Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own them. I'll let you know when I do!

A/N: Alright, so I kept my promise and impart upon you another update! But you know the drill, responses first. By the way, I'm showering ALL my reviewers with gold stars! Wow, we've beaten 200, and it's only been 5 chapters! I feel so… powerful! Like frozen fire said, I've pretty much got an army following my fics. I hereby dub you all "ishandahalfarianites" (try saying that ten times fast!). Now go do my bidding! … No? Well, I tried.

Calliann, GWFreak315, Kaylessa, Kazzeh Sodapop, syd, ladychopsticks, Epona, Melfina Lupin, Jukebox, Rogue14, chibidrummergirl, Lucky, SadYear, Jordanz, Tokyobabe2040, frozen fire, Michelle, Rogue77, Lid'l Rogue, SassyGrl024, Katrina5, Turquoise, Lightspeed Suzuka, Rogue4787, Zen Bailong, Personage, Midnight Selene, RoguesHeart, & De-Femme-O-Da-Night – You all get medals for continuing to feed my delusional ramblings and insanity. Thanks!

mAd RoGuE – You give the nicest compliments ever! I think you should be a motivational speaker. Yay for you! ;-)

Green Eyed Lilys Daughter – I don't live very far north, I'm quasi-near Toronto, which is fairly south. Not that it matters, because everywhere is damn cold! shakes fist at the psycho who invented winter By the way, you're the zillionth (or maybe third) person to comment about Rogue examining her nails! Wow, I never realized it was so great. Yay for me!

Eileen Blazer – Honestly woman, you've gotta get on the trolley! You're slow, tra la la… points and laughs at you Hmm, will taunting help? I'm glad you're addicted - now you know how I feel! Imagine if I didn't update for months, how would you take it? I bet you'd be all twitchy, just like I am when I check to see if you update! Sorry, I just had to vent a bit. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours… just replace the word 'scratch' with 'update', and 'back' with 'fic', and I think we've got a good deal, don't we? Pretty please?! ;-)

edanielrya – Thanks for reviewing! Looks like my shameless plug worked – excellent… steeples hands in Mr. Burns-esque fashion Woah, 3yr-olds on candy? Scary. One day we'll race them vs. my crack bunnies, and we'll see who's faster once and for all! Name the time and place, and I'll be there!

The Rogue Cajun – Reviewer #200! I love you! hugs

Panther Nesmith – I hate Rogue as an idiot too. She strong, and that's how I'll write her, dammit! And yes, big words are fun – for example, antidisestablishmentarianism! Now I need to go look that up. And wow, you have no idea how badly I wanna stick Rogue and Remy in that hotel room! Oh wait, I will! grins evilly They just won't be doing exactly what we want them too… once again, blame the plot! shakes fist threateningly at it

Cloud of Blood – Wow, I'm so glad that we could all bond over hatred for Pierre. I wanted to slap him too, that's what I was going for. But hey, have you ever thought of the fact that he's just misunderstood?! What did he ever do to you?

heartsyhawk – I feel your pain about lacking internet, I went for a month without it one summer - it nearly killed me. Wow, literary masterpiece? squeal! You're my new hero. And don't worry, I will never forget about this fic! It bothers me when authors just abandon them. And hey, I'm glad to respond to your reviews! I'm thankful for you taking the time to write me some. Besides, you're quirky, and I like it!

vespie – Hey! You're sarcastic, odd, and can notice obscure 'Simpsons' quotations! I've found a kindred spirit. And to answer your question, it said in Chap. 1 that Remy was 13 at the time, and it mentions Rogue's age in this chapter. Pay attention! ;-)

Star-of-Chaos – Yes, Rogue indeed does have balls. Well, metaphorically, that is - at least, I hope so. And good question about Pierre, but no, there's no deeper plot behind him. He's just a jackass, plain and simple – but there'll be a villain appearing in a few chapters. And yes you do have to work on your stuff! I'm obsessing over your fic, I need more!

SSJ Tokya – Oh yeah, you showed those Mexican boys! Old school. I'm proud. ;-)

tone – I've watched those soaps, they don't do much for me… I'm stuck on Passions and happy, so don't try to change me!

Aro – Blew your whistle? Haven't heard that before, but I like it! Are you regretting your stupid review now? Not that it was particularly stupid or anything, cuz it wasn't… I should just shut up now. I'm tired too, damn getting up early! Grr.

