Hi everyone :)
(To the tune of "Singing in the Rain") Replying to reviews, replying to reviews! What a glorious feeling! Replying to you:
hesquidor: 11- Wow, you ADORE reading it? What a compliment :) I'm pleased to know you like it so much :)
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: 11- So many questions, so little time to answer them all! Well, not really since all those questions will be answered in this chapter O.o
12- Wow, really enthustiastic review there :) Glad you liked it so much.
Stinky-chan: 11- As much as I like writing cliffies, I start feeling bad if I keep you all hanging there for too long :)
Friend to All: 11- Gotta love your reviews :) Good to hear you're liking what I'm doing with the story. Hope you like this chapter just as much :)
12- Yes, the re-telling of Cajun Spice is upon us. Get ready for fluff, humour and action :)
dana: 11- Glad to hear you're loving it :)
Green Bird 2071: 11- I'm so glad to hear that the escape scene was easy to follow. I wasn't sure myself. It's hard to judge your own stuff for clarity lol :)
EmeraldKatsEye: 11- I was gonna have Rogue and Remy have a bit of a bust up but now I'm not sure. Don't know if my heart's into writing angsty stuff at the moment. There will be angsty bits much later in the story, when it comes to summing everything up but I'm still not sure about right now...Oh well, I've got a whole chapter to decide. Anyways, glad to know it was a fun chapter for you and I hope this one will be just as entertaining :)
silverbells: 11- Glad to hear you liked it :)
12- Ooo, the mysterious mysterys of the kidnapping O.o all will be revealed in this very chapter...
Bubbles1612: 11- You asked for more, I give you more. Pretty good system hmm:)
12- Lol, ah, the confusion of it all. Don't worry, everything will be explained and made clear in this chapter.
DemonicGambit: 11- Yeah, people thinking you're nuts is a real kick in the teeth :)
enchantedlight: 11- Glad you liked it. Hope the update came soon enough :)
12- Just read response for chapter 11 lol
Anna: 11- I was thinking that Rogue was too panicked to really consider the danger of what she was doing. I mean, you'd be as well wouldn't you? Being chased down by The Wolverine :D
ishandahalf: 11- Oh, you bet Rogue is gonna be pissed. But how will she react? Only time will tell :D
12- I quite liked how the conversation turned out myself as well. Cheered me up quite nicely :)
Freak87: 11- LOVE YOUR REVIEWS! (cough) Okay, now that's out of my system :) Glad you approve of the Pope line. Not often I get good ideas for one liners but I like to think I have moments :) If you do think of a scenario where that happens, let me know, it'll be interesting to read. or, I could try it...I might think about that...(begins to get side tracked with one shot idea of Remy lying to the Pope)
12- To me, Jubilee just seems like the kind of person who would fix their friend up on a date. She really strikes me as a match maker. The date issue has not settled yet, it will arrise again. Maybe not this chapter, maybe not next chapter, but it will arrise someday...As for who kidnapped Rogue, read on and find out...
abril4: 11- The powers are very handy aren't they? It'd be so cool to be Rogue. I think I could deal with the whole no touching thing if it meant I could do all that :D
Silent Doom: 11- It's the surprise factor I was thinking about when I wrote it. Don't worry about being impatient. I am as well. Taking so much self control to pace this story correctly lol :)
texasgrrl: 11- I know what you mean. Sometimes I just wish they'd all get a clue and realise the truth. But then again, what would be the fun in that :D
12: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. So you think it's Mystique messing with Rogue? Interesting theory there. Is it right? Read on and see...
Ashlee: 11- Hope the update came soon enough for you :)
Nicki: 12- Glad you liked the update and do not fear, for all will be explained in this very chapter :)
adrenaline addict: 12- Thank you for the hamster condolences :) I'm glad you enjoyed last chapter so much :)
Shaishe: 12- Hope the update came soon enough :)
DOOMpenguin43: 12- Glad you enjoyed the chapter. As for who kidnapped Rogue and why, read on...
jade: 12- My last update was slow? I usually update in about a week and that was only a day late. Maybe it just seems more 'cause you're liking it so much :)
smiteme: 12- Yay, I rock :)
Xtreme Nuisance: 11- Yes...Peanut butter...O.o
12- Lol, that's exactly what Rogue's gonna think :D
As always, thank ya all very much for the reviews and thank you all as well for the hamster condolences. It's nice to know that you all care.
Okie dokie, onto business. In light of recent events in my life, angst, intense seriousness about anything non-fluff related and other stuff of that nature in this story are going to be post-poned. I really don't think it would be wise for me to wallow in sad stuff at the mo so things will remain mostly fluffy and light hearted. I was planning on starting some angst this chapter but I decided I liked it better fluffy. Angst will come in due time, but it won't be for a while yet. Don't like it? Oh well, no one's making you read it.
She wasn't sure what she became aware of first; the rocking and jolting of the ground beneath her, the sounds of a moving train and the gushing of the wind, the warmth that covered her like a blanket or the comforting and intoxicating spicey scent of Remy.
