This is the fallow up to The Stray.

Disclaimer: All characters belong t' Marvel and you know the rest.

Seri

Insanity

By, Seri LeBeau

Wicked laughter filtered through the halls of the Xavier mansion. The laughter of someone completely insane...

It has been weeks since Serina MacPhearson-LeBeau had returned home, her mind near totally gone. All she seemed to do was laugh and cry. It has come to the point where they just opened the door and slid in a tray of food. She had begun to go feral, she even successfully attacked her father, Wolverine.

Now they sat gathered in the war room, deliberating on what to do with her. Her laughter filled the room as they watch her on a monitor screen. "Goddess, could you at least turn the sound down?" Storm more or less pleaded than demanded. "It's hard enough to see her like this, much less have to listen to her."

"That's why we're here, Ororo." Hank replied. "If we can't find a way to reach her, then what exactly can we do for her?"

"Hospitalization?" Scott suggested.

"Good one, Scott. We'll just send her to one and ignore what they do with her and what it'll do to the girls here." Warren snapped with sarcasm, gesturing to Betsy and Jean.

"That's what started this whole mess, remember, Scotty?" Bobby added.

"She ain't goin back." Logan stated flatly. "She's my kid an' I'll leave wit' her first."

"Your kid. My wife." Remy reminded them all. "Where she goes, I go."

"Same here." Added Betsy. "I won't lose her to this like I did to Sinister or Jade. I'll kill her myself first." They all gave her a strange look. "Besides Brian, she's all I have left of my childhood. I'd rather she wasn't a memory of this."

Warren moved to stand behind her, placing his arms around her soothingly. "Where she goes, I go."

"You'd need a Doctor to attend her." Hank added, adding his name to the list of those willing to take care of her, away from the mansion.

"Ya' all nuts." Rogue stated. "Ya' all'd leave if we don't let her stay." She sounded disgusted.

"So we loose five of our numbers if we remove her from here." Scott surmised.

"Six." Moreylla added.

"Seven." Shatterstar included, standing with Moreylla.

"Ok, look. I'll make it easier." Scott interjected, Seeing Jean begin to open her mouth. "If any of you can't handle the responsibility of Serina's care and hopeful recovery, you'll need to find quarters elsewhere."

No one said a word, not even Rogue.

"Ok then," Scott began, "lets get an evaluation from Miora and a psychiatrist and see what we need to do."

Everyone separated to their separate tasks, all except Psylocke. She deftly turned off the monitor, un-noticed and went below. She looked longingly through the window at her long time friend. She watched for so long, so intently that she didn't sense anyone approach her. "Makes ya just want t' go in and hold her, take her pain away, don' it?" Even his gruff voice showed his love for the girl.

"Yeah, Logan, it does." She patted the hand that now rested on her shoulder.

"She doesn' mean t' strike out, ya know?" He explained absently. "It's all she knows t' do now. They hurt her so bad that she doesn' trust anymore."

"Maybe it's time we show her how." She replied, opening the lock on the door.

"Think you can handle it?" He asked as the air lock released.

"Better than I can seeing her like this." She stated, watching Serina run for a darkened corner.

"Then let's do it." He replied, entering the room before her.

"Yeah, let's." she answered, re-locking the door with her mind.

Hours later........

Beast leaned over to see Serina's monitor off and turned it on. What he saw scared him to death. Serina was crouched over Wolverine and Psylocke as they lay unconscious on the floor. He hit the alarm and headed below.

At that moment....

Serina cautiously touched Psylocke's hair, then her father's face. He smiled, making her jump. "Sshh, Darlin', we ain't here t' hit you." She slowly began to explore his face with one hand and toy Psylocke's hair with the other.

Psylocke opened her eyes to see Serina smile. "It's working." She whispered. Just then the door burst open and once again Serina ran to the safety of a darkened corner. "Damn." She muttered.

Wolverine sat up. "I'll deal with them, you keep working on her." He growled, moving to intercept them.

