Disclaimer: In the time it took to update, I've taken over the universe and bought out Marvel. Romy is now in my clutches and they can never be messed up again! …Oh what a brilliant dream…on a side note, I never will own anything…I don't own X-Men Evo, Marvel does. I don't own 'Pieces' by Sum41, they do. (Cone rocks!) I don't own 'Are You Sad?' by Our Lady Peace, they do. (Raine Maida is hot…even though he's married to Chantal Kreviazuk with two kids…)
Author's Notes: Gosh, I'm so inspired by all of you guys' reviews. I loved them for this chapter…I really did. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the Romyness. It was really such a joy to write it. I somehow really loved writing tortured Romyness. It's so fun. But wow, my schedule totally blows right now because of all the IB subjects I'm taking…I'm such a nerd…but anyway…it kinda reduces my writing, reading and reviewing time…but I'll scrape by. Although, come next semester, I'll have Bio IB, Social IB, Chemistry and Math…so it'll be a bitching course load and my time will be even more reduced. However, never fear, next term, I get a full spare. Again, I'll try my best to churn out something at least once, if not twice a month.
I'm sure you all are fawning and quite happy at how things are going in the Romy relationship…but be aware that I like twists and turns…and this is one of them…remember…I've been giving clues for awhile…'Pieces' by Sum41. However, remember no matter how terribly I mess them up, I am a BIG ROMY FAN! So although there'll be suffering for them, know that eventually it'll all work out. I'm not evil like that. Although, I'm not saying how far eventually is…just remember that this fic is planned for the long haul…There's so much I wanna write for this fic…it's gonna be one of those long epic ones…I really love fics with a tad of romance, drama, action, adventure, and maybe a hint of sci-fi, mystery and supernatural elements. So I think my writing in this fic and URX will showcase that. URX WILL BE UPDATED WHEN THIS CHAPTER IS DONE! …well, this and the next…there is another split…I realized it was WAY too long, again…but it will have the 'Pieces' inspired bits…some anyway. As you can see, my one chapter idea…always ends up too long with all the detail I inflate into it…so Stargazer will definitely be the last bit of Valentines stuff. Yeah…Cracks was supposed to have all of this in it…but ended up being a four chapter arc…LOL…then I really WILL get to URX…I've neglected it for so long…poor baby.
So sit back and prepare to load up on some good old fashioned Romy angst. More Pieces inspired angst next chap. The next chap is really what the song inspired me to write and is what I've wanted to do forever, that and my 'Are You Sad?' scene. One of the reasons this fic exists is probably because of that Our Lady Peace song.
Shout Outs:
CatF: I always look forward to your reviews because they're just so sweet and inspiring, brimming with enthusiasm. LOL…you just love to be special, huh? Romy is so what is making money for fanfictiondotnet…did I mention I can't stand nonRomys, I mean, sure, I'll read some to check to see if they're good or not, but more times than not, the nonRomys just aren't fics I really want to read and it's so hard to find good Romys. Strange how I know exactly what you're thinking…You know…I find it so much easier to blame outside sources for all of Remy's troubles so that his life without them really does seem a lot better. I mean Thieves Guild with the tithe…BLAME CANDRA! I really like it when Jean Luc and Remy get along and what not…so it was a very nice solution. That later evolved into BLAME GENEVIEVE! One Saturday afternoon, when I was typing up the third chapter months and months ago…I heart Emil too, he's like the Guild equivalent of John, in my opinion…so Emil and Lapin are just John extensions…and I suppose that's why Remy and John are friends…I think you really realize that Emil is a John extension in TRtF with Emil freaking out because of Wanda…I think I'll do a scene with John, Emil and Lapin…it'd be so insane and one for the ages.
If we were in Bayville, we'd so be mutant lovers and fawn over Remy for hours, start and fanclub and hassle Rogue until they got together. Torpid is cute…that's why you always make the evil villain hurt the cute kid…it makes them more evil and makes you hate them more…you hurt a little kid, how could you! The gas has to be green because it's one of those evil villain things like hideouts in the desert! You made that comment in URX…it's just one of those things…to make them more evil…because God knows nothing says evil like green gas and desert hideouts…oohhh…I'm gonna plan world domination while all my evil minions die from heat stroke…I'm so glad that you love my Romy paragraphs…I think I'm getting the hang of them…most of it is how I feel about Remy, Rogue and them together…and their opinions on the matter from psychoanalyzing the characters. It always sucks that they're so perfect for each other…but they don't think it'd work out, so they just hang in this limbo of friends and love and that's the brilliance of Romy.
I had to make them free and I'm glad you liked that…it was just something Batgirl said on that Batman and Robin movie on drag racing her motorcycle…well Robin's motorcycle…I developed a crush on Chris O'Donnell because of that movie…I just really wanted a scene where they could just be free with no problems for a time, and a bike ride just seemed perfect for that…a lot of what I write is on the spot and inspired by other parts of the fic I write…Your addicted to my story! WOW! Of course Remy is HOT! I mean, I think we'd all love to stop and stare at him…like DAMN, he's fine…well, he won't lead her to her doom…he just thinks that…it's his mentality and because you seem frustrated…I'll say that I'm doing it right. Marvel can die…sometimes…
It is a very sad quote: 'I'd rather burn out, than fade away.' But I've always loved it…it really says a lot. No one wins against Mattie…just Mattie…Jean Luc should know that…and the Santa thing was too good to pass up. OMG…now that you say it, I could so picture Remy telling Henri that streaking at a black and white ball is 'the chance of a lifetime…' it's so Remy, eh? Lucas getting drunk is another 'From the Shadows' ref…I believe on her 18th birthday, Remy told Rogue that she should wait till Lucas got drunk to see him dance. But I just HAD to put that in.
We really do need to flame Marvel. I hate that they put Rogue and Remy through the wringer so much…you would think that with the amount of fanfic that's written on them, they'd figure out that we like them together, sheesh. They're in like…they really are. That bike race was a totally on the spot thing…but I'm really proud with how it turned out…just because it was so cute. Unresolved Sexual Tension…the greatness of all Romy, and of course there's just a tad in there. I'm surprised no one commented on the waitress…No one can resist the demon eyes…I'm sure it has properties akin to 'take me now…' She called him shugah…yup…but yeah…they'll get together…eventually…all great loves are famous because they overcame stuff and theirs is no different. Eventually is whenever I get around to it…but don't worry…there's a really sweet moment planned when they do…it's very…well…you'll see…right now…it's a kingdom of angst.
Serenity01: Thanks for the review and I'm glad you liked the Romy interaction.
Nettlez: Thanks again for the review. Remy keeps on thinking everything will end bad because of all his past experiences and all of his let downs and he also thinks he's inadequate for Rogue. And yeah, there's a bit of pessimism there. You see more of that this chapter. Cute Romyness rules. Yes, Romy fluff is all cuddles and hugs. Rogue Wanderers really is growing…we've got so many fics and SO many staffers and subscribers now…yay…there didn't used to be any this summer! Sure is a growth. Only get the good fics though. I'm glad that you love this.
Enchantedlight: Fangkew for the review!
Bored247: Getting them together too fast would so ruin the fun! So right now, prepare to really feel the angst…they will get it right, eventually. I'm glad you liked the snowball fight because it was the most fun part to write. Ooohh…you're a big procrastinator, so am I! Go multitasking! Wow, an addiction spanning coffee and chocolate. That's deep. Thanks, I love it. I really am trying to update soon! After this chappie, I'm gonna put my attention back on URX. I miss doing it. It's so much fun and completely AU!
ISHY!; Gosh, I so love it when you review. I'm honestly not happy with my reviews until you review and then it makes them all better. You are one of the reviewers that always make me happy to get a review from. Adorableness. That was so what this chapter was about, eh? I couldn't help it. It was originally gonna be smushed with this chapter to make a happy, then super angst-y chapter, but then I decided to be nice and give you a sweet little chappie, because it really was running long, again. I get WAY too into the descriptions and then sidetracked when I think of something else great to write in from my thoughts.
Ignore the bad parts, huh? Don't we all do that in Romys? Well, like with TRtF…angst always makes Romy worth it in the end…and this shall be the milk from the angst cow. I loved your metaphor and yes, it was uber fluffy. I'm glad that you like the way I'm writing them. Of course, the Harley, a part of me was squealing when I wrote that…I just HAD to put it in…it's like a must do…I'm glad I got you to grin…Oh, I love your reactions. I'm glad I made you laugh and giggle at their stories and the snowball fight.
I really think I do miss snow too…and that's how that bit came about…I love snow, a lot. But it's cold…besides…it was the perfect opportunity for a little cuteness, touching and laughter between Rogue and Remy and it was just too fun an opportunity to pass up. I understand all about snow and summer…it sucks, in summer, you always want snow and in winter, one week in, it's like bring on the heat. It's the Canadian thing…Canadian winters can be a bummer…but it's home and I love home. But I heart snow…the kid in me always gets excited to see how low the temperatures will dip and how much snow will fall. I heart snow. Aww…I cheered you up! Sweet….adorable Romyness dancing in your head when you sleep due to me…yay! Thanks for the review!
Hunza: How do I think of this stuff? I have no clue, writing just sorta comes naturally to me. But it's just a case of visualizing what I see them doing and putting it on paper. Romy fluff parade…hell yeah…but it's all leading to DOOM! Okay, so that's an exaggeration, but it's sorta like the calm before the storm…I mean, I've been hinting 'Pieces' for so long.
I'm glad you enjoyed the scuffles, they were just random things I put in that really turned out well. Their stories were so on the spot and I'm glad that you liken to them. Snow ball fights are SO fun…and I just had to put that in and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm centered on Romy too, so don't worry. And as for being like real kids, I think Rogue really needed that to be normal and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Well, Remy's got issues….a lot of them…I really don't think Rogue should be the only angst-y one here. I'm never bored by reviews! I love them! Wealth in Chinese, huh? Gotta show me some time…I'll tell ya if you're right or not. Thanks for the review!
MagCat: I'm glad you loved the Romyness and the way I write them. Wow, it's great to know I've got their personalities down. Torpid didn't have a premonition because Evan was away. She just got out of bed when she heard the soldiers and found Calliban, who told her to get Callisto. Knowing that Evan's with the X-Men….she tried to get Callisto to connect her meanings and get help from Evan. I think I'll clarify that later. Thanks for the review!
2NSANE4U: Well, I'm not exactly begging for reviews, sweetie…just BOGGED BY WORK! I'm an unfortunate busy IB high school student. IB is the equivalent of the geek elite…basically, it's a more intense program for selected smart kids at my school, which means bigger projects, more homework and a hell of a lot harder work…so I've been busy, but I'm desperately trying to get this up before October is over. LOL! Nah, they're NOT oblivious…just freaked out, scared and not ready to take that risk. They've got their reasons too, which at my schedule will be revealed in chapter 12. But thanks for the review! It was a nice shock to get. I mean…I haven't updated for a month. It was really sweet. Thanks! I was finally able to get a higher number of reviews and match my highest number for chappie eight!
It's late, it's late, it's very very late! I know. I started this right after I updated my last chap…but boy, have I been busy…school just doesn't let up on me…oh well. I really hope this gets out to you guys before November.
Damn…looks like I have to put off my 'Pieces' inspired chapter until Ch. 12…they're so freaking ass long…that I have to break it up…oh well. I swear…the 'Pieces' part is one of the reasons I wanted to do this fic. One of my beginning plans for this fic, you'll see in the last scene at the end…it's actually one of my first ideas for the fic after I wrote the first chapter…which was random babbling. I actually think the first chap is a bit crappy now…well, really crappy.
CHAPTER TEN: BROKEN:
I tried to be perfect but nothing was worth it
I don't believe it makes me real
I thought it'd be easy but no one believes me
I meant all the things I said
If you believe it's in my soul
I'd say all the words that I know
Just to see if it would show
That I'm trying to let you know
That I'm better off on my own
---'Pieces' by Sum41
The Master of Magnetism sat hunched at his desk, quietly tapping away on the keyboard to his computer, doing the hundred and one things it takes to run an organization like the Acolytes. It was late, and he was working well into the morning, but he was used to it by now. The room was done in stark luxury of the Victorian era, much like the study of Charles Xavier. The desk was of thick dark wood, his chair of expensive leather and the lighting from remarkable crystal chandeliers. The room screamed wealth that was out of place in his metal fortress, but hidden within the fabrics and wood was the metal that was his lifeblood. Papers were thick on his desk, things he had to file, things he had to sign or authorize and things he had to plan for. His work was never done.
