Archive: Sure, just ask me first at smokhea@aol.com
*Special Note*: Depending on when you are reading this…HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Now on to the cliché car chase…or something close to it :: winks to ninamonkey ::
Interactions
Chapter 19
Midnight Confessions
(Scott/Betsy)
Betsy strolled into the living room, after waiting a long time alone in the security room. Sitting on the couch, in front of a large window, was Scott Summers deep in thought.
"I didn't think our little break would last this long."
He looked up to see Betsy peaking in through the doorway. "Oh, Betsy." He sat up looking flustered. "Sorry, I forgot I left you in the security room."
He forgot about me? "Doesn't that make me feel good."
"I got sidetracked." He said, knowing that his excuse was lame, but true.
"Should I assume that we won't be returning to the basement for the night?"
"Yeah, I don't feel up to it." He answered rubbing his temples.
"So, you're staying here?" She asked, titling her head in confusion.
He nodded his answer and looked away from her out the window.
"I would think you would want to go home to your wife."
"Gambit and Rogue went to the dump." He did not look at her as he spoke. "I'm going to wait up for them and make sure the trash was delivered before closing. They should be back by 11:30."
"Great!" She said with a clap of her hand. She bounced over and took a seat next to him on the couch, beaming. "I'll keep you company."
He gave a half smile. "I'm sure you will."
(Rogue/Remy)
Painting the Town…
A beat-up old pick up truck made its way through the gates out of the mansion. Remy relaxed with one hand on the staring wheel and the other hand on his lap. He released the wheel for a moment as he fumbled to get his driving gloves on.
Rogue sat in the passenger seat with her window rolled down halfway. Even the warm wind blowing through her hair was a strange sensation she needed to get used to.
Rogue looked over at Remy after remembering what happened early on. "Oh, by the way, cancel whatever shady thing your doin' in order to get me the 325 grand. Bobby doesn't want it anymore."
"Why not?"
"He figured out that you're givin' me the money." She then pouted. "Now he's mad at me for askin' you."
"Of course he's mad. What did you expect? He specifically asked you not t' ask me for anyt'ing, didn't he?"
"Yeah." She lowered her voice in disappointment. "Ah jus' wished he didn't get so upset."
He hated when she was upset and wanted to do anything to make her feel better. "Don't worry, Rogue. He's not mad at you; he's mad at me. Jus' give him a couple of days and he'll get over it."
"Ah hope so."
"He will and when he does, I'll give him de money myself—no strings attached."
She gave him a warm smile, hoping that Bobby would be in a better mood to accept his offer. "That'll be good." As she gazed upon him, her eyes blurred. However, a few seconds later, her perfect vision returned. Now that was strange.
Remy reached for the power button on the car radio.
A male voice was heard speaking mid sentence. "…24 hour news station."
"News station?" He chuckled, turning to Rogue. "I bet you any money, Scott was de last person in dis car."
She shrugged. "So he likes the news…" Her voiced trailed off as the announcer caught her attention.
"…Mutant terrorist Magneto recently made a speech sent to the world media detailing his…"
"Boring. Let's see what else is on…" He was ready to change the station, but Rogue slapped his hand away.
"Don't you dare. Ah want to hear what Magnus said."
"Who cares? We're on vacation now. Let de other super hero teams worry 'bout him for once."
"Hush your mouth." She reached for the dial and turned up the volume, hearing Magneto's voice.
"…mutants must stick together, for we know that given the chance Homo Sapiens would wipe us out if need be. We Super Homo Sapiens must be prepared for this inedible day of battle. If you are not with us, you are against us!"
Remy sighed. "De whims of a mad man."
"Oh and you really believe in Xavier's dream of everyone livin' together peacefully?"
He rolled his eyes. "Really, I don't care one way or de other. Jus' give me a lock t' pick and I'll be happy. Can I change de station now?"
"Yes, go ahead."
He turned the dial and stopped on a song filled with sounds of electric guitars and a pounding drum beat. "Now dis is somet'ing I can listen to." He started to bang his head to the beat of the music wishing, at that moment, he still had his long ponytail.
She laughed at his antics. "You're crazy."
"Dat's right!" He turned to her with a playful expression. "Let's see what dis piece of junk can do." His foot was itching to press hard on the gas petal in order to surpass the speed limit.
Rogue was anxious to join in on the fun. "Ready…set…go!"
After her last word, he increased the speed of the truck and within time they were zooming down the dark road.
"Ahhh!" Rogue screamed lightheartedly, her hands holding tightly onto the dashboard.
A small creature darted across the road into their path. Remy quickly swerved the car with precision around the animal, due to his intense training as an X-man.
"Wow, did you see dat?!" He asked with excitement, foot still firmly on the gas petal. "Dis truck ain't too bad!"
The car sped over a pothole causing the two to bounce up from their seats.
Rogue stuck her head out the window, looking back at the hole they had passed over. "Ah almost banged mah head!" She giggled.
It was only then that it fully dawned on Remy what had just occurred. "Shit!" He eased his foot on the brakes, slowing down the car considerably.
"What's wrong?" The wind, which was blowing into her face, became softer. She withdrew her head from the window and noticed the speed meter decreasing. "You're slowin' down."
"I shouldn't be goin' dis fast."
"What?" She examined his profile with caution. "Are you an imposter?"
He was now under the sped limit, which was a first for him. "You aren't invulnerable anymore. You could get hurt."
She almost laughed at his response. A responsible Remy? Hell must have frozen over. Squinting her eyes she shot-back, "You could get hurt too."
He cracked a smile at her confrontational tone. "Don't worry 'bout me." He lowered his eyes to her waist. "Where's your seatbelt? Put it on."
"You don't have on yours."
"You ever heard de expression: do what I say, not as I do."
She remained in the same position as if she were mulling over an idea. "Why don't we both put on our seatbelts?"
He relented, searching for his belt buckle while controlling the vehicle. "Deal."
Rogue looked to her side of the seat to retrieve the buckle, fiddling with it for a long time before managing to pull in over her body and into the socket. "Damn. Ah barely even remember how to use a seatbelt. It's been so long since Ah wore one."
"Same here." He winked.
She was about to respond when she realized that he missed a turn. "You're goin' the wrong way."
"No I'm not." He said, relaxing further into his seat.
"Yes you are." Pointing behind her, she added, "The dump is that-a-way."
"I know." The truck made a turn onto another road. "I have t' pick up somet'ing first."
Rogue sighed knowing that making a pit stop would be a delay in the amount of time they had left to get to the dump before it closed. "You are determined to get into trouble tonight, aren't you."
He took his eyes of the road, giving her a wicked grin. "Shhh."
*
Betsy faced Scott on the couch talking a mile a minute. "…and then I saw an amazing pair of jeans on sale." She finally stopped long enough to inhale. "Don't you just love a good sale?"
He was surprised that she gave way for him add to her story. "Who doesn't?" He replied, fainting interest. Thankfully my shades hide the fact that my eyes are closed.
The fact that Scott wasn't paying attention wasn't lost on her. She sat back into the couch, folding her arms. "I'm boring you, aren't I?"
"It's that noticeable, huh?" He lifted his glasses up enough for him to carefully rub his eyes. From his actions, she could tell how strained his body was.
"Why are you so stressed out? We're supposed to be on vacation."
"That's what everyone keeps saying." He said with a tired smile.
Betsy got up from her seat and kneeled in the small space behind him on the couch. She placed her hands on his shoulders tracing his muscles.
He put his hands over hers, so that she would stop. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm trying to give you a massage."
Still, he did not move his hands.
"I won't bite…promise." She reassured him softly until he finally withdrew his hands. Again she rubbed his muscles, massaging her way from his shoulders to his lower back. "Damn, you're so tense."
"Yeah, I'm aware." He answered with his eye closed, relishing in the feel of her forceful fingers roaming his body. She knew exactly the right places to touch. Damn, she's good!
She could tell from his groaning that he was enjoying himself. She whispered devilishly in his ear, "You know, this would be much easier if you would take off your shirt."
His eyes popped open. "Betsy…" His tone was one of warning.
"Kidding, just kidding." She giggled, giving the back of his neck a light pinch. "Why are you so determined to die of high blood pressure, Oh Great Leader of the X-men?"
He snickered, shaking his head. "I haven't been much of a leader lately."
She stopped moving her hands at his response. "Now why would you say a thing like that?"
"Under my leadership we are now over budget and behind in our security update."
"May I remind you that none of that was your fault." She then began to massage him again. "Logan fucked up big time on the codes and Bobby managed to do the impossible and slip on ice."
