Pack Instincts

It was a stupid accident. It was no one's fault. It was too embarrassing to admit to. The end result was that Gambit ended up with a broken wrist, Storm a sprained knee and Iceman a concussion.

Remy fidgeted as Hank carefully aligned the bones and prepared it for a cast. "Henri, mon ami, just use a wrap. Gambit heals better dat way." Hank sighed and wrapped the wrist with an ace bandage.

"Does it hurt?" he asked the Cajun.

"Non," Remy lied. Hank let it go with a stern look. Gambit ignored him and went to fuss over Storm who was in the middle of a Shi'ar treatment for her leg.

"I'm fine, Remy," she said with a smile. "Go get dinner started." Remy kissed her cheek and went up to the kitchen. He found Jean in the middle of a recipe.

"We've been switched," she smiled at him. "I figured your arm isn't up to it tonight."

"Merci, Jeannie."

"Go reassure Wolverine. He's been growling since you went downstairs."

"Dat's weird. Oh, merde, f'got about practice. He's gonna kill m'." Remy streaked off.

"He has far too much energy," she said to the air.

//I heartily agree,// Xavier informed her as he entered the kitchen.

//Stay away from the frosting or you'll get a wooden spoon imbedded in the side of your chair,// Jean threatened with a smile.

//Jean, would I dare to touch your precious chocolate frosting?// Charles asked with wide innocent eyes. //After last time?// he added hastily.

//No, you don't make the same mistake twice. Scott! What do you think you're doing?// she demanded as he husband disappeared from the kitchen with a bowl of the frosting she'd just finished making.

//Following orders, Honey. Just following orders. Mmmm… this is good. I might have to agree with him on this one. By the way, Darling, how is the med-lab contingent doing and why won't anyone tell me what happened? I think I'm going to have to threaten Bobby.//

//I don't know, they're all shielding from me,// Jean responded. //And Professor, isn't this one of the things you tried to *break* Scott of?//

//----//

"Professor! Come back here when I'm ranting at you!" Jean called, starting to giggle.

*****

"Logan?" Remy asked warily. The older man looked him up and down. He frowned at the bandaged wrist.

"What happened? Yer hurt."

"Fell. That's all," Remy said evasively. He didn't want to tell Logan what had happened. He really didn't think he'd be able to handle the laughter. Logan growled. He caught Gambit's good arm at the wrist.

"What happened, kid?"

"I fell," Gambit snapped back. Logan's grip tightened. "Logan, mon ami, lighten up," Remy pleaded.

"If ya don't want two broken, ya better talk."

"I was walkin' wit' Stormy. An' Bobby was climbin' up de willow t' rig somet'in' up f' Halloween an' fell. He iced up when he fell. Stormy an' Gambit ran t' help an' ended up slippin' on de ice." Remy blushed. Logan nodded.

"Fine. Yer hurtin'. Didn't Hank give ya somethin'?"

"Don' like pain pills, me."

"Slim know yet?"

"That there's injuries? Oui. What happened, non. An' he ain't gonna, oui?" Remy asked hopefully. Logan looked at him oddly.

"Why not?"

Remy blinked. "Y' sure y' feelin' okay again? It been a couple days, but if'n there's somethin' inside that y' body just ignorin'…?" he suggested. Logan's grip on his wrist had loosened a little bit, but Remy's hand was immobilized.

"Answer the question, kid."

"Cuz it's embarassing."

Logan shook his head. "That ain't yer decision."

Remy eyed Logan warily. "Y're actin' weird, homme. I'm thinkin' y' still ain't y'self." Logan tugged on Gambit's arm until he gave up resisting and started following. Logan followed his nose to where Scott was talking to the professor.

"Logan?" Scott said a slight frown on his face. He looked from Wolverine to Gambit and back again. Something was going on and he wasn’t sure what.

"Kid's got somethin' to tell ya, ain't ya?" Logan said.

Gambit frowned. "Just slipped. It ain't nothin'," he muttered. Remy scuffed the floor next to Xavier's hoverchair with his toe.

"Three people in the med-lab is not nothing," Scott informed him. "Sit down and tell me a story." Logan's grip didn't release when Remy settled onto the edge of the bench. The thief looked up at the Canadian, but didn't say anything.

He quickly told Scott what had happened, then tacked on, "And I t'ink there's still somethin' up wit' Logan. He ain't actin' normal."

Logan snorted. Scott tended to agree with Logan's assessment. "Thank you for telling me, Gambit. Dinner's in 30 minutes. I'll see you two then. I've just been summoned to help chop veggies."

Xavier nodded and Scott left him with the bowl of frosting and the other two men. Xavier looked from one to the other. Logan's fingers would probably bruise if he tightened his grip a mere fraction. Remy was looking decidedly worried, but it was the faint pain lines around his eyes that made Xavier frown. "Is the sprain hurting, Gambit?" Xavier asked carefully. The thief glared at him.

"It's fine, Professeur."

Logan snorted. "Kid's wrist is broke, Chuck. Won't take any meds fer it." Gambit glared up through his bangs, eyes flashing. He stood suddenly. Logan adjusted his grip automatically.

"When de hell'd y' decide y' were my pere? Let go." Remy pulled against Logan's hold.

"Nope. Yer goin' back to see Hank."

Remy blinked in surprise.

"Yer no use when yer hurtin'."

"Ain't no use when m' head's fuzzy neither, 'specially when I take de f… frelling roof off," Remy said, conscious of the professor's presence. Xavier hid the smile.

Logan growled. "Ya don't think straight normally. Get yer ass downstairs, Gumbo."

"Professeur," Remy whined.

"I happen to agree with Logan in this matter. There is no need to be in pain."

Remy snorted at them. "I ain't gonna take de damn pills, Logan. Deal wit' it. It ain't y'r decision." Logan felt the palm of his hand getting hot.

"Don't even think of it, Cajun. I'll take it outta yer hide." The burning eased and Gambit glared at the shorter man. Logan pulled roughly on the trapped wrist. "Move."

Remy grumbled under his breath, loudly enough for Logan to hear, "Connard." Logan's grip never faltered.

*****

Hank looked up in surprise from where he was checking a complaining Bobby's eyes. "Can I help you, gentlemen?" he asked.

"Kid's hurtin' bad. Says he ain't willin' to take a pill, but I figger yer smart enough to get around that." Gambit glared daggers at Logan.

"Don' y' dare, M. Bete. Y' get a needle near m' and Gambit'll blow it."

"No, he will not," Storm said firmly. "There is no point to being stubbornly prideful, brother." Bobby snickered. Gambit glared at him. Bobby's smile widened with glee. He knew the thief wouldn't do anything while they were in the lab. Then, Gambit's eyes narrowed, promising retribution. Bobby's smile faded with nervousness. It was nearly Halloween, Bobby realized. The prefect night for pranks. And Gambit wasn't afraid to prank Wolverine, of all people.

"I will be with you in one moment, if you think you can keep our stubborn Cajun friend from fleeing the scene?" Logan nodded. Bobby groaned as Hank's attention returned to his concussion. Hank nodded to himself. "You will live. But you will have to remain overnight for observation." Bobby sighed.

"Fine. You're going to wake me up every hour aren't you?"

"Most probably, my friend."

"Sadist."

"Y' bring out de best in everyone, Iceman," Remy informed him with a gleeful grin. The idea of Bobby being awakened every hour was comforting. Now, if he could just talk Logan into letting his wrist go. Carefully, Remy reached out with his charm. He saw Logan's shoulders relax, just a bit. He pushed a bit more. Then, he was on his knees. His wrist was held tight to the small of his back and, Logan's other hand was on the back of his neck. He fisted his free hand and the pain was surprisingly sharp.

"What the fuck was that, Gumbo? Talk fast."

"Just tryin' t' loosen y' up, Ole Man. Get dat tense y' gonna give y'self a heart attack," Remy said with a sunny smile.

"Don't try screwin' with my head again. Got it?"

"Oui," Remy sulked. He frowned as Logan let him up. He twirled the wrist Logan had finally freed. At least he'd gotten what he wanted. "Y' didn' mind before," he said, glancing at Logan.

Wolverine glared at him. "Before?" Remy clamped his jaw shut. "Nevermind. I'll see y'all at dinner," he said. Hank caught him gently by the elbow.

