AN: I'm letting you all know right now that this is not going to be strictly a Remy/Ororo story. I don't want to ruin the plot but expect someone else to throw their hat in for the affections of our favorite windrider ;)
While Ororo headed up to her loft to shower, Remy headed towards the kitchen to prepare his fiancee something to eat. While he walked down the long carpeted hall of the mansion, he became lost in his thoughts. Ever since Ororo had returned from the mission of rescuing a powerless Clark, she had been walking around completely fixed on nursing Clark Kent back to health. He barely saw her around the mansion anymore. Every now in then she would breeze into the kitchen to fix Hank a fresh batch of coffee, or she would surface in the rec room couch to catch a cat nap, but other then that she could almost always be found in the infirmary keeping watch over Clark Kent. Remy hadn't mind her concern over the injured super powered man, for it was natural for Ororo to take care of those she cared about. However the intensity of her concern was what bothered Remy.
While he would never admit it aloud, a small part of him was jealous over how much attention Ororo was giving the other man. It wasn't a jealousy based on insecurity, it was more founded on his need of her being near him. He knew it was petty, but for five years he had been use to his Stormy's attention being completely focused on him, and now that it wasn't he didn't know how to take that. Kitty had advised him to be supportive and caring which he had done, but it hadn't been easy. It was difficult for him to go to bed for the past two days knowing that the woman he loved was somewhere other then beside him.
When he finally arrived in the kitchen, he found Anna and Logan lounging at the kitchen table with a comfortable silence settled between them. Anna was nursing a glass of white wine, and Logan was tilted back in his chair rolling a cigar between his two thick fingers lazily, with an open can of beer in his other hand. Usually the professor didn't allow alcohol on the school ground's, but Xavier was away with Emma at some conference on the island of Genosha and Anna and Logan both were apparently taking advantage of his time away.
"What brings you down here so late, sugah?" Anna inquired curiously as he mumbled a greeting.
"Remy finally convinced Stormy to take a break from de infirmary and while she is washin up, Remy figured he would make her somethin t' eat," he informed opening the refrigerator and peering inside.
Anna pushed back from the table and joined him at the refrigerator.
"Kitty put her a plate of chicken tenders aside. Ah can cut them up and make her a salad if ya like. Ah know how Ororo fancies chicken salad," she offered.
Remy smiled.
"Merci, cherie. Remy tink's Stormy would prefer that over Emma's three day old pasta," he chuckled.
"So I take it Ro finally left the kid's side? How's he doin?" Logan asked gruffly.
Remy shrugged.
"He seemed t' be stable. Jus' restin, I guess," he said casually reaching around Anna and pulling a beer off the bottom shelf of the icebox.
Anna grinned.
"If Ah would have known dat's who Storm was cozy with all those years ago Ah personally would have made sure he stayed. Lord knows that Ah would be more then willin' to let that fine piece of man make an honest woman out of me," she said deviously causing Logan to chuckle.
Remy snorted rudely.
"Don't bother, cherie. Remy doubt that any man can make an honest woman out of y'," he said amused.
His words were teasing and held no traces of maliciousness. That had become their relationship. She would try to push his buttons and he would retaliate by doing the same to her.
Anna eyes twinkled with amusement.
"If Ah can recall, y' almost managed t' once before y' decide t' indulge in y' fantasy with Ro. Humor me, how is that workin out now that super boy manage to creep back into her life? It must be cookin' your goose that she is spendin so much time with him," she teased.
Remy grinned.
"Non, Remy ain't de jealous type. Besides, everyone knows dat Stormy has eyes fo' one man, unlike some femme' Remy knows," he drawled slyly.
Logan look between the Cajun and the brunette and made a crucial decision. He would rather not be anywhere near when this conversation was happening. Although he sensed that they were being playful with each other, he knew from past experiences that things could become easily explosive between the two ex lovers.
"I think I'm going to call it a night. Tell Ro' I'll see her around, Gumbo," Logan mumbled pushing away from the table.
Anna turned and flashed Logan a bright smile.
"Goodnight, sugah," she purred as he retreated from the kitchen.
Once he was gone, Anna put the diced chicken into the microwave before walking over to the Cajun slowly.
"Ah know if you were mah man Ah would give you all the attention you wanted," she said sweetly tracing the outline of his jawbone with the finger tip of her leather glove on her hand.
Remy laughed and captured her wrist, lowering it away from his face. There was no denying the sultry look in her eyes. She made it clear every chance she had that she still lusted after Remy, and while he was flattered, he knew there wasn't the slightest chance he would satisfy her lust.
"I hate t' break dis to y' darlin, but after y' left me to freeze t' death, Remy realized dat yo kind of love was one he could live without. Believe it or not, when two people love each other they don't hurt each other as much as we did," he said firmly.
Anna raised an eyebrow dubiously.
