Part 5 

	Lazily, Remy opened his eyes and wondered why he felt this 
comfy and warm. He was back in his room, safely tucked away 
underneath blankets and dim lights warmly lit his surroundings. 
But the thing that had made him wake up had been the smell of 
food. 
	Curiously he stared at the sweats draped over the chair 
next to the bed and quickly decided to just put them on. That 
however, turned out to be harder than he’d thought. His fingers 
still ached and felt strangely numb. 
	It took him a few minutes to slip in to the sweats and then 
he wrapped the blankets once again around his form. It wasn’t 
that he was really cold. The room temperature was comfortable, 
but he couldn’t get the chill out of his bones. The memory of 
lying there on the ice had been imprinted on the body itself. 
	Drawing in a deep breath of =warm= air he slowly made his 
way over in to the corridor and this time he followed his sense 
of smell. A moment later he had found the small kitchen. 
	“Are you hungry?” Magneto asked, seeing Remy hesitantly 
enter the room. 
	“Oui,” he admitted and tried to peek at the food. 
	“Then sit down.” Magneto pointed at the table and chairs. 
This wouldn’t be easy. “We need to talk.” 
	“What about?” Remy gingerly took a seat. 
	“About your return to the X-Men,” Magneto stated resolved 
and placed a plate filled with potatoes, greens and steak in 
front of the young man. “But first you’ll eat.” 
	Taken aback Remy stared at the food. “Mon Dieu, y’ want 
Remy t’ eat all 
dat?” 
	“Rule number one,” Magneto said and handed Remy some water. 
“As long as you’ re my guest, you’ll stop talking in the third 
person. Compris?” he added in French, hoping to find some mutual 
ground. 
	“Will try,” Remy said, giving in reluctantly. 
	“Trying isn’t good enough,” Magneto pointed out to him. 
“You’ll just do it.” 
	Remy chuckled briefly and had no idea why. All he knew was 
that it felt good to be talking to Magneto for some mysterious 
reason. “Never t’ought I’d ever befriend y’,” he quipped. “Don’ 
y’ need t’ destroy de world or threaten someone?” 
	“You’ve got a good sense of humor,” Magneto replied in a 
similar tone, grateful that the fear had receded from Remy’s 
eyes. Apparently the young man had finally realized he was safe 
here. 
	“Ever tried Cajun food?” Remy asked as he slowly emptied 
his plate. Until now he hadn’t realized how hungry he was. 
	“No.” Magneto studied Remy. “I’ll take you back to the 
mansion tomorrow.” 
	Remy didn’t know how to feel about that. “Don’ wanna,” he 
said eventually. “Can’ face Storm or de oders.” 
	“Why?” Magneto decided to pretend ignorance, realizing how 
hard it would be to make Remy open up. The young man wasn’t used 
to sharing anything private with others. 
	Remy took a moment to consider that question. “Re…” he 
started and then stopped himself, “I’m afraid.” 
	Magneto inclined his head, urging him on. They didn’t have 
much time and there was also this charm power, as Remy called 
it, to discuss. 
	“Dey will never believe dat I didn’ know ‘bout de 
Marauders’ plans.” Remy gave Magneto an apologetic look. “Warren 
lost his wings in dose tunnels. He hates me.” 
	“And what did =you= lose? What did the Marauders and 
Sinister take from 
=you=?” Magneto asked in trepidation. Talking to Remy was like 
talking to someone who didn’t speak the same language. 
	Remy’s startled face gave away his anxiety. “Dis isn’ about 
Re… me. Dis is about dem!” 
	“Wrong,” Magneto sighed. “Sinister tricked =you=.” 
	Remy lowered his eyes. “Why do y’ want me t’ go back?” 
	“Long ago I choose a certain path in order to realize my 
dream, a world in which mutants would live without fear or 
hatred directed at them.” Magneto caught Remy’s eyes and hoped 
the young man understood what he was talking about. “I =choose= 
my way. You now face that same choice. You can continue to blame 
yourself for every wrong in the world or take matters in to your 
own hands and be the best you can.” 
	“I can’ go back,” Remy objected, but his tone had lost its 
conviction. 
	“Yes, you can. You care about Storm, don’t you?” 
	Remy nodded his head. “I do.” 
	“Then you must tell her the truth,” Magneto stated and 
shook his head. “I’m not saying this will be easy, but…” 
	The idea of facing them, the prospect of stepping up to 
Warren and talk to him, made Remy feel nauseous. They had never 
liked each other, had only tolerated the other’s presence and 
Warren would very likely go mad with rage seeing him show up at 
the mansion. 
	“Think about it,” Magneto whispered and was satisfied 
seeing the wavering expression on Remy’s face. “There’s 
something else we need to discuss.” 
	Surprised, Remy focused on the other man. Why was Magneto 
going through all this trouble to help him? 
	“Your charm power. Have you ever tried manipulating it?” 
Magneto asked, uncertain how to put that question. 
	“Non,” Remy said determined. “I jus’ try t’ block it.” 
