Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
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Ain't nobody talking now, nobody nothing's said. No one's about to shout, nobody's seeing red. You're killing a southern belle. Killing a southern belle. ("Southern Belle", Elliot Smith)
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Sitting around the table, coffee cups in hand, the X-members present worked hard to distract themselves from what was undoubtedly going on upstairs, but to no avail.
"Do you think everything is going alright up there Charles?" Storm asked. Xavier tapped his head, "I'm keeping a watch on things Storm." He paused then. "I'm afraid there will be much to clean up when this day is done.
"Is it working then Professor?" Jean asked, curious.
The Professor frowned, looking over to Jean. "Undecidingly so Jean. Mystique's blunt use of her tongue is forcing awareness on Rogue. But I do not yet know if it will last.
"Perhaps someone else should be up there Professor." Scott advised.
"No Scott, that would only serve to lessen Rogue's concentration levels. But we must all be there for her when realization sets in.
The group in front of him turned solemn, afraid of what was to become of their teammate.
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Secret so sorry that I forgot. Secret, secret we're all bound to forget. I was worried I might be rude to you. So worried that I was. It's a lie to serve the truth, and I'm still guilty. I missed. So be it. ("Hated Because of Great Qualities", Blonde Redhead)
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Mystique moved away from the chair, her eyes never leaving Rogue. Her daughter stood stalk still, but tried to deny her fear with the emotions she displayed in her eyes.
"Rogue," Mystique began, swallowing hard. "Rogue, do you hear water running?
Rogue laughed, then stopped to listen. Her eyes filled with bewilderment, then cleared. "No. So what?
"I thought Remy was taking a shower.
"Well, he was, but must be out now. And he won't appreciate y'all blocking the door with that chair.
"Rogue I wasn't there for any of it. I wasn't there for the battle, or when you fell into the coma. But I have been informed of the important details.
"Mama, Ah'm outta that coma now. The battle is long over.
"No it isn't Rogue! You have not yet woken up from it!
Rogue looked confused again. "What the hell do ya mean?
Mystique felt worry, sadness, frustration and anger consume her all at once, fearful for her daughter's sake. She quickly ripped the chair out from under the door, kicking it open briskly. Walking to Rogue, she forcefully grabbed her by the wrist, shoving her into the bathroom.
"I don't see Remy, Rogue. Do you?
Rogue's mouth fell open slightly, as she tried to form words, but could not. She walked in, searching the small space, pushing the tub's curtain back.
"Remy?" She asked quietly.
No response.
Rogue looked up at her mother with weak eyes. "That's strange." She whispered.
Mystique grabbed Rogue's arm once again, pulling her back out, and pushing her onto the bed.
"You should sit down Rogue. I know I sure needed to. Hell, I even needed a brandy right after.
Rogue waved her hand in front of her. "Stop rambling mama. You ain't making no sense.
"Rogue, there was no water running when I first entered this room.
Rogue blinked.
Raven sighed, deciding to take a different approach.
"Rogue, you were in a coma for three days. Do you remember why?
"Ah got stabbed.
"Yes you did, but that's not why you ended up in a coma.
"Well, Ah was passed out mama, it's not like Ah'm suddenly gonna remember, so ya may as well tell meh!
"Rogue, once you awoke from your coma, you talked to several of your teammates, and they informed you of what happened, so you should remember.
"Ah didn't talk ta no one that entire week.
Mystique tightened her lips, frustrated by her daughter's denial. She decided to use the blunt approach.
"He's dead Rogue.
Rogue laughed nervously. "Who's dead mama? Is that why y'all are here? Someone Ah know die?
Mystique placed her hands on Rogue's shoulders. "Remy died Rogue.
She waited for Rogue's response. But her eyes simply vanished into her own far away world.
Mystique slapped Rogue hard across the cheek. "You will listen to this Rogue! What do you think happened?
"He can't be dead mama, he was by my side when Ah woke up." Rogue said in a shaky voice. "He's been by meh side ever since.
Mystique began to rub Rogue's arms, a bit harshly, digging her long fingernails into the fabric of Rogue's shirt, seething through to the skin. "You became pinned to Remy, by the blade in your back. When you passed out, you began to absorb him. Part of his psyche is ingrained in your mind Rogue, but not his entire being.
Rogue nudged Mystique's hands from her fiercely. "No! You're just trying ta make meh miserable again!" Rogue yelled, standing off the bed, and backing up. "Ya always wanted ta keep people away from meh!
Mystique continued, ignoring Rogue's outburst. "Rogue, you smoke his cigarettes, wear his jacket, sleep in his bed." Mystique dodged over to Rogue's dresser, grabbing a small mirror off the top. Planting it in front of Rogue's face she yelled. "Look at your eyes Rogue!
