Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Notes: There will be no Rogue/Magneto relations in this, just to reassure the bulk of you. I also ask you to bear with me, as this is a mystery sorta, and it won't make complete sense just yet.
Thanks to all of my reviewers so far: TheRealMai, Antonia, ishandahalf, Totally Obsessed47, GreenFairyGirl88, Star-of-Chaos, Uninvited, Babydex and aceofshamrocks. Thanks for your support!
To answer a few questions:
Ishandahalf: You're on the right trackÉ:)
GreenFairyGirl88: The disease will be explained a bit better as the chapters continue-as this chapter may show, it's not much of a disease.
Babydex: Like ishandahalf, you are on the right track. But the disease won't be the center point for the mystery. This is definitely an AU.
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The piercing scream woke Rogue immediately, as she shot up from bed, her eyes frantic. Searching the clock near her bed she saw the blinking red 8:06. She grumbled a bit, but lazily crawled out of bed, pulling her black jeans on in the process.
She opened her door a crack, the screaming having gotten louder, now sounding very close. As her eye peeked out, she caught sight of Scott, his hand forcefully attached to a striking white haired woman. Jean was on her other side, working to calm the frightened woman. Another man she did not recognize stood a few feet from them, his quiet words addressing the scared woman.
Rogue parted her door a bit more, hoping to hear the conversation. The white haired woman's pained face turned suddenly to rage, as she threw Jean sideways, down the stairs. This distracted Scott, as he let go of her arm and rushed to Jean.
The woman mean while clenched her fists, her angry eyes looking completely white as she snarled at the man before her. But just as she lunged at him, the stranger from last night flew out of nowhere, knocking the woman to the floor, pinning her beneath him.
This caused Rogue to take a step outside her bedroom. She watched as he tried soothing her with his Cajun tongue, mumbling in French as he began to raise himself up to his knees. The woman began to twist about, tugging at her long strands of hair, before she curled herself into a fetal position, murmuring inaudible sounds.
The silver haired man she had sought to attack simply nodded in approval, before walking off without a word. The Cajun stood up, glancing towards the stairs where Jean had one arm wrapped around Scott in support, as she limped over.
Scott let go of Jean and leaned down, picking the seemingly sedated white haired woman up in his arms.
"I'll never understand how you get Ororo to calm down like that," he said quietly.
"I've never had a problem wit de femmes," he muttered without enthusiasm, his eyes roaming the floor. Once Scott and Jean had shuffled off, undoubtedly to the infirmary, Rogue took one more step forward.
"So how did ya get her to calm down?" she asked nervously, wrapping her hands around the bottom hem of her shirt.
He looked up at her with tired eyes, considering her question. Then he took a breath in and rubbed his neck. "Don't know chere," he said without conviction.
"Meh names Rogue.
"Remy," he said, before his eyes lit up with a thought. He strode towards her quickly, once again invading her space.
She was startled as he removed her hands from her shirt and lifted it up, nearly exposing the lower part of her breasts as he examined her stomach.
Rogue snapped out of her initial shock and slapped Remy's hands away, tugging her shirt back down. "What the hell do ya think you're doing?
He gave her an astonished look. "Ya didn't take de pill.
"What makes ya so sure?" Rogue asked, swallowing tightly.
"Y'get blue patchy spots on your skin at first, usually your arms or stomach, when y'take dose pills," Remy explained, backing up a bit.
Rogue put a hand to her stomach lightly. "What are y'all doing here? Are ya sick too?
He shook his head from side to side, his eyes wide as they watched Rogue's every movement. "Non. No. I work here.
"There must be something that makes ya stay here." Rogue pushed, her feet edging forward.
His eyes tensed, his mouth pursed briefly as he backed up. "Maybe." He replied. He leaned in, strands of his auburn hair falling forward. "But it ain't really any o'your business chere.
"Well Remy Ah-
"Try not t'learn too much about it here chere. It be for your own good." He rested a hand on her shoulder. As he touched her, an unreadable energy shot through them both. He met her emerald eyes desperately, before letting her go.
His mouth moved to speak, but no words came out as he began to back away towards the stairs.
"If Ah don't take the pills then how will Ah get better Remy?
"Just trust me chere. And don't tell nobody you ain't takin' em'." He paused, setting one hand on the railing. "It will all make sense soon. He looked up at her with a hopeful half smile before he turned his back to her and wordlessly jogged downstairs.
