Title: Damaged

Author: Morgana (morganalebeau@yahoo.com)

Website: http://www.oocities.org/morganalebeau/

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Damaged 3

By Morgana

 

Scott softly opened the door to Remy's room and was surprised to find the chair next to the bed empty. Whenever Jono had left Remy's side, the young man had made sure someone else was sitting with Remy, so why abandon the Cajun now?

"Jono?" Maybe the young man was in the bathroom, but he didn't hear the shower running so he stepped further in to Remy's room. Looking at the sleeping Cajun and his bed partner he approached the bed. Huh? Bed partner? That's Jono! Jono got in to bed with Remy?

Jono was holding Remy in his sleep and Scott had to admit they looked... what word would Jean use if she were here? Cute? Yes, that was it, they looked cute together. Scott shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and smiled. Is Jono asleep? I thought he couldn't sleep any longer... This is weird.

Did he have to wake them? Did he have to tell them about Sabertooth? There was a fair chance that they would be back with Bobby without Jono or Remy waking up in the process. He would activate the mansion's security system and Jono and Remy would sleep through everything.

Just in case... I'll leave a note. He found pen and paper and wrote them a message, telling Jono to be careful and to watch over Remy. Satisfied, Scott marched back to the corridor and looked back over his shoulder at the sleeping men. It felt like peace had descended on to this part of the mansion and he hoped it would spread through the rest of the house.

///

Oh, gross... The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth and Bobby's head was spinning. Nauseous, he tried to wrap his arms around his hurting stomach, but they'd been tied behind his back, restricting his movement. Damn, dinner's on its way back up! Bobby rolled on to his side and tried not to suffocate as he vomited. After emptying his stomach, dry heaves tormented his sore throat and tears of misery ran down his face. Had he ever felt this bad before? His body hurt all over!

"You're making a mess!"

The voice took Bobby by surprise. Opening his eyes, he flinched. They hurt! But he'd seen his kidnapper's face and knew he was in trouble. "Whadda ya want, Creed?" His voice sounded raspy and talking added to the soreness of his throat. But Sabertooth didn't respond verbally. The maniac kicked him on to his back and Bobby winced, wondering if Creed had just broken or merely bruised his ribs.

Feeling feverish, Bobby tried to open his eyes once more, but the artificial light hurt too badly and he closed them again. Maybe icing up would get him out of here!

"I collared you, Drake. Don't try anything... I'll be back."

He collared me? Shit... Bobby gave up trying to loosen the ropes that bound his hands and listened to Creed moving away from him. A door closed and Creed's footfalls softened; his kidnapper was moving away!

Bobby tried rolling back on to his side so his ribs wouldn't hurt that much, but was incapable of even the slightest movement. He hit me with that dart... was it poisoned? Is that why I can barely move? Will it kill me? Or is he trying to frighten me and render me immobile?

Logan... I'm so sorry I told you I love you. I never wanted you to know. I'm not even sure I want to make it out alive. Things will never be the same again... Stop thinking like that, Drake! Of course you want to survive! Logan might not need you, but Remy does... maybe even Jono. Panicking, Bobby tried to regain control over his emotions, but failed. I don't want to die! I'm too young!

Feeling miserable, Bobby kept his eyes tightly shut and regulated his breathing. Scott would come for him, Hank too. They wouldn't let him die...

///

Damn, what scent do I follow? Creed's or Bobby's? The scents had separated, and along with Bobby's scent Logan smelled blood and sweat.

"Logan? What's wrong?" They'd arrived at the lake minutes ago and Scott and Hank followed Logan uphill, wondering where the other man was leading them. Scott saw the unease in Logan's eyes and knew something was up. "Logan?"

"I don't know what to do..." Logan drew in a deep breath. "Bobby ain't doin' great. I can smell blood and... he's been throwin' up... And then there's Creed, who's movin' 'way from us."

"Do you think Creed's headed for the mansion?" Scott didn't like this one bit. "Why do I feel like we've been set up?"

Following Bobby's scent, it led Logan to a neglected cabin, which stood hidden behind some trees. "Bobby's in there..." His instincts were telling him to leave Bobby in Hank's care and pursue his arch enemy, but his heart, and what an amazing feeling it was, urged him to go to Bobby and make sure that the young man was fine.

Scott read the unease in Logan's eyes and although he didn't know what was happening, he saw that Logan was dying to get to the cabin, which surprised Scott greatly. Usually Logan wouldn't even heed a warning when going after Creed. Scott had to make a decision. "Hank, Logan, check on Bobby and take him back to the mansion. I'm going after Creed."

Hank raised an eyebrow, realizing Logan was already running toward the cabin. Scott and Hank exchanged a puzzled look and then began moving. Hank ran after Logan, trying to catch up with his friend and Scott started back for the mansion, hoping that Jono had woken up and had read the message. I should have told him before leaving the mansion, no matter how 'cute' they looked, damn it!

///

Jono stirred when Remy moved closer. Opening his eyes, Jono stared at the back of Remy's head. The Cajun lay nestled in front of him, sleeping soundly. I expected Remy ter dream, but... nothin' 'appened! No dreams at all! Guess he doesn't feel as comfortable as he wants us ter believe or he would be dreamin' somethin' pleasant. Joined in sleep with Remy, Jono had managed to chase away the lurking nightmares.

Although he loved holding Remy in his sleep, Jono released the Cajun and slipped out of bed. He tucked the blankets back around Remy's sleeping form and headed for the window. Staring outside, he found that a storm was brewing. Rain and a heavy gale blurred his view.

Turning around, he headed for his Lovecraft novel. He planned on taking it back to bed with him to keep himself busy while Remy continued to sleep. He wasn't sure he would enjoy going back to sleep again; maybe he would have enjoyed it more if Remy had had some pleasant dreams, but now he felt restless.

Wot's that? I didn't see that note when we got back... Jono walked over to the desk and quickly read the note.

Jono,

Hank, Logan and I are going after Sabertooth. Our security cameras picked up on him. Stay indoors and be alert. I don't think he'll head for the house, but Sabertooth is unpredictable.

Scott.

Fuck... Jono immediately looked at Remy, whose sleep had grown restless. How would Remy react to hearing that Sabertooth was maybe heading their way? He didn't really have a choice. He had to wake Remy up and tell him what they were up against. Remy, mush, wake up.

What? Remy opened sleepy eyes and felt relieved, seeing Jono sitting next to him. Did I do somet'in' wrong? He hadn't slept this peacefully for over a year and he must have done something wrong for Jono to wake him like that. I'm sorry...

Yer didn't do anythin' wrong, mush, but we need ter talk. Jono felt angry with Sinister for conditioning Remy like that. The first thing Remy worried about upon waking was if he'd done something wrong.

Can I go back to sleep den? Remy held his breath, seeing the worried expression in Jono's eyes. At least the other man didn't seem angry with him, even though he did feel traces of anger inside Jono's mind, but those weren't aimed at him. Jono?

I'm sorry, mush, but I need yer awake. Jono realized there was no easy way to tell Remy that Creed was sneaking around. Scott left me a note. We need ter be careful. The security cameras picked up on Sabertooth.

Sabertoot'? I remember dat name... He was dere when I... when de Morlocks... Remy trembled. And he's close? Sabertooth was vicious and mean and... he's a killer.

Unlike yer, Remy. Can yer get out of bed? I don't want ter be an easy target in case he gets inside. Jono cringed, seeing the naked panic in Remy's eyes. Nothin' bad will 'appen ter yer, mush, I promise.

Is it Sinister? Does he want me back?

Jono folded his arms around Remy's waist and helped the Cajun to his feet. I don't know, mush. I wish I knew, but 'e won't 'urt yer ever again. I'll stop 'im. Jono held Remy close as they made their way over to the chair where he sat the Cajun down. I want ter move yer ter me room. I don't know if Sabertooth knows where yer room's located, but I ain't takin' any risks.

Bien. Absentmindedly, Remy nodded his head. I'm scared, Jono. I don' want to go back to Sinister. It hurt too much. Please, I'll do whatever you want me to do, mais don' let him get to me... Tears of fear surfaced in his eyes and slowly dripped from his face. Don' want ter be 'lone 'gain. He couldn't go back to being alone, not after experiencing friendship and compassion.

Jono forced himself to remain calm, for Remy's sake. He couldn't lose it now. Come on, mush, let's get movin'. He hoped that Sabertooth wouldn't get passed the security system, but couldn't rely on it. By moving Remy to his room next door he was stalling, hoping the others would be back by the time Sabertooth had located them.

Remy tried to walk on his own, but his knees gave out beneath him and he grabbed Jono tighter. His balance was way off and his sensitive eyes hurt. I ain' sure I can do dis, Jono... When they had made their trip to the kitchen they'd walked slowly, but now Jono was rushing him!

I'm sorry, wasn't thinkin' straight... maybe I can carry yer... 'old on!

Jono, what are you doin'? Remy wrapped his arm around Jono's neck when the younger man slipped his arms beneath his knees and back, carefully lifting him. Dat ain' necessary! I can walk!

Just let me do this, Remy! Jono felt Remy tense in his arms and the Cajun's head slumped forward. I didn't mean ter take away yer control, mush, but... I'm feelin' somethin' primal... and it ain't Logan.

You t'ink it's Sabertoot'? Confused, Remy tried to make sense of what was happening. Ain' I too heavy?

Yer just fine, mush, now open the door for me! Jono disliked seeing the distressed expression on Remy's face.

Remy opened the door and hung on to Jono when the younger man stepped in to the corridor. He felt utterly useless now that Jono had to carry him around.

Yer need ter gain weight, Remy. Yer 'ardly weigh a thing! Jono cocked his head, feeling something sneak closer. The presence felt cold and vicious and was gaining on them.

I feel 'im, cher... he's gettin' closer... Mon Dieu, he'll kill you and take me back to Sinister. Jono, I can'... Fighting his panic, Remy buried his head against Jono's chest, holding on as tightly as possible. Don' lemme go.

Jono had reached his room, but passed it by. Going inside meant limiting his space and he wanted to keep on moving, especially now that Sabertooth was hot on their trail. I'm goin' ter put yer down. Can yer stay on yer feet?

Remy gathered his courage and nodded his head. Leaning heavily against the wall for support, he heard the angry growls, announcing Sabertooth's arrival. Now what, cher? We're trapped.

Yer stay 'ere, Remy. I'll take care of Sabertooth. Just stay right 'ere and trust me. Jono was driven by an overwhelming urge to protect Remy and to punish Sabertooth for scaring Remy like this. Because of Sabertooth Remy was panicking!

Don' go, cher! Don' leave me 'lone.

Yer 'ave got ter be strong now, mush. I promise 'e won't get ter yer. Now trust me.

Remy nodded his head. I trust you, cher, I really do, I'm just scared. Scared he'll take me back to...

Don't say 'is name, mush. Jono helped Remy sit down on the floor in the corridor. Yer might not see me all the time, but I'll be close. And Remy?

Remy looked pleadingly at Jono. Oui?

Yer a mutant as well. Yer can charge lifeless objects like this blanket with kinetic energy. Don't be afraid ter use yer powers should somethin' 'appen.

Remy's fingers clawed the blanket, clutching it tightly. It was his last weapon should Jono fail to take out Sabertooth. His heart missed a beat when Jono leaned in closer to rest his brow against his. Please come back to me, cher.

I promise I will. Jono stared deeply in to Remy's eyes. I'll be back. He got back to his feet and walked down the corridor, heading towards the menacing presence that threatened Remy's safety.

Left alone, Remy held on to his blanket for dear life.

///

Logan's hand clawed at the door knob, frozen in its movement and Hank wished his friend would hurry. From what Logan had told him he'd gathered that Bobby needed medical attention. "Logan? We should move inside!"

"Hank, I'm..." Logan had seldom been scared in his life, but the stench of blood and vomit told him that Creed had enjoyed tormenting Bobby before leaving his victim alone.

Hank reacted at once, placed his hand over Logan's and opened the door. "Oh, Robert!" Hank startled at the sight that greeted him. Lying huddled in a corner, Bobby was struggling to draw his next breath.

Bobby heard a voice, but couldn't label its origin. All he knew was that the voice didn't belong to Creed. Pinching his eyes, he tried to focus on the two dark shadows that were moving toward him. Another wave of nausea made his stomach contract painfully and the dry heaves returned. His sore throat objected to the abuse, but the heaves continued.

"I'm gonna rip Creed's throat out..." Logan quickly kneeled at Bobby's side and pulled him upright, cradling him against his chest. Soothingly, he rubbed Bobby's back with long strokes. He used his other hand to hold back the locks. "It's gonna be aright, Bobby. Blue here will take care of ya."

Hank moved closer to his new patient and checked Bobby's pupils. "We don't know what Creed used to subdue Robert, so I suggest we move him back to the mansion ASAP." Hank checked Bobby's pulse and found it much too slow. "We need to get going... now." Hank offered to carry Bobby back to the mansion, but Logan growled possessively and Hank let it be. Logan's behavior mystified him. Yes, Bobby was a friend and team-mate, but Logan had never acted this protectively and possessively before.

"I'm gonna carry him, no one else!" Logan lifted Bobby in his arms and marched out of the cabin, straight in to a growing storm. Cold rain drops slid down his face, but Logan never faltered. He only wished he knew how to protect Bobby from the cold rain.

"Here, this might help." Hank covered Bobby with his coat. "Hopefully it will help keeping him warm."

"Thanks, Blue." Logan's goal was set and he continued to march towards the mansion.

"Logan, is there something you would like to tell me?" Hank felt curious, wondering about his friend's odd behavior. When Logan looked down at Bobby to check on his charge, Hank said, "He's lost consciousness."

"Damn it!" Logan felt guilty. If he hadn't rejected Bobby, the younger man might have spent the night in his bed! Then Creed wouldn't have gotten to Bobby. That's bullshit. Bobby wouldn't have slept with me on the first night. We could have snuggled... gotten to know each other... Now that he was holding Bobby in his arms, he realized how close he had come to losing the younger man. Creed could have easily killed him and... "What 'bout the sedative Creed used to take him out? Blue, can it kill him?"

"I don't know, Logan. I'm sorry. I need to run some tests before I can answer that question." Hank's heart thumped loudly. "I don't want to lose him either."

"But he can die?" Logan's mouth had gone awfully dry. "He can't die... he's just a kid!"

Hank smiled ruefully. "He's a grown man who likes to act like a ten year old." Hank looked at the rain clouds and realized it would take them at least 15 more minutes to reach the mansion. "Logan, Bobby's strong. He'll survive."

