Hey everyone. Don't worry, I didn't die! I'm SO sorry it took me this long to update. School was hectic and then when I did try and write, I would draw a blank! This was the hardest chapter to write. I still don't like the way it came out, so honest criticism please!

Romy Lover Oh, stop! You're making me blush!

lilpyro Thank you!

Silent Doom Thanks! Scott went along because of open invitation and because he's paranoid, like Remy would use the night away as a chance to run and leave Angie with the X-men. (shakes head) Like he'd ever do that. Stupid Scott.

enchantedlight Glad you liked it!

xmengirlzrule Thank you! I'll update ASAP.

Untouchablegoth I'll see what I can do about longer chapters, but don't expect much. Glad you like the story!

Minnaloushe I'll make sure Remy gets hugged in the next chapter, just for you! Glad for your feedback and that you like the story!

Kitrazzle Fayn Don't cry! Rogue's gonna make Remy happy again! ;)

sleepy26 thanks!

Allie-Allie Thanks, but don't expect updating like that to happen again very soon.

ishandahalf I know, don't ya just LOVE to hate Belladonna?

Chica De Los Ojos Cafe Thank you!

heartsyhawk Glad I helped reinforce your image of Bella ;)

PyroManiac "A little TLC ASAP, a little R & R for you and me!" Sorry, it's a song my mom used to listen to. But yeah, she definitely will give Remy some TLC.

GothikStrawberry Okay, are we on the same wavelength or something? I was SO planning on have Rogue shut Scott up! Hope you like this chapter.

Spyder616 Rogue will make his heart all better!


-Chapter Nine-

Pond side Revelations

/Xavier's School for Gifted Children/ Bayville, New York/ present time

Yesterday's events were fuzzy and unclear. For a moment he was unaware of where he was and how he got there. The pain was pulsating in his head. His mouth tasted awful and his cheek was stinging. The rest of his body was encompassed with a dull ache. He covered his head with his pillow, trying to block out the blinding light coming through the window.

Remy had the hangover from hell.

In the middle of vowing never to drink again, the Cajun noticed the scent of his pillow. It was feminine, slightly flowery, and definitely not his.

Forgetting his raging headache, Remy racked his brain. The jumbled pieces of last night's events slowly fell into place. We were at de bar . . . Scott was an ass . . . came home . . . Rogue was in Angie's ro- Rogue! He groaned in frustration, immediately assuming the worst. 'M a fuckin' idiot. Why'd I agree to lettin' her absorb m' mem'ries? He couldn't deny he was attracted to the green-eyed girl; but now that she knew about his past, she would never talk to him again. Why do I keep thinkin' bout her leavin' de bed early dis mornin'? Dat's gotta be an alcohol-induced dream . . . doesn't it?

Remy's inner monologue was cut short in the form of his daughter. "Daddy! You're awake now!"

Remy winced as her voice caused a sharp pain, but he quickly covered it with a smile. "Hey petite. Just let me change and I'll take ya t' breakfast."

She just rolled her eyes. "Rogue took me t' breakfast a long time ago. Ya an' St. John an' Scott all sleeped really late."

A glance at the clock confirmed her story; it was almost 11:30. "Rogue took ya t' breakfast?"

"Yeah, an' she washed m' hair an' her and Wanda did it in pretty braids an' Rogue helped me get dressed. See?" She twirled, showing off her outfit. She beamed at her father. "Rogue's really nice, daddy."

Remy was about the reply, when a voice floated in from Angie's room. "Angie? Where'd ya go? Angie?"

"In here Rogue! Daddy's awake!"

Rogue hurried into the room, a guilty look on her face. "Sorry, Remy. I was trying to keep her occupied so ya could sleep."

" 'S fine. She didn't wake me up." There was an uncomfortable silence as neither one knew what to say. "T'anks for watchin' her."

Rogue smiled. "No problem. She's the sweetest kid."

He grinned back. "She is, isn't she?" He replied, watching his daughter waving to some of the X-men who were out in the yard. "Listen, could ya watch for a little bit more? I'll shower an' get some aspirin. Den maybe ya an' me can talk about, ya know, last night?"

