Changes 1
Authors Notes: None really.
Disclaimer: X-MEN characters do not belong to me. Sometimes I wish that I did, but you guys know how it goes.
Dreams
Remy LeBeau was having the same dream that he'd been having for months now. He wasn't even sure if he could call it a dream anymore, because lately it had been more of a nightmare than anything else. He'd always considered himself tough, but this dream made him tremble with fear as never before. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the dream hadn't been derived from actual events in his life. Dreams he had hoped that would fade in time, but once again fate was not that kind.
In the dream he saw his life take a turn for the worse. He kept reliving the time when he lost the woman that he loved. He kept hearing her screams carry on into the night, a plea for help. He had failed her, and the cost of it all was that she lost her life. She was supposed to be the strong one, invincible they had said. What the hell did they know, because if she were so damn invincible then she would be here right now? Wouldn't he be holding her in his arms, feeling the soft caress of her gloved hands? Wouldn't he place his hands in her brunette hair, with the beautiful white streak that was in the middle of her head? Wouldn't she be here with him right now, if she were so invincible?
He had visions of marrying her one-day, and taking care of her for the rest of their lives. Everyone had always said that they were destined for each other. Remy never believed in destiny, but he had faith. He had faith that he would be by Rogue's side for a long time. He'd always expected that he would be the first to go. He had always been reckless, and didn't care what the outcome would be. He loved driving his motorcycle fast, and he definitely loved his smokes. Yeah he figured that he would be the first to go, but he had been wrong. Never once did he imagine that life would be so cruel, and meaningless without Rogue in it.
However since her death, he had been like a lost sheep without its shepherd. He had been heartbroken, confused, and understandably upset. He blamed his teammates, when he should've blamed himself. He had been the one responsible for her death that much he was sure of. He had been the one that told her to wait outside of the Friends of Humanity building, while he checked inside the enormous compound. His other teammates were on the opposite side of the building dealing with a mob of frustrated individuals.
No one saw it coming. It came so suddenly that even Jean had been caught unaware. Jean felt a strange presence approaching, but she thought it was just someone in the mob. However, that just wasn't the case. As it turned out, a few of the FOH members came around to the rear of the compound. Remy had been inside the building trying to find one of their teammates who had been kidnapped. Rogue had stayed behind as instructed, focusing more about Remy's return rather than her own safety. She thought that she was safe in the back, away from the commotion up front. Even Remy felt that she would be safe. That is until a 45-millimeter bullet went through the back of her head. So her powers of invincibility, and strength had its limit. She was after all only a mortal, even if she was a mutant.
The sound of the gun had stopped everyone one in his or her tracks. Everyone looked around at their other teammates to see if they were all right. Everyone in the front of the compound was alive and well, which only left Remy and Rouge. Everyone in the front knew that Remy would take care of Rogue, and so they never thought twice about whom the victim of the gun was. Remy on the other hand knew better. It was not only the strange feeling in his chest that told him that Rogue was dead. It was the way his heart stopped cold, when he heard the gun go off. He had heard a brief scream that was instantly cut off, and deep in his heart he knew.
Not wanting to go back until he found his missing partner, the pain in his heart beckoned him to go back. He decided to wait, and finally found the person that he was looking for. Ororo was still strikingly beautiful, even though she had been badly beaten and bruised. She had on an inhibitor collar, rendering her powers useless. When she saw Remy her eyes lit up, and she smiled. Gambit knew that she had suffered greatly at the hands of these monsters, and he felt that they had also had their way with her sexually as well. He didn't know how Charles Xavier would react to that bit of information. They had been dating for a while before all of this madness began. She was quite smitten with the old man, and Remy was happy for them both. It was time that they had finally found someone to give their love to, and to finally get a little love back as well.
He lightly charged up her shackles, and then the chains exploded. It was a small explosion that did nothing more than singes her caramel colored neck. He had to carry her out, but as he kept getting closer to the rear exit, he had a feeling of dread in his heart. His intuition told him that something was wrong. It was a feeling that he'd remember for the rest of his life. Then that feeling became a reality, when he finally exited the hot and stuffy compound. For the moment he stepped outside, a vision of crimson red greeted him. The smell of iron, drafted up to his nostrils. However it wasn't iron that he smelled. No not iron at all, because it was the smell of death. It was the smell of blood, and he finally forced his eyes downward at the figure lying in a pool of it.
