Hi. Well as I have warned, you may want a box of tissue for this one. It is one of my longer ones and yet sad. All characters belong to Marvel except.... Well you know by now who are mine and who are not. Yadda yadda yadda yakity smakity boo.......... Seri :-)

---

Sacrifice

By Rhona

Three years had passed since Serina and Xavier's 'disagreement'. She had been frequenting a bar in Louisiana. Today she was paid an unexpected visit, one she could have done with out. She sat at her usual table, drinking a supped up temple. When some stranger sat down tossing an X communicator on the table in front of her.

"Yeah, so. I'm not impressed." She said in a drunken slur.

"Xavier sends his regards. He is in need of your help." Came the German voice.

She looked up from the symbol. "I assume you are the Nightcrawler?" Her brogue strong from the drink. "Tell him I said no. If he can'na send a proper message then he don'na need me too much." She said, rising to leave.

"Not so fast, Ravyn." Scott said, trying to block her from leaving the booth.

"Oh.... Hi Scott." She said, pushing past him.

"No, Chere', sit and listen." Gambit stated, taking her arm and leading her back to the table.

"Oh look, it's my loving husband." She snapped, jerking away. "I didn'na need yer permission to go to the jon." She walked the rest of the way with out interruption.

"She' worse than we thought." Gambit stated, watching the bathroom door.

"Yeah, well, she has a lot to deal with, Remy." Logan replied, ordering a beer.

Serina opened the small window to see Beast standing out side. "You wouldn't, by chance, be trying to leave, would you?" He asked.

She slammed the window, storming out of the bathroom. She continued to storm her way over to the table. "Tell Xavier to shove it. He don' need no 'murderer', I believe he called me, to take care of his problems. He has you to do that for him." She stated angrily, grabbing her leather jacket and walking out the door.

They all followed her, hoping Beast would be able to stop her. But to their surprise, she had him held in place as she rode off on her motorcycle.

She pulled into the gravel drive of her Victorian home, Noticing that the horses were still out. Matta met her on the porch. "Your son is looking for you, what do I tell him?"

"Tell him that I'm putting the horses in the barn, I'll be in after I'm done." She replied, noticing a tracking devise on her finder. She pulled it off, putting it in her pocket on her way to the pasture.

It didn't take them long to find her, Remy's eyes wide in surprise as they drove up the drive. "How she afford dis?" He asked, assessing the size of the plantation.

"She's resourceful, my friend." Henry stated, "Obviously."

As they came to a stop almost a mile off the main road. Serina spotted them not too long after they arrived. They were talking to her nanny, Matta, in front of the house. She made no attempt to approach until she saw her son at the edge of the porch. She then road as fast as she could to stop them. " I tell you de truth, she no live here." Matta said sternly as Serina approached.

"It's alright, Matta, they know I'm here. They tagged my bike to find me." She said, throwing it at Scott.

"You mean, you can see?" Henry asked, stunned at her accuracy.

"No, I adapted, I use my telepathy to see. It's constant now, I caennae control it to turn it off." She stated, "Now, since you've gone through all this trouble to annoy me, What's up." She asked, her son moving to stand in front of her as if to protect her. He was about three years old. "No, sweet," She said, kneeling down to his level, "They're some-what of friends of mommy's. You go inside, I'll be there in a moment." She scooted him toward the porch. He watched them carefully from the window, almost as if he were memorizing each of them.

"Who's de boy?" Gambit asked bitterly. "You go back on your word?"

"Yea Remy, " She hissed. "I just couldn't get enough." She snapped, "Why not ask him, I'm sure he can tell you much with out saying a word." She stalked to the barn.

Scott followed her. "He's Remy's, isn't he?"

"Yes. I was pregnant when I went after Sinister. I didn't want to say anything since he and Rogue were finally getting somewhere." She said, forking hay to her horses. "I have no desire to get involved anymore, I have too many responsibilities now. I know that Sky is safe, but Nick, that's a whole other story. We've done fine here, that is, til you found me."

Scott shifted uneasily. "Would it be alright to stay with you tonight? We'll head back in the morning to tell Xavier."

"I guess. Goddess knows I have the room." She chuckled, "Besides, you can fill me in on my daughter. But you'll have to help in the morning, I can barely keep up."

