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Origins	By : jukeboxcsi Category: X-men Comics > Slash - Male/Male > Remy/Logan Views: 15735 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men comics, or any of the characters from it. I make no money from from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Author's Note
- 2-Ch 1
- 3-Ch 2
- 4-Ch 3
- 5-Ch 4
- 6-Ch 5
- 7-Ch 6
- 8-Ch 7
- 9-Ch 8
- 10-Ch 9
- 11-Ch 10
- 12-Ch 11
- 13-Ch 12
- 14-Ch 13
- 15-Ch 14
- 16-Ch 15
- 17-Ch 16
- 18-Ch 17
- 19-Ch 18
- 20-Ch 19
- 21-Ch 20
- 22-Ch 21
- 23-Ch 22
- 24-Ch 23
- 25-Ch 24
- 26-Ch 25
- 27-Ch 26
- 28-Ch 27
- 29-Ch 28
- 30-Ch 29
- 31-Ch 30
- 32-Ch 31
- 33-Ch 32
- 34-Ch 33
- 32
- 33
- 34
See notes, disclaimers, and
warnings in previous chapters

Reviewer Response

Nkundra - thank you. My apologies for the long delay between chapters. But, the end is within sight :^)

Kahuri - *blush* You are so sweet! Thank you.

JtheChosen1 - I really appreciate that. I always worry that I'm not getting the characters right. Then again, Marvel is always changing them, as well *laughs*

Ginevra - You're most welcome :^) Not much longer now

LakotaGirl - *giggles* My very own slave! Awesome *grin* Thanks so much for reading!

Well, I thought this was gonna be the last chapter, but it grew too big and still has several more pages to go to the actual end. So, I broke it in two. My apologies for the cliff-hangar *evil grin* I'll try to get the epilogue done quickly, so I won't leave anyone hanging too long.

Special thanks to BJ. *big hug*

Words between / / are thoughts or mental speak

Words between * * are flashbacks

Words between ~ ~ are lyrics to any songs that may be used in the fic

For this chapter, words between { } indicate speaking over a communication device.

Additional Note: Part of this chapter was inspired by a similar episode in
Xmen: The Original Animated Series, though I can�t remember the exact episode.

CH 32
�
They surveyed the unassuming mound
of dirt in the distance, wary of any monitoring devices that may be scanning
the area.� It was difficult to maintain silence, but in the wake of Wolverine�s
narrowed glare and Hank�s reproachful warning gaze, the two youngest of the
X-men bit their lips and kept questions to themselves.� Bobby mused that it
must have been harder on Rogue, given that she had been required to absorb so
much of Storm�s power that there was no helping the flood of memories that she
currently sifted through, even as she maintained a vigilant ready at the back
of the group.� The ice mutant, himself, had been none too happy about leaving
Jubilee to watch over the nearly comatose wind rider back at the mansion, not
with the likes of Magneto so recently a visitor.� It was still a curiosity to
him why they had readily believed the master of magnetism.� But, Hank had been
adamant that the older mutant was telling the truth.� Bobby recalled that Logan
was simply relieved when Magneto opted not to join them, indicating that he had
already done enough by telling them the location of their team mates and that
they were, by no means, comrades-in-arm.� It was the final words from the
magnetic mutant that still rung in the ice man�s ears.

*Tell Charles that we are
even.� I will yield for now, but there will be a next time.*

Bobby was brought back from his
thoughts by the return of Betsy and Warren.� Angel landed quietly beside Hank.�
�There appears to be no guards patrolling the surrounding areas.�

The ninja quietly emerged from the
shadows.� �Nor did I see any.� There are some surveillance cameras
approximately 200 yards to our ten and two.�� She snapped two pointed fingers
in each direction she indicated as she squatted beside the feral.

