True Lies
Chapter 11:
By: Michelle2
Well, it has been 10 years. Time to get this story out of my head.
Note: This fanfic takes place 1 ½ years after X-men 2. While I enjoyed the various films since X-men 2, I always envisioned my trilogy as the sequel to this movie, so I don't want to change that. The imagination is awesome, and some of my ideas were sparked by the various movies, comics, and cartoons.
True Lies is the third part of my trilogy. Part 1: The Truth Hurts. Part 2: Sweet Little Lies.
As always: I don't own the characters or make money off my fanfics. I enjoy having fun.
XMENXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XMENXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Saturday morning…
Wanda stared at her sleeping form in the bed. She looked so peaceful. Vision was right. She needed a good night sleep.
The knocking at the door caused her to turn slightly in her sleep. She couldn't wake yet.
"Wanda, it's me, Clint."
She heard his voice through the door. Tony Stark had all the money in the world, but didn't invest in thick enough walls.
"Wanda."
She smiled and left the side of the bed. When she opened the door to greet him, he seemed surprised.
"I wasn't expecting you to answer," Clint said, but smiled when he looked her over. She wore a thin, red nightgown that left little to his imagination and left him stumbling in his speech. "I uh wanted toooooooo know if uh you want to get coffee or something."
Wanda smiled. "Of course, let me change first."
She turned, opening the door for him to follow her in. She slipped off her nightgown.
"I'm glad you are feeling better."
"I am having the best sleep," she said. She looked at her sleeping form in the bed. She could be anywhere…everywhere…wherever she wanted to be. She could even be two places at once.
Wanda stepped in the closet. Red. Everything there was red. She picked out a red, Alfani dress with lacy mesh overlay and crocheted floral trim.
"That's good to hear."
Wanda stepped out the closet, completely dressed. Her signature red high-hell boots helped sashay her hips as she stepped towards him. "Do I look too overdressed for coffee to you?"
Clint's eyes widened at her, and his mouth dropped. "Uh no…you look…Wow."
"Close your mouth, Clint," Wanda teased. "Show me a good time."
Clint didn't argue and walked with her to the door.
Before she locked the door, Wanda glanced in the room, seeing her sleeping form in the bed. "Have a good night rest, Wanda."
X****************XMEN********************X
Remy stretched out in bed, waking Rogue who fell asleep next to him. His arm was numb from having it wrapped around her.
Her green eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at him. "Morning."
"Bonjour, mon amour," Remy greeted. He shook his arm out, trying to get back the feeling in it.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Remy gazed at her. Rogue looked tired, but the love in her emerald eyes were enough to keep her awake and attentive to him. She loved him; he was sure of it, but he didn't feel worthy of her.
"Nottin'," he replied. "I just still a little tired, dat's all. Dis bed ain't dat comfortable." It's way too small for us, Chere. He smirked.
She giggled. She knew what he was thinking. She didn't even have to absorb the thought from him. 'I'll go check with Hank to see if you can be discharged from this place."
"D'accord."
She slid off the bed and tucked her hair behind her ears as she walked out the room.
Remy rubbed his eyes. He hated being in the med-lab, but he hated being a failure even more. He put her through a lot over the past few days, and while he apologized to her, it wasn't going to fix all that he done wrong. Ororo was right; he needed to be honest with her.
Rogue walked back in the room with ruffled Hank on her heels. Hank's blue fur stuck up every which way, suggesting that he too slept in the med-lab.
"How is our patient doing this morning?" Hank asked, checking Remy's vitals.
"I wish ya wouldn't call me dat," Remy replied. "Ya sound like a mad scientist."
Rogue stood next to the bed, holding Remy's hand.
Hank lowered his glasses to the tip of his nose to read the machines. "I suppose I do. You've shown enough improvement to discharge you, but I am concerned about your heart rate." He turned to Remy only to smirk. "Though calculating Rogue's influence on you, I'm not really surprised."
Remy's face flushed, as did Rogue's. Neither were subtle about their relationship.
Hank chuckled. "I'll prep the discharge papers for Xavier's records. You two behave in here."
X****************XMEN********************X
Sabretooth could smell him the moment he exited the elevator. All his visitors had a distinct smell that he never forgot. This one smelled like textbooks and papers and ink; this one read and wrote a lot throughout his life. "To what do I owe the pleasure for your visit, Charles Xavier?"
Xavier didn't answer. He just stared at him from his wheelchair. He couldn't read his mind; he took care of that.
Sabretooth chuckled and tapped the side of his head. "What's the matter? Problems connecting."
"Your mind is not one I want to connect to," Xavier said, his face placid.
Sabretooth slowly approached the bars of the cell. "I have good friends that help against people like you. I get what I need to survive."
"I see."
"What do you want, Charles Xavier?" Sabretooth paced around the bars like a tiger in a cage. He eyed the man up. In his mind, he had already sliced him to pieces.
"We need your cooperation. We need to talk to you."
"I told you. I will only talk to Gambit," Sabretooth sneered. "But I can understand if he is indisposed at the moment."
Xavier folded his hands. It was all he needed to do to confirm his senses haven't failed him.
"You think I don't know that Gambit ain't nearby. He smells like beer and spice…oh and he's with his little miss nice, too…
"I've had a lot of visitors lately…Wolvernine…Nightcrawler…Gambit…Rogue…You…You all have a signature scent…bet you taste like you smell…
"All your X-men aren't as innocent as they claim…and you all fear me."
X****************XMEN********************X
"Merci, mon ami," Remy said as Hank unhooked the I.V. He was ready to run out the med-lab—as far as his could to get away.
