Chapter 3
A world away from the X-Men and the exciting night ahead of the team, Mr. Sinister stood in silence, staring down at a human form, one that looked just like the man Rogue loved. The evil scientist watched his own creation in awe and self-satisfaction in his secret laboratory, buried deep beneath a seemingly abandoned Victorian mansion. The place was a chilling fusion of advanced technology and gothic architecture, a labyrinth of cold, sterile corridors illuminated by an eerie, greenish glow emanating from the bioluminescent tubes that snaked along the walls. Before him lay the containment chamber, where Remy LeBeau's clone was held. Looking down at him and meticulously analysing his handsome features was strangely soothing; he would be his key to redemption. His son of sorts would be a chance for Sinister to finally impress Bastion, getting them closer to their goal.
The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the faint hum of machinery, punctuated occasionally by the unsettling sound of liquid bubbling inside the chamber. The brand-new human body was encased in reinforced glass filled with a faint, bluish liquid. His thick long hair flowed freely in the liquid environment, and his eyes were closed, as if in a deep sleep. It was an induced state of coma, one from which he would awaken when the time was right. He looked like an angel, so peaceful and devoid of any worries and trauma. A clean slate, for better or for worse. In that regard, the clone was very different from his source material. Remy LeBeau had been nothing but trouble and disappointment as far as Nathaniel Essex was concerned.
On the bottom of the glass casket, a display controlled the temperature of the fluids around him and maintained a controlled environment. Nathaniel fiddled with the buttons for a moment until he was satisfied with the adjustments, then went back to watching the man in silence. His hand touched the glass just above Remy LeBeau's clone beautiful face. He ran a finger over it, making a squeaky sound as it made contact with the glass material.
"Oh, my sweet boy. Your sleeping clone reminds me of the innocent one that came to me for my help all those years ago. An inconsequent boy who had barely turned eighteen," he murmured, for his ears only. "Should have known better than asking me to help you with your powers," he concluded, his lips curving up maliciously.
He entertained himself with the idea that LeBeau probably thought he had gotten away with it, believing that giving a sample of his DNA and authorization to use it would be of no consequence. Oh, that stupid fool was in for a surprise. If everything went according to plan, LeBeau's choice back then would come back to haunt him. Soon, he would be dead, and his clone would take his place, causing all kinds of chaos in the X-Mansion. Not only that, but his scientific experiment would also feed him and Bastion all the inside information they needed.
Madelyne Pryor had been a mistake, one he would not repeat, not this time. Nathaniel had acted by impulse and based on his emotions. While he could have created a thousand children of Scott Summers and Jean Grey in test tubes, he had to go and have a play with them too. Watching Scott get married to Jean and leave for their honeymoon with her clone, who would later bear him his first son brought him a wicked sense of fulfilment that he just couldn't describe. He wanted that, he wanted to play with them as if he was God. No emotions would cloud his judgement this time around. LeBeau's unwitting cooperation had sealed his fate, and that would be the end of it. No distractions, no playing with people's feelings this time. He would be the means to an end, Mr. Sinister knew better than getting emotionally attached to his creation at that point.
Soon, the chaos unleashed by his clone would fracture the X-Mansion from within. He envisioned the turmoil, the betrayal, and the invaluable information flowing back to him and Bastion. A slow, sinister smile spread across his face, growing into a full-blown malicious laugh that echoed through the cold, sterile corridors of his underground lair. The sound was a chilling testament to his cruel genius and the impending doom awaiting his enemies.
-o0o-o0o-
Around the same time, in New York, the X-Men arrived at the disco Remy had suggested for Jubilee's special night. The place was a vibrant oasis of neon lights and pulsating beats in the heart of the city. As they stepped inside, the rhythmic thump of the bass reverberated through the floor, melding with the kaleidoscope of swirling colors that danced across the walls. The air was thick with energy and the scent of sweat and excitement. People moved in sync with the music, their bodies illuminated by strobe lights and lasers slicing through the darkness. Hank McCoy, ever the gentleman, adjusted his glasses and marveled at the lively scene.
