A.N.: If there's anything you'd really like to see here, then be sure to drop me a line or put it in your review. I'd love to hear your ideas. I'm not sure this turned out exactly as I'd like, but I blame the pain meds I'm taking right now… yeah, let's go with that theory, shall we? We'll be going back in the next chapter to see a glimpse of Remy's Thanksgiving before moving on. See you then!
I really appreciate those who've reviewed so far. Thanks!
Disclaimer: They belong to Marvel and the fact that I can't get enough of them just shows Stan Lee's brilliance.
The drive to the airport felt both endless and nowhere near long enough. The two of them started out trying to act as normal as possible, but by the time they parked Logan's ride in the garage the almost funereal pall that had fallen over them was thick, casting a dark cloud over them. Remy checked his bag and they walked towards the security gate where he'd have to leave her behind. They both knew it was for their safety, but still silently cursed the new measures airports had to take these days. She would have given a lot right then to be able to go all the way to the gate and sit there with him as he awaited his departure.
He stalled, saying he needed a drink before leaving so they ordered a couple of coffees and sat down to enjoy their reprieve to the fullest. Once they were seated, however, neither seemed able to come up with the right words to say. Finally Rogue broke down and started a conversation that maybe wasn't the one they wanted to have, but one that was safe. "So, tell me what it's like at your house on Thanksgiving," she encouraged.
He played along with her and started on a casual dialog about his family traditions. "Well, Tante Mattie'll have more food dan de whole Institute could eat in a week. De main dish will be fried turkey dat's been doused for a couple o' days in de mos' delicious spicy marinate ever created. De first t'ing, dough dat she'll give us dat day is homemade beignets, still warm from de fryer." He rambled on about the football game he and the other men would play against each other between breakfast and the main course. He painted such vivid pictures of what his time at home would entail that she could practically see it all before her.
They heard an announcement about his flight and knew they couldn't delay any longer. "Well, Ah guess it's tahme for you to go now, Rems." Rogue didn't even try to hide the regret in her husky voice.
"I wish ya' were comin' wit' me, mon chere," he said in a voice just as husky with emotion. "I'll call ya'. Make sure ta take ya'r phone when ya' go to see ya'r boys, okay?"
"Ah will." They were almost to the front of the line now and she tried to bite her tongue, but it just slipped out without her consent. "Remy, sug'?" He looked at her waiting with open expression to hear what she wanted to say. "Don't forget me, will ya'?"
Embarrassed and somewhat ashamed at how needy and pathetic she sounded, Rogue jerked her hand from his hold and tried to rush away. Remy had reached out and yanked her around and into his arms before she'd taken a full step away from him, though. "Never, mon amoureux (my sweetheart). Remy never could fo'get ya'… ya' too much ma femme, mon cœur, mon futur (my woman, my heart, my future)… I'll be back soon, chérie. Je promets (I promise)." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and let his fingers cling to hers until the very last second of his passing through the metal detector.
Rogue watched him go, even as sad as she was, thankful for the fact that he had special sunglasses with no metal in them. They'd told security, when asked about the dark lenses, that he'd had an eye procedure that had left him sensitive to light for several more hours. It would keep people off his back during the flight. I should have taken French instead of Spanish. I don't know what half of what he said even means.
She turned away only after he'd been out of sight for several minutes. Rogue knew the quicker she distracted herself the better off she'd be and the sooner she could pretend she'd never acted so stupidly. Walking quickly, she was soon swinging her leg back over the black leather seat. It was stupid to be this upset anyway, right? Good Lord… her friends all went home every danged holiday anyway; why should this feel so different, so much more depressing? Getting the helmet strapped on comfortably, she shook her head to dislodge any lingering gloominess and focused on what lay ahead for her the next few days.
Rogue let the low-pitched roar of the machine beneath her lull her into a calmer state and was much nearer her usual, controlled self by the time she returned the motorcycle to its accustomed place in the garage. "Any problems, Stripes?"
"No; thanks for letting us borrow it, Logan."
"No problem, kid. What are you doin' this afternoon?"
She shrugged. "Ah don't really know… no definite plans Ah guess."
