Disclaimer: Do I really have to say it again?

A/N: Hello all! So sorry to have taken so long to update, unfortunately real life gets in the way of things. I do my best to ignore it, but it does tend to be rather pesky and persistent. Anyhoo, as always, much thanks to my reviewers – you're all very much appreciated! Hope you enjoy this latest instalment, and will stick around for more. It may take me a while, but I promise more will get posted eventually! ;)

Symbiotic

Chapter 21 – Awkward

December 2005

This morning Rogue's awakening and readjustment to her body was calm and leisurely, for which she was glad. She had reached her quota for drama over recent months, and was hoping further fuss would pass her by for a long, long time – of course, thinking like that would probably jinx things, but for the moment there was peace, and she embraced it. Pushing her hands against the headboard of her bed, the Southerner stretched out and savoured the warmth of her blankets and quiet of her room for as long as she could before the inevitable disruption.

That interruption happened to be a knock on the door about fifteen minutes later – but going so long without a disturbance was probably a record for a mansion filled with rambunctious teenagers. Glancing over at the alarm clock, red numbers shone back and told her it was six a.m. That meant Kitty and Kurt were probably stopping by to pick her up for the Danger Room session, and she groaned. An intensive workout after a month's hiatus could be both an excruciating chore and welcome exercise, but currently it was leaning more towards the unpleasant end of the spectrum.

Forcing herself to stand and then stretching once again for good measure, Rogue made her way to the door and opened it. Fully expecting to see a fuzzy blue elf and a girl much too perky for such an ungodly hour of the morning, she instead found a Cajun with a cautious smile on his handsome face.

"Remy?" she blinked, surprised.

She hadn't been expecting to see him, but perhaps she should have been. After all, he had made it abundantly clear that he had wanted to repair their friendship, and move beyond it as well. She certainly agreed with the first part, but the latter was more problematic… Although she had tried to explain to him why it would never work, the thief was stubborn – he would undoubtedly keep trying anyway. Oddly enough, a part of her appreciated that, even if…

No, she didn't want to dwell on all those obstacles now. The point was that she was actually glad to see him, especially after avoiding him for a month and then being apart from him for another while in her mind. It had been a long time since they had just spent time together and joked like they used to… They would have to get back into the swing of things, because now they were standing there looking at each other uncertainly, and it felt rather awkward.

Taking a closer look at the boy to see if he was as uncomfortable as she was, Rogue realized that he hadn't removed his wide-eyed gaze from her – a gaze that was more reminiscent of gawking than of insecurity. Glancing down, she noticed that to her abject horror, Carol still hadn't given up her habit of buying ridiculously skimpy and expensive sleepwear. "Hey!" she cried, blushing as she quickly grabbed a sweater and pulled it over the low-cut camisole. "Perv."

"Desolé," Remy muttered, with the good grace to actually sound sheepish about it. Taking advantage of Rogue moving away to cover herself up, he slipped inside the room and shut the door, then quickly tried to steer the subject away from his little faux pas. "So… Uh, how are y'?"

"Fine," she shrugged, deciding for a standard answer in lieu of delving deeper into things. "An' yo'self?" She didn't know what else to ask him. This was what she'd been worrying about, the nervousness and apprehension that would no doubt exist between them as a result of the lies, deceptions, and admitted feelings. At least it wasn't only her experiencing the acute discomfort – Remy appeared to be feeling it too. Could they ever get back what they once had, that easy camaraderie?

"I'm fine, too, I guess…" he began tentatively, before appearing to change his mind. Shaking his head, he then said firmly, "Actually, no, I'm not."

"Why not?" the girl queried nervously, sitting down on the edge of her bed. Had something else happened? Was his wedding being planned? Did another fiancée pop up? Or maybe it was something unrelated to all the previous crises – maybe a hidden medical condition, or long-lost brother? She couldn't stop the negative scenarios from flooding her mind (probably stemming from Kitty's insistence on discussing the plots of her romance novels). They seemed unlikely, but with everything that had already happened, almost anything seemed possible at this point.

Remy just grimaced, looking around at the posters on her walls instead of meeting her eyes.

That was all it took to confirm her suspicions. "Bad news, huh?"

"Oui. Y're not goin' t' like it…" he told her nervously, shifting from one foot to the other. She couldn't remember ever seeing Mr. Cool and Collected so anxious!

"Tell me anyway," she insisted, although the uneasy fluttering in her stomach warned her against it. Even if she wouldn't enjoy the news, she couldn't stand not knowing – she didn't want to be kept in the dark again. "Honesty is important ta me, an' secrets are what caused this whole mess in th' first place, remember?"

"I know, I know…" he sighed, then apparently decided to adopt the Band-Aid strategy – it would be painful, but over with quickly. Wincing, he blurted out, "Carol didn't dump me like I thought she would."

