The Chinaberry Tree outside her Window
By: Ariesque
Last Updated: 11-26-03
Genre: Humor/Romance/Drama
Rated: PG for language
Disclaimer [that I forgot to put on Ch.1]: Don't own X-Men Evo, but the places in Bayville I do.
Dedication: To Doctor Pepper. Who wanted to make me angry and found my site online. The persistence isn't thrilling and now you need to write another poem! J/K
Chapter Four
..................................................................................
December 12, 2003
"So dat was it? He just went back?" Sam's voice was full of disbelief. Jubilation glanced up at her friend with a questioning eye.
"Well, not really. He stayed in Bayville for a while, where I caught up with him at Jimi's Bar. Raccoon found him, actually."
November 12, 2003
He had vowed never to go back to a life by the bottle, but here he was, drinking to his death, shot after shot of liquor. He didn't understand. Rogue wanted him, loved him, needed him. She never told him that, but she never had to tell him anything. He just knew. But then again, she just whisked him away like his feeling didn't matter, and maybe they didn't to her.
But they did to him.
"Monsieur, " he acknowledged to Jimi, the bartender, waving the empty shot glass in his quivering hand, "Another, please." The tender gave him a wary glance and muttered," Son, you don't look too good."
"I don't know about my looks," replied Remy, watching him pour another glass of whiskey, reluctantly, "but I do feel awful." He took the snort and sipped it. It burned his throat, but it sure didn't melt his heart.
"It's a girl, isn't it?" guessed Jimi. Remy pretended he hadn't heard. "Broken heart?" Remy grinned.
"You's a bien guesser, monsieur. But y' must have lots of customers like meh--we keep y' in business." He laughed, a high and sick chortle that made the glasses quiver. Just then, the door opened, and Jimi looked up, frowning.
"Sorry, miss, we don't serve underage." Snickers.
"Oh, I'm not in for a drink, sir, I just came to see him." Remy turned to see Jubilation, Raccoon under her arm. He actually grimaced.
"Go away, Petite," he hissed, tenderly, but sternly as well. Jubilation failed to budge.
"Not 'til you come back to the Institute."
"I don't belong t' them. Not t y', not to..." he paused, the name at the edge of his tongue. "Only t' the Whiskey and Ale..."
"That's right, Rems, you don't belong to anyone. You downright hate me, and I swear to heaven I can hate you too, but Remy, you don't hate her."
Her. Rogue. Remy's tongue felt raw as he downed the rest of the shot.
"That's right, Jubes. I don't hate her. I came here t' tell her just thet, and y' know what? She won listen."
"And you know why she won't listen?" She took a seat next to him despite the looks the bartender gave her, and forced Remy to look at her. "Because she's afraid. And you very well know she doesn't like John as much as she loves you." Remy furrowed his brow. He thought for a bit, drunk as he was, and suddenly knew what he had to do.
"Thanks, Petite." He got up, dropping a few crumpled dollar bills unto the counter and headed toward the door.
"Are you going back to the Institute?" He turned, an awkward grin on his face.
"Give me a week." He blew a kiss and was gone.
December 12, 2003
"Do yah know where he went fer a week?" Jubilation glared at him, trying to remember.
"Actually I'm not so sure where he went, except that he had unfinished business to attend to in Bayville. I just don't know what."
November 17, 2003
Bayville University is an enormous place. The dorms themselves stand on an entire acre surrounding the school. If you followed the bushes to the back lot, you could see the balconies and which ones were having a party. Remy did not enter the gate. No, that would make you conspicuous, especially if you were trying to conceal red eyes and a dirty trench coat. Instead, he rounded the back lot and followed the bushes to the last dormitory building. He climbed a nearby chestnut tree up two stores. From inside one of the apartments nearest him, he could hear Norah Jones crooning her music and knew he had struck gold. Come Away with Me, mused the thief, climbing unto the balcony. He glanced inside and saw the infamous redhead, putting aside Hamlet and scooping up a pile of halter tops not hers. She was alone by expecting company.
