Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
So, halfway through this chapter you will see a light at the end of the tunnel. There will be some ROMY moments, and less depressing topics! It won't be completely gone, but it will be lighter. It seems some of my readers have taken to guessing what is going on with my story, so I will answer some reviews, and maybe this chapter will change the perspectives. Either way, it's fun when you guys guess.
Aro: Ha! I actually had a lot of this story prewritten, mostly done in one day (just have to edit it), when I had a shitload of time, so no, I'm probably not writing this while your reading. And I start work Wednesday so I may not update as quickly. I'm sorry if Usher partially ruined my last chapter for you, but I'm glad you liked it anyway! Oh, and don't even get me started on Joseph-Rogue's attraction to him made no sense to me-Ugh.
Purple-NightSky: Thanks for reviewing! It's always nice to see new reviewers, glad you like the story!
Carla-p: Thanks for reviewing all my chapters, and I'm glad you like the story. To keep an element of surprise, I can't guarantee the later chapters will be sad, but if you have read my other stories, you know the odds : ) or maybe its more like this : ( we will see.
Star-of-Chaos: Sorry you're confused! Unfortunately, I can't really clear it up for you yet, or it will give away the end. But there is a good reason for Kitty to feel nervous, and for the X-Men to be concerned, you'll see.
Ishandahalf: Of course you're worried, that's how I meant for it to be : ) It will all be revealed in time though, and maybe you'll love me, or maybe you'll hate me. Glad you liked the team's reactions though.
Sairalind Silimaur: hmm. I can't answer your question, but this chapter may be able to answer it for you. Maybe. Glad you like the story. Oh, and I like your name, even though I have no idea what it means.
Sarah: It's so fun watching you guys guess! Keep reading though, glad you're enjoying the story.
TheRealMai: The X-Member watching them will be revealed in this chapter, at the beginning. It's not exciting though, ha. I'm glad I'm keeping you on the edge of your seat, and that you are enjoying the story, despite its sort of depressing turn.
All song lyrics are by The Cranberries.
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Now you're just walking away. Never before, never again. You will ignore, I will pretend. (How)
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Xavier had been the one watching from the window, having just recently spoken with Warren. He too was worried about Rogue's cheerful disposition. Xavier sighed, mentally making a note to have a meeting with Rogue, to discuss things with her.
Finally, he turned back around to face Jean who had come to talk to him about the very same thing that was running through his head now.
"Tell me Jean, when you were inside Rogue's mind with me, looking for a way to wake her back up, did you notice anything out of place?
"No, but her thoughts were so jumbled, everything was attacking us at once." Jean rested her elbows on the counter. "Maybe we should ask to enter again? Now that things are probably a bit more calm inside.
"Yes, when Rogue gets back from her walk, I will schedule a meeting with her." The Professor paused, taking in Jean's worn features. "Jean have you been feeling ok?
Jean looked up with a tight smile. "Of course Professor.
"I am a telepath Jean.
Jean was about to defend herself when a voice spoke within her mind. Her eyes brightened slightly. "Scott and Logan are back Professor. I'm going to go meet them in the hanger.
"Alright Jean, I will accompany you there.
As the two walked and wheeled down the hall, Jean remembered the conversation she had with Rogue when she had first awoken.
"Rogue did tell me that the battle made her appreciate her love for Remy." Jean let the professor know. "She seemed so excited to see him. But the wounds of the battle were not even brought up. It was as if she had forgotten the entire thing.
Suddenly, the Professor stopped wheeling, and clutched his head.
"What is it Professor?" Jean asked, bending down by his side.
"Rogue's back inside, I was keeping a mind link open for whenever she came back into the mansion. Why don't you go ahead and greet Scott and Logan, I will attend to Rogue.
"Sure thing Professor," Jean agreed, continuing down the hall.
The Professor maneuvered back to the main lobby, where Rogue stood staring up at the top of the stairs.
"Rogue?
Rogue wiped her distant expression off, looking towards the Professor. "Huh? Oh sorry Professor, didn't notice y'all there.
"Are you alright Rogue?" The Professor asked gently.
Rogue merely smiled. "Yeah, Ah just said good bye to Remy. Man, leaving his side never used ta be so hard. Ah feel like we're one person now, or somethin'.
