Dude, I finished this chapter. Bwahahahaa! Ah, its so awesome to be posting again. I've missed updating my stories! I needed the break though. I was losing my grip on the story. And messing up sentences, calling Kurt furry instead of fuzzy. *sigh* And, really butchering French. Like, more so than usual. But I'm back now and I've got my translator handy. Ha ha ha.

To all the wonderfully wonderful, sweet, nice, lovely, kind, remarkable, tiggerific, fantasmic, and rather nifty people who've added me to their favorites list, and I just want to say thank you v. much. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Keep reading, REVIEWING, puleaze? Pretty please with a...uh....uh...with a movie Colossus on top. How old is that boy? Isn't he cute?

The Freedom Caper
Chapter 8: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Officer Barnes wanted to slap himself in the face. Repeatedly. With a large, heavy, blunt object, until the already mushy, useless mass he called a brain poured from his ear.

No, scratch that. He wanted to slap the teenage girl sitting in front of him with a large, blunt heavy object until her brain was a puddle of slush for Bob the Janitor to mop up. She sat before him, a lovely, innocent-looking kid of Asian descent, her yellow coat draped on her lap, staring up with those wide, dark eyes. Oh, the face that hid a devil.

He could be home, watching football, tasting his wife's meatloaf, or bowling with the boys. Instead, he was interrogating the Child From Hell. Sliding a hand down his forehead, Barnes spoke. "Let's. Try. This. One more time, shall we? What's your name?"

"Audrey Hepburn."

The soda can in his other hand got skinnier, taller. "Miss, we can't help you unless you cooperate, okay. Now, whatever it is you're running away from, we will work through together. We can call your parents, arrange counseling, if that's what you need."

She gave him an ear-to-ear smile, revealing two perfect rows of toothpaste-commericial-white teeth. "What can I say. My parents loved Breakfast at Tiffany's. Can you blame them?"

"Please. Miss, help us help you. Is there another relative we can call?"

"Well..." She looked away, uncertain. "M...m...my Uncle Tom."

Officer Barnes breathed out heavily in relief. "Tom, got it. What's his last name? Phone number?"

"Cruise. Seven-five-six-Kiss-My-"

"Miss." Was there any way he could make her sudden death look like suicide?

"I've also got a Aunt Drew, at One Eight Hundred Barrymore Drive, Hollywood County, if you're interested."

Barnes rolled his eyes. He was getting nowhere fast. Why couldn't they just grab her hands, take her fingerprints, and pull up their files to identify her? "If you don't cooperate, I'm afraid you'll have to stay in a cell overnight."

"Are you trying to intimidate me, Officer?"

"No, just stating a simple fact."

"I cannot be held here without charges pressed against me."

"You're a minor. Those rules don't apply."

"What if I tell you my name is Elizabeth Taylor?"

"What if I call Mr. Neelin to escort you to your private quarters."

They were interrputed, rather fortunately, by another officer, this one nervous and jittery. "Uh, Sir, we have a man here says....says he's looking for his daughter. A Jubilation Lee..." The lanky officer in uniform quickly dissapeared around the door, lest he be caught in the battle.

The girl raised an eyebrow and Barnes felt triumph diffuse through his being. Ha! "Jubilation Lee, I see. Let's have a talk with this person."

He stepped outside and found a short man, with a cheap toupe on his head and a handkerchief covering his mouth, speaking to the clerk. "Mr. Lee?"

The man coughed loudly, a hacking, wheezing sound. "Yes," his voice was muffled, barely audible. "You *mufflemuffle* have *muffle* daughter?"

"I believe so. If you'll follow-"

"DADDY!" Jubilee burst through the doors, rushing up to throw her arms around the sick man. "Daddy, you DO love me! I knew it! I KNEW YOU'D COME FOR ME! I knew you'd pass this test!"

"*Mufflemuffle*"

Jubilee laughed. "Oh Daddy, you say the funniest things. Well problem solved. I feel better. I'll never run away again." She pulled him from the station by his free arm. There should have been papers filed. Questions asked. No one bothered.

Barnes shook his head. "It's time for me to go home."

******

Mr. Lee coughed again, into the old rag. "Daddy, you love me?" He questioned, his voice taking on a decidedly German twist. He touched his watch, and his appearance changed to that of Nightcrawler. "How cheesy is zat."

"Like you were helping with the speeches."

"I vas trying to keep my voice down!" Kurt cried.

"Yeah, yeah," Jubilee said. "Where's the gang? We got Rogue back yet?"

His shoulders slumped a millimeter or two, a slight sigh escaping his lips. "Ja, ve have her."

"Spoken like a truly concerned brother. What happened to that gung ho, annoyingly protective Kurt we had to endure?"

"I'm not sure, but I think he ran away vhen he saw Rogue and Gambit holding hands."

"Holding hands! You're kidding. Way to go Rog-" She saw the blue frown and censored herself. "Uh, I mean, gosh darn it. Some people don't know how to be kidnapped properly."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Everyone is vaiting down ze street."

"Oh, good. So...they're really going out? Seriously?"

"I guess." He sounded short on joy.

She sensed that Nightcrawler hadn't met his sister's new beau with hugs and kisses. But as for her, well, she'd always admired the free-thinking, individualistic, rebel without a cause (excluding the whole mutants rights issue) girl that was, truly, a rogue among them. The fact that she could take the attractive enemy and seduce him with her feminine wiles...that just increased Jubilee's admiration. She did, however, keep her comments down to a simple, plain, "Wow."

***********

Scott ended up sitting next to Rogue on the bench, as they waited for Kurt and Jubilee, though he wasn't quite sure how he got there. It had started, he assumed, with Kitty's migration, away from her roommate, towards the Russian. They'd been talking a lot, he noticed.

