TohruEmber once again! You must really be bored of me by now!

I'm so grateful for your reviews!!!! They really do make me want to try my best!

This chapter has Romy and Rogeph (I went with this for some reason – I'll probably keep changing ha). I enjoy love triangles. What I like about this though is that it shows how much Rogue has had an effect on them already. (Do I sound captivated by my own story? I'm not bragging at all haha. Sorry if it comes across that way).

Please enjoy the next instalment of:

Blessed

Chapter Five

Sweet Home Mississippi

Hello! Mah name is Marie Darkholme an' last month mah Aunt Irene informed me that she was gonna stay with her daughter f'r a while.. Ah was determined to stay in Bayville because ah really didn' want to have any time off from high school.

So that's how ah ended up living in a tent in the middle of a forest. An' the next thing ah know, the Prince of mah high school, Joseph Xavier offered for me t' stay with him Hank and Remy Xavier, his cousins, permanently!

But ah also found out that the Xavier family have a deep and terrible secret! Its members are possessed by spirits of the Chinese Zodiac! They transform into their chosen animal when a member of the opposite sex embraces them!

Ah wonder what will happen t'day?!

~~~~~ Home Sweet Home ~~~~~

'Ya mean … Oh … ah see … Right … N-No, ah understand … O' course ah do. Mhmm … Thanks for callin', ah'm glad ya got the right number … Yes … Alright then … see you soon.'

Marie put the phone on its hook. She stared desolately at it for a long time before she sighed.

She dragged herself into the living room where she found the large figure of Hank sat down reading the newspaper.

'Hank,' she said.

Hank looked over to her. 'Yes, my dear?' he said happily.

'Ah have somethin' t' tell ya.'

~~~~ Five minutes later ~~~~

'I see. So your aunt wants you to go back to Mississippi with her?' Hank confirmed.

Marie nodded, shifting in her chair. 'After goin' back, she realised how much she missed it. Her daughter's not so well either. So she decided not t' buy another place in Bayville and is staying there instead.'

'So … you're going to go with her?'

Marie was silent for a moment. 'Yes.'

~~~~~ An hour later ~~~~~

Folding her clothes and neatly staking them into her bag, Marie looked around the ordinary brown and cream room sadly, reminiscing about the kindness the Xavier's had shown her.

She didn't know why she was getting so upset; she knew this wasn't permanent arrangement. She knew her aunt would come back sometime.

But still, she thought, picturing the faces of Joseph, Hank and Remy, ah made the mistake o' thinkin' o' them as family.

'Miss Darkholme?'

A troubled-looking Joseph came through the threshold.

'Oh hello, Joseph,' she said, less than eager.

'What are you doing?' he asked her, alarmed by the sight of her packing her bag.

She told him what she had told Hank.

'And you want to go with her?'

Marie looked down, folding yet another one of her tops. 'It's what ah have t' do. Aunt Irene has always looked after me. Ah belong at her side.'

That didn't answer my question, thought Joseph.

'Thank you, bah the way,' he heard her whisper as she zipped up the bag she had arrived here with. ''F it weren't f'r you, ah'd still be stuck in that tent. An' … being here made me happy. Thank you f'r that.'

Joseph frowned. 'Miss … Miss Darkholme, you don't have to––'

'Well! Ah better get goin' soon,' Marie interrupted, forcing a smile. She flung the bag over her shoulders. 'Ah have t' meet with Betsy and Tessa before ah go. An' Aunt Irene will b' waitin' f'r me at the train station in two hours. Ah can' keep her waitin'.'

Joseph attempted to hide his sorrow by looking away. 'Oh …'

'Before ah leave, ah'd like to say goodbye t' Remy. Do you know where he is?'

'Where he always is.'

~~~~ The roof ~~~~

'Hi, Remy,' Marie greeted as she climbed up the ladder-like stairs to the roof. The winter sun was blazing, smiling down on the town of Bayville.

Remy was laid on his back, peering up to the clouds with his red-on-black eyes. He glanced at her as she sat by him, and raised himself upright.

