Disclaimer: I don't own no character, no singer, no song used in this fic.
A/N:
I need serious help! Can anyone tell me the name of the band that had a concert in Self-Possessed? All and any info about them would be really appreciated too. Thanks!
Oh, and I have a request. I'm getting quite a few comments (and raised eyebrows) regarding my choice of music. But a reviewer gave me an idea. How about instead of you guys telling me that I put in the wrong songs, why don't you tell me what songs you would like to see (singer and lyrics would be nice too!). Feel free to email me. Let's take a lookie on how that would turn out? sigh
One last thing. Can anyone think of a nice name for their band? Um, I've got some, but it's really corny (like X or Salem).
Rockstar Chapter 4: AddictedRogue slid into the bench where she was supposed to meet Kitty, Kurt, and Bobby before they leave for Forge's house for band practice. The time-misplaced mutant always had a cool gadget or two around, and she was told that he was the official techie man of their yet unnamed band.
Looks like she was the first one there. She had just finished a round of meditation/training with Logan while the others were still probably doing their chores. If there was one good thing coming out of her power-craziness, it was she got let out of most of her chores. She deposited her stuff on the ground after taking out her copy of Othello for English class. She might as well catch up on her readings while she was waiting.
That and the fact that she can't be seen leaving with them since she wants to keep the Singer separate from the Rogue.
A few moments later, she noticed that someone from behind her depositing a white box of some sort on her lap.
She quickly grabbed the arm, stood up, grounded her foot for leverage, and slammed whoever was standing behind her with the box on the ground before her.
It was Gambit. She should've known.
"Chere!" He exclaimed happily. "You've been practicing!" He easily as he got up on his feet with the grace of an acrobat.
Rogue glared at him. "What are you doing here?" She growled at him. She grimaced inwardly. She was definitely hanging around Wolvie too much! With that, she executed a series of punch and kicks.
All of which he easily evaded, much to her infuriation. "An amalgation of Madame Mystique's and Monsieur Wolverine's fighting style, very nice," he observed. "Thought it would be obvious why I am here, chere." Gambit replied as he suddenly lunged at her, grasping her shoulders, turning her around, and holding her arms behind her with one hand. He thrust the white box in front of her with his free hand.
Rogue, surprised at the appearance of the box, stopped struggling. She didn't notice him snatching it when it fell from her lap. She frowned and stared at it suspiciously.
"Go ahead, take it." He grinned at her as he relaxed his hold on one of her arms. "I made it myself." He added proudly.
Rogue closed her eyes and concentrated just as Logan taught her.
Gambit suddenly found himself holding air. Rogue reappeared a few feet in front of him, covered with smoke and the smell of brimstone. "You ported," he didn't sound surprised as he wrinkled his nose at the offending smell.
"Obviously," Rogue muttered dryly.
"At will?" he asked as he once again tried to give the box to Rogue.
"Still working on it," Rogue took it dubiously. It smelled good. "So, you came all they way here just to give me these?" She asked incredulously.
Gambit nodded. "That, and to piss off your bodyguard."
Ah, yes. The Wolverine. She should've known. Rogue smirked. "Well, he is out for blood, specifically yours,"
"I'm flattered, petite, but can you tell him he's not my type?" He leered at her. "I like 'em strong and tough, but I got my eyes on someone else."
Rogue fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"And since we're being friendly and giving each other the warnings and all," Gambit continued. Rogue watched in amazement as all good-humor disappeared from his face in seconds, replaced instead with a solemn-looking young man that she almost didn't recognize. "The boss man was asking for you again. Don't know what he's planning, but you be careful,"
"Are you threatening me?" Rogue snapped, immediately on the defensive.
Gambit shook his head. "Non, chere," he replied. "I'm telling you that if he orders me to do something, I'll do it, even if I don't want to. I'm too much in his debt to do otherwise. All I'm asking is for you to take care."
"You are such a lackey," she muttered. Suddenly, Gambit shoved her backwards, making her fall unto her butt, with him almost falling on top of her. "Hey!"
