The Vampire Pandora
Chapter 12
"Remy? Are ya there?", Rogue's voice called softly from behind his closed door. " Ah need to see yah, please. Will yah just open the door?"
Remy jumped suddenly at the southern voice that reached his ears. His froze for a moment, still leaning over Rielle, who was sprawled on his bed. They looked at each other, neither knowing what to say nor do. What if Rogue found them here, like this? It was Rielle who sprang into action, gently pushing him away as she leapt off the bed,
scrambling to hide under it. She tried to fit, but the box spring rested too close to the ground. She got up and looked around frantically, turning to Remy for help.
"Remy!", she whispered urgently. "Where should I go?"
Remy sprang to life, his body once more finding the power to move. His eyes darted around the room quickly, taking in every possible hiding place. He stopped once his eyes rested on his closet, the large walk-in closet with its sliding doors. He looked back at Rielle, who was wringing her hands and looking more panicked than Remy had yet seen her.
Why should she hide? Remy wasn't ashamed of her, of what they were becoming. Part of him understood why Rielle wanted to keep this between them, why it was best to keep quiet about their burgeoning romance. But every stubborn bone in his body was fighting his better judgement. Secretly, and deep within his heart, he felt like opening the door to Rogue, displaying the girl in his room, if only to spite the one that had so hurt him.
Is that what Rielle had become? A way to get back at Rogue? A way to make her bleed, to make her feel as torn as he did? No, he refused to believe it. He didn't want to believe it. But what if . . . Plenty of time to ponder later. Remy swung into action, gently gripping Rielle's wrist and leading her to his closet. He kissed her forehead quickly as he opened the doors. The unsightly mess that lay within was not what he wanted Rielle to see. Still, he gently pushed her in amongst the pants and shirts that lay cast aside within the closet. Rielle made no sound. She simply let him lead her where she needed to go. For once, he was glad that although she had been everything but brainwashed by a disgusting young man, that he had instilled in her obedience. Well, she was so sometimes.
He closed the doors, the light disappearing within the closet, drowning Rielle's lovely face in darkness. Her eyes were still watching him, trusting him. Believing that he would keep their secret and get her out of this mess safely. She smiled a little as he closed the door and turned away.
"Remy?", Rogue called uncertainly from outside. "Are yah there?"
Rogue took a step back as Remy opened the door suddenly, his usually neat shirt a little mussed and his cheeks flushed. She looked at him, taking it all in. There was only one reason that Remy ever got this excited . . . She tried to peer around him. There was a girl in his room, there had to be, hadn't there? She looked at him again, her question clearly written in her eyes. She shuffled her foot, and crossed her arms defiantly.
"Well," she asked him pointedly, "Aren't yah gonna ask meh in sugah?"
Remy's demonic eyes danced for a moment, (from panic?), before he nodded to her,
stepping back and inviting her in with a sweep of his arm. Rogue accepted this with a little nod, and with a quick look around herself, stepped inside. She gazed around his familiar room. God, how many times had she snuck in here after hours, to spend the night with him and be held in his strong arms until she awoke the next morning? And now, looking around, it was as if he had never left. As if everything was as it had always been.
Remy was still standing by his closed door, looking at her calmly. He had his hands hidden away in his front pockets, looking calm and collected. Didn't he have any indication as to why she had come? Did he even care? She took a deep breath.
"What can Remy do for ya chère?", he asked her stoically.
Rogue had come here with a plan. She had come to his door knowing exactly what to say and how to say it, but now . . . But now that he was standing just there before her, she lost all ability to speak. He didn't seem bothered by anything. He simply stood there, calmly, letting her take him in. It was that infuriating attitude of his, that terrible grin, that dishevelled hair . . . Suddenly, Rogue was tired of pretending. She had remembered why she had come.
"Remy, Ah," she said softly. "Ah just needed ta tell yah . . . Jesus , Remy, can't yah tell when a girl's apologizin'?"
"For what chère?", he asked her, his voice suddenly low and husky.
"Don't yah dare stand there and act lahke yah don't know what Ah mean, Remy," she scolded him shrilly. "Don't yah know how hard it was for meh tah come here?"
Remy's careless expression drained from his face suddenly, replacing it with a pained look. Remy's eyes caught her own for a moment, truly caught them, and she gazed back at him. She felt their connection once more, felt all the old familiar pulls on her heart. God, he was there and Heaven knew she still wanted him. Needed him.
And so it nearly took her breath away from pain when Remy's eyes darted away from her own. They shot past her own face, toward the wall behind her. What was he looking at? All there was behind her were a wall and his closet. His closet? Rogue suddenly understood and turned to walk over to the area which had so captured Remy's attention. She had barely taken a step when Remy's hands suddenly gripped her shoulders. Her breath caught in her throat as Remy gently turned her in his hands to face him. Standing so close to him . . . She had forgotten how tall he was. She had almost forgotten the feel of his chest against her cheek, the safety of his arms around her as she slept, how gentle he was with her when he loved her. Almost, but not really. These were things she could never forget.
