Part Two

"The X-Ternals... yea I like that." Damion said as he bit into his third croissant.

"Yea me too... umm what does it mean?" Timothy said.

"Let's say it means an long life.... which is what we want right Remy." Mel said and looked up at him adoringly.

"Yea petite dat be close enough."

Remy looked over at the youngest member and smiled as he watched him frown at the other kids. Damion smiled and went back to finishing his food while the other members started to talk about things that only kids could understand. Except one Jesse kept his eyes fixed on him the entire time. When Remy glanced over at him he turned his head and in a poor attempt not to be caught. It was obvious from the moment they met that Jesse didn't trust him.

'Kid could make Cyclops shake in his boots.' Remy thought to himself and started to think of the small friendship he had with Cyclops. The kid had a certain quality that reminded him of the leader of the X-men. He had that quiet confidence in himself and his family... in his abilities.

"When he gets older he be a great leader." Remy said to himself.

"Excuse me sir?" Timothy said and started to pull on his hand to get his attention.

"What... what is it homme?" Remy asked.

"Can we go work on my powers now?" Timothy said.

He looks up at Remy with hope in his eyes and trying to stand still. He's so young he shouldn't be out here in the street... none of them should. This is the exact place where he grew up and why he lost all of his innocence.

"Yea pup we can do dat... ya common Mel?" Remy called over and smiled as Melinda quickly wiped her mouth and jumped off of her seat and ran over towards them.

"Sure... it'll be fun to watch Timothy blow up half the room." Mel said as she fell into step with Remy.

"I will not you just wait an see!' Timothy screeched.

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"Look out!" Mel screamed as she dove behind a group of chairs that were left over.

Timothy had just lost control once again and he unleashed a beam of energy that blew a hole in the floor. Remy frowned at him and shook his head slightly. He had virtually no control as soon as he absorbed the energy he released it in a matter of seconds. Timothy looked over at Remy and he could see the boy had unshed tears in his eyes. They were as much from embarrassment as from not succeeding in front of an older figure.

"Let's try something different neh." Remy said and pulled out a pack of playing cards. He let the cards slide over his fingers and began to shuffle them watching Timothy become almost hypnotized by the motions of his hands. He stopped and held up one lone card... the queen of hearts.

'Figures.' Gambit said but he focused his mind back on the lesson.

"Okay pup, I'm going to charge dis card here... then you are going t'absorb de energy and hold it." Remy said.

"I can't." Timothy replied. Mel walked up and glared at Timothy while she dusted off her clothes but one look from Remy made her keep the snide comment to herself.

"I'm goin' tell you a quick story... when I was a pup younger den you are now I had no control... my powers started t'show up real early... but a person helped me." Remy said.

He kept his eyes are the boys face and he quickly charged another card and placed it in Timothy hand. He was so enthralled with the story he didn't even realize he was holding the card. Remy continued talking and watched as Timothy absorbed the energy but this time it did not shoot out and explode. The energy just remained where it was causing his little hand to glow a yellowish color with unshed energy.

"De first thing he said was t'learn control I'd have t'start believing dat I could learn." Remy said and then stepped back. Mel frowned and then gasped as realization as what was taking place before her.

"Wit confidence anything is possible." Remy said.

"Timothy look your doing it!" Mel said pointing.

Timothy looked down at his hand in fascination and dropped the card... a few seconds later the energy shot out of his hand and burnt another hole in the grown. Mel ran over and punched him on his upper arm where the two of them exchanged pleasantries. Remy smiled as he watched the two young people who had brought him her but his smile faded when he felt another individual enter the room. He grabbed another card and was about to charge it when he realized it was just Jesse trying to spy on him again.

'Dat kid don' trust no one.' Remy thought to himself but he couldn't concern himself with that know right now he had something else to do and that was reassured the young mutant.

"Ya held dat for almost two minutes.... you keep practicing and you'll be fine." Remy said and handed him another card.

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'I don't like him, and I don't like him with Mel.' Jesse thought to himself as he moved over in the corner and stared at the older man and the member under his care. Well, not really under his care they took care of each other but being the oldest he sort of had to watch out for them. What did they know anyway they were so young and willing to trust anyone.

"Ahh Jesse... you know that's not true plus Michelle is the same age as you... admit it you just don't like it when a stranger comes around and that man is definitely a stranger." Jesse said to himself.

Just then he heard another explosion went off and Jesse turned his attention back to Timothy... but this time instead of looking defeated he was ecstatic. Jesse heard Mel shout that he did it... Timothy had control over his powers... even though it was just for a brief moment it was more than himself or even Kyle was able to accomplish. This was just another reason for Jesse to hate Remy. Jesse frowned and was about to sulk when he saw a glow surround Remy's hand and he turned to look at him.

'Had he made a noise...' Was Jesse first thought his second was that Remy had found out he was spying on him. He quickly moved away and then all but ran back to where the other group members were hanging out. Damion was busy changing the color of his hand and Michelle was busy cleaning up what was left of breakfast. 'She is so beautiful.' Jesse thought to himself and he moved over to draw her into his arms.

