Disclaimer: The story is mine…the characters belong to Marvel…for now and forever.
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Continuity
Interactions
Chapter 5
A Friendly Moment
(Ororo/Remy)
Ororo stirred in her sleep. It was as if her body knew it was almost time to wake up. After last night's meeting in the War Room, she spent several hours going over the new installments in the Black Bird. Being that she was second in command, she thought it best to learn how to operate the new equipment. Needless the say, she had a late night. Her digital clock read 6:00a.m.
BLEEP!…BLEEP!…BLEEP!…
The alarm went off. With a groan, she hit the snooze button with her eyes still closed. She pulled the covers over her head.
I am so tired. I just need another hour. She thought, but knew she couldn't spare it.
While she lay underneath the cover, a strange feeling came over her. She poked her head up and looked towards her window.
"How long have you been watching me?" She asked with a curious smile. Sitting on the edge of the windowsill was Remy LeBeau. He was dressed in his uniform, duster and all.
" 'Bout an hour." He answered with a shrug. She rolled her eyes.
"Tell me Remy, is it impossible for you to use the door to my room?"
"You know me, Stormy. I'm always one for de dramatique entrance." He moved his hands with each word for emphases.
"Of course. Come in, before you slip. It is a long way down from the attic." She sat up on the bed.
"Moi, slip? Never gonna happen. But I know de mere t'ought of me falling to my death, is petrifying t' you, so I'll come in." He said as he stepped into her room. She let out a heartfelt laugh as he walked over to her bed. "Bonjour, mon cherie." He kissed her hand.
"Always the gentleman." She smiled.
Remy walked across the room and picked up a chair, then placed it beside her bed and sat down. He looked her over. Her hair was tied in a tight ponytail, while strains of it fell towards her shoulders. She was wearing a short white nightgown, with a low-neck line that revealed a hint of cleavage. Mon Dieu she's beautiful!
Ororo looked deeply at her friend.
"Hmm. There is something different about you."
"Really?" He asked with a grin. She knew him too well. Never could get anything past her.
"I heard you were working on the Security Controls for hours last night. You seem a little too happy for this early in the morning."
"It's a beautiful summer day. What's not t' be happy 'bout?" He could tell by the look on her fast that she wasn't buying it.
"Now I know something is definitely up! I will not ask you what it is, I am sure if you want me to know, you will tell me in time." And she meant it.
That was one thing that Remy loved about Ororo. She was always willing to give him his space.
"I have to take a shower." She removed the bed sheet from her body and stood up. Remy admired her long legs as she walked over to the bathroom door. She turned around. "Will you be here when I finish?"
"Oui. I'll just make myself comfortable 'til you come back." He said. She nodded and closed the bathroom door.
* * *
Ororo emerged from the bathroom wearing a short thin black robe and had a black towel wrapped around her head. She noticed that Remy was no longer sitting on the chair. His duster and boots were dropped carelessly on the floor and he was now spread like a starfish on his back, lying on her bed. His eyes were closed and he was snoring lightly.
Now this is the Remy that I know. She thought with a slight laugh. He is so full of energy on account of his agility and mutation. However, he has been up for a long time…and even he needs sleep. I could tell that he wanted to talk earlier…but he looks so peaceful at this moment, I cannot bring myself to wake him.
He looks to be in deep sleep; maybe I can change into my uniform out here. I do not like the fact that the bathroom does not have a window. Small in-closed areas have always been a weakness for me. Then again, if he does wake up at the wrong moment, I could give him a heart attack. She laughed to herself. No, it is better that I wake him.
At her bedside she got down onto her knees watching his chest move up and down as he breathed. It was steady. Her gaze went lower resting at his pants…his tight pants. She felt guilty for a second.
What am I doing? I should not be staring at my friend like this. Then again, I did notice him leering at me in my nightgown. She continued to look at his groan area amused. He always did like to brag about having the biggest protective cup of the X-Men.
She looked back at his face and admired him. He took care of her at a time when she was most vulnerable, and for that she would always be grateful.
All I have ever wanted was the best for you, my dear friend. I knew you were running from something when we first met, but I thought that once you were with the X-Men you would not need to run anymore. Little did I know, I was leading you to the very thing you were trying to hide from…The Mutant Massacre.
