Work of Art
Chapter Fifteen: A Season of Surprises - Part 2
By DamageCtrl

All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own the X-Men or anything associated with it.

"Rogue! Rogue! Come back, chere!" Remy rushed out of Good Vibrations, after the red faced Southerner turned tail and quickly made her exit. By the time Remy got out the door, Rogue was quickly walking towards the bus stop. "Rogue!" He had dropped the panties and ran after her. He reached out and gently grabbed her wrist. "I was jus-"

"What?" Rogue snapped. "Getting meh a present?" She whirled around, her face still blushing furiously, mortified from being inside a sex shop and catching her boyfriend, of all people, in there, buying her edible undergarments like he was grocery shopping.

"Just a gag gift, chere. I have y'r REAL present all wrapped up and under de tree," he said as he gave her a reassuring smile. "I swear."

"And what's yer REAL gift ta meh, swamp rat? A coupon for bedroom fun?" Rogue grumbled.

"Dat's stupid," Remy chuckled. "Non, don't need a coupon for dat," Rogue let out an indignant gasp and then prepared to turn around. "Just kidding! Just kidding! I got y' a good present. Real nice, I know y'll like it."

She let out a heavy sigh and turned around. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise, chere."

Rogue stared at him. "Ah'll talk ta yah later, swamp rat." With that she turned around and headed back towards the bus stop.

"Roguey, it's a surprise, chere. I can't tell y!" Remy reminded her, making her stop three paces from him. "But y'll like it. Just trust me."

Ah do trust yah, sugah... Rogue turned around and crossed her arms over her chest, a dry look on her face. "Yah better not have bought anything funny."

"Y' spoiled dat plan when y' walked into de store," he grinned. Rogue frowned. "Okay, no edible panties...but y're missing out on de fun..."

"Right..." Rogue snorted. "Well, Ah'll let yah continue with yer shopping. Ah'm gonna drag Wanda and make her take meh home."

"I can take yah home, chere."

"It's cold and Ah don't wanna ride on yer bike. Ah'm gonna freeze mah nose off, swamp rat." Rogue reminded him.

"Just hang on tight and Remy'll keep y' warm," he gave her a wink and that infuriating smile. He slowly extended his hand and Rogue took it. His warm fingers wrapped around her small slender ones and pulled her closer. "And I'll buy y' something warm t' drink."

Rogue couldn't help but smile as he nuzzled his head against hers. "Oh, alright...yah win, sugah. But just this tahme."

He gave her a quick kiss and lead her to where he had parked his bike. He gave her his helmet, assuring her that he'd be fine and that he liked riding without a helmet. Once she was secure behind him, he started it up and went down the streets of San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Wanda turned around, holding up a red leather costume, and frowned. "Where the did those two go?"

"Your husband?" Logan asked with a raised eyebrow. He sat on a chair across from Jean in one dark corner of a coffee shop. He had a strong black coffee in his hands while Jean quietly stirred her latte.

"Ex-husband," Jean corrected. "As soon as the documents go through, anyway."

"Sorry to hear that, darlin'."

"No, no...it was bound to happen, I guess," Jean replied. Her green eyes stared down at her drink. "Maybe Scott wasn't the man for me after all...he was my first boyfriend. He never gave me a reason to break up with him. Until now, of course."

"It's hard loosing someone," Logan agreed. "Trust me, I know."

Jean nodded. She took a deep breath and looked up at him with a smile. "So you're the sensei that the others always talked about?"

"Sure, unless the girls took classes else where," Logan chuckled. "Good kids, all of them..."

"Who'd you meet first?" Jean asked.

"Anna Marie," Logan grinned, recalling Rogue's real name. "Her mother put her in my class when she arrived in town. Kid was as skinny as a skeleton."

"Really?" Jean chuckled.

"Ain't nothing to laugh about, Red," Logan scolded her lightly. "She was anorexic at the time." Jean stopped stirring her drink. Her smile faded from her face and was replaced by a disbelieving frown.

"Rogue?" Jean asked, confused. "She was anorexic?"

The older man realized he said something he shouldn't have and shook his head. "Not my place to say. And don't bring it up with her, either. She doesn't like to talk about it."

"I've only known Rogue since our freshman year of college..." Jean trailed off worriedly. "She never really talked about her past..."

