G'Day.
An update! Whoo! Well, it's 3am, and I'm half asleep, so the shout out part may not make all that much sense, but I tired. You know it's very hard for me to type just at 3 am? It keeps coming out 'jsut'... holy hell I need sleep!
Shout outs!
Remy's Angy: Fourteen nights together? That'd be sweet, but sadly real life (or as close as I'm getting to it in this fic) isn't. But hey, who knows? Maybe I'll give the two a break!
Boomkat: Yeah, even I wouldn't be a pretty sight with a limitless credit card. Hell I don't think anyone would be! Guys would be out buying whatever it is they buy, (for my buddies? It'd be pron, lots of porn.) so, yeah I'm tired, so I don't know how much sense this makes. Well, whatever I updated. '^_^'
Caliante: Yeah, I was gonna put Rogue and Wolvie together, but at the last minute had a change of heart. Hope it works out.
Ishy: My bad, havn't finished your fic yet, I kept getting pulled away by my girl friends. Note to self: get out now before they hit the six month mark and start trying to kill me. Urgh, I love the two to death, but pregnant women scare the hell outta me! So blame them.
Penny Lane: LOL! So amusing, and maybe they will... though I don't like that song that much... hmmm.....
Wolvertique: yeah, he was kinda mean, but since when does Wolvie beat around the bush? And for sure! If I was sticking to the comic lines, I'd be lost. Those things get kinda hard to follow. Sides that's why I wrote X-Treme Interlude.
Lightspeed Suzuka: Not CLAMP... no more CLAMP... lol I like those chicks, they're messed. MKR was good, X scares me and I like Chobits.
Panther Nesmith: Chandra? No way, too much effort. Man, I shouldn't type shout outs at 3 am. Really shouldn't. Henri'll prolly make it, but Lapin's just so much cooler! So I'm gonna use him more then Henri.
Katy: Yeah, the Japan thing was just me going over the comic time line real quick so I could get onto my own stuff. But thanks.
Everyone Else: OMG am I tired, but I think I can stay awake for one or twelve rounds of drinks! -.-, maybe not. But thanks for reviewing! And drinks are as always on the house!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except everything....
Rating: R, just R
I Never Knew
by: TheWalrusWasPaul
Chapter Eleven: An Easy Game to Play
~Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play,
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh I believe in yesterday~
The Beatles (Paul McCartney), Yesterday
~*~
Kitty Pryde was seasick.
She refused to leave her bed, claiming that 'sleep makes everything all better'. This of course left Rogue to roam the ship on her own. They were on a ferry heading down the Mississippi River towards New Orleans. The girls had decided on a ferry rather then the Blackbird, Kitty having claimed that she wanted to see what it was like on a boat.
She was regretting her choice now.
Oh how the Shadowcat longed for the Blackbird now. She thought to herself as she painfully rolled over in her sorry excuse for a bed. She hated boats. Hated them. Wanted of them all to be destroyed. Wanted to not throw up again. No more throwing up. Not now. Not for at least another hour. Now!
Rogue covered her mouth, trying to hide her laughter as she heard Kitty run to the bathroom once more. The poor girl was really sick. Rogue shook her head and made her way to the bathroom, "Y'all right?"
After a few moments of the most vial noises Rogue had ever heard, (and she'd heard the Blob eat) Kitty's weak voice filtered out of the bathroom. "No..." the toilet flushed and Rogue deemed it now safe to enter.
Rogue entered the bathroom, and patted her ill team mate on the back, "Ah got ya somethin' in the gift shop." Rogue said with a secrete smile.
Kitty turned her weary brown eyes to Rogue, "I swear to God if it's a model of this stupid boat..." she grumbled as she climbed to her feet and sat on the edge of the counter.
Rogue shook her head, her hair now falling to the middle of her back in soft curls, "Not quite, even Ah'm not that mean." she said as she pulled something from behind her back and presented it to Kitty.
Kitty's eyes went wide an a grin appeared on her face, "Oh my God I love you Rogue!" she said as she took the little pink bottle from her team mate.
Rogue watched a little disgusted as Kitty drowned the entire bottle of medicine in one shot. Kitty sighed in relief as she tossed the empty bottle into the trash. "How much longer till we reach New Orleans?" Kitty asked, looking a little better.
Rogue looked down at her watch. "'Bout ten minutes." she said.
They were both dressed in their civies, Rogue in a pair of baggy jeans and a Pink Floyd tee shirt. Rogue had fallen in love with the shirt, and had rolled her eyes at Kitty when the girl had asked who Pink Floyd was, and just what exactly he had to do with a wall. Kitty in a cute summer dress with spaghetti straps that fell just above her knees. The dress was a little too cute for Rogue's taste with a floral print and a pink background. Unfortunately, Kitty had conned Rogue into buying one as well, but with a blue background. Rogue was currently keeping her eyes open for an opportunity to dump the thing over board, but none had come up. Yet.
