A/N: Well, I'm still alive, so that must mean my cliffy wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be:) But that's not to say I won't be before the end… Also, don't forget to pay your Internet bill, hence why the post is a day late. To make up, there's a oneshot (Wishing for You) in the comics section. I don't suggest reading it though if you aren't keeping up with the X-Men title. You'll be confused. Anyway, here's Serious Condition. Enjoy!
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"I'm regretful to disclose, Rogue, that Gambit's status is indeed exigent."
"But he's still alive, right?"
Calming down from the adrenaline high caused by several hours of strenuous work required to save a life, Jean stepped away from Scott to approach Hank and Rogue.
"Yes, for now. We were able to stabilize him, but he is still in critical condition. The injuries are still life threatening. Even if he should recover, his body is severely damaged. Gambit may never be the same again."
"What do'ya mean?"
Rogue's attention kept flitting back and forth between Jean and Hank, waiting for someone to give her more reassurance than what she had already received. The fact that Jean went straight to Scott as soon as she came out only served to put the Southerner more on edge than she already was.
"While it appears he was precipitated away from the primary collision, the velocity of the impact acutely distressed his dextral bisection. Besides the minor contusions and abrasions, the scapula was dislocated along with double fractures to the humerus. The eighth rib is contused and the ninth fractured, causing the lung to collapse and a laceration to the Obliquus externus muscle. Though these injuries are not predominantly fatal there are multiple hairline fractures to the fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh thoracic vertebrae that could ostensibly produce a spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis. In addition, he sustained a mild concussion, resulting in a medial distention that will have to be monitored."
"What?"
Sometimes, she really hated it when Hank went into full on doctor mode. His vocabulary was well above anyone else's at the mansion, except for the Professor of course, and most of the time he had to simplify what he was trying to say. Rogue did not have the patience for long detailed accounts at the moment. All she wanted was a simple 'he'll be okay' and then she would finally be able to relax. Thank goodness Jean was back.
"It means Gambit was extremely lucky. Between the level of alcohol in his blood and the clothes he was wearing, he was relaxed and protected enough to avoid a more lethal outcome."
There was so much information for Rogue to accumulate. From the sound of things, it didn't seem like she and Remy would ever have a normal life together if one at all. As the news started to percolate into her thoughts she realized she had to see him.
"Is it okay ta go in?"
Jean nodded as Rogue moved away from Kurt. He held onto her hand a little longer, causing her to look back at him. The silent question in his eyes was clearly understood. She shook her head no to his company before turning back to the Med Lab door. Sensing her need for privacy, Xavier started to direct the others back upstairs.
"Perhaps the rest of us should retire for the night. We all need some time to recover and I think it is best to cancel tomorrow's classes."
Rogue didn't wait to see her closest friends leave her alone. Instead, she tentatively entered the room, walking to the far wall where the Med Lab's Intensive Care Module was located. A series of beeps indicating the status of several vital signs and the inflating sound of a ventilator reached her ears before she even stepped into the separated corner.
The first thing that caught her attention wasn't the blue bruises around one eye, the ugly red gash with black stitching on his forehead, or the fresh scrapes running down his once beautiful cheek. It wasn't even the heavy casting used on his arm or the gauzy bandages across his midsection. No, the one thing that drew her eyes to him was the small, thick tube sticking in the middle of his right pectoral.
Taking a seat on Remy's left side, Rogue clasped his hand in her own. She ran her free one across his seemingly perfect upper arm. How could he look so completely broken on one side and absolutely normal on the other? It was as if half a battered body was sewn onto half of a healthy one. Tears started to fill her eyes again as she laid her head down on the bed next to him. Nothing would make her leave his side until he was better.
There once was a time when she wouldn't have left his side at all. Letting her eyes slide closed, Rogue let her dreams settle on happier times.
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R/R: Be a Fix Feeder-write a review. Go on, I know you want to! As always, the Fix Feeders:
Prexistence: Sorry. I told you not to kill me ahead of time. Didn't that give you any indication what was to come? I'm really sorry though, I didn't mean to make you cry. TT See, I never said Remy was dead. Yet… But please don't send your chipmunk over. My peep left me when I stopped writing another X-Couple fics, not that my peep would be any match for your chipmunk, and, unfortunately, no new furry fic defenders have arrived to my aid yet. I would be completely defenseless against the chipmunk. And if I wasn't so mean, you know you wouldn't love the fic as much:) Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
ishandahalf: No, no dead Remy. Yet… Yeah, I've been in a funky mood, what with X-Men #174 ending crappy, so far no good movie Gambit news, and a plethora of other no Romy goodness. Guess I let it reflect in this piece. But at least there's lots of good things coming soon… :) I'm glad you liked the Astral Plane. Since it wasn't really the focus, I didn't put a lot into it. There are other surprises that await, but you'll just have to wait and see! And no, there will be no necrophilia. Well, with uber curiosity comes uber satisfaction, hopefully. Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
MJK: And your optimism paid off. For now… But you'll just have to see the living/dying arrangement to figure out the happy ending. :) I'm glad you liked the Astral Plane, but no, there won't be any more need for another scene there. Thanks for Feeding the Fix!