Remy reappears and Rogue's going to be making some self-revelations soon!

Best review goes to Fanfic Connoisseur - I love your review! I so agree, good fics can be so hard to find! Thanks bff!

"Most people (authors and even romy fans) think it's some kind of love-hate relationship but it's not. It's push and pull and fight and forgive and hide and chase. But when it's all said and done they bang out (one fight at a time) a love that's atleast perfect for the pair of them."

To Wanda W - I was considering how to handle Sinister and that just hit me as perfect!

Thanks to all my reviewers! Don Draper's Bitch (so true), selina, ChamberlinofMusic (I agree), MichieT (i like to parallel canon, unlike certain movies i could mention *sniff*), v son sayian, Sassyx22x (I'm glad you agree!), Abeytu, ishandahalf, ShadowFax999 (spooky), coco pucks, drumgirl1923, allyg1990 (:)), aiRo25writes, Seren McGowan (er...), martshi3, and Chica De Los Ojos Cafe (dun, dun, dun.)

o

A Tithe in Time

o

o

The first sign of something wrong was the rumble.

Scott was not too alarmed at the sound; Lance had refused to leave just yet, claiming he wanted complete assurance Kitty was going to be alright. Scott figured he was hoping to score some brownie points, but though Kitty had gotten flustered with both Lance and Piotr in the same room, she had insisted that Lance not accompany her into the Medical Wing. Professor Xavier had finally taken Lance aside to discuss the matter with him.

But the rumble didn't stop after a few moments, it continued, intensified. Scott frowned. The problem with living with a lot of mutants was that you became alarmingly used to bizarre occurrences. Still, those accidents could spin out of control very easily.

However, even as Scott deliberated, the building itself began to shake and Scott watched in absolute shock as the floor in front of him surged upward before a form broke through, hurtling upward and seemingly unfazed by the debris littering off her.

He gaped as Rogue shot through the ceiling, scattering plaster and insulation in her wake.

Thinly coated with white powder, Scott reached for the communicator.

"What the hell is going on?"

o

Remy couldn't tell if he was awake or asleep - his body felt completely messed up and the link between thinking and moving had broken down. He'd once inhaled an entire canister of laughing gas on a dare - his head had spun and he'd felt inside his body, as if his limbs were their own separate organisms. It was completely disorienting, but it had faded after he got some good lungfuls of oxygen.

This didn't end, an endless stream.

He heard a sudden loud noise, his body spun, even though he felt nothing.

"Be more careful!" He breathed, but there was something pressing against his lips, his nose, that didn't let up. Something whispered next to it, but all he felt were blurs. "We have to make sure he stays down until it's time," the words echoed eerily, circling his head. And then - a whisper - "Soon now."

o

"So vhat's ze damage?"

"She went through every single floor - every single one," Scott muttered, rubbing his forehead.

Mr. McCoy echoed his motion. "And we just finished the final repairs from Remy's previous blow-up."

"Well at least they're just holes right?" Kitty said weakly, wringing her hands. "I mean, you can just patch 'em up right?"

"Through solid concrete, stone, concrete, roofing - she didn't even pause. And then she just flew off!" Scott made an indistinct motion, still in shock. "How does she even still have access to those powers? Do we even know who she got them from?"

Eyes split between McCoy and Xavier. Mr. McCoy coughed into his large furred fist. "According to the external sensors, she just suddenly awakened."

Xavier sighed. "And unfortunately, she is most likely not in control, considering the other mutation is fully active," he paused, "if it is even just one mutation." Memories of Rogue on a rampage were not too far distant. Everyone still looked to him for answers. "She absorbed at least one person with very strong mental walls," he admitted. "The force required to bypass them could cause damage - I was hoping she would be able to regain consciousness," the fact she always had before, but for once, didn't need to be said. Shaking his head, he turned to the so far silent redhead. "Jean, do you have any light to shed on her mental state?"

She was the last to have mental contact with Rogue. She shook her head, looking away. Scott squeezed her elbow.

"I don't understand," he deflected attention. "She just - woke up?"

Kitty squirmed. "Um, I might be able to ah, shed some light on that." She wrung her hands again as Scott frowned. "I kinda mighta toldheraboutRem yprobablybeingi nLouisiana."

