Chapter Eleven: Seniors Night

The night had arrived it was guys night out and all the boys young and old had left. All but one Remy was waiting nervously at the bottom of the stairs cases awaiting his, once lover, mother of his child and breathing masterpiece.

He sat on the bench dressed semi in a button up shirt and a single white lily in his hand. The wait wasn't as bad until all the other females of the house would walk by adding in there comments about how handsome he looks and if he going on a date. The question that always rattled them was with whom. It wasn't long until there was a social gathering in the kitchen. Once ever few minutes someone would point there head out from a round the corner and when would look they would duck back and a fit of giggles would take hold of the room.

It made butterflies come to Rogue's belly she had been ready for more then twenty minutes try to gain the strength to walk down the stairs or make a plausible excuse to cancel.

flashback

"What I didn't expect was what he did in the lab"

"I don't follow."

She took a heavy sigh "There came a part when I wasn't faking anymore I truly needed and wanted you to save me. That's when I looked over and saw him. He was losing his grip yes but in his eyes he was giving up."

There was an uneasy pause between the two.

"He was letting go on purpose… for you"

"Raven that's…"

"That's ridiculous? crazy? Something only a fool… in love would do? I know that's what I said but I know what I saw."

Remy was willing to sacrifice his life for her sanity, for her to be happy and not to face that choice of who she loved more.

End flashback

She couldn't help herself Raven gave her plenty to think of. There was too much hurt that was on Raven's hands for Rogue to believe. For better or worse she needed to know.

It was a tense night for Remy and Rogue a milestone in their relationship as 'friends' and supporting parents. Remy had slicked back his hair and he started to toy with a loose end, he was starting believe his doubts that Rogue wasn't coming down.

"Remy, can I say that you really nice today." Kitty commented.

"Thank you."

"Where you off too?"

"Around."

"Ah I see, is around close? By the way with whom?" She dropped the last part in quickly.

Impressed with Kitty more girls started to emerge from the kitchen wanting to know the answer Remy never told them.

A field of questions rushed Remy's head and a he felt like he was teen again showing up to her parents house for a date. He was all but a cavity searched, yet there was suggestions to do so. They could give Wolverine a run for his money with their interrogation tactics.

"Ahmmm…"

Rogue cleared her throat from the top of the staircase. She began her decent down the stair into the crowd of watchful sisters. Her hair blown straight with a twist curl in the front, she clean up well considering she usually wore baggy sweats around the house it was a nice change. She looked elegant in her short black halter dress and elbow long gloves to match.

"Mon duie Chere. I feel underdressed."

"I don't have many pieces of clothing that doesn't have stain courtesy of Olivier." She shied away when all the girls turned with that misty heart felt look in their eyes.

"Non, non, I like it…you look bon."

Remy handed her the lily and heads rolled as he did, the crowd of females hearts fluttered. Remy played everyone's emotions without even trying.

"You're never done until you have a flower." Rogue put it in her hair on the left side it was always Remy's favorite side.

"Thanks."

"My pleasure."

"We should get going, don't want to be late?"

Rogue couldn't be the center of attention for much longer, them seeing her in a dress minus her wedding day was already harboring questions for her when she returned. They headed outside and everyone continued to watch from the huge glass windows.

"What car are we taking?"

"Non car…"

"Bike?"

"Non, we can walk Cher."

The night was cool outside they headed down the empty street avoiding conversation but not looks. Eye filtering was second nature to them. They walked three blocks Rogue was glad that she wore flats. They went on a bit further to a corner French style café restaurant at the edge of the part of town where Rogue often used to eat at. She then felt overdress, the place was defiantly a jeans and tank top place.

"This where we're headed?"

"Thought by now you could trust me…" Remy pulled her by the arm, when she didn't enter behind him.

"Remy when you said I though…"

The room had been cleared of all chairs and excess furniture but one both remained nicely seated. Lights were dimmed with a tint of red and dark purples, there was no soft music but a little grunge. Remy was more of the romantic but Rogue was Grinch when it came to love and anything love related.

"I know you said you changed but this is the you I remember the most." They were seated by the three staff members Remy paid to stay behind.

It sweetened Rogue to know that Remy excepted the dark dramatic side of her still.

"That was a long time ago…"

"Not that long don't date yourself, your barley in your twenties."

"So" she didn't ever take complements too well. "Are they…" Rogue pointed to the waiters standing while whispering quietly.

"Yeah there here for you and guess what?" He leaned in to the table. "They're are getting paid so their extra nice too." He winked.

"What's for dinner?"

There was no menus and food could be heard being prepared in the back.

"A favorite." Remy smiled.

The cook came out with two plates and set them down in front of them. He lifted the covers to show two well done steak burgers, curly fires and coleslaw.

"Are you serious?"

"Would you like something else?" Remy asked.

"No, no this is perfect." She bit into a fry.

