Epilogue

"Wow," Rogue said as she looked up at the mansion. "This is where you grew up?"

"Well I spent the first seven years on the streets, so I figure this place kinda balances things out."

The front door of the French colonial mansion opened long before they got there, and Henri came running over to them.

"You made it!" he grinned, pulling them both into a hug. "Oh, Remy, it's good to see you."

"Henri! Stop yammering like a loon and bring my boy in here!" said another figure, now standing in the mansion doorway.

Rogue hadn't met him but she assumed this was Remy's father, Jean-Luc.

"Père," Remy called, confirming her suspicions as he ran to the other man.

They hugged and by the time they broke apart, Rogue and Henri had reached them.

"Père, allow me to introduce Rogue. Rogue this is mon père, Jean-Luc."

He took her hand and bowed over it, kissing the back.

"A pleasure to finally meet the worlds greatest thief," he said.

Rogue looked confused.

"Any woman who can steal my Remy's heart has got to have some rare skills," he said with a wink. "Anyway, come in, come in. You must be tired after your journey. Remy, why don't you show Rogue to your room, then join us in the rear lounge once you've freshened up."

Remy smiled, liking that idea and led Rogue up the stairs.

"And this is my room," he said, opening the door with a flourish.

Like the rest of the mansion, it was opulent but tasteful. The carpets were so thick that Rogue felt like she was sinking into them with each step. The the middle of the room stood a large four poster bed and the windows had floor length, heavy velvet curtains, tied back with thick, platted rope. She'd be willing to bet that everything in here was antique.

"I think I could get used to this," Rogue said, falling onto her bed and sighing.

"I'll buy us our own mansion if you want, cher."

"Charmer," she said with a smile.

After they had unpacked, they made their way back downstairs and enjoyed drink with Henri and Jean-Luc. A little later Henri's wife, Mercy, joined them.

They both caught up on each others news until it neared dinner time, at which point Remy's cousins, Emil, Theoren and Etienne joined them with their respective partners, and after that Rogue was unable to remember everyone's name.

She was hugged, kissed and complimented more times that she would normally be in a year, and it quickly became clear how very much these people loved Remy, and now by extension, herself.

Rogue wondered how they could possibly fit around one table for dinner, until she saw the table which was easily thirty foot long and laid out as if for a banquet. Jean-Luc sat at one end, Remy on one side, Henri on the other and the rest of the family took up about half the length of the table. Conversation and wine flowed freely.

Tante Mattie came out to greet her boy when desert was served, and told Rogue that she'd have a proper chat with her tomorrow, just so she'd know how to keep 'that boy' in line. Rogue laughed, though she was uncertain if Tante was joking or not.

Finally at gone midnight, Rogue and Remy made their way to bed.

"So, what do you think?" Remy asked, with just a hint of tension in his voice. After all, everyone wanted their partners to get along with their family.

"I think I'm going to like them," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I think they're what a real family should feel like," she said.

"They're your family too now chèr, and they loved you as well."

Rogue yawned, then smiled mischievously.

"Well, its been a long day, I guess I can finally take this damn bracelet off and go to sleep."

She made to remove the silver bracelet but Gambit's hand covered her wrist before she could.

"Oh no, Forge's little gift stays on, cher."

"Oh does it?" she asked, raising a haughty eyebrow.

"Well, I'm ravaging you one way or the other, so I guess it's up to you whether you want my perverted thoughts in your head for the next week."

Rogue laughed.

Forge had taken Remy's static bracelet, the one that Remy had used to hide his scent, and had been able to turn the static field into a repulsion field. What this meant was that Rogue was able to touch without absorbing people, as just above her skin was a repellent field.

It didn't alter the sensation of touch much because the field was only 3 microns thick. The best part though, well, perhaps the second best part, was that unlike the inhibitor collar, this device didn't actually turn her powers on or off, so it was completely safe for long term use.

