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An American Trilogy
Large sections in italics indicates 1st person POV
Bold print indicates a telepathic means of communication
III. Crying in the Chapel (Part 2)
I straightened my collar before stepping inside the church. It was out of respect for someone, I guess, though I don't know whom. Maybe myself. Maybe God. Probably Rogue, even though she wasn't really around and wouldn't know if I wore boxers and a turquoise t-shirt inside, let alone if my collar had become slightly crumbled on the way over. Taking a deep breath, I glanced around at the stained glass windows. They were brilliantly colored, all of them. Sort of reminded me of storybooks I'd read as a kid, back in Sunday school with Sister Charlene.
Something she once told me came to mind. "Remy LeBeau, if you can stay off the streets this time, I think you've got real promise." Of course, I hadn't stayed off the streets. Jean Luc had set me up with a friend who ran a gang for kids, and the man had taught me the ropes, so to speak. I'd learned to steal, lie, and cheat like a pro. Certainly in that respect, I'd succeeded, but I always felt like if Sister Charlene had seen me, she'd have been disappointed. Now, for the first time, I got the impression that the Sister would've been proud to see the man Remy LeBeau had grown into.
Some one patted me on the back, and I glanced around, seeing Ororo behind me. She gave me a smile, soft, comforting. That was my Stormy, ever the realist. Normally, I'd have turned to idealist Jean to balance her out, but she wasn't there.
I took another a deep breath and stepped into the chapel, pausing only briefly to dab my fingers in the holy water. I touched my face, and maybe that's when you looked at me and thought I was crying. I guess there would've been enough reason for it, all things considered.
"Are you sure this is the right course of action?"
Remy slung his bag over his shoulder and met Ororo's challenging gaze with an even look of his own. He crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side. "What would y' suggest I do, Chere?" Remy asked. "Wait around 'til some magic solution t' all o' life's woes materializes on m' doorstep?"
She rolled her eyes. "Don't be asinine. You know very well that's not what I'd want for or from you. What I do expect is that you use your brain and not go gallivanting off to fight Sinister, of all people, just because your first real relationship has hit a rough patch. Utilize some of that intelligence you're always bragging about."
He sighed. He hadn't expected the X-Men to condone his decision to go Sinister-hunting; because it was dangerous and when had they ever supported his private, slightly rogue endeavors? But he'd hoped, perhaps stupidly, that they wouldn't take an active role in trying to hold him back. It was something he had to do. It was something he was going to do, whether they approved or not. "Stormy..."
"Do not call me that." Ororo stepped forward. She wasn't exactly petite, but neither was the weather witch enormous in size. With that it mind, it was nothing short of amazing how large she could make her presence seem. She almost intimidated him. Almost. "Gambit, I don't know what's going on between you and Rogue, but-"
"Nothin's goin' on between us. Not anymore. She found out 'bout m' time wit' Sinister an' dat was dat. She wants nothin' t' do wit' me." He shook his head. "I'm sick o' it, Chere. I can't escape dat man no matter where I go. Back in N'Awlins, an ongoin' investigation is bein' carried out 'bout da massacre. Rogue's gone over it. An', hell, Stormy, I almost lost m' place wit' da X-Men 'cause o' him."
"That was a long time ago."
"Den how come I remember it so well?" After a moment of silence on her part, he laughed. "Look, don't worry 'bout it. O' me. I'm a survivor, non? Once I settle da score wit' Sinister, I'll drop by an' make sure y' know I'm healthy flesh an' bone still. We can even be creative about provin' it."
Her eyes darkened and she lifted her chin into the air. "Your lewdness is not becoming, Gambit, but don't make the mistake of believing that you will anger me, and convince me to push you away, thereby allowing you to leave."
"Allow, Stormy?"
"Gambit," she sighed. "Please."
"Y' don't understand. I was still a child, Chere. I was young an' confused an' scared I could never touch anyt'in' again wit'out explodin' it. An' Sinister twisted m' hopes t' benefit himself. I trusted him once, briefly, an' its been ruinin' m' life ever since." He was resolute as he explained. What else was left for him than the battle with Sinister? Didn't everyone know that it had been building for years?
"Rogue will come back. If she really loves you, she will come to terms with your past."
