Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Notes: Well, the general vibe I got from the reviews, as that you guys either don't like the way I portrayed Betsy, or you don't like her at all! But don't worry, she won't get in the way of Remy and Rogue. I just enjoy writing Betsy that way, it's a lot of fun, and I do actually like her character in the comics as well. Oh, and this story does have a direction, and a plot, you just might not get it until the last chapter. Whenever that is.
The song is Loneliness is Worse, by Veruca Salt.
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It's a subtle kind of cruel, It taps my spine, It's a vicious kind of catch, It sides me blind.
Their dinner never happened. It was put on hold by Sabertooth who felt the sudden urge to destroy the main stretch of downtown. Remy would look back later and begin his what if speculations. What if they had been able to have dinner that night? What if he had told her he loved her? But so much more would need to happen before that began.
Instead, Logan, Cyclops, Gambit and Rogue were heading downtown in the X-jet, in an effort to calm Sabertooth. Logan had tried convincing the professor that he could handle it on his own, but to no avail. The X-team stepped off the jet just as a dumpster went whizzing by, smashing into a nearby building.
Logan unsheathed his claws, letting Sabertooth know they were there. He rose to his full height, abandoning his destructive efforts with a cruel laugh.
"Glad ya could make it.
"Whaddya up to Sabertooth? There a point ta all of this?" Logan questioned, stalking forward. Cyclops kept a hand near his visor, while Remy placed a hand on Rogue's lower back protectively.
"Actually, I'm just here ta deliver a message.
"From who? Magneto?" Cyclops asked.
Sabertooth gave a grunt. "Naw. Not Magneto, although, ya may wish it were in the end.
"What the hell's that supposed ta mean?" Rogue yelled, her southern accent flaring.
Sabertooth looked in her direction. "It means frail, that I'm part o'a new team now. One that don't know the meanin' of the word mercy." He bared his teeth at this.
"And why y'be warnin' us o'this Sabertooth? Wouldn't it work t'your advantage for us not t'know?" Gambit idly questioned.
"The master wants ta test out his new team. Thought he'd test it out on yer team. Just be ready in a couple o'weeks, he wants yer team in the best condition. It's the only way to judge correctly. Sabertooth turned to leave then, and Logan moved to follow him.
Cyclops placed a hand on his shoulder. "Logan, wait. There's no use following him now. We better inform the team of what Sabertooth told us.
"I go where I wanna go bub, y'know that.
Logan took off then, leaving the other three to get back on the jet and head home.
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"Don't you wanna be happy with me? I'm afraid if you don't come around soon, I'll turn sadder than you ever were, And you'll learn loneliness is worse. You've gotta try.
Back at the mansion the X-Men walked down the hall towards the war room to discuss Sabertooth's words. Gambit strode alongside Rogue, who looked a little shaken up. He put his arm around her shoulder, but she just shrugged it off with an angry grunt.
"Look chere, dere is no need to get worried about anythin' yet. I-
"Ah ain't worried about what he said Remy! Ah'm pissed off he got in the way o'our date!
Remy laughed at this, loving the word date intertwining him and Rogue. Rogue gave him a sideways look, and was about to yell again, but his smile, and his laugh stopped her. And so she joined him.
Remy once again placed his arm around her shoulder, but this time she let him keep it there. "I'll leave it t'you chere t'get angry at de important stuff.
"Oh, Ah ain't angry yet Remy. Just wait till Ah get meh hands on Sabertooth!" Rogue shook a fist in the air for emphasis, but added a smile for sarcasm.
"How bout y'join me in my room for a late night movie and snack chere? It can compensate until I can take y'out for a real dinner.
Rogue smiled, knowing Remy wouldn't try anything funny with her. It wasn't as if he could anyway. Her meetings with Hank hadn't gotten anywhere, her control level was still the same: practically nothing.
"Ah'd love ta sugah.
They stepped into the war room then, seating themselves near Kitty and Kurt. The Professor had an unreadable expression on his face as he watched his students meander in. When the team was settled, the Professor addressed everyone.
