Ok, this is my latest work.  It’s a bit long but I was inspired.  This is based on the X-men.  However is a cameo appearance by Tacklebury and Hightower.  Eric is from Queer as Folk, during the second season Justin picked up a young man and they did the deed, the next day Eric showed up at the Liberty Diner professing his love.  Justin was a monster and Eric ended up running with tears in his eyes.  I though that he deserved a loving relationship.  I have taken some artistic license with Logan’s history.  Everything belongs to someone else!  I don’t own anything and I didn’t make any money off this.  Only the characters of Howie Rouch & Popper belong to me.

 

Pairings:  Bobby/Remy

                 Logan/Howie

                 Logan/Howie/Eric

        

The Lost now are Found

 

 

Chapter 1 

The Prodigal Son  

 

 

 

Professor Xavier was standing in the control room.  That still took some getting accustomed to.  It had been merely a few weeks since Illandra had turned up at the mansion with a new Shi'ar medical technique. 

 

She and Hank had worked together to restore the use of his legs.  They had then spent a long night together before she had to return to her Star Empire.

 

*I miss you, Illandra.* He sent the thoughts outward into space, in the general direction of the Shi'ar empire.

 

The radio crackled to life.  Cyclops was reporting in.

 

"Professor, we're in route to base.  ETA seventeen minutes."

 

"I trust that all went well?"

 

"The mission was accomplished but there were some problems.  Mainly with our resident icicle."

 

"We'll deal with that upon your return."

 

"Understood."

 

*I mean it Scott, do not address the issue until it has been gone over by a third party.* Charles sent a telepathic aside to the leader of the team.

 

*Understood.*

 

~x~

 

Scott Summers had probably made a mess of things.  He'd started on Bobby Drake before they even returned to the Blackbird.

 

He'd pretty much lectured the young man until Bobby had caused plugs of ice to form in his ears.  That had almost pushed Scott to the limits of his patience.

 

It was Jean who had calmed him down.  By threatening to relieve him of command until the Professor could take over.

 

~x~

 

Bobby Drake, also known as Ice Man was angry.  He'd had enough of the self-righteous ass that lead the team.  He was always coming down on him, yeah he'd sent a frozen blast at Scott, but the idiot didn't realize that Vertigo had been behind him!  If she'd blasted him with her power the mission would have failed, and Scott could have been in the power of Mr. Sinister, again.

 

Bobby let the ice plugs in his ears melt.  Sound rushed back as the moisture evaporated.

 

His hearing returned just in time for him to hear the end of Scott's report.

 

"Some problems. Mainly with our resident icicle."

 

Bobby almost iced up.  He wanted out of the plane.  He wouldn't take this anymore.  He'd had enough.  He was always being dumped on.  If he tried to be responsible and follow the rules it didn't matter everything was always his fault. 

 

What really hurt about the whole thing was that nothing had gone wrong.  He'd saved the arrogant Scott and they had retrieved Moira from Mr. Sinister.

 

Minutes tickled by and finally the Blackbird was on final approach.  As it landed Bobby tore open his harness and cycled out of the door.

 

Once outside he iced up and used an ice slide to get to his room on the second floor.  He didn't want to deal with Scott.

 

As he entered the window he heard Scott screaming for him to get to the control center and he meant now, mister!

 

Bobby leaned out and shouted back.

 

"Fuck you asshole!  I've had it with you!  I quit!"

 

He slammed the window and began to throw his belongings into two duffle bags that he had retrieved from the closet.  In minutes everything was inside.  He threw the window back open and again resorted to an ice slide to make a quick get away.  His old battered Honda he could do without.  He had plenty of money in savings he'd buy a new car.

 

*Bobby!  Wait.*

 

*I'm sorry Professor, look you guys can talk this over.  I don't have to.  I'm outta here.*

 

*Bobby, not like this.  Please!*

 

*No!  I've had it.  I'm not explaining anything ever again to that blowhard that you gave dominion over everybody!  He's not a leader he's a megalomaniac!*

 

Charles quickly lifted the visual memory of the situation from the young man's mind.  As he withdrew he began to process the information.  Within moments he was summoning the entire team to the war room.

 

~x~

 

As the team members entered the war room they paused as they took in the look of the Professor.  His eyes were narrowed and his face was flushed.

 

"Please be seated.  I want an explanation of the situation."

 

"Drake jeopardized the mission by playing one of his practical jokes!"  Scott started.

 

"Did you bother to check behind you, Cyclops?"

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Open your minds to me every one of you."

 

He felt they acquiesce and he projected the visual memory.  It showed Scott and Bobby standing in close proximity they had been fighting off several of Sinister's minions.  Bobby then turned and sent a perfectly controlled ice blast past Scott.  He wasn't aiming for the leader of the team; the memory showed Vertigo stalking up behind Scott, and the blast that Ice Man sent bowled her over and covered her in a thick sheet of ice.

 

"Now what have you to add to this?"  Xavier said his angry gaze directed at Scott.

 

Scott's head hung down as he realized that he had committed a horrible error.  He'd blamed Bobby for being irresponsible and playing games when in fact the man had been saving Scott's ass.

 

"I thought so.  I believe that I was in error thinking that you were competent to lead the X-men.  Unfortunately, the realization has come too late to stop one of our number from leaving."

 

"Leaving?"

 

"Robert Drake is at this moment sliding away from us.  He refuses to speak with me and wants nothing more to do with you.  I have also taken the liberty of lifting other memories from his mind.  This is not an isolated case.  Time and again you have bereted the young man for doing the right thing.  You never bothered to look around to see the full scope of the situation.  I am demoting you back to communications.  Storm you are now the leader of the X-men."

 

"But Professor-"

 

"This is not open to discussion.  Be thankful that I don't throw you out.  I never would have believed that I'd allow a cuckoo egg to hatch in the nest that I built.  And you then proceed to toss one of the other nestlings from the nest before I can stop you!   Get out of my sight!"

 

Scott stood and trudged out of the room.  Jean stood and walked out with her husband.  She was angry at Scott and Xavier.  It wasn't right that the two men should be like this.

 

*Professor?* She sent tentatively.

 

*Jean, I know.  But please leave me alone until I calm down.  I'm not thinking clearly.*

 

She broke the mental connection and followed walked slowly with Scott, her hand in his.

 

"I really screwed up, Jean."

 

"Yes you did.  And you're paying for it."

 

Back in the War Room, Storm stood and addressed the Professor.

 

"Charles, where is Bobby, perhaps I can convince him to return."

 

"It's worth a shot, he wouldn't let me even explain."  Charles told Storm where she would find him.

 

Storm called upon the wind and flew up and away.  She sailed on the wind, her completely white eyes searching for Bobby.

 

She found traces of the ice slide; Storm willed the wind to blow faster and increased her speed.  She caught up with him.  She angled downward until she would approach him on an equal level.

 

Bobby felt the wind and turned, he waved her off.

 

"Storm leave me alone, I quit."

 

"Scott has been demoted; I am the team leader now.  Please Bobby, don't leave like this.  Come back, if you need time away that's fine but please do it rationally."

 

"What do you care?"

 

"I'm your friend, so is Logan, Jean, Rogue, Hank, and Charles.  Don't we deserve a chance to make things right?"

 

Bobby's anger had begun to fade.  He didn't want to stay on the team but he didn't want to burn the bridge behind him either.

 

"Alright, I'll come back.  Just to tie up loose ends.  I need to get away from the team, at least for a while."

 

"I understand I'm sorry for how everything's turned out."

 

"Not you're fault, Storm.  Just make a better leader than old One Eye."

 

"I shall try to be, in the hopes that you'll soon return to us."

 

"Don't take any bets, I have to get to know the real me."

 

"What do you mean?  Get to know the real you?"

 

"I promise that when I have it figured out, I'll sit down and explain it to you."

 

They turned and began the return trip to the mansion.  The trip didn't take that long, With Storm's winds helping to propel his icy form along the slide. 

 

He stepped from the slide onto the neatly manicured lawn, took the steps two at a time and entered the mansion.

 

As he walked inside he allowed the ice to melt.  He dropped his duffels onto the sofa and walked slowly upstairs to the room where the team, minus Cyclops and Jean were waiting.

 

As he entered the room he noticed the looks of his team mates.  Some were obviously glad to see him back, Logan muttered to himself.

 

"Before this goes any further, I am not staying.  I have to leave the team."

 

"Bobby the situation with Cyclops has been dealt with, there's no reason for you to go."  Charles said.

 

"Yeah there is.  I have to figure out just who I am.  I've lost the real me in the team.   I've always been classified as the joker, the loser, the weakling, the idiot."

 

"That's not true!"  Hank interrupted.

 

"Thanks for the denial, but I know the truth of the matter, Big Blue.  There's another reason as well, I'm gay and I have to learn how to deal with me before I can deal with being an X-man again."

 

You could have heard a pin drop.  Everyone stopped in mid-argument.  

 

"See you can't even deal with it, so how can I?"  Bobby said and sat down heavily.

 

"Robert, I have known the truth since you first came here.  I am after all a telepath.  You're much more than your sexuality.  You're family man, and that means something, whether straight or gay, right or wrong in or out."

 

"Thanks Professor, but I still have to deal with it.  I'll stay a couple of days and wrap up my business.  I'll tell you where I decide to settle.  Hopefully one day I can return here."