He had expected to see one of those damn FOH members, but he never expected to see Rouge. Not dead, and not like this. He released Storm from his arms, and suddenly fell to his knees. With one swift motion, he grabbed Rogue and held her in his arms. He removed one of his gloves, and softly placed his hands on her face. He wanted to feel her one last time, hoping that she would absorb some of his powers. He had hoped that she would wake up, as if nothing happened, but she didn't move. No powers and no healing factor could bring her back, because she had already been dead. She had been dead even before Remy put her in his arms, and it was his entire fault. So he cried, and held onto the one woman that he'd love always.
Love.
He loved Rogue, even more than he loved Belladonna. There would never be another woman in his life that would ever compare to her. He may have lost her in body, but he'd never lose sight of his love for her. When it was his time to go, he made a promise to be lain right by her side. For love knows no boundaries of death, because even in death he still loved her more than he could ever love himself. Love is what compels him to go on, and to live.
However he couldn't do so at the mansion, because it brought back so many painful memories. So he left. He left behind all the fights, guilt, teammates, and he went out becoming a thief once again. With his looks, he'd never get a normal job. So he had just turned his back on everything that he'd ever believed in.
Up until this very day, he had never gone back. Not even to visit. He didn't go back when Charles died. He didn't go back when Storm was pregnant with Charles's baby, and had a miscarriage five days after his death. He didn't go back when Jean and Logan finally got married. He didn't go back when his little petite Jubilee was married, or when she had any of her four children. He didn't go back when he learned that his Jubilee left her husband and four kids behind, to formed a rag tag group of outlaws. In his opinion Jubilee's group was far worse than any member of the FOH. He didn't go back, because of too many memories. Too many bad memories to ever go back, and with every passing day it seems like things were falling apart. Everything was indeed falling apart, including the X-Men.
Jubilation Lee sat in the living room watching the television set, when a special news report came on. She sat up straighter, listening as the newsman broke the latest news. The reporter was dressed in an all black tailored made suit, which made her think of her current boyfriend Nicholas Thomas. The newsman broke the latest story, naming a name that she was already familiar with, and so he began.
"A well known geneticist, and scientist was found dead today in a local cemetery. Hank McCoy was well known for finding the cure to the legacy virus that has helped saved many lives including mutants and humans alike. Once again Hank McCoy has been found dead. He was beaten and mutilated, and his remains were strewn all across a well-known graveyard, where many X-MEN now reside. At this time there are no leads or witnesses, and the police are asking for any help regarding this case. Hank McCoy dead at 48, and this is indeed a shocking loss for medical community. Mark back to you.
The newscaster came back on, remarking on news, that didn't matter to Jubilee one way or the other. Jubilee leaned back into the chair, resting her head against Nicholas's leg. He reached down with his right arm, and began stroking her neck up and down. She looked up into his steel blue eyes, as he began fingering her lips with his fingers.
"Well Luv, I think your little handiwork made the news."
"So does that mean I'm famous now?"
"To me you've always been famous. As a matter of fact you're ten times better than that wanker Julia Roberts."
"Julia Roberts? Who's she?"
"Someone who'd never have the guts to do what you did."
"What did I do, because I have a little problem remembering?"
"You know exactly what you did luv, but if you have problems remembering I do have that nice video footage available."
"What! I thought I told you to burn that! If the police find any evidence of the slayings were done for. No correction, I'm done for."
"You know I probably would have believed that, if it wasn't for your homicidal tendencies."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What I am saying luv, is that the cops don't stand a chance."
"Damn straight they don't."
"So who's next?"
"Well I don't know. We could go after Storm next, or better yet we could get Mrs. Jean Grey. Wait a minute I know who our next target is going to be."
"The suspense is killing me."
"How about we go for the main honcho."
"Charles Xavier? I thought that he was supposed to be like your surrogate father or something like that."
"No that was Wolverine. Charles Xavier opened up his home to me, allowed me to live in this huge mansion rent free, and he trained me to be the great fighter I am today."
