Callous
Chapter 08 – Enamel
Kitty chewed on her lip.
A flat lick of the brush left a sticky trail of blushing pink. Another came along side it, closer than brothers or sisters. Not quite so much as lovers, but lovers of a sense to mark them as friends. Soon the available space was filled.
Kitty fought her giggles.
The brush dipped, collected its color, its blush, and the stroke moved one finger over. In a matter of moments, the third nail was painted as well.
Bobby didn't fare as well as Kitty. He erupted with laughter when Kurt's tail twitched, swatting at the most recently painted nail. The blushing pink nail polish gummed his fur. That was more than Bobby could resist.
Bobby picked up the painted hand and the gummed tail and swung them around, mocking a coy dance. He faked a bad feminine soprano, singing, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."
The rest of them busted out in laughter.
"Vas ist das?" The German accent was unmistakable, even when sluggish with sleep. Their answering silence was no shelter, though.
"Heh..." Bobby dropped Kurt's hand and tail. And ran!
Bamf! Kurt was practically on top of him, but behind him.
Bamf! He was gone, not in back, but in front, and on top of the fountain statue. And he was holding something up.
Kitty blushed, but cracked a grin, as did Rahne, Jubilee and Sam. Roberto, Jamie, Ray were snickering. Bobby was shocked... and a bit confused.
High above his head, Kurt was waving a pair of Spiderman underwear above his head like it was a flag and he'd just landed on the moon [1].
Crash!
Something large came flying out of one of the second story windows.
"Kurt!" Kitty yelled the warning.
It was heading straight for Kurt.
Bamf!
The kids all scattered, Kurt porting back near where several of them had scattered too, just a mere five feet from the dresser that now sat smashed on the lawn in front of the statue fountain. Clothing spilled from the dresser, littering the grass surrounding the now broken dresser. Several pink and baby blue under things were among the clothing.
"At least mine aren't the only ones on display," Bobby said and laughed.
Another loud bang and Rogue flew out the same window that dresser had come from. A blushing Kitty gave chase, yelling, "That was my dresser, Rogue!"
They gave chase and found Rogue, fuming, near the pool, at a bench along the bordering woods.
Rogue spun around when she heard them close in on her. She seemed to be kneeling on the seat and leaning on the back of the bench, but to a closer observer, it was obvious she was hovering in the position. Her face was red with anger as she yelled, "Ah told 'em Ah couldn't do it. Ah've showed alla ya'll Ah can't do it. But do they listen? No! He just has ta push it. 'Again, try again, Rogue,' he tells me, gettin' all huffy like Ah got control ovah it." She turns towards a particular window in the mansion, one from which Xavier just happened to be watching her. "Ah told ya, didn't Ah? Ya didn't find anything!"
The others caught up and looked up to the window that Rogue was yelling at, finding Xavier there, thoughtful and concerned. Below the window, three figures, having exited through the back door of the Institute, moved across the patio and lawn towards Rogue.
"All that telepathy and ya can't even figure it out, can ya?" Rogue continued yelling at Xavier. "Can't even tell what Ah'm thinkin' now, can ya?"
"Maybe not," Logan said as he approached, cautiously, like he would to a wounded animal, "But I bet it ain't nice."
Jean and Scott were following behind Logan, jogging from the back door. They had all just come from a Danger Room session designed for figuring out the problem with Rogue's legs.
"Rogue, calm down," Jean said as they reached Rogue and the others. "Lashing out like this won't help anyone. You know that."
"We're just trying to help," Scott added, stating the obvious.
Like Jean and Xavier and all the others, Scott was at a loss. Nothing they had tried so far revealed any reasons or solutions to solving the problems with Rogue's legs. All their tests proved that there was nothing physically wrong with them. There were no currently broken bones or torn or strained ligaments. She was in possession of Logan's healing powers and as such, her body was in impeccable health. The strength she'd gained from Carol Danvers was present in her legs. She could operate exercise equipment of all types beyond the weight limits the school's equipment offered, save for the ones that required her to be standing. The bottom line was that her legs were in perfect health; she just couldn't stand or walk on them. And as such, they were inclined to believe that the problem was not a physical one, but a psychological/mental one. Xavier believed, and Jean and Hank conceded that the fault lie in the complications of the personalities of those she absorbed while under Trask's captivity and Dr. Milbury's tender mercies in scientific experimentation.