Roberto da Costa and Jubilee exchanged excited glances, eyes shining bright, ready to let loose on the dance floor. Morph, ever the prankster, shifted into various forms, eliciting laughter and surprise from the crowd. That got the teenagers to roar with laughter, just as they had intended. Wolverine grumbled about the noise, though a hint of a smile tugged at his lips when he caught sight of Jubilee and the huge grin that adorned her face. Damn Magneto for trying to take the girl's eighteenth birthday celebration away from her, he thought. It was a night off from their usual battles, a moment to enjoy the simple pleasure of music and dance amidst the chaos of their lives.
Remy LeBeau walked into the place hand in hand with the woman he adored. Nodding at people she had never met before with each step they took, the dazzling man was in his natural habitat, it seemed to her. Occasionally, he would stop and have a quick chat with people here and there as they made their way to the dance floor. Quickly, Rogue learned he was a regular and practically everyone knew him at that place. She bit the inside of her cheek, suddenly feeling inappropriate and insecure. Not only that, she was jealous of him, a familiar feeling she was brave enough to admit to herself, at least. She loved that man, and yes, she was jealous. He was the light in the room; everyone who knew him seemed to love him. He had a special sparkle that drew people to him. Perhaps she was just one of many who were dazzled by his shining presence, she thought, letting a hint of sadness touch her heart for a moment.
"LeBeau!" A brunette exclaimed as soon as she caught a glimpse of him from a distance, awakening Rogue from her stream of thoughts.
"Oh, hello, mon ami," he greeted the woman back. "Meet my special friend, Rogue," he added, grinning from ear to ear, while Rogue was not very impressed. It was irrational, she knew it. She was the one who never wanted to make things official between them. She knew she had no business feeling jealous of him, but... Special friend? What the hell was that even supposed to mean? The lady in front of her unashamedly checked her out from head to toe.
"Rogue? As in THE Rogue you keep talking about? Wow, you're as stunning as he said, girl," the lady said with a big smile. She then proceeded to lean into her friend and whisper something in Remy's ear.
"I'll be back in just a bit, chére," he told Rogue, following the lady to the other side of the dance floor. They were talking excitedly as they went, leaving Rogue behind. It was the first time he let go of her hand in what seemed to be a century. Suddenly, she felt awkward, as if she was hollow inside, incomplete without him and his hand holding hers. Not knowing what to do with herself, she wished she was wearing her old bomber jacket; at least she would be able to shove her hands in her pockets.
Looking around her, she saw her friends dancing goofily and having fun. They were all great, but at that very moment, she missed Storm. Her goddess of a friend was always with her on occasions like this, her best girlfriend in the mansion. In fact, she was the one to introduce her to clubs and fun. Before she came to the mansion, all she knew was training, fighting, infiltrating. There was never room for joyful things like going to the movies, hanging out in the park, going to the arcade, or to disco clubs. All those things a teenager would have experienced, she only got to do after she came to the mansion, in her late teens. And Storm was always there, guiding her, showing her how to act and behave in those environments she was not used to.
Noticing Rogue's aloofness, Morph approached her.
"Let's dance, girl," he invited her as soon as the newest hit from a boyband they knew she enjoyed started playing. "This song is lush, and girl, have I got a crush on that tallest one, that dark-haired one, you know? Beautiful eyes he's got!"
"You mean, Kevin?" she asked Morph, adding a little chuckle. "You know what, sugar? That would be lovely, having a crush on someone out of my reach. Because I'll tell you what, dreaming of someone who's always there, day in, day out, not being able to be with him like I wanted to, it is tough," she added, gazing longingly at Remy LeBeau, who she could see from a distance, talking to some people. His eyes were searching the crowd for her, and for a moment their eyes locked and he flashed her a smile. That unique beautiful honest smile he had reserved only for her. Her breath caught in her throat, she could feel her heartbeat faster, cheeks flaming hot, and Morph noticed what had happened.
