A/N: So just as I wanted to shed a light so to speak on Bobby and Rogue's relationship and I wanted to check in with Erik and Raven and just how they are reacting to the fact that their daughter is missing and then go from there back to what is going one with Pregnant Rogue and Remy.

Five Years Ago - The Darkholme-Lensherr Residence

Erik was fumbling through his closet looking for his blue tie with white naval steering wheels on it watching as his tie rack spun and spun but not seeing it anywhere on there. He had a naval christening to go to this morning for one of the marinas that backed his candidacy for governor and it would just put that cherry on top if he wore that tie.

"Raven!" he called out to her as he watched the round begin once more.

He heard his wife's footsteps approaching in her stilettos and turned around to see her wearing a nude slip and putting on her pearl earrings looking back at him with irritated red rimmed eyes. He sighed.

"What is it Erik?" Raven asked half heartedly.

"Have you seen my blue tie with-"

"With the naval steering wheels?" Raven finished with a gust of breath. "It's sitting on the bed with your sport jacket."

She turned back to her closet when Erik caught her wrist and she caught his blue eyes looking at her with a nurturing stare and she broke slightly. He pulled her into his chest and she began to cry, to sob once more and he stroked her hair as she heaved out breaths.

"I know honey, I know," he soothed biting back his own tears.

"I just don't know what to do anymore Erik, she makes me feel horrible, like I'm the worst mother in the world," Raven confessed.

Erik put his hand beneath her chin raising it so she caught his eyes, her topaz ones shining with fresh tears.

"Pay no heed my dear. She's just nervous and worried like all of us," he said hugging her closer. "Besides we have to keep trekking on, she'll come up, she has to, she's just a girl of sixteen after all my dear. She can't go far without someone noticing."

Raven pulled away and went to her wardrobe opening the doors and pulling her dress down from the hanger and looking over as Erik slipped on his slacks and began to button his shirt.

"That's not what I'm worried about Erik. I'm worried about what other kind of trouble a girl her age and with her looks could get into. God knows how it would look on us if she came back in….such a condition," Raven squeaked as she zipped up her dress.

Erik stared blankly at the floor as he finished buttoning his shirt. He sighed. "We're doing all we can to get her back Raven, there's little else we can do but wait until something turns up."

"Meanwhile I have Irene breathing down my neck that we're not doing enough and we're not putting enough time into the search," Raven snarled through a sob.

"It's not like John is any better with his brash half-assed attempts at detective work," Erik shook his head.

"Have you called Jean-Luc?" Raven asked with genuine interest.

Erik gritted his teeth as he threw on his sport coat adjusting his cuff links and looking over at Raven as she adjusted her hair in the mirror adding a little more concealer to hide the puffiness in her eyes.

"Not since last month. He told me he had no knowledge of where she was at and said that as far as he knew Gambit was back home at Guild Headquarters preparing for his training to resume in Paris. A crock of bullshit if I ever heard anything."

"Do you think he knows where she's at?" Raven questioned as they both took a look in the full length mirror.

"More than likely and if he doesn't he sure as hell has the capabilities of finding something out."

They both exited the room and padded into the dining room where a slew of equipment was set up including wire taps and recording devices and where two detectives sat tearing into a fresh box of donuts and guzzling down coffee.

They were going over records of Rogue's last whereabouts from over two months prior. Sitting behind them at the head of the table was a woman with short cropped blonde hair and thick horn-rimmed glasses. Her topaz eyes were identical to Raven's but apart from that there was no resemblance between the two apart from the similar physiques they had. She was wearing a dark green tunic and brown waist cinching belt.

"What's the news?" Erik asked.

One of the detectives popped his head up from a set of headphones and shouted, "Huh?"

"What's the news?" Erik repeated, his jaw clenched.

"Oh, nothing new sir. Just sommore stuff 'bout supposed sightin's around the bay area, but it's been looked into and there's no reason to believe it's true, no evidence anyhow."

"Hmm," Erik continued his fist tightening and unfurling and tightening and unfurling.

"Not like you give much of a crap anyways Erik," the woman in green responded.

"Irene!" Raven gasped.

"Pay no heed Raven, we're on our way out anyways. Have a good day, Irene," Erik retorted his voice laced with venom.

