- Y'all know the dilly yo that I don't own Marvel or these characters no matter how hard I wish on that shining star... figures that wishes don't come true... blah blah blah
A/N: This chapter is long overdue and I'm not super happy with it. It's an okay chapter but next chapter is really the turning point. Hopefully I'll have that chapter up by the end of this month. Anyway, please join our C2 community. It's a great community. Anyone who wants to be a staff member, send your resumes to my e-mail... ;p But a few fics that I must encourage people to read because they're simply brilliant are, "Mix 'n' Match" by SugahnSpice, "Free for a Second AU" by Vicki Lew, and all those other great stories on the C2 community. But right now, these two are my favorites... and I wish the authors would update. You'll absolutely love these stories! Just give them a go, and perhaps if enough reviews are left, they might update soon! Anyway, read, enjoy and review!
Star-of-Chaos, GambitGirl2008, enchantedlight, kitsu Lebeau, Sweety8587, angelechicka, lelann37:Thank you all for your lovely reviews. I love 'em, so keep 'em coming! Many kisses and hugs to you all!
Demiducky: I'm a total slacker too. Guess what I should be doing right now instead of updating? Ishandahalf: I can never write more than one chapter at a time for a story, though I should like you. But every time a chapter is done, I'm just anxious to put it up. No wonder it takes me forever to update... oh well. Skyangel2004: You squealed when you saw this update? Well, golly gee, ain't that sweet! Freak87: Hmm... well, I think Scott's stalking her too. But we'll see how it works out in his favour later...muahahaha. As for why Rogue didn't call and why she's afraid of the mansion. Well the answer is simple. The mansion never provided much of a haven for her. It put a lot of pressure on her and not to mention, it seemed as though everyone had someone or could have someone and sometimes in a household full of people, it's still easy to feel so utterly alone in the world. That's what the mansion represented for her. Hope that explains it a bit ;P SickmindedSucker: LoL... smacking Kitty? You're such a emotional person, eh? It's funny reading your reviews! TheRealMai: You'll see how much of a damper his uncontrolled powers have put on their relationship in the next couple of chapters. Enjoy ;P cajuns-and-aussies-r-sexy Fine, I won't kill them off... well, I'll try... We'll see. No promises. LoL... sorry, I'm a very flaky person. But enjoy! Pyro Lady: Sorry about your bad health when it comes with cliffhangers, I'll try not to do it again... ;P DreamCatcher89: How are you so sure that Scott's heart is going to get ripped off? TheDreamerLady: Sorry about all the long updates. Trust me, they'll take more time for update now... sorry! DemonicGambit: Sometimes the best stories are when one of them dies...
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Breaking The Habit
The lights were a dull white and he breathed deeply while sitting on the cold examining table. He hated medical labs. He hated the coldness of it. He hated how uninviting it was. He hated how it was a place that was strictly meant for people to be worked on. There were just too many bad memories that involved him sitting in this very same position. If it weren't for the fact that his doctor this time was a big blue furry man, he would have bolted out of the room in a matter of seconds.
"It's alright, Remy. You can relax. We're done for today." Dr. Henry McCoy assured him and Remy couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"So, what's de verdict, doc?" Remy asked as lightly as he could pass off, though it sounded strained and tired.
"I am not quite sure. There have been some rather curious findings but nothing definite. However, I do not believe these pills have any effect on your X-genes at all. Perhaps, you can try for a few days to not take any of them." Hank suggested.
"Ain't gonna happen, Dr. McCoy. Without de pills, I can't control my powers. Y' ain't gonna take dem away from me." Remy snapped unexpectedly.
Not stirred by his outburst at all, Hank replied, "The pills offer you no relief, Remy. I do believe it is your mind that is being manipulated into thinking that the pills work. As far as I can see, they do nothing for you and you have only become addicted to it."
"I'm not addicted!" Remy growled angrily.
"If you weren't, then you wouldn't be so antagonistic about the stoppage of using these drugs." The blue doctor pointed out while becoming increasingly worried about his patient.
"You don't know what's it like to not be able to control such a deadly power! I can't risk it and screw your tests! I know it works... it has to work... because if it doesn't den dere's no other option for me! I can't hurt her, don't y' understand? Wit'out de pills, I risk de chance of hurting her... and hurting everyone dat is around me!" He cried irrationally and got off the table.
"Remy, I understand your frustration but you cannot rely on something that does not offer you aid of any kind. From what I can see, the pills are causing you more harm." Hank stated calmly.