"What about you and Remy last night?" He titled his head to look up at her. "You can't deny that you two wouldn't have pulled that shit if Xavier was here."
She hesitated for a moment then relented smiling. I would have never drank so much if Xavier was in the house. "Your probably right about that."
"All I wanted was for everyone to be together, if only for a moment." He turned to the bright moon out the window. "That hasn't happed yet. The only time we get together as a group is if I order it."
"That's just the way things are."
"But things weren't always this way." He turned around fully to face her, his face bright as the morning sun. "The original five—we were always together. Yes, we had our moments when we needed a break from each other, but they were few." His face then darkened. "Growing up in an orphanage, we all longed for that sense of family. My first couple of years here put an end to that longing." He signed. "I guess I just miss what we had."
"The other day Bobby said something about us being like the Brady Bunch."
"Xavier always knew what to do to keep us together, even when we weren't on Red Alert." He counted on his fingers, "Our Thanksgiving football games, summer baseball games—all legendary. Hopefully, tomorrow I can bring those days back with our basketball game."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Xavier is big fan of us 'sporting' together. It's no secret that us playing sports is just an extension of what we do in the danger room. Then again, the Prof. has a way of making everything seem fun, like we aren't really doing drills." She said with a distant smile. Focusing on Scott she added, "But he does cast a large shadow; I think it's time for you to step from behind it."
"Huh?"
"Why must you follow what he does to the letter?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "Why don't you think of your own way to get us socializing besides playing sports?"
"You don't think basketball is a good way to get everyone together?" He asked somewhat defensive.
She shrugged. "I don't know…I guess it is." With a sparkle in her eye she added, "I just better be on the winning team!"
"You will be if you're on my team, that's for sure."
Betsy was glad to see him in a joking mood, however she knew there was more to his previous troubled state of mind. "So what is really causing you this much stress. Don't expect me to believe that Bobby, Logan and Remy are what's bugging you. You've handle them before losing your cool."
"That's all that's up with me." He answered with certainty, however he could tell that she did not believe him.
She leaned forward, closer to him. "So are you going to tell me what is going on between you and Jean or do I just have to pull it from your mind?"
He backed away, further down the couch, avoiding her eye contact. "I would prefer it if you just let it be."
"That wasn't an option." She pushed the issue, "If Jean is…"
"Drop it, Betsy." He cautioned.
"I'm not trying to pry, but you helped me so much yesterday by listening to me. I just want to return the favor, that's all."
"I appreciate your offer, but I have nothing to say."
"If that's how you want it…" Her voice trailed off as she decided to let it drop for now. However, she was still curious. What could possibly make Scott so mad at his wife?
*
Remy parked the old pickup truck outside the store, slipping on his sunglasses before he could forget.
Rogue looked up at the sign on the small shop. "The Liquor Store? Didn't you jus' get your alcohol taken away from you?"
He took out the key from the ignition and grinned. "Dat's why I'm here, chere." He tried to ignore the irritated look on her face. He got out the car and walked over to her window. "You comin' in?"
Rogue was ready to say no and sit in the car because she had too much skin exposed. However, it soon dawned on her that she didn't have her powers anymore; if someone were to brush against her by accident, nothing would happen.
She gave him a bright smile. "Of course Ah'm comin' in."
He opened up her car door for her to get out then pulled out his trusty trench coat from the backseat.
Now why does he need his jacket if we are goin' into the store?
"After you." He said, gesturing for her to walk ahead of him.
She stepped into the dimly lit store lined with rows of alcohol. The radio could be heard in the background, detailing the news of the day followed by the weather report. She exchanged smiles with the man a couple of feet away behind the counter top. He seemed to be in his mid to late 30s, with brown hair and blue eyes and sparked her as a very pleasant fellow.
The man was about to open his mouth to speak, but was cut off as soon as Remy stepped in behind Rogue.
Remy walked over to the counter, his face plastered with a warm smile. "Goodnight, Mr. Jones." He greeted, pounding his fist three times on the counter.
Mr. Jones looked genuinely happy to see the young man. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Clifford."
Rogue held in her laughter, knowing that Remy would always love to come up with the most ridiculous aliases at times.
Mr. Jones continued speaking, extending his hand to Remy, who excepted it without hesitation. "I see you're still wearing your shades at night."
"It's a style, Jones. All de young people are doin' it."
"That's what you say, but I only see you do it." He said with a goodhearted chuckle.
Remy took a quick scan of the store before looking back at him. "And where is your lovely wife t'night?"
"She went home early. Boy will she be upset when she finds out she missed you."
"Bonnie's a cutey."
Mr. Jones shook his head in agreement then turned to scribble some notes on a piece of paper. "By the way, I came home two weeks ago and saw the nice job you did installing our security system. Bonnie was plenty satisfied with your work."
"Most women are." He replied then turned to Rogue, generating his hips in sexual fashion.
She rolled her eyes at his antics, understanding the hidden meaning of his words.
Mr. Jones looked up from his paper, just missing Remy's display. "She said you were really fast too."
Rogue couldn't help but laugh at the embarrassed expression on Remy's face.
"Hey, hey not so loud, homme." He said trying to hush the older man, but soon he smiled. "Oh you're talkin' 'bout de installation." Looking behind him, he cracked a joking smile at Rogue.
"And who's this with you?" Mr. Jones asked, looking over Remy's shoulder.
"Oh her? Dat's my sister, Gertrude."
"Ah'm not his sister. He's lyin'."
Again, he smiled at her. "Well whoever you are that's a pretty little dress you have on."
Fiddling with her hemline, she blushed, "Why, thank yah, sah."
The brief moment of silence gave way for them to hear a familiar voice on the radio. "…If you are not with us, you are against us!"
Mr. Jones looked at the radio, showing aggravation. "They play that blasted thing every five minutes!"
"Tell me 'bout it."
"I'll tell you something, Clifford" He leaned in closer to Remy as if he was going to tell him a secret. "Those mutants are troublesome. I can't wait until the government passes that new law where all mutants will be registered. We have the right to have records of who they are, where the live, and what powers they have."
Remy nodded his head in agreement, taking up a shopping basket as he walked down the aisle.
Mr. Jones continued to speak, though he became louder, the further away Remy strolled. "All of them are corrupt I tell you! We need to keep an eye on them."
"I hear you, Jones. Wouldn't trust dem as far as I could t'row dem." With a swift movement of his hands, he stashed a few tiny bottles of Brandy into the many deep pockets of his trench coat. Mr. Jones did not see a thing, neither did Rogue.
"Damn muties are going to be the destruction of this world." He then directed his rant to Rogue. "I heard that mutant women are like rabbits with regards to their sexual impulses. You see, it's so that their species could spread."
Rogue rolled her eyes in response to his statement, however he was already looking at Remy, so he didn't notice.
"You gotta watch dem carefully, especially de men, dose sneaky bastards. They'd sleep wit' your wife de second you're not lookin'." Remy lifted his glasses up to give Rogue a suggestive wink.
"Damn straight! They need to stick with there own kind instead of spreading their mutant genes to us decent people. I heard that some congressmen are in the process of writing a law that will force the muties to be sterilized."
Remy put a couple of bottles into his basket with a case of beer tucked underneath his arm then walked up to the counter as Mr. Jones spoke on.
"I tell you, I can't wait for the day it becomes a law. We don't need those sneaky muties raising sneaky mutie children."
Remy shook his head in agreement as Mr. Jones rang up the total. "I absolutely agree. Can you imagine de corrupt values dey'd teach deir kids? I've met a couple of dem—worst bunch of frauds I've ever seen in my life."
"Cash?" Mr. Jones asked as the total lighted the cash register.
"Credit card." Remy smiled taking out his stolen credit card;
Rogue noticed that the card was stolen and sighed. She went to the refrigerator, took out a wine cooler, and walked sheepishly to the front. "Ah'd like to buy this wine cooler, please." She placed the beverage beside the cash register.
"Whatever you want, sweety." He said with a nod.
Remy leaned into the counter, "You might wanna check her I.D."
"Hey!" She yelled, slapping his shoulder.
Mr. Jones looked Rogue over seriously, unsure of her true age. "Can I see some I.D, miss?"
"He's only jokin'. Ah'm legal."
"I better see some identification just in case. The police are cracking down."
Rogue patted her body down in vain, knowing that she didn't bring identification. "Ah don't have I.D. on me." She turned to Remy. "Can you buy it for me—with cash…Clifford?"