	“While you were asleep, I researched this phenomenon.” 
Magneto noticed the uneasy look in Remy’s eyes and leaned in 
closer. “Telepathy is quite well researched, but there are only 
a few empaths…” 
	Remy looked up questioningly. No one had ever used that 
term in relation to his charm power. 
	“I have this theory,” Magneto sighed and poured some tea, 
“Assuming you were born with it,” he said and waited for Remy’s 
confirmation. 
	“Oui.” 
	“Good, then maybe childhood events formed, molded it in a 
certain way.” Magneto realized this was only theory and that he 
could never back it up with evidence, but this was the only 
conclusion that made any sense. “We know you went through some 
traumatic events to survive on the streets and…” 
	Remy looked away, not wanting to hear one more single word. 
He just wanted to leave those things in the past! 
	“The men who abused you…” Magneto said softly and noticed 
the swimming red eyes, “were attracted to you because they 
reacted to that ‘charm power’. I believe you subconsciously 
adapted your ability in order to stay alive. These men gave you 
money, fed you, offered you shelter, and using your ability in 
that manner helped you survive.” 
	Remy didn’t comment, as he simply didn’t care. His 
childhood was filled with pain and now Magneto was dragging it 
in to the present. 
	“Maybe the process is reversible.” 
	That remark however, made Remy pay close attention. “What 
are y’ talkin’ ‘bout?” 
	“I think…” Magneto started and approved of the changed 
expression in Remy’s eyes. “That you can learn to control it, 
even change its sexual character. This ‘gift’ is part of you. 
You’re not part of it.” 
	Confused, Remy sighed and pulled the blankets closer. His 
fingers curled around the hot tea mug and he asked, “Let m’ get 
dis straight. Y’ t’ink my charm power is some kind of empat’y?’ 
	“Correct,” Magneto said pleased. Now that they had taken 
that first step, he had to try and convince Remy to let Charles 
help him explore it. “Now, I want you to try something on me.” 
	Remy slowly shook his head. “No experiments.” 
	Magneto ignored him and said, “I want you to recall 
something from your memory, a joyous occasion. Can you do that?” 
	“Dat’s it?” 
	“For the start.” 
	Reluctantly Remy gave in and remembered how proud Jean-Luc 
had been when he had earned his membership to the Thieves guild. 
His father’s face had shone with pride and there had been a 
measure of contentment in his eyes, which Remy still remembered 
vividly. “Got it,” he told Magneto. 
	“Good, now try and share that joy with me.” 
	Remy’s expression turned dark. “I don’ know how.” 
	“Listen to your instincts.” Magneto hoped he was right and 
that Remy was capable of doing this. If this charm power truly 
was some kind of empathy this had to work! 
	Remy was about to give in when Magneto’s eyes told him how 
confident the man felt in his abilities. “I’ve never done dis 
before,” Remy whispered apologetically and was suddenly 
remembered the scarce intimate moments he had shared with the 
people who had truly cared for him. During those moments he had 
found a way to make them feel his pleasure. Maybe Magneto was 
right and he was some sort of empath. He knew they existed. 
	He couldn’t let Magneto down, wouldn’t face another failure 
and raised a shaky hand to touch Magneto’s, utterly 
concentrating, envisioning the flow of emotions between them. 
	A smile appeared on Magneto’s face, realizing Remy was 
trying hard to make this work and… it did. Something warm, 
joyous, slipped in to his mind and he experienced an alien 
pride. He refrained from speaking, seeing realization dawn on 
Remy’s face. 
	“Y’ felt it?” 
	“Yes, I still do,” Magneto replied pleased. Then, as 
suddenly as the sensation had appeared, it vanished again. “Do 
you still believe this is only ‘charm power’?” 
	“Wrong name for it den…” Remy muttered drained. 
	“Yes,” Magneto agreed. “You’re an empath.” 
	“A very tired one,” Remy confessed and realized his body 
was still recovering from the exposure to the cold. Fumbling the 
blankets with his stiff fingers Remy peeked at Magneto’s eyes. 
“Why do dis for m’?” 
	“You remind me of my youth.” Magneto got to his feet, 
offering no other explanation. “I’ll walk you back to your 
room.” 
	Suddenly Remy noticed the relaxed mood he had been in 
during their conversation. He hadn’t been even obsessed with 
controlling the charm power and Magneto seemed unaffected by it. 
In a soft tone he put that question to Magneto. 
	“I didn’t feel any attraction, Remy. I suspect that the 
more you learn about the extent of this power, the quicker that 
sexual undertone will disappear. I suggest you focus on other 
emotions instead…” 
	“Dat makes sense,” Remy had to admit. 
	“And ask Charles to help you,” Magneto said as they 
approached Remy’s room. “You need the assistance of a telepath, 
as you don’t know what this power can do.” 
	“De professor is on Muir Islan’,” Remy revealed and wished 
he could take back those words. 
	“Then ask Jean,” Magneto suggested, not even reacting to 
the news that Charles had left the mansion. 
