A/N: Yesterday was an 'off' kinda day, punctuated with a couple of 'open mouth, insert foot' moments, so if this seems not quite right to you, you know why. As always, I appreciate your reviews and/or messages. Thank you so much, all of you. Thanks to Ryrare and ChrissyKP for adding this to Faves and CB Shipper for adding this to Story Alert. Y'all are awesome!
Sonar: I am so glad you are. Just wait til you get to 15.
Chellerbelle: Oh, I know. I was laughing the entire time I re-read it.
Courtney Summers: Hehehe...thank you so much!
ColorCoated: All I can tell you is read 15. Yeah, I thought it was only appropriate for what they did.
ALLREMS: Read on, Mac Duff, Read on...hahahaha! I definitely agree with you there and I do, too. Never really thought of it that way before...hmm.
J-TeamEdward2010: Oh definitely! They are too good at revenge. Mayybeeee.......
courtneykutie: Hehehe....thanks you so much! I liked that line too and I just couldn't resist the idea for revenge.
GhostAuthor: LOL...yes, I actually debated over that tell-don't-tell issue for awhile, but decided to spare Remy the certain pain that would have definitely followed. That was the ONLY reason they knew. I am so happy that you're enjoying this and thanks for adding this to your Story Alert and your favorites!
scott has a pole up his ass: *chuckles wickedly* Reactions are in this chapter.
roguelover321: Haha...thanks! I had so much fun writing this one.
Sonar: Thank you, thank you! That one was fun.
Fruit Case: You got in just in time. I was getting ready to update. Thanks! I thought that was a good way to get the girls to leave her alone.
Disclaimer: Nothing but the idea belongs to me.
"Ooh, maybe we should throw them a party!" Rahne suggests excitedly to the stunned residents gathered.
"Rahne, I recommend that we wait and let the news sink in, before we begin planning any celebrations." Professor kindly replies.
"I'm thinkin' of Cajun rotisserie tomorrow night." Logan says in an award-winning, convincing snarl.
"Logan, I would admonish you to not be like this when they return tomorrow night. You know Rogue will not approve of you treating her new husband in such a manner." Storm rebukes.
"Zen can I teleport him back into ze zwamp?" Kurt asks with a wicked glint in his yellow eyes.
"Kurt!" Jean and Kitty shout in unison.
"Vell, she iz mein sister!" Kurt volleys back.
"Who is in love with Gambit." Kitty points out.
"Ja, vell...she could do much better." *BAMF*
"That went really well." Jean states wryly as she stares at her boyfriend, who is gripping the back of a recliner so tightly, she's surprised there aren't gashes from where his nails are digging in.
"I can't believe they did this." Scott replies tightly. "They haven't even known each other for that long and they do a stupid thing like this."
"I don't know, I think it's sorta romantic." Jubes answers with a far-away look in her eyes.
Amara's mind isn't even on the conversation swirling around her. Hers is filled with visions of designer gowns and a huge, candle-lit cathedral.
"What is so romantic about running off with someone you hardly know?" Scott queries harshly. (Boy, he's doing a bit too well in this charade.)
Jubilee glares at him and rises, opening her mouth to retort.
Jubes, Scott, stop it now!" Jean commands. What's done, is done. The only thing we can do now is accept it as best as we can." She replies sensibly.
"Wait a minute! These are our friends. We should be happy for them and not talking about how this is wrong and just 'accepting' it. I don't know about all of you, but I'm going to be totally happy for them!" Kitty scowls at the bunch and stomps upstairs, Piotr staring after her in surprise at her outburst.
"Kitty is right. This is a time for celebration, no matter how suddenly this was brought about. Two of our teammates are married now, so let's be happy for them." Beast puts in, trying to raise the spirits of most in the room.
"I suggest we all retire for the night. Hopefully, a good night's rest will allow us see this with a fresh perspective." Professor intones.
As Amara and Jubilee enter their room, Jubes stops suddenly. "Aw, man! We didn't even get to give Rogue a bachelorette party!"
"We could give her one when they return." Amara replies as she grabs her pj's and goes back out into the shared women's restroom the students use.
