***
REUNIONS
***
"Let go."
He did so immediately. Why had she said that? One moment they were holding each other and, the next she was stepping away. Guess things weren't that easy. He needed to tame his emotions around her. He couldn't afford to let his hopes rise just to be squashed ten minutes later. Maybe if...
"Rogue, I..."
"Remy, stop. Ah need yah to understand. Ah need to do this alone."
"But y'don't understand y'self...dis city, it's..."
"No" She started to step back then she turned around and ran, leaving him petrified and alone. He couldn't react.
"What is Remy to think now?" Needless to say he was afraid of her last word: alone.
He woke up from his daze and realized that if she wanted to do "this" alone, she would...with him looking out for her.
For this he needed to pay a little visit to his father.
***
In the middle of the French Quarter was a house. Three stories high, red bricks wall, old-school style. A wrought iron fence surrounded the small grounds and greenery, bushes, flowers and trees cut the street from the house. A cute piece of property when you didn't include its owner.
Remy made his way by the back entrance and slipped inside the kitchen. With silent footsteps, he walked straight to the living room where he found his father with two bodyguards and a couple of minions.
"...be dead by tomorrow."
Hum, assassin minions by the sound of it.
He cleared his throat so they would finally notice him. He really didn't want to hear more about his father's plans.
All heads turned his way and the bodyguards brought out their guns.
Putting on the sarcastic cannot-beat-me mask he had made himself when he was younger, he plastered a grin on his face.
"Remy didn't know y'missed him DAT much."
"I didn't know you missed us that much either to show your damned face again considering what you did to the Guild last time!"
"Touché, father." Remy approached the gang members and waited. "Huh, do Remy need to make a drawin' or can y'leave without it? He needs to talk to his father." He charged the table he was leaning on to prove his point. They all quickly left.
"Could you please leave that table alone?"
No matter how hard he tried and how much he hated it, Remy was still conditioned to his father's orders. He took back the power of the charge, leaving the table be. He sat down on a chair in front of his father.
"You do have guts Remy to come here."
"Do NOT begin with dis...how's the Guild faring?"
"Not as well as I could wish for but it is getting better even if we could have used your help...but it's not as if you care, do you?"
Remy ran a hand through his hair. Et voilà, Jean-Luc was doing it again.
"I see you still don't. Oh well, since you left the Guild, the Assassins are easier to bargain with. Belladonna found a supportive ally in Jacques, did you know? No? Well, she ditched you once and you ditched her when she tried to come back to you. What was she supposed to do, wait for you?"
"Dat's why some of dem were here two seconds ago." It was a statement but Jean-Luc decided to answer nonetheless.
"Of course, they are taking care of your unfinished job."
Remy's head snapped up to attention at that. They still wanted to kill him? Didn't they know the archangel was untouchable? He had healing abilities, for god's sake! They could try though. Remy knew Warren for one of his closest friends and he knew the guy could fend off by himself quite well. Remy grinned. They were in for a hell of a time.
Uncomfortable silence ensued.
His father broke it. "Why are you here Remy?"
Remy sobered and dropped his speaking manners. "I need a little service...I know you knew I was coming here...remember, I've worked for you and you are my foster-father...and I know you already know she is here. Two word, one service...no make it a warning. Back off."
He didn't wait for his father's answer: he got on his feet and left the room, then the kitchen, then the house.
He hated coming there. It reminded him of all the good memories he had had when he was younger, of all his pranks with his foster-brother, Henri, and their cousin, Jake. But those were a small part of what memories he hadn't forgotten.
The multiple jobs he had had to do during his life for his father's sake made him ill just to think about them. He had robbed, he had killed and he had hated.
The last two years had been a nightmare. No freedom, no calm, no Rogue.
Belladonna was another bad memory. The girl had rejected him when he had stabbed Julien, her brother. The guy had tried to kill him, what was he supposed to do? Look at the blade passing through his stomach?
She had broken his heart at that time. He now knew it wasn't near anything like a heartbreak with Rogue. The girl hadn't had any charms. Well she might have at some point in his life...he had slept with her, right? But now, compared to HER, it was nothing, meant nothing. Why was even he comparing his current relationship with the one he had with Bella? God knew it wasn't comparable. Maybe because he wasn't with Rogue anymore.
"Man, get a hold on yourself: you've never actually been with the girl!" he muttered.
But the connection between them had always been, since the moment he had given her his charged king of hearts card. It was so strong between them even if it were exclusively emotional...well the physical attraction was definitely present, but Rogue couldn't touch. But he had faith in her. He was just hoping that when it came to be he would be there. Quite near her.
For all those memories, to him, New Orleans was a cursed place.
***
Seeing Remy had made her weak. She didn't know were she had had the strength to tore herself from his muscled arms but she did, miraculously and unfortunately. She loved the man and even if she wanted to ripe off his head for running her down, the warmth and love had been good, soulfully good.
