FYI:

~Personal Thoughts~

~"Inner Voices"~

ESP

%The Written Word%

[Flashback]

"Normal Conversation (Duh)"

* Com Link or Telephone *

ROGUE

Ah wandered the halls of the institute aimlessly tryin' ta find somethin' ta do. Not even the younger students were causin' complete an' total chaos on a Friday night since most of 'em had gone ta a movie or the mall or somethin'. Ah didn't really pay attention ta where people were goin' anymore. Ah found mah way inta the livin' room ta find Jamie an' Sarah playin' PS2. She was lookin' frustrated as Jamie tried explainin' the game ta her.

"It's like this. You hit the 'A' button when you want to punch and the 'B' button when you want to kick…" He looked up an' saw meh standin' behind the couch simply watchin' 'em. "Hey Roguey! You want to play with us."

"Ah don't think so. Ah ain't ta good at those thin's." He shrugged as he restarted the game only for Sarah ta lose ta him once more.

"I'm not getting this." She was pouting as she went back ta studyin' the controller.

"Um…Roguey, do you think you could give us a ride to school tomorrow? You see, it's Sarah's first day and that way she doesn't have to worry about the bus, and besides, you're way cooler to ride with than Scott." Ah grinned at the comment 'bout Scott as Ah nodded.

"Sure, Ah ain't got nothin' better ta do. Just make sure ya on time. Ah got a big test first thin' in AP History tamorrow." Ah tousled his hair as Ah went ta leave ta see if Ah could find anyone else when Sarah piped up.

"Do you miss him?" Ah spun 'round in surprise ta face the small girl.

"Miss who?"

"Remy, he was your boyfriend, right?" It had been a week since we'd left N' Awlins an' Ah'd spent every wakin' hour tryin' ta push him ta the farthest corner of mah mind. It hadn't worked ta well considerin' he was literally in mah head.

"No, Ah don't." Ah angrily turned an' left the room. ~Ah shouldn't have acted like that. She didn't mean anythin' by it.~

~"Admit it Chére, y' miss Remy."~

~No, Ah don't miss that slime ball of a Swamp Rat.~

~"Didn't sound t' convincing t' me."~

~Just shut up.~ Ah could sense him shruggin' at meh from inside mah head as Ah stormed up the stairs.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Ah turned ta see that Ah'd nearly knocked over Amara on her way out.

"Sorry, Ah didn't see ya."

"You haven't seen much of anythin' for a week now. Why don't you just call him and confess your undying love already?" Ah couldn't stand her smart mouth right then an' felt like whalin' at her if it hadn't been for Bobby grabbin' her wrist an' pullin' her out the door while noddin' at meh apologetically. ~Stupid li'l twitty girl. Why Ah oughtta…~

~"I do not think that is a good idea, Rogue."~

~Grr…who asked ya, Russian?~ Ah kept stormin' down the hall until Ah reached the room that Remy used ta have. Ah curiously peered in ta see Piotr packin' stuff inta a box.

"Goin' somewhere Petey?" He turned 'round an' looked at meh surprised.

"No, I am not going anywhere."

"Well, that's good, 'cause Ah don't think Ah'd be able ta deal with Kitty's moaning." Ah gave him a small grin as he carefully folded up another t-shirt an' put it inta the box. Ah instantly recognized it as one of Remy's--a black tee with flamin' aces on it. "That's Remy's stuff isn't it?" He simply placed the t-shirt inta the box as answer.

"The professor asked that we send his belongings on to him in New Orleans." Ah nodded as Ah watched him fold another article of clothin' an' place it in with the others.

"Um…do ya think Ah could finish up for ya?" He glanced up at meh an' his face was filled with concern. "Ah ain't gonna blow it up or anythin'. Ah…Ah just want ta be able ta tell mahself that it's real." He nodded in understandin' an' as he passed meh ta leave he put his hand on mah shoulder. He paused a second before talkin' ta meh though an' still seemed unsure of what ta say.

"I…I will keep John out of your way."

"Thanks, Ah appreciate that." He left the room leavin' meh alone with Remy's belongin's. ~Well, this is it. Ah let the real thin' go so now Ah might as well let his stuff go as well.~

~"Chére, y' don't have t' do dis…"~

~Yes, Ah do.~ Ah slowly finished packin' the rest of his clothes inta the box an' turned ta the top of his dresser that was littered with spare decks of cards, a couple cds, homework assignments an' a single picture. Ah picked up the picture in its frame an' stared at it longingly. It was a picture of Remy holdin' meh 'round the waist as he leaned over mah shoulder gently kissin' meh on the cheek. Ah was clearly blushin' a bright scarlet red. ~Ah can't keep tellin' mahself that Ah don't miss him. He was the only person who ever took a chance on meh an' mah powers. But do Ah really love him or just the fact that he can touch meh when nobody else can?~ Ah placed the picture on the top of the clothes as Ah turned back ta his dresser ta dump in the multiple decks of cards. Ah then sifted through all the papers dumpin' out all the homework that he'd never be back ta finish. As Ah sorted Ah came across a sheet that simply had a bunch of scrawled handwritin' on it as if he was tryin' ta decide what ta write. Most of it was crossed out except for the last part.

