Disclaimer: I'm going to borrow this line from one of my friends, a great Matrix fan fic writer and Neo/Trinity 'shipper extraordinaire, Chord: The characters don't belong to me; they belong to each other! Yay for Rogue/Gambit-ness! :D

(1) Notes: Woo, another update! Come on, I heard you groaning in there! –points- It's short, but it's definitely better than nothing, right? But the parts I've added here will hopefully compensate for my cruelty in the previous chapter. School's evil, and I'm just lucky I found the time to write this. Don't worry, the update for Shiver will follow soon enough. Anyway, I know I'm mean for including Joseph in this. But as ishandahalf says, the love pentagon I've conjured would be sure to make things more interesting… but infuriating, for her part. You should see the death threats she sent Joseph's way… -smiles sadistically-

If you have any suggestions for Joseph's mutilation, please put it in a review! And also, I need proposals for some movie crew roles for the X-Men and I'm debating over skipping a few timelines in this thing, since we're already on the sixth chapter, but nothing too exciting is happening… right? If you have anything to tell me, whatever it is… drop me a line and send me love, yeah! I'd really appreciate it. Fine, I like thinking people are anxious when it comes to reading this, so off I go, back into my pretty little cardboard box!

Limelight by melancholic

6. Reminiscing and Right Repercussions

It was a very droll sight to see Marie D'Ancanto blanch, her creamy, ivory skin growing a shade or two lighter. But as she could clearly view the awkwardness of the situation and her uncomfortable movements (in the reflection of a full-length mirror nearby), Marie felt that there was no room for humor in the picture, especially in the strained silence that escorted them inside the clinic. She cast an uneasy glance at Joseph, whose hands were loosely clutching her own. But when she recognized something wrong with the person brushing her skin, Marie immediately released his fingers from hers, the restlessness present in her gestures.

Marie blinked for another second, wondering if she'd done the right thing by letting go of the doctor's grip on her; she flushed, aware that the force that drove her to instantly untwine her hands from his was the disapproving, disappointed glower that Remy gave them when he entered unexpectedly.

Who was he to have this effect on her, making her feel guilty when he unobtrusively interrupted their not-too-important conversation, also causing her to cringe at the brief memory of her linkage to Joseph? Her nerves were telling her to find the safest escape route as soon as possible; under normal circumstances, she would've responded quickly, yet something kept her frozen on the spot, her body rooted to the chair that she was seated on.

She half-acknowledged Betsy Braddock and Warren Worthington's apparent discomfort, the quietness in the area being present for a little too long than required. Marie, whose brain refused to chronicle all the events occurring in her midst, allowed her gape to roam Remy's features, with her feeling as if she were stepping onto unknown, forbidden territory – the danger of the mission was its core appeal, even if beside it, there was a better, easier way out: avoidance.

His eyes gleamed deliciously, like the coffee Marie found herself hopelessly addicted to every morning; she longed to drink them in, their contents warming her. She took in the way his hair was tousled, flounced clandestinely by the wind, (or maybe it was another woman's fingers; Marie didn't care to know), slipping flawlessly behind his ears. For another second, Marie let her gaze stray over to his lips, looking like they were the Forbidden Fruit that God had planted in front of Eve's unwitting mouth; oh, how much she wanted even a nibble…

Marie's brain chose the most inappropriate time to jolt her back to reality; it was then, while she was musing about how it would be like to kiss Remy LeBeau (in a way Jubilee would've been proud of), she simultaneously ripped her eyes away from his Adonis-like form, deflecting her gaze back to the floor, seeking its non-existent solace. In those few, rare moments that Marie actually found herself checking out a guy almost not against her will, her fear began to kick in; she remembered… no, she couldn't do this…

-

"Cody, are yah sure that Ah've got the prettiest, most green eyes yah've evah seen?"