Unlocking the door, he stepped inside as her back was turned to him.
"Y' should really lock thet door, chere. People can come inside just like thet." She turned, her eyes filling with horror and amazement. When she didn't reply, Remy grinned. "What's wrong, chere? It's like you've been thinking I was dead dis whole time." That seemed to snap her back to reality. Her face grew rosy once more, and she took a step towards him.
"No, Sherlock," she replied, "But..."
"Oh, Jean, you seem scared. Of moi." His voice was incredulous. She smiled at that.
She let out a sigh of relief that would've let the highest building crumble. "You're alive." Wrapping her arms around him, she held him for a moment.
"It's not like I've never died before." He shrugged in her hold as if he died every day. "Y' shouldn't seem too relieved."
"But I am," she pushed away from him, observing his shaggy appearance. "I've been worried sick since your 'death'. Sometimes, you only think of yourself, Remy LeBeau."
"And I don't blame y'; I'm a selfish brute and should have been thinkin' of y' before I 'killed' myself." She sensed the sarcasm in his voice and sniffed.
"That's so like you." She meant to sound hurt, but it came out nostalgic. He watched as she pulled out a platter of food from her small ice box. "Here. You're probably hungry."
"Probably," he said, taking the plate. "Merci."
Norah Jones was asking to come away with her on a bus and away from the lies. Jean watched him silently eat, and then said, "I bet you're a wanted man by both women and police alike." Remy bit into his meat. Turkey. He would've liked steak, but he didn't tell Jean that.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's supposed to mean 'I've missed you, Remy LeBeau.' " She sat in front of him, searching for something he knew nothing about. A string of his heart rung; he wished he had heard it from someone else.
Jean read his thoughts.
"But we both know why you've 'resurrected,' if I may." Uh-oh, thought the thief. Here it comes. "Tell me, Rems. How's Rogue?" The subject made his throat throb.
"With John." Jean heard the note of disappointment in his voice and instead of feeling triumphant, she actually felt his pain.
"Well, why are you here, Rems? You obviously didn't come all this way to eat leftovers and chat about what you've accomplished. No, if you are the Remy LeBeau I know, you'd be here for something."
"Ex-ac-tly. Pre-cise-ly. Once again with your usual acuteness, you've hit the nail square on the head," Remy quoted from Rochester of -Jane Eyre-. Jean gave him a sideways glance.
"Your sarcasm is daunting. Is your heart really that broken?" He let out a sigh that made even the whimsical Jean's heart melt.
"Well, I can't stay long, chere. I just wanted to say..." he paused, as if recollecting his thoughts. "I'm sorry. For everythin'. Don think I regret anythin' from before--but we both learned things we should've learned months ago." He put aside the plate and huffed. "Anyway, I should go. It's better now thet y' know." He made his way toward the balcony, but Jean stopped him.
"It's not your entire fault. I thought I loved you too. But it seems we're better off with different people." Just at that moment, the door opened, and low and behold, Scott Summers entered, carrying a grocery bag full of canned goods.
"All right, Jeanie. I've picked up the corn you wanted, and I hope you like sweet corn, because that's all they had..." He looked up, and when he saw Remy, he immediately dropped the paper bag. It went down with a clatter and Jean grinned as Remy laughed.
"'Til we meet again," the thief winked, hurrying down the balcony. He listened to Scott's swears while rushing over the University's gate, and smiled like he hadn't for months.
November 22, 2003
Rogue finally found it useless to sit in front of her window, wondering if he'd ever come back. But of course he won't, she thought, her eyes burning with tears, I told him I loved John. Not Remy--but John.
"And I do." She stood up and stretched. "I really do love John." The branches of the Chinaberry tree quivered in the wind. Rogue shivered along with them. But somehow, deep inside her head and heart, she knew it was just another lie.