%Rogue is with me. Don't worry about her because I'm taking good care of her. When she comes back, please don't blame her for ever leaving.

Believe me when I say, I love Rogue and won't hurt her. When she comes back, don't blame her for what happened. She had nothing to do with this choice of mine. (A/N: Hopefully the last two paragraphs are striked out. If they're not, pretend they are.)

I've taken Rogue with me. Don't try and follow and please don't blame her. She had nothing to do with anything and this was all my decision. I promise I won't hurt her so please don't worry about her.%

~Ah guess that was the kidnappin' note they found. Silly, silly, boy.~

~"Just didn't want y' t' get in trouble."~

~Ya shoulda been worryin' more 'bout yaself.~ Ah trashed this sheet of paper with the others as Ah kept siftin' through his stuff. Ah found his sketchbook an' curiosity got the best of meh as Ah flipped through lookin' at the pictures inside. One was for the water color that seemed like it had been assigned ages ago. On the next page was a sketch of meh from a side profile as Ah was bent over somethin' in deep concentration--probably somethin' he did in art class while Ah was sittin' next ta him. Ah came across a stack of cds an' started ta pack those away as well as Ah came across the one Ah'd given him for Christmas. The booklet Ah'd made was beginnin' ta tear at the creases from bein' looked at so much an' made me want ta cry. Ah blinked back the tears though as Ah tossed it in with the others. ~He actually liked it.~

~"Of course, I did. Y' did give it t' me."~

~Could ya possibly shut up an' just leave meh ta mah misery?~

~"Non, y' much more beautiful when y' blush like in dat picture."~

~Keep it up an' Ah'll smash the picture an' he'll never get it.~

~"Y' wouldn't!"~ Ah grinned as Ah pulled the picture back out threateningly. ~"Chére, don't!"~

~Ya such a baby sometimes.~ Ah felt him heave a sigh of relief as Ah put the picture back inta the box. Ah pulled out some tape ta close it up but then thought twice about it. Ah went over ta Piotr's desk an' pulled out a notepad an' a pen an' collapsed on what had been Remy's bed ta start writin'.

%Friday, April 2, 2004

Dear Remy,%

~Now what do Ah tell him?~

~"Dat y' love him and want him t' come back so y' can cover him in kisses and…"~

~Finish that thought an' ya as good as dead.~ Ah picked the pen back up an' put it ta the paper.

%The professor asked that we pack up your stuff and send it all back to you. Hope I remembered it all. Didn't think you'd honestly want your homework so I threw it all away.

Well, things haven't changed all that much around here. It's been pretty average lately, you know how it goes, the new students cause a bunch of chaos, Logan gets pissed, and blames the closest X-Man giving them tons of extra training or some other kind of punishment.

Well, one thing has changed. Kurt's back from Muir Island and he's doing great. He'll even be able to catch up and graduate with me this year. I never realized how much I loved that fuzzy guy until he was gone for so long. I guess you never realize how much a person means to you until they're gone.

Right now Kitty's got herself a new hobby--hooking up Betsy and Sam even though Betsy's still in England. God, I miss her. She kept me sane with little Miss Matchmaker in the room. Kitty's got this chat room she's set up where she's determined to get the two of them in at the same time. If you ask me it's a waste of time since Betsy's probably really busy with S.T.R.I.K.E. and all. But you obviously know that Kitty doesn't give up so easily.

Let's see what else is going on? Well, Bobby is now officially dating Amara. Bet you could care less about that though. Oh, yeah, that Sarah girl that we found in the sewers! She's such a cutie and is starting school tomorrow with Jamie. Promised to give them a ride tomorrow and knowing them I'll end up doing it for the rest of the year as well. You got to love them though, they're both so innocent but they're also manipulative in their ways.

The other day, Ray and Roberto decided to do some of their own programming in the mansion. Mr. McCoy was really stressed out for at least two days as he tried to figure out how to break their firewalls and coding just to readjust the lighting. Like I said, not much has changed.

Ororo's already spending nearly every waking moment in her garden planting and weeding. I don't know how the woman keeps it up all spring and summer long. I'd go insane after fifteen minutes let alone hours. But then, I think it's her way of getting her mind off of Evan and the fact that Apocalypse is still out there as a major threat to us.

