Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or anything associated with them…
A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed the last chapter!
Chapter 16: Fallen Friends
Three Days…
Three long, tortuous, never-ending days passed with no word from the Devil's Lust, each moment like a stab to the heart. Three days of hopeful waiting, only to end in dark disappointment. Rogue could almost sense a shadow lurking on the horizon, waiting to reveal itself like a panther on the prowl.
She missed Remy. She missed his vitality, his spirit. She missed knowing he was near, welcoming her into his arms. With each moment without news, she felt a piece of her heart fall away, leaving a void that hurt more than any physical pain possibly could. Her thoughts drifted into unwanted territory, imaging possible scenarios that could have delayed his arrival…could the ship be damaged, adrift in the ocean…could Remy have lost his way…could they be…dead? No! That was not an option she would entertain. Remy and Christian were fine, just delayed.
For now, however, Rogue set her thoughts aside and decided to join Kurt on a ride through the beautiful, lush countryside. She needed a distraction. In moments, they had left the stable far behind. Rogue let the mighty Arabian stretch out, sweeping along the narrow road at a racer's gallop. The sun shone more brightly, and Kurt laughed aloud as he tried to catch his sister. Rogue could feel the animal's thrilling power, his hoof beats pounding the turf like a drum. Up hills and through dales, past meadows spotted with wildflowers, they scared a flock of blackbirds up from the tall grasses and sent a clutch of rabbits darting off through the brambles. It was a beautiful day, as long as she restrained her worries.
Rounding a bend on the crest of a windy hill, a gust of air sent her hair blowing out behind her and tumbling around her shoulders. Kurt stopped his horse next to Rogue and smiled.
"Vhat a beautiful day, mein schwester."
"Yeah…it is, isn't it?" Rogue returned her brother's smile.
They rode at a slower pace down the road that led to the steep precipice, overlooking the harbor where the Anna Marie was docked. But they pulled forcibly on the reins when they saw a man from the crew running towards them.
"Captain! Captain! There's a ship!" The man cried out, but Rogue was already rushing past him to the harbor before he finished. Rogue urged the animal into motion and it was off like a shot. She rode low over its neck, praying the Devil's Lust had finally arrived.
As she approached the cliff, Rogue was struck with a sick feeling of déjà vu when a large black cloth carried on the wind from the sea below landed in the meadow directly in front of her. She jumped down from the horse and bent to inspect the fabric. It was a flag, tattered and torn by a storm, but the design was still clear…a devil's skull flanked by two hour glasses. It was the Jolly Roger of the Devil's Lust! Remy was here! But…why had he been flying the Jolly Roger, and how had it become separated from the ship?
Rogue found the ribbon of a path that wound its way between the jutting rocks leading to the beach below. As she carefully climbed down the cliff, she got her first look at the ships in the harbor. Oh Mah Gawd! The Devil's Lust was a skeleton of its former self. Even from a distance, Rogue could see the heavy damage the ship had sustained. Only two of the three great masts remained standing but they were cracked. The remnants of the massive sails were tattered, spotted with holes and strips of the canvas blew in the wind. The stern, or what was left of it, was in shambles. Part of the topdeck had collapsed and one side of the captain's cabin was laid open. Something terrible must have happened.
As she continued her way down to the beach, she clung to the scrubby plants that lined the path. Below, the roar of the waves, the crash of the surf, grew louder. Eventually she reached the beach and drew a deep breath, her lungs aching. Kurt was just beginning his descent when Christian and John came into view.
"Rogue! Bloody Hell, am I happy to see you!" John yelled over the surf as he and Christian came to stand by her side.
"What happened?" Rogue asked nervously.
Christian looked to be on the brink of tears. "We were in a fight, ma'am."
"A fight?" Rogue cast John a questioning look, but before he could respond to her silent plea, Christian broke down and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her heart breaking, Rogue dropped to her knees embracing the boy.
