Epilogue: One Year Later

Rogue looked at herself in the mirror, wondering if she was brave enough to leave the room. Remy came up behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist

"You look stunning," he told her, placing a kiss on her shoulder.

She smiled and turned her head to kiss him properly, but the smile faded as she looked back to the mirror.

"I just don't know if I'm brave enough," she admitted.

Remy laughed. "Facing off against Juggernaut, no problem, robbing a museum of a priceless artefact, it's nothing, but suggest wearing one little bikini to a pool party, and she's as nervous as a virgin on prom night."

Rogue had to smile, because he was right.

"It's only been two months since I got total control, Remy, I'm just not..."

"Who would have thought that Remy LeBeau would end up dating a prude."

Rogue turned around and pushed him away.

"I am not a prude!" she told him, setting her hands on her hips.

"Prove it," he challenged.

Rogue narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Fine!" she stormed from the room and Remy followed behind her, enjoying the view.

He began to regret his decision to provoke her into overcoming her fears when every guy in the mansion stared, slack jawed, as she strode out onto the patio and took occupied one of the spare sun loungers.

Thanks to Rogue's indecisiveness, the others had already been out here a while, so the party was in full swing. Bruno Mars was singing about Grenades, Kitty was dancing in the pool, Laura was adjusting her swimming costume (clearly as uncomfortable as Rogue ), Kurt was putting sunblock on his non-fur covered areas and Jean was tidying up the refreshments table. The professor and Storm were sat at an umbrella covered table, talking.

"You're burning your burgers," Remy said as he came up beside Scott, who was operating the barbecue.

"Oh my-" he dragged his eyes off Rogue and quickly flipped the burgers over.

"Next time, keep your eyes on your own femme," Remy warned. Not that he really thought Scott would steal Rogue from him, or any of the men and boys in the mansion, but he just couldn't seem to stop his inner Neanderthal from surfacing.

He knew he had been right though. Rogue no longer had to fear her skin but she was having a hard time believing that.

"Hey, Bobby," Remy heard Kurt say.

"Yeah?" Bobby seemed to have paused in the middle of setting up a water volleyball net.

"You know that's my sister that you're ogling, right?"

"Sorry, man, but your sister is hot."

A glowing card landed at Bobby's feet but he didn't notice it. Kurt did, agreed with the sentiment and backed away. Moments later the card exploded. It wasn't a big blast, but it was enough of a surprise to Bobby to send him flailing into the pool.

Spluttering to the side, bobby slung to the edge of the pool as Logan, with excellent aim, sent a basket ball at his head. The shock was enough to send him back into the water.

"That should cool him off," Remy said, stepping up beside Kurt.

Kurt giggled. "Where on earth do you keep cards when you're wearing only swimming trunks?"

"You really want to know, mon ami?" Remy grinned.

Kurt thought about it. "Maybe not."

Though initially hesitant, Rogue slowly began to overcome her fears at being uncovered, but it wasn't until after Jamie had splashed her, which caused a massive water fight, that she truly seemed comfortable. For the rest of the afternoon, she'd occasionally get that alarmed look on her face, or jerk away when someone touched her, but mostly she just had fun.

Scott was an excellent cook and despite his earlier lack of concentration, the burgers were done to perfection. Not only that, they kept coming all afternoon. He must have thought he was catering to the 5,000 (though given Kurt's appetite, Remy could see why he would over rather than under cook).

By 6pm the food was mostly gone but Remy managed to secure two last burgers for him and Rogue. He added some of Jean's potato salad, his coleslaw and Kurt's hummus, though he carefully avoided Kitty's rice and bean salad (it tasted like feet).

"Oh," Rogue groaned when he sat on the edge of her sun lounger and presented her with the plate. "I couldn't eat another thing!"

"Sure you could, put some meet on those bones!"

Rogue glared. "I do not need fattening up, thank you very much."

Remy shrugged, putting her plate on the floor as he tucked into his own burger, making lots of appreciative noises. Rogue lasted half a burger before he tempted her to eat her own. He grinned, knowing that he'd won.

"So, how does it feel to be a regular girl?" he asked.

"I wouldn't know, but it feels pretty good to be a regular freak." She grinned.

"You sure made the X-Boys happy today."

Rogue thumped his shoulder playfully. "Please!"