"I'm sure Ororo talked to you about taking it easy," Hank said.
Rogue handed Remy his Star Trek t-shirt that match his pajama pants. He watched her stared as he changed out of the paper thin gown and into the shirt. "Yeah, no missions. Two weeks."
"And taking it easy during workouts," Hank added. "You also need to…blah…blah…blah"
Remy didn't hear much of the last part. He was too focused on her. She looks beautiful this morning. How did dis t'ief get ta be such a lucky man?
"Using the patch and gum will help with the cravings and reduce the effects of nicotine withdrawals…"
Her eyes. Her lips. Her…
"For the patch, I am going to start you off on the 21mg dosages, considering how much…"
Hank stood in front of him, and Remy found himself wishing his red eyes could see through his blue furry friend.
Will you move, Hank?
"Remy, do you think you can follow these instructions?"
"Follow what?"
Hank rolled his eyes. It was the universal sign that said Damnit Remy. "These instructions to help you quit smoking?"
Remy snapped from his daydreams. "QUO?"
"Smoking, it is no longer tolerated on school grounds."
"NON, NON, NON," Remy jumped out of the bed. "YA CAN'T BE SERIOUS."
"I already had Logan remove all the cigarettes you've stashed around the mansion." Hank's placid expression said everything else it needed to, but the good doctor pushed further. "Consider this an intervention."
Remy cursed in French as he stormed out the med-lab. Rogue followed him, knowing better to keep her distance when he was in a mood.
X****************XMEN********************X
Ororo hung her head over the toilet. She hated feeling sick to her stomach and paying homage to the porcelain throne, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"Are you alright, Liebling?" Kurt asked. The scent of his beers last night with Logan made her stomach turn again. He held her hair back until she was done.
"I'm fine," Ororo lied as she stood up. "I think something I ate last night didn't agree with me."
"It was leftover night," Kurt shrugged.
Ororo began brushing her teeth to get the funk out of her mouth.
"How'd you get zhe girls up here?" Kurt asked.
Ororo spit in the sink. "While you and Logan were on the roof, Jubilee helped me bring the girls to bed. They fell asleep when watching Frozen."
"Zorry, you were asleep vhen I got here."
"I was tired."
"How did your talk vith the Professor and Remy go?"
"I guess fine," Ororo rinsed her mouth out. "Hank had Remy spend the night in the med-lab. He should be out sometime after he walks up. Professor Xavier is going to talk to Remy again after lunch, in case my lecture didn't sink in. I will join him."
"Hmm…"
Ororo knew what Kurt was thinking. Knocking Remy upside the head was the best way to get his attention.
"VATI!"
Ororo and Kurt turned to the sound of Talia's voice. She was awake, and with that yell, they knew Clarice was up too.
Kurt smiled, took her hand, and walked to Talia's bedroom. Ororo still felt ill, but she put on her best smile as they greeted the two little ones.
"Vati, it's morning!" Talia exclaimed. The blue little one stood by the window, messing up the blinds as her spaded-tail helped her peek through.
Clarice sat in the bed. She was not a morning person, and Ororo figured it had to do with Sabretooth's routine more than anything. Her disheveled pink hair fell in her lavender face, hiding her green eyes.
"I vant pancakes, bacon, eggs, and sausage," Talia said as she ran to her father.
Ororo felt the sour spit in her mouth. None of those foods seemed appealing at the moment.
"You zound very hungry," Kurt teased. "Are you sure zis tiny belly can fit all zat?"
"Ja. Ja." Talia giggled as Kurt tickled her. Her squeals caused Clarice to cover her ears.
Ororo sat on the edge of the bed, trying to regain her composure. "And what about you, Clarice? Are you hungry too?" She parted Clarice's wild hair to see her eyes.
Clarice nodded. "Yes," she said. Her voice was soft-spoken compared to Talia's. "Ms. Ro."
"Yes."
"Can I see Mr. Creed again?"
"I…" Ororo looked over to Kurt, whom stopped tickling Talia when he heard the question. "I'm not sure. Kurt?"
Kurt wasn't sure what to say either. He shrugged at first and then offered. "Umm…Ve vill have to ask zhe Professor."
X****************XMEN********************X
Rogue followed him, but she kept her distance. Remy's curses were just a whisper, yet he projected his frustration with every step. Some of the students paused when he walked by. He had the attention to everyone in his proximity. Remy wasn't a person who liked being told No. Telling him he couldn't have a cigarette would make him desire one even more.
When he got to his room—their room—he opened the door, forgetting the damages she had inflicted on it during their fight two days before. He fought with the door, getting it to stand up right before continuing.
She stepped in, seeing him frantically searching for a pack, only to come up empty handed with each nook and cranny he explored. She placed the Nicorette patches and gum on the dresser, staying away from him as he threw his little tantrum.
"Il a trouvé toutes mes cigarettes," Remy fussed. He turned and stared at her; it was the first time he realized how foolish he was acting. "Je suis désolé."
She walked cautiously over to him. The lingering scent of cigarettes filled the room. She would have to wash everything, or the smell would drive him crazy and make it harder for him to quit.
Remy sat on the edge of the bed. "I need a cigarette, ma chérie."
Rogue sat next to him. "Need or want?"
"Both." Remy's leg shook, making the bed bounce.
She placed her gloved hand on his knee, causing him to stop shaking. "It's going ta be alright, Sugah."
Remy closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "I know ya don't like when I smoke."
"No, I don't," Rogue replied.
"Den why ya put up wit me if ya don't like it?"
"Cuz I love ya," Rogue's response caused him to turn. His ruby eyes read her green ones.
