Part Eight: Awakening
After Jean's attempt to awaken Rogue failed, Professor Xavier tried twice more. Each time he was presented with a barrier that hadn't been there before.
Remy and Reñe spent a few hours of each day with Rogue. Sometimes the little boy just slept on her chest. Other times he would read or tell stories to mother and son. After a week or so Hank noticed that her brain waves were more active during Remy's visits.
She rolled her eyes when Anna sighed and hugged herself. "What?"
"Ah want to hold him. Just once...because soon ah won't be able to."
"What are you-"
"It's taking an enormous amount of energy to keep us both alive. Soon we'll both start fading. Ah want to hold Reñe just once, then you can absorb me."
"Then you'd be gone. Are you really okay with that?"
Anna stood and held out her hand. "Somewhere in your mind, in your heart, you love them because ah do. Ah'll be fine as long as you give this a chance." Rogue nodded. "Ah'm gonna turn on our power; watch."
Reñe was dozing in his father's lap. However, his ruby eyes snapped open when he saw his mother rise from the bed. The two-month-old made whining sounds to get his father to look. "What now, Reñe?" Remy took in a sharp breath when his eyes met hers. "Chere?"
"It's me, Remy."
"What happened? Why're there still two of you?"
"So ah can say goodbye." She gingerly took her son and held him close. "We can't go on like this. It was selfish of me to try an' start a life with you when ah knew…"
"Anna, you don't hafta-"
She cut him off with a kiss as she slipped Reñe into his arms. "This is the only way. Just give her some time." Anna smiled and stepped towards the bed. She grabbed her wrist and Anna slowly faded away. The baby began to wail as alarms began blaring.
Rogue remained under observation for another day before she was allowed to return to her room. When she returned after a long shower she was shocked to see the changes. "What the hell?"
"Sh, Reñe jus' settled down."
"Why're you here, cajun?"
"The professor thought it'd be best for us ta take care o' Reñe together. 'Sides, he was able ta get used ta you through your things. He loves your pillow."
She made a disgusted sound and slipped into the closet to change. *How can he be so calm? Ah don't even know if ah'm gonna like this kid!* Rogue quickly dressed in a sweatsuit before she heard in the back of her mind, *Give it a chance.*
Rogue sighed as she pushed open the door. "Alright Remy. What are we doing here?"
Four months later…
Reñe was a round and happy baby who was greatly enjoying his star status. Each student had been required to take the three week childcare course under Ororo and Logan's instruction. Often Remy would be keeping an eye on the boy during the evening lesson, allowing Rogue to do her homework in peace.
Tonight, however, was different. There was no class and Rogue was left with Reñe's care. When Remy returned from his errands he witnessed a pleasant sight. Though she was hard at work with her studies she had the baby nursing on her chest.
He let out a soft chuckle. *Beautiful.*
"Ah hear ya back there thinkin' sick thoughts." She adjusted herself and handed the boy to his father. "Why'd ah need ta feed him so early? Ah ain't goin' anywhere."
"Better not, chere," he said. "Reñe gonna stay wit' your brother tonight so-"
"We can talk with him here. There's no reason to get Kurt involved."
"Already done. Finish up and I'll be right back."
"Fine." Rogue finished the last of her work, cleaned off her desk, and changed into her pjs. It wasn't long before she was dozing on her bed.
When Remy returned he locked the door and began setting things up. Once the candles were lit he gently kissed her forehead. "Chere?"
"Reñe need changing?"
"No, it's just us tonight." She pushed him away as she sat up. "Ain't trying anything funny."
Rogue arched an eyebrow. "Really? What're all the candles for then?"
"I thought we could talk and enjoy a late anniversary thing."
"Ah ain't sleepin' with you again, so forget-"
"That's not what this is. Don't you remember our honeymoon at all?"
She shook her head. Though most of the memories were integrated into her mind, but the wedding and honeymoon weren't there. "No."
"How 'bout our first time?" Rogue blushed profusely. "Then you know our time wasn't just sex. Can we try?"
"Fine."
"Why'd ah agree ta this?" she asked half an hour later. "How're you so warm?"
"Must be you, chere." He laughed. "'Sides, it's just the way I've always been...like a side effect."
"Huh...does it feel weird for you?"
"Non." Remy held her tighter. "Yours hurts you don't it?"
"Yeah."
"Really bad?"
"Sometimes."
He moved so he was facing her. "No one's ever asked, have dey? Just get scared of the way it makes dem feel and never think about-"
"It's alright. Ah'm used to it."
Remy kissed her forehead. "That's a shame. No wonder."
"Don't pity me, cajun. Ah'm not a little kid."
"Okay, chere." He ran a hand down her back, brushing her butt and earning him a punch in the stomach. "Now, that wasn't nice."
"Ah said no funny business." Rogue turned away from him.
"Don't do that, Anna."
"Ah didn't say you could call me that! Now get off me!" She tried to push him off the bed, but Remy pinned her down on her back. "Ah'm warning you, swamp rat, ah will drain you if you don't let me go!"
"Go ahead, Anna. That don't scare me." He locked eyes with her and laced their fingers together. "You wanna know what I intend ta do, then just do it. Talking ain't getting us nowhere."
"Ah got enough of you in me for a lifetime."
Remy leaned in so his lips were close to her ear. "When you gonna realize making war ain't as fun as making love?" A shiver ran through her body and she went slack. "Chere?"
"Ah don't wanna fight. Ah'm just so tired."
Remy moved off the bed and sighed. "It's exhausting trying ta be what others want. Reñe and I need you...whether we together or not."
"Ah need time, Remy. Ah'm still trying to reconcile living a double life and having a baby." She reached out, gently taking his hand. "Ah guess ah like you well enough. Besides, ah was impressed you didn't name him your junior."
"The way you say my name ain't appropriate for a boy."
"You are incorrigible. Good night Remy."
"Night Rogue."
Author's note: This story kinda got away with me so I had to divide it. The rest is coming soon.
