Work of Art
Chapter Twenty-One: Painful Waking Moments
By DamageCtrl

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

Jean was shocked. Kurt was shocked. Even Logan seemed slightly shocked. Rogue, who spent the last two months of her life floating on air with her very own Cajun prince charming, just told him to leave. All eyes wandered from Rogue to the man standing a few feet across from her, a tortured look on his face.

"Non...no, chere," Remy said as he offered her a weak smile. "Y' can't mean dat."

"Ah have been in a coma for the last week," Rogue began as she locked eyes with Remy. "Ah woke up and have bruises from mah toes to mah head and mah family's been telling meh that some man that Ah don't even remember was the cause-" She began to explain once more, but Remy shook his head wildly.

"I didn't do dat t' y', Rogue!" Remy pleaded. "I could never hurt you."

"Ah'm not done," Rogue cut in quickly. "Ah don't know what's going on. Everything seems t' make sense except fo' yah. Sugah, Ah don't know who yah are. Right now, Ah don't think Ah can handle a stranger coming into mah life and expecting meh ta be his girlfriend again when Ah don't even know anything about him."

Remy's chest rose and fell with each labored breath as he squinted his eyes. "Den when will y' be able t' handle it, chere?" he asked in a soft voice. "I can wait as long as it takes y' t' be ready."

Rogue closed her eyes and turned her head away as she wrapped her arms around her. "Mr. LeBeau," she said in a stern voice, addressing him simply as a stranger. "Ah don't know if Ah'll ever be ready. Ah don't think Ah want ta see yah again."

Jean let out a sharp gasp as she turned to Rogue. "Rogue, you can't be saying what I think you're saying..."

Rogue looked at Jean with a confused face. "Sugah, Ah don't know him! Every time Ah hear his name, every time Ah even look at him - nothing! Nothing is coming ta mind! And even though everyone says that he was mah boyfriend, Ah don't remember a damn thing! It's like everyone is playing a joke on me," Rogue exclaimed. She turned and looked back at Remy. "Listen, Mr. LeBeau, Ah'm sure yah're a really nice man, but Ah'm not the woman yah think I am."

"Rogue, please," Remy begged as he took another step forward, his face looking more hopeless by the second. "Please, give me a chance. Let me try t' help y' remember!"

"There IS nothing ta remember!" Rogue snapped suddenly. She took a step back, away from Remy and looked at him with hurt eyes. "Maybe yah did do something ta meh and mah mind is blocking it all out! Whatever happened - happened, but the fact of the matter is that it doesn't make sense! Why is it that Ah can remember EVERYONE else EXCEPT for YAH? I remember Jean and Kurt and Logan, my momma, Kitty, Betsy - EVERYONE. Except for yah. Explain that ta meh, Cajun!"

"Rogue, it was voodoo!" Jean suddenly exclaimed. Logan and Kurt looked at each other from across the room and mouthed 'voodoo'? Rogue looked over at Jean questioningly.

"What?" Rogue gasped. "Sugah, have yah lost yahr mind?"

"You said that there was smoke, right?" Jean asked desperately as she held Rogue's hand. Rogue nodded. "And a strange smell? Remy said it might be voodoo."

"Now yahr just talking crazy," Rogue snorted as she pulled her hand away from Jean. She looked at Remy and frowned. "Ah don't know what yah told her, but Ah ain't buying it."

"Rogue, chere, give me a chance...don't do dis..." Remy whispered. "Whatever Julien did t' y', we can try t' fix, chere. Please, don't-

The wounded look on his face was making Rogue's heart twist and she diverted her eyes away from him. "Ah don't know if yah had anything ta do with any of this or not...but Ah'd like yah ta leave..."

Remy looked as if he'd been stabbed once more and had his heart ripped out. He shook his head. "Non...non, y' can't possibly believe dat I'd do dat t' y', Rogue. Chere, I love yah..."

Rogue swallowed painfully and turned her head away. "Ah'm sorry. But Ah don't want ta see yah again."

"Rogue..." Jean said in a disappointed voice. She was shaking her head as she blinked back tears.

"Ah'm sorry, Mr. LeBeau."

Remy stared at her pale, bruised figure and closed his eyes tightly. He took a deep breath and straightened up. He shook his head to dismiss her words. "No, I'm sorry," he stated firmly. Everyone in the room looked at him, surprised. "I'm sorry dat I got worried 'bout y' and went after y' when y' went t' Julien's. I'm sorry dat I snuck up here every night t' see y' while y' were unconscious. I'm sorry we ever MET."