Rogue hadn't known what exactly to expect, but it certainly hadn't been that. "Excuse me?" she started, thinking she must have heard wrong.

"She didn't dump me," Remy scowled, managing to look simultaneously exasperated, disbelieving, and guilty about it. "After I told her about Belladonna she freaked an' ran off, so I assumed (an' hoped) dat she'd want nothin' more t' do wit' me… But den she came an' asked me t' forgive her f'r reactin' so badly, sayin' de news didn't matter t' her."

"What the hell?" she exclaimed in astonishment. That couldn't be right… Carol was the high-maintenance type that needed to be the centre of attention! She would have assumed that playing second fiddle to somebody else would be the very last thing the girl would want.

The thief let loose a bitter chuckle, leaning backwards resignedly and letting the wall prop him up. "Yeah, dat was pretty much my reaction too…"

"But… How? Why?" Rogue asked him incredulously.

"Apparently she's assumed dat since I'm not with Belle at de moment, I've chosen her instead," he recounted monotonously, although she could sense frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "Den she went on about believin' in de strength of our relationship or somethin'… Didn't really sink in, I t'ink I was too shocked t' pay attention."

She stared blankly at him for a few minutes, her mind racing. Carol honestly didn't care that her boyfriend was engaged? There was just no way… It was impossible, it was bizarre! How could anybody possibly be okay with such a revelation? She herself certainly hadn't taken the bombshell well, and she hadn't even been dating him! Damn that girl, how could she choose to continue on with things the way they were? How could she? Rogue was furious!

Then she froze, realizing what was happening. Oh no, no, her thoughts were heading back into dangerous territory again… But she couldn't help it. Rogue recognized the noxious feeling brewing within her: jealousy. She was jealous! Again… But no, she couldn't allow herself to feel that way, and tried her best to temper the negative emotions – she'd been the one to insist on friendship, after all! So then she couldn't really protest against Carol still being with Remy, could she? Too bad her heart's pesky feelings didn't pay attention to her brain's rationalizations.

Taking a moment to centre herself, Rogue decided she had to approach this calmly. That was harder said than done, especially since she had the intense yearning to scream and shout and maybe break something in her frustration, but the last thing she wanted was to start off the month quarreling with the Cajun again. So after a deep breath she slowly uttered, "Okay… What are yah goin' ta do then?"

"I have no clue!" he shouted in irritation, throwing his hands into the air. "I mean, I t'ought dis was a sure-fire way to have her dump me, but now it seems dat no matter what I do, it won't work! Dieu, chère, she won't leave me alone, it's like she's stalkin' me…"

She certainly wasn't overjoyed with the news – in fact, she downright loathed it, and felt a seething rage churning within her that was only worsened by all her conflicting emotions. And yet, taking in Remy's flustered appearance, clearly at his wit's end as he ranted and raved about the girl he was stuck with, she couldn't stop the quiet laugh that escaped her throat.

He heard it and stared – the expression on his face was the same one she assumed he'd have if she kicked a puppy or cancelled Christmas. "Chère? I fail t' see what's so amusing…"

"Sorry," she giggled, her hands over her mouth as she tried to stifle her sounds, but now that she had started it was hard to stop. "But yah have ta admit, it's pretty funny!" Her negativity, much to her surprise, was rapidly fading – Remy's lack of enthusiasm to Carol no doubt helped that along and eased her doubts, but now it was his indignation that fuelled the humour.

He blinked. "Okay, y're takin' dis much better den I thought y' would."

So was she, for that matter! Rogue never thought she would have been amused at this sort of situation, but she couldn't help herself. Was she hysterical? Had she finally lost it? Maybe all the psyches had pushed her over the edge… Well, whatever the case, it actually helped to laugh about it, and she suddenly felt slightly better about things.

She snorted, calming down some so that she was able to explain. "Well, it's not like Ah'm thrilled with the news… But after yah caused this whole mess, it's sorta poetic justice ta see yah stuck with a girl yah can't stand, ain't it?"

"It's hell on earth…" he groaned, throwing his head back with a smack as it hit the wall.

"Well, Ah might be more sympathetic if a part o' me didn't feel yah deserve a bit o' hassle," she told him frankly. Maybe it was vindictive and infantile, but a tiny little voice in the back of her mind was telling her that he should endure these trials and tribulations after the stunts he had pulled.

"Fair enough… I know I deserve dis." He scuffed at the carpet with his feet, and she could tell that this was hard for him. "But I want t' fix t'ings, and… I don't know what t' do, chère."

