"Ah Remy…"
"Yeah chere"
When Marie didn't speak Remy turned to her; she held her empty pill bottle upside down displaying it to him
"Mercy didn't pick it up?" Remy let out a sigh out of frustration "Don't worry I'll call her it will be here soon."
Venturing out of room he went in search of someone to pick up the medication for him. It took him three shouts to realize that no one was home; to make matters worse the sky was pitch black a nasty storm was coming.
Dialing Mercy at the diner Remy was already furious to why the medication hadn't reached the main house.
"Hello"
"Where the hell is Marie's medication"
"What do you mean I sent that with Etienne a half an hour ago?"
"He is nowhere in sight, no one is… the house is bone yard"
"I'm sure he's on his way, he took the car"
"Isn't there someone there you trust enough to bring a new package? This is my wife Mercy…" Since Marie started taking medication Remy has been holding an extra prescription at the diner for cases like this.
"Well if isn't bitch with no where to go" Remy heard yelling on the other line
"Mercy you there?" Chatter and moving objects clustered the phone
"You're short staffed I guess that make this your unlucky day-Hhahhaha"
"Mercy?!"
"Remy I'll call you back I got out some out of town guest" the dial tone ring in Remy ears only fueling his anger further.
Remy paced the outside of he's bedroom, trying to work off some aggression. In one hand he gripped the phone the other he tossed a charged card. This was the last thing he wanted to deal with specially when they were so close. He was about to charge the phone when it rang.
"Hello?"
"How's the kid?"
"Half sleeping"
"You hiding something I can hear it…"
"Can't find…" ding, ding, ding, ding. "There's a fool at the door hold on."
"We will be there in ten minutes…" Logan hanged up leaving Remy to deal with the door.
It was cloudy, windy, the rain was coming down and thunder could be heard rumbling in the back round.
"Hey let me in its raining!" that high picked girly voice belonged to no other then Jubilee. Remy opened the door and she rushed in, drenched "Haven't seen a storm this bad since Storm made one personally."
"Where's Wolverine?"
"What?"
"Isn't he with you?"
"No I came with someone else…" she had already said too much
"Who?" Remy question there was no body left outside
"Ah…. their in town and have no intentions of coming because I didn't tell them where I was going and that's all…"
Jubilee's chatter was making Remy head hurt more, so long as it wasn't a serial killer she came with, he didn't care at moment "No matter, you have to leave and go to the diner to get…"
"The boarder line diner alone!?" Jubilee interrupted with a crack in her voice. It was clear the Theo had been running his mouth to much.
"It's simple take my keys go down Main st, left on third, at the fourth light make another left…" he voice went to deep tone when he caught Jubilee's already lost face. Running his and across his head he said "Just say with Marie, don't move her or anything don't tell her nothing stressful…keep her calm and don't move" by now his nails were digging into her shoulders. Jubilee nodded at snails speed freaked out by Remy's new intense behaviour.
"Wolverine will be here in a minute… My father and Theo are out for day downtown" he said to her when they reached Marie's room. "Don't tell her about this… where I am… nothing any bad news could be dangerous" he warned her with burning eyes.
Soon as Remy entered the room his demeanor changed instantly. His stressful eyes were replaced with comforting ones; his tense mouth erased with a glowing smile, his whole body was relaxed. Jubilee had never seen sudden transformation like that and was taken back by it which her face reflected.
"I was wondering where you despaired to…" Marie rolled her head towards the door to see her husband and long time friend. "Oh hi Jubilee what's the matter?" she asked with wide eyes, she noticed the strange look on Jubilee's face first.
Between the death glares from Remy and scared ones from Marie Jubilee said the first thing that came to her mind "…Swallowed my gun I think it might be stuck in my throat…" both Jubilee and Remy paused for Maries reaction, she gave Jubilee a weak laugh.
Remy walked over to her bedside "Chere I'm going to pick up some food for diner…" Marie was a little surprised because Remy had been making all her meals himself or if not him Tante. "I feel like takeout…you've earned it" his reassuring tone and kind eyes brought Marie back to mellow level.
While Jubilee climbed into bed with Marie snuggling up to her, Remy prepared to leave the house.
XXXXXXXXXX
The Red Banner-
Remy parked his car down the street and dashed to diner, not bothering to cover himself properly from the rain. Upon his arrival his mouth dropped to floor; there wasn't much of a diner to go too. The huge front windows were cracked down to pieces, the lights flickered and the door was kicked in.
"Mercy!" he cried out while armed with his cards floated lightly in his hands ready to attack. "Mercy!" he steadily walked into the rubble.
"RE- cough-MY cough" a shaking voice tried to answer him.
