x : Scenes are happening around the same time.
x x x : Time has passed between scenes.
- - - : Flashback scene.
Interplay
Chapter 3
Peace Offerings
(Xavier/Remy)
Xavier waited outside of Rogue's bedroom door. Out of all X-Men he would have to talk to regarding the pass four weeks during his absence, Rogue would be the most difficult. He took a moment to gather his thoughts in preparation for all that he would have to tell her.
Rogue had always been a team member he could rely on. She would always be up for whatever mission came her way; she would always be available to accompany him when he needed to go out of state to check on his other students. Back then, years ago, she never turned him down. With Logan going off on his own adventures, Ororo dividing her time between the team and the Morlocks, Warren leaving periodically due to his business dealings, Scott getting married and moving to Alaska and Jean being 'dead' from time to time, it was always great having arguably the most powerful X-Men at his disposal.
And then he came along. Xavier rubbed his head in deep thought. The first time Rogue ever took a spontaneous leave of absence was the result of her ongoing saga with Remy. Well, at least when she left, Remy decided to stay...but then he had to stay, he was in a coma.
Then he woke up and left the mansion in search of find Rogue, but returned a week later without her. He shook his head. Not to mention the troubleRogue caused when she later returned with Joseph in tow; or the mess that resultedafter she made up with Remy and later dumped him again because of the Massacre revelation...and then she eventually forgave him, but he didn't forgive her and within time they finally forgave each other... He rolled his eyes, drained from having to rehash their unstable union.
Xavier stared at the door and within time, knocked on it. What lay in their future--the future for all man/mutant-kind--would be decided within the next couple of days. He was there at Rogue's door to make sure she would again make herself available in his time of need.
The door swung open in an instant, leaving no time for Xavier to hide his shock from the thief who answered the door. "Remy?"
"Expectin' t' find a leggy southern belle?" Remy asked rising his brows. "Sorry t' disappoint ya."
"I'm not disappointed. I wanted to speak with you as well." He really did not intend to spoil Remy and Rogue's time alone, but he refused to leave. "May I come in?"
"Ya may." Remy stepped aside as Xavier hovered into the room, looking around for any sign of Rogue. "Where alone," he answered, even though Xavier did not voice his question.
"It's been a long time since I've been up here. Years." He maneuvered around her room, taking the time to examine all the fancy dolls and stuffed animals which decorated the dresser top, night stand and everything else that had a surface. "Many changes."
"De animals?" Remy asked knowing precisely what Xavier was referring to. As he walked over to the other side of the room, he explained, "Over de years Rogue would add one or two here and dere 'til..." He slide open her closet door and pushed aside the row of hung clothes to expose the contents in the back . "Voila!"
The professor stared with stunned silence inside the walk-in closet. All the shelves, which should have held folded clothes or shoes, were filled with even more dolls and cuddly animals. Seeing all the eyes staring back at him was beginning to spook him out.
"A li'l obvious, hien?"
He shook his head regretfully. After all these years, I assumed my therapy sessions with Rogue helped her deal with the troublesome side effects of her mutation. How wrong I was. "Each doll represents a voice in her head," he thought out loud.
"Hell, even I knew dat and I didn't waste a 100 grand t' get my doctorate," Remy replied matter-of-factly. "De last couple of weeks I've been secretly liftin' an animal every chance I get." Picking up a stuffed elephant, he bragged, "I got around 50 or so, she hasn't even missed dem."
Remy's brazenness caused Xavier much concern. "And what exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
He shrugged. "It's my own version of therapy. Less expensive den what other shrinks cos'."
"Need I remind you of what you said earlier?" He asked annoyed. "You did not waste a 100 grand on your doctorate. You are not a practicing doctor."
Remy snicked, slowly shaking his head. "Shows what ya know. Ask de girls 'round my way." He fell stylishly onto the bed, facing the professor. "I've been a practicin' doctor since de age of five."
Xavier had no trouble imaging a pre-school Remy hiding in a corner, so he could play doctor with a pig-tailed classmate. "I'm not surprised," he mumbled rolling his eyes as Remy lay beaming. Xavier wanted to caution Remy on how dangerous it was to interfere with Rogue's fragile mental state, but decided against it. I know he will not heed my warnings. Instead, he began to rehash his lecture from earlier on in the War Room.
Remy remained silent for a couple of seconds waiting for Xavier to get around to why he truly wanted to see him. Watching the seconds tick by, he decided to be the one to finally move things along. "So ya wan' t' cut all de side talk and get down t' why ya're really here?"
"Excuse me?"
"Let's be real, X. I've been on dis team for years and dis is de first time ya ever requested a personal chat wit' me."
That is a gross exaggeration. "I only wanted to talk to you," he responded defensively.
"Ya only want t' talk 'bout Rogue."
"To be fair," he countered, "I want to talk about Rogue...and you."
He was through with going around in circles. "Out wit' it, professor."
I guess there isn't much sense in stalling anymore. The few seconds of silence added a heaviness to the previously playful atmosphere. In all seriousness, he asked, "What are your intentions with Rogue once she receives the bracelet?"
"Intentions?" Remy chuckled at the professor's choice of words, shaking his head. He found it quite humourous that after years of ignoring Rogue, Xavier was now trying to be protective of her. "So, now ya're takin' on de father role?"
"Seeing as how she was placed in my custody as a juvenile, I don't see why it should be so shocking. "
I know what dis is really about. Remy sat up and move toward the edge of the bed, his feet planted firmly on the floor. Sitting directly in front of Xavier, he stated, "Ya're worried dat we are goin' t' take off and leave de mansion."
Choosing not to hide his concerns, he asked, "Do I have reason to be?"
Remy let the silence hang in the air–he loved how Xavier found the uncertainty of their future at the mansion, unnerving. I guess it's hard for a telepath t' be face with a cloud of uncertainty. I bet ya he's t'inking, 'if only I could read his mind and know what he is up to'. He laughed to himself. He loved the fact that his mutation made his mind his alone--free from being the playground for telepaths. "Rest assured dat Rogue and I will be here tonight and ya will still see us tomorrow."
Xavier folded his hands on his lap and gave a relived smile. At least he had conformation that not all hope was lost.
Leaning forward, the thiefcontinued, "But I can't make any promises 'bout de day after tomorrow."
The professor clenched his jaws. Leave it to Gambit, to still be playing games.