Unfortunately the device couldn't enable them to have sex without a condom (which wasn't fool proof, but Remy was more than willing to take the risk) nor could they French kiss since the bracelet only worked on the skin, but just being able to touch was more than they could have imagined when they had first met, just over a year ago now.

Remy picked her up in a fireman's carry and began kissing her neck as he carried her over to the bed.

She was working on her powers with Jean and although she hadn't told Remy, they were starting to have some success. She was afraid to say anything to him yet though, just in case she jinxed herself. And if nothing came of this, then at least only one of them would be disappointed.

Right now though, as Remy was making it very difficult for her to think about anything but the trail of his lips, as they devoured each new area of her skin that he uncovered.

Rogue awoke in the morning nestled in Remy's arms. She would never have thought herself a cuddly sleeper, but she supposed after so many years without the ability to touch, she was simply making up for lost time.

"Go back to sleep," Remy murmured as he felt her stir.

"The others will be here soon," Rogue said, turning in his arms. She had long since learned that kissing him was the best way to wake him up.

Tomorrow was Thanksgiving and for the first time, all the X-Men and the inner circle of the Guild would be in the same room. Rogue was pleased to be meeting Remy's family, especially since they had all been so good to her so far, but she was a little apprehensive as to what kind of impression her own X-Men family would give to her possible future in-laws.

Remy had slotted himself into the X-men family relatively well, which is not to say that everything was hugs and puppies but tensions didn't often boil over. Surprisingly, Logan seemed to be Remy's closest friend among them (other than Rogue of course) and they could often be found playing poker together or sparring in the danger room.

Scott seemed to have gotten over Remy kidnapping Jean when she was a teenager, but unfortunately that did little to sooth the tensions between them. Scott thought Remy reckless and impulsive, while Remy thought Scott to be a 'stuffy, stagnant and staid, jumped up little boy scout'. And yes, he had said that to Scott's face. Thankfully, Logan kept them separated most of the time, and never put them in the same team.

Truth be told, Logan often felt the same way about Scott, but as leader he had learned not to say it out loud. Well, he had learned to say it much less often is perhaps more accurate. Sometimes he also agreed with Scott's assessment of Remy, but again he was forced not to take sides and remain impartial.

Sometimes being a leader sucked.

Rogue didn't mind the conflict though, and lord knew she had no room to talk!

The truth is that no family is perfect, not even those who were voluntarily together. If anything, she felt more at home among the X-Men since Remy's had joined them, than she had since Logan left and the mansion had exploded.

And for some unknown reason, she had grown closer to Storm, Jean and especially Kitty. Perhaps it was because she finally understood an aspect of their lives that had previous been unknown to her, dating, or perhaps more accurately, love (though Rogue didn't often admit to that in public, or to anyone really, other than Remy). Or perhaps it was because they could relate to her a little more now that she too was in the minefield that is relationships. Or maybe (and she was loathed to believe this) but maybe it was because her attitude was softening a little and they didn't have to worry quite so much about her losing her temper. Whatever the reason, she was feeling much more comfortable with them.

Of course, as much as she loved her adopted family, she knew their flaws as well as anyone could and she really didn't want them to make a bad impression on Remy's family.

Rogue's tension must have shown in her kiss because Gambit didn't reciprocate and pulled away.

"Chèr?" he looked puzzled.

Rogue sighed and tucked herself into his side, her head resting on his shoulder.

"Come on, you can tell me," he prompted.

"I'm worried about Logan," she admitted.

That only confused Remy even further. "He's a big boy, I think he can handle a road trip."

"No," she leaned up on her elbow so that she was looking down at him. "What if he starts a fight or something? Or breaks some of the furniture? He doesn't even need to lose his temper, some if the furniture is really delicate and looks expensive, and he's made of adamatium, which isn't exactly light."

"Most of the furniture is a century or more old, I think it can survive three days with Logan. And if not, I'll replace it."

"You can't just replace antiques," she argued.

