Self Indulged

By: Lady Lowe

Disclaimer: Read Chapter One. But for this chapter, no, I don't own Britney Spears either.

AN: I know, I know. This took the longest time EVER! Also, I'm technically grounded which means no computer for me, but hey, I've got four computers, and my bro is being a sweetheart [for now]. So, I'm trying to get this done as fast as I possibly can. Thank you guys for the sweetest reviews…ever. Also, there are many allusions in this one so…be prepared. =D

Comet-hime – My second favorite pair (that really existed) is Kitty/Piotr. Just too cute.

Ishandahalf – I noticed that in almost every story, there's always the Remy-using-and-taking-advantage-of-Rogue. Too bad I fell into that cliché, too, right? Oh well. At least you know the outcome…*gasp* right?

Tokyobabe2040 – Thank you for the compliments on the style. =D Just to let you know…comic/90's cartoon series…you know the history of Rogue and Mags…

Legolas Luver – Don't worry, it's from a song lyric. Senses Fail's "Bloody Romance." Mighty good band.

W1cked angel – Well, Gambit is a charmer.

Dani – I'm afraid that this chapter won't really bring out much of his plans…but it sets it in action, I guess. Oh well! I guess you'll just have to see! Yeah, I can't stand Jean either!

Lil twinchic – THANK YOU!

Eileen Blazer – I didn't get your review for Chapter 5. I'm afraid that that review is lost to us forever. But I'm glad you liked the last chapter. I thought it moved fast though.

VenusPrincess – You are adorable. I liked Sailor Moon too. I was always a Mars girl though…anyway, I think anyone that likes Remy/Rogue can't stand Jean/Cyclops. And, yes, the bracelet does allow her to touch. I've been doing some current research, thanks to my handy-dandy Encyclopedia to the X-Men. Awesome book, I'm telling ya.

Haeniliel – Thank you so much for offering your help. There's so many people that have been, haha. I guess I'm pretty bad at the French. *sheepishly* Désolé.

Sapphiregirl – Everyone just needs some good Remy/Rogue mush. About the language…I did warn ya…but I guess I'll keep it to the minimum.

Yoshi – I had my Living Environment Regents last week Thursday. Another reason why I could update faster. In the comics, Kitty and Piotr got together…and I'll just leave them here together. I don't know much about them though, I will admit. French is complicated, but I like it anyway. Haha.

Ostara – I placed them in the Evo-verse which would explain their ages. Although, Rogue is 17 (or something like that) and Remy…well, who knows? They don't say. But well…the teenage years are a bitch. And there's always angst in them all the time.

Hyper-chika – Thank you! LoL, don't worry, you don't sound like Kitty, and I'm glad that you luv this story.

Yumiko – This is a Romy story. What do ya think?

Raven the Dark Angel – I loved it even when they were fighting, too! It just made them more irresistible.

Riah Yaps – Thanks.

Self Indulged

By: Lady Lowe

Chapter Seven: The price to pay

A stifled gasp was what woke Rogue to her senses. She blinked her eyes wearily, noticing that it was close to 4:15 in the morning.

"Ah'm assumin' that yah woke meh up ta tell meh that yah had a good time. Well, that's nice, don't tell meh more." Rogue mumbled and turned around into another person's…

Chest?

Her first instinct was to scream, but when Kitty's hand clamped over her mouth and her butt hit the floor, she remembered. Gambit had placed a bracelet that allowed her to touch. Did Kitty know this, too? Was she in this too?

"Rogue," Kitty hissed. "My powers. God, I'm still conscious. What's going on?"

She fingered the bracelet and whispered back to her, "Ah think Ah can touch now."

"What are you talking about? And what the hell is he doing here?"

"'M t'inkin' dat you surprised t'see me, eh? Din't tell dem 'bout us, chere?"

"Shut up an' go back to sleep, swamp rat," Rogue growled at him.

"Normally, I'd be thrilled at seeing this, Rogue, but now is just so not the time!"