"Couldn't agree more, chere"

Part way threw dinner Rogue found her self humming to an old song still munching on her fries, she stopped when Remy got that cocky smirk and looked over into the darkness.

"No way!" Rogue choked on her bubble nutty grape tuddy soda "The Deaf Kellies?!"

Before her live was her favorite band The Deaf Kellies, she used to touchier Remy with their music and she loved every second of it back then and it only sounded better now. But this time Remy wasn't covering his ears in pain. He was tapping along with his fingers on the table. Rogue stared at them in awe. He changed a lot for her, and wasn't asking much in return.

"You want to tell me something?" Remy chuckled despite himself.

"Aw what?"

"You have that sideways look you get when you're hiding something." Remy stole one of her fires trying to get her to look at him.

"I went to see Mystique last night…"

Remy tipped over his glass with his elbow he didn't see that coming.

"How was it?"

"I'm not going back if that's what you're thinking…" Rogue mopped up the spilt drink with her napkins "I went to close that chapter of my life."

"I thought you already did."

"There were some lingering issues."

The waiters come over and whipped the table forcing them to pause their conversation briefly.

"And…" Remy jumped to when the waitress left.

"You have anything to confess?"

"I haven't told you a lie…" Remy insisted.

Rogue's heart speed up at the worry in Remy's eyes, they were starting to fade.

"She pulled you when she fell backwards and reached for you on purpose." Rogue went right for it unable to contain herself.

"Pardon?"

Remy had no clue were this was coming from or where it was going. He didn't have much memory of that day, not anymore. Rogue faced the window as she continued to talk about what happened in Sinister's lab. Much wasn't clicking in Remy's mind, a drop into a collapsing building does that.

"What I don't understand, is no matter how many times I go over it…I only remember Mystique crying out for me begging me to save her life?"

Rogue pushed aside the things on the table to see Remy clearly to hear him perfectly. She needed to know.

"Why didn't you call out for me? Beg me try and persuade me?"

"You shouldn't have made that choice…" he answered lowly

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"I don't know, I don't know." Remy twirled his fork in between his fingers.

"Remy I need to know!"

"I don't have answers! Marie." Remy sighed and quit playing with the fork. "I remember a little, your face…I couldn't stand watching you suffer anymore."

"So you let go? Did you think that would be easy for me?"

"I didn't let go, I wanted to hold on to you for as long as possible but…" he sighed "I don't know…" Remy hung his head.

"What do you know?"

"She was your mother, chere, that's a bond that can not be broken easily, what was I going to do ask you to kill your mother for me?"

Remy expression changed to sad and repulsed at the same time. Rogue had never seen him so raw and opened before. Each word he continued to say only softened her stiff heart. It was slowly becoming clear to Rogue why Remy never blamed her for anything. She wouldn't say it but it was because of that life altering three letter word.

"Knowing that you would survive and go on was the best ending I could hope for, I know there wasn't anything good I could have possibly done to keep you…I always thought you were too good for me."

"You think you're too good for me?" Rogue followed his energy less face turned cold and turned to the window.

"Oui, you make me better always have. I wouldn't be the person I am now. Finally knowing who I am, who I am with Olivier…I would be same ass from the French Quarter if…." The dim light in his eyes slowly roamed up to find the gems he risked everything for.

"You did this Marie all you see before you, you made me into…." Remy looked to his hands trying to find the words to describe how he felt when all he wanted to say was I love you.

"Into a father." Rogue stretched across the table for his hand.

Dinner turn tranquil after that conversation it was laid back all the high tension had passed for the night at lest.

Rogue and Remy went on to converse about the past and where they were headed. Once they hit the topic of where Olivier was to live down the road a debate was forming but Remy silenced it and said 'It doesn't matter I'll always be close.' It struck a cord with Rogue and she didn't know why but that wasn't sounding right anymore.

They walked back home a little after nine and the stars were taking over the sky. They were in the middle of giggles when Remy looked up to the dark sky. Rogue knew what he was doing; he was making a wish on the North Star. Fascinated by the sky too Rogue finally understood Remy's e-mail, they're never as bright until you're with someone worth while. To busy paying attention to stars they didn't notice that they were being drawn into each other. The pull was strong when Remy hand grazed Rogue's gloved one. Rogue didn't panic but Remy stepped back prepared for a yelling.

There was none, but he didn't speak for a minute or two to make sure.

"What'd you wish for?"

Soon as Remy heard that he knew what Rogue was referring too, he was surprised but didn't show it in his face.

"You read them?"

There came a point around e-mail three eleven that he realized Rogue wasn't going to respond anytime soon. He continued to do it though, it gave him hope and an outlet for his feelings; he didn't have anyone worthy of his love after Rogue so he decided to lock them away where only person could ever get them. The emails re-stimulated Rogue giving her the same ripe feeing Remy had given her. The feeing of waking up in his arms and the smell of his skin after a long day was indescribable. It made her heart flutter and a cool sensitive sensation pumped in her body. It made her feel priceless and she missed it.

