Disclaimer: Our 1st anniversary was a few weeks ago, sadly my husband like me is poor couldn't get me my X-Men….(though I did get an awesome rocking chair (I've always wanted one)) *sniffle* so til next year at least I don't own so don't sue.
4Rogue- I'm trying to keep the characters in step with how they were then, I'm sure you will notice some differences though, especially in the team of that era for a few reasons, 1st my comic collection for those years is currently being held hostage by my younger brothers (13 and 16 got them hooked J) so I'm relying on memory; and 2nd I figured what's the fun of fan fiction if you can't write who ya want at that time J (as evidenced by Clair who btw is not an OC).
Dragonseizer- Thanks for the encouragement…hmm Antarctica all my own…such power…
XxFleurdelySxx- Again I'm blushing, I admire your stories so much I'll keep updating if you do hint hint (For all the rest if you haven't read Fleur's fics you must it is a requirement not only are they entertaining and enthralling they are educational.)
VA-River-gal- Thanks again hope this chapter keeps your interest, I plan on going a bit more into Clair's POV further in the story. Although this will of course revolve around Remy and Rogue Clair will hold a significant role from here on out.
Jukebox- Thanks! Trying my best to keep the updates coming.
"Essex." A single word, spoken with hatred that pools into Gambit's eyes, hatred for Essex and himself intermixing til his eyes fairly glow from rage.
"Ah, my dear Remy, miss us?" Sinister spoke with a grin that looked almost predatory.
"What do 'ya want from me? Gambit paid his dues."
"Why Remy, no thank you? I thought thieves had more honor, I did save your life."
"Wasn't worth savin'. I owe you no 'ting on 'dat account."
"Yes perhaps you owe me nothing, and yet the sins of your mother shall be redeemed through you. All I require from you is a small sample nothing much I assure you, then you may go on your way, if you choose, once I'm positive all is going well. Then you may crawl back to your pitiful life, or if you are wise, cooperate and enjoy the one I have chosen for you."
"Sins of mon mother? I have no mother, read your own damn files, she be gon' long time ago. An' you ain't getting' no 'ting from moi, there is no 'ting 'ya can offer."
"Brave talk for one in the situation as you, strapped and chained, your freedom is precious to you Remy, you won't withstand bonds long."
"Mon freedom is doesn't matter. None of 'dat matters anymore."
Sinister laughed, "Oh it will in time I assure you. It will in time. Imagine Remy LeBeau, giving it all up for a girl, one that cares nothing for you. A fool as always. I'll send Clair down later to check on your stance. You could learn much from her."
Wincing from the pain at the mention of Rogue. Remy stays silent for perhaps the first time in such a situation. 'De trut' in 'dat is what hurts 'de most. Perhaps 'dough 'de petite will slip up, always hope in 'dat. 'Den what 'dough? Go back to 'de X-Men? Or how 'bout 'de thieves? Both glad ya' gon'.
"X-Men you were called for a most grave mission, two of our own are gone, it appears they were taken by Mr. Sinister forcibly from Antarctica. We would like to assemble three teams. Jean shall head one team and Storm and I will each take one of the others." Scott Summers glanced around the War Room, trying to read the faces of the remaining X-Men. Although he himself had some reservations about so readily including Gambit in this search and rescue effort, talking to Jean had put most of them at bay. No one spoke Scott got ready to assign teams if no one would volunteer- * Give them a chance, my love, you have had time to process this information and make the decision I have confidence they will come around. * At least I hope they do. Thought Jean Summers, otherwise the X-Men are not the family we all portray to be. Beast, Cannonball, Archangel, Pyslocke, Jubilee, Iceman, Marrow, and Dr. Reyes, look at the floor and at each other. Finally, Jubilee spoke, "Count me in, those two saved me more times than I can say, they are like, my family. I'm goin'"
Jean smiled, So young still, and yet so wise Jubes, let's hope the others join in.
"Ya'll got my vote, stick me wherever ya'll want, we don't leave anybody in the hands of Sinister.' Sam Guthrie, spoke.