Rogue's trembling fingers grasped onto the handle of the mirror, staring at the pair of red on black eyes that watched from behind the glass. One hand reached for her face, sliding up her cheek.
Finally, she lowered the mirror, looking at Mystique.
"But Ah touched him. Ah finally controlled meh powers, and Ah touched him." Rogue stated, her voice hollow.
"No, you didn't touch him Rogue. And you're scaring your friends. And quite honestly, you're scaring me." Mystique paused, crossing her arms. "And that's not an easy thing to do.
Rogue said nothing, just stared forward, her expression blank.
Then Rogue began to snarl, her eyes gleaming with hate.
"Get out." She grumbled lowly to Mystique.
Mystique stared into the glowing red on black eyes once more, but did not argue.
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Wake up and talk to me, it's a long time since last night. I know we said things, the saddest things, and I'm not sure it was wise. When the morning's sad you don't look back. ("The Morning Sad", Veruca Salt)
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Raven Darkholme stepped tiredly out of Rogue's room, feeling worse for the wear as she shut the door behind her. As she listened to Rogue sob, she felt even poorer of a mother. She contemplated going back in to comfort her daughter, but would not allow her self to; instead she let a single tear slip down her cheek as she silently climbed out the window in the hallway.
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And I was a kaleidoscope, the snow on my lenses distorting the image of what was only one of you and I didn't know which one to address as all your lips moved. ("I Was A Kaleidoscope", Death Cab For Cutie)
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Xavier reached out to Mystique as she assumed the form of a bird and flew out the upstairs window. Those around him watched his eyes close, his hand raise to his temple.
"Professor?" Jean asked.
"Open the patio door Jean," the professor stated, opening his eyes.
Jean did as she was told, telekinetically opening the sliding door. A moment later a crow flew in, instantly morphing back into Mystique's blue form.
She stood there, her left side facing the team members gathered around the table. She did not look to them, merely stared straight ahead, fists clutched to her side.
"Did she take your words Mystique?" Xavier asked gently.
"You know, when you told me she was seeing Remy still, that she seemed to think he was up walking around, alive, I didn't believe you." Mystique stated quietly, rather than answer his question.
"It has been hard on all of us Mystique." Storm tried to comfort.
Mystique still would not face them, because in truth she was afraid she would break down.
"Is my daughter crazy Xavier? Did love make her weak?" Raven spat through clenched teeth.
"If anything, her realization that she loves Remy may help to bring her closure," Jean provided.
Mystique turned to them then. "Bring closure? She's seeing things! Hearing things! And now she's lying crumpled on her bedroom floor, confused as fuck!
The table remained silent for a few moments, before Xavier spoke.
"Rogue is not crazy Mystique. There is an explanation for this, one Jean and I may have found during our last meeting with her.
Mystique pulled out a chair, seating herself near Logan. "Go on, I'm listening.
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I am milk, I am red hot kitchen. And I am cool, cool as the deep blue ocean. I am weak, but I am strong. I can use my tears to bring you home. I'm waiting, I'm waiting, for you. ("Milk", Garbage)
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Rogue sat huddled, her back against her dresser, tears running down her face.
"Chere, y'okay?
Rogue did not even look up; she was too frightened.
"Go away Remy." Rogue whispered.
"Rogue, chere, let me help y'." Remy pleaded.
Rogue banged her head back against the dresser, over and over, each time harder and harder. "Go away Remy! Go away, go away!" Her eyes were held tightly closed, her forehead pinching together.
Rogue began to feel herself swimming from consciousness, as if she were about to faint, but she still would not open her eyes. When the feeling had passed, she found her self standing in Remy's room, and Remy was right in front of her, dressed in his uniform, trench coat on.
"How'd Ah get here?" Rogue asked, her voice a bit hoarse.
Remy's eyes looked sad.
"Y'told me t'go away chere. And I did. I came here, to your mind. Apparently dats where I belong now.
Rogue looked around. "We're in meh mind?
"Oui.
Suddenly Rogue shot her vision back to him. "Are y'really dead Remy?
Remy sighed, walking to her. Carefully he put his arms on either side of her, rubbing her shoulders, gently, unlike Mystique.
"We had a good time chere." Remy whispered.
Rogue looked up to him, her eyes shiny, wet with tears threatening to fall.
"Answer the question swamp rat.
"I love y'chere.
Rogue closed her eyes then, her body shaking as she cried. Remy pulled her towards him in an embrace. He began to sift his hands through her hair, trying to sooth her with his words. But even he could not convince himself.