After a few moments, Christian realized what he was doing. With tears still falling down his face, he pulled back and straightened up attempting to look the part of a rough and ready pirate. "Sorry, Captain Darkholme."
"Maybe we should go back ta the castle and y'all can tell meh what happened." Rogue stood and looked over John's shoulder to the Devil's Lust, furrowing her brow. "Where's Remy?"
John turned to follow her gaze, and sighed. "We should talk at the castle, sheila. It's a bloody long story."
"John," Rogue's tone became stern and punctuated. "Where is Remy?"
Running a frustrated hand through his hair, John whispered. "We lost 'im, love."
An hour later…
As they arrived at the castle, Wanda ran out from the double-doors, her eyes shining. John quickly closed the distance between them, sweeping her up into his arms and kissed her fiercely.
Reeves and Mrs. Danvers were instantly on the scene bombarding John with questions that Rogue herself was yearning to learn the answers to. Convincing everyone that it would be best to retire to the library to reveal the events of the past fours days, John led Christian into the great hall. He tried to convince the boy, unsuccessfully, to go with Mrs. Danvers to his room and get some rest, but Christian refused to leave his side. He wanted to be present and help in any decision that needed to be made and he didn't want to be alone.
When everyone was gathered into the library, the tension began to build as John tried to decide the best way to begin. Piotr held Kitty in his arms, while Wanda squeezed John's hand in comforting reassurance. Finally, Rogue couldn't take the silence any longer.
"What happened?" Rogue's voice was shaking from the weight of her fear and her anger at herself for not telling Remy all the things she needed when the opportunity was at hand. Now…it could be too late. Why wouldn't John just tell her?
John frowned and placed Christian on his lap as he began his story…
Throughout the storm they had been able to keep their location next to the Anna Marie until the line to their anchor snapped, setting them adrift in the maelstrom. Remy held his position at the helm the entire evening trying to keep the ship from being pushed too far off course, but it was a losing battle without the stars and the 60 knot winds driving the rain unmercifully into his face.
The waves seemed to build as the morning sun broke on the wavering horizon. The Devil's Lust groaned and pitched heavily, facing the storm under bare poles. Remy threw his full weight against the wheel, refusing to let the wild waters to take control of the rudder. Gritting his teeth, he held it steady 'til his arms shook.
After what seemed an eternity, the tempest finally faded revealing a calm sky and golden rays. Having an opportunity, Remy went to his cabin to simply change his clothes and then returned to his duties on deck. The man was perfectly exhausted.
Remy was about to hand control of the galleon over to John just as the call came from the look-out posted above. "Sails ho! Hard to starboard! Triples!"
Sails? Christian raced for the starboard railings to have a look, and Remy sent John for his spyglass. John and the crew watched Remy scan the specks on the eastern horizon and waited his word. He lowered the glass, his jaw set then he raised it again and uttered a French-sounding expletive. He turned a hard look on the men around him and made that dreaded pronouncement.
"They're red."
Red. Every man on board knew exactly what that meant…especially coming in three's. Essex. Chris watched the torturous possibilities flitting through Remy's clean, sculpted features and felt his fury rising against all restraint. He shoved his glass at John with a snarl to stand by as he stalked back to the stern and stood with his legs planted apart and his tightened fists on his hips.
"Run for it." Chris's voice came low and even, filled with a determination he little felt.
Remy's jaws flexed, his shoulder muscles knotted, as he stared down into the boy's pleading face. Alone, the Devil's Lust would never be able to stand off three of Essex's heavily armed barks. And there was Chris' safety to consider…
He was there, offering him encouragement, alternatives…a choice. Searing-hot determination, drawn from the boy's stubborn faith in his ability to choose, exploded up from his core, showering through his shoulders and arms. He grabbed Chris by the shoulders and starred down into his youthful eyes, drawing strength from his love. Christian's love, his certainty, poured into him and he decided to decide, to take his fate into his hands one more time. Remy lunged for the quarterdeck, bellowing orders to hang every bit of canvas they had left. They were going to run for it!
