They stayed in the garage for a couple hours, letting Denver's healing factor do it's work. Denver was all for just getting out of there, but Remy wouldn't hear of it. He wasn't a very good driver, having never had much of a chance to drive, he didn't have a drivers license, and he wanted to make sure that Denver would be able to drive home safely. He wouldn't give her the keys to the car until her face looked normal and she stopped wincing every time she moved.
They were both very quite as Denver drove. It wasn't until they were safely in Rhode Island and almost home that Denver finally spoke. "Remy, I think it would be best if we just don't tell my mom what happened."
"I agree," Remy said, feeling relieved. He had no desire to let Alex know about the interesting day they both had either.
Unfortunately, neither of them counted on the power of the media. When they got to the house, Alex was waiting for them, outside. The moment they stepped out of the car, she looked at them. "Both of you, in the house, now!"
She looked completely emotionless. Remy and Denver looked at each other nervously. "Um...something wrong mom?"
"Yeah," Alex said, "We do get news from Boston in Rhode Island." She turned and walked into the house.
"Oh shit...." Denver muttered as they followed Alex into the house.
Remy's heart was beating so loud he was sure they could hear it all the way back to New Orleans.
The moment they were inside, Alex threw her arms around Denver. "Oh God, Kid, are you okay?"
Denver stiffened for a moment in shock. "Wha?"
"Oh God, sorry I came across as such a tightass out there, but I was so damned worried and I didn't want to do anything that might alert the neighbors....I don't think anyone realized it was you two on the news, but I just..."
"Mom!" Denver put her arms on her mother's shoulders. "Mom, calm down. We're all right, really. Tell me what happened, what you saw on TV. I didn't see any TV people there."
"No TV cameras were there when it happened," Alex said, "But someone had brought a camera to the commons and took some pictures. Channels 5&7 have been down there for awhile talking to anyone and everyone." She turned and looked at Remy. "Are you all right?"
He assured her he was fine. He never thought he would see Alex look so agitated, as though she wanted to leap out of her skin. At Alex's suggestion, the three of them went into the kitchen. Alex immediately walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out three beers. She handed one to Remy and Denver and opened one herself.
Remy looked at the beer and then at Denver. Denver shrugged and opened hers. Remy followed suit, wondering if Alex even realized what she had done.
"After today, I figure ya both need a beer," Alex said, answering the silent question. "Let 'em come and arrest me. We've got enough problems." She flopped down at the kitchen table, guzzling half her beer in one gulp, then looked at Remy. "So, you're a mutant, eh?"
"I t'ink I made that obvious today, didn't I?" Remy said.
"And I gather you told him about us, right?" Alex asked, looking at Denver.
"Well, the crowd beat the crap out of me, and I sort of healed before his very eyes, pretty much, I had to tell him about our healing factor."
"You 'ave it too?" Remy asked Alex.
She nodded. "My father had it and my brother too. It's a family thing. When Denver has kids, they'll probably have it. Which technically might make it not a mutant ability, because it breeds true, but the assholes at SCAM don't give a tin shit."
"What about your brother?" Remy asked. "Does he have any problems getting along with this ability? Are people hunting him?"
Alex frowned. "My brother is a sore subject with me. We were very close when we were kids and now he doesn't even remember me, or anything about the two of us growing up."
"How?" Remy tipped his head to one side, giving her a curious look.
"Some people basically did some pretty nasty shit to him," Alex briefly explained. "Changed his body and then erased his memories and gave him some other ones to take their place. I got shuffled out of the memories, I guess they thought remembering me would remind him that he was a human being, that at one point there was someone who loved him dearly and looked at him as a father, a big brother, and a minor God. Couldn't have that, now, could they?"
She spoke so bitterly that Remy just decided to change the subject. "How much trouble do you think Denver and I are in?" he asked. "Was the picture they showed on TV clear?"
Alex shook her head. "I knew because I know the both of you...but it was kind of blurry. Denver wasn't really recognizable at all, with her hair falling in her face like it was and all bruised up and stuff. You were clearer. I think you'd better lay low for a few days."
"Oui," Remy said, sadly. "I am sorry..."