"I'll try ta quit fa ya," Remy replied.
"That's all I asked for you to do," Rogue leaned her head on his shoulder. She could smell the cigarettes in his hair. "Why don't you take a shower? You might feel better, especially after spending the night in the med-lab."
"I could do dat," Remy sighed. She knew his body was aching and his head hurt, but it didn't stop him from tracing her thigh with his fingers. "Or ya could give me a sponge bath."
She giggled at his request. "As tempting as that may sound, I have some things I need to take care of."
"Ya sure I can't persuade ya?" he asked, rising to his feet. He pulled off his shirt and pants.
Rogue blushed. He knew damn well she couldn't touch him, but he knew how to get her aroused. "Positive."
"D'accord," he said as he disappeared into the bathroom.
X****************XMEN********************X
Wanda smiled, leaned on the table with one elbow, and held her coffee with her other hand. "It is a beautiful day, don't you think, Clint?"
"It is," Clint replied, taking a sip of coffee and then placing it on the table. "I was surprised you wanted to sit outside."
"Why not?" Wanda took a sip of her coffee. She gazed at him with her blue eyes.
"Paparazzi," Clint reminded her about the perks of being an Avenger.
"Nothing can bother me today," she said, placing her cup down.
Clint took another sip of his coffee. He stared at her, as if he was trying to figure out what she was up to.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Clint shrugged. "I'm a little surprised by you, that's all."
"Surprised?" Wanda said. She sat straight, jutting her chest out. "How so?"
"Well…when you didn't pick up Talia yesterday, I just thought you were out of it," Clint admitted. "I know Agatha's sudden death has been hard on you."
"It has," Wanda replied. She glanced toward the Avengers' Tower. She could see the A in the distance. "I just needed the rest. Kurt understood when I called him. I talked to him about taking Talia on Thursday night to have a long weekend. Her preschool is out next Friday for some nine-weeks teacher day or something like that."
"Really!"
"Yes," Wanda turned to him. Clint always liked Talia, and he enjoyed spoiling her when she visited. Herr Clint bought me ice cream, Mutti. Herr Clint took me to the park, Mutti. Mutti, can you marry Herr Clint like Vati married Ms. Ro? It was clear Talia liked him, too.
"Well as long as the world doesn't lose grips with reality, I should be off," Clint said. "Why don't we make some plans to go to the zoo and have a family day."
"Family day," Wanda smiled. "I'd like that."
X****************XMEN********************X
Remy walked out the bathroom with a towel around his waist. He did feel better after a good shower, but the craving was there. I can live without a cigarette. I can live without a cigarette. The more he tried to reason with himself, the more he wanted to give in.
He looked around the room, seeing that Rogue was nowhere to be found. She had stripped the bed of its sheets and took out his dirty clothes to lessen the scent of temptation. He sat on the bare bed and stared off in the distance.
Remy waited at the bottom of the staircase as cool, calm, and collective as he could get. Tonight was going to be a good night. No fighting. No worries. Just a good time.
He looked down at the white rose corsage he got her. He was beginning to feel like it was prom night again. Xavier's didn't have a prom due to the lack of student body like the other schools had. This would be the closest thing Rogue would have. He couldn't help but smile. And I'm her date.
He looked up and his jaw nearly hit the floor. She literally took his breath away.
Rogue stood up the top of the staircase. Remy's heart pounded. He never saw her more beautiful than now. She wore an emerald floor-length satin charmeuse evening gown, Deep V front and back, ruched bodice and Rhinestone brooch accent flowing into a cascade of ruffles. With it, she had matching long gloves and a sheer shawl draped over her shoulders.
He looked around him, making sure it was he she was looking for. Then, He reached out for her hand as she took her last steps down the stairs.
"What's the matter, Sugah?" Rogue asked as she took his hand. "Cat got your tongue."
Remy shook his head and looked her up and down. "Ya…ya dun dressed up like dat fa me?"
Rogue blushed. "Who'd else you'd think I'd look this good for."
"Um…" Remy gulped. Oh damn.
"Whatcha waiting for, Sugah?" Rogue smiled. "I thought you were going to show me a good time tonight."
"Oh believe me, mon amour." Remy looked her over again. "I am."
"How are you feeling, Sugah?" Rogue asked. She snapped him back to reality.
"Better now," Remy rubbed his hand across his jaw, debating whether or not to shave. "My head is killin' me. I need some coffee or something."
Rogue sat next to him with the box of Nicorette patches. "Hank said these should help."
Remy rolled his eyes, not at her, but at the thought of Hank's rules. The furry beast was going to get it. "Fine."
Rogue peeled off the patch and placed it on his upper arm above his tribal band tattoo. He would be able to hide it with a shirt. "Ah'm gonna take a quick shower, so we can go eat." She kissed his stubble, which prompted his decision not to shave.
"D'accord," he said, and he watched her disappear in the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
He stayed on the bed, listening to the shower. If it wasn't for her powers, he would have jumped in there with her. Instead, he had to settle for sitting on the bed in a towel.
He looked around the room. Pictures of New Orleans decorated the walls. Pictures of them outlined the mirror that attached to the dresser. The bouquet and garter from Ororo and Kurt's wedding rest on a shelf with a picture of them together.
Remy opened the draw to the nightstand, hoping to find a hidden pack of cigarettes he missed during his first hunt. Instead, it was filled with playing cards, more pictures of her and home, condoms, and a small velvet box. He knew what it was and when he bought it, but he never gave it to her.