(Rogue/Betsy)
After the debriefing in the War Room, Rogue only had enough time to quickly dip into the change room and get into her civies. Once dressed in fitted blue jeans and a long sleeve white shirt, she raced upstairs to Betsy's room in search of her surprise.
Rogue's eyes were shut tight. She had been sitting on her friend's neatly made bed with her legs crossed for longer than she could stand and her curiosity was starting to get the best of her. She could hear Betsy's rustling as she moved around the room, sounding as if she were rummaging through countless bags. Rogue was dying to open her eyes, but thought better of it. If Betsy caught meh with mah eyes open, she would probably take away mah gift. Instead, she decided to cover her eyes with her hands in an effort to try to combat her temptation.
Her sudden movement caused Betsy to lose focus and look over to her accusingly. "Are your eyes closed?"
"For the tenth time, yes!" When she again heard the rustling noises, she parted her fingers for a tiny peak, but was not able to see much. Closing her eyes again, she asked, "Can Ah open 'em now?"
"No."
"How much longer?" she wined. "Ah can't feel mah legs anymore!"
Betsy briefly examined Rogue's sitting position and took pity on her. "I only need a couple more seconds."
One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Missis... Her thoughts quieted down once she could not hear anymore noises coming from Betsy. "Now?"
"You ready?"
"Yes!" The anticipation was unbearable.
Standing over her, Betsy commanded, "Open them."
Rogue removed her hands from her face and opened her eyes just as Betsy began to sprinkle something over her head. She could barely make out all the different things decorating the bed due to the share volume.
"Surprise!" She yelled, laughing at Rogue's confused reaction as she continued to litter the bed with condoms.
Rogue looked up as Betsy sprinkled little square packages all around her unto the bed. "Betsy! What're all these thangs?"
"Stop being so naive, Rogue." Hoping next to her on the bed, she greeted, "Cheers, mate! Welcome to the world of the sexually active."
"Oh mah Gawd!" She had finally got a clear view of the empty bags all over the floor. 'Guilty Pleasures'...she read the name on the bags. "Yah went tah that sex shop in that seedy part of town!" She could not believe it, even when Betsy nodded her head in response. "Yah're the one that told meh only pervs go in there. Ah can't believe yah actually walked into that place."
She shrugged as if it were truly nothing. "I know I can be a pain when it comes to your relationship with Remy. I wanted to do something for you–to put a smile on your face."
"Yah jus' about bought out the whole store!" Rogue reached for one of the packages and looked back at her friend. "Flavored condoms?"
"I like these ones the best." She smiled wickedly holding up another package with strawberries on the front.
Rogue dropped the condom she was holding onto the bed with the others that were in a pile. "Ah'm positive Remy has ample supply of condoms."
Betsy held out a package of three for Rogue to take, refusing to hear any excuses. "Women should always carry one just in case."
"Odds are Ah can't get pregnant," Rogue explained ignoring the condom in Betsy's outstretched hand. "Plus Remy swears he's clean and even if he isn't, Ah can always touch Wolvie..." Her voice trailed off as Betsy still held out her hand. Instead of thinking about more excuses, she begrudgingly accepted the condom.
Betsy smiled, happy Rogue was able to listen to reason. "You don't know for sure you can't get pregnant." Now that she has the bracelet, it changes everything. "And a guy can get really stupid when his dick gets hard. Reaching for a condom is the last thing on his mind, which is why you should always have one and do it for him."
"Ah guess that is good advice." She looked back to the pile on her bed, scanning over all the other things that were there. "Condoms, diaphragms...Spermicide?" She asked picking up a spray can.
"This one is a representation of the case of 24 I bought you."
Betsy can be so ridiculous at times. "Don't yah think that's overkill?"
"Hell no! Last thing you want to do is give birth to the spawn of Satan." Grabbing the can, she test sprayed a bit into the air.
Rogue took in two quick sniffs of the mist. "Smells lahk peppermint."
Reading the directions on the can, she mused, "Maybe if I spray this around Gambit's door, it will prevent him from ever leaving his room." She sighed hopefully. "If only I could be so lucky."
Rogue choose to ignore her remark, her eyes all ready onto something else. "What this?"
She grinned mischievously as Rogue reached around her for the long pick object that she had to pull out from underneath something else. "Is this..."
She nodded her head feverishly and answered, "A dildo."
Rogue dropped it from her hand. "Betsy!"
The ninja grabbed it and held it up. She flicked the on switch and the penis began to make a buzzing sound as it wiggled around, causing Rogue to burst out in giggles. "One night alone with this and you will realize how useless Gambit really is."
She stopped giggling long enough to give Betsy a suspicious look.
"Or, so I've heard," she added, trying to cover her tracks.
Rogue took it from her and switched it off. She examined it closely, having never been so close to the real thing. Ah'm sure this isn't an exact replica. Looking back to Betsy, she questioned, "A li'l big, don't yah think?"
"Yeah, you're welcome," she joked, but she could tell Rogue seemed in way over her head. "Don't worry, it's one size fits all," she said flippantly. "You can ease your way into it."
"Yah're too much." Which is why Ah love her. "Yah went way over board, but thanks for doin' this for meh, Brit."
"Anytime, Missy."
Rogue opened her arms and leaned over to Betsy who did not hesitant in giving her a big hug. It was one of the things that stood out for Rogue when she first started becoming friends with Betsy weeks ago. She was never afraid tah get close tah meh. She still isn't even nervous about givin' meh a hug. Pulling out of the embrace, she noted, The only other person Ah'm use tah behavin' lahk this around meh is Remy.
Betsy quietly watched as Rogue rummaged through the pile. She smiled with her, when she found a pair of edible panties, trying to find the right time to bring up a delicate subject. "So, you're getting the bracelet back from Xavier today?"
"Ah'm suppose tah," she answered, now examining a pair of g-string underwear.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good," she answered a little too quickly and a little too perky for Betsy's liking.
She grabbed the underwear out of Rogue's hands, so that she could have her undivided attention. "How are you really feeling?"
She took a deep breath as she wading through all the emotions in her mind, trying to find the ones that belonged to her. "Anxious...nervous..." Feeling more at ease, she confessed, "Scared out of mah ever lovin' mind!"
Bingo! I knew things couldn't be going so well. Always willing to listen, she asked, "Why?"
"Everythin' has been goin' so smoothly for us without the bracelet." Tugging at the end of her glove, she stated softly, "Ah'm jus' afraid that our relationship will change once we're able tah...touch."
