Ch. 8 Ruminations and Revelations
Kitty and Kurt flanked Rogue as she made her way up the stairs to school. Kurt in particular remained close in case she stumbled while Kitty carried her books. Much to the surprise of everyone at the Institute, Rogue's book and homework assignments had miraculously appeared on the front door step sometime Friday night. All had watched Rogue's strange smile as Kitty dropped the books next her on the couch with a knowing glance.
She still needed the crutch according to Dr. McCoy, though tomorrow would be her first day without it. For that Rogue was more than glad, using the wooden contraption and left a pain in arm that rivaled that of her ankle anyway. And if that were not enough, Rogue's wrist brace prevented her from doing a simple thing like apply makeup. Kitty had generously or maybe evilly offered her help. Gone was the dark makeup. Eye shadow and liner of a pale green, a touch of mascara and a hint of dark red lipstick. Overall Rogue did not mind the change since it had not been too drastic. Still she felt naked without her usual adornment and no small amount nervous.
Once they got her settled in her first class, both Kitty and Kurt took off to her own. Rogue sat with her hands clenched. Rude whispers seeped through the air about where she had been, and why she had been out. Her teeth clenched and she reminded herself a hundred times over that she could not just smack the crap out of them with her good hand. Just when her patience neared its end, just when anger almost forced her from the seat, Fred sat next to her.
An evil glare left the large mutant's face, but it was not at Rogue. Suddenly all the vicious chattering ceased and Fred grinned. He genuinely liked Rogue, as a friend anyway. She had never treated him strangely because of his rather large stature. Quite the opposite in fact, she talked to him when no one else would and a shaky friendship had sprung up between the girl no one could touch and the boy no one would touch.
"How ya feelin'?" He asked with a gentleness that belied his earlier visage. Rogue smiled, a small but real smile.
"Ah'll b' fiahn, jus' a lil sore still," Some of the girls in the class snickered and earned another harsh glare from Fred.
They chatted amiably until class began about everything, though mostly about food. Rogue had a sneaking suspicion that Fred was a good cook from the detail he gave his stories at the Brotherhood. She tried to stifle a giggle at the image of Lance trying to help Fred cook while Todd jumped around in an attempt to steal a few morsels.
When class ended, he surprised Rogue by picking up her books and offering to walk her to her next class. People pointed, people snickered as the pair walked down the hall and Rogue placed a gentle, restraining hand on Fred's arm when his face reddened in anger. The look of rage faltered and he offered an apologetic smile.
"Ya need me to help ya after this class?" Outwardly, he offered to carry her books, but Rogue caught the underlying message of protection against the nastier of Bayville High's students.
"Naw, s'all rahgt Fred, but thanks fer offerin'," He looked like he might argue with her, but in the end he only nodded as he set her books down on her desk and walked out.
"Hey mutie that your new boooooyfriend?" Boisterous laughter roared through the room. Rogue fixed the youth with a cool, indifferent gaze.
"No, but Ah'd rather spend time wi' Fred than ya, Fitz. Fred's got mannahs as should any good southern man. Ya on the otha hand prol'y still don' know a grown boah should be outta trainin' pants bah now." With a calm Logan would have applauded she turned back around and pretended to hear nothing else.
She wanted to go home, but she couldn't and as that class ended, Rogue gathered up her nerve and rose…..
…. Only to find a smiling Gambit in front of her. Relief washed over Rogue. She realized at that moment that she had been unconsciously looking for him all day.
"Ready fo' lunch, Chere?" He purred softly. She might have been flattered, but instead she grinned as she realized his true intent. The Barbie brigade humphed mightily as most of them had attempted at some point or other to grab the smooth Cajun's attention. Her books tucked under one arm, he offered her his other gloved hand and helped from her seat in elegant fashion.
Rogue fought down her laughter as one the girls stormed from the classroom. Gambit flashed his most charming smile. A smile that would melt butter on a cube of ice, and he led her around the desk with exquisite care. His hand came to rest on the small of her back as she hobbled out of the room at an abbreviated pace.
"Y' look tres belle t'day, Cher," That comment, though he meant it entirely, only left his lips as the past the assembled mass of females at the front of the room. Some sighed, others glared, but Rogue did not notice. Soft warmth spread through his glove and her shirt at the base of her spine, and she found it rather distracting. Rogue's head dropped a bit. The pale forelocks fell to shield her face and the rather desirous expression that touched her features from him.