His contacts had come through, once again and the Colorado Base for the manufacture of the Legacy Virus was terminated. Colossus, Gambit and Pyro were dead. He smiled sadly, it was a necessary sacrifice. He needed loyalty among his Acolytes and although those three were his best trained and most competent. He always knew that they didn't believe in his cause. It was merely blackmail that kept them to his crusade. They were wildcards and uncertainties and in his line of work, that was unacceptable. So he had to find a way to rid of them and still gain something in return. And he had, even though it was bittersweet and cruel.
It was through this single event, that he found out the not only the much needed data on the Legacy Virus but was also able to recruit all the mutants that were once reluctant to join his cause. Now he had only those loyal to him, even though their skills were lacking. His numbers were looking better all the time. At the time of Gambit, Pyro and Colossus' deaths, he had 12 mutants loyal to his cause. Now he had twenty, they were truly a force to be reckoned with and he looked forward to the day that they fought with his old friend, Charles.
His mutants were young, bright, impressionable and ruthless. They may have lacked the finesse of the now deceased Acolytes, but they would do well. They were passionate and believed. That was enough. The training, experience and competence would come later. They had seen cruelty, they had been wronged by the world and that was the fuel that fired their ways. It was a dangerous mix that he wholly knew how to utilize to his benefit. It was everything the Brotherhood lacked. Luckily, they weren't his problem anymore.
He had cut contact. It was better that way, for him and his children. He would reclaim them later. They were safe and that was good enough. He trusted Mystique to look after them. She had defected from him, gone to do her own private work. They no longer saw the world in the same way, and it was only natural for her to leave. He knew that she was seeking reconciliation with her children and that she would be a good guardian for the Brotherhood. They had a strange relationship. It was volatile and full of spite and vengefulness.
But she always came back like a sick love song. Even when he first manipulated her as a young teenager, who had been spurned by the world, she had always somehow followed him. It was Magneto who made her the ruthless terrorist, assassin and fighter. He had molded her to be that. It was his influences which lead her down those roads and taught her to make violence her art. It was because of him that she went and learned to be a ruthless spy, a cunning combatant, and a ruthless killer. It didn't matter that he hurt and experimented on her son, cut her off from his plans or deceived her. She came back.
It was because she knew that it was only with him that she could see her goals reached. However, there were always conflicts of personality, interest, goals, ideals and ideas. For all the horrible things she did, Mystique still ran on a sick, twisted honor system. It was surprising, but there were things she was willing and not willing to do. Magneto made her cross all those lines at some point, and his plans for sacrificing Remy, John and Piotr was the last straw.
She was no longer for his cause the moment she was captured by Apocalypse. The world she saw in his mind had rightfully frightened her and changed her perspective on life and she could no longer live like she had with Magneto. It was time to break free and learning of his plot for the boys was the last straw. She couldn't reveal any of the plans she knew of when she was about to leave, but she gave them cryptic hints, hoping that they'd make it out alright. She had been sworn to secrecy on any of his plans the moment she started working with him all those years ago and she couldn't break that, no matter the circumstance. It would cause her more trouble in the end. But still she knew. No one deserved such a dishonest death.
Mystique was gone, but she had been weak and it was better this way, he knew. He now only dealt with those so purely on his cause and that was refreshing and he relished it. He was their messiah and they his tools from which to remake the world and spread his word. Mystique had wavered from the crusade and now had a different view on life. She would build bridges rather than burn them now and so they were at an impasse. Surprisingly, the resolved it not in their old ways and Mystique simply absolved all her dealings with Magneto and quit. He let her. He had no use for her anyway and she would service him by looking after the Brotherhood. It was the only place she had to go to. She would not intrude on Irene's life.
And then there was Sabretooth, the mercenary who believed in his cause, but a berserker like Sabretooth was only the hired muscle and he was too much of a risk to his recruits at the base, so he was only called in for special occasions. He was a liability that would only hinder the learning of his recruits. So he kept the man away from his charges. Besides, Magneto kept the man busy by making him running errands. Currently, Magneto believed he was at a bar somewhere, trying to get stoned drunk, but always failing. That or he was doing some mercenary work, wiping someone clean from existence, having his way with some unlucky woman or a million other horrific things.
Mastermind he had on base with him, reading the minds of all his young disciples so that he knew exactly what he thought of the great Magneto. When they thought anything negative about him, Mastermind would tell him and Magneto would speak to the mutant and alleviate all feelings of wrong or distrust in them. He was a manipulator, and he wasn't above using Mastermind to do so when they got out of line. But they didn't know that. Currently, Mastermind was asleep, recharging after another exhausting day of having to see into the minds of all the mutants and report to Magneto. The hunched, small, disfigured man had been recruited to Magneto's cause with fear and blackmail, but still, he was more loyal to Magneto and his crusade than the deceased Acolytes ever would be.
The man now more Magneto than Erik Lehnsherr used his powers to lift up a fancy ink pen. Grasping it in his hand, he signed three hand written letters. Letters that were pronouncing the fate of his three men to their families, death, sent to three loving families that would mourn for them in the most despairing of grief.
It is in my humblest apologies that I offer you the greatest condolences on his death. Be proud that they died a hero of their race. He will be forever remembered for his sacrifice as a martyr. He along with his comrades died for a powerful belief that will inspire the world.
Sincerely,
Erik Magnus Lehnsherr
Cold, hard words that spoke of lies and deceit, they were, but the man had the audacity to write them and prepare to send them to their worried families. He spun these words differently for each letter, but the meaning remained the same. It showed what he had become, what a monster he had become. He was a succubus to humanity. With a strong hand, he signed their fates, but Erik Magnus Lehnsherr no longer had meaning. He was Magneto.
Down the halls from his office were the rooms of his trainees and staff, a training facility, dining area, kitchen, rec areas, sitting rooms and his massive computing labs for all the data he needed to gather to stay on top of his game. All was quiet in the fortress of metal. Magneto kept a strict regimen so all of his disciples were in their beds asleep. They followed him to the point of blindness, believing every silver tongued word and would leap at the chance to die a martyr. They trained relentlessly and believed Magneto, following his word perfectly, though they lacked skill. So they were in bed at this hour, do to Magneto's rules. Besides, any who didn't would be punished harshly. They were trained like soldiers, perfect, emotionless and all the way flawed because of it. They knew not of honor, only violence, glory, sacrifice, death and ascending as a martyr, all for a crusade, a dangerous crusade that would destroy the world.
But that tranquil silence was about to end; to become a silent omen telling of death.
Slowly, Magneto bought the last unsealed envelope to his lips. Just as he was about to seal the fates of three lives' whose families would grieve for an unfounded tragedy, an eerie phenomenon struck the metal fortress.
He felt it, a sudden awkward feeling in his very core making him instantly sick. With an unknown quickness it ended, only to be replaced by an extreme pain, stabbing at his entire body, as if someone had pulled all his nerve ending for pain. Magneto reached out with his mind, his power for the metallic base that was his home, trying to pry the metal from it to launch it at this powerful foe that had the audacity to use an electromagnet on him. Yes, he could sense it. He would dislodge all the metal in the area and hurl it at his enemy. Magneto's body began to spasm with the effort. Yet, the metal which was his calling to be a deity failed him. The electromagnet had demagnetized all the metal within his range. He could not be the god he was, his weakness was exploited. Magneto had to be around metal for his powers of magnetism to work and so, all you had to do was demagnetize any form of metal. For the first time in his life, he could not manipulate his precious metal even with his tremendous power. His last conscious thought was one of defeat and failure. The Master of Magnetism had failed.
His body went limp from the physical overdrive. The electromagnetic pulse had dangerous affects on him. It shut down several of his body systems momentarily. He was affected so because of his tie to it. The blackness captured him in its dangerous grasp. He collapsed on the floor in a sizzling heap. All the while all the electronics and lighting went on simultaneously in the base before reaching maximum capacity for efficiency and exploding in a show of sparks and shrapnel. Then, there was darkness, dreadful, foreboding, ominous darkness. It was what greeted those who had awakened from the explosions.
The base was dead and down.
Their breathing when awake was shallow and fast. Panic had set in within a second's notice. But they didn't have time to even react to it, because floating down the halls in detrimental green wisps of gas was the same chemical that had put the Morlocks to a vulnerable slumber, ready for the reaping of Stryker and his men. It seeped swiftly into each room, instantly quelling the minds of the occupants and forcing them to unconsciousness. All too soon, they were finished in this battle before they even had a chance to rebut.
Storming into the base with the help of some explosives was the crème of Stryker's soldiers, the Guardians. Large gas masks obscured their faces hidden under a large black helmet with night vision goggles. They wore black specially designed for stealth, military fatigues with a heavy duty jacket, utility vest and belt, many pocket cargo pants, thick gloves and clunky boots. Running into each room, they neutralized the mutants present with power nullifying collars, special plastic alloy cuffs and hefted them onto specially designed trolleys made to cart off unconscious people. They were wheeling them down to Magneto's special hangar bay, their rendezvous point to transport all the mutants back to base.
"Stryker, this is Robson, reporting for progress. Mission complete. All mutants detained and ready for transport from Acolyte Base, Morlock Sewers and Brotherhood Boarding House. Mission complete."
(Well, you now know how all of the mutants were captured by Stryker. In the next chapter, we'll check in with the Brotherhood and how they're doing.)
She had once crushed on Scott Summers, not because he was sweet, kind, funny, and brilliant, mature, handsome, and bright, but not to mention the leader of the X-Men and owned a car. It was because he was safe. With him, she knew he would never make a move, never overstep her self imposed boundaries. He would never really take a chance on her; he was always in love with Jean, so he would never get a chance to hurt her. Their relationship had ended before it was even set into motion. They were destined to be friends. He loved her the way a brother loves a sister and she realized it was better this way. The moment she realized this, she was finally able to get over him, though it hurt that subconsciously she could be so twisted. Although it did help that there was a card throwing, smirking, undeniably sexy Cajun right around the corner. With Remy, she was playing with fire, fire that burned down her boundaries and always dared to venture closer because it could.
He was everything she ever wanted in a man and everything she could never have. She liked danger, always did and Remy was the ultimate danger for her. Every waking moment with him made her feel so alive when she felt so dead. He filled her senses, breathed life into her and set her blood on fire. He made her live again. He was a thrill. Still, he had the power to break her soul. He could hurt her in a moment and leave her forever to be cold, such is free will. She was taking a risk, but she knew she could only chance so much with him. The more she opened up to him, the more exposed she got and the more exposed she got; the more it would hurt when Remy shattered her heart to pieces. She knew he would somehow, someday, even if he didn't mean to, he would, because nothing could ever work between them. They were doomed to a half finished dance of seduction and temptation, never getting the sin that waited once they gave in.
He burned closer to her still…always burning away her walls, weakening them until they fell completely. It was always a danger to be around him and yet she could stay away because he was her ultimate temptation. He was the one that took it all away, made her feel normal, and made her happy. He was a drug she was drowning in. He was sin and she wanted more than anything to sin for him. It was all look no touch. He was the one person she could never bare to hurt with her powers and the one person she wanted more than anything to touch. She just wanted one real kiss with him, one chance to feel what it was like to have his lips caressing hers. That would never happen though. She could never get close enough. Even though, for him, she would let him break all her walls to her heart and put it back again.
If she had known herself better, she would have known he was the only one she wanted to give her heart to.
And then, there was something behind his eyes that she wanted to clear away. She knew what it was, though, she probably had it too. She could see the pain there, the unmasked torment. Rogue could see the haunted look in his eyes of the past that saw too much. Somehow, she wanted to change that. Yet it seemed such a clichéd notion, the one of the girl wanting to save the bad boy. Still, she knew that Remy needed to be saved and his eyes told the story. Remy's eyes always seemed to smolder with emotions, yet she was the only one who could decode them, whether it be the glimmer of happiness, the flutter of hope, the pools of despair, the dark sadness, the teasing glint, the lecherous sparkle or the glow of laughter. Half the time he drove her crazy, but she couldn't deny how much she loved her time spent with him. He made her feel special, like all the bad in the world couldn't touch her when she was with him. Rogue felt, for the first time in a long time, completely safe and it was with him. She owed it to him to at least make him feel alright. He was enticement on a motorcycle. How can you deny that?
But right now, she didn't question it, she didn't think about their circumstances, consequences or the future, she just enjoyed the feeling of having him pressed fully against the body, how warm she was from him and his sweet scent. It was so right, yet so wrong. She took in the feeling of being so free with him on that bike and it was here that all her troubles and his too, were nonexistent. For that moment, they were the wind. For that moment, they were happy. For that moment they were freed from their bounds.
She buried her face into his back, snuggling up against him and he couldn't deny how right that felt. She was a good girl and he couldn't mar that with his filth. However, he couldn't deny that he would go to great lengths just to see her smile, that wonderful, gorgeous, light-up-her-face smile, that didn't make much of an appearance that often. He didn't know why, but he didn't question why his life mission had become to make her smile. Tears, anguish and sorrow didn't belong on her beautiful face.
