A/N: Thanks goes to China2009, for adding this to faves! :D
Sonar: Thanks very much! :)
Chellerbelle: Hehe....that was cute. Personally, I like the Cajun pushing the envelope with Logan and being his usual, smart-alecky self. That and taunting Mystique.
roguelover321: Ooh! Thank you.
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: No X-Men or Brotherhood members were killed in the writing of this chapter...lol. Yes, I think those two at the very least, rate a party for saving everyone's butts. Just sayin'... Don't worry about that. Those two will waste no time in getting into that! ;)
xdreamernumbuhfour: Aww...thanks! I wonder why that could be, hmm......
acupofchamomile: Most definitely! Hahaha.....I can't wait, either!
Madame Star: Really? I hadn't noticed! ;) Yes, it is so much better with Remy. Anything is better with Remy.
Fostersb: I agree. That's my favorite part of that finale. Just you wait about Kurt and Logan, they haven't heard the last from her on that subject. Rogue won't be going back in her shell, not with Remy around!
Team-JEdward2010: Thank you! I thought I would add those two elements, just to add that something extra. Happy you liked it.
Disclaimer: I, hereby consider this disclaimed.
As soon as the heli-jets touch down on the mansion grounds, exhausted mutants spill out, heading in several directions. Remy steps down, then turns to assist Rogue. He wraps an arm around her waist and walks with her to her room. As they stop in front of her door, he pulls her close and kisses her gently.
"'M proud o' y', cherie." He tells her as he tenderly strokes her cheek.
"Whyeva for, Rems?" Rogue asks softly. "I didn' do anythin' special."
"Non, dat's w'ere I disagree wit' y'. Hon, I saw w'at 'appened t' y' aft'r Apocalypse used y' t' free 'imself. I saw y' wit'draw int' y'self ev'n mo' dan befo'. Y' began t' doubt ev'ryt'in' y' did, w'at y' said an' it 'urt me t' see y' like dat." Remy lays a finger over her lips as she begins to speak. "Let me finish, cherie. T' me, it seemed like y'r fire an' spirit were diminished some. Dat was m' ot'er motive f'r me t' take y' t' Mardi Gras. F'r y' t' jus' 'ave fun an' f'rget 'bout bein' an X-Man, o' femme I should say, f'r aw'ile. T' give y' a chance t' breat'e an' figure out w'at y' wanted t' do wit' y'r life. I figured dat a fille as close t' m' neck o' de woods as y' were, 'ad to go t' a Mardi Gras celebration at leas' once." This part he adds with a teasing grin, as Rogue laughs lightly.
"W'en I saw y' take charge ov'r Apocalypse t'day, I saw dat fire in y' blaze full force. I can see it in y'r eyes now, dey're brig'ter dan dey've been f'r some time. Y' not only put ol' 'Poccy in 'is place, but y' broke free fr'm de blame an' de ang'r y've been 'oldin' in all dis time. An' w'at y' tol' dat Mystique, belle, jus' belle!" Remy exclaims happily.
Rogue giggles at his exuberance. "Ya not tha leas' bit upset that Kurt an' I tol' her off, are ya?" She jests as he revels in the brightness of her eyes.
"Why would I be? De femme 'ad it comin' t' er." Remy says defensively as his eyes twinkle with amusement.
"Ya gonna be relivin' that scene ova an' ova in ya min', aren' ya?" She questions humorously as she leans against her door frame.
"Y' know it, chere. I love it w'en y' get all pissed an' tell someone off." He grins wickedly.
Rogue gives him a weird look, but is fighting the laughter bubbling up inside of her.
"Ya a strange man, Remy LeBeau. I think I'm gonna call it a night an' sen' ya ta bed." She closes her eyes in self-recrimination as the realization of how he would take that statement, hits her.
"Ooh.....s' y'r invitin' me t' come t' bed?" Remy gazes seductively at her, that smirk returning.
"Nope. Sen' means that ya go ta ya own bed, sugah." Rogue explains.
"S' y'r comin' wit' me, den?" Remy asks huskily as he leans closer, causing Rogue's heart rate to speed up and her mouth to suddenly go dry.
"N-no.....I'm stayin' in mine an'....y-ya sleepin' in ya's." She manages to choke out.
Remy stays right where he is for a moment, relishing the feeling of strong desire coming from her. He closes the small gap between them and captures her lips in an ardent kiss, lasting many seconds.
"Dat arrangemen' isn' tres excitin', but 'm not one t' disrespect a lady's wishes. Anot'er time, p'r'aps." He supposes, just barely above a whisper, stirring emotions that Rogue has never felt before. After one more soft kiss, Rogue can finally speak again.
"G'night, Remy. I'll see ya tomorra." She says quietly as she gazes at him, unable to break eye contact.
"Oui, now dat we 'ave one t' look fo'ward t'." He replies, all traces of teasing gone, to be replaced by a look of admiration.
She smiles genuinely at him and slips into her room, softly closing the door behind her. After showering and changing into her pajamas, she sits at her vanity to comb out her hair. Finally taming the auburn locks, she gazes at her reflection. She smiles to herself. Remy is right. There is a lively glow to her eyes, that hasn't been there for quite awhile. Rogue surmises that it vanished around the time Mystique betrayed her, pretending to be her supposed best friend, Risty. It seems like ever since that night, she's been running on auto-pilot, speaking when spoken to, but keeping her distance.
