Jenskott: Yeah, but then again both Sinister and Selene are immortal so that's going to be tough. Glad you liked all that in the chapter and I tried to make the DR scene both action packed and funny.
IvyZoe: Don't worry, Romy is up in this chapter and they will get together, but you have to remember that Rogue's been through a lot and wants to take it slow, remember what happened to Kurt and Wanda earlier?
Silver Warrior: I have thought of a sequel. It's a short one, but I don't want to give away what it's about.
Aaron: Yeah, I remembered what happened in that movie Gothica and realized that it could have happened to her as well. Why does everyone like that arm bit Vincent did in the DR and also a Selene/Slayer showdown?
Sean Malloy-1: No she won't get killed and we're getting close to the end of Act II and at the end of that she'll be okay. Don't think so on Deathstrike she's got so much hatred it's all she has left. Yes Sage will join in on missions soon.
Mark C: I was happy with how the Rogue/Wanda thing turned out and maybe more later. Yeah I'm proud of the DR scene one of my best, the girl Selene is looking for is an OC from Uncanny R-Man and as I said it's Selene's daughter. You're not the only one to say that about Piotr and Kitty and maybe you'll see a Slayer/Selene fight later.
Doza: Slayer came from Slickboy, and we got something good planned for X23 trust me.
GothikStrawberry: You're not the only one to think that about Sinister/Selene. Well I'm glad that you like the Piotr/Kitty stuff but yes I do argue with your 'logic' about that. Yeah the Wanda/Rogue scene we wanted those two closer and I thought that was one of my better action scenes in the Danger Room.
Thanks to: X00001, Simba317, Wen1, LadyDeathStrike1, misspresh, Silver Warrior, The Uncanny R-Man, Coldqueen, Bensbrokenbones
Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 38: OVERCOMING THE PAST
Rogue & Remy
Rogue had chosen to stay in the lower levels somewhat longer than usual even after most of the regulars left. She had volunteered to help the New Mutants in their respective sessions, which was no easy task by any stretch of the imagination, but she had other reasons for wanting to help.
After hearing from Logan that some of the Hellfire Club had survived and were probably already plotting something major against them, it had triggered a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. The memories of what they did to her and all the pain they caused her and her family brought out a new sense of anger and resolve in her to never be a victim like that again. If that bitch Selene was alive, she would use every ounce of strength to shred her limb from limb…And this time she wanted to be ready for it.
While neither Logan nor any of the other adults gave them much more info, there were rumors circulating throughout the institute that the Professor was obsessed with some weird book and that some stranger in samurai armor had been visiting them. But like anything, they were just rumors and Rogue knew that gossip in the mansion wasn't exactly the most reliable source of information. However, she tried not to think too much about that and focused mainly on becoming stronger for what she saw as an inevitable rematch between the X-men and the Hellfire Club.
She was now in her room once again and Kitty was off doing another painting session with Piotr, so it was quiet. She had changed out of her uniform into something more comfortable and planned on doing a little reading before she turned in for the night. However, just as she was going through her vast collection of books, she suddenly heard a knock at the door.
"Hey cherè…Got a minute?" said Gambit as he stood in her open doorway, now in his more casual clothes as well.
Rolling her eyes, Rogue turned to face the Cajun mutant that had played such a major roll in her life for quite a while now, "Yeah, what is it Remy?"
Gambit took another step into the room and closed the door behind him, not wanting any other curious listeners to hear what he was about to say. Rogue took note of his somewhat different demeanor, for he seemed almost nervous about something when in pretty much every other instance she saw him, he was always cocky and self assured. But this time was different…For Remy Lebeau was about to say something he had been wanting to say for some time now.
"Go on a date with Remy…" he found himself blurting out.
Rogue practically dropped her books upon hearing those words. Hearing both 'date' and 'Remy' in the same sentence was something that triggered a reaction within the southern born woman that she had not expected. At first she thought her ears were playing tricks on her, but as she looked back into Remy's hypnotic red on black eyes, she knew he was being dead serious.
"Wha…What?" she managed, unable to get any other words out.
"I said…Remy wants to take you out on a date," said the Cajun, fighting off his stammer and keeping his demeanor as best he could, "Tomorrow night…Dinner and a movie. A date…A real date."
"A real date…" she repeated, not believing she was hearing this…Or more so, not expecting.