"Mercy keep talking…." Remy followed the weak cried of his name further into the mess searching under broken tables and shattered glass. Hidden under some boards and broken liquor bottles was Mercy she was dirty, full of cuts and barely conscious.
Remy wrapped her in his trench then picked her up in his arms.
"Mercy who did this…"
"I do believe I can answer that question" the voice of the man made Mercy cringe in Remy arms. The destroyed diner was lined with Assassins surrounding Remy and Mercy spearheaded by Bryan Boudreaux. In his hands were two knifes and eyes that were the image of pure hatred.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What was that?!" Marie jolted up in freight
"Relax it's the door bell Logan is stopping by too." Jubilee explained as she got up and headed for door.
The rough pounding continued at the door as Jubilee approached it. The thunder and lighting crackled lighting up the sky, figured outlined was not of Logan's it was much taller and leaner in build. Picking a heavy door stopper Jubilee armed herself.
She flung the door open, throwing the stopper. The stopper made contact with a brick of ice before crashing to the floor.
"Bobby!" Jubilee eyes reflected her disbelief "What the fuck are you doing here?!"
"There's a riot or something in town so I followed your communicator here…"
"You have to leave….now" she attempted to shove him out the door
"No! It's raining out and I don't know were you parked the jet" he protested.
"Bobby you can't be here…"
"Why not?!" he shoved against her. They both fell to the floor of the house.
Steadying himself with a side stable his eyes landed on the most beautiful face he had ever known standing next to her groom in her wedding dress.
"This is her house isn't it?" Bobby was afraid to know the answer
"Yes it is. So you have to leave…"
"How is she doing she is home? Are the twins doing better?" he walked further into the house.
"Bobby Drake! You lost all right to ask questions it is time for you to leave sleep in dirt hole for all I care get out!" Jubilee pulled him by his hand to door
"You just used me for a ride? You didn't want to help me recruit that kid…"
"Shocking isn't it. Now leave go back to school or town don't care…" she had Bobby half way out the door when she got a glimpse of another X-jet "Wolverine…" Jubilee spoke in horror.
"What?!" Bobby yelled flying back in the house. "You have to hide me I can't go back out there he will kill, I'm still probation….he's gonna kill me!"
As much as Jubilee didn't want to admit it he was right, Logan would flip on Bobby and her, this wasn't going to help Marie and if anything happened to her Remy would personally put her in the ground.
"Ok, ok get in…" the shuffled around for a minute "Here put on this jacket, cover your scent"
"I need a place to hide…"
"No Shit!" She searched franticly for a place for him to stay "There…" she pointed to the LeBeau study, she knew it well enough. " Get in. There is a two way lock and escape door behind the bookshelf. If someone comes use that…"
"How will I know its safe to come out?!" he asked while being shoved in the dark room
"I'll text you and tell you when to make a run for it" Jubilee closed the door softly in time to answer Wolverines now aggressive knocks.
"What took you so long to answer?" Logan yelled at her dropping a man soaking wet onto the floor.
"Is that Etienne?"
Etienne had been jumped, beaten up badly his face was only slightly recognizable.
"Sure is…. Hanks trying to steady the jet and get any old medical supplies…" There wasn't much supplies in the smaller jets mainly because no one used them. Logan picked Etienne up again, moving him to the couch in the living room "Grab some towels…."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The Red Banner-
"You picked the wrong time homme…" Remy threatened
"Oh no this is the best day my friend… you know how long I've been watching you and your sweet belle waiting to make my move."
"You're going to wait a little longer then…"
"You speak a good game Remy I'll give you that but last I checked your out number thirty to one."
"Never stopped me before make your move" Remy put Mercy down by his legs backing her up into a corner. He flipped out a hand full of cards charged and tossed them a the forming mob. And so it went knives flying, blood filling the air, sweat wetting the floor and a fuchsia glow covered The Banner….
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Downstairs-
Bobby stored away in the study put his ear to the door listening to outside conversation
"He's trying to say something…" Jubilee hushed up Logan bending her head to swollen mouth
"I've found an I.V." Hank voiced as he entered the room
Learning a valuable lesson from his pass action Bobby decided that now was the perfect time to leave. Following Jubilee's instructions he pushed on the largest book hoping that it was the bookshelf she was taking about. What it revealed was staircase not a door, being the smart guy Bobby was he went up staircase when he heard Wolverines boots hitting the hardwood floors.
"Logan come back here there something in his pocket…" Jubilee called for him
Upstairs-
Marie had been sleeping for quite a while, completely unaware she laid in peaceful dreams.