Jubes smiles brightly and takes out her notepad, scribbling notes.
Kitty gazes out her window at the well-manicured lawn bathed in moonlight. She honestly does not know how to feel about this news. On the one hand, she's ecstatic that Rogue has finally found someone, but on the other, she's furious that Rogue didn't even bother telling her that she was going to elope. She didn't even give her the chance to share her happiness. Allowing the two emotions to war within her, she sits in the window seat, hugging her knees to her chest and continues her watchful vigil of the grounds below.
Rogue sits against a tree trunk with her arms laced behind her head. There is a wistful grin playing on her lips as she looks skyward. Remy gazes at the young woman appreciatively, studying every graceful line and curve on her. Rogue just happens to lower her eyes, colliding with his own, staring back. She quirks an eyebrow in silent question.
"Couldn' 'elp m'self, cherie. Y' make me wish I'd nev'r stayed in Louisiana." He replies in the most serious voice she has ever heard, to date.
"I've always wondad about that, Rems. Why did ya?" She asks quietly.
He sits in silent disbelief at the hurt coming from her at that question. If he'd only known she needed him, he never would have left with Jean-Luc.
"Rogue, I've been askin' m'self dat very same question ev'r since I made dat choice. De hones' tru't' is, I don' know. Maybe I t'oug't it was m' only option, seein' dat de X-Men didn' wan' anyt'in' t' do wit' me at de time. Well, some o' dem still don', but dat's deir problem, non? Maybe I was t'inkin' dat once a t'ief, always a t'ief. Anyway, I don' 'ave any one answer f'r y', cherie." Remy moves over next to her and she places her head on his shoulder.
"But I wanted ya ta come." Rogue replies in a near-whisper.
Remy responds by wrapping his arms around her and holding her close.
Rogue wakes up the next morning and feels a solid warmth sitting next to her. Her eyes shoot open as she sees Remy next to her, still asleep. She recalls the night before and leans down to kiss his temple. He grins in his sleep. "Mmm...Roguey. Do dat again, y' bad fille." He murmurs coyly as he shifts his position slightly and continues sleeping. Rogue's face burns as she realizes that he's dreaming of her. She huffs slightly and finds a small bucket. Taking it down to the lake, she fills it and marches back over to him, dumping the cold water on him. He shouts, spluttering in shock, until he hears Rogue laughing at him. A decidedly diabolical grin spreads across his face as he slowly stands up. Rogue is nothing, if not perceptive, however and begins backing away from him, her eyes sparkling with humor.
"C'mere, Roguey." Remy calls to her in a false silky tone.
"No way!" Rogue answers with a giggle and dashes off, but he is too fast for her. He grabs her and carries her off toward the lake with a nasty chuckle.
"Don'cha dare, Remy!" Rogue shouts, but he isn't listening. Next thing she knows, she is breaking the surface of the lake, catching her breath.
"Ya are so dead, Swamp Rat!" Rogue yells as she swims back to shore.
"Only if y' can catch me." He taunts as he moves back out of her reach.
Rogue treads water at the edge. "Come 'ere, shugah." She calls sweetly.
"Y' t'ink 'm goin' t' fall f'r dat, cherie?" He kneels down in front of her, but just close enough where she can't get him.
After a few more minutes of her attempting to call him to her, he takes her by surprise again and jumps into the water.
"Jus' t'oug't I'd join y'. I need a bat' anyway." He quips as he floats on his back, his arms behind his head. He doesn't notice Rogue silently going underwater until he feels a tug on his legs, causing him to go under, as well.
"Oh, s' y' wan' t' play, do y'?" He asks as he swims in her direction. Rogue laughs and splashes water in his face as he grabs her and pulls her under with him. They play for awhile, then get out to change and dry off before they leave.
"We could go int' de city. Don' 'ave t' be 'ome f'r sev'ral hours yet." Gambit suggests as he glances at his watch.
"Yeah, might as well. As much as I can' wait ta see what happens when we tell them we aren' really married, I'm not ready ta go back yet." Rogue answers in agreement.