"Don't you have farm hands?" He asked, helping her with the hay.

"No one to trust." She replied as they finished. "Let's go see what's for dinner." She said, leading him to the house.

After dinner, Beast played with Nick, letting him ride him like a pony. Scott and Kurt talked about the landscape, while Logan sat at the fireplace drinking a beer. Serina was out at the pond, skipping rocks. She had changed. She cut her hair, it lightened to a dark red from all her work on the farm. Her face and hands were still deft and delicate, but you could see the blisters from her work. She threw another rock as he approached. "Why didn' you write me about him?" He asked.

She didn't look at him. "I didn'na want you to run to me because of him." She threw another rock. " You obviously didn'na want me, you never even tried to stop me. You ran to Rogue, so you had made your choice, and I wasn't it."
"I was making sure she was alright. I didn' know you were gonna leave."
"You also didn'na look for me. I've been here for two years, and Scotland before that. Moria knew where I was, you never asked, not even when you visited. I watched you, watched you cuddle Rogue while I was upstairs 7 months pregnant. I then went home, you were in the next room when I left. I saw you as I drove away." She explained, not showing the hurt he had caused her. "I almost died delivering him. I was alone except for Matta, now I have Matta and Nicholas, I don't need you or anyone else." She walked away, leaving him to think about what she said. She walked into the house, said goodnight, and cried on her bed.

Matta came in after putting Nick to bed, she could hear her sobs. "Aw, come now, what troubles my mistress?" She asked feeling safe to speak in their native tongue Gaelic. Serina just shook her head. "It's him isn't it. He's the boys father, isn't he?" Again Serina said nothing, nodding her head. "I could tell by his eyes.." She said, as they both saw a flash of fire from the barn.

They ran down almost running the X-men over on their flight. "Matta, get Nicholas, keep him safe!" She hollered, grabbing the door.

Scott saw this and feared a back draft. "No!!!!!!!!!!!!" He screamed, "Back draft!"

She heard, nodding, she teleported in, opening it from with in. She threw blankets over the horses heads and led them out to the pasture. Logan helped her along with Kurt. Scott and Remy tried to put out the fire. The damage was extensive. A message was left on the porch. 'Give it up. You don't belong here.' Serina was seething. She stormed up stairs, put on her uniform. She put a western mini skirt and a blouse over it to cover what it really was. She went down stairs and light fingered her communicator from Kurt, who was so busy talking he didn't notice.

Someone else did. She had learned a lot by being around him, he was almost proud to see her do it. "Where you goin', Petite~?" Gambit asked.

"To settle a score." She growled. She turned to Matta, who held a sleeping Nicholas. "Get the house in order and pack. We leave with them in the morning." She said in old Gaelic. Then she stormed from the house.

They could hear her motorcycle tear down the drive.

"I smell trouble." Logan said, knowing his daughter's temper, "Where'd she go, Matta?"

"De Red Bull bar. There's a man there who has threatened her. He always there."

"Thank you," Beast said in Gaelic. He had understood their conversation. He turned to Scott, "Come back for us when your through." He stated, staying to help her pack.

They had beat her to the bar. Somehow they passed right by her. They decided to order a few drinks and wait. The song 'T.R.O.U.B.L.E' came on and almost on cue She came in. "Watch this, Kurt. You'll see why Chuck wants her back so bad."

Serina stalked up, it looked almost like a dance as she made her way to a rather large, good looking man in the corner booth. "You want it so bad, here!" She said, throwing a paper in his face. Her brogue was strong in anger as well as in drink. "I hope you rot! You damn near killed my kid. You push me too far."

Remy took this moment to get another drink. While he waited for it, he was approached by a woman. "Hello there, handsome. Remember me?" She purred, running her hand down his chest.

He looked up, she was one of Belle's girls. "No, Chere, I don'. Have we met." He asked, seeing Serina coming his way.

"One of Belle's gathering, you know, with de blind girl?" She said as Serina tapped her on the shoulder. "Go away, I seen him first." She slurred. Serina shoved her aside. "An jus' who do you t'ink you are?!"

"His WIFE." She said, punching the girl so hard that she unplugged the jukebox. Gambit grabbed her as she went to finish the girl off, catching her around the waist. He was headed for the door,

"Do you mind? I could use a little help here." He said to his friends as Serina began to battle him with her powers.

