Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Marvel's. And Obviously I'm back! (Hides from angry mobs). Here's your chapter already!!! Sheesh!
Chapter six: Alive again!
She blinked twice trying to adjust her eyes to the light, before letting her eyes roam across the room. It was a lovely room with cream walls that was simply adorned with a few paintings. To the left of her bed, against the wall was a nice mahogany dresser on which lay a brush, a comb, a bottle of perfume and a vase of beautiful flowers with a card.
She tried to move a little but a wave of pain washed over her and left her panting. "Where am I… ROGUE?!" She suddenly remembered. Am I in my own body?! Oh how she wished she could get the mirror. She closed her eyes and groaned in frustration, or at least she tried to but all that came out of her mouth was a dry croak. When she opened her eyes again the mirror was floating in front of her. Her mouth dropped and so did the mirror. At least I'm in my body again.
"Glad tah see that yah awake Carol." a familiar voice said.
" Oauge!" Carol croaked excitedly.
"Let me get you some water first you sound like you swallowed a frog." Rogue said pouring her some water in a cup.
"Thanks." Carol said happily. "How long have I been out?"
"A week." A masculine voice said from the doorway. Carol looked up to see Johann smiling at her. "How do you feel Carol?"
"G-good. Well I can't really move but I'm good." She answered blushing causing Rogue to roll her eyes at her friend.
"Well you had us worried. It seems that the link you have with Rogue was more complicated than we thought. You got too use to her body so there was a little complication and we had to give you a blood transfusion. In the end the combined effect of the link you two share and of Rogue's blood changed your powers, we don't know to what extent." He informed her gently.
"Oh when will I be able to walk?" she asked.
"In a few days. We start with your therapy tonight." He answered grinning. "That is, if you're up to it."
"Um y-yes." Carol stuttered. "Rogue I think I'm having trouble breathing."
"Are you all right Carol?" He asked taking a few steps towards her. "You don't have asthma do you?"
"Don't worry she's just overwhelmed." Rogue said trying to suppress her laughter. "Carol you can't be serious!" she cackled.
"Carol take a deep breath." Johann ordered placing his hand at the base of her neck.
Carol tried to do as he said but her dry heaving got worse making Rogue's attempt not to laugh more impossible. "Rogue! This is not funny."
"Johaan let her go! Um go get Matteo or an empath hurry while I stay with her and try and get her to calm down." Rogue ordered seriously. "Concentrate on me Carol!"
"You sure?" he asked looking from Carol to Rogue.
" Yes!" They shouted.
He nodded before he took off. As soon as he disappeared Rogue fell on the floor laughing madly, tears streaming down her face.
"It wasn't funny Rogue!" Carol shouted embarrassed.
"You're right. " Rogue said picking herself up. "It was hilarious." She said cackling madly.
"ROGUE!!" Carol yell frustrated.
"I Can SEE IT NOW." Rogue exclaimed. "INVINCIBLE GIRL DIES OF PULMONARY ARREST PROVOKED BY PRESCENCE OF BOY SHE LIKES."
Carol frowned. "He's a man not boy. And it's not funny! Damn you!"
"It is!" Rogue projected the scene in Carol's mind. "See!"
Carol groaned. "I'll never live this down will I?"
"I'll never let yah!" Rogue said smirking.
"Carol are you alright?!" Matteo asked stepping in the room followed by Gloria, Adeline and Johann.
"Johann said that you suffering from sensory overload!" Gloria said worried.
It was ridiculous. She had gotten kidnapped, experimented on, had nearly died because she had been absorbed by the girl she now called her best friend, they had run away from Xavier's and ended up in a guild of criminals, she had gotten her body back only to almost die again. "INVINCIBLE GIRL DIES OF PULMONARY ARREST PROVOKED BY PRESCENCE OF MAN SHE LIKES." Rogue sent through their link. It was too much. They both began to laugh madly and tears of joy began to stream down their faces.
"I think they lost it!" Nadhira said entering the room.
"Don't worry they're fine." Matteo said with a smile. "For most parts… I hope."
"So doctor Welner, what do you think Carol's new power will be?" Rogue asked calming down.
"It's too soon to tell." He said with a frown. " Carol."
"Yes doctor Welner!" she answered.
