Chapter Nine

Remy wasn't too surprised to see the Professor waiting for him when he opened the door to his room.

"Good to see you, Sir."

"It's good to see you too Remy. I need to talk to you before you meet up with Anne and her girl."

"I'm not here to cause trouble sir, but I've already been gone long enough. I think I've had enough of being punished, think I've finally paid enough for my crimes."

"It's not that at all, Remy. It's Rogue." The Professor really didn't want to have to tell Remy about Rogue but he just couldn't let the boy blindly walk into her wedding either.

The Professor care about all of his students, but he truly loved all his X-men as if they were his own children. He did want to see any of them hurt and he definitely didn't want to be the one causing the pain.

"Don't worry none. I don't plan on goin' near her if she don't want it. I'll be nice and I'll behave. I'm tryin' to move on."

"Yes, you are and that's good to hear. But the thing is Remy, she's already moved on."

Remy looked at him with sad eyes. "Dis her weddin', ain't it?"

"Yes." Charles felt his pain, even if he wasn't let it show on the outside. Remy's heart had just broken all over again, though he'd never tell a soul. Deep down he had still had hope for Rogue.

"Anyone I know?"

"No."

"Well I'm glad she found a man. She deserves happiness." Remy meant this with all his heart and then some. "It might get a little interestin' tonight though. I brought myself back a girl."

"Anne."

"Belle. I call her Belle. It really ruffles her feathers you know?"

"She has always hated that name."

"Your not surprised, sir?"

"I had actually hoped this was the case since I spoke with her earlier tonight. I care for all of you and would like to see all for you happy. Anne is a special lady."

"I know. I've known her sense before I joined you with you. Back then she was the reason I stopped. She showed me I was worth saving."

"She lead me to you, Remy. She knew you were saving. She knew you had done wrong and told me so. Of course, she never saw the things I did in your head. But Remy you have always been worth saving."

"Not always."

"Yes, always. You did want you had to do to save yourself and others. You never meant for anyone to be hurt. That was your whole point of doing it all. You were betrayed as much as anyone else. And most of what happened in Antarctica was really my fault. I should never have let you keep that secret for that long. I should have known better."

"Hey, Professor, let's just stop this right here. We both got better things to do and the past can just stay in the past were it belongs. Besides there's a pretty lady out there that's bound to be waitin' on me real soon."

Charles smiled a Remy then; perhaps he had worried over nothing. "You're right. There's nothing like a wedding for a fresh start."

Then Charles left him to change. He needed to hurry and find Belle, there was suddenly and emptiness in his heart and he thought she'd be the one to fill it.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

There that's the best she could look on short notice. 'Time to go find Remy,' thought Anne.

She went to the door and listen hard. She couldn't hear anyone so she slipped in the hallway. Rebel's telepathic abilities had always been short range, but powerful if the person was close enough. The last few years she had to actually be touching the person. She her ability was fading. She had known for a long time about the possibility. It could happen to any of her abilities; after all they were only borrowed.

But right now she was just lucky that she was trained to be quick and quite. As she made her way to the back stairway she couldn't help herself. She had to know if her old room was still the same.

As she reached for the doorknob a hand wrapped around hers. Anne stifled a scream and mentally pushed out her force field. Filling the hall with a bright blue light. She turned around just in time to see Remy slam into the opposite wall.

"You shouldn't grab me like that. I had no idea it was you. I could have really hurt you. And to think you're an X-man. Really I thought Xavier would have taught you better."

"Alright, already. I didn't know you could do that. I was just trying to save you. That's Wolverine's room and he don't like uninvited quest."

"Thanks, Remy. The thought that someone else might have my room now never crossed my mind. So what were you doing lurking about?"

"This," he said pointing over his shoulder, "is my room."

A huge smile broke out on his face, "You look awesome, chere."

Anne was wearing a black satin, halter dress without a back. If the back had been cut any lower her panties would show.

"Thank you," Anne said lacing her arms around Remy's neck, "You don't look bad yourself. You know tall, dark, and handsome suits you. You should wear a tux more often."

"Belle, mi amour, if this thing excites you dis much I'll wear one every day," replied Remy with a grin.

"Keep that up, Cajun, and we won't make it to the wedding." Anne couldn't help it, she was a hopeless flirt.

She grinned wickedly and then kissed him. This kiss was hot and furious, nothing like the slow sweet first kiss they had shared the night before. Caught up in their own world, tasting and touching, neither saw the Professor come around the corner.

Xavier cleared his throat, "You two might want to come down to the courtyard. The ceremony is about to begin. You'll want to get a seat."

Charles started back down the hall. "Are you coming?"

"Yes, sir. Of course. I just thought we might wait until it had started and sneak in quietly," said Anne.

"Fine, my dear. But do hurry. If you show up too late you may yet draw attention to yourselves."

The Professor continued ahead of them. They followed continuing their conversation.

"Where is Becca?" asked Remy.

"She is helping out a new friend. I believe you know her."

"Who?"

"Jubilee."

"What?" Remy was a little surprised.

"We meet her on our way upstairs. She let us use her room."

"So that's where you went."

"Yes. You see the flower girl couldn't make it so Becca is filling in."

"Really, do you think that was smart?"

"Becca is a good girl she'll do fine."

"Thought you didn't want to draw any attention to us."

"No one knows who she is, so she'll be fine."

"What about Jean?"

Anne looked him straight in the eye, "Becca has her talents and Jean would never push a child."

"Talents?"

"Yes. She is developing early, so I've been teaching her to block her thoughts. It is an important skill for a mutant."

"I know, but how is that possible?"

"I developed early."

"You did?"

"Yes. Wait up." Anne said holding out her hand.

They were at the bottom of the stairs. She could here voices. She and Remy quietly waited until the voices had drifted on out of range.

They quietly slipped through a side door and out on the edge of the courtyard. It was beautiful. White flowers of all varieties everywhere, even in the fountain. Thousands and thousands of candles were the only source of light. It was truly amazing and romantic. Anne held Remy's hand and they waited.