Warning: This chapter as well as others will deviate slightly from Marvel Canon. ++Check the Review Section after you read this chapter.++
(*) One Asterisk = scenes are happening simultaneously
(***) Three Asterisks = Time has past between the scenes
( ~ ~ ~ ) = memory scene
Interactions
Chapter 20
Dark Walks
(Cannon)
Cannon stood at the forefront of Rogue's thoughts, savoring the devastation of her mind. The day before, when she first activated the bracelet, he felt restricted; it was harder for him as well as the other personas to move around. However, he noticed a big difference the second time around. The bracelet was functioning and he was still able to move around freely—much more than usual. He also noticed that he felt rejuvenated, though whether the sensation would last long, he didn't know.
Taking a glance around her mind from where he stood, he witnessed his partner Zeal walking amongst the other empty shells. Zeal didn't make it—he wasn't able to last in her mind as long as Cannon. His mental disability had a tragic impact, causing his loss of sanity to increase rapidly than the average persona. Cannon replayed the incident in his mind.
Zeal was in his arms, in great pain. From his mouth came silent screams, due to his mangled vocal chords. When Zeal's pain had seemed to reach its limit, there was a tug at his soul. His very essence was exorcised from his body, leaving him dead inside. Cannon watched as his teammate's essence, which was in a form of a small light, burst into nothingness. Zeal was now one of the many empty shells of Rogue's mind. His body remained, but nothing else. Cannon had lost his comrade, his friend…and he knew that he would soon have the same fate.
Cannon shook his head, snapping out of his daze; he couldn't bring his friend back, but he could avenge his friend's death. He took the time he spent in Rogue's mind to learn everything about her and because she absorbed so many of the X-men, he was able to learn about them as well.
Rogue, Rogue, Rogue…there is do much you don't know.
In front of him was a glowing shield, used as a last barrier to block the weak personas from controlling her body. Cannon was never strong enough to cross over, so imagine his surprise an hour before when his hand was able to pass through the shield with ease.
He looked to his immediate left. There stood the person that was going to help him in his endeavor.
Focusing his eyes back on the shield he said, "You aren't that strong, so you won't have much time." I won't have much time. Is what he truly wanted to say. "I won't tell you what to do, 'cause I know you have your own agenda. Just remember, I was the one that gave you this opportunity." He noticed that the other persona wasn't impressed. "You can't go forward now; even though she's weak, she's still stronger than you." He rubbed his hand in anticipation. "We have to wait for the right moment to act and when that moment comes, we'll be ready."
The person standing next to Canon nodded in agreement. Together they waited in silence for the right time to strike.
* * *
(Jean/Bobby)
Jean had left the boathouse hours earlier to spend some time to herself. As she walked outside the estate grounds down the side of the road, she unsuccessfully tried to focus on different things. However, her mind was racing with images of Betsy and Scott together—none of it pleasant.
I've got to get everything off my chest instead of obsessing over it.. But she had no one to talk to. Her best friend was out for the night and Logan was no where to be found. Jean thought about speaking with Rogue, but noted that she had problems of her own to deal with. Which means that I have nothing better to do than obsess over Scott and Betsy.
She stopped suddenly when she spotted a figure walking toward her, covered in darkness. Soon she smiled when she recognized the person. "Hey, Bobby."
He approached her, returning the smile. "I guess I'm not the only one that likes late night walks on a lonely road."
"You mind company?"
"Not if it's you." He extended his arms so that she could grab hold of it and they both strolled down the road.
It didn't take long for Jean to realize that Bobby wasn't his usual cheery self. "Why so glum?"
He had also noticed a hint of sadness to her mood. "You know, I could ask you the same question."
She lowered her head. "Yeah, you probably could."
"Maybe it's just better to walk in silence and leave our troubles for another night."
"Maybe you're right…" She chewed on his thought for a moment. I'm never one to keep my problems bundled up too long. I know that it's healthy to discuss one's problems. "Then again, maybe you're wrong." She winked at him, "I'll tell you my problems if you tell me yours?"
"What if I don't have any problems to speak of?"
"Really it doesn't matter." She stopped walking and turned to him. "I just want someone to talk to. Someone that can listen to what I have to say without me being suspicious of them." She spoke in reference to all she had regretfully told Remy in the kitchen.
"Then I'm your man." He put his arm around her shoulder, squeezing her head into his chest as if she was one of the boys. "We originals got to stick together."
She playfully pushed him away, and combed her fingers through her ruffled hair. "Ahh yes…The Original Five: Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman."
He froze, giving her a suspicious look. "Why did you save my name until last?"
She shrugged laughing. "I don't know. I promise there is no conspiracy theory."
"I'll let it slide…for now." He joked. Taking her hand in his, he began to walk. "So what's been going on?"
"Betsy."
"Oh boy." What has she gotten herself into this time? "What did she do now?"
"Scott came home last night horny as hell and reeking of her perfume!" She huffed.
"And?" He asked with indifference.
"And?! She's coming on to him again! Never mind the fact that she's dating Warren—that's probably the only reason why she probably won't push her limit."
"Actually, she and Warren broke up."
"Great, just great!" Damn! If she and Warren aren't together, what's going to keep her from disrupting my relationship. "I suspected she and Warren split, but I hoped it wasn't true."
"You have nothing to worry about."
"That's what 'Ro said. Then tonight I saw them huddled up in the security room together." The image was so fresh in her mind it made her angry again.
He shrugged her words off without a care. "They were probably just working on some stuff."
There was no way Jean would except that answer. "Scott totally blew me off. He said he was too busy speak and wanted me to leave. Can you believe his nerve?! Then I noticed Betsy smirking; she can be such a bitch sometimes." That was what really bugged me. Why did Scott feel the need to treat me so harshly in front of her?! He must have known she would enjoy it…unless he didn't care about my feelings…
"Jean, just think about it for a sec. You honestly believe that Betsy has the power to—I don't know—cause Scott to divorce you and go off with her into the sunset?"
"In actuality, she does have that power." She sighed, willing to except the reality of the situation. "But you're right. I know Scott would never leave me like that. But he is mad for some reason, that I'm sure of."
"Then whatever he's mad about, probably has nothing to do with Betsy. She just happened to be there with him." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Anyway, you know how Psylocke is. She just likes to stir the pot and sit back to observe what happens. She mentioned to me about being in Remy's room drinking last night, doing what else I won't even guess considering the fact that she hates him."
I don't even want to think what she was doing drunk in Remy's room…
"And this morning she hoped into bed with me…"
That caught her attention. "Why?"
"Why? Cause it's Betsy! She's a big flirt—but that's all. I can't believe that she would commit adultery. You have nothing to worry about."
"You're saying all the right things." But still the truth of the matter troubled her deeply. "Which means Scott is mad at me about something. I wonder what it is?"
She doesn't have to wonder, she's a telepath for goodness sakes! "Why don't you just search his thoughts and find out?"
"Because I don't to that. I know it's hard enough for him to be married to a telepath, without him having to worry about me reading his mind whenever I want. He trusts me to keep away from his private thoughts. We all need some privacy."
True. Jean is always good about not reading our thoughts. If only some of Jean's ethics could rub off on Betsy—she doesn't give a shit about who she reads. "You and Scott will work everything out eventually."
"I'll speak with him tomorrow, after he's finished doing whatever in the security room." She gave him a big hug. "Thanks, Bobby."
