Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
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Magnus looked slightly peeved from his position behind the desk. Remy's eyes met his, the fiery red depths consuming the coldness held behind Eric's own blue orbs. Remy had a glare that could not be beat.
Finally, Eric let the muscles in his face relax, as his gaze drifted to the woman who know stood dangerously close to Remy.
"At the moment Gambit, you sound a bit crazy, if you don't mind me saying. However, nothing in this world is as it seems, so I will listen to what you have to say.
"Merci Eric," Gambit replied, smirking and re-seating himself. Without turning around to face her, he said, "Rogue, y'may want t'sit down chere.
"Ah'm fine standing," she breathed quietly. But she placed one hand on the back side of Remy's chair, as if to brace herself.
"Have y'ever worked wit Mystique Magnus?" Remy asked, cocking his head in what appeared to be amusement. Eric's lips parted as if to speak, but Remy cut him off.
"Course y'have Eric. Most people o'your stature have, whether dey knew it or not." Remy could feel Rogue bristle behind him at the topic of her foster mother. "Anyways, she is good friends wit a woman by de name o'Destiny. A pre-cog who can predict de future. And dis future went de wrong direction.
Magnus coughed, one eyebrow raised. "So? Perhaps her mutant power was not working correctly. This is beginning to seem foolish Gambit.
"Let him speak Eric. Ah grew up around this woman Destiny. She ain't the kind ta make mistakes.
Gambit felt his heart swell at Rogue's gesture, as small as it was. "De problem is Eric, she is still seeing de future as it was supposed t'occur. My research wit Essex, Mystique and Destiny have led us t'believe dat dis alternate timeline is in effect gonna become jumbled. Eventually we'll all be sucked inta a black hole o'nothingness, for lack o'a better phrase.
"This is absurd Gambit. It is all speculative thinking, and even if it were true, what could we do about it?
Gambit grinned slyly, his hands clasped in his lap. He glanced briefly to Logan and Jean, who still remained quiet out of respect. "Ya forget Magnus. In a sense, I do work for Apocalypse. And Essex and I got all de access we need to his technological advances. Let's just say we got scientific proof dat dis world ain't gonna hold together for much longer.
Magnus's chest heaved as he thought over Gambit's words.
"We have a man who works wit us, a guy by de name o'Forge. He's developed a time portal. All we gotta do is go back in time and fix it.
"Fix what Remy?" he heard Rogue question behind him.
Remy leaned forward, letting his elbows rest on the desk. "De X-Men were never supposed ta fight de Marauders dat day. I was never supposed to die. De X-Men were theoretically gonna fight Apocalypse whole, wit all dere members. Rogue was Logan's secret weapon, de one we were gonna use if all else failed. And all else was gonna fail.
"And just how would Rogue defeat Apocalypse?" Magneto asked, his tone a bit perturbed.
"By usin' her absorption powers on someone else. Leeching de abilities of a mutant who can shut mutant powers off for a short time." Remy sighed, and leaned back against his chair, his neck hitting the edge of Rogue's fingers. He moved forward quickly, but felt the nail of her fingertips reach out and graze his neck. He blinked once, unsure of what had just happened.
"And why did you come here Remy? Surely you could have gone back in time without our permission.
Remy stood up, shifting sideways so he had the view of everyone in the room.
"Because Magnus, it be me and Rogue who have ta go back in time.
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Six months previous-
Remy stood in front of the vast mansion, surveying the magnetic bubble that lay translucent around it. A pair of small binoculars were held to his eyes, as he scoped the grounds for any guards. Any sign of her. Of Rogue.
The binoculars fell with a dull thud to his chest, the cord around his neck tugging a bit. He pulled them off and tucked them into a cargo pocket attached to his thigh. He moved forward to the fence, hopping over it gracefully, his tight black suit keeping him hidden beneath the night sky.
He began a slow trot towards the mansion's entrance, watching the bubble that protected it flicker in and out as if it were malfunctioning. At the last moment he sped up, sliding his body to the ground, than twisting into a roll. He landed on his stomach, hands pressed into the soft dirt. The bubble flickered back on, just one inch from his pinky finger. Remy gave a cocky smirk, lifting himself from the ground in one fluid motion.
He walked carefully the rest of the way to the door, his steps quietly gliding through the grass. His hand was on the door handle, a lock pick ready to go, when he felt the presence behind him.
"Only a thief could sneak up on a man like me chere," Remy spoke, letting a bit of charm into his voice.
"Oh really Gambit? I thought no one could sneak up on you. That is what you used to boast." He winced at the iciness to her tone, slipping the lock pick back up his sleeve. He turned to meet the white haired goddess, laying his empathy wide open between him. She was another woman he never wanted to hurt.
