"Why do you need to look through Merci's old books again," Remy sat in a chair near the desk.

"Jean's text said to look into ancient Egyptian stories so that's what I'm doing," she pulled an old, tattered book off the shelf, "This one looks promising."

"That's what you said about the last six," he leaned forward a bit, "Are we gonna talk about what happened last night?"

"Remy," she huffed, "No offense but saving the world takes priority over whatever's going on between you and I."

He grumbled but let it be. She sat the book on the table in the middle of the room and pulled up a chair. She flipped through the pages, stopping on a page with a drawing resembling Apocalypse. She began to read, most of the information being things they'd already known through their own research. Remy leaned his head on his hand and started to drift to sleep. She flipped the page and froze. That wasn't possible, it couldn't be. She read on, ignoring the drawings that looked remarkably similar to Remy and herself. Remy sat up straight and looked at her as he heard her gasp. She looked completely horrified.

He stifled a yawn, "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"This page," she looked back down at the book, "In ancient times, the people thought Apocalypse was a sorcerer or a god. He was taken in by a human family, however, he lost control when they were killed for harboring him from those that felt him a threat. After that he went on a killing spree. One day he was resting at a nearby oasis when a woman caught his eyes. She had fair skin, black wings, and waist length brown hair with light blonde around the face. Apocalypse thought little of it until she turned and he was transfixed on her emerald green eyes," she paused for a moment to look and him then continued, "She was followed by a man with red on black eyes that seemed to glow intensely as the two laughed together. Apocalypse asked them to join him, but they politely refused. He approached them every day after, the angel and her lover, asking them to join him. And each day they politely refused, causing Apocalypse's frustration to grow. He finally saw his opportunity when the one they called Demon sunbathed alone. He knew the Demon was no match for him, the Demon's power levels too limited. He went to strike only to be struck down by her. She flew in as Apocalypse dealt his blow, taking a moment to take some power she needed. She took to the sky, pulling Apocalypse and sand with her. He tried to hit as the sand swirled around him. She mixed the sand with a form of red energy, creating a tomb to seal him away where he could do no more harm. She died shortly after, spending a majority of her energy to seal him away. The people in the village they lived in named her Infinity for her seemingly limitless power and the Demon spent the rest of his days watching over her grave. The villagers buried him with her after he passed. Shortly after the Demon's passing they noticed another pair of mutants with similar powers standing guard near Apocalypse's tomb. They believed these individuals were the reincarnation of the two, sent to make sure that should he rise again there would be those alive to reseal him once more."

Remy laced his fingers together, resting his chin on them, "Are you implying that we are reincarnations of this Demon and Infinity?"

She looked back towards him, "Remy, I…I needed your power to unseal his tomb in the first place. The powers I stole while under Mesmero's control were used to rejuvenate him but it was your power that unsealed the tomb in the first place. I needed to be the one to unseal it and I need to be the one to stop him," she him straight in the eyes, "I don't think that was all just some crazy coincidence. I mean, look at the damn drawings. It's us. That's why we can't move on from each other, why we've always been so drawn to each other."

"No," he shook his head, "That's insane. I mean, if that's true then what made us come here instead of stay in Egypt? And our attraction is just some weird fate? I refuse to believe that."

"Professor," she closed the book and stood up, "His school and his teachings gave me all the power I needed to be strong enough to beat him. It's also where Jean was, with the Phoenix which is mine to control. I could feel it the moment it entered my body. It was home because I was awoken again."

He rubbed his temples, "Say all this is true, we have no idea how to defeat him. He's beaten everything we've thrown at him so far."

She walked over, poking him in the chest, "I can't explain it but your power is the key. Remy, deep down you know it makes sense. It's why your mental blocks don't work on me, why you are the only one that can get through to me when I'm losing control, why you can produce the field around yourself so it takes longer for me to drain you. It's like you were made to handle my powers."

He looked at her, "Let's just head to sleep. We can spar and work things out tomorrow. It's late and you look exhausted, plus that's just a lot of information to process."

She looked at the clock, "You're right, I didn't realize how late it was. I hope the timetable stays the same, I want to make sure we're ready."

He grabbed her hand, "Sleep with me tonight and the rest of the time we have."

