Disclaimer: Think maybe if I go up to Marvel and ask really nicely (and throw in a pout for good measure) they'll give me the X-Men?

A/N: You know, I really must clarify something – last chapter, I only said there was a 90 chance of Romyness. Did I specifically promise any? What if this is the other 10? waits as all the readers pick up various pointy implements and advance threateningly Nahh, just kidding. The Romyness is finally here! Well, not here here, but down there. After the responses and some angst to start us off. You'll get to it eventually!

Star-of-Chaos, Taineyah, Risty, Arain Rowan, lonewolf, Gothic- Rogue LeBeau, Cuddness, The Rogue Cajun, Rogue14, Tokyobabe2040, Le-diable-blanc, alex, Riannin, bitrona, Cloud Of Blood, Calliann, De-Femme-O-Da-Night, ladychopsticks, Katrina5, Midnight Selene, roguewannabe29, RoguesHeart, Lightspeed Suzuka, Personage, Jukebox, Peace215, Duck3, Rogue77, & SassyGrl024 – Ahh, my faithful Ishandahalfarianites. Thanks as always, you all make my day!

Speck – I'm glad you're expecting some angst, cuz that's what's gonna start us off today. I'm quite surprised at myself, mainly cuz I actually had willpower to stick to a plot and not just write page after page of fluffy, sappy, pointless Romy… damn! Stupid willpower.

Green Eyed Lilys Daughter – Johnny Depp indeed! Words cannot describe how amazingly sexy he is, which is good, since I'm letting my drool speak for me. Glad I could help with the undoing of your chemistry text – whatever I can do to impede the educatory (is that even a word? Well, my spellcheck says it is. Huh, I learn something new every day!) process is my pleasure.

roguelebeaux003 – I concur with your scoffing at men. I can't speak for everybody, but I'm fairly certain I'm a woman (and single, at that), so bashing the opposite sex is okay with me! Oh, when you actually see the characters coming out from the screen, that's when it's time to get help. ;-)

Caliente – Wow, stadium rock? I'm impressed with myself. I thought I was just garage rock, or maybe dingy bar rock. Yay for me!

Remy's Angy – You have no idea how funny your frustration was to me! Gee, maybe know you know how I felt through most of 'CommitmentPhobia', and parts of 'Somewhere I Belong' and 'A Different Way…'! So enjoy tasting your own 'almost Romy but not quite' medicine, bwa ha ha! sticks tongue out at you

heartsyhawk – Well, your brilliant flattery worked. I don't know if pleasant is the right word for all of this chapter, what with all the angst hanging overhead, but it definitely gets good with the Romyness. That's gotta count for something, right? And don't worry, no suicide. I couldn't bear to write that! Or would I? Nope. That would end in tears.

Goldylokz – Oldschool Batman reference? You're officially my hero. Not that you weren't already (what with my spiffy cameos), but now even more so.

Aro – Splendid? I like it, it sounds so classy and sophisticated! Everything we're not. ;-)

Panther Nesmith – I think you were the only one who actually didn't want Jean-Luc horribly maimed and killed. Romy boots and umbrella? Umm, okay… nice to see you're prepared. And I agree, the poor, innocent house just takes so much abuse - one day it'll just have enough, get up and leave!

XxFleurdelySxX – Are you trying to guilt-trip me with all that sad and depressing stuff? Well, maybe it worked…

vespie – You guessed my secret plan – shh! Special brownies? Ooh, I sure wouldn't mind some of those! Of course, I mean 'special' as in 'unique', nothing to do with drugs at all, no siree… looks around guiltily And props to Machiavellians indeed – when I read your review, I just got back from writing my philosophy exam, with a whole bit section on Machiavelli. Coincidence? I think not!

Krac – Black star for evil? Hey, that got me thinking – I should have a colour-coded system of stars: blue for depression, pink for cuteness, red for angst… What FUN! Thanks for the inspiration.

Krys Xanthina - gasp! Are you insinuating that my crack bunnies are evil? Uh oh, they don't like that! Run for your life, while you still can! As you know, they're pretty damn quick. Bwa ha ha!

