Chapter Text
There were times when Remy LeBeau was a child that he used to wonder what it was like to be a normal human. He wondered what it was like to grow up in a home with two parents and maybe some brothers or sisters to play with. It was a dream, but mainly he wondered what it was like to look in the mirror and not see a freak looking back at him.
Now he knew. Being a human was boring. Boring and pathetic in this body with no powers.
With the Assassins Guild on his heels life might have been interesting, but now he had the perfect disguise. He was no longer ‘le diable blanc’ as he had been known in the Thieves Guild. Gambit was dead the moment he was hit by the government’s hideous weapon. Now Remy LeBeau was human.
His red on black eyes were gone. Now he viewed the world through green eyes that considered the defences of ‘Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters’. Gifted maybe, but not at keeping people out. He had snuck past what he considered mediocre security devices along the fence. They were easily spotted and avoided, even with the limits of this human body.
Having fled New Orleans and finding himself in New York, he had hoped to disappear into the large city. Instead, he had only found this ill met fate. Going to see what all the fuss was about at a demonstration of mutants had been the worst mistake of his life. Things had turned ugly quickly and the next thing Remy knew the government soldiers started shooting into the crowd of mutants with their powerful weapons. It was hard to accept that with all his skills he couldn’t escape a simple dart. A dart that stripped him of his powers.
This school was more than it appeared to be and it was the only target that interested him at this moment. He had heard rumours from living on the street that this school was the reason the antidote had been developed. The news said it was some fancy-pants executive in San Francisco, but the mutant community in New York said otherwise. Remy didn’t care either way. The people at this school were powerful mutants. Breaking into their compound would prove to himself that he was still the best.
Remy skulked through the shadows with determination. Until now, what he stole didn’t matter. But thinking about the beat up car he had driven here, a new set of wheels would be sweet. Setting his sights on the garage, Remy made it to an isolated side door without detection. Picking the locks wasn’t even a challenge.
“Sittin’ ducks,” Remy snorted to himself and stepped into the dimly lit garage.
Quickly his eyes took inventory and dismissed the kid’s bicycles, mini-vans and even the few sports cars. His hungry gaze settled on the Harley-Davidson V-ROD motorcycle and he smiled.
Remy walked silently towards it and caressed the chrome with care. “Now dat’s more like it. Pretty new ride’ll cheer Remy up.”
The more than one hundred thousand dollar price tag didn’t hurt either and that didn’t take into consideration the extensive modifications he was admiring. Remy was already thinking about the new outfit he would have to buy to rival this new beauty. He could always have her repainted to match with one of his favourite colours… red, or fuchsia. And maybe he would get a custom black leather jacket with piping in fuchsia.
Moving with grace, he straddled the seat and caressed the handles. Someone loved this bike, but now it was his new toy. It was almost laughable how he overrode the so-called ‘top of the line’ alarm system.
He roared out of the garage and away from the school thinking he hadn’t been detected.
* * *
Logan had been lying on his bed smoking a Cuban cigar when he heard the roar of Scott’s motorcycle. For a moment he thought of Scott coming back to the school, but that was only fleeting. He would never forget that Cyclops was lost to him forever. The deaths of Scott and Jean would always haunt him.
Hope was crushed ruthlessly and replaced instantly by rage. Someone had dared to touch Scott’s bike. The only person allowed to do that was him. Whoever that fool riding off on the Harley was about to face the Wolverine’s full wrath.
“Gonna fuckin’ kill’em!” Logan growled before he launched himself off the bed.
Not even bothering with the door, he jumped out of the open second story window and landed without dropping his cigar. The iron gates leading out of the garden were his first victim and were slashed open with his claws. It was the opposite direction of the front gates, but Logan knew that the road leading away from the school looped around and by cutting through this wooded area he would catch the asshole off guard.
The anger built as he ran and with each footstep, he wanted to smell and taste blood. A part of his mind tried to hold back just in case it was one of the students, but the other part roared that it didn’t matter. No one stole his property. They were going to pay with massive amounts of pain. He took one last puff of the Cuban and flicked it away, wanting no distractions.
He could hear the Harley accelerating down the road and smell the exhaust in the air. Crouching down by the road, he wanted to cause minimal damage to the bike. He sheathed his claws and waited. The speed of the approach was no deterrent as Logan launched himself into the air at least twenty feet. It was skill and good timing that allowed him to drop down onto the back of the bike.
The suspension groaned with the shock of added weight and the Harley started to fishtail. Logan wrapped an arm around Remy’s waist and the claws of his other hand came out to press against Remy’s throat.
“Stop the fuckin’ bike!” Logan growled into Remy’s ear. “Every scratch she gets, you get double.”
Remy felt the claw starting to cut into his throat and he let up on the accelerator. Pain flared as the blood started to run down his throat and stain his shirt. Even as the bike screeched to a stop, the blood was starting to trickle down his shoulder to his arms.
“Ya can have de Harley,” Remy croaked. “All yours.”
Logan pressed his victim back against his chest and cut his claws deeper into the soft flesh. “It IS mine. Ya chose the wrong person to steal from, bub. This is gonna scar up nice if I let ya live.”
Remy’s hand shot up and he gripped Logan’s wrist tightly. “Please, jus’ made a mistake.”
Logan leaned in real close. Close enough he could smell the fresh blood and whispered huskily into Remy’s ear. “Real big mistake. Ya stole from the Wolverine.”
Logan could feel a new tension tighten the kid’s body until it felt like he would suddenly shatter apart into a million pieces. Relinquishing the tight hold he had on the kid proved to be a mistake. He’d only let up a fraction and suddenly the kid’s elbow bashed into his midsection causing him to grunt more in surprise than pain. It also served to knock him backward off the bike. As he looked up from his position on the ground, Logan watched in shock as the kid swung his leg over the bike, putting it directly between them. His hands held tightly to the handlebar keeping it in place.