Rogue was relieved. He remembered. Let' s just hope that's a good thing. . . "Sounds good. How bout we meet by the pond after lunch?"

"Deal."

/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/

Lunch was an uncomfortable affair.

St. John sat next to Wanda, nursing a coffee. He kept glancing between Remy and Scott, as if expecting another fight.

Scott and Remy didn't acknowledge each other's presence, refusing to look at each other. Scott's lip was slightly swollen and Remy's cheek was bandaged, but both declined to comment on the origin of their wounds.

After an excruciating half-hour, Angie finished her lunch. Much begging and pleading followed as Remy tried to get her to take a nap. Once he finally got her in bed, he made his way out to the spacious lawn.

Upon arriving there an important fact dawned on him. I don' know where de hell de pond is! While contemplating what to do next, the world went dark.

Delicate, feminine hands were covering his eyes. "You're late." A voice teased, her breath tickling his neck as she tried to whisper into his ear, finding she was too short to reach it.

Remy smiled. "Angie didn' wanna take a nap. 'Parently almost fallin' asleep at de table durin' lunch means ya not tired." Turning around to face her, he searched her face, not receiving the reaction he had been expecting since their 'chat' earlier.

Rogue was smiling- a nervous smile, but a smile nonetheless. There wasn't any trace of repulsion, pity, or hesitation that usual followed the unveiling of his past.

Their eyes locked, green staring into red-on-black. Rogue could see the confusion and uncertainty in his gaze. Offering her hand, she said, "How 'bout we have that talk?"

He nodded and took her hand, trying to ignore the jolt in his stomach from the simple touch. Don' fall in love, nothing good ever lasts, don't fall in love!

Hand in hand, the Southerners walked to the pond.

/Professor Xavier's office/

Two figures stand in front of the window, gazing out.

"Ya think it's a good idea lettin' Stripes get close to Gumbo, Chuck?"

"Yes, Logan. Mr. LeBeau seems to have some troubling thoughts at the moment. I have tried to probe his mind, but he has a very strong mental block. He refused to talk to me about what is distressing him; but he has seems to open up to Rogue. This will be good for both of them." The Professor gave the couple one of his seemingly all-knowing looks before going back to his desk. "So, have you seen the latest article on the anti-mutant movement?"

/Library window/

Scott's lips curled into a sneer, causing him pain as his wound was stretched. He watched as Rogue came up behind Remy and then walked away hand-in-hand with the Cajun. Who does this guy think he is? He's probably telling Rogue that I started the fight last night and he had nothing to do with it, he just hit me out of self-defense or something. Hasn't he ruined enough lives? I mean, first he screws up his own life, then he gets some girl pregnant, raises the kid in an unsafe lifestyle, and now he's dragging Rogue down with him. He clenched his hand into fist. I'm going to stop this before he wrecks another life . . .

/Pond/

The walk was silent, both of them deep in thought. When they reached the water, they sat down in the grass.

Remy searched the ground for smooth stones and skipped them across the glassy surface. Rogue just waited; he would start talking when he was ready.

The early afternoon was warm. Rogue felt herself being lulled into a light sleep when Remy spoke up.

"What happened last night?"

"What d' ya mean?" Ask Rogue, her mind feeling slightly groggy.

"How'd ya end up in m' room? Why'd we kiss? Why'd ya sleep in m' bed?" Remy turned away and berated himself for asking the last question. Could I sound more like an idiot?

Rogue blushed slightly as she answered the questions. "Ya came stumblin' inta ya room drunk. I was in by Angie, so I came ta check on ya. Ya cheek was bleedin' so I was cleanin' it an' ya . . . asked ta kiss me. So we did. When ya tried ta push me away after admittin' ya felt the sparks between us, I asked what was botherin' ya. When ya wouldn't talk, I offered ta absorb it from ya, an' ya agreed. Afterwards, I slept in ya room an' went ta my room earlier this mornin'. " She gave Remy a nervous look. "Are ya angry at me?"

He took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring sqeeze. "Non, cherie." He skipped another rock. "What mem'ries did ya see?"

