She looked up at him, placing her hand on his face. She smiled even though she was in pain. Everyone was trying their best to recollect themselves. It had been a draining battle but they had won. The world was safe from Apocalypse, thanks to her. They'd all watched at one point or another. They watched as she delivered and took hit after hit. Both physically and power wise. She'd looked so graceful, flying in the air after the mutant trying to kill them all. But they could tell. This point in the fight was different than the first part. She was in survival mode, giving this fight all the strength and power she had. She had been protecting the Demon, the man she loved. Now here she was, in his arms once more.
"We won sugar," she breathed, "Everyone's safe now. We all did it."
"Yeah," he agreed, "It was mostly you mon amour. You looked so beautiful fighting. Wait 'til we get home. Then you can sleep and eat," he brushed hair off the side of her face then lifted her head to kiss it.
She used her thumb to rub his face, "I'm not going home with you Rems," she sounded tired and weak, "I love you Remy LeBeau, with all my heart."
"Don't," he voice broke a bit, "Don't you dare say your goodbyes. You are a strong girl, today's not your time. Not yet."
"Always so stubborn," she laughed.
"I love you Rogue," he took a deep breath, "You're gonna be ok chere, you hear me? You will be fine cherie."
Her hand fell from his face. She didn't respond. He looked down at her face. She looked like she was sleeping. He looked for a pulse but there was none. She looked so peaceful. He gently shook her, patting her face with his hand. She still didn't open her eyes. He shook his head back and forth, holding her closer to him.
"Non," he wept, tears streaming down his face, "Come on chere. You can't leave me. Come on Rogue, chere, you gotta get up," he sobbed even harder, "You gotta wake up, please Rogue. I love you with everything I have, you have to stay with me. Please, Rogue, please. Don't do this to me, don't leave me. Please wake up. Please," he rocked back and forth, "I love you, I love you so much. Non, non! NO!"
His eyes shot open. Sweat and tears covered his face. He looked at Rogue who was lying next to him. He didn't see her moving or breathing. He shook her a few times with no response. He gathered her up in his arms, sitting up as he did so. He stroked her hair, beginning to panic. He said her name a few times, still nothing. No, his nightmare couldn't become a reality.
He felt a hand on his face, "Remy, what's wrong?"
He let out a breath, holding her even closer to him, "I'm sorry, I had a nightmare. It freaked me out a bit."
"I'm right here love," she kissed his neck then positioned herself so she could hold him, "It's alright," she soothed him while running her hand through his hair, "I'm fine, everything's fine. I'm not going anywhere. It's alright. It was just a dream."
He pulled her in closer, "I don't want you to fight. Let us handle Apocalypse. Don't fight."
"Remy," she sighed, "I have to fight. If I don't then you know what happens."
He shook his head, "But if you do then…"
"Shhhh," she soothed again, "Don't think about all that right now. Just relax and try to get back to sleep," she kissed his forehead, "What will help you sleep?"
He felt the thin material in between his fingers. He slipped his hand under the see-through top, running his hand along her bare back. A sound escaped her lips. She kissed his forehead, both hands now placed on either side of his face. He kissed along her neck and the side of her face, moving his other hand through her hair. He moved her so that she was straddling him. He kissed back down her neck to the bare skin between her breasts. She let out another noise, causing him to get even more excited. He moved back up and nibbled on her ear a bit. He slipped both hands under the shirt, lifting it up as his hand traveled back up her side. She raised her arms over her head as he pulled her shirt off. He placed his left hand on the back of her head and the right on the small of her back. He kissed her as he lowered her onto the bed, laying on top of her. He kissed from her face to her bellybutton. His kisses were slow and loving. He pulled off her thong as he kissed her face once again. She pulled off his boxers. Her one hand placed on his chest, the other on the side of his face.
He made love to her slowly. He loved her touch, the feel of her skin, the smell of her hair and especially the taste of her lips. He also loved listening to her moan and sigh in pleasure and vice versa. He buried his face in her hair, his lips right near her ear. She listened to him breath and enjoy the moment. His hands explored the rest of her body. He ran them from her hair to her legs. She felt so good
He opened his eyes only to see the sun streaming in from Rogue's windows and French doors. He ran his hand up and down Rogue's bare back. She lay next to him, still sound asleep. He smiled at his Rogue, loving how peaceful she looked. He let out a sigh, he didn't feel like dealing with school tomorrow. He looked at all the unopened gifts on Rogue's floor. He smiled, imagining how excited she'll be when she opens them. He kissed the top of her head, causing her to stir. She smiled as she looked up at him.