 

Bobby then stood up and left the room.  Only then did he allow the thin coating of ice over his eyes to melt.  The barrier now gone his cheeks became wet with the hot tears that freely fell from his eyes.

 

~x~

 

Three days later.

 

Bobby had completed his arrangements for an apartment and had a job squared away.  He would be living in San Francisco and had landed a job with a prominent accounting firm. 

 

He had to look into transportation.  He wasn’t going out to the west coast in a battered blue Honda that was for certain.

 

Charles Xavier contacted him that afternoon.  He asked that Bobby come down and have dinner with the team.

 

*Alright, I'll be right down.  I've just got to call the dealership.*

 

Charles smiled as he closed the link.  The man at the Chevrolet dealership would tell Bobby that there was a snag, just as Charles had asked.

 

"I'm sorry Mr. Drake the car won't be available for you to pickup until next week.  We're having some trouble with the deal."

 

"What kind of trouble.  I have good credit why should there be any trouble?"

 

"I'll have to get the finance manager to call you back sir, unfortunately he's already gone for the evening."

 

"I'll expect a call first thing in the morning."

 

"Yes sir.  Have a good evening."

 

The phone was hung up.

 

"Damn!  I wanted to get out of here by tomorrow evening.  I can't keep dodging Scott."

 

Bobby checked his appearance in the mirror and decided that he was presentable, he'd shaved that morning and his clothes were neat enough. 

 

He stepped outside of his room and walked down the hall to the stairs, from there he proceeded down the spiral case and made his way to the kitchen.  Rogue met him outside the door. 

 

"Dinner's being served in the Dining Room, Bobby, Suga."

 

"Great."  He murmured.  That would mean that Scott would probably be there.

 

Bobby walked across the hall and opened the closed door.  The dining room was festooned with streamers and balloons.  Over the head of the table was a banner.  It read ‘Good Luck Bobby, and come back soon’.

 

He stood there looking at all the members of the X-men.  He was shocked when Scott approached him and led him to the head of the table.  He was even more shocked when Scott pulled out his chair and seated him.

 

The man leaned down and spoke softly.

 

"Bobby, I'm so sorry.  I know I've been unfair to you.  I wish you'd stay and let me try to make up for it."

 

"I can't, Scott.  It wasn't just that I'm certain that you've heard."

 

Scott just nodded.  Then he spoke again.

 

"There are places here that could help you, and I know that I'd like to be there for you.  God knows you were always there for me and I never bothered to notice."

 

"Thanks, and I understand that you had a lot on you.  Leadership of the team and our safety were always on your mind.  I'm certain that you'll be back in that position soon."

 

"I really don't want it.  To easy to hurt those you care about." 

 

Scott excused himself and then took his seat by his wife. 

 

Charles Xavier stood up and motioned for silence.

 

"Ten years ago, a young boy came to us.  He was an excellent student and became a valued member of the X-men.  We're here to wish him good luck on his new life as he leaves us.  And we hope that he won't be gone for too long.  To Bobby." 

 

The man lifted a champagne glass and sipped.   The others quietly answered, "To Bobby."  They drank as well.

 

Dinner was served it consisted of all of Bobby's favorites, Caesar salad, cream of mushroom soup, pot roast with baby corn and carrots, And for dessert death by chocolate cake.

 

When all of the meal had been consumed Jean wheeled in a cart laden with presents.

 

"You guys shouldn't have."  Bobby said.

 

"Shush, it's not everyday someone leaves us.  We had to make certain that you'd remember us."  Jean said as she handed him a gift from Scott and herself.

 

Bobby tore into the paper and flipped open the small box, inside was a gold chain with an encircled X medallion.

 

"It's impervious to cold so it should be ok when you ice up.  It'll remind you that you are always a member of the family and the team."

 

"Thank you.  I'll never take it off."

 

The next present was from Storm, inside was a small ebony goddess from Africa.

 

"She will protect you and your new abode."

 

"Thank you Storm.  Every time I look at her I'll think of you."

 

The next was from Logan.  It contained a small book, inside were poems written in the Canadian's own hand.  There was a post it on inside, it read ‘tell 'em and I'll claw your eyes out’.

 

"Thanks Logan.  I appreciate it."  Bobby fought to hide his surprise.

 

Rogue handed him one from her.  Inside were packets of seeds.  He looked up at her with a quizzical expression.

 

"It's an old family tradition; we always passed on heirloom quality seeds to the kids as they grew up and moved out.  I know you don't garden but."

 

"I may start, thank you Rogue.  I'm honored that you would think it appropriate."

 

Night Crawler's was next.  Bobby opened it and found a cellular phone.

 

"If you ever need any of us just call.  It's already activated, I'll miss you Bobby."  Kurt said in a rush then bolted from the room.

 

"One more."  Charles said and pulled a small box from his pocket.

 

"Professor, you've already done so much for me."

 

"I insist."  He said pressing the box into Bobby's hand.

 

He sighed and opened the box, inside was a faceted crystal sphere.  It was attached to a silver ring on which there was a key.  The key had a Corvette logo on it.

 

Bobby looked up with wide eyes.  "

 

"You didn't?"

 

"I did, it was just delivered."

 

"I was going to buy a Cavalier!"

 

"This is better."

 

"Duh, like no kidding!  But it’s so expensive!"

 

"Just do what you have to and hurry home, Bobby.  Now I want to go for a ride in this car I just bought for you."

 

Bobby stood up and almost ran to the front door, outside there was a brand new ice blue convertible corvette with a white top.

 

"Holy shit!"

 

"I hope that means you like it."  Charles Xavier said with a smirk.

 

Bobby opened the door and sat down in the low riding car.  He reached up and flipped the two locks and then lowered the top.

 

Charles had settled himself into the passenger’s seat when Bobby started the engine and took off out of the driveway.

 

About five miles away the Prof asked him to pull over.  Bobby did as asked and waited.  He was certain that there would be a lecture.

 

"No lecture, I just want you to take this, it's the number to a friend of mine in San Francisco.  She's a psychologist.  I've already made arrangements for you to become one of her clients.  She'll help you deal with this Bobby."

 

Bobby took the card, and placed it inside his wallet.  He'd probably need all the help that he could get.

 

"I'll contact her office as soon as I'm settled in."

 

"I know that you're not planning on really coming back, Bobby.  Otherwise you wouldn't be going so far away."

 

"That's not true.  I just need a major change of scene.  Besides San Fran is gay heaven.  Or so I'm told."

 

"There's always Fire Island.  You could have chosen there instead."

 

"Too close, I'd be tempted to commute back and forth to the mansion.  Unfortunately right now I really need my space."

 

"I understand.  I hope that I am surprised and you do return."

 

"You know me, Prof.  I'm full of surprises."  Bobby quipped as he started the car and pulled back onto the road to return to the mansion.

 

Charles exited the car and walked away.  This couldn't be happening.  Bobby would be the first to leave.  He felt like his world was crumbling.  Everything that he had worked so hard for was disintegrating before his eyes and he was powerless to stop it.

 

The next morning Bobby had packed his clothing and contacted the moving company.  They would be picking up his few furnishing and trucking them to his new apartment.

 

He walked outside and loaded his new car.  It was still extremely early and everyone was still asleep.   He wanted it this way.  He'd had his time for saying goodbye at the party last night.  He was ready to begin finding his own way.

 

With tears in his eyes he looked back at the great mansion that had been not only his home for many years, but also his haven.  It had kept him safe and insulated from the outside world.  He was leaving that safety behind.

 

He shook himself violently and then got into the car.  The engine started and then fell into silence as it settled into its purring idle.

 

Minutes later the car began to move slowly up the driveway. 

 

Storm stood on the roof of the mansion and watched as the tiny blue car turned onto the main road and within minutes was out of sight.

 

*Goddess, please keep him safe.  And bring him home.* She prayed silently and the tears fell down her smooth cheeks.

 

~x~

 

The alarm sounded.  A moan escaped from under the covers and a hand banged down on the offending timepiece.

 

"Shit!  It's too early for this." 

 

The bedcovers were violently thrown back and Robert Drake climbed out of the bed.  He strode into the bathroom and started the shower.  As he scrubbed he began to wake up slowly. 

 

He turned off the water and dried himself with a fluffy towel.  He slung the towel around his hips and deftly secured it. 

 

He turned to the mirror and was almost shocked at the sight of himself.  Had it really been five years since he'd left the school?

 

His face had undergone a few changes, a bit of light wrinkling at the corners of the eyes; his hair was still the same blond, no gray yet.   Thank God.  He had grown a mustache and a beard.  The beard was always well manicured, he kept it clipped close.  It made him look distinguished.

 

The man went through his morning routine and then quickly dressed.  He pulled on a pair of chinos and a polo shirt.  He then picked up a gym bag and paused on the way out of the door to stuff his feet into a pair of deck shoes.

 

He walked up to his car, a blue vette and keyed the alarm.  He entered and threw the gym bag on the passenger’s seat. 

 

Traffic was light this morning so he made good time to the gym.  He was on a vacation from the firm so he wasn't really in that much of a hurry, however if he didn't get his workout in early he'd never get it done.

 

He pulled into a parking space outside a big building.  The sign read Powerhouse Pilates.  He'd been a member here since he'd first arrived in San Fran. 

