Author's Note: Once again, it seems, I have several things to apologize for. First of all, being late. I am in an exhausting summer school class called foundations in P.E. It consumes my mornings and makes me tired in the evenings. But I'm half-way through the class and once I finish, I should have more free time and more energy. Second of all, the chapter isn't as long as I meant for it to be. I knew I was taking too long, and thought I could make up for it by giving ya'll a longer chapter. I did this only to discover that the longer I made it, the more time it took and I was robbing my readers of a much-awaited chapter. Third, I accidently stated that Rogue and Remy were at Harry's Hideaway. I'll clear that mistake when I can, but I momentarily forgot they were in New Orleans and that the only Harry's Hideaway in the MU is in New York. Fourth and finally, an absolutely insane chapter name. It's an old Scottish expression meaning 'goes awry' originated by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. I thought that it was befitting the events of the story. Now here are the review responses!
Wishful Thinking-- Why oh why oh why oh WHY do you have some unsatiable need to mess with peoples timing in their love lives?? Not only is that what fanfic writers do, but it's so much fun. Plus, this fic wasn't getting enough angst. So I fixed it. But don't worry, I'll eventually fix my fix.
Lucky439-- As you can see this chapter, Franklin isn't the one in trouble.
Neurotic Temptress-- It's been forever and a day since you wrote a clif-hanger, because when you wrote that review, it had been forever and a day since you had written a chapter! And with Hazard? THAT WHOLE FIC WAS A CLIFF-HANGER! Yes, I am a sneaky sneaky wench and consider last chapter *my* retaliation. The Insanity lives on!
T.-- Perfect. There'll be more Rogue/Remy stuff for ya and well as some more abuse of Bishop.
PS: If anyone wants to be on my personal update list (inspired by Neaurotic Temptress) then please email me or say so, leaving your email in a review.
Disclaimer: I have kidnaped these characters and shall continue to hold them hostage until Marvel agrees to my wishes....a life-time supply of X-men comic books!
____________________________
CHAPTER 7: GANG AFT AGLEY
____________________________
____________________________
RING!
Her muscles tensed.
RING!
She lifted her head.
RING!
She looked towards the phone.
RING!
Sage seriously considered not answering the telephone. It was highly unlikely for it to be anyone other than Jean. And should it be Jean, as it most likely was, she would demand an explanation. If she demanded an explanation, she would wonder why she hadn'tbeen informed earlier. If she wondered this, she--and the entire home team--would begin to wonder if any of Ororo's team were truly worthy of their trust anymore. If they wondered this, it would only spell out trouble for everyone.
RING!
And yet, if she didn't answer the phone, it would give the home team even more reason to worry. And perhaps, reason enough to send a team out to 'check' on them. Either that, or it would simply be a serious breach of protocol.
RING!
"Hello, this is the Darkholme residence, how may I help you?"
"Sage!"
"Neal?"
"I hope you got our earlier message, because we finally talked to Davis and he's coming home with us!"
_____________________________
Lucas Bishop was overwhelmed with an uncommon wave of emotions. Uncommon for him, at least. First of all was the guilt. Protecting Franklin had been his assigned duty and he had be so busy being polite to the woman that he had failed in this simple task. In the XSE, he would have immediately kicked out any man under his command that had done such a thing.
Second, was the sense of wonder. How could a boy of such power be so fragile? What was more, how in the world was he supposed to survive much less maintain a low profile on his own?
But the final emotion, was an incredible sense of fear. Gambit would surely have his head for this. What was more, he had every right to lop it straight off his shoulders. Equally strong as his worry for Franklin, was his worry of LeBeau's reaction. If the Cajun did decide to bring the fight to physical blows, Bishop wouldn't feel right in defending himself.
Shaking his head from his reverie, he looked up to realize that he was still surrounded by the awe-struck crowd. Pushing his way through the sea of on-lookers, reporters, and cameras, he finally made it to his motorcycle.
Flipping open his cell phone, he dialed up Sage. It would be easier dealing with her that with Remy. Human computers never seemed to hold you responsible for anything....
______________________________
Remy LeBeau was still watching on in shock at the news report in restaurant when he felt the dizzying effect of reality warp. Where there had been mere air molecules in his arms, was now a frightened young boy who was shivering, crying, and attracting the uneeded attention of every resident of the bar.