You know, when I originally planned out this fic, this chapter didn't exist. But since you were all demanding Romyness, I was a little afraid to make you wait even more. So, like the spineless wonder I am, I caved. Hope you all appreciate this! Hell, who am I kidding, I've been wanting to write fluff since the beginning. So onward, yonder!


February Fifteenth

Chapter Eleven – Opportunities

"Maudit, fils de putain, merde, zut!" (Goddamn, son of a bitch, shit, damn!) raged Remy as he paced around his room, futilely attempting to find some method of purging his anger. Swearing was the only kind of catharsis he could come up with on such short notice that didn't require blowing up more furniture. "Baise-moi! A-t-il perdu la tête? C'est des conneries!" (Fuck me! Is he out of his mind? This is bullshit!)

This was unbelievable. A reason for ending the wedding was presented to Jean-Luc on a silver platter, and he didn't take it. Remy dropped himself onto his bed, burying his face in his hands exasperatedly. Once again, his hope had dwindled away and left him with nothing. He stayed that way until he heard the distant echoes of a clock chiming midnight somewhere in the mansion – it was now officially February fourteenth. Valentine's Day. The last day of the rest of his life.

Could he really go through with this? It was clear to him that he didn't want to. Remy had tried to love Belle, but it just wouldn't happen. Upon the announcement that he would marry her, he had tried to convince himself that he wanted it, that they were in love. He could lie flawlessly to others, but not to himself. They were friends, yes. But he would never see her as anything more than that. Remy had come to the conclusion that love couldn't be forced; the city's mysticism had borne in him the concept of soul mates, that there was one person out there for everybody. It was crystal clear to him that Belladonna was not that person.

Unfortunately, that fact seemed inconsequential to the Guild. He despised his obligations and responsibilities. Remy had nothing but adoration for his family; they brought him in off the street and provided a wonderful life for him. The desire to repay them was always there, but it faded with the realization that the cost would be his happiness.

When he had been younger, that price seemed less steep. He was eager to please his father, and bringing peace to the Guilds seemed like a dream come true. That had all changed the night in the museum. Rogue had changed it all.

Remy wondered if he would be more receptive to the pact if he hadn't met her. Something inside of him said that he would; she was the one that shifted the tides, and brought about his epiphany. It all began to make sense for him now; upon seeing her, everything was different. Just seconds of staring into her eyes made him realize that there was something more out there for him - it called out to him. There was something he craved.

If fate hadn't thrown them together that night, Remy would never have become conscious of the emptiness inside of him. She had set him free. But was that the extent of it? Was all he wanted was his freedom?

'Non,' he thought as he shook his head. It was more than that. He could leave right now and never come back, and be free from everything – but was that what he wanted? He had always assumed that his sense of duty towards his family were what kept him in New Orleans. Now there was a new complication, in the delectable form of a green-eyed thief. There was something between them, a connection from the instant they met. It went deep, breeding understanding and compassion, and Remy wanted to know what it meant.

Sitting on his bed, he tried to rationalize the spark they ignited. It was greater than that now – now it seemed as if there was a full-fledged flame, consuming his very existence whenever a thought of her passed through his mind. He had to give a wry smile; this rogue had suddenly appeared, and was now causing him to question everything about himself. There was nothing but chaos in his life, and yet he was focused on her. He wondered if she knew the power she had over him.

There was simply something about her. Rogue was the most beautiful woman he had seen in his life, both inside and out. He couldn't describe the feelings he harboured; yes, there was lust and desire, but that wasn't the extent of it. And that confused him. There was a yearning for her, an aching from deep inside. From his heart, maybe? Or his soul?

With that, Remy's head jerked up. Was she the one? His soul mate? Did he love her? Complete strangers seemed to think so – why was it so obvious to others and not to him? Love seemed to be an ethereal and intangible feeling, beyond words and description. He didn't know exactly what it was, but he knew well enough what it wasn't. There was obviously nothing of the sort with Belle. But now there were these feelings with Rogue. Feelings of completion and fulfillment and happiness. Were they love?

