Approaching the counter with an arm load of supplies, Rogue let them fall haphazardly onto the slightly dingy surface before offering the elderly gent at the register a tired smile. She hadn't slept a wink the entire night and very little the past few days at least, and she knew that it would all catch up to her, sooner rather than later.
The store was a decent size, and she had managed to find most of what she needed that morning. Garbage bags, sponges, cleaner, gloves, but sadly no toothbrushes, toothpaste or mouthwash. Some of that whitening gum would have to do until they got into town to do some real shopping. She had also grabbed a few snacks in hopes that she could convince Remy to eat something.
He had slept peacefully in her arms for a few short hours, but they had been the best hours she'd experienced for weeks. She wanted to be strong for him, but he made it obvious that when it came down to it, she didn't need to keep up the act all the time. She was allowed her moments to break, and despite the situation, the night had comforted her as much as she hoped it had him. If only it could have lasted.
Rogue had been surprised when Remy had so frantically scrambled out of the embrace, falling roughly to the floor. He looked so lost and frightened, and she couldn't seem to make herself move. She had only been able to stare at him in concern until his disorientation was replaced by realization, then anguish. His cry shaking her from her frozen position, she had reached out to him, offering the comfort of a touch, however shielded it was, and damn if it hadn't hurt when he'd shrugged her off. The night before he had allowed her to look into his eyes, gaze into his soul, and it was like all that progression had faded with the night. She wasn't about to give up, though. She gave him the time he needed, taking the time herself to bottle her emotions, and only when his current grief began to pass did she try again. That time he didn't refuse.
She had spoke to him softly, and helped him back into bed, but her comfort was no longer welcome. Not able to just sit there and be ignored again, she had decided it was time to go. There were things they had needed before they could check out, and she had needed some air; some space.
As almost an afterthought, Rogue grabbed one last item off the rack on the counter and added it to her pile. Paying the clerk, she stuffed her wallet back in the pocket of her sweater and grabbed her bags. Her wardrobe definitely left a lot to be desired, but her appearance was the least of her worries. Making her way back to the room, she concentrated on the rhythmic slapping sound her flip flops made with each step. She hoped it would make the walk longer, but she arrived back all too soon. Would it ever get any easier? It was getting harder each time she had to go back to him instead of just walking away, but she had made her choice. Taking a few deep breaths, she forced herself to reenter the room. Remy was no longer curled up in the fetal position, but the sight that greeted her definitely struck her as odd. He was sitting in the centre of the bed, the contents of the duffle bag scattered around him. No, it wasn't scattered. He had sorted everything into piles and was now taking his time in folding the clothing, each crease perfectly straight. After each item was folded, he placed it carefully back in the bag. It appeared that he had even designated one side for her clothing and the other for his.
Watching him with an odd expression for a few minutes, Rogue eventually closed the door and set the bags on the bureau. Taking something from the bag, she moved over to stand in front of him. He didn't stop folding, nor did he look up at her.
"Ah see ya found somethin' ta occupy your time while Ah was gone," she said, trying to keep her tone lighthearted. "Ah got ya a little somethin' at tha store."
Holding out the pair of dark sunglasses to him she watched as he stopped folding, his head rising slightly. He reached out and took the shades from her. Turning them in his hands so that the lenses faced him, he unfolded them, looking them over. She hated that he had to hide his beautiful eyes from the world, but under the current circumstances, she had the feeling he wouldn't mind nearly as much. Slowly he turned the glasses over in his hands again and, ducking his head, placed them on his face. Then, and only then, did he look up at her; she could see nothing beyond the cold, black plastic of the lenses.
"Lookin' good, sugah," she said with a wink. Did his mouth just twitch? Could that have been the hint of a smile? No, just wishful thinking. Smiling warmly at him despite the sadness in her eyes, Rogue waited until he resumed his task before grabbing the bag of supplies and heading for the bathroom.
"Ah'm just gonna get everything all cleaned up in here then we can take off, do some real shoppin', alright?" she said. For the briefest moment he paused, his body stiffening before he began folding again. He knew what she had to clean. The blood on the floor, his tattered costume to dispose of; physical reminders of the tormenting memories he would have to live with for the rest of his life. Still, not a peep was heard from his lips. It was like talking to a wall, but she felt if she kept trying, if he could hear the love and comfort in her voice that eventually he would come around. What she wouldn't give to hear a single word from his lips, the silky smooth accent that could still make her body tingle after all these years.
Giving Remy one last look, Rogue entered the washroom and set about her task. Rolling up the sleeves of her sweater, she slipped on a pair of rubber gloves and gathered up the scraps of clothing, tossing it all in a large garbage bag. She would have to find a place to dispose of it later, a garbage bin where a little fire wouldn't raise any eyebrows. She proceeded to clean every inch of the bathroom: the floor, the tiles, the tub, the toilet; only when the room was spotless did she stop. Tossing the sponge and gloves into the garbage bag as well, she headed back to the bedroom. The trashcan had been placed right outside the door, the bloody washcloth and her gloves from the previous night within. The duffle bag was closed and ready to go on the dresser; the towels folded perfectly and the bed made up better than it had been when they arrived.
Emptying the trash into the bag as well, Rogue tied it off and replaced her own gloves on her hands. Crossing over to where Remy sat on the very corner of the bed, she hefted the duffle bag with her other hand.
"Let's go, sugah."
A/N: Okay, so I kinda sorta vanished for a bit. Sorry! I do most of my writing on Sunday, but with this new job I've been working every Sunday lately and haven't written anything new (other than my X3 one-shot). This is the last pre-written chapter, then I gotta figure where I'm goin' next and see what I come up with. Sorry for the wait!
ishandahalf: The last line was my favourite bit too. If I was in either of their positions, I think I'd be having the same doubts. Will she return? They're both doubting the same thing.
Loneraven: Don't even get me started on Wolverine. I've ranted about him in the movies before. ;D And by all means, hug away! He sure looks like he could use it.
mazdamiatta: What can I say? I am the angst monger! ;)
Tammy: Glad you find it touching. Any response from poor Rems at this point gotta be worth somethin'. As for where we're goin', I haven't decided yet. I might continue on with this next day, maybe work on bringin' in that guest star.
Anamarie: Hee, loved your review! Rogue better watch her step, eh? Angry reviewers can be vengeful. Hopefully it won't come to that.
Rogue181: Wow, you were that absorbed? ego is stroked Thanks for the review!
rogueishLeia: I love fluff as much as the next person, but I'm much more comfortable diggin' into the dark meat, so to speak. And I know, right? Totally freaky.
Rogue14: Sorry I'm hurtin' ya, hon. If it helps, it totally kills me to torture him so (though part of me loves it. I'm awful).
WhytMajic: I had hoped to have a bunch posted before ya got back, but you've already been gone goin' on two weeks, and this is the first update. Sad. Anyways, glad you enjoyed the direction, there. Rogue just needed to get away. Now why don't ya put down the pokey stick and play nice? ;) Hope your trip is goin' awesome!
Also, I want to thank Loneraven, WhytMajic, Jean1 and BJ2 for their reviews of Be Careful what You Wish For. As it's a one shot, I won't get chance to thank them in that story.
