Since it's been (eek!) five months since I updated poor Black, here's a recap of events so far:
X-men team goes to England for a graduation present while the Professor attends a world mutant-human relations conference. They meet Old Robert, drive around to various haunted inns all day, and end up stranded a looong way from everything in a little village with no telephones, few cars, and one old, haunted inn which they end up lodging in.
Rogue begins having strange dreams as though she used to live in the inn, and we learn a little about Bess and Roarke, longtime friends and lovers, betrayed at the inn 250 years before. Rogue has dreams while awake; Remy is concerned. That night, Remy, too, has extremely vivid dreams from Roarke's viewpoint. The next morning, Logan finds them together in Rogue's room. He's upset, and leaves to play backgammon with the locals.
Rogue and Remy enlist Kurt, Kitty and Amanda to help them figure out what's going on; they figure out they're being possessed, and the ghosts are getting stronger all the time. They fill Logan in on what's going on, and he leaves on a hike to get any cell signal to get the Professor to come. The Professor sounds distracted and unconcerned on the phone.
Meanwhile, Rogue and Remy are dreaming/experiencing Bess and Roarke's last hours of life. Logan arrives back at the inn to utter silence, noses about. He finds a large bloodstain in Remy's bed. The team looks for him, finds Rogue's door locked. They burst in and see the ghosts actually manifested with Rogue and Remy's bodies; Bess and Roarke's death wounds are present on their clothing, and the pair are soaked in blood. They awaken, and for several moments are Bess and Roarke, not Rogue and Remy at all.
They gradually come back to themselves, shaken and frightful. They sit down with Logan and have a discussion—ghosts included—about why the pair are being possessed. They find out that the man who killed them, Snythe, is still haunting the earth, as well, and is in possession of the Professor, thereby endangering everyone. Snythe needs to be brought to justice, and Bess and Roarke can't leave the earth 'til that's done. Logan promises to help them in any way he can, and gathers the team to discuss how.
That's where it left off end of Chapter 7. So… Here's Chapter 8! Enjoy! Remy and Rogue's relationship takes a huge step forward here; wonder how Logan will take it? Hahaha. As always, reviews are appreciated!
Black is the Color
By Alara
Chapter 8: Connection
After Logan left, Remy and Rogue—and Roarke and Bess—were left alone in the kitchen. Remy—no, it was Roarke—leaned forward and gripped Bess' hands. "We will be free. But we have to get Snythe to come here. You know that you, at least, are strongest here."
"Because it's where I lived—and died," Bess returned bitterly. "I know. But rogue has been showing me how powerful this Professor of theirs is, and Snythe will hardly want to leave the peace conference, where he can cause so much turmoil. The more confused things are around Snythe's host, the more he will be able to gain control over him."
"That's true." Roarke agreed. "We saw that with that doctor in 1940, remember? Snythe used him to murder people, and the more upset the townsfolk were, the more tightly Snythe was able to hold the doctor. They never suspected the doctor of the murders—he'd been a trusted friend for years."
"But do you remember how he was freed of Snythe's influence?" Bess asked.
"Yes," Roarke replied, following her train of thought. "The doctor wrestled control back long enough to go to the site of the murders, and the murdered ghosts having more power there, they pulled him from the doctor's body."
"That's right," Bess said. "And they almost dragged Snythe's spirit over the border into true death, too, but they weren't quite strong enough. They hadn't been ghosts long enough." She frowned. "Which leaves us with our original problem. He won't want to come here. I'm stronger and we could drag him over into death. Why ever should he come here?"
Roarke thought a while. Then, a smile slowly started to spread across his face. "The one thing that was always more important to him than power." He said. "Revenge." At her puzzled look, he elaborated, "if he thinks that I—we—will get everything back that he tried to deny us by killing me… If he thinks that, after killing him and being killed by him, I still get it all—a life, a home—he will be driven to come here, to stop it. Remember, I used to be in his regiment, and he could never stand that I was more well-liked than he was. When my turning outlaw only made me more well-known and well-liked, he vowed I would die before I gained it all. You see, before I turned outlaw, all I talked about was earning enough to muster out and marry you. He knew about you. He was jealous of my love—and of your love for me. Hence, the setup. The trap, which 'til now has more or less succeeded. But—"
"If he thinks we've found willing hosts to give us back everything we've lost—" she interjected excitedly.