"Naw, looks like you got it under control." Logan answered laughing, then seeing the girl she had hit come after them. "Shit!" He said, pointing her out to Scott and Kurt, "He's gonna have a hell cat on his hands if we let her get too close." He stated, moving to block her.

"Why did she hit her in the first place?" Kurt asked Scott as they began to leave the booth.

"She's his wife, and she has a temper." He replied, trying to help Remy get her out the door.

"But what about..." Kurt didn't finish as Serina smashed her fist in to him 'accidently'.

"Now ain't the time to ask about that." Wolverine said as they made it out the door.

Gambit let her go about a mile away from the bar. The others had go on ahead to the house. She stalked the road that led to her former home. She had changed a lot from the last time he saw her. "Talk to me Petite." He said, walking a foot or two behind her. His whole body hurt from her attack.

"He's been wantin' the damn thing ever since he met Bella Donna. The harassment was all verbal until now." She stopped, kicking a rock. "Now he has it." She could feel him close behind her. She kept telling herself to keep cool.

"Why are you giving up?" He asked, taking in the fragrance of her hair.

"Come on Remy, have I ever fought for anything for very long? If I did, you would have been with me instead of her." She stated, knowing that this hurt him more than any physical blow she could give him.

He winced at her words. He knew she was right, if she wanted to she could have him at her beck and call. There was something about her that drew him like a magnet to metal. It was something he felt some with Rogue, but never as strong. He never could figure out why she never tried to have him stay with her. She'd always send him back to Rogue, more concerned about Rogue's feelings and needs rather than her own. "What are you going to do now?" he asked, unable to resist touching her hair. She stood there, like a block of ice, slowly melting at his touch.

"Send Nick and Matta with you while I settle some things here." She replied firmly. "It'll be safer that way." She began to walk away from him again.

They reached the house before sunrise, Scott had brought the black bird to load. They were almost done when Serina and Remy arrived. "Just a few more things, then were all set." Scott stated.

"Leave my bag here, I'm not going." Serina stated, taking it from Logan and going inside. She called someone on the phone, speaking Gaelic, she gave instructions. She then strapped her bags to her bike.

Everything was loaded, including Nick and Matta. "Do you know what you are doing?" Scott asked, seeing her grab a gas can from the coop.

"Yes Scott. I'll send for Nick and Matta as soon as I get settled." She said, setting it beside the bike. She 'watched' him mentally, walk to the black bird, she could sense him contacting Xavier. He told him what was going on and that she wasn't coming. This seemed to give her the time she needed to finish what she had started.

She blew out the pilots on the stove and made a trail of gas out the door. She lit a cigarette and threw the lit match on the gas. They saw the blast just after they lifted off the ground."Renia!" Gambit screamed.

"No!" Logan yelled as Scott turned the plane to see if there was any sign of Serina. He scanned the area, but there was no sign of her.

"Lookin' for me?" She asked nonchalantly, standing in the compartment door way.

Remy was the first to jump. He threw his arms around her, kissing her face."Remy, please. You actually thought I'd get caught in that?" She pushed him back. "I set it. I've become rather fond of pyrotechnics." She smiled, moving to sit next to Scott. "Don't tell him I'm coming. I want to surprise him." She replied.

"No problem." He smiled, setting his course.

Logan leaned near her left ear, "Do that again an' I'll tan your hide." He threatened, you could hear the seriousness in his voice.

"Gave you a few gray hairs, did I? Well, they'll be distinguishing." She retorted, smiling to herself.

They landed in the hanger, Xavier waited with Storm and Rogue. Everyone filed off except Serina and Nicholas. She stood in the door of the plane, Nick hid behind her.

She was in her uniform, something that the others didn't even know, her communicator in it's proper place. The look on Xavier's face was priceless. He was very surprised. Storm and Rogue's matched as Nick peered around Serina's leg.

"I thought you were not interested." Xavier stated, regaining his cool composure.

She began to walk down, her son close behind her. "Yeah, but due to circumstances, I had a change of plans. Now, what's so damn urgent?" She asked in a demanding tone.

"I'll tell you in the war room." He replied, " After you're settled."