"I'm sorry. I don't buy liquor for underage people. It's against de law."
"Ah hate you!" She pouted, scrunching her eyebrows in contempt.
"I'm sorry miss. I can't help you if you don't have I.D." He then looked to Remy, "Clifford, the stuff that you had me order the other day just came in."
"What stuff…" I didn't tell him t' get me anyt'ing…Oh Yeah…"I don't need it anymore." He responded without a care.
"You sure? When you called me for it, you made it seem as if it was urgent."
"It was urgent at de time. I don't need now."
He smiled brightly, in response of what Remy said. "Okay. I guess I can just keep it for myself…"
His words caused Remy to change his mind. "On second t'ought—toss it over. I may have use for it after all."
Begrudgely, he tossed a small brown paper bag over to Remy's waiting hands.
"See ya, Jones." He called heading out the store with his items. "Tell Bonnie I said hello."
"I will. Goodnight, you two."
Rogue bit her tongue as Remy put the alcohol into the back of the truck, along with his trench coat.
She couldn't hold her resentment in any longer. "Why'd you have to do that? Telling him Ah was underage? He would have let me buy it if you'd kept your big mouth shut!"
"You heard him in dere. De guy's a fuckin' bigot. Dere's no way I'm gonna give him my money. Besides, you would have never met me steal it for you."
"You hate him, yet you still go back to his store again and again. You are the only person Ah know that keeps relationships with people you don't like."
He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "You never know when dey can do you a favor."
"A favor? Is that what's in the paper bag?" She could tell by Remy's demeanor that he wasn't going to answer her. "Why did you install a security system for him?"
"I only did it because his wife asked me." His eyes softened as he spoke about her. "She's a sweet lady."
"So you did sleep with her?!"
His mouth dropped open in mock outrage. "I can not believe you have de audacity t' ask me such a question." Besides, I t'ought we're supposed t' just be friends? Why should she care what I do. "You honestly believe dat my strict Catholic upbringin' would lead me to even t'ink about disrupting de sanctity of marriage?"
This is coming from a Catholic that was raised to be the king of thieves. "You didn't answer mah question."
"What if I did sleep wit' her?" He said, lowering his face to hers.
Ah really don't have time for this. "Let's get to the dump, now." She turned away from him and walked over to her side of the door. As her hand pulled on the door of the truck, she felt a bit lightheaded but soon recovered.
"All right, fine!" He was about to get into the car when he saw a group of teenagers walking by the parking lot. Usually seeing a bunch of teenagers wouldn't have phased him, however he noticed that one of them was holding a balloon. "Hey, kid! Where did you get dat balloon from?"
"At the carnival."
His eyes lighted up in excitement. "Dere's a carnival in town?"
"Yup, just opened today, down on Maple Street."
"T'anks!" He called back as the kids made their way down the street. He looked into the car at Rogue. "What do you wanna do?"
She couldn't help but smile, shrugging. "Ah guess it won't hurt jus' to see it."
"Now you're talkin' my language. Let's go!" He jumped into the car, tossing the brown paper bay Mr. Jones gave him into the backseat.
*
Having slipped into his mind moments before, Betsy couldn't hold in the information she uncovered any longer. "So you're upset with Jean because she didn't tell you who your father was?"
She couldn't just leave well enough alone! Scott turned to her, keeping his emotions under control. "Didn't I tell you I don't want to talk about it?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the urge." She tried to fight the smile that begged to spread across her face. "For a while you were carrying resentment towards poor Ororo, but today Rogue made you realize that Jean is the true corporate."
"Stop it, Betsy."
"Listen, I'm on your side. Jean should have told you who your father was the second she found out. Leaving you clueless for all that time was wrong on her part."
"I don't need you to fan the flame."
"I'm not, even though it would be really easy." She inched closer to him putting her arm around his shoulder. "Nothing's wrong with feeling hurt. You're human, feeling hurt is bound to happen. But holding it all inside is what's going to get you." She placed her hand on his cheek, turning his face gently to look at her. "Everyone here knows how strong your marriage is and it didn't get that way by you running away from your problems."
Looking in her eyes, he realized that amazingly she was being sincere. He dropped his defenses. "I...I don't trust myself enough to have a conversation with her...without it turning into an argument."
"Scott, she doesn't even know why you are upset with her." She gave him a tiny smile, trying to reassure him that everything would work out. "Just talk to her and get all this out of the way."
He did not move from his spot.
She reached behind her for the phone on a small tabletop and pushed it in his face. "Now."
After a moment of hesitation, he took the phone from her and began to dial the number to the boathouse.
*
Hand and gloved hand Rogue and Remy strolled into the county fair. The bright lights of the carnival mixed with the music and the smell of cotton candy caused them to revert back to their days as children.
"Hell! I love de carnival!" Remy shouted with glee. His eyes skipped along every ride, wondering which one to go on first. In the end, a man at one of the booths caught his attention.
"Step right up and try your luck at ring tossing." The man said, twirling the ring on his finger. "Five bucks for five rings. If you get all five over the neck of these bottles you'll a prize." He pointed his finger to the toys he had placed around the stand.
Remy looked to Rogue. "What a rip-off. None of his toys are worth 50 cents let alone five dollars." He chuckled, always loving anyone with a good hustle. "You gotta love Carnies!" He started to walk up to the stand, however Rogue pulled him back, dragging him in another direction.
"Hey, where are we goin'? I was jus' about t' scam dat guy."
She rolled her eyes. "You can scam him some other time." She picked on the material of her dress, showing signs of nervousness. "Ah have a confession to make."
"Really?"
She lowered her eyes, speaking to the floor. "Uh-huh. Ah've been tryin' to figure out whether Ah should tell you or not for a while now."
"And you've decided t' tell me?"
"Yeah. It's either Ah tell you or Jean and since you're here…"
He stopped walking at the mentioning of her name. "Jean? Dis has somet'ing to do wit' Jean?"
"Yup." She took a deep breath. "Jean told me about the li'l Truth game you played with her the other day."
"She told you about dat?" He laughed in delight, remembering how much information he got out Jean that night. "I got her pretty good."
"Yeah Ah know. After she told me, Ah kinda implied that you would use all that information against her."
"You kinda implied?"
"Okay, fine. Ah told her that you would take everythin' she said under confidence and use it to blackmail her."
"You did what?" He cursed underneath his breath. "No wonder she was so upset wit' me de next day in de war room…it was 'cause of you." He looked quizzically at her. "Why'd you have t' go and do somet'ing like dat, chere?"
Why? Why?! Why the fuck do Ah even bother to do anythin'?! "Ah'm sorry, Ah don't know. Ah was jus' feelin' horrible and…"
"…and you wanted t' fuck wit' somebody." He said already knowing what her excuse would be.
She nodded her head in response. "Are you mad at me?"
He sighed pulling her into a hug. "No, I'm not mad. You jus' spoiled my fun wit' her, dat's all. I never planned on doin' anyt'ing so devious t' Jean."
She broke away from his hug, looking up at him. "Don't worry. The next time Ah see her, Ah'll tell her everythin' was mah fault and that she shouldn't be mad at you and…"
"Hold on, hold on." He said trying to put an end to her ambitious behavior. "Do you really wanna make it up t' me?"
"Yeah."
"Den do me a favor. Don't mention anyt'ing t' Jean…"
"But…"
"I'll handle everyt'ing myself, jus' leave it t' me. Can you do dat?"
She looked at him suspect, but decided to give up in trying to figure him out. "Whatever you say, Remy."
"Good." He tenderly ran his fingers through her hair, already thinking of a way to use his present situation with Jean to his advantage.
The large fairest wheel behind Rogue caught his attention. "Come on, chere. Let's go on dat one." He pulled her with him as he ran to the ride.
Charming his way to the front of the line, Remy and Rogue were the last people to make it in the cart. They were clamped into the seat and waited for the wheel to start moving.
Rogue sighed in response to waiting so long for a worthless ride to begin. "Borin'! You know Ah hate this thing. It's not even a scary ride."
He started to rock the cart in anticipation. "It'll feel different now dat you don't have your powers, you'll see." He promised her with a wink.
Festive carnival music played in the background as the fairest wheel began to climb higher into the sky. Rogue felt a strong gush of cool wind blowing around her, making her feel like it could push her out the cart. Again, Remy rocked the cart back and forth. She suddenly had a fear of plunging to her death.
She wrapped her arm around his waist, pressing her head deep into his chest. "Ah want to get off!"