He led her through the courtyard to the large oak they had sat under last time after making a stop by her locker for her lunch. Rogue watched in bemused amusement as he removed his coat and laid it on the ground. He took her hand and placed it on his shoulder as he removed the crutch and propped it up against the tree. Before Rogue could attempt to sit, Gambit scooped her up and placed her gently on his coat.
Only then did he sit next to, though in true gentleman fashion, he sat on the lush grass and left the coat for her. Rogue laughed softly, though her eyes warmed in silent thanks. All around them were the sights and sounds of teenage angst, but neither noticed, or just did not care. She watched the soft breeze play through his somewhat spiky hair, and she just barely resisted the impulse to run her fingers through its length.
"So wha's fo lunch today?" He broke the silence. This was usually when she withdrew into herself. That moment when the quiet stretched too long. Rich male laughter rang out when Rogue promptly produced two pb n' j's for consumption. It touched him that she had remembered, that she had cared to remember. Yet another one of the many surprises she had already given him.
"T'ank y', Cher," He winked. His fingers lingered a moment on the back her hand as he accepted the sandwich. Increments, that was the way to approach Rogue, or so he thought, and a deepening of her smile rewarded his effort.
"Hi Remy! Hi Rogue!" Kitty bounded up to the pair and flopped with a true cat's grace in next to her friend. Gambit felt Rogue ease with Kitty's appearance in the sort of assurance that only a person's best friend can give.
"Remy Ah'd lahke ya t' meet mah friend, Kitty Pryde," Kitty grinned oh so impishly at Remy as if she'd known him her whole life. Little did Rogue know, and Kitty was not ready to tell her yet, but Kitty and talked a lot with Remy during Rogue's absence and the younger was convinced that if anyone could get Rogue to have a little fun, it was Remy LeBeau. 'Of course he is nice just to look at!'
"Remy know de p'tite already," Rogue's head tilted curiously as she waited for answer.
"Remy, like, asked me to give you the flowers." Kitty replied smoothly.
The three sat in conversation. Ok, so Rogue and Remy listened as Kitty chattered away. They only offered the occasional comment when the girl paused for breath. Like a small whirlwind Kitty had swept in and kept Rogue's attention off her mutation and off the confusing things she felt for Remy. Kitty hid a sly grin as half way through lunch Rogue's hand crept over to Remy's. Their pinky fingers now intertwined. Even though Rogue had not really noticed, the look on Remy's face told him that he had.
A few minutes later, Fred joined them, and it was all Rogue could do not to laugh as Kitty plied all her charm on the boy to pry out his culinary secrets. Fred had Kitty's full attention as for once the slender girl was completely silent as she scribbled notes down furiously as Fred dictated to her.
It was one of the strangest groupings of people ever, or so Rogue thought, but for whatever reason it seemed to work. Her thoughts drifted as she only half listened to the conversation around her until Gambit whispered in her ear.
"Remy never t'ought dat fille could be quiet dis long." Rogue stifled a laugh as she watched her friend. A small furrow formed is Kitty brow as Fred went into complicated instructions on fried chicken.
"Eva'one needs a hobby," Gambit chuckled.
"Y' ready t' go, Cher? Class be startin' soon."
"Yeah, Ah guess," Once again she found herself in the Cajun's arms as he set her back on her feet. She half leaned against him while he gathered the crutch and set it out before her. With a small dramatic flare he donned the trench coat once again. He shifted in what Rogue swore had to be nervousness.
"Cher, Remy be wonderin' if y' like t' have dinnah wit him dis weekend?" Her eyes widened, and she didn't notice the sudden halt in Kitty and Fred's conversation. Should she? He had given her wonderful gift, checked on her, and took care of her today. She owed him this? Ahhh, it's amazing what we'll rationalize in the name of love no? Rogue smiled.
"Sure thang," He blinked. Remy had expected her to say no after all.
"T'ank…" His words were rudely interrupted as Mark Vans strolled up and grabbed Rogue's hand. The sudden action sent her off balance, but Gambit's quick reflexes saved her as he caught her gently against him.
