Had originally hoped to have this out before now. Nevertheless. Here it is. Not entirely satisfied with it. Two pages longer than my usual, and I still didn't accomplish enough in this chapter. Oh well. Consider this the first half of Chapter 8, if you wish. The rest will be out sometime soon, I should hope. Enter The Plot. Sorta. Oh, and Pyro. He just won't be brushed aside.
Once again, none of these are my characters. Even those that don't seem immediately familiar. They are all canon. Sorta. No Mary Sues around here. We eat them for breakfast. And their little dog too! RAWR!
Hope you enjoy!
---
8/?
Had A Bad Day Again
ChaosCat
8 August 2003
---
[Anita Blake, after an 'incident' with a female vampire hitting on her.]
"Jesus, are all vampires over two hundred perverts?"
"I am over two hundred," Jean Claude said.
"I rest my case."
[Laurell K. Hamilton, Circus of the Damned]
((Did I mention that Jean Claude is French? This reminds me of Rogue and Remy so much ^.^))
---
"They went where!?"
"Maine," Kitty answered absently, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard of her laptop.
It was an odd relationship, the one Kitty Pryde had with her laptop. It was possibly the one thing she loved more than the mall. It was also the only computer she'd touched that hadn't ended up smoking. She was sprawled across the one of the more comfortable recliners in the Rec Room, soaking up the warmth from the fading sunlight streaming through one of the larger windows.
"What the hell for?" Rogue queried, looking quite perplexed. "Who goes to Maine?"
"Stephen King?" Tabitha remarked as she fiddled with the stereo.
Replacing Kitty's copy of Shakira's latest CD with her own selection, Tabby grinned back at the two other girls. Within a few moments, the first distinctive guitar notes of "Celebrity Skin" by Hole began to sound. Rogue winced. She'd never liked Courtney Love much, and thus disliked her music on general principle. Still, Tabitha seemed to love the woman. Probably because they were so much alike: crazy and loud.
"Cerebro picked up a new mutant," Kitty explained, rolling her eyes at Tabby. "Just happened, the girl lives in Maine. Not like, a whole lot of information on her, but the Professor wanted a team to go and check her out."
Rogue frowned. She'd just discovered that Scott had left, taking with him several members of the X-Men. Of course, that had included perfect Jean, with her perfect hair, and perfect everything. Rogue wasn't jealous, she told herself. She just didn't want to fawn all over Jean like everyone else in this place.
They had gone on a mission, obviously. Leaving her behind. The Professor was still hesitant about letting her go out with the rest of the team, first because of the fluxation in her powers, and now, more recently, the incident with the random kidnappers. Everyone treated her like a child, locking her up as if they were afraid she'd lose control. It was positively infuriating. It was enough to give her the sudden urge to hit something. So what if they didn't trust her. She didn't need their trust, didn't ask for it.
"Why am Ah the last person to find out stuff around here?"
"Maybe it has something to do with your 'charming personality'?" Tabitha offered, the last of her words spoken in a bad imitation of Rogue's southern drawl.
Rogue narrowed her eyes at the blonde girl, who only offered her a cheeky grin in return.
"Or the 'Glare of Death' you've patented." Kitty didn't even glance up from the screen in front of her. Kitty knew her roommate all too well.
"Very funny." Rogue snapped, crossing her arms grumpily.
She'd missed a lot of school lately, and the make-up work was becoming excessive. Scott had agreed to help her with her Geometry homework tonight. But that wasn't going to happen now, was it? He was probably mooning over Jean at this moment.
"You know," Tabitha began, "Jean and Scott always go on those lovely little recruiting romps to play Superheroes, seeing as how they are the oldest, and thus more mature than the rest of us newbies. And because it gives them the opportunity to flirt with each other shamelessly. Wild Blue Yonder Boy is helpful at times, too. But there is something I just don't get."
"Like why they brought Bobby along?" Kitty supplied helpfully.
"Exactly." Tabby nodded. "That is just asking for trouble."
***
"Are we there yet?" Unaware that he was the current topic of rather unflattering conversation back at the Institute, Bobby Drake was sitting in the back seat of Jean Grey's SUV. Staring out the window, he was the very picture of innocence. The rest of the X-Men knew better.
The asphalt passed beneath the spinning tires of the SUV as the driver unconsciously pressed a little harder on the gas pedal, accelerating far past the speed limit.
"No," Jean Grey flatly replied, glancing back at him in the rearview mirror. Her knuckles were turning white from the grip she had on the steering wheel.
"Oh." He was beginning to look bored, which was never a good sign.
