ROAD TRIP: PART ONE
Author: Spark187
"Oh, mah god, ah can't believe we jus' high-tailed it outta there," Rogue said excitedly when Remy finally stopped the bike on the side of the road. "Hey, where are we?" she asked.
"Don' know, chere, but we outta gas," Remy said. "Look like we be walkin' t'da next fillin' station."
"Oh," she said. "Wonder how far it is? Couple miles at least. Still, neva had so much fun in all mah life." She threw her arms around him. "If ah got be stranded, nice bein' stranded here with you."
"Ya mean dat?" Remy asked.
She reached up and took his glasses off and looked deeply into his eyes. "Yeah, ah do."
"An ya don' mind dat I'm a mutant?"
"No, why would ah? Besides, that's some power yah got there," she said and threw her arms around him. He leaned in and kissed her passionately. She felt his tongue in her mouth and that excited her even more. She never felt anything like it. She wanted more.
He soon broke off the kiss which confused her a little. "Umm, we betta git goin'. Long walk ahead."
"Yeah, ah guess so." The pair started their walk down the lonely highway. They saw not even one car in nearly ten miles of walking. Rogue felt fatigue coming on. Remy felt it, too. He hoped they could find a gas station and maybe a cheap motel, because it seemed they both could use a rest.
"Hey, Remy, ah see somethin'," Rogue said. "Up ahead."
"Come on," he said. The promise of a bed and hot meal was just ahead. They walked another half mile and found a small gas station. They didn't see much of anything else, but it was place to get enough fuel to get to the next town.
"Hey, we be needin' some service out here," Remy yelled. Rogue laughed at their surroundings. "What be so funny, chere?" Remy asked.
"This remind me of those ghost towns in those god awful western movies." She started laughing hysterically which made him laugh too.
Finally the gas station attendant came out. "Where'd you two come from?"
"'Bout ten miles up the road," Rogue answered. "Ran outta gas."
"Ah figured that. Where ya headed?"
"Where eva da road takes us," Remy said. "Can ya fill'er up."
"Sure, buddy, but ah need t'see the cash first."
"No trust us," he said jokingly.
"Look friend, ah don't trust nobody. Now, money first than the gas." Remy handed him a twenty. "Alright, that'll get ya the hell outta Dodge," the man grumbled as he walked away.
"Is that where we are?" Rogue asked.
"Naw, just outside Mobile," he grumbled. He looked at Remy for a moment and shook his head and walked off with the bike in tow.
Rogue started giggling. "What be so funny, chere?"
"Ah think maybe he don't like your glasses. Think ya got somethin' tah hide."
"Maybe so," he said. "We all got somethin' tah hide." She had a faraway look in her eye. "What ya be t'inkin' 'about, chere?"
She hesitated for a moment. "Ahh, nothin', jus' few days ah thought mah life was pretty much over an now..."
"An' now...?" he asked with a sly look in his eye. She put her arms around him. "What is it, chere?"
She looked playfully into his eyes. "Ah got you." She brought her lips up to his and kissed him. At that moment the gas station attendant yelled over to them.
"Hey, hey, ya gonna do that there's a motel couple miles up the road."
They both laughed at the man while he just grumbled as he towed the bike back towards their direction.
"Which way?" Remy asked.
"Couple miles north a here. Keep goin' straight. Ya can't miss it." As the guy was walking away Rogue could hear him grumbling. "God damn horny kids..."
She laughed at the man's words.
Remy got on the bike and Rogue followed suit. He revved up the engine. "Ya ready, chere?"
"As ready as I'll eva be," she said holding on tight. She never felt so free in her entire life. With her powers gone and Bobby free of her thoughts, she remembered how big an adventure life could be.
They traveled down the road, which seemed like forever, until they came to a rest stop. There was a small restaurant there. Remy stopped in front of it.
"Ya hungry, chere?" Remy asked.
"Starving. This place looks kinda nice. But then again, ah'm so hungry any ole hash house'll do."
Remy laughed at her, and she laughed too. They walked inside where one waiter looked at them kinda funny.
Rogue whispered to Remy. "Maybe we should use the bathroom and freshen up a bit." She laughed again.
A man came from the kitchen and approached them. "May I help you?" he asked.
"Me and de lady here been travelin' and we pretty hungry."
"Where ya'lls bathroom. Ah need t'freshen up."
"Down there," he said, pointing to the other side of the restaurant.
They both swiftly walked to the other side of the restaurant looking for the facilities whispering and giggling along the way. The few patrons that were there stared at them in disapproval. Rogue pushed her way into the ladies' room. When she looked at herself in the mirror she was aghast. There was dust all over her face and some at the tips of her hair. Her clothes were dusty and disheveled. She knew she looked bad, but not this bad. She quickly cleaned herself up as much as she could before exiting the bathroom. She found Remy outside the door waiting for her.
"I look betta?" she asked.
He whispered in her ear. "Ya not look bad before. Remy like ya dirty."
She laughed at his comment. "Ah bet ya do."
They walked back up to the front of the restaurant and found a nice quiet table. There were already some menus handy. This was not exactly a five star restaurant, but they didn't expect any of those around these parts.
