Authoress's Note: Thanks so much for the reviews! This chapter starts with a flashback for those Romy fans, and if your an Xietro fan, check out my porfile for a fansite and a forum.
Once Upon A Barstool
Chapter Two: The First Glance
"Au revior, my friend," Remy LeBeau whispered as the plane left the airport. John stood next to him, sniffling. The two watched the plane disappear into the clouds, carrying their good friend Piotr Rasputin back to Russia. They both knew he needed to see his family before he lost it, but it still so hard to say goodbye.
Remy straightened up and pulled the door of his car open. He got into the driver's seat as John slowly occupied the passenger's. The pyromaniac sat hunched over, his head dropped, like a flame that had gone out. Remy knew that if it were hard for him to say goodbye to their old life and to their friend, it must be hell for John, who had a softer and more innocent heart than he had.
They went back to the base, knowing that they had limited time to collect their belongings before Magneto figured out that Piotr had left. No doubt the metal bender would be furious, and every time something made him mad, he called Sabertooth to the rescue. And the two men knew exactly what would happen if Magneto found out about their plans to depart.
After they had packed the few belongings they actually had, John piling all his lighters into his pockets and Remy grabbing his decks of cards, the two men took their suitcases and began to leave when they both heard a loud growl tear through the house. They were halfway to the door when Sabertooth cornered them.
"'Ey mate!" said John nervously, trying to hide his duffel bag behind him. Remy knew it was a failed attempt but there was nothing else to do.
Sabertooth eyed the two dangerously and growled, "Where're ya goin'?"
"To the park!" said John with a sheepish smile on his face, as if the excuse were a good one. Remy rolled his eyes and smacked his forehead.
Sabertooth snickered and took a step closer to them, "Yeah? And why do ya have those bags?"
"We're camping out there!" John blurted out, grinning. Remy shook his head.
"So where's metal-man?" Sabertooth asked once he was right infront of them, intimidating. John opened his mouth to answer, but before he could get it out Remy stomped on his foot, making him yelp and go silent. Remy then turned to Sabertooth and grinned, "He's already a' ta' park, proba'ly drawin' like he always does, ya know?"
Sabertooth was silent as he moved his eyes across their faces. Suddenly, he smiled, "You really expect me to believe that?"
Remy took a step back, withdrawing a single card from his coat pocket, "Look Sabertooth, we don' want any trouble…"
Sabertooth raised his arm swiftly and knocked the card from Remy's hand, sending it and a few splatters of blood to the ground. Remy winced and backed up quickly, incase the large man decided to have another go. John stood beside Remy, looking frightened as he slowly reached for his lighter. But Sabertooth noticed, and with cat-like speed swiped at his face.
John yelped and fell against the couch, rolling over the back of it, and landing the cushions. Remy narrowed his eyes and dropped to the floor, running his leg across Sabertooth's feet, sending him to the floor with a loud thud. The thief wasted no time in grabbing another card, charging it, and throwing it on top of Sabertooth's chest.
John scrambled up and ran to the door, Remy following. The two men heard an angry growl shake the house as they headed to the car. Remy pulled out his keys and was about to start the engine when John let out frustrated cry.
"The tires are popped!" he cried, slamming the car door. Remy groaned and checked, and sure enough, all of the tires were flat. Remy groaned and looked at his watched. It was 3:14, and his flight to New Orleans left at 3:30. Remy cursed loudly in French as John moved around the car and began to walk along the sidewalk.
"'Ey Johnny! Where're ya goin'?" he called.
John glanced back at him and said, "To the airport! You comin'?"
Remy took one last glance at the house at which they lived as teammates for two years. Sighing, Remy took off after the pyromaniac.
"I'm sorry yer flight was cancelled," John said, peering out at his plane to New York City that was scheduled to leave at four.
Remy shrugged as he leaned against the glass, "Its fine. 'M sure I can stay outta Mag's way until t'morrow."
John looked at his watch, then turned to his best and friend and held out his hand, "Well I guess dis is it."
Remy stood up straight and took the pyromaniac's hand, giving it a strong shake, "It's been fun!"
John flashed his usual bright smile and let go of his friend's hand. He looked out at his plane and began to walk away. Before he disappeared, he turned and called across the room, "Let's meet again!"
Before Remy had to the chance to answer, John was gone. Remy watched the plane leave a few minutes later, sighing. So there went his two best friends, one heading across the world and one heading across the state. Either way, he wasn't sure if he would see either of them ever again.
The Cajun left the airport after a while, deciding to go get a room with the money John had given him. He walked out of the double glass doors, and was about to cross the street when, bam! He ran smack into someone passing.
""Ey! Watch it homme…"
Remy stopped and looked down at the person whom he had knocked to the ground. His eyes widened as he realized it wasn't a man at all, in fact, it was Rogue. They eyes met for a moment before Remy finally extended his hand to help her up. Rogue frowned but took it and pulled herself up to meet him.
"Cajun," she said as a greeting, rubbing her backside.
"'M so sorry, mon chere! I didn't know-"
Remy was cut off when Rogue help up her hand. She shook her head and said, "Yeah yeah, Ah get it, yer sorry."
Remy smiled and noticed that a red head and a girl with long, purple hair were watching them. Jean was looking hesitant but the purple haired girl was smirking. Remy nodded at them and Jean smiled back. Rogue looked over to them after a moment and jabbed her thumb toward the car.