Logan realized that he had little to lose. "Bobby's gay, but ya 'ready know that?"

"He told me, yes." Hank considered offering to carry Bobby for a while, but Logan's firmly set jaw told him what he needed to know. Logan wouldn't release Bobby in to his care. "I take it he told you as well? Bobby only confided in Scott and me at the time. Being gay was hard for him to accept and he wasn't sure how you would react to finding out."

"Did he ever tell ya he has a crush on me?" Logan shifted Bobby's body until he had a better hold on the young man. His arms were growing heavy, but he refused to hand Bobby over to Hank.

"No, he didn't," Hank said, mildly surprised. "But I suspected he was in love with someone on the team. I thought it was either you or Warren."

"Warren, that pompous ass? No, Bobby here has got taste!" Logan suddenly realized what he'd just said and was surprised to feel a sense of pride run through him at the thought that Bobby had chosen him!

"So what are you going to do about this? Do you feel the same way about him?" Hank felt relieved that Bobby was unconscious right now. Hearing them discuss his love life would have greatly embarrassed Bobby. "Are you going to let him down gently?"

"Let him down?" Logan took a moment to find the closed eyes beneath the damp hair. "I would be a fool to let him get 'way." It had taken Sabertooth and the threat of losing his potential lover to show him the truth. "Poor kid, doesn't know what he's gotten himself in to, datin' me."

Hank grinned. "Maybe Robert will get more than he bargained for." He was happy for his friends, but Bobby's soft moan froze the smile on Hank's face. "He's getting worse," he said, after checking Bobby's pulse again. "Start running."

///

When Scott entered the mansion, he caught sight of Jono's blasts, coming from upstairs. "Damn, Sabertooth found a way passed the security system!" Running upstairs, he tried to determine Sabertooth's location. He wanted to take the mutant out with one well aimed blast. It was his fault that Creed had managed to get inside; he should have seen the trap for what it was.

///

Come on, Sabertooth, try me. I'll blast yer fuckin' head off! Jono glared at Creed, angry that the mutant had found a way to scare the hell out of Remy. He could feel the Cajun through the link and Remy was barely keeping it together. Take on someone yer own size! Yer can't play fuckin' head games with me!

Jono ripped off the bandages, allowing his power to flow freely around him. His anger fed his energy and he'd never felt stronger before. If necessary he would die trying to take out Sabertooth, as long as that meant Remy was safe.

Scumbag, bastard! Jono wanted Sabertooth to go insane with rage, that way it would be easier to take him out.

"You're fuckin' irritating, kid. I'll teach you a lesson, like Sinister taught the thieving Cajun a lesson!" Sabertooth studied his surroundings. Standing in the corridor, he realized his advantage. If Chamber used his powers, part of the house would probably collapse on top of him.

"You humiliated me!" Sinister had only smirked when he'd told his boss about the kid who had nearly blasted him in to oblivion. "It's payback time!"

The only one who's goin' ter pay for 'is crimes is yer! Jono sent a blast in Sabertooth's direction, but the agile mutant quickly got out of its way.

"Missed me!" Sabertooth continued to advance. "Looking forward to slashing you open, punk!"

Jono wasn't sure what would happen if Sabertooth managed to do just that. He didn't have any organs that would stop working... would he survive such an onslaught? I ain't plannin' on findin' out! Releasing another blast, he managed to hit Sabertooth. The mutant stumbled and dropped to his knees.

Jono was startled when Sabertooth got back to his feet mere seconds later. Damn! I forgot about 'is bloody 'ealin' power! Although Jono had the power to destroy Creed, he realized that he lacked the necessary experience to take Sabertooth out. He'd better start running, moving away from Remy and leading Creed in the opposite direction.

Creed was tempted to take the bait and follow Jono as the younger man dashed around the corridor, but then his nostrils identified a very familiar scent. LeBeau... we still got a score to settle... He decided to let Chamber go for the moment and concentrated on the thief's scent.

///

Scott's frustration was growing and he cursed loudly at finding Remy's room empty. "Jono, where did you take him?" Scott looked down the corridor, but didn't see the Cajun anywhere. "Come on, Remy, I need to know where you are!"

A fierce blast shook the floor beneath his feet and for one moment he feared the structure wouldn't hold. He had to teach Jono to be more careful when using his blasts. Like his optic blasts Jono's were equally destructive.

A sound, coming from one of the rooms to his right, caught his attention. "Remy? Is that you?" It sounded like a large form was being dragged over the floor and Scott decided to check it out. Walking down the corridor, he listened closely and finally found the room where the sound was coming from. "Remy? It's me. I'm going to open the door."

As he opened the door, Scott realized his mistake. Sabertooth leaped from the shadows and dug his claws in to his chest. "Get off of me!" Scott reacted instinctively and used his optic blast to send Creed in to the opposite wall. But his chest hurt and he slumped against the doorway. I need to put some distance between us!

///

Where the fuck is Sabertooth? Jono felt like he was running in circles and finally realized that Creed hadn't followed him. Bugger, now what? Bloody 'ell, wot if he found Remy? No! Jono turned around and ran upstairs.

///

Sabertooth licked Scott's blood from his fingernails. Ah, Logan, if only you could see me take them out one by one... I'm going to start with the Cajun. He'd picked up on Remy's scent, which was drenched in fear and it had led him to this room. Scott had disturbed his search, but now that Cyclops was injured and running, he studied the room once more. "I know you're in here. I can smell you."

A stifled moan led him to the bathroom and he enjoyed toying with LeBeau. He stalled opening the door, knowing it would worsen the Cajun's fear. Slowly, he pushed the door ajar and grinned maliciously. "It's time to finish what I started in the tunnels. This time, you're going to die!" Victoriously, he stared at Remy, who sat pressed against the wall in the far corner of the bathroom. "No one's going to help you now." He flashed his razor sharp fingernails and stalked inside.

///

Terrified, Remy stared at Creed and tried to hide even deeper into the corner, wishing the floor would open and safely pull him in. He'd forgotten about charging the blanket to fight off Sabertooth and tiny moans of misery left his lips. Creed suddenly flashed on the light and Remy cried out in pain, trying to protect his sensitive eyes.

"Sinister really did a number on you. Didn't think he could reduce you to this, but he did. Got to like that guy!" Sabertooth stalked closer and squatted in front of the Cajun, showing off his sharp nails. "I really enjoyed watching you squirm on screen. Ah, you didn't know that?" Creed laughed wickedly, seeing the stunned expression on the Cajun's face. "Sinister was proud of his handy work and we loved seeing you beg for some water or food, but at the end, it became terribly boring."

Remy's eyes filled with tears. How could anyone be this cruel? Sinister had used his misery to entertain the Marauders? He wanted to shout his anger, but he was only linked to Jono and Creed wouldn't hear his thoughts. That left him no way out; he had to talk. Ignoring his bruised jaw and aching tongue he managed a few groans. "W-why?"

"Why Sinister loved to torture you?" Creed's grin turned even more evil. "You disappointed him."

"I... w-what-t?" Remy cocked his head and briefly forgot about his fear. He'd disappointed Sinister? What was Sabertooth talking about?

"He really counted on you to become the leader of the Marauders. Sinister once said that you'd have made an excellent second in command, but no, you had to betray him."

At a loss, Remy pulled the blanket closer to his body and whispered, "B-be trayed-d?" He wished Jono were here, but he was alone and feared for his friend's well-being. The first thing he had done when Creed had switched on the light was check the mutant's fingernails for blood, but they were clean, not a drop of blood clung to them. Please, Jono, be 'live.

The link buzzed briefly and Remy's heart jumped in relief. Jono might not be near, but the young man was still alive. Looking up at Creed's hideous face Remy tried to control his fears.

"Yeah, you betrayed him when you turned on us in the tunnels. It was a test. Sinister hoped you would join us in the killin', but no, you had to fight back!" Disgust dripped from Sabertooth's words and his predatory eyes revealed all the loathing he felt for the Cajun. "You could have had it all, but you just had to throw it away to save a few Morlocks."

Although Remy had panicked a few seconds ago now calmness returned to him. Everything Creed had said proved to him that the X-Men had been telling him the truth; that in spite of his horrid memories he'd never lived them. He hadn't led the killing, hadn't been the cold blooded murderer Sinister had wanted him to believe! The anger started in his chest and traveled down his arms and hands, sending a tingling in to his fingertips. The blanket began to glow.

///

Scott was trying to form some sort of plan when he was knocked off his feet by another one of Jono's blasts. Shit, he's near. Jono! It's me, Scott, calm down and try to get to me! We can take Creed together!

Scott? Wot the bloody 'ell is Sabertooth doin' 'ere? 'e suddenly showed up! Jono managed to hone in on Scott and found that the X-Man was only a few feet away. Quickly, he joined Scott. He gasped seeing the bloody holes in Scott's chest. Fuck, wot 'appened, mate? Concerned, Jono's eyes swept over the injured area. Sabertooth?

"Yeah, I bumped in to him when I was looking for Remy. Where's he hiding? I got the feeling that Creed is going after him." Scott felt weak and his chest hurt. Every so often a coughing fit overwhelmed him and the last time he'd coughed, blood had stained his lips. He didn't know how serious the injury was, but he tried to stop the bleeding by pressing his hands against his chest. "Jono, you..."

Jono was just in time to catch Scott when the other man's knees gave out beneath him. Didn't know yer were feelin' this bad. Come on, mate, sit down. Yer can't go after Sabertooth like that!

"I have to! Remy's in danger!" Scott struggled to get to his feet once more, but he coughed up blood again and had to abandon the effort.

Yer better stay 'ere, mate. I'll find Remy. Jono didn't want to leave Scott alone, but the link pulled him upstairs. Remy's terror had subsided a little and now anger dripped down the link.

"Get moving! What are you waiting for? I'm fine!" Scott gestured Jono to get moving.

I'll be back... with Remy! Jono started climbing the stairs, hoping he would be in time to save Remy's life... after all, he'd made a promise!

///

You ruined my life... Sinister and you... Flashes of what had really happened in the tunnels were spiraling back in to Remy's mind. Scott... Bobby... Jono, they had been right. He'd tried to stop the Marauders and when he'd found himself outnumbered, he'd tried to save Marrow. You slashed me open! Remy remembered lying on the cold floor, his chest slashed open and Sabertooth looming over him with a victorious smirk on his face.

The anger continued to grow and the blanket soaked up his kinetic energy. Remy was hurting emotionally. The returning memories caused him physical pain and he didn't really want to remember how he had screwed up by trusting Sinister, but at least he wasn't the killer Sinister had tried to make him believe.

Creed's smirk faded, seeing the charged blanket in the Cajun's hands. Sinister had assured him that Remy had no means of defense left; that the Cajun didn't know how to use his mutant powers, but the scientist had been wrong. He'd better end it now or get out of here before LeBeau threw that blanket at him.

Flaunting his claws, Sabertooth studied LeBeau's eyes and was knocked off his feet when the anger and rage hit him like a palpable force. Okay, it was time to get out of here. Shit, does Sinister know what he did to LeBeau? He made the bastard stronger! He knew how to deal with LeBeau's charging power, but being hit with the empathy was a novel experience.

Get 'way from me! Remy couldn't stand Sabertooth's presence any longer. The malicious and sadistic feelings that roamed Creed's mind were unbearable. Throwing the blanket, he hid behind the laundry basket, hoping the blast would immobilize Sabertooth. Jono, please!

///

Stunned, Jono watched as the charged blanket exploded in to Creed's face, knocking the mutant through the window. While uttering an enraged scream, Creed tried to grab on to something, but failed. Shards of glass accompanied Sabertooth on his way down and the mutant hit the ground hard.

Way ter go, mush! Jono stormed forward and kneeled at Remy's side. The Cajun looked dazed and Jono sensed the lingering hate and pain Remy had used to throw Creed off balance. Yer got the scumbag, Remy! Yer did well! He'd never thought that Remy would defend himself. Leaning in closer, he carefully wrapped his arms around Remy, who immediately started a rocking motion, which Jono continued. It's okay, Remy. 'e's gone. Yer chased 'im away.

Jono, what did I do?

Jono cringed, seeing Remy's blank expression. Shst, mush, everythin's fine. Yer fought 'im off. I'm so proud of yer!

Proud?

Jono felt relieved when a puzzled expression appeared in Remy's eyes. The blank look had scared him. He gently hauled Remy to his feet and checked the Cajun for injuries. Yer scared me, mush. I felt yer terror and I was afraid yer would let the bastard get away with... killin' yer. The truth was that he'd been terrified himself, terrified of losing Remy. Shielding his thoughts Jono admitted the truth to himself. I nearly lost yer, Remy. I love yer so much... I couldn't stand losin' yer... I need yer, luv. But Jono would never admit to being in love with Remy.

Remy gave Jono a quizzical look, feeling that Jono was locking him out and he wondered what Jono was trying to hide from him. He was about to probe carefully when a weak voice fought for their attention.

"Remy? Jono?" Scott had dragged himself upstairs to help in case Jono couldn't deal with Creed. Finding the enemy gone, Scott relaxed and slid down on to the floor. "Jono, could you help me get to the med lab?" Hopefully Hank had already arrived with Bobby.

Bloody 'ell, I forgot... Jono stared at Remy and then his gaze shifted to Scott. Remy, yer okay, ain't yer? After Remy nodded his head once, Jono continued. I need ter take Scott ter the lab. Can yer stay 'ere? I'll come back ter get yer.

I want to try walkin' on my own... Go, help Scott. Remy used the wall to support him and weakly pushed Jono away. Cher, de man needs your help!

Yes, right... Jono felt proud, seeing the change in Remy's eyes. Something profound had happened and they needed to discuss it later. First he had to get Scott to the lab. Jono helped Scott to his feet and supported the other man as they made their way downstairs, using the lift.

Remy managed to keep up with them. The knowledge that he wasn't a killer kept him going.

///

"Oh, my..." Hank sighed as mayhem enfolded around him. He'd thought Bobby was his only patient, but now Jono was bringing in Scott as well and behind them was Remy, carefully placing one foot in front of the other. "Logan, I need your help here!"

Displeased, Logan left Bobby's side. Hank had done some blood work to determine what sedative Creed had used and after getting back the results, Hank had decided to let the drug run its course. It would take the drug some hours to leave Bobby's system, but Hank was confident that the young man would wake up feeling a lot better. He'd also hooked Bobby up to an IV, feeding his patient fluids to flush the drug from Bobby's system. Logan didn't want to leave Bobby alone, but realized that Hank needed help.