"Why yes, Ah'm sure! In fact, Ah could look inta 'em fo'evah… an' evah…"

"They make fun o' mah eyes, the kids in school… they say green ain't a pretty color, like mah eyes are boogers…"

"Pshaw, darlin'! They don't know what they be talkin' bout, yah hear? Green, like mah momma said, is the color of life… yah see green in the leaves o' the trees, the grass on the ground… even the green that makes mah grandma's special jelly-o taste so darn good… Ah see life in yoah eyes, sugah."

"Cody?"

"Yeah, Marie?"

"Ah love you…"

-

Marie sighed; that was how the ghost of her past, named Cody, kept haunting her. Their relationship hadn't been the type that people swooned over, wishing their own love lives were as great as theirs (Cody's and Marie's), or on the other hand, the ones which people made sure to scoff and wrinkle their noses upon, wishing "those pathetic kids would get their act together", or "Gosh, I pity them so much…" It wasn't like that, at all. The beauty of their connection was its simplicity, its balance, and the mutual understanding and affection the two had felt.

Just about two years ago, when Rogue was about to leave Mississippi to go to college in California (she would be working under her aspiring directress aunt, a dear friend of her mother's, Raven Darkholme), Cody was struck down by a mysterious ailment, which worried Marie to no visible end; it turned out that her boyfriend of nearly a decade had a suspicious bump in his side that turned out to be a tumor. His cancer was slowing down, but the process was too slow for Marie, who, in a worried haste, chose to pursue a career as a nurse, giving up her lifetime wish of studying theatre.

She would be so pleased, as a child, when Irene would bring Cody and her to the Caldecott County Fair, where the citizens would perform plays based on varied themes. Marie's favorite was the time when the actors portrayed Shakespearean pieces all week; Marie, in her mind, was Juliet; Cody, her Romeo. The conflicts in their play came differently; though.

When Marie came home after her freshman year in college to visit Cody, she found him getting more than medical assistance from the hospice nurse his family hired. Cody claimed he'd been sedated and that he had no clue of how or what he was doing; Marie flat-out refused to believe that an anesthetized man would be able to move like he did with the nurse.

In her fury, she vowed never to fall for boys, who targeted her eyes for their pick-up line subjects, and to remain stony, her face void of any emotions. She learned to be strong when her supposed love had cancer; yes, she spited the fact that he was on a remission now… Well, at least she got something good out of their meaningless relationship, or so she deemed, he being the major reason for her stoic tendencies.

I need to get out of here, Marie thought desperately, uncaring of how trivial her reasons were, how absurd the picture would seem if she just left… Closing her eyes tightly and grabbing her shoulder bag, Marie stood up wordlessly, paced over to the entrance while her instincts led the way, and treasured the sensation she felt when she felt her elbow briefly touch the taut, muscular area under someone's shirt.

Judging by the expected current she felt passing between them, even in that short second, she had no qualms that it wasn't Remy. Marie hoped that Remy didn't feel or make any movement signaling he did; it would be simpler that way. Unless of course, she was imagining things once more; but, if she remembered correctly, Betsy's arms were wrapped around Warren, so it definitely the devil incarnate that she made contact with.

———

Remy's senses kicked in, alarming his entire body and melting his glare and apparent anger away into nothingness. How did she do that, he wondered, she has this uncannily eerie effect on me. But I like it, of course. He then realized that again, she had slipped through his fingers, and Remy, being the man that he was, found that task nearly impossible for anyone he set his sights on to perform. But, as he was learning, this Rogue wasn't most people.

The tent dissolved away from view; Betsy, Warren, the Chinese fan, and the bastard doctor forgotten as his body shifted into overdrive, Remy shying away from the tent unceremoniously. Whatever she and the doctor were doing didn't matter, he reasoned, breaking into a sprint as he spotted her not-too-far figure ambling ahead. If she cared about Mr. Magnetic Personality, then she should've stayed in the clinic with him, answering his statements with the same wit and fire he knew she had. But then again, if she also thought about he himself, then Remy was certain she wouldn't be running away from him, yet again…

Meanwhile, back in the place Remy quickly left behind, a girl on the bed stirred, a crazy smile on her face as she sat up, eyes shining fanatically. "Do we still get parts in the movie?" She mused aloud, earning the attention of Betsy and Warren, who nodded briskly, surprised but assuredly eager.