"If they don't find my niece, if she doesn't come back because of the way you've treated her, I hope you know I will come after you Erik in any way I can."

Erik turned from his position in the doorway and smirked his ice blue eyes glinting with ferocity. "Empty threats will get you nowhere in life, Irene. I should know. Find a way to back them up and then we'll talk."

With that the couple exited, Erik consoling Raven as she began to sob once more. Irene fell back into her chair and snatched a pile of notes on possible sightings of Rogue and began to rifle through them.

"Filthy fucking politician," she muttered as she began to search through the spottings that were farther and farther from home, almost two months ago near the New Mexico border. It didn't sound so far fetched. She began to highlight the report.

The Lebeau Mansion

It had been three weeks since Rogue had found out she was pregnant and it had been confirmed with an actual honest to god doctor. She was exactly six weeks along by then which would mean that the exact first night that her and Gambit had had sex, the first time she had ever had sex, the night she had lost her virginity she had also lost her body because it now wasn't just hers, it was hers and the baby's.

She was living in a stasis of happiness and she didn't know where it was coming from. Part of her knew that she should be beyond belief scared out of her wits that something like this had happened. And part of her was, and that was the part that knew her parents would soon be involved. But aside from that her life was that best it had been in months, years really.

Her and Remy took walks down by the creek every afternoon. Mercy and her talked and read books together and discussed them. Tante Mattie made her all kinds of scrumptious food and was constantly making her take her prenatal vitamins and rubbing her belly with tonics to help with morning sickness which luckily Rogue wasn't having. Henri would drive her and Mercy to town and tag along as they shopped for maternity clothes that Rogue would soon need as him and Remy would follow along and make asses out of themselves putting things up to themselves as if to try them on.

And in the night when she seemed overwhelmed by all that was happening Remy would hold her close, his head against her always growing stomach and whisper to the baby, always something different, sometimes encouraging, sometimes hopeful, but always loving. She had almost forgotten how it felt to be alone.

They were having dinner one night when Jean-Luc came in and collapsed into his chair his bones beset with exhaustion. Remy immediately looked over at his father and put his hand on the older man's shoulder.

"Y' alright dere pere?"

Jean-Luc sat up resting his elbows on the table and holding his head in his hands. "It's fine mon fil jus' de same bullshit wit de Assassin's as dere always is huh."

Gambit hardened his jaw and was quiet. Henri stared at his brother but he did not talk for the rest of the night not even when Rogue pestered him about what was wrong and when the meal was finally over he excused himself to bed.

Rogue sat amongst the rest of the Lebeau clan confused and lonely for the first time in two months. Jean-Luc soon after excused himself to finish his work and Tante took to the kitchen leaving Rogue with Mercy and Henri.

"Why don't we go ta the library and relax a while Anna dear," Mercy asked. She and everyone else in the Lebeau home had begun to call Rogue by her real name and it made Rogue feel special for some reason, like she really belonged here.

Henri kissed his wife on the temple and then gave her an odd look that Rogue couldn't quite place. Mercy nodded and then Henri spoke.

"We have some t'ings ta talk 'bout first ma ange."

Mercy stood up, hugged Rogue and then left the room.

"Would y' allow me ta escort y' during a nice midnight walk Anna?" Henri requested although Rogue could tell from his tone of voice, although soft and soothing as it was, there was no request in it. It was command.

Rogue nodded and pulled back from the table, taking Henri's arm as he offered it to her and helped her stand up. They walked to the French doors that opened up onto the porch and exited into the crisp mid September air.

They treaded the soft grass, passing the big oak tree and heading into the small meadow following a small path of wildflowers that grew lush there. They're gait was slow and pensive and Rogue wondered if and when Henri was going to speak his mind. She was scared of what he had to say as if all that she had gained here could crumble from the few words he was about to speak to her.

"Do y' know much 'bout de Assassin's Guild, Anna?" Henri asked his tone nonchalant as he picked up a wildflower and began to pick away at it.

Rogue shook her head, "Not really, just that you and them don't get along."

Henri chuckled, "Dat's de understatement of de year if dere ever was one chere."

Rogue smiled at him meekly, she felt out of breath, but that was nothing new nowadays what with the baby growing in her belly and all.