"Ya at the hospital when ya were born, when ya ran away from the orph'nage, when ya met ya adoptive dad, when ya powers manifested, when ya learned about ya . . . fiancee, when Angie was born, an' when ya . . . left home." She looked at her lap during the last statement, unsure of how he would react.

At least ya only saw de bad ones, Remy thought sarcastically. Out loud he said, " So, ya agree wit what Scott says 'bout me now dat ya know de whole story?"

Rogue gave a disgusted sigh. "Scott's a dick. Always has been. Why do ya even let him git ta ya?"

Remy gave her a confused look. "Moi?"

"Don't act innocent! Last night ya said ya got into a fight. I'm not blind; I saw Scott's face this morning." Remy started to defend himself, but Rogue cut him off. "I'm not saying he didn't deserve it, in fact, I bet if I had been there, I would have hit him harder."

Remy gave a short laugh. An image of Rogue making Scott making cry filled his mind. "I bet ya would, cherie."

Rogue looked directly into Remy eyes. "Ya are an amazin' person. Ya overcame so much stuff an' ya're raisin' Angie inta a beautiful, smart girl. Don' let anybody, especially Scott, tell ya different."

Hearing the sincerity in her voice, Remy couldn't help but believe her. "T'anks, Rogue." Rogue leaned on Remy's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her.

There was a comfortable silence for awhile.

One detail nagged at the back of Rogue's mind. "So ya were married?"

"Technically still am."

She sat up quickly. "WHAT?"

"I refuse t' sign de divorce papers, 'til she changes what she wrote f'r de reason. 'Husband abandonment' m' ass. 'Sides, 's not like I need de divorce. I don' date, mos' filles turn an' run when dey find out ya got a kid. As an added bonus, it pisses de hell outta Bella. She wants t' get remarried, but needs me t' sign first."

Rogue heart slowed down slightly. "Did ya love her? I mean, ya had a kid together." She stared at her lap, unable to look him in the eyes, afraid of what she might see. Mockery? Pity? Disgust?

Remy was shocked. Was she implying what he thought? Could she really love me, even after knowin' everyt'ing? Gently, he lifted her chin so she was looking at him. "Ya saw m' mem'ries. We got married an' had a kid cuz we were told dat's what we s'pposed t' do." Rogue gave a weak nod, but still looked doubtful. "Wanna know a secret, cherie? De only time I slept wit' her was when she got pregnant wit' Angie. Bella an' me had separate bedrooms. We hated each other's guts. Had since . . . well, since we met. An' she even tried t' get outta it. She begged her father t' let her have artificial insemination."

Rogue felt her doubt lifting, when Remy began to laugh uncontrollably. "What's so funny?"

"Bella . . . refusin' t' . . . sleep wit' . . . her . . . husband!" He choked between his peals of laughter. Rogue just watched in confusion for several minutes. When he calmed down, Rogue gave him a serious look.

"So, ya didn' love her?"

"Non. Ya evea been in love?"

"Dunno. There is this one guy, but I'm not sure where that's goin'. How 'bout ya?"

Their faces were mere inches apart now. "'M not sure. Does it count if 'm still tryin' t' figure out de relationship?"

"Let's find out." Their lips met and they shared a soul-searing kiss. They didn't have to say it out loud; they could feel love and desire flowing through their bodies.

When they finally broke apart, Remy leaned against the tree trunk and Rogue laid on his chest. As their breathing slowed down, she could feel his body relax, as if he was content for the first time in a long time.

Rogue felt his deep voice rumble in his chest as he began to talk. "What do ya say 'bout going out tomorrow? O' course, we'll prob'ly have t' take Angie along f'r a couple o' de dates, but not necessarily de first. . ."

Rogue stood up and looked down at the Cajun. "Wait! I find out 'bout your past an' your kid an' don' run away, so we're immediately a couple cuz I admitted I like ya?" She asked in teasing tone.

He stood up as well, a smirk playing on his lips. "Dat's how it works. Ya might even have to suffer through a few more kisses like dat last one, too. Are ya up t' it?"