Rogue rose from the bench, maneuvering swiftly, but gracefully to face Scott up close. They weren't more than a few feet from the rows of trees that began the woods.
"All ya are doin' is shovin' how messed up Ah am in mah face." Each word was growled, but clearly punctuated.
"That ain't true, Ro—" Logan began. Nobody noticed that he cut himself off and began sniffing the air.
Scott obviously didn't noticed. Scowling, and a bit hurt by the accusation in Rogue's words, Scott said, "I would never do that to you. None of us would. The Professor thought—"
"Stuff it, Scott," Rogue snapped. "Ah know what Xavier thought." She looked to Jean and said, "Ya'll might not be able to read mah thoughts, but Ah can't help but read most of yours [2]. Professor may have taught ya how ta shield your thoughts Jean, but ya can be real lazy in a house full of non-telepaths. Even you got a habit of forgettin' Ah got some of mah own now too." Rogue narrowed her eyes on Jean. A mongoose eyeing its prey. "Don't worry, Jean, Ah'm well aware of the fulitlity of mah crush on Scott."
Jean looked shocked, like someone had read her diary, and Rogue zeroed in for the punch.
"At least until Ah can touch again."
Jean frowned, but steeled herself against Rogue's harsh words. She understood that Rogue was just angry and hurt and feeling trapped. Still, it did sting a bit. As confident and self-assured as Jean was, she was not immune to jealousy, even when unwarranted. She knew Scott only cared for Rogue as a close friend, but his dedication to helping solve Rogue's current problems did sometimes make her wonder if Scott would indulge deeper feelings for Rogue if Rogue's touch was no longer deadly.
"That was uncalled for, Rogue," Scott said.
Rogue turned a saddened glance to Scott, sighed in defeat, and said, "Ah know it, Scott. We all know it. Even if Ah could touch, ya wouldn't evah be interested someone like me."
Scott extended a sympathetic hand to her. "Rogue, I do care for you. You are a special—"
Rogue waved off the rest of his sentence. She didn't want to hear it. It was too much like a consolation prize. Besides, more recent experiences had confirmed how wrong she had been about her feelings for him. Sure, she cared for him. But, it was hardly more than a crush, romantically speaking. He had been the first guy to show her kindness and friendship and real acceptance despite her mutant powers... And he did have that killer baseball player's body and that shy, boyish charm thing going for him. Who could blame her?
"Don't bothah, Scott. Ah'm not devastated with heartbreak." A smirk tugged the corners of her lips up as she thought of another person whose charms had an even more powerful effect on her. "Sides, Ah've got other prospects anyway," she added, turning to face the woods behind her, "Isn't that right, swamp rat?"
A low chuckle proceeded Remy from the woods behind them. "Just prospects, chère?"
Skint! Logan's claws cut through the air in front of Remy's nose as his other hand tugged Remy's head back by the scruff of his shaggy hair. The others had been so caught up in the drama with Rogue that they hadn't noticed Logan sniffing around the edge of the woods.
"Been sneakin' around here a lot lately, haven't ya?" Logan menacingly asked Remy.
Remy never even blinked an eye at Logan, but kept his flirtatious grin targeted on Rogue as he said, "Mind callin' off y' watchdog, Rogue?"
"Let him go, Wolvie," Rogue said, approaching the two. "He's harmless."
"He's one of Magneto's new goons."
"He's also mah friend," Rogue said assertively.
"C'est vrai, Remy just came here t' visit de belle femme."
"That right, Gumbo?" Logan said, yanking back on Remy's head.
"She be worth it, non?"
