Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Ok, I'm tired of finding lyrics for every chapter, so they may appear sometimes, but not this time around.
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Remy didn't show back up at Rogue's workplace that evening. She moved like a zombie through the store, completing the shut down the store requirements, as it was her night to close. She waited an extra three hours after closing, standing in the dark store, staring out the door.
Rogue turned around to grab her bag off the counter, when a slight movement caught her eye. Spinning back around she was disappointed not to find red on black eyes staring at her through the glass panes. Sighing, she pushed the door open, plucking a cigarette from her bag. She didn't feel like quitting the habit tonight.
Putting the cigarette to her lips and lighting it, she decided it was better he hadn't shown up. Rogue was a cautious woman, a trait picked up from her years as an X-Man, and nothing felt right about the situation. Nothing except his warm arms. As far as she knew though, the real Remy was buried six feet under. Damn she wished she had asked more questions before she up and left the mansion.
As she walked down the cement sidewalk she entered fantasy land. Being less than two months since Remy had died, she had not completely excepted the fact. She had not finished her grieving period. She wasn't sure she had really started it. And now that a man looking like Remy, claiming to be Gambit had showed up, she couldn't help but wish it were real, no matter how it had occurred.
Suddenly, Rogue began to smile. She was being followed. And she recognized the barely audible footsteps. Not many people could pick up the quiet movements that lurked through the shadows, skimming the buildings to her left. But Rogue wasn't like a lot of people, and she had been trained by one of the best: Mystique.
Dropping her cigarette to the ground and crushing it beneath her sneaker, she paused a second.
"Y'all can come out now. Ah know y'all are following meh." Rogue stated with calm ease, twisting her head to the side as a figure emerged from the dark bellows of a nearby building.
The burning embers of his eyes gave him away immediately, but he made no move to attack her this time.
"Evenin' chere. Don' s'pose I could bum a smoke?" He asked, a slight grin marking his features, but nothing near the charming aura Rogue was used to from the man.
Rogue reached into her bag, never moving her eyes away from him. Pulling one out, she handed it to him, not bothering to give him a light.
"So tell meh Gambit, how is it that ya can't remember anythin' bout yourself, but ya seem ta remember that ya smoke?
Gambit lit his cigarette, inhaling once before answering. "I remember some things Natalie. Sides' smoking seemed natural, I figured dat one out wit'out my memories.
Rogue began to feel frustrated, unsure if this stranger was really her Remy.
"Do ya remember that ya died? Did ya know that y'all have a gravesite!?
Pain ripped away at Remy's features then, melting his eyes, crinkling his skin, killing his smile. "Oui. I know I died and dat I was left behind by my family, my team.
"Left behind?" Rogue whispered.
"Oui." Remy inhaled again, a smirk altering his features. "I take it ya don't know all de details chere?
Rogue grew angry then, narrowing her eyes. "Now just a minute Cajun! Ah don't think y'all are in a position ta say that! Who do ya think Ah am anyway?" Rogue began to walk backwards away from him, realizing she had no idea how this man had found her, when he didn't even know her name.
"Wait chere! Please don't be frightened!" Remy dropped his cigarette, stretching out his hand.
Rogue placed a palm up to stop him. "Just don' come any closer Gambit. Not until Ah know just who the hell ya really are, and how ya found meh!
Remy stopped moving. "Look, Natalie, I don' know much. But what I do know I'll tell y'.
"Ya don' even remember meh name Gambit. Why the hell are ya gonna trust meh? Ah coulda been your enemy, Ah did take your memories after all.
"I don' think so. Call it a feeling." Remy placed a hand to his chest. "Ya make me nervous chere. Nervous and comfortable at de same time. And it feels good, makes me think we had somethin' once.
Rogue felt her heart flutter at his words.
"Sides chere, I know you're name. It's Natalie. I just can't remember my own." He gave a lopsided grin, the closest expression of the Remy she knew that she had seen so far. She didn't have the heart to tell him her name wasn't Natalie just yet.