"R-Remy, I'm really, really sorry! I-I tried to be good, but alla those kids at the playground were sneakin' up on me, an' an'...I'm really really sorry!"
Remy gently tried to shush the boy.
"S'okay, Franklin. S'okay, petite. Y'safe now. No one goin' t'be sneakin' up on y' here. I'm not made at y'. Y'just did what came nat'ral.--Rogue?"
She delicately took the boy from his arms and settled him on her lap. She softly ran her fingers in small circles on the child's back as Remy gathered up their coats. The Cajun X-man paid for their drinks and dinner. He turned to his ward.
"Kay now, Franklin. I'm gon' have t'ask a favor from y'. I need y' to warp all of us to de house. Dat is, less ya wanna find a way t'fit all t'ree of us onto one bike...."
_______________________________
Neal Sharra sighed in frustration. As rare as it was, he seemed to call at a time when Sage was genuinely distracted.
"I heard you, Thunderbird, I'm merely attempting to monitor two other incoming calls. Please do continue."
"The doctors finally let us in to see him, and Sage, Davis is still suffering from some serious injuries. He took a nasty blow to the head and has some serious strain put to both of his legs. I know that the home-team is the one with the shi'ar technology, but I still think he'd do better with us at the house. Heather and I will bring him in. He's opened up to her a bit, but things are still pretty strained between them. And as fair warning, I think they both still hate you."
He could practically hear the woman taking mental notes.
"Are the doctors so willing to release such a grievously injured patient?"
"We decided to sneak him out in the middle of the night."
"Subtle."
"Considering me and Lifeguard are both flying him out, I don't see too much of a problem with it. We just need you to be ready with an intact house and a cozy room to sleep in. Think you can provide?"
"We will manage, and thank you for calling, Thunderbird."
"No problem."
________________________________
Jean Grey-Summers impatiently drummed her fingertips on the wooden coffee table. What had once been a room used to plot strategies of defense and super-hero activities was now a cozy faculty lounge. Currently, it was a safe haven for the frustrated woman code-named Phoenix.
She really and truly didn't need this aggravation. Between Scott, Emma, the Professor, Cerebra, and every single mutant student under her watch, she had plenty to worry about without concerning herself over the Fantastic Four's Fanklin Richards.
Why did Gambit always insist on making things so complicated? If the kid's parents are dead, let him stay with the Avengers; if he's a mutant, then send him on over to the Institute. But don't, she thought, make him a mutant target in New Orleans!
She double-checked the phone line. Storm, or whoever it was on the other end of the line, was either incredibly busy or just plain ignoring her. Despite the lives she knew all the X-men led, she was pretty sure it was the ignoring option. Why wouldn't someone just pick up?
It was at times like this that Jean yearned for the old days. Before the transformation to a real school, before second mutations, before Cassandra, before the three-way break up, before Destiny's diaries, and before Scott's absorption with Apocalypse.
They had been freedom-fighters, defenders of hope, and a family. Now they were either an army or school faculty. The red-headed woman pulled on her hair with impatience as she waited for the phone to be answered and wondered when her relationships with her friends had first become so stiff and formal.
________________________________
After Neal hung up, Sage opened line 2.
"Bishop?"
"Sage! I think I'm in serious trouble here."
"Really? Based on the recent news reports of a 'crazed mutant child' rampaging the streets, I honestly couldn't tell."
"I don't know where you got this new sarcastic streak, but I could use a little direction. Especially with what I'm going to tell Gambit."
"There's no stopping the inevitable."
"The only thing I can think of that could possibly make this worse would be if Jean were to call right now."
"Actually, she's on line 3."
"You're stalling her?"
"For as long as I can."
"What happened to 'there's not stopping the inevitable?'?"
"There may be no stopping it, but I didn't say a word about delaying it. But as it is, at least half of your worries are solved. Franklin is with Gambit. The visuals from my communicator glasses inform me that they're already headed home."
"Wonderful. I'm already considering turning this bike around."
"I wouldn't advise it. Gambit will probably be furious with you as it is, no need to increase that by avoiding him."
Bishop sighed and shook his head.
"You're right, of course. I just hope that Remy doesn't plan to kill me in front of Franklin.
_____________________________
He didn't plant to kill him in front of Franklin. Remy LeBeau, frowning in his thoughts, planned to escort his time-displaced teammate to another room before venting his fury on him. Distracted from these thoughts, he winced at his uncomfortable position.
