(Seven)
It was late at night when Remy snuck Molly in to see Kristalay. Molly hadn't wanted to wait - when she had business to take care of, she got to it promptly and this was no exception. Gambit was nervous, but kept quiet about it. If she demanded justice, he would deliver it, but didn't relish the idea of actually killing anyone. He was a sneak and a thief, but not a murderer by nature. He hoped that once she saw Kristalay all smashed up, she might change her mind. It wasn't that Krsitalay didn't deserve it, but he was worried that a rash decision would prey on Molly's mind later on, once the passion was gone. He didn't want her to have to live with a mistake.
Gambit used his skills to get them past the nurses on duty, using some of his hand to hand expertise to carefully knock out the guards Logan had out in place. Wolverine had made the mistake on calculating on Kristalay trying to get out, not someone getting in. He hadn't placed his best men there and Remy got past them quickly, being careful not permanently injure them.
Once free to move about, they snuck up to Kristalay's bed. He was on his back, both legs up in traction. He was covered in bandages and tubes, some still stained with blood as his body stubbornly refused to heal. He was a mess and not even close to being a threat to anyone.
You still sure you want to do this? Remy signed in the dark, letting her decide.
Yes, she replied, her body surprisingly calm. She showed no tension, no anticipation of the coming rush of vengeance. Wake him up.
Remy raised the lights in the room a little and then gave Kristalay a nudge, starting this. " 'Ey, fuckface. Wake up!"
Kristalay groaned softly and opened one eye, peering up into the gloom. He took a sniff instinctively, but he couldn't use his senses like that anymore, Jael had seen to that. "Who's there?"
"Heh, sucky t'ing, 'avin' to figure dat shit out like de rest of us."
Kristalay coughed and shifted on the bed, recognizing the voice at once. "What you want, Cajun? A piece of me while you still can? Always were a bit of a pussy."
Remy just grinned. "Non. She does."
Kristalay opened his eyes a little wider, squinting in the dimly lit room as he tried to make her out. He didn't quite remember her and he struggled to figure all this out. He had only met Molly once years ago and it had been brief. It was lost under the brainwipe from SHIELD and all the other crap he had been through. "Who're you?"
Molly gestured quickly with her hands, grunting softly.
"What's that shit?" Kristalay complained, impatient to get to the part where they told him what the fuck was going on. Then they would beat him up some more and he could go back to sleep. He had no idea of the level of danger he was actually in.
"Dis 'ere fille, she can't talk so good, no t'anks to you." Gambit reached across to the small bedside lamp and turned it on a single click, adding more light without blinding them all. He raised Molly's chin, showing Kristalay her scars. "She don' talk so good, but she got a lot to say."
"I'll bet," Kristalay snapped, bored with this. This was so lame.
Remy reached out and slapped him, getting his attention. "Listen up, fils de la putain!"
Molly gestured again and Remy began to translate. You killed my momma. You killed my sister. You took my voice and the sad part is, I'll bet you don't even remember it.
"I'm sorry, kid," Kristalay grumbled, just wanting to get this over with. Clearly this kid needed some closure, but why the fuck did she have to do it the middle of the night? The pain was creeping in and he wanted nothing more than another shot of Henry's junk, or better yet, Kimble's touch.
Molly growled and lashed out suddenly, cutting his face with her claws. There would be no mercy, not until she said her piece. Don't you give me 'sorry', you monster! You just remember this! I came down here to kill you. The only reason you're still alive right now is because of me!
Kristalay snorted. He looked into her eyes and saw only a young girl. "You don't have the balls."
Molly lunged with sudden swiftness, climbing up onto the bed and making Kristalay grunt from the pain of it. She wasn't big, but her weight was enough to wake the agony in his guts that Henry's meds had so graciously put to sleep. The pain was unbelievable and hard to bear from someone who was so used to just healing and getting over it. Her tiny hands found his throat and choked off his air, startling him with her strength. He squirmed, but was far too weak and too bandaged to defend himself. His tawny eyes jumped to Remy, but found no support. The thief had backed away to the door, glancing out to see that they hadn't drawn attention to themselves. He was protecting Molly.
