Yea! I'm at chapter ten and about halfway through the plot. When I first started writing this I figured it would be about 10 chapters and an epilogue, but now it looks like it's gonna be more like 20 chapters. I'm sure you guys don't mind ;)

Shout out to all my reviewers: I have officially passed the 100 mark! THANK YOU! And to all of you who gave me ideas on what to do with the Bella situation; thanks SO much! They were great inspiration and I took aspects from lots of them to come up with what I'm gonna do to her . . . but you'll just have to wait and see what that is!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Okay, so I'm in my senior year and school is getting really hectic, but have no fear! In less than a week my spring break starts so I'm gonna work like crazy to get the main story line for the rest of the story figured out so I can update sooner between chapters. I have been flying by the seat of my pants lately. I mean, for the last couple chapters I literally didn't know what was going to happen in them until I actually sat down to type them.


-Chapter Ten-

Dinner and a Rally

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

Professor Charles Xavier nodded at Logan and Hank as they came into the room. The whole group was now present for his announcement.

He hesitated to talk, wondering how many of the faces he would still be looking at in the weeks to come. Taking a deep breath, he began.

"I thank you all for gathering at such a short notice. I am sure you have noticed that I have only called the senior members, most likely giving speculations as to the nature of this meeting. I must ask you for full confidentiality; what it said in here, I would like to keep in here. I do not wish the younger students or people outside this institution to know the severity of the events that are taking place."

" 'S 'bout de anti-mutant stuff, isn't it?" Remy asked, thinking back to that night weeks ago, still able to picture clearly the sight of his home swallowed up in flames. Xavier gave a grim nod and Rogue tightened her grip on Remy's hand.

"Living here in Bayville is going to become dangerous soon. I caution all of you to be careful in the weeks ahead. I know from a very reliable source that the anti-mutant group terrorizing mutants is Friends of Humanity."

"Are we going to have to leave the institute?" Queried Jean, looking terrified of the prospect.

"I am afraid that will not do any good. The organization in Bayville is not the whole group. They are a local chapter of a larger group that is all over the nation, possibly the world. The media has not been broadcasting anything about the horrors that are taking place in other countries. They are trying to act as if it is not happening, but some of you know first hand that that is not true." His eyes glanced first to Remy and St. John, before looking Piotr. "My source said that FOH has not given up, they are just waiting until the right time to strike again."

"Did your source know when that is?" Asked Ororo, her voice lined with worry. Logan laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. She leaned back into him, fiddling with her engagement ring, seeking solace in her fiancee's arms.

"Somewhat. The nation leader is supposedly coming here soon and my source is almost certain that that will be when they reveal themselves." He held up a piece of paper. "Tonight there is going to be a rally/debate in the Town Square. The topic is mutants and their treatment." The Professor cast a serious look around the room. "I am assuming most, if not all, of you will want to attend. I am telling you now that I forbid it. If FOH does attack it could get dangerous. I will attend the meeting with Logan and Ororo. We will inform you what we learn tomorrow. I hope you will all do well to heed my advice. You are dismissed."

As he watched the students file out, a fatherly smile found its way onto his face. Most of them were coupled off, walking hand in hand or with comforting arms around each other.

"Charles?" Questioned Ororo, expressing her confusion at his countenance.

He gave a small gesture towards the last couple leaving, Remy and Rogue. They each had an arm wrapped around the other and Remy placed a gentle kiss on Rogue's temple as they walked out of the room. "Love prevails even in the worst situations."

/Remy's room/

Remy stood nervously in front of the mirror. He ran a hand through his hair before smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in his shirt. The Cajun couldn't deny it; he was nervous. Give me FOH any day. I haven't been on a real date since I was fifteen! Well, dere was dat blind date dat Johnny tried t' set me up wit' last year . . . But does it really count as a date if she dumps ya halfway through f'r her ex-boyfriend?

A catcall was issued from behind him and Remy whipped around. Wanda and Angie were standing in the doorway. "You clean up good," said Wanda, giving him a wink.

"Yeah, daddy. Ya look pretty!" Exclaimed Angie.

Remy laughed and picked up his daughter. "Really? Pretty? Not handsome?"

She scrunched up her small face in thought. "Non, pretty."

"So," Began Wanda, a slight hint of laughter in her voice, "Where are you and Rogue gonna go?"

The nervousness returned to his face. "A restaurant 'bout thirty minutes fr'm here."

"Don't worry. You two are gonna have a great time."

"I hope so."

/Rogue and Kitty's room/

"Are ya sure I look alright, Kitty?" Rogue gazed down at her outfit, feeling unsure of herself. "Don't ya think it a little . . . girly?"

Spending many years with poisonous skin had led the green-eyed girl to prefer long-sleeved shirts and pants or long skirts. She never was one for revealing clothes.

Kitty shook her head. "You look great, Rogue!" Indeed, the jean skirt and black, lace-trimmed tank top accented her slim frame, giving her a very sexy, feminine look

Rogue turned back to the mirror. "I feel naked with this shirt on! 'Sides, it's a tank top and it's cold outside."

"I have just the thing!" The brunette started to tear through her closet. After a few minutes she gave a triumphant cry. She handed the shirt to Rogue. It was a simple button-up sweater. It's shade of emerald matched Rogue's eyes perfectly.

"Oh, Kit, this is perfect! Thank ya!"

"Don't mention it. You better hurry, you're supposed to meet Remy downstairs right now!"

As Rogue sprinted out of the room, she called over her shoulder, "Thank ya so much and don't worry; I'll tell ya and Wanda everything when I get back!"

