August 09 – Big apology for all the spelling and grammar errors. That's life without a working spell check on your word program. Pfft. The all should be fixed now. Point out any if you see! Thanks!

Also made some uh...minor modifications hehe

Okay so Pennylane87 has been nagging me to write a sequel to this (lol luv ya penny!) SO a big thanks to her for inspiring this small sequel to 'Rain'

A/N: Set a while after 'Rain' occurred

-Gams

Disclaimer: Don't own X-Men, property of Marvel

Rating: M

-xXOXx-

Drying Tears

-xXOXx-

Rain water drizzled against the window panels at a relentless pace, obscuring the glass and the darkness outside. The day had rolled by in a miserable parade of clouds and rain and continued to march through the night. The Institute grounds stood lathered in rain and darkness. Flashes of lightning set the stone walls aglow for a flickering second or two before the night re-claimed them for its own. The giant trees outlining the grounds tossed and swayed with the anger of the wind. Their fingers scraped against the window panels as they twisted their long spines. The turmoil created the perfect disguise for the new figure on the scene. The darkness hid away the figure's tracks as he climbed over the stone walls while the howling wind silenced his movements. His lean, muscular stature allowed stealth no other could muster as he ventured across the institute grounds. The sensors and alarm systems couldn't detect his presence even after he had made it to the building and began to climb the lattice. A pair of red-on-black eyes glowed intently as the owner of these orbs stepped over the balcony rail and onto the small terrace he had climbed so many times before.

Meanwhile...

A sob- filled sigh escaped the young woman's lips as she pulled the white sheets tighter over her frame. Her shoulders trembled as she snuggled her head into the pillow. Red circles outlined her waking, emerald eyes as old tears dried against her cheeks. She buried herself deeper into the comfort of her large bed as she turned to face the pair of French doors. A heavy sigh streamed from her full lips when a pair of new tears trailed helplessly down her face.

It had been too long since he was last here.

Too long since she last heard his voice.

It had been unbearably too long since she felt his touch course heat waves through her very soul.

Rogue let another silent sob ripple through her body as new tears began to surface. She tucked her legs and arms into a foetus position and drew the sheets closer to her chest. It had been nearly eight months since he dropped into her life again that one rainy day in the alley. Despite her predicament, she found a small saddened smile tug at her lips. He had given her his coat to keep her dry and warm and it had even after she had returned it. He still kept her gloves though. He said it was a way of keeping her with him when she wasn't around. The very thought caused another smile and more tears as she dwindled further into their past. Their teams didn't know about their relationship. They didn't even know that they snuck out to see each let alone that when they came face to face on the battle field, he did everything within his power to keep her safe. At the most, all that they saw was a happier Rogue behind a secretive smile.

Or they used to until about a month ago.

Rogue wrapped her arms tighter around herself as if to stop herself from breaking in two. They had been together seven months. She had never known how good happiness or love could be until he appeared. He had gone out of his way to take down her defences but instead of him reaping the rewards, she was the rewarded one. He understood her better than anyone else. When she fell into despair about her mother or her abused childhood, he was there to dry her tears and kiss away her fears. Everything evil in the world seemed at rest in those moments of reassurance and comfort. Life had seemed perfect until the Thieves Guild tracked him down. Then came the misery and the harsh slap of misfortune. Or was it reality? She honestly couldn't be sure. She often scolded herself in thinking that something so perfect could last. Remy's father had made a deal with the rival guild called the Assassins Guild and to cement the alliance and ensure peace, he had offered for Remy to marry the head of the Assassin's daughter, Belladonna. She had never wanted to be so wrong about her instincts in all her life. When Remy stepped onto her balcony that forsaken night, the feeling of something wrong had gripped her heart with an iron fist. One look into those devastated red orbs had been enough of an incentive.

Rogue wiped away a new set of tears as the memory cut painfully into her chest. Like a blunt knife, it ached and tore at her heart but couldn't be pulled out. Blunt knife wounds hurt more when the knife was removed. She could no more pull a blunt knife from her heart than admit to herself that Remy was gone. Even though, deep down, she knew he was. He had promised her that he would refuse the match. He would take exile as their traditions demanded and leave his family and home behind just to be with her. But no matter what he promised or how determined he appeared to be, she knew better. Family and honour, even amongst thieves, was highly cherished. Remy had a streak of loyalty in him as pure as the white in her hair. And from the way Remy had always spoken of his family, she knew that he couldn't just give them up. She couldn't let him, not when it would cause him such pain to be away from them. Her heart didn't matter. If it broke, it broke. That was all there was to it...

