Chapter 21

Night had already veiled the clear sky in darkness, the starlight puncturing through the never-ending vastness. The wind had finally died down and the rustling of the leaves had grown silent, making Remy more anxious then before. Now, thanks to the heavy silence that lay thick around him, he would have to work twice as hard to do this quietly. Getting into Magneto's lair wasn't going to be easy, no even for a trained thief such as himself.

He casually swung his leg over his bike and stepped down gently. His boot made no sound as it pressed down on the forest floor. Slowly, he tipped the motorcycle, lowering onto its side before covering it with a tarp he had brought along in the storage compartment under the seat. After covering the tarp with leaves, he stood up, pleased with his work, and walked silently over to the edge of the wood.

He could see Magneto's intimidating fortress silhouetted against the night sky, and looked around carefully for any sign of activity. The last thing he needed was to be spotted by an acolyte and have his element of surprise blown. Of course, there would be surveillance equipment and traps but if he was quick about it, Remy hoped he could make it inside, find Rielle and get them both out before anyone caught onto what was happening.

He refused to let himself think of failure, or, even worse, the fact that Rielle might no longer be alive . . .

Non, he thought desperately to himself, Magneto wouldn't go ta all dis trouble just ta kill her. She be alive, she just gotta be.

As Remy left the safe canopy of the forest, he felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Fingering the playing cards in his pocket, he ran off toward the compound.

The first thing that Rielle saw when she opened her eyes was the dozing figure of Rogue, sitting at the bedside in a blue armchair, her head supported by her arm. Rielle gazed around the room, feeling a strange panic grip her heart. Why couldn't she remember where she was? As she tried to bring her hands up, she noticed that one of them was being held tightly within Rogue's. Rogue? When had Rogue gotten here?

A delicate cry from the other side of the room snapped Rielle into attention. It was all coming back to her now. Yes, she was in her room with Rogue, her long lost sister who had returned to her the day before. Rielle was in bed because . . .

The baby! She smiled in relief as she heard her son coo from his bassinet by the window. Her son, her beautiful baby boy. The sudden need to hold him was overpowering, and Rielle slowly tried to sit up.

Her slight movements woke Rogue suddenly, who sat up quickly and looked around. As Rielle continued to struggle, she felt Rogue gloved hand rest on her forehead.

"Sush now Sugah, you lay still," the girl said, tired but happy. She'd been waiting impatiently for Rielle to awaken. But the girl had been exhausted after the birth and had passed out after hearing her son cry out for the first time. "I'll prop you up a little."

Pressing the small button on the side of the bed frame, Rogue watched as half of the bed rose up about forty centimetres, allowing Rielle to sit up a little.

"Rogue," came Rielle's tired voice. "Where is he? I want to hold him . . . "

"Here's right here Rielle," Rogue reassured her as she rose from the chair. "I'll get him for you."

Rogue made her way over to the tiny bassinet quickly, smiling back at Rielle reassuringly. As she reached the baby, her breath caught in her throat. Huge black eyes with a crop of dark auburn hair, Rogue watched as Remy's son balled his tiny hands into fists and shook them fussily. Rogue smiled as she watched him. Unfortunately for Rielle, it appeared as though the baby had inherited his father's fiery nature.

Rogue carefully reached in and cradle the baby's head in her palm, bringing her other arm beneath his wriggling body and supporting his neck on her wrist. As she lifted him from his little bed, she couldn't help but stare into his beautiful eyes, dark and deep. This was a piece of Remy, right here in her arms. His child. The only problem was, this baby's mother was waiting for him. This was meant for her, had been meant for her and suddenly, the old jealousy flared up within her soul.

"I think he likes you Rogue," came Rielle's tired but happy voice.

As quickly as it had appeared, the jealous feelings within the darkness of Rogue's heart settled back within the shadows. As she looked over at Rielle, who wore such a face of trust and happiness, she was unable to feel anything but amazement. Tenderly, she cradled the baby closer to her chest, rocking him gently.

"He looks like his father," Rogue said, a quiet sob resting behind her words.