"Chère, even if Logan did the dance of the seven veils on top of the dining table, my family will not blame you for it. They like you, remember? If anything, Logan being an ass will make they feel sorry for you and take you even further under their wing."

Rogue didn't believe him, but his words did sooth her nerves a little.

Remy turned her onto her back and began to kiss her neck, leaving a trail warm kisses over her collar bone and down to her breasts.

"Remy," she tried to sound firm but it came out as more of a whine. "We have to get to breakfast."

"Non," he paused briefly in his ministrations. "If we go down late we can eat in the kitchen, then Tante will get to meet you. Plus, you have a lot of nervous energy, chèr, and it's my duty as your boyfriend to help you work it off."

"Oh? Well, that's very selfless of you."

Remy flashed her a wolfish grin. "That's the kinda guy I am, chèr. Now quiet, men are at work here."

Rogue laughed, but dutifully lay back and let him get on with expending her excess energy.

By the time they made it down to breakfast the family had eaten and gone, so Remy took Rogue into the kitchen. Like the rest of the house, it too was grand, more then capable of catering to a full dining table, but with stone floors and beaten pine tables, it was also very homey and not at all imposing.

Remy silently sauntered up to Tante Mattie, where she was rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, and kissed her cheek.

The old lady jumped and lightly hit his arm.

"Get away with you, you scamp! I got work to do."

Rogue smiled since she was clearly delighted to see him, despite her words.

"Au contraire, Tante." He took her shoulders and guided her over to the table. "You put your feet up with Roguie while I make you both a breakfast fit for a king."

Tante Mattie sat down with Rogue while Remy began pottering around in the kitchen.

"So, child, this boy givin' you any trouble?" was Tante's opening gambit.

"No, Ma'am," Rogue smiled.

"Call me Tante, everyone else does."

"Okay, thanks."

"So really, is he giving you any trouble? I can't believe that he's changed that much."

Remy brought two mugs of freshly made coffee over for them and Rogue smiled as Remy rolled his eyes. Clearly this banter was expected.

"Well he tried," Rogue admitted. "So I knocked him out and kidnapped him."

Tante looked at her for a second, then burst out laughing.

Behind the old woman, Remy put a finger to his temple and drew a circle there while crossing his eyes, implying that Tante was crazy.

Noticing Rogues smile and that she was looking behind her, Tante turned to Remy, who promptly stopped what he was doing and smiled angelically.

"What's he doing?" Tante asked Rogue.

"Um, nothing." Rogue lied.

"You're not too old to go over my knee, boy!" Tante threatened Remy. "And don't you forget it!"

Somehow Rogue doubted that Tante had ever raised a finger to her boy, let alone spanked him.

He redeemed himself somewhat when he presented them with an omelet, made with cheese, sausage, onion, parsley, tomato, paprika and cracked pepper, with skillet potatoes on the side. He got his own plate, then sat down next to Rogue, waiting to begin until Tante had delivered her verdict on his cooking.

"We-ell," she said after her first mouthful, clearly aware that Remy was waiting for her opinion and drawing things out on purpose. "It don't seem that northern living has don't to much harm to your cooking skills... yet."

Remy grinned and tucked into his food.

When they were done, Remy insisted on taking the dishes and loading the dishwasher himself. Tante gave him tips on how to do it properly but since Remy mimed along with most of her advice, it was clear that he'd heard everything enough times to memorise it. Still, redundant or not, he looked perfectly happy to be told once again.

When he was gone, Tante turned to Rogue and her expression turned serious.

"I don't know what you done for that boy, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart." She had tears shining in her eyes as she reached out and took Rogue's hand. She squeezed hard, as though she could convey the depth of her feeling through the strength of her grip. "I haven't seen him this relaxed in ten years or more."

"I can't take all the credit, but you're more than welcome." She looked over to where Remy was happily loading plates and smiled. "I'd do anything for him."

Tante gave her hand one final squeeze of approval then she stood up.

