Title: So Dream While Secrets of Darkness Unfold
Author: Morgana (morganalebeau@yahoo.com)
Website: http://www.oocities.org/morganalebeau/
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So Dream While Secrets of Darkness Unfold 6
By Morgana
"Scott! Someone's approaching!" Jean touched her brow, trying to establish a temporary link with the Professor who was watching from the control room.
/I feel it as well,/ sent Charles to all X-Men. /I'll stop the program... be prepared for the worst. Although one of the presences feels familiar I have no idea what to expect./
Scott exchanged a glance with his wife. /Jean, what's going on?/ He also made eye contact with Logan, Hank and Bobby, who were watching him in return. They had been training, fighting Apocalypse, in this particular simulation and now all action had seized. Instead, they were waiting for things to happen.
/I'm not sure,/ replied Jean. /It almost seems like I'm sensing Remy, but.../
/Remy vanished five years ago, love. It can't be the Cajun./ Scott had never stopped wondering what had happened to the Acadian thief. They had searched for a while and he had even contacted Jean-Luc, but not even the Patriarch of the Thieves Guild had been able to tell them about his son's whereabouts. Over the years they had assumed that either Remy had died or had chosen to remain hidden for the rest of his life.
Jean looked at their friends. "It does feels like Remy..."
Logan, Hank and Bobby stared at her in disbelief. "Are ya sure, Red?" Logan frowned. "Why should he return now?"
"I don't know, Logan," replied Jean. "But I do know that he is not alone. I sense two minds..."
"But how is it possible that you can sense them?" Hank tried to find an explanation. "Are they traveling through alternate dimensions?"
It was Charles who answered McCoy. "No, it feels like they're traveling in... time."
Suddenly time exploded in the Danger Room, making the floor shake. The X-Men steadied themselves and Logan helped Bobby back to his feet when the younger man lost his footing. "Incoming..." Logan bared his teeth, ready to fight off their mystery intruders.
Suddenly two forms crashed on to the floor and soft yelps of pain and disorientation emanated from the new arrivals.
Scott was the first to move and he closed in on them, ready to use his optic blast if necessary. The first thing that struck him were the old fashioned clothes the two men wore. Then he noticed the auburn hair color on one of them. Next a pair of red on black eyes looked up at him. "Gambit?" Scott swallowed hard, wondering what trickery this was.
Remy shook his head, trying to clear it of the cobwebs. Looking up, he sucked in his breath. "Cyke?" He didn't know whether to curse or to feel relieved at being delivered at the X-Men's doorstep. A quick look behind him convinced him that the gateway had closed; Apocalypse hadn't followed them. Hearing a soft moan to his right, his hand settled on Nathaniel's shoulder. "Are you injured?"
Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair and made eye contact with Remy. "I'm fine." Feeling shocked, he stared at the people surrounding them. "Remy?" Where were they? Were they friends or foes?
"LeBeau? What the hell are ya doin'?" Logan moved a little closer, sniffed the air and realized the scent was Gambit's all right, but the other man's scent seemed familiar as well. He just couldn't label it... yet.
"Sorry, mes amis... I don't know what happened." Remy managed to get back to his feet and helped Nathaniel to rise as well. Feeling quite the intruder, he looked first at Scott, and then at Jean. Scott didn't seem pleased at all, but that was nothing new. Jean's smile however, sparkled.
"I missed you!" Jean flung herself at Remy and hugged him tightly. "Storm will be so glad to hear that you're still alive! We thought you died five years ago. The Professor and I tried to contact you, but there was nothing. Your mind was gone!"
Remy managed to shrug apologetically and watched Nathaniel raise an eyebrow. He had told Essex about the X-Men over the years and he could tell that the other man was surprised at the warm welcome. Bobby and Logan patted his shoulder and Hank was practically beaming with happiness. "I got distracted, mon chere..." Remy was actually lost for words.
"So who's yer buddy?" Logan eyed Nathaniel closely, wondering why his instincts warned him to be cautious.
Remy wasn't sure what to reply. Revealing Nathaniel's identity right now seemed bad timing.
"Scott, I want to talk to Remy and our guest in private," said Charles. "Take them to my study."