They had fitted all three of themselves onto his Harly Davidson. The Park Incident had scared Franklin so much that he was far to uncomfortable with his powers to warp them to the house, and both Remy and Rogue loved the boy too much already to push him to do so.
Though the movement of the motorcycle caused too much noise to hear it, Remy muttered French complaints to himself. His mind could not help drifting to the small velvet box he had returned to his trench coat pocket.
He had tossed in his bed day and night over that ring. He had thought about it long and hard before the quest for Destiny's diaries had even begun. The night that he and Rogue had said their goodbyes as she prepared for the mission had been enough to convince him.
A day after she had left with Storm, Psylocke, Beast, and the rest of them, he had snatched the next flight to New Orleans to visit his guild one last time. After greeting his family, he planned to go to Tante Mattie and ask for the ring that had once belonged to the wife of his father Jean-luc. Afterwards, he had planned to leave the United Guild on its own, under Belladonna's care. He had not expected to receive the news that Vargas was gathering the stones of the Madripoor Set and that he would be expected to retrieve them.
Between getting framed for murder, busting a crime ring, being captured by inter-dimentional conquerers, and getting stabbed in the gut and almost dying, Remy could never seem to find a good time to bring the ring into play.
But now he had no excuse but his own fear. He had planned to ask her on their road trip after losing their powers, but the so-called 'mutant media' that had constantly followed them around had ruined the mood. Now, they were back in their New Orleans home with no missions in sight. The only thing to stop him was the fear that Rogue would say no.
He wasn't blind. He knew she loved him. But she had spent so many years of her life as a completely untouchable person. What if she wasn't ready? Their relationship and grown and matured so much, that to have it shattered by her rejection now would surely scar him permanently.
There were other fears as well. He had already failed in a marriage once, what if he did so again? He had loved Belle, even if it was mostly out of family obligation. And he had watched the guilds, fighting, and overall separation destroy what they had. He was a little afraid of his ex-wife now. Not for who she had been, but for the cold woman she had become. He trusted her to care for the Guild in his absence, but he would never feel anything, other than gratitude, for her again.
Though somehow, Remy knew that if he could just ask, and Rogue could just say yes, all these fears would pass away. He would have to concern himself with nothing else, simply by having her. Now if only he could find the hope and courage to see his question through.
____________________________
____________________________
SHAMELESS ACT OF SELF-PROMOTION: I wish to mention to my readers that I have several other X-men fics to be enjoyed as well as a Matrix fic. I also have a web site that loves to get signatures on its guestbook which you can visit by clicking on my penname. And if you have read this chapter and like this story, but do not plan to do any of the above, you could at least be humane and review this story instead. So REVIEW!!!
Wishful Thinking-- Why oh why oh why oh WHY do you have some unsatiable need to mess with peoples timing in their love lives?? Not only is that what fanfic writers do, but it's so much fun. Plus, this fic wasn't getting enough angst. So I fixed it. But don't worry, I'll eventually fix my fix.
Lucky439-- As you can see this chapter, Franklin isn't the one in trouble.
Neurotic Temptress-- It's been forever and a day since you wrote a clif-hanger, because when you wrote that review, it had been forever and a day since you had written a chapter! And with Hazard? THAT WHOLE FIC WAS A CLIFF-HANGER! Yes, I am a sneaky sneaky wench and consider last chapter *my* retaliation. The Insanity lives on!
T.-- Perfect. There'll be more Rogue/Remy stuff for ya and well as some more abuse of Bishop.
PS: If anyone wants to be on my personal update list (inspired by Neaurotic Temptress) then please email me or say so, leaving your email in a review.
Disclaimer: I have kidnaped these characters and shall continue to hold them hostage until Marvel agrees to my wishes....a life-time supply of X-men comic books!
____________________________
CHAPTER 7: GANG AFT AGLEY
____________________________
____________________________
RING!
Her muscles tensed.
RING!
She lifted her head.
RING!
She looked towards the phone.
RING!
Sage seriously considered not answering the telephone. It was highly unlikely for it to be anyone other than Jean. And should it be Jean, as it most likely was, she would demand an explanation. If she demanded an explanation, she would wonder why she hadn'tbeen informed earlier. If she wondered this, she--and the entire home team--would begin to wonder if any of Ororo's team were truly worthy of their trust anymore. If they wondered this, it would only spell out trouble for everyone.
RING!