Go on a date with Remy Lebeau? The former enemy once fought against the X-men, nearly died trying to save her, and helped break the Hellfire Club's control over her…Was asking her out on a date. A mere six months ago, she would have scoffed at the idea…Hell, six months ago she couldn't even touch. Now not only could she touch, but she actually had developed some rather serious feelings for the guy in wake of everything he did for her. Not only did he risk his life to save her, but he had helped her get through the aftermath as well even though she was the first to admit she didn't make that easy.
Rogue didn't know how to respond and Remy was starting to get a little nervous that she was about to say no, but upon regaining her ability to form words again, she was quick to keep herself from sending the wrong message.
"Remy Ah…Why now?" she asked, "Why would ya ask meh now with all the shit that's been goin' on?"
Taking a deep breath, Remy Lebeau moved in closer to her, hoping he didn't botch this. He had confidently wooed dozens of women in the past and not once was he ever this nervous. He knew Rogue had always had this mysterious spell over him from the day he first saw her, but he had no idea it was this strong.
"It's because of all dis shit dat's goin' on dat I wanna ask ya," he said in his thick Cajun accent, "Look, Remy knows dat these last few weeks have been hell for ya. And now dat it's very possible dat we could all end up facin' de same assholes again, Remy doesn't want to waste any more time wit us."
"Us?" said Rogue curiously, still reeling from what he had just asked her.
"Yes…Us," said Remy in a lower tone as he moved to within inches of her, giving her a deep whiff of his spicy Cajun scent, "I t'ink we both know dat dere is somethin' between us, non? You helped me with mon perè dat day back in New Orleans…And Remy nearly gave his life to save ya. And spendin' all dis time with ya these past few weeks have got Remy thinkin'…Life is short cherè. Anything can happen in de span of a few seconds. So why risk losin' somethin' dat we both know is there? Can't ya feel it cherè?"
Remy then gently raised his hand to her face and slowly, but gently caressed the skin of her face…The same skin he once could never touch. Rogue may have still been a bit weary about contact, but she had come to trust Remy over the time she had come to know him and she was even beginning to relish in it. Only this time, as he gently ran his hands down the side of her cheek, it made her go weak in the knees as she fought with her anxiety and uncertainty concerning her feelings for this man.
"Of course I feel it Remy…" she finally answered, "But…"
However, Remy didn't let her finish, for he was determined to see this through beyond the shadow of a doubt.
"Den why waist any more time, cherè?" said Remy, sounding all the more certain that this was right, "If you feel it…And Remy feels it…Den shouldn't we both see where it goes? Ain't it worth tryin'? Ya can touch now cherè…Ya can live in a world ya couldn't have lived in six months ago. And who knows cherè…Maybe dis was meant to be…Maybe you and I could be it, ya know? Ya already know dat Remy really cares about ya…So why don't we both try and see where it goes?"
Rogue considered that for a moment as she found herself looking down at her bare hands. She was once trapped in her own prison…Never able to touch, feel, or experience the kind of things that everybody else around her took for granted. Now, as she felt Remy Lebeau's soft hand on her cheek, her mind began to wander…Were all these things that she had been through with this man sings that maybe…Just maybe…He could be the one? Before she could touch, she thought she was forever doomed to be alone…But here she was with a chance to change that. Now…She had a chance to actually be with someone and develop a relationship…A real relationship with.
Being around Remy made her feel so many conflicting things…But they made her feel warm, happy, and at peace in many ways. This was a man that had nearly died trying to save her and this was a man who hadn't given up on her when she had already given up on herself. What would happen if they both took it another step? What would happen if they attempted to let this relationship grow?
"So how 'bout it cherè?" said Remy, breaking the tense silence that had fallen over them, waiting nervously for an answer, "Will you go out on a date with dis here swamp rat?"
At first she hesitated, but Rogue quickly found herself giving him a warm smile that helped ease his fears as she took his hand in hers.
"Ah'd love to Remy…" said Rogue.
"Really?" said Remy, almost having to shake himself in order to get his brain to process it, "Great! Remy promises he'll make sure it'll be a night ya won't soon forget…"
"Ah'm sure Ah won't…" grinned Rogue.
"And just remember dat dis here Cajun always follows through on his promises," said Gambit in a confident tone.
"And just remember that Ah'm gonna hold ya to that ego of yours," quipped Rogue with a grin.
"In dat case, Remy had better rest up and start planning," he said, "Just be ready by tomorrow at seven."