"Oh, Rogue, preach, girl! Trust me, I know how that feels," they commented lightly. Rogue knew what they meant as she saw Morph stealing a glance Logan's way before. "No one can blame you, sweetie. Remy LeBeau is one piece of work. Those abs he's not shy to flaunt whenever he gets the chance, that luscious hair, and sexy grin. Woo, what about those devil eyes? You go, girl, and rest assured, as much as I find him as handsome as they come, he's not my type," they added jokingly.
Rogue smiled at him, and without any explanation, hugged them for a moment.
"If I were you, I'd never stray from a guy like that. Everyone knows he loves you, but it seems you got someone else in the picture lately."
"It's not like that," she quickly dismissed their affirmation, feeling uncomfortable with Morph's comment, she hugged herself. "It is not what it may look like, I assure you."
"If you say so…"
"It is the truth, and can I ask you something? I know you guys have been teasing him about it. Would you knock it off? He does not deserve that and none of your suspicions are true."
Morph nodded, not even attempting to defend himself against the accusation. It was true, after all; he did poke fun at Gambit from time to time and Logan would also join in. But deep down, he felt it was her who was doing him dirty. And that couldn't be further away from the truth, but only Magneto and she knew. The reality was that all she wanted was to declare her love for Remy LeBeau to the world, to have him love her in return, and to share how much effort she was putting into controlling her powers. She longed for them to be a wholesome couple, free from fear and without any need to hold back.
"Come on, Morph, enough of this downer talk. Let's hit the dance floor."
Morph and Rogue got deeper into the dance floor, quickly spotting Roberto da Costa, Hank, and Jubilee in the crowd. The younger ones, Roberto and Jubilee, moved with precision and energy, their sharp moves perfectly synchronized to the beat. Hank, on the other hand, danced like your funniest uncle would at a family gathering. Though his moves lacked the finesse of the younger dancers, his sheer enthusiasm was infectious, and he was clearly having a blast. Morph and Rogue couldn't help but smile as they joined them. Morph waved at Gambit and Wolverine who were both at the bar, indicating for them to join them.
Logan promptly joined his friends, not really trying to dance but just standing there awkwardly next to them. Remy came over and asked what everyone wanted to drink because he was buying the first round. He asked Roberto to come with him to help remember the orders and, if they were lucky, to help carry the drinks back.
When they were alone, Remy started asking Roberto all kinds of questions about his intentions with Jubilee, even lecturing him about safe sex.
"Ewww, no! It's not like that," Roberto protested, trying to end the awkward conversation. He glanced back at the dance floor and saw Jubilee dancing energetically. If only she could save him from this moment alone with Gambit.
"I was your age not long ago, boy. If it's not like that yet, it will be," Remy said, handing the Brazilian teenager three glasses of beer. Eventually, the dancing mutants decided to take a break and joined the two at the bar.
Sensing an opportunity, Remy and Rogue exchanged knowing glances, communicating their intentions without words. It was time! With a gallant, swift move, Remy jumped over the bar counter, landing in the staff-only area. He spoke to a young lady who told him to follow her. The rest of the team didn't notice, as they were busy drinking, talking loudly, and laughing while badmouthing Magneto—a favorite pastime these days.
Rogue guessed that Remy was probably retrieving the cake he had ordered and stored in the nightclub's fridge. There would be candles and everything. However, her mind wandered to more insecure thoughts, imagining Remy and the young lady making out in the staff room. Her whole body tensed at the thought.
'Silly me, of course he goes looking for someone who can give him all the things I can't,' she thought.
But her insecurities were unfounded. Remy returned with a beautifully decorated cake, all eighteen candles lit, sparkling brightly with a magenta glow.
When Jubilee saw the scene out of the corner of her eye, she jumped up and down with joy. "You guys! I can't believe this! You guys are the best!"