He grabbed the box, turning it in his hand over and over until he got enough courage to open it. The ring was nothing flashy; she didn't like flashy jewelry and wasn't impressed by it. It was just a simple silver ring with an emerald and two diamonds, one on each side. It was a beautiful, yet sitting in the box, it was losing its shine. It deserved to be on her finger.
He closed the box, placing it back in the nightstand draw. He got up and walked to the dresser to find his pants and an LSU t-shirt. He glanced at the pictures that outline the mirror, and then he focused on the man in the mirror. He questioned if he was the man she needed—she deserved.
X****************XMEN********************X
In her disguise as a young woman with wavy blonde hair, Mystique watched Wanda Maximoff and Clint Barton conversate. They were the first Avengers she'd seen leave the safety of the Avengers Tower in a week. Sure they were free to go wherever they wanted, but the trio of deaths was making everyone cautious. Most snuck out the hidden entrances.
Mystique took a sip of her pumpkin spice latte. She cursed herself for ordering such a drink, but it fit her character. She was always fitting a character. Playing someone else was always better than being herself. As herself, she always got hurt.
Wanda's flirtatious movements bothered her. Mystique didn't know the young mutant well, but she knew her enough to sense something wasn't right. All of Magneto's children were a little…off…yet she found herself envious of the younger woman's happiness.
"A family day…"
Victor Creed opened the door to the remote cabin in the woods. He wasn't one to hide, and he wasn't trying to. He was predicable just like her other lovers. Canada was he and James' home; they both seemed to venture their when they wanted time to settle.
"Well, well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call, my dear?" He showed her a toothy grin. In the background, she could hear Disney or Nick toons. Something with singing that made her glad all her children had outgrown that stage, but depressed to know she missed their childhood.
"We need to talk."
Victor stared at her for a second. She felt his eyes roam every inch of her body. She could be anything he wanted, and that enticed him. "Come in."
Raven walked in. A little lavender girl sat too close to the television; she was hypnotized by the singing character on the screen.
"Clarice," Victor said. The little lavender girl turned to the sound of his voice. There was a scar over he left eye and a pink diamond on her forehead. There was no disguising the fact she was a mutant. "Go to your room. I have some business to attend to."
"Yes, sir." Clarice made no argument and followed his instructions.
Raven didn't say anything until she heard the door close. "I didn't think you were the nurturing type."
Victor growled. "You didn't think of me as a lot of things."
"I thought of you."
"Could have fooled me," Victor walked away from her and into his bedroom. "You said you wanted to talk, so talk." He held out his hand, signaling for her to enter.
Raven walked in the room. She morphed her clothing into something more seductive. The sheer nightgown left little for imagination. She knew how to peak his interests.
"We could wait on the talk," Victor answered shutting the door behind her.
Mystique forced herself to sip the latte. She was alone at the table, when there was a part of her that wanted him with her. Any of them with her.
X****************XMEN********************X
"Here you go," Kurt placed their breakfast in front of them. Talia and Clarice thanked him. "You need more to eat, and you come find me. I'll be by Unka Wolvie." He smiled at the nickname of his friend.
"Go, Vati," Talia fussed. "I a big girl. I sit by myself like Clarice."
"I'm going," Kurt replied. He daughter had matured a lot over the past six months. Days went by too fast. She was growing too fast. Everything was too fast. At times, he felt like it was consuming him.
He fixed his own plate of food, surprised the business of the cafeteria. Saturday mornings were usually quiet, but for that Saturday, the place was full.
Kurt sat down next to Logan. He was far enough away to give Talia some space, but close enough to keep an eye on her.
"How's your hand?" Logan asked.
"Sore," Kurt replied. "Though I did enjoyed punching you."
Logan shrugged. "You wouldn't be the first."
Remy sat across from them. He was keeping an eye on Rogue, while he checked for something under the table. Kurt found the situation odd.
"I got that one, Cajun," Logan said.
Frustrated and cursing under his breath, the younger mutant stormed off.
"What was zhat about?" Kurt asked.
Hank sat across the table from them. His plate was loaded with food and a few Twinkies.
"He's looking for his cigarette stash," Logan replied.
The three men watched as Remy opened the door to the porch, searching for another hidden pack.
"I got that one too!" Logan yelled.
Remy closed the door. There was a fire in the young man's eyes. He walked over to them like a child ready to throw a tantrum. "Ya supposed ta be mon amis," he said.
"You'll live, Cajun."
"It's only been eighteen hours," Hank added. "The nicotine patch should help subdue the cravings, if you let it."
Logan laughed. "You put a nicotine patch on him."
"I'm ya having a ha-ha at my expense," Remy snapped, but his mood changed when he saw Rogue standing there. "Bonjour, mon amour."
"What were you doing?" Rogue asked.
"I was reminding him about checking the security cameras this afternoon," Hank said. "I need his expertise and a couple need to be replaced."
"Right," Rogue replied. She and Remy walked to get their breakfast. Kurt could tell by the tone in her voice she didn't believe him, but she wasn't going to dwell on the issue.
"Vhat vas zat about?" Kurt asked, taking a bite of eggs.
"Hank made me sniff out all of Cajun's cigarettes that were stashed around the mansion," Logan replied, eating a piece of bacon. "Cajun had enough cigarettes to be king of the prison. Now he's just a hole."
Kurt laughed, though in his heart he knew it was the wrong thing to do.
Hank shook his head. "So where is Ororo this morning?"
"She vasn't feeling vell, so I told her to get more rest," Kurt replied. "I'm going to bring her breakfast vonce the girls are done eating."
"Not feeling well," Logan raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Hank.