Some days the past got too close and she always seemed to chase it away and keep him in the now, where the screams of pain and coursing blood didn't haunt him. For the time being, she made him forget and live in the now where it wasn't dark, dangerous or tormenting. It was bright, safe and peaceful where she was and she took him to that place, that wonderful place. Remy was somehow addicted to that. He was addicted to her and he was in too deep to want to get out. The Cajun loved playing games. Games of the heart were his specialty. In this game, however, the stakes were raised and it had become more of a test of will than a game. How long could he stay within his self imposed boundaries to keep her safe before he failed? The penalties of breaking the boundaries, his rules would make her suffer just as much as it would torment him. His heart ached to cross, but his mind held him back and spoke of the rationality that bounded him to his promise. But he couldn't deny the truth, and the truth was, he wanted to walk across that boundary and break that fortress that had encaged his heart for so long.
Somewhere along the sad story of his life, he had his heart broken, severely. He had once loved, though shallow and filled with lies as it was. His first love had been Belle. It was a childish notion filled with miscalculations and a vision of who she should be and not who she was in reality. He had loved an image of Belle he had created from childhood and not the real her. There had always been some unrequited love on his part, he sensed, but he had never fully realized it until she willingly took the Elixir and became slave to Candra. The second his image broke was the instant he tasted how cruel the world could be and how he had loved a childhood friend, not the grown woman. Genevieve devoured his soul. She was the one that shattered his heart and played the player. He only bitterly got the last laugh in a cruel twist of fate. In the beginning, he had been toying with her and leading her on, but in the end, it turned out that she was doing the same, only he trusted her and fell for her, which let her worm her way into his heart and destroy his heart, leaving him in perpetual coldness from love.
They had been snakes, but Rogue was a pure angel. She was completely unlike any other woman he had even been with. Rogue was not the typical girl that Remy LeBeau courted, bedded and left in the dust. She wasn't like those girls at all. She had something in her that none of them ever would in his eyes, a fragility that he could never dare to break. Rogue was a class all her own and all the others paled in comparison. She wasn't a challenge or a game, some girl he slept with for the night and left in the morning. Rogue was more than that, always would be and he knew it. Mostly, he realized, he didn't deserve to be with her, not when he'd taint her purity with the blood on his hands.
He loves being with Rogue because his soul was whole again with her. She had repaired it, without his knowing and now, they were connected. God always seemed to be laughing at him. It was the only way to explain how the one woman he wanted to be with was the one he never could in more ways than one. His life was harsh, twisted and broken, filled with shards that cut and the brutality of everlasting torture. Sometimes it seemed that he would never be remedied of it, but then, Rogue would come along and she was a miracle cure. Why was it that everything was better when she was near?
He didn't dwell on his thoughts though, he just gunned the engine and let the bike run faster so that nothing in that moment mattered except that he was in her presence and everything was okay and he was truly happy for once. He was alive again and that was enough.
(Man, I reread this and seriously swooned…)
Some time later, with the find on their tails, trying to catch them, they finally made it back to the Institute, zooming in through the gates and skidding to a dramatic stop in the garage. Remy killed the engine reluctantly and the two pulled their helmets from their heads.
"Well, it's reallah been some rahde, Rem," said Rogue, a hint of a smile crossing her lips, but the spark of happiness glowing in her eyes.
"Any time y' want one, jus' ask," replied Remy, turning to her with a smirk.
"Ah had a feelin' yah'd say that," said Rogue, a true smile lighting up her face.
"We'd better get in b'fo' we late for the DR. Y' know how de Wolverine is," commented Remy.
"Yeah," replied Rogue, as the pair dismounted, put away their helmets and headed inside the mansion. They stalked through the main entrance hall, ignoring what a commotion their dramatic fashionably late entrance was making as the majority of the Institute was now heading down to the Danger Room for the session from the elevator hidden in the fireplace. Some were looking at them questioningly, curious as to what had gone on between them…well, John, Kitty, Kurt and Piotr anyway.
Rogue and Remy walked passed them, heading up the stairs as an A-List celebrity Golden Couple ignores a horde of Paparazzi. They trotted up the grand stair case to head to their rooms to drop off their wet jackets and backpacks as well as change into dry sweats before heading to the locker rooms to change into their uniforms for the upcoming session.
Meanwhile, Kitty and Piotr were huddled in a corner, whispering amongst themselves, "So when do you think they'll just admit they like each other?" asked Kitty with a humored grin.
"At zhe rate zhis is going, I'd give or take twenty years," commented Piotr wryly, earning a laugh from Kitty.
"I wonder why they're both wet…?" thought Kitty.
"Vell, de answers will vary and both vill deny anyzhing and everyzhing," said Piotr with a smile.
"They have got to be the most stubborn people around," said Kitty.
"Da, and unfortunately, zhat's not changing any time soon," thought Piotr.
"No kidding. A plan of action is needed to be taken if we're to change the situation," decided Kitty.
"I suppose ve could gazher John, Kurt and Remy's family to help us," added Piotr.
"Yeah, that would be perfect, but first, we'll need to iron out the kinks to this mission and the mansion isn't exactly an ideal place to do that," mused Kitty.
"Nyet, too many eyes and ears zhat vould eavesdrop and find out about zhis before we have a chance to put zhe plan into action," agreed Piotr.
Silence passed for a few moments before Kitty broke it, "I have no clue where we could go to discuss this in the middle of winter, in the evening, without people getting suspicious."
"Uh…vell…uh…" stuttered Piotr, in front of the girl he was rapidly getting a crush on. He took a few deep breaths and hoped to whatever god out there in the world that the power of Valentine's Day was on his side.
"Zhere's zhis one place in Vestcheszher, zhe 'Ethereal Dragon Art Gallery.' It's holding an exhibition on 21st century art and artists tomorrow. Zhe main piece is very much of a riddle. It's a computer sitting in zhe middle of zhis vast blank room, vith zhis vindow zhat you can look into and zee the outside vorld. It reminds me loneliness and such…but to get zhe real meaning, the artist hid a message in the computer," started Piotr.
"And it'd be an excellent excuse to get out of the mansion," exclaimed Kitty.
"Exactly, and it's a safe way for you to practice your hacking skills and help me gain a few bonus arts for class, since the first person to decrypt it gets a prize from our professor," said Piotr.
Kitty blushed, "Hey, just because I hacked into that US military nuclear weapons site that was restricted and encrypted and accidentally blacked out the mansion for 48 hours doesn't mean that everyone should keep reminding me of it!" said Kitty indignantly, causing Piotr to laugh heartily.
"So it's a date, as zhey say," said Piotr. Nope, he hadn't just asked Kitty Pryde out, they were just going on a casual meeting as two friends.
"Yeah," said Kitty with a blush, "It's a date." She tried not to think of this meeting as Piotr asking her out on a real date. No, she was just going with the handsome Russian to an Art gallery to help him get a few bonus marks, enjoy some cool art and plan out some form of attack for the Remy-Rogue front."
It just seemed that their love lives were getting more complicated all the time…
"You know, I never figured you were one for modern art," said Kitty.
"Vell, to be a relevant artist you have to be aware of zhe zhings around you and one of the ways to do zhat is to zee vhat ozher artists are doing. It's always good inspiration," commented Piotr, "Just because I love the traditional ways of art, doesn't mean I don't love the more modern pieces of greats like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Matisse, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, Da Vinci and Monet are all amazing, but I love all forms of art."
"Really? That's cool that you have such a wide range of love for Art," said Kitty.
"Vell, zhey do zay it's my passion in life," said Piotr with a wry grin, Kitty laughed.
"Vhen I'm lost and confused and haff no clue vhere to go vith my art, I see zheir pieces and zheir simplicity and it inspires me," explained Piotr.
"What's your favorite piece? I'm curious, what with all those artists in there," asked Kitty.
Piotr thought for a moment, "Zhat's hard, I really can't nail it down to one absolute piece."
"Top ten?" tried Kitty.
"Even harder, too many to group into zuch a small space," revealed Piotr.
"Well, give me something," said Kitty amused, "Which is a piece that means most to you?"
"Okay, vell there's one zhat really says a lot to me. One of my favorite pieces has got to be Marcel Duchamp's urinal," said Piotr.
Kitty gave him a blank stare, "What?" It was truly an unusual and unexpected response; she had expected something much grander…
"You know, Marcel Duchamp's urinal, vith it, he totally made people rethink vhat vas art," explained Piotr.
"How?" asked Kitty, not seeing it.
Piotr smiled and elaborated, "Vell, Duchamps, a Frenchman, basically, took some urinal, signed it R. Mutt and entered it in an art contest as a joke. And it changed zhe way people looked at art, because it showed us zhat anything can be art; zhat it's not just zhe fantastic, yet overdone landscape and a bunch of fruit. It's not stuffy; it's innovative and makes you zhink if it's good. It can be fun and truly is a reflection of zhe times. Zhat, and the message, zhat he thought zhere art was crap and should be peed on. And vell, I guess I strive to be zhat, because zhere would be no greater satisfaction zhan knowing you changed zhe way people thought about zhings, like Einstein and his theory of relativity."
"That's really an interesting take on things. I really think you can do that, Piotr, change the way people think, because it's really easy to see that you're talented," said Kitty with a smile, flushing slightly in front of the handsome Russian artist.
"Thank you, Katya," said Piotr.
The senior members of the X-Men, Kurt, Kitty, Rogue, Remy, Piotr, John, Betsy and Warren were now preparing for a session, in full uniform, whilst the New Mutants with Evan, Alex and Bobby watched in the observation deck where Remy's family and friends also observed with the professor, Hank and Ororo, who were giving the Newbies pointers to learn from the senior members. Logan was running the simulation and barking out orders to the crowd. Scott and Jean were currently away at University in New York. Lucky bastards.
He had just finished his unique brand of roll call and was now moving to the task of hand, marching down his ranks like a general would his soldiers.
"Alright, people, this is a team mission!" growled Wolverine, barking out orders, "You are to destroy as many Sentinels as possible in the time allotted. It's an old fave, with a twist. There will be a time limit and another nice surprise." He finished his orders with an animalistic, wide toothed grin that seemed to be predatory and ominous. It would be bad.
"You begin in two minutes," he finished.
He turned and left without so much of a 'good luck' or 'good bye.' It was like he was resigning them to their deaths.
"So what do you think the 'surprise' is?" Kitty asked the group that was gathered in the center of the room.
"Ah'd rathah not think about that," said Rogue, rubbing her temples, her headache was starting up again. Remy shot her a worried glance, Kitty took notice.
"Ja, knowing Logan, it's going to be bad, very bad," added Kurt, his tail slouched and limp.
"Why we ever joined this group of miscreants complete with a wolfish dictator that runs extremely painful, exhausting and hazardous to my life, is beyond me," commented Warren with a sad smile.
"I believe it had something to do with saving the world, helping mutantkind, giving back, helping fellow mutants live day to day and kicking ass, luv," said Betsy with a smile.
"Wow, I used to be so righteous," commented Warren, "what happened?"
"Tha rigours and hell that is the X-Men," explained Rogue.
"Or more specifically, de pain o' one Wolverine," elaborated.
"Zhat too, not to mention, a horde of unruly, super powered teenagers," added Piotr.
"General insanity, I suppose," said Kurt.
"Ah, insanity," agreed Kitty.
"Wot's wrong with insanity?" asked John, narrowing his bright jade green eyes.
Everyone just gave him a look.
"The like, totally horrendous dry cleaning fees."
"Tha uttahly unsahtly carpet stains and mysterious disappearances of ya CDs."
"Zhe bubblegum in your fur."
"Zhe art you took four hours to start being absolutely mutilated."
"De constant shrieking an' screaming and bright lights shinin' int' y' eyes."
"The goo in your wings that take five ours to get out."
"The priceless artifacts being destroyed time and time again."
John let out a laugh and a contented sigh, "Oh how Oy LOVE insanity. Oyt's loyke moy babay…ooohhh…Dingoes at moy babay!"
Everyone gave him, not for the first nor the last time, an 'okaaay' stare.
"Riiiight," they said in unison.
"So, vhat do you zhink ve zhould do?" asked Kurt.
"How 'bout we stick close, cover each other's backs and beat those giants to there knickers?" said Betsy.
"The usual," confirmed Kitty.
Just then, an automated female voice interrupted their talks, "Sequence to commence in T-minus 20 seconds." The room began to shimmer iridescently, and the silver dome that was the danger room began to transform, smells, sights and sounds started to invade their senses with unparalleled reality.
