---OKAY OKAY so this is the last chapter! This is it! The resolutions! All
the explaining! All the questions! Everything will be answered right here!
Right now!
Aren't you just itching with anticipation?!?
Well look no further! The final chapter of La Fille....IS HERE!!!!!
Note: Fleur, my loyal reviewer, fellow author, and kick ass pal...I have decided to dedicate this story to you..and not just because you are the only one who reads it! Haha..so Fleur, this ones for you...
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La Fille
Part 15.
Learning to Forgive
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"Yoah' awake, good" Rogue said, smiling, as Aimée entered her med-room (like a hospital room), "Can ya'h believe they put us in sep'rate rooms?"
"Hell yeah, 2 weeks ago I woulda'h got lost looking for you" Rogue's expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Been walkin' down these halls to many times, shugah'"
"Well that's over now." Aimée said with a slight smile, schooching down next to her mother, "Ah! I think you got a bigger bed than me!"
"Haha." The pair sat in silence for a moment, it was odd, they were so much a like, yet so different.
"Mama?"
"mm?"
"I'm sorry"
"'Bout what?"
Aimée sighed, resting her head on Rogue's shoulder, "I don't know, I'm just sorry."
"Baby, none ah this was yoah' fault."
"Yeah then who's fault was it?" she muttered, her voice bitter. Rogue pretended to not hear that comment, and focused her attention on the door, which had opened to reveal the man of the hour, none other than Remy LeBeau himself.
"Hi"
Rogue stared for a moment, but then cast her head down, she had manners, and gawking at someone was impolite. Aimée rose to leave, "I think I'll leave you two, to talk...or whatever." Brushing past her father, she stopped. Her head rising slightly, just enough to look back upon the man. Aimée's expression was hard to read. Her eyebrows were knitted together, and her lips pursued like she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it. Most people wouldn't notice the tears forming in her eyes. Her head was full of emotion. She wanted to call out, to reach for him, to do something, but re-opening that place in her heart. That place that she had tried so hard to lock up, that wasn't something she was ready to do. So Aimée turned, and walked out the door. Scared to be hurt again.
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"Prof' I'm not really gettin' all this psychologic mumbo jumbo. Just tell us what went wrong with the kid." Logan, Jean and Scott were sitting Xavier's office. Jean sat on the desk, with Scott before her in a chair. Logan stood by the wall, his expression, complicated and unreadable. Xavier sat in his wheelchair by his desk, his long fingers laced together on his lap.
"Frankly, Logan, I don't really know. All I know is what happened to him."
"What happened to him? What did that monster do to him!?" Jean yelled from her postion. Scott reached a hand to her leg to calm her.
"Steady Jean."
"Anton Boudreaux is the son of Belladonna Boudreaux. Aaron Beamers, is the son of Pennsylvania dairy farmers, but apparently they are the same person. As you all recall, Aaron came to us about a month ago, sporting some telepathic abilities, unstable flight capabilities, and a strange heating factor. We welcomed him into our home, but in not running a background check was our fatal mistake. Aaron Beamers does not exist. He is a product of Sinister's lab, the body of Anton Boudreaux, with an a new mind, new memories, new thoughts, heck even a new accent."
"And a nice set of mutant abilities."
"Correct Logan; Belladonna had willingly sacrificed her son to Sinister's experiment. Anton now believed he was Aaron Beamers, a farmer from Pennsylvania. Sinister used him inside the mansion. He got Aaron situated in the heart of our defenses, but let Anton come out to play at night. Thinking he was on Assassin's Guild orders Anton attacked. It was he who slipped Rogue with poison, causing her to pass out, he who implanted those visions in Aimée's head. He kidnapped Rogue, and brought Gambit to Madelyne Pryor and Mr. Sinister. And it was he, who killed Aimée's young friend that fateful night. The next morning, Aaron would awake, not knowing anything had happened."
"Jesus Christ!" Scott yelled.
"However, after Aaron finally fizzled away, when Anton was reunited with his mother that night in Sinister's lab, something happened. Maybe it was confronting Aimée? Someone who his counterpart cared for so much, maybe it was Aaron Beamers trying to break through the surface. Aaron and Anton were no more, our young student did not recall anything. He does not know who he is, he has no identity. Aaron Beamers is not the kind boy we knew here, and Anton Boudreaux is not longer Belladonna's ruthless son."
"Well what is to become of him?" Jean asked, looking flustered.
"He has taken his X-name, Apollo. I have been given notice; Apollo will be leaving the mansion. At this point, I doubt he knows what to think..or who to be."