"Your names Remy. Remy LeBeau.
"Dat's what everyone keeps tellin' me." Remy said, his gaze becoming stronger as he stared at Rogue.
Rogue smiled. "What is it sugah, are ya remembering somethin'?
"Non. It's just I get dis urge t'tell ya how beautiful y'are everytime I see ya.
Rogue laughed, relief swelling in her chest.
"Now that's the Remy Ah know. What do ya say we get a drink and a bite ta eat?
"I'd like dat Natalie.
They continued walking in comfortable silence. Maybe they were both scared of what they would discover if they did talk. But for the moment they simply enjoyed the company of being near each other again.
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"Well, we're all here except fer Shadowcat," Logan stated, stepping through the war room doors, searching the room as he spoke, but directing his words towards Xavier.
"She won't be joining us," Xavier spoke calmly, "Why don't you have a seat Logan.
"Whaddya mean she ain't coming Chuck?" Logan asked, moving towards a chair. Several X-Men looked up from their conversations to listen.
Xavier looked thoughtful, giving a sideways glance to Kurt before answering Logan. "She left while you were out on your mission. She went back to California.
Logan narrowed his eyes. "She left without tellin' anyone?
Kurt cleared his voice. "She told me Logan.
Logan slouched back in his chair. "Fine." That was all he said before the meeting began.
"Now, my X-Men," Xavier turned slightly, a remote in hand with which he clicked the large screen monitor on. "This is why I called for a meeting.
The screen in front of them showed several large blue orbs resting on large amounts of land. The screen was split four ways, indicating that there were four orbs in different locations around the world. Helicopters buzzed around them, but nothing emerged from inside them.
"What are they Professor?" Scott asked.
Xavier turned to Hank McCoy, who answered for him.
"Well, as most of you know, our dear friend Mesmero has stayed busy collecting several artifacts over the last few years. Looking up as much information as I could, I discovered them to be keys to a hidden chamber.
"Chamber to vhat?" Kurt asked with curiosity.
"A chamber to a prophecy.
Several members began to tap their fingers on the table top at Hank's attempt at a mysterious air. He smiled nonetheless and continued.
"According to some scriptures that went along with the second piece he stole in Europe, the chamber belongs to an ancient mutant. One with such great power his own people betrayed him and locked him within the chamber in a sleeping state that has left him preserved all these years.
"And you feel positive this mutant will be a threat?" Scott questioned.
Logan snorted at the question, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I believe so. These scriptures indicate he was a ruthless ruler during his time. He showed no mercy, and he went be the name of Apocalypse.
Jean raised an eyebrow. "Do you think Sinister and his men have anything to do with this?
Xavier spoke then. "Although it is a coincidence they both appeared at relatively the same time, I do not believe they are connected Jean. Sinister does not seem the man to answer to anyone but himself.
"So what should we do bout those orbs Chuck?" Wolverine asked, ready for some action.
"And what about Remy?" Jean interrupted, pushing the subject back to what had happened several days ago.
"Unfortunately Jean, we must deal with this new threat first." Xavier sighed watching Jean's eyes shift to the table. "But rest assured Jean, we will find a way to help Gambit as well.
"Should we contact mein sister Professor?" Kurt asked quietly.
"Not yet Kurt. I would like to divide this team into fourths. We are going to create watch outs for each orb. We cannot attack them by force. Let's see what we can learn from them first.
The X-Men piled out of the room upon being dismissed, slight hope escaping from their hunched shoulders and weary expressions. Gambit's death and the creation of the Marauder's had torn the team apart and every member wondered if a mutant with such acclaimed power would destroy what was left of their broken spirits.
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"No!
"Oh come on chere. Just one pepper." Remy crept his fork towards Rogue's mouth.
"Ah ain't eatin' that Remy.
"You're from de south chere. Ain't ya supposed t'like spicy, hot food?
"Ah don' know Cajun, you're from the south too, ya tell meh." Rogue countered, resting one elbow on the table, leaning closer.