Logan turned to look over his shoulder at Rogue.� �You with us,
Stripes?�� At seeing her firm resolve and the set jaw, he nodded in
satisfaction.� �Create a light fog in those two areas; not enough to cause
suspicion, but enough to keep �em blind to us.� It needs to roll over slowly,
to look more natural.�� He turned to the other members of the small team.� �The
only way in seems to be the front door, which is fine by me.� The fog�s only
gonna buy us a small window of time.� Once we�re through that door, there�s no
tellin� what we�re gonna be facing.�

Hank chimed in at this point.� �If
Magneto�s information is to be believed, we are going into an underground situation.�
The two who may be most limited�� At this, his eyes flickered first to Angel,
then to Rogue, ��should initially bring up the rear.� It will be your job to
watch our backs and help point out any corridors we may miss during the ensuing
battle.� I�m not sure the state we will find our friends, but we need to be
prepared for the worst.�

Leaning over towards her ear,
Bobby whispered, �Are you sure you�re ok going into an underground enclosure?�

Rogue answered back.� �Yeah.� It
seems like I got memories of being scared of closed spaces, but didn�t get the
claustrophobia itself.�� She shrugged, being the first to admit that her
absorption powers were a mystery even to herself.� For a moment, her mind
drifted to the weather goddess they had left unconscious back at the mansion.�
Psylocke caught her eye and whispered into her mind.

/She�ll be fine, Rogue.� I know
I�m not Jean, but I was very careful in monitoring the process/

Rogue nodded at her.� Eyes turning
white, she concentrated on calling Storm�s powers to build a fog, like Logan ordered.� Though it took precious minutes to produce a slow front, it hadn�t taxed
her and the end result was fairly natural looking.� Wolverine waited another
few minutes before giving the signal.� �Move out.� He hissed.

*********

Dr. Essex entered the lab from the
side door, wheeling two incubator tubes into the room with him.� He only
glanced a moment at the two men in the inhibitor cage before turning his red
gaze on the pregnant telepath lying on an examination table.� She glared at him
as he approached.� �Well now, shall we get started?��

�Leave her alone!� Scott yelled,
frustrated at his helplessness.

Sinister spared a droll look at
the energy wielder as he answered.� �Really, Scott.� Do you honestly believe
your demands mean anything to me?�� Turning back to the tray beside the table,
he picked up a syringe.� �Be a good boy and settle down.� This won�t take
long.�� Measuring a small amount into the tube, he turned and plunged the
contents into Jean�s arm, listening to her whimper.� �Now my dear, try to
relax.� This drug I have created will numb the pain.� I normally abhor the use
of any anesthetics, as it can affect final readings.� But, you are very
special.� I can not have you succumbing to the pain.�� He smiled evilly as he
watched her eyes fill with tears.� �After all, who knows how many more times in
the future I will desire to study you in my lab.�

It was impossible to block her
feelings, no matter how hard Remy tried.� He was completely open to the onslaught
from everyone in the room.� As the man he called master palmed a scalpel to
begin the incision, Remy could feel the power building within him, growing
stronger with each moment, as all of the others became more emotional.� �No� he
whispered, breathing becoming labored; pain and fatigue plaguing his body.� The
sweat poured down his face and neck as he continued to fight for control,
watching Sinister open the woman and begin removing the first of her two
babies.� He could hear Scott screaming profanities and threats, the Professor
trying to calm him.� Jean was openly crying, sobbing hysterically despite being
numb to the pain.� And all of the overflowing emotions slammed into and through
him, gripping his heart and soul in a vice, squeezing unbearably tighter.�
Everything was blurring, and he feared it would not be long before his control
completely slipped.

**********

Once inside, the team was faced
with several corridors.� So far, no alarms had been tripped, but Logan didn�t hold onto any hope that would last.� �Change of plans�� He directed them to
split up into teams of two;� Bobby and Hank to the turn on the left, with Angel
and Psylocke moving right.� Wolverine sidled Rogue with him, feeling it the
best place for her protection despite having Storm�s powers temporarily.� They
had traveled their path quite some distance when Logan put his hand up to stop
the girl following him.� Logan�s nostrils flared, extending all his
senses in an effort to locate any enemies around him.� And suddenly, he caught
a scent he had only smelled twice before�.on Remy.�

�Well, well, well�what do we have here?� Are you the runt of
the X-dweebs?�� Sabertooth stepped out of the shadows, teeth bared as he
extended his claws and crouched in attack position.