Rogue shifted so her face veiled her slight blush at his words.
"That why ya broke into Xavier's office?" Logan asked brusquely. His next words were to Rogue, "Sorry, stripes, but I think he's really doin' a job fer Magneto."
"Remy?" Rogue questioned. As much as Rogue wanted to believe that Remy genuinely cared for her in that way, she still had doubts. After all, it's hard to believe that someone like him, someone as suave and flirtatious with women, would give up touch for her.
Remy gave Logan a venomous look. Threats to his person, he could handle. Threats to his family, threats to damaging the trust he'd been working so hard at earning from Rogue, those sorts of things were beyond the line for him.
"I t'ink y' should watch what y' say.... Wolvie," Remy said as he raised a charged card.
~"That is not necessary, Remy, Logan,"~ Xavier, still watching from the second story window, said to the group, telepathically. ~"If everyone would join me inside, I think perhaps we could clear this all up."~
Logan growled, but retracted his claws and released Remy. Talking amongst themselves, they all made their way inside.
Remy ignored how Logan, distrusting, stayed by his side. He bowed and extended a chivalrous hand to Rogue. "Shall we, chère?"
Rogue regarded him skeptically, asking, "Ya for real, Remy?"
"One li'l kiss, chère, and y'll know for sure," he answered wickedly with a wink.
Rogue scowled and retorted, "Ah'd rather have your word."
A nod of respect and understanding, then Remy said, "Remy's word it is then."
"Quit stalling," said Logan as he gave Remy a shove at his back.
~"Oh, and Logan?"~
~"Yeah, Chuck?"~
~"I am expecting another visitor. Please refrain from threatening her if you could."~
~"Long as she comes to that gate and rings the bell, I won't have a reason to."~
"See what I mean?" Emma asked Carol.
"..."
"What is it now?"
"I'm just not sure she meant to harm us."
A haughty huff and Emma said, "She stole our lives from us, Carol. I trusted her. You trusted him. They are both working together for baldy."
"But she isn't working for that man Magneto or Milbury or Trask."
"But she is close with the speedy one. That is her link to Magneto. And your betrayer is her link to all the others."
"I'm still not convinced."
"You're kidding me!"
"If I could see for myself—"
"I've already shown you."
"And that's part of the problem, Emma. I've only seen what you've shown me. Why is it I can't see what's going on without your help?"
"I told you. It's something to do with my telepathy."
"But, you also told me you no longer had that ability."
"A lot of things aren't easy to explain, Carol. For instance, you're insubstantiality. You can't even feel your own limbs, let alone see them, for crissakes!" A long pause. A breath to steady her frustration, then, "You'll just have to take my word for it. What other choice do you have?"
"I'd still rather see for myself."
"Well, I'd like to be alive and in my own body. But that's not going to happen either, now is it?"
"Yer trusting him to handle this?!" Logan shouted. He was so shocked by what Xavier had just revealed to them that he had nearly leapt out of his seat.
"A lot of people trust Remy wit' exactly dis sort of t'ing, homme," said Remy from where he was leaning on the corner of Xavier's desk. The smug gleam in his eyes expressed his satisfaction that, with Xavier's announcing that he was working for Xavier to search out information on the experiments that Milbury had performed on the captured mutants, he had just stuck it to Logan.
The others were reacting in a much more contained manner than Logan was. To Remy's right, across the room from Logan, Beast as well seemed surprised, yet contemplative. Hank was willing to listen to Xavier's full explanation before arguing the logic of using one of Magneto's new team members in pursuit of such delicate data. Storm seemed to be taking the same perspective as Beast was. She was serene and thoughtful, sitting calmly beside Beast on one of the couches. Scott—as team leader—and Jean—as the next senior member of the team—were also present. Jean seemed stoic, yet slightly agitated, as she sat in one of the chairs between the two couches. Scott, in the other chair, didn't resist speaking up, though.
"But for what kind of people, Gambit?" Scott asked.