 

Bobby entered the building and hit the locker room.  He quickly changed into his shorts and a white tank top.  He walked onto the floor and began to stretch. 

 

When he felt that he was sufficiently warmed up he began the floor work that compromised his workout, the years of work had made him extremely limber and very strong.

 

He had been in excellent shape when he had started attending the gym, now he was in superior form and could easily touch his nose to his knee while hanging from his ankles.

 

A pair of long muscular legs approached.

 

"Whoa, looking good there Bobby."

 

It was Steve, the stereotypical gym bunny.  Bobby rolled his eyes and tried to ignore the man.

 

"Look I got tickets to the opera, would you like to go?"

 

"Sorry Steve I really not interested."

 

The look on the man's face would have scared Wolverine.  The smooth face pulled back in a vicious snarl of fury.

 

"Ya goddamn pretty boy!  You think you're too good for old Steve?"

 

"Steve, get lost."

 

"I'll show you!"

 

Steve drew back his fist to hit Bobby.  Instinct overrode reason and Bobby sent a wave of ice at the man.  His arm became frozen in place.

 

"I suggest that you get the hell out of here."  Bobby said with a great fury than Steve’s. 

 

"You’re a mutie!"

 

"Yeah and I'm also a big butch man that can kick your ass without using my abilities.  If you'd care to try your luck, we can step outside."

 

The ice melted at his mental command.

 

"You shouldn't suffer any damage from it."

 

Bobby turned his back on the man.  He heard the idiot's muttering as he stalked away and out the gym's door.

 

Bobby finished his workout and returned to the locker room.  He quickly showered and dressed in his street clothes.   He threw his sweaty things into the bag and walked out of the locker room.  He was at the exit when he was stopped by the gym's manager.

 

"Mr. Drake."

 

"Yeah, Howie.  Is something wrong?"

 

"If I could have a word with you in my office, I’d appreciate it."

 

"Sure."

 

The manager motioned for Bobby to enter the office.  He followed and closed the door behind him.

 

Bobby had folded his frame into a chair and waited for Howie to take his seat.

 

"I just wanted to say thank you."

 

"For what?"

 

"For being discreet when you dealt with that creep."

 

"I'm sorry, Howie.  I didn't mean to..."

 

"What? Give him the cold shoulder?  He deserved it man.  Besides you're not the only mutant here."

 

Howie pointed a finger at the aquarium in the corner.  The surface of the water began to take on the form of a mini tidal wave.  The man dropped his hand and the water became still again.

 

"I never would have guessed."

 

"Neither would I, man you're as cool as your talent.  Truth be known I'd probably have pegged you as a mutant hater."

 

"I don't think I like that.  Why?"

 

"You're just so conservative.  I mean you're an accountant for pity sake."

 

"We muties have to make a living too.  Besides I am gay, so I can't be too conservative."

 

"Huhh?  You're gay?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Me too."

 

"Didn't you know?"

 

"No, I didn't."

 

"You attached?"

 

"No, are you, Mr. Drake?"

 

"The name is Bobby, and no I'm not.  Would you like to go out sometime?"

 

"I'm not much on clubs.  I'm too old."

 

"So we'll go dinner and maybe a movie."

 

"Sure.  When?"

 

"How about tomorrow night?  I'll pick you up around seven."

 

"Ok.  I'm looking forward to it.  I'm just still in shock.  I mean I thought that you were straight and that's why you snubbed Steven."

 

"No he's pretty and he knows it, thinks he's God's gift to gay men.  I don't have time for that sort of person.  I like men that are more down to earth."

 

"Kewl.  Here's my address."

 

"I'll see you tomorrow morning."  Bobby said as he pocketed the card.

 

"Great."

 

Bobby strode out of the office and left the gym.  He had some shopping to do.

 

Later that afternoon, the Vette entered the parking garage and Bobby began pulling bags from the back. 

 

He'd needed some groceries and had found a nice outfit for his date tomorrow night.  He confidently walked through the parking area and keyed for the elevator.

 

The lift arrived promptly and he entered pressing the button for his floor.  Within a few moments he was opening his door.  He quickly deactivated his alarm and tossed the clothing bags on the sofa before he entered his well appointed kitchen and began to put away the groceries.  When that chore was complete he retrieved his new clothes and quickly hung them up in the closet. 

 

He then dressed in a faded pair of short alls with no shirt and locking his door behind him, made his way to the roof.

 

The roof of the condo building was flat and contained a large number of small, medium and large plots.  The plots were composed of large raised containers that held the soil necessary for planting.  This was one of the benefits of this building.  Every apartment had a small plot available in the roof garden.  If a tenet wanted more space he or she could lease a larger plot in addition to their own for a pittance.  Bobby was also luck enough to have neighbors that didn't really care for gardening.  So in exchange for a small portion of his fresh produce he had acquired the four adjacent plots next to his as well as his larger one.

 

He remembered the seeds that Rogue had given him.  The first year he had planted those and had been surprised at this green thumb.  He had remembered what Rogue had told him about saving seeds from the antique varieties and he was always careful to maintain a viable supply.  He'd never had tomatoes with so much flavor until he'd grown his own. 

 

Bobby retrieved his tools and set to cultivating the soil around his plants, making certain that there were no weeds to sap the fertilizer and water from them as he loosened the soil to encourage growth of strong root systems.

 

When he'd finished that he began to harvest ripe tomatoes, green beans, and some squash.  His lettuce and carrots were doing well and the corn that he'd planted was almost waist high. 

 

Just as the sun began to set in the west he returned his tools to the shed and returned to his condo with the bounty of his hard work.

 

The answering machine was beeping. Bobby hit the button and proceeded into the kitchen to wash the fresh produce.

 

He heard the beep and then was stopped in his tracks.  A familiar voice sounded in through the small speaker.

 

"Bobby, its Charles Xavier.  I have to talk to you its imperative.  Please it’s a code red Bobby."

 

The young man almost ran into the living room and snatched up the phone.  He dialed the mansion's number from memory.  On the second ring there was an answer. 

 

"Hello?"

 

"Professor?"

 

"Thank God, Bobby I need your help.  The X-men have been captured by the Genosians."

 

"All of them?"

 

"All of them, except one new recruit.   I'll send the Blackbird."

 

"I've got a quicker way.  Let me make a call.  If all goes well I'll be there in about ten minutes."  Bobby disconnected and dialed another number.

 

This time the answer came of the eighth ring.

 

"This better be good, Robert."

 

"Can Popper come out and play?  I really need a lift."

 

The connection broke and there was a quick pop of sound.  Beside him was a muscular blond man with a surfer's build, the man was wearing a pair of cut offs that were a bit too short.

 

"Why didn't you say so?  Where are we going?"

 

"Xavier's School for the Gifted."

 

"I don't know where that is.  Can you give me visualization?"

 

Bobby imagined the mansion and the spot that he was certain on the lawn that would not have changed in the past five years.

 

"Got it.  You need to get anything?"

 

"No, thanks."

 

"What are friends and fuck buddies for?"  The man said as he folded his arms around Bobby.

 

There was another pop and then they were standing on the lawn in front of the mansion.  Bobby looked around and saw that Xavier was standing on the large porch.

 

"Care to help some more, Nelson?"

 

"Lemme guess, save your old teammates?  I don't think so.  I really have to get back."

 

The man gave Bobby a killer smile and then "popped" back to the west coast.

 

"Who was that?"

 

"A friend, he calls himself Popper.  I've managed to make a few mutant contacts in my years away from here."

 

"And kept up your physique I see."

 

"Well, we try.  Where's the recruit and what's the story?"

 

"The recruit is Remy Le beau code named Gambit, he's a Cajun, as well as a former member of the largest thieves’ guild in Louisiana.  He has the ability to charge objects with kinetic energy."

 

"Gambit don't like being talked 'bout like e’ a rock."

 

Gambit stepped out from the shadows of the house.  Bobby was set back by the eyes.  The irises were a bright blood red and the sclera was midnight black instead of white.  The effect was disconcerting.

 

"So dis the lil' lamb returning to the fold?"

 

"I'm just helping out, Cajun.  That's it.  The X-men were like family to me."

 

"Den why you leave?  Family stick together."

 

"It's complicated."

 

"If we gonna get dem back in one piece, Gambit need to know what you capable of."

 

"So do I.  Shall we adjourn to the Danger Room?"

 

"Huh?"

 

"There's no Danger Room anymore?"  Bobby asked Xavier.

 

"He means the Hologrid, Remy."

 

"Ah, Prof you pick the program, Gambit meet ya there."

 

"Hologrid?"

 

"New technology, however it's the same purpose.  I'll set up the grid.  You go on.  It's the same area that was the Danger Room."

 

"Great.  Let's see if Frosty still has it."

 

Bobby waited outside the Hologrid for the automatic door to open.  He paused for a moment and then froze his body as he did in the years that he'd been Ice Man.  He cracked the block that had formed around him and realized that he'd forgotten to wear any of the freeze proof shorts. He was frozen in the nude.  He shrugged his shoulders, what the hell. 

 

The door opened and he stepped inside.  The scene was of a horrible world.  The trees were singed and the grass was burned black, the buildings in the distance were in rubble. He heard another door open and saw the Cajun step inside.

 

Those red eyes took him in as the man sized him up.  There was only a faint trace of surprise as the dusky man noticed that Bobby was nude.