�Who the fuck are you?� Logan snarled as he pushed Rogue
backwards out of the way.

�Your worst enemy, punk.�� Creed hissed.� �I don�t like no one
poaching my property.�� Fangs bared, the big blonde mutant flexed his muscles.

Both ferals began to circle one another, analyzing each
other for weaknesses.� Rogue backed deep into a corner, taking herself from the
playing field as she watched the two men become a blur of action.� Claws
slashed, teeth gnashed, as the sounds of grunts and bones crunching under the
smack of flesh on flesh filled the corridor.� So entwined in the fight, it
seemed unbelievable to determine where one man ended and the other began.� Blood
blended and she stood awed as wounds, which would be fatal on any ordinary
human, were instantly healed.� The fight seemed to drag on and on, with neither
man gaining ground over the other.� But, fatigue began to settle over both
mutants.� Swings grew less random, more calculated.� Cuts and broken flesh took
longer to heal.� At last, they broke apart and stepped back into their own corners,
panting hard and eyeing each other for an opening.

�I�m gonna pound your ass into submission, runt.�� Creed
grinned, a set of blood stained teeth showing grotesquely through his lips.� �You
ain�t really my type.� I like �em tall, pretty and fuckable, but I guess I
could make an exception in your case.�

Logan�s eyes narrowed dangerously.� �Not if I cut yer dick
off, asshole.�

�Whatsa matter short stuff?�� Creed taunted.� �Don�t like
being uke?� �Fraid I might hurt ya?� Remy seems to take the pain pretty good.�
Don�t seem to bother him too much.� �Course, I never really got around to
asking him.��

As Rogue gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, stunned
by the large mutant�s words, Logan roared his rage and lunged for the man, catching
him by surprise.� It was vicious fighting - fists and feet, teeth and claws.�
The eyes of both men had turned golden as they battled, raw power and fury
flowing from the two warriors.� But no matter how hard they fought, both men
were evenly matched.� Logan had an edge with his adamantium blades.� Creed had
the advantage of height and weight.� Rogue closed her eyes as Logan plunged his
claws through Creed�s stomach, causing a spray of blood to splatter against the
wall.� The big blonde mutant screamed in pain, momentarily immobilized.� It
didn�t take long for his instincts to take over though, and drawing on all his
strength, he swung his arm violently at Wolverine�s head.� Knocking the smaller
man away from him, Creed bent over double, one arm coming up to cradle the
wound as he glared at his opponent while baring his teeth.� He sounded like a
wounded, cornered animal as he slammed into Logan, knocking him down again.�
Punching non-stop, both his claws finally came up to grab the smaller man by
the head.� Using those dark tufts of hair, Creed lifted and smashed Logan�s head into the concrete, over-and-over again.� Blood began to pool in large amounts
where Wolverine�s skull continuously connected with the floor, as the feral�s
yellow eyes began to dim with the onslaught.� Maniacal laughter flowed from the
larger man as he sensed victory over his opponent.

From seemingly nowhere, a massive bolt of lightning pierced
the giant blonde, sending him flying against the far-side wall.� As the
residual electricity ebbed and flowed around his body, seeking a pathway to the
ground, he crumpled to the ground unconscious.� A large burn mark could be seen
from where the energy had entered his body.� It didn�t appear to be healing and
Rogue breathed a sigh of relief as she ran over to her team mate.� �Logan� she cradled his head in her arm as her hand gently patted his cheek.� �Logan, c�mon sugah.�� Already the wound at the back of his skull was healing, and it was
only a matter of time before he would rouse.�

Groaning at the residual pain, Logan lifted one hand to his
forehead as his eyes blinked open to stare at the adoring face above his.�
�Hey, darlin��.� He rasped, as he struggled for a moment to lift himself.