It only took Logan a second to determine the origin of Scott's injuries; Creed's claws. "We've got him now, kid. Go, look after the Cajun." Logan helped to lay Scott down and then followed Hank's instructions when he disinfected the wounds.

Is 'e goin' ter be fine? Jono asked Hank, while wrapping a steadying arm around Remy's waist. Touching the Cajun came easy now and Jono had forgotten about distancing himself from Remy. He needed Remy close, like the Cajun needed him. Hopefully they would end up being friends after Remy had healed.

"I think so." Hank needed to concentrate and said, "Why don't you help Remy to lie down in one of the exam beds. He shouldn't be walking around this much."

Jono felt grateful that he had something to do and guided Remy toward the exam bed next to Bobby's. Lie down, mush. Yer tremblin' all over. Jono would have sold his soul to be able to crawl in to bed with Remy and hold him tight; reassuring himself that Creed hadn't done any damage. Jono suddenly noticed the confused look Remy was giving him. Fuck, hadn't he been shielding his thoughts? That bloody link!

Remy obeyed and lay down. He pulled up the blankets, feeling cold to the bone. When Jono turned away, he grabbed the younger man's wrist. Jono, cher? Talk to me?

Jono arched an eyebrow, feeling the tight hold Remy had on his wrist. He couldn't remember Remy taking control like this before. Hesitantly, he met the red and black eyes and startled. They didn't look that clouded any more; they looked sharp and alert. Remy?

I remember what really happened at de Massacre. Seein' Creed brought it back. His newly found confidence disappeared when he saw the dark expression in Jono's eyes and he fell back in to the behavior Sinister had engraved on to him; to never look someone in the eyes and to cower.

Mush, yer took me by surprise, that's all. Angry with himself for not controlling his emotions better, Jono took a step away from Remy. He'd never expected to be angry when Remy finally remembered the Massacre. Maybe he was scared that the Cajun no longer needed him, now that he was starting to remember? Turning away, Jono tried to sever the link between them now that Remy didn't need him any more. But nothing happened and the link remained strong. Frustrated, Jono glared at the floor.

Please?

It wasn't the word that made him turn around and face Remy, it was the tiny tone. Oh, Remy, I'm such a bastard... I'm sorry. I'm 'appy yer memories are comin' back. Seeing Remy pull back in to himself fed Jono's self hate. Instead of being happy that Remy remembered what had really happened during the Massacre he pitied himself because Remy wouldn't need him any longer.

But he'd been wrong. Seeing the loneliness in Remy's eyes, he found that the Cajun needed him more than ever. Remy's emotions were raw and close to the surface and he felt the Cajun's fears. It's okay, I ain't leavin'.

Remy didn't know why he opened his arms, begging Jono to hold him close, but he did and he sighed relieved when Jono's arms came up behind his back. I'm sorry, cher. Can' let you go. I need you. For the very first time he explored the feelings and thoughts that Jono was sharing with him and he gasped, realizing how strong their connection had become. It was more than concern, more than friendship, it felt like... love? Mon Dieu... Remy finally saw through the mask Jono was wearing and felt the love beneath it. Jono was in love with him!

Remy? Wot's up, mush? Why are yer lookin' at me like that? The expression in Remy's eyes was impossible to decipher and Jono felt himself grow nervous. Had Remy read something in his mind that he had been hiding? He released Remy and took a step away from the Cajun, whose eyes grew draped.

Jono... Remy turned on to his other side, turning away from Jono. Leave me 'lone, please don' ask questions.

Remy, why...? Why was Remy pushing him away all of a sudden? What had he done wrong? Feeling shut out and hurt, Jono stepped away from the Cajun's bed and headed toward Hank. Yer need 'elp, mate?

Hank had just finished bandaging Scott's chest and now pulled up the blanket to make sure his patient stayed warm. After giving Jono a thoughtful look Hank's gaze traveled to Remy and he saw that the Cajun's shoulders were trembling. "Remy's crying... why?"

Cryin'? Shocked that he hadn't picked up on Remy's distress Jono quickly returned to the Cajun, realizing something awful had happened; Remy had somehow managed to lock him out, had erected shields Jono didn't know Remy possessed. Remy? Not getting a response he moved to the other side of the bed and leaned in closer, gently pushing back a few loose strands of hair. Why are yer cryin'? Why are yer blockin' me?

Now that Jono couldn't read his thoughts, Remy felt safe enough to ponder some things. While looking in to Jono's tired brown eyes Remy wished things had been different. Jono, you can' love me. I'm a nutcase! You deserve so much betta dan me! It must be de link drawin' you in... once it's gone, your love for me will go 'way too. Jono didn't respond and Remy knew the younger man hadn't heard his thoughts. I don' know if I've had male lovers, Jono, mais t'inking of touchin' you intimately doesn' repulse me. I'd love to touch you all over, make you feel bien, mais... I'd only make you miserable. You deserve someone stron' to love you, not someone as fucked up as I am and you'll realize your mistake when de link's gone.

Remy? Yer scarin' me... please let me in again? The fact that he couldn't hear Remy's thoughts any longer scared Jono. He still received some of the Cajun's feelings but he mostly sensed confusion, regret and self hate. Let me in again?

Remy couldn't deny Jono when he felt the tension in the other man's mind. Jono was worried about him and he wanted to reassure the younger man. After locking away his knowledge that Jono was in love with him, Remy opened his mind again. Sorry, Jono, needed a moment to deal wit' everyt'in' dat happened. You don' have to stay wit' me. I'm bien. Mebbe Hank needs help?

I just asked 'im and 'e sent me straight back ter yer. Jono studied Remy's facial expression, feeling a distance that had never been there before. Somethin' changed... why?

I just realized how much time you're spendin' 'round me. You must have betta t'ings to do dan hang 'round me and watch me panic.

Remy, wot's really goin' on? Yer upset, why? Jono was determined to get to the heart of the matter, but suddenly Hank's hand settled down on his shoulder and stopped him.

"Jono, my patients need rest. Bobby's still recovering from the drug Creed used on him and Scott needs some peace and quiet. You're broadcasting all over the place." Hank couldn't dismiss an uncomfortable feeling when Remy lowered his eyes, trying to shut them out. The Cajun had been doing great, had made remarkable progress so what had gone wrong?

Jono felt the dismissal; Remy didn't want him around, wanted him to leave and he blamed himself for not maintaining that emotional distance he'd promised himself he would. The rejection hurt and his hand, which had been stroking back Remy's locks, froze in mid air.

Is there anythin' I can do ter 'elp? Jono offered again.

Logan saw that Remy was locking them out and wanted to give the Cajun some privacy. Whatever was wrong, Remy would be able to solve it faster without Jono around. "Come on, kid, let's inspect the damage and get the security system back online. I bet Creed's gone by now."

Reluctantly, Jono nodded his head and locked away the hurt he was feeling. He'd always known that Remy wouldn't need him any more when he started to feel better. If only he could sever the link between them, but Remy was still feeding it, refusing to let it die. Sure, Logan. I'll 'elp.

Remy's heart contracted painfully when Jono walked away to join Logan. Non, don't go 'way, he wanted to call out the words, but stopped himself just in time. He had to set Jono free, but why did the link between them refuse to die? He pulled up the blanket and hid his face beneath his hair. Listening to Jono's retreating footfalls he almost grew nauseous, wanting the other man to stay close.

Hank waited for Logan and Jono to leave and after quickly checking on Bobby and Scott, he walked over to Remy's bed. After pulling up a chair, he sat down and pushed some stray locks behind the Cajun's ear. "What's wrong, Remy? I smelled your tears... Logan probably did as well. Why are you trying to hide your hurt from Jono?" But with Jono gone Remy couldn't answer him telepathically. "Try to talk to me, Remy, this is important. Why are you pushing him away?" Hank recalled having a very similar conversation with Jono only days ago.

Remy desperately wanted to confide in Hank, but felt embarrassed and shy. Although he knew by now that Hank was a friend and could be trusted, the old distrust would never go away entirely. The memories he'd regained while talking to Sabertooth weren't limited to the Massacre. He also remembered little things, details only, but they featured Bobby, Logan, Scott and Hank and proved that they were friends. Briefly, Remy considered it odd that he only remembered things concerning these four men, but then dismissed it. It would take a long time for his memory to return completely.

"Remy, why? Why push Jono away? He's been there for you since we brought you back. He cares a lot about you and..." Hank paused; Remy was trying to say something.

"Cares-s... t-too m-much..." Remy managed, biting down the pain that surged through his jaw.

"You think he cares too much? Why is that? Do you think you don't deserve the attention?" Hank suddenly thread carefully, wondering if Remy had figured out that Jono was in love with him. Everyone who looks closely can see the love in Jono's eyes... and in Remy's. Why are they fighting this? "Remy, how can Jono care too much?"

"In-n l-love..." Remy wished his jaw didn't hurt that badly because he really needed to talk to someone about this and he'd come to trust Hank.

Hank decided to play dumb. "You're in love with Jono?"

"Non-n..." Remy managed to elbow himself into an upright position. After making sure that Bobby and Scott weren't listening he whispered, "He l-loves m-me."

"You only now realized that?" Hank smiled reassuringly. "I already knew."

"How-w?" Stunned, Remy stared at Hank, wondering what else he'd been missing. And why wasn't Hank upset to learn about Jono's crush? Didn't McCoy see how wrong it was? That the link was responsible for the attraction Jono felt toward him? Jono wasn't really in love with him, the youngster just thought he was in love!

"I talked to him after he restored your memories of the barbecue. It was plain to see that he'd fallen in love with you." Hank took hold of Remy's hand when the Cajun began to tremble and stroked the skin soothingly like he'd seen Jono do. It worked; Remy calmed down.

"Is-s w-wrong."

"What's wrong, Remy? That Jono's in love with you? Why is that wrong?"

"N-not good-d e-nough... n-not real-l. De l-link." Remy sat upright in bed now, staring deeply in to Hank's eyes.

Hank startled a little when the flood gates opened and Remy's emotions washed over him. Staying calm, he leaned in closer. His face was only inches away from Remy's. "Are you saying that Jono's not good enough for you?"

"Non-n! I ain-t-t good-d e-..." Remy faltered; his jaw hurt too badly and a tear of pain left his right eye.

"Remy, I really don't understand. For an empath you're rather blind..."

Remy's lips formed the word 'empath'. What was Hank talking about? He pointed at himself and shook his head while mouthing the word again.

"Yes, you're an empath." Hank's brow grew furrowed. "Remy, you do know you're an empath, don't you?"

Remy shook his head again. An empat'? I ain' an empat'.

Hank rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. "The tests came back positive, Remy, you're an empath."

Trying to deal with this news Remy's eyes closed. I never knew... never suspected. Why did it manifest now? He opened his eyes again and mouthed 'link'.

Hank understood. "You are maintaining the link. Jono's a telepath, yes, but the link is of an empathic nature. Only you can destroy it."

Remy's shoulders slumped and he bowed his head. I've been tyin' Jono down? Mon Dieu, he doesn' want to be close to me, mais de link ain' givin' him a choice! I have to find a way to destroy de link! Once it's gone Jono will realize his mistake... He doesn' love me... It's de link.

"Remy?" Hank noticed the vacant expression in the Cajun's eyes and tried again. "Remy!"

Remy's head jerked back and he looked at Hank, wondering what the other man wanted from him. Didn't Hank know that he was busy trying to find a way to sever the link so he could give Jono his freedom back?

"Remy, do you have feelings for Jono as well? Is the attraction mutual?" Hank had privately debated if he should ask this question and in the end he'd decided he had to know. Both men were playing games and someone had to stay on top of everything. Remy looked away and Hank barely suppressed a smirk. Yes, the feeling is obviously mutual. But he's too stubborn to admit to what he's feeling... kids today!

Remy's lips moved to say 'non,' but he couldn't lie to Hank and so he simply looked away. He was still trying to deal with the fact that he was an empath and maintaining this link that had somehow made Jono think that he was in love!

"Why don't you get some rest? You shouldn't have been on your feet in the first place. Lie down, Remy." Hank gently pushed Remy down and covered the Cajun with a warm blanket. "You're in good hands, Remy. Try to sleep."

Lured into relaxation by Hank's voice Remy closed his eyes. Speaking aloud had exhausted him and he was asleep within minutes.

Hank got to his feet, walked over to check Bobby's vitals and then looked at Remy again. He'd thought that Remy knew he was an empath, but apparently the Cajun hadn't. Maybe he had to talk to Jono again and explain some things.

///

Logan and Jono started cleaning up in the hall and then worked their way up to Bobby's room, where Remy had been hiding in the bathroom. Creed had mostly knocked over some stuff and they straightened out the mess in thirty minutes. The window would be harder to fix.

Now wot? Cleaning up the mess had distracted Jono from his personal problems, but now they came crashing in again. I just don't get it, he thought privately.

 "Ya got a lot on yer mind?" Logan gestured to Jono to follow him to the control room. They still had to check the security system and put it online again. "The Cajun's causin' problems?"

Jono sneaked a look at Logan, uncertain if he could confide in the older man. He didn't know Logan that well and had no idea how he would react to finding out what was really going on.

Logan opted for diplomacy and hoped he was good enough at it. It wasn't an approach he took often. "Actually, I owe ya a thank ya." Logan slipped behind the computer console and ran a diagnostic program to determine the state of the security system. Creed had ripped apart some cables when he'd sneaked inside.

A thank yer? Why? Growing curious, Jono watched Logan's fingers fly over the keyboard. After a few minutes of furious typing words appeared on screen. It was a code he couldn't decipher.

"Ya showed me Bobby's in love with me." Logan saw the stunned expression in Jono's eyes and smiled, satisfied that he'd captured the younger man's attention.

Jono searched his memory. Bobby told me 'e never came out ter yer.

"Yeah, probably chickened out 'cause he has a crush on me. He finally told me yesterday." Logan growled approvingly as the system came back online, still working fine. Apparently, Creed hadn't done that much damage after all. "I'm glad he told me."

Puzzled, Jono arched an eyebrow. Yer like 'im in that way? Hell, why not? Bobby was good looking, had a great sense of humor and a caring personality.

"He kinda surprised me by confessin' up to bein' in love with me, but when Creed took him, I realized I do like him in that way, yeah." Logan grinned, pleased that the security system was working again. "Our work here's done..." But he didn't get to his feet, instead, he gestured Jono to sit down as well.

Jono figured Logan wanted to talk about Bobby and sat down. So the two of yer are together now?

"I still need to tell Bobby that little detail..." Logan's smirk grew broader. "I told him I needed time to get used to the idea of bein' in a relationship."