Logan didn’t like the malicious glint in the boy’s green eyes as he started to stand. The punk was going to pull something, the fear-smell of him lessening. He wasn’t prepared for what happened next. With a slight shove from the kid’s hand, the bike began to topple over sideways.
* * *
Remy ran.
He could hear the snarling and cursing of the Wolverine behind him and it only fuelled his legs to move faster, put more distance between them. Remy had known that the man would have seen to his precious motorcycle first before coming in search of him. He headed straight for the edge of the woods, dropping onto the cushioned kneepads that he’d worn over the top of his black leather pants, and slid down the ten feet to the wooded floor of the forest. Scrambling up, Remy forced himself to run even faster. Thorny vines tried to catch at his boots, low lying branches scratched at his face and grabbed at his clothing as he desperately fought his way through the vegetation. His breath was coming in hot bursts from his lungs and sweat was running in rivulets from his hairline.
There was a grouping of dense cover ahead. Never slowing for a second, Remy’s hands shot out and grabbed at a small sapling tree. Swinging himself around, he slid into his new found cover like a runner making it to home plate. He lay panting on his stomach, forcing his breathing to slow, his blood to stop pounding out the intense rhythm in his head so he could listen for Wolverine’s approach.
It could have been hours but was more likely minutes before Remy heard the older man’s voice. “So, you wanna play games? I’ve always been good at hide and seek.”
Wolverine’s voice seemed to come from every direction but Remy forced himself to lie still, not to move. He watched the ground carefully, waiting to see if he would need to run from his hiding place. A pair of boots came clearly into vision and Remy found himself holding his breath. The boots stopped for several long moments before continuing on.
Remy’s brain was shouting every curse he could think of in both English and Cajun. Leaning his head down, he let his forehead rest against the soft earth and tried to think of a way out of the mess he’d gotten himself into. His thought process didn’t last long as a strong hand attached itself to his ankle. Scrabbling to cling to the brush he was hidden in didn’t help Remy as he found himself yanked out with a surprising amount of force. He rolled over onto his back and kicked, catching Wolverine in the upper thigh with the foot not being held in a death grip.
“Son of a bitch!” The older man dropped the foot for just a moment but it was enough to allow Remy to get on his feet. He took up a fighter’s stance, raising his fists to protect his face. He knew it wouldn’t do any good if those claws came back out again. What he wouldn’t give to be able to charge something and send the big man flying backwards.
“Wasn’t lookin’ for a fight. Remy gave you de bike back.”
Wolverine growled low in his throat. “Wasn’t yours to touch in the first place, kid. Now you’re gonna pay the price.”
“Non! Was a mistake! Needed wheels ‘n’ dat was all.” He took a few steps back but kept himself ready even though he’d let his arms drop down to his sides.
“Had your pick of the litter in that garage and still you went for the most expensive piece sittin’ in there.” Wolverine advanced another step on him. He mirrored it and moved back again.
It happened so quick that Remy could barely register what happened. One moment Wolverine was in front of him, the next Remy was on the ground with a big pissed off man trying to force him six feet into the ground. He spat. He cursed. He wiggled, punched, clawed, and bit at the powerful figure above him to no avail. The last image he had was of Wolverine’s fist closing in on his face before everything faded to black.
* * *
Logan wearily dropped into the chair he had pulled close to the medical bed where Remy was summarily strapped down. The damn kid was nothing but a bundle of raw energy and fierce determination. If he didn’t heal so easily Logan knew he’d be a mass of bruises and scratches. Kid was definitely a street fighter if he’d even seen one, but the lean muscle mass on him showed that he was obviously into something other than just street fighting.
Logan rolled his head and felt the vertebrae give a tension relieving pop. He’d gotten many an odd look from the kids as he’d walked in with the kid… Remy he’d heard him say… slung over his shoulders like a duffel bag. He hadn’t spoken a word to any of them, just headed straight for what served as the medical ward. Now that the kid was carefully strapped in, he’d be able to check him over for any serious damage that might’ve been caused. There was something strange about the red-haired punk that he couldn’t quite place and the anger over having Scott’s bike stolen from him still fuelled a bit of anger in the pit of his stomach.
Logan’s gaze drifted around the room and he found himself remembering his own time spent in here. Of course, the vision that would greet Remy’s eyes when he woke up wouldn’t be nearly as feminine and pretty as Jean had been. The knot in his stomach clenched tighter as her death poured though him unwanted. With those memories came Scott and he wasn’t ready to deal with that yet at all. Their last words hadn’t been on good terms… hadn’t been much of anything at all really. It was the all encompassing memories that kept Logan’s senses from picking up the other presence in the room.
“My god, Logan, what did you to do him?”
Logan looked up to see Storm starring at the kid in shock. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned back in the chair. “Think I broke him.”
“Who is he?” Storm was already moving swiftly to the side of the medical bed. Her eyes immediately settled on the mess of blood soaked bandages at Remy’s neck.
“Said his name was Remy,” Logan answered. He knew the patch up job on the kid was clumsy at best, but then again, he never had the need to develop that skill. “Bet that’s a lie though. The asshole tried to steal Scott’s bike from me. He got what he deserved.”
Storm peeled away the bandages to reveal a thin, precision wound that was a perfect match to Logan’s claws. “He deserved to almost be beheaded?” Storm snapped with disgust.
Logan snorted and shook his head. “If I wanted to behead him, I would’ve. I was just playing with him at that point.”
She pushed away Remy’s hair from his face and looked at him intently. “Logan, he’s just a boy. He could easily be one of our students…”
“But he’s not!” Logan got up so swiftly the chair he was sitting on was pushed away. “He’s a fucking thief! He came into our school and endangered the lives of our kids. So, don’t give him any pity, Storm, ‘cause he doesn’t deserve it.”