"Splendid luv. Remind me to never get on your good side."
"Yeah that might kill you."
Both Nicholas and Jubilee burst out into a gale of laughter, as they planned their next big murderous adventure. She had killed one of the X- men, and it made her feel more alive, than the time when she had her kids. It brought a feeling of satisfaction deep within her bones, ending the life of one of her former friends. During the next few months, there were going to be a few changes in her life. She was going to begin with killing all of the X-Men, new and old alike.
Ororo Munroe was sitting at the table trying to call the mansion, but the line was constantly busy. She redialed hoping that she'd be able to get through sometime soon. She cursed at the phone every time a busy signal greeted the phone.
"Come on Bobby Drake. If you don't get off of that phone, I'll wring your little scrawny neck myself!"
Ororo slammed the phone down, and began shouting obscenities to anyone within hearing range. One of her best friends had just died, and there was no way she could get through to her former teammates.
*Chances are they already knew about what had happened. Chances are they were out saving a world that hates and fears them. One thing Ororo knew for certain was that she would have a nervous breakdown, if she didn't speak to somebody soon.
She picked up the phone again, and redialed the number. Only this time someone finally picked up the phone. Relief washed over her entire body, when she heard Logan's voice in the background. A young lady answered the phone, which Storm was not familiar with.
"Xavier's school for the gifted, how may I help you?"
"Who is this?"
"Who is this?"
"I asked you first."
"Look lady you called my house!"
"May I please talk to Jean?"
"Why didn't you say that to begin with? Hold on a sec."
Storm waited for a few minutes before Jean picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Jean.It's me."
"Storm?"
"I know I haven't call in a while."
"It's been nine years!"
"I know. Look I just called to see if you heard the news about Hank?"
"Yeah we did. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Jean I."
"I get it. The only time that you fit any of us into your busy little schedule, is when one of dies is that it?"
"That's not fair."
"That may be so, but you walked out on us."
"Look I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I didn't walk out you guys. I thought you of all people would understand that. I lost my fiancé and my child. Do you think I could stay around after that? You have no idea about what I went through, so just drop it o.k."
"I have no idea on what you've been through, is that what you said? Well let me tell you one thing, I know exactly what you've been through. Did you forget that I left Scott for Logan, which means by right I lost Nathan."
"Cable was never your child, or did you forget that?"
"Goodbye Storm but before you go, can you please do me a small favor. The next time one of us dies, don't call."
Before Storm could get out the next word, Jean furiously slammed the phone down cutting their conversation short. Storm looked down at the trembling phone in her hand. She couldn't believe that her best friend was now her worst enemy. She already knew that her deciding to leave the X-Men would have some type of negative reaction from the others. However she never envisioned that it would be this bad.
There was no doubt that Hank was going to be buried at the mansion grounds, and Storm decided that she wasn't going to miss his funeral. She may not be welcomed, but she refused to back down to the likes of Jean Grey. She was going to say goodbye to one of her best friends. She had missed Charles's funeral, and that has plagued her every since. She wanted to say her final goodbye, without carrying the guilt around for years. So she sat holding the phones, crying over her many losses. Why did life have to be so hard? Why wasn't she allowed to be happy? Wasn't it bad enough that she was labeled as an outcast, living a life far from normal? Then again when you lose everything that you could possibly love, why should there be any room in your life for happiness. She didn't want happiness, or even forgiveness. All she wanted was to say goodbye.
As the tears fell and the phone beeped in protest, Storm awakened from her deep reverie. She hung up the phone, and went into her room. She had some packing to do, and she knew that today was going to be a long day.
Jubilee was in the kitchen cooking dinner, which consisted of fried chicken and mash potatoes. Nicholas walked in behind her, and kissed her lightly on the neck.
"Luv I got a bit of bad news for you."
"What' that?"
"What was the name of the poor bloke that had to put up with you for years?"
"Who? Charles Xavier?"
"Yeah I think that was the guy. Wasn't he going to be our next target?"
"Yeah so?"
"So the blokes already dead. Some old geezer named Erik dusted him about six years ago."
"What! No F' ing way!!"
"Language, luv language."
"Crap!"
"So what do we do now luv?"
"We'll waste them all."
