A Soul Divided
by
Zerelda X


X-Men, and any variations of them, belong to Marvel. Charlotte belongs to me. No money made, unless someone wants my daydreaming privileges.

---

The ache in her head roused her from the blackness that surrounded her. She winced, sorry to see it go. Without it the pain rushed in to fill the void. She could see a bright light through her eyelids, raising one hand to cover her eyes.

She'd been the Danger Room trying out a new program Logan had put together. It must have been a doozy, too. One slice with her sword and a bolt of energy shot out of the image to knock her on her butt. She struck her head at some point, but couldn't remember how.

"Come now, don't be shy. I must examine that bump on your head," Hank's voice cajoled her. She gave up and lowered her hand, opening her eyes.

"What happened to me?" Charlotte opened her eyes wider. He didn't look like the Hank she knew. While he was large, furry and blue like hers, this one sported an ugly, twisted scar down the side of his face, from his temple to his jaw. She drew back in alarm. "What's going on?" she asked faintly, sure she wasn't going to like the answer.

"It was your own fault," he told her calmly, his large hands delicately probing her scalp to gently palpitate the injured area. "You were careless in the Danger Room. You are fortunate he didn't kill you."

"Who didn't kill me?" she asked. "That hologram?"

He looked into her eyes. "Are you focusing on me? Do you know who I am?"

She wanted to tell him yes, she knew him, but this was a different Henry McCoy. Different good, different bad, she wasn't sure yet. "I think know you. At least, you seem familiar, but like you're out of step with my memories."

He nodded. "Concussion. I will keep you here overnight for observation." He moved away to get a bottle from the cabinet. "It was a hard blow, I'm not surprised you have no recollection of the incident." He smiled at her, his canines seemed larger than she remembered. "It will all come back to you very soon."

"But what happened?" It couldn't be what she thought happened. And why did everything look out of place?

"You and Wolverine in the Danger Room. You know he has difficulty controlling his anger. Why did you go in there? You are lucky Magneto was there to get you out." He dabbed on a bit of antiseptic on the broken skin.

It stung. She jerked reflexively, only to be held in place by his firm grip on her jaw. "Logan tried to kill me? Why?" This was all way too weird. Magneto?

Hank took another look in her eyes. "I notified your husband, he'll be here shortly. Right now I want you to close your eyes and rest."

Husband? They weren't married yet. "But he already knows," Charlotte said faintly. Logan tried to kill her? It didn't seem possible.

She leaned back on the bed, then took a double take on her body. *My God, I've raided Emma's closet,* she thought, horrified. She was clad in a leather mini skirt, actually more of a wide belt that missed her belly button by at least 4 inches and barely covered her bottom, and a skin tight leather crop top that hardly covered her breasts. The only things that were adequately covered were her knees, by thigh high leather boots. Purple leather. She'd never been the purple leather type.

*I'm dreaming, I have to be. If I close my eyes I can wake up and start this day all over,* she told herself desperately. She closed her eyes so tightly her forehead ached.

She heard murmured voices in the outer room. She wasn't going to look, she couldn't take another shock. Her head pounded in double time, almost as fast as her heart.

Footsteps crossed the floor to her side, a hand smoothed the hair from her face. She gathered the courage to open her eyes.

She looked up into Remy's face; it was Remy, with a black eye patch, his auburn hair as long as hers, tied back at his nape, his expression tender. Her mouth fell open in shock.

He planted a hot kiss on her open mouth, cutting off any sound she might have made. Her eyes widened in dismay, and she pushed him away. "What are you doing?!" she demanded. "Has the whole world gone crazy?"

She scrambled off the other side of the bed, putting space between the two of them. She threw up a shimmering field against him. Thank the gods something was still the same.

"Chere, what you doin'?" he asked her, obviously confused. "Henri, he tell me you hurt. I take you upstairs t' rest."

Hank entered behind him. "I believe I mentioned she was experiencing some disorientation, Gambit, and that she should stay here for the night."

"You mean HE'S my husband?!" Charlotte nearly shouted at him. "But what about Rogue?"

The two men exchanged a concerned look. "Who dat, chere?" Remy asked.

Charlotte took several deep breaths. "Rogue. You remember Rogue. You're in love with her."

"I love only you, you know dat," he answered.

The air began to pulse around her as her aggravation increased. "Don't say that!" She was in Hell, Hell with fluorescent lighting, that was the only explanation.

Hank reached over and hit the intercom. "We've have a situation in the medlab."

~*~*~*~*~

The team began to arrive. She knew these people, didn't she? They seemed familiar and so strange. She felt herself being backed into a corner. They were trapping her here.

All faces were turned to her, alarmed and not so friendly, most downright hostile, faces that were out of synch with her memories.

Jean was here, and Ororo; yet their faces were harder, sadder. Storm didn't have her calm, serene air, and she carried herself with the thinnest veneer of the elegance that Charlotte knew. Jean seemed hunched within herself, though she stood tall next to... Magneto?...her hand on his arm.

Warren stood to one side, the accustomed yellow curls and air of privilege she was used to were not there at all; instead she saw a bitter man with close cropped hair, his wings seemed dingy, as though the feathers reflected his inner self. Where was the Angel she argued with over the Wall Street Journal?

Scott still wore his visor, but his brown hair was mixed with gray, his face scarred, tired.

Logan was the hardest to bear. He crouched in a corner, his face lined and scarred, his eyes feral and hate-filled, his hair long and unkempt. He hated her, she could see it in his face. If he could have killed her at that moment, he wouldn't hesitate.

"Charlotte, please, let us help you," Magneto's voice was still rich and smooth, but striking all the wrong notes in her head. He looked careworn and exhausted.

"All I want are some answers," she said evenly. The psionic field in front of her continued to pulse as a manifestation of her agitation and confusion.

"What do you want to know?" He asked.

"What the hell is going on?!" She shouted at him.

Magneto glanced down at Jean. She was concentrating on Charlotte, trying to find a way past her mental shields.

"You were involved in a...misunderstanding in the Danger Room."

"Misunderstanding, huh?" Right. Misunderstandings don't create hallucinations. "I am still Charlotte Ashcroft?"

"Non, you Charlotte LeBeau," Gambit broke in insistently.

She tensed up, the air around her grew murky.

Magneto shook his head at Gambit. "Yes, your name is Charlotte Ashcroft. You go by the codename of Blade. You are in my home outside of Salem Center in Westchester, New York. You are part of a elite team of mutants."

Nothing sounded right. She was dead, that was it, dead and this was some joker's idea of an afterlife. The gods' private little joke for the century.

A bamf sound behind her, followed by the smell of sulfur, made her realize her tactical error. Arms encircled her, drawing her attention away from the group by the door. Her shield dissolved.

Hank grabbed his hypo and rushed over to where Nightcrawler held her. He quickly injected a sedative into a vein. Almost immediately it began to take effect.

The room grew hazy. Nightcrawler's yellow eyes swam in front of her. "But, Kurt," she said weakly, "it's not supposed to be like this. Where's Xavier? Where's Charles Xavier?"

~*~*~*~*~

The team assembled in the War Room to discuss Charlotte's condition.

"Who is Charles Xavier?" Nightcrawler asked Magneto.

Magneto shook his head. "That is a name I haven't heard in more than three decades. He was a friend of mine, my closest friend. He's dead."

"Are you sure about that?" Cyclops asked. "She talks like she believes he's still alive."

"I'm sure," he shot a hard look at the younger man.

The doors opened, Jean and Gambit joined the group.

"She knows us, yet she doesn't know us," Storm mused. "How puzzling."

"There's a reason for that," Jean said, taking her usual seat next to Magneto. "She's not Charlotte LeBeau."

"Explain," Magneto asked his right-hand and companion.

"She is Charlotte, but not our Charlotte," Jean warmed under his gaze. "I was able to push past her mental shields because she's sedated, otherwise I would never have been able to penetrate her mind. She has memories that have no basis here, her mental control is much stronger and more developed than Blade's. Physically, she's the same. Beast believes she is from a different reality, one where this Xavier person still lives and she is not married to Gambit."

Gambit's face twisted in fury. "It's your fault," he spat at Wolverine. A charged card appeared between his fingertips.

Adamantium claws snikted out. "Any time yer ready," Wolverine growled back.

"Stop this! This is getting us nowhere," Magneto closed his eyes in frustration. "We need to review the training tapes, see what happened. Find out if we can actually reverse this situation."

"What if it can't be changed," Gambit asked bitterly.

"We'll deal with that problem when we come to it."

~*~*~*~*~

The sedative wore off quickly, her metabolism working overtime in response to the stress she was under. She opened her eyes slowly, hoping things would have righted themselves without her participation.

Beast swung around at her soft gasp of breath. His face was still scarred.

"Tell me it's all a dream, please," she said. "Even a nightmare. I'll take what I can get."

"I am afraid not," he told her gently. "You are still in this reality. We know you are not the Blade that belongs with us."

"Blade? Is that what she calls herself?" Charlotte asked incredulously. She tried to sit up and found herself restrained to the bed. "Will you take these off, please? I'm not going anywhere, am I? I have nowhere to go."

He considered the request, then untied her.

She sat up and rubbed her wrists. "Thank you." She walked over to where he'd been sitting at the computer. "So, how did she get the name Blade?" She casually looked over his shoulder. The equipment he used was not Shi'ar. Obviously they didn't exist in this world or Llandra had not made contact with them, assuming Llandra existed here as well. His computer seemed like an antique out of a bad sci-fi movie next to the technology his counterpart used.

"She is very good with knives." Hank returned to his entries into her computer files.

"I can't believe she married Remy." A horrible thought hit her. "If I'm here, than she's in my reality. Oh, Lord. Rogue will tear her apart."

"Who is Rogue," Magneto entered the lab, Jean by his side. "And how do you know Charles Xavier?"

