Disclaimer: The story is mine…the characters belong to Marvel…'cause if ya don't know, now ya know.
Archive: Sure, just ask me first at smokhea@aol.com
*Special Note*: I'm glad you all appreciate my quick updates. So without further ado…
Warning: Future chapters to come will deviate slightly from X-men canon. It's hard to follow everything that happened in the comics exactly, so I'll use some things and change other things. So just go with the flow, it will make the story more interesting.
Interactions
Chapter 7
Natural Disaster
(Rogue/Ororo)
Located on the second floor of the Xavier Institute were the sleeping quarters of the X-Men. Down the left hallway you would find the women's section. The right hallway was reserved for the men. Each room was bigger then an ordinary size master bedroom, this way the mutants could fit more then a bed into their personal area. The Professor wanted their room to feel more like a home and not a prison; therefore they could furnish their chambers however they wanted.
Rogue's room was painted light pink. She had a desk, a sofa, a dresser, all the usual stuff. On top of the desk, sofa and dresser were dozens of stuffed animals. Everyone knew she loved collecting them, so some of the guys would win lots for her every time a carnival came into town. Each night, she would go through the ritual of picking one special animal that would have the honor of sleeping with her on the bed…Rogue was never one to spend the night alone. This night however, was not a good night.
Rogue rolled around in her bed, it was impossible for her to drift to sleep. Scott called her earlier in the day to fix one of their computers; it took hours. It was now minutes to 7:00pm.
Hell! Ah don't need as much sleep as the average Joe, but Ah've been up over 24 hours! Scott's taking advantage of mah stamina ability. But tonight, this was the least of her problems. For about two hours now, the voices in her head were continuing to increase in noise.
Stop it! Cut it out! Rogue tried yelling at them through her thoughts in vain.
Where am I? Called out a voice.
Get me outta here! Yelled a voice that was louder then what Rogue was use to.
I'm bored. It's too dark in here. Whispered another one.
I'm gonna kill you! Threatened a murderous voice to know one in particular.
I think I'm going to be sick. Came a mumble.
What time is it? Asked a voice.
Rogue…Rogue I know you can hear me…answer me! This last voice was the strongest of the bunch. Rogue recognized it as the same voice that had also said, "get me outta here!" She chose to ignore answering him directly.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up all of you!" Rogue said in a loud whisper. Now yah did it, girl. You are talking to yourself…Ah've just officially crossed the deranged line and should be certified as crazy. Ah might as well jus' check mahself into the Insane Asylum.
Yeah, you might as well, you crazy freak! Responded the loud voice.
"Who the hell are yah, anyway?" She decided to talk to him, for entertainment purposes only.
You absorbed me the other day.
"Oh yeah, you were the idiot that tried to cover mah mouth. Ah bet you feel real dumb now, jackass!"
Not at all, sweetheart. You tired to lock me behind a door in your mind, but I busted out!
"Don't get too cocky. Just give it a couple more hours and you will be a faded part of mah memory; Jus' like the other people in mah head. Over time, you won't even know why you're here anymore."
What's going on? Called another nameless voice.
I'm hungry. Wined a woman.
I think I lost my wallet. Complained another.
Dose anyone know the fastest way downtown? Asked a voice who would never hear the answer to his question.
Her mind also raced with her own thoughts about what occurred earlier in the day.
What the hell is up with Bobby, tryin' to put the 'moves' on me? Between him and Remy, Ah think this bracelet is going to be more trouble then it's worth. Ah hope Bobby's just playing a joke. Yeah, that has to be it. He's only kidding, that's his whole M.O. There is no way he's starting to have feelings for me. He's just flirting with me like Ah always flirt with him, and everyone else for that matter…
And what if he's not? What if he's serious? Asked the voice who was too loud to be overlooked.
"You again?! Yah better shut up now, or Ah'll shut you up permanently!" She warned the voice.
You shut the fuck up! You don't scare me!