"As you all know by now we have received a threat from Magneto's former acolyte Sabertooth. The level and honesty of this threat is yet to be determined, however, I am going to suggest we go through the next two weeks as if it were a vital threat. There will be two training sessions a day, morning and evening, everyday but Sunday, in which you will only attend one. Several members groaned at this, slumping down in their chairs. Xavier continued. "I feel we must take precautions. Therefore, I am also going to contact the school in Massachusetts, and see if Ms. Frost can lend some of her students to us for several weeks.
"That sounds like an excellent idea professor and-
Scott was cut off by Gambit, "Professor is dis really necessary? We have enough members as it is. I think we can handle whatever Sabertooth and his "master" can throw at us.
"Oh come on Gambit. Why don't you just admit the real reason you don't like Xavier's suggestions!" Scott threw back.
Gambit rose from his chair, causing Scott to rise with him. "What exactly are y'insinuatin' dere Cyke?
Rogue rose as well, standing in between the two, Kitty sitting in between her and Cyclops. "Fellas, is this really necessary?" Rogue questioned, narrowing her eyes in a very persuasive-you-better-end-this-fight-now glare.
Kitty scooted her chair back. "No Rogue its not." Scott stated. "I was just pointing out Remy's lazy efforts to actually be a part of this team!
Remy's eyes blazed bright red as several charged cards slipped from his sleeve. Rogue reached forward and grabbed tightly a hold of Scott's arm before the Professor interrupted.
"X-Men! We do not need this now! Be seated, please." He gave a stern look in their direction, but before the trio sat down, Rogue leaned in to whisper. "Ya better rethink those words Cyclops. Ya know full well Remy's earned his keep here.
Jean placed her hand on the other side of Scott, pulling him down before he could answer. Rogue sat back down as well, her pale cheeks bright red from frustration. She looked towards Remy, who seemed to be off in his own world, eyes set straight ahead, hands playing with the once charged cards. Rogue took the next few moments to observe the team, trying to rid her anger, as the Professor further announced the procedures to be taken over the following weeks.
Kitty had scooted back to her position in front of the table, her hands clasped, her eyes downcast. Jean was trying to comfort Scott by patting him gently on the leg and rubbing his back. But once again, Scott's goddamn visor blocked his true emotions. She imagined he was furious. Storm was next, sitting gracefully next to the Professor, her attention on him. On the other side of the Professor sat Bobby, Amara, Jubilee and Cannonball. All four obviously were off in their own fantasy world, imagining what sort of life they would have over the next two weeks with training sessions twice a week. Jubilee snapped her gum, gaining a jolt from Bobby, as he assumed awareness once again.
Kurt was on the other side of Remy, but it was hard to see him from her angle. Betsy sat immediately to his right, and she appeared to be doing exactly what Rogue was. Although Rogue imagined she was reading everyone's mind as well. On this thought Rogue swore she saw Betsy's mouth turn up in a small grin, but she ignored it, turning her attention to the doorway that had just whooshed open.
Everyone shot their eyes to Logan's form in the doorway, awaiting his news, if there was any.
"How far were you able to track Sabertooth Logan?" The Professor questioned.
"I followed him fer a mile before he turned down an alleyway. The second I turned down it myself, he was nowhere in sight. His scent stopped halfway down the alley. I don't get it Chuck. He just disappeared.
The Professor looked thoughtful. "Hmm. That is strange Logan. Perhaps my precautions will be needed." The Professor turned to the rest of the X-Men. "You are dismissed for the evening, but tomorrow we will begin our new schedule. Goodnight my X-Men.
Rogue felt Remy's hand on her forearm, and the two stood up together.
"Are y'in de mood for ice cream chere?
Rogue looked at his emotionally exhausted appearance and wondered if Scott had been the only factor for it. He put on a weak grin, trying for her sake.
"When am Ah not Remy?
The two headed for the kitchen, Remy's arm now encircled around her waist, her arm around his neck, both too tired really for a movie, but neither wanting to let go. Nor did either want to be left alone that night.