"Does he?", came Rielle's reply, the hopefulness in her voice heartbreaking. Rogue knew that Rielle still did not remember Remy. She had vague recollections and memories, but she could not even remember the incredible passion she had shared with the man Rogue loved. Why don't I hate you Rielle, Rogue thought to herself, Why don't you hate meh, it would make things so much easier ta bear.

The baby against her chest grew fussy, struggling against Rogue's chest and opening his little mouth and emitting shrill cries. He wanted his mother, not her. Careful not to touch the newborn with her skin, Rogue cuddled him close and walked over to where his mother waited for him. As soon as he was deposited into the warm confines of his mother's arms, the baby stopped fussing, nuzzling contentedly against Rielle's breast. Rielle laughed at her son's insistence and even Rogue smiled. Yup, truly Remy's son.

"Have yah thought of a name for 'im Sugah?", Rogue asked, breaking the silence.

"Not really," laughed Rielle softly. "I haven't had much time. What do you think Rogue?"

"Oh no," Rogue said, shaking her head. "This one's all yours sugah."

Rielle looked down at her son's face, his liquid eyes and fine hair. She needed something strong, something that made her think of home. Something that reminded her of anything and everything she knew she must have once been.

"Joaquin," she finally said.

"Joaquin?", repeated Rogue. "Well, if you're sure. What is that, Italian?"

"It's Spanish," responded Rielle surely. "It's in his blood."

"What, you speak Spanish?"

"I guess so," Rielle replied, smiling at her choice. Joaquin. Perfect.

"Rielle? You must be really thirsty," Rogue said, suddenly unable to bear the sight before her. "I'll get you some water. I'll be back soon."

Rielle looked up with a sad smile as Rogue quickly left the room. She knew that there was something Rogue was telling her, something that was truly bothering her. Rielle gazed down at the face of her son, who, warm against his mother, was drifting once more to sleep. His eyes were dark like hers, but more so. His skin was not quite as dark as hers, and his hair! Where would he have gotten hair like that? Chestnut and red, it did not resemble in the least her own raven locks.

"You must look like your daddy, Baby," she said softly. "I just wish I could remember him enough to know for sure."

A sudden cramp in her leg caught her completely by surprise. Seizing her calf muscle, Rielle winced with the pain of it. She'd been laying down too long without stretching her muscles. Holding her slumbering son securely against her, Rielle slowly flipped back her blankets and swung her legs over the side of her bed. As she finally sat herself up and away from the mattress, Rielle suddenly felt as though all her insides were about to drop through her and she had to pause to catch her bearings.

Slowly, she put her feet upon the ground, and using one hand to study her while the other held the small child, she managed to make herself stand. As soon as she stretched her leg and put pressure down on her foot, the cramp eased fading until it was nothing but a dull ache in her leg. Still, she walked over to her son's bassinet and carefully so as not to wake him, placed him gently into his bed. She had to go to the bathroom so badly, and doing so with her son in the crook of her arm would be more challenging than she could handle at the moment. She slowly made her way from her room, wrapping her robe tightly around her pyjama clad body and starting the short walk toward the bathroom. She would only be gone a moment and Rogue would surely be back soon. Her son would be fine until then.

"Gabrielle? Chère?"

Rielle swung around as quickly as she could, and caught herself against the wall to keep from falling.

"Who" she stammered. "Who's there?'

A tall figure stepped quietly out a dark room directly beside her in the hall. As it stepped closer, Rielle was able to distinguish a tall, muscular frame, shrouded by some kind of long coat. But as the stranger stepped closer and into the light, Rielle's mind suddenly exploded with fear. Red irises, on black . . . this was . . . he was . . .

"You're one of them," Rielle gasped in horror. "Your eyes, I know them. You're one of those evil mutants my father warned me about!"

"Shh, Chère, keep your voice down!", the stranger said harshly. "What are you talkin' about Gabrielle? Don't you know me? It's me, p'tite, it's Remy."

"Please," Rielle said softly, pressing her back against the wall as the man stepped forward, out of the shadowed room. "Please, just go. What do you want from me?"

"Gabrielle, it's me! Remy's come to bring you home," Remy said desperately, stepping up to her and grabbing her forearms. "What's wrong! Why you actin' like this Chère?"

