Captives

Chapter One: Graduation Day

Kitty was the first one up that morning and she was excited, and why shouldn't she be. It was her and Kurt's graduation day. She was the Valedictorian and had been working on her speech for a week now, and she couldn't wait to get up in front of the whole school and spout her words of wisdom. She shot out her own bed and ran over to Rogue's.

"Hey, girlfriend, wake up," she said and tried to shake Rogue out of her sleep.

"Kitty, go away," Rogue said grumpily.

"Come on, Rogue," Kitty said and started to dance around the room. "It's graduation day, and you don't want to disappoint your little brother."

Rogue groaned and looked at her clock. It read 6:30am. "Kitty, ah'm gonna kill you!"

"Well, if you are, you have to get up to do it," she said in a cheery voice. Rogue just groaned and rolled over in bed. "If you're so tired, it's your own fault for being out so late with Remy last night."

"Kitty, we had tickets to Phantom of the Opera," Rogue said, coming out from under the covers. "Ah just didn't want to see Remy wastin' money on tickets and us not usin' 'em."

"But you didn't get in until after one o'clock and the show let out at ten," Kitty teased. "So what were you two doing all that time?"

"None a your business," Rogue said and threw her pillow at her.

She finally dragged herself out of bed and prepared to go take a shower. If Kitty was going to force her out of bed this early then she was going to be first for the bathroom.

Kitty just laughed as Rogue stomped out of their room. Rogue had known the girl for four years and still she was the perky pain in the butt she was when she first met her, but she never had a better friend than Kitty. The girl always had her back, especially when she started dating Gambit, and when everyone disapproved Kitty was the one who supported her. Rogue had done the same when she started seeing Lance and after two years of dating Kitty and Lance were still together, although they did have a fight every other day. She had to admit that they didn't fight any less than she and Remy, but at least they did it less often.

After her shower she took out her dark blue and black dress out of the closet. She bought it especially for her brother's graduation. She was very proud of him for sticking it out at Bayville High, especially when everyone found out what he really looked like.

He made the decision that he was going to show his real self at the graduation ceremony. He rarely wore his image inducer these days, only those times when it was better to be incognito. Of all the mutants at the Xavier Institute, Rogue felt that he was the bravest, especially when he made the decision that he was no longer going to hide.

He became an inspiration for other kids at the school, and it was a shock to learn that more than half the student body were mutants in one way or another. Kurt had actually given them the courage to come out. Bayville had over the last year had become more mutant friendly, and she was glad. Perhaps the next generation of kids would have it much easier than she did. All bad feelings were put aside for today. All she wanted to do was see her little brother graduate.

She was putting on her makeup when she felt a shadow in the doorway. She looked up to see a certain Cajun smirking at her. "Why are ya standin' there leerin' at me?"

"Ain't leerin', chere, jus' admirin'," he said and stepped into her room. He was wearing a black t-shirt and his leather jacket. "Remy like de way you look in dat dress."

"Ah'm wearin' it special...for Kurt," she said and he grabbed her from behind. "Remy, let go a me so ah can finish gettin' ready."

"You look perfect right here in my arms," he said holding onto her tight. She felt his hot breath on her neck. "Only t'ing make me happier is t'get you outta dat dress."

"Not, now," she said and squirmed out of his arms. "We'll be late."

"Wanna continue what we we're doin' last night," he said as he used his hands to turn her around to face him.

"Sorry about Logan walkin' in on us," she said and he rolled his eyes at her simplistic view of the situation. "And trying to rip you to shreds."

"What his problem, anyway?" he asked as she went back to putting on her makeup. "You a grown woman."

"That's true, but he's just...protective," she said and started on her hair. "Ah guess he thinks you gonna take advantage of me."

Rogue was smiling at that idea which made Remy smirk. "Only if you want Remy to take advantage of you."

"Well, maybe ah do...just a little. What do ya say we find out after the party," she said with a seductive look in her eye.