"She shouldn't have t'." Remy placed his hands on Ororo's shoulders and brushed a kiss against her forehead. He lowered his voice and softened the tone. "Come on, believe in me a little, Chere."
"I do. It's only that-"
They were interrupted as young Katherine Pryde stuck her head through his door. She looked at him with apologetic brown eyes. "Um, sorry to be all invading, but there's a message on the phone that we think you really want to hear."
"M' busy." Remy said, moving to gather up the rest of his stuff. The sooner he left, the better.
"Did I mention that you really, really, really want to hear this?"
"Petite, I can't right now."
"Just trust me, for like, once."
"Mebbe in a bit."
"Or, now?" The insistent brunette held up the cordless phone. He ran a hand through his hair, gave Ororo a look, and then accepted the offering from Kitty. She winked as him as she phased back through the other side of the door. "You owe me for this, Gambit." She said. At least, her words were something like that. By the time she'd said them, Gambit had already put the phone to his ear, and the message playing was rather distracting. He dropped down onto the bed as he listened to it.
"Dear Remy," The voice that spoke was clearly Bella's.
"If yo' hearin' dis, it means I've gone an' done somethin' really big, an' you'll either see my actions as bein' incredibly brilliant an' necessary, o' amazingly stupid. Here's hopin' for da former. I'm goin' ta bring da battle where it belongs, Remy. I'm takin' it out o' m' heart an' deliverin' it right up t' Candra's door. She's too awful t' endure any longer. I know, I know, y' wanted me t' wait for da magical right time, but take a look at m' husband, barely breathin', an' tell me I should be silent still. O' better yet, pull out dat old photograph o' you an' Marie an' ask yo'self why she really left. All roads lead t' France, Remy, an' our grand puppeteer.
Since I'm sayin' all this, I might as well confess completely: I plan on recruitin' yo' girl t' come wit' me. She deserves t' fight back as much as we do. But here's da catch. Dis here message is a kind o' sneaky way t' get you here wit' us. See, I only plan on sendin' it out t' you if it seems like we need yo' help. Dat means as you listen t' m' voice talk on an' on, Marie an' I are somewhere out dere, strugglin'. So what are y' gon' do 'bout it?"
Ororo Munroe had joined him beside the bed. She raised an eyebrow as he clicked the 'off' button. "I suppose now you'll want to rush off and rescue them," she said, wryly.
"Mother may I?"
The chapel was nice inside. I imagined what it would've looked like with the pews crowded by my family and friends, with the priest standing at the front with the good Book between his hands, Rogue making her way down the isle in a lavish white gown that cost far more than any single occasion dress had a right to. I pictured the smile on her face, the twinkle in her eyes, wrinkle of her nose when her shoes caught on the step and she lost her balance for just a fraction of a second. It was incredible really, how perfectly I could see it all.
But I was taking that long walk down the isle instead.
Still, it wasn't as lonely as it would've been just days before. Don't get me wrong, now, things weren't exactly falling according to my grand plan. But I'd found something nice: a strange peace. I owed that to Rogue. She'd taken it away from me, but somehow, given it back. With that as my stabilizer, I was able to function a bit more... practically. Sure, I still despised Sinister, but I wasn't possessed by the need to feel his blood on my hands. Sure, I still missed Rogue like you'd miss a limb, but I wasn't incapacitated.
A man and a box were waiting for me in front of the altar. I watched him adjust his shirt, fumble with his books, comb a hand across his head, and start the process all over again. He seemed sort of nervous. I wasn't.
I thought of Rogue, and there was room for nothing inside of me but love.
Remy had made all the calls that needed to be made back to his people in New Orleans. They'd all been briefed on the situation and were already moving to action. Loyalties were drawing lines in the sand, of course, and causing friction, but he'd been surprised to find that only very few people were actually willing to fight for the benefactress. His own father, who had always been a firm supporter of Candra, had chosen to take a quiet stance on the whole situation. It was good news.
It is most certainly good news, Mr. LeBeau.
The young Cajun was busy calling up blueprints he'd obtained of Candra's mansion. His hands paused only momentarily as the voice entered his head. Looking above the computer screen, he scanned for any sign of the professor and his speedy wheelchair.
Don't bother looking for me there. I'm only just coming through the entrance. It's a pleasure having you home again, Gambit, and a pity your return hasn't come under better circumstances.
