Title: Ghosts of the past 9

Author: Morgana (morganalebeau@yahoo.com)

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

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Ghosts of the past

By Morgana

 

Chapter Forty-Six

Warren studied her peaceful expression. Emmy was soundly asleep and had curled herself into the blankets. Her reactions last evening had surprised him.
She had asked him to escort her to her room, as she wanted to thank him for the furniture and clothes. When they'd arrived, he had waved her tiny protest away, explaining to her that money didn't matter to him. She had given him a surprised, yet pleased look and had suddenly turned shy.
Eventually, he had returned to his own room, but within the hour he had found himself standing in front of hers. He had pushed the door ajar and had watched her sleep. Something had pulled him inside and he'd sat down in the armchair in the corner of the room.
Now, 7 hours later, he still sat there, silently observing her. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever met. And what was even more important, she was beautiful on the inside as well. He had to admit that he had never encountered anyone like her before and his thoughts started to drift off to Remy.
Had the Cajun always worn a mask to hide his real fears and feelings? Since talking to Emmy he realized that he didn't really know Gambit.
Eventually, his line of thinking carried him back to his conversation with Logan. He still felt thankful that Logan had opened up to him. One of the things Logan had said stood out most in his memory. Remy had always thought that getting a gift meant that he had to do something in return. Emmy had asked him that question too last night. "How can I repay you for buying me all these things?" He had shrugged it off.
Emmy stirred in the bed, as a familiar mind crept closer to hers. At first she thought it was Remy, but then she realized it was Warren. Slowly, she opened her eyes and searched the room. "Why are you here?" she asked slowly, not in the least startled that he was this close. During the years she had spent in Sinister's 'care' she'd had no privacy at all.
"Wanted to watch you sleep," he admitted honestly.
Emmy felt relieved that she hadn't changed into a nightgown before going to bed. She had been so drained that she had fallen asleep with her clothes still on, though she had been tempted to try on the silk nightgown.
"I need to tell you something," Warren started and got to his feet. Within seconds, he covered the distance to the bed and knelt next to it.
"What is it?" Emmy sat upright, pulled up her knees and stared into his draped eyes. She barely refrained from reading his emotions or thoughts, not wanting to pry.
"I'm in love with you, Emmy," he admitted softly.
"I know that," Emmy replied in a similar tone. "And?" she hesitated, but knowing that Remy approved of their growing friendship, she took that final step. "I've got feelings for you too, Warren."
"But?" Warren prompted, seeing the hesitant look in her eyes. Gently, he curled his fingers around hers. Her tangled hair fell in front of her clear eyes and he tenderly brushed the strands behind her ears.
"It's too soon, Warren?" Her voice trembled. "Only a few days ago I escaped Essex and I can't?"
Warren soothed her. "I know that you need time, Emmy and I want to be there for you?"
She smiled weakly and freed one of her hands to caress his face. "Wished I had met someone like you 22 years ago, Warren."
Warren returned the smile and moved to sit down on the side of the bed. Logan had warned him not to pressure her, but at the same time he had to show Emmy that he did love/want her. "It's still early," he whispered and pulled her close. "Want to sleep in late?"
She gave him a confused look and he grinned. "Just want to hold you until breakfast. I'm not going to try something," he promised.
Briefly, she wavered. She didn't doubt his sincerity, but wasn't sure she could bear having him that close. "You just want to hold me?"
"Yes." Warren moved further onto the bed, rested his back against the headboard and waited for her to make her decision. He opened his arms and looked at her pleadingly. Something Logan had said returned to him.
It all comes down to trust. Ya've got to gain her trust.
Concentrating on his feelings, she only found honesty and love. It made her give in and gingerly, she moved towards him. She rested her head against his chest and sighed as one of his arms wrapped itself protectively around her shoulders.
Warren peeked at her face and hoped he wasn't pushing her too far. It was a novel experience to him, courting a woman. Usually, women flung themselves at him. This was the first time he really had to try and convince a woman he loved her.
Emmy closed her eyes. His feelings comforted her and she allowed herself to drift away on them.
"I love you, Emmy."
Although he had confessed his love for her before, it still took her aback and she wished she could say the same words, but she wasn't ready yet to make that commitment. Maybe some part of her expected him to show his true colors and change into someone like Sinister.
Instinctively, he understood her hesitance and didn't blame her for it. If he had been in her shoes he would probably react the same way. "I love you," he repeated and stroked her auburn hair.

