The Truth Hurts
Chapter XVIII: Cheering Up
By: Michelle
Rogue looked out the window of the bedroom she waited for the time to pass by. It seemed like the longest day ever. Plus, it wasn't going to end yet. She still had to pick up the roses for Kurt.
She felt horrible and it just wasn't from watching the debate either. She was feeling different lately, especially under so much stress. It was like something inside of her was building up and waiting for that one last straw that would make her explode. She hated that feeling.
She wanted to talk to everyone about it, but to her it seemed like no one around her would be able to understand.
She had tried to tell Bobby once, but she didn't want to stress him out, especially when he was worried about getting into NYU next fall and the on going ordeal with his parents.
Kurt had noticed something suspicious about her the other day, but didn't bother to press for answers. She didn't need him getting all big brotherly on her.
You can't really tell anything to Logan. And if she did, he would nag the hell out of her about being careful. Basically, he would baby her. She hated that.
Kitty and Jubilee were too big mouthed, as well as immature, to talk to about any of her problems. They were her best friends and trusted them, but she didn't need them making it harder on herself.
She was surprise Professor Xavier didn't sense it right off hand. But knowing him, he was waiting for her to come forward when she was ready.
Remy had been genially concerned about her, but then again he could be using her own emotions against her. Besides, why should she tell him her secrets, when he held so many of them of his own?
Ororo also seemed to want to help her, but she shouldn't have to worry about her. Ororo had her own problems with dealing with the loss of Jean and Kurt's resent findings. She didn't want to weigh anymore problems on her.
Rogue sighed and watched the clouds float on by. I don't know how much longer I can deal with this. She turned and slammed her fist into the wall. I'm scared.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Senator Creed." She spoke softly as she knocked on the door.
Graydon looked up from his paperwork, but he couldn't turn her away. "Come in Ms. Roth."
The young woman came in his office and leaving the door open. She smiled innocently and sat on the corner of his desk. "Here is the paperwork you asked for."
"Thank you." Graydon took the folder from her hand. He couldn't help but stare as she took down her long red hair and ran her fingers seductively through the locks.
God, you have your father's mind set. "Is there anything else you need, senator?"
"Umm. No." He answered looking down at the folder in his hand. "This will be all."
"Yes sir." She hopped off the desk and headed towards the door.
Graydon flipped through the papers in the folder noticing the same information he looked over before his speech. This is not the paperwork I asked for early. This was pictures of my mutant family. How in the hell did she get this.
He heard the lock on his door click and looked up. Oh Shit. Oh shit, where's my gun.
She changed her appearance from the innocent intern to the blue demoness mother she was. "Hello son."
Graydon scrambled for the gun hidden in his desk. He knew this moment was coming, but he had let his guard down. He forgot how cunning his mother could be.
This is too easy. Mystique pulled out her gun and took aim. A little too easy.
He winced as he fell a dart stick him in the neck. He pulled it out and looked at her blurry image before everything went black.
Mystique looked down at her son's unconscious body on the floor. "Eric, I have him." She said as she spoke into her communicator.
"Good. I will send transportation shortly."
She smiled. One down. Two to go.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^6
"I talked to Warren[1] the other day. He said he is starting to finally deal with what happened two years ago." Hank said over lunch. "He's recovered slowly, but I still worry. Have you talked to him recently Professor?"
"Professor."
"Yo Chuck."
"Professor Xavier."
"I'm sorry." Xavier said coming back from a trance.
"You alright Chuck?" Logan asked. "You looked a little zoned out."
"I'm alright." Xavier replied. "I just had a bad feeling, that's all. Now what were you saying Hank."
"I was wondering have you talked to Warren since…well you know." The Morlock Massacre. Hank asked.
"Only through letters." Xavier replied, still worrying about the feeling he got earlier.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Chere." Remy opened the door to find Rogue lying on her bed. "Da kids wore you out dat much."