Unfortunately, the storm had destroyed nearly all the sails and only one was found in the lower decks. They wouldn't be able to make it far, but it would buy them some time… time to become accustomed to their fate.
Then darkness fell. Fortunately, the waning moon allowed clear view of the 'steering' stars and Remy was able to fix their position…far off course.
Essex's ships made taunting gains on them through the night. By the light of dawn, they were drawing within gunnery range of the Devil's Lust. Remy stalked the deck, his polished ruby eyes scouring the deadly familiar names on those blood-red hulls.
Cannon fire roared and the ship shook. The ball landed just off the starboard, splashing salty sea water over twenty feet in the air. "That'll be the warning shot," Chris said.
"What do y' say, mon ami? Shall we fire back?" Remy smirked, hiding his troubled emotions.
"Yeah!"
Remy walked over to the swing gun stationed at the starboard railing and calculated the distance. Lighting a cigarette off a nearby lantern, he leaned down with an easy motion and ignited the cannon's fuse.
One…two…three…
"Boom," he murmured, the cheroot dangling from his unsmiling lips as the gun's thunder crashed across the open expanse of the sea. Screaming out of the iron barrel, the cannonball flew through the early dawn light like a comet, its fiery reflection flashing across the glassy surface of the water.
It streaked down from the skies to slam into the hull of the nearest ship. Direct hit.
"Captain…wasn't that 'spose to be a warning shot?"
"Desole…must be a lil' off, non?" He cast Chris a wicked grin and winked.
Then Essex set loose his hounds of hell. Volley after volley boomed, falling short, but coming ever closer as the three ships jockeyed for position; one firing, the falling back while her treacherous mates skittered in to try from other vantage points. Soon the smoke of burned powder came thick on the wind as the Devil's Lust cut across their path to answer their fire. Just as she lowered her gunports, she took a hit. There was a shocking crash and explosion.
The Devil's Lust pitched and shuddered beneath the ball's impact. Essex came on, their single, blood-red strakes like evil grins painted over their prows.
"Go below, Chris! Now!" Remy yelled.
"I won't…" He screamed above the agonizing intensity of battle noise and the thundering boom of cannons. The boy twisted wildly as Remy tried to pull him down the steps. But suddenly he wasn't pulling any more…he was staring past him, over his shoulder, over the water. His face grayed and the dark pupils of his eyes narrowed to pinpoints in reaction to whatever he saw.
"What is it, Captain?" Chris wrenched about to follow his gaze through the haze of smoke and made out ships…three large ships, bearing down on them out of the north.
"Dieu!" Remy flew past the boy, scattering debris as he headed for the railing to rake the advancing barks for some sign of identification. He turned and bellowed for his glass and John came running through the tangle of men and confusion, shoving it into his hands and waiting for the verdict.
"Red!" Remy lowered the glass and wheeled, coming face-to-face with the bosun, who had just come storming up from the gun deck, panting and grime-streaked. "Dey're part of Essex's fleet, Dieu!" he thundered.
"Are they charging us?" Christian groaned, grabbing his arm.
"God knows, petite!" He wheeled back.
They were caught between two clusters of Essex's slavering packs. They didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of surviving a battle like this…much less in a damaged ship.
A fresh cannonade from Essex's lead ship cut short his deliberation. Their zigzag course had allowed Essex's barks to gain on them, and a ball ripped through the stern, laying open the entire side of Remy's cabin and collapsing part of the topdeck and stern railing above it. The Devil's Lust bucked wildly, and as she righted, Remy's crew drew vengeful aim on the waterline of the offending bark and sent two twenty-four pound balls ripping into it.
Brief elation accompanied the red ship's violent rolling and slowing. It was enough time for Remy to turn back to the second group bearing down on them. One vessel pulled in close enough to land grappling hooks on the port railings of the Devil's Lust. They were being boarded. It would only be a matter of time now…no denying the inevitable.
