The first thing Jean realized was that she ached. It was as if she'd just had

a day long Danger Room session. There wasn't one muscle that didn't hurt. Next,

she felt the coolness of metal beneath her cheek. Then, she heard her name

being called urgently. //Jean! Jean!//

        She tried to respond but couldn't call out. I'm here, she thought weakly.

Charles, help me.

        //Jean. I am here. The others are en route. Is Logan there?//

        //I just woke up.// She was so glad of the link he'd created that she nearly

wept. //Let me look.// "Wolverine?" she croaked with a raw throat.

        "I'm here, Darlin'," his welcome voice replied. It was muffled, like he was

talking through a wall. Her eyes adjusted to the gloom and she realized that he

*was* talking through a wall.

        //Jean?//

        //He's here.//

        //Good.//

        Betsy found Gambit on the back porch smoking. "Gambit, Professor X has found

Phoenix. Wolverine is alive too."

        "Merci, Dieu. When dey be home?"

        "We're not *that* far along yet. The team still has to get in. Cyclops wants

you as part of the team-link to help Storm with security. The professor wants

you in his office."

        Gambit tossed his cigarette into the air where it burned up with a sharp

flare. He followed her into the professor's office. He settled into one of the

visitor's chairs. He pushed his shades up onto the top of his head. Xavier

nodded in welcome, his attention on the link. He turned his attention to the

waiting thief. Gambit was as still as stone. His eyes were cold.

        Xavier knocked politely at the young man's shields, and they parted to allow a

shallow communication link. The brief attempt to go deeper was met with sharp

resistance. //I'm here,// Gambit stated to the team. There was a brief

acknowledgment from Scott and one from Storm. Then, it returned to the silence

of the pre-battle team.

        //Knock. Knock.// Bobby threw out.

        //Who is there?// some imp of humor prompted Storm to actually answer.

        // Bett Shaw.//

        //Bett Shaw who?//

        //Betshaw we're gonna win.//

        The was a mental groan shared by most of the team.

        "Wolvie? Are you okay?"

        "I'll live, Red. Ya hurt?"

        "I ache like… like a mother-fucker with a taffy machine's been working at my

muscles," she stated. The wording stopped Logan completely. Jean *did not*

curse. Ever. Not even through telepathic contacts. "But I'll live. I just want

to be home right now. Where the Hell are we?"

        "Sinister's labs."

        "Oh, fuck." Logan raised a brow. "And if you tell anyone, I'll kill you," she

added before he could call her on the language. 

        //Storm. Give us cover.// The weather witch closed her eyes and reached.

There! The sandstorm was already lurking. She pushed it to full bloom. The

animals scattered to their burrows. There were no humans in this area to worry

about. The think sands confused the alarm's sensors. Inside the base, Vertigo

groaned as the alarms went wild.

        "Sandstorm alert," she said into the general loudspeaker. "It's here. Alarms

will be off-line for the duration. Full alert. Repeat full alert."

        "Looks like it's you, me, and the X-punks, V. The others are gonna be stuck in

town," Arclight told her.

        "Shit. Where's the boss?"

        "New York. Something about checking on his investments."

        "Fuck. *I* wanted to visit Remy," she pouted. "Oh well. Want to go play with

Wolverine?"

        "Meet you there," Arclight laughed.

        //Jean, I'm joining you to the team-link,// Xavier informed her.

        //Status, Phoenix,// Cyclops stated.

        //Lab guards are on full alert. Alarms are off-line due to the sandstorm.

Phoenix and Wolverine are mostly unharmed. Remove the suppression equipment and

they can fight. Alert, Arclight and Vertigo are in the cell area.//

        //Understood. Storm, get us in.//

        //Gambit?//

        //Still here, chere.//

        //Green or blue?//

        //Blue to override.//

        //Thank you.// Storm over-road the doors and the team was in.

