DISCLAIMER: Nothing is mine, except for the plot. Anything in Marvel universe is not mine. Never had, never has, never will, never would.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's the next instalment to Thank You Remy. Shorter than usual but an important chapter nonetheless.
So, happy reading! And don't forget to leave a review too!
(!#$&Back to Rogue's Subconscious&$#!)
Rogue sighed and sat on crossed legs. She stared into the emptiness and let her thoughts run wild.
'Why did I fall for Remy? How could I let him break me? Why did I let the Rogue be broken? What did I hope to gain? What did he hope to get? My love? He knows I don't love easily, hell, he'd be lucky if I even trust him in the first place.'
After some time, Rogue gave up. She was coming up with questions that even she did not know how to answer. Instead, she decided to pick apart their relationship.
'Remy is a world-class womaniser. I couldn't even talk to Cyke without blushing,' Rogue thought, referring to her God-forbidden once girlish crush on the X-Men's stick-in-the-ass leader.
'Remy is a gentleman.'
'Remy basks in any sort of attention, not me.'
'Remy doesn't bear grudges.'
'Remy cares for Jean-Luc even though JL used him.'
'Remy doesn't let his heart rule his head.'
Remy, Remy, Remy. That was all Rogue could think about although she would never admit it. She was thrilled that Remy was around, yet somehow, she was not.
(!#$&In the Med Lab&$#!)
Jeremy sat vigil by Rogue's side. Three days had passed and there was no change in Rogue. Hank was beginning to worry. Kitty, Kurt, Bobby, Piotr, Ororo, Logan, the Professor, Jean and Scott had visited the LeBeaus. Everyone was disappointed that there was nothing either could do to help.
"Come on Jeremy. You haven't had anything since breakfast and now it's nearing dinner time. Even then, you didn't finish your slice of toast in the morning."
"It's okay, Mr Summers. I'm not hungry," Jeremy replied softly.
"But you still -"
"Mr Summers, Mrs Summers is looking for you," Rosalyn intervened before Scott gave his patented lecture.
"Oh, thank you, Rosalyn." Scott walked out of the room and reminded Jeremy about his health before disappearing down the corridor.
Both Rosalyn and Jeremy breathed sighs of relief.
"Thanks Rosalyn, for saving me and for coming over," Jeremy smiled wanly.
'He looks so much older,' Rosalyn thought.
"It's nothing. I'm just glad to be of help." Rosalyn pulled up a chair and sat beside Jeremy. A hand clasped Jeremy's and the other caressed his face.
Jeremy looked as if he had aged over a few years compressed into a few days. Creases lined his wide forehead and his face was dry and rough to the touch. The smiles that graced his luscious blood red lips had been replaced with frowns. Eyebags protruded perceptibly against his gaunt face. The sparkle of zest for life had extinguished in his emerald-onyx eyes.
Rosalyn's heart broke as she saw how much weight Jeremy had lost.
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Nothing. Please drop the subject."
"No."
"Why!" Jeremy snapped. He was sick and tired of everyone being on his case.
"Because I'm trying to prevent trouble from brewing over."
"What do you mean?"
"At the rate you're going, everyone knows Dr. McCoy, Mr. Logan and Mr. Summers are going to put you on a drip until you start eating properly."
"Yeah? Try me!" Jeremy challenged.
Rosalyn sighed. Apparently pig-headedness runs in the veins of the LeBeau family.
"Think of your Mom even if you don't care about your health. Think how hurt she'll feel if she knows you're forsaking your health just to watch her sleep. How would you feel if I were to do the same for you?"
Jeremy stared into the piercing blue orbs that he loved so much. He knew she was right but found it extremely difficult to extricate himself from the place he had claimed as his.
"You don't have to go up if you really don't want to, but you'll have to promise me something."
"What is it?"
"When I bring down your meals, I expect you to finish them as much as you can eat. Can you promise me that?"