Rogue watched his form disappear before turning back around and re-entering her bedroom. She looked down at her clothes, ripped and dirty from whatever she had been through. She groaned at the condition her black jeans and tank were in. The purple mesh that had once overlapped the tank was filled with holes, draped over her bedpost.
"Damn." Rogue muttered, as she headed for the closet, hopeful that something would be inside. She was shocked to see a full wardrobe inside. She began to shuffle through the hangers, noticing a majority of brand names. It was very sleek, sexy clothing, and Rogue found herself attached to the satins slipping through her fingers.
She pulled a low slung, slinky green halter top out, finding a pair of dark denim pants to go with it. She walked to the mirror in the corner of her room, taking in her appearance for the first time.
Clots of mascara clung to her eyelashes, but any other previous make-up seemed to have rubbed off. Her shoulder length hair framed her face, her signature white stripe falling in her eyes. She lifted her tank off, and slowly began to dress in the clothes she had just found.
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"Hey Ro', dey treating you ok down here?" Remy asked quietly, squeezing the limp hand with his own. Her head rolled to the side, facing Remy. But her eyes were the only thing to truly acknowledge his presence.
Remy tried to smile as he watched her mouth quiver. Her eyes closed, as she took in a haggard breath.
"I will not last." Remy saw her lips move, as she spoke the words quietly.
"Dat's not true Ro'," Remy offered weakly. "You ain't taking dose pills no more.
Ororo smiled, shrugging her head to the side again. Her eyelids fluttered half open tiredly. "I thank you for trying my friend. But I'm afraid you were too late.
She saw Remy swallow in frustration. But his hand suddenly left her side as his eyes widened. Storm turned in the direction he was looking just as a beautiful, auburn haired woman strutted into the med bay.
Remy stood up, roaming over to the glass paned windows that surrounded Ororo's small room. He sighed as he pressed his forehead against the glass.
"She is very beautiful Remy.
He spun around then, startled. "Oui." He regained his composure. "She is." He returned to the window, watching her interact with Hank McCoy. His lips curled into a smile as he took in her outfit.
"It would do you good my friend.
Remy swallowed, knowing full well what she meant.
"I can't get involved wit her. He faced Ororo. "But dere ain't no harm in looking." He watched Ororo's mouth mirror his own smile, and felt relieved for it.
"It has been a while since I have seen that smile Remy.
He tried to keep the smile up as he walked back to her bed. But he wanted nothing more than to drop it into a frown.
"I was bout' t'say de same thing chere." He lifted one frail dark colored hand to his mouth, kissing it gently. "Take care Ro'.
She watched his form retreat, less languid than it had once been. He kept his fists clenched by his side, rather than stuffed in his pockets. Every muscle seemed on edge. She gave a tired sigh.
He would not of left so soon, had he known.
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Rogue wrapped her arms around her thin frame, a slight breeze tickling her skin as she stepped outside. Hank McCoy had told her very little else about the disease she supposedly had, and despite the fact she had nowhere else to go, she wanted nothing more than to leave the place.
"Evenin' chere.
Of course there was always him.
"Hey." She said awkwardly, leaning against a post, her arms still tightly hugging herself. She watched him look her up and down from the corner of her eye.
"You know you're wearing a dead girl's clothes, right chere?
Rogue's body went stiff, as she slowly met his gaze. His cigarette was dangling ignored between his fingers, his expression serious.
"And just how the hell would Ah know that?" She felt angry at his blunt question.
He shrugged, returning to his cigarette, now choosing to ignore her. Rogue took a long breath, and sat down a few spaces away from him.
"So who was she?
"A very spirited British girl. Hard as nails. Smoked damn fine cigarettes too.
Rogue smiled at his description, feeling a bit more comfortable in the clothes she now wore. "She died o'this gene disease?
Remy scuffed the toe of his boot into the cement nervously. "Non Rogue, she didn't die o'that. She worked here, like me.
She watched Remy inhale from his cigarette, waiting for him to continue.
"It ain't really a disease anyway. It be more like an elitist movement. Remy's eyes were clouded over, as if he were phasing Rogue's presence out. The hazel in his eyes began to glow slightly.
"How did she die Remy?" Rogue asked, trying to break his trance, ignoring his comment.
He shook his head side to side, his eye color returning, as his bangs covered his face. His palms rose to his face, rubbing his eyes quickly. "One o'de patients killed her. Went crazy and killed her.
"Was it that white haired woman from this morning?