"Pretty heavy stuff, huh?" Startled the room looked towards the door. Aimée had just slipped in. She was wearing red flannel sweatpants. A loose hoodie fit well around a snug black tank top. Her hair was loose, tumbling down to her lower back, "And what about the part regarding him being my brother?" She asked nervously, fiddling with her jacket's zipper.
"That's negative, we could tell by looking that Belladonna was lying. Remy's eyes are a trait that will be passed down through his children, they are just too dominant. Apollo's fair skin, and hair wasn't a genetic match either, but to be sure we did a quick swab. Gambit is not his father." Jean said quickly, standing to leave, the other Xmen followed. Aimée looked relieved, so she didn't belong on Jerry Springer afterall.
"Please, Aimée, sit down.
------------------------------------ "Awkward silence."
"Yeah, well ah've learned t'like it that way."
"Me too." Gambit replied, solemnly shaking his head. Rogue glared at him, but she couldn't help but be warmed by his presence.
"Ah guess ya'h talked t'Aimée"
"Non, not yet at least."
She stared hard at him, taking in every detail of his presence. The nervous look in his eyes, the twitch at his lips, the tiniest beads of sweat that had formed on his hairline.
"Well come here, lemme' have a look at ya'h shugah''" Rogue spoke in an almost comforting tone. Remy sat down on the bed, and allowed her to take his face into her gloved hands. One eye was black and blue, and stitches' dressing outlined his cheekbone just below it. Various nicks and cuts decorated his timeless features, and there was a small burn on his neck. Her breath caught in her throat, and the indestructible Rogue choked back a sob, reaching for an embrace.
"Ah'm just so happy that your alive, and that ya'h all-right. Ah was so worried." She sobbed into his jacket, fearing to let go. Remy smiled, smelling her hair, the distinct scent of lavender filled his nostrils as he buried himself in her warmth. But something clicked in his brain, what was going on?
"SMACK" it hit him faster than he could blink, and the thief found himself clutching a bruised cheek, notably not the already injured one. Rogue glared back at him. That was more like it. Her watery eyes matched that of her fiery red cheeks, as she clenched two fists and stared him up and down.
"Gambit guesses he deserved dat"
"WHACK" This time with extra force.
"Gambit kno' he deserved dat one"
"Yeah well now ya'h got two shiners, figured ah'd make ya'h symmetrical."
Humor. Sarcasm. It was the way they all worked past it, worked past the pain of being an X-man, these two in particular. Silence. Tension. Resolutions?
"Why did ya'h hafta do it?" She asked slowly, her eyes now definitely filled with tears, "Why'd ya' have t'ruin every'thin?" "Fear, I guess. Though ah know, dat's not much of an answer."
"Why didn't ya'h come back? Why did ya'h leave? Why did you leave her? Why . . . why did you leave . . .me."
"I don' know de answers t'dose questions, chere, an' I don't expect forgiveness. Gambit just knows what he feels. Ah been given' much more den my fair share, petit, an' I'm content wit dat. But I'm not goin' anywhere, if I'm welcome or not."
There was no answer to that, because really it wasn't a question. He loved her, she knew that, but when he said it . . . it wasn't like he was expecting anything in return. Remy stood to leave, but she reached for his arm and pulled him back down to the hospital bed.
"I don' want t'make ye'h feel like you have t'do this. T'open up a door ye'h don' wanna' step through again."
"Well ah don' want ya'h t'leave, at least not right now." Gambit let his head fall, the shaggy bangs covering up his handsome face. Both had put so much effort into making their love for one another go away, that in the end it was the only thing they were sure of and could count on, forever. Maybe there was still a chance for the two, because in their tiny human bodies they possessed a love greater than all obstacles put before them. They had overcome lies and secrets, forbidden kisses and not so happy farewells; surely this would not be the end. Life was too short to hold a grudge, and they had lost so much time already. She reached up and gently touched his cheek; the bruise from her punch was bright red by now. Remy's head slowed grazed back up, and his eyes locked on to hers. A nervous smile began to form on his lips, as Rogue devilishly grinned back at him, cocking an eyebrow when she pulled him in close enough for her to feel his hot breath. They lay there side by side for hours, not speaking, just elbow to elbow, his head laying on her shoulder and their gloved hands intertwined. Even if the miraculous couple were able to touch . . . they most likely wouldn't have, because they were satisfied just being together, and knowing that without doubts . . . to put it simply . . . they were in love. For once they were totally prepared, prepared to fight anything that came their way . . . finally they would do it . . . together.
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"I wanted to speak with you." Xavier stated, his brow was furrowed and his lips were formed into a straight line, "You have a right to know, what happened, though I know you already caught the explanation on Mr. Beamers, through the keyhole."
