A.N. During little breaks in a hectic schedule for our business, I got this chapter completed. I hope you like it.

For Meg and Finn. Also for gem1990.

Disclaimer: They belong to Marvel and the fact that I can't get enough of them just shows Stan Lee's brilliance.

Rogue was sprawled out across several chairs in the shadow of the table she was halfway under. One arm draped over her stomach while the other hand rested across her clammy forehead. With a groan she turned her head to the side to spy Remy's jean-clad legs, his knees wobbling every once in awhile. She wanted to check on him, but knew speech was impossible. Remy was in a chair across from her current position, slumped over the table, his head resting on the cool, unforgiving surface while his arms and hands splayed out to frame his green face.

Tante Mattie was bustling around the kitchen, finishing up her cleaning by wiping down the counters and mercilessly chastening the pathetic pair sprawled on and yes, even under, her table. "I tol' y' deux! I warned y' t' watch out, but non! Y' don' listen t' y' Tante. Well nex' time y'll know bette', won' y'?"

"Y' a cold, mean femme, Tante," Remy muttered. Rogue could do no more than groan.

The immobile pair heard the entrance of several people, but couldn't so much as turn to the doorway. "What de he-," the voice cut short at Tante's pre-emptive scold. "What happened here?"

"Dey's suga' drunk," Tante declared.

"What?" Jean-Luc wanted to know.

Henri and Mercy were laughing too hard to explain, so Emil and Etienne clarified between their own snickers of mirth. "Dey been bakin' an' decoratin' cookies wit' de littles and ate too much suga' demselves. Dey on ove'load."

"Ugh!" Rogue moaned. "Don't say that word!"

"What word?" Mercy wanted to know while still trying to hold in her laughter.

"Sugar," Remy grunted for her. "Y' sick, twisted people, y' know dat?"

"Just leave us ta' dah in peace," Rogue begged.

Tante Mattie tsked at them and mercilessly shoved Remy back in his chair so she could wipe down the table. "I tol' dem t' watch it, but NO dey know better dan deir Tante… Maybe nex' time dey listen to deir elders," she groused as she worked. Soon she was tugging off her apron and moving to where her 'babies' were still laying in the throes of the inevitable crash that follows far too many sugar cookies in far too short a time. "Bot' o' y' shoo on outta here now. Go on! Y' got t' move o' y' gonna take longer t' work it outta y'r system. Get goin' now," she shoved at Remy before yanking out the chair that supported Rogue's rump. Both of them clutched their pained stomachs before staggering out of the kitchen to fight over the rights to the sofa.

Two hours and several cups of water later the dynamic duo felt almost hman again. Not quite, but they were close. Now they were watching a holiday movie as an excuse to keep laying there rather than moving and being productive once more. Originally they'd been laying, after much lethargic arguing, with their heads on opposite ends of the incredibly comfortable sofa before the huge flat screen TV. Somehow, and she truly didn't know how it had happened, they were now lying with her back against his front and her head pillowed on his arm as they watched the fun onscreen. His hand rested easily on the deep inward curve of her small waist without thought and their legs tangled together just a bit.

Rogue could feel the rustle of her hair as breath whispered in a slow, steady rhythm from behind her. His body kept her comfortably warm and his hand was large enough that his long fingers' tips rested near her navel. This stupid hyper-awareness she felt around him lately was entirely too moronic and ridiculous to continue. It left her torn between wanting to avoid him and finding excuses to spend as much time in close proximity as possible. She was no Kitty Pride, not a Jean Grey or even an outrageous Jubilee or Tabby… she was the rough, tough, lone-wolf Rogue and this had to be the weirdest thing she'd ever dealt with. Rogue rolled her eyes at herself and forced herself not to grumble at her own ridiculous reactions.

The movie only had half an hour left, she noticed. Rogue was planning to work on a writing assignment given by one of her teachers to help 'keep them out of trouble' during the break. The good news was it was a topic she knew a lot about so she was sure it wouldn't take more than a few days to complete. She'd heard Jean-Luc tell Remy to come by his office this afternoon as they had something important to discuss. He'd been acting differently than when he'd wanted to discuss jobs with Remy so she suspected there was something else going on.

