Author's Note: IM SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE!!!! -whimpers- I had to visit family for a week an a half and they had no internet access! Then I started school yesterday and with college classes its been hard to keep up....updates won't be as often as they were but im not giving up on this story and it will be finished soon! Wow so many reviews ! Thank you everyone! =P
Laceylou76-Thanks! I really enjoyed writing that chapter, and no fear lol major Romy moments are coming very soon.
Dani- lol thanks, actually the legacy virus was put in the comics as well as some of the TV shows. Actually in the comics Pyro ended up dying from it -sniffs-
Red-red-red-ribbon- Hey! Thanks for reviewing heres the update!
Courtney Summers- Thanks!
ban- lol you'll have to wait and see what happens to Rouge, and thanks for the review!
sailormoon846212- Thanks for the review! Im glad you liked the way I introduced Rouge to her parents, hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for the advice.
shadowcat6620-Hey thanks for reviewing and giving me the suggestion on lancitty, I will add some in later chapters. Glad you like the Rouge/Keir moments, heres the next chapter.
The-writing-vampire- Hey dont worry about it my computer does the same thing a lot to... -sweat drops- haha yes I really had a blast writing that chapter, and Rouge's character as well as Elle's are about to have some serious things revealed about them, as for Pyro your right on the dot, you'll get to see more interactions between Pyro Remy and Keir involving Rouge -grins evilly- now you'll just have to wait and see what happens to Rouge -maniacal laughter- ahem, anywho. Sorry for the late update as I said my internet access was cut from me for about two weeks, but here's the update! lol your friend is right you would make a good editor, lol. I hear you, my freedom has officially been revoked as well. ='(
Chapter 22- Crossroads of Destiny Part II
Rouge stepped out onto the thick green grass, and shivered in delight as the cool breeze danced across her skin. Watching her actions closely Keir removed the leather jacket from his shoulder and offered it out towards the girl. She smirked and waved his offer off, stepping forward she knelt down and let her gloved hands intertwine with the tall grass. For a time both staid in silence, taking comfort in the presence of the other, and wrapping themselves in the sound of each other breathing.
"You know their following us right?" Keir murmured, his lips barely moving with the action. At this Rouge raised an eyebrow and slowly lifted her head towards the sky before looking back towards the ground, a slight nod only one watching could catch.
"You could hear them from a mile away." She replied softly, but in a bitter tone. At this Keir grinned and ran a hand through his shaggy orange locks. "And I thought he was suppose to be a thief." She muttered sarcastically.
"He is, but having my father follow behind is like trying to play hide and seek in the sahara with an elephant, its impossible." A sudden crash and accented curse echoed through out the courtyard earning grins from both of it occupants.
"So its like being around you?" Keir's lip automatically fell into a pout and his green grew wide in innocence. "Your pathetic."
"I take that as a compliment sheila." Rolling her eyes Rouge pushed herself up onto her toes before slipping farther off into the courtyard. Following quickly at her heals Keir watched as she weaved across the land, her body moving almost as if though she were dancing. Keir couldn't break his stare as he watched her, he could feel blood rushing towards his cheeks and felt himself go into shock. He didn't blush, but when his hand ran across his fevered cheek he knew his assumptions weren't off.
"Uhmm what's wrong with you?" Rouge asked in a mock angry tone, a smile playing at her lips. His cheeks grew redder and a sharp laugh escaped her lips. With a quick motion she playfully punched Keir in the arm, though it didn't feel playful. His teeth suddenly clenched as the pain shot up his arm, he really was an embarressment if a girl play hitting him hurt.
"Are you actually seething?"
"No."
"Bull."
"Your a bull."
"Thanks." She replied calmly before pushing her hip out and placing a firm fist against it. Another stumbling noise was heard and both teens sighed in unison annoyance, so much for privacy. A sudden idea hit Keir and he couldn't help but let his insides well up in mirth. With a quick side step he pulled himself closer to Rouge, getting a disdainful and untrusting look from the demon eyed girl.