Long ago I was the leader of The Morlocks. I was responsible for their very lives, however, I was not there to protect them when they were murdered. It was genocide. They were killed because they looked different; not by humans, but by other mutants who called themselves The Marauders.
I remember walking into the tunnels, and seeing the Morlocks' bodies scattered all over…the young, old, women…in killing they showed no discrimination. I was so distraught; I would have strangled any person responsible with my bare hands if I could have found them…little did I know one of the persons responsible was you. She felt tears start to well up in her eyes, though she refused to let them fall.
That night, I would have killed you if I found you, Remy…Never knowing that one day you would have become a cherished friend. I never thought I would get over it. I thought I would always carry the hate in my heart.
Later, long after I met you for the first time, I found out you were the one who led The Marauders straight to The Morlocks. I could have hated you, it would have been so easy, Remy. And I know you would have never blamed me if I turned my back on you.
In a moment of weakness I did turn my back…in Antarctica. I knew what happened, but I did not look for you. I am ashamed. I did not have the courage to look for you and have the possibility of finding your frozen body instead. If I knew for a fact you were dead, dark clouds would have stayed in the skies forever. I just could not do it; I was a coward. A tear escaped from her eye; she caught if before it could land on his sleeping form.
But I found you, even though I was not looking. You held no ill feeling towards me, and you followed me back to the X-Men…for a second time. Everything is out in the open now, all is forgiving. She felt better reflecting on her past with him. But she knew his future was entrusted to another…
Gambit: The Ladies Man. You joined the team because of me; you stay because of her…Rogue. And as much as you love each other, you cannot do the most simple of human action…touch. She brought her hand to his face, wanting to trace his stumble with her fingers.
Before she could react, she was flipped over on the bed, with a burning playing card to her throat, and a body pressed over her. She could not move.
"Gambit!" She yelled. However, by then he had already realized his mistake. Remy let the card burn to ashes on the bed.
"Sorry, Stormy." He said in a low whisper; but he did not move. He shook his head hard, trying to snap out of a daze. She let out a sigh.
"Can you get off of me?" She asked. He looked at her and noticed for the first time the awkward situation they were in. He was on top of her, their chest pressed against each other. Her legs were parted and he was between them. The bottom half of her bathrobe flared open. At his position, he could not see anything, but he knew what was there.
Mon Dieu, she's naked under me! It was then that he let out a silent relief that he had on his protective cup, and that she couldn't feel how 'excited' he was.
"Excuse moi." Grinning he rolled off her as she tightened her robe and sat up. "Wouldn't wan' anyone to get de wrong idea."
Her body started to heat up, if she was white he would have noticed that she was blushing. Giving his empathy, he could tell she was somewhat uncomfortable. He got up from the bed to give them both some space.
"I am sorry for getting too close to you while you slept. I should have known how sensitive you are." He let her apologize even though it was totally his fault. Ororo was strong minded and he didn't want to push the issue.
"Remy, I only have 15 minutes to get downstairs. I have to teach Bobby the new controls to the Black Bird." She noticed him roll his eyes at the mention of their teammate's name, but thought better then to ask Remy about it. "Is there a reason why you wanted to see me?"
"I saw your schedule. Looks like we'll be missing each other coming and going for a couple of days."
"Yes. Scott is really serious about not taking any time away from our training."
"Cyclops is de biggest ass hole…"
"I do not believe the reason you came here was to insult our leader."
"Dat's true." His face turned from upset to pure joy. "You wouldn't believe what happened yesterday."
"What happened?" I have not seen him so excited in a very long while.
"De most amazing ting! I'm telling you Stormy, it's a miracle…"
"I only have 13 minutes." She warned with a smile.
"To make a long story short…Rogue is now wearing a Gonesha Collar."
"Get out!" Her mouth dropped open in shock. She waited for him to continue, but he turned towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"You only have 11 minutes. I'll tell you de rest of de story when I see you again in a couple of days." He heard a loud thunder. Looks like I made her mad!
"Remy LeBeau, you get your butt back in here and tell me the entire story!" She demanded as she jumped from the bed. He bounced back over to her.
"Well? Go on."
