"I still don't get why I can't come with you," Remy argued as he sat on Marie's bed, watching her pack and being unable to keep his fingers out of her suitcase.
"Because this isn't a pleasure trip, Remy, this is serious. I really hurt Carol and I have to make things right," Marie answered, snatching a pair of her underwear out of his hands and putting it back in her suitcase.
"Yeah, but—"
"But nothin', Remy! Storm needs you here. In case you've forgotten, Sinister is still out and about and incidentally, you're the one who knows him best. You're needed here. Besides, I'm only going to be gone a couple of days."
There was no winning this argument with her. Remy sighed and leaned back on her bed, letting her finish packing. Sometimes he swore she was an X-man first, and his girlfriend second. It wasn't that order with Remy. He was her boyfriend first and, on occasion, an X-man.
She looked at him with an exasperated sigh. "Please, Remy, don't look at me like that," she said, climbing onto the bed and perching herself on top of him. She placed her hands on his shoulders. "This is something I have to do by myself. It's really important to me to do this by myself."
"Then why does Emma get to go?" He knew he shouldn't have started it up again, but couldn't really help himself.
"You know she's only going because she needs to be the bridge between Carol and I. How else are we supposed to get Carol back into her own body? Please, Remy, you're making this harder than it needs to be."
He knew he was being stubborn, but he just didn't want her to be away from him for so long. He understood that she needed to do this herself, but he still wanted to be there with her. It was part of being her boyfriend, or at least he thought that's what it was. He'd never actually been a boyfriend, so he wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to act.
The only thing he was actually good at with women, Marie wasn't letting him do with her just yet. It was an odd step for him. He'd never had to be anything but a seducer and a lover. Being a boyfriend was uncharted territory for him. So far, he found that he was needy, jealous, and sometimes a bit possessive. He also found that there were very few arguments he actually won and yet, he wouldn't trade it for the world. Just to be in her affections and by her side was euphoric. He'd be even more euphoric if he could get to second base… or further.
He had to stop thinking like that. He respected Marie's decision to take things slowly. But every time things got even remotely hot, she'd pull away, or they'd be interrupted. And now she was packing her bags for Boston. She didn't even know how long she'd be gone. She only reassured him that it wouldn't be that long. She was leaving tomorrow morning with Emma. Tonight would be their last night together until she got back, which was why he was anxiously watching her pack, and he hated it. What was he supposed to do while she was gone?
"But I'll miss you." He heard himself say. God, he was getting more pathetic by the minute. It's not like she's never coming back.
Her features softened. "I'm gonna miss you too, Sug," she answered kissing him softly.
It was his cue to switch into 'make out mode'. He wouldn't be able to kiss her for at least another few days so he'd better make the best of it now. He sat up as she kissed him back with the same intensity. It was always a thrill to him when she sat on his lap with her legs on either side of his, wrapping her arms around his neck. It was one of his favourite positions, instantly making him feel giddy.
The intercom crackled sharply.
"Curfew! It's eleven o' clock, lights out!" Bobby's voice sounded over the com. Bobby was on night duty tonight, which meant that Remy was in no hurry to leave Rogue and go back to his own room. It wasn't like anyone would be looking for him. Rogue made a noise of disappointed disgust as she started to climb off Remy.
He abruptly held her back. "Five more minutes, Chere," he pleaded.
"Bobby's called lights out. You know he's the only one that ever goes around checking."
Remy reached over across her night table and shut off her lamp, enveloping the room in darkness. The only lighting was the moonlight shining from outside of her window. "Problem solved, Chere. Five more minutes?"
Her lips were on his in seconds.
Five more minutes turned into ten, and then into thirty. The way things were going, Remy was pretty sure he was spending the night. It only made sense; he wasn't going to see her for a few days. Perhaps that was the reason he was bolder tonight… and needier.
He had started moving his hands up under her shirt and up her back. She made no move to stop him. In fact, she only kissed him harder. He liked where this was going already. He bravely slid his hands up higher, taking her shirt up with him. It bunched up just under her breasts. Now for the moment of truth, Remy expertly slid her shirt off over her head. She didn't even try to stop him. He was now like a kid in a candy store. She let him take off her shirt! To add to Remy's delight, she was now pulling off his shirt.
