I woke the next morning in the same position. Only it was Alex who was holding me. As I started to pull away, his hand tightened around my belly.

"Don't go," he mumbled into my neck.

"Where's Remy?" I asked, curious.

Alex drew back with a sigh. It probably hadn't been the most judicious question to ask him. But there wasn't any sound of resentment in his voice when he said, "Gone. He left earlier. Government business, I suppose."

"Oh." I replied a little disappointed. I began to pull away again but Alex repeated his request.

"I have to pee." I said.

Alex chuckled and released me, snuggling down into the sheets as I rose stiffly to my feet. I smiled affectionately when he grabbed a pillow and wrapped his arms around it, hugging it close. He was adorable. When I looked away I saw that the sun was high in the sky. How long had Remy been gone?

Shrugging, I went into the bathroom. My body felt as if it had run a marathon. My ass was aching from the night's onslaught, and I had to walk slowly. It was several moments before I moved without looking as if I had been well and truly fucked.

When I returned from using the toilet, Remy was back leaning over Alex. My brother was laughing. "Stop it!" He hollered. I snorted as I got closer to the bed. Remy was actually tickling Alex. He stopped when he heard me.

"Ah, mon cher," he said smiling with delight and coming over to take my face in his hands. He kissed me soundly. "I'm glad I only had to torture one of you awake." Remy quipped when he broke the kiss. Taking my hand, he led me back to the bed and smacked my brother on the ass. Alex grunted but didn't move.

"Get up! You lazy t'ing," He ordered, "or you won't get to come on de picnic."

Alex perked up at that. "Picnic?" He inquired sitting up.

"Oui. It's a lovely day. I t'ought I'd take you two out into de gardens for a while."

"Cool." My brother said, so like a cute ten year old. I had to grin.

"C'mon den. You need a shower." Remy laughed pinching his nose. I chuckled.

"We both do."

"Den hurry up! Or I'll leave de bot' of you here." Remy warned. Alex jumped to his feet continuing his impression of an excited ten year old boy. He grabbed my hand and dragged me back to the bathroom. He seemed energetic, but then the blood returned to the stiff muscles he'd abused last night and he stumbled once with a laugh. He was as sore as I was.

"Just be a moment, Master." He called back over his shoulder. I could still hear Remy laughing.

A shower and some healing gel helped to rejuvenate aching muscles, and fifteen minutes later, Remy was leading us through the palace. As we stepped outside into a winding extensive garden, I came to a dead stop. The sight before my eyes was gloriously landscaped, thousands of flowers in every color imaginable in bloom. I gaped. I must have been gaping. The sheer volume of color set my brain on fire, nearly overloading my sense of sight. I hadn't known. I hadn't been prepared. Vivid reds, pinks, exotic purples with white overlay, forest greens of the leaves, the silver brown of the trunks of trees, the baby blue of the sky with the sun shimmering down, it's brilliance dancing across the life. I felt like a dying man given another chance to live. Compared to the dimly lit room in which I'd lived for the last few weeks, and even the bright festive ballroom of last night, the open sky and sun upon the glory of the colors was paradise.

And a little frightening. It'd been years since I'd looked at nature through unfiltered eyes. That time with Jean, or actually the Phoenix entity, when she had held my powers in check so she could see my eyes had lasted for only a few precious moments. She couldn't hold the power back for very long. And before that, I hadn't seen the world in full color since I'd been shackled with the ruby quartz glasses at the start of puberty. Suddenly my captivity and the inhibitor collar around my neck seemed such a small price to pay for the vision before me. And I think I fell in love with Remy as I stood there. A chill went through me as I realized I would have gone through this entire ordeal again for this one moment in time. And Remy was giving me even more time out here in the blessed beautiful open world with my full sight.

Remy stopped in front of me when he felt the leather leash he'd attached to my collar go taut. I wouldn't budge. Not yet. He turned and smiled. For a moment he seemed puzzled and I don't think he fully realized why I wasn't moving. But then he looked into my searching, darting eyes as they tried to take it all in, tried desperately to memorize the view before the veil of red was dropped back down and the world became hazy and distorted again. And he knew. He knew what he'd just given me. And I loved him and I hated him.

Remy came back to me slowly, as if to keep me from bolting like a skittish colt. He circled my nervously twitching body, alive with delight and fear, and wrapped his arms carefully around my waist.

