Wild Cards
Part Twenty-One
After reading the notice posted in the War Room, written in Gambit's characteristic script, Cyclops was
both surprised, and more than a little intrigued.
* Curiouser and curiouser ... but then it might mean that my little mystery is one step closer
to being solved * he mused silently.
" Hello Scott -- what is it that has captured your interest so ? " asked Ororo Munroe as she
entered the room.
The co-leader of the X-Men had just finished her daily constitutional with a round of
cloudwalking, and had decided to take in a quick update of the world's news, and research
any likely hotspots for anti-mutant action.
" It seems that Gambit has seen fit to call a full team meeting for this afternoon, agenda 'to
be announced', " he replied.
" Do you know anything about this, Storm ? "
" Perhaps, " she said, reading the notice herself.
* So he has chosen to lay his demons to rest at last. It took much courage simply to
confess his deed to myself and to Rogue, even though the Massacre was not ultimately his
doing. And whatever else Remy has been, he has never been a coward ... *
" But if his agenda is what I believe it to be, I shall allow Remy to disclose it himself at the
meeting ... "
Humming along to a recording of Mozart's fortieth symphony, Beast busily continued his
examination of Joseph's bloodwork. He had been unable to detect anything obviously
wrong with the mysteriously de-aged Magneto after the fainting spell he had suffered, and
wanted to be sure that all was well.
* His collapse was accompanied by flashbacks -- that would seem to go against a simply
physical cause. Though I suppose an ordinary case of exhaustion could be behind it -- or
perhaps some buried post-traumatic stress ... *
While Hank was mulling over the possibilities, his thoughts were interrupted by an
infrequent visitor to the medlab.
" Mornin' Hank -- or rather, afternoon, " Rogue corrected herself. " Do ya have a few minutes ?
Ah was wonderin' if I could talk to you foh a bit ... "
" For you, my dear, I have as many minutes as you like. To what do I owe the pleasure --
you're feeling well, I hope ? " he questioned in a concerned voice.
Rogue laughed, and gave him a smile that outshone the sun.
" Oh, I'm fine -- nevah better, actually. "
* Rogue seems ... different, somehow. 'Radiant' is one word that's coming to mind ... and
'bubbly' is another. I wonder what's going on ? * Hank thought curiously. " So what is it
that I can do for you, Rogue ? "
" Ah know ya gave me a complete physical last month, Hank, but there's a few more things
Ah'd like you to check out foh me -- 'specially anythin' an' everything ya know or may have
managed ta figure out 'bout mah power. "
Beast's interest was piqued.
" Certainly -- may I ask why ? "
" You may, " Rogue replied with a giggle.
* Lord, Ah'm enjoyin' this. It ain't often I get ta string Hank along ... *
Having realized that Rogue wasn't going to give him an answer unless he humoured her,
Beast asked the question. " All right -- why ? "
" Well, last night me an' Remy found out that that 'low-grade potential difference' doohickey
he an' Reine have 'cause of their chargin' power, kinda shorts out mah absorption power. "
" What ?!"
" Ya heard me, sugah -- an' what Ah want ta know is just how it happens. An' then, " she
said with a resolute air, " I want ta talk with you and Jean to work out some things Ah can
do ta practise mah control. It's high time and past it that Ah started workin' on that again. "
Hank's amazement had rapidly given way to a whirlwind of scientific speculation in his
mind as he considered Rogue's news.
* Yes ... it makes sense, of a sort -- after all, the sense of touch relies on electrochemical
reactions within receptors in the skin. And it's not a very strong reaction at all ... quite
weak, actually. So slight as that potential difference may be, it could conceivably be
enough to prevent absorption. And that might explain how Gambit was even able to survive
Israel -- the ambient force field was weaker then, but still managed to partially shield him. I
had conducted a study of the structure of the receptors within Rogue's skin, but perhaps it
is the reaction itself which is the key ... *
" I'll have to do some experiments, " Hank mused slowly, not noticing her smile at the word,
" but I think this might finally be the clue we need to really help you, Rogue. I assume that
you've ... um ... tested this already ? " he finished awkwardly.
Rogue's grin was all the answer he needed, but she replied to the question verbally as
well.
" Ah have, at that -- an' I appreciate yoh help. But the reason Ah want Jean in on this is that
I want ta help mahself. Ah want to control my power, not jus' contain it. But if it turns out that
for whatevah reason Ah cain't do the first, I'll settle foh the second, " she said, determined.
