"I t'ink we need to explain a few t'ings to ya, chere, before you an' Wolverine kill each oder," Gambit said to her in a calm voice.

"All right, Remy, please, explain," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Why don't we go back to the mansion first. You look like you need bandaging up and I'm sure everyone would like to get this cleared up," Scott said, gesturing in the mansion's direction.

Gabriel smiled coldly. "I don't need any bandaging. You seem to know Logan well enough to be acquainted with his healing abilities -- I'm not much different."

"Please, chere, der's more to dis story den you realize. We only tryin' ta help," Gambit said.

"All right, I'll go, but only because you let me forget about all this for a little while. I'm not promising anything," she told Gambit.

Gambit smiled. "I wouldn't expect you to."


They had taken her to a sitting room, one of the few rooms that had remained intact. They told her Logan's story -- what he could remember -- and how they had implanted false memories, replacing his own. She sat quietly listening to the story unfold, looking at the other residents of the compound. They seemed at ease with each other, like a family. Occasionally one of them would pass a concerned look toward Logan, who sat as far from her as the room would allow.

"Well, that was a fascinating story," she said when they had finished. "Not that it really makes a difference."

"How can you say that? It makes all the difference!" Rogue blurted out.

"Not to me it doesn't. Look at him," she said roughly, pointing at Logan. "Ask him if he cares that I'm here, ask him if he cares that I've spent my life in hopes of finding him, saving him from what they did. I can tell by the look on his face that he doesn't. He's already decided not to believe in me, no matter what you do. So all you've told me is that my twin brother, the brother I loved more then life, died in that building all those years ago." The pain was clear on her face, as well as the anger.

She stood up to leave. "Everything you just told me has proved it. I'm alone like before, half a person without my brother. THAT man has found a family, love and friends in all this time, and I hate him for it." With that, she left the room.

"Chere, wait!" Gambit yelled, following her. "Don't bother, Remy, I don't want company!" she yelled back over her shoulder.

"Please, just let me talk ta ya, just for a few minutes," he called back again.

She stopped, not turning around but letting him catch up to her.

"I know you're hurtin'. Dis wasn't what you expected to 'ear, but we're good people, chere. We can help," he told her, the feeling showing up in his eyes.

"Maybe I don't want any help. Maybe I just want to forget," she said coldly.

"You know you won' be able to, an' you been alone too long," he said softly.

"And why do you care how long I've been alone?" she snapped at him.

"Because I do. I care 'bout you. Hey, look at it dis way: you get de chance to get to know me better. Stay for a while, chere, den decide if you wanna go or not," he told her.

She looked down. She had never felt so tired, so drained in all her life. "You ask him if he wants me to stay," she said, her voice not as cold as before.

"Why? You should know Logan, an' he don' trust nobody and nothin'. You gotta let 'im get used to de idea he got a sister. Stay because I want ya to stay," he coaxed, flashing her his charming smile.

She sighed deeply. "All right, for you I'll stay for a little while, but only because you've been so nice to me. It's been a long time since I've had a friend." She smiled weakly up at him.

"It's a deal. Come on -- let's go tell de others de good news" he said happily.

"Yeah, sure," she said sarcastically with a little laugh.


The first thing they had done was a DNA test. Logan didn't accept the results too well -- he had taken off as soon as they were told. The others had tried there best to make her feel welcome. They had shown her around the complex, told her who they were. By evening, everything had settled down somewhat. Logan still hadn't returned but everyone else seemed to accept it. The woman Jean had looked worried, but she hadn't spoken about it to anyone.

Gabriel had decided to give the Danger Room a try, setting up one of Logan's high-level programs despite what everyone had said. She was trying her best to work out her growing frustration, working herself into a blind rage until there was nothing left. She had been at it for five hours. She didn't realize, however, that they were still testing her, not just to see if she was Logan's sister, but to see what her abilities and strengths were.

Henry McCoy, or "Beast" as most called him, recorded her workout program results, amazed at her stamina and reflexes. Jean Grey had kept a link to her mind, in hopes of better understanding her so she could help both her and Wolverine get through it all. Gambit simply watched her for her beauty. She seemed like an untamed animal as she pounced and attacked; every move was as graceful as a dance. That had given him an idea and he quietly left. With Beast helping her physically and Jean helping her mentally, he'd try to help her emotionally. He knew all about loneliness without family, and there was something about her that drew him to her.


When she came out of the room she was drenched in sweat but breathing regularly. Her body had already returned to its relaxed state. Beast was waiting for her; he handed her a towel. "You were watching me, weren't you?" she asked calmly.