Scott Summers, currently sitting in the passenger side next to Jean, only let out a sigh. This was the fifth time Bobby had asked that question. It was a very rare thing for the ordinarily resolute young man to question Xavier's orders, but Scott was beginning to wonder if bringing Bobby had been a mistake.
Kurt, who had the unfortunate luck of being stuck next to Bobby in the back seat, just looked at the younger teen. Scott could scarcely suppress a smile. Apparently, he and Jean weren't the only ones becoming annoyed with Bobby's inexhaustible supply of energy. Or bad jokes. After nearly four hours in the car with him, the amusement wore off. At least they were almost at their destination in Maine. That was something that Scott was profoundly grateful for. If he had to listen Bobby and Kurt renditions of Sheryl Crow's 'Favorite Mistake', he'd go crazy.
Jean wasn't faring much better, if her grip on the steering wheel was any indication. Scott was just glad they were nearing their exit. According to the Professor, Cerebro had picked up the signature of a new mutant in this area. It was a girl, and the Professor suspected that she had just discovered her mutation. He was not able to get a firm grasp of her position, but with the help of these new gadgets that Mr. McCoy had been tinkering with, they should be able to locate her quickly enough.
The unassuming twin black boxes located in the back of the vehicle housed the devices. They were programmed to scan for any sign of the x-gene signature. The x-gene was the one commonly held responsible for making people like Kurt fuzzy and blue, among other various mutations. Once activated, the scanners would alert them to the proximity of any mutants in the area. Unfortunately, it could only detect the exact location of a mutant within a hundred yards. Once they got close, they would be on their own.
"So, what do we know about this chick anyway?" Bobby inquired, playing with the button that controlled the back window. Up. Down. Up. Down.
"Don't you ever pay attention to the Professor?" Scott asked, turning to look at him.
"Hey! I listen when it is important!" Drake attempted to defend himself.
"Like the time you broke the beaker in Mr. McCoy's lab right after he finished telling you not to touch it?" Kurt cut in.
"How was I supposed to know what it was?" Bobby grumbled. "Or that it would explode after I dropped it? But anyway, you never answered my question."
"We don't know anything, really," Jean remarked. "Only her name, even that if vague: V. Stratford. No real first name, just the initial."
"What about her powers?"
"Unknown," Jean continued. "Cerebro is only able to detect the presence of the X-Gene in an individual as it is triggered, not determine how it manifests itself. Even then, Cerebro doesn't pick up all mutants, just those with stronger mutations. We just don't have the technology to find all of them, at least not yet."
"Oh." Bobby paused. "So, why didn't we take the jet?"
"Because we are trying to blend in, Bobby." Jean explained patiently.
Jean had been in contact with the Professor since they had left. Xavier had pinpointed the position of the new mutant as accurately as possible, but now it was up to the four of them to find her, and possibly recruit her. Scott glanced over at Jean. Despite the constant annoyances, it was nice spending time with her. Too bad they couldn't have gone on this particular assignment alone.
"Hey!" Bobby Drake's voice cut across his thoughts. "Are we there yet?"
"NO!!!" The three other passengers of the SUV all cried in unison.
Scott sighed. He was beginning to get the feeling that his was going to be more trouble than it was worth.
***
Rogue eyed Kitty suspiciously. The younger girl seemed perfect content to clack away at that keyboard, although Rogue couldn't hazard to guess what the girl was doing. She did know, however, that it was only a matter of time before Kitty attempted to interrogate her again. The purpose of these torture sessions she'd been put through in the last week? The unexpected visit at Bayville High by one annoying Cajun. It had been really rotten luck that Kitty had recognized him. Rogue had to admit she was grateful Kitty had shown up when she did, and almost a little disappointed.
Damn that Cajun! He was so confusing. Why had he gone through the trouble of seeing her? He had to know that one of the others could have seen him, like Scott, who wouldn't have thought twice about blasting him into the next season. What did he want? A date? Yeah right. He was after something, but what? And why did he have to sound so sincere?
She'd spent the entire week dreading the weekend. And now that it was Friday, she was practically a bundle of nerves beneath the painted exterior. Tomorrow was Saturday. Saturday was the day Remy had invited her to dinner. Was she going to go? Not a chance in hell. He was an Acolyte, after all. And had tried to kill them more than once. Now he was trying to play nice to her? Was the man daft?
"You're scowling again," Kitty chided slyly.
"So?"
