Disclaimer: I don't own the X-men…no point in suing. All you'd get would be debt!

Savage Seas II: Passion's Revenge

By: Kayleespade

Chapter 12: The Price of Salvation

Rogue's lips curled up seconds after her eyes slid open to the morning sun. She stretched her body, her soreness making her grin widen. It had been an eternity since they had been together like that and it had felt like the first time. She felt the heat coming from his body as he held onto her in his sleep. But something seemed wrong. He was too hot.

"Remy?" She asked as she rolled over.

No response.

"Remy!"

His fever was back and as strong as ever. Sweat poured off his body and he was completely unresponsive to her pleas. "Remy…sugah…please, don't do this. Not now."

She jumped from the bed and dressed quickly. "Dr. McCoy! Dr. MCoy, please! It's Remy!" She shouted as she ran to the doctor's hut at the end of the village. Before she even reached the hut, the good doctor was already on his way with his bag.

When they returned to Remy's side, he was convulsing.

Hank kneeled down beside the bed and began asking Rogue questions. "Did he eat anything else last night after the improvement?"

She shook her head.

"Did he come in contact with anything?"

Nothing besides me. "No."

Hank shook his head. "This makes no sense. There must be a cause…everything has a cause." Hank wiped some sweat from Remy's brow. "It will be alright, boy. I will find something."

Cat rushed into the small hut and looked quickly from Remy and Hank to Rogue. "What happened? He was doing so well last night?"

Rogue ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "Ah know…Ah…"

Cat placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. "Let's take a walk and let Hank do his best, okay. I'm sure Remy'll be fine by the time we get back." She started out of the door and looked back over her shoulder. "Come on."

Rogue didn't want to leave Remy, but it was painful to watch him like this. Reluctantly, she followed Cat, but not before addressing the doctor. "Please," she paused and Hank turned to meet her worried eyes, "I can't lose him again."

"You will not lose him to this… I promise, my dear."

Cat was waiting for her near the edge of the small village where a footpath led into the jungle.

Cat led the way as they went deeper into the jungle. The deeper they went, the more exotic the island became. Something growing on the tree trunks made the look furry-and creepy- in the morning mist. The squirrels she spied weren't gray but red, and many of the leaves on the bushes were larger than she was.

Though most of the spindly trees had roots that forked out above the soil, looking like the veins they actually were, the ceiba tree's trunk was gigantic, its roots as tall as she was and as thick as her desk aboard the Sea Raven.

"This island is beautiful." Rogue finally said, breaking a lengthy silence. She had started wondering why Cat had wanted to come out this far from the village anyways.

Cat stopped and looked back. "Yeah, it is, isn't it." She sighed. "Not that I have much to compare it to, though."

"You've never been off the island?"

"Only when I was very young. I really can't remember."

Cat pointed up to a small cave on a nearby hillside. "I wanted to take you there. Do you think you can make it up there?"

Rogue scanned the cliff. It was high, but nothing like some of the challenges she'd conquered before. "Oh, yeah. No problem."

Cat smiled. "I thought so."

About an hour later, they managed to reach the cave and sat just inside the entrance. Catching her breath, Rogue asked, "So now that we're here, are you goin' to tell meh why this place is so important?"

Shaking her head, Cat laughed. "It's not. I just wanted to get your mind off Remy for awhile."

Rogue just glared at her for a moment, before finally smiling. She liked this woman.

"Did it work?" Cat asked hopefully.

Rogue thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Good!" Cat stood and looked around the small cavern. "He'll be fine, you know. Hank's the best there is."

"Do you love him?" Rogue asked. Cat turned, confused. "Remy, Ah mean. Do you love him?"

"Oh…for a moment I thought you meant Hank. That would be just…weird."

Rogue noticed the attempt to dodge the question. "Do you?"

Cat sat beside her and nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Rogue frowned.

"But not in the way you think. He's like a brother to me…an annoying, overprotective brother, but a brother."

"Really?"

Cat nodded. "There may have been a time when we were younger that I fancied something more, but I know Remy. We never would have matched well. I'm happier with what I have."

"Tell meh," Rogue leaned back against the damp wall. "What was Remy like as a boy?"

That brought forth a deep laugh from the young woman. "Oh…the trouble we got into. He was quite the little devil, but so was I." A wistful smile graced her face. "What times we had!"

