Chapter 9

Remy carefully made his way to the kitchen and found Jean near the counter cooking again. Shifting on his feet he was uncertain about asking this of her. He never liked people messing with his mind and if he went through with this it would give her the perfect opportunity to do so. /What am I going to do? I want to find out what happened, but what if they aren't trying to help me?/

"I'm not going to hurt you." Jean's words startled him for a second. He didn't sense her enter his mind. "I just guessed what's wrong. So don't worry. Now do you want to find out the truth?"

"Yo' jus' break de wall. No pokin' around?" Jean turned around and gave a huge smile. Exactly the type a mother would give.

"Yeah. Now just sit here and don't move a muscle." He sat down on the chair and kept his back straight as she held her hands around his head. "Close your eyes."

As soon as the eyelids came down he was assaulted with images blurring together. It seemed that the wall was deteriorating long before he even came here. Saving that thought for later, he focused on the memories and concentrated on finding Rogue. An image started to form and he saw through his own eyes leaning over a beautiful girl with dark eye shadow surrounding green eyes and her deep purple lips. She was glaring up at him and he couldn't help but find it endearing.

More images past and then stopped about a week later when he passed up an opportunity to sleep with the girl. That in it self would be shocking if it wasn't for the fact that she kissed him the next day, and he liked that better than anything else.

The rest came quickly and he could feel himself falling in love with her. Running away to protect her. Her coming after him to do the same. And then there was nothing more, it seemed to end there. Breaking apart everything in his mind he tried to find a hint about what happened afterwards. There was only one vague memory of her after that point.

"Are you okay?" Jean placed a hand on his shoulder to rose him. A conflicting set of emotions flashed on his face before settling on complete horror. "What is it?"

"She's with him. I left her with him. I saw her but I couldn't remember. Mon Dieu, she's still dere..." His mind couldn't get a clear image, but there was no doubting that Sinister was behind all of this. He even made Remy go there and see her suspended like that. The image burned his eyes. /5 years. She's been in there for 5 years./ "I have to go."

"Gambit let us help...."

"Non dis is something I have to do myself."

There wasn't that much time now. He could hear his mind counting the seconds until the guards' switch. /3...2...1...Now!/ Jumping down from the window he gracefully landed on his feet without making a sound. A woman with white hair was halfway to down the hall when Gambit caught the closing door and entered the room.

Knowing that the security system reset he pulled out a spray can. Letting a slight mist settle on the floor he memorized the locations of the beams. Taking out his bo staff he took careful aim and jumped. Extending the staff he pushed off from the end when it hit the floor and landed on a safe spot in the corner. Repeating this procedure he was able to quickly make it to the door.

Typing in the pass code that he already obtained he twisted the doorknob and took a look inside. He saw a girl with a pinkish hair color and a small, but muscular man. Waiting until they left the room he stepped in and headed to the back.

Pulling out his thief's kit he felt a slight pain in his heart before taking out the right tool to remove a ventilation screen. Attaching a hook to his pant leg and the screen he entered the small area crawling on his stomach. When he heard the click of the screen being placed back he took the hook of his leg and attached it to one of the crevices.

The small space was getting to him as he used his elbows to move forward. Ignoring his surroundings he counted silently to himself and stopped as he reached the number 57 and created a small hole with his power. Sending down a small camera he made sure no one was in the room below.

Certain that he was alone he created a bigger circle and slipped down. Taking out a small machine he typed in a few numbers and then threw it up into the hole. He heard the faintest clink as it stuck to the ceiling, and when he looked up there was an untouched ceiling. Pleased that it worked he set out to the computer and entered the past code. When it asked for a voice sample he removed a tape recorder and played back a fake recording. Pulling out a disk Remy inserted it into the slot and pushed copy. It was going to take ten minutes to finish.

Expecting that much he headed for the second console. Pushing some buttons a wall disappeared. Turning his head he saw for the first time in five years Rogue's beautiful face.

/Where am I?/ A sticky feeling surrounded her and when she tried to move her whole body felt like it was being hit by dozens of needles. The pain was unbearable, but it passed within a second. Whatever she was covered in also dissolved but she was still unable to open her eyes. Trying to get her bearings she could feel that someone was holding her.

Grabbing the person by the arms she flipped it over and pinned it to the ground. Pulling its arms up she held them there and used her body to keep it on the ground.

"Dis isn't de time for playin' chere." The think Cajun accent washed over and for a second she thought it was a trick until she felt something very familiar.

"Remy!" Letting go of his hands she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. She could feel the material covering her eyes poke the side of her face but she didn't care.

