Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or anything associated with them…

A/N: Here's the next chapter! They'll be leaving Remy's island in the next chapter and moving on with the adventure, but I wanted a few slow days to redefine the relationships a bit. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 12: Understandings

Rogue never found Remy. He could make himself invisible when it suited him, and it suited him well tonight. When he returned to his estate, he immediately secluded himself in his room, welcoming the peace and quiet.

Until…

"Remy! Ah know ya're in there! We need ta talk!" Rogue shouted through the heavy door, oblivious to the doors opening and the curious faces cast her direction. "Open this damn door!"

Remy nearly jumped out of his skin. What was she thinking? She'd have the entire house awake with the racket she was making. He rolled out of bed and made his way to the door. When he cracked it open, he was met with the icy glare of a woman with an iron-will and staunch determination.

And determined she was. Rogue would have her say and there was nothing he could do to stop her this time. This had to end…now. She pushed herself past Remy and marched into the center of the room. When she turned back toward the door, she got her first good look at the man whom she'd come to set straight. She had never seen him look so…so…magnificent. He was leaning in the doorframe. His black silk pants riding loose on his legs and nuzzled low on his hips. The matching silk shirt, with long sleeves that were partially rolled up on his forearms, was allowed to linger open and expose the smooth plane of his chest and etched abs.

Bare feet carried Remy to his bed and he gave a soft groan as he sat down on the edge and looked up to meet Rogue's eyes.

"What do y' want t' talk about, chere?"

Closing her mouth, which had fallen open, she shifted her gaze to Remy's eyes. "Ah…um…"

"Y' what?" Remy asked.

"Ah want ta apologize and explain. Remy, Ah…" She searched for the words she needed to make him understand. She couldn't bare the thought of hurting him, but she wasn't ready for all of this. When she had first met Joseph, she had fallen hard and fast. She had trusted him with her heart, but had been betrayed. She couldn't go through that again. She needed more time. That's all, just more time. Would he understand?

He waited for her to speak, but she seemed lost in her thoughts. She stood so close that he could feel her breath on his naked chest. It raised chills the length of his body.

"Have words finally failed y', chere?" he asked.

That got her attention and she narrowed her dark green eyes on him. "Ya're set on makin' this difficult, aren't ya?"

"Non, chere…it's y' makin' dis difficult."

She lifted her chin and took a deep breath. "Ah want ya, Remy, but Ah need more time. Ya can't just declare your love and expect meh ta fall into your arms. Ah need to make sure Ah can trust ya. Ah've had mah heart broken before, and Ah can't go through that again. Do ya understand, sugah? It's just happenin' too fast."

Remy sighed and Rogue waited for his response as if the weight of the world rested on his answer. What would she do if he closed himself off to her…if he wouldn't wait?

"Rogue, chere…" he ran a hand through his hair, but refused to meet her gaze. "Remy's sorry."

Rogue's breath hitched. "Sorry for what?"

"Remy never meant t' push y'…" He stood and closed the distance between them. He tilted her head and stared into her face. Her lips were parted ever so slightly and he found himself stroking the softness of her face. Before he could stop himself, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her cheeks. Remy sighed as his entire body erupted into flames. "We'll take dis slow, and see where it leads, non?"

Rogue bit her lip, "Aye…slow…" Then, contrary to her own statement, she seized his face in her hands, rose upon her tiptoes, and laid her lips against his.

Remy's head buzzed as if he'd drunk too much ale, and all rational thought fled his mind. There was nothing except the feel of her hot, supple body against his, the taste of her mouth, the smell of honeysuckle from her hair, and the sound of her rapid breathing in his ears.

When he finally broke the heated kiss, he smiled. "Dis is slow, chere?"

Rogue rolled her eyes and huffed at him. "Shut up, Remy," she said and boldly grabbed the waistband of his pants, pulling him against her.

Remy pulled back and stared into her passion-dulled eyes. "Y're beautiful," he whispered.

Rogue answered his words with a possessive kiss of her own and everything in their world shattered. All they knew were each other.


When she woke the next morning, Rogue found herself alone in Remy's bed. She went downstairs to breakfast and sat in the garden alone with her thoughts until she heard John's voice.

"Come on, mates. Let's have a lend with her. Please!"

"I don't know, mon ami. Wanda doesn't seem like de kinda femme t' enjoy a good joke."

That comment peaked Rogue's interest and she squatted behind a large hedge to watch unobserved. She saw John, Lapin, and Christian sitting on a bench near the reflecting pool and deep in conversation, plotting some kind of mischief.

