Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or anything associated with them…
A/N: I'll be using Cat Island for the next leg of the journey, which is an actual island in the Bahamas and a four day journey from Port Royal. I will be changing the historic timeline of the island a little though. There's a beautiful structure on the island that was built in 1940, but it looks much older. For this story, the monastery will date back into the 1600's. This chapter is mostly Romy. I hope y'all don't mind.
CHAPTER 6: Into the Devil's Sanctum
The morning hours were quickly slipping away. Rogue hadn't realized how long she had spent on the Triton's Revenge, but the hour was nearing noon and she had yet to crack the secret of Conoway's jewel. As she walked along the docks back toward the Anna Marie, something caught her eye: Sekmeht Conoway. The woman was standing at the railings of the Devil's Lust talking with John…well, pleading would more accurate. Even from a distance, Rogue could see that the woman was flushed and had lost the confidence exuded the night before. No doubt she had realized the loss of her precious treasure and had rushed to beg for its return. A smile crept upon Rogue's face thinking of how Remy must have disillusioned the poor girl's romanticized fantasy, replacing the heroic and dashing knight in shining armor with a dishonest, thieving scoundrel. After last night, Sekmeht certainly wouldn't want Remy within a hundred yards.
Rogue continued to watch the exchange between Sekmeht and John, until John lowered his head and acquiesced to whatever request she had been imploring of him. He took her by the hand leading her onto the galleon and out of sight. Rogue stood at the bow of the vessel contemplating her options. In all fairness, she should continue to the Anna Marie and await the inevitable arrival of Captain LeBeau, but on the other hand she had never seen the interior of the Devil's Lust and by all accounts it was a sight to behold. She had to admit that she had always been curious as to how it would compare to her own vessel, and what harm could it do to meet Remy in his own element. It would surely surprise him. Moreover, she would be able to witness firsthand the exchange between the captain and Miss Conoway, and that is an opportunity she couldn't ignore.
John led the terrified woman to the stern of the ship as quickly as possible. He had recognized her immediately and had a fairly good idea of what she wanted before she even opened her mouth. What surprised him, however, was her story of abduction and cruelty at the hands of a sea hellion and her surly companion. Without a doubt, Sek had a gift for narrative, and if even half of her story was based in fact, John pitied her. She hadn't changed since her last visit aboard the Devil's Lust, still scared, overdramatic, and lovesick. He shook his head as he remembered the trouble it was to get rid of her the last time… Remy is gonna kill me for this!
When they reached the door to Remy's cabin, John turned back to Sek. "You can wait for the captain in here, but don't touch anything! I don't know when he'll be back or where he's gone to, but I doubt he'll be in a good mood when he returns."
"Why do you say that? I thought you hadn't seen him this morning?" Sek asked.
John opened the door to the cabin and looked over to the remnants of the shattered liquor cabinet. "Let's jus' say that I didn't see him… but I heard him leave."
Sek walked into the room and took in her surroundings before turning back to John, who was still standing in the doorway. "It's just as I remember it."
"Yeah, well…Like I said, don't touch anything. The same rules apply as before, and don't leave this room. I don't wanna be responsible for what the rest of the crew may do if they find you onboard. We're not all gentlemen like the captain." John gave a small chuckle and then left the room closing the door behind him.
As soon as the door was shut, Sekmeht smiled and twirled around the room feeling absolutely giddy. She was back aboard the Devil's Lust, back in Remy's cabin. She looked over to the large four-poster bed…back in his bed. Sek rushed over and threw herself on the mattress gathering up the sheets and pressing them to her face. They had his scent. Raw and masculine like the man himself. Just think, this is where her infamous pirate captain rested his head every night, where he came to relax, where he…
No… she stopped her thoughts from wandering any further. Sighing heavily, Sekmeht lifted herself off the bed and straightened her scarlet dress. Deciding it was best to occupy herself while waiting for Remy's return, she walked over to the bookcase and chose a beautifully leather bound volume. Sek opened the cover and found a dedication written in a fine, feminine hand. It was obviously Italian, but she could easily translate the sentiment: "To our one glorious night, Remy. May you always avoid the gallows." Apparently Remy received books of poetry from Italian ladies. Sek carried the book to a small wing-backed chair and sat down flipping through some of the delicate pages. As she read the passages, an image of Remy leaning close whispering in a soft, loving cadence and reciting a poetic verse formed in her mind. She leaned back into the red stuffed chair and closed her eyes, losing herself in her daydream.
