Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution or its characters. Just my OC, Molly Callum/Creature, and any original characters/background characters that may pop up from time to time.


Remy had Wethersbee take him to the grocery store. He planned on making his mom jambalaya for dinner.
Unfortunately, halfway done with his excursion, he felt someone large and intimidating up close behind him. "Move slowly. We're gonna take a walk outside so Julien can-"

Remy ran for it. It would take less than five minutes for Julien to kill him if they were alone together in some dark alley. Remy vaulted himself up and out through a nearby window above the fresh produce section, glass shattering everywhere. Least of all, some shards got into him. He landed on the other side of the wall and went top speed for the car. Hoped Wethersbee wasn't hurt or worse,
because Julien wasn't above murder. Remy slammed the door shut. "Drive, fast, don't look back," he ordered. Wethersbee did as he was told.

"Julien?" Wethersbee asked.

"Julien," Remy confirmed it.

Back at the house, Remy was sitting in the kitchen, letting two maids, Wethersbee and the Gardner get the shards out of his face, arms, and legs. Well, that's what he got for wearing shorts today. Remy was just thankful his masculine, beautiful torso hadn't gotten any glass stuck in it. Shame to ruin a masterpiece.

Violet and Molly walked in, all smiles and laughs until they saw Remy sitting at the table getting fussed over like an injured puppy.

"Lans sakes! What happened?!" Violet wasn't used to seeing the kids in action like this, so it was a shock.

"Oh, you know, go to the grocery store and casually throw yourself out a window trying to avoid Julien and his goons," Remy said sarcastically, "Sorry. I wanted to make you Jumbalaya for dinner."

"This is Julien's fault? I'll track him down myself," Molly steeled herself, but Remy caught her by the shoulder.

"Cherie, don't. It's not safe, no matter what you can turn into. We're gonna stop him together, but it's going to take time and planning like everything else."

Molly hesitated. "Fine, but he lays a finger on you..."

"I know. You'll make him regret the day he was born like no one else."

"Remy, I'm worried about you. Do you feel alright after such an ordeal?" Violet worried.

"I'm fine, really. Just annoyed the glass got in my beau face," Remy scowled at the mere idea of anything ruining his face.

"Well, I want you to rest up when they're all done here. I'll put out some fresh clothes in a minute,
you can get a shower and relax," Violet said, "Wethersbee, please take our things upstairs.
I'll take over." Violet picked up tweezers and dutifully started pulling shards out of Remy's right forearm.

"Anything I can do?" Molly stood there.

"Pull up a chair and relax. We've got things covered," One of the maids-a girl with red hair-said with a smile.

"I can't relax if Remy's hurt," Molly grumbled.

"It's glass shards, it's nothing," Remy insisted. Hurt like the dickens though.

"It's not nothing," Molly glowered at him with lowered eyelids, putting her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around her legs. She was so sensitive.

"I'm sure Remy will be alright," Violet threw her a smile-Remy's "everything-will-be-fine" smile-, "He's resilient, I know."

Molly relaxed, uncurling herself.
"I'm still gonna scream at Julien if we run into him again."

"You'll have to get in line after me, dear," Violet plucked a couple more shards out of Remy's forearm.

Remy was grateful for having one more amazing woman in his life to look after him. "Thanks...mom," he tried it out. It sounded weird, but right.

Violet gave him a warm look.

Remy hadn't gotten bedtime stories and warm cookies after school from her as a child, but she was in his life now. That meant more than anything for him.


Time marched on and Henry entered the kitchen just as they were finishing up dinner. He took off his cap, respectfully. "I want to explain about last night."

"We'll go into the living room," Violet said, "It's more comfortable."

They got there, and all the way Remy felt like he was walking up to the guillotine. He was more on edge now than he had been for a couple of days, trying to calm his flight or fight response. They took seats, but Molly remained standing.

"This is a family issue. You don't need me here," She said quietly.

"Molly, don't give me that. You have a right to be here too, so don't weasel out of it. We're engaged, in case you forgot," Remy chided her gently. She had become his family the moment he said he loved her. He'd break her of feeling out of place eventually. Molly quietly took a seat next to Violet on the lavender-colored sofa, feeling uncomfortable (to Remy), and looking serious.