She drew back warily. "You know Charles? I've got to see him."

He shook his head. "Xavier has been dead for more than thirty years."

It just kept getting better and better. "Rogue is a friend of mine. She is involved with Remy and now your Blade is risking my body and life, convincing Remy they're married. I hope Xavier realizes she's not me before any real damage is done."

"If it's any consolation, the two of you do not appear to be that much alike in temperament." He moved toward her, intending to take her arm. She stepped back out of his reach, falling into Beast's lap. "You are afraid of me?" He asked. "Why?"

"I'm not afraid, just cautious." She scrambled out of Beast's hold and moved against the wall.

He retreated. "I am not going to hurt you."

"Nothing here is the way it's supposed to be," she answered with painful intensity. "In my world the X-Men don't look quite so beaten, so hard. Scott and Jean are happily married, Ororo and Warren are more at peace with themselves, Remy doesn't have all those hard edges to his soul, and Logan-" she caught her breath, tears clouding her eyes.

"And Logan is not an animal. He is a wonderful mate." She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. Beast silently handed her a tissue.

In the control room, Wolverine watched the scene unfold on the monitor with suspicious eyes.

Charlotte took hard control of herself. She looked up at Magneto. "If this isn't one of your damn illusions, I have to get back. I don't belong here."

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte wandered around her room, the room Jean told her she shared with Remy. The first thing she needed to do was get out of these clothes and into something she could deal with.

Her closet looked like Emma's, all tiny bits of leather in every color imaginable. Didn't Blade ever get cold? She went back out to find Jean and borrow something that wouldn't reel in the pimps and johns. She caught sight of herself in a mirror and cringed in disgust. Where did all that black hair come from? She was wearing more make-up than Jubilee ever did, too.

She opened her psi sense and located Jean in the kitchen.

The mansion was essentially the same, darker, gloomier, the furniture all wrong, but otherwise the same. At least the kitchen was where it was supposed to be.

Jean was pouring coffee when she entered the room. "What can I do for you?" she asked pleasantly.

"I need something to wear. This Blade person dresses like the White Queen, or Psylocke."

At Jean's blank look Charlotte sighed. "They don't exist here, do they?"

Jean shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Why don't we look in my closet?"

"What happened to everyone?" Charlotte asked. The mansion was virtually empty, just the two of them there.

"Mission." She opened a door and went in. "The Mutant Support League is demonstrating in Washington." She snapped on the television and found the news channel.

While Jean looked through her closet, Charlotte's eyes were glued on the TV. She watched in horror as the the protesters were swarmed by the army. 'It happens here, too,' she thought. "Wait! There's Jubilee, and Sam and Paige!" she pointed at the screen.

Jean came over with a pair of shorts and a button down white lawn shirt. "They must be part of the Mutant Support League. It attracts the younger ones. I think these will do. You can shower through there."

The hot water helped her feel more like herself. The shirt helped, falling past her thighs to her knees, giving her the feeling of being covered. "I feel better." She looked at Jean. "Why exactly why did the team go and why aren't you with them?"

"Magnus felt you shouldn't be alone and they went to protect the president. It's what we do. The president, heads of state, foreign dignitaries and the like."

"You don't stop rogue mutants or protect the population?"

"The population would be more than happy to see us dead. Why would we protect them?"

"There's the one big difference between our realities. We promote human-mutant relations. Xavier's dream is to have harmony between the two groups, and sometimes we succeed. You seem to be mercs for hire."

"Sounds like a nice dream, but not very realistic. We have to protect ourselves. If we can make our gifts work for us then we should."

"Do I have a son in this reality?" The one question she'd been afraid to ask.

"I don't believe so. As far as I know, Blade doesn't have any children. She's just not interested in them."

"I get the feeling she's a real bitch. Why does everyone hate her?"

Jean's eyes hardened. "She runs roughshod over the rest of us, stops at nothing to get her way."

"And Remy married her? He is such a gentle soul."

"She has him duped and our Gambit is not as gentle as you might think." She left the room.

That was most likely true, but Charlotte didn't want to hear it. She followed her back to the kitchen.

"May I help?" Charlotte offered. She got a strange look from the other woman. "Don't tell me, Blade doesn't do anything around the house."

"No, she doesn't."

~*~*~*~*~

"Magnus and Beast reviewed the Danger Room tapes," Jean told her, stirring a huge stock pot on the stove. "Beast thinks he knows what happened. At the moment Wolverine attacked you, there was a surge in the electrical systems. It hit you, you fell back and struck your head on the ground. He thinks that power surge, coupled with an energy burst in your dimension, caused the two realities to cross briefly, exchanging you for Blade. He'll start looking for a way to reverse the process as soon as he gets back. We don't know how long you'll be here."

*Long enough to do something about her wardrobe and maybe get back her original hair color,* she thought to herself. "I was in the Danger Room trying out a new training program. When I sliced into the hologram, it exploded with power." Charlotte's eyes rolled. She was turning mounds of fresh produce into salad quickly and efficiently with an excellent set of knives.

"You do have a skill in common," Jean observed the knife play.

"I'm good with a sword, too. I'm kind to pets and small children generally like me."

"Blade doesn't use a sword." Jean gave her a curious look over her last remark. "I am curious about the psionic shield. She's never used one to my knowledge."

"That's something I learned a long time ago. You, or rather the other Jean, helped me refine my technique."

"Is she really married to Cyclops?"

"A match made in heaven. They are incomplete without each other. I don't know how they do it. He is the team leader, and sometimes I get the picture of her being a den mother for a group of unruly scouts, except when she's inciting the scouts to riot." Charlotte smiled at the memory.

"I get that feeling myself sometimes without the riot part."

"Ought to try it sometime, it's a lot of fun."

~*~*~*~*~

The team arrived back tired and hungry. Jean sent them off to the showers and set the kitchen table, Charlotte giving her a hand. When the first of them came trickling back, she went out to the front porch, uncomfortable with them all, knowing what her other self was like.

This world even looked different to her eyes, the sky not as blue, the greens washed out. She wasn't sure she believed all this. Maybe she was in a coma and this was a hallucination her brain dreamed up. If this was all she could come up with, her subconscious needed work. Time to schedule an appointment with a shrink. Maybe a few boxes of bubble wrap. She always wondered what it would be like training in bubble wrap.

A sound behind her warned her an approach. She resigned herself to the dislike of whoever it was, realizing after talking with Jean they all had issues with Blade.

The prickle down her neck told her who it was.

"Yer not even scared of me, are ya?" Logan's raspy voice snaked out. He positioned himself across from her. He could have taken her out just then, had considered it, but he was too curious about this alternate Charlotte.

"No, I'm not. I've never had a reason to be afraid of you."

"I can tell yer not her, I can smell it." It was a slight difference, but enough.

"Why do you hate her so much? What did she do?"

"I brought her here. I thought she wanted to be with me an' I brought her here to join the team. Then she had a go at every man on the team, an' some of the women. She's here 'cause we need her skills, but none of us want her back. We lost some good people 'cause of her."

"And Remy? Why did he marry her?"

"Gambit thinks he's in love wi' her."

"She's done a lot of damage here."

"Is it true what ya said? I got a mate in the other world?"

She turned away. "Yes."

"Anyone I know?"

A long silence. She didn't know how to answer, but it leaped out of her anyway. "Me."

He spent a few minutes digesting that tidbit. Already she looked different with her face washed clean and the thin shirt covering her. 'Course, the shirt did more to enhance her figure than the usual outfits Blade wore. He could tell she wore almost nothing beneath it. He put a cigarette in his mouth, then patted his pockets looking for matches.

She noticed his search. With a few mumbled words she lifted her hand to the end of his cigarette, fire sparking from her fingertips.

He drew back in surprise, then leaned forward, lighting his vice. "Where'd ya learn that?"

"I was married to a shaman once, learned a little magic."

"Blade don't know magic."

"Apparently she never moved out to the Northwest either, she never met Raven, never had my son. All she seems to have done with her life is wreck havoc on this world. I should probably try to do something about that while I'm here."

"An just what would dat be, huh gal?" Gambit joined them on the porch. "You just be borrowin' dat body till Beast find de way t' switch you back." He glared at the other man. "Dat body belong to Gambit."

"Mebbe we don't want the other one back," Wolverine grinned evilly.

A card appeared in Gambit's hand, red hot and ready to blow.

Charlotte sighed, grabbed the card and drained the energy. "Could you put a lid on the testosterone, please? These people have legitimate complaints against your wife, Remy. She's a troublemaker. You, of all people, deserve better."

His eyes widened in surprise. Blade never absorb energy, he didn't even know if she could. His wife always liked a little squabbling between the team members.

"Till she back, you follow my rules," Gambit told her. "You not my wife, but you still b'have y'self. Dat means you doan be messin' round wi' de others. Beast want you to stay in de lab. You do dat."

"If I'm to behave like your wife, I should start messing around with the others," she muttered under her breath. Wolverine heard her and flashed her a smirk. "Let's get one thing straight, Remy. You don't lay down the law to me. No one questions my manners or the way I conduct myself. You keep in mind I'm not your wife before you take that tone with me. She might like it, but I don't."

His remaining eye fairly snapped with fury at her. He drew back a hand.

"And you lay one hand on me," her voice turned cold, "I'll show you the edge of that fine line where Blade and I differ. You might find out I have a few skills and some knowledge your wife doesn't have. You may hit your wife twice a day and three times on Sunday, but you touch me and I'll hurt you back."

He stared at her in shock, her voice sending a wave of cold anger through him. His hand lowered slowly. "You dare?" he accused.

"I dare, my friend, I dare. Now, I happen to agree with you. I'll stay in the medlab, no problem. I won't create trouble with the team. You can all pretend I'm not here and I'll just do what I can to find my way back home."