"One moment, M. LeBeau," Hank said gently. Remy saw the needle in Beast's hand. "Don't be stubborn, Remy." Remy nearly growled at the man. He shook off the sleeve of his trench and unbuttoned the warm cotton flannel to reveal the long-sleeved tee beneath.

"Shit. You have enough layers there, Cajun?" Bobby asked, snickering.

"Notherners," Remy muttered. The baring of his teeth at Bobby could by no means have been defined as a smile. No one else seemed to notice it, but Bobby decided that the pranks he'd been considering pulling on Storm and Gambit had to be shelved. Hank pushed the sleeve up without commenting and deftly inserted the needle into one of the clearly defined veins on Remy's forearm. The Cajun hissed at the needle. He hated needles. He hated medicines. He hated doctors. Most of all, he hated med-labs. He scowled at Hank and shoved his sleeve down, and pulled on his shirt and coat, ignoring the protest of his wrist. Suddenly, he realized something. "Merde."

"What is it?" Hank said, putting the needle into the sharps container.

"Just realized I ain't gonna be able t' do somet'ings dat's all." He shrugged. Like write, or climb, or handsprings, or vaults, or fight properly, he thought morosely. "Jus' take some gettin' used t'."

"We could use the…" Hank began to offer.

"Non. I ain't gettin' near dat ding less'n I'm dyin'," Gambit said sharply. "Now, y'all satisfied? Bein. G'night." The Cajun stalked out of the med-lab coat flying behind him. The four people left in the lab stared after him.

*****

Scott looked around the table. Everyone was there except for Remy and Rogue. Well, that wasn't too unusual, at least. Logan was on the far side of Jean. Scott's teeth were starting to grind from the constant low-range growl. He tried to focus on dinner, but his attention kept getting drawn back to the Canadian. He carefully responded to the occasional comment, but didn't really get into the conversation. The professor was watching him in amusement. Scott wished he could control his blasts without the visor. He really wanted to give the professor's chair just a *tiny* shove in the counter-clockwise direction. If he hit it just right, it would spin. He was sure of it. He shook his head with a rueful smile to himself. Something was getting on his nerves. He never had impulses like that anymore. Well, not often at least. It had to be Wolverine. Gambit wasn't actually *present* to be irritating him, so it *had* to be the Canadian.

//Scott, you promised you would confine your calculations to situations that would not cause me undue embarrassment.//

//I didn't *do* it did I?// Scott knew that came out sounding like a sulking schoolboy. //Sorry, Professor.//

//Perhaps I will let you examine the possibilities in the Danger Room. With a decoy in place of myself of course.//

//Where's the fun in that? Live a little, Charles.// Scott's smile made several members of the room pause. He was up to something. The Danger Room would *not* be a safe place in the morning. "Hank, quick question. What's Gambit's wrist up to handling?"

"Nothing. He should *not* be using it for anything that will put any stress on it. Although I doubt that he will be willing to agree to that."

"Thanks." Scott went back to his calculations. No one was surprised when he didn't participate in the rest of the dinner conversation.

//Scott?//

//?//

//What's got you so unnerved?//

//Nothing. I'm going to jam Logan's teeth down his throat right after dinner.//

//SCOTT!// Jean exclaimed.

//He's asking for it.// Scott glanced at the Canadian again. //If he doesn't stop growling, I'm going to….//

Rogue walked into the room. "Sorry Ah'm late for supper," she said sweetly.

"Hey, Rogue. Haven't seen you all day," Bobby said with a grin. Rogue took her favorite seat and dished up a plate for herself. She looked at the empty place between her and Storm.

"Where's the Swamp Rat?" she asked.

"We thought he was with you," Scott said, a frown crossing his lips. Logan's growl got louder. "So just go already. Jesus. That man is going to give me an ulcer," Scott muttered to Jean. Logan glared over his shoulder. He followed his nose up to the roof. The Cajun was laying on the roof, coat spread open like butterfly wings, arms splayed out like a crucifix. He was asleep. The sun was down. Logan pressed a hand to Remy's forehead. The red eyes blinked open.

"Bonjour, M. le Wolverine."

"Yer gonna freeze up here. Need a hand up?"

"Non, merci. Jus' gonna lay here f' awhile."

"I ain't gonna letcha sleep up here, kiddo. Come on." Logan hauled the Cajun to his feet. "Yer arm's hurtin' again?"

"Oui. Pain pills don' last. They just make m' sleepy and don' do not'in' f' the pain. M' body don' process them right."

Logan grimaced. "Sorry."

"Pas de problem. Why y' watchin' m' so close, Logan?"

"Ya need a keeper, kid. I'm the only one that knows yer a natural lefty." Logan grinned. "Yer gonna be in serious hurts tonight."

"Already am. Keep f'gettin' not t' pick things up wit' it." Remy frowned. "How'd y' figure it out? I do m' best not t' use it too much."

"Ya punch backwards." The Cajun startled at that. He blinked at the older man.

"I punch backwards?"

"Ya lead with yer left when ya get into things."

"I'll have t' work on that," Gambit said thoughtfully. "Well, g'night, Logan."

"Yer room's in the other direction."

"Oui, but Stormy's is upstairs." Gambit grinned and winked over his shoulder. Then, he bounced up the stairs.

*****

"What's eatin' at ya, Slim?" Logan asked.

"You are," Scott ground out. Logan's brows rose and Scott put his hand to his mouth. "Well, I'd apologize in abject horror, but you gave me the straight line. I just *had* to. And this fucking headache is enough to make me give in to that impulse. So, how's Gator-bait?"

"Goin' up to sleep with Ro tonight."

Scott nodded. "I figured." He put a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes.

"Yer head still botherin' ya? Hank said ya got a concussion?"

"Yes. My head had a disagreement with the dashboard. At least I'm awake. Although he tells me that I may not remember anything I do this week." Scott shrugged. "We'll see what happens. And don't you dare. Might I remind you that…" Logan cut him off with a kiss, then left a speechless Cyclops alone and in shock. Scott heard Logan's chuckle echo down the hall. "I'm going to fucking kill him," Scott stated. His eyes narrowed. He hadn't programmed the morning session yet.

*****

Logan wondered how exactly Scott was going to get back at him for that one. He chuckled at the thoughts his brain was coming up with. Too bad Cyke had a headache or they'd be already fighting in the Danger Room. He was pitifully short on sparing partners. Scott wasn't up to fighting. Gambit wasn't up to fighting. Bobby wasn't a challenge. Angel was a bastard and he was screwing Betsy at the moment. Logan could smell them. Hank didn't like to fight. And if Jean had any sense, she'd have Scott otherwise occupied soon enough. That left Rogue or Storm. Storm probably shouldn't be fighting on that newly healed leg of hers. That left the Mississippi Marauder. He stalked her to the den.

"Hey, Rogue. Up for a spar?" Green eyes blinked at him. She shoved her hair out of her eyes.

"That depends, sugah."

"Huh?"

"You over your whole protectin' the pack thing?"

"What are you talkin' about, darlin'?"

"You usin' your claws on me. Twice. Or threatenin' to."

"Sorry, darlin'. Promise not to claw ya…. Often." Rogue laughed and agreed to a session.

*****

"Remy, are you all right?" Ororo asked worriedly.

"Oui, chere," Remy's voice drifted back from the roof near her sky-light. She shook her head and continued to comb out her hair. She glanced at the clock when she stopped hearing the tap of his toe on the shingles that he'd been keeping up to let her know he hadn't left yet.

"Brother? Come inside. It's cold out."

"I'm fine, Stormy," Remy said poking his head through the window. He grinned at her.

She frowned at him. "Do not call me Stormy."

"Of course, Stormy, whatever y' say."

"Do not make me come and get you, Remy," she warned. He made a talking hand in the window and her eyes narrowed. He jumped in a second later, landing as lightly as a cat. He was giving her puppy-dog eyes, but she looked down her nose at him like a stern librarian. "To bed," she ordered.

He quirked a brow at her. "Why, petite, I never knew y'… Not the ribs!" He arched away from her fingertips. She saw the effort it took *not* to backflip and took mercy on him. She crossed her arms and glared at him until he stripped off his coat, flannel and boots and settled into her bed, claiming most of the space. She knew he'd snuggle close as soon as she went to bed. Hopefully, he wouldn't have nightmares if she were close.