 

"Like to fight without constriction?"

 

"It's called being out of practice and forgetting that my regular clothes shatter."

 

"It a good look for you.  Perhaps you should always forget?"

 

There was the sound of a klaxon and the program began.  Bobby moved forward with the help of an ice slide and bowled over six attackers before beginning to take them on hand to hand. 

 

He moved through several of them, realizing that he not only remembered his hand to hand maneuvers he was able to execute them with more skill and strength.  At one point there was an enemy to his front and rear.  He leapt and executed a spinning split.  Normally this was a move that would hurt his flesh body, however the solid ice of his calves connected with the temple of each of the combatants and they both went down in a sprawl.

 

He looked around and saw that the field was clear.  He saw Gambit watching him with a look of respect in those odd eyes.

 

"Not bad, not bad at all.  Didn’t even really use your 'bilities.  I can tell that you trained with Cyke."

 

"Guilty."

 

"Com'on, we've plans to make.  We gonna save de day."

 

~X~

 

The plan was a rapid fire one.  It started with Remy making up a couple of dummy collars that would look for the entire world like those used to render mutants powerless.  Once they got inside they Bobby would begin to freeze the real collars solid and break them off.  Then the real fun would begin.  The only question was how would they get in?

 

“Professor what do we have on the Genosians complex?"

 

The man's hands flew over a nearby keyboard and a satellite photo appeared on the monitor.

 

"Right there, it's out of direct view and still close enough to let us get inside without being seen by the guards."

 

"Gettin' in not gonna be easy."

 

"Nothing worth doing ever is.  So Professor, can you mask our approach?"

 

"As long as there’s not another telepath to override my influence."

 

"Great.  When do we leave?'

 

"In the morning."

 

"Dis more fun dan a barrel of monkeys."  Remy quipped.

 

"You've only been in on the planning stages so far.  Tomorrow is the real thing.  Its real lives on the line out there."

 

"Ya sound like Cyke."

 

"I feel like he must have right now.  The entire team is depending on us.  Get some rest."

 

Bobby turned and walked out of the war room.  He instinctively entered the old room that he once inhabited.  He walked in without a second thought and then realized that it was taken.

 

"What ya tink?"  Gambit asked as he entered after him.

 

"I'm sorry, Remy.  I didn't think.  This was once my room."

 

"There plenty o' room.  And I don' bite, unless ya wan me to."

 

"You'd better watch that, I might take you up on the offer."

 

"Pleas do!"

 

The blond man reached over and pulled the Cajun to him, he caught those full lips with his own; he felt the invitation issued from the mouth by the lips parting and his tongue slipped inside to sample the delights within.

 

The next thing that he knew both of them was naked and lying on the bed.  Remy pulled away to nip at the tender skin of his throat.

 

"Mon Chèr, this is more than I'd hoped for."

 

Bobby gasped as the man suckled at his nipples, then alternated between tongue and teeth to bring pleasing moans from the man beneath him.

 

"Chèr, what do you like to do?"

 

"Fuck me Cajun."

 

Remy didn't need to be told a second time.  He placed a pillow under Bobby's butt and then reached into a drawer.  He pulled out a bottle of Wet and a Gold Circle condom.

 

Bobby reached out and took the condom; he broke the plastic casing and then reached down to roll it on the large erection that the Cajun was sporting.

 

Remy opened the bottle and began to get Bobby ready.  He then put a dollop of the lubricant on his cock before capping the bottle and setting it aside.

 

"Now, Remy!  Put it in!"

 

The well built and endowed Cajun pressed the head of his cock against Bobby's tight opening. 

 

Bobby gasped as the invader slowly slid inside him.  He soon felt rock hard abs against the backs of his thighs.

 

"Ahhh, Roberto!  It's so good in dere."

 

"You gonna talk all night?"  Bobby asked as he used his flexibility and bucked against the man.

 

"Oh, Mona Me!"

 

The dark eyed man began to thrust into him and withdraw in a steady rhythm at first, then faster and harder as the blond angel beneath him urged him with voice and body.

 

Bobby screamed with delight as the rapid fire stimulation to his prostate triggered his climax.  His hot seed splashed on his chest, one spurt hit him on the cheek.

 

Remy felt the spasms within and was washed away on the wave of his own pleasure.  He brought his face down a licked the hot cum from the tanned skin of Bobby's cheek.

 

"Ya taste so good."  Remy said as he eased out of the man and rolled to the side.

 

Bobby started to get up but felt those strong hands pulling him back.

 

"Where you going, Cher?"

 

"I thought that I'd sleep down in the."  He was cut off.

 

"You not like Gambit?  You in that much of a hurry to leave 'em?"

 

"I didn't say that, just most guys."

 

"Ah, you've been with a bunch of fools!  Gambit like to cuddle afterwards, besides we gotta sleep.  More'n enough room in big old king size bed."

 

Bobby let himself be gathered up in the strong arms of the man.  In moments they were both sleep.

 

~X~

 

 *Bobby, Bobby, please wake up.*

 

Bobby moaned as he forced himself to sit up.  Professor Xavier was in his head.  It had been years since he’d been summoned that way but the old conditioning kicked in.

 

*Good, you’re awake.  I’m sorry Bobby but your broadcasting every thought in your head.*

 

Bobby mentally locked down his thoughts.  He grimaced, Prof knew about what had happened last night.

 

*That’s better, Bobby don’t worry.  You’re still a part of this family, if you find solace with another member who am I to interfere.  Now, the time is come.  Could you and Gambit come to the hangar?  We’re ready to depart on the rescue mission.*

 

*Be right there.* Bobby let his reply sit in his public mind.  He knew that Xavier would pick it up.

 

 “Remy, we’ve got to go.”

 

“Ugh, too early.”  The Cajun groaned and started to turn over.

 

“We’ve got to go!  Remember it’s up to us to free the other X-men.”

 

The lids instantly retracted, showing Bobby those exotic eyes.

 

“Forgot, Gambit get dressed.”

 

Bobby threw on a robe and made his way down to the X-men’s locker room.  In a corner locker he found what he needed, a pair of his freeze proof trunks.  He pulled them on and then began to struggle into a standard black uniform.  He dressed quickly and then ran to the hangar.

 

“Bobby, come on.  Gambit’s here and we’re ready to leave.”

 

Bobby jumped onto the plane and closed the hatch behind him.

 

He sat down beside Remy and strapped himself in.  The Professor was in the pilot’s seat.  The roof of the hangar began to move.  As it opened on the morning sky the plane’s engines kicked in and they began to rise straight up.  When they were clear the swimming pool below them slowly moved back into position.

 

Xavier set the auto pilot and the stealth systems.  He released his restraints and stepped out of the cockpit.  He sat down beside his two students.

 

“Professor, how is it that the Blackbird is here?  Didn’t the team take it when they went on this mission?”

 

“Indeed they did however there is a new feature that we built into her systems.  I can telepathically summon the Blackbird.  I monitored the situation through my connection with Cerebro.  When I realized that the team had been captured and that the Genosians were sending out a party to capture the plane, I was forced to recall it.”

 

“It a bad situation all ‘round.”  Gambit said.

 

“Do you have the dummy collars?”

 

“Righ’ here.”  The Cajun held up two bands of metal.  

 

“Very well, I need a cup of coffee, would you like some?”  Charles asked getting to his feet.

 

“I’d love a cup.”  Bobby answered.

 

“Gambit too.”

 

Charles walked to the back of the small cabin.  He opened a narrow door.  A few minutes later he returned with a tray containing three mugs as well as cream and sugar packets.

 

“If memory serves, you take it black.”  Charles said as he handed Bobby a steaming mug.

 

“Correct as usual.”

 

“Yeck,” Gambit said with a face of disgust, “Gambit gotta have sugar, at least.  I need the caffeine boost but dis stuff’s too bitter.”

 

 Bobby savored the heat of the mug in his hands as he sipped at the hot liquid.  His eyes closed and a sigh of pleasure escaped his lips as the coffee warmed his quivering stomach. 

 

This would be his first mission in five years.  He never had been one of the stronger X-men.  He’d trained harder than ever and was more powerful than he’d ever been.  Still he wasn’t certain that he was up to the task.  If they failed, both he and Remy would end up prisoners, or worse.

 

“You’ll do fine.”  Gambit said quietly.

 

“I didn’t know you were a telepath.”

 

“Not, just know the look.  Gambit get it himself sometimes.  What our ETA, Prof?”

 

“Just under two hours.  I’ve got it wide open.”

 

Gambit reached inside his leather duster that he wore over the standard uniform.  He found out an unopened pack of playing cards.

 

“Gin?”

 

“Why not.”  Bobby reached for the cards.

 

“Rather play poker, strip poker.”  Gambit whispered to him.

 

“Remy, not now.  The Prof’s onboard.”

 

“Dere a head in the corner.  Wanna join de mile high club?”

 

“You’re incorrigible.”

 

“And insatiable too.”  Remy replied with a leer.  “With a bod like yours, Gambit could ne’er get enough.”

 

“I believe we’re in for some turbulence.  I’m going on manual control.  I’m certain that you two can, ah entertain yourselves.”  A voice came back from the cockpit. 

 

Bobby flushed.  If he didn’t know better, he’d swear he’d just gotten permission to be naughty.