"Anytime Jean."
*
(Ororo)
Ororo looked at her watch. He is late…again.
Irritated, she summoned the winds to lift her off the high branch of a tree unto the grass below. She paced the grounds, mumbling to herself. "This is the second time in two days he has left me waiting longer than I'm suppose to." She crossed her arms, grinding her teeth. "The second I see him I am going to…" Her voice trailed off when she noticed where she was. It was at that exact spot, she and Logan began the celebration of their 6-mouth anniversary weeks before. That was the first time they both were willing to drop their defenses completely...
~ ~ ~
Ororo stood in the woods, hearing the footsteps of her boyfriend behind her. She turned around meeting his gaze.
He halted at the sight of her, illuminated by the moonlight.
"What?" She asked touching herself, feeling somewhat self-conscious. "Is it a bit too much?"
She wore a sparkling red strapless dress that hugged the curves of her body with a spit down the front, exposing her long legs. Her hair was tied up with curls spiraling down, reaching just above her shoulders. She accented her outfit with glimmering earrings and matching bracelet.
He swallowed hard. "You look…gorgeous."
Blushing, she responded. "I bet you say that line to all the pretty girls."
His face brightened in response to her playful mood. "True. But you're the first pretty girl I said it to tonight."
"I am honored." She approached him, swaying her hips in a provocative rhythm. "You don't look too bad yourself." She placed her hands on his broad shoulders, tracing her eyes over his body. "You clean up real nice."
"Don't ya know it, doll." He responded in a voice deeper than usual, only because he knew it drove her wild. He enjoyed seeing the flush in her face. However, his suit distracted him from continuing the banter. Loosening his collar he complain, "This bow tie's gonna choke me to death."
"Remember, this 6 mouth anniversary date was your idea. I would have been perfectly satisfied to sit on the grass with you all night without speaking a word."
"We could do that any night. I just wanted to do something special for you…for us."
For us? She gushed to herself. I love the sound of that.
He gave her a playful smile, his hands resting on the sides of her face. "Don't make me change my mind." He warned.
"Please do not." She begged, pouting. "I am glad you decided to do something special. Where will we be going tonight?"
His confidence showed as he answered her question. "Down to the city. There's a nice spot I found in Manhattan—real fancy like."
She smirked. "Which means that you will have to use a knife and a fork."
"I've been practicing." He responded proudly.
"For me?" Straightening his croaked bow tie, she added, "Have I actually tamed the beast?"
"Maybe."
"Not too much I hope. If I wanted a perfect gentleman, I would have snagged one." She risked smudging her lipstick to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Where did you park your Jeep?"
"We're not takin' the Jeep. Gumbo lent me his ride for the night." He does have a lot. "It's parked over there." He pointed in a direction off into the distance.
"That was sweet of Remy." She took his arm, heading toward the car.
The flashy vehicle wasn't parked too far away. Ororo noted that Logan must have had to do something big for Remy to lend it to him for the night. He opened the door for her to get in and hopped into the driver's side.
Once he was settled in the car, she placed her hand on his knee. "You know, after dinner we could go dancing, or maybe take a carriage ride through Central Park then we could…"
He cut her off. "Let's get one thing straight. In the mansion you're in charge, but in here, I'm first in command. That means we're gonna do exactly what I have planned out." It took me a long time to plan everythin' out perfectly.
"I-I captain." She had no problem giving up control for one night. "What is your first order?"
He started the car. "Sit back and enjoy the evenin'."
She smiled, "It seems I am already one step ahead of you."
Unbeknownst to her, he took a deep breath. Everything had to run smoothly tonight. It was the night when he would officially tell her that he loved her.
He could already feel the sweat beginning to build on his hands in anticipation. Fuck, this is ridiculous! It had been a long time since a woman was able to make Logan so nervous—he must be in love. "You ready?" He asked in covered smoothness.
"I have been ready since forever."
He turned to face her, wondering how someone like him ever got lucky enough to be with someone like her. "Then I won't let ya wait any longer."
He pressed his foot on the gas, driving in the direction of the burrow named Manhattan.
*
Jean couldn't help but notice that Bobby seemed very pleased with himself during their stroll. "What are you smiling about?"
"I just helped you with your relationship." He gloated, relishing in the irony. "I actually helped a psychologist with her problem."
She gave him a hard pat on the back. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you, thank you." He responded, bowing. She let out a joyful laugh that caught him off guard—it always did. She was the type that loved a good laugh which was good for someone like him who loved to make people laugh. From he first arrived at the mansion he had always considered her as a den mother—she being a few years older and the only female member on the team.
"Jean…" He said, ready to open op to her. "Have you noticed a change in me?"
She looked him over, searching for any physical signs of change. There's none that I can tell. "What kind of change?"
"You know, since the beginning. Have you noticed a new and improved Bobby?" He asked, puffing out his chest. "Someone that's a step up from the goofy guy that use to seat in the back of the class."
"You were never that."
"Never? It's common knowledge around here that I was the designated class clown."
"You're just funny. Anyway, you've worked through all your problems and yes, you are a different guy." She looked him over again, smiling. "Yes, I see a definite improvement."
Still he was unsure. "Even after the ice incident early this morning?" By the reaction on her face, he could tell that she didn't hear about him slipping on the ice formation that he created.
"Ice incident?"
If she doesn't know, I won't tell her. "Never mind."
"I'm sure Rogue notices an improvement as well." She said trying to pry a bit.
He rubbed the back of his head thinking. "I'm not too sure about that." He turned to Jean, preparing to ask her an age-old question. "Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"What drives girls to go crazy over the bad boy type? It's like women can never settle for the guy who truly loves them and will treat them right."
"Ah-hem!" She coughed trying to bring notice to the obvious. "I'm with Scott and he isn't a bad boy."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine. You're the exception to the rule." Upon reflection he wanted to take back what he said. "Then again, I'm slightly off. Women like the bad boy type or someone with a lot of power. That's were you come in with Scott—After all he is leader of the X-man."
Whatever! "Then by your logic, all you have to do is start acting like a jerk and women will just fall at your feet. Either that or work your way up to leader status."
He weighed his options. "Act like a jerk or leader of the X-Men—which one to choose…"
"How about choosing to be yourself?" What she really wanted was to get into a deeper discussion of Rogue. "Rogue has gone through so many things in her short life and I know that you helped her through some of them."
"You should have seen her, Jean. After she absorbed Remy in Israel she…she just wasn't herself." That's an understatement. "He's the first guy that she's ever love, and with his love came pain. I don't know…it just seems like now she can't differentiate between the two—love and pain."
"Who says that you can't be the one to show her that the two don't have to go hand and hand?"
He looked away from her, remembering the discovery he made that morning. Rogue and Remy are back together again. There sleeping with each other. "Gambit's got a hold on her. A hold that's too strong for me to brake. It's over."
Jean wanted to tell Bobby that Remy wasn't as confident as he may believe. If there's one thing I got from our conversation in the kitchen it is that he has no idea where he stands in her life. But even though she couldn't stand Remy at that moment, she still couldn't bring herself to divulge the information he told her in confidence. "If it is really over between you two, it's only because you let her slip away."
Shit! Didn't Gambit basically say the same thing to me a couple of hours ago?
"If anything, I suggest you tell Rogue how you feel. It's better you say something now, then spend the rest of your life regretting it."
