As the students of the Xavier institute continued to enjoy their weekend off they were unaware of the tense and stunned silence in the room of the professors office as the shocking revelation continued to hang in the air.
Remy remained seated in the same chair he had left not but a few minutes ago right across from a silent professor who looked deep in thought as he continued to stare at the sullen expression of the young man in front of him. He could see Remy continued to avoid their gaze and instead had his eyes glued to his hands while leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. It didn't take a telepath to understand that something like this would have great impact on anyone who heard the news and couldn't begin to comprehend what he was going through.
Remy's stomach continued to twist and turn as the news continued to repeatedly run through his mind over and over again like a broken record. Every breath he took felt painful and it took everything he had to not keel over right now.
To everyone in the room he was just quietly sitting in the chair, trying to process everything that was being told to him. And while that may be true…inside he felt like time had finally slowed down with voices now became muffled to his ears as a part of him didn't want to believe it. Part of him still waited for the moment he'd finally wake up from one of his many nightmares and this would all be over.
"Remy?" Ororo gently asked crouching down next to him, watching as he continued to absently stare at his hands. Worriedly, she looked up to see the same expression on the professor's face as he exhaled deeply, clasping his hands together. "Remy?" she tried again.
"Relax young man." Hank put a firm large hand on the young mutant's shoulder startling him and making him finally glance up. "We understand it's a lot to take in. And we're just as baffled as you since all we know is that somehow you managed to cross on over to this time, and it'll take some time for all of us to even comprehend how."
Remy didn't know what to believe anymore. First, he was told that he wasn't in his time anymore- which still didn't sit well with him, and then he was being comforted by someone with terrifying looking fangs peeking out from under his lip, pointed ears and blue fur all over his body. Between those two he didn't know what shocked him more at this point. He hated to think what he would look like if someone made him angry but given the way Hank was speaking, he doubted the good doctor had a bad temper.
"Hanks right." The professor's warm voice caught his attention next. "If you'll let us help, we can figure this out."
"Figure dis out." Remy quietly said with a bitter smile as he readjusted his position in the chair. "You're tellin' me dat I what…. somehow managed to travel into de future?" he lowly chuckled while looking around at all the serious faces. "An' ended up here? How's dat even possible?"
"We were hoping you could tell us." Logan firmly said as Remy clenched his jaw averting his gaze.
"Remy." Ororo began to say knowing this must be devasting for him.
"No Stormy." He took a deep breath but couldn't keep it together anymore as he made to stand. "T'anks but no t'anks, I'll just let myself out."
As he began walking towards the door Storm gave one more look towards the others before stopping him from leaving. "Wait Remy, we still don't know-"
"Look dis one really appreciates what you good folks tryin' to do here, but dere's nothin' to figure out alright."
Scoffing Logan irritably began to move next to Ororo "Hey listen kid-"
"I have been listenin'!" Remy snapped as he harshly turned to them. "I've been told dat everythin' I know an' ever cared 'bout has been ripped away from me."
"Remy let us try and help you."
"You can't help me Stormy." He eyed her as he shook his head. "An' as much as I hate to say dis but none of you can."
"Young man I can't even phantom what you must be going through, but rest assured we will do everythin' we can't to-"
"To what?" He turned his shaded gaze to Hank who looked just as confused by this whole ordeal. "You guys said it yourself, non? Somehow, I landed here with no way home." He swallowed, looking pained. "An' I ain't never goin' back."
"Perhaps if you'll provide more detail on how you came to be here, then maybe he can figure out a way to bring you back." Hank offered, knowing he would do whatever he could to help.
"Hank's right." Ororo said nodding her head. "Remy please tell us exactly what happened."
"Won't make a difference now." he said shaking his head and looking away guarding his face.
"At least allow us to help you." The professor wheeled around his desk until he sat in front of him. "And I'm sure we can find you a decent place to stay in the meantime."
Running a hand through his hair Remy took a deep breath in before looking around. "As much as I appreciate your offer sir, I'm afraid I must decline."
"Are you sure?" The professor asked worriedly.
"No need to worry 'bout dis one. Can take care of myself plenty an' have been for a long time."
"Oh yeah? And how's that been working out for ya?" Logan smugly pointed out as he leaned back against the wall.
Narrowing his eyes, Remy could feel his eyes burning through his shades and sensed Logan could too. "You an' I both know you don't want me here."
"Not wrong there." Logan shrugged receiving a small glare from the white-haired woman.
"Logan."
"What Storm? This punk obviously doesn't want our help, so I just say let him be."