"Yes, if he believes that, not even the lure of power will be enough to keep him from coming here and trying to kill us again. The only question is, are Remy and rogue willing to help us in this? It is their bodies at risk, after all."
Bess' expression turned stony. "Willing? Who cares? Today—Hallows' Eve—and tomorrow—Hallows' Day—we are, as ghosts, at our strongest. They'd find it difficult to evict us."
"True," Roarke said slowly, feeling a surge of panic from Remy. "But the job will be easier if they are cooperating. Why would you even consider compelling rogue? That's not the Bess I know." Bess looked away, and Roarke caught her chin in one hand and forced her to look at him. "Tell me."
"It's because—because—I'm frustrated." Bess burst out. "I'm tired of being good. This is the first real chance in two hundred fifty years to be together—to touch, to connect with each other—and I don't want to lose the opportunity."
His expression gentled, and he brushed her cheek with one hand. "Why don't you ask Rogue if she is willing to help?" he said, and his eyes unfocused. "Remy says he is willing to cede control of his body to me—but only if Rogue does."
"But she won't." Bess insisted. "She says she's had too many people in her head try to take over to do it willingly. She—" she stopped, and her gaze went blank for a moment. A hint of annoyance touched her expression; she sighed, and said, "She wants to talk to Remy. Right now."
"All right," Roarke agreed amiably, and slid sideways to let Remy come to the forefront. "Rogue? What's wrong?" Remy asked.
"I can't do it," rogue said frantically. "The idea of giving up control… especially with the way Bess feels… I can't do it, Remy."
"Don't you want to help them?" He asked, confused.
"Of course I want to help them. I've been living Bess' life for the past couple of days; it's as personal for me now as it is for her. But I can't trust that she'll give control back, and I can't trust her while she's in control, to not—" she broke off, blushing.
"What is it? Roarke tells me that their power will peak tomorrow, and den begin to fade the day after, gradually becoming less and less prominent, so what's de problem, cherie?"
"It's—well, it's two things, mainly. First is that we really could be seriously hurt by helping them. I mean, it's the Professor we're going to be heading against."
"No," he corrected her gently, "it's Snythe we're going to be fighting. And we'll just be letting Roarke an' Bess use us t' distract Snythe so he relaxes his hold on de Prof long enough for de Prof to kick him out. De Prof is going to be fighting him, too." He assured her. "Once he's out, Bess and Roarke will leave us, too, to grab hold o' Snythe before he can get away, an' take him to his eternal punishment, or whatever it is waitin' for him. Didn't Bess explain any o' dis?""I… haven't been listening," Rogue admitted sheepishly. "But it's her fault! She's just obsessed with—" she broke off again, flushing darker.
Remy took her hands in his, looking worried. "Whatever it is, dat's what's really bothering you. Tell me. Whatever it is, we'll work t'rough it. After all, we can't stay possessed forever."
She looked at him a moment, then sighed. "Well. I guess this conversation was going to come up sooner or later. Okay. To put it plainly: Bess has got it bad for Roarke." She looked at him expectantly.
He laughed. "Well, of course. Dat's what started all of this."
She shifted uncomfortably. "No, that's not what I mean, though she does love him. I mean, she's got it bad for him right now. Physically. While she's in my body," she added meaningfully. "And thanks to my re-living her life, I feel it, too. My body remembers…it. And misses it. You. Him." She shook her head. "Whatever. And being…um, interrupted this morning didn't help, either."
He looked at her in astonishment for a moment, blinking. "Are you sayin' yo're lusting after my Cajun body?" He asked incredulously.
The blush that had begun to fade returned with a vengeance. "Yes," she muttered. "She—I—just want to…well, jump you right now. I'm afraid if I let her have control, she's going to do just that."
"Oh." Remy felt vaguely insulted. "Does dat mean you aren't lusting after me?"
"Yes! No. I mean, I am, but… augh, this is so embarrassing. The…lust…" she got the word out "is distracting her—me—from everything, and if I—she—we don't do something about it, she says she knows she won't be able to help effectively tomorrow."
"Dis is embarrassing," he muttered. "I can't believe I'm going to ask you this, but… can't you…y'know…?" he shrugged expressively.