Storm finished cutting fresh strips of gauze and was securing them around Remy’s neck. Now that she had gotten a look at the wound, she could see it wasn’t deep enough to need stitches. “Why is he strapped down?”
“When he wakes up, I doubt he’s gonna be happy to be here. Besides, I’m not done with him yet and don’t intend to let him get away.”
Storm gently touched the young man’s face. He wasn’t any older than Bobby or Rogue and she wondered what made him so desperate to break into a compound full of powerful mutants. “I won’t deny that caution is in order. He slipped in undetected?”
“I only got a whiff of him when I heard the Harley taking off,” Logan confirmed. “Why don’t you just leave him to me, eh?”
“I think not,” Storm dismissed the idea right away. “What did you plan on doing, Logan? Interrogating him? Then what? He needs medical attention. I think he has a concussion.”
Logan was getting more and more agitated. There was just something about the kid that made his skin itch. It went beyond his usual distrust of people. This boy was bad news. The feral side of him that he kept caged had reacted to the chase, wanting more. It wanted to lash out at him in a powerful way that was confusing to Logan.
“I’ll get my answers then I can always dump him off at some local hospital.”
“And endanger the school by bringing us unwanted attention after everything we’ve been through?” Storm shook her head and glared at Logan for bringing this down on them. “The authorities will want to talk to us. Even if we dumped him off anonymously, someone could trace him back to us or he could try to seek revenge on us.”
“Him?” Logan laughed. “He put up a good fight for a human, but he’s no match for a mutant. He comes back here looking for trouble and I’ll end it for good.”
“You seem quite intent on hating the boy,” Storm sighed. When she probed Remy’s chest checking for broken ribs, she heard him give a soft whimper. Logan had been so close to the edge that she knew Logan was taking out his guilt and anger on this stranger. She had hoped Logan would find an outlet, but she had thought it would be a mission, not a boy. “The motorcycle isn’t Scott.”
“He loved it,” Logan growled. The rage in him was bubbling close to the surface and it was hard to control the desire to lash out. “That’s enough.”
“You could have easily killed this… Remy, for a worldly possession. Neither Scott nor Jean would have approved.”
Logan’s claws itched to come out as his temper snapped and he bellowed, “Don’t you dare fuckin’ tell me what either of them would’ve wanted!”
The loud noise caused a reaction from Remy who was starting to slip back into consciousness. Even in the blackness, he recognized the pure rage of the Wolverine and thought it was directed at him. He started to thrash on the bed, fighting against the restraints in his need to get away.
Storm was trying to press down on his shoulders to stop him from injuring himself anymore with the violent movements, but wasn’t being very successful. “Logan!” Storm shouted. “Help me hold him down!”
Remy’s eyes snapped open and settled on Logan. “Non!” His struggles became even more desperate and the restraints started to cut into his skin.
Logan reached and grabbed Remy by the throat, just above his wound. He thumped the struggling figure back down and Remy’s eyes went wide with fright. “Stop it!” Logan growled.
Remy stopped struggling, but his breath was quick. “Don’t wanna die,” Remy begged in a hoarse voice.
Logan tightened his grip on Remy’s throat and leaned in real close. Brutality was the only thing that types like this understood. He whispered into Remy’s ear so that Storm couldn’t hear him. “The only reason you’re alive is because I let ya keep breathing. You don’t breathe without my say so. You so much as look crossed-eyed at this nice lady or anyone else, then you’ll be in a world a pain. Nod nice and pretty if you understand me.” Remy nodded silently and gasped for breath when Logan loosened his hold. Logan looked up at Storm and grinned ferally. “I think the boy will behave himself now.”
“There’s no need for violence!” Storm snapped. Logan knew he had to back off when mist started to swirl around the corners of the room, signalling her dangerous mood.
“We were just coming to an understanding. Weren’t we, boy?”
When Remy didn’t answer, Logan jabbed him in the ribs with his finger. “Y-Yes, Boss.” Remy answered in a shaky voice.
“You’re not gonna cause any trouble, are ya?”
“No, Boss.”
Storm moved to the side of the bed and looked down at Remy. She hated Logan’s tactics and maybe a kind word would go much farther than violence. “I understand you stole a motorcycle.”
Remy didn’t answer her right away. First he looked at Logan and waited for the older man to nod before he answered. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Why did you steal from us?”
Again Remy looked to Logan for permission to speak. The man’s sour expression told him the answer had better be a good one, or he would be experiencing that promised pain. “’Cause Remy could.” When Logan’s expression darkened even more, he quickly added, “It’s the truth! Jus’ wanted a challenge. Wanted somethin’ new ta play wit.”
Storm seemed to consider this for a moment and turned to Logan. “I’d like to speak to you for minute.”
Logan growled at Remy as he got up. “Behave, boy.” He followed Storm to the other side of the room where they would be out of ear shot of Remy, but Logan still kept a careful eye on him. “What do ya want, Storm? You heard him. He stole from me.”
“Doesn’t look like too much of a mastermind to me at the moment. Now he just looks like a terrified boy.”
Logan crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Don’t let him fool ya, Storm.”
“I shall defer my judgement of the boy until I get to know him better.” When Logan gave her a dark glower, she shook her head at him. “Don’t give me that look. He’s here and until we can sort out his story and injuries, here is where he will stay. I don’t need any more trouble raining down on this school.” She decided then that perhaps a risky strategy was in order to get Logan to confront his pain. For whatever reason, he reacted to this young man. Perhaps by taking responsibility for him, he would learn to over come his burdens. “So, now he’s your problem. While he’s under our roof, you’re responsible for Remy’s behaviour. Make sure he stays out of trouble… and unhurt.”