She hadn't seen John for awhile now. It was if he was just another vision. But the only apparition that kept playing in her head was Remy. He had told her of his feelings and now...now? Her thoughts were temporarily broken by a knock at the door. Her heart actually palpitated--could it be? She rushed to the door, wanting one thing, expecting another, and she almost broke her wrist as she flung it open..
"Rogue." Jubilation. In a mulberry dress. Her hair in its usual pigtails, she stood in the doorway, her blue eyes faint, Raccoon by her feet. Rogue gave her a simple smile.
"Jubes. How've yah been, dahrlin'?" she slurred it, trying to hide the distress turning in her voice. Jubilation shrugged.
"Two weeks, nothing to do (as usual). I've gained two pounds from eating coffee ice cream. Logan's throwing a fit now that its almost done." She shrugged again. "Swell. I'm doing swell. Two pounds heavier, yes, but I'm doing swell." She smiled heftily, staring past Rogue. "See you haven't really done anything since Remy left for New Orleans." Rogue's heart dropped into her stomach; even her hard facade couldn't keep Jubilation from noticing.
"Is he all raht? Have yah spoken tah him at all?" Jubilation didn't answer. She was focused on whatever was past Rogue. Suddenly, there was a roaring noise and a few seconds later a terrible -Bang- sounded and echoed throughout the mansion. The girls flew to the window, wondering what on earth could be going on down there. Rogue let out a cry; there was John with the Chinaberry tree at his feet and a chainsaw in his hand.
He had cut down the tree.
They hurried down the stairs and into the fall air-- leaves were flying everywhere. When St. John saw them, his face glowed with pride.
"Sheilas! It's 'bout time yah came down! Hey Rogue--" he pointed the chainsaw at the tree, "lookie what I've done."
"Ah'll say!" Rogue cried, her face twisted in disbelief. "Why did yah do that?"
"Why?" John questioned, "Because yah wanted the tree gone! Remember yah mentioned that yah wished someone would just chop it down cuz the branches were ugly to look at? So I saved yah the trouble and did it fer yah!" He tried reaching his hand to her hold her arm, but she moved away. At this, John's ears burned and anger flared.
"Ah don't understand, John. Ah would've thought you'd tell me before yah did somethin' lahke this!" Rogue chided.
"Yah don't understand?! I thought you'd be happy!" His eyes suddenly clouded, and a shadow passed over his face. If Rogue had noticed, she would've asked what was wrong, but she was too busy mourning the tree. "What dah hell is wrong with tryin' tah help yah out sometimes, huh? It's not like yah try helping me."
"What?" Rogue looked at him, strangely. "What do yah mean by dat?"
"I bet dat if LeBeau had done it, you wouldn't give a damn..."
"What does Remy have to do with anything?" Rogue wanted to know.
"You sure stick up for dead guys a lot, doncha?" John's eyes were ignited with a wild fire that was unfamiliar to Rogue. Something inside her trembled.
"You're crazy, John," she spat, turning away. This seemed to enrage the Aussie; he grabbed Rogue and violently pulled her to him. Jubilation, seeing how things could turn ugly, tried to pry Rogue away. John immediately let go of Rogue and grabbed Jubilation's hair. Raccoon jumped on his shoulder and bit him. There was a tumult that followed before Rogue was able to get Jubilation away from John, who still held the chainsaw. There was a fierce silence, broken only by the howling wind.
"What's gotten into yah, Johnnie?" Rogue asked, her voice far- off. Suddenly, as if broken from a trance, John blinked, glanced at the chainsaw in his hold, and threw it from him as if it were a poisonous snake. Then, holding his head, he staggered away, blindly and defiantly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To all my faithful reviewers:
Thank you so much for being patient with me. I haven't got the time to write as often as I want to anymore. But your reviews encourage me to update. Hope you liked this chapter and I also hope you stick with me as far as this story goes. How 'bout that John episode? Can he be taking a mind trip to disaster? Will Remy come back? Will Rogue forgive him?
Maybe. I ono. :)
Aubs2006: How qute! Actually, the wedding date wasn't really random; it's my birthday. :) Best Wishes to your cousin!