She kissed his chin, "Morning."
He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, "Morning."
She sat up, smiling at all of her presents, "I've had this many birthday presents before. And they all have cards. I wanna open them."
He laughed, "Then pull on some clothes on and open them. I'm not stopping you."
She pulled the sheets around her, making a makeshift dress. She crawled off the bed. Remy enjoyed the view. She opened them like lightning, laughing and gushing over them the entire time. He watched as she held up clothes, make-up and jewelry. Each card was also filled with money. She had at least a thousand dollars from the cards. Remy smiled as he looked at her. She had wrapping paper surrounding her, along with boxes, bows and tissue paper. He crawled to the end of the bed, Rogue's blanket around his waist. She looked back at him. Her sheet fanned out in a circle around her. The only other things she wore was the necklace Remy had given her and the dog tag necklace. He leaned forward, his own dog tag hanging from his neck.
"You like everything you got chere," he asked.
She shook her head, "Yes, I do. I'm gonna have to write everyone thank you cards."
He chuckled, "I'm sure simply saying thank you will be enough."
"Yeah," she thought for a moment, "That would work to. I have so many new things to wear, it's wonderful."
She began to fold up the boxes and collect the wrapping/tissue paper. Remy watched as she quickly disposed of everything. She then placed all her new make-up on her vanity. Her jewelry got placed in her large jewelry box. Finally she folded all of her clothes, placing them in her closet. Remy walked over to her book case as she did so. A sketch book caught his eye. He thumbed through it, each drawing as incredible as the last. Rogue snatched the book from him.
"Is there anything you're not good at," he asked while walking back to the bed.
"I'm not gonna answer that," she replied, "Come on, let's get dressed and go down stairs for some breakfast. I have a training session with Logan at noon. You're more than join. You'd be nice and warmed up for the danger room session at three."
Remy yawned, "Why can't we just stay here in our own little world? I like it here. No one bothers you, it's all peaceful. I'm willing to give up food if it means alone time with you."
She giggled, "Sorry sugar, I promised the girls I'd go shopping later. Wanda will be here around six."
He groaned but got out of bed. Rogue teleported him to his room, leaving before he could snatch her up in his arms. He got dressed in a matter of minutes, walking straight back to her room. He opened the door but found it was empty. He ran down the stairs, heading straight for the kitchen. Everyone else was there. He walked inside, figuring she was eating on the back porch. He stuck his head out the doorway, where was she? He groaned in frustration, pulling his hair a bit. He decided he'd get some breakfast before resuming his search.
"Hey," Tabitha draped her arms over Remy's shoulders, "Who are you looking for?"
"Mon chere," he said while finishing up his bagel, "Have you seen her?"
"She's training with Logan I think," she leaned closer to his ear, pressing her chest to his back, "I can keep you company 'til she gets back."
He stood up, pulling away from her, "Thanks for the offer but I think I'll just make my way to the training room."
She shrugged, "Alright. Catch you later then. Hey Sam, wait up."
He shook his head. Everyone knew he and Rogue were a couple, they had been for months. So it was pointless for girls to flirt with him, yet Tabitha thought those rules didn't apply to her. He walked down stairs and into the training room. Logan looked up at him, raising an eye brow.
"What are you doing down here," Logan asked.
"I came down here to train with you and Rogue," he looked around, "She said I could train with you guys if I wanted. Where is she?"
Logan walked towards the door, "Not down here. Isn't she upstairs?"
"Non," he shook his head, "She hasn't been down here?"
"No," Logan walked past him, "I guess you're gonna help me find her then."
Remy shrugged but followed Logan out of the room. Rogue made her way down the stairs, staring at the two men that stood on front of her. She looked at them, confused. Both men gave her a 'where have you been' look.
"I was upstairs," she looked at both of them then elaborated, "The professor wanted to check on my powers and all that good stuff. He also wanted to make sure my touch wasn't acting up again."
"Well you could've told someone," Remy huffed, "I was looking all over for you."
"It was a last minute thing," she rolled her eyes, "Why don't you just put a low-jack on me?"
He scuffed, "Whatever, I was just worried about you. I'll be upstairs."
She grabbed his arm as he walked past her, "Are you seriously mad? Ah was kidding, why are you being so sensitive?"