"Wanna watch some hockey with me?" His offer may sound brusque or even ridiculous in light of the fact he'd just asked an almost eighteen year old girl if she'd choose to spend her afternoon watching a hockey game with a man of indeterminate age, but she smiled at him.
"That sounds really nahce, Logan. Ah'd love it!"
He nodded and waited for her to precede him inside. Stopping to grab some chips, beer for Logan, and soda for Rogue, they made their way to the rec room. After they'd settled in and had been watching for a little while, Rogue let him know, "This really is nahce. I miss doin' stuff with you besides just training."
"Yeah, well," he grunted as he reached for another beer, "you've been so busy with your new little boyfriend that there just hasn't been time for us to hang out, I guess."
Rogue smacked his arm. "Logan! You know Ah've always got tahme for you and you know Ah'm not about ta have a boyfriend, so cut the crap."
Before he could retaliate, they were interrupted by Jamie. "Hey," he greeted sounding utterly dejected. "I guess you guys are busy, too." Even Logan couldn't play tough-guy when faced with the sad little face of the one of their younger students who, like Rogue, had nowhere to go during school breaks.
Exchanging a quick glance, Logan and Rogue knew their alone time was over for the moment. There would be other times together, though. "Not really, kid, it was a lousy game anyway."
Rogue tried to encourage the hesitant boy to stick around. "Hey, Jamie… didn't you get that new Vesperia game?"
That was the right question, it quickly became clear. Jamie's face lit up like a Christmas tree and he excitedly started chattering away. "Yeah! Just a couple of weeks ago. Have you played it yet? It's so cool! It's a single player, but we could all three takes turns if you want to check it out."
"We'd love to. Why don't you run and get it?" Jamie quickly split off one of his clones to run the errand for him and settled in between the slightly scary, but still kind of cool girl and the extremely scary but totally awesome Wolverine. "So it's an RPG, but it's not turn-based fighting so that's awesome. You can be one of four different characters, but don't be the spell chick in battle 'cause she never lasts long. You can even be the dog with the pipe."
Logan already looked totally lost by the conversation, causing Rogue to need to tamp down her giggles at his amazed stare. He thought the kid had a new mutation coming in… one that didn't require him to breathe while talking. Before the afternoon was over, they'd all had several turns and Logan had found a new way to pass the time. Jamie had brought in other games and even snuck Ray's copy of Gears of War from his room, which Logan immediately took to. He was still playing it with Jamie, who was coaching him as they played co-op, when Rogue left to help prepare dinner as she'd promised Storm.
Storm was looking forward to Thanksgiving with extra enthusiasm this year. When Rogue commented on this, her mentor informed her, "Yes, Rogue. Evan has agreed to come here for dinner along with a few of the other Morlocks. We'll be preparing extra food so they have plenty to take back for of those who cannot join us."
"That's great news, Storm. Ah know how much you miss him an' all. It would be great to see him. Tell him Ah said hi, would you?"
"Of course, Rogue. I will let him know you had other commitments to keep."
Rogue only nodded and continued putting together the salad. She'd just finished when her phone started vibrating in her pocket and the Jambalaya song that was her ringer for Remy began emanating from her jeans. She couldn't stop the grin that immediately graced her full lips. "Sorry, Storm. Ah'll be rahght back," she promised while pulling the phone out.
"No rush, child," Storm assured her. She watched Rogue scurry out while answering and only thought how wonderful it was the lonely girl had found such a true friend. Remy LeBeau was exactly what Rogue needed. It was high time the girl got to have some regular young adult fun.
In the hall Rogue was trying to answer without sounding too excited. "Rems?"
"Mon Rogue chérie! J'ai été absent vous."
"What?"
"I said I've been missin' ya'."
"Ya' liar!"
"Chere, ya' wound me!"
"Remy, ya've been visitin' with your family an' eating, from what you told me about your Tante Mattie."
He chuckled and the sound of it coming through the line gave her chills. "None o' dat means I haven' been t'inkin' of an' missin' mon ami plus précieux. (my most precious friend.)"
His voice grew softer, "Tell me what ya've been doin' since ya' left de airport, Rogue-chère," he requested.
