Chapter Thirty-Five:


"Dis is Remy, Henri an' Emil, jus' after dey got caught breakin' one o' Tante Mattie's vases."

Rogue laughed as she examined the picture. "God, they were cute li'l kids, weren't they?" She cast her friend a sly glance and, in unison, they snickered, "What happened?"

"Hey, I resent dat," Emil muttered.

Rogue flashed Remy's cousin a brilliant smile. Emil was her age, a year younger than Remy, with fiery red hair and deep blue eyes, and the roguish good looks that seemed to run in the family. Within minutes of meeting him, Rogue had discovered that he was amusingly obnoxious at times. Still, there was something endearing about the boy, and he'd quickly found a place in her heart in the weeks that she had been living with the Guild.

"An' I resent you, Lapin," Mercy drawled with a smirk.

Theoren snorted, and Emil looked up from his card game to glare at his cousin and opponent, then at Mercy. "Très intelligent, Mercy. Y' t'ink dat one up all by yo'self?"

Mercy scowled, and opened her mouth to reply, when the wind picked up suddenly, blowing her hat right off her head. She yelped and tried to grab onto it, but wasn't able to catch it before it was carried off into the air. "Rien!" she cursed. "Dat was my favorite hat!"

"Ah got it, sugah," Rogue assured her with a smile, pushing away from the table and lifting off of the ground. She swooped up and snatched the hat before it could blow over the rooftop, and floated back down to the courtyard below. When her feet touched the ground, she held the hat out to Mercy, bowing dramatically. "Ya hat, Mademoiselle."

Mercy grinned. "Merci beaucoup. Yo' too kind."

Theoren rolled his eyes. "Very inconspicuous, Rogue, chere."

"Oh, lay off her, Theo," Emil replied, laying down his next card. "S'not like anyone's gon' see her here. 'Sides, de t'ings people have seen in dis town? A flyin' girl would barely even warrant a second glance."

"Woman, Emil, not girl. Woman," Mercy corrected.

"Woman, den," Emil amended with a shrug. "De point is, I doubt dat Rogue would receive dat much attention in De Big Easy, non?"

"De homme's got a point, hahn?"

Rogue turned at the sound of the familiar voice, and smiled at Remy as he made his way towards them, a dark haired girl following just behind. "Hey there, swamp rat," she called.

Remy grinned. "Bonjour, mon amour," he replied. He paused behind Emil and smirked. "Five aces, cousin?"

Theoren scowled. "Emil, y' cheat! Je vais vous tuer!"

"Not if y' don' catch me," Emil retorted, leaping to his feet and darting away from the table, Theoren hot on his heels. Remy watched them go, chuckling to himself, then shook his head and turned his attention back to Rogue, bending down to place a kiss lightly on her lips.

"Nice t' see ya, too, sugah," Rogue said with a smile. She nodded at his companion and asked, "Who's ya friend?"

The dark haired girl stepped forward and Rogue studied her curiously. She looked familiar, no doubt one of the many thieves that she had seen roaming around the estate. She was young, but older than Rogue. Probably about Mercy's age. Remy smiled, his eyes glittering excitedly, and Rogue instinctively sat up a bit straighter, sensing this woman was someone important.

"Dis is Tessa," Remy said, gesturing to the woman beside him. "She's a t'ief, but she's also a mutant." He gave Rogue a significant look. "A telepath."

Rogue drew a sharp breath, memories of the past flooding back to her now. Remy had promised to find her a telepath one day, that day back on the beach, just before the Sentinels had attacked. She'd forgotten, but obviously he had not.

I don't believe it, Carol whispered.

"She t'inks dat she can help y' wit' Carol an' de problems wit' yo' mental crowd," Remy explained with a grin.

Rogue nodded slowly. She'd wanted so badly to have someone erase Carol from her mind, but now that it was possible, she was hesitant to do it. What would happen to Carol? Would she be trapped in her comatose body, or would she just disappear? Over the past few months, Rogue had slowly become accustomed to the other girl's presence in her mind. The thought of her absence was a bit alarming.

I'll say, Carol agreed, her voice shaking slightly. You can't let her do it, Rogue! Please! You owe me! Please, don't let her erase me!

Calm down, Rogue snapped, unable to hear what Tessa was saying over Carol's frantic mental plea. No one is gonna do anythin' unless we both agree t' it, alright? Ah won't let her do anythin' wit'out ya permission.

There was a moment of silence, then Carol asked softly, You promise?

Rogue couldn't really blame her for being scared. She would have been, too, if she was in Carol's shoes. Yeah, she replied. Ah promise.

"Rogue?"

