Author's Note: The sixth installment. Actually sorta mellow considering the title. Hmm… odd. The wedding party will be interacting… so you get to meet the kids. Sorta. And my favorite cannonballing mutant makes an appearance. YAY!! Just so y'all know, I tried to pick people who are tight with both the bride and groom. Anyway, the section intro is in Rogue's voice, just so you know. *shrugs* In case ya care. ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters and there are many more in this chappy. YAY!!
"talking" - 'thinking' - *telepathic communication* - .::POV::. - section intro/foreign languages
Sometimes
by, Caliente
Confrontation
Ya can only keep yer mouth shut so long. As much as it hurts ta keep it all in, ya know it would hurt even more ta speak up an' have 'em turn ya away. But a person can only take so much… an' eventually the truth always comes out. No matter what.
.::Rogue::.
Rogue rushed into the mansion's foyer, stealing another glance at her watch. She muttered some choice words as she slid along the smooth floor, barely keeping her balance. Northstar, former Alphan and new addition to the X-Men, took this moment to make his presence known with a little cough. "Watch your language, there are enfantes around," he told her, raising one of his upswept eyebrows ever so slightly, withholding laughter at her cleaver curses.
"Not now Jean-Paul," she huffed as she paused for a moment to address him. "Ah'm runnin' late."
"'If not now, when?'" he quoted with his favorite superior smirk. 'God, does the man have another expression. Stupid haughty Canadian…' "And you're always late," he continued. "They've come to expect it of you. Why you never wear a watch…"
"Ah swear, if ya weren't so damn good lookin'…" the stripe haired woman let the rest of her threat hang in the air, but there was laughter in her voice. "Lawrd what a waste," she told him with a sad head shake. "Women everywhere weep."
"And gay men rejoice," he replied with a shrug. "It's only fair. After all, you have Brad Pitt."
"True," Rogue agreed with a grin. "But ya have Tom Cruise an' Vin Dissel."
"Still, neither one is Brad Pitt," Jean-Paul argued slightly.
"Can't argue with that," Rogue agreed. She took a moment to study her date to the wedding. Handsome face, sculpted body, and what was it that gave men with white hair such flare? Magnus, Joseph, Northstar… Really was a shame he wasn't interested. When they first met, she had high hopes, but alas it wasn't meant to be. Oh well, it was ancient history now.
"Weren't you late chere?" the Quebec native questioned with another smirk, pulling her back to reality.
Her only response was a grunt and a glare as she took off running once more. 'Damn him for distracting me,' she cursed inwardly. Bursting through the doors in the ballroom, she immediately crashed into the nearest person. "Ah'm," pant, "sorry," she managed to get out between breaths. "The clock in the shop is slow an' Ah flew here as fast as Ah could, but–"
The sound of deep laughter cut the apologetic girl and Rogue looked up at the person she rammed into. Bishop's dark eyes stared back at her, filled with uncharacteristic amusement. "You owe me five Tessa," he commented to the pale mutant standing to his right. "I told you she would be late."
"Yes but the odds were against you," the human computer responded with a raised eyebrow. "She is actually punctual about 67.4% of the time. You were just lucky." Turning to address the breathless Southerner, Tessa added, "It is good to see you Rogue."
"Yeah," the Southern mutant agreed half-heartedly. Over the years she may have become accustomed to Sage's presence; however, that didn't make her like her any more. They tolerated each other politely for the sake of their teammates, but neither trusted the other. Not completely at least. "So what're ya up ta, 'sides bettin' on me?"
"Not much," Bishop replied with a shrug.
"We were conversing about the pros and cons of using guns to stop criminals," Tessa supplied in her normal, emotionless tone. "On the one hand, guns are a helpful piece of technology to stop lawbreakers. On the other, is it really wise to use such violence when children look up to the X-Men as heroes?"
"Sugar, in this crowd, Ah'm pretty sure yer debate is fallin' on deaf ears," Rogue stated with a little laugh. "Ya'd have an easier time convincin' Logan ta talk out his problems."
"Perhaps," was all the human computer offered as a response.
As the two moved away, Rogue took a moment to observe her surroundings. She immediately noted Jean and Scott conversing with the bride. Heather and James Hudson were talking with an animated Jubilee, and Kurt chatting with Yukio while Fury, Logan, and Kitty caught up. Rachel and Mikhail were playing tag with poor Sam and Piotr attempting to wrangle them. The only members of the wedding party that were missing were the Professor and… Gambit. Rogue felt her apprehension grow, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
Just then Rachel raced by followed by a cannonballing Guthrie, tugging Rogue from her thoughts. Rogue stifled a laugh at the pathetic sight. She flew after the two before they broke something, grabbing Rachel mid-air. The child laughed giddily at the experience of flying, forgetting her chase immediately. Rogue allowed her worries to escape with the child's.