Or so she told herself.

Remy called every day but she dared not pick up for fear of hearing him say those words she feared so much. To hear from his lips that he had to marry someone else was worse than realising it on her own. She preferred the state of denial she lived in than the cold slap of reality. However, after three weeks, their game of cat and mouse came to an abrupt end; he stopped calling her. Up until that point, she had not shed one tear. She cried herself to sleep nearly every night after the calls stopped.

Tonight was no different than any other night. She lay restless in her bed with new and old tears staining her cheeks while the miserable weather voiced her inner turmoil. It hadn't stopped raining since the phone calls stopped. She waited for the pull of sleep as the night dragged on however the night seemed to have other ideas. A gentle but definite tapping erupted from the French doors, causing her to sit up with a start of surprise. She faced the window with a bemused frown but with the moon out of sight and no lights turned on, it was difficult to see what was there. Finally, she brushed it off as just the rattle of the trees and lay down once more. Her eyes had just slipped closed when the same noise caught her ears. Disgruntled slightly, she slipped back to a seated position and turned her gaze back to the French doors. A flash of lightning caught the terrace, outlining an all too familiar figure behind the window panels.

Her mouth fell open slightly as her heart began to hammer against her chest.

She barely comprehended anything as she slipped from the bed. The rim of her white night gown brushed against her mid-thigh as she walked slowly towards the doors. Dazed with disbelief and hope, she reached out with trembling hands to unlock the doors. They flung open with the push of the wind, slamming against the door frames as the mesh curtains took flight. None of it mattered as he stepped into the room. Rain water dribbled down his beloved trench coat and gave a shiny glaze to his face. His hair, now long, was streaked with water while a five o'clock shadow covered his jaw. Gone was the goatee on his chin as was the charming smirk that she thought would never leave his face. Drops of water fell from his fringe like they had all those months ago in the alley. Her heart hammered mercilessly against her ribcage when she met his eyes. They still glowed like nothing else she had ever seen but there was emotion there that she couldn't name.

Reality came back with a shiver as her body trembled in the open cold. Wordlessly, he turned and closed the doors behind him. Her arms instinctively wrapped around her front as another shiver ran down her spine but it wasn't from the cold. His stare returned; his beautiful eyes bored into hers with such fever she wasn't quite sure whether it was a good or bad thing.

Remy reached out carefully. Though his fingers itched to just reach out and envelope her in his arms, he restrained himself to just cup her face between his hands. His thumbs ran gently over her cheeks. They were just as soft as before. He remembered often comparing them to the texture of a rose petal; soft and delicate. His heart began to race as he let his fingers trail through those beloved white streaks that framed her face. Her hair was curly still but longer. He wondered if she had kept it that way for him like he'd asked. He couldn't stand the thought of them being straightened when they suited her so well.

The feeling of his bare hands around her face was both torture and heaven. They had discovered that he was immune to her powers not long after they started dating. It had been by mere chance that they had found out. They had decided to meet at a park one day and somehow they had managed to start a game of chase and tackle. She had managed to tackle him to the ground and despite being careful; she also managed to brush her nose against his. It had been the briefest of touches but then her powers had only needed the briefest of touches to work. But they didn't. She had felt a small tingly feeling but no pain or flush of memories came afterwards. He was still conscious when she had pulled away in shocked. Instead of asking questions, he had wordlessly crawled up to her with a look of bewilderment across his handsome face. He removed her gloves and then his before reaching for her exposed hands.

The memory flashed across her mind as she raised one of her hands to rest against his jaw. The slight beard on his jaw bristled against her fingertips. It was an oddly gratifying feeling for her. Though he looked rugged and exhausted now, she secretly found the five o'clock shadow rather attractive. Not that she ever told him of course. It was his job to be the charming compliment giving one. Her trembling fingers grazed over his lips ever so slightly. They were warm and full and they made her remember how it felt to have them pressed against hers. It was pure heaven kissing Remy LeBeau. Not that she ever told him of course. She was the ego buster, not the ego booster.

