Okay, I finally got this chapter together. It ended up being longer than usual. Hope you like it.

Chapter Six: Dreams and Realities

Dream Sequence

"Remy, I don't usually let boys in mah room, but this is a special occasion," she said, taking her gloved hand in his.

He looked into her deep emerald eyes and gave her a seductive smile. "You wanna tell Remy what's on your mind?" he asked, gently stroking her hair.

"Ah'd rather show ya," she said as she leaned towards him crushing her lips down on his.

Back to Reality…

At that moment she awakened, hot sweat on her brow. She was shaking and felt like her face was on fire, and she was still clutching the card in her hand. "Damn it. Why do I keep dreamin' 'bout him?" she whispered to herself.

She looked at the clock. It read 5am. There was no point in going back to sleep now. Instead, she walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. She looked over at the shower and decided a little splash wasn't enough. She looked at the nasal. Hot or cold? She chose cold, hoping to dull those feelings that came from her dream.

She stayed in the shower for the longest time, until she heard a knock on the door. "Hey, save some water for the rest of us!" Rogue recognized the voice belonging to Jean Gray. What was she doing up so early? Rogue wondered.

"Ah'll be right out," she shouted back. She jumped out of the shower and dried herself off quickly. She put on her gray sweat pants and black T-shirt and wrapped her wet hair in a towel.

When she came out she looked over at the impatient Jean Gray and "All yours."

"Thanks," was all Jean could say before Rogue walked off back to her room.

She felt better after the shower, but it barely dulled her feelings about the dream or what had happened the night before.

Get a grip, girl! She told herself. She looked at the time again, 6:15, and Kitty was still asleep. She saw the alarm on the floor and figured Kitty must have threw it down there and went back to sleep. They both had an early Danger room session with Logan and being late wasn't an option.

"Come on, Kitty," she said, nudging her a bit. "Time t'rise and shine."

"No, Lance, sweetie, that tickles," Kitty said in her dream-like state. She giggled a bit, which was starting to annoy Rogue.

"Kitty!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Kitty screamed out of fright and bumped her head on the headboard of her bed. "Rogue, what the hell!"

Rogue turned and walked to the dresser and finished brushing her slightly damp hair and put on her makeup. Kitty groaned as she staggered out of bed. Rogue thought it kind of funny, but it served her right. Bad enough she had to spill every detail about her and Lance while she was awake, but did she have to talk in her sleep about it too?

Ten minutes later Rogue ran down to the kitchen to grab a doughnut and cup of coffee. She would need the caffeine today. After that dream the night before, toppled upon the fact that she got to bed late anyway, she needed something to keep her going.

When she entered the kitchen she saw Login sitting at the table drinking his coffee and reading the paper. She eyed the front page. There was yet another report of anti-mutant garbage which made her angry inside.

She saw there was a fresh box of doughnuts on the counter and quickly got her share. When the younger kids got up, there wouldn't be anything left but a few crumbs. That was one advantage of waking up early.

After she had gotten her doughnuts and coffee she sat down at the table across from Logan. Having breakfast with Logan was like eating alone. He never said much if anything at all, but this morning was an exception.

"Rogue, we need to talk," he said.

She looked up confused by his statement. "'Bout what?"

He looked her right in the eye which gave her an uneasy feeling. "Gambit," he said.

"What about him?" she asked looking innocent. "Not much t'tell."

"I heard you went off on Cyke yesterday, defending that Cajun."

"So," she said. "Would've done the same for anyone." Logan gave her a stern look. "He was wrong, and ya know it."

"Doesn't matter," Logan said. "If those two are going to fight on the same team they gotta work out their differences on their own."

"Well, I don't know why Scott was in a huff anyway," she said.

"And why were you?" Logan asked. Rogue didn't say anything, just stood up and turned her back on him. She was blushing and didn't want him to see. "I just want you to be careful around him. I don't trust him…not yet."

Logan got up from his seat and left the kitchen. She was left to wonder. She could admit she had feelings for Remy, but she didn't fully trust him either. But unlike her friends, she wouldn't voice it.

A few minutes after Logan left she made her way to the Danger Room. She needed to let off steam and what better way than kicking the ass of a few holograms. Logan and Scott were already in the control room when she entered along with a yawning Kitty, Kurt was also there looking like he was ready for action.

"Hey, we all like had a bet that you would be late," Kitty said.

"Ah still had five minutes," Rogue informed her friend.

"Yeah, I know," Kurt said. "Pay up, Kitty."

"Fine, I'll do your chores for a week," Kitty groaned while crossing her arms over her chest.

"Does that include cookin'?" Rogue asked.

"Hey, what's wrong with my cooking?" Kitty fired back at her.

"Where do I start," Rogue said.

"Okay, people, enough jabberin'," Logan said. "Time to get down to business. Just gotta wait for…"

Logan was cut off when someone came through the door of the control room. "Am I late?" Rogue turned to see Remy standing in the doorway. She felt the hotness return to her face. She hadn't known he would be training this morning. She wished nothing more than to run out that door and get as far away from him as possible. There was no hope of that, not without making a spectacle of herself. She figured she would have to suck it up and make the best of it. She just hoped she would get through this session without incident.