"Rogue, it jus' started…"
She screamed as the wheel made its first descent, feeling the loss of gravity in the pit of her stomach. "Ah want off now!"
"You can't get off now. We have t' wait 'til de ride is over."
That was not the answer she wanted to here. If it was at all possible, she buried her head further into his chest, closing her eyes tightly. She remained in that position, counting mentally to 42, until the ride was over.
He helped her out the cart, wrapping his arm around her waist as they walked away. "Was it really dat bad, chere?"
"Yes!"
He laughed in response, feeling that she was over exaggerating. "Who would have known dat big, bad, Rogue is afraid of heights." He joked.
"Shut up!" She yelled, feeling annoyed by his jovial mood.
They walked past a small crowd and could hear someone from the center shout, "Step right up and test your strength!"
Rogue looked over to see a large meter that had the number 10 near the bottom and 100 at the very top. The man was holding a sledgehammer. "Oh, let's do that, Remy!"
"You wan' me t' win you a stuffed animal?"
"Forget that! Ah'm-a-win mahself a stuffed animal." She grabbed his hand and pushed their way into the center of the crowd.
"Who's next?!" The carnival man yelled as he spotted Rogue with her hand waving in the air. "Hey, pretty lady. Are you sure a small thing like you can handle a heavy thing like this?" He asked pointing to the large hammer.
"Oh please. Ah can lift that in mah sleep. Look at this." She flexed her muscle to the crowd.
The people cheered for her, seeming to be impressed with her sculpted physique. The announcer looked toward the audience. "She's toned, that's for sure." The crowd clapped their hands in agreement, while a couple of the men whistled.
Remy slipped the man the money it cost for her to play the game.
The announcer then made way for Rogue to approach the meter, still holding the hammer. "Just so we're all clear, you have to take this sledgehammer and with all your might, hit the bottom of the meter. Now if you hit it hard enough, you will project that little metal thingy to the top of the meter hitting the 100 mark. If you do that, you got yourself a stuffed animal! You got it?"
She nodded firmly. "Ah got it."
Rogue rubbed her hands together, ready for the challenge and put her hands on the handle of the hammer. With all her strength, she lifted it up.
"Oww." She cringed, as she felt a pull of the strained muscles on her lower back. The hammer dropped out of her hands.
The announcer laughed into the megaphone. "And the lady couldn't even pick up the sledge hammer. How humiliating."
The crowd booed in response to her pathetic effort.
Ohh, dat doesn't look good. Remy bowed his head in embarrassment for her. "Here, let me try." He said stepping into the center, taking the hammer away from Rogue.
"And we have another contender!"
The audience clapped their hands at the sight of Remy, already impressed.
Rogue stepped back into the shadows, her moment in the spotlight already used up.
With ease, Remy took up the hammer and slammed it against the bottom of the meter. The metal circle seemed to jump up and hit the bell at the top, striking the 100 mark.
"And he hits the jackpot!" The announcer yelled to the cheering crowd. He reached for a medium sized monkey and handed it to Remy. "Here you go. You can give it to your little lady."
Rogue immediately turned around and brushed her way through the crowd. Remy ran to catch up with her, then presented the stuff animal to his 'little lady.'
She turned her head away, nose up in the air. "Ah don't want it."
"Why not?"
"Because, Ah just don't want it!"
Spoil sport. He thought to himself. "Here, take it." He said as he made the monkey do a little teasing dance in her face.
In a burst of anger, she grabbed it from him and threw it to the ground.
Remy looked down at the unwanted animal in sadness. "Why'd you have to do that?"
Already, she regretted what she did. "Ah'm sorry. This carnival isn't as fun as Ah remember. Can we just go to the dump?"
"Sure t'ing." He tailed behind her, heading to the truck, leaving the poor monkey on the ground.
*
For the sixth time in a row, Scott held an endless ringing phone to his ear. After a few minutes past, he put down the receiver. "Still no answer."
"And your psy connection with her is still down?" She asked already knowing the answer.
"Yup. That went down the second she saw me with you in the security room."
"Sorry about that."
He exhaled sitting down beside her. "It wasn't your fault. I was the one that acted like a jerk to her—I wasn't thinking. I'll just talk with her first thing tomorrow morning and get everything out in the open. Hopefully everything will work out."
She placed her hand on his knee, giving it a squeeze. "Good. And don't forget to mend things over with Storm as well."
"I won't forget." Scott glanced at the clock. Remy and Rogue should have been back already. I really don't care how long he takes, just as long as they got to the dump on time.
Crossing her arms, she gave him a sly grin. "You thought that I was going to drive a wedge between you and Jean."
"Do you blame me? You do have a history of causing problems in our marriage."
"That was ages ago when I was confused by my transformation. And now I'm back, secure within myself." She leaned forward, pinching his cheek, "But I still think you're cute."
He shook his head in hopelessness, believing that she probably would never stop her flirtatious behavior where he was concerned. Though innocent flirtation never hurt anyone. The trick is figuring out when exactly Betsy is being innocent...
She cut into his train of thought. "Where is everyone?"
" 'Ro's gone for the night, Bobby's out doing something, Jean…maybe she didn't pick up the phone because she's not at the boathouse."
"Maybe you're right. Umm, I know Logan's upstairs getting dress because he's going out tonight. Which means that soon we will be all alone."
"Only for a couple of minutes or so."
She pouted. "Oh yeah. You did say that Rogue went with Gambit to the dump."
"Yup."
She laid back against the arm on the couch and place her feet across his legs. "We'll be alone together for way more then an hour. This is certainly going to be an entertaining night."
"Why would you say that?"
"Rogue, Gambit, a dark night, and a nullifier…" She giggled at the thought, "Yup, there's bound to be trouble."
*
The old pickup truck sped through the narrow roads in search of the community dumpsite.
"What time is it?" He asked, eyes glued to the road ahead of him.
She glanced down at the time on the radio. "12:16am." She looked out the window as rows of trees zoomed by and sighed. "It's too late. We didn't make it. Scott's goin' to kill us."
"Don't worry. We'll get inside." He replied with confidence.
"Ol' Frank Williams would never keep the dump open past closin'."
"You see, dat's how long you haven't been assigned t' take out de trash." He slowed down the truck and smiled at her. "Frank doesn't work de nightshift anymore. He hired another guy."
"And why are you so sure the new guy will open up the dump for you?"
" 'Cause I'm de one who got him de job." He focused back on the road with a smirk. "I know him from de city; he owes me one."
She rolled her eyes as the truck made a last turn into the trash site.
Remy parked outside the gated area and hoped out the vichicle. "Wait here."
Rogue nodded and followed him with her eyes as he strolled up to the locked gates.
"Jake, Jake!" Remy called out rattling the bars. "Open up!"
The area was dark, however Remy had sensitive eyes and if someone was there, he would spot them. After some time passed with continued banging, he saw a figure walk out from the small office a short distant away.
Jake walked cautiously up to the gates until he recognized the man on the other side. "If it isn't crooked Gambit." He stated, placing his hands on the bars that separated them. Chewing on some gum, he looked Remy over shaking his head. "Long time no see. How's it goin'?."
He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "Everyt'ing's goin' all right."
"So why you here?" He asked suspiciously.
"No reason, I jus' came here t' visit your pretty ass." He answered sarcastically.
Jake chuckled, scratching the stubble on his chin.
"What do you t'ink I'm doin' here? My truck is filled wit' garbage. Open up so I can dump it."
He looked past Remy to the garbage at the back of the pickup truck in the background. "Sorry, man. Can't do it."
"What?"
"I've got to follow the rules. Frank is crazy about openin' on time and closin' on time."
"Yeah, whatever." He said brushing his words away with a wave of his hand. "Open up." He started to rattle the bars again.
"I'd like to help, but I can't."
"Don't be an ass. I'm de one who got you dis job."
"I said thank you, didn't I?" He said with a sly grin.
"Fuck off!" He replied, not able to keep the smile off his face. "So what's your parole officer sayin'?"
"He's impressed with my turn around."
"You were a lousy t'ief. I got you dis job 'cause I felt sorry for you."
"You got me this job because I paid you a shit load of money, not out of the kindness of you heart—let's not lie." He laughed, pointing his finger at Remy. "Havin' this job is what I need to prevent me from goin' back to the slammer and I'm not goin' to get fired because you can't keep track of time."
Shit! "I can't believe you're gonna screw me over. Since when did you ever follow de rules?"
"This is the easiest legal job I've ever had. I'm goin' to ride it out for as long as I can."
