Chapter 10
The four fugitives approached the car with an enormous sense of relief, leaving behind chaos and flames. They rushed to the car that brought Anna and Remy to that house of horrors, never looking back. Not a word was uttered, each of them was digesting their traumas and thoughts in silence.

Remy unlocked the car with a click of the key fob, and the door popped open with a satisfying sound. The interior lights came to life as he opened the door and slid inside, swiftly taking the driver's seat. The two runaway wives quickly occupied the passenger seats on the back, while Rogue stood outside the vehicle purposefully. She watched Remy carefully, he was fiddling with some tiny gadget. He was checking that they had an internet connection now and the data he had meant to upload to his associate was finally in progress. Rogue grew more concerned as she could see the slightest effort needed for his task seemed nearly impossible because of his injury.

Still scantily dressed, the smile that had adorned her lips brought by the satisfaction of having accomplished the mission moments before had quickly faded away. Despite his best efforts, it didn't take her long to realize that Remy was not fit to drive. Her best friend was clearly not in good shape. Bright red blood flowed slowly but steadily from the wound he sustained, seeping through the torn skin and staining his dress shirt.

Outside the car, she crossed her arms over her ample chest as she narrowed her eyes at the man she secretly loved. Oblivious to her disapproval, he ran his hand over the smooth leather steering wheel and took a deep breath, trying to gather the focus and strength that he was struggling to maintain. He flicked a button, and the engine roared to life, its gentle purr reverberating through the cabin.

"Come inside, chére," he tried to reason with her, his voice was hoarse and barely there.

Anna Marie's frustration was evident as she interrupted him, her voice tinged with impatience. She sported a cutesy pout on her lips, though, he thought.

"Remy LeBeau, we both know you are in no condition to drive. You are bleeding! Be a good boy and scoot over to the passenger side," she commanded. He was going to open his mouth to protest, but one evil look from those pretty green eyes of hers and he was complying with her demands. Besides, she was most probably right. Try as he might, he couldn't fool himself, things weren't looking great. Once the adrenaline started to slowly dissipate, he started to feel every bit of pain radiating from his arm, also a bit lightheaded from all the blood loss.

Rogue quickly took off his shirt, leaving him in a sleeveless undershirt. She sucked in a deep breath at the sight of his muscular arm and the open wound. Remy grimaced in pain, showing her a more vulnerable side of him for the first time that night. His eyes found hers for a moment and she saw the guilt and the shame. She could read him like an open book, disappointment in himself was threatening to engulf him.

"I should've done a better job, I should've protected you," he mumbled, his words were barely audible.

"Shush, honey. Sometimes I fall and you catch me, sometimes it is my turn to catch you. This is what friends are for, right, sugar? Now, let me help you. I'll try to be as gentle as I possibly can,' she reassured him. He winced at her touch and nodded lightly. His eyes were now closed, his pretty red irises away from view.

She asked the lady sitting behind him to apply pressure to the wound while she tore one sleeve off his shirt, creating a makeshift tourniquet. Rogue leaned over Remy and wrapped the torn sleeve tightly around his upper arm, just above the wound. A worried frown marked her pretty face, and that was a never-good sign.

"You're gonna be okay, sugar. Just relax while I drive you to the nearest hospital," she stated while she adjusted her almost bare body on the driver's seat, buckling up and checking the rear and side mirrors. No sign of the scumbags after them, they were probably too busy trying to put down the fire and making sure no one else escaped.

"Non, chére. Listen to me, take us all to Maria's, we have a plan in place," he all but whispered.

Try as he might, she would do what he felt was best for him. He could be so stubborn, she thought, but she wouldn't let him get away with that this time. 'You're stubborn as a mule, Remy LeBeau,' she would often say. Being raised a thief and belonging to the LeBeau clan, it couldn't be any different. He was paranoid about hospitals and doctors, she remembered.

"For a guy like me to be at their mercy, hell no, chére. My fingerprints, my DNA, God only knows what they could pin on me," he had told her many times before. Medical facilities within the mansion were all she had ever seen him trust.

"Don't you think maybe we should take a quick detour to the mansion? Leave you at Hank's qualified care, then? I could drive the ladies to Maria's once I make sure you get qualified medical assistance." Why was she even consulting him? It was not as if he was in the position to choose.