Kitty shrugged, snapping her laptop closed. Then she giggled, stretching her arms above her head lazily. It was just the two of them now. Tabitha had been dragged to the Danger Room (Amara had appeared, panicking about Wolverine coming after them if they were late), and Rogue had retreated upstairs to her room, only to have Kitty follow her. Kitty had been fully engrossed by some program on her laptop, giving Rogue ample time to brood in peace, until now. Convinced that Rogue was hiding something from her, Kitty had been pestering her constantly for information about Gambit. Rogue had denied it, trying to get Kitty to leave her alone.
Unfortunately, Rogue was hiding something from Kitty. She'd lied, telling Kitty that she didn't know why Gambit had appeared, only that he'd just made a comment or two and then sped off. She couldn't tell her roommate about his propositions, or his flattery. Not unless she wanted the entire Institute to know. If the Professor found out – No- if Logan found out, there would be a dead Cajun. She chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. No, it was best to drop it. Completely. Ignore him and his offers. And the way her heart sped when he spoke. The way her knees went wobbly when she stared at her. Those eyes were just intense. Oh God! She was starting to sound like a lovesick Kitty Pryde!
"Lets go out tonight!" Kitty suggested.
"Excuse me?" Rogue wondered if Kitty realized whom she was talking to.
"Like, to the movies or something."
"Ah don't think so."
"Come on! Why not? It is Friday, you know."
"Because."
"Like, because why, Rogue?"
"Just because!" Rogue snapped peevishly.
Kitty sighed mournfully. Her playful expression was gone, replaced with a hurt look. Rogue didn't care. Kitty knew better than to suggest they go out for some mindless teenybopper flick. It was demeaning. Rogue could only handle so many romantic comedies. After that horrid one with Cameron Diaz, she'd had enough for the next decade. She glanced over at her roommate. The girl was actually pouting. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Rogue closed them instead, leaning back on her bed.
"Hey Rogue!"
Her eyes snapped open. Sam Guthrie stood in the open doorway, flanked by the spiky haired Ray, both younger students at the Institute. Rogue raised a brow.
"What?" Her cold tone was reflexive.
The Kentucky bred southerner only smiled. Sam was one of the few New Mutants that Rogue tolerated well. The two of them had a common background, which included accents that got them quite a bit of teasing.
"Ya got a package, gal." He held an inconspicuous cardboard box out to her.
"Me?" Rogue blinked. She never received mail.
"Yup."
She rose from the bed and took the box from Sam, staring at it. Her name was there, written in impersonal block letters. That was it. There was no return address. Nor even any postage. Odd to say the least.
"It was on the porch," Sam explained, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Me and Ray found it."
"Ooooh!" Kitty's eyes lit up as she leapt from her seat. "Who's it from?"
"Ah don't know," she answered, peering at the box suspiciously.
"Ain't ya gonna open it?" Sam drawled.
Rogue realized she was suddenly the center of attention. Kitty was practically crawling over her to get a better look at the package. Both Sam and Ray were waiting expectantly. Rogue felt a sudden surge of self-consciousness, clutching the package a bit closer to her.
"Not with y'all around." She eyed the two boys. "Now git!"
After a few choruses of "Aww Rogue" and other such whining, she was able to rid herself of the boys. Unfortunately, Kitty was a different story, claiming that it was her room too. And even if Rogue locked her out, it wouldn't deter her for long. It was a lost cause.
"Well, like, open it!" Kitty was practically hopping in her anticipation.
"Alright. Alright."
Flopping back down on her bed, Rogue began working the box open. Ripping away the duct tape, she attempted to ignore Kitty, who had perched beside her. Once she'd worked the box open, she stared at the contents.
"What is it?" Kitty demanded.
Rogue pulled out the object, wrapped in a shimmering burgundy scarf. The sheer material was slippery beneath her gloved fingers as she gently began unwinding the object nestled within.
"It's beautiful!" Her roommate squealed.
Rogue had to agree, although she wasn't sure which thing Kitty was praising. The scarf was lovely, but the other . . . It was a book. A journal, to be precise. One of the elegant, expensive sort. The cover was so blue it bordered upon black. An inky midnight shade. As she tilted it curiously, the book caught the light, casting a silvery gleam over the surface. The etching was in silver as well, the design a series of Celtic knots.
She just held it for a moment, quite confused. Why would someone send her something like this? It was nice, but very unexpected. Christmas was months away, as was her birthday. Confused, and beginning to grow suspicious, Rogue frowned. Determined to find out, she flipped the book open, looking for a clue. A scrap of paper fell to the floor, but that didn't attract her attention immediately. Instead of a clue, tucked inside the cover was a note. Her eyes widened upon reading the elegant script.
Chere –
Something to hold your secrets.