Amazing – was he asking her for help? If she hadn't already believed the sincerity and regret he expressed about the entire fiasco then this probably would have swayed her. So Rogue pondered upon things for a moment, trying to come up with a plan of action while attempting to ignore the fact that she maybe, possibly had a vested interest in things. "Why not just dump her an' get it all over with?" she questioned, going for the obvious and easy solution. Not to mention the more satisfying and fun one…

He frowned worriedly. "I don't like how dat could end up… I don't want hurtin' Carol t' end up hurtin' you."

She was touched for a moment at his worry, but then recalled her stance on all of this. "Well, that won't happen, will it?" she pointed out, her brow furrowing. "We're just friends, remember?"

"For now," he told her determinedly, standing up straighter and looking resolute.

She sighed exasperatedly, not liking where this conversation was heading. "Do we have ta go over all this again?"

"Hearin' it more won't change my mind," he insisted obstinately.

"Yeah, well, yah won't change my mind either," the girl maintained. She had a feeling this could go on for a very long time, like some sort of back-and-forth kindergarten argument. Too bad it wasn't a simple grade-school problem – she longed for simple issues again, like sharing toys or stealing another's cookie! Things had become much too complicated lately.

The Cajun was adamant though, contending, "I'll still do my best – I t'ink I'll manage t' wear y' down eventually."

"Ah don't wanna get into this right now…" she groused, leaning forward and burying her head in her hands. Trying to change the subject, she put forward, "Look, forget all that, an' let's get back ta th' problem at hand. Whatever happens, how badly could Carol really take it?"

She could tell that he wasn't finished with the previous topic, but he still went along with the shift. "Oh, she seems t' be in pretty deep, an' frankly, it's annoyin'."

She hated to say it, but… "Well, Ah guess yah're stuck with her until she chucks yah then."

"Wit' de way she's actin', I'm afraid dat'll be never!"

Rogue had to bite her lip to stop herself from erupting in laughter again, because the irony was truly entertaining. Remy LeBeau, the ultimate ladies' man, was now stuck with a girl he couldn't stand, and he had absolutely no clue how to get rid of her. She would have thought he'd be an expert at it! "Oh honestly, how hard is it for yah ta be a bad boyfriend?"

"Why chère, I'm insulted!" he gasped melodramatically, clutching a hand to his chest. "What makes y' t'ink I could do dat?'

She raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Yah know, maybe yah're right…" She paused as he preened a bit, but then added, "Yah never stick around long enough ta even be considered a boyfriend, so who knows what kind yah'd be!"

He winced. "All right, point taken… But I could be a good boyfriend."

Rogue didn't doubt that, as she considered his attentiveness and chivalry and… No, she shouldn't be letting her thoughts wander in that direction! Shaking her head, she told him, "That's not th' point. Yah've gotta be a crappy one now, or enough of one so that she'll get fed up with yah. Ah mean, it's not like she's throwing herself at yah or anythin' – how hard can it be ta neglect her an' such?"

He fidgeted, distressed. "It's not like I haven't been tryin'! She's completely oblivious – I t'ink she's so excited about actually findin' someone despite de body-sharin' situation dat she's deludin' herself into thinking t'ings are perfect."

"Well then, we'll just have ta think of ways ta show her they ain't a bed o' roses…" she mused. Perhaps it was childish, but a part of her felt a smug sense of satisfaction at knowing she might be helping Carol's boyfriend dump her. …Damn, there was that jealousy cropping up again!

"You'll help me?" Remy marveled, obviously shocked at her not only accepting the news so well, but even offering her assistance. She couldn't help but smile, because it was always fun to throw him off like that.

"Sure," she raised a shoulder in what she hoped portrayed indifference, although inside she felt nothing of the sort.

"Ah, merci chère," he grinned, relieved. "I appreciate de help, I really do."

"Yeah, well, Ah think yah'll need all yah can get," she retorted, getting to her feet.

"Probably…" he agreed, and then smirked hopefully. "But y're sure it ain't a bit self-serving on y'r part?"

"Argh!" she grumbled, placing her hands on her hips. "How many times do Ah gotta tell yah, swamp rat? No!"

"Sure chère, whatever y' say…"

"Oh, just get outta here!" she growled, throwing the door open, glad she had a reason to chuck him out. "We're gonna be late fo' Logan's Danger Room session, an' Ah've still gotta change."

"Oh, den maybe I should stay, henh?"

"Out!"

- X -

A few hours later, after making herself more presentable following a vigorous training session, Rogue found herself standing before a large oak door. He had asked her to come see him, and she had no intention of backing out on that – she wasn't afraid, after all! But… Well, she supposed the correct descriptor would be 'nervous'. Still, it was something that had to be done, so she might as well get it over with. Knocking on the door, a kindly "Come in!" echoed telepathically through her mind, and she entered the Professor's 'fortress of solitude' (as the students had affectionately dubbed it).