"At least we agree on somethin'." Remy sarcastically said before turning the knob and waltzing out.
"I can't believe you." Ororo frowned at Logan in disbelief before following after the young mutant. "Remy wait!"
"Not now Stormy." He firmly said not missing the frown on her face as she began quickly walking next to him as he took quick strides to the front door.
"Just listen to us please."
Momentarily stopping he waited to calm his tone knowing she was only trying to help, which she took advantage of to continue speaking.
"If you'll just allow us to help you, then I'm sure we can sort all this out."
"I already told you I don't need their help."
"Still stubborn as always I see." She shook her head with a hopeful smile. "But when are you going to learn that sometimes everyone needs help, even you."
"And you sure have changed." He gave her a small smile.
"These people…this place have that effect on you." She gestured around them. "Please let us do the same for you."
"If you know me dat much 'bout me Stormy, den you know I don't need it. Never have and never will. I take care of myself."
"And how far will that take you Remy." She gently said knowing something was wrong when he looked away. "I don't know why you feel the need to hide whatever it is you're hiding. But why would you ever want to hide it from me?"
Bitterly scoffing, he opened his mouth to respond but stopped when he saw the tears forming in her eyes. "What did père tell you when I left?"
"Not much." She shook her head with a weak chuckle as she wiped a tear that began to fall. "He wouldn't talk much after you left, no one really did after the funeral."
At the mention of whose funeral it could be, Remy's throat became tight as he swiftly opened the door not wanting to let the emotions or memories that constantly threaten to come out.
"Remy please."
"Sorry Stormy, but I don't know dese people an' I ain't 'bout to become one of your charity cases or good dead for de day."
"That's not what this is." she firmly said. "If you stay here-"
"Stay here?" He raised his brows in mock astonishment. "I don't belong in a place like dis petite."
"I'm here." She pointed out. "Or have you forgotten?"
"No, I haven't." he shook his head. "But de question is…do dey know?" Upon her sudden silence he only nodded in confirmation. "You see, an' what do you t'ink dey'll t'ink of someone like me?" Stepping through the door he gave one last look over his shoulder as she began to protest. "People like you deserve a place like dis Stormy an' I'm glad you finally found it. But people like me… don't."
-X-
"I'm telling you Chuck something's off about that kid." Logan grumbled still glaring at the closed door. "And I don't like it."
"Same could be said about you." Scott smugly grinned when he saw Logan raise a brow. "Seems to me he looks like a younger version of yourself."
"Tch, no chance in hell." Logan readjusted his position.
"Why not? Both have a rotten attitude with the inability to listen to anyone but yourself." Scott lightly scoffed with a half-smile when he saw a single claw coming out of Logans knuckles. "Real mature Logan."
"I'm curious to know how you two know each other." Hank asked curiously eyeing the other man.
"Wish I knew." He muttered just as puzzled. He remembered him vaguely from a moment long gone. The sounds of the falling building still echoing in the deep parts of his mind that he could barely remember.
"Well, he seems to know you." Scott walked over to the professor's desk. "Maybe college buddies?"
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Logan narrowed his eyes.
Clearing his throat Hank shared a look with the professor. "The point of the matter is we have to try and help this young boy."
"Even if he doesn't want our help?" Logan raised a skeptical brow.
"Yes Logan." Ororo said as she walked in closing the door behind her. "Even Remy understands that this will only get him so far. Pride and honor has always been something he keeps proudly to his chest…it was how he was raised. Among other things." She trailed off.
"Wow Storm I didn't know you had a best friend." Logan sarcastically said earning an annoyed glare from the weather goddess.
"Yes, that you ran off might I remind you."
"Come on Storm, that kid was bound to run off he had it written all of his face." Logan rolled his eyes. "Better now than later."
"Logan you should know by now that that's not how we do things here." Scott said knowing that Ororo had a point.
"Scott right. At least for now we should keep an open mind and try and do what we can. Even if Gambit doesn't want our help at the moment."
"I concur." Hank said walking towards where Scott and the professor were. "After all I believe Charles Dickens said it best; no one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another."
Gently smiling Professor Xavier nodded. "Our First Order Of business should be to find out how he managed to get here in the first place."
"He hasn't said anything to you?" Logan asked Ororo as she shook her head.
"Not yet at least. He's not the trusting type so I doubt he's going to open up freely."
"Wow he doesn't trust you?" Logan mockingly blinked and tried to suppress a smile when she gave him a frustratingly forced smile. "Who could've seen that coming…"
"Well that's understandable, the poor boy must've gone through something hard." Hank looked towards the professor who nodded in agreement.
