*Hee hee * I guess its obvious that I love the movie 'Gone with the wind'
one of my favorites. That's one of the reasons I love Rogue and Gambit,
they remind me of Scarlet and Rhett. Well anyway, thanks so much for all
your great reviews it means a lot to me. I finally spelled rogue right!!!
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It was quarter to 7, fifteen minutes before Scarlet's grand ball. Remy was all too accustomed to this life, the impromptu parties, the sheer importance of showing face, the cigar and brandy hour, it was all part of the life he'd worked so hard to leave behind.
He looked at himself in the full-length mirror. He tugged at his red comer- bun and loosened his tie. This wasn't Remy Lebeau, none of this was. Everything from the slicked hair, to the polished black shoes was not who he was, and not who he wanted to be or become.
" Mr. Butler, young Miss. Wilks is about to make her entrance. Your wanted at the bottom of the staircase," The servant named Miles informed.
Remy nodded," Tanks' homme, I be right dere," Miles bowed and left," Showtime,"
Remy waited anxiously at the bottom of the staircase, the meaningless chatter flowing like a rapid river. The voices hushed as Rogue made her way down the stairs.
Her hair was tied back in an elegant bun, white tendrils framing her lovely pale face. Her flashing green eyes were highlighted by a golden eye shadow, and her once pale pink lips were a lavish red. Her dress was of spice green silk, flowing in the back from a large green bow. Her bodice made her thin, but hugged every feminine curve. An emerald pendant adorned her bare chest, and accented her visible cleavage.
" Chere…"Remy whispered, his mouth wide open.
Rogue stepped down off the last step, thankful that she didn't trip on her way. She handed her white-gloved hand to Remy, who kissed it gently. She noticed how well he played the part of a gentleman—inside and out," Remy," she cooed, as they made their way onto the dance floor," Ya lookin' nice tonight,"
" Not as nice as you, chere," he purred in her ear, noticing the matching emerald earrings that dangled from them.
" At least we know wha' ta expect this weekend huh?" she said.
Remy nodded, knowing that the climax was near. Soon the mission would be over, and he and Rogue would never be able to share a moment like this again," To be hones' chere, I don' wan' dis weekend t'come,"
" Why not," she asked, her jade eyes perplexed," Don' ya wanna go back home? No more Scarlet, havin' ta dress up," she smiled scanning him from top to bottom
" Well, Remy rather ave' Scarlet, den some oter' people," he looked down at the marble floor solemnly," At least dey, don' judge Remy so harshly,"
Rogue finally understood, laying her head on Remy's shoulder," Ya mean Scott an' Logan?" she sighed," They're jus' tryin' ta look out fo' me,"
Remy snickered, he twirled Rogue once and then held her closely," Dose' two tink dat Remy aint' notin' but a tief', not worthy of one secon' wit' a fine belle like you,"
" Thief?" Rogue knew that Scott and Logan didn't have a pleasant opinion about Remy, but she'd never heard them pronounce him a thief.
Remy looked shocked, the look you get when you let a secret slip off your tongue," It jus' an expression chere, fo'get Remy even say dat,"
" Remy, ah'm tired of all these secrets-"
" Excuse, Mon ami," A blond beau approached them, familiar blue eyes gleaming," May I cut in,"
Remy wanted to protest, that Rogue was his partner, his belle. But he was just a Cajun swamp rat, he wasn't in any position to deny a rich southerner," Sure, take good care of her, non?"
" Certainly," he took Rogue's hand kissing it tenderly," Shall we?" Rogue's eyes sparkled, as she tried to place a name on this handsome face.
The music started once again as the charming beau spoke," You look beautiful tonight Klara, if I may call you that,"
" Sure," she said softly, still hypnotized.
" You're the loveliest belle here you know that?" he said, rather shyly
Rogue blushed profoundly," Oh, your jus' saying that,"
" No, no I'm not,"
After time went on, she found that he had never once taken his baby blue eyes off her," Is there somethin' wrong?"
" Oh, no…it's just that…you remind me so much of someone," There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he spoke.