"Incoming!" John roared, as one last cannonball screamed towards them.
Remy grabbed Chris and pulled him to the deck. An instant later, the cannonball flew a few feet short of the ship. A huge tidal splash came over the edge, dousing the two of them.
"Stay down!" Remy ordered. "Oui…Essex really wants Remy, non?" He said with a sigh as he brushed his wet hair out of his eyes. He looked down at Chris and saw the terrified expression on the boy's face.
"Don't worry, petite."
John gave a snort from behind him. " 'Don't worry', he says. We've only got a madman trying to blow us out of the water, and the Diable Blanc tells us not to worry." He looked over to catch Remy's gaze. "Tell me, oh great pirate captain, at what point should we bloody well start to worry? When we see the whites of their eyes? Or when the sharks begin to circle us?"
Remy smiled. "Remy would say y' should definitely start t' worry when de sharks begin t' circle y'."
"That's what I just love about you, you're just so comforting."
Remy shook his head, and he started across the deck pulling his sword and pistol. The deck was chaotic. Everywhere men were grappling, bodies were sprawled. This battle wouldn't last long, but he hoped Christian would be spared.
The struggle aboard the Devil's Lust stretched on. The crew fought admirably against a great host of enemies. Bodies were heaving and grunting and writhing. John stood over one slumped form, weaponless, and swung his fists like a hammer into the spleen of a boarder locked in knife combat with the bosun.
Chris was scared, but his friends were fighting for their lives…dieing. He had to do something. He wheeled up from his hiding place and flew up the quarterdeck, searching for Remy. He was near the wheel, hard-pressed by a heavily braided officer; sword-hilt locked against sword-hilt. His face was contorted into a gritty mask, and Chris watched him straining to heave his opponent back. Out of nowhere came another form, pounding up the steps…red and snarling, blood on his blade. The invader hesitated as though startled by Christian's appearance, then charged to help his comrade…to help him finish Remy off!
Chris jolted, screaming Remy's name, and his warning was swallowed up in the confusion. But some shred of it penetrated the roar in Remy's head enough to disrupt his fierce concentration and then a sword-hilt smacked against his head, dazing him enough to slacken his resistance. They broke apart and Remy parried clumsily, shaking his head. And from the side came a new threat…a second blade.
Chris felt leaden as he watched. Everything seemed to move with slowed motion as the second invader charged in. Christian's hand came up as he tried to call out, and clutched a pistol with his other. He wrapped his second hand over the grip and pointed it at the second man's shoulders. Remy's wild, sweeping parry held him at bay just an instant longer…the instant Chris needed to squeeze the trigger.
Crack! The man grunted and crumpled to the deck and his comrade's instant of hesitation was all Remy needed to deliver a downward slash on his arm, sending both him and his blade onto the deck. It happened in mere seconds…all of it, and Chris was stunned by the effect of his action. But he rushed to Remy's braced, disbelieving form with the pistol still dangling at his side. He shook his head to clear it and stared at the boy and then at the pistol in his little hand.
"Dieu, Chris…y'!" His face split into a glazed grin. He shook his head again and his eyes seemed to focus this time.
"Stay put!" He ordered, glancing around the quarterdeck to be sure it was secure before lunging over the crumpled forms at his feet.
As he was about to descend the steps, he heard sinister laughter come from behind him. Remy turned and saw a mountain of a man towering over Christian with his massive hand over the boy's mouth and his other pressing a small blade into his neck.
Remy froze and paled. "Victor?"
"Yeah, runt. Long time no see." Victor ruffled Chris's hair. "Nice boy y' got here…do y' want him tah see another day?"
Remy dropped his pistol and sword immediately.
"Good boy." Victor sneered. "Now, tell yer men tah lay down their weapons."
Remy looked behind him onto the lower decks. His men were putting up a good fight, but in the end it was a losing battle. If he could save some of his men and Christian by surrendering, so be it. "Mon amis, put down y'r weapons."