Remy decided to let the topic drop. He leaned into the bars. "Dere's been a couple of break ins around town over de past couple of weeks. You know anyt'ing 'bout it?"
He vigorously shook his head. "Nope, it's not me."
Remy asset Jake's demeanor. He's lying, but I'll let it slide for now.
"Shit, I thought you were the one that was doin' the break ins…"
"When have you ever known me t' be dat sloppy? I take dat as an insult."
He chuckled. "Sorry, man."
"So what's de other fellas up to down in NYC?"
"Everyone is doing there own thing. People are wonderin' where you've been for the last couple of weeks."
"I've been doin' other t'ings."
"Yeah? Like what?"
He smiled at the man's nosiness. "Mind your business."
"Word on the street is that you've turned over a new leaf. I remember a time when you were always doin' dirt and then you were startin' to do less dirt. Now you seem to be squeaky clean." He looked Remy over, feeling less intimidated by the thief then he had been in the past. "So what? You goin' soft on us?"
"I don't…"
"What's the hold up?"
Jake looked past Remy to the new voice that popped into their conversation. He took notice of the pretty girl peaking over Remy's shoulder. "My, my, my, who do we have here?"
Remy turned to Rogue. "Dis bastard won't open up de gate."
"Maybe it's because you didn't ask him proper." She brushed past Remy and went up to the man behind the gate. "Would you mind openin' up for us, sugah?"
"Call me Jake. And of course." Still looking at Rogue he spoke to Remy, "Gambit, you take out the trash yourself. I'm off the clock." Jake reached into his pocked, fumbled for the keys and tossed it to him.
"No problem." He then whispered in Rogue's ear, "I'll be finished in a minute." Twirling the keys in his hand, he walked back to the truck.
She watched as Remy started to remove the bags of garbage from the back of the pick-up.
While Rogue was distracted, Jake took the opportunity to fully appreciate her beauty, as his eyes traced around the curve of her body. He gave a silent chuckle. So this is what Gambit's been busy with.
After watching Remy struggle with the trash, Rogue turned to Jake shaking her head in hopelessness. "Looks like this could take a while." She joked.
Smiling, he shook his head in agreement. "How well do you know Gambit?"
"About as well as any woman can…even more so." Rogue said, hinting at the fact that she had absorbed him; however, she knew that he wouldn't understand what she truly meant.
She observed as Remy made his way to the opening of the gate, a couple of feet away from where she stood. He fiddled with the keys, trying to find the right one that fit into the lock. Soon he was successful, and began to make his way through the gate toward the dumping area.
Jake wondered how close she really was to Remy. "So, you his girl?"
She gave him a teasing smile, "Ah'm nobody's girl."
"That's good to hear." He replied, his eyes darting up and down from her eyes to the bit of cleavage she had exposed.
Rogue looked over Jake's shoulder and could see Remy tossing the large black bags into the dumping area. "So, how do you know Gambit?" She asked, getting him to look her in the eyes.
"From the streets. But he hasn't been around in a long time."
She placed her gloved hand on the bars dividing her from him. "He's always on the move."
He shrugged, his eyes dropping back to her chest. "Yeah, something like that."
She had noticed how little eye contact he made with her. "Why Jake, you're actin' like you've never seen a pair of breasts before."
He chuckled, looking into her sparkling eyes. "It has been a while."
She raised her eyebrows, leaning into the gate. "Well, we might have to fixed that, huh?"
"Yo, Jake!" Remy called after finishing his task. "I got to take a leak!"
Annoyed, he turned from Rogue to answer Remy. "Go in the office." He yelled, cupping his hands over his mouth to project his voice. "And you better not piss all over the place!" He then focused back on Rogue. "So, what's your name?"
She followed Remy with her eyes until he disappeared into the tiny office, soon remembering that she had been asked a question. "Ro…" She bit her lip almost letting her code name slip. "Rosy."
He laughed, knowing that she was lying. "You don't seem too sure about that."
Her eyes focused on the cold mental bars she was gripping. There was a flash in her mind, a mental picture that she didn't have enough time to grasp. Looking at Jake it seemed as if she were the one trapped behind the gate. Her eyes darted back over to the office, searching for any sign of Remy. Where is he? She thought nervously.
"So why are you with him? Is it 'cause you like him or 'cause he's payin' you? Then again maybe it's both, huh?"
She looked back at him in confusion. "What…" Again the bars of the gate caused another flash in her memory. A sense of dread ran through her body. It's like Ah'm in a prison…
" 'Cause whatever he's paying you I'll double it."
Her attention went back to Jake. "Excuse me?!"
"Why do you look so offended?" He glanced down at his watch. "I only want you for a couple of minutes. It won't take all night."
He thinks Ah'm a prostitute?! She was outraged at the thought. "Fuck you!" Turing around, she stomped back towards the truck.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" He ran through the opening of the gate and caught up to her before she could escape into the truck. "Get you ass back here!"
"Leave me alone!" She opened the car door, but his hand came from behind her and slammed it shut. She remained still as she felt his body pressed against her back, his arms blocking her from getting away.
He chuckled. "I've never seen a whore so picky. Turn around." Rogue did not move, but soon felt the hemline of her dress raise as he whispered in her ear, "I get it. You like it from the back, huh?"
She slapped his hand away from her dress. "Don't touch me!"
"So you're playing hard to get, now?" He gripped her naked arm and forced her to turn around.
She braced herself, readying for the feel of her powers to kick in and absorb his life force—nothing happened. Shit!!! Her legs began to buckle in fear.
He dug his fingers into her skin, as she bit her tongue feeling the sharp pain. "Just two seconds ago you were trying to jump me, you fucking tease."
"Ah wasn't…" Her sentence fell short as he slammed her hard into the truck.
"Shut the fuck up!" He increased the pressure of his grip, delighting in the strained expression on her face. "Don't worry, you get your money when I'm finished."
He put his hand over her month, before she even had the idea to scream. His one hand firmly against her slightly open lips gave her the opportunity to bite his flesh. The flash of pain caused him to pull his hand away.
She spit in his face, the saliva trailing down his chin…
"You bitch…" He raised the back of his hand ready to strike her cheek, "Arhhh!" His words were caught in his throat as an arm locked around his neck, cutting off most of his oxygen.
"I believe de lady told you t' let go of her." Remy had Jake in a chokehold.
He struggled to speak, grasping for air, "Take it easy, man. I wa…arh…"
Remy tightened his arm around his neck. He examined Rogue carefully, trying to figure out exactly what happened. From what he could tell she seemed to be shaken up more than anything else. "Did he hurt you? Jus' say so and I'll snap his fuckin' neck."
"Stop!" She shouted, knowing that Remy didn't make idle threats. "Ah'm fine." Her entire body was shaking.
No, she's not. How can she be fine after what he tried t' do? He loosened his grip enough for Jake to speak. "Apologize t' her."
Jake looked at Rogue and whispered, "I'm…sorry."
He tightened his grip again. "Didn't sound like you meant it."
Rogue didn't like the look of hatred on Remy's face. "Let's jus' go."
"Chere, get in de car." He ordered.
She could see Jake's eyes rolling to the back of his head. He'll kill him, "Don't do anythin'…"
"I said get in de car." His eyes flashed with rage.
Like an obedient child, she did as she was told. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing if Remy does kill that bastard.
When Remy saw she was safely in the truck, he dragged Jake with him walking backward, still holding him firmly. He stopped a short distant from the truck, making sure that Rogue was still in his view. He threw Jake down onto the ground, watching as he twitched gasping for air.
Remy was breathing heavily, contemplating exactly what he should do to Jake. He's got t' be insane! I mean, why else would he even t'ink about touchin' her?! "Are you fuckin' stupid?!" He asked, fighting the natural urge to charge something. "Do I seem like a different guy t' you?"
Jake looked up at him from the ground. "Listen, I didn't mean any harm. I was just messin' around."
"Messin' around?! Wit' my girl?!"
"I didn't know." He tried to plead his case with his hands up, signifying that he was surrendering. Without making any sudden movements, he stood up, legs still shaky. "I thought she was just one of many whores you usually have hangin' around you."
Wrong answer! Remy's fist made contact with Jake's jaw, making a cracking sound.
"Shit!" Jake's body did a 180-degree turn, hitting the ground with a thud.
Remy picked up a rock from the ground with the intention of charging it with kinetic energy. The only thing that stopped him with the sight of the truck and knowing that Rogue was probably watching him. He quickly tossed the stone before he could change his mind.