"Well, well, well. If it ain't tha little gothic mutie chick," The kid sneered and Rogue found herself too stunned to say anything, "You clean up real nice mutie. Fact is you almost look good enough to be on my arm at the Spring Fling." He leaned in close with that wide sneer.
"Mark, I wouldn' go ta a damn hospital wi' ya even if Ah was bleedin' out my eyes," Each word slipped free in a soft hiss as she righted herself with Gambit's help. Mark started to speak, but a strong hand clamped down on his wrist. He looked up and found the devil's eyes boring into his own with a frightening verocity.
"De fille said no, homme." He never raised his tone, but something quiet dangerous lurked on every word. "N' if y' don' leave 'er alone. Fred n' Gambit gonna give y' a lessen in mannahs." Rogue's breathe stopped at the look on Remy's face, she'd only seen it before when Wolverine went after Sabertooth.
Mark wisely backed up as Fred came to stand just behind Gambit. The large boy's arms crossed in front him and an anticipatory grin on his face.
"Naw, Gambit let 'im stay. Ah'm sure he'd love a lesson in how ta treat a lady."
Kitty stood next to Rogue, her small hands planted firmly on her hips as she just glared at the boy. Rogue was touched… and shocked. Mark, well Mark was just smart for a change. He left the group with all due haste and hurried inside the building.
"Like, the nerve of some IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kitty screamed after him. Her face contorted in anger. Rogue and boy's winced. 'Dat fille got o' set a lungs on 'er.'
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Cards whirred back and forth between Gambit's hands. Pyro, who was easily amused, watched in rapt fascination as the new show, "Mutant X", was forgotten. Back and forth the cards moved between his gloved hands as a small frown formed in place of his usual grin. A grin that drew Pyro's attention from his friend and teammates skill to what was bothering the man.
"So, what's got ya riled up, mate?" His hand itched for the feel of Zippo, but he resisted the urge with more or less success.
"Nu'tin'," A one word reply, that did not bode well at all. Allerdyce frowned and sank deeper into the plush couch. Then again everything in Remy Lebeau's personal apartment was plush.
"Bullshit, mate. Ye been starin' at those cards fer over an hour."
Gambit suppressed a sigh. What was wrong with him? Oh he knew the answer to that one. A certain pair of jade eyes swan in his mind. He had been ready to start a fight a school with that idiot for her. Against orders, against everything Magneto wanted him that school for anyway. All because the creep had dared to touch her. She was supposed to be fun, a diversion while he and Allerdyce waited for Magneto's return. What he'd felt in the quad with her was not just fun.
"Jus' t'inkin' t'ings ova, mon ami," A puzzled Pyro watched the normally unruffled Cajun for several long moments. Then a slow sly grin creeped over the fire manic's face.
"It's tha, shelia eh?" 'Bingo'. He thought as Gambit tried to hide a wince. "Ya know, mate, Mags ain't gonna like this vera much," For the first time since Gambit had met the slightly unstable boy, Allerdyce was serious.
"It ain't like dat, homme. Jus' de fille, she be confusin'. Not playin' by de usual rules n' all," Sure that was the reason, or so Remy attempted to convince himself. He liked her because she was fun, interesting, a greater challenge than anyone else, but that's why he was frustrated. It sure as hell was not because he felt a deeper attraction to her. Well not beyond the obvious anyway.
"Right. Keep telling yaself that," A growl answered Allerdyce, but he remained undeterred. "Look, Rems, seriously. Ya like her maybe more. While am a sucker for a good ole love story too, this just ain't gonna work. Ye can't be fallin' in love one minute n' fightin' 'er the next."
"We on de same side, John. Jus' opposite ends o' dat side."
"I know ye don't want my advice, Rems. But Ye gonna get it. Get out now 'for ye get yaself hurt or her."
Should he? Could he walk away now? He knew he was close though. She trusted him. Her best friend liked him. No, Remy LeBeau did not walk away from a challenge, or so he justified. He may have ignored that little piece of him that dreaded the thought of leaving him, but it dominated his decision nonetheless.
"Non, is jus' a game, John. 'Sides," He flashed that trademark smile, "Remy ain't one to deny hi'self fine femme company, n' she be de best around."
"Gak! I give up, mate. Ye just too damn stubborn."
"Oui. Speakin' o' Magneto's wrath doh. Don' y' t'ink y' should be headin' ta class one o' des days. Y'r suppose' t' be der too, homme." Pyro whined softly much like a scolded pup.
