Beta-ed by: Chica De Los Ojos Cafe - You're an angel.

She sat at the table, feet propped up, surveying the room. She wore shorts, cowboy boots, a green tank top, and a cowboy hat pulled low over her eyes. It had been three months since she'd left the bar in New Orleans. Now she was trying to live her life. Emphasis on trying. But she was a trouble magnet and it couldn't be helped. She touched her hat, making sure it was in place, and pulled out her mirror. She rolled her eyes at the blonde wig she was wearing. It really wasn't her preferred hair colour. Pouting her lip—part of the pretence—she snapped her mirror shut and sighed. A smile crept onto her lips as a figure with a brown trench coat sat down opposite her.

'Bonjour Cherie.'

'I'm sorry, I don't think we've met so I'm going to have to ask you not to refer to me as dear.'

'Y' 'ave met moi bef'r. In New Orleans.'

'Guess mah disguise doesn't work,' Rogue muttered as she let her accent slip back into her speech.

'Does Chere, jus' dat I saw dose belle eyes. Will never f'rget dose eyes.'

'Yer eyes are mo' memorable.'

'Merci, Chere.'

She smiled and took her mirror out. Then she flicked it shut. Remy chuckled, taking out his cards.

'What?'

'What's hauntin' y', petite?'

'Blue suit, three tables behind.'

''ow many?'

'Three. Ya?'

'Black suede suit. Seven.'

'Shit. Seems like ya've been doin' some bad things, Rems.'

'Me Chere? Non. Dey mistakin' me f'r someone else.'

'Uh huh. And mah hair is really blonde.'

'Why de disguise?'

'What ya think Ah was goin' ta break in somewhere without one? Ah'm just waitin' fo' the opportunity ta change back inta mah normal clothes then they won't be able ta find meh.'

'Break in?'

'Details, details,' she sighed, waving her hand.

''ow about we leave now. I 'as a car parked outside, keys in de ignition, ready t' go.'

'Sounds good ta meh.'

'Ready?'

Rogue moved one foot down and carefully shifted her bag within reach of her hand. She caught his eye and inclined her head slightly. He smiled and pulled out two cards. For a moment nothing happened, then as the cards glowed pink, his free hand grabbed hers. Her free hand held her bag and together they crouched down and headed for the door. She could hear the various men standing from their seats. Tables, papers, and documents flew as bullets were shot left and right.

'Guns Remy?!'

'Is now really de time Chere?'

She rolled her eyes and shivered as a bullet whizzed passed her. As they reached the door she clung tighter to Remy's hand and closed her eyes. The glass of the doors shattered and she gasped as she felt it cut into her side.

'Quick Chere.'

She opened her eyes and saw a black SUV outside. She nodded and let go of his hand to run to the passenger side. Climbing in, she locked her door and threw her bag in the back. They sped off. She clutched her side but didn't let her face show she was hurt. It was probably just a scratch. She put her seatbelt on, not wanting to be hurtled through the window screen. She tore off the cowboy hat and wig, allowing her brown locks to cascade over her shoulders.

'Beautiful,' he whispered, gazing at her intensely.

She smiled but then changed her expression to one of indifference.

'Eyes on the road, Swamp Rat.'

-xXx-

This time what I want is you
There is no one else
Who can take your place
This time you burn me with your eyes

Four hours later and they were hiding out in some cheap motel. The room smelled of sex and drugs. But it was far off the road and from the outside it looked like it was out of business. Remy sat by the window, curtains drawn, cigarette in one hand. Now and then he would peek out to check for any unwanted guests. They'd sold the SUV to some random guy who changed the plates and left. Rogue clutched at her side where pain was shooting through. She'd been sitting on the bed staring across the room while trying to mask her expression. But she really needed to stretch her legs.

Carefully edging over the bed she stood up and screamed. She fell back onto the bed and clutched her side. Remy was by her side in an instant. He bent over her, trying to see what was wrong. She turned away, not wanting him to see.

'Chere?'

'It's nothin' Remy. Ah told ya, the glass just cut meh.'

'Let me see,' Rogue let out a wistful sigh.

She groaned and moved her hands away. She stretched out and he lifted her tank top.

'Merde.'

She looked down and had to suppress the urge to throw up. There was a deep scar and something clear sticking out. Blood was pooling around but not coming out. She closed her eyes and took a deep shuddering breath.

'It's not just a cut, is it?'

'Non.'

'Figures, Ah never did have good luck.'

'It's not dat bad.'

