Hey everyone! Sorry it's taken my so long to update. I've just started college and I'm getting used to having a roommate and I'll that good stuff. Also, there's the whole fiasco with my internet in my room being broken and the school hasn't repaired it yet, so I have to find a way to get this off my laptop and onto the internet without being connect to the internet! Ahhh! Stress.

Chapter Twelve

-It's Your Party, But I'll Cry If I Want To-

"I'm such an idiot!" Remy beat his head rhythmically against wall behind him. "'M dis close t' tellin' her 'm de lil' boy fr'm next door ten years ago, an' what do I do? I chicken out an' invite her t' a party! Brilliant move, LeBeau. Jus' fuckin' brilliant."

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"What have I got myself inta?" Rogue flopped onto her bed and buried her face into the pillow. I spend my time tryin' ta avoid social situations an' then I go an' accept two party invitations on th' same day!

So we're making up for lost time. D'ya think we could fit two dates in every night?

They aren't dates! Don't put ideas into her head!

Hello? We're voices in her head. What else are we supposed to do?

We could give her useful advice.

You do that. Personally, I'm gonna keep going into her dream memories. Like that steamy shower one from last week . . . . . What were we talking about?

"Just leave me alone, please!" Cried Rogue, burrowing herself deeper in the pillow.

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Silence reigned in the room, much like the day before. Except this silence was different. The silence was fueled by embarrassment on both sides, rather than dislike and hurt pride as was yesterday's. It hung thick in the air and neither ventured to stop it. Unlike the day before, the silence offered comfort and protection from the conversation both knew they would eventually have to have.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Silence.

Remy sighed. It wasn't going to be as easy to crack Rogue's tough exterior today. "So . . . did y' t'ink 'bout de party?" No beating around the bush this time.

"Well, yeah, I thought 'bout it. I thought 'bout lots o' things last night."

Yes, it was definitely going to be harder today. "Did y' decide t' go?"

"Is dat a 'no'?"

"No."

"It's a 'yes'?"

"No." Sighing, she stopped working and turned to face him. "Ya really want me ta go? Ya're not askin' this outta pity o' somethin'? 'Cuz popular ta contrary belief in our school, I do have friends."

Remy held up his hands in mock surrender. "I swear, 'm jus' a friend askin' anot'er friend t' join 'im at a party."

"Fine."

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The dull throb of a dance beat filled the balmy night air as the teenagers gathered at Cody Robbins' house. The music pulsated through the bodies that filled the barn; they swayed and gyrated to the hypnotic beat.

Rogue's eyes remained wide as she stayed towards the edge of the crowd. She pulled nervously at the cuff of her long sleeved shirt, which was growing entirely too hot by the minute. She flinched as a hand landed on her shoulder. The body leaned in close; she could feel the mystery person's breath as he spoke into her ear. "It's too hot t' go inside. Let's git somet'in' t' drink." Said an unmistakably Cajun voice.

" 'Kay." Her heart fluttered slightly as he took a gentle yet firm grasp on her gloved hand. As he led her through the mass of people, she received an unobstructed view of some of his . . . finer assets. His clothing wasn't baggy or ill fit, on the contrary, his jeans and T-shirt were snug and hugged his body.

An' what a nice view it is! Rogue felt her cheeks blush. I thought I asked ya guys not ta . . . WAIT. Those were . . . my thoughts. Oh, god.

Don't be ashamed, honey. I thought the same thing.

Shut up.

As they reached the drinks, Rogue promptly stopped her inner monologue, or dialogue, as the case was.

"So, whaddya t'ink?" Asked Remy as he handed her a plastic cup. She fingered the edge and took a small sip before answering with a shrug. "Well, don' have too much fun." Said Remy sarcastically.

Slowly, Rogue turned to glare at him. "What? Whaddya want me ta say? 'Oh, Remy! I nevea had this much fun in my whole life. Look at all the people grindin' with strangers an' makin' out with people they won' remember in th' mornin'. It's a dream come true!' Is that what ya want me ta say?"

"Y' know, I don' know why I even try! Y're a lot o' fun t' be wit', but y' always so negative! Y' so desperate t' keep up de loner persona, y' don' talk t' anybody or go anywhere!"

"Well, sorry I'm not some lil' social butterfly. Am I ya charity case gone wrong o' somethin'? Ya tries ta pull one o' those teen-movies-make-th'-outcast-popular kinda things but ya failed?"

"No wonder no one talks t' y'. Y' misconstrue it int' some whole conspiracy!" Remy shook his head. "I don' know why I bother."

"Neither do I."

There was a stony silence as the pair stood, side by side, refusing to acknowledge each other.

"Rogue! Ya made it!" The feuding pair both turned to acknowledge their guest.

"Hey, Cody." Rogue had to admit, his smile was pretty charming when it was directed right at you. The breeze gently shifted his pale blond locks, pushing them into his eyes.

"Ya havin' a good time?"

She wasn't sure what demon possessed her, but before she had a chance to ponder it, the words were out of her mouth. "It jus' got better."

"How 'bout we make it even better? Come dance with me."

Remy couldn't help it; the laughter bubbled up in his chest and it's only release was through an unflattering snort. Rogue glared daggers at him and the demon took over her mouth once more. "I'd love ta. Be mo' fun than what 'm doin' here." Another murderous stare in the Cajun's direct. "Better company, too."

Grinning, Cody led Rogue to an empty corner of the dance floor. He stayed a respectable distance away from her, being the perfect gentleman. Rogue glanced at Remy long enough to see him roll his eyes before a very familiar blonde placed a hand on his shoulder.

