Chapter 3: Lunch
Rogue took her shower and then headed outside to the gazebo. She sat there thinking about the DR session she had just run. She didn't even hear Logan approaching. "What are you thinking about Stripes?"
Rogue jumped. "Logan, Ah didn't hear ya comin'!"
He gave a grunt and a small smile. He then sighed. "I watched the tape Rogue. You did a good job. Those kids now know some of their weaknesses and will do better next time, you always did."
Rogue looked at the ground and shrugged. "Ah don' know Logan. Ah mean sure Ah helped take down Creed and all, but trainin' the new recruits, that's different."
Logan had a mix of emotions run through him at that statement. He wanted to smack the side of her head, yell at her, hug her, and tell her that she had already started training Amara in the final part of their last mission. Rogue felt uncomfortable and shifted on the spot. Finally Logan decided to start with his last thought. "Kid, listen to me. In the final part of our last mission you started training Magma. Then Sam asked why you weren't training them. They want you to train them." He smiled and said, "Besides, Shades says you're as bad as me."
Rogue let a smile on her face. "Really?" She still hadn't let it register that Scott, of all people was taking notes from her. She was so used to him yelling at her that she sometimes forgot that she was leading. Logan gave a brief nod and threw his arm around her shoulder.
"Come on Stripes, let's get some lunch." Logan headed towards the mansion with his arm still over Rogue's shoulder. She let him guide her as she looked around the yard. She saw a game of Frisbee between Jamie and Rahne, football between Sam, Kurt, Bobby and Kitty, and finally Jubilee and Amara trying to beat each other in the height and size of fireworks / fireballs. She was trying to take mental notes for ideas in the Danger Room.
Logan and Rogue entered the kitchen and Rogue sat down on one of the stools. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice a certain Cajun come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. "Bonjour Cherie."
Rogue started to scream and choked on it. "Damn it Remy! Couldn't ya see Ah was thinkin'? Ya scared the shit out o' meh."
Remy chuckled, "D`esole Cherie. What y' thinkin' 'bout?" (Sorry darling)
She sighed as Logan growled at the Cajun and placed a sandwich in front of Rogue. "Ah was jus' wonderin' why everyone wants meh t' lead." Remy started to laugh. "Shut up Swamp Rat!" Logan couldn't help but smile. It was rare when he and Gambit were on the same page, but it happened.
"Cherie, tu es bonne. Cette est tous." (Darling, you are good. That is all) He gave her shoulders a squeeze and she took a breath.
"Merci, Monsieur Swamp Rat." (Thank you, Mr. Swamp Rat.) She then took a bite of her Black Forest ham sandwich. 'Lettuce, onion, ham, tiny mayo. Logan ya know me too well.' She smiled and looked at her 'Father figure.' "Logan, this is delicious!"
He gave a brief chuckle. "Glad ya like it Stripes. Want a Coke?" Rogue nodded and Logan slid one across the table to her.
Remy let go of Rogue's shoulders and headed to the fridge to find himself something to eat for lunch as well. He grabbed the turkey a roll and threw on a little lettuce, mayo and onion. He then grabbed himself a coke as well and joined Rogue.
Logan took this opportunity to comment on Remy's lunch. "Hey Stripes, I didn't know ya liked crazy wild birds." Rogue choked on her coke causing it to fly up her nose. She sputtered spraying some on the table and started to break out in hysterical laughter. Anyone who was in the hall froze. It took a miracle to make Rogue laugh that much let alone that hard.
This however gave Remy his own line, "Monsieur Claws, I did not know you liked pigs." After he said it he regretted it right away. Logan's claws shot out and Rogue smacked him several times.
"Stupid, stupid Cajun! Can't even take a joke! Ah out't' beat ya 'til yare black an' blue!"
Remy winced. "Ow, Cherie, d`esole, d`esole Cherie. Remy didn't mean it. Ow, Rogue! ArĂȘte! Rogue, s'il te plait! (Darling, sorry, sorry darling.) (Stop! Rogue please stop!)
