"So, if his shields are still leaking, why can't ya find him when there down?" Rogue asked, still trying to discover a way to get in touch with Remy.

"It's a needle in a haystack, Rogue. First, I have to know where to look. It's still a big globe. Second, I have to be watching at exactly the right time. Some of us still require a few hours of sleep now and then. And third...I'm afraid."

Rogue looked at her with troubled eyes. "That don't mean we can just let all this go, and pretend it never happened, Jean. Ah owe him. Ah need to set the past right. Ya'll need to set the past right, too. After that, whatever happens, happens. Ah can't imagine Remy changin' enough to turn on us, and from what you're sayin', he might need help."

"All well and true, Rogue. But does he want our help? He hasn't even sent a note to Storm. Can you imagine what he must be feeling to not even care that Storm would worry herself absolutely sick over him? I can't. No...what I mean is that I don't want to. Because I know that whatever it is that he's feeling, I allowed to continue. And I am ashamed of that. You're right. We do need to set the past right, and make our best attempt to fix the damage that's been done. Silence is not the answer, and I've held mine for too long. Let's go talk to the team. It's long past time."

******

The X-Men's initial reaction to Jean's story was mixed. No one wanted to believe her. The problem was, that even though there was no evidence, and her story was comprised of speculation and conclusion, it rang with truth. But the emotions and feelings that had circulated among them at Gambit's departure didn't go away just because they found they were not self-generated.

Jean made an offer to the rest of the team. "I know you understand the situation in your head. I also know it's a battle to work through the hatred and anger to be objective. I can help, if you would allow it." She sat back to wait and let them decide for themselves.

Cyclops was the first to respond after a moment spent collecting his thoughts. "You were right when you said we'd made a mistake concerning Gambit. I didn't listen to you, and the fault is mine. As a team leader, I should have known better than to let emotions rule. The team comes first and foremost, and every member in that team has a special place that only they could fill. We allowed ourselves to not remember the things we valued Remy LeBeau for. Not just his mutant abilities, but his way of pulling us all away from brooding on unsolvable problems. I know many of his actions were not seen in that light by the rest of the team, but I knew, and appreciated it all. He countered all our darker aspects by giving us a target to vent anger and upset on. Since he left, we've been walking around with a Gambit sized hole, and I'd like him back. I am as guilty as any for what happened, and more guilty than most. Please, Jean, I would like your help."

Jean felt her heart remember again why she loved this man so. "Of course, Scott." Her mental bond with him pulsed with her emotions, and a faint glimmer of tears shone in her eyes. She leaned over, and placed her hands on his, closing her eyes to better concentrate.

She deftly removed traces of Gambit's unintentional tampering. As she accomplished this, she also erected a slight barrier against any further leakage the Cajun might do when or if he ever returned. She had to work around their bond, and knew that Cyclops would be more vulnerable than the others due to that, but to close all possible contact against Gambit, she would have had to sever the bond, and neither she nor Scott would condone such a solution.

One at a time, the others agreed to allow Jean to assist. All but one, that is.