Rogue had no idea when they'd fallen asleep, but she awoke to Remy's warmth wrapped around her, enveloping her entire body in its comforting shelter. She tried slipping away from him and was halfway between the hands trying to hold her instinctively and the cold floor when a sound alerted her to another presence. Rogue's hands were splayed behind her on the floor while she tried to extricate her legs from the unbelievable tangle they'd gotten into with Remy's. Everything in between hovered with a total lack of grace in midair. What a time for someone to show up. Emil would never let her live this down. She peered through her mop of waving hair to see not Emil or one of the other cousins, but none other than Remy's father. This was perfect. Soon Jean-Luc's hand hovered before her offering assistance. Blushing a bit she accepted his aide and in mere seconds was standing awkwardly before her host, head of the Thieves' Guild, and incredibly sophisticated and powerful man. She wanted to straighten her hair or shirt or something, but didn't know how to do so without looking like some guilty teenager caught doing something inappropriate with her boyfriend… crap!

"Is dere anyt'in' y' need, petite princesse?" he asked as though there was nothing unusual in finding her writhing out from under his son.

"Uh, no… no thank ya'. Ah'm just going ta' work on mah report."

Jean-Luc nodded and offered, "Dere are computers in de study an' a few ot'er rooms dat y' can use if y' need. If y' need anyt'in'… books for ref'rence or somet'in', y' jus' let someone know an' we'll be sure t' get it for y'."

"Thanks, Mistah LeBeau. Ah appreciate that."

Privately Jean-Luc wished she would call him something less formal, but wasn't sure what would be the most appropriate given the fact that she was only Remy's friend at the moment, but they all had every expectation that she would become a much more integral part of their family in time. Instead of saying anything, he chose to simply nod before reaching down to wake his son. Remy grumbled before grasping at the empty space before him and opening his eyes. He looked around, slightly concerned until he spotted his friend slightly behind his father. "Rogue… where y' goin' chérie?"

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other feeling inexplicably uncomfortable. "Ah'm just goin' ta' work on mah paper, Rems. Ya'r père needed ta' talk ta' ya' anyway so this seems lahke a good tahme ta' get some work done. Ah'll see ya' at dinnah," she promised before quickly leaving them.

Father and son exchanged a glance before Jean-Luc shrugged. "Her speech be improvin'," he commented, referring to her French. "Dat Mississippi drawl sure is t'ick when she's nervous."

Remy smirked absent-mindedly as he agreed. "Oui, it is."

"It's charmin'," was the only other thing Jean-Luc said about her before changing topics which garnered his son's full attention. "Are y' recovered from y'r activites wit' de young ones yet? Dere's somet'in' we need t' discuss."

Remy pushed himself to a sitting position and ran distracted hands through his disheveled hair. "O' course, papa." He rose and followed his father to his private office. Once there the two sat in deep leather chairs flanking a fireplace on one wall. They each cradled some of his father's best brandy letting their hands heat the richly hued drink slightly. Remy looked to his father expectantly once they were settled.

Jean-Luc wasted no time in starting their discussion. "Fils (Son), tell me what 'xactly y' t'inkin' 'bout dis fille (girl) o' yours."

Remy's eyes narrowed as he weighed his father's request in his mind before venturing an answer. "What is it y' wantin' t' know, papa?"

Taking a moment to study the fire burning with writhing tendrils of yellow and orange as it sent its warmth out to them, Jean-Luc paused before choosing the direct route with his son. "Remy, y' young but y've an old spirit… it's de same wit' y' Rogue. I've always treated y' wit' respect fo' dat an' am askin' y' straight… I know y' serious 'bout dis fille, but what de famille needs t' know is how serious is dis t'in'? What's goin' t' come o' dis affection y' have fo' her?"

"De famille, papa? What y' mean by dat?"

"Y' one o' de heirs t' de Guild, fils. Dey wantin' y' t' take ove' de trainin' o' de younger t'ieves as soon 's y' free t' do so. Dis girl… we all care 'bout her an' see dat spécial d'étincelle (special spark) dat has y' ainsi séduit (so beguiled). Y' doin' a bon tour (good turn) by 'er wit' de help y' be givin' her wit' her control an' it seems t' be workin' wonders. No one would deny y' dese t'ings but what be next fo' y' deux (two)? Are y' lookin' at somet'in' long-term wit' 'er? When y' finish wit' dat school up nort' we need y' back here. Is she comin' wit' y'? Is she goin' t' make it hard fo' y' to leave when de time comes? If she comes back, is she y' frien', y' soeur (sister), or somet'in' else? We need t' know wha's goin' t'rough y' mind, Remy."

