The Plan Unfolds

I look in the mirror and all I see
Is a young old man with only a dream
Am I just fooling myself?
That she'll stop the pain
Living without her
I'd go insane

Feel her breath on my face
Her body close to me
Can't look in her eyes
She's out of my league
Just a fool to believe
I have anything she needs
-Patrick Swayze

The next morning

Kitty got home to hear what had happened. The adults had already held a meeting the previous night. Kitty and Pete met with Jubilee, Remy, Bobby, and Logan in the rec. room.

"The professor checked Cerebro," Logan said. "He can't get a clear read on where she is. He just figured out that it was in Louisiana."

"N'awlins," Remy said. "She's home."

"Where do we go from here?" Jubilee asked.

"Do any of you know how to shoot?" Remy asked.

"Pete taught me, a little," Kitty said.

"Could y' kill someone?"

"I don't know," she admitted.

"How good are y'?"

"I'm not that-"

"Don't lie. She's bloody fantastic," Pete told them, pride evident in her tone. "She was hitting the heart in minutes."

Remy's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

"I could incapacitate them," Kitty offered. "Keep them from shooting anyone else."

"Dat'll work," Remy nodded. He ruffled her hair causing an outraged squeak from her. "We have a sniper."

"It's not as bad as it sounds," Pete promised when Kitty looked doubtful. "Where do you want me?"

"You're with Logan. You two cover me."

"Us?" Jubilee and Bobby asked together.

"Stand up, homme," Remy said getting to his own feet. Bobby stood looking bemused. "Almost the same height."

"You'll need some boots," Pete said. "But the build's the same."

"Should we dye the hair?" Logan asked catching on.

"Just a spray will work," Kitty said taking over as she realized what they were going to do. "And different clothes."

"Ooh! I get to dress him!" Jubilee exclaimed.

"What in the Hell are all of you talking about!" Bobby exclaimed obviously confused.

"Not'in'," Remy smiled.

"We want to dress you in drag, high-heeled boots, and dye yer hair pink," Pete said. "Then we'll parade you around outside their place." He looked at the others thoughtfully. "Do ya think it'll be enough of a distraction?"

"He's just joking," Kitty assured Bobby who looked as though he was about to panic.

"Although, Wisdom's idea holds merit," Remy said.

"What are you planning?" Betsy asked walking in.

"Planning?" Remy asked innocently.

"The professor said that he knows that you're planning something," Betsy said. "He wants all of you to know that, although he probably won't approve, you have all of his resources at your disposal. He remembers how well you guys worked together to rescue Kitty."

"An' why isn't Mr. High-an'-Mighty tellin' us himself?" Pete asked. The question was followed by a yelped "Ow!" as Kitty elbowed him.

"He knows you don't like him. You seem to project loud, rude and angry thoughts," Betsy said smiling. "And judging by that strong guard you have it's on purpose."

"Ow!" Pete yelped again rubbing his arm where Kitty hit him. "Abuse!"

"You're being rude," Kitty said.

"I'm always rude," Pete pointed out.

"Ruder than usual then."

"Can we get back on subject," Betsy asked. "I want to help."

"Can y' shoot?" Remy asked.

"Not my strongest suit. But I can do martial arts."

"Are you good?"

"You might say that."

"Logan?"

Logan nodded. "Fine, you're my back up."

"What about me?" Jubilee asked.

"You guard Kitty," Logan said.

"You guys are just trying to keep me out of the way," Jubilee said sulking. "Aren't you?"

"No," Pete assured her. "Your job is to watch her back. My girl dies and I'll hold you responsible."

Jubilee paled. "Right."

"I can take care of myself, Wisdom," Kitty said.

"I know," Pete said. "But if you're concentrating on what's happening in front of you someone can easily sneak up behind you."

"Okay," she relented. "How are we going?"

"Belle called an hour after she took Rogue," Remy said. "She said Remy has a week. Remy's goin' ta fly down."

"I'm takin' my truck half-way," Logan said. "Then taking a bus. Betsy, you and the kids are with me."

"Kit," Pete smiled. "You're with me. We're driving the whole way."

"Now," Remy said. "We need for everyone to dress differently. Kitty, you can borrow some of Jubes' clothes, Jubilee, you wear Rogues'." He turned to Pete and grinned.

"No," Pete said emphatically. "I ain't wearing anything of yers."

"Me or Logan," Remy said. "People might recognize y' if you dress like dat." Pete looked from Remy to Logan and shrugged.

"Wotever ya want."

"He fits better in my things," Logan said.

"Do you guys exchange clothes often?" Kitty asked raising her eyebrows in question.

"Remy'll dress like he always does," Remy said ignoring Kitty's question. "Bobby..."

"John left most of his things here," Bobby said. "I'll just wear that."

"Dat works," Remy said. "Well, mes amis, we should get going. So, go pack and Remy'll see y' in a couple days." He walked away.

"I'll be back t' pick ya up in a few minutes," Pete promised Kitty before he also left.

"Let's go pack," Kitty said reluctantly not wanting to know what Jubilee was going to pick out for her. Jubilee smiled a little and grabbed her friends arm and drug her upstairs. She packed some of her clothes for Kitty and some of Rogue's things for herself.

She then turned to smile at Kitty. "Now for today."

"Why today?" Kitty asked with wide eyes. Jubilee ignored her and pulled out the bra and underwear set that she had picked out for her friend. "Jubes! No one's even going to-"

"Hush, don't disturb the master."

"You're already disturbed as it is, if you think-" Jubilee got out a pair of boots that almost came up to Kitty's knees. "Uh-uh. Not happening." Jubilee still ignored her. The skirt wasn't too short, coming two inches above her knees. The tee-shirt was a tight black one which read 'I leave marks' across the chest. Grumbling a little, Kitty went into their walk-in closet and got into the entire outfit. She came back out and out on her glasses.

"See," Jubilee said. "It even makes those look good."

"Shut up," Kitty said before brushing her hair and grabbing the bag. She paused to hug her friend. "Be careful, Jubes."

"I will, Kit," she suddenly grinned at her friend. "Have fun driving all that way... all alone."

"Bye," Kitty walked out running into Remy.

"Nice," he said. "No one'll recognize y'."

"I don't recognize me," Kitty pouted. "Do you think Rogue's okay?"

"Remy knows it," he assured her. "Dey wouldn't hurt her. Remy'll walk y' out." He smiled. "Remy wants ta see Wisdom's expression." The two walked outside where an old thunderbird sat. Pete got out and his jaw literally dropped. He was dressed in a tight pair of jeans and a gray sweater.

"Wow," he said stepping in front of her.

"I look okay?" she asked worriedly. "It's not too... um..." she paused not sure of why she didn't like the outfit.

"Ya look bloody gorgeous, luv," Pete smiled. Remy shouldered his own bag walking towards the garage.

"Mes amis," Remy said turning.

"Yeah?" Pete asked tearing his eyes away from Kitty to look at Remy.

"Please, try to drive a little before stoppin' at a hotel," Remy said.

"Shut it, mate," Pete said rolling his eyes.

On the way to the airport

Remy knew he was driving too fast but he needed something to take his mind off of the pain caused by Rogue. He hadn't realized how much he really did love her until he saw Belladonna standing in front of her window, until he was faced with the possibility that she would die.

He pulled into the parking lot and got off his bike grabbing his bag from the back. He'd get her back, he promised himself that. She could hate him for the rest of her life, as long as she was alive and safe.