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Chapter 2

Medical Findings

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Remy LeBeau sat in the waiting room of the Infirmary, nervously running hands through his thick brown hair. The redness of his dark eyes were not at their usual "brightness" today. No… they were dulled and very distant. He remained seated, only shifting his gaze from the Medical Examining Room to the clock on the wall. It had been half an hour… yet it seemed so much longer.

Poor Rogue, he thought with closed eyes. She don' deserve dis, whatever 'dis' may be.

He sighed, remembering the moment they had shared earlier that morning. He sadly noted to himself that he could count the intimate moments they had shared like that on his one hand. Why was it that they were always so insistent on pushing the other away? It was like their relationship was a joke!

He mentally scolded himself for thinking so selfishly at that moment.

Shouldn't be worried 'bout what could have been, homme… he told himself. Only 'bout Anna… and how Remy gonna change tings when she gets better…

In his mind, he seemed so sure of himself… She would get better. But the more he thought it over, the more worry seemed to prevail in his mind.

His frustrations came to a temporary halt when the door before him opened. Without blinking, the Cajun anxiously stood to his feet.

"How she doin' professor?" he asked, searching the man's face for any sign of hope.

"Well, Gambit," he replied with a soft sigh. He brought his wheelchair to a stop and looked up at Remy's expectant face. "I'm afraid her powers are failing."

Gambit blinked. Failing?

Charles noticed the confused expression and continued, "According to the readings, Rogue's absorption ability has decreased to barely even existence. However, the psyches in her head are slowly trying to take over, which, I'm afraid might result in a war between mutations as well."

Gambit blinked again.

The professor sighed.

"You see, all the powers she has absorbed in the past… they all exist within her. They did not fade away into nothing, they just got stored elsewhere in her mind. I'm afraid, that if the other psyches are trying to take over, their powers will as well."

"You're afraid Rogue's powers will go out of control?" Remy asked, eyebrows furrowed with concern.

Xavier nodded, thankful the Cajun seemed to understand. "Yes. I spoke with Beast over the phone. He's still in London and won't be returning for the next few days. Until that time, I will be negating Rogue's powers."

Remy couldn't believe his ears. Did the professor really just say what he thought he said? He might be able to touch his Anna?

"You…You want to… negate…Rogue's powers?" He asked cautiously, trying not to get his hopes up.

Charles Xavier could not help but smirk. He knew Rogue was not happy with the decision. She had always hoped she could learn to control her powers on her own before sharing intimate contact. But he simply would not risk her safety, as well as the others'. Besides, the excited look on Remy's face might convince her otherwise.

"Yes, Gambit. It's for the best. At least until Beast can return to do more tests."

Remy nodded, accepting the answer with great enthusiasm.

"She's waiting for you, by the way," he added. "I'll return in a few moments with the negation device."

Remy nodded again, suddenly forgetting how to use his own voice. He turned to the closed door, knowing that the woman of his dreams was waiting patiently inside for him. The thought alone sent shivers down his spine.

He cleared his throat, noting how dry it had become, and slowly opened the door. His eyes rested on Anna. She was sitting on the examining table, hands crossed and eyes focused on the floor. She looked almost dejected.

"How you feelin' Chere?" he asked, hoping to gain her eye contact.

She only shrugged her shoulders, keeping her gaze downward.

Remy sighed. He figured this would happen. The 'ever-occurring distance' between them. Whenever she felt vulnerable, she would push him away. And whenever he felt like his privacy was being invaded, he would do the same. Love could be so cruel.

With a couple strides, he stood beside her, gazing down at a waterfall of silky brown hair, splashed with her trademark stripes. With tenderness that only his gifted hands could posses, he swept the hair behind her shoulder, exposing her angelic profile.

She did not turn too look at him. She couldn't bare to see the look in his eyes. The look of…Disappointment? Hurt? Emptiness? No… those weren't it… She was afraid of rejection. She hadn't even lost her powers yet and she felt entirely vulnerable. She was so afraid that without her powers… that without the things that made her who she was… he would abandon her. The man she dreamt of every night…

Remy noticed the tears rising to her eyes and his heart went out to her. Without her super strength and invulnerability, Remy knew she would be scared. She was strong when she didn't have to worry about her own safety… but now she did… and it made her crumble in defeat.

He let his finger trace along the side of her jaw, stopping once he reached her chin. With two gloved fingers, he gently pulled her face towards his. In that moment, intensity had never seemed to be a better description. Their eyes were locked, searching, giving, receiving… Words did not even need to be expressed as they stared deeply into each others eyes.

She knew. She knew he would not abandon her. Not like she had so desperately feared. Not him… Not her Cajun.

"Remy…"she whispered, eyes wide with new found hope.

He smiled softly. "Don' you worry none, Chere," he said brightly, sitting next to her on the table, wrapping a long arm around her. "Remy won't let anytin' happen' to you." He gave her a little squeeze and added: "Let me be your Knight in Shining Armor, non? I'll be your guard…"

Suddenly, out of no where, Rogue burst into a fit of giggles. Just the thought of her Cajun charmer in a tin suite with a wooden sword was too funny! Although… she couldn't help but think it was slightly enticing as well.

