Usual disclaimer here…. I neither own X-Men characters nor make any money off this.

I feel as if I hit a milestone – Chapter 10! Thanks for the reviews….I'd never have made it to 10 chapters without them.

oxo

Remy lay on his bed, fully clothed, his head pillowed on his hands. His mind was whirling. His dark eyes were fixed on the ceiling. Just a few hours before, he and Rogue were sitting in that exact spot on the roof. Why was he so gun shy with her? Remy was never one to run from a woman's kiss. Especially if it were from a belle femme. And especially if that belle femme was Rogue. This time was different. If he didn't care, he would have risked the consequences and take the kiss that was so sweetly offered him. Now he was afraid to risk being hurt again. His heart was so broken when she left him. He didn't want to chance more hurt. "Face it, homme. Y'still love her." Remy closed his eyes briefly while he ran a hand over his face. Now that he admitted it to himself, what is the next step? Remy's heart is filled with conflicting feelings. Part of him wanted to go back to the X-Men with her, and begin a fresh start. Another part was loath to give up his life in New Orleans. "T'morrow, I'll run it by Sophie. Mebbe she be able t'help clear dis confused head o'mine," was Remy's last coherent thought before drifting off to sleep.

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"Well admitting to yourself that you love her is a step," Sophie remarked, squinting up at Remy. Sophie and Charlie decided to go to a nearby park for a picnic. The day turned out to be a beautifully sunny day with none of the typical New Orleans humidity. When Sophie invited Remy to come along, he couldn't think of a better way to spend his afternoon. He figured he could catch a nap since he had to work at Josephine's that night.

"Yeah, but what d' I do now?"

Remy was stretched out on his side idly plucking blades of grass. Sophie lounged next to him propped up on her elbows. Charlie was in between them alternating between chewing on his toys and blowing raspberries at them. "This sounds clichéd, but you really need to listen to your heart," Sophie said. "Ultimately, you have to decide what makes you the happiest."

"Dat's the tough part," Remy said. "I feel….settled here. Don' know if I c'n go t'rough more change. At de same time…."

"Can you move on without the love of your life?" Sophie asked as Remy's voice trailed off.

Remy grinned faintly at Sophie. "Dere's no chance y' c'n make my decision?"

Sophie shook her head. "Sorry, pal. This is a decision only Remy LeBeau can make."

"Lucky guy," Remy muttered, charging the blades just enough for the pieces of grass to harmlessly puff in smoke. Charlie squealed in delight, and Remy smiled at the child. He rolled over onto his back lifting the baby up so that Charlie was looking down at him. Remy began "bench pressing" Charlie, much to the child's amusement. Remy slowly lowered Charlie so that their foreheads were pressing against each other. "What d'ya t'ink, petit?" Remy's red-on-black eyes search Charlie's hazel ones. "Where should Uncle Remy go?"

Charlie's response was to reach his pudgy fingers to Remy's face. Remy loved the innocence of the child. There was never any fear or suspicion from the baby. Charlie regarded Remy's unusual eyes and ability to charge objects as nothing out of the ordinary.

"Charlie thinks Uncle Remy knows deep down where he should go," Sophie said. "Not to change the subject, but thanks so much for watching him the other day."

"Ain't no problem," Remy shrugged it off. "Was happy t'do 't." Sudden realization crossed his features, and Remy sat up, placing Charlie next to him. "Desole, chere," he began. "How did dat interview go?"

Sophie couldn't conceal a happy grin. "I got the job. Effective next Monday I will be the new creative director for Simone & McNamara."

"Dat's wonderful!" Remy leaned forward and kissed Sophie on both cheeks. "I knew y'd get de job."

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Several feet away, Rogue was clenching and unclenching her fists. She and Remy had such a wonderful time the night before, she wanted to stop by and see him again. Rogue arrived at Remy's house in time to see Remy duck into the woman's car. She followed them to the park. Remy, the woman and the child made such a beautifully cozy picture of family bliss. Especially watching how Remy played with the baby. Watching Remy in this familial tableau sent daggers through Rogue's heart. "No wonder why he wouldn't kiss meh…."

It looked like Remy and the other woman were having a rather intense conversation. "Why am Ah torturing mahself?" Rogue wondered. She couldn't bring herself to look away, much less turn around and leave. She saw Remy suddenly sit up as the woman told him something. Rogue was too far away to make out the conversation, but the glowing smile she was giving to Remy conveyed it was very happy news. She had barely closed her lips before Remy leaned forward and gave her several kisses. "Ah cain't take this!" Rogue thought. Her heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces. "First of all, Ah have ta stop stalkin' the man. Ah've seen Remy a coupla tahmes, an' he hasn't yet mentioned this family." Rogue chewed her bottom lip. "Ah'm gonna have to git down to the bottom of this…" With her decision made, Rogue stiffened her spine and started walking purposefully towards Remy and the family. "Ah'm not gonna make a scene…." Rogue vowed to herself as she approached.

A/N: It's a short one, I know. I've been away from this story for so long, it's taking me awhile to get back into this tale. This should hold you over till my next update, which will hopefully be soon!