The trip hadn't been as bad as Rogue had thought it would be, her and Kitty were actually getting along, much to her amazement. It looked like Kitty had finally put any hard feelings she'd had for Rogue aside and begun to really like her. The two had been up all night, on the only night Kitty hadn't puked... er, well, more then twice anyways. They'd talked for hours about anything and everything. For the first time in her young life Rogue was actually beginning to feel like a normal girl.
~*~
Two hours later the two girls were standing in the middle of the bar they'd been told to show up at. They'd been there almost an hour, sitting in a booth in the back. There was no sign of the person that was supposed to met them and take them to Gambit, but it was early yet so they weren't too concerned yet.
Kitty was watching the people in the bar, or more specifically the other men in the bar. She couldn't seem to keep her eyes off of one guy in particular. He was dressed in tight jeans, a loose white shirt, a cowboy hat completed the outfit.
"Aren't you and Peter an item?" Rogue asked as she played with the straw in her drink, she swirled the contents around before taking another long drink. It wasn't alcoholic, not by Rogue's choice, but rather Kitty's who had decided that since they had no idea what would happen when they met up with Gambit it probably wasn't a good idea to be drunk. Rogue had protested saying that with her invulnerability one drink wouldn't put her under the table, but Kitty had held firm in her resolve.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't look!" Kitty said with a laugh.
Rogue shook her head and sat back in her seat and watched the room. She wasn't a big fan of bars, the music was always too loud, the bass way to high and there was only so many times she could hear re-mixes of classics before she went nuts. Where was this contact of theirs? She wanted to get out of here.
The boy Kitty had been watching came up to her and asked her to dance. Kitty looked at Rogue, asking permission. Rogue nodded, there was no harm in her having some fun. Besides Rogue could watch for the contact better if she wasn't distracted by Kitty's chattering.
A few minutes passed, Rogue had been watching Kitty and the boy dance, a little envious. She could never dance that freely with anyone for fear of her powers. A wave of sadness washed over her, but she quickly brushed it aside. No point in being sad about something that she couldn't change.
A man in a trench coat began to make his way towards Rogue, she sat up a bit straighter. Gambit had once told her that members of the Guilds wore trench coats, could this be her contact?
"Bonjour. You're Rogue correct?" the man asked, he had long blond hair, pulled back in a pony tail and a goatee. His eyes were bright blue, and Rogue found herself unable to look away from them.
"Yeah." she answered, transfixed by the man's eyes.
"Great!" the man said sliding into the bench across from her, "I'm Lapin, Remy's cousin." He looked her over, "He said you were pretty, but... wow."
Rogue smiled at Lapin, liking him right away, "Thanks sugah. Ah'm gonna assume that you're here to take us to Remy?"
Lapin grinned, "Smart too, you're quite a catch." he leaned forward across the table, "Where's your partner?"
Rogue pointed to Kitty, who was still dancing with the man in the cowboy hat.
Lapin's eyes narrowed, "Dis could be a problem...." he mumbled.
"Why?" Rogue asked, not seeing the harm in Kitty dancing with another man.
Lapin nodded to the man, "He's an assassin," at Rogue's confused glance he went on, "A member of de other Guild. Go get her, I'll met you both outside in five minutes." With that Lapin got up and gave Rogue a quick bow before dashing out of the bar.
Rogue shook her head and got up, she made her way over to Kitty and tapped her on the shoulder, "We gotta go!" Rogue shouted over the music.
Kitty nodded and gave her partner a sad smile before pulling out of his grasp. The man's eyes narrowed and he pulled her close again. He wasn't used to rejection and wasn't about to be by this tiny girl just because her friend told her it was time to go. He put on a charming smile and kept dancing, his hands on Kitty's hips.
Kitty tried once more to pull away from the man, but he just wouldn't let go. Rogue was about to knock the guy's head off when Kitty phased right through the man's arms and quickly pulled Rogue towards the exit. They turned around at the door to see the man following them.
Kitty shot Rogue a worried glance and they quickly left the bar. Rogue caught sight of Lapin sitting inside a nice red convertible waving towards them.
"Who's that?" Kitty asked as Rogue pulled her towards the car, wanting to get away from the bar and the creepy man as fast as possible.
"Our contact, let's go."
The girls jumped into the convertible as fast as they could and Lapin gunned the engin. "Hold tight Ladies." he said with a grin as he cranked the radio and sped off towards what Rogue assumed to be where Remy was waiting for them.