"It looks like our date's been interrupted, chere." Gambit grinned at her as he straightened up, took her hand to help her up. Almost instantly, the serious young man she had seen only moments earlier was gone, replaced by the boy who has simultaneously intrigued and infuriated her. When she was on her feet, he took her gloved hand and kissed it. "Till we meet again, my little river rat!" And he was gone.
"You mean 'till you stalk me again,' doncha?" Rogue yelled after him. "And don't call me that!" But when she looked over her shoulder to see where the heck he had gone to, she saw the tree directly behind her frozen in ice. Had Gambit not shove her backwards, she would've been in the place of the tree. She shuddered. She didn't even see Bobby, and yet, he knew even if his back was turned.
"Rogue!" She heard Bobby call. "Are you alright?"
"Like, what's that?" Kitty asked as she pointed at the white box set on top of the Goth girl's backpack. Kitty and Kurt arrived right after Bobby did, so she was unable to run back to the mansion to leave his so-called gift.
Rogue hesitated. It might be a trap or something. But then, if he wanted her to get hurt, he wouldn't have pushed her out of the trajectory of Bobby's ice, right? She shrugged. "He gave it to me." She didn't bother explaining who he was.
"Oohh, another gift!" Kitty's eyes twinkled. "How romantic!"
"Right," she said sarcastically under her breath.
"So, like, what is it?"
"Only one way to find out," Rogue muttered as she slowly, carefully opened the box.
"Beignets!" Kitty grinned. "Smells great! Can I, like, have one?"
"It might be poisoned or something," but she couldn't help but remember him saying that he made it himself. Somehow, the picture of Gambit in a kitchen wearing a frilly pink apron failed her imagination.
"Or maybe he laced it with a love potion or something," Kitty suggested with a giggle.
Rogue had to laugh at that one. She highly doubts if that Cajun had to go around love potion before he can get girls grovel at his feet. She knew that where he is concerned, he gets the girl he wants without so much as a snap of his fingers. Well, his fingers are going to fall off first before this one comes running to him, she thought sourly.
"So, are you, like, just gonna throw it away?"
Rogue shook her head. "Only one way to find out whether they're good," she said as she leaned towards the front part of the van where Kurt, who was driving, and Bobby were seated. "Boys, beignets?"
I heard your doing ok, but I want you to know...
I'm addicted to you
I can't pretend I don't care when you don't think about me
Do you think I deserve this?
I tried to make you happy, but you left anyway
I've tried to forget that I'm addicted to you
but I want it & I need it, I'm addicted to you
now its over, & I cant forget what you said
& I never, wanna do this again
heartbreaker...heartbreaker...heartbreaker
Since the day I met you & after all we went through
I'm still addicted, I'm addicted to you
I think you know that It's true
I've gone a thousand miles to get you
do you think I deserve this?
I tried to make you happy
I did all that I could, just to keep you
but u left anyway
I've tried to forget that I'm addicted to you
but I want it & I need it, I'm addicted to you
now its over, & I cant forget what you said
& I never, wanna do this again
heartbreaker...heartbreaker...heartbreaker
How long will i be waiting?
Until the end of time
I don't know why I'm still waiting
I can't make you mine
I've tried to forget that I'm addicted to you
but I want it & I need it, I'm addicted to you
now its over, & I cant forget what you said
& I never, wanna do this again
heartbreaker...heartbreaker...heartbreaker
Heartbreaker...heartbreaker...heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
I'm addicted to you
Heartbreaker
"That was great, guys!" Forge announced as the song finished. "But I need to make some adjustments on the keyboards and the guitar. Rogue and Kurt, you guys can take a break in the meantime.
The five of them were in Forge's garage-turned-lab-turned-band practice room. They had arrived at his place just as he had finished sound-proofing the place.
Rogue walked towards the small table to get a drink that Forge's mom (who was rather old) set the drinks and sandwiches, which was now Kurt's current mission to obliterate.
"Have you done this before, my sister?"
"Done what?"
"Sing," he replied as he took a bite out of the sandwich. "You sound like an expert,"
"And I might ask you the same thing, my dear brother," she said which pleased Kurt immensely. "Where in Germany did you learn how to play the drums? I thought you came from the country?"