Rogue shook her head. "Ah don't know, Kitty. Ah just don't know."

"What if Logan finds out about this? Have you thought of what kind of barbecue sauce he'll prefer?"

"None, chere, dis boy's Cajun. We don' believe in barbecue sauce."

"An' Ah don' think anyone cares." Rogue rolled her eyes at him.

"Can we please stick to the matter at hand? How can you touch?!"

Remy pointed to the bracelet. "Dere was an ol' debt dat needed t'be paid. Why so worried?"

"Are there any, like, side effects to this? And how long does this last? God! Didn't you, like, think about these things?" Kitty threw her hands up in frustration.

Rogue stiffened as she thought about the other girl's words, but at Remy's coaxing, she fell back into his arms. He tried to make Kitty be quiet.

Later, he tried to mouth. Did she get the message?

"Look, I'm glad about you and Rogue, really, but…" Kitty sighed. "It's almost five o'clock in the morning. We have to wake up in, like, three hours for the Danger session with Scott."

Flopping down onto her bed, she mumbled drowsily, "Goodnight and get out of here, Gambit."

Obviously not.

He lied peacefully next to Rogue. Rubbing the fuzz on his chin, he made a mental note to shave it off, and continued to ponder. What negative effects was it going to have on Rogue? Obviously it was going to have a part in Magneto's plan…

He couldn't take it anymore. He was going to go back to the base, have a nice sip of bourbon, and then maybe play some poker with the boys. He went to get off the bed until he heard his whispered name.

"Oui, ma belle?" He leaned in close and kissed her cheeks, eyelids, and the top of her nose. She smelled like lilacs to him, even though Remy knew nothing about botany. Her skin was soft like a baby's and when she stared into his eyes, he was lost. Inside them.

Deep pools of green…

"No one likes this. Yoh an Acolyte. Ah'm…Ah guess Ah'm on the good guy's side."

"So den we like Romeo and Juliet."

"But alive, right?"

He admonished her, "Remy woul' never let de dead take you."

She slapped him playfully. "Am Ah supposed to trust the word of a – "

THIEF!

" – devil-tongued charmer like yah?"

Remy had frozen with the prospect of her knowing his past. Lightening up, he brought his lips to hers in a soft kiss. "Go back to sleep."

"There's only two more hours befoh Ah have ta get up anyway."

"Would you like to pass the time differently, ma chere?" He pressed Rogue closer to him, making her notice his state of arousal. Teasingly, she turned around, chest-to-chest, and rolled her hips.

"Bonne nuit, an' no hanky-panky, pervert."

* * *

Pop music blared in the room, ringing in Rogue's ears.

Oops I did it again
I played with your heart
Ooh baby baby

"What the hell?" Enraged and her heart beating faster than it ever had, Rogue scrambled frantically in her bed. She wiped her face; dimly aware that Remy's presence was gone. She laid back down as she threw a shoe at the blasted stereo.

She stretched languidly in her bed, her fingers catching hold onto a glossy card. She rolled her eyes and looked at it carefully. It was a Queen of Spades with an inscription: I'm sure you had a good night. Maybe we meet later, non?

"Finally you're awake." Kitty phased through with her towel wrapped around.

"Yah sound thrilled," replied Rogue just as acidly.

"Hey, don't get bitchy at me. You're the one with, like, the enemy sleeping in your bed."

"Il permettre de va, Kitty. Il n'y avait pas de salle pour vous quand même." Rogue rolled off the bed, clambering for her towel after putting the card down.

"Um…what? I'm in, like, Russian Club, not French. I didn't quite get that."

"Je ne parle pas en français."

"No, really, I still don't understand."

"Vous avez le mauvais goût dans la musique."

"Something to do with me…" Kitty complained, "That's not fair! You know I'm not taking French!"

"Quelque chose doit être arrivé hier soir à vous, Kitty. Je vais aller prend une douche."

"Whatever. I give up. Give me, like, your stupid attitude. You're probably getting your period. You're, like, such a bitch whenever that time of the month comes," Kitty grumbled.