/Foyer/

Rogue slowed down as she reached the foyer. Remy was pacing in front of the doors, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. God, he's sexy! She watched him pace for a bit before making her presence known.

"Hey, Remy." She walked over to him, enjoying the awed look on his face.

"Ya look tres belle, cherie." He said, handing her the flowers.

"Thanks." She placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "Ready ta go?"

"Oui."

"Wait!" A small voice rang out, followed shortly by Angie appearing in her pajamas. "Wait daddy!"

"What is it, ange?" He asked kneeling to her height

"Je t'aime, pere." She said, giving him a hug

"Je t'aime, aussi."

Suddenly as she had come, Angie ran out of the room, shouting over her shoulder, "Have fun, daddy! Bye, Rogue, see ya in de mornin'!"

/Tante Rochelle's/ Outskirts of New York City/ present time

Rogue got out of the car and gave the building a disbelieving look. It was small and tucked away on a side street. The faded sign outside read: Tante Rochelle's. "We drove half and hour for this?"

Remy took her arm and began to lead her inside. "Trust me, one bite o' de food an' ya will t'ink ya back home."

The atmosphere inside made it seem like a completely different place. It was bright, friendly, and full of the scent of Southern cooking. Rogue inhaled deeply, thinking back to her years in Mississippi.

"Remy!" The couple turned to see a woman walking their way. She looked to be in her forties, with long, dark hair and a friendly face. "Oh, chil', 's been far t' long!" She stepped up to Remy, wrapping him in a motherly hug.

"Good t' see ya, too, Rochelle."

"Ah missed ya when ya moved; Saturday nights aren't de same." The woman cast a glance in Rogue's direction. "Where's Angelique an' de orange-haired boy dat always comes wit' ya?"

"Dey stayed home dis time." Remy took Rogue's hand and pulled her forward. "Rochelle, dis is Rogue. Rogue, dis is de wonderful cook and owner, Rochelle."

Rogue smiled. "It's nice ta meet ya."

Rochelle peered into Rogue's face, as if searching for something. Finally, she nodded her head in approval. "Dis one's a keeper, cher." She turned to Rogue. "Take good care o' dis one, chil' an' he'll nevea leave ya."

Thoroughly embarrassed, the two Southerners followed the woman to a booth in the back of the restaurant. After she took their drink orders, the couple was left alone.

"So," said Rogue, trying to break the awkward silence, "Rochelle seems nice. How do ya know her?"

"Me, Angie an' John used t' come here ev'ry Saturday f'r dinner." The uncomfortable air lifted as Remy began to entertain her by telling stories of things that had happened during those Saturday meals. The conversation continued to flow between them and before they knew it, they had been at the diner for two hours.

"Guess we should head back," said Rogue, downing the last of her coffee.

Remy tried to pay the bill, but Rochelle refused. "'S on de house, chil'. Ya jus' start comin' here again an' we'll call it even."

Remy and Rogue were in an euphoria as they drove home, both certain they had just had the best night of their life. They walked slowly to Rogue's room, unwilling to let the date end.

"Well, we're here."

"Yeah."

"I had a great time tonight."

"Me, too."

"Maybe we could do it again sometime?"

"I told Angie wemightgo t' de zoo tomorrow. Do ya wanna come wit'?"

"Sure."

They leaned in close, sharing a long, lingering kiss.

"DAAAAAADDEEEEEEEEEEEE!" A loud cry filled the hall, coming from upstairs.

Remy gave Rogue a reluctant smile. "I'm bein' called. See ya in de mornin'?"

"Yeah." With one last smile and a kiss, Remy turned and sprinted towards the steps.

Rogue opened the door, not even noticing Wanda and Kitty jump back from their eavesdropping position. She walked trance-like to her bed and flopped down, staring at the ceiling with a odd smile plastered on her face.

"Rogue?"

"You all right?"

Kitty and Wanda hurried over to their friend, unnerved by her behavior. Slowly she turned her head to face them.

"I think I'm in love."

/Remy's room/

Remy sat in a chair, slowly rocking Angie to sleep, her nightmare long forgotten as she lay enveloped in her father's arms.

"Hey, petite ange. I know ya can't hear me, but I gotta tell someone. Rogue's amazin'! I don't know what scares me more: de fact dat someone like her likes me, or de fact dat I t'ink I love her."

/Next morning/

Bayville Times

The Worst Has Past, Or Has It?

Bayville citizens are beginning to sleep easier these days, but are they being lulled into a false sense of security?

Mutant riot and protests are happening less and less lately. According to the police, there hasn't been any fires reported in two weeks and they have only had to break up three fights. Chief Bronson said, "The citizens of Bayville, human and mutant, can rest easy. Thanks to the exceptional work of the police squad, the streets are secure again. I also plan to start a coalition to promote equality between mutants and humans."

Don't expect to join that coalition any time soon. Last night, after attending the mutant rally-turned-riot in the park, Bronson was found dead, the words 'mutant lover' burned into his skin.

The Bayville city officials and police are urging people to be cautious. As tension rises, the city could become a very dangerous place to be, even for non-mutants. This reporter urges people to be careful. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

Sinister crumpled the article in disgust. Just a few more steps and my project will be fully operational. Then those mutant-haters will really have something to be afraid of.


HI! Did you like that little bit of Logan/Ororo in there? I think they're ubercute together. If you don't like it, don't worry, it won't come up that much (unless you want it to, hint hint.)

Sorry if this chapter sucks. I needed it to transition into my next plot twist. Next chapter will be up ASAP. Takimi/Romy