Disclamer: just check on one of my previous chapters. I don't have the will to write it again and again and again.

A/N – I'm slowly reaching the end of this fic. I planned a few more chapters, 5 max, so it shouldn't be longer than 15 chapters. More apperances of Apocalypse in these chapters… :)

animeangel404 – Thanks so much for the compliment! I hope you find the rest of the story as interesting. :)

enchantedlight – Ah, my faithful reviewer…You reviewed every chapter if I'm not mistaken. Thank you!

irisheyesrsmiling – Oh and there will be drama on this little dinner party…I swear this looks more and more like some soap opera…:) Thanks for reviewing!

Mystical Sand – Well, Wolverine won't be too happy, I can assure you. :) And I like Jean-Luc. I think he's okay. A little sleazy but okay. And he's on Remy's side no matter what.

RemysRogue – Well, only the best for our unknown villain…:) I hope you keep reading too…:D

likewise – Keep reading and you'll find out…:) Thanks for reviewing!

Anyway, this chapter really needs a song so I'm gonna put in a few lyrics. Not a whole song, just a few lyrics. So sue me…

And just a little note. Cody doesn't know that Gambit's real name is Remy. And Scott and Jean are married.

"talking"

'thinking'

--flashbacks--

song lyrics

CHAPTER 10:

AFTER ALL THAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH

Rogue sat in her room, knees curled up to her chest, loud music playing from her computer. It was almost dinner time, but she wasn't ready yet. Storm already asked her for a million times since this morning does she mind that she invited Remy, but she denied it. She didn't want to show her weaknesses by allowing the others to see she still cares. It's better if she just pretends that she doesn't. But it still hurts the same. Even though she was so used to that pain she could barely feel it anymore. If she didn't talk and breathe, she would already consider herself dead. But today…today she finally felt alive again. It seemed like her heart started beating again the second she reckognised his voice, the moment she saw him again. She was interrupted from her thoughts by a soft knock on the door.

"Come in!"

"Rogue." Came Storm's gentle voice from the other side of the room. "Child, I do not want to force you to have dinner with Remy. You don't have to come down if you don't want to. And I am again sorry if my invitation disturbed you, but I …"

"No, Storm, don't worry. Ah'll be fine. Heck, he's been away foh months now, Ah'm waaay over him. Ah'll be ready in a minute." She gave her a reassuring smile and stood up to pick out some clothes

"If you say so, Rogue. But if you don't want to see him again, you can always join Logan. I barely convinced him not to make a scene so he said he should better avoid Gambit from 'safety reasons'."

Rogue chuckeled lightly trying to picture Logan's furious face when Storm told him Remy's coming to dinner.

"Is this some kind of a formal dinner? Ah mean, should Ah wear somethin' fancy?"

"No, not at all. Just some regular clothes."

"Oh, okay. Ah'll be down in a sec." She smiled again and went past Storm into the bathroom to put on some make-up

Storm smiled to her young friend and headed slowly downstairs, a strange feeling taking over her. A feeling this dinner party will be anyting except pleasant and peaceful.

"Why did y'accept de invitation, papa?" Remy whispered to Jean-Luc while the taxi headed slowly towards the mansion. Bella and her father were in the other cab while Remy shared one with his father and Tante Mattie.

"I t'ought y'd like to see y'r friends 'gain."

"That's not de point! 'M afraid Bella's gonna do somet'in'. Y'know how jealous she is."

"Does she have a reason t'be jealous Remy?"

Remy just bowed his head. Jean-Luc didn't know anything about Rogue. Bella was the only one who knew who is he really in love with.

"Y'never told me what was in dat letter I brought y'. What did Belle write to make y'come back an'marry her?"

"It wasn' de letter. I…realized Bella was de femme fo me." He lied. It wasn't necessary for his father to know how Bella threathened to kill his family and friends. She did make a loof false threaths, but this time he somehow belived her. Especially when she mentioned a really powerful mutant very much eager to destroy Rogue. He couldn't risk that.

Jean-Luc just looked at his son but didn't say anything. He shared a worried look with Tante Mattie. The taxi soon stopped in the driveway in front of the giant mansion in Westchester. The professor was already out to greet them, Jean by his side.

"I am so glad to see you again, Gambit." He smiled warmly to his former student. "And to meet your friends, of course."

