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X-Men Evolution: Turning Point

Part III

Colossus and Pyro stood and listened to Magneto yell at Sabertooth. They were trying, and for all they knew succeeding, in keeping emotionless faces.

"So know he is gone. This is not good." Magneto seethed. Piotr wasn't sure if Magneto was worried about Gambit telling the X-Men anything or if he was just pissed that he didn't have a punching bag anymore. Piotr knew that there was no way Eric would try it with him, or with Creed. And John would probably fight back. But then Gambit did that at first too.

"They'll take him to the Mansion, he'll heal and then he'll leave. I'll get him then." Sabertooth said through clenched teeth. The larger male was angry himself at Remy getting one over on him, even if it had been thanks to the X-Men, Remy had got away this time, so he had got the better of the savage animal that was Sabertooth.

"No, he might stay with them. That girl, that Rogue, she holds his interest for some reason. He might join them." Magneto said, starting to pace the room. He was getting agitated and his fists kept clenching. Around now would be when Piotr and John were sent on some strange mission while Remy and Creed stayed behind. Around now would be when Piotr's blood would boil with rage and worry over his Cajun friend. No matter how forced he was to be here, he was still friends with John and Remy, both of them were his team-mates and comrades, but they had grown to trust one another.

"So we stir things up. Make it so that they don't trust him. They'll throw him out on his ear and then we can move in." Sabertooth said, sometimes Colossus got the feeling that it was more than just Eric that used Remy as a tension release. Maybe that privilege had been handed over to Sabertooth as well.

"Pyro, Colossus, go and cause some trouble. Near the docks and don't leave until the X-Men show up. We'll take care of the rest." Pyro nodded and Colossus followed suit. Both the Russian and the Australian leaving the master of magnetism with his head henchman.

"This don't look good mate, not for our little Cajun buddy."

"We will figure something out on the way." Piotr said, sounding more confident than he felt. "We will not let Remy down now."

- - -

"So, what are your powers?" Zaire asked Remy. They had been in the Infirmary for nearly an hour and both were getting bored.

"Remy blow t'ings up." Zaire laughed, it was so simply put it was funny. "What about you? Never seen you wit' the X-Men."

"I'm not an X-Man. I just work here." Zaire said, as much as she would like to be with the others on the team, it didn't look likely that she would be. "I can control the natural elements. Wind, fire, water and earth." Remy looked slightly impressed.

"And here was Remy t'inking you just a pretty face." Over the time they had been talking Remy and Zaire had become somewhat friendly. With Remy owing her a great deal and Zaire just enjoying his company.

"Oh, looks can be deceiving Monsieur LeBeau." She relied with a sly smile. Just then the intercom buzzed. "Excuse moi." Zaire said to Remy in a phoney French accent before answering the small machine. "Oui?"

"Zaire?" Rogue's voice came over the intercom, slightly confused at the other girls use of the foreign language.

"Yeah, what's up Rogue?"

"We've all been called out. Ah might not be back in an hour so ah'll just come down when we get back. Is that alright?" Zaire nodded before remembering that Rogue couldn't see her.

"Sure, no problem. Have fun." Zaire responded.

"It ain't exactly what ah would call fun but ah'll try." Zaire laughed again, she seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"Well, Cajun, it's just us for a bit. Wonder if there's anything fun we can do around here." Zaire wondered. "Hey, ya wanna play poker?"

- - -

The X-Men arrived at the docks to find Pyro sitting on a few crates, his flames making strange bird pictures on the ground. Colossus was there too, the large Russian just throwing rocks into the water in his human form. To say that they were surprised was an understatement. Scott looked at Logan and Ororo before addressing the two Acolytes.

"What are you two doing?" Scott asked, more than a little perplexed. The Australian fire-starter looked over at the mutant team.

"It about time you lot showed up. We were getting bored." Pyro looked over to Colossus. "Isn't that right, my giant tin can of a friend."

"Douse it flame boy." Colossus said, moving towards the X-Men. Had be changed into his metal form they might have started to worry. "You guys got the Gambit?" This question took the 'good guys' off guard.

"Umm, yeah." Kitty answered, nervously looking at Logan.

"Why'd you care?" Logan answered, as intimidating as ever. Pyro was the one to answer this time.

"Well, that boy needs someone to keep an eye on him. He ain't been the little boy scout Magneto wanted or anything." The X-Men frowned, wondering just what the meaning of that was. Colossus sighed.