He watched as Jake sat on the ground nursing his jaw as blood flowed from his mouth. Yeah dey were whores. Dey hung around me 'cause I was de one guy dey never felt threatened by. Because of my empathy, I knew how it felt t' jus' be treated as a sexual object for men t' jerk off t' and dump when dey were finished.
I did whatever I could t' make dem feel like a person, not some playt'ing. I was de one guy dey knew dat wasn't lookin' for sex or wouldn't treated dem like trash; I was a safe person for dem t' be around.
Remy walked over to Jake with his hand in his pocket. "You know I had t' do dat right?"
Jake nodded his head as Remy crouched in front of him, handing him a handkerchief to wipe his the blood on his chin.
"Do me a favor, hien? Anytime you see any woman around me, treat her like she is my sister. You hear me?"
"I hear you." He mumbled as more blood poured from his mouth.
"If not, You'll leave me no choice but to slit your fuckin' throat."
Jake knew now that this was the same Remy he knew from the streets. Nothing had changed, not even after all this time. "Yeah, I know."
He stood up, not breaking eye contact. "De only reason why you're alive right now is 'cause she's in plain view and I don't wanna hear her naggin' dat I killed you on de drive back."
He gave Jake a swift kick to the ribs, who then doubled over in pain. Turing around he staggered in the direction of the truck, rubbing his 'punching' hand in pain. "Fuck dat hurt!"
*
Scott thought for a moment, trying to counter Betsy's feeling that Remy and Rogue would get into trouble that night. "Worse case scenario: Rogue turns on the bracelet tonight. Even though I'm not a big fan of Gambit, I know he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her."
"Oh really?" She asked humoring him.
"Uh-huh. Anyway, that's a worse case scenario. I happen to know for a fact that Rogue won't turn on her bracelet." He folded his arms, giving her a firm nod of confidence.
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "You know for a fact?" She repeated his words to make sure she understood him correctly.
"For a fact!"
I don't believe it. "If you say so. Personally, I would never put anything past that snake." Can Scott be so dense where Remy's concerned? "Do you honestly think Gambit wouldn't try to entice Rogue to use the device? Especially when the nullifier is right there dangling on her wrist, forever a remainder to him that she can be touched?"
Well when you put it that way…For the first time he started to have serious doubt with what Henry told him before he left for London. How could Beast be so sure that Rogue wouldn't use her bracelet? He pushed the thought out of his head, not wanting to obsess on the question. Only one thing was certain to him at that moment, "You really dislike him, huh?"
"Don't you?"
He cracked a smile, "Yes, Gambit can be annoying, disobedient, and cocky, but he manages to get it together on…"
"…The battlefield. I know, I know." She said rolling her eyes. Everything comes down to the battlefield with Scott.
"And I'm glad your dislike for him hasn't leaked over into combat situations."
"At least not yet." She whispered, however her voice was not low enough.
"Don't joke about something like that, Betsy." He snapped, showing that he was extremely serious.
Who said I was joking? She knew better to keep that thought to herself.
"Whether you like him or not, he does have his good points…"
Rolling her eyes, she mumbled, "I have yet to see any."
*
They traveled through the darkness in silence. Remy periodically took his eyes off the road to looked at Rogue, however she kept her eyes focused on her side of the window.
He was cursing himself for leaving her alone with Jake in the first place. If I even had the slightest idea that Jake would have laid a hand on Rogue, I wouldn't have…
"You're bleedin'." Rogue whispered to him.
He looked at her in shock, not knowing what she was referring to. Soon he saw the trail of blood leading down his arm, starting from the open wound of his knuckles. "I'm all right."
"Let me take care of that before it gets infected."
Not wanting to argue with her, he pulled the car over on the side of the road.
Rogue opened up the glove compartment and pulled out the First Aid Kit. She took out a small bottle of disinfectant and poured it onto a cloth. Taking his hand in her gloved hand, she warned, "It might sting a li'l."
"I t'ink I can take it." He said with a soft chuckle. He watched as she focused intently on her task, dabbing the cloth delicately along his open flesh. After she was done, she covered the gash in his skin with a Band-Aid.
"There." She gave him a small smile.
He held onto her hand before she had a chance to remove it. "How are you doin'?"
But she did not respond, could not respond. Whatever she was feeling she held it all inside.
Still holding her hand, he rotated her wrist so that in could see the inside of her arm. To his shock, there was a reddish-purple bruise where Jake had gripped her.
He looked her dead in the eye. "I t'ought you said he didn't hurt you?"
She pulled her arm from his grasp, rubbing her fingers over the painful area. The burning, stinging sensation was harsh enough for tears to stream down her face, but she was determined not to cry in front of him.
It was all too much for Remy to handle as the anger that he held within him began to simmer. His red eyes flashed with fury. "Dat mother fucker…wait 'til I see him again…"
"Remy don't. It was mah fault. Ah shouldn't have led him on."
"I saw what you were doin'. Jus' because you were flirtin' wit' him, doesn't give him de right t' fuck you against de side of a truck!"
His words ignited the fuel for the floodgates to open up. Uncontrollable tears flowed down her face, with no sign of letting up.
"Chere, don't, don't cry." He tried to soothe her by rubbing her gloved hand. "I didn't mean t' upset you."
She covered her face with her hands. "It's not you; it's everythin' else!"
He placed his hand in her hair, trying to calm her. "Everyt'ing will be okay…"
She pulled away from him in frustration. "No it won't! Don't you see? Ah hate the fact that Ah get scared when Ah'm only a few feet up in the air."
"So you can't fly…"
"Ah hate that Ah can't pick up a stupid hammer!"
"So you don't have your super strength…"
"And Ah hate the fact that jus' anyone can touch me so freely without any consequences…Ah hate that they can hurt me jus' 'cause Ah'm not invulnerable."
"Rogue…"
"Ah hate this stupid bracelet! Ah wish Beast never created it!" Her tears where now dry, as rage began to build within her.
"You don't mean it."
"Yes, Ah do! Don't tell me what Ah mean and don't mean! Ah hate this fuckin' thing!" In her anger, she began to slam the bracelet against the dashboard.
"Rogue, stop it. Rogue!" He grabbed her hand preventing her from banging her wrist. She continued to try and smash her bracelet, but could not compete with his force. His superior strength did not help matters; it just made her feel weaker. She pulled her hand away from him, feeling defeated.
Her heavy breathing began to soften as her fury was overcome by an overwhelming sense of anguish. Rogue lightly traced her gloved fingers over the bruise on her arm, not able to avoid the pain she felt on her back when she was slammed against the truck. She bit her lip, her voice quivering, "It hurts Remy. It jus' hurts." A few lonely tears escaped her eyes.
He swallowed hard, fighting the lump in his throat, at the sight of her fragile state. She says she hurts. I know dat it's mentally as well as physically, maybe even more so. He wanted so bad to kiss the tears from her face, but knew that doing the wrong thing at that moment could cause her to retreat within herself. But if I do de right t'ing…"Chere. Don't let what dat asshole did t' you dictate your feelings. Not every touch hurts."
She wouldn't look at him, not showing any outward signs that she even heard what he had said.
He so wished that his empathy was able to work on her. Without it, he felt as if he had lost one of his senses—like if he were blind or deaf. I guess I have t' jus' go wit' my gut. Slowly he brought his hand over her hand, taking it up from her lap.
She looked at him in a flash, wondering what he was doing.
With one hand, he gripped the bracelet on her wrist while the other hand was brought to the tip of her covered fingers. He paused, looking up at her to get her permission. "You trust me, right?"
Her eyes moved from her hand to his eyes; she whispered, "You know Ah do."
That was his cue. He focused back on his task and slipped the glove off her hand. His heart increased its pace as he wrapped his fingers over her skin. It had been the first time in a long time that he was able to touch her so intimately. He entwined his fingers in hers, finally bringing her hand to his waiting lips.
She remember how much she had always wanted to feel his lips against her skin and not through material. Now she could feel how soft and moist his lips were on her flesh. This was something she had wanted him to do since forever. The incident, that happened moment's prior with Jake was lost, as she stayed in the moment she was experiencing with Remy.
He brought his hands to her face, wiping the now happy tears that fell. "Do you feel better now?"
She answered him by wrapping her arms around his neck, squeezing tight without any fear that she might choke him to death. "Uh-huh."
His body was dancing on the inside, ecstatic that everything turned out as it did. "Bien." He was glad that she trusted him enough to help her. He didn't even mind when she rubbed her runny nose in his shirt.
Turning on the ignition, he slowly rolled the truck back onto the road.
