"Hi Remy, wanna play racecars?"

"I promised Belladonna that I'd listen to her sing. You can come if you want."

Her green eyes lit up, "I'll ask my momma. Be right back."

He watched as her brown hair bounced. Over the past few months the tomboy with the jade colored eyes had become his best friend. She'd never told him where she was from, not that he'd asked. His best guess was Mississippi, Alabama or Tennessee. Judging by her accent most likely Mississippi.

"Whacha thinkin' 'bout," her voice cut through his thoughts.

He smiled, "A little girl. I can't remember her name. She was one of my best friends when I was younger."

"Why'd you stop being friends," she leaned in closer, clearly interested.

He sighed, "I think she moved and I never found out where. No idea what happened to her, wish I did though."

She frowned, "I don't remember my childhood."

"Why not," he asked, "Jus' don't wanna remember it?"

"No. Irene told me I got hit by a car. I was in the hospital for a week. I lost most of my memory," she paused, "so I only remember from seven on."

"I'm sorry chere. That really sucks," he took her hand, "You done eating? The malls getting a little too crowded for my liking."

She nodded, "Yeah. Thanks for lunch by the way. I think we got everything for your room."

He laughed, "It's about time I did something with it. Been here long enough, I suppose it's time it started to feel like me. I love the idea of a red on black theme."

"Marie," a boy questioned.

Rogue stiffened. A boy with sandy blonde hair approached them. He was tall, tan and muscular with brown eyes and a baby face. She looked up to see Cody standing next to her. He smiled, showing two rows of white teeth. She smiled back, wishing he would go away.

"Hey Cody, what are you doing here," she kept the greeting simple, using a slightly bored voice.

Sadly, he took this as an invitation to sit down, "I'm here visiting family. Haven't seen you in forever. Why'd you leave? Everyone's been wondering that for a while."

"Boarding school," she didn't elaborate farther than that.

He nodded, "Oh, well are you coming back anytime soon?"

Remy muffled a laugh. He felt bad for the poor boy, wondering when he would take the hint. He found Cody's obvious crush amusing, though he knew what Cody saw in Rogue. Well maybe not but he could imagine.

She shook her head, "Nah."

He still didn't take the hints, "Oh, well that's too bad. So, um, I'm here all week. Would you maybe wanna go out tonight or tomorrow? Like on a…a date?"

Remy coughed, "No offense homme but chere's kinda taken. Rogue, we about ready?"

"Rogue? Who's Rogue," Cody looked around.

"Da fille sitting next to you," Remy smirked, "My girlfriend."

"I changed my name," she stood up, "I go by Rogue now. It was nice seeing you Cody. Remy, I'm ready to go."

"Wait, he lives at the same boarding school as you," Cody looked painfully confused, "Does that mean you…?"

"That's none of your business," she snapped as she pulled Remy out of his seat.

Remy snickered, clearly amused, "It was nice meeting you."

Rogue grabbed their bags and pulled Remy away, leaving Cody looking bewildered. Rogue elbowed Remy in the ribs. He kissed her forehead, pulling her close to him. People stared, again, as they glided through the mall. They stepped in perfect time, making the steps look choreographed. She smiled, remembering that he was almost a foot taller than her. She glanced at him. He wore a form fitting, black, short sleeved shirt with a pair of worn out, faded jeans and black DC sneakers.

She laughed, looking down at her worn down chucktailers. The high-tops complimented her ripped, black skinny jeans. She paired the jeans with an emerald green, quarter sleeve top that cut off before her hips. The V-neck accentuated her collar bones and neckline. She wore black eyeliner and mascara but nothing else. She seemed to be growing out of the whole Goth look. Though she still liked dark colors, she didn't have to stay alone and hidden anymore. She went to run her fingers through her hair but stopped. Her reflection caught her eye. Her hair was bouncy and curly, light and playful.

"I think it looks perfect," Remy's reflection smiled at hers, "just like you."

She blushed, "Thank you," she whispered.

"Hey, chere, would you want to go to New Orleans with me. For Marti Gras that is," he ran his hand through his hair, "I know last time wasn't all that much fun but things are different now. I understand if you don't wanna go but I thought I'd ask."

Her face glowed as she looked at him in the mirror, "Like a mini vacation, with just you and me," she asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah, well no, I mean…if you want it to be like that then yes," he stumbled over his words.

She spun around and threw her arms around his neck, "I'd love to go! It'll be so much fun," she was overjoyed, "Being down south again. Remy, you're the best!"

He hugged her back, "Not the best but I try."

She pulled away, remembering something, "Come on, we still gotta get paint for your room."