"Circumstances are worse n' y' t'ink." Remy said, speaking aloud even though it wasn't necessary. He preferred to hear the words. It meant they were that much more under his control.
Oh, I know all about it. You, your trip, your previous relationship with Rogue. I will admit it surprised me when I first saw you in her thoughts, but everything after that made perfect sense. Even this brash, spur of the moment assault on the woman you call Candra. I must say, however, with all your planning, you seem to have forgotten one very important aid.
Remy frowned and glanced back at the computer screen. The blueprints, the Guilds, the weapons he'd check out of the arsenal, Remy couldn't see what was missing. But then, knowing the professor and his cryptic games, he could mean anything. Wise and caring as he was, too often the professor was like the Oracle of Delphi, spewing strange messages and demanding that they be deciphered. Damn telepaths.
Is that any way to speak to your elders? At any rate, I'm not asking you to think on your own at all this time. The aid I speak of should be perfectly clear if you've given it the slightest of considerations. You're off to fight a great battle with a woman not easily dispatched. She isn't immortal for nothing, you know.
Don't you think the X-Men would like to lend a hand?
Remy bit his bottom lip. Professor Xavier wasn't the first to suggest it; Jubilee had had that honor, when she'd first found out about the mission to save Rogue. As she'd put it, 'would you go war and leave the cavalry behind?'. Ororo had also insisted on going, but Remy had turned them all down. It was too soon for the X-Men to be out fighting again. Hadn't they just lost Jean? "I can do it on m' own," Remy stated, matter-of-factly.
Perhaps. We've still not seen the limits of your powers. But supposing you do need us? Should something happen to you while the X-Men sit idly by, their faith may be shattered permanently. And let's not forget that many of them have become quite attached to Rogue. Perhaps they don't claim to adore her in the same manner as you, but they are her friends. Logan, in particular, deserves to know about this rescue operation.
"Why? Da man's been nothin' but trouble an' I didn't even do nothin'."
He hasn't had a lot of good fortune in his life. Finding Rogue was a bright spot on an otherwise dark journey. Surely, you can empathize with that. He sees her as his only true family at the moment. When you arrived and tried to claim her as yours, he was naturally scared. He didn't want you taking her away. But I assure you: no one short of yourself will fight for her like he will.
Remy sighed. "Fine, Professor. I'll find da man. But as far as da rest o' da X-Men are concerned-" He stopped as the door to the room swung open. There sat Professor Xavier himself, hands folded across his lap, and behind, Scott Summers.
The latter gave him the slightest hint of a smile. "We can decide for ourselves, Gambit. The X-Men have already lost too much to not act. We're not about to let you and Rogue go through this alone."
Suddenly, Remy remembered why being a X-man affected him so much. "Is Logan sportin' da black, too?" He wondered, referring to the familiar uniform and really asking if the hairy man was ready to leave.
"Oh, no. Logan left yesterday. He hasn't been back since. But we do know where he's at."
No one questioned Remy as he entered the bar, though a few of the ladies did throw him meaningful glances. Normally, he liked to play along, to keep his charm polished. But this day he ignored them completely, aiming instead for the little, hairy man seated a bar stool in the far corner. They were always in the far corner, those angry, fiercely private, and somewhat bitter types. There was a collection of bottles on the counter next to him; at least a baker's dozen, probably more, arranged haphazardly, all empty. It was enough to make any normal person drunk as hell, but from what Remy could tell, Logan was barely feeling it.
Remy sighed. Pride had no place in his situation, but he'd been raised a prince of thieves. It wasn't exactly easy approaching a man whose face, on a different day, he'd love to introduce his fist to. Oh, but the things he did for love. Even a now unrequited one.
As the young Cajun walked along, a stranger, with a crooked gait and a rumpled t-shirt, interrupted him. The red-haired stranger stumbled, swayed, and finally came to a halt no more than five inches away from Remy. "I wonder," he said, as his foul breath clouded in Remy's face, "Could you tell me where my hat is?"
Remy rolled his eyes and pulled the cap from atop the man's head. "Here." He said, moving to step away from the drunken stranger. The stranger frowned, though, grabbing the hat back and cradling it to his chest.