Jono cracked one eye open. Weird noises had woken him up and he wondered what Bobby was doing this time. Playing Quake, Oddballs or the Sims on his computer? Opening his left eye as well, he pushed himself up against the headboard. In the corner of the room, seated on the floor was Bobby. //What are yer doing, luv?//
"Shit!" Bobby exclaimed and tried to hide something behind his back as he turned around. Still sitting cross-legged, he hoped that Jono was too lazy to get out of bed. "Just go back to sleep!"
Telepathically, Jono laughed warmly. //What are yer trying to hide?// After lazily stretching his body, he gracefully leapt out of bed and advanced on his lover. //Why are yer blushing?// he asked amused.
"Jono! Please! Don't!" Bobby yelped helplessly. What if he froze the items in his hand? They might shatter into hundreds of pieces and Jono would never find out what he had been up to?
But Jono was faster. One hand reached behind Bobby's back and pulled the hidden objects into sight. His telepathic laugher exploded into a million small chuckles. //Practicing, luv?// he inquired wickedly.
"Gimme that!" Bobby tried to lunge for the items, but Jono caught him in an embrace.
//A cucumber?// Jono shook his head. //Yer were trying to fit a condom on a cucumber?//
"A strawberry flavoured condom!" Bobby corrected him. "I don't have that much experience, love and I wanted to get it right the first time we make love."
Jono rolled the condom down over the rest of the cucumber and chuckled away. //Yer full of surprises, luv.//
Bobby blushed slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "Don't want to mess things up with you."
//No way yer can ever mess things up with me,// Jono reassured him and suddenly became aware of the erection in Bobby's pyjama bottoms. After an argument last night, they had decided that Bobby would wear the Mister Bean jammies and he had settled for Monty Python. Bobby had been ecstatic seeing him in them.
Embarrassed, Bobby tried to pull away. "It's just a morning erection!" he chided his lover.
//I've got one too, Bobby? want to have sex?// he asked, pretending innocence and arching an eyebrow.
Bobby swallowed hard. "Sex? you and me?"
//Well, luv, yer can always resort to yer action figure if yer don't want me to make love to yer,// Jono teased him mercilessly.
"You and me? having sex? Right here and now?" Bobby asked again. His eyes widened as Jono's offer sunk in.
//Bobby!// Jono exclaimed in disbelief. //Yes, that's what I said!//
Bobby's mind raced. "We'll need another condom, lube and?//
Jono pulled him close and his fingers traced the outline of Bobby's lips. At moments like these he wished he could kiss his lover. //Yer first time?//
"With a man? Yes," Bobby admitted in a shaky tone. Jono wasn't wearing his pyjama top. It had taken him a lot of time to convince Jono that the bandages didn't put him off, that he did find them sexy. Slowly, his fingertips strolled over the bare skin of Jono's stomach. It was an eternal shame that Jono no longer had nipples as he would have loved to suckle them.
//Yer want to take me?//
Jono's sensual mind voice slithered through his mind and made his cock throb. "You would let me?"
//Sure.// Jono slipped his right hand into Bobby's pyjama bottoms and pulled them down. They had acted strangely shy until now and he had never seen Bobby naked before. //If I had a mouth, I would be drooling right now, luv.//
Bobby relaxed a little. "Jono? will you take me too? I want to feel it both ways."
Jono nodded his approval. //Wanted to suggest that anyway. I love being on top as well. Hope yer got more condoms!//
Bobby pulled free and hurried over to his desk. After opening a drawer he presented two packages to his lover.
Jono sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to him. Bobby sunk down as well and looked at him with expectation in his eyes. //Strawberry flavoured all right!//
"Hope this is fine with you," Bobby said and pointed at the lube. "The guy selling it recommended it."
//Glide?// Jono whispered, reading the brand name. //Will do, luv.//
"Are you sure about this, Jono? We can wait a little longer," Bobby reassured him, but secretly he hoped his lover would insist on making love to him. He'd been dreaming about this moment for so long!
//I'm sure,// Jono replied and fell back onto the bed. //Come here, luv.//
Bobby reacted at once and covered his lover's body with his. Passionately, he kissed the bandages, Jono's eyes, temples and then moved down the bandages until he encountered his lover's belly button.
Jono sighed deeply and closed his eyes. It had been too long since someone had touched him in this way. Suddenly, he knew with certainty that Paige and he would never have worked out. His thoughts returned to Bobby as something warm and wet slithered down his groin.
Bobby slipped the pyjama bottoms from Jono's body and threw them onto the floor. "You aren't wearing underwear!"
Jono simply shrugged his shoulders. //Yer like what yer seeing?// At the sight of Bobby liking his lips, his cock dripped with precum. //Yer have no idea what yer doing to me!// he yelped helplessly. He felt a deep love for Bobby who had shown him that his injuries didn't matter, that he wasn't a monster or a freak.
"Always wanted to do this," Bobby admitted and took hold of his lover's slippery cock. Experimentally, he pulled the foreskin over the head and then repeated the motion again.
Jono's raised his hips, trying to get closer to Bobby's hand. //Yer done this before?//
"No, haven't," Bobby corrected him and reached for the lube, "You don't know how badly I want you, Jono."
Jono opened his eyes and saw the feverish expression in Bobby's orbs. //It's okay, luv. I want yer to take me. Cut the bloody foreplay!//