Rielle quickly filled her lungs to scream, only to have the strange man clamp his large hand over her mouth. Rielle's eyes widened in terror as he held her close to him. His face was so close to hers that she could feel his warm breath on her cheek. As he drilled into her eyes with his own, Rielle couldn't help but feel a strange pull from deep within her stomach. There was something, something that she couldn't grasp . . .

"Do you remember this chère?", Remy asked in despair as he suddenly reached down the front of her shirt and pulled out a delicate silver locket. Rielle's body tensed as she felt his hands against her flesh but the flash of silver suddenly rendered her numb. As Remy's hand slowly left her mouth, Rielle's eyes filled with tears as she took the locket from him.

"Amelia," she whispered. "I remember . . . "

"Chère, I'm so sorry for all dis.", Remy said fiercely, pulling her close and hugging her against his chest. "But Remy's here now, and he come ta take you home."

"Remy," Rielle said, her mind reeling. "Remy, I know you. I know you!"

"Let's go p'tite, we haven't much time," Remy said as he quickly scooped her up into his arms and held her against his chest. "We gotta get you outta here. No doubt the prof's been followin' me, and he'll be here soon."

"Remy", Rielle said, still unable to grasp all the memories that were suddenly flashing back. Suddenly, in her mind's eye she saw her son, their son, asleep in his cradle. She couldn't leave without him. Somehow, she had to make Remy see, make him understand all that had happened.

"Why you wearin' dese hospital clothes Gabrielle?", he asked her, concern darkening his handsome features. "Why you so weak p'tite?"

"Remy, we . . . can't . . . leave . . . "Rielle stammered, shaking in Remy's arms. "I ...have . . . to . . . go . . . back!"

"Chère, quiet now . . . "

"I HAVE TO GO BACK!"

Remy's hand was suddenly clamped against her mouth again and he began to run down the deserted hall. Rielle fought weakly against him, beating his chest and trying to wrench his hand away, but Joaquin's birth had left her so weak . . . And Remy was too strong, and too fast. Rielle struggled in vain and Remy came to a broken window. Rielle tried to cry out to him, to make him understand, but Remy was already half out the window.

Since the compound was only one floor, it was a matter of feet to the ground. Remy pulled himself through the window as smoothly as a shadow and as soon as his feet hit the ground, he began to run once more toward the safety of the forest, where he hoped the X-Men would soon be arriving.

Remy hid himself expertly amongst the trees and made sure to be well out of range of Magneto's base before removing his hand from Gabrielle's mouth.

"Remy, please," she said, terribly weakened from her efforts. "Please go back for him...Querido, por favor. Joaquin es en el edificio, por favor!"

"Hush now Rielle, you're safe now," Remy said lovingly as Rielle struggled to stay conscious. "Just sleep."

My baby, Rielle thought as her eyes drooped, and she mercifully passed out.

"Rielle? Ah have your water. Sorry it took meh so long, couldn't find the damn . . . "

As soon as he heard a voice enter the room, the tiny baby began crying even harder. Rogue looked around the deserted room. Where was Rielle, and why had she left Joaquin alone?

"...Cups," she finished, peering around.

She made her way over to the crying child and picked him up, cradling him against her shoulder, rocking him and doing her best to calm him. Where had Rielle gone? The covers were pulled back so she must have gotten out of bed. Maybe she had gone to the bathroom.

Rogue quickly left the room with the hysterical baby in her arms, in search of his missing mother. As she turned the corner to the washroom's, Rogue very nearly missed running into Magneto, who stood there smiling at her.

"Magneto? Ah can't find Rielle anywhere, and Ah think the baby may be hungry . . . "

"She's gone, Rogue," Magneto interrupted. "She left, with Remy."

"What!", Rogue gasped. "Remy was here! Why didn't he take the boy with them?"

"He still doesn't know he exists!", Magneto laughed. "The rash fool. I knew I could count on him on help my plan unfold."

"Magneto, what's going on?", Rogue asked, holding Joaquin tighter against her, as if to shield him from Magneto's demonic laughter. "What plan?"