Remy pulled the photograph out of his coat studying it intently. The early morning sunlight creating a glare on its shiny surface. Damn, he couldn't take the chance that it wasn't true, the resemblance was there. Even if it was only wishful thinking on his part, it still needed to be checked out.

"I see you have finally retained the knowledge of where you live. My compliments on this difficult feat."

The chastising tone used to address him would have been irritating if the words hadn't been the simple truth. For the last three weeks he had been hunting down every hint or rumor of Sinister's location. The search was exhausting leaving its mark in the prominent lines of his face and the dark circles under his eyes. Wild goose chases didn't leave much time for quaint family dinners or sleep or even offering comfort to those you love.

"Been busy." Remy answered Hank as he slipped the photo back in his pocket. He knew he would eventually have to share this latest development with the X-men but just not yet, not until he had considered all possible ramifications. "What you want?"

Hank gave Remy the once over tsking over his haggard appearance. "I was going to inform you that Kyler has officially checked out of the med-lab. Now that have gotten a good look at you, I believe you would benefit from some time there as well."

"Thanks fo' tellin' me, mon ami. An' nothin' wrong wit me dat sleep won' fix." He turned intending to walk away, he wasn't in the mood for mansion chitchat, but Hank's next statement stopped him dead in his tracks.

"She needs you, Remy."

He knew Kyler needed him but he had been unable to break past the powerful wall of his pride. The anger he had felt over her failure to inform him of the baby had died a long time ago. However, it did raise questions in his mind over her true feelings for him.

How could she not believe in him if she loved him? That was the prevalent question and it rolled through his mind like a never-ending storm always flashing in front when he least expected it. It hurt to think she might not love him as much as he had begun to believe.

And so, he stayed away. It was arrogant, but he wanted her to come to him, give him some kind of sign that she did care. In a way, the arrogance was easier to handle than the gut wrenching fear that lanced through him with the ease of a sharpened blade when he realized he might not have a future with her.

How could he convey all that to Hank? He couldn't even tell the person who needed to hear it the most, Kyler. All he could to do was acknowledge Hank's comment with a slight nod of his head before he headed toward his room and some much-needed rest. ****************************************************************************************************

She knew it was here somewhere, the suitcase couldn't have disappeared. Yet, it appeared to do just that. Maybe the closet ate it, given the state of chaos in Remy's closet that was a distinct possibility.

Kyler dug under a small mountain of clothes feeling something square and hard. Ah, here it is. Getting a firm grip, she pulled it out and laid it on the bed.

It was time to stop hiding. Three weeks in the med-lab had done wonders to heal her body, therapeutic talks with Charles had formed the perspective of endurable loss, but only time would heal her ravaged soul. Time and one man anyway, a man that apparently wasn't interested.

She hadn't seen Remy since she told him about the baby. Hank told her repeatedly that Remy was seldom at the mansion anymore. Her present must upset him to the point that he didn't want to be in the same house with her. But then why would he want to see her? Stop it! That's guilt talking and guilt is a destructive emotion. She lectured to herself mimicking Charles' crisp tones.

No more self-pity, she had to live on no matter how painful. Sure, nothing would be the same, how could it? She was a different person now, perhaps even a bit more grown up than before. But hey, she would survive. It wasn't in her make-up to quit. She simply needed to get back on path and start walking.

Not the path she left when she came here, that wouldn't be possible. She couldn't go back to the half-life she had been living before. Hopefully, in time, she would find a new path that would enable her to look back on this time with a wistful smile. Get real, Ky!

Damn, why is it that time heals all wounds? With the break through in medical science you think they would have come up with a shot for it by now. Knowing her luck though, it would be one of those 'bend over and assume the position' type shots.

The fanciful thoughts caused a slight smile to tilt the corners of her month. Having her humor return was a bit surprising. After spending time in a pit of despair and guilt, the small sign of normalcy was most welcome. She must be climbing out, she wondered if every step would take as long.

She shook her head in mock disgust. The psychoanalyzing was for shrinks. She needed to get packing and go. She walked to the dresser and began sorting through the clothes throwing hers toward the bed.

First, she would go back to Indiana, get her affairs in order, and then, well, then she would move on. Funny, but this mansion, the sanctuary of the X-men, felt more like a home than the one she left behind. How could she have acquired a strong attachment in such a short time?

Maybe it was the saying home is where your heart is. She would definitely be leaving her heart behind with Remy when she left. It was a shame he didn't want it. ************************************************************************************************************************

The cold fingers of pain clenched his chest and throat tightly making it difficult to breathe. He couldn't believe it but the evidence spoke for itself, the suitcase on the bed, the clothes strewn for one end of the room to another and the determined bent of her head couldn't be ignored. Kyler was leaving.

