Disclaimer: X-men...yadayadayada...not mine...yadayadayada...not making a dime...blahblahblah...can't even afford my car note, etc. A note: Natch, a couple of these things aren't real. That's why it's called fanfic. Withthis in mind, I know that Remy's full name is probably not Rembrandt. I just liked the way it sounded. But if he DOES in fact have a full name (which I doubt) I'd like to know it. This story is set in no particular time, but it's after Gambits trial in Antartica, as you can see. Don't ask me why Rogue's back. She just is. Sorry if the accents seem so bad, but I'm Texan, and I spelled them the way I thought they sounded. Also, Rogue fanatics might as well exit. I don't dislike her, but she's a bad bitch here. I mean, truly off the chain. Nothing against her, just something new. The End Is the Beginning, by stormfreak Part One: The End of the Road Remy LeBeau took his eyes off the ceiling and focused his eyes on the woman lying next to him. He had slept with plenty of women in his day, sure. A regular Cassanova, Remy LeBeau had been. But this was the first time he had let a woman sleep in his bed, and they weren't having sex at that. She was beautiful, no doubt. And now, as she slept, he could prop himself on his elbow and examine her as closely as he'd like. Her skin was clear as a bell, free from all scars and marks from head to toe. Her breasts, with their enticing "suck me" nipples, rose and fell under her translucent lace bra as her breathing continued in a slow, rhythmic manner. Her stomach was flat, her ass perfectly rounded, her eyes almond-shaped and her lips soft and pouty. And in this moment of sleep, she actually looked tranquil. But none of that was astonishing enough to keep Remy LeBeau staring for minutes on end. G'wan, admit it to yo'self, Remy, he thought with a smile. No use in lying to yo'self. He had to touch her hair. From day one, her hair had fascinated him. White as snow, it reminded Remy of gossamer silk; soft but strong. And now, with the woman lying asleep, he could touch it, rub it, bring it to his cheek and smell the cleanness. Until Remy had been this close to hair so thick and so soft, he truly had not known the meaning of the word "fetish." "Remy?" "Huh?" He snatched his hand back, guilty as a child with his hand in the cookie jar. "Why are you touching my hair?" Ororo Munroe asked sleepily. "You're dreaming, Stormy." "How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Ororo rolled over and locked her sky-blue eyes with Remy's. She wasn't being serious, but only Remy would know that. Ororo seldom smiled and laughed even less, but her eyes twinkled with the good humor of a drowsy woman giving her man a hard time. "Are you always dis grumpy in the mornin'? Otherwise, I don' tink I'll be askin' you up here much," Remy taunted. "Actually, it is better that I did awake. I should get to my loft before the others awaken..." "Ah, Stormy, no." Remy his arms around Ororo. "Stay with me. Let me hold you dis mornin." He wanted to, wanted to inhale the fragrance of her hair a little longer, caress her silky skin, listen to her voice. "No, I cannot." Ororo rose and reached for her sweatpants. "If I am seen leaving your room this morning, people will suspect the wrong thing - " "Dey already suspect de wrong thing," Remy sneered. Silence. Ororo folder her eyebrows. "Remy, in time they will come around. They are just shocked is all." "And what is so shocking about you and me, pray tell, that it requires gossip and cold stares?" "I do not know. I wish I did." "I mean," Remy continued, getting heated, "I can understand de way dey treat me. Dey've neva liked me, neva trusted me. But you? You de co-leader! No reason to treat you dis way!" Ororo lowered her head, causing an ivory curtain to cover her face. "They believe I am a traitor," she whispered from behind her hair. "A traitor!? To who?" "Rogue." "Oh, dat�s bullshit!" "Remy -" she took a breath, then paused. "Never mind. I am leaving now." Remy sat up, bare-chested. "At least kiss me goodbye, den." Storm�s lips formed a rare smile, then sat on the bed and put her lips to his. For a moment, all problems were