Disclaimer: Once again, I DO NOT OWN THE X-MEN. Thank you for listening. Also, I don't speak French, yet, there is French in this chapter. How is that possible? Through Babelfish. If it gives you a problem, let me know and I'll fix it!
/I'm a little flashback, short and stout. Here is my handle, here is my spout…/
Chapter eleven: Upping the Ante
Rogue stilled completely for a moment.
Remy was staring at her like he expected her to get up and walk away or slug him.
So Rogue cocked her lips into a half a smile and said, "Ya got anythin' ya want ta add ta that, Cajun?
He blinked and rubbed his free hand across his chin and mouth. He already felt the memories rushing back through him, leaving him chilled. He had tried so hard to forget, to push the memories back and forget the pain…but they were always there, lurking in the back of his mind, waiting for any excuse to pounce…
It would be so much easier just to have her take dem…and den have her go t'rough all dat I felt? Merde, what kind of coward am I? De fille's been hurt enough, non? I can get t'rough dis.
"It's kinda hard t' know where t' start," Remy said finally.
Rogue raised her eyebrows, "Well, ya did just take a lot of suspense out of the story, sugah. Why don't ya tell me why ya killed her, and we'll go from there?"
Remy absently rubbed his thumb across the smooth flesh of her palm. He felt her draw in a shuddering breath and concealed a smirk. "It's easier t' start out wit' why I got married."
Rogue rolled her eyes, "Then start there!"
"Lesse," Remy exhaled, trying to sort out his thoughts. "Well, y' know dat Remy be de Prince of T'ieves, non?"
"Am Ah gonna hafta sit through ya talkin' in third person this whole story?"
He mock scowled at her, "Ya not makin' dis any easier wit' your interrupting, femme."
Rogue chuckled. She sensed that the exact opposite was the case. She could tell that Remy wasn't used to talking about things that hurt. Hell, she wasn't either. But where she needed to be nearly ignored in order to get through talking about it, Remy needed to be able to laugh about it. He would always choose to laugh. She could see it in the way a careless smile lurked around the corners of his lips even as he was glaring at her.
His lips….No! Concentrate! Not on his lips, ya fool! The pressure of his skin on her hand, his warmth covering her, was driving her mad. But it was a sweet ride.
"Ya gonna continue or just sit here an' hold mah hand all day?"
"Un homme will take what he can get," he winked at her.
She rolled her eyes again. Funny, that had never been much of a habit before she met Remy. "Ya were sayin'."
"Well, de reason why I'm called de Prince of T'ieves isn't just 'cause of m' not inconsiderable skills. M' pere is de King of T'ieves, de leader of de Guild. I'm his youngest son, by adoption."
"Adoption?"
Remy nodded, "Oui. I don' remember m' birth parents either. Tried de orphanage t'ing for a while--it didn't take. Eyes like dese, in N'Awlins… let's just say it didn't make for a pleasant experience, hein? Ran away from de orphanage when I was five, six, I dunno. Don't know m' birt'day, so it's hard t' tell. Took t' de streets. Learned quick how t' do what it took t' survive."
"How long were ya on the streets?"
Remy shrugged, "Dunno. Four, five years?"
Rogue blinked, impressed and saddened. She had barely made it through living on the streets for three months. And she had been older. "Damn. How'd ya manage it?"
"Got t' be a damn good pick pocket. De eyes--dey helped me hold m' own in a fight. Usually it was just kids pickin' on kids, an' dey got scared. Got so's I started attrackin' attention, an' a gang of older kids took me in. Like a workin' mascot. Wasn't too bad, den, actually."
/His hand dipped in and out of the businessman's pocket and he was gone before the man even realized that he had bumped into him.
Remy waited until he was safely in Fagan's gang territory before he took out the wallets he had collected on Bourbon St. His skilled, grubby fingers automatically discarded pictures and business cards, focusing on credit cards--they could be fenced, everyone in the gang was still too young to be able to use them credibly--and cash. He hid some of the cash on various hard-to-find places on his body, and some of it on more obvious places--he would be shook down by the leader, it was better to let him think that he found what he was looking for--and rolled the rest of it in a worn rubber band.
He grinned. The day had been profitable. They would eat well tonight./
A shadow of haunted memory crossed Remy's face. Rogue didn't know what to say to urge him on, so she waited.
"We didn't t'ink much beyond our next meal. We had shelter in a run-down apartment building, paid tribute t' de big gang, an' de ot'er ones, dey left us pretty much alone. We were good, we pretty much always had enough t' eat, an' we kept clean. Easier t' get close t' steal from someone if y' don' stand out too much. People get suspicious of dirty little kids, even if dey're clueless 'bout anyt'ing else. Dis kept on til I was about nine or ten. Den one day I was working', an' I came across un homme wit' a real swagger in his step. His right pocket was saggin' somet'ing fierce an' I figured--easy mark, get de goods an' be done fo' de day early. I approached de man wit' m' usual confidence an' skill--"
Rogue snorted.