Rogue smiled and moved to help him stand.� �You gonna make
it, old man?��

Logan growled.� �Who ya calling old, little girl?�� He
glanced over at the big blonde feral and spit.� �One mean sombitch.�� Then he
snarled at his team mate, pride stung.� �I coulda taken him down, if ya hadn�t
interfered.�� With that he stalked off a little unsteadily down the hall,
continuing their search for their missing members.�

Rolling her eyes, Rogue started after him, muttering under
her breath.� �Yeah, whatever.��

She hurried after him, aware that he was on the trail of a
scent, and it brought them both to a stop outside a heavy steel door.� Logan drew back and punched the entrance with his claws, but it didn�t do more than
slightly dent it.� With a growl of frustration, he activated his communication
device and called for the others.� �All teams, we found �em.� I can smell �em
on the other side of a big damn door!� I need some extra power to get it open.�

The comm-unit crackled and Hank�s voice came through.� <�Iceman
and I will be with you momentarily.�>� But nothing was heard from the
second team.�

Logan cocked a questioning brow at Rogue before calling to
the other team.� �Angel, Psylocke�� When no answer came, he yelled into the box.�
�Come in, gahddammit!� Where the hell are ya?�

There was a brief period of static
before the ninja finally spoke, her voice seemingly distant through the small
device.� <�We had a little company.� Angel�s finishing things up and
he�ll join up with us.� I�m on my way now.�>

Logan noticed the sheen of perspiration on Rogue�s face, and a
slightly pale pallor.� �Ya alright, darlin�?�

�I think Storm�s powers are close
to gone.�� Rogue looked up at him and gave a slight, yet reassuring smile.�
�Don�t worry, sugah.� Got enough left to see this thing through.�

Logan nodded and started analyzing the door again for any
weaknesses.� At this point, all they could do was wait for the others.

*******
Essex pulled the second baby from Jean�s uterus and cleaned the
infant�s airway, much as he had done with the first child that rested quietly
in a sealed incubator to the side of him.� A second incubator waited for the
infant that now held his attention.� Once the baby was cleaned and wailing
loudly, Essex smiled and placed the precious bundle in the chamber, sealing it
tightly.� Jean continued to cry hysterically, while Scott threw a hateful glare
at the mad doctor.

�There, there, my dear.� No need
for histrionics.�� He crooned, as he tenderly wiped the tears from her cheeks
with the fa�ade of a caring doctor.� �You have produced a boy, and a girl.�
Perfect.�� He finished expertly sewing her up, even as she continued sobbing.

�I�ll kill you, Sinister.�� Scott
hissed, fury in his eyes.

Sinister ignored him.� He pressed
a button and a metal coffin enveloped the mother, much like the incubator tubes
containing both babies.� Remy watched all of this with glazed-over eyes, the
emotions of the two traumatized infants joining in with the parents to
overwhelm him.� It was only a matter of time, one final push before the dam
burst free.� After what he had done in his master�s lab when being tortured by
that creature, the Cajun was fearful of what would happen, when his powers
broke loose.� He had betrayed the X-men, but he never wanted to be the cause of
their deaths.� That final push, however, came sooner than he anticipated with
the pounding on the metal door, and Sinister�s next horrifying words.

Cocking his head towards the door,
Sinister gave a sharp-pointed, toothy smile.� �Well, I see the cavalry has
arrived.� That is our cue to leave.�� He inhaled deeply as he glanced at the
two infants he planned to spirit away.� �I can hardly wait to have them on my
examining table.� Oh the results my experiments on these two shall yield.�

Jean shrieked in horror at the
man, her noise muffled within the metal barrier that surrounded her.� Scott
roared in anguish and, in his mindless rage, stormed the energy cell,
attempting to burst through it.�� The energy wall held firm, zapping him
soundly as he screamed in agony and fell backwards unconscious on the floor.� Xavier
called out to him, and dragged his body over to the fallen boy.�

It was all too much for Remy.� Everything
around him started to hum, the radiance of the objects growing. �Eyes shut
tight, he could feel the flow of energy increase, even as emotions not his own
cascaded through and around him.� Through gritted teeth, Remy opened his eyes
and focused all that raw energy - all that hate and despair - directly at the
monster that had caused him nothing but pain all of his life.� Dimly, he was
aware that everything around Sinister, and the doctor himself, was beginning to
glow.�

Sinister looked at his creation
with something akin to surprise.�� What are you doing, LeBeau?�� He could feel
his molecules rapidly vibrating, building up energy as he stared at his pet.�
With a snarl, Essex fought back.� �I don�t think so, child.�� He telepathically
attempted to break through Remy�s barriers, to overcome the boy�s mind and take
him down for good.� Gambit didn�t even flinch as he concentrated on his
target.� Pounding continued to emanate through the door, the mutants on the
other side beginning to break through.�

As the power struggle between
master and slave reached higher and higher levels, things around the lab began
to explode.� The belt around Sinister�s waist, that contained the controls for
nearly all of the machinery in the room, sparked and crackled before popping
into molten pieces.� This caused the energy cell around Xavier and Scott to
flicker several times, before finally shutting down and taking the dampening
field with it.� From the triumphant smirk on Essex�s face, Xavier could tell
that Remy was beginning to falter in the tug-of-war.� He quickly scooted
himself closer to Scott, struggling to lift his student�s head and point it in
the direction of the scientist.� �Scott, wake up.� We need you.�� He continued
to call for the young man, aware of the fear and anxiety in his own voice, but
doing his level-best to avoid gaining the doctor�s attention.� �Scott� he
hissed, lightly slapping the boy�s cheek.� Then, Xavier closed his eyes and
whispered �Forgive me.�� With all of his formidable power, Xavier dove into the
unconscious team mate�s mind.�

/SCOTT, OPEN YOUR EYES NOW/

Like a puppet on a string, the
insensible mutant�s eyelids flew up, emitting a massive beam of energy straight
towards the scientist.� The surprise of the strike was enough to undo the
doctor, who screeched in pain, as the beam cut through him.� The force of the
laser, coupled with the doctor�s already excited molecules, tore the man
asunder.� Pieces of the man�s body exploded all over the room, coating almost
every surface within reach.� Xavier issued another mental command, and Scott�s
eyes closed.� Gambit slumped in his bonds, his own eyes closed as the power he
had exerted clearly taxed his already over-stressed body and mind.� He opened them
again at Jean�s whimper.� She was staring, horrified, as several liquid pieces
that had scattered from Essex�s body with the explosion, started to move
towards each other.� Remy�s mind whirled.� He had forgotten the man was a
shape-shifter.� But, how long would it be, before he reformed, after such a
blow?

Just then, the door fell open with
a thud as it hit the floor.� The sight of five of his X-men had never been more
pleasing to the Professor.� �What in hell happened in here?�� Logan bellowed,
confused at the scene they fell into as he wrinkled his nose in disgust of all
the matter splattered around the room.� His eyes landed on his wounded lover,
and he rushed over, but stopped half-way when he heard Gambit�s weakened rasp.�
�Non.� Jean.� De babies.�� It was all he managed, but it was enough for Logan to understand.� It didn�t take him long to slice through the protective casing of
Jean�s tube.� ��

Jean gasped.� �Logan, get this off
me.� Quickly.�� The feral knew immediately what she wanted as he looked at the
inhibitor around her neck.� Making quick work of the collar, he threw it
aside.� �Lift me, so I can see the room.�� Doing as she bade, Logan gently
picked her up, careful of the fresh stitches on her exposed belly.� He watched
as she surveyed the room in deep concentration.� �Bobby, open those cases.�
Rogue, Elizabeth, please take my babies out of them.�� Once she saw her
children safely in the arms of her team mates, she closed her eyes and called
upon her powers to collect as much of Sinister�s fluidic parts as possible,
separating the various pieces into the three metal tubes that had previously
housed her and the babies.� She couldn�t collect it all; she simply didn�t have
the strength.� After several attempts at collecting what she could and
depositing in the chambers, she rested her head against Logan�s shoulder.�
�Please� she whispered �seal it.�� Bobby iced down all three units in layers
several feet thick, to insure it would be a long, long time before the ice
casing melted.� It was just as he finished placing the last layer that they
heard the rumbling.

�What was that?�� Rogue looked up
and saw that the ceiling was beginning to crack.� Chips of concrete and dust
were crumbling around them as the ground beneath them began to shake.� �Oh
gawd!� The building�s collapsing.�� Remy groaned into his chest, feeling
enormous guilt.� It must have been a switch in Sinister�s control box that had
exploded on his waist.