Logan's been away for a while now. Doing some kind of work in Mexico with that energy sphere that Apocalypse created around that Mayan temple. Don't worry though, I made him promise not to take a side trip to New Orleans before he left though.

How's New Orleans? Bet you're just having a great time now that no one's telling you that you can't steal anymore. I highly doubt that your wife would try and tell you no, considering she's an assassin and all. Must be great having all that freedom…maybe I should have stayed down there, because this place is going to drive me up the wall soon. All the training and more training. Yech…Jean and Scott still have sticks shoved up their asses and make us get up every morning before school to train. It's nearly impossible to get a shower with all the people around let alone have a decent hair day. Some days I'd love to just string Jean up by her perfect red hair and leave her hanging all day while I go to school and suffer my own miseries there. Can't wait to graduate! Don't know what I'll do after that, but I still can't wait.%

~Now how do Ah sign it? Can't write 'Love' 'cause then Ah'll seem desperate. 'Sincerely' is ta formal. Ah'll just sign mah name.~

~"I t'ink 'Love' is just fine. Maybe y' prefer 'hugs and kisses'?"~

%Rogue% Ah set the pen aside as Ah placed the letter on top of his stuff an' taped the box shut.

Ah picked it up an' carried it downstairs an' walked 'round lookin' for the professor, Beast, or Ororo. Ah poked mah head in the dinin' room only ta find Kurt in there eatin'. "Guess ya haven't lost ya appetite any."

"Nope. Ja vant some?" He held up a chocolate chip cookie tawards meh. Ah set the box down on a counter an' sat down across the table from him.

"Well, tell meh this first. Who made 'em?"

"I zink Storm did."

"Alright, so long as Kitty didn't make 'em." He grinned as Ah took the cookie from him an' bit a piece off, chewin' thoughfully.

"Vhat's in ze box?" He nodded tawards the box on the counter as Ah slowly swallowed mah bite.

"Huh? Oh that. Um…just some of Remy's stuff. Professor said we should send it to him, so that's what Ah'm doin'." He gave meh a look of concern as he continued ta eye the box.

"Ja okay vith that?" Ah rolled mah eyes. ~Everyone is constantly worried 'bout whether Ah'm alright or not. Ya'd think they'd have somethin' better ta worry 'bout.~

"Just peachy. Well, Ah guess Ah should find one of the adults an' pass it off." Ah got up an' picked up the box an' started for the front hall. When Ah got in there Ah found Mister McCoy still workin' at one of the wall computer consoles. "Still hard at work, Ah see."

"Yes, it seems that Ray and Roberto have done an extremely good job. Unfortunately they'll be grounded as long as I'm still working on cleaning this up." The lights flickered slightly as he punched in a code but remained on. He sighed as he looked at the box Ah was holdin'. "Something you want to talk about?"

"Well, Ah finished packin' up Remy's stuff."

"I thought Piotr was doing that?"

"He was, until Ah asked him if Ah could do it." He nodded as he took the box.

"I'll see that it's sent to him." Ah nodded as Ah headed up the stairs back ta mah own room that Ah now shared with Kitty alone.

GAMBIT

I was lying on mon bed twirling a playing card t'rough mon fingers in boredom as I stared up at de ceiling when Tante Mattie came in. "Package came f' y' t'day, Remy." I looked up at her as she placed a box down on de end of de bed.

"Y' didn't have t'." I flashed her a winning smile as she turned t' look at me.

"I didn't get it f' y'. Came from an Xavier's Institute f' Gifted Youngsters. Friends of y's from New York?"

"Oui." My mind quickly returned t' Marie as I looked at de box. Mon heart pounded a li'l harder den usual and I t'ought f' sure dat Tante Mattie would hear it.

"Somethin' y' ain't tellin' me, boy? Maybe a girl dat y' wouldn't want Bella t' know about?" She hit de nail on de head but I kept smiling.

"Non, not'ing of de sort. Remy was a good boy while he was gone." She placed a caring hand on mon shoulder.

"If y' ever want t' tell me, I'll be waiting." I felt horrible f' lying t' de femme, considering she was de closest t'ing I'd ever had t' a mot'er. After she left I let out huge sigh as I opened de box. Inside were all mon clot'es and personal t'ings from de institute. Tucked int' de corner of de frame holding de picture of Marie and I was a note. I pulled it out wit' de picture and read it, and read it again and again. I could almost hear her voice as I read t'rough it making me homesick f' de institute. ~I'm sorry, Chére, I really am. I never wanted t' leave y'.~ Mon t'oughts kept twisting around her as I slowly pulled de t'ings out and put dem away in mon room dat had looked bare 'til now. De letter and picture I placed under mon pillow out of plain sight so dat no one would know dat I had cheated on Bella. ~Not much of a marriage if y' ask me. Don't live t'get'er and barely ever see each ot'er.~ I shook mon head as I went t' a desk and pulled out some paper and a pen. I propped mon feet up on de desk I never used and let mon t'oughts drift t' what I would tell Rogue in a letter.