"I'll be ready…" she assured, knowing she wouldn't want to miss it for the world.
Feeling as though he was running on a new high, Remy flashed her one of his winning smiles as they stood there in relative silence before he reluctantly turned towards the door. After he left, Rogue couldn't stop herself from smiling…For she was now going out on a date with Remy Lebeau. The thought alone made her excited about where it may lead her…But then she had another thought…One that may require her to get a little help from the resident experts.
'Ah'm goin' on a date with Remy…Damn, what in the hell am Ah gonna wear?'
-Rec Room-
The New Mutants all walked and dragged themselves into the Rec Room feeling tired and aching all over. They all had just finished one of Logan's more rigorous training sessions and not only was the older team was lending a hand, but they had seen Rogue also helping out a bit and they were all just drained.
Roberto dropped into a chair, "Man I don't think we've ever had it that bad…I don't think I can feel my legs."
"I don't think I can feel my body," groaned Ray who was sprawled onto the floor face first too tired to move off it.
Bobby came in with Jubilee on his back as he set her down on the couch and he fell down next to her, "Oh man…I don't even think I could make an ice cube I'm so tired," he groaned as he placed an arm over Jubilee's shoulders as the Chinese teen moaned and rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.
All the other mutants just groaned as they took their own places. Jamie and Rahne were sitting on the floor next to each other leaning on each other, while Tabitha, Amara and Sam were in a heap on the other couch.
"Yeah, but given whoever the Hellfire Club is, I think we might need it," Tabitha said, remembering the horror stories her and the others had heard plus those cyborg commandoes they faced weren't the usual type. Normally they faced normal humans and mutants like the Brotherhood in simulations, but those guys weren't what they normally fought. They were tougher and smarter then either of the old simulations they fought against.
Amara merely nodded her head. She hadn't told the others of her own knowledge of Selene because a lot of it was mainly history and stories and it was hard to tell fact from fiction. Besides, everyone was high strung as it was and telling them the horrors that could happen wouldn't help. For now, she just sat against Tabitha just enjoying the moment, although she had been wondering if Sam would ever get the courage, then again while she waited she could secretly enjoy moments like this as well.
Tabitha put an arm around both Sam and Amara not noticing the slight blushes from both of them, "Well at least that's over with for now…What do you say we go out later…After I get the feeling back in my legs."
"Ah don't know…Personally I'm too tired to sleep at this point," Sam said loving the feel of Tabby's skin on the back of his neck, and she even sprayed that perfume she used after she had changed and showered like everyone else. Then, the image of her showering with warm water all over her body entered his mind and he quickly tried to think of something else. Getting a woody at this moment might not be a good idea and tried to think unsexy thoughts, but with Tabitha the girl he had been eyeing for months next to him it was hard.
"At least some of us can," Bobby said as Jubilee was snuggled against his chest sleeping soundly, he brushed aside some of her long hair and saw her smile a bit in her light sleep. He sighed looking down at her, for they had so much fun together and lately he had been thinking what if she had been taken and had gone through all of that horrible stuff. That thought alone chilled him to the bone like his powers could never do. He just hadn't realized how much she meant to him. She was his closest friend and lately had had to admit he loved her, but still couldn't bring himself to say it.
If the Hellfire Club came after them, he wanted to make sure Jubes would be safe and they wouldn't take her. He wouldn't allow her to suffer the same fate. He may be a joker and a bit of a slacker, he admits that…But he also would never let anyone he cared for get hurt and he would do his best to protect her.
Rahne, however, was trying to rub the soreness in one of her shoulders. She had nearly pulled the muscles in her arms from one of the simulations and even though the warm shower after it helped it was still knotting up on her. Jamie noticed this, "You okay?"
"It's just me shoulders, they're really puttin' me in a world o' discomfort, could ye help me out?"
"W-w-what? H-how?" Jamie swallowed hard and felt more nervous now then ever.
"Could ye rub me shoulders? To get the knots out at least?" She asked him hoping he was decent at this given her neck was aching now too and she really didn't want to have this all day. It was worse in her wolf form because of how the muscles were shifted and then how they were set up in that body.
Jamie nodded and she shifted her back to him as he saw his hands slightly shaking with nervousness and started to lightly rub the areas. "A little harder please," she asked him and he complied. Soon she was surprised by how well he was doing this. His hands were delicate and yet gave her enough pressure to help with her muscles. As more time went on and his hands went to work she found herself really starting to enjoy it. His hands seemed to have this magical touch about them and wondered if she could ask him to make a few copies for her legs.