"I hold you to dat, chere," he said as she turned around and finished fixing her hair. "It gonna be hard t'ough. Da way you look in dat dress Remy don t'ink he can keep his hands off you."

"Down boy," she said and put two clips on either side of her head. They were the butterfly clips Kurt got her the Christmas after they learned that they were brother and sister. "That's perfect."

"Sure is, and Remy can't wait to mess it up," he said and reached down to kiss her but she stopped him. "Later, lover."

She gave him a quick kiss and walked to the door. Remy had a frustrated look on his face as she walked into the hallway with Remy chasing after her. He chased her all the way down the stairs until they reached the bottom where he grabbed her from behind. She squealed at first and then started laughing as he trailed light kisses all down her neck.

Finally being able to touch was a dream in itself, but being able to touch Remy and be touched by him was more unbelievable then she ever imagined. They were laughing and pawing at each other until they realized they had company.

"Hey, don't stop on our account." Rogue looked over and saw Tabitha eying them as she was holding Kurt's hand.

"Oh, hi, Tabby," Rogue said blushing. Remy was still trying to kiss her, not being one bit embarrassed that they got caught. In fact, it seemed to turn him on more. "Remy, Stop! Mah brother is watchin'." She pushed him away from her which only made him pout.

Rogue stepped over to hug her brother. "You look Vonderful, Rogue," he said and she smiled at him.

"Well, a bought a new dress in your favorite color special just for you."

"You're the best sister in the world," he said as she inspected his suit. He looked quite handsome in the suit that Tabitha helped him pick out.

When they first started dating she was against it knowing Tabby's reputation with the boys, but it turned out it was all talk. Sure, she was a flirt, but she hadn't ever fooled around with any of those boys. After Amanda had moved away he was heartbroken, but the high spirited blonde brought back the smile to his face and they soon started dating. It had been more than five months and they seemed happy together, but she did give Tabby a warning not to break her little brother's heart. It was the same warning Kurt gave Remy. Rogue and Kurt may not have grown up together, but they were as close as a brother and sister could be.

"So are you all going to make a fess next year when I graduate?" Tabby asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Of course, I Vill," Kurt said and put his arm around her. "I'll be the vone clapping za loudest."

"Well, today that's my job, Blue," he said and leaned over and gave him a sweet kiss. "Later I'll show you just how proud I am of you."

"Ah didn't hear that," Rogue said, covering her ears.

At that moment, Kitty came running down the stairs. She had the paper with her speech in one hand and she was wearing her graduation robe and almost fell down the stairs as she tripped on the hem of the gown.

"Hey, girls," she said as she stumbled down to the last step. "Is Lance here yet?"

"Not as far as ah know," Rogue said and Kitty reacted like she had just been attacked by a psycho killer in a slasher movie.

"He said he would be here by eight," she said and frantically walked around in circles.

"Kitty it's only 7:45," Tabitha said, but Kitty continued with her freak out. Rogue couldn't help but laugh. One thing she learned about her roommate over the years was that she tended to overdramatize everything.

Then suddenly the doorbell rang. Kitty perked up and then ran to the front door. When she opened it she squealed. "Lance, you're finally here." She pulled him inside and led him into the foyer with everyone else.

"You said 8 o'clock," he said and shook his head at Kitty drama queen antics.

"Yeah, and it's...." she looked over at the clock. 7:56. “Come on over here and let me go over my speech."

"We'll be waiting in the car," Rogue called from the door. Remy followed her outside with Tabitha and Kurt trailing behind. The Kitty Pride show was not over as far as they were concerned.

Rogue got in the driver's side and unlocked the doors to allow the others to get in. Remy rode shot gun while Tabitha and Kurt sat in the back. They waited a good fifteen minutes before Rogue heard a beep on her phone. She picked it up and realized that she had a text message.

Getting a ride with Lance, see you at grad.