" Someone that meant a lot ta you?"
" Yeah, you could say that. But it doesn't matter no more, she left me out cold a long time ago," he laughed," Literally,"
Rogue's sparkle morphed into a petrified stare as she tried to muster words that seemed to be stuck in her throat," Wha' did ya say your name was?"
" Oh I'm sorry, where are my manners" he chuckled sheepishly," Cody, Cody Robbins,"
Rogue could find no breath, all she could do was pull away from his arms and stare like a deer caught in head lights," Excuse me, ah have ta go," she whispered breathlessly. She picked up her heavy gown and ran towards the balcony.
Remy, who had been watching them attentively, dropped his glass as soon as he felt Rogue's freight. He walked towards the soon-to-be-dead beau in furious strides," You betta tell Remy righ' now what you be sayin' t'make dat belle run," he glared at him, trying his hardest no to make a scene," I advise you t' talk now homme,"
Cody looked bewildered as the 5'9 Cajun stared down at him," Ah' don't know, she just ran off,"
Remy looked at him suspiciously," You tellin' me dat you said notin' to cause a refined belle like dat to run off in de middle of a song?"
" Only my name, I don't see any harm in that,"
" And what dat be Mon ami?"
" Cody Robbins,"
" Nice t' be meetin' you. Now let me introduce myself, I'm de guy dat gone be kickin' yo' ass if I find out you been lyin'," Remy gave up this futile confrontation and decided to go after Rogue, so that she wouldn't look too conspicuous standing alone on the balcony.
Rogue gazed out at the stars, as the painful memory came flooding back.
She was so young, so inexperienced. Irene had told her warned her not to go, boding horrible consequences. But she was always a rebel, and refused to turn down the sweet talking football hero. The night was everything she had dreamt of, and as the night was coming near to an end IT happened. They were talking near a beautiful lake, the waters reflective surface twinkling in the moonlight. Cody had leaned in for a kiss, and suddenly as Rogue's eyes opened, there lay Cody sprawled on the grass. She remembered the fear, the way she felt could not be put into any other words—she felt like a monster.
She shivered as she felt a finger wipe off a tear. She spun quickly only to face a worried Cajun," ARE YA STUPID! DO YA KNOW WHAT I COULD'A DONE TA YA!" she shouted, tears falling from her eyes.
Remy winced as the harsh words hit him, but he knew that the anger was not meant for him, it was from deep pain," Wha' happen' chere?"
She stifled a cry as she looked up at the moonlit sky, her temper abated as she spoke," Ya see those stars out there Remy?" he pointed to the twinkling lights," ah've always thought that they represented every person ah've ever cared about. So beautiful, yet so far from reach, and if ah did manage ta some how touch one—it'd explode." Another tear slid down her pale face," stars do die ya know, after a while they just combust,"
Remy watched as her face—as well as the tears that lay on it—were illuminated by the moonlight," Chere, wha' happened. Remy might not have known you fo' long, but he know you would never run out on a beau like dat,"
" Cody…" she whispered, more tears falling from her emeralds.
Remy raised an eyebrow," Did he do sometin' chere?" he asked angrily," Cause if dat beau said anyting' Remy gon' kill him,"
" No, he doesn't remember me," she said sadly, yet ironically relieved," he thinks ah'm Klara,"
" Remy aint' de smartes' guy chere, you gone have t' elaborate,"
" Ah knew Cody, he was the most handsome guy in Caldecott city, an every girl wanted him. But then when he asked me out, ah thought it was some cruel joke—but it wasn'. He really liked me, he honestly did. Then…then ah kissed him…put him a coma," she paused swallowing hard," He was like the brightest star ta me, one that ah had always admired, then as soon as ah touched him, it was over. Now ta see him again it confuses me, ah didn' know stars could come back ta life,"
" Dey can't chere, but new ones be born. Dat Cody in dere, he not de Cody from Mississippi all dose' years ago. He a differen' guy now chere, an' you a differen' girl," he couldn't believe the words that he was preaching, but he hoped that they helped Rogue.
