*X-men is property of Marvel Comics. Rae, Mrs. Nelson, and Leslie are my creations. Story is for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made. *
So Sorry I took so long to update. I had a hard time deciding what to write. I rewrote this chapter at least four times. I would write it and decide I didn't like it, then rewrite it again and again. For those of you who like Romy goodness (you know who you are) I put some in this chapter. I love Romys, but find that I'm not that good at writing them. C'est la vie! Thank you again Rogue151. You are too kind. I know that Hank is out of character, but this is my fic and I can do what I want. I think many times that people forget he is a man, too. He has needs!
Part 6
The car remained silent on the thirty-minute drive to Rae's home. Remy and Rogue sat in back, both gazing out their side window, both of them lost in thoughts. Remy was lost in thoughts of Rogue. He moved his gaze from the window to her. She was doing the same thing that he had been, staring out the window. He could see the pain and sadness in her eyes reflected upon the glass. Her eyes had held the same look since he had made that comment back at the club. It broke his heart to see her that way. Remy dropped his gaze to the floor, cursing himself for causing her such pain. Thoughts of Remy and her power flooded Rogue's mind. A gift? How in the world could she call her power a gift? Draining a person's life force, stealing their memories, and their powers (if they were a mutant) by simple touch, was not something she considered a gift. If she maintained skin-to-skin contact long enough, she could kill them. Her power definitely was no gift; it was a damn curse. Then there was the man seated beside her. The man who kept telling her that there was more to a relationship than the physical. How long would he continue to say that? Surely he can't go forever without it. It would not be fair to ask him to. Out of all the girls in the world, why would he want to be with one he can't touch? Professor Xavier had tired to teach her to control her powers. He'd been working with her for a year and she was getting nowhere. She lost hope and gave up. Tears flowed from her emerald eyes down her cheeks. Remy lifted his gaze from the floor and looked over to Rogue. He knew that she was crying. He scooted next to her and put his arm around her. "Chere, I'm sorry", he whispered in her ear. She looked up at him, "Ah know sugah." Remy drew her closer to him and continued to hold her. Rae sat in the front passenger seat, thoughts centered on a man from her past. A man who would always have a special place in her heart. The one who had saved her life, given her a gift, and in return paid a horrible price for it. She closed her tear filled eyes as the images of him came into view. Hank continued to drive. Today had been very interesting to say the least. The lady sitting to the right of him was unlike any that he had ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was bold, daring, sassy, smart, confident, and strong. Though he suspected underneath her tough girl act, was a soft, kind, and gentlewoman. In fact, he knew she was. He had seen a hint of it. A small smile found its way to his lips.
The car slowly made its way down the driveway, coming to a stop behind Mrs. Nelson's Jeep. They exited the car and made their way onto the front porch. Rae fetched her keys from her black leather pants pocket and opened the door. They made their way in to the large house. Rae told the men that there was a recreation room located down the hall, last room on the right. The room had a pinball machine, arcade games, a big screen TV, an air hockey table, and a pool table. Remy grinned at the mention of a pool table. The last time Remy had challenged the good doctor to a game, Hank had to surrender his whole supply of Twinkies to him. Remy looked at Hank and then walked down the hall. Hank sighed and followed. Finally, the sisters were alone to talk. Rae turned to her sister, " Shall we go in to the livin' room?" Rogue nodded. The sisters entered the living room and sat down on the couch. They remained silent, both trying to decide where to start. Rogue couldn't help but to think about Remy standing on center stage in his birthday suit. She laughed out loud at the thought.
"What's so funny?" Rae asked, curiosity clearly written on her face.
"Ah was jus' thinkin' about Remy's act. Ah've never seen him so embarrassed. That's some power ya got there." Rogue said with a devilish grin.
Rae sighed, " It's not mine. Ah mean…. Well it is now."
Rogue looked at her sister confused, "Not yours?"
Rae took a deep breath, "His name was Seth, my first love. We were high school sweethearts." She looked up at the ceiling and laughed, " He was as stubborn as they come. Would never take no for an answer. Ah tired to push him away, but he would never go. Said he didn't care about what mah power could do to him." Rae sighed, "He should've. He really, really should've. One summer day, five years ago, we decided to go swimming in the river. Ah don't recall how, but ah drown. He saved me, but he paid a horrible price for doing it. He knew what would happen if he touched mah bare skin with his and he did it anyway. He gave his life to save mine. Those powers that ya speak of, they were Seth's."