Remy grandly ignored her and continued his story, "an' to m' utmost shock, de man caught m' wrist jus' as I was slippin' m' hand into his pocket."
/"Don' y know better den t' steal from de King of T'ieves, garcon?"
Remy lifted his head and gave a fake whimper, prepared to run as soon as the man loosened his grip.
The man laughed and tightened his grip.
Remy glared at him.
The man removed Remy's sunglasses with his other hand. He stared into Remy's blazing red eyes for a moment, then said, "De Diable Blanc. I heard of y'. Tell ya what, pup. Why don' ya come an work with me, an' we can put dose quick hands of yours t' a real challenge?"
"Do I got a choice?"
The man laughed again, "What's your name, garcon?"
The boy glared up at the man who still hadn't let go of his wrist. The man was going against all of his expectations…except for one thing…he wanted him to come and work for him…he could work with that…"Remy."
"From now on, ya name be Remy LeBeau. Come with me, fils."
The man let go of his wrist and turned to walk away, expecting Remy to follow.
Remy stared at the man's back, knowing that he could run. But he never was one to back away from a challenge. He didn't run after the man--even then, he knew better than to seem too eager--but he followed him through the crowded streets. /
"Dat man be mon pere, Jean-Luc LeBeau. He took me in from dat day on an' trained m' t' be de best dere is. But dat ain't all he did. He didn't hafta adopt me, but he did. He gave me a family, not just a place t' eat an' sleep, but a real family. I don't know if I can say how…different dat made everyt'ing."
"Yeah, Ah can see how it would," Rogue said softly.
He gave her a long considering look. "Y' really can, can't ya."
It slowly dawned on each of them that the person sitting across from them was one of those most rare commodities in life--a person who could actually, genuinely understand the other.
It was an uncomfortable moment, tense with an indefinable emotion. Each felt as if they had peeked into something private, and felt as if they should look away, but couldn't.
Remy's grip on Rogue's hand tightened.
Rogue felt his calluses press into her soft skin and her stomach clenched, tingling. She wanted to drop her gaze and break the moment, sever whatever connection was forming between them. But something deep within her would not allow it.
They held each other's gaze in the thick air until the moment stretched on just an instant too long. One side of Remy's mouth quirked up and Rogue dropped her gaze.
The silence was fast becoming awkward. Rogue decided to help it along. "So just like that ya were made the Prince of Thieves?"
Remy snorted in mock insult, "It wasn't 'just like dat,' fille. It was years of backbreaking training, day and day out. Livin' wit' m' family, ya never knew what could be a test or when it would come. But still, it was a good time. Dey were mon famille. Got into all sorts of trouble with m' cousins an' mon frere--we were notorious," he couldn't help but grin.
"Ah'm sure ya were," Rogue drawled.
Remy grinned at her, eyes glinting mischievously, "I'll hafta show y' why sometime."
"Be still mah beatin' heart," Rogue said dryly. "Wasn't there something else ya were tryin' ta tell me?"
Remy reached up with his free hand and rubbed the back of his neck. "Right. Well, I mentioned somet'ing 'bout de Assassin's Guild earlier, non?"
Rogue nodded.
"Well, de T'ieves Guild and de Assassins Guild were bot' founded by de same person. But fo' some forgotten reason, dey both been feudin' for years. Worse den de Hatfields and de McCoys. De feud was tearin' N'Awlins apart. But den it started interfearin' wit' business. An' neither side could stand fo' dat. So mon pere and de leader of de Assassins drew up a peace contract. But dey had t' come up wit' somet'ing t' seal it wit'. When I was t'irteen, dey figured it out an' announced de engagement of deir son and daughter, Remy LeBeau and Bella Donna Boudreaux."
He cast her a sidelong glance, "What, no comments from de peanut gallery?"
Rogue smirked. He obviously needed more prodding. "Well, Ah'd say 'aren't ya a little young ta be married,' or something else along the lines of 'aren't ya a little short ta be a storm trooper,' (1) but that doesn't really seem applicable. Since obviously ya were married, an' you're having a hard enough time telling me the story as it is. If it's too difficult for ya, Ah understand--"
"Non!"
"No, really, Ah know how hard it is ta get through talkin' about emotionally traumatic experiences. Ah'll understand if ya can't take it."
He narrowed his eyes. "I get de picture, Rogue."
