Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men…No point in suing, since I'm broke!

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed!

Savage Seas II: Passion's Revenge

By: Kayleespade

Chapter 4: Say Goodbye

A week had passed, but for Rogue the minutes felt like an eternity. Without Remy, everything stood still. The cabin was dark. A storm was rolling in, but she just couldn't bring herself to leave their bed. His scent still lingered on the sheets and if she closed her eyes, she could almost believe he was still with her.

She had denied it. She had refused to believe she was banished to a lifetime without her husband, left alone to raise Chris and Bekka. When she allowed herself to see the truth, the force of it made her knees weak. She cried, screamed to the heavens. But nothing would bring him back.

The crew mourned for the loss of their captain and the pain suffered by the other. They all loved the couple and a somber mood had fallen over the decks of the Sea Raven when the news was brought back to the galleon. They had watched Captain Rasputin carry Rogue aboard, while Kitty held a wailing Bekka. Christian was trying to be strong and be the young man he knew Remy had wanted him to be, but his cheeks were streaked by tears that slipped past his defenses.

Christian would have been lost to the Amazon had Piotr not been alert. When the pair returned from the jungle without Remy, Chris inquired after him. Rogue used what little strength she had left to tell the small boy what had happened. His pain was evident in his eyes and he darted toward the jungle, wanting to see for himself that his captain was gone. Before he could disappear, Piotr wrapped his arm around the boy's waist, pulling him back into his arms. Christ fought to get free and cursed, blamed them for leaving Remy while he was hurt. Piotr dropped to his knees and held Chris as he broke down into tears.

The images of that day ran through Rogue's mind. She knew the children needed her, but how could she comfort them when she couldn't stop the crippling pain in her own heart? The portrait hung on the opposite wall and she found her eyes seeking out that painting over and over again. They were so happy then and she wouldn't trade her time with Remy for anything in the world, but that nagging voice in her mind kept calling to her, reminding her of that vision from years ago. The pain she had felt when experiencing the dream was nothing compared to the emptiness and hurt she lived with now. Would he still be alive if she hadn't loved him?

More agony washed through her as she tried to imagine what her life would be like now that she was without him. They had known each other for such a short time, and yet he meant so very much to her. She loved having his face be the first thing she saw in the morning. Having his touch be the last thing she felt at night. Now it would all cease.

"Oh, Remy," she sobbed as she buried her face against his shirt. "Ah don't want to live without you."

Rogue was so lost in her thoughts, that she didn't notice the door of the cabin creak open. Kitty stood silently in the doorway, and sighed. She saw Rogue as she had been the day before, and the day before that…curled up on the massive bed, clinging to one of Remy's favorite shirts. Piotr had sailed the Katherine's Pride behind the Sea Raven, so that Kitty could help her friend. She knew Rogue needed her. Kitty couldn't imagine what she would do if she ever lost Piotr. Watching as Rogue struggled everyday just to keep going tore at her heart.

"Rogue?"

Rogue looked over to the door and sat up in the bed. "Is it time?"

Kitty nodded.

So the day had come. It was time to say goodbye.

The Sea Raven was anchored just off the coast of Íle de LeBeau alongside the Katherine's Pride, Anna Marie, and the Devil's Lust. They had all gathered to say goodbye to Remy. Rogue wiped her tears away as she dressed and prepared to face everyone. She didn't want to see the pain on all their faces, to hear the ceremony that would make this be all too real. Despite all arguments to the contrary, she still blamed herself for his death. They couldn't even bring his body back to the light. They had left him in the darkness, in the void.

The tears began again.

Kitty held Rogue and let her cry out her anger and pain. What else could she do? There were no words of comfort.

When the pair finally emerged from the Captain's cabin, Rogue saw that the top deck of the Sea Raven was crowded with their friends and the crews of the ship and those from the Devil's Lust…ever faithful to Remy. Tante Mattie was close to the railing, standing next to Kurt who was dressed in black befitting the occasion. Wanda and John were there with their arms wrapped around each other. John looked pale and his eyes had lost some of their fire. Rogue recognized Meg and Sinaesta. Meg had joined Kurt a year ago. She had never seen her brother so happy.

Kitty went to Piotr's side while Rogue made her way to the railing next to Tante Mattie. Christian and Bekka took her hands and hugged her tightly. Wanda stepped up behind her and placed a comforting hand on Rogue's shoulder. Tante looked at Rogue with a sympathetic smile.

"'Ello, child."

Rogue fought the tears as she met Tante's eyes. "Ah'm so sorry, Tante. Ah…"

Tante placed a gentle finger over Rogue's lips. "Hush now. Y' didn't do anythin' wrong, dear. Y' love him. Dat's de greatest gift y' can give 'im, and Remy loves y' t' de end of de world."

"But Tante…"

"Tante knows what she's sayin', child." She smiled, but tilted her head to the side when she noticed something missing. "Where's de LeBeau locket? Y' never take it off."

Rogue's hand went up to her neck. It was true. She seldom ever removed the necklace. "Remy…he had taken it to be engraved for our anniversary. Ah think he still had it when he…when he fell."