 

*Do I have to say it out loud?  You two are both about to overwhelm me with your thoughts!  Honestly!  I thought I trained you better than this.  Go do something, there’s time to recover afterward.*

 

Bobby caught Remy’s eye and rolled his head toward the small restroom.  Remy smiled and then stood up they both entered the small enclosure.

 

As soon as the door was shut, Bobby caught Remy’s mouth with his own.  He kissed the dark eyed man with a passion that he’d forgotten that he was capable of.  Remy responded his lust rising to match that of the blond man.  Remy pulled back.

 

“Dat a snowball in your pocket or you just happy to see Gambit?”

 

“Come here.”

 

“What we gonna do?”

 

“I didn’t pack any lube.”

 

A smile lit the Cajun’s face as he pulled a travel packet from his coat pocket.

 

“You always carry lube and condoms?”

 

“Nah, just today.  Well you ne’er know.”

 

“My boy scout, always be prepared.” 

 

Bobby dropped his pants and leaned over the small sink.  He wiggled his bubble butt.

 

“You gonna make use of this or not?”

 

“You beautiful, you know dat?”

 

Bobby shrugged; he’d never been anything special.  Remy’s compliment sort of caught him off guard.

 

“I’m not that great.”

 

“Bah, you don’t know.  Dat why you so special.  Gambit could grow to love you.”

 

“I think I could grow to love Gambit too.”  Bobby said quietly.  He meant it.  “Gambit?”

 

“Yeah, Cher?”

 

“You were going to make me a member of the mile high club.”

 

“Where my mind got to?  Must be ol’ age kicking in.”

 

Gambit’s member was already hard; he rolled on a condom and then applied the lubricant.  Bobby’s entrance was still relaxed from their night of loving.  He sank in easily.  As his cock grazed the blond’s prostate he was rewarded with a deep inhalation and Bobby’s head arching back.  Remy leaned down and began to devour the arched neck, his body thrusting in a slow rhythm as his hand moved around to encircle Bobby’s cock. 

 

“God it’s so good, Remy.  Fuck me deep!  Deeper!”  He whispered urgently as the man behind him sought to comply with his demands.

 

“Yeah, oh yeah, it’s so big!  So fucking big!”

 

Remy gave a sensual swivel to his hips as he plunged inside Bobby's velvety heat.  He gasped as the muscles surrounding his girth clenched tightly.  Bobby relaxed and began to thrust back meeting the incoming invader halfway, driving the Cajun's member deeper and deeper within him with every frantic movement.  Remy pounded into Bobby, harder and deeper, increasing his rhythm as he neared completion.  He reached around and began to stroke the throbbing cock between Bobby's muscular thighs, matching the speed with his own movements.  Bobby threw his head back as the climax took him away, his body tightened on the cock within him.  That took the last of the Cajun's control.  He slammed deeply into the man as his seed was propelled deeply into his blond angel.

 

"That was incredible."  Bobby gasped as regained his breath.

 

"Gambit tink so too."  The Cajun replied as he leaned down and kissed Bobby deeply.  The tip of his tongue rubbing against Bobby's.

 

Remy gently withdrew.  Bobby moaned into him at the loss.  He broke the kiss and gently cupped Bobby's chin.

 

"When dis over, you gonna fuck dis Cajun, but good."

 

"I can't wait."  Bobby returned and kissed his dark eyed Cajun lover.

 

The two men quickly cleaned up and righted their clothing.  When they looked presentable, Remy opened the door and strode out; Bobby was right on his heels.  They returned to their seats.

 

Bobby lifted the deck of cards and began to shuffle.  According to the clock on the wall by the cockpit door they still had over an hour and a half to wait.

 

Halfway through their third hand, Remy stood up and walked toward the head again.  He paused as he entered and motioned for Bobby to follow.

 

Bobby entered the confined space.  The door was barely shut behind him and Remy was on his knees practically tearing his trousers down.

 

"Cajun!  I swear your," the sentence was cut off as Bobby's cock was engulfed in the slick heat of Remy's mouth.  "Incredible!"

 

Remy quickly brought the blond man to a shuddering finish.

 

"Sorry, bout that.  Gambit couldn't stop tinking bout how you look when you cum for 'im.  Gambit like to see dat look on you, Cher."

 

"Come here."  Bobby said. 

 

He pulled his Cajun to him.  He sought out those firm lips, pressing his own to them.  His arms pulled the dusky man to him, tightly.  His body molded itself to Remy's.

 

"Oh, Cher.  Gambit tink he fallin' hard."

 

"Me too."  Bobby sighed.

 

"What happen wan dis mission over?  You gonna go back to California?"

 

"I don't know.  I mean that's were my life is but if there's something for me here..."  Bobby let the words trail off.

 

"Gambit here, and Gambit for you."

 

"Remy, we just met yesterday.  Shouldn't we take things a bit slower?"

 

"Why?  Gambit knows what Gambit wants.  What you want, Cher?"

 

"To wake up in your arms for the rest of my life, but..."

 

"No butts, just tink on it a bit more.  Gambit ready to settle down.  I been wit' lota men and lota women.  Notta one effect Gambit like you, Cher.  Gambit cannot tink straight.  Gotta hold you, gotta love you.  You like a drug, and Gambit already addicted.  If dere a cure, I sure a'hell don't wan' it."

 

Bobby closed his eyes, the words he'd longed to hear for so long.  Well more or less the words.  He'd never imagined them being delivered in a Cajun accent.

 

"Remy, can I give you my answer when we get back to the Manson?"

 

"Course."

 

Bobby tenderly kissed him again.   They soon returned to their seats.

 

"Cards?"  Gambit asked.

 

"No, nerves.   I couldn't hold a card right now, much less a hand."

 

"Calm down.  Gambit know that you be ok.  Just gotta get back in the groove."

 

"In the groove, huh?"  Bobby asked in a whisper with a raised eyebrow.

 

"Gambit didn' mean that way, Cher." 

 

*We're nearly there.  It's just before dawn here.  I should be able to land the Blackbird close by.  You and Gambit will have to hike in.*

 

"We're ready, Professor."

 

"I do not sense a telepathic presence.  I don't think there will be any problem with me using my abilities to mask your presence.  Bobby, Remy find them.  Bring them home."

 

Bobby was touched at the sadness in Xavier's tone.  He sounded like a father waiting on a missing child to be found.

 

"We bring dem back, Prof.” Gambit replied, his voice filled with conviction.

 

"I'm initiating the landing sequence.  If the Genosians are able to penetrate the stealth technology of the Blackbird, I'll be forced to leave.  I'll monitor your thoughts and we'll rendezvous here."  The man pointed to a set of coordinates on a map.

 

"Got it.  Remy, you ready?"

 

"Gambit born ready."  He answered as he activated the door plate.

 

The hatch cycled open and the two men stepped out of the plane.  As they left it behind it faded from view. 

 

"That's some upgrade."  Bobby said in a low tone.

 

"State of da' art stuff.  X-men never go second class."  Gambit replied.

 

The two men locked on their fake collars and set out at slow run for the nearby complex.

 

As they ran through the jungle Bobby noticed his surroundings, cataloging what he could.  One never knew when familiarity of the terrain could become a needed asset.  In the distance they sat a tall chain link fence.  It was topped with razor wire.  They approached it, slowing so that their forward progress would go unnoticed to anyone standing watch.

 

*Professor?*

 

*Yes, Bobby?*

 

*We are just arriving at the outer perimeter.  What can you tell me?*

 

*I do not sense guards; there is not a soul around.  Those inside are preoccupied, going about daily tasks.*

 

*Electronic security system?*

 

*I'm reading the top ranking official.  No his feeling is that this place is too out of the way to be noticed, much less invaded.*

 

*In we go.*

 

*Be careful.  I'll keep watch a blank you presence from anyone's mind who happens to see you.*

 

Bobby lifted his hands placed them on the fence.  He sent his power out freezing the chain links in a small hidden area, low to the ground.  They would enter behind a small storage building.  The links frosted over then became transparent.  They were easily smashed to shards. 

 

Bobby motioned for Remy to go through and then followed.  He looked around, searching for video cameras and found none.  He scanned the nearby windows but saw no faces staring out at them.

 

He started to say something when a hand reached out of the barred window above them.

 

"Lemme outa here!"  Came a low growl.

 

"Wolverine?"

 

"Bobby?" 

 

"Yeah, why are you out here?"

 

"Hotbox.  They put me out here to cook a while."

 

"Is it monitored?"

 

"Nah, asshole commandant thinks he's hidden away in this hellhole."

 

Bobby put his hands on a low area and froze a small section of the wall.  He cracked it away and the man came through the opening.

 

"Got a way of gettin' this dog collar off me?"

 

"Dey hav ta monitor the collars” Remy said.

 

"Don't know, but I'm ready to kill a few dozen of these assholes."

 

"Where are the others?"

 

"Through that door, down the hall.  At the end you'll come to a room full of cells.  Got any water?"

 

Bobby caused a ball of moisture to freeze in his hand.  He handed it to the man.

 

"Sorry didn't bring any, this will have to do."

 

"It's fine."

 

Wolverine brought the ice to his mouth and began to let it melt.  It soon had melted down small enough that he put what remained into his mouth.  In a moment it was gone.

 

"Better, come on.  Let's get the others."