By: Ariesque
Last Updated: 11-26-03
Genre: Humor/Romance/Drama
Rated: PG for language
Disclaimer [that I forgot to put on Ch.1]: Don't own X-Men Evo, but the places in Bayville I do.
Dedication: To Doctor Pepper. Who wanted to make me angry and found my site online. The persistence isn't thrilling and now you need to write another poem! J/K
Chapter Four
..................................................................................
December 12, 2003
"So dat was it? He just went back?" Sam's voice was full of disbelief. Jubilation glanced up at her friend with a questioning eye.
"Well, not really. He stayed in Bayville for a while, where I caught up with him at Jimi's Bar. Raccoon found him, actually."
November 12, 2003
He had vowed never to go back to a life by the bottle, but here he was, drinking to his death, shot after shot of liquor. He didn't understand. Rogue wanted him, loved him, needed him. She never told him that, but she never had to tell him anything. He just knew. But then again, she just whisked him away like his feeling didn't matter, and maybe they didn't to her.
But they did to him.
"Monsieur, " he acknowledged to Jimi, the bartender, waving the empty shot glass in his quivering hand, "Another, please." The tender gave him a wary glance and muttered," Son, you don't look too good."
"I don't know about my looks," replied Remy, watching him pour another glass of whiskey, reluctantly, "but I do feel awful." He took the snort and sipped it. It burned his throat, but it sure didn't melt his heart.
"It's a girl, isn't it?" guessed Jimi. Remy pretended he hadn't heard. "Broken heart?" Remy grinned.
"You's a bien guesser, monsieur. But y' must have lots of customers like meh--we keep y' in business." He laughed, a high and sick chortle that made the glasses quiver. Just then, the door opened, and Jimi looked up, frowning.
"Sorry, miss, we don't serve underage." Snickers.
"Oh, I'm not in for a drink, sir, I just came to see him." Remy turned to see Jubilation, Raccoon under her arm. He actually grimaced.
"Go away, Petite," he hissed, tenderly, but sternly as well. Jubilation failed to budge.
"Not 'til you come back to the Institute."
"I don't belong t' them. Not t y', not to..." he paused, the name at the edge of his tongue. "Only t' the Whiskey and Ale..."
"That's right, Rems, you don't belong to anyone. You downright hate me, and I swear to heaven I can hate you too, but Remy, you don't hate her."
Her. Rogue. Remy's tongue felt raw as he downed the rest of the shot.
"That's right, Jubes. I don't hate her. I came here t' tell her just thet, and y' know what? She won listen."
"And you know why she won't listen?" She took a seat next to him despite the looks the bartender gave her, and forced Remy to look at her. "Because she's afraid. And you very well know she doesn't like John as much as she loves you." Remy furrowed his brow. He thought for a bit, drunk as he was, and suddenly knew what he had to do.
"Thanks, Petite." He got up, dropping a few crumpled dollar bills unto the counter and headed toward the door.
"Are you going back to the Institute?" He turned, an awkward grin on his face.
"Give me a week." He blew a kiss and was gone.
December 12, 2003
"Do yah know where he went fer a week?" Jubilation glared at him, trying to remember.
"Actually I'm not so sure where he went, except that he had unfinished business to attend to in Bayville. I just don't know what."
November 17, 2003
Bayville University is an enormous place. The dorms themselves stand on an entire acre surrounding the school. If you followed the bushes to the back lot, you could see the balconies and which ones were having a party. Remy did not enter the gate. No, that would make you conspicuous, especially if you were trying to conceal red eyes and a dirty trench coat. Instead, he rounded the back lot and followed the bushes to the last dormitory building. He climbed a nearby chestnut tree up two stores. From inside one of the apartments nearest him, he could hear Norah Jones crooning her music and knew he had struck gold. Come Away with Me, mused the thief, climbing unto the balcony. He glanced inside and saw the infamous redhead, putting aside Hamlet and scooping up a pile of halter tops not hers. She was alone by expecting company.