"Or just got something to hide."
"Well not everyone is as forth coming as you Logan." The professor smiled good naturally as he remembered their first meeting with Wolverine which didn't turn out great.
Raising an amused brow Logan didn't miss the small humor in his eyes wondering if everyone had it out for him today.
-X-
Opening the door to his closet he began stuffing the few clothes he had bought this morning before his trip to the mall into a black duffel bag, along with the few things he had stored in the bathroom in his motel room.
After his trip to the mansion, he didn't stop the motorcycle until he finally made it back to the motel intent on getting his things packed and getting the hell out of here and back south first thing in the morning. There was no reason to linger here any more than he had to.
He knew these people meant well and knew he was beginning to take out his frustration on them, but there was no way he could tell them or anybody else what had occurred. He hated himself already for the things he'd done, lord only knew what they would think of him.
His stomach continued to twist at the thought. The news had hit him like an incoming train, a harsh punch to the gut that wouldn't stop, only leaving him winded and desperately breathing in air. "Shit not again." He grunted, closing his eyes to try and get rid of that familiar sensation of feeling like he was drowning.
Stumbling to the bathroom he removed his sunglasses and quickly turned on the faucet letting the cool water splash against his face repeatedly until he managed to slowly calm his breathing.
Staring at his reflection in the mirror he could see the blurriness in his vision begin to clear as the red in his irises stared right back. Calmly breathing through his nose, he clenched his jaw before frantically patting the pockets of his trench coat in search of a cigarette.
He knew it was a bad habit of his and heard it often, from Tante Mattie, Mercy, even Ororo would continually scold him about it when she was a little girl. At the thought of that he quickly found one and placed it on his lip as he walked out of the room in need of a good smoke.
-X-
By the time nightfall had arrived he lay in bed already fast asleep and still fully clothed since he had fallen asleep right after his trip outside. The day's events had finally taken a toll on him and before he knew it he had passed out while watching some old comedy movie they had on tv.
The night was calm with the occasional barking of faraway dogs breaking the silence of the night every so often until it became constant. Furrowing his brows at the sound as well as the slow creaking of the door he suddenly snapped his eyes wide open in time to see a purple blade lunge down at him and slash the pillow instead once he managed to move sideways and off the bed.
"Merde you are persistent.' He quickly took a defensive stance once he recognized the purpled haired woman from Essex's lab while the growing fear began to set in that he may have been followed. "Not dat I mind a nightly visit every now and den." He gave a slight smirk when he saw her eyes turn angry. "You just picked de wrong night is all."
"Gambit." She sneered, twirling a purple blade in each hand with her eyes never leaving him. "Essex sends his regards."
Hearing his name just sent cold shivers down his spine as he discreetly reached into his pocket. If she was here, then there was a possibility that he and the others could be too, so he had to play this carefully. "An' why couldn't de good ole doc come an' greet me himself? Don't tell me he's still sour 'bout everythin'."
"You'll get your chance." She slowly began to advance on him as he cautiously moved out of reach. He really hoped it wouldn't come down to this otherwise Billy the front desk clerk would have a hell of a time explaining to his dad about what happened if he blew up this room.
"Let me guess…Essex's here but decided to send his little messenger to do his dirty work, oui?" He quickly jumped out of her reach as she lunged forward hoping she'd at least let something slip. When she remained silent and instead continued to slash forward while flipping through the air he grew frustrated. "Come on now, dis has been de most we've talked. You can't stop now." He grinned but it quickly vanished when she managed to slash his shoulder and he jerked away with a hiss. "Playin' rough I see."
"Creed was right. You are annoying." She grunted as she attempted a roundhouse kick which he managed to dodge before swiftly throwing a card in her direction.
At the sound of the that name Remy's demeanor suddenly changed, and eyes grew dark realizing she had slashed him in the same exact arm Victor had.
"Hit a sore spot." She grinned as the door flung open revealing one of Essex's lackeys already aiming a gun at him.
Knocking it out of his hand, Remy quickly flung him forward successfully catching the woman off guard as the guy quickly flew in her direction knocking her over.
"Don't let him escape, Essex wants him alive!" She roared as she tried to get to her feet and saw Remy reach for his duffle bag.
"Sorry but two at once? Not my style." Remy snickered lifting the chair closest to the door and mentally cringed on what he was about to do.