Logan gave a run-down of the objective. Rogue barely paid attention. All her efforts went towards not staring at Remy. She felt his eyes on her, and she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that was getting to her. She had barely heard Logan's instructions before he instructed everyone to take their positions. Operation: To Catch a Thief had started.

A city scene had appeared and Rogue raced down alleyways searching for that illusive Cajun. She saw Kitty faze through a building. Suddenly she saw a red glow of an explosion. She stayed hidden in her position, spying out of the corner of her eye. She heard Kurt's bamf as he teleported to help Kitty. She looked through the dirt-stained window and saw Kitty on the floor. She was trying to raise herself into a sitting position while holding her head. Kurt was by her side. He looked around, probably had the feeling that Gambit was close by.

Suddenly he leapt at Kurt with the help of his bow staff. Kurt teleported again, reappearing right in front of Gambit, but Kurt hadn't anticipated his position and Gambit used his bow staff and knocked Kurt off his feet.

"Two down," he said. "One t'go."

Now he was coming for her. She would oblige him and knocked down the door and appeared in his eyesight. "Want me, Cajun. Come and get me."

"Dat be Remy's intension," he said with a smirk on his face. He ran towards Rogue anchoring himself with his bow staff. She quickly dodged him, landing behind him and bringing her knee to his lower back. Gambit fell back but quickly returned to his feet. Rogue had removed her gloves as she made her battle stance, while Gambit had a card in his hand. Rogue kept one eye on the hand that held the card and other on his eyes.

The card flew out of his hand and headed towards Rogue. She jumped out of the way just in time. The explosion forced her forward and slammed her into Gambit. Before she knew it she was lying on the floor with her arms pinned. She looked up and saw Gambit staring into her eyes.

"Give up?" he asked.

The smirk on his face enraged Rogue, and she kneed him the mid-section. He then lost his leverage and loosened his grip on her. "Damn, Chere, low blow."

In the heat of the moment she touched his face.

Suddenly his memories invaded her mind, one in particular that shocked her more than anything. She quickly let go as the scenario ended and she sat on the floor of the danger room just staring at his unconscious form.

She didn't even hear Logan calling her name. She was too engrossed in her own thoughts or more accurately the thoughts of her latest victim. She staggered to her feet as Logan approached her.

"You okay, kid?" he asked.

She slowly looked up on him. "Yeah," she said but not very convincingly.

Logan looked at the unconscious Gambit. He looked back over at Rogue and said, "Good job, kid."

Kitty and Kurt joined the party. Kitty spoke first. "Looks like you won, Rogue."

"Ja, nice ass-kicking, sis," Kurt added.

"Take a lesson," Logan said, looking over at Kitty and Kurt. "You two need some extra practice." Kitty and Kurt both groaned. "Okay, get sleeping beauty here to the med bay."

Later that afternoon, Rogue made it to the bed bay. Remy was just waking up by then. "Hey, Cajun, ya alight?" she asked as he opened his eyes.

"Remy is now," he said and reached his hand to touch her face. She flinched and jerked out of his reach. "What's wrong, Chere?"

Rogue folded her over her chest. "I saw it, Remy, she said, her voice low.

"Saw what?"

"You, as a little boy," she said. She turned suddenly and saw the somewhat confused look on Remy's face. "What those boys try to do you? You were so scared." A tear came to her eye. "They were gonna…"

"Dey didn't," he said, and jumped off the bed. With her back to him he wrapped his arms around her. "You cry tears for Remy," he said.

She turned herself around in his embrace. "Sorry. Ah don't mean to be blubberin' like this."

"S'okay, Chere," he said. "You cry on Remy's shoulder anytime."

Her first instinct was to pull away from him, but suddenly she didn't want to. She melted into his embrace, a place she felt she belonged. They didn't break apart until someone came through the med bay doors.

Rogue looked over to see Hank coming towards them. "Doctor McCoy," Rogue said a little embarrassed.

"I see our patient in conscious," he said.

"So, can I go now?" Remy asked.

"Anytime," Hank said. "But if you feel lightheaded or tired I would suggest a good night's rest."

"I feel just fine," Remy said, looking straight into Rogue's eyes. "Take more den a little energy drain t'stop dis Cajun."

Rogue blushed a little. "Come on, Swamp Rat," she said and led him through the exit doors. Half way down the hall Remy stopped which having hold of Rogue's hand prompted her to stop. She turned back and looked over at him. "What? Ya ain't weak, are ya?"

"Non, Remy just wanna ask ya something," he said. She looked intrigued. "Like t-take ya out sometime… on a date."

"A date? Umm…well, ah don't know," she said stuttering. "Ah don't think…"

"Don't t'ink," he said, taking both her gloved hands and kissing them. "Jus' say yes."

"It ain't that simple," she said, taking her hands back and turning away from him. 'Why ya wanna t'waste ya time on me. Ah can't…" She closed her eyes tight. "There's no point wishin' for somethin' ya can't have."

"Chere, dat ain't true,' he said, whispering in her ear while wrapping his arms around her.