Unlocking the door, he stepped inside as her back was turned to him.
"Y' should really lock thet door, chere. People can come inside just like thet." She turned, her eyes filling with horror and amazement. When she didn't reply, Remy grinned. "What's wrong, chere? It's like you've been thinking I was dead dis whole time." That seemed to snap her back to reality. Her face grew rosy once more, and she took a step towards him.
"No, Sherlock," she replied, "But..."
"Oh, Jean, you seem scared. Of moi." His voice was incredulous. She smiled at that.
She let out a sigh of relief that would've let the highest building crumble. "You're alive." Wrapping her arms around him, she held him for a moment.
"It's not like I've never died before." He shrugged in her hold as if he died every day. "Y' shouldn't seem too relieved."
"But I am," she pushed away from him, observing his shaggy appearance. "I've been worried sick since your 'death'. Sometimes, you only think of yourself, Remy LeBeau."
"And I don't blame y'; I'm a selfish brute and should have been thinkin' of y' before I 'killed' myself." She sensed the sarcasm in his voice and sniffed.
"That's so like you." She meant to sound hurt, but it came out nostalgic. He watched as she pulled out a platter of food from her small ice box. "Here. You're probably hungry."
"Probably," he said, taking the plate. "Merci."
Norah Jones was asking to come away with her on a bus and away from the lies. Jean watched him silently eat, and then said, "I bet you're a wanted man by both women and police alike." Remy bit into his meat. Turkey. He would've liked steak, but he didn't tell Jean that.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's supposed to mean 'I've missed you, Remy LeBeau.' " She sat in front of him, searching for something he knew nothing about. A string of his heart rung; he wished he had heard it from someone else.
Jean read his thoughts.
"But we both know why you've 'resurrected,' if I may." Uh-oh, thought the thief. Here it comes. "Tell me, Rems. How's Rogue?" The subject made his throat throb.
"With John." Jean heard the note of disappointment in his voice and instead of feeling triumphant, she actually felt his pain.
"Well, why are you here, Rems? You obviously didn't come all this way to eat leftovers and chat about what you've accomplished. No, if you are the Remy LeBeau I know, you'd be here for something."
"Ex-ac-tly. Pre-cise-ly. Once again with your usual acuteness, you've hit the nail square on the head," Remy quoted from Rochester of -Jane Eyre-. Jean gave him a sideways glance.
"Your sarcasm is daunting. Is your heart really that broken?" He let out a sigh that made even the whimsical Jean's heart melt.
"Well, I can't stay long, chere. I just wanted to say..." he paused, as if recollecting his thoughts. "I'm sorry. For everythin'. Don think I regret anythin' from before--but we both learned things we should've learned months ago." He put aside the plate and huffed. "Anyway, I should go. It's better now thet y' know." He made his way toward the balcony, but Jean stopped him.
"It's not your entire fault. I thought I loved you too. But it seems we're better off with different people." Just at that moment, the door opened, and low and behold, Scott Summers entered, carrying a grocery bag full of canned goods.
"All right, Jeanie. I've picked up the corn you wanted, and I hope you like sweet corn, because that's all they had..." He looked up, and when he saw Remy, he immediately dropped the paper bag. It went down with a clatter and Jean grinned as Remy laughed.
"'Til we meet again," the thief winked, hurrying down the balcony. He listened to Scott's swears while rushing over the University's gate, and smiled like he hadn't for months.
November 22, 2003
Rogue finally found it useless to sit in front of her window, wondering if he'd ever come back. But of course he won't, she thought, her eyes burning with tears, I told him I loved John. Not Remy--but John.
"And I do." She stood up and stretched. "I really do love John." The branches of the Chinaberry tree quivered in the wind. Rogue shivered along with them. But somehow, deep inside her head and heart, she knew it was just another lie.