Rogue gave a small groan as consciousness sunk back in. Apart from feeling very groggy and disorientated, she realised she was fine. She wasn't tied up and no body parts hurt. As her awareness increased, she heard the familiar sound of a certain Cajun singing under his breath, not too far away:
"Who will buy
This wonderful mornin'?
Such a sky,
You ever did see.
Who will tie,
It up wit' a ribbon
And put it in a box for me?"
She allowed her eyes to open a little and raised her head slightly so she could look around. She was obviously in a storage carriage on a train as there were a lot of crates and boxes around. A brown leather trench coat covered her and she recognised it to be Remy's and, letting her eyes wander to her side, she came face to face with his leg. Lifting her gaze through her hair, she saw him sitting on a crate just next to her and in front of him was a larger crate.By the look of concentration on his face, she figured he was playing solitare or some other single player card game. His lips moved very slightly as he continued to sing while picking up cards and placing them down. It wasn't the familiar, playful singing that was intentionaly made to sound silly like that which she usually heard from Head Remy. It was more serious, more natural and it was actually really good. Who'd have thought that Remy was the type to be able to sing well?
"Ya know, ya've got a good voice when you try." Rogue told him, raising her head fully. Her sudden interruption seemed to startle Remy and he stopped his singingabruptly and visibly jumped. Also, for a split second, Rogue could've sworn she saw a blush come to his cheeks. However, he regained his cool composure so quickly that she couldn't be sure that it had even been there.
"So you finally decided to wake up, hmm chere?" He grinned down at her, shuffling around so he could faced her. "Remy was beginnin' to wonder if maybe he used too much knock-out gas."
"Whah did ya use it in the first place! Ya could've just asked me to come with ya." Rogue exclaimed in a somewhat drowsy voice, her head lulling back against the stack of crates she was slumped against.
"Ah, now this is where dhe genius of Remy LeBeau shines t'rough." He replied, his tone proud and bragging. "Remy needs your help, but he didn' wan' to get you into more trouble. So, he fixed it so it appears you been kidnapped. Dhe Wolverine will smell dhe remnants of dhe knock-out gas and he'll figure it was a kidnappin'. You get away so you can help Remy and you won' get in trouble when you go back."
"Couldn't ya have warned me first? Ya gave me a heart attack!" She pouted, trying her best to look cute. She may have been slightly drugged up still but she was aware enough to know that this was a good oppotunity for a bit of flirting.
"Part of dhe plan. Dhe Wolverine will pick up on dhe scent of your fear and more dhen likely confirm his suspicions dhat you were kidnapped." He explained. Rogue stared at him for a moment, surprised at the thoroughness of his plan and actually kind of impressed as well.
"Ya really thought abaht every little detail didn't ya?" She asked him.
"It's dhe little details dhat are usually dhe most importan'. Remy ain' been caugh' yet and he ain' plannin' on breakin' dhat tradition." He told her with a grin, lowering himself down and sitting next to her on the floor. A faint blush tinged Rogue's cheeks as Remy's arm lightly brushed against hers through the barrior of his trench coat. It was then that shesuddenly realised that she was still only wearing a thin straped nightdress. That revolation ruined the enjoyment of her closeness to Remy and brought on fear instead. She flinched away from him, partly through habit, which caused him to stare at her in confusion.
"Ah'm only wearin' mah night dress!" She cried out in horror. "How am Ah gonna be able to walk dahn the street withaht being stared at lahke a loon? And what if Ah bump into someone!"
"Don' worry chere. Remy got it covered." He assured her, swivling the top half of his body around and reaching behind the crate they were leaned against. He bought around her neatly folded coat with a pair of her comfortable shoes resting on top.
"Hah...Hah did ya get these?" Rogue gasped in amazement. "Ah was in mah room all naht!"
"Got dhem while dhe school was sat to dinner." He answered as he handed the pile over.
"So it was you who was watchin' me?" Rogue inquired hopefully, pleased at the confirmation that she wasn't losing her marbles.
"Of course. You don' expect Remy to stop by wit'out seein' his chere, do you?" He murmured gently, leaning closer to her. Rogue's face once again took on a bright blush and she found herself inadvertantly leaning back in an attempt to put some distance between them. Remy either didn't notice that was what she was doing or he chose to ignore it as he merely positioned himself closer to her again. Their faces were millimetres apart and Rogue could feel his warm breath play across her cheeks. She allowed herself to wonder why Remy kept insisting on doing this. He knew about her powers, he knew about the danger. Why did he keep getting so close when there was nothing to protect him? Abandoning her thoughts, she let her nerves and reluctance finally got the better of her and she intentionally broke the mood.
"Ya picked up some socks for me. Hah thoughtful." She smiled up at him, forcing herself up to sit straighter and then beginning to put on the footwear. Remy moved away slightly and grinned in amusement at her shyness, deciding to let it go for now. He knew there was no rush.
A comfortable silence took over as Rogue got herself organised and Remy gave himself time to think. The silence continued even after Rogue had finished and settled down as Remy stared down at the wooden flooring beneath his legs and switched to gathering his courage in order to ask her about something he had heard while watching her at dinner the night before.
