The Prince of Thieves
Chapter XXIX: Utter Confusion
By: Michelle
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own the X-men. I just write fanfics for fun.
Merry Christmas!!!!!
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"This is April O'Neil with Channel Six…
…After many hours of battling a raging fire last night, the police have been on the scene gathering evidence…"
…So far, the police have pronounced the teenage girl and the Gambit thief dead at the scene. There is no word on the conditions of the bodies so far…
…Police have discovered several security camera scans from the hotel lobby revealing the suspect and the teenage girl…
…there is also cause to believe the fire originate by a hotel staff member…
…Police have identified wanted mutant terrorist Eric Lehnsherr, also known as Magneto at the scene of the crime…
…Police now believe Magneto was involved in the Gambit jewelry robberies and the fire at the hotel room…
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Logan and Kurt stood patiently in Xavier's office as he spoke.
"I want you both to let me handle the situation." Xavier informed them.
Logan shook his head. "You're gonna let that damn kid off easy." He said with a growl. "And after all that happened…"
"I am well aware of what happened Logan." Xavier reminded him. "And like I said, I will handle the situation. Despite what you think, I think Gambit is a good person who needs guidance."
"Chuck, he…"
"Logan." Xavier said causing him to stop in midsentence. "I will handle the situation."
Logan steamed. It was taking a lot for him not to go off.
"I want you to talk to Rogue once we are done here Logan." Xavier said to him.
"Fine." Logan growled. At least I will be able to yell at somebody.
Xavier folded his hands. "Kurt, why don't you go get Ororo and Gambit so we can begin."
Kurt nodded. "Ja Professor."
BAMF
Ororo jumped at the sound. "Goddess Kurt." She placed her hand over her heart. "You got to stop doing that."
"I'm sorry Liebling." Kurt apologized as he wrapped his tail around her pulling her close.
"I suppose this is a good morning." Ororo said as she kissed him softly on the lips. "I thought we were supposed to meet for breakfast."
"We were, but things change." Kurt caught a glimpse of Remy sleeping soundly in the bed. "I didn't know you had company."
"Don't start this again." Ororo pulled away from him. "It's not what you think."
"I never said a vord.' Kurt replied. "But I am not comfortable that he is in the same bed with you."
"Kurt. Nothing happened." Ororo replied. "Didn't we have this discussion already?"
"Ja." Kurt ran his fingers through his hair. "But that still doesn't make me feel any better."
"Kurt, I'm working on it." Ororo explained. She didn't need this kind of stress from her boyfriend. "It's just that…"
"He had another nightmare again." Kurt finished for her.
"Yes." Ororo nodded and sighed. "I don't know what to do."
Kurt stared at Gambit's sleeping form. Gambit's soul troubles him. He sighed. He knew what he needed to do. "Ororo, the reason I am here is because of last night's activities."
"Police reports." Ororo knew that couldn't be good. "What are they saying?"
"They have pronounced Gambit and Rogue dead because they never found anything left but Gambit's body armor and a burnt pair of gloves. At this point, they believe their bodies incinerated in the fire." Kurt said to her. "also, They are now denying anything about Logan jumping into the fire. It's being recognized as an illusion."
"That's both good news." Ororo said with relief.
"It is." Kurt agreed. "But what is even better is that Magneto happened to be spotted hovering around the hotel. They are blaming everything on him including the jewelry robberies especially since they have found no traces of any jewels in Gambit's room. So Gambit's name is cleared and Magneto and his Brotherhood are wanted for robbery and double homicide."
Ororo sighed. "Did they say anything about us? You know, besides Logan jumping into the flames."
"No. Your tornado kept everyone focused it rather than us." Kurt answered. "We were lucky."
"You're telling me."
"Xavier wants us all to meet in his office." Kurt said next. "Including Gambit."
"Alright." Ororo nodded. "I'll join you as soon as I wake the dead." She said staring at the sleeping Gambit.