" Ya know, ah guess your right. But afta' all these years, it jus' takes mah breath away ta see him again. It hurts to remember these memories, but it hurts even more that he's forgotten about me," she looked down, the hot tears gliding off her face and falling to the ground beneath her.
Remy became jealous and angry—angry that his presence had hurt Rogue so much—and jealous that he had etched a permanent place in Rogue's heart," You know chere, sometimes; facing de tings' dat you try so hard to forget, gives you a, how do you say—better state of mind," again he couldn't believe the hypocrisy in his words.
" Ah guess ya be right—surprisingly," she smiled," thanks Remy, this might be such a shock for ya. Seeing the ice queen melt into a puddle of messy emotions right infront of ya,"
" Even de mighty fall chere, from de firs' time I met you, I knew dat you weren't one to share your feelings. At first I be tinkin' dat you just didn' wan no one t' bother wit you. But I know, you were always silently cryin' for someone t' help you "
" Ah didn't wanna place a burden on anyone, ah carry a lot of baggage with me Cajun,"
" Den I guess we be havin' sometin' in common chere," there was a silence.
" Ah think we should be goin', Scarlet must be worried," she wiped the tears off her eyes and began to walk back in. But gambit grabbed her hand and pulled her closely to his muscular chest.
" I tink Scarlet can wait,"
" Remy…" she whispered, with forbidding green eyes," I jus' told wha' happened ta Cody-"
" I jus' wanna dance chere," he whispered," he held her hips gently as they swayed to the feint sound of the music," Can I ask you a question chere?"
" Sure,"
" Where's my star?"
" What? Ah don't recall a star named Remy," she smiled up at him mischievously," Ah don' think there is one…yet,"
" Well we ever have another moment like dis chere? Where you don' hate me,"
" Nope," she said curtly," So take advantage,"
" Oh you bet I will,"
They heard the music stop, and the bells chiming, signaling supper.
" You gon' be okay petite?" he asked with genuine concern," I can always say dat you be feelin' under de weather,"
" No," she looked at him, with a new determination in her eyes," ah have some loose ends ta tie,"
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It was quarter to 7, fifteen minutes before Scarlet's grand ball. Remy was all too accustomed to this life, the impromptu parties, the sheer importance of showing face, the cigar and brandy hour, it was all part of the life he'd worked so hard to leave behind.
He looked at himself in the full-length mirror. He tugged at his red comer- bun and loosened his tie. This wasn't Remy Lebeau, none of this was. Everything from the slicked hair, to the polished black shoes was not who he was, and not who he wanted to be or become.
" Mr. Butler, young Miss. Wilks is about to make her entrance. Your wanted at the bottom of the staircase," The servant named Miles informed.
Remy nodded," Tanks' homme, I be right dere," Miles bowed and left," Showtime,"
Remy waited anxiously at the bottom of the staircase, the meaningless chatter flowing like a rapid river. The voices hushed as Rogue made her way down the stairs.
Her hair was tied back in an elegant bun, white tendrils framing her lovely pale face. Her flashing green eyes were highlighted by a golden eye shadow, and her once pale pink lips were a lavish red. Her dress was of spice green silk, flowing in the back from a large green bow. Her bodice made her thin, but hugged every feminine curve. An emerald pendant adorned her bare chest, and accented her visible cleavage.
" Chere…"Remy whispered, his mouth wide open.
Rogue stepped down off the last step, thankful that she didn't trip on her way. She handed her white-gloved hand to Remy, who kissed it gently. She noticed how well he played the part of a gentleman—inside and out," Remy," she cooed, as they made their way onto the dance floor," Ya lookin' nice tonight,"
" Not as nice as you, chere," he purred in her ear, noticing the matching emerald earrings that dangled from them.
" At least we know wha' ta expect this weekend huh?" she said.