She smiled sweetly at him, "'Cause if it's too much…"
Remy humphed. He would have crossed his arms and sulked, but that would have meant letting go of Rogue's hand. "'Course we didn't get married when we were t'irteen. Dat was just when we were told about de engagement. Neither of us paid it much mind til' we were sixteen, right before I left t' go on m' Tilling."
"Tilling?"
"S'like de big initiation into de Guild. Ya do one job wit' a sponsor, an' if ya do a good job, y're in. Anyway, a few months before I left, I started runnin' into Bella more an' more. We started datin'--figured we might as well get t' know each ot'er a bit. 'Sides, she was belle. Den I left t' go on m' Tilling…bad stuff happened on dat trip. Real bad stuff.
/He ran to Notre Dame. He couldn't get there fast enough. Something terrible had already happened.
The monster stood on the roof of the cathedral. Two writhing bundles were attacked to two long cords the ends of which were tied securely to the roof.
Henri. And Genny. Dangling head first off the roof, held from their deaths by two strong cords tied to the rooftop. The monster crouched over the knots, his long nails extended like five knives hovering above the rope. He leered down at Remy.
"Give me the necklace, and I'll only let one of them drop."
Genevieve called out to him, but he didn't hear her. He didn't have much of a choice. Remy clenched his teeth in fury and frustration. "Save Henri," he tossed the necklace up to the monster.
The monster caught it, and cut the cord with his sharp nails.
Genevieve fell, screaming to her death. Remy couldn't look away. He couldn't tear himself away from her eyes. He heard the thud as her body hit the ground, the crack as her neck snapped.
Furious, he scanned the rooftop for any sign of the monster.
Sabertooth was gone.
Remy managed to make it to the top of the roof to haul up Henri before he broke down in tears./
"I got back, I was a mess. Bella really helped me t'rough it. She comforted me when I needed it an' smacked me into shape when I was moping. T'ought I could trust her. I fell in love with her. She said she loved me. De wedding was all set. I was seventeen."
Remy paused and took in a ragged breath. "Bella Donna had an older brother, a real crazy bastard by de name of Julien. He had never approved of de peace, or of m' marriage t' Bella. I expected him t' show up an' do somet'ing stupid t' stop de ceremony. He didn't. De marriage went off without a hitch. He waited til dat night…
/"Where's m' blushin' bride?" Remy called cheerfully as he opened the door to the exclusive honeymoon suite in the best hotel in New Orleans. They had agreed to spend the wedding night at home before flying out to Paris for their honeymoon. Bella thought that going back to that city with her would be good for him. Remy thought that going anywhere with Bella would be good for him./
"After de celebration that night I came back t' de honeymoon suite. Bella had gone up early. Said she wanted 'to prepare.' Probably de truest t'ing she ever said t' me. It was dark in de living room section of the suite, the door t' de bedroom was closed. I started walking towards it when Julien jumped me. If de idiot had used a gun, he would have had a clear shot. But he said he wanted t' make me bleed, an' a gun would be too quick. He tried t' use a sword instead.
/"You're a fool, Julien! Y' tryin' t' destroy de peace?" Remy shouted as he dodged a blow that came far too close to his stomach. Why de hell didn't I keep m' bo with me? Oh right. My wedding day. Of peace. Wouldn't want de appearance of a weapon t' spoil t'ings.
"Not hardly, t'ief. Ya ain't good enough fo' ma sœur and ya ain't able t' lead de Guilds. Dis ends tonight."
"I agree," Remy said, and threw the charged key at Julien's shoulder. The electronic pass card flew just as well as a playing card
Julien cried out, dropping his sword and clutching his shoulder. He began cursing in French.
Remy clicked his tongue at him as he kicked the dropped sword into his grasp. "Such language. Is dat any way t' congratulate your beau-frère?"
Julien attempted to stumble forward and charge him.
Remy neatly sidestepped him and clocked Julien on the head with the pummel of the sword.
Julien slumped unconscious to the floor.
"Crazy fool," Remy muttered. His glance shifted to the closed bedroom door. "If y' did anyt'ing t' Bella Donna, I swear I'll come back here an' kill y' with m' bare hands./
"I didn't kill him. He was m' brot'er-in-law after all. Knocked him unconscious after disabling him. Went into de bedroom t' check on Bella--see why she didn't come out during de fight an' all. I hoped she was OK. She was fine. She stood by de mantle in a long white negligee holding a glass of champagne in her hand. Her glass dropped t' de floor when she saw me.
/"R-Remy! Y're bleedin'! What was all dat racket out dere?"
Remy wiped the blood off of the corner of his lip. "Your frère fou was waitin' t' attack me. We need t' call someone t' take care of him before he bleeds t' deat' on de carpet."
"Stupid idiot never could do anyt'ing right."