I already have a few regrets in my life, why add more? But why should I tell her how I feel when I know she's with him. Why the hell does everything have to be so complicated. "You mind if I walk the rest of the way by myself? I got a lot to think about."
"No problem."
He gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thanks, for the talk Jean."
"Anytime Bobby. Us originals gotta stick together, right?" With a smile, she turned around headed in the opposite direction.
"Be careful. Don't let the boogie man catch you!" He called after her.
"I won't. You better watch out for fire breathing dragons!"
He laughed, walking away. "I will!"
Off they went, both taking different paths down the side of the road.
*
The date lasted longer then either of them expected. They decided to rent a room in the city, instead of traveling back to the mansion so early in the morning. Thankfully the hotel that they chose had a room available at that time—though there was one.
Logan sat on a chair as Ororo roamed around the room, rambling on about their date. Really he wasn't paying too much attention to her, too busy wondering how they were going to work out the sleeping arrangements.
"I had a wonderful time." She called out from the bathroom as she looked through the little shampoo gifts lift on the sink. "Just when I thought it couldn't get any better…"
"Glad ya liked it."
Anxiously, she looked over her reflection in the mirror, unsure of what she would do once she left the bathroom. I can't spend the entire night in here. "I heard such great things about the restaurant—it lived up to all my expectations. I had always wanted to go."
"Yeah, I know."
"You did?" She popped her head out of the washroom to look at him. "How did you find out?"
"Remy mentioned it one time—Don't even remember how the topic came up."
"Yes, I did tell him one day about how much I wanted to go there." She emerged from the washroom, her heels in her hand. "He promised me he would take me as soon as things cool down around the mansion."
He eyed her with a flash of insecurity. Would she have preferred to go with him?
As if she read his mind, she responded, "But I'm glad you were the one to take me." Placing her arms around his neck, she cooed, "I would not have wanted it any other way." With a smile, she left his embrace.
He was off center. The moment on their date where he was suppose to tell her how he truly felt didn't happen—he chickened out at the last moment. In a sense, there was no right moment to tell her how he felt. He followed her with his eyes as she took of her jewelry. Should I tell her now? Fuck! I've known her for so many years…if I hadn't-a-been so blind we would-a-been past this stage already…
She spoke before he had the chance, sensing his eyes on her. "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm just thinkin' about how much time I wasted."
She boldly walked toward him, gathering enough courage to make the first move. "We need not waste anymore time." She pressed her lips against his, he returned her kiss in earnest.
Is she really ready to take the next step? She seems ready. Damn, please make her be ready. He got his answer when she broke away from their kiss and focused on unbuttoning his white dress shirt. "You sure about this?" He asked giving her a last chance to get out of the situation.
Sweet. "Very." She went back to the task of undoing his shirt.
His words escaped his lips before he could stop them, "You know I love you, right?"
Her hands stopped moving, eyes shooting upward to meet his.
Shit, shit, shit, I'm-a-fucking idiot! He felt like popping his claws into his own gut for being so stupid. She might think I'm just caught up in the heat of the moment.
Her eyes brightened, "Yes, I know you love me. I wouldn't be doing this if I thought otherwise."
The smiled stayed on his face, waiting for her to return the sentiment—becoming more agitated when she didn't.
Realizing what he was waiting for she started to giggle. Anyone who was watching us would think that this is young love. "I love you too, Logan."
Her words sent a serge of energy throughout his body. He attacked her with all the pent-up feeling he had been holding back for months…years.
She did not hold back at all, matching his intensity with that of her own. Finally, she managed to undo all of his buttons and began to tug his shirt off his body.
A beeping noise went off in her purse.
"Shit!" He grunted.
She broke away from him and jumped for the communicator in her purse out of habit. "Storm here."
Scott's voice came over the link. "It's Cyclops. We have an emergency. Professor X has just taken off to Australia with half of the team."
"How long will he be gone for?"
"We're not sure as of yet. Jean, Rogue, Iceman, Gambit, Beast and Wolverine will remain at the mansion. There's been an explosion of Terrorist mutant crimes and the X-men have been assigned to the case. Report back here at once—might as well pick up Wolverine while you're at it. He's suppose to be at Harry's. Understand?"
"Loud and clear. Storm out." Frowning she looked up at him, knowing that their date would come on an early end.
"Fuckin' terrorists!"
"I kiss we are going to have to take a rain check."
"Seems so…unless you want a quickly." He smirked, tugging on the zipper of her dress.
Laughing, she removed his wandering hands from the back of her dress. "I think I will pass. Let us just wait until things die down again."
"That could take weeks."
"I know." Reluctantly, she stepped away from him, the temptation too great for either of them to handle. "We better get going. Scott's message seemed urgent."
Logan nodded in agreement. He hated that they couldn't express their love in action, but was glad that they had the chance to express their love in words. Now the pressure is off.
~ ~ ~
Ororo snapped out of her anniversary daydream. Since that night, the consummation of their relationship had been interrupted on numerous occasions; so much so, she expected to find Logan here waiting for her instead of the other way around.
"What is taking him so long?" Starting to feel restless, she took a stroll down the side of the road intent on settling her nerves.
* * *
The Cover Up
(Remy/Rogue)
Remy sat in the car for a few moments ready to wake up from his nightmare. It's all a dream…it's all a dream…
"Remy!" Rogue's harsh voice shook him back to reality.
It wasn't a dream. Sprawled out a few meters away from the car was someone…who, he didn't know.
"Wait here." Before she could respond he was already out the truck..
He walked to the front of the vehicle to survey the damage. The truck had a dent above the headlight. He walked over to Rogue's side of the car. "Chere, get de flashlight from de back."
Immediately, she turned to the backseat grabbing the flashlight from the floor of the truck.
"Give it t' me."
"No. Ah'm comin' with yah." She argued, even though she didn't feel well enough to stand.
"I'm not askin' you again, Rogue." He said with an outstretched hand.
"Fine yah big baby!" She flipped on the switch, the immense light shinning directly into his sensitive eyes.
"Fuck!" He shut his eyes in pain, rubbing them with his hand.
"Remy, are you okay?" She asked in a panic. "Ah'm sorry. Ah didn't mean to."
Shit! Shit! Shit! He tried to hush her, still tending to his eyes. "I know, I know."
He managed to open them, his eyes not as bright in the night as they usually were;
His surroundings seemed five shades darker than what he was used to. Great…I can't see shit! However, he has had experience of light shinning directly into his eyes before, so he knew that the conditioning wasn't permanent. My eyes will go back t' normal after an hour or so. "Jus' give me de flashlight."
She did as he ordered, not wanting to hurt him again. Suddenly, there was a jerk in her mind; a strange sensation came over her. "Oh mah Gawd!"
"What?" He thought something was terribly wrong. "Ah can see color!" Her words caught him off guard. "What?!" She examined all the subtle colors in his face in amazement. "Ah don't see through a red haze anymore. Ah haven't been able to see color, since my mutation first manifested."
What de hell is she talkin' about? Red haze? I get what's going on… "Rogue, you're not Cyclops." De alcohol mus' be screwing wit' her powers somehow.
She continued to look around her in astonishment. "Rogue!" He shook her, trying to snap her out of the daze.
The thoughts in her mind jolted back to normal. "Huh?"
"Rogue is it you?"
"Yeah, who else would it be, sugah?"
"You t'ought you were Scott a few seconds ago."
