FYI:

~Personal Thoughts~

~"Inner Voices"~

ESP

%The Written Word%

[Flashback]

"Normal Conversation (Duh)"

* Com Link or Telephone *

*Sound Effects (usually just Kurt's bamfing)

{Background noise--music, crowds, etc.}

ROGUE

"So now what?"

"I don' know, Cherie. Bella, she ain't ever done somet'in' like dis b'fore."

"Well, there's a first time for everythin'. Remy didn't even bother ta slow down as he turned sharply inta a narrow alleyway that barely left room for the bike. "Well, where would ya take someone if ya kidnapped 'em?"

"Took y' t' a jazz club, but I doubt dat's what Bella has in mind."

"Yeah, Ah don't think she's trying ta romance Cody." He chuckled as he took yet another sharp turn at top speed. "Ya mind, Ah just might fall off."

"Den hold on tighter." Ah squeezed him as hard as Ah could. Ah could barely make out what he said next. "Okay, maybe not dat tight. I can' breat'."

"Oh, ya can still breath?" Ah squeezed him even harder as we took the next turn.

"Can't breat'." He emphasized the 't' dramatically while gasping for breath. I loosened my grip as I continued ta think.

"Wait a minute, ya then took meh ta the Boudreaux mansion ta rescue ya father."

"Oui, dat I did. But I don' t'ink Bella's stupid enough t' take him dere."

"No, but someone there might know where ta find Cody or at least Bella."

"Well den, we're off t' de Blood Moon Bayou." He gunned the engine again as he whipped outta the alleyways an' onta a lonely country road goin' outta the city.

We stopped a half a mile away from the mansion an' continued the rest of the way on foot. After our easy access ta the mansion mere months b'fore, it was pretty obvious that they would have made some minor improvements ta security by now.

As the mansion came into view Ah pulled lightly on his arm bringing him ta a stop. "What is it, Chére?"

"Ah can get us in." Ah kept mah hand on his arm an' teleported us onta the roof. Several guards turned ta look at us an' Remy charged several cards knockin' 'em all out. He pointed down an' Ah phased us down through. We landed in a hallway an' Ah glanced 'round tryin' ta get mah bearin's usin' the information Ah'd absorbed b'fore. "This way." He followed meh down the hall as Ah came up ta the room that at least had been Marius Boudreaux'.

Ah motioned for him ta wait as Ah phased through the door an' inta the dark room. Ah crept up ta the person fast asleep in the bed an' slowly removed mah glove. As Ah was 'bout ta absorb 'em, they woke up an' quickly grabbed mah arm an' yanked it b'hind meh. Ah grunted as a voice hoarse with sleep spoke inta mah ear.

"And which of de t'ieves would dis be?" He was face was next ta mine an' Ah took the opportunity to simply turn mah head an' cause our cheeks ta touch. He dropped his grip on meh an' fell unconscious ta the floor as Ah ran back through the door.

"Well?"

"He didn't know." Ah sighed in defeat as Ah sorted through his memories again ta make sure. "He didn't have a clue, still doesn't."

"Den we jus' try Julien." I wasn't exactly thrilled 'bout having ta keep absorbing people 'til I found the information I needed but there wasn't much other choice. ~It's mah fault Cody's in this mess ta begin with. Ah should at least get him out in one piece.~ A set mah jaw determinedly as Ah kept movin' tawards Julien's room.

He remained asleep an' Ah easily absorbed the information Ah needed from him. Ah pulled back once Ah 'd gotten visions of a warehouse and Cody and Bella inside it. Ah quickly phased back through the door an' teleported Remy an' Ah back ta the bike. "I'm guessin' y' know where dey are?"

"Uh huh. Warehouse district." He nodded as he got back on the bike an' waited for meh ta get on b'hind him.

GAMBIT

I slowed down as we drove t'rough de warehouse district so dat she could recognize de warehouse. "It's that one." I stopped de bike and looked up at de warehouse she'd indicated. It looked like yo' average warehouse--gray, metal, huge, and de perfect villain hangout.

