Hello good people! Here's chapter eight! I hope guys you find it an enjoyable experience.
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the Marvel Characters.
Chapter 8: The Showdown!
Two months had come and gone since the dark omen spilled from the lips of a dying man. Ororo has been getting steadily closer to Nathaniel driving a wedge between she and Remy. However, Remy has been drawn to Regan; much to Ororo's discomfort. Our Cajun has been struggling with his empathic powers, and hiding it from the Windrider. Will this secret be what tears them apart?
Essex along with the rest of the male Marauders sat in the control room, watching the female Marauders' mission. Each female had their own screen as well as the three separate screens to for the wide angle view of each objective. Nathaniel's eyes traveled to Ororo's screen finding her sitting quietly with her arms across her chest. Her eyes were closed as she murmured a few words to herself. He frowned wondering what was wrong with her. He shifted his gaze to Mystique flowing over to Arclight, drifting passed Vertigo, and ending with Lady Mastermind, who was piloting the jet. Yet, his eyes traveled back to Ororo. What is distressing you? He thought looking at her. You have been acting strangely for the past two weeks. What is wrong? His attention was shifted by the male Marauders.
"LeBeau what's your frail doing?" Sabertooth commented looking at her.
"Min'ing 'er bu'iness." Remy shot back getting a laugh from the others. Nathaniel even smiled at the retort.
"She is having a few words with the Goddess if you must know Mr. Creed." Ororo shot back from the screen her eyes still closed.
"Liike Remy said, min'ing 'er bu'iness. Remy gotcha covered, mon coeur. He get des bullies offa ya."
"Thank you, baby." She smiled at him her eyes still closed. Remy sighed a wolfish grin on his face.
"Anytim', chere." He turned his attention to Vertigo sitting not too far from Ororo. "Now, Vert don' go gettin' yaself shot dis time, aiight." This was Vertigo's first mission back since her injury. John and Victor shared a chuckle looking between one another.
"I got it Remy, thanks." She rolled her eyes from the screen.
"Are you boys quite through? We girls have a mission to complete."
"What's the matter Raven? You scared you won't be able to out do us guys?" John taunted her with a mischievous grin.
"Are you kiddin' me?" Phillippa jumped up glaring at the screen, "We're gonna smash you hombres! ¡destrúyale los perros!" Remy turned to John who was smiling broadly.
"Now, why ya gonna do dat fo'. Ya dun wen' an' riled up da femme, Phillippa. Ya jus lit a fire under all dey ass." John leaned over whispering to Remy.
"That's the idea, Remy. The sex is amazing after a good mission." Remy and John burst into a fit of laughter.
"I kno' wat ya mean, mon ami!"
"Let us focus people!" Nathaniel got everyone's attention. "Ladies, you know your objectives. Mystique and Vertigo will steal the files; while, Storm and Arclight will rescue the mutant inside. While Lady Mastermind will pilot the jet and deter any and all military personnel from entering the base. Is everyone clear on their roles?"
"Yes, we understand." Mystique answer for all of them. Storm still remained sitting on her chair with her eyes closed and arms across her chest.
"Good let's get this done." He said his eyes sweeping over the women once more his eyes clinging to Ororo.
"Good luc', mon coeur." Remy spoke to the serene Ororo. Her lips quirked into a smile.
"Thank you baby."
"We are nearly there, Storm you're up!" Lady Mastermind shouted from the pilot's chair. Ororo nodded her eyes opening slowly. The jet boarding dock opened slowly a loud whirring resounded around the jet. The lady Marauders followed Storm to the edge of the jet looking over dark sky. The violent air whooshed in whipping the ladies' hair wildly. They wore matching black skin tight leather suits that monitored their vitals during the mission. Stormed leaned over the edge her eyes whiting over with her elemental powers. She turned back to them smiling widely.
"Anyone care to go first?" She snickered at their nervous faces.
"Stop playing around Ro, we got work to do, muchacha!" Storm nodded her head turning back to face the night sky. She dove out of the jet her head pointing directly to the ground. She turned in the air finding the others trailing behind her. She conjured up an updraft catching them slowing their descent. They neared the ground and she flew above them guiding them to the ground gently then landing herself. She swayed falling to one knee. Phillippa was at her side. "You okay?" Storm nodded her head.
"I'm fine. Let's do this."
"Storm we need cover." Mystique said looking at her. She nodded again sweeping her hands down in front of her then pulling them yanking them up and fog rose from the ground. "Good job. Let's go."
"See you girls in minute." Vertigo waved to them as she and Mystique ran in one direction while Arclight and Storm took off in the other.
