Second Thoughts

It was when Kitty was alone as she took a shower and got ready for bed that all the doubts started gnawing at her. Pete was always so open with her and yet here was this girl he had pretty much used. She stared at her reflection in the mirror with a mixture of disdain and annoyance. Why would he even want her? She was plain next to Shelly. Maybe she was just a challenge. Kitty sighed walking out into the living room where Remy was examining several pieces of art hanging on the wall.

"Dis be an original," he announced of one.

"And it had better be there when we go back home," Pete threatened good-naturedly. He turned and saw Kitty. "Hey, luv, I was startin' to think ya had taken off or something." He was worried when she didn't have a rebuke. He patted the spot next to him. Kitty sat down but didn't cuddle up with him like she usually did. By the time that the couple retired Pete was getting a little annoyed. "What?" he demanded.

"Huh?" she looked alarmed, as though she hadn't expected him to notice unease.

"What's wrong? If yer gonna be pissed at me at least tell me why."

"I'm not angry."

"No?"

"No. I'm just… I have a lot on my mind."

"We're datin' right?"

"Yeah."

"Doesn't that mean that you should be able to tell me what's bothering ya?"

"Yeah, and I do... mostly."

"You drive me crazy, you know that, right? A couple more months of this and I'm gonna be put in an institution."

"If I'm such a hassle why are you even with me?"

"Because I love you. You make me insane and some days I just want to throttle you but I couldn't imagine my life without you."

"I love you too, even if you do stupid, or insensitive things sometimes."

"Would I get anywhere asking what I did?"

"No."

"Okay, I guess."

A change of subject was needed. "It sounds like Evan's mother really cares about you."

"Yeah, she's a hell of a woman. Evan and I grew up together. His mum and mine were old friends so we met when we were both ten months old. Growing up we were inseparable. After I had turned twelve me mum was shot, she passed away soon after.

"I spent most of my time at Evan's after that. Me father... our past is rather complicated as you've seen. Isabelle, that's Evan's mum, she let me sleep on her couch more nights than I can count. Last year she was diagnosed with breast cancer but was still going to let me move in after me dad told me I had to move out."

"She sounds like a saint."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far, but she's the closest I've ever met. She's probably the closest you'll get to meeting my family other than Roma."

"Sometime this year I'll have to have you meet my parents."

"Are ya tryin' to scare me?"

"You'll be a major improvement in their eyes. Lance... he almost killed them when we first met."

"Yeah, I am an improvement."

"I guess we should get some sleep."

"Well, if we must. I have some better ideas, but if you really want to sleep okay."

Kitty yawned cuddling up to his side. "Pig."

"Flatterer." Kitty giggled closing her eyes. "Sweet dreams."

"You too."

In the other room

Rogue walked out of the bathroom and found that Remy had fallen asleep on the bed. He was dressed just in a pair of black silk boxers. She paused for a few seconds allowing herself a moment of feminine admiration. He truly was a beautiful human being, the perfect specimen of a man. With a smile she crossed over to the bed and climbed onto it straddling one of his legs. She slid her hand over his chest as she leaned down kissing him lingeringly. He sighed opening his eyes.

"Dat be quite a wake up, chére," Remy murmured his voice was still drowsy, the look on his face, however, was pure lust. He laid his head back regarding her. He smirked when he saw her black camisole. He reached up and ran his hand down her arm slowly causing her to shiver.

She leaned down kissing him again. Remy responded to the kiss passionately. He slid his hand over her hips pulling her closer. Rogue whimpered moving against him restlessly. He took her hand and guided it to his straining erection. To his complete shock she wrapped her hand around it and gave a couple pumps. His eyes shut and his entire body tensed. "Merde."

"Ah'm sorry, Ah shouldn't have-" She started to pull her hand back and his eyes flew open.

"No, please, don't stop." She cocked her head to one side and he had to kiss her, it was as necessary as breathing at the moment, more necessary. Her hands went to his boxers and she slowly drew them down. He lifted his hips to assist her before kissing her again. Rogue pulled away looking at him thoroughly. At that moment, as fate would have it, her collar beeped. "Merde," Remy muttered again.

"Ah'm sorry," Rogue whispered.

"Don't apologize. Remy supposes dat dis means dat y'll go out with him."

"Yeah, Ah was just givin' ya a hard time earlier. You need it, you know."

He smiled, pulling his boxers back on. "Do Ah?"

"Yep. Your ego is just way too big."

"Go ahead and plug your collar in. Remy'll sleep on the couch to prevent any accidents." He kissed her leisurely. "Until tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

At a mansion downtown

"So you'll take care of her?" Haley asked the tall, menacing, generally evil figure who stood back in the shadows.

"I agreed, didn't I?" the figure asked.

"Yes… you won't hurt Pete, will you?"

"Why would you think we'd hurt Mr. Wisdom?"

"Y-you just seemed awfully interested in him. I was concerned."

"We have no quarrel with this Wisdom person. But I'm afraid that we know somebody who does."

Haley blanched. "I don't want him hurt."

"I'm sorry, my dear, but we really don't care what you want."

"But we had a deal."

"We told you all aspects of the deal are subject to change."

"But I-"

"If you had any doubts you should have told us before."

"Would it have made any difference?"

"Probably not. Don't give me that look; I'm just being honest. For what it's worth we aren't going to kill you and that was brought up. You seem surprised; you had to have realized whom you were dealing with. Just remember you sought us out, not the other way around."

"Who are you?"

"And this is what I found interesting, we've talked all this time and you've never inquired as to my identity, or that of the my friends. Very sloppy." The figure opened the door gesturing for Haley to leave. Haley started to leave but paused before the door shut.

"Wait."

"Be quick. I have a luncheon early tomorrow."

"Is there anything I can do to save Pete?"

"Mmm... No, nothing. Sorry, my dear, but you know what they say about dealing with the devil. And all deals are final." The door shut and figure sauntered away. Haley was left on the porch wondering what she had just done.