Fear began to gnaw with the pain as he stood in the doorway watching her methodically pack her clothes. His tongue felt thick and awkward as he tried to form words to speak to her.

"Job done. Guess it time you go." Inwardly, he cringed at the cruel words he had spoken but the need to lash out was too great for him to recall them.

Startled by the sound of his voice, Kyler turned around with a squeak of dismay. Her eyes were wide and she swallowed several times before she addressed him. "Re Remy, I didn't see you there."

"You t' busy packin' t' notice me." Unable to stop himself, he tried to twist the knife out of his heart into hers. "Oui, job done you go home."

"What are you talking about? What job?" She asked him in bewilderment.

"Dey needed way t' make you stay. Jeanie tol' me you 'tracted t' me. The rest, you know de history." He watched her expression dawn into understanding and then the line of her anger visibly snapped releasing a rage he had never witness in her before.

She approached him with four stomping steps tilting her back to look at him. Her eyes glittered with outrage and her face flamed with color. "How dare you!" She spat out from clenched teeth.

Training as a thief and an X-Man aided by excellent reflexes saved him from singing soprano when her knee shot up toward his groin. The thwarted attempt only seemed to fuel her fury as the anger began to shimmer from her trembling body.

She retreated a few steps to assume a battling posture, slowly circling her intended victim. The wild intent of her gaze was clear, Remy realized with surprise, she truly meant to fight him.

His hurt and anger dimmed with the realization that this degeneration was all the fault of his stupid, nasty remark. How could he let things get so out of hand? All he had wanted was some sleep, not a bedtime assault.

They had to talk, really talk not fight. Too much was at stake for pride to get in the way. He watched Kyler circle to the left looking for an opening to pounce. He would wait for her attack and then put an end to it.

The wait wasn't particularly long but the offensive wasn't what he expected. The aggression and fury went out of her stance leaving her limp as a deflated balloon. The total look of desolation on her face was upsetting but at the same time it gave him hope. Enough hope to offer her something he had never offered before.

"Kyler Renden, I love you." His heart thudded against his chest and his breathing escaped in harsh pants but he knew had to continue. "I love you!" He said more loudly. "Please don' go."

The words calmed him giving him a peace he didn't know existed. It would break his heart if she left but she gave him this gift of peace. If she were determined to leave then he wouldn't stop her. He would only pray that sometime in the future she would be more amendable towards him. ****************************************************************************************************

He loved her. She couldn't believe it. It was a trick it had to be. Her ears were sending signals to her brain of the words she had longed to hear from him. Yes that was it, tricky hearing. It was the emotional upheaval after the rage of him mocking their precious time together.

That was much easier to contemplate than the issue of lowering her pride and staying. Now, that was a stupid thought! Of course, she would stay if he were serious. She just wouldn't make it easy which all moot anyway since she imagined him saying I love you in the first place.

"You hear me?"

Her eyes snapped to his face. "What did you say?"

Remy took a deep breath before he spoke making the words sound airy and light. "I love you."

Her mouth dropped open. Okay, so she hadn't imagined it that was clear enough to get pass any wax build up that might be blocking her hearing. He was serious. He had to be for Remy had never lied to her. Still, for the life of her she couldn't figure out how to respond.

"Ky?"

Good grief! She was standing there like a simpleton catching flies. She backed away slightly when he stepped toward her with open arms. Her retreat effectively halted his movements.

She wanted nothing more than to bury her face against his chest and sob out her pain and sorrow but she couldn't, yet. There were questions to be asked and answers to hear before she could take or give comfort.

"You love me?" She waited for his affirmative nod before continuing. There was one question that forefront in her mind but she hesitated to ask. The pain of the subject could open freshly healed wounds but it they couldn't go forward if they didn't talk about it. She closed her eyes tightly and screwed up her courage.

She opened her eyes and fastened on him ready to absorb every reaction. "Remy, do you forgive me?" She didn't elaborate knowing he would realize she was referring to the baby.

"Silence hurt, chere but oui, forgiven."

"I was afraid I would be trapping you. I knew you cared but I didn't know if you loved me."

"Should have said so sooner, neh?"

She could wait no longer to touch him and took a tentative step toward him palms up in offering. His arms closed around her fiercely and she snuggled into the security and warmth of their embrace. They still had a lot to work out but it was a beginning, a beginning full of promise and hope.

To be continued