Logan looked far from happy. But he had brought this down on the school, so it was only right he cleaned up the mess. He didn’t think the kid would be here more than a few days before he was healed up enough to boot out on his ass. Then Logan smiled darkly at the thought. In those days, it could be fun to terrorize the kid and make him pay for stealing and damaging Scott’s motorcycle.
“Yeah, fine.”
Storm reached out and laid a hand on Logan’s bicep. “I’m going to trust you with him, Logan. I think you should keep him away from the students for now. I don’t think keeping him tied down here will do anyone any good. There are empty secure rooms up on the third floor with decent locks on the doors and windows. I’ll make sure you have a key to his quarters. If he’s not with you… for now, I think he should be kept in a secure location.”
It was the rooms that some of the new and sometimes troubled students stayed in until they got themselves and their powers under control. The last student to stay there had been under suicide watch.
“I get to be the kid’s jailor,” Logan huffed. “Got it.”
Storm ignored the comment and continued. “He’s going to need new clothing. When you take him upstairs, I’ll make sure some are laid out on the bed. We always keep some extras around for situations like this.”
“Don’t want him walking around in blood soaked clothes so he won’t scare the kiddies. Check.”
Storm simply rolled her eyes at the sarcasm. “Make sure you watch him, I think he has a mild concussion. Other than that, it will only take time to heal the other wounds. Make sure they stay clean. If he causes you any problems, come see me.” This time it was Logan who rolled his eyes at her. “I’ll leave you then.”
Remy watched as the woman with the white hair left the room and he was alone with the Wolverine. He hadn’t heard what they were saying, but the man did not look impressed. Logan sauntered back to the medical bed and leaned down so that he was close enough for his whiskers to tickle Remy’s cheek. He was smiling in a way that gave Remy no comfort whatsoever.
“Understand one thing, bub. From here on out, I own you.”
Swallowing down the lump rising in his throat, Remy simply nodded his head. “Remy don’t wanna ‘cause no trouble with de Wolverine.”
“Shouldn’t have stolen the bike in the first place then. Never would’ve been in this damn mess if ya would have kept your hands to yourself.” Remy watched as the man undid the restraints holding him to the bed. “Come on then, get up. Ain’t got all day to be standing here watching you lie around. Storm’s probably got a room ready for you for now.”
Remy slowly flexed his wrists, twirling them around to get the circulation going again. Sitting up and sliding to the end of the medical bed, he gave the older man an inquisitive look. Not sensing any real danger from the man, even if he was scared shitless at the moment, Remy stood up. The Wolverine took a few steps closer to him, but Remy held his ground though dropping his gaze to the floor. “Remy’ll follow de Wolverine, oui?”
“Remy will go first so I know you’re not planning nothing on me. And quit calling me Wolverine anyway. Bad enough the rest of the kids in this damn place like to call me that when they think I’m not paying attention. It’s Logan, plain and simple. Though I have a feeling you won’t be stickin’ around long enough to use it.” Remy looked up and found a sneer directed at him. “Don’t even think about it. Move.”
With a small shove, Remy was ushered towards the door.
He was careful not to let Logan know that he was checking things out. Every security camera placement was filed away along with doors having entry coded panels or palm scanners. On top of that, Remy was mentally counting his footsteps.
It wasn’t until they got close to the common room that his steps faltered a bit. The sounds of laughter in this place, this sudden prison for him, had Remy slowing his pace for his first look at the children of the school. Some were playing with the foosball table and a few were sitting on seats by the window talking, while others were engaged in something on the television screen. They seemed happy enough, but Remy had learned the hard way that things weren’t always what they seemed.
A movement in front of him caught Remy’s attention. A pretty girl with a streak of white hair was hurrying down the hallway towards them. He noticed the way her stride slowed up as she approached him. For a fleeting moment, he thought she was going to speak to him but her eyes took him in for only a second and then settled on the man behind him.
Logan’s rough demeanour softened a little when he saw her. “Marie.”
“Hi, Logan.”
Remy turned to watch the byplay. The girl called Marie stepped up to Logan with a small smile lighting her face up, making her look as if the sun had come out.
“Are ya going to be in the danger room scenario with the team today?”
Logan shook his head. “Got some other things to take care of. Might swing by later on though and take a peek to see how they’re doin’. Where’s Bobby?”
Remy caught a flicker of a darker emotion wash over Marie’s face just for a moment. “Doing homework from trig with Kitty.” She gave a shrug. “I’ll look for ya later on then. Bye.”
Logan called a goodbye after her as Marie headed into the common room. “Whatcha staring at, kid? Get moving. I don’t got all day to be standing around here watching you.” Logan gave Remy another small shove as they started walking again.
* * *
Logan was leery about leaving Remy alone in the room. His instincts all but screamed intruder but Storm had practically shoved him out the door.
“Give him some time to get settled in, Logan. The kid’s had a rough day being chased down and mauled by you. You’ll give him a complex.”
Pacing his room, Logan tried hard to relax. His mind kept going back to earlier, watching as Scott’s bike started to topple over on its side. He’d caught that damn devilish grin the kid, Remy, had given him as he let go of it. He’d moved it out of the road and farther down into a clearing until he could get this bit of trouble squared away. He started for the door, opening it to find Storm standing there with a raised fist just about to knock.
“Kid giving you trouble?”
Storm lowered her hand and shook her head. “No, not at the moment. He certainly raised your hackles though.”
Logan shook his head. “He’s gonna be nothin’ but trouble. I’m warning you. Keeping him here is not gonna be the lesser of two evils, Storm. You seem to have a penchant for strays.”
Storm brushed past Logan as she entered his room. “We kept you didn’t we?”
Logan mentally counted to ten, shut the door, and turned to face the new headmistress of the school. “I’m guessing you wanna talk to me?”
Storm crossed her arms over her chest. “I want you to talk to him, Logan.”