 

Bobby, Remy and Logan each dashed across the open yard.  They took shelter in the alcove that housed the door.  When all three were across, Bobby felt around the door for sensors.  He found none, on this side.

 

"We'll be quick about this.  On the count of three.  One-two-three."

 

He opened the door and they all quickly stepped through.   Inside there was no one to be seen.  No cameras were visible.

 

"This isn't right."  Bobby said. 

 

He walked quickly to the end of the hall.  There was a door with a small window.  He looked inside, there he saw his friends.  They were all locked inside small individual cells.  Everyone wore one of the collars.

 

"There is a bank of electronics on the far wall.  What does that do?"

 

"Monitors life signs.  As long as the prisoners are in their cells it won't alert anyone."

 

"If it does go off?"

 

"Don't know.  It never sounded before."

 

"Bobby there is vents in the ceiling.  Could be it releases gas."

 

"Here's what we do."

 

Bobby filled them in.  When he was certain that they knew what to do he transformed.  In his iced up state he had no life signs.  He entered the room quickly and shushed the occupants of the cells.  He walked quickly from one cell to the next.  As he approached he motioned for the occupant to come toward the bars.  He sent a tendril of his power out and froze the collar solid.  When they were all frozen he moved to the center of the room.  He made a breaking gesture and everyone shattered their collars. 

 

As soon as the null effect of the collar was gone Rogue grabbed her bars and wrenched.  She opened the cell and quickly moved from one to the next.  As soon as her body had exited the sensor range of the cell a hissing started to sound.

 

Bobby immediately began to chill the gas.  It began to fall in the form of tiny crystals which fell harmlessly to the floor.

 

"Hurry.  They'll probably be here any minute."

 

"Every body loose Suga."  Rogue drawled.

 

Bobby ran toward the door.  He glanced out the window and saw Logan and Remy alone.  He opened the door.  He and the rest of the X-men began filing out.

 

"Jean, lift the escape route from my mind.  Distribute it throughout the team."  Bobby's words were firm, commanding.

 

Jean complied as though it were an order from the Professor.  The group was practically running down the hall toward the exit.  As they approached it an alarm sounded.  The exit was covered by a metal hatch which slid down from the ceiling.

 

"Damn, I knew it was going too well."

 

Rogue lifted the hatch, she stood to one side as Logan now free of his collar extended his claws and tore the door from it's hinges. 

 

"Move people."

 

Scott, Jean, Hank, Logan, Ororno, Kurt, Kitty, and a dark haired teenage girl that Bobby hadn't met all ran across the yard. 

 

Bobby heard yells in the distance.

 

"We're gonna have company.  Move people, get outside!"

 

Bobby and Gambit ran together around the hot box.  Remy dove under the fence.  Bobby was right behind him. 

 

"Run for the Blackbird."

 

"We gotta buy some time."  Bobby heard engines start and a gate in the fence started to open.

 

Gambit grabbed the fence and started to concentrate.  He forced all his power to flow into the thing.  He'd never charged anything so big before.  Gambit drew in the kinetic energy from the life surrounding them, the animals the movement of the atoms within the plants, every erg of energy that he could find he sent into that fence.  It began to glow bright pink.

 

Gambit almost collapsed.  Bobby hauled him over his shoulder in a fireman's carry and began to form an ice slide.  His frozen form slid rapidly along the ramp, carrying him and the exhausted Cajun to the plane just after Storm, who had ridden the winds.

 

"What happened?"

 

An explosion sounded in the distance.  The fence had gone up like a ton of TNT.

 

"Just get us outta ere!"  Remy shouted, his teeth chattering. "Bobby, Cher.  Gambit is freezing."

 

"Sorry." 

 

Bobby put him down and rummaged in a storage compartment.  He found a blanket and threw it over the shivering man.  Bobby reverted to his normal form.  He then began to tuck the blanket in around the man and fastened the safety belt.

 

The Blackbird quickly lifted.  A number of helicopters were visible in the distance.

 

"Any other aircraft on the scope?"  Bobby demanded.

 

"Nope, it's all clear except for those little guys."  Scott replied.  "We'll be out of their range before they can even get a radar fix on us."  The man then pushed forward on the control bar and the Blackbird short forward.

 

"Is anyone hurt?"

 

A chorus of no's answered Bobby's question.

 

Logan stood up and pushed the blond man into a seat.  He locked the harness.

 

"You be careful, I heal easier.  If anyone needs something then speak up."

 

"Coffee?"  Gambit asked through his still chattering teeth.

 

"I got it Logan, Suga."  Rogue said and stepped into the tiny kitchenette. 

 

"Damn, Ice Cube.  What did you do to him?"

 

"He charged the entire fence surrounding that hell hole.  He was exhausted so I gave him a lift here."

 

"You've taken me for rides on ice slides before Bobby, I never suffered like this."

 

"You're wearing a thick blue fur coat, Hank."

 

"True and our Cajun friend had probably weakened his body seriously from the strain of his magnificent feat."

 

"Well, I been tol' they cute but Gambit not realize his feet were magnifique!"

 

"He's alright, same ol Cajun.  Always being a smart ass."  Rogue interjected.

 

"Well dis is a cold smart ass.  Care to warm me up, Rogue?"

 

"No on your life."

 

"Good," Bobby snapped.  "You keep your hands to yourself Rogue.  This one's mine!"

 

You could have heard a pin drop, the silence in the Blackbird was ominous.

 

"You mean dat, Cher?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"You gonna stay?"

 

"If they'll have me."

 

"You outta your head?  'If they'll have me,' he says. Suga you and the Cajun here saved us from vivisection back there."

 

"Huh?"

 

"They were going to cut us open and experiment on us."  Storm interjected in a emotionless voice.

 

 Bobby shuddered.  Thank heavens he hadn't known what was at stake.  He'd just figured that those clods were going to try to get the X-men to do their bidding.

 

"You're welcome Robert, you always were.  You've grown in your time away; you showed me back there that you are capable of leadership."

 

"Not me Professor.  I just want to be the bookkeeper again.  That's all, I had my taste and I found that I don't care for it."

 

"Very well.  Shall we stop of at your apartment in San Francisco?"

 

"San Fran?  Oh hell, Howie!  I gotta call him."

 

"Who dis, Howie?"  Gambit asked.  He had stopped shivering now and was feeling much better.

 

"Someone I met just before I got the Red Alert from the Professor.  We're supposed to go out tonight."

 

"Gambit call em!  Roberto already got plans for tonight."  Remy pulled Bobby close and kissed him with a passion that curled the man's toes and sent his blood to racing.

 

They parted reluctantly.  Bobby reached into the storage pouch in his seat and removed his cellular phone.

 

"If you don't trust me you can call him."

 

"Ah, Gambit trusts ya.  Go ahead, break his heart."

 

Bobby quickly dialed the number of Powerhouse Pilates.  The call was answered on the second ring.

 

"Powerhouse, how can I help you?"  The female voice inquired.

 

"This is Bobby Drake; I need to speak with Howie."

 

"Hold please."

 

There was a brief pause and then the line was transferred.

 

"Bobby!  We still on for tonight?"

 

"Howie, look man.  I'm sorry but several things have happened and I'm not free."

 

"Ok," Howie sounded disappointed.  "What about another night."

 

"Howie, I'm sorry I've met someone."

 

"Who?  Do I know him?"

 

"Probably not.  He's a member of the X-men.  My old team."

 

"You're an X-man?"

 

"Guilty."

 

"Can give me a recommendation?  I contacted Professor Xavier as Tsunami.  He said that they were very selective."

 

"I'll have to think it over, Howie."

 

"Ok, I understand.  Thanks for calling."

 

"Sure, I'll let you know my decision in a couple of days."  He ended the call.

 

"What decision?"  Gambit asked.

 

"He wants a recommendation, seems he applied to the Professor directly.  He calls himself Tsunami."

 

"I remember that name.  Let's see, a clean cut fellow.  From the looks of his photos he seems like he's in good shape, controls water.  You know him Bobby?"  The Professor asked.

 

"I've been a member at his gym for the entire time I've been gone.  He manages Powerhouse Pilates.  From what time I've been around him he seems like a well adjusted guy."

 

"Call him back; tell him to meet us at your place.  We can deal with two issues, getting your things and I can do a deep scan on him.  If he's suitable and amenable he is welcome to join the team."

 

"Gambit not sure he like dis."

 

"I'll explain everything to him, Remy.  He'll be a teammate and nothing else.  Alright?"

 

"I guess so.  I trust ya Bobby I do.  Its dis Howie I don't know about."

 

"Everything will be alright.  You'll see."

 

Bobby dialed the number again.  This time Howie answered.

 

"Powerhouse."

 

"Howie?"

 

"Bobby, that was quick."

 

"Professor Xavier wants to meet you.  Can you be at my apartment in...? What’s our ETA Scott?"

 

"Forty-five minutes, Chief."

 

"In about an hour?  I’m not making any promises.  Everything depends on you."

 

"I'll be there, and Bobby thanks."

 

"Listen, if things do work out you has to know that you and me..."

 

"I understand completely.  We'll serve on the same team, but can we be friends, without upsetting your boyfriend?"

 

"I think that he can handle that."

 

"Good, I'll see you in an hour."

 

Howie disconnected the call.

 

"Handle what?"  Remy asked.

 

"He wanted to know if we could be friends, without upsetting you."