"I was teaching Betsy at the same time, but she was at a higher level and in a different class," Logan began, trying to take the attention from Rogue's eating disorder. "And yah probably know that they introduced Kitty to my classes later on."

Jean nodded, Rogue's past still running through her head. She couldn't imagine Rogue, who was so active and healthy, to have had an eating disorder. However, Jean did pick up on the change of subject. "So...you still teach, right?"

"Tuesdays and Thursdays." Logan nodded as he took a big swig of coffee.

"Are there still openings?" Jean asked. Logan nodded.

"You interested, Red?"

"With the divorce and everything, I think I need to get my mind off of things," Jean mused thoughtfully. "I've been meaning to take a class in something, but everyone says I'm not artsy..."

"I'll be honest with you, I'm a tough teacher. You can ask the girls." Logan warned her.

"I'm willing to take on the challenge."

"Tuesdays and Thursdays from seven to nine then." Logan told her. Jean nodded and lifted her head just as she saw someone walk through the door.

"Yah promised meh a drink, swamp rat. Yah ain't getting out og it."

"I was hoping it would be at his place..." a disappointed Cajun voice replied.

"Rogue!" Jean lifted her hand and waved. The other young woman turned around, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on the red head. A smile lit up her face and she directed Remy to go wait in line for them before she walked over.

"Hey," Rogue grinned as she pulled up a chair. She looked from Jean to Logan and raised an eyebrow. "You guys meet up or something?"

"Ran into Scott at the department store," Jean explained with wry smile on her face. "Logan was passing by and saw him grab me through the window-"

"He GRABBED yah?" Rogue gasped, shocked. Her shock was quickly replaced by anger as she narrowed her eyes. "Are yah okay, sugah, or should Ah go pay old Scooter a little visit?"

Jean cracked and smile and shook her head. "No, Logan scared him away."

"Thanks a bunch, sensei." Rogue grinned as she looked over at Logan, who merely shrugged.

"Ain't a problem, kid," Logan shrugged. His eyes narrowed as they settled on Remy's figure, who was ordering at the counter. "Now if I can scare him away..."

"Oh no," Rogue shook her head. "Ah really like this one. Yah lay off, yah understand?"

He snorted. "You always did have weird taste in men." Rogue smacked his arm playfully as she shook her head.

"Ah do not," Rogue pouted. "Remy is a great guy. And he cooks, too."

"Dont forget how hot Remy is."

"And he's really h-" Rogue rolled her eyes and looked over her shoulder at the man standing behind her, offering her a warm hot chocolate. "Funny, swamp rat."

Logan smirked. "Swamp rat. Fitting name for Gumbo."

"Nice t' see y', too, Badger-"

"Wolverine!"

Remy merely smirked and greeted Jean by taking her hand and kissing the back of it gently. "Mademoiselle Jeannie, always a pleasure, non?"

"Always, Remy," she said with a smile, playing along. Jean merely chuckled as Remy pulled up a seat and wedged himself between Jean and Rogue. "And what have you two been up to?" Jean smiled as she took a sip of her. "I thought you went shopping with Wanda."

Rogue had been smiling, but at the mention of Wanda's name she paled. "Oh Gawd..."

Remy snapped his figures, giving a mock look of distress. "We forgot about Wands..."

Rogue dug through her pocket and found phone. She flipped it open. Wanda had apparently called half a dozen times. "You forgot about Wanda?" Jean asked as she watched Rogue wince as she listened to Wanda's messages/threats for leaving her.

"What can I say? I makes de ladies forget about everthing else." He winked.

"Wanda?" Rogue said in a tiny voice as Wanda picked up the phone on the other line. Jean leaned back against her chair and watched as Rogue held the phone away from her ear. "Ah'm sorry, sugh-" She was cut off by more screaming. "Okay, can Ah pick up mah thangs, then? Ah left them in yer trunk."

Jean shook her head and Rogue hung up. "Ah better get home. Wanda's gonna drop off mah bags."

"Oh, I'll come with," Jean said as she began to collect the bags that she around her. Their apartment was up the block. "I'm just about done with shopping for the day," She stood up as Rogue and Remy did and put on her jacket. "Thanks again, Logan."

"Any time, Red," Logan agreed, watching the three get ready to leave. "Be careful around him, darlin'," he said as he addressed Rogue. "And you," his eyes locked on Remy's figure as he gave Logan and innocent look. "I'm watching you."