"Agreed." She replied. "Ororo, would you care to join me?"

"What are you doing?" She asked, moving closer with Betsy.

"Earning a little trust." She replied, sitting near Serina. Serina lashed out, connecting with Betsy's arm. "Owe!" She cried out. "No, Seri." She caught her hand. "No pain. No hurt, see?" She placed Serina's hand in her hair. "No different than earlier."

Storm watched as Psylocke sat patiently while Serina stare past her, toying with her hair. After an hour, everyone left but Wolverine. Serina had begun to braid the hair in her hands. Logan moved to the middle of the room and sat down. It was then that Storm felt safe. "How long did it take for her to do this?" She whispered.

"Almost 6 hours." He replied. "She barely began when everyone burst in."

Serina began to move. "What do I do?" She asked, a bit scared.

"Don' move." He advised. "Stay still and no loud noises." He whispered as Serina seemed to cross them. "I'm over here, Darlin'." He spoke softly. She stopped suddenly, as if listening, then continued on her path. "Alright, who's in here?!"

"Me." Came the reply. "I wanted to see if your insane idea worked."

"Scott!!!" They all said in unison.

"Yeah." He began. "Hey!" He exclaimed as Serina ran back to Psylocke with his glasses in hand. "I'll need those back before I leave." He chuckled, watching her toy with them, putting them on then taking them off, just to put them on again.

"She's coming along well with this." Hank's voice came over the speaker. "But don't overwhelm her. It may back fire." As he spoke, Serina decided to explore her father again, this time putting Scott's glasses on him, then in her hair, cocking her head as if to hear Storm's breathing. She then made a sudden attempt to touch Storm.

Storm jumped back, causing Serina to run back behind Psylocke, to hide in the shadows once again. "I'm sorry, Logan." She began. "Her claws... I only saw her out of the corner of my eye. It startled me."

"Forget it." He soothed. "I didn' know whether to run or smile when she first touched me, so I held my breath." He put his arm around her. "Bets?"

"I'm staying." She replied. "She's using me as a shield right now."

"Scott?"

"I need my glasses first." He replied.

"I'll get one of your others for now." Hank chuckled over the speaker.

"Not yet. I want to stay for a bit longer." He moved in to the light. "Maybe she'll trust me as well." He spoke softly. "Have everyone else meet in the observatory and begin a schedule for trust rehab."

Days passed as the schedule went in to effect. Two people at a time and only with someone she already trusts. (Wolverine, Psylocke, Cyclops or Jean). And only twice a day. Gambit was the first to sign up and visited at least once a day, twice when he could get away with it. The rest of the time he'd watch her, for hours, through the glass in her door.

Serina had somehow made off with various items from each of the X-members.... Scott's glasses, a lock of Betsy's hair, one of Ororo's earnings, and her fathers keys. Rogue's right glove, Bishop's bullet, Hank's communicator, and last, but not least, Gambits trench coat.

No one ever went alone and somehow she collected what she associated to each of them. After a month, they took her to an outdoors program in the Danger Room, to see how she'd react.

Once inside she broke free, immediately climbing a tree... "Serina! Be careful." Warren yelled.

"She'll be ok, Warr." Betsy began "She has to learn all over again." Just then, she looked up to see Serina sitting on a hydrolex hose and swinging back and forth. "Serinity!" She hollered. "Get down here this instant!"

"Now, Bets, what happened to 'she has to learn all over again'?" He mocked

"Not from that height!" She bit back like a worried mother. "Warren, please?..."

"Alright, I'll go get her." He flew up easily, and brought her down beside Betsy. She immediately faced him, raising her arm up to him. "Oh, you want to fly, do you?"

"MMMMHHUUMMMM." She repeated the gesture.

"Alright." He replied, lifting her up in to his arms and flying around the room as Storm entered. He circled the room a few times then landed beside the two women.

Serina turned to face him, lifting her arms up to him. "Up." She said, saying the first legible word since her return.

