Beginning of summertime...
You could not step twice into the same river...
Even if they are infinite...
He had been tracking her like prey for half a year, before he made a move. Streaks of silver hair haunted his mind. He used to have to find his way around the earth to keep up with the resident goth. The X-Men were never in one spot for long. She wasn't so goth anymore, either. She was even harder to categorize in the twilight years of her teens. She still kept the cropped, skunky hair (though sometimes she just brushed it, not straightened it). She had been hanging around the school campus, not going with them on missions.
Remy wondered why silently from afar, just out of her sight. In the shadows, behind the wall, his jacket shrugged around him. Always with her. Always watching. Her shadow. She used to be sharp after he took her down south. He tried to surprise her a few times after, and he found he couldn't. He wasn't sure why, he told himself she was useful. And she was, but he couldn't lie and say that was the only reason. Few things left Remy LeBeau smitten, and the Rogue was one of them. He hated New York. It was a filthy, stinking city to him. The antithesis of the south. Yet, he kept finding himself there.
He watched, hoping the clawed mutant with the nose didn't pick up his scent. He was perfectly hidden from his angle, watching as she talked with the brown haired leader of the X-Men. His brow was creased, but his jaw set and firm. Remy scoffed to himself, he was such a square. His arms were crossed over his broad chest. Whatever she was asking, he wouldn't give in.
xxx
"Ah can do every Danger Room course in my sleep, Scott." She frowned at him, her tears an unshed shield in her eyes. They didn't move the college student, his face firm. "Ah'm fine. Ah've been fine. Ah'm ready to join my team. Ah'm losin' it in this place, cramped up with a bunch of yahoos." Her face softened, and the older mutant began to feel bad. He knew it'd been difficult to be separated from them like this. As a friend, he wanted to help her. Desperately. Especially after the couple of months she'd had. But as her leader, he couldn't allow that.
"It's not about that," He countered in frustration. He wanted to make an exception, but rules were rules. That's why he was the leader of the X-Men. "I know you're the best fighter on the team, especially now." He sighed, his face grim. "But, the professor says you won't talk to him." Her skin paled even more, if possible, as her grey eyes narrowed. "I know you've had enough people rooting around in your head for a lifetime," He told her sympathetically. "But we cannot take chances on the field."
The team dynamic was terrible without her, Rogue was a founding X-Team member and her abilities had been missed lately. They had been rotating other mutants in, but it wasn't working well. He can see the hurt and rage in her grey eyes. There was nothing she hated worse than being treated with kid gloves, or told she couldn't do something. "You don't trus' me," Her voice is sharp, it cuts the him like glass. Time was marching on, but suddenly she was that bristly underclassman who snapped at everyone.
"That's not true," Scott countered quickly, holding up a finger. He had mastered the art of arguing with her. He had been the girl's first friend at the institute, convinced there was more to the Rogue than what met the eye. And he'd been right, but those things didn't come without complications. Even some of her closest friends took care to avoid her now, cooped up with cabin fever and angstier than she'd been in years.
The sky was cloudless, sweat trailed down both their brows as they stood in a stalemate. New York was unbearable in the summer, and poor Rogue had to wear more clothes than most for safety. "Then you'd let me back on the team." Her voice was small, hurt. Underneath the anger, the rage, the attitude; there was a hurt girl. Scott knew Rogue's M.O of trying to hurt people before they hurt her, he understood it.
"It's not about trust!" He told her angrily, his brow furrowed. "You disappeared across the country, it took Logan almost two months to track yo-" She stormed away from him, back inside the mansion. She was tired of hearing about it, it was everyone's favorite reason to forbid her from doing something. She had had her worst psyche blackout, and nobody would forget it. They were always bringing these things up, like they didn't upset and embarrass her enough. She pulled the door behind her with a little too much strength.
It slammed, and fell right off the hinges as the girl hovered away. Scott sighed, it was the second time that week it'd happened. Another reason she couldn't be on the field was that she had trouble regulating her new found strength. 'What're we gonna do...' He heard Jean walk beside him, the door soon levitating. She handed him a hammer with a dazzling grin. He took it, reluctantly. "Doors can be fixed, Scott." She reminded him gently. "Other things," She looked inside the mansion with a sad face. "They'll take a little more time."
She wrapped her slender arms around him, feeling his unrest at the state of his friends. "I wish I could just help her. I'd do it." She'd never forbidden the professor to enter her mind before. Whatever she went through, whatever it took for her to recover had been a lot. He wanted to understand, but she couldn't join the team without more sessions. His glasses glinted ruby in the sun, catching his girlfriend's eye. She held him tighter, telepathically massaging his mind.