Remy looked in to Charles' eyes and realized with a start that the telepath already knew the truth. /Be careful, Nathaniel. Jean and the professor are telepaths. They can read your mind./
Nathaniel immediately raised his shields, but feared it was too late. When Remy followed Scott out in to the corridor he followed, ignoring Jean's curious probing. He didn't like this particular development; he wanted to return to his own time, even if Apocalypse was waiting there for him. He already felt lost and confused in his new surroundings and he wasn't sure he could so easily adopt to these new circumstances as Remy had when the other man had traveled back in time.
"Scott, I want you to stay, but let me do the talking..." Charles steered his hover chair toward the desk, and then studied Remy and Essex. "I am glad you came back to us, Remy. I had given up hope."
"When I left five years ago I never planned on coming back here. I don't know who's behind this time traveling, but I was brought here against my will. I had nothing to do with it." Remy felt a lot stronger and more confident than he had five years ago. Having Nathaniel as his mentor had helped him grow emotionally and mentally. He no longer cared what they thought of him.
Charles sensed the change in his former student and smiled approvingly. "You're stronger now..."
Nathaniel watched the exchange with great interest, but then Charles' glance came to rest on him. He steeled his mental defenses, hoping they were strong enough to keep out the other telepath.
"I know you..." Charles frowned. "It can't be..."
Nathaniel then knew that he had been found out. He kept one eye on Scott, deeming him a potential threat and addressed Charles at the same time. "It is, I, Nathaniel Essex."
Scott tensed at hearing the name. "What?" Confused, he looked at the Professor. "Sinister?"
"Non!" Remy stormed toward the desk and slammed his fist in to the wood. "He's not Sinister. He's Nathaniel Essex. He didn't accept Apocalypse's offer and now Apocalypse wants revenge. Only moments before we appeared in the Danger Room we were running from him!"
Scott was getting ready to blast away at Essex, only seeing a possible threat, but then Charles' voice echoed through the study.
"Scott, this man, this Nathaniel Essex doesn't present a danger to us." Charles managed to calm down his student. "Although I must confess to being confused as well."
"Remy told me what would become of me if I accepted Apocalypse's offer and I decided not to walk that path." Nathaniel moved closer to Remy, ready to leave in a hurry if necessary. Charles wouldn't keep them here against their will!
"Sir, I do not understand..." Scott still felt threatened by Essex' presence, but Charles seemed to calmly accept the man's presence.
"I think I know what happened," Charles said calmly. "Remy, you not merely traveled through time, but also to an alternate dimension, for Sinister still exists in his dimension. We fought him only days ago. In this dimension Essex is very real."
Scott began to understand. "Sir, what will happen if Sinister realizes that he's no longer alone?" He cocked his head and studied Essex. "Sinister won't tolerate an alternate version of him around." But at the same time he wondered if Essex could be convinced to join the X-Men. Essex could greatly help them.
Nathaniel detected Scott's thoughts. "I do not plan on joining the X-Men." Remy had told them about the X-Men cruelty, shutting him out when he needed them most. He didn't want to be part of such an organization!
Remy's glance shifted from the Professor to Essex. It seemed an eternity since he had been part of this team and he wasn't sure he wanted to be part of it ever again!
"Rogue's no longer on the team," said Scott. "And Warren is now concentrating on his business empire. Kurt is around at times and Storm visits regularly. The team is weakened and we could use your strength and knowledge. Hank is working on a cure for the Legacy virus, a virus which Sinister released... Please consider our offer, Remy. Sinister and Apocalypse can't win this battle."
Remy was about to reply when Nathaniel's arm came to rest on his shoulder. The link between them buzzed with life and he realized that Nathaniel was inclined to help.
"I can't turn my back on the fact that Sinister is causing problems here. He's my alter ego and I need to take responsibility for him. I must stop him from causing more pain." Nathaniel hoped Remy understood. "We do not have to join the team in order to help them, but we should stay in contact and I do need to look at this Legacy virus. Maybe I can help find a cure. No matter where I go I can't escape Sinister's shadow. I do not want to stay here either, but Apocalypse will come for us in the end and we might need support."
"I know you're right," sighed Remy. "We'll be staying at the boathouse." Back to exile it was.
