Remy looked as the X-Men entered the tunnels with fear and horror. He had been back down their only a few times since the Massacre, and had been overcome with self-hatred each time, spent most of his time down there crying silently. But this time, the trip would mean life, not death, and he had a new life to look forward to. He could maybe let go of the old life he had led that had caused so much horror and death. Turning, he saw the two girls that might make his life worth living. Kneeling, he took Xavia into his arms. She was so small, so precious. It was still almost an alien feeling to him, this overpowering protectiveness that came with being a parent, but one that brought him joy, knowing this beautiful little thing was his.
Tears ran down Xav's cheeks, not really understanding what was happening. Remy wiped them away with his thumb, and kissed her eyes.
"Let's not be havin' any tears, eh, petite? I'll be back. Dat, I swear t' y'."
"You... You will?" She wiped at the tears, trying to look brave. "I want you to be my Daddy now. Why you have to go?"
Bringing her in for an almost desperate hug, he whispered his reasons to her. "I need t' help Auntie Lil. I promised her I would protect her and her Empire, and I'm gonna do dat. But y' can just bet dat I'll be here de second de Empire's safe. 'Cause I belong here, wit' you. Y' my baby girl." He smiled at the words, his heart overjoyed even as it ached. She hugged him back, then he stood, looking at Rogue. She too looked as if she were about to cry.
"Ah wish ya didn't have ta go, Remy. We have a lot ta sort out, one way or th' other." She looked at him seriously, then smiled. "Ah think ah know the way it's gonna turn out, though. Beleive or not, ah've been talkin' ta Carol. An' she tole me a lotta things. Things that ah'm so proud o' ya for. You saved those people, Remy. Thousands - millions o' people woulda been killed if ya wasn't there." She held up a hand to stifle his oposition. "Ya a hero. A real hero. An' once ya get back, ah wanna try to get ta know the new you. The hard way, this time." Remy looked at her for a long moment. He knew what she meant, of course. She didn't want to know him by using her powers as had happened last time. She wanted to know him as a real woman, which she had always wanted. Which he wanted.
"I've always wanted a family, Rogue. Y' know dat. I wanted a place t' b'long, 'stead of always bein' an outsider. I pray dat I can find dat here. Maybe even be dat Prince Charmin' y' always dreamed of." He lifted a gloved hand up to his lips, kissed them, then pressed then to Rogue's lips. She took his hand, brought it to her cheek, smiling.
"Well, y' are a hero, at least." Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled at him, then wrapped her arms around his neck. "Come back ta me, Remy," she whispered. They held each other tightly, and Remy realised, with a shock, that he felt as at home in her arms as he did in Xavia's.
"I love y', Rogue." It was barely audible, but she held him tighter, and he knew she heard him.
"Gambit?" That was Scott, and Remy silently cursed him as he pulled away from Rogue's embrace. Kneeling, he kissed Xav's cheek.
"You look aft' y' momma f' me, 'kay, petite?" She gave him a brave smile, and he stood and embraced Rogue quickly. "I'll come back t' y'," he told her, then headed off to the tunnels, following the other X-Men. Glancing back, his heart wrenched, as he saw Xav crying into Rogue's shoulder as she held her. He gave a little wave before the tunnel door shut behind him.
"Gambit, can you tell us a little more about the situation on Chandilar?" Scott was the leader of the mission to Chandilar, Ororo staying on Earth. The Professor was also going to the Shi'ar homeworld, both to see Lilandra and to help, since his powers had somehow been restored. Remy wondered about that for a moment, before answering Scott's question.
"Basically, de situation for de Shi'ar hasn't changed much from de last time de X-Men were dere. It's in de process o' rebuildin', but it's taken way longer dan expected. De Empire itself is bein' rebuilt slowly, Lilandra buildin' bonds o' trust broken by de Phalanx. As for what Deathbird's been up to, y' can ask Bishop." Remy hid a smile at the startled looks several of the assembled X-Men gave him. "Basically, Lil didn't t'ink dey could hold off another attack by Deathbird, an' she's expectin' one. If nothin' else, you guys'll give hope to dem, somethin' dat's been missin' while I been there. I doubt dat Deathbird'll muster an amazin' attack, but de Shi'ar definately need hope. I hope y'll be able t' give 'em dat, so dey can really start buildin' demselves back up."
"I hope you're right in saying Deathbird won't build up too strong an attack. She is a formidable opponant." Charles said quietly, and Remy knew he was worried about seeing Lilandra after all that had happened.
Don' worry, Proffesor. She know's about Onslaught. An' she still loves y'. Amazin'ly resilient, is love. Remy smiled at the thought that Rogue might still be able to love him.
I am glad she still cares. I hoped - beyond hope - that she still cared for me. There was a pause, then Charles spoke again. Remy, did you see Henry?
For a moment, Remy paused, wondering what he was trying to get at, and failing to think what it could be. Non, Proffeseur. Why?