"Dr. McCoy, until y' can help me find a way t'control my powers, I can't go off dose pills. Dat's just de way it is." Remy stated with finality and in a more rational tone.
Heaving a disappointed sigh, Hank simply said, "I'll do what I can."
"Merci." Remy thanked him and left the room. When he reached the end of the hallway, he took out his bottle of pills and swallowed another pill. His life depended on these pills now; there were no other options.
-xoxo-
Ambling around the mansion, she peered into every room. The library was where he was and that was where she wanted to be. She walked in with a smile on her face and took a seat adjacent to his.
"Good book?" She asked since he hadn't noticed her entrance.
"Yeah...hey." Scott greeted and looked up.
"Hey." Rogue greeted in return with a smile.
"Okay...what's going on?" He asked, confused with the way she was acting towards him.
"Nothing...ah just wanted to apologize really." Rogue began.
"Apologize about what?" He queried, still not following where she was going.
"About the other night in the Danger Room. Ah shouldn't have taken it out on ya like that. Ah know ya just care and all and really the last thing ah need is for another friendship t'go down the drain, y'know?" She explained.
"It's alright, Rogue. It was as much of my fault as it was yours." Scott stated.
"Yeah, but ya were only being a caring friend where ah just acted like a total bitch." She pointed out.
"You're not a...umm...bitch." He managed to spit the last word out, though he hated the idea of cursing in front of her. She could see his discomfort with the swearing and it stirred a giggle out of her.
"Scott, ya just never change y'know? Such a straight-laced kind of guy. Gotta let loose one of these days." She urged and it only caused him to smile with delight.
"It's not as easy as that. C'mon, I'm the leade..."
"Yeah yeah. Ah know. You're the leader of the X-Men. Ya have t'be in control all the time. Blah blah blah! Scott, ah know all that bullshit. But that doesn't mean ya have to be so prudent all the time. Ya gotta live life a little, ya know? Do something crazy." She suggested wickedly and gave him a mischievous wink.
Laughing deeply at her proposal, he simply remembered how fun Rogue could be. Too bad, he couldn't get over his fear of not being able to touch her all those years ago. He was pretty sure that he wouldn't mind the idea of not being able to touch her now if it meant that he had the chance of being with her.
"Well, what do you suggest I do?" Scott questioned and raised a brow.
"Hmm... good question, Commander. Let's see... what would be completely wild of ya? How about..." She began in a low whisper while signaling him closer to her. He bent his head down and moved in closer to her.
"Yeah?" He asked, completely curious by now.
"Ya start the Danger Room sessions at... noon." She stated in a serious manner and his face deadpanned. Suddenly, she burst into laughter and he finally realizing that she was teasing him. He leaned back into his chair and his cheeks started to blush a soft pink.
"Ya should have seen the look on your face, Scott. It was priceless!" She said in between her giggling.
"Yeah. Yeah. I'm sure it was." Scott said and began laughing as well. What else could he do? Her laughter was absolutely contagious.
"Gosh...Scott. That was fun. Anyway, ah'm gonna go find the love of my life now." Rogue said and got up from her seat. Scott's face fell with utter disappointment and he looked down at the ground. "Yeah, that was fun." He mumbled.
"It was. Ah'll see ya later. Maybe we can chill or hang out later, ya know? But my Prince Cajun Swamp Rat awaits." She said while wondering if Remy's examination had gone well.
"Sure... later." Scott said dishearteningly and wished Rogue would just leave already, instead of torturing him with reminders that she was taken.
"Yups...later.... He's not a bad guy, y'know? Ah think ya two could get along if ya two could just try." She said and mistook his dejected look as one out of disapproval.
"I'm sure he isn't. But us getting along just doesn't seem possible." He replied truthfully.
"It'd be nice if ya two did though. It'll make me feel a bit better. And to show ya how much of a great guy he is. Close your eyes." Rogue directed and Scott reluctantly did so, which was rather foolish since she wouldn't have known if his eyes were closed or not due to his sunglasses. Nonetheless, he did what she asked of him.
Suddenly, he felt a pair of the softest lips grace his cheek for a second before it was gone. He opened his eyes, completely stunned by the revelation and not quite believing it one bit.
"Told ya he's great. Anyway, gonna go find him now. Ah'm sorry about the other night again. Ah'll see ya later, Slim." She said, gave him a smile and took off to find her love.