They lay sprawled out on the paint covered sheets. Their muscles ached. Between the danger room session, the shower make up session, the moving of furniture and the painting, they were beat. The walls were blood red, the crown molding black. They'd ordered the same carpet that was in Rogue's room. The carpet would be laid tomorrow after the paint dried. The window sills were black as well. They sighed as a breeze blew through the open windows. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and a grill. Rogue "mmmm-ed" at the smell. Remy would have as well but he was dead, all the physical activity of last night and today had drained him.

"Hey Remy," he southern voice luring him back to reality, "What do you wanna dress up as?"

"Dress up as," he asked.

She rolled over on her stomach, looking him in the eyes, "You know, for Halloween. They're having a dance at school. I wasn't sure if you wanted to go but if you do we have to dress up."

He looked at her, "You didn't strike me as the type that liked school events."

"I didn't," she admitted, "but that was because I couldn't touch. I always had to cover up so I couldn't wear all those pretty dresses or have dates, plus all the people was a bit of a hazard. I want to go to junior prom but I don't think I will. I missed both formals."

"Then we go," he said firmly, "and you're going to senior prom with me. No complaints about it."

She laughed, "You really are the best Rem."

He shook his head, "Non chere. I just love seeing you happy is all."

You're such an unhappy girl

She didn't know why she thought about him saying that while they headed to Louisiana. Then she thought back to Marti Gras.

"I always love Marti Gras. No matter who you are you always fit in."

"It's the first time I've been here without working."

"Working on what?"

He pulled a wallet out of his trench coat and smirked, "Getting by."

She snatched it from his hand and ran up to the man, "Here, you dropped your wallet," she said as she tossed him his wallet and walked back to Remy.

He gave her a look then continued walking, "You hungry? I know a place that serves the best Jambalaya."

She giggled, "Okay."

"What's okay," Remy looked at her.

"Jambalaya," she said absentmindedly.

He frowned, "You giggle when you think about me kidnapping you and using you?"

"Yeah, because you gave me the best night ever at the same time. I saw the way you looked when I walked away and when I came back. I also heard what you said to your daddy when he asked about me," she said matter-of-factly.

"Shoulda seen the look on my face when I saw the gators coming after you," he shook his head.

She laughed, "I can only imagine. I figured you'd be more concerned with the boat coming at you."

"That wasn't funny," he pouted, "The only one that wasn't in danger was Jean-Luc. Figures, that bastard's always getting outta messes like that without a scratch."

She grabbed his hand, "At least you're safe now. That's all that really matters to me."

"Rogue," he smiled, "we have to get outta this room. I think the fumes are making me high."

She laughed again, "I think you're right. I think we should stay in tonight, maybe watch some movies in our pajamas. Eat ice cream and popcorn, have some soda. I'm too tired to go out."

He helped her up, "I'm game for that. I could go for another shower. I feel gross with all this sweat and paint on me. It doesn't make this Cajun smell too good."

She sniffed, "I'm not gonna lie, you don't smell pretty sugar."

"Well then," he scooped her up in his arms, "let's get to your room and clean up."

She went to kiss him but pulled away. He was incredibly sweaty and gross. He rolled his eyes and exited the room. She felt tired and extremely hungry. She also felt a little sick. Actually, she felt really sick. She pushed herself out of Remy's arms and sprinted to the bathroom. He followed quickly, hearing her vomit. He rubbed her back as she panted and vomited some more. She started shaking, losing all color in her face. She vomited again, only this time it was blood. She hacked and panted as the blood continued to come up her throat, slightly choking her. Remy pulled away, running to the door.

"LOGAN," he yelled.

He ran back to the bathroom. Rogue was gasping and shaking. He smoothed her hair back, trying to calm her. She didn't try to resist as he picked her up and ran. Logan met him in the hall then helped rush her to the med lab.

"What's going on," Logan asked, "What happened?"

Remy shook his head, "One minute she's pushing away from me the next she's throwing up blood."

"Remy," Professor called, "I need to have a word with you."

Remy walked slowly, not wanting bad news. Logan patted his shoulder. He'd grown to, somewhat, like the boy with the glowing, red eyes. He cared about and respected Rogue the way Logan believed a man should. He rounded the corner to see Rogue hooked up to a number of machines. He walked past her unwillingly, knowing he needed to speak to the Professor. He sat in his automatic wheelchair. He sat tall, straight, wrinkles lining his bald head. His hands were folded in his lap. Remy could hear the machines making a multitude of noises as he stepped into what was usually Beast's office.

"Please," he gestured, "take a seat. You'll need it."

He sat, "Please just tell me she's gonna be okay."