"Oh mah god," Rogue said. "Ah'm so hungry ah think ah could eat everything on the menu." She laughed again.
"What be so funny?"
"Us," she said, still giggling. "That man coulda thrown outta here looking as bad as we do."
"Ya regret comin' wit me?"
"No, not one bit. Ah'm jus' glad those thugs didn't hurt ya. Who's that guy Julien anyway?"
"Nobody," he said.
"Really, then who's Bell?" Rogue inquired. "Mosta been someone important t'get him all riled up like that."
"She ain't nobody, not no more," he said. Something told him that Rogue didn't believe him. "Are ya jealous?"
"No, ah used t'have somebody too, but it didn't work out."
"What happened?"
"He cheated on me, so ah left. Well, after he humiliated me like that ah just couldn't stay there. Then ah came t'New Orleans an ah found you, or did you find me?"
"Is that all dere is, Rogue." She got silent for a moment. Remy, she be hidin' something. Dat okay. Ya can wait. She tell you when she want to.
The waiter came back to their table. "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, sir," Rogue said. "Big plate a'southern fried chicken with all the fixins. That okay with you?"
"Yeah, fried chicken sound good," he said, running his foot up her leg. She wore a shocked look on her face and giggled. The waiter left not impressed with their antics.
"God, you're awful. They gonna kick us outta here yet."
"Let 'em try," he said, a hungry look in his eye.
"Fine with me, but after they bring us the food."
Rogue no longer felt awkward around him, but not so much that she could tell him everything. She wanted to which was really strange to her because she had only known him for a few days. Now when she thought about Bobby there wasn't pain and frustration. She just remembered the way he hurt her, but she was no longer angry. Truth was she didn't feel much of anything when came to Bobby. The only thought that came to mind was how inadequate he was.
"What ya thinkin' 'bout, chere?" Remy asked as he took her hand from across the table.
"Oh, nothin' really," she said with shy smile.
"Somethin' 'bout me?" he asked. "Mos' be ta make ya smile like dat."
"Yah really are full a yourself, aren't ya?" she laughed which made him laugh too. "So, smart guy, what am ah thinkin' right now?"
At that moment the waiter came by with the food. Rogue's eyes grew wide. "Hungry chere?"
"Seems like ah hadn't eaten in forever." She dug into the food, polishing off four pieces of chicken in no time. She looked up to see Remy staring at her. "What?"
"Didn't know you were dat hungry. We need ta order more?" She picked up a drumstick a flung it at him. "Thanks, chere, dat's the one I wanted."
"Ah guess that was funny," she said. Remy didn't say anything he just slowly lifted the chicken to his lips. Rogue's heart started to beat really fast. Stop thinking that way, she told herself. Yah just met him a few days ago.
Before they knew it all the food was gone. "Wow," Rogue said . "Looks like we're both pigs." She couldn't help but laugh which made Remy laugh too.
The waiter came by with the check. He didn't say anything just gave the couple a strange stare telling them that he really wanted them to leave. Remy left the money on the table, and they got up to leave.
"Feelin' better, chere?" Remy asked her as they walked back to his bike.
"Ah feel great, but kinda tired. Can't remember the last time ah slept."
"We find a place to stay. It be getting' dark soon."
They both got on the bike and road off. It wasn't long before they found the place the man at the gas station told them about. When they stopped and got off the bike Rogue looked at the place in wonder.
"Wow!" she said softly.
"What is it, Chere?"
"Kinda looks like the Bates Motel," she said laughing.
Remy took hold of the bike towing it up the steep hill. "Come on, let's get a room."
She was all for that idea. In a hotel room alone with Remy, the thought excited her. They traveled up a small hill until they got to the entrance door. The place looked worse up close than it did from the street.
"Don't look like much, does it?" Remy commented.
"No," she said. "But ah'm so tired, ah don't care." Once inside they saw that the place looked pretty nice. The lobby was clean although cheaply decorated. The front desk had a few nicks in it, but at least the place didn't stink.
"We'd like a room for the night?" Remy said to the clerk behind the desk.
"Sure, buddy, sign in, please."
"Got a place ah can keep my bike?"
"Hey, sure, you can lock it up in the back garage. It'll be safe. Here's your key, room 107, down the hall and to the right."
"Here," Remy said. "You go on to de room, and I'll go lock up da bike."
"Okay," she said.
She hurried down the hall until she reached room 107. When she walked in she saw it only had one large bed. Now, she started to get really nervous, but she was just so tired. She went into the bathroom and turned the shower on. How she needed one. She stripped herself of her clothes and stepped in. The water felt so good. Ten minutes later she stepped out and brushed her teeth. Her clothes were still dusty so she soaked them in some soap and water then hung them on the rod to dry. She wrapped a towel round her and exited the bathroom.
She eyed the large king-size bed. It was so inviting, and even though her hair was still a little damp, she crawled under the sheets. Sleep came easily and she drifted off.
Remy came back a few minutes later having gotten an extra key from the front desk clerk. When he walked in he saw Rogue was already asleep. She looked like an angel. He could see all she had on was a towel underneath the sheets.
