Disclaimer: It would be sheer foolishness to say I own this...cuz I don't. So there. I do own a pretty spiff Stitch bobble-head though.
A/N: Well ladies and gents ou there in readerdom, you demanded and I supplied. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed the story so far. As of this moment I'm up to 39 reviews and I'm very grateful for each and every one. Many of you have been asking about John and when he'll show up. I regret to inform y'all that for the most part, John will only be in Rogue's mind. John physically probably won't even be in the story until the last chapter, but Rogue's feelings for him will play a major role in this story. This is Rogue's story. John's story will come at a later date (a fic that I've been calling 'X-Factored') and will also be an X-movieverse/BtVS crossover. Anyways, please don't stop reading just because he won't be here! There's plenty to enjoy...like Remy...heh. Many of you may be offended by hints of Romy, but they will unfortunately play a role. Now, after that rather lengthy author's note, here is the brand spankin' newest chapter of 'Shiver' which I like to call..."Enter the Scoob".
Rogue dropped the branch and did the only thing that came to mind; she ran. She ran until her legs turned to rubber, but the Wolverine inside her reared his head and pushed her to keep running. His essence in the back of her mind urged her onward so that she would get as far away from the danger in the graveyard as possible. Rogue ran until she finally collapsed.
Wolverine, satisfied that she was out of danger, receded to the back of her mind, assuring her she was strong and that she was safe. Rogue began to sob, though her eyes were dry. It was as if the world had suddenly ceased to make rational sense. Her power was gone, and she knew in her mind that she should be dancing for joy that her poison skin had been replaced with freakish strength but she felt like something vital to her very being was missing. Rogue's sobs gradually ceased and she lay on the ground for a time.
Breathing deeply, Rogue pushed herself up into a sitting position. Lost in her thoughts and her efforts to pull herself together she almost jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Panicking, Rogue grabbed it and twisted the attached arm into one of the more effective holds that Logan had taught her. The owner of the hand shouted and cried "Oncle, Oncle! Remy din' mean no harm!"
Rogue released him and backed away a few steps, preparing to bolt in necessary. She couldn't help but roll her eyes as her attacker stepped into the moonlight. Shoulder length reddish hair, sunglasses and a trench coat. Of all the people in all the world, the joker from the bus just happened to be the one to come across her on what was swiftly ranking among the weirdest days of her life.
She sent a hateful look to the heavens when she caught sight of the smile on his face. "Well cherie, seems you really don' like to be touched,' he said with a low chuckle.
Rogue placed her hand on her hip and stared him down, trying to quell the rage building inside her. A good portion of it was hers, but John's slow burn was intermingled with it. His residual anger was always an issue when her temper got riled, but Rogue just kept breathing in and out pushing John's anger back into the space in her mind he occupied. Sleep was definitely going to be out of the question tonight. Levelling a glare at Remy, she turned and started walking away, looking for familiar landmarks. She tried to ignore the sound of footsteps falling in with her own, but after two blocks she spun on her heel and shouted "What is your damage!"
Remy seemed startled for only a moment, and then his cocky exterior fell back into place. He shrugged his shoulders and looked lazily at her. "Remy does no' thin' it safe for a femme like you to walk home alone. Also, Remy wishes to know the name of a feisty chere such as yo'self," he replied.
Rogue sighed and rolled her eyes. "Mah name is Rogue," she stated, holding out her hand for him to shake.
Remy grinned madly. "Dee nom is fitting chere," he said as he shook her hand. The smile disappeared from his face after a moment and Rogue barely registered the pull as her mind was flooded with thoughts and memories. Panicking, she ripped her hand away from Remy's and caught him as he fell forward. It was then that she noticed the glove on the hand she had offered was torn. Dragging Remy to the ground with her as her knees collapsed, Rogue began rocking back and forth trying to banish memories of thieves, assassins, the swamp and a woman named Belladonna from her mind.
Her stomach began to cramp up again, and Rogue knew she had to get off of the street. Pulling herself and the unconscious Remy up from the ground, she dragged him into the nearest lighted doorway she could find.
The music of the bar thumped away as all the patrons stopped and stared at Rogue and Remy. Rogue was almost brought to her knees by the pain in her stomach as many of the patrons stood up and made their way towards her. She bit back a scream as their faces morphed into the same horrid mask as the man in the graveyard. Backing towards the door, she felt Remy begin to awaken. "Ah'm sorry," she stammered, "seemed lahke mah friend here needed a restroom but ah think he's fahne now. We'll just be goin'."
One of the men stepped forward and licked his lips. Rogue felt hatred stir inside her as he smiled and showed his teeth. He chuckled a little and then growled out the words that would change Rogue's life forever. "I don't think you're going anywhere Slayer."
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