"Do meh a favor, and go ahead without meh. Ah'll catch up."
Remy's eyes widened at her words, it seemed like she actually wanted to stay and hang out with him. He looked over to see Jean's reaction, but the red head only nodded.
"I guess we'll go get some coffee," she said, glancing at the other girl. She nodded and threw Rogue a playful smirk.
"Have fun," she said, winking. Rogue stuck out her tongue at the new girl as they walked away down the sidewalk.
Remy looked back toward the southern belle in front of him and perked an eyebrow, "Whatcha thinkin' 'bout, chere?"
Rogue just looked at him for a second, then turned and began to walk in the opposite direction their friends had gone. Remy watched her walk, then quickly followed and fell in place next to her. It was a few minutes before Rogue finally opened her mouth.
"Things are changin', Gambit," she said slowly, almost sadly, as they passed a young couple kissing in an alleyway.
Remy raised his eyebrows in surprise and answered, "Wall yeah, dey are…but for da better."
Rogue shrugged, still not looking at him, "Ah dunno, Gambit. It just feels wrong ta meh."
Remy looked at her profile as they walked, "I guess I know whatcha talkin' 'bout, chere. People are leavin' and no ones fightin' anymore. But dat be a good t'ing, Now we can relax and do our t'ings."
Remy watched a soft smile appear on the goth's face. She finally looked over at him and nodded, "Yeah. Yeah that's rahght. But Ah still can't help but feel lahke something ain't right…"
Rogue took a deep breath as Remy just stared at her with a wondering expression. She finally continued, "Lahke something's missin'. Lahke, Ah've come all this way, but Ah don't feel like it's complete…just yet…"
Remy moved a little bit closer to her as they walked, "Why are ya talkin' t' me about dis?"
Rogue shrugged again, looking over at him, "Ah dunno…it just felt rahght…ta talk ta yah…"
Remy watched her look back down with a small blush on her face. He took her hand out of her pocket, and laced his fingers with hers. She didn't protest, in fact, she responded by squeezing his hand softly. They stayed that way, silent as their footsteps carried them down the street. Raindrops began to fall slowly from the dark sky.
"Do you want to get out of here?"
Remy LeBeau stared at the brunette girl sitting across him at the small table with little interest. They were in a crowded café in the heart of New Orleans. The café was dark and smoky, with several poker games going on and many drunken men swaying and cursing. It was hardly an ideal romantic spot. It was a place to be alone and relax, to forget all the troubles in everyday life.
"Remy? Are you listening?" the girl said in a soft, sweet voice.
Remy glanced over at her with tired eyes. He nodded and took a puff of the cigarette hanging from his mouth. The girl, Melissa, smiled flirtatiously and leaned in, exposing her cleavage. Remy perked an eyebrow.
"So? Do you want to?
Remy took the cigarette from his mouth with a clueless expression and asked, "Do wha'?"
The girl giggled and answered, "Get out of here?"
Remy studied her face. Usually, he would jump at the chance to 'get out of here' with a girl. But for some reason, he just didn't want to. He just wanted to sit there, have some alone time. Remy sighed and leaned in close to Melissa, putting on a flirty smile.
"Look, petite, Remy don' feel so well. Maybe we can meet up lata'?" he said in a husky voice.
The girl pouted and stroked Remy's cheek slowly, "Awww, poor baby. Well feel better, and call me when you are!" she said, smiling. Then she got up, waved, and left.
Remy sighed and sat back in his chair. He put out his cigarette in the tray and called over a glass of wine. That's all he had done in the four years after the Acolytes had broken up, after Apocalypse was defeated and the teams had stopped their rivalry. Remy didn't know what happened to Brotherhood, or to the X-Men, or his former teammates, but he had somewhat of an idea about what had happened to Rogue.
He hoped she was all right, working her way through college, surrounded by friends and happiness. He thought about her often, when he was lying in bed staring at the dark ceiling, or when he was sitting outside watching the sunrise. Everything reminded him of her.
He had finally made up his mind as he sat there after Melissa had finally left. He needed to see her…he had gone too long wasting himself on beer and girls. Feeling uplifted, Remy put down his drink, left a dollar tip, and started out of the bar.
Lexa rested her chin in her palm as she stared at the blue CD player at the counter. Rock music blasted in her ears as she watched Rogue and John talk about his latest novel. There were only three other customers in the bar, scattered around. There was a young couple in the back, drinking and talking, and occasionally meeting each other in a kiss. Lexa rolled her eyes, and sighed heavily as the batteries dies, cutting off her escape from boredom.
Suddenly, the bell on top of the door rang, signaling the arrival of a customer. Lexa didn't bother to look, and instead occupied herself with changing the batteries. She was sure Rogue could hand-
"Pietro!" Rogue's surprised Southern accent filled the bar. Lexa's head shot up and in the doorway, looking just as surprised as Rogue, stood a silver-haired man. Lexa recognized him instantly as a former member of the Brotherhood, turned superstar actor, Pietro Maximoff. Her jaw dropped.
Chapter 3 – What's up with Wanda? How will Lexa and Pietro react to each other? Also, what is Remy planning? And why and I asking YOU these questions? Stay tuned to find out, my lovelies!