Storm and Arclight ran full force to the building keeping to the shadows. They reached one of the doors with a keypad. Storm placed her palm over the pad electrocuting the circuits, and it opened wide for them. They dipped inside creeping down the long halls.
"Storm the camera!" Arclight pointed to the device above them that was turning in their direction. She nodded shooting a lightning bolt frying it easily. They crept farther down the hall approaching a guard with his back to them. Arclight ducked around the corner while Storm floated above him. He turned walking toward the corner where the Marauder stood waiting, unsuspecting to their presence. Arclight jumped out distracting him as Storm touched his head sending a shock through his system. He fell forward against Arclight who leaned him against the wall. They nodded to one another continuing with the mission.
"Damn, boys. We mebbe outta o' job if dey keep dis up." Remy joked getting a few chuckles around the room.
"They are doing a remarkable job, thus far." Essex said from his leather chair. "Remarkable indeed." He and Remy caught eyes and he smiled evilly at the Cajun, who growled back. "The ladies certainly have better stealth than you lot." Nathaniel said with a chuckle turning back to Ororo's screen. John placed a hand on Remy's shoulder to calm him down. Remy frowned leaning back into his chair.
"Yeah, but the hard part ain't came yet." Victor spoke from the dark corner of the room.
"We shall see." Essex looked at him before he turned his eyes back to the screen smiling at Ororo's picture on the screen. He frowned noticing that her vitals were irregularly high. Something is wrong with you? It matters not, I will fix it when you return to me. He thought taking a look at Mystique and Vertigo's screen.
Vertigo and Mystique crept down the hallway approaching the data base for this military operation. Mystique entered the codes and the door opened without the slightest hitch. They walked into the room finding several guards standing around talking. Their conversations instantly brought to an end as their eyes landed on the ladies.
"Get behind me." Vertigo said looking at Mystique her eyes hardening at the men.
"Stop! Right where you are!" The leader of the guards announced pointing his gun at them. The others followed suit but Vertigo released her powers on the men with a soft hum. Their groans filled the room and soon all of them passed out their guns clamoring with the ground.
"Good job, Vertigo."
"Thank you." The ladies stepped over the unconscious men walking towards the door they were guarding.
"My turn." Mystique's formed changed to the leader guard quickly input the codes and the door opened. The two men inside quickly stood saluting Mystique.
"Sir!" They stood at attention.
"You are needed in sector 2."
"Sir, yes sir!" They quickly made their way out of the room only to attacked by Vertigo, who was waiting outside. They were knocked to the ground falling beside the rest of their comrades. Vertigo strutted into the room finding Mystique hacking into the computer file database. She paced back and forth waiting for the older Marauder to finish up.
"I'm in." Mystique announced over her shoulder her fingers gliding across the keyboard. Vertigo walked over to her leaning over her shoulder to look at the screen. "Downloading the data now!"
"Good. I'm going to take a look and see if we're still in the clear." Mystique nodded as she continued typing away at the computer. Vertigo left out of the room.
Arclight and Storm eased down the halls making their way to the laboratory in the building. They paused pasting themselves to the walls across from one another. Arclight tilted her head for her to go but Storm put up a fist for them to stop. She pulled her gold dagger from the holster on her leg preparing herself. Suddenly, Storm grabbed a man coming around the corner slamming him against the wall beside Arclight. His eyes were wide in surprise as he took in air to scream out. Storm put a finger to his temple shocking him into unconsciousness. Arclight nodded in her direction and they continued making their way around the corner to the main door of the laboratory. Storm put her hand on the control pad electrocuting the circuitry. The door opened without resistance and the ladies crept inside ducking beneath the windows. Storm peeped over the ledge seeing some scientists standing around a female strapped to a bed. She ducked down and held up five fingers and Arclight nodded her head She jumped up from her position slamming her hands together shattering the glass. Storm summoned wind to slam the scientist against the wall they were knocked out cold falling in heaps. The ladies ran to the woman strapped to the bed and immediately began freeing her. Storm pulled out her dagger sawing at the restraints when the woman grabbed her arm.
"Who are you?" she croaked her unfocused eyes glaring up at Storm.
"I'm Ororo codename Storm, we're here to take you from this place." The woman released her arm with a nod of her head. Trusting her instantly.
"I'm Psylocke." Storm smiled and continued to saw at the straps then gently pulling her into a sitting position.
"Can you stand?"
"I think so." Storm pulled her off the bed and her wobbly legs gave out causing her to fall into Ororo, who sat her back on the bed.