.::Remy::.
"…an' dat's how y'do it," Remy finished with a grin. "Any questions?"
"Yeah, isn't this, you know, illegal?" a boy with a strange bird-like appearance asked self-consciously. Beak or something to that extent. The girl next to him scoffed, she herself having a visible mutation. Insect wings. He glanced at her shyly before saying, "What? It is."
"Only if y'steal de car," the Southerner assured the boy. He was surrounded by about nine children in the garage. "But when y'lose yo' keys an' have t'be goin' somewhere, you're gon' t'ank yo' lucky stars dat y'know how t'hotwire a car. Trust me." The girl scoffed again, along with a couple other students. The rest seemed to be in awe of the Acadian's skills. Seeing Annie the nurse enter looking for her son, he stood quickly and dusted off his pants. "An' dat ends today's lesson. Why don' y'go play tag or somet'ing."
Wings girl snorted as she followed the rest of the students out. "Hi, uh, Gambler is it?" Anna greeted with a slightly confused look. "What's your mutation anyway? Good luck or something?"
"Non," the Cajun replied with his usual flirtation smile. "Dat's skill. An' de name is Gambit. Can I help you wit' somet'ing?"
"Oh," she looked around distractedly, though a faint blush was visible on her cheeks. "Have you seen my son? His name is Carter and he's–"
Waving his hands to interrupt her, Remy continued to smile charmingly at the woman. "I believe de younger Summers' has him…"
"Oh! Alex has him." Her expression became one of love and admiration, and it was all Gambit could do not to barf. "He's so sensitive and sweet and caring and–"
"Oui, oui," he agreed with a slightly sardonic nod. "An' he makes de sun shine brighter an' de stars twinkle a li'l bit more." He glanced at the clock for a moment before continuing. "Well, would y'look at de time. I have t'be going. Very nice t'meet you chere." He quickly kissed her hand for effect. "Adieu." With that, the poor thief all but sprinted from the garage.
"Remy, it's good to have you home," the Professor commented as Remy raced past, causing him to skid to a halt.
Home. The Professor still considered him a member of the X-Men family, even after all these years. Remy was able to find comfort in that small fact. When he arrived a week ago, all of the X-Men had thrown Gambit a "Welcome Back" dinner, but with all the wedding commotion, he barely had time to talk with any of them. The sentiment was sweet, but it only served to further his nervousness about seeing Rogue. "T'anks Professor," Remy replied with a, slightly more strained than normal, grin. He began to walk with Charles, this time at a more proper pace. "It's nice t'be back wit' de X-Family."
*It will be fine* Charles assured the Cajun telepathically because they were nearing the ballroom. *No need to worry.*
"Moi? Y'should know dat Gambit never worries," he responded jovially. In truth, his mind was racing with possible reunion scenarios, but he'd be damned if the "world's most powerful telepath" knew it. He still had his empathic mental shields to protect his thoughts.
*What was it Jean once said? "I think the more nervous you get, the more jokes you crack." I highly doubt your personality has changed that much.* The man behind the X emphasized the word "that" for effect. By now, the two men had stopped, only meters from the doorway, both too caught up in their discussion to care.
"Ancient family secret," he muttered, recalling the mission with Jean that she had made that observation. "Tres subtle," the Acadian added with a smirk.
"Sometimes subtlety is not the best course of action," Professor Xavier argued, vocally for a change, with a pointed look.
Gambit resisted the urge to roll his odd colored eyes. Instead, he settled for making a sardonic comment, "Ooh, rife wit' subtext."
The Professor resumed moving towards the bridal party. *Like I said, the more jokes…* he trailed off with another look.
Despite having been away from the mansion for years, the old man still got to him. "An' like I said, tres subtle on yo' part." Without realizing it, Gambit had entered into the ballroom, which was filled with commotion. *Well played* he projected to the handicapped man, realizing that his objective all along had been to attempt to force his mind from the impending meeting between himself and Rogue. And, the old coot had actually achieved it. 'The man has skills,' he complimented to himself.