The emotions coursing through her were another matter though. Total turmoil, that what is was. She loved him but she hated him for all the things he had done to her...she felt weak just thinking back on what had happened since the day she had met him. Life had been simple...so sweetly simple.
On the other hand, Remy was what had motivated her in controlling her powers. He was also the cause for her less anti-social temperament. He had wrought so many little and subtle changes in her that she wasn't the same person. Of course she was still Rogue, but a stronger loving-life Rogue.
Until he had left and never returned until last week. He wanted her back, that was obvious. She wanted him back too, it was also obvious. Could she allow it, not so obvious.
"Stop thinking about it girl." She muttered.
She definitely needed to change her thoughts or she would end up breaking down in tears in the middle of the crowded feasting Bourbon street.
This Remy hadn't changed: her vanity. It was still intact and it still couldn't bear her tears.
She followed Bourbon street until Dumaine. She took that street in the direction of the Mississippi until she arrived at the French Market.
Kitty always said that shopping was good for the soul. Rogue had never been convinced but now was the best time to try.
***
Therapy by shopping. This was fun!
The first ten minutes she passed in the market French had drove her New Orleans-food-addicted. Then all the little stores around had made her a complete fan of the city. The individual, as-large-as-her-hand size stands were outrageously money-absorbing. Throughout the afternoon, she had jumped from one stand to the other, buying gifts for everyone. Her feet hurt, her back hurt, her head hurt and her hands hurt. The experience was great though.
"Well, well, who have we here?"
She turned around guessing to who the voice belonged to.
"Jake!"
He looked her up and down, noticing the multiple bags she was carrying.
"Busy body are you? Here, I'll take a couple of dem."
"Where's Henri?"
"Dead." Seeing the look on her face he corrected himself : "It's a joke! He's back at home with his father."
"It ain't funny, moron, Ah thought it were true." Almost, that is. Being an X-man, you never could take dead business too seriously.
With a puppy face he replied "Don't hit me please."
"Arumph!" This came from a blond bimbo next to him that she hadn't noticed before.
"Oh, sorry Bella...Rogue dis is Belladonna, a friend of mine. Bella, dis is Rogue."
The Barbie nodded to Rogue and said a pert "so nice to meet you." Quite annoying.
"Baby, we should keep going on, we said we'd meet Henri at seven." She looked up at Jake with her eyes flashing at him. She slowly put her hand on his arm.
Surly he wasn't going to fall to this melodramatic play? But he did.
"Yah, of course. Listen Rogue, why don't y'meet us at the bar we were at yesterday?"
"Of course! See you at...seven?" Rogue looked at Belladonna for her to nod.
She did so reluctantly. She didn't have the choice anyway.
Ah, the girl's pissed. Good.
"Gimme my bags...See yah!" Rogue started the walk towards her lodging, a couple of blocs away with a smile on her face.
The bitchy Rogue hadn't lost her touch after all.
***
Six thirty. She had time.
After she had come back, she had searched her room from one end to the other to make sure that Remy hadn't hidden some camera. She well knew he was capable of finding where she was living and putting spying objects in it. As it turned out, he didn't though. She hid her disappointment and got on with her preparations for the night. There was no way the Blondie was ever going to make her feel like a total loser. Thinking about it, being dressed head to foot couldn't make a hell of a competition with huge v-necks and mini-skirts. Oh well, too bad she couldn't dress less. She was probably going to get drunk. There was no way she was taking any risks.
At six thirty she had finished. It never took her long to get prepared. Shower, hairdryer, makeup, dressing. That was it. Thirty minutes and finished. She had the all the time to make a phone call.
She went down in the streets and found a phone booth. She had tried to coax the bartender into lending her his phone for a couple of minute but he hadn't wanted to hear about it. Long distances cost money.
She inserted a couple of coins in the slit and dialed the number of Kitty's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey sugah."
She heard screeching. It was Kitty alright.
"Rogue, like where are ya, we are worried sick here! Like, why did ya leave and like..."
"Kitty stop. One question at t'time!"
It seemed like a long time since she hadn't talked to her best-friend and it felt great.
***
If he really knew Rogue, she would be in a bar. Drinking water, but in a bar nonetheless. She had told him once that she liked the ambience. She was the only girl he had ever met who loved bars because of the ambience. Oh, well, she wasn't any type of girl.
He made his way from one bar to the other trying to catch a glimpse of her. After a couple of rounds, he finally found her.
It was a smoky place frequented mostly by young adults where he, Henri and Jake used to hang out. Not her typical place considering the ambience here was completely disco-like and so totally out to her liking.
His heart skipped a beat and his groins tighten visibly. She looked gorgeous. Her hair was swept in a high pony tail, leaving him a delicious sight of her long neck and slender yet strong shoulders. Her body was entirely encased in black but he had a good imagination and could fill out the details.
He started off of his fixation and widened his range around her until he saw that she was leaving the table she was occupying with ...Henri, Jake and Bella.