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After a half hour of getting Remy to join the world of the living and a brief discussion about the information Kurt told her, Ororo escorted him to Xavier's office. She wasn't sure what was going to be said or what Xavier was going to do. Remy had caused a lot of commotion the night before.
Remy didn't argue with Ororo. He had been expecting a talk sooner or later. He walked in Professor Xavier's office and sat down in front of the desk. To his right, Ororo joined Kurt who was perched on a desk. On his left, Logan stood with his arms folded and leaning against the wall. It felt like déjà vu all over again. Of course, this time he had no plans to fight or puke up everything he ate. So, he just sat calmly awaiting his sentence.
"Good morning Gambit." Xavier said as he folded his hands. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Oui." Remy sighed. He's going to drag this out just to torture me.
"That's good." Xavier replied. "I'm sure by now Ororo has told you the news."
"Oui."
"And I am sure you understand the immense danger you put yourself in as well as my student."
"Oui."
"You were very fortunate the X-men made it there in time." Xavier reminded him. "Magneto is a very formidable foe. Not one to mess with especially alone."
"I know." Remy replied as he fiddled with his cast.
"Gambit, we would have helped you if you had asked." Xavier said honestly. "The X-men are not like you think."
Remy eyed him suspiciously. "I never said…"
"Actions speak louder than words." Xavier reminded him. "We know you don't trust us, yet we don't understand why. We trust you Gambit despite what has happened."
I'm confused. Remy looked at each of their faces and lightly tapped into their minds. They trust me. Why? He wasn't sure what to think.
Xavier could see the confusion written all over his face. "Ororo, Kurt, and Logan. Please step outside of my office so I may talk to Gambit privately."
They all nodded and gave Gambit and Xavier the privacy that was requested.
Remy got extremely uncomfortable after everyone left. It meant he had to face Xavier alone. "Wha…Whaya want from me?
"I just want to talk privately with you." Xavier said as he wheeled from behind his desk to Gambit.
I don't like this. Remy's leg bounced up and down. It took no telepath to realized he was nervous. He was never nervous in front of anyone even in front of Sabretooth. But now, it was like all his calm, cool, and collective attitude seemed to fade away. "What ya wanna talk about?"
Xavier placed a hand on Gambit's leg to stop it from bouncing. "You. I want to talk about you." He pulled his hand away seeing how uncomfortable Gambit was starting to get. "Perhaps, I should explain."
Remy remained still. Yes, please do.
"You are a very talented young man Gambit especially by the way Ororo talks about you." Xavier said. "I understand that you are an extraordinary fighter, have a degree in the Culinary Arts, and can speak French fluently as well as some Japanese."
"How ya know all dis about me?" Remy was shocked to say the least. His shields were up and there was no way that even the World's Greatest Telepath could read it.
"I read the papers your brother sent over before you destroyed them." Xavier answered. "I was quite impressed."
I'm really confused now. Remy brushed the hair out of his eyes. "I don't understand."
"I want you to stay here, Gambit." Xavier said plainly.
"What's the catch?" Remy asked. He wasn't sure if he should trust Xavier or not. All his employees seemed to stab him in the back. Why would Xavier be any different?
"There's no catch." Xavier answered knowing Gambit's lack of trust in the proposition. "Alls I ask is that you assist with the students and set a good example in front of him. If you chose, you may join the team and fight with us. Also, when my school opens its doors for a new school year, you can become a part-time teacher. Or, if you want, you can begin classes as a nearby community college." He said folding his hands in his lap. "The decision is up to you of course."
"I don't git it." Remy got up from his seat. "I's a thief. I lied ta ya. Dun ran off wit one of ya students and nearly got us killed." He reminded him. "And ya wants me ta stay here and give me a job."
"Everyone makes mistakes Gambit." Xavier replied. "Some more than others. It doesn't make them a bad person."
Remy didn't want to believe the truth. "Ya don't know what I've done in my life." He said sadly as he walked towards the door. "I don't belong here. I don't deserve this. Why can't yawl understand dat?"
"Gambit, don't let the past destroy your future." Xavier said causing him to pause in the doorway. "Learn from it."
