Ch. 10 Sing Me the Blues

            Around ten the crowd below started to thin a little as people either headed home or off to a rowdier bar or club.  A slight breeze kicked up, and in the quieter atmosphere Rogue felt a small twinge of nerves.  He had not turned back on the image inducer, and part of her wished that he had.  Perhaps it was the fact that his fire lit eyes were just too exoctic to ignore, or perhaps something else, either way Rogue found it far easier to maintain thoughts of friendship when his eyes sported soft brown and the usual whites, rather than twin black voids marked only with rings of flame.

            Remy, on the other hand, ground his teeth in frustion.  His action hidden behind the napkin conveniently timed after the last bite of dessert.  He felt her confusion and the tenuous withdraw behind those now infamous walls of hers.  What was he supposed to do now?  He knew that he could not allow the silence to stretch on.

            "So, Cher, Y' feel like stickin' 'round hea fo' awhile?  O' headin' off somewhere else?" The question lacked any innuendo.   She blinked once, pulled from whatever confusing thought plagued her brain.

            "Well tha warden said Ah had 'til midnight," She shrugged and considered just heading back now.

            "Den Remy got two mo' hours t' dazzle y'." He grinned and rose to his feet.  The trench held over his left shoulder by two fingers as he extended his hand to her.  A small war started in Rogue's head:  'Take his hand' – 'No, Ah can't, Ah should jus' go home.' – 'Home!?! Am Ah crazy?'  Though the internal battle happened fast.  Only a moment or two passed before she placed her hand in his.  Remy felt the small tremors in her fingers, a sure sign of her uncertainty.  He had taken his gloves off to eat and now Rogue felt his strong fingers close over hers in a reassuring grip.  His smile soft as he aided her from the chair and placed a chaste kiss to the back of her hand before he let go.

            'He didn' flinch.' Rogue though in amazement as she studied her own hands that looked like nothing covered them at all.  She still felt the soft pressure of his fingers, the warmth of his lips.  Things she had not experienced in years.  It took a lot of will not to reach out and take his hand.  But before another internal war could launch, Remy placed a gentle hand on her back and led her towards the stairs.

            With each step down, the music grew louder, and Rogue allowed the noise to claim part of her attention.  She half noticed that Remy again placed himself between her and the majority of the crowd as he ushered her to a now vacant table close to the stage, but also near the far wall.  Again he pulled out a chair for her.  This one in a corner and would prevent an accidental brushes from the other patrons.

            "We timed dis jus' about right.  De Lou'siana band be startin' soon, but people ain't staked out der seats yet," He flashed a grin as he leaned back into his own chair and shifted a bit in search of a comfortable position.  That lazy half grin caught her attention.  It marked everything about him.  A sense of ease, almost carelessness invaded every expression and gesture. 'Even inna fight.' She grinned. Yet there was a control, and a grace in each movement as well.  It seemed a contradiction, and she wondered if anyone else could not only pull it off, but also make it so charming at the same time.

            His chair was right next to hers at a perfect angle to view the stage.  His arm lingered only an inch or two away from hers.  Rogue tensed for a moment, as now she no longer had the solace of the table to separate them.  Though he made no move to touch her and in small increments her misgivings evaporated.

            A minute or two passed in silence before a warm reddish glow permeated the small intimate stage.  Raucous cheers went up around the house as the band members stepped onto the stage.  Nothing flashy about them in their jeans, button downs, and boots. No angst, no outlandish behavior, just welcoming smiles on all their faces as each took up his or her position around the stage.

            Rogue leaned forward, her hands on the table as the glass of wine sat off to the side, forgotten.  When the first notes poured out a small smile lifted her lips.  This was not her usual music, but something about it resonated with her.  In no time her fingers tapped on the as the easygoing lyrics poured out and the melody seeped into her blood.  She admitted, at least in the quiet of her own mind, that they were good.

            Remy watched her out of the corner of his eye.  Blues was the kind of music you either loved or hated, very few people felt ambivalent about it.  It looked like Rogue was going to be one of the ones that loved it.  No small amount of surprise for him in the end.  He had betted that her Southern roots would her to the sound, but even that had not been a sure thing.  Still this was the music, the atmosphere that he loved, and part of him had just wanted to share that with her.