Oh god, what had he done to deserve that? Rogue was addicted to danger alright. Did she know she had been going out with an assassin and two thieves? God, they probably paid their rounds of beer from her wallet and she didn't even know it!
Another visit he's going to have to do...tomorrow. He had plans for Rogue and him tonight. It wasn't in staying in his room dwelling on the fact that his love had maybe put a cross on him that he was going to win her back.
So he followed her and thought about abducting her. Quite the thing. Abduction.
***
She needed to get out. Freedom please! She couldn't stand the girl anymore! She was so sticky to the boys and jealous of her, of all people. Didn't she noticed she wasn't the least interested in the cousins? After all, Jake was practically going out with Belladonna and Henri was fiancé to some girl his father had chosen for him and that he fortunately liked very much.
She needed to get out more so because the boys were getting to much drunk for her taste.
"Boy, they aren't like yah." She muttered to nobody in particular.
"Not like who?" Arms snaked around her waist from behind and she found herself leaning on his chest. She looked up.
"Not like yah, that's for sure."
"Y'wound Remy...what is a pretty lady like you doin' in dis cursed place?"
"It is cursed, isn't it?"
He raised an eyebrow at her in understatement. He kissed the top of her head and added "Remy think he's got just the place for you, chérie."
She sincerely wanted to go with him... To hell with it. If she wanted to give him a second chance, this was it. And she wanted to give him a second chance. She was growing soft.
"Hum, Ah don't think Ah'm safe anywhere near yah, swamp rat..." Her mocking eyes gave her all away though.
He took her gloved hand and stirred her towards the exit.
***
He parked his bike near the river. He helped her down and he walked her to the quay.
"Is this it because Ah..."
He put a finger near her mouth in a stooping gesture.
"Wait, chérie, y'll see."
She stopped in her walk, feet planted solidly on the wood. What had happened to him? He acted like a seven-years old boy before opening Christmas presents. She liked to see him in that mood. He sounded happy.
He tugged at her hand and turned back when she didn't move. He lost his smile and dropped her hand when he saw her considering and calculating eyes.
"Love...what is it? Is everything alright because we can..."
"No, everything is fine. Now show me the thingy you planned..."
He held her gaze for a couple of seconds before motioning to the boat moored at the end of the quay.
"All aboard, m'lady." He bowed at the same time.
"Yah mean...No way!" She started to move backwards before he launched at her, captured her hand and forced her to walk ahead.
"Ah really don't like that glint in yahr eyes...Swamp rat, let me go!"
"As y'wish." He let go and she fell on her butt.
He immediately picked her up in his arms and walked the rest of the way, Rogue growling all the way.
He made his way with a complaining and smirking girl in his arms to the front of the huge boat on the highest level where they could sit in long chair facing the river and underneath the starry sky.
He sat down with her in front of him. His arms around her waist, he leaned his chin on her head and they stared at the view while the boat left the port. They could see people on the floor below but, on their deck, they were alone. Completely alone.
The coats blurred in a mass of shadows that kept their attention riveted to the river. Holding the gentle light of the moon crescent, the river expended before their eyes. Powered by a gentle southern breeze, tiny laps were hitting the steamboat.
Remy was enjoying the fact that he had her in his arms. He was too happy to say anything. This was the perfect proof of their connection. He knew they still had it. Him and her. He lived for this woman. That was all there was to it. He kissed the side of her head.
"I love you Rogue." A simple statement that he hope would lead to another simple statement from her part and that would make him believe he wasn't cursed. It would prove that she still felt the connection. It would show him that she still loved him....If she would just...but it never came.
"Ah, ah...Remy, Ah need t'know what happened."
She wasn't supposed to say that. What could he possibly answer to that? He pondered her question for a few seconds.
She sense him tense and cursed herself for ruining the beautiful moment they were sharing. The magic was all gone now. Might as well take the opportunity to get answers then. She turned around, upsetting his position around her. She gazed into his eyes.
***
Non, not the eyes! He was lost the moment she looked at him. Did she know what effect they had on him? Probably...they held a power of their own.
"Y'want the truth? 'Cause I don't know if y'll like it...I..."
"Remy, please."
What was he supposed to do? He broke the eye contact and stared at his hands resting on his lap. He needed to tell her. The worst that could happen was that she would storm off and wish to never see him again. Huh, it would kill him. He took the risk anyway because he owed it to her.
"Don't you want to drain me...it would be much more simple and less hard."
She let out a forceful "no." She didn't want to drain him because she wanted him to confide in her and trust her.
He was secretly glad she didn't accept his offer. It might have made the speech he was about to say more easier but in long terms, she would have had to search through his memories since she didn't know exactly what she was searching for. She would have stumbled upon memories like Henri, Jake or Bella. What would she say if she knew about Bella? Of course, he was aware he would eventually have to tell her but in this place at this moment, it was not the right time to do so.