She pulled away, "Please, please don't do this. There is too much to do, we can't do this right now."

"Rogue," he sighed, "What happened last night won't happen again, especially if you don't want it to. I just…I want to lay with you. Please."

She took a deep breath, "Fine but we aren't sharing blankets."

He pouted, "But I'll be so cold."

She playfully smacked his chest, "Don't push your luck Cajun."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. They walked up to his room quietly, passing Merci and Henry as they went. Rogue thought for a moment. She would need to spar and research in the morning but leave the afternoon free. Remy said the family had a tradition of decorating the tree and having a big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. Like most nights Remy drew a bath. She wasn't sure what possessed her but she invited him to join her. He hesitated for a moment but accepted her invitation. They sunk into the tub together and she leaned against him. He let out a relaxed sigh. He reached their hands out, lacing their fingers together then wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her neck lightly then leaned the back of his head on the edge of the tub.

"Why can't we just stay like this," he mused, "This is peaceful."

She laughed, "I'm surprised this is what you'd want. We aren't even having sex."

He looked at the ceiling, "Being with you has never been and will never be about the sex. To be honest I'd give up sex entirely if it meant you'd come out of this alright and we could just be."

She turned to look at him, "Really?"

"Really," he looked back at her, "If you think it's been about sex this whole time then I've done something terribly wrong and I'm sorry. But it's always been about you, just being with you. Some of the best days I've had with you, we didn't even kiss. You're like air to me."

"But you always wanted to…," she began.

He shook his head, "Want and need are two totally different things. I may want to have sex with you, but I need to sleep next to you each night to feel at peace. I might want to kiss you, but I need to hear you laugh and see you smile. When it comes to you I can do without a lot of the physical but being near you is a need. It's like a magnetic pull, if you are in the general area I find myself drifting your way," he touched the side of her face, "Even if it's only as a friend."

She could hear the hurt in his voice, but she didn't know what to say to him. He pulled her face to his, kissing her forehead. She rested her cheek against his bare chest as he stroked her hair. She'd never given much thought to intimacy. To her intimacy always meant sex. She'd never imagined it could be the small touches, the way he placed his hand on her back to guide her somewhere, the way he smoothed her hair out of her face as she slept, the small kisses to her face, neck or hand. The small circles he'd rub on her hip as they cuddled, like he was doing now. What struck her more was that they were never intentional movements. They happened subconsciously and effortlessly, even before she had control. She found herself drifting to sleep in the tub, the atmosphere so relaxed.

"Take my hand," she smiled at Rogue, "Trust me, I mean you no harm."

"It feels weird. It's like I'm looking in a mirror," Rogue said but took her hand none the less, "Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it usually bad to go towards the light? What is this?"

Rogue reached out to touch the glowing orb, her curiosity getting the best of her. It was white and hot to the touch. She admired it, taking it in both of her hands. She smiled as it glowed brighter at her touch. It made her feel so warm and safe. She watched as her other self touched the orb as well, causing it to glow even brighter. Rogue looked up at her other self, a million questions racing through her mind.

"Is this," Rogue paused for a moment, "Is this my soul? Our soul?"

She laughed, "I thought that at first too. This is your key."

Rogue stared, "I don't understand."

She took it in her hands, "This," she pushed it into Rogue's chest, "is your power, fully controlled and at your fingertips. You need no more lessons, no more training. You have all the pieces now. Use them against him, put an end to what I started and I promise everything will be fine. And a little parting information from me."

She leaned down and whispered in Rogue's ear. Rogue looked back and in her other self's place stood a mirror. She took a moment to examine herself. Her breath caught in her throat at the pair of beautiful black wings that protruded from her back. She touched her hair that now fell to her waist in loose curls. She thought about the words whispered again and a single tear fell down her cheek.

She felt a jolt as she opened her eyes. The room was pitch black, when had she gotten in bed? Last she remembered she and Remy were in the bath. She reached under the blankets that now draped over her. She was in shorts and a tank top. She rolled over and was face to face with a sleeping Remy. He must have taken them both out of the tub, dressed her and put her to bed before doing so himself. She lightly kissed his forehead and felt his arms wrap around her tight.

"Everything alright chere," he mumbled.

She cuddled into him, "For once Rem, everything is going to be okay."