"Well," she began hesitantly, but soon had told him of her entire day. He laughed along with her as she described Logan's rabid video gaming. She'd just told him about helping with dinner. "An' that's about it. Nothin' very exciting, really," she said. Rogue had no idea Remy was being stared at by his brother and cousins as his cocky grin spread upon hearing her accent thickening the longer they talked. He loved that sassy Southern drawl of hers and knew it had been fading since her move north until his arrival. That was just the way it was with southerners… the more you were around it, the more prevalent that accent became.
"What about you? Whatcha been doin' ta torment your family?"
He described being met at the airport by his crazy cousins and the rowdy ride home with them. His father had met him on the porch and he spoke of how good it felt to be back there again, but how he'd thought of her the whole time. "Ya' so full o' crap, Remy!" she laughed.
"I swear it be nothin' odder dan de trut', Rogue," he protested.
"He's right!" she heard from the background.
He yelled at the voice to shut up and then ranted at it for a few seconds in his twisted Cajun dialect so she had no idea what was said. There was a lot of noise and then a new voice, rougher but with a cadence similar to Remy's, came over the line. "I don' know what ya' done ta' our cousin, fille, but he done not'in 'cept talk 'bout ya' since he got here. Ya' tamed de man an' dat's sayin' somet'in!" There was a rustling sound and then a loud crash as the phone was knocked to the floor.
"Ya' fous imbecile, gimme dat back!" Remy's voice was more distant sounding for a moment as he ordered, "Go getcha own girl ta' annoy!" Then he was back, "I'm sorry, Rogue. Dey are jerks sometimes, but dey de best, too."
She giggled, which made him smile again and had the other men teasing him, but more quietly this time so she didn't really hear it. "It's not a big deal, sug'." They talked about nothing really for about ten more minutes before she sighed, "It's good ta' heah ya'r voice, Remy."
"I wish ya' were here wit' me, mon chérie… dis sucks."
"It's onleh for a few days," she tried to reason, although her heart wasn't in it and they both knew it.
"Dat be a few days too long, in my 'pinion."
"Yeah," she agreed softly. Storm called down the hallway to where Rogue had retreated for additional privacy. "Ah gotta go; dinnah's ready and they're all waitin' for meh."
"Alrigh' den, chere. I'll call ya' tomorrow, 'kay?"
"That sounds great, sug. But, remembah Ah'll be stayin' at tha Brothahhood house tamorrah nahght, so it'll be a lot hardah ta fahnd a quahet place ta talk."
"Merde, dat's right. How 'bout you call me when ya' go ta' bed den? I'll still be up."
"Ya' sure?" Logan now bellowed at her to get her butt to the table so he could eat.
"O' course. B'sides, it's an hour earlier here, 'member."
"Okay then, Ah'll do that. Ah gotta go before Logan comes aftah me."
"Okay, chère. G'night."
"Good nahght, Rems."
Rogue woke the next morning to the sound of… nothing. It was far too quiet in the dormitory section of the house this morning with everyone else but herself, Tabitha, Jamie, and X-23 gone. Rogue showered, fully appreciating the fact that she needn't rush or listen to pounding demands to get out of the way. Taking her time, she did her hair and make-up, got dressed, and then went downstairs. She spent the morning helping Storm and Hank prepare loads of food for tomorrow so there would be enough for everyone plus plenty to send back to the underground of Bayville. A while later Tabitha and Laura also came in to lend a hand. After a light lunch, she took the keys for the SUV the Professor had told her she could use and headed to the store armed with a thorough list, Xavier's credit card, and a light spirit.
The parking lot was packed with other last-minute shoppers so it took several minutes' circling to find an empty spot to park. When an angry little old lady made a rude hand gesture at her, Rogue turned a blind eye to it and focused on finding an available cart. If the crowds and the rude shoppers weren't bad enough, there was the absolutely awful music to put up with once inside. Rogue was surprised when a breeze ruffled her hair and she was suddenly faced with none other than Pietro Maximoff.
"Hey, Rogue. I thought you might need a hand," he greeted. To say she was surprised was an understatement, but his assistance was more than welcome. Pietro took her list from her hand, looked it over, and then let her know she could go ahead and get in one of the winding lines of customers waiting to check out. He'd be right back, he promised. Thinking how nice it was that he'd thought to meet her here, she went to do as he'd recommended.