"All dat, an' you still do it?" He was surprised again.

"I am a reasonable person. You, on the other hand, could have just asked." She stood up and dusted herself off. "And another thing. Ditch your wife, she's nothing but trouble."

~*~*~*~*~

A week later she was no closer to getting home.

In frustration, she pound her fist against the computer console she was researching on, mad because it was so....archaic. She wanted her own computer, or even Hank's with the Shi'ar upgrades. This was getting her nowhere. If she had to resort to pencil and paper, she was really gonna blow her stack.

"That will not help," Beast said mildly. He sat at another terminal across from her with a raised brow at her fit of frustration.

"You look like Mr. Spock when you do that," she told him. At his inquiring look, she sighed. "Never mind. Just when I think I've got the answer, it slips away from me. So far, the only possible theory is to recreate the Danger Room incident. That scares me."

"The wattage alone is risky," Beast agreed.

She stood up and stretched. "I need to get some exercise. Do you think anyone would mind if I used the pool?"

For what had to be the millionth time he marveled at how this Charlotte differed from Blade, at the differences a slight change in the cranial configuration made. "I do not believe so," he told her. "If you will wait a few minutes, I will accompany you."

The week had not been spent in vain. Jean took her shopping and she'd managed to obtain some more conservative clothing, avoiding Blade's dominatrix outfits. The hair she could do nothing about, but she kept it pulled back in a French braid so she wouldn't have to look at it. She didn't bother with the makeup.

She tried to take a turn cooking one night, but half the team wouldn't eat the meal, still understandably suspicious of her. Storm, Angel and Cyclops avoided her like the plague. Nightcrawler was civil, but distrustful. Magneto kept his distance for her sake, the sight of him upset her, though she was making progress separating this Magnus from Magneto.

Wolverine upset her, too, but for entirely different reasons. She tried to avoid him, hurting every time she saw him, but he'd show up at odd times silently watching her, not in a hostile way. Gambit was alternately hostile and confused.

Jean and Beast were kind to her. Jean's attitude she could understand; as a telepath Jean was firmly aware of who she wasn't. Beast simply accepted her. He was still the same gentle man she respected in her reality.

She changed into the swimsuit Jean found for her in the lab closet away from the unrelenting surveillance monitors. Apparently Blade didn't own a swimsuit, she just pulled off her clothes and dived in when the mood took her. She stayed in the lab, waiting for Beast to come back.

"Goin' swimmin'?" Wolverine's gruff voice came from the doorway.

She swung around in the chair. "Yeah, I need a break."

"Why ya still sittin' here, then?"

"I'm waiting for Hank. He's going with me. I don't want any problems with the residents."

He came in and took Beast's seat. "They still givin' ya trouble, darlin'?"

His use of the familiar endearment fed her aching heart. "I don't blame them. I'll do what I can make things easier for them."

He shook his head in amazement. The old Blade would have gone out of her way to make trouble. 'Course, the old Blade would have never worn jeans and T-shirts, not to mention a swimsuit.

Her revelations about his other self ate at his mind all the time. The fact the other self had a mate, and this woman was her, took some getting use to. But then, if Blade had behaved like this woman did, had the same compassion and consideration this Charlotte possessed, he could imagine himself marrying her.

"I'll go with ya, too. No one'll mess with ya."

"That's kind of you, but I am not looking for a fight," she said. "I just want a little exercise. Maybe if I were to make myself available for combat some of the team could rid themselves of the pain Blade's caused them."

"Not a good idea," Wolverine told her. "You'd get killed."

"Like you tried?" she grinned at him.

"Yeah," he simply said. "Like I did."

"You so sure I'll lose?"

Beast returned, wearing his suit, with a couple of towels thrown over his shoulder. "Charlotte, my dear, are you ready?"

"Oh, yes," she jumped up and took one of the towels from him, hanging it around her neck. "I am so looking forward to this."

Beast looked at Wolverine, who shrugged.

At first glance the indoor pool appeared deserted. Charlotte laid her towel out on a poolside lounge chair in a spill of sunlight coming through the glass dome. She looked around to the other side and saw Storm resting on another lounge chair. With a sigh, Charlotte picked up her towel and wound it around her body. "I'm going back in," she told Beast. "I'll see you later."

He watched her walk off, confused, then looked over to where Storm was and understood Charlotte's change of heart. He picked up his own towel and followed her.

"Back so soon?" Wolverine asked when they returned to the lab. "Ya don't even look wet."

Charlotte didn't answer. She went to the isolation chamber she was using as sleeping quarters and closed the door, curling up on the bed.

"Storm was at the pool," Beast explained. "Charlotte won't stay anywhere she might upset someone."

Wolverine got to his feet. "I'll see ya later."

He made his way up to the pool. Storm was still there, dozing in the early afternoon sunshine. He took the seat next to her, waiting for her to acknowledge his presence.

She opened her eyes. "Something I can do for you?" she asked in her careful, slightly accented English.

"Just wonderin' how yer doin'?"

"I am well."

"Charlotte was down here a few minutes ago. She wanted to use the pool."

Storm shrugged. "I did not stop her." She'd noticed Charlotte and Beast, had been ready to get up and leave until the other woman left first. She was having problems separating Charlotte and Blade, her own experiences with Blade fresh and painful.

"No, ya didn't, she stopped herself. She's tryin' to stay outta everyone's way. She ain't Blade, darlin', I'd know if she was."

"I know." she said quietly. "I am trying to accept her, it is so difficult."

He said nothing.

"How can you forgive so easily?" she asked him. "Of all of us, Blade harmed you the most." His tolerance for the woman amazed her.

"'Cause she ain't Blade."

She stood up. "I believe I am done for the day. I will stop at the lab and let Beast know the pool is available."

Who would have ever thought he'd be playing peacemaker, he thought to himself.

~*~*~*~*~

Would there be any possibility of getting out of here for awhile?" Charlotte asked Jean. "Maybe look around town, see a movie."

"Cabin fever?"

"Sort of. Just want to see something else." The walls were closing in on her, she was ready to scream bloody murder if she didn't think they'd believe it.

Beast looked at her, his eyes twinkling. "Is this your method of informing me your favorite color is no longer blue?"

"Oh, I still like blue, but maybe I want to see some different shades," she grinned back. "Oh, please, Mr. Warden, have mercy on my poor damned soul!" She fell to her knees, hands clasped in front of her in a supplicant pose.

Magneto chose that moment to enter the medlab. "Is there something going on here I should know about?"

"I'm begging for clemency and an early release," Charlotte got her feet, blushing a little at getting caught acting silly. "I was hoping to go into town today."

"I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go. You have been confined since you arrived, a change of scenery will do you some good." He turned to Jean. "Who is available to accompany her?"

"Why not Hank? He's been cooped up here with me the entire time." Charlotte smiled at Beast. "Whaddaya say? Pardons for both of us?"

He didn't return her smile. "I do not venture out among the populace very often."

"Why not?"

He didn't respond. Jean answered for him. "The outcry against mutants is hard for us all, but especially those with physical mutations. They often become targets because of their visibility."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Hank, I didn't realize-"

"Do not apologize," he brushed her words away. "It is a fact here, and I've learned to live with it."

"Gambit is free right now," Jean said. "I'll ask him to take you."

"Is that a good idea?" Charlotte asked. "He's liable to bury me six feet under and tell the gods I died."

Jean and Beast looked blankly at her. Magneto stifled a chuckle.

*Always get a laugh from the old folks,* she thought to herself. Was it her, or didn't anyone have a sense of humor in this place? But, then again, they didn't have much to smile about, did they?

"I'll talk to him anyway," Jean answered. Some of the things this Charlotte said were very odd. The other reality must be a strange place.

Left alone with Beast, she reached out and patted his shoulder. "I am sorry, I didn't think. Hank and I often go to operas and plays, the symphony. I just assumed you would be willing to go with me."

"Under other circumstances I would be delighted to escort you."

"Do you ever go anywhere?"

"I have ventured out from time to time and I have enjoyed some success appearing in public locally, but the successes are few and far between. I would hate to spoil your afternoon with a display of aggression on my part."

"Your choice. As I recall, we've shared a few displays of aggression in the past and it was a lot of fun."

He smiled again. "I am sure you will enjoy your outing with Gambit."

"That's if he'll agree. I seriously have my doubts. I suppose it would be too much to hope someone will just give over the car keys and let me go."

"Not too much to hope, if we trusted you," the snide voice said behind her.

She turned to look at Remy in the doorway.

"If you goin' wit' me, gal, den get a move on." He glared at her again. That's all he'd been doing for the last week, when he wasn't looking at her like she'd grown another head. Maybe she had, come to think of it. Still, sometimes she wanted to smack the boy around, just on general principle.

"Okay." Charlotte threw Beast a last look. "If I don't come back, send the Mounties."

She followed him into the garage, looking at the different vehicles for use. "Which one are we taking?"

He walked over to his motorcycle parked to the side. "De bike. You got a problem wit' dat?"

Charlotte grinned at him. "Not at all. Got one myself."

He rolled it out and started it up. "Get on."

She hesitated a moment, then climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. His long hair felt silky against her cheek, like a child's. It was comforting in a small way. Small comforts were all she could afford here.

"Where you want t' go?"

"How about some place we can get a few beers and play some pool? Is there a Harry's Hideaway here?"

"Dere's a place outside town called Harry's. We try dat 'un." He gunned the engine and off they went.

She'd never ridden double with Remy, it was different than riding with Logan. With Remy she couldn't see over his shoulder, she had to depend on the way he shifted his body to tell her when to lean into the curves. It was a curiously peaceful ride. She'd never been at odds with Remy; this unaccustomed hostility his counterpart held against her both confused and saddened her. She wanted her playful companion back, wanted her Logan back, wanted everything back she'd lost. In the safety of the fast ride, she let her tears flow silently, whisked away by the wind.