"Hold still. Let me get dis off yo'." A slight warmth near her face told her he was using his powers and within seconds the thing fell. Snapping her eyes open, she closed them quickly after seeing the intense light in the room.

Pressing her face into him she waited for a few seconds and then lifted her head taking in the brownish color of his clothes. Staring at it for a while she waited for her eyes to adjust and then looked into his face.

"What the hell happened ta ya!" Rogue couldn't believe it. If he was gorgeous before...

"Too many things Rogue. Too many things." Wrapping his arms around her, she was certain that it was him. But that would mean that she was stuck in there for a lot longer than she thought.

"How long?" Remy stiffened and then slowly let her go. He took in her appearance first before answering the question.

"'bout five years." Rogue sat dumfounded. /five years...Oh god/ "Chere I know it sounds like a long time..."

"Sounds like? Ah should be out of college by now. There could have been a damn war! That's how long it is!"/Everybody, they must be so much older now. Why didn't they come and get me?/ "It took ya this long ta find mah?"

"Yo' see dere was dis thing..."Rogue stared at him waiting for him to continue. "I sort of forgot 'bout yo'...."

"Ya WHAT!" Rogue hands came around his neck, but he was able to block her hands from reaching it's goal. "How could ya forget?"

"My memories were bein' blocked..." Remy's hold over her hands gave way and she started to squeeze his neck, but when the words registered she loosened her hold. "Someone did it to me and dat's why I didn't come after yo'. I didn't even know yo' existed!"

"Then what about the other's? Why didn't they come?" Remy again grabbed her hands and gently held them in his own.

"Dey thought we were together. Dat we ran off, and got hitched." /Nobody knew? But what about Kitty?/ She looked at Gambit and knew that it was best not to mention it to him. It didn't seem like he would know the answer anyways. Another thought occurred to her and she put it off for a later time. "Remy how do ah look?"

"Tres bien?" Rogue slapped him in the arm.

"No do ah look the same?" A look of understanding came across his face. Picking her up off the floor he took her to the side of a huge machine. The sleek metal offered a sort of mirror and as she stood in front of it she saw her mirror image's jaw drop.

"Oh mah Gawd! They got bigger."

While she was examining her new look he went over to the console and retrieved the information. A huge smile was on his face as he watched her prod her now grown-up body.

She was now another inch taller, and if she wore heels she would probably be the same height as him. Her body was more toned and the muscles gave her a sleek look and not bulky. Her curves also improved and it was at those points that Rogue was examining herself.

"This is unnatural. Ah wouldn't be like this if it weren't for all ya men wantin big busts." She turned to her side and frowned at her rounded bottom. "There goes all my mini skirts."

Smirking at her comment Remy moved up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. She flinched but then stood still when she realized he was covered. A strange expression came over her face and he wondered if it was really bothering her.

"We look good together." The comment threw him off and when he looked at the reflection he understood what she meant. Their mirror images smiled and it was then that he noticed what she was wearing. She dressed in white, a color he would only associate with her hair and never as a clothing option. The top was tight and had no sleeves and the pants clung to her legs but were still stretchable. He memorized the look certain that after today he was never going to see it again.

"Come on we need to get goin'." He pulled her over to the wall but stopped a couple inches short of it. "Do yo' still have de other powers?"

There was a look of concentration on Rogue's face before she nodded her head. Walking up to the wall they passed through and entered the staircase. Racing up the steps they were nearly out of there when a voice startled them into turning.

"Leaving already? We didn't even get a chance to talk" Essex walked out from the shadows, a smile on his face. His eyes settled on Gambit. "How long has it been? No calls, no letters. I would think you're avoiding me."

Remy tried to step in front of Rogue, but she pushed him back. It seemed that she wanted to take care of this all by herself.

"Don't talk, look, or even think about him. This thing is between you and me." Rogue let her anger out and the ground began to shake. It seemed accidental, but the look in her eyes showed that she was in control. "Ya kept me locked up for five years!"

"I kept you as long as I needed. Now that it's finished you are free to go." Rogue's anger seemed to lessen after that.

"When did ya finish it?"

"About a day earlier. Then I had Remy come here to pick you up. I thought it would be a little nicer for you if you had a familiar face around."

"Yo're lyin'! Yo' didn't bring me here." Something was gnawing in the back of his mind, as he said those words.

"I think the reason that you gave for coming to this town was to see it again. But at the time you had no memory of ever living or working here. There wasn't even a trace of the brotherhood in there. So what do you think compelled you to come here?" Remy's eyes widened as he began to figure it out. "Then Logan conveniently showed up at the location, and dragged you back to the mansion. And it was there that you met Jean who helped you with the memories that were already reappearing."