lost as he drowned his mind in the taste of her lips. He locked his arms around her waist and pulled her on top of him, feeling his manhood rise. Ororo broke it off first. "Remy, we should stop." "Alright." He kissed her lips once, twice, three times before releasing her waist and watching her leave. Then he rolled over to where she had slept, and inhaled the scent of her body until he slept. * The woman better known as Storm walked quietly to her attic loft, deep in thought. Never has she felt so happy and so upset at the same time. When she first began seeing Gambit, she endured a rash of unwarranted criticism, a detailed reminder of Remy's womanizing past, a load of unneeded advice, and a threat. "Ah'm gonna kick yo' ass," Rogue had declared, and left it at that. But when the months passed, and the pair of former thieves was still together, the negativity settled into an uneasy silence. Lines were drawn, and sides were taken. Most of the X-Men stayed neutral, but the X-Women - even the younger ones - had their opinions. And the vast majority of them were on Rogue's side. Rogue was lifted to the status of "martyr" of Xavier Institute of Higher Learning. The poor, poor woman who couldn't touch the man she loved had him cruelly snatched away by the co-leader of the X-Men. Although it wasn't the truth, it provided for fascinating breakfast gossip. It also let Storm see who her true friends were; a short man approaching eighty and a beautiful redhead. That was about all. As Storm approached the staircase, she suddenly found herself eye to eye with the floor, inches away from the stars that led downward. Pain shot through her chest and hands, which barely broke her fall. But what difference did it make if her fall was broken when fists were pummeling her face and back? "Ah'm gonna kill you! Ya freaky white-haired whore!" She could not possibly be serious, Storm thought. Lightning quick, she rolled onto her back, throwing Rogue from off her body. Storm quickly conjured a wind that lifted Rogue off the ground and pinned her to the ceiling, out of Ororo's reach. "Child, are you possessed!?" she inquired, rubbing her throbbing head. "Put me down, you bitch! Ah swear the minute I come down Ah'll kill you! Put me down, you fucking slut!" The noise had awaken the majority of the mansion, and assorted X-Men came barreling out of their rooms in their respective sleepwear. Fantastic, Storm thought wearily. Now everyone will know where I slept last night. No one will believe that nothing happened; that nothing has ever happened. And who wants to believe the truth nowadays, anyway? "Ororo!" Professor Charles Xavier exclaimed. "Put her down this instant!" Storm stopped the wind, positioning Rogue to fall on her head as she descended none too slowly. "What is all of this about?" Professor X demanded to know. How to explain? "A misunderstanding, Professor," Ororo supplied. "Rogue?" Rogue said nothing. "Neither of you want to talk? Fine. You want to act like little girls, I'll treat you like little girls. Both of you, to my office at once." What am I, a child to be reprimanded? Ororo remained planted with her back against the wall and closed her ears to the snickering of X-Women. It hurt her heart, to think they were so against her, their ears and hearts shut to the truth. I thought they were my friends, my beloved students. Rogue began to follow the Professor, her hands clenching each other. Out of nowhere, she was lifted off her feet and slammed into the wall opposite Storm, knocking her unconscious. Professor X snapped his head toward Storm, who was just as shocked as the rest of the crew, with the exception of a angry, green-eyed redhead. "Jean?" Storm questioned incredulously. "I'm sorry," Jean stated firmly, "but I caught a stray thought, Professor. I will not allow Rogue to come in contact with my closest friend just to get even for whatever is troubling her." Ororo looked at Rogue's hand. One glove was off; the other, half removed. Would she really have done that to me? she thought incredulously, and tears sprang to her eyes. After everything she and I have been through, she would ruin me over