"Ahh, good morning Rogue!" Charles Xavier greeted her warmly, gesturing for her to take a seat in the plush leather chair in front of his desk. "It's nice to have you back, as always."

"Thanks," she replied, sitting down a bit tensely. She appreciated these little checkups, she really did, but each time she went to one she couldn't help but go with a heavy heart – what would really be accomplished? Nothing ever was. No adequate solution to her issues with Carol, no miraculous breakthrough with her powers… Add that to the fact that she always felt rather unsettled when candidly discussing her feelings, and that led her to attend each session with a touch of apprehension and melancholy.

"And may I also add that it's nice to see you in a better mood!"

She frowned slightly. "How could yah tell? Ah've only said one word ta yah. Am Ah that easy ta read?" She certainly hoped not!

"Not at all," the man laughed, manoeuvring his wheelchair around the desk until he rested beside her. "You happen to be one of the most difficult to read of all my students – and I do not just mean telepathically. But I suppose that is what you aim for, is it not?"

Rogue looked away from him uncomfortably, and was thankful when he cleared his throat and continued. "To answer your first question, I was in the control room, observing your training run this morning. You appeared more at ease than you have been recently, especially in your interactions with Mr. LeBeau. Am I to assume that whatever misunderstanding occurred between you two has been rectified?"

She carefully contemplated the question, because honestly, she wasn't quite sure of her reply. Had things been completely mended? "Ah guess so," she began slowly, trying to find the right words to explain. "Ah mean, we talked a bit, but…"

When she paused, and after a long moment failed to continue, Xavier concluded her sentence. "You are unsure if things can ever be the same again? You wonder how things will progress beyond the strained situation you find yourselves in? And perhaps a nagging voice in the back of your mind is whispering doubts about ever truly trusting him again?"

Her jaw dropped, and Rogue stared at him with wide eyes. "Did yah –"

"No, Rogue," he shook his head with a wry look on his face, one that told her he was disappointed at her assumption. "Of course I didn't read your mind. I couldn't even if I wanted to, you know that."

"Ah- Ah'm sorry, Professor," she stammered remorsefully, feeling somewhat ashamed. She knew better, she really did, but it was hard not to instantly jump to the obvious conclusion when in the presence of an insightful telepath. "It's just that yah were so right on… It was like yah read my mind, and since yah actually can, Ah couldn't help but think…"

"It's alright," he soothed her, reaching over to pat her gloved hands comfortingly. "I can understand why the thought would make you nervous, but rest assured, I did not invade your privacy. I simply made a logical guess as to what you were feeling – the same things that all of us feel after a fight with a good friend."

"Oh," Rogue said, feeling even more foolish. "Right. Sorry… Ah just… It's not somethin' Ah want gettin' out, yah know? It's private."

"I understand completely," Xavier responded gently. "I am quite aware that housing a mansion full of teenagers also brings with it teenage melodrama. Did you know that when Scott and Jean were my only students, I at first took it upon myself to mediate their disagreements?"

"Really?" she asked curiously, not particularly caring about their past, but wondering where he was going with this.

"Oh yes," he chuckled quietly, reminiscing. "I called them to a meeting and tried to have them tell me what was wrong, attempting to facilitate communication between them so they could work through whatever the issue was. Imagine everybody's embarrassment when one such problem turned out to be Jean walking in on Scott in the bathroom! And then another instance when Scott stumbled across Jean's diary…"

The Southerner began to snicker, imagining what could have stemmed from those two events – but then remembering how clueless they had been about each other's feelings before they finally got together, she concluded it had probably been nothing.

"The point is," the Professor continued with a smile, "That I learned a valuable lesson. I cannot force people to solve their problems, least of all teenagers. I've accepted that, and now, barring more serious situations, I generally tend to let you all work out your problems amongst yourselves. It may occasionally lead to an atmosphere resembling some kind of soap opera, but in the end things tend to be settled – which is exactly why I didn't interfere with you and Remy."

"Ah appreciate that," Rogue told him truthfully, thankful he hadn't seen fit to do so. Her problems were solely between her and Remy. And Carol, she supposed, even though the other girl was fairly clueless. Oh, and Kitty as well, what with her being so involved in it all… Okay, so her problems weren't exactly private, but she definitely wanted to prevent even more people from picking up on them.

"And was I correct in doing so?"

"Yeah, Ah think so," she nodded. "We seem ta be in th' process o' workin' things out, so Ah guess that's the best Ah can hope for."

"Just remain optimistic, Rogue," Xavier advised her. "While I'm aware that may not be your usual outlook, in this case I believe it should be. Friends fight all the time, and although it can be devastating, true friendships can withstand such tests. I have every faith that you and Remy can do the same – it will just take some time."