Crap! "Scott's memories must have jus' crept into mah fore thoughts; it happens sometimes." Though it hasn't happened in a long time. She thought it best not to dwell on what had happened. She stepped out of the truck, his long coat hugging her body.
"Come on. Let's go see who yah killed."
Her words sent a shill rushing through his body. "Don't say dat."
As they walked toward the body, he took her hand in his so that he could support her as well as himself. The long walk gave him a chance to recite a prayer of forgiveness. They approached the body, the person was lying face down.
Under normal circumstances, Remy would have been able to analyze the person within seconds. However, now that his eyesight was limited, all he saw was a black blur in a shape of a body. Rogue's drunkenness, didn't give her the stability to focus her eyes on the body either.
"Poke it with a stick tah see if it's still breathin'." She urged, pushing him forward.
"Why don't you poke it…"
"Hell naw! You're the one that…"
The dark figure popped up as they argued. "Arrr!"
Stepping behind him, Rogue screamed squeezing his hand. With some embarrassment, Remy squeezed back, his heart pounding in shock. The rush of adrenaline that flowed throughout his body, ceased somewhat when he recognized the person before him.
"Shit, Logan!" He yelled, grabbing his chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" Staggering, Logan approached the two, the open wound on the side of his head healing within moments. His limp was soon non-existing, his body fully recuperated. The only reason Logan stayed on the ground so long was because he thought one of the locals hit him. It would have looked suspicious if he jumped up right away without injuries. However, he soon knew he wouldn't have to play injured when he heard the bickering of two familiar southern voices.
Remy faintly made out the furious expression on Logan's face.
"Can't you look where you're fuckin' drivin'?!" He enforced his question with a jab of his index finger to Remy's chest. "You didn't even turn on your lights!"
He brushed Logan's finger away in annoyance. "What difference would dat have made t' you? You should have heard us comin' a mile away."
Briefly, he let go of his aggressive stance shaking his head. "I wasn't payin' attention." His eyes lowered to examine his body. The dressy jacket he wore was stained in his own blood; his stylish pants covered in road dirt, with a rip down the side. How am I supposed to meet 'Ro dressed like this! "Fuck! Now I have to go and change."
Rogue wobbled from behind Remy seeing an opportunity to join the conversation. "Ah don't know. The fucked up look kind-a-suits yah." Her heavy accent, accompanied by unusual giggles, tipped Logan off that something was wrong.
He stared at the unbalanced girl, looking back at Remy in disbelief. "She's drunk!" His muscles tensed considerably "You got her drunk?"
"Shh!" She responded with her index finger on her lips. "Don't tell Scott or Remy will be in deep do-do." Her swaggering tipped her off balance, causing her to tumble back into Remy's arms.
He looked to Logan. "I didn't mean t'…"
She remained in his arms relaxing her body weight, knowing that Remy would not let her fall. "Yeah, he did mean tah. He got meh drunk so he could have his way with meh." Seductively she ran her fingers down the side of his face.
Even through the darkness, Remy could see Logan clench his jaw muscles. "She's delusional."
Logan wasn't going to take Remy's word for it. Just to make sure, he took a lengthy sniff of the air around them. He was searching for any lingering sent of Remy's seed where it shouldn't be. "You're just lucky I don't smell you on her." He warned with a grunt. "You're still stupid for givin' her alcohol."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Remy mumbled, trying to secure Rogue in his arms. "I jus' have t' get her t' her room so she can sleep it off."
"Fat chance. Scott's sittin' in the living room right now and Psy's with him. Seems to me like he's waitin' up for the two-a-you."
"Shit! He's gonna go ballistic. Especially with Betsy cheerin' him on."
Rogue broke out of his grasp and turned to him smiling, "Serves yah raht!"
He looked helplessly to the older man. "You gotta help me out, homme."
I got no time for this shit. Both of them already pissed me the fuck off today—Let them deal with their problems themselves. "Fuck no! I got some place to be."
Rogue seemed to be oblivious to what was going on. She wrapped her arms around Remy shoulders, nestling her nose against his neck. Humming an unrecognizable tune, she twirled her finger in his short hair.
He rocked her in his arms. Yup, she's definitely out of it. He pleaded, "If not for me, do it for her. Last t'ing she needs right now is Cyke lecturin' her on de dangers of alcohol." Logan did not budge.
"Come on." He urged. His lack of persuasive words meant that he was running out of ideas.
Rogue seemed to have picked up on that signal. Leaving Remy's warm embraced she made her way to Logan. Her eyes were fierce, her face stone cold as she gripped Logan by the jacket pulling him to her. "Hey, yah better do what the Cajun says, jackass!"
"What…" She better not be threatening me.
"Rogue, be quiet. You're not helpin' our cause." He tried to pull her back by her trench coast, but she pushed his hand away from her.
"Wolverine doesn't know shit!" She stated, eyeing him down as if she could intimate him. She let go of his jacket with a satisfied smile. "We don't need him anyway…fuckin' bastard." Before she could fully turn away, Logan grabbed her by the arm on instinct. He snarled, "You shut your mouth or I'll shut it for ya."
She winced at the intense pain that shot through her arm.
Remy cut in between them. "Calm down, homme. She doesn't have her powers, remember?"
"Fuck you, Logan!" Standing behind Remy she further pushed him in Logan's direction. "Go ahead, Remy. Do tah him like yah did tah Jake. That'll shut him up."
It was then that Remy was able to admit to himself that Rogue was the annoying, loudmouth type of drunk. She's de type of girl dat would go t' a bar, get too drunk, make out wit' a stranger, which would cause her boyfriend t' get into a bar fight.
"Jake, the new trash guy? What did you do to him?"
"Not'ing."
She wasn't willing to let it drop. "Oh, he did do somethin'…" Her mind jolted, her words stopped mid-sentence as she was mesmerized by her exposed skin. "Mah hands! Ah have four fingers. Ah'm not blue!"
"Shit!"
Logan watched her in confusion. Blue skin? "She thinks she's Nightcrawler?"
"Her mind seems t' be borrowing memories from people she absorbed in de past." He grabbed her shoulders shaking her, careful not to hurt her. "Rogue, snap out of it. You're not Kurt."
Still she remained in an alternate state of mind.
"Rogue, Rogue!"
Her mind soon settled. "What?! Why are yah yellin' mah name?" She was confused, not exactly sure of what just happened. Ah'm loosin' mah mind. Again, she found her spot in Remy's arms, hoping the dizziness she felt would soon pass.
He turned back to Logan, shaking his head in discouragement. "You see what I'm dealin' wit'? She doesn't even remember what jus' happened." He implored, tempted to let his charm seep out. "Help me do dis."
Logan relented. Can't believe I'm gonna help him. "Fine give her to me and I'll take her to her room through the back entrance. You go in the front and tell Cyke that Rogue flew up to her room and is asleep by now. If he checks up on her, he'll just see her past out in the bed and think she's sleeping."
Yes! And I didn't have t' use my powers. He thought proudly. I guess I'm jus' a natural charmer. "Okay, deal!" He didn't want to disturb Rogue, who was comfortably resting in his arms; he was comfortable holding her there as well, but soon he tenderly removed her from his embrace, in turn handing her to Logan.
Logan held her firmly by one arm, just incase she lost her step.
She looked at him flustered, then realized that Remy was walking away from her. "Remy, where are yah goin'?"
