Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men…No point in suing, since you'll only get credit card debit!

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

Amor Omnia Vincit

By: Kayleespade

Chapter 4: Confessions

The sound of the terracotta bowl smashing on the floor reverberated throughout the halls. Kitty bent down and carefully began cleaning up the small pieces, but paused when Piotr's hand covered hers.

Their eyes met, and he whispered, "Let me help, Katja."

"Thank you."

They knelt on the floor in silence as they cleaned up the scattered shards, but it was moments like these that they both longed for…quiet moments alone…together. It was a hard life always being so close but kept apart by the social rules of the house. Although the punishment of their love was never openly discussed, they both realized that Piotr would be sent away or sold. Kitty was too close to the master's daughter, Rogue. Both refused to think about life without each other, so they worked within the boundaries of the rules and stole these secret moments whenever possible.

"How's Remy?" Kitty asked, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.

Piotr gave her a small smile. "He's better and working in the field today with the Greek. Why so curious about him?"

"Rogue keeps asking me about him…where he came from, what he's like, and what I know about him."

Piotr shook his head.

"What?" Kitty asked with a puzzled expression.

"It's a bad idea to encourage her, Katja. You saw how she watched over him after his punishment. What if something develops?"

Kitty stood and put her hands on her hips. "Why does it have to be this way? We're no different than the others. It's not fair!"

"I know," Piotr sighed and stood. "But it is unlikely to ever change." He reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. "We just have to take what we can, da?"

"Yeah, but..." Kitty leaned against him and rested her head against his chest.

Their moment didn't last long. A bell chimed in the villa ending the peace.

"That's the masters. They need me." Kitty pulled away from Piotr's arms slowly. As she left the room, she paused in the doorway and looked back over her shoulder giving him a parting smile.

In the now empty room, Piotr whispered the words that he always kept to himself. "I love you, Katja."

While the Italian midday sun burned down on the workers as they plowed the outlining fields, Remy took a short break. The bark of the withered tree bit into his bare back. He draped his arm over his bent knee and twisted a small twig between his fingers, leaning his head back to look up at the sky. So much had changed over the past few years. Where would the fates lead him next?

Remy could sense his presence even before John appeared. The Greek took a seat next to the Celt and sighed. Throwing his arms into the air, he fell back onto the ground and whistled. "What a day, huh?"

"What are y' doin' here, mon ami?"

John propped himself up on his elbows and smiled. "I just thought I'd see if you'd be interested in a game of dice tonight. The rules are simple enough, and the others would like you to join. What do you say?"

Remy looked over to John and nodded. "Oui…why not."

"Excellent!" A devilish look crossed his features as he bounded to his feet. "By the way, keep an eye out. The workers are talking about a visitor that's coming today to help Anna with her powers." John patted Remy on the shoulder and turned to leave. "You might get called to the house."

"John…" Remy called out.

"Yeah?" John stopped and turned back.

Remy stood and wiped the grass from his leather pants. "The trees over dere…Remy's never seen anything like dat. What happened?"

John let his eyes drift in the direction Remy pointed to and saw the side of the mountain in the distance. The trees along the crest were dead or dying. "Hmm…I'm not sure. Probably nothing. Maybe Ceres has been neglected in the city." John turned towards the field but called over his back. "Don't forget about tonight…and bring your coins."

Remy only smiled.

Kurt was practicing his lessons when he heard the servants bustling in a commotion downstairs. He leaned out the small balconied window and watched the people scurry about below and then heard a familiar voice. Emma!

Piotr led the white-clad demi-goddess through the atrium to the grand meeting room. She was known throughout the empire as one of the most powerful of the gifted Alti, the chosen few with the power of gods. The restrictions of Roman society never applied to Emma. She did as she pleased and thoroughly enjoyed breaking the boundaries in every way. Today, she was dressed in a revealing, white wrap that covered what was needed but little else and a golden diadem, symbolizing her status. She had an ethereal presence akin to that of Venus and radiated confidence and sexuality.