Hank took over, hoisting the
unconscious team leader into his arms.� �Bobby, get the Professor, since Logan already has Jean.�

Ceiling tiles were actively
falling around them, now, as cracks in the walls and floors formed.� The very
earth was quaking as a series of distant explosions further underground rocked
the complex.� A roar of destruction could be heard coming from all around
them.� �We�ll never make it out of here.� The entrance is too far away.�� Bobby
yelled.

It took the brilliant Beast
several precious seconds before his eyes pierced the purple-haired beauty
holding one of the twins.� �Betsy, you can evacuate us altogether.��

�What?�� She squeaked.� �But�but,
I�ve never shadow-walked this many people at once.�

�You can do this, my dear.� I have
faith in you.�� Hank soothed; a plea in his tone.�

They stood there for a long moment
staring at each other, each holding a precious life in their arms, until Logan finally brought them back to the situation.� �If yer gonna do something, ya better
damn well get to it.�� He shifted his own burden out of the path of a falling
tile, then directed an exasperated growl towards Psylocke.�

�Ok, OK� She ground out.�
�Everyone stand by me and grab hold of the person next to you.�� It was easier
said than done, with everyone carrying another�s body.� But, they managed to
clutch at each other, as she took a deep breath and prepared to call on the
power of the shadows to teleport them all to safety.

�WAIT� Logan barked, before
turning tortured eyes back to his lover.�

Gambit was staring at them all, a
look of determination mixed with sadness.� �It�s too late for me, chere.� Get
dem outta here, befo� de place falls down on toppa ya.��

�NO� the feral yelled.� He was not
about to come all this way, only to lose his lover now.� Not when he still had
to kick the boy�s ass for all the trouble he caused.� �Don�t try to be a damn martyr.�
I won�t leave ya!�� He was looking for a place to unload Jean, so that he could
free his lover, when Betsy spoke up.

�WARREN� She waited for the crackle
of the comm. �Where are you, luv?�

<�On my way to your
location.� I�m having to dodge giant cinder blocks/� Why the hell
haven�t you evacuated yet?� You do realize the building is collapsing?�>

�No time to explain, pet.�� Her
smooth, calm voice belied the nervous turmoil she was feeling as she held
everyone�s lives in her hands.� �Can you be a dear and collect the Cajun on
your way out?�

There were several bursts of
static, as if the feathered mutant had snorted too closely to the microphone.� <�Sure
thing, sweetheart.� Is there anything else you�d like me to collect, while I�m
at it?� Need some milk?� Cheese?� A bottle of wine?�>

She smirked at the sarcasm before
turning serious.� �Just hurry, my love.� We�ll be waiting back home for you.��
With that, she ended the transmission and looked hard at the feral.� �Now
bloody well grab hold and let�s get going.�� The shadows formed and she stepped
into the abyss, pulling her team mates with her.

Just before Logan was swallowed by
the darkness, he turned and stared at those beautiful gemstone eyes one final
time.� �I�ll be waiting for ya, Cajun.�� Gambit only nodded, giving the older
man what he needed to send him on his way, then watched as the feral disappeared
into the shadows.�

Gambit blinked and flinched as a
piece of the ceiling fell directly in front of him.� Looking up at the manacles
that held his hands above his head, he mused how incongruous it was that the
master took precautions to use materials that could not be charged, instead of
dampening his powers.� The irony that Gambit could use his freely available
mutant power to help destroy his master, while simultaneously being held
captive in the master�s indestructible bindings, almost had him laughing out
loud.� As long as he had been strung up, he doubted that he would even be able
to move his hands anyway.� It was a given that he had long since lost feeling
in both arms, and wouldn�t be surprised if at least one shoulder was dislocated
from the weight of his body.� But, he couldn�t muster the energy to be worried
over the apparent loss of his limbs, not when death was so close.�

A cloud of dust filled the room
from the collapsing walls and ceiling, making him cough with the inhalation of
particulate matter.� It was through this granularity that he saw the outline of
a figure.� Breath held as hope began to burble in his chest, it took a few
moments to realize his would-be savior was anything but.� �Creed� he moaned in
dismay.

