Reunions

Watching the 'hide-and-seek' session Charles Xavier saw only what he expected, the longer one of his students had spent on their own taking care of themselves, the better they were at both blending in and picking out those that didn't. Logan's voice broke into his thoughts.

"Those three have all had some sort of training," Logan stated. "I understand the girls, Psyc trained with Fury, and Jazz trained with me, then the two of them hooked up together. But where did the Cajun learn to hide and blend in so well?"

"Logan," Xavier said, "you are being paranoid. Everyone is entitled to their secrets, and it was his aunt that brought Psyc back to consciousness."

The training session ended before Logan could reply. Xavier entered the Danger Room.

"You all did well," he told the teams, "we will do more of this and you will get better at avoidance." He then turned to Psyc. "Next time, inform us when you create a new program."

Psyc nodded her understanding and Xavier released them to enjoy the rest of the day. He watched as the students formed their normal groups. Scott and Hank went off to work on the vehicles, Jean and Ororo went to talk, Nathan went off on his own and a rather talkative Bobby followed Peter. Remy, Psyc and Jazz were the last left. They all walked out together.

As they left, he heard Psyc ask, "Are you going to go riding with us?" and Remy's reply, "Non…" before they were out of hearing range.

Xavier smiled.

At least they all get along, he thought and headed to his study.

In the main entrance Psyc and Jazz waved to Remy and went outside. The girls made their way to the stables. Psyc stopped outside the third stall door. She reached out and stroked the horse's nose. The strawberry roan was a big horse; in fact, she was constantly told he was too big for her. Psyc didn't care.

"Hey, Peachblossom," she said quietly to the gelding Xavier had let her claim. "Are we going to get through today without any tricks?"

The horse nickered and Psyc didn't need Jazzes translation, or her laugh to know the horse didn't think it was likely.

"I didn't think so," Psyc laughed and went to get the riding equipment.

As she saddled Peachblossom, Psyc wondered again if Jazz had spoken to the horse. Around the mansion, he was known for being mean and playing 'tricks' on his riders, yet he had never done anything to actually hurt Psyc.

Not that I'm complaining, she thought. I love this horse and if he treated me the way he treats everyone else, I'd have to do so from a distance.

"Are you going to ride him, or just pet him all morning?" Jazz asked.

She had already mounted her horse. A pure black Arabian named Jamal. He was a compact gelding that, unlike Psyc's horse, he looked just right for her, and lucky for the girls, he could easily keep pace with the larger horse.

"Of course I'm going to ride him, but someone has to saddle Hoshi," Psyc responded, naming the black mare with white socks and a white star in the middle of her forehead. "Or did you forget we're taking Sarah?"

Jazz sighed, she had forgotten, and dismounted to help with Hoshi. The girl ran in as Jazz and Psyc finished. Once everyone was mounted, they headed toward the expansive woods and extensive trails.

As she was walking down the hall, Ororo heard laughter form the living room. She altered her course to see what Gambit had found to amuse Sherry this time. She stood in the doorway for a time watching Gambit show Sherry how quickly he could open various kinds of locks.

When he gave both locks and tools to the girl, Ororo laughed and said, "Do you really think she needs to learn this, Gambit? What would your family think if they knew you were teaching a seven year old to pick locks?"

He looked up and grinned at her.

"Mon frerè wa' de one who go' 'er interes'ed in de firs' place an' mon perè woul' as' why Remy didn' star' teachin' 'er sooner."

As always his name made something nag the back of her mind.

"Ta da!" Sherry said as the lock popped.

"Tres bien, chère," Remy told her, then turned back to Ororo. "Yo' wan' t' come watch 'er 'tricks' o' yo' jus' gon' t' stan' 'n de doo'way?"

Ororo came in and sat down.

"You never mentioned you were from the Big Easy," she said watching Sherry concentrate on a more difficult lock.

"De accent don' give 't 'way?" he asked teasingly.

"Accent? What accent?" Ororo asked laughing.

As the laughter died down, Sherry said, "Remy, will you show me how to do this one again… I can't get it."

As Remy showed Sherry how to open the lock, he asked, "'ave yo' e'er been t' N'awlins?"