"Arclight, we might need your assistance." Arclight walked around to the other side of the bed scooping the woman up.
"I gotcha, Chica." Arclight said shifting the woman in her arms looking at Storm. "That means you're offense."
"Right. Let's move." As they made their way to the laboratory exit the alarm sounded followed by booted feet echoing in the hallway.
"Mierda!" Arclight cussed. Storm's eyes became white with power as she kicked open the door. She released tumults of wind blowing the men through the long passageway. Once senseless, Storm flowed through the men kicking, ducking, and punching any guard that moved. Arclight smiled proudly watching where she stood holding Psylocke. One guard managed to block one of Storm's attacks punching her in the side. She fell to the ground using the momentum to rolling into a back hand spring. Flying towards him planting a boot into his face knocking blood from his nose. He was down for the count. Taking in her handy work, she turned to Arclight and nodded. They ran towards the sounds of gunfire bursting through the double doors. They looked over the railing to find Mystique ducking and returning fire as Vertigo used her powers to disorient the guards. The room was filled with guards shooting at them and Storm looked over at Arclight with a grin on her face.
"Ro?" She screamed after Storm as she dove over the railing. She spun head first summoning a flood that swept the men up slamming them against the wall. Storm attempted to get up but fell forward on her hands and knees. The guards that managed to dodged her attack instantly began firing on her. She stood once more a cyclone formed around her protecting her from harm. Storm noticed that a man found a better angle to shoot at Mystique and Vertigo. He prepared to fire and Storm sent wind to grab the unsuspecting Vertigo pulling her within the cyclone shield. Then she sent up a wall of wind to block the bullets from Mystique and sent the same wind to swallow the man whole. He was flung into a wall. Mystique looked over at Storm and nodded a thank you and ran over to her cyclone shield. The men shot at the shield that Storm was beginning to struggle maintaining. Her eyes squinted and teeth gritted with strain as she screamed out her arms trembling. She slumped to one knee her arms still outstretched.
Remy and Nathaniel stood from their seats fear in both of their eyes. The room back silent as they watched the men attack the ladies without relent.
"STORMY!" Remy yelled leaning against the table. His hazel eyes watched desperately as she strained herself. Nathaniel eyes went over to Arclight's screen.
"Arclight! Ororo needs assistance!" He barked into her ear piece. Nathaniel noticed Arclight's head nod.
The ladies looked up when a yell erupted from overhead as Arclight holding Psylocke jumped over the ledge. Arclight tossed Psylocke in the air as she collided with the ground. A seismic tremor burst through the ground hurling the men against the wall. They slumped over. Arclight held her hands out catching the falling Psylocke. Storm dropped her shield.
"Damn, now that's an entrance." Vertigo said smiling in appreciation. "Hell you too." She said looking at Storm, who smiled.
"That's how we roll, ain't that right Storm."
"You know it." She grinned tiredly but looked at the door as more booted feet resounded in the hallway across from them.
"We can talk about grand entrances later, until then let's get out of here shall we?" Mystique spoke up leading them to the stairs. They hauled it up the stairs making their way to the roof. They arrived at the door leading to the roof finding it blocked with desks and shelves. "Arclight, an exit if you will."
"Ninguin problema, I got you!" She said handing the frail woman to Storm, who cradled the thin woman.
"You alright?" Storm asked. The woman nodded her head rolling against Storm's shoulder. They looked up as Arclight yelled, she slammed her hands together and the door exploded off of the hinges. The ladies made their way up the stairs standing on the roof. Arclight took Psylocke from Storm, whose eyes became white. She looked in the sky finding the jet coming overhead.
"Let's get the hell out of here." She said as funnel formed around them. They were slowly lifted from the ground just as the guards burst onto the roof. They fired upon them until the ladies shot up into the air following behind the jet. Storm deposited them on the open cargo ledge following behind them after she was sure they were safe. She collapsed on the floor of the jet with labored breathing. Her nose began to bleed dripping on the floor.
"Ro?" Phillippa exclaimed handing Psylocke to Mystique, who carried her to the infirmary area of the jet. Vertigo watched with a worried expression on her face.
"I'm alright."
"Stormy?" She heard Remy call out to her.
"I'm fine, baby. Just a little tired." She was pulled to her feet by Phillippa, who did not look convinced. "Phil, I'm okay." she said patting her shoulder. "I'm going to check on Psylocke." She said leaving the cargo area. Vertigo and Arclight exchanged looks before they took their seats in the cockpit.
Ororo winced leaning against a wall but shook it off trudging to the infirmary on the jet. She found Mystique administering first aid to Psylocke, who laid underneath a blanket. Mystique handed Ororo a paper towel.