Bobby climbed to the top of stairs praying for an exist soon, finally he saw a door and with percussion he opened it carefully tip-toeing out. He was on the second floor of the house; scared shitless he would get caught he moved inches at time. In the distant he spotted a balcony slowly he creped to door trying to avoid the lose floorboards. As he moved with a ballerina like grace his ears caught wind of a delicate cough.
Downstairs-
"It's medication…" Jubilee handed Hank the container
"Appears to be."
"Diner…Remy…Assassins…" Etienne mumbled
"Shhh listen. He's trying to talk again" Jubilee announced
"Diner…Remy….Attack"
"What's he's saying?" Logan asked he couldn't wait very long for these type of things.
With her ear to Etienne lips she listen again to his muzzled words "Diner…Remy…Assassins" she then spoke them out loud voicing it out loud the meaning came to her.
"Ohhah" she slapped her hand over her mouth, just then the storm hit a power surge knocking the power out all over the city causing the house to go completely black.
"Jubilee what is it?" Hank said clicking on his pen flashlight "Jubilee?"
"Move out of the way…" Logan grabbed hold of her not caring that it as hurting her arm. He had lost his patients things weren't moving quick enough for him. "Start talking Jubilee…" he had his integration attitude on.
Upstairs-
"Rogue" Bobby said below a whisper. He was in her private room hovering over her sleeping form. She looked so at peace Bobby did feel a tiny bit of guilt for what he did to her over their last few months together.
Watching her huge belly inflate and deflate he got a sudden urge to touch it, probably because it wasn't his to touch or maybe he wished it was his to touch.
As his cold hand reached out to feel her belly Marie's eyes began to flicker inching open slowly, her vision pulled together giving her a clear shocking view.
"Bobby what are you doing!?" she comprised herself pull the blanket up to her chest averting herself back to her old Rogue like ways.
"Rogue I didn't mean…"
"Get out!" Marie's blood pressure was at a high level again but this time there was no annoying beeping nose of the machine to notify her. She pulled the sheet up to which Bobby was part way on. When she pulled; Bobby fell down toward her crashing into her legs.
"Oh my god Rogue I'm so sorry are you ok?'
Marie watched Bobby remove himself, her world was playing in slow motion hoping what she was thinking wasn't the reality of the situation.
"Rogue…" Bobby called out she wasn't moving anymore "Rouge?"
"….Bobby I cant feel my legs… I can't move my legs…" she looked down at them.
" What? Ah…"
She ripped the covers off her feet to discovery a watery bloody substance pooling between her thighs.
"AHhhhhh" Marie let go of a blood cry into the mansion she cried louder and harder tears sprung down her cheek "Where's Remy…Oh my God!!"
Downstairs-
"What was that?" Jubilee squealed
"It's Rogue!" Logan bolted up the stairs close behind was Hank and Jubilee abandoning Etienne who was passed out now.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Red Banner-
"Is this the best you Assassins got?" Remy exclaimed after taking down eight members. He twirled a glowing ace card in between his fingers "Coming for you Bryan…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Logan!" Marie screamed for him "I can't feel my legs…I think I'm oh God…Oh God Logan it's too soon!"
Logan rushed to her side like he has done countless times before. "Its ok…" he told her "Hank!" he yelled out.
As Hank asset Marie the scent of cheap body spray caught Wolverines nose. Extending his claws, they tore a small piece of flesh off of the shadows neck.
"Logan I didn't do it, I didn't touch her…well I touched her but I didn't touch she was fine I sear I don't why or… Fucking hell Logan pull back your claws I didn't…Oh my god oh my god oh my god…." Bobby was crying like the child he was frighten and confused it was causing him to have a panic attack.
Logan growled when Marie called for him again "I'll deal you later" he promised Bobby
Bobby was still freaking out but quickly came to when Jubilee slapped him as hard as she could across the face. "Don't move…Don't fucking move?!" she bitched to him then attending to her friend.
The moonlight was the only light in room, if it wasn't for spacious balcony's glass doors Hank wouldn't have been able to see anything not that he could see much.
"Logan what's happening" Marie asked unable to hold back her tears
"Everything looks good kid" he was lying but they couldn't afford her anymore stress at the moment. The expression on Hanks face didn't read fine however. He signaled everyone to the back corner.
In a small huddle Hank explained the situation "…She in labour, and has been for quite some time…" Jubilee wrapped her arms around herself in sadness and guilt. Seeing her reaction Hank reassured her "It has nothing to do with Bobby…if it wasn't for Bobby coming up and touching her, who knows what, would have happened to her…"
"So you can deliver it here?" Jubilee asked.