~*~
"Welcome to my humble home chere."
Rogue had to keep her jaw in place, there was Remy in front of one of the most elegant southern homes she'd ever seen. He was dressed to kill in black slacks and a deep red dress shirt that shimmered in the moonlight. His arms were extended to the sides and he grinned at the two girls.
Remembering herself Rogue moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him. "Ah missed ya swap rat." she murmured so only he would hear.
Remy wrapped his arms around her, "Missed you too chere." he said quickly as he pulled away from her and turned to Kitty, leaving Rogue feeling like she'd been snubbed. "Kitty! Welcome to New Orleans."
Lapin and Kitty made their way towards Remy, but before either could say anything a woman stepped out of the house. She was dressed in a very formal evening gown of purple silk. Rogue recognized her right away, Belladonna.
"Bonjour," she said with a small bow. "I'm glad Remy's friends could make it."
Rogue looked at Remy, a little confused, but his expression told her not to say anything. Belladonna stepped up to Remy and took his arm. "He talks 'bout you non stop."
Rogue forced a smile, "Ah hope we don't disappoint." she said, not liking the way Belladonna was holding onto Remy.
Belladonna gestured towards the house, "Let's go inside and get you two settled. Dinner is in an hour. Formal dress required." she said as she and Remy turned to reenter the house.
Rogue and Kitty exchanged a confused glace but followed, Lapin carrying their bags.
~*~
Rogue and Kitty followed Lapin up to their rooms, once there Rogue decided to ask Lapin just what was going on.
Lapin sighed and ran a hand through his messy blond hair, "Don't know if I should be de one t'tell you." He looked up at the girls, "Remy's business, not mine."
Rogue would have accepted that, but Kitty wasn't prepared to, "Come on Lapin! You have to tell us! Gambit is Rogue's-"
Rogue cut her off, "Friend, Remy's mah friend, and Ah'm worried about him."
Kitty gave her an odd look but said nothing.
"Alright, but no gettin' mad at poor ol' Lapin if Remy gets upset." he placed their bags on what would be Rogue's massive bed for the rest of their stay. Rogue would have taken the time to admire the decor of the room, but her mind was far too occupied. "Belle, she not be all dat right in de head first of all, she never got over Remy leavin' de Guilds, though he had good reasons." Rogue was about to ask him to elaborate, but thought better of it. "She been wantin' him back for 'slong as he been gone. Finally she went to Jean-Luc, my uncle, Remy's father and demanded Remy come back."
"How does she have that much power?" Kitty asked, really getting into this.
"She be de daughter of the Assassin's Guild. Next in line for de leadership now dat poor Julian's gone." Lapin explained, "So Belladonna said she'd start another Guild was 'less Remy come back t'renew deir weddin' vows. No one wants another Guild war, dey go on for years and more people die den it's worth. Remy was next in line for de head of the Thieves Guild, he couldn't let another war happen, even if he swore he left dis life behind. We be his family after all."
Rogue felt a lump begin to develop in her throat. It couldn't be, Remy wouldn't do that to her. He just wouldn't. He loved her, not Belladonna, he'd told her he loved her. Remy wasn't about to betray that? Was he? She fought with her emotions, not wanting Kitty and Lapin to see her cry.
Lapin sighed, he knew that the red head was Remy's lover, well not quite if what Remy said about her powers were true. Then again with the new devise Belladonna had installed for their arrival... but that would just create trouble, there was no way Remy would risk the peace for a woman. Or so Lapin hoped.
"Come on Kitty, I take you to your room now." Kitty gave Rogue a sad smile and the two left her alone. As soon as the door was closed, Rogue let the tears begin to fall. She knew she should never have gotten involved with Remy, she knew it. Now look where it had landed her. Rogue looked up at the sky through the massive windows, why did God hate her so much?
~*~
Dinner was a disaster.
That was the only nice way to put it. Belladonna had been nothing but the perfect hostess, asking polite questions of her guests and sitting far too close to Remy for Rogue's liking. Remy for his part said no more then he thought he had to, in order to keep Belladonna's suspicions at bay. Truth was, this was tearing him apart, but what choice did he have? Belladonna had threatened his entire family with war. Even if he'd decided to leave this life, he couldn't let his family be slaughtered. He looked around the table, at his father, brother Henri, cousins, his niece and the two nephews. They were only children, he couldn't let them die in a war that had nothing to do with them.
After dinner Remy pleaded exhaustion and returned to his room. He'd told Belle he'd go along with her plan, but he drew the line at sleeping in the same bed. Even in the same room for that matter. No, Belle's room was on the other side of the mansion, for which he was grateful.