"What?" Scott was echoed by Kurt, but none of the adults seemed overly surprised.

Xavier actually looked somewhat relieved. He steepled his hands. "That would suggest it was Rogue who woke up-" he mused.

"But she flew right through concrete!"

He ignored the interruption. "She must still be confused mentally and then the powers, unless… Still it would explain-" it sounded more like he was talking to himself, but Scott had been living on the edge of anxiety for over two days straight. His patience was shot.

"Explain what?" he gritted out.

Xavier acknowledged his tension and met his gaze levelly. "-why I can't find her on Cerebro."

The team leader took a deep breath and came to a decision. "Well, at least we know where to head. Kitty have you called Lapin again?"

She bit her lip. "He's not answering his phone."

Scott looked around. "Okay, I'll take Wolfsbane, Storm, Wolverine, Colossus and-" he stalled running through candidates. Cannonball or Berserker?

Jean, Kurt and Kitty straightened like sheepdogs hearing a whistle. But he headed them all off. "Nightcrawler, you shouldn't have even been on the last mission. And you're injured - again. Shadowcat, you need to recover your powers-"

"But I'm the one who's been in contact with Lapin!" she protested.

"Both I and Wolverine have met him. And Jean," he breathed. "You almost," he couldn't say the truth, she had, "died last mission. And you're still weak from stopping Rogue last time."

Her eyes glittered, a flash of something skittering down his spine, but she nodded and he could breathe again.

"I will be coming," Xavier said decisively. "It will be necessary." No one could argue with that.

"I'll go round up the troops," Wolverine rumbled from his position in the back, leaning against the wall. He hated the talky part of mission-planning. Finally, it was time to do something.

o

Remy came to, only slowly. His feet were dragging against the ground - but he was upright. There were low voices, but too far away for him to pick up.

His mouth was dry and when he tried to swallow, it nearly choked him. He broke into a coughing fit and a voice rose - water was shoved against his mouth and he gratefully opened his chapped lips. It spilled over him; he tried to open his eyes, but couldn't - they were pressed shut.

Motion had come to a stop and the voices had become clearer. He could feel something binding his hands in front of him and his mind spun when he automatically tried to figure out what it was and how he could get out of it.

"Belladonna!" The unexpected shout sent him lurching to the side - but he was caught by someone and restrained. It was then that he registered the humidity in the air and distinct musk of swamp.

Damn.

There was an irritated sniff, one he knew too well, and his blindfold was ripped off. His eyes spasmed in pain and he shut them anyway. Jean Luc, he could recognize the voice now, was still trying to talk to Belladonna, but she was ignoring him. When the pain faded, he hesitantly opened his eyes to a scene he had really hoped never to see.

He was standing on a platform, ringed by Assassins in ceremonial armor, directly opposite another platform filled with Thieves, who were talking amongst themselves, also clad in ceremonial armor. He checked the swamp discreetly and was at least relieved that the Grand Dame hadn't shown up yet.

Belladonna stalked in front of him, cutting off his view. "Well, look who's decided to join de fête." She jerked his chin up, before wrapping the blind around his mouth. "Welcome home lover." She grinned.

Letting go with another jerk, she turned as the water in the lake began to boil over. "An' jus' in time."

Remy checked his bonds - his hands were threaded together palm-to-palm with hair. Hair, an organic object, probably freshly cut, obviously Bella hadn't been taking any chances. He could only guess how many drugs were in his system.

He knew about the Tithe, every Thief was informed as soon as they passed their Tilling. It was a time-honored tradition. The Thieves and Assassins provided Candra with a generous tithe and she in turn blessed their future prosperity. She'd been described as a spirit, but Jean Luc had confided his suspicions that she was actually a mutant, a very powerful one who graced them with protection and longevity in New Orleans in various ways. This Tithe was supposed to be a significant one - Remy was to direct it with Belladonna at his side, uniting the Guilds. When that arrangement had gone up in flames, Remy had really thought he'd never meet the Grand Dame. Obviously Belladonna had decided to not let him forego the pleasure.

