Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or anything associated with them…
A/N: Just a little warning, this chapter is slightly more adult in nature. It's still (T), but don't be too shocked.
Chapter 9: Hoist the Colors
John was the first to reach the Devil's Lust desperately hoping to find Remy somewhere onboard. As he ascended the gangplank, Remy's cabin boy, Christian, came up from the galley and saw the dire look on his face.
"What's the matter, Sir?" Christian asked as John leapt over the railing and ran toward the captain's quarters.
John flung the heavy door open, looked around the room, and tried to catch his breath. "Have you seen the captain, Chris?" He asked as the boy stepped into the room.
"No, Sir. I thought Captain LeBeau was with you?" His puzzled look deepened.
John stomped out onto the deck followed by Christian as the others quickly boarded the ship. The winds were picking up and the sky began to darken overhead. Piotr and Rogue looked over to John, who only shook his head in disappointment confirming what they all had feared. Remy was not aboard the Devil's Lust.
"Vhat now? Should ve look in the catacombs? Do you think Bella…" Kurt's thought died before passing his lips when he looked to his sister.
Rogue was barely containing her rage. Her eyes darkened as she glared out over the sea in the direction of the Dark Ruby's departure. Her fists were clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white and her entire body stiffened. "We need ta find him, and Ah have a pretty good idea where ta look."
"You don't think…?" Kitty asked in a whisper.
"What is going on?" Christian stepped around John and looked at the five unexpected visitors. "Did something happen to Captain LeBeau?"
John took Christian by the hand and started leading him back toward the lower decks. "Don't worry, mate! You know ol' LeBeau. There's nothin' that'll stop him." John ruffled the boy's hair and scooted him along. "Now go make yourself useful. Find the navigator and tell him to come to the quarterdeck."
"Yes, Sir!" Christian ran off to the lower deck, but not before casting one last glance at the strangers.
"Nice boy," Wanda said as she looped her arm with John's.
"Yeah…He took to the captain right away. He treats Remy like a father, and looks up to him. This'll take the wind out of the boy's sails." John walked back over to rejoin the others.
"Wanda, Ah want ya ta stay onboard the Devil's Lust and help John manage the ship. Get ready ta set sail and follow the Anna Marie when we lift anchor." Rogue said, and then raised her voice to the others. "Let's get back to my ship. Now!"
The four made their way back to the Anna Marie and each had started mildly panting from their rush. Kurt scurried up the rigging and climbed into the high crow's nest, pulled out his spyglass and began searching for any lingering signs of the Dark Ruby. Meanwhile down on deck, Rogue began issuing orders to her crew and prepared the ship for immediate launch. Kitty watched as her friend rushed about and snapped at the men for the slightest hesitation or falter.
"It's going to be alright, Rogue. We'll catch them." Kitty caught Rogue by the arm as she passed by. "Do you think he joined up with Bella?"
The question hit Rogue like a blow. That possibility had never even entered her mind. Would Remy join with her, abandoning John and his crew, his ship? No…He would never leave the Devil's Lust behind, and judging from the conversation they had shared back in that cave on San Bartolo he didn't seem to be very pleased with Belladonna. Something else must be happening here, but what was Bella up to this time?
"Why did ya ask that, Kitty? Do ya think that's possible?" Rogue turned to her first mate.
"No, not really. It's just that you're so angry and I thought…well…that you might have thought he ran off…" Kitty shrugged, and then curled her lips into a small smile. "…unless there's some other explanation."
"Ah'm not angry, Kitty. Ah don't trust Bella and there must be a reason why she would want Rem…Captain LeBeau."
Kitty beamed. "You're worried about him!"
"Ah'd be worried 'bout anyone taken by her! Don't start with meh!" Rogue protested, and then yelled up to Kurt. "Any sign of the ship, Kurt!"
"Nein…The ship's gone, mein schwester, but it vould appear that the storm is getting closer. Ve need to hurry."
Refusing to continue the conversation any longer, Rogue ordered Kitty to the helm and the ship set sail in the direction the Dark Ruby was last seen, while Kurt, Piotr, and Rogue met down in the galley to look over the skull recovered from the catacombs earlier.
The galley was a fairly large room lined with benches and a few tables, all of which were latched securely to the floor. The only light that was available came through small portholes along the walls and brass lanterns hanging from the rafters. Kurt placed the crystal skull onto the table in front of Rogue and the three looked on the artifact in wonder. It was truly a sight to behold, and would have been treasure enough for their journey. What could be more valuable than this?
