Hey, thanks for the reviews! People are so right, they help spur you on. If it's any consolation, I've already written up to about...I think five chapters for this story so you don't have to worry about writing delays--maybe uploading delays because my computer is just that messed up, but hey.
I wanna thank WerewolfLass for loving the story and for catching onto the title "Demon In My View" which I did get from Edgar Allen Poe's poem Alone. I like the words and it fits with the story because there are technically two demons here--Remy (note the references to his eyes and of course the mutant predator). This isn't a ghost story by the way.
flowerperson: don't worry, updates are coming and yeah, I do want to!
Freak87: I tried to write it well in a literary sense. I got really annoyed with some of the fanfics that have horrible grammar. Feels like when I'm reading it my English skills are deteriating (sp?)--not to insult anybody of course. That can't be good for that AP English class next year. Glad you agree with the Remy loving Rogue and vice versa bit.
Turquoise: Glad you think it's realistic, that's what I was going for. Plus, Gambit and Rogue aren't gonna hook up till very much later, but y'all see lots of interactions b/w the two. Hence the "tensions and confusions".
ishandahalf: I'm so glad you reviewed my story, seeing as how I love all of yours! Especially the ones with lots of angst. I hope you update Love, Lost, or Not at All. Dying to see how things unravel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Two - Nuisance
"Come on, what else are you going to do on a Sunday afternoon?"
Rogue rolled her eyes and slammed her book shut. She couldn't concentrate on Interview With A Vampire when Kitty was constantly bugging her. "Ah told you, Kit, Ah don't need anymore clothes."
"You can do shopping without, like, buying anything," Kitty said, smiling sweetly. "There's a thing called browsing, y'know."
"Waste of time," Rogue said. "Can't you just read a book or something? Or what about your laptop, aren't there little programs ya wanna write?"
Kitty scowled, "What do you take me for, some kinda, like, dork? A girl can only spend so much time staring at a screen." She grabbed her friend's arm and tugged her off the bed. "Why're you so adamant about sticking around anyway? I thought you said the mansion was, like, suffocating. I remember this argument! I kept saying how it was so big and you kept saying how you got claustrophobic in it and then I asked how that was possible and then..." Her run-ons trailed away as she eyed something sticking out of a journal sitting on Rogue's desk. She wandered over and pulled it out, a playing card: the Queen of Hearts.
Rogue did not notice, having re-submerged in her book during Kitty's rant.
"Oh," Kitty said with a sly grin, "I see." She waved the card in front of Rogue's face, watching the girl's pale skin blush a pink shade. "So, you're, like, waiting for Gambit to wake up?"
Rogue snatched the card out of Kitty's hands and tossed it into a drawer. "None of your business," she said stubbornly, and returned to her book.
Kitty squelched a giggle. She knew Rogue hated being teased, but sometimes it was a necessary evil. "You know," she said, plopping down on the bed, "he is very cute. Even Jubilee said he was the hottest guy she's seen in Bayville. And he, like, didn't even whisk her off to a different state."
Rogue scowled, eyes still mulishly trained on her book. "He didn't 'whisk' me off anywhere. He kidnapped me for my powers."
Kitty waved that fact away like a rank stench. "Oh, please. He could have taken Jean, who's a telepath. And I mean, she's, like, so pretty and perfect and--" She stopped as Rogue's scowl deepened, knowing very well of Rogue's like-hate relationship with the pretty redhead. "But anyway, he chose you, despite how you're kind of sour and bitter and mean at times..."
"You're such a great friend, Kitty," Rogue drawled.
"But you're really sweet, nice, and, like, likeable, too," Kitty quickly amended. She nudged Rogue in the shoulder suggestively. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it. Why'd he give you the Queen of Hearts, huh? Why not a Jack of Spades or Eight of Clubs or something?"
Rogue growled in irritation and playfully shoved the Valley Girl away. "Do you ever give up?"
A giggle replied, "Not when the obvious is being missed."
"Well, ya couldn't be more wrong," Rogue said, tossing her book onto her desk. "It didn't mean anything. Fact is, he kidnapped me and used me for my powers." The more she thought on it, the angrier she became.
Let me explain.
You knew we'd run into someone from the Rippers at the jazz club. You knew they'd come after you. And you'd knew Ah'd use my powers to help you. 'Cause you wanted me to absorb information!