"Flattered, mon ami, but I already got someone." Logan snarled and Rogue rolled her eyes.

"Stop provoking him...see yah soon, sugh," She waved and headed out the door. Remy held it open for her and Jean as they walked through. "So, yah gonna fly back ta New York for Christmas?"

Jean took a deep breath and exhaled, quietly watching it crystallize in front of her as she thought. "I'm not sure yet... I haven't told my parents about...you know..."

"Yah have ta tell them sometime, sugah," Rogue said softly . "Ah know it's hard..."

"I know," Jean admitted. "It's just that my mother loved Scott, you know?"

"Professor Grey didn't," Rogue said, offering her a comforting smile. "Ah'm sure he'll be supportive." Jean chuckled and nodded.

"I should tell them...the sooner the better, I guess. I don't want to spring it on them on Christmas day."

"Heh, that's a present they'll never forget," Rogue sighed. "It'll be okay, sugh."

"Yeah...well, what about you?" Jean asked. She moved closer to Rogue, Remy was trailing behind them quietly, wondering the same question that Jean just asked.

Rogue let out a low grumble. "Ah don't know if Ah wanna see momma rihgt now..." Rogue frowned. "Not after what she did ta Remy."

"Chere..." Remy said in a low voice. "She's y'r mere...an it's Christmas, non? Time for family."

"Kurt's family. Ah can spend it with Kurt." Rogue told them proudly. Remy walked into step beside her.

"I know y'r mere don't like me," Remy said carefully. "But all she said was de truth...and it made us closer, oui?" Rogue mumbled a non-committal 'yeah', and he continued. "Shouldn't y' talk t' her?"

"Ah'm still mad at her."

"Rogue, you know Raven loves you," Jean added. "Even if she does hate Remy's guts and wants him to die and resents the fact that he's with you because he's not good enough. That doesn't change the fact that she still loves you."

Remy gave Jean a wry looked. "Thanks, Jeannie. Dats what I needed t' hear." She blushed and made a quiet apology.

"Okay, Ah'll call, momma..." Rogue grumbled. "Don't wanna make it weird on Christmas...Ah don't want Kurt ta have ta step on egg shells this year..."

"What about you, Remy? Going home?" Jean asked.

"Non, staying with Rogue," Remy beamed, putting his arm around the said woman's shoulders. "Dis is going t' be a very Remy Christmas."

Rogue groaned as Jean laughed. "That is the scariest thang Ah have ever heard..."

"Hello?" Raven's voice was stern and cold as always as she answered the phone. It was Sunday night, two weeks before Christmas, and she was wandering around her house debating whether or not to buy a tree.

With Rogue angry at her, she didn't think Rogue would want to spend time with her. Then there was that lowlife who believed he was her boyfriend. He would probably take Rogue's attention this year. Kurt would come, but he'd be very uncomfortable knowing that his little sister was giving their mother the cold shoulder.

"Raven? I'm coming to San Francisco." a warm woman's voice announced calmly.

"Irene?" Raven looked pleasantly surprised. "Are you sure, dear? It's a long flight."

"I'm blind, Raven, not dying," Irene replied. "Besides I am worried about Rogue."

"Did she call you?" Raven asked anxiously.

"No, but I have a feeling. I want to be there for Christmas, so schedule me a flight and bring a REAL car. Not that two seater of yours," Irene added. "I'm bringing presents. Does Kurt like sweaters?"

Raven smiled a genuine smile. "Yes, I'm sure he'll love it. I'll schedule you a flight immediately, dear. I'll see you then."

Irene bid her good-bye and Raven hung up the phone. She looked back at the den, towards the spot where the tree, she decided, would stand when she sent Kurt to buy it. She was reaching over for the phone to call him, when it rang.

"Hello, Darkholme residence." Raven now sounded more courteous, feeling happier now that she knew she wouldn't be alone fo the holidays.

"Momma..."

"Rogue?" She struggled to keep the worry and anxiety out of her voice.

"Yeah...About Christmas..." Rogue began. She paced her living room and looked up at her brother who gave her a thumbs up of support. "Ah want yah ta know that Ah'm not happy with the way yah treated Remy."

"That low life, transient slob is not deserving of you." Raven spat out, as if on instinct.