"You're not even real! You don't exist. Your body and real psyche are gone. All you are is a faded part of mah memory."
You're lying. Just let me outta here, and I won't 'cause you anymore trouble.
"The real you already left! Ah don't even know why Ah'm arguing with you, you'll never be able to realize it."
I want outta here now!
Ooh, this is ridiculous! Ah can't deal with this idiot now!
Rogue's mind was a mess. Filled with lost memories, dreams, other peoples psyche and personalities. Since her powers first manifested she has dealt with a crowded mind, but it had never been this bad before.
Maybe Ah reached the limit of people allowed in mah head. Ah guess mah brain can only take so much voices before it becomes too much.
She got up from her bed and started pacing her room. She used her fingers to comb through her hair in a wildly fashion. Her mind was racing with ideas on how to make the voices in her head calm down.
Maybe if Ah bang mah head really hard against the wall they'd all shut up. She started to eye the pink wall around her room.
So what if Ah leave a big hole in the wall, Jubilee's room is next door; She's too small to do anything to me…Then again, she might get Wolverine on mah case…But she left with the other X-Men, so she won't be coming back for awhile. That's all the excuse Ah need. Ah'll do it!
Rogue pressed her hands against the wall and was about to slam her head against it with extreme force. She stopped.
Then again, this is the professor's house. It would be wrong for me to damage it…on purpose. She went back to her bed.
"Ah guess Ah have tah handle this the ol' fashion way and do what the professah taught me long ago." She closed her eyes and drifted into her mind.
Rogue stood in the astral planes of her mind. It was chaos.
It's time to do a li'l house cleaning. She thought with a smile.
But instead of throwing things in the garbage, like you would normally do when cleaning, she did a half ass job and swept everything under the rug; Figuratively speaking, of course. Rogue shoved every memory and thought that didn't belong to her, into the back of her mind.
She opened her eyes; everything was quiet…for now. She knew this peace would not last long, that this was just a temporary fix. But right now she did not care, she just wanted to get some sleep. After a few moments she finally drifted into a tranquil slumber…
Knock, knock, knock
Rogue opened her eyes in anger. You've got to be kidding me?! After all Ah did to try and get some sleep…
"Go away!" She yelled from her bed, pulling her pillow over her head.
Knock, knock, knock
"Shit! Somebody better be injured." She mumbled to herself. Rogue got up from her bed, stumbled to her door and opened it slowly.
"Good Evening, Rogue." Said Ororo who was still dressed in her uniform; she noticed that Rogue did not look happy.
"I hope I did not wake you." She stated while peeking over Rogue's shoulder to the pulled out bed sheets.
"Well, yah did." Rogue did not disguise the anger in her voice.
"I only mean to talk with you for a few minutes." Ororo brushed past her and entered the room. Rogue was furious.
"Ah don't remember inviting you in, sugah."
"I feel what I have to say is important. This is the only time I have off to speak with you."
"Ah have night duty again in four hours and Ah didn't get any sleep today."
"You should learn to prioritize your time more effectively." Her voice took on the tone of a strict teacher.
"Yeah? Well, Ah should start by kicking you outta my room."
"Remy has told me about the bracelet." She continued, making an effort to ignore her teammate's hostility. Rogue rolled her eyes.
"Remy, should keep his damn mouth shut…So why are you here? Gonna give me advice? Ah hope not. Ah need advice like Ah need another hole in mah head." She walked over to her bed and crawled under the covers. She covered her head with her pillow again. At that moment, Ororo noticed the Genosha device for the first time.
"I see that you are wearing the bracelet. Do you ever plan on turning it on?"
It was hard for Rogue to tell what Ororo really meant. Her voice was steady and even. Rogue couldn't tell if Storm was being sarcastic or sincere. Always one for confrontation, she decided to take Ororo's comment as being sarcastic. Rogue peeked out from the pillow with a sly smile.