"I'm tired, Sweety, maybe next time." He ruffled her hair as one would a child.

"Oh." She lowered her head in disappointment, her voice that of a three year old child.

"I can take you up, child, if you like?" Storm offered.

Serina's head snapped up, looking directly at her. "Up?" She repeated, this time holding her arms out to Storm.

"Yes," Storm smiled brightly. Her speaking showed a huge step in her improvement. Serina smiled brightly as Storm whisked her from the ground and flew her around the room. In this state, Serina had no idea that she had powers, much less what they were. She looked no older than fourteen and had a varied mind of a two to ten year old, (And in her case, it's the mind she had when she was ten, meaning that of an eighteen year old education, not experience.). And her speech was that of a two year old.

As Storm whirled her around, she reflected on the past months since Serina's return. Teaching her to feed herself again, use utensils, bathe, dress herself and play simple games, but above all, trust them again.

As they flew, one watched with a touch of jealously and anger. { They cater t' her like a spoiled child, afraid of her tantrum should they refuse her. } She is Rogue. Since the announcement of Remy's marriage to Wolverine's daughter, she's been a bit bitter. From what most can gather, they've been married for near six months before anyone knew.

She has tried to keep her distance, but not look like she is, even tried to get close to her again, but her jealously got in the way. { He played me the fool. } She thought bitterly. { Who am Ah more mad at? Her for bein' his wife or him, for continuing t' lead me on? } She thought to herself. { Him! } She stood watching, fists clenched, as Wolverine entered the room where his daughter was.

Storm slowly lowered the girl to the ground. Serina hugged her, then ran to her father. (The hug, her way of saying "Thank You".) Wolverine caught her in a tight embrace, swinging her around. "I up." She giggled, smiling brightly.

"I know, Darlin, I saw." He replied, setting her down, but still holding her. "It's time for bed now."

"I up." She repeated, as if she didn't hear him.

"I know, but it's time for bed." He repeated in a fatherly tone. He realized that she didn't comprehend what he meant. "Let's go." He began to walk her out as Storm and Warren said their 'Goodnights' to her, Betsy fallowing them out.

Jean joined them just outside the door, walking her to her 'room'. Reality hit as they turned the corner that led to her 'Room'. She grabbed at the corner. "NO!" She locked her legs, trying to pull back. "NO!"

"Sssshhhh, Serina." Jean cooed. "It's time for bed."

"NO!" Serina screamed, as if she were in pain. She just continued screaming.

"Maybe y'all should spank her." Rogue suggested as she passed by.

The three gave her a disappointing look. Then Serina dropped to her knees, holding the sides of her head as she screamed. Psylocke hit the intercom. "Beast! Lab 3 Stat!"

While Jean entered her mind. {Serina, please. Calm.......AHHHHHHARRR} She was suddenly rejected.

Gambit ran up, hearing the screams of his wife. He kneeled down, pulling her in to his arms. "'Renia." He spoke softly, trying to soothe her as Wolverine helped Jean. She continued her screaming and thrashing as Remy lifted her up, with Betsy's help and carried her to the lab.

Scott ran up, hearing the call for help, to see Logan helping his wife. "Jean!" Watching her stand.

"I'm alright, Scott." She explained. "It's been so long since she's repelled me that I forgot and lost control."

"Excuse me." Logan stated, leaving Jean to her husband and heading for the lab.

"Thanks, Logan." Jean began.

"No problem. I'm sorry." He replied, entering the lab. Upon entering, he found Remy holding his daughter closely while he sat on the bed. Her screams were now more like sobs as he rocked her back and forth, humming.

{Poor thing.} Beast thought, watching the terrorfied girl cling to her husband as if he'd disappear. She looked his direction at his mental comment. {You can hear me, Can't you?} Her eyes filled with tears as she nodded. "Ok people." Beast began. "Now the fun starts."

"Oh really." Betsy stated sarcastically. "And just what, may I ask gave you the first clue?" She asked as she placed a pressure cuff on Serina's arm.