Remy grinned. "You sure you don't want to go running off with Scottie? He is pretty hot."

"I hadn't noticed, but I'm starting to worry about you and Scott," she teased.

"You don't have to worry about me," he assured her. "I'm a one woman kind of guy these days."

When they were finished, he took their plates.

Now that the day was winding down, almost everyone had left the pool, the music was a little quieter, insect repelling candles had been lit and Remy suggested that he and Rogue head inside and wash the chlorine out of their hair.

Rogue recognised that as code for 'sex in the shower' and was in hearty agreement. They'd rejoin the others later, but Remy had something he needed to do in private first. Well, something other than mind blowing sex, which also had to be done in private. Well, okay, it didn't have to be, but his inner Neanderthal insisted upon it.

When they were done, Rogue dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, folding a hoodie up in case the night became too cool later on. She headed for the door, but Remy grabbed her hand, halting her. She turned to look at him and his expression was so serious that it worried her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he said, taking her other hand and guiding her over to their bed. He sat her on the edge and knelt in front of her. "Rogue, I've been considering asking this for a long time but it just never felt like the right time, you know?"

"Not really?"

"Well first you wanted to get control of your powers, then you wanted to get your high school diploma, then last time I was psyching myself up, we got called off to rescue that mutant in Seattle but today, I realised something."

"What?"

"That it doesn't have to be the perfect time. I love you, Rogue, more than anyone else in my life, and I think that you love me too, so..."

He leaned over and got a ring box out of the bedside table, which he handed to Rogue. She opened the box to reveal a ring, with a central red stone, surrounded by black stones, just like her pendant.

"I had it custom made six months ago," he explained. "Just been carrying it around since then, waiting for the perfect time, but any time with you is perfect. It's red and black diamonds, both of which are extremely rare, like you."

"Oh!" Rogue's hand covered her mouth in a surprisingly girlie gesture as her eyes filled with tears. "It's beautiful."

"Marry me, Rogue, and make me the happiest man in the world?"

Rogue looked from the red and black ring, into his red and black eyes.

"Of course I'll marry you!" she cried, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing just a little too hard. Remy didn't care though, right now she could squeeze the life right out of him and he would die a happy man.

She pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes with her right hand as he slipped the ring onto her left.

"Are you sure you didn't just get all possessive over me being ogled, swamp rat? I saw you try and blow Bobby up."

Remy laughed. Trust Rogue to insult him after he'd proposed. Then again, he wasn't exactly a typical guy either and he didn't want a perfect, cookie cutter wife. They were both damaged, both hurting, and both perfect for each other.

They made love again, then after another lightening quick shower (so that Logan didn't start sniffing and glaring at them) they headed back to the pool area.

Some people had headed inside, some had moved to tables and from somewhere, a series of deserts had been found and laid out. Rogue headed to the boysenberry pie and cut them both a big slice.

"I thought you couldn't eat any more?" Remy said when she presented him with his slice.

"Yeah, well I worked up an appetite again, didn't I?" she gave him a pointed look, which was somewhat spoiled by the smile she was trying, and failing to hide.

"Chère, I don't think I can eat another bite."

"I made this pie because it's your favourite, and you will eat it, Remy LeBeau, or I'll get Kitty to serve you some of her English trifle.

Remy's eyes widened in fear. "You wouldn't?"

"Oh yes I would. I slaved over this and you are going to enjoy every bite. Besides, you could do with some fattening up."

She put the plate down in front of him and watched as he ate. He took the first bite with trepidation, hoping that he wasn't going to feel sick after having already eaten so much. Then he broke out in a wide smile.

"I knew I liked you for a reason," he said, all arguments against eating any more long forgotten once he had tasted it.

Rogue smiled smugly and tucked into her own slice. She didn't know when the others would notice her ring and truth be told, she really wasn't looking forward to a massive freak out, as had been the case when Jean and Scott got engaged a few months ago. She just hated being the centre of attention, and all that girlie screaming was just annoying.

Still, she wouldn't change her answer, not for all the peace and quiet in the world.

She smiled slyly at him, pleased that they shared this, just the two of them (for a while at least) and she reached out under the table to take his hand. Remy smiled back.

Remy didn't seem to be in a rush to tell anyone either. They may be official X-Men now, but first and foremost, they were each others partners in crime.

AN: It's over guys *sob*. I hope you enjoyed the ride.