" It's a fine thing bein' able ta touch one person -- or in this case, probably two -- but it ain't
the same as being able to hug whoevah Ah want without havin' to worry 'bout hurtin' them.
An' that's what Ah want, Hank. With all mah heart. "
" Well, sheer strength of purpose often plays a part in treating any condition, " Hank
smiled, " and in your case, that's one thing we clearly shan't have to worry about. But in
light of your news, as your physician I do have one, ah, other concern. "
" An' that is ? "
Rogue hadn't thought it was possible to blush through blue fur, but somehow, Beast
managed it.
" You said that you tested the hypothesis with Gambit last night -- is there ... er ... any other
treatment you might require from me ? " he queried delicately.
Rogue looked at him for a moment, puzzled -- then she realized what Hank was trying to
ask her.
" We did not sleep together, " she said indignantly, then flushed, amending her statement,
" well, we did sleep together, but sleepin' is all we did. An' even if we did do more than
that, Hank -- you're forgettin' who raised me, " she continued dryly.
* Ah can still hear her voice: 'Just because you can't control your ability now doesn't make
this irrelevant. One day you will control it, and no daughter of mine is going to be stupidly
irresponsible if I have anything to say about it'. An' I wasn't -- though Ah guess Momma
would think I came mighty close this mornin' *
" Ya'll can say what ya want about Mystique as a mother, but you cain't say that she wasn't
anythin' other than thorough when it came to talking 'bout the facts o' life. If Ah needed any
medical help or advice in that way, Hank -- I'd tell ya. "
" Good, good ... in light of the information you've just given me Rogue, I'll re-examine your
results. I think I already have a couple of ideas on how to approach the problem, which may
prove fruitful ... "
" Thanks, sugah. "
Rogue then noticed the time.
" Oops -- Ah gotta run. I have a few things ta take care of before the meetin' this afternoon.
'Bye Hank, an' thanks again, " she said over her shoulder.
" You're welcome, " he called after her.
* Hmm ... I wonder if this discovery is what's on Gambit's agenda for the meeting ? *
Wolverine stalked into the War Room, the last to arrive. Out of long habit, he immediately
headed for his preferred spot -- the far corner facing the door -- and stood with his back to
the wall.
Gambit was seated at the large table, flanked by Rogue and Storm, with his sister
standing behind him. Most of the other X-Men were seated, but Warren, Bishop and Sam
also remained on their feet, while Beast hung from the ceiling.
" Well, now that we're all here, Gambit -- why are we all here ? " Scott asked.
Remy took a deep breath to steady himself, then began speaking. He kept to the basics of
what had happened -- how he had found himself working for Sinister so long ago, and what
it was that he had done -- but he was interrupted as soon as he got to the part about
leading the Marauders into the tunnels.
" You, " Angel hissed, and would have attacked the other man, had Scott not intervened.
" Warren ! Settle down and let Gambit finish ! " Cyclops barked.
" After what he did, you're just going to let ... "
Scott interrupted in a voice that was cold steel.
" That was an order, Angel. "
Worthington glared at his old friend in disbelief, but Cyclops stared him down. Warren
closed his mouth with an almost audible snap, his face flushed with rage, but he remained
quiet as Gambit resumed his tale.
Once Remy had finally finished speaking, there was an almost unbearable silence -- which
was broken by the winged X-Man.
" So it looks as if Bishop was right all along -- traitor, " he snarled.
" Warren ... " Scott began, attempting to reason with him.
" Don't you start on me, Scott ! I nearly died because of him, and you expect me to ... "
The words he would have said next were drowned out by an earshattering clap of thunder.
Immediately, all eyes in the room turned to Ororo, whose eyes blazed with barely controlled
anger -- yet when she spoke, her voice was eerily calm.
" No, my friend -- you nearly died because of Sinister. Remy had no knowledge of the
bloodshed that was planned that night. "
" Oh ? And is ignorance supposed to excuse what he did ? Anyone who worked for
Sinister willingly is just as much of a monster as he is ! "
Remy remained quiet, looking down at the table as Warren raged, and Reine had just
angrily opened her mouth to defend her brother when Rogue beat her to it.
" Ah think ya want ta take it easy, Warren, " she said coldly. " We could say the same
thing foh anyone who worked for Apocalypse. "
Angel whirled toward her, his face contorted with fury.
