Disclaimer: Characters belong to Marvel, etc.

Rating: Rated for a bit of violence, a bit of strong language and a bit of sexy stuff. But probably nothing too strong.

Author notes: Well, it's been a year since I last posted a chapter, and here we are again! Merry Christmas to all my dear FF readers and followers, and a very happy New Year!

Lots of love from,

-Ludi x

CODA

Chapter 8

Several weeks passed.

Somewhere in the background of those passing days and hours, Rogue was keenly aware that the machinery of the Winnowing negotiations was grinding away, but she didn't have much to do with it, even though it was her right to insert herself into the proceedings. Nevertheless, the last thing she wanted was to become the unwanted interloper on those proceedings, to have the Assassins' hostile eyes on her, to whip up negative emotions and make things more difficult for Remy than they had to be.

Besides, she was concerned with other things – like morning sickness and other weird little symptoms of pregnancy that she'd rather keep to herself. The smell and taste of fish was now all but intolerable to her, and she had the urge to pee at the most embarrassing and inconvenient moments. At least she hadn't experienced any strange cravings yet; and there still wasn't much sign of a baby bump. Not yet, anyway.

She preferred to let the others get on with the rigmarole, and while taking a backseat wasn't usually her thing, the last thing she wanted was to get stressed out by this whole Winnowing business. Instead she let Remy report back to her as much as she could stomach; and the rest of the time she spent exploring the sprawling mansion and its surroundings. Her favourite place was still the library, where she could settle down with a book once her exhaustion had taken over, and for a little while she could almost imagine she was back in the Xavier Institute.

The day of the Winnowing was now only a few days away, and yet again Rogue had retreated here, seeing as it was the only place to ease her steadily growing anxiety. Fortunately or otherwise, she found herself unexpectedly interrupted by Jean-Luc LeBeau.

"Mattie told me you might be hidin' out here," he observed from the doorway, as if reluctant to intrude on her quiet space. "Mind if I keep you company for a moment, Anna?"

"Sure," she agreed, setting down the book she was reading on the little table next to her divan, suddenly painfully aware that it was one of his wife's old romance novels. She couldn't help but notice that he took a quick look at the cover as she did so; but he didn't say a word, and his expression showed little sign of having been affected.

"I jes' wanted t'see how you were gettin' on," he began good-naturedly – though a little apprehensively, she thought. "We ain't seen much of you lately."

"Ah'm fine," Rogue answered reassuringly. "T'be honest, this whole thing with the Winnowin' is kinda stressful, and… well, bein' pregnant is stressful enough, if yah know what Ah mean."

He nodded sympathetically.

"Of course. I understand."

He seemed to hesitate a moment, and she wished he'd just spit it out.

"Is there somethin' on your mind, Mr. LeBeau?" she prompted him, and he looked up at her with a half-smile, as if amused that she still insisted on being so formal with him.

"I think," he said with an unusually solemn gravitas, "that it's time we had a little chat about what the Winnowin' actually means."

She sat up a little straighter. Of course she'd known as soon as he'd walked in that this wasn't just a social call he was paying her, but still…

"I think Remy's explained enough to me," she replied softly.

Jean-Luc raised an eyebrow.

"Has he?"

"Yeah. He told me a load'a things Ah didn't like the sound of. Like the fact some people have died durin' this ritual." She paused and shot him a hard look. "Is that true?"

He shrugged almost apologetically.

"It has been known to happen…"

"And Remy might end up bitin' the dust b'cause the entire Assassin's Guild has a grievance with him."

He actually looked taken aback at the bluntness of her comment.

"While possible, it's highly unlikely… The process is controlled…"

"But it's never happened like this before," she cut in bitterly. "Not with an entire guild against one man. Admit it."

He lowered his eyes for just a second.

"Non. It's never happened before. But durin' these negotiations, we've been puttin' certain safeguards into place. I can promise you the worst won't happen."

She looked away with a tight grimace.

"Yah say that now. But there's no knowin' what might happen."

"Rogue," he answered seriously. "What's gonna happen is that Remy will do what he feels he has t'do. He'll put himself up for the punishment the Assassin's Guild thinks he deserves. And in doing that, he'll secure the future of your child – and of the Thieves' Guild."