The blood in his veins sizzled with heat, sensing the true longing and demand in Jono's mind voice. "Don't I need to stretch you first, or something?" Bobby objected. He'd read books, watched movies, but this was the first time he was actually going to do the deed.
Jono's eyes sparkled with mischief. //Just shag me, luv!//
That was all Bobby needed to hear and he reached for the condom. //Please, don't let me screw this up,// he prayed privately.
Amused, Jono watched him struggle. //Don't forget the lube, luv.// He opened the tube and squeezed a large amount into Bobby's hand.
After rubbing it on the condom, Bobby halted. "What position?" he whispered embarrassed. Maybe he should have asked Jono to take him first. Now, he had no idea what the hell he was supposed to do.
Jono threw both legs over Bobby's shoulders. //Like this.//
"Oh my God?" Bobby whimpered, seeing Jono exposed and willing. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips on the bandages and moaned as Jono's hand closed around his aching cock to guide him inside.
//Come on, luv? Want yer to fuck me,// Jono sent and arched his back.
Bobby released a yelp as he easily slid inside. Good thing he had bought that lube! Finally, Jono's tightness surrounded him.
Jono grabbed Bobby's buttocks and pulled him even closer. //Yer a natural,// he said soothingly, seeing Bobby's big eyes. //Now start thrusting, luv.//
"I'm scared to hurt you," Bobby admitted gingerly.
//We used more than enough lube,// Jono reassured him, //if yer don't start moving, I will!//
Bobby gave in and pulled back only to push deeper into his lover willing body. Somewhere along the line he forget how to think rationally. All he wanted was to feel Jono's warmth massaging his throbbing cock.
Jono pushed closer, taking in more and threw back his head. Staring at the ceiling, he relished being this full, being taken.
Thrusting inside his lover, Bobby stared into Jono's eyes, which were wide open. "Jono? Love?"
Jono focused on his lover and squeezed Bobby's buttocks. //Deeper,// he commanded.
That order sent Bobby over the edge. With one more thrust, he slammed into his lover and released his cum. A strangled scream left his lips and he buried his head against Jono's shoulder. "Too soon!" he whispered, afraid he had disappointed his lover.
But Jono sent him a telepathic smile. //I'm going to feel that all day?// he quipped teasingly. //Hope I won't walk funny.//
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Bobby exclaimed concerned.
//No, yer didn't.// Jono savored that concern and pressed his bandages against Bobby's lips.
"You didn't cum!" Bobby said disappointed.
//Yer can change that. I want to be inside yer too.// Jono wasn't sure Bobby would go all the way. After all, the man was practically a virgin and the thought of being penetrated might freak him out.
"You want to take me?" Bobby asked knowingly. "How?" His stomach tightened. He wasn't sure he was ready for this.
Jono stripped off the condom after Bobby had pulled out of him. //Yer got another condom?//
Bobby reached a decision, knowing it was up to him to say yes or no. "Yeah," and he handed Jono the package. Kneeling on the bed he watched Jono sit upright. "I'm nervous," he admitted.
//I'm going to deflower yer. Of course yer nervous,// Jono quipped. Leaning against the headboard, he grabbed the lube and threw it at Bobby. Quickly, he pulled the condom over his still aching cock. //Rub the lube on, luv.//
Lips quavering, Bobby rubbed a generous amount on Jono's cock. Suddenly, he realized that his own cock was growing hard again. The prospect of Jono being inside him had given him another hard on!
Jono noticed it too. //Sit in me lap,// he instructed and pulled Bobby close, manoeuvring his lover's entrance over his shaft.
Bobby swallowed down the lump that had formed in his throat. Jono wanted him to impale himself on his cock? Facing his lover he shivered as the head of Jono's shaft teased against his entrance. "What does it feel like? Being fucked?" he asked in an unguarded moment.
//Find out yerself,// Jono replied and rested his hands on Bobby's waist. Gently, he pulled his lover down onto his cock, piercing him.
A terrified moan fled Bobby's lips. It hurt!
Jono was tempted to stop, but suddenly Bobby pushed down and took in the rest of his cock. //Luv? Are you all right?//
Bobby closed his eyes, cocked his head and tried to get used to feeling Jono's cock. The initial pain had faded away, leaving a throbbing sensation in its wake. "Yeah, I'm fine?"
//So, how does it feel?//
"Good," Bobby replied and tightened his muscle around Jono's shaft. "Feels weird though to have your cock up my ass!"
//Yer had to phrase it like that!// Jono squirmed as Bobby clenched his cock again. Slowly, he thrust upwards, relishing hearing Bobby moan his need. //Yer in for a wild ride, luv,// he promised, tightened his hold on Bobby's waist and thrust again and again and?
Again and again? Bobby grabbed his own cock and started to stroke it violently. "Jono?" he whispered as his lover's shaft stroked something inside his body that sent him almost into spasms of delight.
Jono placed his right hand over Bobby's and increased the speed with which his lover was fisting himself.
Flesh slapped against flesh and Bobby surrendered to Jono's rhythm. Coming a second time, his muscle clenched Jono time and time again.
A wet splash on his stomach proved that his lover had come again and Jono let go as well, shooting his seed into Bobby's warmth body. //Here I cum!//
Lost, Bobby collapsed onto Jono's warm body and panted hard as something warm and wet slithered through his insides.
Jono's now limp cock slipped out of his lover and he wrapped both arms around him. His fingers soothingly stroked Bobby's skin. //That was bloody amazing!//
Exhausted, Bobby agreed wholeheartedly.