"Yo' were behind all of dis?" Sinister laughed and smiled in a knowing way as he stepped back into the shadows ignoring Remy's question.

"All you need to know is that you're free to go." His red piercing eyes, similar but so different from Remy's turned to the man with a satisfied smile. "I'm done with her, for now."

Rogue wrapped her arms around his waist as the motorcycle glided across the pavement. Her mind was beginning to hurt, probably because it wasn't used for so long. /I wonder if a mind can go numb if it isn't used.../ An image of Duncan and his friends came to mind and she smiled for a few seconds before realizing that they probably don't look like that anymore. /They could be hard working citizens...or maybe not./

The bike came to a stop in front of a very familiar building. /At least they still have KFC around here./ Standing to the side she pulled Remy's trench coat closer to her body and looked at the customers eating. It was warm weather so the clothing was making her worry. Then she caught the eye of a cute older guy leaning in his seat. /Well nearing thirty ain't that old anymore./ He wore a three piece suit and had the look of being totally at peace eating his chicken wings.

It was strange that he caught her attention when there was a bunch of young shirtless twenty year olds hanging around. /Must be that stupid clock thing wanting me to settle down./ Her gaze went to Remy who was talking to someone at the counter and then back to said guy. This time he was staring back with a soft smile.

The corners of her mouth were about to turn up in a similar fashion, but she quelled the urge. /Clock or no, I am not going to turn into a flirt. Unless it's Remy, cause I really want to jump him./ Ignoring her last thought she was about to scowl at the man when his eyes turned downwards and he returned back to devouring his piece of chicken.

An arm around her waist informed her that Remy returned and when she saw him push his black shades back up she had a pretty good idea what happened.

Getting on the bike she held on loosely as he took her across the street. He parked the bike in a reserved parking area and she finally noticed how the bike looked.

"Is this yars?" Rogue let her hands skim the dark green metal.

"Oui, chere. Dis is one of de few things dat I bought. Had to steal a lot of stuff to pay it off." Rogue smiled at his words and followed him into the building. /This place is the same too./ They reached the elevator and stood in silence listening to the bad elevator music. As it stopped they both quickly made their way out of there and headed in the direction of Remy's apartment. /I wonder if this place is different./

Remy smiled as Rogue took in his place. It looked the same but there were few more gadgets lying around. Seeing the TV she headed in the direction and stood in front of it for a second. Since this was his home away from home he set up the best surround system and DVD turner that he had. Most of the devices were new and complex, but he knew that she wouldn't like him helping so he held back waiting for her to ask for help.

Switching it on like a pro she was able to turn everything else off so only the TV and Cable would be working and was able to use the built in guide to find a news channel. It was almost like this was natural for her.

He sat down next to her when a FOH member came up and started speaking. Thinking that she wouldn't know who they were he tried to explain, but she shushed him and listened to the proceedings. When it became dull she began to channel surf, and came on an episode of Buffy. "Ah can't believe they canceled Buffy and Angel. That show had at least a couple more seasons."

"Cher."

"And this stupid election thin that's comin up. They're both against mutants. Ah want Kelly ta be president instead. Who knew he would be a supporter?"

"Well I knew. I'm not sure how yo' can know since it happened four years ago." Rogue's eyes widened in surprise. "Chere how did yo' know dose shows were cancelled and how to work everythin'?"

"Ah don't know. It was just in my head. Like it was put there..." They both understood at the same time, but chose not to talk about it. There was just too much associated with that thought. Getting up from the seat he went to the back of the couch and leaned against it. Wherever he was planning to go left his mind as he began to think about what he just learned.

He didn't notice how tense he was until Rogue came up to him and started to massage his shoulders. The soothing gesture relaxed him and he was able to lean back and enjoy the few seconds of peace.

Before she even opened her mouth he knew what she was going to say. He was expecting it since she realized that he was different and noticed how much he changed.

"Are ya with someone else?" That wasn't what he was expecting. He was sure that the first thing out of her mouth was going to be an accusation that he's been sleeping around while she was being held prisoner by a mad scientist. That was to be expected of Rogue. But the way she said this question, it was almost like this was more important to her.