"Please, chére," he pleaded, his good hand touched her thigh, and he left it there. It was the urgency, the desperate plea in his touch. That certainly got her attention. Any bare-skin contact coming from him would always grab her attention and evoke feelings that ran deep within her core. After years of yearning for his touch, she would never take it for granted. Sucking in a deep breath, she decided to grant his wishes and comply with his instructions. She crossed her heart and hoped to God that was the right decision. If anything were to happen to him, she would never forgive herself.
So together the unlikely group of partners in crime rode to Maria's place. The two women took turns applying pressure to Remy's wound while Rogue drove as fast as she possibly could. The journey wasn't all that long after all, but fearing for her friend's well-being, every minute that passed them by seemed like an hour to Anna Marie.

The moment they arrived at their destination; they were met by a very concerned-looking Maria. What Rogue didn't know was how well orchestrated Remy had crafted his plan to ensure their safety. Maria knew they were approaching because Remy had placed a tracking device in the car that they were using so that people he trusted would have access to the information of the vehicle's whereabouts. He had also made sure Maria was to contact the Guild's medical team to be on standby for their arrival. Yes, apparently, they had people of their own who were doctors and nurses. They were indeed very serious about their aversion to hospitals.

As soon as the car was parked, Rogue was out of the car. Not nearly as smooth and discreet as her ex-boyfriend usually was, the beautiful woman was making a scene, crying out, urging for help.
"He needs care, he needs a doctor, Maria. But he insisted I brought him here instead," her tone of voice was almost apologetic. But before she could say anything else, two healthcare professionals left the house and headed their way. One of them, a man, brought a stretcher with him, and the other, a pretty dark-haired woman in her forties, seemed to be the one calling the shots. She was elegant and slim, her eyes focused on her friend. Every movement of hers was precise, like many of the thieves Rogue had met before. But this one was probably the doctor, Rogue concluded. She ran to the car, to examine her boss and determine the extent of his injury.

At this point, Remy had passed out in the passenger seat. His skin was pale and he wasn't fully alert. He seemed confused and mumbled unintelligible little nothings from time to time. He had nothing left in him at that point, and he would have to be carried inside.

The victims they brought with them were promptly welcomed into the home by Maria. But not before she approached Rogue and gently asked her if she was all right. Rogue couldn't be sure when or if Remy had communicated with her last. She was surely not fine, that experience evoked bad memories, and she was holding up because she had Remy to worry about. The fact that she was unconscious before made her blood run cold in her veins. Was she abused? She could still feel that her underwear was wet and sticky. Was that Remy's juices only or did anyone else get to use her body? She shuddered at the thought. Her memories were jumbled, she felt dirty, but she brushed her own needs aside. Her best friend's well-being was all that mattered. All the rest could wait, she decided.

Maria's furrowed brow betrayed the worries that had settled upon her. As she talked to the two women she had just met, her usually bright eyes carried a weight, reflecting the burden of her concerns. She would need to have a chat with Rogue sooner rather than later. After all her years of experience, dealing with women who had been abused, she knew better than to believe Rogue when she said she was alright.

The man with the stretcher couldn't resist a glance over, Rogue was still in that lacy lingerie that left little to the imagination. Who could blame him when he had heard so much about the boss's on-and-off lady? She was all he told them about and more. Ignoring her sultry body in full view could be a difficult task to accomplish.

"Would you help me carry the boss inside?" he asked the beautiful lady in front of him, "I know you are a strong lady; I could use your help," he added sheepishly. She simply nodded but wondered how the guy she had never seen before knew about her and her powers. The puzzled look on her face probably gave her thoughts away, as the man offered her some further insight.
"There's not one person who's talked to the boss for more than 15 min that hasn't heard about you. But don't tell him I told you that."

She showed him a little smile and looked down at Remy as they carried him inside hurriedly.

That man, who had been her man for so long, was her person, she concluded, whether they were romantically involved or not. It hurt her so badly to see him in such a critical condition. Once Remy was settled in the same room they had spent the days planning their mission, Rogue didn't know what to do with herself. Her heart was so heavy with worry, that she felt as if she was drowning, the room felt charged with emotions. She had felt that way before, unfortunately. She just couldn't bear the possibility of losing him, that damn thief of hearts, that rascal. He had no business quitting on her, she wouldn't allow it. While she watched the doctor and her assistant trying to stabilize their boss, setting up an intravenous line, she struggled to breathe.

"He will surely need a blood transfusion," she said, both medical providers looked at her startled as if they had all but forgotten that she was still there.