"Thank you." Raven nodded returning to her work. Ororo wiped her nose throwing the paper in the waste basket. Psylocke's purple eyes found Ororo's blues as she took a seat beside the bed holding her hand.
"How are you, Psylocke?"
"No, worse for wear." She paused smiling weakly up at Ororo, "my friends call my Betsy. Now so can you." They shared a smile. "Are you alright? That was some display of power in there."
"Yeah, I'm fine. A little tired but all systems are a go."
"Excellent." She said looking away. "I've seen you before . . . in a vision."
"Yeah? I hope it was a good one." Her memory drifting to the dying mutant with the foreboding vision.
"It was . . . we looked to be close friends in it." Ororo smiled broadly.
"That's good to hear."
"I am going to give her a mild sedative. She's need to rest." Mystique said injecting the I.V. with a syringe. Ororo nodded her head turning back to Betsy.
"I'll be right here when you wake up, Betsy."
"I know, love." she smiled a loopy grin on her face as she drifted to sleep.
Ororo and the other Marauder ladies entered the control room after returning from the mission. The room was empty for the most part. Nathaniel stood next to the monitor looking over something. Lady Mastermind walked up to him and began talking with him. He looked up locking eyes with Ororo he wore an intense facial expression. She blushed turning her eyes to Remy, who was sitting talking with John. He looked up running up to Ororo pulling her into his arms kissing her temple. She smiled up at him nuzzling his cheek.
"Ya aiight, mon coeur? Ya gave Remy a fright."
"Yes, baby. I'm fine. Don't worry." he smiled down at her dragging her back into his arms. He kissed her lips gently running his fingers through her long white tresses.
"Ya ready tah go, chere?" She nodded leaning her head against his chest. He began leading her out of the room when Nathaniel called out,
"Ororo, I need to have a word with you in my office in a moment." she nodded looking up at Remy. He rolled his eyes glaring over at Nathaniel who resumed his conversation with Lady Mastermind.
"Go on, I'll catch up to you, baby."
"Whatevah ya say chere." He snarled at her and stormed out of the room. She rubbed her neck as she watched the tail end of his leather duster disappear from the room. The room became silent as everyone's eyes pinpointed her and she shifted uncomfortably under their inquiring gaze. She sighed and shook her head. Phillippa scuffed at Remy's behavior a growl rumbling in her throat. John walked up to Ororo.
"Ro?" She smiled up at him tiredly her eyes droopy. He pulled her into his arms resting his chin on top of her head. He kissed her forehead. "He doesn't mean anything by it. He just want to take you home so he can take care of you."
"I know you mean well John but the excuses are getting old. I'm just . . . nothing. I'm fine. You and Phillippa go ahead. I'll catch up."
"Ro?" Phillippa asked her face held worry. She kissed the older woman's cheek and pointed to the door.
"Go." She giggled walking away from them taking a seat in an empty chair. They continued watching her where they stood. She began to rub her temples. "Leave, please." Ororo asked as she rubbed the tension from her throbbing head. They nodded sadly filing out of the room. She laid her head on the table the cool metal refreshing to her throbbing temples. Her hand snaked around her neck pulling at the tension in the base. She felt a shadow loom over her and she looked up into the midnight eyes of Nathaniel. He looked at her sadly worry etched in his handsome face. "Don't do that Nathan." She warned standing up from her seat.
"What?"
"You know what I'm talking about," she began with a chuckle, "get out of my head." He smiled back and offered his hand to her, which she took.
"You know, He began wrapping her hand around his right arm biceps, "there was a time when I didn't have to read your mind to find out what was bothering you." He said leading her from the room. They walked in silence down the hall approaching the elevator.
"Well. There's nothing to read." He watched her out of the corner of his eye as he pressed the button for one of the elevator doors to open. She leaned against his arm tiredly. She looked sick and that bothered him. The door opened for them to step on and Ororo leaned her head against the wall. He pressed the button for the 5th floor. He grabbed her hand pulling it into he's checking her pulse.
"What are you doing?" she smiled up at him.
"Your heart has yet to regulate. We might need to take a trip to the medical facility after our meeting."
"Nathaniel . . ."
"Ororo you are not well." The doors opened and he held her hand leading her through the darkness of the quiet floor to his office. She clung to him laying her head against his powerful arm inhaling his scent. He opened the door to his large office holding the door for her to enter. He grabbed her shoulders placing her in one of the chairs opposite his desk. Nathaniel leaned against it looking down at her his arms across his chest. "What are you not telling me?" he said glaring at her. She shrugged turning away from him. "Ororo?" he warned his eyes hardening.