Remy popped the pepper into his own mouth, but the heat of it did not seem to affect him. He did however take a sip of water before answering Rogue.
"It's funny de accent stayed wit me, huh?" Remy asked, playing with his silver knife, looking down at the table. "Guess it be too natural t'just disappear.
"Ya don't remember anythin' bout your life?
Remy moved his fingers to the stem of his wine glass. "Not a thing." He took one large sip of his wine then met her eyes. "Do you remember my life Natalie?
Rogue swallowed, unprepared for the question. "No." She shifted in her chair. "Ah mean, not really. Ah locked your psyche in meh mind somewhere." She paused. "Somewhere safe." She added.
"Oh.
She decided to change the subject. "Exactly how did ya survive Remy? Ah was told ya died." They had been bullshitting all evening and Rogue could not take it anymore. She had to know.
Remy replied bluntly. "A man named Nathanial Essex saved me. Rescued my near dead body after a team, de X-Men I think de call demselves, left me t'die." His eyes burned slightly at this.
"They wouldn't do that Remy." Rogue stated confidently.
"How do y'know chere? Where you an X-Man too?" He hadn't meant his voice to be accusing, but it came out that way.
Rogue looked to the tablecloth. "Yes." She replied. "Ah was an X-Men." She looked back up. "That's how Ah know they would nevah leave ya ta die.
Remy leaned back in his chair.
"Who were ya to me chere?" He asked suddenly.
A brief panic overwhelmed Rogue's mind at his question. "Ah can't answer that question now Remy," was her only reply.
"Why not chere?" Remy asked, his voice turning cold.
Before she could search for an excuse, their waitress interrupted them to ask if everything tasted good. Remy answered politely for them and asked for the check. Turning back to Rogue he decided to dismiss his previous question.
"Ya finished Natalie?" He asked instead.
Rogue looked to her plate. "Yeah, Ah guess.
"Want t'take a walk den petit?" He asked, trying to put on his best smile.
Rogue felt a little uneasy at the thought, as it was already nearing midnight and this Remy was practically a stranger to her. But remembering that she was invulnerable helped encourage her to take his offer.
"Where to sugah?" She asked, reaching behind her to grab her jacket.
"Well, where do y'live chere?" He asked. "I can walk y'home." He added.
His question came out harmless, his tone bland, no hidden intentions lay in his appearance. Rogue simply smiled, and stood up from her chair, indicating that she would lead the way. Remy slipped some cash into the bill cover as the waitress dropped it by, then slide out of his chair and followed behind her.
Rogue reached the sidewalk outside the restaurant, and pushed off her tennis shoes, picking them up and shoving her socks into the shoes. Remy watched her graceful movements wanting nothing more than to sweep her off her bare feet.
Instead he walked beside her into the soft sand, closing in on the water's edge. She kicked up handfuls of sand as she walked, digging her toes into the grain. Her eyes remained at her feet while Remy's remained on her.
After a few seconds of silence in the moonlight, Rogue finally spoke. "Ya know Cajun, Ah'm mighty confused as ta how Ah should deal with all o'this." She gestured her hands around her, emphasizing her words.
Remy didn't speak. He didn't know how to deal with it either.
"Ah mean, what do ya want exactly from meh Remy?
"My memories." The words came out without thought.
Rogue stopped walking, suddenly afraid. She waited for him to elaborate, watching his body twitch. He crossed his arms and began creating a hole in the sand with his toe.
"I didn' mean it like dat chere. I'm just hopin' I can learn about myself through you.
"But why?!" Rogue suddenly yelled. Startled, Remy looked up as she continued. "Ah mean, why not turn ta the X-Men? How'd ya even find meh?
Remy swallowed. "I'm told you may have been my life chere." He wasn't sure he should have said those words just yet, but they came out anyway.
"By who?" Rogue asked breathless and confused.
"It don' matter chere." Remy started to move forward again, and Rogue followed, her hair blowing wildly in the wind.
