Don't kill me! I feel so bad that after so many people were interested, I left that story for so long with that cliffhanger. But after AP's, finals came, and then summer school, and then summer camp (which was NOT fun, I assure you), and then school again. But then, I buckled down, finished the chapter AND worked on a few other fics that shall be posted shortly, so check them out! One of them is a poem entitled "I am…" and another is a series called The Professionals, both X-Men.
Also, a HUGE theme in this story is "Nothing is what it seems." So I would like to know what you think will happen next, either in the reviews or by e-mail. That way I'll know if my style of writing is working. Sorry kids, but I'll have to keep you in the dark a little while longer! (Don't worry--not too long.)
Last item on the agenda: I still need a title. I've been busting my brains trying to think of something, but something seems to be coming. Any suggestions?
Disclaimer: See Chapter 2. (This is the last time I'll mention it.) I also don't own the lyrics to the oldie at the end of the chapter. Lastly I don't own the Archie's song in the last chapter.
N/R:
Trepidatio ~ Capitalist…hmmm, if I wasn't so brainwashed from my "Rebel Authority" Class, I'd take that as a compliment. And don't worry…this chapter has TONS of Remy talking. ;)
JamieGirl ~ Yes, they know each other, and you see why in the next chapter….but the only question is: How well do they know each other?
girlonthem00n ~ Well, Bobby and Remy might not like each other at first, but they're not fighting for Rogue's love. Bobby and Rogue are best friends.
Linkin-spike ~ I'm glad you like the twist. I added two more in this chapter. ;)
I know you are all dieing to read this chapter so:
Chapter 3"Shocked t' see Gambit, petite?"
"Why ya low down, dihrty rascal! Ah autta punch ya fouh weeks from Wednesday!"
"Aww, dat hurt, cherie. An' here Gambit was try'n to turn a new leaf. If y' can do it, Remy c'n."
Rogue's eyes narrowed. "When Ah changed, Ah changed back. Ah was raised in ah normal household ta age thirteen, then Ah lived on thah road foh ah bit, then Ah joined thah X-Men. Only aftah thaht did Ah join thah Broothahood. Ya were born ah thief, ya were raised ah thief, an' ya'll akways be ah thief. It's as simple as thaht."
"So y't'ink what y'are in life be innate? Dat Remy, here, c'n't improve?"
"No, ya cahn't. An' what is it with ya call'n yoahself Remy? Ya still us'n thaht alias?"
Remy chucled. "Y' nev'r did believe dat Remy be my real name. Mais c'est vrai. But it's true. Y' c'n ask Jean-Luc if y' want. He be here."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Ah know he's in thah shadows between the closet door an' thah big screen."
Jean-Luc seemingly emerged from nowhere, grinning. "Good t' know y' didn't f'rget all I taught y'."
"Hah! Ya didn't teach me nothang! Thaht was thah first thang Mystique taught me ta do when dealang with rahts lahke ya!"
Remy flinched, but his father didn't even blink. "Y'never could c'ntrol y'r temper. I always t'ld Mystique dat's y'r Achilles' heal."
Any reply by Rogue was cut short by the arrival of Professor Xavier with Bobby trailing behind.
"Please, Rogue; calm down. You see, I was unaware that Mr. LeBeau and you had previous acquaintance. Bobby mentally contacted me after hearing you scream, and I came as soon as possible to diffuse the situation. It is true that Remy has had a less than desirable past, but we all have our dark secrets. You of all people should realize that."
Remy smirked. "Ment'lly contacted y'? Seems rather convenient dat dis telepath was with'n listening range."
"Bobby ain't thah telepath, dipwad. Xavier is. Most powahful in thah whole freak'n world, in fahct. Thaht kind gives us the ability ta contact him whnevah we want," Rogue spat out bitterly.
"And I walked Rogue down here. That would put me within hearing range. Especially since Rogue's got the loudest scream in the Western Hemisphere."
Before Rogue could glare at her best friend, Xavier intercepted once again. "We are deviating from the point. Jean-Luc has enlisted my help because Remy's powers have evolved, and he is loosing control."
"Ah thought 'Ro said he has complete control."
"Ororo was previous unaware of his current condition. Yet choosing you as his companion will prove to be beneficial because if he suddenly loses control, your invulnerability will protect you; and with your ability to fly, you can carry him to the Med-Lab quickly."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Goody."
Xavier shot her a look. "I expect you two to get along. You are now working on the same team and should trust each other."
"We were work'n on thah same team befoh," Rogue muttered under her breath.
Her comment was lost on the ears of those in the room as Jean-Luc smiled amiacably. "Dese two worked t'gether before. Dey'll be fine."
Remy smirked again. "Bett'r den fine." He gave Rogue a suggestive wink and blew her a kiss.
Rogue's eyes narrowed. "Ya even try ta get fresh with meh, and Ah'll make shoah ya'll pay."
"An' what should Gambit do if chère t'rows herself at him?"
"Why ya little…"
"Remy please!" Jean-Luc reprimanded his son. "Don' mess dis up. Y' need help et Xavier be de only homme around who c'n. Y're lucky he even agreed t' this, know'n our past."
Remy looked down at the floor guiltily. "Desolé, Papa. W'n't happ'n ag'n."
"So everything is all right I presume?" Xavier inquired.
"Magnifique."
"Rogue?"