"Don't worry. I'll see you on de inside." He responded, looking at her as he walked backwards. He then turned around and jogged in the direction of the mansion.
"But Ah don't want yah tah leave." She responded, ready to run after him.
Logan pulled back on her arm, jerking her to his side. I don't have time for this nonsense.. "Quit yer wining!"
His words, triggered something in her brain. She gazed at his face in a panic. He looked liked the guy she remembered, yet so different at the same time. Her eyes darted to his grip on her arm. "Lemme go! Ah'm not goin' with yah! Remy, Remy, don't leave meh!" She screamed, not knowing why she felt so scared.
His sensitive ears could pick up on the sudden movements of the many animals that remained hidden in the forest. To him it seemed like she was waking up the entire world. "Keep it down!" He ordered in a loud whisper. It's like she's screaming bloody murder. Remy started to back track towards them.
"Ah'm not goin' with yah! Ah don't want tah…" She tried to tug her arm away from his grasp. He looked up just as Remy approached them.
"What's her fuckin' problem?" He loosed his grip and Rogue was able to free herself from him. He watched as she jumped into Remy's arms, not giving him any chance to let her go. Remy held her tight, brushing his hand through her hair. "Hey, hey, take it easy, chere." Even with her wearing his long overcoat, in the middle of summer, he could still feel her tremble.
"Remy, don't leave meh with him." She pleaded desperately in a soft whisper to his ear. "I won't." He reassured her. "I'll stay with you." Now I know somet'ing is definitely wrong. I understand her being scared around strangers, but she knows Logan. Why would she react like dis t' him? His eyes focused on the Canadian, giving him a puzzled expression hidden under a veil of suspicion.
Logan crossed his arms across his chest. She's afraid of me…which means she startin' to remember…
"Why don't I take her up t' her room? It makes better sense 'cause I don't know how I can explain dis to Cyke." He reasoned, rubbing the growing lump on his forehead.
"Fine you take her. I'll go give One Eye a lame excuse."
"T'anks man." He walked past Remy, Rogue tightening her grasp until he past by.
"Come here a sec, Gumbo."
Remy let go of Rogue, careful that she remained stable and approached Logan.
He put on hand on Remy's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "Cajun, I want you to leave her in the bed not fuck her there 'cause I will check on you. Got it?"
He brushed Logan's hand away. "Hey, I'll handle Rogue. You jus' make sure you handle Cyke." Remy made a quick stop to the truck taking out the keys and the items in the backseat.
Logan watched as he walked back to Rogue and took a path that would lead them to the back door of the mansion.
Logan stood for about 15 minutes, reasoning that it would be enough time for the two to make it home and to their rooms. Cursing to himself, he made his way down the road—hating the fact that again he and Ororo would have to wait.
But I will see her tonight! He reaffirmed, intent on not making a liar out of himself.
* * *
(Betsy/Logan)
"…And that's how pretty people can have ugly babies."
Scott sat back into the couch, engrossed by Betsy's theory on 'How pretty people can have ugly babies'. "I never thought about it that way." He said in fascination.
Her eyes wondered to the corner of the room. "What's that?" She got up from the couch and returned to her seat with a booklet in her hand. "The Edict of the Deoxyribonucleic Acid X Factor Nullifier…by Henry McCoy." Only Beast can turn the title of a book into a short story. She thought rolling her eyes.
"That must be Rogue's copy of the rules for her bracelet."
"What's it doing stashed in the corner?"
He shrugged half-heartedly, trying to fight off a yawn. "Who knows?"
"I guess you're right, she really doesn't intend to use the thing." She said more to herself then to him. She opened the book to a page that had been folded and began to read in a voice seeped in high-class British dialect. "When operating the deoxyribonucleic acid nullifier it is imperative that the apparatus is not deactivated before the 8 hour duration is executed." She put down the book and turned to Scott, shaking her head. "You got to be kidding me? Is Beast serious with this thing?"
He shook his head as well. "Yes, it is a hard read." "
Yeah, hard for the likes of you and I…but we're fairly intelligent people. This is an impossible read for someone like Rogue the country girl."
"Betsy…" He tried to frown, but his lips would not let him.
"I can just see her now…" She continued, then changed her expression to that of a person who was clueless. "Oh mah! For the life of meh Ah jus' don't know what a de-oxy-rib-on-ucleic a-cid is."
"Stop it." He said in vain, knowing that his chuckling would only provoke her.
"She needs a dictionary reserved for hicks, made especially for the people who's mother and father are also brother and sister."
"Okay, now that's enough." He stated firmly.
"Whatever." Shrugging, she place the book on the coffee table. "It's obvious she's not serious about actually touching people. I should tell Bobby not to waste his time." "Bobby?"
"You do know that he's been pinning over Rogue for years."
"I noticed it before…I just thought it was a crush."
"If it's a crush, it's the longest crush I've ever seen." She inched closer to him on the couch. "I think that he might even have my crush on you beat."
Here we go again. He thought with an inward smile.
"Am I interrupting somethin'?"
Both Scott and Betsy turned to see Logan's dark form, leaning again the doorframe.
She rolled her eyes. I know he must be thinking that he caught us doing something we're not suppose to be doing. "Yes. If you must know Scott and I were just about to screw around." Asshole!
"We were just talking." Scott answered truthfully. His eyes widen beneath his shades, as Logan walked into the room, the light exposing him fully. "What the hell happened to you?" Tracing his eyes up his body, Scott saw the devastation on Logan's apparel—though his body showed no sign of trauma.
"I got swiped outside by Gambit."
"What?!" Scott asked getting up from the couch.
Betsy stood beside him, watching Logan's demeanor carefully. Something's up.
"It was me. I wasn't payin' attention and walked out onto the road in front of him." He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his tarnished jeans. "My mistake."
Betsy crossed her arms, raising a brow. "You seem to be making a lot of mistakes lately." He answered her with a sneer, turning back to Scott.
"Was Rogue with him?" Scott asked. "Rogue?" He put his nose to the air, inhaling twice picking up her scent. "She's upstairs, most likely in her room." I'm not going to let him off that easy. "I didn't hear her come in." She added, though Scott did not hear her. This is just like Gambit. He knows that I would be waiting up for him, so he sneaks inside without me knowing. It's just like Rogue to follow along with him too."Did he take out the trash?"
I didn't see any garbage in the back of the pick-up truck. "From what I could tell, yeah." He dusted his hands off on his pants. "Well, that's settled. I think I better go home and check on Jean." He turned to his companion of the night. "Thanks for the company Betsy."
"Anytime." She replied with a wink.
Upon leaving the room, he acknowledged the other man with a nod. "Logan." "Scott." He stepped aside so that Scott could leave the room and the mansion. He remained in place, hands still in his pockets, knowing that Betsy was itching to say something. "What?"
She gave him a knowing smile. "You damn liar."
*
Remy and Rogue made it to her room without being noticed by anyone.
"Ah'm hot." She replied, stripping herself of his favorite trench coat. "Ah need some water." She tried to move forward to the bathroom, but he was blocking her.
"I'll get it. Jus' stay here." He said getting her to sit on the bed. He then ran into the bathroom, filling up a cup with cold water. He returned to the room to see her lying on the bed, prompt up against her pillows. "Here. Drink slowly."
Not listening to him, she gulped down the contents of the cup. Her fast drinking, caused some of the water to go down the wrong way, inducing her to cough when she was finished.
Patting her on the back he asked, "You feel better?"
