"Hi Remy, wanna play racecars?"

"I promised Belladonna that I'd listen to her sing. You can come if you want."

Her green eyes lit up, "I'll ask my momma. Be right back."

He watched as her brown hair bounced. Over the past few months the tomboy with the jade colored eyes had become his best friend. She'd never told him where she was from, not that he'd asked. His best guess was Mississippi, judging by her accent.

"A penny for your thoughts," her voice cut through his thoughts.

He smiled, "Just thinking back to when I was a kid. Used to be friends with a little girl but for the life of me I can't remember her name. Guess I've been hit in the head one too many times."

"You said used to. Why'd you stop being friends," she leaned in closer, clearly interested.

He sighed, "Something happened to her. My memories from that long ago are so fuzzy now," he laughed, "Shit, maybe I just repressed them for some reason."

She frowned, "I don't remember much from my childhood."

"Why not," he asked, "Something bad happen?"

"No, well yes, I guess. Irene told me I wasn't paying attention while crossing the street and got hit by a car. The accident must have been pretty bad. I was in the hospital for a week or so, lost most of my memory," she paused, "so I only remember from seven on. It was traumatic enough that Irene decided to move us. At least that's why she said we moved. I don't remember where we moved from much, so it didn't really bother me."

"I'm sorry. That's horrible," he took her hand, "You done eating? The malls getting a little too crowded for my liking."

She nodded, "Yeah. Thanks for lunch by the way. Did you get everything you wanted?"

He laughed, "I sure as hell hope so. I suppose it's time I did something with it to make it feel like home. The red on black theme was a good idea, I'll blend right into it."

"Marie," a boy questioned.

Rogue stiffened. A boy with sandy blonde hair approached them. He was tall, tan and muscular with brown eyes and a baby face. She looked up to see Cody standing next to her. He smiled, showing two rows of white teeth. She smiled back politely. The last time she'd seen him was right before putting him in a coma.

"Hey Cody, what are you doing here," she watched as he sat down.

His eyes burned into her, "I'm here visiting family. Man, I haven't seen you in forever. Why'd you leave? Everyone's been wondering. I hope it wasn't because of me."

"My mom thought it would be best if we left for a while," she ran a hand through her hair, "Get some things under control."

He nodded, "Oh, well are you coming back anytime soon?"

Remy muffled a laugh. The boy sounded so hopeful and his crush was blatantly obvious. Rogue shot him a look before returning her focus to Cody. He had this look in his eyes, as if he wanted to ask her something more.

She shook her head, "No, probably not. I'm really happy here."

His expression dropped, "Oh, that's too bad. Well I'm here for the rest of the week. I could give you my number if you maybe want to get together and catch up? Like a…a date."

Remy finally interjected himself into the conversation, "No offense homme but she's already spoken for. Darling, it's getting late, are you ready to head out?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you two were together," his face turning a bright red

Remy smirked, "It's quite alright. Now if you'll excuse us, we have a few more errands to run before heading home."

"Wait, you two live together," Cody's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "Does that mean you…?"

"It was so nice to see you again Cody. Enjoy visiting with your family," she pulled Remy out of his seat.

Remy snickered, clearly amused, "It was very nice meeting you."

Rogue grabbed their bags and pulled Remy away, leaving Cody looking bewildered. Rogue elbowed Remy in the ribs, annoyed that he was always such an instigator. He kissed her forehead, pulling her close to him. People stared, again, as they glided through the mall. They stepped in perfect time, like a well-choreographed dance. She smiled, always being reminded just how tall he was compared to her. She glanced at him. He wore a form fitting, black, short sleeved shirt with a pair of worn out, faded jeans and black DC sneakers.

She laughed, looking down at her worn down Chuck Taylors. The high-tops complimented her ripped, black skinny jeans. She paired the jeans with an emerald green, quarter sleeve top that cut off before her hips. The V-neck accentuated her collar bones and neckline. She wore black eyeliner and mascara but nothing else. She seemed to be growing out of the whole Goth look. Though she still liked dark colors, she didn't have to stay alone and hidden anymore. She went to run her fingers through her hair but stopped. Her reflection caught her eye. Her hair was bouncy and curly, light and playful.

"I think it looks perfect," Remy's reflection smiled at hers, "You look perfect."