Remy hung his head thinking for a brief moment. Then, looked over to the professor. "Dat's easier said dan dun." He turned away and walked out the door.
Xavier sighed as he watched him go hoping Gambit would change his mind.
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Remy sat at the table picking at his breakfast. He was hungry, but his mind was racing so much it was making him too sick to eat.
"Are you alright?" Ororo asked him as she began cleaning up the table from the messy students that abandoned it.
"I'm alright." He lied.
"Ahuh." Ororo replied. "How was your talk with the Professor/"
"It be alright." Remy answered. "He asked me to stay here."
"He did." Ororo's mouth curved up into a sweet smile like she was pretending she was surprised. Of course, Remy was no fool. He knew she knew all along.
"I said No." Remy hung his head slightly. He didn't want to look at her heartbroken face.
"Oh." Ororo sighed and refocused on cleaning up.
Kurt walked in the room straightening his collar of his shirt. "Ororo, is Rahne in here?"
"Yeah." Ororo said softly. "She's finishing up her bowl of cereal."
"Alright." Kurt nodded. He still had a few minutes to spare before heading off to Sunday morning mass. He looked at Ororo briefly and instantly could tell she was upset. He stopped her from cleaning a pulled her aside. "Vat's vrong?"
Ororo didn't want to answer him, but she knew she'd feel better if she did. "I'm just disappointed." She said. "I just thought Xavier would be able to reach him."
"Ahh." Kurt replied. "How about I talk to him?" he suggested and saw the worried on her face. "I von't kill him Ororo, but I think it is time ve make amends."
"Alright." Ororo answered. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not, but she wanted to two favorite guys to get along.
"I'll see you later." Kurt said kissing her on the cheek. Then, he walked over to Gambit who was playing with the food on his plate. "Morning Gambit." He greeted.
"Mornin'" Remy mumbled.
"I'm going to church with a few of the students." Kurt said. 'Vould you like to join us?"
Remy shrugged. "I guess."
He actually said yes. "Good." Kurt nodded. "Come. I have to leave in a few minutes." He said and turned to Rahne. "Rahne, are you finished eating?"
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"Was it everything you needed?" Magneto asked as Mystique studies the files of the disk
"Yes, it was all intact too." Mystique answered. "But I don't doubt that Gambit has looked over it."
"I'm going to have to agree." Magneto replied. "He was a slick one."
"Yes he was," Mystique turned to him. "Where's the ruby?"
"Right her." magneto replied as he patted his pocket. "Safe."
"This information says the ruby is the key to power." Mystique informed him.
:Yes well, Charles did everything he could to keep the ruby as far away as possible. Gambit served his purpose in requiring it." Magneto reminded her. "The Ruby Gem of Cyttorak will only work for it's chosen. He better appreciate getting it back."
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As Remy listened to the mass, he felt guiltier. He had screwed up a lot in his life to say the least. It seemed like every time he got one step ahead, the world seemed to knock him back ten. Would joining Xavier be his step ahead or would it be those ten steps back. It was a complicated situation. He didn't really know what he wanted in life. So far, it hadn't been good.
First, he was adopted when he was ten. He couldn't really complain about that. It was the first time in his life he became part of a family. But then again, he was also used by them. Although Jean-Luc was a very loving and understanding father, he used Remy to his own advantages by training him to be one of the most skillful thieves in the world and arranged his marriage to Bella to unite the guilds.
That led up to number two. Bella Donna Boudreaux was his childhood sweetheart. He loved her, but was not ready to marry her, especially at 18. He was too young to know what real love was. After a disastrous wedding which resulted in his banishment from the Guild of Thieves and New Orleans, he knew id he would have asked Bella to come with him that she would have joined him in a heartbeat. He didn't. He figured she must hate him for it. He wouldn't blame her if she did, but taking her with him would just drag her down in the shit hole he was in and let his father win.