* * *

Rogue felt refreshed after the shower. She unwrapped her wet hair from the towel and almost crashed into Kurt.

"Rogue!" He squealed while covering his eyes.

"Mon Dieu, Kurt. Penser d'où vous allez la prochaine fois."

"Schwester, I don't speak French. I speak German, remember?"

"JE NE PARLE PAS EN FRANÇAIS!"

* * *

Kurt sat down next to Kitty. "Vhat is up viz her? Since vhen vas she fluent in French?"

"I'd like, like, to know how, too," a muffled mumble came as Kitty bit into her muffin.

"Man, what is up Rogue's ass today? I asked her where the toothpaste was and she answered me in French. In French! Does it look like I know how to speak French?" Bobby Drake answered his own question, "No. I do not take French; therefore, I don't know any French. So, I ask her quite nicely, mind you, to speak in English and then she goes, yelling the shit out of me in French!

"Is that fair?"

"You're still complaining as if someone cares, so obviously, no, it's not fair. We still have to listen to you," Jubilee retorted. She got a bowl of Raisin Bran in her face as an answer.

"Danger Room, now, bub," Wolverine snarled at the guilty pleasure on Bobby's face. Bobby gave a last petulant wave to Jubilee and laughed when she gave him the finger from her milk-sopped tresses.

"Bon matin," Rogue grumbled as she bounded the stairs in front of Logan. Bobby hid behind him and gaped at the green plaid pants and black shirt. Her skin was exposed, but Logan didn't flinch as she brushed by.

"Did she jus' speak in French ta me?"

"Did you see what she's wearing?!"

* * *

"Bonjour," Rogue said calmly. She grabbed a pear and sat down next to Kitty.

"Guten morgen, mein schwester."

"Kurt." He looked at her expectantly, "Je ne sais pas l'Allemand."

"I VAS TRYING TO LET YOU UNDERSTAND ZAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND FRENCH, ROGUE!"

"Je ne parle pas en français, le condamner! Pourquoi pas n'importe quel de vous acceptez cela? Ceci n'est pas une plaisanterie drôle, à tout, si cela est ce que vous tout pensent. Non, vous ne pouvez pas être seulement agréable parce que j'ai reçu un pouvoir qui le vôtre peut sucer hors, non, cela est pourquoi vous tout sont effrayé, vous ne comprendrez jamais. Je vous protège, pas me protéger me. Vous tout sont égoïste pour penser cela. Mais ceci est que je reçois, huh. Aucune confiance de n'importe quel de vous!"

Rogue stopped from her rant and took a deep breath. "Mon Dieu. I am speaking in French."

"Quite fluently, I might add." Professor Xavier wheeled in and stopped short in front of her. "Come, Rogue. Maybe now would be a good time to talk. Perhaps we have delayed this for far too long."

Murmured whispers came to Rogue's ears. She cursed him silently for making a big show.

Mind your words, Rogue. I have respected your wish for privacy but for you to think me bad is not well for your gratitude.

What happened? Jubilee's mouth spoke the words that everyone was wondering.

Rogue shrugged and continued to follow the Professor. She noticed the pity and sympathy in Jean's eyes and cursed her as well. She saw the approving stares from the other boys and the jealous but happy expressions from the other girls.

Nice pants. Once again from Jubilee.

Her curse didn't go unnoticed, however. Behind the doors of the Professor's study, he wheeled to face her. He made a gesture for her to sit. She sat. He cleared his throat. And she waited.

"Anything you'd like to say before I mention it?"

Rogue shook her head nonchalantly. "Not that Ah know of." She built a wall inside her mind, stronger than before.

A small smile appeared on Xavier's lips. "Well, if you see fit. We haven't had a meeting since you began to work in the bookstore. How is Toby doing?"

She wet her lips, her mouth dry. "The same as always."

"And how has your powers been progressing after your surge?"

"They're fine. Like always."

"No progression in skin contact." A fact. Stated.