You're projecting.
Remy wondered what he meant, then it came to him. He had always had amazingly strong resilience to telepathic probes - so much so that even the strongest telepath in the world couldn't probe him easily - certaily not without him noticing. He considered what it could mean that his resitsance had turned into a form of projection. When I was on Chandilar, m' Shi'ar features became more prominant. Maybe now dat I be back on Earth, m' human - mutant - features be more prominant dan ev' b'fore.
That could well be, Remy. I suggest that as soon as we get onto the ship, you get Henry to look you over.
Remy gave the equivalent of a psychic shrug, and looked at the assembled X-Men. They were a good team, each complementing each other. Shadowcat, Jubilee, Iceman, Psylocke, Beast, commanded by Cyclops and the Proffesor himself. Each had different powers that would be useful in the situation, and had been in space before. Add himself, Bishop and Carol to the mix, and it was a damn strong team. Perhaps those who had been in space would not help the team too much, but the the X-Men were tight. He only hoped that he and Bishop could be accpeted and help them. Remy was kind of desperate to be accepted in the team, now that he'd been more or less accepted by Rogue and Xavia.
"How you doing, chum?" That was Carol, and Remy smiled at her.
"Not too bad. Wonderin'what Deathbird's plannin'."
"Not too much, I hope. Like Charles said, she is pretty formidable. And I just wanna break," she grinned at him, and linked his arm, and spoke in a lower voice. "So how did the goodbye go?"
"What did y' say t' Rogue?" Remy was curious. He knew that neither woman like the other - quite understandably - and wondered who had approached who. Last time he had talked to Carol about Rogue, she had said she planned to have a few words with her. He wondered very much what those words were.
Carol looked straight ahead, though she didn't bother trying to hide her smile. "I just told her she was an idiot for abandoning you. She told me it was you, in her head as much as her, that made her do that." Remy nodded, knowing very well how depressed he'd been at that point. "She introduced me to Xav - who's adorable, by the way," she winked at him. "Takes after her father. I basically told her what you'd been up to on Chandilar, what I've heard about, and what I've seen. That you're a good-hearted, smart hero. You've saved lives, maybe even the Empire. Don't try to argue! It's all true, Remy, and Rogue's a very lucky woman. And so am I." Remy looked at her, and she kissed him on the cheek. "You're a wonderful friend. I'm lucky to have you." Blinking in surprise, he then shook his head, and climbed out of the tunnels, following the X-Men. They arrived in the depths of the mansion, and as they made their way upwards, Remy eavesdropped on various conversations. Jubilee and Shadowcat were discussing some television programme, Hank talking to the Proffesor about some philosophical principle. The name itself - Pessimistic Meta-Induction - bored Remy, and didn't bother listening long to that one. Betsy and Bobby were silent, and Remy was kind of releived when they got to ground level.
Bishop was stood in front of the cloaked ship, only the doorway visible.
"Hey, Bish, how ya doin'? Asked Jubilee as she passed him, going into the ship. Scott nodded at him, as did the rest, knowing the big man would not want affectionate greetings, would only find them uncomfortable. Once on the ship, Remy felt himself slip into Commander mode. Making his way to the bridge, flanked by Carol and Bishop, and, he was pleased to note, a number of X-Men. He settled into the Commander's seat, and smiled as Beast, Scott and the Proffesor positioned themselves at various consoles around the room.
"Ready when you are, Remy." That was Carol, finished with her preflight checks. Getting similar affirmatives from the other members of his makeshift crew, Remy nodded.
"Alright, Carol. Get us outta here."
"Henry, I beleive now would be an ideal time to examine Gambit." Remy glared at him, then stood with a sigh, and followed Henry to the medical bay. After several uncomfortable tests, Hank was examining an image of and information based on Remy's genes.
"Fascinating," Hank muttered.
"What is?" Remy tried not to sound ill-tempered, but he was. Labs had always made him intensly uncomfortable, and Hank seeing something 'fascinating' and not telling him was highly annoying.
"Where to start?" Henry began, and turned to face Remy. Pointing at the double-helix image with a claw, he tapped a bit highlighted in blue. "This here is your x-factor - the gene that codes for your mutant phenotype. It's always been a large gene for you - you have several powers, am I correct?" Getting a nod from Remy, he continued. "The kinetic power, your spatial sense... I did think that your unusual bone structure was also a result of your mutant gene, but it seems more likely that is due to your Shi'ar heritage. Some sort of variation on telepathy. The strong shields, and Charles tells me you have been projecting on a low level. Now, your kinetic powers. I have been theorising about them. For long enough that I'm able to put it into simple English." Remy smiled at the joke, Hank being apt to speak in scientific jargon. "Basically, as I understand it, your power speeds up the molecules in matter to such a rate that it explodes."
Remy nodded. "I t'ink dats de basic idea, oui."
