Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel characters… durp.

I'm glad to see that most still want to read the story! I was worried that people forgot about it or didn't care anymore! Thanks for your patients!

Chapter Three

Remy stepped off the elevator and turned to his right. He reached into his pocket and found his keys as he walked. He searched through the jumble of metal and chains for the key that had an 'H' for HOME marked on it with red nail polish. Rogue decided to try to organize it for him but finally gave up and just painted abbreviations on the important ones. He smiled at this memory.

He jammed his key in the door knob and jiggled it. He attempted this two more times before swearing to God. One of the nicest penthouses in New York City and the door knob doesn't work. Just as he was going to just kick the door down the key turned with the greatest of ease. Barely making a sound and smooth as butter. Remy turned the knob and pushed the door open expecting to see Rogue laughing at him on the other sign. He found the penthouse to be dark and very quiet.

Remy shut the door silently in case Rogue was already in bed. He had worked late that night with his body and eyes to prove it. His lids were as heavy as cement and he could imagine the bags drooping under them. He threw his keys on an end table and laid his coat on the back of the couch. He stood there for a moment inspecting his home. Something seemed out of place but he couldn't tell what it was. He pondered for a moment more when he heard something from the master bedroom.

Maybe Rogue was up after all. He strode towards the bedroom door to find that it too was locked.

"Rogue? You in there?" he called out as he jingled the handle once more. He could hear movement and he was sure she was behind the door.

"Chere? Open up." He called once more. He then heard something break. It seemed like the loudest sound he had ever heard, surely exaggerated.

"Rogue, you okay?" he asked as he tried to turn the knob and knocked on the door. He still heard movement and he was soon beginning to worry.

"You open this door, and stop playing around… it's not funny!" He yelled at the door with authority in his voice. Still the door stayed locked and there was no answer.

"REMY! HEL-" Rogue's voice was cut off and Remy's worries were true. He immediately started pounding on the door frantically and yelled her name. The pounding of his fists shortly became the pounding of his body as he started to reach his panic peak. He didn't hear Rogue anymore. He didn't even hear the soft movement beyond the door in his fluster. It felt like the longest time before the door finally gave in to it's opponent. It swung crooked on it's hinges into the large dark room. The light from the moon was spilling in just enough for Remy to see that it looked like a tornado hit. The lamp was broken, propped against the nightstand upside down. Small perfume bottles were shattered and the wall was covered with the liquid scents.

"Rogue?" Remy forced her name from his throat, he feared the worst and didn't want it to be true. He looked to his right and he saw a huge amount of what looked like blood seeping under the halfway closed bathroom door. He looked back to his left when he felt a strong breeze, and found the window was fully open with the drapes at the wind's mercy. He found his strength again and ran to the bathroom. He slowly and reluctantly pushed the door open. It was the worst thing he never even dared to imagine. Rogue was laying half naked on the tiled floor. Blood was escaping from her body, from the large gashes on her legs, torso, arms, and even her beautiful face. It didn't look beautiful now, it was swollen and bruised near her left eye, and bloody from a large cut on her blushed cheek. Her lips were engorged and stained red . It didn't even look like her. His mind couldn't take anymore. Remy slid down the doorframe weeping for his love. Another gust of wind came and slammed the bedroom door closed.

Remy shot up from his bed. His heart and lungs were pumping with adrenaline. He brought his hand up to his face and covered his mouth. He knew that it was a dream, but it had felt so real, and he knew that was because of this Guthrie case. Remy had seen gruesome pictures and evidence, but nothing like this. His feet were slightly bouncing on and off the floor, and his hands were quaking as he wiped his damp forehead. He glanced behind him to see that Rogue was not sleeping, she wasn't even in the bed. Just a mixture of sheets and pillows from where she had been. He placed his hand on where she had been sleeping to find that it was still warm from her body.