Unable to form any words, he leaned back into his chair. He was still in disbelief from what she had just shown him. It would seem that Rogue was a completely different girl now and he could feel himself falling all over for her again. A dangerous thing to do since her heart obviously belonged to the man who had helped her in every way he, himself, couldn't.
-xoxo-
Standing outside on a balcony, he lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. He knew she despised his smoking, but right now, he needed it to calm his nerves. Flicking the ashes off the end, he inhaled again and sighed with relaxation.
It had been a long day and he hadn't even seen her since this morning. Then again, it was completely his fault since he had been purposely avoiding her all day. As much as he loved her and needed her, he couldn't stand that look in her eyes anymore. The constant worrying that they held in those emerald gems of hers were sometimes unbearable for him. She barely smiled around him anymore and he knew that perhaps there wasn't much to smile about anymore; and that fact just reminded him that it was his fault. How he wished that things could back to the days where they were just happy and the biggest problem they had was who was going to do the dishes. If life could be simple like that again.
But how could he possibly think that that kind of life would last or that it was he deserved after all his years of doing things that could only be described as evil. He worked for two madmen in his life and he had hurt dozens of people that shouldn't have been brought into this world.
Their screams, their agonizing cries, their constant yelling for help were still too fresh in his mind. He had hurt people that he had arrogantly helped create. All this for his own benefit, all this for his own selfishness and isn't that what he was doing now? Involving Rogue in his affairs and troubles, wasn't that just him being selfish again? If he really loved her, wouldn't he have just let her go free and release her from all this constant worrying over his health and problems?
"Hello, Gambit." The unmistakable deep voice interrupted his thoughts. But it couldn't be him, could it? Remy quickly turned around and grinned widely when he saw who it was.
"Piotr! How's it going, homme?" Remy greeted joyously upon seeing his old friend and teammate.
"Good. I thought I smelled your cigarette smoking. It's not healthy for you." Piotr lectured and it only made Remy smiled wider. "I see y' haven't changed. So, when did y' join the X-Men?"
"Haven't joined yet...what about you?" Piotr questioned.
"Oh...non. I'm not an X-Man. Just an unwanted guest." Remy responded.
"You bringing trouble again, Gambit?" Piotr queried.
"Don't I always? How's dat famille of yours?" Remy changed the subject subtly.
"They're good but not so good when I'm around. That's why I have to come here." Piotr explained, while feeling homesick already.
"T'ings we'll do for de one we love..." Remy commented offhandedly.
"So, what are you doing for the one you love?" The colossal man asked curiously.
"Not enough." Remy shrugged and turned around to lean against the balcony rail again. Inhaling another puff of his cigarette, his mind wandered back to the debate of whether or not he should free Rogue from his troubles.
"Seems like you're distressed..." Piotr began.
"Never." Remy cut him off swiftly.
"You don't sound so sure about that." Piotr commented and gazed at the beautiful view the Institute's grounds provided.
"I am... so heard anyt'ing from John?" Remy changed the subject.
"No... last I heard, he joined the new Brotherhood of Mutants headed by Mystique." Piotr answered.
"I'm not surprised." Remy said.
"Me neither." Piotr agreed.
"Y' gonna join de X-Men?"
"Are you?"
"Don't know yet... I guess it depends."
"Depends on what?" Piotr asked inquisitively.
"If my femme plans t'stay, I supposed." Remy answered honestly.
"A woman? Staying for a woman?" Piotr inquired, completely astounded by the revelation considering he knew how promiscuous Remy was.
"Ain't it weird how t'ings have changed?" Remy questioned instead.
"You said it. So, who is she?" Piotr pressed.
"De untouchable." Remy answered with an ironic grin, while flicking his finished cigarette over the rail.
"Why... are you joking with me?" Piotr asked, completely in disbelief at how much his friend had changed.
"No ot'er woman for me. T'ough,, she ain't so untouchable now." Remy replied and couldn't help but smile at his friend's bewildered look.
"Wow... all this on my first day here. It's a lot to absorb." Piotr stated.
"Absorb what?" A southern drawl asked from behind the two men. They both turned around, and saw Rogue with a huge smile on her face. She walked up to Remy and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek while looping her arm around him.
"Now... I believe it." Piotr said, when he witnessed Rogue's kiss to Remy.
"Believe what exactly?" Rogue asked and looked at Remy with puzzled green eyes, expecting an answer.