I'm sorry, Rogue.
You used me, just like everyone else!
My father's life was at stake!
Seeing the expression on Rogue's face, Kitty frowned. "You're really mad about that, huh?"
"Wouldn't you be?" Rogue challenged.
Kitty shrugged, "Sure, but you gotta see that he probably would've asked for help if he thought you'd give it. Right?"
Rogue didn't want to think of possibilities. "Whatever, Kitty. Ah mean, what's the point of even contemplating this. Not like Ah can do anything if Ah wanted to." She stared at her hands, at the cashmere gloves. She looked up, surprised, when Kitty intwined her fingers through them.
"Give it a chance," she said brightly. "And if, like, it's a no-go, at least you won't have those annoying coulda-shoula-woulda thoughts, right? I mean, do you really wanna go through high school without ever going out on a single date?"
Rogue tore her hands away and crossed her arms, scowling furiously, "Oh, thanks for makin' me look pathetic, Kit!"
Kitty lowered her voice in all its seriousness, "Special circumstances call for special relationships."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "He's a thief," she said with strange resignation. "Been one all his life, part of some underground crime family in New Orleans. Not exactly the type of guy ya want to bring home to the folks."
"You're talking to the girl who dated Lance Alvers," Kitty said, unfazed. "And, yeah, I know, like, that whole thing didn't go too well, but we're talking about different guys. What are you afraid of?"
Rogue bristled, "Nothing."
"He knows about your powers, obviously," Kitty said. "So that part won't have to be a skeleton in the closet. Give it chance, c'mon. I know you want to." She poked Rogue in the arm.
"Cut it out! Look, he doesn't care all right? The guy's a natural player--calls himself the best thief on both sides of the Mississippi and the King of Hearts. Ah absorbed him--he's got one helluva ego. And just 'cause he was nice when we parted ways in New Orleans doesn't mean anything. Not like he ever called or dropped by." Rogue deflated and sighed. "Ah think Ah need a nap."
Kitty growled much like an annoyed feline and snatched her friend, phasing them both through the floor and onto the first level of the mansion. They landed in the living room and Rogue snapped irritably at Kitty, "What the hell's ya problem?"
"We're making him a snack," Kitty said simply, phasing Rogue through the wall to the kitchen.
Rogue leaned against the counter and puffed at the stray lock of white hair that inevitably fell before her face. She watched Kitty look around the fridge and pantry, pulling out all the necessary ingredients for baking cookies.
"Ya've got to be kiddin' me," Rogue almost laughed.
Kitty only smiled sweetly, "The way to a man is through his stomach."
"That work for you and Lance?" Rogue bit off. She wished she hadn't said it the moment the words came out. She flashed an apologetic look at Kitty, who had stiffened at the remark. "Kit, Ah'm sorry, Ah didn't mean..." She closed her eyes and clenched her hand. Why was she always so mean to those who cared about her? Just because she was having issues with herself didn't merit cruelty towards her friends.
"It's all right," Kitty said, "I know you didn't mean it. Besides, I never went through the trouble of baking Lance cookies." She smirked and began mixing the sugar and flour.
Rogue helped, smoothing in butter, more sugar, and vanilla extract. They worked together, making more than intended. The kitchen filled with the aroma of baked goods.
Jean came in, rummaging around the refrigerator for the ingredients of a sandwich. "Smells good. What are you girls cooking?" She slapped mayonaise onto twin pieces of wheat bread, adding lettuce, various meats, tomatoes, and cheese.
"Chocolate chip and sugar cookies," Kitty said brightly, pulling a pan out of the oven. She sniffed the perfectly golden-brown discs and began flipping them onto a cooling rack. "Excellent."
Rogue had to smile at her friend's perkiness. She spooned the last of the dough onto a pan and stuck it in the oven, just as some of the others entered with intrigued expressions on their faces.
"What are these for?" Sam Guthrie asked, reaching for a cookie. His hand went right through and he pulled it back in alarm.
Kitty laughed, still holding the tray. "Fine, we'll let you have some, but don't pig out. They're not for you."
Roberto peeked into the oven, noticing two more pans baking. "Yeah? Who're they for?"
Rogue turned away, hoping Kitty would not embarrass her. She watched Jean place a readily prepared sandwich, an apple, banana, and glass of orange juice onto a tray, carrying it out of the kitchen. Hadn't they all just had lunch? Why was the girl so hungry?
