Part One: Rogue in NOLA

Destiny was seated on the small bed with a large box by her feet. She had only been in the little apartment for a few minutes when the girl arrived. "Thank you for coming dear. I know this isn't a typical proposition, but I need this done by someone I trust."

"Yeah, ah get that, but why me? Mystique-"

"Mystique cannot know about these for now. If she learns what's in them there's no telling what danger she'll put you in."

Rogue sighed. "That's not a problem, but why here? Isn't this a bit far even for you?"

"Mystique hates this city. Besides, this way you won't be distracted by the others you train with."

"Ah get it, but ah won't be able to get here tha' often."

Destiny rose and went to the door. "Twice a week will be fine, dear."

Rogue lifted the box onto the bed and opened it. There were thirteen books inside. She flipped through the top one, only then realizing how much work was ahead of her.

He watched the blind woman leave, making a half-hearted attempt to remember her face. However, his mind was preoccupied with the feisty teenager she'd just left. Just a year earlier he had absconded with Rogue to aid in an awful family situation. Remy had grateful to her as well as finding her more intriguing than ever.

Remy descended the fire escape and tapped on the window when he saw her. She seemed to debate a minute, but ultimately let him inside. "Now how did ah know you'd be showin' up here? Are you stalking me LeBeau?"

"Of course I'd know when a belle fille arrives in town, especially you." He slid into the room and went to her. "But you know Remy don' stalk."

"Like ah believe that. Ah've only been here for two hours, so excuse me if ah don't trust a word you say." Rogue moved away, grabbing the books as she did. "Besides, ah came here to work not to play. That'll be impossible with you hangin' around."

"I take tha' as a compliment, chere," he said with a smirk.

Rogue sighed and turned to face him. "So what'll it take for me to get my work done in peace?"

Remy went to her, leaning down until their faces were almost touching. "I don' think you'll have th' guts to-" She closed the space between them, kissing him gently.

"Now ah've gotta get this started. Ah'll be back on Friday so we can talk then." Rogue pushed him towards the window and returned to the desk.

Gambit, thoroughly speechless, glanced back at her. *Friday den, chere.*

The desk was locked and the top was empty except for a cup of pens. Of course the state of this had intrigued Remy from the moment he walked in. That was quickly forgotten when Rogue came out dressed in a leather tank top and a nearly sheer skirt that ended mid thigh. He groaned and that made her smile. "Glad you like it, Cajun. Ah didn't really have any plans, so…"

Remy closed the distance between them and leaned in for a kiss. She returned it eagerly, pressing her body against his. "Mon dieu…" he breathed against her ear. "Chere, where'd ya learn ta do tha'?"

"From you, in here," she said, tapping her temple. "We could go somewhere or would you rather give me a chance ta practice with you?"

An hour later they were lying on the bed, half-dressed and sweating as Rogue finally pulled away. "Wish we could keep doin' this, but ah hafta be back for class tomorrow."

"How important?"

"Midterms. Ah gotta do this or ah'll be stuck in Bayville for even longer."

He ran his hand down her back. "Oui, we can' have dat, chere."

"Yeah. So…"

"So I should go." Despite stating the truth Remy pulled her into another kiss. "Mon beau coquin, devrions-nous faire plus? (My beautiful rogue, shall we do more?)"

"Votre charme ne fonctionne pas sur moi, mon cher garçon. (Your charm doesn't work on me, my dear boy.)"

"You're full of surprises," he murmured as he reluctantly released her.

"You have no idea," she laughed. Rogue slid on her clothes and then watched as he languidly dressed. "Remy LeBeau, are you stallin'? Could it be that maybe-"

"Chere, don' be gettin' any ideas about dis."

"Just a minute, cajun. Ah didn't work on mah powers so hard to touch you, to be able to be with you so completely jus' to be toyed with. Ah can't do that." Her face was flushing with her rising anger.

Remy moved close to her and took her hand. "Dat's not what dis is. We go as slow as you want, mon coquin."

She looked into his eyes, studying them as if it were the first time she saw them. "Don' hurt me, Remy. Not on purpose."

He kissed her hand. "No, never willingly."

As bright smile made her eyes sparkle and she slapped his butt. "Then let me get back and ah'll be here as soon as ah can." He pulled her into one more deep kiss and made a hasty exit from the window. If he had lingered a moment longer he would have seen her slowly fade away.

Seven months later…

He slid in through the window although he had her key. Early this morning he had received a message from her. Remy we gotta meet tonight. It's very important.

After kicking off his boots Remy lay on the bed. *Wonder wha' chere wants...nothin' bad happened here an' Bayville been quiet too.* A few minutes later he heard the key turn in the lock.

She smiled at the sight, though a little sadly. "Remy, we really need to talk." Rogue moved over to the bed and sat opposite him. "Ah think we have a decision to make."

"Chere, wha' happened-"

"Nothing, Remy. Ah just want to...ah want to go further with you."

He smiled and leaned into kiss her. However, Rogue stopped him. "Chere?"

"Ah love you. Ah love you so much that it hurts when ah think that you would leave me. So, ah can't go through with this without a promise."

"Chere, dere's no guarantee for anyt'in'." When she started to pull away, he placed his hands on her cheeks. "Rogue, I want dis too. I want you in every way possible, no matter how long it takes."

"Ah...please don't…" Tears ran down her cheeks. "Ah just want you in mah life."

"Me too. Je t'aime." He kissed her lightly. "Let's go, chere."

"What? Where?"

"Trust me?" She nodded and wiped her face. Remy pulled her up. "We got a long night ahead of us, but I think you'll enjoy it."

Early the next morning, they were in bed together. *Not what I expected* he thought. They had taken a last minute flight which was spent in awkward silence. Less than an hour later they were husband and wife. Rogue had been acting shyly since, even when checked into the hotel. Remy made a few calls while she showered-though sorely tempted to join her-making arrangements for her second surprise of the night.

She stirred against him, bringing him out of his memories. "Chere?"

"Don't wake me up. Ah don't want this to end yet."

"Dis not a dream, Rogue."

She looked up at him with her hazy green eyes, a small soft smile on her lips. "It feels like it. Ah love you."

"Je t'aime." Remy gave her a light kiss and moved so they were both lying together. "Night, chere."

"Night."