Serina turned to Matta, "Take Nick to the nursery. Storm will show you the way. Then unpack, we may be here for a while." She said in Gaelic, then turned to Xavier. "You'll tell me now or I'm out of here. I have things to do that are more pressing than sitting around here." She stated, walking past him to the war room.

She heard Matta ask Storm where the nursery was in English and smiled. Nothing had changed.

"Boy, she's changed. What happened?" Rogue asked, "An' who's the boy?"

"My son." Gambit replied, "Come, Cher', I'll fill you in over coffee." He pushed past her, headed for the kitchen.

Xavier, Scott and Storm joined Serina in the war room for the debriefing.

"Apocalypse has made several attacks on mutant inhabited cities and towns. On the monitor in front of you is a map. On it is all the locations he has struck so far."

Serina looked at it mentally, seeing that the only place un touched was Egypt. There was also a place near Glasgow Scotland that hadn't been hit yet, and she knew that mutants lived there, hundreds of them. "His base is Egypt. His next target, Glasgow Scotland." She announced, breaking her long silence, interrupting Scott.

"How do you know?" Storm asked, shocked at her outburst of information.

"He hasn't touched Egypt, making sure to re-enforce his base. As for Scotland, I know the area. The town of Glasgow has colonies of mutants around it. They'll trade with them but they don't want any of them living in the city." Serina explained.

Scott took a closer look at the map, "You know.... She's right. He hasn't touched Egypt, but he has every where else populated by mutants. Are you sure about Glasgow?"

"As sure as I'm sitting here. If you don't trust me, then I'll go on my own." She replied

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Xavier asked, curious at her sudden change.

"'Cause now it be personal." She said, standing to leave.

"It's your call, Ravyn. Who do you want to take?" Xavier announced, putting her in charge.

Not showing her surprise, "Cyclops, Jean, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm and Beast." She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, "I guess Gambit can come too, he may come in handy."

"When do we leave?" Storm asked.

"As soon as I tell my children good bye. Scott, can you fill them in while I do that?" She asked.

"Consider it done." he replied, watching her leave.

She stopped Matta in the hall, not noticing Henry no more tan a few feet away. "I will contact you when I get everything in order. If I don't make it, you contact my family in Scotland and they will send for the children when it is time. Take good care of them for me. You've been a good friend." She said, hugging her.

They parted there, Serina going to the nursery. He followed her, quietly entering behind her. It was a tender moment, she was teary eyed as she kissed them good bye. She acted as though she'd never see her again. She walked past him, like she didn't know he was there. "You are supposed to be at the debriefing." She stated before she closed the door.

Everyone gathered on the black bird, ready for take off. They'd be in Glasgow by dusk. They arrived and were greeted by a big burly older man in a kilt. He bowed to Serina.

"Dougan, please! I said no fuss." She whispered as he stood up.

"I'm only paying my respects." He spoke in Gaelic.

He led them through the town. People gasped, whispered then reverenced the group as they approached a rather large castle.

"Has everything been arranged as I specified?" She asked in a cool tone.

"Yes, My mistress." He replied as she gave permission for people to rise with a movement of her hand.

"Why are they acting like this?" Rogue asked, leaning toward Serina.

"It'll all be explained when we get inside." She said, turning to Dougan. "Make them comfortable in the lounge while I see the lady of the house." She winked, taking a short cut to the castle door.

"Logan, do you know what's going on?" Storm asked, hoping he did.

"Nope. He mother never brought me here." He replied as they entered the castle court yard.

They barely entered the main hall when Gambit, Scott and Logan stopped dead in their tracks. They looked up a wide stair case to see what they thought was Serina, or her mother, in a 1600's style grey dress with burgundy trim. Her hair was styled to enhance her face, decorated with tiny pearls. A burgundy velvet choker was placed around her slender neck, in the center was a silver pendant with a medium size pearl on it. She also wore a white plaid with grey, yellow and purple markings.

"What's the hold up?" Rogue complained, pushing her way through, stopping cold in her tracks at the sight of her friend. Serina began her decent of the stair.

"Welcome to my home. Please make yourselves comfortable." She stated, reaching the bottom of the stair. She led them to the sitting room. In it was a large painting of Serina at the age of sixteen. She hadn't changed much except for the color of her hair, which was now back to black with red high lights.