        "Widdle Wolverine fall down," Vertigo giggled. Arclight secured his wrists to

the tether and he snarled at her from behind the muzzle he still wore. She

laughed at him and pulled out her knife. "Ooh, that shined up well," Vertigo

commented, leaning against the wall.

        //Am I the only one thinking this is far too simple?// Angel asked.

        //No,// Cyclops answered him.

        //Arclight's doing something to Wolverine.// Phoenix warned.

        //Professor, which way?// Xavier directed them through the base.

        //This place is deserted,// Iceman concluded as they moved cautiously through

the dark halls.

        //Don't get cocky,// Cyclops warned. They rounded the corner to the main lab,

which was silent except for the steady beep from one of the computers. Iceman

checked the screen.

        //This is the school!// Cyclops nodded.

        //He's been watching. That's why it was a smooth snatch and run.// They moved

on to the holding cells. Cyclops took out Vertigo with a blast that knocked her

into the wall. Arclight looked up and dodged the blast aimed at her. Wolverine

shouted a warning as she dove for Iceman. Iceman dodged the woman, coming up to

his feet behind her. The sharp scent of ozone accompanied the lightening bolt

that killed her. Cyclops glared at Storm. //No killing.// Storm ignored him as

she picked the lock on Jean's cell. They didn't bother to try to release either

team member from their suppressing bonds. They just loaded up onto the plane

and left.

        //I will see you after landing.// Xavier closed down the net and leaned back.

Gambit sat calmly watching him with no word. "You will need to remove the bonds

for them."

        "Oui, M.," the Cajun said politely. Xavier waved a hand in dismissal. He saw a

flash of anger in the thief's eyes, but disregarded it as being directed

elsewhere.

        Remy hadn't realized he was asleep until he looked up from the letter he was

writing and saw Sinister waiting patiently at the door. He glanced around and

found he wasn't in his room. He stood and opened the parlor door to allow the

scientist into his mind. //Bonjour, Remy.//

        //M. Essex. Would you like something to drink?//

        //No, thank you.//

        //Please have a seat.// Sinister chose the leather armchair as usual. Remy

settled into the red velvet couch. //And what can I do for you?//

        //Rather more blunt than you used to be. Good. Your outer shields are

deplorable, Son. There are cracks everywhere.//

        //I will work on repairs. Thank you for the warning.//

        //I've returned your lovers to you. You should have informed me of the

change.//

        //The situation is still unresolved?//

        //A pity. How is your leg?//

        //Still functional. But it will never be the same as it was before.//

        //And the gating mechanism?//

        //Effective.//

        //We will have to return you to full powers shortly.//

        //Non. We will not.//

        //Do not argue with me, Boy. As your doctor I will do as I deem necessary.//

        //That is not a necessary step. I am quite comfortable with my current level

of power. Please leave it be.//

        //I will not.// Sinister looked disapprovingly at him. //Do not allow that

misguided fool to convince you that remaining crippled is best. Your potential

is so much greater, my boy. Your lovers are returning. We will speak again.//

Sinister blinked out of existence. Remy cursed. He locked the door and added an

additional bolt with a thought.

        Bobby shook Gambit's shoulder, jumping away from the automatic swing. "Sorry."

        "Not a problem. Hank needs your help with Wolvie." Gambit raised a brown and

followed the blond downstairs. He saw the muzzle and grimaces. His fingers

found the catches easily and it swung free. He undid the wrist restraints,

nimbly avoiding the claws that popped free.

        "Sorry, Darlin'." Logan pulled them in, with a bit of effort. Remy shrugged

and handed the restraints to Hank. Logan caught the thief around his waist and

hugged him, pressing his forehead to Remy's chest to scent him. Gambit stroked

his head gently, projecting as much affection and relief as he could. "I missed

ya." Remy was startled when he was pulled into a deep kiss. Time seemed to

stand still as surprise registered around the room. "Thanks, Gumbo," Logan

said, ignoring the reactions. "Come here, Red." He kissed Jean thoroughly,

keeping and arm around Gambit's waist.