Kitty rolled her eyes, "Us, duh. Rogue and I were getting, like, so depressed with all the junk that's been going on. Figures we could totally splurge on homemade goodness." She swatted Bobby's hand away as he tried to grab a handful of cookies.
Rogue took out the last batches and slid the cookies off. "Ya'll can have a bunch if ya do the clean up," she offered.
The boys did not hesitate to take up the offer while Kitty scooped a batch of cookies onto a plate for the adults. She handed Rogue another plate with half a dozen. "Why don't you take some down to the sick guy? He'll probably love something sweet." She smiled and winked.
Rogue turned away before Bobby, Sam, or Roberto could comment. She headed for the Infirmary, wondering what she was going to say. This is not a big deal. Ah'm just bein' friendly to the house guest. Just bein' friendly. Anything else and she was being foolish. She hardly knew that kidnapper, that Acolyte, that thief--the oh-so-charming, gorgeous thief with the entrancing eyes. Rogue realized she was acting like a stupid girl with a crush and quickly shoved the thoughts out of her head.
The plate of fresh-baked cookies emmitted a pleasing aroma to the nose. She hoped they were good, just realizing she hadn't even tasted one yet. She entered through the automated glass doors, walked past the small observation area, and neared the room where Gambit stayed. She heard voices, wondering if Mr. McCoy was doing a check up on him. But as she drew closer, she did not spot a figure of blue fur, but a slender girl with rich locks of flaming hair. A tray of untouched food sat at the table. Rogue stopped. She listened.
"Now, how'd X'vier find a belle femme like you?"
Jean noticeably blushed, holding her hands in front of herself modestly. "Uh, my powers were acting up and I was scared. I heard about his Institute for the gifted so, I came."
The Cajun did not lose his flirtatious flair, despite the awkward bandage and pain in his sides. "Lucky place, dis is," he said with a smirk. "All de X-girls pretty as you?"
Jean's blush deepened and she began fidgeting, though her facial expression remained calm and professional. "Well, depends on what your definition of pretty is."
He chuckled deeply, looking her up and down, "Right in front o'me, belle."
Rogue could not believe what she was seeing. She knew the punk was a flirt, a skirt-chasing lady's man, but with Jean of all people? She was going to be sick. Jean, the thorn in her side. Jean, little Miss Perfect. Jean, who was everything and had everything... The least he could do was have better taste, goddamit. Her hands clenched the plate.
"Hard question to answer," Jean was saying. "I mean, Jubilee's got those exotic Asian features and Amara is so sun-kissed with that year-long carmel skin and Rahne, well, she's so sporty and athetic and--"
"'Nough said, mon fille, you're killin' an already injured homme."
Jean looked flustered, "Oh, sorry. I mean, what? Nevermind. I better get going. I have to..." Her words trailed away, forgetting what pressing matters called for her attention.
"What's de hurry?"
"Nothing, just that, well, I shouldn't really be doing this."
"Doin' what?" Gambit asked. An innocent expression sat upon his devilishly handsome features. His red on black eyes smiled while the curves of his mouth remained ever linear.
Jean was growing more and more uncomfortable by the second, "Uh, you know. This, uh..."
"You suggestin' somethin'...indecent?"
Jean suddenly blurted, "I'm seeing Cyclops."
He did not try to hide his amusement. "Ol' Shades? Lucky man, that homme. Guess w'all can't--" He stopped when a loud clatter caught his attention. Past the glass doors of his room a plate was shattered against the clean floor with cookies splayed around it. He saw a blur of a figure leaving the Infirmary. It seemed like a girl, a girl with white-streaked auburn hair.
-----------------------------------------------------
Minor Note: Rogue isn't, like, heartbroken or anything. She's just irritated because Remy was nice to her, almost understanding when they were in Louisiana and she thought, well, she thought what any girl would think, y'know? And she's immensely irritated by Jean already and when she sees him flirting with her it annnoys the crap out of her.
No love yet, sorry people. : ) But soon.
And I'm curious bc whenever I try to view my own story, I can't see anywhere past the first chapter--anybody know why that is? Maybe it's the 24 lag of information showing or something. Huh. Well, at least you guys see it, that's all that matters.
Keep those reviews coming and let people know!