"I zhink T.J. is wearing her—or us—out," Kurt replied. He took a sip of his orange juice. "I love my daughter, but I vas looking forward to having her visit her mutter…I zound like a horrible vatter, don't I?"
Kurt sunk in his chair. He watched Talia laughing with her friends. She was a big girl now. He wasn't ready for her to grow up.
"You're not bad father, Elf," Logan patted him on the back.
"If you need help, any one of us would be delighted to take T.J. for a few hours," Hank offered.
"JEEZ SCOTT! GET OFF MY CASE. NOTHING HAPPENED!"
The three turned their heads to see two angry Summers brothers entering the room.
"Do you have to make a scene?" Scott asked Alex as they walked past the table.
Alex rolled his eyes and paused. It was clear the younger Summers brother was not going to listening. "YOU'VE BEEN ON MY CASE SINCE THE DAY I ARRIVED HERE. ALEX DO THIS. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, ALEX? YOU NEED TO LEARN TO LISTEN TO ORDERS, ALEX. CAN YOU STOP BEING PARENTAL AND JUST ACT LIKE A NORMAL BROTHER."
"I'm not being parental," Scott answered. "I'm just trying to keep you from making mistakes, that all."
"HOW I LIVE MY LIFE IS MY BUSINESS," Alex argued. "JEEZ, EVER SINCE JEAN DIED, YOU'VE BEEN NOTHING BUT A PAIN IN THE ASS."
"Watch the language in front of the kids," Scott fussed. " And I haven't."
"Yeah, you have," Alex's tone softened. "You know. Jean may have passed away, but sometimes I wonder if you were the one who truly died."
Alex left the argument, leaving Scott in the company of the three men pretending not to listen to the conversation.
Kurt looked up, seeing Scott suck in a deep breath. Alex's words pierced his soul, but the truth hurt. There was something about Scott that never seemed right. He wasn't the high school and college friend Ororo described. He was the shell of a man—he was man still in pain.
Kurt took another bite of his breakfast. It was too early in the morning to have this much drama.
X****************XMEN********************X
Rogue felt the weight of her mutation on her shoulders. She and Remy had enjoyed a good breakfast together, surrounded by their friends. However, the endless questions about Remy in the med-lab put her head in a fog. Did you punch him into the Danger Room Floor? Did Wolverine go feral and try to kill him? Was Bobby seeking his revenge and froze him? Was Remy upset because you broke up? Did you kiss Remy and he went into a coma? The rumor mill was in full swing that morning.
Remy had also sensed something wasn't right with her. He held her hand to the laundry room to retrieve the dried loads, but her answers to his questions were short: Fine. Okay. I don't know. He wasn't really buying her responses.
As she folded their clothes on a small loveseat, Remy made the bed. She could feel his eyes on her the entire time.
"Are ya gonna tell me whats botherin' ya?" he asked, tucking the sheets in the end of the bed. "Or do I gotta tickle dem out ya?"
She shrugged her shoulders at his question and continued to fold clothes until he walked over and stooped down in front of the loveseat. He took the pair of pants she had folded out of her hand.
"What's botherin' ya, Rogue?" Remy asked. He gently moved the stray curls out her face.
"Ah'm fine."
"Ya don't sound like it," Remy took the clothes off the loveseat, placing them back in the laundry basket. He sat on the loveseat, pulling her into his lap. "I know ya betta dan dat. What's botherin' ya, ma colombe?"
"My dove?"
"Oui."
She smiled for a second. He wasn't going to let her finish folding clothes without getting an answer. "The rumors…I just feel overwhelmed."
"Ya need ta ignore dem," Remy replied. "Not let dem git to ya so much."
"But they echo in my head," Rogue explained, but she wasn't sure if he fully understood. "It's like I can't shake them. One of the students asked if I put you in a coma…and…I…" The tears rolled down her cheeks. "I just kept thinking back to Cody…and I thought of you in the bed yesterday."
"I'm alright," Remy replied. He grabbed a tissue from the dresser and wiped her cheeks. "I'm not in a coma…I was in the med-lab cuz of my own foolishness."
"I know that, but I…"
"Ya not gonna hurt me," Remy stared into her eyes. "I trust ya."
Rogue took the tissue from him and blew her nose. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I didn't mind snot and tears all over my shirt," Remy teased.
Rogue giggled and rest her head on his shoulder. She felt him kissed the top of her head. She felt safe in his arms. "I love you, Remy."
"Je t'aime aussi, Rogue," he replied.
She felt his fingers trace up and down her back. His heartbeat increased as he spoke: "I wanna talk ta ya'bout somethin'."
"About what?" she looked up at him, but his cell phone rang.
Remy sighed. "I t'ink dat's mon père. We talk later, d'accord."
"Okay."
He slid her off his lap, stood up, and kissed the top of her head again before he climbed out the window to take the call.
When he left, she washed her face in the bathroom, and then she resumed folding clothes.
X****************XMEN********************X
"Family day," Wanda smiled at Clint. She looked like a schoolgirl flirting with her crush. "I'd like that."
Mystique wondered if she every acted that way when she was young. She had flirted with many men in her life. Some took the hint; others required a little more persuasion. Yet, the game the Scarlet Witch seemed to play was unsettling. But, then again, all of Magento's children were unsettling.
Wanda blushed as Clint held her hand. Mystique felt jealous of the interaction…Sabretooth was far from being romantic.
He left her alone in the bed as he walked over to the dresser. He made no effort to dress. He just moved around the room in his birthday suit.
"Why are you here, Raven?" Victor growled. He rarely called her by her name, unless he wanted to show that he cared.
She wrapped herself in the bedsheet and joined his side. "I need your help."
