The Tempest and the Thief
"Ah, mon petite neige…" Remy LeBeau smiled, staring down at the woman in his arms. "Did ya ever 'spect to be sittin' here, starin' out on New York the way we are?"
"Not this way." Ororo Munroe said, smiling. She looked up at her lover. She pulled away from him and stole a glance at the streets far below. "It is time."
"Sure is, petite." Gambit responded, his red eyes gleaming against the dull light. "'Sides, ya gotta save yo' energy. Can't have ya wind walk us all night."
With a mischievous grin, Ororo lowered Remy and herself down onto a balcony fifty feet below. Quiet as death, she pulled a set of lock picks from her pocket. She knelt next to the door and carefully picked the locks. Remy sighed happily as he heard the door's lock click.
"We are in."
Remy and Ororo walked carefully into the dark room after Ororo short- circuited the alarm system with a small burst of electricity.
"I don't believe it. This man has de original copy of 'Entres le trous de la Memoire'. 'Dis guy's gotta be up t' somethin' that ain't kosher." Remy whispered, pulling the painting off of the wall carefully. "I t'ink we be takin' dis home wit' us, mon tempest."
"It will look wonderful over the bed." Ororo chuckled. She had made quick work of the safe behind yet another painting and was busy pulling large stacks of money and jewels into her large black sack. Almost by instinct, she turned towards the door. "Remy, we must go. The owner is only three doors down, and closing fast."
"Alright, alright. Let's go." Remy said with a smile, taking Ororo's hand. Clutching their sacks of stolen goods, Ororo called upon her ability to control the elements and took flight, carrying the most precious cargo: her lover. "Someone must've tipped dat guy off. 's de closest we've been t' being caught in de two years that we been playin' dis game."
"Do not worry, love." Ororo said, her voice contemplative. "We need not worry. Besides, we are almost home."
Both Ororo and Remy smiled when they saw their apartment building a block ahead of them. It was a large brown building; it's paint peeling in several areas. Ororo carefully made sure that they weren't being watched before quickly landing in the dark alley next to the structure.
"Home sweet home." Ororo said quietly, walking into the small apartment she shared with Remy. She provided a quick lightening burst for Remy as he struggled to find the light switch. She giggled, "We have lived here for six months, love. You would think that you could find the light without stumbling all over."
"Hey, I'm an odd duck. Dat's why ya love me, though, ain't it?" Remy said, smiling one of his crooked grins. Ororo smiled back and walked over to him, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "J'taime."
"I love you, too." Ororo placed her head against Remy's shoulder with a sharp, pained sigh.
"You feelin' it again, chere? D' memories comin' at ya?" Remy asked, concern filling his normally calm voice.
"I…do not know. I do not know what they are. Just these… people." Ororo mumbled as Remy led her over to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed. "They are mutants, I believe. They were my…friends? But how can that be? Would I not remember my friends?"
"I don' know, mon vie." Remy said quietly, brushing Ororo's hair out of her face. "You don' remember much b'fore you an' I met. Maybe they're people from yo' past. Dat or you're jus' goin' in de head."
"Remy, do not joke."
"I know, mon ami. You know I only joke when I'm worried. Or drunk." Remy said, his smile showing again. He looked up sharply as he heard someone knock on the front door. "What could dis be, here now? It's ten at night, for Christ's sake…"
"We are thieves, love. We do not keep normal hours." Ororo spoke with a smirk, standing up, a bit wobbly at first.
"'Ro, lay down. Ya need your rest." Remy said, walking back over to the bed. Ororo smiled at him warmly before walking past him. He was still voicing his concerns when Ororo opened the door. "C'mon, O. You need to get some sleep. Let me handle whatever dis is."
"Remy, do not be silly." Ororo said as she opened the door. The people on the other side looked shocked at the sight of her. Three people stood there, two men and one young woman.
Ororo was bewildered. 'These are the people from my dreams.'
"Ororo! Is it really you?" The young woman with asked, hugging her tightly.
"Hey, hey, hey! Who are you, an' what do you want?" Remy asked, more mystified than upset.
A short man with wild black hair walked up to Remy and sniffed him quickly. He said nothing, but turned towards Ororo and did the same.
"It's her alright." The man said, turning towards his brood. A small smile suddenly graced his rugged features, if only for a second. "It's Storm."
"Storm? What are you talking about? My name is Ororo, not 'Storm.' What do you want?" Ororo asked, pulling away from the embrace of the young woman.
"She doesn't remember who she is? She doesn't remember who we are?" The young woman asked her two companions. She turned to the wild man. "Logan, what's going on?"
"Nanny must've messed with her head, Kitty. Or this guy." Logan stated, walking towards Remy menacingly.