Joseph, for his part, stood there bewildered, tempted to mutter about his wasted coffee break plans, the evils of movie stars he planned to make Wanda like less, and with a disappointed, heavy heart with him admitting it would be a while before he would or could forget Marie. She'd remember me, Joseph was sure; Those movie stars are all the same, anyway.

———

Marie's head was whirling; she had no idea about what happened back there, honestly. With the harsh realization that she left Jubilee alone in the tent (she swore to accompany her friend, so as to keep her mischievous acts to a minimum), Marie brought her palm to her face, being too deep in thought to take note of where she was going. Apparently, she was now lost in one of Hollywood's studios, but it wasn't where she wanted to be; the warehouse wasn't exactly the best place to hone someone's acting skills.

"Great, just great…" Marie mumbled in frustration, the predicament finally sinking in. The area where she foolishly wandered into was dimly lit, and she had paranoid fears of being attacked. She was nearing the completion of her tae-kwon-do training; brown-belted girls weren't useless in combat, after all. But what were the chances of a thief mugging her?

Little did Marie know that the chances were very, very huge – as there was one approaching from behind.

Remy's brow crinkled with concern; it didn't come to him as usual for a girl who was obviously not a child of Hollywood to come into this area; heck, this was where the set carpenters, named Guido Carosella and Victor Creed, often hung out in, playing with broken beer bottles. His worry increased when he observed Rogue's pause, the anxiety clear in her eyes when she turned around, narrowly missing him while she surveyed her surroundings.

Marie thought she heard something shift in the wind; she whipped around to check if her fear-induced mind was making things come alive; to her relief or added fright, there seemed to be nobody else around, except for her. She was about to sit down on a wooden crate containing props, or so she believed, lowering her bottom near the surface…

"I wouldn't do dat if I were ya, belle." An all-too-familiar voice advised, letting his palms rest on her hips lightly, as if guiding her to the proper place to be seated. "Very unsafe 'round here… ya wouldn't know what ya'd lay ya tush on 'til it's a wee bit late, Remy believes…"

She let herself bask in the warmth and rightness of his touch, before letting the snarky, stubborn side of her personality take over. She heaved her hips away from his grasp; and the second his hands weren't on her skin anymore, Marie regretted her decision.

To cover up for the blush that Remy probably couldn't see, but she was scared he could sense, she began, "Aren't yah supposed ta be the one with the stalkers?" She accused, putting her arms on her hips in her trademark indignant fashion, but was at the same time, trying to recreate the pleasure of Remy's feel.

Remy's eyes sparkled; she had every ounce of sharpness he perceived. He knew she probably was playing hard to get… but boy, it never came any harder for him to pursue a girl than it did now. Charm and fire, eh? Remy could match that, even to the tenth power, perhaps…

"I get bored wit' a lot o' t'ings, Rogue. Sometimes, a li'l change can be good," Remy responded coolly, making it a point to eye her as casually as he could, taking everything in. Oh gosh, was she really this delectable up close? If only he could… nah, those tricks, Ororo said, were reserved for the girls he slept with every weekend, coming home to their apartment while making out, 'Ro acting like she saw nothing.

If there were a few reasons he was sticking with Ororo, besides the thought that they formed a sibling bond, it was that she was so lenient with him and his "other" relationships. He had the perfect girl, didn't he? He was commitment-phobic - Ororo always teased him about that - and she was okay with it. But why, as he found himself staring into those emeralds that shone like rare stars amongst the darkness that blanketed the warehouse area, did he suddenly wish to throw away this freedom he prided himself upon for having? He'd never get tied down; heck, even she knew that… no, it wasn't the time to remember her.

"So am Ah supposed ta feel special because Ah'm yoah victim?" Marie replied, shattering Remy's dreamy daze.

"Maybe… ya are, since it's a rare t'ing dat I actually approached ya dis time," Remy grinned, stepping closer to her; it took all of his willpower to resist the urge to brush the strands of hair he alleged Rogue purposely put there, in an attempt to drive him insane.