"Help? From me?" he chuckled. "What's this really about Raven?"
"I was reading one of Destiny's diaries—"
"Those damn books again," Victor snarled; his face was inches from hers, but he wasn't intimidating her. His black eyes softened. "You know what happened last time. You can't change things. You can't stop fate."
"I'm not here for a lecture," she replied. "I need your help. What I found…I can't stop without help."
Victor walked away from her. "Raven, those diaries are nothing but trouble."
"It's different this time."
"You say that all the time."
"If we don't stop this…it's more than just fate, Victor," Raven argued. She walked over to him and stood beside him, staring out the window at the snow falling. "It's survival."
Victor growled under his breath. He refused to look at her. "What was in the diary?"
"The Avengers…they die."
"I watch the news, Raven," he said, looking down at her. "Two of them are dead. Why should I care?"
She stared at the snow; this time, she refused to look at him. "Because we all should care."
Mystique felt Wanda's eyes on her. She looked away, as if distracted by the young man cleaning the table next to hers.
There were three dead Avengers now…
X****************XMEN********************X
Remy listened to the cell phone ring as he climbed his way to the roof. The Saints theme song made him want to dance, but it also reminded him about that bad ref call.
"Hello, Poppa. I dought I supposed ta be callin' you," he said as he answered the phone. He could hear Jean-Luc breathing on the other end of the line. His father was holding a cigarette and blowing smoke out. He could tell by the pause. It only made him desire a cigarette too. "Poppa."
"Bonjour, Remy. I figure I be more likely ta hear ya voice if I call ya," Jean-Luc replied. His Cajun French accent was thick. "I hear ya cawzed beaucoup trouble yest-iday."
"Oui."
"I ain't likin' getting' calls like dat," Jean-Luc replied. "Ya had me worried. Had Tante Mattie worried. Ya frère. Mercy. Emil. We all worried."
Remy didn't respond to that. The sound of his father's voice was getting to him. Jean-Luc's words came out harsh, but full of concern and love. He missed him.
"Dey still got Creed locked up?"
"Oui," Remy replied. "Dey wantin' me ta talk ta him. Git info outta him."
"Stormy tol' me."
"Sounds like dey tryin' ta git him outta here, but it may be outta deir hands," Remy said.
"Ya need be confrontin' him…Kill him."
Remy rolled his eyes. His father did have a dark side. "Dose be Assassins words, Poppa."
"I didn't become King o' T'ieves by playin' nice. I showed my enemies who's boss."
Remy sighed. His father had a point, but it wasn't the X-men way…maybe Wolverine's way…but not Xavier's way.
"Speakin' of Assassins," Jean-Luc said, changing the subject. "Bella Donna's pissed 'bout de divorce."
"I know. When she ain't out ona contract, she calls and threatens ta kill me," Remy replied. "She ain't bin good on ha threats."
"She buries herself in contracts, so she don't have ta t'ink 'bout it," Jean-Luc answered. "Her rise in de Assassins Guild is impressive, but concernin'. T'ings ain't always as dey seem. T'inkin' she got some love still fa ya."
"Ain't felt de same way in a while now, Poppa."
"I shouldna pushed ya marry fa de sake of de guilds…fa a truce."
Remy took in those words. Jean-Luc knew after Julien's challenge that he made a mistake, but it was the first time he apologized for it.
"Poppa, I tired of being mad 'bout it," Remy admitted. "I know ya…ya only tried ta do what…what ya dought was right."
"But I did ya wrong, Remy," Jean-Luc's tone did little to hide his pain. "I did ya wrong, mon fils."
"Tu me manques, mon père," Remy wiped his eyes.
"I want ya ta come visit…in Slidell on de north side of de lake. Dat don't violate ya exile," Jean-Luc suggested. "Fa Noël."
Remy nodded, even though his father couldn't see him.
"Wanna meet dis girlfriend of yours, too," Jean-Luc added. "I hear nice things 'bout her from Henri and Emil."
"D'accord. I'll talk ta her 'bout it."
"Don't worry 'bout de mess wit Bella Donna. T'ings will come around."
"D'accord."
"Je t'aime fils."
"Je t'aime aussi père."
Jean-Luc hung up, leaving Remy contemplating his father's invitation to visit during Christmas. He stayed up on the roof until a curious Rogue came to find him.
"Hey, Sugah."
X****************XMEN********************X
"Ororo," Kurt sat on the end of the bed with a breakfast tray. "Meine Liebe. Are you alright?"
"Mmm," Ororo rolled over and looked up to him. "I'm fine. Just tired."
"I brought you something to eat," Kurt said as she sat up. "Some toast, a fruit zalad, and water. Hank said zis should be eazy on your stomach."
"Thank you," she answered. "I'm sorry. I've just been out of it the last few days."
"It's understandable. It's been a buzy veek," Kurt replied. "Between Sabretooth, teaching, Talia and Clarice, Remy…it's no vonder you're exhausted. You're spreading yourself too thin."
Ororo shook her head. "It's not that."
"Ororo, I'm feeling it, too," Kurt added. "I've felt like a been pulled apart lately."
"Kurt."
"I'm not upset," Kurt replied. "I'm the one who zhould be apologizing to you. I zhould have helped you last night vith the girls."
"Kurt—"
Kurt silenced her with a kiss.
X****************XMEN********************X
"Hey, Sugah," Rogue sat down beside Remy. He rested his chin on his knees. His eyes were red from crying, but he would never admit that to her. "You been up here over an hour. I was starting to get worried."
"It ain't easy talkin' ta my poppa," he replied.
