonna take dat girl myself."
Contented now with his promise, Remy closed his eyes and fell asleep, not waking until his shoulder was shaken and he looked up into the steel grey of Logan's eyes.
(break)
The Blackbird jet rolled to a stop in the Institute's hanger and the doors opened up. Remy staggered down the steps, hanging onto Storm for support. She had cleaned him up as best she could while in flight, but he was still a bit of a mess. He looked across the hanger to the Lucky Dragon and was surprised that Kimble wasn't out here to greet him.
"Where's Kimble?"
"The boy's been hidin' out. He could be anywhere," Logan grumbled as he came down the ramp behind him. "Right before you called, he scared Storm half ta death in the lower level laundry room. He was curled up way up high over the dryers. Don' ask me how he got up there."
Remy was a little surprised. The dryers were stacked double high, Kimble wouldn't have had much room. Maybe twelve inches in height at most, but it would be deep. Kimble would be squeezed like a pancake. Gambit couldn't help but chuckle at the idea. "Dat boy ain't got much for bones, neh?"
"Gonna put a mouse trap in there if he scares her again," Logan promised, grinning happily at the thought.
"You too cruel, man. Too cruel."
They made their way into the tram and down to the infirmary. Henry was there waiting for him, medical instruments in hand. While Henry checked him out, the Professor, Jean and Scott came down to see how he was. He had a slight concussion, but in reality, he had gotten off easy.
Gambit gave them a brief rundown of his adventure. He let them know who he had seen in the alley, his way of keeping his teammates updated on the enemy roster. Shakra and Razel were dangerous people and their affiliations even more so. He went on to describe Jael, the mysterious terrorist no one had ever seen before, raising Logan's eyebrows at the mention of Jael's obvious Dognan heritage and Clan markings. Their recent adventures weren't so far in the past that Gambit questioned what he had seen. "I could be wrong dere, but I really don' t'ink so. It a real strange, strange t'ing, seein' all dem Clan markin's like dat. Mebbe it a coincidence, mebbe non."
"Did he say what he wanted? What he was looking for?" the Professor wanted to know. He was less interested in what the guy looked like than his motivations. Jael had been here for some time, his past might not be that relevant just yet. He didn't think it had to do with why his X-men had been abducted by Dognan slavers, if anything it only showed that there were more aliens living amongst them than they had previously thought.
Remy shook his head. "Non, only dat it was some kind of power and dat we was all gonna be grovelin' at 'is feet when he take over de world. You know, de usual shit."
"Typical," Wolverine grunted. "Friggin' crazies runnin' around."
"Well, he's a dangerous crazy," Beast interjected. "He's been blowing stuff up, not caring who he hurts. The Friends of Humanity people are all up in arms over him."
The Friends of Humanity was a very vocal anti-mutant group demanding that all mutants be registered and if they had their way, thrown into prison like containment camps. For the moment, the government wasn't paying much attention, but if the violence continued that could change in a real big hurry.
"We've got to figure out what he wants and soon," Charles said, steepling his hands under his chin as always. He didn't think Jael had the backing of any big players, certainly not the Dognan slavers. If that were so, he would have taken control long ago and not bothered with his low level bombings and covert skirmishes with the law. He sounded like he had more mouth than actual power right now. Not that he didn't warrant watching closely and being shut down as a minor nuisance.
"Yeah, well. De only t'ing Gambit's gonna figure out is jus' ow fast 'e can fall sleep. I'm wasted."
"Yes. Get some sleep and we'll talk later."
The others left and Remy curled up on one of the infirmary beds. He never felt it when Henry covered him up and left a fresh change of clothes for him for when he woke up. Henry tucked him in and ruffled his hair affectionately before clicking off the light and leaving him to sleep.
Henry was happy now, the lost one had returned and was now accounted for. Henry was a bit of a worry wort and had been concerned when Gambit was so late. Henry liked all of his X-men neatly in their places and intact, though he knew losses were inevitable. He hoped he wouldn't have to worry about that for a while. He couldn't know he wouldn't be that lucky.