It was impossible. Could he have fallen in love with somebody after only truly knowing them for a day? It didn't seem practical. Or logical. Or rational. But then again, love wasn't any of those things, was it?

Remy's contemplations were brought to a halt when he heard the door shut. Looking over, he saw Henri had entered his room.

"Papa told me what happened," he began.

"Ça ne te regarde pas (This is none of your business)," Remy answered.

"Oui, it is. Dere's a plan t' kill y', dat's de business o' de whole Guild."

"Oh, suddenly de Guild is worried 'bout Remy's best interests?" came the sarcastic reply.

Henri ignored the cynicism and continued. "We've got maximum security t'night on de mansion, an' patrols in de city. Maybe we get lucky an' find de salaud (bastard), but I doubt it. Dere's also plans bein' set fo' tomorrow, 'bout yo' protection." With a twinkle in his eyes, he then joked, "Never t'ought I'd see de day when y' needed bodyguards, Remy."

"Tu es une vraie plaie (You're a pain in the ass)."

"Y' are too."

"Least Remy got a good reason."

That elicited a sigh from Henri. "Oui, 'bout dat…"

"Non, ne me fais pas avaler ça aussi! (No, don't give me this shit too!)" complained Remy, getting up and marching to the window, purposely facing away from his brother. He instead focused on the rain that had begun to fall.

"Look, Remy, I'm not de biggest fan o' dis idea. But maybe it just has t' be done, henh? T'ink o' all de good it'll do."

"Je n'y crois pas à ces conneries (I'm not buying that bullshit). Did Papa put y' up t' dis?"

"He told me t' talk t' you, oui. Said t' try an' convince y' t' not be un couillon (a fool)."

Remy just laughed bitterly. "Dat's easy fo' y' deux (two) t' say! Y' weren' forced t' marry, were y'? Y' got t' find a femme (woman/wife) y' loved, an' now Remy don' get de same chance?"

The silence told Remy that Henri felt bad, which made him feel slightly better. But only slightly. As he went to leave, Henri turned with some final wisdom to impart. "I'm sorry, Remy. Vraiment (Truly). Y' know I'm on yo' side wit' dis, I wan' y' t' be happy. But y' need t' t'ink 'bout what an opportunity dis is! Dis could change everyt'in'. So don' let such a good chance go t' waste."

Left alone except for the patter of raindrops, Remy let the words resonate through his mind. For once, he agreed with Henri on something. He had a chance, and he wouldn't let it go to waste. After his missed opportunity in the museum six years ago, he had told himself that he would never let that happen again. His course of action decided, he stealthily exited his room and made his way off the grounds.

Meanwhile in Rogue's hotel suite, she was contemplating much the same as her fellow thief. She was looking out the window at the rain falling, yet not really seeing it. Her thoughts were focused on Remy. She couldn't stop thinking about him, no matter how hard she tried. Was he aware of the power he had over her? She felt useless and disappointed, unable to help him out of the bind he was in when she wanted nothing more than to do so. But was that the real reason? Or was it because the man she had feelings for was now duty-bound to marry another?

Sighing, Rogue let her head rest against the cool glass. She was aware that there was a connection between them – all of her denial and attempts at burying her emotions couldn't refute that. But she was unsure about the true nature of it. What did it mean? She knew that he made her smile, that he made her worries and her past disappear. She also knew there was something inside of her that yearned for him.

Even though she kept people at arm's length because of her mutation, Rogue had always dreamed of love. A soul mate, one person to spend the rest of her life with. She knew it was odd, especially given her dark and distrustful nature, but she truly believed that there was somebody out there for everyone. Was Remy the one meant for her?

Ever since their first meeting, she knew there was something about him, although she couldn't quite pinpoint what that was. After getting to know him, that feeling had only grown stronger. Unfortunately, there were obstacles as well. Would he have gone through with marrying Belladonna if she hadn't shown up in New Orleans? Was she just a convenience, an escape method?