"So, erm...Last nigh'...Remy heard you talkin' wit' your friends." He told her suddenly, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. His tone intrigued Rogue and she watched him curiously as he continued. "Heard 'bout dhat date dhe petite in dhe yellow jacket got you"
"Oh, that." Rogue sighed with a small laugh of relief, thinking before that he was going to say something serious. "What abaht it?"
"Remy was jus' wonderin' if you were actually gon' go..." He told her, the sentence trailing off. Rogue studied him carefully. He hadn't looked at her yet which was odd. He'd just kept his eyes fixed to the floor. His tone sounded forced like it was a conscious effort to speak that way. Also, he trailed off on a sentence. Taking all these into consideration and with a little help from Head Remy's empathy, she discovered something surprising, delightful and maybe even a little amusing. He was jealous. Remy LeBeau, official charmer of every woman and girl in the world, was jealous at the mere prospect of her going out on one date with another guy!
"Remy, what should Ah do?" Rogue asked Head Remy silently, un-sure of how to react to the situation.
"Tease him, bu' be obvious 'bout it." Head Remy advised her quickly. Rogue wondered why he had specified for her to be obvious because wouldn't that surely take away the point? She shrugged it off though, figuring that if anyone knew a way to woo Remy, it would be himself.
"Ah dunno yet. Ah maht go." She told him in an overly casual tone. "Whah do ya ask?"
"No reason." Remy answered a little too quickly.
"Are ya jealous?" Rogue grinned.
"You kiddin' righ'?" Remy began to protest. "Why'd Remy be jealous of some puny..."
"Becasue if ya were jealous," Rogue interrupted him suddenly. "Ah think that would be kinda cool...Even though ya ain't got anything to be jealous off."
Remy's head shot up and he looked to see Rogue's head down and her eyes on the floor beneath. A faint pinkness tinged her cheeks prettily and a small, shy smile played across her lips. All that was needed was the early morning sunlight to come in through the open door of the carriage at the side and it'd be a scene from some cliché romantic movie. Never the less, it had an effect on him andRemy felt an unfamiliar swell in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was brought on by how beautiful she looked at that moment or because of what she said but it was definately felt.
"Not'in' at all?" He checked in a soft voice as he leaned forward and gently took Rogue's chin between his gloved finger and thumb then lifting her head so she had to look at him.
"Not one little thing." She confirmed just as softly and surprising herself as she realised she didn't feel anxious nor had the desire to pull away.
Their eyes stayed locked together for a while, smiles fixed on both their faces. At some point during the time, Remy's fingers left Rogue's chin and instead his hand moved around to cup her cheek in his palm. Eventually, after several minutes of silent staring, Remy broke the stillness by adjusting his position so his body wasn't facing Rogue's. He never broke their stare as he did this though and when he was in the desired position, he lifted his right arm so that Rogue could cuddle up to him if she wanted. And she definately wanted to. In an instant she was snuggled up to him, her head resting on his shoulder, her hair protecting his neck. Remy lowered his arm, encircling Rogue's shoulders, and he rested his cheek on top of her head. Together, they stayed like that for the rest of the journey.
When everyone in the school woke up the next morning, everything seemed normal. Normal scramble to get up when they realised they'd slept in late, normal queues for the bathrooms, normal chore of picking out an outfit for the day, normal heading down to breakfast. It wasn't until everyone was sat down to breakfast that the first signs of difference began to appear.
Rogue wasn't at the table for breakfast and, when sent to check, Kitty and Jubilee found that she wasn't in her bedroom. Upon Kitty's suggestion, the rooms and corridors directly underneath Rogue's room were checked in case she was still phasing uncontrollably. Of course, she wasn't found. No-sleep boy told them that he had heard her coming down the stairs and had spoken to her the previous night but had to admit that he never heard her go back up again. That alone was enough to get the adults worried.
Classes were run as normal rather than everyone being sent out to search for Rogue so the search party was limited to Logan, Hank and the Professor. Logan had gone out in search the moment he was sure Rogue definately wasn't in the school while Hank set up the med-lab just in case and the Professor headed down to Cerebro. It wasn't until Logan arrived back at mid-day that the first clue as to Rogue's disappearance was found.
Having had no luck himself, Logan went back to the school to see if Rogue had come back on her own or had been found. When he found no one in the sitting room, he headed down the corridor to the kitchen and when he passed the storage cuboard under the stairs, he stopped dead. Sniffing the air, he caught hold of several scents; Rogue, fear, some kind of chemical and the scent of the intruder who had broken in a few days ago. Logan's eyes darkened and a low growl escaped his throat as his claws sprung free. The scent he could smell right at that moment would soon be the scent of a dead man.
Oooooo, the excitement and anticipation! What's gonna happen? You'll just have to wait and find out :D
I apologise for the fact that this is kind of a short chapter. It worked out like that because the next two chapters or so will probably be quite long ones so those will make up for the fact this one's kinda short. Anyway, despite it's length, I hope you all enjoyed it.
Catch ya'll next time :)
Hugs
Dream