"I...gotta start at the beginnin', right?" He looked up at her and realised this really was no joke. "Did you know dat New Orleans is the head base of the Assassins Guild and de Thieves Guild? Well, it is...and I am a part of de Thieves Guild. De foster child of de big boss to be precise." He just had to look at her then. To see the look of repulsion on her face as some punishment for what he had done. But when he looked at her, her face was impassive, listening intently to what he was saying. He gulped and continued. "When I joined Magneto, I thought I had left it all behind me. Obviously, I was wrong. He called me back. I got dis letter from him dat bid me to come back for a last job...and well he is my only family. How could I refuse? He may have conditioned me to a life of thievin' but de man is still the one who took me in when I was six and completely alone...'cause of my eyes, y'know. I left Bayville...and you...Rogue I'm so sorry, I..."
She cut him off. "Yah're digressing."
"Huh, right...He asked me to supervise some other thieves and an assassin team he had engaged. Assassins and thieves don't fare well together to say de least, it's been an eternal conflict between both families. But, de fact is, thieves and assassins are complementary. Without one, de other dies. Vice versa." He sighed before going on. "My father wanted a rich Chicago man dead, I didn't know why at that time but I suspected Warren was an obstacle to the Guild's progress. Everythin' involvin' killin' is always connected to an obstacle of some sort. We passed three weeks or so studying de man. He ran a simple life for a man of his wealth. Had an apartment in New York, left it only to go to his office and other minor details and habits. Dere was just this little aspect I didn't know about: his mutation. We had planned our attack around Easter. Everythin' had been going fine until he sensed us and instead of fighting us, he just flew off. The guy was a mutant."
"Angel" she whispered.
"Y'could say that."
"No, I mean it was Angel."
"Y'know Warren?"
"Of course! Scott and me spent Christmas a couple of years ago searchin' for him."
"I'm glad dat I didn't kill him den. In any case, I got in contact with de man." He smiled at that. "I actually got under infraction in his apartment. He ended up with a broken wing, but he came to listen to me in good time, I'd say. I told him what was transpirin' around him. I also found out why the Guild wanted him dead. He told me he was a hero. Because he helped solve crime as an avenging angel, Jean-Luc wanted him dead. Too troublesome, he said. For my part, I think Warren didn't tell me de entire truth. I learned de hard way that nobody's entirely clean. His multimedia business was the problem. His heroics are probably a redemption of some sort. I know for certain that my father wouldn't bother with a simple mutant playin' super man." He paused, catching his breath and calming the blood pounding in his veins. "But I helped him. How could I not? Maybe we don't possess de same exact mutation but we're mutants. And lookin' at how people are treatin' us, mutants are my real family, not de Thieves Guild. But at de same time I was being a traitor to de people who had been my family for years...I killed den, assassins and thieves. 'Cause it didn't take long before the assassins learned of my changin' of sides. I killed Lupin and for dat my father disowned me. I would have left anyway but, Rogue, I've done worst than killing in my life...but this...I killed my uncle, I killed family."
Rogue didn't understand quite all of it but she did understand the feelings that came with hurting someone you loved. In Remy's case, she knew it was kinship that affected him and not love but she understood anyway. She wrapped her arms around his chest and rested her head against his shoulder. She didn't want to press him further but she needed to know one last thing.
"Why didn't you come back right after it?"
She didn't feel any tensing in his body but she knew she had touched a sensible nerve.
"I wasn't ready." If she could easily read him, he was better at it. "Rogue, don't, please. I was troubled and I was hell to live with. I came back when I thought I could emotionally handle it."
She passed his words in her head slowly, not missing a single detail. She met his gaze. "I love you Remy but sometimes you act like a total moron. Next time, let me decide if you're hell to live with. It's not your decision anyway, got it?"
Hi hold tighten. "Yes chérie." They held the silence for two minutes before Rogue ruined it all: "By the way, do note that there ain't gonna be a next time."
He had to grin at that. His chérie was so possessive.
***
End of the chapter. I made some little changes because I figured out that Remy was too much of a saint in the other version of the chapter (seriously, they both want each other emotionally AND physically)...it wouldn't be believable if I didn't put at least a little bit of sexual attractiveness in there, so bear me! Plus it's an opportunity to have more reviews...I'm evil!
Hope it made sense why Remy left and all...I know I didn't elaborate on it but the chapter is long enough as it is...I think it sucked but I needed to squeeze in important facts and people for the other chapters to come...In any case, review please! Note that Remy still doesn't know about Rogue's ability to control her powers... ; ) And by the way, Lupin is also Jake's family name...makes sense since Lupin is Remy's uncle...
Ishandahalf: bunny recovering considering it only took me half a week to write this long (endless!) chapter.
Charice: You've guess it girl! For Henri-Jacques-Rogue triangle...it's not to be. I only wanted characters so Remy would be jealous...wait and see.
Silver Ink: about your cure....don't cure!!! Who in their right minds would want to get rid of Romy addictiveness???
Lulugir715: is this a cliff hanger? I don't think so...cause you don't know what I am planning! Bwa ha ha!
Sperrydee: you're in!
Enchantedlight: happy to know you like the New Orleans concept!
