Dismal Angel 2010 - Episode 3
Chapter 2: Discussion
Rogue knocked lightly upon the door leading into Professor Charles Xavier's office, she waited patiently, until she heard his voice in her head, beckoning for her to enter.
{Come on in, Rogue,} his voice projected into her head, even the voice of his telepathic communication sounded distracted.
Rogue turned the handle and opened the door, stepping in slowly, "Professor, can we talk?" she asked, she tried to keep her voice sounding as casual and non-concerned as possible, she glanced to him. He was seated behind his desk, piles of papers strewn across the countertop in an organised but unconventional manner, a pen poised in his hand, a folder open, his eyes darting across the text of the papers within.
"Of course," Professor Xavier replied, although he did not raise his startlingly piercing blue eyes to glance at her as he usually might, she realised he seemed to be incredibly busy.
"It's about Gambit," Rogue admitted, she closed the door behind herself slowly, still watching the Professor going about his business.
"Oh?" The Professor this time raised his eyes to her, putting the folder he'd been holding down, "are you concerned for him?" his interest seemed to grow.
"No…God, why does everyone keep asking me stuff like that?" Rogue asked, feeling most distraught with this assumption, "No, its not concern," she admitted, she walked over, standing in front of the desk, she put her hands in her pockets, "It's just…he's been here for a while…and all he does is drink and fix that stupid bike in the garage," she admitted, "Kitty did mention to me he wants to get away from here just as soon as he can – I was just wondering what the hold up is?" Rogue asked sheepishly.
"You want to get rid of him?" Professor Xavier seemed surprised, "well…" he then paused, and rubbed his chin absently, "I cannot say I'm surprised, really…he does seem to cause interference somewhat to your routine…" the Professor then gave a sly smile, "but however hard you or the others find it living with the man, we owe it to him to make him at home and to bear with him while we arrange for his criminal record to be cleaned."
"What exactly does that entail?" Rogue queried, looking rather curious.
Professor Xavier smiled softly, "Nothing you should concern yourself, with, Rogue," he admitted, he then leaned forward onto the desk a little, his elbow pressed upon the folder he'd been reading from moments earlier, "actually, I am glad you have come to see me this morning, Rogue," he admitted, "because I think you should be the first to know…"
Rogue felt apprehension build up inside of her, she had a feeling she knew what the Professor was going to say to her before he'd even finished his previous sentence.
"I've discussed the matter with Hank, and Ororo, and of course Cyclops…and we've agreed amongst ourselves that Remy might be ready to return as an X-Man."
Rogue felt her breath catch in her throat, but she wasn't going to let the shock overwhelm her long enough to let the Professor see it on her face, she had to fight her case. "Professor…the guy is a Professional Thief…he admitted it. He's a criminal."
"Better as an X-Man than back to a life of crime," Professor Xavier pointed out softly. After he'd spoken came an uncomfortable silence from Rogue, and the only sound in the office was from a clock on the mantle ticking softly, and the sound of the fire crackling. "Wouldn't you agree?" The professor added.
Rogue scratched her arm absently, looking around the room, "don't I have a say in this?" she asked softly.
"Rogue, I do realise you still have some issues with Gambit…" Professor Xavier began.
"Issues?" Rogue sniffed a little, "It's more than just 'issues'. He run out on me, Professor – and accident or no accident, he is still responsible for Jared's death."
Professor Xavier nodded, he looked frustrated but he kept his calm wonderfully, Rogue envied his composure that he always managed to maintain even in the most wearisome situations imaginable, "your problems with Gambit are strictly personal, Rogue, and you're the only person in the mansion with reason to really fight with me on his being asked back."
Rogue frowned a little, "alright, y'know what, yes, it is a personal problem – I still have a thing against him for all he put me through. But if you like I can put this into a professional perspective – as a member of the X-men," she folded her arms stubbornly, eyes narrowing, "he's a liability, he's reckless and nonconformist – a real rebel. His only worth is only as a solo-fighter, as a team member he's useless," she pointed out.
"Where are you drawing these opinions from?" Professor Xavier raised one of his fine sharp eyebrows, but sighed, "Rogue, I hear what you're saying," he put his hands up in defence finally, "but your opinion on this matter cannot be taken into account simply because you and Remy have a history – even albeit a bitter one – means your judgement would be clouded by past aggression."
"Oh god," Rogue rolled her eyes, "Professor, you're acting as if I'm still seventeen and that I can't control my anger!" she headed for the door, deciding this conversation was definitely over, "anger does not cloud my judgement," she muttered, leaving the room slamming the door behind her, then realising she'd just proven the Professor right, she slapped her own forehead.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought tragically.