"I tell you my story if you tell me yours,"
Rogue didn't even think about it. "Deal."
Gambit, more popularly known to the ladies as Remy LeBeau, leaned casually on the door frame of Bayville High, waiting to torment the latest object of his hunt, his most challenging one yet.
The crush of the students going out of school had come and gone, it being a Friday, all were eager to leave the torture chamber that was known as the school. Already, he had numerous phone numbers, four offers of dates, and two actual ones.
But still not sign of the Gothic Beauty.
He reached into his trench coat and took out a cigarette. Not bothering with a lighter, he lit the cigarette with his own powers.
The few girls (and guys) still roaming the campus openly stared at him.
Remy gave them a flirtatious grin. Some glared at him and stuck their noses in the air before walking away, but most blushed, giggled, and returned his smile.
Remy brought the cigarettes to his lips, but when he was about to take a long, satisfying drag, it was snatched away from his fingers. "Merde!"
"This is a school, Gumbo, not some saloon," a haughty voice with a distinctive southern accent called out as she passed by, cigarette in hand. Rogue stopped a few meters in front of him to throw down the cigarette and snuff it out with her foot.
"Roguey!" Gambit straightened up as he followed her.
Rogue winced as resumed her walk.
"Chere, wait up!"
Rogue spun around so fast that Gambit almost fell forward as he suddenly halted to avoid collision.
"Stop calling me that!" She snapped. "I have a name."
Gambit's grin widened. "You tell me your name, chere, and I'll gladly use it," he challenged her.
Rogue's jaw dropped open.
"But I think it would be gentlemanly if I introduce myself first," Gambit continued, enjoying the look on her face. "Remy LeBeau, at your service, ma chere," he bowed down with a flourish. Afterwards, he took her gloved hand and kissed it.
Rogue snatched her hand away and huffed off.
"Chere!" He called out as he followed her.
"What do you want?" She snarled at him.
"How 'bout we have coffee somewhere nice, henh?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Rogue stopped again and spun around to give him a look.
"I meant aside from that,"
"Gumbo," she growled threateningly.
"Oh, so we're back to endearments again?"
Rogue threw out her hands in exasperation. She turned around again to walk away, but this time, Gambit caught her arm.
"Roguey,"
Rogue looked at him funny. "Just what is the real color of your eyes?" She suddenly asked. "Sometimes they're normal lookin' like now, but sometimes they're red on black. What's up with that?"
Remy leered at her. "Didn't know you noticed, beb."
"I actually opened myself up for that," Rogue grimaced.
"So, what about coffee?" He grinned. "After all, it's a Friday."
Rogue shook her head. "I have a date." And she enjoyed the shocked look on Gambit's face. She crossed her arms in satisfaction.
"A date?" He choked out. He didn't see that one coming.
"Hey, Rogue, ready to go?" As if on cue, a man walked up to the two of them. The man was broad-shouldered in contrast to Gambit's lithe body. The guy had a friendly smile on his face, making him look sweet and wholesome, in comparison to Remy's rough and wild façade. The guy's black hair was neatly combed and tamed, not one single strand out of place, whereas Remy's was messy and ruffled, making him look like he just got out of bed. The man was wearing a collared shirt and slacks which looked as if they were freshly ironed, while Remy was wearing his legendary trench coat.
To Remy's dismay, the guy placed hand on Rogue's shoulders. Rogue neither grimaced nor shied away from the contact. "And who's your friend?" Rogue's date asked.
"No one," Rogue replied. "Let's go," she grinned at him.
The guy and Rogue left Gambit standing there with his mouth wide open.
Rogue never remembered when was the last time she had laughed so much or so loud. "You should've seen the look on his face," she burst into laughter again.
Kurt nodded trying to control his mirth. "Ja. Jean was laughing so hard telepathically too, I almost didn't understand what you wanted me to do."
Rogue grinned. She had asked Jean to tell Kurt to meet her by the school steps with certain—uh—modifications with his image-inducer.
"Here's your order," the waitress called to them as she eyed the two suspiciously and set their food on the table.
Kurt rubbed his hands in anticipation as he eyed his hero sandwich. "Ah. This is the life."