She buried her face in her hands, mortified. "Uh, no. It's not just… It's not just the sex that she misses; it's the whole 'making love' thing. The connection. The mutual desire. The complete union to another person whom you love, who loves you back."
Remy was quiet a moment, and then drew gently away. "And I'm not dat person," Remy said ruefully. "I understand."
Her eyes flew open. "No! That's not it at all! I do love you, Remy, I really do." She swallowed, and lowered her voice. "I'll admit, the option of sleeping with you has crossed my mind more than once since I got control over my powers. It's been crossing my mind much more frequently these past couple of days, thanks to Bess sharing her life with me. I know what, exactly, happens, thanks to her memories; there's nothing to scare me or make me nervous, or anything. It's just…"
"Just…?" he prompted her, when she hesitated.
"Just that… we've only talked about sex a little, really. I mean, we know we both want it, but we haven't really talked about when or... or anything," she finished awkwardly.
Remy was silent a moment. Then, "Well, we're talking about it now," he offered tentatively. "I don't t'ink it'll come as a shock to hear dat I want to make love to you. I've said so before. I don' t'ink y' believed me." He added dryly. "An' Roarke inundating me wit' images and feelings isn't helping my self-control, either. You're not alone in dis." He sighed then, and leaned back. "An' while I'm happy—ecstatic—to hear dat y' wanna be wit' me, physically, I don't want to pressure you into anyt'ing. And if dat means we have to fight Snythe tomorrow wit' Bess a little distracted, then dat's what we're going to have to deal with. I'm not letting her, or me, or anyone force you into sleeping with anyone if de time isn't right, if you don't feel ready. But for de record," he added, "I do love you, too. Just let me know when you are ready."
She nodded, and thoughtfully stood, leaving the room quietly. Remy sighed heavily, and leaned back in his chair. You could have seduced her, you know, Roarke informed him. "I know," he said aloud. Then why didn't you? "Wouldn't have been right, fo' her, fo' us… Dat's not how our first time should be. I really do love her. An' if lovin' her means denying m'self, dat's all dere is to it. Simple." Difficult. "Hard, but simple." There was a ghostly chuckle. I knew I liked you. No wonder I feel so comfortable in your body, sharing your mind.Remy chuckled as well. "T'anks, I guess. Just hope dis doesn't cause problems tomorrow, having dis all unresolved and everything." Hmm. That could change—she's coming back. "What?"
Rogue re-entered, an intense look on her face. She bit her lip, and visibly held her breath for a moment. Then she crossed to stand in front of him. "Yes."
"Huh?" He sat up straighter.
"Yes. You said to let you know." His look of confusion didn't change. "Yes. I—and this is Rogue talking— want to sleep with you, Remy. Really," she added, at his anxious expression. "What you just said… that you'd wait 'til I said the time was right… made me realize we are ready, and we can handle our relationship on an adult level." He stared at her, wide-eyed. Is she really saying this? She knelt, and picked up his slack, shocked hands in hers. "Please don't make me beg you. It'd ruin your reputation. Besides, unlike most virginal teenagers, we have the advantage of direct past experience to draw on."
"Really far in the past," Remy muttered humorously, unable to keep a smile from his face, and looked her in the eyes. "Are you really, really sure? Because I'm sure not going to say 'no,' you know."
"Yes, I'm really, really sure." She laughed. "Positive." She leaned forward and kissed him lingeringly on the lips. "When?"
"Now's not a good time?" He asked jokingly, waggling his eyebrows comically. "No… I suppose tonight is de only time other people won't be around. T'ink you'll last?" He smiled."Do you think you will?" She countered, and kissed him again.
They parted, smiling like idiots at each other. Remy lifted her hands to his lips, and kissed them. "So. We're really going to…"
"Yes." She looked at him solemnly, a smile dancing in her eyes. "Yes."
Just then, Logan walked back in. They exchanged wide-eyed looks: how much of their conversation had he heard?
"The others are on their way, and we can discuss—" Logan broke off. "What are you two so serious about?"
Mystified, he looked on as the pair dissolved into hysterical laughter. He shook his head. "Kids."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"We are positive the Professor's… possessed, or whatever, by this Snythe, right?" Wolverine asked, again. Despite the evidence of the two teens in front of him, he still seemed to have difficulty accepting that apparently sometimes, people could be possessed by spirits.