"Quoi?"/
"She tol' me dat she had been expecting Julien t' walk through de door. And that since he had botched up the job, now she would have to finish it. So we fought. Don' really wanna talk about de details.
/Blonde braids flew up as Bella ducked to try and kick his feet out from under him.
The thud of flesh on flesh as he grabbed her wrist and forced her to drop a knife.
The strangled cry she made as he wrestled her to the floor.
"What are ya tryin' t' do here, Bella?"
"Would tink dat would be obvious, cher. I take y' out, take out y' family, an who's left t' be de leader of de Guild but moi?" She grinned at him, "It was fun, Remy, but I'm far better off wit' ya dead."
Her long legs wrapped around his neck and she reversed their positions. Another knife flashed in her hand as she struck down. He moved out of the way quickly enough to stop the killing the blow--the blade lodged itself in his shoulder.
Remy growled and threw her off of him, quickly standing. Bella had scrambled and picked up the knife that had been discarded on the floor.
She started circling him like a vulture.
"Face it Remy, y' got played. Like with what y' did t' dat little French fille. What was her name? Penny? Ginny? Do y' even remember, cher?"
"Stop dis, Bella."
"Tell me somet'ing--do ya still dream of her? Of her mouth falling open in a horrified scream as she fell, spiraling down… Was dere betrayal in her eyes, or just terror?"
"I did what I had t' t' save Henri. Ya don' hafta do dis."
She laughed. "Don' ya get it, cher? I want t' do dis. Dis is de way de game ends. Ya know, at first I t'ought maybe I would keep y' around fo' a while. After all, ya're pretty good in bed. But it made more sense t' attack de night of de wedding. Your family's probably all drunk, celebratin', deir guard is down…makes for a very convenient time t' strike. I'm done wit' ya, Remy, ya served your purpose, now it's time fo' ya t' die."/
"Her plan all came out as we were fighting. She had only agreed t' marry me so dat dey could kill me. Then toget'er, she and Julien would kill the rest of m' family. And den dey would be proclaimed de leaders of de Unified Guilds. Bella was a much better fighter dan Julien. An' I was mad--hurt. An' she wouldn't stay down. She kept threatening t' come after me and my family. Dere was nothing else I could do."
/"Ya really gonna do dis, cher? Ya really gonna fight me? I ain't stoppin' til ya dead; dere's only one way ya can stop me. An' ya can barely stand de death of a woman ya didn't love. How ya gonna live wit' killin' tes cœur?"
He drove her back to the wall with a furry of blows. One of them connected, and his knife sunk deep into her side. He kept her pinned to the wall.
"Ya ain't de woman I loved. S'obvious she never existed." He tore the knife out, slashing an artery as it exited her body.
Bella Donna stared up into his eyes and smirked as her blood flowed out of the lethal wound in her side, staining her white silk negligee. "I never loved ya. Doesn't it kill ya dat ya can't say de same?"
Dat ain't what kills me, Bella.
She coughed up blood. He stepped away from her, let her slump to the floor. He stared at the woman who he had made his wife. Her blood was literally on his hands.
By the time he thought to call an ambulance, she was dead./
Remy couldn't meet Rogue's eyes. He was petrified of what he would find there.
Rogue squeezed his hand reassuringly.
He quickly looked up at her.
A sad half-smiled played around the corner of her mouth. "Ya didn't kill your wife, Remy."
He blinked. "Non, I'm pretty sure I did."
Rogue shook her head. "No. Ya killed the woman who lied ta ya and used ya and was goin' ta kill ya and your family. She knew she was gonna do it when she swore ta love, honor, an' obey ya. It takes two people vowin' ta make a marriage. She didn't vow true, she lied, so she wasn't really your wife."
Remy's eyes widened. "I never t'ought of it dat way before." The more he turned it over in his mind, the more it made sense. For some reason, even though he had long since accepted the fact that he had no choice but to kill Bella Donna, the fact that he had killed his wife had bothered him almost as much as how she had betrayed him.
"So…you're not mad at me?"
Rogue snorted, "For what? Actin' ta save your life and the life of your family? Not likely."
She ducked her head and looked up through her lashes at him shyly. "Ah am sorry it hurt ya so bad, though," she said softly.
Remy felt overwhelmed with emotion. Gratitude, respect, love, aching longing…and all of it was his, and it was all directed towards Rogue.
Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on her hand and leaned forward.
Rogue swallowed and shifted away, "What happened next?"
"Well, de Asassins, dey wanted me dead. But m' pere--he fought for me. Demanded dat dere be a full inquiry t' back up m' story. Julien's body being in de honeymoon suite was enough t' make enough members of de Guild curious enough t' agree. So dey ransacked t'rough deir t'ings.
