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The year was 1996. Dr. Essex didn’t go down to Louisiana often but it was always an adventure when he did.
Currently, he was seated at the desk in his hotel room when his work cell rang. His assumption that it was one of his Marauders, reporting on a successful mission, was disproved when he answered the call.
“Yes?”
“ Bonjour ,” A southern voice greeted. “ Is dis Docteur Nat’aniel Essex?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Dr. Essex confirmed. “May I ask who’s calling?”
“M’name is Jean-Luc LeBeau. I w’s told dat you’re an expert in mutants?”
“I am,” Dr. Essex replied. “How can I help you?”
There was hesitation on the other end before Jean-Luc softly said, “ Mon fils is a mutant. We heard dat y’were in town and…well… ” he chuckled. “ Da South ain’t da safest place f’mutants.”
Understanding clicked. “You’re looking for an accommodating physician.”
“Oui. We willin’t’pay, too.”
Pulling out a notepad, curiosity stirring in his gut, Dr. Essex asked, “Tell me about your son.”
“His name is Remy,” Jean-Luc replied. “ He’s ten.”
“If he’s ten, she shouldn’t have come into his power yet,” Dr. Essex told the worried father. “How are you so sure he’s a mutant?”
“His eyes.”
Well, now Dr. Essex really was curious. Decision made, he scheduled an appointment with Jean-Luc for the end of the week and ended the call.
…………..
The moment he laid eyes on Remy LeBeau, he knew the boy had power.
No, more than power. Potential. He had strength and power that Dr. Essex could use . All he needed to do was figure out how to convince the boy's family to entrust his entire health with Dr. Essex.
“He w’s born wit’ dos eyes,” Jean-Luc was explaining to Dr. Essex as the shapeshifter examined ten year old Remy for the first time, in the young boy’s room.
“He’s incredibly powerful,” Essex remarked, clicking off his penlight quickly when it was clear that Remy’s eyes were quite light sensitive.
Fascinating. He thought, as he made a note.
He didn’t have to look up to know Remy was watching his father or that Jean-Luc was frowning at him.
“I don’ und’stand,” the father finally said.
Essex turned to face him, shifting to keep Remy in his line of sight. After all, he didn’t believe it fair to speak of the boy as though he wasn’t there.
“Only Omega level mutants display physical signs of their mutation at birth.”
“Omega level?” Remy asked softly, the first thing he’s said since Essex had arrived at the LeBeau Mansion in the bayou twenty minutes earlier.
“The most powerful,” Essex replied as he passed Jean-Luc his card. “If the time comes when he comes into his power and needs… help controlling them, don’t hesitate to contact me.” He smiled. “I’ll do everything I can to assist.”
……………
When convincing the nervous father, Essex had used the word if . In truth, he meant when and sure enough, four years later, his phone rang with a Mr. Jean-Luc LeBeau on the other end of the line.
Words were exchanged between a nervous father and calm doctor and within minutes, it was decided that Remy would come to live with Essex in Wisconsin for a few months in order to train and learn to control his power.
“I understand that you’re scared and yes, his powers are out of control,” Dr. Essex told Jean-Luc. “But I promise you, with my help he’ll be in control in no time.”
Jean-Luc let out a soft breath. “ Merci ,” he murmured. “ Y’have no idea how much dis means t’me. ” On the other end, Essex heard someone speaking and Jean-Luc replying before returning to the phone. “ I should warn y’bought one more t’in’ .”
“And what’s that?”
“Remy’s afraid.”
“That’s completely understandable.”
“ Not just ‘bought his power ,” Jean-Luc corrected. “ But ‘bought comin’t’stay wit’you. ”
“That is also understandable,” Essex assured. “But I promise you, Mr. LeBeau, I will take very good care of your son.”
…………
Six months later
The boy was hopeless. Yes, he was powerful, but he was too powerful. Six months of time wasted and Remy had come no closer to controlling his power than he’d had when he arrived and Essex was beginning to lose his patience.
Remy has shown no sign of improvement. He has the potential but not the control. Still, it would be a shame to just send him home, especially when his powers are so out of control that sooner or later, he’ll kill someone or himself.
But if Essex could find a permanent way to give him control, even if just over a portion of his power.
“ What’s wrong?”
Essex smiled. “I apologize, Mr. LeBeau. No need to worry, there's nothing wrong. I apologize that my call made you fear the possibility.”
Jean-Luc sighed. “ Is Remy okay? ”
“He’s far more powerful than I anticipated,” Essex replied. “That being said, I would like to extend an offer.”
“Oui?”
“There is a procedure I can perform on Remy,” Essex explained. “It will take away some of his power, but leave enough that he will be able to control.”
“He can’t control what he’s got?”
“Unfortunately no. there's always the possibility, but it would take decades , but the longer he goes without control, the higher the possibility that he kills someone.”
Jean-Luc sucked in a breath, silent for a moment. “Would he still have his power? After da procedure?”
“Yes,” Essex replied. “Not all of it and he would no longer be considered an Omega level , but the amount remaining would be far more manageable for him and can still be considered a great amount.”
“I…” Jean-Luc hesitated. “Y’promise it’ll help?”
“I swear.”
Jean-Luc sighed. “ Do it.”