Everyone was quiet for several moments.

"I know Julien seems like the worst of the worst, but he's turning over a new leaf. He's been doing a lot of charity work for several months, and he sought me out to help deliver equipment for newborns in hospitals since I've got some pull, having designed a few of them, and I'm close with some boards of directors." Henry explained.

"Julien couldn't turn over a new leaf if you handed him an upsidedown tree!" Remy snapped, "He's playing you, playing everyone. I knew he was bad, but now he's just being evil for evil's sake. The equipment is faulty. He's just doing it to make extra money and you're going to be his patsy, all the way. The guild tried to stop him, but they didn't get anywhere."

"And what proof do you have?" Henry asked stiffly.

"Twenty years of lies and scheming. Julien tried to kill me on plenty of occasions. I wouldn't trust him for anything. He's not just bad, he's vile. He's practically got serial killer on his resume, but if this pays off for him, he can check off that too. I don't know why he came up with this, I don't care. I just know it's wrong." Remy said.

Silence.

"...I could check out where they're holding the stuff. See if it's really faulty," Molly offered, "Echolocation or sensitive eyes can pick up anything."

"Too dangerous," Remy said, "I'd be happier if I could be taken at my word. I know we haven't known each other long, but you two have been around New Orleans long enough to know what Julien is capable of. He's only ever been in it for himself. People like him don't change. Can you just think about it, Henry?"

"I've got two more jobs lined up for him," Henry said, "One delivery for Mary Ellen Memorial, another for a clinic in Texas. I'll see if I can get out of the contract afterward,
but I've got faith Julien's turned himself around."

Remy silently shook his head. Snakes with hearts of ice didn't get better, they just got worse.


The next morning, there was a loud knock on Remy's door. It was Violet, beaming from ear to ear.
"The lab just called, and the results came back. We're related, just like we'd hoped!" Violet hugged him.

Remy hesitantly hugged her. After last night, it was like having castor oil with a sweet ice cream chaser. Bitter-sweet. Still, Remy smiled.
"That's great. I can't wait to tell Molly."

Remy went over and knocked on her door, but it was already slightly open. "She better not..." He said above a whisper.

The door creaked open to it being empty and a note on the bed.

'Just wanted to check things out around town. Don't worry about me.
-Molly'

Molly had, presumably, gone to find whatever warehouse Julien was keeping his equipment in. Remy couldn't blame her, he wanted to prove Julien was a horrible guy as much as anyone, but Molly shouldn't have gone at it alone. "Do you think she really ran off to find Julien's supplies?" Violet thought aloud.

"I know it. You stay here, I'm gonna go after her. Can I borrow the car?" Remy asked.

Some moments later, he was driving to the closest warehouse in the district. Remy knew he had to think like Molly. She'd gotten Julien's scent, morphed into some kind of dog, and followed it to the warehouse. However, Remy knew Julien wasn't an idiot. He'd have cameras all over the place, possibly some ready-to-go weapons. As always, Molly had managed to put herself in danger over Remy's well-being.

Fortunately for him, the first warehouse was the right one. He snuck in, avoiding tripping traps after blowing up a couple of cameras. He spotted a gorilla beating up a large metal container with a few locks on it. "Nice morning for a stroll. Shame you didn't let me join you," Remy made his way over to her.

Molly changed back, looking positively sheepish. "I didn't think you'd find me so fast."

"You didn't have to do this. I appreciate the effort, but it's not worth nearly losing you over. Molly, you could've been killed!"

"Well, yeah, but it's worth the risk if your dad believes you and stops putting Julien on a pedestal. It's just..."

"What?"

"All that time with you not in his life, it wouldn't surprise me if he was trying to replace you. Now you're back and he can't let Julien go," Molly frowned.

She had a good point.

"I can't say it wouldn't hurt, but I've had worse. We'll figure this out, but not by breaking in like this," Remy said, "Let's go."

"You 'ain't leaving," Julien stepped out of the shadows.

Well, so much for a quiet morning.