Sorry for delaying this a bit, but I wanted it to come off exactly right. I hope I did that. Anyways… As you'll realize from this chapter things are beginning to unfold and we begin our countdown to the conclusion of this story. Hope you enjoy the rest of the ride.

Tayrion

The train of consequences

Logan was  following Remy very carefully. He was careful enough to keep the right distance, from Remy's bike and never came too near. The destination of Remy's excursion was still a mystery to Logan, but it seemed really weird to him that Remy seemed to be headed to a very suburban area of N. Jersey.

What the hell a guy like that wants here?

From afar Logan saw Remy pull over his bike and head towards a very common, middle class suburban house, with a big garden, two floors and a garage.

Logan stopped his own bike at a safe distance, and raised an eyebrow. I wouldn't have believed Remy, as having ties with houses like this. What is going on here? Should I get closer? Nah… I wouldn't want to cause trouble to whoever is in there. I'll just wait for him here.

Logan lit a cigar and patiently waited for Remy.

Rogue headed towards the danger-room. She was beginning to get obsessed with honing her fighting skills. She didn't like being bullied around, and as her powers were special –you couldn't categorize them as offensive or defensive-  she wanted to become really accustomed to  the conditions of combat.

Ororo would join her again in today's training. Hank had told them that they would try something new. Rogue was feeling down the whole day. She was beginning to have second thoughts about what the nature of her relationship with Remy should be, after her talk with Ororo. And now that she wanted to talk with him and generally be around him, he had gone out. Where could he have gone? A friend he said… He never mentioned having a friend in N.Y. But then again he didn't say much about his previous life. I hope it's not anyone from his previous… occupation… Logan would flip… Damn you Remy… Why did you have to leave today… I really want to see you… Damned powers…

Ororo and Hank were sitting outside the danger- room and they were talking. Rogue approached them.

"Rogue… I was just telling Ororo about my latest little project. I have been developing it for quite some time now. If you would follow me ladies." Said Hank as he entered the danger-room. In the center of this huge room were two suits. They had visors (similar to the one Scott had) and sensors in every major sensory position (hands, feet, chest etc.). They were black and they covered the whole body.

"They are virtual reality suits. Once you're in these suits whatever you see through the visors the rest of your body will feel like it's real." Said Hank filled with satisfaction over his 'invention'.

Ororo looked at the suits skeptically. "Isn't it a bit dangerous for the brain to believe like something is real?"

Hank smiled. "You misunderstood me dear Ororo. I said nothing about the brain. Your brain will have constant recognition of something not being real. It will just feel as if it is real to the rest of your sensors. You will be aware the whole time that this is just a simulation. It will just be a very real one. Nothing dangerous I assure you. I've tried it several times myself already."

Rogue was impressed. "It sounds really cool. Let's do it!"

"Ok you suit up, and I'll go upload a certain scenario in the program." Said Hank as he went to his control room.

As Logan was waiting for Remy, he noticed that a car arrived in the house Remy was in. A tall, well built man in a business suit, probably in his late 50's, got out of the car and headed to the house carrying a large briefcase. Who is he now? What the hell are you into LeBeau?

"Ororo! Watch out!" Shouted Rogue as she jumped and pulled Ororo out of the way, as a large sign flew past them and crashed in a wall behind them. They were apparently in a dark alley, and their assailant was a large muscular man, who was now picking up a trash can and readied himself to throw it to them.

Ororo got up quickly and looked at their assailant angrily. Soon a small tornado picked up the muscular man, swiveled him for a bit and then she let the tornado dissipate and the man fell back on the pavement apparently unconscious.

Ororo smiled satisfied with her handiwork and turned to Rogue. "Ok. Rogue there   are 4 more of them, do you want to split up or do you want to stick together?"

"We will find them faster if we split up. Plus I can take care of myself don't worry." Said Rogue full of confidence.

Ororo smiled and ran into one of the many alleys of this darkly lit road. Rogue went to her right. As she was slowly moving forward she saw ahead of her in the alley, one of the assailants running towards her. He was holding in his hand a large pipe. Rogue didn't panic although he was twice her size. Maybe it was partly the knowledge that all this was not real so he couldn't really hurt her. Seeing him run towards her, she started to run towards him as well. Just before they connected, Rogue dropped really quickly to the floor and tackled the man running towards her. He fell down face first and the pipe left his grasp. Rogue then picked up the pipe and readied herself to strike him on the head. As she was about to hit him, she saw behind her a man laying on the street obviously hurt. As she tried to focus on who he was she realized that it was Remy. "Remy!" she said with astonishment as she lowered the pipe. At that moment Remy disappeared and the man who had fallen down got up and grabbed Rogue by the throat and started choking her.

As Rogue struggled to get free, she felt really frustrated and shouted. "That's not fair!! That's not fair at all!!"

Logan was still waiting outside the house. He still couldn't figure out what all that was about and then something else happened that confused him even more. Another man, one he hadn't seen before, got out the front door sat down the front porch and started crying. He was in his late 40s and wore jeans and a t-shirt. He seemed like a typical, middle-class family man. As he was crying a woman also got out sat beside him and hugged him really tightly. Logan was at a loss as he watched the two who appeared to be husband and wife cry in each others arms. What in God's name is going on here?