*****

Rogue peered into Remy's room and frowned. Logan growled as he passed her. She didn't think anything of it. After all, she had just dropped him two stories down off the side of the roof they were fighting on. She closed the door softly. They weren't engaged or anything, but Remy usually told her when he was going out, even if he didn't offer to take her with him. And he wouldn't leave the mansion when Storm had. . . That was it. He was probably fussing over Storm and making her life hell. Well, it was a dirty job, but someone had to do it. He needed the excuse to help the weather goddess out in the garden. *****

Logan stretched under the steam of the shower. His head still ached from the drop. Maybe Hank was right about not pushing opponents that could physically throw him around. But where was the fun in that? Hell, Rogue, Storm and Jean were the only ones in the place that could actually lift him. Not counting Hank, who wasn't much for sparring anyway. His head ached like a knife slicing through muscle. Maybe the thief was right and there was something wrong. He stretched and went to bed. If the headache wasn't gone in the morning he'd deal with things.

*****

Gambit pushed his hair back out of his eyes and blinked at the clock. The bed was empty, but the dent where Storm had spent the night was still warm. He wondered how she'd managed not to wake him when she got up. "You look as if you've been out all night, padnat," Storm teased. "How is your arm?"

Remy shrugged and turned onto his back. "S'alright, petite. Y'r leg?"

"It is fine, Remy. As it was last night. And if you would just allow Hank to give you the proper treatment."

"Non. I ain't goin' t' stay down there because of a broken wrist."

"Is it really better to suffer with a broken wrist for three weeks than the med-lab for a few hours?"

"Yes," Remy said sharply.

Storm was taken aback. Remy's eyes rarely flared so brightly when he was talking to her. She knew him well enough to know that the brightness indicated anger. She settled on the bed next to him with her brush still in her hand. "Why?"

The anger died and he sat up stretching. Wordlessly, he pushed up the left sleeve of his shirt. She saw the perfectly round needle scars. She'd never really noticed them before. "Y' spent a few days under that rubble and y' can't stand bein' in a small space. I spent six months or so in a lab bein' poked and prodded and tested. I *hate* it, Ororo." He brushed the back of his hand along the side of her face.

"Bright Lady, Remy. Why did you not tell me?"

"Y' never asked, petite." His eyes began to twinkle with their more familiar light. "I best be gettin' back t' my room. Roguie'll kill m' if'n she finds m' in someone else's bed."

Storm laughed. Remy rarely spent time in his own bed except when he'd been out for the night and Rogue knew it. Goddess, he'd even been known to crash next to the professor. Remy winked at her and left her room.

*****

"Hey, Swamp Rat," Rogue said. She was leaning against the wall outside his room. "How's Ro?"

"She's fine, chere. How y' doin' this mornin', Roguie?"

"Better than you, obviously, sugah. Did ya sleep at all?"

"Some," he sighed. "Least I know Hank ain't gonna let Scotty drive this po' boy into the ground t'day, non?"

"Seems like an awful lot of trouble ta get outta the Danger Room." She suppressed a smile as he gave her a sunny smile.

"I see y' in a few minutes, less y' want t' join m' in the shower?" he offered hopefully.

"In yahr dreams, boy."

"Mebbe Roguie'll watch then?" He raised his brows.

She laughed. "See ya in the Danger Room, Cajun."

*****

Logan stretched in the sunlight, enjoying the feel of it on his back. It would be getting colder from here on out. The air was crisp. It was time to lay in supplies. He frowned and sniffed at the air again. Snow was coming. A hard winter to follow such a beautifully mild summer. Damn. It would be getting too cold to sleep out in the woods. He shook his head. He must be getting sloppy in his old age. He should have noticed the snow days ago. Now there was barely enough time to get the hunting done. He wondered why Scott hadn't done anything about it.

*****

Scott glared at Logan as he wandered into the Danger Room five minutes late. "Logan." The Canadian nodded at him. "Fine. Now, that *everyone* has decided to join us, let's get started. Gambit and I will be in the control room. As soon as we get there, this place will turn into a Chinese puzzle box with you in the center of it. The trick is to get out without getting killed." Cyclops smirked at them with cheerful menace. "Have fun."

He caught the Cajun by the back of his coat and directed him into the control room. He wasn't going to let him off the hook just because he was injured. It wasn't like Hank couldn't have healed the break if Gambit had let him. That meant he got to program traps for the next session. And tomorrow he could check the security again. And after that Scott would find *something* to keep him occupied, even if that meant cleaning the kitchen.

*****

Logan growled softly to himself. Leader-boy was in a mood and he we taking it out on the pack. Damn it there was hunting waiting to be done. And why was that funny smelling bitch still here? Why hadn't she flown off to join her flock?

*****

Storm looked around the windowless and doorless room with a frown. She knew there was a way out. Cyclops would not have put her into a position where escape was impossible. She just had to stay calm enough to find it. She felt Jean give her hand a squeeze and smiled at her. Storm looked up. There at the very top of the room. "Angel, look up. What do you see?"

"A trap door." A smile spread across his features. He flew up a bit closer and stopped suddenly. "There's a force-field."

"Can you see the source of it?" Storm asked.

"No."

"Phoenix, check that wall. Angel, over there. Rogue, there. And I will take this one. Look for anything that could be a generator. Wolverine, listen for the hum of the batteries. Iceman, I want you checking the floor under that trapdoor. See if it is an illusion."

*****

Cyclops grinned to himself as the team spread out. This was going to be interesting. They were getting the hang of things.

Gambit sighed and went back to picking out the program on the keyboard. Suddenly, he sat up straighter. He had an idea. "Who y' want runnin' in this little maze?"

"Same as today." Gambit nodded and went back to his programming. He frowned.

"Can this room access the powers profiles?"

Cyclops started. "Sure. Why?"

"I need t' know if Iceman can do what I think he can or not." Gambit shrugged. Cyclops called up the appropriate file. "Merci."

The field leader looked over the Cajun's shoulder curiously. "Yeah, he *can* change into water, but his control isn't all that great."

"That's the whole point, non?"

Cyclops snickered. "Go for it. Just make sure it won't kill him or splash him. I don't really know what would happen if bits of him splashed away."

*****

Bobby flopped down on his back on his bed. "You are a sadistic bastard, Scott," he stated quietly to the ceiling. Warren was on his stomach, Betsy straddling him massaging his wings which had gotten a workout today. He sighed in contentment. Ororo braided her hair and went to finish harvesting the pumpkins and squash from the garden. Rogue went through her usual aerobics routine, the door to her room locked so she could strip down to nothing but a sports-bra and shorts without being ogled. Remy perched on the tree limb that gave him the best view into Rogue's room for a good ogle. He lit a cigarette as she started to stretch out. Logan went out to the woods to control the deer herd. Scott chopped wood for the fireplaces. Jean started prepping the cinnamon and vanilla sugar she wanted to use for the marathon cookie baking session she had planned for December. Hank returned to his lab and his research. The professor hummed to himself and continued to blow up pigs on the computer screen.

*****

Logan frowned and looked around. There was something strange in the woods. Something he didn't really recognize. He tracked the noise carefully. Then, the scent hit him. He knew that scent. He attacked first this time and Sabretooth went down with a snarl and spurt of blood.

*****

Security alarms went off and everyone seemed to freeze in a moment of suspended animation. Then, they were moving towards the security room. Cyclops was there first because he'd just taken a load of wood into the emergency supply room. Scott skidded to a stop in front of the machines. He noted the sectors easily. "What the f… frack?" he finished as the professor joined him. The professor blinked suddenly.

"Is that where Gambit picked up that habit? Odd. What is it? There didn't seem to be anything unusual in the woods. Logan was hunting."

"Sabretooth," Scott said shortly as the rest of the team piled in. Rogue was wearing a robe and no gloves. Very strange. "Sensors 18 and 32 are down."

Gambit immediately took a station and tried to coax them back. When that failed he attempted to overlap 19 and 20 and 31 and 33 into the broken areas. "T'encule moi," he muttered. He checked the heat scanners. "We're losin' scanners, Cyke. Too quick f' one or two people. Whoever's out there don' want us watchin'."