"Mutant ability #1 just kicked in." He announced.

"#2, Hank." Betsy corrected. "#1 Kicked in in the danger room. Psychometry. She knew she wasn't outside, and she knew where everything was in the room. Perched herself on a hydrolex hose."

"Minor, but duely noted." He replied. "Telepathy, Major and painful."

"Is she alright?" Jean asked as she and Scott entered. Serina turned in Gambit's arms, holding her arms out to Jean.

She complied, sitting in a chair as Serina moved from Gambit's lap to hers. "Telepathy just arrived." Gambit stated.

"Oh, that's gotta hurt." Jean sympathized as Scott stroked the girls hair. "It was hard enough the first time, but now, at her age." She paused as Serina law her head on her shoulder. "Does she understand?"

"We don' know." Wolverine began. "Before we found her, she told Chuck that she could hear thought in a hundred to hundred fifty miles." He paused. "Radius." Holding his daughters hand while Hank gave her something for the pain.

"So now we begin to develop the others." Scott stated. "If we work with her, maybe we can help her control them." He paused. "We have 18 to contend with. Any others?"

"Psychometry." Betsy replied. "In the danger room."

"Ok, which are her worse?" Scott asked.

"Teleportation could be scary as well as dangerous to her." Beast began the list.

"Earth manip isn't exactly safe, think of the chazum." Logan added.

"Fire crea'ion wouldn' be too good?" Remy added.

"Verbal suggestion." Betsy almost whispered.

"I'll get a hold of Forge now." Scott began. "Maybe he can get her a headset before it kicks in." He then left to make the call.

"Ok, it looks like we have our work cut out for us." Beast surmisedized.>

"TK Balls." Remy added.

"Painful, but harmless just the same." Hank waved it off.

"Not at full power." Remy bit back.

"Good point." Logan added.

"Ok, 5 Dangerous abilities." Beast began.

"SSSHHHHhhss, She's asleep." Jean whispered angerly. "Any mutant power is dangerous in the hands of a child, and for now, we have to look at this as if we were dealing with a child. A child with 18 abilities ranging from telepathy, to teleportation. Psychometry may be minor to us, but to her, to know when where and how something happened must be devastating. None of her powers, Telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, telekinetic balls, fire creation, resistance, manipulation, flight, Healing factor, senses enhancement, Hearing, earth manipulation, healing and quaking, Suggestion. None of them are easy and all are very dangerous, so we be prepared for them all."

"Point taken." Beast replied. "Let's get her to her cell before she wakes." He stated as Storm entered. "It'll buy us some time."

Beast bent to lift her off Jean's lap. He carefully carried her to her cell and began tucking her in. Storm entered as they finished. "I will sit with her through the night." She announced. "Scott explained everything to me. It may be less scary if someone is with her when she wakes."

"Are y' sure? She may retaliate when she finds herself here."Logan voiced his concern.

" Yes I am." She stood her ground.

"Alright ." Beast stated as he closed the doors, locking the air locks.

She laid beside the girl, holding her close as she drifted off to sleep.

Later that night.....

Serina opened her eyes to the sound of the air locks being released, and the door opening. Serina ran, for the open door, all the open doors, and out of the mansion.

3am.....

Motion detectors set off the alarm for the woods area. Monitors showed a figure leaping like a large cat from tree to tree.

Storm ran as hard as she could at the sound of the alarm, running head long in to Cyclops and Beast. "She's gone!" She exclaimed in a breathless rush. "Serina's gone! Someone opened the door as I slept!" The monitors showed Rogue in hot pursuit of the cat like figure, now know to be Emeryld.

Others rushed out to help in the recapture of Serina. Beast, Storm, Gambit, Iceman, Wolverine, Cable, Caliban, Domino, Jean, Cyclops and Sapphyre.

Wolverine ran ahead, while others tried to catch up to her. {Why Rogue didn't fly a head of her and cut off her path was beyond him, almost as if she were chasing her rather than trying to catch her.} He thought. As he thought it, Storm did it, but as she landed, Serina was gone.