Rogue took off the visor and threw it to the floor frustrated. Then the door of the danger room opened and in walked Scott. Rogue seeing him got very mad. "Was this your idea? I hope you're happy with yourself!"

Ororo came from behind her not sure of what exactly had happened. "Rogue, calm down seetie. What's wrong?"

Scott approached her and tried to calm her down. "Rogue this was for your benefit. It was supposed to show you that anything can distract your attention in a battle. That's a fatal mistake a lot of people make."

Rogue was infuriated. "Yes because a lot of people are fighting off maniacs and then see the person they love laying on the street as if he's dead!"

Ororo noted with satisfaction that Rogue used the word love. Scott though kept on trying to explain to Rogue why he did that. "Rogue you have to understand that you're not like everyone else. You are part of a team who do this kind of stuff very often. And situations like this one will happen to you again in the future."

Rogue was beginning to see the logic in Scott's words, but she was still very angry with him. "Maybe but still I don't want you using my personal life like that again, just so you could prove a point. It was in very bad taste!" Said Rogue frustrated as she left the danger room.

Logan was beginning to fear that Remy had used this house as a cover and that he was actually somewhere else. None of what he had seen made any sense. And then he saw Remy come out of the house and stopping in front of the couple that was crying. They both got up and hugged him. It seemed to Logan that even Remy was on the verge of crying. He seemed very distraught. Remy then kissed the woman (on the cheek), and shook the hand of the man as he jumped on the bike and sped off again. He seemed really depressed. What the hell is going on in that house? He stayed 3 hours in there and then a crying marathon begun. What's your game LeBeau? I'm sure you're up to something, but what?

Remy had just entered the mansion. It was nighttime and most of the residents of the mansion were getting ready for a good night's sleep. Remy though was walking very purposefully towards something. He was looking for Hank, and he was in a hurry.

As he went to the lower levels of the mansion where Hank's medical facilities were situated he bumped into Logan.

"Where are you heading in such a hurry Cajun?" asked Logan.

"Look Logan… Sorry I can't talk right now. I be looking for Hank. Have you seen him? It be really important." Said Remy and the urgency in his voice caught even Logan by surprise.

"I think he's still in his office. What's going on?" Asked Logan, his interest now peeked.

"'tis a personal matter Logan. If you'll excuse me…" He said as he went past Logan and headed to Hank's office.

Logan thought about pressuring him about his visit in that house, but then again, he thought, it might have been that Remy actually made a social visit… Maybe…

Remy entered Hank's office, and he saw the doctor checking on his computer screen some results.

"Hank… I'm sorry to interrupt you from your work, but it's important dat I talked to you."

"Sure thing Remy. What's troubling you?"

"Ok… Listen carefully and answer me as truthfully as you can. It's a matter of life and death dat you do."

Hank started to get worried by the tone in Remy's voice. "Sure Remy, I'll do what I can."

"If I brought to you here a patient who suffered from a sort of cancerous mutation, would you have de slightest idea what to do?" asked Remy anxiously.

Hank was struck silent. He looked at Remy with wide eyes. "I… I've never heard of such a thing before Remy… I… I guess if I had the time to delve deeper into the patients condition, and with the proper medical background I could figure out what was wrong with him… But to actually cure something that I've not even heard before I… I don't know Remy… Nothing's for certain but I could give it a try…" said Hank still bewildered by what Remy had surprised him with.

"No, Hank. I need an actual answer… Would it be possible for you to succeed or not? Tell me what are de chances of you accomplishing something like dat?"

"I told you Remy… I don't know… The chances would probably not be that good, but I can not say for sure unless I know what I'm dealing with. Plus it is very possible that the thing you're referring to is known to the professor…" said Hank hopefully.

"I've already asked once before de professor and he also had no clue of what I was speaking." Interrupted Remy.

Hank now seemed downcast. "Well then… I don't know what else to tell you Remy…"

Remy looked at Hank disappointed, as if he was still trying to convince Hank to change his answer. To tell him that he knew what to do. Remy then turned around very depressed and made to leave Hank's office. "Thank you Hank. Sorry to have bothered you…"

Hank seemed surprised that Remy ended the conversation there since he expected him to fill in the details. "Remy! What's going on? Are you sick?"

"No Hank. Don't you worry about me. Just forget dat I asked."

"I can't do that Remy! If there is someone you know who has that think you described to me, then you must let me see them! You can not abandon them in the mercy of whatever it is they have! At least if I see them they might still have a chance!"

"If it was as you said Hank, believe me, I would bring dat person here without a second tought. But it's noting like dat, so forget I ever asked." Remy with that left the office, leaving Hank confused and somewhat scared. What's going on with you Remy? Are you sick? No, his tests were fine! He seems extremely healthy. Who then?