For his part, the big, burly man
moved quickly into the room, a look of anger and determination on his face.�
�Cajun� he growled, eyeing the shackles, before he flexed his claws and began
slicing through it.� Several precious moments later, the bindings gave and Remy
cried out as he fell to the floor.� The intensity of the sudden pain, as blood
began to flow back into his arms, along with an already exhausted physical and
mental state, caused Remy to lose consciousness almost immediately.� Creed sighed
at the inconvenience, one side of his body still slowly healing from damage
inflicted by the bolt of electricity he received earlier, then hoisted the boy
over his good shoulder and turned to exit the lab, dodging falling debris.�

Just as he crossed the threshold,
something slammed into him from the side, knocking him to the floor.� The oblivious
Cajun rolled several feet away; his body cushioned by the feral�s body from any
damage that could have been sustained.� When Creed looked up, he snarled at the
white winged X-man that came to stand over Remy�s body.� �He�s mine.�

�Last time I checked, Gambit was a
member of the X-men.� Angel replied, his bored conversational tone conflicting
with the tense defensive posture he assumed.� All around them, beams fell and
walls crumpled, but neither man seemed concerned with the impending collapse.

�I�ve been watching all of you for
a while.� I know there�s no love lost between you and the Cajun.�� Victor stood
to his full height, baring an impressive set of fangs even as one arm appeared
to be favoring his side.� �Why don�t you just get out of here and tell them
he�s dead?� I�ll take my pet far away and the rest of the morons won�t even
know.�

Angel surveyed the big man, noting
that the mutant seemed fairly damaged already.� It made him more confident that
he could take out the larger man quickly.� �Because I�ll know.� And no matter
how much I may hate him on a personal level, he�s a team mate.�� His dirt
smudged wings fanned out to display a remarkable span, shaking loose some of
the dust coating.� �I will fight to the death before I let you take
any member of our team.�

Victor glared at the man, shifting
that look momentarily to the boy lying at the winged mutant�s feet.� His
possessive nature screamed at him to destroy the obstacle that threatened to
take what was his.� But, the logical part of his brain reminded him that his
body was still quite damaged from the earlier electrocution and might not
survive a prolonged fight with a strong enemy, the place was about to fall on
top of them, and neither he nor his pet would make it out alive if they didn�t
leave now.� There would be opportunities in the future to reclaim the kid, if
he played it smart now.�� Fine.� Take the brat.� I was getting bored with him
anyway.�� With that, he turned his massive bulk and darted deeper into the
tunnel, in the opposite direction of the entrance that was familiar to Angel.�

The billionaire could only stare
bemusedly after the blonde feral.� /Must be another exit that way/ he
pondered.� For a moment, Angel considered following the other man, but quickly dismissed
the idea when he lost sight of the larger mutant.� As unfamiliar as he was with
the base, it would take too long to pick up the trail; a risk the winged
warrior could not take, given the impending collapse.� Warren squatted down to
regard the unconscious boy.� �You�re quite the popular trouble-maker, aren�t
you?�� Both elbows resting on his thighs, one hand dangling over a knee while
the other rubbed his chin, Angel deliberated on the idea that the feral had
presented.� It would be quite easy to leave the boy and make an escape.� After
all, no one could really blame him, considering the situation.� Flying at top
speed, with no additional weight and dodging the falling debris, he wasn�t even
sure if he would make it out of the structure in time.� And though a few of his
fellow X-men might mourn the loss, and perhaps be disappointed with his
inability to bring the Cajun back to them, they would eventually forgive and
forget; move on with their lives.� Would anyone truly suffer if Gambit simply
ceased to exist?� Doubtful.

Warren eyed the crack in the ceiling directly above as it widened
and the large stone tiles rumbled, on the verge of failing.� Any moment now, it
would fall and crush them under its weight.� The winged man sighed and tapped
his chin with one long, slender finger.� /It would be so easy/� The
voice of his memories, so full of jealousy and anger, tempted.� What to do?� �Decisions,
decisions� he muttered, just as a chunk from the ceiling broke loose and began
to tumble towards them.

End ch32
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