A/N: I'm a little late, I know, but it's for a good reason: I'm making another fic better for you! Just to clear something up: for all you know, Rogue is about 21 in this fic. For all you know…hint, hint.
.
.
.
.
.
Kurt barely got out of Logan's way as he stormed out of the Med Lab. Deciding that Rogue was more important at the moment than the man she was dating, he continued to the Intensive Care Module. He barely acknowledged the resident medical bystander. Looking at his approaching comrade, Hank addressed the mansion's other azure inhabitant.

"I am elated that you resolved to return, Kurt. I do believe Rogue could use some sibling propinquity at this moment."

"Zank you, mein freund."

Kurt patted Hank on the shoulder as he passed into the separated room. Taking a seat across from Rogue, he silently waited for his sister to speak. While they did not grow up together, there were certain understood vibes each sent off that the other knew. Kurt could tell she needed the time and space. When she was ready, Rogue would speak what was on her mind.

"You know, he's the only one I ever told, Kurt. Sure the others know, but not like we do. Now I'm afraid it's only going to be you and me who know the whole truth about what happened with Mystique."

"Do not say such zings, schwester. Have faith zat your ehemann vill find ze strength to survive."

"What did you just say?"

Her German wasn't that great, but she had picked up a couple things from Kurt since they learned about their bond. If she didn't know better, she would swear he had just called Remy her husband, but he knew as well as anyone they weren't married, engaged, or even on true speaking terms. Why would he have used such a description?

"I said zat you must believe zat der mann vill-"

"-Oh. I thought you said something else."

Kurt didn't push even though the uncertainty was clearly written on her face. She turned the words over in her head. Der mann, or the man, was quite similar to ehemann. The levity of the situation must be affecting her hearing. Why else would she have confused the two completely different words? Focusing her attention back on the man in bed, her thoughts were once again centered on what had transpired more than one year earlier.

(X)---(X)---(X)---(Flashback)---(X)---(X)---(X)

With relations between mutants and humans rising to an all new intensity, the occurrence of incidents the X-Men were required to resolve escalated to an unbelievable high. It seemed as though every other day was filled with political decisions affecting mutants and an equal number of nights saw battles between the X-Men, mutant haters, and the Brotherhood in any and all imaginable combinations.

It was on one such night fighting the Brotherhood that Rogue and Kurt's lives would be forever changed. Magneto had been arrested, yet again, for atrocities against humanity. This time it was in San Francisco. Mystique was constantly trying to break him out of his new higher security prison and usually went about it by having half the Brotherhood create a diversion for the X-Men. However, with as many mutants that sought Xavier's refuge, the freedom fighters had enough willing supporters to form three teams.

While one team put a stop to the Brotherhood's antics, the other two ensured Mystique wouldn't be able to emancipate the Master of Magnetism. Nightcrawler, Rogue, and Wolverine were responsible for stopping the shape-shifter before she could get to the other team defending the prison. Unfortunately, Mystique had a contingency plan against Wolverine, and by just a flick of her wrist, she was able to incapacitate him with the super power of an electromagnet.

Not being affected by the invisible pull, Nightcrawler and Rogue gave chase to the retreating mutant. As they drew closer, their confrontation turned into a physical fight. Using his powers of teleportation, Nightcrawler was able to draw Mystique's attention to him, giving Rogue the perfect opportunity to pummel the blue-skinned woman with her newly acquired super strength. It became quickly evident that she was going to lose the fight, and, seeing the opportunity to break away, Mystique flipped out of range of the two teammates.

"You ungrateful brats! How dare you attack your poor mother."

A wicked smile rose to Mystique's lips as her eyes seemed to glow that eerie yellow. Her revelation wasn't meant as a defense to stop the fight, but rather an offense to wound her attackers. Rogue wasn't going to fall for it.

"What the hell are you talking about, bitch?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Where did you learn such language? I know I raised you better than that."

As she spoke she quickly shifted into the form Rogue recognized as the mother she left behind in Mississippi. There was no way Mystique could possibly know what her mother looked like unless…but that was inconceivable. How could she be Rogue's mother? The woman was pure evil. This was just some sick joke she was playing to get Rogue to stop fighting. Apparently, the look on her face belied her feelings as Mystique continued her taunt while slowly stalking closer to them.

"Don't look so surprised, Marie. You know what I'm saying is true."

"Stay vhere you are. Do not come any closer."

Now within five feet of the shocked Southerner, Nightcrawler fell into a protective stance for his teammate. If necessary, he would be able to grab Rogue and transport them both out of Mystique's reach.

"Oh, how sweet. The sibling bond exists even though you both didn't know. What a good brother you are to defend your sister like that."

"I do not know ze game you are playing, but it vill not vork."

"Now, mein sohn, you know zat I vould not lie to you. After all, how is a mutter supposed to stay close to her son vhile staying undercover?"

She continued her forward advance as she shape-shifted into his adoptive father. Nightcrawler couldn't believe his eyes or ears. Everything in which he found comfort as a child was dissolving before him. How could such a woman deceive him for so long? He was absolutely stunned, just like Rogue.