Up on the roof of the Xavier institute, Remy found some peace and quiet. Not that the rest of the mansion was busy, since most were sleeping, but the rooftop gave you the delusion of being alone in the world for just those precious moments that you were up there. You, the night-sky, the stars and occasionally the full glory of the moon. Night is always the favorite time of those who wish to be alone for a while. And what is the most common reason for anyone to want to be alone? To think.

Remy sat at the edge of the roof, staring at the night sky, lost in his thoughts. His face seemed like it had suddenly aged. At that moment he felt as if the whole world sat squarely on his shoulders. A burden he didn't know if he could withstand. Then he realized that he didn't have a choice.

He made up his mind. After that his face took on a determined look. He made his choice, although he wasn't sure if he actually had any alternative. He got up and climbed down to the balcony of the room of the person he now wanted to see more than anything else.

Rogue was just starting to fall asleep, when she was awakened by a tapping on her balcony window. She was startled at first. She looked at her clock. It was 3 a.m. That can only be Remy… She jumped up from her bed, and took a fleeting look at her mirror. She straightened her hair a bit and rubbed her eyes to drive the sleepiness from them. What does he want so late? …Well… I'm not complaining… I haven't seen him all day… Better this than nothing…

She pulled aside her drapes to see that it was indeed Remy. Sleepily she smiled at him as she opened her window.

"You are crazy you know that?" said Rogue playfully.

Remy smiled to her weakly. "I have been known to have dat trait cherie… Sorry to wake you up, I just had to see you…"

The warmth of her smiled showed that she didn't mind one bit. "Don't just stand out there, come in… And why didn't you come through my door like a normal person?"

Remy chuckled lightly. "Because dat wouldn't have been romantic, now would it?"

"Romantic or crazy?" asked Rogue playfully.

"It's a very fine line between de  two cherie…" Remy entered Rogue's room without letting his eyes drift from her face. It was like he wanted to memorise it. To carve it into his mind forever.

Rogue seemed a bit uncomfortable with the intensity of his attention. "Uhh… Remy… What's going on?"

"I just want to admire your beauty cherie…"

Rogue now blushed. She new that Remy was interested in her but she wasn't accustomed to such straightforward remarks, and such obvious admiration of her person. She didn't know how to respond…

"I could stand here all night and just look at you cherie… Your face… It just shines bright into my soul… I know it sounds corny or whatever… But just by looking at you cherie, I feel … I feel like everything's fine in the world…" All the while Remy kept his eyes firmly fixed into Rogue's eyes.

Rogue was still silent. She looked back at Remy with a mixture of joy and surprise. She didn't know what to do. She wanted him to kiss her so bad, but she knew that it was impossible. So she felt frozen, not sure how to respond.

Remy continued. "I… I love you cherie… With all my heart. You have to know dat. You are de best ting dat has happened to my miserable petty life. Dat's why I don't want to do it…"

Rogue now was confused. What did he mean?

"I hate it Roguey, but I have no choice…" Remy now was very emotional. Tears threatened to roll from his eyes as he tried to open his heart to the woman he loved.

Rogue now was starting to get a bit scared. She didn't know why but she didn't like where this was going.

"…If I don't do it I will lose her forever…" said Remy as tears now freely flowed from his eyes. "But before I do it, I wanted you to know how I feel about you. It's as simple as dat. I love you. I would gladly give my life for you without a second thought. But not hers cherie."

Remy slowly started to take steps towards Rogue, as she slowly started to backtrack.

"I have to do this cherie, but before I do… you have to know… you have to know me!" As he uttered the last word, Remy sprung forward and passionately kissed her. It was the kiss of a man, who has been keeping in check his desire and passion for a woman, finally letting go. But it was also the kiss of a man fearing he will never have the chance to do this again.

Rogue despite her initial shock, when their lips locked, she allowed herself to be carried away by her passion and the intensity of Remy's kiss. She savored the kiss and she was sure that she would remember it forever.

Time remained still as the two lovers were embraced in a kiss that could last forever. It was one of those moments that would remain carved into both their memories.

Remy then slowly felt himself going numb, and his life essence slipping away from him. As his hold of Rogue became more and more weak, Rogue realized that she was absorbing him and panicked jumped free of his embrace screaming for help, as she saw Remy crumble to the floor like he was dead. 

To be continued…

Enchantedlight- Thanks, I hope this was soon enough

Ishandahalf- Glad you liked the conversations of Remy/Logan and Ororo/Rogue. Essex you say… What use would Essex have of them? I wonder :-)

Star-Of-Chaos- Well… fine I'll take her back, but I don't think I can stand all the whinning! I forgot about Remy's unpleasant experience with Jo the penguin in Antarctica sorry…

4Rogue- Glad you liked the chappys. I know what you mean about the fair fights thing. It's like everyone thought "well good for Logan he beat them in a fair fight…" which of course was not the case.

Leann- In time for… his… prom night… then he won't have a date to go with… get it? As for security I think it's the last of his problems now.

StreetwiseGirl- Sorry about the lack of excitement. They can't all be winners now can they? Hope this makes up for it.