Four
With shaking hands Rogue fastened the straps of her seatbelt in the Blackbird wishing she could keep her mind on the mission ahead-land on Muir Island, locate Malice and stop what ever evil plan the twisted sadist had up her sleeve. An admirable way to spend the next few days. Or at least it would have been if not for the hurried conversation Rogue had had with her foster mother Irene while packing for the trip to Scotland. While calls from Mississippi had gotten more frequent in the last year it still wasn't like Destiny to make purely social calls for the hell of it, so the sound of her voice had surprised Rogue. Slowly she replayed the conversation in her head.
"Marie?"
"Yeah 'Rene?" Rogue rolled her eyes wondering just what the older woman could possibly want-after all it was the only time either Irene or Mystique used her real name.
"I've had a vision you might be interested in." The answer was soft lacking Irene's usual brisk gentility.
A lump formed in Rogue's throat, the last vision Irene had warned them of had been of Rogue's own death at the hands of Magneto. It had been that vision that had cemented Asli's plan to kill the master of Magnetism or die trying. She knew it wasn't fair but somehow Rogue felt it was Irene's visions that had gotten them to this point-Asli trapped in her mind while Malice used her body to kill and maim all comers. "What did you see?" Rogue croaked out finally finding her voice.
"Do not get your hopes up about retrieving your friend." Irene sounded sad-but then Rogue didn't think it was a common occurrence to owe her child's life to anyone.
"Are you telling me that there's no way to kill Malice without hurting Asli?" Rogue asked knowing that she didn't want to hear the answer-she wasn't sure she was cold blooded enough to kill Malice if it would end her friend's life as well.
"I do not know." Irene took a deep breath, "I have not seen how it will end but I hope that you wouldn't allow your feelings for your friend to cloud your judgment. Malice will not hesitate to kill or enslave you if given the opportunity. Your attachment to her body is a powerful Achilles heel."
"Thanks for the warning." Rogue drawled rolling her eyes again, this was nothing new; the fact that Malice was a sadistic bitch that wouldn't stop at anything was quite apparent.
Another deep breath from Irene as if she were searching for the right words, "You will do what you have to do. I just wanted to be sure that you were prepared to make a difficult choice. All I have ever wanted for you Rogue was the best."
"I know that 'Rene," Rogue sighed-most of her happiest memories centered around her childhood with the blind seer; the forts they had built in the living room with blankets, the way Irene would sing along to sappy songs on the radio. Only when Mystique was present would Irene become cold and distant-as if she feared allowing her friend to see how much Rogue meant to her. Knowing what she knew now Rogue was pretty sure Mystique would have found a way to use Irene's affection as a weapon. If Rogue was being honest her life hadn't been too bad until Mystique had stuck her constantly changing nose into it-she couldn't hold that against Irene. "I'll make what ever choices I have to if I have to. Maybe when this blows over I'll come down for a visit, I've missed your hush puppies and none of these Yankees know how to appreciate grits."
A chuckle reached through the phone line and tickled Rogue's ears-it was nice-Irene's laughter was almost as rare as her own, "That would be nice, perhaps you can bring young Monsieur Lebeau with you. I'd like to meet him. But I'll let you finish packing."
Rogue frowned wondering whether or not it would be worth bringing Remy with her to Caldecott-he'd been hiding from her lately. Maybe it was for the best-that he do it now before things got even more serious between them. Pushing away her negative thoughts Rogue smiled for the woman she thought of as a mother, "Sure 'Rene. Thanks."
"Oh Marie?" Confidence filled Irene's voice, "Make sure you thank Forge properly."
"For what?" Rogue frowned, "Inviting the cast of 'Jurassic Park' to a school dance?"
The only answer Rogue received was the click of Irene hanging up the phone. Looking back her foster mother's parting words only served to confuse Rogue more-she really hadn't had much contact with Forge since Kurt's mishap with the dinosaurs two-almost three years ago. A small smile lifted Rogue's lips as she remembered the night in question, in its own way it was one of the better ones she had of her time at Bayville High. Only one of the monsters eating Duncan could have made it a better night.
"Chère?" The sound of Remy's voice brought Rogue back to the present.
Turing she looked up at him trying to hide the way her heart jumped to hear him call here 'Chère' once more, "Yeah Rem?"
Their eyes met and there was no need for words, making the apology that much easier for both of them. "Remy missed you."
"I missed you too." Rogue patted the seat next to her and shifted so that he could sit down.