Control yourself, Remy, he told himself. He turned around and headed for the bathroom. He took his clothes off and ran some cold water in the shower. Just being in the same room with her was making him crazy. Then he wondered, Why'd ya have ta pick her up in a bar. She way too classy a lady for dat. He noticed how she tried to wash her clothes. No wonder she was just wrapped in a towel. He put in boxers back on and walked out of the bathroom.
He could help but notice her as he walked back in the room. The mere scent of her intoxicated him. How desperately he wanted to be lying next to her. He just stood there watching her sleeping form admiring her magnificence. He touched his hand to her cheek. She stirred a little, moaning softly. She truly was an angel, his angel.
He walked over to the other side of the bed and slipped under the covers. Just the sight of her aroused his passion. He so desperately wanted to touch her, but he dared not. He closed his eyes hoping it would help, but he could still smell her. He was drunk with just the thought of her. It took every ounce of his willpower to control himself. He could no longer look upon her. The temptation was too much, so he turned his back to her. Sleep didn't come easy. Even after he closed his eyes all he could see was her, but soon exhaustion hit him and he drifted off into sleep.
Rogue woke up soon after to find Remy lying next to her. She looked under the covers and giggled to herself. Well, I guess ah now what ya sleep in. He was now lying on his back and she could no longer resist the need to be closer to him. She gently took his arm and put it around her. She loved feeling the warmth of his body heat. She was no longer afraid, not of him. She felt safe wrapped in his arms. She drifted into sleep once more.
As Dawn peeked through their hotel window, Remy awoke to see Rogue sleeping contently next to him. She looked so beautiful and helpless lying there, but a thought struck him. Had something happened the night before? It couldn't have. He would have remembered. He gently laid her head back down on the pillow as she moaned softly.
She must be dreamin', he thought. Wonder if it be 'bout me? A sly smile came to his face. Mus' be.
He quietly walked back to the bathroom to change. Since they both left in such a hurry a few days before, they really had no kind of traveling supplies. Rogue never complained, but he felt that she deserved better. He would fix that. He came back into the room and searched the nightstand for paper and pen. Yes, he found it. He'd leave her note so she wouldn't worry. And he didn't want her to think that he ditched her either.
As he reached the door he looked back at Rogue still sleeping peacefully. He blew her a kiss before he opened the door and stepped out. He reached the front desk where he saw a woman sitting.
"Excuse me, ma'am," he said. "Any stores around here where I can buy some clothes?"
"Sure, hon, there's a little strip down the ways, get jus' about anythin' ya need." She got up from her desk and leaned in closer to him. "Hal told me 'bout that pretty girl ya came in with last night. She your girlfriend?"
"Yes, ma'am, we be travelin'."
"Where ya headed, hon?" she asked.
"Don't know, we be findin' out when we get dere," he said as he made his way to leave.
About an hour after Remy's departure Rogue awoke. She looked to see that Remy was no longer there. Then she saw a piece of paper sitting on the nightstand. She leaned over and picked it up
Dear Rogue,
Went out to pick up some things. I didn't have the heart to wake you. Be back soon.
Remy
Oh, mah god, he's so sweet, she thought to herself. She kissed the note and laid it back down on the nightstand. She got out of bed still with the towel wrapped around her. She wondered what Remy must have thought when he saw her like that. He must have behaved himself because she was still wearing it.
Suddenly Rogue heard her phone ring. "Oh, god, no, ah hope it's not Bobby again." She scrambled to reach for it inside the nightstand. She looked at the caller ID. "That's not Bobby's number. Huh, don't recognize it. Oh, well. Hello?"
"Rogue, where the hell are you?"
"Logan," she said a nervous tone in her voice. "How's it goin'?
"That all you got to say? We're all goin' crazy trying to find you."
"Well, you can stop, 'cause ah'm fine. Ah jus' had tah get away. Ya do it all the time."
"When yah comin' back?" She got quiet all the sudden and refused to answer. "Rogue?" Still she wouldn't answer. "Rogue, I know you're there. Answer me."
"Ah ain't. Ah told Bobby that, and now ah'm tellin' you."
"Is this because of Bobby, 'cause if it is...?"
"No!...yea,...it was, but it's ain't anymore. Ah jus' don't belong there anymore. Ah got find mah own way now. So, please..."
"This is your home."
"Not anymore," she said sullenly.
"Rogue, I care about you. We're all worried."
"Don't be, Logan. Ah'm alright. In fact, ah better than all right."
"What do you mean by that?"
"None a your concern. Now if ah needed ya ah'd tell ya, but ah don't. So, please, let me be on mah own for a while. It's better that ah left."
"Call if ah need anything."
"Ah will, ah promise. Bye, Logan."
"Bye, darlin'"
She ended the call feeling a little guilty. Logan had been her friend at the lowest point in her life, and here she was turning her back on him. He only wanted to help. Why wouldn't she let him? It was because of Bobby she left, but it was because of Remy that she didn't want to go back.