"Beast made it for her. It looks like a bracelet; she showed it to me yesterday after she put it on." He was glad to see the delight in his friend's eyes. She wrapped her arms around him.
"I am so happy for both of you." She pulled out of the hug, hands resting on his shoulders. "This has been a long time coming. I am glad that she took the first step in rectifying your relationship."
"Not quite, Stormy." She looked concern. "It turns out Rogue still wants t' be friends and I'm okay with it. This whole ting came out of left field for her; she's having a li'l trouble accepting it. But she says whatever happens, she wants me to be wit' her, t' help her. Right now, I'm just tankful for li'l blessings."
"That is a healthy attitude, Remy. I hope given time, she will come around." Though with Rogue, one never knows. She thought a little troubled.
"By de way Stormy, you only have 5 minutes t' get ready." He said with a laugh. Ororo looked over at her clock, he was right.
"Get out!" she said with a laugh, then grabbed hold of his hair before he could leave.
"Owww! What did I do now?!" He asked still in her clutches.
"I've told you on many occasions not to call me Stormy, yet you proceed to do it anyway. Five times today by my count. So, maybe the threat of bodily harm might do the trick." She spoke calmly.
"Okay, okay!" She let go of his hair. He walked over to the door. "Bye…" He shut the door, then opened it again. "Stormy!" He ran out before her flying hairbrush could hit him.
Too Close For Comfort
(Rogue/Bobby)
Bobby stood alone in the lobby of the mansion wearing his combat gear. His eyes were fighting to stay open. He had spent all last night tossing and turning thinking about Rogue.
Rogue finally has some control over her powers, and the first person she asks to speak with is that no-good Bayou Boy. I'll never understand what she sees in him. I swear he must have her drugged or something.
I didn't always hate the thief. Sure he was arrogant, conceited, and a little shady, but that never really bothered me. As a matter of fact, I kind of admired him. He had a certain confidence within himself and his abilities, something that took me a long time to attain. Gambit was really fun too. It was like he lived by one policy: Boredom is not an option. He was always up for any game. He's what they call a 'character'.
When he started to focus his attention on Rogue, I had reservations. But Rogue seemed happy, so I didn't interfere. The real trouble started when the X-Men went to Israel. For a moment, we all thought the world, as we knew it, would change. In that moment, they both kissed. He was in a comma for three weeks and she went crazy.
Rogue was determined to leave the team and to go on a road trip, luckily I was able to talk her into letting me go with her. She had only one condition: We can't use our powers. I later found out it was easier said than done.
Gone were her emerald eyes. Along with taking Gambit's mutant ability, she also took his red on black eyes. The first time I saw her with his eyes I shuddered. Thankfully she decided to wear sunglasses to hide her eyes from the blazing sun, as well as the public. Over time it went back to its original color.
Because of Gambit, Rogue was filled with energy, never wanting to sit one place for long. Every town we entered she hurried for the nearest nightclub, dancing with every guy in the room. Normally it wouldn't have bothered me, but she wore short skirts and skimpy tops. Her exposed skin was pleading to be touched. I remember one time she was dancing with a guy who was getting too close for his own good. I tried to get Rogue out of the club before anything could happen, but the guy didn't appreciate my attempt to save his life. I had to break the rule and use my powers to settle him down and get us both out of the situation safely.
Spending time alone with her, talking, made me realize how destructive her relationship with Gambit truly was. I knew she saw something bad in his memories, but she didn't or couldn't tell me what it was.
When Gambit got out of his coma he came looking for us in Seattle. Thank goodness she took the time to finally break up with him. She wanted time alone, so I left her there and went back to the mansion.
She later came back to the X-Men with Joseph on her arm and blah, blah, blah, there was a Love Triangle and blah, blah, blah some of the X-Men were captured in Antarctica and blah, blah, blah, she and Remy were back together again…for a moment…in a cave.
Now I still don't know exactly what happened in the cave. Jubilee swears she heard threw 'so-and-so', whose cousin was 'so-and-so', and heard it from best friend 'so-and-so' that Rogue and Gambit 'did it' in the cave. But I don't believe it. Rogue would have told me if it really did happen, I'm sure of it.