At the moment, the whole team was arrayed around the large kitchen table, discussing ways to help Professor X free himself from his unwelcome guest. Remy and Rogue—or Roarke and Bess, whichever—had hardly let go of each other; at the moment, they sat so close beside each other they might as well have shared one chair.
"Yes, Wolverine," Old Robert said tiredly, leaning on the table. "We know that this Professor o' yours is the most inherently powerful person to come t'rough these parts in a century. Believe you me, son, I'd have noticed, sure enough! Snythe wouldn't be able to resist possessing him. Ever power-hungry, that one was." He looked at Bess and Roarke. "I only wish I'd had eyes t' see it back then; we wouldn't be in this mess if not for m' idiocy." They waved off his implied apology.
"So vhy should he come here?" Kurt asked.
"Two reasons," Bess/Rogue said, ticking the points off on her fingers. Rogue said, "One, he told Wolverine he would come—" her accent switched smoothly to Bess'. "Snythe is canny enough to keep a host's companions insensible of the possession 'til it's too late. So he won't do something as drastically out of character for your Professor as abandoning his students in need."
"Man, that voice thing is freaky," Bobby muttered.
Beside him, Lance nodded. "You said it, man."
Kitty shot them an annoyed look as she dragged the topic of conversation back to the point. "So, what's the other reason?"
"Revenge," and it was definitely Roarke who spoke, as he put an arm around Bess, who leaned into him. "Once he realizes how well Bess and I and our respective hosts are getting along, he won't be able to leave us alone. He will do anything he can to make sure we don't regain, in any way, the life he took from us."
"He hates you that much?" Piotr asked wonderingly. "A harsh man, this Snythe is."
"Yes, and he won't hesitate to use the Professor's talents against us," Rogue said. "So what we were thinking is…" she hesitated. "You won't like it."
"Just spit it out, Rogue." Logan ordered.
"We were thinking that… Well. If the rest of you use your powers to attack Professor X, Snythe will be distracted with trying to keep his host body whole. He won't be using the Prof's powers against us as effectively, and that could give the Prof the edge he needs to push him out of his mind. Once he's out, Bess and Roarke can get hold of him, and take him… well, wherever it is ghosts go when they stop being ghosts."
There was a stunned silence. "You, like, want us to attack Professor X?" Kitty asked incredulously.
Remy nodded. "He'll probably fight Snythe to keep from hurting any of you too badly," he said. "De more uncomfortable we can make it fo' Snythe, the more likely it is he'll leave de Prof."
"But vhere vill he go if he does leave ze Prof?" Kurt asked warily.
Rogue sighed. No, Bess sighed. "Like as not, he'll try to jump into someone else nearby. This is why Roarke and I will be the ones physically closest to him. While he's mid-jump, we can leave these hosts and drag him into the spirit world. Once we've left Rogue and Remy's bodies, if you all get away as quickly as possible, he won't have anywhere to go. He can't haunt any of the buildings around here because he never lived here; there are few inhabitants for him to try to possess; it's our best chance to bring him to retribution at last."
"But a problem it could be, to get the professor here tomorrow," Poitr pointed out. "Troublesome it would be if he comes a day later, da?"
"Hmm. You're right, Tin Man." Logan said. "How do we get X to come tomorrow, specifically?" They all thought a moment.
Bobby suddenly leapt from his chair. "I've got it!" he cried. "We—no, wait, we don't have dynamite. Never mind." He subsided, ignoring the looks the others were giving him.
Amanda tentatively spoke up from where she was perched beside Kurt on the counter. "If it's revenge that's going to motivate this… Snythe… to come down here, then we really have to make sure he's convinced Roarke might win if he's not stopped tomorrow, right? He has to think the day after would be too late?"
Bess and Roarke nodded. "Basically, yes."
"Well, if what you say is true, and he's possessed people for months on end, how did he do it?"
The pair looked uncomfortable. "Basically, he overpowered the other minds and locked them away. After he left some of his hosts, they dropped over dead or into a catatonic state because there was no mind, no 'self' left to take over when he was gone."
"It was only the very strong ones who managed to emerge 'alive' in any sense of the word from Snythe's possessing them." Bess added.
