A/N: Hello all! This will be the only update for the week. I've got to go to Indiana for the next few days and I'm not sure I'll be able to access the internet. Not to fear though! When I return, not only will I give you the last chapter of Toxic Hope, but also the first chapter of Consequential Circumstance.
Until then, enjoy! Oh, and there's one more subtle hint. Can you figure out the surprise for next chapter? Remember, Rogue's accent is light and italics are mini flashbacks.
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Something still wasn't quite right about the whole confusing situation. The Professor had said there were several instances where she had tried to get away from Toxic's control, yet she wasn't even aware of the other woman's intrusion on her mind.
"You said earlier I fought back. How was I able to break through?"
"The instances were very subtle. Each was strong enough to make you realize something was not right with the memories, but too vague for you to completely know they were fake."
That information didn't really help her at all. The curiosity to know what occurred ate away at her. She silently replayed the events in her head. Taking her silence as an opportunity to report on her health, Hank prattled on with medical jargon that caused her to drown him out. The Professor said the examples were subtle, but what exactly were they? Replaying the encounter, she randomly started to discover what seemed so elusive before.
:Kurt patted Hank on the shoulder as he passed into the separated room of the Intensive Care Module. He took a seat on Remy's other side across from Rogue.
"You know, he's the only one I ever told, Kurt. 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.":
That was the first clue she recognized. Rogue had picked up on the slip right away. Her subconscious had been trying to tell her that the encounters in the ICM weren't true. Toxic must have blocked out Rogue's memories of marrying Remy so the created ones would seem more real. By Kurt saying 'husband' Rogue was able to break away long enough to realize something wasn't right. Scouring through the other memories she found another instance.
: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.
"'Sides dere's real an' faux in dis world. Dis, us, it's real, we're real. Dis is InToxicating."
Remy said this was intoxicating, but this lie of her life was as far from her vision of intoxicating as she could possibly get. 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.:
The fact that Remy rarely used that word and his overemphasis of the strange phrase only showed the obvious clue didn't make itself evident to Rogue until now. That woman just had to leave her signature somewhere, didn't she? If Rogue wasn't already heated about her memories being even more messed up, than the little mental mark would have done it.
As she reexamined her thoughts from the interaction, she picked out even more clues. The memory was indeed real, but Toxic's lies tarnished it, made it imaginary. And one thing Rogue learned to stop doubting a long time ago was the commitment Remy had to and for her. That was her reality and the other mutant could only change things around that truth, not the truth itself.
The randomness with which she processed the altered memories continued as the Astral Plane popped to mind. It struck her as odd that Toxic would be able to create a memory about something few people actually ever experienced. Rogue knew she certainly hadn't been in the other dimension. Beside her, Hank continued to ramble on about her condition. She missed when he had moved from the foot of her bed to her right. As he wound up his diagnosis with a 'quiescent recuperation over the subsequent months', Rogue concentrated on what she wanted to ask next.
"Professor, I clearly remember being on the Astral Plane, but I know I've never been there. How could Toxic have created that?"
"She didn't. Shortly after surgery, your vital signs dropped to an extreme low. Your recovery was not assured and Remy asked me if it was possible for him to enter your mind. Under normal circumstances it would not have been feasible for me to bridge his mind with yours. However, since you were in a state of flux on the Astral Plane I was able to grant his request."
So that memory was real. Only instead of Rogue visiting Remy it was the other way around.
"But if it was my projection, Professor, why did I envision the LeBeau family cemetery?"
Remy squeezed her hand and spoke for the first time in what seemed like ages.
"Dat's where all th' LeBeaus are laid t' rest. Where else y' 'spect t' be, p'tit?"
A reserved smile turned up the corners of his lips as if he was afraid she had considered something besides his ways, besides him. She hadn't really thought about dying and being buried, but he was right. It didn't matter that she was a LeBeau now or not. If that's where he was, then she would be right there with him when their time ended. As this line of thinking drew her back to the mausoleum, Rogue started to remember more about their interaction on the Astral Plane.
:Beyond the slightly ajar gates lay large greenery and several marble monoliths. At the back of the cemetery stood a red stone mausoleum with the moniker 'LeBeau' etched above the entrance.
"Remy must look worse off den he t'ought fo' y' t' be makin' confessions.":
But he had looked perfectly healthy, normal even except for the heavy, heartrending look crossing his features. Why would he have said such a thing when it was obvious he appeared to be fine? Even with Toxic's manipulations he shouldn't have said that. Suddenly, it hit Rogue. In the worst of times Remy never let his composure fall to where anyone, not even her, could plainly see on his face what he was feeling inside. The pained expression wasn't because of the motorcycle accident, but because of Rogue's critical condition. As if opening a floodgate, more images burst forward of the ethereal dimension.
:He watched her take in their surroundings as more tears sprung to her eyes.