Once Molly had satisfied herself that Kristalay had gotten the point, she released his throat, but didn't move away. Instead she gestured again, her hands right in his face. I had every intention of killing you, ever since I saw you back at the house all those years ago. You were my personal nightmare, you sick fuck, but you know what? I'm going to forgive you - for now. You see, I saw the way Kimble looked at you. He's never looked at anyone else like that, that I can remember, except maybe Remy. For him to look at you that way, there has to be something inside of you that only he can see. It has to be something good, because he only sees the good in people. I suggest you take that very seriously, Father. Redeem yourself. Redeem yourself or so help me, I'll kill you myself. That's a promise! She snarled at him once for emphasis and then left, climbing off of him the most painful way possible and walking out.
Kristalay gasped, wheezing in pain. "Fuck! Who is that kid, huh? She really mine?"
Remy just grinned. "Oui. She also my wife."
"God help you, Cajun."
"Non. God 'elp you, you don' listen. Au revoir, pet."
Remy slipped out, stepping over the guards who were showing signs of waking. He knew there would be repercussions for tonight's little excursion, but that was for later. All he wanted now was to track Molly down and make sure she was okay. He reached out with his power, opening up a window in his mind. He could see her vibrations of powerful emotions like a vapor trail in the air and followed them quickly, shadowing her as she made her way up to the surface and the landing strips above the complex. She wanted some fresh air.
He was only a couple of paces behind her when she came out the topside door and surprised the guard there. There was a guard shack by each entrance that was always manned. Perry was up tonight, reading his newspaper and not paying the least bit attention to the camera that showed the stairwell going up. He bolted upright from his stool as the door smashed open, his mouth open wide in surprise. It was always quiet here on the night shift and he wasn't the least bit prepared for the noise. Molly showed him her badge quickly and took off for one of the planes, not caring if he had seen it or not.
"Je suis de'sole, Perry," Remy apologized to the guard as he followed her out. "We just out fo' some air."
"Right," Perry said with a sideways grin. More likely these two had been up fighting, judging from the look on Molly's face. He didn't argue or follow them just logged the time on his board and went back to his paper.
Remy followed his wife out to one of the Blackbirds, happy when she finally stopped under one of the wheels. She was stronger and faster than he was, especially now with his leg trying to recover. His thigh was throbbing with a dull ache and his knee was tight, a warning that he had been pushing his luck. He was going to be stiff and sore in the morning. He crept up behind her, knowing her senses were much too strong for her to be startled by him, and slid his arms around her.
She allowed the embrace, leaning back into him automatically and starting to cry. She had tried to keep in control, not wanting to melt down in front of Creed. She knew that if she had, he never would have taken her seriously. She relaxed as Remy whispered soft French in her ear. She understood none of it, but was calmed by his sweet words and the vibrations of his love. He was proud of her for her restraint she could feel it, she knew he didn't want her to kill her own father, that the pain of it would never leave her. I love you, she gestured finally. Thanks for sneaking me in.
"Pas de quoi, cher. Anyt'ing fo' you, you know dat."
He's - he's so broken. I had no idea it was that bad. He doesn't look like how I remember him.
" 'E been down a hard road. One 'e deserve, I t'ink we both know it," Remy replied, not wanting Kristalay to get any more sympathy than he deserved. He paused before asking, " 'Ow long you know 'e yo' dad, chere?"
He smells like Sandy did, my sister. It was all she would say.
"You okay wit it?"
I'll be all right. I meant what I said. If he fucks up or hurts anyone, I don't care who it is, he's dead.
"Gambit will be right dere wit you, fille. Don' you worry."