The thief in Remy immediately began to scan the room, observing its occupants. Piotr appeared to be playing hide-and-go-seek with his son and the Summers' daughter. Logan was apparently being humiliated by stories from the Hudson's, Fury, Kitty, and Jubilee, while Jean and Ororo listened intently, chiming in their own every once in a while. Scott and Kurt were talking with Yukio about her hairstyle and how it was possible with the current laws of physics. Tessa and Bishop were talking quietly, sitting suspiciously close together. The only people that were missing were Sam Guthrie and… Rogue. Remy couldn't decide if he was disappointed or relieved. Either way, he was safe for the moment.
.::Neutral POV::.
Ororo saw that Charles and Remy had finally arrived and smiled. "Excuse me everyone," she called in a strong but calm voice. "We are all here, so I believe we may begin." Lowering her voice, she turned her attention to Heather. "Ms. Hudson, if you wish to leave, you are more than welcome; however, I do believe that a little help with the children would be most appreciated. Piotr seems to be struggling a bit."
That was the understatement of the year. Poor Petey Pureheart, as he was called by his close friends, was struggling to control the two unruly children. It shouldn't have been so hard, unfortunately for him, Rachel already possessed an element of her mother's telepathic and telekinetic powers. That made babysitting much harder, to say the least. "Of course Ororo," the Alpha Flight member agreed with a smile. "I haven't got anything better to do." She smiled brightly at the blushing bride. "And, please, call me Heather."
Storm smiled warmly at the friendly Canadian before turning back to her own Canadian. He squeezed her hand, managing to convey his support and love with just the one motion. "Thank you Heather. Kitty, would you fetch Rogue and Sam so we can get this rehearsal on the way."
The younger mutant didn't feel the need to respond verbally, she simply went into action. Remy watched with interested eyes as the University of Chicago graduate phased out onto a balcony. 'What're they doing out there?' he wondered, feeling a slight pang of jealousy.
Cranking his neck to the side, he managed to catch a glimpse of them twirling in circles together. Rogue appeared to be trying to contain her laughter as they moved. Kitty spoke with them for a few moments before phasing back inside, while the two Southerners took the more conventional route and opened the door. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce ze dangerous dancing duo," Kurt announced in his best circus act announcer's voice.
"Funny big bro," Rogue drawled sarcastically, her eyes flashing with amusement. "A furry blue comedian." She noted the other laughing mutants and rolled her eyes. "Everybody's a critic. Ah was just helpin' my pal out. That's not a crime."
"No, I suppose not," the Professor agreed with a warm smile. "It is good to see you again Rogue, it's been too long."
Nodding, Rogue approached Charles and wrapped him in a hug. She turned, only to be met by bright red on dark black. Demon eyes. Remy. Silently, he lifted her gloveless hand to his lips, without breaking eye contact. "Could say de same t'ing chere," he commented nonchalantly. "Been too long."
The mutant filled room was deathly silent as they watched the couple before them. Even the children had stopped running amuck, curious as to what it was that the adults found so fascinating. Neither Southerner seemed aware of their audience as they stared into each other's eyes. "Yeah it has," she told him, matching his casual tone. Before Rogue could stop herself, she muttered, "Wasn't my doin' though."
The room sucked in a collective breath as they waited to see his reaction. "Don' be talking 'bout t'ings you don' understand," he advised in a slightly condescending tone, his desperate eyes almost betraying him. Almost, being the key word.
"Don't understand," she repeated slowly, as if unable to comprehend what he had just said. Suddenly, everything seemed to click, and she couldn't hold it in any longer. Consequences be damned, Rogue wasn't the kind of woman to take this sitting down. She'd danced around her issues with Gambit for long enough. Grabbing Remy by the ear, the Southern belle dragged him out of the ballroom and down the hall, away from prying eyes. The rest of the wedding party, plus Piotr and Heather, just watched with bewildered expressions.
Suddenly she stopped and spun around, glaring the Cajun down angrily. "Ah don't understand?!" she whispered fiercely.
"Dat's not 'xactly what I meant," Remy tried desperately to explain himself, silently beating himself up for making her so upset.
Rogue silenced him with a look. "Then what did you mean Gambit?" she gritted out. Remy winced at the use of his codename, it hurt him to have her be so cold. So angry. Maybe it really was better this way. Still, he began to answer, but she cut him off. "Don't bother." Her voice was cold and bitter, filled with years of pain and anger.
"Chere," he started, reaching towards her face. How he longed to touch her. Her skin had been so soft. Like silk.
