Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Notes: Thanks to all the reviewers, it is much appreciated, and I am glad you are enjoying it thus far. The song in this next chapter is Here With Me, by Dido. Oh, and does anyone know how to make quotation marks stay at the end of the sentence when uploading to document manager? Thanks if you can help.
Oh, and Scoobyd0530, this next section should answer your question
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I didn't hear you leave, I wonder how am I still here.
Rogue had marched straight to the balcony that accompanied her large, private room after kicking Remy out. She was glad she had been given her own room, as her shoulders sagged, and she inhaled a sharp breath. She wanted to keep a strong air about her around the others, none of that weak, weeping shit.
"Ugh!" Rogue threw her arms up in frustration. Now she was beginning to sound like her mother. She slammed her fist into a nearby post, the plaster and paint chipping away to reveal a nice new hole.
"Damn it!' Rogue cursed. Now Ah'm gonna have to either tell em' the truth, or fix it on meh on, Rogue thought. With her hands she began to sweep up the chunks of plaster from the solid ground of the balcony, and walking to her small trashcan she emptied her palms. Her body was shaking, and Rogue tried to compose herself, taking deep breaths, eyes closed. She hated the other part of herself, the part her mother had helped her to create.
Opening her eyes, she smiled at her reflection in the mirror across the way. What had stirred up her emotions so much? She rolled her shoulders back, mussed her hands through her hair, and let the negative emotions seep out of her, heading for her bedroom door.
To bad she still felt like crying. It would have to be held in for another long night.
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Oh I am what I am, I'll do what I want, but I can't hide.
Remy rushed to his room, anger now apparent on his features. He grabbed his trench coat from his bed, thinking amusingly, So dis be what it feels like t'be rejected. On his way back out the door, he nearly ran right into Storm.
He grabbed her wrist, dragging her down the hall. "Come on chere, lets go drink a little.
Storm snapped her arm away from him, effectively stopping Remy in the process.
"What's de matter Stormy?" Then Remy took in Ororo's appearance: knee length black spaghetti strapped dress, complete with heels and evening coat, hair pulled up.
"Dat ain't no bar clothing Ro'.
Storm waited a few seconds before answering, as if expecting more, and she was. "What Remy? No sarcastic remark about where I'm going or with whom?
Remy shrugged, an unenthusiastic look on his face. "Actually chere, I ain't much in de mood. Just wanted t'get drunk.
Storm rolled her eyes. "And may I venture a guess as to your lack of charisma for a Friday evening?
"Only if I can venture a guess as t'why you be wearing dat sexy dress." A smile had begun to work its way up his face, as Remy tried to dodge any of Ororo's questions.
"It's for a mission. A charity gala Logan and I must attend for mutant rights.
"Uh huh. Well, if you'll excuse me Stormy, I'm gonna head to de bar. By myself." With that he made a dramatic round about turn, throwing his coat on in the process. As he pulled the collar up around his neck, he yelled back. "Have fun wit Logan Stormy!
Storm just fumed in her place, not moving to follow him. But then a sly thought entered her mind concerning the two southerners. Perhaps Remy could be tamed after all.
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I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe, until you're resting here with me.
Remy had headed straight for the bar as he said he would, and was already flirting with the dark eyed girl next to him, his hand on her knee, when a familiar figure caught his eye at the pool table. She was bending low in her jean mini skirt and black tee, readying her next shot. It was then that he noticed she was playing by herself.
"Excuse me chere," he said to the girl practically in his lap. "I gotta go speak wit an old friend." The girl looked disappointed, but she was smart enough to assess the situation, and she backed off.
Remy slinked through the bodies on the dance floor, never taking his eyes off of Rogue. He pulled a cue off the rack, placing himself on the opposite side of the table as her.
"Can I see some ID cherie?
Startled, Rogue accidentally hit the ball up, and off the table, directly into Remy's stomach. Surprised, Remy clutched where the ball had hit, keeling over slightly.
"What the hell Remy?! Don't sneak up on meh like that!
"Chere, I was clear across de table. It's not like I was breathing down your neck, or yelling boo!" It was then that Remy took in the glass of tequila on the corner, and Rogue's eyes followed his.
Rogue cleared her throat. "Normally Ah ain't much o'a liar Remy.
"But y'just didn't want t'come here wit me, right chere?
"Ah could lie again if Ah wanted to. Tell ya Ah have a fake ID and Ah ain't really 21.