After hearing of Rogue's powers, Emma had volunteered to help her hone her gift and prepare her for a possible place among them. Ever since, she had visited the villa frequently, tutoring Rogue in all facets of life, and had developed a unique relationship with the family.

"Has everything been running smoothly since my last visit, Piotr?" Emma asked, as she stopped to admire a statue with her likeness…a narcissist to the end.

Piotr bowed his head before nodding in affirmation.

Emma placed a hand on her hip and arched a brow. "Really?"

Before he could respond, the smell of sulfur and smoke announced Kurt's appearance. "Lady Emma, how nice to see you!" He knelt down and took her hand in his.

"Hello, Kurt. It's nice to be seen." Emma smiled, as Kurt kissed her hand and stood. "Where's your sister? We have much to do today."

"Ah'm here, Emma." Rogue stepped down from the stairs and approached. "Leave Lady Emma alone, Kurt."

"Boys, could you leave us alone? And, Piotr, fetch the man Anna's father told me about. We'll get started right away, dear." Emma said, placing a hand on Rogue's shoulder.

Kurt frowned but followed Piotr out of the room, leaving Rogue and Emma alone.

Rogue looked down, but her chin was caught by Emma's finger. "Don't lower your eyes to anyone, dear. Remember your status and demonstrate confidence always."

"Yes, Emma."

It wasn't long before Piotr returned, leading Remy into the room and then quickly left. Emma's attention immediately was focused on the new servant of the household. Rogue watched as she studied him like one might a prize stallion for auction. "Now where did you come from, handsome?" Emma asked, cocking her head and arching a thin brow.

"Gaul," Remy replied, keeping his eyes on the floor.

Emma circled him and traced a finger over his bare shoulders. "Hmm, I should go there more often then."

Rogue could barely contain her frustration. What did she think she was doing? Clearing her throat, Rogue asked, "Can we get started now?"

Emma looked over at her pupil and smiled. "Of course, dear. Come."

Rogue started for the stairs, and Remy followed after her, but was stopped by Emma's firm hand around his wrist. Rogue turned when she heard Emma's stern voice.

"Kiss me."

Shocked, Remy stared at the brazen woman. "Pourquoi?"

Rogue's jaw dropped as her temper rose. "Emma…"

Emma held her hand out to silence her and stared deeply into Remy's ruby and onyx eyes. "Was that a refusal, slave?"

Remy lowered his eyes, but stepped forward slowly.

"Remy? You don't…" Rogue began but stopped as Emma pulled Remy down into a forceful kiss.

Remy clenched his fists as he kissed the goddess, and let her take her pleasure. Never before had Rogue felt the desire to stand up to Emma more than she did at that moment. She had heard all the stories about women using their status like this, and it disgusted her. Emma was treating Remy like an object, a toy for her taking. Get your hands off him! Her mind screamed.

Slowly, Emma pulled away from Remy and turned to Rogue with a quirked brow. Rogue immediately realized what she had just done. Emma had heard her silent order. What would she say?

Emma smiled. "That's my girl. You're finally learning, aren't you?" The tall blonde walked up to Rogue and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Now, we can begin, and talk later."

The three continued in silence to the library, where the sessions were typically conducted. Emma took a seat at the large desk, while Rogue sat on a plush cushion placed on the floor. Remy stood in the center of the room and took in his surrounding. This was his first time in this part of the house, and he didn't like the unfamiliarity. He felt even more vulnerable.

The room was spacious and had a large window along the back wall allowing light to pour into the space. Cases stretched to the ceiling, each with numerous slots filled with scrolls and small knickknacks. Mentally, Remy ticked off his options of escape or defense if needed.

"Sit." Emma ordered and pointed to a cushion on the floor in front of Rogue.

Remy sat and looked into Rogue's eyes. He could see her conflict, but wasn't sure whether that came from what happened in the atrium or from her fear of what was to come. He nodded his head and gave her a subtle smile of reassurance.