Rogue choked back a sob as angry and frustrated words flew out of his mouth. Jean reached over and gasped Rogue's shoulders. "Remy, stop it!" Jean frowned.

"No, I AM sorry, Jean," Remy continued coldly. "Mebbe her mere is right. Mebbe it is all my fault. If we never met, she would've never been dragged into dis thing between me and Julien. Julien would've never used her t' get t' me. She never would've been in Julien's studio. Never would've been in a coma, never had all those bruises on her. So, I am sorry, chere. Because directly or not, dis is all my fault anyway."

"Remy, you love her," Jean murmured disbelievingly at Remy's bitter words. "You're not going to just give up and walk away, are you?"

"De lady asked fo' me t' leave," Remy said as he straightened out the collars of his jacket. "And I've never been one t' disappoint de ladies," he headed towards the door and stopped before stepping out. He glanced over his shoulder and looked at Rogue once more. "Rogue," he said in a low, almost desperate voice. "If I hurt y' chere, I'm sorry... I will make it up t' y' if it kills me." Without waiting for an answer, he walked out the door.

Rogue stood in Jean's arms, her head down cast as she choked out a sob. She raised her hands and covered her face as she began to cry. "Rogue, what's wrong?" Logan asked, worriedly. "Don't let his words get to ya, kid."

"No, no..." Rogue mumbled. She lifted her head and took a deep breath in an effort to compose herself. Her face was flushed and crystal clear tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"Kurt, can you bring the car up? It's where you parked your car last night." Jean said as she dug into her pocket and tossed a set of car keys at the man. Kurt nodded and caught the keys. He reached down and grabbed the duffel bag on his way out the door.

"I'll pull up to the front." he murmured as he passed.

"Logan, can you go to the front and sign the release papers for Rogue?" Jean asked. "They should be under Anna Marie Darkholme."

Logan merely grunted and stalked out the door. Jean turned her attention back to Rogue and moved her over to the side of the bed. "Ah don't know why Ah'm crying, sugah," Rogue blabbered out as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Ah don't even know anything about the man and..." She trailed off and covered her face in her hands once more.

Jean struggled to keep her own tears from falling as she wrapped her arms around Rogue and gave her a tight hug. "Honey...why did you do it?" Jean asked softly. "Why did you tell him to leave?"

"Didn't yah see his face?" Rogue asked as she lifted her head and looked at Jean with her puffy eyes and flushed face. "Ah don't remember who he is and Ah could tell that it was hurting him. He wants meh ta remember so badly, Ah can feel it."

"So why don't you let him try to help you remember?" Jean asked, confused.

"Because what if Ah DON'T ever remember?" Rogue cried. "Ah don't want him wasting his time trying to help meh regain memories Ah might not even remember. Ah can't see him every day and not feel guilty for not remembering. Ah don't want ta look in his eyes and realize that maybe we did have something, but now it's gone. Ah don't want him ta have ta suffer with meh."

"So you're going to push him away?" Jean frowned. "Because you don't remember? Rogue, you're not even willing to TRY. How can you be sure you won't remember?"

"It doesn't make sense, Jean! How can Ah remember everything about everyone else, but not a single thing about HIM? Ah don't know what's going on!" Rogue began to take shallow breaths and Jean tried to pat her back.

"Rogue, he wants to help you," Jean told her softly. "Remy cares so much about you..."

"Ah know he does," Rogue wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "He sneaked in here last night...and, Gawd, Jean...he kissed meh...it was the most amazing kiss ever. But ever since Ah woke up, even after they told meh how Ah ended up here, Ah felt like something was missing. But when Remy held meh and kissed meh..." Rogue closed her eyes and tried to keep the tears back. "It was like Ah was whole again."

"So why did you send him away?" Jean asked once more, confused now more than ever.

"Jean...Ah could tell just by looking at him. Yah don't fo'get a man like Remy," Rogue chuckled sadly. She took in a shaking breath and shook her head as her hands gripped the material of her jeans. "How can Ah accept the love of a man when Ah fo'got about him so easily?"

Remy killed the engine to his bike as he parked it in front of Julien's studio. He practically leap off the seat as he headed straight for the door. Tightened fists in black leather gloves began to pound mercilessly against the door.

"JULIEN!" Remy growled as he pounded against the heavy door. "Julien! Open up! I know y're in dere!"

He continued to hit the door, nearly denting the cured wood, until he couldn't take it any more. He was about to break in when someone's voice called him over.