John was preparing to inspect the swivel guns on the main deck, when he froze. This was a completely new situation all together. He rubbed his eyes as if the mere action would erase the illusion and save him from the inevitable, but nothing changed. Rogue was still ascending the gangplank with a look of sheer determination and a hint of mischief. John lifted his eyes skyward and pleaded… What did I do to deserve this? Sweet Morgan's blood, where are you, mate!
As John lowered his eyes, a pair of strong hands gripped the collar of his shirt forcing his attention. "Mornin', sugah!"
John gave a half-grin and lifted his hands to hers, pulling them away from his shirt. "G'day, sheila. To what do we owe the honor?"
"Ah'd like ta request a parley with your captain." Rogue said, wickedness dancing in her eyes. "Where should Ah wait?"
"Oh…" John's eyes widened and he struggled to think of a reply. "Ummm…Follow me. I can let you wait in here, but I'm not sure how long he'll be." He led Rogue along the main deck toward the stern of the ship and opened the door to the captain's dining hall. He took a few steps into the room and extended his arm in a gesture welcoming Rogue to enter, but she remained in the doorway.
Rogue looked around the room. It was very impressive and held some resemblance to the one aboard the Triton's Revenge, but something was missing. "John, don't patronize meh." Her eyes narrowed and she placed both hands on her hips. "Where is she? Where did you put her?"
John's eyes darted around the room as if searching for something, and when he looked back to Rogue, he gave her a puzzled frown. "Who are you referrin' to? You're the only sheila aboard this ship."
"Ah saw ya bring Conoway on board, John. Ah know she's here, so where did ya put her?" Rogue continued to give John a withering glare, and deep inside he shuddered.
"There's no havin' a lend with you, now is there?" John shook his head in defeat. "Right…I put the lil' woman in the captain's quarters. It's the only part of the ship she's seen before and the best place to keep her safe from the crew. There's not a man-jack on board who'd go in there uninvited."
"Ah s'pose Ah'll wait in the captain's quarters then." Rogue stepped to the side allowing John to pass. "Show me the way."
John sighed and nodded. When they reached the door to the cabin, he lightly knocked earning him a quizzical look from Rogue. "I just wanna make sure she's decent." John said, shrugging his shoulders.
"And why wouldn't she be?" Rogue asked.
John put a hand to his forehead as if pained. "Crickey, you don't know this girl."
"Remy?" Sek watched eagerly as the door slowly opened.
John stepped into the cabin and looked over to Sekmeht, who was still sitting in the stuffed chair. "Sorry, but we have another visitor." He pushed the door fully open giving Rogue the opportunity to make her entrance.
Sekmeht stiffened and her smile vanished as she sized up the woman standing before her. This woman was hardly a 'lady'. She was dressed in breeches and attire better suited for a man. Her hair was loose and hung over her shoulders with light curls, but she had the most exotic bangs. Sekmeht decided there, on the spot, that she didn't like this woman…No, not at all.
"Who are you?" Sekmeht asked, arching a finely plucked eyebrow.
"Captain Darkholme." Rogue answered as she performed an overdramatic bow. "And you are?"
"Miss Sekmeht Conoway, daughter of Professor Conoway." She gave a proper curtsy and forced a fake smile.
John cleared his throat drawing their attention. "I gotta get back to work, sheilas. Don't go spillin' blood on the captain's good rug or he'll be mad as a cut snake. Just sit, wait, and please don't touch anything." John turned and closed the door behind him as he left leaving the two women on their own.
