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-ultimategammy91

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Chapter Thirteen (OMG REALLY?) – New Plans

Dusk…

Rogue let out a content sigh as she felt the cool breeze blow back her hair. The moment she stepped out onto the gazebo, the cool rush of the breeze had momentarily relieved her aching body, like ice-cold water splashing against her covered skin. She liked days like this, when the sky was clear but the air was chilled. In the summer, her skin that was always layered in long sleaves and gloves became humid and often stuck to the fabric of her clothes uncomfortably. On spring nights such as this, the chill of the wind was relieving to her skin for it let her breathe under all the layers. Tonight however, it brought relief to her tense muscles and aching head.

When Adélie had passed out, she didn't know when she had ever been so shocked in all her life. She had sprung to her feet and without hesitation had wrapped her arms around her daughter and tried to revive her. It was only when Hank had checked her over and proclaimed her alive and healthy that she felt herself breathe again. Despite the reassurance however, she remained awake through out the night and stayed at her daughter's bedside. While she and Adélie had been out with Kitty, Logan had moved a spare single bed from a vacant bedroom and had propped it against the opposite wall to her own bed. She had sat on the floor, her head against the bedside while her gaze never left her daughter's unmoving hand. Ororo had found her there that morning, around six o'clock, weary-eyed and still. She had been mortified to find her in such a state but understood when she had explained she wanted to keep a look out for Adélie. Still, that didn't stop her from insisting that she go to bed to catch some sleep while she took over and kept watch over Adélie.

Rogue smiled at the memory. She owed Ororo a great deal since Adélie dropped into their lives, quite literally, and she couldn't have been more grateful for all her help. She made a mental note to offer to substitute some of Ororo's classes some time, or something to repay her. A few ideas of how to repay her began rolling around her mind as she moved towards the railing of the gazebo. Dusk had painted itself across the sky. The once pink-orange sky was beginning to turn into an evolution of blues as the night drew closer. Rogue leant against the railing with her elbows, her left foot crossed over her right ankle as she stared out to the ocean kissed sky. The sun disappeared into the depths of the water as the minutes ticked away. She closed her eyes, a smile of content across her face as she exhaled deeply. Then the tranquillity disappeared.

"Care for some company?"

Rogue's eyes shot open as she turned on the spot in surprise. She hadn't heard anyone coming, so when Gus's distinctive voice broke the comfortable silence, she jolted in surprise. It didn't go unnoticed.

"I'm sorry I frightened you Rogue, you okay?"

Rogue relaxed slightly. She nodded and offered a feeble smile as Gus came to stand beside her. She hadn't seen Gus in a while, not since the mission anyway. He was obviously out of his uniform, his upper half clad in a grey sweater with the arms rolled up to his elbows while his lower half was clad in a pair of dark jeans and a pair of running shoes. He leant casually against the railing, his hands locked by his fingers as he bent his right arm on the rail. He faced her, a casual smile across his face as his eyes glowed yellow. They always seemed to glow when she was around. Always.

"I heard about your kid. How is she?"

Rogue didn't know why she felt it, but the moment he inquired about Adélie she felt herself freeze with anxiousness. Something was off, unsettling about how he asked. He sounded perfectly natural but it didn't seem natural. She mentally shook it off, knowing she was only being silly but she kept a weary eye. Just in case.

"She's fahne. Woke up around three in the afternoon."

She let out a sigh of relief. She couldn't help it. It had been a long, worrisome night and even though she had had little rest or food, she was glad to have stayed by her daughter's side. It felt right.

She broke out of her trail of thoughts, remembering who she was talking to.

"Ororo and Kitty are helpin' her get her wardrobe in order."

Gus let out a low chuckle of amusement.

"I heard. That Kitty sure likes her pink, doesn't she?"

Rogue returned the amused smile with a sniff of laughter.

"Too much ah think. Ah don't think ah've ever seen so much pink in all mah lahfe."