"It's good to have you back. I never thought I'd say this, but we kind of missed you." Jean hugged him, a broad smile on her face.

"Good to see y'too Jeannie. But don' let Cyke hear y'. Y'r husband might get jealous." He replied with his trademark grin spreaded across his face. But both telepaths noticed the worried look in his eyes that were once so full of life.

They all headed inside, but Bella pulled Remy on the side and whispered spitefuly in his ear.

"I don' like de way y'act."

"They're m'friends Belle. Don' do anyt'ing stupid!"

"I won'. Unless y'act stupid."

They followed the others inside and went into large dining room. Almost everyone was there. Jubilee leapt instantly to hug her second favourite man of the team and Remy flashed her one of his famous charming grins which made the girl giggle. Remy greeted the others as well.

They were all here. Well almost all. Scott shook his hand again, Hank even hugged him. Storm hugged him again, Jubilee was thrilled, Jean made a polite conversation with his companions, even Cody came to greet them which made his blood boil again. This meant he lived here as well. Wolverine and Rogue were the only ones absent. Logan appeared soon, an angry look on his face.

"Well, well. Look who do we have here. I belive ya said you're not comin' back, Gumbo."

" 'M not Wolverine. We're here jus' fo buisness."

"Oooooooh. Than I guess y're leavin soon."

"Oui."

Wolverine sent him a nasty look but tried to calm himself. He knew he was over reacting and he promised Storm he won't make a scene, but his temper flared when he remembered how this Cajun hurted his little girl. What was it with him and his effect on women. Rogue was madly in love with him, even Jubilee hed a crush on him for a while, Storm saw him almost as a brother,…Everyone he cared about adored him. Even he started to like him. But than he had to leave and screw everything up. Anyway, Logan would never admit it, but he even considered him sort of a friend. He was still furious when a voice from the top of the stairs cooled both him and Gambit down.

"Hold your horses, Logan. That's no way ta treat a guest, or is it?" Rogue fixed her bright green eyes on Gambit. She came slowly down the stairs dressed in the pants she bought this morning and a bright red top with a yellow butterfly on the side. Remy almost smiled remembering how much she likes butterflies. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she held out her hand to shake Remy's. "Good evening." Was all she said to him. He smiled at her, but she didn't smile back. Her glossy lips held a serious line and her smokey eyes narrowed a bit. Her hair was up in a loose bun. She didn't save her strength and Remy noticed she was just an inch from breaking his hand. He could almost hear his bones crack when she finally loosened her hold and brushed her other hand over Wolverine's shoulder whispering silently into his ear. "Don't make this even harder than it is to meh. Please."

When she past Remy by he could sense that her hair held that same smell as always. A mixture of strawberries and coconut. It drived him mad. She greeted the other guests as well, but this time she smiled. A genuine smile played on her full lips as she greeted Jean-Luc. He seemed very nice and she didn't want to be rude to him as well as to Tante Mattie. She didn't know how to treat Marius Bordeux so she just smiled and nodded politely. When it came to Bella, she gave her a fake smile that didn't reach her eyes. Bella didn't smile back. She just shot her another killing glare.

'Well,at least Ah tried.' Rogue thought losing the fake smile and turning to talk with Jubilee. 'Ah just gotta get through this evenin'

Storm held a worried gaze when Logan first approached Remy. He didn't look too content by seeing him again. Her heart started pounding faster out of nervousness when she saw Rogue coming down the stairs. She just hoped this dinner isn't going to turn in a fiasco. Her breathing calmed a bit when she noticed Rogue's reserved, but polite behaviour. She seemed perfectly calm. But Storm knew her long enough to see through the mask. Soon she turned to talk to Jubilee and Logan dissapeared somewhere again. Remy seemed to have a really pleasant conversation with Hank and Jean was still occupied with showing the mansion to the other guests. Everything seemed fine. Tempers were in control. At least for now.

The professor invited them to the dining room soon, and a wonderful meal was served. They had their drinks, a pleasant conversation was held…but something had to go wrong.

"Excuse meh!" Cody tried to draw everyone's attention tapping on a glass with a spoon. All heads turned to him and his part of the table. "Ah…Ah wish to make an announcement."

