AN: Sigh, back to school soon. Anyone who thinks that I think I own the X-Men needs to share whatever they're smoking.

O-o-o-o-O

The next morning found Remy striding towards Candace's office with a bit of a bounce in his step. He was looking forward to thumbing his nose at her by waltzing out of here with Rogue today. There wasn't much she could do about it either. His pere had promised this morning to set the Guild lawyers after her if she caused any trouble about Rogue coming to the house. His family's lawyers may seem like a bunch of dull sticks, but they were a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. He smirked at the thought of Candace stuck facing them. She'd get eaten alive.

Just to be nice he gave a brief knock before walking into the woman's office. She was at her desk eating a donut and reading the paper. Remy just smiled at the glare she gave at his entrance.

"Good morning Candace" he said brightly, leaning into the doorway. His good mood just seemed to piss her off, as she dropped her donut onto the desk and deepened her glare.

"That remains to be seen" she muttered. "Still happy over getting your way yesterday, I see."

Remy grinned. "Nah, I've got more stuff to be happy about. We won't have the tutor ready for a couple of days, but my family wants me to bring Rogue over today so they can meet her and start getting her used to the house. I just thought I'd be nice and let you know what was happening so we don't have a repeat of yesterday."

Candace's glare remained on her face. "Now see here, I never agreed to.…" she began but Remy cut her off. "I've also gone ahead and let our family's lawyers know what's going on, and they've happily agreed to prepare a case against the state regarding Rogue's truancy and your treatment of her should you give us any trouble." And they had, too. They were positively gleeful at the thought of suing the state of Louisiana. It was almost scary.

The older woman looked she wanted to spit. Remy just looked a little more smug and glanced over her desk. He paused though when he noticed the brightly colored pamphlet laying near her coffee cup. "Protect our children. Protect our future!" proclaimed large letters against the background of a happy, innocent-looking family, with "Friends of Humanity" written at the bottom. He suddenly didn't feel quite so smug and happy anymore.

"I see your taste in reading material leaves much to be desired" he commented with distaste.

"I'm educating myself about what's really going on in the world", Candace replied, and she seemed to take some pleasure in his change of mood. "You mutants can't go on having your way forever just because you think you're superior to us. There has to be some control, there's too much of a threat to normal people."

Remy shrugged. "Normal's relative. Have you ever thought that we're the next step in evolution, what humanity is growing towards?"

"There's no way humanity could develop into you. It's just not...natural. Not right" she said in disgust.

"I see" he responded, nodding his head. "So you've talked to God lately, have you? I'd love to hear what His or Her thoughts are on the subject. Personally I have a few issues I'd like to have you bring up the next time you two chat." He just couldn't believe her attitude, how she could let herself get brainwashed by that crap. Then again, maybe he could. She didn't really seem that bright and her ignorance and protective attitude towards the residents of the home could leave her susceptible to the drivel that the FOH published. It just made him more troubled about Rogue's situation here. The FOH had powerful friends in government, both state and federal, and they were being heard more and more. Some wanted records kept of mutants in schools, both students and employees. The argument of protecting children helped it be taken seriously by those who would usually be undecided. Others wanted babies tested for the X-gene at birth for record keeping.

"I've read stuff like that too, a long time ago" Remy continued, nodding his head toward the pamphlet. "Except the people who wrote it spoke German."

"Don't try to confuse the issue by making crap comparisons like that. This isn't the same at all. Jews aren't a threat to society. They can't suck out people's souls or make things blow up" Candace said.

Remy just shook his head. "Just can't argue with people like you, huh? Always the same old story, no matter what the language. Anything different is bad. Look, never mind. You wanted me to keep Rogue out of your hair, well I'm doing that. I'm taking her out of here for the day. If you've got a problem with that, talk to my lawyer" he said, and taking a business card out of his pocket, tossed it onto her desk. It bore the name and address of the law firm that the Guild lawyers belonged to, and Candace must have recognized it because her eyes widened a bit in what appeared to be intimidation.

