Remy!
Remy's eyes snapped open. "Who's dat?" he called out.
"Huh?" Denver moved sleepily in his arms.
"It's okay Chere," he murmured stroking her hair. How do I explain to her I've just heard a voice in my head? "Go back to sleep, my amore."
She gave a sleepily yawn and snuggled back into his arms.
Remy Le Beu!
Remy knew he heard the voice in his head this time. "What?" he whispered. "Who are you and what do you want?"
You don't need to speak out-loud to talk to me, the voice said. You merely need to think what you wish to say.
All right, he thought, gulping. Who the 'ell are you?
My name is Professor Xavier. I run a school for gifted people.
Yeah? Remy thought. Well, if'n dey all go around talking inside people's heads, then they must be really gifted. What the hell are you doing wit me?
Not all my students are telepaths, The voice explained. They have a variety of abilities. But the one thing they all have in common is that they are mutants, as you are.
Let me get this straight, you run a school for mutants?
Yes, The Professor said. Perhaps you have heard of some of my students. The X-men?
Remy gulped. I must be dreaming. Denver an I were talking about them tonight!
No, you are not dreaming.
This is nerve wracking' as hell! I don' know what you want, Professor X, but quit messin' wit' my head an' get to the point!
The point is that you are a mutant with a great power, Charles Xavier explained. And today you demonstrated that power in public in front of members of SCAM.
I know! Remy snapped. Is dat what you leaped into my 'ead to tell me? You could've saved yourself the strain.
I assure you, it is no strain for me to talk to you this way. the Professor thought. And the reason why I've chosen to contact you is because I want you to join my school. You will be safe here and we can show you how to use your powers to benefit mutant and mankind.
This is too weird for words! Remy thought, not caring that someone could read his thoughts. You don' even know me!
I know you well enough. I also know that your power is strong but undisciplined. Unless you learn to use it properly, you could very well hurt people. People you love.
That was something that had been worrying Remy already. He had fought to keep his power hidden these last few years and as a results, he'd never really learned the finer points of controlling it. I don' know! he thought. I don' know you an I don' know your X-men. I don' know if I want to join your group! I'm happy here.
What about the girl in your arms? The Professor asked. How will you feel if your power goes out of control and you hurt, possibly even kill her?
That's a low blow!
Low or not, it is the truth. Remy, nothing has to be decided tonight. In two weeks I'll send two students, members of the X-men out to talk to you. You can decide then.
But... Remy began, and stopped. The presence inside his head was gone. He looked around the room, shaking his head and suddenly wishing he had a cigarette. He debated if he should go back to his room and get one, but he didn't want to wake Denver, so he sighed, and held her close.
Just as he drifted off to sleep, a reasonable explanation hit him. I must have been dreaming. That's it. I was having one of those dreams where I thought I was awake, but I wasn't. No way some man talked to me in my head.
"Two weeks?" Scott asked, looking at the Professor. "Why did you tell him it would be two weeks? Wouldn't it be better if we were to go out there immediately?"
"No," Charles disagreed. "It's better this way. He's convinced himself that our conversation was a dream, but part of him will be thinking about what I said."
Scott wasn't sure, but he trusted the Professor's judgment. "If you think it's best. Who do you think I should take with me to talk to him? Jean?"
"Scott, I'm not going to send you at all," Charles said.
Scott stared at him for a moment, dumbfounded. "But Professor, I am the team leader and I've been on the team the longest! Shouldn't I be the one to go?"
"Normally yes," Professor Xavier said, "but in this case, I think it would be better if I sent Kurt and Logan."
"Kurt and Logan?" Scott repeated, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Professor, are you sure?"
"Are you questioning me?" Charles asked.
"No..." Scott began, and stopped. "Well, yes I am Professor. Kurt is a nice enough person, but Logan is... well... he's a lunatic, plain and simple. Do you really think that he's a good spokesman for the X-men?"
"Kurt and Logan are friends," Charles explained. "If Logan should have any reason to.. lose control, I think Kurt could...help him calm down. Logan is the one who first spotted Remy on TV, it seems only right that he should be one of the ones I send down to convince Remy to come here. And now that Kurt has that image inducer Tony Stark made for him, he can go down in disguise."