"Y' gonna be okay, Chére?" She looked nervous as she rolled up her sleeves.

"Ah'm gonna have ta be. Ah got him inta this mess, Ah'm gettin' him out." She took of the gloves and tucked dem int' her belt as she stalked f'ward.

"Dis mean dat de gloves are off?" I smirked as I followed her inside.

"Ah guess ya could say that. Gotta light?"

"Dis ain't exactly de time f' a smoke." She glared back at me but I tossed her a lighter. She flicked it open and wit' Pyro's ability formed a ball of fire which she held in her hand t' light de way. De fire flickered in her now black and red eyes. ~She's lookin' f' a fight.~ She walked expertly down de corridors in de warehouse as she led de bot' of us t'wards where Cody was bein' kept.

She paused in front of a door and slowly pushed it open. From what I could see dere was a teenage boy sittin' in a chair bound and gagged. "Julien, I told y'…" De fire in Rogue's hand grew as she tossed it across de room at Bella. I ran over t' de boy and started breakin' de ropes dat held him.

"Don' worry, homme. We gonna get y' outta here." De boy looked scared t' deat' as he looked at me. I ripped de gag outta his mout' which ended up bein' a mistake.

"Please, don't hurt me."

"I'm not, jus' be quiet."

"She's going to kill us all."

"She ain't gonna kill non one." I blasted the last of the ropes and yanked dem off o' him. "Now get goin'." He didn' need told twice as he ran outta de room leavin' jus' de t'ree of us.

ROGUE

"Ah honestly didn't think people could get this screwed up." Bella dodged away from the fireball but Ah expected that. It was only done ta announce our arrival.

"Look who's talking mutant. 'S bad enough y' can' keep someone 'cause of yo' powers but t' go and steal from ot'ers…" She pulled out a pair of daggers an' twirled 'em expertly as she faced me.

"Ah didn't steal Remy. Ah wouldn't do that ta anyone. It's not worth it."

"So now he's not good enough f' y'? Who's next on yo' list, Marie?" Ah narrowed mah eyes at her as Ah formed a staff from Betsy's psychic energy.

"Ya don't need ta do this. Just let Cody go."

"No, y' all gonna die. I don' really care who goes first." I used the staff ta hit her hands an' knock the daggers aside impatiently. "Fine den. We'll do dis anot'er way." She pulled out a revolver an' aimed it directly at mah chest. Then everything went into slow motion as all mah borrowed powers kicked in at once ta protect meh. Ah could see on mah bared arms metal plating and the slow mo was caused by Quicksilver's powers. I put my hands out in front of me as the gun went off twice.

The first bullet whined through my hand but no blood was drawn and it hit me. ~Kitty, she's phasing me.~ I slowly turned to watch the second bullet whine past continuing in a straight path. "Noooooooooooooo! Remy." He couldn't hear me nor could he react everything was happening too fast. I watched helplessly as the first bullet struck him below his left shoulder causing him to look down at the reddening hole in surprise.

The world came crashing back at regular speed as the second one struck a li'l lower. "Remy…" He stumbled back and tripped over the chair, which had held Cody moments before sending him crashing down to the ground. I turned back to look at Bella who was in shock at having shot her own ex-husband. "Ya shot him…"

"No, you tricked me." She held the gun up again ta try an' shoot meh again but I moved quickly 'round her an' flicked the gun ta the side. Her eyes were wide with fear as Ah reached out an' drained her with a touch. She dropped down as Ah scrambled ta put mah gloves back on an' turned ta Remy again.

"Dear God, please no." I knelt down by him an' held a gloved finger ta his throat searchin' for a pulse. It came in faintly an' slowly through the fabric of the gloves as the tears slowly fell. "Remy, can ya hear meh, Sugah?"

"J'taime, Cherie. I'll wait f' y'."

"No, ya ain't leavin' so stop talkin' like that." I placed a gloved hand on his cheek but there was no warmth there anymore. "Ya can't leave meh. Not now."

He weakly reached up an' took mah hand in his. "J'taime, Cherie."