"I know, Scott. You would've been the first to help." Jean gave him a knowing smile. "I know it's hard, but she'll be okay. I'm certain." Jeans words gave him comfort, she had a habit of being right. 'Psychics,' He mused. God, he loved her.
"I just feel bad leaving her here. It feels like the wrong thing to do." Jean bit back a grin and tried not to say too much.
"The world needs the X-Men, Scott. Rogue will be with us, again."
"What do ya mean she's gone, Chuck?" The wolverine shaped man's gnarled mitts were curled into fists. The past few weeks had been pandemonium. Mystique finally got revenge on the superhero group for years of besting her. She kidnapped Rogue and took her adopted daughter on a joyride. A joyride that tore half of Bayville to the ground. That was all the X-Men could figure out. The aftermath had left half the mansion in disarray, her powers malfunctioning, and her new abilities destructive.
The footage was on every news station, pictures plastered in every self respecting paper. There had been two conferences held about mutants. Hank and Charles had been across the world more than they had been in the institute. But even this chaos was familiar to the X-Men, and slowly, they got through it. They found their new normal, all except one of them.
"The damming in her mind," Xavier lamented worriedly. In his hands, he held Cerebro. "I'm afraid it wasn't strong enough." Rogue's mind was under more strain than it was during Apocalypse. The telepath did what he had to do, but he couldn't bare to put her mangled mind through any extra pain. She'd begged him to stop, and he obliged. Unfortunately, his work had not been enough.
"So, she's running around as-"
"Yes," He cut in, his mouth pushed into a grim line. Logan said nothing more, he grabbed his leather jacket and headed straight out the door without another word.
Scott paced angrily behind the paraplegic, his face stoic. "We need a plan," Scott began. Xavier held up a hand. "He's always rushing off, never a plan. That's how we go-"
"He's the only one who will find her, Scott. We must wait."
They had left her, again. She was used to it now. She couldn't describe the experience of the last time Charles Xavier went in her mind, but it was so painful; unearthed things so unholy she refused to have her mind touched again. She couldn't withstand anymore. 'Neither one of us should have to go through that.' She was lounged under a tree, the shade helping her fall into a restless sleep.
The X-Men were on a mission, nobody else at the mansion bothered her much these days. She spent her summer laying around, praying for peace in her mind.
Remy stood over her, speechless. Just like in New Orleans, he found himself blindsided by her beauty. She looked so sweet and small out of uniform. and with no makeup on. She was attractive, even with the dark facade. But her features underneath were works of art. He remembers seeing her for the first time when the bayou washed her makeup off, her dark clothes clinging to milky skin...
He shook his head. This needed to be fast. This was a school a mutants, someone would sense him soon. But he was perturbed that she did not. She used to be sharp, nothing got by her. For such a powerful mutation, the girl had to be hard. She was a holy terror to fight, sharpening her hand to hand skills in case there are no mutants to absorb. 'What got you sleepin' so hard, petite?' He wondered. He fought the urge to touch a silvery, blonde strand of hair.
He had a mission, his new employer had made their request. He had no time to stare at girls, no matter how pretty. The wind blew, and she moved a little as grass tickled the pale skin of her wrist. Her summer outfit of choice was a dark green, tight shirt, a white scarf around her neck, and black capris. Her lips were parted in a pucker as she snored quietly, auburn hair splashed over her face. His wild, chestnut hair spasmed in the wind. It had grown long and unruly since the last time he'd seen the girl. Seen any of them.
He stooped down against better judgement, his khaki trench coat getting into the dirt. Magenta armor covered his well defined chest. The black, lyrcra part of his suit covered the sides of his face like Jean's X-Suit. Despite the sweltering heat, he wasn't hot. He felt perfect as he gazed at the fellow southerner. He reached out and fixed her hair, prompting two, stormy eyes to open.
She grabbed his wrist with lightning quick reflexes. Remy groans as he feels his wrist cracking. 'Weird,' He thought. 'She strong as de juggernaut.'
"What are ya doin' here?" Her breath rolled out hot on his face, he fought the urge to take a big whiff.
Red and black eyes watched her carefully. "Here to kidnap ya, o'course." He answered, his grin hanging off his face. "I saw ya lil friens go on an adventure, non? Leave petite behind. Come wit Remy." His mouth hung agape when the girl stood, dangling the man high above her head. With ease. She stared up at him like a lioness with her prey. 'Somethin' definitely changed. She got whole different powers, merde-' Her eyes were simmering as she hurled the mutant as far away from her as she could.
