Thanks for the reviews! Loved 'em as always!
11
John did his best to explain to everyone where they'd been, sticking firmly to the story they'd planned out. He'd even gone to Xavier himself to explain, just so Alex didn't have to. He felt terrible that he'd put her in this situation.
Apparently Alex had been right; sex does complicate everything. He'd just never realized it before.
How had he never realized it before?! He was Johnny Storm! Ladies man extraordinaire! He was the master of speed dating. Love 'em an' leave 'em. He groaned and rubbed his temples, squeezing his eyes shut.
Rogue put her arm around him as she slid into the rec. room. "Hey! Just a heads up Sugah, maybe stay away from Logan for awhile."
Johnny shook his head. "What?"
"He's out for blood… yours to be exact." She took a bite of her apple giving him a wink. Johnny stepped away from her. "What did I do now?"
It was nearly a week into the new year, nearly a week since…
He shook his head. "I thought we explained to everyone. Nothing happened."
Pyro smirked. "Nothin' happened…" he exchanged a glance with Remy before receiving a firm punch in the arm. Grabbing his newly acquired wound with a silent cry of pain, he looked back at Johnny.
"Nothing!" He squared his jaw as he spoke.
"Ah just don't understand how y'all couldn't make y'way back."
"C'mon mate…y'can tell me…" Pyro leaned in, still rubbing his upper arm. He lowered his gaze slightly, wagging his eyebrows. "Did y'finally claim Fort Knox?"
Johnny drew back to wallop Pyro once again, when he saw Alex walk in through the rec. room doorway. She stopped when she realized what was going on, giving them a frown.
"Rogue?" She looked at the pale girl, her frown lightening a bit. "Can we go… somewhere else? Please?"
Rogue shrugged "Alright."
Then she looked at him. That look… he'd never forget that look for as long as he lived. Shy and withdrawn. But mostly… shameful.
She was ashamed. And it was his fault.
---
Later that same afternoon, he'd been lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling with his hands folded on his chest as she paced the room.
"Alex, relax. I took care of it." He'd said, for the third time in five minuets.
"You're sure that the lawyer is able to annul it? I read somewhere that once the marriage has been… consummated… it's a little bit more difficult…"
He nodded "Yes." He sat up "Remember? The whole conversation we had with him about being under the influence? He said it would be no problem. We signed. It's done Alex. I promise."
He lay back down, propping his hands under his head. "Might I just add… you were quite the good consummator…"
She stopped pacing and gaped at him. "John!"
"What!" He laughed "I'm just saying-"
"No! This is not the time for jokes…"
"This isn't?! Then when is Alex? It's never the time for jokes… ever. For the past month you've been acting like I tried to murder you!" He fumed as he sat up "Maybe we should just… wash our hands of this so-called 'relationship'. Get out while we're still somewhat ahead."
She pressed his lips together as he stared at her. "You're right."
Her quick agreement caught him off guard slightly. He stood up and moved over to the door.
"Fine." He spat.
She squared her jaw, sensing that she wanted him to try to stop him. She wouldn't. She'd meant what she said. "Fine."
He opened the door and stepped out, slamming it behind him.
Now, nearly a week later, Johnny sat in the living room, by himself, re-living the past month in his head. Kerri stared at him from across the room. She stood and moved over to him, plopping down on the couch next to him.
"Hey, what's up?"
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow before looking away and shaking his head
"Nothing."
"Johnny, you can't lie to an empathic woman." She tapped her temple and smiled.
He stared at her again, searching her face before letting out a sigh "It's just Alex."
"Ah…" She nodded "She's giving you trouble is she?"
Johnny furrowed his brow "I don't mean to sound rude Kerri, but why the sudden interest? You haven't spoken more then 3 words to us in the past 6 months and suddenly you're-"
"Johnny, I'm just trying to… call a truce." She held out her hand with a smile "I mean well… I just… have trouble dealing with the past."
Johnny hesitated before shaking her hand "Fine."
"Now. I know Alex better then anyone. Let me guess…" She pursed her lips, forming a thin smile "You can talk to me you know."
"No… actually I don't."
Kerri tilted her head to make eye contact with him. She smiled her eyes deep and captivating. "It's okay Johnny."
His stare was fastened to her deep brown eyes… the way her chestnut hair framed her perfect face.
He smiled before nodding "Okay. I'll talk."
---
Alex looked at her watch and fidgeted. She'd wanted to avoid him at all cost until she went home. One more week to go before she was gone. Out of his life forever. But she couldn't. She had to talk to him.
She wandered down the halls of the institute, peeking in the living room on her way by.
No Johnny.
She furrowed her brow and continued down the hall.
"Bonjour chère." Remy winked at her as he passed by, noticing the upset look on her face. "You feelin' alright?"
She relaxed a little and with a smile, she nodded "Yeah. I'll be okay." She knocked on his door and waited. No answer. So she opened the door.
The blood drained from her face instantly.
Kerri straddled John on his bed, pulling back from a kiss when the door opened. He lay on his back in his boxers, his pants strewn on the floor in front of her; his hands on her waist, under her shirt.
"Alex!" Kerri gasped, genuinely shocked that they'd been interrupted.
Alex spun around on her heel and zipped back down the hall, nearly knocking Gambit down.
"Woah! Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas?"
Alex ignored his inquiry for her well being, as she stomped down the hall.
"Alex!" Johnny shouted after her, pulling his pants up as he tried running after her.
Gambit raised an eyebrow as he passed, watching as Kerri slipped out of the room, nearly unnoticed.
Alex slammed her bedroom door behind her, staring blankly as she leaned against her door. She heard him yell her name again from down the hall, causing her to reach down and lock the door.
She flicked on her stereo to drown out his voice; some 80's song blasted through her speakers as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Johnny banged on the door, trying to be heard over the sound of music.
He smacked his forehead on the door.
"Y'blew it mon ami." Remy shook his head at Johnny. "Number one rule… don' get caught."
Johnny whipped around and slammed Gambit up against the wall. "Don't start with me Cajun." He spat before storming down the hall.
Gambit charged her doorknob and opened her door.
She sat on her bed. He moved over to her and gently put his arms around her, whispering to her in French.
Kitty and Rogue stepped in, staring at them.
"What happened?" Kitty shook her head, kneeling beside them.
"Kerri." Was all Gambit said. Rogue gritted her teeth, before spinning around and storming out.
"Get y'coward ass back here Torch!" She shouted down the hall, causing everyone to stare.
She punched down his door, Pyro standing behind her.
"What d'you think yer doin'?" She scowled.
"I'm packing." He said, zipping up the duffle bag on his bed. "Kerri was right. I'm not wanted here."
Rogue pushed him backwards, refusing to let him leave. "What d'you mean 'Kerri was right?' Where are you goin'?"
"I'm leaving. Going to someone who needs me."
"An' who is that?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Mystique." He pushed past the angry southerner, ignoring Pyro as he headed out.
"No way mate! You an' Kerri!" He let out a whistle "You ain't plannin' on leavin' ol'Pyro here…?"
Johnny pursed his lips as he walked down the hall "I'll be in the car. I'm leaving in 5 minuets."
And at that, he was gone.
Kitty looked out a broken Alex's window in time to see Johnny speed off of the institute grounds with Pyro, Kerri and Emma Frost.
She shook her head and turned back to Alex.
Alex frowned "I'm fine. Really." She stood up and moved to her bathroom quickly. "I'd rather be alone right now." She said, before disappearing into the room.
I'll try to update tomorrow! Don't wanna leave y'all hangin' for too long:)