She jerked away from his outstretched hand, a look of disgust on her face. "You're not gonna charm yer way outta this one," she told him, the anger still apparent in her voice. Pulling herself up, so that she was holding herself at her full height, still a few inches shorter than the other mutant, she continued to rage at the man before her. "Ya left me. You. Abandoned. Me." Her words were slow and deliberate, each one cutting him to pieces. "Ah barely hear a fuckin' word from ya fo' eight years. Eight long years. Ah tried ta move on with Joseph. But even he left eventually. Killed in the line o' action. Facin' Magneto, the very man he was cloned from. Ironic huh?" The tears in her eyes betrayed her angry tone but still she plugged on. "Ah just couldn't take it anymo'. Left all alone in the mansion filled with memories. Memories that followed me around like ghosts out ta remind me how unhappy an' alone Ah was. Memories of you an' me. When we were happy together. An' we were happy, weren't we?" Remy just nodded silently, words failing him. "Gawd," she let out a bitter laugh, "an' even after all that… all the hurt, all the anger, all the pain… Ah still love ya. Ah've always loved ya. But ya left. An' sugah, Ah knew ya weren't ever comin' back. Ah'm tired of walkin' on eggshells, pretendin' everythin's all right. It ain't. Hasn't been fo' years." She shook her head, her tirade completed. "Still think Ah don't understand?" The silence that followed was deafening, the only thing Rogue could feel was her heart shattering. Again. He hadn't uttered a word. Taking his silence as rejection, Rogue squared her shoulders and headed back to the rehearsal. No point in ruining Ororo' and Logan's wedding because of her pitiful little broken heart.
Remy was in shock. She still loved him? After all this time, all these years, all the pain? He was sure his jaw was on the floor. Before he knew what happened, she had turned and stalked back to the ballroom. Too late he found his voice and called after her, "Wait! Rogue!" Unfortunately, she was already gone. Pulling himself out of his reverie, he followed his fellow Southerner back into the ballroom.
Ororo was speaking when he reentered the room. "…groomsmen will seat the guests. Then they will stand at the front with the groom. The ring bearer will walk first, the bridesmaids will follow single file, then the flower girl–"
"That's me," Rachel announced in a loud voice. She turned to Heather and began blabbing about it. "My dress is really pretty. It's lavender. And I get to wear flowers in my hair. And throw petals on the ground. Your hair is pretty too. Will you let me braid it…" The young child was finally silenced with a telepathic scolding from her mother, or so the others assumed.
"–and finally the Professor and myself," Ororo picked up right where she left off. "After the ceremony, obviously the bride and groom will walk first. We will be followed by the best man and maid of honor, then each groomsman and bridesmaid, and finally the ring bearer and flower girl. So, why how about we get this rehearsal over with? I am pregnant." She patted her still flat stomach to emphasize.
The adults let out a chuckle while the children looked confused. Logan picked up a clipboard and barked off instructions. "All right, all of you should know who you're walking with, so here's the order. Obviously Jean and Remy will be first, being maid of honor and best man." Normally the Cajun would have made a comment, but he was too distracted watching Rogue. She was staring off into space, not saying a word and refusing to meet his gaze. She just looked sort of empty. "They will be followed by Yukio and James, and then Kitty and Nick. After them will be Jubilee and One-eye." Scott appeared to glare at his former nemesis, but behind his glasses he was rolling his eyes. "Next up are Tessa and Bishop. Oh, and no gun future boy." Bishop looked like somebody had just run over his puppy, but again Remy did not comment. He was just too distracted by the beauty that was ignoring his existence. "Last, but not least, are Rogue and Sam. I think that'll do it for the order." Wolverine looked at his wedding party and restrained a groan. "What do you need, an invitation? Move people!"
Remy finally tore his gaze from the auburn and white haired girl, sauntering over to Jeannie in preparation to walk together. He smiled charmingly at her, but her expression remained one of pitying sadness. *Are you okay?* she asked him telepathically, a concerned expression on her face
*'Course Jeannie* he projected back. His mental tone was one of disinterest but the red head had known him long enough to know that he was just hiding his true feelings. She shot him one last look of compassion before they both turned their attention to the white haired woman currently doling out instructions. This was going to be a long day.