"Fine" she replied after a moment "I want her back here by 6 though. Lawyer or no lawyer, she is ultimately in our custody."

"Fine" he repeated back to her, and didn't bother to wait for her dismiss him, just turned around and left the office. He was having a hard time just being barely civil to her, when all he wanted to do was just wring her neck. There was time to imagine that later though; what he needed to do now was find Rogue and get out of here. It was still breakfast time so he figured she was in the cafeteria. It didn't take long to get there, and he looked around but there was no Rogue to be found. Sarah was behind the counter though, so he went over to talk to her.

"Morning, chere" Remy said, putting a charming smile on his face. Sarah smiled back at him as she filled a tray for the person in front of him. "Morning Remy, how are you?"

"Not bad. So where's our little Rogue this morning?"

"Oh she had her breakfast already. Juice and leftover Italian sub, the breakfast of champions" Sarah said with a laugh.

Remy grinned. "Really? I thought that was cold pizza. So she's back in her room then?"

"Yes, happily reading her book, I'm sure. I don't know what you said to Candace, but that was really nice of you."

Remy just shrugged. "She needed it. Listen, I'm taking Rogue out for the day, so don't expect her for lunch." He had no problem telling Sarah about Rogue's comings and goings, even though it technically wasn't any of the woman's business, but she seemed to be the closest thing to a friend that Rogue had here, and so deserved the courtesy in his eyes.

"Thanks, I'll remember that. You did tell Candace this time, right?"

"Yep. She didn't like it, but that's her problem" he laughed.

Sarah just shook her head. "You're going to get yourself into real trouble one of these days Remy."

"I thought I did already. I'm here, aren't I?"

"True, true. But go on now, go grab Rogue and get out of here. The day's slipping away" she said. "Besides, you're holding up my line."

"Yes ma'am" Remy grinned, and gave a little bow before backing out of the breakfast line. "You have a wonderful day."

"I don't know about that; I'm here, aren't I?" she replied good-naturedly.

Remy just laughed and left the cafeteria. A couple of minutes later he arrived at Rogue's door, but didn't hear any of the odd music playing from inside like he usually did. He knocked and a moment later heard her call for him to come in. Upon entering her room he finally did hear music, but it was classical this time; a piano playing quietly in the background. And instead of being in her rocking chair, Rogue was sitting cross-legged on her bed with a book in her lap, fingertips skimming across the page she was on. Remy had always been curious about Braille; the letters always seemed so close together that he wondered how people could tell the difference between one character and the next. Rogue didn't seem to have any problem though; in fact she looked she might be a fast reader.

"Hey Remy" she said, not looking up from her book.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked, puzzled.

"You're taller than Candace. You have a heavier step. Thank you for the book, by the way" and this time she did look up, and the smile she gave him lit up her entire face, making her simply beautiful.

"Oh. Right." Duh Of course it would be something simple like that. Then he saw her smile, and it made the annoyance he had gone through with Candace completely worth it. Now if he could just get her to smile like that more often.

"You're welcome, chere" Remy said, sitting himself in her rocking chair. "So what are you reading?"

Rogue gave a little laugh. "Now don't you laugh, but it's The Taming of The Shrew."

He did try not to laugh, but couldn't help it. "Good choice. So is it helping you any?"

"Hey! I told you not to laugh. And it wasn't my idea. Candace picked it out."

"Couldn't help it" Remy replied, still snickering.

"Suuuuuure. Lucky for you I'm in a good mood, otherwise you'd get smacked."

"Sure, sure. Just not with the cane, okay? Keep that up and people will start to think that I'm being abused" he joked.

The mock glare Rogue had been sending in his general direction drifted away. "I should, you know, with you getting Candace mad at you like that. She was pissed yesterday. Don't you know how much trouble she can get you in?"

"Why chere, it almost sounds like you're concerned for me."