The girl let his words sink in. Usually she detested people giving unsolicited opinions and advice – sure, it was simple to mean well and give guidance, but they had no idea what it felt like to actually experience the particular situation, or to be the one who had to follow through with the advice! If it had been anybody else, Rogue would have told them to shove it – how were they to know what she went through, and what would happen? But this was the Professor, so she couldn't very well say that – at least, not without heavily censoring it first.

But then as she mulled it all over, she realized he could very well be right. After all, she and Remy were more stubborn than a pair of mules – they were much too tenacious to let things go without a fight. Their relationship being restored was something they both wanted, so with a mutual goal between the pair it would surely come about easier, wouldn't it?

Well, easy was a relative term. It wouldn't be a walk in the park… It would certainly take some time to move past recent events. All of Rogue's previous trust issues had resurfaced, banding together and screaming for her not to believe in what Remy told her, but she wanted to very much to! Could she? That was the major question.

She honestly didn't know the answer, but she had to do something to try and find it out. Doing nothing would do no good… She at least had to bite the bullet and initiate some more contact, awkwardness be damned. It was the only way to find out if things could go back to normal. They had managed to move past a phase of mistrust and tentativeness months ago, before their relationship had flourished into something more comfortable – if they could do it then, why not again? Of course, now things were in a completely different context…

The Southerner shrugged and sighed. "Ah guess we'll just have ta try, huh?"

"Indeed," he concurred. "It unfortunately won't resolve itself."

"Too bad," she said resignedly, before hoisting herself up from her seat. "Ah guess that's my cue ta go make a move."

"Best of luck, Rogue," he told her, watching her head for the door. "I hope that if you want to continue to talk about this, you will come to me?"

"Sure," she unconvincingly called back over her shoulder before exiting the room.

Once out in the hallway, the Southerner stopped for a moment to gather her thoughts. Then she realized that for the first time, she was leaving the Professor's office with a plan of action and a tangible goal in mind. Well, that was something, right?

- X -

A plan was a step in the right direction, but trying to enact it was something else all together. After Rogue left her session with Xavier, she wandered around the mansion trying to find Remy – there was no time like the present to mend the damage, right? She figured she should find him before she lost her nerve, but it was just her luck that he happened to be running a simulation in the Danger Room with the younger recruits.

Sighing, she went back to her room to grab her sketchbook and some pencils. Maybe some art therapy would take her mind off things for a while? At any rate, it'd be better than obsessing about what she should or shouldn't say and do. As she wandered idly through the halls, searching for an inspirational place to sit down and draw, she was unaware of being watched from behind, her observer coming closer and closer before they pounced…

"Hey!" called a voice from behind her, and Rogue jumped straight into the air in shock.

"Jeez, Kit!" she gasped, clutching a hand to her rapidly palpitating heart. "Why don'tcha give a gal some warnin' before yah sneak up on her?"

"Sorry," her friend apologized sheepishly. "I didn't think I was being all that stealthy."

"No problem," Rogue sighed, waving it off. "Ah guess Ah was lost in thought. What's up?"

"Well, a bunch of us are going Chrismukkah shopping, and I wanted to know if you'd come!" Kitty invited.

She blinked. "Chrismukkah?"

"Yeah, Chrismukkah!" the other girl chirped merrily. "Christmas and Hanukkah mixed together – I celebrate Hanukkah but everybody I'm buying gifts for celebrates Christmas, so instead of wasting all that breath explaining that, I figured I'd just meld the words together and it would capture the importance of both holidays without making my celebrations seem less important or somebody else's more so! I got it from the O.C., Adam Brody's character came up with it – isn't that cute? He's such a sweetie."

"Riiight," Rogue drawled, smiling and nodding politely. "Ah don't know why you of all people would worry about wastin' your breath though…"

"Oh, ha ha," Kitty intoned dryly.

"But Ah actually wasn't wonderin' about th' word," she clarified. "Ah was thinkin' about th' timin'. Is it really almost Christmas already?"

The other girl looked at her like she was crazy. "Yeah, it's December, remember?"

"Oh, right…" It was so hard to keep track of time when you were out of the picture every other month! Maybe she should ask for a calendar for Christmas then… Great, that meant she'd have to do some shopping soon. Pushing through dense crowds while her ears were assaulted with the incessant sound of carols was far from her idea of fun. "Ah think Ah'll pass for now."

"Really?" Kitty pouted, and then her eyes widened. "But oh my God, have you bought any presents yet? There are only 23 more shopping days left!"

"Kit, take a breath!" Rogue stared at her in disbelief, amazed that somebody could get so worked up about something like that. "No, Ah haven't got any presents yet – Ah was gone all of November, or did that slip yo' mind?"

"Of course not," she rolled her eyes. "But that doesn't mean you couldn't have done your shopping before that! I started mine in August."

"Unbelievable," the goth breathed, a bit bewildered by the amount of holiday spirit that could be condensed into such a tiny body.