All her friends started singing "Happy Birthday" and clapping. Other people around them joined in, and soon the whole club was singing. The DJ stopped the music and asked Jubilee to pick a song.
She picked "As long as you love me" by Backstreet Boys, and told Remy, her partner in mischief, that he would have to dance that one with her, like they practiced in the danger room.
"You guys were dancing in the danger room? What a waste of resources!" Rogue pointed out, shaking her head.
"So, when they book it, is it not for real training? So that means I could have been slashing Sabretooth's throat for fun yesterday, but I couldn't because you two booked two slots in a row", Logan complained.
"Well, we do practice, but I mean, not all of the time. Duh!" Jubilee said, as she took Remy by the hand so they could hit the dance floor.
The ridiculously catchy song filled the club, Remy LeBeau and Jubilee took to the dance floor, easily becoming the centre of attention. Remy, with his trademark charm looked suave as he moved. He swayed with exaggerated grace, his feet doing a fancy two-step that looked part tango, part freestyle, and part "did he just trip?" Every now and then, he spun around dramatically, and blew a kiss Rogue's way. She would blush and melt his heart in the process. Could anything in his world be more lovely than her?
Jubilee, on the other hand, danced with the kind of unrestrained enthusiasm only a teenager could muster. She was all over the place, her moves a chaotic blend of hip-hop, pop, and the kind of flailing that happens when you accidentally step on a Lego. Her hands shot out to the sides, her fingers wiggling in the air as she casted her sparkly fireworks spells.
They tried to synchronize their moves, but it was like watching a smooth-talking cat trying to teach a hyperactive puppy to dance. Remy would attempt a suave dip, but Jubilee, in her excitement, would misinterpret it and leap into his arms as if he was rescuing her from a burning building.
Watching the ridiculous scene, all their friends roared with laughter. The duo themselves were also laughing throughout their funny routine, having the best time ever. Logan stole a quick glance at Rogue and saw the love shining through her pretty green eyes. The young lady was clearly still in love with the Cajun, and for him, that was a relief. He had been disturbed by the idea of the girl he met barely out of her teens getting together with old and creepy Magneto.
"The Cajun makes Jubilee very happy," he commented, leaning into her so she could hear him despite the loud music.
"He does, doesn't he? Makes me happy to watch them having fun," she replied, her eyes never leaving the pair on the dance floor. She smiled despite herself.
"You got yourself a good man there, Rogue," Logan offered, making Rogue finally look at him, surprised by his words. Again, she blushed, making her friend chuckle.
"I wish I could call him that... my man," she said, more to herself than to Logan's ears.
The song ended and Remy joined Rogue as soon as he could, sporting a huge smile. When he was right in front of her, he looked at Rogue with a devilish smile, like the cat who ate the canary.
"Gambit has a surprise for you, chére."
Something about his tone and insinuation made a chill run down her spine.
"What kind of surprise, sugar?" she asked him, a wide smile stretching across her lips.
Obedient like a good puppy, he searched his pants pockets and produced two pairs of black gloves. Rogue raised an eyebrow and asked him what that was all about.
"You see, chére, when I was talking to that lady friend of mine and you were shooting daggers at both of us, I was actually asking her about these. These are gloves the New York Thieves Guild uses in their jobs. The fabric is very thin and comfortable. It is custom-made for them and allows you to have a better sense of touch than regular gloves. Easier to work with when trying to break into a place without leaving a trail, for handling delicate pieces of jewelry or art… I thought you would like to have them," he explained.
"Oh!" she gasped, that was all she could manage. It was so thoughtful on his part, so sweet. Remy LeBeau had always been a prince to her, more than she thought she deserved, she thought sadly.