"There's nothing to tell Nathaniel. I ate some bad sushi and I haven't been up to par since. I'm fine Nathan! I am fine. Please."
"You have not strained to control the wind in months . . . it's more than that and you know it."
"Is this what you dragged me up here for, Nathan?" she glared back at him her blue eyes flashing. He sighed shaking his head.
"No, I have brought you here for equally pressing matters." He locked eyes with her. "Ororo . . . have you noticed Remy acting irrational?"
"He's Remy, Nate." He chuckled rolling his eyes away. She slid down in the chair leaning her head against the back of it. "Alright, what do you mean exactly?"
"Well, emotionally out of control. Moments of intense joy followed by inexplicable rage or depression?" Ororo's heart dropped her head raised.
"No." she lied. Looking away from Nathaniel, who clenched his teeth.
"Ororo this is important. I fear that Remy's empathic powers are swinging out of control. If that is the case then he is very dangerous."
"I said no!"
"Ororo, I'm serious~"
"Are we through?"
"No, I need to show you something." He reached for the remote on his desk pointing it at the screen hinged to the wall. Ororo turned to the screen watching the scene before her eyes. She saw Remy with a group of men surrounding him on the ground unconscious, laughing hysterically, or trembling in fear. Remy was walking upon a man balled up on the floor his eyes black with bright red irises a sinister grin on his face. The man screamed and begged for his life. Ororo gasped holding her mouth. She heard Victor and John calling out to him. She saw John running up to him and hitting him in the head with the butt of his gun. He dropped to the ground in a heap.
"Oh my Goddess. What happened to those men?"
"Remy lost control of his empathic powers and it overtook him and unleashed upon them their greatest fears, joys or pain. The power of the emotional attack was enough to send some of them to the psychiatric ward. That was two weeks ago."
"That's impossible. Of course he's very passionate but Remy is gentle." Nathaniel raised his brow at her.
"Gentle?"
"Yes! Remy's gentle."
"Ororo I am concerned for your safety." she shook her head. "You need to be careful around him."
"Remy would never hurt me!"
"Not intentionally!" he yelled back at her. They were in a heated stare down.
"Remy has never and would not ever hurt me." she growled grabbing the arms of her chair jerking forward in her seat. Nathaniel was the first to look away sighing wearily. Okay I need to try another approach. He released a deep breath his head dropping looking to meet her eyes.
"Ro," he began softly using her pet name his eyes closed. It instantly calmed her seeing him this way. "I just want to keep you safe."
"I know you do Nate . . . but that's not your job." His irritation rose once more but kept himself calm.
"As long as you are a part of my organization and my friend it is my job. There is no one on this earth that will stop me from performing that duty. Are we clear?" Ororo could not stop the small smile that breached her face.
"Yes, Nathan. We are clear."
"What is happening us? You're pulling away from me. Have I done something wrong?" She reached out a hand placing it on his thigh shaking her head.
"No, Nathan you have done nothing wrong. In fact, you have been an absolute Prince throughout all of this. The Bright Lady could not have sent me a better male best friend." He smiled down at her taking her small hand in his large one.
"Then let me help you."
"No, this is something I have to handle on my own." She stood up leaning her forehead against he's her eyes closed. "Nathaniel you have been a blessing to me, but you can not help me with my problem. Just know that you are not the problem . . ." She kissed his forehead. "I am." she turned to leave but he grabbed her arm pulling her back.
"I'm here for you morning, noon, or night. I don't care what it is I'm doing if you need me I'm coming." She nodded a small grin on her face her eyes droopy.
"Thank you." She walked out of the door leaving Nathaniel to his thoughts.
Remy sat at the Red Ram a.u. Inc bar on the second floor of the building. He sipped on his drink, Rum and Coke, the emotions of the people assaulting his shields. He raked his hand through his hair roughly leaning over his drink. His pulse was rapid the blood pumping loudly in his ears as he was thrust from emotion to emotion. Wat de hell is wrong wit meh? Go'damn wat de hell wrong wit des people all des hidden feelin's. Good Lawd wat de world is goin' on? He felt his emotional tendrils slipping from his slumped form. His breaths came out in harsh puffs. He felt his eyes burning a growl tumbling out of his throat. He swallowed his drink slapping the table for another one. The bartender placed his drink in front of him.
"Remy? Are you okay?" Remy smiled at him tucking a brown lock behind his ear nodding his head.
"Yeah, Sam. Jus keep dem drinks cum'ing aiight."