Henri sighed as he continued to pull at the petals of the flower in his hand, "De Assassin's Guild and de Thieves' Guild have been mortal enemies almost from dere conception. It all started over a woman though as most of dese stories tend to."

They were starting to round back around to the porch and Henri gestured for Rogue to sit on the porch swing as he took his seat.

"So what happened?" she asked chewing on her thumbnail.

"Well what always happens. De two leaders of de guilds were the ones who were drawn in by dis femme fatale if there ever was one and of course bein' stupid batards they sought war as the answer ta their quest for love and so started the age old rivalry."

"And you've been feudin' ever since?"

Henri nodded, "For the most part, until recently."

Rogue's eyebrows quirked and he smiled at her innocent expression.

"I'm sure mon frere didn't go into details 'bout his past especially when it came ta the women he had in it, did he?" Henri poked fun.

Rogue blushed bright red and looked down at her hands. "No but Ah knew he got around quite a bit before we eva got together."

Rogue had never voiced her concerns about Remy's womanizing ways. She had known he was somewhat of a slut and his hanging around her brother didn't do much for his case either as John was known to hit it and quit it as well. But Remy was so different with her, he didn't push, didn't seem to care too much about the sex part of the relationship. Well maybe not that, but he was always trying to get Rogue to stop from going to far too fast, she felt like she didn't have to worry about him spoiling her virtue, he had always been trying to protect it, even now.

Henri chuckled warmly letting his breath wash over Rogue in that way that Remy's usually did and she felt his arm grip her shoulder lovingly like John used to do when they were little. She smiled, it was nice to have a big brother for a while. Even if he wasn't technically hers.

"Oui, mon frere was de sleaze of the Thieves' Guild if dere ever was one. Mais before dat he was a faithful man, or boy rather. You see, Remy's first girlfriend was a local girl by de name of Bella Donna Bourdeaux."

Rogue felt her gut twitch. She didn't want to hear about Remy's past girlfriends or conquests for that matter. It might not bother her that he had had them in the first place but she sure as hell didn't want to know the dirty details of such connections and relationships.

"Don't worry chere, dis ain't dat kinda story," Henri reaffirmed noticing the green shade of Rogue's face. "Anyhow, Bella Donna Bourdeaux also happened to be the daughter of none other than Marius Bourdeaux the infamous patriarch of the Assassin's Guild."

"He didn't!" Rogue gasped in amusement and shock.

Her and Henri giggled together, "Ouias he did. At de ripe old age of thirteen mon frere had seduced the heir to the Assassin's Guild and in doing so incited a whole 'nother feud of de Romeo an' Juliet variety."

Rogue pulled her hand to her mouth to hide her smile. As much as she wanted to hate this Bella Donna, just knowing that their families were feuding and had been for centuries made her feel a little more secure in her relationship with Remy.

"So let me guess, she found Remy cheatin' and cast him off and he ended up causin' even more trouble," Rogue scoffed.

Henri shook his head and scolded her, "Now don't y' be gettin' ahead of de story. Mais anyways dere was blood in de streets for weeks and not ta mention a big ol' red target on Remy's back for attemptin' ta steal the virtue of de soon ta be Matriarch of the Assassin's Guild. So in order to cease the bloodshed, Marius and Jean-Luc agreed ta a sit down ta negotiate a truce."

"Wow this is startin' ta sound like the Godfather," Rogue mocked.

Henri raised his eyebrows and she giggled at him.

"No more of y' comments til its over d'accord?"

Rogue nodded and mimed zipping her lips.

Henri continued, "Now de truce, since these two love birds were going strong now at fourteen years old and all, required a union of de Guilds which would be solidified wit de marriage of Remy and Bella Donna and as heads of their respective guilds dey would lead together and united the Guilds would be stronger than ever before."

"But aren't you the heir?" Rogue asked catching herself as she spoke. "Sorry."

"Nevermind it chere. But yes I am de heir, now. Remy due to his skill and early mastery at age thirteen had beaten me ta the title and thankfully so. Mais dat's not how it is now," Henri finished adding when Rogue began to pipe up again. "And yes I will get to dat later."