She didn't disagree with his response. It was the same way she felt when she spoke to Mystique. And she didn't have any urge to talk to her father.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she offered.
"Oui…non…I wanna talk, but not about mon père," he replied. He straightened out his legs and looked her in the eyes. "I wanna talk 'bout Bel."
Rogue turned away. She'd rather attempt a conversation with her father than to talk about Bel.
"Rogue."
"What do you want me to say, Remy?" Rogue turned back to him. His red eyes were pleading for her to listen, but she had to be the one to open her mouth first. "Ah know you're still married to her."
"Ya do."
"Yes!" her tone was angrier than she intended it to be. She had known for a while, but she tried not to let it bother her. She told herself all kinds of things to make herself less guilty about their relationship. He's separated-that's technically not married. He wants you, not her. They didn't always work.
"Why didn't ya say anyt'ing?" Remy asked.
"Cuz you don't like to talk about it. You get angry when she calls," Rogue looked down at her gloved hands. "And Ah ain't in the mood to talk about it either, especially when Ah do nothing but receive texts about her calling."
Remy rolled his eyes as he muttered, "Damn rumor mill." He pinched his brow. "It ain't what ya t'inkin'."
"Then what should Ah be thinking…" Rogue demanded. "…when your wife calls?"
"Rogue," Remy went to grab her hands, but she pulled away.
"What?" Rogue stared at him. Her eyes burned with tears. She didn't want to have this conversation. She didn't want to hear about Bella Donna. She just wanted life to not be so complicated.
Remy reached out his hand and moved the stray white hair out of her eyes. "I filed fa divorce, Chèrie. 'Bout four months ago."
That was a phrase she wasn't expecting to hear, but it was music to ears. "You did."
"Oui," Remy said. "I don't like…or wanna talk 'bout it cuz Bel's bin quite nasty 'bout it."
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"Cuz it was somet'in I needed ta take care of myself," Remy replied. "I know I need ta be more honest wit ya. I workin' on dat."
Rogue stared at him. His ruby eyes awaited a response from her. His revelation excited and confused her.
"Rogue," Remy reached out his hands, and this time she didn't pull away. As he held her hands in his, she cursed the pair of gloves that separated them. He was shaking when he spoke. "Ya da only one I wanna be wit."
Rogue kissed him—long enough for him to respond, but not long enough for her powers to kick in.
X****************XMEN********************X
"Dr. Strange, I'm just not seeing anything on tape," Rogers said. He played the video feed over and over. No one went in Agatha Harkness's room before her call, and no one went in her room until after the call ended. By then, it was too late.
Dr. Strange pinched his brow. "You heard the audio feed from the call."
"But it doesn't prove Wanda was there," Rogers argued. "I pulled up the feed from her hallway and the one over the door. She didn't leave her room until this morning."
"Perhaps magic is involved?"
"Magic?"
Dr. Strange paced around the room. "I've worked with Wanda before. Her powers are impressive. Even dangerous."
"We've gone over this," Rogers replied. "You are suggesting she killed them."
"I know I am."
"Then you know how crazy that sounds."
"Is it?" Dr. Strange took in a deep breath. "Ever since I discovered what I am meant to do…to be…we're not living in a blind world. We are surrounded by magic, mutants, people with extraordinary abilities. Even you can't deny the change."
"I know this isn't 1945…"
"Then you know this world is more than what it seems…"
X****************XMEN********************X
Mystique followed Wanda and Clint as they walked back to the Avengers' Tower. They didn't know they were being followed. They were young—much younger than her. They didn't have the experience.
Victor shook his head. "You're talking about killing an Avenger, Raven."
"I know," she replied, spreading a diagram of the tower on the dresser. "But it will be easy for me to get in, if you are there creating a distraction."
"So, I'm a distraction now. That's not what you yelled out earlier."
She rolled her eyes. She knew he was right, but she didn't want to admit to him that she enjoyed herself.
Victor rubbed his jaw with his hand. She glanced at him. His long nails traced the beard on his chin. "It's doable."
"A fifty-fifty shot."
Victor looked over to the door of the bedroom. On the other side was a new world he created for himself. She thought he was dilutional to think he could stay hidden…or calm for so long. "It's risky."
"I thought you like challenges."
"Raven, you are a challenge. This is suicide."
"Good thing you can't die."
Victor growled. Long life could be a blessing and a curse. "You know damn well I'll be captured."
"Of course," she replied. "Fighting the Avengers and all that Stark technology they have...They'll probably have the X-men take care of you. After all, X-men handle mutant affairs."
"Hmm…" Victor looked at her. "You mean your son and daughter…they must be a disappointment."
"No more than you are, dear."
Victor grabbed her by the neck and pinned her against the wall. "You're pushing it, Raven."
Her eyes stayed focus on his. The darkness in them reflected how he was from head to toe. He was more than just a man…he was a monster…and they both knew it.
Victor let her go, and she fell to the floor. "What's in this for me?"
She stood up, rubbing her neck. She was afraid of him, yet she pushed. "You know sooner or later they'll find you. They will lock you up and take the girl away."
"I know that."
"You said it yourself. You can't stop fate. You remember that time you met Irene."
Victor glared at her. She knew he got to him. "What's in this for me once I'm captured, because even without them diaries, you know what's coming to me if I do this."
"They'll try to find me," she admitted. "Xavier will try to get the information out of you."
"I have connections. I can get blocks to stop him from reading my mind," Victor admitted. His years of experience got him many sinister connections.
"But who says you can't have a little fun," she said, tracing her fingers down his chest. "I know a certain mutant that is a thorn in my side."
"I'm listening."