"Let go."
He did so immediately. Why had she said that? One moment they were holding each other and, the next she was stepping away. Guess things weren't that easy. He needed to tame his emotions around her. He couldn't afford to let his hopes rise just to be squashed ten minutes later. Maybe if...
"Rogue, I..."
"Remy, stop. Ah need yah to understand. Ah need to do this alone."
"But y'don't understand y'self...dis city, it's..."
"No" She started to step back then she turned around and ran, leaving him petrified and alone. He couldn't react.
"What is Remy to think now?" Needless to say he was afraid of her last word: alone.
He woke up from his daze and realized that if she wanted to do "this" alone, she would...with him looking out for her.
For this he needed to pay a little visit to his father.
***
In the middle of the French Quarter was a house. Three stories high, red bricks wall, old-school style. A wrought iron fence surrounded the small grounds and greenery, bushes, flowers and trees cut the street from the house. A cute piece of property when you didn't include its owner.
Remy made his way by the back entrance and slipped inside the kitchen. With silent footsteps, he walked straight to the living room where he found his father with two bodyguards and a couple of minions.
"...be dead by tomorrow."
Hum, assassin minions by the sound of it.
He cleared his throat so they would finally notice him. He really didn't want to hear more about his father's plans.
All heads turned his way and the bodyguards brought out their guns.
Putting on the sarcastic cannot-beat-me mask he had made himself when he was younger, he plastered a grin on his face.
"Remy didn't know y'missed him DAT much."
"I didn't know you missed us that much either to show your damned face again considering what you did to the Guild last time!"
"Touché, father." Remy approached the gang members and waited. "Huh, do Remy need to make a drawin' or can y'leave without it? He needs to talk to his father." He charged the table he was leaning on to prove his point. They all quickly left.
"Could you please leave that table alone?"
No matter how hard he tried and how much he hated it, Remy was still conditioned to his father's orders. He took back the power of the charge, leaving the table be. He sat down on a chair in front of his father.
"You do have guts Remy to come here."
"Do NOT begin with dis...how's the Guild faring?"
"Not as well as I could wish for but it is getting better even if we could have used your help...but it's not as if you care, do you?"
Remy ran a hand through his hair. Et voilà, Jean-Luc was doing it again.
"I see you still don't. Oh well, since you left the Guild, the Assassins are easier to bargain with. Belladonna found a supportive ally in Jacques, did you know? No? Well, she ditched you once and you ditched her when she tried to come back to you. What was she supposed to do, wait for you?"
"Dat's why some of dem were here two seconds ago." It was a statement but Jean-Luc decided to answer nonetheless.
"Of course, they are taking care of your unfinished job."
Remy's head snapped up to attention at that. They still wanted to kill him? Didn't they know the archangel was untouchable? He had healing abilities, for god's sake! They could try though. Remy knew Warren for one of his closest friends and he knew the guy could fend off by himself quite well. Remy grinned. They were in for a hell of a time.
Uncomfortable silence ensued.
His father broke it. "Why are you here Remy?"
Remy sobered and dropped his speaking manners. "I need a little service...I know you knew I was coming here...remember, I've worked for you and you are my foster-father...and I know you already know she is here. Two word, one service...no make it a warning. Back off."
He didn't wait for his father's answer: he got on his feet and left the room, then the kitchen, then the house.
He hated coming there. It reminded him of all the good memories he had had when he was younger, of all his pranks with his foster-brother, Henri, and their cousin, Jake. But those were a small part of what memories he hadn't forgotten.
The multiple jobs he had had to do during his life for his father's sake made him ill just to think about them. He had robbed, he had killed and he had hated.
The last two years had been a nightmare. No freedom, no calm, no Rogue.
Belladonna was another bad memory. The girl had rejected him when he had stabbed Julien, her brother. The guy had tried to kill him, what was he supposed to do? Look at the blade passing through his stomach?
She had broken his heart at that time. He now knew it wasn't near anything like a heartbreak with Rogue. The girl hadn't had any charms. Well she might have at some point in his life...he had slept with her, right? But now, compared to HER, it was nothing, meant nothing. Why was even he comparing his current relationship with the one he had with Bella? God knew it wasn't comparable. Maybe because he wasn't with Rogue anymore.
"Man, get a hold on yourself: you've never actually been with the girl!" he muttered.
But the connection between them had always been, since the moment he had given her his charged king of hearts card. It was so strong between them even if it were exclusively emotional...well the physical attraction was definitely present, but Rogue couldn't touch. But he had faith in her. He was just hoping that when it came to be he would be there. Quite near her.
For all those memories, to him, New Orleans was a cursed place.
***
Seeing Remy had made her weak. She didn't know were she had had the strength to tore herself from his muscled arms but she did, miraculously and unfortunately. She loved the man and even if she wanted to ripe off his head for running her down, the warmth and love had been good, soulfully good.
