"What do you think my daughter wants?"
I turned back to look at Mystique. "Dunno. Could be just about anything. She was sweatin' bullets, though."
"I hope she is not going to give me an ultimatum. She used to, sometimes." She shifted a little in her chair.
"Doin' okay?" I stayed where I was. Believe it or not, Mystique could be kinda stubborn and got real mad if you decided she needed help when she thought she was fine.
"I am still unused to sitting. I fear physical therapy will be a nightmare." She shifted a little again.
"You'll make it. The kids won't let you do anything else." I moved to a chair next to hers. "Sure you want me here? She said it was a family meetin' and all."
She put on her "Mystique, Queen of the World" look, drawing herself up straighter and prouder than even Cyke can do. "I choose who my family is. I decided that long ago. You will stay."
"Will I, Raven?" I looked her straight in the eyes, steady and hard.
She ducked her head a little. "Please stay." She looked at me sideways, and I nodded.
"As long as you're askin', I guess I can." Truth is, I wasn't sure if I should, with the elf so cold and Rogue actin' strange, but she wanted me here.
'Sides, if I only did what I should, I wouldn't be me.
Remy came in, then, smelling of Rogue. He gave a small bow. "Logan." I tipped him a wave. "Mystique."
"Jeremy," she said.
He stood by the door. "Why you always so stiff? Name's Remy."
She looked uncomfortable. "Remy, then." She shifted in her chair again.
"So, you gettin' married?" I relaxed in my seat, keeping an eye on Mystique as I talked to him.
"What?" He looked confused.
"Just guessin.' If Rogue wants you here and it's a family thing, it makes sense."
"Oh." He chuckled. "Don' give ol' Gambit a heart attack, cher."
"What does Rogue have to tell us?" Mystique settled, finally, and Remy moved to the bed.
"Can't tell ya that. She knows where I sleep." He sat down and winked at me.
I knew what that was like. Mystique raised an eyebrow at him. "She is not dying, is she?"
He looked a bit startled. "Non, non. Nothin' like that, mes amis. Jus' private and personal." He watched Mystique squirm again. "You sittin' on a tack?"
"No," she said, firmly. "I am merely unused to remaining seated for so long."
He got up and gestured to the bed. I shook my head. "Remy, she's gotta stay in that chair for at least another hour. Dr. McCoy said so, and you're not letting her get out of it."
"I was not trying to get out of it," she muttered rebelliously as Remy sat down again. "I was simply explaining."
"I know, darlin'." I took her hand gently. "It's okay. Nothin' but family here."
She laughed a little at that. "I suppose you are right."
I love hearing her laugh. It always sounds a little surprised.
Yeah, I've gone crazy. But don't try bringing a shrink in. If this is crazy, I don't want sane.