Authors Notes: None really.
Disclaimer: X-MEN characters do not belong to me. Sometimes I wish that I did, but you guys know how it goes.
Dreams
Remy LeBeau was having the same dream that he'd been having for months now. He wasn't even sure if he could call it a dream anymore, because lately it had been more of a nightmare than anything else. He'd always considered himself tough, but this dream made him tremble with fear as never before. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the dream hadn't been derived from actual events in his life. Dreams he had hoped that would fade in time, but once again fate was not that kind.
In the dream he saw his life take a turn for the worse. He kept reliving the time when he lost the woman that he loved. He kept hearing her screams carry on into the night, a plea for help. He had failed her, and the cost of it all was that she lost her life. She was supposed to be the strong one, invincible they had said. What the hell did they know, because if she were so damn invincible then she would be here right now? Wouldn't he be holding her in his arms, feeling the soft caress of her gloved hands? Wouldn't he place his hands in her brunette hair, with the beautiful white streak that was in the middle of her head? Wouldn't she be here with him right now, if she were so invincible?
He had visions of marrying her one-day, and taking care of her for the rest of their lives. Everyone had always said that they were destined for each other. Remy never believed in destiny, but he had faith. He had faith that he would be by Rogue's side for a long time. He'd always expected that he would be the first to go. He had always been reckless, and didn't care what the outcome would be. He loved driving his motorcycle fast, and he definitely loved his smokes. Yeah he figured that he would be the first to go, but he had been wrong. Never once did he imagine that life would be so cruel, and meaningless without Rogue in it.
However since her death, he had been like a lost sheep without its shepherd. He had been heartbroken, confused, and understandably upset. He blamed his teammates, when he should've blamed himself. He had been the one responsible for her death that much he was sure of. He had been the one that told her to wait outside of the Friends of Humanity building, while he checked inside the enormous compound. His other teammates were on the opposite side of the building dealing with a mob of frustrated individuals.
No one saw it coming. It came so suddenly that even Jean had been caught unaware. Jean felt a strange presence approaching, but she thought it was just someone in the mob. However, that just wasn't the case. As it turned out, a few of the FOH members came around to the rear of the compound. Remy had been inside the building trying to find one of their teammates who had been kidnapped. Rogue had stayed behind as instructed, focusing more about Remy's return rather than her own safety. She thought that she was safe in the back, away from the commotion up front. Even Remy felt that she would be safe. That is until a 45-millimeter bullet went through the back of her head. So her powers of invincibility, and strength had its limit. She was after all only a mortal, even if she was a mutant.
The sound of the gun had stopped everyone one in his or her tracks. Everyone looked around at their other teammates to see if they were all right. Everyone in the front of the compound was alive and well, which only left Remy and Rouge. Everyone in the front knew that Remy would take care of Rogue, and so they never thought twice about whom the victim of the gun was. Remy on the other hand knew better. It was not only the strange feeling in his chest that told him that Rogue was dead. It was the way his heart stopped cold, when he heard the gun go off. He had heard a brief scream that was instantly cut off, and deep in his heart he knew.
Not wanting to go back until he found his missing partner, the pain in his heart beckoned him to go back. He decided to wait, and finally found the person that he was looking for. Ororo was still strikingly beautiful, even though she had been badly beaten and bruised. She had on an inhibitor collar, rendering her powers useless. When she saw Remy her eyes lit up, and she smiled. Gambit knew that she had suffered greatly at the hands of these monsters, and he felt that they had also had their way with her sexually as well. He didn't know how Charles Xavier would react to that bit of information. They had been dating for a while before all of this madness began. She was quite smitten with the old man, and Remy was happy for them both. It was time that they had finally found someone to give their love to, and to finally get a little love back as well.
He lightly charged up her shackles, and then the chains exploded. It was a small explosion that did nothing more than singes her caramel colored neck. He had to carry her out, but as he kept getting closer to the rear exit, he had a feeling of dread in his heart. His intuition told him that something was wrong. It was a feeling that he'd remember for the rest of his life. Then that feeling became a reality, when he finally exited the hot and stuffy compound. For the moment he stepped outside, a vision of crimson red greeted him. The smell of iron, drafted up to his nostrils. However it wasn't iron that he smelled. No not iron at all, because it was the smell of death. It was the smell of blood, and he finally forced his eyes downward at the figure lying in a pool of it.