" Defending him is no more than what I'd expect from you, Rogue, " he sneered, " but what
the Hell's gotten into you, Storm ? Don't you remem... "
Snikt.
Worthington's tirade was cut short as he found his face framed by two of Wolverine's
claws.
" I think we're all thinkin' the same question 'bout you, bub. The kid's less of a traitor than
you were -- he didn't know us from Adam when he worked for Big Pale an' Ugly, " he said
flatly, then sheathed his claws, " so take a good, deep breath -- an' relax. "
Psylocke strode forward, taking Logan's place, and took Angel's arm.
# They're right, love -- what you want to do is listen, and think through what you say. Any
points you make will be all the stronger for that, and you know it. You're not going to
convince anyone by having a row, so calm down #
While Elizabeth dealt with Warren, Scott turned to Gambit.
" Remy, " he said, noticing the younger man's start of surprise at the use of his given
name, " why didn't you tell us before ? Why now ? "
Remy sighed.
" I never meant t' tell any o' ya in de first place. It was my past, an' nobody's business but
mine. I'd been spendin' ev'ry day since tryin' t' make up for it however I could. When the
Prof offered me a place here ... was too good t' be true. It gave me a chance t' make a
difference t' the people I'd hurt most. An' if I got killed doin' it, " he shrugged, " so be it. "
" So what changed, Remy ? " Jean asked gently.
" After Israel, " he replied, his eyes softening as they briefly lighted on Rogue, " my past
wasn' just my own anymore. "
" Rogue -- you knew about this ? "
She shook her head.
" Not really, Scott -- Ah could see bits an' pieces -- flashes, like -- but I couldn't make out
the whole thing, and Ah couldn't place what was happenin'. Ah jus' saw enough ta know
how bad it was, " she replied, her hand gently squeezing Remy's under the table.
" An' it scared me, " she finished quietly.
Gambit nodded somberly.
" An' after Seattle -- I knew it'd only be a matter o' time b'fore the shit hit de fan. I couldn'
decide what to do -- so I pretended dat if I ignored the problem, it'd jus' disappear. "
* Jus' like Ah did -- sometimes I think we're almost too alike foh our own good, sugah *
Rogue thought to herself.
" And then ? " Scott prompted.
Remy shrugged again as he glanced toward Reine with a ghost of a smile.
" Sometimes ya need someone to kick y' ass an' remind you that there ain' no escape
from y'self, no matter how far or how fast y' c'n run."
He paused briefly.
" I was tired o' runnin'. "
Gambit shook himself.
" So now all o' ya know de truth. What happens next is up t' you, " he finished quietly.
Cyclops took a moment, gathering his thoughts together, choosing his words carefully, as
everyone in the room turned toward him expectantly.
" I think that in light of what you've just told us, Remy -- it's fair to say that some of us have
confidence issues with you, " he said slowly, " and as you know, what's made us a success
over the years has been teamwork -- our confidence in and reliance on one another. I
believe the only fair way to decide your future with this team is for us to vote on the issue.
Agreed ? "
A murmur of assent rumbled through the War Room.
" Motion carried, " Beast observed, " but I would like one proviso to be made. "
" Hank ? " Scott said inquiringly.
" It has come to my attention that an aspect of Gambit's -- and Riposte's -- power is able to
circumvent that of Rogue. If the vote is for dismissal, I would move that either or both of
them be permitted to visit, on invitation only, for the purpose of studying the phenomenon,
and hopefully aiding in the resolution of Rogue's problem. "
" Agreed, " Scott replied, amid the buzz of surprise in the room.
" Bien -- den let's get this over with. "
" You want us to vote right now ? " Jean asked with surprise.
" Why not ? You've got a quorum, Phoenix, " Reine said, her expression unreadable, " so
why draw it out ? I think Remy just wants this finished, one way or the other -- and frankly,
so do I. I have some business to attend to, and I'd like to know if there are changes to be
made in my arrangements. "
" I understand that, but we need some time to come to grips with what Remy just told us, "
Scott pointed out, " otherwise we can't ensure a fair vote. "
" How much of a fair chance did the Morlocks get ? " Warren muttered.
Cyclops ignored the comment.
" I suggest, " he began, " that we meet to decide whether or not Gambit remains a part of
this team one week from today. Are we agreed ? "
Before any response registered to Scott's question, alerts began to sound from the War
Room computers.
" All warfare is based on deception. " -- Sun-Tzu, The Art of War
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