"Gambit, see what info you can get us. Suit up, people. Move it. Professor?"

//I'm scanning, Cyclops.//

"Good. Jean set up a link up. Betsy keep contact with the professor. We'll need immediate information transfer. Is Wolverine responding at all?"

"No response from his communicator. He might not be wearing it," Angel stated.

"Damn the man." Cyclops took a breath to think as he was running to grab his battle visor. This was bad news any way you cut it. There was definitely going to be injuries. "Beast, get the med-lab prepped. You're on back up with Iceman. Storm, Rogue, Angel, I want flying surviellence. Psylocke, Phoenix, I want a scan on every inch of that forest. If Professor X is doing one part, I want you doing the other. Beast, when we get back, Gambit's wrist gets healed up even if you have to drug him unconscious, got it?"

"Of course, Fearless Leader, your wish is my command. I still think that with your concussion you shouldn't be traipsing about on missions."

"Stuff it, Beast. Get into position."

*****

Gambit had the base panel off and was splicing wires. Xavier watched as he scanned. The young thief was muttering to himself in a mixture of languages, or it could merely have been technobabble, as he worked. "Cerebro, list mutant activity, last t'irty minutes."

"Tesseract activity noted outside of set alarm parameters."

"Y're supposed t' alert m' t' *any* tesseract activities y' piece of shit," Gambit informed the computer.

"Command not understood."

"Fuck y'self, Cerebro."

"Command not understood."

"I see your restraint has worn thin. Any further results?"

"Non, Professeur. the sensors are down. There's no way t' get them back up. They're dead. The wires been cut. It's messy but effective." The moue of distaste on Gambit's face made it clear that it was beneath his standards. "The hope is that dey don' know about the extras. Cerebro, list all sensor shortages in the past t'irty minutes."

"18, 32, 19, 33, 20, 34, 17, 35, 21, 36, 16, 37, Boathouse, 15, 38, Lake."

"Saints," Gambit sighed. "Back up transmission data from Pier sensor, sil vous plait."

"Back up sensor indicates two mutants moving at high speed into the boathouse."

"Merde, Cyclops, Phoenix, attack pattern on boathouse indicated. Tesseract activity noted. Watch y'selves."

"Did you say tesseract?" Cyclops' voice replied.

"Oui."

"Dang."

Gambit blinked at the communications speaker for a moment, then went back to his fiddling. "That boy makes no sense."

Charles Xavier had to agree.

*****

Logan looked down at the bloody meat at his feet. Well, Sabretooth might heal, or he might not. Wolverine lifted his head to sniff the air. He heard the alpha barking out something. He nearly howled, the hunt was on. It was about time. He started after the next unfamiliar scent he caught. It was near the alpha's private den. That couldn't be allowed.

*****

Storm located Vertigo as the sky seemed to change shape. "Goddess preserve me," she sighed and let herself fall nearly on top of the woman. Vertigo's eyes went wide the moment before her head connected with the ground and she passed out. Storm took to the skies again, the barest hint of a smile on her face.

*****

Gambit sighed. "Need t' go up t' de roof t' realign de scanner, Prof."

Xavier nodded absently and the Cajun left him in the com room.

*****

Riptide found out that telekinesis stops flying objects. And if the wielder is very clever, she can reverse said items' flight paths. Then, he died as his shurkiens ripped into his body.

*****

Arclight blinded the fighters completely by refracting her light through Prism's body. Prism wasn't good for much, but he was one hell of a distraction. In that moment of distraction, a tesseract opened behind Cyclops and he was dragged through it.

*****

Cyclops uttered a sharp yelp when a cold hand clamped around his wrist and swung him into weird non-linear world of the tesseract. A stunned heartbeat later he was looking at Sinister's cold smile. "I'm so glad you could join me, Scott. It's been quite awhile." Then, the field leader of the X-men impacted the metal floor, fast asleep.

*****

Phoenix nearly screamed when her husband's mind was cut off. She new he wasn't dead, the link was still there, but it put her off her guard for a moment too long. Arclight's fist connected with the TK shield and the red-head staggered. Then, she attacked, tearing into Arclight with fighting skills the Marauder had never seen her exhibit. She fought without abandon and Arclight went down under the assault. Quickly, the X-woman searched the fallen body for evidence of a communicator or a beacon. She had to find her husband.

*****

Harpooner didn't even realize that he was dead for a few seconds. He looked down in amazement at the foot-long claws through his chest. His harpoon dropped from his lax fingers and exploded in a shower of splinters. Wolverine didn't give a damn. The other stranger that had been in the den was gone. He tossed Harpooner's body onto the pier and headed for the main den. The only people left there would be the pup and the old man. Neither of them was up to hunting or fighting when it came down to it.

*****

Gambit looked down from where he was perched on the roof and started cursing. "Why you?" he asked the figure. Then, he slid down the banister past Storm's room to the landing. He very nearly jumped the landing, but something hard and cold caught him around the throat. "I'm sorry, Remy, but you cannot be allowed to interfere." His lungs strained for air that wasn't forthcoming. Something sharp pierced his arm and darkness overcame him.

*****

Logan grinned in pleasure as the prey turned to fight him. He knocked the gun away.

*****

Charles Xavier had never been quite so glad to see anyone as he was to see Wolverine at that moment. Scalphunter paused a moment before killing him, sensing danger. He turned and his eyes widened as foot long claws came after him. Wolverine was feral poetry to watch as he fought. Xavier found himself entranced by the deadly dance. Scalphunter fought viciously, but without a healing factor he knew he was going to die. Still, he refused to back down. Finally, Wolverine stood over the dead clone.

Xavier reached out for all of his X-men. Cyclops was gone. Angel was unconscious. Iceman and Beast were in the med-lab. No one had thought to contact them. Phoenix was frantic. Psylocke was nursing broken ribs and a broken nose. Storm and Rogue were piling the dead bodies together for disposal. Gambit never registered when Xavier was looking for him. For some reason he was extraordinarily resistant to having a telepath keep track of him. He activated the communicator. "Gambit, respond immediately," Xavier demanded. He didn't know why he bothered, Scott was the only one who ever got the man to behave, but he had to try. "Gambit!" Again no response. "Wolverine, find Gambit."

Logan nodded and left the room warily.

*****

The X-men gathered in the war room. Phoenix looked around the room and frowned.

"Where is Gambit?"

"He isn't responding. Wolverine is looking for him now." Jean reached. Gambit would respond to her, even if he wouldn't talk to the professor. It wasn't something she ever actually told Charles, but she assumed he already knew. She frowned. She searched for Logan's mind. She didn't find either of them.

"Professor, was Wolverine himself when he left?"

"He didn't say much, merely disposed of Scalphunter. I sent him after Gambit when he didn't respond to the com." Xavier reached out for Logan's mind. "Damn it. He's gone feral. I can't find anything except a desire to protect the pack."

*****

Logan looked down at the crumpled form of the pup. He nudged him carefully onto his back. He didn't smell any blood, but the pup's skin was chill. He stroked the pup's fur. The kid's breaths were short. Too short for normal sleeping. He used a claw to cut away the fabric that was caught around his throat. The breaths became a little easier. Logan rubbed along the pup's side trying to warm him. That didn't seem to be working so he laid down next to him and pulled him close. The pup was limp in his arms. At least his heart was steady, if a trifle slow.

*****

Jean found them first. She called for Hank. Logan nuzzled her hand, then licked it with a grin. She found herself giving him a quick smile. Then, she frowned as she spotted the black fabric. She picked it up. It had a knot in it, holding two strands together. She realized that it had been cut. It looked oddly like part of Sinister's cape. "Logan, where did you find this?"

*****

Logan looked up as the alpha bitch made a questioning noise. He saw her fingering the material he'd cut away. She questioned again and he sighed. He grunted and went back to rubbing the pup to warm him. Women. What *was* their fascination with scraps anyway?

*****

Jean felt her lip curl up in frustration. If only Logan were verbal in this state life would be a hell of a lot easier. She watched him rubbing Gambit's arms and chest and paused. Was he trying to increase the blood circulation? Yes, it seemed he was. Then, Beast arrived with his bag. He took Gambit's pulse, brow furrowing at the chillness of his skin. He checked the young man's eyes. "He's been drugged," the doctor announced.