She hadn't seen John for awhile now. It was if he was just another vision. But the only apparition that kept playing in her head was Remy. He had told her of his feelings and now...now? Her thoughts were temporarily broken by a knock at the door. Her heart actually palpitated--could it be? She rushed to the door, wanting one thing, expecting another, and she almost broke her wrist as she flung it open..
"Rogue." Jubilation. In a mulberry dress. Her hair in its usual pigtails, she stood in the doorway, her blue eyes faint, Raccoon by her feet. Rogue gave her a simple smile.
"Jubes. How've yah been, dahrlin'?" she slurred it, trying to hide the distress turning in her voice. Jubilation shrugged.
"Two weeks, nothing to do (as usual). I've gained two pounds from eating coffee ice cream. Logan's throwing a fit now that its almost done." She shrugged again. "Swell. I'm doing swell. Two pounds heavier, yes, but I'm doing swell." She smiled heftily, staring past Rogue. "See you haven't really done anything since Remy left for New Orleans." Rogue's heart dropped into her stomach; even her hard facade couldn't keep Jubilation from noticing.
"Is he all raht? Have yah spoken tah him at all?" Jubilation didn't answer. She was focused on whatever was past Rogue. Suddenly, there was a roaring noise and a few seconds later a terrible -Bang- sounded and echoed throughout the mansion. The girls flew to the window, wondering what on earth could be going on down there. Rogue let out a cry; there was John with the Chinaberry tree at his feet and a chainsaw in his hand.
He had cut down the tree.
They hurried down the stairs and into the fall air-- leaves were flying everywhere. When St. John saw them, his face glowed with pride.
"Sheilas! It's 'bout time yah came down! Hey Rogue--" he pointed the chainsaw at the tree, "lookie what I've done."
"Ah'll say!" Rogue cried, her face twisted in disbelief. "Why did yah do that?"
"Why?" John questioned, "Because yah wanted the tree gone! Remember yah mentioned that yah wished someone would just chop it down cuz the branches were ugly to look at? So I saved yah the trouble and did it fer yah!" He tried reaching his hand to her hold her arm, but she moved away. At this, John's ears burned and anger flared.
"Ah don't understand, John. Ah would've thought you'd tell me before yah did somethin' lahke this!" Rogue chided.
"Yah don't understand?! I thought you'd be happy!" His eyes suddenly clouded, and a shadow passed over his face. If Rogue had noticed, she would've asked what was wrong, but she was too busy mourning the tree. "What dah hell is wrong with tryin' tah help yah out sometimes, huh? It's not like yah try helping me."
"What?" Rogue looked at him, strangely. "What do yah mean by dat?"
"I bet dat if LeBeau had done it, you wouldn't give a damn..."
"What does Remy have to do with anything?" Rogue wanted to know.
"You sure stick up for dead guys a lot, doncha?" John's eyes were ignited with a wild fire that was unfamiliar to Rogue. Something inside her trembled.
"You're crazy, John," she spat, turning away. This seemed to enrage the Aussie; he grabbed Rogue and violently pulled her to him. Jubilation, seeing how things could turn ugly, tried to pry Rogue away. John immediately let go of Rogue and grabbed Jubilation's hair. Raccoon jumped on his shoulder and bit him. There was a tumult that followed before Rogue was able to get Jubilation away from John, who still held the chainsaw. There was a fierce silence, broken only by the howling wind.
"What's gotten into yah, Johnnie?" Rogue asked, her voice far- off. Suddenly, as if broken from a trance, John blinked, glanced at the chainsaw in his hold, and threw it from him as if it were a poisonous snake. Then, holding his head, he staggered away, blindly and defiantly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To all my faithful reviewers:
Thank you so much for being patient with me. I haven't got the time to write as often as I want to anymore. But your reviews encourage me to update. Hope you liked this chapter and I also hope you stick with me as far as this story goes. How 'bout that John episode? Can he be taking a mind trip to disaster? Will Remy come back? Will Rogue forgive him?
Maybe. I ono. :)
Aubs2006: How qute! Actually, the wedding date wasn't really random; it's my birthday. :) Best Wishes to your cousin!