She sighed softly and reached over to the coffee table for the remote. 'Why is it whenevah ya watch TV, theah's nevah anythang on' she contemplated absent-mindedly. Switching through the channels, she finally stopped on a movie channel that was just about to start another film.
Shivering a little, Rogue pulled up the deep blue blanket around her shoulders and leaned back into the corner of the sofa a little more. The credits to the movie began to come up on the wide television screen and a strange gurgling sound emitted from the direction of her stomach beneath the thick blanket.
Rogue instinctively looked around the room for something to eat and finding nothing, got out of her comfy position and returned with a tub of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a spoon. Settling back into her previous place she took a mouthful of the ice cream and proceeded to savor the delicious taste of vanilla and cookie dough. It wasn't often that she got to relax like this - recently Tabby had been dragging her out to different clubs, bars and other places near enough every night she wasn't working.
Rogue, didn't mind and had it been anyone else - they would have taken the hint from Rogue's constant scowling and declines of going out, but not Tabitha. Rogue smiled at the thought of Tabby literally dragging her out against her will the other night, the girl was persistent if nothing else.
She had lived in the apartment for near enough a month now and Rogue certainly couldn't complain. She had her freedom and her space, especially since Remy was hardly ever about. Sure she would see him in the afternoon if she finished work early and occasionally in the evening, but other than that he was always out doing something. It was ideal for Rogue really, although it did feel kind of strange to be living in the same apartment with someone and only seen them a few times a week.
She had decided to take Remy up on his offer 'temporarily', after the elderly owners of the hostel she had been staying at had finally retired. 'Ah git ta lead mah lahfe and he git's ta lead his, what more could ah want?' she often found herself asking that question and there was never an answer to exactly what more she could want, but it was always playing in the back of her mind.
Rogue glanced up at the clock on the wall - it was nearing two in the morning. She looked back at the television screen indecisively, 'Should ah go back ta bed an' lay theah starin' at th' ceiling or stay heah an' watch some borin' movie'. Deciding on the latter, she placed the remaining ice cream on the coffee table and settled herself into the warmth of the blanket. For some reason, she just could not sleep and the idea of studying the walls while trying to welcome it did not appeal to her.
Rogue was just about getting into the movie when the front door opened and her elusive house mate entered, completely dressed in black with the usual trench coat thrown over the top and carrying a dark colored bag. Remy looked over at Rogue and gave her the customary smirk before disappearing into his room.
Rogue turned her attention back to the television screen, not in the least surprised that he had just come in at two in the morning and not expecting Remy to return minutes later and plonk himself in the seat next to her.
"What y' watchin'?" he asked indifferently.
"Ah dunno, some movie with Jean Claude Van Damme in it" She replied and looked over to see a reaction, the only one being that of Remy staring blankly at the screen. Rogue scrutinized his appearance - he was still dressed in all black, but without the favored trench coat. His hair was still messed up and more windswept looking than usual and a dark five o'clock shadow was apparent on his jaw 'And how he still looks good, ah dunno?' she queried herself.
Without warning, the object of her interest turned his head in her direction and she quickly turned her own back in the direction of the television. Remy smirked to himself at her naivety, full well knowing that she had been staring at him 'Not dat you ain't used t' it homme' he thought arrogantly to himself.
"So what y' been up t' chérie?" he asked, deliberately staring at her profile. Rogue could feel his gaze and tried desperately to keep the blush that was threatening to show, away.
"Workin' mostly and out a few tahmes. How bout ya?" She replied, still keeping her attention focused on the movie. Remy inwardly groaned. He couldn't tell her what he was really doing and he couldn't help but feel a pang of protectiveness towards the girl beside him. Remy had to admit it to himself, no matter how many times he tried to deny it - there was something there between him and Rogue. He cared about her, simple as that - despite the fact that he knew so little about her. It was obvious to him now, at first he had just tried to push the feeling down, but now he couldn't - especially with her living with him. He sighed softly and looked back at the television.
"Jus' de usual" he muttered resignedly. Rogue just accepted the answer, sure she wanted to know more about him - what he liked, his favorite color, his job - but she felt that she had no right to pry into his life, knowing that if she did that - he would probably want to know about her in return and that was something she just wasn't willing to give, particularly because she wanted to forget her old life and move on.
They sat there for a while longer in a comfortable silence, until there was a discreet knock at the door. Remy sighed loudly and instantly got up. Rogue watched in confusion as Remy made his way over to the door and let in another man just a little shorter than Remy, with darker hair and a small goatee. He was dressed in black just as Remy was, but was wearing a dark jacket instead of a trench coat. Remy walked back into the room, the other man closing the door and following.
"Rogue, dis is Mon frère, Henry" Remy introduced them and walked away to his room again. Rogue gave a small smile and a quiet 'Hi'.