Several shoppers gave the odd-looking girl with no groceries lingering looks, but she paid them no mind. In less than five minutes Pietro joined her with a shopping cart filled to the brim with food. "Sorry it took so long, there were a lot of people to weave around." She grinned at his teasing and he realized she was actually kind of pretty when she didn't look ready to kill anyone.
Seeing the strange look on his face she wanted to know, "What?"
Pietro gave his head one sharp shake to pull himself together before declaring, "Nothing! What?"
Rogue only shrugged and turned her attention to loading the food onto the conveyor belt that would carry it to the cashier. They finally finished at the store and Pietro had loaded all the groceries into the backseat before he told her he'd see her back at the house and sped away.
Rogue pulled into the driveway and saw no one around, although Lance's Jeep was in the driveway near the garage. Rogue pulled several bags from the seat behind hers and struggled up the porch steps trying not to trip or drop anything. She kicked at the door in hopes that someone would hear her and open it. She heard thuds, a crash, and a distressed yelp that had to have come from Toad. The next thing she knew Fred had opened the door and flung it wide. "Rogue!" his genuinely happy greeting brought the smile back to her face.
He left the door open wide and left her to find her own way in while he went to bring in most of the remaining bags. Rogue carried her bags through to the kitchen to be greeted by Toad, who was perched on top of the refrigerator. "Hey, Rogue; you want some help cooking?" She looked at the less than sanitary mutant teen and tried not to let her repulsion at the thought of him handling their food show.
"Ah appreciate it, Toad, but Ah'll be okay on my own. Ah really want ta' do this for y'all."
Toad smiled, never suspecting her true reasons. "That's cool. You know, it's pretty great really that you came like this instead of hangin' at your fancy mansion an' all."
Her smile a little more genione now, she let him know, "I wanted to be here with y'all. It's not a big deal. Besides, it's not my mansion an' ya' know that."
Toad just hopped off, yelling that he wanted the remote. Rogue immediately started loading the food into the fridge and cabinets, unable to ignore the emptiness of both areas. She hated that the guys had been left so high and dry. Magneto wasn't taking any interest, even with his own children here, and Mystique was off doing who knew what. She knew Lance had gotten a job and Wanda had been looking for work in town with no success, but it was too much for them to handle on their own. Rogue wished they'd come to the Institute, but also knew the many rules and restrictions there would just about smother most of those living here. They just had no good options.
Lance came in after Freddie deposited the rest of the bags. He'd been upstairs showering from the looks of his wet hair and fresh jeans and T-shirt. He was helping her stash everything, stopping to ask what needed done with a few items as they worked. Wanda even wandered in and quietly, but willingly, offered. "Maybe I could help with some things."
Since Wanda's arrival had come after Rogue was already gone, the two girls really didn't know one another. She saw that the pretty, brooding girl's hesitance had less to do with a bad attitude than with some weird kid of shyness. "That would be nice, thanks. Ya' do much cooking?"
Lance had just put the last of the things away and gathered up all the empty bags to put out in the recycling bin that had been used about twice in the past few months. "Good to have you back, even if it's just for a little bit," Lance mumbled as he passed her.
She grabbed his wrist to make him stop for just a moment. "It's good to be back for a bit, too." He nodded and went to monitor the other boys. "So," Rogue stated with a look around at the impressively clean kitchen, "is there something specific ya wanted ta make for everyone?"
"I," Wanda looked uncertain and then aggressive, to cover for it (a move Rogue knew all too well), "I haven't really had much chance to cook."
Rogue brought her hands together in a light clap. "Right," she said in a business-like tone, "so let's just work together on everything. Sound good?"
Relieved that the other girl she'd really only met in battle before now, but had heard a lot about, wasn't making a big deal of it she agreed. "Great, I'll be right back with a few things we'll need. Why don't you go ahead and wash, then poke several holes in each sweet potato and put them in the oven to bake while we work on other things?"
Wanda nodded, figuring she could handle that. Rogue was back in only a few minutes with a folder, an iPod, and a dock in her hands. She quickly plugged in the dock and soon had the room filling with music. Waving Wanda over, she looked around the room again before opening the folder on the counter before her. "Ah still can't believe how great everything looks in here. Ah don't remembah it being this clean."