            When the first set ended forty-five minutes later, Rogue was the loudest in the front row cheering section.  He grinned at the high pitched whistle and steady clap of her hands as she along with several other stood up from their seats in a show of avid appreciation.

            "Thanks folks, We'll be seein' y' again inna few," The lead winked to the crowd as he and the rest took off stage for a much needed respite.

            "Wow," She said in true amazement as she sat back down in her chair and turned to look at him.

            "Not half bad eh?" A slight shift turned him more towards her and one arm fell oh so casually on the back of her chair.

            "N' heah Ah thought blues jus' wadn't fer meh," She grinned.  The expression reached all the way to her eyes with a flash of mischievousness.

            "Wha's goin' t'rough dat pretty head o' yorn, Cher?"

            "Ohhhh jus' thinkin' that Ah might have ta pick somethin' lahke this up at tha music store," She said in a far too innocent tone.  Remy arched in a brow in clear question.

            "Well a couple of tha kids lahke ta play that teeny-bob-bubble-gum music a lot and LOUD.  N' Ah know they don' lahke Sam's music, n' it sounds sorta lahke this…" She let the words trail off and the grin on her face was positively devious.  Remy smirked and shook his head with a soft 'tsk'.

            "Now, Cher, dat not be very nice y'know," He said in a mock reproving tone.

            "Ah know," The grin widened.  His laughter rang out like fine whiskey, smooth and strong.

            "Y' jus' full o' surprises, non?" Her shrug oozed innocence as she turned her attention back to the stage with the return of the musicians, still unaware of his arm behind her.

            "Several time he thought about placing his hand on her shoulder.  But in the end he was not sure that would be the smartest thing to do right now.  She accepted him this close to her, but her behavior over dinner indicated she would not allow much more than that closeness.  This state of affairs was a very different quandary for Remy LeBeau.  For the first time in a long time, he erred on the side of caution and just left his arm behind her.  Though his patience did receive a small reward as halfway through the set Rogue leaned back.  Her shoulders partly cradled by his arm.  The second set ended around eleven thirty.  Rogue noted the time with a small sigh of disappointment.

            "Ah gotta get goin' Remy," He did not argue with her.  Though part of him pondered asking her to stay, he really did not want her in trouble with the higher ups at the Xavier Institute.  They might forbid her to see him, and he already had enough walls to climb in this chase as it was.  So he nodded and stood up, once again offering his hand to her and this time she did not hesitate in taking it.  Remy left ample cash on the table for dinner, though only after Rogue had turned towards the door, and with a hand her back he headed off with her.

            His long arm reached in front of her to open the main door, and she returned the gesture with a smile.  When the door closed, the word suddenly seemed quiet to Rogue.  Bayville was a small town anyway, and even on the weekends the sidewalks rolled up around ten save for a few nightspots.  She felt a small rise in panic.  Dinner and music had negated the need for her to say much of anything, and that had been just fine with her rather tongue-tied self.  But now as they walked towards her Jeep, she struggled to find something to say.  Then the obvious popped into her head, and she almost let out a sigh of relief.

            "Thanks Remy, Ah had fun," He leaned against the side of the Jeep with smile.

            "Den Remy accomplished his mission, Cher," A wink followed the words as she opened the door.  Rogue turned away quickly.  Something struck her, a slap in the proverbial face. 'Isn' this tha goodnaight kiss part?'  She thought with no small amount of bitterness as she hurriedly climbed into the driver's side and reached for the door.  Only to have his hand stop it as he stepped in front of her.

            "Remy had gun t'night too, Rogue," She blinked in surprise as he lifted her hand one again and placed a soft kiss to her hand.  A kiss that lingered longer than the other.  His thumb stroked the back of her hand as his head raised.  Rogue found herself caught in his smile.  This time she did not fight it, and as quickly as the bitterness had welled it fell away under his insistence.  "G'night, Cher."

            He shut the door and stepped away with the full intent of waiting until she left.  He was, after all, quite reluctant to relinquish her company.