"Bonjour" Henry replied courteously. He looked at her uncertainly before Remy returned and led him into the kitchen. Rogue watched them leave, a little put-off at the way Henry had been looking at her.
"Y' have it Remy?" She heard Henry ask in a hushed whisper, being that they had left the door open to the kitchen, she could hear them whispering to each other. 'Ah shouldn't be listenin' they obviously don't want meh ta heah'. She tried to keep her attention on the film but couldn't help but pick up what they were saying.
"Oui" Remy answered.
"Père will be pleased. Who is de fille?"
"She just stayin' here for a while. Not'in' t' worry 'bout, she don't know anyt'ing" She heard Remy sigh tiredly, their conversation quickly turning entirely into French. Her ears strained, trying to pick out the quickly spoken words from her limited vocabulary of the language.
"You know what I mean Remy. If père or Belladonna find out, your in deep shit" Her eyebrows knitted in confusion as she tried to figure out what Henry was saying.
"Don't remind me 'bout Belle. Dere's not'ing goin' on wit' Rogue, she's just a friend" Remy muttered annoyed.
"Don't be an ass, she can hear everything we're saying. I don't trust her, she could be an assassin" Henry was obviously on edge. Remy gave a bitter laugh.
"She ain't no assassin Henry, she jus' needed somewhere t' stay." Rogue swiftly turned her head towards the kitchen and glared at the word she did recognize.'Assassin! Oh yeah ah forgot ah kept mah collection o' guns n' samurai swords under mah mattress' she thought sarcastically.
"You hardly know her Remy! Père wants to see you about the wedding – you know you have to go through with it". She heard Remy groan in annoyance.
"I don't see why I should. I don't love her" Remy said.
"I know you don't. But its for the good of the guilds " Henry replied a little calmer.
"I know. Its jus' Belle's an assassin, I'm a t'ief. I don't t'ink it'll stop de fightin'". Rogue sat up in surprise. 'Did Remy just say he was a thief an' who's Belle? This can't be rahte!'. Henry sighed in contemplation.
"Y' don't know dat Remy, it might work. Y' owe it t' pére t' try. Y'll come t' de house tomorrow right?"
"Oui. I'll go" She heard Remy mutter wearily. At that, Henry exited the kitchen and headed towards the front door. Rogue swiftly turned round to face the television again.
"Au revoir Rogue" he said as he walked passed. She noticed that he was now carrying the dark bag Remy had brought in.
"Bye" she replied. Rogue sat back in the sofa deep in thought. Remy was a thief, no that couldn't be right - or could it. He'd never actually told her what he did for a living and who was Belle?. Rogue couldn't help but shudder a little at the name.
"Y' cold?" Rogue jumped visibly at the sound of Remy's voice, she shook her head as a no and watched from the corner of her eye as he sat down next to her again. He smirked at her as he took his seat. Rogue studied him carefully, noting every inch of his face.
"What did yoah brother want?" She asked cautiously. Remy showed no sign of tensing up or hesitation.
"Jus' t' borrow somet'in'. Family stuff" It was a reasonable answer, she couldn't fault that. 'Maybe ah did heah wrong' she thought with a sigh.
"Is he always so grouchy?" Remy laughed at her comment.
"Oui, He's jus' like y'" He replied with a smirk. His mood completely changed.
"Huh, funny!" and with that, she hid him leaned over and hit him over the head with her hand.
"Ow!" He moaned and rubbed his head, feigning injury. Rogue simply smirked in victory and turned back to the film. Seeing that she wasn't taking the bait, Remy suddenly reached over and began tickling her stomach through the blanket. Rogue kicked out in defence and shock. Wriggling and laughing uncontrollably, she tried yelling for him to stop but he wasn't giving in.
"Say uncle?" Remy asked through laughing at Rogue's uncharacteristic behaviour from the tickling.
"Un - cle" she cried. Remy let her up, now with a victorious smirk plastered on his face. Rogue sat back up and leaned back into the sofa, worn-out.
They carried on watching the film until the end credits started traveling up the screen. Rogue yawned and stretched her arms up, looking up at the clock and seeing that it was nearly four in the morning she decided to have another try at sleep.
A slight movement made her look at the person beside her. Rogue smiled a little at the sleeping face of Remy LeBeau, which was instantly replaced by a frown as she remembered what she had heard earlier on. She mentally scolded herself for being so inquisitive and decided that it wasn't her place to judge, but she needed answers. Moving as quietly as she could, Rogue slipped off the sofa and stood, watching him sleep. He looked so peaceful, 'Looks almost lahke he hasn't got his mahnd in th' gutter most of th' tahme' she smirked the thought. Not having the heart to wake him, she simply placed the blanket over him gently.
"Goodnight Remy" she whispered tenderly and moved away quietly to her room. Questions could wait until tomorrow.