He had expected to see one of those damn FOH members, but he never expected to see Rouge. Not dead, and not like this. He released Storm from his arms, and suddenly fell to his knees. With one swift motion, he grabbed Rogue and held her in his arms. He removed one of his gloves, and softly placed his hands on her face. He wanted to feel her one last time, hoping that she would absorb some of his powers. He had hoped that she would wake up, as if nothing happened, but she didn't move. No powers and no healing factor could bring her back, because she had already been dead. She had been dead even before Remy put her in his arms, and it was his entire fault. So he cried, and held onto the one woman that he'd love always.
Love.
He loved Rogue, even more than he loved Belladonna. There would never be another woman in his life that would ever compare to her. He may have lost her in body, but he'd never lose sight of his love for her. When it was his time to go, he made a promise to be lain right by her side. For love knows no boundaries of death, because even in death he still loved her more than he could ever love himself. Love is what compels him to go on, and to live.
However he couldn't do so at the mansion, because it brought back so many painful memories. So he left. He left behind all the fights, guilt, teammates, and he went out becoming a thief once again. With his looks, he'd never get a normal job. So he had just turned his back on everything that he'd ever believed in.
Up until this very day, he had never gone back. Not even to visit. He didn't go back when Charles died. He didn't go back when Storm was pregnant with Charles's baby, and had a miscarriage five days after his death. He didn't go back when Jean and Logan finally got married. He didn't go back when his little petite Jubilee was married, or when she had any of her four children. He didn't go back when he learned that his Jubilee left her husband and four kids behind, to formed a rag tag group of outlaws. In his opinion Jubilee's group was far worse than any member of the FOH. He didn't go back, because of too many memories. Too many bad memories to ever go back, and with every passing day it seems like things were falling apart. Everything was indeed falling apart, including the X-Men.
Jubilation Lee sat in the living room watching the television set, when a special news report came on. She sat up straighter, listening as the newsman broke the latest news. The reporter was dressed in an all black tailored made suit, which made her think of her current boyfriend Nicholas Thomas. The newsman broke the latest story, naming a name that she was already familiar with, and so he began.
"A well known geneticist, and scientist was found dead today in a local cemetery. Hank McCoy was well known for finding the cure to the legacy virus that has helped saved many lives including mutants and humans alike. Once again Hank McCoy has been found dead. He was beaten and mutilated, and his remains were strewn all across a well-known graveyard, where many X-MEN now reside. At this time there are no leads or witnesses, and the police are asking for any help regarding this case. Hank McCoy dead at 48, and this is indeed a shocking loss for medical community. Mark back to you.
The newscaster came back on, remarking on news, that didn't matter to Jubilee one way or the other. Jubilee leaned back into the chair, resting her head against Nicholas's leg. He reached down with his right arm, and began stroking her neck up and down. She looked up into his steel blue eyes, as he began fingering her lips with his fingers.
"Well Luv, I think your little handiwork made the news."
"So does that mean I'm famous now?"
"To me you've always been famous. As a matter of fact you're ten times better than that wanker Julia Roberts."
"Julia Roberts? Who's she?"
"Someone who'd never have the guts to do what you did."
"What did I do, because I have a little problem remembering?"
"You know exactly what you did luv, but if you have problems remembering I do have that nice video footage available."
"What! I thought I told you to burn that! If the police find any evidence of the slayings were done for. No correction, I'm done for."
"You know I probably would have believed that, if it wasn't for your homicidal tendencies."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What I am saying luv, is that the cops don't stand a chance."
"Damn straight they don't."
"So who's next?"
"Well I don't know. We could go after Storm next, or better yet we could get Mrs. Jean Grey. Wait a minute I know who our next target is going to be."
"The suspense is killing me."
"How about we go for the main honcho."
"Charles Xavier? I thought that he was supposed to be like your surrogate father or something like that."
"No that was Wolverine. Charles Xavier opened up his home to me, allowed me to live in this huge mansion rent free, and he trained me to be the great fighter I am today."