Rogue was almost envious of Cat. She had seen a side of Remy, Rogue would never know. "Tell meh."

"Well," Cat looked around again. "This cave was the setting of one of our little adventures. Remy saved me from a great dragon in this very spot."

"A dragon?"

She nodded. "Well, it seemed like a dragon to a terrified young girl, but it was only a harmless python. Oh, but Remy was my knight in shining armor that day!"

Cat related story after story about their childhood adventures. By the end of the afternoon, both women were rolling with laughter. It had been a good day. They finally left the cave and began walking along the beach as the sun began to descend.

"Ah have one other question for you, Cat."

"Uh-huh. What would that be?" She asked, taking a bite from a yellow fruit.

"Ah saw a tree with initials carved into it. They belonged to you and Remy, right?"

Cat nodded as she chewed. "Oh that. Yeah. Remy carved those letters after a particularly eventful day." The subtle laugh that followed those words seemed to have a deep meaning.

The curious look on Rogue's face spoke volumes.

"Alright, I'll tell you."

They pair sat on a large piece of driftwood. "Remy always fancied himself my protector in this dangerous place. We were young and didn't realize the danger that lurked everywhere. One day, I was playing in a wading pool, when a crazed monkey began to harass me from the bank. I was terrified and screamed."

Rogue laughed at the picture that produced in her mind.

Cat seemed to stiffen. "Laugh will you? Have you ever seen a raging monkey? It's not a pretty picture, believe me!"

Forcing the laughter down, Rogue suppressed a smile. "Sorry, please continue."

"Well," she began again. "Remy was gathering some firewood nearby and heard me scream, so he came to my rescue. Unfortunately, he had never seen a crazed monkey before either and underestimated the danger. Laughing, much like you, he approached only to get a monkey on his head!"

As Cat continued to describe the scene that she witnessed, Rogue couldn't contain her laughter any longer. Finally, Cat also succumbed to the fit as well.

"How did he get away from the little beast?" Rogue asked.

"Oh, there is only one way to get a monkey off your back…dive in a pool of water! Remy did just that and the monkey jumped from his shoulders to a nearby tree. As if injured in some great fashion, that little devil stuck its tongue out and scurried away. After that, Remy carved those letters to commemorate our victory over the beast."

After a few moments, Rogue's mood suddenly darkened. "Do you think he's awake now?"

Cat shrugged. "I'm not sure." She looked out over the water. "I've told you all about my memories of Remy, now it's your turn, Rogue. I want to know what he is to you and how you met my dear little devil."

Rogue gave a faint smile as she recalled her memories from the beginning. "Ah remember first laying eyes on Remy while my crew and Ah were plundering a small shipping vessel off the coast of Scar island." Her smile deepened.

"What happened?" Cat asked.

"He sailed by and helped himself to some of the plundered floating on the waves. It was just a passing glance, but I remembered his eyes. They were so beautiful."

Cat smiled at that confession. "You do love him, don't you?"

Rogue nodded. "More than anyone could possibly know."

After a short pause, Rogue continued. "We met a man named Lehnsherr, who challenged us to find an artifact. That request began our journey together. Ah tried to resist him…but Remy was so persistent. He pursued me at every opportunity. Deep down, Ah think Ah wanted to be caught."

"He won you over."

Rogue smiled. "It wasn't easy. Trust meh. Ah think Ah finally surrendered long before Ah let him know." Rogue lowered her head. "Ah can't help but think that Ah'm the cause of this sickness he's suffering."

"Why would you say that, Rogue?" Cat asked, confused.

"Because of Belladonna."

"Who's that?"

"She's the definition of evil. She's had her sights on Remy for years and Ah fear she's done something to him. Something dark…powerful. She stole his memories from him and now he's so ill. It has to be her…all because Ah love him."

Cat stood and shook her head. "If what you say is true, then it's not your fault. It's not because you love Remy. It's because he loves you. The only thing you can do is stay by his side and love him back." She placed her hand on Rogue's shoulder. "He always protected me when we were young. Now he needs someone to help him be strong."

A small tear fell from Rogue's eye.

"You're his wife, aren't you?"

Rogue gasped. "How…How did you know?"