"But Kurt is going to be the one who will have to do most of the talking. Do you think he can do it?" Scott asked.
"From what I've managed to discover about Remy LeBeau, I think he and Kurt should both get along well. Remy is like Kurt in the fact that he tries to make the best of any situation. Who better to convince him to come here?" Charles pointed out. I'm sorry, Scott, he added in his thoughts. But as much as I love you, I cannot send you. You'd talk like this is some sort of military school and Remy isn't going to go for that at all.
"Mmmmm," Denver murmured, snuggling closer to Remy. "How come every time we make love it gets better and better?"
He pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. "Maybe cause we're getting to know each other's bodies better," he offered. "Now we know what to do to drive de other crazy."
"I don't know," Denver said, leaning over and kissing his chest. "But you sure manage to drive me right up the wall. God, we've only been doing this for two weeks and I already can't imagine life without it."
"You're good for my ego, Chere." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her on top of him, just to feel her skin on his. "An' don't sell yourself short. The things you do to me, make me pretty wild too."
"Mmmm, I've noticed."
They were in his room today. Alex had gone to visit some friends earlier and Denver had suggested they might as well take advantage of the situation. Remy was more than happy to oblige. It seemed that the more they made love, the more they wanted to. Remy sometimes thought that if Alex left them alone for a month, they'd never get out of bed and starve to death. Ah, but what a way to go!
"Remy, have I told you lately that I love you?" Denver asked.
"If I recall, about a hundred times in the last couple hours," Remy said, smiling.
"Yeah, well, I want you to know I meant it, every time."
"Ah, Chere, I love you too, very much."
She grinned and cuddled closer. They both lay there, holding each other, until Denver sat up. "Mom'll be home in an hour or so. We've got to both take a shower or she'll know what we've been up to."
"I suppose," He said, sighing. "Sometimes I really hate those keen senses you an' your mother 'ave."
Denver laughed. "Aw, it isn't that bad. Besides, I know a way to make it even better."
"'Ows that?" he asked.
She grinned, raising her eyebrows. "We can take a shower together."
"Now that sound like a plan."
They had just finished showering and changing into clean clothes when there was a knock at the door. Remy was blow-drying his hair and never would have known if Denver hadn't heard it. She looked at him. "Someone is at the door," she shouted, to be heard above the dryer. "I wonder who it is?"
Remy snapped off the dryer. "Only one way to find out," he said, smiling. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"Why not?" she said, shrugging.
He quickly went into the bedroom and put on his glasses. He didn't normally wear them around the house anymore, he had no reason to, but with strangers here, he figured he'd better not take the chance. When Denver saw them on him, she frowned. "I hate those damned things!" she muttered.
"Me too," Remy agreed. "But better safe than sorry."
They walked downstairs. Before Denver opened the door, she looked out the window. "Car looks pretty non descript," she said. "Might be a rental car. Maybe you'd better hide in the cellar or something."
"Why?" he asked.
She looked at him. "What if it's someone from SCAM who tracked you down somehow?"
"Then I really ought to be with you," Remy said. "Just in case they try to hurt you."
The people at the door knocked again, louder. They looked at each other for a few minutes, then Denver slowly opened the door, Remy behind her.
There were two men standing on the porch. One was of average height, average build, with brown hair and eyes. He wasn't outstandingly handsome, nor was he unattractive. The only word that seemed to describe him was... average.
The other man was short. If Remy had to guess, he'd say he couldn't have been taller than 5'5" and that was probably a generous estimate. He had black hair, arranged in one of the strangest styles Remy had ever seen and dark eyes that had as ferral a look as Alex's did. He looked at Denver. She was staring at him too, seeing the same resemblance to her mother that Remy saw.
"Um...." she stammered. "C-can I help you?"
"Yes," the average looking man said, smiling. "My name is Kurt and this is my friend Logan. We're from Professor Xavier's school for gifted youngsters. I believe the young man behind you, Remy LeBeau, was expecting us."
The dream! Remy thought. It wasn't a dream! That Professor really did talk to me inside my head!
Denver looked at Remy. "What are they talking about?"
"Denver," Remy said, gulping. "Those guys are members of the X-men."