'So ya really leavin', huh?' he said, noticing the bag. When she looked puzzled, he explained to her how Hank had told him.

'Ah kinda wanted to tell you mahself, but ah guess it doesn't matter much.'

'Do what ya want!' Remy shouted suddenly. 'It's not like I care if you leave or not!'

'Right …' Marie said sadly. She watched him for a moment, wondering if he would say anything else, but, realising that he would not, she stood carefully and walked back to the ladder-like stairs.

When the footsteps faded, Remy's hand clenched. Damn it, Remy.

~~~~ Two Hours Later ~~~~

Hank sighed. 'It certainly is different without our flower around.'

'Shut up,' Remy and Joseph said in union.

It had only seemed like a few minutes ago since Marie had said her farewells. It was quick so as to not linger. Hank and Joseph had wished her well – though reluctantly – and Remy had said nothing at all.

Twilight had come, and the three Xavier's sat around the long rectangle table, looking sombre and frustrated. They had ordered take-out food from the usual place quite near to them, as they had done before.

'Alas, what am I to do without my wonderful cook? It seems I will once again have to live off of takeaways, McDonalds and Joey's terrible excuse for rice,' cried Hank theatrically, raising his arms into the air.

Joseph growled.

'And I'll never get to see Marie's smiling face ever again! What with her living all the way in Mississippi. Yes: M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i! Oh! What a spelling! What a cruel distance!'

Remy growled.

Hank covered his face with his hands. 'To never be able to see my precious emerald laughing, or to hear her divine Southern accent call me to my dinner! To never be able to taste her delightful lasagne ever again! Oh woe is me.'

'SHUT UP!!!' repeated Remy and Joseph.

'What rude boys,' muttered Hank, suddenly not sad anymore.

'Us rude?' said Joseph, pushing his plate gently to the side – not having ate any of it.

'You're de one who is rubbin' our noses in it!' shouted Remy, his dinner also untouched. 'It's as though you wan' us t' go t' de train station an' get 'er t' come back!'

Hank smiled deviously, wiping his glasses.

'He does want us t' do dat!' Remy yelled in disbelief.

'Maybe we should …' said Joseph.

'What?! Are you more stupid den I t'ought, rat? De fille wanted t' go!'

Joseph narrowed his eyes.

'Aunt Irene has always looked after me. Ah belong at her side.'

Joseph snarled. 'She didn't want to go, stupid cat!' Remy flinched, about to retaliate. 'She thought she had to because it was her aunt! She'd never say she didn't want to go!'

Remy blinked, unable to say anything.

'Think about it,' said Hank, still smiling, 'will you miss her? Did her being here make that much of a difference to you?'

Joseph looked to the floor sadly.

'Promise you'll still be mah friend.'

He could still hear her kind voice.

'Whenever you come into a room, it's as though the world gets a little brighter.'

He could still remember the odd contentment her words gave to him.

'Welcome home, Joseph!'

Even such simple words.

'In the short time that you knew her,' Hank continued, 'did she make you happy at all? Or, again, did her being here make that much of a difference to you?'

Remy glared at the floor.

'Remy is a turtle!'

In his mind he pictured her sparkling green eyes, her cute face as she looked up to him with her stupid analogy.

'…ah jus' thought you were a pervert is all.'

But even her meaningless words had meaning to him.

'Ah'd even be th' year on the cat if ah could too!'

More than he had expected.

'I guess it doesn't really matter,' said Hank, looking to the ceiling. 'I think you'll be too late now to catch her at the train station … platform B … Bayville Royal Station … leaving in ten minutes …'

Joseph rose from his chair, as did Remy. They stared at each other for a moment, an unspoken agreement in what they had to do, and then ran out of the house.

Hank sighed happily as he leaned back into his chair. 'I'm quite subtle when I want to be.'

~~~~~~ Bayville Royal Station ~~~~~~

Ah have t' stay happy … ah can' … ah can' falter, she thought.