She looked up at him, her head resting on his shoulder. "We aren't goin' home now, are we?"
Remy answered her question with a smile.
He took her hand into his, never wanting to let it go again, and drove into the night.
*
Scott chewed on Betsy's words. She says that Gambit doesn't have any good points, but that's not true. He debated whether or not he should bring up the issue to her, or let it go. "One of his good points is that he's loyal to the team." He decided to bring it up.
She seemed unimpressed with his point. "Only because of Rogue and maybe Storm."
I should have known. There's a deeper reason behind her negative opinion of him. "You're still hung up over the Massacre, aren't you."
"Sometimes it seems like I'm the only one."
"Yes, he should have told us he was the guy that lead the Maunders into the tunnels, but he was truly sorry for his mistakes. He deserved a second chance, plus he's an…"
"Asset to the team." They both said together. I was wondering when he would throw that line in. "Aren't you the least bit concerned with how the whole massacre confession came into light?"
Scott shrugged his shoulders indifferently, which made her angry.
"It's not like Gambit finally grew a conscience and told us after years of guilt with the team. He kept his secret until the last possible moment—and still he didn't say anything."
Scott sat forward, interested in her perspective on the old incident.
"When he first ran into Sabretooth as an X-man, he could have told us everything, considering that Sabre knew his secret. However, Gambit didn't say a word." She paused only to take a deep breath before continuing her story. "The first time Rogue kissed him in Israel, she had his dark memories but couldn't sort through them. He could have confessed then and saved her some torment, but he kept it all in. Even at his trail, he kept his mouth shut. Rogue was forced to absorb him again and she was the one who exposed his secret."
It's obvious that she's done her homework. "That's true, but…"
"You weren't even there." She snapped pointing at him. "You didn't see how badly injured Colossus was—he was close to death. You didn't see how Kitty almost lost her life. You never saw the rows of dead and dying bodies in our infirmary and in the tunnels—all were a result of Gambit leading the Marauders."
He sighed, giving in to what she said. "You're right. I didn't witness any of that." That was the time Storm was leader of the X-men as well as the Morlocks and Magneto was headmaster of the school—I wasn't here at that time. "Maybe if I did witness everything first hand I would have a different opinion. Then again, Ororo, Rogue, and Logan were also witnesses and they have managed to forgive Gambit."
"But he doesn't fool me like he does them. I'm not his dear friend, hopeless love or old buddy like they are." She softened her voice. "All I'm saying is that he's never been on the up and up with us. I wouldn't be surprised if he's holding back something else."
Scott shook his head, showing strong disagreement with what she said. "You're wrong about that. Given everything that's happened, there is no way that Gambit would screw us over again. I'm sure of it."
"But how sure are you?" She asked with a raised eyebrow and a sinister grin. "As sure as Rogue not using her bracelet tonight?"
Scott lowered his head, choosing not to respond.
*
They had stopped atop a high hill, famous in the small town for its view of the sky and the land below. Remy leaned against the back of the truck with Rogue in font of him, resting the back of her head against his chest. His fingers were entwined with hers, the warmth of her hands fueled his entire body. It was the perfect moment for him, except for the constant sapping noise Rogue kept on making from her mouth.
It started to become too much for him to take. "What is it?"
"Mah mouth is so dry." She answered in between sapping. "Ah think Ah'm thirsty. Ah need some water or somethin'."
"We're in de middle of nowhere. Dere's no water here."
She turned around with a gleam in her eye. "Then Ah'll have a beer."
He was unconvinced. "But you hate de taste of beer."
"That's how desperate Ah am."
That was all the confirmation he needed. Unwillingly, he released her from his arms so that he could reach into the truck and take out a bottle of beer.
She took the beer from him, however she was unable to open it. She tried desperately to twist the cap off to no avail.
Remy couldn't help but laugh at the determination on her face.
"It's not funny!" She yelled, holding the bottle by the neck, ready to bash it against his skull.
"Hey, take it easy." He grabbed the bottle away from her before she could do any damaged. "You need t' control dat temper of yours." Without much effort he opened the beer.
She grabbed it back from him and started to chug it down.
"Not so fast."
"Eww, yuck." She said making a repulsive face.
"It's an acquired taste."
"Ah don't want anymore."
He took the bottle from her examining what was left. "You barley drank half of it. More for me." He shrugged, guzzling the rest down and tossing the empty bottle in the back of the truck.
To Remy's delight, Rogue cuddled herself back into his arms as he again leaned against the truck, looking up at the night's sky. He tightened his arms around her waist, having a faraway look in his eyes. It was so comfortable there with her in his arms, everything just felt so right, a story began to roll off his tongue.
"Bonnie and Thomas Jones have been married for 20 years. Dey were high school sweethearts."
"Awww, how cute." It looks like he's goin' to open up about the liquor store guy.
"I met her one day along while back 'cause her car broke down on de side of de road. I fixed it for her and she was so grateful dat she invited me t' her house for dinner. At her house was when I met Thomas. He told me he had a small liquor store around dis area—which was great for me 'cause I used t' drive all the way t' de next town t' buy my alcohol."
"And you didn't have to waste your gas." She added.
"Bonnie and I started t' become friends. I would stop by de store t' see her and talk t' him once and a while. Durin' our talks was when I found out how much of a racist Tom is. I couldn't stand him, but Bonnie was de reason I kept on goin' back. She's jus' a really good person, ya know? She's one of dose people you sit back and wonder, how de hell could she be wit' a guy like Tom. She's not like him at all. She's de type who t'inks dat given enough time and understandin', mutants and humans can get along."
She titled her head enough to look up at him. "Does she know you're a mutant?"
"I never told her, but I'm sure she suspects it. One time Tom was pesterin' me about takin' off my sunglasses. He was in a real suspicious mood dat day, wondering why I would never take 'em off."
"What happened?"
"Bonnie told him t' stop botherin' me. 'Anyway,' she said, 'I saw his eyes before. They're the prettiest shade of blue I've ever seen.' " He said in a famine voice
"How sweet. She covered for you." She looked back out to the scenery. "Though Ah'd always pictured your eyes as being brown."
"I didn't even care if he found out I was a mutant, but den I knew I wouldn't be able t' see Bonnie again—I didn't wan' dat t' happen."
"Why are you so close to her?"
He shrugged her question off, thinking. "I asked her one time how come she didn't have any children. She jus' seemed like someone wit' so much love t' give. She told me sat she did have a child. 'Bout 10 or so years ago, she gave birth t' de perfect li'l girl…except her daughter's skin had a green tint and she had a small tail."
Rogue's eyes widened. "A Morlock."
"Thomas did not wan' de child. Bonnie unwillingly gave de baby over t' de state. He's afraid of havin' another mutant child so dey never tried t' get pregnant again."
"Even though Thomas is a bigot, Ah'm sure even he still felt bad havin' to give up his only child."
"You would t'ink so, huh? Not him. I've looked into his heart…it's black." He cringed remembering, for a brief moment, how much he hated himself for being a mutant while he was empathizing with Thomas. "If not for him, she would have kept de child. Mom jus' didn't have de strength t' stand up for herself…"
Her heart skipped a beat. "Remy."
"What?"
He doesn't even realize what he said. "You called her mom. You called Bonnie, mom."
"Did I?" He asked in disbelief.
Rogue nodded her head.
"Shit!" He scratched his chin, giving a low chuckle. "Talk about a Freudian slip, huh?"
It's jus' like Remy to know that his birth mother probably gave him up 'cause of his weird eyes; still some part of him believes that maybe she did love him, and was forced to give him up against her will. Still deep down, he has hope…
He was ready to drop the conversation about Bonnie so he changed the subject. "I love comin' t' dis spot. It's de best place t' look at de stars."
"Ah don't know about that. It's a strong second." She said snuggling into him. The best place to look at the stars is when you're flyin'. She mused to herself, still smiling. A slight dizziness overtook body.
Remy arms tightened around her as he felt her balance shift. "You okay?"
"Ah need to sit down."
They walked further down the field, finding a nice spot to sit. He placed his duster on the grass so the could sit on it.
A cool breeze past by them. Rogue shivered, suddenly taking notice to her arms. "My arms! Ah'm breaking out." She panicked.
Remy laughed after he saw what she was referring to. Her flesh was covered with tiny bumps. "It's jus' goose bumps, chere. You're cold."
"Oh."
"Here, take my jacket." He took his overcoat up from the grass and used it to cover her.
She snuggled in his jacket, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Ah feel much better now."