With a rather eerie chuckle, Logan fixed his gaze on Storm’s. “Think that’s wise? Seeing as… how’d you put it earlier… I chased him down and mauled him? Kid ain’t gonna want to talk to me. I certainly don’t wanna talk to him either.” He turned away from her, walking over to stare out the window onto the courtyard below. Eyes drawn to the three monuments that decorated the lawn, he clenched his fists, fighting the urge to claw the damn draperies into shreds.
“He didn’t know the bike was Scott’s.”
“He shouldn’t have damn well been tryin’ to steal anything in the first place!” Logan roared, spinning around to face Storm. He took a step towards her, eyes blazing. “Don’t try to defend him, Storm. He’s nothin’ more than a petty thief!”
A ripple of wind swept through the room. Logan backed down, not wanting to start an argument that would end with him zinging through and through with one well placed bolt of lightening. “Taking it out on him won’t bring them back, Logan.”
Quick as it was said, Logan’s anger boiled over again. He pointed at her, his finger making a harsh jabbing motion. “Don’t. Just, don’t.” Logan grabbed for his jacket on the nearby chair and started for the door, not slowing a step as he headed down the hallway.
“Logan! Where are you going? Logan!”
Another gust of wind, this one coming directly at him, forced him to slow down.
He whirled around to see Storm standing no more than twenty feet away, hands planted firmly on her hips and her mouth set in a hard line. “Are you going to run off again because you can’t handle what you’re feeling? I need your help here, Logan.”
Gritting his teeth, he forced the words out. “I’m going to get the bike and bring it back. Do I need to get a pass for that?”
There was a tense moment of silence, each staring down the other from opposite ends of the hallway. It was as if everything froze for that moment, until Storm’s mouth twitched just slightly and she waved her hand at him. “Go. Just… don’t do anything stupid, Logan. I’m not the only one who needs you here, the children do as well.”
* * *
Remy waited several minutes after he heard the lock click on the door before even daring to move. Taking in his shredded clothes, he knew he had to change, but stared with distaste at the only option open to him. The woman had left a plain white t-shirt on the bed with a new pair of jeans. Worst of all there was a pair of white socks and sneakers. If he put those on, he would look like just another teenager and he hated that.
There really wasn’t any option but to escape. Staying where he was and hoping for the best was the plan of a fool. And Remy LeBeau was no fool. Remy picked up the shirt and held it in his hands.
“Maybe not such a bad idea ta blend in,” he sighed and started to pull off his wrecked shirt. Standing there in just his tight and wrecked jeans he ran his fingers up the supple, expensive leather boots until they stopped mid-shin. Undoing the buckles, he knew he would be able to run better in the sneakers.
“Can’t believe Remy gotta sacrifice his style ta escape… de sacrifices ain’t worth it sometimes.”
Once he had taken off his clothes, he changed into the clothing they provided with distaste.
The lock on the window wasn’t even a challenge. Jean-Luc had showed him how to pick the supposedly tamper proof lock shortly after he’d gotten his first lock pick kit for what they celebrated as his birthday. Now he was able to pop the lock with a piece of wire he pulled from an electrical outlet in the wall. Not taking the changes that there was a silent alarm on the window, Remy didn’t hesitate to climb down three stories using the drain pipe.
As his feet hit the ground, he took off running. He knew the Wolverine would be off collecting that motorcycle, but Remy didn’t know how much time that gave him.
* * *
Marie tore into the greenhouse where Storm was tending to her beloved plants. She was in such a hurry that she knocked over a delicate orchid.
“Whoa, slow down!” Storm called out. When she saw Marie’s face, she knew something serious had happened. “What’s wrong?”
“That kid… he tried to get away,” Marie told her. She was breathing heavily from having run the length of the school and several flights of stairs to get here. “Logan found him.”
Storm pulled off her gloves and started to walk quickly towards the door of the greenhouse. “Where are they?”
“In the sub-basement,” Marie answered and jogged to keep up with here. “Logan was dragging him to the cells.”
She hated to rely on the students where she had once relied on Xavier, Scott and Jean for support. But even without her powers, Marie was still one of the X-Men and maybe the only person who could reach Logan when he was in a rage.
“Was the boy conscious this time?” Storm asked as they ran down the halls.
“He was yelling and fighting somethin’ fierce.” She’d been in the game room playing pool with Bobby when she’d heard the young man screaming from down the hall. Logan hauled him in through the main doors, dragging him by a fistful of hair. Her stomach rolled as she remembered the blood droplets on the floor that had dropped from Remy’s nose.
Storm and Marie caught up to Logan just outside the cells near the danger room, in the highest security area of the compound. Remy was down on his knees beside Logan, kept in place by Logan’s hand still fisted in his hair. With his free hand, he was typing in the security code to the cell.
“Logan, what in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Storm challenged him.
“The lil’ fucker tried to escape,” Logan growled. “Thought he could get away from me.”
“Let the boy go, Logan,” Storm implored him. “He’s terrified and hurt.”
“Should be.” Logan grinned ferally when the doors to the cell whooshed open and he dragged Remy inside by the hair. “Let’s see you try to get out of this! It’s designed for a powerful mutant and a sorry lil’ piece of shit like you won’t be able to get out.”
“Logan, we need to discuss this,” Storm tried to reason with him, but something told her this wasn’t the Logan she knew. Something about this boy had brought out the feral side of Wolverine and she could see it in his eyes. She hadn’t seen him like since the night he was forced to kill the Phoenix. It was terrifying to think that there was something about this young man that triggered the same reactions that the Phoenix had burnt into Logan. His vicious reaction wasn’t logical and it wasn’t the Logan she knew. It terrified her. “Did he take anything?”
Logan at least let go of Remy’s hair, but shoved him into the corner behind him. He started to pace in front of Remy as his claws unsheathed. “No, but…”
“But, what?” Marie asked this time. “If he didn’t take anything, then why are you freakin’ out?”