"Sure thing, Remy." The bartender said with a worried expression on his face but walked to the other end of the bar returning to his conversation with a couple. Remy clawed at his head and clenched at his heart. Des people and dey damn feelin's. Why can't I shield myself no mo'! I need ya Ro, where ya at? I knows where ya at! Wit dat damn Sinister! Son o' bitch! I'm slippin' I gotta get outta here! He knocked back half of his drink and turned to rise off of his stool bumping right into Regan.
"Remy have a seat, we need to talk."
"Naw, I can't petite I gotta lea'e." Remy sit I can help you. He looked at her and nodded his head. She closed her eyes entering his mind raising his shield back up strengthening them with her telepathic powers. He instantly felt better and more in control of his powers. She opened her eyes looking at him with a worried expression on her face.
"Is that better?" Her blue eyes searching his hazel almost green ones. He nodded his head his breathing still ragged.
"Yeah, thank ya petite."
"What's wrong, Remy?" Remy looked away from her turning toward the bar. "Others might not have noticed but you been losing control of your empathic powers for the past month or so, maybe longer but I have. What's going on with you?" He sniffed sipping the rest of his drink. "Remy, I thought we were friends?"
"We are petite."
"Then why won't you talk to me?" Remy shrugged turning to look at her.
"It's not dat I don't want tah tell ya, I can't. I guess I'm a lil' stressed out lately and tired."
"There's more to it than that but I guess you will tell me in your own timing." She motioned for the bartender. "Good evening, Sam."
"What can I get for you Miss Regan?" Sam said as he placed another drink in front of Remy.
"The usual."
"Absolute on the rocks coming up doll." Remy chuckled shaking his head.
"What?"
"Nuthin' jus tickled at ya is all." He said sipping his fresh drink.
"Why is that?"
"Ya hav' a usual drink dat's a man's drink." He chuckled again. "Are ya even 18 yet?"
"As a matter of I am, but due to my mutation I some times I have to drown out the conversations, the voices. My powers developed when I was very young. Before I knew how to completely shield myself Nathaniel would give me vodka to cope." Remy looked strange. "Just enough to make me go to sleep." She defended him. "Most young telepaths go insane with the voices. Nathaniel recognized what it was I was going through and trained me."
"Dat's real nice o' 'im." Remy said bitterly sipping from his glass. Regan shrugged thanking Sam for her drink sipping as well.
"Well, how are things with you and Ororo?" He looked at her rolling his eyes away.
"Peachy." He knocked back the rest of drink. Sam placed another one in front of him. "Dis de las' one Sammy. Dis Cajun gotta go home."
"Alright, Remy." The Cajun nodded his head sipping from his glass.
"You don't sound convincing." Regan sipped from her glass. "One thing you have to remember when dealing with women . . . we're always right. If you can figure that out then the battle is halfway over." Remy looked at this teenager with wide opened eyes, well as much as they could be past his buzz.
"Well, look at ya, Miss Regan. I do belie'e ya dun' been here befo'. Ya wise, petite."
"I have to be, I have lived with Nathaniel since I was 6 years old." She giggled bitterly knocking back the rest of her drink. Remy found a new respect for this young woman. He nodded his head at her. He stood from his stool placing his money on the bar.
"Well I gotta go. Thank ya fo' ya help and fo' da conversation. Remy reall' needed it. See ya later petite." He kissed her blonde head and stumbled from the bar. She watched him with a renewed fascination.
Ororo sat on the edge of her bed holding her head, after leaving John and Phillippa's apartment. She waited on Remy to show for thirty minutes, but after feeling violently ill she politely excused herself and returned to her apartment. Now here she was hunched over on her bed trying to catch up to the spinning room. She closed her eyes to gather her wits but it exacerbated the nausea she felt. Ororo groaned laying on her side curling into a ball. The room began spinning more violently and she fled to her bathroom emptying the contents of her stomach in the toilet. She leaned against the wall using her booted foot to flush it away. When another wave struck her and she vomited what was left in her angry stomach. She dry heaved a little while longer retching and spitting.
"Ya don' look so good, Stormy." She glared at him flushing the commode once again. She slumped against the wall holding her head. "Ya need Remy tah do sumt'ing fo' ya?"
"Where the hell were you? I waited at Phillippa's for thirty minutes?"
"Talkin' tah a friend." She rolled her eyes standing to her feet. He stepped to help her but she pushed him away. She looked into his eyes and saw that they were hazy and near closed.
"You've been drinking." He shrugged rolling his eyes away. "Whatever." she said offhanded. She turned the water on and grabbed her toothbrush placing toothpaste on it to brush her teeth.