Maybe you'll write about me?
-- Remy
Remy. Upon reading the name, words sprung unbidden into her mind. The words he had spoken to her earlier in the week.
"Puisque, ma jolie coquin, votre tristesse fait seulement la beaute dans plus lumineux."
What exactly had he meant by that? Nothing he did made any sense. One minute he was trying to blow her hand off, and the next he was asking her out for dinner. Some bad guy he was turning out to be. God, this was confusing. Hadn't she made it very clear she wasn't interested in him? She didn't know what more to do save beating him over the head with a large object.
"Rogue?"
She turned to look at Kitty, the open journal on her lap. The younger girl was holding the scrap of paper that had fallen from the journal. Only it wasn't a scrap of paper. It was a playing card. The King of Hearts. And from the expression on Kitty's face, she knew who had sent it. And Rogue knew she wasn't going to get out of this one so easily.
***
"Is she close?" Scott gasped out.
Jean nodded, scarcely taking her eyes from the screen of the hand held device as they ran; brushing past startled pedestrians on the sidewalk. Behind them, Bobby Drake struggled to keep up, wheezing audibly. Not that Scott blamed him. They'd been running forever, chasing after that girl. They'd found the mutant the Professor had sent them after, but right after they'd approached, the girl had panicked, and run off. The poor girl had been terrified, fleeing as if the hounds of hell were fast approaching on her heels.
"Why is she running?" Bobby coughed.
Scott had no idea. He only shook his head.
"Maybe we scared her?" Jean suggested.
It was plausible. Perhaps the presence of four strangers introducing themselves as mutants sent the girl into a panic? Or maybe they hadn't been the first group to arrive. Magneto wasn't known for his patience or geniality.
Out of the three of them, Jean was the least winded. Probably due to her impressive background in varsity sports. The girl was practically on every team the high school had. And with all that practicing, she had a very nice physique. One Scott rather liked admiring at times. Especially when she wore those tiny gym shorts.
"She's heading north," Nightcrawler advised over the short-range communicator. "I think she's slowing."
Kurt had been their eyes, from his perch atop various buildings in the urban area, helping them keep up with the girl and keeping himself out of sight. The four of them were still in civilian clothes, and the sight of a group of teenagers running like mad was hardly anything unusual, given the general nature of teenagers. They were all equipped with the short-ranged communicators Logan had demanded they bring along, which had proved useful on this assignment.
They turned around street corner, the device signally they were getting closer. Jean hadn't been able to make contact with the Stratford girl yet, but she'd attributed that to her inability to control that aspect of her powers completely.
"Uh guys," Kurt blurted out. "I zink I lost her."
"What?"
"Oh man!" Bobby groaned.
"She's at the bus station." The bluff fuzzy one explained. "Looks like she ducked into the bus parking lot. Want me to follow?"
Scott and Jean exchanged a look.
"Are you getting anything from her yet?" He asked.
"No, only a vague, nervous feeling." Jean frowned. "She's terrified of us, Scott. But I can't figure out why."
"Maybe she's just psychotic." Bobby was panting so hard it was hard to make out his words.
"Negative," Scott responded into the communicator, ignoring Iceman. "First we regroup."
"Sure thing, Oh Fearless Leader."
--
"She's there." Kurt pointed vaguely to the rows of parked charter buses all lined up.
They'd met Kurt in front of the bus station. He was wearing his image inducer, replacing the fuzzy blue elf with the khaki-clad, nervous looking teen. Once the rest had arrived, he'd hurriedly babbled something about losing her in the crowd. The crowd seemed to be at a minimum considering it was a Friday night. Nevertheless, it was easy to become lost in the flow and ebb of people. Kurt had thought he'd seen the blonde disappear into one of the parking lots that was used to park charter buses when they weren't needed.
That was where they were now. The buses loomed around them, giving them very limited visibility of the rest of the parking lot. Kurt had offered to climb atop one of the vehicles to get a closer look, but Scott had refused. They weren't technically supposed to be in this area, although the security attendant had been nowhere to be found when they'd entered the lot.
The sun was beginning to set, casting ominous shadows over the parking lot. The outside lights had yet to kick on, leaving the murky buses looking a bit like gloomy monstrosities hunched in the darkness.
"Creepy." Bobby remarked to no one in particular.
"Ja," Kurt agreed. "Like a bad horror movie or something."
"You two are being overdramatic." Jean rolled her eyes. "And you both have overactive imaginations. This is not a movie."
"This is coming from the girl who reads minds," Kurt shot back. "Speaking to The Great Fuzzy One, and that guy that makes the ice."