 

"Gambit don't min' you being buds wit em.  Hell Gambit might like em' too, never can hav' too many best buds."

 

"So do I need to assign you quarters when we get back to the mansion?"  Storm asked.

 

"Bobby got quarters, he with Gambit."  Remy answered and then turned back to Bobby.  "That is if you want to move in with dis ol' Cajun.  If you don't I unerstand."

 

"No, Storm I don't think you'll have to bother with me."

 

"Whew.  Gambit thought he fu..."  The words were cut off by another kiss from his blond angel.

 

"God, you two get a room.  I don't mind ya being together, but please stop with the yucky stuff."

 

"She's jealous, Cher."  Remy whispered into Bobby's ear as they parted.

 

"Ah'm not either ya lying polecat!"

 

"That's Rogue, she always had a way with words."  Bobby laughed.

 

~X~

 

Scott activated the chameleon technology given to them by Illandra.  The Blackbird shimmered and then became invisible to the naked eye.  In addition the stealth systems were also active; the plane would not be visible to radar.  The Blackbird was for all practical purposes invisible.  They landed lightly in the middle of a vacant lot next door to Bobby's building.

 

It was late afternoon; however the lot was framed by tall trees.  They stepped out of the plane, leaving Scott and Jean behind.  Scott would monitor all radio frequencies and if they were somehow found out, he would alert the team for a quick departure or leave and return later for them.

 

Before Bobby stepped out of the hatch, Scott called his name.

 

"Yeah, Scott?"

 

The former leader of the team stood and walked over to Bobby Drake.  He hadn't changed that much, his hair was a little gray; the ruby quartz visor hid any wrinkling around the eyes, if indeed there was any.  Scott had maintained his fighters build, the cannonball biceps, and the washboard stomach showed clearly how serious the man worked out.

 

Scott stepped closer and extended his hand.  Bobby took it in his and shook it firmly.

 

"Welcome back."  Scott stepped closer and embraced the man.  "It's not been the same without you, man.  I'm sorry."

 

"Scott that was a long time ago, it's over.  Besides, that's not the only reason I left.  You know that."

 

"I know but I'm still glad to have you back."

 

Scott released Bobby and the younger man quickly strode off the plane.  The group was waiting for him outside.  The Professor was coming to interview Howie.  Logan, Rogue, Kurt, and Hank would bring his belongings to the plane where Jean would take over and telekinetically shift the cargo into the hold of the Blackbird.  Bobby, Remy, Storm and Jubilee would be packing the smaller items into cardboard boxes.  Jean had already teleported a massive stack from the hold into the middle of Bobby's condo.

 

They entered the building and rode the elevator to the top floor.  Kurt and Hank had their holographic watches projecting their "normal" bodies.  If the few tenants they met were puzzled no one showed it.  A couple of the people spoke to Bobby.  He waved and said hello, calling them by name.

 

Bobby unlocked his condo and disabled the alarm.  The group gathered inside and Hank closed the door behind them.

 

"Alright, Kurt if you and Rogue can start with the furniture the rest of us will start packing."

 

Kurt nodded and plopped down on the soft.  There was a poof.  He and it disappeared. 

 

"Professor, if you can cover me."

 

"Go ahead Rogue, I'll take care of it."

 

Rogue reached down and lifted a love seat and a matching chair.  Bobby ran over and opened the sliding glass doors as the southern woman took off carrying the furniture toward the Blackbird.

 

The doorbell rang before Bobby could return to his packing.  The others were busily chatting as they carefully wrapped his personal belongings before placing them inside the padded boxes.

 

Bobby strode through the room and looked through the peephole.  He saw Howie standing at the door.  He quickly opened the door.

 

"Howie, come inside.  How's it going man?"

 

"Great, wow!  Nice empty place you've got here."

 

"Yeah, hard to believe that less than half an hour ago it was full of stuff."

 

"Bobby, Logan's taking the bed down.  Is there anything we need to watch out for?"

 

"Naw."

 

"He said its ok."

 

Logan strode into the room.  The man had peeled his shirt off and was sweating heavily.

 

"You got a problem with using air conditioning?  It's hotter than Hades in here."

 

"Sorry, Logan."

 

"Ok, oh and there's a box under the bed that may need your personal attention."

 

"Oh shit!  Tell me Jubes didn't find it."

 

"Nope, Storm did."

 

"Double shit!  Howie, that's the Professor over there.  Can you introduce yourself?  I really gotta get in there."

 

"Sure, go on.  I understand."

 

Bobby bounded away disappearing into the bedroom.  As he entered the room a question drifted back.

 

"What does he do with that?  It's so freaking huge!"

 

"Jubilee!  Give me that."

 

Logan stood there smiling at Howie.  Howie made certain to keep his eyes on the man's face.  He liked the look of him, rugged good looks and a body that was compact, but well muscled.

 

Howie cleared his throat and extended his hand.  He'd been staring and that couldn't be too good for ones health.  Not with this man.

 

"Sorry about that, I'm Howie."

 

"Sorry for what?"

 

"Staring at you."

 

"S'okay, I'm Logan."  The Canadian took the proffered hand and shook it.

 

"That's ah, some grip."

 

"Not too bad yourself."

 

"Thanks."

 

"Go see Chuck; I'll talk to you later."

 

"If I'm still around, you mean."

 

"I gotta a hunch you will be."  Logan gave the man a feral grin.

 

Logan walked back toward the bedroom.  He still had furniture to help take apart.

 

"Easy, boy."  Howie whispered to himself.

 

~X~

 

Professor Xavier had watched the interchange between Logan and Howie.   He watched Logan's body language as his expression.  This was very interesting; very interesting in deed.  When Logan stepped away he sent a tight shaft of inquiry at the man.

 

*So Logan what do you think?*

 

*He's got my vote.*

 

*Really?  I wouldn't have guessed.*

 

*What's that supposed ta mean, Chuck?*

 

*You smiled at him.  For you that’s practically unheard of.*

 

*Nobody likes a smartass.*

 

Logan felt the contact fade.

 

Charles heard a quiet cough.  He turned to face the young man.  He extended his hand and the young man took it.  They shook hands and Charles introduced himself.

 

"Howie, I'm Professor Charles Xavier."

 

"I know, I mean... It's an honor sir."

 

"Charles or Professor will do, Howie."

 

"Thank you Professor."

 

*Score one for the man.* Jean sent.

 

*Make that two, Logan likes him.* Charles sent back.

 

"Howie, I understand that you have the ability to control water.  You look in excellent fighting shape.  Do you have a reason for your desire to join us?"

 

"Yes sir.  My Father was a scientist.  When my abilities began to make themselves known he thought that it was something that I could use to benefit others.  He helped me to develop my abilities.  It was his dream that I could make a difference.  I learned to love that dream and strive for it as well.  That is until he died.  After that I tried to do what little my skills would allow.  I've not been noticed by many.  I've always tried to keep a low profile."

 

"Why?  You know that as a member of the X-men you will be visible to the public."

 

"I understand that Professor; however when I was working on my own notoriety or fame was not on my agenda.  I simply wanted to help others."

 

"The control of water is a powerful talent; however it has to have its limitations."

 

"There are some, I can fly by gathering the humidity under me and propelling it forward.  When there is an open water source I have few limitations of what I can do with it.  I can form items from water, control its movements.  I can also covert myself into water."

 

"Is there any control over a human body?  The human body is two-thirds water."

 

"I've never tried; my father was working on a theory when he died."

 

"Perhaps we'll be able to help expand on his work.  There is one more thing that I'd like to ask of you before I give you my decision."

 

"Name it."

 

"I would like you to submit to a telepathic scan.  I assure you that your innermost thoughts will not be touched, however I feel that it is necessary to evaluate you for the safety of the team."

 

"I understand, Professor.  Would there be any pain involved?"

 

"None whatsoever, a properly trained telepath is able to slip inside another's mind and scan their memories without damage and without pain."

 

"I'll submit."

 

"Good, just hold still a moment."

 

Xavier reached out and touched his fingers to the man's temple.  He really didn't require tactile contact, however it would let the man know that he was being scanned and allow him to shield any "deep dark secrets."  Of course, Charles could probe those as well and would need to; he was unscrupulous when it came to his team's safety.  He would as always however, be discrete. 

 

He deftly plumbed the depths of the man's mind.  He verified the claims that Howie had made.  He felt the sadness and loss that had accompanied the death of his father, the only family the young man had ever known.  He delved quickly into the recesses of the man's mind, sifting through memories and thoughts.  The only thing he saw was an honest need to help; that and an attraction for a particular Canadian mutant.

 

Charles withdrew his mind from this pained young man.  He now had the measure of the man.  He'd been strongly influenced by his father, and the man's untimely death only served to ingrain those beliefs into this tender soul who now stood before him.

 

As he removed his hand from the smooth temple, he looked deeply into the man's eyes.  There was no sign of sadness or the pain that Charles had felt so deeply.  This young man would grow under the care and attention that the team always seemed to lavish on its members.  He needed them, so it was as they say that.  The decision was made.

 

"Howie, how soon can you relocate to New York?"

 

"Within a couple of weeks, I suppose.  I'll have to break my lease, that shouldn't be a problem but I'll have to give notice and pay the fees.  I'll sell off a lot of my furniture."

 

"We do have storage facilities, if you'd rather bring your belongings with you."