"Dundee! What are you doing?" she hissed, her hands ready to shove him off of her for the millionth time. Suddenly though his gloved finger was on her lips quieting her, for a moment she seriously considered biting it. Looking up she saw the mischievous and evil look playing in his eyes and suddenly understood, if they weren't going to get privacy why not play it up?
Shifting her weight her arms suddenly snaked up around Keir's neck and her body pressed up against his. He had to supress a moan as a sudden shudder ran up his body. In a lithe motion his hand trailed down towards the small of her back, their lips were mere inches away.......
When a dirt covered Pyro suddenly slid inbetween the two teens, a wild almost protective look in his eyes, "Oi! Eclaire, I need to uhh uhmm errrr..." Rouge rose an eyebrow in fake annoyance forcing herself not to laugh at his lame excuses.
"What he means ta say mon fille is dat your pere needs ta talk ta ya, that is if ya will allow him." Remy's excuse came out in a smooth tone, no hints of lying. Rouge fought off the urge to scowl, he was good, almost as good as she was.
"No I wouldn't mind, but a bit of privacy would be appreciated." Remy and Pyro both squirmed on the spot, making the feeling of victory swell in her chest.
"Oi what do you mean? We were just out walking when we happened to stumble upon you two." As Pyro feverent excuse left his lips, Remy's hand shot up and smacked him across the back of his head.
"OI! Mate, what was that?" John shouted his hand holding his head protectively. Remy rolled his eyes, his hands dangling at his sides.
"It was a word of advice." He replied smoothly.
"Wait you didn't say anything.." Pyro stated, confused. Keir suddenly moaned and smacked his forehead at his fathers stupidity. It took Pyro a moment before a knowing glint came into his eyes, "Oh that kinda advice, gotcha." Remy shot a glare at his closest friend and ran over the idea of smacking him again.
"Look, okay well it doesn't matter but can I please have a moment of alone time?" Rouge asked, her voice almost pleading. Her eyes traveled over towards Keir, "I mean completely alone." Keir's hands instinctely tightened at his sides, defiance playing in his eyes.
"Non petite it ain't safe.." Remy stated, Pyro nodded his head in agreement. Rouge groaned, she had to get away there had to be something....
"But I've been on my own for years and I'm okay I just want a few minutes, please." The pleading in her voice tore Remy's heart to shreds, but he was still reluctant. He watched her with prying eyes something was off about her. After a few moments of debating he let his resolve fade.
"Fine, but don't go far and if anything seems off ya get back ta the mansion got it?" Rouge nodded her head almost a little too enthusiastically. Turning on her heal she swiftly made her way into the woods. Keir stepped forward to follow her but was stopped when his fathers hand caught his arm.
"No let 'er be she's got a lot on 'er mind, and plus we need to have a little discussion." Pyro's grin was almost sinister, and Remy's eyes hardened. Keir swallowed hard and put on a sheepish smile, so they both played up the romance card and she got to go for a walk while he had to fight for his life.
"bout?" Keir sqeaked, his voice more accented than usual.
"Oh just dat little moment between you and moi daughter Keir, Ah woulda never thought." Keir took a step back and held his hands up trying to keep an innocent composure, while his insides screamed for him to retreat. Great my own father's even acting like shes the victim, he thought sourly.
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Rouge sprinted through the woods surpressing the sour taste rising in her mouth, it was something that had become common but had settled during her most recent adventures. Though apparently it was enjoying rearing its ugly head again. Suddenly the copper taste rose in her mouth and she couldn't hold it any longer falling to her knees she opened her mouth and felt her body pushing the blood from her lungs.
After coughing violently for several minutes she shakingly wiped the excess blood from her mouth and shuddered. Her lungs were on fire, and her body felt as if it wasn't in contact with her concious. Falling onto her elbows she moaned, so much for hoping the virus had simply dissapated. Breathing through her mouth she tried not to concentrate on the red contents spilled on the ground before her.