He righted himself in the air, landing on his feet like a cat as he stared at the girl in horror. "Tryna kill Remy?" Rogue grinned, cracking her knuckles menacingly. Silver and dark hair tousled in the wind as they gazed at each other. If he didn't know any better, he'd say there was a slightly sinister look in her eye. She'd definitely changed since the last time he saw her. Remy was a little scared, but he was also intrigued. 'She de only fille who keep dis dog on his toes,' He thought, wondering what she'd do next.
"What if Ah am?" She drawled, her feet rising off the ground. She had gone weeks without using her new powers, what better way to prove she was ready to be back on the team than by hog tying Remy? The cajun watched in shock as Rogue took to the air like she'd always flown. "Ya really thought you'd kidnap me, huh? Again?" She walked forward, an unreadable expression on her face. Remy wanted to flee and to run towards her.
She looked into his eyes and saw a thousand lifetimes, all in her head. "You could not step twice into the same river, Remy." The grit was gone from her voice. She was no longer threatening him, she said as though it made her sad. Like she wanted to to go back, do it all again. Her feet were planted firmly back on the ground. The amusement was gone. She would not hurt him, but it was clear she would not be taken anywhere against her will, either.
Remy shifted his weight in silver and black boots. "Ya kind look like ya wanna be stolen, if Remy can be honest." She cocked a hand on her hip and glared at him.
"Like you would know what Ah want?" She wrinkled her nose and he began to creep closer. He was starting to forget all about his mission. The object he had been hired to retrieve. Thieve. He had a new objective, the Rogue's heart.
"Well, sure Remy do. You're a woman." Rage flashed in the girl's eyes before melting into an even expression. He flashed his teeth like a crocodile. "Remy know all about them." Rogue peered closely at him before her face broke into a wry smile.
"Ah almost got mad, but that would require me to expect different, Pepe Le Pew." He grinned at her, following as she started to retreat somewhere else. He ran around and blocked her way, taking advantage of not being discovered yet. He held his hands up and slyly flexed a little charm. The girl was smart, and he had mistakenly told her about this part of his mutation. But if he was careful, she wouldn't notice.
"Okay, okay. I do know what ya want. Remy can't kidnap ya, can Remy ask fo' yo help. And," He looked her up and down, her pale skin like a strobe in the sun. Her skin grew red and splotchy from the heat, and maybe something else. "And ya company." Her earlobes were burning now. She opened her mouth, words failing to come out. "Jus' say yes, chére." She clamped her mouth shut, scowling. "Why don'cha try somethin' different?"
She hated the way he undressed her with his eyes, fantasizing about skin he'd never touch. She hated that she secretly loved it, wishing he would always look at her that way... She shook her head. "And why would Ah do that?" He shrugged.
"Remy a man in need." He purred, eyeing the scarf hovering over her cleavage. He reached out and took the fabric in his fingers, making her squeal in surprise. Her face glowed an even deeper shade of red as she tugged it back. "Ain' dat what you X-Geeks do, help people? Non?" Rogue rolled her eyes, stalking past him.
"Not the way you mean, and I'm not an X-Man, anyways." She gestured around her. She tried to hide the fact it bothers her that she's not with them, but he hears it. He keeps his cool, knowing if he pounces on that vulnerability she'd fly away.
"Aw, ya don' mean that." Her resounding glare made him change the subject. "Well, if ya have no obligations why won't ya come wit Remy, den? Not like you missing much here..." Some new recruits were playing twister in the grass and drinking smoothies. Others were playing a spirited game of Mutie Ball with Hank coaching. He had asked Rogue four times if she'd wanted to join, but she said Mutie Ball was for kids. Which she was no longer.
She looked around her, wishing she'd thought to bring her sunglasses out.
"What would Ah even get out of it," She asked, looking him up and down. He swallowed, his tongue clumsy suddenly in his mouth. "Don't confuse the X-Men with me bein' altruistic. What do you have to offer?" The wind blew between them, pointing out how long his shaggy hair was getting. If he let it go much longer, it'd be her length. He smirked, not missing a beat.
"What do ya want?" He asked her, their noses almost touching. Rogue can feel an electric charge in the heat pulsing off their bodies. She said nothing, she just breathed as she stared into his eyes. Red and black. She knew better, she knew he was probably charming the pants off of her right now. She didn't care. At least it was something. She didn't want to lay around the mansion anymore.