When his men heard his command, they looked up to the quarterdeck with startled faces. Remy never surrendered, but they understood when Victor came to stand next to him with Christian in his hands.
"Now listen up, boy. We'll let yer men live and I'll let yer precious lil' boy here go if y' give yerself up nice and easy. What do y' say?"
Remy caught Chris's pleading eyes and sighed. "Oui, Remy'll go with y'."
Essex's men rounded up Remy's crew and cornered them at the prow of the ship. When everyone was contained, Nathaniel Essex himself boarded the Devil's Lust and inspected his victory. "Ah…LeBeau. How nice to see you once again. I had a special gift made especially for our little reunion. I do hope you like it."
Essex waved two of his officers over, carrying a small black box in their hands. Opening the box, they removed a heavy set of shackles…ones without a keyhole. "You see, my dear boy. You will not be blowing your way out of these unless you want to take your hand off with them…and you can forget about picking the lock, my little thief. They have no key. They must be cut off."
As Remy was shackled and Victor began forcing him aboard the Daedelus, he yelled over his shoulder to John. "Get de boy t' Rogue, John! And don't worry 'bout Remy, mon ami. He'll be jus' fine."
"Captain! No!" Chris screamed, trying to push his way through to Remy.
"Non, Chris. Remy needs y' t' help John get de Devil's Lust t' Orcadia. Don't let 'im down, petite."
"Remy…" Chris whispered as his tears fell.
"After Rems was taken onto the ship, Essex pulled away and fired a few more shots at the Lust. He crippled us good. It took us a whole bloody day to get the lady moving again." John said, as he finished recounting the details of their battle.
"We're going to go get the captain, right?" Christian asked, taking Rogue by the hand.
Rogue couldn't find her voice. She was furious beyond words. Somehow Belladonna was behind this, she knew it…and she had the audacity to call in Essex. Of course they were going to get Remy out of that prison and away from that madman. Hell, Remy had already been at his mercy for three days! What if Essex had decided to carry out his previous order of execution while at sea?
"Sure, sugah, we'll get Remy back." Rogue hugged the boy as she spoke. Remy had to be alright for Christian's sake…for hers.
Piotr stood and moved to lean his large frame against the granite fireplace. "Well, comrades, we have a decision to make."
"What do you mean?" Kitty asked.
"We need to decide if we go for Captain LeBeau first or finish our business here in Orcadia. It will take us at least two or more days to reach Port-au-Prince from here, Katja."
"What! Ya're not tellin' meh that ya want ta let Remy sit in that…that…hellhole while we go lookin' for a piece of jewelry!" Rogue jumped to her feet and glared at Piotr, hands on her hips.
Piotr lifted his hands into the air in surrender. "Rogue, I only mean to suggest zat it may be beneficial if we consider using our time wisely. If we don't find ze necklace now, we will have to come back to Orcadia later. Besides, we cannot rush headlong into Port-au-Prince without a plan. We cannot help Remy in zat way."
Rogue raked her hands through her hair. Her frustration reached out to her friends, but Piotr had a point. Her eyes burned as she met John's gaze. "What would ya have us do, sugah?"
If John had his way, he would save Remy, but he could see the value in Piotr's argument. Remy could take care of himself for a few days, surely. John lowered his gaze to the floor. "We should find the necklace, sheila." God help him if he was wrong.
Rogue looked to Christian who seemed as frustrated with the decision as she was. How could they be so willing to let one of their friends suffer while they waited? She clutched her fists and made a sound of disgust. "Ya do know that findin' the necklace could take days…weeks! What if Remy doesn't have that long? Essex could already be plannin' his execution!"
Everyone lowered their heads as if resigned to their choice but sorrowful for having made it. Rogue cast her gaze over the room and sighed. She needed to think. Turning on her heel, she stormed out of the library followed closely by Christian.