As Remy lowered himself into the seat the collar of his trench coat shifted giving Rogue the opportunity to catch the ring of purple bruises ringing Remy's neck. Concerned Rogue traced the injury with a gloved hand, "Don't tell me you got that depressed over one fight Swamp Rat."
"Remy wishes," he grimaced but thoroughly enjoyed the gentle warmth of her hand seeping through her glove, "Dat was Remy's own fault."
Rogue moved back and gave him 'the look'-one eyebrow up waiting for an explanation, "And just how did you get that purty necklace of yours?"
The dangerous undertone in her voice did not go unnoticed and Remy wondered how he could minimise the fight that would immediately follow him telling her the real reason behind the bruises. He had been hoping against hope that Rogue wouldn't notice and that Piotr would keep their confrontation quiet. The Russian could be counted on but Rogue was always a wild card in Remy's life. Cursing his Irish luck Remy smiled at his girlfriend winningly, "Funny you should ask chère, see Remy was blowing off some steam when."
"Some one tried to choke you?" Rogue crossed her arms and glared-he was hiding something from her and she could feel it, "Remy quit hiding things from me. That's why I was mad at you in the first place. When you lie to me-even if you think it's to protect me-I feel like you don't trust me. I have no secrets from you and it's only fair that you give me the same in return. Now tell me-how did you get those bruises?"
Remy could see anger building in her expressive eyes and knew he was lost-she would be mad at him not matter what he did now, but lying to Rogue would only make it worse. Sucking in a breath he spoke quickly hoping she wouldn't catch it all, "Remy said something he shouldn't to Piotr and de big guy got angry."
Of course Remy had forgotten that Rogue had years of experience understanding Pietro-which thwarted his effort, "What could you have said to make Piotr that angry." Rogue scrunched up her face in confusion.
Before Remy's eyes coldness came over his girlfriend's face as she ran through the list of possible topics that would enrage Colossus enough to make him try and choke a friend. It was a short list and it was unlikely that Remy had insulted Illyana-that left only one other option. Rogue's emerald eyes fairly glowed with anger as she ground her teeth, "What did you say Remy?"
"Remy saw his chère kissing de tin man an got a bit jealous." he began hoping against hope that she would see it as a sign of his undying love that he had snapped at their friend...but Remy highly doubted it.
While her tone was sweet and kind Rogue's face was set in the blankness of anger, "So you're telling me that not only did you follow me, you spied on me and Petey when we were having a private conversation, then you had the balls to act like a jealous idiot because I gave him a kiss on the cheek?"
"Dere was more to it den dat." Remy began but quickly closed his mouth before completely swallowing his foot, "Remy is sorry chère."
"Did you bring Asli into your little chat with Pete?"
Remy stilled, he knew it had been a low blow to even mention her to Piotr-let alone the ten car pile up that was the Russian's relationship with Kitty-and now he was going to pay. Deciding silence was his best defence Remy just nodded slowly watching Rogue's face get very still and cold-it was the face Wolverine usually wore just before taking his claws to something. It was probably the first time Remy had ever been afraid of the woman he loved, "Chère."
"No Remy." She closed her eyes and clenched her fists-Remy just wished she would hit him-anything was better than her trying to control her anger, "Not only do you not trust me but you purposely said things to hurt one of your best friends-let alone that you brought Asli into it.Jesus Remy she gave everything to set us free and that's how you thank her? She was your friend too!"
"Remy knows." he hung his head in shame-he really shouldn't have used Asli against Piotr that had been unfair, "Mais chère.Je t'aime."
Now even Rogue's eyes burned with cold fire as she glared at him, "No Remy. Obviously you don't. If you can't trust me you can't love me. Please go away."
"Rogue.mon amour."
Of all the reactions Remy had imagined Rogue to give when he finally admitted just how much she meant to him, her fist catching him just under the chin had been at the bottom of the list.
**************************
Groaning Remy lifted a hand to his head-it felt like he had been hit by a truck-and the thing had backed over him in an attempt to finish the job. Memories flooded back and Remy thanked God that the Rogue-shaped truck hadn't broken his jaw. Squeezing his eyes shut Remy fought down a wave of nausea, Never piss off de filles wit super strength again Lebeau, he berated himself as the fog of his concussion eased a bit. "Smooth move Casanova," Kitty's voice jeered from behind Remy.