"What are you doin'? Who'd'ya think you are?" Remy stated angrily, his red eyes glowing.
"Remy, stop!" Ororo cried, falling to her knees. She fell to the floor of the hall, hugging her legs tightly, electricity crackling all around her. "These…these people are the people from my visions."
"What?" Remy asked, quietly, walking over to her. He helped her up lovingly, noticing the tall man who had been quiet thus far. The Native American man's air seemed to catch in his throat when he saw the way Remy was handling his lover.
"I think it would be best if we continued this inside." Ororo said, quietly, ushering the group into the apartment. She trailed in behind the other four people and shut the door behind her. She turned to the three strangers as they say down on the black couch. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thanks." Logan responded for the three. Logan turned to Ororo. "You're a friend of ours. You went missing just over two years ago."
"Two years, three months, and five days." The other man said, barely audible. Ororo looked at him quickly. A nagging feeling crept over her as she sat down on the floor next to Remy's chair.
"What's the first thing that you remember, Ororo?" Kitty asked, her voice the calmest of the three.
"I…I remember waking up in a hospital. I was a…child then. I think…" Ororo said, holding her hand to her temples. "It hurts to remember. I could not have been a child, though. It was only two years ago. I am twenty three now…"
"Shush, chere. Don' push yourself, now." Remy smiled at Ororo, stroking her hair. The Native American man seemed almost angered by this.
"Wolverine?" Ororo asked quietly, pointing to Logan. She then pointed to Kitty and the other man. "Kitten? Forge?"
"What you talkin' about, chere?" Remy asked.
"The…X-Men." Ororo said, shakily. "They're X-Men. And so was…I?"
"Yes. You were. You were the leader of the X-Men, Ororo." Logan said, almost happily. "You and I were good friends. You were a big sister to Kitty."
"You were the love of my life." Forge said, his voice upset. He stood up and crouched next to Ororo, taking her hands in his. His brown eyes searched for any recognition in Ororo's. "Please, tell me you remember, Ororo. The night we spent at the Aerie. Our year in seclusion on the Adversary's world."
"I…I am sorry." Ororo said, pulling her hands back. Remy cleared his throat uncomfortably and stood up.
"I'm sorry, Monsieur Forge, but Ororo and I've been an 'item' for…just over deux ans." Remy said, trailing off. He looked down at Ororo. "Hate t' say it, but dey know more 'bout yer past then you do. Maybe, jus' maybe, de're tellin' the truth. We don't know much 'bout your history, chere."
"Goddess, what in Hades is going on here?" Ororo asked herself.
"Ororo, come with us. Professor Xavier can help you. Help to restore your memories." Kitty said, a hopeful look on her face. Ororo looked at Remy for a moment before nodding.
"I… Alright." Ororo said, softly. "Remy?"
"Fine wit' me, chere, 's long as you're okay wit' it." Remy said, a sad smile on his face. 'She's gonna 'member her past an' leave me. Why would she stick it out wi' me if she's really supposed to be leadin' some super powered fans of spandex?'
"Pack your bags, then. We've got our own transportation." Logan said, standing up.
"Don' think so, frere. Give us the address, we'll get there." Remy said, protectively.
Ororo sat on the motorcycle behind Remy, clutching his torso for dear life. She smiled slightly as his dark auburn hair whipped behind him.
"Should we be doing this, Remy? We do not know these people, and we certainly do not know if they can help with these…memories or visions in my head." Ororo asked. She looked forward as Remy pulled the motorcycle up to the gate of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters. "This place has a very déjà vu feel to it."
"I t'ink that we have to do whatever we can t' help you. If dis 'Xavier' guy can help you, I say let him. Den we can go back to pilfering." Remy said, eliciting a low chuckle from Ororo. "Now, let's see what dis dude's about.
Ororo and Remy were ushered into the large main parlor of Xavier's by a tall red headed woman. The woman had tears in her eyes at the site of Ororo. She introduced herself as Jean Grey.
"Ororo… You don't remember anything?" Jean asked, leading Ororo and Remy down a long hallway.
"No, I am sorry. Were we…friends?" Ororo asked. Jean nodded solemnly. Ororo glanced back at Remy quickly. "Oh, I am sorry. Jean, I would like to introduce you to…"
"Call me Gambit." Remy said, cutting Ororo off. She shot him a confused look as he shook Jean's hand. He turned to Ororo and whispered: "No need t' tell 'em masses o' info 'till we're sure they ain't the baddies."
"Remy…" Ororo said, shaking her head. She held Remy's hand tightly while walking into a large office. She marveled at the great room and it's lavish furnishings. 'This is a home that Remy and I would normally loot, not live in. I could never live in a place like this. These people are crazy.'
