Chapter 2 - Karaoke
Rogue and Raven stood on the stage, which was just a raised platform, really, just so people could see who was singing up there. They looked terrified and exhilarated. "We've got two lovely ladies here, they're gonna sing the U2 song "Love Rescue Me." Let's give a big hand to Marie and Raven!" The crowd applauded, the music started up, and the girls began.
Love rescue me
Come forth and speak to me
Raise me up and don't let me fall
No man is my enemy
My own hands imprison me
Love rescue me
It was a shaky start; Rogue was clearly nervous at first, but her voice soon flowed out clear. She fell silent and Raven took up the next verse.
Many strangers have I met
On the road to my regret
Many lost who seek to find themselves in me
They ask me to reveal
The very thoughts they would conceal
Love rescue me
Logan wondered if the girls had chosen this song for those lyrics or if they were just a remarkable coincidence. Certainly the verses they chose to sing reflected them well. They sang together now, harmonizing beautifully, especially for karaoke.
And the sun in the sky
Makes a shadowed you and I
Stretching out as the sun sinks in the sea
I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
I said love, rescue me
The crowd was hushed as the song continued. Remy was transfixed. As Raven sang the last verse, her eyes were fixed on Logan; the words seemed a hopeful prediction for him.
I've conquered my past
The future is here at last
I stand at the entrance
Of a new world I can see
The ruins to the right of me
Will soon have lost sight of me
Love rescue me
The crowd roared with thunderous applause as the girls took their bows. Shouts of "Encore!" came from here and there. "You're in luck, they signed up for another song!" the DJ declared. The announcement was met with more applause.
"Not me," Rogue refused. "Ah think Raven can take this on her own."
"No, Rogue!" Raven pleaded. "Don't abandon me!"
"Relax, sugah! You can do it!" Rogue assured her, hopping off the stage, leaving Raven standing helpless in the spotlight. The crowd urged her on, reassuring her, strengthening her.
"All right then, a solo." The DJ shrugged. "This is U2's 'Hawkmoon 269'." The music started and Raven began, haltingly at first but she found her voice fast.
Like a desert needs rain
Like a town needs a name
I need your love
Like a drifter needs a room
Hawkmoon
I need your love
I need your love
Her voice was low and velvety; it was obvious she had no need of the lyrics, that she knew this song and how it was to be sung. Her voice rose, unwavering.
Like a rhythm unbroken
Like drums in the night
Like sweet soul music
Like sunlight
I need your love
Like coming home
And you don't know where you've been
Like black coffee
Like nicotine
I need your love (I need your love)
Her voice was beautiful, intoxicating, and Logan allowed himself to drink it in. He realized she was looking right at him, like he was the only one in the room.
I need your love
I need your love
Remy leaned over and whispered, "Ah t'ink she's tryin' to tell you somethin', mon ami." Logan scowled at him, but he couldn't deny it. Nor could he tear his attention away from Raven, onstage, pouring her heart out to him. He realized he felt the same way and this realization scared him, shook him. No, he couldn't allow himself. She was mistaken. This wasn't the first time this had happened, after all, and he'd always handled it properly. What made this so different, so difficult?
When the night has no end
And the day yet to begin
As the room spins around
I need your love
I need your love
She was really belting it out but it sounded good. Logan was in turmoil. It must be the booze, he thought. Why else would he be thinking such crazy thoughts?
Like a needle needs a vein
Like someone to blame
Like a thought unchained
Like a runaway train
I need your love
The roar of applause jolted him from his pondering, and soon enough Raven was edging her way through the crowd, trembling and panting. "Heh, that felt kinda good," she gasped. "I'll never forgive you for leaving me up there, Rogue."
"Ah sugah, I knew ya could do it!" Rogue replied. "Hey, get mah girl here somethin' to drink," she called to the bartender.
Raven accepted the glass gratefully. "So, what'd everyone think?" she asked.
"It was amazing," Logan admitted.
She gave him a winning smile. "Thanks!" That was it, no mention of anything going on, no "I need to talk to you." Maybe he had been imagining it.
Remy staggered up to the stage. "Dis is for my Roguey," he said.
Give me one more chance
And you'll be satisfied
Give me two more chances
You won't be denied
Well my heart is where it's always been
My head is somewhere in between
Give me one more chance
Let me be your lover tonight
"Oh mah gawd," Rogue breathed. "He ain't, is he? Oh Jaysus he is..." It seemed she didn't know whether to be embarrassed or flattered. Remy went on steadfastly, botching some words but overall doing a fairly good job.
Give me one last chance
And I'm gonna make you sing
Give me half a chance
To ride on the waves that you bring
You're honey, child, to a swarm of bees
Gonna blow right through you like a breeze
Give me one last chance
We'll slide down the surface of things
"Why don't you get up and sing, eh Logan?" Raven prodded. "The three of us have."
He shook his head. "I don't sing," was his reply.
You're the real thing
Yeah the real thing
You're the real thing
Even better than the real thing
Rogue simply clutched her glass and watched as Remy finished up and staggered through the crowd toward her amidst scattered applause. "So how 'bout it, chere?" he asked.
"Oh Remy, ah do love you, but it ain't gonna work. Ah can't even touch you," Rogue protested.
"It don' matter, chere. Ah'll put you onna pedestal an' worship you!" he declared, then threw up on her shoes.
"Mah gawd..." Rogue lamented, her face in her hands. Remy knelt on the ground, trying clumsily to wipe her shoes off with his coat.
"Charming," Raven remarked with her usual wry wit. "I think it's time to go, Logan."
"Agreed," he replied, handing Raven her coat. "You help Rogue clean up, I'll drag the Cajun to the car."
"Deal," she responded, wrinkling her nose and slinging her coat over her shoulders. It settled around her with a flap, like wings. She turned to Rogue, who was whimpering softly. "C'mon, Rogue, let's get you set. Think of it this way; it's a good thing I talked you out of wearing those suede boots," she said, taking Rogue by the arm and leading her to the ladies' room.
----
Rogue dozed in the back seat, Remy next to her (thankfully emptied of all poisons) in a stupor. He was still breathing at least, and appeared to be asleep.
"I'm not lookin' forward to puttin' him to bed," Logan sighed.
"Mm," Raven agreed. Logan glanced over at her. She seemed rather contemplative, staring into space as she was wont to do at times. He glanced in the rearview; the other two were asleep. It was as good a time to clear the air as any.
"About that song--"
"Did you like it? It's one of my favorites. I always love singing it," Raven explained. So that was it, just her favorite song, no hidden meanings or secret messages she was trying to convey. Perhaps he had imagined the whole thing, perhaps it was wishful thinking? No, delusion and too much drink, he decided, although he didn't feel the least bit drunk and could drive just fine. Too many protégés with crushes on him had led him to see things where nothing existed. As for Remy's observation... well he was drunk, that's all. He pushed it out of his mind.