"So when are you going to do yours?"

"Some other time, okay?" she informed her. "It's my first day back, Ah just wanna get back into th' swing of things, relax a bit… An' Ah've got some things Ah've gotta do."

"Oh… Sure, whatever you say," Kitty grinned, looking extremely smug, and Rogue knew that she was coming to her own assumptions. "And might those things involve a certain Cajun charmer?"

Rogue groaned and closed her eyes. "Uh, Kit, aren't the others waiting for yah or somethin'?" she asked, hoping it was true. She needed something to get her out of the conversation about to take place!

Maybe her luck was finally turning around, because she got her wish – or perhaps Kitty was just feeling particularly generous (or impatient to get to the mall). Whatever the case, Rogue was grateful when she good-naturedly agreed, "Yeah, they are. I'll let it go for now, but I want details when I get back, okay?"

"Fine," the Southerner relented reluctantly, but felt the need to make it conditional. "But only if there's somethin' ta tell!" Because, depending on how things went, there could be no news to share.

"Great!" Kitty trilled, and waved goodbye as she used her powers to melt down through the floor. "See you later then!"

"Bye," Rogue called, walking off. Before she could get very far, however, she heard Kitty call her name from behind her once more, and turned to take in the truly uncanny sight of her head sticking up from the carpet as she phased. "What now?"

"Just wanted to know if you've figured out what to get Remy for Christmas!" she teased cheekily as a parting shot, and luckily for her, phased away before her friend had time to react and throw a sketchbook at her.

Alone once again, Rogue sighed. There was another question that would eventually need an answer. Hmm… Would she get him something friendly and meaningful, or cold and effortless? She supposed it would depend on how things went between them.

That remained to be seen, and she would have to play the waiting game for a while longer. Entering one of the studies on the second floor, she settled herself on a window seat with a perfect view of the snow-covered gardens outside. Caught up in her sketching, focusing on accurately capturing the shadows the sun spilled across the glistening white blanket of flakes, the girl whiled the time away.

So caught up was she in her task that she failed to notice the minutes pass. She was finally shaken from her concentration only when a hand tapped her on her shoulder, startling her off the ledge.

"Woah!" she shrieked, tumbling onto the floor, which was thankfully slightly cushioned with carpeting. "Ooof…"

"Sorry, chère," came Remy's voice from above her, and she glanced up to see him cringing. "Didn't mean ta scare y' like dat."

"It's fine," she grumbled, shoving away his proffered hand as she hauled herself back into her sitting position. "Everybody seems ta be sneakin' up on me today."

"Oh. Feelin' a bit jumpy den?"

"More like tense," she told him. "Ah guess it's all th' stuff that's been goin' on…"

"Ah," he murmured, stiffening up and looking away.

An uncomfortable silence reigned between them once more, and Rogue sighed internally. One of them would have to say something, maybe then they could take it from there… Luckily, Remy took initiative.

Leaning down, he picked up the sketchbook from where it had fallen along with Rogue. Quickly glancing at the landscape she had been working on, he complimented, "Wow… Dat's beautiful."

"Thanks," she smiled slightly, ducking her head as she placed the book back in her lap. "I was just killin' some time…"

"Sorry I took so long," the thief apologized, plopping down in a chair a few feet away from her. "Was workin' on some self-defence wit' Bobby an' Ray. De Popsicle kept makin' sheets o' ice f'r Ray t' slip on, who den felt de need t' retaliate, so y' can imagine de never-endin' cycle dat set off."

"Ah hear yah," Rogue chuckled, and then smirked. "But who said Ah was waitin' fo' yah?"

"Why, chère! Who wouldn't want t' wait f'r dis handsome Cajun?"

"Oh, anybody with half a brain?" she retorted.

"De fille wounds me!" he gasped, clutching a hand to his heart and playfully swooning in his seat.

"Not yet Ah haven't," she grinned evilly, leaning towards him and batting her eyebrows. "Would yah like me to?"

"Why, I had no clue y' liked de kinky stuff!" he shot back with a leer, and she blushed vividly.

"Oh Gawd," she groaned, burying her burning face in her hands. She could hear him laughing loudly, and soon she joined in, her shoulders shaking.

The pair snickered and hooted for a good few minutes – even though the joke hadn't even been that funny, it was like the dam holding back all the tension between them finally burst, releasing the built up pressure. The other's mirth only served to further fuel their own, making it hard to stop. Finally their amusement died down, leaving them gasping for breath and wiping away tears.

"Wow, Ah really needed that," Rogue said, feeling much more buoyant than she had in a long time. There was nothing quite like shared laughter to help clear the air.

"Definitely," Remy agreed, chuckling sardonically. "So I guess de key t' fixin' de awkwardness between us is my innuendo?"