It didn't bother him at all. Colossus, Peter Rasputin, was well-mannered, dedicated, and showed initiative. A good influence on the sometimes distracted brunette, despite his affiliation with Magneto. It did, however, make him wonder why he hadn't given the same chance to Gambit, currently resting against Rogue's legs, shuffling cards to keep warm.

Was it because the Cajun was so cocky and self-assured, demanding respect rather than trying to earn it? Or was it because he'd convinced himself so thoroughly that the thief has stolen Rogue, and had risked so much to reclaim her, that his mind was refusing to admit its error?

If he was truly honest, he knew that his own theories on Rogue's disapearance sounded a little odd. Okay, totally, completely illogical. He'd jumped to conclusions, made irrational assumptions, and helped plan a foolish mission. It sounded good at the time. Fast action. Rescue Rogue.

At the time.

But where, exactly, was his room to doubt Rogue now? He couldn't afford to waste resources and energy disliking the Cajun when Jean was missing. It was best to just ignore their affectionate tendencies and focus on more important matters, like locating his girlfriend -and teammate.

The Southern girl smiled at him, sort of. Could he blame her for her cautious treatment of him, after he'd accused her of being manipulated and, in somewhat different terms that arrived the same meaning, brainwashed? "Ah'm sure," she offered, like an olive branch, "that Jean's doin' fine."

"Thanks. I'm sure you're right," he answered, though Rogue was already focusing on something else, getting the ends of LeBeau's hair to stick up. A childish grin curved her lips as she rolled a lock of aurburn into a single point. Remy stroked her ankle through black stockings, not commenting on the hairstyle.

"Isn't that them?" John said, nudging him, gesturing to two figures closing in on them.

"Its looks like it."

It took all of his self control to not grab Jubilee by the shoulders as she approached and shake the information out of her, like a kid desperate for that last pinata candy. But Scott couldn't help the urge; the second he'd seen the girl, thoughts of Jean flooded his mind and he knew he needed to get to her. As it was, he gripped Jubilee's forearm rather roughly, urgency pulling the words from his mouth.

"Where's the last place you saw Jean? Do you have any idea where she could be. Think hard, Jubes, this is really important."

She shook free of him. "Nice to see you too, Scott."

"We don't have a lot of time. We need to find her and get back home, so just concentrate, all right?" This was the part, were it anyone else missing, when he'd beckon for the redheaded beauty to step forward and seek the information out with her powers. All he had to work with now, however, was the memory of an almost-X-man.

To her credit, Jubilee tried really hard. "We were in front of the cityhall, 'cause Jean had heard about someone anti-mutant demonstration, and you know Jean, always ready and willing to fight the good fight. But just before she could start with the whole we're-people-too routine, a real fight broke out. Like, hands on. The crowd pulled us apart and that's the last I saw of Jean. I thought this creep was trying to attack me, so I like, blasted him. But as it turns out, he was a cop. He got all grumpy and took me in, which is where you found me. And that, fearless leader, is everything I can tell you. I have no idea where she's at."

Scott nodded.

Jeanie, Jeanie, Jeanie, where is that connection we've got? Why aren't you trying to find me? At least, let me find you. If you can feel this, don't worry. I'm gonna bring you back. It just might take a little longer than we'd hoped.

It seemed as though the X-men were going to get a real rescue mission to complete after all.

****

Her eyes opened slowly, cautiously, taking in her surroundings. The room was strange to her, unfamiliar in its design, decoration, and furniture. She groaned and felt the hard bump on the rear of her head, pushed the blankets off of her body.

"How are you, my dear?" In the far corner, bent over an old-fashioned basin, squeezing a cloth, an elderly lady stood, the white locks of her hair pinned up Grandma-style, the ties of her apron knotted around her plump body.

The redhead in the bed frowned. "Excuse me?"

"Are you all right? That was a nasty hit you took. Those muttie freaks, they don't care who they endanger in their attacks. It was a good thing we found you when we did."

"Mutties?" The girl felt her head again, and tried to figure out why that term rang with such familiarity while everything else was a glob of muddled memories. Nothing was making any sense, not the room, nor the lady...not even herself. The redhead touched her forehead gingerly, and searching her mind for the simplest recollection. A phone number. A friend. A name. Her name.

"You may have amnesia," the old lady explained, upon observing her confusion. "Common with your type of injury. But don't worry, you are in safe hands."

"Oh." So that was it. She had lost her identity.

"My name is Alma, by the way. In Latin, that means soul." She smiled proudly. "We don't know what to call you, honey, but me and the other nurse, Julie have been referring to you as Red. That all right?"

"Yes, thank you. Um...you said something about...mut...mutants?"

"Awful monsters, they are. What with their savage ways and vicious tendencies, it amazing we haven't all died. Don't think for one instant that's not their overriding goal. You poor thing, caught in one of their riots."

Red nodded and tucked herself in again, as the lady came closer, filling in the end of the bed. "Riots. Was that where you found me?"

"I'm afraid so. Hush now, it isn't good to exert yourself too much." The cloth fell, soothing and soft, to her brow. She closed her eyes again, feeling a quiet desperation. Amnesia. Mutants. Alma.

Alma patted her gently. "I'll let you sleep now, dear. Just remember, you're safe here. No mutants in this place."

Safe. Red watched as the kind lady left, shutting the door. She turned her attention to a curtainless window, which was letting in both air and noise. Her limbs were tired and sore, and Alma gone. If only there was a way to close it, without getting up.

Abruptly, the latch slipped, and the window pane shut itself. Red frowned. How had that happened?

*******

"I would just like to remind everyone that breaking and entering is not an acceptable behavior, and if Jean wasn't the one holding the keys to the jet, we'd be using our own computer right now."

Remy rolled his eyes as Summer's gave the speech. They were all standing outside of the public library, hoping to gain access to the computers and therefore, information regarding Jean's strange disappearance. He couldn't help thinking that if his own guild could see him now, they laugh hysterically. It wasn't that the teenagers lacked ability. He'd seen them preform well before. It wasn't that Summer's was a poor leader. Ol' One Eye had a knack for commanding.