The emotions coursing through her were another matter though. Total turmoil, that what is was. She loved him but she hated him for all the things he had done to her...she felt weak just thinking back on what had happened since the day she had met him. Life had been simple...so sweetly simple.
On the other hand, Remy was what had motivated her in controlling her powers. He was also the cause for her less anti-social temperament. He had wrought so many little and subtle changes in her that she wasn't the same person. Of course she was still Rogue, but a stronger loving-life Rogue.
Until he had left and never returned until last week. He wanted her back, that was obvious. She wanted him back too, it was also obvious. Could she allow it, not so obvious.
"Stop thinking about it girl." She muttered.
She definitely needed to change her thoughts or she would end up breaking down in tears in the middle of the crowded feasting Bourbon street.
This Remy hadn't changed: her vanity. It was still intact and it still couldn't bear her tears.
She followed Bourbon street until Dumaine. She took that street in the direction of the Mississippi until she arrived at the French Market.
Kitty always said that shopping was good for the soul. Rogue had never been convinced but now was the best time to try.
***
Therapy by shopping. This was fun!
The first ten minutes she passed in the market French had drove her New Orleans-food-addicted. Then all the little stores around had made her a complete fan of the city. The individual, as-large-as-her-hand size stands were outrageously money-absorbing. Throughout the afternoon, she had jumped from one stand to the other, buying gifts for everyone. Her feet hurt, her back hurt, her head hurt and her hands hurt. The experience was great though.
"Well, well, who have we here?"
She turned around guessing to who the voice belonged to.
"Jake!"
He looked her up and down, noticing the multiple bags she was carrying.
"Busy body are you? Here, I'll take a couple of dem."
"Where's Henri?"
"Dead." Seeing the look on her face he corrected himself : "It's a joke! He's back at home with his father."
"It ain't funny, moron, Ah thought it were true." Almost, that is. Being an X-man, you never could take dead business too seriously.
With a puppy face he replied "Don't hit me please."
"Arumph!" This came from a blond bimbo next to him that she hadn't noticed before.
"Oh, sorry Bella...Rogue dis is Belladonna, a friend of mine. Bella, dis is Rogue."
The Barbie nodded to Rogue and said a pert "so nice to meet you." Quite annoying.
"Baby, we should keep going on, we said we'd meet Henri at seven." She looked up at Jake with her eyes flashing at him. She slowly put her hand on his arm.
Surly he wasn't going to fall to this melodramatic play? But he did.
"Yah, of course. Listen Rogue, why don't y'meet us at the bar we were at yesterday?"
"Of course! See you at...seven?" Rogue looked at Belladonna for her to nod.
She did so reluctantly. She didn't have the choice anyway.
Ah, the girl's pissed. Good.
"Gimme my bags...See yah!" Rogue started the walk towards her lodging, a couple of blocs away with a smile on her face.
The bitchy Rogue hadn't lost her touch after all.
***
Six thirty. She had time.
After she had come back, she had searched her room from one end to the other to make sure that Remy hadn't hidden some camera. She well knew he was capable of finding where she was living and putting spying objects in it. As it turned out, he didn't though. She hid her disappointment and got on with her preparations for the night. There was no way the Blondie was ever going to make her feel like a total loser. Thinking about it, being dressed head to foot couldn't make a hell of a competition with huge v-necks and mini-skirts. Oh well, too bad she couldn't dress less. She was probably going to get drunk. There was no way she was taking any risks.
At six thirty she had finished. It never took her long to get prepared. Shower, hairdryer, makeup, dressing. That was it. Thirty minutes and finished. She had the all the time to make a phone call.
She went down in the streets and found a phone booth. She had tried to coax the bartender into lending her his phone for a couple of minute but he hadn't wanted to hear about it. Long distances cost money.
She inserted a couple of coins in the slit and dialed the number of Kitty's cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey sugah."
She heard screeching. It was Kitty alright.
"Rogue, like where are ya, we are worried sick here! Like, why did ya leave and like..."
"Kitty stop. One question at t'time!"
It seemed like a long time since she hadn't talked to her best-friend and it felt great.
***
If he really knew Rogue, she would be in a bar. Drinking water, but in a bar nonetheless. She had told him once that she liked the ambience. She was the only girl he had ever met who loved bars because of the ambience. Oh, well, she wasn't any type of girl.
He made his way from one bar to the other trying to catch a glimpse of her. After a couple of rounds, he finally found her.
It was a smoky place frequented mostly by young adults where he, Henri and Jake used to hang out. Not her typical place considering the ambience here was completely disco-like and so totally out to her liking.
His heart skipped a beat and his groins tighten visibly. She looked gorgeous. Her hair was swept in a high pony tail, leaving him a delicious sight of her long neck and slender yet strong shoulders. Her body was entirely encased in black but he had a good imagination and could fill out the details.
He started off of his fixation and widened his range around her until he saw that she was leaving the table she was occupying with ...Henri, Jake and Bella.
Oh god, what had he done to deserve that? Rogue was addicted to danger alright. Did she know she had been going out with an assassin and two thieves? God, they probably paid their rounds of beer from her wallet and she didn't even know it!