Remy stalled by taking a drink, but it didn't buy him much time. He wished his mutation was different, maybe one that could stop time… That would be handy about now. Instead he glanced up to find himself caught in his father's probing gaze. "It's not jus' up t' moi, y' know. Dere's a lot more t' all dis dan y' realize."

Jean-Luc inclined his head in acknowledgment of these facts. "Mais (But) if it was all up t' y'?" he prompted.

Sighing Remy knew he couldn't dodge the relentless man any longer. "'f all dat mattered was my wants den I'd bring 'er back wit' me an' dis is where she'd stay." Seeing his father wasn't completely satisfied he thrust himself to his feet and slammed back the remainder of his drink before pacing back and forth before the glow of the fire. "Fine! I wan' t' be wit' her forever. I'd make 'er mine too fast for her t' realize she could do so much bette' dan me. I'd keep 'er close t' me all de time." He finally stilled and stood looking with the most serious expression his father had ever seen on his fun-loving, rambunctious son. "I l'aiment avec tout mon coeur, papa. Elle est tout (I love her with all my heart, Dad. She's everything)."

Life had been an exciting journey for Jean-Luc LeBeau. It hadn't been without its surprises, its pain, its joys and tragedies. He'd believed there was nothing left to shock him, but while he'd had his suspicions Jean-Luc could honestly say he'd not anticipated at all his son being so candid with him. This was more serious than he'd thought. Remy's affections were obviously engaged, but the majority of the family had assumed that the family playboy, though he did sincerely care about the girl, would not be ready yet to give up his previous ways. They thought he would eventually commit to this girl, but not for a long time. It would seem Remy's feeling ran far deeper and truer than almost any of them supposed. The only four who'd been correct had been Theo, Mercy, Eti, and the biggest surprise of all, Louis. Tante had said much the same, too, but he'd dismissed it since Remy had always been her golden boy.

Now they had no choice but to plan accordingly. He'd never seen his son fail when he was genuinely passionate about something and Jean-Luc had no reason to believe this would be any different. It was time he knew this Rogue a good deal better. He calmed his son before they departed the room. Jean-Luc urged Remy to meet with Theo and Henri to discuss some details regarding Louis' upcoming heist. It would be the final step the boy would take in becoming a full-fledged member of the Guild. Short of outright defiance of Jean-Luc's orders, Remy had no choice but to comply.

This left his father free to find the young woman who'd captured Remy's heart. The eldest LeBeau male found the young woman who was, it would seem, destined to be his next daughter-in-law. He'd suspected, but not dared to hope Remy would be ready to settle down with only one woman at such a young age. Henri had actually been very easy on this front as he and Mercy had met when they were barely in their teen years and Henri had been happy with his sweet girl ever since. There had never been the sneaking in at the break of dawn with various scents and lipstick colors staining his face, neck, and clothing… not like Remy.

Remy had seemed so very restless and was only focused when on a job. After he'd met Rogue, though, that was all they'd heard about during their weekly calls and his many messages when the girl wasn't with him. When they were together Remy's messages were, of course, very different. His enthusiasm and quick near-obsession with the girl known only as Rogue was something Jean-Luc had high hopes for down the road, but he'd wondered if the boy was ready to accept the truth or if he would need more time. It would seem he had his answer.

Rogue was sitting at a computer sending her work to the printer when Jean-Luc joined her. "Petit princesse, are y' finished wit' y' work already?"

"Yessah, Ah'm done now. Thanks for letting meh use tha' computah in here; it was a big help."

"It was no' a problem, Rogue. Now, d' y' have time fo' an' old man?"

Rogue smiled up at him. "O' course, if ya' realleh have tahme that is." She knew that there were several 'jobs' in the work right now and was a little bit surprised that Jean-Luc was able to take time away from all that plus the holiday preparation and planning to spend with a last-minute guest. She knew what Remy had told her about them asking for her prior to the High Evolutionary incident, but she wasn't entirely convinced it was true. Although they did seem a lot friendlier and more open with her than she would have guess given the need for secrecy and security in their line of work. She stood and followed him out of the room, her papers in hand.