"Ororo, Gambit, I'd like you to…meet… Professor Xavier." Jean said, gesturing to the man sitting behind the large oak desk. After turning Ororo and Remy's attention to Xavier, she left the room as silently as she could. 'I knew she was alive… I knew it…'
"Pleased to meet you, sir." Ororo said, shyly. She elbowed a silent Remy.
"Pleasure." Remy stated simply. He tightly interlaced his fingers with Ororo's, sensing her unease at the situation.
"Ororo… It is good to see you, child." Professor Xavier said, a wide smile on his face. He approached the confused couple, his hover chair whirring quietly. "I've missed you, Ororo."
"Professor Xavier, I was told that you could help to retrieve my memories." Ororo said, uncomfortably.
"I don't know if I can, Ororo, but I'd like to try. Please," Xavier said, motioning to the brown leather couch on the other side of the room. "Sit down."
Ororo and Remy sat quietly down on the couch, still clutching one another's hand. Ororo smiled weakly at Remy before turning to Xavier. Xavier sat in front of her, taking her other hand in his. He held his other hand up to her temple and closed his eyes. Xavier chuckled to himself as her felt the protective thoughts emanating from the man introduced to him as Gambit.
'You've finally found a keeper, Windrider. You've suffered enough in your young life.' Xavier thought happily. 'After all of your troubles with Forge, you're finally in love.'
"Relax, Ororo. Before I can fix any damage done by Nanny, I've got to see what she has actually done to your mind." Professor Xavier stated. Ororo simply nodded. "Alright. I want you to concentrate on your past and on these 'visions' you've been having.
"I sense your confusion. You think that you are going mad, but you're not. Ororo, I want you to concentrate on my voice only. Just my voice."
Remy felt Ororo slouch slightly in her seat. He looked back and forth from Ororo to Xavier, worry permeating his being. He was in love with Ororo Munroe and didn't want to see any harm come to her. Remy's thoughts wondered back to his first meeting with the three X-Men that had showed up at his doorstep two days earlier.
'Dat guy, Forge. He said dat he an' Ororo were lovers. I shouldn't be jealous. I know that she loves me. But if 'ro and he were dat close, she might forget about me an' go back to…him.' Remy thought to himself. 'I couldn' handle that. Ororo's mon vie. Hate to admit it, but her leavin' me would kill me.
'We've been through so much together, chere. I love you, my beautiful Windrider.'
Ororo and Remy walked out of Xavier's office hand in hand. Ororo had a small smile on her face, which had spread to Remy's features.
"So, Baldy helped you remember a bit, den?" Remy asked, inquisitively. "He told ya a bit more 'bout yo' past?"
"Yes. I actually remember most of my memories until the death of my parents when I was five." Ororo said, her smile still on her graceful features. Remy gave her a confused look. "Alright, I am not happy that I remember my parents' death, but the fact that I know I have a past…that I'm not just some insensate automaton. It also explains why I am claustrophobic."
"I'm glad, chere." Remy said, leaning over and kissing Ororo's forehead. "Does that mean that we can leave now?"
"Remy… I want to find out more. Xavier could only get a few memories out. The defenses that this 'Nanny' person put in my head are formidable."
"Alright, I guess. I'm just getting' kinda antsy in dis place. What's say we go for a wind walk?" Remy asked, a mischievous grin on his face. Ororo kissed his hand and returned the smile.
Ororo summoned a strong wind in the hallway that picked both Remy and herself up. She took Remy's hand and pulled him along with her in the air until they reached the front courtyard of the school. She and Remy shed their warm winter jackets on the way, being covered by the warm tropical wind that they were aloft on. Ororo giggled as she did loop de loops a hundred feet above the school. Remy 'stood' next to her on the wind she had summoned, his arms crossed in front of his chest. Try as he might, he couldn't suppress the laughter coming from him.
Ororo stopped mid loop and flew to where Remy floated and took his hand in hers, her normally blue eyes white as snow.
"I love you, Remy. No matter what, I want you to know that." Ororo said, looking serious.
"I know dat, chere. Where'd dat come from?" Remy asked, his heart hurting. 'Here it is. Here's th' dear John speech.'
"I have noticed that you have been quiet as of late. And I think that I know why. You think that once I get my memories back, I will go back to living that life. That I will go back to that Forge man." Ororo stopped to kiss Remy's cheek. " I do not love him. I love you, thief of my heart."
"Who're you callin' a thief, petite?" Remy asked, jokingly. "I t'ought you gave it t' me."
"I call it as I see it, silly man." Ororo giggled. "Besides, who am I to talk? We are the best thieves on the East Coast. Only because we have yet to be to the West Coast.
"With all seriousness, Remy, nothing that this Xavier fellow says could tear me away from my red eyed prince."