"Wat de hell wrong wit ya?" He threw his arms in the air. "Wat Remy can't ha'e no, drink no mo'?" She was silent as she brushed her teeth. Spitting into the sink she ran the toothbrush along her teeth again. "Ya hear wat I say tah ya gurl?" She glared at him as he slumped against the door frame. She rinsed her mouth spitting into the sink once again depositing her toothbrush in the holder. Ororo walked passed Remy entering her bedroom. He followed her. "Wat so ya ain' gone talk tah meh?" He grabbed her arm turning her to face him. "I'm talkin tah ya." She looked at the hand on her arm then back up at him.
"LeBeau." she warned and he quickly released her arm. "You drag yourself in here drunk as a skunk, and attempt to make yourself a victim?" she glowered at him. She put her hand on her hip. "You know what you take your ass to your apartment tonight. I don't want to see you right now." She rolled her eyes walking out of the room. He followed her.
"So 'cause Remy wen' drinkin' he get da cold shoulder?"
"Because Remy was being a selfish jerk he's getting the cold shoulder." she hissed over her shoulder as he continued following her.
"Ro ya ain't bein' fair, mon chere." She whirled around on him and he bumped into her stumbling backward.
"I'm not being fair? How so?"
"Ya woulda had meh waitin' while ya talk tah dat baiseur but 'cause ya had tah wait on Remy, I be de bad guy?" He slurred his words swaying slightly looking down at her. Ororo shook her head.
"Alright . . . I'm the selfish one because my boss told me he needed to have a word with me? Is that what you're saying?" Remy winced. "Are you saying that I should have openly told my boss that I'm going to my friend's place, let me catch up to you in the morning?" Remy stammered but she cut him off. "Remy get the hell out of my apartment." She rolled her eyes walking to her room and slamming the door.
"Merde!" Remy cursed raking a hand through his hair. He turned to follow her but thought better of it. He marched out of the apartment slamming the door behind him. He walked down the hall angrily just as Nathaniel stepped off of the elevator. He rolled midnight blue his eyes at the Cajun about to walk past him.
"Dis all ya fault!" Nathaniel stopped frowning at him as he narrowed his eyes at him.
"Excuse me?" He asked truly puzzled by the statement.
"Dis here is all yer fault!"
"What are you on about, LeBeau?"
"Ya evil ass tryin' tah take my Stormy away but I'm on tah ya. Ya won't evah get 'er! Ya hear meh?" Remy's shoulders heaved. Nathaniel noticed that his pupils were dilated.
"You are drunk. Therefore, I will try and forget this immature outburst. Goodnight Mr. LeBeau." He said wearily stepping around Remy but the Cajun grabbed the doctor by his shirt pulling him threatening close to him. Nathaniel stood three inches taller than Remy glaring down into his eyes.
"Naw, ya gonna stay riight dere, I ain't finish talkin' tah ya."
"Get your filthy hands off of me this instant!" He growled. Remy smiled up at him tightening his grip on the Doctor. "I will not say it again."
"Wat? My hands good 'nough fo' Ro but dey ain't good 'nough fo' ya? Ya wanna mon coeur, riight?" his words slurring together.
"You aren't good enough for her you loathsome Cajun gutter trash!"
"Dem be fightin' words, mon ami."
"Bring it on mate!" As soon as the words were spoken Remy punched Nathaniel in the face. The Doctor staggered back holding his jaw. He looked up to see Remy throwing a wild left hook. He blocked his attack punching him in the stomach knocking the wind from him then grabbed him by his collar raising him into the air slamming him into the ground. Remy swiped his legs from under him knocking Nathaniel to the ground. He climbed on top of him swinging wildly at the Doctor, who head butted Remy knocking him away. The Cajun groaned rolling away from Nathaniel's foot coming down on him. Remy got to his feet about to punch him when thunder erupted in the hall and the men were separated by fierce winds. Both of them pinned to adjacent walls. They brought their eyes to Ororo floating above the floor her long hair whipped wildly around her.
"ENOUGH!" she growled glaring at the both of them. "This has become old and enough is enough!" Her hands trembled in front of her as released her powers upon them. Soon her entire body trembled as she fought to continue her assault. "I don't understand this . . . ugh . . . this is so meaningless. Just sheer stupidity!" She yelled at them.
"Ororo." Nathaniel began.
"SILENCE!" She yelled at him. "I do not want to hear it!"
"Chere!"
"I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR IT!" Her trembling became more violent as her eyes drooped. "I GROW TIRED OF THIS!" her left eye closed as she continued whipping them with harsh winds. "I WILL NOT . . . I . . . WIL~" She fainted falling backwards to the hard ground below.