"Let's go guys," Rogue said as she was preparing to pull out her parking space in the garage.

"What about Kitty and Lance?" Tabby asked as she and Kurt snuggled in the back seat.

"They're takin' his jeep," she said as she pulled out of the garage. Remy fiddled with the radio trying the find some good music. He stopped when he found the Jazz station. He could hear Tabby groan from the back seat, but he got no complaints from the driver.

The school was only a ten minute drive, so Tabby didn't have to put up with Remy so-called lame taste in music as she called it. She was after all only seventeen and hadn't matured enough to appreciate the more subtle tones in music and in life.

As Rogue parked the car in the parking lot of the school, Tabitha was the first to exit. Kurt followed her out taking her hand and they walked towards the school building. Rogue looked on and smiled. They did make a cute couple. She was glad Kurt had someone special in his life. She did too, and that wasn't bad for a brother and sister who were for a long time loners: Rogue, because of her powers, and Kurt because he was born different. He never had any real friends until he joined the X-Men, and it was where she found her purpose.

As she stared Remy came up from behind and put his arms around her. She leaned back against him and smiled. "They're so lucky," she said, and she could feel his hot breath on her neck.

"So are we," Remy said and kissed her neck.

The act surprised her, and she pulled away. "Not in public," she said but he grabbed her and pulled her close to him.

"You still so shy?" he asked and held her tight.

"Ah'm not shy," she said and tried to keep as much distance as she could, but Remy was relentless and wouldn't let her go. "Ah just don't want everyone starin'."

"Who cares if they do," he said and brought his lips down on hers. Her eyes were closed as she submitted to his advances, but she could hear some footsteps and someone gasped as they passed them.

"I can't believe they allow behavior like that at a school," she heard a woman say. She recognized the voice belonging to a snobby Samantha Matthews, Duncan Matthews' mother. A few years ago she was one of the first people to rally against mutants being allowed to attend school at Bayville High, and being caught in a compromising situation by that woman made her smile inside.

She knew that woman was here to attend her younger son's graduation. Collin Matthews was far superior to his bigoted older brother. Duncan used to date Jean before she and Scott got together, but after they were exposed the jerk acted like he was okay with her having powers, until she discovered he wanted to exploit them for his own selfish purposes.

Collin was different. He wasn't mutant himself, but he didn't hate mutants like other kids in school and even argued in the debate team about the pros of going to school with mutants. He even became friends with Kurt to his mother and brother's dismay. His father didn't care one way or another. He wasn't one to bad mouth mutants, but he didn't openly defend them either.

Collin was the bleeding heart sympathizer of the family, and of course normal people who hated mutants tried to make him feel like a trader. Young Collin didn't seem to pay any attention and went about his way doing what he wanted and with whoever he wanted.

Thinking about it made Rogue smile. With people like Collin, there was hope for the human race yet. She and Remy entered the school building together with smiles on their faces at the small ruckus they managed to create.

The ceremony seemed to last forever, from Remy's point of view anyway. Rogue seemed intrigued and paid close attention not wanting to miss her brother's big moment. Once Kurt's name was called he stood up and walked to the stage, showing his true self. There were some shocked spectators who gasped at his presence.

Most people knew of what his true nature was, many seeing his face on the news a few years ago when their little secret was exposed, but seeing it live and up close was different. Rogue was the one clapping and cheering the loudest, and Remy joined her as did the rest of the kids at the Xavier Institute. It seemed when a mutant was called for their diploma the place went into an uproar of cheers, whistling and clapping.

Then it was time for Kitty's speech. Rogue's focus suddenly shifted. She didn't need to hear the speech again seeing that she heard it at least a thousand times in all its incarnations over the past week. Right now, there was something or rather someone else occupying her attention.

He casually put his arm around her, while she sat closer to him. He whispered something in her ear, and she tried not to laugh but couldn't help it. She got a nasty looked from that Matthews woman and one of her friends.