"Splendid luv. Remind me to never get on your good side."
"Yeah that might kill you."
Both Nicholas and Jubilee burst out into a gale of laughter, as they planned their next big murderous adventure. She had killed one of the X- men, and it made her feel more alive, than the time when she had her kids. It brought a feeling of satisfaction deep within her bones, ending the life of one of her former friends. During the next few months, there were going to be a few changes in her life. She was going to begin with killing all of the X-Men, new and old alike.
Ororo Munroe was sitting at the table trying to call the mansion, but the line was constantly busy. She redialed hoping that she'd be able to get through sometime soon. She cursed at the phone every time a busy signal greeted the phone.
"Come on Bobby Drake. If you don't get off of that phone, I'll wring your little scrawny neck myself!"
Ororo slammed the phone down, and began shouting obscenities to anyone within hearing range. One of her best friends had just died, and there was no way she could get through to her former teammates.
*Chances are they already knew about what had happened. Chances are they were out saving a world that hates and fears them. One thing Ororo knew for certain was that she would have a nervous breakdown, if she didn't speak to somebody soon.
She picked up the phone again, and redialed the number. Only this time someone finally picked up the phone. Relief washed over her entire body, when she heard Logan's voice in the background. A young lady answered the phone, which Storm was not familiar with.
"Xavier's school for the gifted, how may I help you?"
"Who is this?"
"Who is this?"
"I asked you first."
"Look lady you called my house!"
"May I please talk to Jean?"
"Why didn't you say that to begin with? Hold on a sec."
Storm waited for a few minutes before Jean picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Jean.It's me."
"Storm?"
"I know I haven't call in a while."
"It's been nine years!"
"I know. Look I just called to see if you heard the news about Hank?"
"Yeah we did. Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Jean I."
"I get it. The only time that you fit any of us into your busy little schedule, is when one of dies is that it?"
"That's not fair."
"That may be so, but you walked out on us."
"Look I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I didn't walk out you guys. I thought you of all people would understand that. I lost my fiancé and my child. Do you think I could stay around after that? You have no idea about what I went through, so just drop it o.k."
"I have no idea on what you've been through, is that what you said? Well let me tell you one thing, I know exactly what you've been through. Did you forget that I left Scott for Logan, which means by right I lost Nathan."
"Cable was never your child, or did you forget that?"
"Goodbye Storm but before you go, can you please do me a small favor. The next time one of us dies, don't call."
Before Storm could get out the next word, Jean furiously slammed the phone down cutting their conversation short. Storm looked down at the trembling phone in her hand. She couldn't believe that her best friend was now her worst enemy. She already knew that her deciding to leave the X-Men would have some type of negative reaction from the others. However she never envisioned that it would be this bad.
There was no doubt that Hank was going to be buried at the mansion grounds, and Storm decided that she wasn't going to miss his funeral. She may not be welcomed, but she refused to back down to the likes of Jean Grey. She was going to say goodbye to one of her best friends. She had missed Charles's funeral, and that has plagued her every since. She wanted to say her final goodbye, without carrying the guilt around for years. So she sat holding the phones, crying over her many losses. Why did life have to be so hard? Why wasn't she allowed to be happy? Wasn't it bad enough that she was labeled as an outcast, living a life far from normal? Then again when you lose everything that you could possibly love, why should there be any room in your life for happiness. She didn't want happiness, or even forgiveness. All she wanted was to say goodbye.
As the tears fell and the phone beeped in protest, Storm awakened from her deep reverie. She hung up the phone, and went into her room. She had some packing to do, and she knew that today was going to be a long day.
Jubilee was in the kitchen cooking dinner, which consisted of fried chicken and mash potatoes. Nicholas walked in behind her, and kissed her lightly on the neck.
"Luv I got a bit of bad news for you."
"What' that?"
"What was the name of the poor bloke that had to put up with you for years?"
"Who? Charles Xavier?"
"Yeah I think that was the guy. Wasn't he going to be our next target?"
"Yeah so?"
"So the blokes already dead. Some old geezer named Erik dusted him about six years ago."
"What! No F' ing way!!"
"Language, luv language."
"Crap!"
"So what do we do now luv?"
"We'll waste them all."