Aimée couldn't help but laugh, and was relieved when she saw the professor smile also. "What happened that night? The night you came to rescue me?"
"ahhh, that was a week ago, but the horrors of that evening will be forever scarred into my brain."
"How did you know?"
"I'm not sure, but that night, something happened to me, I felt gripped, by a vision, a call. I saw you, I saw your father, and I just knew, I knew where to go. When we arrived, Sinister had obviously lost control. I sent out the Xmen to fend off the guards, Cyclops freed you, but then went back into the huddle. I however, focused my attention on finding Rogue. I hadn't been able to sense her presence, and I feared the worse. When you went down, I yelled out. I was terrified, the pain was so severe that you just stopped breathing, I presumed you dead. But Rogue, she reached out and grabbed out, but she had no gloves and you passed out. As odd as this may sound, that single action actually saved your life. When you passed out, your body naturally responded and began pumping air back into your lungs."
"And I survived.. that's the closer I've ever been to death."
"That was an incredibly brave thing you did, Aimée. I don't think Remy would have survived if you hadn't of gotten there."
"Maybe that wasn't such a good thing." She muttered.
"That's really not my place, but, and hopefully you will take my word for it, he does care about you. I have known that man for a good portion of his life, and there would be no gain in him leaving again."
"Well there was no gain the first time! What could he possibly get out of leaving me, I was 5 years old, 5 years old! I needed him, and he wasn't there. I just don't know if I can forgive that, if I can just start loving him again."
"Maybe you don't start with love? Maybe you just start by listening to what he has to say."
"Maybe..Dammit I just wish none of this had ever happened! I wish I was just, someone else. You know? That I wasn't the daughter of my parents, not an Xman, not even a mutant. I just wish I were 17. I don't like the idea of being cautious, not being able to get close to anyone for fear of a psycho like Sinister killing them. I don't like the idea of looking behind my shoulder for a friend of humanity, or a member of the Assassin's Guild. Someone my father has old debts to, someone my mother has drained of their memories. I just want to be normal, and I can't help but think about that night. When Sinister had drained my powers, when I actually thought they might be gone forever, and the way I felt. Free. No more responsibility, I was free. Am I a bad person because of that? A bad mutant, do I not belong in the Xmen? I know millions of mutants out there would love to be me, I just don't think I can handle it all."
"Aimée, we all have those feelings. We all want to be normal, we want to be accepted, but right now that's not a possibility. As your father would say, we have to take the hand we're dealt, and as your mother would say.. and make the most of it. You are special, and that is going to make you a target for a lot of things, but you can't just give up. You cannot give up on your life, and spend all of your days in fear, or feeling sorry for yourself. I'm here, anytime you need to talk, but I can't make these wishes go away. Only you can do that. You just have to accept yourself for who you are, don't wish for something else. Being a mutant, is a gift, and soon you will realize it." Aimée sniffed and backhanded her tears. She knew that her doubts about being a mutant wouldn't go away, but she also knew that they didn't have to dictate her life. Stooping slightly she kissed the top of the professor's head, thanking him for his kind words. "Aimée?"
"Yes?"
"Be careful, we need you here."
Aimée smiled politely and exited the room. Xmen, the entire concept was odd. She used to wonder why, why mutants like her, the rejected went back to help those who had rejected them in the first place. Why help those who hated and feared you? She had often wondered why, but now she knew. They were the only ones who could. The Xmen, and other mutants like them, they were the only ones who could protect humans, from mutants like them, and in some cases themselves. Aimée shook out her hair and headed towards the guest bedrooms. Her mind made up. CRASH, both of them went flying backwards. Aimée reached for her head, moaning slightly as she tried to get the room to stop spinning.
"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." A warm voice spoke to her, reaching out its hand.
"No, no it was me," She replied, taking it graciously. The man pulled her to a standing position and smiled.
"Aa-" "Apollo"
"Yes, sorry."
Apollo shrugged his shoulders; he knew people would be confused. Aimée smiled into his eyes, her heart rate slowly rising. It was silent, a comfortable silence. Apollo, surprised she hadn't drained him of his powers already, and Aimée surprised at his mere presence.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm not staying."
"Oh" She replied, maybe talking wasn't the best idea.
"Listen, Aimée, I wanted to say I was sorry, about everything."
"You should be."
Ouch, but that was definitely the reaction he had expected. "I mean, no, sorry that was rude."
"No, no, I deserve it, for what I did. I don't expect you to forgive me."
