A/N: Sorry. I know I said I would update Wednesday but I did not finish in time. This chapter is a little bit shorter but I like it and I hope you do too.

Chapter 4

Rogue woke up in a state of dread. She realized too late that last night that by seeing Remy she only gave herself one more opportunity to see him in the next five days. Nine months a part was definitely putting a strain on self control. Why did Remy have to be with the Thieves Guild? Normal couples didn't have to face this test of commitment. She understands that the Guild takes weddings very serious. It's not just a new family member; it's a new Guild member. And to be honest, you don't want someone to join the Guild only to get a divorce and get excused from the Guild with all their secrets. Trust and commitment are really big on the list for the Thieves Guild.

Of course being in their situation, Remy and Rogue were probably monitored more than the other couple ever had been. She had only known him five months before they started dating and three months later he had popped the question. It was a unusual amount of time for any man to come to the conclusion of marriage and that goes ten fold for Remy altogether. His Tante was happy for them but you could tell even she was surprised he even considered settling down. For a short time, his family was suspicious that she was manipulating him in some way to gain access to the Guild. Remy had defended her saying that she already knew everything by absorbing him the only time they had touched; the night they first met.

But somehow that wasn't enough for the entire Guild. After completing a tilling or two, that which Remy opposed to, reciting the guild law from memory, and proving her worth by assisting Tante with dinner and medical calls, they finally pulled the last straw. The request was probably the most simple of them all but for Rogue it was impossible. They wanted her to get her biological family's approval before she married Remy and joined the Guild. She didn't know her family, not since her memory was basically put on reset when her powers emerged.

She had made a rash decision the night after and left. She told Tante that she hoped on finding her family but if she didn't, she would not return to a place she wasn't wanted. It had hurt her to leave Remy without saying goodbye but they had already maxed out their three appearances. She only left Remy a note saying she had not called off the engagement.

After rejoining the X-Men she had randomly received a letter from Tante explaining what happened in the wake of her disappearance. Remy had stood up to his adopted father and the Guild proclaiming that it was their entire fault that they pushed her to her limit. He had threatened to leave the Guild altogether but stayed after being calmed by Jean Luc. Remy did leave New Orleans however, because from what Tante could tell, he couldn't stand to be around the ones that drove her away. He had simply moved to various Guild work in an unknown location in the country.

And now waking up after being rejoined with her fiancé, Rogue wished she could take back her decision. She wished she could have those months back to see Remy if only a couple of times a week. She had hurt him and the thought made her ashamed.

Rogue somehow managed to put aside the guilt and make it to breakfast, dressed and ready for her next Danger Room session with Logan. She had been cautious to make sure Remy was still in his cell before she entered the almost vacant dinning hall. If she had to keep avoiding Remy like this, the others would notice and she would have her work cut out for her. This was going to be a long week.

~-~-~-~-~-~

Logan and Ororo were sitting in the dinning hall at a very early hour. Remy's sudden appearance had gotten to Logan so when Ororo woke at an ungodly hour due to a change in the weather, she found him stone faced at the table. She had sat herself opposite of him to get his attention with no luck. After several moments of silence, 'Ro spoke up.

"What's bothering you Logan?"

Logan looked up to Storm as he broke from his thoughts. There was something about her gentle tone that calmed him enough to answer.

"I'm worried about Rogue. She's been with us for eight months and we've never heard her talk of the Cajun. And then Chuck…"

"What about the Professor? What did he tell you Logan?"

"I'm supposed to protect someone and Chuck cut out before he finished. He said, 'Protect your…' and then he was gone. What does that mean 'Ro? I'm barely a good leader. How am I supposed to protect the unknown?"

"What were you talking about when he said this?"

"We were talking about Gumbo. And he mentioned Rogue. I don't know what to do anymore 'Ro. We need him back."

"Perhaps if I were to meet with the Professor he can answer your questions. If he didn't tell you directly, he probably doesn't want you to know. There are other things in the future we have to consider when we alter it."

Unconsciously, Strom's hands drifted over to Logan's. His hands were latched together and tense. When her hand rested over his, Logan visibly relaxed as if her touch were a radiating calm.

"Thanks 'Ro. I think I'll be here for a little longer and then head off to the DR."

Both heads turned when Rogue stepped through the doorway. She had a sense of alertness to her step but when she noticed the other two she stopped. Her eyes zeroed in on their hands before she made her way to the coffee machine.

Feeling the awkward tension build, Storm excused herself from the room and headed down to the Professor's room. Her feelings were a little jumbled up from the morning conversation. Why did she react that way? Why had he reacted that way? These questions ran through her mind as she wondered through the halls.

It took her a few minutes before she was able to make solid contact with the Professor. His ghostly form stood before her in the fog. He smiled brightly with recognition when he identified his guest.