Remy LeBeau was in the midst of lighting up a cigarette in the recreation room when the Professor's voice manifested inside his head in thought almost as if the words were his own.
{Remy, are you busy at the moment?}
Remy considered lying and saying he was, but he wasn't exactly sure what he'd have to gain from this – and besides, the Professor was in his head, surely he must have been able to read his thoughts of perhaps lying about it. {Not particularly, Professor,} he replied in thought.
{Could you perhaps come to my office? There is something I would like to discuss with you,} the Professor's voice rang in his head with an almost empty sounding echo.
{I guess,} Remy felt a sigh escape his lips as he stubbed out the just-lit cigarette, and he headed down the hall into the foyer, and down a smaller hallway where the Professor's personal office was.
Remy entered the room without knocking, deciding since the Professor knew he was coming there would be very little point in knocking to announce his presence. He made his way across the large room, the room was so much more luxurious than he remembered it being with its maple panel walls, and its large marble fireplace, a warm inviting fire crackling low against the embers.
The Professor was seated behind his desk, stacks of papers left, right and centre, a pen in his hand, he looked too busy to even have the time to discuss anything.
"Sit down," The Professor gestured to a brown leather set before the desk, but Remy only shook his head in an almost polite way and stood casually, hands in pockets.
"What's on your mind?" Remy asked indifferently, glancing around the room at all the expensive pieces of art and pondering if anything might be worth something. He reminded himself of how stupid it was to think about stealing from a man who could read minds.
"I've been discussing things with Storm, Cyclops and Beast…and we all agree that if you would like to return to the X-Men, we would be most pleased to welcome you back," Professor Xavier said simply.
Remy nearly laughed, "what, you yanking my crank?" he looked at the Professor in complete disbelief of the situation, "you want me to rejoin?" he sniggered.
"What is so amusing?" Professor Xavier raised an eyebrow, "I thought you would be pleased to be asked to rejoin."
"No disrespect," Remy chuckled, his dark eyes swept across the room absently, his expression full of delight. "But I'm not exactly X-Men material anymore, am I?" he shook his head, "No, Professor, I think I need to decline," he said, his voice becoming rather serious, "I'm not into the whole 'saving the world' thing anymore, and even if I was, there are reasons I can't just suddenly rejoin, even if I wanted to."
"Rogue?" Professor Xavier asked very quickly, hoping to catch the emotion in Remy's face as he did so.
Remy seemed to ponder this but caught himself from letting it show, "No, not her – but I think she would be really pissed off if I outlived my welcome any more than I have already," he explained, "I can tell my bein' here is startin' to get to her…probably best I take off."
"For the moment, see past how Rogue feels, how do you feel about staying?" the Professor asked, fingers twined together in front of him, his expression mild.
"The general feeling I get around here is – although you, Storm, Cyclops and Beast are sort of 'accepting' I didn't maliciously kill Jared in cold blood, the others are still very weary…and I don't blame them."
Professor Xavier gave a curt nod, "yes, I understand. But you have not given them time to get to know you. They will come to trust you in time."
"I don't really give a shit if they trust me or not, Professor," Remy responded, he gazed at the Professor from his deep set eyes beneath his low brows, "I don't totally trust them either," he added. "After all most of them all – even including you – ratted me out to the police, which was a pain in the ass considering I had managed to maintain a clear criminal record up until that point."
Professor Xavier gave a soft sigh, "will you at least consider this offer, it would be a privilege to have you back with us again, Remy, and perhaps you might even like to teach French to the younger students."
"You'd trust me with something as big as that?" Remy laughed again, "first lesson I'd teach them how to swear in French and what voulez vous coucher avec moi really does mean," Remy winked, "thanks for the offer, Professor, but I'll have to pass."
Professor Xavier nodded, "I understand…but if you change your mind – and you have the freedom to do so at any time – then don't hesitate to let us know."
Remy nodded a little, "If that happens, then I will, but seriously, I doubt it will happen any time soon," he admitted, "Besides, like I said, I have other obligations…" he explained, "I'd like to try and get away from here as soon as I can…got business to attend to back in Illinois, you see."
Professor Xavier raised an eyebrow, wondering what could be more important than being part of the X-Men? He was half tempted for merely a moment to read the young man's mind, but he let himself stray from that thought, and looked at the man, "I understand. I'll try and deal with your criminal record problems as soon as I can…unfortunately getting the time is the problem, like you…I too have obligations."
"Understandable," Remy agreed, and with that left the room.