Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.

Hey guys, thanks for old reviewers who came back, and for the new ones who reviewed the first chapter. To basically answer everyone's questions in one go, this story, while focusing mainly on the relationships involved, is sort of a what if scenario. The X-Men never existed, and because of that, no one was there to stop the person in charge of the destruction this will be revealed soon, although it may become obvious. I wrote this in the Evo timeline, but the characters are older, and perhaps more similar to their comic book counterparts.

Oh, and Rogue's melancholy attitude will be revealed eventually, both her and Remy have their secrets, as always.

This chapter is shorter than the first, but I will try to update again soon.

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Rogue winced as the wind blew fast and harsh against her cheeks. Had it not been for her invulnerability, she would be very uncomfortable right now. But as her grip increased around Remy's waist she remembered the strange reasoning for her true comfort. Shaking her head so the hair whipped around to her back and away from her face, she rested her head against Remy's back.

She wasn't sure why she was giving this man so much trust as they headed for a destination unknown on a stolen Harley. Maybe it was because she was invulnerable. Or because nothing really mattered now. Because within this moment, on an empty road, with empty surroundings, Rogue felt free to not care.

………………………….

Remy LeBeau wasn't sure who this woman was. But he was sure that her overly tight grip around his stomach made him feel strange. Made him feel warm. He felt as if he should know her. Maybe he had seen her once five years ago in a crowd, and that image had been forever ingrained somewhere in his mind, only to resurface upon seeing her again.

Or maybe it was just a connection to what was going on around them. Maybe it was nothing.

Or maybe it was everything.

………………………

Remy could see the bright red hues of a fire in the distance. He had been seeing it off and on during their trip down the lonely highway. Glancing at his watch Remy noticed it was 2 in the morning. He had been riding for awhile now, and every time Rogue's grip slackened, he would squeeze her hand to keep her awake. But it was time to get some sleep now.

Pulling off at the next exit, Remy began to drive through the fairly large town. It had obviously been attacked or ransacked at some point. Already a ghost like appeal settled on the barren streets.

It would have to do for now.

Remy roamed the streets until he caught sight of an old, large building nestled between a coffee shop and a bank. A carpet extended from the front door, suggesting a bellboy had once stood out front, opening people's doors and gathering their luggage. No lights emitted from the building. Remy pulled over, shutting the engine off. He felt Rogue stir behind him and step off the bike.

"Where are we Remy?"

"Northern Indiana chere. We're taking a break, resting for de night."

Rogue hugged her arms to her chest, nodding in compliance. "Sounds good sugah."

Remy began walking to the entrance, Rogue behind him slightly. Peering through the front glass doors Remy could find no sign of life. Jostling the handle, he discovered it to be locked. Snorting at the absurdity of it, as the world lay in ruins around them, Remy pulled out his lock picks.

"This sure is a fancy building." Rogue murmured behind him.

The door pushed open without a sound and Remy went through on quiet steps. "Oui chere, it is. I only provide de best." Remy turned around and winked, his first real attempt at charm since they had met.

Rogue swallowed, amazed at how his smile actually caused her knees to go weak. She smiled herself, something that also felt good. This man made her feel good. Rogue shook her head, trying to remain sensible.

But as she watched Remy jump over the front desk and search through the keys in the back closet she couldn't help but admire the man. He moved with a flawless grace and every inch of him was chiseled, structured, perfect.

Rogue moved her sight to Remy's hands, which now held two sets of keys. He moved back towards her and placed a pair in her hand.

"I found two rooms right next to each other." Remy's hand lingered on hers while he said this, his eyes suddenly humble, as if he were nervous. Clearing his throat Remy removed his hand, his eyes darting around, as if trying to find something else to distract him.

Picking up a pen and the registration book, Remy looked back up, a broad smirk on his face. "Now, I didn't catch your last name Miss."

Rogue just stared back, her breathing getting heavy. She watched Remy's smile begin to drop. "Remy, Ah-Ah- Rogue paused, unsure how her sentence would sound to the stranger. "Ah don't want t'sleep in a separate room. Not tonight. Not after everything."

She expected his smirk to widen again, taking her words and twisting them the way a man like him might. But instead his face became stern, understanding. He didn't say anything but took her keys and went back to the closet.

"Ah just wouldn't feel safe!" Rogue called back to him, still trying to make her words sound right.

He returned, one set of keys in his hand. "It's a double suite chere. Come on'."

Remy shrugged his head to the side and urged her to follow him. As they headed for the elevator, Rogue thought of something.

"Remy, where do you suppose all o'the people from this town and the last went to?"

Remy looked down to his fingers, playing with the key. "I saw a lot o'dead bodies on the way in. I'm sure there are still people here, somewhere, probably at home with dere loved ones."

"Oh. Ah guess Ah wasn't paying attention while you drove."

Remy shrugged. "It's nothing y'woulda wanted t'see chere." Remy gave her a sideways glance, his eyes burning sad, his face somber.

Remy pushed open the door to their suite, taking into account that there were two beds, but they were in the same room. He hoped that was alright for her.

He watched her take in the surroundings, but no words of complaint escaped her lips. Instead she shed her coat and her boots and collapsed on the bed furthest the window.

Remy slowly removed his coat as well and walked past her, his eyes never leaving her tired, but beautiful figure. He sat down on the edge of his bed and began to untie his boots.

"Man on man Ah'm tired," Rogue mumbled through her pillow. She sat up and pulled her sweater off, revealing a simple t-shirt.

Remy realized he had stopped untying his boots as she stripped, and at her obvious notice, he returned to his boots. He felt her eyes still on him, but she said nothing. He stood up and removed his belt, hanging it on the bed's edge.

He reached behind his back, to the zipper near his neck. He was about to strip out of his uniform when he remembered she was there.

He turned to face her, his hands still on the zipper. "Dis is a comfortable suit chere, but not t'sleep in. If y'don't mind, I'm gonna sleep in my boxers."

Rogue nodded vaguely and slipped out of her own bed. "Ah was actually hoping you would feel comfortable enough to do that." With that, Rogue unzipped her own pants and shimmied out of them. Remy did everything in his power to not stare at her shapely legs and perfect butt, now clad only in lavender panties.

"Do ya do dat wit' all de strange men you meet chere?" Remy pulled himself out of the rest of his suit, awaiting her answer.

She had crawled back in bed, under the covers. "No. Nevah."

Remy smiled, somewhat relieved. "Good, makes me feel special chere." Remy leaned over to turn the remaining light off.

"Y'are special Remy." Her voice was quiet in the now very dark room. Remy looked in her direction but could barely see her, even with his well tuned eyes.

"Without you Ah think we both woulda died this morning."

Remy felt his breath catch at her honesty. She was completely right. But he couldn't find the words to tell her that she made him feel the same way. That she was special. That he would have died without her.

So instead he rolled over and tried to fall asleep, her words replaying over and over. He could hear her heavy breathing, signaling she was asleep. And suddenly he felt tired too, as if her relaxation made him feel relaxed. He felt his eyelids become heavy as the words floating in his thoughts became dreams.

His motions in this life felt meaningless and empty now, as if they were meant to be somewhere else, in a different time, in a different world.

He supposed he would dream of that place.

A thousand of these dreams to replace a thousand of his mistakes.

Perhaps this was his chance to start over.