She sprung out of bed holding the towel around her so it wouldn't fall. "Well, ah hope mah clothes are dry." Then she thought of Remy. "Don' wanta give 'im too much of a thrill." She laughed to herself. Yah such a bad girl sometimes.
Rogue had just made her way to the bathroom when she heard the door open. She hurried and put on her black tank top and jeans. She emerged from the bathroom just a tiny bit disheveled. Her face brightened up when she saw Remy standing near the bed with several bags.
"Someone went shoppin'," she said coming up behind him. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Miss me, chere?" he said turning to face her.
"'Course ah did. Did yah miss me?" He nodded which made her laugh. "Then show me." He put his arms around her waist giving her a long hard kiss. "Ah guess so," she said with a smile. "So what's all this?"
"Some clothes, and other t'ings we be needin'."
"Oh, why didn't ya wake me. Ah woulda went with ya."
"Ya look so peaceful, didn't wanna wake ya, besides ya needed ya sleep."
"Okay, but ah'm payin' for half. Ain't no fair that you be payin' for everythin' on this trip."
"Non. Remy don't mind. Ya need a little spoilin'. Remy happy ta do it. I got ya into dis mess ta begin wit."
"No, ya didn't. Ah wanted tah come. Best time ah eva had. So, what ya get?"
"Dis bag for you."
She took the bag and dumped the contents on the bed. "What's this?" she asked.
"Nightgown, don' all ladies wore 'em, or do they just wore bath towels to bed." He was teasing her again. Her face turned blood red.
"Well, ah couldn't very well sleep in mah old dirty clothes, now could ah?" She held up the nightgown. It was a light green color that shimmered like satin, with tiny strings straps. It looked as if would fit her form pretty nicely. "How you know mah size anyway?" she said.
"Just by lookin'"
"An ah bet ya like lookin'" He gave her a devilish grin. She went through the rest of the clothes. He had bought her two pairs of jeans and two tops, one black and one green. There was a jacket just in case it got cold, and a little black dress, and some black sheer hose and shoes to match. "Now where do yah think ah'll be wearin' this?" she asked.
"Maybe I take ya to a nice restaurant, and den we go dancin' an..."
"An what?" she asked, trying to sound shocked even though the same thing was on her mind. "What ya after, Cajun?" She said, putting her hands on her hips.
He took her hands in his. He noticed that she no longer flinched at his touch. The prospect excited him. "Not'ing ya ain't willin' tah give." He bent down and kissed her. "I'll give you whatever it is ya want," he said, looking deep into her eyes.
"Ah already got what ah want," She said, her eyes brightening. "So where we goin' next?"
"Don' know. Julien might be followin' us, so we should keep moving."
"What's his problem? Can't just be over a girl. What was her name? Bell. Why does he care what went on between you her anyway?"
"'Cause he's her brother, an' he hates my family, but ya don' have ta be jealous a her."
"Ah ain't jealous," she said with a bit of coyness. "What makes you think..."
"I see it in your eyes," he said playfully.
"How ya see anythin' through those glasses," she said and snatched them from his face. She folded them up and put them behind her back. "There now, what do you see?"
"Give dose glasses, Rogue." She shook her head no. "Come on, chere."
"No way," she said, jumping to the other side of the bed. "Yah gotta catch me first." She dangled them up in the air as he flew over to her side and grabbed her by the waist. They both fell to the floor laughing. He took the glasses from her ready to put them back on. "Please, don't," she said just above a whisper. "Ah like ya better this way." She took the glasses from him and placed them on the bed.
She leaned in and kissed him. Her touch excited him. He moved his hands up her top, feeling her soft skin. She rolled over onto her back taking him with her. His body pressed against hers. He never wanted anyone as much as he wanted her.
"Do ya want me?" she whispered.
"Yes," he said. He started to move his tongue down her neck. He heard her light moans inviting him to do more.
Bang! There was a knock on the door. Damn, Rogue thought. Ah'm gonna kill who's eva at that door.
Remy got up from the floor in answer to the banging. "Who dere?" He opened the door to see Hal, the man who was behind the front desk when they first checked in.
"Yah'll are makin' too much noise!"
"We're sorry," Rogue said, while getting' up from the floor and laughing. "We just gotta a little carried away is all."
"Just keep the noise down," he grumbled and shut the door.
Rogue was still laughing after Hal left. She walked over to Remy and said, "Now, where were we?"
"Packin'," he said. "We should be goin' soon."
"Okay," she said a little disappointed. He had bought two duffel bags and bag of hygiene supplies for each of them. She folded up her clothes and placed them neatly in the bag, while Remy just stuffed his. "So, should we leave today or spend one more night?"
"Non, we should go now, we could make it to the next town before dark."
"Good plan," Rogue said. "Maybe we'll be outta Alabama before too long."
"Okay, let's go pay de bill an get outta here." Rogue grabbed her bag and as did he and walked out to the front desk. "How much we owe ya?" Remy asked.
"One-fifty," Hal said. Remy handed him the money, tipped his glasses and walked out. Rogue looked back to see the man in shock. Remy went to the back garage to retrieve his bike. He found the door unlocked. When he came out Rogue had a devilish look on her face. "What is it?" he asked.
