Over the next few days Liz avoided Warren as much as she could. Logan, who Liz had confided in, had even switched her to Bobby, Kitty, and Jubilee's gym class. Although Liz felt unbelievably guilty for abandoning her sister and Marie, they both understood after she explained what was going on. While avoiding Warren, she had crossed paths with Peter Rasputin, a muscular, handsome man that could make himself metal. The two bonded easily and he'd introduced her to Remy LeBeau, a Cajun man that had grown fond of calling Liz chéri, which meant "darling" in French. She'd even gone so far as to sit with Peter, Remy, and their friend John Allerdyce, a former member of the Brotherhood, at lunch because Warren sits with the others. She was a little distant from John at first, but he turned out to be quite polite, and yet a total ass at the same time. He would not get along well with Evelyn, considering the fact that he controlled fire and Evelyn water.
"So why would you be a part of the Brotherhood?" Liz asked John during lunch on day five of plan Avoid Warren As Much As Possible (a.k.a plan AWAMAP). John shrugged.
"I was pretty messed up back then," was all he replied with and she smiled.
"You're still messed up now," Peter mumbled and John glared at him.
"Screw you Rasputin."
"Sorry Allerdyce, I don't roll that way."
Remy caught Liz's eye and rolled his own, as if to say, "This is a normal thing." This, and the fact that now John and Peter were now arguing about each other's sexuality, made her giggle like mad. She watched their argument like a tennis match, which made Remy laugh. Liz liked his laugh. It was cute.
"Alright so enough with your sexuality. What else is there to talk about?" Liz asked, picking at a peeling piece of paint on the table. All of the men thought for a moment, then shrugged.
"Can't think of anything."
"Nope."
"Me neither, chéri." Liz rolled her eyes, then felt someone sit down next to her.
"Hey there Sweet Meat!" Marie greeted with a smile, and turned to the men. "Hey Remy, Peter. John," she greeted him, sounding a little bitter. Liz shrugged it off as the rest of the group joined them, all but one. She looked over her shoulder and saw Warren walking over to the trash can, tossing out his lunch, and walking out. Liz looked away, sighing and poking at her salad.
"Are you alright?" Remy asked, concern in his ruby eyes. She nodded and smiled.
"Yeah, Rem. I'm fine." He smiled and patted her hand. She half expected the tingle, but all that came was warmth.
And for some odd reason, that comforted her.
The next morning…
"Hey hey hey," Peter greeted Liz, punching her shoulder lightly.
"Hey Metal Man," she replied, kicking the back of his leg gently. He gave her a teasing look and she laughed, walking with him to Gym.
"Bonjour Peter, Liz," Remy greeted when they entered the Danger Room.
"Hey," Liz greeted, giving him the two-kiss-on-the-cheek greeting…thing. It was how she's been saying hello to him since the second day they met. He snaked an arm around her waist and walked with her towards Bobby and the girls. She gave him a look and removed his arm. He simply laughed, shrugging.
Liz was just about to say something to Kitty when Jubilee went wide-eyed and muttered, "Holy shit." Liz tilted her head to the side and turned, then gasped a little as Warren walked in. She scanned the room and stalked over to Logan, yanking him away from the group.
"What the hell is Warren doing here?" she hissed and he sighed.
"Liz, there was nothing I could do! Storm wouldn't listen to me! There were too many kids in that class, I didn't have a choice." Liz groaned a little.
"Alright, well whatever." Logan smiled apologetically and gave her a pat on the shoulder before walking away. Somehow Liz found her way back to Remy and Peter. Bobby had walked off with the girls to go speak with Warren.
"Is everything alright, chéri?" Remy asked, placing a hand on her forearm. She noticed Warren watching and nodded, smiling. She was starting to think of chéri as her nickname, since she'd never heard Remy call anyone else by it.
"I'm fine, don't worry." He smiled and nodded, kissing her forehead. Glancing at Warren, she saw the pained look in his eyes and her heart broke in two, straight down the middle. He looked away and class started. Liz had on her X-Men jumpsuit, with slits that let her wings freely spread out. With a snap, they popped out. Warren stared at her wings before letting his own fly out. She took off into the air, kicking flying holograms and guns mounted on the walls. Having wings and three black belts helped when it came to Gym at the Institute.
"Liz!" she looked down and saw Bobby zooming towards her on a path of ice. She flew out of the way and Bobby froze a hologram about to stab Liz in the back. She smiled gratefully at him. This went on for about ten minutes. Then the setting changed and it started again. Class ended with all of the kids clunking out of the locker rooms. Even Liz's wings drooped as she carried her jacket down the hallway towards her room.
"Thank God I have Gym last hour," she muttered, walking into her room and collapsing on the bed, closing her eyes. "Just a tiny nap. I'll be up…for…dinner…"
Later…
Tingling. Her body was filled with that familiar tingling sensation, and Liz's eyes searched the blackness for that brilliant smile. Or the spiky blond hair. Or those beautiful, crystalline eyes…
Liz shot up in bed, breathing hard. She wasn't tingling at all. She'd been dreaming. The moon's rays peeked through the curtains of her room, and Evelyn's snores could be heard. Liz's light green eyes flickered towards the clock. 2:37. She groaned and stood, changing into pajama shorts and a tank top. Liz pulled her hair into a ponytail and lay back down, trying to fall asleep. But as 3 in the morning crept around the corner, Liz threw back the covers and stood, tiptoeing out of her room. She padded into the kitchen and opened the pantry door, taking out a packet of S'mores Pop-Tarts and sticking them in the toaster. Rubbing her arms, she looked out the window at the sky.
"So this is what you do at three in the morning?" Liz jumped about ten feet in the air and whipped around. Her eyes narrowed in a playful glare as she saw Jason Grae standing in the doorway, smirking. He could animate things, and she'd befriended him a few days ago. They didn't talk to each other much, but when they did it was usually playful banter.
"I couldn't sleep." He smiled and nodded.
"Me neither." She walked over to the island and lifted herself up onto it, crossing her ankles. She rubbed her arms again and shivered a little. "Someone is cold," he mumbled, walking over to her.
"Yes, someone is," she replied, grinning.
"What are you doing tomorrow night?" Jason asked out of the blue, and Liz smiled.
"Jason, you know I don't like you like that." He tilted his head to the side, looking like a lost puppy.
"You want to. I can see it in your eyes." He brushed a piece of hair out of her face, his fingers grazing her skin. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, taking her face in his hands.
"Stop Jason," she muttered, swatting away his hands.
He ignored her, crushing his lips against hers.
Liz tried to push him away, but he was strong. "Stop," she tried to say, but it was muffled. She pushed against his chest as he ran his fingers up her leg. "STOP!" she yelled with one last push, and Jason went flying back into the fridge with a crash. Liz stood, looking at his unconscious body and turned, watching vines retreating through the broken window. "Oh my God," she whispered, sinking to the floor and hugging her knees to her chest. Footsteps pounded on the floor, and a hand touched her arm gently.
"Liz what happened?" Bobby's voice asked soothingly.
She rocked back and forth, shaking her head. "I didn't mean too," she whimpered, and she heard Bobby run over to Jason's side. "I didn't mean to," she repeated.
"What happened?" Storm demanded.
"I didn't mean to."
"He's bleeding really bad," Bobby replied.
"I didn't mean to."
Two strong arms picked her up and began to carry her.
"I didn't mean to," she whispered, gripping the person's t-shirt.
"I know, chéri. Shh, it's alright, it's okay," Remy cooed, but Liz shook her head. "Don't shake your head at me. Jason is going to be fine."
Remy carried her back to her room, and Liz was out before he closed the door.