Rather, it was their reluctance that held them back, transforming them into immature kids. They felt bad, he saw, because they were violating their self-imposed rules. Did they fear that slap on the hand so much? In the Bayou, he'd learned to do what he had to.

"Remy, try an' pay attention, will ya?" Rogue chided him, quietly.

"I'm listenin'." He replied.

"An' stop mentally rollin' those red eyes o' yours. Ah don't need ta peek under your glasses ta know they just about hit the sky everytime Cyclops finishes a sentence."

"Y' gotta admit, all dis lecturin' is kinda stupid, Chere."

"Remy! Its important ta Scott. An' anyway, if we don't get in the habit o' followin' his directions now, how we s'pposed ta remember ta do it durin' a real battle?"

"Spoken like a true X-geek, Roguey." He said.

"What's that s'pposed ta mean?" She was hurt, and it took Remy a moment to realize he was too. Why?

"It means why you be takin' his side? Don't tell me dat seein' him's brought back all dose wonderful mem'ries o' you an' him. Would y' rather go an' sit up close, so you can imagine what his eyes look like beneath his glasses?" Resentment colored his words. Where had that come from?

"What the hell's wrong with you?" Rogue demanded in return. "Why are ya actin' like this?"

"I'm not actin' like nothin." He said, though he knew it was a lie.

"Oh yeah right. One minute your all hugs an' comfort an' the next your accusin' meh o' fawnin' ova' Scott? There are enough bipolar people around meh already, Sugah, Ah don't need ya like that too. You best figure out what's goin' on fast."

He glared from Rogue to Cyclops, still reminding everyone about the law. Rogue. Cyclops. Rogue. Cyclops. And then, like an epiphany dawning inside his brain, he recognized the irritability in himself and its source: it bothered him that Rogue chiding him over the Summers guy. She was his girlfriend. Not Scott's. She should be on his side. She should be snickering with him, not shushing him up.

Some emphatic powers he had. It took him hours to feel the tension in his own body, the
anxious worry that Rogue would choose them over him permanently. That, and the little jealous Cajun on his shoulder, reminding him that she had once carried a torch for X-leader.

Possesive, aren't we?

With a sigh, he dropped his head to Rogue's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Chere. Guess I be as nervous 'bout de way dis is gonna play out as you. Forgive me?"

"'course. You dumb Cajun types don't know what your doin'." She answered sweetly. "Just make sure it don't happen again."

"Its a deal. Care t' seal it wit' a kiss?"

"Sorry, boy, no comas until afta' we find Jean."

"All right, everyone." Scott was saying, "let's go in. Gambit, can you find the cameras and..."

"Dey won't know what hit 'em."

***********

A few minutes later...

Scott was at a computer, typing furiously, asking Jubilee a series of questions. Kitty and Colossus were huddled around a stack of old articles, looking for clues on the anti-mutant groups and such.

Rogue turned her attention to Kurt, who was sitting alone at a table, rummaging through newspapers.

She'd been dreading this conversation, but it was like a bleeding wound. Without proper care, it would close on its own and leave a giant scar behind. She didn't want that, not between the only family member she'd managed to build a relationship with.

"Hey there, Sugah. Lookin' awfully blue. Somethin' the matta'?" He didn't smile at her joke, or even look up. It really wasn't going to be easy, Rogue realized. She dropped to her knees, meeting his gaze evenly. "Can we talk?"

"Vhy do you need me? Because Gambit's busy?"

She shut her eyes and dropped back onto a chair. "Kurt, come on. Don't be that way. Ah can explain, if you'd just let meh."

"I heard ze story already. You vere already leaving, he just happened to pick you up, blah blah. Zank you for explaining, you can go now."

He resembled Mystique so much sometimes. And not just the physical appearance, though certainly, that was striking. No, it was in his stubbornness, the way he held himself when he was mad, the way his eyes turned to cold moons. Rogue almost told him so, then remembered his dislike for their mother and held her tongue on the issue.

"Look," she said, trying again. "Ah didn't know what else ta do. Ah didn't feel good, Kurt, despite everythin'. Ah watched y'all have a good time, an' Ah just couldn't feel the same way. Ah was sick o' pretendin'. Ah had ta get away."

He flipped through several pages, avoiding eye contact. "You could have talked to me. I thought ve were working through zis together."

"An' what, you'd convince meh ta stay? But the hole in me wouldn't have gotten any smaller. Ah would've still felt as bad, only Ah would've tried to mask it for you. Is that what ya want?"

"So why not call zen? Why make us think you were hurt?"

"Ah didn't want ya ta think Ah was hurt. Life gets crazy, Kurt. Ah wanted ta call, Ah swear. When they were gonna sacrifice meh, it was all Ah could think about."

"But after zat?"

"After? That was barely more 'n a day ago! When we finally got back ta the hotel, things were just clearin' up fo' Remy an' me. Ya know, ya interrupted our first date."

Unvoluntarily, his eyes sought out the Cajun. "Vhy are you dating him anyway? He's not good enough for you."

"Come off it. He's a great guy, an' Ah like him a lot. He tried ta be nice ta you earlier too."

"And does he know about ze 'void'?"

"Ah don't know. When Ah'm with him, it doesn't feel so empty inside."

"Don't tell me you're falling in...love...with him." Kurt stuck out his tongue, as though he'd just eaten a spoiled strawberry.

Love? LOVE? Rogue wasn't ready for love. "Didn't ya hear me? Ah said ya interrupted our first date."

"Ja, miraculously, I've retained my short term memory. But ze way you talk, you'd think it was more zan a simple crush. I had to make sure."

"Well ya have your answer now." LOVE! HA! How crazy was that. She wasn't living in some movie, where great, wonderful love could be found in two short hours. This was real life. And Remy...he was her first boyfriend. Barely even that! To think anymore of it would be absurd.