"Like what you see, mon cher?" He whispered in my ear. I shuddered visibly. I shut my eyes then and curled my lips in a delirious grin. The day was warm, yet a gentle breeze was keeping us comfortably cool. And as I blocked the view from my eyes, the sensation of being outside in nothing but the inhibitor collar hit me with exhilaration.

"Yeah," I let out breathlessly. When I opened my eyes the scene before me wasn't quite so overwhelming, but still exquisite. Alex was standing just a step in front of me and to the side looking at us in awe and perhaps nervousness, as if I were a blind man and Remy had just given me sight.

Remy laughed and stepped back around me tugging on the leash. "C'mon pet. Dis t'ief hungry. 'Aven't had a bite all day." I was immediately thankful he didn't ask for my gratitude. It would have broken the spell he had on me and would have made him look petty. For some reason unknown to me, or perhaps denied by my consciousness, I didn't want him diminished in my eyes.

Slowly we made our way along a white stone path, Alex and I treading carefully in our bare feet. The path ran between rows of wildflowers and ended at a narrow dirt road. We walked through a small group of dogwoods and into a wide clearing. The first thing I noticed was a white linen cloth spread out in the middle of the glade. An ordinary wicker picnic basket sat next to it. And a small plastic cooler had been placed opposite the basket. I scanned the rest of the area with pleasure. Tiny white flowers dotted the grass. A deep forest surrounded the clearing on three sides appearing to extend a good way from the palace.

Remy led us over to the picnic area and bade us sit. Seeing as there were no servants to attend us, I knelt down next to the basket and began to unpack it. Remy seemed pleased with my initiative and it felt suddenly nice to be able to do this for him. Meanwhile, Alex was digging around in the cooler. He brought out a bottle of wine and a jug of fruit juice. Remy allowed us each one glass of the dry white wine. He wouldn't have us drunk. And thankfully he let us feed ourselves. A rare treat in his presence. But then we were all on an equal level today, seated casually on the ground.

In the picnic basket I found fruit and cheese, cold meat and bread. There was a fancy mustard spread and something like mayonnaise. Plates and glasses and utensils had been made available. And on the bottom was cheesecake smothered in strawberry sauce. I made Remy a sandwich with the cold cuts and cheese and served it to him with a handful of grapes. He took what I offered with a gentle affectionate smile and lay back on his side to eat. He was dressed in what I took to be casual attire for this universe: a dark blue short sleeve tunic trimmed in black over tight black trousers that fit taut against his black leather boots. The blue color didn't suit him in the bright daylight. His skin looked too pale, almost sallow. And his hair clashed with the blue. Regardless, his casual demeanor brightened his look and I couldn't deny that the smile he gave me set my heart to beating just a shade faster.

I quickly looked away, slightly embarrassed by Remy's sweet attention and began fixing another sandwich for Alex while he poured us all a glass of wine. Then I sat up Indian style and made a sandwich for myself. Alex reclined on the ground like Remy. We ate in a comfortable silence. I almost thought to make a toast, but soon realized how ridiculous that would have been. What did I have to toast? Remy. For letting us outside? Toasting him for showing how good it can feel being fucked by another man? Or maybe I could raise my glass to him for taking away all the responsibilities I had had and making me his slave? So many things to be grateful for, I thought sarcastically. I kept my mouth shut.

After a few more sandwiches and fruit, we shared the cheesecake with appreciative sighs. Alex groaned after he finished his piece and sprawled on his back. "Any more meals like that and I'll be fat."

Remy chuckled and sat up. "You been slackin' off at de gym."

"No." Alex replied, his eyes closed and a smile on his lips.

"Bien."

I looked from Remy to Alex and back again, puzzled. Gym? As if reading my thoughts Remy said to Alex, "Dis afternoon I want you to take Scott to de gym and show him de facilities, d'ccord?" Alex opened an eye and nodded. "He needs to start working out again. I don' want you two getting soft on me." Remy continued. "No fat slaves in my palace. And you'll start back on de diet I require."

Alex groaned. But Remy tut-tutted him silent. "Cher, you know it's good for you. And don' go making Scott believe it isn't appetizing." He winked at me. "De chef to de slaves is one of de best in de country. I even stay on de diet most nights." Remy must have finally noticed the baffled expression on my face because he asked, "What, mon cher? Did you t'ink I would have you while away your life in my bedroom, laying about, waiting for me to come home?"