"You're a sweet talker, mon coeur." Remy said, still lovingly gripping Ororo's hand. "You sure you wanna stay here?"
"Not for good, no. For a while at least. It is nice to know that I have a past." Ororo shrugged. She began lowering Remy and herself to the ground slowly. A small smile crept onto her face. "What say we take a trip into the 'Salem Center' place, get some dinner?"
"Sounds great. A nice…intimate…dinner…" Remy said, kissing Ororo deeply as they landed softly to the ground. Neither wanted to break apart the kiss when they heard a man his throat behind them. After several seconds, Ororo groaned and pulled away from Remy to face the man.
"Yes, Forge?" Ororo asked, a bit annoyed. The look on Remy's face showed that he shared her sentiments. 'This man has been following me around like a sick puppy dog! I am surprised Remy has yet to set him straight.'
"Hello, Ororo. Gambit. Ororo, I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to dinner tonight? To catch up on old times." Forge inquired. The look on his face was comparable to that of a teenage boy asking a girl out for a first date.
"I am sorry, Forge. I just now made plans." Ororo said. Before she could say anything else, Remy cut her off.
"Look, monsieur, I know you an' O were some hot couple b'fore, but dat was a long time ago, mon ami." Remy stated to a slightly shocked Forge. Forge's shock quickly developed into anger.
"I'm sorry, 'Gambit', but this has nothing to do with you." Forge said, his deep brown eyes showing his annoyance. He turned to Ororo. "I'm sorry, Ororo. Maybe some other time?"
"Y' just don' get it, do ya, vieux homme? I don' care if you an' 'ro wanna be friends. Tha's fine. But you need to stop tryin' t' make time with her when I'm standin' right here." Remy said, his red eyes roaring with anger.
"Who're you calling an old man, Cajun?" Forge said, balling his fist. Before either man could act on their anger, Ororo stepped in between them. The air began to smell of ozone and lightning threatened to snap the trees surrounding them. Angry clouds began forming in the sky, mirroring their mistress's mood.
"Quiet, both of you!!!" Ororo said, her voice howling with the wind. Her skin crackled with blue electricity. She turned to Forge. "Number one: If you really loved me, you would give me a chance to gather my thoughts before even attempting to come between Remy and I. Number two: Grow up! You are chasing after me like a lovesick puppy. How am I supposed to try to heal my mind with you pressuring me? Three: If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don't just sit there and mumble idol threats about Remy under your breath. You are a grown man, Forge. Act like it.
"And you," Ororo said, turning to Remy. "The same goes for you! I am not your property, LeBeau, so quit treating me like I am."
Ororo turned away from the both of them and was carried off by the strong winds that her anger had summoned.
"Ororo, wait!" Remy called after her, to no avail. He turned to Forge. "Thanks a lot. We were perfectly happy b'fore you an' yours came into our lives.
"We were gonna get married, an' have a kid. Be t'gether 'till both of our hairs' white. But no. You an' you're little 'X-Men' show up at our door one night an' turn our entire world topsy-turvy. All dis talk of her life b'fore. Yer messin' with her head, Forge."
"We're trying to help her, Gambit." Forge said, seriously.
"Yeah. Sure, fella. Sure." Remy said, walking away, his hands deep inside the pockets of his leather duster. 'Now what? I was jus' tryin' to protect 'Roro, even though m' emotions did kinda get involved a bit much.
'I love you, 'ro. Why can't ya see it?'
Ororo flew quickly through the chilly Westchester air, her shoulder length hair brushing against her back. She was on her way back to the Institute after roaming for several hours.
'Goddess, what is wrong with me? There are all of these people pulling me in different directions. Xavier's brood wants me to come back to them, when I do not even know who they are! Remy wants me to stay with him, and I want to. I love Remy, and I do want to stay with him. I have never felt this way about any one in my life.
'Why does this life have to be so bloody complicated?'
Ororo smiled slightly as she saw Remy sitting on the front lawn, reading a heavy red tome.
'Remy.'
Remy sat reading a copy of Machiavelli's The Prince that Ororo had given him for his most recent birthday. Try as he might, he couldn't concentrate on the print. He looked up at the clouds with a sad smile. They were starting to break. His Ororo was starting to get in a better mood.
"Remy?" Ororo asked, walking up behind him. Remy stood up and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry, O." He said, quietly, almost solemnly.
"You have no reason to be sorry, love. I merely over reacted." Ororo said, not wanting to break their embrace. "This whole situation is just so… odd. It feels like no matter how I react to anything here, I will be letting someone down."
"I know, mon chere. I jus' want you to know that there's no pressure from me. If y' decide to stay here, I'll un'erstand."