"I'm bored." She answered, holding her nose up. Remy cocked an eyebrow.
"Bored?" He repeated. She nodded, hugging herself.
"I'm not on the active team, I've found there's nothin' to do." She crossed her arms and stared at mutant skeptically. It was kind of nice to be around another southerner, anyone, really. "Cure my boredom. If you entertain me, if Ah have fun..." A smile slowly spread over her face, and Remy found it contagious. "Ah'll help you, Remy LeBeau." She leaned up and whispered in his ear.
The hairs stood up on his neck. He grabbed her wrist and she froze. "Ya swear it? Don' make no promise ya can't keep, girl." She smirked at him.
"You really think you'll get me to have fun?" She walked towards the school. "That's cute." She patted him on the head with brown gloves. The cajun huffed, fighting the urge to follow her.
"Go get yaself ready, chére." He called to her. "Meet me back here, sundown." She waved her hand dismissively, but he knew she'd be there.
Remy promised to go to church the following Sunday when sundown came, the X-Men still hadn't returned, and Rogue actually appeared. He had managed to be tasked to take her on a date, he'd been waiting ever since New Orleans to take her out properly. When he saw her, he realized he should always expect the unexpected when it came to her. She showed up chewing bubble gum with red sunglasses on her forehead.
She was wearing a striped belly shirt with a massive 'X' on it and tight, leather pants. Remy found his eyes tracing curves and lines, studying Rogue's silhouette in awe. She smiled smugly as he admired her, waiting a minute before speaking. "Where we goin', Swamp Rat?" She looked amazing, but he found himself studying her scarf. He'd thought earlier they could put an item to good use, but now he was certain that was the message the girl wanted to send.
He had forgotten the favor, suddenly there were so many pleasurable, possible outcomes to this encounter. 'Don't mess dis up, homme.' He thought, swallowing hard as he tried not to stare. She shrugged into a cropped jacket and stared at him expectantly.
"It's a surprise," He told her, grabbing her wrist and leading her quickly off the campus. He feels her hesitation, it feels weird to run. She manages, stumbling clumsily behind him down a hill into the night. Why, when her body can fly? He wants to ask how this happened, but he knows better. Tonight was about fun. He even heard her laugh. She might've smiled once or twice in New Orleans, but he doesn't remember her laugh. He resolved to hear it more often.
They trek through the summer night ended at an abandoned factory. Rogue looked around, her heart slamming in her chest. The suspicious, X-Man in her told her this was a trap. Mystique or Magneto would be waiting, like she had ambushed her last time. 'No,' Rogue thought, wrenching away from Remy violently. He frowned, jumping across from her defensively. He was just thinking how nice the walk had been when he spooked her.
"Easy," He said, eyeing her carefully. "What now?" He asked her gently. Her head whipped around, waiting for enemies to come slinking from the shadows, for Apocalypse to appear.
"This feels like a trap," She hissed, her eyes black with fear. "Tell me what it is, who's there! Or I'm not goin'!" She stared at him, her face locked in a scowl. This is what happened every time she was in a new situation. She had every right to be paranoid, but suspicion is the only thing that has ever protected her in her life. He thought about Mystique before he responded.
"I can see how you though dat," He tried, edging closer. "Remy have kidnapped you before." Slowly, the tension eased out of her body. "I apologize for that, really." She dropped her gaze, guilty her behavior had wormed an apology out of him. He reached into his jacket and revealed a gold pocket watch. "Remy gon' take you to the secret party in dere, we get entrance wit dis clock." He explained. "D'accord?" He reached for her wrist again, and she let him.
He took her to the bustling building, the bouncer inspecting Remy's watch. He moved aside and they entered the bustling party. There were people dressed like normal college students, steampunks, different areas of time all around them. A girl in a mask grabbed Rogue and a man grabbed Remy, directing them to separate sides of the warehouse. A plush, maroon and gold rug had been rolled over the floor of the factory, old machinery repurposed for tables and furniture.
Rogue stared across the room, searching men's faces for Remy's features. She found him easily, his eyes giving him away beneath the mask. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her the entire time. There were girls in platform dance shoes, lingeries and Marie Antoinette cosplay all beside her. But his eyes were hopelessly deadlocked in hers.
