A crackling boom went off behind her.
Oh God. Oh God. OH GOD! What did I do? What just happened? Those people were they de—
"They're fine, Chere, jus' a little smoke screen to get us outa there safely," Remy stated. His little Fire Cracker looked less agitated after hearing no one was hurt.
Rogue relaxed a little. Still dazed and shell shocked, she numbly let the creepy-eyed mutant lead her down street after street, turn after turn. At least John had been breathing. She'd gotten his pulse before the Cajun showed up.
The Cajun. Why hadn't she noticed his accent before? I must be really out of it. Accents like that aren't easy to miss. Speaking of The Cajun, he still had his arm firmly around her, almost protectively, and gently steered her along with him. He glanced back casually a few times. Finally satisfied, he slowed his brisk walk to a canter.
"Well, Chere, we've dodged the heat for now."
She winced at his words, tears stinging her eyes. This was not how she wanted her return to go: an angry mob, John unconscious, losing control of her powers…well, John's powers, and to top it off, wandering the streets with a stranger. She wouldn't cry. She wouldn't cry…
Seeing her eyes well up with tears, Remy kicked himself. Smooth move, 'We've dodged the heat for now'. Way to look like an insensitive jerk about her mutation.
"No pun intended, honest!" Remy rattled out quickly. It was too late. His little spit fire crumpled into a sobbing mess onto the curb, burying her face into her burnt gloves. Remy awkwardly sat down beside her and slid his arm around her shoulder in an attempt to be comforting.
"Please, Chere, don't cry. I'll make everything alright I promise." God, he hated it when they cried.
She lifted her head from her hands and stared at him. Is this guy for real? Nobody had ever said anything like that to her before. Not Logan, not even Bobby.
He smiled slightly at her and reached out with his thumb to gently brush a tear from cheek when she snapped.
"Don't touch me!" she shrieked, ripping herself from his arms and clumsily backing up away from him. She pulled his trench coat up around herself tighter, even going so far as to tuck her hands up into the sleeves.
She'd misread his intention and Remy felt horrible. Shit, she thinks I'm a perv. Better clear this up. Remy groaned. Why was he having so much trouble with this girl? Usually he had no trouble securing a girl's trust, especially after a rescue, and usually his charm was enough to make any girl swoon and fall into his arms.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Chere, I was only—"
"And I don't want to hurt you!" she cried. "I like you, but please, please just don't touch me. Ever."
Her eyes pleaded with him to understand her and he did. He got it. She was scared of her powers. Not just scared, terrified. Remy could see that now, plain as day. It wasn't so long ago that Remy was unable to control his mutation. He remembered exactly how that felt. Blowing shit up by touch alone was pretty nerve wracking, especially when his profession of choice was thievery.
Remy had learned quickly how to control his powers, but even that had come with a terrible price. He shuddered remembering the day when out of the blue, that man showed up offering to teach him, to help him. Remy had agreed, and in exchange for knowledge, all Remy had had to do were a few small jobs, nothing more.
Well, those 'few small jobs' turned into many, and morally unsound. Not that Remy's moral compass always pointed north, but there were some things he just didn't do. However, to gain the knowledge of his powers, he did those morally unsound things without question. It was ironic that in the end he had become the monster he was trying so desperately to avoid becoming.
Well, no use dwelling on the past. He sighed and got to his feet.
An idea had formed in his mind. He would take the girl with him. Better her with him, than have her get mixed up with the wrong kind of mutants like he had. In fact, the more he thought about it, the better the idea became. Surely, Storm wouldn't object to another mutant joining the ranks. Besides, if anyone needed a safe environment to develop their powers it was his little fire starter.
"Listen," she said standing up. "You've been really helpful gettin' me away from that mob 'n all, but it's late and I've really got to be gettin' home."
"I'll walk you!" he answered a little too quickly. He really wasn't used to being brushed off by women, and this one, sheesh! He just couldn't seem to figure her out.
Problem with that was he wanted to figure her out. He wanted to spend more time with her. He wanted to get to know her better. And right now he was looking way too keen. What was the matter with him? He was always so smooth with women. She looked unsure, maybe even a little surprised at his offer.
"I wouldn't feel quite right, me leaving you all alone on the streets at night—" he started.
"I don't know…"
"Please, Chere, from where I come from it be poor manners not escortin' a lady home," Remy pleaded, using his best puppy dog eyes.
She stifled a giggle. "You make this sound like a date or something!" She couldn't help but warm up to the Cajun a bit. If she didn't know better, she would've sworn he was trying to flirt with her.
"If it is, it's the best date I've been on in a while," he joked back and instantly groaned inwardly. Ugh, did that sound as lame as I think it did? Why was he acting like such a dork around her?
"Alright, Cajun, you can walk me home," she resolved.
Remy couldn't hold back his smile.
Stop grinning like an idiot and properly introduce yourself, his brain scolded.
"Remy LeBeau, at your service, Chere," he said, holding his hand out towards her.
"Rogue," she introduced, shyly taking his hand.
Remy gently brought her hand, which was still tucked into the jacket, up to his lips and kissed it softly. He was glancing up at her face the whole time, secretly pleased when she blushed.
Rogue wasn't sure what to make of her newfound traveling companion. He really wasn't creepy at all like she had first thought when she saw him on the train. He was actually quite charming and pleasant. She now thought that instead of a transient, he looked more like a rock star. In fact, when he walked he even walked with a cocky, rock star swagger. He seemed so sure of himself now that she agreed to let him walk her home, where as before he seemed nervous, and well, a bit eager-beaver.
She began studying his features. He had dark auburn hair and a strong jaw line, which only helped to compliment his now intriguing eyes. She was starting to think he was actually pretty cute. He even had a nice body, making a normal pair of jeans and T-shirt radiate with sex appeal. Rogue found that up close he was quite handsome, in a scruffy bad-boy sort of way. She sighed. Too bad she could only look and not touch.
Remy smirked as she appraised him with her eyes. "Like what you see, Chere?" he asked flashing his most devilish smile.
She blushed again and giggled into her hand as he did a quick, little turn around for her.
"Yeah," she mused. "I think I do. Just don't get any ideas."
He shrugged innocently.
They walked mostly in silence, Remy not wanting to push his luck and Rogue inwardly struggling with whether or not she should continue flirting with him. After all, nothing could come of it and it'd be cruel to lead him on. She sighed as she realized how close they were to the mansion now. Soon they'd part ways and that made her surprisingly sad.
Remy knew they were close to the mansion. He'd have to ask her sooner than later to come with him. No time like the present. He took a deep breathe. Please let this go in my favour.
"Say, Chere?" he broached. "What would you say if I told you I knew of a school around here, where it's not only a safe house for mutants, but a place where they can learn to develop and control their powers safely?"
It was Rogue's turn to smirk. "Well, Remy, I'd say that you'd be walking me home, just like you promised."
Remy beamed, lady luck was on his side tonight. He would be seeing a lot of his little fire starter, and to him, that looked very promising indeed.