"I didn' know chere. Y'made it all so real.
Rogue sobbed into his shoulder, pulling him tighter.
"Y'didn' know y'were dead either?" she mumbled into his shoulder.
"Non.
Rogue scooted away enough to look into his eyes. "Does that mean Ah never really touched ya?" Rogue asked, her voice cracking.
Remy pushed her away a little farther, gripping her arms tight. "Non chere, never ever believe dat. Never say dat. Dere are so many ways t'touch someone chere.
Rogue breathed in deeply, trying to calm herself. "What color are meh eyes sugah?" Rogue asked, trying to brighten her expression, as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
Remy smiled, moving a strand of her hair away from her face.
"De be a beautiful, brilliant green chere.
Rogue shut her eyes, tears sliding down from the corners. She leaned her frame back into Remy's chest, reveling for the last time in his warmth.
"Je t'aime Remy.
"Je t'aime ma cherie. My Rogue.
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Even on a day like this when you're crawling on the floor, it's alright to make mistakes, you're only human. Inside everybody's hiding something. Even at a time like this when the morning seems so far. Don't slide. ("Slide", Dido)
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But what Rogue thought was her last good bye to Remy, sent shivers down her spine, as she raced through the hall, gliding down the stairs. Rogue came to an abrupt halt as she passed by the kitchen doorway and noticed most of the team gathered around the table, eating breakfast.
Slamming her fist into the post, creating a large hole, she glared at her team, her eyes half consumed by anger, while an underlying tone expressed a desperate need for help. Several spoons clanked into their bowls, as the team waited for her next move. Some could not even look her in the eye.
"Why the hell did ya send meh mother in ta tell meh!?" Rogue yelled in exasperation. "Surely ya musta all known! Couldn't one y'all tell meh!?
Silence abided the room, as Rogue noticed Mystique's mouth curl into a grin. Finally Jean spoke.
"We tried Rogue." Jean raised her eyes. "You just wouldn't listen. You blocked everything out. You never even ate dinner or breakfast with us.
Rogue narrowed her eyes at Jean, as if contemplating the truth behind her words.
"Rogue I-
"Stuff it Xavier!" Rogue shouted, pointing her finger at him. As she lowered it she looked towards Raven. "Besides, ya didn't get rid o'Remy.
Xavier sighed, glancing to the side at Mystique, then turning forward. "You mean, you believe him still alive?
Rogue shrugged. "Well, some part o'him seems ta be." She paused, closing her eyes, as a visible shiver cascaded through her body, making her arms twitch. Slowly she reopened her eyes and pointed to an empty seat, eyes concentrating heavily to the spot.
"Ah can see him sitting next ta Kitty and Kurt right now, over there.
Kitty shrieked, jumping from the chair despite not seeing anything, while Kurt remained calm and did not avert his eyes from his sister.
"Is he like a ghost Professor?" Kitty asked, still not returning to her seat.
Xavier narrowed his eyes, preparing to repeat the information he had just relayed to Mystique. But Rogue cut him to the chase.
"Yah Professah, is he a ghost?" Rogue chided, a bit bitterly.
"If he were a ghost, the others in the room would most likely see him as well, don't you think Rogue?" Before anyone could really respond, Xavier continued. "No, what has happened Kitty is, Rogue has absorbed a large part of Remy's mind, but not enough to engrave his entire conscious. A part of him was battling to stay alive, quite possibly causing a sense of multiple personalities for Rogue. She believed, at some points, that she was Remy, but her own conscious fought to stay sane. It therefore created an outside image of Remy that only Rogue could see.
Suddenly, Betsy began to break out in tears, her hands flying up to cover her face. Pushing up out of her chair she ran sobbing from the room.
"Ain't Ah the one who's supposed ta be doing that?" Rogue asked, barely above a whisper.
Bobby gave a little chuckle, for which he received an elbow to the ribs by Scott.
"Rogue, perhaps we should continue this in my office," the Professor began to suggest.
"No." Rogue held up a hand, her face now dry of any tears. "Ah need ta leave Professah.
"Leave the mansion?" he asked, knowing full well what she meant.
"Ah can't stay here.
"Rogue, in your state of mind a highly recommend you do not leave." The Professor argued.
"He's right Rogue." Mystique added.
Rogue glared at her mother. "Ah don't care mama. And Ah certainly don't give a damn what you think either!" Rogue stood tall, her chin raised, forcing the tears back. "Ah'd rather be crazy with the ghost o'Remy for meh companion, then sane without him." She stated, finally deflating, the pain too strong. Before she completely collapsed, she flew from the room.
No one moved to follow her. No one moved at all.