Molly relaxed against him and they stood there awhile, just looking up at the sky and all of the stars. He loved her intensely and kissed her ear, licking her as he rocked her gently. He could stand here all night, just so long as she was here next to him. He was grateful that things had gone so well, her capacity for forgiveness was vast and startling. It was though she was some kind of saint, a walking wellspring of mercy. It was this ability for forgiveness that allowed their relationship to ensure. She might forgive, but she was no pushover. She was willful and strong, traits that had attracted him and bound her to him forever.
Eventually Molly tired and they went back down to their flat to rest. Perry watched them go, a smile on his face. He knew the drill. Like any good couple they had made up and now they would go bed, make love and argue another day. He logged the time on his board and went back to his paper, hoping the rest of the night would go quietly.
(break)
Charles Xavier sat in his wheelchair, weary to the bone. It wasn't easy being head honcho of this impromptu army and the latest news hadn't been good.
His thoughts were following the same lines Logan had. They were fighting a war on two fronts. The human element was a serious concern. SHIELD was probably looking for them, the X-men had dropped off the map, taking Kimble with them, a prisoner. No doubt the head of that organization, Nick Fury, had a head full of questions. When it came to the activities of savage mutant factions, the X-men seemed to have a heads up that SHIELD had fallen back on more than once.
There were the human hate groups as well. Friends of Humanity and others. Rioting had broken out across the country and innocent mutants were scrambling. Charles had sent out silent signals to those in the know that safety could be found at the abandoned Institute at Westchester, at least for now. There was medical treatment available there and for some, a trip here to Arizona. It was a risk, yes. But truth be told, Charles could use all the firepower he could get right now. He needed to boost his ranks if what Henry had just told him was true - Jael knew where they were and was threatening to do something about it if Kimble wasn't turned over. Charles knew there was no way he was going to give Kimble up - or Seth for that matter. He just wasn't sure how far Jael was going to push this.
Charles rubbed his eyes. Sometimes the weight was so heavy. He had distributed quite a bit of it amongst his "Generals" — Scott, Logan, Warren, Henry and others. Was it going to be enough?
The role of the X-men in this society wasn't clearly defined. They had started out as mutant mediators in the conflicts of those who threatened anyone, mutant or human alike. Over the years, the battles were becoming more and more against their fellow mutants. Battles which were unfortunately becoming bloodier and more dangerous. He considered himself lucky that he'd lost only four or five students over the years, but the fact was his older guards were just that, older. As much as he didn't like the idea, it was time to retire some of his more senior people. Most of them were married now and had kids of their own. It was too risky. That last attack on Gambit had frightened him badly. The thief could have been lost, and as much as Remy was a royal pain in the ass at times, he was also a personal favorite.
Remy and Logan would always be important to him. They were his reformed ones, the criminals that had been brought back into the good light. Remy had been a talented thief with a long criminal history, Logan a savage soldier who had killed and savaged his way through private ops for the Canadian government. Both had at one time deemed themselves unsalvageable, both now had found a real place for themselves working for him. Charles needed them around not so much for their special abilities, but to remind him of his goals, of his accomplishments. He loved them both dearly and to lose either one would wound him deeply.
But back to business. Would Jael allow him the luxury of retiring the older guard? Who knew? Henry's news about the tracking device was not exactly encouraging. Charles was forced to admit that he needed his people, but maybe there was more training of the younger crews that needed to be done. Some of that old guard experience needed to be spread around. He would need to set up more training sessions. Good thing the new Danger Room was already on line. They were going to need it.
Another issue was battle stress. The X-men lived at the same high intensity pace as any over-stressed group, like firemen, policemen, or a true high ops soldier. Every day could be their last, the risks were sometimes that great. Amazing he didn't have more suicides and drug use among his crew. It was one of the reasons he pushed the exercising so much - sound body, sound mind, he was hoping. The risks were growing greater both outside and inside the Complex.