Bright sapphires opened to a dimly lit room. She groaned holding her head her eyes scanning the room. Ororo found Remy sitting on the end of the bed with his back to her and Nathaniel leaning against the wall looking out of the window. His midnight blue eyes traveled to her worry evident in them. She turned her gaze away from him falling on Remy's hazel almost green gaze. He turned away from the harsh glare he received.
"Ya aiight?" He asked over his shoulder.
"You fainted in the hallway." Nathaniel spoke up from his corner of the room. Ororo rose from the bed standing so that she could see both of them. Her arms crossed against her chest as she glared at the two of them.
"So this is what it has come to," she began locking eyes with each of them in turn. "listen, to me and listen to me well, because this is the last time we will have this discussion. Whatever this is going on between the two of you it has got to stop."
"Ororo." She silenced Nathaniel with a hand and his mouth hung open.
"I will be doing the talking. You just listen." Her African accent undeniably thick. Remy cringed knowing she was furious.
"Chere, if ya jus . . ."
"Okay, I could have sworn that I just told you two, that you will not be speaking." Remy dropped his head. "I can not conceive why my best friend," she said pointing a hand at Nathaniel, "and my boyfriend," she pointed her hand at Remy, "can not get along? You both claim to care so much for me but this is how you show me?" They dropped their heads in shame looking everywhere but at her. "No. You will look at me when I speak to you. You had no problem displaying that macho bull-crap outside of my home; therefore, you will listen to me as men!" Her shoulders heaved as they brought their eyes to her angry glare. "You!" She said pointing at Nathaniel, who took a step back."I don't need you to protect me! I am not some damsel in distress! I have been taking care of myself since I was 5 years old on the streets of Cairo. I have journeyed across the Serengeti before I was 12, and I survived! I am not some weak trollop that requires your constant protection!" Nathaniel shrank away from her leaning against the wall his eyes wide. She rolled her gaze to Remy, who swallowed hard. "And you! My father died 17 years ago! You will not control me! You will not tell me who I can and can not talk to, hang with, be around! The nerve of you! I do not dictate to you who to spend your time with and in turn you will do the same!"
"Chere!"
"Remy you say one more word I will toss you about this entire apartment! It will be quite a whirl, don't play with me!" His mouth clamped shut as Nathaniel stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I grow tired of this spat! The little evil shit you do to one another . . . that you don't think I know about! Nathaniel, you sending Remy on these ridiculously insane missions in the name of protecting me!" She spat bitterly. "And Remy usurping Nathaniel's authority at every turn! Disrespecting him in front of the other Marauders, the only reason he has yet to dismiss you is because of me! Yet, you two care so deeply for me. THIS WILL STOP!" she shrilled. The bracelet flashed dangerously. She took a deep breath to settle her anger. "Am I understood?" she said more calmly, "Don't speak just nod your head," she nodded her head for them, "or shake it." she shook her head for them. They both nodded in an affirmative understanding. "Good!" she said with a smile and a clap of her hands. "If we should have to have this conversation again I will strike you both with lightning." Both men's eyes bucked and they visibly twitched. "And, if you believe that this discussion will be needed again in the future, my suggestion to you is wear your rubber boots." They both gulped. "Now, get out!" They sat/stood there looking at her. "It wasn't a request, get the hell out!" She turned away from them.
"Stormy . . ." Thunder rumbled in the room and the wind picked up the objects in the room a low growl rolling out of her chest. She turned on them her eyes milky white with her elemental powers.
"GET OUT!" She exclaimed walking to her bathroom slamming the door behind her. Both men looked at the door sharing a look between each other leaving the apartment. Remy opened the door walking out, but stopped turning around to face Nathaniel. They glared at one another challenging the other for Ororo's affection.
"Ya stay de hell away from Stormy, and dere won't be no problems."
"I wouldn't dream of staying away from her."
"Den we gotta problem."
"It looks that way. I will never stay away from her, and before it's over I will make her mine."
"Not as long as I got anythang tah say 'bout it."
"It matters not what you say."
"Ya betta wear ya rubber boots."
"I wouldn't dare do this her presence, again." Remy grinned looking up at him.
"Good, den! We got da same mind set." Nathaniel's eyes narrowed to slits.
"I sincerely doubt that."
"Dis ain' ovah, mon ami." He growled at him.
"Not by a long shot!" Nathaniel hissed back.
Well that is chapter 8 folks! I hope you enjoyed it! See you guys next week. Adios!
~Auktober