        Betsy fanned herself. //Is it hot in here, or is it just me?// she asked Jean.

        //You ain't seen nothin' yet." Jean turned and caught Remy with a possessive

kiss as Logan was welcomed back by Scott.

        //Oh, sweet Jesus,// Betsy whimpered. //That will fuel fantasies for years.

Why do you even bother to get out of bed?//

        //For food.//

        "While we're making statements," Scott grinned. He winked at Gambit – a brief

flash of red against his visor. "I told you we would get them back."

        "Oh, y'r havin' memory problems den. Seems t' m' dat was de ot'er way around."

        //The other reason,// Jean informed Betsy. //Men.// Bobby grinned at the group.

        "We sorta already guessed, Fearless," he informed them. "Not even blue was

clueless this time." Bishop shook his head and wandered away from the group to

talk with the professor.

        "But this means that Storm wins the pool about when you would go public. And

we can't even claim that Gambit put the fix in," Warren whined. "Damn. There

goes thirty bucks." He shook his head. "I still don’t get it though."

        //Mind-numbing sex,// Betsy explained to him privately.

        There was no need for a debriefing. And Xavier didn't trust the security at

the boathouse. //Betsy, will you fetch Scott and Jean's things so that they can

stay here for the night?//

        //Of course.//

        Logan and Scott used Logan's shower, while Jean opted for Remy's. "She's jus'

usin' m' f' de detangler," Remy sniffed in mock hurt to Storm. She gave him a

small smile. There were still many things they needed to work out, but there

was time enough for that.

        Gambit flopped onto his bed and closed his eyes. He checked his shields

carefully, sealing the cracks in each layer. Jean settled on the bed next to

him. She stroked the bristles on his chin. He startled back to awareness.

"Sorry, Sweetie," Jean purred.

        "Y' hurtin'?"

        "A little," Jean admitted. "No, you will *not* absorb it. You've already taken

in too much of that. Don't try it again until we work on purging some of it,"

she ordered.

        "Oui, mere." He rolled his eyes.

        "I mean it."

        "I hear y', chere." She kissed him sweetly.

        Logan's left hand tangled in Scott's hair, while he kept his balance with the

other pressed against slick tiles. Scott stilled as Slogan's hips thrust deep

into the safe haven of his mouth. Scott's hands gripped the edge of the bathtub

and the built in soapdish, to keep himself steady. Logan tensed and shot into

the moist, hot mouth. Scott sucked him dry. He licked the last of the liquid

off of his lips.

        Logan groaned as his cock decided he liked that look on Slim's face. He also

liked the red cock that jutted out from his lover's groin. He lifted Scott to

his feet. He stroked the hardness once, then twice and then stopped. He kissed

Scott, the grip forcing Scott to lean against his bulk. "Do ya trust me, Slim?"

        "Yes."

        "Good." He turned off the water and carefully rubbed his partner down,

trailing brief touches down his cock randomly. He tied the belt of his robe

around Scott's eyes as a make-shift blindfold. Scott frowned. He wasn't *that*

familiar with Logan's room. Logan pressed a finger to his lips. "Stay," he

ordered, palming Scott's erection briefly. Scott nodded, chewing at his lip. He

shivered as the cool air from Logan's room hit him.

        Then, Logan was back. The Canadian guided Scott's hands behind his back and

crossed his wrists. He fastened them there and before Scott could react,

engulfed his cock with one swift move. Scott twisted in the grip wanting to

hold Logan's head, feel his hair. He moaned as Logan started the maddening

patter of suction that was his alone. He came with a cry when he felt Logan's

throat convulse around his tip. Logan grinned and carried Scott to the bed.

Scott hated being that disoriented. He struggled when Logan set him down.

Frustratingly, the simple restraint worked. What the hell was it? He

investigated it with his fingers as well as he could. Logan snickered. "It's a

tie, Scott."

        "One of those damn boleros?"

