I own nothing and no one

Was originally intending to post "From Avalon's Shores"

Lucky for any X-men fans, this is what came out

Chapter Two

It was at this point that Remy made several realizations. One, it was warm. Two, Creed was still holding him. Three, Sinister was also in the room, an immeasurably smug look on his pale features. And four, had he mentioned it was warm. Conclusion, this was real. Merde.

Gambit started to struggle immediately. "Put. Me. Down." He snarled at the feral. Sabertooth dropped him at once, though not quite fast enough to avoid catching an elbow to the face. The Cajun stumbled slightly as he landed, but managed to retain his feet.

Carefully, Remy took a few prudent steps away from the balefully glaring Sabertooth while not taking his eyes off his, shall we say host. Everyone in the room knew full well who the greatest threat was. Pretending otherwise was just foolish.

Casually Sinister rose to his feet. He moved as though he had all the time in the world. Which in all honesty, was not that far from the truth. His red eyes flicked to Victor briefly. "Leave us."

Creed did not hesitate to comply with the demand, turning on his heel and exiting the room. The feral had to admit some interest in what the boss wanted from the other, besides the obvious that is. However, he was also well aware of the saying curiosity killed the cat. It wasn't worth his life to pry into Essex's affairs.

Remy meanwhile glared, his own eyes flashing with an inner fire. Under normal circumstances, it would have looked more impressive. Some would say intimidating. But, the fact his entire body was shivering madly somehow negated the full effect. If he could have, he would have stopped it. The thief despised showing any sort of weakness in front of the other.

A laugh escaped Sinister's throat and he glided across the floor towards the younger man. "There is no need to look at me like that my boy," he said softly. His movements were somewhat reminiscent of that of a snakes. "You didn't honestly think I would leave you to freeze."

Ouch, now that had hurt. There was no doubt in Gambit's mind the sociopathic scientist had intended it that way. A not so subtle reminder of how he had ended up in this situation. The unspoken hint that a man he despised cared more about his well being than the team he had fought beside for years.

The red on black eyes narrowed further. If looks could kill, the other would have been incinerated on the spot. Briefly the Cajun bemoaned the loss of his full powers. Why oh why hadn't he blown Sinister to kingdom come when he had the chance? Now it was too late, far too late.

"I didn't ask for your help," the thief spat. It took all his nerve to hold his ground as the other moved even closer. There was nowhere to go after all, and he had no intention of letting Sinister know he was afraid.

"And yet," the madman chuckled. "I don't see you demanding to be put back either."

Remy's lips thinned. But he said nothing. Of course he hadn't, pride was one thing. However, blatant stupidity was something else entirely. Asking to be returned to the southern continent was tantamount to suicide, and Gambit wanted to live. He always had.

The odds of escaping this situation in one piece were better than his chances out on the barren plains of Antarctica. Not, another portion of the Cajun's mind pointed out. That Sinister actually would put him back, even if he did ask. And how sad was it, the thief wondered. That the older man was the only one who had never let Gambit down when he really needed help?

As he examined his latest acquisition, Sinister frowned. The other did not look at all well. He raised one pale hand to place it against the lithe figure's forehead. Gambit was freezing. Bits of ice and snow melting to run in rivets down the thief's tanned skin. In spite of his best efforts to hide how shitty he felt, a violent tremor wracked Remy's body.

This caused the geneticist's frown to deepen. He pointed at the nearby couch imperialistically. "Sit down my boy," he ordered.

Remy stiffened, both in response to the command itself and its tone. There was no way he was going to get in the habit of obeying Essex again. He had learned his lesson the first time. "I'm fine thank you," he said politely.

Crimson eyes narrowed, a displeased look crossing Sinister's pale features. "Remiel," he growled warningly.

Gambit knew that expression. It seemed reserved especially for him. Roughly translated, it meant something like this. I tire of your futile rebellion child. Now do as I say or else. Mentally, the thief weighed to pros and cons of defying the man before sulkily sinking into the couch. "Hate you," he muttered.

The scientist raised one aristocratic brow. "I fear I will never recover from the blow." He pulled a penlight out of one pocket and shined it in Remy's eyes causing the mutant to flinch. Ignoring the expected complaints, Essex continued his examination. By the time he had finished, the younger man's head had lolled to one side. Red on black eyes sliding shut.

Sinister sighed softly, carefully lowering Remy to lay flat against the couch. That the young man had willingly fallen asleep in his presence spoke volumes about his current condition. A blanket was retrieved and thrown over the slender figure. He had plans for the thief, many of them. But Essex was a patient man, he could afford to wait.

Omake

This scene is too short to be its own chapter. But it didn't fit in with the next either.

It was a few hours later when the Marauders' curiosity brought them calling. Several heads cautiously poking into the room. They knew the boss had retrieved Gambit, but they didn't know quite what had happened.

Gray Crow was the first to enter, padding in on silent feet. The others followed, quailing as they met red eyes.

"Do not wake him," Sinister mouthed, sitting on the armrest above the sleeping figure. He placed a handheld thermometer in Remy's ear, quickly checking his temperature. The younger man had a fever, but not a bad one. As long as it didn't get worse, there was no reason to move him.

The Cajun stirred at the contact. His nose wrinkling in discomfort. The group could see his eyes moving beneath the lids as he began the climb back to consciousness. Remy shifted, moving away from the back of the couch.

Pale fingers stroked through auburn hair. An instinctive gesture meant to relax his patient. Slowly, it worked. The sleeping figure growing still once more. After a moment, a soft rumble filled the room, causing the group to look around in confusion. What on earth was that?

It was Scalphunter who figured it out first. A smile crossing his face as he tried not to laugh. "It's Remy," he whispered. "He's purring."

The others quickly realized he was right, struggling to mask their own giggles. Remy really was purring. But then, they later considered. The thief always had possessed cat like tendencies. This was just one more trait to add to the pile.

Hope you liked it and please review

Not sure when next chapter will be up

But it is all figured out. Just needs typed