"Ah'm gonna ignore that," Rogue frowned. "Listen, momma, Ah don't want this ta drag on through the holidays and through New Years, so Ah'm gonna forgive yah. Ah don't care what yah think of Remy. Whether or not he deserves meh is not up ta yah."

"Not up to me?" Raven asked incredulously. "I am your MOTHER."

"And Ah love yah, momma, but..." she took a deep breath. "Ah love Remy, too," Rogue steeled herself for her mother's angry triad against Remy LeBeau. But it never came. Rogue looked at Kurt, as if asking why their mother hadn't blown up yet. Kurt looked equally confused, having expected Rogue to be holding the phone from her head already. "Momma?" Rogue said cautiously.

"If you refuse to listen to your mother, that's up to you," Raven said shrilly. "But if he hurts you, so help me-"

"Momma," Rogue said, cutting her off before she could go into details. "Ah just wanted ta know what yah were planning for Christmas?"

"Your Aunt Irene is flying here and wants to see you and your brother," Raven said. "She just called a minute before you did." The woman added, so as not to seem that she were using Irene to lure the children back.

"Kurt, Aunt Irene's flying here!" Rogue whispered, trying to cover the phone. Kurt looked surprised. Usually Irene liked to spend the holidays relaxing and contemplating her life, even though she loved it when they visited.

"I was going to ask Kurt to go out and buy a tree for the house. I was hoping to have a Christmas dinner here," Raven told her truthfully. "I'll cook, of course."

"That better not be a crack at mah culinary skills, momma..." Rogue grumbled. Great, even her up tight mother was making fun of her cooking.

"You do make excellent pies, dear," Raven assured her. "So will you be able to make it?"

Rogue took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, momma, Ah'll make it. Kurt and Ah will be there for dinner."

"Do not bring the low life." Raven added.

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Fine, Remy will stay at home. Gawd..." Rogue shook her head. "Ah'll see yah at work tomorrow, then. We can discuss what pie Ah can bring. Bye, momma."

She flipped the phone closed and fell down next to her brother on the couch, lookin exhausted. "Vell?" Kurt asked. She opened her eyes and looked up at him from her upside down position.

"We're going ta momma's house for Christmas and Ah can't bring Remy."

"Oh, zhats too bad..." Kurt said, pretending to be disappointed. "It's a terrible loss, yah?"

"Shut up, Kurt," Rogue grinned as she sat up and elbowed him. "So...what'd yah get yer favorite little sister for Christmas, hm? Somethang nahce and flashy...lahke a car?"

Kurt snorted. "You vish," he crossed his arms and grinned proudly. "I am not telling you zhis year."

"Ah'll tell yah what Ah got yah..." Rogue trailed off.

"Oh please...you got me a zweater, right?" He asked sarcastically. Rogue's smile fell. Then Kurt's smile fell. "You got me another zweater?"

"Yah like sweaters!" Rogue argued.

"Not all ze time!"

"Hey," Betsy said as she looked up from the movie she had been watching. She had been ignoring the two siblings for a while now. "I AM trying to watch this pitiful excuse for a Christmas movie."

Rogue rolled her eyes and moved her brother over so she could sit closer to the woman who was lounged on her arm chair. "That's because yah're watching Die Hard, sugah..."

"I'd like someone to die hard..." Betsy grumbled. Rogue reached over and gave Betsy a comforting squeeze on her arms. She'd just broken up with her boyfriend of several months, Warren. "That bastard."

Betsy had taken solace by barging into Remy's apartment, knowing that Rogue was there from a tip off from Jean, and demanding to use his art supplies. Three tubes of primary colors, five worn paint brushes, and two slashed canvases later, Betsy handed Remy $100 bill and thanked him before bursting into tears with and being comforted by Rogue. Remy went into go buy ice cream, upon Rogue's suggestion, only to return to find Jean there as well, cursing the Betsy's ex.

They had returned to Jean and Rogue's apartment a few hours later, red faced and determined to get on with Betsy' life.

"He is...and he's not worthy of your time." Jean assured her as she gave Betsy another mixed drink. She sat down on the floor next to the arm chair with her own drink. Jean took them home and

"I knew a long distance relationship wouldn't work..." Betsy grumbled. "But it was working for so long, I thought it was only a matter of time before Warren packed up and came here. Not..." Her eyes narrowed as her hands clenched the glass cup. She quickly lifted the drink and downed it in one gulp. "Not look for someone else!"