"But you didn't know, you weren't-" "Please, don't try to make sense of it. I did know. I was, am, I committed those acts of my own will...it doesn't matter which part of me did it, it was still me. I just wish I could figure out who "me" is. But Anton, and Aaron..hopefully I have laid them to rest."
She couldn't help but feel sorry for him, despite what he had done. She couldn't help but let her eyes moisten at the sight of him. He was in pain, that much was obvious.
"The professor said you were leaving."
"That I am."
"I'll ask you not to go."
"It's not my place to stay, I would just end up hurting you, and you know that's the last thing I want to do. Besides, I know your heart does not belong to me, though mine does to you. I love you, that's the one thing I'm sure of."
"Apollo you don't even know me. Aaron did, but you said yourself, he's dead."
"Then how come whenever I look at you, I want to kiss you? How come every time I hear your voice, I dream of you whispering in my ear? Whenever I touch you, I just wish I could hold you.. Tell me those aren't real feelings."
"Yes but who's feelings are they? Apollo, I can't be with you, you know that. Didier just died, I mean, god dammit you were the one who killed him! It just wouldn't work out between us... things are just too crazy. I can only be here as your friend."
"That's not what I want."
"But that's all I'm offering." The pair stared at each other for a while, neither knowing what to say. Aaron had never confessed his love, but Aimée always knew it was there. She had liked Aaron, but he was gone. The man before her had killed Didier, or at least a part of him had, and she couldn't forgive that, at least not yet.
"Goodbye Apollo, I'll ask you not to think of me while your gone. It would be best that way." She said in a flourish, standing on her tiptoes to quickly kiss him on the cheek Aimée walked briskly down the hall, leaving him with a stricken look on his face. "Au Revoir, ma chere." He whispered, retreating back to his bedroom and sitting at his desk. Apollo sighed as he opened the drawer, retrieving a piece of paper and a pen.
Dear Belladonna,
I have decided to leave Professor Xavier's mansion. At this point, I'm not really sure what I plan to do next. I was hoping you might be able to help. I don't know who Anton is, I'm not really sure I know who Aaron is, but I know that your family was once my family. I can't promise I will be the son you lost, but I want to try my best to regain my past memories, and maybe sort out what's going on in my head. I can't give you my home address, because at this moment I don't exactly have a home, and I was hoping maybe you could help with that. I have a few loose ends to deal with up north, but I plan on flying down to New Orleans in a week. Hopefully I will have a warm welcome.
-Apollo
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The next day the X-Mansion rose early. The kitchen was buzzing with hungry students, grumpy teens, and busy teachers. One team member, however, was missing. Rogue sat in the garden; she had been up since six, pruning her rose bushes. She had her eyes to the sky as she absentmindly went through her task. The blackbird suddenly appeared, its stealth mode switching off for just a second. Rogue laughed as several tiny explosions popped out of the roof of the craft. Everything was going to be fine.
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She laid the white rose in front of his tombstone; it was her final touch to the burial ground. Aimée never did forgive herself for Didier's untimely death, and she doubted she ever would. But for now, the feelings of guilt were pushed aside, as she share one last moment with her fallen love. The cool Louisiana breeze whipped at her hair, entwining it betweens its fingers, and Aimée slowly came to stand. And feeling a familiar presence behind her, smiled.
"I want to thank you for coming here with me."
"No where else I'd rather be, chere." A familiar voice called out from behind her, "Ah never knew em."
"He was a good man," She stated, and then dropping her voice to a whisper, "He did not deserve to die." "But dat was not ye'h choice," Remy reached for her shoulders, slowly spinning her to face him, "Nor was it your fault."
"He loved me, the boy barely knew me, but he followed me to New York. He promised to help me find you, without even a second guess . . . and it hurts so bad, to know that if I had just left him here, left without him . . ."
"He would ah've followed ye'h anyway. Aimée you couldn't have changed his mind, just like you can't change the past."
"It just hurts, that's all."
Gambit smiled at his daughter and pulled her into a tight hug.
"An' it always will, petit, but dat be why ah'm he'h, non? T'elp ye'h through dis. An' I'm not goin' anywhere."
He shed a tear in spite of himself, but Aimée never knew that. Truth was that he was scared, he feared what the future would bring and what it would do to them almost as much as she did. But Gambit stuck to his word. He was not going anywhere, because there, in embrace with his child . . . was where he belonged.
"We're a family now petit, an' family sticks t'gether. I love you Aimée."
Aimée squeezed a little tighter as she buried herself in his jacket, inhaling his scent, immersing herself in his warmth.
"I know Papa, I know."
And she loved him too.
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finit!
But is this the end for Aimée? Is sinister gone for good? Ha! Not while I'm around shugah!