The two ambled through the house after dropping her report by her room, with him taking her through some areas where she'd never ventured and talking with her about the works of art they passed. Some were paintings, some sculptures, some porcelain or crystal pieces, but all lovely in their way. As they walked, they talked. Their conversation seemed aimless but was actually very carefully designed to make her comfortable enough to open up more than she probably knew, sharing much with the man who was growing fonder of her all the time. His son had chosen very well indeed. Jean-Luc was able to wholeheartedly agree that it was hard to imagine any woman more perfectly suited for his younger boy.

She was smart, sassy, gentle, but well able to fend for herself with a particular sass the men in his family tended to appreciate. She had experienced more than she should have at her age but so had his Remy. Rogue was beautiful and through what was unsaid as much as what was said, it was clear that she cared very deeply for Remy. In many ways, Rogue reminded the gentleman father of his own love. He had moved on with his life because it was necessary, but no day went by that he didn't miss her still.

After their little tour the two parted ways with Rogue choosing to enjoy the solitude of her room. She flopped gracelessly across her wide, soft bed and reached for her current book. Snuggling against the heaped pillows at the head of the bed and the cool, fluffy duvet she felt entirely relaxed at last. It was time to set aside all her other concerns and just let it all go for a little while. She was Rogue, a lazy waste of skin at the moment, and loving it.

Remy stepped out of his bathroom, steam billowing out with his exit. The towel slung loose and low on his hips. Grabbing an old pair of well-worn sweatpants he tugged the towel free before sliding the soft, slightly frayed fabric up his long legs before tying the cording to keep them border line decent. Picking up the towel, he absentmindedly carried it and draped it over the towel rack as he re-entered the still fogged over bathroom. Remy wiped the mirror clear so he could see what he was doing. He was going through all the motions of his regular routine, but his mind was on other things.

Finally he was free to let his thoughts wander and they'd gone straight to Rogue. After his talk with his father that was only natural. He'd long ago admitted to himself that his feelings for Rogue included friendship, but they certainly didn't end there. He remembered the feel of her sweet softness pressed up against him when he'd surprised her in her room. He really had been concerned about her, but once he seen her there so relaxed and at ease… the way her hair had tumbled down just begging his fingers to thread through the thick, shiny strands and the glow of her pale, smooth skin where her shoulder was exposed by the slouching robe… well, what man could resist that kind of siren call?

When she'd leapt atop her bed so aggressively he'd felt a fool because all he could think was that she was the most stunning, sparkling creature he'd ever seen. Then she was reassuring him, understanding him in ways no one else ever really had before which led to that hug. He'd already relived it far more times than was probably healthy. She fit so perfectly against him. She was the perfect balance of firm and soft, strong and gentle, her scent sweet without being cloying or heavy. When those locks of hair brushed across the backs of his hands that was it; he had to get out of there or he was going to rush things. Remy knew that rushing often led to failure and he would do anything to avoid failing Rogue or making her uncomfortable with him. That was why he'd suggested their going downstairs to be with everyone else. It was the only thing that might keep him from doing anything stupid or ill-advised.

In his moments alone, though, he was quickly developing the habit of reliving those too-brief minutes together. The result was always the same, and this time was no different. It left him lonely for her. He recalled the way she'd so naturally melted against his side, molding herself against him until they were practically one continuous mound under their blanket. Remy couldn't even remember the general plot of the movie they'd watched and he could honestly say he didn't much care.

His mental meanderings left him eager to see her so he went to find a shirt, any shirt, to yank on. That done, he figured he was presentable enough to seek Rogue out without anyone, meaning Tante Mattie, chastising him. He decided to try her room first since it was closest. Reaching her door he noticed it was slightly ajar. Looking through the narrow opening he spied her sprawling atop the bed with a book in her hands and looking utterly content. He smirked. She looked somewhat like a little kid. Remy's knuckled rapped softly against her door as he leaned against the doorjamb waiting for her attention.

Rogue glanced up and gave him a soft smile of greeting. "Hey, Rems."

"Y' busy, chère?"