"And what did he say when he called you?" Jean asked.

"He gave me the 'It's not you, it's me' bullshit," Betsy snorted. "Insufferable man whore! I have half a mind to fly to New York and put to use my black belts!"

"And he's a pedophile," Kurt added. "Going out with poor Sam's schwester like zhat...its sick." Betsy threw a pillow at him and glared. Sam's sister was not even 20 yet.

"I don't want to hear anything associated with that wretched Gunthrie family right now!" Betsy growled.

"Now, Betsy...that's not fair," Rogue told her. "Sam's our friend and Ah know he doesn't want a billionaire player like Warren with his little sister."

"I think it's a shame," Jean added. "Betsy, you're the only woman I know who could handle someone like Warren," Jean sighed and looked down at her drink. "It's okay, Betsy. The perfect man doesn't exist anyway."

"Y' want cider or coffee or hot cocoa, Rogue?" Remy said. He walked out into his living room, where Rogue was watching television on the couch. She was already dressed in warm, red and green pajamas and had green fluffy slippers to match.

"Hot cocoa sounds good right about now, swamp rat!" Rogue shouted as she flipped through the channels. "Ah swear if Ah see It's a Wonderful Life once more tonight, Ah'm gonna scream," She changed the channel and there stood the black and white characters, mocking her. "AHHH!"

In the kitchen, Remy chuckled as he put on a kettle of hot water on the stove. It was close to midnight, Christmas Eve and Rogue's friends were all out of the state. Kurt was already at her mother's house, but she had opted to stay the night at Remy's. To 'keep him company' since he wasn't going back to Louisiana for the holidays.

He walked out and found her looking through his DVD collection for something to watch. Instead, he went through the CDs that were lined on the shelf just above and pulled out something Wanda had given him years earlier for Christmas. He walked over to the stereo and slipped the disc in and then shuffled through them to find a song.

From where she was kneeling down, going through the alphabetized collection, she heard the speakers sound out the drone of slow Christmas music, played by some orchestra. She looked up and found Remy standing over her, his hand extended. "May I have dis dance, mademoiselle?"

A slow smile crept over her lips as her hand rose and placed itself on his. He pulled her up and lead her to an open space by the windows and tree. His other hand slipped down to her waist and brought her firmly against him.

"Can yah dance, Cajun?" Rogue asked, already knowing the answer. A sly smirk crossed his face as he lowered his face, so it was less than an inch from hers.

"Dey say dat men who can dance are good in bed," he said in a deep voice. Rogue felt the sound vibrate through his chest as her heart started to race. "How about de other way around, chere?"

"Hmm..." Rogue pretended to think for a moment as they danced in a little circle. She leaned up and brought her lips to his ear. "Then Ah think yah might step on mah feet."

He immediately jerked his head back and raised an eyebrow before he grinned. "We'll see about dat." He spun her around and Rogue gave a yelp before she was reeled back, this time her back against his body and his arms holding hers captive. She let out a giddy laugh as he kissed her neck softly before she closed her eyes and sank back against him. "I'm glad y' decided t' stay wid me tonight, chere..."

"Mmm...Ah'm glad, too, sugh..." Rogue mused as she swayed slowly against him. "Sorry Ah can't stay with yah tomorrow."

"Y'r family is important. I understand..." He buried his face against her hair and smiled. He loved the subtle flowery scent. Why did girls always smell nice?

"Ah'm sorry about mah momma..."

"Dats not for y' t' be sorry about," he assured her, his warm breath caressing her skin. "I'm just happy y' wanted t' spend tonight wid me."

Rogue smiled and let go of his arms. She turned around, his hands still on her waist as she wound her arms around his neck. "So am Ah..." She tilted her head up and looked into glowing red eyes that smiled back at her welcomingly.

He looked down at her and slowly lowered his head. Rogue felt her eyes closing. She could feel the heat from his breath against her face.

Then the kettle whistled and Rogue nearly jumped out of her skin. Still locked in Remy's arms, she looked around until she realized what was going on. "De water's hot." he stated simply.