So stay tuned..you never know what could happen next!
-Foo
Aren't you just itching with anticipation?!?
Well look no further! The final chapter of La Fille....IS HERE!!!!!
Note: Fleur, my loyal reviewer, fellow author, and kick ass pal...I have decided to dedicate this story to you..and not just because you are the only one who reads it! Haha..so Fleur, this ones for you...
------------------------------------
La Fille
Part 15.
Learning to Forgive
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"Yoah' awake, good" Rogue said, smiling, as Aimée entered her med-room (like a hospital room), "Can ya'h believe they put us in sep'rate rooms?"
"Hell yeah, 2 weeks ago I woulda'h got lost looking for you" Rogue's expression suddenly turned solemn.
"Been walkin' down these halls to many times, shugah'"
"Well that's over now." Aimée said with a slight smile, schooching down next to her mother, "Ah! I think you got a bigger bed than me!"
"Haha." The pair sat in silence for a moment, it was odd, they were so much a like, yet so different.
"Mama?"
"mm?"
"I'm sorry"
"'Bout what?"
Aimée sighed, resting her head on Rogue's shoulder, "I don't know, I'm just sorry."
"Baby, none ah this was yoah' fault."
"Yeah then who's fault was it?" she muttered, her voice bitter. Rogue pretended to not hear that comment, and focused her attention on the door, which had opened to reveal the man of the hour, none other than Remy LeBeau himself.
"Hi"
Rogue stared for a moment, but then cast her head down, she had manners, and gawking at someone was impolite. Aimée rose to leave, "I think I'll leave you two, to talk...or whatever." Brushing past her father, she stopped. Her head rising slightly, just enough to look back upon the man. Aimée's expression was hard to read. Her eyebrows were knitted together, and her lips pursued like she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it. Most people wouldn't notice the tears forming in her eyes. Her head was full of emotion. She wanted to call out, to reach for him, to do something, but re-opening that place in her heart. That place that she had tried so hard to lock up, that wasn't something she was ready to do. So Aimée turned, and walked out the door. Scared to be hurt again.
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"Prof' I'm not really gettin' all this psychologic mumbo jumbo. Just tell us what went wrong with the kid." Logan, Jean and Scott were sitting Xavier's office. Jean sat on the desk, with Scott before her in a chair. Logan stood by the wall, his expression, complicated and unreadable. Xavier sat in his wheelchair by his desk, his long fingers laced together on his lap.
"Frankly, Logan, I don't really know. All I know is what happened to him."
"What happened to him? What did that monster do to him!?" Jean yelled from her postion. Scott reached a hand to her leg to calm her.
"Steady Jean."
"Anton Boudreaux is the son of Belladonna Boudreaux. Aaron Beamers, is the son of Pennsylvania dairy farmers, but apparently they are the same person. As you all recall, Aaron came to us about a month ago, sporting some telepathic abilities, unstable flight capabilities, and a strange heating factor. We welcomed him into our home, but in not running a background check was our fatal mistake. Aaron Beamers does not exist. He is a product of Sinister's lab, the body of Anton Boudreaux, with an a new mind, new memories, new thoughts, heck even a new accent."
"And a nice set of mutant abilities."
"Correct Logan; Belladonna had willingly sacrificed her son to Sinister's experiment. Anton now believed he was Aaron Beamers, a farmer from Pennsylvania. Sinister used him inside the mansion. He got Aaron situated in the heart of our defenses, but let Anton come out to play at night. Thinking he was on Assassin's Guild orders Anton attacked. It was he who slipped Rogue with poison, causing her to pass out, he who implanted those visions in Aimée's head. He kidnapped Rogue, and brought Gambit to Madelyne Pryor and Mr. Sinister. And it was he, who killed Aimée's young friend that fateful night. The next morning, Aaron would awake, not knowing anything had happened."
"Jesus Christ!" Scott yelled.
"However, after Aaron finally fizzled away, when Anton was reunited with his mother that night in Sinister's lab, something happened. Maybe it was confronting Aimée? Someone who his counterpart cared for so much, maybe it was Aaron Beamers trying to break through the surface. Aaron and Anton were no more, our young student did not recall anything. He does not know who he is, he has no identity. Aaron Beamers is not the kind boy we knew here, and Anton Boudreaux is not longer Belladonna's ruthless son."
"Well what is to become of him?" Jean asked, looking flustered.
"He has taken his X-name, Apollo. I have been given notice; Apollo will be leaving the mansion. At this point, I doubt he knows what to think..or who to be."
