Chapter 6

 

Rogue poked her head into the kitchen and saw Logan and Storm talking to Remy, all calmly drinking coffee. She hesitated at the threshold, wondering whether now was the time to confront Remy. “Uh Ororo, Logan, can I speak to Remy, if that’s Remy.”

 

Remy nodded and the two left. Rogue took the seat that Storm vacated. “So, who did I absorb?”

 

“De nice young man w’th de homicidal tendencies.” Remy laughed. “Y’ took us by surprise. During de time in a coma, I spent help putting the barriers back up. Thought de job was done. Guess not.”

 

“Can the accent, Gambit. Why didn’t you tell me? Us?” Rogue asked in anguish. “We could have helped you or. . . .”

 

“Help? We’ve been like this for years. Xavier suggested that we try to meld into one mind, one personality. We can’t, it’s like asking someone to kill themselves. Besides, who knows what would have happened.” Remy noticed Rogue wipe away a tear from her eye. “Chere, what’s wrong?”

 

“So, who was the one who loved me? Or was it all a facade to protect your other ..selves?” Rogue asked bitterly, her heart slowly falling to pieces.

 

Remy gently picked up her hand and said, “I love you. That has never changed, although I’m not the only one who likes you.”

 

“What?” Rogue frowned at the grinning Remy in front of her. “Who?”

 

“Nathaniel has taken quite a liking to you. He figures that if you could kill the guy you love, then you'’e the woman for him.” Remy looked into her green eyes. “He won’t hurt you but he can be. . . difficult.”

 

“Now what?” Rogue leaned back in her chair and shook her head. “Life just doesn’t get any worse.”

 

“Uh, excuse me miss. Are you Rogue?” A soft voice asked. Rogue looked at Remy who looked rather apologetic and contrite. “I thought that you guys were finished and I wanted to talk to you.”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“Rayne, nice to meet you. I’ll be blunt, try to hurt Remy and I’ll make you suffer, okay?” His smile and manner seemed off, more subdued and feminine.

 

Rogue’s mouth dropped open. “You’re a girl?”

 

“Of course I am.” Rayne smiled, dark purple eyes danced merrily at Rogue. “Some of us are male, female, some aren’t even human. I, or rather we, need to know if you can accept all of us along with Remy, including Feral and Nathaniel. Remy’s first priority should be to us, but he tends to think that he’s the only one here. We need to know if having Remy go out with you won’t leave him stranded in Antarctica again. You won’t get a white house with 3.2 kids from Remy, nor from us. You understand what I’m saying?”

 

“Ah understand, Rayne. I love Remy and I would be willing to accept all of them if I could have him.” Rogue smiled rather dreamily into the air, remembering that time in Antactica. . .

 

“You might want to wait on that. First, you should get to know us and get used to us.” Rayne warned Rogue. “The man you wake up next to one morning might not be the man you married.”

 

“Well, then let’s start the introductions and see what happens.”

 

Rayne smiled at the Southern Belle and nodded. “Here we go. . .” The eyes turned a emerald green and he jumped onto the table and looked calmly at Rogue. Cat-like eyes looked into Rogues and he said, “Mrow.”

 

Rogue’s mouth dropped open but she recovered quickly. She held out her hand and allowed the ‘cat?’ to sniff her hand. Then she stroked his hair gently. “Ah always wanted a cat.”

 

Rayne sensed Kit’s pleasure at having behind his ears scratched and let the two get acquainted. She sensed a presence behind her but didnt’ turn around. Remy, I think she’s nice. When are the two of you going to get married? I’d like to raise some kids.

 

Remy nearly choked. Let’s just see what happens. He turned around and looked at the pale barrier in the distance. They might become a problem.

 

We’ll jump that fence when we get there. Rayne laughed suddenly. Kit likes having his tummy rubbed.

 

Remy yelled, KIT!!! That’s my girlfriend you’re flirting with!!

 

All that answered him was a rumbling purr.

 

The End