Bobby's a great catch... I'm sure yer will work out. Feeling melancholy, Jono stared at the screen, which was filled with encoded messages. Everyone ends up 'appy, he thought privately, everyone except for me. No one wants a monster... Why did I allow meself ter fall in love with Remy? I only set meself up for more pain.

Logan licked his lips, carefully plotting the direction this conversation was going in. "Maybe we could double date."

'uh? Jono thought he'd misunderstood. What did yer say? Double date?

"Yeah, of course we'll have to wait until Remy and Bobby feel betta, but..." Logan paused, seeing Jono's startled expression. "What? Ya didn't think we knew? Kid, it's written all over yer face, and Remy's, that yer in love!"

Yer don't know wot yer sayin'! But then Jono fully registered what Logan had just said. And Remy's face? Mate, stop bollockin' me! Do yer really think Remy's in love with me? Bloody 'ell, did yer lose yer mind? Jono jumped to his feet and loomed over Logan, who raised his feet and rested them on the computer console.

"Ya got a temper problem, kid, but I'm sure people told ya that 'fore." Logan bared his teeth, determined not to give in to Jono's self hate. "Don't ya dare deny ya love the Cajun! I can smell pheromones on ya when Remy's close and pheromones don't lie!" Jono's eyes shot fire and Logan wondered if he should be searching for cover.

Yes, I'm in love with Remy, but why can't any of yer understand that it's useless! No one can love me back! Enraged, Jono ripped off his bandages and showed Logan his psi-fire. This is wot I am, mate, think someone can love that? I ain't whole, will never be whole again and yer think Remy can love this? Fuck, he had to leave now or he would say things he would regret later.

Jono started for the door, but Logan moved faster and blocked his way. "Stop runnin' 'way, kid."

Yer don't understand, no one does! Jono glared at Logan, wondering what would intimidate the older man. Get out of me way.

"I don't think so, kid." Logan sounded thoughtfully. "Don't ya think I asked myself the same thin'? How the hell can Bobby love me? Ya've never seen me go primal," he said, using Jono's own tactics against the young man. "Ya can't understand what it feels like to lose yerself. I could rip ya apart when I'm feral! And still Bobby loves me, fell in love with me a year ago. Why? I don't know..."

It ain't the same thing. Jono's anger faded and he quickly put the bandages in to place again. Yer 'ave got a body Bobby can make love ter. There's this 'ole inside me and... Now that the anger had vanished only pain remained behind. Remy can't want me...

"Rogue dumped him before they went to Antarctica. Bobby said it was an ugly scene... I don't know Remy that well, Cajun's a private man, but he's always been lookin' for love..." That observation was all Logan had to offer. "Why don't ya tell him ya love him?"

Remy ain't interested in me... 'e can get every lover 'e wants. Why settle for a freak like me?

"Ya've got to do betta than that; we're all freaks here." Logan's tone softened, realizing how hard this was on Jono. "It might come as a surprise, kid, but sometimes the things we can't accept 'bout ourselves, others can."

Logan, I stopped deludin' meself a long time ago. It's time ter end this conversation, it ain't leadin' anywhere. Jono had reached the doorway now.

"Then what 'bout that link? Are ya gonna break it?"

I can't break it, only Remy can. Jono didn't look back as he stepped in to the corridor. They'd cleaned up the mess Sabertooth had made, but he would never be able to straighten up the mess he called his life.

///

When Remy woke again he heard Hank and Bobby whisper softly. Growing curious, he sat upright, swung his feet on to the floor and wondered why he felt okay. Since Sabertooth's attack he felt better, even liberated. Maybe it had something to do with the anger and pain he'd released to defend himself.

"Remy? Don't you want to sleep some more?" Hank saw Remy get to his feet and walked over to the Cajun.

"B-bobby?" Remy sought out Bobby and found that the other man was smiling back at him. Talking aloud worsened the ever present pain in his jaw. Betta get used to it, 'cause Jono won' be 'round much longer...

"I'm okay," Bobby said reassuringly. "What about Scott?"

"As long as there's no infection he'll be fine." Hank's gaze shifted back and forth between the two men.

"S-sit w-wit' Bob-b-by?" Remy realized that Jono wasn't near and the other man's absence made him feel depressed. Maybe if he tried to cheer Bobby up he'd feel better. "I'll b-behav-ve..."

"You remember some of the stunts you pulled in the past to get me to release you?" Hank smiled and offered Remy his arm, folding it gently around the Cajun. Slowly they made their way over to Bobby's bed, where he sat Remy down.

Remy nodded his head, recalling sneaking out of the medlab when Hank's poking had become too much. Now that he was sitting comfortably at Bobby's side he released a strangled sigh. He missed Jono, missed hearing his thoughts, feeling his concern. He felt alone again.

"I've got to check on Scott," Hank announced. "Stay seated and talk to Bobby." Hank walked over to his other patient, leaving Bobby and Remy alone.

Bobby still felt weak, but the drug had lost most of its effect and he managed to sit upright, leaning in to the pillows. Studying Remy's face, he noticed the absent look in the alien eyes. "Hey, what's going on?"

Remy shook his head, indicating he didn't want to talk about himself. If he did, it would eventually lead to discussing his feelings for Jono. He didn't really know what he felt for Jono. Too many emotions were mixed up. There was gratitude, because Jono had helped him through those first rough days and there was love... which confused him. Did he love Jono like a brother or was it more? His memory still contained a huge number of holes and he wasn't sure he'd ever been with a man, but his gut instinct told him he hadn't.

Bobby caught Remy's sigh and wished he knew why the Cajun was refusing to talk about his feelings. Maybe a detour would eventually take him to his destination. "Have you seen Logan?"

Relieved that Bobby had changed their subject, Remy nodded his head. "Is-s f-fine."

"Sabertooth didn't get to him? That's good. How about Jono?"

"F-fine t-too." The pain in his jaw was reaching new heights and he realized that he'd taken Jono's telepathy for granted. Not once had he thanked the younger man for linking him to others so he could communicate with them. The silence was growing uncomfortable and Remy considered asking Hank to let him go back to his room.

But then Logan returned to the med lab and Remy almost jumped to his feet, expecting Jono to be tagging along. But Jono was nowhere in sight and discouraged, Remy pressed deeper in to the chair. He'd feared Jono wouldn't be back. At least the link told him that the other man was doing fine.

Logan cracked a sparkling smirk, seeing Bobby awake and alert again. He'd been worried that the sedative might have caused permanent damage and although Hank had assured him it was only a mild sedative, he'd remained suspicious.

Now that Logan had made up his mind, he strode over to Bobby and after exchanging a knowing grin with Hank, leaned in closer and claimed Bobby's lips in a possessive kiss.

"Mhump..." Bobby struggled to say something, but Logan did a good job in distracting his lips. Is Logan kissing me? Yeah, he's kissing me... wonder why he's kissing me... oh, but what a kiss, nice and firm and is that his tongue? Oh, yeah, that's tongue... Bobby parted his teeth and granted Logan an easy entry.

Remy sat back and watched the scene unfold. He knew that Bobby was gay, but he hadn't known that Bobby and Logan were an item. Why hadn't anyone told him?

"Mine, ya hear me? Mine," Logan growled proudly as he released Bobby's lips. He still tasted the drug on Bobby's tongue and didn't like the reminder that Creed had almost killed Bobby. Staring in to his new lover's big eyes, Logan smiled. "Yeah, that definitely shut ya up."

Bobby licked his lips. "Uh, Logan, don't think I'm complaining, but... what the hell was that about?"

"He's talkin' 'gain." Logan gently pushed his hand behind Bobby's head and buried his fingers in the thick hair. "I had some time to think things over and made my decision. Life's too short to waste."

Bobby's cock twitched, waking up. He knew Logan could smell his arousal and wished they weren't in the med lab but in his room. "Oh, man, I waited so long to hear you said it. I never thought you would. Are you sure? Just me and you?"

"Yeah, I'm sure, Drake." Logan cupped the back of Bobby's head in the palm of his hand and dove in for another kiss, trying to block out the taste of the sedative. This time Bobby's lips opened at once and he used a little of his strength to push Bobby deeper in to the pillows, affirming he was in charge.

Bobby didn't mind one bit. In his fantasies Logan always was the dominant one and he yielded willingly.

Remy cleared his throat. Although he was happy for Bobby and Logan he was reminded of his own pain, of what he couldn't have. It had become clear to him that he loved Jono when Logan had seized Bobby's lips, kissing the other man breathless. He'd realized that he wanted Jono in that way too. He wanted to kiss every inch of Jono's body and feel Chamber's skin against his.

Logan suddenly grew aware of Remy's presence and felt like a bastard for kissing Bobby like that, knowing that Remy was struggling with his own feelings for Jono. It was clearly written in the Cajun's eyes that he felt miserable. Logan sat down on the side of Bobby's bed and didn't release the hold he had on his new lover, pulling him close to his chest. "I'm sorry, Remy, but Jono's still in the control room on monitor duty."

Remy knew that the time had come to sever the link, but he wanted to do it face to face with Jono. He also wanted to tell Jono how much he cared about him, but that things would never work out. Sinister had screwed with his mind and he would never feel whole again and the nightmares would return once he was alone again. Jono deserved so much better than someone who startled at every shadow or unexpected noise. He would never heal again, not after the things Sinister had done to him and it was time to cut Jono loose.

"Hey, where are you going?" Alarmed, Bobby reached for Remy, but the Cajun moved surprisingly fast and all Bobby's hand found was air.

"Bobby's right." Hank quickly joined them. "You need to be sitting or lying down, not walking around."

"Going... b-back t-to my r-room-m." Remy shook off Hank's hand when the other man tried to support him. "L-leave m-me a-alone..." His heart ached as he turned his back towards his friends, but saying goodbye to Jono was something he had to do alone. Sayin' goodbye... Merde... he's an X-Man now and so am I. He'll 'ways be 'round. Mebbe I can leave de X-Men? I ain' got no use any longer. Dey're betta off wit'out me.

Logan addressed Hank the moment Remy stepped in to corridor and couldn't hear them anymore. "Shouldn't I go after him? He looks like he'll keel over any moment now."

"No." Bobby grabbed Logan's wrist and made him stay. "Remy's got to do this alone. We can't help him. He's got to realize that he's worthy of being loved."

"And Jono needs to realize the same thin'," Logan said, obviously frustrated. "Let's hope they don't blow up the house." Looking at his new lover, Logan realized they had some talking to do as well, but felt confident they would work things out.

///

Remy exited the elevator and nearly stumbled over his own two feet. His eyes refused to function properly and he only saw dark and light spots. His equilibrium was also playing up and a blinding headache was making it even harder for him to find his way to the control room.

His hands slid across the wall, leading him down the corridor. The link had grown stronger again, telling him that Jono was near, but he refused to call out to the younger man. Why 'gain am I doin' dis? Jono t'inks he's in love wit' me 'cause of de link, and doesn' deserve bein' tied to a nutcase. Oui, dat's it.

Remy? Wot are yer doin' 'ere? Jono hurried to Remy's side and steadied the Cajun as he swayed dangerously. Let's find yer a place ter sit down. Jono led Remy in to the control room and sat him down in a chair. Why are yer 'ere, Remy? Does Hank know yer 'ere? Jono took a step away from Remy, immediately distancing himself now that the Cajun was seated. Keep yer distance. Maybe then it won't 'urt that bad when 'e severs the link.

"You... w-want d-de link-k g-gone?" Remy forced himself to ignore the sharp pain that traveled up his jaw and settled behind his temples. Now he knew where the blinding headache was coming from.

Jono frowned. Don't yer want it gone? Without the link Remy wouldn't be stuck with him.

"N-need an ans-swer f-first-t." Remy gathered his strength and looked Jono in the eyes. He had to be strong now and set Jono free. Chamber still had his whole life ahead of him and would meet someone who could love him back the way the young man deserved to be loved. Remy hesitated, but then blurted out, "J-jono, are you in l-love w-wit' me?"

Shocked, Jono mentally kicked himself. You asshole! Why didn't yer keep it to yerself? Why let Remy see the truth? He fidgeted, frantically trying to think of a way out of it. But Remy's eyes told him he couldn't lie to him; the empath would see through his lies. Errr, I guess so... it must be the link or somethin', Remy. It was feelin' all that yer were goin' through... am sorry. Jono ducked his head, not wanting to look at Remy anymore, not wanting to see disgust in the alien eyes he'd come to love. I got caught up with it and couldn't 'elp meself.

Remy swallowed hard. Jono seemed so lost and alone, and part of him wanted to take Jono in to his arms, but that was the biggest mistake he could make right now. Jono was tied to him because of the damn empathic link he'd created. He'd caused enough havoc in the young man's life. He'd made Jono love him, out of his own selfish needs and fears. This empathy was truly terrifying and he'd better get it under control before something like this happened again and ruined someone else's life.

Remy tried to smile, hiding his emotional turmoil behind high mental walls. "D-de link-k's causing-g t-trouble. Hank-k said-d I created it and it's up-p to m-me to s-shut it down-n." He took a deep breath. "I owe you so m-much, Jono. You took-k care of me when-n I really needed help-p. Saved my lif-fe. And you n-need to l-live yours-s." Wit'out dis messed up baggage clingin' to you, he thought privately. You'll be free 'gain once de link's gone!

Jono barely managed to shield his terrible pain from Remy. It wasn't like he hadn't seen it coming. Be a man, Starsmore. Yer 'ave 'ad worse, God knows. Remy can't possibly want a fucked up freak like you, he thought, carefully shielding his thoughts. He managed to nod and then stared at the floor. We should, uh, definitely stop it, Remy. I'm sure yer don't want me 'angin' around in yer 'ead anymore. He shrugged, tried to joke. Would get mighty inconvenient after a while, mate. The fact that Remy was speaking aloud in spite of the pain his jaw was causing him, showed Jono clearly that the Cajun wanted nothing more to do with his telepathy.

Remy nodded back. "Okay den... I hope dis doesn' hurt, not sure what I'm doin'..." He concentrated, even though that inner voice was telling him not to, looking for a sign from Jono that this was a mistake. But Jono continued to stare at the floor. Apparently this was what the younger man really wanted and he had no right to tie Jono to him. This had to stop!

The link suddenly snapped and both men shuddered; the emptiness was sudden, cold and startling. There was a long, awful silence.

Remy managed to totter to his feet, and touched Jono on a thin shoulder. Jono was shaking and Remy wished he could take away the burden Jono was carrying with him, but they were on their own again and this was best for Jono. "J-jono, you're s-such a s-special p-person. I'll never f-forget what you d-did for me. D-dere will be someone for-r you, I k-know it, mais d-dat one ain' me. I hope w-we can still be friends, no m-matter what."