She inclined the book a bit as she answered, "Not realleh. Just readin'. Did ya' need something?"

Remy couldn't believe how inept he felt. It was like being an insecure bumbling pre-teen all over again every time he was around Rogue. He wanted to shake his head with disgust at himself, but she was already looking at him funny so that would probably not be best. "No' really. I jus' wondered wha' y' were up to…" he trailed off as he realized just how lame he sounded.

Rogue's head cocked to one side inquisitively before her eyes lit up with a sparkle he'd never tire of. Patting the space beside her she invited, "Pull up a pillow, sug."

Remy wanted to be his usual suave, tough self but nothing was going to keep him from joining her. He was soon sitting next to her, leaning back against the pillows with her. Rogue paused a moment to be sure she had her mutation under control and then she reached for his hand and twined their fingers together. "Ya're bored, aren't ya', Rems?"

He shrugged a little. "Yeah, guess I am."

Rogue was charmed. He was acting sheepish and totally unlike she was used to from him and she found the change disarming. Without thinking about it, Rogue leaned in and kissed him innocently on the lips. She didn't linger at all, but only let her lips cling to his for bare seconds before sitting back to twinkle up at him. "Well, we gotta do somethin' about that, don't we?"

Rogue leaned back away from him, dropped his suddenly cold hand, and began scooting farther away. Bouncing off the bed, Rogue came around to the side where he sat and reached for his nearest hand taking it in hers while also gripping his wrist and giving him a tug. "C'mon! Let's go have a little fun."

Remy allowed her to tug him to his feet and drag him along in her wake. "What y' got in mind, Boo?" She didn't let her playful side out often. Each time he'd gotten to experience this part of her personality, he got drawn deeper into his feelings for her. This time was no different. She could ask him to bungee jump off a tree above a gator nest at midnight right now and he'd do it.

Looking up at him mischievously she assured, "Not ta' worreh, hon; Ah've got it covered." She called him 'hon'. Not something he was used to being called, but from her it sounded sexy and sweet and like being called something magnificent. He wasn't stupid enough to make it into 'something', though. Nothing would keep her from using the term again faster than that. Rogue stuck her head in a door they were passing downstairs to see who was there. Only Emil and Etienne sat inside the pool room which she declared was "Perfect!" She tugged him in and then turned to him to instruct, "Now, ya' just wait heah a minute and Ah'll be rahght back."

Remy watched her go and then gave his cousins his attention. The three were visiting when she came back and settled in a chair at the round, felt-covered table where chips sat ready for play. "Let's go, boahs! Who's up for a game o' poker?"

It was one of the few things they'd never done together. "Cherie… y' play poker?"

"Well," she admitted, "Ah've never played a real, full-out game but Ah got Logan ta' staht teachin' me tha' basics."

"We'll go easy on y' petit," Emil assured her. That lit a flare deep in her emerald eyes that Remy knew well. Figuring his cousin would learn in time and he might as well get to enjoy the show, he said nothing in warning.

"Don't ya' go doin' me any favahs, bon rien (good-for-nothing man)." Emil raised his hands in surrender and assured her he was certain she could hold her own just fine. It was a good thing for him she didn't see the sly wink he shot at Remy and Etienne. They decided to play a warm-up hand of Texas hold 'em. Eti dealt the cards and Remy took the win with no problem whatsoever.

Remy rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Righ', so y' ladies ready t' lose y' money?"

Amidst joking protests, they decided to play for tasks rather than money. With the holidays coming up soon Rogue didn't want to risk running low on funds. She still had to finish buying gifts for Remy's household and for a few others. Once she'd gotten Lance's gift, she'd be sending a box out to Roberto's home. She was planning to send something to Muir Island and to Kitty at the same time. She had not yet found anything for Storm or for Jean. She was also having trouble finding the perfect gift for Logan. Nothing seemed good enough or like it was something he'd really like and appreciate. Then there was Remy's family…

The first hand went to Remy and he came away with a tune-up for his car, two weeks worth of laundry done by Rogue back at the institute, and a substitute for one security shift and a turn training the younger thieves. Not a bad haul in his opinion. Several more rounds saw Emil winning one, Remy taking two more, and Eti getting a sweet hand that won him a round, too. They agreed on one more hand and the stakes went high with a day of taking orders, two kitchen clean-ups, and several more items being thrown into the pot. Eti folded saying it was getting too rich for him and sat back to watch the other three twist in the wind.