A small blush formed on her face when she realized where her thoughts were headed. Her giggling subsided and she turned to Remy who looked almost hurt by her outburst.

"Ah, Sugah…" she grinned, squeezing his leg teasingly. "Ah'd be honored to have you as mah official protector." Her heart skipped a beat when his eyes brightened, and she couldn't help but wrap her arms around him in an awkward hug. "Ah wouldn't want anyone else for that job, Sugah… Nobody…"

Remy's grin grew to half the size of his face and his heart beat happily inside his chest. He wasn't quite sure what was happening, but he wouldn't be surprised if he was falling in love with this girl all over again. He kissed the top of her head and pulled away.

"Chere…Remy just want you to know… I'm here for you…"

Rogue opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by the Professor's arrival.

"Are you ready, Rogue?" he asked, producing the bracelet into view. It was a metallic band with a width of two inches. There was nothing fancy about it, she noticed, but she was glad it was just a simple bracelet, rather than the normal bulky neck brace.

"Ah'm ready, Professor," she replied, standing to her feet.

Gambit did the same, and waited breathlessly as Charles handed her the negation device. She looked at it a moment and returned her gaze to Xavier.

"It will be completely painless," he said. "You'll be able to feel your powers leaving, and in a few short minutes… I have a feeling that you're true personality will return."

She nodded, feeling a bit nervous. With a sigh, and one quick glance to the Cajun standing next to her, she clasped the metal accessory to her wrist. A couple of beeps sounded and then silence.

In a moment she felt the world spin around her and suddenly stop. Gambit placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her wobbling figure. After the dizziness subsided, she turned to Charles.

"They're gone," she stated. "Ah can feel it."

He nodded. "Good. If you have any problems, or you find yourself changing personalities, I want you to come to me immediately. Understood?"

She nodded her head, feeling like a little girl who had just been reprimanded. "Yes, professor…"

"Alright… Remember you don't have the strength you once did, Rogue. You must be more careful…" he glanced at Remy for the briefest of moments. "… with everything. The negation will only last until Beast returns. So please… try to stay out of harm's way."

Rogue nodded again and turned to Gambit. "Remy's gonna look out for me, ain't that right, sugah?"

He gave her his most dazzling grin, "Dat's right, mon chérie."

Professor nodded his approval. "Well, I suppose you'd like some breakfast. It's a bit late, but you need food in your systems." And in a fatherly fashion, he shooed them out of the room.

Rogue grinned, suddenly noticing the new feeling she had bubbling within her. When she put on the bracelet, she couldn't help but notice a heavy burden being lifted off her shoulders. Now she felt weightless…and… happy? It had been a long time since she had felt happiness… at least to this extent anyways.

Her gaze turned to the silent Cajun walking beside her. He was lost in his own thoughts, staring off distantly. He was most likely trying to think of a way to ease the situation for her, without taking advantage of the situation. However, she continued to watch him as his tossled brown hair threatened to fall in his devilishly handsome face as they walked. She scanned his body, seemingly noticing him for the very first time. His arms were long and muscular, with a toned and defined chest that would make any woman's eyes bulge out of their sockets. His long legs were next in her vision, and she couldn't help but notice the definition there as well… even through his ragged blue-jeans. Dear lord…Ah've never noticed just how scrumptious he is…she thought, suddenly being taken over by a very foreign feeling. What was it again?... Oh that's right… lust.

With a devil's grin, she took his gloved hand in her bare one. Remy quickly glanced sideways at her, noticing with sudden curiosity that she was wearing one of his mischievous smiles. His heart leaped into his throat and stopped, but his feet continued until they reached the elevator. Once inside he turned to her and opened his mouth to speak, but froze when her heavy green eyes rested on his. He noticed with a spark of excitement that they were filled with a desire he had craved to see for so long. His own gaze heavily darkened as he realized what thoughts were running through his mind.

With a husky whisper, he asked, "What you thinkin', Chère?"

Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment, taking in his deep voice. She didn't know such feelings could be so overwhelming.

Without responding, she merely lifted his hand and slowly slid the glove off, letting the discarded material gently fall to the ground. Remy's breath stopped as he felt her bare fingers intertwine with his own. They were touching. Their skin was touching.

Skin…oh the skin Remy would like to be touchin' right now…he thought with aching desire. For the briefest moment he allowed his mind to travel down the forbidden path and the image he found excited him beyond all reason. He finally snapped back to reality when the elevator came to a halt and he mentally slapped himself. Keep it together, homme!

Remy gulped, knowing that it would take many cold showers within the next few days to control himself.

But wait… Hadn't he seen the same desire in her own eyes?

He could only hope.

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Important: Let me know what you guys think. Should I raise the rating and have a bit of fun with these two, or shall we keep it clean? Either way, I can write it… It's just that one way is more fun than the other. wink, wink Lemme know!