"Hey, buddy. You trying to steal my hat? What the hells the matter with you, Mutie? Freakin' thieves, all of 'em." He glared through unfocused, reddened eyes. "I'm going to call the cops is what I'm going to do. Report this whole incident and have you thrown in to prison like my Uncle Orville."
Trying to avoid a more serious conflict, Remy took the man by the shoulders. "Look at me, mon ami. I'm not interested in any kind o' fight. I just want t' get from one end o' da bar t' da other. Now, somet'in' tells me, y' don't want t' fight, neither, neh? Don't y' got much better t'ings t' do n' t' bother wit' a mutant like me? I t'ink I saw a pretty girl up front who's lookin' for a real man. You a real man, ain't y'?"
The drunken man nodded enthusiastically. "That's me."
"Good. Now go on an' find her. She's da real pretty one." Remy watched as the stranger left the same way he'd entered: in an awkward, lunging stumble. After shaking his head, Remy finished the trip to Logan's side, where he took a seat on an empty stool. The bartender was a female, who brought out a free glass of bourbon before he even so much as looked her way.
Logan snorted. "I've known your type, believe me. Pretty boy who thinks he can skate through life without so much as lifting a hand. Thinks he owns the world. Last one o' you who challenged me I could a' killed. The bastard had it coming. But you know what I did instead? Tore up his face. He lost all of his rich girlfriends and had to get a job at a laundry mat. After having it all, it turned out to be a fate worse than death."
"Well, tell y' what, y' try an' tear up my face, I'll cram a couple o' y' bottles so far down y' throat, you'll be coughin' up glass f' weeks." As he said it, Remy examined his own glass, wondering if that kind of drastic action was really going to be necessary and how many he'd use if it came to that. Xavier would be mad, naturally, but Logan had that healing factor and the first rule of dealing with men like Logan was never back down.
"Talk is cheap, Kid."
"Depends on who's speakin'."
Logan grunted. "Did Chuck send you here? Did he hope we'd bond? 'Cause I can tell you right now, that ain't ever going to happen. I don't need no prick like you running around, bothering me all the time."
Ignoring the comment, Remy said, "I'm told y' cast an inappropriate eye on Jean 'fore she moved died." Logan was clearly irked. Good. An eye for an eye.
"Don't you be mentioning her name, Gumbo."
"I'll say what I want. She helped me control m' powers back when no one else could. She was like a sister t' me."
Logan was silent. "If I'd a' known that she needed me, I would've been at da lake. Would've moved heaven an' earth t' be dere. An' I'm told y' feel da same way 'bout m' Roguey." Never mind that she wasn't really his anymore.
That seemed a detail best left unmentioned.
"Dat's how come I came t' offer you a chance t' help save her."
Logan looked at him sharply, his claws popping out of his knuckles like a macabre version of Jack in the Box. One shiny, silver blade poked at Remy, who opted to not recoil from the unspoken threat. "What did you do to her?" He demanded.
"Moi? Nothin'. But she didn't come home last night an' we have reason t' believe she's bein' held prisoner in France. Me an' da other X-Men are gatherin' t' go rescue her. If y' want t' ride along, y' better get it movin', 'cause we ain't waitin' on you forever."
The blade inched closer. "This is your fault," Logan accused. "Everything was fine until you showed up causing all kinds of trouble. I ought to skin you right here and now and go find Rogue myself. She'll be better off that way."
Remy shrugged. "We're outside right now, but da Blackbird flies away f' good in five minutes." He got up to move, but the claws jammed down straight through his sleeve and into the counter. That was his trench coat. His favorite trench coat. Pulling his arm out, Remy removed the torn apparel and revealed the uniform beneath. He hadn't worn it for ages. Quickly, he reached out and flicked a card between his hands. It sparked and glowed red. "I could blow y' up from da inside out, Wolverine, an' I ain't so caught up an all o' dose moral rules like Cyke."
"You don't have the frickin' nerve."
"I got the nerve, mon ami. Time is what I be lackin'."
"Huh."
"I'll make you deal. I prove t' you I got da power, skill, an' guts t' take care o' you, y' stop tryin' t' intimidate me an' we both go save Rogue. If I can't, y' go on an' save her wit'out me."
Logan glared and lifted his claws as though to attack. "All right. Let's do it."