Emil studied Remy closely before deciding to stay in and offering up a slip of paper with designated driver for New Year's written on it at which Eti whistled long and low. Remy smirked at them in general but that was the only change in his expression. He tossed in a slip that held something Rogue knew nothing of but was too focused to care about. She tried to maintain a blank façade as she wrote a promise to cook the winner's favorite meal, all courses included, before she left town. The guys began talking up which elaborate dishes they'd request and Eti mourned, "I can't b'lieve I folded already!"

It was time to end this. When all was said and done, Rogue took the pot with her royal flush, beating both Remy's four of a kind and Emil's full house. She triumphantly beamed as she gathered all her little slips of paper and began arranging them in a tidy heap before her. While Emil and Etienne bickered in their good-natured fashion Remy surreptitiously palmed a specific slip of paper and let his hand inconspicuously slip from the table's edge to Rogue's hand. He pressed the note against her glove and murmured for her ears only, "Keep dis one t' y'self, Boo."

Rogue excused herself saying she was tired and left with her take. Remy lingered with his cousins. They were later joined by Henri and Theo. The guys didn't do anything special, really, but very much enjoyed the time together nonetheless. Rogue was genuinely sleepy by the time she'd settled in her bed. She forced herself to change into some night clothes after straightening up her room. Cocooned at last in her luxurious bed, her head resting on an incredibly fluffy pillow, Rogue finally let herself reach for the scrap she'd set on her nightstand as soon as she'd entered. Unfolding it, she recognized Remy's familiar handwriting and shook her head while unable to keep from smiling at what she read there. A mixture of embarrassment, hope, and thankfulness that she'd had the winning hand filled her. Rogue fell asleep not long after still dwelling on what she held.

Later Henri watched Remy slip inside to turn out the light she'd accidentally left on and wondered what that satisfied expression meant when his brother looked at the young woman's right hand which seemed to have something in it. Henri saw Remy take a moment to stroke her hair before leaving the room, making sure the door was securely shut behind him. "Is Mercy 'ere t'nigh'?" Remy asked him. Henri knew the attempt at nonchalance for what it was, but decided to be a good brother and play along this time. The two talked about nothing much and confirmed what time the tree was set to arrive the next day before finally bidding one another good night.

The next morning Rogue woke early and was already downstairs drinking her second cup of coffee by the time Remy came down. He winked at her and she immediately turned crimson. Refusing to let herself be too 'girly' she pulled the paper from her jeans pocket to show him and then just shook her head mockingly at him. Remy waggled one brow at her and she just rolled her eyes before replacing it in her pocket once more. She might be playing that she was irritated or thought it all a joke, but the fact that she slept with it in hand and was still keeping it close was enough to make it a great day for Remy.

He came and brushed a kiss over the top of her head as he went to get his own coffee mug. Tante reminded him, "De ot'ers 'll be ready t' get de tree in 'bout une heure

(an hour), y' deux."

"We'll be ready, Tante; right, Boo?"

"Absoluteleh… Ah'm lookin' forward ta' this." Rogue was eager to tag along while the family went to a special farm to get their tree. She wondered what Remy was up to when he leaned in very close to her.

His voice came soft and low so only she would hear. "When y' gonna cash dat in, amoureux (sweetheart)?"

Rogue leaned a little, too, now so they were barely a breath apart. Neither noticed Tante watching with eager eyes and bated breath. "When ya' tell meh what 'Boo' means among othah things." With that she hopped up, leaving him unsatisfied and wanting her close again, and went to rinse her mug.

Tante waited for Rogue to leave the room before smacking the counter aggressively with the dishtowel slung over her shoulder. "Dis ol' lady wished de deux o' y' would jus' get on wit' it," she barked in frustration. "'m gonna die o' old age b'fore y' quit screwin' around. Jus' grab 'er an' lay one on 'er already!"

Remy groaned. Like he didn't want to do just that? "B'lieve m' Tante, no one's mo' ready dan moi for dat t' happen!"

Tante was not about to feel bad for him or be placated by his smooth ways, however. Not this time. "Hmph!" was all she had to say to that.