"I'm not going to lie to you, Rogue." With a hand over Rogue's hand, she admitted, "Your relationship with Gambit will change."
Rogue let out a sigh. That was something she did not need Betsy to confirm. Why couldn't she jus' comfort meh with a lie instead of lace meh with the brutal truth.
"But," she continued, "the trick is to take all the energy that is between the both of you and turn it into a positive change."
Rogue looked to her hopefully.
"If you try really hard enough, the change will be for the better."
That was what she needed to hear. "Ah know how yah really feel about Remy, which makes yahr words of encouragement all the more beautiful."
I'm sure she doesn't know how I really feel about Gambit. To say I don't like him would be an understatement. She sighed. "True, I can't stand, Gambit. But I know he does love you--in his own obsessive kind of way," she mumbled the last part. "And his love for you is what makes me knowyour first time with him will be unforgettable."
Her kind words were enough to make Rogue's eyes well up with tears.
"And when you brake up with him in the next week or so..."
The tears soon evaporated as she rolled her eyes.
"...you'll have something to keep you satisfied during the lonely nights." Betsy again lifted up the dildo as Rogue held her stomach with laughter.
x
Xavier remained calm, even in the face of Remy's cocky demeanor. The thief had basically told Xavier he had less than 48 hours before he and Rogue would leave the mansion in a time of impending crisis. Remy seemed to be taking his confession in the same lighthearted carefree way he lived his life; however, Xavier did not have the luxury to smile along with him.
In his best poker face, he stated, "You want to leave the base with Rogue and I want you both to stay." Watching Remy's every move, he asked, "Why don't we come to a compromise?"
He gave a sly grin. "Why compromise when dere's not'ing preventin' me from gettin' my way?"
He's got a point but..."Someone as smart as I know you to be, would at least hear my offer."
He's right 'bout dat...de t'ing about me being smart. "I'm listenin'."
Xavier knew he was taking a big risk by going forward (it was never a wise move to gamble with the Cajun), but he only had a limited amount of options. "While on Shi'ar I decided not to let all their advance technology go to waste. I had Lilandra's top scientist improve 10-fold on the Genosha collar."
After all dese years of Rogue not bein' able t' control her powers, now he suddenly decided t' use Shi'ar technology? He had to bite his tongue to keep from voicing his suspicion.
"The new bracelet when activated can negate her mutation at anytime and is not limited to Beast's 8 hour rule."
Oh shit! It was easy for Remy to play it cool when he was doing cartwheels on the inside. But his joy did not last for long. Nothin' in dis world is for free. Without missing a beat, he asked, "What's de catch?"
Of course he is suspicious, and he has reason to be. "Well, instead of staying for 2 more days like you intended, I need you to stay on for only a week."
Only a week? The offer was indeed tempting. If Rogue had de new bracelet, I'd be able t' touch her whenever I wanted wit'out her havin' t' constantly be t'inking 'bout de 8 hours. Still if I stay here any longer den necessary, who knows what will come of our relationship. He did not need to think anymore, the answer was clear. "Ya can keep de bracelet. I plan on leavin' on schedule wit' Rogue."
"I'm–I'm sorry to hear you say that." Even though he had prepared himself for Remy's refusal, he was still stunned none the less. "It's just that I may need you both here. With Magneto silently threatening to nuc our country..."
"Don't ya get it?" He asked exasperated. "If it's not Mags it's Apocalypse, if it's not Apocalypse it's Omega Red or de Shadow King...it's always goin' t' be somet'ing. If we don't take dis time t' ourselves now, we may never find de chance again." He paused a moment with the purpose of trying to read Xavier. The professor had so many conflicting emotions, he wondered if Xavier was purposely trying to give off mixed signals. I better butter him up, so I don't escalate our disagreement. After all, I am dealin' wit' one of de most powerful mutants.
Being as sincere as he could, he explained, "Xavier, ya took me in–made me a part of your team based on your trust of 'Ro. And at first 'cause of my past, I had no business bein' a part of de X-Men, but because of your faith in me, I've finally earned my place." He gave a small smile, one absent of his usual cockiness. "T'ank ya for givin' me de opportunity. But I need dis time away so me and Rogue can focus on our relationship for once–t' see if we actually have a future together."
He nodded his head in acceptance. I know when to raise the white flag. "How long will it take you to find out?"
"Only a month."
He gave Remy a look. Yes, it seemed as if he was speaking the truth, but Xavier knew better then to take the word of a self-proclaimed thief–he was not gullible. "How long will it really take?"
"Two months tops," he replied with a twinkle in his eye. "We will come back. Dis is Rogue's home; I could never take her away from here."
He sighed heavily as he decided to give in. "If you really need this time alone, you have my blessing." Xavier stretched out his hand and Remy wasted no time shaking it.
"T'anks, professor." Dis was easier den I t'ought it would be. He got up from the bed, giving an unspoken gesture which meant he was ready for Xavier to leave. "Oh, by de way," he added before he would forget, "how did ya know I was de one who wrote de note 'bout your testicles." Before Xavier could respond, he continued, "In other words, who ratted me out?"
"Actually, you were the perpetrator."
Xavier did not have to explain further.He nodded his head knowingly. "Ya accused me of writin' it and instead of me denyin' it, I took de bait." He snapped his fingers in disgust at how easily he folded. "Rookie mistake."
"I was surprised you fell for it."
Suddenly worried his refusal to accept Xavier's offer would backfire, he asked, "Can Rogue at least get back de original bracelet?"
That was never in doubt as far as I was concern. "I said I would give it back to her and I will." He followed as Remy lead him to the door. "Just one more thing."
He opened the door and turned around. "Yeah, what's dat?"
"You may not know this, but long ago I use to have regular therapy sessions with Rogue to help her along with her mutation."
"Really?" He rubbed his chin, acting as if his memory was foggy. "Now dat ya mention it, I t'ink she might have said somet'ing t' me 'bout dat way back when."
"One day, for whatever reason, she decided to stop having the sessions."
Lil' does he know dat reason was me. I warned Rogue dat she shouldn't let Xavier have complete access of her mind like dat. Her, lyin' on a couch in his office as he played God wit' her subconscious left her vulnerable. And as I once hold her, 'when ya're vulnerable, don't trust anyone.' T'ankfully, she wised up and let Xavier teach her how t' control de voices in her head, and she has been doin' it on her own ever since. He snapped back to reality, once he realized that the professor was still talking.
