Summary: Psylocke has removed the Death persona from her once lover, Angel, but he wasn't the only one at the mercy of Apocalypse and cursed with a demon. There's a poison sitting in Gambit waiting to come out... and it might already be starting. Already he is having nightmares of the black skinned, red eyed fiend threatening to take control again. Meanwhile, Psylocke and Rogue are having dark dreams of their own... There may very well be signs pointing to Apocalypse's return...

Disclaimer: Stan Lee created the X-Men, Claremont created Gambit... how can I compete with that?

Author's Note: So these possibilities have been swinging around in my noggin for awhile... since nobody is currently doing anything about Gambit's Death personal still knocking about. Also, I know most Rogue and Romy fans are pretty frustrated with the current path things are going... I finally decided to go ahead and write this since I figured there might be a demand for it.

Warning: I do not promise Romy. I won't ignore they have chemistry and history, however, unlike a certain comic book writer who will remain nameless... I'm pretty much a pure Remy fan. But I do promise to try and treat all characters with respect. I see no reason not to!

Let the Apocalypse begin!

The heady aroma of sweat and alcohol pressed in upon her face as she slipped through the hazy atmosphere of the night club. Music pulsed all around her, inside her. She felt like she had to keep just so it didn't take her over. Empty out her insides, leave her without her own will in the middle of people she couldn't reach.

She whipped her hair back and forth, body jerking to the beat. Her eyes were half closed, focusing on the almost lustful beat in her body, lips parted sensuously. Though she often ran into people, it did little to disturb her path, her dance. Her hands raised up above her head. She twirled, they twitched side to side, her ears no longer noting the song had ended.

And most nobody around cared enough to pay her attention. It wasn't an unusual occurrence, alcohol and drugs usually seeped into everybody's heads that the music did hardly matter. A bubbling, uncontrollable laugh spilled out of her mouth, unheard in the din of voices and the next song started. The whole world tilted, her arms coming down to give her balance as she staggered to the side.

Her shoulder bumped into somebody and they pushed her away.

Still laughing she lurched the opposite direction, shadows and lights dancing in her vision. She did her best to navigate the maze of darkness gathering around her. The laugh still bubbling in her chest coming out more desperate, fearful. Tears starting to claim her cheeks as she reached out to slightly lighter patches. Fingers clawing into people's shirts and hair only for her to get pushed off.

"I want more…" she said, her voice gravelly. Wretched and hungry, nothing like the chiming laugh she'd had before. Her bones hardened, tightened, seemed to crack under unseen pressure beneath her skin. She just continued to stumble and claw for people, her arms and fingers moving far too erratically. "Please, please… I want… want it…"

Her chest seized as her ribs seemed to buckle inward. Her feet stopped only love enough for her to heave, dark red blood bubbling out of her mouth. People stepped back, eyes on her warily but nobody quite sure if it was anything to be concerned about. Overdosed dances weren't entirely uncommon.

But she let out a rattling breath, panting out repeatedly the words "I want more" as she stumbled through her pile of sick. Her right arm seemed to hang loose from the socket, flinging around of its own volition. Her ankle snapped and she tumbled to the ground. Screams went out at this time but none of them got into her muddled brain.

She was still reached out with her left hand, fingernails digging into the floor to pull her along. Trying to move her closer to something. Her chest convulsed again, her vision going red…

And then leaving entirely.

An alarm had been pulled and people were hurrying to leave. Nobody was there to hear the last word bubbling out of her lips.

"Apocalypse…"

Xxx

Sometimes things hit him that made Remy remember why he liked getting away from his place. That reminded him that for all the good the X-Men did, it wasn't always good for the X-Men. This life had a way of chewing you up, spitting you back out and then letting you know that you'd also been filled with poison. Which was ticking away in your system, slowly working to destroy you unless you found something to hold on to.

Yeah, Remy had been through that song and dance a time too many. Still he didn't go away because that had always been his life, even before the X-Men. But it was only here with the X-Men that he had a chance to find that thing to hold on to.

Scratch that. He'd found it – or rather her – already. Just had to re-convince her to let him on.