She was in an ivory dress in the picture next to the fire place. The only other thing that was the same was the choker. "Ok, what's going on?" Scott asked. "I am laird of the clan MacPhearson. This is my home. My grandmother is the Dowager Duchess of Scotland, the only one who holds a monarchy title. When she passes, it will pass to me." She explained, "That's what I meant by it was 'personal'. He plans to attack my home. I won't allow that to happen."

"You mean you're rich?" Remy said in surprise.

"You're only as rich if you have people who care about you. But yes, I am rich." She said coolly, "Now, Dougan will show you around and to your rooms. I have a few matters to attend to." She replied, leaving the room.

Days passed and they only saw her at and after dinner. One night, just before dinner, she took them to the attic to show them some chests. Some held plaids, others held ancient text and jewelry, which kept Beast happy. Logan found the weapons, showing them to Remy and Scott.

While Serina and the girls went through several trunks of clothing. Jean found a rich 16th century black velvet dress, and Ororo found one in a deep blue. Rogue and Serina found one for Rogue in deep forest green all with lighter shades for contrast. "Try them on." Serina encouraged, pulling out jewelry to accent the dresses.

"Are you serious?" Jean asked, holding it up to herself.

"Hell, for all I care you can keep them. As you can see they are never worn." She replied, pulling out some of her hunters plaids. "These too." Tossing the fabric to them, "When in Rome..." She smiled. One of her servants whispered something to her.

"Shit!" She said aloud. " I have to go. Pick out what you want, I'd like for all of you to dress for dinner. Men in kilts, Ladies in dress. I'll be back shortly." She said, heading for the door, "I hope." She said under her breath.

She rushed to the top of the stair, becoming regal before coming in to view. "Grandmier'" She said as she descended. "What an unexpected pleasure." She lied. "What brings you to Glasgow?" She kissed both cheeks.

"I came to see you and meet the new Lord of the manor." She announced, moving to the sitting room. "So fetch him."

Serina leaned to Dougan, "Go and fetch Remy. Do not tell him why." She whispered, she turned back to her grandmother. "How did you know I was married?"

"MacTaggert. So when do you begin on an heir?" She asked.

"We already have two, Skylara is four and Nicholas is three." She replied as Remy came down the stairs. She moved to greet him, kissing him with deep passion. Then she whispered, "Just go along with it, maybe she'll go away. Til she does, you and I are to be husband and wife." She kissed him again. "Grandmier', this is Remy LeBeau. Remy, this is the Dowager Duchess, my grandmother." She introduced, sitting close to Remy.

He bowed, pressing his lips to her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you." He said, formally, sitting with Serina, taking her hand.

"A LeBeau. I'm impressed. You have a very historical family. Are you from France or America?" She asked.

"America. Louisiana, to be more specific." He answered respectfully.

"You are the one she was forbidden to see again." She turned to Serina, "Why did you disobey?" She asked angerly.

"I need a drink." Serina said, avoiding the question. She went to the liquor cabinet and poured a straight shot of whisky. She repeatedly took shots until Remy removed the bottle from her hands.

"Don' do this, Renia. Stand up to her. You're willing to get yourself killed to save this place, but afraid of an old woman. Hidin' yourself in that bottle ain' gonna do you any good. I'll stand behind you." He stated, setting the bottle down and taking her glass.

She looked at him as if to say 'are you nuts' then went back by her grandmother. "Have you ever loved anyone?"

"Of course, but I knew that my responsibilities were. You could have had him on the side if you were not so stubborn. We told you that." Her grandmother replied. "Most of us have lovers on the side, it helps us cope with our duties."

"I know my damn duties, damn it! You preached them enough. I'm a mutant remember, I'm not aloud in your home so you gave me this. You let Lilia abandon me on Muir Island and told them they could have me if they wanted. What do I look like, a puppy?! You only made demands when I turned out to surpass your other grand child. You said that I showed old Scot spirit and when you found out that I had fallen in love, you took it away from me just to abandon me a year later when I murdered Steve's killer. Now you pop back into my life, disproving of my marriage to the father of my children! Who do you think you are?!" Serina blew, her temper taking over.