They soon found themselves in downtown Manhattan, crushed by the bustle, grouped together in a bunch at a bustling city corner, where the people looked at them strangely, but walked on. One even asked them if they were Trekkies. The skyscrapers loomed imposing overhead, obscured reflections of the metropolitan city on the glossy windows. Buildings of historic limestone and marble merged with the modern metal and concrete. Dirty roads coated by spit out gum, slight garbage and blowing snow greeted their eyes. A light scent wafted into their noses, one a combination of the disgusting human waste, wasted garbage, savory foods, gaseous fumes and wet snow.
The cars whizzed by, wind shield wipers swiping back and forth, to allow the drivers clear vision from the impairment of snow. Steam wafted up from the sewers. Pedestrians speed walked cross intersections, showing the diversity in cultures, races, nationalities, age, social class, and life stories that was Manhattan. The noise of sloshing water, car engines, honks, many languages and urban bustle met their ears.
"So when do things get ugly?" asked Warren, taking in the picturesque busy city scene.
Overhead, a thunderous stomp was heard meeting metal with the asphalt. Soon, gargantuan metallic giants peeked into view through the gaps in the soaring buildings, showing the arsenal of weapons they wielded.
"Get ready, everyone," commanded Angel as he took to the skies with his powerful wings, covering aerial attacks. Psylocke pulled out her katana and an insurgence of purple energy ran along its length due to her psionic powers, ready to slice Sentinel. Gambit clutched several cards in one hand an extended metal Bo-staff in the other, prepared to let the charged cards soar. Colossus metaled up to his impenetrable form, standing by to pummel the enemy with his large fists. Pyro emitted flames from his flamethrower, geared up to mold them to attack the massive robots. Rogue, Shadowcat and Nightcrawler took up battle stances, prepared to meet their foes head on.
The overgrown robots inched closer into view. Manhattan citizens stopped and stared, pointing fingers in awe at the science fiction machines or booked it in terror. Panic and chaos had overtaken the city folk. People would scatter as a barrage of artillery was fired from inside the loaded weapons, screaming in terror. Glass was shattered, buildings and cars dented with bullets, car alarms sounded like yappy little dogs, screams of shocked men and women echoed in ear splitting decibels as they ran in for shelter from the foray.
"So, how exactly do we disable that?" asked Kitty, eyeing the Sentinels with unease.
Rogue eyed the petite girl with interest; a malicious smile crossing her features, addressing the metal man, "How 'bout a flying Shadowcat?" Revenge was sweet.
Piotr broke into a wide grin.
Kitty's eyes widened in horror, "WHAT!" she shouted.
Before the girl could ascertain what was happening, Piotr grabbed her and using his super strength flung the Shadowcat at the line of Sentinels. She flew a good 20 meters before she was about to hit a Sentinel. Holding her breath, eyes wide with fear, Shadowcat braced herself with her arms, closed her eyes and phased, crossing into intangibility and shooting through the queue of angry giants like a bullet. A burst of sparks exploded from the chests of each Sentinel she darted through and they shorted off line in a domino formation. In a span of a few seconds, Shadowcat had single-handedly taken down 15 giants of metal and destruction.
After phasing through the last Sentinel, Shadowcat began to lose momentum and began to fall to the asphalt. Taking a deep breath and momentarily becoming tangible again, she took a quick breath and once again went into intangibility to phase herself through the road. There, in between the solid objects, she slowed her decent and phased herself back up onto the surface. Reemerging, she regarded her team with a look of vengeance.
"ROGUE!" she shrieked, "THAT WAS HIGHLY UNECESSARY!"
Kurt shrugged, and smiled at Rogue, "Good plan, mein Schwester."
"Ah know," answered Rogue wryly.
"Damn, remind m' not t' get on y' bad side, Chere," commented Remy, wincing.
"Yah're already on mah bad side, Cajun," revealed Rogue.
"What it take t' get on y' good side?" asked the Cajun with a suggestive smirk, a gleam in his glowing red eyes.
"Dah and rid us of your gnawing presence on Earth," returned Rogue.
"We all know y' don' mean it, Chere," rebutted the Cajun with confidence.
"We all know Ah DO mean it, Swamp Rat!" exclaimed Rogue, her eyes narrowing, slightly, a frustrated pout shaping her full lips.
Kitty fumed…HELLO! She was just thrown through FIFTEEN SENTINELS! Oh…there would be retribution.
"Here thay go again…" said John, eyeing them with an interest, "Oy nevah thought Petey had it in him…"
"'Ey, lovebirds, give it a rest and stop with tha' flirtin' again, there's more o' them coming!" instructed Betsy.
"WE'RE NOT FLIRTING!" both Southerners rebutted in unison before looking at each other indignantly.
Everyone sighed and groaned, rolling their eyes.
An automated voice made them concentrate on the battle once more, "Mutants, surrender now or prepare to be terminated." Hundreds of Sentinels, as far as the eye could see stormed the streets as the people fled.
"Guess we choose terminated," muttered Gambit, tossing his cards at the foot of the lead Sentinel, blowing off several sheets of metal and causing the robot to collapse, as its leg was blown clear off. Live wires showered sparks onto the scene as Angel sent a bombardment of razor sharp features raining into the main computing unit in the head of the Sentinel from the skies, causing an audible depowered hum to be heard as it was rendered useless. The lights dimmed before it finally went out.
"Use it for cover," instructed Betsy as a new onslaught of laser fire began firing at them. Swiftly, the team converged and huddled in the shelter of the automaton.
"Well, dis chunk of scrap metal has mo' uses than as a shield. Colossus, would y' like t' take de honor?" suggested Gambit.
"Vhy, of course," consented Colossus. The Russian climbed onto the fallen Sentinel, lying on its side, and grabbing its heavy arm, he pulled and broke it clean off. Colossus then proceeded to chuck the arm into the air, slinging it in the direction of another Sentinel's head and taking it clean off with the projectile, immobilizing another Sentinel as it no longer could function without the main computing unit in the head.
"Vhy does he get all zhe fun?" asked Kurt glumly.
"Oyf ya wanna go do somethin', do oyt!" encouraged John.
Nightcrawler nodded and ported away, leaving a purple cloud and the scent of brimstone. Reappearing on the head of a different Sentinel, touching part of the helmet portion of the Sentinel's head, he ported away again. Kurt reappeared a moment later in a cloud of purple smoke high above the Sentinel behind the one who was now missing a large, protective helmet. The helmet dropped right away and slammed into the head of the Sentinel below, slicing through the head and exposing dislocated wires, taking down yet another. John raised his flamethrower and sent a torrent of flame at the head of the exposed Sentinel, melting all its important hardware.
"Oy goyt one!" he announced, doing a celebratory jig.
"Riiight, luv," commented Betsy as Kurt reappeared.
"Time ta make like Wolverine and hack and slash, dicing everything into nice edible bits," she declared before bounding over the Sentinel used as cover and leaping to the asphalt, sprinting straight into a Sentinel, katana poised and ready for battle. Psylocke cut the foot clean off, making the Sentinel off balance, causing it to get off balance, teeter and fall. Before its head had touched the ground, the ninja had severed the head clear off with her sharp edged blade. She continued this method carving out a line off defeated and offline machines.
Warren gave his comrades as salute, "I take to the skies." He then proceeded to send a hail of ultra sharp features storming down to cut the ranks of the Sentinels like broken glass opening your flesh.
"How 'bout a distraction, chere?" requested Remy.
Rogue rolled her eyes, "Whah am Ah doing this?" Man, her headache was killing her and now she had to make a distraction? Well, being an X-Man is hardly ever glamorous…
"Because you love me and you know it," proclaimed the thief with a cocky smirk, but Rogue had already ran into the battlefield.
Running into the battle, Rogue waved her arms and taunted the robot, "Come here ya big hunk of metal!" The Sentinel locked onto her signature and chased after her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gambit signaling her to come his way on a car, parked on the side of the road. As soon as Rogue started to turn his way, he jumped off the car to hide himself from the Sentinel and began to charge up the car…giving the words 'Car Bomb' a whole new meaning.
The big bulky black Cadillac Escalade was glowing bright red and all set to detonate, when Rogue ran right next to it. Just when the Sentinel was close enough to the car and ready to grab her or shoot at her and what not, Remy dashed out from behind the car and jumped at her, pushing himself and Rogue out of harm's way. They were air borne for a few moments, in which Remy clutched Rogue close to his body, sheltering her from the flying debris and shrapnel that exploded off the Sentinel as Remy destroyed it using the blasting car. As they began descent, Remy flipped them around so that he was on the bottom to break the impact of the fall, sheltering her body with his. As they hit, the pair skidded to the asphalt for a few moments. Remy's hand cupped her head to protect it from any falling rubble.
Rogue couldn't help but smile at his gentle actions. He was just so sweet and caring sometimes. It was really nice to know that someone really cared about her. And then, once again, when she looked up into his handsome face, for the second time that day, she found herself entranced with those incredible smoldering ruby onyx eyes of his. Staring into them, the world just faded away. That throbbing headache of hers disappeared for a moment. His body felt strong, hard and so right beneath hers. His coppery auburn hair was all splayed and sexy about the ground and she just wanted to run her fingers through it. All that was there then was she and him. Gone was the Danger Room, the Sentinels, the Manhattan skyline, the battle, the X-Men…it was just her and Remy. She loved that.
Remy gazed back at her. That look on her face, one of curiosity, trust, uncertainty and innocence of him made his heart flutter a bit, not that he could tell that in himself. He was too wrapped up with her to take notice right now. She had completely relaxed onto his body and he loved the way it felt against his so perfectly. Some locks of her pure white bangs obscured her face and those stunning emerald eyes of hers that so enchanted him, like earlier that day. Reaching up with tender fingers, he brushed the locks off her pale face and behind her ear to rest there. Her auburn hair with the black streaks running through it draped past her shoulders and looked so angelic with those natural waves in it. He wished she'd leave it that way all the time. The world was nonexistent and it was just him and her, so he savored it. He was lost in a moment, in a special little world, with her. He loved that.
Rogue blushed slightly as he brushed the hair from her face. He was always doing that. It made her heart beat a little swifter that he would be so bold. Their faces were inches apart and just naturally, due to some magnetic force seem to pull closer. If he didn't know better, he'd swear that their heads were moving closer, bit by bit. He realized he wanted to kiss her in that moment and damn the consequences. He would too…he didn't care. Just once, he wanted to kiss her.
He was a sliver away from capturing her lips with his and she didn't dare move or back away. It was all she wanted. For that span of whoever knows how long, she'd forgotten all of her misgivings in life. Rogue wanted to taste his lips against hers for a single time. She threw all caution to the wind and just let it be.
Too soon the moment ended. The kiss was not to be.
Remy's head jerked back and his eyes widened as he noticed a cannon fired right at them. Seeing him distraught, Rogue turned her head and saw the cannon about to hit them, letting out a gasp of shock. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around her and threw his weight to the right, rolling them down the road and out of danger's way.
Coming to a stop, he smirked, realizing he was on top.
"Dis again, Chere? You must really love ol' Remy, huh?" he said, smirking down at her foul expression.
"Get off before 'ol' Remy' is kneed where it really hurts," she threatened with a patented 'Death Glare of DOOM!' (Nod to Shira…now update ACOL and SWD!)
"Y're so violent, Chere," commented Remy, pretending to be deflated as he consented to her request and moved off her. He offered her a hand with a gentlemanly bow, which Rogue took, after rolling her eyes at his antics.
"Why do ya think Ah am?" questioned Rogue rhetorically.
"Don' suppose it has anyt'in t' do wit' PMS…but den, you'd always be PMSin' an' y're period only comes once a month…though wit' y' I wouldn't be surprised if..." he trailed off.
"Shut up befoh I decahde ta kick ya in tha balls," threatened Rogue with a cheery smile.
"Y're no fun, Chere," said Remy with a pout.
"Who says Ah'd wanna have fun, and especially with ya?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, hand on her hip.
"Oh, but y' know y' wanna have fun wit' m'," said Remy with an insufferable smirk, eyeing her up and down.
Rogue let out a frustrated groan, "Ah don't know whah Ah associate wit' ya." She crossed her arms at her chest.
Remy just smirked that heart melting smirk of his and wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulling her tight against his body, whispering huskily in her ear, "Y' know y' want me."
Rogue just elbowed him hard in the stomach after rolling her eyes and scoffing. Remy recoiled, bent over and clutched his side in pain, letting out a groan, before looking up at her with an expression of disbelief on his face.
"Again, why y' always hittin' m', Chere?" he asked, shaking his head.
"Because ya deserve it, and someone's gotta keep ya in line," she rebutted.
"Den, please, punish m'," said Remy with a sexy grin and suggestive wink.
Rogue's face scrunched up in disgust, looking like she swallowed a lemon and shuddered, "That is BEYOND disturbing, Swamp Rat! Eww!"