Remy? "Ororo, come with me," the Professor demanded. "Scott, Logan, when Rogue wakes up, make sure her eyes are focusing around the walls of an isolation cell." * After falling into a fragrance-induced coma, Remy had dreamed of long, ebony legs wrapped around his waist, and silky soft hair against his skin. This caused him to hear of Rogue's attempted assault secondhand. "She wouldn't do dat to Storm, Jean! You have to be mistaken!" "Gambit, I know what I saw," Jean Grey replied calmly. "Believe me, I was just as shocked as you." "But - but- but I don' get it!" Gambit grabbed his forehead. "She didn't want me no mo'! Left me at my lowest time! Left me to DIE, in Antartica! After all I did for her, she just upped and left. And now she have de nerve to play de jealous song?" "Remy, Rogue truly loved you," Jean stated softly. "Like I give a damn!" Gambit stopped, stunned by the harshness - and the reality - of his words. "Jean, once upon a time, Gambit woulda been happy s hell to heat dem words. Thought I woulda had a shot...but she left me fo' Joseph. Storm, she was there fo' me when I needed someone. I love her, and THIS WHOLE DAMN SCHOOL NEED TA RESPECT DAT!" He screamed his last words for the whole mansion to hear. "Remy -" "DON' tell me it will get better! Stormy, she say dat every day! Make me sick!" "Okay. Okay, I won't say that." Jean gave a small smile. "But it's true. You just have to wait it out, give people time to accept it." "How long, Jean? Fo' mo' months? Six? A year? Personally, Gambit don' give a flying fuck about anyone's opinion here. But Stormy, she deserve mo' respect dan what she been gettin'! I know in y'all eyes, I be beneath her, but -" "Don't say, 'y'all,' Remy LeBeau," Jean warned. "Do NOT put my name in that equation, because it is NOT true and you know it." "Okay, okay." Gambit took a deep breath. "Dese women here fell dat I am not good enough fo' Storm. I admit I done my fair share of lovin' in de past, but no more than Wolverine or Warren - plus it be no one's business!" "I know all that, Remy," Jean replied, empathy in her eyes. "You're preaching to the converted. I'm on your side." Gambit sighed. "I go talk to Rogue. Get her to see de light - hell, she lit de candle. Hey, where is she?" "Isolation." "Ya don' say? Good, dat's where she deserve to be. And Storm?" "With the Professor." As if on cue, Ororo emerged from around the corner, her bright blue eyed dimmed. "Remy, the Professor would like to see you." "Okay." He walked to Storm and kissed a particularly ugly looking bruise on her forehead. "Man, I hope dat go away soon." Jean smiled and hugged her friend. "So what did Charles want?" The twinkle in Storm's eyes cam back. "I could not begin to tell you. I was not listening." * "You can' be serious!" "Gambit, I just believe it would be better for the team if -" "If what!? If she not with me?" "It is causing havoc amongst the team -" "Oh, fuck the team!" Gambit yelled. "You ain't tell Jean not to marry Scott for Logan's sake. Never told Cyclops not to see Jean to spare Rogue. Didn't tell Betsy to watch out for Warren's feelings or Sam to worry about Sarah's feelings! But you t'ink you can tell Gambit who ta see an' who ta love? I won' listen! I won' have dis!" "Remy! Storm is co-leader of this team -" "Yeah, and she only good fo' the team when she be sad and lonely! Now she have a man dat love her, she no good! Cain concentrate, eh? Who you t'ink you are, anyway?" "I am the head of this institution, Remy LeBeau, and you will not disrespect me!" the professor snapped in an uncharacteristic manner. "Den you need to tread lightly," Gambit threatened softly, "when discussing my woman and me. What go on b'tween Stormy and me be our business, no one else's." "When your business permeates throughout the whole school, it causes disruptions." "Lies! All lies!" "So Storm was not coming from your bedroom this morning, when the altercation occurred?" Shit. Shitshitshit. "It�s not like dat, professor. I neva, eva touch Stormy like dat." Would love to, dream about, but neva have. Damn, Remy stop it befo� you start t�inking �bout her hair. "Do you find this amusing, Gambit?" He