Scott smiled, seeing Kurt stroll into the living room. "I'm glad to see you, Kurt, but shouldn't you be with Excalibur?"
"Needed a break," he replied and took in his surroundings. "Where are the others?"
"On their way down here. It's good to have you back, even it's only for a short time! You can stay in your old room!" Playfully, Scott slapped Kurt's shoulders.

"I'm gonna park the bike. Will see ya 'side," Logan said and disappeared into the garage.
Remy sauntered into the mansion, surprised to hear cheerful laughter and chatter this early on a Sunday morning. Cautiously, he peeked into the living room. Most of the X-Men, except for Bobby and Jono, had gathered around? Kurt?
//When did Nightcrawler return to de mansion?// he wondered. He'd always liked Kurt and was about to join the crowd as a hand, placed on his right shoulder, stopped him. He felt her presence before turning around and gave her a stunning smile.
Emmy kissed his brow, savoring the happy expression in her son's eyes. //I was on my way down when I heard them. What's going on?//
"Kurt's back?" Remy explained. "He's an X-Man?"
//You like him?//
"Oui, he's lots of fun? especially when he pretends bein' Errol Flynn in a pirate movie."
Reassured, she took hold of his hand. //I'm still nervous to walk in there? Don't know them very well.//
"Can I ask you somet'in'?" Remy tucked her hand in his. "Logan says I send out images instead of t'oughts?"
Emmy nodded her head. //That's possible? You want to find out later?// she offered, eager to help him explore this ability.
"Oui, would love dat," Remy replied and walked her into the living room. The chatter stopped and eyes locked on them. It made him feel uncomfortable.
"Kurt, you already know Remy and this is Emily?" Hank said, introducing her.
"She's my mère," Remy said suddenly. He had it with hiding the truth.
"Your mother?" Ororo said stunned. "Your mother? I assumed she was a clone Sinister created because you escaped!" Suddenly, she felt ashamed of her earlier behavior and felt the need to apologize to Emily, but?
Viciously, Emmy pulled Remy away as he wanted to shake Kurt's hand. It had taken her a moment to identify this restless feeling, but then she had seen the truth. //Run!// she sent into his mind and protectively, stepped in front of her son.
The X-Men stared at her. "Kurt's a friend," Scott tried to explain.
"It's Essex!" Emmy screamed in despair and shielded her son with her own body. "Why did you let him inside?"
Kurt's familiar appearance faded and instead Sinister's obscure form grew stronger. "Knew you'd see through my disguise, Emmy."
"What do ya want?" A growl swept through the room, as Logan marched over to his lover's side. What the hell possessed Sinister to come here?
"You did this to me," Sinister said in a low, dangerous tone and indicated the pulsating wound in his chest where the katana had buried itself in his flesh.
"Why can't you leave us alone?" Emmy whimpered and kept Remy back, who tried to get passed her.
Jean used her telepathy to link the other X-Men together and relayed Scott's attack plan to the rest.
"I want revenge," Sinister revealed. "I want your son dead."
"Because you can't kill me you're going to kill Remy?" Emmy shook her head and caught sight of Warren, who now sneaked up behind Sinister. She couldn't allow it that he endangered his life for her sake! "You can't have Remy!" she spat viciously. "I will stop you!"
"You're not that strong!" Sinister protested.
Remy felt lost. He'd raised his mental defenses and had locked out Jean unwillingly, scared that Sinister might find a way into his mind. Unexpectedly, Logan's arm grabbed his waist and pulled him away from Sinister and Emmy. He wanted to object, but Logan's eyes silenced him.
"This is between the two of us!" Emmy exclaimed and attacked Sinister.
"Can't believe this," Warren whispered, as he stared at Emmy's changing form. Her eyes turned fiery red and the black disappeared.
"Cher!" Remy yelped and clung to Logan, as Emmy's skin augmented. A diamond appeared on her brow and her teeth transformed to fangs.
Logan blinked his eyes. The auburn hair was gone. It was black now and her clothes had changed as well. "What the hell?"