The talking stopped and he continued. He turned to Rogue who sat next to him and was just in the middle of an interesting discussion with Jubilee and she looked at him confused. He took her hand and started talking.

"Sugah, ya know how much Ah love ya." Rogue's eyes widened in confusion, but she nodded. Remy's teeth gritted and he quickly stuffed his mouth with bread to stop himself from saying some smartass remark. Cody continued…

"Ah've been thinkin' a lot about this. At first Ah thought Ah wasn't ready yet, but the more time Ah spent with ya, the more Ah realized that you are the woman of mah life! That is why Ah want to take our relationship to a next level. Rogue, honey, will ya marry meh?" he opened his other hand and revealed a little velvet box. He opened it and there was a pretty golden ring with a huge white stone in the middle. Jubilee gasped and covered her mouth and Logan let an undefined sound, but it sounded a bit threatening. Remy almost choked on his soup and started coughing violently but his gaze remained fixed on Rogue. He was waiting for her response. Everyone were. All eyes were on her, awaiting for her response. The whole dining room was silent. Rogue looked shocked. She stared at the ring for a few seconds and than turned to look at the other side of the table. Her eyes met Remy's and she blinked in confusion, quickly looking down. She still felt his gaze on her, though.

"So? Do ya accept?"

"Cody…Ah…We need ta talk!" she stood up abruptly and motioned for him to follow her. They exited the room and she spun around in the hallway to face him.

"Cody, Ah think Ah made it clear foh ya that Ah'm not ready foh a serious relationship raght now! Ah thought you agreed we take things slow."

"Ah know, sugah, but…we don't need to get married soon. The wedding can be later, Ah…"

"Cody, don't. Please. Ah'm not ready yet…"

"Rogue." He approached her and tried to touch her face, but she jerked away. "Ya don't hafta understand this as an engagement ring. Take it as a promise ring. A promise that Ah'll nevah leave you."

She looked up at him, her bright green eyes not giving away that strong, independent look anymore. "Ah…Ah don't know, Cody. Ah don't want to fool ya. Ah'm not sure if Ah'll even want to marry…" 'You. Not sure if Ah want to marry you.' She thought and looked away again.

"Just take the ring." He took her hand again and slipped the ring on her finger. "We can talk more about it later"

She was serious again when they came back to the table. Remy's eyes narrowed as he noticed the ring on her finger. She just sat without a word and continued with her meal. No one asked her anything and she was thankful for that. On the other hand, Cody looked really satisfied with himslef. But someone else looked satisfied. Bella smiled for the first time since they came into the mansion.

'So dis Cody likes de witch too. Dat be a good t'ing.'

The dinner soon went on. Conversations took places again, but this time a few people remained silent. Remy seemed furious. He didn't talk with his most charming smile plastered across his face anymore. Instead all of his answers were as short as possible. He just concentrated on the food. But he still threw an occasional glare in Rogue's direction. She was completley silent, though. She didn't even lift her eyes off her plate. She would answer one of Jubilee's questions here and there, but nothing more. Her face held a confused expression. She really didn't know what to do.

'Ya really did it this time, gal. Ah don't know what to do! Ah don't wanna hurt Cody's feelings, but Ah can't marry him! Not when Ah still love Remy. Gawd, if he'd just remained in New Orleans! Things would have been much easier…'

Jubilee was talking about something, but she wasn't paying much attention to that. Someone turned on a radio before, but she didn't notice it untill now. The song playing caught her attention…It was so hard not to think about the lyrics.

It's hard to remember how it felt before,

Now I've found the love of my life…

'Yeah, right. You were the love of mah fuckin' life, Remy.'

…And after all the obstacles

It's good to see you now with someone else…

'But it still hurts like hell ta see ya with that fake blonde over there'

…And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends

After all that we've been through I know we're cool…

'Ah wish we could be friends Rem, but Ah just can't forget and forgive. At least not yet. Ah wish Ah could just marry Cody and be happy with him ,but Ah can't!'

…We used to think it was impossible

Now you'll call me by my new last name…

'It still seemes impossible ta meh. But maybe Ah'll hafta get used to the name Belladonna LeBeau soon.'

…Memories seem like so long ago

Time always kills the pain…

'It's been months since we broke up. Why does it still hurt the same than?'

She tried to shut herself out, but it was so damn hard!