Then, there were his powers. They had developed when he was 15. Of course, it was no surprise that he was going to become a mutant. His eyes gave that away. He had learned how to control them fairly well and Jean-Luc was rather patience considering the various things he blew up around the house. However, after his banishment, his world seemed to crash down around him and his powers went out of control. For a time, everything he touched seemed the blow up. Then, just a mere glance, things combusted. He was frightened and alone. Then, he showed up. Dr. Essex's sinister operation proved to be both a blessing and a curse. He was cured of his uncontrollable power, but in debt for it. When he got out of that situation, it was too late. Sometimes at night, he could still hear their screams.
A few months later, he met his Stormy. Things started to get better since that fateful day he saved her. Over the past two years, he grew to love her as a sister. She was the only good thing that happened in his life, yet he never stayed around long enough to see if there was more. Staying with Stormy would give him a home, food, care, and most importantly a family. Instead, he pushed everything away afraid the past would repeat itself. He wiped a few stay tears rolling down his cheeks hoping no one saw.
Kurt glanced over to Gambit to see him wipe his eyes. He knew he was starting to crack. Maybe, we are starting to reach him.
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In the student's kitchen, Rogue sat alone at the table eating an apple. "Hey Logan." She faked a smile as she saw him walk in the room. Oh great. He's here to lecture me. "What's up?"
"Hey Stripes." Logan said getting her nickname from her hair. He took a seat at the table and gave her one of those don't piss me off any more than I am looks. "We're gonna have a little chat about what happened last night."
Rogue gulped and put down her apple. Out of all of the X-men to lecture her, it had to be Logan. She would have preferred Kurt or storm, hell even Professor Xavier. But no, it had to be grumpy feral Logan. "What do you want to talk to me about?" She asked as innocently as possible.
"You know damn well what we gotta talk about, so don't pull that cute and innocent shit with me." Logan snarled. "Now I want to know what was going on inside that pretty little head of yours to make you want to run off with that guy."
"His name's Remy." Rogue informed him.
"I don't care who the fuck he is." Logan snapped back. "Do you realize what danger you put yourself in?"
"Yes."
"Then, why'd you do it?"
"I don't know." Rogue replied. "I just did."
"Well that ain't cutting it with me." Logan replied. "You're gonna have to come up with a better excuse that you don't know."
"I did it because I wanted to." Rogue yelled. "I'm not a kid Logan or your daughter. I don't have to answer you." She fussed at him and went to get up but he grabbed her by the arm. She stared at his hand. She didn't fight to get away from him, but she never sat back down either.
Logan was silent for a second. Rogue was right. She wasn't a kid anymore, or his daughter. It hurt him to hear her say that to him though. He had taken her under his wing since that day she snuck a ride on his trailer. That had been years ago. She had been sixteen then, now she was nearly eighteen. She had grown to be a star student, fearless fighter, and a young lady. It was the young lady part he wasn't quite used to yet. "Sit back down."
Rogue studied him for a second. He looked calm, but she could tell it was taking a lot for him to fight his anger. So, she sat down and decided to listen to what he had to say.
"I don't think you're a kid, Darlin." Logan said.
"Then, why do you treat me like one?" Rogue replied.
"No I don't"
"Yeah, you do." Rogue answered. "And so does Kurt, Storm, and Professor Xavier."
"Well, compared to the rest of us, you are a kid." Logan reminded her. "All of you are. When you start acting like adults, we'll treat you like adults. You understand."
"Yeah." Rogue sighed hanging her head slightly.
"So, I'm going to ask you again…as an adult." Logan said. She lifted her head looking directly into his eyes. "Why did you run off with Gambit?"
"He asked me to go with him and I said yes. I chose to go. I just wanted to get away." Rogue answered honestly. "And he looked so lonely. He needs someone to take care of him."
"Gambit is an adult, Rogue." Logan reminded her. "And he is the type of person that only cares about himself. He's a loner."
"No." Rogue shook her head. "You're wrong. He's hurting and lonely. I felt it when I touched him." When I kissed him.
"He's been given the option to stay, Rogue." Logan informed her. "He has made the choice to reject it."
"Yeah, I know." Rogue sniffled. "I just wish he would stay."