"Remy's been getting into all sorts of trouble with Magneto. He had to leave. We helped, we're just making sure he isn't in any more trouble being gone." The Russian made to leave, Pyro following him. "Just make sure he doesn't end up back with us. It'll be the death of him." Without another word the two mutants left, leaving behind some very confused mutants.

"What was that all about?" Kitty asked out loud. Something triggered in Rogue's memory.

"Zaire! She said that the cuts on Remy's arms and face, they had traces of metal in them. She said that it had all been done by Magneto, not Sabertooth. So they must've known. Pyro and Colossus, they helped Remy get away cause they knew what was happening." Rogue said, almost shouting at the others.

"So why would they be here?" Jean asked.

"I don't know," Kitty said, "like, maybe they heard from Sabertooth that we took Gambit in." The young girl said with a shrug.

"Or maybe Magneto sent them out to distract us." Logan said with a snarl. "As a trap to get into the Institute while we were out." No one wasted time contemplating the possibilities as they all headed towards the Black-Bird. Rogue reaching the jet first. The group buckled up, ready for take off. Kitty looked over at her worried friend, about to comfort her. But for some reason Jean beat her too it.

"Don't worry Rogue. Zaire's with him, she has a good handle on her powers." Rogue growled at Jean.

"What've ah told you 'bout reading mah mind, Grey?"

"I didn't." Jean answered. "You were projecting your thoughts." Rogue muttered a sorry, looking sheepish, but Jean didn't seem to mind. She was used to the teens moods. Privacy was something Rogue needed, with everything going on in her head, she really didn't need someone poking about in it. Rogue sighed, looking out the front of the jet. Yeah, Zaire did have a good handle on her powers, a really good handle on her powers. But could she protect an injured Remy from Sabertooth?

- - -

The smash in the hall was what alerted both Zaire and Remy that they weren't alone. Zaire looked down at her watch. Hank wasn't due back for at least another few hours, and all the guys that were usually hanging around the infirmary were away on their mission.

"What got you worried, petite?" Zaire looked at Remy; he was frowning at her.

"That won't be any of the guys coming to check on ya. They left, member?" Zaire got up and walked to the doors, hitting the lock button as she did. Peering through the glass window she looked for any signs of something. "Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm sure there's something wrong right now." Zaire turned back to Remy, who was now standing beside his bed, the white hospital like pants clinging to his hips. A small blush crept into her cheeks. Zaire tried to conceal it, moving past Remy, who had noticed her blush. "I don't know what's smarter, locking us in here or leaving one door open." Remy looked at her, now his senses were on full alert, he too could sense something out of the ordinary.

"Remy t'ink that maybe you be right. Is der any way for us to leave here without going in dat hall?" Remy asked, pointing to where the sound had come from. Zaire looked around.

"There is one way, come on," Zaire took Remy's hand and pulled him to follow her, "we can go through Hank's office, past the Danger Room and up to the main building. Problem is it's a bit of a run." Zaire looked back at Remy. "Ya up for it?" Remy could tell she wasn't goading him, she was genuinely asking about his well fare. The Cajun nodded.

"Don't worry, Remy can keep up." At his reply Zaire's face paled and her eyes widened. "What?" Remy turned, and saw what was causing the frightful reaction from the young female. "Sabertooth." Zaire snapped out of her fright and pulled Gambit along after her. Gambit followed her, looking back a few times to see where Sabertooth was. He still hadn't got through the sealed doors to the infirmary, but that didn't mean he wouldn't.

After leaving Hank's office Zaire once more sealed the doors behind them, hoping to slow their pursuer down. They ran along the hall leading past the Danger Room, their feet slapping against the metal floor. Zaire was wishing now that she had put on a pair of shoes, instead she was running along the underground area of the Institute bare foot and wearing only a small tank top and pair of shorts. Of course she did have more on than Remy, who was clad only in the issued hospital pants, tied as tightly as possible around his hips to keep them up. The sound of the smashing door made Zaire and Remy aware of Sabertooth's accomplishment in getting past Hank's office.

"We have to move faster." Zaire said, noticing the door to get into the main body of the school was nearing them. Once they got through there and closed the door there was no way Sabertooth could get them. But Zaire started to falter, her legs getting tired after the running. She fell behind Remy, who gripped her hand tighter and pulled her after him.