When she saw the familiar purple red energy engulf the wooden chair she quickly ducked down as he threw forward making the whole place shake with the explosion as he was thrown out the nearby window.
Landing outside with a big grunt and wincing in pain from the explosion, shattered glass and now opened wound on his right shoulder that took him a while to stich up in the first place. He quickly cursed under his breath at his idiotic choice to blow up the damn room before getting up on wobbly legs with a painful groan to try and get the hell out of there. "My apologies Billy."
Running out of what was left of the room, the purple haired woman looked around to see him nowhere in sight. "Tell Essex we'll get him. He can't hide from us."
-X-
"Come on it's just one lap around the school I promise!" Bobby eagerly ran in front of Piotr who continued on his way towards the front doors of the mansion.
It was already late, and all Piotr wanted to do was a last security check around the mansion with the others before heading to bed for the night.
"Bobby why would you even bother, you've already lost to big man more than once." Jubilee playfully slapped the bigger boy on the back.
"Eight to be exact." Piotr lifted his fingers to see Bobby scowling.
"Seriously Bobby, why would you want to indulge in something so meaningless all for the joy of us having to later cheer you up when all the signs clearly point to Pete resulting in the winner." Kitty stated matter of fact.
"Well, jeez Kitty don't try to sugar coat it, it's only my pride." Bobby playfully rolled his eyes. "Besides I have a feeling I will come out victorious this time."
"Are you sure that's today?" Jubilee amusingly looked at the others who tried to hide their grins. "I could've sworn you said that last time."
"It's today!" He frowned before nudging Rogue who was trying to do her best to look elsewhere. "You have faith in me right Rogue?" When he saw her nod, he proudly grinned at the others. "See she knows I can."
"You do realize she didn't actually sa-" Jubilee began to say but was cut off when she heard Rogue cough into her hand and Kitty and Piotr chuckle. "You know what… I think a race sounds nice." She innocently hummed before yanking the doors wide open.
Panting Remy appeared wearing his sunglasses and desperately clinging onto the doorframe with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder.
"Woah dude, what happened to you?" Jubilee's eyes widened as her eyes roamed around his various cuts and bruises. His hair looked disheveled with sweat sticking onto his forehead as he continued to breathe hard.
"I recognize him." Piotr frowned as he remembered the guy from earlier in the day, but this time he looked to be in bad shape.
Barely clinging onto consciousness, it was any wonder he made it here in the first place. Remy felt the ground beneath him begin to move and his vision began to blur. Fully aware that he was about to pass out any minute. "I need…" he only managed to rasp out right before his eyes rolled back and he feel forward.
"Woah!" With a grunt Jubilee was able to catch him in time being the closet before he hit the ground as his body fell limp and the weight almost threw her back before Piotr and Bobby managed to help her lay him down.
"Wonder what happened to him." Bobby frowned as the guy lay unconscious.
"Oh mannnn…" Jubilee pouted as her yellow jacket now looked to be stained with. "Is that… blood?"
"Get Doctor McCoy down here!" Rogue urgently said as Piotr quickly ran off to find him and she hesitantly began to look where all this blood was coming from.
"What's going on?" Ororos alarmed voice called out as she ran down the steps with Logan who had heard all the commotion from upstairs.
"W-we don't know, we were just on our way to watch Bobby loss a race-"
"Hey!"
"-when this guy suddenly showed up." Kitty quickly informed them.
"He's in really bad shape." Rogue's hands wouldn't stop shaking as Ororo calmly moved her aside.
"Thank you Rogue, you did good." When she saw the girl give a slight nod, Ororo turned back to look at him. "Oh Remy what happened to you?" she whispered.
"What happened?" Hank quickly rushed over with Piotr.
"Guy just showed up and collapsed." Bobby said while Hank began looking over his wounds.
"We need to get him to the infirmary." Hank quickly said.
"Right." Logan nodded as he began lifting Remy up. "Tin man."
"On it." Piotr said as he helped them.
"The rest of you should head to bed." Ororo spoke over her shoulder as she followed them down to the infirmary.
"But-" Jubilee protested.
"Bed now!" Logan barked.
"Don't I get any praise?" Jubilee waved her hands. "I sacrificed my jacket and everything!"
"Like we're going to get any sleep now." Kitty mumbled as they began walking up to the girls side of the mansion.
"Just think we have classes tomorrow." Jubilee groaned reminding herself and dragging her feet.
"Wonder who he was." Kitty absent mindlessly asked to no one in specific.
"Don't know." Rogue frowned thinking she'd seen him before. "Ah just hope he's ok."