"Besides, dis is me we're talkin' 'bout, 'ere. Would look kin' o' strange f'r us t' return t' early. If dis were real, we wouldn' be goin' back t'nigh' eit'er." He comments, passing her a smoldering look.
Rogue feels a slight blush grazing her cheeks at that remark and smacks his arm when she hears him chuckling.
"Y' wan' me, chere, y' know y' do." Remy replies, smirking confidently.
"Let's jus' go." Rogue growls as she stalks to his bike.
The smirk never leaves his face as he helps her on, then climbs on himself. After spending a few hours perusing some shops, they stop and have dinner. When they finish, it is decided that it is time to head back. As they pull into the garage, they smile conspiratorially at each other.
"Y' ready, Rogue?" He inquires playfully.
"This is gonna be fun." Rogue answers cheerily, then takes him by the hand as they walk inside.
As expected, everyone is waiting for them, seeking answers. Jubilee rushes up to them both, giving each of them a hug.
"Congratulations! You two so belong together. So...tell us about the wedding." She says excitedly as she returns to her seat.
"Before you begin, I believe there is something of importance that you would like to share with us." Professor requests expectantly and passes them a sly wink.
"Don't tell us you're already pregnant!" Jean looks at them in complete astonishment. The whole room goes totally silent.
"Uhh...no." Rogue states flatly. "What we wanted ta tell ya was...." Rogue and Remy shout together, "....Gotcha!!!"
It takes a few seconds for their announcement to sink-in as their co-conspirators glance around the room at the other residents.
"But...why?" Amara is the first to ask.
"Ta teach ya not ta mess with my personal life." Rogue answers matter-of-factly. "I figured somethin' like this would get that through ta ya more than anythin'." Rogue explains.
"You mean you, like faked running away and eloping?" Kitty questions indignantly. "Here I was, all ready to be totally happy for you, but I was upset before that because you, like didn't tell me you were and.....now you're telling me you never even went? RRRRGGGHHHHH!!!" Kitty gets up and angrily stalks upstairs.
Rogue stares after her. She knows she will have to talk to her later, after she has a chance to calm down.
Scott can't stand it any longer, his stoic persona crumbles as everyone hears a tiny snort of laughter coming from him.
"Scott, you were in on this?" Jean inquires.
"Yes, but I wasn't the only one. Logan, Professor, Storm and Beast were, too." He points out smilingly.
"An' Wanda." Rogue adds smugly. "Jus' in case y'all decided ta check ova there."
Bobby starts laughing. "Man, you had us all going. This is too funny! Remind me never to get on your bad side." Bobby leaves, laughing all the way to his room.
"So, if you didn't go to Atlantic City, where did you go?" Rahne queries curiously.
"We wen' campin', chere." Gambit explains, but as Logan unsheathes his claws in the Cajun's direction with a snarl, he elaborates further. "Sep'rate tents, Monsieur Claws. Not'in' like w'at y'r t'inkin' 'appened."
"It better not." Logan grumbles as he takes the claws in.
"Okay, okay, you got your point across, Rogue. We won't tamper with your personal life anymore." Jean concedes gracefully. "I just can't believe Scott was able to pull that off so convincingly." Jean adds with a giggle.
"Jean! I can act, you know." Scott retorts peevishly.
"Sure you can." Jean replies as she winks at Rogue, who swallows a laugh.
"I'm goin' up ta shower an' change." Rogue states resolutely as she reaches down to pick up her bag. Remy reaches for it, instead.
"I'll take dis f'r y'." Remy offers as he slings it over his shoulder with his own.
"Don't plan on stayin' in her room fer long, Gumbo." Logan warns as they go upstairs. Rogue gives him a hot glare.
They get to her room and Remy sets her bag on the floor with his. They dissolve into laughter.
"Like I said, this was fun." Rogue says between giggles.
"Dat it was." Remy agrees.
"Remy?" Rogue asks shyly.
"Oui?" He turns to look at her.
"Thank ya for agreein' ta doin' this with me."
"Anyt'in' f'r y', cherie." Remy smiles down at her, taking her in his arms and gently kissing her.
They part and chuckle when they hear Jubes complaining to Amara. "Now I'll never get to throw a bachelorette party!"