Wanda chuckled before informing her, "It wasn't until about ten minutes before you got here. I don't know the whole story, but they were all pretty psyched about you coming and cleaned as best they could. They wanted to make a good impression I think."
Rogue laughed a little, but seeing the anger building on Wanda's face she quickly explained. "That's so nice o' them. It really is; it's just that I mean I've seen them all sitting around in pajama bottoms and boxers while eating Captain Crunch and watching UFC so it just seems a little weird to think they're now wanting to make any kind of impression at all on me."
Wanda had sat through many evenings with them doing exactly that and laughed along with this odd girl who was both their enemy and their friend. "I know what you mean!" Maybe Pietro and Lance had been right, maybe she could be friends with this Rogue she'd heard so much about.
Rogue opened the folder to reveal slips of paper and index cards. "These are some of mah favorite recipes so Ah figured they'd be great for this. Ah didn't tell the guys, but Ah was planning to cook some extra stuff, too, that y'all could maybe freeze or something. Ah know it's not always easy…" she trailed off, hoping her gesture would be seen as she intended and not as her looking down on them or anything.
Wanda only nodded, "That would be great." The two girls set to work with a vengeance and soon had filled the house with wonderful aromas, lots of noise, and the unfamiliar sound of feminine laughter. The guys turned off the television and went outside or up to their rooms. By unspoken agreement, they'd decided to enjoy this break from their routine to the fullest and that mean getting to listen to sounds that reminded some of what home used to be like before they'd been kicked out. For others the sounds represented what they'd always heard about and secretly wished for.
Lance was outside working changing the oil in his Jeep with Toad watching on. When Pietro came out with a football in his hands, it took little time to have all four young men tossing the ball around and talking like regular guys instead of spewing wrath or planning attacks. Just for a little while they were having a good time. That evening they took a break to eat the sourdough bread and wild rice soup the girls had made while working on all the other foods. They'd put together the sweet potato casserole and stashed it along with a layer salad in the fridge. The stuffing was also made and stored in the refrigerator. A huge pot of chili bubbled quietly on the back of the stove waiting to go into containers in the freezer once it was declared done where it would rest next to the rest of tonight's soup.
After their meal was done and the dishes loaded into the dishwasher, Rogue and Wanda went right back to it. The guys all offered to help, but saying they wanted to surprise them, the girls ran them out. After a few more hours work, the freezer was mostly full and things were almost as done as they could be for tonight. "Ah can finish up in here, Wanda. You look beat. Why don't you go on ta bed. Ah won't be too far behind," Rogue assured her when it looked like Pietro's twin might protest.
Stifling a yawn, Wanda admitted to being tired and bid her new friend good night. Rogue waited 'til she'd left the room and checked to be sure Pietro and Lance were fully occupied with their movie. She sat down to copy a few of the recipes for Wanda to use in future. Rogue planned to leave them in Wanda's room before leaving tomorrow as a surprise for the girl who'd caught on so quickly today and really seemed to enjoy their time cooking together. Rogue remembered what it was like being the lone girl in a house full of rowdy, uncontrolled guys. She'd have to make a point of stopping by sometimes to visit Wanda.
In less than an hour, the kitchen was spotless again and everything was good to go for the morning. Rogue stuck her head in to say her good nights to Lance and Pietro before heading upstairs to her old room. When she went in she felt the same warm rush she'd experienced earlier that day when she'd been greeted by her cleaned room where her comforter and posters were still in place. They hadn't given it to anyone else and had even tried to clean it some before her arrival; she could tell from the swipes through the dust that had built up and the rough way the bed had been remade. They were not exactly up to Martha Stewart's standards, but their efforts were awfully sweet to her.
Rogue settled on the bed and pulled out her phone. She was hesitant to call so late. It was after one o'clock in the morning here. Even with the time difference, it was too late to call Remy. She had a few texts from Kitty and Sam to which she responded. It sounded like both of them were having great visits with their families. Kurt had a hard time keeping in touch while visiting home, but she knew he'd be having a blast… he almost always did.