Deep Growling could be heard from the branches above. As a light scanned up ward, they saw Serina sitting on a high branch, her legs dangling and crossed. She seemed to, be staring, sightlessly at Rogue, Hissing and growling like a cat at her. "Serina!" Scott said in an athoritive tone. "Come down from there!" She turned on him , sounding as a large cougar would and yowled a warning to him as if protecting something.

"No, No, Scotty boy," Wolverine let his presence be known. "She stopped, when she felt safe again." He lowered his legs, to show where he was. She wrapped her hands around her fathers legs possively. "Other than, Scott, Jean, Ororo, and the Cajun, Leave. Else she ain't commin down."

"But as her doctor..." Beast began as the others left.

"Later, Hank." Logan stated. "She associates you with pain and restraints, for now she needs t' talk an' that ain't gonna happen as long as she feels threatened."

"Ok, but I expect a full report." Hank stated, grudgingly walking away.

Wolverine tenderly turned his attention to his daughter."Tell them what you told me, Sweetheart." He spoke softly. "Take your time, no hurry."

They waited, for a few moments as she seem to try to form the words. "Ssshee... oopen...ddoor." Serina began as best she could. "Sscare mmme....Cchase mmme... Ttell mmme ttto go. ....Llllleave....MMmmmake mmme rrrun, ttt'row ttt'ings aat mme.."

"Who did, Baby, Who?" Scott asked, Seeing the serousness of it by the way she clung to her father's legs.

"Red, white.." She stammered "Mean woman."

"Rogue." Jean gasped at who she tried to described.

Serina leaned on her father's leg as she looked away and nodded. "Come down t' me, Petite~?" Remy asked, his heart angry and pain filled at what transpired. She stare at him for a long moment, as if scanning him with sightless eyes . {Come t' me, Remy.} He moved to stand below her, his arms outstretched to her. She lowered herself in to arms she knew kept her safe. He pulled her close and turned away. "I'll take care of her, you find out what happened." He said, carrying his wife, with heavy heart, toward the house.

He opened the door to see Beast, Psylocke, Angel, Rogue, Joseph, Sapphyre and Onyxx. He nodded and began to head upstairs. "Where are you going?" Hank asked.

He turned slowly to face them, Serina toying with his now down hair. "I am takin' my wife to our room and going to bed." He replied, then turned and continued up the stairs.

"Well," Moreylla burst out. "It's about time." Following them up stairs then going to her room.

"Rogue?" Scott began. "May we have a word with you?" He paused, looking to Joseph."In private."

"Sure." She whispered, following him into the study, Storm and Wolverine close behind.

After they were gone, Hank turned to Jean. "So what did she say?"

"Rogue let her out then chased her from the mansion." Jean explained with a sigh.

"Could it be true?"Warren asked.

"She's been real moody since the announcement of their marriage." Betsy added "Jealousy makes one do strange things."

"I've never known her to act this malicious before." Joseph threw in, feeling a need to defend her in her absence.

"You weren't here when his ex-wife came back into his life." Hank explained. "From what I over heard, she removed her glove and had planed to remove all memories of Gambit from Belle's mind when Belle grabbed her hand."

"Who said this?" Joseph asked.

"No one. I overheard her telling someone else." Beast explained.

"Then I suggest we keep a close eye on her and Serina." Betsy advised. "I know Seri and when she recovers fully and remembers what Rogue did or didn't do, she'll extract whatever revenge she sees fit for punishment."

"No way!" Joseph exploded. "Not that sweet child!"

Betsy's patients finally wore out. She moved close to Joseph's face, her voice almost a growl. "That ‘sweet child' as you so easily put it was the expert assassin that Lord Mandarin's son held dear. She used her innocent and naive ways with her beauty and art of seduction to subdue and then kill her victims, slitting their throats or stabbing them to death. Never fallowing through with her promise of passion. They never lived long enough." She moved closer to whisper in a deep growl. "If she is anything, she is deadly."