"Julien was fou enough t' make notes--plans of what he was gonna do once he was de leader of de 'United Guilds.' O' course, in order t' become de leader o' de Assassins, dat would mean dat he would have to kill his pere. Didn't seem t' bot'er him too much. Crazy bastard.
"Once Marius found out that his enfants were planning patricide, a lot of his defensive feelings evaporated. He had Julien locked up in an insane asylum. Don't t'ink he's out yet.
"So de peace was preserved on contract--m' pere even managed to wrangle out a few more concessions, seeing dat de T'ieves were really de ones wronged in dis case. I was welcome t' stay in N'Awlins, but…dere were just too many memories. Couldn't take it. So I started hiring m'self out, takin' jobs all over de world. Got a nice little stash and started doin' independent work. Set up bases fo' m'self all around de world, did some investing. Very profitable time, fo' de most part.
"Moved back home 'bout a year ago. Was startin' t' go stir crazy so mon pere insisted I take a vacation. Den one day I was in a club an' dis real belle femme walked into de room an' started dancin' alone wit' her eyes closed. Thought t' m'self--Remy's gotta meet dis fille. Asked her t' dance, she gave me a hard time about it, but I could tell she wanted it," Remy winked at her.
Rogue rolled her eyes, "Ah think Ah can guess what happened from there, thanks."
Remy pouted, "Just when de story was gettin' good, too."
Rogue snorted and shook her head, "What am Ah gonna do with ya?"
I've got a few ideas. But he didn't say anything, he just squeezed her hand and smiled at her, then slowly traced a circle on the side of her hand with his thumb.
Rogue flushed, and moved to stand up.
Remy quickly scrambled up to join her, not releasing her hand.
Rogue glanced down at her hand, still locked in his.
"Well."
"Well."
"So now what do we do?"
"Ah should get goin'. Ah'll probably check in today, see if Ah can gather any more information… An' Ah've got a lot of things Ah need ta think through."
He stared at her in disbelief--she had just poured out her heart to him, he had told her one of the most painful experiences of his life, and they found out that she could touch him, and now she was going to leave, get back to business, just like that?
Maybe she doesn't feel de same way y' do.
Well den I'll just hafta change dat.
"Fine, but don' y' tink it would look suspicious if dey don't see y' meet me today? Maybe I should come by an' pick y' up later on tonight. We go on a date, talk about what y' found out, make some plans…?"
Rogue nodded, gulped. "Sounds good."
She still hadn't looked him in the eyes since she stood.
Remy forced himself to take a deep breath and look at her, really look at her. He saw fear in the corners of her eyes. She was scared of their touch. Scared she might lose control of herself and do something she'd regret.
She said goodbye.
He was going to be good. He was going to let her go.
Remy brought up her hand and kissed the smooth flesh, savoring the sensation.
She started to turn to leave when suddenly he couldn't take it anymore and burst out, "Mon Dieu! Queest-ce que je dois faire pour vous montrer combien je vous veux? Je veux vous tenir contre moi, je veux embrasser votre chef, vos yeux captivants, votre nez. Je veux embrasser votre bouche et votre cou. Je vous veux tellement, Rogue. Je ne pense pas que j'ai jamais voulu n'importe quoi ce beaucoup. Vous idiot doux! Vous ne m'employez pas si vous me laissez vous toucher. Vous me donnez l'une chose que je veux plus que le souffle! " (My God! What do I have to do to show you how much I want you? I want to hold you against me, I want to kiss your head, your captivating eyes, your nose. I want to kiss your mouth and your neck. I want you so much, Rogue. I don't think I've ever wanted anything this much. You sweet idiot! You're not using me if you let me touch you. You're giving me the one thing I want more than breath!)
Rogue blushed, and finally looked up at him. "Umm, Ah probably should have told ya this sooner."
"Quoi?" he said, breathing hard and glaring at her. (What?)
"Je parle français." she replied in flawless French. (I speak French.)
Remy felt his heart stop.
Then it began to pound again as she took her small hands and placed them on his cheeks. She caressed them lightly for a moment. Then she drew his head down and softly pressed her lips to his.
The kiss remained sweetly innocent for the five seconds it took Remy to get over his shock. Then he put his arms around Rogue and drew her upright against him.
He went as slowly as he could. He deepened this kiss first and then pulled back just enough to place dozens of little kisses along the outline of her mouth. He drew her pouty lower lip into his mouth and sucked on it gently for a moment before releasing it. Then he kissed her hard full on the mouth.
Remy was in absolute euphoria. Kissing Rogue was like nothing else he had ever experienced. She filled up his senses, tantalizing them with her nearness. The pressure of her lips invaded his mind and any experience he had ever had before that moment faded into dim oblivion. He knew he had been upset about some woman a little while ago--why? She wasn't Rogue. Rogue was in his arms, murmuring against his lips for the brief moment they broke apart.