“Get out of here, Marie,” Logan snapped at her. “This is no place for…”
Marie’s eyes narrowed. “A kid?”
“No, a decent person,” Logan snapped back. He pointed down at Remy’s cowering form and kicked him with his boot for emphasis. “I don’t want you around the likes of him.”
Storm stepped in front of Marie, shielding her from the man’s angry gaze. “I think this has gone far enough, Logan. What would you do if I said we were going to let the boy go?”
His claws where still out and Logan’s lips curled with a soft snarl. “Track him down again.”
“And then?”
Logan hesitated for a moment and he looked down at the kid who didn’t look like much a threat right now. He hadn’t spoken or begged since Logan had decked him in the face. The once white shirt was stained with blood and Remy’s head was bowed, hidden behind his hair. Remy’s knees where pulled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them.
He wanted to say that he would make Remy pay. But the question now was, pay for what? “I don’t know! I just know that I won’t let you…”
The situation was tense and could easily explode if she wasn’t careful. She had to get Logan away from the boy and deal with the aftermath once he was safe. “We’ll lock him up. Okay, Logan?” Logan considered her with an intense glare and she continued, “Right here.”
“He’ll try to get away again,” Logan shook his head and started pacing in front of Remy.
“But he won’t,” Storm assured him. “You know this place could even hold Sabertooth. There’s no getting out and no one’s getting in unless you want them to. No windows… no outside communication…”
Remy shivered at the description of everything that meant solitary confinement in his experience. The Hole. His Papa had told him what that could do to a man. Except this time, he would have the Wolverine as a guard who could come and go as he pleased. Remy whimpered at the idea, especially after all the things the big man had whispered in his ear the second time he caught him.
When Logan heard Remy whimper, he kicked him sharply with his boot again. Remy pulled in on himself even more and wished he still had his powers or the protection of the Thieves Guild to rely on.
There was a charge of static lightening in the small room as Storm’s temper flared. But she kept it under control, knowing she had to get Logan away from the boy before he snapped. She didn’t want to punish anyone for someone else’s fury, but it was the only way to protect him for now. “The sooner we lock him up, the lesser the chance is he’ll escape again.”
“Maybe…” Logan considered this and it seemed to make sense, even to his fury hazed mind. He sheathed his claws and knelt down by Remy. Leaning in close he whispered, “Remember what I told you out there, boy? Remember that if you so much as consider escaping again.”
“Sorry, Boss,” Remy croaked out in a broken voice. He risked looking up and grabbing Logan’s wrist. “Remy’s really sorry… won’t run again, big man. Promise. Remy can be real nice… no reason to leave Remy in here…”
Logan leaned in even closer, not wanting Storm and Marie to hear. “I know you’d spread your legs for me like some cheap whore, boy, but I don’t touch garbage.”
Logan wrenched his wrist out of Remy’s grasp and turned even as he heard Remy start to sob, completely broken. He kept his back turned even as he smelt the delicious scent of tears. This was an old feeling that was dark and steeped in the memories and experiments of Alkalie Lake. It didn’t matter if Storm didn’t see it in Remy… he did. The Wolverine had marked him as dangerous and right now his instincts were screaming, drowning out any reason.
It tore Storm apart to leave that terrified boy alone in that room. She heard him begging not to be left alone and she locked gazes with those green eyes as the door shut. “Why?” It was the last whispered plea before the door muffled all sound from the room. Now Remy was cut off from the rest of the world and they were left with an out of control Logan to deal with.
* * *
Remy couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this terrified. Tears rolling down his face and his breath hitching with each intake, he tried to back further into the corner but there was no more space available to him. Burying his tearstained face into his knees he tried to force air into his burning lungs. Each breath felt restricted, his throat burned with every aching sob that he admitted into the room, his new prison.
Every inch of him seemed to throb and each terrified shudder that wracked through his body only made it worse. Lifting his head as well as his hands, Remy clenched his fists tight until the nails cut into his own palm. He wanted his powers. With another sob, he drew himself upright taking in the stark surroundings. There was a bed, a toilet, and a sink. Not a single window, no mirror, just a plain cell. But it would soon be so much more than that. It would be his living hell for as long as the Wolverine wished for it to be.
Terror gave way to anger. She’d allowed him to be left here, Storm. The woman who’d seemed so compassionate had left him here to be punished as Logan saw fit. An outcast among outcasts was what he was. Trembling, he made his way to the bed and sat down. Breathing was becoming easier. The haze of thoughts was clearing now and he could concentrate on the situation. Remy looked down at the clothing he’d been forced into wearing. They were tattered, the once pristine white shirt now covered in blood from his nosebleed.
“Coulda been de man’s claws. Coulda ripped Remy to shreds instead of jus’ punchin’ me in de face,” he mumbled to himself.
It could have been much worse. He could have been killed. His mind started to replay the entire scene but as soon as he got close to remembering what it was that Logan had said out there he yanked himself off the bed and started pacing. Remy wouldn’t think about that. Not now. It wouldn’t help him anyway, just make the worst of the tremors come back.
He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth rubbing the silver barbell piercing as he tried to think of a way to get out the predicament he was in. He paced the room, counting out the distance between bed and door. Remy knew he wouldn’t try to rush Logan if he was the one who came back in. Maybe Storm, or even the girl, Marie, but not the big man. He didn’t want to be anywhere near Logan. For the first time in a long time he wished that he hadn’t strayed from New Orleans. Safer to face the Guild than to face an angry Wolverine.