Her head whipped. "Was there supposed to be?"

"I trusted that you would be able to do something with your psyches. Obviously, my trust has been misused. It's nice to know that you must resort to petty use of illegal substances."

"Yah mean crack."

His forehead developed creases. "Yes, crack. I'm glad you know what I'm talking about. Can you tell me how you were introduced to this?"

She remained emotionless.

"All right, I can see you won't tell me. But we will explore other problems that have come to surface. First off, you're sudden ability to remarkable French."

"French has always been my best subject."

"Too bad that you haven't gotten a hundred, correct? Don't make light of this situation, Rogue. I can hear quite well of Logan's enraged temperament of a certain person's scent on you. One that knows how to speak French. You know we don't allow late night visits." He had on a placid face, his blue eyes locking on her form.

"You won't let me in. You're hiding his presence. Therefore, we'll move onto your attire. I'm glad you're looking out for everyone else's safety but today, I'll let you speak."

"Ah can touch, that's all." Rogue reflexively grabbed hold of the bracelet.

"An old debt needed to be paid?"

What?

"You three were not the only ones awake." His hand came to stroke his chin. "I'm going to request for you to take it off so that Dr. McCoy can look and validate its safety."

She was stunned. Rising slowly from her place, she whispered, "No."

"I feared of this. As your headmaster, I will tell you of something that I have thought of for many days and many nights. Do you know what it is to be good? Well, no, of course not, you're but a child, confused. See, a person is good when their choice has been the hardest one to make.

"So, tell me, is selfishness the price to pay for glory?"

Rogue shook her head – not in answer but in disbelief. "Ah need a break."

"I know."

"Maybe Ah'll be back, Professor. Ah need time ta think ta myself."

"I'm sorry, Rogue, that this couldn't work out better."

"Ah'm sorry, too." She turned her back to him. "Oh, Professor?"

"Yes, Rogue?"

"Ah started doing it because they asked fo' it. They were happy…and when they're happy, they're quiet. An' when they're quiet…"

Slam. The door closed. Professor Xavier sat still, contemplating her unspoken words.

Ah'm happy.

* * *

Bamf.

"Rumors are goin' off like crazy here! First, I must hear from Bobby zat Keety vears zongs, Scott an' Jean take showers at ze same time and even vatch each ozzer during zis…" Kurt shuddered. "Zat's jus' sick. An' now I hear zat mein geliebter schwester is leaving me. Vhy must you go?"

"Kurt, don' make this soun' like it's the end of the world! Yah an' Ah know it's not….permanent…for now." Rogue's proud shoulders slumped. "Ah need ta be meh again…Ah've lost mah independence."

"NO! No, you haven't. Don't you understand, schwester? God gave you us, and He gave us you. Vee belong togezzer, you and I, sister and brother, family first and forever."

Rogue's hand flew to his cheek. "An' as family, yah should be the one that understan's the most."

Startled at the contact, Kurt almost felt like fainting. However, he felt no pull and he grabbed Rogue into a tight, resounding hug.

"Promise you'll come back?"

"Ah promise."

Fo' now, anyway.

* * *

"I can't, like, believe you. Just because Gambit gives you a way to, like, suppress your powers, you decide to leave now? Have you been using us all along? Do we mean, like, anything at all to you? Anything at all?"

The other girl continued to pack her suitcase without any change. Disgusted, Kitty sighed and walked over to her. She grabbed her shoulder, spinning her around to face her. A tear shone in Rogue's left eye and she hurriedly wiped it away.

Kitty felt a pang of sadness in her heart but pushed it aside. Stone cold was how Rogue taught the valley girl. And she would be damned if she didn't show Rogue that she learned from her.

"Kitty, Ah – "

"Shut up." Kitty's hand snatched onto the power suppressor. Phasing it through Rogue's wrist, she hissed at Rogue. "Let's see how long it will take for you to come back for this."

