LIFE OR DEATH
Rogue's eyes went wide at the sight of Kurt. Without a second thought she inadvertently licked her lips as she heard his heart beating, pounding really, as if it were going to explode out of his chest.
"What are ya doin' here again? I told ya to leave me alone," she spoke quietly as she inched towards him. Kurt stood his ground.
"And I told you, mein schwester, zat I cannot. I found a vay to help." Rogue's eyes were cold and set as she stared at him. Standing before him she fiddled with some of the fur on his neck.
"Is this real, or are ya playin' games with me again?" she smirked.
"No, zis is all very real Rogue. Za schwester I know vould not bite me." she grimaced, as she turned back to look into his eyes, looking as if she had a complete personality change. Her eyes softened and her hand dropped as she began to turn away from him, but he grabbed her arm.
"Kurt, ya shouldn't be here. It's too dangerous."
"No, zis has to be done. None of zis is right. I know after everything zat I'm not trustworthy, but you know zat I could never hurt you. It vas all Emma. I thought zat there vas no other vay, but zere is."
"So that you and ya friend can make me inta some smoked turkey come dawn. I'm so sure Kurt." Kurt looked confused.
"You know about-"
"The man in the woods, who apparently doesn't seem to be anywhere near as scared of me and of bein' on these grounds as you are. Yeah, I know," she told him as she stepped back, giving herself some room in case of a fight.
"You should listen to your furry brother here," came a gruff voice from behind her. She had faintly recalled seeing his face before.
"Rogue," Kurt called out, "zis is Wolverine. He can help you." Rogue hissed at the two, preparing for one to attack, when she finally recalled that face.
"You let one of them in here! You helped him come in here for me! How dare ya! What kind of brother are ya?" Kurt's eyes darted to Wolverine.
"What?" he whispered to himself. Rogue's finger pointed towards Wolverine.
"He hunts us!"
Wolverine was not able to put up much of a fight as she seemed to momentarily vanish and reappear right behind him. Using Carol's strength, she held him in place as she bit into his neck. He grunted at the feeling, just before he was able to stab something into her leg. Rogue let go reluctantly and feeling very dizzy she looked down to see an empty syringe in her leg. Just before she fell on the ground she was caught by Kurt. The last thing she was able to see before darkness washed over her was her brother's worried face.
Remy walked into his study only to be greeted by someone he never thought he would have the utter displeasure of ever laying his eyes upon again.
"What, not happy to see me chere?"
"I watched you die Belladonna," suddenly the door shut behind him, and he turned to see Jean.
"You saw what you wanted to see mon coeur," she cooed sarcastically to him. She took a few well placed steps towards him, but made sure to keep a good amount of distance.
"I want your throne."
Rogue woke up with a very large migraine. She sat up slowly as she rubbed her temples and took a small glimpse of her surroundings. All around her, everything seemed as it were made of some type of metal, and there was some weird force field over the only notable exit. There were no windows or air vents. She nearly growled at the foolishness of it all and waited for that familiar 'snikt', but when she heard nothing, she looked down at her hands. Wait, she wasn't supposed to have claws, why did she think that she did? Her head began to pound harder as she felt each of her many psyches trying to make it to the front of her mind in an attempt to reclaim their lives, through her. Carol seemed to be at the forefront of the race, as Rogue began to pound her fists against the metal, but nothing happened. Not even a slight dent formed.
"Not one of your powers are going to help you here darlin'," came the gruff voice from behind her, once again. She turned towards the man, narrowing her eyes as she inched towards him.
"Why am I here? Decide ta play with me first or are you waiting for dawn?" she asked while she flicked the force field, as if to make her point.
"No darlin', we're just waitin' to see how our little lab rat turns out," he growled out. She stared into his eyes, almost searching, and then she smirked eerily.
"You haven't changed yet?"
"Nope, and I'm not gonna. Don't worry though, it definitely hurt enough," he said as he gestured towards the bandage that was over the bite.
"Your toxin is nearly out of my system now."
"I don't believe ya."
"Nothin' to believe. I'm a mutant. What, haven't rifled through my memories yet? I can heal myself, it's in the blood. The same blood that is probably causing some of that little headache you've got there," he pointed out as he pulled out a cigar.
"I won't let ya kill me, not without a fight."
"Ve are not doing any zuch zing Rogue." Kurt walked towards them.
"Really? What would ya call it then sug? Doin' some sort'a human service?" suddenly there was a rush of pain running through her body. She fell down clenching her stomach. She could barely make out what the two men were saying past her pain. Her powers seemed to go wild as she bore down through the pain. She would teleport, phase, levitate, and anything else left in her. Her only thought seemed to be on how to stop the pain, until it subsided as quickly as it came. As relieved as she was, she found herself weak, unable to keep her eyes open any longer, she fell once again into the darkness. But just before she did, she mentally called out to the one person she knew would be looking for her.
