First off, I gotta let ya'll know that I'm not done with my school work yet...the muses won't shut up though so I have to silence them somehow. (Plus, I promised you guys an update this weekend anyway.) In fact, in French class the other day instead of 'participating' in the class discussion I was adding stuff to this chapter...:)
Hope ya'll like this one. For some reason, I'm really happy with the way it came together. Hope everyone else feels the same way. Again, if ya'll feel like I'm not doing the characters justice or if I don't make something clear, please let me know. I love the feedback I've been gettin'. You guys are the bestest reviewers ever! Hugs all around!
Plus also, there is quite a bit of Psylocke in this chappy. Hope none of you have a particular dislike for her. :) Personally, I love her and patiently wait for her to come back from the dead...:)
I don't own the X-Men...say it with me now...
Somebody Else's Song - Chapter 12
"It's been over six months," Remy LeBeau sighed looking down at the frail body in the bed.
"I know," Betsy replied. Her voice relayed none of the emotions that coursed through her as she stood at the foot of Rogue's bed with Kurt and Bobby.
"She ain't ever comin' back to me, is she Betts?"
Betsy didn't say anything this time. She didn't trust herself to. She felt as if she were reliving the nightmare all over again. About a month after Rogue had slipped into the coma, most everyone had attempted to mourned Rogue's condition as if she had died. There was no funeral, but emotionally, the team tried to get over it because they knew she'd never wake up; with the exceptions of Kurt, Logan, Ororo, and Remy. Now it seemed like Remy was finally giving in to the reality of the situation. He was beginning to feel the biting pain of losing someone so close to him, it was as if a part of him had died as well.
He wasn't alone. The entire team seemed on edge this week. The six month anniversary of the attack where Rogue had been injured so grievously and Bobby and Remy hadn't been too much better off loomed over all of them and the fact that Rogue was still lingering somewhere between life and death was a devastating emotional blow to the still-grieving team.
"Dieu," Remy's voice cracked, "Dis ain't how it's supposed to be!" he placed a hand over his teary eyes as silent sobs racked his too-thin body.
Elizabeth felt tears in her own eyes and wished she had the strength to comfort Gambit. But she couldn't even bring herself to place a consoling hand on his shoulder for fear he would turn to her for support as she had seen him to do Storm and even Jean a few times. And Betsy knew she wasn't strong enough for that. She was still feeling angry and hurt herself. She couldn't bear another's burdens no matter how much she wished that she could. He was closer to her than blood as far as she was concerned. She owed him her life and he owed her his, but when it came to something as simple as offering a shoulder to cry on, Psylocke hadn't the strength.
Instead, it was Kurt, who was crying silently himself, that moved to comfort the distraught man. Quietly, Kurt moved to stand behind Remy and offered comfort in his native German, though he knew Gambit would not understand him.
"Ich weiß, daß es, Remy verletzt. Ich verletze mit Ihnen meinem Bruder. Aber wir müssen auf den Herrn, unseren Gott, vertrauen uns Kraft zu geben."
Without warning, Remy turned in his chair and wrapped his arms around Kurt. The Elf-like X-Man closed his eyes and embraced his friend tightly.
Bobby sniffled quietly and Elizabeth turned to look at him. His eyes were wet and reflected intense pain, reminding her too much of the way he had looked gunned down in the middle of the wilderness all those months ago.
She gestured with her chin for him to follow her out the door and quietly they left not even sure if Remy or Kurt had noticed.
"They're good for each other," Betsy spoke once they were out in the elevator going back up to the main floor.
"Kind of surprising how close they've gotten in the last couple months."
"You think so? I was just thinking how predictable it is that they've come together like they have."
Bobby smiled just a little, "So how are you doing?"
"Very well."
"Don't lie to me, Betsy. I saw how you froze in there. Looked like you would blot if Gambit had tried to touch you."
"I'm fine, Robert." She walked briskly out of the elevator as it stopped on the first floor. He caught her arm and gently turned her to face him.
"I didn't mean to piss you off--"
"You didn't, Bobby...But this is just so hard. If she had just died...I know it sounds horrible, but if they had killed her that night I would know how to deal with it. With her lying in there like she is, barely alive..."
Bobby nodded and ran his hand up and down her arm comfortingly.
"She is a dear friend and I love her. She and I have been X-Men together for years. And I know she means so much to you. The two of you used to be inseparable when we were younger..."
Bobby looked down at the floor, "I know it's hard. And I've actually thought that myself. If she would just die, then we could mourn her, give her a proper funeral, tell her goodbye...but there's nothing we can do when she's like this...but it helps to talk about it Betsy. I promise, as painful as it is, it really helps...Warren told me that the two of you are having problems."