Rogue shifted on the bed and looked a little uncomfortable. "Yeah, well, you're the only companion so far that's been halfway decent." Remy smirked. He could almost hear some of the ice melting around her. This was probably as close as he'd get her to admitting that she was getting used to him.

"Perhaps I can bump myself up a little farther on that chart. How would you like to go back to school?"

O-o-o-o-O

Rogue sat in shock for a moment. Had he just said what she thought he'd said? "You're kidding, right? Candace would have a cow before she'd let that happen."

"She almost did when I told her what my plans were" Remy laughed, and she could hear him rocking energetically in her chair. "Not much she can do though. See my family, we're pretty well connected, and when I told my pere last night what was going on, he agreed that what they are doing to you is neglect, along with being illegal. So unless you have strenuous objections to it, we're going to get you a tutor and you can have the lessons at my family's house. I have a feeling you won't object, will you Rogue?"

She was dumbstruck. He was actually doing this for her, to the point of threatening Candace, just to have her finish her education? Okay, he had definitely bumped himself up the chart.

"Why are you doing this though? It's not part of your probation; all you're supposed to do is just keep me company and keep me from getting in trouble here. And Candace can get you thrown back in jail."

"I told you. It's wrong, it's neglectful, it's illegal. Yeah I know, being a thief you'd think I wouldn't care about that whole legal bit, but there's a reason for it being law, and it makes sense. They're not taking care of you. What are you going to do with yourself when you turn 18, if you don't have your diploma? Even my brother and I have our GED's, though technically we don't need them in our business. I just think you need a chance to get out of here when you can."

Rogue didn't know what to say. Despite their conversation yesterday, she hadn't really taken him seriously when he'd mentioned talking to Candace. Yeah, she'd hoped that he'd help her when she turned 18, but just in making suggestions regarding employment and living space. Not anything like this. He was offering her an education, in his own home even.

"Thank you" she said quietly. Thank you didn't seem sufficient, but she didn't even know how to begin thanking him.

"Well what do you know, I've made Rogue speechless" Remy said, amusement clear in his voice.

This helped break her out of her shock. "Watch it Swamp Rat. Just because I'm grateful doesn't mean your safe from retribution when you deserve it" she warned, but there was no malice in her words.

"I wouldn't dream of thinking such a thing" he replied mockingly, and continued to rock in her chair.

"So how would this work?" Rogue asked, putting her book aside and leaning back against the pillows. "Are there any tutors around here who teach the blind?" Irene had hired a tutor from a nearby town, but it had taken some searching to find one.

"Yes there are. My old tutor did some calling around, and he found someone who agreed to come teach you. She won't be arriving for a couple of days, but she'll be bringing textbooks and special voice-activated software for the computer."

She nodded. "That sounds like how I was taught. So it won't be for a couple of days then?" she asked, wondering if she could get another book out of Candace, as she was halfway through the Shakespeare play already.

"Yeah. That's okay though, because in the meantime my sister-in-law Mercy wants me to bring you over to the house, to have you meet everyone and help you get used to moving around the house. That's where we'll be going today, unless you have anything better to do" he said, and the grin was back in his voice.

Rogue gave a brief snort of laughter. "Like there's so much going on around here." She grew quiet again though as a thought hit her. "Will your family be okay though, with someone like me coming around?" she said, thinking of how the people here avoided her.

"Rogue, I've told them all about you, and they can't wait to meet you. The mutant thing doesn't bother them at all. When my mutation developed, I was blowing things up left and right before I learned to control it. If they can put up with me, they can certainly put up with you."

"Do.….do you think I could learn to control this someday, like you did? You have no idea how much I want to live without having to wear gloves all the time." Surely if Remy could learn control over a dangerous power like he had, maybe she could too.

"I don't see why not" he replied. "Should just be a matter of practice. Remember how I had you practice turning my power the other day when I was an idiot and touched you? Could be just as simple as that. Maybe if you tried touching things like plants and concentrated on not absorbing them" he paused a moment. "Can you absorb plants?"