Remy handed her the smallest of the two pairs and proceeded to put on the other pair in his own hands. She followed his lead and did the same, handing him her worn out leather ones for safe keeping. He promptly tucked them into his pockets, and as soon as he did, both his hands went to her face, cupping her cheeks gently. She hadn't expected such an intimate gesture, at least not so soon. As she closed her eyes, savoring the delicious sensation, a small moan escaped her lips. She crossed her heart and hoped he wouldn't have noticed. It was shocking to her how he had that kind of power over her and wondered if he knew he did, if his actions were deliberate. The slightest touch, whether through fabric, hair, or even just his covered fingers brushing her lips, would make her melt.
Rogue felt the heat rising between them, the electric connection that always seemed to sizzle whenever Remy was near. The noise of the nightclub faded into the background as she focused on the warmth of his hands on her face and the intensity in his eyes. She knew she needed to get away from the prying eyes of their friends and the crowd.
Leaning in close, she whispered into his ear, her breath hot against his skin, "Do you know any place here where we could have a bit more privacy, sugar?" She couldn't believe herself, that it was her own voice asking him that, being bold like that.
Remy's eyes widened slightly, a mischievous grin adorning his lips. Without a word, he took her hand, and they began to weave through the dancers. They slipped past the main dance floor, navigating through the dimly lit corners of the club, past the neon-lit bar and the thrumming speakers.
Remy led her to a shadowy hallway, away from the pulsing lights and pounding music. He easily found a small, secluded alcove, partly hidden by a heavy curtain. For a moment, she wondered if he had been to that same spot with another girl, but decided to shake off her insecurities. After all, if he had, it was because she never said 'yes' to him, 'yes' I'll be your girlfriend, 'yes, I love you, love you like crazy!', 'yes, I can see my future in your eyes'. Instead, her answers were always 'no, I don't want to hurt you', 'no, I couldn't live with myself something were to happen to you', 'no, I can't control my powers', and 'no, I don't want to keep you from having a fulfilling relationship with someone you could actually touch'.
She sighed in frustration, and looked down at her feet. What was she even doing there? Leading him on like that when she couldn't give him what he probably wanted and needed. Remy noticed her change of mood and held her chin up with his index finger, their eyes locked. Remy's gaze was intense, filled with a hunger that mirrored her own. She could feel his hands moving to her waist, pulling her closer, their bodies pressing together. Her breath hitched as his lips brushed against her neck, trailing soft kisses on her hair. The thrill of it mixed with the fear that he would end up touching her bare skin were driving her crazy, in both good and bad ways.
"Why does it have to feel so good being on the receiving end of your caresses, Remy?" she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion.
His hands explored her body, tracing the curves through the fabric of her dress, his touch setting her skin on fire. Rogue couldn't resist him and let her own hands wander, sliding under his shirt, feeling the hard muscles beneath. Those gloves were as good as he said, she could almost feel that she was touching him, skin to skin. She enjoyed the sensation of his body against hers, his warmth, his smell, every touch sending shivers down her spine.
"Chére, you're driving me wild," Remy whispered, his voice husky with desire.
Rogue smiled, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer. She was licking her lips, she wanted to kiss him, she wanted him so so bad.
Reason and good judgement begged her to stop it, but she just couldn't. It was dangerous, oh, so very dangerous, but it felt so good.
"Do you have a condom?" She asked him, throwing all care to the wind.
"Oh, I do, chére," he replied with a chuckle. Rogue, sensing his amusement, raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What's so funny, Cajun?" she asked, her tone playful yet challenging.
Remy gave her a lopsided grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Just never thought I'd see the day when Rogue, the belle of the X-Men, would be asking old Remy to drag her into a dark corner, looking to explore a bit more than just conversation."
Rogue blushed, a mix of embarrassment and amusement. She placed her hands on her hips, trying to look stern but failing to hide her smile. "Well, maybe I'm tired of playing it safe all the time. You got a problem with that, swamp rat?"
He laughed, the sound rich and teasing. "Non, chére. Just surprised, is all. Usually, it's me doing all the chasing. I don't mind, it's fun. But it is also very nice to see you taking charge for once."