Logan sat bolt upright. "You mean, Rogue and Remy might not survive this?!"
"No, no," Bess put out her hands in a placating gesture. "They're sharing their minds with us; we're camping here, rather than staging a hostile takeover. Our possession of them is much less deep than what Snythe has done in the past."
"This is a light possession?" Lance muttered incredulously. "You woke up in clothes that just—appeared—covered in blood!"
Roarke met his eyes. "Yes, and that is light, compared to what Snythe has put others through, both in life and in death. It is why wemustseize this chance to be rid of him, once and for all!"
"Like, okay, we get it: Snythe isn't good to have around. But still, how do we get him here?"
"I've been thinking." Amanda spoke again. "It's why I asked how Snythe managed it. I figure, he's a bad guy, bad guys never give the good guys credit for being good, right? They always assume the good guys are in it for themselves, too."
Logan considered that. "True enough. It's why Magneto didn't believe Xavier was really in it for the greater good for so long. What're you thinking?"
"if someone went to Snythe—the Professor—and started telling him that he had to come see Rogue and Remy, quick, that maybe something bad happened with Rogue's powers or something… If he believed that Bess and Roarke had really possessed Rogue and Remy—I mean, permanently possessed them—if he believed that, wouldn't he come to see for himself? And try to—I don't know—interfere, somehow?"
Surprised looks chased around the table. "That's very good," Logan said. "That might work. What d'you think, Roarke?"
The young man nodded slowly. "I think that would work admirably. You have a quick mind, madam." He complimented Amanda, who turned pink as Kurt gave her a sound kiss on the cheek.
Old Robert spoke up. "And I think that I can be of use in getting him here. I shall be your message-bearer. I'll say I'm a villager who was sent by you, Mr. Wolverine, to retrieve the Professor. I'll play quite the befuddled old man, yes indeed! Quite concerned about those teenagers whose minder wasn't even comfortable leaving them for a day. Very nervous about the young lady and gentleman who haven't been themselves. Yes. And I can time my delivery of the news so that he will leave at first light, thus giving the rest of you time to plan."
"But… Old Trusty isn't working." Bobby objected. "How're you going to get back to town by tonight? It's like a hundred miles away!"
At that, Old Robert grinned. "And are you forgettin' I'm a ghost, then, lad?" He asked lightly—
—and vanished. The others, aside from Bess and Roarke, swore and leapt from their seats.
"He always did like an audience," Bess observed dryly.
Roarke rolled his eyes. "He did, at that. Now—" he raised his voice. "Let's take some time and figure out what, exactly, we can bring to bear against your Professor from a safe distance that won't kill him outright."
They settled down, and began to discuss something they never thought they'd have to—how to take down Professor X.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
They broke up the discussion in the early evening, deciding that they were as ready as they were going to be with the time they had to work with. Amanda stood and declared that she was tired of sitting and talking, seized a surprised Kurt, informed him that they were going for a walk, and dragged him outside, coats in hand, to the crisp new snow. "Help!" was the last they heard before the door swung shut behind them.
Kitty bounced up. "Like, that sounds sooo romantic, Petey!" She gushed. "Let's go for a walk, too."
Piotr cast a perplexed look at her. "Katja," he said, "When you grow up in the Siberian waste, snow is not being so nice."
"Oh, c'moooon." She pleaded. "The moon is rising, and all those pretty colors are going to be reflecting off all that snow… Pleeeease?" she wheedled.
The Russian strongman turned to sap in front of their eyes. "Da. If it means that much to you, Katja."
She squealed in delight, grabbed their coats off the hooks by the door, and darted out. Piotr gave the rest of them one last look, as if to ask what he'd gotten himself into, and shrugged out into the drifts.
The others remaining exchanged glances. "Do you think we should go help those guys?" Lance ventured.
"Nah." Bobby said. "I think we should go ambush the lovebirds—there's still a lot of good snow out there!"
"Like you couldn't make more if you wanted," Lance scoffed, and then grinned. "But I like the way you think. Let's go get 'em!"
"Oh, this is gonna be great," Logan muttered, sotto voce, half-smiling. "I hope they don't break anything." He turned, to where Rogue/Bess and Remy/Roarke still sat closely together at the table. "Aren't you going outside?" he asked them, as he paused before he left the room.