hadn�t realized a smile had played across his lips. "Fine. You don�t want us together while we�re under yo� roof�you da boss. Gambit will oblige." He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. He didn�t want to oblige. But Gambit was a man of his word. He knew what he had to do. * "Remy, where are you going?" Storm entered Gambit's room and noticed the bare walls and stripped bed. He's leaving...he's leaving me. Gambit turned around. "Ro." "You're leaving? Without even telling me goodbye?" "No." Storm felt a rush a wave of relief wash over her. Thank you, Bright Lady, she thought, and felt her body tremble with relief. She didn�t think she could handle losing yet another love. "We're leavin." Her terror resurfaced. "What!?" "Tonight. We leavin'. Pack yo' t'ings, Storm." "I-I-Ican't!" she gasped. "Remy -" "Go pack, Stormy." "No! Remy, what is wrong? You have been in here since this afternoon!" "Did you hear me, woman!?" he yelled, as if possessed. "I said go pack!" "Rembrandt LeBeau, what in hell has gotten into you!? You do not tell me what to do! I am your leader, not the other way around!" "Oh, we pullin' rank now, huh, Boss Lady?" Gambit sneered. "Fine. Stay. But Gambit not be restin' his head here another night." "Remy, what happened this afternoon?" Storm questioned, walking toward him and taking his hand, which he snatched away. "Like you don' know. You seen Professor today, you know." "What, about Rogue? I know isolation for 72 hours seems harsh, but -" "Not dat! About you and me not being together no mo'!" "What! Remy are you kidding?" "He..." Remy stopped packing. "He didn't tell you not to see me anymore?" "No! By the goddess, Charles would never tell me a thing like that!" "Well, he tol' me, so congrats to you." Storm felt her head spinning. "Remy, are you telling me that Charles told you not to see me anymore?" "Yeah, dat's what he said." Storm felt her cheeks grow hot. "That bastard," she whispered, and turned toward the door. "Wait! Where you goin'?" "To give that man a piece of my mind!" "No!" Remy grabbed her wrists and pulled her close. "No, don' do dat. Make things worse. I already tol' him we would oblige." "You what?" "Wait, wait, don' get angry." Remy smiled. "I tell ol' Cue Ball dat you and me wouldn't see each other under his roof anymore." "And you expected me to just up and leave my home? My responsibility?" "What have dey ever done for you, Ororo? Besides save your life once or twice, and dat's debt is more than repaid!" "I am this team's leader!" "Yeah, until Cyclops come back. Ol' Storm, second-in-command, but never good enough. Why you let them use you like dat, Ro?" Ororo had no answer. "Come with me, Ororo. Let's go. Let's get out of dis damn place, and start a life of our own. Without dem lookin'. You will have no responsibility except to me, an' me to you. Don' t dat sound nice? Jus' you an' me?" Once upon a time, Ororo Munroe had been faced with this decision. Leave the X-Men for a life of love and marriage. And before she was allowed to accept, the offer was snatched back. She swore that if given another chance, she would never make that mistake again. But who thought it would be with Remy LeBeau? No matter, Storm thought. My time here has come and gone. I am a grown woman, no longer a scared child The professor gave me a new life, and I will always be grateful. But from here on out I call the shots. She turned to the man she loved, and kissed him deeply. "I will pack only my necessities," she replied softly. * Like Ororo, Jean Grey was a woman of sensibility and level-headedness. But upon reading the neat handwriting on light green stationary as the morning sun streamed through her window, she cried for hours and could not be consoled. They do not want to be found, Jean thought miserably. They are gone for good. Oh, Storm, why didn't you talk to me first? Why didn't you at least say goodbye? She closed her eyes and focused her telepathic abilities to the best of her ability. For a long period of time, she felt nothing. Her thoughts were as empty as Remy's room, though Ororo had left her basically untouched, save for a few missing items. Then, out