	“Maybe I will.” Remy lowered his body on to the bed and 
pulled the blankets close. “I don’ understan’ y’,” he said 
questioningly. 
	Magneto didn’t react as he walked back to the doorway. 
“I’ll take you back to the mansion tomorrow. Don’t try to leave 
the premises. The alarm system will pick up on your movement.” 
	“What to say when dey ask m’ how I survived?” Remy wanted 
to know as his eyes slipped shut. The warmth surrounding him 
lured him in to relaxation. 
	“You won’t mention my name,” Magneto said suddenly alert. 
“Let them wonder how you made it back.” 
	“Will make dem suspicious,” Remy added thoughtfully. But he 
liked the idea of being an empath. Maybe he could find a way to 
put this charm power to good use and help people. 
	“Let them,” Magneto decided, before stepping in to the 
corridor. 
	Drained, Remy focused on being warm and safe. This 
encounter with Magneto had turned his life upside down. He was 
even considering returning to the X-Men to make it up to them 
for his past mistakes. There was no guarantee they would take 
him back and facing Storm and Warren would be one of the hardest 
things he had ever done. As he fell asleep, he realized Magneto 
wouldn’t give him a choice and throw him in the deep tomorrow. 
	As Magneto walked through the corridor he tried to figure 
out how Remy’s mind worked. It was obvious the kid had had a 
rough childhood and had survived the only way he could. The 
thing that puzzled him though was why the X-Men and especially 
Charles had let this go by unnoticed. It wasn’t like Charles to 
ignore something like this! 
	Something Remy had said earlier returned to him. It had 
been the tone, which Remy had used that had stuck with him. “Dey 
t’ink Remy is a whore.” Those words had carried such agony that 
he had almost reached out to comfort the younger man, even 
without the lure of the charm power. 
	What had become of Charles’ high standards? Xavier had 
always wanted the X-Men to be as close as family, so why leave 
Remy out? Maybe he’d ask Charles that particular question 
privately one day. But he had achieved his main objective. Remy 
doubted his decisions and would hopefully try and explore his 
mental powers. “And I almost forgot about those shields. If 
Charles can’t read his mind, they must be impressive!” he 
muttered softly. 
	Concentrating on checking the alarm system he realized Remy 
was still in his room, soundly asleep. Good. In that case he 
might try and sleep for a few hours as well. Tomorrow, he would 
take Remy back to the X-Men and he decided that he would wait 
until he was certain they’d allow him in. 
	He didn’t really doubt that they’d accept him, especially 
since Rogue had left the mansion. No one needed to know he could 
monitor the mansion’s surroundings but he had witnessed her 
departure and she hadn’t looked happy. The expression on Scott’s 
face had only added more questions to his list. As leader of the 
X-Men Scott should have given order to search for the missing 
Gambit. 
	But they had left a teammate out there to die. Magneto laid 
down on his bed and felt… Yes, what did he feel? Anger, 
frustration. The high and mighty X-Men had abandoned one of 
their own, something he had never thought possible in the past. 
Maybe it was because Charles wasn’t there to offer guidance; 
maybe… he should stick around the mansion until he had his 
answers. 
	Remy’s dreams were filled with ice packed nightmares. The 
blankets twisted tightly around his body. Feeling restricted his 
eyes shot open and disoriented he tried to remember where he 
was. Right, Magneto’s base in Antarctic. He shivered, realizing 
that once he went outside he would end up in that sea of ice 
again. No, he wasn’t leaving this room where it was warm. Right 
there, he promised himself to never again set a foot on ice and 
avoid snow for the rest of his life. It was just too cold! 
	Trembling he leaned in to the pillows and tried to regulate 
his breathing. The mere thought of ice had him panicking. Not a 
good sign! And why did Magneto have to take him back tomorrow? 
He needed time to gather his strength and to determine what to 
do with this revelation that he had some kind of empathic 
powers. 
	“Go back to sleep,” Magneto said as he stepped inside. 
Remy’s unease had reached his dreams and knowing the young man 
had to be soothed before he could return to sleep he had decided 
to talk to him. 
	“I t’ink I had a nigh’mare,” Remy admitted, still under 
influence of the dream. “Dere is ice everywhere and it’s so 
cold!” 
	Hearing the shiver in that tone and sensing, yes =sensing= 
Remy’s loneliness he took another step. “You’re sending me your 
feelings.” 
	Another confused look. “Je suis désolé,” Remy whispered. He 
hadn’t realized he was doing that. 
	“Don’t worry about it,” Magneto said and smiled 
reassuringly. Strange, here he was, looking after an X-Man! 
“Want me to sit with you?” he offered, looking at the rather 
comfortable armchair in the corner of the room. 
	Embarrassed, Remy shook his head. “Non, I can manage.” 
	But Magneto didn’t buy that statement and sat down in the 
chair, which he had pulled closer to the bed. It was the 
loneliness, which had upset Remy so much in his nightmares. “Go 
back to sleep,” he repeated, and watched Remy’s eyes close. 
	
		
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