"Oh, don't yah try charmin' me… it's all the same ta yah, anyway," Rogue muttered, crossing her arms over her chest, unable to muster a witty answer.

Remy almost flinched when she said those words; this was the first time a girl had made him realize his guilty pleasures weren't as gratifying as he deemed they were… Is that what he really was? A reckless, egotistical playboy, who—

"Ah didn't mean it that way!" Marie exclaimed, rushing to his side, embarrassment and regret evident in her expression. Great, her stupid mouth gained another award; her collection was growing immensely and incessantly. Remy nodded, looking like a wounded puppy. Marie didn't realize movie stars were this sensitive; maybe he was acting to earn her sympathy, otherwise.

"Non, non… it's all right. It's de trut', anyway." Remy admitted, stuffing his hands into his pockets. This caused Rogue to inch closer to him; she appeared to be genuinely apologetic. At least, Remy hoped so. To his surprise, he discovered not the same façade she displayed earlier, but a fragile, innocent face that touched Remy's heart in strange, innumerable ways.

"Look, Ah don't know what yah want with me, or why yoah stalkin' me all o' a sudden," Marie started, her legs fidgeting nervously. "Ah just don't think this is funny, that's all. Somethin' tells me yah want more than to help me with mah non-existent acting career, and fo' the life o' me, Ah can't find out what it is!" She stormed, confused, angry, and excited all at once. Remy was staring, dumbstruck; he'd never seen a reaction elicited like this.

A grin replaced Remy's earlier hurt face; he took a hand out of his pocket and held Marie's own, relishing the smoothness and softness of her skin. Her eyes were boring onto his; she was definitely afraid to expect something. Remy leaned down, sweeping the inside of her palm with a kiss that he knew was electrifying enough to light up the entire city of Los Angeles.

"I jus' wanna show ya my true intentions… if ya'd lemme, o' course." Remy's voice dropped to a husky whisper, sending thrills and tingles all over Marie's system.

"H-how would yah do that?" She stammered, finding herself hypnotized by him. They were all the same; no, she couldn't… Cody…

"By lettin' me take ya out fo' dinner tomorrow."

(2) Notes: Yay, now that Joseph's out of the scene (or so, you think ;)), and Remy and Rogue have a date… maybe… the fun's getting started! Now, I wonder if my attempt at fluff is passable; don't hesitate to let me know, 'cause, like my saying goes… "Happiness is just a review away!" You all get Puss-in-Boots stuffed toys if you review, you know. And they're so cute and nice and fluffy… -hugs her imaginary Puss-

Okay, here's one of the better parts of writing this fic – the answers to the reviews!

Star-of-Chaos: There, he's pretty much gone now – but there's no promise about whether Joseph will be gone permanently…

Tammy: Ooh, the X-Men movie site! Fun! And I hope this chapter met your expectations. ;) Thanks again for faithfully reviewing, you so rock!

Ishandahalf: Blame the muses for choosing to work with this before Shiver – but I do hope the chapter made you happy. :D Your reviews, as usual, make my day. But don't worry, I promise that Remy will be beating Joseph into mincemeat sometime in the future. I was just so amused with your description of your reaction; yes, you are the chairperson of the anti-Joseph club. Who do you hate more, though? Joseph or Bella? Inasmuch as they both suck, you gotta admit, a story's not too good without them, eh? And again, a bazillion thanks for your reviews – you're helping make school bearable, you know? :)

Kat: Thanks you; I'm glad I'm writing it, too! Hope this chapter gave you an overview of how things will be played out. J

Iris: Thanks so much! Well, you'll just have to stick around and see, don't you? Please do so… :D

Yay, that's everyone, right? Ah well, I'm not complaining; the more the merrier, of course. Before I forget, the format of Rogue's little reminiscing moment is owed to Caliente, specifically, her fic "We Should Run Away". I hate school, and, um… Adieu, 'til the next chapter, then! :)