"I do not see any inscriptions or markings. What are we to gather from zis?" Piotr asked, breaking the silence in the room.
Rogue lifted the skull from the table and turned it over in her hands slowly, admiring the craftsmanship of the piece. As she examined the strange object, something flickered and caught her eye.
"What was that?" She asked.
"Hold it closer to the lantern, Rogue. I believe ze skull reacted to ze light." Piotr came to stand behind her as they both watched for any change in the artifact. She held the skull closer to the light source and was astonished as it began to glow brightly and shafts of spectrum-tinged light shot from the it's eyes and mouth illuminating a section of the wall.
"Mein Gott…" Kurt gasped.
"That's a nice trick, but how does it help us?" Rogue asked as she placed the skull back onto the table. "We must be missin' somethin'."
"Maybe there's another piece. Bella or Remy might have found it while I vas in that shaft." Kurt suggested. "That could explain vhy she took off so quickly."
"But she would need the skull. Nothin' is makin' any sense. Ah don't think Bella's departure had anything ta do with our contract or findin' the artifact." Rogue shook her head. She had a sickening idea of what Bella's motivations were, but she wasn't about to disclose the wager she had struck with the woman. She didn't want to think about that at all. If she so much as touches him, Ah'll…
"Vhat's this?" Kurt's question pulled Rogue from her thoughts.
Kurt's finger traced over a small slot in the top of the skull no more than an inch long. After staring at the object for a few long moments, Piotr, Kurt, and Rogue looked to one another and simultaneously confirmed their suspicions, "The Conoway pendant."
"Do you still have the necklace, Rogue?" Kurt asked.
Rogue searched her pockets, but then a she was hit with an unnerving realization. "Remy has it."
Aboard the Dark Ruby…
Bella sat on the edge of her large oak bed with a triumphant smile on her face. The Dark Ruby had managed to set sail before the others had even realized what was happening, and now she had her very own prize. Stretched out in the center of the mattress was the most magnificent man she had ever know, and he was hers, thanks to the help of her brother, Julien. Bella tested the binds that held Remy to the bed. Julien had done a fine job. They were tight enough to keep the thief from using his hands and freeing himself. It was a pity, though. She had hoped he would have been more willing, still remembering the wondrous sensations his touch could create.
He was a beautiful man. Bella watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest. His auburn hair was free and draped becomingly about his face, which was relaxed and almost heavenly in repose. Glancing down, she followed the curve of his biceps and the perfect muscles that formed his abdomen move under his shirt.
A devilish smile played across her face as she moved to straddle the unconscious captain. He was quite exceptional lying there so quiet and vulnerable. She could do anything she wanted to him and he would be powerless to stop her. The thought sent an unexpected thrill through her. Bella ran her fingertip over the gentle curve of his jaw. Next, she touched his hair and marveled at its silken texture. He was definitely the forbidden object of her desire and she was going to take great pleasure in claiming him once again.
Bella, still straddling Remy, moved her hands to his shirt. Slowly, she undid the buttons and untied the laces exposing his torso. She ran her hands over his lean ribs and hard muscles, reveling in the feel of them in the palm of her hand. Without warning, Remy began to shift. Smiling, Bella leaned down and began placing soft kisses along his collarbone and continued running her hands over his chest.
Reality slowly began to drift back into Remy's mind. There was a fierce pounding in his temples and the last thing he could remember was watching Kurt fall down into that dark pit and yelling out his name. Now, something was wrong. As his senses returned, Remy began to feel the cool air on his exposed chest. Exposed? And then he felt the whisper of kisses on his neck and the weight pressed over his hips. Moaning softly, he tried to put his hand to his head only to learn his hands weren't free. Dis can't be good! His mind screamed as he slowly opened his eyes.
His vision blurry, he blinked his eyes. They were met with a pair of cold blue eyes, which burned with hunger, raw and wicked. Instantly his body came to life and he struggled against the bonds. Bella smirked and her soft laughter began to fill the room.
Remy narrowed his eyes and glared warningly up at his captor. "What do y' want, Bella?"