Port-au-Prince…
Remy turned painfully on his left side, careful not to aggravate the broken rib he'd suffered during his last beating at the hands of Creed. Over the last three days he'd received beating regularly, each one administered with the compliments of Nathaniel Essex.
Remy groaned and changed positions again, unable to find comfort in the pile of moldy straw that served as his bed. He no longer noticed the offensive odor emanating from the bed, but he knew others would find its stench intolerable. As he lay in the rank straw, he wished he could hold Rogue and Christian in his arms one last time. Remy knew he would die soon. Since his last visit to the prison, he had studied the layout of the dungeon and found no way out other than the one by which he had entered; escape was virtually impossible.
At least there was the hope that John had reached Orcadia and delivered Christian to Rogue. She would take the child back to Tante Mattie where he would be safe and have a chance for a better life.
Suddenly Remy heard a key scrape in the lock and he turned his head toward the heavy oak door. The door opened and he blinked at the sudden flare of light. "Hey, punk, ready for another round?" It was Creed! Remy didn't think he could survive another beating.
Victor grabbed Remy by the hair and hoisted him mercilessly into the air. Remy willed himself to rise above the pain of his aching ribs, refusing to give Creed the pleasure of seeing him in so much agony. "No need tah worry, darlin'. I'm not here tah play right now. The boss wants tah talk with y'."
Creed fastened Remy to the wall with the shackles. With his arms stretched over his head, Remy's ribs throbbed and he couldn't stifle a wince of pain.
Creed laughed and landed a hard fist into Remy's side. Pain…excruciating… debilitating…seething over him and through him. His breath came in short, uneven bursts as he bit his lip clear through to keep from screaming.
"That'll keep y' from causin' too much trouble. I'll see y' later, punk…I promise."
Creed left the cell. Remy didn't know how long he stood there, chained to the back wall. Pain made the time seem endless. He barely roused himself when the cell door opened and Essex entered.
"Well, well, well." Essex wrapped his hand into Remy's hair and lifted his head to look into his eyes. "Not our usual self lately, are we?"
Remy used what little strength he had left to spit in the man's face. "Go t' hell!"
Essex laughed evilly at him. "Oh, my dear boy! I thought you had more strength than this. But it doesn't matter. You made a laughing stock out of me when you slipped through my hands before, but you'll have no such luck this time. I assure you. Tell me…do you think your whore will come for you?"
Remy's startled eyes sent Essex into another fit of laughter. "Oh, yes…I know about her, but do not hold onto false hope, thief. She'll leave you here to suffer just as everyone else in you life has. I actually find it quite amusing. The handsome Remy LeBeau, ladies man, and he has yet to find a woman who sees any value in him beyond the bed. Oh, well…what a pity."
Essex moved to the center of the cell and turned back to Remy. "In three days, you'll be taken to the city square, where you will be executed. I hope you are not too fond of your neck. There will be no escape this time, LeBeau. You have plundered your last ship."
Turning on his heel, he stalked to the cell door. "One last thing…you seem to have a visitor."
Remy didn't see who entered after Essex left. He was trying to distance himself from reality and the pain, until a familiar voice echoed around the dark, damp cell.
"Mmmm…Don't lose all hope, mon amour. Dere may jus' be another way t' save y'rself."
Remy lifted his head and saw Bella standing in the doorway, where a light shone on her, highlighting her red gown and her fair skin. She stood with her hands on her hips and a lascivious smirk on her deceptively angelic face.
"Bella," he snarled, dropping his head again. "Go away."
Bella eased into the cell and closed the door behind her. She shook her head with a tsk, tsk. "Look at y', mon brave." She ran her hand through his hair. "What has she done t' y'? Y're so tired, I know," she whispered as she ran her hand down to his bared chest. "I'm goin' t' take care of y' now."
A/N: Well...Remy's in trouble again and back in Bella's hands. Will Rogue be able to convince everyone to go after him in time? Stay tuned to fine out! Thanks again for reading and your reviews!