Rogue looked back to Sekmeht, who was returning to her seat, and decided to take a moment to peruse Remy's cabin. She had never given much thought as to what his room would look like, but what she found surprised her. Two walls were lined top to bottom with bookshelves, which were inundated with books and trinkets. Numerous leather-bound tomes were also spread haphazardly around the room. There were stacks of books on his desk, and two opened books lay on a chest by his dark four-poster bed. The back wall also caught her eye. Sunlight poured in through the wall of glass windows that overlooked the sea, and each section was ornately decorated with gold-leaf.
The wood of Remy's cabin was stained a richer color than the lighter oak of her own quarters, and the wooden furniture appeared to be mahogany. The four-poster bed was covered with a rich red-velvet spread embroidered with gold leaves and vines. Thick matching drapes hung from the canopy and black silk pillows were arranged at the head.
Sekmeht pretended to read the collection of poems in her hand while she watched Rogue survey the room. Her eyes followed Rogue's movements as she crossed the room and reached for the velvet spread, but before she could touch the soft material, Sekmeht called out to her. "Captain Darkholme, what is your business here?"
Rogue stepped back and quirked a brow. "Mah business is mah own, 'sides Ah'm sure that a fine lady such as you wouldn't be interested in mundane affairs."
"Well, if you insist on waiting, why don't you take a seat at the desk? I'm certain that Remy would appreciate returning to the cabin as he left it." Sek motioned toward the desk to her left.
Rogue decided to play along and see what kind of information she could gather from the young woman, so she moved over to the desk and took a seat. "Remy…So you're on a first name basis with Captain LeBeau?"
"Hmmm…yes, I am. Remy and I have quite a history together. I've known the captain for several years and we've become very close. He actually invited me to join him today." Sek closed the book and turned to face Rogue. "How do you know the captain?"
"Captain LeBeau and Ah have crossed paths in the past, but Ah wouldn't say that Ah know him well." Rogue shifted in her chair and began to finger the ship's log.
Sek narrowed her eyes and straightened. "Captain Darkholme, isn't it? I take it you sail a vessel, and judging by the way you're dressed… you must be a pirate. Am I correct?"
"Aye, Ah am. Does that fact bother you?"
"Not at all…After all, my Remy is a pirate, and he's one of the finest men I've ever known. I've lived in Port Royal most of my life and have learned that all things are not as they seem." Sekmeht crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you believe I should be leery of you?"
Rogue gave Sek a devilish grin. "If you have any sense, you would be."
Sek stiffened and some of the color ran from her face. "You mean to imply that you're actually dangerous? I don't believe you. I had the misfortune of meeting a real bloodthirsty pirate earlier today, and you are far from intimidating!"
Rogue's intense gaze betrayed no emotion and her voice became dangerously quiet when she spoke. "You, Miss Conoway, have the pleasure of bein' in the presence of one of the boldest and slyest pirates ever to sail the Caribbean…a fearless rogue, even amongst pirates, so Ah would watch your tongue."
Sekmeht swallowed hard and decided that it would be best to end the conversation. "I apologize if I offended. Maybe it would be best if I return to my reading and you gather your thoughts concerning your business while we wait."
Rogue nodded in agreement and the two women began their wait in an uncomfortable silence.
Remy stormed up the gangplank to the Devil's Lust. This morning was far from what he had expected the night before. Last night, everything went according to plan or so he had thought. Now, the necklace was in Rogue's possession and he was left with nothing to show for his efforts, and he had to endure yet another encounter with scourge of the sea, Joseph Prescott. The only thing on his mind now was getting back to his quarters and drowning his rising headache in a bottle of rum, and later meeting Rogue on the Anna Marie.
"Captain! You have some…" John started but was quickly pushed to the side as Remy stalked closer to his cabin door ignoring him completely. Remy opened the door and quickly slammed it behind him as he entered his quarters. "…visitors." John finished as he shook his head.