"And I shall assist you as well, oh fearless leader, whether it be at my lab or in Sinister's, they shall be saved."
"Wait just a moment, are you all forgetting what he has done? I'm all for getting Rogue but I say leave him rot with those of his kind." Archangel said with fury.
Jean winced and prepared to speak, she was cut off by of all people Pyslocke.
"Warren, I understand your pain, however, I was in his mind, I read his thoughts, and I know from Sabertooth's diseased head what went on, I could not condemn Gambit. Although far from innocent, his actions were not made freely-"
"HE BETRAYED US!! He betrayed everything X-Men stand for! And you dare to defend him!?!"
"What do X-Men stand for Warren? If not for second chances? Look around you, which one of us have not been given a second chance? What about me Warren? Didn't you give me a second chance after I had destroyed scores of people as the Phoniex? Or you? After your turn as an Angel of Death? Didn't you get a second chance? The X-Men are family; we are beaten-down heroes, but heroes nonetheless. Gambit and Rogue both have fought on the side of angels, risking their lives for each other and for all of us time and again without second thought, what right do you have to stand in the judgment seat?" Jean took a deep breath, she very rarely lost her temper, but she was getting to the verge. Why can't they seem to understand? Is this what the X-Men have become? Without Xavier do we so easily forget all we stand for? "Warren I don't mean to be harsh, but I don't believe anyone of us has that right."
"I will be joining a team, I was in his mind and I know I cannot judge him."
Bobby and Celia soon nodded in agreement. Leaving only Marrow and Archangel to decide.
"Sarah? What about you? How do you feel about this mission?" Jean asked gently.
"None of you were there. He may have led them to us, but I saw him fight, I saw him bleed for us. He cried with me as he pulled me from the tunnels. I will repay this debt, in blood if I must."
"That leaves me, I'll go." Jean sighed in relief at his agreement. "But it will just be for Rogue." He finished quickly.
So much hate Angel, why? When you suffered we all were expected to suffer with you, to pity you for having your life torn away from you, shouldn't you understand better than most? Turning her mind to other matters she looked back to her husband waiting for the assignments.
"Fine, the first two locations are old bases of Sinister's, one in Pennsylvania and another in Kentucky, the third team will meet with Logan in Antarctica to look for more results there, perhaps in the fallen temple of Erik the Red's. The team going to Pennsylvania will be Iceman, Jubilee and Storm. I shall lead the team in Kentucky with Cannonball, Archangel and Pyslocke. The rest will go with Jean except for Dr. Reyes, if you don't mind I would prefer you stay here and keep the med-bay ready just in case. We will leave in 2 hours. Team leaders contact every 6 hours to report. Let's go X-Men."]
"Any change in the girl?"
Clair jumped as her father entered the room; she had been lost in thought. Seeing this girl made the pull in the back of her mind stronger. Her father made her go for sessions with a strange mutant "healer" when the pull got to strong, or she started to lose touch, he said it was an after effect of the accident. She didn't really like the sessions though, it would always start out as talking and then Clair would awaken hours later and the pull would be gone, nothing would seem familiar anymore except for this base and her father. Deciding not to mention the pull just yet, she turned away from the girl.
"No father."
"I sense she will awaken soon, I shall be in the lab working on our project. Your brother is upset, Xavier's mind control runs deep, and you may speak with him if you wish later. But until she awakens I would like you to stay here, alert me if there is any change."
"Yes father."
Essex exits leaving Clair alone once more with her thoughts.
Flashes of another time scream from the verge of her consciousness, it seems so full of pain, so far away yet so familiar so close almost like home- Suddenly her thoughts are interrupted by a stirring patient
"Who are ya?" Flares Rogue angrily, trying in vain to sit up and struggle against her restraints. "So help meh when ah git these darn things loose."
"I'm Clair Essex, father will wish to know you have awakened."
"Essex." A single word whispered with the breaking of her heart. Why him Rem? Why did ya' tracks lead meh to him?
"