%Saturday, April 10, 2004

Dearest Marie,

Didn't know you cared that much, Chére, telling Wolvie to not bother this Cajun. Would you still have a soft spot for this poor Cajun? Kitty sounds like she's on a righteous mission putting Betsy and Sam together. Tell Stormy that her gardens always look lovely and that she doesn't need to spend so much time out there. It's about time that Ice Pick and Hot Stuff got together. Hope that petite Sarah likes school and that Jamie is going to be a regular heartbreaker some day. Trust me, I know all about heartbreakers, being une myself. Tell the good doc to relax after he gets those computers straightened out. It seems like he does nothing but stress over one thing or another. I'm sorry to hear that the X-Men still haven't found a way to defeat Apocalypse. I believe in you though, where there is a will there is a way, Chére.

Must thank you for sending back the picture; I shall treasure it forever or at least until I can hold the real thing again. I already have the CD you made me playing. Only been a little over a week but I missed being able to play it. Beginning to think your new favorite artists are Avril Lavigne and Jewel. You wouldn't admit to it if they were though, would you?

I'm not nearly as free down here as you think I am. I'm forced to work for the Thieves' Guild and Tante Mattie keeps me on a pretty short leash. According to her I'm still a boy who needs watched by a careful eye. If that isn't bad enough, my spare time is spent trying to force a failed relationship with Bella Donna. I've tried telling mon father that it isn't going to work but he's completely deaf to the truth. All he thinks is that I should be thrilled to be stealing again and back in New Orleans with a beautiful wife. What he doesn't know is that I would gladly give up everything if I could only go back to Bayville for a day. Sure the stealing throws a little excitement in there, but it doesn't make it any better to be living here.

You have to believe me when I tell you that I honestly do care about you. Nothing in this world could ever make me hurt you on purpose. I hope you that you understand that I'm trying to stay away from you, but that right now I need to be here because of my family.

Love for Always and Always,

Remy

P.S. It's been one week since you looked at me, Cocked your head to the side and said I'm angry, Five days since you laughed at me saying, Get that together come back and see me—'One Week', Bare Naked Ladies

P.S.S. The King misses his Queen.%

~It's one of de next lines dat's really true t'ough. 'I realized it's all my fault, but couldn't tell you.' I just can't tell her dat right now. Don't know why, just can't. I'm blowing it, I should just go back. Screw de family and guild and just go back t' where I feel like a real person and not just some power t' be used.~ I folded de letter up and placed it in an envelope wit' de King of Hearts, sealed it and tossed it int' de mailbox. As I walked back int' de house I found Tante Mattie waiting in de doorway.

"Now y' want t' tell me a different story?" She wore one of her knowing smiles as I stood in front of her.

"Non, it's not'ing." I tried t' brush past her but she grabbed mon arm. For a femme she was strong.

"Y' keeping somthin' from me, and I don' appreciate it, boy."

"Remy told y' it's not'ing."

"Dat's no way t' talk 'bout a girl." I looked up at her but masked mon surprise wit' a grin.

"And what makes y' t'ink dat Remy's in love?"

"Y' haven't been y' same self. Only reason I can t'ink of is dat some girl finally stole y' heart away."

"Y' forgot somet'ing t'ough. Remy's a t'ief, and not 'bout t' have his heart stolen away." I turned t' leave de room before I said somet'ing t' revealing.

"She must be a real beauty f' y' t' ignore Bella." I stopped in mon tracks and spun 'round t' face her. "Guess, I hit a nerve."

"Y' don't know anyt'ing." Tante Mattie stood her ground as she crossed her arms over her chest. ~Merde, she looks just like Rogue when she does dat.~

"I know dat y've fallen f' a bella fille." She held up de picture and de letter from Rogue while giving me a warm smile.

"Y' shouldn't have been in Remy's room." I was down right pissed dat she'd found out. "Besides, dat's all over. I blew dat all t' hell and back wit' her."

"If anything can be sweeter than one's first love, it must be that love recaptured."1 I let dose words go t'rough mon mind as she silently watched me walk away from de room.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

1 That line isn't mine. It's an anonymous quote I found.

I'll also get this out of the way as well: I don't own the X-Men but that's cool so long as I can write about them.

Well, what do you guys think? I'm planning on putting them back together so don't be too mad at me for splitting them up at the end of the last story. Well, Rogue's admitted to herself that she loves Remy in the last story, but she's yet to tell him that. Well, that's one thing I hope to put in this story. Kinda sad, Remy keeps telling Rogue how much he loves her and yet she can't do the same.