Another visit he's going to have to do...tomorrow. He had plans for Rogue and him tonight. It wasn't in staying in his room dwelling on the fact that his love had maybe put a cross on him that he was going to win her back.
So he followed her and thought about abducting her. Quite the thing. Abduction.
***
She needed to get out. Freedom please! She couldn't stand the girl anymore! She was so sticky to the boys and jealous of her, of all people. Didn't she noticed she wasn't the least interested in the cousins? After all, Jake was practically going out with Belladonna and Henri was fiancé to some girl his father had chosen for him and that he fortunately liked very much.
She needed to get out more so because the boys were getting to much drunk for her taste.
"Boy, they aren't like yah." She muttered to nobody in particular.
"Not like who?" Arms snaked around her waist from behind and she found herself leaning on his chest. She looked up.
"Not like yah, that's for sure."
"Y'wound Remy...what is a pretty lady like you doin' in dis cursed place?"
"It is cursed, isn't it?"
He raised an eyebrow at her in understatement. He kissed the top of her head and added "Remy think he's got just the place for you, chérie."
She sincerely wanted to go with him... To hell with it. If she wanted to give him a second chance, this was it. And she wanted to give him a second chance. She was growing soft.
"Hum, Ah don't think Ah'm safe anywhere near yah, swamp rat..." Her mocking eyes gave her all away though.
He took her gloved hand and stirred her towards the exit.
***
He parked his bike near the river. He helped her down and he walked her to the quay.
"Is this it because Ah..."
He put a finger near her mouth in a stooping gesture.
"Wait, chérie, y'll see."
She stopped in her walk, feet planted solidly on the wood. What had happened to him? He acted like a seven-years old boy before opening Christmas presents. She liked to see him in that mood. He sounded happy.
He tugged at her hand and turned back when she didn't move. He lost his smile and dropped her hand when he saw her considering and calculating eyes.
"Love...what is it? Is everything alright because we can..."
"No, everything is fine. Now show me the thingy you planned..."
He held her gaze for a couple of seconds before motioning to the boat moored at the end of the quay.
"All aboard, m'lady." He bowed at the same time.
"Yah mean...No way!" She started to move backwards before he launched at her, captured her hand and forced her to walk ahead.
"Ah really don't like that glint in yahr eyes...Swamp rat, let me go!"
"As y'wish." He let go and she fell on her butt.
He immediately picked her up in his arms and walked the rest of the way, Rogue growling all the way.
He made his way with a complaining and smirking girl in his arms to the front of the huge boat on the highest level where they could sit in long chair facing the river and underneath the starry sky.
He sat down with her in front of him. His arms around her waist, he leaned his chin on her head and they stared at the view while the boat left the port. They could see people on the floor below but, on their deck, they were alone. Completely alone.
The coats blurred in a mass of shadows that kept their attention riveted to the river. Holding the gentle light of the moon crescent, the river expended before their eyes. Powered by a gentle southern breeze, tiny laps were hitting the steamboat.
Remy was enjoying the fact that he had her in his arms. He was too happy to say anything. This was the perfect proof of their connection. He knew they still had it. Him and her. He lived for this woman. That was all there was to it. He kissed the side of her head.
"I love you Rogue." A simple statement that he hope would lead to another simple statement from her part and that would make him believe he wasn't cursed. It would prove that she still felt the connection. It would show him that she still loved him....If she would just...but it never came.
"Ah, ah...Remy, Ah need t'know what happened."
She wasn't supposed to say that. What could he possibly answer to that? He pondered her question for a few seconds.
She sense him tense and cursed herself for ruining the beautiful moment they were sharing. The magic was all gone now. Might as well take the opportunity to get answers then. She turned around, upsetting his position around her. She gazed into his eyes.
***
Non, not the eyes! He was lost the moment she looked at him. Did she know what effect they had on him? Probably...they held a power of their own.
"Y'want the truth? 'Cause I don't know if y'll like it...I..."
"Remy, please."
What was he supposed to do? He broke the eye contact and stared at his hands resting on his lap. He needed to tell her. The worst that could happen was that she would storm off and wish to never see him again. Huh, it would kill him. He took the risk anyway because he owed it to her.
"Don't you want to drain me...it would be much more simple and less hard."
She let out a forceful "no." She didn't want to drain him because she wanted him to confide in her and trust her.
He was secretly glad she didn't accept his offer. It might have made the speech he was about to say more easier but in long terms, she would have had to search through his memories since she didn't know exactly what she was searching for. She would have stumbled upon memories like Henri, Jake or Bella. What would she say if she knew about Bella? Of course, he was aware he would eventually have to tell her but in this place at this moment, it was not the right time to do so.