"A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do." They shared a smoldering kiss. "Mississippi girls have a high threshold for pain."

"So do Louisiana boys," Whispered Remy as he leaned in again. Just as their lips were about to touch, Rogue's cell phone rang. She pulled away, mumbling about awful timing.

"Hello? . . .I told ya I was going for a walk. . . But Kitty can't someone- . . . Fine. I'll be right there." She hung up and turned to Remy. "Guess we gotta head back. Kitty is having a crisis. She won't tell me what it is, just says I 'need to get back quick!'"

Remy smiled. " 'S fine. Angie's prob'ly awake, so I should be headin' back anyway." He offered his arm. Rogue grinned and looped her arm through his and they began the trek back to the mansion.

"Ya evea gonna tell me what was so hilarious 'bout Bella refusin' ta sleep with ya?" Asked Rogue, her voice full of curiosity.

" 'S not really funny, more of an ironic funny."

"What d' ya mean?"

"Since Bella was 'bout fifteen, she's opened her legs for any guy who's asked her."

"Sounds like some you'd date."

The Southerners whipped around, facing the third person who had joined their conversation. Scott walked over from behind the shed, where he had been waiting.

"What did ya say, homme?" Asked Remy, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Same thing I said last night: It'd be just like you to date cheap, easy whores."

Remy moved to punch him, but Rogue made it there first. SMACK! The sound filled the air as Rogue slapped him as hard as she could. "Don't. Evea. Talk. 'Bout. What. Ya. Don't. Understand."

Scott stared at her in disbelief. "Don't understand? I'm helping you, Rogue! This guy is bad news. I mean, just look at his life!"

"I did. An' I can tell ya Remy's a hell of a better man than you'll evea be."

"Fine. I see. I didn't want to do this, but you forced me to. Rogue, as team leader, I forbid you to pursue a relationship with . . . him." He gave Remy a disgusted look. Rogue didn't answer at first.

Finally, she gave him a sweet smile. "Thanks for lookin' out for me, Scott. Now go ta hell." With that, she punched him in gut. He fell to the ground clutching his stomach in pain. "Try ta tell me what ta do again an' my knee'll find a home a little further south," She threatened.

Grabbing Remy's hand she began stride toward the mansion. "C'mon, Kitty's prob'ly havin' a heart attack in there."

"Wait." Rogue stopped. Remy gave her a passionate kiss. "T'anks. We can go now."

/Rogue and Kitty's Room/

"So, this one, or this one?" Kitty had gone through most of the closet; clothes covered both beds and the desk.

Rogue flopped back on her bed, on top of a pile of blouses. "Kitty, if Piotr finally get the courage ta ask ya out, I doubt he's gonna care what ya are wearin'."

"I know, but. . .it's just that . . . Oh, never mind!" She tossed the two dresses on the floor and sat down in front of her vanity.

"What's wrong, Kit?"

"I've never been this nervous for a date before, Rouge! I keep thinking I'm gonna screw up royally and he's gonna hate me." The brunette confessed.

"Oh, Kitty." Rogue went over and hugged her friend. "I've seen the way he looks at ya. He's already head over heels."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thanks, Rogue." Said Kitty, hugging her back. "So, should I wear the blue or the purple?"

Rogue rolled her eyes. Some things nevea change.

/Street Cafe/ New Orleans, Louisiana/ present time

Dr. Essex scanned the crowd looking for his target. Finally he spotted someone.

She was blonde, her curly hair was pulled back witha few tendrils framing her face. Her tank top was low-cut, revealing her ample cleavage. Her jean skirt, already short, rode up even further as she crossed one long, tan leg over the other. She had slid one foot out of her stiletto sandals to run it up and down her companion's leg.

Yes, this was her.

Dr. Essex made his way over. He cleared his throat when he reached the table. "Are you Miss Belladonna Boudreaux?"

She looked his way. "Oui. What d' ya want? If ya can't see, 'm busy."

"I wanted to talk to you about Remy LeBeau."


AHH! I finally update and I put in a cliff hanger! Sorry! So, quick poll. Should Bella help the bad guy and/or reveal Remy's past to everybody at the mansion!