Goldylokz – No control over her powers? I'm not gonna say anything, except that I love angst as much as the next person. Although that might not mean what you want it to mean… alright, my cryptic comments are confusing me, so I'll just stop.

btch – I've converted you to my French subtitles? YES! I'll try to be nice, and refrain from saying 'I told you so'. ;-)

The anonymous person that either got their name lost by the site or purposely left no name, which is mysterious – I can't decide between Turner and Sparrow, so I'll take them both! Thanks for pointing out my typo with 'untouchable', that was embarrassing. I must've been on the crack, my bad. Nice comment about women's suffrage, that was random! Randomness is fun. Speaking of, I've got a dog named segue! Well, not really, but one day. It'd be a great conversation starter.

bacon the pig - You have no idea how much I cracked up about 'squishy ishy'. Kinda makes me sound like a squid or an octopus or something, but I like it! Extra gold star for you. ;-)

dragonfire99 – The title is your birthday? Weird. Well, happy pre-birthday! And your tale about your mother thinking you're reading gay stuff was priceless. That's why I get all shifty when other people are around and trying to read over my shoulder.

We must move forwards, not backwards! Upwards, not forwards! And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom! Or in this case, towards the chapter and another random 'Simpsons' reference. Ahoy hoy!


February Fifteenth

Chapter Six – Contemplations

Walking down the dark city streets, with her black clothing allowing her to blend into the shadows, Rogue ground her teeth in aggravation. 'Who'd that asshole think he was?' she seethed, still fuming about Pierre. 'Ah could kick his ass in twenty different ways.' She had desperately wanted to, but realized that probably wouldn't have made a very good impression with the Guild; she was glad she had managed to exercise some willpower.

Speaking of willpower, she would definitely need more of it - especially with Remy now in the picture. She had known that there was a chance she would meet the red-eyed Cajun when she came back to New Orleans; after all, it was the place they had met six years ago. She just hadn't known that he would be in the meeting room when she barged in! And she certainly hadn't known that it was his wedding she was… well, she wasn't sure if she was helping it go on, or helping to stop it – it seemed that depended on whom you talked to about it.

Rogue growled in frustration as she reached her hotel and walked inside, and vented some of her anger as she slammed the innocent and undeserving elevator button. Why was she so hung up on him? Why couldn't she stop thinking about him? Why, why, why? It wasn't like her. 'Yah do not get all giggly and starry-eyed over guys!' she scolded herself. 'Except fo' this one,' a little voice in the back of her mind interjected.

As much as she tried to deny it, it was the truth. There was something about that boy, something that made Rogue unable to stop thinking about him. 'Well, he might've been a boy when we first met,' she mused while opening the door to her room. 'But looks lahke he's all man now.'

She remembered their first meeting like it was yesterday; it was one of her fondest memories, of which she had precious few. She has been on a routine training exercise for Mystique, so she could evaluate the skills of her young pupil. Rogue may have only been twelve years old, but she was more than capable. Getting in the museum was no problem, nor was avoiding the incompetent guards. She was about to go for her goal, when another thief attacked her. 'Ah held my own, though. Well, until…'

Until she had looked up into his eyes. If you could even call them that; they were like nothing she'd witnessed before. The only comparison Rogue was able to make was to a pair of sparkling rubies, set in the most handsome face she'd ever seen. She was unable to look away from them, and kept staring until a passing guard shook her back to her senses. She regretfully took off, leaving those beautiful eyes behind.

"Ah still can't believe Ah just stared at him lahke that!" Rogue finally burst out, burying her face in her hands. "Gawd, how humiliatin'!" Those were the same thoughts she had for the previous six years. It was mortifying that she had just ogled the guy while she was on a mission; but then again, he had stared back as well. She even thought that he was going to kiss her. 'Ah think Ah wish he had,' she sighed. 'Or maybe Ah should've instead.'

Rogue began pacing the room, and tried to process all the thoughts about Remy that were flooding her head. Yes, she was embarrassed after the fact, but not because of her staring at him. In fact, she would have loved to stare into those eyes all day, as she very nearly did back in the meeting room. Was she embarrassed about failing her job? Mystique gave her hell when she returned without the jewels, but Rogue could care less. Although she was punished with more rigorous training, she just entertained herself by thinking about the sexy thief she had run into. Alright, so that wasn't it; she didn't care about failing Mystique. That part of her life was in the past now anyway.