They shared a small smile, an easy, friendly smile. Rogue found it easy to talk to Gus and vice versa but as far as Rogue knew, she couldn't think past the word 'friend' when she thought of Gus. She just hoped he would share the thought with her. Her thoughts were brushed away when Gus broke their silence.

"Charles has been locked away in his study all day long. Looks like he's havin' trouble findin' that house."

Rogue nodded. That uncomfortable feeling was back but she suppressed it as she replied.

"Charles has looked all over Louisiana, but he's found nothin' so far. He's seen what it looks lahke, 'cuz Agatha-"

She grimaced irritably at the name as it slipped through mouth.

"-gave him a full description. There ain't no way he could mistake the house if he found it."

Gus nodded.

"So, when Charles finds the house, what then?"

Rogue furrowed her brow as she turned to look out at the horizon. The sun had disappeared, its descending, dull glow resting just above the surface of the ocean line. It was dark now, dusk had passed. After a moment, she replied.

"When Charles tracks down the house, meh, Adélie and a small team are gonna go to Louisiana an' fahnd the house."

"What if he can't find it?"

Rogue paused before replying.

"We'll do it the ol' fashioned way."

"An' that is?"

Rogue smirked.

"Look for it on foot once we get there."

Gus smiled, amused, he replied.

"Wild goose chase huh?"

Rogue nodded, a smile drawn across her face for a moment. When it disappeared, her gaze returned the horizon again. The dusk glow was completely gone and the moon had taken its place in the sky.

"You really care about her don't you?"

Rogue was surprised he even had to ask.

"Ah need t' fahnd out a way t' get her home. An' if we have t' go up an' down every street and swamp in all o' Louisiana, then so beh it."

Gus was silent for a moment, he shifted to lean both arms against the railing as his body faced the horizon but his head turned to face her. There was sincerity in his voice as he spoke.

"When Charles calls the cavalry to march, you can count me in on the team."

Rogue turned quickly to face him. Her expression was somewhat between surprise and anxiety. Why would he offer?

"Ya don't have t' help- Logan, Ororo an' Kitty are comin' with us-"

An amused and rather smug grin spread across his face as he interrupted her.

"I want to help. I don't think Charles will object to my taggin' along. Besides,-"

He tapped the side of his temple, near his left glowing eye before he continued.

"Might come in handy if we face any trouble that's got mutant written over it. Could pack a punch or two as well if it comes to it."

Rogue made to argue but stopped mid-sigh as she gave in. Instead, she asked a new question.

"Why are ya tryin' t' help?"

His smirk broadened as he shifted just a little bit closer to her, his arms still against the railing. Rogue froze but shifted back slightly. Oh she knew alright.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Rogue held her breath silently, eying his smirk uncomfortably. Finally, after a couple of moments pause, she let herself breathe again. She straightened, pulling away from the railing that was suddenly cold under her thin gloves. He watched her as she backed away.

"Ya not Adélie's father."

Her answer caught him off guard. His left brow hooked itself high in confusion as he waited for an explanation. Finally, he spoke up. His voice calm but there was a hint of matter-of-factly tone in his voice as he replied her.

"You don't know that. It …could be possible."

Rogue shook her head slowly before replying.

"Ah don't know who he is. But ah know its not ya Gus. It can't beh."

His brow creased into a bemused frown as he replied. He stood erect now, four or five steps away from her.

"Why not?"

Rogue took in a silent, shaky breath as she replied. Her voice was calmer, quiet even, as the words slipped out.

"Because ah know ah can'te make mahself love ya. No matter how convenient it is that ya can touch meh without mah powers getting in the way."

Gus' bemusement disappeared. He closed the gap between them with three strong strides while his eyes glowed like fire flies in the dark, smouldering. Before she could even step back, his hands were wrapped around her arms as he locked her gaze with his.

"Why is that so impossible Rogue? For you to love me?"

Rogue gulped silently but stopped herself from showing any sign of fear. No, she held her ground and replied with a sincere look.

