"Hey, Justin, you're early!" exclaimed Rogue, smiling brightly as she joined her psychiatrist/lover.
"So I am," he smiled. "Here, I brought you a present."
"That's so sweet. You didn't have to, sugah."
Inside, she raised an eyebrow. Justin was never early. He must have considered this a special occasion.
"Well, open it," he prodded.
Quickly she opened the hunter-green box, flicking away a layer of tissue paper to reveal a delicate, light green scarf.
She dropped the box with a clatter, the soft, wisp of material clasped in one hand as she looked up at Justin.
"I remembered how you said that the scarf that Remy stole had been your favorite, so I got you a replacement," said Justin.
He seemed happy with his choice of gift, while Rogue was chocking back silent sobs, desperately trying to keep a brave face.
"Hey, there's no secrets between us, remember? Look, I know you miss him, but it's been five years…"
He trailed off as Rogue reached down and carefully picked up the box.
"It was a lovely present, sugah. Thank you."
Wordlessly Justin took the scarf from her hands, and carefully wound it around her pale, exposed neck. Firmly planting a kiss on her lips he said "While he took from you, I will only give."
Rogue opened her eyes, and was somehow comforted by the soft material against her neck.
Now I can pretend like nothing's happened, she thought.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
He took her to a nice restaurant called Antonio's. Rogue ordered a plate of steamed fish, a plate of garlic bread and a large bowl of mixed salad to share. Justin had the beef special, without the chilli peppers.
He was very different from Remy, in all ways.
He didn't like spicy foods and he wouldn't be caught dead in black and fuchsia, nor did he know martial arts, and he was strongly against stealing, or taking wild risks.
In fact, she thought, Justin was just what she needed. A down-to-earth man with a career and a life…and normal, brown eyes.
After dinner they headed down to the park.
A few lovers were already strolling, hand in hand, and Rogue took the cue to tuck one gloved hand into his.
He merely responded by reaching down and tugging the glove off.
"No more secrets, and no more fear," he whispered, taking her bare hand in his.
They passed a bush of wild roses, and Rogue plucked off one. It was white, and it had thorns. They bit into her hand, but she took it anyway, carefully tucking it into her jacket, before turning her attention back to Justin.
"You're right, no more secrets."
She whirled around until she was in front of him, looking at him.
"Justin Marley, I love ya."
"I know, Anna, I know," he answered, taking both her hands in his.
"And I will never betray you, and I will never leave…ever. But do you love me?" she persisted, holding her breath, as she waited for the answer.
"I'm under the impression that everyone loves you. They just have to, my girl."
"But do you?" her eyes unexpectedly welled with tears. "Stop dodging the question and just say it!"
"Say what, Anna?" he asked her.
"The three words that will change my life…forever."
"Umm," he rocked backwards and forwards nervously. "Chocolate ice cream?"
She smiled, a bittersweet smile, then dropped the hand that she had clasped.
"So this past years has been a false? A fraud? You never loved me? You never hesitated to climb into my bed, but you hesitate to love me?"
"No! I mean, yes, yes, I love you!" He hugged her tightly. "A lot."
She sighed in relief. "I was afraid that you didn't, sugah. I really thought you'd leave me. Like he did."
"It's okay now, Anna. I'm not going anywhere."
"I sure hope so," she said quietly, taking his hand as they continued to stroll towards where they had parked their car.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Beth leaned over the edge of the baggage-claiming slide and tried to find her suitcase.
"It's not like I could miss it," she said. "It's navy blue, with two zips and a front pocket, and wheels…." She trailed off.
"Like about a hundred others."
"Dat's okay, chere. We'll talk to the luggage assistants, den if we don' get it we'll dem de number of de case an' wait til tomorrow. Dey'll have found it by den. Don' worry."
"Okay. It's just it had my clothes in it…and the points."
"We'll get you another pair," he answered, taking the other bags as he headed outside to catch a cab.
The first thing they did was get two rooms in a motel and rent a car, then they headed for a little diner to eat.
"You got de appetite of a bird," he commented as she ate a small omelet and drank a glass of orange juice.
"And you eat like a horse. You make up for both of us," she answered, taking a sip of juice.
When they had finished eating they went back to the motel to shower and change, and Beth unpacked the few things that hadn't been in the navy suitcase. Mainly socks, underwear, a pair of shorts and a long-sleeved blouse, which she put on, a pair of sandals and a jacket.
She took the jacket with her, tying it around her waist before they headed over for the X-Mansion in the rented car.
Beth stuck her head out the window and admired the view as they sped up to where the X-men's mansion was located.
"Remy, tell me more about Rogue," she asked.
"You already know everything," he said, putting a tape into the car's player to avoid further questions.
Beth just reached over and snapped the music off.
"I know enough to know that she still loves you. It's going to be alright." She laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, then turned her head towards the window again.
"It's going to be fine," she whispered.
A.N: Okay, life is catching up, I now have a bit more work than before. Free-lance typing. But anyway, I'm going to wake up early, or preferably stay up late, to finish this story.
A big thanks to all who have reviewed, and I'm also writing the first chapter of A Cut of Cajun, so I hope you give me a little review on that once it's up. Thanks to AmberTears, my sister, for little tid-bits of inspiration she's given me. More and longer chapters to come soon!