"I can't say I knew what to think." I answered tentatively.

Remy chuckled. "I suppose not. Dis isn't de kind of life you're use to." Alex snorted, his eyes still closed, and one hand tucked beneath his head. I glared at him for a moment before looking back at Remy. My master continued. "You'll exercise regularly. Alex will show you where de gym is. You can go dere anytime you want when I don' require your company. I do expect you to workout six times a week. I won' have you turning lazy and fat. De gym is fully equipped."

Remy looked over at Alex. "Are you listening to me, you lazy chien?" Alex opened his eyes and glanced at Remy.

"Me?" He asked.

"Yes you, pet. Sit up and listen!" Remy's voice was playful, but there was an underlying tightness in the tone that demanded obedience. Alex sat up quickly. "I'm only going to tell you dis once." Remy directed his voice to both of us. "I have a country to run and I'm a very busy man, n'est ces pas? Most days I'll be gone from early in de morning until late. During de day you may go to de gym or come out here to de garden. I won' have you wandering around de palace, d'ccord?" He paused and waited for us to nod our understanding. "For now, you'll live in my bedroom. And unless I am wit' you, de gym and de gardens are de only ot'er places you may go."

"What about the slave quarters?" Alex asked with his eyes narrowed just a touch.

Remy shook his head. "Dere is no need for you to go dere. Unless I send you dere for whatever reason I choose."

Alex looked away, his lips drawn tight in irritation. "Don' sulk, Alex," Remy warned. Then he cocked his head and said, "Come here, cher." Alex grumbled, but reluctantly crawled over to Remy. After whispering something into Alex's ear, my brother's face lit up just a bit and his lips quirked up in a hesitant smile.

"Okay," He nodded and met my narrowed gaze. I didn't like their secrets. They had to be discussing the slave Alex cared for. I felt a twinge of jealousy. But then Alex beamed at me and I melted. God, he was so beautiful. His secret love bore no malice toward me. If I could love Jean and him equally, then he could share his love too.

At that point Remy laid back cradling his head on one arm and coaxing Alex down so that his head rested on Remy's belly. "Mon cheres," Remy said, "occasionally I will take you wit' me to council. I can' keep you all to m'self. De councilors will expect to see you bot' at times. And of course I certainly don' mind showing you off." His smile turned mischievous. He was quiet for a time, lost in his own thoughts. They must have been pleasant, because I began to feel warm and a tingle ran up my spine. Looking at the two, lying so comfortably nearby, I had the urge to join them. Whether it was the empathetic sensations coming from Remy, or my own need to join in their comfort I could not say. Whatever it was, I soon found myself scooting over to them and lifting Remy's head, pillowed it on my stomach. Then I stretched out and rested my own head on Alex's abdomen. I closed my eyes then, luxuriating in the blissful waves of pleasure. Alex's fingers drifted down to comb through my hair. The scrap of his nails along my scalp increased the intoxicating feel of his caress. I was floating peacefully when Remy's voice broke through my sleepy thoughts, rousing me back to full wakefulness.

"I won't deny dat your life here will be very different dan you're use to. It will seem boring at times. But I don' want to see you two sleeping all day. You 'ave an opportunity here." He looked up at me, his red eyes glowing warmly. "Dis is a time for you to develop a talent you might have had to ignore because of de crises dat arose in your life as X-men. Do you have any hobbies, Scott?"

I blinked at him. "No." I answered warily. "Not really. I never had much time for one."

"Dere. You see? Now you'll 'ave de time to indulge in one." Remy grinned, pleased with himself. "Tell me, is dere anyt'ing you wished you had time to learn?"

I looked up into the bright blue sky and inhaled deeply. Being an X-man had left me little time to indulge in a normal activity like a hobby. But I can't say that I'd actually felt a loss because of it. There just never had been time to think about what I would have done had I been normal, an average wage-earning joe. I couldn't even really say with any certainty what career I would have chosen. Unlike Alex I never went to college. Never felt I could have with my eyes. Too many opportunities to screw up and bring down a building or two. A High School diploma was the most I'd achieved in any kind of formal training. And that had come through Professor Xavier.