"Come on, cheri, not much further." Zaire tried desperately to keep up with Gambit, knowing that if Sabertooth caught them it would be curtains. It was unfortunate there was no earth or fire here. Then it struck her, wind. She could use the air around them to become a source of wind. Not stopping her run Zaire summoned what she could, making the air behind them charge and start to move, causing the density to change and the concentration gradient to move. The whistling sound told her she was doing it, that it was working. But Sabertooth's footfalls didn't seem to slow. Remy stopped moving and Zaire realised they had reached the door. They both pushed, getting the heavy object to move before they fell through. Just as Remy was about the close the door, Sabertooth's clawed hand grabbed Zaire around the throat.

"Hey there red eyes, miss us?" Remy glared, but didn't move as Zaire trembled in fear. "Well, hadn't expected the chase to be quite as thrilling, but at least I get my catch." There was a sound from his throat that made Zaire close her eyes, willing the whole scene to just go away and for her to fall from her bed, waking from a horrible nightmare.

"Let her go," Remy said, a noticeable tone of contempt in his voice.

"But we need a new play thing at home. If not you then this one would suit me." Remy's skin crawled at Sabertooth sniffed at Zaire. "She's easily scared. Wonder what she screams like."

"You not finding out." Remy grabbed anything close to him, turning out to be a few marbles left by the stairs, and charged them. Sabertooth got a better grip on Zaire, his free arm clenching her waist, his claws digging into her hips. One tear slid down the dark haired girl's face, but she didn't make a sound, she didn't cry out in pain or fear.

"Tell you what, Cajun, you come home and I'll leave her. You stay here and I take her. Your choice, runt." Remy's jaw clenched, the muscles tensing throughout his body. He never wanted to go back to the Acolytes, but there was no way he wanted Zaire to go through anything like that. He sighed, uncharging the marbles before dropping his head.

"Fine." Zaire's eyes shot open. She clearly didn't know if he was letting her be taken or if he was returning. "Remy leave with you." Sabertooth's face stretched into a grotesque looking smile.

"No ones going anywhere." Remy turned at the sound of Scott's voice. The entire team of X-Men stood in the foyer, all ready to attack Sabertooth. Sabertooth sighed and rolled his eyes.

"You know, you could've kept your little beauty here. Gambit just agreed to come home," Sabertooth's comment was cut short.

"The Cajun ain't going no where. And you're not taking Zaire either, bub." Wolverine's claws were ejected and Sabertooth laughed, causing another shudder to go through Zaire's body.

"Well how about I just take off her head?" Sabertooth's grip on her neck tightened, causing the entire team to take one step forward before halting. Gambit charged up the marbles again, catching Zaire's eye so she knew where he was dropping them. As Remy dropped the marbles Zaire lifted her feet, kicking Sabertooth with her heel, simultaneously reaching out for Gambit to grab her hand and pull her away once Sabertooth's hand loosened around her throat as he did growl out in pain. Zaire fell to the floor, on top of Gambit, and Cyclops immediately blasted Sabertooth with a beam. The large savage animal fell backwards, tumbling down the hall slightly. Rogue and Kitty quickly closed the door to the hall and locked it, knowing that Sabertooth would have no option other than to retreat. Zaire slowly got to her feet, helping Remy stand after her. The Cajun gripped his ribs while holding Zaire's back.

"You okay, petite?" He asked, not really paying much heed to those around him. Zaire did a double check on her hip, wincing slightly when she saw the blood Sabertooth's grip had drawn.

"I'll be fine." Her voice was scratchy, a result of the death drip previously on her throat. "Not to sound ungrateful or anything but what are ya'll doing back so soon?" Scott looked at Gambit before talking.

"Colossus and Pyro weren't looking for a fight. They were asking about him." Zaire frowned, not quite understanding.

"Ya mean like what Sabertooth was asking like?"

"No. It was more of a how he was doing question rather than…" Jean trailed off, thinking about how to put her next words.

"Rather than trying to goad us into sending him back." Zaire looked at Ororo. The weather witch was looking slightly sheepish.

"Ya mean like Sabertooth trying to tear us limb from limb?" Gambit hadn't really said anything, and Zaire noticed that his hold on her back had began to ease. It wasn't so much the fact that he wasn't touching her, more the suddenness of the withdrawal. "Ya alright there Cajun?" Remy looked up at her, but couldn't mask the pain on his face. "Sit. Those ribs ain't healed yet." Remy did as he was told, his face slack from the exhaustion of running.

"Guess it's just as well we showed up huh?" Kitty said, standing with Rogue in front of Zaire. The other mutant female smiled at them.

"Yeah, other wise I'd have had to burn the place down." Rogue frowned and Zaire nodded her head to the small patch on the rug where a small burn mark had appeared. "Had to use something other than the wind that just didn't work!"

- - -

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