"Gus, ah don't feel that way about ya-"

"But what if you did someday? We could be happy together Rogue, you know we could. I am the only one that can touch you, it's a perfect match. Everyone wins."

While he pleaded with her, Rogue only shook her head as his grip tightened on her arms. When she spoke, she was surprised to find herself calm. Unlike her body that was beginning to tremble with his hold on her and the open cold that encased them both.

"Adélie has changed everythin' for meh, Gus. She's given meh hope that ah'll get control someday. Ah want t' believe in that. Ah want t' believe that ah'll be able t' hold her in mah arms without coverin' up because ah can'te make skin contact. Ah want that."

Gus' gaze narrowed as he stared down on her. Reluctantly, after a few moments, his hold on her arms relinquished and he detached himself from her as he replied. His voice was no longer pleading, it was cold.

"Then I guess we'll see."

And with that he stalked off into the depths of the dark, leaving Rogue to stare after him with wide eyes.

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A few minutes later…

"Oh my god…Adélie you look so cute! I like, totally have to get a picture of you- Stay right, like, there! I will be back in just a sec!"

With that said, Kitty practically leaped into the air from her place on the end of Adélie's bed and stepped quickly towards the door. It just so happened that Rogue appeared and decided to open the door only to step literally through Kitty. As soon as Kitty had phased through her body only to step into the hallway unfazed, Rogue felt as if someone had poured ice down her back and spread it over her entire body. She shivered involuntarily before turning around and glaring in Kitty's direction. Her former roommate smiled, half apologetic, half amused, before running off. She called back as she descended the hallway.

"Sorry Rogue! But you, like, kinda did owe me one!"

Rogue grumbled irritably as she shut the door behind her, only to forget her annoyance at the small chuckle that came from behind her. When she turned to face it, she found Adélie staring at her with a bright smile across her face. Ororo sat on the middle of Adélie's bed, caught in mid-fold as she folded one of the too many shirts that polluted the room. Clothes were thrown everywhere, on her bed, Adélie's, the floor, her vanity desk; everywhere. Rogue gaped at the room for a moment before turning to her daughter.

"Ya been busy?"

Adélie smiled and nodded vigorously while Ororo let out a soft chuckle before she replied.

"Kitty insisted that Adélie try on some clothes, just to make sure they all fitted properly."

Rogue nodded in understanding. She would've known as much, considering it was Kitty. Speaking of which,-

"Where did Kitty go?"

Adélie, who stood like an isle in the sea of clothes beside the bed, was dressed in a knee-length denim skirt and a long-sleave grey and pink striped shirt. Though Rogue was sure that Kitty was the cause of the pink and grey shirt, she had to admit that her daughter looked adorable. Though she was rare to even mention the word 'adorable' in the first place. Adélie smiled up at her as she came to sit on the bedside, taking Kitty's seat, and replied her question.

"Aunty Kitty went t' get her camera ah think. She sure does lahke this dressin' up thing don't she Mama?"

Rogue smiled knowingly. "Oh if only ya knew the half o' it." Kitty had been the cause of numerous (disastrous) make-overs in the attempts to pull Rogue out of her Goth faze. Though she did grow out of it, it wasn't to Kitty's credibility, though she often bragged that it most certainly was. Speaking of the devil herself, Kitty burst through the door, this time not bothering to phase her way through. A silver digital camera was locked in her grasp as she exclaimed excitedly with a wide grin.

"Photo time! Smile chickadee!"

Before Adélie or Rogue could react, Kitty clicked the button and left them in a state of stars before their eyes and bewildered expressions. When the camera flashing and clicking only continued, Rogue held up her hands in front of her face and yelled angrily.

"Kit! Knock it off! Ah don't want mah daughter t' beh blind by the tahme she's eleven!"

Kitty rolled her eyes but nonetheless obeyed Rogue's orders. She cocked her hip to the side, her free hand resting against her cocked hip. One of her brows raised expectantly as she replied coldly to Rogue.