"I know you do Stripes." Logan said. "I know you do."
Rogue wiped her eyes. "Are we done?"
"Yeah." Logan nodded.
"Thank you for listening to me." Rogue hugged him. "And I do think of you as a father." She said softly before breaking away.
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Mystique walked through Crimson Cosmo's Security Prison like she owned the place. Disguised as one of the security officers, he made it through with no problems. She knew every security camera location and scan zones, every officer's positions and names, and she wasn't going to take no shit from nobody. She was that damn good.
She followed two men carefully, making it seem like she was just on her way to the restroom. Once she had the opportunity, she attacked them dropping them like logs. She stole there clothes and locked them in a janitorial closet. Then, she gave the clothes to Magneto and Pyro, both whom she snuck in at the right moment.
With her abilities, it was a walk in the park to get through the pupil scan, finger printing, and access codes. Then, they had some company.
"This is a restricted area." The officer on duty fussed. "Those officers are not qualified to access this area."
"They are now." Mystique replied. Two punches and a kick later, he was out of their hair. She made her way to the control panel. "Everything is secure." She said. "It's smooth sailing from here on out."
"Good." Magneto placed his hand on tube in the center of the room. Inside, the prisoner sleep in suspended animation as a tube ran to his mouth and nose and chains held him from floating up. "How long will it take?"
"A few hours." Mystique replied. "Whatever they are pumping into his system keeps him heavily sedated. He will need to gain his strength before being reunited with the crystal."
"Fine." Magneto pulled his hand away. "Start draining the tank."
Mystique looked over the controls until she found the button she was looking for. She pressed a small green button and her eyes watched in excitement.
Slowly, the water in the tank began to drain. His body lowered as the water lowered. His feet were the first to be planted on the ground. Then, he was down on his knees.
Once the tank drained completely, Mystique lowered the tube. The prisoner didn't move. He stayed on his knees with his arms bracing him up. His head bobbed slightly with his eyes fluttering in confusion. His mind told him to rip all the tubes connected to him and run off, but his body said to take it easy.
He noticed a figure that came to stand over him. He recognized him. Magneto was his name and he was a former friend of his stepbrother. Now, he was his savior. He could hear it calling to him, but he couldn't understand how. He needed to take it slow. His mind seemed to be playing tricks on him.
"What's wrong with him?" Pyro asked.
"Nothing." Magneto answered. "Just stay back. He's got a lot of recovery to do."
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Kurt parked the car in the garage and sighed. "Why don't you kids head inside while I have a talk with Gambit."
"Yes, Herr Wagner." Rahne replied as she and a few other students rushed upstairs to the ground floor of the mansion.
Remy stayed still and silent. He knew Kurt wanted to talk to him.
"Are you alright, Gambit?" Kurt asked.
"Oui."
Kurt placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can talk to me Gambit. Vatever you say stays between us." He said trying to gain some trust. "You vould feel a lot better if you got vatever is bothering you off your chest."
Remy hung his head. Kurt was reaching out to him. He wasn't sure if he should trust him or not. Of course, Kurt never gave him a reason not to.
Kurt noticed the silence. Guess that means No. I can't say that I didn't try. He sighed giving up. "Alright, well we better head upstairs before Ororo worries." He said and went to open his door.
"I'm sorry."
Kurt was about to open the door with he heard Remy speak. He paused and turned back to Gambit to make sure he wasn't hearing things. "Excuse me."
"I'm sorry." Remy hung his head looking down at his cast. "I'm sorry fa being such an ass ta ya. Ya be a nice guy Kurt. Ororo lucky to have ya."
He apologized to me. Kurt was shocked to say the least. He wasn't expecting that at all. "Ja…vell…she's lucky to have you too, Gambit."
"Yeah right." Remy replied. I've done nothing but give her grief.
"Nein, she's very lucky to have you." Kurt corrected him. "I know you care a lot about her despite vat has happened in the past."
"Yeah well, it's obvious she don't be needing me no more." Remy replied looking over to Kurt. "Ya a good man Kurt. Alls I ask is fa ya ta take care of her…to love her."