'Actually it's really bad. Ah'm goin' ta need ya ta pull the glass out, can ya do that?'

He nodded. She took a deep breath and brought one hand onto her inhibitor.

'The blood will start flowin' out, so Ah'll take this off. Then Ah'll use mah borrowed healing ability.'

She sighed and willed the tears away. She felt a hand on her cheek. She looked up and met those burning red eyes. She smiled as she saw the concern there.

'Sorry, Ah'm bein' silly. It's just once Ah take the inhibitor off it will be inactive. Forever.'

'And dere's no way—'

'No,' she snapped.

He nodded and leaned forward. His lips brushed against hers. She smiled and leaned forward to make the kiss last longer. His hand clamped on the glass and he pulled it out. She cried out from the pain and then after recollecting herself, she pulled away from him and ripped off her inhibitor. The pain faded and she looked down to see the blood stop gushing. She gently pushed him away and headed to the bathroom. She wiped away at the dried blood on her skin.

It was gone. Her life was over. Fate was back with a vengeance. And so was her soul-sucking power. She didn't know if there was any point in going on now. She remembered the pain that came with her power. How people had shunned her and flinched whenever she came near them. Then there were the voices. Yes, she could hear them all now, shouting at her from every corner of her mind.

'Chere?'

She sighed and stood by the sink. She washed the tears from her face before heading back into the room. She gave Remy a fake smile before rummaging through her bag. She pulled out jeans, a long sleeved shirt, a scarf, and gloves.

'Ah'm goin' ta change. Ya should keep watch,' she whispered.

He nodded and turned his attention back to the window, picking up his abandoned cigarette. She headed into the bathroom and pulled on the clothes with disgust. Fate was cruel. It just hated her. It always had, and it always would.

'Come on gal, take yer mind offa this,' she whispered to herself.

She plastered a fake smile on her face before walking back into the room. She went over to the window, standing opposite Remy. He frowned at the space between them. She simply leaned her shoulder against the curtained window.

'How have ya been Rems? It's been, what, three months?'

'Oui.'

'So?'

'Family business, Chere.'

'Ah see. But this is Las Vegas. Not exactly next door ta New Orleans.'

'I was lookin' f'r y' mon River Rat.'

'Why?'

He smirked and stepped closer.

'Missed dose eyes.'

She took a step back and shook her head.

'Ah keep tellin' ya. Yer eyes are better.'

He stayed silent and she shivered under his intense gaze. She glanced at his lips and turned around, walking away quickly. They couldn't go there, not anymore.

You see past all the lies
You take it all away
I've seen it all
And it's never enough
It keeps leaving me needing you

They sat in silence for hours. She lay on her bed trying in vain to clear her mind. Every now and then she would feel his burning gaze on her. Sometimes she would turn her back to him just so that he wouldn't see the tears fall. When it was past midnight, she fell into a deep sleep. The dreams were back with the psyches' voices.

She sat on his bed waiting for him. He'd promised he'd be here. She rubbed her eyes and let out a yawn. She heard footsteps coming and she leapt off the bed. She was about to open the door when she heard voices.

'I had a wonderful time Scott.'

'Me too, Jean. Maybe we could do it again some time.'

'You always say that. Of course we'll go out again.'

'Goodnight Jean.'

'Night Scott.'

Rogue stepped away from the door, tears springing to her eyes. A second later Scott entered the room, big smile on his face. He closed the door and was about to walk to his bathroom when he saw her.

'Rogue, oh god, I forgot, I—'

'How could ya?'

'What? Jean and me? You know I like her. And we're nothing.'

'NOTHING! Ya bastard! Ya had meh come here every night. Ya pretended that ya cared. Kissing meh with scarves, telling meh that Ah can be normal.'

'Look that's not what Ah meant.'

'Then what did ya mean?'

'I…I…'

'Ya know what Scott, Ah'm done. Done with ya. Done with this place. Ah don't want ta stay here and play the happy family. Ah'm leavin'.'

'What? No Rogue! Baby, please. Stay. Look maybe we can work this out. I'll end it with Jean, and the—'

'Yer lyin'.'

'I'm not.'

She growled and pulled him into a passionate kiss. His memories flowed into her, his thoughts, life force, and power. She closed her eyes, feeling them burn with his optic blasts. She pushed him off and heard him gasping for air. She took a further step back, feeling tears burn her eyes as she realised he was lying.

'Why am Ah always right?' she whispered.

'Stripes, Cyclops?'