Remy looked into her eyes, so vibrant, so sexy. "Nah chere, y'don' have t'lie to dis Cajun. He gets de point." Remy turned to leave then, grabbing his coat from the floor where he had placed it earlier. He had made it to his bike when he heard her call after him.
"Wait! Remy!" Remy sat on his bike, pulling out a cigarette, lighting it with his fingertip. He said nothing, waiting for her to catch up, exhaling the smoke.
Rogue ran up in front of him, glaring down at him. "Ya don't get the point Remy! There are a hundred other bars Ah coulda gone to." Rogue sighed, not believing her words. She heard Mystique's ever present advice of caution shrieking in her ears. But she ignored it. She was not like her mother. "Ah chose this one Remy, cause Ah knew ya would be here.
A smile now illuminating his beautiful face, Remy stood, throwing out the cigarette. He moved within inches of her, realizing he knew nothing about her; not her power, not her real name, nothing, yet he was immensely attracted to her.
"Come on chere. I know a much better place den dis.
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I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be, until you're resting here with me.
It was strange. Despite his obvious attraction to her, he did not jump on top of her, grind against her, or try to make out with her. Rogue felt a sense of respect dwelling within her, but she quickly pushed the thought away, reminding herself that she had only known him for less than two days.
Yet she felt completely at home dancing in his arms, laughing about life stories, spinning each other around the dance floor. Every once in a while they would take a break for a quick beer, only to hurriedly return to the dance floor, moving smoothly, fitting together perfectly, as the beats guided them. Was this really the same arrogant man she had met only yesterday?
Their sweaty bodies exited the floor, Rogue glancing at her watch. 1:20 am. "Oh Remy, please tell me we ain't got a training session tomorrow morning.
Remy laughed, taking in her worried expression. She was so fucking gorgeous, Remy thought. "No chere, ain't go t'worr-well, actually, I take dat back. Cyke scheduled an abnormal training session tomorrow morning.
"Abnormal!?
Remy squeezed her arm. "Oui chere. And it's all for you. I guess I'll finally get t'learn your power.
"Why was Ah not informed about this?" Rogue yelled over the music, exasperated.
"Uh, I ain't sure chere. Wanna go back out and dance some more now?" He began to drag her back by the wrist, already moving sensually to the beats.
"Remy! We have ta be up at 6 tomorrow! Are y'crazy Cajun!?
Remy stopped then, looking back into her eyes. Suddenly he yanked her off the dance floor, heading towards the exit.
Outside, Remy held her by the shoulders, his bare skin touching her own. Rogue cringed, shaking him off.
Remy had a wild glint in his eyes, that nearly reverted Rogue back to her defensive self. "Chere, whaddya say we stay out all night huh? We'll dance, talk, drink." Remy grabbed tighter on to her. "Listen chere, I'm a flirt, I know it. Settling down ain't my thing, but dere be somethin' about y'girl. Something I need t'know more about.
Rogue stood still, unwilling to move. His question, his needs, demanded trust, and she never just handed that out. "What are ya saying sugah?" Rogue asked, a curious glint in her eyes.
"I'm saying we should be friends chere. I'm saying we should dance all night. I'm saying we should yell ÔFuck Cyke and his god damn early training sessions' from de rooftops chere. And I can tell from de look in your eyes Rogue, dat you understand completely.
Remy waited, nervous of her silence. Had he judged her wrong? No.
Rogue grabbed the back of his neck, and pulling him towards her, she kissed him hard. When their lips parted, it was Rogue who then wore the smirk.
"Let's dance sugah.
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I don't want to call my friends, they might wake me from this dream.
Logan stood before the group, eyes closed in annoyance. "Jean, I'm gonna ask ya ta do a wake up call like usual. First fer Remy, and then fer Rogue. And I'm just gonna silently hope, that they ain't in the same room when ya do it.
The team smirked, giggling quietly. Scott looked angry, and speaking up he confirmed his attitude.
"Why don't we just continue the training session without them? I mean, if they are irresponsible enough to not show up then-
"Stuff it Summers. This training session is fer Rogue, so we at least need her here. Now let Jean concentrate," Logan growled back.
After several minutes, Jean spoke, wondering if Rogue's tardiness would become routine like Gambit's. "They weren't together." Several teammates groaned, disappointed with the lack of drama. "And they are on their way, however, they are not in top notch condition." Jean paused, as Logan was clearly waiting. "So don't' expect much effort from them." She added.
Logan growled again, and after several moments, the two southerners entered the danger room, eyes to the ground, several feet apart.