He couldn't wait to cross the room and dance with her, he didn't even know how to dance. He hated the socialite part of New Orleans, he wanted nothing to do with it. But now, he wanted Rogue to be his debutante. He wanted to dance with her, and only her, making every other man there jealous. The longer he looked at her, the more he wanted her. He'd never had a woman make him feel this way.
When the music finally begins, it's ballroom. They floated into each others arms, people dancing around them. Remy didn't say a word, he just grinned down at her in the candle lit factory. He held out his hands and she grabbed them, holding tight as he started to lead the dance. Rogue leaned instinctually into her flight abilities, making her body light as a feather.
He twirled her like they were Belle and the Beast, erupting into laughter as he spun her around. He was surprised and delighted when Rogue laughed too, planting her feet firmly on the ground and pulling herself close against Remy. He wrapped his hand around her back like a gentleman, and they began to spin around the floor. Suddenly, all those lessons his mother forced on him were being used. Rogue's body was malleable, like clay. As she stared into Remy's eyes, never breaking contact with hers, she would do anything he wanted.
The dances around them came to a halt, stopping to witness the beautiful moment happening in front of them. Rogue may as well have had on a gown, and Remy a tuxedo. It was a fairytale dance, the reason parties like this were thrown in the first place. When the music ended, the room burst into an uproar. Rogue almost shot to the air out of reflex, but Remy kept her anchored to the ground. "S'okay, chére." He laughed. "Dey jus' clappin'." Rogue looked around, he was right.
She felt embarrassed, now, that she realized the whole room had watched. 'I didn't see anything but Remy,' She blushed just from the thought. 'What's wrong with me?' She touched her hand to her flushed cheek. She looked up at him, a curious look in her eye.
"Truth or dare!" She asked him, staring up into his face. He chuckled in surprise, thinking quickly.
"Truth." She pouted a little, as though she were disappointed. 'What she want Remy to do?' He thought, his mind getting naughty. She put a gloved finger to her mouth in thought.
"What's ya middle name, no lyin!" Remy cocked an eyebrow.
"Don'cha got my memories?" He questioned, eyeing the party for alcohol or cigarettes. "Can'tcha jus' look at dem?" Rogue glowered, and he was kicking himself.
"Where's the fun in that?" She asked, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. He noticed she tended to do that when she was insecure. 'If only she knew how cute it was.' "Besides, my memories are not a fun place right now." He nodded sympathetically.
"D'accord. It's Etienne." Her mouth dropped open in surprise.
"Etienne?" She repeated with a laugh, and he frowned.
"Easy, chére. Don' break a man heart." She smiled.
"I've heard worse." She said with a shrug. She plucked a shot off a nearby shot table and took it without making a face. He watched her, impressed as she set it on the counter.
"Okay," He grabbed one for himself and took it, hissing with satisfaction after. He wiped his mouth with back of his hand as he stared into her eyes. "Now, yours." Rogue's eyes shot up.
"My middle name? Never." She folded her arms, the looked on her face final. Remy backed off literally and metaphorically. Rogue sighed. "Anna-Marie." She looked at him, realizing she'd never told him her name. He searched her eyes as she spoke. "Anna-Marie is my, my name." She told him, feeling strangely vulnerable. Like she made something real by revealing that to him.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and she didn't shrug it away. "Beautiful name, fille. Perfect." She looked into his face and wondered when she would've kissed him if she could. Maybe all the way back when she first met him, on a mission. She blushes when she remembers she has kissed him, albeit, under mind control.
"Aren't ya gonna ask me?" He realized he'd been absent-mindedly rubbing her rings through black gloves. And she'd been letting him.
"Ask what?"
"Truth or dare?" His smile broadened, and grew mischievous.
"Forgive me, truth or dare, chére?" She placed her knuckles on her hips.
"Dare." Guys around them begin to cheer, and Rogue puts her sunglasses on. Remy laughs heartily.
"Okay, den. I dare ya to take a shot!" Rogue rolled her eyes, grabbing the nearest blue shot and downing it instantly. "Rogue, wait-" He watched as the shot of cyan liquid disappeared. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "That was absinthe, girl!" He reported in disbelief. Rogue shrugged, seriously doubting she could get very drunk anymore.
"You dared me." She responded, an aggressive rock song playing next. It was sludgy, heavily mixed and produced. Something that sounded right up Rogue's ally. She grabbed him soon after, jumping as the lights turned off. Remy was more of a big band guy, he didn't understand the moody music. But he had never seen Rogue lose herself like this before. He was enchanted.