"Pretty heavy stuff, huh?" Startled the room looked towards the door. Aimée had just slipped in. She was wearing red flannel sweatpants. A loose hoodie fit well around a snug black tank top. Her hair was loose, tumbling down to her lower back, "And what about the part regarding him being my brother?" She asked nervously, fiddling with her jacket's zipper.
"That's negative, we could tell by looking that Belladonna was lying. Remy's eyes are a trait that will be passed down through his children, they are just too dominant. Apollo's fair skin, and hair wasn't a genetic match either, but to be sure we did a quick swab. Gambit is not his father." Jean said quickly, standing to leave, the other Xmen followed. Aimée looked relieved, so she didn't belong on Jerry Springer afterall.
"Please, Aimée, sit down.
------------------------------------ "Awkward silence."
"Yeah, well ah've learned t'like it that way."
"Me too." Gambit replied, solemnly shaking his head. Rogue glared at him, but she couldn't help but be warmed by his presence.
"Ah guess ya'h talked t'Aimée"
"Non, not yet at least."
She stared hard at him, taking in every detail of his presence. The nervous look in his eyes, the twitch at his lips, the tiniest beads of sweat that had formed on his hairline.
"Well come here, lemme' have a look at ya'h shugah''" Rogue spoke in an almost comforting tone. Remy sat down on the bed, and allowed her to take his face into her gloved hands. One eye was black and blue, and stitches' dressing outlined his cheekbone just below it. Various nicks and cuts decorated his timeless features, and there was a small burn on his neck. Her breath caught in her throat, and the indestructible Rogue choked back a sob, reaching for an embrace.
"Ah'm just so happy that your alive, and that ya'h all-right. Ah was so worried." She sobbed into his jacket, fearing to let go. Remy smiled, smelling her hair, the distinct scent of lavender filled his nostrils as he buried himself in her warmth. But something clicked in his brain, what was going on?
"SMACK" it hit him faster than he could blink, and the thief found himself clutching a bruised cheek, notably not the already injured one. Rogue glared back at him. That was more like it. Her watery eyes matched that of her fiery red cheeks, as she clenched two fists and stared him up and down.
"Gambit guesses he deserved dat"
"WHACK" This time with extra force.
"Gambit kno' he deserved dat one"
"Yeah well now ya'h got two shiners, figured ah'd make ya'h symmetrical."
Humor. Sarcasm. It was the way they all worked past it, worked past the pain of being an X-man, these two in particular. Silence. Tension. Resolutions?
"Why did ya'h hafta do it?" She asked slowly, her eyes now definitely filled with tears, "Why'd ya' have t'ruin every'thin?" "Fear, I guess. Though ah know, dat's not much of an answer."
"Why didn't ya'h come back? Why did ya'h leave? Why did you leave her? Why . . . why did you leave . . .me."
"I don' know de answers t'dose questions, chere, an' I don't expect forgiveness. Gambit just knows what he feels. Ah been given' much more den my fair share, petit, an' I'm content wit dat. But I'm not goin' anywhere, if I'm welcome or not."
There was no answer to that, because really it wasn't a question. He loved her, she knew that, but when he said it . . . it wasn't like he was expecting anything in return. Remy stood to leave, but she reached for his arm and pulled him back down to the hospital bed.
"I don' want t'make ye'h feel like you have t'do this. T'open up a door ye'h don' wanna' step through again."
"Well ah don' want ya'h t'leave, at least not right now." Gambit let his head fall, the shaggy bangs covering up his handsome face. Both had put so much effort into making their love for one another go away, that in the end it was the only thing they were sure of and could count on, forever. Maybe there was still a chance for the two, because in their tiny human bodies they possessed a love greater than all obstacles put before them. They had overcome lies and secrets, forbidden kisses and not so happy farewells; surely this would not be the end. Life was too short to hold a grudge, and they had lost so much time already. She reached up and gently touched his cheek; the bruise from her punch was bright red by now. Remy's head slowed grazed back up, and his eyes locked on to hers. A nervous smile began to form on his lips, as Rogue devilishly grinned back at him, cocking an eyebrow when she pulled him in close enough for her to feel his hot breath. They lay there side by side for hours, not speaking, just elbow to elbow, his head laying on her shoulder and their gloved hands intertwined. Even if the miraculous couple were able to touch . . . they most likely wouldn't have, because they were satisfied just being together, and knowing that without doubts . . . to put it simply . . . they were in love. For once they were totally prepared, prepared to fight anything that came their way . . . finally they would do it . . . together.
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"I wanted to speak with you." Xavier stated, his brow was furrowed and his lips were formed into a straight line, "You have a right to know, what happened, though I know you already caught the explanation on Mr. Beamers, through the keyhole."
