The More Things Change - Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men. :(
Author's Note: I apologize for abandoning y'all. It's been a rough couple of months and I'm trying to ease back into my fiction. I appreciate both praise and criticism. Hell, I'll even take a few flames, just as long as I'm gettin' some sort of response after being gone for so long.
I will also be continuing "Somebody Else's Song" and I'll soon be posting a sequel and prequel to "If You See Him". I hope to have all his done by the end of my summer break. I also have a few more fics in the works that I've yet to post. Most are X-Men fics, and I'm also gonna try my hand at a few "That '70s Show" stories.
Lastly, I'd like to apologize again to my readers. You guys have been so great to me and I wish that I had been better with my updates. I promise to do better in the future. :)
Much Luv,
Alyx
"How you doin' today, Chere?" Remy whispered loudly in Rogue's ear as he walked past her and sat down at the table next to hers. It was Monday morning, and surprisingly, Remy had made it out of bed and been early for Chemistry class. He eased into his seat next to Pyro, his lab partner.
"Hey, Remy," she smiled at him as Bobby sat next to her, refusing to look in Remy's direction. He hated him. What had started out as a healthy dislike for a guy who shamelessly flirted with his girlfriend had blossomed into pure hatred. Ever since the night at the mall when Rogue had been mugged and Remy had "come to her rescue", she had insisted on including him in whatever their gang did. Movies. Bowling. Pizza night. And whenever Gambit was around, Rogue all but forgot Bobby existed.
This Remy situation was different from when Wolverine had shown back up at the Institute two years ago. Sure, Rogue had had a huge crush on Logan. But it was more like hero-worship with him. Of course, that hadn't mattered to Bobby. When Logan first came back, he had made it his number one duty to make sure Logan knew that Rogue was his girl. But after a few days, and Logan saving his life when the solders attacked, Bobby began to like Logan. But Remy...there was no way in hell Bobby could ever like Remy. Something about him just didn't sit right with Bobby. Jubilee kept telling him that he was just jealous. Jealous of what? He had never confronted Rogue about Gambit. There was no need. She was his girl. Remy was just some "bad boy" phase Rogue was going through. Nothing to worry about...right?
Remy smiled back at her before reaching across the aisle and clapping Bobby one the shoulder, "Hey dere, Bobby."
"Hi, Gambit," Bobby shook his arm off, and kept staring at the chalkboard. Before Gambit could say anything more, Dr. Grey entered the classroom.
"Good morning, class," she said brightly.
"Guess somebody got some last night," John whispered to Remy in response to their instructor's cheeriness. Remy grinned at him as Jean continued speaking to the class.
"I trust everyone had a good weekend - chockfull of study time, so I think we'll begin the week with a pop quiz."
"Damnit," Remy swore.
"Well, maybe not," John sank in his seat.
xxxx
"Be careful, Bobby," Rogue warned her lab partner as he lit the Bunsen burner, "Ah think ya got it on too high. The flame's too hot."
"I know what I'm doing, Rogue," He responded harsher than he meant to. His frustration with the Remy situation combined with the fact that he had just royally flunked Dr. Grey's pop quiz had put him in a sour mood.
"Sorry," Rogue responded, sounding a little too much like Jubilee. She looked away from their project over to Remy and John's table. She watched as John used his power to turn the flame from their burner into the form of a shapely dancing woman.
Rogue stifled a giggled as Remy and John quietly cat-called the woman of fire, careful not to draw any unwanted attention from Dr. Grey. Remy turned to look at her and winked. She blushed, but didn't look away.
Suddenly, Remy's face lost it's teasing expression. Then Rogue felt the burning sensation crawling up her arm.
Remy jumped up, knocking his chair to the floor and was at her side instantly. He knocked Bobby out of the way and began slapping at the flames that crawled up Rogue's sweater. The flames licked at her skin through the thick purple material. She struggled to get away from the heat, but Remy held her still, putting out the flames with his bare hands.
Rogue cried out as the flames reached her skin and tried to yank away from him.
"Be still, Rogue!" He yelled, frantically trying to stop her pain.