The Professor looked at Rogue long and hard, examining her, but he did not respond.
"Is this what love does ta people Professor?
"Sometimes. People handle their ideas of love differently. You and Remy certainly have a connection." The Professor wheeled closer. "Rogue, would you be willing to meet with Jean and I sometime soon?
"What for Professah? Is it about meh powers?
"Actually Rogue, we wish to discuss the battle with you.
Rogue's eyes turned a deadly shade, nearly frightening Xavier, but he simply stared right back.
"Why the hell would ya want ta talk about that?
"Rogue," the Professor tried to calm her down, "You seem to be erasing the battle from your memory, or you are ignoring it, either way, it is not healthy.
"Ah talk about it with Remy." Rogue stated swiftly, crossing her arms.
"Come to my office in one hour Rogue." That was his last attempt as he turned around, leaving Rogue alone.
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And I remember all the things we once shared, Watching TV movies on the living room armchair. But they say it will work out fine. (No Need to Argue)
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After his shower, Remy had gone to the rec room to search for a movie him and Rogue could watch later that night. Kurt, Bobby, and Scott were there chatting as they lay lazily on the furniture. Remy decided to join them, and slumped himself down next to Kurt on the couch.
"I can't believe you and Logan didn't find anything on your mission," Bobby rehashed. "What the hell were you doing the last few days?
"Scott was probably playin' fearless leader and givin' orders t'de empty air," Remy joked.
Scott put on an annoyed look. "We went looking for Sabertooth again. But that got us nowhere, and wasted one whole day. Next we headed back for that abandoned laboratory, but there was nothing of much use there either.
"I can only pray zat we are not attacked again soon," Kurt muttered. "Zis team is in no shape for a real fight anytime soon.
"You're tellin' me mon ami. Rogue's already forgettin' de battle, lettin' her guard down. Not dat I'm complaining too much, it's nice t'see her in a good mood.
"Yeah, Rogue is seriously disturbing me with her mood. And Kitty won't stop crying." Bobby said, hitting his heel into his chair.
"I'm worried about Jean too. She is under way too much stress or something." Scott stated.
"Ve all are Scott. Ve need a healing session-
"Oh no way, I'm not doing one of your prayer sessions." Bobby yelled.
"Me neither mon ami.
Kurt looked to Bobby. "I wasn't talking about zat. But perhaps we need to discuss ze battle as a team. Clear our minds of it.
"I'd rather forget it than talk about it," Bobby mumbled.
"I'm already forgetting it," Remy added quietly. There was a pause, as the members of the room took time with their own thoughts. Remy stood up then, walking to the bookshelf to find a movie.
"I think I'm going to go find mein sister my friends." No one made a move or said a word as Nightcrawler headed out the door. But Gambit decided to give Kurt some time, before he went in search of Rogue himself.
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All the things you said to me today, Change my perspective in every way. (Dreaming my Dreams)
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Rogue closed the Professor's office door behind her, feeling severely dizzy. The words that had been spoken to her seemed to have gone in one ear and out the other, as she remembered very little of what had just occurred. She knew it was just words of concern, nothing too huge, and so she continued walking, until she bumped into Kurt.
"Ah just ze X-Woman I was looking for!" Kurt said as cheerfully as possible, giving her a quick hug.
"Why's that Kurt?
"Vell, I haven't spoken vith you since your recovery.
"Well, as long as ya ain't gonna ask meh if Ah'm feeling well, or what Ah remember o'the battle, than Ah don't mind.
"How bout I begin vith congratulations on ze control of your power?
"That's a start Kurt, a better one than most." Rogue leaned a hand against the wall, looking at his cast. "How's the arm? Didn't know y'all had hurt it.
Kurt stood still, as if off in his own world, eyes no longer looking at Rogue.
"Kurt?
He shook his head, placing a hand on his head. "Sorry Rogue. Anyways, so, how are you dealing vith Remy?
"Uh, well Ah ain't giving ya the private details sugah, but our relationship is going really well.
Kurt's eyes filled with concern. "Rogue do you remember vat ze Professor just discussed vith you?
