Oh indeedy, rumours of my demise are greatly exagerated. Really, hte last year has been so full of change for me that the time off writing was probably a good thing. That and my muse left me...stupid muse. I got a new one tied up under my bed. I'll do my shout outs at the end!

Two

Nine and a half years earlier

Timidity was a new emotion for the young man as he made himself comfortable in the plush office of Charles Xavier. As far back as he could remember Remy Lebeau had never felt timid before; he's always been cocky and confident sometimes to a fault. But even the great ladies man and thief felt awed by the dimensions of Xavier's kindness and understanding. Remy had fought against the man and his X-Men many times while employed by his rival Magneto-even kidnapped one of the females, before that he'd been the most promising member of New Orleans' Thieves Guild. Unlike the others to grace the telepath's office Remy was not an untried innocent. He'd seen more to the dark side of life than most of Xavier's students combined.

"You shore you want Remy to join?" He asked still trying to understand what it was that prompted the man to offer Remy a home, a team and something more to fight for than himself. It seemed too good to be true.

Settling back in his wheel chair Xavier smiled serenely, "Of course Mr. Lebeau. Everyone deserves a second chance and you proved to me during the incident with Apocalypse that your skills and quick thinking are just what we need." The smile widened, "Besides your former team-mate Colossus has become a central part of my team. He and Logan speak highly of you."

"Logan?" Over his sunglasses Remy lifted an eyebrow, "You mean Monsieur Claws oui?"

Laughter bubbled from Xavier's lips forcing the bald man to wipe away a misting of tears. "Do yourself a favour Mr. Lebeau and don't let Logan hear you call him that."

"Don you worry 'bout dat," Remy smirked feeling a little more at home. "Remy not interested in becoming Cajun shish kebob."

The men were smiling companionably when a knock sounded at the door, Remy tried not to comment as Xavier smiled softly and raised his voice for the party on the other side of the heavy oak door. "Come in Rogue."

As the door opened Remy started; of all the X-Men to meet right now it had to be HER. She'd cut her hair a little differently since Apocalypse, but the white streaks still stood boldly out of the auburn mass, her face was still shrouded in the dark makeup she chose to wear. One thing hadn't changed though and Remy thanked God for that. Rogue was still as beautiful as he'd ever seen her. It wasn't the showy beauty of the other girls on the team or ones Remy had known in the past-Rogue's had grown on him some time between nearly blowing off her hand and kidnapping her to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. He had to force himself away from her wide emerald eyes lest she or the Professor catch any of his unchaste thoughts about the girl. Quickly Remy realized Xavier was still talking.

"I know you were expecting your usual session to deal with your psyches today Rogue but you've made so much process in such a short time. You need to take a break."

"Don't take any offence to this Professah," her accent was as thick as molasses Remy noted; "But what in tarnation are you doin' laughin with the Swamp Rat here?"

"Remy be joinin' de X-Men Chére," he answered smoothly enjoying the blush that rose to her cheeks when he used the endearment. "You gonna be Remy's tour guide hein."

She spun to her mentor, "Do I hafta Professah?"

"Rogue," The Professor's voice was firm, "It's time that you started getting more involved with what we do here outside of missions. You have all the makings of a great leader but don't think I haven't noticed that you'd rather left Jean and Scott take those roles. There's no reason at all that you should be afraid to show the world what an intelligent, capable and strong young woman you are. Starting with Mr. Lebeau."

Her shoulders slumped as she nodded obviously hating that the Professor was right. "Fahne. I'll give the Swamp Rat the grand tour." She turned to the grinning Remy and narrowed her fathomless eyes at him, "But if you try anything I promise I'll show you the latest move Logan taught me in hand to hand combat."

"What was dat Chére?"

Her smirk left Remy just a bit chilled reminding him exactly whose daughter she was, "How ta pull a man's testicles from his body with my bare hands."

On that cheery note Remy stood and followed her out the door hoping that the welcome he got from the other X-Men would be a little warmer than Rogue's had been.

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It was always surprising to Rogue how quickly time could pass by at the Institute; it seemed like only minutes ago she'd given the Cajun his first official tour of the grounds. She should have been shocked at how quickly he ingrained himself into everyday life and it depended on her mood when you asked whether or not she'd tell you he was just using his 'charm'. He'd made short work of becoming almost everyone's new best friend-including her own in her more generous moments.

Thankfully, Rogue was saved from having to search for pods lying in wait under people's beds by the fact that Scott didn't seem overly impressed by Remy's arrival. Of course that might have been because Remy didn't mind flirting with Jean-and her royal highness loved the attention. All in all the merry comedy made Rogue smirk; it really did serve Scott right for dating such a high strung, prissy…Rogue stopped herself mid thought. She'd been doing her best to avoid her shallow jealousy lately; after all it wasn't like she wanted to be like Jean Grey any way. The Rogue was a total original. That's the way she liked it.

"Bon Matin Roguey," the Cajun's drawl snapped Rogue out of her reverie, "You ready ta get your punishment?"

