Chapter 38: Final Thoughts and An UnPresidented Trip

                Rogue sat upright on the Professor's 'shrink couch', feeling slightly more in control and less vulnerable like she normally felt during such sessions. The other times she'd been waiting for the Professor to perhaps piece the parts of her that seemed broken up together again, and he never did. Maybe that wasn't his job. But whether it was her recent exchange with Remy, or something she'd affirmed with herself, she most definitely felt more together.

                "The dreams are startin' ta go away."

                "That's excellent. Have they become more infrequent?"

                "Yeah, Ah only have em every now and then, and they don't last long."

                "I'm glad to hear it, Rogue."

                "Professah?"

                "Yes, Rogue?"

                "Do ya think this will ever stop? With.. Carol, and.. ya know."

                Xavier thought, sighing mentally. "I think that the future can never be predetermined. But if you have strength, and faith, then only you can determine your own future."

                Rogue smiled faintly. It figured that he'd come out with something fortune cookie-ish. He was probably just trying to make her feel better, rather than telling her what she thought he was keeping to himself.

                "Thanks."  She stood to go, the session now over, before Xavier stopped her.

                "Rogue, I want you to know that we do what's best for you."

                "Professah?"

                "We just want you to be safe. Take care of yourself, and please be careful."

                A chill went down Rogue's spine, but she couldn't explain why. With a half smile, she nodded.

                "Ah know. G'bye."

                She opened the door, and stepped out of his office.

                Remy shuffled his cards one last time, then smiled at the Professor.

                "T'anks, Prafessah. Dis really help Remy wit' a few t'ings." They'd finally finished going over the few other traumatic experiences of his life, and really gotten to the bottom of some of Remy's trouble. For some reason, though, he still felt there was something that he should have done or said more on. Something unresolved. As far as Remy was concerned it could stay unresolved too.

                Xavier nodded and smiled. "It was my pleasure, Remy. You were a very cooperative patient. In three days I'm making my report and I feel very confident about recommending you and Rogue for release."

                That really made Remy's day and he grinned. Finally! He slipped his cards back into the pack and then stuffed them into a pocket. "T'anks again, Prafessah."

                "Remy, one more thing. While I'm confident you will be released from house arrest, I'd appreciate it if you and Rogue stayed around the mansion for awhile, as far as socialization goes. There are still a lot of people out there who aren't happy with mutants, and may become angered by the news of your release. Please, be careful about encounters with others."

                Remy blinked, then nodded.

                "Yea, Remy can do dat, Prafessah. He try not to get hisself in more trouble." He chuckled as he stood and left, and Xavier just shook his head slightly.

                                                                           * * *

Charles Xavier picked up the phone on his desk before half a ring was finished.

                "Hello, this is Professor Xavier, how may I help you?"

                The voice that came over the line was one he'd not expected.

                "Charles! Terrance Mann here. My people have looked over your reports and we agree that these kids of yours are ready to be reintroduced into normal society. Just in time, too. We're going to take them along on a little publicity tour for my presidential campaign."

                Xavier frowned. "Congratulations on winning the bid, Mister Mann. However, I don't know if i-"

                "Now now, Charles, this is not a negotiable thing, here. We need to show concrete results. A limo will be there tommorow, around 3 p.m. or so. Have them ready." With that he hung up.

                Xavier sighed and hung up his phone, then rubbed his temples. This was not good. He just hoped they had enough security to keep Remy and Rogue safe. With that he left his library and went to find them and tell them the news.

                Later that evening Rogue was in her room, a suitcase open on her bed. She was pulling various undergarments and clothing from her drawers and closet, mind racing. She had been looking forward to the release, but she didn't think it'd include going on some tour with a presidential candidate.

                The publicity, while meant to show that they were upright citizens, wouldn't earn her just positive attention, she feared. What if this opened up a whole new wave of crime against mutants? But, on the other hand, they were going to visit every major city around the country! What better activity for her after being released?

                Torn between the pros and cons, Rogue tried not to think about it as she began to pack her sketchbook and CDs.

                Remy knocked and walked into her room with a smile. He figured she'd be packing, anyway, and he'd all ready seen Kitty out in the living room with the others. He wore his usual ensemble, and over one shoulder was a duffle bag that was pretty much the same color as Remy's coat. Obviously he was all ready packed. He sat down on Kitty's bed and watched Rogue as she packed.

                "So, dis pretty excitin', huh p'tite? Gonna see de country..." He shifted slightly and there was a a little flash of light - Rogue's present to him, hanging around his neck on a thin chain. "Remy always wanted ta go out west." He chuckled and grinned. "Go see de beaches of California, an' all de stahs in Hollywood, hm?"

                Rogue smiled at him as he walked in, continuing to pack at her furious pace. She was worried that she'd forget something. She stood back for a moment, hands on her hips, thinking of anything else she needed to bring.

                "Yeah, it's what Ah've always wanted ta do since Ah was little. Ah can't wait ta see the mountains. Never seen much snow. Oh!"

                Rogue suddenly remembered what she was missing. Striding over to her bed, she reached under and pulled out a worn out looking teddy bear, with a ribbon tied around its neck. She crammed it into one corner of her suitcase, shooting Remy a look that dared him to comment on it.

                Remy chuckled softly, but didn't say anything. He knew better than to test her temper.

                "Remy sho' dey have some nice romantic restaurants out dere, p'tite... Maybe we go ta some of dose. De nice fancy ones, prob'ly plenty in de Big Apple."

                He stood and walked over to her, then his arms encircled her from behind and he pulled her to him.

                "Ahh, chere, dis'll be some wondahful times, non? Almos' like a big vacation jus' fo' yo' an' Remy... None of dose othah nosey kids ta not mind deir own business." He sighed a bit and gave her a little hug. "An' dey prob'ly give us nice hotel rooms too... suites, wit' de big beds, an' big bathtubs, an' big screen TVs. Good times."

                Rogue grinned and leaned back into him. He sure painted a pretty picture. But her doubts, and the Professor's warnings to her before, still made her feel a little apprehensive.

                "Ah'm worried, though. Ah'm sure there'll be a lot of people around the country who don't care ta have us."

                There she went again, trying to find fault with everything. They'd be traveling with a presidential candidate, no doubt they'd have all kinds of security. Why couldn't she just take it for granted?

                "But Ah'm sure it'll be fun. Especially after bein' cooped up so long."