"No." She wined, hands rubbing up and down her arms. "Mah body feels…achy. Make it stop."
"It's jus' de alcohol, Rogue. You have t' sleep it off, but you'll feel better in de mornin'." She looked up at him, her eyes wide enough to shave 10 years off her true age. "Promise?"
He wasn't quick to answer, remembering that the inedible hang over was still yet to come. He chuckled, "You might not wanna hold me t' it." He helped her ease in between the sheets, covering her with a blanket. She was covered from her chin down; to him she looked peaceful. He brushed his hands through her hair repeatedly, something that he loved her doing to him.
"You're not leavin' meh, are yah?"
"You wan' me t' stay?"
"Uh huh…" She wanted to say more, but her mind would not let her finish her thought. "Mah head is spinnin'…" She shot up from the bed, clutching her stomach. "Remy!"
"Jus' squeeze my hand, chere. It'll past." She grabbed hold of his hand just as the second pain hit her. "Oww!" Shit! It's like a knife rippin' through mah stomach. "Ah can't stay here."
"What? Where are you gonna go?" She's in no condition t' leave.
"Carol, Ah have tah find Carol…" She whispered tiredly, lying back down on the bed.
"Carol?" Who de fuck is Carol?
"…She'll know what tah do. She always knows what tah do."
Carol Davens, dat's who she's talkin' about. He put his hand on her forehead, tracing her face with his fingers. He whispered in a soothing voice, "Rogue, Carol is not here anymore. She's gone, remember?"
"Oww!" She squeezed her eyes shut as she squeezed his hand. Ah can't do this anymore. "Ah'll come back after Ah find Carol. She'll take over, jus' for a li'l while." Her voice was softer, as she closed her eyes, her mind prepared to descend into the astral plane. "Ah need tah rest."
"Chere, chere!" He opened her eyelids, but her pupils were already rolled to the back of her head. She was gone. Maybe it's better dis way, at least for now.
He stayed at her bedside, holding her hand kissing it every so often, waiting for her to return. His lips curled into a smile remembering that she was able to touch. No, he hadn't forgot, but the obvious just smacked him over the head. After all dis time…after waitin' so long…
He watched her as she slept, dozens of ideas playing through his mind. Some of the ideas, he knew he had no business thinking, however it was pointless for him to try and bury his thoughts. He could fight his natural urge, it had been fighting them for a long time now. However, the urge was easier to fight when he knew that her touch was deadly.
Her touch isn't deadly anymore…If only I could jus' steal a kiss, jus' one li'l kiss… He leaned forward to her mouth, not really sure what he would do once he got there.
Her eyes opened, shocked to see Remy approaching her.
"Shit!" She yelled, pushing his face away from her with both hands.
"Rogue, you're back." He said smiling.
Eerily, she stared him down, shaking her head no.
What? Remy gave a nervous chuckle. "Carol?" He watched as again she shook her head, a wicked grin creeping along her face. He looked at her uneasily, not knowing if she was playing a joke on him. If it is a joke, it's not funny.
Finally, she responded with a familiar accent "Don't give up now. You still have one more guess left…mon ami."
Remy's eyes widen in dread.
*
"You don't believe me when I say Rogue's upstairs?" Logan asked, willing to spear a few moments with Betsy.
"Yes, I do believe she's upstairs. But the fact that she didn't come through the front door leaves me to believe that something's up."
That does it. "I haven't got time for this." He turned to leave; however, Betsy made it to the doorway before him, blocking his exit.
"What's with you, Logan? Why are you bending over backwards to help out Gambit? You of all people should be helping me keep him away from Rogue."
"And why do you care so much about Rogue?" He asked suspiciously.
"She doesn't deserve to be with scum like him. It seems as if I'm her only true friend. I'm looking out for her best interest."
He stepped to her, closing the gab that was between them. "You're full of shit. You expect me to believe your only lookin' out for Rogue? This has nothin' to do with Rogue and everythin' to do with Remy and how much you hate him."
Rolling her eyes, she laughed, "Who cares? Everyone knows I hate Gambit."
"The thing is, you hate Rogue too." He loved the surprised reaction on her face. "It's just that you hate Gambit more."
She was too stunned to speak for a moment. He has some nerve. "What the fuck did you say? I don't hate Rogue."
"But she's far from being your friend." He pushed on. "Admit it. If you had your way, Carol would be in Rogue's body right now." His voice lowered, to add intensity. "Carol was your friend. You bonded with her without even thinkin' about Rogue."
"Carol was your friend too."
He was ready for that response, so his answer came quick, "True. But I made my peace with Rogue a long time ago. You've never done that. When Rogue came back from the Savage Land, you'd lost your best friend."
Everyone was so stand offish when I joined the X-men—I had to prove myself first before they would even acknowledge me. Not Carol…she and I…we just clicked.
"You're right." I hate it when he's right. "I would have picked Carol over Rogue."
He nodded his head in satisfaction of her admission. "Then stop pretendin' like you have some urge to protect poor, vulnerable, Rogue 'cause you're not fooling me. All you want is to take down Gambit and to hell if you hurt her in the process."
"That's where you're wrong." She stated, poking her finger in his chest. "Yes, I don't give two shits about Rogue. But trust me on this…having Gambit out of her life will be better for her in the long run—she'll thank me when she realizes it."
Why is she so hung up on Gumbo? "You know somethin' about him, you're not tellin' us?" He asked with narrow eyes.
I wish! "Oh please, Logan. If I had dirt on Remy I would tell the whole world, not keep it to myself."
He really didn't like her answer. "Don't go looking for stuff that's better left buried. You have a habit of causing people unnecessary pain."
Is he referring to Scott and Jean's marriage? That happened a long time ago, when I was confused, so why does he have to bring it up now? I can't stand him sometimes. As if he didn't spend the better part of his life trying to fuck Jean! She eyed him with animosity. I'll show him.
"I gotta go change." Not waiting for her to move, he pushed by her.
"Well, don't let me keep you." She walked back into the living room as he hurried into the hallway. "I wouldn't want Ororo to become impatient." She laughed inwardly to herself, relaxing on the couch.
Logan stopped dead in his tracks, hoping that he misheard her but knowing that he hadn't. Fuck! She knows. Turning around, he walked back into the room and sat on the edge of the coffee table in font of a beaming Betsy.
*
Remy stood back in the shadows, watching Rogue walk aimlessly around her room as if she were seeing things for the first time in a long time. Besides the sounds of her movements, they were in silence—He not saying anything because he was too shocked, and she not saying anything because she was too curious.
She was by the nightstand, going over the teddy bears. "Dis room has changed from what I remember." She looked to him with a smile. "More stuffed animals." She winked.
Again she surveyed the room, this time in search for a calendar that would tell her how much time had past. Finally giving up looking for a calendar she turned to Remy, noticing his hair cut. "Nice hair." She chuckled. I like de idea of complementin' myself. She looked at him with a sense of urgency. "I don't have much time here before I get shoved back into her mind." She said tapping her head. "Turns out I'm not strong enough."
Remy noted that earlier Rogue was reliving the memories of Scott and Kurt—what she was doing now was totally different. She was directly channeling one of the personas in her mind.
It was then that Remy managed to get the voice to ask her a question. "Which one are you? Antarctica?" "Antarctica?"
She laughed, at the idea that Remy had actually touched Rogue more than once. I never could learn my lesson. "Don't know what you're talkin' about, homme. I'm from de first time she absorbed you."