"I didn't see any blood, but this was on the ground. I don't recognize it." Logan took the scrap from her fingers and tucked it around Gambit's neck. Her eyes widened.

Beast checked carefully and saw the bruises beginning. He lifted the young man's body. Wolverine followed them down to the med-lab. "Well, at least this makes it possible for that wrist to be healed, Mr. LeBeau," Beast told the still form. "As much as your whining can be bothersome, it would be better than this corpse imitation you are attempting." There was no response and Hank hadn't expected one, but he continued to talk. "And somehow I doubt that Rogue will be too impressed with the bruises you've managed to accumulate. On that note, you must tell me some day why it is you manage to shrug off serious injuries without so much as a whimper, but when it is something easily fixable you will carry on for hours."

*****

Jean set the communicator on the table. "If we can track this, we can find Cyclops. I doubt that Sinister would be controlling his little clones from somewhere he wasn't monitoring them."

"Cerebro is already tracing the transmission frequencies from the other bodies as we speak," Xavier stated calmly. "Storm, Iceman, go prepare the Blackbird for flight."

The only thing left to do was wait. Jean started the coffee. Betsy gathered up some food. They had to be prepared.

*****

Gambit coughed awake, struggling in pure panicked reaction. Hank had been prepared for that and held him still with large firm hands in addition to the metal that held his wrist in the Shi'ar machinery. "You are safe, Remy. It's Hank," the doctor said. The wide eyes snapped to his face, not convinced and not calming in the least.

*****

Logan snorted and walked over to them. He gently moved Hank to the side and set his claws to either side of the pup's throat with the central one pressing lightly above the Adam's apple. The pup stilled, fear still strong, but receding. He reached a paw out to touch Logan's claws. He rubbed between where they came out.

*****

"Wolverine?" Remy questioned. He was confused. He remembered Sinister. He remembered being drugged. He could understand Sinister pretending to be McCoy, but to become Logan? Claws and all? He didn't think the scientist would do that. He didn't think Sinister would even consider it. Have Sabretooth beat the shit out of him, yes. Have a Wolverine clone hold him down, no.

"Remy, you're in the med-lab. What do you remember?" Hank asked calmly.

"Marauders, tesseracts, the sensor's bein' cut. I was on the roof an' saw Scalphunter comin'. I was goin' t' protect Wheels, when somethin' caught me by the neck. Somethin' burnin' in m' veins. Then I woke up here."

"Cyclops is missing."

"Fuck." Logan's claws remained in place, as did the hand that was settled familiarly on Remy's forehead. The thief did the math. "An' Wolvie's feral ain't he? Tol' Cyke there was somet'in' strange goin' on."

"It would appear that you are correct in that assessment." Slowly the claws receded and Logan's hand settled firmly in the center of Remy's chest.

*****

The pup was such trouble when he was injured. Logan nearly growled in frustration. Blue didn't know how to handle things obviously. You have to be firm with pups or they'll never obey. At least this pup didn't do stupid tricks for attention like Icy. No, Spice was easy to get along with if you put him in his place quickly. He might grow up into an alpha position someday. If he survived that was.

Damn, the weird bird was coming. He just couldn't understand what the alpha was thinking in letting her stay. He turned to face in the direction she was coming. She went immediately to the pup and Logan stopped her with a hand. If the alpha let her stay, then he wouldn't kill her. But he'd be damned if he'd let her near the pup.

*****

Rogue stopped and looked down at Logan's hand. "What's up, Logan? I didn't think there was a problem once someone was in the machine?"

He glowered at her and pushed her away from the bed. Remy sat up. He reached out to catch at Logan's arm, but he didn't have a long enough reach. "Rogue, chere, he ain't *thinkin'*."

Rogue's eyes widened and she took a non-threatening step back. She put up her hands. "Calm down, Wolvie. I ain't gonna hurt him," she soothed. "He's in full protect the pack mode."

"Oui, chere. Wolvie?" Remy put as much of a whimper into the word as he could manage. He tried to free his hand from the machinery, but Hank had been prepared for that and strapped his shoulder down as well. He glared at the straps, but knew, somehow, that if he blew them, Hank would have his ass in the lab for a month. "Wolverine?" he asked hesitantly. "Y' leave Roguie alone?" He reached a hand out for Rogue. "Take m' hand," he mouthed at her. She moved slowly past Logan.

*****

What was that pup thinking? He couldn't allow this stupidity to go on. The bird shouldn't be so close to an injured pack-member. He flashed his claws between them. He growled at the bird. He set the pup's paw firmly on the bed. The bird looked at him with big eyes. The pup made a soothing noise, half-purr, half-question. He stroked Logan's arm, then reached out for the bird. Logan slapped him hard across the back of his hand and physically stepped between the pair.

*****

Gambit gaped at Logan's back. He knew Rogue was probably just as surprised. Hank chuckled. "Rogue, I would suggest you simply allow Logan to have his way. He has decided that our young friend needs protecting. And, I believe, he's decided that you are a danger to him."

"Why on earth would I hurt Remy?" she asked Hank.

"He don' t'ink y're part of the pack."

*****

Logan spun. He put his hand over the pup's mouth and glared at him until the red eyes dropped. The pup queried him quietly. He didn't respond. Instead, he made sure he was between the pup's line of sight and the bird. Blue was talking to her now. Logan snorted. The only use for a bird like that was dinner. Why were so many members of the pack interested in a flyer? They already had Clouds and Beak-boy. The pup was reaching out towards him again. He sighed and settled on the edge of the bed with the pup. He caught the paw that was reaching out and stroked it, much as the pup had stroked his burns.

*****

Remy sighed and shut his eyes. Maybe if he took a nap things wouldn't be so bad.

Rouge watched in dismay as Logan took up hand-holding duty. Damn it all. It was her right to mope down in the med-lab with her lover while everyone else went crazy upstairs trying to find Scott or Sinister. But no, Logan had to go and interfere. She glared at the older mutant. Logan stared at her challengingly and bared his teeth. She shivered. No, even with super-strength she wasn't getting into a fight with a feral Wolverine.

*****

Finally, the flyer was leaving. Took her long enough. The pup was trying to pretend he was asleep, but his heart rate was still too fast. Logan understood that. Blue's space always smelled of metal and chemicals. He didn't know how the healer dealt with it. He brushed the pup's fur back, trying in vain to put it into some semblance of order. He didn't know why he bothered. The pup would just disturb it when he gave up trying to play dead. He stroked the paw in his lap. The pup opened his eyes and looked up at him shyly. He turned his head into the touch. Logan sighed and petted soothingly.

*****

Hank watched in utter fascination. He hadn't realized the two were so close. Of course, it made a weird kind of sense. They had a lot in common. And Logan got away with breaking Hank's no smoking rule, something the thief truly did appreciate.

Then, there was the fact that Gambit enjoyed touching. Rogue was frustrated to no end by the fact that he touched her without warning. She was so used to people flinching away from her, that she always jumped just a little bit when he touched her arm when they were talking. With Logan feral, they'd need Gambit at full fighting strength. Hank worried about the bruises on Remy's throat. Had he been fighting with Rogue again? The doctor wondered. It would explain why she was so angry about having to leave him in the lab. Their break-ups came regularly once a day. Sometimes they were more serious than others though. She'd only ever hit the Cajun once that Hank could recall. And at that time, he'd thought she was quite justified in the slap. So did Gambit. He'd merely apologized for his harsh words and they were back together again.

"Gambit?"

"Oui, Henri?"

"Are you and Rogue on the outs again?"

"Non. I t'ink we're back t'gether. But y' never can tell." Remy lifted a shoulder.

"Hmmm. Do you think Logan could be convinced to let me close enough to check on your progress?"

"He don' mind y'. He's gonna be right pissed when he figures out that Cyke ain't here. Where's Jeannie? Mebbe he be willin' t' listen t' her." Remy's eyes dropped closed and his head settled on Logan's palm. The older man looked down with an amused grin on his face. Hank came closer and met with no resistance. Logan just nodded in greeting and continued petting. Hank checked the monitor, blinked, checked it again, cleaned his glasses, checked it again, and then once more to be sure.

"Well, my boy, it would appear that you are as right as rain once more. And in much less time than anyone could have expected. I wonder if this is some side-effect of the sedative you were given."