She blushed, "Thank you."

"So I was thinking. Maybe this year you and take some time, head down to New Orleans. Maybe go to Mardi Gras," he ran his hand through his hair, "I understand if you don't want to go, considering how well it went last time, but I thought I'd ask."

"Like a mini vacation, with just you and me," she asked enthusiastically.

"No, well yes, I mean…only if you want to," he stumbled over his words.

She spun around and threw her arms around his neck, "I'd love to go! It'll be so much fun. Being down south again. That would be a dream!"

He hugged her back, "I was hoping you'd have that response."

She pulled away, "Oh shoot! Come on, we forgot to get paint for your room."

They lay sprawled out on the paint covered sheets. Their muscles ached. Between the danger room session, the shopping, the moving of furniture and the painting, they were beat. The walls were blood red, the crown molding black. They'd ordered the same carpet that was in Rogue's room. The carpet would be laid tomorrow after the paint dried. The windowsills were black as well. They sighed as a breeze blew through the open windows. The air smelled of freshly cut grass and a grill. Rogue "mmmm-ed" at the smell. Remy would have as well, but he was utterly spent. All the physical activity of last night and today had drained him.

"Hey Remy," her southern draw luring him back to reality, "What are you planning on dressing up as?"

"Dress up as," he asked.

She rolled over on her stomach, looking him in the eyes, "You know, for Halloween. They're having a dance at school, costumes required. I wasn't sure if you would want to go."

He looked at her, "Didn't think that'd be something you were into."

"I wasn't," she admitted, "It was too much of a hazard. If I wanted to go I had to cover myself and a date was out of the question. Until recently I wasn't even sure if I'd go to Junior prom."

"Well if it's something you want to do then I'm happy to take you," he said firmly, "To the Halloween dance, to your prom, to my prom. I'll even take you to a football game if you want."

She laughed, "Careful, I might start to think you were falling in love with me."

He shook his head, "I just love seeing you happy is all."

You're such an unhappy girl

She didn't know why she thought about him saying that while they headed to Louisiana. Her mind drifted off to Marti Gras. She had a look of wonder in her eyes as they walked through the French Quarter.

"I always love Marti Gras. No matter who you are you always fit in."

"It's the first time I've been here without working."

"Working on what?"

He pulled a wallet out of his trench coat and smirked, "Getting by."

She snatched it from his hand and ran up to the man, "Here, you dropped your wallet," she said as she tossed him his wallet and walked back to Remy.

He gave her a look then continued walking, "You hungry? I know a place that serves the best Jambalaya."

She giggled, "Okay."

"What's okay," Remy looked at her.

"Jambalaya," she said absentmindedly.

He frowned, "You find joy in me kidnapping you?"

"Yes. Whatever your intention was I know hurting me wasn't one of them. And honestly, I needed to get away for a while," she said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, never my intention but I got us attacked and you almost eaten by gators," he shook his head.

She laughed, "I can only imagine the look on your face. More concerned about me than the boat coming at you."

"That wasn't funny," he pouted, "The only one that wasn't in danger was Jean-Luc. Figures, that bastard's always getting out of messes like that without a scratch. If anything would have happened to you, I never would have forgiven myself."

She grabbed his hand, "But we're both safe now and that's what matters."

"Rogue," he smiled, "we have to get out of this room. The fumes are starting to get to me."

She laughed again, "I think you're right. We should stay in tonight. Order Chinese maybe watch some movies in our pajamas. Eat ice cream and popcorn, have some soda. I'm too tired to go out."

He helped her up, "Sounds like a plan to me. I think another shower is in order. I'm covered in paint."

She looked at her arms, "I agree. We are absolute messes but that's nothing new I suppose."

"Well then," he scooped her up in his arms, "let's get to your room and clean up."

She went to kiss him but pulled away. She tried to push out of his arms as the familiar tugging sensation rushed to where her exposed skin met his. He backed into the wall as she fell to the ground with a light thump. He took a moment to catch his breath. It'd been a long time since he'd felt the pull of her powers on him. She clenched her firsts together as they began to glow. She took a few deep breathes and the glow subsided. Luckily she had enough sense to push away before her power had really kicked in.

He let out a half-hearted laugh, "That was a close one, huh chere?"