"Oh, Israel."
She chuckled. So now it's more dan two times, huh. "Wrong again."
"But Israel was de first time. I was in a coma for t'ree weeks."
"Don't you remember when we were on Magneto's Asteroid? We were by de pool and Rogue did dat cannon ball dive—we touched de side of her face."
"Shit!" I remember loosin' my balance and fallin' into de pool. "I didn't know I went inside her den."
"It was such a small touch, dat's why—everyt'ing happened so fast." She remembered what Cannon told her in the astral planes. "Forget about dat I'm wastin' time."
Remy looked at his former self, trapped in the body of the woman he loved. His mind had difficulty wrapping around the idea. One t'ing I know for sure is dat if dis Remy's from my early days wit' de X-Men, I have t' be careful.
"I can see we made it back from Asteroid M, so I guess we defeated Magneto." She had an interest in finding out exactly how they were able to accomplish such a feet. However, she knew that there were more pressing matters to figure out. "What's the date today?"
Be careful. He reminded himself. "De date doesn't matter." He answered with a shrug. She snapped at his ignorance. "Yes it does—you know very well de date matters." Hopefully, it has only been a couple of weeks since Asteroid M—it can't be any longer dan dat, it shouldn't be any longer dan dat.
The mirror on the dresser caught her attention. She stared at her reflection, captivated in the oddness of looking at herself in another's body. She touched her face, knowing that she never had the opportunity to do it before without being absorbed. She focused back to him. "Did you find a way to sleep wit' her yet?"
Remy answered without saying anything. The answer was yes and no at the same time—really no answer at all.
He's givin' me de poker face—even I don't know de answer t' de question. Why is he actin' dis way? Could somet'ing be wrong? Better give him a wake up call.
She walked up to him with a deadly stare. "Remember de game plan: She falls in love wit' you, not de other way around. You're in den you're out, no harm done."
He gave her no reaction and for the first time she started to become nervous.
"Oh no. Don't tell me I'm too late…I am aren't I. You're playin' a dangerous game LeBeau and sometimes you jus' don't know when t' quit. Does Genevieve ring a bell?" She never wanted to bring up Genevieve's name, but did it as a last resort. Still even after all the time that had past, she felt sadness over what had happened—she regretted everything; although she knew that if she had to do it over again, she still would have saved her brother—he was family. I don't love Rogue, but I don't wanna see her dyin' in my arms, because of my screw up. She's jus' a challenge, far greater than anyone before her and not'ing more. I have other more important t'ings t' accomplish here.
The longer he remained silent, the more suspicious she became. He is in love. She pushed him as hard as she could, but with her weak body, it wasn't hard enough. "Well, you better snap out of it, mon amie. You know dis ain't suppose t' be permanent…He's waitin' for you…"
Anger exploded in Remy as he shoved her against the wall, holding her in place by the shoulders. "It's over, you here me?! It's over! I don't give a fuck who's waitin' for me!"
I'm not getting t'rough t' him. "Get out now while you still have de good sense. What has love ever brought us but hurt?! All we can depend on is ourselves—all we have is each other."
His eyes soften as he heard those words flow from the lips of his love. His grip on her shoulders loosen, he never wanted to hurt her.
She caught on fast. Fuckin' idiot t'inks I'm Rogue—Shit! She slapped him across his face. "Snap out of it! It's me—Remy!"
He looked at her in shock, instantly remembering that he was really looking at himself.
The pain in her stomach started to become over powering. Time for drastic measures. He had to put an end to everything now. Game Over! "She doesn't love you—I know 'cause I'm inside her. It's hopeless, you're wastin' your time." The pain in her stomach became unbearable. She felt herself growing weaker by the moment. "Leave now…" Her eyes closed as her body went limp in his waiting arms.
*
Sitting across from Betsy on the coffee table, Logan asked, "How did ya find out about me and 'Ro?"
She smiled proudly. "I took a little trip through her mind last night. It wasn't hard to pick out—she was projecting…"
"I only have one thing to say to you."
She rested her chin on her hands cheerfully. "I'm listening."
"Keep your mouth shut." He warned.
"I think I can manage that."
Her tone of voice told him that she was only mocking him. "Betsy—I'm not playin' with you."
"Ahhh, but I'm playing with you."
If I stay any longer I'm gonna snap her neck. "Don't make me have to tell ya again." He got up from the table, headed toward the door.
"Hey, Logan. Maybe you didn't fully understand what I just said."
He didn't stop to listen, but she continued.
"I was in Ororo's mind. Don't you want to know how she really feels about you?"
I'm not going to fall for that trap, she's trouble. "Nope." He left the room.
"She still thinks you're in love with Jean." She whispered—all she had to do was whisper, because she knew that Logan's ears would pick up her low voice.
As if on cue, his face reappeared in the doorway.
This is way too easy. "And I happen to agree with her."
"I don't believe you..."
Yet he still remains…to listen. "Sure, 'Ro knows you do love her. But she's a woman and as a woman she notices the little things."
"You don't know what you're talkin' about…"
"You look at Jean with the same loving eyes you give 'Ro…" She accused.
"Betsy…"
"You talk to Jean with the same soothing voice which should only be reserved for your girlfriend…"
"Stop…"
"And when you look at 'Ro, she senses that Jean is always somewhere in the back of your mind…"
"Cut it out!"
She didn't intend to. "You better watch yourself. Where you look, who you talk to, what you say, when you say it…'Ro's watching your every move and as soon as you make a misstep—just like that…" She snapped her fingers. "It's over. It's a bitch loving two women at once, isn't it?"
That's why I didn't want anybody to know about me and Ro, 'cause of shit like this. "Fuck you!"
*
Remy waited by the window, looking to Rogue who was on the bed, every so often. She hadn't regained consciousness since she collapsed in his arms.
"Remy?" Her voice was soft and raspy.
He ran to her side, sitting on the bed. "Rogue?"
Her expression displayed one of great sadness. "Ah didn't find her."
"Who?"
"Carol."
He placed his hand on her cheek for her to look at him and whispered, "She's gone remember? Magneto separate her from you in de Savage Land, a long time ago."
She lowered her head in dismay, eyes focused on the butterfly patterns of her sheets. "Oh yeah…she's gone…she's not comin' back…Ah miss her." Facing him again she added, "She always knew what tah do."
"Well, I'm here now. We'll get t'rough dis—t'gether."
Her mind fluttered into a daze. "Remember when…we were younger and we use tah go runnin' through grumpy ol' Monsieur Le Blanc's roses?" She smiled at the memory. "He'd always yell and…"
He stopped her from talking with his finger on her lips. "Chere, that wasn't us. It was me and Belladonna." I remember when I suspected she absorbed Belle—den found out dat my suspicions were correct. But, it's over and done with.
She put her face in her hands, trying to shove back the memory. She didn't have much time to feel remorse for how she gained that memory in the first place. Her body tensed. "Oh no!"
"What's wrong?"
"My stomach…it's doing flip-flops."
Putting his hand on her stomach he could feel it rumble. Good "You're about t' t'row up."
"Throw up?!" The very idea of food coming up from her throat instead of going down seemed foreign to her. "Ah've never thrown-up in mah life—that Ah can remember." The rumble in her stomach increased. "No, make it stop!"
"Rogue, it's a good t'ing. Your body's only tryin' t' get de alcohol out of its system."