"Lay off your powers for a while, time for your body to adjust." He said seriously. " Don't worry. Just for a day or two." He said with a smile.
The tomato factor kicked in and Carol's cheeks became a lovely shade of pink. "Alright." She said ignoring Rogue's coughing.
"Johann I need to speak to you." Adeline said seriously.
"Excuse us we'll be right back." He said before the pair exited the room.
"Looks like Carol's crush hasn't changed at all." Nadhira teased.
"I will not be affected by your teasing." Carol said glaring at the girl.
"So your cheeks are red because it's hot Cara?" Matteo asked grinning as her cheeks became redder.
"Can I tell them?" Rogue asked snickering.
"Sure then I'll dye your hair cotton Candy pink." Carol said sweetly.
Rogue glared at the helpless blond. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me." Carol threatened.
"We'll find out later!" Nadhira said airily.
"So where am I? What happened while I was out?" Carol asked.
"Well you're in one of the recovery rooms in our main Malaysian base." Gloria answered.
"Why are we in Malaysia?" Carol asked surprised.
"Guild reasons." Matteo answered darkly. "Mutants aren't allowed above ground though it's too dangerous for us. We've gone on lockdown."
"What about other mutants across the world?" Carol asked.
"We've contacted mutants in the targeted areas telling them to be discret and we opened safe-houses for them and we're working on destroying the threat." Adeline moaned. "Of course we can't do to much, the risk of exposing ourselves is too present, but we're managing."
"Rogue, Teo could you go see if the courier is back yet?" Gloria asked. They nodded and left the room. "What is it Carol?"
"I want to join the guild." She said seriously.
"So who are we waiting for?" Rogue asked leaning on the wall.
"People that you may know?" Matteo said with a smile.
"I faked my death for a reason." She said seriously.
"Well their allies so you don't have to hide from them." He said grinning.
"Were they part of the X-men?" she asked standing straight.
Matteo's grin widen causing her to frown. She was about to ask him to stop playing games when a pair of long muscular arms wrapped themselves around her waist and an aroma of bourbon and spices made its way to her nose. It can't be.
"Sorry chérie, but Remy ain't exactly good guy material." A voice whispered in her ear.
A great amount of blood rushed to her face tinting her cheeks red, while her heartbeat increased its pace. She was glad that Carol was not with her. "What are you doing here Swamp-rat?" she asked trying to free herself from his grip.
"Now, ma chérie is that the way you treat your old friends?" he asked playfully.
"You ain't a friend." She said using her super strength to free herself.
"But if Rémy ain't a friend, am I more than a friend chère?" he asked taking a few steps towards her. " 'Cause Remy certainly ain't an enemy."
"Eh Lebeau is that the way you greet an old friend?" Matteo asked irritated.
"Sorry Teo." Rémy said with a grin. "Content de te voir homme." He said shaking he's long time friend's hand.
It took all her self control not to openly oogle Remy. He was better looking than the last time she saw him if that was possible. His hair was longer going a little past his shoulder blades and up in a ponytail, his skin was a little darker and he was clean shaven. He was dressed differently also she noticed. He wore a dark-blue polo shirt with the buttons undone and a pair of cream slacks that stopped right above his calves. "You know what they say about men with big feet Rogue." Carol teased through their link.
"I thought you were talking with Gloria?" Rogue snapped.
"I was but we're done now. Besides." Carol said with a smirk. "You were projecting hon."
"Carol." Rogue said with a groan. "Shut. It."
"You wound me Roguey." Carol said laughing.
"…She can't help it, she likes what she sees." Remy's voice snapped her out of her conversation. She stumbled back glaring at him.
"I do not! I was talking to Carol!" she yelled.
"That's called denial ma Cherie."Remy said with a smirk.
"Really I thought that was a river in Egypt." She said innocently.
"Anyway you guys can flirt later. We have to see Gloria." Matteo said rolling his eyes.
"Ok." Remy said with a grin ignoring Rogue's yell about how they weren't flirting. "Oh and chérie, I'm glad you're alive and safe." He said before leaving the room.
"Rogue the other person should be here soon." Matteo said. "Please show her to the guest room that was prepared for her." She nodded a little put off.