"The next time Ah'm acting like an idiot, say something sooner," she breathed into his mouth.
"D'accord," he said huskily, and kissed her deeply. There were no words to express the pleasure he felt as she moaned into his mouth. When she responded to his prompting and gave his tongue entrance, he thought he would have to make up new words and write them down in a secret dictionary for only him and Rogue to share. Then he stopped thinking.
There are no words for this, Rogue thought. She was kissing Remy. Why hadn't she let him kiss her sooner? Why hadn't she spent every moment since she found that she could touch him kissing him? It didn't matter now; now she was kissing Remy.
Every pleasure synapse was crackling with electricity, snapping together in a way previously unknown. Her entire body was tingling. It was like the throbbing she felt before she began to dance, but much, much better. It was like the thrill after a long run, but much sweeter. The pleasure went deeper than anything she had ever experienced, and she found herself gasping against his mouth.
He drew away from her lips slowly, and proceeded to begin kissing every place that he said he wanted to. She let him kiss her eyes, let him trail a path down to her nose before she reached up and caught his lips in hers again.
He didn't seem to object.
She wasn't sure how long they stood there kissing, but her brain began to buzz in protest. It simply wasn't used to handling this much sensation. With a protesting moan, she moved centimeters away from him. She already felt cold without him.
He seemed to sense her need for space and regretted it as much as she did. But he tilted his head for a moment and examined her face.
Her lips felt swollen. She wondered for a moment if that was a bad thing. She was suddenly nervous. Sure, it had been wonderful--for her--but for the King of Hearts? Was he going to lose interest?
Then he leaned his forehead against hers and tightened his arms around her. "Dat was amazing," he murmured. "You are amazing."
Rogue grinned and sternly told herself that she was not crying. Then she wrapped her arms around him and held him close, tucking her head in the crook of his neck.
Remy pulled her as close as possible, closed his eyes, and held her.
Translations: Ha-ha! I stuck the major ones in there because i felt bad about you having to scroll down! Was that good? Anyway, "fou" is crazy,"tes cœur " is your heart, "D'accord" is okay/agreed, umm "beau-frere" is brother in law, and I can't remember if I left anything out.
1--A line from Star Wars: A New Hope. If you haven't seen this movie, you should be ashamed of yourself. Couldn't help but put it in, it's applicable to so many situations in life...
AN: Whew, finally got that out! Sorry folks, extreme writers fear. I wanted to make Remy's story good--and it was a lot harder than I thought. Hoped it worked out.So as much as I've enjoyed unfolding some of these mysteries for you, I feel like Discord in Sinbad "Enough talking. More screaming." And then she goes and sends a grffin or something in to disturb Sinbad and Marina's romantic moment. Oh, but I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic moment, and I hope that you did too. Favorite line? That's a hard one...possibly "he thought he would have to make up new words and write them down in a secret dictionary for only him and Rogue to share. Then he stopped thinking." Or "Non, I'm pretty sure I did." Anyways...I really wanted to put this line in after Remy was talking about how notorious he and his cousins were...but it just didn't fit. But I thought I'd share it anyway for your random outake enjoyment: "We feared no one but God…an' m' Tante Mattie."
Reviews are the best motivators! I don't know when I would have gotten this out if it wasn't for my wonderful reviewers! Thank you so much! And be kind--rewind! Wait...that's a different slogan...
Review Responses:
Ishandahalf:
:Grin: Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed that last chapter. Have a feeling you'll like this one too…Been wondering about your reaction to these two chapters since I had the kiss written way back when I wrote the other one two months ago… Oh, I'm glad you found Mystique's death satisfying, as I was totally creeped out after writing it--was creeped out after writing Bella's death too. (And somehow I got over being creeped out about Bella's death a lot quicker…) But somehow knowing that it was satisfying reassured me. LOL, and yes, having Bella dead and out of the way is much more convenient. So…what do you think?
:Grin: A zillion gold stars. That's so cool! And shiny!
WolvGambit Le Diable Blanc :
Sorry about the cliffy and the wait. Hope it was worth it.
They-Call-Me-Orange:
LOL, yeah, that last line was something of a shocker. Though I'm surprised you found Kitty and Mystique's death full of warm fuzzies. But the touching bit certainly filled that bill. I like to end on a warm fuzzy note. As you can tell. Hope you enjoy!
Eileen B.