'Remy'. It was as faint as a whisper, but just enough for only him to hear it in the back of his mind. Remy tensed up that much more.
"It has always been about dat, non. What did you do?"
"I didn't do anythin' chere. Dis has always been on your shoulders Gambit. If you would have just let me have it in the first place, dis would not be an issue."
"An' your new beau?"
"Dat was nothin'. I found a better one for da position." Belladonna stepped back and gestured towards the door, just as Pietro walked in. Remy took a step towards him, but was held in place with Jean's telekinesis.
"What did you do to her?" he yelled out. Belladonna laughed evilly.
"Oh, so the rumors are true. You fell for her? Tres amusant chere. I remember a time when your heart was only able to hold love for me."
"How easy that love is to give up once someone gets betrayed by dat person, chere. Den again; what I felt for you could have always just been indigestion." Suddenly, objects all over the room began to glow red.
"Tsk, tsk Remy. You know better den anyone, you do dat, you gonna be blown sky high aussi."
"Don't matter, if Remy got nothing to lose, non."
"But why would I have da lil tramp killed just yet, especially if I could use her to my advantage."
"Quelle advantage?"
"We gave her to the hunters," Pietro answered, very sick of their little banter, and very much wanting to get this meeting over with.
"You would give up your own kind...your own friend?" Pietro simply smirked.
"She was nothing to me, just a...challenge. A very tempting one at that, even you would have to admit. Even being able to touch you, did she? Or just tease you like everybody else?" Remy thought of a few choice words to call him, but settled on keeping his mouth shut. He turned towards Jean.
"Thought you had so much interest in her, guess dat was it huh?" Jean showed no emotion whatsoever.
"I liked her. She had a good heart. Reminded me of me, a long time ago, before all the wrong you had committed against me."
'So revenge sweet?'
'We will see.'
"Alright Belladonna, you want dis throne? Take it; I just want to know where she is."
"Dat easy?"
"Dat easy."
Rogue was not breathing. Sure, as a vampire, neither Wolverine nor Kurt knew what she was going to go through. They did not even know if it would work or if she would have an actual heartbeat, but took her pain as a bad sign. Her pale complexion turned that much whiter, as she lay on the floor unmoving. Both men were on the verge of completely panicking. There had never been an actual procedure like this. Any vampire that had ever bitten Wolverine did not live to tell about it, but with Rogue's powers, there were so many possibilities. Cyclops was never completely turned and after his stay with Essex, he was given an injection of Wolverine's blood, and was fine.
Wolverine began to attempt CPR, but was unsure of actually touching her. Cautiously, he tilted her head just enough to open her mouth and breathed a few puffs into her. He checked her vitals, but still, there was nothing. In the background, Kurt was repeating prayers, unable to move as he watched his sister die on the floor before him.
REUNIONS
"Nothin's dat easy chere. But I will give you dat lil' piece of information."
"What dat be Belle?"
"She's in da one place dat not even you would willingly go lookin' for her. She be held at da hunters base."
"Don't believe you. Not even you dat heartless, to your own kind."
"Think dat over 'gain Gambit."
"Really, den what was your price for dat information, 'sides my throne, of course."
"Your throne will not be a problem, since dat price will be...your head." Just before Belladonna had finished her sentence, Jean had completely subdued him with an injection that instantaneously knocked him unconscious. Belladonna stood before him victorious.
Rogue would have thought that she were in heaven, as she felt a huge weight fall from her shoulders and looked up to see a bright light. But that thought was quickly put to rest as she opened her eyes fully, to see that she was still in the room with the blue fur ball that constituted as her brother, and Wolverine. She couldn't help but groan. Why was she here again? Why was her head spinning? So she decided that laying on the cool floor was the best thing for her, that is, until that blue fur ball rushed to embrace her as he called out, "Mein schwester!" bringing a rush of memories along with him. Then there was a small pinch in her left arm as she looked over to see that once again, she had been subdued by this Wolverine fellow and was slowly falling back asleep, farther away from this living nightmare.
Remy's head was spinning as he woke up to find himself in some type of coffin. It was the older version of an actual pine box, rather than the cozier versions they have now. He pushed the lid, but it refused to budge as a little bit of dirt seeped into the coffin. He groaned inwardly. Belladonna knew how he hated being buried, and she did it for her own enjoyment. It took him a little bit of time to finally pry it open and dig his way through the dirt. As he did so, his thoughts wondered to why he was still alive, since Belladonna wanted his head and how Belle would really die this time for such torture, and how he would make Jean watch just before she endured her own. Pietro, he would just take down himself, and love every minute of it, making sure that he killed him in the end, maybe even making him stand out in the sunlight.