He would listen to anything to watch as she thrashed, letting loose and just feeling the music. Before long, Remy was jumping with her, their hands interlocked. He had forgotten all about the dare, the stipulation. His need for a favor. He was having fun, actual fun for the first time in years. When they ran out together, hand in hand, they realized it'd begun pouring outside. Remy cursed, hoping this wouldn't bring an end to the night.
Rogue walked through the shower, her hands outstretched in wonder. Remy watched her as she leaned her head up, her body slowly rising in the sky. Thunder and lightning clapped, making him shrink instinctively. But not her, her head was upturned to the rain. When the moment passed, she descended to Remy. His imagination was laid off, the moisture accentuating every accent of her body. Before he thought about it again, he grabbed her scarf, placing the black fabric against her lips and kissing feverishly.
As though it was what she meant all along, she kissed him back. Hungrily, like she'd been waiting for him to do that since he left her his Queen Of Hearts. He grabbed her wet, wavy hair, mashing his lips desperately against her face. Then, they stopped. She looked at him through curtains of silver and brown hair, smiling. "I'm hungry," She declared.
He slipped out of his jacket like an otter and draped it around her. "C'mon," He told her. "I got the perfect idea for dinner."
Remy hated New York, but he could find a good meal anywhere. Name a place, he could name a restaurant. Their hunt led to a vietnamese restaurant that looked like a house. "Places like dese," He informed her as they waited. "Have da best food." She watched him, amused as she studied the menu. She looked around at the handmade murals decorating the walls, paintings of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. Rogue loved it.
She had been at peace in the rain, but now she freezing. They both were, and Remy's damp jacket wasn't helping. So, a brothy bowl of chicken soup sounded good to her. She watched as the condensed milk and coffee poured in a cup together, Remy eagerly waiting to drink it. "Bet you were expectin' some gumbo? Crawfish boil, non?" Rogue snorted, sipping on her soda.
"Definitely would've been game, but predictable. Besides," Her stare became wistful. "Can't find any of that stuff here. Not good, anyways." She made a disgusted face and he laughed. He nodded in agreement. He hated being in yankee country, and it kind of seemed like she did, too. "We got some high standards for that stuff." She remarked, waving a spring roll.
He took a bite of some rice. "Ya never told me how ya got so far away from home, girl." He pointed a chopstick at her. "That's a Caldecott, Mississippi accent, right?" She nodded, impressed as their steam bowls of pho were delivered. "Remy know his accents."
"On the mark," She commented, inhaling. Remy wordlessly assembled her bowl before moving on to his own. He tossed bean sprouts and cilantro in, knowing well how to make a perfect bowl of pho.
"So, whatcha doin' in New York? Still in New York, rather." He frowned when he face became serious. She stared into her soup for a long moment.
"My home is here now, with the X-Men." Her voice was firm, her grip white knuckle on the chopsticks. He frowned, pouring tons of hot chiles into his food.
"De X-Men left you." He told her harshly, remembering as he watched their plane take off. Rogue clutched her chopstick so tight it snapped, garnering stares. "What if I was someone bad, Rogue? T'hink about dat-"
"You don't know anything about them." Remy leaned back, determined not to ruin a near perfect time. 'She laughed more tonight than I t'hink she has her whole life.'
"I'm sorry," He told her gently. "Jus' seem like we both miss da south." That was a lie, Remy was a wanted man in New Orleans. And everything else just made him miss home. He felt home beside the X-Girl, he didn't know why. She was prickly and unpredictable, and he loved it. Every second of it. The more the night wore on, the more he wanted it to last forever. Not just for him, for her sake. He didn't know it was possible for the southern belle to be so relaxed.
She nodded, tucking her wet hair behind her ear. The moisture brought out it's natural pattern, a wild curl. The dryer it got, the more Remy couldn't help but stare. 'Tres belle...' He thought, lucky he didn't accidentally utter it. "It's okay. I guess, the south wouldn't be more of a home without them." She twirled her chopsticks around and brought noodles to her mouth.
Remy laughed, bringing the spoon of broth to her as well. She slurped, laughing as she tried not to get it all over herself. "Whatcha think?" He asked, staring out the window.
"Its's really, really good." She looked up. "Thanks, Remy."
"No need to thank me," He thought, amused as he watched her eat. "Whaddya wanna do now, petite?" Rogue was disgusted with herself, she was almost beginning to like the man's floaty, french pet names. He saw the trouble in her eyes.
"There is one place I've always wanted to go..."