"Ahh, please Uncle Lapin! It would be fun!" Christian pleaded and jumped up and down in front of the young Cajun.

"Well…it would break up de monotony. Why not…what's de plan?"

John wrapped his arms around the other two conspirators as they huddled close together and whispered amongst themselves. When the circle broke, the devilish grins that graced their faces could have sent shivers down even the bravest of souls. Poor Wanda.

Christian darted off toward the house, laughing deeply.

When he returned, he was dragging Wanda through the garden by her hand. "Come on, Wanda! I need your help!"

"Okay…Okay! Slow down, darlin'."

When they rounded the corner, they saw John stretched out on the ground near the pool with Lapin kneeling by his side, panicked and breathing heavily.

"What's goin' on here? John?" Wanda asked as she knelt down at John's side.

"Desole, chere…we were jus' playin' around and he started gaspin' f'r air."

Wanda began shaking John by his shoulders. "John! Wake up, darlin'!"

All of a sudden, John sprung to life and let loose a mighty shriek. Wanda jumped and stumbled backwards in a cacophony of curses and yelps. With a curse to shame all others, Wanda fell back into the water of the reflecting pool where she landed on her backside. Water splashed up all around her, and John had to step back to keep from being doused. As she came sputtering up from the water, John and the others burst into laughter.

Wanda's face turned a deep red and her eyes darkened. "John!"

Then the laughter ended as the three looked to Wanda, soaked and fuming.

John gulped. "Now… Wanda, love, it was just a little joke." He turned to gather some support from Lapin and hide behind Christian, but they were nowhere to be seen. "Crickey!"

"John…I'm going to give you 'til the count of three…one…two…" John gave an ear-shattering scream as he turned and ran as a fast as his legs could carry him. "Three!"

Wanda leapt from the pool and quickly disappeared hot on John's trail.


Rogue was still quite amused when Kitty found her sitting on the terrace.

"Can I join you, Captain?" Kitty asked as she pulled out a chair.

"Sure, sugah. What's on your mind?"

"I want to talk to you about Piotr," Kitty said. "He's asked me to join him and to become one of his officers. I didn't want to give him an answer until I've had a chance to ask your advice, Captain."

Rogue looked at her friend and saw the battle she was fighting within herself. "What do ya want, Kitty?"

She sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. I really love him, Rogue. I do, but I can't just leave you and Wanda. We've been together for so long…what should I do?"

"In truth, darlin', this is somethin' that you have ta decide for yourself." Rogue began. "Don't let our welfare keep you from Piotr if he's what you truly want. We'll be jus' fine. After all, Ah always land on mah feet."

Kitty smiled and took Rogue by the hand. "Piotr's just so amazing, Rogue. When we're alone together he makes me feel as if I'm the only thing that matters to him and the world disappears. He makes me feel so safe and desired. I've never met his like."

"Ah'm happy for ya, Kitty." Rogue said. "Is that your answer then?"

"Yeah," Kitty beamed. "I think it is. Thanks!"

"No problem, darlin'. Hold on ta him, alright. You don't want ta throw away somethin' so special. Trust meh." Rogue said with a smile.

Kitty arched her brow. "Hmmm…"

"What?"

Kitty gave her a knowing smile. "Nothing. Well, I have to go find Piotr. We can talk later, okay. By the way…" She waited for Rogue to look at her. "Give Remy a kiss for me!" Then she ran off giggling, while Rogue rolled her eyes.


Back at the Wolverine's Den…

Just as the waters of high tide receded enough to make crossing the sandy bridge to the tavern possible, a cloaked figure approached the inn. A small boy stood near the corner of the building, looking out from the alley and stole a look at the figure. When the person approached, the boy was shocked as the cloak was pushed open revealing a woman with beautiful, blonde hair and icy blue eyes.

"I'm lookin' f'r a certain gentleman, child."

The boy stepped out of the shadows and looked up at the woman. "Oh? An' who might that be?"

"A man. He's tall, six feet an' perhaps a bit more, slender build mais athletic, silver hair, an' eyes of a very unusual shade of grey." The woman's blue eyes seemed to see through the boy. "Do y' know 'im?"

Heart pounding in his ears, the boy's gaze flew to the door of the inn and then back. "No, ma'am! I ain't never heard of a man like ye're describin'."

"Hmmm." A faint smile touched the woman's face as she, too, looked at the door. "I see. Well, thank y' all de same." With that, she turned and walked toward the inn, pausing outside the door to reach inside her coat for a moment.