Kurt nodded. "I vill." He went to say something else, but he wasn't sure what he wanted to say.
Remy opened his door and climbed out, leaving a speechless Kurt in the car.
Kurt sighed and took off after him. "Gambit vait." He called.
Remy paused in his steps. He waited for Kurt to reach him but wasn't sure why.
Kurt stopped a few feet from him. "You don't have to leave, you know. You are velcome to stay here."
"I don't belong here." Remy replied.
"I used to think that vay." Kurt said. "I never though I belonged anyvhere, but the circus. For a time after the circus closed down, I spent many lonely nights feeling sorry for myself. Then, I met the X-men." He smiled proudly. "The X-men turned my life around. The charges against me vere dropped, I got a permanent home, met new friends, and got a job."
Remy listened carefully. Those were some of the things Xavier offered him earlier.
"If someone would have told me six months ago that I vould have all this, I vould have laughed in their face. This is the best thing that had ever happened to me. The same thing applies to you if you accept it."
"I'm a thief, Monsieur." Remy argued. "I rob places like this. I don't call them home."
"And I look like a demon." Kurt reminded him as he switched off his image inducer. "I should burn up vhen I valk into a church, but I don't. Gambit…sigh…Gott steered you her for a reason. Don't fight it."
"God steered me here for a reason." Remy replied raising his voice. "Dat's a load of bullshit. Where was God when I was wandering de streets of N'awlins? Where was God when my marriage was destroyed Huh. Tell me dat. Where was God when my powers ruined my life?"
"I don't know vhat your life was like Gambit, but know this. Gott has been vith you all along." Kurt answered.
"Oh yeah." Remy challenged. "Where?"
"Right here." Kurt said placing his hand over Gambit's heart. "Right here."
Remy looked down at Kurt's hand and rushed off.
Kurt sighed. He didn't follow him this time. This time Gambit needed to think things over for himself. So instead, Kurt made his way upstairs to find Ororo waiting for him.
"What's wrong? What happened?" She demanded. "Gambit came rushing through here like a lunatic. It thought you were just going to talk to him, not freak him out."
"I did talk to him." Kurt replied honestly. "I think he needs some time to himself."
"Time to himself." Ororo's eyes widened.
"Ja." Kurt replied. "And you need to stop babying him."
"I'm not babying him." Ororo snapped at him.
"Ja, you are. He's a grown man Ororo." Kurt reminded her. "If he has a problem, he will come to you."
Ororo sighed. Kurt was right, but she was stubborn and didn't want to hear the truth. "He needs me Kurt."
"Nein Ororo." Kurt said. "Gambit needs to figure out things for himself." He watched as she turned away from him. "And you know I'm right."
Ororo hung her head. Kurt was right. Gambit didn't need her. This was something he had to take care of himself. She didn't want to let him go, but she had to. "It's hard Kurt. I care a lot about him. He's like a brother to me."
"I know, and I respect and understand that." Kurt replied as he came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. "But I need you too, Liebling. I need you too."
Oh goddess. Ororo turned in his arms and stared up into his eyes. She had been so consumed with taking care of Remy that she had neglected her own boyfriend. "OH Goddess Kurt. I'm so sorry." She apologized as she hugged him tightly.
"It's alright Liebling." Kurt said caressing her back.
"No, it's not all right." Ororo began crying. "I have pushed you aside like you were nothing to me these past few days, yet you have been nothing but supportive of me."
"I knew you meant vell Ororo." Kurt comforted her. "It doesn't change what I feel for you."
Ororo buried her face in his chest and sniffled. "I love you."
"Ich liebe dich." Kurt replied softly just holding her in his arms.
Ororo relaxed in his arms. "What am I going to do about Remy?"
"You are going to leave him be. This is something he needs to do on his own." Kurt replied and felt her nod against his chest. "In the meantime, how about you join me for dinner tonight at a nice quiet romantic restaurant."
"I don't know." Ororo answered.