Remy just laughed.
"Are ya laughin' at meh?" asked Rogue, with defensive body language, her eyes narrowed.
"Mebbe," said Remy with a warm smile. God, he loved moments like this with Rogue, moments where they just fooled around and joked. He knew she loved it too. It was just too fun to resist and it was always new and exciting. He loved all the witty comebacks that sprung out from her mouth. Their battle of words always elicited so much intensity and hilarity on both sides and it was just entertaining to both of them.
"Pfft," she uttered and turned on her heel, walking away from the Cajun thief, "Ah've got some Sentinels ta fry. Tell meh when ya ready ta grow up and join us, Rem."
"You're no fun, Chere," pouted Remy.
"Whatevah, we've got business, Cajun," reminded Rogue.
"Yeah, we do," he said softly, disappointed that the game was done for now.
Rogue began to trot towards a demolished Sentinel about a block away from the exploded one, that was mostly intact, except it was headless, one of Betsy's jobs.
"Get that plating off on the main body, Swamp Rat!" instructed Rogue as she leapt onto the chest of the fallen Sentinel.
Gambit did so by working a bit off his charging magic. With the plating gone, the inner belly of the robot was exposed, full of wiring, bolts, metal supports and motors, but that's not what interested Rogue, it was the rocket launchers, cannons laser guns and other heavy duty fire arms. The Goth plucked a few wires, crossed some and aimed a rocket launcher into the skull of the giant. Pressing a button, she fired a rocket, which hit its target dead on in a fiery explosion that earned her kudos from Pyro.
"Nice shot, Rogue," commented Remy appreciatively.
"Comes with bein' born and bred in tha South with a terrorist foster mother," she stated wryly.
She then took ship at the destroyed Sentinel using it to fire off shots at her opponents, turning their own weaponry against them. Gambit took off to blow up a few robots. Using his cards and other objects to charge, he detonated Sentinel after Sentinel, smiling recklessly at the noise of his favorite sound, boom. He sprinted down the streets, dodging gun fire with his agility, using his Bo-staff to propel him into the air when need be, all the while charges would go off from his cards and other objects. Remy did this all while laughing, completely at ease and equally amused, darting this way and that. He was a flurry of movement. It was simply dazzling and Rogue had to say that she loved watching him fight, it was entrancing the way he moved, so fast and swift. He was merely playing a game with the Sentinels. Meanwhile, Rogue used the abundance of artillery loaded into the bodies of the Sentinels to take their own out. It was very satisfying to use their own weaponry against them. (I feel like such a tease…lol)
The flames were out.
Sounds of Pyro's happy, slightly insane laughter, strange dialogue marred further with Australian slang and hoots of unadulterated joy reached their ears as he torched the Sentinels and melted their armor and circuitry with his flamethrowers. Constant streams of flames flew twenty feet into the air. Oh, how John loved seeing his beloved fire consume and devour the Sentinels into fireballs. He'd send monsters barreling down at the Sentinels in a fiery dance of red, orange and yellow. Dragons would swoop down on them, breathing fire, before encircling the gargantuan robots to squeeze the life out of them. Horses galloped into them, reared and bucked the huge automatons, kicking them down as ash. The pyromaniac boy simply burned the Sentinels into oblivion with his precious 'foyre'.
Shadowcat scurried around the room, phasing through as many Sentinels as she could, felling tons of them as their circuitry fried from her powers. She took a strange joy in taking them out before they had a chance to pinpoint her or ascertain what was happening to them. Even when they got a few shots off, they could never hurt her, not as long as she stayed intangible. Kitty was practically invincible as she rushed down the streets, jumping through the metal giants and watching as they sparked and fizzled out of power once she had run through them.
Nightcrawler teleported at such a speed it was impossible for the Sentinels to keep a lock on him. His favorite move of choice was getting the Sentinels to shoot each other to bits, while he teleported safely away when they both tried to get him at the same time. It was very amusing to the blue furred mutant. Nightcrawler's only indication of being where he was previously was the purple smoke and once he'd appeared, he'd port again, which confused the Sentinels to the extreme, causing many to fire randomly at each other and take each other out. He also enjoyed playing bombardier and dropping heavy objects on them, such as their helmets from high distances above and watching the helmet crush and slash through their main computing units in their heads.
Colossus was playing baseball. In his mirrored metallic form, he'd yank to completely dislodge the legs from underneath an unsuspecting Sentinel and as it fell down, used the leg like a bat to hit the head clean off, decapitating the Sentinels and rendering them powerless. He'd then sling the leg like a boomerang at the head of an incoming Sentinel to behead it as well to take it out. Colossus was literally putting a dent in the ranks of the Sentinels with his strong and powerful fists. Any form of weaponry and gunfire would just ricochet off his invulnerable metal body. He also favored running off tall buildings and smashing into Sentinels with his unbreakable form like a cannon, ripping through the metal and wiring of the Sentinels to make them useless.
Angel continued his aerial assault. He'd swoop down upon the Sentinels and send hundreds of razor sharp dart like feathers hurtling into the main computing units inside the Sentinels' heads, rendering them useless immediately. Using his impressive flying skills, he'd dodge attacks from the robots with incredible ease. He also enjoyed it immensely when they decided to challenge his flight abilities by flying up with their thrusters to overtake him and shoot him from the sky. Too bad, he was too fast for them and too good a flyer to be taken and defeated. Warren also loved making the Sentinels play chicken in the air. He'd wait until he saw two of the massive robots flying upon him in opposite directions. Then he'd hover, waiting until they were close enough and firing a shot each. Then, he'd quickly race away from the impending impact and watch smugly as they blew their heads off. It was effective and fun.
Psylocke was hacking and slashing her way through the Sentinels' ranks. Her blade cut through the metal and wires fluidly, smooth and graceful like a dancer. She took to beheading the metal creatures with her long katana with ease. Her blade was infused with her psionic powers. Sometimes she'd just use her psionic blades perturbing from her hands to take out the Sentinels. Using her katana, when under gunfire, she moved it swiftly to block all the bullets, or whatever the artillery was in an impressive display of swordplay to which she was a master. Her ninja skills kept her ahead of the game, constantly dodging the Sentinels' lethargic movements and getting the best of them with her speedy moves.
The X-Men were clearly slaughtering the Sentinels, whether individually or working in pairs or as a collective team. The sounds of battle and destruction boomed in the air. Adrenalin pumped from their veins, fuelling their bodies, making them every bit the warriors they had trained to be. Proving that the senior X-Men were the best was no easy task, but in their movement and skill it was apparent that they melded as a team, worked as one, with an undeniable chemistry. When one X-Man was about to be taken out, another would come in to distinguish the threat. No back was left uncovered. Most didn't give much thought to the fact that things were about to get a lot more interesting in this particular simulation, a lot more interesting. Although, one must decide which part was the most interesting to come.
Just when the X-Men had established themselves as a force to be reckoned with and got comfortable in the battle, all of the Sentinels' eyes began to flash mysteriously, speaking of a terrible omen, foreshadowing something negative to come about. The Sentinels began to hum and hiss, steam erupting from the cracks in the metal plating, in their torsos, legs and arms. With a loud unison whirr, levels of metal armor, plating, sheets and coating was opened and beneath them, concealed in special hidden compartments were about fifteen droids per Sentinel.
It was like something out of Star Wars, heck, with the look and design; there was no doubt that the person who designed those was inspired by the epic movie. Hell, it was every sci-fi junkie's dream. They had large, almost bulbous heads, long spindly limbs with larger shins and forearms. Their body resembled nothing more than a human ribcage, small and oblong shaped. Their hips were narrow and gaunt. The droids' feet were large and clunky, full of bulk as were their hands. They very close to human height, just a little taller than six feet. Each had a wide arsenal of weapons in their small bodies, filled with explosives, firearms and sharp knives. With an inhuman speed, strength and agility, they began to leap out from their compartments and advance full of menace on the X-Men, who eyed the robots with interest, fully anticipating and loving the challenge they presented to them.
Regrouping, the X-Men began to come together, all eight members in a tight circle, sizing up their opponents, eyeing them with contempt.
"X-Men, meet your surprise. They're called Sentries, designed by the one and only Beast. Enjoy," boomed the excited voice of their beloved drill instructor, Wolverine.
"Ja, you know ve vill, Logan!" exclaimed Kurt jovially with a wide grin, pointed canine teeth showing.
"Let's show it to these buggers and wipe the floor with them, luvs!" encouraged Betsy.
Immediately, the eight X-Men began to viciously attack the Sentries, while still pushing back the Sentinels from which they sprung. The battle evolved to a whole new level of intensity. It was faster, more elegant and graceful with lethal precision and beautiful grace. Fighting was an art and right now, they were the artists.
Rogue was in her element. Hand to hand combat had always been her strongest asset in battle and it was only accentuated in this new development. Pushing her head splitting headache to the side, she tried to focus solely on the fight and forget about the throbbing pain and the loud whispers of the psyches, trying to get their individual wills into fruition. The Sentries were inhuman in speed and agility, but Rogue far made up for it in her skill as a fighter. Armed to the teeth with weapons and other arms, they were no match for Rogue. She outmaneuvered the Sentinels and then dislocated various important joints in their bodies to take them out, before ruining their main computing units. Sometimes, she'd use their guns against them, proving that she was an accomplished shooter. Dodging the Sentries' attacks became second nature to her. The Southern belle may have had some more to learn in the area of fighting, but she could sure stand her own and take down enemies with simplicity and poise.
Up ahead, Remy was doing much of the same as before, dodging, dashing and darting around the Sentries like he had the Sentinels. In contrast, he'd use his Bo-staff to abolish the main computing units in the heads of the droids by giving them a sound whack. He also much enjoyed using his cards to detonate the robots from close range and using the exploding Sentry to take out several of its neighbors. Now, that was entertainment. Sometimes, he'd just charge an entire Sentry for the heck of it, just enjoying the bright glow before the kinetic energy became so much they exploded with a considerable force. He not only fond of using his mutant powers to demolish this new enemy, he was also partial to using his fighting ability to break the droids apart with his bare hands, twisting the joints out of place, or ripping the heads off. The Cajun thief even enjoyed using the Sentries as a bomb to destroy passing Sentinels. Gambit was a juggernaut of skill, he could utilize all aspects of his training from fighting to mutant power to gain the advantage and defeat the Sentries or any enemy.
Off to the side, Colossus was demolishing the Sentries by ramming his gigantic fists through them, quickly rendering them useless with his strength and invulnerability. He could take out several of the robots with a single punch, as the force would take out more than one at a time. The Russian would tear off their parts with his bare hands, toss the droids into the air like they were weightless, letting them fall to the ground, resulting in broken bits. He took pleasure in stomping on the Sentries and listening to the crunch of metal as it broke beneath his feet. Bullets and any other weapons they tried to harm him with simply left him undamaged. Piotr was simply superior to the Sentries.
Further ahead, Pyro was burning his way through the onslaught of Sentries with a look of utter content and satisfaction on his face at the sight of his beloved flames. The licked and burned the Sentries, penetrating their armor and melting it, until their main computing units were exposed and melted due to the extreme head. Intense flames of orange, red and yellow glowed and grew in size and strength, morphing to all sorts of mythical or courageously bold animals to take down the droids like easy prey. Lions pounced on the Sentries before they burst into fireballs and exploded. Whirling flames surrounded the robots and burned them to a crisp in sections. John didn't even have to get his hands dirty, but even when he did, he could easily break off important parts, but using his god given talents were SO much more amusing and affective. There was nothing cooler than melting metal and the flames as they devoured the Sentries greedily.
Nightcrawler was playing bombardier again. He took perverse joy in teleporting in to abduct an unsuspecting Sentry, disappearing and reappearing high above the battle to drop the robot to its death where it'd take out several of its comrades as well. Playing chicken with live ammo was fun too. Two Sentries would fire at him at the same time and as he teleported away, they'd shoot each other to smithereens. Being that they were small, Kurt could break off their joints and vital parts with his bare hands or even feet or tail. He was all over the battle disappearing and reappearing in a plume of purple smoke, a loud bampf and the scent of brimstone. Not only did he use his mutant powers to fight the droids, he also used his fighting skill which had improved considerably. The droids became discarded playthings ready to be annihilated, in his opinion.
Shadowcat, was doing what she did best, phasing through any solid Sentry she could. All she had to do was stay in her intangible form for as long as she could and get close enough to utilize her damaging abilities to machines. In this way, she dismantled many of the droids by simply running through them in her intangible state. She liked ripping their parts off and using her abilities to rearrange their parts inside the metal plating, making the robots unfunctionable. By punching an intangible fist through their main computing units, she could easily take out each robot. Since coming to the Institute, she had long since advanced her fighting aptitude and it was apparent in the confident way she handled herself in the battle. Kitty's powers simply gave her an undeniable edge in taking out the droids effortlessly.