In the light of the lantern hanging by the door, the small boy could just make out the curve of a pistol tucked securely into the woman's waistband. Eyes wide, he watched the woman straighten her coat and then enter the inn. The need to call a warning grew in the boy, but somehow, he knew such a commotion would not be welcome. No, it was better to sit quietly.

Besides, Logan could handle the woman, if need be. No one was bigger, faster, or more daring. And no one had a way with blades like Logan. Reassured, the boy returned to his station in the shadows.

Belladonna, meanwhile, took a step through the doorway of the tavern. The boisterous inhabitants continued their conversations and debauchery, but she stopped one of the bar wenches.

"I'm lookin' f'r a gentleman."

The wench chuckled. "Ye've come to the wrong place then, luv, fer we've no gents here."

Belladonna arched a brow and allowed the wench to pass. The Wolverine's Den was crowded tonight. The ceilings were low with large wooden beams smudged with more nights of smoke than any living creature had seen. Logs burned merrily in the large fireplace, but the floor showed the most wear. It dipped in a rut along the bar where countless feet had marched on their way to fetch refreshment. To one side, over the serving area, a single narrow staircase disappeared upstairs.

Belladonna was about to continue her search when a man made his way down the stairs. His cloak had the sheen of the finest wool. His breeches fit perfectly, outlining the hard lines of his body, and his silver hair fell loose around his face. Bella was entranced for a moment, but finally gained her composure and approached the man.

"Joseph?" Bella asked as she stood behind him.

He roused himself and sent a quick glance at the beautiful blonde. "Yes. Won't you take a seat?" He winked at the serving wench, who giggled and brought two ales. Joseph tossed a coin in her direction, watching absently when she tucked the gold piece in the low top of her corset in a suggestive manner.

"I have a proposition f'r y'." Bella said as she took a drink from her tankard.

"And what might that be?"

"How would y' like t' get some revenge on Captain LeBeau?" Bella allowed herself a small smile when she saw Joseph stiffen.

"You've got my attention."

"Well…"


Back on Ile de LeBeau…

Tante Mattie had prepared a wonderful meal for dinner that evening and everyone was gathered at a table in the large dining hall. Kurt had even invited Meg to accompany him and meet his sister. Remy sat at the end of the table flanked by Christian on his right and Tante Mattie on his left. Wanda sat next to John, who had managed to get released from the rope harness suspending him over a fire-ant mound. Kitty was next to Piotr, and Kurt sat next to Meg. Rogue was at the opposite end of the table with Sinaesta sitting to her right and Lapin to her left.

Rogue watched Remy as he listened to Christian chattering away while serving Tante Mattie food and felt a pang deep in her chest. He was so good with the boy, and would make such a wonderful father someday.

"Are y' alright?" Lapin asked, leaning over to her.

Rogue took a deep breath and nodded.

"Then why do you not eat? Is the food not to your liking?" Sinaesta asked in a hushed voice but with a hint of condemnation.

"The meal is fine. Besides, it looks like Lapin can eat enough for the both of us." Rogue answered tilting her head in Lapin's direction. His plate was heaped with a king's portion of chicken, pheasant, roasted apples, and leeks.

"What?" Lapin asked as he noted their attention.

"I was merely admirin' your gluttony."

Lapin swallowed his mouthful of food, then reached for his flagon. "Good food, good music, and belle femmes are all I require in life to be happy, mon chere." Then winked at Rogue and continued meal.

They continued in silence for a while, but Rogue could hear bits and pieces of the other conversations at the table. Kurt was truly enjoying Meg's company and she seemed to be a good woman. Kitty was laughing at something Piotr had said, while Wanda smacked John on the arm for only Lord knows what.

"Rogue!" Christian yelled down from the end of the table.

Tante reached over and tapped the boy on the head. "Dat's no way t' get a woman's attention, child!"

"Sorry, Tante." Christian lowered his eyes and looked sheepish.

"What do ya need, Christian?" Rogue asked.

Christian smiled brightly. "Do you know how many Norsemen it takes to light a fire?"

Rogue looked pensive and slightly skeptical as she reached for her tankard. "Ah have no idea, sugah."

"None…why bother with a fire when there's a monastery over the next hill."

Lapin burst out laughing, but Remy merely glanced sideways at the boy.

"Come on, Rems!" Lapin said. "Dat was funny!"

Lapin turned to Rogue to explain. "See, chere, Christian has been tryin' f'r a year t' get Remy t' laugh at one of his jokes, but never does."