Jubilee gasped as the two men came out of the bar, one of them limping. She rushed to Logan's side so he could use her as a crutch. "What were you guys doing in there?" She demanded. "And why is Logan's leg missing?"
In truth it wasn't missing entirely. The adamantium-laced bone was still perfectly intact. But that didn't stop Scott from sighing, as though he were dealing with very small, immature children. "Remy," he said, "Did you have to do that?"
The Cajun shrugged. "Don't know. But I do feel much more relaxed."
Logan, for his part, waved off all concerns. "I'll be back to normal in a few minutes." Already, the nerves and flesh were beginning to reform. It wasn't a pleasant picture, but infinitely better than the sight of stringy skin dangling around his ankle like a torn sock.
"And have you resolved your differences?" Professor Xavier inquired.
"Some, oui."
"Aw, the kid's all right." Logan conceded, as if he'd finally been impressed. "Least he's got some backbone, not like that Frosty. That boy needs some toughening up and fast before he's ready for a girl like Rogue."
"Hey," Bobby complained. "I'm standing right here!"
"Bobby Drake," Katherine Pryde exclaimed. "Are you seriously yelling at the man whose leg has been blown off?"
Remy smiled down at Xavier. "Dis is da bunch dat's gonna save Rogue an' Bella from da clutches o' Candra?"
"Well," Xavier turned his chin upwards, as if to speak with the sky. An uncharacteristically wide grin spread across his features, as if he knew something no one else did. "We may get stronger, still, young Remy LeBeau."
"Whatever y' say, professor." And they started crowding back inside the blackbird.
On the way in, Jubilee said thoughtfully, "Now that Remy's off to save Rogue so she can totally forgive him for whatever it was he did that made her so mad, you know, Mr. Logan, you're going to need a new sidekick."
Logan raised an eyebrow to the young girl still helping him up. "Really?"
"Oh, I'm honest to the core. Most of the time. Anyway, Mr. Logan... hey, can I call you Wolvie? We should talk."
The preacher man rubbed his hands together, back and forth, as if for warmth. He whispered a few words to himself, and then sighed. I couldn't fault him for feeling a bit off his guard; this wasn't his church. Not even the same denomination. We'd had him flown in, just for this.
He scratched his head and then glanced up. Slowly, a smile broke out over his face as he recognized me. "Mr. LeBeau. It's good to see you again, Son."
"Brother Patrick, da feelin' is mutual."
"So, are you ready?"
I looked behind me. All of the X-Men were waiting. Even Bobby, who wasn't exactly pleased. He's going to get over the shock, eventually. We all are. To Brother Patrick, "I am."
Remy was bent over in the process of tying his shoes when his cell rang. Initially, he ignored it. The two most important women in his life were in danger; he wasn't going to waste time taking messages and engaging in idle, useless chatter. But the memory of Bella's bounced in his head, insisting that he not make the same mistake twice. She was always bossy, that Bella. He reached out, picked up the phone, and slid it between his chin and shoulder. "Bon jour."
There was nothing but silence on the other end. Remy almost hung up. Just before he did, however, a voice came on, quiet and serious. "Remy? It's me."
The ever-graceful Remy LeBeau nearly smacked his head against the wall as a bizarre spasm wracked his body. He prevented a concussion by catching the wall with the palm of his hand. "Roguey?" He breathed.
"Naw, its Santa Claus callin' up ta let ya know that piece o' coal is as good as ready. 'Course its Rogue."
Remy took a seat on the floor of the moving Blackbird. He was in the cargo hold and very much alone as everyone else had sat up front where they could watch the agile plane cut through clouds. "I t'ought-"
"That we were in the greedy, grubby hands o' Candra The Soon Ta Die?"
"Not quite how I was gon' put it, but ah, oui."
"Well, we are. Only not exactly. Candra left ys alone with a couple o' guards, an' Bella an' me handled them easily. Problem is, now security is tighter than ever. We can't get out o' here. Now that we'd want ta, understand. We got unfinished business with your benefactress."
He didn't like the way she said 'your benefactress', like he'd personally put her in power and worshiped her all those years. Remy told her so.
"Why'd ya go an' see her, Remy? Ya acted like y'all were distraught an' lonely, but she says ya came ta her soon as Ah was gone an' there are a pair o' pants in this closet that look an awful lot like the jeans Ah've seen ya wear so well. What did ya think, Remy? That you'd find me under her silky black sheets?"