Angel soared overhead, scouting the area with deadly precision with his increased eyesight due to his mutation. He loved the aerial view and the scope of the entire battle stretched out before him, playing out for him to see. It was like being a god. And like a god, he loved using some 'dous ex machina', divine intervention. Swooping down with an audible whoosh at high speeds, carried by the rushing wind, Warren fired hundreds of sharp, cutting feathers from his wings, which penetrated the metal of the Sentries with loud slitting noises. They cut through the metal razor sharp like bullets traveling through and through, permanently setting the robots offline. The winged mutant also flew down above the heads of the Sentries, and then picked several up into the air at once, before dropping them from great heights to their deaths, taking out their friends at the same time. Not only could he use his flight abilities to destroy the Sentries, he could also destroy them using his fighting expertise learned over the years. He had to admit, the destruction of those creatures sure was satisfying.
Psylocke was on the warpath. If they weren't robots, the ground would be coated with more blood than 'Kill Bill'. She slashed her way through the Sentinels, chopping off their heads or severing their torsos from the rest of their bodies in long diagonal slashes with either or katana or psionic blades, whichever was most effective at the time. The parts of the Sentries lay in dense piles all about her, cut in various angles, completely useless. Betsy moved with stealth, cunning and flexibility, fluid and graceful like water flowing casually from a relaxed waterfall. Her moves were all deadly and vicious and it was a dangerous kind of tranquil beauty, just like she was herself. She could also easily dismantle the throngs of Sentries with her bare fists, easily pummeling them with her fighting talent, breaking their necks instantly or ripping off necessary parts to run the machines. She made fighting an art. It was easy for her and came to her naturally through he studies and she enjoyed any chance to show it off. The Danger Room was truly the only place which properly challenged her.
Soon, the group found them converged into a tight nit group, fending off the Sentinels with their fighting proficiency. It was here that their prowess as a unit shoed. They fought as one and were able to easily drive back the Sentinels and the Sentries combined, decreasing their numbers significantly. Ange sent out a barrage of feathers as Pyro hurled a torrent of flame and Gambit launch a brace of charged playing cards, all at once decimating the ranks of the Sentinels and Sentries further away. Psylocke, Rogue, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler and Colossus took on the enemy at close range with their fighting skills. Shadowcat phased through her opponents with her punches, as well as giving her comrades when she could intangibility to avoid injury. Kurt played chicken with the robots and port those in need to safety, while Rogue, Psylocke and Colossus used their skill, sword and strength respectively to wipe out as many as they could. Working in these groups, they began to decimate their enemy. They were efficient in their work and could see the oncoming victory.
That was when their luck would change.
She didn't know why, but Rogue began to feel an onslaught of weariness, exhaustion and tiredness take her body. Her movements began to feel sluggish and slow, her strength in her blows leaving her. It was inexplicable and out of the ordinary. She had never felt this way in a battle before. However, it wasn't her body that felt the weakness, it was her mind and that was when she knew, knew that it was her mind causing this sudden onset of frailty. The moment she realized this, they began to crescendo in volume in her mind. The voices shrieked, wailed and screeched in a roar that was deafening. The storm and chaos only brewed and strengthened. She was a monster, the eater of souls, the taker of lives. No one loved her, no one cared about her. She was insignificant. How dare she keep them here all locked up and caged? The psyches began to impede their will on her, encouraging her to do what they wanted, but it was difficult and confusing. How could she concede to the wishes of a hundred different peoples at once? She couldn't hear herself think anymore. She was lost in the crushing sea, battering her body and she was trapped.
Rogue began to stumble in the battle. She was no longer getting any punches in. The Sentries began to get their blows into her body. Her body shuddered and shock with the impact, but she was no longer there. Her eyes were blank, vacant and expressionless. No shouts of pain came from her mouth. She was gone.
"Rogue!" shouted Remy, immediately running towards her, wading his way through the robots. In frustration from all the robotic bodies, he set a charge to his cards and tossed them into the crowd, instantly dispersing their numbers. Sprinting to her side, he called to her.
"Rogue, talk t' m'. What's goin' on, Chere?" But he got no response. She was gone.
She was teetering on her feet. And then, she fell, as if all her strings had been cut, her link to the world gone and all that was left was her shell. He caught her before she could hit the hard black asphalt. He was worried now. There was no expression to her face, only dead green eyes, reflecting the battle scene surrounding her. Those eyes haunted and chilled him to the soul, a moment ago those eyes were bright with life, hope and joy, sadness and anguish were now extinguished. She was gone.
Gambit charged some more of his cards and tossed them, "C'mon, chere, snap out of it. Y' scarin' m'. Please, can y' hear me'? Please, chere! Stop it! Rogue, come back!" he tried to shake her but it was no use and the Sentries and the Sentinels from which they sprung forth, began to surround him. He was a sitting target. She was gone.
With a burst of energy, he fought them off. He couldn't let her be harmed, no matter what. He couldn't let them hurt her because she didn't deserve it. He had never felt so goddamned helpless in his entire twenty years of life as he had in this one moment. He had never wanted so badly, so completely desperately to help someone. Yet, he had nothing to gain from it if he helped, just a smile and a thank you and it was all he wanted from her. He had never been so selfless or wanted to. What was it about her? He shouted at her again, but he got no response. No matter how much his lips would move, no response would come from her. He felt like he was doing CPR on a victim that had been under water with no air for too long. It was too long. She was gone.
The Sentries began to attack them, but he couldn't let his precious cargo fall. So he did all he could, he carried her in his arms, balancing her body while defending himself and her. He could see the faces of her friends around her, concerned and worried. He didn't know how he was managing to pull the fight off. His mind was not in it, it was far gone to her. Yet he was winning the battle, out of desperation. It was all he could do. Cards exploded as they left his deft hands. His staff knocked away any enemy that neared them and his teammates tried to dissuade as many robots as they could from his way, but still all he could think about was her. What was going on? She was gone.
Her mind was pandemonium. The wind howled with the amalgamation of a million voices made unrecognizable. Their strange bodies began to batter and bruise her. Why wasn't she doing what she wanted them to? She tried to run, but she couldn't. There were too many. She'd be crushed in the bodies. They grabbed hold of her, clawed at her, their iron grips, embedding into her delicate flesh, opening wounds, letting the blood seep from her body. She shouted at them to let go, to get away, but they wouldn't listen. They all wanted control. They all wanted to live. They all wanted to deny her that which was her life, her choices and her will. She could not fight anymore, not when they were consuming her entire being, unopposed. She was gone.
She had tried, she really did. The wall she tried to build failed. The fight she tried to win, she lost. The mind she tried to control was theirs. There was no choice. She was theirs. She was gone.
On the outside, where Remy clutched her body close to his, protecting her with his life, her body suddenly shuddered. Remy was infinitely relieved. The life returned to her eyes. She'd be okay, right?...but her eyes, they were wrong. They were strange. It wasn't hers. They were dark, too dark, and nothing but revenge, spite, vengefulness, petty and hate laid in them. She regarded him with the coldest stare he had ever borne witness to in his life. It was hate, it was contempt, it was utter ill will. With an inhuman strength, she pushed herself from him, the force sending him back. Before, he could fall to the ground, claws erupted from her fists and ripped themselves through the flesh of his torso, spilling blood. He gasped with pain. It was almost overbearing, but nothing could be as overbearing as seeing the look on her face when she awoke from whatever spell had shrouded her. Clutching his side, he fell back. A twisted smile crossed her face, marring it until it was unrecognizable.
"FUCK!" cursed the Wolverine, in the Control Room, "What the hell? Dammit. Looks like we've got another possession, Chuck!"
"That we do," observed Xavier as he took in the bedlam before him, "Ororo, get them out, please," he instructed.
Ororo conceded and ushered the New Mutants and Remy's family out of the room immediately. The faces in the room turned from one of awe at the power of the X-Men to one of fear, worry and distress as well as a healthy shot of shock. With the destruction being caused by Rogue now, living up to her name, the Control Room could very well be the next striking zone.
"Shit! Right now, that sim is all that's keeping her from tearing apart anyone else," commented Wolverine, observing as Rogue obliterated all that stood in her way with her new found powers.
"Beast, prepare to abort simulation when I give you a command from my telepathy!" called Xavier.
"Right," responded the blue furred mutant doctor.
Wolverine went to a corner of the room, about to help the situation in the Danger Room, where the elevator was that led to the Danger Room for emergencies like this. A long steel beam of great strength and durability would shoot out from the Control Room above the Danger Room to the floor of the room below it and transport an elevator down with it. He hit a green button and immediately entered the appropriate codes to get the emergency elevator to work. It opened with a hiss.
"You coming, Chuck?" he asked as he stepped into the elevator.
"Yes," responded Xavier as he wheeled in his chair.
The doors hissed closed around the metallic elevator, a metal lined cube with a control panel by the closing mirrored doors. Immediately, they descended, quickly to the floor of the room.
Beams shot from her eyes, a furious crimson, smashing through the metal of the Sentries and the Sentinels and crashing into their intended target, the Angel in the sky. His wings were clipped instantly and he fell to the ground. A wave of her small hands and the Russian giant flew into the air, his metal form reverting against his will, as he plummeted to the ground with an audible thud, unconsciousness stealing him away, immediately. Ice formed at her hands and froze the pack of gasoline at Pyro's back. The boy froze in fear as he realized what she had done, a look of shock crossing his face as his body froze into a block of ice from ground up.
"OH, BLOODY HELL!" screamed Psylocke, "This is just great!"
"Kurt, get Gambit!" instructed Kitty as she made her way through the masses to Psylocke.
Kurt did as he was told, porting himself and the Cajun to the vicinity of the purple haired ninja and the native Chicagoan.
"You can stand Gambit?" asked Psylocke as she eyed Rogue, cautiously, watching as she demolished the robots in the room, a welcome distraction for their plight as of now.
"Yes," said Gambit as he winced slightly and stretched to his full height, pulling the pain to the back of his mind to concentrate on the task at hand. He refused the arm that Kitty offered him outright. She shot him a worried look.
"Vell, ve got help coming soon," said Kurt as he noticed the elevator descending into the floor of the Danger Room.
"Maybe, but we're gonna have to distract the bird, luvs," said Psylocke.
"Right," started Kitty, a determined look, crossing her features, "Listen, let me and Kurt go up to her and try to talk to her. Maybe we'll get somewhere," she suggested.
Kurt nodded in agreement.
"Alright," said Psylocke, knowing they really had no choices left, lest they let Rogue hurt herself and others more.
Clutching Kurt's had, Kitty disappeared with him in a puff of purple smoke, a scent of brimstone and a bampf.
Up in the air, Rogue was hovering using Jean Grey's abilities to float in the air and do her wrath, sparkling in the metallic form of Colossus. Many of the Sentinels fell dead before her, descending to the earth disgraced giants, never to walk boldly again. Suddenly, in a plume of purple smoke, appeared Kurt and Kitty, a few feet above Rogue. Startling the possessed mutant, they fell onto of her, grasping onto her shoulders and torso, appealing to the real her crushed beneath the flood of psyches, begging for her to fight, to pull through, trying their best to show that they cared about her.
"Rogue, please, fight them. You CAN do it. You're stronger than this, you're stronger than them. We know you can do this. Come back to us. We care about you. Please Rogue!" cried Kitty, desperately, looking into the unrecognizable cruel eyes of her best friend. Kitty searched her eyes, looking for some semblance of her best friend, but found none, to her eternal dismay.
"She is here no more. You do not care. Your words are meaningless and petty. She belongs to us now. You mean nothing and she is nothing," seethed Rogue in a strange amalgamation of the many voices crowding her mind.
"No Rogue, please, fight, you mean something to us. You're someone to us, special. We need you. You're my best friend. We all care about you. Don't listen to them," pleaded Kitty. The power of the Storm began to build. Wind tossed and wailed as rain cascaded to the ground like needles piercing an open heart and lighting bolts zoomed and whizzed around the room, cracking ominously. Rogue began to struggle to push them off, but they grabbed on with their iron grips. The storm would not tire their efforts. Remy and Betsy began to scuttle to safety to take cover, lest they be blown away and hurt even more as the room began to shimmer and change, reverting to its original form.
"Don't waste your breath with your hollow words, filled with deceit. You lie. You betray her. She has no friends. Just enemies that hurt her, over and over, but she is safe now. She is ours and she's never coming back," Rogue's hateful words were cruelly whispered full of venom and malice. They could hear parts of Rogue's voice coming through and it hurt them more than it hurt her on some levels. Why did it always have to be this way?