'Maybe it's th' fact that ya feel somethin' fo' him?' asked Rogue's inner voice, which made her come to an abrupt stop. "No!" she firmly said out loud. That was impossible. She'd met the man twice, and had spoken a grand total of seven words to him. It was ridiculous!

'But ya couldn't stop thinkin' 'bout him. Ya even dream 'bout him.' Pursing her lips as she contemplated that fact, she had to concede to it. Ever since that night in the museum, she had thought about those unique eyes; she'd had dreams about them too. In fact, she had one just last night, after her decision to return to New Orleans.

"Alraght, fahne! So maybe Ah've got a little crush. There's no problem with that! Ah'm not here because o' him!" she told herself. 'But then why are ya here?'

Rogue frowned. That one was easy - she was here to repay a debt to the Thieves Guild. It had absolutely nothing to do with a sexy Cajun that happened to be a part of said Guild. In no way, shape or form. Nothing at all.

'Riiight. There's no problem then! After all, ya crush just happens t' be gettin' married t' someone else… An' Ah'm here to potentially break up that weddin'… Which would gave ya a chance with Remy… An' which would also stop any chance o' peace b'tween th' Guilds… Unless they're tryin' to kill Remy in th' first place… Which would then give meh a chance with him…'

"Arrgghh!! What am Ah thinkin'?!" Rogue yelled out and let herself fall backwards onto the soft bed in exasperation. "Yah just have to make things complicated, don'tcha?" She was supposed to help the Guild marry off the Prince of Thieves to ensure peace, and he just happened to be somebody she had feelings for; she was sure that there was some sort of irony present in all of this. Those burning eyes just wouldn't leave her imagination, and if Rogue was honest with herself, she knew just what she wanted to do, but…

This was insane. Not only was she arguing with herself, but she was getting ahead of herself as well. She was here to help, not to date! The important thing was the task she had accepted; she would decide what exactly to do after the whole wedding fiasco was sorted out. 'B'sides, he's prob'ly just another egotistical Cajun asshole like tha rest of 'em,' she tried to convince herself, yet failed miserably. 'He won't be interested in a river rat with a messed-up past… an' Ah'm sure as hell not interested in comin' b'tween two fuedin' Guilds!'

So it was settled then. Changing into her pyjamas and slipping under the covers, she decided, 'Ah'll just do th' job Ah'm here fo' an stay away from Remy... fo' now, at least.'

Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. Clearly her subconscious mind would be no help, since Rogue dreamt about Remy once again that night. She had been back in the museum, reaching for the jewels she was ordered to steal. Stopping to stare at two rubies, she marvelled as everything else faded; they began to turn into Remy's eyes, as the rest of him materialized out of the darkness. Stepping towards him and lifting her head to meet his face, she was about to move her lips to meet his and…

A knock at the door suddenly roused Rogue from her sleep. Groaning, she shook her head free of all thoughts regarding Remy and kissing. 'Bad brain! What are ya' tryin' to do t' me?' she chided herself, while trying to get untangled from the bed sheets.

Making her way across the room, she was now in a bad mood. As if waking her up wasn't a heinous enough crime in and of itself, the knocking had conveniently occurred right before she had the chance to sample some sweet Cajun lips! No, that wasn't the way to think; she was supposed to be avoiding him! 'Well, from this moment on, Ah will be,' she firmly decreed, moving towards the door. Cautiously opening it, Rogue was surprised to see who was standing there. 'Figures…'

"Bon matin, chère (Good morning, dear)," said Remy, as he casually leaned against the doorframe. "Remy didn't wake y', did he?"


Mmm, sweet Cajun lips… I had to pause after writing that and wipe away the drool… Oh, I mean, there you have it! That, my friends, is the rather twisted mind of Rogue. Not that I should talk, mind you.

Next chapter – Rogue and Remy alone in a hotel room! No, sadly not in the way that you're all thinking. Get your minds out of the gutter! cough Panther Nesmith cough cough

So! I've been uber productive this weekend, and already have the next chapter mostly written out - expect that in two or three days. And as always, reviews will inspire me. So keep it coming! More, more I say! There's never enough! Um, yeah. Thanks!

Kisses,

ish