"Yeah." She answered softly sitting up.
Remy walked over to her and looked at the hole in the wall. Did she do that? "You alright."
"I've been feeling…" Rogue watched as he sat down next to her. He took her gloved hands in his own noticing one clean one and one with white powder on it. He glanced back over at the wall, then into her eyes.
"Feeling what Chere?" He squeezed her hands. Come on Rogue. You can tell me.
Rogue sat speechless as he gazed into her eyes. She wanted to melt. She could feel so many emotions coming from him. Care. Compassion. Adoration. Concern. Love.
Love. She quickly turned away. "Nothing." She finally said breaking the silence. "We better get those roses for Kurt."
"Yeah." Remy said disappointed as she followed her out of the room. Why won't you tell me?
^^^^^^^^^^
Rogue stood in silence as she watched Remy charm Ororo. Her face held no expression as she sighed.
"Hey Stormy." He said. "Remy going to take Chere out for a car ride to get her out of the mansion a bit. Remy can pick up some dinner for tonight while we be out."
"Alright Remy." Ororo said convinced he was telling the truth. "I'll get you some money."
Kurt didn't seem to like the hypnotizing affect Remy was having on his girlfriend, but he let it slide to hide his secret.
Ororo returned to him handing him a large sum of money. "Make sure you buy enough to feed a small army."
"No problem Stormy" He replied and kissed her hand. "We be back in a little while."
Rogue felt him grab her hand and lead her to his truck. He opened the door for her and helped her in. Always the perfect gentleman, she thought smiling slightly.
Finally some expression on her face. He climbed in the driver's seat and started the engine as she buckled her seat beat.
Rogue held on tight as he flew out the garage. And I thought Bobby drove like a maniac.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mystique quickly dragged Graydon's unconscious body into the metallic sphere Magneto sent to pick them up. Damn, he's heavy. This is more of a pain than dragging him kicking and screaming as an eight year old.
She looked down at him lying on the floor of the sphere. She could care less about this child. He was a human. She and his father were mutants. He was useless to her, until now.
She watched the sphere close up around them. Soon Graydon, you will finally serve your purpose.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^6
Remy sighed as he glanced over to the sour faced Rogue. It's too depressing in here. Remy got ta be doing something to cheer Chere up.
My man Nelly…Murphey Lee…Puffy Daddy
He smiled mischievously.
God, he drives like a lunatic. Rogue held on tight to her seat. Can't he keep both hands on the wheel?
She could hear sirens in the background. Oh great now we're going to get pulled over.
We do it for fun
We just do it for fun…
Remy turned up the volume to the radio. Oh yeah, dis be what Remy be talkin' about.
…Bad Boys 2, the soundtrack
Let's Go
Hey girl
What your name is?
Where you from?
Turn around who you came with?
Is that your ass or your momma have reindeer?
I can't explain it but damn sure glad you came here
I'm still a sucker for cornrolls, you know I never changed that (nah uh)
Your body is banging mamma, but where your brains at? (Come on)
I'm still the same cat when I was young I was running with bad boys
But now I'm older hope they saw I'm running with bad boys (that's right)…
He's nuts. Rogue watched as he sang along with the song. It wasn't that he was a bad singer either. It was the fact that he was practically dancing in his seat. It made her nervous, but she couldn't help but smile.
…Let me see you take it off
Girl go and take it off
We can even do it slow
We can even do it slow
Take it where you want to go
Take it where you want to go
Just take that ass to the floor
Pop something move something
Shake ya tail feather,…
The scary part about all this is
that he is sober, she thought to herself.
She would love to be a fly on the wall when he goes clubbin'. I bet you he can really shake that tight ass
of his.
Watching him sing and dance in his
seat made her want to burst out laughing.
It was like watching a little kid get excited about seeing his favorite
cartoon.
…Oh no I heard them bad boys coming
Can't stop now
Got to continue my running (yea)
Because we go party till them lights come on
And then my song start thumping because my mike still on…
No don't do it.