"Cool it Betsy." Warren warned. "Very few knew about that." He paused, seeing the look on Jean, Beast and Joseph's faces. "Let's get some rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a busy day." He finished, leading Psylocke up the stairs.

"Gambit can't seem to shake his obsession with assassins, can he." The voice was a soft as a breeze and held a very Asian accent. They turned to see Onjya leaning on the stairs. "Correct me if I am wrong, but Belle is leader of the assassin's guild in New Orleans and Seri was forced to be our leader in Japan." She shook her head, moving to go up the stairs. "You probably don't realize this, but what made her into an assassin was her need to kill any who tried to take her virginity ." She paused, looking back to them. "Still makes me wonder how Remy got past her protective barrier and is still breathing? Even Jean can't accomplish that one." They all watched in shocked silence as she moved silently up the stairs, almost as if she was gliding.

In the study......

"Did you let Serina out?" Scott asked, in an orderly tone.

"No, like ah said," Rogue explained. She had repeated the same answers to the same questions. "Ah opened the door to wake Storm an' she just ran out."

"Why did you not wake me before pursuing her?" Storm asked, almost ashamed of having to interrogate her long time friend, but fearing that Serina told the truth.

"Thought Ah could cover up my screw up, but she was too fast." Rogue looked down. "Ah'm sorry." Her voice was soft.

"Why didn't you fly ahead of her to prevent her from getting away further?" Scott asked, with a sigh.

"Ah didn't think." Rogue began.

"No Darlin, you didn't." Wolverine interrupted, speaking for the first time since they left the trees. "That's the one thing you didn't do." He moved from where he stood, staring out the window, turning to face them. "You didn't think she'd stay on the grounds. You didn't think she'd stay well hidden and you certainly didn't think she'd tell anyone about it. So what you are saying is my daughter, with the mind of a child, is lying to us to cover her "attempted" escape?"

"No, only that she mistook mah pursuit of her as mah chasing her away." Rogue stated. "Ah'm not accusing her of anything except not wanting to be held captive here."

"How would you know? You barely spent time with her." Scot almost snapped.

"Ah've watched her." She began. "Ah've seen her cry, clawing at the glass." She paused looking at the three of them. "Do any of you know what it sounds like to hear her claws scrape the glass? Do you remember what it feels like to be held against your will and not understand why?" She began to cry softly. "Yes! Ah let her out, and yes Ah pursued her, But Ah didn't try to scare her away. But Ah have to be honest, Ah have to say that part of me wouldn't miss her and the other part of me would never stop looking for her, to bring her home." She paused once again. "I feel sorry for her. Is that a crime?!?"

"No Darlin'," Logan began, moving to comfort her, resting his hand on her shoulder. "It's not. We all have sympathy for her. But you should have talked to us about it first. Quit holding it in." She turned, burring her face in his chest. "It's alright, Darlin', no one's angry anymore. Just be more careful. She's only a child right now and her powers are returnin'. We all have to be cautious."

Her head snapped up suddenly. "REMY!!!"

"What about him?" Scott asked.

"He took her to his room! What if........" She didn't get to finish as they all bolted up the stairs to his room, ripping the door open.

They were not there. Logan could hear giggling from the bathroom and half smiled at his daughter's found happiness, then frowned at the fact that He was in there with her as she possibly bathed. He lightly knocked on the door.

"Yeah?" Remy answered through the door.

"Ya decent?" Logan asked.

"Yeah." Remy laughed, "But ‘Renia isn't." He replied. "She's taking a bubble bath."

"She covered enough?" Logan asked, covering a growl.

Remy laughed again. "Yeah, guess so." He answered, open the door. "Hi." He smiled, covered in splattered bubbles from heard to toe. He turned back to his wife. "Company Sweets."

She looked to the group of them, spotting Logan. "Da?"

"Yeah Pet." He smiled. "Storm?"