"We got it covered, you don't need to worry," the older woman replied stoically. "You should take a shower, get changed, try to calm down. Ms. Maria will gladly offer you some warm soothing tea, I'm sure." And with that, she focused on her patient solely, yet again.

"I am O negative. You can hook me up to him, I'll give him my blood. Hell, I'd give him my own life if I could! Both Remy and I had blood work done before this mission, as he insisted. We were both clear," she explained. Remy being super meticulous in his planning, knowing there was a possibility they would have to have unprotected sex, he arranged for someone to go to Maria's to draw their blood sample and send it to the lab.

"We know, I supervise the Guild's lab, Anna Marie. And I brought compatible blood for the both of you, in case it was needed," she spoke assertively. Rogue had that incredulous look on her face, she couldn't pull a poker face even if she needed that to save her life.

"How do you even obtain blood?" A wide-eyed Rogue asked, feeling astonished.

"Hello? Thieves? Your boyfriend is the King of our wicked bunch," the nurse replied carelessly, noticing the doctor was staring daggers at him, he corrected himself. "Well, we maintain a blood bank of our own, those of us who can, donate blood ourselves."

"And that's the part when you say 'y'all are crazy' and leave the room so Josh here and I can work in peace. Please, sweetie, just go and take good care of yourself, change into more comfortable clothes," the doctor said.

Rogue's eyes locked onto the source of the unwarranted advice, ready to unleash a verbal torrent that would leave no room for misunderstanding. 'Who did that bitch think she was talking to?' But her anger dissipated as Maria quietly came into the room. Her kind eyes and tender motherly ways disarmed the pretty young mutant, the warmth in the little smile she showed her enveloped her in such a way that Rogue felt like a child.

"Will he be alright?" she asked the medical providers, her voice calm and soothing to Rogue's ears.

"Boss will pull through, yes," the man answered, his eyes never leaving the task at hand. "When has he not, right?" He stole a glance at Rogue and winked.

"Rogue, my dear," Maria started and the concern in her voice made Rogue want to cry. She was on the receiving end of the kind woman's worried stare, that could only mean one thing, she wasn't well, despite all her determination to believe otherwise. It was not alright. Her person was seriously hurt, lying frail in front of her, and she could very well be the reason why he was doing that badly. She had absorbed him, the man was injured and her wicked self drained his life energy. On top of that, she didn't know if she had been used and abused sexually. The way she was dressed, she could well have been.

"Come, dear. Let's get you in a shower, in some comfy clothes and a bed. You too need to recover," she added. She had said something before that, but Rogue was lost in her thoughts and had paid no attention. Snapping back to the present moment, she simply nodded and was about to follow the lady out of the room when she had a sudden change of mind. She rushed to Remy's bedside, his eyes were closed, and he looked achingly beautiful, peaceful, she decided.

"I love you, swamp rat. Don't you die on me, you hear? I won't let you," she whispered in his ear before kissing his forehead ever so gently. Only then, she left the room. Her heart was heavy with concern, but still, she found the strength in Maria's caring demeanor to keep walking away from him, following her into another room of the house.

The older of the two ladies offered her a towel, toiletries, and a fresh change of clothes. Noticing that Rogue's eyes were examining the comfortable pair of trousers and top, scanning the label on the pieces, she showed a knowing smile.

"Was this Remy...?"

"He had this delivered, yes, it had your name on it," she offered.

That man, he had thought of every single detail, that was the loungewear brand she liked, the shampoo, the strawberry scent he claimed to love in her hair, and all the other little things, it was as if she had handpicked all the items herself. She ran her hand over the fabric, thinking of him and all the times he cared for her and showed his adoration over the years, only waking up from her trauma-coping daydream the second time Maria called out her name.

"Rogue? Rogue, dear, you'd better go and have a shower, and get some rest."

It was only when the beautiful young lady snapped out of her trance and those green eyes sought her own that Maria saw silent tears streaming down her face. Rogue looked surprised when she realized Maria was frowning at her.

"There's also this, he said you'd know which ones to take if needed," Maria spoke softly as she handed Rogue a brown paper bag filled with medication boxes. She opened the bag and took a peek inside. As expected, there were boxes with emergency contraception, prophylactic antibiotics, and antiretroviral medications. Did she know if she needed all of that? There was unprotected sex with Remy, of that one she was sure, but since wearing condoms would raise suspicions if they were being watched, they had tests, and they were both clean, but was there anyone else?