She let out a small moan of pleasure and Jamie realized that he must be good at this. He was just letting his hands to the work and the fact he was touching the girl he had been crushing on lately in a very intimate manner wasn't lost on him. He had dreams that started out like this but he knew the ending wouldn't be the same. Her skin when he did her neck was so soft and warm and her haired smelled nice. He thought he might be able to die happy at this moment in time.
Rahne was lost in her own little world and as she wondered about he legs wondered if he could give her a full body one given how it ached. She saw herself on a table with just a towel with Jamies touching her bare flesh and the feeling of her neck all over it. Then her thoughts went to them being shirtless and sweaty and then she popped open her eyes wide and blushed.
'Where the hell did that come from?' She thought to herself, 'He's just a good friend…isn't he? OHHHH! That feels so good!' She thought to herself as he hit a nice spot. He did have to admit Jamie was a bit more mature now since he was close to being fifteen and he had grown a bit too being the same height as her and would most likely be taller then her soon. He was also a bit stronger now when she first met him. She stopped herself wondering why she was starting to think such things about Jamie. She considered him like a little brother, but he wasn't so little anymore and to be truthful…He was kind of cute…And whe was wondering what this could mean, but put if off as just his magic hands at work.
Xavier Institute – Lower Levels
It was past midnight as Logan sat motionlessly looking at the same computer screen he had been watching for the past three hours. Even after the rest of the students left the lower levels for dinner and some much needed rest, Logan found himself holding up in the main computer room just outside Cerebro. It was late and he was the only one still up. Beast had stayed down for a while, but with all the attention Sage has been giving him, he wasn't as cloistered in the lower levels as he once was. This didn't bother Logan though, for he needed to be alone now and he needed to do something to find the answers he so sorely desired.
At the moment, he was going through mountains of data from many of the information centers that the computer was capable of accessing. From SHIELD to hospital records, Xavier's systems were among the most advanced information gathering mechanisms in existence, yet even they could only come up with mere traces of the info he looking for. He had done only one search and it had been leading him to dead end after dead end…And that search was James Howlett.
After hearing the mysterious stranger known only as Slayer call him by that name, it had triggered something within his mind that had long been suppressed deep within his subconscious. Like his memories of Yuriko, they were fuzzy at best, but from what he could make out he knew one thing was for certain…He was James Howlett.
Search after search through these vast systems of data had yielded only bits and pieces. One of the few matches he was able to get were some very old records dating back to the turn of the century of a wealthy Canadian family known as the Howletts. In that family, there was young boy named James, but Logan wasn't sure if it was him. If he was indeed that very boy, it would make him over 90 years old…Much older than he originally thought. And for all he knew there was more than one Howlett family.
It may have been hard to believe, but his gut was telling him that he was that boy. He didn't have any memories of that time, but that wasn't the only place where he found a match for James Howlett. There were also military records of that name during World War II, but it somewhat conflicted with the memories he did have of that time. Back then, he always went by Logan and as far as he knew, he couldn't remember ever going by any other name. Then again, the time before World War II was just as fuzzy as the time after, so for all he knew he could have enlisted under James Howlett and just went by something else in the field.
There were too many brief snippets and not enough concrete information. He had only some of the fuzzy memories of Yuriko to go on and not much else. It was late and he was beyond exhausted after such a long day, but he still found himself just staring at the computer screen, hoping that he would find something that would trigger the memories that Weapon X had taken away from him.
Then suddenly, as he let out a deep sigh of exhaustion, a familiar scent caught his nose and he turned to see Ororo standing in her bathrobe just outside the door with a concerned look on her face.
"Ro?" he said, surprised that she was still up, "What are you doing still up?"
"Couldn't sleep…" she said as she made her way over to where he was sitting, "How can I when you've kept yourself cloistered down here all night? You look as though you haven't even tried to get some rest."
"Can't sleep now Ro…" said Logan as he looked back at the computer screen, "I couldn't if I tried. I just gotta find some answers…I gotta find out more about James Howlett."
"Is that what you've been doing down here all this time?" said Ororo, growing somewhat curious since she knew this had really been affecting him since their visit from Slayer, "What have you found?"