"Alright you two, since everyone's already paired up, you two are a team," Logan barked. "We will be switching partners periodically throughout the session, so Rogue can become comfortable with our individual training methods.
The room shifted perspectives, and everyone assumed their own fighting stances. Remy looked towards Rogue with tired eyes, still managing to smile, while extending his bo staff.
The two fought gracefully, despite their fatigue. Rogue was not surprised; they seemed, physically at least, to fit together incredibly well. She managed to withhold her powers during their entire match, avoiding Gambit's own weak attempts to harm her.
Suddenly, the simulation stopped, and the entire team froze, waiting for a command.
Logan spoke from the intercom in the control booth. "Ya know what? I changed my mind. Rogue, get in the center with One Eye. You ain't used your powers once since fighting the Cajun. This time, I wanna see yer moves.
Rogue moaned, dragging her feet forward, facing Cyclops. She wished he didn't need that stupid visor, she could not read his emotions with it on, and it only gave him an advantage on the enemy.
Cyclops on the other hand, felt confident. He had heard she had life sucking abilities, only made effective by touch. So, all he needed to do was keep her away from him. Simple enough, he boasted inside his mind.
The fight began, and the two circled around each other, assessing everything. Scott began to speak. "You know Rogue, it would be a lot easier to get along with this team if you avoided the Cajun. I mean think about it, he's already made you late to a training session.
Rogue took a quick punch towards Scott, which he avoided. "Are ya giving' meh advice, or tellin' meh what ta do Cyclops?
Scott sighed, still not moving to attack her. "Look Rogue, Gambit's a player to say the least. I can guarantee you mean nothing to him." Suddenly, he shot off a red beam, hoping to catch her off guard. But Rogue had been trained well. And now, she was pissed.
"Ya know sugah? Ah'm tired. Let's end this now." With that, Rogue floated into the air, and despite Scott's lenses, she knew his eyes were wide with shock. Not as shocked as he would be, Rogue thought.
Rogue charged Scott then, dodging red blasts along the way. And then, she landed right in front of his face, knowing he would not have the courage to blast her from that short of a distance. "Don't worry sugah. Ah ain't gonna touch ya with my skin." With that she lightly pushed him. Rogue's light push, however, sent Scott flying to the outer wall, where he slid down, unconscious from the impact.
Rogue turned to the rest of her teammates. "Well, guess this training session's over gang." She began to edge her way towards the exit then, the rest of the team gawking in surprise, wondering how many powers she really possessed.
Remy merely stood in a corner, a grin on his face, red eyes glowing intensely.
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And I can't leave this bed, risk forgetting all that's been.
That evening, Rogue lay on her bed, listening to music with her walkman, eyes closed. A tap on her forehead, forced her up instantly, as she grabbed a hold of the hand that had touched her. She met red on black eyes, and gave them a very dangerous glare.
"Ya coulda been hurt Remy!" Rogue yelled, still holding onto his wrist.
Remy only gave her a warm smile, confusing her meaning, believing she meant she would have punched him or knocked him out with the surprise he gave her.
"So chere, what are y'up t'tonight?
Rogue leaned back into her pillow, removing her earphones. "Relaxing Remy. In case ya forgot, we spent all o'last night dancing.
"Hmm." Remy sat on his knees, arms resting on her mattress. He began to trace her bare arm with his finger.
Rogue slapped his hand away with a rude stare. "What are y'thinking Remy?
"I was thinkin' bout dat kiss chere." He left it at that, his eyes holding a hollow, yet hungry look.
Rogue rolled onto her side, facing him. "Sugah, Ah think y'all got the wrong impression. Suppose it's meh fault." Rogue rolled again onto her back, plugging her headphones back into her ears. "Ah ain't easy Remy. Ah ain't like those other girls o'yours.
Remy remained silent, Rogue apparently already entranced with her music, her eyes again closed. She didn't expect his next move.
Instantly, he was on top of her, arms placed on either side of her head, body pressed gently against her own.
"I think y'may have forgotten bout what dat kiss felt like chere.
Remy leaned in, pressing his lips against her own, hugging her tighter in a passionate embrace, his hands tangled within her hair. A slight pull began tugging within him, making him feel faint. He opened his eyes in time to see Rogue's, consumed with sadness. His body went limp on top of Rogue, as she slowly pushed him off of her.
She lay stiff beside him, afraid to move or call for help. He hadn't held on long enough to cause much harm. She took a deep breath, and staring straight at the ceiling, she clasped one gloved hand around his own, her other hand pressing the play button on her Ipod, music carrying her through, blocking out the memories.