"What did that son of a bitch give m', Henri?" Remy growled low and the doctor blinked at him. He took off his glasses and sighed.

"A designer compound. It appears to be designed specifically for your genetic make-up. Considering the source, I don't find that especially surprising. Who administered it?"

"Sinister," Remy spat out. "Who else? Y' really t'ink he trust some thug if he want m' down f' the count? The Marauders can' even manage t' fight effectively. An' none of them, 'cepting M. Chat, could ever sneak up on m'. If he made it t' take m' down, then he must t'ink I know somet'in'."

"Do you?" Hank asked calmly.

"Non."

"Too bad. I'll release you in a moment. I want to check your breathing and your bloodwork once more."

"Y' let m' hand out of this t'ing?"

"No. No, I don't think I will."

Gambit blinked. He pulled at the restraint. Logan growled at Hank.

*****

The pup's heart was racing. Blue wouldn't hurt the boy, but there was something wrong. He stroked Spice's cheek until their eyes met. The pup's breathing didn't slow down. Blue left them for a moment and suddenly the pup was trying to get out. He was working at the healer's restraints. Logan lifted his hand away. He accepted the teeth that clamped onto his arm as a normal reaction. The pup jerked back when he tasted blood. His head connected with the table with a thunk. He blinked dazedly at Logan. Hank rushed over. He saw the blood on Logan's arm.

*****

"Now what have you done, M. LeBeau?" Hank sighed. "Blast. Are you alright? Does your head hurt?"

"Oui. A bit. It'll go 'way. Sorry, M."

Hank loosened the restraints and allowed Remy to pull his hand from the machinery. Almost without thinking, the thief pulled close to Logan. "Give me your arm, Remy. The sooner I do this, the sooner I'll let you leave."

The Cajun scowled but allowed himself to be pricked. "That all y' need?"

"Yes. If you have *any* trouble breathing, call me at once."

"Oui, M." Remy hopped off of the table, wavering a little bit. His stomach growled. Logan snorted. "See ya."

Logan kept a hand on the pup's arm. He didn't want the boy running off to find the flyer. Perhaps Clouds could talk some sense into him.

*****

Jean scowled at the pair that had just walked through the door. Then, she blinked. Well, it looked like Gambit was back in fighting shape. The bruises on his throat stood out rather badly. Logan was still feral. He wouldn't be holding onto the thief if her wasn't. Would he? She asked herself suddenly. She watched curiously as Logan glared the thief into a chair and went to the refrigerator. Gambit grimaced at his back.

//What's the matter?// she asked suddenly amused at this turn of affairs. It might just have the possibility of taking her mind off of Scott.

//He wants t' feed me.//

//I think it's sweet.//

//*gag*//

//Come on. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy him taking an interest in your well-being. Rogue told me all about his petting,// she teased.

//Bitch. He drove off m' girlfriend. He pulls m' around like I'm his chien. I don' know what the Hell he wants. He don' talk. He don' listen. An' I'm followin'. Mais, I don' know anymore. I start whinin' when I want him t' do somethin'. I *growled* at Henri!//

//You always growl at Hank.//

//Non, most of the time Remy's sweetness and light t' the homme. M. Bete don' talk down t' me.//

//And I do?//

Remy didn't reply. "At least it's better than raw rabbit," he muttered as Logan set a plate of chopped veggies in front of him. He nibbled at a carrot stick. "Well, m' eyes ain't gonna be a problem. Love the hair, chere," he told Jean. "Y' should try the windblown look more often."

"That is why I have TK. Unlike *some* people, I don't like my hair in my face."

"An' y' don' worry about people beatin' the shit outta y' because of y' eyes." Remy snapped his jaw shut and stared down at his plate. He shoved it away. "Sorry, chere," he said and left the room. Logan growled and went after him.

Jean's brows rose as the thief suddenly took his place at the table again. "Back so soon? Good. I'd hate to end our conversation so suddenly."

"Y' keep y'r pet away from po' Remy? He's usin' his claws again. An' he done scared po' Rogue near unto deat'."

"Now I know you're playing me. Your accent only get that thick when you want something. Now, you were saying?"

Remy sighed and prodded the veggies again. Logan stalked back in and settled in his seat. Remy looked at him warily. Logan growled pointedly and the thief picked up another carrot stick. Storm sat down. She smiled at her brother. "It won't kill you," she soothed. Her smile was teasing. "It will do you good to get something of a vegetable nature down your throat."

Remy stuck his tongue out at her then chomped on his carrot. "I was sayin', chere, that y're a pretty. Y' ended up in a coma. Oui, Remy knows this. But y' can walk down the street wit'out people wantin' t' knock y' down because y' look different. They don' call y' names. They don' toss y' in the trash cause y' ain't right. And y' know it. Even Bobby understands better'n you. He can't go iced up like he wants 'cause someone'd hurt him." He gestured with the stick. "And don' start preachin' at m' 'bout mutant equality or any of that shit. We all know that Xavier's pretty dream ain't gonna happen while none of us are alive. And I really got t' learn t' leash m' mout'." He glared at his plate. "I'm gonna get some real food. I ain't a rabbit."

Logan caught Remy's arm in a vice-like grip. Remy bared his teeth at him in a snarl. Logan's eyes narrowed. He popped one claw and tapped it on the younger man's nose. Remy slumped back, pouting. He pulled free and crossed his arms over his chest. Storm's brows rose. "Would this be part of the reason why Rogue is currently in her room packing a suitcase?"

"Merde! If Logan. . ." Remy darted quickly out of the room. Logan followed.

Jean and Ororo shared a glance. //Oh, my.// Jean stated.

//Do you really think?// Ororo responded.

//I do. I really do. I think we need to find Scott quickly.//

*****

"Rogue, chere."

"No, Remy, I'm decided. I'm out of here until that man comes ta his senses. This ain't about us, sugah. Ya know that. I know ya don't want me leavin', but I can't stand it anymore." She shoved more clothes into her bag. "And I ain't gonna send Jean and Scott out of their home."

"Y' can't leave 'til we get Cyke back," Gambit said firmly, straightening. "The team needs all the fighters it can get. I don' care if'n I have t' beat Logan down f' it."

"You ain't tellin' me tah stay for the good of the team? You, sugah?"

"Me, chere. Y're needed here. Y' can fly. Y're damn near invulnerable. And y' got a good head on y'r shoulders t'anks t' Raven and Xavier. I ain't gonna let y' go when we might need y'. And if'n y' got a problem wit' it, talk t' Jeannie. Now put down that bag an' get downstairs. I don' care what Logan t'reatens y' wit'. He gonna back down if Jeannie jumps on him f' scarin' y'."

Logan growled behind the thief. Gambit turned to confront him, eyes flashing. "And y' can just stand down. I'll be back down t' finish eatin' in a minute," he said sharply.

*****

What did the pup think he was doing? He was actually going to challenge for the flyer? Logan smirked. Let him try it. He popped his claws out and moved to route the pup away from the flyer. The pup bared his teeth and did exactly what Logan didn't want. He moved into a challenge posture. Logan snarled at the flyer. He attacked first, forcing the pup away from the danger. He swiped at the flyer and she looked at the pup for a long moment. Then, she grabbed her horde and left. Logan pounced on the pup.

*****

Gambit dodged the first swipe, knowing it was mostly for show. He tried to convince Rogue to stay with pleading eyes. She looked between them, shook her head and left. He cursed mentally at his distraction. He almost made it out of Logan's way. The attack took him to the ground. Remy wasn't ready to give up on it. He pulled, but Logan's weight was too much for him to free his legs.

*****

Logan caught the pup's arms and pulled them up behind him until he heard an involuntary whimper. He held them there. The pup stilled.

*****

Gambit's shoulders burned. Damn the man. Damn him. He let his head drop to the floor. Logan eased off on the pressure. Suddenly, he was flipped onto his back. He struck towards Logan's throat. Logan caught his wrists, not seeming to care if he hurt the thief or not. He forced Remy's chin up with his head and bit his throat firmly. For the first time, he actually drew blood.