He was definitely staying the night, no doubt about it. Things were heating up pretty fast, and soon his nimble fingers had gotten her out of her jeans and were working the clasp of her bra. He had never wanted anything so badly in his life the way he wanted her right now. He was in absolute delirium when he carelessly tossed her bra across the room. Drunk on lust, he was furiously kissing her neck, trailing his lips down to her breasts. She moaned softly and he was in heaven.
He was in the middle of getting his pants off when she said, "Remy, wait."
"Are you serious?" Not what he meant to say out loud. He immediately wished he hadn't because she sat up as best she could underneath him. Her body wiggling up underneath his was NOT helping.
"Yes," she said, a little worried.
She was serious. Remy let out a deep breath and rolled off of her, now lying on his back beside her. He was so close… she was killing him. He didn't think he'd ever been so turned on in his life.
Thunder cracked outside as rain began to spackle the window.
"It's too fast. I-I just think we should wait." Her voice wavered.
"Absolutely, Chere," he responded automatically. "Is that rain? Is it raining? I, uh, just need to go outside for a couple seconds," he added urgently, clumsily falling off the bed, tugging his pants back on. Rogue looked alarmed. He couldn't get outside into the rain fast enough. He heard her lamp crash to the floor as he tumbled out the window and onto the roof. Not his classiest exit.
He was lying flat on his back on the roof, soaked to the bone trying to gain back his self-control. God, she was so hot. It had taken every ounce of will power to pull away from her and stop when she had asked him to. She was killing him. He lay there, in the rain, for several minutes.
"Remy?" she called from the window.
He turned to the window to see her climbing out of it carefully, feet first. Please don't let her be wearing the white camisole, he prayed. Sure enough, she was.
She delicately walked towards where he was lying. The rain quickly soaked up the thin fabric of her top, the chill perking up her nipples. This was so cruelly unfair. It was official; she really was killing him.
"Remy, are you okay?" she asked.
I was about two minutes ago, he thought, not being able to tear his eyes away from her chest. He heaved a big a sigh. "You really have no idea what you do t'me, Chere."
Bobby was annoyed when he stepped in a puddle of water by his window the next morning. His socks were instantly soaked right through. Gambit was on his side of the room sleeping as per usual, only this time, a pile of sopping wet clothes lay on the floor. Bobby knew he'd been out all night again last night. Gambit had yet again failed to be in his own room at curfew.
Bobby had pleaded his case to Logan, in hopes that Logan would be protective enough of Marie to be as pissed about the situation as he was.
"I really don't care whose room the Cajun's in as long as he's still in the mansion at night," Logan had said gruffly. "It's not like they're students. Remy and Rogue are both adults and you are too, so start acting like one."
Bobby didn't bother hiding his anger.
Logan folded his arms across his chest. "If you've got a problem with Gambit, maybe you two should duke it out in the Danger Room. With Rogue gone, Gambit'll need a sparring partner." There was an edge to Logan's voice that hinted that he'd had enough of their hostility. "Least then, you'd be doing something constructive."
And that's how Remy found himself in the in the Danger Room blowing up snowballs with playing cards. Bobby was out for blood and Remy was just having fun. Sure, he wasn't up to his usual speed, but his aim was back to normal and his charges were good enough for practice. Remy had boundless amounts of energy, while Bobby was starting to wear out. It was refreshing not to feel tired all the time anymore.
"Are you gonna give up yet?" he shouted to Bobby. "'Cause I can still go all day and into the night."
Bobby screamed out in rage, sending sharp icicles in Remy's direction at amazing speed. Apparently Bobby didn't seem to like his choice of words. He had no idea why. He didn't say anything offensive, but by Bobby's reaction you'd have sworn he had. Guess Bobby isn't a quitter. Remy made a mental tally in his head and fired off the correct number of cards to icicles, each hitting its mark perfectly.
"Hand to hand combat!" Bobby shouted.
Remy shrugged. Fine by him. To be a good sport, Remy even let Bobby throw the first punch. Bobby was too slow for Remy, so he decided to go easy on him since they were poorly matched. Bobby sure as hell wasn't Rogue. If he'd have been fighting Rogue, he'd actually have to try.
"Are we finished yet?" Remy asked as Bobby, beet red in the face and huffing for air, still continued to come at him. Can you say pent up aggression? "Seriously, mon ami, you're gonna pass out soon."