And yet, if she didn't answer the phone, it would give the home team even more reason to worry. And perhaps, reason enough to send a team out to 'check' on them. Either that, or it would simply be a serious breach of protocol.
RING!
"Hello, this is the Darkholme residence, how may I help you?"
"Sage!"
"Neal?"
"I hope you got our earlier message, because we finally talked to Davis and he's coming home with us!"
_____________________________
Lucas Bishop was overwhelmed with an uncommon wave of emotions. Uncommon for him, at least. First of all was the guilt. Protecting Franklin had been his assigned duty and he had be so busy being polite to the woman that he had failed in this simple task. In the XSE, he would have immediately kicked out any man under his command that had done such a thing.
Second, was the sense of wonder. How could a boy of such power be so fragile? What was more, how in the world was he supposed to survive much less maintain a low profile on his own?
But the final emotion, was an incredible sense of fear. Gambit would surely have his head for this. What was more, he had every right to lop it straight off his shoulders. Equally strong as his worry for Franklin, was his worry of LeBeau's reaction. If the Cajun did decide to bring the fight to physical blows, Bishop wouldn't feel right in defending himself.
Shaking his head from his reverie, he looked up to realize that he was still surrounded by the awe-struck crowd. Pushing his way through the sea of on-lookers, reporters, and cameras, he finally made it to his motorcycle.
Flipping open his cell phone, he dialed up Sage. It would be easier dealing with her that with Remy. Human computers never seemed to hold you responsible for anything....
______________________________
Remy LeBeau was still watching on in shock at the news report in restaurant when he felt the dizzying effect of reality warp. Where there had been mere air molecules in his arms, was now a frightened young boy who was shivering, crying, and attracting the uneeded attention of every resident of the bar.
"R-Remy, I'm really, really sorry! I-I tried to be good, but alla those kids at the playground were sneakin' up on me, an' an'...I'm really really sorry!"
Remy gently tried to shush the boy.
"S'okay, Franklin. S'okay, petite. Y'safe now. No one goin' t'be sneakin' up on y' here. I'm not made at y'. Y'just did what came nat'ral.--Rogue?"
She delicately took the boy from his arms and settled him on her lap. She softly ran her fingers in small circles on the child's back as Remy gathered up their coats. The Cajun X-man paid for their drinks and dinner. He turned to his ward.
"Kay now, Franklin. I'm gon' have t'ask a favor from y'. I need y' to warp all of us to de house. Dat is, less ya wanna find a way t'fit all t'ree of us onto one bike...."
_______________________________
Neal Sharra sighed in frustration. As rare as it was, he seemed to call at a time when Sage was genuinely distracted.
"I heard you, Thunderbird, I'm merely attempting to monitor two other incoming calls. Please do continue."
"The doctors finally let us in to see him, and Sage, Davis is still suffering from some serious injuries. He took a nasty blow to the head and has some serious strain put to both of his legs. I know that the home-team is the one with the shi'ar technology, but I still think he'd do better with us at the house. Heather and I will bring him in. He's opened up to her a bit, but things are still pretty strained between them. And as fair warning, I think they both still hate you."
He could practically hear the woman taking mental notes.
"Are the doctors so willing to release such a grievously injured patient?"
"We decided to sneak him out in the middle of the night."
"Subtle."
"Considering me and Lifeguard are both flying him out, I don't see too much of a problem with it. We just need you to be ready with an intact house and a cozy room to sleep in. Think you can provide?"
"We will manage, and thank you for calling, Thunderbird."
"No problem."
________________________________
Jean Grey-Summers impatiently drummed her fingertips on the wooden coffee table. What had once been a room used to plot strategies of defense and super-hero activities was now a cozy faculty lounge. Currently, it was a safe haven for the frustrated woman code-named Phoenix.
She really and truly didn't need this aggravation. Between Scott, Emma, the Professor, Cerebra, and every single mutant student under her watch, she had plenty to worry about without concerning herself over the Fantastic Four's Fanklin Richards.
Why did Gambit always insist on making things so complicated? If the kid's parents are dead, let him stay with the Avengers; if he's a mutant, then send him on over to the Institute. But don't, she thought, make him a mutant target in New Orleans!
She double-checked the phone line. Storm, or whoever it was on the other end of the line, was either incredibly busy or just plain ignoring her. Despite the lives she knew all the X-men led, she was pretty sure it was the ignoring option. Why wouldn't someone just pick up?