It took all of Remy's control to roll over and face Kitty-she was in a cell exactly like the one in McCoy's med lab-he guessed he had been unconscious for most of the transatlantic flight. "Dis Muir Island Chaton? How long was Remy out?"
"Long enough." Came the girl's reply, "What the hell did you say to set her off?"
Remy sighed considering her condition and the wall separating them it was unlikely Kitty would attack him if he told her. "I messed up. Took it de wrong way when I saw Rogue and Piotr together.and said a few unflattering things bout pauvre defante Asli.mebbe Remy's got a death wish messing wit people who can bench press Buicks, hahn?"
A snort from the cell drew Remy's full attention-Kitty stood with her arms crossed a look of pure hatred on her face, "I'm really sick of people treating Asli like some kind of fucking saint. It's almost like rogue and Petey have created a fairy tale ideal of her. She was a mercenary; she's the reason Rogue has to deal with Carol. We'd have all been better off without her."
The vehemence in the girl's words took Remy aback and he had to wonder just how much Piotr's obvious obsession had affected Kitty. It was on the tip of Remy's tongue to remind Kitty of the good Asli had done-like ridding the word of Magneto but his empathy told him she wouldn't listen. Falling silent Remy tried to ignore the throbbing headache he felt coming on but the anger and heartache that flowed from the young woman behind him was overwhelming. He didn't have the heart to put up his shields and ignore it-right now Remy Lebeau knew exactly how Kitty felt. It was hard loving someone who could never love you back.
**************************
"Is everything going according to our plan Malice?" the reptilian voice of Sinister oozed over the phone line.
Cradling the phone against her shoulder Malice grimaced and continued to stab at the cover of Vogue featuring Britain's top Supermodel with her long black nails, "Yes, the X-Men landed on Muir today. I'm moving on to phase two. I should have the samples you wanted within twenty four hours."
"So soon?" Sinister feigned surprise, "How efficient of you. I'm surprised you're not meeting more resistance."
Malice frowned and wondered if Sinister knew about the small rebellions her host had been making-it was highly unlikely, he didn't have any telepaths on staff and most could be kept out with her formidable mental shields. Or had he simply known that the host's natural ability as a null would challenge her control? Looking back on all of her dealings with the mad scientist this seemed most likely; he would enjoy seeing just how far her possession could go. "No one resists me," Malice wasn't sure which of them she was assuring, "Not if they know what's best for them."
Deep inside her mind Malice could feel the presence that was Asli Fraser waiting-it more than Sinister's laughter sent a shiver down her spine.
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Yay! I finally got this done! *Happy Dance*. Sorry it took so long.first my 'Wild Horses' Muse took control of me.then some writer's block set in. Now, I'm afraid I have some bad news for all you loyal fans.I'm going to be slowing my output of updates. I'm working on a comic book in RL and it's taking a bit more of my focus than my fanfiction. I'm still going to write.just not as often. Please don't kill me..
As always I don't own the song 'Wicked Games' that's Chris Isaak's.
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
The world was on fire
No one could save me but you.
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you
No, I don't want to fall in love
[This world is only gonna b
reak your heart]
No, I don't want to fall in love
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
With you
With you
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
What a wicked game you play
To make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do
To let me dream of you
What a wicked thing to say
You never felt this way
What a wicked thing to do
To make me dream of you
And I don't wanna fall in love
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
No I don't want to fall in love
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
With you
{World} was on fire
No one could save me but you
Strange what desire will make foolish people do
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you
No I don't wanna fall in love
[This world is only gonna break your heart
No I don't wanna fall in love
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
With you
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
With you
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
No I
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
[This world is only gonna break your heart]
Nobody loves no one
And the responses!
Ish - Is it always goodness? Come on even I have mediocre chapters. Yep, snarky British men.awww. Spike was cool.until he slept with Buffy, then he was tainted. Oh yes the old school throw down.I'm really shocked Piotr didn't squeeze Remy's head like a grape.but then Rogue's reaction would never have happened.Please.forgive me for the lack of Romy. But I did warn you she'd be pissed off about it. How about I help you hunt Gavin down? Then we can move on to Johnny Depp.
Pixie Cat - Welcome to the crazy train. Yep, for some reason I love to make the characters angst to their fullest potential. Every time I go over this arc I'm truck by just how dark it really is.man I'm depressing. Don't worry.even if Piotr is broody and alone forever I will let R&R kiss and make up.and kitty will get someone.
Star of Chaos - So he didn't eat crow.just fist. How's that? Teehee.