Rogue made a wild lunge at her but fell through the molecules. The ground slapped her in the face. The Illinois girl had kicked her luggage out into the hall and grabbed Gambit's forgotten coat. She threw it on top of the case and venom seeped from Kitty's eyes.

"You taught me one good thing, Rogue. I can stand in what I believe in. Too bad that you can't."

"Ah'm sorry." Rogue felt she repeated these words a thousand times each day.

"Too many sorries, but not enough making up for it. I won't, like, believe this apology 'till I see some proof."

Rogue gave a mock salute before heading out the door, wrapping herself in Gambit's trench.

* * *

It was easy slipping by. No tears, no goodbyes, and no stares. Best of all, no questions.

"Heard ya goin' ta leave, Stripes. Somethin' I said?"

She turned to Logan. "Ah learned it from the best. Sorry, Dad," she spoke sarcastically.

He narrowed his eyes but softened. "Whateva ya do…jus' don' get hurt. I don' need anotha one on my conscience. An' ya better make sure ta come back. I can't just make fun of the little munchkins by myself."

"Scout's honor." She handed him a ring. "That's from Irene. She gave it to me before Ah came here. Ah want it back." She kicked the throttle, and the trench flapped crazily behind her.

* * *

She walked up like she owned the place. The bike was parked where no one would dare touch it. Her gloves were in place and her skin was covered. She rang the bell.

The door opened.

She cleared her throat. "Hi."

Lance Alvers looked at her suitcase. "I take it you need somewhere to crash?"

"Yeah. Fo' now, at least."

"Come on in, then."

The house was like it always was. Smelly, dirty, occupiable, and definitely the Brotherhood.

"Ah guess some things never change." She followed her way to the living room where everyone else was. She looked at the forms of Pietro, Freddy, and Toad. Wanda was over at the window, smirking slightly at Rogue. Pietro's signature smile brightened even more at Rogue's appearance, and Freddy's grin showed his approval. Even Toad was happy.

"Welcome back our big sister."

Translations:

Il permettre de va, Kitty. Il n'y avait pas de salle pour vous quand même – Let it go, Kitty. There was no room for you anyway.

Je ne parle pas en français – I'm not speaking in French!

Vous avez le mauvais goût dans la musique – You have bad taste in music.

Quelque chose doit être arrivé hier soir à vous, Kitty. Je vais aller prend une douche. – Something must have happened last night to you, Kitty. I'm going to take a shower.

Mon Dieu, Kurt. Penser d'où vous allez la prochaine fois. – My God, Kurt. Think about where you're going next time.

JE NE PARLE PAS EN FRANÇAIS – I'M NOT SPEAKING IN FRENCH

Bon matin – Good morning.

Bonjour – Hello.

Guten morgen, schwester – Good morning, sister

Je ne sais pas l'Allemand. – I don't know German.

Je ne parle pas en français, le condamner! Pourquoi pas n'importe quel de vous acceptez cela? Ceci n'est pas une plaisanterie drôle, à tout, si cela est ce que vous tout pensent. Non, vous ne pouvez pas être seulement agréable parce que j'ai reçu un pouvoir qui le vôtre peut sucer hors, non, cela est pourquoi vous tout sont effrayé, vous ne comprendrez jamais. Je vous protège, pas me protéger me. Vous tout sont égoïste pour penser cela. Mais ceci est que je reçois, huh. Aucune confiance de n'importe quel de vous! – I'm not speaking in French, damnit! Why can't any of you accept that? This is not a funny joke, at all, if that's what you all are thinking. No, you just can't be nice because I got a power that can suck yours out, no, that's why you all are scared, you'll never understand. I'm protecting you, not me protecting myself. You all are selfish for thinking that. But this is what I get, huh. No trust from any of you!

AN2: Ok, I know. Again, I used a translator from online. Thank you for the help that you guys are offering, but I can't reach my email…yet. Therefore, just bear with me and an online translator. I'll be lucky if I can even receive and read your reviews. *shakes head* I hate this. Hopefully you'll hear from me within the next two weeks. I pinky swear.