She sighed. Her life was going to be impossible. Remy was going to be living with her. That annoying, egotistical, nerve-racking, charming and sexy Cajun. She groaned. Why was she so attracted to him? He was the bad guy. Well he never was. She corrected herself. And he could be sweet. "Oh and chérie, I'm glad you're alive and safe" his voice rang in her head. Does that mean he cares? She never thought that a guy like Remy would like the untouchable goth. But I won't be untouchable forever, will I? She groaned again. She did not like him! And she never would.
The ring of the doorbell pulled her out of her reverie. She rolled her shoulders back and made her way to the door, wondering who it could be. She pulled the door opened and gasped at the sight in front of her. There, staring at her was Amanda Sefton, Kurt's ex-girlfriend.
"Oh my god!" Amanda whispered. "You're alive! How is that possible?"
"Simple, I faked my death. It's very nice to see you again." Rogue said with an awkward smile. "Let me show you to Adeline's office."
"I can't believe this Carol!" Rogue complained.
"Yeah what are the odds that blue boy's ex would be her and your long time crush." Carol replied.
"I do not like that swamp rat!" Rogue snapped.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now help me with my make-up!" Carol ordered.
"Carol this is a physiotherapy session! Not a date." Rogue said rolling her eyes.
"Just because you don't care how you look around Remy doesn't mean everybody doesn't care how they look!" Carol replied.
Rogue couldn't refute or agree so she just huffed causing Galatea to laugh.
"Calm down Rogue." Galatea said grinning. "And Carol don't you think dressing up is a bit… to extreme specially for a guy you don't know much about? Wait! What do you know about him?!"
"That he's kind, sweet and very smart! He's a scientist and as doctor he specialized in genetics but unofficially he's also a physicist. On a more personal note he loves to read, he likes fast cars…."
"That's fine but when I say what do you know about him I mean. His personal life." Galatea said seriously.
"Um… nothing…" Carol replied blushing.
"You don't know anything?!" Galatea almost yelled. "We all thought you knew!"
"Knew what?" Rogue asked perplexed. "Is he married?" she asked jokingly.
"Yeah but he's getting his marriage annulled." Galatea answered with a sigh. "Look I can't tell you more It's not my place. But next time do a background search. I would recommend that you ask him tonight. I'll see you guys later." Galatea sighed and left the room.
"Carol?" Rogue asked after a moment.
"I'm stupid." Carol mumbled.
"No ya aren't." Rogue said brushing Carol's hair. "Well you really could have done a background check we've been here for three almost four months but that's not the point. The point is that you're insanely attracted to a smart, cultured, mature older man."
"You forgot respectful, handsome and sexy." Carol said with a small smile.
"Right. You focused on his better qualities instead of his history. Now I better go before he comes. If you need me use our link." Rogue smiled and left the room just as Johann entered.
"Hello Carol." He said with a smile.
"Hey." She replied nervously.
"How are you doing Carol?" he asked placing his hands on each side of her face but not making skin contact.
"I feel fine. What are you doing?" She asked as he moved his hands down her body.
"Scanning you. You see part of my powers allow me to scan the human body allowing me to feel any change or anomaly in a person's body It's like empathy but I can't pick up emotions."
"That's cool What else can you do?" she asked trying to ignore the fact he was very close to her. She did not need a repeat of this morning.
"I can manipulate gravity fields on a very large scale the electromagnetic field on a smaller scale and I have a minor healing factor. I must of developed that factor because of all the trouble I got into." He answered moving her legs a little. "Remember it will take a few days for you to walk, the legs are always the most affected."
"What kind of trouble?" she asked teasingly.
"Experimenting with my powers." He answered. "Manipulating gravity especially around yourself is very dangerous. My body had to adapt to the training regiment I used. I increase the pull of gravity around me to help develop my strength, speed and reflexes. So you can imagine how many times I tore muscles and tendons. Soon after my x-gene activated I developed a healing factor and that permitted me to easily adjust to the change and increase of weight." He explained.
"That's cool." She said with a smile. "So how old are you?"
"thirthy three." He answered with a grin. "Why? Interested?" he teased good-naturedly.
"What? Um ye-no, no. Just curious." She said stumbling over her words slightly. "I mean you look at least twenty-four." "Smooth Carol. Real smooth." Rogues voice echoed in her mind.