She sat there for a few moments, feeling confident the spell had passed when it hit her again. Except this time hands had pulled her hair from her face and when she fell forward weakened they caught her. For a moment her head spun giving off visions of colors blurring and mutiple images combining into one. After closing her eyes she managed to whisper out.
"Pietro what are you doing? I thought you hated me." She heard the disgusted grunt come from the speed demon and concluded he still wasn't found of her.
"Hell if I know," he spat angryly propping the girl up on her elbows, "since you gave me your damn concious I've been stuck in your head for the past few days. It's creepy as hell mind you." At this Rouge's eyes narrowed as she tried to replay the events up to where she gave him her memories to him, drawing a thick blank.
"Look if your gonna be pissy about it you can take your preppy ass and go file your nails." She meant to make it sound as though she were growling but it came out more as a weak whisper. Pietro's eyebrows shot up in annoyance and his mouth opened to retort but decided against it and groaned in return. Kneeling next to the girl he looked her over getting a death glare in return.
"Temper, temper." He murmured not wanting to admit just how much the girl reminded him of fractions of himself long ago. In return she wrinkled her nose and him and crossed her arms turning her attention in the opposite direction of him. Sighing in annoyance, he reach out and lifted the girl from the ground. Stepping away from her he watched her sway and almost fall, with speed unprecivable to the human eye he caught her and allowed her to lean slightly on his shoulder.
"What do you want?" Rouge questioned through clenched teeth, trying to force the constant coughing to subside.
"To get your damn mind out of my head, and to do that I have to help you get away from here to get your sister." At this Rouge's eyes widened, and her body shook slightly.
"How did you-?" Pietro rolled his eyes and tapped the side of his head.
"Your mind, my head, remember?" His eyes shot towards the blood covered ground, "and I also know about that sickness of yours." Rouge could have sworn her heart stopped in her chest, he wouldn't tell them, would he?....
"I'm not telling anyone kid, though I let it slip to your mom and Wanda thats why you need to get going so soon." Rouge could feel panic rising, "and I know that you know your chances of survival," he stopped and shuddered finishing the sentence through his actions. "And I know you want to save your sister without being held back so I'm going to help you get away undetected." Her hands sudden quit clenching at her sides and her mouth hung slightly open.
"You'd seriously-?" Pietro nodded quickly once.
"I can buy you some time to get away, but only a little you've got to get undercover and fast." She listened intently waiting for the catch that she knew was inevitable, "but," there it was "your going to write a letter to Keir, break it off clean." She heard the strict tone in his voice and it make her stomach twist in annoyance but the thought of her Austrilian brought tears to her eyes. Reaching into her pocket she withdrew the piece of paper she'd written the night prior.
"It's already done." she mumbled, she had finally regained her balance was standing off on her own now. Taking the letter Pietro smartly stored it beneath his jacket and looked towards the girl. As much as she angered him, he'd grown to tolerate her and even appreciate her bravery and personality and knew he would have a small sore spot for letting her go on her own but he knew it was the best solution.
"Here," he said handing her a thin sliver of paper, "I managed to smuggle this off of one of Sinisters men slinking around the city, it should tell you their next search point if you intercept them and if you agree to join him you can get a clean sweep in and," he pulled out a small tracking device, "give this to your sister, if you don't make it out at least she has a good chance. You know full well what would happen if the X-men got this information it wouldn't end well and hope for your sister would be gone." Rouge closed her eyes in agreement knowing full well that this was the only chance of saving Elle.
"Thank you." She stated, more strongly her eyes finally peering up into his, crystal blue clashing with red on black, his heart twisted. What the? but before his thoughts could be finished the girl had shot out her hand in an offering of agreement. He took her hand numbly and shook it stiffly, not knowing what was wrong with him. Her concious had finally silenced but his had returned and was ringing warning bells in her head at a constant rate.