Totally oblivious to the two women who sat speechless behind him, Remy began stripping off his shirt. He pulled the billowing linen from his breeches and over his head throwing the shirt onto his bed. He reached into the shell of his shattered liquor cabinet pulling out a bottle of dark rum and took a long draught. When he brought the flagon back down, he sighed and ran a hand through his long, auburn hair accentuating the curve of his muscular back.
Rogue stiffened as she saw the scars that she had failed to notice back at San Bartolo, and made a mental note inquire about their origin when they were alone. Sekmeht, however, couldn't help but stare with her mouth agape. Unlike Rogue, she had never seen a bare-chested man before. Her overprotective father had always made sure to keep her safely away from the indecencies of the world. But even with her lack of knowledge, she was certain that no other man could claim Remy's magnificent form.
As Remy tore his belt from his breeches throwing it to the floor, he turned to come face to face with Rogue and the stunned Sekmeht. He froze. Rogue was sitting at his desk with a stoic look on her face, while Sek stared wide-eyed, a heated blush tinting her cheeks. After a few short moments, Remy recovered and put on an appearance on nonchalance as he leaned against a bedpost and crossed his arms over his bare chest.
"T' what do I owe de pleasure of dis visit?" Remy said, a roguish grin gracing his handsome face.
Sekmeht stood quickly placing the book on the chair. "Remy, I really must talk with you immediately. It can't wait and I've had such an upsetting morning! Please, can we talk…alone?"
Remy's grin faded and was replaced with a look of genuine concern and a slight frown. He pushed himself away from the bedpost moving a few steps closer to the women, and turned to look at Rogue. "Captain Darkholme, would y' mind waitin' outside? S'il vous plaît?"
Rogue arched a brow and slowly stood. "Ah'll just wait on deck with John, but Ah won't wait long." She looked over to Sek narrowing her eyes. "Be quick." Then she turned and walked out of the room.
Rogue sat back on the railing in front of Remy's quarters and watched the pair through an open window. From here, she would be able to hear the conversation and witness the exchange, but what she saw was anything but the encounter she had imagined.
Remy watched as Rogue shut the door behind her, but was surprised when Sekmeht threw her arms around his waist and began to nuzzle into his chest. He tensed placing his hands on her shoulders and firmly pushed her away. Sek looked up at him with pleading eyes and a pout. "Remy…?"
Remy moved over to his desk and leaned back facing the young woman. "Sek, chere, y' said dat y' needed t' talk."
Sek reached up and pulled a few pins and clips from her hair allowing the long, black tresses to fall softly over her shoulders. Her eyes darkened and she looked at Remy with a hunger in spite of her innocence. When she spoke, her voice was low and sultry. "Remy, love, if you wanted my precious necklace, all you needed to do was ask. I would have given it to you willingly. I would give you…anything." She moved close to him and allowed her eyes to drift over his body, noticing how nicely his pants fit him.
"I appreciate de offer, chere. Now, do y' mind tellin' Remy why y're really here?"
"I think you know why I'm here, Remy. I don't care about the necklace. Ever since you left me here, I haven't been able to get you off my mind. Every man I meet, I compare them to you, darling." Sek reached out and traced her finger along the gentle curve of his jaw. "I need you."
Remy lowered his head and his shoulders sunk in a defeated look. "Sek, Remy's not de man dat y' imagine. Y' don't know what y' want."
"I know enough! I'm not going to let you push me away again. It nearly killed me last time. Please, don't…" Sek didn't finish her sentence. Instead, she wrapped her hands into Remy's hair and pulled his lips to hers, tears forming in her eyes.
He wasn't kissing her back, but her stubbornness wouldn't allow her to stop. She needed this, and this fever in her blood was his own fault. Finally she pulled back. "Kiss me!"
Remy looked up into her pleading eyes and sighed. "Non…Sek, go home. I can't give y' what y' want."