"Why do you care what Ah do? Thinkin' about moving in on mah territory? You better not, 'cause Remy is clearly marked." Rogue wanted to get a rise out of Ororo. However, if she did, it was hard to tell. The weather goddess remained calm and collected. Damn!
"I believe in being honest with people, Rogue…"
Ah really don't need to hear Storm campaigning for Remy's cause. She thought feeling more annoyed with every moment Ororo stayed in her room.
"If you do not intend to pursue a relationship with Remy, let him know now…"
She has some nerve telling me what Ah should do! Rogue was pissed.
"Stringing him along is not necessary." Ororo finished with her arms crossed.
That does it! Rogue finally let it all out.
"Fuck off, Storm!" She smiled when she saw Ororo's eyes widen a bit. She then smiled wider when she heard a small thunder from outside.
Ororo turned around and headed out the door. Rogue snuggled with her stuffed animal under the blanket.
Hmm, Ah guess Ah have to tell her to fuck off more often. She laughed herself into a satisfying sleep.
Cracks In The Surface
(Scott/Jean)
Scott sat at the Control Room in the middle of the night, going through old mission files. The room was lit with only a small light. He had been in this room, in the same position, for nearly two hours, trying to come up with new mission strategies for the team…just in case.
It had been rather difficult for him to concentrate. Since last night, Scott's been preoccupied with a small distraction that had the ability to grow out of control.
He focused his attention on the main computer.
The screen read:
Enter Command.
With rapid finger movement, he began to type:
X-Men Personal Information. [Enter]
The screen was filled with all the names of every member on the team. Scott scrolled down to the name he was looking for:
Remy "Gambit" Lebeau [Enter]
The screen read:
Enter Password
Scott began typing in the numerical sequence he had committed to memory:
*54892=57475* [Enter]
The screen flashed:
Access Granted
In an instant, Remy's file was uploaded. His picture was on the left-hand side of the screen. Remy's image was captured as smiling at the camera as if it were a pretty woman he was trying to entice.
His full name, height and weight were shown. Also listed, was the approximate birth date he gave the Professor when he became part of the team. Because Gambit never knew his biological parents and was raised on the streets during his early years, he did know his true age.
Scott looked through the little information that was provided about Remy. Next to Wolverine, he was the least known member of the X-Men. Scott skimmed through the information, but failed to gain any more insight into the complex X-Man. So instead, he began to reflect on his own knowledge of the thief.
Gambit is interesting, to say the least. Where as someone like Wolverine would volunteer at a chance to do a solo mission for the team, Gambit would just sit back and watch, even if he knew he would be the best person for the job. He was never one to offer his skills for an individual assignment, but was always ready to jump into anything if his name was called.
It's only recently that we noticed how much of an asset Gambit is to the team. Yeah, he would always brag saying he was the best thief in the world, but he's so cocky I never took him seriously. But now I know better. This is a guy that can brake into any building, safe…computer system. Shit!
It took me a long time before I was able to trust him anywhere near our security systems by himself. The professor thought it would have been best to limit any access Gambit could have to any high-risk information. Although over time, it became a necessity to have Gambit upgrade our security system after many break-ins from our enemies.
I remember the day I had to give him all the access codes. He looked so comfortable sitting at the computer console. It was as if he had been there many times before. One time I was given him the numbers to a code one by one. I could swear that he finished typing a second before I finished telling him all the numbers. He gave some lame excuse saying it was a lucky guess. That bastard! I knew then that he must have known all the codes already by snooping around. He was just humoring me by letting me teach him about our system. Most likely he knew the system better than I did. Who the hell knows what he did with all that Top Secret information he might have found when we weren't looking?!
Gambit is the type of person that is better to have as a friend than an enemy. I like him; he's a fun guy to hang around. But I guess we do clash a lot because of our strong personalities. Just like me and Wolverine.
The Professor came to me one day after a session he had with Rogue. He told me things about her under strict confidence. Rogue confessed to him that she was falling in love with Gambit. It was around the time when their flirting stopped and they began dating each other. We were both surprised that Gambit was actually serious in pursuing a relationship with her. We, like everyone else, thought it was just a game for him. That was when the Professor told me something, something that I couldn't tell Beast last night.