"Nein, Schwester, Katzhen tells zhe truth! Ve care about you. Ve love you. You're mein Schwester. Don't listen to zhem. Zhey mean nozhing. Ve are the vones zhat matter. Ve are the ones who care, not zhem. Please Rogue, fight, for me!" implored Kurt, his eyes showing his brokenness, the sadness clouding his heart at the sight of his sister like this.
"Stop THIS! STOP LYING TO ME!" shouted the strange unison of Rogue's combined voices with the psyches.
"Ve are not lying. Ve speak zhe truth. Zhey lie. Zhey deceive you. Zhey hurt you. Zhey are the ones zhat alvays do zhis to you. Listen me, to us to your heart Rogue. Listen to vhat it says. You know zhey lie! Ve are zhe vones zhat care about you. Ve are zhey vones zhat hurt to see you in so much pain. You're hurting us now, Rogue. Please, if you can hear me, fight zhem. Fight zhem for us. Fight zhem for life, for hope and for all zhat you believe in, mein Schwester, fight. I beg of you, please!" shouted Kurt, desperation and pleading in his tone. He could barely hang on as the gale winds blew him and Kitty practically horizontal, but they could not give up or let go.
A change in the winds allowed Kitty and Kurt to momentarily gain control of the situation and wrap their legs around Rogue to cling on. Her eyes began to flash their brilliant true emerald shade! Her face began to contort with pain and anguish while the storm raged around them, whipping their hair in all directions. Kurt said a silent prayer and preyed that she should come back to them.
"Yes, Rogue, you can do this! You're winning!" encouraged Kitty.
Her eyes closed. At last, someone did win as Rogue let out a harrowing, tormented earsplitting scream that was terrible to hear.
Opening them, the eyes that were radiant emeralds were revealed to be nothing but darkness full of hate, violence and menace.
A look of fear and pain crossed Kitty and Kurt's faces. It smiled at them, mocking and full of evil intent. Shaking It's gloves off It's pale hands, It reached out and pressed a hand at an inhuman speed to Kitty and Kurt's cheeks.
Three voices rang through the air, all speaking of misery and torturous pain.
Kitty and Kurt plummeted from high above the Danger Room, hitting the floor in a helpless heap, unconscious. Up above, the figure that was Rogue still screamed in agony, hands clutching her head as her body shuddered violently. In a puff of violet smoke, a loud bampf and the scent of brimstone, she disappeared, only to reappear on the ground, clutching her head in pain, as her body writhing and shaking with the constant throb and ache of pain, setting her nerve endings on fire.
As of now, Wolverine and Professor X were on the floor of the Danger Room, joining Betsy and Remy who sought the refuge of a fallen Sentinel which had disappeared to be replaced with a thick metal barrier, high and black, shiny and strong.
"Betsy," addressed the professor, "When I say, we go to Rogue and used our combined strengths to break through her mental barriers and push back the psyches, alright?"
Betsy gave him a curt nod of understanding, a look of determination crossing her features.
"NOW!" yelled the professor, wheeling his mechanized wheelchair out of their protective wall, fingers to his temples as he barged into the frenzied mind of Rogue. Betsy followed suit, the fingers of one hand, splayed about her temples another hand outstretched as she projected herself violently into Rogue's mind, meeting the professor immediately inside her problematic mind.
Inside, a swarm of psyches were circled around something; Rogue no doubt, a storm brewed inside her mind, just as in the outside world. They were the ghostly apparitions of the people they represented in reality. All of them huddled over her, body language threatening, violent and angry, surrounding her, closing her off, with no way out. This place looked a grave yard, the skies charcoal grey and growing darker by the second, a misty fog thickly covering the strange world, the trees were dead and dark, skeletons of what they once were and tombstones bore the names of all the psyches. The tall thick brick walls that had once enclosed them were smashed and wrecked, fallen bricks laying in a mess of angles and positions, both piled and splayed about, leaving her mind unprotected and open for their attack.
"Use psychic energy to attack them, and then use chains to bind them and pull them back to their graves," instructed Xavier.
"Right," said Psylocke as she and the professor sent out their onslaught of psychic energy into the hoard of distraught, vicious and fierce psyches.
They fell many of them, sending them to their knees, howling in pain, clutching their heads. Flinging their hands forward, they launched binding chains around them that coiled up the psyches securely, binding them. Then, they sent them back to the graves from whence they came, slamming their coffins shut, wrapping chains around those too, before slamming the full coffins to the hollowed earth, pouring in strong, thick concrete to seal them away before covering the tops with earth. They wailed and shrieked the whole time this happened. Still, they tried to whisper in their graves, but the psychics silenced them. On and on they went, it seemed a never ending task and the psyches only seemed to amass more.
Slowly, they began to retreat from their prey and descend onto Professor Xavier and Psylocke, harmful deeds filling their minds. Surrounding them, they tried to scratch, bash, punch, kick and hit them, but it was no use. They simply built up barriers or fought back with psionic blades or psychic probes that seemed to scathe them instantly. But there were too many, more than any one person can handle realistically. They bore down on Psylocke, the weaker of the two telepaths. Her body and mind strained, trying anxiously to defend herself in any way possible, but it was no use. At last, they broke her barrier and launched themselves at her. Screaming in agony, she was sharply flung out of Rogue's mind, causing great mental distress to her.
In the Danger Room, Psylocke's body fell to the floor all of a sudden and the professor's staggered back, slightly, now facing the full onslaught and the fury of the psyches on his own.
"Looks like it's just you and me, Cajun," said the Wolverine, almost grimly.
Remy nodded defiantly.
"We need ter reach her," explained the Wolverine, "Try to help Chuck along."
"Alright," agreed Gambit and without a word, the two men sprinted out from the barrier, battle cries leaving their lips, dashing past the struggling telepath and the fallen ninja, straight for the girl at the center of it all, in the eye of the storm.
She had started to float in the air, slowly spinning, hands outstretched at her sides, black eyes open and emotionless, vacant and empty as the storm waged on around her. Taking a running leap, both men pounced on the hovering girl and dragged (PEOPLE IT'S DRAGGED, NOT DRUG!) her to the floor of the Danger Room.
They kept her body still and steady on the floor with their strong arms and will, hoping to reach the part of her that still existed amidst the turmoil.
"Rogue, if you can hear me, fight them. I know you can. I believe in you. You don't take shit. You never do, and especially not from a bunch of shitheads trying to run your life. You're stronger than them and you know it, so fight them. You're a fighter, Stripes. I know that, you know that. You have something here Rogue, us, and we care about you, more than you know," Wolverine looked at Gambit strangely, whose face was focused entirely on hers, extreme worry and some fear on his face.
She let out an almost animalistic shout, "NO!" and with surprising speed, clutched the Wolverine's face before he could react. Logan groaned and rolled off her unconscious.
Dammit, her hands were not secure.
"Merde!" swore Remy as he forced her arms to her side, tightly, so she couldn't move them, as the Wolverine lay spread eagled on the floor.
"Jus' you an' m', huh, Chere?" started Remy, his eyes completely concentrated on hers for any sign of her reemergence.
Her face was twisted and contorted, still facing the barrage within.
"Please, fight it, chere! I know you can. You're stronger than anyone I've ever known. I see you break and fall, but you never let anyone see it, because you don't want to hurt them. You consider others always before yourself, you're completely selfless. I admire that. So many people take advantage of others, manipulate them and use them, betraying them, but you know that, because you know me. You know what it's like. It's happened to you. You could be so cold and angry, but you're not. You're so kind, caring and generous, full of hope and dreams. Don't let them destroy your hopes, because it's beautiful and worth it. Just believe in yourself, like I believe in you. You have a future and people who care about you. I care about you. Your life is worth living. Come back and I promise to make it so you don't have to feel like this all the time. I understand what it's like to feel so alone, so hurt and numb. I want to help you. We can face it together, Rogue. So come back to me, Chere, please," he whispered softly and honestly, his face inches from hers, the truth, sadness, pleading and desperation all in his gorgeous ebony garnet eyes.
Something stirred in her heart and snapped inside her at that moment at his confession. Her eyes drooped closed and her body relaxed, completely. He watched as she slowly seemed to reanimate as the professor began to work easier. She had awoken from her fear and stupor to help him fend off the demons of her mind, chaining them, binding them to their graves, helping him rebuild the walls that fenced them in from her, apart.
Then, the professor's body slumped in his chair as his eyes popped open, a small smile crossing his face, triumphant, but exhausted.
And those luminous emeralds that he longed to see appeared again, warming his heart, making him smile, relief flooding his exhausted body, but as soon as they focused, his smile vanished. In her eyes, he saw shock, terror, shame, pain and torment. She had realized what she had done to those she cared most about, to him. She was a terrible monster.
A frown crossed his handsome features, "Are you alright, Chere?"
She regarded him fearfully, moving as if stung. She pushed him off her body, roughly, "G-GET AWAY FROM MEH!" she screamed, pained and scared like a wild animal. Tears erupted from her eyes and she bolted.
"Rogue, come back!" he shouted, about to go after her, confront her, tell her that everything would be okay, but the first step he took, an unbearable pain shot up his side, causing him to fall crumpled to the floor, which was all she needed to make her escape, eyes blurred by the heavy tears, weighing hard on her fragile heart. He cursed his injury. Why now was it that this happened and his body failed? Why is it when she needed him the most was he unable to provide her with that which she needed, the help she required?
The professor called to her as she pressed the buttons to open the door of the Danger Room, but he could not stop her, nor slow her, as she looked back at the scene pained and fearful, then dashing away, just a blur of motion.
And it ends…not another update for a month! HAH! EVIL LAUGH! Okay…so not really…scroll down…I'm not that evil. I had the last part planned out since the beginning of the fic in Feb. and have been dying to share it with you all.
The fine black thread slid through his warm flesh, red and open, following a slender silver needle. Going in and out, in and out, the fine black thread pulled and closed the dark, morbid, open wound on the flesh of his abdomen to the left of his belly button. Seventeen stitches to close a long diagonal gash. He would've looked gorgeous; any woman would've paid to be in that curtained off room right now. He was shirtless and only in his boxers, his perfectly shaped body shown off in all its glory. It would've been a perfect sight had it not been for his obvious scowl and depressed face, blatantly not from the pain of the procedure.
His thoughts were lost and he was completely numb to it all. Remy couldn't feel the pain of the sharp needle splicing his flesh and drawing thread behind it, at this moment and it had nothing to do with the aesthesia and painkillers, because those don't really help that much. His thoughts were not on the stitches being sewn, but on a girl, sad, lonely and depressed, probably crying looked up in her room. He felt the urge to go and dry her tears. He longed to make her happy.
He was not in the world he belonged in right now, sitting on a hospital bed, with unhooked monitors and medical equipment surrounding him. The curtain was drawn for privacy, the thin sheet allowing him to see the shadows and light from the large room outside it. He saw none of it though, not even the doctor, large, blue and furred, in an oversized lab coat stitching his wound closed. Remy felt so helpless, of all the times for his body to fail, it had to be then. Right then, when she needed him the most, he couldn't be there for her. God was truly laughing at him. And he needed the medical treatment. It was a deep and wide wound, after all, but he didn't feel it, not the pain. He hadn't felt the throbbing pain, since they stripped him of his uniform to give him stitches. He hadn't felt the doctor clean his wound with disinfectant or inject or inject the painkillers. Now, he was just numb.
That look of utter terror, self loathing and despair that crossed her features as she looked to him haunted his memory, recapping over and over in his mind. Those tears that fell broke his heart. Pain had clenched his heart, grabbed it and squeezed, it still did. The worse part was that he felt it too, all the emotions she had in that moment. All that uncertainty, torment, suffering, loneliness, fear and utter lack of hope he had felt from her stronger and more potent than ever before, taking him by surprise and making him suffer too. All he wished was for her to be happy, when all around her turned her to be unhappy, but he had failed. He had failed to make her happy. He had been hopeless as he watched her fall into misery. Not for the first time, he longed for circumstances to be different, but unfortunately, that's not how reality works. And boy, did it leave a bitter taste in his mouth.
The thread was neatly knotted and cut once Hank finished sewing the slash closed. "Just a bandage and some disinfectant and we're all set for you to go, my Cajun friend," said Hank brightly.
The thief just grunted unintelligibly to which Hank gave a long sigh. He hoped that things worked out for him and the Southern Scarlet. He worked swiftly, cleaning up the area for any new split blood, disinfecting it and pressing some soft gauze onto the stitches before taping up the sides neatly.
As Hank picked up the used equipment to be washed or discarded, he walked to the flap in the curtain to exit, "I'll send in your family to see you. They're quite anxious. Well, just your Tante Mattie. Henri said he knew you'd be fine and he needed to watch the twins and Mercy said she needed to watch Jacques, the twins and Henri."
