Fervent Feelings

X3 Chapter 13 - Maybe Spend A Moment In The Past

Two years later... 2006

I unlock the door to the small dingy apartment, the familiar creak of the old hinges echoing in the hallway. The air inside is warm and comforting, the scent of home mixed with the faint aroma of the dinner Remy must have cooked earlier. I toss my keys onto the entry table, the metal clinking softly against the wood. "I'm home!" I call out, slipping off my jacket and hanging it on the coat rack beside Remy's worn trench coat, the tan fabric weathered from countless adventures.

Strolling into the living room, I spot Remy sprawled across the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table. "Hey, hey!" I exclaim, pushing his feet off the table with a gentle shove. "What did I tell you about shoes on the furniture?"

Remy chuckles, his accent rolling off his tongue as he shuffles a deck of cards with practiced ease, his fingers moving with the dexterity of a magician. "Sorry 'bout that, cap'n," he says, hopping up from the couch with a mischievous grin. "Got ya somethin'."

I eye him suspiciously as I collapse onto the sofa, exhaustion from work settling into my bones. "I hope you didn't steal it..." I huff, but my tone is more playful than accusatory. Before I can react, a small, surprisingly heavy white box is tossed at my chest. I catch it, inspecting the sleek design and familiar logo. My breath catches as I recognize the iconic apple symbol.

"No way... You managed to get one of these?" I murmur, my fingers tracing over the box with reverence. Tearing it open, I pull out the device, my eyes widening in awe. "They've been sold out for months!" I lift the white rectangle, revealing a pair of headphones nestled beneath it. "An iPod shuffle..." I stare at it, the tiny device feeling almost magical in my hands.

Remy leans against the back of the couch, his smirk widening. "Let's just say I know a guy," he says with a wink. "Think of it as a thank-you gift for all you've done for me."

I rise from the couch, ruffling his auburn hair affectionately. "Thanks, kid," I say, my voice soft with gratitude. Without another word, I sprint off to my room, eager to load the little device with all the music I've been missing. Ever since I chose not to return to the mansion, luxuries like this have been hard to come by, and this feels like a precious connection to the life I once had.

In my room, the familiar glow of my computer screen illuminates the space. I type into the keys, each click creating a satisfying rhythm, and plug in the iPod, starting the transfer. The progress bar inches forward, a small comfort in its steady movement. But an email alert catches my attention at the top of the screen, a bold headline flashing ominously.

"Breaking News! Cure for X-Gene Mutation."

"What the hell..." I murmur, my hand trembling slightly as I move the mouse to hover over the notification. I click on it, and the screen fills with an article that makes my blood run cold. "Hey, kid!" I shout over my shoulder, my voice betraying the rising panic.

Footsteps approach my bedroom door, and it creaks open. Remy's face appears, his expression curious. "What's the problem, huh?" he asks, his voice laced with concern.

I swivel in my chair to face him, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "Care for a trip to New York?"

Remy's eyes light up, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Oh-ho! I've been waitin' for this! Changed your mind 'bout the X-Men, did ya?"

"Not quite... but I need to meet with an old friend..." I sigh, my mind racing. I had felt Charles reach out for me once since my 'passing,' but I pushed his efforts away, effectively masking myself. But deep down, I know he knows I'm alive. But do the others?

***

The drive is long, the hours stretching endlessly as the miles blur together. We've been driving for nearly 15 hours, with only a few brief stops to refuel and stretch. I pull into a gas station, the fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows on the pavement.