But that wasn't where his mind was at right now as he walked across the grounds. He tossed the apple he'd brought from his apartment as breakfast up and down in the air. His red on black eyes were looking at the form of Betsy Braddock leaning against the tree. He followed her violet eyed gaze up into the sky where Warren Worthington was flying around.

Ever since he'd come here, mind erased, Warren had enjoyed flying greatly. Not that Remy paid him much attention, mind. But he had noticed. Also took a look see through some of the files dear old Headmaster Wolvie didn't want flipped through. Got the gist of it real easy.

Archangel took control. Almost brought Apocalypse back. Betsy erased Archangel and Warren with him. No Apocalypse but apparently a boy that could grow up into Apocalypse.

Yeah, that didn't hit just a little too close to home or anything.

"Bets…" Remy said conversationally, sidling up closer to the woman. Of course he took a moment to let his gaze wander over her firm, muscled body. From her elegant neck to her rippling thighs. Though a flash in her violet eyes let him know she knew he was looking and she didn't appreciate it.

Remy shrugged and grasped the apple firmly, taking a bite. Wasn't like he'd been trying to be subtle and he was a gentleman, he wasn't going to try anything.

"How'd you sleep last night, Gambit?" Betsy said coldly.

His skin chilled though he managed to keep his posture the same. Chewing at the apple leisurely and slipping one hand in his pocket. Like he was thinking about it. Or interested in her tone, though to be honest Remy wasn't perturbed by it. Working in X-Force rather did this to you. Made you cold and empty inside. Remy had been there..

It was more of her accusation that disturbed him. Like she could know… Psychic or not, Remy usually stayed at his own apartment away from this type of thing. And while he wasn't entirely sure where X-Force bunked, he knew it wasn't anywhere close to here. Couldn't have it showing up on the school's radar after all. It was supposed to be disbanded but apparently Logan had a problem following orders.

Couldn't really fault Wolvie for that.

But Betsy was rather suggesting she knew Remy had some pretty awful dreams last night. Not that sleeping fitfully was an uncommon occurrence for him. But he'd put quite a bit of distance on the things that used to keep him up at night.

And then last night…

'It' hadn't made an appearance in months. Not since Limbo. Then last night it had come into his dreams, trying to overpower him.

This life really had a way of reminding you of that poison in your system. Remy could really kill for a cigarette right now…

"That's what I thought," Betsy said in a low voice. They both stood there watching Warren pull a couple more loops, Remy continuing to eat his apple though his appetite was completely gone. He didn't want to think of how he'd shared with Betsy the truth without saying anything… but he also found he didn't mind. Not as much as he thought he would.

Last time she'd been aware of one of his secrets she'd kept it rather to herself. That'd been years and years ago. Now Betsy was keeping several secrets of her own and grown colder with them. Remy doubted she'd be saying anything to anybody any time soon. If at all.

Warren landed, running a hand through his air and grinning wildly. He seemed to notice Betsy and Remy, waving toward them.

Remy felt Betsy shift beside him, disengaging from the spot and starting to walk away.

"Not going to ask Warren if he slept well?" Remy laughed humorlessly.

"No." The tone of her voice drew Remy's eyes toward her back. Watching her slink away, dark hair waving behind her. "I already know. He slept like an angel. Only sinners and devils can't sleep, Remy."

"Yeah…" Remy murmured, frowning now at her.

He felt concerned. Eyes sinking down to the apple in his head and wondering. He'd thought it had just been a dream. The way awful things dredged up in his subconscious every so often and kept him painfully from sleep. It wasn't uncommon.

But now he wasn't too sure.

Because he didn't feel like Betsy was using a turn of phrase. Her meaning was a bit more than that. Only she and Remy had to deal with a sleepless night. Because only she and Remy still had that evil in their minds. Warren had been purged. He was exempt.

It wasn't a comforting thought. Because anybody they might turn to for help could end up infected as well. But if not dealt with, people could end up hurt anyways.

Remy took a step back, heel sinking into the grass. Then in a fluid moment he turned and left, coat fluttering behind him. If they couldn't help, Remy had no point in being here. Like most things in his life, he'd just have to deal with it alone.

AN: Already begun working on chapter two so hopefully will have that up in a day or two. R&R my peeps. It appeases the almighty Goddess of Destiny. Please and thank you ^_^