"God, like, don't have a cow Rogue. I'm capturing history here! Don't you want to keep some photos of your daughter? You know, remember your time together, like, how ever long it'll be?"

Kitty's frown dissolved to a small, encouraging smile as Rogue's scowl softened in realisation. She hadn't thought about it but if-no, once, they got Adélie back home, things would have to go back to the same. Well, sort of, she would be waiting on meeting her daughter's father, learning to control her powers and…constantly thinking of the daughter she met from the future. It took one glance at Adélie to convince her before she stepped off the bed, walked over to Kitty and took the camera from her hand. With a smile, she replied them all.

"Smile ladies."

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After hours, two full sim cards, and a lot of laughing, giggling and changing of clothes later, Rogue, Adélie, Kitty and Ororo sat themselves on the floor, talking amongst each other. Rogue sat on one of her bed pillows with Adélie carefully perched on her lap with her gloved arms around her waist and entwined with her small fingers. Adélie was careful of her mother's skin, so there was barely any anxiety between them but there was still the risk. Kitty sat across from them, sitting comfortably on a pile of Adélie's clothes while Ororo sat on the end of Adélie's bed.

After a while, the four fell into a comfortable silence before Kitty stretched her arms in the air and spoke.

"That was, like, so much fun."

Adélie grinned as she concurred.

"Totally, aunty Kitty."

Ororo and Kitty broke into chuckles at the mockery in Adélie's voice as she did her best imitation of her aunt. Rogue's eyes widened before she let out a small groan of irritation and replied.

"Gawd don't ya start that, sugah. Kitty says that enough f' all o' us."

Adélie and Ororo chuckled as Kitty pulled a stern glare in Rogue's direction and poked her tongue out like a child. Rogue returned it, poking out her own tongue, before smirking with amusement.

"Hey, I like, totally don't overuse that word."

Rogue chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"Oh yes ya, like, totally do, Kitty."

Ororo chuckled as she nodded in agreement.

"I'm afraid she's right Kitty, dear. It is your word."

Kitty huffed irritably but said no more on the matter. Instead, she brought up another subject.

"So Adélie, what is your Mom like in your time? Is she still as grouchy and cynical as she is now?"

Adélie giggled amusedly as her mother and her Aunt exchanged glares and poked their tongues out at each other. When they behaved themselves again, she replied.

"Mama's alright most o' the tahme. She ain't too happy in de mornin' mos' days. Specially when dere ain't no coffee. Mah Daddy gets the bulk o' her temper when she don't have no coffee in de mornin'."

Kitty smirked, triumphant while Rogue blushed slightly. Not only at being given away by her daughter but because of the thought of her husband. A husband she didn't even know.

"Where do you, like, live with your parents?"

Adélie smiled, shy suddenly at the new questions. Rogue sensed she might be sensitive about sharing her future because she knew it unsettled her. She gave Adélie's hand a small squeeze of reassurance. At that, she replied.

"We don't live in de same place too long, Mama an' Daddy lahke t' travel a lot. We lived in Atlanta before we- uh…be'fore ah came here."

There was an uncomfortable silence for a short while. Adélie yawned tiredly, her eyes swelling with water as sleepiness began to take over. It was very late at night now and Rogue noticed. Gently, she spoke.

"Ya tired baby?"

Adélie nodded sleepily as she rubbed the sleep from her right eye. Kitty and Ororo took this as a sign to leave. Ororo began to shift around the room, picking up clothes and folding them into piles on the floor while Kitty helped by rounding up all the shopping bags into a vacant corner of the room. Rogue on the other hand, lifted Adélie up into a bridal position in her arms and carried her swiftly and carefully to her new bed. She placed her daughter on the bed, deciding she was too tired to get dressed into her pyjamas. As Adélie shifted to get under the newly-made covers, she helped pull them back and tucked her in once she was comfortably under them. She sat on the edge of the bed, a smile across her face like all the millions of mothers before her that had done so for their own children. Adélie smiled up at her, her expression marred with sleepiness as she gently spoke up.