"Oh…Why?"

Lapin shrugged. "Who knows how it started, but Remy sees is as a challenge now, an' y' know how stubborn ol' Rems can be, non!"

"How many Romans to start a fire?" Christian said, turning to look at Remy.

Remy tried to keep himself from being amused by the boy, but couldn't. "How many?"

"One thousand and one," he announced.

Remy cocked a brow at the boy's answer. "One thousand and one?" he asked in spite of his intention to ignore Christian.

"Aye, Captain. It takes the emperor to order the fire set, nine hundred and ninety-nine senators to pass down the order, and one slave to light it."

Rogue sighed and looked to Lapin. "Your cousin is a hard man."

Remy choked on his wine.

Sinaesta frowned. "Remy, are you alright?"

"Oui…fine," Remy said. "Her choice of words jus' caught Remy off guard, chere."

Once more Lapin burst into laughter.

"What?" Rogue asked.

Lapin shook his head. "I'll leave it t' my cousin t' explain t' y' jus' how hard a man he is."

"Lapin," Tante scolded.

"Don't yell at me when he instigated it."

Rogue blushed as understanding set in and Sinaesta glowered. They finished eating in silence, and then each departed to their own affairs.


Wanda and Rogue were standing on her balcony that overlooked the terrace when they saw John talking to Remy.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Wanda asked.

"Ah don't know, but let's hope they stay out of trouble."

Remy patted John on the back, threw a towel over his shoulder, and tilted his head toward the forest. John smiled and nodded his head, and the two took off and out of sight.

Wanda gave Rogue an impish smile. "Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

Rogue looked hesitant, until Wanda spoke again, "Surely you're not scared?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Ah'm not scared of anything!" Rogue glared at her friend and placed her hands on her hips. "Fine…they probably need some supervision anyways."

Rogue had a bad feeling about this but by the look on her friend's face she knew Wanda would not be swayed. They quickly left the house and started down the narrow path Remy and John had just taken. It didn't take long to find Remy. He had already shed his clothes and was waist deep in the water of a hot spring. Rogue and Wanda squatted behind a large bush to watch him unobserved.

"Lordy, Rogue," Wanda breathed. "Captain LeBeau is a fine lookin' man, but… where's John?"

"Ah don't know…" Rogue said, but she couldn't take her eyes away from the man before her. Water trailed over his flesh, pooling in the small of his back. Even from this distance, she could tell how solid his chest was, and too easily she remembered the feel of being held close to that rock-hard body. The feel of his lips and hands on her own body.

Rogue bit her lip at the memory and wished she could walk the short distance that separated them.

Remy bent down to wet his hair, giving the women a peek of perfect tawny buttocks and a rear so well formed that it jolted Rogue with a forceful lust. Her entire body throbbed as she watched him reach up and lather his hair. His long fingers stroked the auburn locks, and the sight of his rippling, wet arms did the strangest things to her.

"I could do my laundry on that stomach," Wanda breathed. Then she nudged Rogue with her elbow. "But you probably know better things to do with his stomach, huh?"

Before Rogue could retort, she heard something rustling in the trees behind Wanda.

Her eyes widened. "Ah think we've been caught," Rogue whispered, indicating the direction of the sound with a tilt of her head.

Wanda turned around to look at the same moment a wild boar broke through the hedge.

For an instant, they couldn't move. Then Wanda actually screamed.

Remy turned at the loud shrieks, only to see two women bolting into the spring and toward him. He barely had time to brace himself before they ran him over and knocked him down.

He came up from the water, sputtering, to find Rogue and Wanda jumping up and down, screaming at him, and gesturing wildly toward the bank.

"A boar, a boar, a boar!" Wanda repeated.

"Quiet!" he demanded in a low, forceful tone. "And stop movin'!"

To his amazement, they instantly obeyed. Remy took a cautious step forward to place himself between the women and the pig. He looked to where his cutlass lay useless a few feet from the panting beast. It pawed at the ground and eyed them fiercely.

"It's goin' ta charge," Rogue said, her voice stern.

"If y' stay still it won't charge," Remy told her.

"Ah'm not movin'," Rogue whispered. "Ah will stay here until Hell freezes over."

"What are you goin' to do, Remy?" Wanda asked

Personally, Remy wanted his clothes. Especially since Rogue had him by his left arm in a grip so tight his hand was starting to tingle from lack of blood flow. He started to shrug her hold away, but didn't dare lest the movement entice the boar.

"Can we outrun it?" Rogue asked.