*****

He hadn't actually meant to hurt the pup, but Spice did insist on fighting. He licked at the blood he'd drawn and took in the sharp tang of fear. He held position, teeth pricking against the flesh of the pup's throat until the pup gave up. It wasn't a surprise that Spice was out of control. The alpha wasn't around and that meant the hierarchy wasn't defined. He needed to be put firmly in his place. He'd let the kids fight it out on their own, but for now, he had to be in charge.

*****

Finally, Remy just gave in. He went completely limp in Logan's grip and let him have his way. Logan rubbed against his cheek gently. Remy sighed. Logan's grip stayed firm. Finally, he tipped his head so that his cheek rested against Logan's hair. The older man finally let him up. Remy touched the cut at his throat with surprise. He rubbed the blood between his fingers. He hoped that Hank would let it go. He was routed back to the kitchen, just as Jean was about to come after them. Rogue's description hadn't been that disturbing. "Where'd she go, chere?" Remy asked. He ignored the fact that Logan's hand was wrapped around his hair.

"She went to a hotel. Remy, what's happening here?"

"I ain't sure, chere. I can' tell no more. It was easier last time. He was hurt. This time, I don' know." Remy shrugged. He tried to twist out of the grip, but Logan merely growled at him and shook him none to gently. Jean's eyes widened.

"He's reestablishing pack heirarchy," Hank said from the doorway.

"Then why focus on m'?" Remy demanded.

Hank blinked at him, then smiled. "He thinks you're the only one who'd challenge for Scott's position."

Remy's jaw dropped. "Bullshit, Bete. No way."

Jean stared at Hank. "So, this is because Scott isn't around?"

"Non, chere, this is because there's somet'in' wrong wit' Logan's head. He ain't focusin' on m' because Scott ain't around. Mebbe he's just lonely." Remy leered at Logan. The Canadian snorted and finally let go. Remy automatically straightened his hair. "I gotta find Rogue."

"Why?"

"Because M. Logan here ain't exactly gonna follow orders an' if he goes off we ain't got no way t' stop him from killin'. He ain't gonna stop short of destroyin' whatever's huntin' his pack and y' know it an' Rogue's the only one that stands a chance of survivin' him in a rage. We also gonna need a flyer wit' tactical use."

Jean shook her head. "We have Storm and Angel."

"Ange ain't got superstrength and Stormy ain't ."

"True."

"And ain't neither of them a scrapper."

"And you wonder why Logan thinks you're the closest to an alpha male we have?" Jean smirked. "Honestly. If you'd just apply yourself, Remy, you'd be perfect."

"I don' *like* bein' the boss." Remy sighed. "Papa's been plannin' on me takin' over f' him when he dies. I ain't lookin' forward t' it." He shook his head. Logan tugged on his ponytail. He glared at the Canadian. "Now, what y' found out?"

"That you need to eat something. And that Bobby is going to go with Rogue."

"Non," Remy snapped, eyes flashing. "Where is the lil' connard?"

"Remy!" Jean snapped. "Bobby and Rogue have been friends for years."

"Oui, chere, but she's still m' girl. I'll go wit' her."

"We need you here. You're the only one who's been able to connect with Logan in this state. You'll be the only one who can pull him out of it this time."

"Bullshit, Jeannie."

"Are you calling me a liar, Remy?" she asked mildly.

"Oui."

She smirked at him. "Silly, silly, Cajun." She shook her head. "Do you see him interacting with anyone else in this house."

"Rogue."

"In a positive way."

Remy considered the argument. "Charles?"

"Remy."

"Oui, chere. I know it. But y' can' tell Remy that it gonna stay like that. If I ain't here, he'll find someone else t' bat around." Jean just glared at him. Remy put his hands up in defeat. "Fine, y' force me an' Rogue int' a break up, y' get t' explain it t' her."

"Why would she break up with you?" Jean asked in amusement as they made their way back in to finish lunch.

"Because I should've been wit' her t'day. Y' know that. Y' know I shoulda just shoved Logan int' the closet or somet'in'." Remy bared his teeth at the back of Logan's head. The Canadian released his claws.

*****

Good, Logan thought, the alpha bitch was taking Spice in hand. Spice was going to drive him insane. What did he think he was doing challenging? He was still far too young. At least the flyer was gone. Maybe the pup would settle down now.

*****

"We have coordinates," Betsy stated. "They're close." The team scrambled and headed for the lab.

"Gambit?" Jean queried gently. "Rogue will meet us there."

Remy snorted. "Bullshit, Phoenix. Get Claws strapped in, we gonna land hard. Y' know I ain't the best pilot in the world."

Jean shook her head. They moved cautiously into the facility. Gambit frowned, flipping a card through his fingers. Wolverine scouted ahead warily. He couldn't smell anything but chemicals. Phoenix scanned the area. She frowned. //Feels like a trap.//

//Oui.//

The attack came literally out of thin air as the Marauders flowed through a tesseract. There were only three of them, however, and they were quickly felled. It felt like misdirection and Gambit was looking for the other options. His eyes widened. Sinister had never been interested in Rogue and Iceman before, but there was a first time for everything. //Rogue?// he asked Jean.

//She's not responding. Nor is Iceman. Shit.//

//Cyke?//

//We've got him here,// Betsy informed them. //Returning to the plane now. He's okay.//

//Good. Pull out.// Jean broadcast the message.

Cyclops blinked behind his glasses, only half-awake as he was lead onto the plane. He settled thankfully into a chair. His head ached from a combination of his concussion and the sedatives he'd been fed. He swatted at Logan when the man started fussing over him and the Canadian snorted, pronouncing him fine.

*****

Remy pounded his fist into the mattress too angry to speak. How dare Sinister! How dare he disrupt his life like this! Logan watched silently from the door, but Remy didn't slow down.

*****

Logan strode forward, he caught Spice's arms in a tight grip and stopped the relentless pounding. He was just going to get hurt if he kept on like that. The pup twisted and snapped at the restricting hands, but Logan held firmly until he stilled.

*****

Remy curled into Logan's arms eventually, tired of struggling against hands that weren't easing their grip. Rogue and Bobby were missing. Cyke was back and now he knew. Sinister had started talking to him about his protegee. Jean had informed him of that little fact before they'd trundled Scott off to Hank's care. No one else knew yet. It smelled of misdirection to her and she wanted to make sure Sinister hadn't left them any surprises along with their leader.

Remy shook in silent rage.

*****

Logan smelled the anger pouring off of the pup's skin. He held him firmly, but gently. The pup tucked his head under Logan's chin and Logan rocked him until the rage fled, replaced by dull resignation. The passivity was disturbing. Logan set the pup down and pushed his chin up with his nose. There was no resistance. Logan frowned. He stroked the pup's forehead. Maybe he was still hurt? Blue would know. He tugged at the pup's wrist and Spice followed without question. Logan's heart clenched in fear.

*****

Hank looked up in surprise when Logan opened the door. Scott was "resting" until the drugs left his system. What that really meant was that he was seething with inactivity after having been constrained for nearly a day. Scott was pleased to see the pair, but less pleased when he realized something was wrong. Remy settled on the table, eyes flat and dull. "Gambit?" he questioned.

The thief's eyes turned towards him and he frowned. He'd never seen fear in them before.

*****

Logan growled at the alpha. The pup was upset enough already. There was no need to be questioning him. The alpha snarled at him and pushed himself off of his bed. Logan rolled his eyes. Stubborn bastard, old One-Eye was.

*****

Hank lifted Gambit's chin and checked his eyes. There was no sign of a concussion or anything else of that nature. He was willing to bet that there wasn't anything physically wrong, but he had an almost sick feeling that there was something psychicly wrong. He called Jean down to his lab. Everyone would assume that Scott was being a pain in the ass. Let them.

Scott wracked his brain. His eyes widened. She hadn't. He hadn't meant to let it slip. Damn it.

"Jean?" he queried when she came in. She cocked her head to the side.

"What's wrong?"

"We don't know and he's not talking. Why don't you ask Logan?"

Jean rolled her eyes. "Because he's feral."

"He is?" Scott blinked. "Oh." He rubbed his head. He had a feeling that he was going to forget a lot more before the night was over.

"Y' know," Remy whispered, hands folded in his lap. He was waiting for judgement.

"Gambit, I don't care what that psycho told me," Scott informed him. He touched Remy's hand, knowing the thief was physically oriented. His skin was cold. "LeBeau, what. . . Remy," he tried. The thief's attention was somewhere very far away.