"Thank you, Remy."
"Ah, mon petite neige…" Remy LeBeau smiled, staring down at the woman in his arms. "Did ya ever 'spect to be sittin' here, starin' out on New York the way we are?"
"Not this way." Ororo Munroe said, smiling. She looked up at her lover. She pulled away from him and stole a glance at the streets far below. "It is time."
"Sure is, petite." Gambit responded, his red eyes gleaming against the dull light. "'Sides, ya gotta save yo' energy. Can't have ya wind walk us all night."
With a mischievous grin, Ororo lowered Remy and herself down onto a balcony fifty feet below. Quiet as death, she pulled a set of lock picks from her pocket. She knelt next to the door and carefully picked the locks. Remy sighed happily as he heard the door's lock click.
"We are in."
Remy and Ororo walked carefully into the dark room after Ororo short- circuited the alarm system with a small burst of electricity.
"I don't believe it. This man has de original copy of 'Entres le trous de la Memoire'. 'Dis guy's gotta be up t' somethin' that ain't kosher." Remy whispered, pulling the painting off of the wall carefully. "I t'ink we be takin' dis home wit' us, mon tempest."
"It will look wonderful over the bed." Ororo chuckled. She had made quick work of the safe behind yet another painting and was busy pulling large stacks of money and jewels into her large black sack. Almost by instinct, she turned towards the door. "Remy, we must go. The owner is only three doors down, and closing fast."
"Alright, alright. Let's go." Remy said with a smile, taking Ororo's hand. Clutching their sacks of stolen goods, Ororo called upon her ability to control the elements and took flight, carrying the most precious cargo: her lover. "Someone must've tipped dat guy off. 's de closest we've been t' being caught in de two years that we been playin' dis game."
"Do not worry, love." Ororo said, her voice contemplative. "We need not worry. Besides, we are almost home."
Both Ororo and Remy smiled when they saw their apartment building a block ahead of them. It was a large brown building; it's paint peeling in several areas. Ororo carefully made sure that they weren't being watched before quickly landing in the dark alley next to the structure.
"Home sweet home." Ororo said quietly, walking into the small apartment she shared with Remy. She provided a quick lightening burst for Remy as he struggled to find the light switch. She giggled, "We have lived here for six months, love. You would think that you could find the light without stumbling all over."
"Hey, I'm an odd duck. Dat's why ya love me, though, ain't it?" Remy said, smiling one of his crooked grins. Ororo smiled back and walked over to him, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "J'taime."
"I love you, too." Ororo placed her head against Remy's shoulder with a sharp, pained sigh.
"You feelin' it again, chere? D' memories comin' at ya?" Remy asked, concern filling his normally calm voice.
"I…do not know. I do not know what they are. Just these… people." Ororo mumbled as Remy led her over to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed. "They are mutants, I believe. They were my…friends? But how can that be? Would I not remember my friends?"
"I don' know, mon vie." Remy said quietly, brushing Ororo's hair out of her face. "You don' remember much b'fore you an' I met. Maybe they're people from yo' past. Dat or you're jus' goin' in de head."
"Remy, do not joke."
"I know, mon ami. You know I only joke when I'm worried. Or drunk." Remy said, his smile showing again. He looked up sharply as he heard someone knock on the front door. "What could dis be, here now? It's ten at night, for Christ's sake…"
"We are thieves, love. We do not keep normal hours." Ororo spoke with a smirk, standing up, a bit wobbly at first.
"'Ro, lay down. Ya need your rest." Remy said, walking back over to the bed. Ororo smiled at him warmly before walking past him. He was still voicing his concerns when Ororo opened the door. "C'mon, O. You need to get some sleep. Let me handle whatever dis is."
"Remy, do not be silly." Ororo said as she opened the door. The people on the other side looked shocked at the sight of her. Three people stood there, two men and one young woman.
Ororo was bewildered. 'These are the people from my dreams.'
"Ororo! Is it really you?" The young woman with asked, hugging her tightly.
"Hey, hey, hey! Who are you, an' what do you want?" Remy asked, more mystified than upset.
A short man with wild black hair walked up to Remy and sniffed him quickly. He said nothing, but turned towards Ororo and did the same.
"It's her alright." The man said, turning towards his brood. A small smile suddenly graced his rugged features, if only for a second. "It's Storm."
"Storm? What are you talking about? My name is Ororo, not 'Storm.' What do you want?" Ororo asked, pulling away from the embrace of the young woman.
"She doesn't remember who she is? She doesn't remember who we are?" The young woman asked her two companions. She turned to the wild man. "Logan, what's going on?"
"Nanny must've messed with her head, Kitty. Or this guy." Logan stated, walking towards Remy menacingly.