'No,' she thought as she shook her head. It was more than that. She had been used before - Rogue could tell when people were playing her. He wasn't. Remy could leave right now, if he wanted to; he could easily slip away and be free. He had stayed to try and help his family, and she admired him for that. She understood it too. But would he continue to stay? Would he marry Belle anyway?

Thankfully, a knock on the door stopped her from venturing into even more pessimistic territory. Heading over to open it, Rogue was shocked to find a sopping wet Cajun standing in the hallway. Before she could even ask what he was doing there, Remy pulled her into a kiss.

For a second she was too surprised to even react, but then Rogue was finally able to get a grasp on what was happening. The question that had arisen in her brain was pushed back, and she let herself become overwhelmed by her emotions. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Rogue closed her eyes and began to reciprocate Remy's kiss with all her might. This is what she had dreamt of ever since that night in the museum, when she stared into his amazing eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Her mutation had manifested soon afterwards, so she had been unable to kiss anybody at all, let alone touch them. That had made her all the more bitter about her missed chance. But now the opportunity had returned, and she wasn't about to let it go to waste.

It was pure bliss kissing him. Rogue didn't even notice that his rain-soaked clothes drenched her as he pulled her closer to him; all she could concentrate on was the warmth emanating from his body, the safety she felt while in his arms, and the soft caresses of his lips on hers.

Remy felt much of the same - it was heaven kissing her. All he could focus on was the warmth her body gave to his, how right she felt in his arms, and how soft her lips felt against his own. He had dreamt about this ever since that night in the museum, when he stared into those jewels she called eyes for what seemed like forever. Such sentimental gestures hadn't directly preceded this spontaneous kiss, but that was hardly important at the moment - the pair's combined passion made it perfect.

Any semblance of logic and reasoning had left them – they didn't think about the consequences, and how they might be tempting themselves with what might never be possible. All that remained were the sensations created by crushing lips and battling tongues, and that was all that mattered.

After a few minutes, the duo regretfully parted for a breath of much-needed air, yet didn't dare move apart from each other. Eyes still closed, Remy lightly pressed his forehead to Rogue's and whispered, "Merde. Sorry, chère, prob'ly shouldn' 'ave done dat…" as thoughts of the wedding and the true weight of their situation came crashing down onto both of them.

Sighing, she quietly replied, "Yeah."

"It's just dat… Who are y', Rogue? How can y' make m' feel like dis? D'y' feel it too?" he questioned, almost desperately, as he opened his eyes to look at her.

"Ah was about t' ask ya th' same question, Remy," she told him as she placed a hand on his cheek, feeling the prickly stubble covering his face. It made him even more ruggedly handsome, in her opinion. "Ah feel it. Ah don't know how, or why, but Ah do."

She couldn't help but smile as Remy's apprehensive expression turned into a content grin. Then suddenly that morphed into a slightly apologetic one.

"Would've liked t' work up t' dis wit' a romantic date, maybe dinner by candlelight, but dere wasn't really any time..." he told her.

Rogue softly laughed as she looked up at him. "Ah'm not complainin'."

"Didn' mean t' be so sudden, but… I needed t' see y'."

"Ah'm glad."

Their eyes found each other's lips again as Remy softly and very disappointedly said, "We really shouldn' do dis…"

"Ah know…" came the response, and both of their minds were instantly made up. Both understood the matter at hand and the implications it would have, but suddenly none of it mattered. The man that was tormented by his future and the woman that was haunted by her past forgot about everything other than the present, and the person they held in their arms. The emotional floodgates were opened, and their feelings for each other poured over them as they dove back into another kiss.

It was as if nothing else in the world existed. Rogue leapt up, wrapping her legs around Remy's waist as his arms moved under her thighs to support her. In one swift motion Remy stepped inside of the room, turned and kicked the door shut, and then propped Rogue up against it. His mouth moved away from hers and downward, trailing along her jaw line. She moaned in pleasure as he nibbled the crook of her neck, and ran her hands through his hair. She shivered, first from the sensations he was inciting in her, but then from a cool draft that blew over her damp apparel.