The day Xavier found out that Rogue was in love, was the day he put the solution to her mutation problem on perminte hiatus. If Rogue could control her powers fully, she would be able to progress in her relationship with Gambit. Worst case scenario: they get married and leave the team short of our two most vital members.
At first I didn't think it could happen. But Xavier explained to me that Gambit did not believe in the dream of mutants and humans living side by side. If he had Rogue, there would be no reason for him to stay with the X-Men.
Another way their affair could turn out is they try a relationship and fail, then one or both of them leave because of it. Xavier always said that their relationship is too emotional to have a "good" break-up. I didn't believe him until the first time Rogue and Gambit kissed, and she ran away. The professor wasn't surprised. After the truth about the Mutant Massacre surfaced, she dumped him in the snow and left him to die. Again, the professor wasn't surprised. I'm still amazed that Gambit returned to the mansion after all that happened. But he was gone for a long while. There were plenty of times during his absence we could have used his skills to defeat our enemies.
Xavier knows all of Rogue's insecurities through their past therapy sessions. If Rogue cannot control her powers, she will never let her relationship with Gambit grow past a certain point. And Gambit is too proud to ever give up on a challenge. So as long as the dynamics of their relationship never changed, everything would have been fine.
But everything has changed now that Beast gave Rogue the bracelet. I have to make sure those two stay far away from each other. Their raging hormones might get them doing something they aren't ready for. Much less me…
There was a knock on the door behind him.
"Whoever it is, I'm busy!" He yelled in frustration switching off the computer.
"Okay." A sweet voice called back. It was Jean.
"Get back here." He got up to opened the door and pulled her inside the room. "You know I'll always make time for you." He kissed her deeply on the mouth. Reluctantly she pulled away first.
"It's getting late. You should be at home in bed." She ran her fingers through his short hair.
"I know, honey. I just have a couple of things to look over."
"Well, I miss you. I haven't seen you all day."
"I've been busy." He said while he pulled her onto his lap.
"But you don't have to be." She took a deep breath. It's now or never. "I think it would be great for this team to have some time off." She watched as the loving expression on her husband face changed to that of aggravation.
"They got to you didn't they? Did they ask you to talk me out of the Red Alert?"
"No, they haven't asked me to do anything. I've barely seen anyone since last night's meeting. What harm could be done lightening up the workload?" She placed her head on his chest; he wrapped his arms around her.
"Plenty! I know this group. The minute I give them some time to themselves, they just up and leave. I can't have that happening now that the professor is away."
"Honey." She wined.
"Give me one good reason why I should ease up on them."
"Okay." She thought for awhile, then looked him in the eyes. "I'm sure Remy would appreciate some time off because…"
"Sorry, I have to stop you there. It will be very hard for me to give Gambit any sympathy. I would be doing society a favor by keeping him trapped here in the mansion. Fathers wouldn't have to worry about their daughters and it would be safe for the people in Saylem to keep their doors unlocked tonight."
"Umm, Logan…"
"He's even worse."
I guess Wolverine was right, I should have kept his name out of it. But what guy doesn't piss off Scott. I got it! She thought.
"What about Henry?"
"I'm listening."
"Well, last week he was talking about a world medical conference that was taking place in London tomorrow. He said he would have liked to go if things weren't so hectic around here, but that was when we were unaware of our upcoming vacation time. I think it would be a great experience for him to go. He could learn a lot, which will in-turn help the team as a whole."
"That is a good idea. I guess he should go. Though I am a bit pissed off at him."
"At Hank? Why?" She asked puzzled.
"I don't like the fact that he made the bracelet for Rogue."
"What bracelet?" Now she was definitely confused.
"Oh, you don't know. Rogue now has a smaller version of the Genosha Collar, thanks to Beast." He added sarcastically.