"I'll sit with her, you go and talk." She smiled, moving to sit beside the tub.

Serina immediately took this as an invite to blow bubbles at her. Storm laughed and began to play with her as one would a small toddler.

Logan closed the door on this smiling, then turned on them with a growl. "Are you NUTS????!!!??"

"If you'll excuse me." Rogue spoke softly, not wanting to see anymore of this, her pain cut deep. She left.

"What d' y' mean?" Remy inquired.

"Your own safety." Scott stated. "What are you going to do if her suggestion arrives before Forge does? Or any of her others for that matter."

"De same I did in New Orleans." He answered. "Hold her an' tell her it's gonna be alright."

"What do you mean, Remy?" Logan asked, stunned at his explanation.

"I mean, I was dere when both fire creation an' earth quakin' showed up. I always knew of suggestion. De others, dey not be dat bad" He explained.

"And if she teleports?" Scott asked.

"I'll be here wit' her, always. If she goes dere be a good chance I go wit' her." He answered.

I don't know." Scott began.

"Cyke, look," Logan began. "If she has done what Rogue suggest, which is still debatable, then maybe we aught to let him try." He swallowed hard. "I ain't too happy with this either but if it makes her happy and helps her adjust better, then let's give it a try." He couldn't believe what he just said.

"Alright, but at the first sign of trouble, we're pulling her out of here." Scott stated grudgingly.

"Ok." Remy began, hearing a thunderous laughter rumble from the bathroom. He smiled. "Now if y' don' mind, I'd like t' get m'wife out of de tub ‘fore she floods de floor." The two's laughter roared from the bathroom.

"Yeah." Scott began, moving to the door. "We could all use some sleep." He threw over his shoulder as he walked into the hall. "Logan?"

"Yeah, just a sec." Logan answered, hearing him leave. "Tell me something, Remy." Logan began, taking hold of Remy's arm. "Where is she sleeping?"

"Her room wit' de door open." He answered, knowing that this transition from father to father-in-law was hard for him to accept. "I don' feel she's ready t' sleep wit' me yet."

"If ever" Logan growled, letting go of his arm.

"Meybe so." Remy replied, watching Logan leave. He open the bathroom. The sight made him chuckle. Storm and Serina were covered in bubbles along with the floor, the wall the counter and now, as the two turned on him and began to bombard him with bubbles and water. "Ok..Ok..I give!" He laughed, holding his hands up. "I'm unarmed." He laughed, smiling at them. "Time for bed, Petite, time for bed." He held up a towel for her. "Ororo, you wan' t' stay wit' her t'night?"

"Where is she staying?"

"Her room." He replied. "De door will be open, but I'd feel safer if someone was wit' her."

"Sure." She replied, grabbing a towel and drying off. Gambit and Serina shared a bathroom between their bedrooms. Something that seemed a curse in the begining turned into a blessing of sorts now. She quietly left to change and returned as if never gone.

Storm watched in awed silence as Remy tentively and gently dressed his wife for bed, tenderly brushing out her hair and braiding it. This side of him was rarely seen by anyone other than his lover or a close friend. This was also one of the reasons the transition for Logan from ‘baby girl' to wife will be much easier. Logan is the one who brought it up to her when Serina returned to them from Scotland.

He gently led her to the bed and pulled the blankets back. He then tucked her in, handing her a teddy bear and kissing her on the forehead. Storm crawled in beside her, holding her close as Remy began to explain what was happening. "I'll only be in de next room and Daddy is two doors down. " He told her ever so softly. "Ororo will be here with you tonight and tomorrow, we'll ask who ever you want, ok?"

"Uh huh." Her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Will you be alright?" He asked.

"Uh huh." She replied again.

"Ok." He whispered, Kissing her forehead again. "Good night, Petite." Then walked away, turning off the light as he left.

Minutes passed and Serina began to relax. "Ro?" She whispered.

"Yes,?"

"Luv you." Serina whispered softly.