The tension in the building had risen considerably at Sabretooth's arrival. It was difficult to have an old enemy so close. The urge to exact vengeance was hard to ignore, the mercy training difficult to understand when there was a brutal murdering rapist in their midst just ripe for the taking. Remy's night time visit hadn't gone unnoticed, how could it? Two of Logan's guards had been knocked unconscious by the talented thief, one had a broken wrist. It was something he would have to deal with and swiftly. He doubted Gambit was the only one wanting a peace of that monster. What if Sabretooth wasn't the only criminal this new war brought in? What if others happened to show up and offer their services?
The X-men weren't the only group out there, Charles was painfully aware of that. Just last year there had been some kind of nuclear crisis in North Korea. Fingers had been teetering on the edge of pushing those oh, so tempting little buttons. Then just as suddenly as it started, it was over. The X-men hadn't been involved. Seth's intense probing of the SHIELD computers showed that some other mutant faction had stepped in, a faction that no one had known about. They went in, disarmed, and walked out, leaving only a note of condecision, saying the Earth wasn't theirs to destroy so fuck off already. Of course that last little tidbit was kept out of the news, it had all been covered up, saying some agreement had been reached an all the parties had stood down. Yeah, they stood down all right. They had no weapons left. Of course those nukes were who knows where by now. Just the thought of it made the Professor's skin crawl.
There was a knock on the door and at his soft word, his next problem arrived.
"Bonjour, 'Fessor. You wanted ta see me?"
"Yes, Remy. Take a seat."
Gambit limped in and dropped himself onto a large comfy sofa, sprawling his long legs out and taking it over. He was dressed for downtime, ratty old jeans tighter than sin, faded T-shirt. The Professor didn't see this often, Gambit was one of his more active players. It wasn't often that Remy missed a mission. These past days must have been an agony for him.
It didn't escape Charles' notice that the thief had avoided the seat directly in front of his desk. He knew better than to try and probe this one's mind, Gambit had formed powerful mental shields long before he had ever come to work for him. It was only recently that they had learned of his latent empathy, Kimble had brought it out. The shields had been necessary for his survival.
"It's been a long time since we've had a chance to talk, you and me," Charles began.
Remy smiled, closing his eyes. He was still insecure to a point and it always gave him pleasure when someone made him feel welcome. "Ain't like I ain't been 'angin' round doin' nuthin'. You de one bein' so busy an' all. I'm always around anytime you wanna lose yo' ass at poker."
"Yes, I know. Things have been quite busy here. How is your leg? I see the brace is gone."
"Oui. 'Enry say it 'ealin' right quick," Remy replied with a casual smoothness he didn't really feel. He knew this was just the small talk before the lecture began. He didn't have to wait long.
"You had a late visit with our Mister Creed last night."
Remy squinted, trying to decide to evade or take this head on. Best to get it over with.
"Oui."
"Care to explain why?"
"Molly 'ad issues she needed to take up wit dear ol' dad."
Charles blinked in surprise. "How long have you known?"
Remy just grinned shamelessly. "A while.'
"And what did she say to him?"
"She say, 'Be on yo' bes' behavior, y' 'ear? Or I'm gonna rip you a new one, daddy or non.' Sumptin' along dose lines." Those red on black eyes turned to him, suddenly serious. "She was gonna kill him, comprenez? But den she let it go, like she always do. She a strong girl, mon ami. Strong, strong girl."
Charles considered Remy's reply before speaking. "It would have been better to have just brought her during visiting hours."
"Didn't know what she was gonna do 'til she done it."
"And would you have let her do it? Let her kill him?"
Remy closed his eyes for a moment. "Non. Gambit would 'ave done it for 'er."
There it was again, that disassociation, as if Gambit was someone other than himself. "I've taught you better than that, Remy. There is no need for killing, not in these walls," Charles said, his voice serious, but not condescending. He was trying to reach out to Remy's heart.
