Chapter 12, "Beyond The Invisable"
By: RogueBHS
A/N: Well, I suppose with eleven parts left in the arc, and this one not yet finished that I really aught to start writing more shouldn't I? Well, I was writing a fiction, and another X-men one at that. Want to take a look? Its titled "The Evil Within" and its a mystery, a first for me to try. Randi (whom gets a lot of credit for helping me, I'm aware, but she deserves it), has beta read all of that is written so far and loved it, which is high praise since she's such a well read FF.net author herself. Christy S. compared my writing to Randi's, which was a shock truth be told. But I must thank Christy for the praise. :) I don't tell my regular reviewers thank you very often, but I must say that I appreciate ALL of the reviews, and someone might want to critique me or something to keep my ego from getting too big over here. LOL. Enough of my ramblings, but please, check out "The Evil Within" and let me know what you think. Thanks!
When the results of Rogue's testing were revealed to the team, Rogue was half tempted to make a smart remark to get them to stop their staring. "Smettereste di starring me? Relativo non come ho sviluppato un'altra testa o qualcosa è? .*" Obviously, she gave in to temptation.
Her voice speaking the foriegn tounge suprised them all again, and after a pause, Remy raised an eyebrow. "What language was dat, chere? Ce n'était pas certainement français."
Rogue smiled. "Le non, celui était italien."
Remy grimaced dramatically. "Ce qui? Italien? Qui voudrait parler italien quand il y a les Français merveilleux à parler, mon chere?"
"Peut-être parce que je me suis senti comme lui. Après tout, quelle utilisation parle beaucoup de langues si vous ne les employez pas?"
Annoyed with the back and forth between the two, Jean finally spoke up. "Would you two mind using English? Just because some of us know foreign languages doesn't mean we want to speak them 24/7." Her gaze drifted between Rogue and Gambit who were now looking at her in mild amusement. "So save the French for later, Comprenez?"
Rogue nodded, smiled then shrugged. "Simply trying to put the Cajun in his place."
Logan snickered. "Much as I love th' idea of you doin' so darlin, Jeannie's got a point about not all of us wantin' t' speak anything but English right now. Save th' fancy talk for later."
Rogue pouted and leaned back in her chair. "But it ain't fun fightin' with him without an audience."
Scott fought back a smile. "You can charge admission to the fight later, Rogue. There's more to be said here, including the decision of if you should be tested further."
Bishop answered without giving Scott much time to finish his sentence. "Of course she should be tested further. If she has skills that we know nothing about, ones that might be useful at that, we need to know what they are."
Storm nodded, and looked at Rogue for a moment before addressing Bishop. "That is true, Bishop, but we must consider Rogue's reasons for not letting us know of these abilities sooner. When Rogue took the tests for her scholastic level to be found, she said that most of what she learned was through Mystique or Irene. I know little of her time with them, but Rogue has said she does not wish to be forced to do the same work that she did for Mystique. Unless she changes her mind, I will not support the choice to force her testing." Her blue eyes scanned the room now. "Nor should any of you."
Xavier glanced at Rogue. "If she doesn't want us to have her use the abilities, that is fine with me. But like Bishop, I would feel better knowing all that she is capable of in case of an emergency where her skills might be needed."
Rogue sighed, and pushed her bangs away from her face. "Ah don' have a problem with usin' mah abilities in emergencies, nor do Ah really object t' ya'll knowin' what they are." Her eyes went hard, surprising a few of the team members. "But Ah'll tell ya now, Ah will not evah allow any of ya t' try an' make me do work lahke Ah did for Mystique, period."
Scott gave her the most reassuring look he could. "We'll not force you into anything Rogue, not if it doesn't sit well with you. I'd appreciate it if you would show us what you once did, and what you know, but like Ororo, I believe the decision to show us should be yours."
Rogue smiled gratefully at Scott, then let the smile die as she glanced around the table. "I'll do 6 simulations of missions, any way you choose." She let her gaze settle on the professor. "But that's it. No more testing me. Period. The only way you'll get me to allow more test is if its absolutely neccessary." Her eyes roamed the table again. "Does that sound alright?"
Before anyone else could answer, Xavier did. "That is more than fine Rogue." His own gaze traveled around the table before returning to Rogue. "We'll make sure we get what we need out of the 6 simulations. And if we don't get it all, we'll make due." He raised an eyebrow, as if daring anyone to upset his authority. No one did. "If that's all, Hank, I think we can end this meeting don't you?"
Hank nodded, but noticed the fact that Rogue seemed glad he answered the way he did, as if she was afraid he might bring up her headaches. He smiled at Xavier. "That's all, Professor. There were a few things for me to go over with Rogue alone, but that can be taken care of at a later time."
Ignoring the other team members, Scott nodded. "Then this is over, people, you can go back to whatever you were doing."
Bobby grinned, then bowed to Scott, joking around. "Thank you for your permission, sire. It means so much."
Laughing softly, Scott pushed Bobby out of the door to the war room. "Enough joking around Bobby. If I remember right, you have patrol duty."
Mumbling under his breath, Bobby walked off, hating the fact that Scott's memory was so sharp. It wasn't until a hand touched his arm that Scott noticed that the war room wasn't empty. Turning, he smiled when he saw Rogue, then was a little surprised when he saw Ororo behind her. "Something you need Rogue? Ororo?"
The women both nodded. Slidding her arm through his, Rogue walked into the hallway, where Ororo started walking on the other side of Scott. "Well, you see...Ororo and I went and got some really neat outfits a month or two ago for clubbing, and yet we haven't had the opertunity to wear them. So we were hoping that you'd be willing to go and hang out at a newer club in the city."
Scott looked between the two for a moment. "I suppose if I say no that the two of you are going to pout and make me feel horrible aren't you?"