Storm pulled her closer. "Love you too, Sweetheart, I love you too." Storm smiled. This day had been the most Serina had spoke since before she left for Scotland.

Days passed and a schedule was set between Storm and Psylocke alternating nights spent with Serina.

After two weeks it was decided that it was time for Serina to sleep alone. She was tucked in and said "good night" to by all her friends and Remy stayed until she fell asleep, then went to his own room like always.

He had only been asleep for a few hours when he felt the blankets move and a tiny cold hand touch his arm. He rolled over to see Serina sitting on his bed beside him, shivering. "What's wrong, Petite?" He asked reaching up to turn on the light.

"Alone." She chattered. "Cold." She said, pulling his comforter around her.

"Too soon?" He asked, bundling her up in his quilt as well. Her skin was like ice.

"Stay with you." She forced out, chattering, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"You want me t' call Storm?" He asked.

"No." She chattered firmly, almost snapping. "Stay with you." She repeated.

"With me?"

"You." She answered, curling up beside him, laying her head on his arm. Her head was hot where her body was cold.

"Ok." He paused to feel her face. "Let me call Uncle Hank first." He then picked up the phone. "Hank, Remy. Could you bring somet'ing. I t'ink she is runnin' a fever. .... Non, she came t' me, she's in my room." He paused for the reply. "Non, she say she wan' t' stay wit me. " He answered. "Yeah, ok, just come in." He said, hanging up the phone. She seem to have dosed while he was on the phone. He looked down to her, gently stroking her hair, while he waited.

Beast entered with a medical bag and Wolverine close behind. As they entered, Serina jolted awake, gripping Remy's arm tightly. "It's ok, ‘Renia, it's jus' Daddy and Uncle Hank." She loosened her grip but didn't let go. "Dey only be here t' make sure you're ok." He soothed in a soft voice.

"Stay here?" She asked once again in a soft voice, the chattering seemed to fade to a small stutter.

"Meybe." He replied, giving the two a worried look.

Logan moved to Remy's side, lightly caressing his daughter's hand. "Do you want me t' call Betsy or Ororo?"

"No." She said firmly. "Want to stay with Remy." She said, spacing the words.

"Are you sure, Pet?" Logan asked.

"102.4" Hank muttered softly.

"Uh huh." She replied.

"Take these." Hank stated, as Remy helped her to sit up. He handed her a fever reducer and a glass of water. "I'll check on her in the morning, but I want her to have full bed rest so what healing factor she has can help her fight the cold." He stated, closing up his bag. "A tepid bath wouldn't hurt either." He threw over his shoulder, leaving for her room.

Logan moved closer, tucking his daughter in. "Are you sure this is what you want, Pet? You might be more comfortable in your own bed."

"Uh huh, Da." She replied in a small voice, snuggling down under the comforter and quilt. "I stay here with Remy." Again her words were spaced.

"Alright." He said with a sigh, muttering something else under his breath as Hank returned.

"No wonder she is ill." He began, taking Logan's attention off the sleeping arrangements for a mere moment. "Her windows are open and the chill factor is 8. Did she go to bed with wet hair?"

"Not dat I know of." Remy replied.

"Try and get her to rest. I'll be back in the morning." Hank stated, picking up his bag and walking to the door. Logan didn't move. Hank turned back to him. "Come on Logan, she will be just fine, right Remy?"

"Oui, Mes Ami's, Not'ing' will happen, but sleep." Remy replied, trying to understand Logan's point of view.

Logan grumbled, Kissing his daughter's forehead ‘good night' and preceding Hank through the door.

By the time the door had closed, Serina had curled up to Remy and fallen asleep. He reached up, turning off the light with a slight smile, then shifted her over to lay beside her, pulling her close. She cuddled as close as she could, holding on to him tightly. "It's ok, ‘Renia, I'm not goin' anywhere." He soothed, feeling her hands move. One entangled in his hair, the other on his chest. They feel asleep that way. Her holding his hair and him holding her.

S.