Remy nodded, knowing that the climax was near. Soon the mission would be over, and he and Rogue would never be able to share a moment like this again," To be hones' chere, I don' wan' dis weekend t'come,"
" Why not," she asked, her jade eyes perplexed," Don' ya wanna go back home? No more Scarlet, havin' ta dress up," she smiled scanning him from top to bottom
" Well, Remy rather ave' Scarlet, den some oter' people," he looked down at the marble floor solemnly," At least dey, don' judge Remy so harshly,"
Rogue finally understood, laying her head on Remy's shoulder," Ya mean Scott an' Logan?" she sighed," They're jus' tryin' ta look out fo' me,"
Remy snickered, he twirled Rogue once and then held her closely," Dose' two tink dat Remy aint' notin' but a tief', not worthy of one secon' wit' a fine belle like you,"
" Thief?" Rogue knew that Scott and Logan didn't have a pleasant opinion about Remy, but she'd never heard them pronounce him a thief.
Remy looked shocked, the look you get when you let a secret slip off your tongue," It jus' an expression chere, fo'get Remy even say dat,"
" Remy, ah'm tired of all these secrets-"
" Excuse, Mon ami," A blond beau approached them, familiar blue eyes gleaming," May I cut in,"
Remy wanted to protest, that Rogue was his partner, his belle. But he was just a Cajun swamp rat, he wasn't in any position to deny a rich southerner," Sure, take good care of her, non?"
" Certainly," he took Rogue's hand kissing it tenderly," Shall we?" Rogue's eyes sparkled, as she tried to place a name on this handsome face.
The music started once again as the charming beau spoke," You look beautiful tonight Klara, if I may call you that,"
" Sure," she said softly, still hypnotized.
" You're the loveliest belle here you know that?" he said, rather shyly
Rogue blushed profoundly," Oh, your jus' saying that,"
" No, no I'm not,"
After time went on, she found that he had never once taken his baby blue eyes off her," Is there somethin' wrong?"
" Oh, no…it's just that…you remind me so much of someone," There was a hint of sadness in his eyes as he spoke.
" Someone that meant a lot ta you?"
" Yeah, you could say that. But it doesn't matter no more, she left me out cold a long time ago," he laughed," Literally,"
Rogue's sparkle morphed into a petrified stare as she tried to muster words that seemed to be stuck in her throat," Wha' did ya say your name was?"
" Oh I'm sorry, where are my manners" he chuckled sheepishly," Cody, Cody Robbins,"
Rogue could find no breath, all she could do was pull away from his arms and stare like a deer caught in head lights," Excuse me, ah have ta go," she whispered breathlessly. She picked up her heavy gown and ran towards the balcony.
Remy, who had been watching them attentively, dropped his glass as soon as he felt Rogue's freight. He walked towards the soon-to-be-dead beau in furious strides," You betta tell Remy righ' now what you be sayin' t'make dat belle run," he glared at him, trying his hardest no to make a scene," I advise you t' talk now homme,"
Cody looked bewildered as the 5'9 Cajun stared down at him," Ah' don't know, she just ran off,"
Remy looked at him suspiciously," You tellin' me dat you said notin' to cause a refined belle like dat to run off in de middle of a song?"
" Only my name, I don't see any harm in that,"
" And what dat be Mon ami?"
" Cody Robbins,"
" Nice t' be meetin' you. Now let me introduce myself, I'm de guy dat gone be kickin' yo' ass if I find out you been lyin'," Remy gave up this futile confrontation and decided to go after Rogue, so that she wouldn't look too conspicuous standing alone on the balcony.
Rogue gazed out at the stars, as the painful memory came flooding back.
She was so young, so inexperienced. Irene had told her warned her not to go, boding horrible consequences. But she was always a rebel, and refused to turn down the sweet talking football hero. The night was everything she had dreamt of, and as the night was coming near to an end IT happened. They were talking near a beautiful lake, the waters reflective surface twinkling in the moonlight. Cody had leaned in for a kiss, and suddenly as Rogue's eyes opened, there lay Cody sprawled on the grass. She remembered the fear, the way she felt could not be put into any other words—she felt like a monster.