"Ah can't believe ya did that tah that guy. His jaw just about dropped to the floor."
"Couldn't help myself," he said, towing the bike down the hill.
"Ah'll bet," she said laughing. Rogue made it to the street first where she waited for Remy to come down. "So which way we headed?"
As Remy set the bike down on the road he said, "North be our best bet."
"Lead the way," she said. He tied the duffel bags to the back of the bike. Then he helped her on. He got on the bike and started up the engine.
"Ya alright back there, chere?"
"Ah'm fine."
All they had in front of them was the open road and what was behind them didn't matter...or so they thought.
"Hey, old man, Ah'm not gonna ask you again?"
"Julien, ya ain't gonna git not'hing outta him if yah keep manhandlin' him like dat."
"Alright, Bell, what you suggest?" Julien asked as he threw his victim to the ground."
"A little sweet talk goes a long way. Ain't dat right." she said to the old man lying on the ground. "Stand him up, Julien," she said her voice becoming much deeper. Lightening up again, she said, "Now, we gonna start again...from de beginnin'."
"What...what ya wanna know?"
"Yah see a man in a trench coat driving a motorcycle with a slut wit a white streak in her hair."
"Yes, ma'am, yesterday."
"Did dey say where dey be goin'?"
"H-hotel, up the road," he said, his voice almost a squeak.
"Put him down, Julien." The man was almost relieved. Bell walked up to him. "Betta not be lyin' or I be comin' back t'cut your heart out. Now, where dis hotel?"
"U-up t-the road, n-north a here."
"Let's go," Bell said heading back to her car. Julien hesitated. He really wanted to do some damage to this guy. "Julien, ya wastin' time! Let's go!"
Bell was a woman on a mission. She wanted to hurt Remy Labeau as he hurt her. She knew he was a liar and cheat. That's why she broke things off with him, but even so she wanted him back. She wouldn't allow the man she gave her virginity to to humiliate her. She wanted him back, if for more other reason but to torture him, and if she had to kill his latest conquest then so be it.
"Mobile, what a crap town," Julien grumbled. "Ya sure ya wanna do dis, Bell?"
"What? Julien, can ya be any dumber. I not be comin' all dis way for not'ing. Dat dere no good son and bitch gonna pay for what he done. An' if ya don't help me I kill you too. Now, what be your answer?"
"Longs you let me kill de girl. She like a fuckin' vampire. You no see what she did to Pierre. Almos' bit his finger clean off. Somet'in' not right 'bout dat one. Won' mind killin' dat no good Cajun either."
"Ya keep your hands off him, Julien. He's mine. Understand?"
"Yeah, Bell, I do, but why ya wanna go ruin my fun."
"Just shut up and do what I tell ya."
Bell was getting agitated. She was a woman scorned and she wanted revenge. Who did he think he was tossing her aside? He was going to pay. She would make sure of it.
"Dis can't be the place," Julien said, "but it's the only one around."
"Let's go, Julien. We wastin' time." She got out, slamming the car door. "Who builds a hotel on top of a hill?" Bell was even more annoyed now. "Get your ass movin', Julien!"
Bell obviously was the first to arrive at the entrance door. What a dump, she thought. Why would Remy hold up in a place like this for? Then she thought, He jus' want t't'row me off. Well, it won' work. She walked in the door, Julien straggling behind.
"Who in charge here?" she yelled.
"That would be me, honey. Name's Fran. Ya need a room?"
"Non. I be needin' information," Bell said. "An you be givin' it to me."
"Oh, really," Fran said. "An' what information ya think I have."
"Oh, where a certain Cajun and his latest slut be hidin'. I know dey here."
"Yeah, there was a Cajun here. He was quite a looker, but he's gone now. Had some pretty brunette with white streak in her hair with him. They were makin' so much noise my husband went banging on their door."
"Where dere room? Show me."
"Alright, this way, honey," Fran said. "I don't usually do this, but..." Fran took out a key and unlocked the door. "Here ah are."
Bell and Julien looked around the room. Nothing seemed out of place, than Bell looked on the nightstand. She saw a note on a torn piece of paper. It was Remy's handwriting.
"Damn him," she said. "Who dis Rogue be? She be dead." Bell turned back to Fran. "Where dey be?"
"I don't know, honey. They checked out and left."
"How long?" Bell demanded.
"Couple hours, maybe. I'm not sure."
Bell and Julien stormed out of the hotel. "I'll get his Cajun ass and his little slut too," Bell said as she reached her car.
"Where we be going now, back t'N'leans?"
"Non. Dey not go back dare. Dey be goin' north, far away as dey can get. We be goin' dat way too."
Bell got back in the car. She barely waited for Julien to close the door before she sped off.
"Wow," Rogue said. "Ah never realized Alabama was so big."
"You alright back there? We almost to da border."
"All right, Tennessee, here we come." She was shouting and whaling and having the time of her life. "Ah always wanted to visit Memphis."
"'Cause a Elvis," Remy teased.
"No, for the dancing, an' your taking me."