"Correct me if Ah am wrong, but y' ain't above hurtin Ororo. We both know what you did that risked you screwin' up you two's relationship days before you ask her to marry ya, darlin," she reminded innocently.
Remy tensed. The conversation had taken an abrupt turn into uncomfortable territory and judging from the regret on Anna's face, she seemed to have realize she had taken the taunting too far.
Several months ago he and Ororo had a huge explosive fight that had ended with her leaving the mansion for a week. Remy could remember the argument vividly. Ororo had been upset with him because he had been taken their relationship for granted by refusing to make the ultimate commitment, and he had accused her of being too controlling and impatient. Ugly words had been exchanged, and he had said something that had been cold and harsh.
*Flashback*
"What about what I want, Remy? It's been nearly five years and we are in the exact same place where we first started! Something has got to give," she had protested.
Remy bristled as he glared at her standing a feet away in a gorgeous black evening dress that hugged all her curves. They had just returned from an evening out on the town with Scott and Emma. For some reason, on the drive back to the mansion, Ororo had wanted to have a serious discussion about their relationship and Remy was too filled up on Southern Comfort to want to listen.
"Why do we have t' do dis, cherie? Tings have been great up t' dis point. Why change tings? Ain't y' happy?" he had demanded frustrated.
Hurt had flashed across her blue eyes.
"It amazes me that for someone who claims to know me so well, you really do not seem to know me at all," she said softly turning to walk away.
He grabbed her by her arm gently, forcing her to face him.
"What's dat suppose to mean?" he asked angrily.
She snatched away from him seething.
"I have confided in you in many times what I want out of life. I do not wish for my legacy to only consist of being the leader of the infamous xmen team and a school teacher. I want to be married, and have children. I want a family," she cried.
Her statement had scared the living hell out of Remy. The thought of having an offspring terrified him. Especially after all the dark things he had done in his lifetime. He didn't want to sire a child who would grow to hate him for his less then honorable past. Not thinking Ororo would understand this, he had become defensive.
"Remy really wish y' stop tryin' t' controll him. It's like y' ain't never happy, and nothin' I do is good enough fo' de goddess," he snapped.
Ororo laughed in disbelief.
"I am sorry. I did not think my dreams were something that were controlling you. We have spoken of my desires for a family for years, and each time you would make some lame excuse. If you do not want the same thing as I do, then maybe I should find someone who does," she said coldly walking away.
Her words had stung and the thought of her leaving him caused him to panic, so out of anger and fear he had said something that he wished he never did.
"Remy is startin' t' t'ink dat de real reason Forge walked on y' is because he might have regretted askin' someone as uncompromisin' as y' t' be his wife."
The moment she had stopped dead in her tracks and turned around to look at him, the pain he had seen in her eyes made him want to die.
She had been so upset that she rushed out of the mansion and hadn't bothered to tell anyone where she had gone. Several days had gone by and when she had yet to return, Remy, driven by anger and hurt, had done something in a drunken stupor that if Ororo ever found out, he was certain she would never speak to him again. The thought of his actions left a bitter taste in his mouth. Ever since that day he had done his best to make up what he had done by being attentive to Ororo and even putting aside his own fears of permanent commitment by asking her to marry him. The only person who knew his dark secret was Anna.
When he failed to answer her, Anna continued.
"Ro's a great gal, but she will never be like us, Remy. Bless her heart, she can't help but to see the good and the best in people. Ah am certain she does not have one bad bone in her body. We, on the other hand, know better. Ya know that I have my flaws and Ah know you have yours and we don't try to pretend otherwise."
Remy swallowed deeply. Anna's words struck a nerve because it was partly true. Being with Anna always had felt right, because deep down he knew she was just as twisted internally as he was.
There was always a strong connection between them and he suspected that they would always be, but lately Anna had been laying on her charm more thickly and while he knew he would never fall, it was becoming harder to resist her advances. After all, he was still a red blooded male. He was still very attracted to the southern drawling brunette, and had lingering feelings for her, but he wanted Ororo. There was no doubt in his mind about that.
"Ya can pretend not to notice, but Storm still may have unspoken feelings for that alien cutie, if her actions of late is any indication," she started.
Remy quickly cut her off.
"Y' are right, Anna. Stormy ain't like us. She doesn't have the ability to deceitfully lie, manipulate and be...," he trailed off with a huge lump in his throat, "She is faithful."
"Do ya love her enough to tell her why you really asked her to marry ya? Or do you know that if she was learn the truth that she would probably never forgive you?" she asked softly.
The 'ding' of the microwave broke the tension between them rudely reminding Remy that Ororo's dinner was done.
Remy cleared his throat softly and stared at her seriously.
"Dere is no need fo' Ro t' know what happened. It will only hurt her and break her heart. Telling her the truth would only suceed in clearing my conscience and Remy's willin' t' suffer with what he did fo' de rest of his life if it means sparin' Stormy any pain," he said barely above a whisper.