It was at times like this that Jean yearned for the old days. Before the transformation to a real school, before second mutations, before Cassandra, before the three-way break up, before Destiny's diaries, and before Scott's absorption with Apocalypse.
They had been freedom-fighters, defenders of hope, and a family. Now they were either an army or school faculty. The red-headed woman pulled on her hair with impatience as she waited for the phone to be answered and wondered when her relationships with her friends had first become so stiff and formal.
________________________________
After Neal hung up, Sage opened line 2.
"Bishop?"
"Sage! I think I'm in serious trouble here."
"Really? Based on the recent news reports of a 'crazed mutant child' rampaging the streets, I honestly couldn't tell."
"I don't know where you got this new sarcastic streak, but I could use a little direction. Especially with what I'm going to tell Gambit."
"There's no stopping the inevitable."
"The only thing I can think of that could possibly make this worse would be if Jean were to call right now."
"Actually, she's on line 3."
"You're stalling her?"
"For as long as I can."
"What happened to 'there's not stopping the inevitable?'?"
"There may be no stopping it, but I didn't say a word about delaying it. But as it is, at least half of your worries are solved. Franklin is with Gambit. The visuals from my communicator glasses inform me that they're already headed home."
"Wonderful. I'm already considering turning this bike around."
"I wouldn't advise it. Gambit will probably be furious with you as it is, no need to increase that by avoiding him."
Bishop sighed and shook his head.
"You're right, of course. I just hope that Remy doesn't plan to kill me in front of Franklin.
_____________________________
He didn't plant to kill him in front of Franklin. Remy LeBeau, frowning in his thoughts, planned to escort his time-displaced teammate to another room before venting his fury on him. Distracted from these thoughts, he winced at his uncomfortable position.
They had fitted all three of themselves onto his Harly Davidson. The Park Incident had scared Franklin so much that he was far to uncomfortable with his powers to warp them to the house, and both Remy and Rogue loved the boy too much already to push him to do so.
Though the movement of the motorcycle caused too much noise to hear it, Remy muttered French complaints to himself. His mind could not help drifting to the small velvet box he had returned to his trench coat pocket.
He had tossed in his bed day and night over that ring. He had thought about it long and hard before the quest for Destiny's diaries had even begun. The night that he and Rogue had said their goodbyes as she prepared for the mission had been enough to convince him.
A day after she had left with Storm, Psylocke, Beast, and the rest of them, he had snatched the next flight to New Orleans to visit his guild one last time. After greeting his family, he planned to go to Tante Mattie and ask for the ring that had once belonged to the wife of his father Jean-luc. Afterwards, he had planned to leave the United Guild on its own, under Belladonna's care. He had not expected to receive the news that Vargas was gathering the stones of the Madripoor Set and that he would be expected to retrieve them.
Between getting framed for murder, busting a crime ring, being captured by inter-dimentional conquerers, and getting stabbed in the gut and almost dying, Remy could never seem to find a good time to bring the ring into play.
But now he had no excuse but his own fear. He had planned to ask her on their road trip after losing their powers, but the so-called 'mutant media' that had constantly followed them around had ruined the mood. Now, they were back in their New Orleans home with no missions in sight. The only thing to stop him was the fear that Rogue would say no.
He wasn't blind. He knew she loved him. But she had spent so many years of her life as a completely untouchable person. What if she wasn't ready? Their relationship and grown and matured so much, that to have it shattered by her rejection now would surely scar him permanently.
There were other fears as well. He had already failed in a marriage once, what if he did so again? He had loved Belle, even if it was mostly out of family obligation. And he had watched the guilds, fighting, and overall separation destroy what they had. He was a little afraid of his ex-wife now. Not for who she had been, but for the cold woman she had become. He trusted her to care for the Guild in his absence, but he would never feel anything, other than gratitude, for her again.
Though somehow, Remy knew that if he could just ask, and Rogue could just say yes, all these fears would pass away. He would have to concern himself with nothing else, simply by having her. Now if only he could find the hope and courage to see his question through.
____________________________
____________________________
SHAMELESS ACT OF SELF-PROMOTION: I wish to mention to my readers that I have several other X-men fics to be enjoyed as well as a Matrix fic. I also have a web site that loves to get signatures on its guestbook which you can visit by clicking on my penname. And if you have read this chapter and like this story, but do not plan to do any of the above, you could at least be humane and review this story instead. So REVIEW!!!