Most of them only knew Gambit by the professional/code name that he introduced himself as at the beginning of this meeting. Only Rogue, Xavier, and Logan, thus far, knew him as Remy, and Logan only knew it because he'd heard Rogue use it as they were heading inside.
"The kind who require discretion," Gambit said smoothly. He wasn't embarrassed by whom he worked for or associated with. He may have not been proud of some of the outcomes, by some of the things that obligation had trapped him into, but he was not ashamed by his profession.
"Is that a polite way of saying criminals, fanatics, and outlaws like Magneto?" Scott countered.
"And what are all of y'? What do de people in dis town t'ink of y' now dat y' secret is out?"
"That's different and you know it," Scott said, though his tone lacked much of its previous strength.
The truth was, all of the students were having a hard time in school since the broadcast was leaked again in Bayville. It had only been two days, but the tide of hate was already in motion. Principal Kelly's prejudice was shown blatantly at Bayville High School. Just today, Ray, after being targeted by bullies, was suspended for fighting. The bullies received no punishment. In fact, the parents of those who incited Ray were threatening to sue the school if policies to protect their children from dangerous, out of control mutants were not instituted.
Through all of this, Rogue, who was sitting beside Logan per his protective arrangement, was eerily quiet and blank faced. Well, blank faced for her. She still wore her commonly seen scowl, as she was torn between the logic of her friends and teammates, her feelings for Remy, and her concern that Remy had never told her he was working for Xavier. It seemed an important bit of knowledge to her. But, for the time being, she was determined to trust his word.
"Not according ta most folks," Rogue said, siding with Remy... sort of. "We know we aren't what they all say we are. But, they are the majority here, Scott."
"That may be true, Rogue," Storm spoke up, "However, perception does not constitute fact."
"My concern, and I would expect yours as well, Professor," Hank said, "is that our association to more sinister—" Remy covered his cringe at that word "—and nefarious factions by way of young Gambit, if somehow made public, would do little to improve our reputation. It would more likely corroborate the fears and misgivings about our kind and this institute in particular."
"I see your point, Hank," Xavier said from where he sat behind his desk, "And I gave that very theory as well as many others the consideration they deserved when making my decision to employ him in this very important endeavor. But, the fact remains that we were at the end of our rope on this. Even your contacts, Logan, gave us no significant results. We need to know exactly what went on under Trask and Milbury's authorization so that we can treat the long term injuries to our students."
They all avoided looking to Rogue, though everyone knew that it was her dilemma that most immediately necessitated the quick retrieval of the records. There were more extended reasons, of course. For the sake of all the mutants that had been experimented on, and for the prevention of further situations of that ilk, they needed to know what had occurred, why it had occurred, and the end goal that Trask and Milbury were seeking. So, no, all of this was not just for Rogue's benefit. But, if they could find something to help determine the cause of Rogue's legs not working properly, it would be the enamel gloss on a priceless vase.
Xavier then closed his eyes in concentration, a signal that he was using his telepathy. A moment later, he opened his eyes and said, "Excuse me, it seems our other expected visitor has finally arrived. Storm, could you let Moira and her companion in and invite them to join our discussion."
"Certainly, Charles," Storm said as she rose.
At the mention of Moira's name, realization dawned on Hank then and, with a gesture to Gambit, he asked, "He is the boon she offered?"
Xavier's simple response was an eloquent nod.
"Mon père, actually, mes amis," Remy said with a light-hearted grin. "We are all friends now, non?" He looked over the group, pointedly ending with Logan, then said, "My friends call me Remy LeBeau."
"Prince of the New Orleans Thieves Guild," Moira said as she entered. She went immediately to Remy and gave him a friendly hug. "How are ye, Remy?"
Remy shrugged. "Been better, been worse, mais de view improved when y' showed up."
"Still the charmer, aye?" Moira asked, teasing him. "Ye always did have the devil's sweet tongue, lad. It's good tae see ye, too."