"Remy! Remy, what are y' doing here, cher?" Remy whirled around and saw Bella Donna standing on the patio next door.

Instantly, the Cajun male walked across the patio, eyes glowing red and lips in a thin, angry line. "Where is he, Belle? Where's dat no good brother of y'rs?" Remy demanded as he jumped over the patio railings and began stomping across the lawn to the house next door.

"Julien? He went back t' N'Awlins t' speak t' mon pere 'bout something," Belle said. She tilted her head to the side. She looked around the area warily. "C'mon inside, cher. Dere might still be cops here looking for y'."

Remy suddenly remembered how he was currently avoiding the law and swore. He quickly followed Belle into the house. "Have dey come t' ask questions?"

"Several times. No one knew where y' were," Belle said. She lead him into the living room and had him take a seat on the couch. "Where were y'? Do y' want something t' drink?"

"Non, I'm fine," Remy frowned. "I was at a friend's place. When is Julien getting back?"

"Julien, Julien, Julien," Belle frowned as she sat across from him. "Why are y' so concerned about him now?" She grumbled as she crossed her legs seductively across from him.

Remy didn't seem to notice. He had a one track mind. "He did something t' Rogue."

"The skunk femme?" Belle snorted with distaste.

Remy shot her a deadly glare. "Y' watch y'r mouth, Belle," he warned in a low voice. "We're old friends from way back, but Rogue is de love of my life, understand?"

Belle wrinkled her nose, but nodded. "What about her?"

"Y'r stupid brother just played a hand he shouldn't have," Remy grumbled. "Y' lived here with him for a while?"

"Oui, since we moved t' de City by de Bay."

"Did y' see him do anything suspicious?"

Belle snorted once more and crossed her arms over her ample chest. "Julien's always doing something weird," Belle said as she rolled her eyes. "So what?"

"Belle, I'm serious," Remy told her sternly. "De woman I love just woke up from a coma-"

"She was in a coma?" Belle asked, surprised. "I knew she hit her head, but I didn't think she was in a coma..."

"She was in a coma for a WEEK," Remy stressed. "And when she woke up, she didn't remember a single thing about ME. She remembered everything else 'bout everyone else, except for ME."

Belle raised an eyebrow. "Dat's strange."

"Dat's what I'm saying," Remy nodded. "When I went through de window at Julien's studio, there was smoke everywhere. No fire, just smoke. It's voodoo, Belle."

He watched her face for any sign of comprehension. For a brief moment, he saw a flicker of acknowledgement in her eyes. "Voodoo?"

"Yes..." Remy narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. "Has de man been playing wid some bad juju?" Belle looked away and narrowed her eyes. "Belle, I need t' know."

"Even if he did, do y' think dat's the reason why y'r femme doesn't remember y'?" Belle snapped.

"I know dats the reason," Remy said knowingly as he sat up straight in his seat. "No belle femme forgets Remy LeBeau so easily." He added with a grin.

Belle blushed at the all too familiar cocky grin and sighed. "He got something in de mail a few days ago. I didn't see all de contents, but I did see a doll of y'."

"Of ME?" Remy asked, raising an eyebrow. "Y' sure?"

Belle nodded. "I think I would know a doll of y', cher," Belle told him. Remy smirked again. "Julien started pounding it, turned it into some powder. Don't know what he did with it."

"Did he say anything?"

"Something 'bout making her fo'get 'bout y'." Belle shrugged. Remy let out a low growl from his throat as he clenched the seat cushions around him.

"Y'r brother's a dead man, Belle," Remy hissed as he shot up from his chair. "When will he be back?" he demanded once more.

"In a week or something," Belle said. She narrowed her eyes and frowned. "Don't threaten my brother, Remy. He's odd, but he's still blood." She added as she stood up as well.

"He took her from me, Belle," Remy stated as he hands tightened into fists. "Y' don't know how much I love her. She's my world, cher, and because of your blood, she doesn't remember me and now wants nothing t' do wid me. Y' have any idea how dat feels? T' love someone so much dat they are ripped from y' with no good reason?"

"I don't know how that feels?" Belle gasped in shock. "Are y' forgetting how I felt 'bout YOU, Remy? How much I love y' and then y' just ran off to Paris without a word!"

"Belle, it wouldn't have worked out and y' know it!" Remy told her, frustrated. "We've talked 'bout dis before! I do love y', cher, but not like I love Rogue!" Remy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he looked at little bit calmer and looked down at Belle. "She's de one, cher."