And I'm not even going to get started on the whole Mutant Massacre fiasco! Whether it's intentional or not, Gambit brings trouble. That's the last thing Rogue needs.
His stomach started to rumble. Great! I woke up late, now I don't have enough time to make a big breakfast.
Deciding that he had a couple of minutes to himself before reporting to duty, he walked toward the kitchen.
What's to eat, what's to eat? He thought while opening all the cupboards in the spacious kitchen. While searching for a snack, clamor from the lobby caught his attention. Silently, Bobby crept toward the front entrance and saw Rogue. She had just returned from night patrol and did not see him.
There you are. He admired her from a far. Her beautiful face, her long neck, shapely body. He watched as she removed her gloves and noticed…
The Bracelet! She's actually wearing it!
In a flash, Bobby backed into the kitchen once he figured that was her next destination. Concealed in a corner, he waited until he heard her footsteps get closer. She soon appeared, her back facing him. He ran behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her up.
"Hey gorgeous!"
"Bobby?" She started to twist in his hands. "Let me go!" She tensed when she saw he was touching her bare hands, even though he had on gloves. He loosened his grip, but still held her close as she spun around facing him. "You lunatic!"
"Lunatic?" He laughed. "Now, that's a new one. You've never called me that before."
"Ah'm not wearing mah gloves, Bobby!"
"Yeah, but your wearing the bracelet." She rolled her eyes. "Beast told me all about it."
"That may be true, but it won't work if it's not turned on, genius!" She said sarcastically.
He could see the heat in her eyes. She's so cute when she's mad.
"Then turn it on." He grabbed her arm and started to press the buttons. "Now how does this thing work?" She pushed him away…hard. He fell back into the kitchen cupboards.
"This is not a toy!"
"It's not?" He tried to get her to laugh, it wasn't working. Rubbing his back he moved towards her. Rogue put her gloves back on; they made her feel…safe.
"No it isn't." She answered.
"I'm sorry. I just assumed that once the bracelet was on, your powers would be gone."
"Yah know what they say Bobby. Never 'ASS-U-ME' because…"
"It makes an 'ASS', out of 'U' and, 'ME'!" He finished her sentence with a laugh. "Yeah, yeah I know…"
"Careless people like you is the reason they put 'Don't Touch' signs on exposed electrical wires."
"When did you become a comedian? Looks like you trying to put me out of a job." He said playfully as she smiled. "When you finally turn on the bracelet I'm going to get you back for all the things you've done to me. "
"What have Ah ever done to you?"
"Plenty! Remember when you tickled me non-stop for five minutes?"
"Yeah, that was fun. I only did it because you called me 'skunk head' one too many times..." She giggled.
"I couldn't free myself from you because of your strength. I nearly peed my pants!"
"That's because you were defiant. Ah told you to say uncle…"
"Still nothing compares to the last time we had movie night." At that instant she could practically read his mind.
"Don't tell me you're still upset over the Freddie Cougar incident."
"Incident? It was way more then an incident."
"Ah told you Ah didn't want to watch the movie, but you made me watch it anyway."
"I thought you could handle it. We've always watched scary movies before. It was fun watching them and laughing at the scenes that were supposed to be terrifying. We both thought Friday the 13th with serial killer Jason was hilarious. Halloween with Michael Myers was just plain pathetic, but it did have a couple of laughs. Not to mention Child's Play with Chucky, the blood thirsty doll."
"Yeah well, there was nothing funny about Nightmare on Elm Street."
Rogue shivered with the memory of Freddie Cougar. In the movie he was a child killer. The thing that separated Freddie from all the other horror movie killers was that he attacked teenagers in their dreams. The only way to escape him was to wake up.
Ah guess Ah can't blame Bobby for not understanding mah fear of Freddie. Sure Jason killed people with a rusty chainsaw, with mah invulnerability he couldn't hurt me, so Ah had no reason to feel scared. But Freddie got to you in your dreams. Yeah, yeah, Ah know its not real, but Ah'm different then everyone else. Ah have tones of psychopaths in mah head! Watching a movie about a crazy murderer, running around in people minds was an everyday reality for me. Sure, the psyches in mah head aren't strong enough to kill me, but the mere thought of it was frightening to me…and Ah don't frighten easily.