'Logan, get meh outta here.'

She felt his hand grasp her covered wrist as he guided her out the room. Putting an arm around her he took her to her room. She couldn't contrite, all she knew is she would never love again.

'No!'

Rogue woke up and sat up right. She was shaking and sweat ran all over her body. She took a deep breath and focused her breathing. She felt a hand on her back, rubbing small circles into it. Suddenly she felt calm and the voices seemed to quiet down. She moved away, standing up.

'Y' okay, Chere?'

'Fine. Just a bad dream.'

'Ready t' go?'

'Yeah. Ya get a car?'

'Oui.'

'Um…okay. And Remy...Thanks.'

She turned to look at him. He nodded and smiled before helping her up. She still felt strangely calm. Grabbing her bag she headed outside. He stopped by a black pick-up truck and took her bag, throwing it into the back. She got in the passenger side and leaned her head against the windows.

Take me away
Take me away
I've got nothing left to say
Just take me away

The journey was quiet. Her dream had left her in an uneasy state. It was hard remembering her times in the mansion. Especially Scott. She was so naïve back then. She used to go to his room thinking he understood her when it came to not being able to control their powers. Soon he brought out the scarf and she'd shared in their first kiss. But then he was late more and more. Then there was that night. After she'd absorbed him, she got Logan to take her to her room. She'd packed all her things and was gone in the morning. But she still had nightmares and had to deal with his voice in her head.

'Rogue?'

She didn't reply. Just kept looking straight ahead.

'Is dere somewhere y' want t' be?'

She shook her head and leaned against the window again, closing her eyes.

I try to make my way to you
But still I feel so lost
I don't know what else I can do
I've seen it all
And it's never enough
It keeps leaving me needing you

'Remy, yer okay now right?'

'What d' y' mean Chere?'

'Ya know, ya've moved on from yer fiancé.'

'Just parfait.'

'Did ya love her?'

'Oui, more dan anyt'in'.'

'She was a fool ta let ya go. Ya have a great heart Rems.'

'Thanks, Chere. Y' ever been in love?'

'Once. And never again. The heart can only be broken once.'

She opened her eyes when he didn't reply. He just stared at the road ahead. She tucked a stray strand of hair and sighed. She took out her deck and began shuffling. She still didn't have hearts inside. Well, accept for the Queen of Hearts that he had given her. She smiled as she remembered, finding it in her pocket.

Take me away
Take me away
I've got nothing left to say
Just take me away

'Y' hungry Chere?'

She nodded. He flicked the indicator and turned into a diner. He parked and turned off the engine. She shoved the card into her pocket, checked her gloves, and followed him as he left the truck. She walked slowly while rubbing her hands, her gloves were hurting her skin.

Don't give up on me yet
Don't forget who I am
I know I'm not there yet
But don't let
Me stay here alone

She sat in the diner and stared silently at her coffee. The diner was practically empty, which was to be expected at five in the moring. Rogue sighed and felt her body shiver. Tears filled her eyes but she swiped them away.

'Chere, remember no more hidin'?'

'Ah'm sorry Remy. It's just…Ah can't touch. And it hurts ta have ta become the untouchable girl again. Ah wish it was a bullet that had hit meh. At least then Ah'd be dead.'

'It's my fault Chere.'

'What?'

'I was t'inkin', maybe we should go it alone. It's safer f'r y' dat way.'

'What, no! I…'

Tears streamed from her eyes and ran down her face. This was what she wanted right? She preferred being alone. But yet she felt abandoned.

'Rogue, d' y' want me t' stay?'

'Yes.'

'Why?'

'Ah don't know. Ah just can't do it alone anymore.'

This time what I want is you
There is no one else
Who can take your place
I've seen enough and it's never enough
It keeps leaving me needing you

'But Chere—'

'Remy, we've both been hurt and that kind of hurt takes long ta heal. But right now Ah really need someone Ah can trust. And Ah trust ya fo' some reason.'

She looked up into his eyes and he reached out and took her hand. She smiled, squeezing his hand back. Finally he nodded and relief filled her. She knew deep down that she was falling for him against her own wishes and that his heart still probably belonged to his ex-fiancé. But right now she needed him.

Take me away
Take me away
I've got nothing left to say
Just take me away

'Don't worry, Chere. I'll take care of y'.'

He threw some money down for the bill and stood up. Taking her hand she allowed him to pull her up. Then wrapping one arm around her waist he led her outside.

A/N: Song is take me away- lifehouse