"Really? I had know idea." I can't believe it. Why wasn't I informed of this earlier?
"Beast didn't even tell me he was making it! This is something that concerns the entire team; the professor should have been here to deal with it."
"So, Rogue now has total control over her powers?"
"Almost. There are limits to the device. Beast gave me a booklet to read, I'm not even half way through it! On further thought, maybe it would be best for him to stay here instead of going to London. Rogue might need someone to talk with about the device."
"I can do it."
"You?"
"Yes, me. Rogue should have someone with experience of the human emotions to talk with. I am a license psychologist, something it seems you all have forgotten. I didn't spend all that time in school for my Ph.D. to do nothing with it, you know."
"I was thinking more along the lines of someone to help her operate the bracelet."
"You know Hank. He would not have given it to her if it was dangerous. I'm sure he doesn't have to be with her when she turns it on."
"And what kind of advice would you give to Rogue about handling the bracelet?"
"My primarily role would be to listen to her, not give her advice. I would want to know how she feels now that she has the power to control her mutation."
"And what would you say about the Gambit issue?"
"Gambit? Well, I think it's best that she not focus on Gambit at this time. This is about what she needs and not what he wants. It is imperative that she spend this time dealing with her own issues before pursuing any type of personal relationship with him."
Scott liked Jean's philosophy on how Rogue should handle Gambit. Anything that kept them a part, he would go along with.
"Maybe you should talk with Rogue. However, I still think it's best that Beast remain with the team."
"Whatever you feel is best to do, honey. But I really think you should let him go."
"I'll think about it." He gave her nose a quick kiss.
"What about my idea of letting the team take a brake?" There was a slight sense of desperation in her voice.
"No. I'm adamant about this, Jean. I will not have everyone take off at the same time. Who cares if we are on inactive duty, it's still too dangerous. I'm sure the others would agree…"
"Forget about the others, I'm talking about us!" Jean yelled; she had just reached her breaking point. She saw the surprise register on his face, but continued speaking while trying to control the emotion in her voice.
"Scott, I've barely spent anytime alone with you in months. When were not fighting mutants, were fighting humans, or aliens, or where practicing in the Danger Room, or updating new equipment! I'm getting sick of it! I don't know how much more I can take." She paused trying to keep calm. "I know after we married we agreed to stay with the X-Men, but I didn't think it would be so straining on our marriage…"
"Jean…I never knew you felt this way."
"Honey, it's not you. It's everything else. I love the dedication you have to the Professor. You are perfect in the role of leader. It's just that sometimes…I mean, besides our honeymoon, we never had the chance to get away from all this and be by ourselves. I don't want to wait until our 25-year anniversary to finally spend some time alone with you. These should be our best times together."
"I hear what you're saying, and I feel the same way too, but I can't leave the team."
Why am I not the least bit surprised. "I thought you'd say that…can't say I never tried to change your mind." She made it a point for him to hear the disappointment in her voice.
"But you did, slightly. Let me explain something to you. I love being leader. Sometimes it has been trying, but overall I feel like this was something I was born to do. As leader I'm responsible for everything that happens out on the battlefield. Yesterday, the X-Men were amazing. Yes, I know there is always room for improvement, but we were at our best form. It feels good to just sit back and know I had an affect on improving the team.
"But I haven't done so great away from the danger. It's not like the good ol' days when we were all in our teens, the five of us, working together on learning to control our powers. It's not even like when we were really a school, training new mutants. Now, I'm dealing with 20ish people who think they know everything."
"Baby, whether you want to believe it or not, you're 20ish as well." That got him to smile with her.
"I know, I know. But sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get them to do anything. When the Professor is here, it's a little easier. Now that he's gone, they will revert back to their old irresponsible ways. I just want to see if I can be a leader like Xavier. I want to see if I can keep the team together and get them to continue working as a team off the battlefield as well as they do on.