Remy didn't take his eyes from the boar. "It's not so much outrunnin' de boar, chere, as it is outrunnin' Wanda and Remy."

"Now you find humor?" Her voice low.

Moving his arm as slowly as possible, he shrugged off her grip. "It's not humor, chere. Jus' fact."

Slowly, carefully, he waded a little closer to his cutlass.

The boar snorted and shook its head, and Remy froze.

Rogue swallowed in fear as she watched him near the beast. How could he remain so calm while her heart pounded so fiercely she half expected it to leap from her chest?

"Remy?" John called through the trees.

The boar turned at the sound.

"John, get your pistol!" Remy shouted.

The boar looked back at Remy and moved two steps nearer. Remy didn't budge as he stared the animal dead in the eye.

Rogue swallowed the lump in her throat.

"A pistol? Why?" John asked as he came through the trees.

The boar snorted once, stamped its foot, then charged John.

With a foul curse, John literally jumped up a tree. Remy ran for his cutlass and seized it while John pulled himself up and out of the reach of the boar's pitching tusks.

"Keep it distracted," Remy ordered.

"Oh, yeah," John growled as he tucked his legs up beneath him. "Keep it bloody distracted, he says. Kill the bloody beast, would ya mate?"

As Remy inched near it, the boar turned to face him. Remy stopped moving.

Time seemed suspended as Rogue waited for the boar to charge Remy. Even though he held a sword, she knew not even he was a match for the beast. Worse, once a wild boar charged, it wouldn't stop until it was fully dead. And the more it was wounded, the more damage it would do to the person who had wounded it.

Terrified, she knew she had to do something to help him. "Here, piggy-piggy," Rogue called before she could stop herself.

"Rogue!" Wanda screamed.

Ignoring her, Rogue splashed at the water. "Here, piggy-piggy."

The boar looked at her.

Her chest tight, Rogue trusted that somehow, some way Remy would keep her safe as she continued to entice the boar away from him.

The boar came at her and Remy charged at it. The boar spun about in confusion as Remy raised his sword. As if realizing death was imminent, the boar squealed in terror, then bolted back into the forest.

Relief swept through her so quickly, her legs buckled. Rogue knelt in the water, trembling and laughing hysterically. The next thing she knew, Remy was by her side, helping her to her feet.

"Are y' alright?" he asked.

She nodded, leaning on him for support. "Ah'm glad that even wild beasts think ya're the devil."

She heard John's laughter as he descended his tree, and it was only then she realized Remy had taken a moment to pull on his breeches.

"What are y' doin' out here?" Remy asked her, his tone sharp.

"Water," Wanda said before Rogue could speak. "We came to get some water for the house."

Remy let out a loud breath as he released her. "Y' need t' be more careful, chere. Dere are dangerous animals on de island." Then he looked to John. "And y'…where have y' been?"

"Ummm…I had to…you know…Well, I came when I heard 'em scream."

Remy threw his arms up in frustration and then went off into the woods from which the women had run. He lingered over the spot, and when he didn't come right back, Rogue moved to join him.

"Is somethin' wrong, sugah?" she asked.

Remy gave her a suspicious look. "Y' came t' get water?"

"Yeah."

"Then where's de bucket, and why were de two of y' kneelin' here so long dat y' made a deep impression in de grass?"

They were caught!

"Ah…um…" She tried to think of a reasonable lie, but nothing would come to her mind. "Well, ya see…We…"

Why couldn't she think up something?

"Y' what?" Remy asked.

Oh, he was enjoying this! Lifting her chin, she decided to rob him of his torment. "Fine…we came ta make sure the two of you didn't get into any trouble, if you must know the truth of it!"

He arched a brow at her. "An' y' decided t' jus' watch Remy bathe, too?"

Before she could answer, John and Wanda joined them.

John tossed Remy his tunic. "We should get back to the house. You never know when that boar might come back."

"Oui, as well as other things dat might come up on a homme when he least expects it."

That got Rogue to look at him again.

Remy then started to lead the way back to the house as he quickly dressed himself. Rogue followed behind Remy with John by her side. As they walked back to the house, it dawned on her what she'd done while they faced the boar. Without a moment's hesitation, she had trusted Remy with her life. Never before had she done such a thing. She'd always been adventurous, but never to the point of such foolishness as she had shown with the boar. But in her heart she had known he wouldn't allow her to be harmed. And he had proved her right.

"Thank you, Remy," she said.

Remy looked back at her over his shoulder. "F'r what?"

"For savin' us."