"Whatever the lady wishes." He stopped the bike and got off. He helped Rogue off. "So there's Tennessee. Wanna go first."
"This is kinda stupid, but okay." She jumped over the border like she was a five year child playing hopscotch. "Okay, ah'm over. We still riding or we gonna walk the rest of the way?"
"Non. Dat be a long walk, besides if Julien be tracking us he catch us in no time."
"That big dumb jerk ain't no match for us. 'Sides, we took care of him last time even with his two goons."
"Might bring more next time, an' if Bell put him up to it, it be a bad situation."
"Ah think ya worrying too much, 'sides what they gonna do? Kill us."
"Yeah," he said like it was the most natural thing.
Rogue's heart dropped. "They'd do that? Why?"
"They trained assassins. Dat's what dey do." Rogue really couldn't say anything. The prospect frightened her even though she tried to hide the fact. "No worry, chere, Remy protect ya."
She smiled at that then shrugged, "What makes ya think ah need protectin'. Ah can take care a mahself just fine."
"But Remy like takin' care a ya," he said putting his arms around her waist. She followed suit and put her arms around his neck. "So ya no afraid a Remy no more."
She smiled refusing to look on his face. She didn't want him to see her blushing. "Neva was," she said. "Ah's afraid a mahself. Ah don't wanna be afraid anymore. Been like that a long time." She reached up and kissed him. "See, ain't afraid a touchin' ya."
"Remy like touchin' ya, chere. He like it a lot." She started to feel awkward again. "Somet'ing wrong?"
"Ah jus' feel like people are lookin' at us. Cars goin' by. Wonder what they're thinkin'."
"Who cares," he whispered. He leaned in kissing her long and hard. It made her forget where they were. On the border of Tennessee, cars buzzed by. Right now all she saw was him. He broke off the kiss when he heard a plane overhead. It was so noisy it brought him back to reality. "We should get going."
"Yeah," she said, getting on the bike again. "Come on, Cajun, let's go. I wanna be in Memphis by nightfall." He got back on the bike and soon they were off again.
If seemed like they were driving for hours before they reached Memphis. Rogue grew tired and hungry and so did Remy. He stopped at a convenient store at the corner of the road. They could get a light snack and find out where there was a nice hotel they could stay at. They walked in and looked around for a bit.
"They don't had much, do they?" Rogue said. "Oh, well, it should hold us until we can get some real food." Rogue picked up a few snack cakes. She was having a major sugar fit. They also picked up some sodas. Traveling on the open road gave her an awful case of dry mouth.
Rogue got that uneasy feeling again like something bad was about to happen. They reached the counter where Remy paid for the food. They were heading for the door to leave. That's when it happened.
"Put your hands in the air," they heard a man yell.
Rogue turned around to see a man with a gun. Remy stood in front of her. "Don' move, chere," he said.
"What are ya doin'?" she whispered. "That maniac's gotta gun." She came out from behind him and said, "Ah ain't lettin' ya do this."
"Hey," the man said. "Where do you think you're going? I said hands in the air."
Remy made a move towards him, but Rogue stopped him. "No, Remy, don't."
Before anybody knew what was going on, the robber grabbed Rogue. Remy's eyes burned behind his glasses. "Anybody moves," the robber said, "or she gets it."
"No," Rogue cried. "Let me go."
Remy was beyond livid. He pulled out a playing card from his pocket. It burned hot in his hand. Instinctively he threw it at the robber. It landed a few inches away and exploded throwing him off guard. Rogue bit the man on the arm and flipped him over on his side. When he was on the ground she kicked him twice.
"That'll teach ya, scum," she said. "Ain't no way t'treat a lady." She kicked him again just to make sure he was out cold.
Remy ran up to her. "You alright, chere?"
"Yeah," she said. "But what did ya think you were doing? Coulda got us both killed."
"Hey, you," the clerk yelled from the other side of the counter. "I saw what ya did. You one of them damn muties, aren't ya? Get outta my store ya damn freaks."
"We just stopped ya from getting' robbed, ya dumb ass," Rogue yelled at him.
"Get out, yah mutie whore," the clerk yelled back.
"Hey, dat no way t'speak to a lady."
"Both a ya outta my store, or when the cops get here they'll arrest you too. All ya damn muties should be locked up. Now, get out!"
Remy picked up their bag ready to leave at the man's insistence.
"Yea, yea. We be goin'. Ya should be t'ankin' us for savin' ya ass," Remy yelled. He turned back and said, "Member dat next ya get robbed."
They both swiftly walked out of the store. Rogue was in tears by the time they were outside. "Hey, chere, don't listen t'dat guy. He stupid."
"When's it gonna end!" she yelled. "Thought it would be over when ah..."
"Come on, chere, we can' stay here."
She dried her eyes and got back on the bike. She was quiet as they went up and down the streets looking for a descent hotel to stay in. "Dis place look good," Remy said. Still Rogue said nothing. "Ya alright, chere?"
"Yeah," she said, a quietness to her voice. "So are we stoppin' here?"
He got off the bike and helped her down as well. "Only if ya be wantin' too."