The revelation hits her suddenly. She wasn't pushing people away because of her wanting to keep them from being hurt by her, as much as it was about self-preservation. She didn't want to be the one getting hurt again by anyone else. A determined look enters her eyes.
"No more." She vows to herself. "I'm gonna stop pushin' people away from me." Rogue nods curtly at herself and crawls into bed, dropping to sleep instantly.
Down the hall, Remy crawls into bed, completely spent. Never has he fought so hard in his life, but exhaustion is a small price to pay, compared to what could have occurred. Sleep comes quickly, as thoughts of Rogue and where their relationship is heading, fill his mind.
At the Brotherhood house, John chases Toad around with his lighter.
"Quit comin' onta my sheila ya slimy drongo!" John shouts as he flicks his lighter and forms a fire sledgehammer.
Wanda growls and slaps a hand against her forehead angrily.
"You and you!" She calls out, indicating her boyfriend and 'wannabe' suitor. "Take it outside, NOW! I'm going to bed to Get. Some. Sleep. Understand what I'm saying?" Wanda questions the feuding duo, fed-up with their antics.
"Uhh....he started it." Toad quickly answers, shifting the blame to John.
Both Wanda and John glare at the offender, Wanda's hands glowing hazardously, while John's fingers twitch on his lighter. Wanda looks at John quizzically, as the glow fades. She's too tired to throw Toad against anything. Maybe tomorrow.
"Are you gonna let him get away with that? Do what you want with him, I'll see you in the morning." She shakes her head in frustration as she walks up the stairs.
John grins evilly and cackles. Toad screeches and runs outside, John taking off after him.
The next morning, the mood at the breakfast table at the Institute is jubilant. The residents are happily engrossed in making plans for the day. Rogue and Remy are no exception, the pair deciding to take part in a poker-run for a local charity, then ending the day with dinner away from the mansion. They decide to take their own bikes and have a friendly wager going. The loser does the winner's chores for a day. Rogue looks up from her plate, to see Logan and Kurt scowling. "Enough is enough. This ends now!" Rogue thinks to herself and glares hotly at them.
"Ya know, I've had it up ta here with ya ovaprotectiveness! I've asked ya repeatedly ta respect my decisions an' treat me like an adult, but do ya even try? NO! Ya two had betta come ta terms with my datin' Remy, 'cause I have no intention of stoppin', jus 'cause ya don' like it. I'm not gonna spen' my life alone 'cause ya can' accept my choice. That's jus' what it is, My. Choice. I'm not pushin' people away anymore. Look where it got me before. If ya can' deal with my choice, then butt out! Remy, let's go." Rogue commands as she leaves the table. Remy knows better than to say anything at the moment. The ride should calm her down, so he will talk to her later, after her mood improves.
The entire room goes silent at her outburst. All eyes are on the couple as Rogue strides out of the room, Remy following closely. Professor wheels up to the two men, who are looking after Rogue in astonished disbelief. They are well-aware of her fiery temper, but she has never directed it at them. Not until now, that is.
"Gentlemen, I must warn you. If you persist in questioning her judgment, especially where Remy is concerned, you may lose her. Rogue was projecting rather loudly last night and she is finally coming to terms with everything that has happened. She does not need, nor does she wish, to have the two of you interfering in her life. She cares very deeply for both of you, but she also has incredibly strong feelings for Remy and it hurts her to see the way you act toward him. It is up to the two of them to decide how far their relationship progresses, not you. Your words and actions will either strengthen or break any ties you have with her." Professor cautions them and moves out of the room to find Hank.
Later that day, Rogue laughs merrily as she draws the winning card, signaling the end of the poker-run. What she will do with the winnings is a non-issue for her, she donates it back to the charity. Remy looks on in relief, noticing the visible improvement with her temper. Doing her chores for the day is worth keeping her happy. "If only Logan and Kurt would cooperate." He muses ruefully to himself.
"Looks like I win, Swamp Rat!" Rogue exults in her victory.
Remy smiles warmly. "'M at y'r s'rvice, cherie." Remy bows with a flourish, eliciting a giggle from her.
"Oh, so does this 'service' start now?" Rogue questions playfully.
Remy pretends to consider the question for a moment. "Eh...why not?" He concedes.
"Good, then this means we get ta go where I wan' for dinna." Rogue concludes joyfully.
"Does dat mean y'r also payin', Roguey?" Remy teases her.
"Oh no. Tha phrase 'at ya service', means that ya are." Rogue retorts gleefully.
"Maybe I started dis t' soon." Remy muses aloud.
"Too late. Ya ain' backin' out now. Ya Cajun butt is mine!" Rogue grins at him wickedly as she rides off.
Remy chuckles to himself as he rides to catch up to her. The implication of what she just declared, rushing through his mind. He knows how he feels about her. He's never felt anything remotely like this for any other woman before. Now, it's just a matter of telling her.
Next chapter: Lance confronts Piotr. (Is that a smart thing to do?)