"I've grown up since den." Remy replied.
The white glaze that presided over Storm's eyes diminished, as she let out a breath of relief.
"I suppose it is too much to hope you have come to join our ranks?" She asked, her smooth voice resuming it's calming texture.
Remy looked to the ground, then back behind him at the un-opened door.
"Don't suppose y'could let me in anyway, huh Ro'?
"You will only hurt yourself walking through it Remy. As a friend I refuse to open it for you, but I will not stop you.
Remy nodded, the lock pick reappearing in his hand. As the door swung open and he walked inside, he could feel Storm's light steps following closely behind him. A dense smell of musk filled his nostrils as he took in the layer of dust covering the furniture in the main lobby.
"What happened here Ro'?" Remy whispered.
"Apocalypse happened Remy. Most of us live beneath the mansion now.
A slight breeze emitted off Storm as they walked through the room, lifting up old smells, haunting the air. A thousand lost memories floated around, echoing through the empty space. It gave Remy the shivers and he picked up his pace.
"How many X-Men ya got left here?" Remy asked, trying to fill the sad interior with words.
"Enough Remy. There have been many new additions." Storm paused, angling her head to face Remy. "You know you are always welcome back here. Rogue has explained your situation to us.
Rogue. Her name nearly knocked the wind out of him. He began to zone out, before he realized that he was breathing heavily and he had stopped walking.
"Remy? Are you all right?" Storm's gentle hand lay against his cheek.
Remy shook himself awake, moving one hand up to Storm's and covering it.
"Oui chere. Je suis bien.
"I do not think this is a good idea Remy. Many things can happen in a few month's time." She took in Remy's gruff appearance as she spoke. His five o'clock shadow, the long shaggy strands that fell across his face, giving him a very rugged appeal. The man was beautiful, even in his darkest hours, Storm would give him that.
"I don' think I can continue dis fight against Apocalypse wit'out a reason t'even live Stormy. I need to just see her one more time." His misty eyes stared ahead, his expression dazed. He stopped with Storm as she pressed the elevator button.
"I hope it is all worth it Remy, for your sake." Storm warned, as they stepped inside the small oval space.
Remy rested his hands against the bar that lined the sides, taking in Storm carefully. She stood with the same grace and confidence as she always did, but something seemed amiss.
"What do you think love is Ro'?
The elevator jolted to a stop, the doors swinging open. He watched her lips purse tightly together as they stepped off.
"It is something that does not abandon you.
Remy had a distinct feeling she was not referring to just his position with Rogue. But he followed her without question down the hall. Steel doors lined every wall in an area Remy had not explored much during his time as an X-Man.
When they reached the end of the hall, Storm swept her hands up, gesturing towards the door. "This is Rogue's room.
Remy raised his brows, giving a short, nervous laugh. "So Rogue get's de master suite at de end o'de hall? What makes her so special?
He glanced at Storm's pained expression.
"She is by herself now Remy, I suggest you take this time to speak with her.
"By herself now?" Remy repeated softly, but Storm did not answer him.
"It was good to see you again my friend.
"You too Ro'," Remy smiled, watching her walk off. He no longer wanted to knock on Rogue's door. But it opened before he had the chance to run away.
"Remy?" The unmistakable voice asked.
His glare stiffened despite her overwhelming beauty. He brushed past her, inside, without her permission. He heard her shut the door behind her as he took in the surroundings. But the red armor that hung on the bedpost was all the evidence he needed.
"What's de matter chere, dey didn' have an extra bedroom for ya?" His voice growled lowly, as he spun to face her.
"Ah waited for ya Remy. Ah was so sure you would follow meh here. But ya didn't, and Ah-
"Moved right along, huh chere?!" Remy venomously barked.
Rogue looked down to her toes. "Ah didn't move on Remy.
Remy lifted his arms up around him. "Well it sure as hell looks like it!
Her bright eyes bounced back up, tenderly and shyly meeting his own. "What are ya doing here Remy?
Remy let his eyes wander around the room. "I'm not sure Rogue.
He watched her watch him in response, as if she were waiting for his real answer.
He walked to her quickly, grabbing a fistful of hair, and pressing her to him hard, his lips passionately locked against her own. She responded to his touch, letting him push her against the wall roughly as their hands flew everywhere.
In their fleeting passion, Remy remembered asking where Magnus was. When he heard her breathe that he was out on a mission, Remy had carried her to the bed, not stopping for one moment as he undressed her, kissing every bare inch of skin.