Tante pulled Rogue into a hug as the rain began to fall from the clouds. Kurt led the ceremony according to ship law. He looked out over the stormy sea as he recited the words that would lay their friend to rest. Christian and Bekka cried freely as they clung to Rogue, and the words drifted into the wind. Rogue decided at that moment that she would never rest until Belladonna paid for the suffering she had caused. Her pain changed into a wave of anger and determination.

Kurt handed Rogue a single red rose and stepped aside. She placed a gentle kiss on the petals and whispered, "Je t'aime, mon amour," and threw the rose into the growing waves.

After the ceremony, everyone retreated to the island and sought shelter from the storm. The rain continued to pour down all day. Bekka found her mother sitting in the bay window, watching the small streams of water streak the glass and clutching a pillow.

"Momma?"

Rogue opened her arms for Bekka. "Come here, sugah. Momma needs a hug."

Bekka wrapped her little arms around her neck and pressed her face onto her shoulder. "Momma, are the angels crying for poppa?"

"Oh, darlin'…" Rogue hugged Bekka tightly and rocked her in her arms. "Ah love ya."


Just after sunset, the clouds cleared and the rain stopped.

Kitty and Piotr walked along the beach and found a comfortable place to stop and look out to the Katherine's Pride. She was a magnificent vessel, surpassed in size only by the Sea Raven but was just as quick.

Piotr gathered up some driftwood and struck up a small blaze before settling in beside his wife. She leaned in against him and sighed. Piotr looked down at the woman by his side. In the firelight, she was beautiful sitting there like a peaceful angel, oblivious to the world.

"Piotr, do you think Rogue will be alright?"

"Da, Katja," he answered. "Rogue is a strong woman. She will pull through zis for ze children."

He draped his arm over her shoulders, and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you, Katja."

"And I love you. I hope I never have to go through what Rogue is going through right now. I don't know what I'd ever do without you, Piotr." She reached up and touched his arm. He captured her hand in his, then lifted it to his lips where he lightly kissed her knuckles.

He reached into his leather bag and produced a small leather-bound book. "Read to me, Katja. Let us forget about reality for a while."

Piotr loved listening to Kitty as she weaved a world of fantasy for him. In stories, there was no hunger, no pain. Demons and villains were vanquished and love could conquer all. There was freedom and hope, honor and integrity.

Kitty began to read and Piotr ran his hand under her hair and let the silken strands fill his palm. Closing his eyes, he wanted to stay like this forever. The thought of never seeing her again, of never again smelling her sweet skin, of never again laying his palm against the warm blush of her cheek…

It was more than he could bear.

His heart went out to Rogue and the children.

Piotr slid lower on the beach to where Kitty could lie against him. He watched as she grew tired, but she continued to read. The moon continued its path across the sky. Kitty tried to blink her eyes open, but her exhaustion was too much. Finally, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Piotr smiled as he took the book from her hand and set it aside. He cupped her cheek while he watched her. He wasn't sleepy. He didn't want to take for granted a single moment of being with her. Watching her, touching her.


Rogue tucked Bekka and Christian in bed, and walked out onto the balcony that over looked the courtyard garden below. She vividly remembered watching Remy and John three years ago, from that very spot. Her eyes fell upon the path in the woods that they had followed to that special spot on the beach. Before she realized where she was going, she found herself walking out of the house and toward the trail.

She recognized the thick tangle of mangrove and pine forests and spotted the patches of quicksand that had surprised her before. The numerous Indian mounds were still mysterious and intriguing, topped with shells that had blackened with age. The path finally opened up onto that beach, a pristine crescent of white sand.

A large quarter moon hung high in the velvet sky just as it had three years ago when she found Remy sitting by the water's edge. She sat in the same spot and watched a silver path of moonlight rippled on the black water. She had come to him because she was curious about the Indian princess, Sinaesta, and he had asked if she was jealous.

She had let him believe that she wasn't, but she had been. Even then, she had loved him, although she hadn't admitted it to herself. She could almost see him standing above her again, stripping off his shirt and asking her to join him for a swim. That had been a magical night and one she would never forget. They had raced and he had asked her if she loved him.

Oh, she would have denied it to the end of her days, but deep down she knew the truth. She couldn't help but love him. He had completely swept her off her feet from the beginning. If only she would have told him sooner. If only she would've told him more often.

"Ah love ya, sugah. Ah always have and always will. Ah'm so sorry…"

Closing her eyes, she tried to pretend that it was three years ago, when he was still with her and he held her in his arms. Kissed her in the water. "Ah swear to you, Remy, Ah won't let our children suffer or be used. No one will ever hurt them like people hurt you. Ah swear it."

She only wished she had guarded her husband with the same degree of care.

"Rogue?"

Rogue turned, startled, and saw Wanda step out of the shadows. "Wanda, what are you doin' here?"

"I was worried about you. We all are." She sat down on the beach next to her friend.

"Ah'm goin' to kill her, Wanda."

