The ship came out of sub-space and the stars returned to their normal form as points of light. The blue-and-green globe of Earth loomed before them, and Remy felt an almost childish glee at seeing it, and awe and well as joy at the fact that he had something down on that planet, something that was his, as well as a chance to make something of himself, something he hadn't believed was possible before Hank had asked him those questions. Remy had been surprised he knew the answers to them, had been delighted he did. It left him with a blank slate for a future, and he wondered what he could make of it. Well, he had to pass high school finals before anything else. That was needed before he could think of anything else.
As Carol piloted them down to the house, his mind skipped to Rogue, and the promsing future they could have together if things worked out. More importantly, he wondered how to greet her, with the knowledge he'd be able to touch her in his mind. To take it slowly seemed to be the way to go. They had spent a long time away from each other, and, as she had said, they had the chance to get to know one another properly this time. Remy's heart was full of love for her, his mind full of respect for her courage in bringing up a child on her own, in a loving place. Remy hoped that he would be allowed there, too. With a sigh, he felt them touch down, and a ragged cheer went up among the X-Men. Watching them leave, there was only Carol and himself on the bridge. Carol stood and walked over to him, the iridescent blue of her top matching her eyes. She was stunning, he thought as she stood there, but he appreciated it in the same way a family member might. A dark cloud passed over his heart as he remembered that Carol's brothers had died in war. He stood, feeling that she was strong in spirit as well as body, and he had respect for her, too.
Bowing deeply; "It's been a pleasure workin' wit' y', Carol."
"I know. I'm the best I am at what I do, remember?" They smiled at each other, and Remy felt the bond between them strengthen. As she turned to walk towards the exit, he fell into step with her. Reaching the door, Remy saw with a soaring of his heart that Rogue and Xavia were waiting for him. "I'll be going back to the Empire after I see Logan and Ororo," Carol said, looking at the house the X-Men had taken up as their home.
Feeling a sadness in his heart he didn't expect, Remy looked at her as she looked at him, and they hugged each other tightly. Carol kissed his cheek.
"I'll miss you, Remy," she told him as she held his waist. "You've been... something else. I even love you - like a brother. So be careful. I don't want to loose you." She walked down the slope to the ground, and stroked Xav's cheek as she passed.
"Carol?" She turned, blonde hair fanning out behind her. "I'll miss y' too, ma soeur." Watching as closely as he was, he could have sworn there were tears in her eyes as she left. His eyes leaving her departing silhouette, his sadness turned to happiness as he saw the two women he loved most in the world. Walking down the slope, feeling almost giddy, he accepted Xav's tiny form running into his arms with a rush of thankfulness and love. As well as the family his friends provided, here was something real, something so precious he would do anything for her to be happy. Eventually, reluctantly, letting her go free, he smiled at her.
"Y' look beatiful, Xavia."
Touching two pink Barbie clips that adorned her hair, she smiled a cute, little-girlish smile. "Boot-iful?" He nodded and kissed her head.
"De most beautiful t'ing I ever saw," he agreed, and stood, taking her into his arms. Looking at Rogue, dressed stylishly in her favourite shade of green and a pair of well-tailored black trousers, he whispered loudly to Xav, "Well, maybe de second most."
"Momma dressed up fo-"
"Xavia!" Remy couldn't hide his smile at Rogue's furious look that turned to a doting smile. "Go with 'Ro to the house."
Remy put her down, and nodded. "Go on, petite. We'll jus' be a second." Xavia looked like she might argue for a minute, then nodded and went off. Rogue watched her go, a smile curving those wonderfully soft, full lips of hers. Her eyes then flicked over to Remy's and glowed.
"I think she'll be goin' ta shake those presents again, tryin' ta guess what they are - even th' ones she already knows," she shook her head. "I guess that was always part o' th' fun at Christmas," she said.
"I wouldn't know," Remy said, then cursed himself for the unthinking statement bringing the horrible past to mar this glorious moment. "I missed you, Rogue," he told her, standing stock-still, not daring to move. His eyes roved over her body, ravished her with her eyes. "You look 'mazin', ma amour."
She wiped at a cushion-feather stuck to her trousers, then looked up, smiling. "Ya really think so?"
"Always."
They stood there a second, neither willing to move lest it spoil the moment, wishing utterly to in case it would make it the best of their lives. Remembering his earlier desicion, Remy stuck to it. Rogue, however, showed a brashness that he wouldn't have expected the last time he saw her. Walking over to him, hips swaying, she held her ungloved hand a centimetre from his face, so close he could almost feel it. Her face was so torn, so sad and angry.
"Oh, Remy," she sighed. "Ah've missed ya. Ah love you, so much." Looking into her eyes, he knew she meant it, and he mentally threw his earlier desicion out of the window as his heart soared. Placing his hand, covered as it were by a Shi'ar polymer, he then pressed it to his face before he lost the courage. He could feel her power brush against his mind, a wild, untamed part of her, and relax, leaving only a faint, constant feeling of Rogue - surprise and overpowering love at the moment. Her skin was so soft on his face, and he felt a tear flow over both their hands, joined as they were. Looking at his love, he saw she was looking in amazement at him.
"Wha-" She started.
"Hank said it's 'cause y' got used t' m' genes 'cause o' de ones Xav has," Remy explained quickly, the marvel of her touch not having worn off yet - he doubted it ever would. "Oh, cherie..." Leaning close to her, he brought his lips inches from her own, then stopped. It was her desicion. One that was made in an instant as she kissed him soundly, passionately and wildly, leaving them both breathless. She laughed, almost hysterically, then wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her head against his chest. When their breathing returned to normal, shock wearing off, she looked up at him.
"Yoah shiverin', shugah," she told him. He shrugged, but she linked her arm in his, and led him into the house. "We got a whole lotta gettin' ta know each other ta do," she told him, then smiled brightly. "Though ya already gave me th' most wonderful Christmas present ah coulda hoped foah." She kissed his cheek, and he turned to meet her lips, and wondered how he lived without her kiss for even an instant.