"Hey!" Bobby frowned. "How come you get a title, and I'm just 'that guy that makes ice'?"
"Seniority." Kurt explained.
"Oh." Bobby nodded.
"If we could get back to the subject at hand?" Jean reminded them. "We are supposed to be finding Ms. Stratford, who is probably scared out of her mind at this point in time."
They fell silent, looking almost sheepish, but not quite. As if in response to Jean's words, the sudden echoing of running footsteps sounded. Heads turned in the direction of the noise. A far distance away, a flash of white clothing, blonde hair, and wide, frightened eyes was visible before the girl disappeared behind one of the buses.
"Well, that was easy." Bobby started in that direction.
"Wait!" Jean held up a hand. "Let me go talk to her."
"But-"
"Don't even think of pulling that Macho Male stuff with me right now, Scott Summers." Jean Grey bristled, her eyes flashing. "That girl is terrified, and I'd like to find out why. Don't you?"
"Yeah-" Tongue-tied, he couldn't quite protest.
"And I am much less threatening-looking than the three of you, right?"
"Mmhmm."
"Then it's settled." Jean crossed her arms, daring him to argue. "I'll go talk to her. You three can back me up."
Scott looked to Kurt and Bobby for any sign of support. They were both conveniently looking the other way. He let out a sigh. Scott just couldn't argue with her, could at her? Just look at her. Jean beamed at him. At least, he thought she was beaming; maybe she was just looking smug.
--
The girl wasn't hard to find. She was cowering behind one of the large greyhound buses, her long, wavy blonde hair obscuring her features. Jean noted with some amusement that there were streaks of green dyed in her otherwise pretty hair. Maybe it was natural? She thought of Rogue briefly. Strange colored hair seemed to be a trend with mutants. Personally, Jean thought it was rather tacky.
A loud sniffle escaped the girl's form, drawing Jean's sympathy out at once. The poor thing was clearly terrified. V. Stratford was no older than Jean, maybe even younger. The girl was crouching against the side of the bus, hugging her knees. Jean approached softly, careful not to startle her. Reaching out with her fledging telepathy, she attempted to sooth the girl, only to come up against a smooth, impenetrable white wall. On the surface, there was fear, and anxiety. Beneath that? Nothing.
"Miss Stratford?" She queried softly. "Don't be scared. I only want to talk to you for a minute."
The girl flinched at the sound of her voice, but slowly, so very slowly, she lifted her head up, peering at Jean with cloudy blue eyes. Her green streaked locks fell around her face, painting an attractive, yet vulnerable picture of the young woman. She was wearing a pair of knee high white Go-Go boots with chunky heels. How had she run in those things? With a short white skirt, blue swirled sleeveless top, and perfectly circular sunglasses perched atop her head, the girl was an odd sight, like something out of the sixties. Jean wondered, not for the first time, what her mutation was.
The girl didn't speak, but didn't run away again either. Jean took that as a good sign. She came closer, still cautious. Bobby, Kurt, and Scott were all hanging back, out of sight at the moment, but not too far away.
"My name is Jean Grey." She tried to draw the girl out of her shell a bit more, kneeling next to her. "I just want to talk. I'm like you, a mutant."
The girl didn't respond. That was puzzling. Most of the time, they either denied it, or questioned it. There was no look of calm bemusement. Especially after she had been practically sobbing. Jean got a good look at Miss Stratford's face. Her eyes weren't puffy. She didn't seem upset any longer, but instead, pleased.
How long has this girl known what she is? Jean found herself thinking. Where the thought had come from, she couldn't guess. But as she thought it, she knew she was close to something. Maybe it was her telepathy. Or just her intuition. Sometimes, the two of them seemed so intertwined. Something was off.
Jean moved to rise, silent warning bells sounding in her brain. She needed to contact Scott. The Professor . . .
Her world began to spin violently, pitching her to her knees as the waves of nausea began to overtake her. She was helpless to stop it, panic and confusion washing over her. Completely and utterly helpless.
--
Scott was frowning. He didn't like waiting. After all, he was the leader of the team, right? He shouldn't be just sitting here, waiting for something to happen. It seemed like he did a lot of that during his time being an X-Men. Especially when Jean was involved. Most of their 'relationship' revolved around waiting for her. She still hadn't really told him how she felt about him. It drove Scott crazy. She wasn't seeing Duncan anymore, and the concert had practically been a date, right? Where did that leave them now?