"Why can't I skewer him?" Logan demanded as he paced around Charle's office.
Charles shook his head as he looked out the window. He felt Gambit's presence. He was unable to determine where exactly, but he knew that the young man was just outside the Institute, obviously waiting for someone.
Charles had sent a mental command to Wolverine to see him in his office. Wolverine had somehow known that Gambit and was about to go out to confront him, but Charles held him back, as he did the past times Gambit went in to see Rogue.
"Where is Stripes?"
Charles closed his eyes for a moment and touched his temple. He can't help but smile at what he saw. "Spending some time with her brother,"
Logan grunted. "How 'bout I scratch Gumbo a bit and then rough him up some, just to scare him?"
Charles wheeled himself around. "Gambit is looking for redemption, Logan, not judgment." Charles told him, losing his smile. "He feels hope in Rogue, that's why he can't keep himself from her."
"You mean he thinks he's a formidable challenge because of her power," Wolverine snarled. "I know his type. Smooth with women. Leaves 'em once he gets what he wants,"
"I assure you, Logan, that it's more than that this time,"
Setting his mouth in a thin, straight line, "Fine, Chuck. But if he does anything to hurt Stripes, he answers to me. And not even you can stop me." With that, he whirled around and left.
Charles felt fear, not for himself but for the boy. He knew that Logan meant what he said. And he knew that Gambit hurting Rogue was inevitable. They were enemies, on opposite sides in the mutant debate. But, most of all, both of them are teenagers. They were bound to make mistakes that would not only hurt each other, but also themselves.
He supposed he should be glad that Logan had finally opened his heart to someone, had cared for someone other that himself. He knew that he felt protective of Kitty and Rogue—Logan's girls. And heaven help the men who tried to worm their way into the two girls' heart. Not only would they have to contend with the girls' gifts, they would also have to deal with an overprotective dad, one that would slice and dice in a moment's notice, and ask questions later.
And what he told Logan was true. Gambit was looking for redemption. He was looking for a second chance to straighten up his life. And that, Charles thought with a soft sigh, was what the X-men were all about.
"Would you believe that I was worse than Jean and Kitty combined?" Rogue asked Kurt as they walked home.
The two had left the diner after three hours of non-stop talking. Kurt told her of his life in Germany while Rogue tried to open to her cough, cough brother.
Kurt grinned. "Somehow, I have difficulty imagining you wearing a pink blouse and saying things like 'like' and 'as if,"' he said, managing to imitate Kitty even with his German accent.
"I was the queen of junior high. I even have my groupies."
"So what happened?"
Rogue sighed as all good humor vanished from her face. "During the summer before I entered high school, Irene told me that I have a skin condition. Things changed after that,"
"Oh," Kurt wanted to see his sister's eyes sparkle again, but he was at a loss on what to do.
Rogue turned to look at Kurt and noticed this. She visibly gathered up her good humor. "So," she began. "When am I going to meet Amanda?"
"Did you hear the latest news?" A freshman squealed as she saw her friend whose locker was besides Rogue's.
"What news?" The friend asked as he slammed his locker shut.
Rogue, who was beside him, rummaged in her locker, mentally listing the things she needed after school.
"Remember Bobby's band that played in Amanda Sefton's Sweet Sixteen?" The freshman asked. "They're playing Friday night in The Buzz!" She gave an excited shriek that made Rogue grimace.
The friend grinned. "Wow. Can't wait to see the redheaded chick again," he said. "She's awesome,"
The freshman nudged him with her elbow. "You've got no chance with her." She said. "She might be the next Britney Spears!"
"Then I better ask her out before she becomes rich and famous, then,"
Arm in arm, the two friends made they way out of school.
Rogue winced. Britney Spears indeed.
"For the last time, Ice Pick, I'm not going to do your little dance," Rogue glared at him.
Bobby gave her the full effect of his puppy-dog eyes. "But Rogue!"
Forge looked up from his console, gave the two an amused grin, and then went back to what he was doing. They had been at it since they arrived at his garage half an hour ago. They were still waiting for Kurt (who had walked Amanda home) and Kitty (who had a Russian Club meeting) to arrive before they resume their practice.