"Come on Liebe." Kurt said. "I will get your mind off of this. You need some time to yourself too."
"You're right." Ororo replied looking up at him. "I need to take some time out for myself." She said playing with his collar. "Some time out for us."
"I'd like that." Kurt smiled and kissed her.
"Get a room." Logan grumbled as he interrupted the lovebirds.
"Hello Logan." Ororo said feeling better. "How was your talk with Rogue?"
"I ain't having kinds." Logan answered. "And if I do, they ain't becoming teenagers."
Kurt chuckled. "That bad."
"Too much fucking drama." Logan grumbled. "And I don't know where she gets her attitude from." He said and stormed off.
Kurt and Ororo just looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
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Rogue paused in the doorway of Bobby and Piotr's room. "Hey Bobby." She said and smiled slightly.
Piotr looked back and forth at the two. "I'm going to let you two have some time alone." He said. "Meet me on the basketball court in a few, Bobby."
"Ok." Bobby slipped on his sneakers and began tying them. He ignored her as she walked into the room
Rogue sat down on the bed next to him. Bobby continued to ignore her. It hurt that he was mad at him but she did deserve it. She went to speak first, but he beat her to it.
"So, where's your new boyfriend?" Bobby asked not looking up from tying his shoes.
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Could have fooled me." He said getting up.
"Look, I'm sorry." Rogue apologized refusing to him. "I wasn't thinking. I just…just needed to get out and…and I don't know." She hung her head in shame.
"You were really going to run off with him, weren't you?" Bobby said.
"Didn't think you seemed to care?"
"I care." Bobby sat back down again. "It's just been a hard few days."
"It's not that. We're not the same anymore." Rogue said turning to face him. "It's been different between us the last couple of weeks."
Bobby nodded. It was true. They were starting to grow apart. Maybe, it was a sign to move on. "I really do like you Rogue." He said honestly.
"I know." Rogue replied. "I like you too, but I'm not sure if I like you in that way. Maybe we need some time apart. You know. See other people."
"Other people." Bobby thought for a moment. That would involve her dating that Gambit guy. Not so sure I like that idea. However, I could date Jubilee or Kitty. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yeah, and we can still go out too." Rogue said. "Even if its not just on a date."
"Really."
"Yeah, I like spending time with you Bobby." She smiled. "You're my best friend. You're the first person I met when I came here and you have always been there for me."
"So, if we do this dating new people thing, are you going to get jealous if I went out with someone else?" Bobby asked knowing how uncomfortable it would be if she saw him kiss another girl.
"I guess I'd be a little jealous." Rogue replied knowing exactly what he was getting at. "But I will have to accept that, just like you would have to accept that with me."
"Alright." Bobby smiled and carefully hugged each other. "So, um, do you want to watch me kick Piotr's ass in basketball?"
"Yeah." Rogue smiled. "I'd like that."
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His breaths were heavy as he looked around. He wasn't dreaming. He pulled the wires from his veins and the tube from out of his mouth. He was free…free. At that moment, he didn't care who was around him. He was free and that was all that mattered.
He stood wobbling on his legs like a baby learning to walk. He looked up at the ceiling and yelled out at the top of his lungs.
"CHARLES"
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Xavier flipped the page to the book he was reading. He had been reading a lot lately, especially after Jean's death. He read mostly mythology. His current fascination was the story of the Phoenix, the mythical bird that died and was reborn again. However, today he decided to read something different.
The story was about Romulus and Remus, twin brothers who set out to build a great city. In a quarrel, Romulus killed Remus and found the city of Rome. The story disturbed him especially when he thought about the mansion.
He pushed all thoughts aside. He finished his reading, closed the book, and wheeled to the window. He didn't know how long he had been there, but he stared out the window with the story on his mind.
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Yeah. Another chapter done. I guess I better get working on the next chapter.
A new chapter to Sweet Little Lies will come out after January 3, 2005. Sorry for the long wait, but my main focus is getting Prince finished with.
Thanks for all the reviews everyone. See you all next chapter.
Michelle