"No, it's fine. Besides, ah could use a shower."
"Me too, cause ah'm takin' you out tonight. Give me an excuse ta see ya in dat dress."
"Ohh, is that ya angle. Alright, Cajun, but no fast food. Ya takin' me someplace nice." He grabbed their bags off the bike. She took his arm and they walked into the hotel together.
It was a small place, a bed and breakfast type setting. It was definitely an improvement from the last place they had stayed. Remy came up to the front desk and requested a room. The clerk at first looked at him a little funny. He guessed it was because of his glasses, but he had gotten used to that. That didn't even bother him anymore. It seemed Rogue was in a better mood by the time they got to the hotel room. She was actually smiling. It was only one o'clock and she hoped to get a few hours' sleep before they went out that night.
"Ya hungry, chere?" he asked her.
"No, not really, after what happen at the convenience store ah kinda lost my appetite." That sullen look returned to her face.
"Ya don' have t'be t'inkin' 'bout dat. Dat guy be an asshole."
She smiled as she put her arms around him. "Well," she said. "This place is nice. So, where yah takin' me t'night?"
"Ya say ya wanna do dancin' den dat what we do."
"I'm really tired, Remy. Ah think ah get few hours' sleep. Ya don' wanna see me snorin' on the dance floor."
He started laughing as the picture formed in his mind. Rogue laughed too after thinking the same thing. Remy went into the bathroom to clean up. He looked in the mirror not being able to believe his luck. He still couldn't believe someone so beautiful and sweet would be here with someone like him, especially after the trouble he put her through. When he emerged out of the bathroom she was already fast asleep. He couldn't help but stare at her. She was so beautiful lying there. She was like a helpless little bird that he wanted to take care of.
He was tired also and thought he should get some sleep as well. He went over to the other bed and crawled beneath the covers. Thoughts of Rogue sent him into sleep. It was nearly six o'clock before Rogue awoke. She was a little groggy, but a shower would fix that. She always felt better after a shower.
"'Bout time ya be wakin' up," Remy teased throwing a pillow at her.
"Like pickin' on me?" she asked, half-teasing. She threw the pillow back at him. He responded by jumping on her bed. He pinned her arms the mattress and leaned down to kiss her. She didn't protest.
"Hey, mebbe we stay in tonight. I can' t'ink of a few t'ings we could do."
She pushed him off of her and jumped off the bed. "Oh, no, ya promised ya takin' me out an' ah'm holdin' ya to it."
"Awe, come on, Rogue," he said half-sitting on her bed. "We have a lot more fun here."
She laughed at him with his puppy dog eyes pleading with her, "Well, if we did that then yh never see what ah look like in that dress."
"True," he said, "but rather see what ya look like wit'out it."
She smacked him on the side of the head, not hard, just enough to bring him back down to earth. "Ya jus' might, Cajun," she said as he grabbed her around the waist. He was standing next to her now. He felt the warmth of her body and didn't ever want to let her go. She pulled him away from her and said, "Now, ya stay out here while ah go freshen up, and no peekin'"
"Wherever de lady desires," he said, returning to sit on her bed once more. The sheets smelled of her, an aroma he would never tire of.
She grabbed her duffel bag and made her way into the bathroom. She laid her bag on the counter near the sink and turned on the hot water. Even after being with Remy for the past week or so, she still felt a little nervous about going out with him that evening. Was this actually an official date? She wondered. It felt like one. She was determined to look her best.
It was almost an hour before she emerged from the bathroom. Remy was busy getting ready too. He had put on a suit, something he rarely did and decided to ax his trench coat, just for tonight. His back was turned when she finally came out, only the sound of her voice prompted him to turn around.
"How do ah look?" she said softly. All he could do was stare. "Is it that bad?" she asked.
"Non," he said, sucking in his breath. "Remy like."
She smiled shyly. "Ah'm glad." Her nervousness had come back again. Even after spending all this time with him, seeing him looking so good brought butterflies to her stomach. "Well, are we goin', or did ya jus' wanna see me in this dress?"
Her question brought him back down to earth. "Non. A promise is a promise," he said. The thought gave her goose bumps. "Are yah cold?"
"No, ah'm fine," she said her voice quiet. "So let's go."
They walked out of the hotel room hand in hand. As they made their way down the hallway, Rogue noticed several men looking at her. Wonder what's on their minds, she thought. Then she looked up at Remy. Wonder what's on his. That she already knew, because it was on her mind too.
When they finally reached the lobby, Rogue asked, "We taking the bike?"
"Non," he said. "Got somet'ing much better."
"Mister Lebeau," the hotel clerk said coming from behind his desk. "You're limo is waiting."
Rogue looked shocked. "Remy, you didn't?" He just smiled slyly at her. "But it's way too expensive."
"Not'ing too expensive for you, cherie," he said, kissing her hand. "Shall we?"
"Alright, but your spoilin' meh," she said playfully. He led her out the door where a beautiful black limousine awaited. He opened the door and helped her inside. Rogue felt like a princess being escorted to a ball. She wondered when this limousine would turn back into a pumpkin.