"It's too hard ta be that good for that long, mate," He pleaded.
"Too bad, we gotta a job t' do."
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
"Ah don't undahstand, Logan," Those wide green eyes fell upon her instructor as they sat alone in the briefing room.
"Stripes, We've been goin' about yer trainin' all wrong. We need to learn more about how yer mutation works."
"Ah touch people n' they fall over, Ah hold on too long n' they die. What's left?" The soft scrap of her chair filtered through the sudden moment of silence as her words died out.
"But, mutants seem to be a little more resistant. I want to test and see how long you need to be in contact to absorb a power, and if it's a small enough time to keep ya from renderin' the person unconscious. " The metal desk groaned a bit as Logan leaned against it. He was not an overly big man, but having adamantium bonded to your skeleton tended to put you a bit on the heavy side. He watched as her thoughts played over her face in rapid style.
"N' what if it does? Doesn't do a whole lot of good against robots," She bit her lip in trepidation.
"Stripes," Logan began. She had just given him the opportunity and he was not going to let it slip past, "Rogue, it wasn't your fault. In fact, if it weren't for you, Kitty would probably be dead." She winced at the last word.
"But she gaht hurt cuz o' me."
"Rogue, Cyclops has trained for years to shot on the run. You haven't. You did what you were trained to do. Now I'm gonna train you better. Think of it like this, what if you'd practiced with Scott's powers before… a lot. You think you could have gotten a clean shot?" A slow nod came in answer.
"Good, cuz that's what were workin' for kid. If there is a timing to your mutation that we can use. You're going to train not only with Scott's powers, but the others as well. We gonna work on ways to prevent the intitial disorientation ya get after absorbin' n' other things as well." He waited for the words to sink into her brain. A pencil rolled over the desk as she pushed it around with a small furrow in brow. It was a shot to make her liability an asset to the team, to her friends.
"Ya think it can work?" She asked in a tone so wavering, Logan's heart bled at the sound. Confidence, strength, Will. Rogue possessed all of these in great measure, but she doubted herself. Hatred of her mutation had caused her to dislike herself as well.
"Truth? Don't know for sure. But I think it's worth a shot. You game?" He taunted gently, and had the desired effect as her head snapped up, those green eyes burning as she nodded. "Good. Now," He smirked as his arms crossed, "Tell me about this guy yer seein'"
Rogue blushing was a bit comical as she stammered out incoherent words. Logan knew? How much did he know? And why wasn't he angry?
"He.. I dunno, Logan. He doesn't seem ta care 'bout…ya know," A lame finished, and she knew it, but she did not know what else to say.
"Good," He stated yet again, "Now come the part where I warn ya to be careful n' all that. But hell yer a bright girl, Stripes." Logan might have been mad, but he had noticed the subtle changes in her as well as he would notice a day old trail. It was risky. Hell maybe even insane that the 'enemy' gave her what no one else had been able too, but he trusted her.
"Thanks fer the confidence, teach, but ta tell ya truly. Ah ain't so sure," A wry grin.
"'Cause yer thinkin' about it too much."
"How could Ah not??" She rejoined.
"Not sayin' ya shouldn't think about, Rogue, but ya can over think things ya know. If you like him he can't be all that bad I think. Even if he does work for Mags." He chuckled and after a moment Rogue joined in the laughter.
"All right off to dinner with ya. Hank'll have my head if you don't eat enough," Now that image was funny: Hank, the blue beast, going after Wolverine in a full tilt. Rogue snickered as she rose to her feet. The crutch no longer needed, but she still had a slight limp. "Tomorrow you'll be workin' with me, 5A.M. sharp."
"See ya Logan," She paused, "N' thanks… fer understandin'…. 'bout everything," His smile a reward, and she returned it whole heartedly.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Yet again thanks to all that read this story n' all ya'll that review!
Yumiko – Hey just remember the old saying "Age and wisdom will win out over youth and exuberance" hehe
Thank Aro!
AngieX – Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the recommendation!
DBZpunkchick – Thanks!
Silver12 – I hope you like the rest.
Katrina5 – Sleep is overrated I tell you. Hehe… Thanks!
Personage – Hello Hello, thanks for the vote of confidence!