"Yes," Ororo answered, then paused considering the question, and then said, "I lived there for a few years, but I haven't been back since I was six."

"Tha's abou' when I wen' t' stay wid mon perè," Remy said. "Or shortly after."

He released Sherry's hands and she began again on her own.

"Thinking back, I don't see how my guardian put up with me," Ororo said. "I was constantly breaking rules that bordered on laws."

Neither of them noticed when Sherry stopped to listen to their stories. Half an hour later, they were still talking and laughing. Sherry had taken her locks to the porch to practice.

"I 'member once," Remy told Ororo, "I annoy mon frerè Henri so much 'e t'reatened t' lea'e m' in de swamp. An' 'f Mercy hadn' talked 'im ou' o' it, 'e would 'ave."

Instead of laughing, Ororo looked at him slightly startled.

"Did you say Mercy?" she asked.

"Oui," Remy told her. "She's Henri's wife, well, girlfriend den, quoi?"

"The family I stayed with…" Ororo paused, "they had a daughter Mercy."

Remy looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then asked, "Tall, blon' femme? Norm'y wore i' tie back an' a swea' ban' on 'er fore'ead?"

"Yes," Ororo said as the pieces fell into place.

"Now Remy 'member where 'e see' yo' b'fore de alley!" he exclaimed. "Yo' were wid Pierre an' Lapin when Henri introduced Remy t' dem de firs' time!"

Ororo laughed, "I had almost forgotten those two. They never could stay out of trouble, and after you showed up, it got worse… or better," she corrected, "depending on how much fun you had."

"Dose two din' need any help," Remy said, laughing, "I jus' made sure de plans were prop'ly though' ou'."

When Ororo excused herself, Remy looked at the clock.

Dey shoul' be back from dere ride, non? he thought as he stood and stretched.

Out in the hall, he ran into Jazz and Sarah.

"Hey, Remy!" Sarah called laughing. "Jazz taught me an' Hoshi how to jump today."

"You're a natural," Jazz told the girl who in response grinned up at her.

"B' careful ma amie," Remy told Jazz with a grin. "Remy t'ink she getting' attached t' yo', non?"

"Oh, shut up and go talk to Psyc or something," Jazz retorted grinning back.

"Where is she?" Remy asked.

"Still out with Peachblossom," Sarah told him, wrinkling her nose.

"Mon Dieu!" Remy exclaimed. "Does she still ride dat beast?"

"He's not that bad," Jazz objected, "and she likes him."

"Oui, s' Remy had betta go save 'er fron 'im," he said smiling and walked out the door.

When he entered the stables, Psyc had Peachblossom tied in the center walkway and her back to the door brushing the horse. Remy slipped inside and as he quietly closed the door, he noted she was humming. He smiled to himself and walked silently forward. When he stood directly behind Psyc, he placed one hand over her eyes and wrapped the other around her waist and pulled her back against him as if he were taking her prisoner.

"Shhh," he whispered in her ear. "Yo' gon' b' quiet, non?"

"Remy!" she said, obviously not playing along. "Don't you know…"

In one fluid motion, he removed his hand from her eyes, spun her around to face him, and put his finger to her lips, still holding her against him.

"Though' Remy tol' yo' t' b' quiet," he said, looking down into her eyes and barely hiding his grin.

Psyc opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, Peachblossom stomped his foot, making it clear he did not appreciate Remy's interruption. Remy released Psyc and she stepped back and turned to finish caring for the horse.

Remy leaned against the stall, watching her. A few moments latter the silence was broken.

"Gambit, weren't you ever told it's not polite to stare?"

Remy and Psyc turned to see Nathan walk in the door.

"Hi, Nate," Psyc called. "What's the latest?"

"Professor's giving us a week off sometime this month," he told them. "Winter Break. Like they do in some parts of Europe. Because, as he said, this is a school after all."

"An dat means wha'?" Remy asked.

"It means we have a week to do what ever. People who have families that want them get to go back. Or we can stay here and just sit around," Nathan told them.

"Are you going back to your sister?" Psyc asked him.