Leaning down closer to him, Bella nibbled at his earlobe and flicked it with her tongue lightly. "I want y', mon amour. I want y'." She rested all of her weight onto his hips pushing him deeper into the mattress and pulled his face into a forced kiss.
Remy continued to struggle against the ropes strapping his arms and legs to the bed, but they refused to give. "I don't want dis, Bella. I don't want y'! Let me go!"
"Mmmm…Remy, amour, y're speakin' in de first person. Y' mus' be mad…" Bella sat up slowly, running her hands down his chest again and smiling wickedly, "…or excited." With the last statement, she allowed her hands to wander lower and rub his lean hips and muscular thighs.
"Bella…" Remy growled.
The blonde's smile grew larger with his protests, and her fingers, brushing along his warm skin, dipped just under the hem of his breeches and leather belt. "Y're wearin' too much clothes f'r de game I want t' play." Bella said as she started to unbuckle his belt.
Heaven help her, but she wanted this man for her own and she was going to have him one way or another. And just as she was about to pull his belt free from its loops, a loud knock sounded on her door.
"Captain? Bella? I be needin' a word with y'." Julien said as he cracked the door open.
Bella pulled her hands away from Remy with a fetid curse. She took one more look at the man beneath her and snarled toward the door, "Devil take y', if de ship's not on fire!"
"Sœur, it be urgent!" Julien opened the door completely taking in the sight of his wanton sister straddling their bound captive. "What are y' doin'?"
"What do y' need!" She growled.
"Dere's a storm approachin' and we need y' on deck. Can't dis wait?" He said as he motioned toward Remy.
Bella glared at her brother and then turned her attention back to Remy. She stroked his arms and leaned over to whisper softly into his ear. "We'll continue dis later, lover. Don't go anywhere." With that, a small laugh escaped her lips as she climbed off the bed and left the room.
Remy locked eyes with Julien, who was certain that if looks could kill, he would be six feet under. "Why are y' doin' dis?"
"Don't get me wrong, LeBeau. I don't like what Bella 's doin' with y', but I'm not 'bout t' let y' go." Julien sneered and pulled his short sword from his belt placing the tip under Remy's chin. "If I had my way, y'd be dead f'r what your père did t' mine. But Bella wants y', so I'll wait until she gets bored."
"Julien!" Bella screamed from the helm.
He shook his head and looked back to Remy with disgust. "She's callin'. We'll finish dis later." Julien pushed the tip of his sword into Remy's neck just enough to draw a little blood and then left. Remy looked up to the canopy of the bed and sighed. Look what y've gotten y'self into now!
Piotr and Kitty were topside sailing the Anna Marie, while Rogue continued to sit in the galley nursing a bottle of rum and trying to drown her thoughts. All she had been able to think about was Remy. They had been at sea for hours now, and there was still no sign of the Dark Ruby. Each passing minute made the chances of finding the fleeing vessel even more remote and sentencing Remy to whatever plans Bella had for him. And the visions that came to mind were disturbing.
"Drinking alone?" Kurt startled Rogue as he broke the silence.
"Ah'm thinkin'. Sit down and join meh." Rogue moved a little to the right giving Kurt room to sit on the bench next to her.
"Vhat are you thinking about, mein schwester?" Kurt asked, taking the bottle of rum from her. "Are you worried about Captain LeBeau?"
Rogue frowned. "Why do ya think that?"
Kurt shakes the nearly empty jug and smiles. "You like him, don't you?"
"Why does everyone insist on askin' meh that? Ah'm jus' concerned 'bout Bella's intentions. Ya know our history." But in spite of her denial, Rogue knew the truth. She was attracted to the scoundrel. Terribly.
Kurt raised a cynical brow. "Really? Or are you scared to admit your feelings?"
"Scared? Why would Ah be scared?"
"Joseph." Kurt said, downing the remaining rum in a few gulps.
"Ah'm not about ta sit here discussin' mah…affairs with mah brother! Ah've forgotten Joseph, and Ah'm not makin' the same mistake twice!"
"Rogue, I know that Joseph hurt you, but you can't seal your heart away for gűt. You have so much love to offer the world. Don't be like mother." Kurt took Rogue's hand in his and squeezed.