He pulled her out of the bed, into the washroom. Helping her unto her knees in font of the toilet, he got down behind her, hands securely on her waist for support. With one hand he bundled her long curly hair behind her ears as she prepared to throw up—he must be in love.
Her hands clutched the toilet bowl as she tried to cope with the unusual feeling throughout her body. "Ah don't wanna." Her mouth began to produce a lot of saliva, which she spit into the bowl.
"Stick your finger in your mouth."
What? "Ewww. No way!"
He held in his laughter. "It's gonna come out anyway, dere's not'ing you can do about it."
"Ah can't!"
"Yes you can. Jus' do it." He watched as she reluctantly stuck her finger in her mouth at that moment he pushed in and up on her stomach causing the release of a yellow watery liquid. From what he could see, she hadn't eaten much throughout the day.
He waited patiently for her to finish. "You feel better?" He asked the second she lifted her head from the bowl.
"Yuck!" She answered, flushing the toilet.
He assisted her to the sink so that she could rinse out her mouth, waiting as she took the majority of her time drinking the tap water. Once she was done, she faced him.
"Dere, it's over."
"By the grace of Gawd."
He eased her to sit on the edge of the bathtub and kneeled in between her legs.
Her eyes were a blur. "Ah see two-a-yah." She giggled, as she tried to touch him with her hand, not able to get a hold of him.
He guided her hands to the sides of his face "I'm right here."
She smiled. "There yah are." Her eyes remained unfocused. "Ah'm goin' blind."
"No you're not. You're jus' a bit disorientated."
She signed, trying to fan herself with her hand. "Ah still feel weird. Ah'm heatin' up—spontaneous combustion."
He chuckled. "You're not goin' t' combust. You're jus' getting' warmer, it happens." He covered his hand over her forehead. She does seem warmer dan usual. Leaving her for a moment, he wet a cloth with cold water and returned to her.
Her body relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief as he wiped the cloth over her face, neck and outlining her chest. "That's nice Remy…real nice." She opened her eyes only to see tiny black spots scattered through her vision.
Remy continued to wipe her body, trailing the cloth down her arms. What's dis? A change in the bracelet was noticed. I mus' have missed dis before 'cause my eyes were fucked up. "How long has dis red light been blinkin'?"
Looking at her wrist, she could barely see the flashing light. "Ah don't know."
I really should find dat booklet. He thought nervously. I'll look for it in de mornin'. He saw that her eyes were closed again, but she was still awake. I wonder if she saw my former self in her mind or if she remembered what happened. "Do you remember anythin' dat happened before—when you went back into your mind t' look for Carol?"
She opened her eyes, curious. "No…should Ah have?"
T'ank goodness. "No, no…everyt'ing's fine."
No, everythin's not fine. "Ah keep on…Ah keep on seein' dark spots." She mumbled, her body finding it hard to maintain its balance. Ah'm so tired. She let her eye lids shut, not wanting to fight to keep them open anymore. "Remy…Ah think Ah'm dyin'."
Gently, he stroked her face, fully aware of the different stages of drunkenness. "No, you're jus' blacking out—it happens."
Her body relaxed, as she slumped forward into him.
He did not move her, instead he held her there in his arms, her breath warming his neck. However, he knew he couldn't stay in that position for long. Logan would be coming soon to check up on them, he was sure of that. Unwillingly, he lifted her up and brought her to the bed. He covered her with a blanket then moved to the window, his mind racing with unanswered questions.
He thought about what the other Remy said, wondering if he was speaking the truth—hoping he wasn't.
He said dat Rogue doesn't love me; he says I'm wastin' my time. He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Shit! Look at what I'm doin'! I'm questioning my own true motives. What does dat say about me, if I can't even trust myself? The very idea that he couldn't trust himself messed with his mind. He turned to look at Rogue's sleeping form. Yet I expect others t' trust me
Turning back to the window he tried to clear his thoughts. He thought about leaving her for a moment, so that he could look for the booklet he tossed somewhere in the living room. However, he decided not to go, remembering that Rogue wanted him to stay by her side.
Guilty, he kneeled by the edge of her bed, not able to escape his troubled thoughts. He imagined the room as a church, she—his priest.
"I've done a lot of bad stuff in my past—but dat's where it will stay…de past." There would be no real confession from him or 'you are forgiven' from her. All that there would be was silence.
"Sleep now. We can always talk tomorrow." He whispered, kissing her forehead.
Tracing her face with his fingers, he noticed that she was considerably cooler. That's good. She's cooling down. He marveled at her beauty through the darkness. She looks like an angel…Her butterfly sheets reminded him of a moment in his childhood, a time that he would have preferred to forget.
His eyes narrowed in the darkness at the sight of her, the glow of his pupils gradually being restored to its full effects. Somet'ing's wrong.
Her form lay still. Uneasily, he watched her, his mind drifting back to the last thing she said to him:
Remy…Ah think Ah'm dyin'.
*
Logan walked away from Betsy before she could provoke him into doing something he would regret.
She trailed behind him out of the living room down the hallway. "So now where are you going?"
He answered her without looking back. "Stay away from me and stay away from 'Ro."
"That's going to be really hard. After all we do have a basketball game tomorrow. It won't be my fault if in the middle of the game I let it slip that you and her have a thing going on." She replied in a singsong voice.
"Keep talkin', Psy."
"You don't have to feel guilty for still loving Jean…"
He spun around, his sudden movement taken her aback. First Remy, then Rogue, now her. "I don't love Jean!" He said adamantly.
Despite being interrupted she continued her thought. "…After all Ororo isn't without fault. She has the hots for Remy." She saw the instant reaction in his face. His shock could not be disguised. Bingo! Betsy was extremely pleased with herself. If you throw enough darts, you're bound to hit the target sooner or later. "So you noticed it too, huh? Believe me, it doesn't take a telepath to uncover their attraction for each other."
His jaw was clenched tight, "If you're fucking with me…"
"So that's the reason you don't want me breaking up Rogue and Gambit." Her taunting smile grew with his animalistic rage. "If Rogue dumps Gambit, he'll of course run to the woman you love to lick his wounds." She snickered, "And we all know how 'Ro can't resist his charms." She brushed past him heading toward the lobby.
She's only tryin' to get under my skin. He thought, attempting in vain to calm himself. "You lying to me?" He called to her as she was about to turn into the main entrance. "You better tell me the fucking truth. No more screwing around!"
She stopped at the doorway, finally relenting. Now he knows better than to try and analyze me. I guess he's had enough. "Okay Logan…" She was about to turn back to him, when something else caused her to freeze. Her face drained of blood, leaving it white. "Oh my God."
Logan immediately sensed that something was wrong. He sprinted to her side, entering the lobby only to see Remy slowly walking down the staircase with Rogue stretched out limply in his arms.
Remy reached the last step onto the main floor and gently placed Rogue down as if she were a fragile piece of glass. He straightened out the ruffles in her dress, pulling down her raising hemline in the process. Placing his hand on her face, he caressed her cheek.
Logan and Betsy walked stiffly over to him, unsure of exactly what was going on.
Remy looked up at the two, his face pale, eyes wide as the moon. His dry mouth opened, unsure of what he was going to say. Finally his voice quivered, "She's…she's dead."
Betsy's heart sank as she dropped to her knees.
*SNIKT*
******
Next Time: . . .