Gambit felt her grief, even as he sought to push it away from him, trying to dredge up his rage at what had been stolen from him. He raced the engine in a futile effort to outrun her emotions spilling over into him, but it wouldn't work. He'd forgotten he wasn't the only victim here.

They pulled up in front of a shabby establishment, a faded sign out front announced they had arrived at 'Harry's'.

She released him and swung herself off, looking up at the building. It reminded her of the old roadhouses of the fifties and sixties. She loved it immediately.

"Let's go," she said with a smile of anticipation. "You do play pool, don't you?"

He snorted. "An' who you t'ink taught you t' play?"

"Do you really want me to answer that."

He returned her smile for the first time. "Better not, I doan t'ink my heart could take it."

~*~*~*~*~

"Eight ball, left side pocket."

They watched as the cue ball slide almost in slow motion from the stick, to strike the sides twice, then gently butt against the eight ball, kissing it into the pocket. More than a few groans rang out around the table.

"Aw, man," one big burly fella moaned. "She's whippin' your ass, buddy."

Gambit shrugged. "She can whip any part o' me she wants, homme." His left eye winked at her lasciviously.

Charlotte laughed, straightening up from her position over the table. "Me? Threaten you with a good time? Only if you don't make good on your wager. Let's see, that's how many beers you owe me?"

"Least a dozen," Gambit answered. He'd stopped keeping score an hour ago. "'Nother game?"

"Nope, I'm gonna rest on my laurels. I know you're letting me win, and I want to stop while you're still feeling generous."

He stopped at the bar to get a two more beers, then made his way over to their table. "You shoot pretty good, chere."

"Thanks." Sometime during the last couple of hours she'd gone from being 'gal' to 'chere'. It was a nice change. Another small comfort. "May I ask you a question?"

He nodded.

"How did you lose the eye?"

"Dat what you want t' know?" One hand absently stroked the side of the patch. "Not a happy story."

"I apologize if it's personal."

"I tell you, it's just not a good story. Makes Gambit look foolish."

"Why would you look silly?"

"'Cause I was doin' somet'ing I shouldn' been doin' in a place I wasn't supposed to be."

"Don't tell me it was a woman." Charlotte laughed. "I swear, neither of you ever learn, do you? Whatever happened to exercising a little self-control?"

So the other Gambit was a rogue with the ladies, too? "Funny you be laughin', since Blade be de woman I wit' at de time."

It didn't seem so humorous now. She didn't like this story. "She did that to you?"

He shook his head. "Wolverine, he got sharp claws, non?"

The was nothing to say to that. They lapsed in silence, drinking their beers and listening to the music and conversation around them.

Lem, the big fella, wandered over and asked Charlotte to play a round of pool with him. She glanced at Gambit to see if he minded but he waved her on. She took the cue stick from Lem, looking back at the Cajun. The sudden mood change was her own fault for bringing up the subject. She should've known better, but it was so nice to have a semblance of Remy with her she'd forgotten he wasn't her friend. Pushing away the unease, she gave Lem a friendly smile and allowed him to be a gentleman and let her break first.

Gambit watched her play, watched her laugh and chat with Lem, not getting too close to the other man. Her behavior held him off at arms length without ever saying a cross word. Blade liked to immerse herself in the seedy atmosphere of the bar and had her own admirers she encouraged here. He could pick them out fairly easily. Even now, some were eyeing Charlotte's trim figure, a few maybe wondering why she wasn't acting in character.

He could see one of them getting ready to make his move and briefly thought of interfering, but decided against doing anything just yet. He didn't know she might welcome the attention. Just how different were they?

Charlotte leaned over the table lining up her shot when she felt someone brush up against her. She looked back to see one of the yahoos grinning stupidly at her. "Hiya, honey," he slurred in a drunken voice.

She stood up, using the cue stick to move him back. "I'll warn you this one time," she said in a even, almost amused voice, "don't touch me."

He laughed it off. "Aw, honey, don' get mad. Jus' havin' a little fun."

"Have your fun somewhere else." She turned back to the table and leaned over again for the shot.

The soon-to-be educated drunk, who didn't realize he'd only get one warning, crowded up against her, rubbing himself obscenely against her denim-clad bottom.

Before Gambit could react the man was rolling around on the floor, hands cupping his privates, the blood draining rapidly from his face. Charlotte stood with the cue stick, twirling it in her hands, throwing out a challenge to the rest of the crowd.

The victim's buddies weren't laughing. They separated, one going to each side of her.

She stepped away from the table to give herself more room, disassociating herself from her thinking mind and letting her natural instincts take over. She continued to spin the stick, waiting for one of them to make a move.

The one on the right rushed her, trying for her arm. She sidestepped him and jammed the thick end into his gut, then swung it back up to strike the other's head in a solid 'thunk.' She helped the first down with a roundhouse kick to the face. The second fell on his own.

The cue stopped in mid-spin and she looked around at the silent barroom. "Anyone else?"

No one else answered. Again she turned back to the table, this time taking the shot. "Damn!" she swore loudly. "Missed. Bet I knocked that stick out of whack." She glared at the bodies being escorted out none too gently by the bartender and a couple of volunteers.

Lem laughed, his big body shaking so much he sounded like a jingle bell with all the chrome he was wearing. "God, Blade, the things you do."

The code name sobered her up in an instant, every bit of enjoyment dissolving right before her eyes. *What am I doing here?* ran through her mind.

Gambit cursed himself when she bolted from the bar, tossing a few bills on the table and chasing after her.

He caught her before she got too far, ducking to avoid the swing that she threw at him. He grabbed her fist, pulling her off balance against his chest. "What you doin'?" he demanded.

"What am I doing here having fun when I need to be finding a way home?" she ground out between clenched teeth. "What's wrong with me?" She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her, holding her tightly in his arms.

Then he felt the fight drain out of her and she sagged against him, forcing him to support her weight. When he shifted his balance she slipped a foot behind his and shoved him over to the ground, sliding out of his grasp.

He watched her stare down at him, then she was gone, fading into the darkness.

~I'm sorry, Remy~ echoed through his head.

"Charlotte!" he yelled. No answer. Damn.

~*~*~*~*~

"Where'd ya lose her?" Wolverine demanded again.

Gambit bit back an angry reply. He'd already told this story more than once. They were acting like he let her walk away. They didn't see her disappear like smoke.

Magneto sat at the table in the war room, tapping his fingers on the surface.

"She was fine until someone called her Blade," Jean pondered out loud.

"Understandable," Magnus answered. "A form of shell shock. She's been here for more than a week, confined to the mansion. No one here calls her Blade and unless she looks in a mirror she doesn't recognize her counterpart. Taking her to a place people would know her destroyed the comfort zone she'd built around herself to deal with her present situation. She's feeling guilty and ashamed."

"What for?" Gambit asked, ignoring the look Wolverine was giving him, the one that said it was all his fault and they'd be discussin' it later.

"For bein' alive, an' rememberin' it." Wolverine's voice was thick and rough with experience. "We gotta find her b'fore she does somethin' stupid."

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte found herself in a part of town she didn't recognize. She readily admitted to herself now she'd been stupid to run off like that, not that it helped. She'd just had to get away from him and from them. It seemed that coming to this reality lowered her IQ about fifty points. She would've never done this in her own world.

Yeah, she would, but there she would've had somewhere to run.

Now she was out here without transportation, money, or even good sense. She couldn't even call the mansion without the phone number, even if she'd want to risk someone answering who'd just hang up on her.

Faint sounds from a nearby alley drew her attention, her self pity fading to the background. Nothing like someone else's troubles to get her mind off how hopeless this life had become. She slipped into the darker shadows to see what the problem was.

Three figures hunched over a fourth, fists swinging, nothing but grunts from the assailants audible. Now this was hardly fair. Time to even up the sides. She moved silently up behind them.

Two she took out by smashing their heads together, dropping them like rocks at her feet. The third caught sight of glowing golden eyes, hearing only an angry growl.

"Mutie!" he screamed before the sound was cut off to a choking garble, her hand crushing his windpipe. He lost consciousness. She let him fall next to his cohorts.

*Didn't even break a sweat,* she thought in disgust. They sure didn't breed 'em smart here.

A low moan from the victim had her kneeling next to the figure on the ground. "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," she said as soothingly as she could. She rolled him over gently, wincing at his groans that he tried to stifle. He shook with the effort it took to not let himself go with the pain.

A headlight turned the corner, briefly lighting up the alley. She got a good look at him. Damn, the poor kid was a bloody mess. His eyes opened and she sucked in a breath.

"Everett? Synch?"

Voices coming their way forced her out of her surprise. "Come on, we got to get out of here." She helped him up, the larger teenager leaning heavily on her. He limped along, slowing them down. They got about a hundred feet away before the voices came closer, friends of the three on the ground.

"Can you synch to me?" she whispered urgently, "I can hide us if you can."

He nodded slightly, unable to speak yet, then linked into her.

They crouched against a doorway, Charlotte propping him up against the recessed door with her body. It was taking all he had left to help cover their tracks, he couldn't have remained upright on his own. She cloaked them in a combination of psi and magic, using his own power as sparingly as possible.

The others came, seven of them, carrying various types of makeshift weapons.

"Damn, the mutie got 'em." One kicked at a fallen comrade in disgust. "Can't the three of 'em handle one freak?"

The others looked around for Everett. "He's gone! What are we gonna tell the rest?"

"Tell 'em we got jumped by a whole group of freaks. Can't tell 'em one got away from us."

A little more mutant bashing, then they picked up their buddies and left.

Charlotte held the shield for a few more minutes, making sure no one was doubling back. When she was satisfied they were alone, she released the cover and eased Everett back down.