And yet...she was telling Kurt the truth about how he made her feel. Her quest, her search for fulfillment had ceased when she got to know the Cajun. The end hadn't come with fanfare, blowing trumpets, and waving flags. It was just...there. She didn't feel lonely with him. She was always too preoccupied, whether her distraction came in the form of a jewel-crusted knife or a pair of enchanting red eyes.

Love. That was silly. Stupid. A word kids threw around too easily. She'd get to know Remy first, find out if they clicked. Then she'd ask herself that question again.

Love. Ha!

"Can ya please try ta be nice ta him? Y' might even like him."

Kurt sighed "Fine. I'll be good."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Since..." Kurt started chuckling. Rogue poked his ribs and demanded to be let in on the joke. "Vell," he said, "you think I vas overprotective. Just vait 'till Mystique finds out."

******

A few more minutes later...

Jubilee took Kitty's seat beside the Russian, when Kitty got up to use the bathroom. She gave him a sly look, "You like her, don't you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"For being the good one, Kitty sure knows how to attract the bad boys, huh. What is it? Is it for variety or possessing the pure, innocent kid makes you more macho, or is she secretly sneaking out to dance topless at the seediest joints in town and you guys happened to meet her there..."

"Got it all wrong, Chere," Gambit said, reunited with Rogue and joining the talk. "Piotr here be as squeaky clean as Miss Pryde an' Summers."

"Summers?" She remained skeptical. "I dunno...a Magneto lackey that obsessed with the right thing to do? I mean, no offense, Peter, but you've tried your best to crush us into dust beneath that steel heel of yours."

"And what about Gambit? He was twice as aggressive as I, and got no harsh words from you."

"But plenty from the rest o' y'all." Rogue reminded.

"And, he totally plays up that 'wrong side of the tracks' label anyway. Come on, he's wearing sunglasses at night. He screams 'bad boy'."

"Non, not really, but in de dark, Rogue do- ow." Remy nursed his arm, where Rogue had hit him. "Don't have t' be so brutal, Roguey."

"Shut up."

"Anyway," Jubilee continued, "You on the other hand, intend to vie with Scott for the wholesome king award. You guys are telling me you, Peter, could give goody-one eye a run for his money? And this is when you aren't fighting for a man who wants all humanity to cower at his feet?"

"Your leader, Xavier, he doesn't want 'his kind' in charge of things? Isn't that what you're fighting for, so that people like you, with your ideals, can be the ones who govern? Face it, Ms. Lee, everybody wants to rule the world."

"Oh come on, you can't say that our side isn't the one with the moral edge. We want equality and all that good stuff. You want..."

"We want freedom from persecution. Don't be misled by talk of sides, Jubilation. Always remember, the world is round. We all blend into each other. There is no clear cut right and wrong."

"But there are distinctions. You can't honestly tell me that Magneto is right in his judgement and sentencing of the Homo sapiens in general. Do you really believe that two such wrongs can make a right? And I assure you, Peter Rasputin, they are wrongs."

The Russian sighed, turning slightly, masking his expression in the shadows. He refrained from answering. And then, suddenly, he glanced around. Once. Twice. A third time. "Where did they go?"

"Who?"

He didn't respond. Rather he jumped up and pointed to a slightly open door. "They're gone!"

"Whose gone?" She looked at Rogue for understanding and instead, found it herself. The rogue was not there, or anywhere else she could see. Neither was Gambit. "Oh them."

*****************

"Non demeticar means don't forget you are my darlin'." Remy sang lightly as he dragged Rogue along the pavement. She came, reluctantly, repeatedly checking back to the direction from which they'd traveled.

"Ah don't like this, Remy. What if they need us?"

"Don't forget to be, all y' mean to me, non demeticar..."

She frowned and stopped walking. "Ah'm serious. They're gonna think we ditched 'em."

"Means though y' travel far, my darlin'-"

"Damn it, Remy, stop ignornin' meh o' Ah'm turnin' back this second."

The young Cajun man circled around her, stepping up from behind to slide his hands into her front pockets, overwhelming her with that same smell of cigarette and cologne she'd first noticed on the motorcycle from New York...how had he retained it? They'd been together nearly constantly, and not once since he stepped out of the shower of their hotel had he lit anything containing niccotine, or applied any type fragrance...it was just him.

She took a breath inward, only noticing how close he truly was when she brushed against him. He fell limp from the neck up, his face stilling only inches from hers, and she grew afraid he'd accidentally touch her. The way he wound himself around her, there was no way he could pull away fast enough to avoid any real damage. "Don't be so close."

Rogue felt his chuckle against her bare skin. "Don't stand, don't stand so, don't stand so close t' me."

"Would ya stop singin'."

His embrace grew tighter, his voice more hushed and husky, "Inside him, dere's longin'. Dis girls an' open page."

"Remy," she pleaded in a whisper, scared that her resolve was breaking, her body growing more and more comfortable this near to him, and that she wouldn't be able to keep him from making a mistake.

"Can I help it, Chere, if being anywhere near you makes me want t' burst out in song an' dance?"

"We ain't doin' much dancin'." That was a truth, they were stuck there outside of a closed bakery store, not moving a step. "An' they're gonna be missin' us by now."

"We get back 'fore de troops are called in. Just wanted a lil' time alone. Don't know how much more time we have."

"Oh, Gumbo..."

"Y' know, Roguey, I got a surprise fo' you."

*********

Surprises. Rogue smiled at him. "Uh oh. Ya ain't gonna tell meh you're really a woman named Nancy are ya? Damn it, Ah knew boys ain't natually that pretty." She snapped her fingers in mock dissapointment, while giving him a wicked look. "Then again...hey Nance, ya wouldn't be up for seducin'a few more x-men, would ya? I've been runnin' low on good blackmail material."