"No," said Scott quickly. "I'm not about to make the same mistake twice. We kept your old room as it was. Jean never really wanted to let go. There's a spare room opposite it which should suit our guest just fine." Scott was determined to keep an eye on them. Five years ago he had let slip Remy out of their lives and history wasn't going to repeat itself. "I would like a word with you in private later," he said, addressing Essex this time. "I must admit that it feels weird; knowing that you're Nathaniel Essex, but I will try to not let it cloud my judgment. However, I might need some time getting used to the idea."
Nathaniel nodded once. It would take time to find his place among them. "Remy, take us to our rooms and then I would like to have a look at that Legacy virus."
Remy automatically walked over to the doorway. Over the years he had learned to see the wisdom in Nathaniel's decisions and he trusted Nathaniel to look after them. "Just follow me, mon ami."
Scott moved closer to the Professor after the two men had left the room. "What do you really think, sir?"
"I think we finally have the means to take out Sinister and to find a cure for the Legacy virus. I only managed a surface scan, but Essex is a man of his word. He will help us fight Sinister and we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Try to have faith in him, Scott."
"And what about Remy?" Scott still felt guilty for not realizing just how depressed Remy had been five years ago. "In his journal he wrote that he would never return to the mansion, that he was ready to let go. Shouldn't Hank check on him?"
Charles shook his head. "Remy's not the man he was when he left. He's stronger, more confident. A bond binds them. Essex feels proud of Remy, like a son, and it seems like Remy has found the guidance he needed all along. I couldn't play that parental role, but Essex had five years to grow in to it. Remy will be all right."
Slightly reassured Scott nodded his head once. "I will try to make them feel at home."
Charles smiled. "I am sure you'll succeed." Not only Remy, but also Scott had had five years' time to mature and grow emotionally. Maybe everything would work out the second time around.
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Through the link Nathaniel sensed that something bothered Remy and when he looked at the younger man, he was displeased to find Remy's head bowed. He closed the door behind him and checked out the spare room. It didn't compare to his rooms at the Mansion, but it would do... for now.
"Remy?" Worried, Nathaniel sat down on the bed and signaled Remy to join him. After a moment's hesitation Remy joined him. Acting instinctively Nathaniel took hold of Remy's hands and rubbed the younger man's cold fingers. "You do not like being back here."
Remy avoided making eye contact. "I hoped I could have stayed in the past. Even with Apocalypse hunting us down I liked it better there."
"Why?"
Remy shrugged listlessly. "To them I will always be responsible for the Massacre. They will never forgive me for working for Sinister."
Nathaniel frowned. "Remy, look at me?" He waited until he had Remy's undivided attention. "And listen closely. When we arrived here I felt their minds. Logan, Bobby and Hank were relieved to see you. They really thought they had lost you five years ago and I sensed their determination to do things right this time. Jean..." Nathaniel chuckled. "Jean is more than just relieved, she's ecstatic to have you back and even Scott wants you here. I felt a strong sense of guilt in him. He regrets the part he played in your past. They deserve a second chance, but it is up to you to give it to them."
Nathaniel cupped Remy's chin in the palm of his hand and studied the so familiar red on black eyes. "By giving them a second chance you will give yourself one as one. Don't you want to find out how they really feel about you? They had five years to think about their actions in the past. You might find that you're not the only one who changed in these last few years. They changed as well."
"I find that hard to believe. I still remember the way they shunned me... I moved to the boathouse to be rid of their negative feelings."
Nathaniel nodded once. "I never thought I'd say this, but we should stay a little while and see if this works out. You need to deal with your past before you can move out. Talk to them in the next few days and see what happens. I will be working on the virus, but feel free to drop by whenever you need to talk to me. And the telepathic connection stays, understood?"
"Oui," sighed Remy. "Mais I'm not looking forward to talking to them."
Nathaniel smiled. "They might surprise you..."
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Remy tiptoed through the mansion in a desperate effort to avoid drawing someone's attention. Although Nathaniel had advised him to talk to the other members of the team, he was hesitant to do so. He sneaked in to the kitchen after making sure that no one was in there and made himself a cup of tea. Five years ago he would have opted for coffee, but Nathaniel's love for tea had made him change his ways.