She stepped closer, her fingers trailing along his chest. "Maybe I just needed the right motivation. You being this hot and spicy southern boy, saving the day for our beloved Jubilee, must be the reason why," she teased him. The truth was that there were many other reasons. First one being she loved that man, with all her heart.
He leaned in, his lips inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin. "Well, in that case, who am I to argue? Just remember, darling, you started this. And for the record, I really don't mind the coma if it ever comes to that."
Rogue smirked, enjoying the playful banter. "I started it and I plan to finish it too, you dirty hot thief." She snapped her fingers at him, demanding what she had asked him before. He was ready to comply and give her the condom. She held it with trembling hands and realized she didn't have the experience and asked him if he could, you know, wear it for her. Obviously, he was happy to comply.
His beautiful Rogue dropped to her knees, looking up at him as she touched his cock. She looked so pretty, she was a vision to behold.
Remy didn't know what he did to deserve this, but he wasn't about to start asking questions. He threw his head back as she slid her lips over his sex, her hands grasping his firm ass and pulling him even closer. The unexpected boldness of her touch made him inhale sharply, his heart skipping a beat. His beloved chére seemed determined to keep her promise, her lips moving rhythmically on him as he groaned in pleasure. He caressed her hair as she worked his body, moaning in ecstasy, and she didn't stop until he exploded in a multitude of sensations. Satisfied with that, she stood up, facing him with a victorious smile. He took care of the condom, tied a knot in the open end and wrapped it on the wrapper it came in. He spotted a tall ashtray near them and disposed of it there.
When he rejoined her, he gazed into Rogue's emerald eyes, filled with longing and desire. He wanted to return the pleasure she had just given him. In that charged moment, he couldn't resist any longer. He leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a passionate kiss.
For a fleeting second, the world seemed to stand still. The kiss was just perfect, her plump lips were delicious. But almost immediately, Remy felt the familiar, terrifying sensation of Rogue's power surging through him. Rogue's eyes flew open in shock and panic as she realized what was happening. She was quick to pull away, and avoid more serious consequences. Remy's grip on her waist weakened, his knees buckled, and he started to collapse but Rogue caught him.
"I'm just a bit dizzy, chére. It's okay, we could do more of this. I… I really don't mind," he said, his speech slightly slurred.
"Remy, no! Goddamn it! When will we ever learn? We can't be playing like this. I'm so sorry, sugar. I shouldn't have taken it that far. Not after what happened last time. I promise, I won't let it happen again," she offered. It wasn't the first time they played like that, would probably not be the last, he knew it, she knew it. But he played along and didn't challenge her affirmation.
"Chére, it's okay. I would happily die to go all the way. You're the one who keeps saying no," he teased her.
"Oh, Remy, you'll be the death of me! Shut up now, swamp rat. I'll take you home now, we can say that you had too much to drink, and you were not feeling good."
"Whatever you will make you sleep better at night, chére," he said with a low voice, almost a murmur. "You know, I'm getting addicted to this. Starting to enjoy feeling weak after we touch, yeah, this could happen more often," he commented jokingly, Rogue was none the impressed, though.
She had him sit on the floor while she exchanged keys with Logan. She would take the car he came in, and he would take Remy's bike home for them in return.
When they finally arrived at Mansion, Rogue hurried to get him inside. She supported his weight as best she could, struggling with the door before managing to get it open. The familiar creak of the hinges seemed unbearably loud in the silent night. Through the shadows, Erik saw her help the young man up the stairs. Much to his disappointment, she opened Remy LeBeau's room door, not to come out of it before the first sunrays of the day. She stayed by his side throughout the night, keeping vigil as he slept. The hours dragged on, each tick of the clock a reminder of the consequences of their forbidden kiss.
Magneto kept his on vigil as well, and realized that the object of his desire spent the night in another man's room.
"But that ends tomorrow. Tomorrow, we'll go to Genosha. And Remy LeBeau won't be invited."