Remy was peering down at her strangely, a strange emotion broadcasting from his demonic eyes. They were glazed over with passion, that one was easy and familiar. But what was that, that coupled with the love made his eyes seem so sad? It couldn't, not pity?
"Rogue," he whispered to her. "You can't imagine how many times Remy longed ta hear ya talk like dat . . . "
"Ah was stupid Remy," she whispered back to him, gently moving closer to him. "Ah regretted it as soon as those ugly words left my mouth. I've needed yah here, since . . . since . . . "
"Remy knows chère, but . . . " Remy's low voice sounded choked.
"Shh, don't worry any more sugah", Rogue said softly as she rested against him. "Ah love yah, yah know that."
"Dat be de problem Rogue," he said suddenly, stepping away from her. "Remy can't love you anymore. You be de one who told him not ta. Remy be only following de p'tite's wishes."
"Fuck it Remy," Rogue whispered angrily. "Fuck what Ah said. Words aren't important right now. We didn't need them then, and we don't need them now."
Remy's eyes widened in shock as Rogue's hands suddenly darted to her back pocket before shooting up to his face. In her fingers she held a silken black scarf, one that looked only too familiar to Remy. He could only stare down at her in shock as she brought the material to his face. He could only stay frozen as Rogue's famished lips suddenly met with his own.
Her arms snaked around his neck, her fingers playing with his long hair. She pressed herself closer to him, testing and teasing him with his memories of nights gone by. Remy took in her smell. Lord, even her scent was the same! He wanted her now, God knew he did, then why was it he felt so guilty as his arms slowly wound themselves around his waist? What was it that Rogue's kisses had driven out of his mind? A sound from his closet brought him crashing back to earth. Oh no, Rielle!
Rogue broke away quickly, her eyes just as guilty as Remy's. Whatever remorse she felt, only her eyes betrayed any indication. She looked almost sleepy and dazed as Remy suddenly backed away, a panicked look coming into his gaze as he stared once more behind her. Rogue was suddenly frightened by his expression, and the thought raced through her mind before she could stop it. Oh no! She thought desperately, Bobby!
She spun around, her eyes frantically searching for Bobby's form somewhere inside Remy's room. He was behind every corner, within every dark shadow. Rogue's breath became laboured. God, first she couldn't get the Cajun out of her mind, now her boyfriend was haunting her thoughts! Another dull thump came from within the closet, and both Remy and Rogue jumped a little. Rogue's hand flew to her throat. Oh no, Bobby was in the closet! He had seen everything! Rielle, Remy thought miserably, Oh, what have I done?
Rogue's eyes ripped themselves from the closet door long enough to look over at Remy,
who's usually still hands were shaking a little as they hung limply at his sides. Why was he so worried? Surely he wasn't afraid of Bobby, was he? And how could Bobby have snuck in without Remy noticing? In fact, she had just left Bobby with the other kids in the T.V. room. He couldn't have gotten here before her, much less have taken the time to hide within Remy's closet.
That left only one explanation. Rogue stared at Remy in hurt indignation. There was someone else in Remy's room! She was flying before he could stop her, tearing across the room and yanking open the doors before Remy could say a word to stop her. They were already opened a little, just enough for someone to be peeking out! She pulled the doors open, blinking a little in the poor light before her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Rogue nearly fell.
It was that girl, that little tramp! That new mutant, Rielle, standing in Remy's room! In his closet! Trying to hide . . . From her? Damn her! Rielle didn't say a word as Rogue stood there gaping at her. She didn't try to rush past, didn't fumble for excuses. If anything, she ignored Rogue, her gaze resting on Remy, her violet eyes brimming in the sombre light.
Rogue could only step aside in shock as Rielle burst past her, knocking into Rogue as she rushed by. Rogue was left standing stupidly by the door as Rielle marched up to Remy ,whose face had lost all panic and shock, leaving it bland and miserable. What the hell was going on here? Why was she hiding in Remy's closet! Her boyfriend's closet! Well, maybe not her boyfriend at the moment, but everyone knew they belonged together. Who the hell did this little hussy think she was?
Rogue snapped from her daze and walked over to where Rielle and Remy stood silently,
each gazing into each others eyes. Looking from one to the other, Rogue couldn't decide who looked more destroyed. This girl that had stormed into their lives, with her deep, flooding eyes, or the boy Rogue loved, standing there looking as if he felt like tearing off his skin. Suddenly, everything was clear. She just couldn't believe it had taken her this long to figure things out.
"Rielle, I can explain", Remy said slowly.
"What the hell is goin' on here Remy?", Rogue demanded. Did he just use first person with her? I thought he only did that for me... "Why is sheh in your room?"
"I don't need any explanation Remy", Rielle said sharply. "I may not have graduated from high school, but I'm not stupid."
"Remy! What the hell!" Rogue didn't like being ignored.
"Please, just listen to me Rielle", Remy begged, his frantic look breaking Rogue's heart apart. Had he ever look so broken? Yes, once. When she had banished him from her life... "It didn't mean anything!" That hurt more than anything.
