I thought this chapter was going to be easy to write since I knew exactly what was going to happen. But in the end I had a lot of trouble putting my thoughts down on paper. Thanks to all you wonderful people out there who took time to review (I love you guys, keep them coming)
T. : Yah I wasn't sure if people would complain that Rogue is invincible and that Wolverine's claws wouldn't hurt her so I just decided it would be easier to make her vulnerable. I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
Christy S : Oops, I guess that was a perfect example of why I should proof read my work better. Thanks for pointing it out. (It is now fixed)
summers2004 : Aww, thanks for the compliments. I know it gets annoying that Rogue can't get hurt sometimes, so for the purposes of this story it makes more sense if she is not invincible. Hope you enjoy this next chapter, I think that it might explain a few things.
BerserkerRageX-Girl : Yah it seems like the X-men are disappearing all over the place. Guess you are just going to have to keep reading to find out Sinister's plan.
ishandahalf : I'll try to keep up with my quick posting trend, but school might get in the way. This chapter will explain why Remy didn't recognize Rogue, plus there is a little bit of Remy/Rogue fluff at the end. Enjoy!
Endriago¤Luna : I'm sorry for making Nightcrawler Scott's personal teleporter. I will be completely honest with you here. The reason that there wasn't a lot of depth to my Nightcrawler character was because I actually don't know much about him. All the knowledge I have of him is from the X2 and X-men evolution, so I don't really know how to write him. Sorry! (If you want to give me hints on how he acts and stuff, I won't make the same mistake again)
MidnightRebel : It is really not good for the X-men that Rogue is disappearing. (Let alone Bobby and Jubilee also being taken) Sorry to tell you but there isn't much Wolverine in this chapter, hope you enjoy it anyways.
Disclaimer: The X-men I own not! The X-men own Marvel! (My poor attempt at talking like Yoda from Star Wars)
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Racing Against the Clock
Truth Revealed
Rogue couldn't hear anything, couldn't see anything, and couldn't do anything. However, she could feel everything. She could feel each needle, feel every cut, and feel all of the horrible things being done to her. Pain rushed through her entire body. Never in her life had Rogue felt so worthless and scared. She had always been able to fight back and now she just had to sit there and take it.
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The medical lab was completely quiet. No one knew what to say because know one exactly understood what was going on. Wolverine was hooked up to several machines to monitor his progress, while Beast ran several tests. There were no visible injuries, yet Wolverine seemed to be in critical condition. Next to his bed sat an exhausted Storm who hadn't even bothered to take off her uniform. She was holding his hand and hoping that any second now he would open his eyes. Time went by and Beast was making little progress. Everything about Logan seemed a little different, but he couldn't figure out exactly what was going on. Night turned into day and the furry blue scientist worked on without sleep.
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Rogue started coughing. She was lying on her back and her whole body shook up and down with each cough. She felt a hand touch the centre of her back and push her body into a sitting position. Her body trembled as the coughing began to die down, and she started to breath normally. At this point she was able to open her eyes and see her surroundings.
Everything was a little blurry at first but after a few moments the room came into focus. In front of her was a small bed identical to the one she was sitting on. In this bed there laid a very bruised and unconscious Bobby. To her right there were two more beds where Jubilee and Wolverine laid. The only light in the room came from the tiny barred window located on the door. It was clear to Rogue that she was in some sort of cell, along with her friends. Just then a hand grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. She now sat facing the man who helped her, the man who she loved more then anything else.
Even in this light she could see the dark circles under his eyes. His auburn hair was messier than normal and his usual stubble had become a beard. His lips were slightly parted, as though he was about to saying something but no words came out. The fire in his eyes burnt with passion and love as he stared into her sparkling green eyes. He stood up slowly and walked over to the sink. He filled a small glass full with water and handed it to Rogue. She grabbed it from him and took a sip, slightly easing the dryness in her throat. "Remy? Is it really you?" Rogue asked her words cracking as they left her mouth.
"Roguey, I have missed you so much." Gambit said as he leaned in and took Rogue in his arms. Tears were streaming from her eyes; she couldn't believe he was really here. For the last five days he had constantly been on her mind and now they were finally together. The hug lasted minutes and when they finally parted, using the bed sheet Remy wiped the tears from her eyes. "I would have preferred to see you again under happier circumstances, instead of in Sinister's liar."
Rogue could see the pain in his eyes as he said those last words. She knew he hated Sinister, but she also knew he feared him. Remy looked away quickly so she would be unable to see how scared he was. They sat silently for a minute staring at each other. As she sat there Rogue's memories of her dispute with Logan returned. "Remy… Wat happened back on the street? Why didn't ya respond to me when Ah hugged ya? Why did Logan stab me? Why are we in Sinister's liar?"
Remy looked back up at his beautiful Southern Belle. The features of her face had become harsh and her eyes showed him that she meant business. "Slow down, chere. Remy will answer all your questions soon enough. De answer to most of the questions you just asked are simple. The reason dat me and Logan acted de way we did is because dose people you saw weren't me and Logan."
His response confused Rogue. She wanted to believe him, but it didn't make sense. "Wat are ya talkin' about Remy? I saw you guys with ma own two eyes."
"The same thing happened to me. I was attacked by Logan, or a man dat looked exactly like Logan. It wasn't him though. I haven't worked it out exactly but it seems dat Sinister has found way of creating a second Logan, and from what you are now sayin', a second me." Gambit went silent for a second giving time for his words to sink in.
"So, let me get this straight, sugah. Some how there are now two of you guys, the real you and the one Sinister controls?" Rogue was still a little confused. She knew that Essex was a brilliant scientist, but was he able to do the things Remy claimed.
"Well dat's the theory we have come up with. Until we have more information, it is the only one that really makes sense." Remy stopped for a second, took a sip of the water Rogue was holding and then continued. "I know dat it is hard to believe but me and Logan have been in this cell for de last few days, attemptin' to make sense of the situation."
"This is so much to take in at one time. Ah guess it makes sense though. When Ah approached ya on the street something felt different. It is all so strange." Rogue said while looking at the door. "Do ya that Sinister is going to create 'nother me?"
"My guess is yes." Remy spoke softly. "Don't worry though, the X-men will figure it all out and everythin' will work out in the end." Rogue didn't know if he said that to convince her or convince himself. Either way, it made her feel a little better.
"Why don't Ah just smash down this door and get us out of here?" Rogue stood up and walked over to the iron plated door, ready to do her thing.
"Only problem is dese things." Remy stated, pointing to the metal armbands on his wrists. Rogue looked down and noticed that she had two on as well. "A little invention dat turns off people's mutant abilities makes it impossible to escape." With a disappointed look she sat back on the bed with Remy.
"Ah guess this means we're stuck here, like caged rats." Her tone was negative and Gambit could hear the irritation in her voice. He gently placed his arm around her, in an attempt to calm her nerves.
"I guess so. But let's not worry about dat right now. Try and calm down, we'll get out of dis together. I'm goin' to try and get some sleep, care to join me?" He asked as he lay down on the bed. He patted the area beside him, implying that she should lay down next to him. She rested her body gently down and curled up close to his. He wrapped his arms around her and she placed her head on his shoulder. After giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, both of the captured X-men closed their eyes and attempted to get some shut eye. Even though there was danger all around Rogue, she felt safe in his arms.
Chapter 6 will be up as soon as I get some time to write it. I warn you that with school starting Tuesday, it might be a while, but I'll try my best to get it up ASAP!