Jean, along with her students, stood frozen in place, watching the display before them. No one knowing what to do.
After what seemed like hours, but in reality was only a few seconds, the flames were gone. Rogue continued to struggle but Remy pulled her under his arm and held her still.
" 'S okay, Roguey. Stop strugglin'. You're okay."
Hearing his words, Rogue fell up against him and allowed him to cradle her to his side.
Snapping out of her trance, Jean rushed forward, "Rogue, are you okay?"
Rogue managed a nod, though her face was buried in Remy's coat.
"I just sent a telepathic message to Dr. McCoy. He's going to meet us in the Med-Lab," she kept a hand on Rogue's shoulder and turned to address the class, "Today's lesson is over. I'll see you all Wednesday morning."
The students were still for a moment before they quietly gathered their things and filed out of the room. Only, Rogue, Remy, Bobby and Jean remained.
"Bobby? Why don't you take Rogue down to see Dr. McCoy. I'll be down in a minute."
"Sure," Bobby moved to take Rogue's arm. She allowed herself to be led away and Remy watched her go.
When Rogue and Bobby were out of earshot, Jean turned to Remy.
"That was very brave," getting no response, she continued, "If you hadn't acted so quickly Rogue might've been hurt very badly."
He shrugged, very uncomfortable being alone with the telepath. He knew that his mental shields were strong, but since Jean Grey had become the Phoenix, there was no telling how much more power she had acquired. He stared down at his hands. They hurt like hell.
"Oh my God! Remy, your hands!"
Jean moved to inspect the red blistered skin.
"Do they hurt?"
"Oui, a little."
"Come with me."
xxxx
"Hey there, Gumbo," Remy opened his eyes at the sound the gruff voice and sat up.
"What's up homme?" Remy questioned, curious as to why Logan, of all people, had come to visit him in the Med Lab.
"Look, kid," Logan answered after a moment of silence, "I ain't one to beat around the bush so I'm just gonna come right out and say this."
Remy looked at him expectantly.
Logan exhaled loudly, "Thanks, for what you did today. Rogue could been seriously hurt and that woulda killed me. Anyway...like I said...thanks." He stood at the foot of Remy's bed looking highly uncomfortable.
Remy nodded, his respect for Logan growing, "Ya welcome. 'Course I don't expect no gratitude. Seein' dat girl get hurt woulda killed me, too.
It was Logan's turn to nod now. He moved to stand next to Gambit, "I would shake yer hand, but the Doc said that yer hands are gonna be sore for a while."
"Better dan de alternative, neh?"
Logan patted him on the shoulder, "Well, when ya heal up me and you'll go a few rounds on the pool table."
"T'ink you'll be up for dat old man? Maybe your chances are better if you play me now, when I cain't use my hands." Remy held up his bandaged palms in illustration.
Wolverine grinned, "Whatever, punk. Look, I got a Danger Room session to supervise in 10 minutes. I need to go suit up. Lemme know if you need anything."
"How 'bout a smoke?" Remy asked hopefully.
"Not in the Med Lab kid. But once you get outta here, I'll buy you a whole case."
"Deal," Remy smiled slightly as Logan left the room. When he was sure the door was closed, he allowed the smile to fade. These people were making it very hard for him to do what he came here to do. He already felt bad enough for betraying Storm. Now he was emotionally involved with Rogue, not to mention Kitty, Jubes, John, even Bobby and now Logan. He didn't want to see any of them get hurt.
"How are ya feelin'?" a soft voice broke into his thoughts. He smiled up at Rogue standing in his doorway. She had changed out of her ruined sweater. Now she was wearing a pair of dark denim jeans and long-sleeved white t-shirt with a red "X" just above her left breast. Her hair was in a single braid down her back.
"Hey dere. You feelin' okay?"
"Ah asked you first," she sat on the foot of his bed.
"Pretty good, actually. Hank gave me some painkillers. He said I gotta stay in the Med Lab as long as I'm on dem though. Cause they're so strong. Now, how are you?"
"Mah arm's a little pink. There's a few bruises, but it's not nearly as bad as it could've been. Just kinda feels like my arm's sunburned."