Rogue sighed and looked over to Emma. "Ah don't know about this. What if…"

Remy, contrary to his training, reached out and took Rogue's gloved hand in his. "Remy wants t' help." He squeezed gently, "Jus' tell him what t' do, chere."

"Take her glove off, handsome. Her gift works through touch." Emma looked over to Rogue. "I'll be here if anything happens, dear. Don't worry."

As Remy went to remove her glove, Rogue tried to pull away but he held firmly. "Anna…It's alright."

She held her breath as Remy pulled the smooth glove from her hand. No one had willingly submitted themselves to her touch knowing what would happen, but Remy never hesitated…and it drew her to him even more.

Remy held his hand out before her and looked into her emerald eyes.

"Take his hand, Anna. I'm right here."

Rogue reached out and lipped 'I'm sorry' as her hand touched his.

A few seconds passed before the familiar flood of memories rushed into her mind. Suddenly she was standing in a foreign land surround by tall sweeping grass. Three small boys ran through the open field, laughing and playing, when one turned and she saw red on black eyes looking right through her. It was Remy as a child, and he was happy. The smallest boy stumbled and fell to the ground.

"Careful, Lapin! Watch f'r de bog!" Remy yelled. "If y' fall in, y' won't come out."

The scene shifted, and she saw Remy older, and stretched out on a table in the center of a large roundhouse. He was sweating and stripped bare except for a leather skin placed over his lower half. An elderly man stood over him as the other men and women watched on.

The elder pulled down the leather skin to reveal Remy's right hip, and took out a thin quill. After a few preparations, he began to lightly hammer a design. The quill pierced the skin, painfully inserting drops of ink. Remy gritted his teeth and clenched his fists around the edges of the table with each beat of the mallet.

The scene shifted and Rogue saw the silhouette of a woman. She was standing in the back of a room behind a small fire with her back to the door. Rogue couldn't make out any of her features, until the other woman turned to look at her. She was beautiful with long, flowing blonde hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. A name echoed in her mind…Belladonna…and the scenes faded away.

Rogue's eyes shot open and she gasped as if waking from a nightmare. Emma was kneeling beside her, while Remy was still unconscious. "Remy!"

Emma looked over her shoulder at the young man. "He's alright, dear. He's just resting."

Rogue moved over to his side and heaved a breath of relief when she saw his chest rising and falling. "Ah can't believe he's doin' this for meh. Do you think it'll help, Lady Emma?"

"We'll see, but it couldn't hurt. You need practice with human contact, Anna…and he's a good candidate for such a lesson." Emma smiled down at her.

"Why do you say that?"

Emma ran a finger along Remy's forehead and pushed a few stray strands of hair from his face. "Several reasons…Besides being a slave and more expendable, he's remarkably strong. He has some of the strongest mental shields I've ever encountered, and he's physically fit. His body will be able to handle the strain of your powers." Emma's fingers dropped lower and followed the contours of Remy's arm. Rogue watched her fingers glide over Remy's tanned skin and felt her temperature rise.

Emma smirked at Rogue's reaction. "And you like him, don't you."

Rogue's eyes shot up. "What?"

Emma laughed. "It's quite alright, dear. I was wondering when you'd find someone who ignited your interest. And I must admit that you have wonderful taste."

Rogue shook her head in denial. "No, you don't understand. Ah don't…"

"You don't?" Emma asked. "Then explain that burst earlier. I've never seen you stand up to anyone before, let alone presume to give an order to me. You wouldn't mind then if I kissed him again, right now?"

Rogue looked down at Remy. "Ah…Ah just don't like to see people abuse their power."

Emma scoffed at that. "That was not what I heard in your mind, dear. You clearly expressed a dislike in me touching him. I doubt it would've invoked such a strong response if had I kissed Piotr instead. But I wonder if I would've enjoyed it as much. Your barbarian is a very skilled man."