"I guess there are somethings I'd like to learn. I'm just not sure." I finally answered. "I don't know. I mean what are my options here?"

Remy chuckled as if I'd made some kind of joke. "Well of course anyt'ing dat might require clothes would be out." So that was what had struck him so funny. "Unless it had some entertainment value." Remy reached a hand out to stroke my calf sending a shiver up the length of my body. "But now Alex; he's started to write. And I let him wear a protective apron when he's in his workshop."

I tilted my head to look up at my brother's face. His eyes were closed, but he was nodding. "Workshop?" I asked.

"Oui." Remy replied. "He likes to make t'ings; furniture mostly. He's already finished a beautiful end table I'm giving to one of de councilors as a birt'day present."

"Oh." Then I remembered something. "Didn't you make most of that furniture in the house you and Lorna were living in out in New Mexico?"

"Yep." Alex replied. He'd been very handy with tools.

"Writing?" I asked.

"Yep. Never had much time for it before."

"Alex is going to write plays for de ot'er slaves to enact when I must host parties and provide entertainment." Remy explained. "And he promises to write stories for my own entertainment."

"Bedtime stories?" I smirked.

Remy slapped my chest playfully. "Don' mock me. I need somet'ing to take a way de stress of running a country." He glared up at me when I gave him a wry smile. "And sex isn't de only t'ing I use to relieve stress." He smiled evilly. "Course it's usually de nicest way."

"You know," Alex said, his eyes still closed. "Scott has a nice singing voice."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What do you mean? I never sang."

"Yes you did. Everyone heard you at one time or another." He opened his eyes and looked up at Remy then. "He used to sing in the shower and sometimes just around the mansion when he thought no one was listening."

I was shocked. I'd been so certain no one had ever heard me.

"He's very good. Just shy." My brother smiled to himself.

I blinked for a moment saying mostly to myself, "I didn't think anyone was listening." I looked over at Alex. "How come no one ever told me they knew?"

Alex chuckled. "Because they knew you'd stop."

My lips lifted slightly in quiet amusement. "Yeah. I guess I would have."

"Too damn self-conscious for your own good, bro."

"But you like to sing?" Remy asked.

"I guess so." I frowned. "But not in public."

"But you'll sing for me, petite." It wasn't a request and I blanched. I glared at Alex, but he'd conveniently closed his eyes again. Remy said nothing more and I fumed in silence for a few minutes, scowling out towards the forest. Jean had asked me to sing for her sometimes. She was the only one I ever felt comfortable enough to sing in front of. So late at night in the privacy and intimacy of our own room I'd croon to her. Just silly love songs. The occasional Irish ballad. I smiled at the memory and then sighed. Now even this little nostalgia was to become a condition of my captivity. Was there nothing I'd be able to hold sacred from my past? I felt a momentary flash of anger toward my brother for having given my secret away. But I suppose he didn't really think of it as a secret. Or maybe he was hoping I'd have to sing for him too, up in Remy's bedroom? That idea appealed to me in some way, and my anger vanished. After all, we were now intimate with each other, we were lovers. I think I could sing for him.

After a lengthy silence, the idea of having time to learn something I'd always wanted to learn began to sink in. Remy was giving me an opportunity I'd probably never have gotten back home. An idea surfaced. "You know," I began a little tentatively, not quite sure I wanted to give up more information about myself to my master." The Christmas before the plane crash Mom and Dad gave me a guitar. I only got to take a couple of lessons. I kind of enjoyed it. I wouldn't mind taking it up again."

"Okay!" Remy exclaimed delightedly. "We'll hire de best teacher in de country to teach you." I smiled, caught up in his enthusiasm. Pleased with himself, Remy closed his eyes, lost in his thoughts again. I began to think about that last Christmas, the excitement of opening the guitar case, the secret visions of becoming a rock star, Mom and Dad laughing as I hammered away at the strings, having no idea what I was doing. I'd forgotten. Once, at the orphanage, I'd asked the headmaster if I could take lessons, the memory of receiving the guitar a vague shadow in my mind. He'd scowled and asked me where I thought the money was going to come to pay for the lessons, let alone the instrument itself. I never asked again, and buried the idea way in the recesses of my consciousness, back where all the hurt and loneliness, guilt and anger had gone. I could feel tears beginning to well up in my eyes until Remy suddenly said, "Tell me about your childhood, petites."