"Unfortunately, no. Or maybe that's a good thing. I don't know if I'd want to know what being a plant feels like. Do plants even have feelings, or remember things?" Rogue smirked as a thought crossed her mind. "Perhaps we should ask your girlfriend."

She heard a low growl coming from the rocking chair. "Knock it off, Rogue. You never know, you might end up liking Belle."

Not likely Rogue thought to herself. Someone who sounded so perfect as Remy described her had to have a few flaws. It wasn't like she was jealous or anything, she just had the feeling they wouldn't get along. "Sorry, I can't help it" she shrugged. "A name like that just begs for jokes."

"Well help it" Remy responded. "My family likes her, and you don't want to get off on the wrong foot with them by insulting her, do you?"

She sighed. "No, I suppose not. Fine, I'll behave. So are we going?"

"Yeah, unless you want to finish your book." Remy said, she heard him get up from the rocking chair.

"Nah, I don't know if Candace will give me another book, and I need something to tide me over until the tutor arrives." She marked her place with the bookmark that was lying nearby, and got off the bed.

"Cool, let's get out of here."

Rogue nodded and grabbed her cane from where it lay on the bed, then snapped it open and followed him out the door. Outside it was just as nice as it was yesterday, and she lifted her face to smile up at the warm sun. A thought occurred to her as they were putting on their motorcycle helmets.

"Remy, do you think I should wear my sunglasses?" Normally she wouldn't care what people thought when seeing her eyes, but his family was being kind enough to take her into their home, and she wanted them to be comfortable around her.

"No, you just be comfortable. They'll accept you as you are" Remy said sincerely.

That was such a strange thought. She hasn't had anyone just accept her since Irene died, when she gave up trying and put away the sunglasses. No one until Remy, that is. She couldn't believe the changes that were happening in her life since he showed up. And now he was promising a place where she'd be comfortable and accepted.

"Alright" she smiled, and waited for him to get on the bike so she could sit behind him.

The drive was longer than the one to the park; Remy had told her that he lived in a different part of town than where the home was. She knew he was right when they finally parked. The neighborhood was quiet except for the sounds of birds and the occasional car passing by. The scent of flowers was heavy in the air, and Rogue breathed deeply, drinking in the heady fragrances. "This is the Garden District, isn't it?" she asked.

"Yes, how did you know?" Remy asked, confusion apparent in his voice.

"I used to take walks here with Irene" she said. "The air smells as wonderful as it did then."

"Then welcome back to the neighborhood" he said, handing back her cane before putting away the helmets. "Let me walk with you, at least until you know the place better" he suggested.

Rogue nodded and extended her hand. Again he didn't make her feel like he was trying to lead her around, though technically that was what he was doing. It was the practical thing to do though, so when he took her hand and tucked it in the fold of his arm she didn't resist. As they walked she still used her cane in front of her, to try and familiarize herself with the landscape. A piece of uneven pavement ten steps out, a branch of what was probably a bush extending out a few yards away from that, and so on until they came to a stop.

"Three steps up" Remy said, and Rogue prepared herself for the cane to hit the first step. This way they arrived at the front door with a minimum of fuss, and Remy let go of her arm to open the door for her. "Welcome to my humble abode, chere."

Rogue chuckled. "Being in this neighborhood, I doubt it's that humble." As he closed the door behind her, she moved forward with her cane and found what sounded like a hardwood floor. Footsteps came into the room and she found her free hand being grabbed. Unable to stop the instinct, she flinched and almost snatched her hand away before remembering that she had her gloves on and these people knew about her mutation.

"Hello Rogue, it's so nice to meet you! I'm Mercy, and I have to confess that I'm related to this fool here; thankfully it's only by marriage." Mercy had a bright, enthusiastic voice, and Rogue felt a little run over.

"Um...nice to meet you" she said awkwardly, and returned the handshake the other woman was giving her.