"Even so, I know a lot about her mental stability." He could tell that Remy acting as if he was not interested, but he knew it was a lie. "Rogue has been picturing this moment in her life for so long, it has become perfect. If her reality deviates even slightly from what she has imagined..."
"No need t' worry, sir," he cut him off, pretending as if he were truly confident. "I'm exactly what she's imagined."
He hoovered passed the thief through the door and asked, "Are you sure about that?"
His question trigged something in Remy. It did not take long for him to realize that, that something was deja vu.
x
Betsy was talking a mile a minute, so much so, Rogue was unable to understand what she was saying. It had happen to Rogue before–Betsy speaking so fast her English accent would go into overdrive as she peppered her story with her native slang. Usually Rogue would ask her to stop talking and go over the definition of such words as "razz", "gee'd up" and "tosser"; however, this time the reason why she was not understanding Betsy was because her mind was preoccupied with something else.
"Betsy, can Ah ask yah somethin'?"
Even though she was in mid sentence, she answered, "Shoot!"
Rogue opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. She bit her bottom lip.
"Just spill it. You're not going to make me blush."
She snorted anxiously as she ringed her fingers. "Eventually...when Remy and Ah.."
She guessed, "...Have sex?"
"Make love," she corrected.
Betsy rolled her eyes, examining her nails. "Whatever."
"What should Ah do, yah know...tah make him feel good."
Oh, for the love of..."Rogue, you're a virgin," she stated sitting back down on the bed. "He's not going to expect you to be swinging from the chandlers. He knows you're going to be timid, nervous...the fact that he's your first is going to give him a hard on. Really, all you have to do is just lie there."
She lookedaway from her, causing Betsy to have some doubts.
"He is your first isn't he?"
"Huh?" It took only a moment for her to realize what Betsy was implying. "Of course! Why would yah even ask that?"
"I don't know," she lied. She soon thought better of it and spoke the truth. "Carol mentioned..."
"What did she mention?" She asked sounding confrontational. She did not mean to have such a outburst, but just the thought of Carol caused so many different emotions. Mah skin crawls jus' thinkin' about how much control she had over mah body and mind.
"She didn't mention anything really." She starred intensely at Rogue, wanting to examine her every movement. "Only that you were freaked out in Genosha. That she had to take over and get you out of there."
"Did she say anythin' else?"
"No."
For whatever reason, Betsy's answer made her feel more at ease. "Yes, Ah was freaked out, but nothin' happened in Genosha. Ah remember everythin'."
She remembers everything? That's an odd thing to say. The weirdness of Rogue's reply escaped her mind once she thought about something else she had always wanted to ask Rogue. "What about after Genosha?"
"Hmm?"
She grabbed her hand and held on to it tightly. "You have got to tell me about you and Magneto in the Savage Land."
She threw her hands in the air. "Here we go!" Ah remember comin' back from the Savage Land and hearin' all the whispers and pretendin' Ah didn't notice everyone starin' at meh.
"Please!" She wined then waited a moment for Rogue to give her any kind of gossip, though nothing came out. "Come on! You did not have your powers, Magneto lost quite a few years from his old headmaster days and was looking absolutely gorgeous..."
"But..."
"Plus, when the X-Men finally met up with you, you barely had on any clothes..."
She cut her off with absolute certainty, "Believe meh when Ah say yah're goin' down the wrong path."
Crossing her arms she looked her over. "That's not a denial."
"We did not have sex!"
Betsy waited a moment so Rogue could cool down. Inching closer to her, she asked softly, "Then what did you have?"
"Talks," Rogue answered simply. "All we had were nice long talks."
"Wow!" Betsy shook her head. "And here I thought you two must have had at least some kind of sexual relations. Having talks is a lot worse than a one night stand. You fell for him didn't you?"
Rogue thought a long time before she answered, "Anythin' Ah may have felt for Eric disappeared after he went back tah his ol' ways." How could she not have thought back to her time on the island with Eric? He was so confident, so strong and yet so conflicted and vulnerable. Ah could never forget how he saved meh–how he gave meh mah life back. Ah could never forget how he lead us tah battle in victory. And Ah can't forget the way it all ended. Snapping out of her daze, she admitted, "Ah fell for the man he could have been, what Ah wanted him tah be...not for the man he is."
"And what about Gambit?"
She was taken aback by Betsy's question.
"Are you falling for the man he is or the man you want him to be?"
Rogue could not help but look guilty. "But Ah don't want him tah be much."
Betsy had no intention of letting her off so easy and so she repeated, "What do you want him to be?"
The question was a simple one for her; it was something she had been obsessing on for a long time. After all these week of us bein' back together,Remy still hasn't said it. Barely above a whisper, she stated, "Ah wan' him tah be the kind of man who isn't afraid to tell meh he loves meh."
"That would mean you would have to be the kind of woman that isn't afraid to hear him say it."
She was willing to accept Betsy's criticism. "Ah know as much as what's wrong with him, there is way more wrong with meh. That's why we're takin' it one step at a time, forgettin' about the past." Hugging her pillow tight, she pledged, "Ah am not gonna run away from his love. Ah promised him that. Ah'm not gonna give him an excuse tah leave meh."
She clenched her teeth in anger. How the hell did Gambit manage to twist her? "You're giving him too much power over you. Remember, you're the one with the bracelet, you're the one in control. Trust me, you can do whatever you want; he isn't going anywhere."
"Ah know what yah're gettin' at, but Ah love Remy. Ah'm not gonna play any games with him."
Whispering underneath her breath, she said, "Then I hope you don't mind if I do."
"What?"
"Nothing," she responded with a plastered on cherry smile.
Rogue caught a glance at the digital clock on the dresser. "Shit!" She leapt from the bed. "Ah'm suppose tah meet Remy in his room."
"Don't forget your surprises." Betsy began to scooped up everything from the bed and threw them into the shopping bags. Handing Rogue four bags, she asked, "Do you want some help carrying everything to your room?"
Throwing two bags over her shoulder, she answered, "No, thanks, Ah'll be fine. Hopefully Ah'll find some room in my closet tah stuff everythin'." Ah so don't wan' Remy tah see any of this.
As Rogue made her way to the door, Betsy called out, "Wait! There's one more bag."
She spun around, looking defeated. There was no way she could carry another bag. It wasn't that they were too heavy to carry, it was because the bags were too bulky to fit anymore on her arms.
Betsy laughed at the hopelessness of the situation. "Since you have no more room on your body, I'll just carry this one for you."