Jeremy thought over for a second, "Okay. I can do that."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Rosalyn smiled in satisfaction and gave Jeremy a peck to the lips. Jeremy blushed crimson and Rosalyn laughed.
"A BLT sandwich, some crackers and a glass of milk?"
"Sounds good to me."
With that, Rosalyn took to the crowding kitchen with a skip in her steps.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0-
"Kid?" Logan called gruffly to Rosalyn.
"Yes, Mr. Logan?"
"Where's Junior?"
"He's still at the Med Lab. I'm bringing down his dinner," Rosalyn replied as she set about making Jeremy's sandwich.
"What about you? Aren't you eating?"
"Later. Just keep for me some food."
"Hmm."
-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0-
Jeremy stared at Rogue. His mind was blank. He did not know what else to think. He had asked Mr. McCoy countless times why his mom had not regain consciousness and every time, he received the same reply, "We are still determining the cause."
"I've been wanting to talk to you, Mom. It's about us and…pere," Jeremy started. Mr. McCoy had encouraged him to talk to Rogue even if she was comatose. 'Comatose people can hear when someone talks to them, and it helps them to recover too.' was his reasoning.
"I thought the bond between us would remain strong no matter what. However, it was easily done for when…pere…died. We couldn't talk without screaming or reason without threatening. We became distant…and I…missed you, Mom."
Jeremy blinked at some tears stinging his sensitive eyes.
"It feels like I've lost you too. I feel so lost and lonely. Rosalyn may be here to help me but the void in my heart never left. While she is my everything, she doesn't have something that you have. Something that only you have."
"I miss your touch, your kisses, your laughs."
"I miss you, Mom. I miss my mommy's love."
Immediately after his confession, Jeremy burst into a mess of suppressed tears. The confession had allowed him the tranquillity that he so desperately craved for. His shoulders felt much lighter and his head became much clearer, and his heart did not feel as cold as it had.
The confession had also worn Jeremy out and he slipped into a peaceful slumber for the first time since Remy's passing on.
-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0-
"Chuck, any idea what's wrong with Stripes?"
"I've been trying but I cannot figure out what's going in her mind," the Professor paused for a beat. "Her shields are exceptionally strong."
"Maybe she doesn't want anyone to know what's going on. I don't know."
"Yeah, it won't be the first time too."
"Who knows? That chica's always so moody and anti-social."
"I believe she's still mourning, child. Give her more time."
"How much longer? He's been dead for close to six months already!"
"Hey! Mourning has no limits, so deal with it!" Amara snapped, flames dancing around her in bursts of anger. She had lost her parents to an assassination some years ago and the truth stung her everytime at the mere mention of death. Quickly, she retreated to her room.
"Amara, wait!"
Everybody watched as Roberto rushed to his feet.
"Rogue deserves it."
Everyone stared at a red-head. Shock and disapproval were clearly written on the faces of those who had heard.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Come on, Mr McCoy. You know what I mean. Nothing good ever comes out with Rogue. What made you think Remy will last with her?" Jean scoffed.
"Liar, you good-for-nothing fiend!"
"Me fiend? You're the fiend!"
"You were the one who killed Remy!"
A low growl rumbled in the background but Jean did not take notice.
"What proof do you have?"
"You…uh…uh…you…" Kitty looked over to her teammates for help. Sadly, none of them could be of service.
"And you have the nerve to accuse me!"
"Oh, just shut it, Grey. Everybody knows Remy rejected you and you couldn't stand the fact that he belongs to Rogue," Bobby, who had been quiet throughout, finally spoke up.
Jean slammed a fist on the table and stood up.
"Look, I wasn't about to give him up without a fight."
"So you killed him."
"No, it was a mistake. It was for that skunk bitch but the Cajun took the fall for her, but it's okay. If I can't have him, I'll make sure skunk bitch can't have him too," Jean sneered with malice.
Before anyone could retort, a loud SNIKT unsheathed a set of razor-sharp claws.