He glanced at the clock which read 2:58 am. He could see a dim light peering through the door, which was only open a sliver. Remy could tell that it was coming from the kitchen… and that it was the fridge light. He got up off the bed and walked out of the room. He came to the kitchen to find the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Rogue was eating chocolate ice-cream and left over take out, right out of the cartons. He couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Hungry, chere?" he asked with a smile and a furrowed brow. "That sure is an interesting combo you got dere." He said as he kissed her forehead and fingered some chocolate off her spoon. She took his hand and licked it off his finger before he could.

"Yes, very." she laughed and playfully kicked him in the behind as he went to the sink and filled a glass with water. "What are you doing up?" She asked through spoonfuls. He drank for a moment, then finally lowered his glass.

"Had a bad dream." He said nonchalantly and shrugged.

"Oh… what about?" Rogue asked. She put down her "Midnight" snack and walked towards her lover with concern. She hugged his waist and looked into his eyes, waiting for him to tell her all about it. He brought his hands up to her face. A truly beautiful face. The image from his dream suddenly entered his thoughts. Remy pushed it away just as fast. He kissed her and gave her a quick squeeze. He played it off to be nothing… just a silly dream.

Rogue decided to drop it even though she could see that it was something that really disturbed him. She knows that he only has bad dreams when he's stressed, so he's been having a lot lately. He would always tell her about them, said that it would help him go back to sleep if he talked about it. They would usually end up laughing at the dreams and fall back asleep in no time. But this one was different, and she knew it.

'It must be really bad if he doesn't want to tell me about it.' She thought with concern. Remy was wiping down the counter from were Rogue had spilt some water. He threw the paper towel away and noticed that there was pieces of glass in the trash can.

"You broke something?" he asked as he thought back to the sounds of something breaking in his dream.

"Yeah, I dropped my glass of water. Sorry if I woke you." She said as she put her carton of ice-cream away.

"You didn't wake me." He simply said as he took the last piece of broccoli from the leftovers. "You ready?" he asked as he through the carton to meet the paper towel in the trash.

"Sure am." Rogue said as she took hold of his outreached hand.

They went back to bed and Remy held onto his fiancé until she drifted off. He didn't bother trying to get more sleep. It was useless. He had never had such a horrific nightmare since he was seven. And even that, looking back, was just a silly dream.

>

BANG BANG BANG!

"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" Jubilee yelled at whoever was thumping on the front door. "We already paid the rent!" she said to the floor in a whispered yell. She got to the door and unlocked the deadbolt and doorknob, but leaving the chain hooked. Jubilee opened the door as far as the chain would allow.
"Bobby Drake! So you're the culprit who woke me up at-" Jubilee paused and glanced up at the clock, "6:30 in the morning!"

"You didn't answer your phone!" Bobby said to plead his case. Jubilee then slammed the door in his face. He could hear the metal chain lock sliding free and soon saw the usually cheerful girl again.

"I turned the ringer off last night after we kept getting prank calls from teenage girls…" Jubilee answered as she opened the door and let the detective in.

"Well, I tried you're cell phone… were they prank calling that too?" Bobby had a tinge of anxiety in his tone and Jubilee was almost flattered. 'Aw, he was worried about me. How cute." She thought to herself and smiled as she put a kettle on the stove. "My battery died."

Jubilee turned around and put her arms around Bobby's neck. He gave up his frustrations and returned her embrace. He kissed her neck and whispered into her ear, "I still have 20 minutes before I have to be at work."

"Ha! You only need three." Jubilee teased.

"Well, well, well. Aren't you peaches 'n' cream in the morning." Bobby laughed and pinched her cheeks. She kissed his chin and spun around to the cupboards. She retrieved two coffee cups and two spoons from the drawer.

"So… that's a no?" he asked as he sat down on a stool at the bar. She only shook her head for response. She poured the hot water from the kettle into the cups and stirred the cream and sugar into the coffee. She handed her boyfriend a cup and sat on his lap.

"You didn't need to worry, you know…" She sipped from her mug. "Peter was here."

"Speak of the devil!" Bobby called out as Peter walked by and grabbed his wallet and keys off the counter. "How's it goin' Pete?" Bobby asked with a grin.

"Pretty good. You?" Peter grinned back as he put his wallet in his back pocket.