Sekmeht stiffened and without warning slapped him across the face. Instinctively, Remy reached up to touch the wounded cheek, and looked up just soon enough to watch her slam the door as she left.
To say that Rogue was confused by the scenario that had just played out before her would be an understatement. She had expected Conoway to be angry, disillusioned, and hurt, but she hadn't expected her to throw herself at Remy and beg for his affection…his love. Rogue couldn't say that she cared for the spoiled young woman, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for her after Remy's rejection and seeing the tears in her eyes as she ran from the ship.
"Y' can come in now, chere. She's gone." Remy's voice was little more than a whisper. He was standing at the window looking at her, his cheek reddened and still stinging from Sek's assault.
Rogue walked over to the door and paused. She couldn't help but wonder what she was getting herself into, for surely she was willingly walking into a lion's den. Her resolve firmly in place, Rogue opened the door and walked inside.
Remy was standing over by his bed. He picked up the shirt he had discarded earlier and pulled it back on, but left the buttons open. As much as she tried, Rogue couldn't help but admire him as he stood there looking at her with his ruby-onyx eyes. She took a step farther into the room and placed a hand on her hip. "Ya sure know how ta get under a gal's skin, Swamp Rat. Are ya okay?"
Remy brought his hand up to his cheek and smirked. "Ah, chere…want t' kiss and make it better?"
Rogue glared. "Ah believe ya said Ah had somethin' ya wanted. And before ya answer," she put her hand on the hilt of her cutlass "…remember that Ah have a short temper."
"Now, chere, no need t' resort t' violence. Remy can play nice." He took several steps closer, and looked her over with a fire in his eyes. "And Remy can assure y' dat y' have plenty he wants."
Rogue quickly pulled her cutlass from its sheath and arced the blade towards his throat. "Ah know how ta use this, Remy, and Ah will!"
He knew that he should be terrified, but he'd been corned by great swordsmen in similar situations before, and they'd never been able to trap him. After all, he still had some cards up his sleeve.
Remy moved slowly to his walking cane, which was propped between the liquor cabinet and the wall. He noticed the suspicion on her face as he rolled it in his hands. "Oui, Remy's sure y've held a sword in your hands. Did your mère give y' lessons?"
He pulled the thin épée from its can sheath and smirked. "Maybe Remy should give y' some lessons of his own, non?"
Swinging it around to disarm her, she parried his thrust with an expert move. Remy, slightly surprised, took a few steps back as she began to approach. "Mah mother taught meh very well. Ah don't need any lessons from the likes of you!"
Her sword flashed as she brought it down onto the épée in his hands, and he realized that he had met few men her equal. She thrust at him and he barely side-stepped the move. He twirled around as she passed behind his back. Remy grabbed her in his arms, trapping her in his embrace. Her mouth opened in surprise and he planted a fierce kiss on her lips.
Rogue growled in indignation, then stomped his instep. Pain exploding up his leg, Remy pulled back with a hiss. He barely parried her next move as he hopped away from her.
"Dat was vicious," he said, forcing himself to focus on something other than the agony of his toes. She didn't respond verbally, but the lunge she took at him spoke loudly enough. Remy dipped the blade below hers and wrestled the sword from her grasp. Releasing the hilt of his own so that both blades hit the wall to his right with a loud clatter, he took her extended right hand in his own and pressed her back against the wall. In spite of the fact that she had just tried to skewer him with her sword, he smiled.
"Remy prefers love t' war, chere," he said, then dipped his head to kiss her lips once more.
Rogue's head swam as much as her emotions at his touch. He had defeated her! It had been years since anyone could claim that, and yet he had swept her own sword from her hand with ease. What was it about this man that made her lose her senses so easily? Maybe it was the fact that his spirit matched hers so closely. He took what he wanted and made no apologies…a true pirate.
"Let meh go!" Rogue pulled away.
Remy looked into her eyes and then released her. "Merci, Remy was in need of some fun." He retrieved the fallen blades and gently handed Rogue her cutlass. She took the sword and returned it to its sheath at her hip. "Ah know what ya really want, darlin'."