"Ah gave in and watched the movie with you. All Ah asked you to do was stay with me in my room while Ah slept."
"And I did."
"But you fell asleep too! Ah had a dream Freddie was chasing me, and you didn't wake me up. Ah could have died, yah know." She said matter-of-factly crossing her arms.
"He's not real, Rogue. He can't kill you."
"Ah've heard of people dying in their sleep if they're really scared. Ah could have had a heart attack."
"Maybe." He agreed, but didn't really believe it. "Still, that didn't give you the right to slap me out of my sleep."
"Yes it did."
"Rogue, you gave me a wedgey."
"What Ah gave you was an 'Atomic Wedgey'." She corrected him. "Ah actually pulled hard enough and got the waistband over your head." She said still pleased with her accomplishment. "It happened so long ago. You're acting like it jus' happened yesterday."
"A person can never truly forget that kind of pain." He rubbed his butt thinking of the memory. "I couldn't sit for days!" She laughed.
"And that was the end of our movie nights with horror flicks."
"I'm letting you know now. The first time I see you use the bracelet I'm going to give you the biggest wedgey and tickle you 'til you pee!" He said with his arms crossed. He had a playful look on his face.
"Not if yah can't catch me." She had a sparkle in her eye.
He realized now that he missed those youthful days. They were the youngest members of the X-Men at the time. For a moment they were best friends, able to tell each other anything. Soon a time came when they started to grow distant from each other. Their teen years were slowly coming to an end and they both had personal problems to deal with on their own. The fact that they were put on separate teams didn't help matters either.
Recently, however, Bobby felt they were getting back on track with their relationship. The teams have been put back together and they were spending more and more time with each other. Just like the good ol' days.
I guess that's why it hurt a tiny bit when she wanted to see Gambit instead of me when she received the bracelet.
"I'm really happy for you. After Beast told me what he made, I thought you would be looking for me." She looked elsewhere.
"Ah was busy. Ah had night patrol right after he gave it to me."
"Not right after. Beast said you wanted to see Gambit."
"Hell, was there anything Beast didn't say?" She asked peeved. He let the comment slide.
"I'm sure Gambit was as happy as a kid on Christmas morning. So, did he slobber all over you yet?" She let out a giggle.
"Now why would he do a thang like that, Bobby? We're jus' friends remembah?" She said coyly, running her fingers in his hair with a heavy dialect.
That Southern accent is so damn sexy! "Yeah, I remember." And I'm glad.
"Then as one of mah dearest friends, you should also remember that Ah keep y'all at a safe distance." She teased.
To Rogue's surprise, Bobby backed her up against the wall with his hands pressing against either side. He lowered his head, his blue eyes locking her green eyes.
"Now that you have this little do-hickey, there doesn't need to be anymore distance…" He brushed his fingers through her hair, following the white streak. He moved his head closer to her neck, smelling a faint trace of perfume. Her muscle tensed.
"…Don't you agree?" He whispered in her ear.
"Ah…Ah…" She stuttered.
"Rogue…click…Report to the Control Room immediately." Scott ordered over her communicator.
"Ah've got t' go."
After a few seconds he removed his hands. She quickly hurried out the room.
******
Author's Note: You've finished yet another chapter. Keep up the good work!!!
I love the relationship between Remy and Ororo. I wanted to touch briefly on the Mutant Massacre and how Storm felt about Remy after she found out the part he played in it. I had to dig in my older brother's collection to remember how torn up she was about the incident. I have a lot more planned for this couple…though it's not written yet.
Ororo and Bobby's thoughts at the beginning of the scenes were written with the presumption that you all know the basic story that happened in the comics. Though not everything is true to the comics.
What do you think about Bobby's relationship with Rogue? I added a lot of back-story on them to show they have a strong friendship. Originally their scene was much shorter, but I added a bit more stuff since there are a couple of Rogue/Bobby fans (well, only one fan, this was for you Slugzilla lol.)
Next chapter should be up sometime Monday. Tell me what you think so far.
It's not over yet folks!
Next Time: It's Wolvie Day! Logan confronts Bobby and gives him a lot to think about; then spends some down time with Jean…