The old woman smiled, "You are a breath of fresh air." She stated, "Had I the courage, I may have had the man I loved. You are more than I ever hoped for. Your marriage is a gift." She turned to Remy, "You need to dress properly for a portrait of the lord and lady of Glasgow. Welcome to the family." She said, standing to kiss him on the cheek. " Now, where are my great grandchildren?"

"Attending school in America, at a private school for mutants." Serina replied, a little bitter at her giving him a title.

"Good. I will expect to see them this summer." She stated, turning to leave. "I will be here until the painting is finished." She began to go upstairs and saw Logan. "Hello again, Logan. Are you faring well?"

"Yes, Maman. And you?" He replied.

"Much better now." She answered, patting his arm. "You gave us a real hell-cat, you should be proud."

"I am, maman, I am." He said, watching her leave.

Serina bolted after her, her rage was apparent. "You knew who he was the whole time?!" She snapped, grabbing the old woman's arm. "You told me you didn't know. You made me search, telling me it was fruitless!"

"Yes. I did." She said, pulling away from her, and walking away.

Serina was fuming. She stormed from the house, blowing right past both men. She stood out side a moment, then let out an earth shaking scream of frustration.

When Remy found her she was standing there, shaking with rage. "Renia, are you gonna be alright?"

She just stood there, shaking. "I hate her!" She stated loudly, "She just lives to screw up my life!" She began to shed tears of anger. "She told me he didn't want me, that he, like my mother, was dead. She said that no one wanted a rotten mutant child like me." She began to sob as he pulled her tight into his arms.

The others had finally made it down the stair and out the door to hear her last comment. Remy faced them, Serina's back to them, and shook his head. Telling them with out words, not to get involved.

Logan took them back in and explained the situation to them. He stood there holding her until she stopped crying, never saying a word, just comforting her. She reached up, undoing his pony tail, letting his hair fall free down his back. She looked up into his face, running her fingers through his hair. "I'm still not sure if this is worth it. How do I explain you and Rogue?"

"We don't. Nothing has been happening between us for some time now." He explained, pulling her hair free. "I know I don't say it that often, but I love you Renia. I always have. I can't say that I do love Rogue, but it's a different kind of love."

"Do you Remy? Have you really learned what love is?" She pulled away just slightly, not breaking contact. "You have asked me hundreds of times why I put Rogue's feelings before mine. I put everyone's feelings first. Always making sure that their happiness was the most important thing in my life. I learned a long time ago that love was certain sacrifice. Something must be given to receive the gratification of love. It's that love that sustains us. I gave you to Rogue, no matter how much it hurt, because I came to value her love as a friend and a sister through the sacrifice of my own happiness. When I became jealous of what she had with you, I left. I had found that unless I was with you the way she was, I would be consumed by my feelings. I played you wrong by using the incident with Sinister as an excuse to become hard and cold. I blamed you, believing that you had made your choice between the two of us. In actuality, I had made it for you. All that is except the choice to not try and find me. I left Skylara, hoping that she would get what I did not, a real family. It broke my heart to be with out her, but I had to go on. When Nicholas came, I deliberately prevented you from knowing about him. It was my way of getting even with you for the pain you caused me." She dropped her head, unable to continue looking him in the face. "It was my revenge."

He placed his hand under her chin, lifting her face to his. "I never chose Rogue over you, hers is a love I could never fully have. I chose you. I married you. I have children with you." He brought his face closer to hers, almost to kiss. "I'm in love with you. I am devoted to you!" He brushed his lips against hers, causing her lips to part slightly. He kissed her with more passion than he had ever shown before.

Their embrace tightened as her Grandmier' watched from a window above, anger rising in her cheeks. She would find away to break them up. She couldn't have a thief as lord of her lands.

Grandmier' was not the only one to watch the two of them. After Wolverine's explanation, Rogue stepped to the parlor window. Although she had encouraged him to make a mends with his wife, a part of her felt the pain of loss.

The two of them took a long walk, talking as they had when they first met. He was actually able to get her to laugh. Of coarse this took a lot of persuasion and a lot of tickling, something they hadn't done since they parted in '88. "I give!" She said breathlessly, trying to control herself. She smiled brightly, taking him by surprise.

"Now that is beautiful, Petite~" He stated, his body pressing her to the ground.

"What is?" She asked, not having a clue of what he saw.