"Yes. I hope you don't mind," he asked her sincerely.

"No, I don't mind. I'm a lot like my brother, aren't I?" she asked as she toweled her hair.

"In a lot of ways, yes, you are," he said frankly. "Would you mind if I ran a few tests on you? Simply for curiosity's sake?" he asked, his voice pleasant.

She liked this man -- he was to-the-point, even when she didn't understand what the point was. "No, I wouldn't mind. You're a scientist, aren't you?" she asked as she followed him down the corridor.

"Yes, I am. I'd like to see how your healing factor differs from Logan's, how the powers have manifested differently in the two of you," he said, his deep fascination evident.

"I would be happy to oblige you, then," she said with a smile.


She spent the next hour with him in his lab, stopping only to take a quick shower and change her clothes. He took samples of her blood and took various readings with his machines and devices. She found it relaxing to sit and listen to his voice as he tried to explain what he was doing in terms she could understand. She left him finally, to analyze all the data he collected, singing away to himself as he worked. She met Gambit in the hall.

"'Ello, chere! How are you liking your stay wit us so far?" he asked her, smiling.

"I'm dealing with it," she said, laughing softly.

"It's nice to see you in a good mood," he commented, his smile brightening. "I got a surprise for you. Come outside wit' me."

She followed him out onto a large terrace, half of which was gone. There was a table set up with candles, wine and a small radio. "Very nice, Remy. You trying to charm me?" she said with a grin.

He smiled back at her. "I t'ought you might like dis, to be able to forget for awhile again, and maybe dance wit' me."

"I haven't danced in years," she said with a bright smile. "I'd be delighted."

He turned on the music, a slow, soft song ringing out across the grounds. He took her in his arms and started to slowly dance. She felt so relaxed with him, letting her worries melt far off in the distance. She liked the music and the soft, sweet-smelling wind. It wasn't long before all of the problems of the day left her mind...then Logan returned.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, LeBeau?!" he shouted when he saw the two dancing.

"What you care, Wolverine? I'm trying to show the lady a good time!" Gambit yelled back "Maybe let 'er forget 'bout you for a while."

"Yeah, right...you stay away from her, Cajun, or I'll make you stay away," Logan said in a low, snarling voice.

Gambit stepped away from her, standing closer to Logan. "What give you de right..."

Logan popped his claws. "I got plenty of 'rights' right here. I know you, LeBeau, and I ain't about to stand by and watch you..."

Gabriel looked over at Logan, her face full of anger. "You have no right to get involved in my life, Logan," she said coldly.

"This doesn't concern you. Stay out of it," he said just as coldly back to her.

"De hell it doesn't!" Gambit shot back.

"She's not staying here, LeBeau, not while I'm here," Logan snarled.

"Den why don't you leave?" Gambit said, his fists clenched.

"You got a problem with me, Logan, then you take it up with me. Or are you afraid I really am your sister?" Gabriel snapped icily at him. "Maybe you're afraid you're not alone anymore...or is it that you really don't want to face up to your forgotten past?"

Dead silence hung thick in the air. No one moved.

"Don't worry, Logan. I'm leaving. I wish I had never found you, I wish I had never seen the man you've become. Then I'd at least have my memories." With that she leapt from the terrace, becoming the panther before she hit the ground.

"You're a damn fool, Logan. De best t'ing to happen in your life and you chase 'er away," Gambit said quietly. "I'm goin after 'er."

"Don't even try it, Cajun," Logan growled at him.

"You gonna stop me, mon ami?" Gambit answered, taking a card out of his pocket.

"No. I'm gonna beat you to it. I'm going after her, and I'm bringing her back," Logan said roughly, and left to follow her, leaving a slightly dazed Cajun behind.

« « BACK
NEXT » »
[ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 ]


- Wolverine's Realm - Facts About Wolverine - Origins of Wolverine - Wolverine's Allies -
- Wolverine's Enemies - Picture Gallery of Wolverine - Fan Art Gallery of Wolverine -
- Wolverine Fan Fiction - Wolverine Rumor Section - Current Wolverine Issue -
- Wolverine Issue Database - Sound Gallery - Wolverine Price Chart - Wolverine Chatroom -
- Wolverine Books for Sale - Wolverine Poll - Other X-Men related links - Other Comic links -
- Webring Membership - Wolverine Search - Mail Me!! - Guestbook - Feedback -
©Copyright by Alan Quan. This printed article is ©copyrighted by its respective author and has been reprinted with permission.