"Yes," Nathan said, "Actually I wanted to ask you something." He paused, as if unsure, then asked, "If I invited Jazz, do you think she would accept?"

Remy was slightly startled, but Psyc didn't seem surprised at all.

"I'm not sure," she told Nathan. "She might have plans with her brother."

"Alright, thank you," Nathan said and left.

"Yo' were 'spectin' dat, weren' yo'?" Remy asked Psyc.

She laughed, "I've been expecting something like it, yes."

"D' yo' t'ink she'll accep'?"

"That depends," Psyc told him as she put Peachblossom away.

Remy didn't bother to ask what she meant. The walk back to the mansion was made in silence. As they passed the table in the entrance hall Remy grabbed the mail in his tray.

"Psyc!" Sherry called, running down the stairs. "You said today you would show me the festival program."

"I did, didn't I?" Psyc said, smiling. "Let's go get changed. If we're gonna do this, let's do it right."

Remy continued to walk with them. When the girls went into Psyc and Jazzes room, he continued down the hall to the room he shared with Nathan. When he walked in, Nathan was lounging on his bed.

"You know," Nathan commented. "It is okay to take the coat off once in a while. You don't always need twenty packs with you."

Remy smiled and took off his trench coat, removing a deck of cards from one of the pockets as he did. He then rolled the deck of cards in his shirtsleeve.

"Dat betta?" he asked his roommate.

"Much," Nathan said grinning. "Now you only have 52 bombs at your disposal."

"'Til I grab somet'in' else," Remy retorted, also grinning.

This exchange was habit; they did it every time one of them entered the room. Remy plopped down on his bed and opened his mail. There were three things: a magazine, the CDs he had ordered and a letter from his brother.

"So… 'ave yo' talked t' Jazz yet?" he asked.

"No," Nathan replied. "Actually I was about to call my sister when you came in."

"Do yo' wan' m' t' leave?"

"No, it'll be quick, besides, I don't think you are going to eavesdrop on me and my sister."

Nathan took out his cell phone and Remy opened his letter.

Remy,

I know you said you aren't going to come back, so I won't try to talk you into it. I am, however, gong to ask you to come visit during your next school break. Despite what you seem to think, we would be glad to see you again. I won't tell you to write back (since you would ignore it anyway) but if you decide to come visit the door is always open to you, mon frère.

Henri

Remy finished reading the letter just in time to see Nathan hang up.

"S' will she le' yo' bring Jazz?"

Nathan smiled, "Yeah, but I don't think she's very happy about it. So who's the letter from?"

"Mon frère," Remy told him. "'e wan's Remy t' visit."

Remy went to his closet. He pulled out a hat, a mask and a cape.

"Where are you going?" Nathan asked as Remy put the things on.

"De Danger Room."

"You're putting on a costume to go blow things up?"

Remy laughed, "Non, we no' usin' i' fo' trainin'."

He leaned back into the closet and pulled out another mask. He threw it at Nathan and said, "C'mon. Yo' coul' probably use a party as much as Remy."

Nathan looked at the mask skeptically before he shrugged and put it on. They walked down the hall. Remy wondered how it was exactly he and the girls had befriended Nathan. The guy had a tendency to stay secluded and keep things to himself. Not that that was much different from the three of them, but Nathan just seemed more like he grew up never letting anyone know what was wrong or even if something was. They got toe the Danger Room and Remy entered the code to allow entrance without disrupting the program. He let his eyes scan the crown and soon found Sherry, along with Sarah watching a group of 'jesters' perform. Sarah turned to look at them and Remy put his finger to his mouth. Sarah grinned and gave the slightest thumbs up, then discreetly pointed to where groups of people were doing traditional dances. Remy nodded his thanks, pulled his mask down to cover his face and motioned for Nathan to follow him. Nathan spotted Jazz on the side and went to join her. Remy slipped into the dance just as they were switching partners. Remy had arranged it where the next switch would leave him paired with Psyc. Neither Remy nor Psyc was paying attention to their friends or heard what they said.

Jazz stood shaking her head as the partners changed again.

Nathan laughed quietly, "So how long do you think it'll take her to realize it's him?"