A brief flint of rage passed over Remy's expression. "Non! Ororo would never o'done dat. Even in her state!
Rogue could tell the woman meant something to Remy, and tried placing a hand on his knee to apologize. Her contact caused him to jump a bit, knocking her hand back off.
"It was a man named Logan." Remy continued slowly. "De pills weren't havin' any affect on him. He was like a wild animal.
Rogue had no idea what to say, so she stayed silent for a few moments, as did he. She stood up then, brushing the back of her pants off.
"Well, Ah should probably be getting back inside," she said lamely.
"I know what you're thinking Rogue." He said with his back to her. "You're wondering why your still here, what you're waiting for.
"Ye-yes Ah am wondering that Remy," Rogue replied shakily.
He stubbed his cigarette out, standing up then. He walked towards her, lifting her chin up. But he didn't say anything, just sighed, gazing at her longingly.
"Want t'take a walk chere?" He finally asked.
She could hear the soft pitter patter of rain start, hitting the dust and concrete, but she nodded her head yes anyway.
He let go of her chin, letting one finger slide along her skin as he did so. As they stepped out from under the covered patio, the rain suddenly stopped.
"That was strange.
Remy just smiled, and kept walking.
They headed towards the shimmering lake, treading through the grass. But Rogue's vision kept grabbing hold of the graveyard, on top of the hill to their right. She scrunched her eyes, picking out a dark blob that looked like a person. The loose grip on her wrist distracted her, as she spun around, eyes wide, towards Remy.
"You ok chere?" She noticed his eyes flitter towards the graveyard, then back down to her.
"Yes," Rogue gulped. "Ah'm fine.
Remy nodded, releasing her arm. "Ok, cuz you were just standing dere, all blank eyed and tense.
Rogue felt a blush creep up her face. "Sorry. It's just frustrating not knowing anything bout' this place. Everything draws meh attention in.
Remy put his hands into his jean pockets, slouching a bit. The wind whipped long strands of his hair around, as his eyes pondered her. Rogue wanted to tell him he was one thing that caught her attention.
"You're a strange femme Rogue. I woulda been long gone from dis place were I in your position.
Rogue put her hands on her hips, looking off to the side. Her hair tousled around, the white stripe covering her face. Tiny drops of rain began to fall in quick succession, sticking her hair to her cheek. Suddenly she felt Remy's hands warm against her wet face. She was forced to meet his eyes, now wild with confusion. Or perhaps it was passion. Without a word he leaned in, drinking in her lips. When he let go, Rogue pressed a finger against her mouth in surprise.
"Why?" It was the only word that she could mutter. She just wanted him to kiss her again. The rain stayed steady, but lightened to a drizzle.
"I," Remy paused, his chest heaving slightly, his eyes yearning. "De pills suppress somethin' inside o'you Rogue. You have to know dat. Your heart musta been too good for dem to keep.
Rogue looked at him puzzled, as a harsh wind nearly knocked her over. She could hear thunder in the distance as dark clouds began to fill the sky.
Remy's eyes wandered upwards, his yearning switching to fear. "Shit," he cussed. He looked back to her with panic in his eyes. "Something's wrong." It was all he said before he took off running in the direction of the mansion. Rogue followed, afraid to be caught in the storm alone.
But Remy was fast, and was yards ahead of her already. The wet ground was becoming slippery, and Rogue slid in the grass, her arms flailing, nearly falling on her face. She landed on her knees, catching herself with her hands. Her hair fell down as she stared at the muddied ground. She felt like crying.
She heard the sloshing sound of light footsteps. But when a pair of pink tennis shoes stopped in front of her, she knew it wasn't Remy. Rogue felt her nerves go into spasm as she lifted her head slowly, blowing strands of hair from her face.
It was the girl she had seen staring at the wall, the one she thought she had made up. Rogue climbed to her feet clumsily, her eyes never leaving the solemn girl. Rogue swallowed as she faced the shorter girl. Upon closer inspection, Rogue noticed she was practically translucent.
"Oh meh gawd," Rogue breathed, taking in the ghost like girl.
The girl tried smiling, and put one hand out in front of her. Rogue looked down at it, and cautiously reached out to shake it. But her hand went right through the other girl, and Rogue shrieked a bit, jumping back in shock.
A disappointed and scared face fumed back at her, as the girl snatched back her hand and began to slowly sink down into the ground.
Rogue felt her heart stop for a small second before she took off in a fast sprint, never looking back.