They remained quiet as they edged up on a cluster of apartment buildings near the beach. Rogue pointed forward to a grayish building.
"That's mine Remy." A hint of melancholy laced her tone and she did not meet his eyes.
Remy quickly reached over and grabbed hold of her thin wrist. Pulling her towards him, he left her an inch from his face.
"I have t'know chere.
As he said this he leaned in and kissed her, gently at first, before Rogue responded more passionately. As they pulled apart, Remy looked at her with a broken expression.
"Whatever happened Natalie, I'm sorry.
"It wasn't your fault Remy.
"I can't possibly be de man y'once cared for." Remy's eyes burned intensely, and strangely, Rogue's eyes began to match his own.
Rogue looked to the side, staring at her apartment building in the distance.
"Ah'm stronger than Ah look Remy. Ah can handle ya.
Remy laughed lightly.
Rogue smiled and began to walk home. Turning around she tried to give Remy a look of hope.
"Time will tell Remy. Stop by meh workplace tomorrow.
Remy nodded, and watched her walk off. A few seconds later he dashed after her, his footsteps lightly impacting the sand, his strides long and quick.
His eyes pleaded in desperation as he ran in front of her and held her by the shoulders.
"Let me be wit y'tonight chere.
He needed no more words, as Rogue embraced him. Nothing needed to happen that night. The intoxication they earned from being near one another proved to be enough. And so Rogue brought him to her tiny apartment and curled up in his arms. And for the first time she was able to experience touching Remy without fear in all it's bright reality. It was not just a dream or made up memory.
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Iceman, Cyclops and Psylocke were watching over the globe that had formed in China. Betsy had remained stiff as a statue for over five hours looking for any sign that the dome was opening. Finally, Cyclops had ordered her to take a break, knowing she was exerting herself more than she should, and she had been ever since Warren had left. It was her way of coping, Scott supposed.
As she stalked off into the woods behind them, Iceman picked up a speck in the evening sky. Clearing his eyes and pointing into the pinkish hue, Bobby began to stutter.
"Please tell me I'm seeing things Cyke.
Cyclops looked in the direction Bobby had lifted his finger towards. Wiping his goggles, fearful that he too was seeing things, Scott did a double take. But sure enough, the figure closing in on the dome appeared to have wings.
As the man reached the dome, he turned towards their stake out position, and his metal wings expanded, giving the two X-Men full view of his face. It was Warren.
Psylocke had emerged again from the forest, and Bobby gulped. "Uh, maybe you should leave again Betsy.
But Bobby's warning was too late. Betsy's keen eyes had already picked up Warren's form, his new found wings spread wide, a mechanical expression on his face.
Psylocke instantly removed her katana just as Warren's wings released a hundred metal spikes in their direction. Fast as lighting, Betsy began to deflect every one, with some help from Cyclop's optic blasts. Bobby tried icing the blades, but ended up having to create a protective shield, as his ice was not fast enough to protect himself.
Warren paused for a second, before suddenly dive bombing the trio, spikes swarming towards them as he moved closer. As he swooped down, Betsy met his eyes, and dropped her defenses. Her eyes betrayed her concern and one small spike managed to lodge it's way into her upper bicep. But she did not cry out in pain, she simply fell to her knees, defeat written on her features. Warren had not displayed worry for her within his blue eyes. He no longer seemed to care, and it shook Betsy, leaving her lifeless on the ground.
Cyclops regarded Betsy's condition and ordered a retreat. As they ran for their small helicopter in the woods, they could feel Warren's presence in the sky above them. Spikes began to rain down on them, but the three managed to escape any other injuries as they entered the small copter.
Once out of Angel's range, the three turned on their radio screen and contacted the mansion. It seemed the other three teams had encountered similar situations, as each orb appeared to be guarded. All X-Men were returning back home.