Denver stared, dumbfounded. "Um..." she stammered. "Um...."
"Can we come in?" Kurt asked, smiling.
"Why not?" Denver mumbled moving aside to let Logan and Kurt in. "I mean, if Remy was expecting you...."
She lead them into the living room. "Um...have a seat, make yourselves at home. Would you like something to drink? We've got some iced tea in the fridge."
"That sounds wonderful," Kurt said, still smiling.
"I'd rather have a beer," Logan growled. He sat on the couch and lit up a cigar.
"That can be arranged too," Denver said. "C'mon, Remy, you can help me bring the drinks out."
The moment they were in the kitchen, Denver looked at him. "What the hell is going on?" she asked, opening up the refrigerator to get the drinks.
"Denver, two weeks ago, I heard someone talking to me in my head," Remy explained. "They told me dey wanted me to join the X-men. Since we 'ad been making jokes about the X-men earlier that night, I thought it was just a dream."
"Well, apparently it wasn't," Denver said. "One of them must have seen your picture on TV. I wonder how they found you?"
"Anyone who is capable of talkin to me inside my 'ead is probably capable of finding me somehow," Remy murmured.
Denver shrugged. "I guess your right."
They went back out into the living room. Denver handed Kurt his glass and Logan his bottle. Logan looked at the label. "Molsons," he said. "Good beer."
They sat down. "I 'ave to tell you, I thought it was all a dream," Remy explained. "I didn't think anyone was really coming."
"The professor warned us about that." Kurt said. "But now you know, it wasn't a dream. Professor Charles Xavier really did invite you to join us."
Remy was just about to say something, when Alex walked in the door. "I'm home!" she called out, walking into the living room. "And who the hell is parked in the...." she stopped abruptly as she saw Logan, the color draining from her face.
"Um...Hi Mom!" Denver rose from her chair, taking her mother's arm. "Come on, let's get you a beer in the kitchen...."
Alex allowed herself to be lead out of the room. "Since you came here to talk to Remy, go ahead," Denver called out.
Remy shrugged. "So, why do you want me to come to your school?"
"Because you're a mutant with a pretty powerful gift," Kurt explained. "We can show you how to use it, how to fine tune it."
"Not to mention half of SCAM is looking for your ass," Logan said. "You'll be better off with us. Those bastards don't have any idea where we are and they'll never find out."
Remy gulped. He wasn't prepared for this. Six months ago he probably would have gone with them gladly, but six months ago he hadn't met Denver or fallen in love with her. "I-I'm not sure," he stammered. "Dis is a big decision you're askin of me."
"I know," Kurt agreed. "But think of what we can offer you. A safe place to live where you don't have to worry about SCAM, and a chance to be trained to use your abilities to benefit mutant and mankind."
"I know dat...." Remy stammered. "But..."
"The bottom line is this," Logan interrupted. "Do ya wanna join or not? Chuck doesn't ask just everyone, he must think there's something pretty special about you."
Remy was about to answer, when Denver walked into the room and sat down next to Remy. "Um, Mom says this is your decision Remy," she said. "She's going to stay out of it."
Remy looked up at her. "They want me to go wit them. They tell me I'll be safe."
Denver looked down at her hands. "I-I kind of thought so."
Remy took her hand in his. "I don't want to leave you," he murmured.
"According to the Professor you're a mutant also, aren't you?" Kurt asked her.
"Yeah," Denver agreed.
"Well, would you like to join the school? I'm sure something can be arranged."
Denver shook her head. "My powers aren't flashy enough for you people," she explained. "Besides, I couldn't leave my mother yet. We still need each other."
Remy looked at Denver. After Belle I thought I'd never fall in love again, he thought. How can I just leave Denver? He looked at Kurt. "I-I don't know if I can..."
"Wait a minute!" Denver cried, a little louder than she intended. "Remy, before you make your decision, let me talk to you."
Here it comes, Logan thought. She's going to start crying and carrying on. I just don't know if I can take that. "Um...you got another one of these?" he asked, holding up his empty bottle.
"In the kitchen," Denver said.
"I'll go get it myself," Logan said, standing up and leaving the room.
Once he was gone, Remy looked at Denver. "Do you want me to go, Chere?" he asked her.