She shivered as she felt a finger wipe off a tear. She spun quickly only to face a worried Cajun," ARE YA STUPID! DO YA KNOW WHAT I COULD'A DONE TA YA!" she shouted, tears falling from her eyes.
Remy winced as the harsh words hit him, but he knew that the anger was not meant for him, it was from deep pain," Wha' happen' chere?"
She stifled a cry as she looked up at the moonlit sky, her temper abated as she spoke," Ya see those stars out there Remy?" he pointed to the twinkling lights," ah've always thought that they represented every person ah've ever cared about. So beautiful, yet so far from reach, and if ah did manage ta some how touch one—it'd explode." Another tear slid down her pale face," stars do die ya know, after a while they just combust,"
Remy watched as her face—as well as the tears that lay on it—were illuminated by the moonlight," Chere, wha' happened. Remy might not have known you fo' long, but he know you would never run out on a beau like dat,"
" Cody…" she whispered, more tears falling from her emeralds.
Remy raised an eyebrow," Did he do sometin' chere?" he asked angrily," Cause if dat beau said anyting' Remy gon' kill him,"
" No, he doesn't remember me," she said sadly, yet ironically relieved," he thinks ah'm Klara,"
" Remy aint' de smartes' guy chere, you gone have t' elaborate,"
" Ah knew Cody, he was the most handsome guy in Caldecott city, an every girl wanted him. But then when he asked me out, ah thought it was some cruel joke—but it wasn'. He really liked me, he honestly did. Then…then ah kissed him…put him a coma," she paused swallowing hard," He was like the brightest star ta me, one that ah had always admired, then as soon as ah touched him, it was over. Now ta see him again it confuses me, ah didn' know stars could come back ta life,"
" Dey can't chere, but new ones be born. Dat Cody in dere, he not de Cody from Mississippi all dose' years ago. He a differen' guy now chere, an' you a differen' girl," he couldn't believe the words that he was preaching, but he hoped that they helped Rogue.
" Ya know, ah guess your right. But afta' all these years, it jus' takes mah breath away ta see him again. It hurts to remember these memories, but it hurts even more that he's forgotten about me," she looked down, the hot tears gliding off her face and falling to the ground beneath her.
Remy became jealous and angry—angry that his presence had hurt Rogue so much—and jealous that he had etched a permanent place in Rogue's heart," You know chere, sometimes; facing de tings' dat you try so hard to forget, gives you a, how do you say—better state of mind," again he couldn't believe the hypocrisy in his words.
" Ah guess ya be right—surprisingly," she smiled," thanks Remy, this might be such a shock for ya. Seeing the ice queen melt into a puddle of messy emotions right infront of ya,"
" Even de mighty fall chere, from de firs' time I met you, I knew dat you weren't one to share your feelings. At first I be tinkin' dat you just didn' wan no one t' bother wit you. But I know, you were always silently cryin' for someone t' help you "
" Ah didn't wanna place a burden on anyone, ah carry a lot of baggage with me Cajun,"
" Den I guess we be havin' sometin' in common chere," there was a silence.
" Ah think we should be goin', Scarlet must be worried," she wiped the tears off her eyes and began to walk back in. But gambit grabbed her hand and pulled her closely to his muscular chest.
" I tink Scarlet can wait,"
" Remy…" she whispered, with forbidding green eyes," I jus' told wha' happened ta Cody-"
" I jus' wanna dance chere," he whispered," he held her hips gently as they swayed to the feint sound of the music," Can I ask you a question chere?"
" Sure,"
" Where's my star?"
" What? Ah don't recall a star named Remy," she smiled up at him mischievously," Ah don' think there is one…yet,"
" Well we ever have another moment like dis chere? Where you don' hate me,"
" Nope," she said curtly," So take advantage,"
" Oh you bet I will,"
They heard the music stop, and the bells chiming, signaling supper.
" You gon' be okay petite?" he asked with genuine concern," I can always say dat you be feelin' under de weather,"
" No," she looked at him, with a new determination in her eyes," ah have some loose ends ta tie,"