"It's not that simple, this is a special pregnancy I don't have half the things…"
"Hank you have doubted everything this girl has been threw, it's time you find away"
"She is so fragile right now, she has no strength to push and I don't have me tools for an operation…"
"I though you were the infamous Doctor Hank McCoy…" Logan mocked as he turned to leave
"Where are you going Logan?"
"According to Cajun in the living room Remy's at the diner and he's out numbered…." He pulled Drake by the collar "Lets good icicle….Jubilee seeing how your humping boots with one them you should make the call tell them where we are headed"
"Hank you have to do something?!" Jubilee persisted
"Find some towels and flashlights Jubilee and whatever she asks lie to her"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Red Banner-
After Remy took down four more Assassins, he stood in a four corner split with an ace of spades to one of their necks. Behind him passed out on the floor was Mercy, Remy had done an amazing job of keeping her and her border space safe.
"Give it up Remy you can't walk out of this one…"
"Don't you know the LeBeau's travel as a pack?" came a voice behind the group standing where the front door once was, was Henry with two other guild members.
"Four don't make me laugh…. The only way you're getting out of this is with a group of mutants."
"Funny we got that too…" Bobby froze the legs of the on the men surrounding Remy Wolverine dove in taking out two from behind with his claws.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Upstairs-
"Where is he?" Marie could barley speak he voice chipped in and out of all her sentences. Jubilee who was partially lying on the bed next to her did as she was told each time Marie would ask for Remy or how the twins were, Jubilee would lie. Lie for her best friend's life.
Marie was going in and out of consciousness, when she would slip out of Jubilee would run to Hank and see what progress he made
"And…"
"She can't even stay awake for fifteen minutes at a time… the contractions are close together and she is running a mild fever."
Jubilee couldn't help but cry "What are we going to do; the storm is too heavy for jet to take off… Remy isn't here, they've been gone for so long…we can't risk moving her"
"We tell the truth…"
"What?!... Hank?"
"Life isn't fair Jubilee."
"Hank…"
"We tell her…"
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The Red Banner-
"Watch out!" Henry called out for his brother. With fast reflexes Remy taking out no one but two Assassins.
All that was left was Bryan. Remy held him a choke hold reaching for a fresh card to end him with, Henry cried out "Stop…" Bryan was begging for life, he was always talk and muscle "….This one is mine" Henry declared to Remy pulling a knife from his jacket.
"Remy you gotta go now…" Bobby yelled from the front passage.
"Why are you guys here anyways?" there wasn't much time for conversations during the fight.
"It's Marie" Logan started "There's no easy way… she's in labour."
"It's to early…" Remy didn't show his anger and pain in his face instead his hand that rested on the leftover bar top glowed was passion.
"There's no time for that Remy…" Henry tried to sound compassionate "There is another round of Assassins heading this way wanting justice no doubt?"
The two brother exchanges looks feeling each others pain for both their loves were horrible conditions. "Take Mercy with you put her in her bed… my truck is outside…" Henry bent down to kiss Mercy forehead before placing her in Remy's arm "I know you will keep her safe"
"This isn't …" Remy couldn't get the words that he wanted to say out
"We know Remy…"
Remy was holding back tears.
The storm was worsening outside there wasn't much time for him get back home his chances of arriving back with no issues were slim. The storm was already at warning levels allowing the streets to be empty, that was the only good news. At the entrance way he looked back thinking that Logan and Bobby were behind him.
"Not this time Gumbo she's calling for you" Logan said to him as he braced for the roaring mob heading to The Banner
"I owe her more then this Remy tell her I'm sorry…" Bobby pleaded taking his place next to Wolverine. Together with the help of Henry and the other remaining thieve; they formed the border line….
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Upstairs-
Even when Dr. McCoy told Remy the full truth, it didn't seem real to Remy. He couldn't believe it; this wasn't the future they had envisioned for themselves. Walking over to Marie bedside, he was no longer in control of his emotions the tears fell in a soft smooth pattern. For Remy it he felt like he was walking to his destruction what was he going to say, how to say it; there was no humanly way to leave from this in tack.
She was sitting fully up with her legs spaces apart. All the blood that stained sheets flashed backed Remy's memory to their tinted wedding day. Her eyes were shut and dried tears marked down her face. Remy leaned over stroking her hair he kissed the top of her forehead
"Oh Marie my sweet belle"
Her eyes opened instantly at the sound of his voice "Its bad isn't Remy were they telling the truth… I can't feel them anymore" it didn't take long for the tears to stream down her cream skin.
"…Shhh don't worry about that…" He leaned her forwards and sat behind her like he used to when she was upset. "…don't worry about that… I need to tell you something first."