"Would you join me briefly in my office Mystique?" Xavier asked, startling a few students with the intrusiveness of his voice.
"I'd rather go knock some sense into my daughter.
Xavier gave her a stern look, and Mystique rolled her eyes.
"Fine.
When they had reached his office, Mystique chose to stand, rather than sit, signaling her impatience. Xavier placed his hands on his desk, searching for the right words.
"We had a funeral for Remy." Xavier began meticulously. "Rogue was awake, although she does not remember, but she chose not to attend.
"Skip to the part that's relative to me Charles," Mystique snapped.
"Prying Rogue from Remy took considerable effort from what I'm told. They clung together as if on purpose despite their unconscious state." Xavier looked into Mystique's frustrated eyes, knowing known of this meant anything to her really.
"We had a funeral, without a body Mystique.
Mystique's lips tightened. "I suppose I could ask if the boy was cremated, but I don't imagine it's that simple.
"No, it's not. Rogue was carried to the jet first, because she was still alive. By that time Remy's heart had stopped, and there was nothing we could do. When one of my members returned to Remy's location, his body was gone.
"And I suppose you wish to know more about this elusive Marauder team, is that it Charles? You believe they have Gambit's body?
"Yes.
"And you believe I know who they are?
"Yes.
"Well, you're right, I do. But what do you care about Remy's body. He's dead.
"Because I hear he's in the hands of a scientist, a less than morally appreciate one at that. One who knows genetic code and," Xavier paused. "Cloning.
Mystique smirked. "Remy's body is dead. I doubt he is any use to Essex.
"Essex?
Mystique placed her hands on her hips. "Nathanial Essex. Mr. Sinister to his enemies.
Xavier took in the name, unfamiliar with it.
The clicking of Mystique's white boots brought him back to her presence. She was already at the door.
"This was a failed day Charles. This would never have happened had Rogue stayed with me." Mystique opened the door a crack. "As I guessed, love made her weak." She slipped through the small opening then, her last words denying Xavier hope. As he rubbed his hands together, he began to worry about the fate of his team.
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You justify, you're not afraid. And I won't feel like this forever. You wait with me, because you know there's so much more than this before we go. ("Higher", The Cardigans)
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Rogue threw articles of clothing rapidly into a small bag; she had to leave before she lost her courage. The tears had yet to spill again as she moved in hurried steps around her room. She could hear Remy's silent words of comfort echoing in the back of her skull, haunting her, confusing her. His thoughts were slowly jumbling into her own, making it hard to distinguish who's memory was who's. She knew that if she stayed at the mansion she would have a chance at recovering her sanity. But she would also lose her last connection to Remy.
Slipping on Remy's trench coat, Rogue glanced once more into the mirror, her bag hanging over one shoulder. Red on black eyes stared through her, but this time they belonged to her own burning gaze.
She stepped out onto the patio just as the loud sound of someone knocking on her door invaded her thoughts. Ignoring it, she floated upwards. She would not take Remy's motorcycle, nor one of the other X-vehicles, she would not leave a trace. She heard her bedroom door break down, but she would be a tiny dot lost in the sky before anyone noticed.
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Well, looks like some of you were correct. This is not the end quite yet, I will right a short epilogue and if anyone has questions, I can answer them there. I already have a good idea for a sequel to this, because it really isn't finished, if it was not obviously set up that way. Remy may yet have a chance at survival.
Star-of-Chaos: By Kurt's comment, I just meant that he had moved on to become a priest, nothing else too exciting. He was willing to forgive his mother completely through his faith. And Mystique is fun, although, you may not have liked this specific confrontation much, but she will be back if I make a sequel.
Keebler-elmo: You were a helpful critic! I didn't catch that mistake, I still need to go change it too. And as you can tell from this chapter, Remy could not blow down the door.
Ishandahalf: So, was it what you thought it was? Was your bad feeling right? Sorry I killed Remy again, as you can tell, my stories end in a similar manner. I'm not very forgiving, even to those I like I suppose. Or maybe I just like writing sad, angst stuff.
Aro: bootylicicous is in the dictionary? Huh. And you're right, Mystique doesn't deserve the title of mother. She's a bitch. But that's what I like about her character, she pulls it off nicely.
TheRealMai: Well good call on the suspicion that something happened in Antarctica. That aspect of it will be played up more in the sequel though. There is still more left in the puzzle of this story. It's not done yet. Glad you liked the last chapter.
Mystic-wiccan: Glad you love the story, hope you still can after this chapter though.
Texasgrrl: It was kinda like a sixth sense, but Remy wasn't a ghost, just a projection of Rogue's mind. Sorry if this story makes you sad, but it's how I write, none of my stories are too happy.