It wasn't until she was within leaping range that he broke out of his daze and whirled around to grab Rogue. As he teleported them to a scaffold near the ceiling, a bright red blast entered their peripheral vision. Cyclops and his team must have finished with the other Brotherhood members and come to aid in Mystique's capture. Using his optic blast, he was able to render the electromagnet inoperative. Free of his bonds, Wolverine tore out across the floor to effectively debilitate Mystique in one swift motion. Since the situation was under control, the prison enforcement could safely transport her to one of the other holding cells. Nightcrawler, with Rogue in hand, transported down to the penal complex's main floor. Finished with their objectives, the team returned to the X-Jet for a short flight back to Westchester.

(X)---(X)---(X)

"So that's everything that happened."

Rogue had immediately sought out privacy with Remy as soon as they returned. It just happened that said privacy was in the Med Lab after Hank had performed a DNA test for both her and Kurt. After he repeated the results Mystique had already divulged, everyone dispersed to their own means of relaxation after a stressful mission. Rogue stayed on the examination table as the others left, still hand in hand with Remy. Starting to pull her off so they could find their own reprieve, she tugged back to tell him she wanted to stay. In actuality, it wasn't that she wanted to stay, but rather she felt compelled to get a few things off her chest before they did anything else. And so, with a heavy heart and shame in her voice and eyes, she relayed to him everything that had transpired. He pulled her into a tight hug as he comforted her trembling form.

"It's okay, p'tit, it's okay. Don' change nothin' 'bout y' or b'tween us."

"Why do you say that? Don't you see it changes everything about me. Everything I thought I knew was just a lie. My whole childhood, my parents, the way I was raised. All of that made me who I am today and because of Mystique it's all gone now. I don't even know who I am anymore."

"No, chere. Dat don' change who y' are. Jus' changes yo' past, where y' came from a li'l. Y' are still th' same belle femme I fell in love wit' an' nothin' can ever change dat."

"How? How can you possibly love me when I, when you, don't even know me?"

He stepped away from her so he could look in her teary ivy eyes. The only way to get through would be for her to see what was present in his soul, to hear the words that represented his feelings.

"It don' matter. I know y' better dan anyone, p'tit. Maybe even better dan y' know yo'self right now. I've known since I first saw y'. Nobody's ever gon' take dat away from me. I won' let dem. 'Sides dere's real an' faux in dis world. Dis, us, it's real, we're real. Dis is inToxicating."

"Huh?"

Confusion furrowed her brow. Remy said this was intoxicating, but not only was this lie of her life as far from her vision of intoxicating as she could possibly get, it didn't sound anything at all like him. Understanding didn't register until his lips lightly brushed hers for a brief second. It wasn't the pieces of her broken imaginary world to which he was referring, but the reality of the love between them. No matter what happened around them, they would still be together. No one would ever be able to sever the bond they shared. The connection between them was the only real thing of significance. Even if those words didn't sound like his.

"I know now. I understand."

"Good. Y' seem a li'l tense, chere. Let's go t' ma room an' I'll give y' a massage."

"Okay, but you better keep your hands to yourself, swamp rat. No straying from designated massage areas this time!"

As she hopped off the examination table, a huge grin replaced the depressing gloom of the last few minutes. Rogue left Remy behind her as she made her way to leave. Catching up, he plastered an innocent look across his features.

"Quoi? M' hand slipped."

"Uh huh, whatever."

She just rolled her eyes while she grabbed his hand in hers. As they made their way out of the lower levels, she supposed that she could put up with his wandering hands if it meant getting a nice relaxing massage out of it. Besides, she only pretended she didn't like where he roamed.

(X)---(X)---(X)---(X)---(End Flashback)---(X)---(X)---(X)---(X)
.
.
.
.
.
R/R: So, there are a couple big hints this time around. Have you figured it out? Well, there's more to come, so don't worry. Once again, a big thank you to all my readers. Want to be a Fix Feeder? Just leave a review! And to the Fix Feeders:

giggety giggety goo: So you think that was intense? Just wait and see what's in store… :) . Thanks for Feeding the Fix!

WolvGambit Le Diable Blanc: I'm glad to hear you're enjoying this and of course I'll continue. :) Thanks for Feeding the Fix!

MJK: Yay! It was really good! Yep, Rogue needed to kick Logan to the curb. Momentary insanity that just happened to last a few months. Maybe…Your right, she did lay it on thick, but when things are that serious and stressful, people tend to find someone else on whom to place all the blame than themselves. LOL! Now see, Logan was my first fav (before I discovered the charming wiles of a certain Cajun), but I did really let him have it this time. And I agree, there won't be anymore Logan defense on this end either. :) So no revelations to Kurt, but you found out why he was present as opposed to others. And those hints he dropped. Hmmm…..Thanks for Feeding the Fix!

ishandahalf: The last chapter was satisfying, and the previous to it was happily satisfying, so, how about this one? And Logan's also gone for good now! Well, in this fic anyway. But was it a fling? What really happened? You know that doozy of a roadblock with Remy lying mangled. Yeeaah… :) So anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. Thanks for Feeding the Fix!

Prexistence: Okay, you can murder Logan now. He served his purpose, so he's done now. Just make sure that healing factor kicks in before the next fic, cause he's gonna be back. And yay! No cliffy this time either. Just you wait, Henry Higgins…Oops, wrong reference. Okay, so here's your next update. And before you say it, I know, I know, update soon. :) Thanks for Feeding the Fix!