"Why're ya here?"
"Don' know. Maybe y' jus' t'ought it seemed like th' right place t' be."
"No! Ya can't leave meh. Not now. Not that Ah…"
"Shh. Shh. 'M not goin' anywhere, cheri.":
Xavier had already done an excellent job explaining the whole cemetery thing, but Rogue was astonished at how blatantly she missed the fact that Remy wasn't the one dying. And it hadn't even been one of Toxic's manipulations. Rogue was beginning to understand how truly messed up her head had been. She'd have to enforce the control she had in the rest of her mind over this newest form of intrusion. Remembering her control, she wildly glanced at her hand in Remy's. They'd been holding hands since she woke up, probably even longer. Relaxing back into the soft mattress she was relieved to know some things were still they way they should be. One thing still prevented her from being completely at ease.
"I don't remember doing anything special to get Toxic out of my head. How did it happen?"
"With the battle drawing to a close, for one reason or another, she abandoned her mental attack on you for a more physical assault. It is my belief that you were able to break enough of Toxic's control over you that she wasn't able to force you into insanity. A knife was a much quicker means to correct her perceived failure."
Everything had finally fallen into place. What Rogue had been unconscious for or unaware of was clearly laid out in front of her. Now that some blank spots had been filled, she realized her earlier believed memory loss was just the blur of Toxic's psychic poison. Wanting a little quiet time with her husband, she decided to politely get rid of their audience.
"Thanks, Professor. You've really answered a lot. I'd like it if you could help me sort this out later. That is, once Hank thinks I'm okay to be released."
She nodded in the doctor's direction as a smile graced her lips. Looking over to him, she noticed Hank was smiling back as he finished adjusting her monitors.
"Of course, Rogue. Just let me know when you are ready to proceed further."
Xavier started to wheel out of the ICM. Before completely exiting, he turned to give one more kind word to her.
"And, Rogue? I am pleased to see you well again."
"Thanks, Professor."
As he moved away Rogue didn't miss the genuine smile that reached his eyes. She returned the gesture before giving Hank a silent plea to leave. Taking the subtlety, he repeated his earlier concerns.
"Since you are responsive once more, I shall withdraw to my laboratorial research. If you require something, simply apprise me of your necessity and I will do everything within my capability. I anticipate your recovery and discharge by the week's end. Remember, quiescent recuperation over the subsequent months is imperative."
"Thank you, Hank, but I think I have everything I need already."
Looking over to Remy she smiled gently while squeezing his hand. She didn't even notice Hank slip out of the room.
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R/R: So, did you catch the hint? It's super, super subtle, so don't feel bad if you didn't get it. I'm not sure I would if I didn't already know it! As always, thank you to everyone who's taking peek. Hope you're enjoying it. And to my Fix Feeders:
WolvGambit Le Diable Blanc: Glad you liked the update! Hope you like this one, too. And now the truth is out all the way. That is, except for the last one. But hey, save the best for last, right:) Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
VinGirl: Nope, no one died! Close, but no cigar. ;) Sorry, didn't mean to be mean. Tease, yes, but not be mean. But I hope the next chapter makes it up. The surprise is nice and fluffy! Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
ishandahalf: Yay! You were right a few chapters back! I didn't want to tell you until now because I didn't want to give it away. :) And as for working backward, I don't actually write it end to beginning, just plan out the plot. Plus, I do have one absolutely massive fic that is still being worked on. All these others I've been posting have been 'in the meantime' fics. I didn't want to start posting until I had more of it done. And it's a good thing, cause you'd be really mad at me considering I just finished a cliffhanger and haven't had the chance to work on it in a while! And yes, Rogue is okay. Although, her condition still requires some watching… By the way, thanks for giving me an idea. This may just end up being a trilogy after all, but it'll be even more twisted than the last two! Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
Prexistence: Yep, all an illusion, but Rogue did almost die. And yes, they are both together and happy, but still one last twist. :) You can tell the Chipmunk Army and ChipmunkDude to stand down. They should be doing the happy dance shortly. Like you need to talk about me killing Remy! You knife wielding, wound twisting maniac! Don't think the Fix has forgotten about you! Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
MJK: Yeah, that's why I never tell any of mine when I'm reviewing. I feel stupid afterward when I'm way off. And hopefully you're right, we must believe Gambit's not dead! ;) But back to the story, I almost forgot what I wrote in the later chapters because they've been done for a few weeks. The other day, I was like 'did I tie in the first story? Crap! I have to if I don't!'. So, no matter what, you would have gotten the tie in. And since I'm not specifically going to touch on it, no, Remy didn't see exactly what Rogue saw. Although, there will be a little bit of discussion about it the next chapter. And the last surprise! Thanks for Feeding the Fix!
C.A.T.: ;) Thanks for Feeding the Fix!