"Rogue," Wanda began. "He's gone. Killing Bella won't bring him back. You need to focus on Christian and Bekka."

"Ah know he's gone, Wanda. Ah feel the emptiness every moment of the day and night. Do you have any idea how much that hurts? What would you do if it was John? Would you just be able to sit back and ignore the need for revenge? Ah hate her, Wanda. She stole him the only way she could…she won," she said between clenched teeth as a new wave of rage swept through her. "Gawd, Ah miss him, darlin'! Ah need him back!"

Wanda hugged her friend. "I know, Rogue. I know." She held Rogue out and looked into her eyes. "If you want help going after Bella, John and I are with you. You don't have to stand alone."

"Thanks, darlin'." If she ever got her hands on Belladonna, she would know a wrath the likes of which could only be second to the devil's own.


Aboard the Dark Ruby

Bella sat quietly in the armchair, watching the doctor change the bandage around Remy's chest. Days had gone by as Remy hung on the threshold of consciousness, but hadn't awoken. The physician told her it would take time, but Bella was not a patient person. By all rights, he should be awake. But he wasn't.

"How much longer do I have t' wait."

The doctor shook his head. "Not much longer, Captain. He should be lucid soon."

"I hope so…f'r y'r sake."

As the doctor left the room, Bella stood and moved to sit beside him on the bed. She brushed his hair back from his forehead. Today his color did seem to be better. It no longer was quite so gray and his fever seemed to have lessened.

Bella saw his chest rise with the first deep breath he'd taken since they had brought him on board. "Remy?"

His breathing turned ragged, no doubt from the pain he was feeling now. He blinked open his ruby eyes to look at her, and it was there she saw the confirmation of his physical agony. "Chere?"

"I know, my love," she whispered to him. "Lie still and jus' breathe easily."

As she leaned closer to him, she saw recognition gleam in his eyes. "All will be well, mon cœur," she whispered as she kissed him on his brow. He flinched away from her touch.

"Welcome back t' de world of de livin', Remy."

He swallowed, then coughed.

"Easy," she said. "Y' don't want t' tear de stitches in y'r chest."

"Where…," he asked, his voice raspy and strained.

Bella smirked. "Dere are many answers t' dat question, amour. Where are y'? Right where I want y'. Where's Rogue? Probably plannin' y'r funeral since she left y' t' die in dat chasm. Where are we goin'? Mmm…t' a very special place, love." Bella traced a finger down Remy's chest. "Where are y'r clothes? Thrown overboard since y' won't be needin' 'em."

Remy tried to pull away, but he was weak from being bound in the same position for over a week and his chest hurt. This was getting old. Why were women always binding him to their beds?

Bella let her finger slide along the edge of the sheet along Remy's waist, as she wet her lips.

"Bella…non…"

"Shhh," Bella placed a finger on his lips. "Don't speak." She leaned down and stared at his mouth as if she could devour it. "How long do y' think it'll take y'r femme t' realize y' didn't die? Hmm…I think y'll be with me f'r a very, very, long time." Then she kissed him deeply.

Remy closed his eyes as she trailed kisses down his chest.

"Open y'r eyes, amour. Y're safe at de moment. My plans need y' t' be stronger, but I won't keep y' waitin' long." She whispered as she buried her lips in the hollow of his throat.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caught their attention. "Bella, don't y' think dat's enough f'r now?"

Bella glared at Julien, but acquiesced and moved herself from the bed. "Oui…how far out are we?"

"A few days yet…"

Bella pouted a bit. "Too bad."

Julien stepped into the room and looked at Remy in disgust. "Now dat he's awake, I'll move 'im below deck, so he'll be outta y'r …way."

Bella traced Remy's jaw with her index finger. "Such de frère, aren't y'? But y're right. I should wait f'r Candra. After all, I owe her dat much, non?"

"Did y' know dat y'r eyes glow brighter when y're nervous, mon amour? So handsome." Bella took a box from her desk and opened it. "Remember dis?"

She held out the goblet that they had found back in the Amazon with an evil gleam in her eyes. "Do y' know what dis can do, cher? No? Dis goblet will make y' mine and y'll forget all about Rogue. She'll fade away."

Remy shook his head. "Non, Bella…don't do dis. Can't y' understand? Remy doesn't want y', chere. Why are y' doin' dis?"

"Because y're de one who doesn't understand. Y' belong t' me, Remy."

Julien took the goblet from his sister. "Calm down, Bella." He placed the artifact back into its box and set is aside.

Bella started for the door, but stopped as she reached for the handle. "One last thing, amour. See dis?" She fingered the chain around her neck and pulled a locket out from under her shirt. "I bet Rogue's wishin' she held onto dis little piece of jewelry. But I think it looks better around my neck, don't y'?" She laughed. "I'll see y' in a few days, love. Rest up, because y'll be needin' it."

She left and Julien sneered down at the Cajun. "Now let's move y' t' better quarters."


A/N: I'll be traveling over the next week, so I might not get to update as soon as I would want to, but I'll try to stay on track. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and the memories from the first story. Please review and let me know what you think!