He tried to picture Rogue on the phone, hiding in the mansion. But not just anywhere. Judging by her words, the girls were... "Chere, y' in Candra's bedroom?"
"Why? Is it bringin' back fond memories?"
He sighed. He really shouldn't have gone to Candra at all, but he'd been looking for friends to help and she'd always been an admirer. Besides that, she had resources nearly everywhere and he'd hoped to utilize a few of the more local ones. Unfortunately, the encounter hadn't gone very well. She'd made her playful advances, as always, and he'd teased her back but turned her down, like always, only she'd seemed upset about it. After mumbling something about how she'd gone to so much trouble and such, the blonde had sent him on his way with the promise that she'd work on it, but he'd been left with the impression that she didn't intent to try very hard.
"Rogue," he said, in way of an explanation, "the jeans are there 'cause it was pourin' rain da day I saw her, an' she insisted I change. I did. We talked, I left, da end. I had no idea what had happened t' you. Y' could a' been bleedin' in a ditch f' all I knew. Y' really t'ink I would a' taken dat as m' big chance t' score wit' a woman older n' m' house?" He intended to add a comment about trust, but the memory of their last meeting quieted his tongue. Instead, he waited for her response and set about finishing with his laces.
"Oh," she said.
"Oh."
There was a quiet giggle. "Ah never understood why makin' ya mad always felt so fun. Ah reckon we ought ta have had counselin' 'bout that. Can Ah tell ya a secret?"
"Sure." He missed the sound of her playful voice.
"Ah knew that ya didn't sleep with Candra. Bella an' me hacked in ta her security cameras an' we've been watchin' tapes ta keep ourselves amused until the guards find us an' we have ta move on. Ya don't want ta know what kind o' sick shit goes on in the house. Ah'm a little disgusted ta be sittin' on this here bed." She laughed. "Listen, Bella's got a load o' information y'all can use, if y' plannin' on joinin' the revolution. She says she can send it straight to ya over the secret Guild network thing soon as ya sign on."
His bag was a foot or two away. Remy grabbed it, shook it until his laptop fell out, and turn it on with a few finger taps. "Tell her I'm in."
"She knows." Sure enough, the screen started to fill with information. "Well, that's all, Ah guess. Ah'll call in a while an' we can talk about where we're gonna rendezvous."
"I'll be waitin'."
The business conversation was clearly over, but they lingered on the line, neither one willing or able to hang up. It stung Remy like paper cuts to the heart to see how they'd become: stilted, confuse, awkward around each other, when their relationship had always been so natural. He wanted to say something, but what? Bella had suggested Candra had played a role in driving Rogue away, but that could've been done in a thousand different ways that wouldn't change the fact that she couldn't forgive his role in the massacre. And he wouldn't ask her to give it again; how could he ask her to do something he couldn't do himself?
It was lucky for them both that Rogue chose to speak, because if it had been left up to him, nothing might ever have been said. "Remy," Rogue sighed, and right away he noticed the difference in her tone, "Things have changed since the last time we spoke at the mansion. Ah mean Ah know it was only yesterday, but the world stands still for no man, right? Bella already knows an' she's been squawkin' ta everyone in N'Awlins, so Ah figure Ah better hurry up an' tell ya 'fore someone else does. Remy, Ah was ordered ta leave ya alone. Julien was awful close ta findin' out that you were the one who led Sinister's team, an' Ah was scared for you an' yours. Candra said she'd help, but only if Ah'd leave ya alone for good. Ah did what Ah thought Ah had to."
"Not that I would've told," Bella chimed in, speaking for the first time. "Nobody hates Julien more n' me. Incidentally, m' guild says he's headin' Candra's forces, so we get da chance t' take 'em both out. Don't worry 'bout him, though. Daddy's stayin' out o' it an between me an' Julie, I'm sexier, so really, who are da men gonna follow? Uh, Remy? You ain't hearin' a word I'm sayin' 'cause da love o' yo' life just said she still loves you, huh. Don't know why I waste m' breath."
Amused, Remy wanted to reach out and ruffle her blonde hair. Then again, if he could extend his arms all the way to France, Bella wasn't the one he'd be reaching for. Rogue's words still hadn't been digested yet; they lingered in his ear, as if afraid to let him hope again. "She didn't say she still loves me," he pointed out.