"So Remy and Bella Donna were betrothed and set ta get married once they were both eighteen mais on Bella Donna's sixteenth birthday on his way to the Bourdeaux mansion to surprise her for de occasion Remy found Bella Donna in bed wit another one of de assassin's, a good friend of de deux of theirs, Gris Gris. It was because of Bella Donna's infidelity dat Remy was unable deal wit de idea of marrying her and which led to de subsequent dissolution of the truce between Guilds."

"So that's why Remy came ta California with Jean-Luc, he was tryin' ta get away from her," Rogue muttered thoughtfully.

Henri nodded, "And it's what led to his immediate and insatiable need to throw himself at any femme dat smiled at him. He did heartbroken well in de respect dat it led to a lot of drunken nights wit women he'll never remember-"

"Why are ya tellin' me all this Henri?" Rogue huffed, she was getting upset.

She loved Remy, she didn't want to know how he had been deeply in love with another. She didn't want to know how he would have still been with her if it wasn't for the fact that she was whore and a cheat and broke his damn beautiful perfect heart. Could he have ever loved her half as much as he loved Bella Donna?

"Hold on Anna," Henri called, putting his hand on Rogue's to comfort her. "I'm telling y' dis because I was dere when Remy was wit Bella Donna. I saw dere relationship from de beginning to de very end and I saw how it ate him up everyday ta be in love with her. He wasn't a good person when he was wit her chere. Ta be frank he was quite de little asshole. Cocky, irresponsible, a dang little delinquent. And it only got worse when he left her."

Rogue started to get up but Henri caught her. "Mais! Mais when he's with y' it's completely different."

"No shit," Rogue bit back, trying not to cry.

"Y' don't understand Anna, y' make him better. De boy I knew would've never risked his own skin ta help someone else outta a bind, let alone a virginal girl of your status," Rogue blushed and Henri stroked her hand with his. "Y've changed him and in de best way possible."

Rogue smiled, holding back her sobs of joy as she pulled Henri into a hug. He patted her back and let her hold on a little longer than he would have because he knew she was overly emotional about the situation and he understood given everyone was overly emotional when it came to Remy Lebeau.

He pulled away and smiled at her, "Mais know dis Anna, if y' hurt mon frere I will not neglect ta find a way ta hurt y'. I might be a man but dere are ways chere."

He eyed her for a moment and then the two fell into a fitful of laughter unable to control themselves. Rogue wiped the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes and sighed patting Henri on the leg. He rocked with her on the swing.

"And just so y' know, if he breaks y' heart, I won't neglect ta hurt him either. I consider y' mon soeur now so if he ever gives y' any trouble," Henri began to hit his fist into his palm and Rogue laughed once more.

After a few more minutes sharing memories of Remy with each other Rogue retired to their room, surprised to see the light still on. She walked into the bedroom to find Remy sitting up, smoking a cigarette at his desk, his feet propped up on it as he leaned back in his chair.

"Waited up fo' y'," he murmured.

He gestured for Rogue to sit with him and she took her place on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. He took one last drag of his cigarette, the first Rogue had seen him smoke in a while, and put it out, blowing the smoke behind him. Rogue waited for the smoke to dissipate and then leaned down and pressed her lips to his lovingly.

"Ah love you," she whispered as he swept her up and placed her softly on their bed.

He caged her in with his body, hovering over her and grinning down at her and Rogue couldn't help the swell of lust that ran through her veins at the glint of his smile and the burning flames of lust that she could see emanate from his red irises.

"Je t'aime Anna Marie," he whispered back kissing her lips down to her neck.

He took his time and they went slowly, gingerly. They had had all their feverish fun before, when they thought that there would be no time left for them, when they could count the hours they would be together. But now they could relish in the touch, slow and sensuous as it was. Hands holding hands, hips meeting hips, lips brushing past this and suckling at that as their pants resounded throughout the night.

When the sun was coming up and they had had their fill for the night Rogue caught his hand and pulled it to her lips, he smiled and kissed her gently.

"What was dat for?" he asked watching her play with his fingers.

"You make me better too," she whispered her eyes closing as she fell sound asleep.

Remy lied awaked for a moment pondering her words. She was the only thing that made sense in his life anymore. She had made him a man in so many different ways and for some reason her recognition of that fact seemed like his life had in fact come full circle. He smiled to himself and kissed her hair. No way in hell did he make her better but he wouldn't be one to shatter her dreams.