"Not a whole lot…" he said in a disgruntled tone, "Everything I find is just in pieces. The only real stuff I can find on that name is some rich Canadian family back around the turn of the century and a few military records, but that's pretty much it. And hell, I don't know if it's even me. For all I know there could be some other guy named James Howlett out there and the one I was just got erased altogether."
"But do you honestly believe that?" asked Ororo, feeling as though she knew Logan well enough to know when that it had too be true.
"No…I don't," admitted Logan, "I know that guy is me…I don't know how I know it, I just know it…"
Logan let out another grunt of frustration as he rubbed his sore temples. Upon seeing this, Ororo moved in closer and gently rubbed his shoulder with her hands, letting him feel her warm touch. It did help relieve some of the tension for Logan, but it didn't bring him any closer to the answers he wanted.
"You'll find out more…I know you will," assured Ororo in a warm, calming tone.
"That's just it Ro…I don't think I wanna know," said Logan in a somewhat dazed tone.
"What do you mean?" she asked curiously.
"The only other thing I have to go on besides this shit I found on the computer are the memories with Yuriko," he said, sounding all the more disheartened at the mention of that woman, "But every time I remember that…I get this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach…As if there are more bloody parts of my past besides what happened with Yurkio. And if I remember just what those parts are…I don't want to end up wanting to forget them all over again."
It seemed like a real dilemma. Ororo could honestly say she had never been in such a predicament before and she could never truly relate. But after what she saw happen with Deathstrike back at the Hellfire Club and what she saw Logan go through to save them, it never made her doubt for a second the man he truly was at heart. And since they started their relationship, she had found there were far more complicated parts to him that few others ever got a chance to experience. But he had let her in…He had shown her those sides to him that he hid from so many others. She wanted to help him and she didn't want to see him like this, but she didn't know what more she could do given his complicated situation.
"Logan…" she said in her calm, soothing tone, "You mustn't try to dwell on the possibilities. I know how hard the Yuriko thing was on you…And I know this is probably just as bad. But…Your past, no matter what it may be, was taken away from you. You can't blame yourself for wanting it back."
"But it's the what ifs that's driving me crazy," he grunted as he tensed up once again, prompting Ororo to hold him closer to her body, allowing her warm scent to help sooth the tortured man before her, "I just…Ro, what I've learned ain't all that pretty. Hell, if some of these records are right, I could be over 100 years old. In all the memories I have with Yuriko as James Howlett…I keep hearing myself talk about the horrible things I've done…Things I can't even remember. And if…If I remember the man I was…And if that man was nothing like the man I am now…Would I become him? Would it destroy everything I've built here with the institute…And with you?"
Ororo wished she could give him the right answers, but she honestly didn't know. She just held him close, assuring him that she was there for him and didn't want him to suffer like this.
"Logan…" she said, with a slight strain in her tone.
"The last woman I was in love with…I hurt," said Logan, still going over all the possible implications that learning about his past could bring, "Now, her sole mission in life is to watch me die a slow painful death. And I just…I don't want the same thing to happen with you Ro. I don't want something to happen that…"
"Logan please…" said Ororo, cutting him off in mid sentence as she placed her hand upon his rugged, unshaven face, "I know…You would never truly hurt me. I've come to know you better than anyone…And I understand that the things you've done in the past are things you've really had no control over. I know what it's like…To have done things in the past that you've regretted. And I've come to see that one's past doesn't make them who they are…And you shouldn't either."
Ororo was forced to speak from what life experience she could, given her rather shady past back in Egypt with her sister when she was young. It wasn't the same, but she was desperate to use anything at this point to help this man who had become such a huge part of her being over the years. While Logan did take some comfort in those words, it still left him brimming with doubt and he found himself taking her warm hand in his, if for anything…For assurance.
"Ro…Can you honestly say that if there was something in my past that flat out disgusted…You wouldn't go the same route as Yuriko and hate my guts for all eternity?" he asked her, still unable to look her in the eyes.
"I don't think I can say for certain Logan…" said Ororo, knowing that was something she could never answer, "But I'm not Yuriko…And I don't think like she thinks. All I can say for certain is that you are a truly wonderful man, Logan. With all you've done here at the institute and with all the love and respect you've gained from all the students…You shouldn't let that which you don't remember taint that which you do remember. You're still Logan…The big, rugged man we all know and love here at the institute. And you shouldn't let anything take that away from you."