'Coming, Marie?' asked Irene as she handed one of Marie's bags to the serviceman.

Marie came back to the real world, looking around at her surroundings. The station was not filled with many people – at least not on Platform B. The long colourless train was pulled up, waiting for its passengers to board, tooting impatiently. Marie then glanced at Irene. She held a stick in her hand, and her lovely creamy eyes stared right at her, as though she really could see her. Marie had often wondered if her aunt was truly blind with the way she walked around and knew where everything was.

'Y-Yes,' she answered eventually, swallowing hard. 'Ah'm ready.'

Perhaps it was obvious that she was not ready to leave at all. Marie tried furiously to push out the images of Betsy and Tessa: they had cried – a rare sight to see – as Marie told them her sudden plans. Betsy had thought it unjust that her auntie wanted to take her away with no proper warning, but Marie had explained that Irene had told her not to settle in for she would take her back home anytime soon. Though Marie had not known at the time that this meant home in Mississippi. Tessa had sensed Marie's stressed aura. She was the only one who knew the full extent of the pain she had endured whilst in Mississippi all those years ago.

'What's wrong?' Irene asked her, stepping closer, once again bringing Marie out of her thoughts. 'I can tell by your voice something is wrong.'

'No, ah'm okay…'

'Marie,' Irene said more harshly.

Marie held her breath. She did not want to tell her aunt about how she felt. How would Irene react? Would she be hurt? Marie didn't want that. She had looked after her all this time, and she never had complained – the last thing she wanted to do was hurt her auntie after all of that.

Yet still, she could not stop the outburst of emotions that welled inside of her. 'Ah'll jus' miss them all … Betsy, Tessa … the friends ah went t' stay with … ah'll really miss them,' Marie told her, attempting to hold back her tears. 'Ah know that ah can visit Betsy an' Tessa in th' holidays … an' ah know it's only been three weeks since ah started t' live with the Xavier's … but ah …' Marie's eyes clouded with water – she felt so pathetic. 'Ah really felt like ah was at home. Ah really enjoyed it there.' Marie covered her face with her hand, tears strolling down her cheeks. 'Ah felt like ah belonged with them. Ah wanted t' learn more about them' Ah hated t' leave. '

She could hear their voices in her mind. Remy's, Joseph's, Hank's.

'You have one on your back too … A shell … I can see it.'

'You can do things your own way here. The only thing you have to do is be yourself, fair enough?'

'Welcome hoooome!'

Ah … Ah didn' wanna leave,' she sobbed. 'Ah wanted t' stay more than anything!'

'I think it's time you came back home then, Miss Darkholme.'

Marie's eyes fluttered open. She swivelled round and gasped. 'J-J-Joseph?!'

Joseph smiled at her and then turned to Irene was also appeared to be surprised by this silky voice.

'Hello, you must be Irene,' said Joseph, shaking Irene's hand, although she had not extended it. 'Hank spoke to you on the phone a while ago when Marie moved in; I'm Joseph – the other occupier.'

'Oh yes I remember,' said Irene, smiling as she looked directly at him.

Joseph glanced back to a still dazed Marie. 'And if you don't mind,' he began, 'I think Marie would prefer it if you let her stay with us.'

Marie stared at him, her mouth ajar. He … He wants me t' come back? The look in his eyes told her the answer.

'Well I …' said Irene, not sure what to do. 'Marie is old enough to do what she wants, and after the conversation I had with Mr Xavier, I trust she will be safe … but …'

'It's like you said,' started another voice. Marie turned again to see Remy stood behind her, his expression irritated as normal. 'It's up t' de fille t' decide.'

'Remy …' whispered Marie, her eyes watering up again. He came too …

'Do you really wanna live wit' us or what?' he asked her, narrowing his eyes.

'Well …'

'Answer me.'

Marie glanced at Irene, who was also anticipating for an answer, then back to Remy. 'Ah do,' she said.

'Den stop blubberin' an' come on!' he shouted as he grabbed the sleeve of her top and hauled her down the platform.