Belle took a step back and raised her hand over her chest. "What do y' mean 'de one'?"

"Two weeks ago, I asked Rogue t' marry me," Remy said as he reached beneath his sweater and pulled out the ring. He looked down at the glimmering stone with pain filled eyes as Belle felt her heart stop. She fell back against the chair she had been sitting on. "She said yes...we were engaged for a week, Belle. Do y' understand now? The severity of what he did?"

Two weeks had passed and February had rolled around. Rogue had dove deep into her work, finishing up the last minute touches for Xavier's two buildings. She had been somewhat surprised to find that Remy's name was on the list of contractors as an artist.

When she had arrived at the office, Wanda swept in with open arms and began asking her half a million questions. And of course, HIS name came up. The red head found it hard to believe that Rogue forgot about Remy. For an entire week, she thought it was joke. Even after seeing Rogue staring, confused, at a framed picture of her and Remy on her desk at work, Wanda was not convinced.

Wanda then contacted Jean, who confirmed the terrible news. Since then, Wanda had been very discreet around Rogue on the subject of the Cajun and Rogue wondered what exactly Jean had told her. Kurt and Raven hadn't mentioned his name once...at least not in a positive light.

Kitty still couldn't believe that Rogue forgot about him. "This is Remy we're talking about," Kitty had told her. "The guy you've been completely head over heels in love with for months!"

Betsy kept saying that something was wrong and that someone was playing foul. Jean explained the voodoo theory of Remy's and, even though she didn't believe in it, Betsy had come to Rogue's 'welcome home party' with a small book on voodoo in her purse.

The entire time, Rogue felt like everyone around her was in on some joke. And she was the only one not getting the joke. It was frustrating her. She had called Jean to ask her for more information, but the red head merely replied "You should ask him yourself. You have his number." She got the same responses from Betsy, Kitty, and Wanda. It was like some sort of sick conspiracy.

There were nights, when she sat alone in her bed in her mother's house, staring at her phone. A number stuck out in her head, but she couldn't remember who it belonged to. Is it Remy's? How could she call him now? After she practically ripped out his heart and told him to get lost just so SHE wouldn't have to face him? She didn't even try...

Rogue fell down on the soft mattress, having blow dried her hair just after her shower. She hated going to bed with wet hair...it made the pillows wet. Dressed in comfortable pajamas, she suddenly remembered bursting into tears just an hour earlier. She had brought some clothing from her apartment with her, after haphazardly opening her drawers and tossing things into a bag.

When she got to her mother's, she just dumped everything into the first open drawer. She had meant to sort them out, but never got around to it. When she was getting some clothes out for bed, she pulled out her pajama top and something was caught on one of the buttons. It was a pair of red edible panties. For some reason, just seeing them made her cry, but she had no idea why.

She had shoved the offending pieces of underwear beneath piles of clothing. She crawled into bed and was about to turn off the light, when she saw something from the corner of her eye. Rogue sat up and peered over the night stand at a silver bag that had been taped shut with duct tape.

"I found something in your room the other day," she remembered Jean telling her that night two weeks ago, at her welcome home party. "I remember you used to look at it and just smile. I thought it might help you. Open it when you're feeling depressed or something. I'm sure you'll be happy to see it. It'll make you smile."

Rogue had wanted to open it right there and then, but Jean made her promise to open it only when she felt she needed something to brighten up her day.

No better time than now... her mind sighed. She moved aside the blankets and slid her legs off the side of her bed. Sighing, she walked over grabbed the bag, taking it with her back to bed. She sat down and peeled off the tape, unceremoniously.

The bag opened and Rogue pushed aside all the bubble wrap that surrounded the item. She reached it and felt something hard, cold, and flat. It seemed relatively heavy and she pulled it out. "Oh mah Gawd..."

She remembered this. It was a sketch...from the museum. Raphael's work, if she wasn't mistaken. Her eyes roamed over the glass protected piece of parchment with awe. Slowly, one hand rose and traced the contours of the sleeping maiden's face. It was a priceless piece...but not for the reasons most people would think. She just didn't know WHY.

A droplet of clear liquid appeared against the glass. Rogue's eyebrows furrowed as she reached down and touched it. Another clear drop followed. She was crying. A shaking hand rose and touched the corner of her eye. She choked out a sob and closed them tightly. "Yah were wrong, Jean..." Rogue breathed out unevenly as she brought the sketch close to her chest. "Yah were wrong...Ah ain't smiling, sugah..." Rogue sobbed as she laid back against the bed, still holding the sketch that bared a woman contently smiling as she held her lover's hand. "Ah ain't smiling..."