The feel of her fingers against his lips sent pleasurable shivers down his spine that were both familiar and agonising. Aching, he reached out and let his left thumb brush over her lower lip. They were soft and supple, just waiting to be kissed as always. But he had to say something before he could go any further.

"Why didn't y' answer m' calls?"

A guilty look spread across her face causing every kind of fear and insecurity began to eat at his mind. Did she not want him anymore? Had she decided it was useless waiting for him and gone to someone else? Jealously and anger began to swell within him as thoughts of another man taking his place began to fester and infect his thoughts. However they were put to an end when her hand left his face. Her eyes glazed over with new tears as she whispered in a shattered voice.

"Ah thought ya wouldn't come back...ah didn't want to know if that was true or not. Ah couldn't..."

It was then he realised the dark circles around her eyes. The colour in her cheeks wasn't so beautiful anymore as it was a reminder of how many tears she had spilt. Invisible tear stains marred her face while her eyes remained glossy with unshed tears. He understood now why she didn't want to answer his calls but did it have to be at the cost of her own tears? The cost of his anxieties and doubts? If he hadn't been buried in Guild matters and getting out of his arranged marriage, he would have come a lot sooner. She looked exhausted, beautiful but exhausted and he had the sinking feeling that it was all his doing. All of it. A saddened sigh escaped his lips as he leant closer to her. One of his hands cupped her face once more while the other wrapped gently around her waist to pull her close. He made sure to keep her gaze as he whispered softly.

"Je suis desole ma coeur. I didn't meant t' take so long t' come back t' y'. Mais I am back. I'm not going anywhere." (I am sorry my heart)

Her eyes widened and blinked several times with disbelief. A soft frown of confusion spread across her face as she struggle to find words.

"But what about-? Your family-"

He silenced her with the press of a finger against her lips. A gentle smile spread across his lips for the first time in what felt like an age. He had no reason to smile until now, none at all until he was back with her in his arms. He replied gently with a hush.

"Shh...It's alright ma chére. It doesn't matter anymore. None of it does."

His thumb rubbed the side of her jaw in a reassuring gesture he knew worked on her. But she wasn't silenced yet. Her brow furrowed with confusion and worry as she replied.

"They exiled ya?"

He nodded mutely. Worry took command of her emotions as she replied.

"Why would ya- Remy they're your family. Ya love them, why would ya-"

"Isn't it obvious chére?"

His hands clasped around her wrists in firm holds as his eyes bore into her emerald pools. She stared up at him with disbelief for a few moments before he continued. His fingers ran reassuring circles into her wrists as he spoke.

"I don't care dat I'm in exile. D'accord, I will miss mon famille mais I can always call dem. Dey exiled moi as a precaution, not b'cause dey angry at moi f' refusing t' marry Belladonna. I'm a dead man if I step foot in N'Orleans again, chére. Exile was de best t'ing dat could have happened t' moi."

New tears washed down her cheeks as she looked away, avoiding his gaze. He hooked his index under her chin to draw her gaze back to meet his. When she didn't open her eyes, he asked her to. After a moment's hesitance, she opened those emerald pools. He could easily drown in them they were so deep and bright. He remained sincere and soft-toned as he spoke up again.

"I knew what I was doing when I defied de Peace Treaty, Rogue. And I'd do it a thousand times over if it meant I'd be able t' come back t' y'. So don't y' blame y' self for what I've done. I did dis on m' own. Y' jus' happened t' be de one I was doing it for."