"Oh, Ah got room." She then opened wide and Betsy knew to place the handle in her mouth as she bit down. "Goo-nigh, Briiit," she tried to say through clench teeth.
"Sleep well, Missy." Betsy opened the door for her and closed it after she passed through. She shook her head laughing to herself as she reached for her silky bathrobe.
Xavier saw Rogue coming out from Betsy's room and assumed that she had seen him, but he was wrong. Rogue was not paying attention as she walked right into the side of his hover chair, causing most of her bags to fall out of her hand and mouth.
Shit! "Ah'm so sorry," she cried, quickly picking up the bag from her mouth that fell sideways into his lap. "Ah wasn't lookin'." Before he could notice the bundle of g-strings that had fallen onto him, she hurriedly plucked them from his lap slipped them into a bag.
"It's no trouble," he replied as he reached over, wanting to pick up what had fallen on the ground.
"No!" She yelled as she dropped to the floor, stuffing everything back into the bag. "Ah'll pick everythin' up."
Since Rogue was picking up everything so fast, he sat back up. "It's my legs that don't work not my hands." Feeling that something was lodged in his side, he added, "I can help you pick up your..." he pulled out a long pink object that was wedged between his side and the corner of his hover chair.
Her face grew bright red. Seeing her mentor with a 9-inch penis in his hand left her momentarily speechless. "Stuff...mah stuff," she managed to finish his sentence before he could. Rogue snatched the dildo from him and threw it into the bag.
"...Riiiiiight," he said sarcastically, as they both ignored the buzzing noise that was now coming from the bag.
Not able to stand hearing the noise any longer, she reached into the bad and turned the dildo off, too mortified to even look back at the older man.
Seeing how uncomfortable she was, Xavier refrained from lecturing her in the middle of the hallway. "I need to see..."
"Ah'll be in yahr office," she cut in.
Hovering passed her, he said, "Give me 15 minutes."
"Will do," she answered, before rushing into her bedroom.
(Rogue/Remy)
Rogue noticed Remy sitting on the small sofa in the corner of the room. She was suppose to meet him in his bedroom, but was too upset to question why he was there.
Dropping the bags on the floor, she dived onto her bed and covered her head with a pillow. "Ah've never been so embarrassed in mah entire life!"
He found her dramatic behaviour amusing. Easing off of the sofa, he sat down beside her on the bed and gently rubbed his hand up and down her back. "Are ya sure 'bout dat, chere?" Instead of waiting for an answer, he continued, "What 'bout de time ya were flirting wit' de postman and hada big chunk of spinach between your teet' or de time ya walked into de rec room wit' a maxi pad wrapper stuck on de ass of your pants..."
Peaking out from underneath the pillow, she gritted her teeth, "Are yah tryin' tah be funny?"
"I'm tryin' t' give ya some perspective." Rather than risk ticking her off even more, he picked up two of the bags on the floor. "What are all dese t'ings?"
"Like a hundred condoms, all of which rained down on Xavier! He mus' think Ah'm a total sex freak."
"Ain't not'ing wrong wit' dat," he quipped.
As Remy begin to sift through the bags, she sat up on the bed and wondered, "What is he doin' up here anyway?"
Tossing the contents of the bags unto the sheets, he looked at her in confusion. "Diaphragms?"
His question brought her out of her anger long enough to realize that Remy was not suppose to be in her room and now she was unable to hide her gag gifts. Ah hope he's not gonna make a big deal about this. "That was Betsy's surprise."
Shifting through the pile, he paused a moment. "Spermicide?"
Rogue forced a smile. "Surprise!"
His grip tightened over the can. "Dat little Bi..."
"She only wanted tah help," she tried to calm him down as he picked up a condom. "She didn't mean anythin' by it."
He read the fine print on the package and looked back at Rogue. "Small?"
Shit. "How could she know which one tah get? Ah'm sure there are other sizes."
Picking up another package, he read, "Extra small?"
Rogue laughed nervously. "See?"
"Believe me chere, she had t' go way out of her way t' find a condom dat says extra small."
"She's only tryin' tah protect meh."
"I can protect ya. I have condoms."
"She says guys can get stupid in de heat of de moment. She says sometimes dey forget..."
"She, she, she!" As he continued to dig through the bags, it was not long before he found the one thing Rogue was trying to hide. "What de fuck...is dis?" It was a rhetorical question; he knew exactly what it was--he had one just like it. A dick, it's a dick! "Dat's it!" He got up from the bed and stormed toward the door.
Rogue trailed behind him. "Remy, it was only a joke."
He spun around. "It's not funny, chere."
"Honey," she rubbed his chest trying to cool his temper, "Jus' forget about it. Please?"
It was something so easy for her to say, but impossible for him to do. How can I forget it when hours after me and Rogue got back together, Betsy t'reatened to break us up. Cupping her face, he questioned, "Chere, ya know I can't stand her, right?"
She nodded her head.
"Dis isn't anythin' new. Before ya two became de best of friends, I couldn't even look at Psy."
"Yeah, Ah know."
"And what if I had told ya t' stop hangin' out wit' her?"
They both knew the answer to that question. "Ah would have cussed at yah," she mumbled guiltily.
Exactly! "So I kept by mouth shut even though I know she can't stand me either. I'm sure every time ya're around her she can't wait t' slam me by tellin' ya how worthless I am."
"Not every time," she corrected.
"Since de time we got back together, have I ever said a bad word 'bout her?"
"No, yah've been wonderful!"
"Dat's 'cause I know how much ya've always wanted a girlfriend."
"Bobby would never spend two hours in a shoe store with meh," she pouted.
"Which is why I've bitten my tongue at every dirty look, sly comment or obscene gesture she's given me when ya weren't lookin'."
She's been doing all of that tah him without meh knowin'? "Betsy is pretty crafty."
His anger grew as he concluded, "But t' hell I'm gonna stand here and let her use ya t' kill my sperm, tell me my dick is small and dat I need a foreign object t' get ya off!"
If he wasn't so upset she would have been blushing. "Yah really think that's what she's doin'?"
"Rogue, please," he responded, too annoyed with her naivety to argue his point any further. "Don't worry; I'll straighten her out." He went for the door nob, but she blocked him.
"Let meh talk tah her." He again tried to reach for the door, which caused her to beg, "Please?"
If it were anybody else, he would have been able to use their emotions to filter his, but he did not have the ability to do it with Rogue because of all the personalities in her head. All he had to help him calm down was the pleading tone of her voice and the look of despair in her eyes. It took everything he had in him to calm himself down. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Goin' crazy–losin' my cool."
