Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.

Note: Sorry this chapter is so short. The next section will be jumping ahead a year or so, and I wanted to separate the two. This story will be following the normal comic book timeline, with my own twists added along the way. I'm not completely familiar with the earlier timeline, so if I mess up, I'm sorry!

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Rogue couldn't help but notice how fast Remy was walking, as if he was running away from something.

"Slow down sugah. Ah thought we were goin' on a walk, not a jog.

Remy slowed down, his entire body felt on fire. Bracing himself on a nearby wall, he tried to avoid Rogue's eyes as he caught his breath.

"Remy, are ya all right?" Rogue reached out a gloved hand to touch his shoulder. At this, Remy grabbed her wrist, twisting her into the alleyway. He pressed her against the wall, demon eyes glowing.

"Re-emy? What's wrong, what are ya doing?" Rogue was not scared that he would hurt her, she was invulnerable after all, and could easily push him away. It was his eyes that frightened her. The way he stared as if he didn't recognize her. He was sweating as if with fever, and his skin was incredibly pale.

She felt his hands loosen on her wrists. "M'sorry chere, I don' want t'hurt y'." His eyes returned to their more gentle expression. He looked so damn tired. Suddenly, as if he had read her mind, he collapsed in her arms. His arms circled around her, one hand grabbing a fist full of hair. He wanted to cry, to break down, but he wouldn't, not in front of her.

Rogue reached one hand up, and stroked the back of his head. His body shook beneath hers, as he clung desperately to her. Normally his proximity would have scared her, but she was to overcome with his emotions to worry about that.

Suddenly, Remy sprang from her arms, his back slamming against the wall. His hands were clutching his head, as he cursed over and over in French. Remy had no idea what was happening to him. He had thought his cold hearted views were his own, but as his mind screamed in agony, he wondered if that were true. Seeing that he had almost attacked Rogue, he realized that it was her presence that had caused this exquisite pain. The headaches always got worse around her. That was his last thought as the world around him went black.

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"Is something wrong Mr. LeBeau?

Remy looked around him. He was surrounded in a completely pitch black area. "I'd recognize dat voice anywhere Essex! Where am I?

"You would recognize my voice, but not your own mind? You continually surprise me Remy.

"Well, if we're in my mind, den I'm goin' t'kick ya out!" But Remy couldn't control anything, save his own movements.

"You are unconscious right now Remy, you cannot Ôkick me out'.

"What d'y'want? Are y'here t'punish me?

"When you did not participate in the massacre, I realized you were still too attached to your emotions. Therefore, I activated the chip I had implemented into your brain several years ago. It triggered your most painful emotions, causing you to act, let's say, the way you did with Ms. Grey. As of this very moment, the X-Men are removing that chip, thus cutting me from your control.

Remy said nothing, he knew it would not cut him completely from Essex.

"I see you already understand Remy. Good. I will be seeing you again.

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Remy opened his eyes to a pair of bright green ones. They were not as beautiful or big as Rogue's, and due to past events, nowhere near as comforting.

"I hope the chip we just removed from your brain was your reason for attacking me Remy." Jean's icy glare suddenly turned soft. "How are you feeling Remy?

"Not so great. But my mental pain is exceeding de physical right now." Remy closed his eyes, wanting nothing but to fall asleep and fade away.

He heard Jean sigh. "Remy, just give me a sign to show you didn't attack me of your own free will.

A few seconds past without a word said. Jean began to move from his bedside.

"It wasn' my doin' Jean. I don' even remember de codes y'gave me. I never forget tings like dat." His eyes were still closed, but Jean knew he was telling the truth, she had to entire his mind during the surgery. She had avoided anything too personnel, but the overwhelming feeling of regret had nearly knocked Jean from his mind.

"Do you know how that chip go into your mind?

"No idea chere.

One more lie. One more step away from earning their trust.

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When Hank had released him from the med bay, Remy had headed upstairs to pack his things. He hadn't left his mark here yet, none of the X-Men really knew him. The only one who would miss him would be Rogue. But she was stubborn enough to forget him. Besides, Remy assured himself, all they did was a little harmless flirting, nothing too serious. He told himself that he was saving the X-Men by leaving, but really, he knew he was saving his own guilty soul.