"Please," she rolled her eyes. "Nobody needs ta be subjected ta that. Ah think banter is what works. That, or just doin' anythin' that distracts us."

"Y're prob'ly right," he nodded, and then slyly suggested, "Would y' like a distraction, den?"

"No way! Ah know yah're thinkin' o' somethin' inappropriate!"

"Why chère, I was t'inkin' of havin' y' sketch me!" he revealed, inclining his head towards her art supplies. "Y' really are a kinky one, aren't y'?"

"Oh, whatever – you're th' one with a mind dirtier than a dumpster, swamp rat. An' tell me, why exactly would Ah want ta sketch yah?"

His jaw dropped in mock-shock. "Have y' taken a look at dis Cajun lately?" Then he struck a dramatic pose, swinging his legs up over the armrest and flexing his arms behind his head in a position that would be right at home in a nudie magazine spread. And that certainly wasn't something Rogue wanted to think about in relation to Remy! That could only lead to bad places…

Shaking her head to clear it of said thoughts, she snorted and was about to hurl an insult his way when she was struck with a better idea. "Yah really want me ta sketch yah?"

"Sure," he shrugged languidly. "I meant what I said, y'r art is really good. An' maybe we can continue our conversation from earlier while y' work?"

"Sure, why not," she agreed, settling in a more comfortable position as she picked up a pencil. Concentrating on her drawing would probably help things along, taking her mind off of more serious matters. "Just sit still, okay?"

"Not a problem," he grinned, clearly pleased that she would care to immortalize him in such a pose. "I'll be as handsome as Michelangelo's David, henh? Wait, should I take my clothes off, den?"

"That might defeat th' purpose o' me sketchin' yah," she rejoined evenly, "Seein' as how Ah'd then have ta gouge my eyes out."

"Den y' must be de exception t' y'r gender, chère," he told her glibly. "Other filles would stop at nothin' to get a glimpse o' me."

Rogue pursed her lips at the thought that automatically sprung to her mind, and she unconsciously pressed her pencil down to the paper with more force. "Yeah? Like Carol?"

The carefree expression was wiped from his face instantly, and he made to sit up straighter. "Look, Rogue, I –"

"Don't move!" she cried, indicating her work. "Do yah want me ta have ta start all over again?"

"Sorry," he recoiled, easing back to his original position and attempting to converse further without any enthusiastic gestures. "But look, I didn't mean t' make y' think o' her, I was just jokin'."

"Ah know," she replied with forced nonchalance, glancing up at him and then back down to her sketch. "Don't worry about it – we were gonna brainstorm ideas on how ta get rid o' her anyway, weren't we? That'd be kinda hard ta do without bringin' her up."

"Oh. True. Are y' sure, though? I mean, I can understand if it's upsetting t' talk about her…"

"Ah'm fine," the Southern girl snapped at him, annoyed at how he was suddenly tiptoeing around the situation. Everything was already out in the open, she knew all about it, so she certainly didn't need to be sheltered from it anymore! "Stop beatin' around th' bush, swamp rat – do yah wanna get rid o' her or not?"

"More den anyt'ing!" he cried, nodding his head vigorously.

"Don't move!" she scolded him again, shooting a scowl in his direction.

"Sorry." He froze, with only his lips moving as he tentatively asked, "So… Any ideas on how I could go about dat?"

"Well, what have yah tried so far?"

"Just about everythin' I could t'ink of – ignorin' her, flirtin' with other filles, tellin' her I was engaged… Nothin' seems t' work. I'm still absolutely perfect in her book."

"Hmph," Rogue snickered. "She must be delusional then."

"No need t' be jealous, just because everybody wants a piece o' me," he winked at her.

She was about to sputter that she felt no such thing, but then she turned his words over in her mind and formed an idea. "Yah know, in a way yah're right," she mused calmly, never lifting her eyes off the paper – there was no need to check and see if he had a confused expression gracing his face at her agreement, since she was sure it would be there. "Yah pro'ly could attract anybody, couldn't yah?"

"Prob'ly… What are y' gettin' at?" he wondered suspiciously.

"Nothin' much," Rogue waved off his concern, biting back a smirk as she took a quick look at him. "Just thinkin' that maybe yah could pretend to be gay…"

"What!" he cried, about to shoot up from the chair had she not shrieked, "Don't move!"

"Sorry," he grumbled once more, staying into place, yet somehow managing to appear more petulant. "But I can't believe y'd suggest dat! Again."

"Why not?" she asked innocently, trying to suppress her amusement. "Like Ah said befo', it makes some sense – yah overcompensatin' for yo' true inclinations by flirtin' with every woman that so much glances yo' way…"

"Y're evil."