"Oh. In dat case, let me put her back on."
There was the sound of shuffling, and then... "Remy? She's right. Ah do still love ya. Ah can understand how you'd never want ta see me again, seein' as how Ah purposely used news Ah knew would hurt ya, but Ah'll still see you every time Ah close my eyes."
"Even though I did what I did?" Remy didn't know why he said that. Was it some kind of way to test her response, to see if she really did forgive him? Pain was not easily buried twice.
"Ya weren't no more responsible for that than Ah would a' been if Magneto's plans had succeeded in killin' off all those dignitaries. You were used in an awful way, Remy. Ah know that. Ah never doubted it for a second. If Candra hadn't done what she'd done, Ah'd be holdin' you close right now." He couldn't question that.
His shattered world was carefully, slowly, delicately put back together, as he listened to her breath on the other end of the line. She could forgive him. She was his angel. His Rogue. His life. Finally, Remy exhaled loudly. It felt as if he'd been holding his breath from the moment she'd said the word 'Morlocks' right up until the 'I love you'. "I love y' too, Roguey."
"If we survive this, can we still get married?" She sounded meek. Coy. Loveable. Forgiving.
He looked at the phone. "Why wait? Doesn't take dat long, does it?"
We both turned towards the small, black box situated on a stand next to Brother Patrick. "What 'bout you, Chere? Y' ready t' get hitched?"
The speakerphone crackled, and then I heard Rogue's voice. "Sure thing, Sugah."
"In that case," Brother Patrick said, "Uh, good afternoon, everyone. We are gathered here today not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is. We do not create this marriage, because we cannot, we can and do however celebrate with Remy and Marie and their families this wondrous and a joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives.
Today Remy and Marie proclaim their love and commitment to the world and we gather here to rejoice with them, in the new life they now undertake together. Marie, Remy, this ceremony is rooted in God's creation of marriage from the very beginning. He designed marriage in his wisdom to be able to handle the difficulties of life as well as to be the source of companionship and joy. May this be true for you as you propose in your hearts to honor each other and to exercise patience and sacrifice for the good of one another."
"Sounds like somethin' we've already been doin'," Rogue said.
"Remy, do you before God and these witness take this uh, woman to be your lawfully wedded wife; and do you promise that from this day forward you will be her faithful husband, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love her and to cherish her, till death do you part?"
My eyes lingered on the small, plastic phone. "I do," I said, and added, "Assumin' we talkin' 'bout a girl an' not an appliance."
"Shut up, Remy. Y' ruinin' the happiest day o' my life."
"Marie, do you before God and these witnesses take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband; and do you promise that from this day forward you will be his faithful wife, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love him and to cherish him, till death do you part?"
"Oh, absolutely." She declared in that warm Southern drawl. I think I melted.
"I like yo' enthusiasm," I said, leaning into the machine.
"Well, if Ah'm gonna get married via telephone while hidin' from a telekinetic underworld queen who wants ta see me dead so she can get in ta my lover's pants, Ah might as well be proud o' it, ya know?"
I laughed, until Brother Patrick cleared his throat. "Do we have, um, rings?"
"We're playin' make believe wit' da jewelry dis afternoon," I explained quickly. "An' actually, we're sort o' in a hurry as it is. Not dat I don't t'ink y' deserve a full weddin', Chere, it's just..."
"Don't worry 'bout it. We'll renew our vows later."
Brother Patrick nodded in understanding. I was growing to love that man. "In that case, I'll speed things up. Remy and Marie have promised to take each other as husband and wife to live together in marriage. Therefore they now enter into the holy state of matrimony. By the power vested in me by this state, I now pronounce them husband and wife. What God has joined together let no man separate. You may, um, rescue the bride." He grinned, like he'd been waiting all day to say that line.
I patted Brother Patrick on the shoulder. "T'anks, mon ami. Y' don't know what it means. We've arranged for a plane t' come an' carry y' back t' Kentucky, Sir. I hope y' have a nice flight. T'anks again."
"If ever ya need anythin'," Rogue added, "Assumin' Ah survive this, just ask."
"Aw shucks, I'm all teary-eyed." Bella chimed in. "Dis is so romantic."