She pierced her lips to keep from smiling. The fact that she was able to cause such a rush of emotions in him had always been flattering. At least it shows he cares about meh–maybe even loves meh, even though Ah still can't get him tah admit it out loud. "Yah're forgiven." Seeing that he was indeed better, she reasoned it was okay to leave him alone. "I gotta go see Xavier."
Time t' get back de bracelet. His back was to the door and before she could reach for it, he said, "One more t'ing before ya go."
"Yeah?"
With an expression that was deadly serious, he warned, "Don't tell anyone 'bout our plans, especially not Xavier."
"Ah know," she said with annoyance. He had been warning her for days now. "Ah'd never tell Xavier."
Xavier? Her using the name Xavier caused him to become skeptical. "Ya didn't tell Psy, did ya?"
"No." He doesn't believe meh. "Promise," she answered truthfully.
Instead of quizzing her some more, he reluctantly took her word. "No one can know dat when we leave de mansion, we aren't plannin' on comin' back."
Lowering her head, she hoped he did not feel the chill down her spin. Yes, she was prepared to go away with him, but she still felt sad with the thought of leaving her family. "Ah haven't told anyone and Ah won't tell anyone."
He gave a sigh of relief. "Bon."
Squeezing her hand one last time, he let her leave the room. Once he was assuredshe was no longer in the hallway, he made his way over to her dresser. Pulling out the bottom drawl, he carefully pushed aside her undergarments until he found a medium size book decorated in pretty flowers.
Very pleased with himself, he sat comfortably on Rogue's bed. Looks like I got a bit of time t' catch up on some readin'.
(Xavier/Betsy)
Even though Xavier was in Betsy's room, she continued to go about preparing to take a bubble bath. As she reached inside her closet for a fresh towel, she informed him about what she was up to during the first few weeks of her vacation, making sure to leave out anything incriminating.
Fussing over herself in the mirror, Betsy concluded, "But, I'm sure you didn't come to my room just to chitchat." She wrapped her pony tail into a tight bun before turning back to Xavier. "How may I help you?"
Giving her a pleasant smile, he answered, "I just wanted to stop by and see how you've been doing."
She sat on the edge of her dresser. "I've been doing just lovely..."
He raised a finger to hush her. "Before I let you go on any further, I feel I should inform you I've been in contact with Dr. McCoy."
The smile froze on her face. He said 'Doctor' for a reason. "Am I to assume you've been discussing my medical information?" Betsy made it a point not to hide her outrage. Can't I have any damn privacy!
"Now Betsy," he stated in a soothing voice, "you know that I respect doctor/patient confidentiality; however, you also know Henry is obligated to confide in my when any of the X-Men's medical condition could affect the balance of the team."
He was right, she knew he was right. His words of truth caused her to turn her head away in shame.
"Now, Hank hasn't given me specifics, but he has suggested I have a talk with you." Moving over to her he asked, "What's been going on?"
It's not that I'm trying to hide my problems from Xavier, I'm just not sure I can handle the truth. Betsy placed the folded towel on her bed and fiddled with it, her back to the professor. "Two weeks ago, I started having a throbbing pain at the back of my head."
He eased forward. "Wasn't that where..."
"Yes," she answered. Being a telepath it was too hard to break the habit of answering a question before it was asked–even if she could not read Xavier's mind. "I contacted Hank and we both agreed the pain was connected to my near murder at the hands of that psychopath."
It was now his turn to feel a sense of shame–maybe more of a responsibility. I made the decision to have Sabretooth stay at the Institute for rehabilitation. Little did I know rehabilitation could never be an option for one so blood thirsty. Poor Betsy had to suffer the brunt of my failed experiment–it almost costed her, her life.
"Hank prescribed me some pain killers." Walking over to her dresser top, she grabbed the small bottle and gave the prescription over to him. She waited for Xavier to read over the lable. "I'm almost finish the pills and I've been feeling great!"
"That's good to hear." He looked up form the bottle. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"No."
He stretched out his hand. "Okay..."
"Well..." Betsy took back the pills, shaking the bottle in order to find something to do with her hands. "There is one more thing that I may not have mentioned to Beast."
"Yes?"
"Less than two weeks ago, I might have forgotten to put ketchup on Scott's sandwich."
Huh? "Excuse me?"
Sighing deeply, she explained, "You see, while you were away, the gang started to get really chummy. Everyday we would have lunch together–it was our quality time. It was my turn to make snack and everyone yelled out their order while I made the sandwiches." She noticed the confusion on Xavier's face and decided to go into further detail, " 'Ro wanted whole wheat bread, mayo and tomatoes; Logan wanted white bread, turkey, chicken and salami; Remy wanted white bread, cheese and ham..."
Rotating his hand in a circular motion, he said, "Move it along."
"After lunch, Scott pulled me aside. He didn't realize until after he bit into his sandwich, but there was no ketchup."
He started to realize what she could mean–how serious her situation truly was. "Is that what he ordered?"
"Yes."
He perked up in his chair. "You remember hearing him say that?"
"Yes, plus I remember putting the ketchup in his sandwich!" Her anxiety began to increase.
"Has there been any other incidences of forgetfulness?"
I hate hearing that word...forgetfulness. It's such a foreign concept for a telepath. Reluctantly, she answered his question. "Earlier today I gave a list to Bobby. I wrote down 10 things...he showed me the list a little while ago and it turns out I only wrote down 9 things."
"Really?"
She examined the way in which he rested his fist on his chin and calculated what could be wrong with her. The answer was all too clear for her to wait for a diagnosis. "My memory loss is connected to Creed isn't it!" Before he could reassure her, she continued, "He injured me more severely then we first thought, didn't he?"
"Calm down."
"What do you mean, calm down?" She brushed the loose strains of hair from her face. "We both know what it means for a telepath to have a foggy memory..."
"Betsy, do I look worried?"
"No!" Which was partly why she was so irritated. Something is clearly wrong with me and he hasn't as much as batted an eyelash.
"If I'm not worried, you shouldn't be worried." He moved close enough for him to grab her hand and squeeze it softly. "Tomorrow we'll go down to the basement and complete an in-depth brain scan. Then we will know exactly what is wrong...if anything."
"O–okay."
She was still worried, he could tell by the uncontrollable shaking of her hand. "Relax, Elizabeth. If I thought you were in any immediate danger, I would run the test this second. But what you must do is inform me of any other sign of absentmindedness."