Aimée couldn't help but laugh, and was relieved when she saw the professor smile also. "What happened that night? The night you came to rescue me?"
"ahhh, that was a week ago, but the horrors of that evening will be forever scarred into my brain."
"How did you know?"
"I'm not sure, but that night, something happened to me, I felt gripped, by a vision, a call. I saw you, I saw your father, and I just knew, I knew where to go. When we arrived, Sinister had obviously lost control. I sent out the Xmen to fend off the guards, Cyclops freed you, but then went back into the huddle. I however, focused my attention on finding Rogue. I hadn't been able to sense her presence, and I feared the worse. When you went down, I yelled out. I was terrified, the pain was so severe that you just stopped breathing, I presumed you dead. But Rogue, she reached out and grabbed out, but she had no gloves and you passed out. As odd as this may sound, that single action actually saved your life. When you passed out, your body naturally responded and began pumping air back into your lungs."
"And I survived.. that's the closer I've ever been to death."
"That was an incredibly brave thing you did, Aimée. I don't think Remy would have survived if you hadn't of gotten there."
"Maybe that wasn't such a good thing." She muttered.
"That's really not my place, but, and hopefully you will take my word for it, he does care about you. I have known that man for a good portion of his life, and there would be no gain in him leaving again."
"Well there was no gain the first time! What could he possibly get out of leaving me, I was 5 years old, 5 years old! I needed him, and he wasn't there. I just don't know if I can forgive that, if I can just start loving him again."
"Maybe you don't start with love? Maybe you just start by listening to what he has to say."
"Maybe..Dammit I just wish none of this had ever happened! I wish I was just, someone else. You know? That I wasn't the daughter of my parents, not an Xman, not even a mutant. I just wish I were 17. I don't like the idea of being cautious, not being able to get close to anyone for fear of a psycho like Sinister killing them. I don't like the idea of looking behind my shoulder for a friend of humanity, or a member of the Assassin's Guild. Someone my father has old debts to, someone my mother has drained of their memories. I just want to be normal, and I can't help but think about that night. When Sinister had drained my powers, when I actually thought they might be gone forever, and the way I felt. Free. No more responsibility, I was free. Am I a bad person because of that? A bad mutant, do I not belong in the Xmen? I know millions of mutants out there would love to be me, I just don't think I can handle it all."
"Aimée, we all have those feelings. We all want to be normal, we want to be accepted, but right now that's not a possibility. As your father would say, we have to take the hand we're dealt, and as your mother would say.. and make the most of it. You are special, and that is going to make you a target for a lot of things, but you can't just give up. You cannot give up on your life, and spend all of your days in fear, or feeling sorry for yourself. I'm here, anytime you need to talk, but I can't make these wishes go away. Only you can do that. You just have to accept yourself for who you are, don't wish for something else. Being a mutant, is a gift, and soon you will realize it." Aimée sniffed and backhanded her tears. She knew that her doubts about being a mutant wouldn't go away, but she also knew that they didn't have to dictate her life. Stooping slightly she kissed the top of the professor's head, thanking him for his kind words. "Aimée?"
"Yes?"
"Be careful, we need you here."
Aimée smiled politely and exited the room. Xmen, the entire concept was odd. She used to wonder why, why mutants like her, the rejected went back to help those who had rejected them in the first place. Why help those who hated and feared you? She had often wondered why, but now she knew. They were the only ones who could. The Xmen, and other mutants like them, they were the only ones who could protect humans, from mutants like them, and in some cases themselves. Aimée shook out her hair and headed towards the guest bedrooms. Her mind made up. CRASH, both of them went flying backwards. Aimée reached for her head, moaning slightly as she tried to get the room to stop spinning.
"Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." A warm voice spoke to her, reaching out its hand.
"No, no it was me," She replied, taking it graciously. The man pulled her to a standing position and smiled.
"Aa-" "Apollo"
"Yes, sorry."
Apollo shrugged his shoulders; he knew people would be confused. Aimée smiled into his eyes, her heart rate slowly rising. It was silent, a comfortable silence. Apollo, surprised she hadn't drained him of his powers already, and Aimée surprised at his mere presence.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm not staying."
"Oh" She replied, maybe talking wasn't the best idea.
"Listen, Aimée, I wanted to say I was sorry, about everything."
"You should be."
Ouch, but that was definitely the reaction he had expected. "I mean, no, sorry that was rude."
"No, no, I deserve it, for what I did. I don't expect you to forgive me."
"But you didn't know, you weren't-" "Please, don't try to make sense of it. I did know. I was, am, I committed those acts of my own will...it doesn't matter which part of me did it, it was still me. I just wish I could figure out who "me" is. But Anton, and Aaron..hopefully I have laid them to rest."