Rielle didn't speak, maybe it was she couldn't, or wouldn't. But all she did do was stand there, shaking and hugging herself in her arms. Rogue nearly screamed as she saw Remy reach out to touch her face and Rielle turned herself away from his hand. She would not be ignored like this!
"Ah don't know what the hell is goin' on", Rogue whispered savagely. "But it ends here. It all ends here."
It seemed as though she had finally captured Remy's attention. The Cajun turned to face her, his eyes widening as if he had forgotten she was standing there. Rielle turned as well,
wiping her eyes free of tears to face Rogue bravely.
"The proffesah is goin' to hear about this", Rogue threatened. "Remy, you're her goddamn teacher foh Christ's sake!"
"Rogue, please chère", Remy told her, unconsciously letting his eyes drift back to Rielle.
"And you!", Rogue continued, her anger blazing in her emerald eyes. " How can you just expect tah come in here and take ovah everythin'?"
Rielle, however, still kept her silence. She just looked at Rogue, almost as if she was looking down at her. Rogue nearly felt intimidated by this younger girl. Rielle was openly staring at her now, angrily and outraged, as if she couldn't believe that Rogue was yelling at them. As if Rogue were in the wrong! Well fuck her, fuck them both!
'This ain't ovah sugah", Rogue told her, stepping closer to the girl as she turned to walk out of Remy's room. "It sure as hell ain't ovah."
The door slammed with surprising resonance, shaking the few shelves on the walls. Rogue's footsteps could be heard rushing off down the halls, growing more and more indistinct. Remy strained to hear them until he could no more, finally daring to take his eyes from the door and back to Rielle's face.
She wouldn't meet his eyes. She stood there, looking out his window, her face creepily void of any emotion. Her breath came in small sighs, until she tossed her hair behind her head and faced him once more. Her usually warm eyes were cold and hurt as they drilled into his. The liquid of them seemed frozen, the sparkle within them that Remy had grown to love faded and blanketed by a wave of fresh tears that were threatening to spill. Once more he raised his hand tentatively, and attempted to dry her cheek with his thumb.
Rielle turned away from his touch as though she'd been burned, and Remy let his hand fall. He put his hands in his pockets, scared but also frustrated with her. She had to let him explain! She had to know that this didn't mean anything, she had to. Didn't she?
"I think that's it then Remy", Rielle said softly, her voice breaking the heavy silence.
Remy tried once more in vain to get her to meet his eyes.
"What do ya mean Rielle?", he asked her, knowing exactly what she meant.
"We don't, we can't do this anymore", she answered him, crossing her arms defensively and biting her lower lip.
Remy's head hurt. "Why, because of Rogue?", he asked. "Don't worry chère. She'll cool off and come ta her senses. She just be upset."
"She doesn't have to be" , Rielle said, her voice becoming stronger and stronger. "Neither of you needs to be. She's obviously ready to take you back, and I know you still love her. Just do what your heart is trying to tell you, not your pants."
"Rielle, what de hell?", Remy demanded, hurt and angry at her words. "You think dat's all you are p'tite? Someone ta keep Remy's bed warm while he pines away for Rogue?"
"Wasn't that why we hooked up in the first place?", she asked him, finally meeting his gaze, and giving him the coldest glare she could muster. "To forget past loves? Well Remy, it seems like you won't have to do that. I'm relieving you of your word. You won't have to worry about me anymore. Ororo can help me with my powers."
"Rielle, stop talking like this! Don't you know that it was never like dat chérie?", he told her, trying not to yell. "Don't you know that Remy, that he's starting to..."
"I'm going to leave before you say something you'll regret", Rielle said softly, reaching up slowly to touch Remy's chest. Why was she talking like this? She didn't mean it, Remy knew she didn't. If she did, her voice wouldn't tremble so with unshed tears! He put his hand over hers, brining it to his lips and gently kissing her knuckles.
"I have to go now Remy", Rielle whispered so softly Remy could barely hear. "I can't do this anymore. I won't let you lose your home because of me."
"I won't, Rielle! Is this why you're doin' dis chère?", Remy called out to her as she tore herself from him and rushed to the door.
Rielle didn't answer. She swung his door open without another word, without another glance back at him. She walked out, closing the door behind her, leaving Remy standing cold in a room where just a moment ago there had been such warmth, such passion. He looked over at his messy bed, at the exposed closet. He walked over to it, taking a door and closing it so violently that it jumped off the frame, leaving Remy staring at the splintered wood that lay at his feet.
Author's note: Ok, so sorry again for the delay, but I finally got it done! It may not be that good, but it was really hard for me to write this. A lot of my own emotion went into this, so it's very personal. I hope you liked it.
For the next chapter, I have a bit of a, well, stupid idea, but one that I think will be fun to work with. A new perspective on the narration, but one that will only last for the chapter. It will just be much easier to explain how all the characters are feeling. It'll be Christmas at the Institute, and there may be some kind of social event going on. Maybe. Who knows? Songfic anyone? Tell me what you guys think!
Pandora