"Ah know, Ah love ya ta, Sugah. That's why ya gotta stick with meh. Ya have ta stick around for meh." Mah mouth went dry in fear as Ah slowly licked mah lips. "Please, Remy, stick with meh. Ya can't leave meh now." Ah squeezed his hand tightly tryin' ta decide what ta do. "Ah'm gonna get ya help. Ya gonna be okay. Just stick with meh now."

Ah continued ta pull on mah borrowed powers as Ah picked him up an' ran the entire way ta a hospital.

Ah stared at the blank room that had become Remy's in the hospital. They'd removed the bullets but the doctors hadn't said anything very reassuring about his condition. Jean-Luc, Tante Mattie, Henri, an' Mercy were all in the waitin' room givin' meh some time alone. "Remy, if ya can hear meh, ya need ta wake up. Ya whole family's here an' they're waitin' for ya ta wake up."

I sighed realizin' it was hopeless talkin' ta his comatose form like that. ~Nothin's gonna wake him up.~ Ah laid mah head down on his chest an' let the tears fall freely as Ah cried mahself ta sleep.

Ah opened mah eyes ta find mahself in a dark graveyard. Ah quickly jumped ta mah feet an' stood defensively waitin' for someone ta show themselves an' explain how Ah got here. "Creepy place, luv."

"Betsy? What are ya doin' here?"

"I've been here for a good while now, luv."

"This…this is mah mind?" She nodded slowly as she advanced up a dim walk tawards meh. "Why am Ah invisionin' a graveyard."

"Because you killed him."

"No, Remy he's still hangin' in there. Ah think so…" Betsy took meh by the arm an' pointed tawards a gravestone. "No…"

%De Ragin' Cajun

Remy LeBeau%

"He can't be dead."

"You killed him in your mind though. You just pushed and pushed luv 'til…" Ah fell ta mah knees starin' at the tombstone.

"No, he's not really dead is he?"

"Not really, you've just pushed him away and shut him off."

"Then bring him back." Ah stood up again an' grabbed Betsy by the shoulders.

"I can't do that. But I might be able to help you talk to the real Remy. Then you might be able to unbury this one." I nodded eagerly. "Alright luv, no guarantees." She placed her hands on either side of my head an' closed her eyes in concentration.

Ah did the same an' when Ah reopened 'em Ah found mahself in a different place. ~This is what heaven should look like.~ It was if someone had dropped meh onta a cloud. "Remy!"

"Oui, Chére." Ah blinked a few times as Ah took in his appearance. It was almost saint like with a pure white trench coat but somehow the image was destroyed by his beautiful demon eyes.

"Is that really you?"

"I t'ink so." He strode up ta meh an' wrapped his arms 'round meh. Ah closed mah eyes an' when Ah reopened 'em Ah was still there. ~Thank ya Bets.~

"Compared ta mah head, this is heaven."

"Funny y' should mention dat."

"Ya can't leave meh, Sugah."

"Dey ain't exactly handin' out free passes t' heaven, Cherie. I died a hero, dat ain't gonna happen again f' a t'ief like me."

"But what about me? What about us?"

He tilted mah chin up an' smiled wearily at meh. "Y' always been capable of takin' care o' yo'self."

"Ah can't do it without ya, Remy." Ah threw mah arms around his neck an' leaned against his shoulder cryin'. "Please, don't leave meh now. Ah just got ya back Ah couldn't bare ta lose ya again." When Ah pulled back Ah could see the pain in his eyes as he looked down at meh.

"Doesn't this mean anythin' ta ya?" Ah pulled the ring off mah finger that he'd given meh an' pushed it inta his hands.

"Oui, dat's why I gave it t' y'."

"Then remember why ya gave it ta meh." I threw mah arms 'round his neck again an' kissed him passionately. He hesitantly kissed meh back then wrapped his arms 'round mah waist.

"J'taime, Chére. Y' gonna be better off wit'out dis t'ief."

"No, never. Ah can't live without ya. Ah can't just let ya go like this." He pressed the ring back inta mah hand with a weak smile. "I love ya, Sugah. I love ya too much, Remy."