"You smiled. I almost forgot what it looked like." He replied.

"Oh you did, did you?" She said, laughing evilly. She rolled him over, landing on top for a moment. She forgot about the hill. They began rolling down it still in each others arms, laughing. When they reached the bottom she landed on top. "Just where I wanted to be." She stated, flashing her evil grin. She positioned herself in a sitting position, threatening to get even for his tickling attack earlier.

"No." He gasped, enjoying the playfulness she was displaying.

It was then that Dougan approached them. "Your guests are becoming concerned about you." He said, not looking at them.

"Damn!" She muttered. "They're probably holding dinner on us." She whispered. "We'll be there directly." She stated, back to the cool lady of the manor. She stood up, attempting to brush the grass off her gown while she watched Dougan return to the house.

He stood up, brushing himself off.

"I'll get you later." She threatened, throwing a handful of grass at him before she ran up the hill. He smiled to himself, 'this was going to be one hell of a reacquainting.' He thought to himself as he followed her.

They were greeted by smiles and little questions. Rogue showed no animosity toward them, but once inside they acted as they had before their talk. Serina sat by Rogue at dinner, and Remy beside her. Grandmier' sat at the head of the table, shooting daggers from her eyes. It was obvious that she loathed him, but he didn't care.

The next day an artist was commissioned to paint their portrait. He took a photo of Serina and Gambit in 16th century garb, then in normal dress. Between the two Serina demanded that Rogue be in one with them, in garb. By the time they were through he had pictures of all of them, individually, in pairs as well as in a group. He was told to make duplicates of the two with her and Remy, the rest were to be sent to the Xavier estate.

This sent her grandmother in to a frenzy. She pulled Serina into the study and lectured her on the squandering of money.

"The money I paid him with did not come from you or here. I do have funds of my own that have nothing to do with your stupid title." Serina informed her.

"I will be leaving tonight. I will not stay here and watch your blatant display of disrespect." She announced, regally walking to the door.

"I never asked you to." Serina said, just as she opened the door. They all heard her.

It was then that the trouble began. The town looked like it was on fire. The horse men of Apocalypse were ravaging the village, her village.

She burst through the doors at the front of her castle into the face of Pestilence. Wolverine knocked her out of harms way while Scott blasted her. It was then that she saw her target, but she'd have to get through his minions. Here the battle began.

Wolverine and Rogue attacked War, while Jean went after Famine with Gambit. Beast and Storm attacked Pestilence, attempting to keep her down, while Scott sought Apocalypse himself. It was here that the Ravyn saw her opening.

She teleported to behind Apocalypse, attempting to remove a piece of his armor. He turned on her when he felt a piece give. She never physically touched him, she did it in a way that caught him by surprise, mental suggestion. Only a corner lifted but she hopped it was enough to help. "You!" He growled.

"Yes. You've always wanted me, well here I am. What the hell do you want?" She asked, her hands forming claws.

"Your head if you don't join me." He answered, not threatened.

"Well I guess you best take your best shot, 'cause I ain' joining!" She yelled as she attacked.

Seeing the opening Ravyn made, Cyclops began hitting it with his beam. Rogue joining in when Wolverine got War under control. She began to pull on the lifted corner, giving Cyc a better opening. Apocalypse threw Ravyn across the yard only to have her fly right back at him, hitting him square in the chest. The blow sent Rogue from him landing on a tree near Gambit.

Ravyn then telepathically told Rogue to remove her gloves, she was going to remove his helm. She hoped that between the two of them they could drain him. The suggestion didn't work, and Rogue was already in flight. Ravyn flew to her, touching her skin to skin.

She was the only one ever able to drain Rogue, It's how she helped them be intimate. "I'm sorry." She said, seeing the horror on her face. "Someone catch!" She screamed as Rogue began to drop.

Gambit cushioned her fall with his body, attracting Apocalypse's attention. He began to advance his attack their direction when he felt Ravyn rip his helm off. She had absorbed all of Rogue's powers, making her almost invincible.

She then placed her bare hands on his head, her legs wrapping around his neck. She could feel his essence being absorbed. He spoke one word as she felt him drain,

"Die!" She felt it strong then as did Jean, who was attempting to get in to his mind.