"Sorry, Chere, dis Cajun's got his hands full wit' one x-brat. But if you be questionin' m' manhoodliness, I can arrange fo' a very thorough, hands on demonstration."

"Ah think Ah'll pass. So then, Gumbo, what's mah grand surprise?"

Gambit backed away, but only so he could swirl her around and wrap his whole left arm around her waist. She recognized his expression, had seen the shift in attitude, him becomming that softer, serious, gentle Remy LeBeau at least enough to know he was going to tell her something important. "Chere, I didn't expect t' see de rest o' de gang so soon. But dey here now an' gonna keep disruptin' our plans, non? We may not make it to de courthouse as soon as we'd like." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a long strand of black leather. At the end...

Rogue gasped, seeing the glittering gold. "Wha..."

"I be banned forever, shunned, cursed, denied, if m' family knew I'd let a Mrs. LeBeau go around wit'out a ring dis long. I can't risk dem findin' out, non? Y' won't make me be de disgrace o' m' father, would you?"

A ring. A golden, shiny ring, the color of Remy's hair in the sun. Nothing could have done a better job of making her forget the team, nor of bringing a startling reality to the marriage. Married people wore rings, showing that they were taken. Owened. Tied, in the eyes of all, to another human being.

Remy was giving her a ring.

He was waiting for her to speak, she realized, catching the anticipation in his face. She just stood there, like the tinman without his oil. Finally, her lips found a way to move. "Oh mah Gawd, Remy, that's a real ring."

"Oui." He replied, giving her no other help.

Her hands took it, trembling, accepting the trinket that was no trinket. "Are ya sure ya wanna give this ta me?"

"Mais, I'd give it to de other Mrs. LeBeau, but since she be m' brother's wife, I don't t'ink dat be approproiate."

"But..."

"Just hold on to it, Chere. Please? I just want y' to have it 'til y' ain't m' wife no mo'. Who knows, that could be tomorrow." But he didn't think so, Rogue knew. The boys, Pyro and Colossus, wanted to take him back to Magneto.

Her gaze fell back to the ring. "Its beautiful, Sugah." She wrapped it around her wrist. There it was, touching her skin where he could not, his claim on her. Only one thing troubled her..."Wait a second, swamp rat. Y'all ain't gettin' off that easy. What about you?"

"Its okay, Chere. I know I'm Mr. LeBeau. Dere ain't no need t' honor dat." He joked.

"But where's the reminder that your Mr.Rogue, hmm?" Rogue bit off a glove, she twisted the ring she wore on her thumb until it lay in her palm. "Its white gold," she said, "but it may not be as nice as the one ya gave me. We cain't all be clever thieves, takin' a five-finger discount on the stuff we like best. Ah mean, Ah had ta get it mahself an-"

"Thank you," he whispered, softly, in a voice that made her spine tingle. If it wasn't for her powers, she might have thrown her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. She settled for running her hand down his cheek, grinning.

"You're very welcome."

He dipped his head down, like he was going to steal a kiss, despite her powers, but something else distracted her.

Movement.

A blur of blue.

A familiar face.

She grabbed Remy's shirt and pulled him to the other side of the store.

*****

Remy wasn't neccessarily opposed to being plasted against a wall by a beautiful girl, in a dark, secluded area of town with no one around to know what they were doing. However, he sensed that Rogue wasn't interested in amorous activities, despite her warming up to the ring idea.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Shh." Rogue stuffed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him quiet. "Ah think Ah just saw Susana."

Susana? Sleeping-drug administering, agent of the cult Susana? Hadn't they left those people behind? Hadn't he asked for a hundred years or so to accquaint himself with his flesh-and-blood form, before stepping up to take the throne?

Rogue relaxed, barely. "Ah cain't see her no mo'. Maybe we lost her." She gave him room to breath, settling herself against the wall, beside him. "What would she be doin' heah?"

"Chere, are y' sure it was her and not another crazy fille wandering through the dark? Dere be mo' o' dem dan I ever imagined." Rogue, he thought with a smile, included in said group.

"Let's go on back 'fore we have a chance ta find out."

Gambit nodded. "All right. C'mon." They started to walk, when those thief instincts kicked in and he recognized the sounds of a shifting body, not quite trying to hide itself. There, a few feet away, hidden from sight by a veil of darkness, but rubbing against the stacked boxes, the rustle, too clumsy to have come from Susana's slight form. He blocked Rogue's step with his arm. "Someone's here after all, but it ain't no girl. Don't move."

"Oh great," she whispered. "They probably found out ya were just a lil' mutant boy. If anyone else raises a knife ta my heart, Sugah, Ah'm blamin' you."

There was a painful silence, a moment for Gambit to finger his cards, ready to charge them, considering if he could pull authority from his vocal cords like Cyclops did or if they'd try to take Rogue again...and then a man stumbled out, in the blue clothes that were all too familiar.

"Don't move!" Remy said, but there was little chance of that. The man fell to his knees.

"Master! What have I done to displease you? Did I interrupt a private moment with the Great Lady?" Well, his Divine status hadn't been changed. Gambit beckoned for the man to get up. It was rather uncomfortable to have grown men, older, possibily wiser, bowing down like imcompetant minions.

"We must speak with you!" The man said. "Something terrible has happened."

"We?" Rogue asked.

"Yes, M'lady." Susana emerged, her brown hair braided and stuck up on her head, a wooden case in her hands. "It has been so long, I was unsure if I would have the chance to see you both again." She curtsied for Rogue and bowed lower for Remy. "And Master, I am unable to forgive myself for dismissing your presence back in Maryland."

"Yeah, yeah, all's forgiven. What terrible somethin' is goin' on?"

"The Leader! You're appointed guardian of us, in your absence, has been taken! We didn't know where else to turn, Sir. We need you, Master."

"What do y' mean, taken?"

"An' how did y'all find us."