Finally accepting that there was no way to make it okay to call so late, she settled for sending Remy a very brief text, figuring he'd see it in the morning and realize what had happened. Not five minutes after hitting send she was almost in her nightclothes when her phone began playing Remy's song. Rogue lunged for it before it could wake anyone and immediately answered. Panting after her flying leap onto the bed, she greeted, "Remy, sugah, what are ya' doin' up still?"
His deep chuckle came through the line. "Cherie, I was waitin' ta' talk ta' ya' and visitin' wit' Henri. Did ya' really jus' finish?"
"Yeah, well, there was almost no food in the house at all so Wanda an' Ah made some extra stuff for them ta have later on. It's been fun, though. You should see tha place… the guys cleaned everythin', even mah old room. No one even fought today," she declared, still a bit surprised.
"I'm glad ya' havin' fun, mon Rogue, but don' ya' wear yaself out," he warned.
She rolled her eyes. "You know the training schedule we keep, Rems. Do you really think a little cookin's going to be tha end o' me?" she joked.
"Dat's true, but still… just make sure ya' takin' care o' yaself."
"Yeah, yeah… wait a minute," she suddenly registered what he'd said a few minutes ago. "Ah don't want ta' bother you while you're spendin' time with your brother! Why don't we just talk tomorrow?"
"B'cause I been waitin' all night ta hear your voice, dat's why. Henri don' mind. He'll jus' sit dere t'inkin' 'bout Mercy," Remy teased his brother whom she could hear protesting in the background. "I've got a s'prise for ya' when I get back, chere," he commented with false casualness.
"What kind of suprahse?" she wanted to know immediately, falling for his ploy hook, line, and sinker.
"Ya' jus' gonna have to wait an' see, but it's a good one," he promised.
"Are ya' bringin' me mah own Emil ta play with?" she joked, enjoying the fact that she'd shocked him into choking. She could hear Henri asking if he was okay.
"I will never tell 'im ya' said dat, cherie, or we'll never get 'im ta shut up 'bout it."
The both laughed, with him promising he'd clue his brother in after they hung up. Given how late it was and the fact that he could hear the fatigue in her voice, the pair kept their call short. In little time, they'd hung up and she was nestled under her covers, sound asleep. Morning came all too soon and by one o'clock Rogue and Wanda served up a delicious meal that was one of the best things the Brotherhood had seen in a very long time. Fred had tears in his eyes as they carved the juicy turkey and Toad even hopped from the table to wash his hands. It was miraculous.
Rogue was back at the Institute by six and had talked to Remy, wishing each of his cousins, his brother, and Mercy a happy Thanksgiving as they handed the phone around. Friday was quieter with Rogue, Tabby, and Laura spending some time hanging out together, something the three of them rarely did. Logan was firmly planted in front of the TV with Jamie at his side and a controller in his hand. Saturday found Rogue restless, but she kept herself busy by cleaning out her drawers and closet, reading the rest of a book she'd started weeks ago, painting her toenails, and even doing some extra work on an assignment that would be due for more than a week.
She and Remy were on the computer with each other that night, but he was unable to tell her when he'd be back. She tried not to be hurt that he'd not asked her to pick him up again. Rogue sighed before shutting it down and crawling onto her bed to not fall asleep. Hours later she surrendered the pretense and decided a cup of hot tea might help. Only, when she slipped into the hallway, she found none other than Laura quietly doing a security run.
Rogue was never able to say how it happened, but when Logan came down to find out what he heard he found Laura and Rogue sitting and quietly, just barely above whispers, chattering away to one another. They were talking fighting techniques, battle strategies, and him but it was still just about as girly as he'd seen his 'daughters'. They both turned to see him standing there studying them, and tilted their heads. Laura smirked, in perfect imitation of his typical expression, and Rogue hiked up one brow mimicking his sardonic look precisely. He shrugged one shoulder and then left them to it. He saw no reason to run them to their rooms. No training or school tomorrow, just the rest of the students returning, so why bother them?
Exchanging smiles, they went back to their discussion.
A.N. I'm not sure this turned out exactly as I'd like, but I blame the pain meds I'm taking right now… yeah, let's go with that theory, shall we? We'll be going back in the next chapter to see a glimpse of Remy's Thanksgiving before moving on. See you then!