"Can it Cajun lover." She snapped.
"So can I ask you a question Carol?" he asked. "This is going to sting a bit."
"You just did but go ahead." She said trying to ignore the sting.
"Why stay here? Your family and friends must miss you. Not to mention the sad boyfriend." He asked.
"Well I want to contact them when I'm able-bodied again. Besides there are no friends or boyfriends waiting for me. When the fact I was a mutant came out. They disappeared. My powers actually manifested when he tried to beat me. And I was kind of isolated at Trask so you know." She said sadly. "What about you? Tell me about yourself. Ouch."
"Well there's not much to tell. I've been married once. I have a little sister and an uncle. They're my only family left I guess."
"You have a sister? Cool! I'm an only child." Carol asked staring at the bed sheet.
Johann laughed. "Are you serious?"
"What?" she asked looking up at him slightly curious.
"You've been hanging out with her since you got here." He laughed.
"What?!" How could she know his sister. "You mean NADHIRA?! Oh my GOD. I thought she was your cousin or something. Oh shit!" "At least she isn't his daughter." Rogue's voice echoed.
"Yeah my parents had her late. She's why I married. I was young didn't know a thing about babies let alone baby girls. The first few years would be easy but she would need a mother figure. Nadhira is now old enough, so is my step daughter. So I'm having my marriage annulled." He explained.
"But to cancel a marriage." She started uncomfortably.
"Simple. We didn't consume the marriage. Of course we dated other people but never with each other." He elaborated. "We were best friends since forever but staying married to each other I don't think we could stand it."
"Sorry for being nosy." Carol apologized.
"It's alright." He replied.
"Can I nose around some more?" She asked with a sweet smile.
"Sure." he said with a laugh.
"Do I know your wife?" she asked.
"You do." He answered. "It's Adeline."
"Oh. Wow." Carol said dumbly.
"Now Carol. We're done for today. Tomorrow we will continue. I want you to breath in this." He said motioning to what looked like a plastic vase with a tube attached to it. "From time to time to exercise your lungs. Kay?"
"I will." She said with a smile. "See you tomorrow J-Doctor Welner."
"Goodnight Carol." He said making his way to the door. "Oh and Carol?" he said stopping at the door.
"Yes?"
"Johann is fine." He said before disappearing.
Carol waited a few seconds before squealing excitedly. Doctor Welner, no Johann was on the market, sort of. And he actually paid notice to her. Life was looking up. She squealed again.
"You're giving me a headache Carol!" Rogue complained.
"Stop complaining Rogue." Carol chided.
"Whateva sug."Rogue said with a huff.
"What are you doing?" Carol asked.
"Hiding from Remy." Rogue replied.
"So it's Remy now is it?" Carol teased.
"No! I don't like him that way!" Rogue replied blushing.
"I didn't say you did darling." Carol said laughing. " Anyway think you can sneak over?"
"Of course hold on."Rogue said.
A few seconds later Rogue walked through the door sneezing. "I hate that smoke thing." She complained.
"What took you so long?" Carol asked pouting.
"Had to tell Izzy where I was going." Rogue said flopping in a chair. "Since I was hiding out in her room."
"Yeah. I don't see what is wrong with Remy. Besides the fact he smokes, is a bit of a flirt, is cocky…" Isadora said flopping in the chair next to Rogue.
"Ah see where you're going. Ya sure you don't like Remy?" Rogue asked.
"Ewww!!! No!" Isadora yelled making Rogue and Carol laugh. "I mean, Remy and I, he's like my big brother. Besides he likes Rogue here. Doesn't eh chère?" She said laughing at Rogue.
"So who are you with?" Carol asked. "I mean Rogue and I have men-drama." She said ignoring Rogue's glare. "But what about you, Tea and Nadhira?"
"I have no men-drama and neither does Tea or Nadhi." Isadora said pouting. "I'm single and pretending to be happy about it. The last guy I dated was a total bastard."
"Hey Rogue did you meet any new members of the guild?" Carol asked.
"Well this guy named Matthew, sometimes Ah see some in the lower levels but Ah haven't met anyone officially." Rogue answered.
"Speaking of new, what are you going to do about Sefton?" Isadora asked.