"Ah know," the girl grinned, quite pleased at making Remy squirm. "But Ah wasn't actually tryin' ta take a jab at yo' masculinity or anythin', Ah'm just suggestin' it as an idea. What better way ta get Carol ta dump yah than by thinkin' yah play fo' the other team?"

"Do y' honestly t'ink anyone would buy dat?"

"Ah'm sure yah could pull it off… Just act a bit mo' flamboyant, stick some pink in yo' wardrobe, which Ah'm sure Kitty could help yah with…"

"I don't t'ink so," the thief stated, resolutely shaking his head but then going still once again when Rogue looked at him pointedly. "Even if she did buy it, we'd still have de problem o' what she'd do if she finds out about me goin' after y'."

Rogue sighed wearily, looking away from his eyes and down at her sketchpad. "Why do yah keep bringin' that up? Ah've told yah how Ah feel about it."

"No, y've told me your excuses about it," he baited her. "I t'ink y' feel quite differently."

She wasn't going to bite, instead trying to turn things around on him. "Would it even matter if Ah did? From th' way things are goin', yah're gonna be stuck with Carol fo'ever!"

He shuddered at the thought.

"Don't move, swamp rat, how many times have Ah gotta tell yah?"

"Prob'ly a few more," he guessed, discreetly trying to stretch out his now sore muscles without stirring too much. "But back to de brainstormin'…"

"Don't move!"

The next little while passed like that, with the duo tossing options back and forth between them and Remy rapidly tiring from having to remain in the same awkward position for so long. Of course, none of this proved particularly productive – it only created more fruitless ideas and a rather irritated Cajun.

"Can I move yet?"

"No, Ah'm not done!" Rogue told him. "Anyway, where were we? At maybe tellin' Carol that yah can't call off yo' weddin'?"

"Oui," he replied, grimacing as his muscles twitched. "But after everyt'ing I've tried, I don't really have high hopes f'r dat workin'."

"Well, maybe yah can combine that with bein' an even worse boyfriend. How hard can it be? Ah mean, yah do hate th' gal!"

"Too true," he grumbled. "Looks like I'll have t' stop hidin' dat fact."

"Best of luck with that, then – yah're gonna need it," Rogue declared, and then put down her pencil. "There, done!"

"Finally!" the thief yelled, rolling out of his seat and shaking his sore limbs. "Merde, dat was uncomfortable… Dis better be de best damn portrait ever, after all dat! Lemme see."

"All right, if yah insist," the girl said deviously, turning the pad over and presenting a lovely still-life of the coffee table and vase directly beside Remy's chair. "Yah like?"

His jaw dropped. "What's dat? Y' weren't drawin' me?"

"Did I ever say Ah was?" she questioned shrewdly.

"Y' kept tellin' me not t' move!"

"Well, that's cause yo' shadow would've shifted an' changed th' whole scene!" she explained reasonably, doing her best not burst out laughing. Oh yes, this little stunt had definitely helped to ease some of her hostility…

Remy groaned, letting himself crumple onto the floor in defeat. "Chère, y're cruel."

"Well, yah know what they say," she beamed in satisfaction, standing up to loom over him. "People have ta suffer fo' great art. Besides, Ah needed some payback, didn't Ah?" She then offered him her hand.

He eyed it for a moment, and then accepted. "Yeah, I guess I deserved that," he admitted, getting hauled to his feet but not letting go of her gloved digits. "Does dat mean y're feelin' better 'bout t'ings now?"

She knew he didn't mean what she felt currently – he was referring to the whole situation between them. It wasn't something she expected him to ask straight-up like that, but she supposed that showed how much this was eating away at him, and how desperate he was to know where he stood. Thinking about it for a few moments, she reflected upon everything that had happened between them. The tension seemed to have dissipated over the last little while – she felt much more at ease around him now. In fact, it had almost seemed like old times. Or would that be only temporary? Could it continue like this?

To hell with it… Rogue threw caution to the wind for once, and nodded as she broke out into a lop-sided grin. "Yah know what, swamp rat? Yeah, Ah think things are a lot better."

A matching grin erupted on his face and he clutched her hand tighter, bringing it up to plant a kiss on the back of it. "Bien. I can't tell y' how relieved dat makes me…"

She knew the feeling. She hadn't realized how much she had valued his friendship until it had disintegrated – she was infinitely grateful that it had somehow managed to be salvaged. Of course, it would take some hard and cautious work to rebuild it completely and keep it functioning, but now she felt it was possible. Things were on track once again, and that had both Southerners feeling better than they had in ages.

So their friendship is back on the trolley, if not a bit tentative. Will things improve, especially with Remy pushing for them to be closer but Rogue too scared to move forward? You know, that's a rather good question, isn't it? Hmm, I should probably work on that…

Next chapter – 'Tis the season… for mistletoe.

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Toodles,
– ish –