"No!"
"Rouge, think about it!"
"I have and the answer is still no!"
Bobby sighed. He had four days until Friday. Four days until he could convince Rogue to even sway just a little but while dancing. That would surely make her—ahem! The other her—more popular than she already is.
Rogue shuffled through the song sheets in her hand. "Nope, not gonna sing this," she muttered as she separated one sheet from the rest and tossed it away. "Not this one either."
Bobby bent over and picked up one of the sheets Rogue discarded. He glanced at it. "But Rogue, this is my show piece. I have an awesome guitar solo in this one,"
"If you want to play that, then you sing it yourself." Rogue replied. "I think that they whole point of me joining is to relax me, not kill me with embarrassment."
Kurt suddenly ported in.
"Kurt! Please tell Mr. Ice Cube there that in under no circumstance am I going to dance while singing nor am I going to sing Britney Spears!"
"Kurt! Back me up on this one! I know the crowd would just love it if she sways a little more in her songs."
Kurt looked as if he was caught between two high-speed trains. "Uh, I forgot something at Amanda's place. See you guys later!" With that, he ported off.
Forge chuckled until he heard Rogue calling his name.
"Forge—"
"Uh, I think I hear my mom calling!"
"Jamie?"
Jamie didn't even look up as he glared on the TV set with a vengeance.
"What's wrong, sugar?" Rogue asked as she slid into the couch beside him.
"They won't let me go." Jamie crossed his arms sulkily.
Rogue frowned. "Go where?"
"To the concert of Bobby's band."
It turned out, they were not to play in the coffee shop after all, but in a bar of some sort. The four of them were barely old enough to be there, that's why most of the New Mutants were not allowed to go.
And that's also why Storm and Wolverine would be there, to keep an eye on things (and not go on a date, as some of the students insisted).
"Why do you wanna go there?"
"I want to see the singer that everyone's been talking about,"
"Oh," Rogue said as she leaned back. "Her." She said flatly. "Don't worry about her, Sugar, she isn't that great."
Jamie looked up at her. "You know her?"
"Yeah, I know her,"
"But you don't like her?"
Rogue almost laughed at Jaime's earnest expression. "I like her, Sugar, it's just that she's overrated."
"What does that mean?"
"Never mind," Rogue told him. "So why do you wanna see her?"
"I heard Scott telling Bobby and Sam that she was so pretty, prettier than Jean, in fact, and that her voice is hypnotic."
Rogue's heart surged. Scott thinks she's prettier than Jean. But it crashed down almost as soon as she felt it. Correction. He found the Singer pretty. Not her. Not the Rogue.
"And if I'm bigger, I wanna be in a band too. Maybe I can get Bobby to teach me to play the guitar," he mused.
"Sugar, I can teach you to play the guitar right now." She said. "I learned to play when I was younger than you,"
"Really?"
Rogue nodded. "Now, go to Bobby's room and take his guitar, the brown one, the one without the plugs connected to it."
Jaime excitedly jumped up and ran out.
Rogue sighed and wondered what the heck she was doing. She must be getting soft from all those meditating and internalizing.
But moments later, all such thoughts were banished as she played the end theme of Sponge Bob Square Pants to Jamie (to prove that yes, she can play the guitar) and taught him a few basic chords to practice.
~tbc
P.S.
Thanks to * (yeah, next chapter would be a song by Evanescence. Promise.), Barbara Ruiz (at last, someone who appreciates my sense of humor—and lack of it!), Rogue Warrior Spirit (the next installment to come soon ^^), Destiny Phoenix (My sincerest apologies! But rest assured that I had no intention of disgracing the name of rock music. I have a reason why the title is such and it has nothing to do with the particular genre of music. I'll elaborate more in later chapters), Seung Lee (I hope that this update is soon enough for you, I would've done it sooner, but real life got in the way), jskullguy (the songs I choose are more because of the lyrics rather than the genre. But I would try to look for some pop-rock songs), Yumiko (the gig coming up next!), and ishandahalf (yep. Somebody's crushing on the Soutern beauty and it ain't Gumbo!).