He was panting hard with the effort. With gentle hands she tried to find his injuries. The tenderness over his ribs and chest told her he most likely had a few cracked ribs, if not broken. The bruising and swelling on his face and neck would be all right in a few days. The ribs were important. One wrong move and he could have one through a lung.

"Is there somewhere I can take you, maybe where you can get help?" she asked him. "Hospital?"

At the mention of a hospital, his eyes widened in alarm and he shook his head. "No," he choked out.

"I'm a telepath. Will you let me scan you?"

After a long minute he nodded.

"Don't synch to me while I'm doing this, it'll hurt."

~Who are you? You're a mutant?~

~Yeah. My name's Charlie. Just happening by when I saw you playing with the boys club. Didn't think you'd mind me joining the party.~

~Not at all. Thanks.~

~Where can I take you?~

~Secret.~

~Your death will be secret too if I don't get you some medical help. I'm not going to tell anyone, I'm not even from around here.~ He had no idea how far from home she was.

He really had no choice. It was either suffer here and wait till they came back to look for him or tell her where the others were. They could probably handle her if she was a plant. He decided to chance it and gave her directions to the underground headquarters of the local chapter of the Mutant Support League.

The entrance he directed her to was heavily guarded. If she hadn't been so intent of making the trip as easy for the boy as possible she would have noticed they were surrounded before it happened. Six young mutants circled them. She halted, Everett wavering on her shoulder. It was all she could do to keep him from collapsing at her feet, as big as he was. No one said anything.

Charlotte wasn't going to stand around all night getting bled on and stared at. She could have done that at the mansion and still have a place to sleep. "You ready to watch him die on me?" she asked irritably.

Two came forward to take him from her. She had to make herself give him up, as possessive as she felt with the only familiar face here. It left her with four hostile people. Didn't anyone like Blade in this reality? Anyone beside the jerk in the bar?

Of course, it didn't help she was covered in blood, Everett's blood, and he'd brought her to a place that was strictly off limits. Couldn't help the situation one little bit. She didn't blame them for thinking maybe she did that to their friend.

She waited quietly, holding her tongue which threatened to run away from her. These kids were dangerous, she could feel the menace pour off them. They were babies, babies with lethal powers.

Another familiar face came out of the dark, his green skin pale in the moonlight.

"Leech?" Charlotte whispered.

One of her guards produced a pair of handcuffs and locked her to the mutant child, effectively negating any help her own power might have been. They were a cautious bunch, she'd give them that.

The boy didn't look at her, keeping his head down and eyes adverted.

"Leech," she said audibly.

He glanced up at her, then back down.

"This way," a guard spoke, gesturing her to enter first. They all stepped back to stay out of the power dampener's range.

"If you're gonna die, do it with style," she muttered to herself. She reached down and took Leech's hand in hers and stepped through the door.

She moved through the dark, Leech leading the way down into a cold tunnel to a second door. Pushing that one open, she entered a large underground warehouse.

She estimated she was a least two stories below the surface. Too far to dig her way out, too many people to fight her way through without killing anyone, though it might be therapeutic to try. These kids obviously believed no power equaled weakness. She'd had too many centuries of combat and survival experience to be helpless without power and Leech would have no effect on her manipulation of her magic.

Leech led her to a corner, where a group of kids where gathered around a table. They were a bit older than the welcome wagon, but not by much. Jean did say the Mutant Support League attracted the younger mutants. Not one of them could be more than twenty years old. There had to be at least two dozen of them here milling around, smack dab in the midst of stockpiled crated weapons, if the stenciling was anything to judge by.

One stood up, a huge, unsmiling young man. He wore black, a biker's headscarf and a faded denim shirt. Wide stainless steel cuffs encircled both thick wrists. His face already bore scars of aggression along with pock marks of adolescent acne, his eyes were ancient. All of them were aged beyond their years. She could feel her maternal instincts kick in. What were they doing? Why did this world have to be so screwed up?

"Ev said you saved him," the kid said, his voice sounding like the rough idle from a Harley.

It wasn't a question. She didn't say anything.

"What's your name?"

"Charlie."

"Why were you out on the street? Breaking curfew could've got you killed."

"There's a curfew for adults?"

"Mutants."

"And you're so sure I'm a mutant."

"Ev says you are."

"So that's why I got the escort." She gently squeezed Leech's hand she still held.

"Doesn't pay to take chances. You can call me Lakato. I head up the MSL in this area."

"How about unlocking these things and letting me wash the blood off? It's drying and getting itchy."

He considered it, then nodded to one of the guards, who stepped up and unlocked the cuffs. She rubbed her wrist, then reached for Leech's to check for damage, rubbing his smaller hand lightly. He gave her a shy smile and scampered off.

"Cause any trouble, and we'll get rid of you." Lakato told her.

"Is that a secret code for 'nice to meecha' around here? Don't think you're the only who's ever said that to me, buddy," Charlotte shot back at him. "There's a long list of people ahead of you on this world."

~*~*~*~*~

"There's blood here, lots of it, but it ain't hers," Wolverine looked around the alley. "She was here, tho."

He, Gambit and Magneto were following Charlotte's trail, the others refusing to help, Beast unable to help. Damn woman had been nearly all over town, even backtracked a few times. It was clear she'd been disturbed during her night stroll. Now the blood.

"There was a group of people through here recently," he continued. He circled the area, trying to pick up her scent again. He was about to make another suggestion when he found it out on the edge of the alley, the blood scent almost overwhelming it. "This way." Follow the blood now. Made things easier all around.

~*~*~*~*~

"What are you kids doing with all this firepower?" Charlotte looked at some of the boxes. Explosives, guns, ammo. Enough to start a small war. She blinked. Or a large riot.

"We're not playing games here," Lakatos told her tightly. "Where you been? You don't know about the mutant laws?"

"Why don't you enlighten me."

He did, sparing no detail. Charlotte listened with growing horror. Not only did mutants have to register, but so did their families. Mutants were completely restricted, from where they lived to where they shopped, the places they could get medical treatment, even the kinds of jobs they could hold or the level of education they could receive. Segregation at its worst couldn't have been this bad. Any outbreak of mutant activity was dealt with lethal force. The law turned a blind eye to violence committed against known mutants.

Her shock must have shone on her face.

"You didn't know?" a girl questioned her, growing suspicious at the new arrival.

"I've been...sequestered," Charlotte answered. "I didn't realize it had gone so far." The team didn't tell her. No wonder Hank wouldn't leave the mansion. She didn't blame him one bit. This was horrible. "Is it like this everywhere?"

"Only in the last few years and pretty much in this country. The government still uses mutants in security work, but that's a sell out. They're not trying to help the rest of us."

"So you're going to make your point with an explosion?"

"Gotta grab people's attention, make 'em understand." Lakatos said.

"This isn't going to do it. All it's going to do is kill people and inflame the population." The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. These kids made her feel old, tired, and so very homesick.

Lakatos turned his very cold and very dead eyes to her. "Then people will die."

~*~*~*~*~

"I don't like this," Wolverine told the other two. He'd tracked her down to the warehouse entrance of the MSL. There were mutants everywhere in the shadows. "She's gotta be in there, but I don't see how we're gonna get her out without a fight."

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte cleaned up, getting the blood off her skin but not doing much for her clothes. She sat near Everett while the healer worked on him, taping his ribs and cleaning up his face.

He turned his head over to her, giving her a slight smile. "Thank you."

For a few seconds she was at a loss. "Oh. You're welcome. Feeling better?"

"No."

"Well, you will be."

"How did you know what I could do?"

"How I knew you could get in synch with me? It's a long story." Too long to go into now, even if he'd believe her. "I just knew. What were you doing out there if there's a curfew?"

"Business."

"That kind of business almost got you killed."

"That's a risk I'll take."

"Got to pick your battles carefully. One wrong choice can mean no more chances."

"We got company outside." Lakato announced. He stood threateningly over Charlotte, several of his companions surrounding him. "Exactly who are you?"

~*~*~*~*~

"I'm lookin' for a friend," Wolverine growled into the face of a guard, his fist tangled in the boy's shirt, claws ready on the other. "Maybe ya seen her."

~*~*~*~*~

"Get her."

A couple of kids made a grab for her. Charlotte rolled backwards off the crate she sat on, looking around for a weapon of some kind. She reached out and snagged a short length of pipe, about 3 feet long. It wasn't a sword, but it would have to do.

"I don't know who's out front and I don't want to hurt anyone," she said.

"Why don't I believe you?" the boy said sarcastically.

"Not my problem, kid." She turned to jam the pipe in the belly of the kid behind her, then swing it up to connect with his jaw. Two more charged her. She ducked the first and met the second with a thrust against his knees, using her elbow against his head. Turning to meet the first again, she blocked his try at clubbing her from overhead, sweeping his feet from out from underneath him, a heel kick to the jaw settled him down.

The rest formed a loose circle around her.

"You can't fight us all," Lakato told her.

"I don't want to fight any of you. Next time I'm out for a stroll and find a couple of purists boys beating on a friend, I'm just gonna walk away. This isn't worth it."

His wrist bands began to glow, charging up. "Put it down."

"You kids need a few lessons in the art of negotiation."

He fired off a blue bolt of bio-energy at her.

It hit her, pushing her back a few feet. She absorbed it, then grinned at him. "You really need to find out exactly what a mutant can do before you try and take 'em out." She released it at a few of them, four kids falling to the ground, writhing with the pain dancing along their bodies.

The doors were blasted off from the outside, pieces of steel exploding into the huge space. Their guards came flying in under someone else's steam, flung into the air like rag dolls.

Everyone dived for the ground. Charlotte flung herself onto Everett, covering his head and chest from the sharp shards of metal falling like hailstones.

The dust settled and the noise faded away to an eerie silence.

