The Camping Trip

A/N I want to thank everyone who has read this story and especially those who have left me reviews, even the flamer because his/her comments really gave me a chuckle! And though it's unfortunate that the flamer detests this fic, it is most disappointing that he/she did not have the courage to leave his/her name nor provide anything constructive that might help the author to improve in writing. Then again, most likely the flamer has never written or posted a story him/herself and makes up for this lack by slamming the works of others. In any event, it's apparent the individual doesn't know the X-men all that well. Gambit is Cajun, not French. And while the Cajun culture is influenced some by the French (as well as African and others), it is a completely different language. In fact, between the different parishes of Louisiana the dialect ranges. The way something is pronounced and it's meaning in one parish, may change drastically in another. Having grown up in the state, I've had the opportunity to speak with a few Cajuns and it's interesting that some of them do speak the way Remy speaks in this story (saying dat for that). Then again, non-Cajuns in the south will sometimes speak that way when the words come out faster than the tongue can compensate (*grin*). All of the words and phrases used in this story come from Cajun websites and the Cajun archive at LSU. Irregardless, if the flamer had read the disclaimer in the beginning, it clearly noted that I do not know these languages (though I know of them and have heard them on occasion), and apologies are made if butchering of the words has taken place, which I'm reiterating here.

Anyways, thanks again to all of you who are reading it and those who are reviewing! Two chaps coming your way because y'all rock!!!

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Ch 14


Dr. Henry McCoy stood by the open entrance ramp to the Blackbird, waiting for Cyclops and Storm to join him. Never the one to shirk his duties, he was a little irritated at the fact that he was doing just that in order to go on what he felt was a pointless search and rescue mission. He couldn’t quite understand the concern and worry coming from the team leaders when, in all probability, Logan and Remy were just fine and could take care of themselves, had been doing so for years in fact. He was not looking forward to interrupting their vacation. Most likely, the two men were engaged in an Adam and Eve scenario, frolicking blissfully naked in the woods. He chuckled inwardly at the image that line of thinking produced. Of course, neither man would be too happy if they thought for one minute they were considered the ‘Eve’ of the relationship.

Their relationship.

It was funny to the good doctor that the boys tried so hard to hide their courtship from everyone. Although, considering how some of their fellow teammates felt about the two men, it was certainly understandable. Logan and Remy would be horrified to know that several of the X-Men were already well aware of their relationship, and approved wholeheartedly. Then there were a scant few on the team that were unaware, absolutely had no clue. His dear friend Robert being one of them. Oh Hank had no doubt that Bobby would be fine with it. It was just that his exuberant comrade had a big mouth. What Iceman knew, everyone on the team knew. That would not bode well for the couple in the face of a few team members that scorned them for any little thing, already looking upon the two as troublemakers not worthy of wearing the uniform.

Still, it was a warming thing to witness the change that had come over the men once they finally admitted their feelings for each other. Hank smiled as he remembered the exact day he noticed the change. He had never known Logan to stutter quite so much, and the usually suave and smooth Cajun was anything but. Hank recalled interrupting that awkward moment in the kitchen when he had taken a rare break from his research.

That thought made his smile falter somewhat and he sighed as he glanced back towards the elevator, thinking about all the work waiting for him in the medlab. No, this little jaunt to the woods to search out his perfectly capable teammates was definitely not helping with his workload. He would just have to shuffle his schedule a bit, move some items around to make up for the time loss. Of course, he could always skip sleeping. It was overrated anyway.

Hank was jolted from his machinations by the entrance of the two team leaders. Ororo approached the plane with Scott a few feet behind. Both had a grim set to their mouths, and he could tell just by looking that neither had gotten much sleep. They were looking a little worse for wear in that matter. Perhaps he needed to rethink that skipping sleep strategy.

“I see we are all here. Hank, is the Blackbird fueled and ready?” Scott gave the plane a once over before settling his gaze on the good doctor.

With a slight nod of his head, McCoy smiled. “Yes, oh fearless leader. She is primed and ready for our departure.” Scott merely graced him with a sour look.

“Exactly where are we going, might I ask? And how are we to find our comrades in arms once we have arrived?” It was a reasonable question for Hank to ask, considering he really did not know where the men went for their time off.

“We are heading to the state park about three or so hours north of here. We should reach the park in about forty-five minutes by air. But locating them may take longer. Jean is using Cerebro to see if she can track down Logan. She was having a bit of difficulty, almost like he’s shielded.” Scott paused a moment, contemplating something. “Of course, that’s probably due to his close proximity to Gambit. As you know, we have never been able to successfully track him with his nearly impenetrable shields.”

Hank nodded in agreement with that assessment. The boy’s mind had always been a mystery to the team, especially the telepaths in the group who found it frustrating to not be able to read him. Storm began her ascent into the plane, ready to begin the mission. She had not been able to let go of the gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach since her discussion with Scott the previous evening.

Scott spoke again to Hank, filling him in on the plan that he had discussed with Ororo prior. “Jean will send word to us when she has located a trace of them and we will use the onboard tracking system to set o….”

~ SCOTT! SCOTT! ~

Grabbing his temples and wincing slightly, Cyclops’ train of thought was immediately interrupted by his wife’s frantic voice.

~ Not so loud, honey. What’s the matter? ~

~ Oh, I’m sorry sweetie. I didn’t mean to…I..I am ~

He could feel her distress through their link and again urged her to calm down and tell him what was wrong.

~ Scott, I can’t pick up anything on Logan. But, I…I really can’t believe….I’m picking up Remy completely. There’s no block whatsoever. And he’s coming in so strong ~

He let those words sink in for a minute as he looked up to note the other two in the search party staring at him in question.

~ But I thought you couldn’t read Gambit. His shields…. Oh shit! ~

They both came to the conclusion simultaneously, the implications of which were not good.

~ That’s right, darling. For me to be picking him up so easily, it means his shields are completely gone. You know what that means? ~

“His empathy is wide open.” Scott did not realize that he spoke those words aloud. Instantly, he regretted having vocal cords at all when he saw the shock and concern on his crews’ faces.

~ Wait Scott! There’s something else. Remy…..he’s in extreme stress and pain. You must hurry! I have already sent the coordinates to the onboard computer. ~

~ We’ll find them. Don’t worry, love. We’ll bring them both back safe. ~

Taking a deep breath, he immediately schooled his face and went into leader mode. “Alright people, we have a problem.”

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