"Where we goin?" Rogue said, leaning up against Remy.
"You'll see. Be a surprise."
"What ya up to?"
"Ain't gonna tell ya. Jus' gotta wait and find out." That devilish smile came back on his face.
"This your usual manner a courtin'?" she asked suspiciously.
"Chere, ya wound me. Ain' not'ing usual 'bout you."
"Alright, ah'll let ya keep yah secrets," she said giving a devilish smile of her own. "For now," she added.
The drive seemed to take forever, but Rogue was enjoying it. Never before had anyone treated her like this. Soon the limousine stopped.
"Where are we?" Rogue looked out the window to see a large building with beautiful stained glass windows. Remy exited the limo and helped Rogue out afterwards. She looked on in awe. "This is so beautiful. How did ya ever find this place?"
"My secret," he whispered to her. She smiled. She didn't really care how he found it only that they were there together. He led her inside where her face lit up even more. She felt like she was in a luxurious palace and she was some sort of fairy princess. But was Remy really a prince charming? She wanted to think so.
"Table for two?" the host asked.
"Oiu," Remy said.
"This way," the host said, directing them to follow him.
They were led to a quiet private table near the back of the restaurant. Remy was the perfect gentleman, He pulled out her chair and ordered some champagne. Rogue didn't know how to take this treatment. After a time the waiter returned to take their order. After the waiter left Remy noticed the sad look in Rogue's eyes.
"You alright, chere?" he asked, taking her hand from across the table. "Ya look so far away."
"Ah don' know. Ah just... ah never had anyone treat me like this before. Ya didn't need tah do all this."
"I wanted to. Remy just want ya t'be happy."
"Ah am, happier than ah ever been in ah life. But ya barely know anything 'bout me."
"Well, dat be okay. If ya wanna tell Remy den ya tell 'em. If yah don' dat be okay too."
"Ah wanna tell ya, but..." She became silent. She saw the hurt look on his face. "Ya don't even know mah name."
"Ya mean it ain't Rogue?" he said with a laugh.
She laughed too. "Do ya really think mah Mama done give me that name?" They were both laughing out loud.
"You don' have t'tell me if ya no wan' to?"
"But ah do. I wanna tell ya everythin', ah just..."
"What is it, chere?"
"It's jus' alota stuff is jus' real painful, that's all."
"It okay. Remy understand dat. Remy jus' don' like seein' ya so sad. Jus' wanna make ya happy."
She smiled at him. "Yh really wanna make me happy?" He was intrigued. "Dance with me."
He got up from his seat and approached her chair. He took her hand and said, "If dat what make ya happy den dat what Remy do." He led her to the dance floor. Now she really felt like a fairy princess. He was a good dancer. Bobby always had two left feet, but with Remy she felt she was in the hands of a real pro. As he guided her across the dance floor she felt as if she were dancing on air.
Remy saw the waiter flagging them to come back to their table. Their dinner had come and that was good, because Rogue was starving. She sat back down. "Oh, mah god, this looks so good." She dug in to her dinner like a farm animal. It made Remy laugh.
"Slow down, chere, plenty more where dat come from."
"Ya sayin' ah'm a pig." He looked shocked. "Ah guess ah am, but ah'm just so hungry."
"Remy hungry, too," he said and took a bite.
She flashed him a look knowing he was being naughty. "Ah'm sure ya are."
It wasn't long before they finished their meal that dessert came. Rogue dug into her pastry with a vengeance. Before long it was gone.
"Wow!" Rogue said. "Ah guess ah am a pig."
"Non," Remy said. "I like a girl with a healthy appetite." He looked at her with hungry eyes. "Remy have one too."
"Ah'll bet," she said and laughed.
They soon left the restaurant and were back in the limousine. Remy looked at Rogue staring her up and down. She was still a mystery to him. That may have been the reason she excited him so much. She noticed what he was doing.
"What ya looking at, Cajun?"
"You, an' Remy like. Ya look so good in that dress." Ya just wait, Cajun, she thought. She started giggling. "What so funny, chere?" Remy asked.
"Tell ya latah, sugah," she said still giggling. It wasn't too long before they got back to the hotel. They walked in hand in hand. The same desk clerk was still there. When they walked passed him. Rogue noticed him eying her. "Why's he staring at me?" she whispered to Remy. "Ya think he ain't neva seen a woman before."
"No one like you," he teased.
"Would ya stop that," she scolded playfully.
They stopped once they reached the door to their room. Remy hesitated for moment than planted wet passionate kiss on her lips. It left her almost breathless.
"Remy, stop," she said, but not sounding very convincing.
"Ya really want me ta stop?" he whispered in her ear.
"Not out here, hon," she said. "Too many people walkin' by."
Remy fumbled for the key. Rogue planted kisses all over his face and neck. "Ah want you, Remy," she gasped as they entered the room. "Neva wanted anyone more than I want you."
"Is dat right, honey?"
Remy and Rogue looked up to see someone else in their room. "Julien?" Remy fused.
"Well, hello dare, Gambit. How's ya whore?"
Next up: Road trip part two