"Yeah...Yeah Ah know..." Rogue gave him a weak smile as he reluctantly let her go and headed towards the kitchen. She stood back and watched the man saunter towards the wheezing kettle with a confident walk. She grinned. Mah Lawrd...that man has the finest pair of buns Ah've ever seen.... She almost fanned herself right there.

Instead, she turned around and eyed the gloriously decorated tree. Smiling, she walked over and knelt down. She had brought him a present, Jean had sent along one. Apparently, it was a sweater. Sweaters were popular. The gift he had for her was hidden somewhere in the back. She'd known since he put it under there. It was wrapped in solid green with a big silver bow.

Rogue adjusted the present under the tree she had made Remy buy several weeks earlier. While Remy's apartment stayed the same, the only difference was the six and a half foot tree with glittering lights and little glass ornaments. And a few brightly wrapped presents. She found hers and felt an itch in her fingers to open it. No...Ah should wait...it's not even Christmas yet...

Rogue shifted hers aside. Remy's family had sent him some things and all the ones he had previously purchased for them were now gone, presumably under some tree in New Orleans. All that were left were presents from his family, her friends, and from each other.

"Y' trying t' take a peek at what I got y'?" an amused voice asked behind her.

Rogue looked over her shoulder and smiled. The tall man wore a Santa Claus hat, if only to humor Rogue, and a black sweater over black flannel pants. He was the hottest Santa ever. Rogue grinned. And he's all mine... He walked out of his kitchen a mug in each hand. He placed them on the coffee table before knelt down behind her.

Two warm arms wrapped around Rogue's shoulders as she smiled and kissed his unshaved chin. "Nice hat, sugh. Ah am not that curious," she said. "Unlike yah."

"Eh? What did I do?" he asked with a slightly chuckle as he lowered his head and kissed the side of her face.

"Don't think Ah didn't see the broken tape on the present Ah got yah, swamp rat." Rogue told him as he was pulled on to his lap. Remy sat with his legs crossed and Rogue was now seated on top of them. His arms were around her stomach, firmly holding her in place.

"Aren't y' cold, chere?" Remy asked in a low, seductive voice as one hand slipped beneath her sweater and traced little circles around soft, warm skin.

Rogue let out a little moan and tilted her head back over his shoulder. "No..." she mumbled. "It's actually getting kinda hot..."

"Really?" His other hand had risen and swept back her thick layers of hair, exposing a vulnerable neck. Rogue shivered as she felt the pricks of his five o'clock shadow graze over her flesh before being soothed by warm, moist lips.

"Mmm...Remy...?" Rogue groaned as her own hands went over his.

"What is it, chere?" Rogue shivered at the sound of his voice and had to force herself to think straight.

"Can Ah...open mah present now?" She felt Remy's hand stop and his head fall against her shoulder. She could just sense his frustration and smirked. "Please?"

"Sure thing, chere...anything y' want..." he sighed, obviously disappointed. She chuckled and reached up, rubbing his head gently.

"We have all night, Cajun...don't get too excited," she grinned. She wiggled out of his arms and reached for the first present with her name on it. One she had been eyeing for the last few days. "From Remy to...Mon Chere Rogue..." She rolled her eyes as she heard him let out an amused chuckle.

Behind her, Remy leaned back and stretched his legs out. He leaned back against his arms and watched with a playful smile on his face as Rogue put the box on her wrap and began to unravel the bow. She then ripped apart the wrapping paper like an over eager child and tossed it behind her before grabbing the top of the box and lifting it up.

Rogue's face went bright red as three pairs of neatly stacked edible panties looked back at her.

"Merry Christmas!" Remy shouted behind before letting out a wave of laughter. Rogue lifted up one string bikini thong with two fingers and gave it a disgusted look.

"Cajun..." she growled in a low voice as her hand wrapped around the flimsy piece of cloth and slowly turned to the man.

"Keep going! Dere's more!" Remy insisted.

"Ah ain't going ta keep going!" Rogue growled as she moved the box off her lap and crossed her arms. "Yah're really somethang, yah know that?" she snapped back with narrowed emerald eyes.

"C'mon, chere, look at de last present...it's at de bottom." Remy insisted. Rogue glared at him.

"Ah am not falling for one of yer stupid jokes, swamp rat," Rogue told him, sounding genuinely hurt. She bit her lip and wrapped her arms around herself. "Yah said yah were getting meh something Ah'd like an-"

"And I did, chere, I did," Remy assured her. He sat up straight and reached for her, only to have her shove his arms away. "Rogue..."