"She should be alright. Beast has her stable. She could have died," he gave Remy a stern look, "You'll need to be more careful."

"Careful about what," Remy looked at him, confused.

"Having sex," Professor said plainly, "Not that I want any of you having sex in the mansion but since none of you are stopping anyway I feel that I should allow it as long as the younger students are not being exposed to it."

Remy stared, "I'm not following you prof."

"She was pregnant Remy," Professor talked quietly, "The child's powers were increasing rapidly inside of her. If she hadn't gotten sick she would have died from being drained. When Rogue wakes up I'm going to ask if she wants to have surgery done. If this happens again she'll most likely die."

He ran his hand through his hair, his eyes wide with shock, "Pregnant? With my baby? Where is the baby now?"

Professor took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Remy. It was either Rogue or the baby, despite the power growth it was still extremely undeveloped. If we were to save the baby it would have killed Rogue, so we chose Rogue. I know we didn't ask you first but saving her was our first priority. I assumed you would have picked Rogue anyway. If I am wrong then I am truly sorry."

"Non," he shook his head, "I would have picked Rogue too. It's just weird thinking that I could have had a child."

"Destroying a life is hard but sometimes needed," Beast said thoughtfully from the door, "I'm extremely sorry for the loss Remy. But Rogue is stable and awake and is asking for you, if you'd like to see her that is."

He nodded, standing on shaky legs. His expression was blank. He felt a little light headed all the information was swimming in his head. A baby. She was having a baby, his baby. It was killing her. His baby was killing her. Was he killing her too? Is that what he did? Kill her? Make her suffer for something that will only bring her pain?

"Will you sit with me or are you just gonna stand there," her voice sounded so tired.

His face looked pain, "I should stay away from you Rogue. All I do is cause you hurt and bring you pain."

"No," she said weakly, "That's not true. Don't think that."

"Since I've been here you have been in this Med Lab three times," he said coldly, "My baby almost killed you. I'm no good for you. I can't be with you, not like this anyway."

"Remy please," she tried to stand, "Please don't say that. You haven't done anything wrong."

"Don't try to stand. You'll hurt yourself," he stayed in place at the door, fighting the urge to help her, "The professor is going to ask you if you want to have surgery. Says next time you get pregnant the child will most likely kill you."

She spoke hopefully, "Then I'll do that, then someday if we want children we can adopt. Then we can be like the parents we never had. See, everything will be okay."

He clenched his jaw, "That won't solve everything. You need to get that things don't always work. We tried. That's what counts. You can have anyone you want. There's a lot better out there then me."

"Remy," her eyes teared up, she tried to stand again, "don't say that. Je vous aime plus que tout Remy dans ce monde. You can't just leave, we just did your room. We have to go to Marti Gras and proms and the dance," she grabbed her stomach in pain as she stammered, "Plus you're an X-man now. Everyone would miss you. Your old comrades would kill you if you go back to Magneto's."

"Be still chere," he pleaded, "You're weak and hurt right now."

She ignored him, climbing out of bed, "You can't go. You have school and tests. I need you here. I want to be with you. I gave you my virginity, my everything. You can't just throw that all away," she winced and gripped the backboard, "Please Remy," she pleaded, becoming a little hysterical, "Please don't leave. Please…ahh."

He grabbed her as she fell, "Rogue, you can't get yourself worked up like that. You need to be still, no one wants you to be hurt more."

"Don't," she whispered, "please. I love you much Remy."

"I know you do," he brought her back to the hospital bed, "I just don't want to hurt you."

"The baby had my powers, not yours. That's why that happened," she held him desperately as he set her down, "That wasn't your fault."

"I'm sorry chere," he sighed, "I just, thinking about the baby. I got you pregnant because I wasn't careful and then you could have died because of it. It is my fault. I'm always the cause of you getting hurt lately."

"No," she insisted, "Please don't think that. Remy you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

He lay down next to her, burying his face in her strawberry scented hair. He draped his arm over her waist. She ran her right hand through his hair, her left hand rubbed his shoulder blade. Her embrace felt so weak, so tired. He looked up to see her smiling, her eyes closed. He kissed her neck, felling sleepy himself. They both sat up as the sound of a wheel chair approached. He stopped at the door.

"I want to have the surgery done," she spoke before he could, "I know there are risks and I know there are gonna be losses but I also know you wouldn't be asking unless it was the best thing for me."

"Are you sure," he asked.

"Yes," she answered, "I'm sure."

He nodded, "Alright. I'll have Hank schedule it for first thing tomorrow morning," then he left.

"You sure you want to do this," Remy asked, "You don't have to. I'll support whatever you want to do."

"Yes," she repeated, "I'm sure."