Shocked, they stood nailed to the floor.
Emmy grabbed Essex and slammed him into the wall. "Nothing is more dangerous than a mother defending her child!" she warned him and wrestled him to the floor. "You should never have given me your power, bastard!"
Essex knew he had to act quickly, if he wanted to turn the tables on her. "Too bad you escaped the tank! Sedated, you didn't stand a chance against me!"
"But I am free now!" she sneered.
Scott realized that he had to abandon his earlier plan. Now that Emmy was this close to Sinister she might get injured as well!
"Let go!" Remy struggled free of his lover's hold and charged forward. "You want to FEEL, Essex? You can have all of my pain!" he screamed and channelled every ounce of pain into Sinister's mind.
Moaning, Sinister tried to fight off Emmy. His plan was ruined now that they'd seen through his disguise and he had to change tactics. Damn that new security system! He couldn't open a gateway and disappear like that!
Emmy sensed that Essex was crumbling under Remy's pain and hoped they could defeat Sinister for once and for all. Otherwise Remy would live in constant fear of his nemesis. "You can have my pain too!" she yelled and joined her son in his attack. She didn't hold back, sent Essex her complete terror and realized that she was about to faint. //Can't stop now!// and continued the attack.
Exactly at that moment, Bobby and Jono entered the room. They had heard the screams and had hurried to help. Jono ripped away his bandages and gathered his power. //Get her away from him!//
Logan moved at once, grabbed Emmy and carried her into safety. Bobby leapt towards Remy and pulled him away from Sinister, who was now trying to get back to his feet.
Scott nodded his head as he stared into Jono's eyes. "Let's end this now!" Both Jono and Scott focused their powers and blasted away at Sinister, who rocked underneath the joined attack.
"I want to kill him personally," Logan growled, after handing Emmy to Hank. His deadly claws freed themselves of their confines. Running towards Sinister he avoided the powerful beams.
//Stop!// Jean ordered and Jono and Scott obeyed.
Logan's feet left the floor as he flung himself at Sinister.
Essex saw the claws, too close to his face and tried to duck.
Logan anticipated that and with one smooth move, he decapitated Sinister. The head rolled over the floor and the body swayed, before falling onto the floor, still convulsing. "Gotcha, bastard!" Logan exclaimed triumphantly.
Remy, supported by Bobby, stared in disbelief at Sinister's head that had come to a stop at his feet. "Bobby?" he whispered, desperate for contact.
"Looks like it's over," Bobby said soothingly and steadied the Cajun as his knees gave out on him.
Warren shook off his shock. "What about Emmy?" and ran over to Hank, who cradled her in his strong arms. Shuddering, he watched as her body transformed back. "What did Essex do to her?" he whispered and locked eyes with Remy, who looked drained.
"We will ask her later," Hank decided. "Robert, I want Remy in the med lab as well." Hank noticed the panic in Warren's eyes. "You can come along, Warren. Your presence will reassure her once she regains consciousness."
Warren twined her fingers with his and the three of them left the living room.
"I'll help him." Logan retracted his claws and walked over to his lover.
Bobby stepped back the moment Logan had a tight hold on Remy and returned to Jono, who was trying to rewrap the bandages. "Come on, love. I will help you." They sat down and Bobby tenderly restored the bandages around his lover's form. "You were great, blasting Sinister like that!"
Jono blushed, surprised that he was still capable of doing that. //Had no choice, luv,// he explained proudly.
Scott stared at Sinister's head and body and exchanged a glance with Jean and Ororo. "I want him gone."
Jean nodded her head. //Then do it.//
Scott's optic blast hit Sinister's remains and left nothing but ashes.
"Let the winds carry them away," Storm said and sent a breeze into the room. "Sinister's gone."
Satisfied, Remy nodded his head and allowed Logan to walk him to the med lab.