Remy never dreamed Rogue would ask to be taken to a biker bar. Double Down Saloon was in the heart of Manhattan. Remy was always game, tonight was about making Rogue have fun. So her wish was his command. As he watched her face light up, staring up at the neon cactus lights on the bar, he thought he could get used to doing things to see that look on her face.
She grabbed his wrist and tugged inside the bar, pushing her glasses over her eyes. "Two glasses of ya finest whiskey, on the rocks!" The tattooed bartender looked her up and down before chuckling, obeying her. Remy sat beside her on a stool, and watched in surprise as she knocked the drink back like apple juice. She gestured her hand again, and the bartender hit her up again.
Remy sipped his whiskey, watching as Rogue downed the second drink. "Drinkin' Remy outta house and home?" He asked her. Rogue smiled.
"Ain' ya thief a diamond or somethin'?" It certainly took longer and much more alcohol with her abilities, but Rogue could get drunk. And she currently was beside Remy LeBeau. "You can pay for a few whiskey sours." She leaned close to him, a sly smile on her face. She smelled like magnolias. The scent drove him wild, he fought the urge to lean in and bite her neck like a vampire. She noticed the expression, though.
"Remy pay for anythin'," He said, sliding over a card to the bartender. But he soon found he didn't have to.
Soon, bikers were buying shots of Fireball and tequila. He watched, half miffed and half amused as the shot glasses piled up beside her. People thought she was in on it with the bartender, pouring dummy shots. Soon, Sweet Home Alabama was playing. She was standing on the bar, telling stories about being the only girl on the Mississippi high school football team.
Then, she was singing Freebird and playing air guitar, kicking and singing into Remy's staff. The bar loved her. Remy could almost be jealous until he remembered the point of the night was to make her have fun. As he took pictures on his phone and hers, there would be no way she could deny that she had enjoyed herself. He grinned devilishly at his fool proof plan. This was for bragging rights, he had no intention of cashing in on that favor.
When Metallica came on, Rogue was kicking chairs and singing into beers. The bar owner nor did the patrons care. Rogue was the most Rock & Roll thing to happen to the sleepy biker bar in ages. She was sliding against the wall, coyote ugly style. She didn't know if this was just who she was or if she was giving psyches free reign, but she didn't care. She was having fun. Then a guy reached out to touch her. She was the youngest, prettier girl in the bar in years.
Remy had been watching closely, but it was inevitable. He shot to his feet but Rogue flipped him before he could move. The bar went silent, even the music stopped. He looked around, his hand on his staff when everyone erupted into cheers. The music continued, people were taking pictures of Rogue. Next, she began arm wrestling.
Remy watched as she beat every man in the bar, twice. Downing shots the whole time. She finally sat down beside Remy when she had a moment to pull away. Her cheeks were getting rosy and she couldn't stop smiling. 'Yep,' He thought with a hopeless grin. 'She's drunk.' She took a long swing of water and wiped her mouth with her arm.
"Ah think Ah joined a few biker gangs..." Remy took a shot of bourbon himself and laughed.
"Oh das what you were doin'." He waved toward a waitress as he passed by when everyone heard a loud smack. The music shut off again, dozens of glasses clattered on the ground. Breaking. Nobody said a word, but Rogue stood. A fat, bald biker had slapped the waitress so hard, she dropped a tray of drinks. She stood, red faced and embarrassed.
Remy stood and was about to pay for all the dropped drinks, (lest the poor girl get fired) but Rogue literally flew and knocked the biker out of his seat. She stood over him, her face in a snarl. His friends stood beside him, as Rogue paid them no mind. She turned to the poor waitress and rifled through her purse for cash. "How much for the drinks, sugah?" The girl stared in awe of her kindness.
Remy sauntered over, closing Rogue's purse. "Place it on my ugly mug's tab, chérie." He said as he tried to slide Rogue away. She hadn't noticed, but the fat biker's friends were very angry. Almost everyone there was now, she was a mutant. "Chére, might be time we go." The bartender slid Remy's card over, scowling.
"Just go," Rogue looked around. She'd been having so much fun. Remy snatched the card, his staff held in front of them.
"Get goin'," He told her seriously, his hands on playing cards. "I'll distract 'em and get outta-" He paused when Rogue flew past him, lifting the largest and heaviest of the gang and tossing them across the bar. Nobody was even paying attention to him anymore, the entire bar swarmed Rogue with chairs and pool sticks. "CHÉRE?" She smiled, rolling the sleeves of her jacket up.
"Are you kidding me, I haven't been on a mission in months!"
'Logan?'
