WORTH

…

"Oh my Gawd Remy that was amazing," Rogue breathed looking at the ceiling dazed.

"I know." Her vamp boyfriend smirked, "Ya know we can't stay like this."

"But if I go back we won't ever be able ta do this again will we." She turned away from him. If she could cry tears would be falling down her face.

"Anna," Remy pulled her into his lap, "Ya know that I'll love ya no matter what."

She looked into his eyes, "But ya like this. Ya like being able ta touch me."

"I do." He agreed.

"But we'll never be able ta have this if I go back ta being normal."

"I won't lie to ya Cherie I enjoyed this," he touched her cheek, "But there is more to us than just touching. And if ya stay dead then what if ya want ta have kids someday?"

"I can't have kids if I can't touch ya."

He kissed her forehead, "Anna for once will ya stop looking at yer imperfections? Do yerself a favor and find your self-worth. You'll realize that yer worth more than anyone can possibly imagine."

…

That was two months ago. The now human Rogue looked at her also human boyfriend from behind her eyelashes. She began to doubt herself as usual when his words resurfaced. Was she really worth that much?

Remy looked at his girlfriend. He'd be the first to admit there hadn't been a day that he didn't think of their coupling and yet he was willing to have just this with her for the rest of his life. Why couldn't she understand that? Why couldn't she see that he would give up anything for her? It wasn't like he didn't already give up his life for her.

She noticed he was staring at her. Thick as harbor fog unsaid words hung between them. Rogue was the first to break eye contact. After they had sex something had shifted. But neither was quite sure what. So she preferred to remain silent as he preferred to not push boundaries effectively halting the progression of their relationship.

Needing to clear her head she thought about Viktor. Gambit said that he defeated them, but when they came back to check the body later he was gone. It was decided that they would prepare for the inevitable counter strike. The mansion now has six backup generators as well as more battery operated mechanisms. The security cameras could now capture body heat and anything it read at precisely 37 degrees fahrenheit is immediately marked as an enemy setting off alarms.

And their uniforms got an upgrade. No longer the navy blue, but a fashionable black leather, each comes with a built in communicator on either the wrist, collar, or chest that allows you to communicate with your teammates through their communicators, cell phones, mansion systems, and radio which also doubles as a tracker in case you get lost or kidnapped.

Ok so maybe that all was a little much, but the Professor swore to never let it happen again and until good ole Vik was dead he was positive that he would try again and again learning from his mistakes each time making for a stronger opponent the longer he lives.

The meeting that followed everyone being cured and the mansion replaced they all came up with various ideas as to what he would do. Many weren't so good, but all ended what her being kidnapped again which she didn't fancy in the least.

"Like is something the matter?" Kitty roused her from her thoughts.

Rogue eyed the girl. She could tell Kitty anything so long as she wanted it to be first page news, "Not really."

"Did you and Remy like break up or something?"

"No."

"Damn!" Logan's voice came from somewhere in the mansion.

The girls shared a quick giggle before Kitty turned back to her, "If you need to talk you like know where to find me right?"

She nodded watching kitty leave the kitchen taking a gallon of milk with her then she looked back at Gambit. She knew she couldn't keep being all weird like forever. Sooner or later she would have to talk about this with Gambit, but if only she had someone to confide in that she didn't need to worry about snitching. Hmm …

….

"Zhanks for zhe hot chocolate!" Kurt smiled nursing his drink.

Rogue received his thanks starring down into her own mug. It was Christmas time, the time to be filled with cheer, except she didn't feel that way. Why couldn't life be easy? She loved Gambit, but she felt that after they had sex that he would eventually want more and when she couldn't give him any he would undoubtedly leave her for someone else despite his promises to the otherwise.

Rousing her courage she spilled her worries, a dam bursting forth on the elf. He listened quietly the whole time as she explained everything that happened between her and Remy, and I do mean everything. She explained what he said to her about her self-worth and how she felt about all this. Next she talked about the Viktor issue. She didn't much fancy the idea of an undead obsessive psychopath with a thing for prophecy watching her until it was safe enough for him to claim her again. And only after she was done ranting, which took seldom over two hours, did she pause to gauge his reaction.

"Oh Anna," Kurt grabbed her gloved hands over the table, "I am not zhe angry vith you," he assured her, "But Remy is right. You do hate yourself so much."

"I don't hate myself. I simply don't live in fairytale/optimistic land bout my powers." She huffed.

"Vhen someone is nice to you," he decided a different approach would work, "How does it make you feel?"

"Good I guess."

"And vhen you are vith Remy he makes you feel …"

"Nice," (more than nice), "Why?"

"You see there is a physical touch and zhere is a spiritual touch."

"Like when people claim God touched them in church?"

"Somezhing like zat yes. You see vhen people are kind to you you feel it even if zhey do not directly touch you because zhey touched your soul, your spirit."

"I'm lost."

He sighed, "Vhen I vas in Germany I live in fear. But vhen I came here I am happy. I found mein sister. Although I cannot hug her or give zhe hi five I know she cares about me because she has touched me in here," he pointed to his heart, "It is easy to forget zhe feel of flesh and yet it is near impossible to forget how someone has made you feel and zhat is because, whether for good or bad, zhey have touched your spirit. And you, Anna, have touched mein."

"Yeah you." She continued to look at her now cold mug .

He was starting to wonder if his sister had lost her mind after becoming human again, "No not just me. I hear Professor say all time how you being in Logan's life have made him better man. And Jean owes so much to you for saving life even vhen you vere enemies in both definition and love. And you saved Scott from death as vell. If it veren't for you he might be dead.

And although it don't look it kitty is stronger person because she has strong voman to model herself after. You see Anna you have touched everyone in such short time. You know sometimes I envy you."

"Me?"

"You've known all life zhat you cannot touch people so you sacrifice so much asking for nozhing in return. You never complain to us about your powers. You never show visible signs of self-hatred. You just are as is. I vish I had your strength."

She looked at him wide eyed. Honestly, she never thought of herself this way. Just cause she saved a person here or there she never really thought of how it would affect said saved person. Maybe Remy did have a point even though she rather be dragged through hell six times over than admit such.

"And as for Viktor ve vill deal vith him vhen time comes. Remember if someone messes vith vone of us."

"They get all of us." She finished feeling better than she had in days.

,…..,…..,….,….,…..,…,

Author's Note:

It's that time of year again for a Halloween twist on our favorite mutant's lives Romy style! Yes I know I'm posting a little early, but I want to be finished by said holiday. Anyway thanks for reading and please review as well! Next chapter Viktor's back and looking for help in RECRUITS!