"Yah told meh ta trust yah and yah play a stupid joke on meh?" Rogue scoffed. "Real, funny, Cajun. Ah hope yah're happy."

"Roguey, I told y' dose are only a gag gift. Y'r real present is still in de box."

Rogue gave a disbelieving snort. "What is it? Some sort of toy from that store Wanda dragged meh ta?"

"Rogue," Remy said in a slightly pleading tone. "Just look...please?" She could see the serious look in his eyes as his hands clenched worriedly.

She looked over at him, her eyes ready to cry. "Fine," she grumbled. She reached out and grabbed the box, putting it back on her lap. She snatched the remaining panties and threw them over her shoulder before lifting up the layers upon layers of tissue paper. Remy held his breath. She began to slow down as she made out the contents through the thin tissue paper. "Oh mah Gawd..."

Rogue pushed aside the last layer of paper and covered her mouth as embarrassment and guilt rushed through her along with surprise and an elated feeling.

"Merry Christmas, Rogue..." Remy said cautiously as he watched her expression. "I hope y' like it."

Still encased between two thick sheets of glass was a thin piece of old paper baring streaks of charcoal lovingly stroked across it's surface. The woman's eyes were closed and she was still resting her head against a man's strong, defined hands. Just like Rogue remembered it.

"Oh mah Gawd, Remy..." Rogue breathed out as she lowered her hand. "This is Raphael's sketch...from the museum..."

"I like t' think it's what brought us together," Remy shrugged as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I first saw y' standing in front of her at de museum..."

"Remy, how did yah get this?" Rogue gasped as she looked up at him, confusion and concern written all over her face.

Remy took a sharp breath, as if he had been hit. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked away. "Y' want t' know if I stole it," he said, sounding angry. "Non, I didn't steal it." He said as he grit his teeth together.

"Remy, Ah didn't mean it that way!" Rogue said, pushing the picture aside and reaching out to him. Her hands grasped his sweater as she tugged on him to make him look at her. She looked apologetic. "Sugah, that's an original sketch by one of the masters! Ah didn't mean ta say yah stole it...I just wanted ta know... I mean...How did yah-"

"I said it was from a private collection," Remy said as he reached out and cupped her face in his hands. Deep red on black eyes held hers for a moment as he allowed the comment to sink it. "It's mine, chere. I lent it t' de museum."

Rogue's eyes widened. "Remy...Ah can't take it-" She whimpered as she shook her head.

"It's a gift, chere," he said with a warm smile. "Y' have t' take it."

Her eyes watered and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he gathered her against her. "Remy, Ah'm sorry..." she whispered. "Ah know yah didn't steal it..."

"I know, Rogue..." She buried her face against his shoulder and inhaled the subtle masculine scent that always wrapped around him. Her hand played with his hair as she was cradled in his lap. She felt one of his hands go up and down his back, comfortingly. Rogue sat there, not wanting to move as his head rested atop hers.

"Ah love yah, Remy..." she whispered softly before nuzzling against his neck.

Above her, the man smiled as he gently pulled away. His hand rose and lifted her chin up so that she looked into his eyes. His mouth slowly closed over hers, gently drawing her into a warm kiss. Her eyes closed as one hand rose and delicately stroked the rough contours of his face. She never wanted to forget this feeling. Remy's arms wrapped around her body tighter, holding her against him as he tasted her.

Rogue felt a steady heart beat against her as she recognized the mint taste from his toothpaste. She smiled inwardly as she lost herself in the spine tingling sensation. She could feel him against her, exploring, caressing, but at the same time reassuring her. She felt so safe, assured that he would never hurt her if he could help it. Reluctantly, Remy began to pull away so that they could breath. His entire body relaxed as he opened his eyes and watched her lips open just a bit to whisper out his name. Slowly, shimmering green eyes opened and met his. A hazy look was in her eyes, like she'd just woken up from a very good dream. He smiled intently.

"I love y', too, Rogue," he said softly before lightly brushing her lips once more with his. "Don't ever forget dat..."

A.N.: Just a side note, the store Good Vibrations really does exist. Forgot to mention that. Anyway, thanks for reading! I hope this will pick up next week. Updates might be slower as I'll be busier at work. But please be patient. Thank you again!