Footsteps.

"Charlotte!"

She turned her head to see Gambit and Wolverine coming towards her, Magneto levitating over the group.

"About time you guys got here," she said with faint humor. "I thought I was gonna have to hurt all of them."

"Why don'cha get off the boy, darlin', b'fore he smothers to death?" Wolverine still had his claws out, scowling at the kids on the floor.

"I don't mind," Everett's voice was muffled, but they heard him clearly. She raised herself up to find his face pressed between her breasts.

Her face flushed, and she started to pull off him. "Oh, that hurts," she groaned.

"Careful, chere," Gambit winced as he looked at her back. A half-dozen spreading blood stains indicated she'd been hit by Magneto's exploding door trick.

"The kids, are they okay?" she asked as Gambit helped her off to stand on her feet. "Where's Leech?" She felt like a hundred needles were poking her from head to foot.

Gambit looked around. "Which one's Leech?"

"You can't miss him, little guy, green skin."

Lakato got up off the floor and looked at the new arrivals. "I know you people. You're part of the President's special mutant guard. The President's lapdogs," he sneered.

"Boy, ya comin' this close to bein' sushi," Wolverine snarled at him.

"We came to find our friend," Magneto set himself down in the midst of the group. "We'll take her and leave."

"These kids need medical attention," Charlotte protested. "Can't you get Hank here?"

The three men turned disgruntled faces to her.

"I'm not leaving till we get them taken care of," she warned them.

"Weren't dey just tryin' to kill you?" Gambit asked. "I saw dem attackin' you."

"That was your fault."

"Huh?" It was official now. Gambit did not understand women, any women, from any dimension. It was time to either change preferences or join the priesthood.

"They thought I led the authorities here, of course they're going to attack. By the way, they could really use some instruction in resistance fighting." Leech approached her from behind and put his hand in hers. "You okay?" she asked him. He nodded.

"I have no right to make demands on you, Magnus, but these kids need medical attention for the injuries you've just caused, and Everett needs a hospital, but he can't go." She looked into his eyes.

"You need attention also."

"I can wait till we get back. At least bring Hank to look at Everett. We can take care of the others."

"We don't need help from any of you." Lakato stated.

"Fine. Now we go?" Magneto reached for Charlotte, intending to take her arm.

She pulled out of his reach. "Everett. We take Everett with us."

"No." Lakato said. His gang gathered around him. Some were limping, the few she'd romped on still down for the count.

She ignored him. "Please." Charlotte said. "He'll die here."

Magnus walked over to where the boy lay on the table. His breathing was shallow, he was still bleeding from the wounds he received in the fight, but his eyes were defiant. "Will you come with us?" Magnus asked. "We have a doctor that will take care of you."

Everett shook his head. "No."

"I think you all better be leaving." Leaderboy was almost gloating.

Charlotte looked at their faces. They were so young to be doing this, too young to know exactly what they were fighting for.

"Okay." She turned to the men. "Let's go."

"Ya can't save everyone," Wolverine told her as they left the warehouse.

"I didn't want to save everyone, I just wanted to help some."

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte was stretched out on the exam table on her stomach. She had bits and slivers of steel up and down her back and legs. It was too painful to take her clothing off and the blood had ruined them anyway. Beast simply cut the fabric off her, leaving her backside completely bare.

Magnus had been able to pull the metal from her flesh, all that was left for Hank to do was disinfect the wounds and stitch up some of the bigger cuts. She laid there so quietly Beast thought she'd gone to sleep till she spoke.

"They told me about the mutant laws."

He continued to clean the scrapes.

"I didn't know it was so bad here. No wonder you don't go out."

"It is not the same in your world?"

"We have our problems, sure, but special curfews? Segregated hospitals, stores, neighborhoods? A long time ago, and those were for other races, but not anymore. Affirmative action put the end to it." At least the end to anything overt.

"I would imagine we did not tell you because we have lived this way for too long. This is normal for us."

"You know what Logan said to me? He said I can't save them all. I never considered saving them all. I just wanted to help, and they didn't want it."

"Some do not want assistance."

"And some need it desperately. It's time I tried to help someone besides myself."

That alarmed him. "Who?"

She didn't answer him. She put her head down and let the tears fall silently onto the pillow.

~*~*~*~*~

Jean watched Storm walk through the kitchen, a note in her hands. The weather goddess's face was sad and angry all at once. "Something wrong?" she asked.

Storm looked up. "No. Nothing is wrong. If you will excuse me?"

Jean was concerned, but didn't pry. If Storm wanted help she would ask for it.

~*~*~*~*~

Cyclops sat in the rec room, a piece of paper in his hands. He stared at it, unable to comprehend it. Gambit walked by the doorway, then doubled back. "Hey, homme."

He looked up dazedly at the Cajun. "What?"

"Y'okay?"

"Yes." He shook his head to clear it. "I'm fine."

After a few seconds looking at him, Gambit shrugged and left.

~*~*~*~*~

Angel sat in his room on the windowsill, reading and re-reading the note he found under his door this morning when he awoke. The contents made him apprehensive, but he couldn't refuse. It wasn't in him to refuse. He looked out at the wide blue sky. Not in him at all.

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte made her way up to the third floor, pausing to check if anyone was around. The hallway was empty. She tried the doorknob, it was open, and slipped into Gambit and Blade's room.

Wolverine saw her just as she closed the door behind her and moved back out of sight. What was she doing? He knew Gambit wasn't in there, he's seen him downstairs not that long ago. He couldn't have been that wrong about her, could he?

He waited until she left, sneaking back out with something bundled up in her hands. She looked up and down the hall, then dashed back off. Something was up.

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte waited until everyone had retired for the evening, then went down to the Danger Room. Unlike the workout room in her reality, this one didn't have computer hologram programs to simulate fight situations. This was a glorified sports arena.

She got inside, then quickly changed into the clothing she'd swiped from Gambit's room earlier, along with his bo. If she was going to do this, it had to be as convincing as possible. There was no way she could act like Blade, but dressing like her should help.

She did try to pick a more concealing outfit, but it just wasn't possible. Thank the gods Blade's clothes were a tight fit, she wouldn't be falling out of it. The one piece spandex had enough cutouts in it to qualify as a two-piece bathing suit. She was barefoot to give herself added control. She wasn't going to give over victory, it had to be earned.

~*~*~*~*~

Wolverine slipped into the control room to see what she was up to. He found her changed, the staff out and swinging as she went through the practice motions. The lights glinted off the shiny adamantium staff as she spun it dangerously close to her body.

The door opened and Angel entered the room.

Oh, Lord, he was gonna kill her.

Then Storm entered, and Cyclops after her.

It was gonna be a blood bath. "Gambit, get down here, NOW!"

~*~*~*~*~

"Hi, nice of all of you to accept my invitation."

"What is this about?" Storm asked.

"I thought I made that clear." Charlotte gave her a look. "You all want a piece of me. Here's your chance and it's even your choice. Powers or no powers, weapons or not." She smiled grimly. "Three against one, I'm game for it."

"Even if we agreed to this, why would you do it?" Angel demanded.

"'Cause I can? Hey, I'll even give you first shot."

"This is ridiculous," Cyclops said.

"Aw, too much of a gentleman to hit a lady?" Charlotte swung the bo over her head and took a quick jab at him. He jumped back from it, then surged forward, fist ready to smash her.

She didn't block or duck. He pulled himself back at the last moment.

"You won't do this to me!" he nearly shouted at her.

"You want to blast me, do it!" she shouted back. Without warning, she turned on Angel, catching him behind the knee. He retaliated with a blow to the face.

She pulled back and wiped her face. Her mouth stretched into a grim smile. "Well, first blood. Time to rock."

~*~*~*~*~

Gambit stood next to Wolverine in the control room. "What she doin'?"

"She's givin' them a chance to get even with Blade."

"Dey kill her."

"I don't think so. She's good."

"But she not fighting back."

She wasn't. Oh, she hurt each of them plenty, but didn't take the openings to press the advantage. She fought just enough to keep them going, waiting for one to get up off the floor before continuing. She bled from several open wounds, bruises were already forming on her face and body, but she didn't give up.

The fight was brutal, no one pulled any punches, but it wasn't long before they ganged up on her. She blocked one blow and didn't see the other coming. Angel's fist smashed against the side of her head knocking her to the ground. The room whirled around her in an amazing show of lights. Pain streaked through her head as she crashed into the hard floor, the blackness exploding behind her eyes. The staff rolled away from her outstretched hand.

Wolverine started from the room, but Gambit held his arm. "Wait a minute. Look."

The other three stopped the fighting when she went down, everyone breathing hard and hurting. Storm's uniform was ripped and bloody, as was Cyclops. Angel's skin showed bloody grazes and bruising. Not once had Charlotte touched his wings, they were still intact. Cyclops limped slightly from a blow to his thigh. Charlotte hadn't struck any joints, jaws or heads.

Storm made her way slowly to Charlotte's side and knelt down next to her.

Gambit and Wolverine both held their breath.

Storm brushed the hair from Charlotte's face. "I believe we should call Henry to come see to her. She is unconscious."

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte regained consciousness gazing up into Beast's face. "Dr. McCoy, I presume?" she asked groggily.

"How do you feel?"

"It's not dinner and dancing, but what is?"

He looked into her eyes, checking her pupils. "Why did you take such a rash action?"

"Do what?"

He looked at her.

She sighed. "I had my reasons." She tried to look away, but his kind dark eyes wouldn't let her. "I ran Logan's words around in my head. He was right."

Wolverine sat up. He was sitting in a chair out of her sight, not sure if one of the others would feel the fight wasn't done. Gambit sat in a chair next to her bedside.

"He said I can't save everyone. I can't. But I can help some, starting with family."