Rogue blinked, and lifted her eyes to find Remy looking at her with concern. "You okay, girl?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," Rogue replied with a forced smile. "Ah'm okay. Carol an' Ah were jus' talkin', that's all. What did Ah miss?"

Remy nodded, but didn't seem very convinced. "Tessa asked if y' wanted her t' lock Carol away permanently?"

"No!" Rogue said sharply. Seeing the surprised looks she received, she blushed. "Ah mean, no, Ah don't want that. Carol...it's mah fault she's like this." She glanced up at Tessa, biting her lip hopefully. "Is there any way that ya can wake her up? Put her back in her own body an' wake her up from her coma?"

Tessa shook her head regretfully. "No. My powers aren't that strong. I'm sorry."

"Ah won't have her erased or trapped in a coma because o' some selfish desire t' have mah thoughts t' mahself again," Rogue said, crossing her arms over her chest stubbornly.

Remy opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off by Tessa. "If I could put Miss Danvers back in her own body, but leave a mental link between the two of you, would that be acceptable?"

Rogue tilted her head, considering. It would be nice not to have someone else in her mind all the time, and she was certain Carol wasn't comfortable being around during moments when Rogue and Remy were being affectionate with one another. Carol? she asked.

Carol hesitated, then asked, Would I be able to talk to you whenever I wanted? Could I still see through your eyes sometimes?

Rogue relayed the question aloud to Tessa, and the telepath smiled faintly. "I believe that is possible. I would have to strengthen the tie between you, but I think that I could make that work."

It's ya decision, Carol, Rogue told her. Ya should be the one who makes this choice, not me.

For a long moment there was silence, and Rogue looked over at Remy while she let Carol contemplate the offer. Remy was frowning worriedly, obviously uneasy with the notion that she might decide to keep Carol's presence in her head permanently. While Rogue could understand why that bothered him, she wished that he could understand how much she owed Carol. Yes, one day she wanted the other girl out of her head for good, but she'd hoped that would be when they could return Carol to her own body and wake her up from her coma.

Yes, Carol said.

Rogue blinked, startled by the other girl's voice. What?

My answer is yes, Carol said. Tell her to do it.

Rogue hesitated. Are ya sure?

Yes, Carol replied. I'm sure.

Sighing, Rogue announced Carol's decision to the others. Mercy cast her a sympathetic glance, obviously knowing that this was a mixed blessing for her. Remy just reached across the table and squeezed her hand encouragingly.

"Alright, then," Tessa said, lowering herself into the empty chair across from Rogue. She glanced at Mercy and Remy and nodded back towards the mansion. "If you don't mind, I work better in private."

Mercy stood and flashed Rogue one last smile before turning and starting off. Remy leaned down and kissed her hair, murmuring, "Je suis desole, Carol."

Tell him not to be, Carol ordered.

Rogue did, and Remy smiled weakly, then slipped away, leaving Rogue alone with Tessa. Rogue shifted uneasily. "Uh, so what exactly do Ah do?" she asked.

Tessa smiled. "Just sit back and relax, and if you would, lower your mental shields so that I can get in. After that, I'll do the rest."

"Okay," Rogue said, and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes tightly. She reached out for the thick walls that protected her psyche from intrusion, and slowly began to peel back the shields, layer by layer.

When the last one fell away, she found herself standing before Carol, and she offered the blond girl and weak smile. Hi, she said.

Hi, Carol replied.

May I join you?

Rogue couldn't help jumping at the sound of Tessa's voice in her head. It had been so long since she'd been around a telepath, she'd forgotten what it was like to speak with anyone other than Carol mentally. She turned to see Tessa standing in the doorway to her mind, and she nodded for the girl to enter.

Very nice place here, Tessa commented, looking around the room at the illusion of a teenage girl's bedroom.

Thanks, Carol and Rogue both said at once.

Tessa raised an eyebrow and Rogue smiled ruefully. This is Carol's old room back home. Ah thought it might make her more at home if she had familiar surroundin's.

Ah, Tessa said. I see. You have quite the skill with manipulating your own mind, Rogue.

Thanks, Rogue replied. Ah have Professor Xavier t' thank fo' that.

Tessa frowned suddenly, and turned to glance around. Are you aware that we are not alone? she asked.

What? Rogue asked, confused.

There are others here, Tessa explained. And yet they aren't here. Not really. They seem to be almost like...ghosts.

Ghosts? Rogue bit her lip, trying to figure out what she meant by that, but she never got the chance, as Carol spoke up. When Rogue absorbs someone, she gets their thoughts, their memories, their powers for a time. When they wear off, a piece of them stays behind.

Rogue looked at her in surprise. Ya never told me they were still here.

Carol shrugged. I thought you knew.