Up from the water rose the Grand Dame, Candra, the Benefactress of the Guilds. Despite her entrance, she was completely dry, swathed in deep red dress, edged by black for a high neck and covered shoulders. Her long blonde hair waved with telekinetic power and Remy cursed mentally. That was it, he was officially swearing off blonds. More trouble than they were worth. Her eyes flicked over the crowd before focusing on Belladonna and his trussed up form. Turning, a slit down the front of her dress revealed she was wearing thigh-high red leather boots as well. Remy shifted uncomfortably, making his head spin again.

Marius Boudreaux, speaking from behind him, making him nearly jump, greeted her; Jean Luc echoed his sentiments, though Remy was familiar enough to hear the faint thread of tension. Marius then gave his daughter center stage.

"Please don't tell you're offering him as your tithe," the sneer in Candra's voice and dismissive skim of his body made every male pride iota in Remy's body stand up in protest. "He's handsome, but not worth that much." Remy felt fractionally better. Belladonna smiled and shook her head.

"Alors pas, Dame Candra. However, dis t'ief was exiled from New Orleans by joint decision of d'Assassins' an' Thieves' Guild. He broke dis ban by returnin' nearly a month ago. Therefore, as his exile came fro' mah brother's murder, the son of d'Assassin's Patriarch, I claim blood-right."

Candra raised an eyebrow, her voice easily echoing over the waters of the swamp. "I'm sure there's a fascinating story behind this, but was it necessary to declare this here?"

Belladonna lowered her head reverently. "As he is de Thieves' Patriarch's son, I sought your permission first."

"A son for a son," the woman mused, her dress fluttering gently around her ankles. "Blood for blood. That has always been the rule of the Guilds. Why was he not executed before?"

"It wasn't murder!" Lapin broke ranks, stepping forward before being corralled by Henri. Jean Luc however took up the protest.

"De death was an accident, not murder. Besides, de boy challenged mon fils to a duel-"

Belladonna laughed derisively, pacing a line before Remy. "An' his blood be on his own head? What 'bout de others dis diable incinerated?" She made another turn. "Mutant scum."

Jean Luc shot an uneasy look towards Candra. "De boy lost control-"

"There's de real reason," Belladonna shot out with venom. "They were afraid o' him. So dey exiled him - but he broke de ban, he defied our courts!" She flexed her fist and in a smooth motion, she had pulled a long dagger that flashed in early evening light. Remy felt his throat constrict, his pulse filling his ears. Bella and her blades. She preferred hand-to-hand, but an Assassin didn't follow their line of work without a favored weapon. Bella liked blades of any kind and the similarity of this one to a sword was hardly coincidental.

He'd taken his eyes off Candra and when she suddenly filled his line of vision, he stiffened. The blonde, with such harsh though elegant features, looked bemused. She used a finger to lift his head, examining his face. Her cold eyes were hard and he couldn't summon any charm.

"Ah, the red-eyed demon, interesting." He could suddenly feel her press into his body, a sensation sinking in through his skin, into his blood, examining him. A violation and he had no defense. "Such a waste. Supposed to bring peace and look at you. Only chaos." Candra released his face and flicked her fingers. "You may proceed," she announced.

And how could the Thieves protest?

The man to his right shoved on his shoulders and gracelessly he dropped to the ground, the wood impacting painfully with his knees. He hissed behind the choking gag.

He'd never expected his end to come like this, like the putting down of an animal. Bella gave her blade one last whirl. He always thought he'd go down in a fight, especially after joining the X-Men. He was shoved down further - someone knocked his hands, arms into a hole so he couldn't touch anything but air. He'd never gotten a chance to be a hero. His neck came to rest against a wooden block and he realized with a sickening lurch Belladonna didn't mean to slit his throat. No, she wanted his head.

He closed his eyes, feeling like a coward, not realizing Candra's perusal had actually burned away the drugs in his system, making him able to think clearly. He never even - what had Rogue thought when he'd simply disappeared?

J' trés désole, mon-

He didn't see why the swoosh of the blade stopped.

o

The world was muddled for Rogue. She was traveling, how? She had somewhere to get to, where? She couldn't think too much, too hard; if she concentrated too much, too hard there were other voices, of course there were, asking questions, making commands - she got confused and falter - No! She just had to get there, her body was moving - as long as it moved it was good.