"NO!!!!" Jean screamed, as Ravyn was thrown from him, smashing into a large boulder. Wolverine's rage was matched by Cyclops and Gambit. They attacked from all sides while Beast tended to Ravyn and Rogue. Apocalypse had little trouble defending himself, but he was wearing down. He threw them into each other and onto Beast and Rogue.

Ravyn had moved nearer to Storm. She was half way there when she saw him about to blast her family and friends. She changed her route to block him. Once again she attached herself to his head, hoping to blind him from his target. She could feel his weakness, then she felt his blast. He used both hands increasing the intensity of it's power. Gambit had managed to stand just before watching his wife land beside him.

There was a blinding light and a blood curdling scream that preceded the explosion that destroyed part of Serina's castle. Apocalypse was gone, whether it was for good, who could say.

Gambit's vision cleared, as did the others, to reveal the Ravyn lying in a pool of her own blood. "NO!!!!!" Gambit cried in agony as he dropped to his knees beside her, pulling her to him. Wolverine was the next to cry in rage and loss, hitting a near by tree. Storm was crying on Beast's shoulder as Jean did on Cyclops'.

Remy tried to wipe the blood from her face. "Remy?"

"Shhh," He said through tears, "Save your strength."

"No Remy,... I need... to tell you." She said broken up. "Tell... the children.... about me... Tell them... I love them." She began to bleed more, Beast came to try and help, but it was flowing too fast. "Remy..... I... I love.. you..." She said, pulling his face to hers. She used the last of her strength to press her lips to his, his tears wetting her face, "Good.... bye."

"Oh God!! No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He cried, rocking her when Henry said she had gone. The others let him be alone with her while they tried to cope with the loss. Logan went on a rampage, destroying anything in his path.

Remy held her like one would hold a child, cradling her head on his arm. "We'll get a place with horses for you to train..... We'll have a real wedding and Logan can give you away." He said, breaking down. "It's so beautiful here...... The flowers smell like the finest perfume in France..... That's where I'll take you for our honeymoon, Paris.... We'll ah... we'll see the sights and...."

Henry laid his hand on his shoulder, "Come, my friend, they have come to take her. You have to let them. They'll send her to us when they're done." He said as the medics tried to pull her from him.

"No!" Remy yelled, getting Logan's attention, as he pulled her back to him, charging a card to protect her.

"Here, hand her to me while you do that." Logan replied, feeling the same way, but knew she'd have to go. Remy slowly gave her to Logan, after which Henry grabbed him causing him to drop the card.

Logan shielded her as if to protect her from harm. "Give me a minute." He said when the medics approached him. They backed up a few feet to give him privacy. "Oh Pet. Why?.... Why did you have to be so stubborn?" He did something that very few ever saw... He began to cry. "You were the light of my life, my sheer delight..... I'm going to miss you. I will never forget you. ..My love... my life." He said, handing her to the medics.

He stood there with Rogue as they pulled away with his daughter. "Where's Gambit?" He asked, putting an arm around her.

"Beast took him to the black bird. Scott's tellin' Xavier now. We gotta go. I don't know how long they can hold him. Last I heard, Jean was going to knock him out." She explained, you could hear her grief in her voice.

"Yeah..." He began, wiping his eyes, "I'm beginning to hate this place anyway." He walked her back to the plane.

There wasn't a dry eye in the plane. They knocked Gambit out to keep him from going after her. When they landed, they were greeted with the grief stricken faces of the rest of the X-men. Jubilee couldn't control herself, she ran to Logan, unable to stop the flow of tears. He held her tight, she was all he had now. Gambit looked like a zombie, he didn't speak a word, just walked past them to his room, the room they shared and began to cry once again, holding one of her uniform.

Once he regained his composure, he went to explain to his children that mommy wasn't going to be coming home, that the Goddess had called her back to her.

It was when Nicholas looked at him as if he were crazy, "She'll send for me. She always does." He said, running from the room.

Skylara just stood there. She patted his hand, "Don't worry daddy, she'll be back, she always comes back to us." She kissed his cheek and followed where her brother had gone.

He watched the door they had gone through for a long time after they'd gone. The tears well in his eyes. "I hope you're right, Petite~, I hope you're right. Hold on to your dreams while you can." He said to himself as he left the room.