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"Love liked me long ago, It had a way of making everyone the same. But how the angels must laugh and sigh to hear me, Pleading with you, Needing you this way.
Rogue felt herself being shaken awake, her curls spilling over her shoulders as she rose from her laying down position.
"Chere, we're only half way into de movie, and already you're asleep. I'm hurt.
"Sorry Remy, ya just make such a great pillow." Her groggy, just woke up appearance only made her look sexier as she batted her long eyelashes at him jokingly. Remy swallowed once before diving his hand into her hair, grasping one strand, he twirled it around his finger.
"Whaddya think o'our relationship Rogue?
Rogue looked down to floor, Remy's burning gaze too much for her. "Ah dunno Remy. Ah like it just fine the way it is.
"Y'never crave more chere?" He lifted her chin to meet his eyes again, careful to only touch her for a short time.
"Ah. Ah." Rogue's heart rate began to speed up. "Its just, well Remy, Ah." Rogue took a deep breath and scooted herself backwards from Remy. "We have such a good friendship Remy. We rarely fight and there ain't any real complications.
"Chere, it's de complications of a relationship that give it character. Dontcha want t'move farther? Dontcha feel our connection?" Remy's eyes grew desperate, as he searched Rogue's face for any sign that she felt the way he did. After a few seconds he reached out with his empathy, and was bombarded with her state of mind. Confusion, frustration, sadness. Her eyes began to cloud over then.
"O'course Ah feel it Remy. But it don't matter in the end. It's safer this way.
"Chere, I'm a risk taker. I want t'be closer to you. I want to fight wit you, cry wit you, hold you and know your heart is mine chere! Safe isn't complicated, but it isn't exciting either chere. Remy felt frustration rising in his chest. He was selling her the end of his arrogance, his flirtatious attitude, but she didn't seem convinced.
"Remy, Ah can't touch. What the hell kinda relationship could we really have, huh?" Rogue stood up, her nerves biting at her. She folded her arms around her chest, staring down at him.
"What de hell kinda relationship do we have now chere?
"Obviously not the one Ah thought we did!" Rogue yelled. She began to head for the door, her temper intensifying.
From his sitting position, Remy entrapped her legs with his own in an effort to slow her down. Rogue looked down at her legs, then back at Remy.
"Ah have super strength Remy.
"I know chere, but your being ridiculous, and I couldn' let y'just storm out.
"Ridiculous?" Her eyes softened when she met his own, but she kept her face in a frown.
Remy moved his feet up her legs, and using the back of his heel he pressed into the pressure points behind her knees, causing her to kneel down in front of him. Remy now lay on his back, resting on his elbows.
"Oui chere. Ridiculous. I know y'Rogue, you're stubborn. De thing is, when ya see something you want, y'usually go after it, but now you're just running away.
Rogue didn't move. She let Remy's feet lay nestled in her sweatpants, still clinging to the back of her knees. "Getting cocky on meh again Cajun?" Rogue nearly whispered. "What makes ya so sure Ah wantcha?
Remy once again moved his feet up, this time towards her back, where he gently pressed down, sliding her in between his legs until she lay flat on top of him. Their noses were an inch apart, as Rogue pressed her palms fiercely into the ground. Remy didn't have to answer her with words; his movements were enough.
"Ok. Yah proved your point Remy." Rogue mumbled.
"Did I chere?" Remy huskily replied.
Rogue's eyes began to water, and slowly she brought her lips down to meet his. It was a quick, gentle kiss, her lips soft, tingling his own with a touch of sadness. Remy collapsed fully onto the floor then, bringing his arms around Rogue in a tight embrace, as her head fell onto his shoulder.
"Just promise meh ya won't forget our friendship Remy.
Remy reached a hand up to her hair. "I won't forget a single thing about y'chere. Ever. Remy breathed. Rogue sighed softly.
The couple lay that way, tangled in each other's arms for the rest of the night, the movie quietly playing in the background forgotten.