Rogue's eyes narrowed. "How the hell did ya know Ah was with the Professah? Or even what we were talkin' about?!
Kurt remained silent, keeping eye contact with her.
"He contacted ya telepathically didn' he?" Rogue demanded. Kurt still did not respond. Rogue threw her hands in the air. "Fine! Ah don't care! We're done talkin' anyway!" With that, Rogue pushed past Kurt, smacking his shoulder.
Kurt stood there for a moment, grief filling his heart. What else would the battle cost them even after it was long over? Kurt opened the door to Xavier's office, stepping in and taking a seat near Jean.
"She would not hear me Professor. I'm sorry." Kurt's eyes were consumed with pain as he said this.
Jean placed a hand on his shoulder. "She won't listen to anyone Kurt, don't feel so bad.
"Apparently she listens to Remy," Kurt spoke, each word forming slowly.
The Professor clasped his hands together. "Yes, Jean and I are aware of that, it is one of the primary reasons we tried talking to her.
"Vat do you plan on doing zen?" Kurt questioned.
Jean cleared her throat, looking down at her skirt, smoothing it out.
"We were thinking of bringing in your mother Kurt." Xavier said carefully.
Kurt took a deep breath. "And vhat exactly do you think she vill be able to do zat we cannot?
"Rogue lived with Mystique for most of her life Kurt. Perhaps Rogue will listen to her mother.
"My mother will only force ze facts on her, hurt her more! I do not zink zis is wise Professor.
"I'm afraid we may not have many choices left Kurt. It may be good for her to hear the bare facts. Rogue is burying her memories, recreating them as she sees fit. Many of the X-Men have approached her, spoken bluntly to her, but she does not heed their words." Xavier informed Kurt.
"It's as if she doesn't even hear them," Jean added meekly.
Kurt sighed. "Fine, bring in my mother. I just vant Rogue to be okay.
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Do you remember the things we used to say? I feel so nervous when I think of yesterday. Like dying in the sun. Like dying. (Dying in the Sun)
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Rogue slammed her fist against her bathroom door, splintering it. But before she could break down and cry, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her.
"Did y'see me dat day chere?" Remy whispered from behind her, still holding her, ignoring her apparent frustration.
"What day Remy?" Rogue asked quietly, placing her hand on his own, leaning her head back into his shoulder.
"De day y'first arrived Rogue. Stepping outta de car wit Ro', y'looked in my direction, I think.
Rogue smiled. "Ah saw ya before that; Ah saw ya while Ah was still in the car, driving up." Rogue turned around then, facing him. "Ah saw your half naked body working on your bike. But mostly Ah remember your eyes. They frightened meh a little that day." Rogue's eyes had moved to Remy's neck, where she watched him swallow, his adam's apple moving up and down.
"S'funny, I remember your eyes too, dey were what intrigued me." Suddenly Remy grabbed Rogue's chin, lifting it up to face him. "Why were y'scared o'my eyes chere?
"Ah-Ah wasn't scared exactly. They just caught meh off guard. They were so," Rogue paused, caressing Remy's cheek with her bare hand, disbelief still overwhelming her, "so beautiful Remy.
Remy pulled her into a tight hug. They stood there for a while, their bodies rocking comfortably against each other. Then, Rogue began to feel her shoulder becoming wet.
"Remy? Are ya crying sugah?" Rogue tried to pull her self from his grasp, but his firm hand on her back politely asked her not to move.
"We almost died chere. I waited too long t'tell y'I loved y'. It shouldn't have been like dat." She felt his grip tighten, several strands of her hair getting caught in his grasp.
"At least we woulda died together Remy." Those were the only words she could offer.
Remy pushed away from their close embrace, clasping both his hands on either side of her face and kissing her soundly. "M'sorry chere. Y'don' want ta talk about dat day.
Rogue looked into his eyes, clouded over with tears. She had never seen him so vulnerable. The arrogant man she had met that first day seemed to have vanished.
"No, Ah don't wanna talk bout that Remy." Instead she tugged on the sleeve of his trench coat, leading him into the bathroom. Slowly, she removed it from his shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. "What Ah do want sugah, is ta take a nice relaxing bath. And Ah can't be alone tonight Remy, not tonight.