"Only as long as he can keep his mouth shut," Jazz answered, grinning.

"Oh," Nathan paused, "So about thirty seconds?"

Jazz laughed out right, "He doesn't talk that much."

"No," Nathan agreed, "He flirts that much."

"Okay, you've got a point there," Jazz conceded.

Contrary to their joking, the song ended without Remy giving himself away. As the last chord died and the dancers stepped away from each other, Remy maintained possession of Psyc's hand long enough to place a kiss on the back before releasing it.

"Wait a minute. That's not anywhere in the program," Psyc protested.

"Den de program be flawed," Remy said removing his mask. "N'awlins 's full o' people wid manners li'e dat."

"Really?" Psyc asked interested. "Who?"

"Oui," Remy told her with a large grin. "Dey called Remy's family."

That got everyone laughing. They all wandered the 'streets' together. Actually it was half wandering, half looking for Sarah and Sherry. They weren't that worried, after all they could always just end the program, but they looked anyway. Not long after they started the little girls ran up.

"Remy!" Sherry said, excited. "There's someone here that can do your trick!"

"Wha' trick?" Remy asked.

"The one where you make the card disappear, but leave the center glowing," Sherry said, grabbing his and Psyc's hands and tugging them.

"I tried to tell her it was just a hologram," Sarah told Jazz, "But she wouldn't listen."

"That's alright, at least you knew," Jazz assured her.

"Of course I did," Sarah said. "It's just another computer program."

Jazz laughed, "Don't get too cocky. One of these days someone will write a program that fools even you."

"I know," Sarah said, "But this isn't a very complex program. Detailed but not structured."

By now they had reached a group of people. Floating softly down was a glowing spade. They watched for a moment then, with a quiet sizzling, the spade was gone.

"See!" Sherry said. "I told you he does your trick."

"An' yo' were righ'," Remy said, turning to Psyc.

"This is just a big mesh of festivals," she told them. "It's based on one I went to when I was seven but I added things. I added this guy from stories people at the shelter told." Psyc shrugged then smiled, "Now I know who it was I guess."

The group spent another four hours in the program, but they avoided the card shows. They joined games and listened to songs. Finally Sarah and Sherry began to yawn and Psyc called the program to a halt. She checked the time and was surprised to see it was well passed when dinner was cleared from the table and the dishes cleaned.

"No wonder you two are so tired," Psyc laughed, "It's almost 9:30."

"I'm not t-t-tired."

Sherry's objection was interrupted with a yawn. When she started for the door, she swayed and Remy picked her up.

"Course yo' no'," he laughed. "Yo' just' havin' trouble gettin' yo' feet t' listen."

"Remy…" Sherry said, her voice fading.

She was half asleep before she finished and even further before they reached the door. Remy held her one hand under her knees, the other behind her back. Her head lulled against his shoulder and her breathing slowed.

Psyc noticed that Sarah too was asleep on her feet. She considered picking the girl up, but instead tapped Jazz.

She motioned toward Sarah and whispered, "You're the one she latched onto. If I do something she'll just get mad 'cause I'm making her look bad in front of you."

Jazz looked back and sighed. "Sometimes she acts so mature, I forget she's still a kid."

She slowed and when Sarah drew even with her, she scooped her up in her arms, copying the way Remy carried Sherry.

"Jazz," the girl objected, "I can walk."

"No," Jazz corrected. "You can stumble. You have to know when you've had enough."

After Jazzes reassurance, the girl settled into her arms and fell asleep. Jazz looked down at the child that snuggled into her arms. Gazing at the innocent face she suddenly realized just how big this was. It suddenly occurred to her that Sarah trusted her completely; this little girl had complete confidence in her to keep her safe.

"See? They aren't so bad, are they?" Psyc asked.

"Does it bother you?" Jazz inquired not looking up from Sarah. "Knowing that they have so much confidence in us…that they see us as a parent?"

"No," Psyc told her. "Because as long as they look up to us, they aren't going to look up to people that will get them in trouble and not care."

By now they had reached the room the two girls shared with Kitty. They knocked to see if Kitty was there. Then she opened the door, she grinned.