He pulled his arm away, "Maybe I just want some alone time. You got a problem with that?"
She glared at him, "Just get outta my face."
He sighed, "Rogue…"
"I said get outta my face Gambit," she snapped.
"What is your problem," he growled.
"You're my problem," she hissed, "You always have to know where I am! What are you, my mother? You don't always have to know where I am! It's annoying so stop it!"
"I'm so sorry that I worry about you," he yelled, "and if I want to know that you're safe and under control."
"Control," she spat, "I don't need to be controlled you arrogant son of a bitch."
"I'm arrogant," he laughed dryly, "Are you kidding me? You're the one that always refuses to ask for help even when you need it. You act all tough when really you're just a scared little girl trying to be brave. And it's that attitude that's gonna get you killed."
His eyes glowed, not that it stopped her, "Why don't you just go back to Magneto? It's where a thief like you belongs."
He turned and stalked off. She huffed, walking past Logan. He walked into the training room. She was already whaling on the long black punching bag. She walked over to him once he cleared his throat. They both took a sparring stance. Two hours later and Logan lay on his back in the middle of the training room floor, feeling dead and drained. Rogue stood hunched over, catching her breath. Once her breath caught up with her, she walked into the girls changing room. She emerged moments later wearing her uniform, her hair wet and pulled back. She walked with Logan to the danger room. Ten minutes later the rest of the older students arrived. Rogue felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her shoulders. She looked up to see Sam smiling at her.
"You okay," he asked, "Remy looked pretty upset when he came upstairs. Are you guys alright?"
She was about to answer when Remy came over. He asked Sam if he could have a minute alone with Rogue. He grabbed her arm and led her into the corner of the room. She refused to look at him, making him feel like shit. He went to stroke her face but she just pulled away. He cupped her face in his hands. She looked down, not wanting to see his face. She refused to say sorry this time, though she knew she should.
He gathered her in his arms, "Je suis tellement désolé Rogue, pouvez-vous me pardonner," he stroked her head, waiting for her reply.
She stood there motionless, "We have a session to do," she tried to pull away.
"Rogue," he pulled her in tighter, "Please, don't do this. I'm so sorry. I know that I don't need to know where you are all the time. I just worry about you. I don't want to lose you. It, it scares me. You're gonna die and there's nothing I can do about it. Do you have any idea how hard it is to accept? I can't," his voice broke a bit, "I can't lose you."
"Remy," she pulled away, "I can't do this right now."
He tried to grab her hand as she walked back with the rest of the group. He joined them shortly after, standing next to Rogue. He looked down and noticed Sam had grabbed her hand. His eyes began to glow again. Sam was not going to move in on Rogue, especially when they were in a bit of a fight. Tabitha stood on the other side of Remy. She ran her hand along his back then up his shoulder. They both got split when Logan named teams. They left the danger room session an hour and a half later. Remy showered quickly then waited outside of the girl's locker room for Rogue. He went to grab her when she walked out but an arm wrapped around her shoulder. He glared as Sam walked away with Rogue.
His heart sank as he head her laugh. How did today become so messed up? It had started out great. He walked up to his room, not wanting to stay down stairs and listen to everyone have a good time. He closed his door, not noticing the girl sitting on his bed. He walked straight out to his balcony, his eyes closed and his hands massaging his temples. She followed him out, wrapping her arms around his chest, her own chest pressed up against his back. Her head rested a bit below his shoulder blades. He didn't bother to turn around, not really caring who it was.
"You can't keep thinking about losing me," her voice was soft, "It's gonna drive both of us crazy."
He spun around quickly, taking her in his arms, "How am I not supposed to do that," he buried his face in her hair, "I don't wanna be without you."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand going into his hair, "I know you do. But it's gonna happen. Maybe…maybe we just need a little space."
He pulled away from her, "Are you breaking up with me?"
She looked down, "Remy, it's just hard. I hear your thoughts and see your dreams. I don't mean to but I do," she let out a breath, "I don't wanna think about what's gonna happen and that's all that's been on your mind. I know it's selfish of me but," her eyes began to fill with tears, "I just can't listen to it anymore."
"Rogue…," he cupped her face with his hands.
She pulled herself into him, burying her face in his chest, "I'm scared," she cried, "I'm so scared Remy."
He tried to sooth her, stroking her hair, "I know. It's okay to be scared Rogue. Anyone would be scared. You don't have to hide it from me. I'm always here to listen, you know that."