"It cuts out the phases of liquid and gas, because the change is so fast. But. I theorise that it should be possible for you to gain enough control over your powers that you can change solids into liquid and gas, liquid to solid or gas..." He leaned forward, and looked seriously at Remy. "If you were able to do this, I think it's fair to say you would be classed as an Omega class mutant." Blinking, Remy let what Hank had said sink in.
"You're tellin' me dat if I learn fine control over m' powers, I could be one o' de most powerful mutants on de planet." Hank nodded. "I nev' had dat sorta control over m' powers."
"No," Hank agreed, "but I think you could, because of your spatial awareness. I think it works on a molecular level." He picked up a glass of water. "Does this 'feel' different to you than, say, the table?" The knocked on the metal table for emphasis. Ignoring his other senses, Remy concentrated on his mutant one, and saw what Hank was getting at.
"Oui. De water kinda feels... lighter? An' de table feels different from the glass. I can feel de air..." He opened his eyes and looked at Hank. "Always could, just never quite realised what it meant before."
Hank nodded, and took a sip of the water. "I believe that if you reached the full extent of your powers, you would have something akin to limited telekinesis, by controlling the air molecules around objects. You would have similar capabilites as Iceman - who, incidentally could also be an Omega - and far, far beyond. It would, however, require a good knowledge of molecular chemistry and physics. Probably to degree level."
Remy cocked his head as he thought. He'd be very willing to do such a thing, if it could bring him such fine control over his powers. It would allow him to help people more than ever before, and also make sure he wouldn't accidentally hurt anyone because of lack of control. "Y' really t'ink anyone'd take me on a degree, Hank? C'n y' really imagine me at college?"
"You aren't more than a few years older than most final-year college students, Remy."
"I don' t'ink that's quite what I was gettin' at, Henri. I don' have any qualifications. Y' need t' have graduated t' get int' college, an' I never even went t' school."
Hank nodded, and tapped his fingers on the table. "I know that. And I also know that you're intelligent." He ignored Remy's sarcastic look, and sat back. "May I ask you some questions to prove it?" After seeing Remy spread his hands in a gesture that impied Henry was quite welcome to do so, he started. "What is E=mc2?"
"Y' can ask somethin' a bit more diff'cult, Hank. It's Einstein's equation dat tells us dat mass can be converted t' energy, dat de two are basically diff'rent aspects of de same stuff. All matter be energy, all energy has mass."
Henry's eyebrow's raised. "Alright. Square root of 128?"
Remy frowned, and after a few seconds, offered an answer. "11, um, point," another pause, "314?"
"What's a gene, and who discovered the double helix?"
"A gene be de t'ing which holds information dat's translated t' give proteins and stuff, dat forms y'. De double helix was found by Watson an' Crick in Cambridge, based on work by Pauling, Wilkins, an' Franklin - de x-ray crystallography. Saw a film 'bout it. Has Jeff Goldblum in it, as Jim Watson."
"I suppose that's one way to learn about things," muttered Hank.
"Non, I read up on it afterward - hardly trust films t' tell de truth 'bout things."
"Hmm. How right you are, my friend. Name any Shakespeare you've read."
"Merchant o' Venice, Hamlet, Macbeth, Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado 'bout Nothin', Richard de second, an', o' course, Romeo an' Juliet."
"Remy, you're smarter and more well read than most of the college kids I've talked to. You could probably pass school final's right now. If you want to do it, I can get you entered to take the exams in June."
Letting out a breath, Remy sat back. Hank had told him a lot of things he hadn't expected, and offered him a choice he'd never had before. To go to school, to learn, to better himself. It was a tempting offer. While he did want to be an X-Man, to atone for past sins, surely he could do that better it he had the control over his powers that Hank was suggesting he might achieve. Not to mention the fact that it would be easier to be a father to Xavia while being at college rather than being an X-Man. "I wanna take de exams, Hank. But I t'ink I'll need y' help."
Hank looked startled, but nodded. "Of course, you have my help. I have to say, it surprises me that you're so willing to enter education."
Remy shrugged as he stood. "I've changed, Henri. I spent a long time thinkin' on Chandilar, an' I'm a Daddy now too. Dat'll be easier if I'm at college rather'n battlin' as an X-Man." He turned to go back to the bridge when Hank but a hand on his arm. "Oui?"
"There's something else, Remy. You remember in Antarctica when Erik the Red made Rogue kiss you to absorb your memories?" Remy nodded, ignoring the tightening of his stomach when he thought of that day. "You didn't fall unconcious, which, as I'm sure, you know, is odd. And now, Rogue has a child created of both hers and your genes that she can touch."
"Y' point, Hank?"
"I think it's highly likely that you'll be able to touch Rogue."
Remy stared at him. "You're serious, ain't y'?" Hank nodded, and Remy grinned at him. "T'ank y', Hank. T'ank y'." Remy walked off to the bridge grinning.