"Use a thief to catch a thief," Beast mused with a chuckle as he recited what Moira had told them at their first meeting.
"You're a professional thief?" Scott, shocked, asked.
"Oui," Gambit said.
Moira widened her eyes in mock surprise. "Modesty, Remy? Ye turnin' scoob on me?" She gave the occupants a sly examination. "Or are ye working a lass?" [3]
Rogue scoffed. Logan huffed.
"Y're givin' away Remy's technique, Moira."
"I think she's already on tae ye," Moira said and winked at Rogue.
"Down right transparent," Rogue said.
Moira nodded and smiled. She already knew she was going to like Rogue. "So, Charles, are ye going tae introduce?"
And with that, the trade had begun.
Footnotes:
[1] That was a little homage to Disturbed Courtney and Lilith K's incredible, wonderful, and hilarious story, Twisted Christmas, the X-Men Way.
[2] Rogue accidentally revealed that she also now possessed telepathy in Chapter 5. It was during the scene where she freaked out while trying to tell/show them about her legs and Hank gave her a sedative to calm her. She confirmed it later that same evening when she finally got her confession out and asked for their help.
[2] Scottish slang: scoob = teacher's pet, goody-two-shoes, etc.
TIME LINE
- 14 days (2 weeks before DoR). Magneto briefs Remy, Piotr & St. John on the Brotherhood and X-Men members (Ch. 3, Pietro's memory). Pyro asks if Rogue's power is to imitate the dead (I love that!).
0 days: DAY OF RECKONING. 1st news broadcast of mutants. Rogue, Logan, Fred, and Hank are captured by the Sentinel and held as prisoners in Trask's Institution (research labs).
3 days: RAID ON THE INSTITUTE. Described briefly in prologue.
5 days: Fury sends Carol undercover at Trask's installation.
8 days (1 week and 1 day): Rogue convinces the prisoners to pass their blankets to Fred resulting in punishment from the guards: forcing an unconscious Logan's claws to pierce a collared Fred's skin and the winking guard (Renfield, Ch. 5) to break Rogue's legs (Ch. 4). Fred kept a shard of glass from the Dr.'s glasses, broken in Rogue's struggles (Ch. 4).
9 days (1 week and 2 days): Remy meets Carol and they both try to play each other for information (Ch. 5).
10 days (1 week and 3 days): Rogue refuses the doctor's many attempts to treat her festering broken legs (Ch. 5). Rogue first glances Dr. Milbury (though they do not speak to each other) while the more familiar doctor whispers to Fred (Ch. 5).
11 days (1 week and 4 days): Guards stop feeding Rogue; Fred shares his with her, exactly what they wanted to happen (Ch. 5). After giving the winking guard the nickname Renfield, Dr. Milbury formerly introduces himself to Rogue and informs her that Fred told them her name and powers, well, that she absorbs psyches (Ch. 5).
16 days (2 weeks and 2 days): Dr. Milbury catches Carol and Remy sharing information (Ch. 5).
23 days (3 weeks and 2 days): With Trask in attendance, Dr. Milbury tests the ratio of touch-time to retention-time when Rogue, suspended in an open cylinder, absorbs Logan, strung up by his hands, in order to weigh the possibility that Rogue could survive the adamantium bonding process (Ch. 5). Dr. Milbury reveals his agreement with Trask: Sentinels provide mutant research subjects in trade for progress on the bonding process (Ch. 5). Gambit reports to Dr. Milbury that the assault on the Morlocks is complete and Rogue discovers that they work together (Ch. 5). Rogue absorbs Carol Danvers (Ch. 5), who survives, though is technically brain-dead (Ch. 6). Dr. Milbury plans to use Rogue to create an army of multi-powered soldiers (Ch. 6). Remy is nearly crushed by Rogue's cylinder while trying to save her (Ch. 6). Magneto's new team attacks Trask's installation (Ch. 7). Magneto unknowingly uses Rogue's cylinder to pummel a squadron of guards (Ch. 7). Gambit and Rogue, collared, are taken away, and followed by Pietro, who snatches Rogue and tries to flee, but Rogue convinces him to help her try to free the imprisoned mutants (Ch. 7). Splitting up, Pietro sets loose one of the cellblocks, but Rogue runs into trouble (Ch. 7). Pietro and Emma try to stop guards taking aim on Rogue, but fail, and Rogue is taken down (Ch. 7). Pietro doesn't see what follows as he does what Rogue's closing eyes plead for him to do: he flees (Ch. 7).