Oh God. That somehow was a knife to the gut. For a brief second Jono wanted to smack Remy, scream at him, hate him. But he couldn't, he just couldn't. Remy had been through enough hell already, he didn't need to add to it. 'course. Best of mates. Jono was coming frighteningly close to tears, and the last thing he wanted to do was lose it in front of Remy.

He awkwardly patted Remy's thin arm. So... I, uh, am stuck with monitor duty. Yer goin' ter be okay on yer own? Need 'elp gettin to yer room? Remy looked rather white and Jono desperately wished that this conversation had taken a different turn, guiding Remy in to his arms, to hold and cherish him.

"I'll b-be bien, Jono. You g-go 'long now." Remy's fingers had buried themselves in his shirt, clawing it. He'd never felt this empty before and the absence of the link was driving him insane. There was nothing left! He'd fallen in to an empty vacuum, and continued to fall.

Guilty and torn, Jono still opted to escape. He gave Remy a quick nod and dashed from the room. Outside the mansion, he doubled over, the hurt and despair bringing him to his knees. He' never told Remy how good it felt to have the Cajun in his mind, to feel Remy's feelings. The link had fed him, had given him a sense of contentment, of being needed, which he had never felt before and it was gone now! It wasn't fair!

Remy leaned heavily against the wall and slowly made his way back to his room. He didn't try to hide the tears that flowed from his red and black eyes. His pain was too intense to worry about what anyone else might think. He wanted to return to his room and lie down. He'd done the right thing in setting Jono free, but destroying the link had destroyed him too. There was no more reason for living now that he'd lost Jono's love, concern and the closeness he had felt.

Remy staggered in to his room, dragged himself over to his bed and collapsed. Retreating back in to the depths of his mind, he held on to the memories that lingered there, memories that featured Jono and all the kind things the other man had done for him. "Jono..." The name offered little comfort without the other man being there and Remy curled up in to a fetal position, losing himself in his memories of Jono.

///

"I don't like this at all..." Hank sat behind his monitor and the hair at the back of his neck stood rigid. "Something's wrong."

"What's going on, Hank?" Bobby approached, still a bit wobbly on his feet, but no longer needing Logan's support. Logan was just a few feet behind him to catch him should he fall and Bobby loved the fact that the older man had become so concerned about his well-being.

"Sit down 'fore ya keel over, Drake," Logan growled.

But Bobby also heard the affection beneath the growling and a smile flashed across his face as he chose a chair opposite Hank to sit down in. "You look worried, Hank."

"It's Remy and Jono. I can't stop worrying about them. Remy left two hours ago and we still haven't heard from either of them." Hank looked at Bobby and enjoyed seeing the genuine smile on his face. The two of you will be happy. When he'd first heard that Bobby had admitted to Logan that he loved him, Hank hadn't known how to react, but looking at the two men now he felt confident things would work out.

"Then why don't ya talk to the brat?" Logan vividly remembered the conversation he'd had with Jono earlier that day. "Jono's the stubborn kind. Loves the Cajun, but can't accept Remy loves him back."

"Yes, they're both in love, but too stubborn to admit it." Hank decided he'd had enough and got to his feet. Now that Scott couldn't perform his duties as team leader, Hank felt it was his responsibility to talk to Remy and Jono. Scott would be out of it for at least a few more hours and it would be another day before he'd release his patient. "You're right, of course. I'm going to talk to them, Jono first."

Logan nodded his head approvingly. "Kid needs some attitude adjustment."

"Don't be too hard on him, Wolfie," Bobby teased. "It can't be easy going through life having a hole in your chest."

Logan bared his teeth and grinned wickedly. "I told ya to stop callin' me that!"

Bobby licked his lips in anticipation of another kiss. "Hank, when can I leave?"

Hank didn't plan on keeping the lovebirds at the med lab any longer than was strictly necessary. He couldn't use any hanky panky around here. "You can return to your room, Robert, but I order bed rest. No moving about, do you understand?"

"I do," Logan answered instead of Bobby. "My bed or yours?" It really felt liberating to show Bobby he really wanted the younger man now that he'd made up his mind. And I 'most threw this 'way. I should be thankful Creed kidnapped Drake or else I might never have known I love him.

Bobby pushed himself out of the chair and managed to stand on his own. He was trembling all over after hearing Logan's invitation. He wants me in his bed! But was he ready to take that step this soon? Only 24 hours ago he'd felt rejected and he decided to slow things down. "My room."

Logan raised an eyebrow at the cautious tone, but understood they needed to talk first. "Sure, lead on, kid."

"Don't call me that! I'm not a kid!" Bobby shuffled toward the doorway.

"Ah, ya don't like me callin' ya that? Serves ya right for callin' me Wolfie!"

"That's different," Bobby protested softly.

Logan knew he would lose the verbal fight, but enjoyed their bantering nonetheless. "Come on, let's make sure ya don't get lost on yer way to yer room."

Hank watched them leave and checked Scott's vital signs once more. His friend was sound asleep and stable. He could leave the medlab for a few minutes to talk some sense in to Jono and Remy.

///

Leave me the fuck alone! Jono tried to ignore the persistent knocking on his door. He even considered putting on his head phones, but when the door opened and Hank stormed inside, Jono knew there was no way out of this conversation. Yer want ter talk ter me?

Hank took in Jono's appearance and immediately noticed the swimming eyes. Jono might not have cried yet, but the tears were still waiting for a chance to surface. "What happened? Remy isn't answering the message I sent over the comm. system and you look like death warmed over."

Jono's first reaction was to tell Hank off; this was a personal matter between Remy and he, but he realized that Hank wouldn't give in. The link's gone.

"How did it happen? Why did Remy destroy it?" Concern colored his voice and he hoped Jono heard it.

Remy knows I'm in love with 'im and we decided it was best ter get rid of the link.

"Remy blamed the fact that you're in love with him on the link, didn't he?" Hank saw through Jono's tactic. "And you let him believe he was right!"

That about covers it. Jono rose from the bed and faced Hank. I told yer before that it wouldn't work out.

"You stubborn fool. Did it ever occur to you that Remy's in love with you as well?"

No. Jono awkwardly slid his hand over the bandages. Look at me...

"When Logan and you were cleaning up Creed's mess Remy and I talked." It was time to stop playing games and Hank was going to tell Jono what the Cajun had confided to him. "Remy knows you're in love with him, yes, but what you don't know is that he has feelings for you too."

Yer lyin'... Jono turned away from Hank and stared out of the window. Without the link, he felt awfully lost and lonely.

"He also told me that he didn't think he was good enough for you, that you deserved someone better than him and it's awfully convenient to blame everything on the link. Sinister manipulated his mind and Remy feels worthless, like he has nothing to offer. He didn't want to tie you down. That's why he destroyed the link! Like you, he can't believe that someone would love him for who he is! He thinks that the only reason you're in love with him is because the link pulled you in. We both know that's a lie."

Jono had been quiet during Hank's lecture, listening in disbelief. Why wouldn't 'e believe I love 'im for who 'e is? I don't love 'im because of the link! I love 'im for who 'e is!

"And why can't you believe that Remy loves you for who you are? That hole in your chest doesn't matter to him, doesn't matter to any of us. The X-gene changed all of us, not just you."

Are yer sayin' it was all one terrible misunderstandin'? Jono finally turned around to face Hank.

"Yes, that's what I'm saying. Remy thinks you can't love him for who he is and destroyed the link to set you free. He probably expected you to fall out of love the moment the link vanished. Tell me, Jono, are you still in love with Remy?"

Of course I am! Bloody 'ell! I want ter 'old 'im, feel 'im close, but I can't believe...

"That Remy loves you for who you are. Remy doesn't think of you as a monster, no one here does. Only you do." Hank felt relieved when he read true understanding in Jono's eyes. It had taken the young man long enough to reach this point! "Now, where's Remy?"

Remy said 'e was goin' ter his room. I offered ter take 'im, but 'e refused.

"Jono, do you remember what I told you about empaths who somehow lost contact with the person they were linked with?" Hank took hold of Jono's arm and began pulling him in to the corridor.

Confused, Jono stared at Hank and then remembered the warning. They died.

"Yes, they withered away and died. Do you understand what that means?"

We need ter go ter Remy! Fighting down a panic attack, Jono shook off Hank's arm and began running. Why hadn't he thought of Hank's warning before?

Fortunately Remy's room was down the corridor and Jono grabbed the door knob, counting on the door to be unlocked. He froze when the door didn't budge. Remy, it's me, Jono. Come on, mush, let me in!

Hank had caught up with him and realized that Remy had locked the door. "We need to get inside."

Jono kicked the door in and it swayed open. His eyes quickly found the Cajun, who was curled up on the big four poster bed. Remy! Not wasting any time he ran over to the bed, sank on to his knees and desperately tried to make eye contact with Remy. Fuck, Hank, wot? Startled, he looked to Hank for an explanation.

Hank joined Jono and looked at Remy's eyes, which were open, but didn't show any sign of recognition. The eyes were dead. "Oh my..."

Tell me we're not too late! Tell me we can still pull 'im back! Tears of desperation flowed down Jono's face and settled on the bandages. I need 'im! I love 'im! Remy, come back ter me.

But there was no response.

///

Scott woke in an empty med lab, wondering why no one was close. Hank was usually very protective of his patients, hovering over them and sometimes driving them insane, so where was McCoy now? Scott looked down and found that his chest had been bandaged. "Creed," he whispered softly, recalling what had happened earlier. What about Remy?

He didn't know how much time had past and whether Jono had managed to fight off Creed and Scott desperately needed some answers. He was about to leave his bed when the door opened.

"Scott, you'll stay in bed! You aren't going to cause any problems!" Frustrated, Hank moved over to Scott and gently pushed him down again. "I'll update you in a few minutes, but I've got to get Remy settled down first."

Scott looked up to see Hank and Jono enter, Chamber awkwardly holding Remy in his slender arms. Scott's heart skipped a beat when he saw how deathly white the Cajun's face was, so still. What the hell happened...?

Jono laid Remy on a nearby bed, while Hank hurriedly began to check his vital signs, hooking up an IV. Hank glanced up in Scott's direction, quickly answering the question that was written on his face. "Remy broke the link. I'm afraid our dear Gambit has withdrawn deep into himself." Hank touched Remy's forehead. "We need to re-establish the link immediately. Remy's an empath, it's become vital to him. Without it, he may..." Hank sighed, not wanting to finish the sentence. Remy's vital signs were dropping alarmingly and he feared for his friend's life.

Scott's worried expression wasn't lost on him and Jono felt like a coward for allowing this to happen. He should have stopped Remy from destroying the link! 'ow do I do that? 'ow do I re-establish the link? Hank, yer told me that the link was empathic, I ain't an empath! Jono slowly rubbed the cold, clammy skin, fighting back his tears. This was his fault! He should have remembered Hank's words! McCoy had warned him that empaths with broken links died!

Scott felt a surge of anger. Broken the link? Why? What a stupid thing to do when Remy's still so fragile... He looked at Jono, hovering near Remy's bed. The boy was in shock, the normally already pale face like chalk, dark brown eyes huge. The young man was in terrible pain. Scott's fury faded, replaced by sympathy and a determination to get to the bottom of the situation. He staggered from his bed, ignoring the ache in his chest. He took hold of Jono's shoulders, turning him around to face him. "Jono, what happened? Why did Remy destroy the link?"

Jono needed to get it all out. Keeping everything inside was killing him. We... agreed. Remy recovered some of 'is memories after Creed's attack. Didn't think 'e would need me anymore, or want me. When 'e suggested destroyin' the link I went along with it, thinkin' it was wot 'e really wanted. Jono buried his bandaged face in his hands. Oh god! What 'ave I done? Hank told me, he told me that empaths can die! Fuck! I'm such a fuckin' idiot! I've killed 'im, I 'ave! All because I was afraid... I should 'ave stopped 'im!"

Telepathic sobs rang in Cyclops' head. Scott was growing tired, but fought to keep his eyes open. Scott hated to do it, but they didn't have much time and the last thing they needed was Jono going into hysterics. He grabbed the young man and shook him hard, yelling in his most determined leader voice, "That's quite enough! It wasn't your fault, Jono. Remy made the decision to destroy the link. You thought that it was what he wanted. Quit the self-pity, Remy needs you! You've got to calm down! If you go into Remy's consciousness to re-establish the link, you have to be aware and clear-headed at all times. Are you listening to me?"

Jono looked up at him, eyes full of tears. But he nodded and Scott knew he had his full and undivided attention. "Pulling him back won't be easy. You'll have to break through Remy's shields and memories. My guess is he's hiding in there, walling himself off from what has caused him pain. He's lost, Jono. And it's your job not to be afraid of whatever he throws at you, which will probably be some nasty past experiences. But if you love him, Jono..." Chamber's eyes got very large at the word 'love', "you'll find him. And bring him home." Mutely, Jono nodded once. He looked very young and fragile for a moment, but it passed in a second and Scott knew that Chamber would do everything to bring Remy back to them.

"It's the only way, Jono. If you don't do it, Remy will die within the next 48 hours." Scott closed his eyes, feeling fatigued and exhausted. "I wish Jean or the professor were here to help you, but they aren't. You've got to do it alone, Jono."

Fuck... Jono stared at Remy's still open, blank eyes. It feels like no one's 'ome when I look in ter them. He wiped away the tears that were flowing down his face. The thought of losing Remy was killing him. He was to blame for letting this happen. He should never have allowed Remy to destroy that link!

Jono grabbed a chair, Scott's words ringing in his head. He felt ashamed and terrified, all kinds of wild emotions churning through him. He set the chair beside the exam bed and sat down as closely as possible to Remy. God. He was so lifeless, chest barely rising and falling. Jono picked up a clammy, long-fingered hand and pressed it to his bandaged cheek. It suddenly didn't matter if Hank or Scott saw.

Remy. I'm so sorry. I've let yer down so many times. I promised to be yer friend, take care of yer, protect yer. And I fucked up, mush. But I'm not goin' ter let yer down this time. I love yer, and I'm goin' ter bring yer 'ome.

Jono glanced at both Hank and Scott. Henry looked very worried, but Scott seemed calm.

"You can do it, Jono."

Jono gave Scott a grateful look. Then he laid his head on the bed, still holding Remy's cold fingers. He closed his eyes, concentrating. I'm on me way, luv... he thought as his consciousness linked with Remy's...

///

Bobby lowered himself carefully on to the bed, still feeling a little wobbly. Hank had explained to him that he would feel weak for a few more hours due to the highly concentrated drug Creed had used.