"Glad you're okay, Rogue."
She smiled sweetly and again Remy was struck with a pang at the thought of hurting her and her friends.
"What's wrong?" She noticed the sudden shift in his mood.
"Not'in'. T'ink I'm just zoning out from those painkillers." An easy lie. And a believable one.
"Oh. Well, I'll let you get some rest then," she moved to leave.
"Hey, Rogue? Why don' you stay wit' me a little while?"
"Okay, sure," she sat back down on the bed.
xxxx
"Dude, you got totally shown up. I mean first of all she's your girlfriend. Second of all you were sitting right next to her. And third of all, you coulda froze that fire right off her arm instead of standing there looking stupid while Gambit played hero for her again."
"Well, what about you, John? You should have used your power and got those flames off of her."
"Why don't you both shut up?" Jubilee said from across the lunch table, "The two of you are givin' me a headache."
"Is it true?" Kitty appeared through the floor and sat down next to Jubilee, "Did Rogue really catch on fire?"
"Yea," John answered, sticking his tongue out at Jubes. She put her arm too close to her and Bobby's Bunsen burner and caught her sweater on fire. I guess she wasn't really payin' attention to what she was doin'. She was too busy watchin' me and Remy play with our Chick-o-Fire."
At the mention of Remy's name, Bobby stood up and walked away, leaving his lunch tray and book bag.
"Well, I guess with the way he's acting then the rest of the story is true, too?"
"Yup. Remy put the fire out with his bare hands. You shoulda seen him. That guy is freakin' crazy."
"Crazy over Rogue," Kitty acknowledged, "No wonder Bobby's in such a lovely mood."
xxxx
"Scott you're being completely ridiculous!"
"I don't like him Jean. Something just isn't right with that guy."
"He isn't just some guy. He's a kid who's been hurt and used. This is his home now, Scott. He's one of us."
"Logan doesn't like him either," Scott argued.
"Actually, Logan's opinion of Remy had changed. He even went to see him in the Med Lab."
"This is crazy. He's probably the reason Rogue caught on fire to begin with."
"Now you're just being childish."
"I agree," a new voice interrupted their discussion. Ororo stepped into the office, closing the door behind her. And she didn't look happy.
"Look, Storm---"
"Save it, Scott," Storm held up her hand to him, "I don't want to hear it. I just came to tell Jean what Hank said about Remy's hands."
"Is he going to be okay?"
"Yes. He'll be sore, but he'll make a complete recovery."
"Good," Jean glanced down at her watch, "Uh, I've got class. You two be nice. I'll see you at dinner." Jean left the other two instructors alone.
"Well?" Ororo crossed her arms and stared at her friend.
"Well what?"
"I'm waiting for an apology for the way you were talking about the boy."
"You're going to be waiting for quite some time then, Storm. That kid is bad news."
"Damnit, Scott," Storm unfolded her arms and pointed a finger at him, "When I brought him back here with me I promised him that he'd be accepted. I told he we wouldn't judge him on his past or his appearance. I thought that maybe you'd be interested in taking him under your wing. He's an orphan too, Scott. Except his parents didn't die in a plane crash. They threw him away because of his eyes. Because he was one of us. A mutant. He lived on the streets for years all alone. People kicking him, chasing him, spitting on him. Finally, the LeBeau family took him in, but it was too late. The damage was done. And then do you know what they did? They used him. They trained him and then exploited his powers and his skills. All he's ever known is treachery and deceit and abuse. I told him Xavier's was a place for second chances and new beginnings. He's trying so hard to fit in here and now when he goes and puts himself in harms way to protect his friend you cut him down. Would you care to explain to me exactly why you don't like him, Mr. Summers?"
Scott stared at the floor. He felt two inches tall.
"It's just a feeling," he responded quietly.
"Well, would you please ignore your 'feeling' long enough to give that boy a chance? That's all he needs, Scott. For someone to take a chance on him."
"Okay, Storm, okay. I get it. I'll try to tolerate him."
"Scott---"
"Okay, okay. I'll reserve judgment and try to get to know him before I decide he's a troublemaker."
"Thank you."