A/N: It thrills me to no end that y'all are still enjoying and yes, even loving this story. Kisses to all of you! Before I get to review responses, this chapter is a bit of a sad one, but it gets better. Be warned!
courtneykutie: Yes, they do. Hehehe.....good thing for them that Rogue and Remy are planning on more. Or will they marry? Interesting....
Remy A.L: Yeah, I thought it would be a typical first-time father's reaction. You know how some really freak out.
roguey21: Yep, more little ones to cuddle, spoil, etc....The best part of babysitting is being able to give them back to the parents. ;) I am so happy to hear that my stories make you feel like a kid again, you know, since I am like a big kid myself. Check out my one-shot Christmas story if you haven't already (cough...cough....shameless plug...).
Chellerbelle: They're passing around the champagne and cigars now. :D
Kii: Yeah, if you have ever seen a picture of Nocturne, it is pretty close to that.
drummerchick66: Let's all say it together now....Awwwwww.......! Hehehehe....
Disclaimer: A Happy New Year and they are not mine! Ppbbbttttt......
Remy makes his way back to their apartment as quietly as possible. He wasn't expecting this mission to take as long as it did. Nor was he expecting what actually happened. What was supposed to be a simple rescue, went horribly wrong. He removes his boots and coat, taking care to make sure they were put away properly. Next is the uniform and head guard (not sure what it is actually called). Taking his hair out of its pony tail, he runs his fingers through the ruddy mass. He doesn't even bother to shower.
Rogue feels a familiar weight settle next to her in their bed. She smiles as she catches the familiar scent and moves closer, wrapping her arms around him. She kisses his shoulder and murmurs sleepily "I'm so glad ya're home. I missed ya Rems."
"Y' don' know 'ow 'appy I am t' be 'ome, Marie." He replies as he turns toward her and pulls her to him, kissing her hair.
Rogue looks at him with a serious expression, noting the tiredness and sorrow etched in his features. She awakens instantly and props herself up on one elbow. "What happened, Remy" she asks gently with concern.
He sits up and begins "It all started out fine, den....it all wen' haywire, cherie." He closes his eyes and his head drops.
"Tell me, hon." she places herself behind him, and lays her head against his shoulder.
"As y' know, we got dat report on de kid dat was taken by de FOH." At her nod of assent, he continues. "We wen' up dere. It was in Maine, by de way. T'ings started out good. We found de place, de Wolverine got us in...all de way a typical rescue should be. Someone tipped dem off. Told dem we were comin'. By de time we found w'ere dey were 'oldin' de boy, dey'd run, takin' 'im wit' dem. Dat's w'at took us so long. Findin' de secret place dey were 'oldin' 'im." He sighs deeply then picks up again. "Beast found it an' we wen' dere. Was an ol' office buildin' wit' an apartment upstairs." He allows himself to remember as he recounts the memory to his wife.
The old office building was a dilapidated mess. The door to the apartment was partially askew. Wolverine sniffed the air then growled "The kid's here, all right. Along with plenty o' company ta keep us busy." As he finished that statement, a bunch of men streamed out of the building and the fight for the young mutant ensued. Remy recalled four of them advancing on him at once. That was no problem for him. Twirling his staff, he took out two just by them being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The other two proved to be a bit more difficult. One threw a punch, catching him in the gut. As he was doubled over, he tried to catch his breath. The other guy tried to kick him, but Gambit easily caught his foot and threw him back. The first guy attempted to throw another punch, but Bobby froze his fist, causing it to fall with the added weight. More men swarmed from the office and the fight continued on for at least an hour more.
Finally, the X-Men emerged victorious and ran into the apartment. Graydon Creed had an arm around the boy's neck, a knife held at the jugular. "Come any closer and this scourge to society will be no more." he snarls. "I've had it with you foul excuses for humanity ! Trying to change everything so that you can be treated equally. You don't deserve to be treated as an equal. You just want to elevate yourselves so that we will be subservient to you. You and your 'powers'" he spats. All of you should be killed, but then again, murder would be too good for you."
"Let 'im go, Creed!" Wolverine snaps. "He didn't do anything ta ya. He's just a boy, fer cryin' out loud!"
"No way, Logan! This kid should've never been born. It's past time I made an example of this one."
Remy finishes with tears filling his eyes. "Befo' we could stop 'im, 'e killed dat boy righ' in front o' us." He whispers and sobs wrack his body. Rogue holds him close, her tears mingling with his own.
"De Wolverine got Creed. I couldn' do anyt'in'! I jus' stood dere t'inkin' 'bout my bebes. Marie, 'e ain' de only fou homme out dere."
"I know Rems. We watch them as closely as we can. When they're old enough, we teach 'em what they need ta know ta defend themselves in any way they may haveta. Tha bes' we can do for them is ta be there for them an' help them when they need it. That an' let them know they are loved. Speakin' of, I need ta check on them. Go wash ya face off, then lay down for awhile. Ya need some sleep, sugah." She kisses him and steps into the nursery to find two wide-awake children waiting for her.
"Were ya waitin' for Mama, sweet things?" She coos, then gets them dressed for the day. She turns around to find Remy framed in the doorway, watching her interact with the twins. Rogue smiles softly and carries Jayden over to his daddy. She gives her husband a reassuring glance and places their son in his arms. Jayden smiles, laughs and pats his daddy's cheeks.
"'Ey, mon fils. Did y' miss y'r pere, petit?" He smiles slightly at the boy, who grabs his finger and chortles. Remy holds him close, savoring the clean, fresh scent. He looks over at Esme in her mother's arms. "Hi, mon fille. Pere missed y', petit cherie." She holds out her arms to her father and Remy gestures with his other arm. Rogue carries her over and she is swept up in her daddy's other arm.
"I t'ink dis be good f'r me, non?" At Rogue's answering smile, he continues. "De bebes an' y'. De bes' t'erapy any homme can ask f'r."
Rogue finds a space between their children and kisses him a little longer than the last time.
A/N: And there you have it. Another chapter, albeit short. Enjoy! :3