It seems your mental shields kept them entombed, Tessa noted. That's why Carol could hear them and see them, but you could not.

I haven't heard them, Carol corrected. I just felt them. Like I could sense they were here, but there was a wall between me and them.

Probably a good thing, Rogue muttered. Considering Ah've absorbed Sabertooth several times. Ah doubt ya want t' be in a room wit' him any time soon.

True, Carol agreed.

You realize that this means you have a very deep source of potential power residing within you? Tessa asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

What do you mean? Rogue asked.

I am not only a telepath, Tessa explained. I also have the ability to boost a mutant's power, though I do not use it very often. If I were to boost your powers, then you would be able to access the powers of anyone that you have absorbed before.

Rogue stared at her in disbelief. Ya mean Ah could use Jean's telepathy or Kurt's teleportation when ever Ah want?

Not exactly, Tessa shook her head. I would have to boost your powers each time you desire to do so, and I must warn you that if I do, you'll have to suffer through some sideaffects.

Sideaffects? Rogue echoed.

Exhaustion, headaches, nothing too serious, Tessa assured her. It would just be a temporary factor once you power down.

But other than that Ah could use any o' the powers Ah have in mah head when ever Ah need them? Rogue asked, making sure she was understanding right.

Precisely, Tessa confirmed with a nod.

Wow, Carol said. That's cool.

Rogue wasn't so sure. If she were to use someone's powers, that would mean she'd be opening herself up to their memories and thoughts, as well. And what if using one of her stored powers let the psyches in her head get free?

I can prevent that, Tessa assured her. At least to a degree. You might be inclined to think more like the person in question, but the affects would wear off as soon as you extinguished their power.

Ah can do that? Ah mean, Ah can control how long Ah keep the powers?

Yes, Tessa replied.

Rogue was silent for a long moment, letting it all sink in. She had learned more about her powers in the past few minutes than she had in all the years since her powers first manifested.

Think about it, Tessa told her. I'm always around, so I can do it at any time, if you decide you want to try it out. Without waiting for a reply, she turned her attention to Carol. Focus on yourself, if you would, please. Try to imagine yourself in your own body.

Okay, Carol said uneasily.

Rogue hesitated, then moved to her side and hugged her. Thank ya, she whispered. An' Ah'm sorry, fo' everythin'.

Carol hugged her back. I know that now. And your'e welcome.

Rogue pulled away and watched silently as Tessa placed a hand against Carol's temple, and closed her eyes. For a long moment it seemed as if nothing was happening, and then Rogue noticed that Carol's appearance was flickering, growing fainter with each passing moment.

Crossing her fingers, Rogue watched anxiously, silently worrying about whether or not this would work the way they intended for it to.

An instant later, Carol was gone.

Tessa opened her eyes and turned to face Rogue. It is done.

Can Ah talk t' her? Rogue asked.

Tessa nodded. Of course. You two had a strong psychic rapport to begin with, even before I strengthened it. I take it you have used your friend Jean's telepathy before? Rogue nodded that she had. You rapport works the same way.

Rogue closed her eyes and concentrated, reaching out for the mental signature she had come to know since their time in Trask's captivity.Carol? she called. Carol, can you hear me?

Rogue? Yeah, I can hear you.

Rogue grinned. Everythin' alright on ya side, sugah?

Yeah, Carol replied. You know, I never knew my mind was so posh looking inside. My entire house is in here, Rogue. My bedroom, my kitchen...everything.

Rogue looked at Tessa in confusion. The mind takes the form of what the subconsciousness most desires, the dark haired girl explained. For Carol that is to be home.

Rogue could relate to that.

We should be going, Tessa said. I have business to attend to with Jean-Luc, and I am sure that Remy and Mercy are both anxious to see you.

Right, Rogue replied. Ah really appreciate ya doin' this, Tessa.

It was my pleasure, Rogue.

There was a flash of light, and Rogue blinked, opening her eyes to find herself sitting at the table in the courtyard once more. Tessa was already rising to her feet, and Rogue stood with her, smiling, her eyes welling with tears. "Thank ya," she whispered, clasping Tessa's hand tightly.

Tessa smiled. "You're very welcome," she said, and then she walked off towards the back door to the mansion, leaving Rogue alone.

Rogue smiled, savoring the feeling of having her head to herself again.

Thanks, Carol, she called across her rapport.

Not a problem, Carol assured her. At least not I won't have to be gagging myself inside your head every time you and Remy kiss. I mean, could you imagine how bad it would have been if you two had decided to sleep together while I was still stuck in there? Talk about disturbing.

Rogue was inclined to agree.


Translations:

Très intelligent- very clever
mon amour- my love
Je vais vous tuer- I'm going to kill you