Jean's face appeared over Beast's shoulder. "It was very dangerous. You could have been killed."

"Nah, never happen," Charlotte gave her a half smile. "I had Backup Plan B. Begging for my life."

Jean chuckled at her. Gambit patted her hand.

"When can I get out of here?"

"Not for a few days. You have some nasty bruises, and I think you may cracked a few ribs."

"Not me, I think those were Warren's contributions to the discussion. I'll heal soon enough. I've got some more invitations to send out."

"No more. There is no one left here who hates you."

"Not me, Blade. Gotta give you, Logan and Kurt the same chances."

"No more." Jean repeated firmly.

"What about me?" Beast asked mildly.

"I think I'll teach you to wrestle Indian-style. You'll like it. No pain, lots of full body contact." Her eyes closed again.

~*~*~*~*~

Magneto stood at the door of the medlab the next morning. "May I speak with you?"

She looked up from the book she was reading. "Sure." She set it aside and waited for him to be seated in the chair next to the bed. Hank insisted she stay down, she insisted she get up and get some clothes on. They compromised. She was fully clothed and resting on the bed.

"I don't appreciate what you did last night." He touched the bandage on her arm. She didn't pull away; they were making progress.

She shrugged. "It needed to be done." She felt uncomfortable trying to explain her motives. She vaguely recalled him in the medlab last night, frowning at her like a disapproving grandfather.

"You didn't have to," he reminded her.

She looked away. "These people are not the people I work with, I fight with and love, but they are close enough to be dear to my heart."

"If we are unable to return you to your reality, would you consider becoming part of our team?"

A wave of anguish washed over her. "I can't think in those terms. A person with half a soul is no good for your team. The best part of who I am is locked in my reality. I have to get back, whatever the cost. I have Logan, my son, my friends. I have a good life there, working for something I'm trying believe in."

"Xavier's dream?"

"Yes. Peace between humans and mutants."

"He talked of it all those years ago."

"You never told me how he died. What happened to him and how did you come to have possession of his family home?"

"He was killed by the very people he was trying to help. He was trying to protect a group of people from an insane mutant. When the danger was over, the humans turned on him, killed him. He left me his sole heir. I tried to continue his work, but it grew increasingly difficult. The price we paid was too high."

"You just gave up?"

His eyes flashed. "I didn't just give up. I spent more than twenty years trying to make the dream work. It didn't, and it doesn't. Perhaps in your reality, but not here."

"I apologize, I have no right to pass judgment. I learned about your mutant rules and regulations the hard way the other night."

"I understand." He reached out and gently touched a scrape on her cheek. "You are the only casualty from last night's exercise. I've been told you didn't use your powers during the fight."

"Neither did they, which probably saved my life. I'm glad I didn't hurt anyone and even more glad they didn't kill me."

"You've given them something to think about. They all seem less...bitter."

"They are my friends."

"I am the only one you do not consider friend, am I not?"

"Actually, Magnus is my friend. He makes me uneasy at times with the way he can separate who he is from what he does. Here, you're not so bad." She gave him a slow grin.

He smiled back. "Good. Will you join us for lunch?"

"No." The smile was gone. "I don't think it would be appropriate." She wasn't ready to face the others right now.

"It is your choice. Please reconsider." He stood up, gave her a slight bow, and left.

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte pushed herself back from the computer. "It looks like that's the only option, Hank," she said.

"I concur. We must recreate the accident. It will take one or two days to gauge the energy output, run the computer simulations." He frowned over his calculations, then looked up at her. "I am sorry."

"So am I." She let out a sigh. "I'd better talk to Remy. He should have a say in this."

"Yes, of course."

She got up and left the lab. She was still a little stiff from the fight, but it was worth every ache and pain. The last week had given her the autonomy to move around the mansion without incident. Cyclops and Angel had warmed up enough to not pointedly wish she were dead every time they saw her. Nightcrawler finally thawed enough to allow her to try her rusty German out on him, it had been more than fifty years since she'd used it. Storm stopped leaving the room when she was present.

She made her way up the stairs to Gambit's room and knocked on the door. Of all the people here, he was hurting the most. "It's Charlotte, Remy. I need to speak with you."

After a few very long minutes that made her feel exposed out in the hallway, the door opened. He glared at her, his auburn hair wild, the black patch giving him a piratical look. He was shirtless, his tanned skin gleaming, the jeans he wore faded and tight. He looked good, she had to admit. If he smiled, he'd be devastating.

He moved back and gestured her in. She carefully avoided touching him, stepping off to the side. "I ain' goin' t' hurt you," he grumbled.

"I know." She moved a pile of clothes out of the chair and sat down. "Hank and I think we've found the only way to send me back."

"So. Why you here?" He lounged in the matching chair.

"It's very dangerous. Blade might be killed in the attempt."

"An' you won'?"

"I wear body armor in my reality. It rechannels energy around me so it won't hurt much. Blade has no such protection here, this could very well turn her into a crispy critter."

"Can you make dis body armor f'r her?"

"The material simply isn't available. I could possibly scavenge some from the old house, but whether or not it will work..." The idea seized hold of her. If Blade had been foolish enough to leave everything at the old Virginia house... She couldn't have done that, could she? The only way to know would be to go look. "Did she ever tell you about the place she was born?"

He shook his head. "Non. Maybe somet'ing dere?"

"Maybe. It's worth looking into."

He pulled on his shirt and reached for his boots. "Den we go. Now."

~*~*~*~*~

In the garage they ran into Wolverine and Angel. "Y'ain't goin' alone," Wolverine growled.

"Dis doan concern you, homme," Gambit said roughly. "Who tole' you, anyway?"

"Jean did. Are we not a team?" Storm asked, coming out of the shadows with Beast. "Do we not work together as a team?"

"Doan any of you want to save Blade," he accused.

"You're right, we don't," Magneto told him. He, Jean and Nightcrawler entered the garage. "She's hurt us, far more than you can imagine, but Charlotte needs help. She has made herself more a part of this team in such a short time than Blade ever did. We know what loyalty means. She deserves ours."

"And so do you," Jean told him gently.

Gambit reached out to Storm, she came easily into his arms. The men stood around them, content to let the women express their feelings. First and last, they were a team.

Charlotte hung back, feeling more of an outsider than she had the entire time. She could sense something in Gambit break open. He needed his friends' support, and they gave it unstintingly. Maybe he'd found what he needed to see him through this.

~*~*~*~*~

They pulled off at where the Virginia house should have been. She slid out of Wolverine's jeep, her heart breaking, the ruins of the once beautiful home her mother built an accusation to her heart. So much destruction. It was painfully clear Blade cared for nothing, not family, friends or lovers. "It's not supposed to be like this," she told him.

The team assembled around her. "Where do we start looking, and what are we looking for?" Cyclops asked.

"The gate room." She missed the look on his face. "If it's still here, it's in the basement."

She picked her way through the remnants, standing at where the stairs to the lower levels should have been. "It should be down here."

"I don't see anything," Nightcrawler said.

"It's shielded. Blade obviously left the power source intact. She's wasted everything." Probably didn't find it useful if she couldn't alter the transport device to be planet bound. Only one way to test it. She took a step into the void.

She hit the shields, the force tossing her back into Angel, causing him to stroke up into the air a few feet. He caught her and lowered them both to the ground. She was dazed, the world blurred.

"Found it," she tried to joke, but the pain jangled her nerves. She couldn't move just yet.

Gambit leaned forward. "I'll take her."

"No, she's fine," Angel responded, Charlotte cradled against his chest. A week earlier he would have let her hit the ground and then stepped over her.

After a few minutes she sat up and away from him, her body trembling.

"What's wrong with her, Beast?" Jean asked.

"The power from the force field appears to have interrupted the connections between the nerve endings and the muscles," Beast said. "A few minutes rest and she will be fine. It has approximately the same results as a stunning device."

Gambit gathered her up in his arms and hugged her against his body. Blade never showed any weakness; Charlotte seemed to wear her softer qualities on her face, attributes Blade didn't even seem to possess. He looked around at the faces of his teammates. Wolverine stared back at him, his eyes both envious and worried at once.

The trembling stopped, she soaked up the warmth of Gambit's body. With a deep breath she freed herself

They all watched as she moved back towards the gaping hole in the floor. Wolverine poised himself to grab her if something went wrong.

"Magnus? You would be able to disrupt the field long enough for me to get through," she said, thoughtfully gazing down into the empty space.

"It will not injure anyone?" he asked.

"It shouldn't. If you would exert enough power to counteract the effect-" She disappeared right in plain sight of the entire team.

~*~*~*~*~

After nearly 10 minutes they could hear her underneath them. "It's off. Be careful, there aren't any stairs down here." A bit of firelight that sparked from her fingertips lit the surrounding area.

Magneto lowered them all down into a passageway. They followed the sounds of her cursing, Blade's name figured prominently in her monologue.

"Wasted it, just wasted it all, the stupid bitch," Charlotte muttered, "'course, if she ever got it to work properly she'd have been twice as dangerous."

She was scowling over a dust covered console that looked like something out of Star Wars. "If it could ever be workable again..." She stopped and took a deep breath, promptly choking on the dust they'd kicked up into the air. "Everything in here goes. Hank and I can get it sorted out back at the mansion." Right after she pulled the power source.

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte lifted her head with a sigh, reaching back to rub her stiff neck. "I'm done."

Beast looked over her shoulder, his hands resting on her aching shoulders while he took note of the work she did. "Fascinating," he murmured. He'd taken great interest in everything she did with the strange technology, hoping to recreate the same shields for the others.

"Yep." She managed to scavenge enough to wire a pendent to create the shielding. There was no time to make a matching chain, the steel links Beast located for her would have to do. She flicked a switch, then closed the back, slipping it over her head. "It's not as pretty as mine, but it will do. Time for the stress test. I'll need to get Scott to shoot some blasts at me." His large warm hands began to massage her tight muscles. "After you're done there." Her head fell forward with a moan of appreciation.