 

Chapter Forty-Seven

"You're just fine, young man," Hank stated pleased and helped Remy off the exam bed. "A little shaken up due to recent events, but not in need of medical attention."
Remy sighed relieved and reached for Logan, who had stood guard in the doorway, making sure no one interrupted patient and doctor.
"Glad to hear that, darlin'," he said and rubbed the back of the Cajun's neck. Things had happened so quickly that only now the events truly sunk it. //I killed the bastard after all!// he thought contentedly. //Sinister won't ever hurt them 'gain!//
"What 'bout Emmy?" Remy asked concerned. Hank had looked after her first before checking on him.
Hank sighed distressed. "The professor and Jean are with her right now."
"Henri?" Remy caught the concern in McCoy's mind. "Is she. . .?"
"In a coma," Hank replied and held Remy's hand in an attempt to comfort him. "Whatever she did to weaken Sinister, it took a toll on her. We can only hope that she will regain consciousness in the next 72 hours."
"Cher?" Remy stared at Logan. His eyes watered and he pulled his love close. "Hold me?"
Logan nodded his head, pleased that Remy finally acknowledged his needs. "I'm here, kid. She'll wake up 'gain," he said encouragingly. "She's has so much to fight for!"
"Can I see her?" Remy looked at Hank pleadingly. "Need to see her."
"Give me a moment to see if they are done examining her." Hank left the exam room to check on Emmy.
Logan simply held his lover close, stroking his back and murmuring reassurance in his ear.
"Why did he come here?" Remy asked eventually. "Sinister must have known the team was here. . ."
Gently, Logan rocked his love in his arms. "I might be wrong," he started hesitantly, "But I smelled death on him when I walked in."
"Suicide?" Remy shook his head, "Not Sinister."
"We'll never know," Logan realized. "Why not focus on the future?"
Hank called them from the doorway. "You can see her now, Remy. I hope you don't mind that Warren is sitting with her?"
"Non, I don' mind," Remy admitted and leaned on his lover while making his way to her room.
Warren looked up as they entered and gestured Remy to sit down as well. "She's still unconscious," he informed Remy. "I'm so worried. . ."
Remy accepted the invitation and sat down to Emmy's left. "You goin' to stay here too?"
"Yes, until she regains consciousness." Warren whispered softly.
Warren tenderly rubbed her fingers. "You love her?" Remy asked, sensing Warren's genuine affection.
"Oh yes." Warren shot a glance at Remy. "I love her."
"And she loves you. . ." Remy mumbled, remembering her radiant feelings whenever Warren was close.
Logan stood back, trying to give them a sense of privacy. However, he wasn't leaving Remy's side. Someone had to look after the Cajun!
Minutes, hours and finally 2 days passed by without any change in her condition. Warren and Remy now took turns watching over her and Logan made sure they got enough rest and food.
"Ya need to get some sleep," he admonished his lover. "Warren will arrive in a few minutes. Yer exhaustin' yerself."
"Can' leave her," Remy objected. He'd dozed off, his head resting next to hers on the pillow. There had to be a way to make her wake up. "Don' want to lose her, cher. . ." he whispered, not after finally beating Sinister!
Warren entered and sighed deeply, seeing the dark circles beneath Remy's eyes. "Get some sleep, Remy," he whispered and rested a hand on the Cajun's shoulder.
"Want her back," Remy stated and closed his eyes, remembering the first time he had felt her mind. He had woken up in Sinister's lab and this incredible warmth had surrounded him.
"Want you back," he said again, more resolved this time. He remembered the first time he had laid eyes on her, watching Monty Python with her and finally the revelation that she and Warren were in love.
His fingers caressed the white rabbit that he had placed in her arms. She looked merely asleep, but he knew the truth. Her mind was too quiet, too distant.
Warren and Logan talked softly, but he didn't pay any attention to their words. Emmy was a telepath and she had insisted he was one as well. Maybe it was time to take the plunge into the deep.
Closing his eyes, he recalled her face and sent the image into her mind. //Please come back to me!// he thought and hoped the words and image somehow reached her mind. //I need you! Je t'aime!//
A number of beeps echoed through the room as the equipment noticed a change in her brain activity and Hank hurried to the room, scared she had taken a turn for the worst.
"Remy?" Warren took a step closer, seeing Emmy's fluttering eyelids. "Did you reach her?" He'd suggested the Cajun tried to reach her telepathically earlier, but back then Remy had been reluctant to try, scared he might do more harm than good!
"I can feel her," Remy whimpered and tightened the hold he had on her mind. "She's weak!"
"Keep trying!" Warren gently took hold of Emmy's other hand and focused on his love for her. "Please, Emmy," he said pleadingly.
Something called her back from the dark void where she was afloat in. Called her back to the light and the warmth she had left behind. She recognized their voices, surprised they were calling her back. They had seen what Sinister had done to her in his darkest hour and they still wanted her back?
Slowly, she drifted closer to their thoughts, felt Remy's despair and Warren's love. She had to stop their pain.
"Her eyes!" Logan whispered, pointing them out to Hank.
"She's regaining consciousness!" Hank realized and stood back. "It's working," he said in a tone filled with admiration. "Remy, don't let her slip away." It must have been a gigantic step for the young Cajun to reach out to her telepathically.
Emmy's eyes finally opened. Where was she? What had happened? Why was she lying down? Carefully, she turned her head to look into Remy's eyes and smiled at him.
Warren released the breath he had been holding. "Thanks, Remy."
His voice made her cock her head and astonished, her eyes grew big. "You. . . have. . . wings?"
Her comment made them smile and Warren patted her hand. "You've never seen my wings, have you?"
"No," she whispered taken aback. "Does. . . this mean. . . I'm dating. . . an angel?"
Warren laughed warmly and even Remy giggled due to relief. "Looks like it," Warren agreed and leaned in closer to kiss her brow.
But she stopped him and steered his lips to hers instead.
Awkwardly, Remy watched them. Logan sat on his heels beside him and he focused on his lover instead. "De ghosts of our past no longer haunt us, oui?" he stated softly. As Emmy's hand sought out his, he curled his fingers around it.
"Yeah, they're gone, darlin'." Logan squeezed Remy's hand reassuringly. "They're gone."