Rogue looked at her sister, who had tears streaming down her face. She didn't know what to say. She looked down at her gloved hands. They shared the same mutant power. Both of them had acquired additional powers from another person. Rogue's from following Mystique's order to grab and drain Carol Danvers. Rae's from a man who gave his life to save hers. Finally someone else knew what it was like not to be able to touch anyone. Then Rogue remembered that Rae had kissed Hank on the cheek. How could Rae do that? Had she learned to control her power? Rogue looked back to Rae," How were ya able to kiss Hank without absorbing him?"
"Seth had excellent control over his powers. He passed it on to me. Mind ya that it was no easy task for me to learn how to use his powers. It took me four years to master his an' Ah, too had an excellent teacher. Ah was able to use his powers to control mah own. Ah never asked him to do what he did. Ah'd gladly give up mah power of control jus' to have him back." Rae said looking down at her hands.
"Rae, if ah could, Ah'd do the same to save ya. Never give it a second thought." Rogue said as she took her sister's bare hand in her gloved one.
Rae faced her sister, "Ah know ya love Remy and Ah know that he feels the same for you. He's jus' like Seth. When ya try an' push him away, he doesn't go. He's never gonna. Ah know you want to be with him. It's written all ovah your face. Why did ya lose hope?"
" The Professor had been workin' with me for a year. A year of work an' Ah didn't even have slight control over mah power. It's impossible for me to do." Rogue said, tears rolling down her cheek.
"Nothing's impossible, sis. It can be difficult, very difficult at times, but not impossible. Ah know you can do it. Ah have faith in ya. You need to have faith in yourself. Promise me, when you go back home, that you will try again. Keep tryin' and don't give up 'til ya get it." Rae said using a tissue to wipe Rogue's tears away.
Rogue smiled at her sister, "Ah tell ya what, sugah. You come with me to New York and Ah promise Ah'll try again."
Remy stood in awe watching Hank. It was their sixth game and Remy still held his unused pool stick in his hand. The tragic lose of his precious golden cream filled treats, had inspired Hank to practice more. He'll be damned if he was going to lose his Twinkies again. Remy hung his head when Hank called a side pocket and knocked the eight ball in. Hank smiled, "Oh look, I win again." This would be the last time that Remy would bet his three bottles of Captain Morgan that were at the mansion. The Cajun threw his pool stick down on the table and walked away, muttering french curses. Hank laughed at his friend. Now he could make rum cakes when they returned to New York. Remy walked by the ladies sitting in the living room, cursing, and out the front door to smoke. Orroro just shook her head as she walked by Remy, who was still cursing, and in to the house. She walked in to the living room and sat down in one of the recliners facing the couch.
"What is the matter with Remy?" Orroro asked
"Hon, Ah have no idea. He seems pretty mad." Rogue answered
"Well ladies, he just lost three bottles of Captain Morgan." Hank said as he entered the living room and walked up to white haired lady. "Dear Orroro, I just want to thank you for being such an excellent teacher. I really appreciate the fact that you took the time to teach this doctor how to play pool."
Orroro laughed," Your quite welcome Hank. I expect to be paid for those lessons. A nice rum cake will do."
Rogue looked at Storm and Hank, shook her head and laughed. Poor Remy. He truly has had a bad evening. She rose from the couch, said goodnight to the three and started walking out the living room, but stopped when Rae called to her.
"If that's what its gonna take for you to try again, then Ah will be more than happy to go wit' ya. Goodnight sis." Rae said with a smile.
Rogue smiled back and then walked out of the room. She paused by the screen door long enough for Remy to see her. She smiled at him when their eyes met, then turned and walked upstairs to one of the many guests rooms, leaving the door open. Minutes later Remy stood in doorway staring at her. She knew that he would come. Rogue laid down on the bed and he cuddled up behind her, both still fully clothed. Remy held Rogue close to him as they both drifted off to sleep.