She did not object when he made love to her, nor when he held her afterwards, falling asleep tangled together. But when he awoke several hours later, she was not in bed. Sitting up quickly he picked out her form curled on a chair. Tears streaked down her face as she met his eyes. He knew in that instant what she wanted.
He threw the covers off his naked body, gathering his clothing up in anger. He began to hear her sob as he dressed himself. After he zipped himself up, he took two steps towards her.
"What do y'think love is chere?" He asked for the second time that day.
Her trembling figure paused briefly, her eyes begging with Remy.
"Ah love ya Remy. Ah'm so sorry." Rogue choked.
He began to walk to the door, feeling ill, his mouth twisted in irritation at her words.
"Wait!" He heard her sob. His boots stopped moving against the hardwood floor, his back remaining to her.
"What do you think love is Remy?
It was a brave question for her to ask given her position, and so Remy turned his head slowly to the side, his eyes awkwardly meeting her own.
"Love is something dat don't abandon y'chere.
Leaving her crying form, Remy walked back into the early morning light, the sun the only witness to his anguished tears.
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Present Day-
Remy's thoughts had drifted back to the last time he had seen Rogue, causing his attention to leave that of the four surrounding him. The hard tap of Logan's knuckle brought him right back, as he snapped his eyes back up to Magneto's.
"Sorry, what was dat?
Aggravated, Eric rolled his eyes. "Why does it have to be you and Rogue?
Remy licked his lips, pulling a cigarette from his pocket.
"Cause I said so Eric.
He heard Logan chuckle off to the side, as Rogue pivoted herself to Magnus's side. Remy had resumed sitting during his past thoughts.
"That is not good enough Mr. LeBeau. I will not sacrifice one of my leading members for-
"How far back would we have to go Remy?" Rogue interrupted.
Remy smiled, the cigarette to his lips. "We'd have ta go back to de night de Marauders attacked us chere. Think y'can relive dat night?
"If'n Ah have to.
Magneto sighed, glancing between the two.
"You wish to do this Rogue, without knowing all the details?
Rogue nodded, her eyes never leaving Remy's.
Gambit blinked, then pulled a small, round device from his pocket.
"Dere be a way I can prove de world is collapsing Eric. If you follow me back to Essex's base.
"That is a huge risk Gambit." Magneto looked around the room. Every face seemed confident in the young Cajun. It became apparent that they were at one point team members. They relied on one another during missions, trusted one another. And so Magneto had no choice but to oblige.
"Let me gather my team.
As Magneto walked out the door, Remy leaned over the desk, looking Rogue square in the eye.
"What made y'seem so sure you wanted t'do dis chere?
Even from his spot behind the desk, Rogue could feel the familiar warmth radiating from him.
"Ah trust ya Remy.
From the corner of his eye, Remy noticed Jean and Logan slip to the door, leaving the two to their words.
"It's gonna take a little more den trust to succeed wit dis chere." Remy glided a hand up to her chin, reveling in the feel of her soft skin again.
He was surprised to feel her small hand clutch his wrist, as her hand roamed upwards, her fingers intertwining with his own.
"Ah ain't abandoning you again sugah.
Their hands remained pressed together against her cheek, as Remy's heart began to race. His eyes had closed before he realized that her hand had dropped.
Suddenly she was beside him, aligning her body with his, hugging him tightly. Her green emeralds looked up fleetingly.
"When this is all over Remy-
"When dis is all over you and I will be gone, at least dese versions o'us will be.
Rogue swallowed, her eyelids moistening.
"Ah always loved you Remy.
Remy smiled, easing her tension. One white strand twirled beneath his fingers.
"Je sais Rogue. Just as I'll always love you, through any time, life or death cherie.
And that was enough. No apology was needed for their mistakes. No kiss to seal the deal. Soon everything would be made right again. Soon, but for now what they had was enough.
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For those of you who saw the X-Men Evolution finale for season four(?) three(?), called Dark Horizon, you'll remember that Rogue was the one who stopped Apocalypse in the end by using Leech's powers to shut down Apocalypse. I'm using that fact in this story.
Antonia: Hopefully this chapter answered your question.
TheRealMai: The telepathic ability I keep giving Remy comes from a collection of different fanfictions I have read and the comics. The empathy power he has is a slight form of telepathy(of some kind I think) and I think that is what people go off of. Besides, making Remy a powerful mutant is fun.
GreenFairyGirl88: When Remy's powers went out of whack, he burned his hands with their overwhelming capabilities because he could not control them. Or something like that, ha.
Thanks also to ishandahalf, texasgrrl, Star-of-Chaos and Aro. I really enjoyed the reviews for the last chapter. Hopefully all the confusion I have created will be wiped away soon enough.