 

Epilogue

"Are you comfortable?" Warren asked concerned and pushed another pillow behind her back. During these last few days he'd discovered that he loved to pamper her. Hank had finally released her from the med lab and now she was back in her own room.
"Yes," Emmy said shyly. Warren and Remy had been her at her side constantly, never asking for an explanation concerning her transformation. However, she did owe them one.
"Remy will be here any second now," Warren assured her and sat down on the side of the bed. "Anything you need?"
Emmy shook her head and studied his wings. Ever since she had seen them for the first time they had fascinated her. Warren had even let her explore them with her fingers. "You could have told me about them," she said and lovingly stroked the feathers.
Warren shrugged it off. "Completely forgot that you didn't know about them. I assumed you had seen them in Remy's mind. You also knew that I didn't like him."
Thoughtfully, she looked at him. "Can you fly?"
"Yes, want to try later?" Warren gave her a wink. "I used to take Bobby for flights when we were younger."
She leaned back into the pillows. A contented expression slid across her face. "I would love that," she whispered and blushed slightly.
"So, does this mean we're really dating?" Warren asked in a naughty tone. "Took me aback when you asked me whether you were dating an angel."
Emmy smiled ruefully. "When I was a lot younger I always dreamt that a knight in shining armor would save me from Sinister."
Warren smiled warmly. "Instead of a knight you're now stuck with an angel!" Emmy's hand sought out his and he folded his fingers around hers. "You've got tiny hands!" he quipped.
"You can come inside, Remy," Emmy said, picking up her son's mental signature in the corridor.
Remy had agreed to Warren being present as well, knowing how important Angel had become to his mother. When they had sat with her, he had seen a side to Worthington he never knew existed and a mutual respect had been born.
As he stepped inside, he no longer felt uncomfortable seeing them holding hands. Emmy deserved happiness and he vowed that no one would ever hurt her again. But he still needed to ask her some questions that troubled him.
"Sit down, sweetie," Emmy gestured him to sit down on the other side of the bed. This was going to be hard on her. She had hoped that they would never learn this secret.
Remy and Warren remained silent; giving her the time she needed to gather her courage. Both knew it wouldn't be a pretty tale.
"The transformation," she started and looked at her son. "I never wanted you to see me like that, Remy."
Remy squeezed her hand, sending her affection and reassurance. "You only wanted to protect me."
In his mind, she read how much that meant to him and it almost made her eyes water. During his short, troubled live, not many people had defended him like that. Jean-Luc, Logan? and now she had risked her own life to save his. "You're my son? I had to try and take Sinister out."
"How did it happen?" Warren asked in a soft tone. Although he hadn't told her how much seeing her change had startled him, he realized that she knew he had been horrified. //You simply can't hide your feelings from an empath!//
She closed her eyes, unwilling to admit her shame. However, Remy's warms feelings made her take that final step. "I had been his prisoner for? 10 years, I guess. I had tried to escape and I even succeeded once or twice, but he always hunted me down. In the end, I decided to switch tactics."
Remy sensed her self-hate and cocked his head. "You tried to gain his trust instead."
"I hoped he would let down his guard and that I might find a way to defeat him." Emmy laughed bitterly. "I didn't count on him being? so obsessive."
Remy and Warren exchanged a glance, as apprehension flooded them.
"Essex was so damn pleased that he decided I had to stay with him for ever! Now that I was co-operating, he experienced feelings he had so long searched for. He found a way to blend his DNA with mine. "
Startled, Remy rubbed her fingers. "His DNA?"
"But he never expected me to grow resilient again and? suddenly I had the power to fight him," Emmy explained, as tears flowed down her cheeks. "In my augmented form, he can't hurt me, force me. I fought him! I wanted to return to the world to find you, Remy!"
Warren drew in a deep breath. "You're a shape shifter?"
Emmy avoided looking into his eyes. Staring at their hands, she felt slightly reassured. At least they weren't running away from her! "No, not really? I can change into my augmented form? that's it. I'm stuck in this body for the rest of my live. I don't age? "
Hesitantly, she lifted her eyes and locked with Warren's. "I should have told you before you fell in love with me, but I felt too ashamed."
"I understand?" Warren pondered his next words. "As far as I'm concerned this doesn't change anything?. Just don't morph while you're in my arms?" he added jokingly.
Relieved, she squeezed Warren's hand. "Usually, I can push the transformation back, but when I saw Essex in the living room? I knew he wanted to hurt Remy, as he couldn't hurt me."
"Maybe one day you'll want to use that power for good, fighting with the X-Men?" Warren suggested. He felt bad about being uncomfortable with this part of her personality. She had never asked Sinister to change her DNA.
Hearing that comment made Remy smile. "Oui, you're now part of de X-Men!" She had promised to stay and he couldn't see her sitting back when Magneto or another villain attacked the mansion. Knowing her temper, she would want to fight in the frontline!
"Warren? Can I speak to Remy in private?"
"Sure," Warren said, got to his feet and pressed a passionate kiss onto her brow. "I will pick you up later for that flight I promised you. Wear something warm," he advised and then left the room.
"Flight?" Remy repeated confused.
"He's taking me flying on those wings," she mumbled in a grateful tone. "Remy, are you really sure you're fine with me seeing Warren?"