"You ever lay a wrong finger on Stripes and I'll slice you to chunks," Logan threatened as he pointed the claws at Jean's throat, who raised an arrogant eyebrow.
That infuriated Logan and he slammed his claws into the wall with Jean still in the line of fire.
"Was that supposed to scare me? Ooh, I'm so scared I'm shaking in my boots," Jean replied mockingly. With a telekinetic push at Logan, she floated out of the hushed kitchen.
"What's her problem?"
"Don't know, don't care." Kitty was still steamed at Jean's bitching. No one bad-mouthed about people she cared and got away with it.
"And here I thought she really cared for Rogue."
"Yeah, a very sad thing it was all a façade."
Professor Xavier applauded several times to get the attention of the residents. "Come, let us finish this dinner before the food turns cold."
Everyone resumed eating but conversations were kept to a minimal and Logan stormed to the Danger Room to work off some superheated steam.
-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0-
PIANG!
The sharp sound reverberated against the walls of the dining room. Eyes widened in shock as they watched an apparition gaped and close inaudibly.
'FUCK!' went through practically everyone's heads.
The apparition faded off slowly and Laura Kinney (X-23) frowned.
"Oh my stars and garters! It happened again."
"Was that what happened while I was away, Hank?"
"Was that Jeremy?"
"Yes, and both Dr McTaggart and I have come up with a few possibilities."
"Like, what just happened?"
"But I thought he doesn't have any powers?"
"X, what's wrong?"
Laura looked up from where she was, disdain contorting her tan features.
"I can't get a scent."
"But he was here just seconds ago! Everybody saw him!"
"Was that him? I mean, really him?"
"Yeah, for all we know it could have been a hologram."
"Or an out-of the body experience."
"Cool!"
"Hey," Jamie said, concernmarring his handsome features, "Did Jeremy hear what the bitch said?"
Silence transcended for a second before a stampede rocked the mansion.
-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0-
Rosalyn was seated beside Jeremy, gently stroking his unruly auburn locks. She stared at his angelic face, her heart swelling with so much love for the boy. She was so engrossed with her thoughts she did not notice the tremors until she fell off her seat.
THUMP!
Rosalyn landed ungracefully on her bottom. She scowled at her luck and jumped when muted crashes were heard. She turned her head and raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Get off me, you fat oaf," Nathan whined as he was plastered to the sliding glass of the Med Lab.
After grunts and some cuss words, Nathan was able to peel himself off from the thick glass. Thankfully, the Professor had in mind to have the glass doors of Med Lab bullet- and shatter-proof.
"See what happened? I specifically told you guys to slow down!" Scott admonished.
"It's all right, Scott."
"Out of the way," Logan growled. Immediately, the masses parted to give way to the feral Canadian.
"Is Junior still asleep, Kid?"
"Yes."
"Were you here the entire time?"
"Yes, I have, Professor. What's wrong? What's going on?"
Murmurs could be heard and Rosalyn's heart raced.
"Calm down, child. We're just asking because we thought we saw Jeremy at the dining room a few minutes earlier."
Storm specifically used the word 'thought' because she did not want to alarm the girl. She knew everyone saw Jeremy standing clearly against the china display at dinner.
"Oh. Is that all?"
"Yes. Would you like to have your dinner now?"
Rosalyn nodded.
"Kurt, would you please escort Rosalyn to the kitchen where her dinner is?"
Kurt nodded and bamfed himself and Rosalyn to their destination.
"For the rest of you, please return to the dinner table and finish your food; and those of you who are done, I believe there are some assignments to be completed."
Everybody groaned and grouched as Scott and Ororo assisted the Professor in getting the students out of the Med Lab. Meanwhile, Logan merely leaned against a wall and kept watch of everything.
The next chapter should be up around mid-January 2006 (or maybe earlier), so don't forget to tune in!
P/s: I hate the fact that we, authors, are not allowed to response to reviews on our chapters..pff..farny policy..