"How many did you read?"

"All of them…"Rogue fixed her flower in her hair. "All six hundred and seventeen…"

Rogue ran her hand down Remy's arm and held his hand in hers locking fingers with him, but Remy stopped and shook her loose.

"If this is happing Petite it happens the right way."

Carefully he held up her hand and delicately pulled the silk off each finger. Her bare hands stretched out as Remy rubbed them. Her scares didn't appear to him first this time only her beautiful skin, she felt as soft and warm as ever. For Remy Rogue had no more scars and he was fully ready to share all her burdens.

Remy could sense that she was uncomfortable with the sudden lack of fabric covering her hands.

"Don't hide this from me, not anymore… I'm not afraid."

Remy opened his hands flat and Rogue looked up at him. This was as real as it was going to get. Nodding as she moved Rogue connected their hands and they turned hand in hand to continue walking. They collective decided to take the long way back to the mansion. Walking the trails, they passed the shimmering pound spotting young lovers on the benches that wasn't their style and they snickered at them like immature youth.

Coming up on the end of the path a sweet hymn caught Remy's ear opposite of the lake. A little percussion, strings stirring, hints of winds and chilling words. It was a hunting style of Billie Holiday.

She sung of sorrow and love and the two lovers basked in it hand and hand.

"What are you thinking right now?" Rogue asked as the music got louder.

"What do you mean?"

"I know you love jazz and this is your favorite song."

They were coming up to the music each step brought them closer to the blissful beat.

It looked like an old jazz club outside, an old hang out spot for all the smooth players. It was of courses senior's night in the park and they didn't hold back. Lit lanterns stung over top of the dance floor as the band played in the back. Couples sat reminiscing watching a glossy lake while other cut a rug on the dance floor.

The music floated Remy onto a cloud, Rogue wasn't a jazz fan herself but the music was getting to her too, she was feeling weak in the knees. All the while overdone in her heart, she watched the woman in their old costume jewelry and formal dresses dance with there old beaus. They were elderly yes but moved with more sprit then most youth she's seen.

Rogue looked over to Remy who's smile for the first time reminded then of when they were young. If she had to choose over the Remy of the past or the new one, she would pick the one holding her hand at that exact minute he was the perfect balance. She found herself staring at him with a dreamy gaze.

"Penny for your thoughts." Rogue wiggled his hand.

"Nothing just thinking, how beautiful you would look dancing with me?"

"I thought you would never ask." She pulled him to the wood floor.

Two songs later and they slow danced still. Remy protectively wrapping his hand around her back while stroking the outside of her hand with her thumb. Rogue was lost in his embrace, her whole body felt like jelly. Finally finding peace in her decision there wasn't a time or place she'd rather be.

"I've miss this, Remy…"

"You have no idea, Marie."

"I guess I never knew what I had… I didn't know it would be like this."

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"You should have been in his life since the first day I knew, I wanted…" Her nerves got to her and she didn't finish.

"It's ok now Chere, it took me this long to understand why you did what you did then, in away I'm glad or this moment wouldn't feel as sweet as it does."

Rogue brought her head up and rubbed her soft cheek with his prickly stubble. The sensation made her body tingle down to her toes. His warm breath to her ears made her belly drop as she whimpered into him.

"Let's leave those feeling in the past, Marie, for tonight."

"What if I don't want them to be in the past?" She whispered back

"What are you saying?"

All the while continuing to dance to sultry music, their faces meet slowly spaced by the skin on their noses.

"Remy I…I…I…"

"I love you…" Remy finished running his hand lower down her back. Their noses crossed rubbing from being so close, they've weaved around waiting to penetrate the moment.

"I always loved you, Remy."

Rogue lips trembled as Remy's warm ones pressed to hers. They had stopped dancing holding each other and Remy leaned in fully to feel all her lips. His hand went to her neck and shifting her head to add more passion.

"Awe…"

Rogue snapped too and Remy dropped his arms at his side. They forgot that among the elder citizens.

"Awe…"

"That's sweet."

"Do you love her!?"

"It this where you propose!?"

Remy and Rogue were bashful to the remakes, they held each others hand still not noticing as the old couples swarmed over them.

"You remind me of me and husband George." One said coming forward. "You have a keeper I can tell." She winked at Rogue.

The questions kept coming round after round there was no stopping them nor was there a nice way to mind your business. It was Remy's second press conference and the questions were taking their toll.

"Thanks for the night. Ladies (they sighed at Remy's accent) and gentlemen (they weren't too trilled) but we must be going this young lady has a curfew."

"Aren't you a true gentlemen!" he was applauded for his noble actions.

"Come back soon!" a few shouted "Bye!"

The couples comments humbled Remy giving him plenty to think about. The whole time Rogue induced herself at their suggestions of a happy ending.

Seeing her blush like young girl Rogue looked radiant and Remy was taken by her. He bought her hand up to his lips and kiss it.

"Queen of hearts"

"Prince of thieves"