Don't. She placed her hand over her mouth to silence
her giggles. I can't believe he is doing the chop.
….I'm just a juvenile (Wha)
Because I be about G's
Keep your women wizzy man they say they have my babies
I'm young like Tucker like the cash and the money (I'm going to eat my money)
Man, I'm that damn hungry
See I'm starving like Marvin girl
I've got sixteen bars of fire is what I'm starting
Plus my rats come in packs like Sammy and Dean Martin
And I got so many keys you'd think I was valet parking…
Remy has mentally checked out the building. Her face turned red and lit up with a big smile as she
fought back her laughter. I don't think I can hold it back any more.
… girl go and take it low
We can even do it slow
We can even do it slow
Take it where you want to go
Take it where you want to go
Just take that ass to the floor
Pop something move something
Shake ya tail feather
Oh no I heard them bad boys coming
Can't stop now
Got to continue my running (yea)
Because we go party till them lights come on
And then my song start thumping because my mic still on (man)
She began laughing as the song faded out.
"Watcha laughing about, Chere?" Remy asked sensing he had put her in a better mood.
"You're crazy, you know dat."
"Oui." He smiled over to her. Crazy about you Chere.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
"Vi." Ororo hugged her sister, Well, she wasn't really her sister, they were such close friends that Vi (Evan's mom) was like a sister to her.
"Ororo." Vi hugged her back. "We're sorry we are late, but I had a doctor's appointment."
"It's alright." Ororo replied looking over at Kurt as he shook hands with Derek (Evan's dad). She turned back to Vi. "So what were you doing at the doctor? You rarely ever get sick."
Vi smiled and Derek wrapped her into a hug. "Should we tell them?"
Derek kissed the top of his wife's head. "It's up to you."
Kurt gazed at the loving couple, then at Ororo. I want a relationship like that. He took his place next to Ororo, grabbing her hand.
So sweet. Ororo thought looking at the two of them. Her eyes took a quick glance at Kurt before leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I suppose we'll tell them."
"Tell us what?"
Vi smiled. "I'm pregnant." She replied placing her hand on her abdomen.
"Umm…" Ororo was speechless as she heard her reply. Sure she was happy for Vi, but then again she was jealous. After all, she was 29, unmarried, with no kids. She sucked in that feeling and finally answered. "Congratulations."
"Congratulations Vi, Derek." Kurt replied while noticing how Ororo was dealing with the news. He squeezed her hand. Don't worry Fraulein. Your time will come.
"So how are you going to tell Evan he's going to be a big brother?" Ororo asked out of curiosity.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Rogue and Remy walked into the florist and began looking for the roses.
Rogue watched the customers stare at them enter the florist. Of course, what's not to stare at? He was hiding his eyes under a pair of sunglasses, while she had nearly every inch of her skin covered. She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ears as the stares left them as quickly as they came.
"Come on Chere." Remy dragged her over to the counter.
"Can I help you all with something?" A young girl behind the counter asked.
"Yes." Remy answered. "We need a bouquet made up."
"Yes Sir." She replied. "And what would your girlfriend like?"
"Umm…" He's not my boyfriend. Rogue blushed but didn't correct her. "Two dozen red roses."
"OK."
Remy watched as the flushed Rogue walked away from the counter. Then, he turned to the girl. "Can you make me a smaller bouquet with 6 white roses also?"
"Yes Sir."
"Thank you." Remy gazed over at Rogue looking at all the flowers around her. Damn, she's beautiful. She looked like Persephone, the maiden of spring, wondering in a field before Hades took her to the underworld to be his bride.
Rogue smiled and blushed again as she noticed his gaze on her. He looked like Hades ready to raise his chariot from the underworld to claim her as his bride. She turned away in attempt to hide the growing brightness of her face.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Vi and Ororo walked through the garden outside, while Kurt and Derek entertained the kids inside.