 

"It would probably be cheaper to just start over."

 

"Xavier Corp would absorb the cost of your relocation, as well as any fees that you are required to pay due to the necessity of breaking your rental agreement."

 

"I appreciate that sir."

 

Logan chose that moment to step into the room.  He was still shirtless but the air conditioning had been adjusted, as a result he was no longer sweating.

 

"So is he in?"  Logan inquired with his usual lack of tacit.

 

"Yes, Logan.  He's in."

 

"Good, so do we go to his place next?"

 

"No, Logan he has to wrap up his affairs.  He'll be along within the next couple of weeks.  Now, Howie, you'll just need to keep receipts of all your expenses and we'll reimburse you."

 

"Ah got an idea, if Howie here don't mind a hand with the packing and such, I can stay here and cover his moving expenses on my Xavier Corp Visa.  With two sets of hands everything should move quicker and Bobby will be able to write off the expenses as soon as they post to the credit account."

 

Xavier narrowed his eyes slightly; part of that reasoning had to have originated from Bobby Drake.  He was certain of it, Logan never gave the finances a second thought, if he needed it, he simply purchased it always within reason of course.  No something was going on.  Being a telepath he could of course find out what but he liked surprises and they were few and far between so he would let this play out.

 

"That of course is up to Howie."  Charles said aloud.

 

Howie swallowed visibly, his mouth had dropped open.  Charles couldn't help himself he peeped into the man's thought.

 

*Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, what do I do?  He's gotta be straight, gotta play it cool.  Ohmigosh, Ohmigosh!  A couple of weeks alone with him?  How can I play that cool!  Ohmigosh!*

 

"I ahm, I wouldn't mind the help.  And it would speed up matters."  Howie answered.

 

*Yeah a lot, I'll have to get back to the others soon or he'll end up killing me if I screw up around him.*

 

Charles kept a deadpan expression.  He closed the link then mentally spoke to Logan.

 

*You do know are he's attracted...*

 

Charles stopped as Logan gave him a look that would have stopped a lesser man's heart, cold.  The upper lip peeled back showing the sharp white teeth.

 

*I'll mind my own affairs, sorry.*

 

"Don’t worry about it, Professor.   So I'll stay here with Howie and we'll travel together, back to the mansion."  Logan's features had smoothed into his normal face as he spoke. 

 

"Alright, then it's settled.  We will leave you here.  You've got your cell phone?"

 

"Course I got it."  Logan said and produced a mini clam shell phone.

 

"You're to check in with a progress report on a nightly basis."

 

"Gotcha."

 

Charles turned and walked away. Logan could take care of himself and Howie too no doubt.

 

As Professor Xavier walked into the bedroom of the condo he realized that Kurt had been a busy man.  The entire room's furniture had been moved out.  There was little left in the apartment.

 

"You'd think I'd have more stuff."  Bobby said looking around.

 

"You had plenty o' stuff, Suga."  Rogue replied with a breathy sigh.  "Remember you've a whole pile of super powered pals working their fingers to da bone here.  And poor Jean, she took over hiding me when the Prof began his interview with that cutie, Howie."

 

"Ah Rogue, he not for you.  He like Gambit and Bobby."

 

"Nuts!  Is every man gay!  I need a heterosexual code red!"

 

The group laughed, which is the reaction that Rogue wanted.  She still could not physically touch anyone.  At least not bare skin to skin so they all knew that she was joking; yet a part of her longed for that comfort.

 

Bobby walked through his apartment checking to make certain that everything had found its way to the Blackbird's cargo hold.  He opened a drawer and found packages of seeds that he had saved from the antique varieties that Rogue had given him.  He decided that he would make certain to give Rogue back at least a couple of packages of each.  She had after all been the reason that he had taken up gardening.

 

It almost broke his heart that he would be leaving behind his small roof garden.  He thought about going up and quickly harvesting what might be even close to ripe of his tomatoes but decided against it.  He would leave that for the new owners.

 

Bobby called his friend, Popper, who was widely known as Nelson W. George.  The man was a realtor.  Bobby had purchased his condo outright and would only trust its sale to his friend.

 

"Nelson George here."

 

"Nelson, I need a favor."

 

"Need another lift?"

 

"No, I need to list my condo.  I'm going back to New York."

 

The line disconnected.  There was immediately the familiar sound that announced Popper's arrival.

 

"You weren't going to say goodbye?"

 

"It all happened so suddenly, Nels.  I mean I went to help free my friends and met Remy.  I think I'm falling for him."  Bobby shrugged.

 

"This Remy better be good to you, or he'll answer to me."  Nelson reached out and hugged Bobby.  Tears of sadness touched his cheeks.

 

"Stop that, Nelson.  You act like I'm dieing or something.  I'll just be in New York.  You can pop in sometime for lunch.  Just like always."

 

"No, not like always Bobby.  I doubt that Remy would take too kindly to me popping in for a late night treat."

 

"No, I don't think he would."

 

"I'll miss you being around, seeing you at the club."

 

"Me too, Nels.  Me too."

 

Nels smiled and then brushed the back of his hand across his eyes, dashing away his tears. 

 

"So, I'll get this place listed.  It shouldn't take long to sell.  How much are you asking for it?"

 

Bobby pulled out an envelope.  He placed it into Nels' hand. 

 

"Everything you need is here.  Remember who setup all your forms?  I believe I thought of everything.  If not then you can reach me on my cell.  I'll keep it active until this place sells.  After that I'll give you my new number."

 

"Alright.  I'll work you a good deal.  Within the month I believe I'll be able to put out the placard, sold by George!"

 

"Great, man this is harder than I thought.  I mean for the past five years this has been my home."

 

"Yeah, it's never easy.  But look on the bright side, man.  You've found him!  I mean that right guy you were always searching for."

 

"I believe so.  You know for a while I thought that you were that guy."

 

"Nah, as much as I would have loved to have been your Mr. Right, I never could have given you what you deserved.  You need someone who will always be there for you, someone to hold you and tell you that everything's going to be alright.    I've too much emotional baggage; commitment scares the bejesus out of me.  I just hope that this Remy knows what a special person you are."

 

"He do."  The Cajun was leaning against the door frame.  "Trus' me, Remy Le Bleu know he a lucky sum' bitch."

 

Remy had showered and changed, he wore skin tight jeans, ripped in just the right places, a white tank top, and black leather boots.  He’d pulled his hair back into a ponytail which spilled out from under a red do rag. 

 

“Wow.”  Nels whispered.

“Remy, this is Nelson or Popper.  Nels, this is Remy, my boyfriend.”

 

“Gambit not a boyfriend, Gambit be Bobby’s lover.” 

 

The exotic man strode over and enfolded the blond man in his arms.  He leaned in and kissed him with an obvious passion.  Bobby moaned into him as he responded to the firm lips and caresses.

 

“Amazing, it’s like dawn merging with twilight.”  Nels was enraptured at the sight of the two men.  They were complete contrasts to each other, one blue eyed and blonde haired, the other uniquely red eyed and dark haired. 

 

Bobby reluctantly pulled away.  He smiled at Remy and gently chided.

 

“You like showing off, don’t you?”

 

“Like showing the world you mine.” 

 

The turned back to face the third man who was still standing wide eyed.

 

“I gotta admit it, Bobby you finally found one that just as attractive as you, in a different way but…just wow!”

 

Remy extended his hand.  Nels took it and shook it, firmly.

 

“Ah believe, dat I owe you a great debt.  From what I heard you anchored dis one.  Thank you.  Remy always remember Bobby’s special friend.”

 

“I cared deeply for him, Remy.  I always will.  If things hadn’t worked out like they did…”

 

“I know, just shows that you and he not meant to be dat to each other.  You work through your problems.  Dere someone out dere just as special for you.”

 

“I hope so.”

 

“Remy know so.”  The Cajun then pulled the man into his arms and hugged him warmly.

 

“Popper always welcome in New York.  If ya ever decide you wan ta join the dream dere a place on da team for ya as well.”

 

“Maybe some day.”  Nelson whispered.  “Once I’ve managed to heal.”

 

“We’ll be waiting.”

 

Bobby then hugged the man.  More tears spilt as they parted.  Nels smiled a soft sad smile.  He bowed his head and then the popping noise sounded as he disappeared.

 

“I’ll miss him.”  Bobby sighed.

 

“He be alright now.  You see.”

 

“Are you precognitive, Remy?”

 

“Naw nothing like that, Gambit just get gut feeling.  Popper an ok guy.  He be ok, it just take some time.”

 

*Remy, Bobby we need to go.*

 

*Alright Professor. We’re on the way.*

 

*I’ve invited Howie to join the team.  He’s accepted, he’ll be relocating in the next couple of weeks.  Logan has decided to stay and help him.*

 

*Kewl.  Oh shit my car!*

 

*Rogue has driven it to the Blackbird.  There was just enough room.  Shall we?*

 

“Yes we shall.”  Bobby answered audibly.

 

“After you, Cher.” 

 

The condo was empty except for Bobby and Remy.  Bobby stepped out into the hall.  Once Remy had joined him Bobby locked the door and used the key fob to arm the security system.  The two men boarded the lift and then exited the building.  They quickly walked across the lawn to the vacant lot and joined the other X-men on the Blackbird.

 

The plane still invisible to the naked eye, rose on its thrusters and then was gone.