Rogue didn't want to think about Joseph now. She had too much on her mind already, especially with Remy being in Bella's clutches. But he had invaded her thoughts more in the past two weeks than he had in the past two years! He was the first and only man she had ever loved, and gave her heart to him unconditionally against the warnings of her mother concerning such men. They had shared a wonderful four months together, but then he betrayed her trust in the worst of ways. She came upon him with another woman in his cabin, and it crushed her. He swore that the woman had meant nothing to him; she was only a means to a way, but that hurt even more. The thought that he could cast aside all they had shared for someone who meant so little lessened the value of their love. From that day, Rogue swore that she would never open her heart to another.
Kurt watched as his sister lost herself in memories. "You shouldn't hide your feelings űnd move on. If you never reach out, no one vill ever take your hand."
Rogue sneered. "If Ah never reach out, then no one can ever bite mah hand."
"You live in a frightening world, mein schwester. I can't imagine never telling people how I feel, possibly losing a chance at love. Don't let Joseph destroy you."
Kurt's words hit her strangely, and she didn't know why. She wasn't even sure what she felt. It was just…discomforting.
At that moment, Kitty came barreling into the galley dripping wet. "We've spotted the Dark Ruby! We need you, captain. The storm's starting to pick up!"
Wanda and John were at the helm of the Devil's Lust trying to stay within sight of the Anna Marie, but the rain was making visibility difficult. John's ears roared from the sounds of the winds and he felt chilled to his bones. The ship creaked and moaned as it pitched and dipped on the choppy sea.
"Wanda, love, why don't you go below deck? I don't need you to go sailing overboard." John shouted over the sounds of the storm.
"I'm not leaving you up here alone, Johnny-boy! Remy would kill me if I allowed you to hurt his ship." Wanda teased, as the waves began to grow in size and some crashed over the railing and swept along the deck. Christian stepped out of the captain's quarters and gripped the grab rail with all his might. Wanda saw the young boy emerge onto the deck and yelled. "Get down below, Chris! You're no good to us up here!"
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Chris stuck his tongue out and ran for the door.
"There are times when I swear that boy is as mature as an old man, and other times when he hasn't got the sense of a three-year-old!" John said, shaking his head and tightening his grip on the wheel.
Lightning flashed and a loud clap of thundered shook the ship. A powerful gust of wind blew in from the west and strained the sails. John looked up just in time to see a rope securing the boom snap.
"Oh, my giddy aunt!" John paled as he watched the boom swing out over the sea. "Remy's goin' to kill me! Pull that back in, mates!" John shouted down to a few of the crewmen. They managed to grab the loose rope and secure the boom back into place without much damage.
"Please let this end soon!" John pleaded to the heavens.
Rogue and Kurt rushed out of the galley and joined Piotr and Kitty on the quarterdeck. The storm was gaining strength and the ship was becoming difficult to control.
"Where is she? Where's the Dark Ruby?" Rogue shouted.
"Zere… off port aft! We're gaining on the ship." Piotr pointed out the silhouette of the vessel in the distance through the pounding rain.
"You look like you've battled Poseidon, captain." Kurt said as he approached Piotr at the helm.
"I feel like I've battled Poseidon." He said, his voice hoarse. Rogue relieved Piotr and he took Kitty by the hand forcing her into his temporary cabin against her protests. "Don't argue with me, Katja. We don't all need to up zere, and you'll be safer in here." Closing the door, he pulled himself back up the small ladder to the helm.
"Bella's spotted us!" Rogue attached the scope back onto her belt.
"How do you know?" Kurt asked.
"She's runnin' up her colors! And it's the Jolly Red!"
Piotr took a firm hold of the starboard railing and looked through his own spyglass. The storm made it difficult to see, but the flag was clear enough. Bella actually dared meet them flying the Jolly Red! Her flag was unique, featuring a bleeding heart over crossed scythes. This one was completely red, meaning no prisoners would be taken and no mercy would be shown in battle if engaged.
"Same Bella," Rogue curled her lips, "she's not going to give quarter." She turned from the helm and looked to Kurt. "Sound the alarm, Kurt. There's goin' ta be a fight."
Rogue took a minute to watch her men hurry to their stations through the winds and rain. They were all good sailors; some with families. She had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but Bella wasn't going to go down without a strong fight. She planned on keeping her 'prize' whatever the cost. Would it be too high, though?
The crew uncovered the cannons and swing guns, pushing them into position and securing them to the deck. They now stood ready with a crew of three men manning each one. The storm, mercifully, began to weaken. "Let's hoist our colors!" Rogue shouted down the men.