"Hi Remy..." Bobby stepped into the kitchen and tried to hide his nervousness behind a forced smile.
Remy nodded once, and then stared in to his tea. Bobby, Warren's best friend, always ignored him and he refused to believe things had really changed. "I'll be outta here in a minute..."
"No, stay." Bobby stepped in front of Remy and tried to catch the other man's glance. "Remy, I never thought I'd get the chance to say I am sorry. I am not asking for forgiveness or anything like that, but I just wanted you to know that I acted like a spoiled kid five years ago. We all had some time to think, and we discovered we falsely condemned you and it's not just me who feels that way. Logan, Hank, Scott and I really want to make things up to you and we're relieved you wanna stay here." Bobby drew in a deep breath. Delivering such a speech wasn't typical for Bobby Drake. Shakily, he extended his right hand. "Friends?"
Remy stared at the offered limb. This wasn't what he had expected. Jean had hugged him, Bobby offered him his friendship and even Cyke seemed to feel guilty.
"It's okay if you need time to think this over," said Bobby and he starting to pull back.
"Non," said Remy quickly. "I'd like to be friends with you, it's just... it's..."
"Unexpected," finished Bobby for Remy.
"Oui..."
"Remy, for the last five years we thought you were dead or hiding from us. It gave us ample of time to think everything over."
Remy finally accepted Bobby's hand and shook it. "We can try to make it work." Nathaniel was right. By giving them a second chance he would give himself a second chance.
"Hey, do you wanna say hi to Hank? He asked me to fetch some Twinkies. Apparently he wants to introduce your friend to the delights of Twinkies."
Remy arched an eyebrow. He couldn't imagine Nathaniel eating Twinkies, but then again, things changed. "Mais oui, I'll join you."
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Hank watched his guest with great interest. Charles had confided in him and he had been stunned to learn their guest's true identity. This was Nathaniel Essex. This man had turned to Apocalypse out of grief for the dead of his son and daughter, but this Nathaniel Essex seemed emotionally well balanced and he suspected that it had everything to do with Remy. Somehow Remy had managed the impossible.
"Look at this..." Nathaniel sounded excited. Although the virus was a horrible invention, finding a cure caused adrenaline to rush through his veins. He truly believed he might help find that cure.
Hank leaned in closer and studied the section that Nathaniel pointed out to him. "Yes, I noticed this before but..."
Suddenly the doors opened and Bobby and Remy burst inside. "Hey, Blue, we got you some Twinkies, might help stimulate those brain cells."
Remy gave Nathaniel an apologetic look. "They can't live without them."
Nathaniel approved of the relaxed expression on Remy's face; apparently talking to Bobby had done Remy some good. "Twinkies? I never heard of them."
Bobby placed one in front of Nathaniel. "Try them once and you don't wanna live without them ever again."
Hank decided it was time for a break and he started to munch on one Twinkie. "Delicious," he sighed blissfully.
Nathaniel exchanged a look with Remy. "Is it safe to try one?"
Remy grinned. "I doubt you ever tasted something that sweet and full of sugar before, but go ahead and give it a try."
Nathaniel peeled off the wrapping and studied the Twinkie before setting his teeth in it. When he did, his eyes grew big. He quickly munched and then swallowed, placing the rest of the Twinkie aside. "Twinkies can't be healthy," he gulped.
"I never said they were healthy," said Bobby teasingly, munching on his second Twinkie.
Remy's eyes met Nathaniel's and they both smiled. /Merci for reminding me that everyone deserves a second chance./
/Remy, five years ago you gave me that chance, although memories of Sinister plagued you. You deserve that same chance, if not more. I'm glad you took it. Throwing it away and remaining stuck in your past would have been the easiest thing to do, but you didn't. You made me proud today./
Remy suddenly realized that Bobby and Hank were staring at him and he reminded himself that they didn't know about the link between Nathaniel and he, and they didn't need to know either, not yet anyway.
Suddenly a large, fluffy, blue hand settled on his shoulder and Remy looked Hank in the eyes. The expression in Hank's eyes told him more than words. Hank was glad to have him back. "And I'm glad to be back, Henri."
Henri nodded once, smiled and handed Remy a Twinkie. "Welcome home, Remy..."
END