A small smile spread across his lips in an effort to reassure her and reassure her it did. Ever so slowly, the guilt that swelled in her eyes was washed away with the fall of fresh tears. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips and that was all the incentive he needed to capture them in a gentle kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his hold around her waist tightened to bring her flush against him. It had been too long since they had been able to do this and it showed greatly as their kiss became more desperate and feverish. Rogue's knees caved in as the kiss deepened but he was quick to catch her and hold her steady. They backed away from the French doors as Remy scooped her up into his arms and made towards the bed. If she cared that he was soaked through, she didn't say anything as she slipped off his trench coat and reclaimed his neck with her hands. Her lips parted, allowing him full access with his tongue as he recaptured her lips. A low moan escaped her as she straddled him, her legs rested against his thighs as his hands trailed to the small of her back. A burning fire ignited between them as the storm continued to howl and rage outside. It remained unbeknownst as they began to disrobe each other. Remy's partly drenched shirt and sweater fell to the floor in a damp heap, followed by her night gown that was damp from being pressed against his soaked form. It hadn't been too long after discovering he was immune to her powers that their physical relationship blossomed. Remy almost chuckled inwardly at the memory of the days leading up to their first time. What an uncharacteristic, nervous wreck he had been. Being the virgin she was, in both love and human touch, he feared he might be pressuring her into agreeing to take their relationship to the next level. He had been completely blown away by her teasing remark when he suggested they give it more time. "Cajun, ah think its safe t' say we both think that's a load of bull. Now do ya want t' do this or not?" Her words had practically floored him.Now, there were absolutely no more barriers to come between them. Not her powers, not her team, not his family, not even the Guild; nothing. Both felt this was some kind of renewal of their relationship; a second chance against all odds.

A gentle sigh escaped her lips as he began to trail his mouth from her lips, to her jaw and all the way to the nape of her neck. Her breath hitched sharply when she felt his teeth graze her flesh, causing him to chuckle against her as his hands smoothed over her exposed waist. In return, Rogue pulled away from his lips. At his confused look, a wicked smirk played across her lips before she forcefully pushed him back onto the bed. A rough chuckle escaped him but it was quickly turned to a moan as she straddled him in just the right position. A Cheshire cat smile spread across her lips, the first in an age, as she purposefully grinded her hips against his in one smooth movement. A pained groan escaped him as his fingers instinctively clasped her hips in a firm grip. A pleasured shiver coursed through her skin at his actions, causing her to moan audibly. However she wasn't given the chance to think of a comeback as Remy swiftly pushed her onto her back. With a feather-soft touch, he brushed his finger tips over her skin in circular movements. As they trailed down her supple body, sighs of rapture erupted from her lips between gasps of his name. He lived for those gasps. Soon his fingers found their way to the hem of her white panties and hesitated. He caught her lustful glance before carefully pulling them down and off. Rogue shivered involuntarily at the action as her eyes fluttered closed. She had missed his touch more than she realised. Her skin burned and tingled pleasantly at his touch, causing her heart to pump and swell at a frenzied pace. However when his fingers reached the heat between her thighs, she was lost in euphoria. He made love to her with his fingers diligently, causing all kinds of emotions to bubble within her as he drank in her signs and moans. Finally, she sighed his name and released her tight hold on the bed sheets. She collapsed on the bed, sweaty and breathless as he crawled over her, planting soft kisses over her warm flesh. But that wasn't enough.

Once she regained her composure, Rogue pushed him onto his back and straddled him through his jeans. Ever so carefully, she unzipped them and pulled them off him. They landed with the rest of their clothes as she dipped her body against him in tease. A gruff moan escaped him as his hands clawed through her hair. Those soft tresses of white and auburn tumbled loosely over her shoulders as she lowered herself onto him, taking him inside her. It was at that moment he lost all control over his actions. He pushed her onto her back once more and began to slowly pump against her. She kissed his neck and whispered every declaration of love and encouragement he needed as he fastened his pace and met her thrusts. He came in a blur, followed shortly by her as he collapsed against her. His head rested against her exposed breast as he tried to retain a normal breathing pattern. Her heart hammered in time with his as she tried to do the same. It was a short while before her exhausted, gentle voice caught his ears.

"Don't ever leave meh again..."

He raised his head to catch her staring back at him. She practically glowed with love in her eyes but there was a neediness there that called to him like nothing else in this world. The only thing he could compare it to was his own need for her. Without her, what did he have? He captured her lips in a gentle, tender kiss before replying.

"I'm yours chére. I'm not going anywhere."

Spent and finally at peace, they pulled apart some minutes later only for her to snuggle under his chin and rest her head against his chest. His arms wrapped almost possessively over her waist as he closed his eyes. He wouldn't leave her again.

PHEW! How was that? REVIEW!

-Gams