"Don' want Rogue here getting sick again." Remy reminded him, bumping Rogue with his shoulder. She smiled at that, 'til he continued, "She's a terrible patient. 'Bring me dis, Remy. Bring me dat.'"
She glared, and whacked him in the side. "Your consideration kills me. I never asked you for anything!"
"How d' you know?" he countered. "You were asleep."
"Then how could I ask for anything?"
"Y' talked in your sleep."
"And do you usually listen when people who are asleep talk to you?"
"No…" he drew the word out. "But Remy's learned dat if he doesn't listen to de women in his life, he ends up miserable. An' you're devious enough t' pretend t' be asleep an' talk to me just to see if I would."
Rogue laughed. "Your logic is very twisted. But I suppose any woman willing to put up with you for long has to develop twisted logic just to survive."
He winked. "You're beginning to learn. Feeling twisted yet?"
She rolled her eyes at that, but before she could reply, Logan reappeared in the doorway. "Stripes. Can I talk to you a minute?"
"Sure." She followed him out of the kitchen into the inn's main room, where a fire crackled warmly. Before she cleared the doorway, she tossed over her shoulder, "Hey, Remy. Bring me a cocoa!"
He mimed throwing a mug at her; she stuck out her tongue and disappeared.
Smiling, he began to assemble ingredients.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"How're you holding up, Stripes?" Logan asked, looking at her seriously.
"Fine." Rogue replied. At his doubtful look, she repeated it. "No, really, I'm fine." Suddenly it was Bess sitting in front of him. It was the damndest thing—if Logan looked straight at the slight figure in the opposite chair, it was Rogue, but if he looked a little to the side, it was the long-haired young woman he'd seen this morning. Let me talk to him, please, the ghost asked her, I may be able to be of help to you. Curious, Rogue had stepped aside and let Bess come to the forefront.
"Rogue has stopped fighting me," Bess informed him. "I no longer have to… shout, you might say. I don't believe she will become lost in my memories, as has been happening."
"I thought Remy was getting along okay with Roarke. Why is he becoming… 'lost in the memories,' or whatever?" Logan demanded. "I really do not want to see a repeat of this morning."
"Don't you trust them? Remy was bowled over because of the intensity of the memories invoked. Not only that, but his empathic sense picked up on Rogue's distress, and he, too, started to subconsciously fight Roarke's possession. Fighting a ghostly possession is rather like fighting a crushing-snake. The more one fights, the more powerless one becomes, because the ghost has to exercise so much more energy in maintaining contact with the host. Power, as a ghost, is either very, very subtle—un-noticeable—or very, very obvious. There is no happy medium, except that of cooperation. Once cooperation is achieved, however…" she shrugged. "Co-existence is possible. As you see."
Logan grumbled a moment, but couldn't find anything to argue with in that.
Bess eyed him for a moment. "Something I said is bothering you?"
"Well, what do you mean, do I trust them? Doesn't Rogue know? Of course I trust them. I have to trust them with my life when we're in battle."
"But for you, that is very different from trusting them to take care of each other," she pointed out.
Logan sighed and slouched in his chair. "Yeah. I guess. It's just—"
"You don't want to see her hurt?"
"Yeah. She's been through a lot, and now…" he gestured at the inn in general. "Now this."
Bess shrugged. "She's handling it. Mostly with Remy's support."
"He has been there for her," he grudgingly admitted.
"More, perhaps, than you give him credit for?" Bess asked shrewdly, and leaned forward.
"Logan. Listen to me. If Rogue did not truly love Remy, and Remy did not truly love Rogue, we never would have gotten so far." His look remained skeptical.
"Maybe Rogue would have had an unsettling dream while here. That would be assuming Tim—Old Robert—even picked your group out as having likely helpers. He chose your group because it contained people around the proper age and strength, and two of that group were in love. Real love, that denies the self for the sake of the other."
She explained, "Since Tim betrayed two true lovers to their deaths, his curse and his gift in his after-death penance has been to be able to see, at a glance, that kind of deep, abiding love in others. It's why I attached myself to Rogue with so much… enthusiasm. I apologize if it's startled you or frightened you in any way; that was not my intention." She took a breath. "I'd like to ask a favor of you."
"What?" The caution was back.