As Logan finally tore his gaze away from the computer screen, his gaze met with that of Ororo. It was comforting yet also somewhat disturbing because he had been in a similar situation like this with Yuriko. He still had memories of her reassuring him about who he was and now she wanted to kill him. But Ororo was not Yuriko…Ororo was someone very different who knew him better than anybody else on a personal level. He hated not knowing who he was, but he didn't want memories to change how he felt about her and his place here at the institute.
Deathstrike was still out there and she wouldn't rest until he was dead, but he was desperate not to go down the same road with Ororo as he went with her. His grip on her hand grew tighter, wanting to hold onto her…Wanting to hold onto that what they now had. Ororo could feel his tension and offered him a warm smile.
"Now come on…" she said, "You need to get some sleep. I don't care if I have to drag you out by your ear or summon the force of a hurricane, but you're going to get some sleep Logan."
"And just how do you plan to do that, darlin'?" said Logan, managing somewhat of a grin.
"Because I'm going to stay with you tonight," she said, evoking somewhat of a surprised response from Logan.
"Stay…With me? As in, sleep in the same bed?"
"Yes," she said, trying to hold back a blush, "You need rest…And so do I. And if neither of us is going to get any on our own, then I guess we have no other choice."
While Logan wasn't sure how he felt about sharing his bed with a woman for the first time in a long, long time…The thought of sharing it with Ororo, having her warm presence and soothing scent around him was somewhat appealing.
"So are you going to come quietly, or should I start summoning a few tornados?" said Ororo, the grin on her face not waning.
"Nah, save them for later," said Logan as he got up from his seat, "I'll come quietly since I know it would take way more than wind to ever stop you. And besides…How can I say no to a goddess?"
-Kitchen-
It was late at night at the Institute and Jean was in the kitchen in only a large T-shirt of Scott's that she took to wearing now for sleep. It was dark except for the one light on and she sat at the table drinking a cup of warm tea to help her relax. Ever since they had learned of the Hellfire Club members still out there everyone was a bit on edge. She had seen Rogue taking charge and helping out with the younger students. She guessed that Rogue didn't want to be a victim again or any of the others. For herself, she was afraid of facing Shaw again. She still felt disgusted remembering how in the guise of Scott he had used her. He had done things to her and hurt her in ways Scott never would have and yet she never fought back or stopped it.
She secretly felt so weak thinking how easily she had just let him do that, but then again she also knew some of those times she had been another person, but it still left her feeling violated at times. Scott was the biggest help in getting over that and sleeping in his arms sometimes was the only way she could get a decent nights sleep, but other times like this she just couldn't sleep. She had slipped out of her and Scott's room and had gone into the kitchen for some tea to relax.
"Nice to see someone else isn't sleeping well, at least I'll have company," Jean turned to see Emma in her white silk robe walk in looking a little haggard.
"Couldn't sleep either huh?" It wasn't really a question. She walked in a little with a slight limb in her leg and sat down, "You okay?"
"Oh, I had one of Vincent's training sessions today."
"How did that go?" came Betsy's voice from the doorway in her black satin robe followed by Rogue of all people in her orange and green PJs, "What can I say? I guess we all couldn't sleep tonight."
"No kiddin'" Rogue said sitting down, "Learnin' that they're back is still makin' meh jumpy."
"After what we went through I'm not surprised," Jean sighed as she started to pour some more for the others, "So what about Vincent?"
Emma smiled, "I gave him a little workout of my own. After his training, which by the way is as tough as Logan if you can believe that, he gave me a nice body massage to loosen up my muscles."
"Oils?" Betsy asked with a smile.
Emma nodded, "Yeah this nice hot stuff. I got undressed and put a few towels down so my sheets didn't get ruined. But let me tell you his hands can work magic," she purred out getting a very large smile on his face.
"So what was your own exercise then?" Rogue asked not thinking about the question since she was still a little groggy. She kept having nightmares of being the Green Knight again as well as other things she didn't want to think about.
Emma smiled broadly, "I'm not just limping a bit because of the training dear. I had a nice few rounds of sex with him I even went done on him. I think I wore him out."
Rogue's jaw dropped for a bit, "Okay, Ah got to stop asking meh that stuff with ya." She shook her head as Betsy laughed.
"Trust us luv, when you hang with Emma you learn that it's no holds bar with her," The purple haired telepath said with a smile.
"Ah still can't believe ya can still go that far. Ah mean…Ah still feel a little skittish at times and Ah don't think Ah could go that far with someone yet," Rogue said sadly looking into the dark hot liquid.