Remy lay on his bed that night, his thoughts dancing from one woman to the other. He loved Rogue, there was no way he would give that up. But Belle held such power over him and his family.
"Fuck it." Remy mumbled as he pulled himself out of bed, he couldn't sleep and knew damned well that the woman in the next room couldn't either. He'd heard her tossing and turning most of the night. Then an hour ago she'd started crying. It broke his heart to hear that, and he couldn't take it anymore.
Climbing to his feet Remy shook his head, he was a stupid fool for doing this, but what choice did he have? His heart hurt from being away from her and he'd had enough hurt in this life time, thank you very much.
~*~
Rogue lay on her bed, she didn't know why but she was wearing that damned night gown she'd bought in town with Kitty. What the hell had she been thinking? That Remy would tell her that he'd come here to divorce Belle once and for all? That he wanted to marry her?
"Wake up girl, this ain't no fairy tail." she whispered to herself as she climbed out of her plush bed and made her way to the window. She let her gaze wander all over the grounds, looking at nothing for very long. She couldn't concentrate on anything but the horrible pain in her chest.
Suddenly there was a soft knock at her door and she turned quickly, "Who is it?" she asked in a harsh whisper, quickly wiping her face with the back of her hand.
"Remy."
Rogue felt her heart leap in her chest, but quickly squashed those thoughts, "Come in."
Remy entered and silently closed the door behind him, "Rogue I..." he caught sight of her and his jaw dropped. He knew he'd told her to buy a night gown, but never did he think she'd buy one like this. The green material complimented her figure beautifully, and it matched her eyes exactly. He was in love. But then he already knew that.
"Save it Remy, Ah already know what's goin' on. Lapin told me." she said, her voice sad as she turned away from him.
Remy thought of about a million responses to that, but decided to let actions speak louder then words. In a few long strides he was behind her, he placed a bare hand on either one of her exposed shoulders. Before she could reprimand him, he turned her around and crushed her against him, kissing her for all that he was worth.
Rogue lost herself for a moment before waking up and shoving him away from her, "Are you insane? Ah coulda hurt you!"
Remy grinned at her, "No you couldn't have."
Rogue rolled her eyes, "We've been over this Remy LeBeau, you are not immune to mah powers. Ah can..."
He cut her off as he pulled her close for another searing kiss. Rogue decided that if the moron wanted to be in a coma tomorrow, who was she to stop him? She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
That was all the encouragement that Remy needed, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Rogue pulled away from him as she sat down on the edge of the bed and looked up at him, "How are ya still awake?" she asked, more then a little confused. "Ah can't control mah powers Remy."
"Belle, she knew dat two mutants were comin' and decided t'be ready in case somethin' happened. De whole mansion is protected by a dampening field dat keeps mutant powers at bay." he explained, letting his bare hands run up and down her soft arms.
"Ah can touch you then..." she whispered as she looked up at him. His eyes weren't glowing now as they normally did when he was excited about anything. They were as dull as any human's eyes. Somehow that bothered Rogue. "What do ya want Remy? Even without mah powers, you're renewing yer wedding vows. Ah'm sure Belle doesn't like the idea of you being here. Better get back to her LeBeau." she said as she turned away from him and crawled under the blankets, her back to him the entire time.
"Not so fast chere," Remy said as he climbed on the bed, he pulled the blankets over himself and curled up behind her. His arms wrapped themselves around her waist and held her close, "I know you don' like dis anymore den I do, but dere's no choice chere."
Rogue let out a soft sob, but said nothing.
Remy tightened his grip on her, "I love you chere, not Belle." he said as he kissed her neck, "no matter what you hear in de next few days, remember dat."
Rogue placed one hand over his, and interlaced their fingers, "Ah love you too Remy." she said softly.
They lay like that for a while, not moving, but rather holding each other close, both knowing that the next few days would be hard on both of them. Eventually Remy made as if to get up, but Rogue held him fast, "Don't go Remy."
"Rogue, chere, I have to." he said, burying his face in her hair.
"Remy, do whatever you have to do for the next few days, and Ah'll understand" she said, still holding his hand, "Just don't leave meh tonight."she finished.
"If we get caught chere...." he trailed off, knowing that she understood the dangers.
"Don't leave me Remy."
He didn't, they spent the night like that, just holding each other, not wanting to wake up and face a reality where Remy was married and Rogue couldn't touch. Tonight they were just two young people in love, and after all, what's better then that?
~*~
TBC.....
There we go! We know what's going on in New Orleans, but what next? Are Remy and Rogue gonna make it out together? Or will they break up cause of Belle? When I wake up, I'll let you know! Until that day.... REVIEW! I wanna know what people think!
See ya on the flip side,
TheWalrusWasPaul