Bobby dropped to the floor, trying to catch his breath. Remy effortlessly crouched down beside him. He didn't like the guy, but he was a teammate, so Remy thought it best to make sure he was okay. Warren had come down from the control room, having stopped the session.
"Dude! You just totally kicked his ass and you haven't even broken a sweat!" Warren shouted to Remy, half laughing and holding his hand up for a high five. Remy didn't do 'high fives'. "No wonder my whole class thinks you rule."
"Shut up, Warren," Bobby hissed between breaths.
Remy had to admit, it felt good to beat Bobby in combat. It made him feel less troubled about that tiny, framed photo of Rogue on Bobby's desk.
"We should definitely pit you against Colossus," Warren mused aloud. "That guy can take a beating."
While Rogue was away, all the ladies wanted to play, and Remy was really uncomfortable about it. There was a first time for everything. Apparently, they had all forgotten just how ruthless Remy had been as Death, and now wanted a piece of the pie. When it was announced by Warren, to everyone, that Remy was formidable in combat training, Remy got more innuendos from female staff than he ever needed.
Dazzler had cornered him in the cafeteria, wanting to know if she could get some 'private lessons' with him in the Danger Room after she heard about his 'amazing stamina'. Remy politely declined as best as he could, with Dazzler still not getting the hint. As a last resort, Remy sent out mental cries of help to Kitty, who was across the room spilling soup down her chin. He knew it was stupid, she wouldn't hear him, but if she could just look up and see him… Kitty was oblivious. He wished Emma were here, at least she would have heard him.
He was trying to disentangle himself from Dazzler, who was now running her hand up his chest and making his skin crawl. He wanted nothing more than to get as far away from her as possible.
"Mr. LeBeau, we have some questions about your assignment for Friday," five voices chimed beside him. He'd never been so happy in his life to see the Cuckoos.
"We'll talk again later," Dazzler said hotly, glaring at the girls. She sauntered off, leaving Remy in the Cuckoos debt.
"I didn't give you any assignment on Friday," he said.
"We know. You owe us," their voices sang like crystal. "Smile for the camera."
They flashed out their camera phones before he even had time to think. He owed them, so he smiled for their pictures. He was sure he was going to regret this.
By one o' clock, every high school girl had her own 5x8 glossy of Remy hanging in her locker or taped inside her binder. The quints had made a nice, tidy profit off of his misery and he was pretty impressed. You can't be a scoundrel, thief, liar and cheat without appreciating that kind of moxie. That's not say he wasn't embarrassed about it, because he was.
Kitty ran into him later on in the courtyard, after he was trying to avoid Jubilee, who also seemed to want private lessons.
"Wow, ever since you kicked Bobby's ass in the Danger Room, you're the man!" Kitty exclaimed. "Warren's been singing your praises all day, even Petey—I mean, Colossus wants to spar with you." She motioned over to Colossus, who was also in the courtyard.
"Petey?" Remy repeated her nickname for Colossus with a raised eyebrow.
Kitty's face flushed three shades of red.
Remy laughed. "You like him."
"I- no I don't," she stumbled and then sighed. "It doesn't matter. He doesn't like me."
"How do you know?" Remy asked watching Colossus watch them from across the courtyard. He was sitting solemnly at a picnic table drinking a can of pop.
Remy wasn't sure if Colossus was watching him or Kitty. Only one way to find out. Remy swooped Kitty up into his arms, dipping her lowly. She gasped as he suggestively brought his face close to hers. Colossus had just crushed his can of pop and looked like he wished it was Remy.
"Judging by the look on Petey's face right now, I'd have to disagree. I think he likes you very much," Remy whispered pulling her back up and letting her go.
Kitty blushed even more before gushing, "Really? You think so?"
"I'm pretty sure he wants to knock my head in for the stunt I just pulled," Remy commented as Colossus was heading in their direction. Kitty beamed.
Colossus formally greeted Kitty, actually addressing her by her full name and she blushed furiously. He then told Remy he would be honoured to spar with him. Remy was pretty sure that Colossus would be more honoured just to get one good hit across Remy's jaw. Remy accepted, knowing full well that he was going to get his ass handed to him before the week was out. When was it that Rogue was coming back?