"Yes, sir." He gave her a wink and she smiled weakly as he released her hand. Regaining her composure, she asked, "Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?"
Sitting up straight in his chair, he was now out of professor mode and into leader mode. "There is one more thing."
Betsy waited for him to continue, but he paused as if he were waiting for her to do something. "Go ahead."
"I think you should sit down for this."
She raised a brow with intrigue, but remained standing. "Oh really?"
x x x
(Remy)
Name Game
The diary was a bit lack luster. Most girls wrote long stirring entries about the trials and tribulations of their day–but not Rogue who, fair enough, was not like most girls. Her diary was scattered like her mind with scribbles and half finished sentences. At times she would colour in all the o's, other times she would underline all the e's. Sometimes her scribbles made no sense at all and no amount of re-reading could clear it up.
Remy turned back to the third page, which always left him scratching his head. On that page she wrote:
I fast... and then drew a picture of a goat, or a donkey, he wasn't sure which.
Even though most things were hard to truly understand, (like why did she have to state in thick dark letters that she loved chocolate ice cream and not vanilla) he still opened the book again and again to read over the only words he cared to understand:
I love Remy.
He flipped the page:
Only Remy
He skipped a couple more pages:
Heart Remy.
Her love notes made him feel warm inside–even though it had a kind of psychotic vibe to it. He did not realize how wide he was smiling until his smile was replaced by shock at the words:
I HATE Remy!
That statement caused him to sit up on the bed. What de fuck...
...But I still love him.
He quickly checked the date of the entry and smiled again. Oh yeah. Dat was de day when...
- - -
Remy stared down at her dumbfounded. He was waiting for her to crack a smile, but she managed to hold onto a serious expression. Just when he was about to give up, he could see the end of her lips begin to twitch. He gave her a gently nudge. "Get outta here!" Laughing it off, he stroked her hair.
"No really," she insisted. The way in which he rolled his eyes, caused her to get defensive. She furrowed her brows. "What?"
"A tattoo?" He asked again, just to make sure he had heard correctly.
"Yes, a tattoo."
They were both in Remy's bedroom, taking cover from the hot midday sun. Lately the bedroom (either his or hers) has been their go-to place when they wanted a bit of privacy. Remy sat comfortably on the sofa as Rogue laid her head in his lap.
She was covered up wearing a soft green jumpsuit with white trimmings and her standard gloves. The couple had an unspoken rule which stated that whenever Rogue had a minimal amount of skin exposed, Remy would be able to be around her in shorts and a t-shirt; however, if she decided to wear a short skirt and a v-neck top, it was understood that he would cover up and wear gloves. On this particular day, Remy happened to be in a long shirt and pants even though Rogue had on a lot of clothes because the A/C was on full blast.
He debated whether or not he should contine with the topic, foolishly giving in. "Ya know those t'ings are permeant."
She got up from his lap and crossed her arms. "What, yah don't think it's a good idea?"
Remy shook his head and chuckled. "I'm not walkin' into dat one, chere." She's lookin' for a fight.
"So yah do think it's a bad idea." Of course he does. Ah remember him tellin' meh long ago that a thief, such as himself, should never have a memorable mark on his body. Still she persisted in needling him. "Yah don't even know what design Ah want."
He sighed heavily, stifling a yawn. "Let me guess." Resting his back against the arm of the sofa, he asked, "A butterfly? A rose? De usual girly tattoo."
"Actually, Ah was gonna get a heart."
He was already bored with the conversation. "Shhhockin'," he replied sarcastically.
"With yahr name written on the inside."
Huh? Swiftly, he sat back up and moved back toward her. "My name?"
"Not so stupid now, is it?" Rogue asked smugly.
"Never said it was stupid, chere."
"Not with words." She placed her arm on the side of his face so that he was totally focused on her. "Yah said it with yahr eyes."
"Really?" The spark of her hands on him, caused a flash in his eyes. "And what are my eyes sayin' now?"
Rogue moved in so close their nose was almost touching. "They're sayin' it's the best idea Ah've ever had."
She was so close it was as if she was daring him to touch her. And I would touch her too, if I knew she wouldn't jus' yell at me for takin' t'ings too far. Still the temptation was hard for him to pass up, but he did not want to back step after a week of making such progress.
Without taking his eyes off of her, he reached over her and picked up a pen on the side table. He took the cover of the pen off with his mouth and said, "Your tattoo should look a li'l somet'ing like dis."
What's he up tah now?
Still gazing at her, he slowly moved his right hand between them toward the end of her shirt and began to raise it up. He immediately felt her tense and before she could protest, he promised, "I'll be careful."
She gave him permission to continue with a slight nod of her head. She could feel him drawing a bunch of lines on her lower stomach and held her breath until he finished.
"Dere!"
Once he sat back up, she was able to look down at what he had done. Drawn in black ink beneath her navel was a heart was the name Remy coloured thickly on the inside.
Given the position he had placed his name, she wondered, "A lil' obvious, don't yah think?"
His eyes twinkled as he again started drawing on her stomach then lifted his arm so that she could see his masterpiece.
Rogue looked down to see the slight alterations that were made. He replaced the name Remy, with Remy's and added an arrow pointing downward towards her...
"Now dat would be obvious," he answered with a wink.
"Yah're too much," she giggled as she playfully shooed him away. "But Ah'll still get it. Minus the arrow of course."
"Of course," he mumbled regretfully.
"Perfect!" She exclaimed with a clap of her hands. Twirling her finger in his hair flirtatiously, she purred, "So where are yah gonna put mah name?"
Remy froze, cursing himself for being so stupid. I should have seen dat one comin'. Only now could he see the mischief in her eyes and he could not believe he had walked right into whatever trap she had set. What does she wan' t' do? Test my commitment? Does she wan' me t' give her a reason t' lash out? She still doesn't know who she's dealin' wit'.
"Is there a problem, sugah?"
"No." Never one to back down, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto his bed. He was now sitting next to her in only a white undershirt and his hand out offering the pen. "Ya can put your name wherever ya want and I'll get my tattoo wit' ya." He called her bluff.
She nervously looked him over, never expecting him to actually go through with it. Before he could catch on to her hesitance, she took the pen and began to search his body with her eyes for the perfect place to have him branded. Rogue thought about placing her named below his navel, but instead decided to write over his heart.