"Strom, it's been a while since we've last meet. What brings you here?"

"Logan's a little mixed up from your last meeting. He can't stop questioning himself on your message. Who is he supposed to protect Professor? And what is this between Rogue and Gambit?"

"I do not know how much I can tell you Storm. I can remind you that both Logan and rogue know little about their past. Logan lost his memory in an accident and as for Rogue; she lost herself the day her powers manifested. I find it sad that they do not remember each other."

"Wait, they knew each other. How?"

"You can not tell them anything I say here Storm. It might alter the future in an unexpected way, good or bad."

"Yes, I understand."

"Logan and Rogue are family. It took me much digging before the accident that put me in a coma to come to one conclusion. They definitely knew each other before their memories were destroyed. Recently in the future I was able to discover their connection. The Logan of the future tells me that it took him several years to uncover Rogue as his blood relative. I do not know how that knowledge will affect the future."

"So how are they related?"

"That I will not tell you. If you decide to inform Logan, do it in a way that is inconspicuous. Do not tell him that I told you. The Logan of the future finds the topic very sensitive do to my lack of information early on."

"What made him sensitive about Rogue?"

"There was an accident involving Sinister. Logan did not find out about their kinship until after it was too late. That is why he must protect her."

"How can we prevent that from happening? If it plays a key role in Apocalypse, we need to know."

"Keep Remy around. She needs him as much as he needs her. Sinister can not get his hands on either of them. Try to keep Sinister away from the X-Men as well. Logan needs to be able to understand that Rogue and Remy need each other. His disapproval will not help."

"Thank you Professor. Is there anything else?"

"Not that I know of at the moment. Please be careful Storm. I must go now."

The fog disappeared and Ororo could not help but wonder what mess the X-Men were now facing. It seemed as if the future never told a good story.

~-~-~-~-~-~

It was around noon when the alarm sounded. By this time Storm had informed Logan that he was to protect Rogue and the X-Men from Sinister and that Remy was very important for the X-Men. To say he took the news badly was an understatement. Anyone at the mansion could tell that he hated the Cajun.

After suiting up, the X-Men made their way toward the gates where two figures stood. Sinister's pale skin and red evil eyes gave most an unnerved feeling. His companion however brought mourning expressions to a few who could not control their appearance. Archangel stood tall with his blue complexion and metal wings. Kitty and Bobby blamed Warren's father mostly for this turn of events. Had he let his son be, Warren would still have his right wings and not be under Sinister's control.

"I believe you have someone that belongs to me", Sinister spoke with true seriousness.

"Listen bub, you don't own anyone and your not getting your hands on my team", Logan's growl made Forge flinch from his position off to the side.

"I was unaware that Remy LeBeau was a part of the X-Men. And I believe that Angel here would disagree with your accusation."

"Yes, Sinister may own whoever he feels worthy. You should be honored to be in his presence", Angel spoke with a monotone. It took Forge all of two seconds to relies that the red object glowed when he spoke. Forge guessed it to be Sinister's source of control over Angel.

"Storm", he whispered. "The red thing. It's like a remote. It's controlling him."

Logan's hearing picked up on this before he lunged forward and tackled his winged friend. But Angel would not go without a fight. He sent out an array of metal spikes that left the X-Men sprinting out of the way and sent Logan flying a good forty feet away. Kitty had fazed her and Bobby out of the way and Jean had used a telekinetic shield to protect Scott, Forge, and herself. Storm had flown out of the way leaving Beast and Rogue to maneuver through the spikes. One got Rogue in the arm and sent her to the ground. She tried to hold back her scream as another spike found her side. Her façade did not last when a final metal spike found her spine in the last wave.

Logan had managed to ground Angel before he told flight and with one good swipe at his face, removed the control device. Angel crumbled to the ground as his appearance altered back to its original form. His wings remained unchanged in the metal form as Rogue's cries spread across the scene.

Logan was the first to reach her. Without a second thought, Logan touched her cheek and waited for her to take his healing factor. Confusion spread across his face at the lack of drainage from Rogue.

"Rogue? Why aren't you absorbing me?"

Through her screams, Rogue could just make out Logan's voice and reactivated her powers before he removed his hand. The healing flowed through her before she moved his hand away.

"I-I don't know", was all she managed before sitting up. Despite the healing factor, she was still very sore. "Where's Sinister and Angel?"

Bobby and Kitty made their way over with a wounded Warren. Bobby's ice supported most of the weight as Kitty phased the mind controlling head piece from his head.

"Sinister left. I think Warren's back top himself though", Bobby spoke as they paced Warren on the ground nearby.

"Let's get Rogue and Warren to the Med Bay before Sinister returns", Storm commanded. Her tone held caution and fear. She did not want to note how close they came to Sinister that day.