Remy stepped closer, sliding his hands underneath her shirt, his eyes never leaving hers. "No problem chere. I told ya I'd never leave ya." After he lifted her shirt off over her head, Rogue leaned over and started the bath water.
"Ya know, I didn' get a tub in my room chere. Care ta explain dat one to me?" Remy asked, unzipping Rogue's jeans.
Rogue smiled, in turn removing Remy's belt, and tugging his tight jeans off. "Well, Xavier knows how Ah like meh long baths." Rogue purred, moving to Remy's shirt.
"How de hell does he know dat?" Came Remy's muffled reply, as Rogue lifted his shirt off.
Rogue grinned, placing her hands around Remy's neck and forcing him towards the tub with her. "Well," Rogue continued, as Remy played with her bra clasp. "When Mystique found out Ah was headin' for Xavier's she called ahead, made sure Ah got only the best.
Remy leaned in and kissed her deeply, removing the rest of her clothing. Rogue stepped backwards, putting one foot into the water, shutting it off with one hand. "Wow, didn't take Mystique as de caring type.
"You'd be surprised how much she spoiled meh," Rogue replied, letting Remy's boxers fall to the floor. Stepping fully into the big, white classic tub, Rogue sank into the warm water, watching Remy settle down in front of her.
"What was it like livin' wit her chere?" Remy asked, rubbing her legs underneath the water.
Rogue leaned her head back on the porcelain edge, shutting her eyes. "It was lonely. She was gone most o'the time. She was good at makin' sure Ah didn' have friends, that Ah stayed hidden.
Remy watched her carefully, her full lips composing each word, mesmerizing him. "She wasn't all bad though Remy. She gave meh the confidence Ah needed ta deal with my power. Otherwise, Ah probably wouldn't o'given Xavier a chance ta enter meh mind and show meh how ta control it.
Rogue felt the water swishing about her arms, as Remy slid forward onto her, his warm breath on her neck as he kissed it gently.
"Ah feel like we cheated death Remy," Rogue blurted out softly.
Remy stopped kissing her neck, grabbing each side of the tub with his hands, he lifted himself up slightly to see her face, but her eyes were still closed.
"Why chere?
"It's like that movie Final Destination. Maybe we weren't supposed ta live that day. Maybe death is still seeking us out.
Remy sat up a little, water splashing, rising up and down off their bodies.
"Chere, dat was a terrible movie. Cantcha think o'a better example t'explain what you're feeling?" Remy asked sarcastically.
Rogue opened her eyes, raising her head up. Quickly her arms sprang out of the water, trying to tickle Remy. He yelped, his hands roaming her body, searching for her ticklish areas, their bodies slipping around in the tub, water sloshing over the edge.
"Maybe we should do dis somewhere else chere," Remy huskily suggested, lowering his body down on hers again.
"Maybe so," Rogue replied, watching Remy stand up, water cascading down his perfectly sculpted body. He grabbed a white towel off the rack, tying it around his waist. Then he motioned for Rogue to get out with his hand.
She stood up slowly, knowing he was taking in her every movement, his eyes guiding up and down her body unabashedly. She reached for a towel as well, wrapping it around her small frame. Neither of them bothered to dry off.
The two pressed against each other, melting together with their kiss, Remy's hands moving down her back. When he reached her butt, he lifted her up, causing Rogue to give a sound of shock, than a slight moan as she met his hips, wrapping her legs around his waist.
From there, Remy carried Rogue back to her bed, laying her down, her towel unfolding partially, revealing her lush curves. Remy stood in between her legs, one hand roaming up her stomach.
Their eyes met then, and Rogue placed a hand on Remy's wandering one, stopping it for a second.
"What if this is our last night Remy?
"And what makes y'think it is chere?
"A feeling, in the pit o'meh stomach. A bruised feeling in the back o'meh head.
Remy began to rub her stomach, and leaning down he put his other hand into her curls, massaging her head.
"Well, let's get rid o'dat feeling then, huh chere?
Remy's voice was soft, soothing, and Rogue wanted nothing more than to revel in the comfort he gave her, so she ignored her premonitions, and instead undid the towel around Remy's waist, pulling him closer to her, losing herself in his every perfection.