"Well, I got a beautiful little lady on my lap, and great cup of coffee in my hand. So I guess I'm pretty good too." Bobby replied and then took a sip of the not so great cup of coffee. It was too sweet for him, she always went over board on the sugar.

"Where ya off to this early in the day, Pete?" Jubilee asked looking at the clock again.

"The gym… and run some errands for work." He answered as he propped himself against the counter with folded arms.

"I didn't know you had to run errands when you're a bouncer…" Jubilee announced but wasn't really interested what he did.

"Not just a bouncer!" Kitty's voice lighted up the room, "the most handsome and biggest bouncer for the biggest club in the city!" She glided over to him and kissed him on the cheek. She hugged his huge bicep and ran her finger along his large forearm.

"And Kitty here is the most beautiful and best receptionist for the best police squad in the city."

"Here Here!" Bobby cheered and raised his cup with pride.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" Kitty asked.

"Not till 7, thank you." Bobby answered as he tried his best to take a sip from the potent drink.

"Well, I should really get going…" Pete said.

"I'll walk you out." Kitty never let go of his arm.

"See ya later, Bobby." Pete said as he looked over his shoulder and waved.

"Nice seeing you!" Bobby yelled right before the door shut. "They're cute together."

"Yep. They've been pretty serious for a while now…" Jubilee said as she got up and put her cup in the sink. Bobby followed and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Last chance, I've got 10 more minutes free…" Bobby teased and kissed her neck.

"Mm. It's tempting, but I'm afraid once we start, we won't be able to stop." She answered as she caressed his hands that were over her stomach.

"Like that one time… at band camp." Bobby and Jubilee laughed for a moment. She then turned around to face him. His face was suddenly serious as she looked into his blue eyes. Man she loved those blue eyes.

"God, I love you." Bobby said softly. Jubilee looked amused. She wasn't sure if she heard him right. She didn't think he was sure he heard himself right. His face never changed or faltered, and she knew he was being serious. She loved him too, more than anyone.

"I… are you sure?" She asked with a wrinkled brow.

"Umm. Yeah, I'm sure…" Bobby nodded.

"Huh. Hard to tell some times." Jubilee giggled as she pulled herself closer and wrapped her slender arms around his neck. There was a short pause and she finally got the courage to say what she wanted.
"I love you too." The two kissed, slow at first but became more passionate and deep. Bobby began thinking of calling in sick when Kitty walked back into the apartment.
"Eww. Get a room!" She joked as she walked by, barely looking at them as she sauntered into the bathroom and shut the door.

>

Raven looked down over the fast moving city. People looked like ants on a farm and cars resembled bees hard at work. She hugged herself and blew a red strand of her bangs out of her jade eyes. The piano was telling a sad story from across the room, the record spun on the player with a wobbly stance. Her modeling industry had taken a hard hit when their potential star model was brutally raped and murdered. Monet St. Croix was going to be the next big thing on the runway and magazine covers. Raven let out a sigh to relieve the pressure that was weighing so heavily on her body and mind.

"Ms. Darkholme?" A petite brunette poked her head in through the dark wood door, "Mr. Lehnsherr says that he will be a few more minutes… would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, thank you." Her head was turned to listen to the secretary but she didn't look at her when she answered. Raven heard the door shut softly and she returned her attention on the piano. The ex-model found her way the player and replaced the record with one of violins. She then wandered to a dark brown leather chair and sat down slowly. The chair was plush and comforting to her strained muscles. Raven began to relax and stray her thoughts away from such darkness.

"Ah, there is my beautiful lover." An older man's voice over powered the delicate violins, "I believe you requested coffee?" Erik smiled as he handed the steaming cup to the women sitting in the leather chair in front of his desk.

"Thank you, Erik." She smiled and received the mug with grace. Raven sipped the coffee then placed it on the table next to her. She stood, revealing her true beauty, she was slim and fit, everything about her was slender. Raven wrapped her arms around Erik's neck and kissed him gently and respectfully. She equaled him height but surpassed his splendor. Raven was younger, by nearly 12 years. They have been together ever since she had moved to New York City. Erik had just opened the news station and was looking for fresh blood. When he set his eyes on her young and ravishing body he knew he had to have her be his lead reporter… and his wife.