Review Responses: Before I begin, let me just say that my opinions on Tom Cruise and Vin Dissel's sexual orientation are mine, but they are not mine. Pity. That goes for Brad Pitt too. Hope I didn't offend anybody, I just thought it was fun banter. So, THANK Y'ALL for the WONDEROUS reviews!! They make me smile. Keep 'em comin' please!! - The Sphinx Minx: Another RoLo fan. Nice. They're just fun together. If you like them, you should read Pari's fics. They're REALLY good. ^_^ The other X-Men are starting to make their presences known… if only because both parties are returning to the mansion. The wedding's up next, followed by the reception. Interesting is an accurate word, if I do say so myself. :^D I could use a catch phrase too… food for thought. *ponders for a while* Thanks for the review!! - Remy's ange: Poli Sci fun. *reader deadpans* I was kidding!! Jeez. :P Glad I could be a distraction. Did I say Emma was preggers?? Hmmm… well, a li'l more on that this chappy, and even more next. Just another back story. Emma… plastic surgery… have you been reading the Emma Frost series?? ^_^ Scott haters, unite!! I HATE comic Scott but actually like Evo Scott. Go figure. I didn't want to kill Betsy but I wanted to stress that many bad things had been happening. As for Hank, I needed Legacy cured but didn't want Petey to die. I decided to throw in a li'l Cecelia/Beast hinting but to leave them both as secondary characters. *shrugs* Yep, Kitty and Piotr's son is named Mikhail. After his brother… don't you think it's fitting?? Same goes for the Rachel thing. Logan and Ororo, what can I say?? I just had an urge and I went with it. :^D R&R being stuck in the past is kinda the point. They can't get over each other. But they do have lives, just like the X-Men. Remy, the Prince of Thieves, and Rogue, Anna Raven the mechanic. Neither are superheroes anymore. But, yes, they will be living again. Together. Maybe. *grins evilly* Wait and see. Thanks for the UBER sweet review!! - Star-of-Chaos: Angst is what I do. Sorry. It's just who I am. We're building to the climax tho, so at some point it will come to an end. Promise. ^_^ And, AMEN, to the no Storm/Gambit. Ew. Just… ew. Thanks for the review. - Katrina5: Addictive angst. I like it. Think I could sell it?? Make a pretty penny… :P I've always been a fan of the 'Ro/Remy friendship. But never ANYTHING more. Ew. Jean's just a goody-two-shoes like that. Nah, she's just trying to be a good friend. I thought the two women talking was sweet. Figured it be nice to see somebody other than Ororo talking with R&R. So, now that they've been "face to face", what are your thoughts?? -_- Thanks for the kind words. - Risty: Well, he has been gone for eight years. A LOT can happen in eight years. *shrugs* I feel bad for Hank but I REALLY didn't want Colossus to die. I just want Kitty to be happy for once, and she was happy with him. :) LoRo fun!! Yeah, ew to Jean and Wolvie. It was just kinda… creepy. *makes a face* Jean's not really showing up much more, just random cameos, so no jealousy. It was a good day to use p. Lots of alliteration. Thanks!! - T.: Yep, Remy has returned. And their reunion was… er… nice, I guess. ^_^ Thanks for the review!! - Ishandahalf: So much for the nothing too depressing or angsty, huh?? Honestly, I'm glad you weren't twitchy. I'd hate to think I was sending you to an early grave or something. I need all the reviews I can get!! *reader glares* And I care for your health as well. Yeah. You're one-shot, while very good (and surprisingly depressing) wasn't really where I was going with my story. I promise. :) I figured having him return for a funeral would be TOO depressing, so wedding it is. :P Plus, I wanted to throw in some other X-Couples for a change. I felt the need to expand the story a little. Plus, LoRo RULES!! *reader rolls eyes* Hey, it does!! Yes, they are sort of forced in close proximity to each other, so they can't avoid like they normally would. I will say that there will be an UNEXPECTED wedding outburst. It will be during the reception, two chappies away. How's that for making you feel twitchy. No, everybody is NOT happy excluding Rogue and Remy. I promise, there will be other angsty characters. Between Northstar and the whole Annie-Alex-Lorna thing… plus Juggy, plenty of angst to go around. And did I mention that Hank and Betsy died?? Make them happy… could happen. :^D Just have to wait and see, and it won't be this, or next chappy. Maybe later. Thanks for the review!! - Jukebox: LoRo fans, unite!! I'm just glad nobody flamed me for putting them together. *shrugs* Yes, yes it was Confrontation. Food fight?? Not quite. Good imagery tho. :P Thanks for reviewing!! - Rogue_LeBeau: Aw, you're UBER sweet!! Thank you!! I'm glad you like it. You're review is SOSOSO enthusiastic. Great for my self-esteem. :P Thanks again for the review!! - Panther Nesmith: They saw each other. It went badly. How 'bout them apples?? :P I hope you're not hairless now, that would suck. I thought it'd be fun to catch up with the other X-Men… it has been eight years after all. :) Thanks!!