The man cleared her throat. "If I may, the Lady's question is the easier of the two. During your visit with us, we feared your reluctance would lead to a successful escape attempt. We placed a tracking device on you. It would have been removed, but your departure was so sudden..."

Susana nodded in agreement. "As for the Leader, he was out proclaiming your greatness, when the abduction took place. We believe he's now in the hands of a Neo Nazi organization called Golden. They have a history of anti-pretty much everything not white, protestant, and well, them."

Gambit could hear Rogue's sigh. He knew exactly how she felt. "Co faire? Why dem?"

"Well, Sir, they've endeavored to tear apart out lives before. Golden believes that our beliefs are hell-spawned. Its no secret we're a target. Some of our own were nearby at the time, and say they recognized the insignia. We weren't overly cautious, because we thought...well..it had only been a day since the Gates of Peace were opened."

Rogue crossed her arms. "Golden, ya say? That ain't no relation to Golden Foods, the agricultural giant located heah in California, is it?"

"We believe that's how they obtain their funding, though our information is limited. They may also be behind the recent anti-mutant rallies. Sources say they're trying to make a major stand against their enemies soon. Cut us all down with one stroke."

"If y' know where dey at, den how come y' can't just sneak in an' take de Leader back?"

"How we wish for your courage, Master. But nothing is ever done at Golden Food Corporations. It would be too targetable. There are pockets of them everywhere, even here in Eureka. Common, everyday people go home and plot our demise and we can't recognize them. We don't know where they are. Who they are."

"Gee, that sounds kinda familiar." Rogue whispered.

"How so, Chere? Is it like de cult o' us?" It was both, of course. The world was filled with secret agendas. Everyone wore masks outside. He looked at Susana and the man. "Our friends need help too. We can't leave them. But come wit' us, an mebbe we can all work t'gether."

"Oh thank you, Master."

He grinned at Rogue. "At least now dey get t' verify our story, non?"

"Yippee."

************************

Rogue tapped cautiously against the door as she entered with Remy and their two servants.

The X-men where huddled together, talking. They looked up, a rainbow of reactions painting their faces. Scott was confused yet pleased, Kurt relieved, Kitty suspicious, Colossus wary, Pyro bemused, and Jubilee dissapointed.

Susana tugged on her sleeve. "M'lady, those people are your friends? Some look slightly...hostile."

"You'll get used ta that. Hi guys! Miss us?"

"You left." Kitty said. "We, like, thought you'd bailed."

"'course not. Ah'm an X-man still, ain't Ah? We just had a visit from old acquaintances." That was nice, blending in the two events, their short escape and meeting with the cult folks, as though they were the same thing. She smiled broadly. "This heah is Susana and uh...uh..."

"Mark," supplied the man.

"An' Mark. They came ta Remy an' Ah 'cause they've got a missin' pal too."

Scott frowned. "Are the two situations linked?"

"They might be." Rogue said. "See, it turns out this might be bigger than we imagined.Y'all remember that food place? With the lettuce and the crops an' all? Its private owners, are, we think, Nazis bent on seizin' the state o' California an' purifyin' it. O' mutants an' Worshippers o' the Blue Realm."

"Woah there, luv, you've just lose me. Blue Realm? Are you talking 'bout that cult thing again?" John asked.

Susana shot eye-daggers at him. "We aren't a cult. We've achieved status as a religion thanks to our years of service and the growing number of our members. I don't understand how people can be so cynical of us, even while they speak with the Master and his Lady."

"Your talking about...Gambit?" Colossus asked.

"We're talking about the Master." Insisted Mark.

"This is real? Its not like some kind of joke? You guys honestly believe that Gambit is your what...god? That he descended from his throne in the sky to lead you all? How much did they pay you to act this part?"

"We don't dwell on material possession. Money is nothing to us. And he did not come from the sky, but rather the other realm. The Place of Peace."

"He's a teenage mutant!"

"He is our leader! You doubt us, yet he has given us more unity than you show now. Evidence seems to indicate that we are the correct party."

Scott intervened. "Can we just slow this down. So the you guys are for real. Okay. Now what's this about food? And can you explain about your leader in more detail?"

"The Master or his Lady would explain better. We have shared our knowledge with them, that they may now share it with you."

Scott looked at the mutants. "Rogue? Gambit? Can you fill in the gaps? We're all a little lost."

Remy sighed. "Come wit' me, mon ami. I explain dis, while Roguey stays and helps de team understand Susie an' Mark, oui?"

"Sure."

Rogue knew he was taking the easy out. She would have kicked him, had he been closer. Turning back to the group, she placed herself in the middle. "Kit, ya gotta lighten up. Where's that kind Valley girl I always loved ta tease? Hmmm? Listen heah, everyone. The Worshippers o' the Blue Realm are a real, honest ta goodness group, an' they reside in the Hotel California, just like Ah told y'all. Now, they've come back ta Remy an' Ah, for guidance, 'cause the man Remy gave authority to has been abducted. We think that it might be the same people who started trouble heah in Eureka, and have possibly taken Jean as well, maybe to include mutants in their upcoming mass demonstration. We're all in the same boat heah, so let's just learn ta breath straight and stop exchangin' blows."

"Zey really depend on you?" Kurt asked.

Susana answered for her. "Yes, with such troubles as these, we need the Divine Couple."

"You're very devout, aren't you." The blue mutant knew what that was like, to talk and talk about beliefs and not have anyone listen. "But you don't even know zem."

"Not personally, as well as I'd like, no. But I was there during the wedding and I feel-"

"What wedding?" John said.

Rogue's eyes went wide and she tried to laugh it off. "She means the weddin' o' our...our...our hamsters. Yes, that's an ancient ritual at the Cal Hotel."

"No, I don't. I was referring to your marriage to-"

"To a life o' eternal hope an' love. Oh yes, Ah recall that now." Would Susana just shut up?!

"Actually," Mark said, "I think she meant your marriage to the Master."