"You can't avoid her forever." Galatea said entering the room closely followed by Nadhira and a little girl with silver and gold hair and green eyes that stood out against her pale skin. She was small and very cute.
"Guys this is Adhalia. She's Adeline's daughter." Galatea introduced. "Adhalia the cranky girl with brown and white hair is Rogue and the dumb blond is Carol."
"Take that back!" Rogue and Carol yelled.
"I know better than to listen to Tea." The small girl said with a smile.
"Smart girl." Rogue said with a smirk.
"Anyway I brought Ice-cream." Galatea said with a smirk of her own. "So if you want any please do shut up."
"So back to the previous topic." Nadhira said taking bowls out of the cabinet. "What are going to do?"
"Ah'm going to talk to her. I mean she was mah friend, once." Rogue replied streaching. "She used to date Kurt." She elaborated.
"So what are you going to do about Remy?" Carol asked teasingly.
"You Remrem's girlfriend?!" Adhalia asked surprised. " I can see why he likes you. You're pretty and smart."
Carol began to laugh, while the other girls except Rogue smirked.
"Ah ain't Remy's girlfriend sug." Rogue said nicely.
"But Remy told me that…" She stopped.
"He told yah what sug?" Rogue asked curiously.
"Can't say it's confidential." She said with a blush.
"Adhalia!" Galatea yelled. She was floating upside down alongside afew objects . "Put me down."
"Sorry!" Adhalia said quickly and everything dropped in its place.
"So you're a telekinetic?" Rogue asked.
"Ya but I can also project myself and manipulate energy on a subatomic level like my mom." Adhalia said with a shrug.
"Cool." Rogue said genuinely impressed.
"So. Can you guys give us an update on the situation here so we may avoid unpleasant surprises." Carol asked. "Nadhira I just found out Johann is your brother what else? Tea?"
"Okay. Well you know that Izzi's my twin. Our father is the other leader of the guild and our mother was a greek actrice, she wasn't a mutant." Galatea started.
"As you can guess Adhalia is our cousin, so is Teo. That's it." Isadora finished.
"Now back to the interesting stuff!" Nadhira said grinning. "What happened with my big brother Carol?"
"Nothing." Carol said blushing, she shifted her eyes briefly towards Adhalia.
"You like uncle Johann?" Adhalia asked surprised.
"Um yeah." Carol answered uncomfortably.
"Finally. He needs to get some." The preteen said with a shrug. "I don't mind him dating you. When you do snag him, make sure he doesn't forget to eat."
"Adhalia!!!" Isadora and Galatea yelled simultaneously.
"You were thinking it." She said innocently.
"You spent too much time with Remy!" Nadhira said rolling her eyes. "Back to Carol and Johann!!!" she said ignoring the blond's growl. "What happened?!"
"Well he opened up to me a bit. That's it." She replied. She sighed at the expectant looks she was receiving and gave them a more detailed account. "But girls don't read too much in this. He's thirteen years my senior, he may not want someone as young as me."
"Well he certainly is attracted to you." Nadhira said with a roll of her eyes.
"What happened?" Rogue asked curiously.
"Well I was teasing Johann a little." Nadhira started.
"She was annoying the hell out of him." Adhalia corrected.
"Right." She agreed. "When I started teasing him about his pretty new patient and how it was not recommended for a doctor to fool around with their patients and he said that's why thanked God he wasn't officially recognized as a doctor."
She tried to stop it, she really tried but her efforts were in vain, her cheeks turned a light shade of pink and a big smile stretched her delicate pink lips. "Well maybe he was just joking around."
"But the blush on your cheeks says you think otherwise."Adhalia said with a smile.
"And that age thing can be ridiculous, when you think about it." Nadhira said scarfing down her ice-cream. "I mean when it comes to us mutants, especially the ones with regenerative powers. Forget age."
"Mama told me that my daddy was way older than her." Adhalia said, tilting her head cutely to the side. "Somewhere between twenty and thirty years older. If not more."
"Really?" Isadora asked, slightly surprised.
"My dad was my mom's teacher. He died in an explosion but my mom recently told me she thinks he's alive." She explained to Rogue and Carol.
"WHAT?!" the other girls yelled in shock.