'W-Wait!' she yelled.

'It's okay,' called back Joseph. 'I and your aunt will discuss it before she leaves.'

Marie did not know what else to say, and before she knew it, she was outside again. Remy finally let his hold on her go and continued to walk onwards, his hand in his pocket, like nothing had happened. Marie, however, stayed in her place.

'R-Remy …'

He immediately stopped and growled. 'I don' know why de hell 'm doin' dis! Why did I get all irritated de moment ya left? It didn't make any sense – an' den I got even more annoyed! An' anyway! Why didn' ya jus' say so?' he asked her, turning to face her. 'Why didn' you jus' tell us ya wanted t' stay wit' us?'

'Ya heard what ah said?' she asked him.

Remy folded his arms. 'De whole t'ing.'

Marie went a little red, unable to look in his direction.

'Normally …' Remy began with struggle, 'Normally I hate people who whine all de time .. but in your case, it would b' okay t' complain. T' b' selfish an' say what ya wan' once in a while. Its okay t' let yaself b' sad …'

Marie sniffled and closed her eyes.

'Its okay ... say what ya wan' once in a while.'

'Ah'm sorry ah didn' say but ah … ah really … Ah really wanted t' …' Remy watched her questionably, not sure why she was pulling such a strange face. 'Ah really wanted t' stay,' she cried, knowing she sounded so childlike 'Ah want t' go home!'

'D-Don' cry again!' shouted Remy, a little unnerved. He had never dealt with a crying girl before – he had never cared much.

Marie covered her face with her forearm, embarrassed that she was sobbing, though she couldn't stop herself. She was incredibly happy, yet there was still a fear in her mind that she would not be able to go back to the Xavier's, that somehow, she would have to leave them.

As all these pessimistic thoughts ran through her head, she felt a hand grasp her own in a soft, but firm grip. Her crying stopped instantly, and she peered to her hand, somewhat astonished: Remy had taken her hand in his own.

Marie glanced up to him: he was looking away from her, his cheeks a little red, and one hand stuffed deep into his trench coat's pocket again.

'Let's go home,' he said gently.

Marie slowly smiled, tears still trickling down her cheeks. The Xavier's … they're kind people …

Joseph soon caught them up explaining that Irene had agreed to let Marie live with them from now on with regular checks to see if everything was alright – and adding that she would phone her as soon as she got to Mississippi. She didn't know why but, as the three of them walked down the long road, still holding Remy's hand, Marie also grasped Joseph's. She didn't look to see his reaction, but was comforted when he squeezed back.

Ah'm so lucky, Marie thought. Ah really mus' b' the luckiest girl in the world.

And the three of them walked – both holding Marie's hand – back home.

'End 5/22 ~

I think this chapter is short and sweet! Just the way I like them!

I remember thinking when I was writing this chapter, 'I really love Hank!' Haha. I really do. The Hank in my mind is one of those people who are deviously funny. I hope that comes out in the story, I'm not too sure. There's a lot more to Hank though – but I want to focus on Marie, Remy and Joe at the moment.

Also, you may want to know that Irene and Hank talk often on the phone, they get along quite well, and Irene has a little crush on him – though she won't admit it. Don't give up Irene!

PLEASE REVIEW so that I know I should continue posting or not!!! =D

Next Chapter!!! Marie: Ah keep wondering who the other members of the zodiac are an' 'f ah'll ever get the chance t' meet them. An' it looks like mah wish will b' granted as someone mysterious comes t' visit me!

Person: I want you to come to the main house ... I have something I wanna tell you. Then you'll realise why you have to leave Hank's house.

Marie: Should ah really listen to his warnings? Maybe ah really shouldn' get mixed up with the Xavier's after all …

Remy: Ahhh! Why can' dese fillies leave moi alone, damn it!

Marie: An' it looks like Remy's havin' some problems o' his own too. Ah wan' t' help 'im but …

Remy: Havin' … Havin' you around aint so bad …

Marie: Join me, Marie, in the next chapter to find out what happens next!