"An' know he's got Roguie. An' he's gonna tell her."

Scott closed his eyes. "Remy, Rogue will be fine. Sinister never kills his subjects."

Remy snorted out a short laugh. "Lot y' know 'bout it." Remy shivered. "He don' kill Summerses. De rest of us be expendable."

"I don't know. He seemed fond of you," Scott said before he could stop his mouth. Hank blinked.

"Oh my stars and garters. Is that the trouble, young man?" Hank took Remy's pulse for lack of anything better to do.

"I thought it was only fair to tell him," Jean stated. "It's his life."

"I wasn't planning on telling him. I was planning to forget I ever heard it," Scott shot back. "This isn't a problem."

"Y' want me out?"

"Where else am I supposed to find a thief?" Scott demanded. "This is your home. I don't give a damn about your past. Only your future."

Remy looked up hopefully. "Honest?"

"I don't lie. Well, not often at least," he amended before Hank could interject.

*****

Logan rubbed the pup's arm and he turned to him. The sparkle was beginning to return to his eyes. Logan smiled in encouragement.

*****

//Jean, am I missing something?//

//Logan has been keeping Remy in line while you were away.// Jean smirked. //Ro and I think it's about time Logan admitted his feelings. It's sweet.//

//Sweet? Logan? Right. You're a freak Jean. But the two of them? Honestly?//

//Can't you see it?//

//Well, yes, but I never thought Logan would overcome his lust for you.//

//He hasn't.// "The professor thinks he's located Bobby."

Remy's eyes lit up with a darkling flame. Scott raised his brow.

"You're staying here, with me," Scott stated.

"Why?"

"Conflict of interest."

"Y' want t' torment po' Remy."

"Exactly."

"Merde."

Jean and Hank left. Logan looked between the two men. Scott jerked his head in the direction Jean had gone and Logan took off.

"I want the whole story, not the propaganda version, Gambit. And then, tell me about your adventures with a feral Logan." Scott grinned.

"Y' evil. Pure evil."

"I wouldn't be wanted if I was nice."

"I don't know. Probably fool a few of the femmes still."

"Talk, Gumbo."

*****

Rogue rubbed at her eyes. Remy was waiting for her to wake up. He was sitting quietly by her bedside, a book in his hand. It was something in Japanese, she could tell that much. "Hey, sugah."

"Welcome back, chere."

She smiled. There was a sadness in his eyes that he didn't want to address. "Where's Bobby?"

"He's in his room. He was fine by the time y'all got back here."

She frowned. "Ya didn't come with them?"

"Scott kept m' here."

"Sugah?" He looked miserable.

"He wanted a run-down on what he'd missed. What he'd f'gotten. Didn't want m' goin' nuts tryin' t' get y' out neither."

Rogue reached out with her bare hand to trace his cheekbone the way she had a million times before. She stopped barely above his skin and Remy didn't move, except to tip his cheek into the non-existant touch. "Oh, Remy," she sighed. "I'm goin' to Scotland," she stated.

He blinked. "T' visit Kurt?"

"To see if Moira can help me."

His jaw dropped. "Chere? Y' goin' alone?" he asked.

A single tear ran down her cheek. She nodded. "I been thinkin' a lot about it recently. I don't want to hurt ya, but this ain't workin'. I've been livin' in this house since I was 16, Remy. I need to try somethin' else. Xavier's too busy. And I ain't wearin' a collar."

"I'll come wit' y', Rogue," Remy said softly.

She shook her head. "No, sugah. Ya need someone who can take care of ya. Ya been takin' care of my needs since ya showed up."

"Because I love y', chere. Rogue, I don' mind takin' care of y'. I can put up wit' anyt'in' y' t'row at m'."

"That's just it, sugah. I need to throw things. I need to be somewhere it don't matter if I get into a screamin' fight. This place is too close, Remy. I need. . ."

"Y' need t' be free, chere. T' grow up." Remy sighed. "I knew it was comin', chere."

"I hate to point this out, swamp rat, but ya're younger'n me."

"But I been married, have a career, have enemies that are mine alone." He smiled at her. "I didn't do my growin' up here, and I don't think I could live with Jean-Luc at the moment without wantin' t' throttle him m'self." He put his hand up to keep her quiet. "I love ya, chere. I always will. I can come t' see y' whenever y' need m'."

"I need to do this alone, Remy. It's over, sugah. For real this time. I ain't gonna play games. I don't want to see ya for awhile. I need to control this before it makes me crazy. Maybe, maybe after."

"Mebbe. Je t'amie, Roguie." He kissed his gloved fingertips and pressed them to her lips. He left her there. His shoulders were tight and she felt like a bitch, but leading him on would have been worse. She wiped angrily at the tear on her cheek. Someday, someday, someone else would do that for her.

*****

Logan frowned. The pup was crying. He could smell it. But when he peered into Spice's area, the pup was just sitting there, staring at a rag toy. He stepped in and the pup bared his teeth in warning. Logan growled at him and shut the door. Spice smelled of pain. He didn't like that. He paced closer and the pup pulled away, back onto his nest, trying to hide among the soft pillows.

*****

Remy clutched the little terrycloth frog like a lifeline. He knew it was stupid, but it was the frog that Mattie had given him the first night he awakened screaming from a nightmare. He'd kept it safe and hidden for a very long time. He'd thought of giving it to Rogue once, but he couldn't bear to be parted from it. It was the only thing he'd never left behind. It rode around in an inside pocket of his trench. He snapped at Logan's fingers when he tried to take it from him. Logan smiled gently and rubbed at the tears Remy didn't know he'd actually let free. He let the Canadian sniff at the toy.

*****

Logan sniffed at the rag. It was impregnated with Spice's scent. He didn't smell the bird on it at all. That was good. He'd seen a lot of those rag things in her nest and he didn't want her to have any excuse to be near the pup. She was gathering the things from her nest right at that moment with Icy's help. Icy didn't seem to be too close with her, so he'd let it slide.

*****

Remy tucked the frog away into his pocket. He looked at Logan through his bangs. He didn't know what the man was up to. He reached out with his charm. Logan was offering comfort, he decided finally. Did he know that Rogue was leaving? Did he even understand that that was why Remy was upset? Probably not, Remy decided. Logan tugged on his bangs. It was an affectionate gesture and Remy felt the tears he'd been mostly able to fight choking him. Logan pulled him into a warm embrace and he let go.

*****

Logan let the pup cry. He wasn't sure what was bothering him, but he'd had a hard two days. The return of the alpha had calmed him down at least. He breathed deep, enjoying the familiar scent. He laid the exhausted pup down and started to move away. He recognized the pup's particular call for him and turned. Spice didn't sound like the rest of the pack. He'd been turned out of his own. He'd probably though that the alpha was going to throw him out of this one two. It was nearing winter and they didn't have near enough food for everyone in the den. He laid down next to the pup and tucked him under his chin.

*****

Remy sighed in contentment as Logan stroked his hair. He liked being petted. Logan always helped him get his head on straight when the nightmares started. He kept them away somehow, like a lucky charm. His mind was even more calm now than usual, his emotions comforting. He slept.

*****

Logan smirked at Remy snuggled close. Then, he started. He wasn't in his room. The Cajun hadn't snuck in in the middle of the night for whatever comfort his heart gave him. He cursed quietly and Remy woke, eyes wide, scared. "Hush, kid. I'm just pissed that I can't remember." He stroked Remy's throat, seeing bruises there. He wanted to know what had happened.

Remy grinned. "Short story?"

"Please."

"Y' went feral. Sinister came. Took Scotty, hurt me. We rescued Scott. Sinister took Rogue an' Bobby. We got them back. Rogue announced she's goin' t' Scotland and broke up wit' m'. Y' came in and held m' last night. Rogue's leavin' this mornin'. Y' should tell her y' ain't mad at her. Y' been t'reatenin' her wit' y' claws."

"Aw, shit. Come on, kid. Let's go say goodbye."

"Remy already said it."

"Gumbo, get yer ass outta that bed and say goodbye to Rogue before I skewer ya."

"Welcome back, Logan," Remy smiled. "Welcome back."

Logan just smiled.

FINIS

Pack Stories XM Library Library Main Page