Rogue pulled the small leather pouch from her belt and emptied the necklace into her palm. "This is what you're after."
Remy walked over to Rogue and stared at the gem in her opened hand. "Do y' know what trouble Remy went t' in order t' get dat necklace?"
"Ah have some idea." Rogue said smugly.
"Ah, chere…," he said, tracing a finger down her face, "Remy loves dat fiery spirit." He turned and walked over to his desk. Rogue watched as he pulled some maps out and spread them over the mahogany top. "What are ya doin'," she asked, arching a brow.
"Remy's helpin' y', mon chere. He knows de secret t' dat jewel y're holdin'." He looked up from the charts and quirked a smile. "Y' do want t' know, non?"
"Aye, but what's the cost?"
Remy laughed and shook his head. "No cost, chere. Remy needs de necklace, and y' need him t' read it. It's a compromise. We both get what we want."
Rogue stepped over to the desk and placed the necklace down on the maps. He studied the engravings and compared them to the various charts before him. She watched as he flipped through the papers and traced his finger over the light markings of the stone. She tried to ignore just how good he looked leaning over the desk with that intense look on his face, his shirt hanging open, and his hair falling down over his eyes. Then those eyes were turned onto her, and he smiled in triumph.
"You've found something?"
"Oui, chere…Look, de engravin's on de stone match with de shoreline of an island…here." Remy moved the stone next to an island demonstrating the similarities.
"Cat Island?" Rogue asked, lifting her eyes to his.
Remy nodded in agreement and walked over to the large window in the rear of his cabin. "De diamond must be important. Accordin' t' de map, it's near Mount Alvernia, a favorite stop for de pirate Arthur Catt. Makes sense, non?"
"So you think that's where we'll find the next piece?" Rogue asked as she began to calculate a course to the island.
"Oui…Now y' have what y' came for, chere." Remy said coolly. His tone caused Rogue to pause and look to him. "It's a four day journey t' de island."
"We'll have ta pass Scar Island on the way." Rogue walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ah guess we'll get a chance to visit Logan and 'Ro again."
Remy placed a hand over hers and quirked his lips. "Remy'll tell Piotr, chere. Y' best go back t' de Anna Marie." He faced her and cupped his hand under her chin. "Are y' goin' t' tell Belle?"
Rogue stepped away from him and gave an impish grin. "Aye, Ah'll tell Belle…when hell freezes over."
Remy smirked and leaned in close, so close she could smell the salt of his skin. "Y' don't want competition for Remy's attention?"
"Hah! Ah have no interest in you at all!" Rogue snapped.
"Methinks de lady doth protest too much." He moved even closer.
A small part of Rogue wanted to give into him, but the stronger part of her will refused to succumb to his advances. True, there was still that wager she had struck with Belladonna back at the Wolverine's Den, but she had a feeling Bella had lost any chance of being with Remy. It would be better to resign herself to a stalemate, than to give in and risk something greater.
She forced herself to turn and walk across the room. With her hand on the door, she straightened and turned back to Remy. "Ah'll see ya at Scar Island, Captain LeBeau."
A wicked, mischievous light shone in his eyes. "À tout à l'heure , mon chere."
With that, she opened the door and left.
A few short moments later, a knock sounded on his door and John cautiously stuck his head inside. "Captain?"
"It's alright, John. Y' can come in."
John stepped into the room and ran a hand through his hair. "Blimey, captain, I tried to warn you the sheilas were waitin', but you didn't give me a chance."
"Don't worry, John. Have de crew ready de ship, and set a course for Scar Island." Remy stood and walked to the door.
"Where are you goin'?" John asked.
"De Neptune's Pearl. Be ready t' lift anchor by dis afternoon!"
A/N: I know that I promised some Rolo, but the chapter was getting a little long. I hope you don't mind the wait, but the next chapter will primarily take place at the bar and the other couples will get more time, too. Sorry!