"What are you doin'? Who'd'ya think you are?" Remy stated angrily, his red eyes glowing.
"Remy, stop!" Ororo cried, falling to her knees. She fell to the floor of the hall, hugging her legs tightly, electricity crackling all around her. "These…these people are the people from my visions."
"What?" Remy asked, quietly, walking over to her. He helped her up lovingly, noticing the tall man who had been quiet thus far. The Native American man's air seemed to catch in his throat when he saw the way Remy was handling his lover.
"I think it would be best if we continued this inside." Ororo said, quietly, ushering the group into the apartment. She trailed in behind the other four people and shut the door behind her. She turned to the three strangers as they say down on the black couch. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thanks." Logan responded for the three. Logan turned to Ororo. "You're a friend of ours. You went missing just over two years ago."
"Two years, three months, and five days." The other man said, barely audible. Ororo looked at him quickly. A nagging feeling crept over her as she sat down on the floor next to Remy's chair.
"What's the first thing that you remember, Ororo?" Kitty asked, her voice the calmest of the three.
"I…I remember waking up in a hospital. I was a…child then. I think…" Ororo said, holding her hand to her temples. "It hurts to remember. I could not have been a child, though. It was only two years ago. I am twenty three now…"
"Shush, chere. Don' push yourself, now." Remy smiled at Ororo, stroking her hair. The Native American man seemed almost angered by this.
"Wolverine?" Ororo asked quietly, pointing to Logan. She then pointed to Kitty and the other man. "Kitten? Forge?"
"What you talkin' about, chere?" Remy asked.
"The…X-Men." Ororo said, shakily. "They're X-Men. And so was…I?"
"Yes. You were. You were the leader of the X-Men, Ororo." Logan said, almost happily. "You and I were good friends. You were a big sister to Kitty."
"You were the love of my life." Forge said, his voice upset. He stood up and crouched next to Ororo, taking her hands in his. His brown eyes searched for any recognition in Ororo's. "Please, tell me you remember, Ororo. The night we spent at the Aerie. Our year in seclusion on the Adversary's world."
"I…I am sorry." Ororo said, pulling her hands back. Remy cleared his throat uncomfortably and stood up.
"I'm sorry, Monsieur Forge, but Ororo and I've been an 'item' for…just over deux ans." Remy said, trailing off. He looked down at Ororo. "Hate t' say it, but dey know more 'bout yer past then you do. Maybe, jus' maybe, de're tellin' the truth. We don't know much 'bout your history, chere."
"Goddess, what in Hades is going on here?" Ororo asked herself.
"Ororo, come with us. Professor Xavier can help you. Help to restore your memories." Kitty said, a hopeful look on her face. Ororo looked at Remy for a moment before nodding.
"I… Alright." Ororo said, softly. "Remy?"
"Fine wit' me, chere, 's long as you're okay wit' it." Remy said, a sad smile on his face. 'She's gonna 'member her past an' leave me. Why would she stick it out wi' me if she's really supposed to be leadin' some super powered fans of spandex?'
"Pack your bags, then. We've got our own transportation." Logan said, standing up.
"Don' think so, frere. Give us the address, we'll get there." Remy said, protectively.
Ororo sat on the motorcycle behind Remy, clutching his torso for dear life. She smiled slightly as his dark auburn hair whipped behind him.
"Should we be doing this, Remy? We do not know these people, and we certainly do not know if they can help with these…memories or visions in my head." Ororo asked. She looked forward as Remy pulled the motorcycle up to the gate of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters. "This place has a very déjà vu feel to it."
"I t'ink that we have to do whatever we can t' help you. If dis 'Xavier' guy can help you, I say let him. Den we can go back to pilfering." Remy said, eliciting a low chuckle from Ororo. "Now, let's see what dis dude's about.
Ororo and Remy were ushered into the large main parlor of Xavier's by a tall red headed woman. The woman had tears in her eyes at the site of Ororo. She introduced herself as Jean Grey.
"Ororo… You don't remember anything?" Jean asked, leading Ororo and Remy down a long hallway.
"No, I am sorry. Were we…friends?" Ororo asked. Jean nodded solemnly. Ororo glanced back at Remy quickly. "Oh, I am sorry. Jean, I would like to introduce you to…"
"Call me Gambit." Remy said, cutting Ororo off. She shot him a confused look as he shook Jean's hand. He turned to Ororo and whispered: "No need t' tell 'em masses o' info 'till we're sure they ain't the baddies."
"Remy…" Ororo said, shaking her head. She held Remy's hand tightly while walking into a large office. She marveled at the great room and it's lavish furnishings. 'This is a home that Remy and I would normally loot, not live in. I could never live in a place like this. These people are crazy.'