"I...gotta start at the beginnin', right?" He looked up at her and realised this really was no joke. "Did you know dat New Orleans is the head base of the Assassins Guild and de Thieves Guild? Well, it is...and I am a part of de Thieves Guild. De foster child of de big boss to be precise." He just had to look at her then. To see the look of repulsion on her face as some punishment for what he had done. But when he looked at her, her face was impassive, listening intently to what he was saying. He gulped and continued. "When I joined Magneto, I thought I had left it all behind me. Obviously, I was wrong. He called me back. I got dis letter from him dat bid me to come back for a last job...and well he is my only family. How could I refuse? He may have conditioned me to a life of thievin' but de man is still the one who took me in when I was six and completely alone...'cause of my eyes, y'know. I left Bayville...and you...Rogue I'm so sorry, I..."
She cut him off. "Yah're digressing."
"Huh, right...He asked me to supervise some other thieves and an assassin team he had engaged. Assassins and thieves don't fare well together to say de least, it's been an eternal conflict between both families. But, de fact is, thieves and assassins are complementary. Without one, de other dies. Vice versa." He sighed before going on. "My father wanted a rich Chicago man dead, I didn't know why at that time but I suspected Warren was an obstacle to the Guild's progress. Everythin' involvin' killin' is always connected to an obstacle of some sort. We passed three weeks or so studying de man. He ran a simple life for a man of his wealth. Had an apartment in New York, left it only to go to his office and other minor details and habits. Dere was just this little aspect I didn't know about: his mutation. We had planned our attack around Easter. Everythin' had been going fine until he sensed us and instead of fighting us, he just flew off. The guy was a mutant."
"Angel" she whispered.
"Y'could say that."
"No, I mean it was Angel."
"Y'know Warren?"
"Of course! Scott and me spent Christmas a couple of years ago searchin' for him."
"I'm glad dat I didn't kill him den. In any case, I got in contact with de man." He smiled at that. "I actually got under infraction in his apartment. He ended up with a broken wing, but he came to listen to me in good time, I'd say. I told him what was transpirin' around him. I also found out why the Guild wanted him dead. He told me he was a hero. Because he helped solve crime as an avenging angel, Jean-Luc wanted him dead. Too troublesome, he said. For my part, I think Warren didn't tell me de entire truth. I learned de hard way that nobody's entirely clean. His multimedia business was the problem. His heroics are probably a redemption of some sort. I know for certain that my father wouldn't bother with a simple mutant playin' super man." He paused, catching his breath and calming the blood pounding in his veins. "But I helped him. How could I not? Maybe we don't possess de same exact mutation but we're mutants. And lookin' at how people are treatin' us, mutants are my real family, not de Thieves Guild. But at de same time I was being a traitor to de people who had been my family for years...I killed den, assassins and thieves. 'Cause it didn't take long before the assassins learned of my changin' of sides. I killed Lupin and for dat my father disowned me. I would have left anyway but, Rogue, I've done worst than killing in my life...but this...I killed my uncle, I killed family."
Rogue didn't understand quite all of it but she did understand the feelings that came with hurting someone you loved. In Remy's case, she knew it was kinship that affected him and not love but she understood anyway. She wrapped her arms around his chest and rested her head against his shoulder. She didn't want to press him further but she needed to know one last thing.
"Why didn't you come back right after it?"
She didn't feel any tensing in his body but she knew she had touched a sensible nerve.
"I wasn't ready." If she could easily read him, he was better at it. "Rogue, don't, please. I was troubled and I was hell to live with. I came back when I thought I could emotionally handle it."
She passed his words in her head slowly, not missing a single detail. She met his gaze. "I love you Remy but sometimes you act like a total moron. Next time, let me decide if you're hell to live with. It's not your decision anyway, got it?"
Hi hold tighten. "Yes chérie." They held the silence for two minutes before Rogue ruined it all: "By the way, do note that there ain't gonna be a next time."
He had to grin at that. His chérie was so possessive.
***
End of the chapter. I made some little changes because I figured out that Remy was too much of a saint in the other version of the chapter (seriously, they both want each other emotionally AND physically)...it wouldn't be believable if I didn't put at least a little bit of sexual attractiveness in there, so bear me! Plus it's an opportunity to have more reviews...I'm evil!
Hope it made sense why Remy left and all...I know I didn't elaborate on it but the chapter is long enough as it is...I think it sucked but I needed to squeeze in important facts and people for the other chapters to come...In any case, review please! Note that Remy still doesn't know about Rogue's ability to control her powers... ; ) And by the way, Lupin is also Jake's family name...makes sense since Lupin is Remy's uncle...
Ishandahalf: bunny recovering considering it only took me half a week to write this long (endless!) chapter.
Charice: You've guess it girl! For Henri-Jacques-Rogue triangle...it's not to be. I only wanted characters so Remy would be jealous...wait and see.
Silver Ink: about your cure....don't cure!!! Who in their right minds would want to get rid of Romy addictiveness???
Lulugir715: is this a cliff hanger? I don't think so...cause you don't know what I am planning! Bwa ha ha!
Sperrydee: you're in!
Enchantedlight: happy to know you like the New Orleans concept!