"What's the matter honey?" Michelle asked.

"What makes you think something is wrong?" Jesse replied.

"I know you... your tense."

"It's just this new guy Remy I mean what's his story... I just don't trust him." Jesse said as he moved away to pace.

"Relax... Mel trusts him and that should be good enough for us... besides if he was any real danger to us he would trigger her power." Michelle said.

"I know but still..."

"Forget about beside you said you would take me to the mall so you should save your energy." Michelle said and she then laughed out loudly when she saw Jesse pale and moaned at the day's up coming events.

"Hey guys I did it!" Timothy shouted as he ran into the other room and skidded to a halt when Damion floated in front of him.

"What did you do little man?" Damion asked.

"I held some energy... I found my control." Timothy said.

The group of kids moved forward and started to congratulate Timothy and his new success except for one Jesse stood over in the corner and watched Remy as he entered the room. Remy smiled at the group but was having some trouble keeping up his facade. The vibes that he was feeling from the group were nothing but a jumble of joy confusion and suspicion. It was the last emotion that was the strongest. Remy glanced over at Jesse and focused in on his empathic powers. His distrust surrounded Jesse like a bright glow of energy... it enveloped him.

"Something on ya mind Jesse?" Remy asked.

"No... why do you ask?" Jesse replied.

"Listen... I'm going t'stay here until Mel is safe... after dat most likely I'm gone. So until den you t'ink we can get along?" Remy asked.

"I... Yea sure man I can do that." Jesse said and in a sign of peace he held up his fist in which Remy quickly hit in a downward movement.

"You two done with your macho crap and come to an agreement?" Mel asked as she walked over with the rest of the group following behind.

"Yea petite were done." Remy said on a laugh.

"Good so what are we going to do today?" She asked.

"Jesse and me are going to the mall." Michelle said.

"I thought me and Tim would clean up this place and make it a little bit more secure." Damion said.

"An how you going ta do dat homme?" Remy asked.

"Our father was a security expert... we sort of picked up the trade." Michelle said as she flipped her hair up into a hat so she could hide her blue colored hair.

"Really... Oh well different strokes for different folks." Remy said and with a small smile. "Before you leave give me an article of clothing."

"Why." The group said together.

"We can't wear these type of clothes... if someone is still after Mel we might be drawn into a tussle. We need some protection." Remy said.

"So where exactly are you going to get the gear we need?" Mel asked.

"I know people petite."

"Well I'm going with you."

"No ya not."

"Yes I am" Mel said and titled her head into a stubborn position.

"Give me one good reason why?" Remy said.

"You said it yourself I need protection and right now the safest place is with you." Mel said.

"Ya know petite ya can be really irritating." Remy said and with Mel in to he walked out of the church.

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"Are ya sure ya wanna come wit me Mel?" Remy asked for the fifth time and by the look on Melinda's face she was about to lose her temper.

"Yes I am coming with you now stop asking me that." Mel said.

Remy looked down at the young girl with eyes so much like his and started to smile as he heard her speak When Remy first found her, she was so shy it took almost an entire day to coax some words out of her mouth. Even though she basically just followed him around... somehow she had wormed her way into his heart. Remy was only 19 when he found her but she gave him a sense of motivation... a purpose... he found himself from being an immature kid to the role of a father.

"Can I ask you a question?" Mel asked.

"Oui." Remy said as he was still deep in his own thoughts.

"How come I can’t talk to you anymore.... you know mentally?" She asked. After she had gotten some of his powers it also came with his voice. Silently reassuring him and in time they were able to talk to each other but it wasn't exactly like a psychic link. It would fade away from time to time so when that would happen they were just able to pick up on each other feelings

Remy paused as he heard her question and instantly started to pale at what she had asked. This was the one thing that he was not ready to deal with. The X-men had found out his crime and they had left him to die. Remy was not up to the challenge of finding out what Mel would think if she knew. When she looked at him he still saw trust and admiration for him. She looked up to him in many ways he was just what people would think when they saw his eyes. That she was his daughter.

"Don' know about dat Mel but let's not try it neh." Remy said as he picked up her hand and started to walk away.

Mel watched him and she knew that he was hiding something. 'But what?' Mel thought to herself. She wasn't really strong when it came to her telepathic powers... plus keeping her sight gift in check also taxed her ability but she wanted to try. She reached out with her mind gently probing Remy's shields. The one good thing was that Remy was completely unaware at what she was trying to do. Just a small side effect from the sharing of their powers.

'His shields are much stronger.' Mel thought to herself. She was just about to give up when his shields fell and she was dragged into his mind. Remy gasped as he felt Mel's distinct presence and he tried to throw up some of his shields but they were to complex to stop Mel gently. He had worked on them until whenever a telepath tried to enter his mind without his permission he would trap them. The more energy they used the stronger his defense became until he forced them out of his mind... usually with a great amount of pain.