I felt a rude pull as I attempted ta hold him again an' when mah eyes snapped open Ah was facin' two soldiers. "Let meh go, ya brutes."

"Sorry, Major's orders. No one is to be visiting the prisoner."

"Prisoner?" Ah looked at Remy's comatose form an' felt like screamin'. "What's he charged with?"

"Murder. Now we're asking you to leave."

"No, he'd never. He's not like that…" One of the soldiers took meh by the shoulder an' bodily led meh out inta the hospital hall. "Who's orders are these?"

"Major Danvers. Now if you will." He slammed the door shut in my face as I tried to sort out what had just happened. I squeezed my hands into fists an' felt the sharp edges of the ring cut through mah glove. Ah opened mah hand an' stared at the ring layin' there. ~Please, wake up. Don't give up on meh.~

MS. MARVEL

* Look, I need a transport for a highly dangerous mutant. *

* I'm sorry Major Danvers. None can be arranged right now. *

* Hell with that. Who's pulling strings on that end? *

* I'm sorry you don't have proper clearance for that information. *

* So you don't know who it is either. * I angrily hung up the phone and tossed it back onto the dresser of the hotel room. ~Stupid idiots in Washington. Tell me to pick up this guy then S.H.I.E.L.D won't send proper back up. Well, it's not like I won't be able to handle him.~

I was brought out of my thoughts by a knocking at the door. I strode over to it and opened it angrily. "Look, I didn't order room service." A young teenage girl with striking brown curls with white streaks stood in the doorway with demonic red on black eyes. "I think you have the wrong room, Miss."

"Is that so, Major Danvers?"

"What do you want?" She pushed the door open with surprising strength and forced her way in.

"Ah want ta know why ya arresting mah fiancé, Remy LeBeau."

"He's being charged with grand theft."

"So they send in the government? Why did one of the soldiers tell meh murder?"

"He's also being charged with the murder of an agent." I crossed my arms over my chest waiting for this girl to leave. ~Honestly some people.~

"He's not a murderer. Drop the charges."

"I'm sorry to tell you different. We found this near the body." I picked up a king of hearts playing card and handed it to her. Her eyes glassed over as she fingered the card carefully. "That is his signature, no?"

"Yes, but he wouldn't…Ah know him. He wouldn't kill somebody."

"Unfortunately you never know someone as well as we'd like to. Now, you need to leave. I have to arrange transport for him back to base."

"Ah can't let ya take him." The card in her hand slowly began to glow a bright pink color causing me to stop. ~I thought that was LeBeau's power.~

"Who are you?"

"Ah already told ya, Ah'm his fiancé. But if ya really want ta know, Ah'm the Rogue." She smirked as she dropped the card and it exploded at my feet. It had no effect but still it disturbed me that this girl somehow had my suspect's powers. ~Did S.H.I.E.L.D screw up?~ "Ah'm a mutant, anythin' about ya, ya memories, ya personality, an' if ya a mutant, Ah get ya powers too, all with a li'l touch." She held up a bare hand towards my face as I backed away but ran out of room to move. "Ah'm sorry, Danvers, but ya should have just let him go. Ah tried asking nicely."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Aren't I mean? I take forever to post but I have a good excuse and now it's over. We've been having some rotten weather and phone service was down. Well, this is it to this story, but I have another one coming 'Self Discovery'. I've also had some serious writer's block but thanks for putting up with it all.

Hey can I say this enough? My other story is pretty good too. 'Everything's Constantly Changing' is what's going on in the mansion simultaneously to this series but through some other character's views. Pleeeaaaassseeee check it out. I'm starting to write Rogue and Remy into it some to now.

Okay the reviews:

Gothic Cajun: Ha, that's a good comparison.

Aro: I think psychics are evil so I'll just say you're a good guesser.

And to the rest: Thanks for the reviews they mean a lot. I'm sorry I'm so slow but sometimes you just get writer's block and this is my first bad case in I dunno over a month or more. So I'm doing good, at least I think so.