Vi noticed the cloudy sky. "What's bothering you Ororo?"
"How did you know something was bothering me?" She replied. "Never mind." My emotions betrayed me. She glanced over at one of the school's windows seeing Kurt playing games with the children.
"Let me guess." Vi answered noticing Ororo's glance on her boyfriend. "It has something to do with Kurt."
"Yes." She admitted. "When I am with him, I feel…Oh gods I can't even describe it." She looked up at the sky causing the sun to come out of its hiding place behind the clouds. "I feel like the world has been lifted off my shoulders, like I will never be alone, like my heart is about to burst, like I'm a goddess again."
"You're in love."
Ororo smiled. "I am but…" Her face changed. "I don't know if he feels the same way. I mean I think he does, but this week has been rough. His persistence on knowing his true parents has been stressful for both of us."
"Ororo." Vi spoke with wisdom and grace. "Don't let the rough waters control the storm. You are strong and so is your love. You will help him find his way."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^6
Rogue breathed in the fresh aroma of the red roses in her hands as she walked back to the truck. Ororo is so lucky to have a man like Kurt. Alls I get from Bobby are ice sculptures and they are usually melted by the end of the day. She hung her head slightly.
Remy hid the half dozen white roses behind his back as he opened the door for her and helped her into the truck.
"Thank you." He's up to something. Rogue scooted into the middle and laid the roses carefully on the seat. She looked up and around for him. Where'd he go? Her head spun around as she heard his door slam.
Remy carefully tucked a lock of hair that fell loose from her quick turn. "Chere I…" I love you. He held out the roses to her. "Remy doutht you could use a little cheering up."
Rogue took the roses from him smelling their aroma. 'You didn't have to."
"Remy know." He replied. "But he wanted to."
She smiled. "You're too sweet." She said and hugged him. "You're a good friend."
Let me be more than that. He held her close to him. I don't want to let you go. I will take care of you. I will never let you hurt.
She felt so protected and loved in his embrace that she almost didn't want to let go. "Thank you." She pulled away. "We'd better get the food and head back before Ororo knows something is up."
"Oui." He replied and started the truck, pulled out and began driving down the highway.
"So what are we going to pick up to eat?" Do I even have to ask?
Chicken. I need chicken.[2] "Popeye's." He replied smiling. Yeah. It's a N'Awlins thing.
"You're obsessed with eating Popeye's."
"Remy know." He replied. "But I love Popeye's chicken. Mon Pere would pick up Popeye's after me, Henri, Mercy, and he dun gone to church on Sunday."
"What's your family like?"
His eyes widened. 'Umm…My Pere, he a stubborn man, but loves me as his own son. I talk to Henri, mon frere, about once a week."
She was surprised she got that much out of him. "What about your mother?"
"Remy don't know his mother." He said, not liking being questioned. What are you getting at Chere?
"My mom died when I was four." She said to him. "I was adopted by Momma Raven when my father was working out of state. She was a good mother and loved me as her own daughter."
Remy listened attentively. She's about to spill something.
"I had forgotten I wasn't an only child until today." She turned to him. "I have a brother. You know, an adoptive brother like you do."
"Yeah." He was confused. What is she getting at?
"You know Senator Creed."
"Da asshole from da debate?" Remy asked.
"Yeah." She answered. She hated saying the next words out of her mouth. "He's my brother."
Remy slammed on the brakes so hard that they nearly hit their heads on the dash board. "De quoi parlez-vous?[3]" He replied, in shock from what she said.
[1] Warren is Archangel. In the Morlock Massacre, his wings were severely damaged by a trio of Marauders (who were assembled by Gambit not realizing their true intentions).
[2] Chicken. I need chicken. Some junk guy standing next to me at a parade yelled these lines to the Al Copeland's float. Luv dat chicken from Popeye's.
[3] What are you talking about?