Melinda's mind was filled with images from Remy's past and she simply watched the man that was the closest thing she had to a father live his life as an X-men. Memories of his friendship with someone named Storm flowed through Mel's mind. Then came Bishop... Scott and funny looking man named Logan. The fights the wins the losses each passed through like she was there and then she saw a memory that both delighted her and sickened her. A beautiful young woman appeared in Remy's mind she had emerald green eyes and an unusual white streak in her hair. Memories of the first time he laid eyes on her... their first time they flirted with each other... their first date.

Then the memories changed she saw Remy in a coma... she saw his woman leaving him alone and the family that he had started to call his own did nothing to help him. Even his so called best friend had been too busy to try and help him. Then she saw the trial the pain of having to bare his soul and being rejected and abandoned and all because of one reason Sinister.

"It's my fault." Mel wailed as tears started to fall freely done her cheeks.

"Shush now, petite... dis not be ya fault... I dug my own grave long ago." Remy said and then moved to gather Melinda up in hug.

"If I wasn't sick you wouldn't have gone to Sinister." She continued to argue.

"Listen petite, dat is in de past right now we live in de present.... come on let's finish what we started." Remy said. He brushed some of the tears out of her eyes and then gathered her hand in his and continued to walk done the alley. They came upon an old steel door and he knocked quickly looking around to see if anybody was in viewing distance. The door flew open and out came a young woman with long blond hair.

"Isn't she a little bit young to be hanging with you LeBeau?" She asked.

"Stop it Nicole... I need some of de gear I stored here awhile back." Remy said.

Nicole looked at him and then opened the door wider to let Remy and Mel in. Mel quickly went to one of the seats and then Remy entered and handed Nicole a bag of clothes the other kids gave him. Mel looked around and saw that they had entered what looked like a little shop but by the weapons that she saw on the wall and the type of clothing that was hanging around she knew most of this stuff must have been illegal.

"So what do you need LeBeau?" Nicole asked.

"Be needin' de same light weight body armor I used but in dose sizes." Remy said.

"Okay give me a few minutes... you want your old gear back?" She asked.

"No... give me a new body suit.... time for some changes." He replied.

"What about your staff?"

"Ya still holdin' dat?" Remy asked.

"That is what you paid me for LeBeau... hey little one you can try this on in that room over there." Nicole said and then pointed to a room that was towards the back of the little shop. Mel grabbed the clothes that were given and smiled slightly as she saw the gray and black coloring in each article of clothing. Eager to see how it looked on her she ran towards the back room.

"Here you go... this one should fit you." Nicole said and then threw him another set.

"Tanks chere dis goin to help us a lot." Remy said and proceeded to change right in front of her.

"Here is your staff and the rest of the gear ya need... what are you doing baby-sitting the X-brats?" Nicole said.

"No nothing like dat chere nothing like dat." Remy said and then moved towards the mirror and looked at his new uniform. Gone were the familiar black and pink now in its place was deep blue and black color scheme. On his chest was a strange black symbol... Mel walked out with a frown on her face and Remy instantly smiled as he saw her discomfort.

"Remy I can hardly move in this." Mel complained.

"Ya get used ta it petite." Remy said and then moved to shift a little bit more comfortably in his armor. Remy was used to the tight fit and soon he became used to it and it became almost a second skin. Gone was the head piece he was so used to so he would have to tie his hair back but other wise it was more than acceptable.

"What does this symbol mean?" Mel asked.

"Dat be our crest... just a way to unite us as a team." Remy said and then moved to kiss Nicole's hand.

"T'anks chere... ya fee will be in ya bank account like always." Remy said and then picked up his coat once again. Mel looked around and grabbed the new bag of clothes for the others and then fell into step beside Remy.

"You do know that is not necessary Remy after all you done for us it is the least I can do." Nicole said and with a sad smile closed and locked the steel door. Remy looked down at Mel in her grayish suit and smiled as he looked at her.

"Come on petite it be gettin' late we better head on home." Remy said and together they made there way back towards the church.

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"So what do you think of Remy?" Timothy asked as he swept up the floor with an old broom he had found.

"I don't really know him yet... Mel seems to trust him and that is good enough for me now." Damion said as he floated around covering the broken windows with pieces of wood. He had already set up a primitive early warning device on the roof but without any type of equipment it would have to do. Besides their chief security feature would be that it would be hard to locate them. Hiding in an old church in the middle of New York City.

"He helped me with my powers now I can zap things and help you guys some more." Timothy piped up and then proceeded to fire a small blast of the remaining energy he was holding.

"Man will you calm down with that... I should never gave you another charge." Damion said and then flew down to pick up Timothy and fly him around the room making Timothy laugh hysterically. After a few more trips around Damion landed on the ground and then looked out the window at the setting sun. As the minutes passed Damion felt his power increase.

"Seriously... Damion... you think were going to be OK?" Timothy asked.

"I hope so Tim.... I hope so.

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End of part 2