42 days (6 weeks): RESCUE. Mentioned in prologue. X-Men discover that Rogue has new permanent powers that allowed her to survive the warehouse collapsing on her and prevents Jean and Xavier from reading her mind (Ch. 1).
56 days (8 weeks): PROLOGUE. It is revealed that Xavier changed the memories of Bayville inhabitants to make them forget that the X-Men and Brotherhood were the mutants involved in the news broadcast of the giant Sentinel attack.
70 days (10 weeks): CHAPTER ONE. Rogue's 1st week back to school. Pietro tries to rescue Rogue from the dastardly Remy, who has so evilly trailed the Queen of Hearts card on her cheek. How horrible of him!
72 days (10 weeks and 2 days): CHAPTER TWO. Logan flashes back on his memories of the rescue, prompting him to confront Rogue about helping more with the reconstruction of the institute. Surprise, she's been avoiding using many of her new powers because she'd killed those whom she'd stolen them from.
84 days (12 weeks): CHAPTER THREE. Sleepless Pietro confronts Gambit outside the mansion. Gambit gives him advice wishes him luck with Rogue.
85 days (12 weeks and 1 day): CHAPTER THREE. Rogue skips out of the overcrowded breakfast and ends up being confronted by Scott. She explains how she hides her constant floating/flying, to keep from getting caught. Rogue/Pietro locker and lake scenes. Wanda tells Pietro he's without honor.
87 days (12 weeks and 2 days): CHAPTER THREE. Gambit slices the tarp to sneak into Rogue and Kitty's room to watch Rogue sleep. He uses his spatial (kinesthetic) sense and empathic (charm) abilities as a way to 'touch' her. Rogue pretends he didn't wake her. Logan bursts in, missing Gambit. Smell's fresh blood on Rogue, but doesn't know it's because she popped a bone claw out ala Wolverine. Gambit left a card with a note on it (see Ch. 4) for her.
90 days (12 weeks and 6 days). News report/interview with non-mutant Dr. Moira McTaggert of the Muir Island Research Center catches Xavier's attention.
91 days (13 weeks): CHAPTER FOUR. Xavier, Logan & Hank meet with Moira McTaggert, who, to inspire faith in her so they could work out a trade of services, gives them guaranteed contact to Jean-Luc for the hiring of a thief to track down some of Trask's files. Rogue and Pietro skip school and spend the afternoon on the mansion's reconstruction by themselves. Pietro throws a fit when he finds the card from Gambit. Fred gives Rogue the Hope Chest. Gambit again waits futilely in Spades for Rogue, who doesn't show (Gambit's note on the card he gave her in Ch. 3). Pietro begins camping outside the Institute to watch for Gambit sneaking into Rogue's room (Ch. 7).
98 days (14 weeks): Gambit waits for Rogue at Spades, but she doesn't show (Ch. 6/7). Pietro is on his seventh night of camping outside the institute to obverse Gambit's stalker-like visits (Ch. 7).
105 days (15 weeks): Gambit waits for Rogue at Spades, but again she doesn't show (Ch. 6/7). Pietro is on his fourteenth night of camping outside the institute to obverse Gambit's stalker-like visits (Ch. 7).
112 days (16 weeks): CHAPTER FIVE. Gambit decides to only wait one more week for Rogue to show up at Spades (stage and spotlight references to standing in the cones of light on the street waiting for his leading lady to show). In remembrance, Rogue runs into Evan on her way to reveal the problem with her legs and chicken's out (Ch. 5). Pietro is on his twenty-first night of camping outside the institute to obverse Gambit's stalker-like visits (Ch. 7).