Her mind felt like a foggy landscape, with memories drifting just out of reach. The events of the past few hours were a jumble of fragmented images and disjointed emotions. She absentmindedly fiddled with the paper bag in her hands, trying to anchor herself in the present. Whatever happened after she accepted that drink offered by one of the wives that showed up out of the blue, she didn't know and felt like she never would. Everything after that felt like a blur – scenes fading in and out like shadows in the mist. Hands on her body, a slap on her face, rushed movements, she was being undressed, not able to protest, to move, to do anything...

Maria touched her arm softly, intending to comfort Rogue, but it had the opposite effect. Her soft touch startled her, and she sought her eyes and found a concerned friend peering in.

"Hey, Rogue, my dear. How are you holding up? Are you not sure about everything that happened? Unsure if you even need these medications at all?" The concern in her eyes only deepened the confusion in Anna's mind.

"I don't know," Rogue mumbled, furrowing her brows. "Everything just seems... hazy. Like I can't grasp the details, at all. But," she paused, narrowing her eyes at Maria, "how would you know that I'm confused? And that I was actually wondering about it? Are you a telepath?"

Maria raised an eyebrow, her eyes widening with amusement. She chuckled at the unexpected question. She shook her head and assured her that she wasn't a telepath.

"But now that you mentioned it, it wouldn't be all that bad for my career. It would be so much easier to know what people were thinking so that I could better help them," she commented lightly.

She went on to explain that she had talked to the ladies they brought to her house, offering support and calming them down. Through those conversations, she learned a bit of what had happened that night. They had told her most of what they had seen. Including the fact that they had seen the beautiful couple who saved them before, on the TV that was showing the action in each of the rooms. The television had live streaming on and would show each room for a pre-set number of seconds and then, move to the next.

They were being kept in the basement, about to be gang-raped by several men, and had been forced to watch the TV the whole time. According to Sofia, they made them watch, hoping they would be in the mood for sex after watching everyone at it. They had watched Rogue and Remy together, making love to each other. Rogue blushed fiercely when that was mentioned. Maria thought it was cute, but decided not to comment anything about it. She continued telling the bizarre tale she had heard from her new guests. They had also seen when Remy left the room he shared with Rogue for a couple of hours. Shortly after, the lady they called Joana joined Rogue, drugged her, and changed her into the lingerie she was still wearing. Meanwhile, Remy came into the room where the two of them were being kept. At first, they thought he was just one of them, but one of the girls said something was different about him, he glanced at her and in that brief moment she knew he wasn't a monster, not like the others at all. There was compassion in his eyes, she could tell.

"Bottom line is, they said you were not raped while unconscious, it was just Joana with you the whole time. She certainly invaded your privacy, handled you like a piece of meat, and changed your clothes without your permission, but that was as far as things went," Maria spoke softly, and extended a comforting hand toward Rogue. "Come here, my dear. Sometimes, the best remedy for a heavy heart is an understanding soul."

Rogue being Rogue hesitated for a moment before accepting the invitation. When she finally held Maria's hand, the older woman pulled her and wrapped her in a caring embrace. Maria's voice, a soothing melody, broke the silence. "I can see that the recent events are troubling you, querida. Not only them, but that, mixed with all the other bad experiences you had before, right? You should know that you don't have to carry the weight alone. You have me, and most importantly, you will always have Remy. He loves you so much, I think you know that, don't you?"

Tears welled up in her green eyes as she began to unravel the knot of emotions within her. She spoke of fears, uncertainties, and the overwhelming hurt that she felt over someone doing things to her body, things that had been outside of her control. Ever so experienced in that area, Maria listened attentively, her hand gently patting Rogue's back in a rhythmic gesture of reassurance.

"Mi querida, life has a way of tossing storms our way," she said, her voice a comforting murmur. "This too shall pass, and you'll come out the other side of this, fuerte, determinada, stronger than before, and remember, you have a loving friend in Remy. Both of you are hurt, both of you need healing, and might as well help each other."

"Remy? He's a man, I don't think he would fully understand this, Maria."

"Well, try him, you will be surprised. Now off you go, cariño, go have your shower, try to get some sleep, I promise I'll wake you up if I hear he's awake," she promised.

Inspired by the wisdom she found in Maria's words, Rogue decided to follow the advice. She headed the the bathroom as directed, undressed, and went into the shower. She took a deep breath, allowing the warm droplets of water falling down to calm her nerves. The decision to talk to Remy and also listen to whatever traumas he had himself felt like a weight lifting off her shoulders. He was going to be fine and they were going to pull through. Together.