Disclaimer: Me no own.

Chapter 4 – Darkly Beautiful

Now it was Rogue's turn to brood. She sat on top of the roof of the mansion, gazing out past the mansion. Her knees were drawn up to her chest and her arms were wrapped around them. Her chin rested atop her knees. The little Goth was overwhelmed with a feeling of loneliness. No one seemed to understand how hard it was not to be able to touch. To never be able to kiss, or hold hands. She would never have the simple pleasure of feeling her skin against someone else's without hurting them. And yet everyone expected her to be happy. But how can you be happy, when your own touch causes pain? The first guy who had liked her was zapped into a coma, simply because she was cursed! She hugged herself tighter, as if to comfort her soul.

Remy was in the same place that Rogue had left him several hours ago. He was now vacantly staring at the starry sky. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by strong emotions of loneliness, despair, and seclusion. Taking a moment, Remy pin-pointed the source of the feelings. They came from the least sociable of the X-Men. Rogue. She was on top of the roof, all alone. Remy's heart went out to her. The poor girl couldn't touch! To be all alone in a world full of people… He could relate. Finally, he couldn't take it. Leaving his room, Remy walked down the hall, and took the elevator to the roof. The doors opened revealing a cement room with a short stairway with a door at the end. Creeping up the stairs, he opened the door slowly and peeked out. He could see Rogue sitting there, hair moving in the wind. Her green mesh top danced around her small frame. Stepping out onto the roof, Remy purposely made noise as he closed the door. Rogue didn't turn around.

"Hey Chere, what you doin' up here all alone?" He asked, somewhat light-heartedly. Rogue sighed and hugged herself tighter.

"Go away, Remy." The young Cajun ignored what she said, and sat at the edge of the roof, giving her a few feet of space.

"Are you okay?" Remy asked, with genuine concern. Rogue looked up at him. And for the first time she really looked at him. He wasn't making eye contact with her, just staring off past the manor gates. He had sharp features, and smooth skin. His messy auburn hair was in a lose ponytail. He truly looked angelic. Except for those eyes. They gave him a dark, demonic look. It was as if he was some exotic hybrid of an angel and demon. He was beautiful.

"Ah'm fine." She answered. He met her eyes.

"You should never lie to empaths." She turned away.

"Can Ah be alone?" She asked softly. The boy studied her a bit longer, and then nodded, even though she could not see. He stood and started to walk away. Remy almost didn't hear what she said next.

"The first boy that ever liked me was put into a coma." Remy turned and stared at her. "He asked me to dance, at a party. Ah fell down, and he reached to help me up. Then his skin touched mine. He was in a coma for three days." Remy resumed his position near Rogue.

"Remy's sorry, Rogue. He didn't know."

Rogue looked at him.

"Remy?"

He rose a brow in response.

"Have your eyes always been like that?" Remy was silent for a moment. He wasn't particularly keen on talking about his past, but if it helped her…

"Oui."

"What did your parents think?"

"Never knew my parents, Chere. Dey abandoned me." Rogue noted that he had started speaking in first person.

"Just because of your eyes?"

He nodded.

"What happened then?"

"I was put out onto the streets of N'awlins. Den I was adopted." For a while there was a silence, both reflecting, then,

"He still talks to me in my head." Remy gave her a confused look, "The boy. Everyone Ah've ever touched, they're in my head." She gave a sad smile, "They're not the friendliest." Tears well in her eyes. "God, the things they say…" Alarmed, Remy put an arm around her in an attempt to comfort her. She leaned in slightly, the warmth of his body welcoming.

"Don' lis'en to dem, Chere! Dey just wan' to make you miserable." He gave her a tiny boost in confidence. In a more gentle voice he asked, "Have you told the Professor about dem? He migh' be able."

"No!" She pulled back a bit, and looked him the eyes. "Ah don't want him to know! I don't want any of them to know that! This is something I have to take care of myself… Don't tell them, please?" Remy gave her a reassuring smile.

"I won' tell dem unless you give de okay. But if you ever need my help… I be here for you." Rogue gave him a smile.

"Thanks Remy. You're not so bad for a swamp rat."

"Hey!" The Cajun feigned insult. Smiling again, Rogue stood.

"Ah'm going to bed. See you tomorrow." Remy gave a small nod, and Rogue left him alone on the roof. When he heard the door close, Remy laid down and stretched out. Taking time out to help Rogue had taken his mind off his past, and now it was easier to focus on other things. Eventually, he drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Remy was awoken the next morning by sunlight shining into his face. Opening his sensitive eyes, he immediately shut them again. He rolled over to face away from the cursed light. Then he noticed that there was something on him. Opening his eyes again, he sat up. A blanket had been covering him. He sat there in surprised silence, then a smile crept its way onto his face.

"Y' ain't so bad yo'self, Rogue."

A/N: The fluff was a bit cliched, no? Oh well, it's inevitable when it comes to romance.