115 days (16 weeks and 3 days): Rogue attempts to, but chicken's out about telling the team about her legs again, this time after running into Fred (Ch. 5). Pietro is on his twenty-fourth night of camping outside the institute to obverse Gambit's stalker-like visits (Ch. 7).
118 days (16 weeks and 6 days): CHAPTER FIVE. Rogue freaks out, inadvertently revealing that she also possesses the additional power of telepathy, while trying to tell the team about her legs and Hank sedates her to calm her. She remembers several events that took place while she was imprisoned: meeting Dr. Milbury, meeting Trask, absorbing Logan and Carol, learning that Gambit worked for Dr. Milbury, being suspended in the open cylinder. She wakes from sedation during Wrestling Night (unofficial Thursday Family Night) and is plagued by the red-on-black numbers of her clock into going to meet Gambit at Spades the following night. So much so, that she stumbles downstairs to avoid them, and facing everyone, on impulse, shows them her dilemma with her legs. Psyche-Emma meets Psyche-Carol in Rogue's mindscape. Xavier calls the Guild and leaves the message as directed by the card Moira gave him (Ch. 6). Pietro is on his twenty-seventh night of camping outside the institute to obverse Gambit's stalker-like visits (Ch. 7).
119 days (17 weeks): CHAPTER FIVE, SIX and SEVEN. Rogue makes the team a southern dinner as thanks (Ch. 5). She brings a packed serving of the dinner to Pietro, who is on his twenty-eight night of camping outside the institute to 'observe Gambit's stalker-like visits' (Ch. 7). Rogue goes to Spades; Pietro (rendered telepathically invisible by Rogue) goes along to support her and prove he's not a complete, unrepentant jerk (Ch. 6). Though Gambit is there, they do not speak or directly interact (Ch. 6). Gambit leaves when the Guild calls him to inform him that Xavier has made initial contact via Moira's boon (Ch. 6). After flashbacking to the failed prison escape (see day 23), Pietro embraces Rogue, who permits him to, and sways to the music, vowing not to run again (Ch. 7).
120 days (17 weeks and 1 day): Xavier finds a card left by a Guild member (Gambit, though they don't know that yet) on his desk to coordinate a direct meeting (Ch. 6).
123 days (17 weeks and 4 days): CHAPTER SIX. News broadcast of the video of the Sentinel attack undoes Xavier's sacrifice (erasing the memories of Bayville). As a result, Xavier makes the final call to the Guild from the card left three days prior. Gambit is who meets him, and does so by sneaking in to prove his skills.
124 days (17 weeks and 5 days): CHAPTER SIX. Hank McCoy is scheduled to speak at the Bayville public meeting regarding the American mutant situation.
129 days (18 weeks and 3 days): CHAPTER EIGHT. The students prank each other: Kitty paints Kurt's nails pink and Kurt teleports Bobby's Spiderman underwear loose to wave them like a flag. Rogue, in the middle of a tantrum, throws Kitty's dresser through the window and onto the lawn. After failing to find any physical causes to the problem with her legs, Xavier and Jean persist in telepathic therapy, which also isn't working, thus further frustrating Rogue. Gambit shows up, formally meeting the X-Men, who distrust his role in procuring Milbury and Trask's files from the imprisonment. Moira also arrives to witness the success of her boon (Remy's involvement), and immediately guesses Remy's alternative motive for succeeding in helping the X-Men (that being his interest in Rogue). Inside Rogue's mindscape, Emma cites the current events in her attempts to persuade Carol that Rogue purposely imprisoned them in her mind. Earlier in the day, Ray got suspended in an uneven scale of punishment after being involved in a brawl with other non-mutant students.
Author's Note: What exactly is the trade? What has Remy retrieved so far? How will Pietro react to Remy's new role with the X-Men?
Thank you for reading and reviewing.