"WHAT!" Came the shocked replied, issued simultaneously by the group. Rogue wanted to slink away. Damn that Cajun. Damn it!

"It ain't real," she whispered to the people nearest her. "It ain't recorded o' nothin'."

"Oh that reminds us, we brought you a copy of the certificate! Judge Wendel wanted you to know he verified everything at his office." Mark said, opening the wooden case Susana had brought with her. "Its all very nice."

"That's it, stop talkin', kay?" Rogue yelled. Just then, Remy and Scott returned looking more friendly than she'd ever seen them with each other. Both in glasses, they surveyed the room through hidden eyes.

"So, Roguey, is it all worked out?"

"Yeah you guys. We're wasting time. Why does everyone look so shocked?"

"You von't believe it," Kurt said.

"Like, he's totally right." Kitty breathed.

"Guys, I just found out that Golden Foods is owned by Nazis and probably have something to do with Jean and the riot. What could be more stunning than that?"

****************

"Red, dear, are you okay? You seem so forlorn."

"I'm just tired."

Red was ironing a dress Julie had given her, methodically erasing the creases. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, her feet bare. She cast a look around the room while she worked, in the vain wish that something, anything, would trigger a memory.

Alas, it was not to be. It was as though her brain was covered in mud, and without a good fast-action, cleaning agent, the dirt would not give way to clarity. She'd searched her person for clues. She wore two rings, a hidden, plain, gold anklet, and a bracelet with an inscription that read Making The Dream A Reality. Whatever that meant.

"Does it fit you?" Julie asked, her slight figure lingering near the doorframe. The middle-aged woman scrunched her nose. "Its all we could find."

"Its fine." Red answered, grinning. "Really."

"If we didn't have to save so much money for the cause," the cause, meaning, the anti-mutant movement, "then we'd be able to buy you something more...hip?"

"I like the dress."

"Mmm. You're looking better. Its nice to those creeps haven't robbed you of that beautiful complexion."

Red tugged at her ear, standing the iron up straight. She picked up the dress and held it to her neck. "See, lovely. Can I try it on now?"

"Oh yes, certainly. I'll be down the hall if you need me."

The woman left and Red felt a peculiar wave of intermingled guilt and relief. She was so grateful to the women who had taken her in, cared for her, not knowing a thing about who she was. But when they started ranting about mutants and the cause and all that, awkwardness settled in her stomach and throat.

Mutant freaks, they said. That's who'd hit her head and left her lying on the street. She removed her sweater and yanked the top of the dress over her head. Mutant freaks, those were the troublemakers who'd been disturbing the peace of a small North California city. Her pants went next, drawing the belt around her waist tighter. Mutant freaks.

Had she known a mutant? Was that it? Maybe...maybe she had been fighting with one. Maybe her brain was trying to send her a warning. Stay away from Homo superiors. Or not. It was all so confusing.

"And in today's news," the radio announcer said, "Scotts Valley's sherrif deputy Alan Novice has denied allegations that he accepted a bribe from current death row inmate George Gavins last summer."

A splitting pain shot through her head, aching, searing, scorching. She winced, sinking down to her knees, gasping as her entire mind seemed to burn within her skull. Wind blew everywhere, sending ripples through her clothes, cabinet drawers opened and shut, light blinked on and off. She wanted to scream, but no sound escaped her lips.

Scotts Valley. Scotts. Valley. Scotts. Scott. Summer.

The knob door turned and the pain vanished instantly, leaving Red on the floor, when Alma came in. "Red, don't worry. We felt that earthquake too, and trust us, that's nothing in California."

Julie peeked her head."Yes dear." And then to Alma, "she must be an out-of-towner."

Red nodded slowly, forgetting the strange tingling in her head. "I'm gonna lay down again for a while, okay?" The river of names in her head vanished. Scotts Valley and the summertime lost its meaning to her.

That was okay. The nice old ladies would keep her safe.

*****


Everybody Wants to Rule the World

welcome to your life
there's no turning back
even while we sleep
we will find you
acting on your best behavior
turn your back on mother nature
everybody wants to rule the world
its my own design
its my own remorse
help to decide
help me make the most of freedom
and of pleasure
nothing ever lasts forever
everybody wants to rule the world
there's a room where light won't find you
holding hands
while the walls come tumbling down
when they do
I'll be right behind you
so glad we've almost made it
so sad they had fade it
everybody wants to rule the world
I can't stand this indecision
married with a lack of vision
everybody wants to rule the world
say that you'll never never never need it
One headline why believe it
Everybody wants to rule the world
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
everybody wants to rule the world



***********









And here we are, end of the chapter again.

This just goes to show you, the story tells itself. I had no idea they were going to meet the cult again. I was wondering myself who those people were with Jean, and whether or not Remy and Rogue were going to run off again. I had chunks written, and it wasn't until today, when I sat down to finish it and Susana appeared, that everything finally tied together.

I hope you liked this chapter. It feels good to be posting again. PLEASE REVIEW! REVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEWREVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REVIEW, and I'll love you forever. Puleaze!

AN:

1. The song is Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears. Great song, strongly recommended to, like, everyone. Also, Remy was singing Non Demeticar by the super Nat King Cole and then Don't Stand so Close to Me, by the also tiggerific Police.

2. Individual responses:

Carla: I wanted to let them run, but I couldn't. I don't think Rogue would just desert them in their time of need. *sigh* They were alone for a while though! Thanks for reviewing!

Classic Tinker: Wow, that's such a cool review. I'm super glad you liked it. I always think there's some really adorable about a really cute guy (like Remy) acting really confused. Way to be sexist, right? Oh well. Hee hee. The cult thing...yeah, I don't know where they came from (actually, I do, it was another fanfic for the comic universe where they wanted to sacrifice her and stuff, but Remy stopped 'em. Unfortunately it never took off, and I stole the scenes I liked and wound them into this.) I am back from midterms and I hope you'll continue reading and offering your opinion, I love to hear it. :) Thanks.