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Remy glared as Rogue stalked off with the brain-dead jock. Better company, m' ass! He rolled his eyes at the football player's attempt to appear gentlemanly. Jackass. As Rogue sent a glare his way, a slim hand slid onto his shoulder. He turned slightly to see none other than Lillian Davenport. "Hey, Lillian."

She giggled. "Call me Lil." She said with a flirtatious smile. "Wanna dance?"

"Y' gonna make y' boyfriend jealous, cherie."

Lillian pouted. "How? He's been dancin' with everyone but me tonight!" She slid closer and squeezed his bicep. "Besides, it doesn' look like he's concerned if I'll git jealous."

Remy glanced towards the dancing couple just in time to see Rogue, Rogue!, pull Cody closer to herself. He felt an unnamed feeling constrict his chest. Fine, two can play dat game.

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Rogue didn't know what made her do it. But seeing Lillian sink her perfectly manicured claws into him . . . she had to retaliate. Exercising a whim, Rogue grabbed Cody's arms and pulled him close, mimicking the dancing of the other couples.

She felt a rush of ecstasy at the look the adorned Remy's face. It was quickly replaced with guilt; this wasn't her. She couldn't use some random guy to make another guy jealous for reasons she didn't even know ( or didn't want to admit.)

But any feelings she was having were dashed with Remy's next actions. She watched as he leaned close to Lillian's ear, whispering something. They both laughed as he pulled back. He then took her hand and led her towards the center of the dancers. Through the dim light and bodies, she could just make out their outlines as he pulled her body close to his. Rogue felt tears begin to line her eyes.

"That bitch!" Rogue didn't have to look at Cody to know that he also noticed Lillian plant a very sensual kiss on Remy's lips. Cody grabbed Rogue's arm and started pulling her towards the other couple. "What th' hell does she think she's doin'?"

He finally stopped when he was about fifteen feet away from them. The CD ended, so the area was deathly quiet as Cody began to shout. "Was that ya plan all along? Huh, was it?"

"Cody, babe, listen-" Lillian started in a soothing voice, but was cut off.

"NO! I'm not listenin' ta ya ever again, ya lyin', conivin' bitch!"

"Cody," she hissed, "Ya're embarrassing' me!"

"Ya're embarrassed? I'll give ya embarrassed!" With that, Cody grabbed Rogue and pulled her into a deep kiss.

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Remy knew something was wrong. Rogue was frantically trying to push Cody off of her and the hair framing her face was starting to turn a whitish-blonde hue, not unlike the hair on Cody's head. He stood frozen to his spot as Cody fell to the ground in a limp pile. Rogue clutched her head and began to scream, screams of agony and unbearable pain.

Lillian ran up to Cody and cradled his head in her lap. "What th' hell did ya do ta him?" She screamed at Rogue. "I always knew ya were a freak, but now everyone knows what's wrong with ya: Ya're a mutant!"

Rogue looked up, fear lining her eyes. But, Remy looked again, they weren't her eyes! Instead of the emerald-green there was crystal blue.

And she ran.

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Damn, she's fast! Thought Remy as he chased after Rogue. Finally, she ran out of breath and collapsed to the ground. Sobs racked her body as she cried out tears of anger, embarrassment, confusion.

Remy slowly walked towards her. "Rogue, y' okay?"

No answer.

"Rogue? . . . Marie?"

"NO! I'm not her. She hurts people!"

"Whaddya mean?"

"Everyone goes away! She lied ta me! They say mean things in my head. He went away. HE LEFT ME!"

Remy moved closer yet, unsure what she was talking about.

Rogue raised her face, a mixture of green and blue shining in her eyes. "She lied. She said she wanted ta hurt that freaky girl, but she dumped me. F'r that new kid!" The blue faded slightly. "He left me on our birthday. He. Left. Me."

"Marie, I-"

Suddenly, Rogue shot up off the ground. "NO! No Marie here! Marie was normal! Marie had friends! I'M ROGUE!" She began to beat her hands against his chest, but slumped against it, passing out from exhaustion.

"Guess it's y' needin' help dis time around, cherie." Remy gathered his childhood friend in his arms and began a steady trek through the darkness.

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Raven fretted by her sleeping daughter's bedside. The girl had been going in and out of sleep, screaming and having awful nightmares. During one point of lucidity, she had asked about Cody. It broke Raven's heart to tell her he had been in a coma for the past week.

Raven glanced at her watch. 3:27AM. He should be there any minute. Though it tugged at her heart strings to send her daughter to him, it was the only choice. Irene had said so, and Raven trusted her friend completely.

"Good morning, Mystique."

"Good morning, Charles."

The man wheeled into the room. "I assume this is your daughter."

Raven nodded. "Marie. Though she insists on Rogue now."

"Many find it easier to deal with a mutation by changing their identity as well." He stroked her hair lightly. "Is this from . . .?"

"Yes." Two prominent white streaks framed Rogue's pale face, marring what used to be a beautiful mane of auburn. "She also has his memories and thoughts."

Charles put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know it pains you to send Rogue to me instead of having her join Eric, but I assure you, it's for the best."

"I know, I know."

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Remy stared out the window as they rode back to the Bayou. After he accidentally blew up a chair during school, mutant accusations were flying wide. Tante Mattie decided they better live as soon as possible.

Remy couldn't help it, after hearing Lillian telling everyone her sob story version of events, the anger flared up in him. He had been halfway across the room before the telltale explosion rocked the classroom.

So there he was, back to Louisiana, back to where everything had started. Back to losing his best friend a second time.

TBC...

So? That turned out alot different then the rough draft in my head. The story just kinda started to write itself and change everything. How was it?

Hey, is it Kitty Pryde or Pride? I've seen it both ways and it's bugging the hell outta me cuz neither looks right, but I know one of them has to be!