He shifted his weight, looking to his other two teammates. Bobby was amusing himself by playing with the locator. At least he was being quiet. That was something. Kurt was looking as anxious as Scott felt, gaze shifting constantly over the looming buses around them. They were lucky security hadn't stumbled upon them yet. Where were those guys, anyway? One would think they'd do the job they were paid to do.
BEEP!
"Uh oh."
Scott turned to glare at Bobby, who was looking at the device in his hands. The little black locator was beeping, the screen had lit up with an array of colored lights, each blinking as well. He'd been playing with it a few moments ago. Hopefully, Drake hadn't broken the equipment the first time they used it.
"Bobby . . ." Scott began.
"I didn't do it! I swear!" The younger boy protested. "This thing is going crazy. Wait! It's picking up the presence of the X-Gene in nine individuals in the area."
"Eight?" With a BAMF!, Kurt was peering over Bobby's shoulder. "There should only be the four of us, and that girl."
"Yeah."
"Did you break it?"
"No! I didn't do anything! I swear!"
"Well, you were playing with it!"
"Stop arguing!" Scott cut in. "Let me see it."
"Fine." Bobby held the device out to him. "Hey, wait. It just stopped."
"What?"
Scott reached out to take the now unresponsive device, but a startled decidedly feminine cry sliced through the air. It was a voice that Scott knew well. Jean! And she was in trouble. He turned in the direction the sound had come from. His feet had already begun to move him in that direction. Not bothering to wait for the others to follow, Scott sprinted around one of the buses. Jean could be in trouble.
A flicker of motion above him caught his attention. He blinked, slowing only slightly. Something struck him from behind, hitting him neatly between the shoulder blades. The pain came in an instant with the unexpected viciousness of the blow and he tumbled to the ground, landing on his hands and knees. The air whooshed from his lungs, leaving him gasping for breath. His back hurt, badly. Somewhere Kurt was shouting in German, but Scott couldn't really make out any of the words. A pair of boots came into view, attached to tan colored fatigued pants, military issue. He looked up, the muscles in his back screaming with the movement.
She towered over him, hands on her hips. Her short, spiky black hair was streaked with lavender highlights, and her dark eyes were positively glowing with malevolence. The woman was like an Amazon, her biceps bulging visibly beneath the white shirt. She was easily twice as muscular as Scott, and from his estimation, at least a foot taller. God, she was huge! And the grin she was giving him made his stomach curl. She cracked her knuckles, pleased expression settled upon her features.
"Now, little boy, let's see what you got."
Before he could force his body to move, she grabbed him by his hair, and yanked him upward.
***
"I can't believe that you didn't totally tell me about this!"
Kitty was squealing again. She'd been squealing since before they'd left the mansion. Now, as Rogue slammed the Jeep into park, she was beginning to seriously think about strangling her roommate.
"Well, Ah told ya now." She shut the van off. "Now get out."
Not that she'd had a choice. Kitty wasn't stupid. A bit ditzy at times, but not stupid. When she'd seen the playing card, she'd become suspicious, and loud. In order to keep her from screaming out "GAMBIT ASKED YOU OUT?" more than once at the mansion, she'd resigned herself to taking Kitty to the movies. She'd not only had to promise to spill every detail of their encounter, but also threaten to knock Kitty unconscious in order to avoid unpleasant confrontations with other residents at the Institute. In return, Kitty didn't say another word about the package, or Gambit. Until they got in the car.
Now that they were at the theater, Rogue was beginning to wonder if that was the best course of action. Getting out of the Jeep, she locked the doors, shoved the keys in her pocket, and started toward the building. Kitty followed after her, rambling. The nearest decent movie theater was in the next city over from Bayville. They weren't as recognizable as mutants there. It also meant the drive was longer, unfortunately.
"I still can't believe you got Logan to let you borrow the Jeep." Kitty commented. "How'd ya do it?"
Rogue smirked. It had been rather easy, actually. She'd mentioned that Kitty and herself wanted to go to the movies. Logan had seemed grudgingly willing to drive them, until Rogue casually dropped the hint that if Logan when with them, Kitty would want to drive. He'd dropped the keys into her hand and told her to go.
"It was nothing." She shrugged.
Kitty seemed to buy it, and immediately launched into another set of babbling. This time revolving around the one thing Rogue didn't want to talk about it. The Cajun.
"That's soooo romantic, Rogue." Kitty gushed for the fourth time.
She was wearing a baby blue halter top with a pair of shiny navy colored pants. Her make-up was light, but still apparent. She'd insisted upon dressing up for the "Girl's Night Out." And had made Rogue do the same. Bribery was a bitch sometimes. Of course, Rogue wasn't wearing anything Kitty picked out, opting for a mostly black ensemble. Boots, burgundy tights, short black skirt, and fishnet shirt over a tank top. She was never without her gloves.