Emma who was sitting next to the goth touched her hand gently, "Trust me, I know what you're going through, but it took time for me to get over it. Plus, I refuse to let it get to me…So, don't worry, I'm sure that you and the Cajun will have a nice normal relationship with all the benefits."
"W-what?" Rogue said a bit shocked, she knew there were rumor, but not to have Emma just say it like it was true, "W-what makes ya think Ah like him like that?"
Emma smiled at her, "Telepathy darling and don't bother lying to one, it's demeaning."
Rogue sighed, "God ya can't have any privacy in this place," She muttered to herself then looked back to Emma, "Ya really think that could happen? That ah can let him get that close to meh after…"
"If I can and Jean can, trust me on this darling you can too," Emma said showing a rare sense of true friendship, she figured these women she could relate to since they all had gone through the hellish ordeal together at the end.
"Well…Ah do have a date planned with him for later," Rogue admitted blushing a bit.
"Oh really?" Jean asked her interested in that, "Well it's nice to know your comfortable enough to do that…I know it hasn't been easy on you."
"It hasn't been easy on a lot of us," Betsy sighed still remembering the terror she felt that entire time wondering when it would be her turn and what would happen to her and that she would never see her family or Warren again, "I was so afraid and nearly lost all hope…"
"I think we all did," Jean said quietly.
"Well it doesn't matter anymore. That's the past and I don't want to worry about the past anymore," Emma said setting her face in a passive look. She just wanted to forget that horrible year of her life like it had never happened. She just wanted to focus on the present. She had a home now, the makings of new friends, and the love of a great man in her life, "I say we concentrate on the present and just get ready for the future. I refuse to allow myself to be held prisoner by them again even emotionally."
That made the other women thin, for they too were tired of feeling like the Hellfire Club still had a hold over them. They knew that it would take time for the scars they carried to heal and to feel the weight of it lifted from their shoulders, some more then others. But they all wanted to get on with their lives they wanted what the Club stole from them.
"Well it may take meh a little longer…But I don't want them to win, to beat me again…" Rogue said mainly to herself. She was so tired of being the victim and it was time to stand up and fight back for once.
"If you want, I can help you with a dress for your date," Emma said with a smile, "Believe me, I know fashion and with my help you can give that Cajun man a heart attack when he sets eyes on you."
Rogue blushed a bit thinking of Remy's face after something like that, "Ah'll…Think about that…Thanks."
They stayed up for an hour later just talking and soon they all felt a bit better. They may not have wanted to meet the Hellfire Club again after what they went through, but together they helped ease each other's apprehension and fears and gained strength from it all. By the end of it they all felt a little better and a bit stronger. They cleaned up after themselves and went to bed. Rogue slipped into her bed and felt so much better that she fell asleep instantly with no nightmares to plague her.
Betsy dropped her robe and in her lingerie slipped in with Warren, careful of her wings and rested her head against him and sighed as he closed her eyes. Emma was the same as the untied her own robe in Vincent's room and set it down only in her bra and panties and slid in with him. Even in his sleep he groaned a bit and wrapped his arms around her and she just held him cherishing the moment.
Jean, still in her large blue T-Shirt belonging to Scott, slipped into their bed next to him on her side facing away from him, "You okay?" She jumped at his voice.
"How long have you been up?" she asked him turning her head slightly.
"Soon after you left the bed…I figured you needed to be alone so I didn't bother you." He then held her in his arms, resting his head on her shoulder, "Besides I knew if you wanted to talk to me you would have."
"I didn't want to wake you."
"I know, but just remember Jean…Any time at all you need me, just wake me. Trust me, I want to be there for you if you need me."
She sighed and held his hand wrapped over her waist. "Thank you," she whispered, snuggling against him and feeling that familiar sensation of being safe and sound in his arms and drifted off to sleep as Scott watched over her for a bit making sure she was asleep and sleeping soundly.
He kissed her head, "Anytime Beautiful."
NEXT UP CHAPTER 39: SINISTER'S GRASP
ATTENTION:
I would like everyone to check out a post board that I belong to called X-Men Evolution Omniverse created by writer Mrs. Jean Grey-Summers from this site. We need more players including more Brotherhood/Acolytes. You can make your own character or canon character like I did. I placed the link on my bio page please look it up and try it out. (http/txeo. proboards41. com/index.cgi
I had to put spaces in that for it to work.