"Oui." Remy nodded his head to emphasize his answer. "T'ink you're good for each oder! Someone needs to peg him down to size!"
"Remy?" She raised her hand and caressed his face. "You want to ask me something, don't you?"
"Oui?" But he wasn't sure this was the right time to address her past.
"You want to know who your father is?"
"Oui," he admitted in a heartbeat. He desperately wanted to know what kind of man had deserted his mother. Deep inside, he even blamed this man for what had happened to Emmy.
"Remy," she said softly, "his name's Thomas? Thomas Elsmore. He was 19 when I got pregnant. He wanted to go to university to study medicine. Me being pregnant ruined his entire future? and he panicked. For what it's worth I did love him. My empathy wasn't that strong back then, but I do hope he loved me too? he always said that he loved my eyes?"
His eyes watered and he couldn't hold back his tears any longer. "T'omas Elsmore?" The name sounded strange and alien. Jean-Luc was the only father who had loved him.
"I don't know if he's still alive, married or happy," she continued, reading his questions before he had a chance to voice them. "I'm no longer mad at him, Remy. We were young and he couldn't handle the responsibility."
He remembered her parents had also disapproved of her keeping the baby. "You were all 'lone back den," he whispered crestfallen.
"No," she objected, "I had you, Remy."
His empathic abilities forced him to react to the pain and love in her voice. Instinctively, he hugged her close. "Want to know if he's still 'live."
"I understand, sweetie." Soothingly, she stroked his back. "I hope you'll find the answers you're still looking for."
"That's the guy," Logan growled and pointed Thomas Elsmore out to his lover. He had located the man in the local restaurant near the university campus. His right hand rested at the small of Remy's back, who sat next to him. It had taken them a few weeks to track Thomas down.
"Dat's my real fader," Remy whispered lost. Thomas Elsmore was a well-built, middle-aged man with black hair and brown eyes. Obviously, he worked out a lot as he was in great shape. Remy's eyes drifted off to the three students that now joined Thomas at his table. His father gave them a warm smile. //Wish he'd smile at me like dat.//
"Yer gonna talk to him?" Logan asked concerned. Although he understood Remy's need to look his father in the eye, he hoped they'd return to the mansion quickly. Emmy had helped them track Thomas down, but had refused to accompany them. //Understand her too. Thomas Elsmore's gonna freak recognizin' her. After all, she still looks like she's 18.// But he suspected Warren was the real reason why she'd stayed behind. He couldn't blame her for wanting a second chance at happiness.
"Don' know, cher," Remy replied honestly. "Just want to study him." Lifting his sunglasses a little, he peeked at his father, who had opened notebooks and was apparently trying to explain something to the students.
Thomas Elsmore had studied medicine after all, but was now teaching classes in psychology.
"Ya don't look like him," Logan remarked and felt torn between confronting the man and walking away from him without saying a single word.
"I want to leave dis place," Remy suddenly announced and got to his feet. This had been a mistake. Thomas Elsmore had never wanted to be his father. "Want to go back to Westchester? be wid Emmy."
Logan nodded his approval. They started for the exit, but at that moment Thomas Elsmore got to his feet, in a sudden hurry to leave as well. Logan tried to warn his lover, but Remy was marching straight at the door, ignoring everyone!
Remy froze, as he bumped into someone. He mumbled an apology and was about to open the door when he realized that his father was staring at him. //Merde! Sun glasses slipped!//
Thomas Elsmore opened his mouth as if to speak, but then swallowed the comment.
Remy felt paralysed, but just in time he managed to recompose himself and marched out of the door. //He recognized me!// he knew with certainty. Feelings of shock, joy and finally failure had coursed through his father. //It's too late, mon ami,// he thought saddened and straddled the bike, waiting for Logan to join him.
"Yer sure ya don't wanna go back? He's still starin' at ya," Logan said, sat down and wrapped his arms around the Cajun.
Remy nodded his head. "Jean-Luc's my père. T'omas Elsmore never wanted me!"
Logan respected his lover's decision and held on tightly as Remy started the bike. "Ya don't need him," Logan agreed.
"I only need you," Remy whispered, //and Emmy?//
"I love your wings," Emmy admitted gingerly. She wasn't sure she could ever give up soaring through the sky with him. In his arms, she felt safe and cherished. They would reach the mansion in a few minutes and she savored these last moments of complete freedom.
"I got a message from Logan," Warren started and pulled her a little closer to his chest. "They're on their way back."
Relieved, she sighed. "Did Remy find what he was looking for?"
Warren looked deeply into her eyes. "He did, that's why he's coming back. Logan told me that they found Remy's father, but that they didn't talk to him. Remy's coming back, because he finally found what he was looking for, you."
Emmy brushed his lips. //I think I love you, Warren.// His radiant smile warmed her soul. //You hoped I would say that, didn't you?// A few nights ago, when nightmares featuring Apocalypse and his time as Death had tormented him, she had reached out to soothe him telepathically. Ever since that night, they had settled into using telepathic speech to address their feelings for each other.
//Yes, I did and like Remy, I hope you'll never tire of telling me that you love me!//he quipped.
Her warm laughter echoed through the heavens, racing to the sky to tell the stars of her happiness.

 

END

 

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