"Hmm," muttered the Cajun, not one for talking. He mostly just blanked out what Hank was saying.
"Right," said Hank as he left.
Soon after a plump black women entered the small chamber.
"Remy, chile, y' give m' a scare! Are y' alright? Dr. McCoy said he gave y' SEVENTEEN stitches!" screeched Tante Mattie.
"Hmm," grunted Remy, eyes glued to the floor, unfocused.
SMACK! Tante Mattie's plump cocoa hand smacked her lost boy right upside the head, causing his longish hair to flip into the air.
"TANTE! DAT HURT!" shouted Remy, rubbing the sore smarting area, instantaneously, it was like he had been reanimated, the life restored to him.
"Pfft," said the elderly woman rolling her dark eyes.
Remy muttered something under his breath.
"Dat had better not be somet'in bad comin' from y' mouth, Remy Etienne LeBeau!" rebuked Tante Mattie, "I got plenty o' soap here t' wash y' dirty mouth!"
"Fine, fine. Jesus, Tante," said Remy raising his hands in a 'I meant no harm way.'
Tante just shook her head.
"So how it feel, Remy?" she asked looking at him strangely, tilting her head slightly, regarding him with an observing look, slightly concerned.
"Pretty good, I know it's seventeen stitches…but I didn't really feel de pain," said Remy.
"Dat's not what I mean, chile," she said with a warm, babying smile, knowing something he didn't.
Remy looked at her quizzically, confused, "Den I'm lost here."
The old woman let out a slight laugh, "How dies it feel, Remy, t' finally have a fille drivin' y' completely crazy, turnin' de tables on y', huh?"
"Huh?" he said dumbly.
Tante just smiled wider and uttered one word, "Rogue."
In all his years, Mathilda Baptiste was the only person to cause Remy LeBeau to blush crimson, but he still kept a stony straight face, revealing nothing, "I don't know what y're talkin' 'bout," he said evenly.
She chuckled, "Now don't lie t' me, chile. You know it and I know it, jus' a matter o' y' admitting it t' y'reself."
"I won't admit anyt'in' because dere's NOTHIN' t' admit!" exclaimed Remy exasperated, his face wild.
"Pfft," snorted Mattie, disbelievingly, "Don' tell m' I didn't tell y' when y' finally come t' an epiphany, chile."
"Riiiight," said Remy, rolling his eyes, "Y' goin' crazy."
"I shouldn't be de one questionin' m' sanity, boy," she said evenly, keenly amused.
"Ugh!" sighed Remy, "I'd rat'er not talk about dis."
"Well it's not like y' have a choice," explained Tante, "Lord Remy, half de mansion sees it. Are y' honestly SO blind?"
"For de sake of God, Tante, dere's not'in' between us. We're just very good friends," he said tightly.
"Well, it's been said dat y' stubborn and thick skulled, Remy," revealed Tante Mattie.
"Uh huh," said Remy unamused.
"She's a good girl, Remy, not like dose floozies y're usually wit'. I like her and y' really care about her," confessed Mattie.
"I know," whispered Remy softly, "She's absolutely amazing." His eyes faded out of focus slightly, almost too slight to notice, but she noticed them. Some sort of calm, tranquility and inner peace floated to him. She'd been around the boy too long not to notice that slight change in his demeanor.
Tante filed those lines deep into her mind for future knowledge.
"And not f'r someone like m'," he finished with finality.
Tante Mattie faded to silence, considering his words as he grabbed his clothes from the side of his bed that someone had bought from his locker. He dressed quickly and swiftly. He then walked to the break in the curtains, about to cross the threshold when Tante Mattie stopped him with her words, causing him to turn and face her.
"Where y' goin, Remy?" she questioned softly.
"T' dinner," he said evenly, revealing nothing, but they both knew in their hearts that he would go to her.
He stepped out and crossed into the medlab, stalking to the automatic set of sliding glass doors that were designed to block out bacteria and disease from transferring and into the outside world of the underground halls of the mansion, silver and metallic, edged with white, black and blue. (You can find a description of what the hall looks like from Chapter Three.)
The atmosphere of the dinner was tense and stiff. Nobody talked, there were dull whispers, but they were all too afraid to speak any louder than a dull roar. No one really looked into the eyes of the other person. The food was good as usual, but everyone just picked at their food, no one was really hungry.
Kitty and Kurt had awoken shortly after they were admitted into the medlab, as did Betsy, Warren, Piotr and John. They hadn't really suffered any serious injury just a few bruises and cuts and were no worse for wear, but they knew that Rogue suffered in her room somewhere and thus, they had tried to appeal to her from the barrier of the door, pleading with her to come out. No one blamed her, they said, they didn't care. It was alright. They cared about her. Please come out. It went in circles. They tried repeatedly, but she wouldn't come no matter what they tried. Not even Logan, the professor or Ororo could get her to come, or the double team of Kurt AND Kitty. She just remained in her room, refusing to bend like a mountain.
Currently, Kitty's seat between Piotr and Kurt was empty, she had gone up to persuade Rogue to come to dinner, but she had been met with silence to her begs and so in the end, she hung her head in defeat and came back down to dinner.
"No luck, Sheila?" said John; it was of a statement than a question.
"No luck," said Kitty dejectedly, taking to swirling her potatoes around again. Everyone who had given her a hopeful glance when she entered went back to picking at their food, pretending to eat.
"I'm sure she'll come down when she's ready, Kitty," said the Professor with a reassuring smile, but he didn't convince them one bit.
"It's just she's so sad and depressed! And I just don't know if she can pull through this time," admitted Kitty, a pout crossing her features, "She's gotten SO far in everything, these past months, and then this comes along and just pulls her ten steps back!" She looked like she was going to burst into tears, but Piotr grabbed her hand and gave it a supporting squeeze, using the action to lend her some strength and comfort.
Kurt hadn't taken a bite of his meal, the usual vacuum cleaner of everything food wasn't functioning today. His shoulders, ears and tail just dropped giving him the look of utter sadness. Hell, even his fur seemed to droop! It didn't help that he was blue either. It just spoke so much of the sadness of the situation. He was usually so happy and positive; it took a lot to get him depressed and not be the jokester.
Remy stood up in his chair. He had enough of this moping and heavy atmosphere. He regarded the professor with his stony poker face.
"May I be excused?" he asked, more demanding than requesting.
"Yes, Remy, you may," said the professor softly.
Remy gave him a curt nod, put down his utensils and napkin on the pristine white table cloth and stalked out of the burdensome room. Pushing open the large ornate carved wooden doors, he entered the foyer, (foi-yay!) shutting the door behind him. As the heavy doors shut, Kitty let out a long distracted sigh. It would be a long dinner.
Your life has been so hard
It's dried up angels that can't keep guard
I'm trying to reach your hand
But I'm on fire
I never planned to fade... away
Stay with me
Stop pretending when they say that you're nothing
Are you sad?
Are you holding yourself?
Are you locked in your room?
You shouldn't be…
I'm drowning inside your head
Help me to answer
Help understand
Why it's been so long since we talked like friends
Please, forgive me,
I'm just a man
Whose made mistakes
Stop pretending when they say you're nothing
Are you sad?
Are you holding yourself?
Are you locked in your room?
You shouldn't be…
---'Are You Sad?' by Our Lady Peace
(I love this song. When I'm sad, I play it and I just can't help but feel a little better about things. I'd recommend downloading it off somewhere to listen to. The lyrics don't do it justice. The live version is AMAZING! I just can't help but think it's such a Romy song.)
Rogue had collapsed on her bed and dropped to sleep the moment she locked her door, running into her room in tears. She welcomed sweet sleep. It took away the hell of her troubled mind. But it could only do that shortly. She had to wake up and she did, to reality and all its troubles. She had changed, wanting comfort, and was now in a pair of black sweatpants, socks, black T-shirt and green hoodie with a pair of smug black gloves on her hands. Even now, with no human contact, she wore them.
The problems in her life began to spin into one complete picture, her so called mother, her curse of powers, the betrayals and lies she'd suffered at the hands of others, the terrible mutant bigotry, it all lay heavy on her soul and began to ruin her entirely. They sprung forth from her eyes in the form of wet, silvering, shimmering tears, coursing down the contours of her striking face, telling of all the sadness in her pathetic life.
She clutched her pillow against her body tightly, tangled up in her sheets and comforter. The others had come and tried to reason with her, get her to come out, but she wouldn't, not when everything was her fault. It was all her fault and the tears began to sting her face. She had lost control and hurt the people she cared about most. The injuries on their bodies were because of her. She had inflicted them because she was frail, weak, pathetic and powerless. Rogue had no control of anything in her life and it just wasn't fair. She was mourning for her wretched existence.
The worse part of it was that she had hurt Remy the most.
That gash was because of her. That blood and pain that came from it was because of her. She had truly hurt someone she cared about. Rogue had practically killed him in the chaos and still, he came to her. It was he who was the light that guided her back, which prompted her to fight, to not give up hope, but why? His voice reached her when no one else could and brought her back. Why was it that he could do what no one could?
Still, she was doomed. She couldn't deny that she was not attracted to him, but it would never amount to anything. She was untouchable, meant to be alone forever and Remy couldn't save her from that. She was meant to be friends with him, nothing more and how empty that was, how hollow and miserable. She was meant to hold him at arm's length, never closer, no matter how tempted she was. She could share a million significant looks with him, but in the end they'd mean nothing? So why was she crying over him, over this? It wasn't worth it, when she was done, it'd still be the same, still be as sad and depressing. It wasn't in her capability to escape this, no matter how much she wanted to and tried.
She could never touch him, be the sort of woman that could be with him. So why did she bother? Why did she let herself get excited and happy when he looked at her, touched her, smiled at her, laughed at her, talked to her? It wouldn't be worth it, it would only hurt more in the end. She didn't think her heart could take it when that happened. It wasn't meant to be. She should just let it die. So why couldn't she?
Thus, she lay balled on her bed, letting the tears flow freely, drowning in her misery.
Suddenly, something caught her off guard. It was a noise a sound.
There, there it was again. It was…it was the strumming of a guitar. The tune was familiar…it piqued her interest and tears falling from her face, she sat up slightly, tucking her knees under her chin, wrapping her arms around herself and listened.
There was a voice, it was sweet and melodic. It was him. The words were familiar to her. And she remembered…the song; it was 'Are You Sad?' by Our Lady Peace. It was one of her favorites and he sang it to her.
She shut her eyes, just letting the lyrics and song wash over her and the sobs break free. Rogue could feel the song, the lyrics. It was for her.
And suddenly, she knew, knew that she wasn't alone. There was him and he would be with her always, no matter what, seeing her through the darkness, because he cared. He really did care about her.
Lifting her feet to the ground, she crossed the carpeted floor, whispering the lyrics to the song she knew so well. Stopping at the door, she paused, hesitating, almost unsure. But putting her hand to the knob, she made her choice. She opened the door. She let him in.
Remy sat there on the floor beside her door, back to the wall, his acoustic guitar in hand, playing its strings to the slow tune of the song, accompanying it with the lyrics he knew so well, close to his heart. He knew it was her song, but more than anything, he needed her to know that he was there, that he cared and always would. She mattered to him, no matter what. She was precious to him. He let the song carry him, hoping, preying to convey the message to her.
As he was about to sing the chorus one last time, her heard the door click open and turned his head to see her emerge, tears shimmering down her face, softly singing the last lines with him.
She turned to face him as he strummed the last few notes of the song, once again, entranced with his eyes as he was lured by hers. This moment, it was theirs.
When he finished, he propped the guitar on the wall and stood to his full height, his gaze never leaving hers. He noticed her white bangs hiding her face and reached out slowly to brush it off, taking note of the pain in her eyes, but also the fact that she'd somehow be okay, despite it all. He understood her. And then the tears began to spring faster from her eyes, and the sobs louder, she needed to be freed of it all. Launching herself into his waiting arms, Rogue buried her face in his chest as he let her cry, allowing her to release it all from inside. Remy wrapped his arms, tightly, securely, solidly around her. She felt so safe right now, almost like nothing bad could ever touch her.
No words were spoken or exchanged. They didn't need them. There, in the hall, he just held her close to him, stroking her hair, lending her comfort, support and understanding, letting her know that he'd be there for her whenever she needed him, always, for as long as she needed.
UP NEXT: CHAPTER ELEVEN: DENY
Well, this chapter will deal with the aftermath of Rogue's mini Self Possessed moment and will feature Rogue and Remy talking over things with Kitty, Kurt, Piotr, John, Tessa, Lucas and of course the rest of the Cajuns…and well, things get complicated!
I hope you all liked this chapter as much as I loved writing it.
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