Yes ma'am, I do watch Stargate! Last Hanukah we all got together and bought my dad the season DVDs 1-5. 'Cause sometimes the ScFi Channel just ain't enough. Haven't been able to really see the last two seasons due to schedule conflicts, but I caught the last one and was very confused. I should really go online and try and catch a summary or something…'cause what happened to Jack and Sam? Oo, cool convention. Congrats to you!
Happy sigh. Star-wars-esque indeed. Though seeing my name in connection with a talk show makes the hackles on the back of my neck raise. And Cajun comforters (great alliteration, btw) make me think of blankets, which makes me think of being completely covered, which leads to bad thoughts…I love your reviews. Glad you liked Kitty and Mystique. You're absolutely right, the triumph thing was pride--glad that her training had worked so well and all that. How messed up is she? But--excuse my ignorance--what on earth is UST? Please tell!
I had Remy use the 'sweet' line mostly for what follows. But you're right, he does manage to pull off the cheesiest lines.Ah, the famous low whistle line--yes, I rather like that one two. Worked on it to get it just right, glad it worked.
So glad you enjoyed it! Hope you like this one too.
Sweety8587:
LOL, you're too funny. So you're glad that he killed Bella, hmm? LOL, and yes, Remy is very good at cramping complex issues into a nutshell. Getting an explanation out of him takes more work. So glad that you enjoyed the last chapter, hope you enjoyed this one as well!
bored247:Grin: Glad you liked the touching bit. 10 chapters in, I figure it's about time. Yes, Mystique deserved it. Hope you liked Rogue's reaction to Remy's story. It just sort of popped in out of the blue as I was writing it… :)
helppuppie:
Yes, I'm all for killing the bad guys. So, here goes nothing. Remy's story, Rogue's response, and some more Romy. What did you think? Hope you enjoyed!
enchantedlight:
Thank you very much! Sorry about the wait.
wrapped in banana foil:
:Grin: Thank you! Lol, yes, I love that part, I'm glad you did too. Sorry about the cliffy, and depressed feelings, hope this chapter makes up for it. Can't wait to hear what you think!
Roguechere:
How cool is that? Yeah, just because Rogue can touch, I don't think she should go all sensation crazy and give control of her life away for sensation. It just gives her the option to do it, like anyone else. So like anyone else, she has to decide what the touch means. 'Course, it's a lot more complicated for her--'cause she's gonna want it so bad and then there's that whole using thing…but anway…
Glad you liked the touching bit! I like that too! Is it sad that I reread my own fluff? Really, you don't like Kitty? Huh. Well, I'm glad that my Kitty didn't annoy you. I presented her the way I think of her ('course it's been ages since I've seen Evo), so I'm glad you liked her. Yes, sad, sad damaging situations. Life just can't be easy for Superheroes. I think it's one of the Rules.
So, here's Remy's story--sorry, you're gonna hafta wait more for Bishop. Hope you enjoyed!
Realtfarraige:
:Grin: I love your reviews! Right, so--yes, I wanna hold your hand--how cheesy is that? I loved it, I'm glad you liked it too.
I had a friend in high school who was really into yellow smiley faces. Somehow I picture some of her personality in Kitty. Glad you liked her. She was definitely needed in Rogue's life and missed. And--to quote you--"Gah, she was proud of Rogue killing her, she's a pain in the ass even when you're choking the life out of her." Yes, that's exactly what I was going for! You hit the nail on the head!
Yeah, I totally approve of your favorite lines (and thank you for telling me them, btw, I love it when people do that!). Of course, she was clenching her first to avoid jumping him…and beating the stuffing out of him. So, yeah, Remy's arrogance is so typically him--it's great to play with. I'm glad you liked how he took it slow. She was in shock, she probably wouldn't have known any different til it was over, so we should all be very proud of him. Yeah, gotta love that force field.
Yeah, Rogue is probably one of the few people in the world he could tell that to who would recognize the pain it took to do it and not judge him for the act. Lucky him.
LOL, don't worry, no amount of convincing would make me think I was a deity. I'm just really glad that I was able to bring everyone else into my sense of suspicion--'cause since I've had it in my head for so long, I can never tell if I've pulled it off.
No, I haven't really read the comics, but I'd like to start. Book one and two, huh? Sounds good…
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the last chapter, and I hope that you liked this one as well.
Chained2aMask:
I mean this sincerely: thank you very much. Writing is just something that I do, and I've been working on it for a while now, though I've never had enough guts to submit an original story anywhere or even to edit it after completion. (Well, that might have to do with the fact that editing is boring and new ideas are much more fun.) So thank you. Your encouragement means a lot.Hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
Fingers905
Yeah, another one bites the dust. She deserved it. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Hope you like this one too!
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe:
LOL, no I wasn't trying to give you a heart attack. I take it you liked it, then? Good, I'm glad! Hope that you enjoyed this as well. :Grin: Thanks for the review, it made me grin!