Rogue returned his smirk and grabbed the basketball he held in his hands before he could stop her before affecting her best southern belle, "Why certainly Shug…That is if ya'll can catch me."

"Shug?" He grinned as they got closer to the basketball court for their daily round of one on one, "You okay Roguey? It almost sounds like you startin' to like Remy."

As they faced off Rogue began dribbling the ball between her feet, "Awww…Don't get your hopes up Swamp Rat…the Professah doubled my allowance to be nice to you. I need the money."

For a split second with her deadpan demeanour Remy believed it; that second was enough for her to roll around him and score a nice lay up. Her eyes danced as she laughed, "You'd think you were right outta the swamp the way ya'll fell for dat ole trick."

"You wound pauve vieux Remy," He pouted enjoying the view he got of her fit body in her body hugging sweats and long sleeved t-shirt, "Roguey knows how much dis silly cajun boy loves her…why you so cruel?

She tried to make he next shot and missed letting Remy grab the ball, "Because you make it so easy Swamp Rat."

Ducking around her Remy shouldered his way in and scored. "You off your game aujourdhui Roguey…maybe Remy will havta play with Jean for a challenge."

Growling she barrelled her way forward spinning and weaving the ball between her feet in an attempt to get by Remy. He reacted by hugging himself as close to her body as he could trying to slap the ball away when Remy had an idea. He got a hand on the sweatshirt tied around her waist and pulled tripping Rogue up and freeing the ball from her clutches. Grinning Remy scooped it up and made his way to her end of the court only to slam dunk the ball.

Remy was just coming down when he noticed her stalking away steam almost literally pouring from her ears. Jogging to catch up Remy got ahead of Rogue and turned to move backward so he could see her face. "What's de matter Chére?"

"I ain't anyone's dear least of all yours you arrogant, cheating piece of coon-assed swamp trash!" Her eyes spit green fire.

"Remy ain't no cheater."

She put her hands on her hips and glared up at him; "Cheater."

"Non, Chére."

"Cheater. Remy Lebeau is a cheater!"

They were standing toe to toe sizing each other up for a brawl when Remy smirked and tweaked her nose with his gloved hands and ran off, leaving Rogue vowing bloody revenge.

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Sweating Remy shot awake in his bed; the dream had been so realistic he'd almost thought he was back at Xavier's. Sighing and putting his hands over his bare chest he couldn't help but smile at the memory. He'd ended up one eyebrow short after that stunt; Rogue had never been one to take insult lightly. He'd never been able to resist provoking her; the girl had been just too beautiful for words when she was riled.

Turning on his side Remy adjusted his pillow and caught sight of the picture of himself and Anna-Marie that stood next to his bed. It had been taken on the little girl's seventh birthday; she looked so happy staring up adoringly at her father. Just the sight of her angelic face made Remy smile to himself. Anna-Marie had inherited all of her namesake's spitfire and determination; it was downright eerie sometimes how much she could be like Rogue.

Still Remy couldn't shake the oddness of the situation that had been Anna-Marie asking him about Rogue. Even stranger was Bella telling the little girl about the Southern Belle; Remy had the distinct impression that neither woman had liked the other very much. As sleep pulled Remy back into her arms he wondered briefly how Rogue was and considered asking John about it later.

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Ishy: Hehehe...a ticker tape parade eh? Sounds good to me...can I swill gin from the backseat? Man you have no idea how happy I was that you reviewed me...so fast too. I was terrified that this would go ignored. My Angst Wand is a little dusty but its power is still strong...I almost made you feel for Bella...ehehehehe. You know how I love to make you twitch and I haven't done it in ever so long...I'm making up for lost time. Even I am not twisted enough to make Rogue Remy's daughter...that's waaaaaay too VC Andrews for me. And yes, the plot to the movie is easily found online...I do have to change a few things though...Like that Rahul in the movie was madly in love with Tina...I can have Remy marry Bella...but I can't have him madly in love with her. That's just wrong.

I heart the Distillers: Yay...I'm thrilled people are happy about me comming back to writing...I was actually worried that no one would care. I'm like Tinkerbell...people have to clap really loud for me to continue. Ehehehehe...There was a reason why I left ya'll in suspense for a while...hehehehee..it was fun. My Angst Wand needs to slowly work back to full power.

The Rogue Cajun: I really think it's the power of the Angst Wand...I can make anyone feel bad for anyone else. Even those they normally despise. And trust me...there will be time to hate Bella's bleached, blonde, skanky behind in this. Glad that you enjoyed it though. I aim to please.

Naemus: As long as that muse stays under my bed the updates will flow out of me...when it leaves...I can let things go for a year...I'm trying to keep it. Got any chains? That might help?

EE's Skysong: Joins the happy dance Bizzare? How is this bizzare? Trust me the movie is truly messed up...think Grease on acid with subtitles. One of my faves though...and really I watched it like 7 times this week while I was home from the office sick. I can do happy and bright...but trust me there shall be angst here...a lot of it. You just haven't seen it yet. And the Angst Wand isn't warmed up yet.