"What's gonna happen tomorrow?"

Rogue shrugged before she replied.

"Ah guess we'll jus' hang around here until Charles fahnds that house. Then we'll catch the next flight t' Louisiana an' fahnd it."

Adélie's expression turned slightly anxious as she spoke again.

"Mama?"

"Yes?"

She bit down on her lower lip.

"Ah'm- ah'm afraid o' goin' back t' dat house."

Rogue's brow creased with motherly concern. It was a strong emotion, stronger than any kind of concern she'd ever felt for anyone, but she didn't think of that. Instead, she questioned Adélie. She rest a gloved hand over Adélie's while she spoke.

"Why's that, sugah?"

Adélie bit down on her lower lip a little harder before speaking again.

"Ah don't wanna leave ya again."

Rogue felt her words erupt a fountain of butterflies in the pit of her stomach. She was afraid of leaving her? It seemed this would be harder than she had anticipated.

"Adélie, baby, ya belong where ya came from. Ya can'te stay here forever, ya know that-"

"It's not that Mama!"

"Then, what is it?"

She was silent for a moment. Rogue could feel Ororo and Kitty's eyes on the back of her neck as they all waited for her to answer.

"Ah'm afraid dat it'll get dark again an' ah won't fahnd them."

"But the voice, didn't it say yah would see 'em again?"

Adélie nodded silently, but there was still that anxiety in her eyes. Finally, Rogue have a small sigh and replied softly.

"Ah would never let anythin' bad happen t' ya. Okay? Things will work out jus' fahne once we find the house. An' ya don't have t' go there straight away. Ya can take ya tahme an' while we're at it, we can see the sights o' New Orleans. How about it, sugah?"

Adélie took a moment, but when she nodded she gave a feeble smile before another yawn overcame her. Rogue smiled down on her as she reached out and tenderly brushed back her white and blonde streaks from her face. Within moments, Adélie's eyes were closed and her breathing slowed to a state of rest. Carefully, without hesitation, Rogue leant forward and kissed the top of her head, through her thick auburn hair. When she withdrew, Adélie shifted, snuggling into her pillow as sleep quickly overtook her.

"G'night baby."

She yawned again but did not say anything.

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The next morning…

Rogue couldn't help the smile of amusement that cross her face as Adélie and Jamie chatted together like they had known each other for years, and not a mere couple of days. Jamie, who was fifteen and growing taller by the minute, was immediately smitten with Adélie just everyone else seemed to be since her unusual arrival. They sat together at the kitchen table, amongst Logan, Ororo and some of the other adults, oblivious to everything but their conversation. Rogue stood from the stove, minding a pan of sizzling bacon as she watched her daughter. Jamie had been friendly to Adélie since meeting her and they had gotten on almost immediately. She had been amazed when he had suddenly divided into several Jaimies before her eyes while he had been equally just as impressed by her teleporting abilities. At the moment, he was trying to teach Adélie how to balance a spoon on his nose. Rogue chuckled amusedly when he managed it and Adélie broke into applause and chuckled delightedly.

"She seems to be settling in well."

Rogue froze at the familiar voice. When she turned slowly to face the figure though, her surprise turned to annoyance as a scowl spread across her face. She raised an eye brow at him as she replied coldly.

"Are ya gonna start interrogatin' meh too?"

Scott raised one side of his mouth in a feeble, crooked smile but it died quickly as her scowl deepened. With a sigh of defeat, he began to speak again as he rubbed he back of his neck uncomfortably.

"Look, Rogue- I didn't mean to be so insensitive. I shouldn't have pressed those questions on Adélie like that, and I'm sorry for it."