Squashing that line of thought before Julien’s face could rise in his mind. Remy gave the room another glance. Much more clearheaded than before, he noticed the darker panel that was next to the door. He walked carefully up to it. Tinted bullet proof glass was overlaying that small section. He traced the outline of the panel with a fingertip, all the while leaning down to discern what was so important to be behind something so out of place in a solitary confinement cell. Squinting he noticed the small pinhole. Remy’s brain kicked into overdrive. A covered pinhole would no doubt be a surveillance camera, a small one on a fiberoptic cable that would run to a computer monitoring system on another level no doubt. He was being watched. He grinned stupidly into the camera, masking the fear he felt as best as he could. Where one was watched one was also being listened to as well.
“Tas de merde.” [Pile of Shit] He raised his hand to flip the bird at the camera before going back to the bed to lie down. If they were watching, he’d get a reaction out of them. Didn’t matter to him at that point, even if the fear was trying to reinstate itself in Remy’s mind. He couldn’t take the waiting, couldn’t take the quiet. He’d gladly suffer whatever they wanted to throw at him. And maybe, just maybe, one of them would fuck up just enough for him to try to escape again.
* * *
Marie turned to look at Logan, who was too busy pacing the control room and mumbling to hear or see what it was that Remy had done. Of course, it didn’t escape Storm’s notice, whose eyes widen just a fraction at the gesture.
“He’s got guts,” Marie said, turning a small smile in Storm’s direction.
Storm’s disapproving frown had the younger girl forcing a neutral look back onto her face. “Luckily they’re not all over the floor at the moment.” Gaze turning back to Logan, she watched as he turned from the one side and started back across to the other. Claws extended and a low growl continually emanating from his throat, Logan was pretty much oblivious to the two of them there. He reminded Storm so much of a caged animal. In truth, that was what he was at the moment. Something very instinctual had been unleashed and she wasn’t sure if she could tame that primal urge in him. It was moments like these that Logan would normally take off, riding Scott’s precious motorcycle for hours before returning completely exhausted. His clothes ragged and torn, even bloodstained at times.
It was Marie who made the first attempt. Striding over to stand right in Logan’s path with hands planted on her hips, she looked him square in the eyes when he came to halt in front of her. “He’s just a kid, Logan.” He growled at her, but she didn’t back down. “Probably my age.”
“He’s more than that, girl. He’s a thief. He’s trouble.”
Marie shook her head. “You got him back, didn’t ya? Drug him by his hair right back into the school, in front of all the students. Do you know what they’re whispering right now? You know how scared some of the little ones were seein’ you act like that?”
Logan closed his eyes for a moment, head bowed and shoulders slumped. “Need to protect them from that kid.” He raised his head, looking first at Marie then over to Storm. “He’s trouble, Storm. I’m telling you for the final time.”
Stepping forward, Storm nodded her acceptance of what Logan was saying. “So, what do we do then, Logan? Keep him under lock and key until he’s old and grey? You need to help me out here, tell me what’s going on in that thick skull of yours because I’m at a total loss as to why you’re so touchy over this kid.”
“He stole Scott’s bike!” Logan’s voice echoed loudly throughout the control room. He violated something sacred to Logan and dared to come into the Wolverine’s territory. “He snuck onto the school grounds, picked his way through the security, and rode out of here on something that didn’t belong to him! Isn’t that reason enough for you? Some stupid, punk kid can get through here and take something from us and that doesn’t have you the least bit worried, Storm? What if it was one of the kids he took next time?”
Pressing the small advantage that she had, Storm stepped up, eyes ablaze. “It wasn’t one of the children! It was nothing more than chrome and steel!”
“It was all I had left of him!”
“I don’t care!” Storm snapped back at him. “You’re acting like a monster with that boy being the centre of all your rage and sorrow. He didn’t kill Scott! Jean did. The boy… Remy didn’t take Scott away from you.”
A part of his mind recognized the logic to her argument, but the strongest part of his feral instinct coursing through him denied it. “He’s human garbage.”
Storm turned with frustration and gust of wind from nowhere rustled through her air. “I see you will not see reason, Logan. I will make this perfectly clear. I will protect that boy.”
Logan eyes were now glued on the screen of the boy’s figure lounging on the bunk. “I could’ve killed him any time I wanted. I didn’t.”
“He’s wounded and needs medical attention. I’m going to go in and…”
“No!” Logan cut her off with a deep, rumbling growl. The idea of anyone touching the kid disturbed him. “You’ll only do it if I’m there. Marie stays here in case he tries anything.”
Marie was taking in the whole encounter in silence, but nodded. She would stay here and watch the monitors. If Logan snapped, she would have to call Bobby and Peter. Now was the first time she regretted her decision to be freed of her powers.
“Fine,” Storm agreed simply because she wanted to tend to Remy’s injuries. If Logan got out of hand, then she would be forced to deal with him using her powers. She grabbed the first aid kit from the room and started to walk towards the cell, followed by Logan.
After Storm entered the security code and the door began to slide open, Logan pushed his way past her. “It’s best I go in first.”
“Didn’t take long for ya to come back,” Remy said. He was still sprawled on the bunk and looked up at Logan through the fringed of his bangs. “Miss Remy much?”
“Fuckin’, punk,” Logan growled. He could still smell the fear rolling off the boy and hated that he was successfully covering it with that cocky attitude. “If you so much as try…”
“We’re here to treat your injuries,” Storm cut Logan off tersely. She set the first aid kit on the edge of the sink and opened it. “Your nose appeared to be bleeding. Do you think it’s broken?”
“Non,” Remy answered and sat up on the edge of the bunk. He gaze was moving suspiciously between Storm and Logan. “Remy’s jus’ fine. Be even better if ya let Remy go.”
“That’s not going to happen until…” Storm looked over at Logan who was again pacing the small space, but at least his claws where sheathed. “Until we can control certain… variables.”
“Don’t ya pretend you got any power here, lady,” Remy told her. “Remy knows who really runs de show. Not listen’ ta ya anymore.”
“I just want to make sure you’re okay,” Storm tried to assure him. She took out some sterile gauze and wetted it in the sink, intending to at least wipe the blood away from Remy’s face. Stepping closer she reached out and laid a comforting hand on Remy’s arm.