"People are staring," Rogue whispered to Remy.

"Let em," he said and blew on her neck. She let out a little squeal just as Kitty was finishing up her speech. "When dis t'ing gonna end?"

"You should remember since you were at my graduation last year."

"Wasn't payin' dat much attention, since I was lookin' at you de entire time,' Remy said as Rogue turned to him. "Remy like dis ceremony much better."

"Why's that, swamp rat?" she asked, but already knew the answer to that question.

"'Cause I get to sit next to you," he said and then gave her neck a little nibble. Again they received some disapproving stares.

"Control yourself," she said, but she was still giggling telling him that she didn't really mean for him to stop. "It's almost over."

"Alright, chere," he said and sat back even though he still had his arm around her.

There was about ten minutes left in the ceremony, but for Remy it felt like an eternity, but finally everyone was able to stretch their legs and go outside. The school had put together and outdoor garden party of sorts with live music playing and several buffet tables filled with food brought by members of the PTA.

Rogue was starving after having skipped breakfast and filled her plate with some tasty barbeque chicken. She sat down in one of the chairs and ate until the generous helping of food was gone.

"That was so good," she said and threw her soiled plate in the trash.

"Better den my cookin'?" Remy asked, and she just rolled her eyes.

"Ain't nothin' betta than your cookin'," she said and gave him a sweet kiss.

"In de kitchen or in de bedroom?" he asked and she looked shocked that he would say that in public around people they didn't know.

"Ah am not answerin' that question, swamp rat," she said and she saw Kurt approaching him. Tabitha was with him and one of his classmates.

"Hey, Sis, I heard you yelling from the audience," he said and gave her a smile. Rogue felt suddenly embarrassed. She was proud of her little brother, but she didn't want to embarrass him.

"It was only 'cause ah'm so proud of you," she said and put her arm around him and gave him a hug.

"Hey, what about me," the blond boy standing next to Kurt said. "I graduated too."

"Good work, Collin," Rogue said and gave him a thumbs up.

"Thanks, Rogue," Collin said and gave her the thumbs up back.

"Hey, little bro, mom's looking for you." An older version of Collin they all knew as Duncan Matthews loomed over them like a dark shadow. He gave them all a nasty look. Rogue remembered him from her high school days. He was merely a jerk when she first met him, and now he was an all-out mutant hater and that in itself turned her stomach. "You don't need to be hanging out with this riffraff."

"They're my friends," Collin said.

"Not for long," Duncan remarked and walked off.

Rogue wondered what he meant by that. Was he and his friends planning an attack right here at the school? Well, it wouldn't be the first time they had done something like that, but she didn't want her brother's graduation ruined by that jerk of an ex-jock. If Matthews was to start something she was going to finish it.

"I'll see you later, guys," Collin said and gave a wave goodbye. He was always a peacemaker, especially when it came to possible confrontations between his hot-headed brother and his friends.

After the incident with Duncan, Rogue got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, like someone was watching her. She didn't know how right she was.

************************

At a distance Duncan Matthews was standing by the woods near the school grounds. A shadowy figure approached but still he stood like a statue. A man stood behind him, a man not much older than him. He had been smoking a cigarette and dropped the stub on the ground and put it out with his shoe. He was wearing a casual suit just in case anyone approached, so he wouldn't hang out like a sore thumb.

"They're here," the man said looking over at Duncan.

"Yeah, they're here," Duncan said. "So are you going to take care of them?"

"All in due time," he said and looked over towards the younger woman with the two tone hair and the young man standing next to her. That blue skin and yellow eyes made him stand out, but his features were all too familiar to him. He looked on in disgust. "They will get what's coming to them."

"Good, the sooner their influence is away from my brother the sooner he'll see what they really are," Duncan said and broke in half the stick he was holding. He walked back over to his mother and brother. A plan had already started and there was no stopping it, not that he wanted to.