Her head shot up and she looked at him in surprise.
"He says you're shutting him out. I know you're hurtin' Betts. All of us are. But you can't not deal with it. Please will you just talk to Warren? You've got enough to deal with without loosing him."
Elizabeth wiped away a tear and looked away from him.
"Promise me you'll talk to him, Betsy. It'll be good for both of you."
"Alright," she whispered after a few moments.
"Come here," Bobby wrapped his arms around her, "We'll all be okay. I promise."
"You know what the worst part is?"
"What?"
"I was mind-linked with her when she lost it. For a split second I felt the agony she was in and I felt her terror. God, Bobby. I barely experienced it and it still keeps me awake at night."
"I didn't know that, Betsy..."
She squeezed him slightly before pulling away, "It's not something I want everyone knowing."
"Does the Professor know?"
She nodded, "He experienced it too, though he was monitoring the team also and wasn't as focused on her as I was. I don't think he truly realized the pain she was in."
"Or the pain you're in."
She shrugged, "I'll survive."
"Yea...I know you will...but you will talk to War, right? Let him help you?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
She smiled, "Really, Bobby, you are such a child."
He looked at her imploringly.
She laughed at his expression, "Alright. I promise."
"Good. Now, how about a relaxing dip in the pool?"
"Only if you promise not to freeze it over."
"I promise not to freeze it over if you promise to wear that little red bikini..."
xxxx
Betsy sat strait up in her bed, her eyes wide with incomprehension. She had been sleeping peacefully beside her lover when the psychic prod had struck her. She looked down at Warren. When she had bolted upright so suddenly, his arm that had been draped across her bare chest, had been thrown off. He made a quiet protesting grunt but never woke up. Now, he lay sleeping peacefully with his golden hair in disarray. Instinctually, Psylocke brushed the messy hair away from his resting eyes with a smile. She had taken Bobby's advice and though they hadn't talked very much, she did open up a little to Warren this evening after dinner. And that had made all the difference. They made love that night for the first time in months. Betsy smiled and reminded herself to give Bobby a big kiss next time she saw him.
Again she felt the probe.
Rogue? she asked psychically. She couldn't explain it, but the probing felt...familiar. Her mind felt fuzzy and the static was so similar to Rogue's psychic signature...
"But that's not possible...Her mind was utterly destroyed..." she looked down at Warren, "I won't be gone long, love, but I need to check this out."
Silently, the she-ninja crept from the bed and wrapped her nude body in a mint green satin robe that barely covered her to mid-thigh.
Moments later she was standing at the foot of Rogue's bed. Curiosity, confusion and just a little hope were evident in her features.
Rogue? Can you hear me?
There was no response.
"Damnit," she muttered, not loudly, but loud enough to startle the Cajun X-Man who was sleeping next to the bed. Without warning, Gambit launched himself out of the chair and into a fighting stance, a kinetically charged card in his hand.
"A little late for all that. I could've already slit your bloody throat. You're loosing your edge, Remy."
Pulling the energy back into him, Remy relaxed and looked over at the digital clock on the nearby table, "What in de blue blazes you doin' down here at two o' clock in de mornin' Betts?"
She chewed on her bottom lip.
"I honestly don't know...I just thought I felt something..."
"Like what?" Instantly, Remy was wide awake, "Did you feel somet'in' from Rogue?"
"I'm not sure."
"What do you mean you're not sure?!"
"It was quick. I barely felt it before it was gone again." As she spoke these words she felt the probe again and just as quickly, it was gone. She looked over at Rogue.
"You felt it again didn' you?" Remy asked eagerly, "Is she communicatin' wit' you?"
"I--I don't know," Elizabeth searched Rogue's thin, pale face, desperately looking for some physical sign that she wasn't just wishful thinking.
"What is it?!" Remy was getting frustrated.
"It is Rogue." Jean's voice sounded from behind them.
Gambit and Psylocke turned to see the Professor and Jean.
"She is trying to contact you, Betsy. But she's too weak."
"But---how?" Gambit was being uncharacteristically cautious. He didn't understand what was going on exactly, though it sounded like Rogue was coming back to him...
"Why don't you try and contact her Charles?"
"Jean and I have both tried. For some reason she isn't responding to us and you are getting the strongest reception of her."
"But my powers aren't as strong as either of yours."
"No, but she still will not or can not directly contact either of us."
"So Psylocke is our only link to Rogue?" Gambit spoke again, still trying to understand what this could mean.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves Remy," Jean warned gently.
"What about Cerebro?" Betsy offered.
"No Elizabeth. That is too dangerous. We don't even know if it is really Rogue," the Professor reasoned.