"Dat maudite connard done a lot of damage ta me an' mine. Sometimes...sometimes a man reach a limit, y' know?"
Charles looked over at him, seeing the lie. How Gambit hid his nobility, it was as if he was afraid of it somehow. "You would have spared Molly the pain."
Gambit wouldn't look at him.
This was going better than Charles had expected. Gambit didn't like to talk, he preferred to evade, but he was opening up more as he grew older. As Gambit had spoken the lie, Remy had let some of those shields drop, letting the Professor in. It was better to let Charles feel his thoughts than to articulate them.
"I cannot allow brutality in my building. We must have some sense of order."
Remy nodded, submissive to his mentor.
"Perhaps you have too much time on your hands."
Remy's head perked up, the thought of a mission bringing instant joy to his heart. He had been hanging around much too long. "Oui, patron?"
"There are many new people coming in. They will need training."
Remy groaned and covered his face with his long elegant hands. "Non, non, non, s'il vous plait! Not a class!"
"Oh, yes. You are officially on probation. Since you felt well enough to apply your talents to Logan's guards, you are in shape enough for a self defense class or two. Henry has already approved it with you on the side and an assistant to do the physical work for now."
"Don' do dis..."
"I could put you in a cell," the Professor offered playfully, knowing he had Remy cold.
Remy turned and looked at him, eyes blazing but lips smiling. Inwardly, he was relieved to have been let off so lightly. It could have been a lot worse. "For you, Gambit will do dis."
"Good. Now tell Gambit he starts in an hour."
"An hour!" Remy stood at that, all indignation.
"Yes, so I suggest you hurry. Logan will be there to start you off. Off you go."
Gambit grumbled, but got moving. He paused at the doorway and looked back at his mentor when Charles spoke his name again. "Oui, patron?"
"Kimble is not to see Creed again. He's already been told."
"Oui. Gambit knows. Talked about it wit 'im already."
Kimble had come to him first thing that morning, all tears and indignation. He didn't understand. Gambit tried to explain that they were all just concerned that Sabertooth might try to screw with his head, Creed wasn't quite sane himself and hardly trustworthy. Kimble was stubborn, crying and swallowing foul curses flung at Logan's direction until Remy simply replied to him, " 'E don' deserve you. 'E never did. Leave it alone, pet."
Kimble had looked up at him, his eyes full of pain. "I hafta see him, it's all cuz a' me. I hafta ..."
"Quoi? Make up for it? Dis not yo' trouble. 'Enry's gonna take care of 'im, cher."
Kimble shook his head. "None of yous understand."
"Gambit understands all 'bout makin' up, de one not listenin' is you. Let it go. 'E's gonna be fine. Be 'appy wit knowin' 'e's still alive."
Kimble made for the door, his vibrations all agitated and of course, still being very stubborn.
"You go an try to see 'im, cher, Logan's gonna put you away. Leave it. Take care of Angel, dat's all you should be worryin' about now. Can't do dat from a cell."
Kimble merely nodded and walked out, his head down. Since then the pilot had been quiet.
Back in the Professor's office, Charles was speaking to his thief. "Is he going to be any trouble?"
" 'E ain't 'appy 'bout it, but non. No trouble dere, I t'ink. Me an' Molly will keep an' eye on 'im, je promets."
"Good. We've had too much trouble around here already. Kimble needs to be protected and kept sheltered. This was spectacularly bad timing."
"Everyt'ing's shipshape, non?"
"Yes. As you already know the new Danger Room's on-line, another reason I need you for classes. The main shield generator is functional. Barring a major invasion, we're good for the now. What concerns me is Jael's next move. I can't imagine it's going to be something obvious."
"Whatever it is, we're up for it," Remy said, nodding at his mentor and walking out. He couldn't guess what Jael had in mind, something they least expected no doubt. He only hoped they would have some time to prepare. He couldn't know of course that time was a luxury they didn't have.
To be continued in Betrayal.