…And I'll be happy for you

If you can be happy for me

Circles and triangles and now we're hangin' out with your new girlfriend…

'And Ah would be happy foh ya. Ah know we both suffered because of mah powers, but why did it have ta be Bella? And why did ya hafta repeat that ya still love meh when you were leavin'? It would have been much easier if ya just said you hate meh. Maybe than it would be easier to get over you…'

She felt tears well up in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry over him anymore. That no one will see her tears anymore. In this time of her mental weakness, she heard him again.

'You will never escape me! We shall soon be together, my angel.'

Than that wave of excrutiating pain trough her head again. She dropped the glass she was holding to grab her head with both hands. She closed her eyes firmly and tried to moan in pain, but she ran out of breath. She could hear a faint sound of her glass breaking, than voices yelling her name, but it was all so distant. The only sound audible enough was that horrible laughter in her mind.

"…and that's why Jack is definetly better than Sawyer… Rogue? Are you even listening to me?" the young asian girl yelled insulted to her friend. Than the glass broke and everyone looked in their direction. "Rogue? Oh my gosh, what's wrong?"

Logan stood up and made his way towards her already, pushing Cody out of his seat. Storm stood up as well. Remy dropped his fork and made a move as he will stand up as well, but Bella's hand on his knee and a dangerous look in her eyes stopped him. But his eyes still remained fixed on the Southern Belle who held her head in her hands in pain.

"Rogue? C'mon, darlin', say somethin' to me." Logan tried to help her, looking towards the professor who came by Rogue's side too.

Soon she opened her eyes, still feeling a bit woozy. The pain stopped, but the memory of that evil voice, voice of Apocalypse, still remained fresh in her mind. She looked up at Wolverine and smiled weakly at him.

"Ah'm fahne." She whispered, than continued louder. "It was just a headache. Ah'm sorry Ah interrupted you in yoah meal."

Everyone calmed down a bit, but still continued to watch her worriedly.

"I suggest we all take a little break before dessert." The professor propoused and everyone accepted. Rogue still remained seating, staring in her half-empty plate. The professor escorted the remaining people out of the dining room and came next to her.

"Was it Apocalypse again, Rogue?"

She nodded. Charles continued.

"This was the first time you heard him after the…incident?"

Rogue nodded again and finally spoke.

"Ah kind of hoped that was all a sick joke. That Ah'll nevah hafta hear his voice in mah head again. Ah'm scared, professor. Ah've nevah been so scared before."

"I know, Rogue." Charled put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But you are not alone in this. All of the X-Men want all the best for you. They would be happy to help you."

"Please don't tell anyone yet. Please, professor." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes again.

"I will keep my promise, Rogue, but please take care of yourself." He answered and exited the room. She followed close behind, but stayed away of everyone. She didn't want anyone to ask her is she okay or what happened. She just wanted to be alone. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.

"You 'kay, chere? Y'got Remy worried." Came the voice from behind her. She quickly blinked to chase the tears away before turning to face him.

"I'm fine. I said it was just a headache." She talked in her formal voice again. He hated it. There was a moment of silence between them before he spoke again.

"So y're marring dat Cody?" he said bitterly, pointing at the ring on her left hand.

"What do you care. You're the one who left to marry Miss Short, Blonde and Bitchy over there."

"Rogue, chere, please try t'understand…"

"You don't have to justify to me. We are not together anymore. You have the right to marry whoever you want and so have I. If you'll excuse me now, I'm going to my room. I don't feel so good. And Ah think your bleeched girlfriend is waitin' for you." Her accent was slipping, as always when she got upset. She spun on her heal and calmly walked away from him. She didn't stop untill she reached her room. She locked the door behind her and flew out through the window. Flying always helped her clear her mind.

Remy just remained standing there untill the professor invited them to dessert again.

'I have t'find a way t'stop this nonsense wit' Belle. But how? I can' allow her to hurt Rogue.' He sighed and sat at the table again, hoping he will find a way to reason Belle a bit.

A/N – The content of the mysterious letter, Apocalypse makes new apperance, Rogue and Remy have a few more encounters, all that and more in the new chapter of Truly Madly Deeply! So tune in somewhere at the end of next week for more of your favourite characters:)

Love ya all, rogueishLeia

Song: Gwen Stefani – Cool, but not the whole song. Just a few lyrics.