Disclaimers: I don't X-men. If you thought I did, you're stupid.

A/N: I lost eight pounds with the stomach flu and two additional pounds afterward. Yea? Oh well. I'm very very tired. Anyway, for anyone who's interested in discussing X-men, fanfiction, Remy's sexy smile, or whatnot, I'm on yahoo messenger Friday and Saturday nights after 11:00 P.M American central time and the IM is sablefahndu. I have really coll live journal of doom for anyone who wants to check it out: http: Okay, please read and review. And I want to thank everyone who's stuck with me this far and has dealt with my annoying self. Thank you.

Chapter Eight: Broken Wings

Emil groaned and spat as Remy approached him, anger clear and evident on his face. " Mon ami? I think non. Y'jus about tried to kill yo' own cousin," he exclaimed, rubbing the cloth over the flesh. "

"Y'hit her. "

" She tried to run away. "

" I tol' y'to use force, not violence. "

" That was neva discussed. " Emil mumbled about the indignities of ruffian cajuns, paying no mind that he was one himself. The look in Remy's eye's when he had seen Rogue on the ground still haunted the man and he involuntarily shuddered in remembrance. " Why her, anyway? And can't y'get a femme on yo' own? Scince when did ya have t'pull a Jean Luc, and force one? I thought you were the " King of Hearts ", " he mockingly quoted, childishly trying to immitate Remy's voice. The mutant's frown desisted upon his rugged features and looked apologetic to his family, " Desole. But Remy be taking no chances with this one. She wouldn't stay here, never, no matter how Remy would ever try. Dis be da only way. "

" Y'got yo'self a firey-one, eh? " Emil queried, not particularly lookin' in the thiefs direction. He nodded slightly, causing his hair to fall into his eye's. They were quiet, a bit, neither one making a noise except for the small breaths that escaped their mouths. It would be a fine place for Rogue. After they were married and she came to realise what a good life she had, then he would let her wander wherever she wanted. Until then, he needed to keep her here. Rogue had a way of driving people away, especially those she loved. And Remy had a way of holding on to those people fiecely. He knew they clashed, emotions high and stress-filled. But they would make it. Somehow...

Emil eyed his cousin wearily, noticing the change that had worked into his friends skin. Remy was possesive, no doubt about it, he always was, but this was different. Jean Luc had made a similar motion with his own wife, but the look in Remy's eye's. Something was amiss. Dangerous, infact. Predetorial. The actions commited by Jean Luc were not things the family happily discussed, but Emil had a fear that what was instore would not have a pleasant, violent-free outcome.

His cousin had changed, indeed. He coulsn't place his finger on it, and everytime he thought to figure it out, it slipped beneath him like a leaf on the wind. And this girl, this girl hadn't been her for very long, yet she was frightened. He had seen it in her eye's. Like a caged bird with broken wings, she was becoming panicky when she was ready to fight him. Most likely, there would be many escape attempts. But he wondered how far Remy would go. And if it was better game to free the girl or keep her captive.

" What y'thinkin' 'bout, mon ami? " Emil shook his head, dispelling the clouding thoughts to give his full attention to his cousin. " Nothin'. Just a bit hurtin' still. " The red-eyed man smiled, his eye's crinkling with lines, " Sorry 'bout dat. " He turned and left, without a simple goodbye, leaving Emil wondering and questioning his loyalty.

Tantie Matti looked to the crying girl with pity in her eye's. She shed her tears freely in the pretense of being alone. However, the dark woman watched as she struggled with choked sobs wracking her body, the bruises on her ribs hard and dark, screaming of hurt and sorrow like a wretching soul amoungst the blackness of an abyss, the blood screaming to be released from the tight, marred skin.

She was lost. Just as the weeping girl. But she knew what actions she would have to take no matter how much her emotions were in turmoil. The girl had stumbled to the bathroom, and turned on the shower. As she began to strip her clothes, Tantie made her leave, wanting to leave the girl in peace.

No one would make the initiative, she knew that. All the years and which she had resided had taught her that much. The room was quite, only the beating water heard outside the door, and the woman sighed. A heavy sigh filled with hatred, love, regret, self-loathing, and something so horrid, it twisted at her heart.

She needed to think. Long and hard. About everything. Because this decision could ruin her.

Kitty eyed him hard, noticing the way his breath heaved in and out of his chest. His brows furrowed together, as if in a nightmare. He had cried out only moments ago, but she hadn't flinched. Hadn't moved from her post of watching him. Nightmare? Perhaps. And if that was the case, then she would remain where she was. If she was lucky, he would scream. Scream and scream untill the sun would rise and the air would smell of insanity and the things locked away and forever forgotten. She laughed. Laughed and laughed. And he awoke...

He fell. Long...so farway...and he woke up.

Woke up to her laughing. The edgy motion chilling and spine-tingling. She was lying on his chest and when she realised that he was lucid, it mattered not to her. She smiled. A smile that didn't quite reach her eye's, that curved about her lips in a feline way. " You smell of blue and fright, " she whispered excitedly, a small gesture with her mouth, " and rain that puddles at the bottom of the lake. Have you been there? " He blinked, wanting to scream and tear away the abomination that had become of her.

" Go to sleep, " he ground out, his teeth clenched and his anger getting the better of him.

" Not tired. "

The answer was easy and calm. " Now. "

She was silent. So he shoved her off his bed. Hard. She met the floor inelegantly, he features contorted into a state of shock. He was already on his feet, his claws out. " I'm sick of this shit. Get up. NOW! " His voice was commanding, authoritive, and dangerous. She did as told, angered and full of rage suddenly. She searched eye's.

Searched for the insanity from before. But it wasn't there. He was completely aware of his actions. And he was ready to brawl. Something sparked within her and she fell into a battle stance. She wanted this. She needed this. And she would have it.

" Don't you give up an inch, woman. It's all or nothing. "

A/N: I know, it sucked too. Today is my day off so I tried to hurry and write another chapter while I still have the time. I have to go do my taxes now. (WHY! sobbing) Review me and make me happy. Please?