Kitsu Lebeau:
Dude, can I have a job like yours? Ah-ha, their touching surprised you did it? Good! That makes it fun! Surprised her too. :evil smirk.: Sorry about the big wait on this chap. Hope that it was worth the wait! Thanks for the review!
IvyZoe:
Aww, I'm sorry you broke your arm! Casts in the summer totally stink. Feel better!Lol, yeah, well... Hey, they kiss in this chapter! That's good, right?Your confidence is quite well placed--Rogue's really not the judging type. Yeah, poor Kitty/Wisdom…I don't know if we're going to see more of him or not. How the good guys win in the end isn't completely worked out. (Of course they're going to win! It's a romance!)Hope you enjoyed!
Lyrit Liltrick:
Yeah, we're big into SG1 at my house. But I haven't really caught much of these last two seasons--I have late meetings on Friday nights. But I caught it on tape last week and I was like--what? Isn't that John Crighton? And whats-her-name? From Farscape? How'd they get on SG1? And where's Jack? And Sam! And I was confused…so it's more than likely that I just missed that eppy, since it was a new one.
Congrats on the no more math! Ah, that's a good day…Yes, so I feel like I should be announcing "And heeeeeeere's ROMY!" because, well, here it is.All Emma did in that last chap was her job on the team--she scared people out of the colliseum. We have to wait to find out what's really going on with her. Don't worry, some of her past sins will soon come to light.You know, there's nothing wrong, really, with liking a well written Bella Donna. 'Cause she did get kinda a rough deal. I mean, Remy left her without even asking if she wanted to come with him and Rogue sucked the memories out of her--it's just--well--she's in the WAY! LOL. I'm more annoyed with her than hating her, and in this one I just made her like an evil manipulative Remy. Not that true to her comic character, but it's AU, so that makes it all better, right?Lol, glad you liked those lines. I worked hard on 'em.
Cat2fat900:
CAT! YOU'RE BACK! YAY! (Which of course brings to mind that old cartoon/song. Have you ever seen it? I think you would like it. "Now old Mr. Jones had some troubles of his own, the cat came back and wouldn't leave his home, the cat came back, the very next day…" It's all about this guy trying to get rid of this cat until he blows them both up, and, well, I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.) I missed you. Hope you enjoyed camp!
I'm glad you enjoyed Kitty/Pete. I think they're cute. I hated having to kill her. LOL, yes D-E-N-I-A-L. Otherwise spelt as R-e-m-y-a-n-d-R-o-g-u-e. At least in my fic. I find it makes life interesting. Heh heh, yeah, sad angstiness for Rogue, but she handles it pretty well. Wow, wacking Irene with a brick, huh? I never hated Cody either. What's TMITPWC? Yeah, I don't know the facts about the pulse thing. Really, they couldn't find your pulse? Sometimes it's really hard to do on a wrist. It's easier to find my pulse on my neck…I'm glad you liked Kitty. LOL, you threw Mystique off a cliff. Yeesh, that didn't work out so well the first time…appropriate, though…
Yes, you picked up on the weapon thing! That's Rogue's major issue with her mutation in this fic. Sure, she hates the 'no touch' thing--but that's just the icing on the cake. The 'no touch' is like confirmation that she was only designed to bring pain. And she doesn't want it to be that way! Poor girl. I feel so bad for her. I know…I think I'll give her Remy. ;)LOL, apologies for making you talk like Kitty. Yeah, it is totally obvious. Aww, I'm glad you really liked the part when he realizes he loves her. I worked hard to make it believable. Yay:smacks forhead: Yes! ProTEST. I can't believe I never caught that! THANK YOU!So…what did you think of this one?
Erena G.T. Rose
Yes ma'am, blunt it was! I dunno, I think Rogue handled it rather well. Hope you enjoyed it, tell me what you think!
Addtothenoise:
Hey, congrats on the many updates of your stories! They make me happy. Sorry I haven't reviewed them yet, I've been banging my head into trying to get this chapter out for weeks. (Yes, I tend to bang my head into writers block. No, it doesn't always make it better, in fact, it usually just gives me a headache. But SOMETIMES the block breaks.)
So, what did you think?
simba317:
Hey, you're welcome to review my fic any time! ;) In fact, I'm really glad you did--I noticed a while back you had put it on favs, so I'm really glad to hear your opinion!
Victims of Circumstance is very catching…thanks for telling me about it, I really appreciate the suggestion! I don't think I'm gonna use it though…mostly because I see Remy and Rogue as fighting the things that try to victimize them in this fic, so I don't want to give them that label. But it is very catchy, if you think of anything else please let me know!
Thanks for reviewing!