"It wasn't hard, you know." Cat paused. "And I saw Remy's tattoo. He wouldn't allow just anyone to mark him like that. He must truly love you."

Rogue smiled. They sat there watching the sun lower to the sea. When they rose to head back to the village, something caught Rogue's eyes on the horizon. Sails!

"Do you see that!"

Cat followed her gaze. "A ship?"

Rogue shook her head. "No, not just a ship. That ship is the Sea Raven. Ah'd know her anywhere. Ah have to tell Remy!"


The short relay from the Sea Raven to the inscrutable island before him was just as before. Wanda, working tirelessly, her restless eyes darting around even in the small rowboat to find a crisis to forestall. Rogue's crew, also exhausted, rufused to give up hope. Then there was John, reeking of spirits and still- after all the miles and islands they'd covered- drunkenly optimistic.

"I have a good feelin' 'bout this island." John slapped Kurt on the shoulder, then swiped a hand over his bristly face, attempting to smooth the bed linen indentations that still pinkened his skin. Throughout the years, John provided what he called "shipboard levity".

"Mark my slurred words, mate, it's goin' to be this one. And as much as you think it won't be, it must be."

Kurt frowned at John. Reason dictated that Kurt begin accepting his failure…this island marked the end of an exhaustive search and was the last in the archipelago.

As the boat neared the island and the smell of damp earth and seaweed smothered the brine, Kurt's thought's turned inward. He scarcely registered the mountain, cloaked in foliage, or the emerald bay guarded by reef. They'd rowed out to search countless times before today, and variations of paradise had greeted them each time, but there had been no sign of his sister or Remy.

"Kurt, what do you think of the north end of the shore?" Wanda asked, pointing out a beach cupped between rock outcroppings.

Kurt studied the salt-white beach and, noting the channel through the reefs in front of it, waved them on.

Back into the lulling pattern of inching forward, then pausing after each stroke, Kurt peered down through the crystal water. A massive bull shark prowled beneath them. Not surprising…sharks were legion in this area. He hoped that wasn't how his sister had met her end.

"Kurt?" John cried in a strangled voice.

Kurt's head jerked up. "Vhat is it?" Before his eyes, Kurt's face swelled crimson.

"You aren't…you aren't goin' to believe this. Over there! South-southwest."

Kurt trained his eye in the direction of his friend's periscope. And shot to his feet so hastily that several hands slapped wood to clutch the pitching boat. Speech refused to come to anyone.

Finally, somehow, Wanda managed, "I'll…be..damned."

Two women were standing on the beach, waving.

"Is…is that Rogue?' John asked, as he stood as well. He clasped Kurt's shoulder from behind. "Tell me that isn't her!"

Kurt shook him off. "I…can't say for certain."

Wanda turned to the oarsmen and barked, "Put your backs into it, men. Come on, then!"

The closer they got to the beach, the more certain he became. He could more clearly make out her appearance…it was his sister. They had found her!

Rogue couldn't believe her eyes. They had found them!

"Wow, darlin', you certainly surround yourself with handsome ones, don't you?" Cat exclaimed as she fanned herself.

Rogue laughed. "The one in the front is my brother, Kurt…and he's taken. The other one is John. He's crazy and you wouldn't want to cross his woman."

"Too bad," she sighed.

Moments later, the rowboat beached and Rogue was wrapped up in the arms of her brother and Wanda.

"You're alive! We thought we had lost you!" Wanda said as she pulled Rogue tight. "Don't you ever put me through that again!"

Rogue laughed. "Ah won't."

John stepped up and looked down the beach. "Where's Remy. Did he make it?"

Rogue nodded. "He's here, but he's sick. We need to get him back to the ship. Ah think that might help."

Rogue and Cat led them back through the jungle to the village. When they entered Remy's hut, Hank stood from Remy's side. "I am so sorry, Rogue. I…"

His words hit Rogue hard. "He's not…He can't be…!"

Hank shook his head. "No, he's alive, but he his condition has worsened."

Rogue ran her hand over his forehead. "Remy, darlin'…wake up."

John and Kurt stood beside her. "Let us take him, Rogue. We'll get him to the Sea Raven."

Hank held out his hand. "I don't advise this, but if you insist on taking him, I must insist that I come along."

Rogue stood in disbelief. "What? But why?"