        "Yep."

        "I promise not to disrespect them again, as long as you untie me."

        "Jeannie wants to see first." And Jeannie did see. She watched silently from

the chair by the window where she'd curled up on Remy's lap while the boys were

still, ahem, showering. And they accused *her* of primping.

        "Oh, no." Scott shook his head. "Logan, you know what she gets like in one of

those moods."

        "Yep. Yer in fer a real treat."

        "Logan! What happened to I'll take care of you and watch your back?" Scott

asked.

        "Don't whine, Slim," Jean said and he stiffened.

        "Hi, Red," he said with a smile.

        "I get to watch," she purred. "Logan's got something he needs some help with."

She winked at the Canadian. Logan smirked and stroked Scott's cheek gently. He

kissed him carefully.

        //Now, remember. We're going to see how you absorb feelings.//

        //Only *you* would turn dis int' trainin',// Remy grumbled. //Dey look good

t'gether.//

        //They definitely do.//

        "Ya gonna be okay with this, Babe?" Logan asked gently. "Say the word and it's

over." Scott shook his head.

        "I’m okay. I'm just not used to not being able to touch you when I can't see

you. Jean's got a dirty mind you know?"

        "I've noticed. Just relax and let me do the hard work." Logan kissed him

again, not letting up until Scott was moaning into Logan's mouth. His cock was

hard again.

        //No, you may *not* project. Don't link them.// Remy buried his head against

her breast. She stroked his hair. She could feel his cock throbbing inside his

jeans.

        Logan had positioned Scott face-down on the bed, a pillow under his hips. A

butterfly of doubt sailed through Scott's stomach. "Sh, Babe. It's just me."

Logan stroked down the captured arms. "Yer safe. Just let go." The fear eased

and Scott relaxed into Logan's touch.

        Logan was harder than he'd been in a long time. He wanted to be buried deep in

Scott's ass, but he waited and soothed. Scott was disoriented by quick moves.

Logan stroked and stretched and lubed until Scott was begging breathlessly for

contact and fucking himself of Logan's fingers. With an almost feral grin,

Logan pushed past the inner ring. He held Scott's hips with one arm and stroked

his straining cock with the other. Scott's hips rocked back and forth between

the stimulants, not caring about anything else.

        Hot and tight and clutching, Scott's body wrapped around Logan's cock. Logan

thrust almost recklessly into the younger man's body. He set his teeth to the

back of Scott's neck and bit. That stimulus drove Scott out of control and he

came in Logan's fist. His body clenched hard around Logan's cock. Logan

shuddered and came. He sagged against Scott's back and closed his eyes.

        Jean wiped the blood from Remy's lip with a finger. He'd bitten through it,

trying to stay quiet. His eyes were hazy with pleasure. She knew he'd come. She

hadn't let him share the sensation with her. She kissed him and felt a hand

slide between her legs. Deft fingers stroked her clit and slid into and out of

her slit. She sucked on his tongue and his fingers continued to work in and out

and around in tiny circles until she was panting against his lips. He pressed

hard against her clit. There was a tingling sensation that Jean was too

blissful to question. She stiffened in his arms, riding high, her hips pumping

frantically as his fingers continued to fuck her. She climaxed and rested

against his shoulder.

        //Where did you learn *that?*// she demanded.

        //M' wife.//

        //Remind me to send her flowers.//

        //?//

        //For training you so well.//

        Logan watched them with twinkling blue eyes. "Bring her here and get ready fer

bed. Yer over-dressed, Darlin'."

        "Stop wit' de darlin's." Remy mock-growled as he laid Jean down on the bed.

        "Not a chance, Darlin'. I like seein' ya get flustered."

        "You both talk too much," Scott informed them. Jean settled back with a

satisfied smile between Scott and Logan. As Remy settled next to Logan, Scott

reached out a hand. Remy took it briefly and squeezed. Jean turned out the

lights and drew the curtains tight.

FINIS

--