She moved over to him, the collar of his undershirt low enough to have his chest exposed. There was no tan line that she could see–Remy was never shy about taking off his shirt whenever he was outdoors in the heat. Gently, she tugged down on his collar, giving her more room. She was so close she could feel his steady warm breath on the side of her face.
Remy swallowed hard as she pressed her hand against him, trying to find the perfect spot. I wonder if she could hear how fast my heart is beatin'. He reflected back to the time when they were broken up. I could fool her into t'inkin' I didn't care 'bout her wit' an uncaring look of my eyes, a cold touch of my hand or a stingin' insult wit' my lips–but de quick beatin' of my heart whenever she walked into de room would always give me away.
Rogue did not notice how fast Remy's heart was racing, only because hers was going just as fast. It took all the control she had to be so close to his bare chest and not press her lips against his neck, his collar bone, his nipple. It took all the strength she had to keep her hand straight as she began to write...the R...the o...the beginning of a g...
The thief grabbed her hand in such a harsh way, it caught her totally off guard. Oh mah Gawd! She looked up to him with fright in her eyes. Did Ah slip and touch him!
His voice was steady, but had an icy tone, "I said ya could write your name."
What is he talkin' about?
Leaning closer to her, he whispered, "Ya didn't see me write Gambit on ya, did ya?"
She grinded her teeth, her body was steaming with rage. Fuckin' bastard! Yanking her arm from his grasp, she whipped the pen at him and stormed out of the bedroom.
x x x
Rogue leaned against the large truck of an old oak tree. It was the middle of the night and she was not tired due to her mutation–which was why only she and Logan shared the bulk of patrolling the estate at night. She was taking a break at her favorite spot, starring at the cloudy sky with a sadness because the stars could not be seen. She always loved to star gaze–it was easy for her to get lost in the sky.
Out of nowhere a long stemmed red rose was presented in her line of sight. It took a while to realize that Remy was the person holding it.
"Pour vous," he said with a slight bow of his head.
She took the rose from him and twirled it between her two fingers. "Merci."
Glancing down at his watch, he confirmed, "12 hours and 37 minutes."
Rogue looked at him in confusion.
"Since ya last spoke t' me."
Guiltily, she looked away, shifting her feet. "Ah was wrong. Ah'm sorry."
"Ya're stealin' my t'under, chere."
It wasn't his fault. Looking back at him, she confessed, "Yah have no reason tah apologize. Ah overreacted...as usual."
"Only 'cause I pushed your buttons..."
"...As usual," they both added jokingly.
Remy was relieved she was able to find a way to laugh with him again. "I broke de rules. We aren't suppose t' talk 'bout de past and..." his voice trailed off as he noticed the faraway look in her eyes–he was used to seeing that look from time to time. She's off in her own world. "Rogue?" He called out, trying to bring her back to his world.
The wind began to pick up, adding a nice breeze to the night. "Hmm?"
"What were ya t'inking 'bout?"
She heard his question, but was not ready to answer it. She brought the rose up to her nose and smelled it. "This is really beautiful."
"Yeah," he scratched the back of his head, "Hopefully 'Ro won't miss it."
Her hand dropped to her sides as the flapping wings of a bird, caused her attention to again drift elsewhere. The silence lasted a long time with only the wind moving through the trees making any noise. Out of nowhere, she stated, "There are some things Ah wanna forget, but Ah can't."
Using the tips of his fingers, he moved the few strains of hair from her face. He was able to put two and two together and figure out what she was referring to. "Why ya wan' t' forget your name?"
"It's not jus' mah name." That would be simple enough. "Ah wanna forget everythin' connected with it."
He could have replied, but choose to remain quiet in hopes she would reveal more. "Ah've come tah the realization that life is a circle. The faster Ah run away from mah past, the closer Ah get tah it." Barely above a whisper, her voice cracked, "And it scares meh tah death."
He cringed at that word. The one thing he never wanted was for her to be scared–not when he was with her. "Ya don't have t' be scared."
Easier said than done. "Remy, Ah trust yah more than anyone else in this world."
He could not stop the smile from covering his face. Dat's what I wan' t' hear.
"And still, it's not enough for meh tah tell yah mah real name."
It hurt him for her to say that and he was not able to hide it. "Never?"
"If Ah ever do," she said holding onto both his hands, "yah'll know how far Ah've come."
"I can accept dat." And he had to, what else could he do?
His acceptance was all she wanted to hear and it caused her to smile hopefully. "Thank yah for understandin'...at least tryin' tah." She hugged him tight, so tight she was almost sure she heard him gasp. Releasing her hold onto him, she looked out toward the mansion. "Ah have tah continue patrollin' the grounds. Make sure yah plant this back in the garden so Storm doesn't freak out."
Before he could respond, she took to the air. Remy stood alone, watching as she flew further away. Once she was out of sight, he remembered the rose in his hand and examined the broken stem. Minutes before when he picked it, all he thought about was the happiness it would bring Rogue–he never gave the consequences a moments thought...until now.
"If 'Ro finds out 'bout dis, I'm goin' t' get fucked...and not in a good way." He did not obsess on that thought for too long. Rogue had just given him some insight into her past and even though it was a tiny glimpse, it was still significant. If Rogue ever does tell me her real name...I'll know how far she's come.
- - -
He shook his head at the memory. That was one of the couple of times when he wasn't the 'perfect' boyfriend, still he was proud of the fact they made up in record time.
And now Rogue is goin' t' get back de bracelet. He would have been happy at the thought; however, someone else prevented him from getting excited. Before he could think better of it, he hurriedly threw everything on the bed into the shopping bags and headed out the door.
Despite Rogue's plea, he was going to pay a little visit to Ms. Elizabeth Braddock.
xxxxxxx
Author's Note: I wrote the flashback scene to show that Remy and Rogue's relationship did not become solid over night (remember how screwed up they were in Interactions). They had three weeks to start over and build their relationship in hopes that it will continue to grow stronger. I'll probably add more flashback scenes in the future to show how their relationship progress into their current state.
As always thanks for your reviews. I'm a bit burnt out on Stolen, so my next update might be the next part of Interplay or maybe I'll get serious and start the next part of New Addition–who knows.
Next Time: Jean holds back from Scott, Remy confronts Betsy, Xavier meets with Rogue, plus Jean/Logan, Betsy/Bobby, Remy/Rogue, Ororo/Remy, and Rogue/Logan.
Preview: From now on I will post story previews from my upcoming chapters on my profile page (since I don't write much else on it).