Rogue nodded, then smiled when he sighed. "So you'll go?"
He glanced to Ororo. "Who else is going? Surely you don't intend for me to keep the both of you occupied."
Ororo laughed. "Of course not. Rogue told me I could invite any male I choose. And I already have one in mind if he'll agree. Which I'm sure he will."
Scott went a little pale. "Please tell me you're not going to invite Remy."
Ororo shook her head. "No, I had some one else in mind...someone a little taller perhaps."
Scott looked confused. "That leaves Bobby and Logan out. But who's left?"
Rogue smiled. "In othah words, she's invitin' Bishop, and she'll make him feel horrible if he says no."
Scott shook his head, then put up his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright. I'll go...I'll go." He shot Rogue a warning look. "Just don't even think about getting me drunk, understand?"
Rogue did her best innocent look. "Who, me?"
Ororo laughed. "Don't worry Scott. I'm sure we'll get you home no worse for wear..."
Scott hung his head. "I'm doomed."
Rogue glanced over at Storm as they headed down the stairs that evening after dinner. "Ya know, that outfit looked fahne when ya tried it on, but that jewelry ya got jazzed it up more just lahke ya said." Rogue grinned. "Seemed Ah don' have too bad o' taste in clothes eh?"
Storm shook her heand and laughed. "No, you don't. And the goth jewelry does fit the red and black quite well...even if it isn't your normal look."
Rogue laughed. "Ah always thought Ah'd make a good Goth, but jus' nevah really explored th' idea."
Storm eyed Rogue critically. "Well, you do have the coloring for it, aside from being a little too tan now."
Rogue held out her arms and eyed the skin that was a few shades darker than it had been only a month ago. "Yeah. Side benefit an' curse o' lahking bein' outside." She smiled. "But its a benefit Ah don' mind too much. Its just nahce t' know Ah c'n show it off for a change and not have to worry about it."
Storm slid her arm around Rogue's shoulders in a half-hug. "I couldn't agree more." Stopping, she tossed her long hair over her own shoulder then grinned rather micheviously. "Ready to see Scott and Bishop's jaw's hit the floor?"
Rogue nodded, then slid a hand over her still-short hair. Her own smile turned to a grin just as michevious as her friend's. "Without a doubt, sugah."
There was, of course, one thing Storm and Rogue hadn't planned on. And that something happened to be the rest of the team sitting in the living room arguing over what to watch on TV, a rather regular occurance that the women could have done without tonight. Hearing footsteps, Logan turned his head, and one look at Rogue and Ororo had even his jaw ready to hit the floor. Of course, hearing Bishop and Scott gulp rather loudly got the attention of the rest of the team, and silence fell over the room.
Ororo was naturally beautiful, and the combonation of the black pants, sapphire top and black lace-up vest with her white hair and blue, blue eyes made her look like a woman made for clubbing. The jewelry Rogue had mentioned was a silver and blue necklace that was almost tight enough to be classified a choker, but now quite pair with silver bangle bracelets and huge silver hoop earrings. Her white hair was mussed slightly, just enough to take away the true regality she normally possessed and show her as the woman she is.
Rogue, also a natural beauty, had actually played with her looks, turning her from a down-home Belle, to more of a Gothic look. The black flare-leg jeans hugged her hips, and looked amazing even against her lightly tanned skin. The black halter was something she would have normally avoided, but with conrol over her powers, there was no reason for worry. Well...unless you count the fact that it dipped just low enough to show hints of cleavage. The jewlery Rogue had picked was antiqued silver, and totally Goth. From the dragon claw holding a ruby-colored stone, hanging on a chain around Rogue's neck, to the silver armband which was fashioned to look like a dragon entwined around her arm, it was anything but Rogue's normal look.
Of course, despite being reasonably taller than some women (especially in Ororo's case since she stands at 5'11) they were both wearing high-heeled boots that were hid by the legs of the pants. Rogue and Ororo shared an amused look, and their lips curved upward in smiles before they looked back at Bishop and Scott. Speaking, Rogue raised an eyebrow curiously as she eyed the men. "Ah don't suppose that ya'll might be ready t' go, would ya?"
Scott recovered, barely. "Uh...yeah. Which car are we taking?"
Rogue glanced at Ororo, then back to Scott. "How about th' Seabring? Its got more leg room."
Bishop, finally recovering, nodded in agreement. "That's fine with me." His eyes roamed over Ororo, then Rogue. "You two look..." He paused, looking for the right word.
Scott finished the sentence. "Amazing...just amazing."
Nodding again, Bishop smiled. "What he said."
Laughing, Ororo and Rogue walked towards the garage, leaving Bishop and Scott to walk behind them. It wasn't until the door to the garage closed that normal order was resumed in the living room. Bobby let out his breath in a *whoosh* of air. Looking at the others, he spoke. "Why weren't we invited?"
Remy's eyes were still focused on the door where Rogue had disappeared, and his voice was lacking its usual spark. "I dunno, homme. I dunno."
A/N: Rogue and Remy's conversation translated (translated portions in italics):
When the results of Rogue's testing were revealed to the team, Rogue was half tempted to make a smart remark to get them to stop their staring. "Would you stop starring at me? Its not like I've grown another head or something is it?" Obviously, she gave in to temptation.
Her voice speaking the foriegn tounge suprised them all again, and after a pause, Remy raised an eyebrow. "What language was dat, chere? That certainly wasn't French."
Rogue smiled. "No, that was Italien."
Remy grimaced dramatically. "What? Italian? Why on earth would you speak Italian when there's the wonderful French, mon chere?"
"Maybe because I felt like it. After all, what use is knowing many languages if you never use them?"
*End Translation*
Also, up next: The club scene. Hopefuly should be out soon if all goes right.