The Tree
Jade
"Beloved, gaze in thine own heart,
The holy tree is growing there;
From joy the holy branches start,
And all the trembling flowers they bear.
Remembering all that shaken hair
And how the winged sandals dart,
Thine eyes grow full of tender care;
Beloved, gaze in thine own heart."
--from "The Two Trees" words by William Butler Yeats
The pair had snuck out of the MetLab while Charles and Hank were still contemplating the lengths to which Rogue and Remy might be able to develop their newfound psychic connection. Arm in arm, the pair finally found their way to Rogue's room.
The dress she had been wearing was laid out on a chair by her bed, where she had left it. She fumbled with the silky material for a moment and let out a little laugh as he closed the door.
"This here dress has been through 'bout as much as Ah have tonight. Too bad I'm gonna have ta give it up."
"Whatcha talkin' 'bout, chere?"
"The dress. It's rented. Ah'm gonna have ta give it back."
"'Snot rented. I bought it fo' you."
"Ah – oh." She smiled at him. "Thank ya. Fo' everythin'."
Remy pulled back the covers of the bed invitingly and Rogue plopped herself down on the bed, lying on her back. Staring at the ceiling, she stretched out. She took the moment to feel everything around her. The air. Her silk tank top. The old pair of boxers she had borrowed from Remy and had never bothered to give back. The way she seemed to sink into the soft, squishy mattress. And Remy. Above all she felt his presence, his body sitting on the bed next to her, his thoughts in her mind, his soul in her heart. She felt free, so free; free at last to touch anything, to do anything. And she was ready for it now; ready for anything that might happen to her – to them – tonight or for the rest of their lives.
He moved to put his arms around her. Bare skin against bare skin. It was glorious. Unable to contain her newfound joy any longer, she laughed out loud; laughed and cried. Under most circumstances, she would be a little embarrasses to express such emotions. Tonight, however, she felt no shame. Of course, it also helped that through their link, she could feel the same joy emitting from her lover.
She turned toward him, and was surprised to find an apologetic expression on his face.
"Ah, chere? I really hate ta do dis, but, ah well, after bein' down in de lab an' all…I need a shower. I'll just be five minutes."
She wasn't disappointed. Not really. She would have waited her whole life to be with him, she could certainly wait five minutes.
"Okay, sugah. Ya know where everythin' is. Ah'll be right here."
He kissed her and headed toward the bathroom, where he took the quickest shower of his life.
True to his word, Remy emerged from the bathroom five minutes later, only to find that his Lady Love had fallen asleep! He couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. Well, he reasoned, the girl deserved a good rest. She's been through a lot in one night.
He went to the side of the bed she was on and pulled the covers over her. He was about to go around to the other side of the bed and snuggle up next to her, but changed his mind and decided to simply sit there for a moment.
Mon Dieu, mais she is beautiful! he thought to himself as he moved a stray strand of white hair from her face. Not caring that she was asleep – feeling that she'd know what he had to say regardless – he leaned down to whisper to her.
"Je t'aime, mon cher. Plus que n'importe quoi. Et je vais vous rendre si heureux. L'attente juste et voient, mon coeur."[1]
She let out a faint sigh, as if she heard and approved of what he had said, and he could have sworn he saw her smile broaden. Satisfied, he headed for the other side of the bed, turning out the lights on the way. He slid in easily under the covers, delighting in the fact that they would never again function to separate her silky skin from his. He reached out for the bare skin that he had longed to touch for so long and curled up as close to her as he could, content to just hold her as he let his exaustion take the better of him.
Just as he was about to drift off into what he was sure would be some of the best dreams he had had in a long time, he heard her voice, soft as snowflakes dancing on the wind.
"Jade," she muttered.
For a moment, he contemplated what the heck she was referring to, briefly wondering if talking in her sleep was one of her sleeping habits that he had not yet picked up on. He was about to ask her about it when her eyes opened. He could make out a sliver of emerald irises.
"Jade Rose Morgan." He understood this time, realizing just what it was se was telling him.
"Jade Rose," he repeated slowly, letting it settle in; letting it roll on his tongue like honey. "C'est le nom le plus beau que j'ai jamais entendu."[2]
"Merci beaucoup, amoureux. Je vous ai espéré le voudrais.[3] Ah love you, Remy."
"I love you, Jade."
And with that, they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Fin.
[1] Je t'aime…coeur. = I love you, my dear. More than anything. And I am gonna make you so happy. Just wait and see, my heart.
[2] C'est… entendu = That is the most beautiful name I have ever heard.
[3] Merci…voudrais = Thank you very much, lover. I hoped you'd like it.