Goldylokz: Hmm. I think I'm confusing at times. The idea was that Colossus and John have begun to like the X-kids, and they wanted to help. But they don't want to openly admit that, so they tell themselves that they have a real, still-loyal-to-Maggy reason for sticking around. That's what that was all about. Glad you liked it. Thanks for the review!

The Flying Pen: More is here! Thanks for the review, hope you do it again!!!!

Ryoko Subaru: skitzo? I'm a little skitzo all the time, so I guess its cool that I can bring you over to my side of the world, huh. ^_^ Thank you!

Girl4chat86: They made up. Although...that was before the wedding thing, wasn't it. The real reaction will come in the next chapter, so ya gotta come back. Thats right, that's my plan. I give you just enough to make you have to come back for more. Aahahahaha!

Gaea: Maybe he will save her life! Or somebody's life. Scooters warmin' up to him, Kurt agreed to kindness for Rogue, but what with the wedding announcement...who knows. Its all up the air! Thank you for the review!

Makira-Chan: Dun dun dun.....the story continues. Thank you for liking it!! I'm glad to see you think its believeable. I've had doubts, myself. ^_^ Thanks again!

Ishandahalf: Okay, I hope you didn't read this chapter, because I made a special one, just for you. It goes like this:

Rogue stuck her tongue out at Kurt. "You're stupid. Ah'm leavin' the team. Bye everybody."

"Wait, Rogue, you can't go."

"Well...okay, Ah'll stay then an' help y'all find Jeanie. But first, here's those cult folks Ah told ya about."

"Hey everyone, these two mutants are married!"

"What!"

On the other side of town: Jean lifts up her head. "Who am I?"

And that's your chapter. Made all nice an' poopy, just for you :) But seriously, feel free to take my brain anytime, I doubt people would notice a difference...Rah rah rah, that reminds me of the song Hey Mickey...I always thought that would translate great into Hey Remy...hmm.
And just think...their story is finally being verified...crazy. Who knows what'll happen next. (I sure don't) Thanks for the review! :)

AJ: I wanted to research the issue, really I did. I'm glad you were able to like, despite the wacky legal system depicted. :) Thanks!

Rogue Star: Oooh, why is Remy in the cell...I know why. I do, but I can't tell you, or else I'd have to kill you. But there's about two chapters after this, and then we're done, so you'll find out soon. Maybe in the next update....stay tuned! Thanks for the review!

Legolas Luver: Its not done, just yet. Hey, I love your name. But you can't have him. He's mine. They're all mine!!!!!!Bwahahahahhaha!!!!!!Well...maybe you can have...um....Celeborn. No wait, he's married. Um...you can have...Elrond...or is he married too....oh well, you're out of luck. Seriously, thanks for the review!!!

Tranquility: You read it all in one sitting...wow, its cool that I can keep someone's interest for that long. Thank you, for the wonderful compliments. Hope you read more!

Tabby: I dunno if Maggy's gonna be in a teasing mood. He might blame Remy for the break-up of his Acolytes...if they break up. As for Logan's reaction...ah, that's coming v. soon. I don't think Remy knows Ororo, 'cause its just an aspect I haven't really planned for in my planning. But who knows. Thanks for the review!

Lace123: Another person who read it all at once! Cool beans! Actually, I love your story. So your review is like, really cool to read. Thank you. I am, of course, a Californian. I didn't really think about it much at the time, but CA does tend find people on the extreme of each side, ya know. We've got the free-thinkers and such in some places, and crazy conservatives in others. But I love this state, and am allowed, I think, to play on the stereotypes that I myself am included in, right? Thanks for the review!

Kaosda: Aw, Kurt's just tryin' ta be a good brother. Actually, I considered letting them touch for a while, back when they were at the Hotel California. It was gonna be a nice time and everything. But...sadly that didn't make the cut. I'm sorry I said I was gonna update one more time and then didn't. I just couldn't pull another chapter out of my hat and make it readable.
Thanks for the review!

Neurotic Temptress: Hmmm. My chapters are more frequent, but yours are better so...oh well. Oh by the way, I read your other story, and I really loved it. Forgot to review though, guess I'll have to do that soon. And thanks for the spelling. I swear, I cannot spell that correctly on my own. I had to go through and make a decision each time to spell it out. Glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks again! Come again!

Panther Nesmith: I'm glad I could make your day a little better. And know what? You review made mine. I think it was a good trade, non? You should always laugh a lot. Laughing is good. Unless, its like laughing at an old man stuck who's dropped his cane in the middle of the road and can't get it. Then its not cool.

3. MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS: So I've seen the movie (twice hee hee hee) and I just have to ask: is there anyone wouldn't love to see Bobby's reaction to Rogue's meeting Remy? He'd be all macho, and trying to stop the sparks from flying between Remy and Rogue, and like he could try to freeze something and Remy would just blow it with his powers or something...ah. I'd totally love that. Don't get me wrong, I adore comic Bobby. But this thing he's got with Marie...I dunno, I just don't feel it. And do you realize now that he's gotten so far and insistent with Rogue, that now Remy's gonna have to out do that. And that's gonna be tough stuff. All I know is that someone's gonna die if I don't get my Romy fix in the next movie. But aside from that, wasn't a cool movie? And the whole thing with Jean...I feel sorry for the people who aren't in the know about that, and who don't understand what's going on. And poor Scooter. Aw, when I saw that lower lip trembling, I just wanted to hug him. And nightcrawler...he just made it all worthwhile. Totally erased the floopisamadmanhelpussave tune that messed with my head every time I saw the previews. He's so cool! Uh... I think that's it for now. Bye!

4. As always, any questions, comments, and coconuts can be sent directly to me at Eileenblzr@yahoo.com PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!REVIEWREVIEWREVIEW!!!