Tears flowed freely as she laid in bed, and cried herself to sleep.

Outside her bedroom, Kurt frowned worriedly as he stared at the door knob, unsure if he should go in and check on his sister or not. As he mentally debated, Raven walked down the hall. He reached down for the door knob, when another hand went over his. He looked up and saw Raven shake her head at him.

"Let her rest." Raven told him sternly.

Kurt looked unsure of the decision, but remove his hand from the knob and nodded. "I'm vorried about her, mutter..."

"As am I, Kurt," Raven told him. She raised her hand and stroked back her son's hair. "Get some rest. It's late."

Kurt gave her a lopsided smile. "I'm not a child, mutter."

"You're my child," Raven smiled back. "Now go get some sleep." Kurt gave a defeated sigh and headed down the hall to his own 'room'.

Raven stood at Rogue's door, waiting to hear Kurt's door lock close. As soon as she heard the little click, she turned back to Rogue's door and sighed tiredly. She could hear her daughter's painful cries fade slowly into a fitful sleep and it hurt her to hear them. As quietly as she could, she opened Rogue's door and looked inside.

Rogue was laying on her side, her back towards the door. The light was still on. Sighing, Raven tip toed in and reached for the light. That was when she heard Rogue's even breathing become disrupted. "Remy..." she whispered almost inaudibly under her breath. "Ah'm sorry..." Raven froze and looked down at her daughter. Rogue tilted her head to the side and in the lamp light, tears could be clearly seen still falling from Rogue's eyes. "Remy, Ah love yah..."

Rogue began to cry in her sleep and Raven stepped back. She swallowed worriedly. When she discovered that Rogue didn't remember a thing about Remy, it had been a blessing. Her daughter had no memories of the transient scum ball, not a single one. And even when her friends tried to get her to remember - nothing. Raven was all too happy to accept the partially amnesiac Rogue.

But at night, when no one else was around, Raven walked into her daughter's room to reassure herself that Rogue was indeed safe and alive. And she would hear Rogue's desperate cries into the night.

Remy, Ah'm sorry.

Ah need yah, Remy...

Remy, Ah love yah.

For the last two weeks, those words had been wearing Raven down. Gnawing at her conscience, telling her to give her daughter a chance. But another part of her insisted that since Rogue had dismissed LeBeau, Rogue no longer wanted him in her life. When the green eyed brunette was awake, yes, that was the case, but subconsciously, deep down inside, she still remembered him. And loved him.

Don't be foolish, Raven. Look what he did to her! He's just like those other disgusting bastards who took advantage of poor, sweet Rogue! He took her and broke her! Those bruises don't lie! They might have faded from her skin, but she'll always remember! Always! Raven reminded herself shrilly.

She straightened up and narrowed her eyes as she turned off the light. She didn't see the sketch her daughter had been holding.

Dressed in her robe and slippers, Raven walked out of Rogue's room and headed to the kitchen. She opened the pantry and took out an unopened bottle of red wine. She searched for a wine glass and plucked one of the shelves before opening the bottle and pouring herself a cup.

Just as she took a sip, the phone rang. Raven's eyes darted to the phone. Remembering that her children were still sleeping, she darted over and picked it up.

"Darkholme residence."

"Madam Darkholme?" it was a female voice, a bit scratchy.

"Yes, who is this?" the woman asked suspiciously.

"This is Bella Donna Boudreaux, Julien Boudreaux's sister," the woman's voice replied uneasily. "It's about y'r daughter."

Two weeks in New Orleans. Two WASTED weeks. Remy fumed as he dumped his bags on his apartment floor. He'd flown back home to try to track down that bastard Julien, but the snake had an easier time hiding than Remy would've liked. He'd spent the week after Julien was said to have returned to California trying desperately to track down a voodoo priest or priestess who could help him find a way to reawaken any memories Rogue had of him. It was all he could do to try to get his mind off of the stinging rejection.

However, because he had no idea what exactly Julien had used or done, no one could help him. Or would help him...he wasn't sure. He was back at stage one and frustrated as hell. Rogue couldn't have completely forgotten about him. Not with the way she had kissed him back. The second his lips touched hers, it was as if nothing had changed. And somewhere, he knew, Rogue still remembered him. He just had to help her bring that to light. That was the only thing he believed was helping him keep is sanity.