"You totally wore them out," she said, taking Sarah from Jazz. "Wish I could do that normally it takes forever to get them to sleep."

"Yo' jus' le' dem do wha' evah fo' six 'ours an dey go righ' t' sleep," Remy told her laughing and laying Sherry in her bed. Psyc grabbed Sherry's panther and Sarah's wolf.

As she tucked them into the girls arms, Kitty asked, "What's with those anyway?" she indicated the toys, "Sarah spent half an hour tearing the room apart to find the wolf last week."

"They're promises," Jazz said.

As the group was leaving, Kitty called, "Oh, by the way, you missed the announcement. Winter break is the week after next."

The next week went by fairly quickly. The routine wasn't broken, classes went on as usual, but the main topic of conversation was what people were going to do over break.

Jazz had just got done sparing with Psyc when Nathan suddenly appeared, seemingly from nowhere.

"Um, Jazz, may I have a moment of your time?" he asked.

"Sure," she told him and added silently, Whatever it is has him nervous. He never slips into proper speech like that unless his is.

They walked away, toward the stables. The horses called greetings and she smiled sending them back. When they stopped she looked at him.

"So what's on your mind?" she asked.

Nathan decided to be frank. "I would like you to come with me."

"Where? When?" Jazz asked slightly puzzled.

"Over the break," Nathan explained, "I want you to come with me to my sisters."

Jazz pause for a moment, stunned, then said, "Nate I'd love to but…"

"You already have plans."

"No…" Jazz told him, "It's just, and I can't believe I 'm going to say this, I don't know if I should leave Sarah like that."

Nathan smiled. "From the introduction party, I got the impression you didn't like kids."

"I didn't," Jazz told him. "I'm not sure what happened, but she trusts and expects me to keep her safe."

"Talk to her," Nathan suggested. "See what she thinks. Then let me know."

He paused for a moment then headed back to the mansion. Jazz watched him leave, then went to find Sarah.

Sherry had fallen in love with the Mardi-Gras program in the Danger Room. If she and either Psyc or Remy could not be found, that was normally where they were. She loved the colors, the music and the costumes. Every time she went in there, she discovered something new. The program was just random enough that it was never exactly the same. Yet at the same time, it was detailed enough as the people could hold conversations. Sherry didn't know if that was because of Psyc or the advanced computer that was the danger room, but she didn't care. As long as she was in here with Psyc and Remy, they were together and having fun. Sherry spun around laughing, her black hair fanning out behind her.

"Yo' really li'e dis, don' yo'?" Remy asked her.

"Yeah," Sherry said, grinning. "I love it, you never know what to expect and it's always fun." She pointed behind him and said, "See what I mean?"

Remy turned to see what she was pointing at. A group of three people were juggling daggers back and fourth with Psyc standing in the center. The 'gypsies' caught the knives and bowed. Everyone clapped and Psyc rejoined her friends.

"Don' try dat a' 'ome," Remy told Sherry and swung her around onto his shoulders.

Sherry laughed, "I am at home," she reminded Remy.

"Exactly," Psyc told her, "Just don't do it."

"I won't." Sherry assured her, "It's one thing in a computer game, and something else when it's real."

"Speakin' o' which," Remy said, "How woul' yo' li'e t' see de real t'ing?"

"You mean an actual festival?" Sherry squealed. "That sounds great! How? When?"

"Mon frère, Henri, wrote askin' Remy t' visit an' de break is ovah Mardi-Gras. Remy though' we coul' ta'e 'im up on 'is offer."

Sherry hugged Remy's hand and begged, "Can we? Please! Please, please, please, please, please?"

Remy laughed, "O' course we can. Remy jus' wan'ed t' ma'e sure yo' wan'ed t' go."

"Yay!" Sherry yelled, and then added as an afterthought, "Is Psyc coming too?

"Sherry, I don't…" Psyc began, but Remy interrupted her.

"O' course she is," Remy interrupted. "We all goin'." He smiled and added, "An' we gon' drive dem insane too."

Sherry grinned, barely able to keep from clapping her hands.

It's almost like having mommy and daddy back again, she thought, but these two don't go around kissing each other.