"Ah don't care about the Thieves' Guild," she muttered honestly. He almost looked crestfallen at the admission.

"O'course you don't. But the guild was – is – Remy's family. Like it or not, it's what he feels he owes us, on some level."

"Ah know," she sighed. "Don't mean Ah gotta like it though." She brooded a moment before adding: "Look, don't get me wrong. Y'all are amazingly sweet and Ah'm so grateful for the kindness you've shown me while Ah've been here. But Remy and Ah… we've been through so much already. So much pain, so much hurt, so much fear… so much death. Ah don't want anymore. And Remy… He doesn't deserve it. He doesn't deserve more of it."

Jean-Luc was silent a moment.

"You must care for him a lot," he noted softly.

"Ah love your son," she replied without missing a beat. "We've been through so much together, for so long… And Ah'm still here. We're both still here. Ah don't wanna lose him. Not now. We've fought so long and so hard t'get to this point."

Jean-Luc's smile was small, almost sad.

"When you say it like dat," he rejoined softly, "I can understand why dis is so hard for you. There are so many t'ings you and Remy have been through that I don't know and dat I doubt I could understand. I can see why everyt'ing here must seem so small and pointless to you, but—"

"It ain't to Remy," she interjected quickly. "Ah know. And Ah'm tryin' hard not t'be selfish about this, believe me. It ain't easy." She paused and gave him a look. "So. Since you're here to tell me what this Winnowin' 'acutally' means, tell me somethin'. If Remy… dies… then what exactly would that mean?"

She was actually gratified to see Jean-Luc look aside quickly, as if the idea pained him.

"It wouldn't change anyt'ing, in terms of the ritual itself. Remy will have taken his punishment, and his children will be recognised as rightful inheritors of the guild leadership."

"And why can't Remy himself be reinstated?" she asked.

"We petitioned for Remy to be reinstated as an heir, believe me," he answered. "But de Assassins refused to lift his exile as a part of de deal. Giving an amnesty to any and all of his future children was de most dey would concede."

Rogue took in a deep breath. Her head was beginning to hurt.

"That, and the guarantee that he'd be allowed safe passage into the city any time he wanted, huh?" she murmured.

"Oui." Jean-Luc nodded.

Rogue was silent, yet again trying to digest it all.

"Listen," Jean-Luc spoke up quietly while she was in the midst of her thoughts. "I wanted t' tell you… If the worse does come t'de worst… Den whatever you decide for your child, we of de Guilds will abide by. Even if your decision is dat dey should have no future contact wit' us."

Rogue, knowing what she knew how about Henri and Mercy's inability to have children, was taken aback by this.

"Even if it means that you'd be forfeitin' a future LeBeau heir to the Guild?" she asked aloud.

Jean-Luc gave a pained smile.

"Oui," he murmured. "Even den. As de child's mother, dat is your right."

And he turned and left.

-oOo-

Later that day, Remy took Rogue into the Grand Hall.

"Dis where all Guild functions take place," he told her.

"Includin' the Winnowin'?" she asked.

"Yeah." He nodded. "Includin' the Winnowin'."

Rogue quietly took in her surroundings. The room was a display grandeur she'd rarely seen before. It was more akin to a cathedral than a hall. Fine marble columns stood sentinel along each wall; glistening, polished oak pews glistening in the candlelight; a red-carpeted aisle led up to a raised dais. The austere yet opulent atmosphere engendered such a sense of reverence that Rogue couldn't help but be awed.

"It's… beautiful," she murmured. It was an alien kind of beauty to her Southern Baptist self, but it was compelling nonetheless.

"Yeah."

Remy seemed unusually preoccupied, even nervous. She curled her hand around his and turned to him.

"You okay?" she asked softly. He looked at her, fixing her a wry smile.

"I'm fine. You're de one I'm worried about, chere. We ain't seen you much recently, which I totally get but… I just wanted t' touch base wit' you… Make sure you're okay… …"

A half-smile touched her lips. There was so much they had been through in their lives together that it was rare for them to slow down, take a moment, and check in with one another.

"Ah'm okay as Ah'm ever gonna be with this, Cajun," she replied honestly. "You do what you gotta do, and Ah'll concentrate on takin' care of what matters right now – our kid." She paused, glancing down at her stomach. "If there's one thing Ah'm always ready ta fight for, it's fam'ly."