She couldn't help but feel sorry for him, despite what he had done. She couldn't help but let her eyes moisten at the sight of him. He was in pain, that much was obvious.
"The professor said you were leaving."
"That I am."
"I'll ask you not to go."
"It's not my place to stay, I would just end up hurting you, and you know that's the last thing I want to do. Besides, I know your heart does not belong to me, though mine does to you. I love you, that's the one thing I'm sure of."
"Apollo you don't even know me. Aaron did, but you said yourself, he's dead."
"Then how come whenever I look at you, I want to kiss you? How come every time I hear your voice, I dream of you whispering in my ear? Whenever I touch you, I just wish I could hold you.. Tell me those aren't real feelings."
"Yes but who's feelings are they? Apollo, I can't be with you, you know that. Didier just died, I mean, god dammit you were the one who killed him! It just wouldn't work out between us... things are just too crazy. I can only be here as your friend."
"That's not what I want."
"But that's all I'm offering." The pair stared at each other for a while, neither knowing what to say. Aaron had never confessed his love, but Aimée always knew it was there. She had liked Aaron, but he was gone. The man before her had killed Didier, or at least a part of him had, and she couldn't forgive that, at least not yet.
"Goodbye Apollo, I'll ask you not to think of me while your gone. It would be best that way." She said in a flourish, standing on her tiptoes to quickly kiss him on the cheek Aimée walked briskly down the hall, leaving him with a stricken look on his face. "Au Revoir, ma chere." He whispered, retreating back to his bedroom and sitting at his desk. Apollo sighed as he opened the drawer, retrieving a piece of paper and a pen.
Dear Belladonna,
I have decided to leave Professor Xavier's mansion. At this point, I'm not really sure what I plan to do next. I was hoping you might be able to help. I don't know who Anton is, I'm not really sure I know who Aaron is, but I know that your family was once my family. I can't promise I will be the son you lost, but I want to try my best to regain my past memories, and maybe sort out what's going on in my head. I can't give you my home address, because at this moment I don't exactly have a home, and I was hoping maybe you could help with that. I have a few loose ends to deal with up north, but I plan on flying down to New Orleans in a week. Hopefully I will have a warm welcome.
-Apollo
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The next day the X-Mansion rose early. The kitchen was buzzing with hungry students, grumpy teens, and busy teachers. One team member, however, was missing. Rogue sat in the garden; she had been up since six, pruning her rose bushes. She had her eyes to the sky as she absentmindly went through her task. The blackbird suddenly appeared, its stealth mode switching off for just a second. Rogue laughed as several tiny explosions popped out of the roof of the craft. Everything was going to be fine.
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She laid the white rose in front of his tombstone; it was her final touch to the burial ground. Aimée never did forgive herself for Didier's untimely death, and she doubted she ever would. But for now, the feelings of guilt were pushed aside, as she share one last moment with her fallen love. The cool Louisiana breeze whipped at her hair, entwining it betweens its fingers, and Aimée slowly came to stand. And feeling a familiar presence behind her, smiled.
"I want to thank you for coming here with me."
"No where else I'd rather be, chere." A familiar voice called out from behind her, "Ah never knew em."
"He was a good man," She stated, and then dropping her voice to a whisper, "He did not deserve to die." "But dat was not ye'h choice," Remy reached for her shoulders, slowly spinning her to face him, "Nor was it your fault."
"He loved me, the boy barely knew me, but he followed me to New York. He promised to help me find you, without even a second guess . . . and it hurts so bad, to know that if I had just left him here, left without him . . ."
"He would ah've followed ye'h anyway. Aimée you couldn't have changed his mind, just like you can't change the past."
"It just hurts, that's all."
Gambit smiled at his daughter and pulled her into a tight hug.
"An' it always will, petit, but dat be why ah'm he'h, non? T'elp ye'h through dis. An' I'm not goin' anywhere."
He shed a tear in spite of himself, but Aimée never knew that. Truth was that he was scared, he feared what the future would bring and what it would do to them almost as much as she did. But Gambit stuck to his word. He was not going anywhere, because there, in embrace with his child . . . was where he belonged.
"We're a family now petit, an' family sticks t'gether. I love you Aimée."
Aimée squeezed a little tighter as she buried herself in his jacket, inhaling his scent, immersing herself in his warmth.
"I know Papa, I know."
And she loved him too.
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finit!
But is this the end for Aimée? Is sinister gone for good? Ha! Not while I'm around shugah!
So stay tuned..you never know what could happen next!
-Foo