"For saving my daughter's life?" Alex looked shocked.
"No, for possibly endangering the both of you. Perhaps it would be best if I just left."
"No!" Denver shouted quickly and loudly. Both Alex and Remy turned and stared at her. Her face immediately turned bright red. "I-I mean, he can't leave now," she muttered, looking at her mother. "We can't let him go, SCAM is looking for him I'm sure."
"You're right about that," Alex agreed. "Remy, you aren't going anywhere. You're staying right here."
"But if they find me..." Remy blurted out. "Dey might hurt you an' Denver..."
"We'll worry about ourselves," Alex said, her mouth set in a determined line. "Kid, you're a Mutant like us and we gotta watch out for our own. Unfortunately, the world ain't gonna give us a break, so we've gotta give them to ourselves. You're staying here. You're going to keep low for a couple weeks, stay inside and forget working on the house and all, but I'm not sending you out into the streets. SCAM gets their hands on you and you'll be dead my little friend."
"But..." Remy began.
"No buts," Alex said, making a slashing motion with her hand as though to cut him off. "You're staying. If you even try to leave, I'll kick your ass so hard you'll have to stay."
Denver reached out and put her hand on his. "Please, Remy," she said, quietly. "Please stay. I'd be so worried about you if you left."
Remy looked from mother to daughter and slowly nodded. "'How could I possibly turn down two such special ladies?"
Alex snorted, but Denver just smiled.
Logan, AKA Wolverine, flicked the remote to the TV, flashing through the channels. Christ all mighty, he thought, Chuckles puts in a fancy satellite dish. We got about two hundred channels and still nothing decent to watch! Disgusted, he tossed the remote over to the corner of the couch and lit up a cigar.
Things had been quiet around the mansion lately and Logan was getting itchy. He wanted...no he needed to get in some sort of scrape. Maybe I should see if Kurt wants to go out and do some serious drinkin' and skirt chasing tonight. he thought. Or, maybe I can convince Jean to go for a little moonlight stroll, as long as I can get her away from that sap Scott. Nah, that isn't likely. She's so hung up on him, she can't even see a real man. Guess I should try to con Kurt into going out instead... He stood up from the couch. Picking up the remote, he aimed it at the TV and stopped.
He had stopped his channel surfing on a Boston station. He was just about to click off the TV when he saw a picture on the screen. The picture showed two figures, both looked young, like they were in their teens. One seemed to be a girl. She was bent over, holding onto the other person, a young man. The girl's face was hidden by a mop of red hair. The young man however, was more visible. Tall, thin, with red brown hair and wearing dark glasses. But the most amazing thing about this boy was what he was holding, high in his hands--a common trash barrel, but it was glowing. Sitting back down, Logan punched the volume button up higher and listened.
"Today, what started as a peaceful demonstration by members of SCAM, was nearly turned to tragedy."
"Peaceful demonstration, my ass," Logan muttered. Magneto might be scary, but people like SCAM were the real enemy and he knew it.
"...when this young man in the picture, now known to be a mutant, threatened the lives of millions of innocent bystanders, by 'powering up' this trash barrel and threatening to throw it at the crowd....."
"Bullshit!" Logan snorted. They were still showing the picture. Studying it, he could tell the girl had been beaten and the boy looked frightened.
"Unfortunately, the Mutant and his girlfriend, who is also believed to be a Mutant and equally as dangerous, escaped before the police could get there...."
"Good for you kid!" Logan cheered. But he knew this was only the beginning of something that could get real nasty. SCAM was going to be after that boy big time. From the looks of things, that kid is a pretty powerful mutant. And he's young. Logan knew what he had to do. "Hey, Chuck!" he shouted.
I am here, Logan, a voice in his head said.
"Jesus, Chuck, I hate it when you do that!" Logan snapped. He couldn't get the hang of just thinking to speak to Professor Xavier. "Last thing I need is someone messin' inside my head!"
Logan, why did you call? the Professor asked, sounding slightly impatient. Will you tell me or should I probe your mind and find out myself?
"Don't bother," Logan said. "Just wheel your butt in here. There's something on the TV you really got to see."