He laughed softly at her words, moving only to touch foreheads with her.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened t'me," he said quietly though sincerely. "I hope you know that."

He didn't give her a moment to answer, kissing her long and deep, and with such passion that she was instantly swept up in the heat of it.

Until they were interrupted by the sound of the large oak double doors creaking open.

They broke apart quickly, and Rogue was astonished to see a statuesque woman standing in the doorway.

She'd never met her before in her life, but it was a face she knew well – from Remy's own memories.

The golden blonde hair, the bright blue eyes – Belladonna Boudreaux had certainly changed in all the years since Remy had first met and fallen in love with her – she was thinner, more staid, less vivacious than the imprint of Remy's memories suggested. But she was still beautiful; and still unmistakably the woman he had once loved.

Her gaze fell on Rogue with a look that was almost imperious, and was definitely meant to impart disapproval. While Rogue wasn't the type to buckle under such a sentiment, and so she met that gaze unflinchingly, until Belladonna looked aside towards Remy.

"Remy," she said; her voice was soft yet commanding. "We need t' talk."

"What about?" he asked in a low tone. It was a tone of respect that Rogue knew Remy didn't give often.

"In private," Belle returned. "Not with her here."

It was clear who she meant, and the words instantly made Remy bristle.

"Non," he replied staunchly. "Rogue stays here."

It wasn't quite what Belle had been expecting. Her expression hardened.

"Dis is Guild bus'ness," she said. "And it ain't for the ears of outsiders."

Remy was undaunted by the coldness of her statements, merely snorting derisively.

"I've made Guild bus'ness Rogue's bus'ness," he retorted. "If you can't handle dat, den I ain't got not'ing t'say t'ya."

Until that point, Rogue had listened silently; and although she was touched that Remy was standing up for her in this way, it irked her that she suddenly seemed to be a pawn in Guild affairs. She had a voice – she was more than capable of standing up for herself – she wasn't going to be a bystander in the future of her own child.

"Ah'll leave," she said decidedly, addressed herself to Remy and not to Belle. He looked down at her, and she knew instinctively that the anger on his face was on her behalf.

"You're entitled to stay now, Anna," he stated heatedly. "Dere ain't a t'ing she has t'say dat you shouldn't be able t'hear."

"And you might be right, Remy," Rogue replied coolly. "But your welfare is in the hands of the Assassins right now, and let's just say that Ah don't wanna give 'em any ammo to shoot you with."

She threw a pointed glance over at Belladonna.

"Ah'll just be outside," she said with as much dignity as she could muster, before walking out the hall and closing the doors shut firmly behind her.

-oOo-

"Looks like your woman is smarter den you are," Belle noted observed dryly once Rogue had left the room.

Remy turned towards her angrily.

"Petty spite don't suit ya, Belle," he shot at her. "And how did you get in here wit'out raisin' a ruckus anyways? Assassins ain't exactly allowed round these here parts."

"Oh please." Belle, if anything, looked bored. "I'm an assassin, Remy. And if you remember, dat didn't exactly stop me from sneakin' in here regularly, back in de day."

The statement conjured up memories of her stealing into his bedroom that almost – but not quite – stopped him in his tracks.

"Belle—"

"Ugh!" She cut him off with a disgusted outburst, waving her hand dismissively. "Tante Mattie chaperoned me here, Remy – of course I didn't just sneak in!" She eyed him critically. "You used t'be more fun den dis. Why so serious?"

He stared a moment, not quite sure whether she was intending to banter with him or not. Her words suggested one thing – but her expression was still stony cold. He decided to go with a more diplomatic route.

"Yeah, well, mutants ain't exactly had anyt'ing to laugh about de past ten plus years," he muttered.

It was the right thing to say to get her to back off a bit. The haughtiness dropped from her face and she turned aside, pacing on the spot with something he read as guilt.

"I'm sorry," she said at last, stopping and facing him again. "Dat was insensitive of me. I can't imagine what you must've been through all those years, but Remy… don't you t'ink dat makes you entitled t' some happiness now? Don't you t'ink everyt'ing you've been through entitles you t'some joy?"