But there was no stopping the thoughts of his Rogue and what she might be going through. If they captured her, then it was obvious that they must have found some way to subdue her powers. 'Knowing dat femme, she probably be given dem hell.' he smiled at that thought. 'She definitely a stubborn one.' He just hoped he could reach her in time, before they could harm her.
It was common knowledge where the base was, since it was not a place that any of them would willingly go anywhere near. And due to where Remy had been buried, it did not take him long to get there, however, he was low on time since whatever it was that Jean had used and caused him to sleep until the next night.
So there he stood, hidden amongst the tree line, staring at the base, attempting to focus on the task at hand. He had washed off most of the dirt that had clung to him from earlier, in a nearby stream, hoping to get past certain guards without causing any alarm. Most of them were human after all, or at least mutants. The only trouble he knew that he could run into would be any sensors that might go off. Only once had something like this ever been attempted, and he had only heard rumors. But he was the infamous Remy LeBeau. He could do this, if nothing else, for her.
Rogue lay there, on some cot, in some nameless sterile room, unable to move. She was now conscious, but her limbs were numb. She could feel the heat of the lamp above her, yet at the same time, could feel the presence of another. He was getting closer and she knew it. He cared enough for her to come for her. If she could have, she would have smiled to herself. She never doubted him; after all, he was the only one who tried to truly keep her safe through all of this. He never pressured her into anything, but held onto her like his dearest possession. She was never allowed the option of having a real relationship with another person, other than as a friend or as a relative, and it was always something she wanted more than anything. She never trusted herself above all else, afraid that she would hurt them. She blamed herself for Cody for so long, but she had to put her past behind her now, she had to learn how to truly love. But could she? Could she really love someone outside of what her normal circle of life used to be?
She wanted to, to love him like they both needed. She did, but would it be enough? She plagued her own mind of possibilities as she was alone in her thoughts. What kind of life would be brought upon her based upon death and lust? But what if this was her last chance for love? What if this was meant to be? What if she was meant to save him? She continued to confuse herself, until she noticed some of her muscles finally allowing movement. Her fingers began to tingle as she wiggled them.
Remy was correct that he would have no trouble gaining access, with his abilities against these humans. His mind called out to her with no answer, but he would not assume the worst, he would find her. His blood would boil each time he thought of the possibility of her being treated harshly or even killed. He had to stop himself from drinking any of the guards as he was afraid someone would only find them and know that he was here. Suddenly he turned to find a dark hallway leading to only one room. He knew that it had to be hers. Why else would it be so secluded?
He allowed his senses to open up to the surrounding areas, hearing the heartbeats of anyone around, licking his lips as he heard their blood course through their veins. There was someone alive in the room, but only one. This would be easy. He cracked the door, ever so slightly, making it seem natural, as if the door had not been properly shut, and sliding in. But, within this dark room, he found only one person there, lying underneath a heated lamp. She looked like a fallen angel sleeping under such an intense light. Her pale skin, soaking it in as her auburn curls sounded her and her white stripes posed as a halo. He stood in the corner unsure of himself, unsure how he could be hearing a heartbeat pulsing from her.
As if reading his mind, her eyes opened slowly, as she sat up staring at him. Her emerald eyes twinkled with a life he had never seen. She looked into his eyes unafraid, as if truly seeing him for the first time. Rogue smiled, ever so slightly, but looked down as a deep blush grew on her cheeks. Remy attempted to swallow the lump that had grown in his throat.
"Remy," she began meekly. He took a step towards her, towards the only light that was in this room.
"What did dey do to you Rogue?" She scooted towards the end of the bed, wanting to test the strength that she hoped had found her legs. But she made sure to look into his eyes as she spoke.
"They gave me my life." Remy kept his face unreadable as he stood there staring at her from the edge of the darkness that filled the room.
"De one without me." She saw it as a question, but Remy saw it as a fact. Her smile faded as she answered him.
"That...is up to you."
"Rogue-" she interrupted him, trying not to be too loud, but allowing her anger to get the best of her.
"No! Remy I-" she stood herself up on weary legs only to fall to the ground. Remy attempted to catch her, but as soon as his arms touched the light, it burned as if it were the sun itself. He quickly pulled back. Rogue couldn't look up from her position. In her anger grew embarrassment, which only grew more anger.
"They wanna keep me from ya, but that was not my intentions," she grounded out through gritted teeth. Rogue sat there on her hands and knees, as her hair covered her face, while she willed her legs to work. Luckily, that healing factor was still working its way through her, allowing her legs to begin to move, but still not enough to stand on her own accord.
"I didn't believe them. They dragged me here. They knew where ta find me, how to get ta me. My brother was with them. I…I fell into their trap. But I succeeded in what no one could do, and I'm human again, or at least as far as that goes bein' a mutant an' all." her legs finally allowed her to pull herself up into a standing position, as she clung to the bed due to her unsteadiness.