"Thanks for repairing the window." If he looked closely he could see tiny scratches on the woodwork where Creed had tried to hold on.

Logan stood next to the bed and felt strangely shy. "Are ya sure ya shouldn't be in the med lab where Hank can keep an eye on ya?"

"I'm sure." Bobby was surprised to see the shy expression in Logan's eyes and patted the spot beside him. "Keep me company?"

Logan accepted the invitation and sneaked a look at Bobby, who seemed awfully relaxed. "We should talk 'bout what happened."

"Yeah, what changed your mind?" Bobby leaned in to the soft pillows and stretched luxuriously. He relished feeling Logan this close but wondered why the older man was keeping his distance.

"Almost losin' ya changed my mind. I imagined what my life would be like without ya and it turned out pretty empty." Logan leaned in to the pillows as well and cautiously snuck an arm around Bobby's shoulders, pulling his new lover close to his chest. "I also had a hard time acceptin' you would choose me."

"I like your grumpy nature," Bobby revealed. "I like your strength. You try to hide that you care about others, but you go ballistic when something happens to one of us. I like you for a lot of reasons."

"And why do ya love me?" Logan knew it was an unfair question, but one he wanted answered. He caught himself playing with Bobby's hair and his eyes traveled lower, finding a way in to the robe Bobby was wearing and he fought the urge to run his hands over the willing body next to him.

Bobby chuckled. "I don't know when friendship turned in to love, but it did. It hurt to see you suffer when something bad had happened and I wanted to console you. When I began fantasizing about you, I knew I had it bad."

"Fantasizin' 'bout me?" Had anyone ever admitted to fantasizing about him? Logan cupped Bobby's chin in his hand and forced the young man to meet his eyes. "I'd like to hear 'bout those fantasies." To his delight, Bobby flushed a bright red.

"Uh, maybe later?" Nervously, he wrung his hands.

"Bobby, I need to know... have ya been with men 'fore?" Logan hated putting it that blunt, but needed to know how to proceed. He didn't want to scare Bobby off by moving too fast when the younger man had never before been with a man.

"I... uh, I only admitted to myself that I was gay about a year ago and I was in love with you most of that time..." Bobby stared at his hands. "I've been with one guy... Tony, but we didn't work out. We had sex though..."

Logan licked his lips, realizing he had to drag everything in to the open. "Did you have sex once or...?"

"A few times... but I didn't like the way he topped. He was self centered and... after he came he rolled over and ignored me. I didn't want to be with such a selfish bastard." Bobby's blush had turned deep crimson now.

Logan had all the information he needed and stopped questioning his lover. "I've been with a few men... I love to top, but... I like pushy bottoms and you strike me as a very pushy one."

Bobby briefly closed his eyes. When he'd been with Tony, he'd done everything the man had told him because he'd felt insecure. He'd lacked experience and had assumed Tony would do what was best for both of them, but the other man had let him down.

"Is that why it took ya so long to tell me ya loved me? Cause ya got disappointed?" Logan hated Tony's guts, without knowing the other man. He'd hurt Bobby and that was reason enough to hate him.

"I don't know why I waited... When I fantasize about us being together it's so different from how it was with Tony."

"I ain't a fantasy, Bobby. I'm a real man... what if I disappoint ya too?" Logan wondered how much of Bobby's expectations of this relationship were based on his fantasies.

"You won't disappoint me. I know you," Bobby smiled brilliantly and cuddled up to Logan. "It's unfair... I've wanted you for so long and now that I've got you in my bed, we can't do anything."

Logan grinned. "I can make ya feel good without ya havin' to do a thin'." Bobby shivered against him and Logan sought out the sparkling eyes and realized Bobby wanted this, had wanted this for a long time. "I'll take care of ya." His right hand slipped into Bobby's robe and traveled down. Briefly, it stopped to examine Bobby's pubic hair, but when it continued its journey, Logan found Bobby hard.

"Are you going to... jerk me off?" He licked his lips, rested his head against Logan's shoulder and pressed a kiss against the older man's throat, sucking softly. He felt totally uninhibited. This was Logan, his friend, his lover and he trusted the other man unconditionally. "Yeah, please..."

Logan growled softly and kneaded the hard flesh in his hand. He wanted more and pulled away. "I wanna see ya naked." It only took him seconds to disrobe Bobby and he used one claw to cut away the boxers Bobby was wearing. Bobby spread his legs invitingly and Logan licked his lips, wanting to taste his lover so badly! He shifted position until he sat between Bobby's legs and ran his fingertips over the insides of the lush thighs.

"Oh, yeah, please touch me..." Bobby threw back his head and bit his lower lip, trying hard not to buck when Logan's fingers curled around his throbbing cock.

"Geez, ya never shut up, do ya?" Logan raised Bobby's hips slightly and placed a pillow beneath them, giving him easier access. Bobby's angry red erection throbbed wantonly in his hand. He'd never seen such complete surrender and it made him even more determined to take good care of his lover.

"Oh..." Bobby whimpered when Logan stroked his cock slowly. "More, please..." He bucked hard, hoping Logan would take pity on him and make him come. Suddenly, Logan was massaging his heavy balls as well and Bobby's eyes flashed open. "Please..."

Logan grinned, pumping Bobby harder and tilted his head at the sight of slippery pre-ejaculate that dripped from his lover's slit. "Gonna taste ya..."

"Fuck!" Bobby tensed completely, feeling Logan's tongue circle the head of his cock. "Can't believe you're going down on me..." His toes curled when Logan's lips closed around his cock, taking in as much as he could.

Logan relaxed his throat and sucked hard, deepthroating his lover. Bobby bucked hard, forcing him to take in more.

Bobby felt delirious and hardly noticed the iron grip Logan established on his hips, making sure he couldn't thrust that deeply. "Logan, I'm gonna come, please, you know what I need to come hard... Your fingers... please!" Bobby was way past begging, craving release so badly that he would do anything Logan asked of him. His hand found Logan's head and his fingers curled around strands of the older man's hair, finally feeling the bobbing of Logan's head.

Logan looked up, wondering if he'd misunderstood. Releasing Bobby's hard cock, he took a moment to make eye contact. "What do ya want?"

"Your fingers inside me," Bobby panted the words, whimpering softly at the loss of Logan's lips around his cock.

Logan considered the request, knowing what Bobby wanted was stimulation of his prostate. "Hope ya know what ya got yerself in to." Logan's fingers circled around the tip of Bobby's cock, lubricating them. Then he dove back on to his lover's pulsating member, sucking hard. He massaged Bobby's nearly exploding balls and his index finger circled his lover's opening, massaging the guardian ring.

Bobby whimpered helplessly, feeling a fingertip press against the ring of muscle and then... "Inside!" He spread his legs further and was surprised when Logan threw his legs over his shoulders. "Oh, yeah, fuck... Logan, I want you..."

Logan was losing some of his control. This was going much further than he'd intended but he couldn't stop now and added a second finger, stretching Bobby.

"OH YES!" Bobby screamed when Logan's fingertips found his prostate, stroking it softly.

Logan licked up and down the length of Bobby's cock and then sucked hungrily at the slit. Simultaneously, his fingertips located the nub inside Bobby's passage again and stroked it hard.

"I...!" Bobby's hips rose, plunging deeper into the moist warmth of Logan's throat and he came hard, releasing his come in short spurts.

Mine... Logan swallowed convulsively, not wanting to lose a drop of his lover's come.

Entranced, Bobby stared at Logan, realizing the older man wasn't pulling back. "Oh my God, you're swallowing!"

Logan let Bobby's spent cock slip from his mouth and then growled, pressing his lips against the inside of Bobby's right thigh, sucking hard.

That will leave one hell of a passion mark! Bobby rode out the orgasm and let Logan mark him.

When Logan pulled back, he realized that he'd come as well. "Fuck, it's been years since I came in my jeans." Looking at his boneless lover, Logan lapped once more at Bobby's sated organ and then pulled up the blanket to cover his shivering lover.

"Better than in my fantasies..." Bobby mumbled exhausted. "Just wished..."

"What?"

"That it had been your cock inside me and not your fingers... I want you to make love to me, to take me, finally claim me." Bobby wrapped his arms around his lover and pulled Logan on top of him, wanting to feel the other man's weight push him down.

"Gimme a moment here, I wanna get rid of my clothes."

"You like to sleep in the nude?" Bobby watched hungrily when Logan got to his feet and removed his shirt and jeans. "Cool, a striptease... you don't wear underwear?" Bobby welcomed his lover back in to bed with a sloppy kiss.

Logan's grin broadened. "And I 'ways thought ya were the shy type in bed!" He enfolded Bobby in his arms and noticed a sleepy expression slip in to his lover's eyes.

"I usually am... shy, I mean, but with you it's different. It feels better... right." Bobby failed to stifle a yawn. "Man, I'm so sorry, but..."

"It's okay, darlin', go to sleep." Logan watched Bobby's eyes close and the young man's body relaxed completely.

"Darlin'... I like it when you call me that..." Bobby mumbled and buried his head against Logan's chest. He lost the battle and sleep pulled him in, promising him sweet dreams.

Logan tightened the hold he had on Bobby and stared at the ceiling. He'd never thought he'd get another chance at being happy, at being in love, but against all odds he was holding his love in his arms. "Thanks," he whispered, uncertain whom he was addressing. "Thanks for this chance." Content with watching Bobby sleep, he released a deep breath and held his lover tight.

///

Jono stared in disbelief at Remy's mindscape. I'm back in 'is cell! He could also hear Sinister laugh, the menacing sound drifted closer and Jono searched for a way out. Suddenly, the cell seemed to unfold, and it now consisted of cells within cells. The sensation made him dizzy and nauseous. Remy, wot the 'ell are yer doin'?

Once he left one cell, he stepped in to another and the process never ended. Still determined to get to Remy, Jono doubled his efforts to find the Cajun inside this labyrinth. But his mental image was reflected back at him, multiplying the illusions of the cells tenfold.

This won't work. If 'e doesn't want ter be found I won't find 'im. Wot if I play dirty? Would Remy forgive me? I can worry about that later once I've got 'im back.

A plan took shape in his mind. The harder he tried to push through Remy's defenses, the harder Remy struck back. Letting himself fall, Jono concentrated on his pain, the loneliness he was feeling and he broadcasted those feelings as strong as he could. Please, Remy. I need yer, mush. I can't make it without yer. Come back ter me... I'm in pain and only yer can stop it.

A soft groan swept through his mind and Jono smirked privately. Mush, I can feel yer. I'm comin' to get yer. I love yer... Unexpectedly, his surroundings changed. The cells disappeared and instead he found himself tied to Sinister's exam table. Remy was standing next to him. The usually red and black eyes were filled with a transparent void and the Cajun was dressed in the trousers he'd been wearing when the X-Men had freed him. Remy, I love yer.

Jono struggled against the restraints, wondering how Remy had dealt with being tied to the exam table. The more he struggled, the tighter the restraints became. Remy, I love yer. It ain't the link. I fell in love with yer when I 'eard yer thoughts... Yer were still Sinister's prisoner back then, I didn't even know it was yer for sure.

Lights flashed and Jono suddenly found himself back in Remy's cell. The Cajun was cowering in a corner and Sinister loomed above him, taunting him with food and water. Jono watched with growing anger how Sinister pulled the food away once Remy hesitantly reached for it. A pungent odour assaulted him and he recalled how relieved Remy had been when he'd been able to use the bathroom. Urine and faeces defiled the far corner of the room and Jono cringed, seeing the blood mixed in with the faeces. Remy must have been bleeding internally after Sinister had beaten him.

Jono took a step toward Remy, resolved to scare Sinister away, but the nemesis remained when he stepped through Sinister. Ignoring the illusion, Jono sat on his heels in front of Remy and tried to pull him close, but the Cajun shrunk back. Remy, it wasn't the link that made me fall in love with yer...

What's dere to love?

Remy! Jono felt terribly relieved, hearing Remy's words. His tactic had worked and Remy was reaching out to him. Looking at Remy again, Jono cursed as the Cajun's form vanished in to thin air and he found himself in changed surroundings once more. He shuddered, realizing he was surrounded by Marauders, who were staring at a TV screen, laughing hard and calling out derogatory remarks.

Oh, mush... Jono felt horrified when he gazed at the screen. It showed Sinister backhanding Remy, sending the Cajun flying through his cell. He realized that Remy had never told him everything what he'd suffered at Sinister's hands. Remy, yer tryin' ter distract me! And it was working. Jono had almost given in to Remy's feelings of self hate.

Turning away from the TV screen he focused his thoughts, reaching out to Remy again. Since yer gone I'm in pain, mush. I miss yer. I want ter 'old yer... wish I could kiss yer, but yer could kiss me... if I don't disgust yer!

Disgust me?

A wave of puzzlement and disbelief washed over Jono. Yeah, mush. I think of meself as a monster.

Jono, you ain' a monster! Cher, don' t'ink like that!

It was a good thing that Remy couldn't see the sparkle in his brown eyes. That's why I let yer get away with destroyin' the link, Remy. I didn't think yer would want me around all the time. I'm a freak, Remy, and the link wouldn't 'ave let us drift apart. That's why I let yer do it. Jono didn't dare move when familiar surroundings appeared around him. It was Remy's room and the Cajun was curled up on his bed. Jono knew this was for real when he saw the pain in Remy's alien eyes. Let me 'old yer, mush?

Remy struggled to his feet and stood in front of Jono, staring at the floor, his arms wrapped protectively around his waist. You love me? After what Sinister did, you still love me? I showed you what he did to me... How can you still want me?

Jono ached to fold his arms around Remy, but kept his distance, seeing the distrust in the Cajun's eyes. He was so glad that the blank expression was gone that he even loved seeing the pain in them because he knew he could take the hurt away... if Remy let him! I can't find the words to convince yer, but I can show yer...

Remy staggered as Jono sent him his love. Jono showed him how much he loved being needed, being accepted, being allowed close and Remy realized it wasn't the link's doing. Jono would have reacted the same way if the link had never existed. It wasn't just their minds that recognized that they were kindred spirits, even their souls gravitated toward each other.

Jono hadn't thought it possible but in the end he did find the words. Remy, I need yer as much as yer need me. I love yer because yer love me. We might not 'ave seen it at first, but yer were only able ter connect ter me because me mind was open. The moment I stepped in ter yer room I knew it was yer I wanted and no one else. 'earin' yer pain, 'earin' yer thoughts, yer pleadin' only intensified me feelings. Yer can't deny we're in love. Remy's barriers dropped and Jono finally saw the full extent of Remy's self loathing, his feelings of worthlessness.