Raven was only 19, but there was no doubt that she was a woman. They quickly became lovers and only two years later she gave birth to twins, Pietro and Wanda Lehnsherr. Being a mother slowed her career, but not for long. With in a year she bounced back and again her face owned every fashion magazine cover in print. She never minded being a mother, the time it took was exhausting and it was the most demanding job she had ever had. Despite the hard work, she decided to be a mother of three… Raven's best friend and fellow model, Anna Rouge, became pregnant seven months after Raven started her family with Erik. Anna was only 20 and didn't know the father for more than a month and never saw him again. She was scared and unsure but Raven gave her strength and courage, offering her help whenever she needed it. The time came when Anna went into labor, it was month early, and she didn't even have a name picked out. Anna died during delivery, leaving her newborn daughter nameless. Raven took the baby girl as her own and named child after her mother.

"What are you thinking about my dear?" Erik asked through a small grin.

"Everything." Raven smiled and pulled away gently. She returned the window she had been peering out before. Erik joined her side silently and wrapped his arm around her waist. They stood together, silent, until they were interrupted by the secretary over the intercom.

"Mr. Lehnsherr, sorry to bother you, but Emma Frost wishes to talk with you." Her voice was sweet but it had confidence. Erik looked at the woman beside him, wanting to make eye contact which she never did. She remained looking out the window, ignoring the interjection. Erik decided that she didn't mind, and she didn't really want to talk about what was on her mind anyway. She just needed to be around the man she loved, a man her loved and adored her.

"Thank you, Ava, send Ms. Frost in." Erik answered the machine on his desk and sat in his chair.

The raven haired detective walked up the steel stairs, reaching the top he turned and found the door he sought. He knocked gently a few times but there was no answer. A young man's voice echoed from below the balcony.
"I think she's in the back conference room with Rogue!" He pointed with his thumb behind his shoulder. The man's brown hair was spiked and the tips were dyed dark blue, he looked like half the punks that Logan would pick up off the street for drug abuse, but he was a nice kid. Logan nodded showing thanks and walked in the direction where he would find his wife. The door was cracked and he could hear quiet voices discussing security packages and prices.

>

"This package seems like it would be a good deal for the club." Rogue said as she handed Ororo a pamphlet. "Good price too."

"I agree, it would appear to be our best option." The silver haired woman said with a silky voice as she handed the paper back to her colleague.

"Am I interruptin'?" Logan said and he leaned in the room.

"No, of course not! Come on in, Logan." Rogue said smiling gesturing to him to join them. "I'll just go give the guys a call to tell them that we've made a decision…" Rogue then passed Logan and smiled, leaving the two of them alone.

"Hello my husband." Ororo hugged and kissed Logan. Her hug lingered for a moment and Logan could feel her tense body.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "You seem upset."

"I do? How did you get that impression?" Ororo asked with a weak smile and what seemed to be forced. He looked into her chocolate eyes awaiting an answer.

"Nothing is wrong." She answered as she pulled away and organized the mess of pamphlets on the table.

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"You seem different lately."

"How's that?"

"Like… Maybe you got something' weighing on yer mind."
"I'm just really busy."

"I don't think that's all of it."
"Well why don't you tell me what I'm thinking and feeling then mister detective." She snapped at her husband as she slammed the papers down.
"Now I know somethin' is wrong… but I won't interrogate you about it anymore." Logan said coldly as he walked out of the room briskly. Ororo felt her eyes become watery with guilt, but she couldn't bring herself to follow him and apologize. A part of her was happy that she was alone.

>

Okay…. So is it getting better? If not yet… trust me… I've got some crazy drama coming up!

And some answers… like "what's bothering Ororo?" Also we learn a little bit about Remy's past love-life! Ooh Yeah! Review and tell me what you're thinking… thanks for reading! And keep at it!