Anna surprised him by taking his hand in hers.
"Ah understand. Ya love her, but don't you think that she deserves to be with someone who doesn't feel the need to lie to protect her?" she asked gently.
Remy lowered his head in shame. Anna was right. Ororo did deserve a lot better then him, but he couldn't give her up, even if he wanted to. She meant to much to him and while he knew he would never be good enough for the Nubian goddess, he was willing to dedicate a lifetime trying to get to the point where he might be.
"Remy should be going," he stated quietly, "Stormy's waitin."
"Later handsome," she whispered watching sadly as he retrieved Ororo's dinner and walked out of the kitchen.
As Remy trudged up the stairs towards Ororo's loft, he could feel his consciences began to nag him insistently. Damn Anna for bringing up the very thing he had worked so hard to try to forget. He had spent the past six months trying to make up for a colossal mistake he made that he regretted with every ounce of his being. Karma was a bitch and he knew that if he wasn't careful, Karma would come to collect payment for his past transgression.
He came to a stop in front of Ororo's room and inhaled deeply. Now wasn't the time to drag up ugly memories from the past. Pushing the dark thoughts to the back of his mind, he twisted the knob and stepped into the room. He was immediately greeted with the sounds of the shower running in the bathroom and Ororo's soft singing. A slow, sensuous smile crept across his lips. Her singing was one of things he had always found completely exotic and beautiful about her. Setting her dinner down on the dresser, he shrugged out of his trench coat and tossed in on the bed before kicking off his boots.
He wanted, no, needed her to take away his guilt by holding him in his arms.
He had missed the feel of her soft, ample body pressed against his at night, he had missed the way she would brighten his day with one of her secret smiles during the day, but most of all he missed her.
He was preparing to surprise her by joining her in the shower, when a soft noise outside the balcony caused him to halt abruptly. He stood completely still listening intently. His red on black eyes narrowed suspiciously as he heard the sound again, only this time it was much softer. Someone was lurking outside of the window. He could sense it. Swiftly, he grabbed a playing card out of his trench coat pocket ready to go on the defense. He knew it could be Logan hanging out on the roof top enjoying one of his cherished cigars, but he wasn't taking any chances.
"Who's dere?" he demanded, slowly walking towards the balcony. The queen of hearts card in caught between his middle finger and thumb glowed an eerie pink as he crept silently across the room.
He received no answer, which made him even more wary. If it had been Logan then the feral man would have retorted with some wise ass reply.
Suddenly a shadow emerged from behind the glass doors leading to the balcony and Remy got a good look at the intruder. The man was dressed in green leather, with black shades hiding his eyes and a hood covering his head. Clutched in his right hand appeared to be a well crafted state of the art bow. The man stood there almost as if he was a statue, unmoving and silent.
"Who are y'?" Remy demanded.
The man walked into the room boldly with no apparent fear in his demeanor. Whoever the man was, it seemed that he was confident, or arrogant, enough to take on Remy, which irked the Cajun. The man stopped a few feet away from him.
"Who I am is someone who you shouldn't be concerned with. All you should be concerned with is telling me where you are holding Clark Kent," he said evenly.
Remy frowned. It stunned him that someone had managed to find the whereabouts of Clark so quickly, but then again Ororo had warned him that a very powerful man was suspected to be in pursuit of the powerful alien lying sleeping in the infirmary. He knew he should do something to alert the others that there had been a breach to the security of the mansion, but Remy wasn't too threatened by the intruder. After all, he was just one man and he didn't seem too dangerous.
"Homme, Clark should be de least of your concerns right now. Remy don't take t' kindly to intruders evadin' his home," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.
The man laughed.
"What a coincidence. I personally don't take too kindly to people kidnaping my friends. Clark Kent is my main concern and if you won't tell me where he is I will be forced to ask your pretty little white haired friend and I don't think you want that, so I'll ask you one last time. Where is Clark?" he said coldly.
The threat towards Ororo wasn't lost on Remy and it made his temper flare. Nobody was going to hurt his Stormy. Growling, he lifted his hand to fling the card when something pierced his neck causing him to drop the card suddenly. The playing card slowly drifted to the ground in a pile of black ashes. He lifted his hand to the object and found it was some small kind of dart emitting an electrical pulse. Remy could feel his whole body go still and unable to move he fell roughly to the ground.
The man knelt next to him with a sympathetic, yet condescending smile on his face.
"Whoever you are, you are probably thinking it would have been less painful if you cooperated. Don't worry. In a couple of minutes the paralysis will wear off and you will regain full use of your body again. Hopefully the woman will be a bit more truthful. I know you would hate to see her in a similar predicament," he said quietly before slinging his bow over his shoulder and walking away.
Remy could only watch helplessly and paralyzed as the man made his way outside the door where Ororo had just concluded her shower.