"Well, it won't do to sit around here all day. Dinner won't make itself!" She quickly shooed Remy and Rogue out of her kitchen, telling him to "Make sure you show that girlie a good time."

"If Remy knows anything, it's how to show a fille a good time," he teased.

Tante threw a tea-towel at his head with an accuracy that only comes from practice.

The X-Men arrived en masse that afternoon. Kitty greeted everyone with a hug but the others settled for handshakes as they were introduced. The mansion was big enough to house them all and after unpacking, they joined the family in the lounge for drinks and conversation.

Things were a little awkward for a while since these were essentially two groups of strangers, but after about half an hour people had found conversation topics and broken up into smaller groups. Even Kurt, Angel and Hank were accepted, as though it was nothing unusual to have a blue and/or fury guest over to dinner. Hank was currently discussing the finer points of the Hadron Collide with Theoren, who also seemed to have an amateur interest in physics. As for Kurt, he might behave like a serious and responsible grown up now but in his youth, he had been something of a joker. He was now sharing some of his secrets with Emil, who was listening to the elf's antics with something akin to awe. Angel was discussing the stock market with Etienne, who wanted to pick the brain of someone who was raised in big business for tips.

Dinner was called and they headed into the dining room for a pre thanksgiving feast fit for a king. The seating wasn't assigned but thankfully, no one saw fit to take Jean-Luc's chair at the head of the table. Rogue was pleased to see that the table wasn't divided into X-Men and thieves either, but comprised of clusters of each. A sign that friendships were already being made. Perhaps the most surprising thing was that Logan had taken the chair that last night had been Remy's, right next to Jean-Luc.

"Do they really expect us to eat all this and still eat thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?" Bobby quietly asked Kitty.

Kitty smiled. "If the main meal smells this good, imagine what the desert will be like? In fact, I may just hold off and wait for that."

Rogue smiled as she looked over at Kitty, having similar sentiments herself.

Emil, who was sitting next to Kitty, had to chip in. "Aww you could use some fattening up, cher," he teased her. They had been flirting a little all afternoon, and more than a few curious and watchful eyes kept straying their way. Remy had confided in Rogue that his cousin had developed a thing for Kitty while she was working with them, and teased her that the guild and the X-Men would soon have another union on their hands.

The conversation flowed freely while they ate and when the plates for the main course were cleared, Jean-Luc got to his feet.

"Believe it or not, tomorrow we will have more guild members here celebrating with us, so while I know you've had a long day travelling and are probably feeling a little tired after such a grand meal, I will say this now. Don't worry, I'll keep it short. Bedsides, I have seen Tante's desert, and I too am rather keen to enjoy it." He smiled at Kitty, who blushed. Sure, she had lived with the thieves for a month, but Jean-Luc's teasing never failed to make her blush.

Jean-Luc looked over to where Remy sat next to Rogue.

"I must confess that while I gave Remy my blessing to leave the guild, I was apprehensive. I thought that I was losing a son and no father likes that feeling."

Remy and his father looked into each others eyes for a few moments, silently conveying their affection, before Jean-Luc looked around the rest of the table.

"Now I can see that I was wrong, for instead of losing a son, I have gained an extended family. Thankfully, one that is equally as bizarre and outlandish as my own." People laughed and Jean-Luc picked up his glass. "I have discussed this with the council, and I would like to formally declare the X-Men 'Friends of the Guild'. I want you to know that should you ever need our help, we are at your service."

He raised his glass and the others copied him.

"To new friends."

"New friends," the table chorused, raising their glasses and taking a sip.

Jean-Luc sat down and signalled for the desert to be served.

"Don't think that means he ain't gonna charge you next time," Remy pipped up, causing the thieves to laugh and the X-Men to wonder if he was serious or not.

Rogue took his hand and leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder as she looked around the table.

"You okay, cher?" Remy asked.

"Yeah, she turned to smile at him. "I'm perfect."