"It's not'ing, chere. We just catchin' up, dat's all." Remy explained briskly and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
"Okay... well, it's good t'see ya, Colossus." Rogue greeted politely.
"It's good to see you too, Rogue." Piotr replied politely as well.
"Well, Big guy, I t'ink dat I'm gonna go take my lady and well... dat's none of your business. But I'll see y' around later and perhaps we'll go grab a drink." Remy said.
"But I don't drink..." Piotr began.
"Den, we'll just have t'get y' t'start." Remy commented with a mischievous grin.
"I don't think so, but I'll see you two later." Piotr replied and gave a gentle smile to the both of them.
"We'll see you around, Piotr. Have fun explorin'." Rogue said before she was led away by her impatient boyfriend. As soon as they were back in the empty hallway of the mansion, Remy pulled her to him and gave her a long lingering kiss. When he pulled away, she asked while trying to catch her breath, "What was that for?"
"Just in case." He answered.
"Just in case what?" She asked, confused by his response.
Instead of answering her, he merely gave her a wink and led her back to their bedroom. The last thing she needed to know was that he wasn't sure if he was willing to jeopardize her life for any longer; and in case if he was to leave, at least he had one last kiss from her.
-xoxo-
"So, how did the examination go?" Rogue asked curiously once they were back in their room.
"Bien." Remy answered simply.
"And...?"
"And what, chere?"
"That's all you're gonna tell me??"
"It went well, what else do y' need t'know?" Remy shrugged her off.
"If it went so well, then why were ya smokin'?" Rogue pointed out.
"I wasn't smokin'..."
"Bullshit! Ah smelled it on ya... heck, ah tasted it. Ya gonna give me a straight answer, Cajun?" Rogue asked sternly with her arms crossed.
"Oh, chere. Y' ain't gotta worried about me." Remy told her.
"It's hard not to." Rogue stated briskly, which sent a pang of guilt to Remy's heart. He hated how he was causing her life to be full of reservations and the he hated how it was so often that their conversations would go from light to dark within seconds. She shouldn't have to be worrying like this, considering she was only twenty-one, and she only had gotten control of her powers a couple years ago. She should be leading her life like a normal person – well, as normal as a life could get for a mutant, which he knew didn't include constantly being concerned about a boyfriend's dark tainted past or uncontrollable powers.
Noticing his sudden silence, she sighed while strolling over to him. With two arms encircling his waist, she rested her head on his chest.
"Ah love ya." She murmured softly. Sighing heavily, he wrapped her arms around and he whispered, "Je t'aime."
-xoxo-
Still with a hand pressed against his cheek, the exact spot where her lips had touched, he smiled stupidly while he thought of how soft her lips were. He was being a complete idiot and he knew it too, but he couldn't stop. She was just so beautiful in every way possible, and how could one simply stop falling in love with such a perfect woman?
Perhaps one could, if the girl was taken, but for some reason that wasn't enough to stop Scott Summers.
He didn't know what he was doing exactly, but he knew that he wanted to see her. Even if she was with him, he still wanted to see her for the sake of seeing her.
Walking down the corridor, he approached their room and noticed that the door was slightly ajar. He peered in and instantly he was hit hard by reality, which brought him back down to the ground.
"Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and you
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
'Til there was you..."
"Remy, you're such a goof." Rogue said and laughed. Though, that didn't stop her from dancing with her boyfriend as he continued the song.
"Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and you
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all..."
"'Til there was you..." Rogue finished it off for him while still beaming from ear to ear.
Scott's heart sank deeper and deeper as he witnessed the loving interaction between his crush and her boyfriend. What he would give to be the man in her arms right now. It didn't matter how much he would give up though because they could never be, and he finally realized it. She would never look at him with that kind of mirth. She would never be that free with him. She would never love him like that.
He watched as Rogue and Remy leaned in for a kiss, which would have sealed his intent of abandoning the idea of falling in love with Rogue, if it wasn't for what happened next.
Suddenly, he saw Rogue's eyes go wide with fear as she tried to push Remy off her lips.
Immediately, Scott rushed into the room and fired a blast at Remy, which caused him to fly back across the room and land hard against the wall. His head impacted the wall hard and violently. Scott could care less about Remy's state as he ran towards Rogue. She was completely stunned as she remained frozen, unable to move at all. She simply looked at Scott with complete fear and bewilderment, and all he saw was the blood that was dripping onto the floor from her lips.
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