"Ororo, Gambit, I'd like you to…meet… Professor Xavier." Jean said, gesturing to the man sitting behind the large oak desk. After turning Ororo and Remy's attention to Xavier, she left the room as silently as she could. 'I knew she was alive… I knew it…'
"Pleased to meet you, sir." Ororo said, shyly. She elbowed a silent Remy.
"Pleasure." Remy stated simply. He tightly interlaced his fingers with Ororo's, sensing her unease at the situation.
"Ororo… It is good to see you, child." Professor Xavier said, a wide smile on his face. He approached the confused couple, his hover chair whirring quietly. "I've missed you, Ororo."
"Professor Xavier, I was told that you could help to retrieve my memories." Ororo said, uncomfortably.
"I don't know if I can, Ororo, but I'd like to try. Please," Xavier said, motioning to the brown leather couch on the other side of the room. "Sit down."
Ororo and Remy sat quietly down on the couch, still clutching one another's hand. Ororo smiled weakly at Remy before turning to Xavier. Xavier sat in front of her, taking her other hand in his. He held his other hand up to her temple and closed his eyes. Xavier chuckled to himself as her felt the protective thoughts emanating from the man introduced to him as Gambit.
'You've finally found a keeper, Windrider. You've suffered enough in your young life.' Xavier thought happily. 'After all of your troubles with Forge, you're finally in love.'
"Relax, Ororo. Before I can fix any damage done by Nanny, I've got to see what she has actually done to your mind." Professor Xavier stated. Ororo simply nodded. "Alright. I want you to concentrate on your past and on these 'visions' you've been having.
"I sense your confusion. You think that you are going mad, but you're not. Ororo, I want you to concentrate on my voice only. Just my voice."
Remy felt Ororo slouch slightly in her seat. He looked back and forth from Ororo to Xavier, worry permeating his being. He was in love with Ororo Munroe and didn't want to see any harm come to her. Remy's thoughts wondered back to his first meeting with the three X-Men that had showed up at his doorstep two days earlier.
'Dat guy, Forge. He said dat he an' Ororo were lovers. I shouldn't be jealous. I know that she loves me. But if 'ro and he were dat close, she might forget about me an' go back to…him.' Remy thought to himself. 'I couldn' handle that. Ororo's mon vie. Hate to admit it, but her leavin' me would kill me.
'We've been through so much together, chere. I love you, my beautiful Windrider.'
Ororo and Remy walked out of Xavier's office hand in hand. Ororo had a small smile on her face, which had spread to Remy's features.
"So, Baldy helped you remember a bit, den?" Remy asked, inquisitively. "He told ya a bit more 'bout yo' past?"
"Yes. I actually remember most of my memories until the death of my parents when I was five." Ororo said, her smile still on her graceful features. Remy gave her a confused look. "Alright, I am not happy that I remember my parents' death, but the fact that I know I have a past…that I'm not just some insensate automaton. It also explains why I am claustrophobic."
"I'm glad, chere." Remy said, leaning over and kissing Ororo's forehead. "Does that mean that we can leave now?"
"Remy… I want to find out more. Xavier could only get a few memories out. The defenses that this 'Nanny' person put in my head are formidable."
"Alright, I guess. I'm just getting' kinda antsy in dis place. What's say we go for a wind walk?" Remy asked, a mischievous grin on his face. Ororo kissed his hand and returned the smile.
Ororo summoned a strong wind in the hallway that picked both Remy and herself up. She took Remy's hand and pulled him along with her in the air until they reached the front courtyard of the school. She and Remy shed their warm winter jackets on the way, being covered by the warm tropical wind that they were aloft on. Ororo giggled as she did loop de loops a hundred feet above the school. Remy 'stood' next to her on the wind she had summoned, his arms crossed in front of his chest. Try as he might, he couldn't suppress the laughter coming from him.
Ororo stopped mid loop and flew to where Remy floated and took his hand in hers, her normally blue eyes white as snow.
"I love you, Remy. No matter what, I want you to know that." Ororo said, looking serious.
"I know dat, chere. Where'd dat come from?" Remy asked, his heart hurting. 'Here it is. Here's th' dear John speech.'
"I have noticed that you have been quiet as of late. And I think that I know why. You think that once I get my memories back, I will go back to living that life. That I will go back to that Forge man." Ororo stopped to kiss Remy's cheek. " I do not love him. I love you, thief of my heart."
"Who're you callin' a thief, petite?" Remy asked, jokingly. "I t'ought you gave it t' me."
"I call it as I see it, silly man." Ororo giggled. "Besides, who am I to talk? We are the best thieves on the East Coast. Only because we have yet to be to the West Coast.
"With all seriousness, Remy, nothing that this Xavier fellow says could tear me away from my red eyed prince."