But why?

No she wouldn't think.

Y' here chérie. She knew that voice, it didn't cause panic. And she let herself blink at her landscape. Blink down? It didn't make sense, but it did. De swamp an' de swamp lady, de Grand Dame herself. She didn't understand - and she was getting tired of not understanding.

Unfocused eyes surveyed the swamp, the platforms, men and women - two blonds, one hovering (something inside her intensified as she took in the mutant) and the other with a blade - faint recognition, but then the form she was above.

Her heart paused. Remy?

She was happy, no angry, no disappointed? All the way for him?

The voices, memories, shards threatened to flood again and she shook her head violently, abruptly coming down to earth. She didn't notice the shudder of the earth as she landed.

"Who is this?" Cold, impersonal.

"No one important," dismissive, tauntingly, distantly familiar. She opened blurry eyes to focus on the two blonds. Remy? had lifted his head and gazed upon her with wide eyes, his mouth gagged. Smart, something inside her hissed and her temples pounded.

"Let him go." The words left her mouth without processing through her mind. She didn't mind. Her body seemed far more aware of what was going on.

The woman, femme?, with the blades moved to speak, but the flier raised a hand. She levitated higher, to look down her nose.

"Outsider, it is not your place to interfere." She flicked her fingers and Rogue's body was catapulted fifty yards. Head over feet, she hurtled into the underbrush, finally colliding into a hardwood. She braced herself, but no pain came - instead a deep anger.

I am not one to be so easily dismissed. She's a threat.

"A threat to Remy," she agreed aloud, feeling her mind clearing to focus on a new target. She regained her feet, then hovered, before bursting out back onto the scene. The telekinetic had turned her back, returning her attention to the others.

Rogue's leg would've slammed into her back if the woman hadn't raised an arm - and telekinetic force - to stop the motion. Cold eyes glimmered.

"You want to try me little girl?"

Her forehead began to shimmer and Rogue obeyed her instincts, avoiding the psionic blast that followed, a shot of fluorescent pink. How girly, she thought idly.

"I ain't no little girl."

o

It just figured the X-Men would show up then.

Lapin was actually the first to spot them, as he was already familiar with the Blackbird and well, he was basically expecting them. Unfortunately, Belladonna saw them next and knew her time was limited. Remy's head was forced back down. "This ends now," she hissed and Remy thought he actually felt the first bite of the cold metal when his hair rose on end. A crackling filled the air and Belladonna bit out a curse as she was electrocuted.

Remy could smell the electricity in the air - it had to be Berzerker. Feeling clear-headed, he carefully pulled himself into a ball, letting the shield spark around him. He forced his hands, painfully, down to his ankles, charging the bonds there. He knew better than to bother searching for any lock-picking or other tools around his body - Assassins knew better than to leave even a slip of paper. He was just glad they'd left him in his coat.

The scene turned to chaos. Marius shouted orders for the Assassins to fend off the Thieves; Belladonna added an order for the X-Men, accusing them of interfering, but Remy knew exactly how that would go down.

Remy sprang to his feet, but kept his head ducked. Unfortunately, Berzerker's shields were as good as cages - they electrocuted anyone coming in contact with them from either the inside or outside. Belladonna met his eyes, but didn't bother another attempt through the sparking around him. Frustrated, Remy nearly missed the low growl behind him. The shield shimmered out, just in time for a large red wolf to jump unto the platform, nimbly avoiding Assassins and setting to work on Remy's bonds. He knelt, letting her sharp teeth slice through the hair. She spat it out quickly and he just knew he was going to get chewed out later about forcing her to get hair struck between her teeth.

Belladonna immediately moved in for a strike; Remy managed to roll both he and Wolfsbane out of the way, though he did lose a strip of leather. Wolfsbane yanked the gag out of his mouth, to around his neck. "Get m' somet'ing I cin charge," he hissed to her, before rolling again as Belladonna lashed out, this time withdrawing a small set of blades. Wolfsbane yipped and jumped back off the platform. Most of the Assassins had left the platform, only Marius and two others remaining, but Belladonna warned them off with a glare.