"Romantic? What the hell are you on, Kit?" She threw a glare at her friend.
"Just think about it! It's just like Romeo and Juliet."
Where those hearts in Kitty's eyes? Oh God, save her now.
"Gee, that's really encouraging me to accept the invitation," Rogue grumbled. "Tragic, unavoidable death."
"You are going, aren't you?" Kitty gasped.
"Hell no."
"But Rogue!" She grabbed Rogue's fishnet garbed arm. "You like, HAVE to go!"
"Are ya insane?" Jerking her arm out of Kitty's grip, Rogue continued marching toward the ticket booth. "He's a bad guy, in case you've forgotten!"
She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to be having this conversation. And she certainly didn't want to be thinking about Gambit at this particular moment. She wasn't going. And that was that.
"So what? Lance was a bad guy too," Kitty said dreamily. "Sorta."
"And look what happened," Rogue pointed out.
Kitty pouted at her. By this time, they'd reached the ticket line. Since it was a Friday night, the crowd was thick. They were lucky they'd left early.
"What are we going to see?"
"Oooh, I heard the new J-Lo movie is out!"
"No." Rogue's tone invited no argument. She stared up at the marquee, the movies and times listed there. "What about 28 Days Later?"
"Ewww! Like, no way!" Kitty wrinkled her nose. "I am sooo not watching a zombie movie. Not after Kurt and Evan made me sit through all three of those Evil Dead movies!"
Rogue grinned, remembering how terrified Kitty had been after watching the Evil Dead Trilogy. Especially after Kurt and Even had scared the bejeebus out of her with that mask and the fake Necronomicon. The girl hadn't slept for three days afterwards, muttering to herself about zombies and chainsaws.
"Fahne, we won't see that movie," Rogue relented, still peering up at the sign. "What are we gonna see then?"
"I don't know." Kitty was looking over the large crowd now, maybe trying to find someone from school. There were quite a few teenagers in the crowd tonight.
"This was your idea, ya know."
"Oh my God!" Kitty gasped, suddenly grabbing Rogue's arm to jerk her around. "Look! That isn't who I think it is, is it??"
Rogue looked where Kitty was pointing, and blinked. There was a very familiar figure ambling across the sidewalk. A very familiar, unwelcome figure.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Rogue grabbed Kitty and pushed her behind some people. "Quick! Hide!"
The older couple the two teens were currently hiding behind just looked at them strangely. Unfortunately, it was too late. They had been spotted.
"Hey! I know you!" The voice was loud, masculine, and accented. And heading in their direction.
The gleeful yelling caused several heads to turn in their direction. Before either of them could react to that booming statement, they'd been caught. The grinning Australian was standing in front of them. St. John Alleryce tilted his head to the side, regarding them both.
"You're that girl with the hair." He pointed to Rogue, and then turned to Kitty. "And you walk through walls!"
Rogue was torn between wanting to smack herself in the forehead and having the desire to smite the wicked Acolyte. Of all the people to run into, they just had to run into an Acolyte. Not just any Acolyte, like Sabretooth, who would just try to kill them and get it over with. No, they had to find the especially unbalanced one. Kitty just stared at him as if he had grown a second head. Around them, people were beginning to gawk curiously as well. St. John grinned disarmingly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his blue jeans.
"So, what are you Sheilas doin' tonight?" He asked, rocking on his heels. "Out for a bit of fun?"
"Huh?"
"Want some company?"
"Ah don't know what Magneto is planning, but it ain't gonna work." Putting her hands on her hips, Rogue glared up at St. John.
"Yeah!" Kitty chipped in, boldly jabbing him sharply in the chest with her forefinger. "What are you trying to pull anyway, Pyro?"
St. John peered at them inquisitively for a moment. He looked as if he didn't quite know what to make of their chatter. Then understanding dawned on him. Raising a finger to his lips, he shushed them.
"Shh! Don't just go around saying my name like that!" Looking left, and then right, Pyro continued. "I'm incognito at the moment, Luv. So just John, will do."
He winked at them conspiratorially.
"You're what?" Kitty exclaimed.
"Incognito! You've no idea how boring it is being a lackey!" St. John gave a tired sigh. "They don't let me have any fun!"
Before either of them could respond to that bizarre comment, St. John had turned his head sharply, his eyes wide.
"CRIKEY!" He said entirely too loudly. "Did ya see that guy?! He better be her father!"