"I didn't know that." Nadhira mumbled under her breath.
"That's because I only told Remy. Besides she still hasn't told me his name." she said a little miffed. "And don't look at me like that. Rem's my plushy."
"What do ya mean by plushy?" Rogue asked trying to picture a stuffed Remy-doll with cute little pigtails. " Don't forget the cute party dress Rogue!" Carol reminded.
" Well Remrem used to Babysit me all the time when I was younger and living in Naw'lyans, plush he's like my big brother and he's my teacher." Adhalia said with a cute smile. "He's teaching me how to be a thief."
"An' she'll be a very good one too. Won't y' chérie?" A familiar voice asked from the doorway of the room causing Rogue to groan, Carol to look up curiously, the twins to snicker, Nadhira and Adhalia to smile.
"I don't know Rem. With you as a teacher she may suck." Nadhira joked.
"Why y' wound me beb." Remy said dramatically.
"Move your fat ass Lebeau!" Matteo ordered from behind him.
"Excuse me but mon derrière is toned. Not fat!" Remy said standing strait.
"Whatever Remy!" Matteo said entering the room. "I'm not going to argue about your ass!"
"Anyway let's get the introductions out of the way." Nadhira declared. "Carol this is thief extraordinaire Remy Lebeau, also known as Gambit, Remrem and Nadhalia's plushy! Remy this is Carol Danvers."
"Enchanté petite." Remy said taking a few steps to her bedside, only to take her hand and gently place his lips on it. "Remy is honored to meet such a belle femme."
"I am also honored to meet such a talented man." Carol said with a giggle. "But you should let go of my hand before my friend, your chère sends us six feet under with her death-glare."
"Ah ma chérie!" Remy exclaimed. "Y' don't have to be jealous 'cause tu es toujours dans mes pensées!" "(… you're always in my thought.")
"Ah don't care Bayou-boy." Rogue said ignoring him in favor of her beautiful ice-cream.
"Ah but the pet names y' been giving Remy be signs o'f affection, non?" he asked scoping Adhalia in his arms before sitting in the chair and placing her in his lap. "And 'sides not what y' told Remy on our last date."
"Wait there was a date?!" Nadhira asked surprised.
"That was six months ago and it wasn't a date!" Rogue said blushing. "Ah was hungry and stopped by a French bistro and he decided to join me."
"Ah but you stayed." Remy argued back.
"Of course I stayed." Rogue replied. "I was not about to let your presence deprive me of my French food."
"But wasn't eating French food more fun with someone who not only could speak French, but who was also charming?" he asked with a grin.
"I don't remember the presence of anyone charming Swamp Rat." She said.
"Who cares, what did she say?" Nadhira asked impatiently.
"That's t'ween me and my chère sorry petite." He said with a smirk.
"It's ok I'll get the info anyway." She replied with a smirk.
"There is no info to get 'cause there ain't nothing 'tween Bayou-boy and I." Rogue said put-off. " I'm going to bed. Good night everyone." She said cooly before heading for the door.
"Thank God." Matteo mumble rubbing his temples. He really liked Rogue, she was like a little sister that was fun to pester but when she was in the same room with his best-friend, he's empathy went wild.
"Chère, attend-moi!" ("Darling, wait for me.") Remy yelled placing Adhalia on the chair. " I'll join you." He said running after the object of his affections.
"So who wants to take bets?" Adhalia said pulling out a sheet and a pencil from nowhere.
"Rogue?" Carol asked with a smile.
"What is it Carol?" Rogue replied concerned.
"It's good to be alive again." Carol said softly.
Author's Notes: Ok that's it. I hope I may have redeemed myself a little. My laptop's charger is not working and any work I did on my other stories are on it. So only Convente Celeste is up and being edited and updated.
I kind of changed the story a little. I was really going to have Nadhira be Johann's daughter from his first marriage. He was to be widowed and have married Adeline so she would have a mother figure. But I decided that it would be a bit weird dating your friend's dad. This is not a soap-opera.
I don't know when I'll update again. It's not the best time for me to be inspired, since I'm preparing my SATs so we'll see. In the next chapter we'll see more Romyness, we'll see how Rogue coops with living with a reminder of her past, the other half of her training and Adeline's and Gloria's faces.