"It is," Psylocke confirmed as she turned to look at Remy, "I know it is. Please Charles. You and Jean can monitor me. If anything happens you'll both be there to help."
"It could be a trick. Someone could be playing us." Jean stated.
"This isn't a game and it isn't a trick."
"How do you know, Betsy?"
"I just do. I can't explain it."
Finally Charles spoke again, "Alright, Elizabeth. If you are sure."
"I am."
Within moments, Elizabeth, with the help of Jean and Charles, was using the Med-Lab's Cerebro unit to contact her teammate. She searched the astral plane for hours. Finally, when it was nearing 6 a.m., the Professor contacted Betsy.
Elizabeth, you are exhausted.
I'm not giving up, Charles. I can feel her more strongly now. I'm getting closer.
You need rest.
Not until I find her.
xxxx
She was physically, emotionally, and psychologically exhausted. It was nearing the late afternoon hours and she still had not found Rogue.
Rogue...I could really use a little help from you right about now...
Betsy?! Is that you Sugar?
Oh my God, Rogue! It is you. Are you alright?
Ah dunno. Feel like Ah've been sleepin' fer a month.
More like six.
Six months?!? What's goin' on?! What happened to me?
"She's found her!" Jean gasped aloud.
"You sure?" Gambit held his breath.
"Positive," Jean answered before turning her full attention back to Elizabeth.
You don't remember any of it?
There was no answer.
Rogue? Psylocke sounded more panicked than she meant.
Ah'm here. Jus' thinkin'...The last thing Ah remember a bunch o' us went down to the Professor's cabin and...Oh mah God. Remy! Is he alright?!?
He's fine. He has barely left your side.
And the others? Bobby and Wolvie? They're okay too?
Yes. Logan healed right up and Bobby has a nasty scar, but everyone is fine.
Thank the Lord.
Betsy smiled. Rogue sounded so strong and so much like her old self. For the first time in months, Elizabeth allowed herself to think that maybe this would work out after all.
"What's happenin'?" Remy jumped out of his chair momentarily letting go of Rogue's hand, "What she cryin' for?"
A small tear escaped one of Psylocke's tightly closed eyes
"It's okay, Remy. She's smiling," Jean assured him.
"What's goin' on?"
"We don't know. Only Betsy does."
"You cain't hear nothin'?"
"Gambit, please. You'll distract Elizabeth." the Professor turned his full attention back to Psylocke, as did Jean. Gambit returned to his lover's side.
"You comin' back to me mon couer?" he whispered, kissing her cool hand gently.
So what happened to me?
You don't remember?
Nope. The last thing Ah remember is seein' you fall to the ground after gettin' shot in the gut.
Darling, I think it would be best to discuss this after we restore you to your body.
Okay. Lead the way.
Lead the way? You don't know how?
Ah ain't the psychic, Betts, you are. Ah ain't got a clue.
Wait. I need to speak with Charles. Professor?
Yes, child? Are you alright?
I'm fine. I found Rogue...but...she doesn't know how to join herself back with her body.
You'll have to guide her then...But Elizabeth, can you stand the strain? You're exhausted already.
I can do it, Charles. But I need your help.
xxxx
Hours later...
Jean and I have done all we can do. The rest is up to you, Elizabeth.
Thank you, Professor. Rogue? Can you still hear me?
Yea...Ah'm so tired Betsy...cain't we rest a little?
I'm afraid not. Charles said this is the most delicate part and I've never done this before so we have to be quick and careful. Just think of Remy...That's disgusting! Betsy exclaimed when she caught sight of Rogue's mental image.
Hey, Ah have been sleepin' fer six months. Had plenty o' time to dream up interestin' li'l scenarios just like that. Rogue joked, but Betsy could tell she was terrified.
Scared?
Yea. You?
Terrified. But we'll be alright, Rogue. I promise. She felt Rogue put down her fear and prepare herself to be reintroduced to her body. Alright then, darling. Here we go.
xxxx
He couldn't believe it. It was the most surreal thing he had ever experienced. Remy LeBeau watched in joyous fascination as the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen opened and looked directly at him.
End Chapter 12 :)
- I know it hurts, Remy. I hurt with you my brother. But we must trust in the Lord, our God, to give us strength.
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Okay, I apologize for any grammar/punctuation errors. I tried to get them all out, but I wanted to get this up for you guys in a hurry. Hope you liked it. Chapter 13 should be up by Wednesday. Friday at the latest (I hope). Anyways, I apologize for the delay, but duty calls...in fact I'm 'bout to go finish my Anthropology project now. Hope you guys liked this one. Thanks for reading! -Alyx