It was impossible not to, as St. John was pointing at the man in question, an older gentlemen escorting a voluptuous woman half his age. People around them averted their gaze from the strange red/blonde haired man to look as well. As the sudden yelling and pointing by John, the man in question quickly removed his hand from the woman's backside, his cheeks flushed. By the indignant glares upon both their faces as they entered the building and the man's hand placement, it wasn't his daughter.
"Isn't that illegal?" John wondered aloud.
Kitty and Rogue exchanged looks.
"So much for incognito," Rogue muttered.
"Is he like, always like this?" Kitty whispered out of the corner of her mouth, slowly edging away from the slightly insane Acolyte.
"Ah'm afraid so."
"So," St. John turned back to the two of them, looking as if nothing had happened. "Are we seeing a movie?"
"We?"
St. John nodded amiably in response to Kitty's query. Apparently, the Acolyte had decided to join them. This was not good. Rogue sighed. It was going to be a long night.
---
Not where I wanted to end it. But this will have to do for now. This chapter was supposed to have sooo much more fighting in it. But no, St. John just HAS to show up. Don't worry, all you people questioning the issue of The Date. That will be addressed. As soon as I can get through this. Remy was even supposed to be in this chapter. We'll just have to wait until next update.
Now, the opposition arrives. Not really a big secret who they are. At least not to those familiar with the comics. Once again, next chapter will explain things a bit more. You are free to share comments/theories though. Actually, that would make me quite happy.
Time for Shout Outs! Cookies all around! I Luv you guys! Want to give you great big hugs for supporting me this far!
Lone Vixen – That is just the kind of review that makes me squeal with glee, I gotta tell ya. Thank you sooo much! And tangents are fine, because I know EXACTLY how you feel on the Bobby/Rogue thing. Silly movie people!
Freaky Rogue – Your wish is my command. The next chapter should make you happy!
bunny angel – You are a girl after my own heart ^.^ Remy just isn't used to failure, which makes him like Rogue, I think. She doesn't roll over to his every whim. I say make him grovel, but that is just me!
Taineyah – You're writing is excellent. I adore your fic! Don't let one bad review make you quit, especially not from a boy! Ick. They have cooties anyway, don't you know??
Passionate Crow Rat – Betsy is really badass. I have this desire to see her in EVO, so I just wrote her in for my own amusement. There will be much more of her to come, no worries there! Ah, you are a Jean hater, eh? Don't blame you. In the show, she's such a snit! You called Remy a cocky bastard! I am giggling with glee now! I like him that way, personally. He's still young, not quite perfected his charm yet.
Makura Koneko -- I am melting all over just thinking about that quote! Have now seen that movie 3 times, and not tired of it yet. God, Jack Sparrow is sexy! Watched Chocolat the other night with my friend. You –have- seen that, yes? I fall in love with that movie all over again, every time I see it. Next chapter I am going to try to begin working in your fav pairing. Maybe I should just give them their own story?
Peachy-Poo -- Sorry you don't like my story. What don't you like about Remy's actions? Is he out of character somehow? Any advice you have to offer would be appreciated!
poopers -- Whoohoo! One cookie headed your way! Romy is my personal favorite too. They are just so adorable together! As for Pyro, rawr! I want one!
Akuma-chan -- Don't die yet!!! You have to read more!!
Ariesque -- Thank you! I am really glad to hear that you like my pacing. I know it can be a bit slow at times, but I just want to get a feel for the characters. I just can't see her jumping into his arms and everything being peachy. It's just not their personalities. They thrive on conflict, if you ask my opinion. I hope you continue reading, and reviewing. Your insights are really helpful!
FrEcHeSKaTzChEn -- You liked my fight scene! I am so happy! Hope you like the next one too!
Ishandahalf – Darlin, you crack me up! Seriously! So much to answer in this one. Okay, here goes! (1)There will be more QUASI-Romy in the next chapter. So stay tuned for that. (2)I am a big advocate for Rogue having a personality that is Goth, instead of just acting it. There are a lot of fics out there that have her gaining the power to touch, and dressing like Kitty or Jean. That's just not Rogue. She is unique! Damn it! (3) Yes, Remy is doing it for the challenge right now. After all, women just don't turn him down. He's interested, and even attracted to her (she if female and hot, after all), but not desperately in love. I am praying that this fic won't turn out to be the cliché Remy-seduces-Rogue-and-falls-for-her-and-she-gets-pissed. That's just not my bag, baby. But, she ain't gonna be happy ifshe finds out about Magneto, ya know. (4) Yay! I got another Gold Star! You totally get a cookie! One of those huge ones too!
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