It became eerily quiet, as they waited for the impending battle and bloodshed. The only movement came from the pirate flag that was being drawn up the rigging. Rogue had inherited the flag from her mother. It was known throughout the Caribbean, depicting a dark raven over crossed cutlasses. She had always refused to fly the Jolly Red, and she wouldn't give Bella the satisfaction of seeing her break her code.
Meanwhile aboard the Dark Ruby…
Remy was still strapped to the bed and had felt every shudder and dip of the ship as it was tossed in the storm. His body ached from the awkward position and he felt a nausea in his stomach. Whether it was caused by the ship buffeted in the waves or thoughts of what might happen when Bella finally returned, he wasn't sure.
Just as he feared, the cabin door swung open forcibly and Bella appeared in the frame. Her hair and clothes were plastered to her body as she dripped her way across the cabin and sat on the bed. Remy just stared at her and watched as she smiled down at him.
"We've got company, amour. Looks like someone 's not so happy 'bout losin' y'." She ran her fingers over the seams of his breeches and then traced small circles in the hairs below his belly button. "Not dat I blame her. Y're worth a good fight."
"Bella, stop dis 'fore it gets out of hand." Remy tried to reason with her, but she refused to relent.
She climbed onto the bed and straddled him once more. She could feel the deep ridges of his stomach pressing against the most intimate part of her body. It was wondrously erotic and sent ribbons of desire thrumming through her body. Bella claimed his lips in another forceful kiss and lingered over him to nibble on his lower lip. "We'll continue dis after I take care of y'r chere." Bella hissed the last word and left the room to prepare for the approaching fight.
Rogue's crew leaped into action and soon the Anna Marie was cutting through the waves even quicker than before, catching every bit of wind they could. They worked valiantly, all the while watching the form of the Dark Ruby become larger as they closed in on the other ship.
Then darkness fell, and with the bare sliver of the silver moon above, it was excruciatingly hard to make a good estimate of the narrowing distance between hunters and the hunted. Fortunately, the waning moon provided some light for the expecting crews. Rogue looked over to Piotr and asked him to signal to John to stay back from the fight. There was no reason to endanger both ships and additional men, and if the worst came to be, they would need John to pull survivors from the sea.
After a few hours, the ships came into gunnery range with each other. Cannon fired roared through the night air. "Incomin'!" Rogue shouted out to her men. Bella had taken the first shot, but it flew too high missing its target.
Volley after volley boomed, falling short, but coming ever closer as the two ships jockeyed for position; one firing, then the other responding. Soon the smoke of burned powder came thick on the southerly wind as the Anna Marie wheeled and zagged across Bella's path to answer her fire. Atop the rigging were numerous men who had muskets and pistols at the ready.
Just as Rogue was about to order another round of fire, she took a hit. There was a shocking crash and explosive splintering of the stern railing. The ship pitched and shuddered under the ball's impact, as though enraged by the assault. Her long guns fired in vengeful succession, rattling every timber, every body onboard. She took out a bit of the rigging and a spar on the Dark Ruby, all the while keeping in mind that Remy was somewhere on board that ship.
Eventually, Rogue was able to close the distance between the ships and ordered the boarding hooks to be thrown. Musket fire and the sound of swords clashing quickly filled the air as the two crews joined in close combat. Kitty came out of the cabin ready for a fight, while Piotr and Rogue boarded Bella's ship. The deck was smoky and tangled in sagging cable and sheeting and chaos. Everywhere men were grappling, bodies were sprawled, and more of the Dark Ruby's crew were pouring up from the gun deck below. Arms and legs flailed and strained and slashed in savage combat all around.
Rogue spotted the door to Bella's personal cabin and something told her that she would find Remy there. Piotr followed closely behind guarding her back as they made their way across the deck. He stayed out of the room, while Rogue walked in and looked around. She saw Remy tied to the bed in the center of the cabin, and their eyes locked for a brief moment.
She forgot the storm, the gunfire, and the clang of steel on steel; forgot the waves and the fact that she needed to hurry; forgot everything but the vision before her. Remy's shirt was completely open and his chest was bared, and Rogue felt her blood boil.
"Nice t' see y', chere. Care t' untie Remy?" He pulled on his binds and lifted his head to get a better look at her.