And I thought I was buried in self 'ate... Remy, yer 'urtin' and I don't want yer ter 'urt. Let me 'old yer and take yer back 'ome. Yer locked yerself up in yer memories. Don't let Sinister 'ave this much power over yer. Nervously, Jono extended his hand and hoped Remy would take it.

I do love you, Jono... I do, mais... Remy stared at the offered hand, could he take it? I broke de link 'cause I t'ought you were in love wit' me 'cause of de link and once de link was gone, your love would be gone and...

I still love yer, Remy.

I can see dat now... you came back to get me... and I treated you so bad! It must have hurt when I destroyed de link... Startled, Remy recalled the words he'd spoken before breaking the link. I'm so sorry I hurt you, cher.

Take me 'and, mush. Come back with me. Hank and Scott are also worried about yer. Yer vital signs are spiraling down and I don't want ter lose yer ter Sinister. Don't let the scumbag win.

You really love me...

Jono nodded his head; Remy had voiced it as a statement and not as a question. Hopefully the Cajun was finally beginning to believe him! Take me 'and, mush. I'll take yer away from 'ere.

And you save me 'gain... Tears slid down from the corners of Remy's eyes as he finally took Jono's hand. He didn't expect to be pulled close, but Jono's hold was strong and before Remy knew it, his head rested against Jono's chest. I feel so 'shamed...

Why, Remy? Slowly, Jono began to retreat from Remy's mind, pulling the Cajun away from his self made prison.

You're so youn' and suffered so much... I should stop pityin' myself and take care of you! Remy felt bad for putting such a burden on Jono's shoulder.

But Jono caught that thought. Never think of yerself as a burden, Remy. Yer ain't a burden! Yer the most precious thin' that ever 'appened ter me! Jono suddenly realized that Remy was holding him as tightly as he was holding the Cajun and with that realization came relief. Yer know I love yer and that it 'as nothing ter do with the link, don't yer, mush? Remy nodded against his chest.

I know now... Remy felt Jono's pull and didn't resist when the younger man guided him past his horrible memories, guided him back home.

///

"Hank? What's happening?" Scott had woken up again and the first thing he'd noticed was Jono's head resting on Remy's chest. The Cajun's eyes were closed and he seemed relaxed. That has to be a good sign!

Hank sighed, relieved. "His readings are improving. It'd say Jono found a way to get through to our stubborn Acadian friend." Hank kept a close eye on the two men and immediately caught Remy's soft moan. The red and black eyes opened and locked with his. "Welcome back, Remy."

Jono raised his head and searched Remy's face. The eyes were clear again and although Remy appeared weak, Jono felt the empathic energy swirl through his mind. The link is back.

Mais I didn' create it, not dis time...

Focusing on the link, Jono found that Remy was right. It wasn't just empathic any more. I'm feedin' it too... it's also telepathic.

Jono wasn't shielding his thoughts and Hank overheard that remark. "It's even stronger now that you're both feeding it. You outdid yourself, Jono."

"Yeah, you did well, Jono." Satisfied with the outcome, Scott closed his eyes and drifted off in to sleep again. Was Hank feeding him sleeping meds? He had to talk to Hank about that...

I've got yer back, Remy. Now that the fear had gone, anger took its place. Do yer 'ave any idea 'ow much yer scared me, Remy? 'ow could yer do that ter me! Why didn' yer tell me wot would 'appen once the link was gone? Suddenly, he wasn't so sure that Remy had known that destroying the link would kill him.

I didn' know, cher. It's de first time ever I created a link. Didn' even know I was an empat' until Hank told me.

Jono shot Hank a surprised look. Remy didn't know?

"I'm afraid so... I forgot to tell Remy that empaths die after breaking the link... It never occurred to me he wanted to destroy it." After he'd told Remy, the Cajun had hurried to the control room to sever the link. Part of this was his fault because he'd misjudged Remy's reaction. "But you're back now, monsieur LeBeau, and you won't pull a stunt like this again!"

Remy managed a weak chuckle and then his gaze shifted to Jono. I made a big mistake, non?

We both did, mush. Looking in to Remy's eyes, his fingers traced the Cajun's cheekbones. I love yer so much, Remy. I don't know wot would 'ave 'appened if yer 'adn't come back. Remy leaned in to his touch, softly rubbing his cheek against Jono's fingers.

Je t'aime, cher... je t'aime... Remy's lips found Jono's fingertips and he pressed a chaste kiss on to them.

Jono didn't know how to react to that caress. Remy, yer sure yer want me? The guy with the 'ole in 'is chest?

Remy sensed some of Jono's uncertainty through the link and raised his own hands to clutch Jono's head between them. Gently, he let his fingertips caress the bandages. It's your heart dat matters to me, cher... I love dat hole in your chest as much as I love de rest of you.

Oi, Remy... Suddenly feeling shy, Jono tried to pull away from Remy's fingers, which were still gently stroking his bandages. No one had ever touched him with so much love and especially not his chest and face. Remy had to love him!

"Now that you've established that you love each other, I suggest we let Remy rest." Hank hated interrupting their explorations, but Remy's vital signs were still below normal range. "Jono, you can keep Remy company, but no more talking."

Hank's right. After folding one arm around Remy, he lowered the Cajun back on to the bed. Remy had managed to sit upright while exploring his bandages but now the Cajun melted in to the bed with an audible sigh. Jono pulled up the blankets and covered Remy with them. Do yer think yer can sleep?

Will you keep de nightmares 'way, cher?

Yeah, yer know I will. Jono left his chair and sat on the side of the bed. Want me ter snuggle up ter yer? He could hardly believe he was suggesting this. Only days ago, he'd tried to hide the love he felt for Remy.

Oui, would you do dat, cher? Hold me in my sleep? Remy rolled over, creating enough space for Jono to lay down behind him.

Suddenly, his old insecurity snuck up on him and Jono looked at Hank apologetically. Can I? Do yer mind?

Hank smiled. "Actually, I think my patient would greatly benefit from some snuggling. Get in to bed!"

Jono nodded his head. He still felt a little shy showing his feelings for Remy this openly, but he climbed in to bed and wrapped his arms around Remy's waist. Are yer okay like this? Remy's heart was beating beneath his hand and he relished feeling the up and down movement of his lover's chest. Yer stuck with me now, mush.

I love bein' stuck wit' you, cher... Remy pressed a little closer, making himself comfortable and rested his head on the arm Jono had managed to sneak beneath his head. Feels so bien, cher... Don' ever let me go.

I won't, Jono promised and buried his face in Remy's hair and for once it didn't matter that his chest and face were bandaged.

///

Logan awoke and at first he didn't know why a warm body was lying pressed against him. He tried to identify the scent. Drake... Bobby... Logan opened his eyes and stared at the back of Bobby's head. His new lover was naked and so was he... Oh yeah... I went down on him... and I loved it!

He hadn't told Bobby, but it had been the very first time that he'd gone down on a man. During his one-night-stands with men he'd been on the receiving end of some very fine blowjobs and thanks to his healing powers he was hard again within seconds, obliging them when they begged to be fucked through the floor. But things were already different with Bobby. He cared too much about his new lover to simply take what he wanted. Tony had been like that and Bobby had ended that relationship because he hadn't wanted to be with such an 'egoistic bastard'. Good for ya, Bobby.

But he did beg me to make love to him... and that's the difference. I fucked the others, but I wanna make love to Bobby. Enjoying the feel of naked skin beneath his hands, they traveled lower, cupping Bobby's ass, loving how smooth and warm the skin felt. He longed to bury himself in his lover's warm and willing body, but restrained himself.

But then Bobby pushed back and one finger slipped between the cleft, brushing against Bobby's opening and he recalled how wantonly the younger man had pushed back on his fingers earlier. Absentmindedly, he began to massage the guardian ring.

Soft whimpers escaped Bobby's lips and he rocked back his hips, craving more stimulation. When he finally woke up and opened his eyes he found himself hard again and a finger probing his opening. "Logan?"

"Good morning, sweetheart." Logan swept Bobby's locks out of his way and pressed possessive kisses at the back of Bobby's neck, alternating between licking and sucking the area. "Don't ya think we're movin' a little fast here?"

Gooseflesh covered Bobby's body and his cock was twitching, begging to be touched. "No, Logan, I don't think so. We've known each other for years, saved each other's lives and... that feels nice..." Logan was softly stroking his perineum and rolling his balls in the palm of his hand. "I want you..."

Logan grabbed Bobby's hips and rolled the younger man on to his back so they could lock eyes. Bobby's pupils were dilated and lust colored the draped eyes. He licked his lips, seeing Bobby spread his legs invitingly. "Are ya sure, Bobby? I can wait."

"Maybe you can, but I can't, Logan. I've waited a year for this." Bobby managed to claim Logan's lips and instigated a passionate kiss. Logan was growing hard and Bobby looked down to check out his lover's package. "You're big," he whispered, licking his lips.

"Yer a little slut, ya know that?" Logan laughed and rubbed the tip of Bobby's cock with his thumb. The pre-ejaculate that dripped down his finger proved how badly Bobby wanted him and he moaned, uncertain he could say 'no'.

"But I'm your little slut, Wolfie..." Bobby crawled on to all fours and lowered himself on top of Logan's body, rubbing his lower body seductively against his lover's cock. "I've got lube."

Logan knew he was going to give in. The pheromones Bobby was emitting were his undoing. "What 'bout condoms?" He brought his arms up behind Bobby's back, watching him closely.

"Your healing power takes care of anything that comes up and I tested clean. I'd love to feel you inside me, feel your hard cock enter me, no rubber between us." Bobby leaned in closer and his tongue licked around Logan's hard nipples. "Can you turn a little primal? Like really possessive?"

"Huh?" Logan never expected that one. "Ya want me to lose it?"

"No, to pretend you're losing control." Bobby looked deeply in to Logan's eyes. "A little role playing. I want you to throw me down and take me. I don't want you to ask my permission every step of the way, but... be gentle? It's been a little while since I..."

Logan had felt shocked at first, but now a chuckle surfaced. "Drake, yer unbelievable!" He'd never thought Bobby would express his desires this explicitly. "But ya'll tell me when I get too rough?"

"You'll know before I do. You can monitor my heartbeat and you'll smell the fear on me, but you won't be too rough... I know you. You could never hurt me. Please do this for me?" Bobby barely believed he was telling Logan what to do and how to do it. I used to be really shy in bed, but I trust Logan... Trust him enough to tell him what I want.

"A little role playing?" Logan considered the request. "I can do that."

"Great!" Bobby bounced on top of Logan, almost taking his lover's breath away. "Sorry," he said, smiling sheepishly. "Let me get the lube?"

Logan watched him scramble to his feet and tried to formulate some sort of plan. He'd never pretended to be feral and now Bobby wanted him to be a little rough, throwing him down and... His cock definitely liked the idea. Logan got to his feet and looked about. Should I take him in bed or on the desk? What 'bout up against the wall? On all fours? Fuck, the kid's gonna be the death of me!

Bobby stared in to the mirror while his hands located the Glide he kept there, just in case. You're really going to do it... oh, I wonder how Logan's going to take me! His cock felt heavy and his balls seemed ready to explode. He withstood the temptation to stroke himself to completion and used a washcloth to clean up last night's mess. Don't want to gross him out. Satisfied that he smelled and felt clean he stepped back in to his bedroom. The bed was empty and his eyes quickly searched the room. "Logan?"

Unexpectedly, Logan's arms snuck up from behind him and while one hand cupped his balls, the other roughly rolled a rock hard nipple between its fingers. "Logan..." Bobby's knees almost gave out beneath him when he felt Logan's erection press against his ass, slip between his buttocks and slide up and down his cleft. "Don't take too long... I'm about to come." Bobby threw back his head and rocked back, wishing Logan's cock was already inside him.

A loud growl sounded behind him and Bobby's heart missed a beat. Logan's fingers suddenly curled around his cock and the other hand was pushing him down, forcing him to sit down on the floor.

Logan growled again, nibbled on Bobby's earlobe and let his tongue slither down his lover's neck, biting softly, making sure he wasn't drawing any blood.

Bobby now sat cross legged on the floor. Being unable to see Logan was driving him insane. Suddenly, Logan's hands grabbed his knees and pulled them aside, opening him up to his lover. "What are you going to do?"

"On all fours, Drake, now..." Logan wrapped one arm around Bobby's waist and slowly topped him over until the younger man had to support himself by placing his hands on the floor. "Ass up in the air, come on, Drake. I know you want it..."

"I told you I want you... Please, stop tormenting me, Wolfie."

"Stick to yer role, Drake." Logan raised his right hand and slapped Bobby's ass once.

"You brute!" Bobby giggled, as Logan's hand kneaded his ass cheeks. "Prepare me?"

Logan squeezed some lube on to his fingers and nodded his head. "Ya like doin' it doggy style?"

"Don't know..." Bobby grew serious. "Tony just threw my legs over his shoulders. He never got creative." Bobby sucked in his breath when Logan's hands parted his buttocks and then found his opening. Something cold touched his entrance and Bobby pushed back. He lowered himself onto his elbows, hoping Logan had easier access that way.

Seeing Bobby go down on to his elbows and raising his ass high in the air caused Logan's cock to throb hungrily. "One finger..."

Bobby whimpered when a cold fingertip pushed past the ring of muscle and wished Logan would hurry. But the older man would never hurt him and was determined to take his time. "Uhm, Logan, remember what role you're supposed to play? Talk dirty?"

Logan's chuckle swept through the room. "Okay, Drake. I'm pushin' inside ya, openin' yer up so ya can take my cock later. Ya had a look at the monster. Is it big?"

"Oh yeah, it is." Bobby licked his lips when a second slippery finger found its way inside. It hurt a little, but he loved feeling fuller. "But I can take that monster of yours."

Logan stretched Bobby carefully and then located the sweet spot inside his lover's passage. "Don't ya dare come now, Drake."

"Fuck!" Bobby wiggled his ass, trying to get Logan's fingertips to rub his prostate again. "I want three, please."

Logan growled possessively. "What 'bout my cock? Drake, make yer choice, my fingers or my cock thrustin' inside ya."

"Your cock. Please, get inside now!" Bobby was about to come and mentally prepared himself; he knew it was going to hurt when Logan finally pushed inside. Although Logan had carefully prepared him it had been months since he'd been with a man and he knew he was tight.

Logan squeezed more lube on to his cock and stroked himself lazily. His eyes were locked on Bobby's ass and on the opening that was going to swallow him in a few seconds. He realized that it was going to hurt and maybe talking dirty would help the younger man relax. "Want my cock inside ya? Want me to hit yer sweet spot? Want me to make ya scream and come?"