"Just trust us. Trust them. This evening, tonight. Trust them to take care of each other, to love each other selflessly. They need a demonstration of trust in them if they are to have the strength to aid us tomorrow. Your mistrust only serves to place further stresses upon them. It makes Rogue feel like a child," she added parenthetically. "And it makes Remy feel like you mistrust him,when you know full well he'd never do anything to Rogue that would harm her." She gave him a severe look.
"I suppose that's true," Logan grudgingly admitted, and gave her a sharp look. "But don't tell the Cajun I said so."
"I won't. If you show that you trust them by not checking up on them every ten minutes like you usually do."
"I don't—" Logan started indignantly. "I'm just careful," he said defensively.
She grinned at him, and said nothing.
"It's more like every fifteen minutes."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes, well, perhaps try seeing how they do without chaperonage for a change."
"Why do you care, anyway?"
Her fierce expression gentled. "Because they care, and I can tell how much your apparent mistrust hurts them. My father never tried such tricks with me, and I'm glad. The pain isn't worth it."
"Oh." He paused. "It really hurts Stripes?"
"Yes." She said evenly. He stared at her, then abruptly stood, muttering to himself, and strode out the door. Remy appeared a moment later, holding two steaming mugs.
"Everyt'ing all right?" He asked, as he sat beside her. She leaned into his side.
What about it, Bess? Rogue thought at the other young woman. What was that all about?
I couldn't help 'overhearing' your conversation with Remy this morning. I decided I'd done enough to upset you in recent days; I've just guilted your Logan into leaving you in peace, so you and Remy might have your night together without interruption.
There's more to it than that.
A sigh. Yes, I own, there is more to it. My last memory prior to my death is that of Snythe… handling me. I would rather I have better memories. Since you've experienced my memories as though they were yours, I would certainly rather leave you knowing itis better than that. Knowing it is far more beautiful than that.
Oh… well, thank you, Rogue thought, a bit awkwardly. That's very… thoughtful.
A ghostly chuckle. You'll thank me more sincerely tomorrow morning, she assured her. I'll leave you two alone now.
Well, as alone as it gets with someone else in your head.
Another laugh. Indeed. Enjoy, Rogue. Don't let him talk you out of it. It's a wonderful thing.
"Chere?" Remy nudged her. "Are you all right?"
She turned a brilliant smile to him and to his surprise, threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply. "Yes. I'm more than all right. So, do you want to go upstairs?"
The question came without preamble. It took him a moment to realize what she was talking about. "You mean you really meant it?"
In response, she pressed herself against him, kissing him with deeper intensity. "Yes," she said, when they were both breathless, "I so definitely meant it."
"Well then," he said, nothing loath, as he unhesitatingly led her toward the stairs. "I don't want to keep de lady waiting."
Her laugh bounced off the walls as she followed happily, her hand in his. "Yes," she said. "I'm done with waiting."
The door clicked shut behind them. It seemed to close out the world, Snythe, Logan, all of the plagues and problems that disturbed their daily lives. Inside, it left a quiet space, warm and close, where a young man and a young woman could simply be together, show their love, and unite so closely that they become one.
Remy stopped briefly, after Rogue had removed his shirt and was busily removing her own. He stood behind her, and ran his hands down her bare arms, folding his hands loosely at her waist. "You're really sure? Dere won't be crying in de morning?"
She laughed, turned in his arms, and made her intentions unmistakably clear. When he next became aware of anything besides her, he was laying across the bed, Rogue half-naked on top of him. "That answer your question, sugar?" she asked. "Besides," she continued, as she got to work on the rest of their clothes. "I never cry when I'm with you. You make me happy. Now, quit worrying."
Worrying… the word rang a vague bell in his head, and an even longer while later, he muttered incoherently, "What 'bout Wolverine…?"
"He's taken care of." She said, and rolled herself under him pointedly. "Now, you don't really want to be thinking o' Logan right now, do you? C'mon and show me your playboy reputation is good for something."
"Whatever you say," he mumbled, lowering his face to hers again. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Her happy laugh was the last vestige of speech between them, before their minds turned thoroughly away from such things as conversation, and firmly toward each other.
The night was very long.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Soo… battle, and conclusion next chapter, I think. Let me know what you think! Reviews are always greatly appreciated. Sla'n! –Alara