Rogue took Remy's hand and stroked it with her gloved fingers. "Ah'm not sure what Ah feel, Emma. Ah'm curious about him, and he fascinates meh. Whenever Ah'm around him, Ah get this awkward feelin' inside."

Emma stood and walked back over to the desk and smiled. "Hmm…I don't think your father would approve of this discussion. The feeling you described could be merely lust, especially given your unique situation, but remember your station in life, Anna. It's alright to satisfy your curiosity with the Celt and get your pleasure, but nothing more. He's a slave. Even I refuse to cross certain boundaries, dear."

"Ah know, Lady Emma. Ah'm not makin' any sense, am Ah?" She shook her head, but held onto Remy's hand.

"I'll leave you alone, dear. Call me if his condition changes."

Rogue could hear Emma's footfalls echo through the halls of the house as she crossed the atrium to the outer courtyard, leaving the house. Rogue brushed the hair back from Remy's forehead and laid her hand against his brow. "What draws meh to you?"

Rogue sat there in silence and thought over the memories her session had revealed. Remy was truly a strong man. Perhaps too strong. And yet as she watched him, she didn't see a strong chieftain. She saw only a handsome man who looked peaceful and calm. A look that wasn't there when he was awake, but one she had seen in the ghost of his childhood.

Glancing down, she became curious. Rogue reached for the hem of his leather pants, but paused just above the right hip. Gathering her courage, she gingerly pushed the hem down slightly, revealing the mark just over his hipbone. She traced the lines of it with her fingertip. It must have hurt badly. What did it signify?

The vision of the blonde from Remy's memories came and brought a surge of emotion with it. "Who's Belladonna? And why…why am Ah so angry?"

Her heart heavy, she lay beside him on the floor, close to his warm body. She shouldn't be doing this. Yet she couldn't stop herself. She wanted to comfort him. Needed to feel him close to her.

She felt lost. Alone. She didn't know what her future held anymore. Truthfully, that terrified her. Uncertainties assailed her and brought tears to her eyes. "What am Ah goin' to do?" she whispered as silent tears started falling. "Ah need guidance, Di Immortales. Mah father wants meh to be strong, not lost and unsure."

Suddenly she felt the strength of Remy's hand on hers. She swallowed in trepidation as he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

Rogue pulled back as Remy rolled over to face her.

"Don't cry, Anna," he whispered, wiping the tears from her cheeks with a soft cloth from his pocket. "Remy won't let anyone hurt y', not even y'r father. I know what it's like t' be without a home and family and I'll pledge my soul dat y'll never know dat feelin'."

His words only succeeded in making her cry more.

"Shhh," he breathed.

"Ah'm sorry," she whispered. "Ah don't normally cry. Ah don't. Ah'm just at a loss."

"Remy's so often at a loss dat it seems his most natural state." He couldn't believe he'd confessed that to her. Even when he was at his worst, he refused to allow anyone to know it.

"You're just tryin' to make meh feel better."

"Non, Anna. Truly. Remy's often baffled by life. Struck dumb, actually."

One corner of her mouth lifted at that. "Ah don't believe you."

He watched her eyes glisten from her tears. Before she realized what he was doing, he was tracing the curve of her eyebrow with his thumb. This was the most intimate moment of her life, and they were both lying clothed.

She looked up at him as if he were some type of hero sent to help her instead of a slave.

Rogue licked her lips as she watched Remy watching her. It was intense, hot, and it stole her breath away.

"Rogue!" Kurt's voice called out from the courtyard. "Rogue, where are you?"

Startled, she jumped to her feet and ran to the window, leaving Remy on the floor. "Ah'm here. What is it?"

"General Creed is here to see you."

A/N: I am SO sorry for the long delay in getting this chapter out. I had planned on having it out a month ago, but ended up in the hospital for a some time. All's better now, so expect regular updates on all my stories. I have over half of chapter 5 of Passion's Revenge done, so It'll be out next weekend at the latest. Thanks to everyone who's still reading!