The bald telepath reached out for the mutant as soon as the X-Jet had landed. He took care to curse to himself, not in his mind. 'What's up, Chuck?'
'Would you and Scott come to my office?' He looked wearily at the brown haired man. He wanted to crawl in his bed, they'd flown all the way across the world and back.
'Sure. Be up in a sec.' He huffed, and Scott recognized the noise. "He wants you too, Shades." Scott groaned, wiping his face off. Jean was going to shower as soon as she got home, and that'd been what he wanted to do.
"Can't it-" A glare from Jean cut him off. "Okay, let's go." He corrected with a sigh. Everyone else broke away to go to bed, but Scott and Logan climbed the steps to their headmaster's bedroom. He was waiting for them with an uneasy smile.
"Ah, there you are. How was Africa?" He asked warmly, his hands interlocked.
"Good." Scott answered politely.
"Went as good as it could've. What's goin' on, Chuck?" Charles' smile broadened.
"I was using Cerebro and I detected a familiar signature." He turned on the T.V to the nine o'clock news.
"Sources say a whole bar of bikers, called the Double Down Saloon, was taken on by a mutant. One possessing superhuman strength, agility, and flight after drinking most of the night. Police say be on the lookout for a man with red and black eyes and two toned hair-" He shut the T.V off and turned back to the two mutants. They were already fuming, but he didn't seem fuming.
"R-Rogue-" Scott began. "She's,"
"Not on campus, it seems." Logan's claws shot out. He'd been a bit frustrated with the girl's unwillingness to accept help, but the thought of her with Remy again made his blood boil.
"Telllin' me he's kidnapped her, again?" Logan remembers Rogue moping (even more than usual) for weeks after she realized he really had just used her. He wasn't gonna go through it again.
"Kidnapping could be a harsh word, Logan. The girl cannot be overpowere-"
"Her mind can be controlled." Scott urged earnestly. He did not trust Remy, and certainly not with Rogue.
"I detect no sense of foul play, I just think our friend has had enough fun." He gave them both a patient look. "Hasn't she deserved some?" Logan was already out the door, Scott trailing behind him.
"Wait, we do have to ride a motorcycle..."
Remy looked around at the wooded cliffside Rogue had taken him. She had been right, she knew exactly where to go to avoid the mob. They both had to admit, fighting side by side again felt good. Right. He wanted to do it forever. She sat, her legs dangling off the edge as she stared into the sky. "See," She pointed giddily. "You can see the stars all the way out here.
Remy stooped carefully beside her, staring up. "Well, look at dat," His gaze dropped back to her, marveling at the sky like a child. He couldn't drop his eyes. When she felt him she turned, staring right back into his eyes.
"I've never taken anyone here before," She turns to the looming trees behind him. "New York is so much city, people forget about nature." He listened to her carefully. "I just come here to clear my head, sometimes." She jumped when he placed a hand over her gloved one.
"Thanks for bringin' Remy here." She stared at him, both their jackets shed long ago. Why him, Rogue had never wanted a person so bad since Scott. She stood no chance with him, of course, but at least he would've been a safe bet. Here she was, spending the night with a former enemy. The last person who would settle down, much less wait for her powers to get better. 'Maybe he likes pain,' She thought drunkenly as she moved closer. 'Must if he likes me.'
He watched her closely, on her hands and knees as he crawled toward him. "Chére," He breathed, but he wasn't scared. He wanted her to come closer until she couldn't. 'She could crush me like an ant,' He thought, marveling at the power she held. She could kill him a number of ways, now. She was like Super Woman and Poison Ivy, all in one. It scared him, but it turned him on. She was a challenge, a danger. There was nobody else like her.
"Ya scared," She asked him, studying his face.
"A lil," He said, breaking into a smile. "Ain' no fun if ya not scared." Now she was grinning. She leaned over him, her chest almost grazing his face. His breath caught in his throat.
"What would ya do," She begged, his voice a whisper. She stared at his black and red eyes, her eyes shining in the moonlight. "What would y do if you could touch me?" He grabbed her gloved hand carefully.
"Everythin'," He whispered. She craned her neck to him, preparing to drop her lips to his in a kiss. Neither one of them cared what happened next. 'Gimme one ya remember,' He thought, shutting his eyes and waiting for oblivion. An optic blast crashed into the ground beside him.
"MARIE," Logan stood behind him, his claws glinting under the moon.
Scott held his visor, a fierce scowl on his face. "Next one won't miss, Swamp Rat."