"Hey, Remy…" she breathed.

"Oui, chère?" he asked, never straying from his task.

"Yah're wet."

"Oui, chère," he told her unabashedly as he lifted his head back to her eye level.

Rolling her eyes, Rogue actually let out a slight giggle. "Ah meant your clothes, swamp rat. From th' rain."

"'Course. What else would y' mean?" he teased her. Then seeing that her clothing was soaked as well, he grinned. "Looks like Remy got y' wet too."

Her only response to that was a decidedly wanton smirk and mischievous twinkle in her eyes. That only made Remy grin all the wider as he said, "We'll have t' see what we can do 'bout dat…"

Very soon their clothes were not a problem, as they lay discarded in a path towards the bedroom. Remy took in the vision standing before him in all of her glory. "Mon Dieu, chère, y're de most beautiful t'ing I've ever laid eyes on," he told her in all honesty. "An' even mo' beautiful when y' blush," he added, as she did just that. "Y' must get dat all de time, but I swear it's de truth."

"Ah never get it," she told him almost inaudibly, and looked away. "Ah'm th' 'untouchable', 'membah? Ah've… Ah've never done this befo'."

Remy's hand under her chin brought her gaze back to his, filled with a tender look. "Chère, y' trust dis t'ief?"

"Yes," Rogue answered without hesitation.

His loving smile quelled all her worries, and once again the couple embraced, slowly lowering onto the bed. Hands found the other's body, gently stroking and caressing every part, instigating the highest bliss. Both willed their actions to express the love they had both realized was there, but hadn't yet found the words to say. Joining together and letting themselves be overwhelmed by their ardour, the couple finally relinquished themselves to the rapture and ecstasy they created.

Hours later morning appeared, slowly rousing Remy from his peaceful slumber. He couldn't remember ever being so rested. He didn't dare open his eyes, wanting to preserve the warmth and calm he felt before he fully awakened. Regrettably, something at the back of his mind kept nagging him. What was it? There was something he was forgetting… With a groan, the realization that today was his wedding day hit Remy full force.

He withheld his utter horror at that fact to wonder why he hadn't remembered it in the first place. Every single day when he awoke, he mentally ticked another day off his internal wedding countdown. Definitely not the most positive way to start his day, but it kept things in perspective. But why not today, the most important day of all?

Scowling, Remy gave up speculating and opened his eyes. Instantly the wedding was shoved out of his mind as he stared at the angel in his arms, and the memories of last night (well, earlier this morning) came rushing back. He would have marvelled at the sheer fact that Rogue could push all of his problems away so effortlessly if he wasn't so hypnotized by the sight of her. She was still asleep, head resting on his chest and arms wrapped snugly around him, with his arms encircling her body as well. If he thought she looked beautiful before, there were no words he could use to describe how perfect she appeared to him now.

Never before had Remy remained in a woman's arms after a night of passion; as soon as dawn broke, he snuck out without a second thought. Now he couldn't contemplate ever moving from the embrace he was in. With agonizing care he brushed a strand of hair out of Rogue's face, not wanting to wake her – he never wanted this moment to end. Remy briefly wondered if she could hear his heartbeat increase as he thought of her, when she slowly began to stir.

Incoherently grumbling, Rogue didn't feel like waking up. Not that she ever did. She tried to recapture her sleep by burrowing deeper into her pillow. Her pillow that smelt like delicious Cajun spices. At that her brow furrowed in confusion – since when did her pillow smell like spices? And since when did it have a heartbeat? Suddenly it all came back to her, and Rogue raised her head with a start, only to be met by mirth-filled eyes that could only belong to one person.

"Bon matin, chère (Good morning, dear)," grinned Remy. "Sleep well? 'Cause if y' didn', Remy don' mind bein' used as a pillow 'gain."

Rogue smiled back sheepishly and rolled off him, although quite regretfully. "Sorry, sugah."