Rogue eyed him closely, her scowl undiminished as she glared up at him. Scott fidgeted uncomfortably under her stare for a couple of moments before Rogue's scowl softened. Her tone remained cold and temperamental as she replied.

"Fahne. Ya forgiven."

Scott relaxed instantly, a small smile playing across his face as he replied, relieved.

"Thank you- and I promise, it won't happen again."

Rogue gave a grunt as she turned off the stove and stabbed on of the pieces of bacon with a fork, and put it on the plate on the counter. As she went for the next one, she turned to Scott and raised the fork to fill the gap between them and growled.

"That better be true Summers."

Scott nodded calmly but Rogue was pretty sure if it wasn't for his ruby shades, she would see the fear in his eyes. He offered to take the bacon to the table, so Rogue left him to it to go sit beside her daughter.

"-so then Bobby hit the floor- pretty hard too, I think, covered in pillow feathers, honey an' a lot of chicken feed. It was hilarious! Jubilee couldn't look him straight in the face for weeks without bursting out laughing!"

Adélie giggled melodiously as she replied brightly.

"Ah bet none o' ya'll could look at him the same after that!"

Jaimie sniggered, a broad grin across his lips as he replied.

"No one could. At least, not without making clucking noises at him!"

The two howled with laughter, clutching their sides in pain as their faces reddened. Rogue couldn't suppress her own smile as she sat herself down beside them. When the two had somewhat pulled themselves together again, she spoke.

"Tellin' her about the Bobby-chicken incident huh?"

Jaimie only snorted with laughter as a response. Adélie giggled, not quite rid of the hilarity of the story. Rogue smiled down at her but they were not able to talk or giggle any further, for a familiar voice broke through the room but didn't silence everyone. Only Ororo, Logan, Rogue and Adélie could hear the Professor's voice as he called out to them in telepathy like a speaker.

"Good morning everyone, would you all care to join me in my office? I believe we have a new plan of action."

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Meanwhile, back in New Orleans… (I so bet all of you are getting chills just reading this part!)

Jump. Catch. Swing. Turn. Jump. Drop. Turn. Catch…

He repeated these actions time and time again as he swung, turned, jumped and weaved his way through out the maze of ropes that filled the room. He pulled his own weight, his agile body weaving like quicksand through the tight ropes of the obstacle course. His motions were fluid, precise as he heaved and grunted, hissing between his teeth lightly as he made his way up and down. Sweat stuck to his brow and became a second layer over his body, second to the form fitting suit that moved with his body like a second skin. Despite the uncomfortable humidity though, he continued on as the minutes passed by. That is, until a familiar ring tone echoed through the large room.

Hanging from a horizontal rope, his legs bending over, he turned his head towards the chair beside the court that housed the rope maze. Set on a black towel was the ringing, silver cell phone that beckoned him. With a slightly grunt, he pulled himself up effortlessly a quickly detached himself from the ropes before jogging over to the chair. When Remy answered the call, he smirked and put on his best poker face even though he knew the caller could not see him.

"Bonjour, was beginning t' t'ink y' didn't need moi on dis assignment."

There was a grunt of irritation before a reply.

"Do not worry Mister LeBeau, I wouldn't leave you hanging. That's why I am calling actually. There's been a change in plans."

Remy's poker face dropped and became sincere for business as he replied.

"What kind of change?"

"You won't need to leave for New York. In fact, all you will have to do is simply look in your backyard, so to speak."

Remy furrowed his brow.

"Dey're in N'Orleans?"

"They will be. They're bringing her tomorrow and will arrive by noon. They're looking for a house that's in Louisiana somewhere. They don't know where exactly it is, but it's supposed to be of some kind of significance to the girl."

"So, what do you want Gambit t' do?"

There was a cynical smile in his voice as Magneto replied.

"Do exactly what I told you to. Get the girl and bring her to me by the end of the week."

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OMG THAT TOOK FOREVER! Lol but I got Remy in so I'm happy (and I bet you are too!) REVIEW!

-ultimategammy91