“Don’t fuckin’ touch him!” Logan roared. He’d tried to keep his emotions under control, but the minute Storm touched him, he couldn’t. It seemed the closer he got to the boy, the more out of control he felt. But his instincts were screaming at him not to let anyone touch Remy. “Get away from him.”
Storm kept infinitely calm, but stepped away from Remy. “He needs medical attention, Logan.”
“Then I’ll do it,” Logan snapped, moving to stand in between Storm and Remy. Looking down at Remy he could see the dried blood on his face and staining his shredded shirt. “Take your shirt off.”
Remy remembered the whispered words from the last time Wolverine had dragged him back to the school. He pinned Remy to the forest floor and leaned in close to lick the blood on his face. “I love the taste of your blood.” There was no doubt in Remy’s mind that if angered the mutant that his blood would be staining the walls of this room. Remy nodded and pulled off his shirt, wincing when it brushed the scrapes on his back.
Logan took the moist gauze from Storm and crouched down in front of Remy. He couldn’t ignore the subtle shaking from the boy when he grasped his chin. Not sure why he was so gentle when he started to clean the dried blood off his face. The damn boy was barely old enough to have a decent amount of stubble.
“How old are ya?”
“Nineteen, Boss,” Remy answered, but then got nervous that Logan could sense he wasn’t completely telling the truth. “I think. Don’t know when I born.”
Logan gave a noncommittal grunt. He had finished cleaning Remy’s face and was satisfied the nose wasn’t broken. For the first time, he was able to examine the kid up close. Catching his eyes, he ran he thumb over the eyebrow piercing over Remy’s right eye. Logan also noticed that Remy had several others in his ear.
The cloth moved down Remy’s neck as Logan continued clean his skin. His eyes were now drawn to Remy’s nipple, where once was pierced with a hoop. His body was blocking Storm’s view and he tugged on it. “So, you’re one of those, bub? Doesn’t surprise me, a pretty boy like you.”
Remy couldn’t stop the soft gasp of surprise when Logan tugged on his nipple ring. “B-Boss?”
“You’ll live.” Logan realized what he was doing and pulled away. “His nose isn’t broke and he just has some scratches. I didn’t break my toy. Happy now, Storm?”
She had watched intently as Logan had sized up Remy under the pretence of washing away the dried blood. Logan’s touch had been gentle and Storm knew he had leaned in more than once to scent Remy. “Ecstatic, Logan. I’ll have to come in here at least once more to give him more clothing.”
Logan’s eyes narrowed at the suggestion. “His jeans are fine. No blood on them.”
“He could get cold,” Storm argued. “I won’t let you…”
“He can have mine,” Logan snapped at her. He started to peel off his own t-shirt and tossed it at Remy. When Remy just stared first at the still warm t-shirt and then up at him, he snapped, “Put it on.”
“Yes, Boss,” Remy answered immediately and pulled the t-shirt on. It was obviously too big on the lean frame and he looked like he was swimming in it.
Logan had the urge to keep the kid away from everyone else but him and his scent mingled with Remy’s was satisfying in a disturbing way. “Don’t think that just because ya got my scent on you now that I won’t be able to track you. Just makes you stink less.” Logan was pleased when Remy didn’t come back with a smartass reply. “I’ll come back with some food for you later.”
Even prisoners on death row or animals in a zoo got fed, but Remy didn’t feel hungry. He just nodded and sat back on the bed.
“Is there someone we should call to let them know you are staying at the school?” Storm asked now that Logan seemed to be a little more cooperative. “Your family?”
“Got no family anymore,” Remy told them. He could lie and say there were people who would miss him, but Wolverine could tell when he was lying. “Don’t worry, no one’s gonna notice Remy’s gone.”
“Remy, I just want to help you…” Storm sighed with his silent accusation.
“Jus’ shut up!” Remy snapped at her and he turned imploring eyes on Logan. “Can ya keep her away from Remy, Boss? Don’t wanna be told no more lies.”
“Remy,” Storm implored him. The young man was staring at her with hateful, accusing eyes and turning to his tormentor for protection from her. It was all going horribly wrong. If only Xavier was still alive he never would have let it go this far. “Remy, I know you think…”
“Go away. Don’t wanna be around no liar.”
Logan was in front of Remy in an instant and grabbed his chin painfully. “You got a smart mouth, boy.”
“Sorry, Boss,” Remy apologized immediately. “Know you’re in charge.”
“You don’t talk to anyone without my say so. And when you do, it’s gonna be with respect.” He squeezed Remy’s chin one more and then patted his cheek. “Just for that little stunt, I think you can go hungry a little longer.”
Storm didn’t contradict Logan because she planned on sneaking the boy food later. She only wished there was some way she could stop this from getting any worse. A few days and hopefully Logan would calm down enough to get Remy away from the school. Her friend had suffered a lot in the past few months, as they all had. He deserved some leeway and a few days in the cell might be enough to scare the young man away from a life in crime.
“We have to go, Logan,” Storm told him. She didn’t like the way Logan was looking at Remy and getting them separated was paramount. “We really mean you no harm, Remy. Please know that.”
Remy wanted to swear at her, but he remembered Logan’s warning. “Thanks, ma’am,” he responded to her in a polite, cold tone.
Storm picked up the first aid kit and felt sick as she left the cell. Logan didn’t follow immediately after her. She turned to see the shirtless man staring at Remy and the young man staring back. As far as they were concerned, she could have been in another country. She laid her hand on Logan’s arm to break the intense, troubling tension. “Logan…”
Logan grunted at her and stepped aside so the door to the cell could slip shut, locking Remy in. “Stay away from him, Storm. The boy’s mine.” With that he turned and walked down the hall.
END PART 1.