"But I didn't leave ya," she finally looked into his eyes.
"What we are is up to you," she told him silently.
"But what if it became too much? What if Remy bit you? Could you handle dat chere?" She looked away from him once again, suddenly finding her hands interesting as she could feel her legs become stronger.
"You can't bite me. After I took Carol's powers, they stuck with me, even now. They had to use adumantium needles just to penetrate my skin. If ya tried, I heard them say that ya might break ya teeth. That the only way I was able to drink off of her was because of my powers." His eyes never left her. He could feel all of her emotions overwhelming him, making it very hard to detach his own feelings, to know how to handle this situation. Never in a million years did he believe that this was how he would find her. But he knew that he would not be able to handle being apart from her, not after everything. He slowly held out his hand to her, just short of the harmful light. Her eyes went to his hand, unsure if she was really willing to take that step too.
"If I go with ya, it has to be about me, about us...not about some way ya could use me to your benefit." Her eyes looked back into his, so unsure of herself. She knew that he was smirking, and feared his response would be some wise crack or another about her usefulness, but it never came, instead he gave the one response that she never thought he would ask of her.
"Do you trust me?" his hand still held out. She suddenly turned emotionless, as if cut off from the world itself. She took those two steps towards him. It was then his turn to become unsure, as she stared into his endless abysses that are his eyes for what felt like an eternity. Without a second thought, she slowly slid her hand into his without averting her eyes from his.
Before either had a chance to think of what to do next, Kurt burst into the room excited, well until he entered and saw the sight before him. Gambit had found her, and he could not see any other reason that she would be so close to him other than he must have manipulated her somehow. After finally being human, there was no way that she would go back to him. Would she?
"Get avay from mein schwester you demon spawn!" he called out as he held out the cross that was around his neck. Gambit did not move, though his eyes turned to slits. Rogue jumped in between the two as Kurt slowly came towards the two.
"NO! You won't hurt him Kurt!" which caused her brother to stop dead in his tracks.
"Vhat? Rogue you have to listen to me. He's manipulating you, putting thoughts in your mind. You can't listen to him." Rogue shook her head and pointed her finger at Kurt.
"No he's not. I am thinkin' clearly. For once I found somethin' that I have been lookin' for too long. I'm goin' with him willingly Kurt, an' there ain't nobody whose gonna stop me."
"You sure 'bout that darlin'," came a voice from the door. Behind her Remy hissed as Wolverine unsheathed his claws. Rogue drew her attention back to her brother.
"I'll be fine. I'll come back, I promise." As soon as she spoke her last word, the two had disappeared in a puff of smoke, making Kurt and Wolverine stare at one another very confused.
The two reappeared just outside the facility in the same position they were in just before they vanished. Rogue stood before him secretly holding the same hand she proved her trust in. He looked down at her slowly realizing what had just happened before him.
"Thought dat you couldn't do dat before da change chere." She let go of his hand and took a few steps away from him, slowly walking into the night as she looked up at the stars for the first time in days.
"I couldn't," she mumbled just loud enough for him to hear.
"But love does funny things, don't it?"
"So you-" she quickly turned to him, not wanting to go further into this conversation.
"Belladonna's alive?"
"Oui. She da one dat-"
"Told them how ta get me, I know." He eyed her curiously wondering how much she did already know.
"Dat an' Jean an' Pietro helpin' her." She nodded silently.
"Pietro was always hard ta get rid of," she almost joked. Remy lifted his hand and laid it upon her shoulder.
"An' Jean?" she looked up into his eyes.
"Was never trustworthy," she told him solemnly.
"She wanted ta help me, only 'cause she wanted Storm out of the way. She wants revenge for what ya did ta her. The only thing I don't understand is how ya would allow her ta be in ypur home when she holds so much against ya."
"Owed her dat much, non." She nodded silently as she looked around to check out her surroundings. But Remy turned her attention back to him as he touched her chin.
"I owe you more den dat," he whispered huskily just before his lips crashed into hers. Both knew that now was not the time, but neither wanted to let go of that moment. He quickly deepened the kiss as she responded just as passionately. The sound of alarms going off broke the two apart, though they both seemed breathless. Not from the act, but at the realization that they were quite the pair. Almost as if separate sides of the same coin, neither could be happy without the other. Rogue was one who tried to be honest, stronger, to right the wrongs of the world, she was so pure compared to him, but tried to hide it underneath a mask so that she would not be hurt by those she cared for. She blamed herself for so much, while he was dark, very dishonest, and used his power to benefit himself. He didn't care about the world, only his own ambitions. Everything he once was is what Belladonna is, everything he no longer wanted to be.