"But ya deserve someone better,' she said, but before she could say something further he turned her around to face him silenced her by putting his hand over her mouth.

"Ain't nobody better den you, Chere," he said. "More den dis ole Cajun deserves." He started to walk away which got Rogue to thinking. She walked swiftly to catch up with him.

"Wait," she said. He turned back seeing her sparkling green eyes. "Were ya serious about… well, taking me on a date?"

"Never been more serious," he said. "Just like being wid you."

"Okay," she said, a bashful smile coming across her face. "So where ya plan on takin' me?"

"Dat a surprise," Remy said, a playful cocky smirk gracing his face.

"Then how will ah know what t'wear?" she asked.

"Wear somet'ing nice, somet'ing t'bring out those pretty eyes a'yours."

Her cheeks had turned red. She turned away from him, no longer being able to look him in the eyes.

"Don' do dat," Remy said, forcing her to look at him. "Remy love lookin' at dos beautiful green eyes."

She was speechless. Never in her life had someone said those things to her. She couldn't understand why any guy would want to be with her, let alone someone like Remy. A little smile came to her face as he put his arm around her shoulder, and they walked down the hallway together.

She walked him to his room and stood in the hallway by his door for a few minutes. She was a little nervous being there by his bedroom door. "Well, ah better go," she said, stuttering a bit. "Ah got homework t'do."

"Alright, Chere, but don' forget. Friday night."

"Ah won't," she said and walked a few steps away before turning back and giving him a little wave. As she made it back to her room, she found it empty. She was glad. She didn't want Kitty or anyone else seeing her like this. She had maintained her reputation as a hard ass Goth girl, and here she was smiling and going on like a typical lovesick teenager. If anyone knew it would soil her reputation for good.

She sat down at her desk and pulled out her homework. She couldn't concentrate as thoughts of Remy came into her mind. She wondered where he would be taking her Friday night and grew excited thinking about the possibilities of things they might do.

Suddenly, the memory she flashed onto earlier came to the front on her mind, a scenario of a little boy of about six years old. She closed her eyes tight and shook her head back and forth, trying the block out the memory, but it held too firm a grip on her.

"Let's get 'im!" a voice was heard in the darkness.

A young boy looked back as he ran trying to outrun his pursuers, but they were too fast for him. He panted as he tried to get away. He ran into a back alley and hid behind some trashcans.

He peeked through the cracks to see if they were still in sight. He could see two of them. "Where dat li'l freak go?" one of them said.

"Couldna gone far," said the other.

"Come one, Pierre, we'll find 'im, and when we do…" said a boy of about sixteen as he pounded his fist into his open palm. The boy's heart beat so fast and a train of sweat dripped from his forehead.

Suddenly the two teenage boys took off. The boy came out of his hiding place. They were gone, and he was relieved but only for a moment. As he started to walk off in the opposite direction he felt a hand grab his shoulder.

"Dere y'are," one of the boys said.

"Yeah, t'ouht y'could hide from us," the other said and laughed at him. "We'll show you what we do t'freaks."

The boy whimpered a little as the two boys laughed at him and attempted to carry him off.

"You dere," the boy heard a deep voice come up from behind him. He looked up that second to see a man. He was tall, wearing a long coat and smoking a cigarette." "Why you gon' rough up a little t'ing like dat?" He dropped the nearly finished cigarette to the ground and stepped on it to put it out.

"'Cause he a freak," one of them said. "Look at den eyes." He grabbed the boy's face showing the man the demon eyes the small boy possessed.

"Is dat all?" the man said. "Let de boy go, or my face be de last t'ing ya see."

The boys laughed at him. The man then revealed a staff and knocked one of the boys flat on the ground before he knew what hit him. The other boy became enraged and charged at the man only to be knocked down flat on his back. One of the teens had run off by that point and second regained his footing, looking around for his friend, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Wan' anot'er go, boy?" the man asked.

The teenager nervously shook his head with a look of panic on his face. In seconds he took off running. The man approached the small boy who was cowering on the ground leaning up against a building. The man squatted down until he was eye level with the boy. He looked into his red on black eyes, not with a look of contempt or fear, but one of concern.

"You alright, there?" he asked, his voice becoming softer. The boy looked at him and slowly nodded his head, too frightened to say anything. "You gotta home?"

The boy simply shook his head back and forth. The man held out his hand, and the boy took it, realizing he was in no danger.

"Come on home wid me," the man said. "We get you cleaned up, put some good food in you, an' put you in a nice warm bed."

The boy smiled for the first time as the man led him out of the alleyway.

Rogue opened her eyes as the memory slowly faded away. "Remy," she said silently. "So that's what happened." A smile came to her face at the memory she had taken from him. She looked back at her homework and realized it was a lost cause.

She heard a host of footsteps in the hall and some of the kids talking about how hungry they were. She looked at her clock and realized it was time for dinner. She would have skipped it, but she just realized how hungry she was when her stomach started growling. She raced towards her door and sprinted downstairs for the promise of a good meal.

Okay, people, time to review. Let me know what you think. And the next chapter Kitty drags Rogue shopping for a new dress for her date with Remy, and Rogue gets an unexpected surprise from a certain Cajun.