of nowhere, she saw a vision, plain as day. And despite her incredible pain, Jean smiled and felt fresh tears in her eyes. She felt panic in her mind, and psi-thought, Do not worry, Ororo. I will not give you away. I respect your wishes. All I want is for you to be happy. I love you, she received in return. Stay in touch. And please understand why I had to do this. Jean understood. In this house, Storm might have lost battles when it came to her and Remy versus the world, but in the end, she won the war. She and Remy would have a fresh start, far away from prying eyes and mouths that spoke too much and knew too little. Jean walked the prepared tray of food down the dark halls to the occupied isolation chamber. She was happy, actually humming. I will miss my friend, she thought. But I know she is happy, happier than she's ever been since she began to see Remy. It will all work out for the best. * Unlocking the door that held Rogue captive, she sat the food down without saying a word. "Well," Rogue drawled. "Ya look as happy as yer white-haired friend if her dried up cootchie could get some ass. What's gotten into ya, Red?" Jean turned to face Rogue. "Refrain from speaking about my best friend that way," she demanded. "Who, Storm? Ah, Ah've been thinkin' bout it. In here, ya ain't go nothin ta do but think." She crossed her legs, her green eyes flashing. "Obviously she's had it in for Gumbo from the start. She plotted an� schemed ta get him. Ah figger, if she wants my sloppy seconds, she's welcome. Ah left him, not Th' other way around. She's diggin' roun' in mah trash." "That's good you think that. Rogue," Jean replied. "It's good to stay positive-minded in this hellhole. But if after nearly 24 hours, that's all you came up with, you need to do you rest of your time here. It's obvious you haven't learned a thing. I'll be sure to tell the Professor." Jean turned to leave. "Why ya like that, Jeannie?" Rogue crooned. "Now Ah know that Storm bein' in a relationship make ya jealous -" "I beg your pardon?" "Ya thought ya were th' only one around her that could hook a man, and ya were wrong. But don' worry; I'm sure ya and Storm can continue yer late night hot and heavies - who knows, Remy might like that." She smiled devilishly. "How dare you! That is not true!" "Then why ya lookin' s'happy? C'mon. ya can tell Rogue. I wanna know - give me something ta ponder fer th' next two days while Ah'm here. Share th' joy. Put a purty picture in mah head." "Why did you come back Rogue?" Silence. "You left the X-Men. You abandoned Gambit. Why the hell did you come back?" More silence. Finally: "Ta get mah man back, Jeannie. That's all. Tah get mah man back, an' nothin' else. An' when Ah got here, I saw that he was all loo-loo ova Storm. They hooked up faster than ah shotgun weddin' without s'much as a whistlin' shit about me or mah feelins. But that's alright. 'Cuz ah'm gonna get mah man back Jeannie. Won't eb long til Gambit realizes that Storm Munroe is too uptight ah gal fer him. She ain't got nothing ta offa him. That's why it'll never last." "You really believe that, don't you?" Jean asked quietly. "Yeah, Ah do." I promised not to tell Storm's whereabouts, but certainly I'm allowed to share the good news. She wants a pretty picture; I'll give her one. Jean walked to the door, and Rogue shrugged and began to eat wolfishly. Before she locked the door, Jean flashed the picture in Rogue's mind. A handsome man in dark slacks and a gray shirt. A woman with a beautiful blue dress on and long white hair held back with expensive sapphire clips. A diamond ring slipped on a slender, ebony brown finger, and words spoken with love. Lots and lots of love. Jean heard the fork clatter against the floor. She heard the choked sound in Rogue's throat. She turned and saw the surprised tears well in Rogue's eyes. And most of all, she felt Rogue's heart breaking slowly. But in case she didn't catch the picture, Jean looked her dead in the eye and stated slowly, relishing every word: "Remy and Ororo have left the X-Men. They were married this morning." With that, she shut and locked the door to the cell. to be continued |
 |