Psyc was sitting on the windowsill when Jazz walked in.

"Hey, you got a minute?" Jazz asked.

Psyc turned to look at her and smiled, "Of course."

"It's about next week," Jazz began.

"Don't worry about it, I'm not going to be here either," Psyc interrupted.

"How'd you guess?"

"Nathan asked me last Saturday if I thought you would go."

"Oh," Jazz said, "Well we leave tomorrow "

Psyc smiled, "Most people do, but I'll wait and see you off."

Remy watched as Psyc and Jazz said goodbye. Nathan's sister was due any minute and they had a plane to catch. Sherry stood with Sarah, wearing a backpack. She held 'Remy' her panther out to Sarah. Remy smiled when the girl refused the toy gave Sherry a hug. His thoughts were interrupted by Jazz.

"I don't know where you're taking them," she told him, "but if anything happens, I hold you responsible."

Remy saluted her and said, "Oui madmoiselle, Remy won' le' anyt'ing 'appen t' dem."

"Good," Jazz told them and grinned. "Now go before you miss your plane."

She motioned her head toward the garage. Remy saluted her again then went to get Sherry. The bags were already in the car and Jean was behind the wheel.

"I still don't see why you won't just let Scott drop you off in the Blackbird," Jean said pulling out of the gate.

"Trus' Remy, ma amie, yo' don' wan' t' drop in on 'is family ou' o' de sky li'e dat."

The plane ride was quiet. Sherry fell asleep and Psyc stared out the window. Remy wondered what it was that had her emotions raging, but knew better ten to ask. When the plane landed, Psyc carried Sherry and Remy grabbed her pack. They had left the mansion in the late afternoon and it was now dark. Remy debated whether or not they should stay at an inn that night.

Non, betta t' go now an' no' put i' off.

Then he flagged a taxi down. He knew the fare would probably be doubled once he told the driver the destination, but he wasn't quite ready to let them know he was back. Thankfully the cabbie didn't just refuse to give them a ride, probably thanks to the sleeping Sherry. The drive was still quieter even than the plane. The cab stopped and the driver hurried to unload their things.

As he drove away, Psyc gasped. "This is your house?"

"Non, 's mon pères," Remy said as he walked forward. "Bu' i' is my nuthouse."

Then he buzzed the intercom. A youthful voice came back.

"'f yo' ringin' de bell we don' e'pect yo' t' be 'ere. Tu t'appelles commont?"

Remy sighed, then said, "Bonjour Lapin, Remy f'got 'is key."

There was a pause followed by, "Remy?" in an unbelieving voice. Then a buzz and Remy pushed the gate open.

Psyc followed Remy looking around at the grounds.

As they neared the door it opened, followed by a cheerful voice, "Li'e yo' evah needed a key."

The speaker was a guy about Remy's age. His hair was red and short and he looked like he would smile his life away He extended his hand and Remy took it. A second later he was jerked into a tight embrace.

"'s abou' time yo' came 'ome,"

Remy knew the exact moment Lapin saw Psyc and Sherry, he lost his relaxed manner, pulled back and asked, "Who yo' friends?"

"'s a long story, bu' i' yo' turn dem 'way, Remy goin' wid dem."

"O' course we won' turn dem 'way." The new voice came from inside. "Lapin, where yo' manners? Bring dem inside, de girl is already asleep."

Lapin ushered them inside and Henri embraced Remy.

"I'm glad yo' too' de offer," he told them. "An' as Lapin demonstrated pe'ple do wan' y' 'ere."

"Remy jus' 'ere fo' a visit," he told his brother. "An' meant wha' 'e said. I' Psyc and Chèrie 'ave t' go, den 'e goin' wid dem."

"Don' worry," Henri assured him, "We won' chase dem 'way. De petite will ma'e frien's in no time an', Psyc did yo' call 'er?" Henri grinned, "Yo' migh' wan' t' keep an eye on 'er. Dat is i' yo' plan on keepin' 'er."

"Yo' can' keep wha's no' yo's," Remy told Henri watching Psyc as Lapin showed them to their rooms. He missed the skeptical look Henri threw his way.

Please reveiw. Any comments welcome.