"Non." He could feel her mood improve, but it wasn't the immense happiness that he was hoping for. /This isn't going to end so quickly./

"Okay." She left the room and went into the bedroom. /Or maybe it is./ Now either she mistook his word as a sign that he was off the sex thing or she knows that he's been going at it like a bunch of rabbits and didn't care. /It probably hasn't clicked in yet./ . Sitting down on the top of the couch he began to come up with an explanation as to why he did it that would make her happy. /I just missed you so much...no...they were depressed, like me, and needed cheering up...nope...my heart was an empty void and I thought sex could fill it up. Please forgive me...add some French words here and there, and I'm done./

While he was coming up with something to say to Rogue, she entered the room and sat next to Remy. Before he could say anything she launched her own little monologue, that she was thinking about in the other room.

"Ah know ya couldn't have been faithful ta me all this time. It's been five years! Ah've been saying that a lot. But it's a big thin. And ya didn't even remember who ah was a week ago! But it wasn't yar fault or anythin. Ah'm not tryin ta blame ya. And if ya want ta be with someone else....ah hell, ah wouldn't let ya. Ah love ya Remy, and ah ain't gonna let ya go." Rogue punched him the action contradicting the words she just said but he didn't mind. "So are ya goin ta try and work this thin out? Ah know ya're a little older now, and different, but ya're still my Remy right?"

"Rogue?" He waited a second for her to catch her breath. When she seemed calmer he brought her close, his hands clasping hers. "I love you."

Remy laid on the bed just staring at her sleeping form and thought about how lucky he was that he got her back. Just as he was about to drift of into slumber land, he remembered the disk that he took from the base.

Reluctantly he got up and retrieved the item and his laptop. He sat down on his man made, black leather office chair, and placed the laptop on the desk. Inserting the disk he watched as the information popped up on the screen. Expecting to see data concerning Rogue he was surprised to find that the first thing that appeared was a letter addressed to him. Scanning the beginning of the letter he could feel his heart stop as he read the contents. Unsure about what to do since it was written by Sinister he wondered if he willing to take the risk.

After what he just learned he knew there was only one action to take, and just as he was about to get up a small pale hand came into his line of sight. Not bothering himself with words he took of his gloves and reached his hand out to her.

Her skin still felt the same. Turning the seat around he pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her like a starving man. She showed the same ferocity as they both clung to each other. His hands settled on her waist and his mouth left hers to gently kiss her shoulder. This was everything he wanted and for a second he thought that nothing could go wrong.

When he was about to pick her up she let out a quick intake of breath and her body moved away from him. Noticing that her eyes were riveted on the screen behind him he turned his head and read the remaining document, and felt his face go pale. He really should know by now that good things never last.

Author's Note: Another slightly late update. Damn School. Okay in the last chapter I introduced some people from the comic-verse: Sage, and Bishop, congrats and a sticker to all those who figured it out. They won't be playing a major role, but I might add another appearance later on. Now this chapter. They are finally reunited!

Things I don't mean to be confusing but probably are: The reason that Rogue knows things is because Sinister put the information in her mind. The reason that they don't want to talk about it is because they don't want to know right now what else he did to her.

Non comic reader: Kelly became a good guy in the comics so that's not made up. And the FOH stands for friends of humanity. Basically they are people that hates mutants and want to do something about it.

Non TV watchers: Buffy is a TV show and Angel is the spin off and they both got cancelled. I don't want to say anything more I'm still emotional about it.

Okay guessing time! Cliffie, suspense, what did they find out? Find out next chapter. And where they are right now, they have been there before, and if you don't get it, then you haven't been paying attention to my story, or at least the way long ago beginning part. (Cough, cough hint hint cough, cough)

Those who did review, and some who got a sticker for answering the question. And no you can't trade! :

ishandahalf: Sweet that he kept the note, bad that she was with Sinister, but now she's free, free to be mean!

just me: You get a sticker of a dancing panda wearing a grass skirt and a flower behind the ear! And yes interesting it will be.

Episodic: You get a sticker of a skull on fire, but I might have to take it away since I already hinted that they would be showing up to you. But o well. And no there wasn't an appearance there was a whole fricken chapter devoted to her! Well her and Remy, but it was still big.

Dreamcatcher89: I think my writing has gotten worse since I started school. All they do is assign stuff to keep us busy. And Rogue has been found, and by a Remy who has all his memories back. Yippee!

LoneWolf422: You get a 3D sticker of a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end. And Sinister was planning something, or maybe he still is?

enchantedlight: No I will not update anymore! Heehee just kidding.

Star-of-Chaos: You get half a sticker since you just said one name and it's a the yang part of the ying and yang circle thingy. And yeah I like the guy too, but sometimes things happen and people get an anvil dropped on their heads. But don't worry sometimes they survive you know. Or every freakin time if the anvil maker is ACME.

Aya Yuy P.SII: Happiness, pain, and confusion. You can fit a lot in a sentence.