As Cyclops flew the plane, Bobby turned from his spot next to Scott to the back of the helicopter. Psylocke was in her seat behind Cyclops. Her wound was now wrapped with a piece of cloth from her own uniform. Her vision was not directed out the window beside her, rather she stared straight forward, her eyes never even blinking. Bobby knew she felt his eyes watching her, but she made no move to acknowledge it. Bobby sighed, fearful that the love this team held for one another would be their deathbed in the end.
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When Rogue had fallen asleep, Remy had slipped from her grasp. He had several things he needed to pick up from Essex's base, and as he always seemed to have a hard time sleeping, he chose that moment to pick them up. He wanted to be back before Natalie woke up in the morning.
It was four in the morning as Remy wandered outside and pressed a button, calling on the portal Essex used to transport his team. The slight wind rolling off the ocean waves sent shivers across his bare arms.
As the portal opened, the only thing Remy could think was that he already missed her.
Once he had reached the inside of Essex's base, Remy began to slink through the halls. He felt the arm reach out for him, and grabbing it, he twisted back into the room the attacker was positioned in. He recognized her scent before anything else.
"I love it when you play rough Gambit." She purred.
His red eyes glowed in the dark depths of the room. "Whaddya want Vertigo?
She snatched her wrist away from Remy's loose grasp. "You know what I want. It's the same thing you always seem to want too.
Remy's lips tightened and he began to walk from the room. Pushing her self off the wall, she moved to follow him, speaking to him from behind.
"Oh come on Gambit. Don't tell me you're already in love with the girl!
Remy spun around. "What do y'know bout' any girl Vertigo?
"News travels fast round here "Remy". I can call ya that now right?" She winked then, pressing her palm into his chest, winding her hand down to his pants.
Remy caught her hand before it reached too far. "Anythin' we may o'had is done Vertigo. Side's it was just sex." With that Remy turned around and headed for his room.
Vertigo smiled. "But it was fun, wasn't it Rem?" She chided. He ignored her as her laugh echoed through the hall.
As he closed his bedroom door behind him, he pulled a small bag from his closet, and began to fill it with spare clothes and bathroom supplies. He had not acquired much in his short time without memories, and he honestly hoped he could escape ever having to return here again.
Sliding his bag over his shoulder, he made his way back outside, taking a short cut to avoid Vertigo, and moving with quieter steps. It wasn't until his feet hit the sand that he released his breath, relief coursing through him.
Crawling back through Rogue's window, he was relieved to see her still asleep. As he stripped back down to his boxers, he took the moment to watch her. They had slept together, but not had sex, and it was more than enough for the moment. Neither one of them really knew one another, but their hearts screamed remembrance. And that was all they needed to lie in each other's arms.
He lifted up the sheets, sliding in beneath them. Rogue lay on her back, one hand draped above her, they other lying on her chest. Remy scooted himself into her curves, resting his head near her face, in the cusp of her neck. Her arm subconsciously fell down upon his bare back. Pressing into her closer, Remy clung to her lithe form, feeling content for the first time in his new life, because for the first time he was remembering something. Feelings he felt for this woman were rushing around inside him, and he felt inclined to listen, even if it meant not going back to Essex. Even if it meant never recovering his memories.
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questions:
Pandora's Sorrow: What were you confused with? I suppose there are a lot of things that may seem confusing, but a lot of that I may want to keep that way for now. Basically though, Remy had no memories, and Essex sent him to find Rogue. Rogue was in shock to see him again, and so she didn't react the way some may think she should have. If after this chapter it's still not making sense, just keep asking questions.
Ishandahalf: First just let me comment on your holy sequel, batman line. That was funny. And yes, Remy has no memories, and he is confused. As this chapter proved, some part of him cares for Rogue, even if he doesn't understand it completely. His evil nature may not be gone entirely but neither is his love for Rogue.
TheRealMai: Remy won't be like the Morph in the animated series, although he was taken from the X-Men and saved from death by Mr. Sinister, I will tell you now because it doesn't matter to the story that he does not have a chip in his brain that Sinister is controlling. And I'm not sure if Sinister's weakness to Cyclops optic blasts will come in to play, but maybe.