"Their not going to make it Remy…" she wiped the tears off her face. Remy head placed neatly on the side of her head. Marie always had a bond with Remy she never had to look at his face to know what he was thinking; his tone always gave him away and this time it was saying he was hurt beyond repair.
"Thank you" he whispered in her ears why he chose those word he didn't know, in the deep pit of his body Remy was grateful for not having to say those words. No matter what he couldn't get them off his tongue.
Marie had never felt as more of a failure then in that moment. Remy was picking up on her feelings he couldn't and wouldn't have any of that, she had come so far from the girl he meet in New York.
"For What?" Marie asked in depressing tone it tore Remy heart into slivers.
"For embellishing yourself in this pain for the beautiful lives you carry with…" the tears ran from Remy's deeming eyes "For being the strongest women I have ever known…" He planted a row of kisses down the side of her face. "For all the love that you would give our children… For being my wife and sticking by me, for giving me so much more then these gifts of life" He traced her belly with both his hands "…and never asking anything of me…" his voice broke for a second "….you are the angel that forever beats my heart and I will be by your side for ever. I love you…"
Marie turned into putty in Remy's arms, she cried and he held her.
She cried forming a small ball hugging her stomach. "Ahh…" she spoke as if she was dry heaving "Ahh…"
"Marie what are you doing?" Remy asked turning her head to his
"Hank!" he belched "Hank!"
Hank along with Jubilee was in the far corner feeling the hurt that reflected the couple.
Rushing over Hank saw Marie's face up close with puzzled eyes he managed to ask "What are doing?"
"Hank… Hank, Hank I'm ready let's do this…" she was pushing, scared Remy held on to her tight while Hank addressed her.
"The risks!" Hanks said acting as the voice of reason
"No…No risk…. I will be there I will always be there" Marie brought Remy's hand to her lips running it across her lips. "…Now shut up and help me push!" her old demanding voice was back roaring with power.
"Marie…" Hank said a bit desperately
"Ah Hank." Jubilee who sat at the bottom of the bed said softly. Hank turned towards her blocking the couple in labour out of sight. Jubilee lifted the sheet cover Marie's lower half "That looks like a head to me…"
Stunned with the impossibly Hank barely kept his head. After a few name calls in combination with some hard jabs to chest from Jubilee plus Remy screaming voice to help, Hank went into position acting as Marie's Doctor and friend not a fending scientist.
Cries of pain and tormented emotions let lose from Marie mouth. Each cry was an old frustration getting out but all the while it felt glorious to know it was making an impact, that it was building something that will carrying on in the future. She was exhausted now…
Out came baby one and two minutes behind baby two "Come one Rogue, two more pushes and we've got him…" sucking all her energy in she pushed all the negative feelings of doubt that she had been holding in and at the end a beautiful cry for life came out.
Tried and dizzy she dropped back on to Remy's chest "You did bon my chere bon…"
Marie smiled at him while her eyes closed.
On the long ended couch Jubilee cradled the babies "Remy" she called to him. Hank unable to do two things at once joined them checking the newborns vitals. Marie needed break before he went back and finished her up.
Because Marie was so weak she could get up and see the twins therefore Remy brought them to her. Unable to keep her head up alone Remy placed the twins in her folded arms. Their pudgy cheek and tiny eyes was the most magical thing Marie had witnessed.
"Remy…"
"Their beautiful aren't they."
"Remy…" he voice hallow and weak
"What is my belle…" her eyes fainted back at Remy question, the children were slipping.
Taking them out of her arms before she fell, Remy called out for Jubilee to come for them. As quickly as she came she felt with the twins. Hank was in the washroom cleaning himself and needle preparing it for Marie, he was unable to hear the cries.
"I have something to ask you…" her tone was low; she was fading
"Name it" Remy said holding her hand close to his face, they were inches apart
"…that you love them, love them with all you have even if that means loving them more then me" her eyes were fluttering while Remy held her hand he felt her decelerating pulse. He didn't have the strength to destroy the mood she was already so faint.
He answered her request full heartily even though it damaged him to do so "For eternity and more…"
She didn't reply back only masking a peaceful smile as her heavy eyelids closed
"Marie! Marie…" her weak grip was relaxed….
"Henry" Jubilee cried noticing Remy eyes burn and him pull Marie up into his arms crying into her shoulders. "Marie don't leave me!!"
Dropping his work Hank ran for the bed throwing Remy aside he bent over Marie pushing on her chest. For Hank the impossible just happened so why can't it repeat it's self?
"Marie…" Remy cried tears of pain over Hanks shoulders "Don't leave me don't leave us…"