Remy just chuckled, and then moved above her, propping himself up with his elbows. "Said I didn' mind, chère."

"That's good, 'cause Ah think yah've got some skills in that area," she joked.

"T'ink maybe Remy should give up t'ievin' an' become yo' own professional head-rest?" he teased right back.

That caused her to laugh, and Remy's heart to swell. He lowered his head and languidly placed a sweet kiss on her forehead, then moved down to plant one on her nose, and then a sweet lingering one on her lips. Then he pulled back a bit to just stare at her, with her gazing right back. No words were exchanged, because the emotions could be plainly seen swirling in their eyes – however, Remy needed to speak. He had to tell her how he felt, she needed to know. He loved her. He knew now, he knew the second he kissed her; the feeling inside of him right now was love, it couldn't be anything else - and Rogue had brought it out in him.

"Chère," he began. "Rogue… I need t' tell y' dis…"

Rogue knew what he was about to say, and not only because she could see it plainly expressed on his face and in his eyes; she ached to tell him the same thing too. She loved him. She knew now, she knew the second he kissed her; the feeling she couldn't quite understand inside of her was love, and it was all for Remy. She wanted nothing more than to hear him tell her, and to respond in kind, but she couldn't.

Swiftly placing her fingers over his lips, she told him, "Shh. Ah know, Remy. Believe meh, Ah know. But it's yo' weddin' day…"

There it was, that horrible little fact. Today was the day he was supposed to pledge his love and devotion to another. This whole situation made a blasphemy of Valentine's Day, and they were both blatantly aware of it.

With a sigh, Remy looked over at the clock. "Remy has t' go. I swear I don' wan' t'… But Remy's gonna go an'-"

Once again, Rogue shushed him. "It's okay, Remy. Whatever yah choose, Ah understand, Ah really do. Yah don' have t' explain it t' meh."

Struck speechless, Remy could only gazed in astonishment at her. Any other woman would have begged and shed a few tears to be picked over somebody else, but not Rogue – she left it all up to him, no pressure. It raised his opinion of her even higher, if that was possible. Not quite sure how to express how much that meant to him, he decided to let his lips do the talking as he leaned in for a searing kiss.

It pained him to pull away. Trying to lighten the mood, he forced a smile and told her, "Y' know, chère, y' make it mighty hard t' get outta bed."

Rogue didn't trust herself to speak, afraid that she might cave and ask him not to leave her. She couldn't do that to him, she couldn't ask him to choose her. It was a decision he had to make himself, for his family's future or his own. She wouldn't dare influence him, regardless of how much she wanted to wrap her arms around him and never let go. Instead, she just put on a brave smile and closed her eyes, trying to ward off the tears beginning to form.

Remy noticed, and placed a kiss to each eyelid. "It'll be alright, chère."

She nodded, and managed to whisper, "Ya have t' go."

"Remy has t' go," he sorrowfully confirmed, yet made no move to do so. Giving Rogue a departing kiss that neither wanted to end, he slowly left the warmth she offered and climbed out of bed.

As he headed out of the room, he heard her call out to him. "Remy?"

Turning, he had to exercise every ounce of willpower he possessed to not run back into her arms at the sight of her looking so alone, wrapped in blankets. "Oui, chère?"

"Be careful. Th' mercenary's still out there."

"Always, chère." And with a longing glance back at the thief that stole his heart, he left.


SQUEAL! Hmm, is it sad that I'm squealing at my own fluff? Whatever, I don't care, cuz I LOVED writing this! I hope it got you all squealy too.

Next chapter – a certain mercenary arrives on the scene. Dun dun duhh!

So, there it was. Fluff. Mush. Sap. Romy goodness. Of course, there are still problems to be sorted out, but we can just ignore that for now and focus on the cuteness! That's the ticket, there's nothing healthier than a good dose of denial. Except possibly reviews. Come on, let's beat 500! And I honestly wanna know what you thought about my fluff attempt, so get typing!

Kisses,

ish