I laughed and stepped away from the altar, signaling the others. "Let's go," I instructed.
"Oh, wait!" Brother Patrick called out. All our eyes returned to him. "I almost forgot the end. I have to give you both to the world! Just come back for just a second, thank you, thank you."
"No problem." I said.
"Ladies and gentleman," he put one hand on my arm, the other on the phone, and addressed the rest of the X-Men and Bella, "It is my honor and privilege to introduce you for the very first time to Mr. and Mrs. Remy Etienne LeBeau."
All right, maybe I cried in the chapel after all.
FINIS
Generally speaking...
1) Thanks for reading this, you guys. I'd be lost and lonely without you!
2) Again, this entire trilogy was based on songs sung by Elvis Presley, Mr. King of Rock and Roll. I do not own Kentucky Rain, Marie's the Name, Crying in the Chapel, or American Trilogy. But I recommend at least reading the lyrics because I actually tried to follow the storyline!
3) I don't own Marvel or the X-Men, either. Can you say, belated disclaimer? Better late than never!
4) Hope to see you all again sometime!
On a personal note...
Sweety8587: I think we should play baseball with Candra's head. It'll be fun! We can pick teams and everything!
MJK: I'm glad I surprised you every now and then. I live for that! Well, that and comics with good Romy. Thanks!
Emerald K: I hope I didn't disappoint you too much! I just couldn't get this last story right! Thanks a bunch for all your support and pestering, because they really did keep me on track when I would've otherwise started playing the Sims and not updated for years. Now where's my free chapter?
Ishandahalf: First you say you understand why Rogue was dating Bobby, and then you say that you don't hate Bella. Either you're not really Ish, or I've made some big accomplishment! I DO feel proud. Also, I want a giant foam finger and a banner that reads 'Die Candra' too! Thanks for the review!
Jean 1: Thanks for liking Bella. I worked hard to keep her likeable! She fits into that platonic BF role well, I think.
LeLann 37 and Samm 16: You guys both liked the Antarctica thing and I'm so glad for several reasons. One, because it's a lot of trouble to spell Antarctica correctly, and I'm glad all that concentration didn't go to waste. Two, because I desperately need others' approval. And three, because uh, you're all terrific! Okay, that last one wasn't a real reason, but thanks for your reviews anyway.
Goddess Evie: You know it's been killing me not knowing that you were going to say. What was your suggestion? Tell me, PLEASE! I have to know! Thanks for the review (and tell me what you were going to say!).
Dreamschemer: Well, we've drank champagne, avoided the cops, stared at burnt toast, and now all I can say is thanks a bunch for your reviews! Hope to see you again sometime!
Freak 87: I left it pretty bleak? That wasn't bleak. Just because Rogue had left Remy and was accidentally apprehended by the woman who wanted to steal her fiancé, that's not bleak, is it? Of course not. Thanks!
Keebler-elmo, enchanted light: You guys are the best! Thanks for your reviews, they've been so v. nice!
Orion Kohaishu, Elvenangel, Blacknight369: Yay! Eileen eagerly grasps Jude Laws offered to her, only to be horrified as one by one, they turn out to be fakes. Noooo, she exclaims in complete despair. Noooo! But thank you for your ever so kind reviews.
Star-Of-Chaos: I got the bomb barrettes idea after watching an episode of Alias, and I assumed that Bella would have all the highest quality of weapons, so... thanks so much for your reviews!
Mollymo: I'm super glad you liked the formatting, because I was always a little afraid I'd over do it or something. And yeah, I tried hard to keep it in the movieverse world. As for Remy too soft, that's a problem I've always had, I think. But I'm sure part of it has a lot to do with Rogue and the fact that he's head over heels for her. Thanks!
Kittie Doll: Thanks so much! I did try to add in movie stuff, like Scott's bike and uh, other stuff.
Balabalooza: I'm really thirsty after reading your jingle. The pine drink sounds interesting, even if it is make believe. I wish I had a Looza drink company by me. Maybe I'll just steal yours! Bwa ha ha. I'm gonna miss typing your name!
MwrulesC: It's great to see you reviewing again! You barely slipped in, since I was gonna update tonight! Thanks a bunch.
Questions, comments, or coconuts? You know where to find me!