Rogue pulled her dagger from its sheath and walked to the bed. "Sure, sugah." The ropes fell away from his wrists and ankles, and Remy began to lift himself off the bed but couldn't suppress a small groan.
"Uhnn…" Remy groaned and rubbed his wrists.
"Are ya hurt?" Rogue asked, not attempting to mask the worry in her voice.
Remy gave her a small smile. "Non…jus' sore. Let's get out of here, eh?"
"Yeah, get a move on, Swamp Rat!" Rogue shouted over the increasing din coming from the deck.
"By de way, mon chere, thanks!"
Rogue and Remy emerged from the cabin and started fighting their way through the haze and smoke back to the Anna Marie. Piotr followed behind Remy, who was struggling to gain his strength and move through the fray, while Rogue became locked sword-hilt against sword-hilt with one of Bella's grizzled men.
One of Anna Marie's swing guns fired and a ball ripped through the mizzenmast above Rogue's head, snapping its top twenty feet and sending tackle, splintering wood, and shredded canvas hurtling over the deck below. Remy dove for Rogue and bore her to the deck beneath him, sheltering her from the rain of debris with his body. A heavy beam from the mast fell, landing squarely on his back and knocking him back into darkness.
Rogue was jammed between the deck and Remy, and he wasn't moving. She could feel no movement at all! Dear Gawd, what did he do? She managed to squirm her way free from weight pressing her down and removed the beam from his back. He was breathing, but unconscious. "Piotr! Get him ta the Anna Marie! Now!"
Piotr hoisted Remy up over his shoulder and flew to the other vessel. Rogue was closely behind, but a voice called out to her disrupting her concentration and penetrating the clamor. "Where do y' think y're goin'?" Bella yelled down from the quarterdeck above.
Rogue turned on her heel and faced the raging blonde. She was standing near the grab rail looking down onto Rogue with her hair blowing wildly in the wind and rain creating an illusion likening her to an infernal fury. Rogue barely registered the pistol until it was too late. "He's mine!"
Crack! Bella fired the pistol sending the ball straight into Rogue's left side. She felt a sharp pain across her stomach and, in shock, stared at Bella holding the smoking gun. Her hand went instinctively to the injury and applied pressure, but blood seeped from the wound. The bullet was still lodged in her side, but she managed to sidestep the remaining men and return to her ship. Though painful, the shot wasn't enough to kill her, and she needed to get Remy and the others away from the Dark Ruby and end this madness.
As soon as she stepped foot onto her own deck, Rogue ordered Piotr to take Remy into her cabin and keep him away from the fight. She spotted Kitty and Kurt fighting furiously against the invading ruffians, and she yelled down to them.
"Finish 'em off, and cut the lines! We're getting' outta here!"
They finished off their opponents quickly, gathered the crew, and began cutting the ropes of the boarding hooks releasing them from the Dark Ruby. The remaining men of Rogue's crew who were still aboard the other ship leapt over the railings and went back to their assigned stations. A crack of thunder roared overhead as Rogue ordered one last shot at Bella's ship, crippling it in the water. Bella's curses rang out as the Anna Marie pulled away, bringing a smile to Rogue's face. The Dark Ruby wouldn't sink, but she would need heavy repairs before she could sail again. It would be a few days before Bella could cause any more problems.
Kurt began ringing the victory bell and a loud thunderous clamor of voices followed. Rogue descended from the quarterdeck, as the pirate men were in high celebration. No one noticed the blood stain growing larger on her shirt. "Lower the flag, Kitty!" Rogue ordered, as she turned toward her cabin.
"Take care of him." Piotr said, placing a hand on Rogue's shoulder. "I'll captain ze ship tonight."
Rogue nodded her head in agreement and stepped into her cabin. Piotr had placed Remy on her bed, and she sat on its edge cradling her side. The wound was still bleeding, but she had lost her ship's surgeon weeks ago and hadn't found a replacement yet. This would be something she would need to take care of on her own. Silently cursing Belladonna, Rogue reached out and moved a few stray strands of Remy's hair from his face. Seeing him bound and vulnerable in Bella's cabin had torn at her, and her mind fell upon a realization. Love is when someone loves you more than they love themselves. It is when your life is more important to them than their own. She was falling for Remy, and it frightened her.
A/N: Okay... Chapter 10 will be mostly Romy, and I'll try to have it up in a few days.