His look softened. "Remy should say de same t' y'. Had y' not distracted de boar, Remy's sure he'd be tendin' a severe wound right now."

"Oh, Remy," John said in a falsetto as he clasped his hands together and held them to his shoulder. He gave Remy a worshipful look. "You're my hero, too!"

John sniffed as if he were holding back tears and threw his arms about Remy's shoulders. "If not for you, that mean old boar would have eaten me alive."

Remy pushed John away from him. "Get off, y' conard."

"But Remy," John said again in his falsetto, "You're my hero. Give me a kiss, mate!"

Remy ducked John's embrace and stepped behind Rogue. "What's wrong with y'? Are y' crazy?"

"Fine then," John snapped. "Here, Rogue, you kiss him for me."

And before either one knew what John was about, she found herself tossed into Remy's arms. Their bodies collided. Remy's arms encircled her, and for a moment she couldn't breathe as she stared up into those startled red eyes. Heat sizzled between them, skipping along their bodies, stealing their breath and setting fire to their blood.

When Remy made no move to kiss her, John tsked. "Fine then," John said, pulling her out of Remy's embrace and into his own. "Let me show you how a kiss is given."

John dipped his lips to hers, but before he could make contact, Remy caught his chin in one hand and pulled his face away from hers. "If y'r lips so much as pucker near hers, Remy will geld y', mon ami."

John gave her a wink. "Whatever you say, Captain. Whatever you say."

John let go of her and Remy let go of him.

"But I say this," John said as he straightened his tunic with a tug. "If such a beautiful woman had saved my life, I think I could find a better way to thank her than with words."

"Remy's sure y' could."

John ignored him and took Wanda by the arm. "Hey, luv, you didn't get the water you needed. What do you say that I accompany you back to the pond in case the boar returns?"

"Sounds good, Johnny-boy! Thank you."

"Another thank-you with words." John sighed. "What am I to do?" he exclaimed dramatically.

By the glint in Wanda's eyes, Rogue had a good idea that Wanda would be thanking John with more than mere words.

"Remy has a feelin' dat John is after more dan jus' a drink."

"And Ah have a feelin' Wanda is, too."

An awkward silence fell between them as they started back to the house.

"Oh, John, what a large, hot sword you have!"

Rogue stumbled at Wanda's words.

Remy paused. "Remy'll go…"

"No," she said, taking his arm. "Let them be."

They returned to the house and Remy escorted her to her room. "Bonn nuit, chere. May Remy kiss y'?"

Rogue's eyes darkened, her chest rising and falling in a way that let him know she was affected by him. "Yeah, sugah."

Rogue leaned forward and he seized her lips with his. The kiss heated, expanded, exploded. Suddenly, kissing was not enough. His hands were everywhere, as were hers. This was madness. With the most incredible control he'd ever exhibited, Remy put a bit more space between himself and Rogue. "Remy can't, chere," he smirked. "We need t' take dis slow, 'member?"

Rogue narrowed her eyes at him. She hated it when he used her own words against her. "Fine, good-night Remy."

He leaned back over her and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and then on that wonderful spot by her ear. Rogue groaned when he pulled away and went down the hall to his room.

She went into her own room and leaned against the door. "Damn it!"

After a few short moments, there was a knock on her door and Rogue was certain it was Remy returning to finish what they had started in the hall.

She opened the door with an impish smile on her lips. "Remy…"

The rest of her sentence died on her lips when she opened the door and looked into the face of the Calusa princess, Sinaesta.

"He bedded you!" Sinaesta accused, verbally venting her venom. "Do not deny it."

"Ah'm not in the mood ta argue with ya, sugah," Rogue replied tiredly. She wanted to be alone…well, not really. She wouldn't mind a certain Cajun's company at the moment.

Sinaesta gave a snort of disgust. "I know what he wants from you. What I don't understand is why. Remy has had women more beautiful than you. Soon, he will realize I am all the woman he needs."

"Go ta bed, Sinaesta. It's late." Rogue blocked her entrance.

"Is Remy in there?" she tried to peer around Rogue, but saw nothing.

"No, he's not here."

Sinaesta smirked and looked her over. "Good. You will be gone soon, and Remy will forget. He always comes back to me. You'll see. You will mean nothing. I will convince him that he only needs me and then I will have his child." With that, she turned and marched down the hall and out of sight.

Rogue sighed and shut the door once again. "Now all Ah need is Bella breathin' down mah back again."


A/N: Thanks to all those who review this story!You keep me inspired to continue writing.