Stepping backwards she felt her heart tear slightly at the thought of the home she was leaving before racing off in the distance a plan already formulating in her head. Pietro watched her dissapating form and felt himself shiver, had he done the wrong thing...? He shook his head, no he didn't the kid had the right to do what she needed to and it was the only possible to find Sinisters base. Stepping back he drew in a deep breath and looked towards the mansion his plan falling firmly into place.
Don't worry kid, he thought in silence, I'm not far behind. With that he zipped away towards the mansion nothing but a white blur in the wind.
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Rouge slipped inside the X-men's garage and began sifting through the many vehicles that were stored. Many had the quality and speed she needed, but nothing truly suited what she wanted that was until her eyes fell on an emerald green camero. Stepping next to the car she tested the door and much to her relief it swung open. Sliding in she took in the sight of the ignition keys sitting idly. Too easy, she thought pressing the garage door opener, it slipped open silently.
Revving the car she slipped into third gear and flew from the garage out towards the front gate. The headlights were off so in the darkness of the night you couldn't see her silently slinking away. With ease the high gate swung open and she slipped through completely undetected. Pulling out the address on the paper she read it once then twice.
It would be easy to find, and all it would take was a little acting to get where she needed to be. Hang in there Elle, she thought I'm on my way and the calvary won't be far behind.
Rouge whistled and thanked whatever god was watching out for her before slamming on the breaks when something slammed against the roof of the car, merde.
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Keir slipped into the the front courtyard trying his damnedest to stay silent and unseen, after the lecture he'd just received he didn't want to see anyone. As he was about to ascend the front stair case he caught sight of a certain emerald carmaro slinking away from the mansion. From what he knew Rogue hadn't left. Letting curiousity get the best of him he sprinted towards the towering fence and climbed it in a matter of seconds.
Balancing on the fence he watched as the car sped towards his spot. With a swift motion he slipped from the fence and landed on top of the car. He didn't expect it though when the car slammed on its breaks and sent him tumbling forward.
Owwwwwww, me and my damn ideas. He thought as his body crashed with the aspault. Pushing himself up he was about to yell at the driver of the car when he saw Rouge, her face contorted in anger.
"What the hell!" She screeched throwing her hands up in the air.
"Same goes to you Sheila whats going on?" He had risen into a standing position his arms crossed over his chest.
"It doesn't matter." She stated.
"Uh yeah it does where are you taking Aunt Rogue's car?" At this a look of guilt passed over her face. When he was about to speak though a strong round of coughs caught her. In a mere moment all of his emotions except concern evaporated and he was by her side in an instant. As her coughing stopped he felt his body numb as her hand came away and blood was prominent on its surface.
"Rouge!" he didn't know what to do. Seeing his reaction she cursed and grabbed his arm throwing him in the passenger side door slamming it behind him. In a moment she slid into the drivers seat and looked at him her eyes watering.
"What's going on?" He asked incredously, wanting nothing more than to carry her back to Hank McCoy. She sniffed and laid her head against the steering wheel.
"I'm dying," she said bluntly, "and I have to get my sister back no ifs ands or buts about it. Now please go home so I can get this done before I'm too weak." Keir was horrified, he wasn't sure how to respond until he saw the determination in her eyes.
"You won't go back will you?" He asked, knowing the answer. When she nodded her head he gripped his head and looked at her, love obvious on his features, "Your not going on your own and your not going to die. I'm going with you."
She knew he wouldn't budge so she threw the car into drive and started her story from the beginning.
Author's Note: Okay so really rushed, not proofread and kinda crappy quality but I promised I'd get it out tonight it will be wayyyy better next time. By the way there will be a part three to this chapter before we get back to Elle just to forwarn you. Please don't give up on this story cause of this crappy chapter I just had to get it out, Tschua.