He slammed the door behind him and looked around his apartment. Jean had called him and told him that she, Kitty, and Piotr had come in and cleaned up. He looked around. It wasn't much compared to his usual spotless cleaning, but it was better than the tornado like damage the investigators had done. He headed for his fridge.

He opened it up and groaned. They had cleaned out his fridge and he was left with nothing but root beer and gumbo in plastic ware. He slammed the fridge door shut and headed for his room. He would go grocery shopping tomorrow. Betsy had had been in charge of collecting his mail and they were waiting for him on the counter top. He stopped as he passed and looked through them.

One envelope from the Superior Court of San Francisco caught his eye. He quickly ripped it open and let out a sigh of relief. Rogue dropped any charges against him because she 'couldn't remember'. He smiled weakly. "Bet her mere didn't like de sound of that..." He tossed the envelope back with the others and continued one his way to his room.

A knock on the door sounded. It was heavy and almost like a pound. Remy narrowed his eyes. He hoped it wasn't the police.

"Open up, Gumbo!" Logan grumbled from the other side of the door. "Someone wants to talk to you!"

Remy silently cursed and walked back to the door. He unlocked it and looked outside. "If y' came t' hit me again, mon ami, can it wait until tomorrow?" he asked as he held the door open.

Logan snorted and stepped aside. "It ain't me who wants to talk to you, bub. It's her." He motioned over to the red head on the phone.

"Uh-huh...uh-huh...oh my God!" Jean gasped. She was still in her karate uniform, her yellow belt held firmly around her waist. She wore a dark, woven jacket over it, but it was still apparent. She looked up and her eyes almost popped out. "Wait! Here he is! Remy! Thank God, we caught you!"

"What is it, cher?" Remy sighed tiredly. He looked from Jean to Logan. "And what are y' two doing here dis late?"

"Just got back from a tournament in Fremont," Logan shrugged. "Then someone called and Jean told me to take her here."

Remy looked confused and looked back at the woman. "Remy, it's Kurt!" Immediately, Remy groaned at the name. "He you'll never believe this!" She handed the phone over to Remy.

"'Ello? What did I do dis time?" Remy sighed as he rubbed his forehead. He leaned against the door way.

"Nothing!" Kurt said. "How soon can you get to Sausalito?"

Remy frowned. "Why?"

"Bella Donna just called my mother," Kurt said trying to hide his smirk. "I just happened to pick up zhe phone at zhe same time."

Remy's eyes widened. "Y' better not be joking, homme. 'Cause now ain't de time."

"I'm very serious," Kurt assured him. "She's bringing Julien up. Apparently, mother wants to speak to him IMMEDIATELY about what he did to Rogue."

Remy's eyes nodded. "I'll be dere. What's de address?"

Kurt told him and the man imprinted into his memory. Before he hung up, Kurt stopped him. "Remy," Kurt said quickly. "I'm sorry I doubted you...Rogue...Rogue does love you, still. She cries for you in her sleep."

Remy closed his eyes tightly and nodded. "You and moi, Kurt, we'd make good brothers," he grinned. "Thanks, homme." He hung up and handed the phone to Jean.

"Where are you going?" the red head asked as Remy closed his door.

"I have t' get t' Rogue's mother's place!" Remy said as he fumbled with his key. "Julien's going to be there," He locked his door and suddenly froze. A wave of anguish swept over his face as he slammed is hand against the door. "MERDE!"

"What?" Jean gasped. "What's wrong?"

"I parked my car at JP's while I was gone!" Remy growled. "It's going t' take me forever t' get up dere!"

Remy turned around and saw something shiny flying towards him. His hand flew out and caught it with ease. He looked at what he had caught and saw the keys to a motorcycle. He looked up and saw Logan shrug. "Think of it as a favor...for letting me hit you..."

Remy raised an eyebrow and gave Logan a smirk. "If dat's what it takes t' get a favor from you, mon ami, remind me never t' ask." He tipped a pretend hand on his head and dashed down the hall.

"It's the bike that's parked-"

"Oh, Remy KNOWS which bike it is!" Remy shouted over his shoulder. Logan frowned.

"I don't think I like him knowing..."

A.N. - Still sick. Got sent home from work to avoid infecting the rest of the transnational company. God forbid I get my germs on documents going to Japan. . Well, they didn't say it in so many words; more like "How are you feeling? If you feel sick, go HOME." So I went home...still have a cough and sniffles. No fever. But I might be delusional from all those meds...