"Of course not!" she said. "But what I want and what is best are two different things!" She looked away from him for a moment, collecting her thoughts. "Remy, things aren't good for Mutants now and they're going to get a lot worse before they get better. SCAM is just the tip of a very big iceberg. Most mutants are helpless. Sure, we've got abilities, but most of them are pretty boring. You've got a chance to do something to help us. You've got a chance to make a difference, not just for yourself, but for all of mutantkind." She reached up and touched his face lightly. "I love you Remy, and I know you love me, but is it really fair for us to only think of ourselves? If you go with them, you'll have a chance to do so much more. You'll have a chance to make a safer world for future generations. Perhaps even make it so mutant and mankind can live side by side in peace."
"I don't think I could have said it better myself," Kurt said. "I know it hurts to leave your family and your loved ones, but sometimes it's for the best. Besides, the Professor isn't a slave driver, you can visit Denver."
Remy looked at her. As much as he hated to admit it, everything she said made sense. "Do you really think I should do this?"
Denver blinked, trying to keep the tears at bay. "Yes."
Remy looked at Kurt. "When do we leave?"
"So," Alex said, as Logan walked into the kitchen. "Do you think he'll join you guys?"
Logan stopped and stared at her, as she sat at the kitchen table. "I don't know." he finally said. There was something strangely familiar about this woman...as if they had met before. "Um..who are you?" he asked.
"Alex," she said. "The redheaded girl's mother."
"Oh." He walked over to the refrigerator. "Your kid told me I could have another beer."
"Sure," Alex said, lighting up a cigarette. "Grab one for me too."
He took two bottles from the refrigerator, walked over, handed her one and sat down across from her. "Do I know you?" he asked her. "There is something real familiar about you."
"Maybe we met in a bar one night and had a sleazy one night stand," Alex said, shrugging.
He studied her carefully. She wasn't unattractive by any means, and Logan was pretty sure if he had seen her in a bar, he would have at least tried to talk to her. "Maybe we did," he agreed, giving her a grin. "Do you think so?"
"What do you think?"
Logan was half tempted to ask her if what she said wasn't true, would she like the chance to make it true, when he stopped. Suddenly the idea of touching this woman, treating this woman as a lover was repulsive to him. Something in his mind told him that would be wrong. Very wrong. "No," he slowly said. "I don't think we met in a bar. Shoot me straight, Alex; Do I know you?"
She looked away from him, so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes. "No, you don't know me," she whispered. "We've never met."
Less than an hour later, Remy was packed up and ready to leave with Kurt and Logan. Neither he or Denver were saying much. Every time he looked at her, her eyes were filled with tears. It wasn't until they were at the door, ready to leave, when she finally threw her arms around him. "Remy, don't ever forget me!"
He hugged her tightly. "I don' think I could if I wanted to," he murmured. "You've taken a part of my heart."
"As you've taken mine," she whispered back. "Treat it well, please?"
"Oui."
Denver and Alex walked the three of them out to the car. It wasn't until they had driven out of sight that Denver put her arms around her mother and started crying.
Looking at the paper, Denver smiled. Right on the front page was a large color picture of the X-men. It was obvious they had posed for this one. The article was entitled, "Mutants, friend or foe" and reading it, Denver had to admit, the writer of the article seemed sympathetic on the mutant cause. "Score one for us," Denver murmured.
"Hey Kid!"
Denver looked up as her mother walked into the room, holding a baby in her arms. "Hi Mom."
"I just walked by her room and she was crying," Alex explained. "I changed her, but if she wants to be fed, that's your department." She gave the child a kiss on her forehead and handed her over to Denver. "Here's your mother, kid."
Denver took her daughter, who was grinning, her blue eyes sparkling. "She sure doesn't seem hungry," she commented. "Probably just wanted a fresh diaper and a little company, didn't you, darling?"
The baby cooed, waving her arms. Denver reached over and ticked her stomach softly. "You are very very special, Cherie, did you know that?" Holding her daughter with one arm, she picked up the paper and put it on her knees. "Look at that!" she said, pointing to the picture. "Do you see that man? Cherie, that's your Daddy. And someday, when you're a little older, I'll tell you all about him."