"You're a sweet talker, mon coeur." Remy said, still lovingly gripping Ororo's hand. "You sure you wanna stay here?"
"Not for good, no. For a while at least. It is nice to know that I have a past." Ororo shrugged. She began lowering Remy and herself to the ground slowly. A small smile crept onto her face. "What say we take a trip into the 'Salem Center' place, get some dinner?"
"Sounds great. A nice…intimate…dinner…" Remy said, kissing Ororo deeply as they landed softly to the ground. Neither wanted to break apart the kiss when they heard a man his throat behind them. After several seconds, Ororo groaned and pulled away from Remy to face the man.
"Yes, Forge?" Ororo asked, a bit annoyed. The look on Remy's face showed that he shared her sentiments. 'This man has been following me around like a sick puppy dog! I am surprised Remy has yet to set him straight.'
"Hello, Ororo. Gambit. Ororo, I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to dinner tonight? To catch up on old times." Forge inquired. The look on his face was comparable to that of a teenage boy asking a girl out for a first date.
"I am sorry, Forge. I just now made plans." Ororo said. Before she could say anything else, Remy cut her off.
"Look, monsieur, I know you an' O were some hot couple b'fore, but dat was a long time ago, mon ami." Remy stated to a slightly shocked Forge. Forge's shock quickly developed into anger.
"I'm sorry, 'Gambit', but this has nothing to do with you." Forge said, his deep brown eyes showing his annoyance. He turned to Ororo. "I'm sorry, Ororo. Maybe some other time?"
"Y' just don' get it, do ya, vieux homme? I don' care if you an' 'ro wanna be friends. Tha's fine. But you need to stop tryin' t' make time with her when I'm standin' right here." Remy said, his red eyes roaring with anger.
"Who're you calling an old man, Cajun?" Forge said, balling his fist. Before either man could act on their anger, Ororo stepped in between them. The air began to smell of ozone and lightning threatened to snap the trees surrounding them. Angry clouds began forming in the sky, mirroring their mistress's mood.
"Quiet, both of you!!!" Ororo said, her voice howling with the wind. Her skin crackled with blue electricity. She turned to Forge. "Number one: If you really loved me, you would give me a chance to gather my thoughts before even attempting to come between Remy and I. Number two: Grow up! You are chasing after me like a lovesick puppy. How am I supposed to try to heal my mind with you pressuring me? Three: If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don't just sit there and mumble idol threats about Remy under your breath. You are a grown man, Forge. Act like it.
"And you," Ororo said, turning to Remy. "The same goes for you! I am not your property, LeBeau, so quit treating me like I am."
Ororo turned away from the both of them and was carried off by the strong winds that her anger had summoned.
"Ororo, wait!" Remy called after her, to no avail. He turned to Forge. "Thanks a lot. We were perfectly happy b'fore you an' yours came into our lives.
"We were gonna get married, an' have a kid. Be t'gether 'till both of our hairs' white. But no. You an' you're little 'X-Men' show up at our door one night an' turn our entire world topsy-turvy. All dis talk of her life b'fore. Yer messin' with her head, Forge."
"We're trying to help her, Gambit." Forge said, seriously.
"Yeah. Sure, fella. Sure." Remy said, walking away, his hands deep inside the pockets of his leather duster. 'Now what? I was jus' tryin' to protect 'Roro, even though m' emotions did kinda get involved a bit much.
'I love you, 'ro. Why can't ya see it?'
Ororo flew quickly through the chilly Westchester air, her shoulder length hair brushing against her back. She was on her way back to the Institute after roaming for several hours.
'Goddess, what is wrong with me? There are all of these people pulling me in different directions. Xavier's brood wants me to come back to them, when I do not even know who they are! Remy wants me to stay with him, and I want to. I love Remy, and I do want to stay with him. I have never felt this way about any one in my life.
'Why does this life have to be so bloody complicated?'
Ororo smiled slightly as she saw Remy sitting on the front lawn, reading a heavy red tome.
'Remy.'
Remy sat reading a copy of Machiavelli's The Prince that Ororo had given him for his most recent birthday. Try as he might, he couldn't concentrate on the print. He looked up at the clouds with a sad smile. They were starting to break. His Ororo was starting to get in a better mood.
"Remy?" Ororo asked, walking up behind him. Remy stood up and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry, O." He said, quietly, almost solemnly.
"You have no reason to be sorry, love. I merely over reacted." Ororo said, not wanting to break their embrace. "This whole situation is just so… odd. It feels like no matter how I react to anything here, I will be letting someone down."
"I know, mon chere. I jus' want you to know that there's no pressure from me. If y' decide to stay here, I'll un'erstand."
"Thank you, Remy."