"Yes!" Bobby tensed involuntarily when Logan placed the tip of his erection against his opening. "Just do it!"

Logan wrapped his hand around his cock and guided it in to the waiting opening. Bobby's heartbeat was racing, but he didn't smell any fear on the younger man and he gently pushed past the ring of muscle.

"Fuck... ah..." Bobby tried to relax when Logan began to enter him. "Don't stop!" He bit his lower lip when Logan pushed harder. Pain washed over him, but he didn't tell the older man to stop. He knew pleasure would take over once Logan was fully inside him. He gathered his courage and rocked back, telling Logan it was okay to continue.

Logan was finally getting the hang of talking dirty. While whispering softly he rubbed Bobby's ass cheeks. "Ya look so good, Bobby. I'm halfway inside. Can ya feel me? Can ya feel me push inside?" He pushed in further and soothingly stroked Bobby's lower back. "Almost there, yer almost mine. My cock loves ya, but ya already know that. Talk to me, Bobby..."

Bobby was panting hard and uttered a soft scream when Logan buried himself to the hilt inside his body. Logan's balls slapped against his ass and Bobby tried to relax. "You're inside." His erection had faded a little, but when Logan's fingers curled around it, he began to grow aroused again. "You can thrust, you know."

"I will... but only when I want to thrust. Darlin', ya've got no idea how sexy ya look right now." Logan pumped Bobby's cock slowly and listened to his lover's tiny moans of want. His other hand rested on Bobby's lower back and he held the young man steady, making sure his lover wasn't rocking back. "Tell me what ya want, Drake."

"To feel you moving inside me... make love to me?" Bobby's brow was covered in sweat and he deliberately clenched his inner muscle around Logan's cock.

"Drake, do that again and yer in for a rough ride!" Logan gritted his teeth. Bobby had surprised him and almost made him come! Slowly, he pulled back only to plunge in to his lover's body again. Aiming his next thrust, he hit Bobby's prostate and the young man shivered beneath him. "Ya know I can go on for ages like this? Healin' power," he said smugly.

"Oh... yes..." Bobby rested his head on his forearms, moving with Logan as the older man established a comfortable rhythm. The perpetual movement of Logan's cock slipping out and back in to him again was driving him over the edge and he collapsed on to his stomach, his erection still tightly captured by Logan's hand.

Logan followed his lover down, but refrained from resting his entire body weight on Bobby. Now that the angle had changed, he hit Bobby's prostate with every stroke. "Ya like feelin' me inside ya? Ya'd betta get used to it... I will want ya in the mornin', evenin' and at night. Yer ass will be sore all day."

"Lo...gan!" Bobby couldn't hold back, hearing those words and climaxed.

Logan bared his teeth and growled, feeling Bobby contract all around him, milking him, almost driving him over the edge.

"Harder..." Bobby mumbled, riding his orgasm. He didn't mind feeling sore tomorrow; he just wanted Logan to climax as well.

Logan grunted and his thrusts grew wilder, harder and went in deeper. "I'm gonna come inside yer ass, Drake..." he whispered, still talking dirty.

"Yes, please... come..." Boneless, Bobby was pushed across the floor when Logan's thrusts grew uncontrolled and he grunted himself when Logan's cock hit his prostate again.

It was that little grunt that pushed Logan finally over the edge as well. He bowed his head and buried his teeth in Bobby's shoulder, breaking the skin and drawing blood. His feral side had taken over and he licked up Bobby's blood. He collapsed on to Bobby, burying the younger man beneath his weight.

"Fuck... wow..." Bobby was totally relaxed, but Logan's weight was making it hard for him to breathe. "Would you mind moving off of me? You're heavy!"

Logan stared at the mark. Raising himself on his hands and knees he wished he hadn't bitten that hard. "I marked ya..."

"Cool..." Bobby's eyes suddenly grew big, feeling Logan's cock grow hard again while still inside him. "Uhm, Logan?"

"Want me to pull back? Or we could go another round." Logan watched as Bobby cocked his head to look at him. "Just tell me what ya want, darlin'."

"Up against the wall?"

///

Shivers ran up and down Hank's spine, realizing he was being watched by Remy. He finished redressing Scott's bandages and now walked over to Remy. Strangely enough Jono was still asleep. "Remy?"

Remy smiled. Due to the telepathic link his empathy had become stronger and it had activated some latent telepathy of his own, enabling him to send Hank his thoughts. I'm doin' dat... keepin' him 'sleep. Jono had told him how much the younger man had missed being asleep and being able to dream so he'd wanted to give this to Jono.

Hank sighed, keeping his amusement to himself. "You shouldn't abuse your new power like that." Startled, he watched as Remy turned deathly pale. Jono stirred behind the Cajun, opening his eyes. "Remy, I was only joking..." Feeling guilty for scaring Remy like that he patted the Cajun's shoulder, trying to reassure him, but the dark expression in the red and black eyes remained.

Wot's goin' on 'ere? Jono stretched lazily. Although Remy hadn't dreamed this time either he'd liked sleeping snuggled up to the Cajun. Snuggled up ter... Suddenly, he realized he lay spooned behind Remy, holding him tight.

Remy cocked his head to look at Jono. It's bien, cher. I like you holdin' me like dat, mais I'm sorry for...

"Remy, I was only joking!" Exasperated, Hank gently squeezed Remy's shoulder.

Wot's Remy talkin' about? Alert, Jono looked from Remy to Hank.

De link... Remy grew silent again.

Nothin's wrong with the link! Don't start again! Jono thought they had settled this.

Remy cringed. I somehow used de link to make you stay 'sleep. Didn' know dat what I was doin' was wron'...

Why would it be wrong, mush?

"That's my fault. I made a joke, telling him not to abuse his new power. I should have known better," Hank apologized.

Jono sat upright and pulled Remy with him. Uhm, mush, yer feel the change too?

Nervously, Remy avoided Jono's eyes. I can communicate wit' Hank wit'out your help.

Yer empathic powers are stronger and I feel some telepathic talent too. Mush, is there somethin' yer want ter tell me?

Don' know what's goin' on, cher. Didn' know I was an empat' and I don' know what dis telepathy is 'bout.

I believe yer, Remy. We'll figure it out together. He pulled Remy close to his chest and the Cajun rested his back against him, finally trusting Jono completely.

Hank chose this moment to make some announcements. "Your readings have improved, Remy. If Jono promises to look after you, you can go back to your room. I don't mind you making short trips to the bathroom, but don't overdo it! You might want to try talking now and then. Your jaw will cause some discomfort, but try not to let it stop you."

"Mer...ci," Remy said and smiled, relieved. Can Jono take me to my room?

Hank nodded his head. "I need to update my medical files... so I'll excuse myself now."

Hank, wot about Scott? Jono felt concerned, recalling the ugly wounds Creed's claws had left behind.

"He'll make a full recovery and can leave the med lab once he wakes up." Pleased with the fact that all his patients were recovering, Hank retreated in to his office to work on his files and then to continue his research.

'ey, mush, yer ready ter 'ead 'ome? Creed never got ter yer room, so everythin' should still look fine. Jono swung his feet on to the floor and wanted to help Remy rise as well, when Bobby unexpectedly entered the room. The first thing Jono noticed was the odd way Bobby was walking. Bobby?

Hearing his name, Bobby looked up and was unable to hide his huge smirk. He knew he was giving himself away but didn't feel like hiding his happiness. "Hello Jono, Remy."

Jono sent a whistle in to Remy and Bobby's mind. Someone got laid!

Remy shot Jono a surprised look. Cher?

Bobby got laid! Way ter go, ducks! So, tell me, are Logan and yer an item now? Jono suddenly realized that Remy didn't know about the two men and turned toward the Cajun. Bobby admitted ter lovin' Logan and the grumpy old bastard finally gave in. Bobby got laid!

Bobby quickly looked at Scott, but the other man was still asleep. When he looked at Hank, he could have sworn he saw a slight blush beneath the blue fur. "Keep it down, will ya? Geez, I didn't know you were that juvenile."

I'm only 18, mate. I'm allowed ter act childish! Jono winked at Remy and steadied him when the Cajun put his weight on his feet. Yer still okay, mush?

Bien, cher... mais Logan and Bobby? I never saw dat one comin'... I hope he'll make you happy, Bobby. You deserve someone who truly loves you. Suddenly an image flashed into his mind. She had cold, cruel eyes, brown hair and a white lock mingled with the brown. Feeling nauseous, he pushed Jono away and stumbled toward the bathroom. Once inside, he hurried over to the toilet and threw up the little he'd eaten these last 24 hours.

Jono hurried to his side and held back the long hair. Rubbing Remy's back, he worried about the Cajun. He'd seen Rogue's image in his mind as well and feared Remy's reaction. What if the Cajun remembered her? Remy couldn't hide from his past forever and would have to remember the ugly things too. Remy, mush, try ter calm down...

Who is she, Jono? De woman I saw... why am I reactin' like dat? Remy struggled with a series of dry heaves, which eventually passed.

Jono cringed, seeing the panic in Remy's eyes. Her name's Rogue, mush. Yer used ter be lovers once.

Lovers? Remy flinched away from Jono's touch when another painful memory resurfaced. Until now he hadn't remembered the trial Scott had hinted at, but it was coming back now. Pain and guilt washed over him and then he heard her words, saw the look in her eyes and knew she had judged him. In her eyes he was guilty as hell and she'd left him there. After a few days of trying to reach the outside world, he'd given up. Hungry and thirsty he'd tried to find nourishment and when Sinister had finally found him he hadn't been able to put up much of a fight.

I've got yer, Jono whispered in to Remy's mind and grabbed the Cajun hard, pulling him close against him. Don't think I'll ever let yer go again. The bitch 'urt yer and should she ever come back ter the mansion I'll make sure she doesn't 'arass yer.

Jono... Remy sought and found the young man's eyes. I don' know how to deal wit' dis... I t'ought she loved me...

Bobby cleared his throat. They had forgotten about him, but he'd followed them. "You tried to make things up to her, Remy. I was there in Seattle when she left you. I don't know what got in to her, but she couldn't deal with the memories she'd absorbed. Maybe she couldn't forgive you, maybe she began to hate you for not being honest with her up front, but... she dumped you."

Jono, please hold me... Je t'aime... make me forget... Seeking warmth and reassurance, Remy wrapped his arms around Jono.

Jono held Remy close for several minutes and then pulled back. Rinse yer mout', mush. I'll wait outside. I'll wait outside. He sensed that Remy needed a moment alone and joined Bobby who also left the bathroom.

Remy stared at his reflection in the mirror. For days he'd wished he would remember who he was and now that the memories were coming back they made him feel even worse. He'd trusted Sinister and when he'd led the Marauders into the tunnels, he'd realized what a big mistake he'd made, but it had been too late by then.

Feeling guilty and alone, he wiped away a few tears that had managed to flow from his eyes. You're a mess, LeBeau. It's time to shape up! What would poppa t'ink of you? Poppa? Who's pop... AH!

Suddenly, strong arms enfolded him and a soft, reassuring murmur echoed in his mind. Jono was back!

It's goin' ter be okay, mush. I know that rememberin' Rogue 'urt, but yer love yer poppa. Because of the telepathic link he'd been privy to Remy's returning memories and he knew what had happened. Yer rememberin' yer old man, mush, and yer 'ave got fond memories of 'im. It's okay, let them in.

Remy trusted Jono's advice and while he sank on to his knees, he held on to Jono, who followed him down. I want to believe you... and he lowered his barriers, which had pushed the memories back.

Holding Remy, Jono watched and chuckled, seeing a boy create one hell of a crater in Jean-Luc's back yard. Yer didn't control yer power well...

I was only 11 when de chargin' power kicked in.

No apologies needed, mush. I'm still tryin' ter control me powers! Jono chuckled again, seeing Jean-Luc chase Remy as a small boy around the dinner table. Wot were yer doin'?

I wasn' used to havin' a family, cher. I'll explain one day, but poppa had a hard time gainin' my trust. Remy smiled as well now. I picked his pocket when I lived on de streets and for some reason he decided to take me in, make me one of de LeBeau clan. I can never t'ank him 'nough for doin' dat.

The memories continued to wash over them and sometimes they laughed, but there were also memories that made Remy cry and Jono cried with him.

Mush, yer fine? Jono raised Remy's head and brushed some stray locks back behind the Cajun's ears.

I remember my yout'... remember de trial and Sinister subduin' me. You saved me... I remember dat too. I remember... Rogue, mais I still don't remember everyt'in'.

I'm sure the rest will return in time. Jono pulled a shaky Remy to his feet. Thanks to the link he knew exactly what Remy was going through. Yer should rest, mush.

Snuggle up to me?

Sure. Jono guided Remy out of the bathroom where Bobby and Hank impatiently waited from them to emerge.

Concerned, Hank approached them, but then stopped, realizing that Jono had everything under control. "Take Remy to his room and stay close to him."

Yer bet I'll stay close. Jono slowly led Remy into the corridor and helped him into the elevator. Think yer can stay awake a little longer?

Oui. Remy leaned against Jono for support and allowed the other man to guide him to his room and lay him down on the bed. He rolled onto his side and waited for Jono to spoon up behind him. Je t'aime, cher...

I love yer too, luv.

///

"Robert, what brings you here?" Hank gestured Bobby to follow him to his office, that way ensuring that Scott could sleep undisturbed. Noticing Bobby's slow movements, he raised an eyebrow. "Is something bothering you?"

Bobby flushed. "Actually, yeah... Logan is... you know, the healing power... he can go on and... "

Hank grinned wickedly. "You're sore?"

Bobby shuffled his feet. "Yeah..."

"How many times?" Hank enjoyed torturing his best friend while he located a tube with soothing ointment.

"Uh, four times..." Nervously, Bobby sneaked a look at Hank's eyes. "It was the best sex I ever had."

"Too much information, my friend." Hank handed Bobby the tube. "Apply this after you had sex and you might want to use a generous amount right now. It will take away most of your discomfort and no sex until you have normal sensation again. I take it you know where to apply the ointment? Maybe Logan can help out?" Hank laughed when Bobby's blush turned a deeper shade of red. "Don't forget to use lube!"

"Thanks, Blue," Bobby mumbled and fled Hank's office. When Logan had done him up against the wall, on his back and on his side, the adrenaline rush had made him bold. Now, he felt damned sore and couldn't even sit properly. I'd better adjust my fantasies before they kill me!

 

Go on to Chrysalis

Go back to Part2