"He's mine." Remy caught her at the ankle and she went down, leaving him to scramble up, jerking the wood that was to be his chopping block off the platform. Cumbersome, it did absorb her blades quite well.

Wolfsbane returned with something better, depositing a metal cylinder at his feet that was very familiar. He swiped it up, ignoring the wolf drool and the wondering thought of where exactly she'd found it, and telescoped the length. She kept at his back, going half-human, if he judged the changed timber of her voice correctly.

One of the men moaned, "I so neva signed up f' dis."

He saw Colossus, suited up, and Berzerker, crackling menacingly, make their way toward them, wading through a crowd of fighting Assassins and Thieves. He let a grin spread - it was good to be back in action.

o

The situation, as quickly as it had gotten out of control, was winding down. The Assassins and Thieves had no problem fighting each other - but who wouldn't give pause when facing a walking metal giant, a werewolf of mythic lore or a guy who got stabbed, grunted when removing the blade, healed before your eyes and then came at you with blades popping out of his knuckles? Pride or no pride, the number of combatants began to go steadily down, either by surrender or fleeing. It was a matter of practicality - and both Assassins and Thieves were nothing if not practical.

Belladonna had to be knocked out by Colossus; nothing short would've stopped her from fighting like a demented hellcat. Marius frowned, but didn't protest, raising in hands in faux innocence.

"Dis really isn't y'affair, X-Men," he pointed out mildly, though his eyes strayed to where Candra and Rogue were going at it. If Candra was defeated, the implications…

"Gambit iz an X-Men," Colossus said solemnly. "He iz our affair, as you say."

Remy patted him on the shoulder, "Nice to hear dat, mon ami. T'anks for the save," he nodded to Berzerker who just gave a short nod.

"Owed you one," he said vaguely.

His brow wrinkled, but Remy kept the smile, "Not dat I usually need savin'."

Wolfsbane snorted, having returned to pure human form, and crossed her arms. "Sure ye don't. But we nae totally here for ye."

There was a loud crack and faint tremble in the ground as Candra deflected another of Rogue's hits. Losing patience with this route, Rogue turned to using debris and hurling it in increasing numbers at the telekinetic. The group turned, observing the fight.

"Who did Rogue jus' absorb anyway?" Remy asked curiously.

"Join the club," Berzerker muttered, his hands sparking restlessly.

Staring down another two Assassins, a trio of Thieves made their way to join the group. "An' who 'zactly be dat?" Jean Luc demanded, obviously at the end of a tirade, his eyes on brunette woman tussling with Candra.

Lapin grinned weakly. "Dat, well dat be Remy's chérie."

As they watched, Rogue uprooted a tree twenty times her size and used it to bat Candra into the swamp. The trunk impacted with her shield, but tiring from the match, she was still pushed towards the water.

"Mon Dieu," Jean Luc muttered. "I have got t' talk t'dat boy 'bout his taste in crazy femmes."

"Oi!" Remy protested, overhearing the last comment. Jean Luc raised an eyebrow, accepting a hand up to join them on the platform. Lapin clambered up, before helping Henri up, with a big grin.

"Like Lapin said, she be one heck of a femme cousin." The X-Men exchanged worried looks.

Apparently frustrated with Candra's continuing blocking act, Rogue snatched up the biggest thing she could find. As Candra shook off the leaves the tree had shed, the entire Thieves' platform was pitched over her head, causing her to lose even more altitude.

"Would you stop chucking things at me!" Candra finally snapped, retrieving both the tree and platform and flinging them back. Rogue ducked the platform, but caught the tree trunk right in the chest. Remy reflexively stiffened and started moving, but Colossus grabbed his shoulder, shaking his head.

"What-"

Storm finally interceded, the wind rising.

"Rogue, please stop this assault," she urged in a loud voice. Rogue, rising from the landing she'd ploughed in the earth, shaking her head.

Instinctively, Remy reached out with his empathy - and was staggered by the turmoil tainting the very air around her. "Dieu, what happened t' her?" He vaulted off the platform, ignoring Colossus and Berzerker's protest. He heard a thud behind him as Colossus followed.