He eyed her, puzzled by her sudden earnestness.

"You're tryin' t'get me to call of de Winnowin', aren't you." he said. "Belle… we already talked about dis. If dat's why you're here den you're wastin' your time."

"Am I?" She frowned. "Surely your woman agrees with me. I can't believe she'd want to see ya hurt."

He grimaced, angry that she was resorting to using Rogue as a weapon.

"Seems you're willin' t'bring Anna into dis when it suits you," he noted sourly; but she was unfazed.

"Am I wrong?" she countered.

She was closer to the mark than he wanted to admit.

"What Rogue thinks ain't any of your bus'ness."

She quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Really? 'Cos you sure seem to be makin' her Guild bus'ness, even though all'a dis ain't got a t'ing t'do wit' her. She ain't a LeBeau, and I don't think bein' your lover counts – unless de rules have changed since I was last—"

"Anna's pregnant," he blurted out, cutting her off.

It had the desired effect. For a few charged moments Belle was stunned into silence. Then, unexpectedly, she turned aside; and he thought she'd walk away from him, but she didn't. After a few moments she turned back, her demeanour completely changed from combative to icy cold again.

"I see. Since Henri and Mercy can't have children…"

"Oui," he interrupted her in a low voice. So many years he'd spent apart from the Guilds… yet he couldn't help a lingering sense of duty and loyalty from bristling at her talking so freely about such a sensitive topic.

Belle took in a long, measuring breath. She looked as if she were trying hard to keep her composure.

"And dis is why you're doin' de Winnowin'…" she murmured, almost to herself. "Not for y'self… But for the Guild… For its future heir…"

He couldn't speak. He nodded.

After a long, tense moment, Belle looked up at him, her blue eyes steely.

"Tellin' me this, of all people, puts Rogue in a vulnerable position," she observed. His mouth flattened. He knew exactly what she meant.

"Touch her," Remy spoke with barely controlled anger, "and de Thieves Guild will consider it an act of war."

The corner of her mouth tipped into a wry smile.

"And you believe that it would be in our best interests to restart de old blood wars? I hardly t'ink any of us would benefit from dat, Remy." The smile dropped, turning to a grimace. "Why didn't you put dis information into your petition? Mattie could'a negotiated a better deal for you."

"As you say," Remy returned flatly, "disclosin' dat kinda information coulda put Rogue at risk."

"Risk?" Belle snorted. "Y'talk of risk… But actin' de way you've been actin', wit'out bein' honest about de circumstances – dat puts you at de worst kinda risk."

"If it protects Anna and my child," he answered honestly, "den it's a risk worth takin'. I told you, Belle – dis ain't jus' about me no more. It's not about what I want. For de first time, I ain't bein' a selfish ass."

There was a self-deprecating tone to his voice that was serious enough to get her attention. Suddenly she was back to the way she had been the other night outside the bar – concerned, earnest. The person who had suddenly let slip that she still loved him.

"You were never selfish," she murmured. "Never in the t'ings dat mattered, Remy. I don't t'ink dat's changed. But you're still a damn couyon."

She pivoted on her foot and moved to the door.

"Belle," he called to her; and she stopped.

"Remy, you're puttin' your life on de line. Don't ask me t'congratulate you and your woman when you could be dead dis time next week."

"I ain't askin' for your congratulations," he said quietly. "I'm askin' you t'let dis happen. Don't ask me t'walk away from dis again. I can't, and I ain't gonna."

Belle looked back over her shoulder at him, her blue eyes soft, sad.

"Remy… I hope you know dat I can't protect you. Dere are many in de Assassin's Guild dat would see you dead after what you did to Julien. And even I can't stop a man from exactin' their revenge, if dat's what dey want."

It was the last thing he'd expected from her. Her protection was something he'd never anticipated or wanted. That she was even thinking it…

Her hand was already on the door handle. Her voice sailed back over her shoulder, that indomitable tenor back in full force.

"You're on your own, Remy," she said. "I just hope dat dis turns out de way you want it to. I don't give a damn about her. But for your sake… for de sake of an unborn child dat might not ever know its father… …"

She trailed off, letting the thought speak for itself.

He could only watch on as she opened up the doors, shot Rogue a penetrating glare, and swept down the corridor.

-oOo-