She pulled away, "I can't. It upsets you so much. I just need time to figure out what I wanna do. I'm sorry."
"Don't," his eyes pleaded with her, "Don't do this. You know this isn't what you want."
She pulled away from him, "The girls are waiting for me. I'm so sorry Remy. I just…can't be with you."
She ran out of the room, closing the door behind her. He felt like the room was spinning. He leaned back and gripped the railing. This had to be a bad dream, he'd wake up soon. He had too. He recollected himself, darting out of his room and down to hers. He stopped midway, looking over the banister. She was walking out the door with Jean, Kitty, Wanda and Tabitha. Wanda's car was already at the gate by the time he got to the door. He hung his head and walked back to his room. He locked the door behind him. That's when he felt them. He wiped his eyes but they didn't stop. Remy LeBeau was actually crying over a girl. He shook his head a few times.
The girls returned a few hours later. Rogue laughed and smiled as they all walked up to their rooms. She'd had a great time and was totally exhausted. She put even more clothes away then changed for bed. When she was done she lay down, looking at the empty space next to her. A single tear fell from her eyes as she fell asleep. Remy lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He turned his head to look at the empty space next to him, that's when he heard a scream. It was the middle of the night so everyone else was knocked out. He bolted to her room, not caring if she wanted him there or not. She thrashed around in her bed.
He shook her, causing her to wake, "Rogue, what's wrong? What is it?"
She gripped his shirt, trembling, "He's looking for me. He's gonna find me, I can't let him find me."
By this time other students had come to see what was going on, "Who's gonna find you chere?"
She clung on to him, allowing him to hold her tight, "Apocalypse."
His jaw clenched for a moment, his eyes glowing again, "He's not gonna get you," his voice sounded threatening and hostile, "I won't let him. You're safe chere. Come on, let's lay you back down."
"Please don't leave me," she begged, "Please," she looked terrified.
She'd broken up with him a few hours ago, saying all these things about why they couldn't be together. Why should he even consider staying with her? She deserved to be scared and alone. It's what she wanted after all. She didn't need him, she didn't want him. He should hate her, he should let Apocalypse find her. He should…
"I'm not gonna leave you petite," he reassured her, kissing the top of her head, "I'll never leave you. I promise."
She wept into his shirt, "I'm sorry Remy. I was wrong earlier. Please don't go, I love you. I need you, please don't leave."
"Shhhh," he soothed, pulling her into his lap and rocking back and forth, "I love you too. I'm not going anywhere. It's okay, you're ok. I'm not gonna leave you, I'm here."
He looked up to see Sam glaring at him. His eyes glowed even more, almost like he was challenging Sam. The other students saw that the situation was under control. Kitty closed the door as she left with the rest of the group. Remy focused his attention back to Rogue. She looked up at him, her face free of any tears. She wrapped her arms around his neck, placing her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. He moved his hands, wrapping one arm around her back and the other under her knees. He lifted her up, bringing her out on the balcony. He felt the night air rush around them, taking in the crisp feeling of November. He felt her body tense for a moment then relax as he leaned against the rail, keeping her in his arms.
"You alright," he asked.
She shook her head, "Yeah…thanks."
"Don't need to thank me," he took a deep breath, "What's going on with you chere? I don't know what you want from me. Are you with me or not?"
"I don't know," her lips brushed against his neck, "I don't know. I don't know if this is worth it if it's only gonna cause you pain in the end. I don't wanna hurt you Remy. But if I'm with you then you get hurt in the end, if I'm not you get hurt now. I don't wanna do that to you."
He put her down and took her face in his hands, "Will you stop worrying about what will happen to me," he eyes seemed to burn into her, glowing once again, "What you want? What will make you happy?"
She wrapped her hands around the back of his head, pressing her lips against his. He openly welcomed the kiss, pulling her against him. He heard her sigh a bit, kissing him even more. The kiss was raw and passionate. She felt his tongue against hers. She pulled herself into him even more, her hands pulled at his hair. He lifted her off the ground, sitting her on the balcony rail. He pulled away and kissed her forehead. She looked up at him with beautiful, innocent emerald eyes. She was his angel, his emerald angel. He took her hands, leading her back into the room. After locking the doors he joined her, wrapping his arm around her waist. He kissed the back of her head.
"I'll always be here to protect you," he whispered, "Je t'aime mon coeur."
"I love you too mon tout," she whispered back before sleep overtook them both.