            "Naght, Remy," She smiled and a second later the Jeep's engine roared to life.  One glance back to him propped half against the Harley with a crooked grin and a two fingered wave before she pulled out onto the street and headed back to the mansion.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

            Kitty all but bowled Rogue over as she stepped out of the Jeep.  The younger girl babbled at such a high speed that Rogue could not make out a single word.  She did not even bother to slow Kitty down until they reached Rogue's room.

            "Kittycat, would ya slow down!"  Rogue asked with a smirk as she unzipped the boots and tossed them onto the floor next to the bed.

            "TELL ME!" Came the demand.

            "Nothin' much ta tell.  Went out ta east, listened ta tha Blue's, n' came home," Rogue shrugged as she pulled of her over shit.  The perfect excuse to hide her face and a mischievous grin.

            "ARRRGGGG, like I do NOT WANT the cliff notes version!" Kitty jumped onto Rogue's bed with a slight bounce and glared at the older girl with her arms crossed in front of her.

            "Well, what else do ya wanna know? We talked n' listened ta music, that's about it."

            "What'd he say??" Rogue flopped onto the bed next to her friend.

            "Nothin' much Kit, jus' that he had fun," A soft smile curved her lips.

            "Do you think he likes you?"  Kitty tried to hide her joy at Rogue's smile.

            "Ah dunno, maybe, Ah think in 'is own round about he said he did."

            "I KNEW IT!" She squealed and grabbed Rogue's hands in her own.  "So do you like him?"

            "Oh right, cuz THAT isn' obvious or anythin' Kit," Rogue smirked.

            "When are you, like, gonna see him again?"

            "Ah guess in school on Manday," Rogue shrugged.  He hadn't asked her out again, but that did not necessarily mean something bad right?

            "Well how abo…"

            "Kit," Rogue interrupted her with an exasperated smile, "Ah'd really lahke ta get some sleep if ya don' mind.  We got that session with Logan in tha mornin'," Kitty clamped her mouth shut with a soft 'hmmph,' but respected Rogue's wishes.  Still she only left after a quick hug.

            Rogue shook her head with a grin as she started undressing.  The soft cotton pjs caused a small sigh of pleasure as her euphoria slowly ebbed away.  She really had enjoyed the evening.  'Who am Ah kiddin'? Ah enjoyed bein' with him.'  Memories of his laugh and smile broadened her own grin as she smoothed out the leather pants…'Huh, what's this?'  Come the curious thought as her hand brushed over a slight crease in the back pocket.  Slim fingers reached in and plucked a napkin free.  The restaurant's logo emblazoned in the corner and something appeared to be written inside.  With a quizzical look, Rogue unfolded the napkin.

            Rogue,
            Remy'd like to see you again.  Maybe tomorrow around 3 at the park?

            --Remy

            Rogue did not notice her mouth hanging wide open.  'How'd he do that?!?!'  She thought in time with a pleased grin.  Euphoria returned as she read the words over, two more times even.  'So he does wanna see meh again.'

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DorothyWhainright – Thanks Dorothy!

Ishandahalf – Hehe… remy will accept, but you and I both know he's not going down without a fight!  Your lil crack bunnies have been merciless I tell you! That is until my cats began looking for them.  Tug of war seems to be the way Rogue n' Remy are going in this one.  Will it be a stalemate? Stay tuned!

Yumiko – Bah you write just fine darlin!

Katrina5 - It's all part of my evil plan.  If I had an evil plan that is!  Rogue's been at the institute longer in this one, so I think the adults would have more trust in her judgment.  And neither Rogue nor Remy are prone to sap right off hehehe.  Remy's charming as all get out, but not sappy.

To be honest, I kept this date low key.  I've got a few different possibilities for later on running around in my mind doing battle.  Not sure which will win yet!

DBZpunkchick – Thanks for reading ;)

XXRogueXx – German accent, eh I'm not so great at, but I'm practicing! Thank you.

Aro – Okay so, this update wasn't soon, but can I still have a cookie?

AngieX – Gonna try and get the updates to be more frequent if time allows!

Caliente – Hehe.  Thanks!