"Gambit, Rogue iz unstable-"

"I cin see dat," he muttered. Rogue retook to the air, ignoring Storm. When Rogue tried to strong-arm by her, the older X-Woman tried to gently rebuff her - but she had to up the wind when Rogue wouldn't simply stop. Wolverine, who'd been babysitting the surrendered Assassins, also tried to talk to her. She didn't appear to hear him.

Candra took advantage of the distraction, appearing back over Belladonna's body, before any X-Men could get in her way. Berzerker, uncertain, fired a bolt at her, but Candra's eyes flashed and she flicked him into the lake, where he shorted out. Wolfsbane was torn, but lunged after him to drag him out.

Remy turned back.

"This is your fault, you little wretch," she shoved her hand into Belladonna's chest, but Marius had made it first. Finely maintained nails pierced his side, sliding all the way in, down to her wrist. A faint telekinetic shield laced her fingers and with disdain, she withdrew her hand clean. "How fatherly of you Boudreaux," she crooned, then rose. "Ah well, blood for blood." Belladonna had awaken and rolled out from under her father. She stared in horror at the blood staining his side.

"No, mon Pére." His hand rose as if to touch her, then fell.

Candra had already turned to Jean Luc. "Now, as for the Thieves."

Remy saw what was about to happen - there was no one who could stop her there but - "Rogue, Candra!"

Rogue's head snapped up like a hawk sensing prey. Ignoring Storm and Wolverine, Rogue took off. Candra had her hand wrapped around Jean Luc's throat when Rogue plowed into her with all the force of a tractor trailer; the blonde telekinetic wasn't taken off guard, but the sheer momentum of Rogue sent her hurtling off the platform, actually mussing her hair.

Candra glared at her with genuine distemper. But now that she was back over the water, Storm whipped up a cyclone to distract her.

Remy's feet were moving even before Rogue had completed her swoop. He was already spooling out his empathy as he returned to the platform. She froze as it tickled the corners of his mind - her mind was rough edges, a blur of anger, pain, confusion, a swirl incomparable to anything he'd felt before. A mosaic - he couldn't pick out what was Rogue - and that was when he really became alarmed.

He twirled to lock eyes with her, not daring to touch her, "Rogue, chere, listen t' Remy," he cast out his charm, trying to sooth all of her. There was so much, but maybe- "Jus' calm down, remember who y'are." Her eyes flickered and he watched in disbelief as they turned blue. Abruptly he found himself pushed back, a sudden calm descending over the shattered wreck.

"So you must be Remy," a voice, lacking the honeyed tones of his lover, spoke out of her mouth. He'd seen her lose control, other psyches pressing forward, but they had also been out-of-control. "You trying to charm me," her head cocked, before a mocking smile tug at her lips, "swamp rat?" Her hand shot out and hauled him up by the collar of his shirt. "I'm hardly so easy." She shoved him away - and promptly screamed. Remy tumbled through the single railing, but managed to be caught by Colossus.

Rogue sunk to her knees, ripping up boards as she fisted her hands. It was then that Remy saw Xavier being wheeled over by a grim Cyclops. Colossus dropped Remy unceremoniously, in order to take Cyclops' place, easily picking up Xavier's wheelchair in order to hoist him up to the platform. Xavier immediately raised his hands to his forehead.

Candra screeched suddenly and Remy's head spun to find the cause of her distress. Candra raced for some shiny speck of red caught up in a twister Storm had drummed up. Remy's first thought was to get to it first - Storm must've thought the same, because the twister turned in her direction. But Candra was faster - she'd almost grabbed it, when a hand-width red beam surged past her and lit the speck in brilliant hues before shattering.

"No!" Like a puppet cut of its strings, she seized up and plummeted into the water below. A minute later, she bobbed to the surface sputtering. "You, you idiot! That was my Gem!" she kept dipping beneath and with a sigh, Storm ended up heaving her up. Candra ascended as a sodden wreck. "My, my, augh," she coughed up water, "everything! I'm mortal now," she spat the word out like poison.

Remy didn't care - he scrabbled back onto the Assassins' platform as Rogue let out another scream, before collapsing. Remy barely managed to slide over in time, catching her. He cradled her even as Storm warned, "Be careful Gambit!"

"What de hell happened?"

Xavier rubbed his temples, giving the battleground a tired look, "That's what we're still trying to figure out."