"Give him a few for me Stripes," Logan egged her on. He knew if he had his choice Gambit would be in pieces right now. However, that was not an option, so watching his Stripes beat the crap out of the Cajun came in second and was worth it.
"Fine by meh! Ya 'ear that, Ah get t' smack ya 'til the cows come 'ome!
Remy braced himself for the next set of punches. Several punches to his left arm came flying one right after the other. He also got two or three in the shoulder. He lost count as his mind wandered. 'Me an' ma big mouth. Sure Remy, ya jus' couldn't' stop yaself could ya?' Rogue continued on her rant and continued punching Remy. "Logan makes a damn good sandwich and ya 'ave t' ruin it f'r the both o' us!" Remy finally managed to grab her wrists preventing her from punching any more. "Le' go; Ah ain't finished with ya yet!"
"Rogue, Remy's really sorry. Remy means no disrespect. Remy jus' one crazy bird like Monsieur Claws said." He let go of her wrists and put his fists on his hips and clucked. "Gobble, gobble, gobble."
With that Rogue ceased trying to punch Remy and let out a snort. Remembering what Logan had said moments before she broke back out into hysterical laughter. This time anyone in the hallway let out a breath they hadn't realized they were holding. The sudden mood swings were not uncommon; it was just that you never knew when they would strike.
Magneto, Mystique and The Brotherhood were practically living in the mansion after the last mission. Not everyone was happy about it, but they were all adjusting. Raven turned to Ororo, "I swear, I thought I was going to have to pry her away from him."
Ororo shook her head, "No, Raven, that would have only made things worse."
"Are you serious? You let them beat issues out?" Mystique seemed surprised. As much as she liked knowing that her daughter was able to fight, she did not like the idea of a simple name calling incident be a just cause for a beating.
Storm shook her head slightly, "Not exactly." Mystique gave her a slightly puzzled look but had an idea of what was coming. Storm continued, "Rogue does the beating, Gambit would never hurt her. In fact, despite the beating she just gave him, he actually has quite the calming effect on her."
Mystique tried to digest this. If she thought long and hard about it she had to admit she had never seen Rogue so happy, let alone in hysterics. She watched the two from the doorway. Rogue's face was turning red from laughing so much, and Remy, who would usually be smirking, was in a full smile.
He turned to her noticing her face and broken laughter. "Cherie?" He looked a little panicked when she didn't respond right away. 'Breathe Rogue. Dis Cajun don' wanna see his Cherie pass out on him."
Rogue took a few breathes trying to calm herself. "S-so-sorry Swa-Swamp R-Rat." She managed to inhale a few more breathes before he body relaxed and she was able to let out a sigh. She turned accusingly to him, "Ya almos' killed meh!"
Remy put on his lame surprised face and threw his right hand on his chest. "Moi! Non, dat laugh jus' makin' up f'r all de times ya didn't' laugh in de past."
Realizing it was now safe to enter the kitchen Kitty, Kurt, Storm, Mystique, Bobby, the Professor and Magneto all did so to grab some lunch. Charles could sense some hesitation from others so her sent out a telepathic message, "You may all join us in the kitchen for lunch. Everything is calm."
Jamie, Amara and Rahne timidly entered. Storm placed a bowl of chicken noodle soup in front of each of them and a plate of sandwiches. Some were peanut butter, some jam and others both peanut butter and jam. As they ate the professor asked how training had gone that morning. Rogue, Amara, Jamie and Rahne filled him in on the morning's events and lessons learned. He seemed quite happy knowing that instead of squabbles between the children, they were beginning to learn their individual needs, strengths and weaknesses. He smiled to himself, 'I am so glad we convinced Rogue to train the new recruits. It is something she needed and something they wanted after the last mission.' Charles then looked around the table. He saw friends from the past, current friends and people trying to make amends and become known as a friend. He smiled at this. He was beginning to sense a new beginning.