"I don't know what he's told you, but don't believe a word of it, unless it's good of course. Only about half the things that come out of his mouth should be believed, and even then it's to be taken with a grain of salt."

"If the girl's spent this long with him, I think she'll have figured that out already" came another voice into the room. This voice was low and rich, with a strength to it that seemed to command respect.

Rogue felt her hand be dropped and then be picked up again by another, this one firmer than Mercy's had been, but not uncomfortable.

"Hello Rogue, it's good to have you here at last. I'm Tante Mattie, and you are welcome here."

Rogue couldn't help but smile. "Nice to meet you, Miss Mattie" she said, as the woman before her made her instinctively want to be polite.

"No, no child, you call me Tante, just like everyone else. Remy, go put the kettle on. Do you like tea, Rogue?"

Her smile got bigger as she heard Remy head off to what she assumed the kitchen without a word of argument. She could see now why Remy had such deep respect for and sometimes fear of his Tante. This was a strong woman, despite her calm demeanor.

"Yes, I like tea, Tante." The name felt a little awkward coming off her tongue but she had the feeling she could get used to it.

"Good, we'll all have a cup of tea and a nice chat. Then we'll take a tour of the house. You'll need to get used to getting around on your own with you coming for your studies of course."

Someone else who was willing to let her do things for herself. Of course this was probably where Remy got it from. "That sounds good."

"Good." Mattie gently took Rogue's hand again without warning or asking permission, but she found herself not minding. She heard Mercy walking behind them as they went to the kitchen. Rogue yet again had her cane out and she liked the sound it made against the floor. A few feet into the kitchen they turned, took a couple of steps then Mattie stopped and dropped Rogue's hand.

"There's a chair right in front of you. Have a seat and I'll serve us tea."

"Thank you" Rogue sat down and folded up her cane. "Do you mind if I take my gloves off?"

"Of course not!" came the reply from Mercy as she sat down across the table from her. "We know enough not to try anything foolish, unlike some people" she said in an obvious taunt at Remy.

"Hey! I've apologized several times for that already. Will you ever let me live that one down?"

"Nope!" came the dual reply from Rogue and Mercy, then a bout of laughter.

"Jinx" Mercy continued to laugh. "I have to extend my condolences girl, for having that boy in your head. Just send the therapy bills to him."

Rogue was surprised to find herself actually laughing at this. She'd never found anything concerning her mutation to be funny. "Believe me, you have no idea" she responded. "I don't know how you ladies put up with him."

Mercy groaned. "Trust me, we don't either."

"Don't listen to her Rogue!" came the indignant response from across the kitchen, "Any trouble I get into is usually her husband's fault!"

"Yeah right, and your brother says the same about you!"

"Don't you listen to either of them Rogue" came Mattie's calm voice interrupting the two. "One LeBeau boy is as bad as the other, it's just that Remy tends to be a little more outrageous about it."

The tea kettle started to whistle, and Rogue could hear movement around the stove. "Hey! That whole business at the parade was Henri's idea, I'll have you know."

Mercy gave a laugh from the table. "You could have said no, you know."

"He double-dared me. And how was I supposed to know it was going to rain?" Remy said defensively.

"New Orleans in July? Of course it was going to rain! But you could have worn shorts under the shaving cream" his sister-in-law stated sensibly.

"That wasn't part of the dare" Remy said, and Rogue heard footsteps approaching the table. He set something down in front of her. "Hot up of tea in front of you, with a spoon to the right. Do you want cream or sugar?" he asked.

"Both please. Two spoons" she replied.

"Well that's your own fault then for listening to Henri" Mercy replied, who sounded like she was fixing her own cup.

"I'm not the only who gets in trouble by listening to him" Remy joked. "Look who married him."

"I plead temporary insanity" Mercy replied innocently, and Mattie gave a snort and sat down next to Rogue. "You're still with us, aren't you?"

"Temporary is relative"

Rogue just sat and drank her tea, a grin developing on her face. Looks like I'm just going from one asylum to another.

O-o-o-o-O