She knew he was enticed by the way he was looking at her again. "You familiar with Gambit."
"Of course," Victor studied her. He knew her well enough to know what she was suggesting. "Somebody doesn't like her daughter's boyfriend."
"You can go for the jugular, dear," she replied. "And make a big mess."
Victor chuckled. "Raven, you know how to turn a man on."
She placed her hand on his chest, stopping him before he lost his train of thought. "But if you hurt my daughter, son, or granddaughter, I will kill you."
"Hint taken…now shut up and come here"
Wanda and Clint disappeared into the tower. Mystique looked up at the skyscraper. The A could be seen from miles around the city, but standing just a few feet from the entrance it was hidden from view. It would disappear like all of them. She just couldn't be a bystander.
X****************XMEN********************X
"Are you seriously hiding from Scott?" Lorna asked as Alex helped her clean up the med-lab. She watched him pulled the sheets off the bed Remy had slept in.
"No," Alex replied, rolling the sheets into a ball. "I just don't want to be near him right now."
"You're thinking about blasting him?" Lorna smirked.
Alex smiled. "I thought about it, but he's my brother and immune to my powers. That takes the fun out of it."
Lorna wondered if it was that way for Wanda and Pietro too. "Yeah, I guess that sucks."
"I tried talking to him like a rational person," Alex admitted. "But he didn't listen…or want to listen."
She listened to him complain about his brother. She had a list of complaints about her own siblings as well. She envied the bond Wanda and Pietro had.
Lorna walked around the med-lab, lifting the metal garbage cans with flip of her wrist. She enjoyed walking around feeling like the Sorcerer's Apprentice. The tiny trash can sway back and forth as it made its way to the larger one.
"Lorna, do you want to go out to eat with me tonight?"
"Huh?" Lorna turned at his question, dumping the contents of the trash on the floor, rather than the larger can.
"Do you want eat dinner with me?" Alex asked, looking at the trash on the floor.
Alex finally asked me out. Took long enough. Lorna grabbed some gloves to pick up the trash. She had been waiting for Alex to ask her on a date, but how did he think this was going to work.
"Lorna."
"Alex, I…I can't leave the mansion," Lorna replied. She picked a few tissues and tossed them in the trash. "House arrest…remember."
Alex put on some gloves and joined her. "I can see if Hank will come." He picked up a white stick.
"A third wheel?" Lorna raised an eyebrow in disapproval.
Alex looked at the stick in his hand. "Okay, maybe I can pick up take out, and we eat on the porch? Or go to the boat house like Remy and Rogue do on a few of their dates?"
Lorna thought about it for a second. It was a solution to the house arrest issue. "Okay."
"Great!" Alex smiled, but then looked the stick in his hand. "This is disgusting."
"Well, you are holding a pregnancy test."
Alex tossed it away from him, almost hitting her with it.
"Watch it now."
"Sorry."
"Don't freak out on me now," Lorna replied. "It's just a stick with pee on it."
"It's still gross. There are like three or four of them on the floor."
Lorna looked at the test in her hand. "It's positive."
"How can you tell?" Alex said. He quickly grabbed on and tossed it in the trash as fast as he could.
"The box with instructions," Lorna replied. She tossed the last of the spilled trash into the garbage. Then she pulled off her gloves and washed her hands.
Alex joined her. "Why would there be pregnancy tests in the garbage?"
Lorna rinsed her hands under the faucet. "Maybe Hank isn't who he says he is."
Alex tried not to laugh. "Hank, seriously."
"Never know."
"Real funny. Besides, other than Hank, Remy and Rogue were the only ones down here."
Lorna dried her hands with a paper towel. "That does explain a lot about Remy fainting in the Danger Room yesterday."
"You think?"
"Why not? Who's else would they be?"
X****************XMEN********************X
Ororo stood in front the mirror and brushed her hair. She was still queasy, but felt better than she did in the morning. She could join Kurt for lunch, or at least pick on some lunch. She styled her hair in a loose, over the shoulder ponytail and went to meet her husband.
The hallways were full of smiling and laughing children. While she had felt miserable the past few mornings, it was the sound of the children that would make it all worth it.
As she walked in the cafeteria, she noticed Kurt with Talia and Clarice. His fatherly instincts were already in full swing. While custody of Talia brought a change in their lives, it was Kurt that was more affected than she. She was waiting for that motherly connection—one without an angry Wanda Maximoff criticizing her relationship with Talia.
Kurt smiled when he noticed her. He left the little ones alone at the table, causing her eyes to widen. "Talia zayz she's a big girl now and vants to sit vith her friends." Talia may be five, but she wasn't going to stay a little girl forever.
"She'll still need her father," Ororo replied. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
Kurt's spirit lifted. "You seem to be better. Just needed zome rest I zee."
"Yeah, something like that."
Kurt walked with her to the table. "Vhy don't you sit. I'll get you something to eat."
"Thank you," Ororo's eyes weld with tears as he walked to get her some lunch. They were happy tears.
X****************XMEN********************X
"Thank you, Clint for a wonderful morning," she kissed him on the lips, teasing him with wanting more. However, he was a gentlemen that day, so she slipped back into her room, leaving him pleading for another kiss.
She closed the door behind her and walked over to her sleeping form in the bed.
"I had a wonderful day, Wanda."
Wanda turned her head in her sleep.
She touched the soft curls the fanned out on the pillow. "Clint is a good man…it's a shame really."
Wanda shot up in bed. She looked around her. She was alone…alone with herself.
X****************XMEN********************XX****************XMEN*******************XX****************XMEN********************XX****************XMEN*******************X
On to write Chapter 12
Michelle2