Hank grinned. "I made a promise, my dear. I plan to see it through. Besides, I see this as a challenge."

Rogue nodded and the doctor followed the men as they carried Remy to the ship.

"Cat?"

"You don't think I'd let Hank have all the fun, do you? You do have room for one more, right?"

"Of course."


Aboard the Sea Raven

"His tremors have stopped." Hank said in awe.

"When did this happen?" Rogue asked as she knelt beside Remy's bed.

Hank shook his head. "As soon as we brought him onboard. I have never seen anything like this, dear. It seems unnatural."

"Unnatural?" Rogue whispered. She leaned in and gave Remy a gentle kiss. "Ah need to visit someone."

"Rogue?" Hank asked.

"If this is unnatural, then Ah know who might be able to stop it." With those words, she left.

Rogue went into the lower level of the ship. She could hear Bella's laugh even before she entered the holding cells. "Y' finally seek me out again?"

"What is happening to Remy, Bella?" Rogue hissed.

Belladonna continued to laugh. "Is somethin' wrong wit', mon amour?"

Rogue's eyes flashed. "What is happening?"

"He needs me, Rogue. Only me."

Rogue shook her head. "No," she gritted. "That is not going to happen, Bella. You'll never get near him again."

"He dies."

Rogue fisted her hands and punched the wall of the hull. Pacing, she thought over the facts. When nothing came to her, she turned back to Bella. "Let's consider that what you say is true. What would you need to do?"

A truly sinister smile touched Bella's lips. "A kiss should be enough."

Rogue was enraged again. "No. Never."

Bella leaned forward against the bars. "Dat is de price. Are y' willin' t' suffer it?"

Rogue wanted to strangle the blonde witch before her. It would be so easy to end this now, but she had to consider the possibility that Bella spoke the truth. She had seen too much not to believe it possible. But to allow this woman near her husband again was unthinkable.

"Y' don't have much time t' consider dis, river rat."

"Ah swear, Bella. If this doesn't work, and you're usin' this to get to Remy…Ah will kill you!" Rogue turned and ordered Old Willie to bring her to their cabin. "Ah might just have to kill you anyways." She muttered under her breath.

When Old Willie brought Bella into the cabin, Remy seemed to calm.

"Remarkable." Hank breathed.

Rogue was about to step out, when Bella stopped her. "No, I want y' t' watch."

Rogue gritted her teeth, but turned back around to face the bed.

Everyone watched in silence as the blonde walked over to Remy and reached out to stroke his face. "Ah, cher. I missed y'."

"Get on with it!" Rogue shouted in anger.

"Tsk, tsk…Y' should watch y'r tongue. I might decide not t' help y'." But it was an empty threat. Bella was already leaning in closer to Remy. With each passing moment, Rogue's hatred rose to new heights and she had to force down her anger.

Seconds later, Bella's lips met Remy's. Old Willie placed a restraining hand on Rogue's arm when he saw her take a step forward.

Bella deepened the kiss. Remy began to stir on the bed and reached up to cup Bella's face. As Bella parted from the kiss, she traced his lips with her tongue.

Rogue's anger was replaced with a strong sense of possessiveness when she saw Remy waken and reach for Bella.

"Chere…"

"Dat's right, love. It's me."

That voice! Remy jumped to life and forcibly pushed Bella away from him. "What…!"

Bella fell to the floor with a thud. "Remy!"

Remy looked around the room, confusion marking his expression. "Rogue? What's happenin'?"

Rogue rushed to his side. "Remy!" She traced her fingers over his face, feeling the heat subsiding from his body. "Oh, Remy!" Then she kissed him with a ferocity that he didn't remember. She was reclaiming her husband, and all those present recognized it, but she didn't care.

Old Willie grabbed Bella as she began to rise from the floor. Rogue finally broke the kiss and turned to glare at the blonde. "Take her back to the cell, Willie."

"Aye, ma'am."

"Y' can't get rid of me, Rogue. He needs me. Y' see…he needs me!"

Only one word broke the following silence. "Remarkable."


A/N: Thanks for reading and I'm sorry for the delay. I've been travelling every week this past month! I hope to have two more chapters up before Christmas. We'll see if I can accoplish that! Meanwhile, please review. Reviews feed my muses! Kris