"Good. Now what do you wanna do?"
"Ah don't know." She then laid on her back, along with Remy, looking up at the starry night's sky.
"One night I was so bored, I actually counted all de stars in de sky."
"Yeah right!" She yelled, squeezing his hand. "You're such a liar."
"It's true."
She turned her head from the sky to him. "Then how many stars are there?"
He pointed at the stars; the words flowed from his lips without hesitation. "In dis area right here, dere's exactly 1 825 stars."
"Ah can't believe you're sayin' that with a straight face." She giggled.
"Well believe it." He turned to her and challenged, "If you don't believe me, count 'em yourself and tell me I'm wrong." The goofy look on her face caused him to halt. "What?"
"You're funny."
"Merci boucoup."
She started to giggle uncontrollably. "That don't mean anythin'. You're talkin' gibberish."
What's wrong wit' her. "It was French, chere."
"Oh yeah…French." Laughing harder she continued, "That sure sounds funny." Suddenly, she sat up looking troubled. "Ah'm hot."
"Take off de jacket."
"No, Ah'm too cold." She replied shivering as she huddled in the jacket. Without warning she jumped up from the grass and ran wildly across the field, sprinting in a zigzag direction.
What de fuck?! "Where are you going?!" He got up and chanced after her yelling, "Rogue, Rogue!" He soon cut up to her and spun her around. "Why are you runnin'?" He noticed that her pupils were dilated.
"Ah was chasin' a frog." She laughed.
He scanned the field around them. "Dere was no frog."
"Then maybe it was a toad…yeah, Ah was chasin' a toad."
She's drunk! She's fuckin' drunk! How de hell does someone get drunk after drinkin' a half bottle of beer? I know de booklet said dat she will be more responsive to t'ings den de average person, but dis is ridiculous. "Okay, where going home now."
"But Ah don't want to leave." She wined as she got on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Giving him a seductive look, she said, "Let's stay here, all night. You know you want to." Her hands moved slowly down from his neck to give his butt a firm squeeze.
He desperately fought the urge to toss all his morals aside for one night. He moved her hands away from him. "I t'ink it's better we leave."
"Fine." She slumped her body into his arms. "Carry me. Ah want a piggy-back ride."
He did what she ordered and allowed her to climb on his back. "You satisfied?"
"A li'l." She tightened her hold around his neck. "You better enjoy the walk. This is the first and last time you'll ever be between mah legs." She said kissing the back of his ear.
Remy stumbled to the truck, trying hard not to pay attention to her drunken rant. Gently he placed her into the car and fastened her seatbelt. De sooner we get home, De better.
*
Betsy watched the second hand turn pass the numbers on the grandfather clock. "It's 1:05am." She then turned to Scott with a devious expression. "Seems to me like they aren't coming back."
"They'll be here soon."
She shook her head vigorously. "I don't think so. Gambit has disobeyed a direct order from you. What's his punishment going to be?"
Scott turned back to the window expecting to hear the truck come up the driveway any minute. "He'll be back soon, with Rogue by his side."
Sticking out her tongue in disgust, she replied, "You're optimism is revolting, you know that?"
Again she focused her attention on the clock watching the minutes tick by.
*
The truck sped down the lonely narrow road, with no intention to stop for anything.
"Okay," Remy said with agitation, "We're kinda, almost home."
Grabbing her stomach, she wined, "Ah don't feel too good."
"I noticed."
"Ah jus' don't feel…right." Her body ached all over. Remy made a sharp turn that caused her to jolt in her seat. The abrupt movement did a number in her belly. "Remy, stop drivin' so fast." She moaned, "You're makin' meh sicker."
"You wanna get home or not?" He asked impatiently.
"Ah'm tired." She whispered, dropping her head into his lap.
He cringed, tensing his muscles in response to the spot she choose to rest her head. "Owww, don't put your head dere." Grabbing her hair, he gently lifted her head. It was at that moment when he noticed that her seatbelt was undone. "Rogue, where's your seatbelt?"
"Ah took it off. It was buggin' mah tummy."
"Put it back on, now."
She tried to pull the belt buckle over her body, however she felt sluggish and her hands were not corrupting. After fumbling with the belt for a few seconds, she threw up her hands in defeat. "Ah can't!"
"Here let me help." Keeping his eyes on the road he searched blindly with his hand for the socket to buckle the belt. "Dere." He said after he managed to succeed in his task.
She pulled his ear to her mouth and yelled, "Yah don't have on yours…"
Briefly he took his eyes off the road to reply, "Dat's because…Shit!"
A dark figure jumped onto his path, causing Remy to swerve off the side of the road. He slammed on the breaks, but the sudden stop caused his head to crash into the starring wheel.
A long car noise could be heard caused by Remy's face on the horn. Slowly, he began to lift his head up from the wheel, feeling a bit of discomfort but knowing that he would hurt like hell in the morning. He rubbed his forehead over the tender area that had the impact.
He looked over to Rogue who was secure in her seatbelt. She held her face in her hands. "You okay?" He asked in a panic.
She slowly rolled her head over to him, her eyes half closed. "Yeah, Ah'm all right. What about you?"
"I'm okay." I'm lucky I didn't crash t'rough de window. He took a deep breath, grateful that they both survived the incident.
Rogue sat up in her seat, trying to make out anything through the darkness and her hazy vision. "What happened?" She looked at his face and how pale it suddenly appeared.
"I t'ink I jus' nicked somet'ing."
"Oh mah Gawd." Again she tried looking out the window, but couldn't see anything.
Remy looked in the rearview mirror at a lump down the side of the road. His sensitive eyes picked up the raise and fall of something that was breathing. "T'ank God. It's still alive."
She took his hand, squeezing it in nervousness. "Maybe it's a deer."
"I don't t'ink so, Rogue." He edged out of his seat and turned around to look at the lump through the back window. "Deer's don't wear shoes."
She turned around with him. "You better pray that they do."
He lowered his head, suddenly feeling sick as well. "Fuck!"
******
Author's Note: It's not who you think. Then again, it probably is who you think.
Jean1: I actually thought about whether or not I should make Remy empathize with Bobby last chapter, but I decided not to, based on my interpretation of a 'darker' Remy. Assuming the he has empathy in the comics, (which is debatable)—How could someone who can empathize with any person be a thief? How could someone that can empathize have a fling days before his wedding with a girl he knew was in love with him? I like exploring those contradictions in Remy. I think that he chooses to empathize with someone only when it benefits his needs, which is not necessarily a bad thing. If he were to place someone else's feeling over his own all the time, he would be a push over.
In Ch.2, Remy and Bobby made it clear that they were both vying for Rogue's affection. Therefore, it wouldn't make sense for Remy to empathize with Bobby—if he did that, he would have put Bobby's feeling ahead of his own and maybe have a change of heart. Remy truly believes that he is the one for Rogue, not Bobby—whether he's right or not is another story.
In ch.15 I made Remy empathize with Betsy only because he was extremely angry with her. While he was using his powers on her, he ended up hating himself (because Betsy hates him), immediately he shut off his powers not wanting her feelings to become his own. This also happened in the story he told Rogue about Mr. Jones in this chapter and is why he would not even think to empathize with Jake.
In Ch. 9, Rogue mentioned to Jean that Remy knows exactly how and when to use his empathy, which is probably how he justified working for anyone else with questionable motives in his past.
Anyway, that was the reason Remy seemed a bit on the 'mean' side. Sometimes, you just have to be that way—especially someone that grew up the way Remy did.
I also think that Remy is insecure within himself. A person who is insecure can act one of two ways: keep to themselves and be really shy or tries to overcompensate and seeks attention, love—I think he's the latter.
But your points are valid, considering that you are going by what you read so far. Hopefully by the end of the story, everything will become clearer.
Your comments as well as others help me explain things better in future chapters (I do tend to write for me, then realize that I'm writing for more people and should be more descriptive).
Oh yeah, the only reason I wrote that everyone would be pissed of last chapter was because I thought it was already obvious within the story. So far, there is tension between Scott/Jean, Betsy/Jean, Bobby/Remy, Rogue/Bobby, Logan/Rogue, Ororo/Rogue, Remy/Ororo. Plus, the only people who actually hate each other are Remy and Betsy. Anything that happens later on in the story is yet to be seen.
Thanks again for all the reviews. If there are any questions, comments, I'd like to know. Hopefully I'd be able to answer questions within the story.
Also, due to the flow of the story, there will be no Author's Note next chapter. Now I'll 'shut up'!
Next time: Wait and see…