He rubbed her shoulders a few minutes longer, then stopped. "I wanted to ask you something of a personal nature."

"Okay." She looked at him inquiringly. "What can I do for you?"

"When you arrived," he smiled at his word play, "you showed no revulsion to me. In fact, you seemed to prefer my company."

"You have always been good company. I read Dr. McCoy's work for years. I was thrilled to meet him."

"Blade has never made any secret that she thought I was a freak, that she found me repulsive. I had wondered if perhaps we, in your reality, ever shared a close relationship."

Charlotte reached out and took his hands in hers. More pain, more healing. "My friend Hank is very dear to me. He is thoughtful, intelligent, kindhearted. I love him deeply."

"You and Wolverine-?"

"Yes, but that doesn't make a difference. Hank and I were friends for a long time even before we met face to face. I've lived long enough to realize some truths about human nature. You can love more than one person at a time, it's the love that counts. I love my Logan, he has my soul. I love Hank with another kind of love and it's good."

He stared at their linked hands. "Thank you." His voice was thick with unshed tears. "You don't know how much that means to me." Her arms encircled his neck, holding him to her. Perhaps she did know.

~*~*~*~*~

Gambit sat at the monitors watching their progress. He hadn't wanted to hear their words and now he knew why. He knew Blade was thoughtless and inconsiderate, but he never realized the depths of her cruelty. He had been blinded to her true nature, unable to see her as the others did. His heart ached with each beat.

He would have never known this if Charlotte hadn't come into their lives, wouldn't have known how the team regarded him. They all went with him to find a way to save his wife, a woman who didn't deserve their efforts. Even Beast and Angel were there, ignoring the dangers of being out past curfew with their visible mutations.

He had some thinking to do tonight, decisions to make before the experiment tomorrow. And he owed Charlotte a great debt. One he could but try to repay.

He left the control room, making his way to the lab. Beast was leaving, wiping his eyes. He greeted Gambit with a hoarse voice, hurrying past him.

Charlotte was in the isolation chamber, slipping on her pajamas. Gambit appeared at the doorway, not bothering to knock. He took her hand. "Come wit' me."

"Wait, I'm not dressed," she protested. She only wore the thin cotton nightshirt, her feet bare.

He pulled her along with him up the stairs to the third floor. He stopped at a door and knocked sharply.

Wolverine swung the door open. He took in Gambit's determined look and Charlotte's confused face.

"I owe both you an' Charlotte." he told him. He pushed Charlotte inside and shut the door behind her.

Charlotte felt exposed and scared. She turned to the door, trying to get it opened. Wolverine's hand on her arm stopped her.

"I feel like I'm being passed around like a keg of beer," she said, still facing the door. "I'm sorry he put you in this position. I hope he doesn't want to do something nice for everyone he knows."

He drew her back in his arms, holding her against his chest, leaning his head forward to bury his face in her hair. "I'm not."

She turned around and slipped out of his arms. Opening her mouth to speak, he placed a finger on her lips.

"No, don't say nothin'. Havin' ya here's given me somethin' to think about. What life could've been if Blade was still with me, if she'd been a better person. Knowin' that somewhere, somehow, I got a someone like you, an' I'm happy, makes me feel good. Like maybe my soul ain't damned. Stay with me tonight, let me be yer Logan."

Her Logan made her feel loved and cherished. This one made her feel she was the only thing standing between him and the abyss. She reached out to him, taking that first step over the edge.

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte left him sleeping to making her way downstairs. As much as she wanted to stay the entire night, it would be that much harder to tear herself away come morning.

At the second floor landing, Gambit waited for her, sitting on the bottom stair. She leaned over him, pressing her lips to his. "Thank you."

"Some wounds need healin'," he said.

"How will you heal yours?" she asked.

"Doan know yet." He rose and took her hand. "Come an' stay de night wit' me, chere. Let me hold you." At her look, he shook his head. "Non, doan need sex from you. Just want a warm body to hold."

He led her to his room and to his bed, pulling her down with him, resting his head against her breast. She held him tight and stroked his hair with gentle fingers. At some point she fell asleep.

One last night with his wife, the wife he'd believed he had. He already knew what he was going to do.

~*~*~*~*~

Charlotte stood in the Danger Room, her stomach jumping. This was it, the big day. She wore the pendant around her neck, looking up at the control room at Beast.

Gambit stood with her, his hand on her shoulder, the team surrounding them. Logan wasn't here yet. She felt the loss, wondering if he would come.

Beast came down to the floor. "We're ready," he told the team.

Jean stepped forward and hugged her. "Goodbye."

Magnus swept her in his arms, planting a kiss on her lips. "Thank you."

Cyclops, Angel, Storm and Nightcrawler said their good-byes, their manners vastly different from the way they were when she got here. Maybe there had been some healing on their parts. She hoped so.

Beast smiled at her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed him firmly on the mouth. "Goodbye, my friend," she told him.

Gambit pulled her up in his arms, squeezing her against him. "Merci, chere, for givin' me a second chance." He set her down and removed the pendant from her neck.

"You realize Blade may not survive without that," she reminded him quietly.

"Oui. She take her chances." He wrapped one hand around her neck and pulled her close, kissing her. It was the only goodbye he would be able to give his wife; it only fitting to say it to the woman who was the person he believed his wife to be.

The room emptied. She suddenly felt small and vulnerable. Beast was about to hit her with a gazillion watts of energy that guaranteed to knock her into next week or fry her where she stood.

The doors open again, and Wolverine entered. His eyes had lost that haunted look. He reached for her, and she went to him. He squeezed her, her ribs groaning in protest. Her body trembled in his arms.

"I wish ya didn't have to go, darlin'," he told her.

"I must."

"Yeah. He's a lucky man, ya tell him that for me." He kissed her softly, drawing a moan from her lips.

"Goodbye, my love," she whispered. She pushed away from him and took a deep breath. "Now, where was I standing?"

He moved her into position.

"You better get out of here so you don't get hurt," she told him.

He shook his head. "No matter what happens, ya won't be alone."

She blew him a kiss, then looked up at the control booth. "Okay, Hank, I'm ready."

She held Wolverine's eyes even as the room brightened to a white hot intensity, the power crackling around them. The air around her seemed to sparkle, then ripple like the surface of water. She lost sight of him. Then it hit her, she saw sparks, and the world went dark.

Wolverine caught the body as it fell, the energy still shimmering around them, the smell of ozone strong in the air.

The doors opened, Gambit and Beast ran in. Jean came behind them, drawing Wolverine away while Beast looked at his patient. She held him close, Storm putting her arms around the two of them.

Beast looked up at Gambit and shook his head. "I'm afraid Blade didn't survive the transfer," he said quietly. Jean wrapped Gambit in her arms.

Gambit nodded into Jean's hair. His breath caught at the lump of tears in his throat. "For de best."

~*~*~*~*~

Epilogue

Charlotte groaned, raising one hand to her head. Damn, what a hangover. "Logan?" she whispered.

A hand touched her face. She opened her eyes. "Logan?"

"Char, darlin', that you? Really you?" He looked like her Logan, sounded like him. Please, let it be him.

She felt a weight on her neck, bringing her hands to it. "What's this?" she croaked. Was that her voice? Couldn't be.

Hank's face came into view. No scar. "An inhibitor collar, my dear." He started to remove it.

"Not yet," Logan told him. "Get Jeannie in here."

"Just relax," Jean told her, "and let me inside your mind shields." She'd been there before, she would know if this was their Charlotte.

After a few tense minutes, she let go of the link. "It's her," she confirmed to Logan and the rest of the team up in the control room. "Our Charlotte."

Hank unbuckled the collar. She felt a rush through her head, the dizziness causing her head to spin. "How long?" she asked. He handed her a cup of water.

"Three days," Hank said. He peered into her eyes, ran his hands over her head.

"It was more than two weeks there," she told him. "A very long two weeks."

"It's good to have you back," he smiled at her before Logan pushed him away to wrap her in his arms and carry her out of the Danger Room.

~*~*~*~*~

After a hot shower, during which Logan still wouldn't let her out of his sight, Charlotte sat in Xavier's study, the team surrounding them. She hugged each one, telling them how glad she was to be back, before settling in next to Logan, who didn't look like he was going to let her out of his reach anytime in the near future.

"It was quite an experience, one I don't want to repeat anytime soon," she told them. "The mansion was here, sort of, but you were dead, Charles, and Magnus led the team. So many unhappy people and they all hated me. Mostly due to Blade. How did you figure out she wasn't me?"

"She got fresh with Gambit," Logan told her, "an' Rogue took a swing at her with no gloves. Absorbed her mem'ries."

Charlotte looked over at Rogue, sitting on the arm of Gambit's chair. He was back to normal, thank the gods of small pets, little children and charming Cajun thieves. Two eyes, count 'em, no long hair or claims of marriage. "I'm so sorry," she told them.

"Dat's okay, chere," his eyes twinkled. "Gambit know you can' resist his charm." He could joke about it now but at the time she'd scared the hell out of him.

"So, while this..Blade?.. was unconscious, Beast placed an inhibitor collar on her," Xavier picked up the story. "We were afraid to try and reverse the process, not knowing if you would live through it or not, though we were running computer scenarios on the feasibility of recreating the accident. We kept her in the Danger Room so if you tried to get back, she would still be in position."

She thought of the other Remy, removing the pendant from her counterpart. She hoped that whatever happened, he could live the consequences.

"I did, so let's not think about it," she told them. She looked around at their faces, so dear to her, no matter she'd wanted to kill some of them a time or two. She tightened her grip on her Logan's hand. "I am so glad to be home."



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