Rogue looked from Xavier to Jean-Luc to Remy and back to Xavier again and sighed. "Peachy keen, Jelly Bean."
Xavier smiled benevolently. "Wonderful. Remy has already underwent one session in the Danger Room: his skills are impressive, yet he still needs much improvement. Rogue, since I cannot monitor Remy's progress at all times, I want you to work with him on basic exercises in the Danger Room. Everything else either Scott or myself will handle."
"That's not fair! Rogue's my partner for training!"
Everyone turned to the previously forgotten Bobby. "Who care if he can't control his powers? None of us could when we first joined the institute! Why does Remy get to bypass all of the rules and regulations?"
"Bobby's got a point theah, Professah."
Remy stared hard at Bobby while slowly approaching him until they were nose to nose. "Do y' even know what Remy's pow'r be, homme? Wit' a mere touch I c'n make inorganic coumpounds go boom. Y' freeze stuff, n'est pas? It don't spread. If y' lose contr'l, all y' need is the heat'r turned on. If I lose contr'l an' I touch a wall, which touches de ceilin', which c'nnects t' a whole nuth'r room, d'mino 'fect c'n make de whole mansion go boom."
"Kiss my a—"
"Bobby!" Xavier exclaimed. "I know Rogue has been your partner in the Danger Room for quite some time now, but her powers provide the protection that Remy's inconsistency requires."
"Who cares if the Danger Room blows up? It's gone through worse."
"Yes, but Rogue needs to familiarize with Remy's powers to make sure nothing goes wrong if he loses control in other environments. Overviewing his Danger Room workouts insures that. If you wish you can monitor Rogue's training sessions."
Bobby shrugged, defeated. "Whatever."
Xavier smiled benevolently. It seemed like he was doing that a lot these days. "Excellent. Instead, Robert, you will conduct you Danger Room sessions with Jubilation as your partner."
"What?!" Bobby screamed. "Jubilee? Have you gone insane? Has Magneto somehow become a telepath and seize control of your mind to complete his diabolical plan or ruining my life?"
"Robert…" Xavier warned.
"Great. Just perfect. Monsieur Jerko gets my best friend, and I'm stuck with the hyper munchkin."
"F'rtell'n of future events, homme?" Remy asked sneeringly.
Bobby just growled at him.
Ignoring the almost palpable animosity between the two young mutants, Xavier made a motion for them to all exit the room. "Bobby, you may resume whatever you were doing. Jean-Luc and I will work out some last details. Rogue, please give Remy a tour of the grounds."
Once Bobby exited the hall grumbling to himself and Jean-Luc and Xavier entered the floor's elevator, Remy turned to Rogue. "So what's de f'rst stop? Y'r chambre?" bedroom
"Ya ain't evah gett'n in theah!" Rogue spat out.
"Y' still into dat kinky public place fetish?"
Rogue quickly glanced around, making sure no one overheard that last comment. "Hush, Swamp Rat! Ah told ya nevah ta mention thaht!"
Remy winked. "Y'r—dat is our—secret's safe wid moi."
"Ah could kill ya."
"Oui, dat y'could. Mais dat would jus' prove y'be de assassin dat y' once were."
Rogue bit her lip, her gaze fixed on the ground. "Ya always had a talent with hitting sensitive nerves."
Remy shrugged indifferently. "An' y' always had de talent wit' break'n ma coeur. Dat's why we nev'r could be. Dat an' de fact dat y' couldn't bring y'self to trust anut'r person."
Rogue's eyes flew up and met his with a blank starkness.
"Could ya really blame me, Cajun?"
***
The young woman curled up into a ball on her bed, the tears flowing down her cheeks freely. The darkness of her room enveloped her body like a cool breeze, clothing her with protection. Protection from hurt; protection from danger; protection from the most grievous torture ever conceived in the world: a shattered heart. For a woman so used to sacrificing her life on the battlefield, she crumbled too easily to the pain of Eros. Or at least that's what she kept repeating to herself with the intent on nullifying her feelings. But to no avail. She loved him; she adored him; she would wait for him eternally if need be. But he was a wild card, tough and often seen as heartless. A postcard with a few words from Quebec, a short letter from Madrid, a quick e-mail from Tokyo, never betraying the love they supposedly held for each other. Did she know him better than that unemotional exterior, or was she just disillusioning herself? Was he the intensely passionate and romantic lover that she imagined in her bed every night, or was he the mercenary soldier he was trained, and even brainwashed, to be?
When will I see you again?
When will our hearts be together?
Are we in love or just friends?
Is this my beginning, or is this the end?
When will I see you again?
When will I see you again?
The sound of the sudden noise startled her. She realized that she set her alarm just in case she fell asleep. Twisting her lips into an ironic smile at the absolute appropriateness of the song, she lifted a graceful hand to turned it off and laid her head back on the pillow forlornly.
She hated herself for going through this every time he left her when duty called. He did the same for her—endured the time alone when she went on missions—why should she not do the same? But his always seemed so much longer. She sighed. Since he left she had a nauseous feeling in her stomach every morning and headaches every night. She could not deny it any longer—she was actually physically dependent on him. She could not live without him.
The woman's tears started to dwindle as she stared dazedly out into space. "When will you come back to me, My Love? When?"
Yay! I finished! Hooray for me! ::ducks the assorted objects hurled at her head for the evil semi-cliffhangers:: Don't hurt me!