"I can't even remember the last time we all sat down and ate a meal together. Everybody now has their own little 'clique' who they turn to. It's Gambit and Storm, Iceman and Rogue, Wolverine and Jubilee…"
"Not all the time…" She tried to add.
"Most of the time. If I can get everyone together and actually do something as a team that doesn't involve being Superhero's, I would consider it a success."
"You said earlier, that I changed your mind slightly?"
"Oh yeah. You're right the team does deserve a break. And we need some time alone."
"So what do you propose we do?"
"I'll take the team off Red Alert. Only rule is, they cannot leave the mansion for an extended period of time. If they do leave, they have to return within…12 hours."
"That's wonderful!" She gave him a hug. "This is going to be great for everyone…especially us."
"It will be nice to finally be able to relax. Everyone here thinks I have a stick shoved up my ass."
"That's not true." She tried in vain to convince him.
"Please, Jean. I have ears. I know they think I'm the biggest pain in the world. It's just that sometimes they can act like babies and…"
"Don't get yourself all worked up. They will notice the other side of you soon enough. The fun, exciting man I fell in love with. Some alone time will do us good."
"I can't wait." He kissed her lovingly on the lips.
"You don't have to wait. Put all these files away and come with me to bed." She then whispered in his ear in a seductive tone. "I'll help take that stick out your ass."
"Honey, I know you meant that to be sexy…but it sounds gross." They both burst into laughter.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that." She suppressed the rest of her giggles.
"I really have to get this finished before I head to bed."
"Fine." She sighed. "I'll take a rain check. Don't stay up too late." They kissed again as she got up.
"Goodnight, love." He called to her as she left the room.
Scott turned his attention back to the mission files. He still had Gambit and Rogue on his mind.
Since Jean will be dealing with Rogue, I guess I'll have to handle Gambit.
Author's Note: Don't give up now, there's still more left!!!
I wanted to show Rogue struggling with controlling the voices in her head. This will come up again in a later chapter. Storm always has to deal with keeping her cool because her mood can affect the weather, which was evident in this part of the story; it will also come up again. The friction between Rogue and Storm will not stop here. This was just a prelude of what's to come.
And now you know why Scott doesn't want Rogue to have the bracelet. Do you agree with him? I wanted to depict Scott and Jean as having the perfect relationship all the X-men aspire to having in their lives. But as we all know, nothing is perfect, which will be explored in the next chapter. Oh Oh!
Answers: The hymen question-If Rogue had to use so much strength to brake it, it might not be worth all that pain. I mean, can you image having to do that? I can't! Jubilee would be a great character to add…but right now I'm not so sure. Maybe I can add something for her to do, but I'm not making any promises. I know for sure that she will be mentioned on occasion, like in this chapter. I like her too.
The Bobby question-"What if it's a little bit of both?" This line was not suppose to be there last chapter, but I added it at the last minute. I added it b/c I think I made it clear in chpt. 2 and 5 that he does like Rogue and he really dislikes Remy, because he's trouble. Which is why he says it might be a little bit of both. No, Bobby is not a jerk or an ass-hole. Is he hopeless in love with Rogue? I guess you have to wait and see :0) Hey, I'm just trying to build a little suspense.
Remy/Storm-Rogue/Bobby-I know that a lot of people have different feelings about each character. You either love one or hate the other. I admit that when I started writing I was bias in favor of some characters over others. But now I've grown attach to each person in one way or another. This means that everyone will have their good points as well as their bad points. It is too easy to write a character as an ass and give the readers a reason to hate him/her. I want to make you understand and relate to each person individually. I want them to be as real as possible, and nobody is perfect.
Thanks for all the reviews…I'll try and do all of your favorite characters justice. But if you think I'm screwing around with your favorite character, let me know who and why. I can take it! Tell me what you think of this chapter, and what you think is going to happen next chapter 'cause it's going to be a really good long read…
Next Time: Remy talks Jean into a game that leaves them both exposed (ha-ha) then Scott confronts Remy, and he is not happy to say the least, you don't want to miss this one folks…