Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or basic storylines from the X-Men. I do, however, own Matthew. And yet, still I am poor beyond belief.
Authors Note: THANK YOU REVIEWERS! You all make me so happy.
Also, my birthday is tomorrow (January 5th) and it will be the big two-one. So what better gift than a review?
Matthew
Chapter Seven: The Afternoon After
Rogue let out a contented sigh as she arched her back and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She was wrapped up in a sheet, almost like a mummy she supposed, but it hadn't mattered. She looked over at the sleeping form next to her, his breathing even and his hair slightly a mess, his arms wrapped around her waist and his naked form resting atop the sheet next to her. She always knew she loved that dirty mind of his for a reason. With it came a lot of ingenious ideas. 'Wow, Ah didn't know Ah needed ta get laid that badly,' she thought as she looked over at the clock, curious as to the time. 'It's only twelve thirty? Man Ah git up to early anymore,' her mind wandered as her eyes settled on the colander, and today's date circled in red.
"MERDE!" She yelled, her Cajun love already having a negative effect on her speech as she jumped out of the bed, sheet in place and rushed to the closet.
"Fils d'une chienne!" Remy yelled, jumping up at the sudden intrusion on his dreams. "What be de matter?" he watched her rush frantically around the room, trying to hold up the sheet with one hand and collect her cloths with the other.
"Ah forgot Ah got this big presentation this afternoon, and if Ah don't start gettin' ready now Ah'm gonna miss it," Rogue replied grabbing pulling open her underwear drawer and grabbing her a bra and panty set before rushing towards the bathroom.
"So?" Remy asked, pulling a blanket over himself and laying back down.
"So it's worth forty percent o' mah grade," she replied closing the door. After a minute she opened it again. "Rems could ya be a sugah and make meh somethin' ta eat while Ah shower?"
He arched an eyebrow and rose, ready to list off the reasons why he wasn't getting out of bed before six that evening, starting with the fact that he'd worn himself out, which she should know about. His first mistake was rising. His second was looking her in the face, where she had readily in place a puppy dog pout that no man could say no to. Well, at least not this man. Remy let out a groan and got up, grabbing his pants. "What y' want?"
"Anything sugah, merci!" she called, grinning and closing the door. "Yer the best!"
Remy let out a low growl and muttered a few choice French curses under his breath before heading to his room to dress before heading downstairs.
After he got dressed he headed down towards the kitchen, he couldn't help but notice all the odd looks he was receiving from the students as he walked down the hallway towards the staircase. They seemed to be looking at him in a hushed kind of awe and then would begin whispering to themselves as soon as he passed. Confused, he stopped the next two girls who were coming up the stairs, who happened to be Jubilee and Kitty. "Excuse moi, but perhaps y' coul' help Remy comprenez somethin'."
"Uh, yeah sure," Kitty began nervously, wondering how to continue. Especially considering the circumstances. It had taken everything in her and Jubilee to not go spread the juicy new gossip they had about this new guy and his and Rogue's apparent past and the child within it. But something told them they needed to talk to Rogue first, who had been missing in action since they overheard the argument that morning. "Like, what do you need?"
"Well, de others be lookin' at Remy odd and talkin' behind his back, and he understand dat he knew to de Institute, but is dis normal?" the Cajun asked, more than a little annoyed at the looks being directed his way.
"Oh, that's an easy one," Jubilee said, finally finding her voice. "They're just in shock cause Rogue didn't kill you."
"Come again?" Remy asked even more confused. "Why would mon cherie kill moi?"
"Oh cause we all like, over heard your guys argument and usually when Rogue gets that pissed the person who did it suffers some serious damage," Kitty supplied.
"And since you seem to be in full health and still have use of your legs and other limbs, everyone is just in awe," Jubilee finished for her, popping her gum.
"Oh," Remy shook his head slowly. "Forgive me petite's. Remy forgot dis be a high school," he saluted them before heading down the stairs. "Merci f' de explanation," he called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the foyer.
Upon entering the kitchen he found Ororo and Bobby sitting at the table, Ororo sipping a cup of tea while Bobby picked at a sandwich.
"Bonjour," he saluted before heading over to the fridge, in search of something he could make quickly for Rogue.
"Hello Mr. LeBeau," Ororo smiled at him. "How did you sleep last night?"
"Bon, merci. And please call moi Remy," Remy turned and smiled at her before turning back to the fridge. 'Eggs should be good. She loves mon eggs,' he thought pulling out the carton and placing it on the counter before he began to search for the pans. "Monsieur LeBeau is mon pere."
"Ah yes, I was going to ask, is you father Jean Luc LeBeau?" Ororo asked, causing Remy to visibly stiffen.
He turned and narrowed his eyes at her. "Porqui?" he asked suspiciously.
"Because I used to know a Jean Luc LeBeau. We," she paused for a moment, trying to find the right word. "Worked together in Cairo," she looked at him with knowing eyes.
Remy smirked. "Ah. Oui, dat's mon pere," Remy answered, turning back to the stove. "Now, where be de pans?"
"Oh, here," Ororo rose and got out the pan for him as well as a spatula.
"Merci," Remy replied, lighting the stove and finding the necessary ingredients.
"What are you making anyway?" Bobby asked, scowling over at the Cajun.
"Eggs. Rogue be hungry," Remy replied as he set to work.
"Good luck getting her to eat those," Bobby replied a smug look crossing his face. "Rogue hates eggs."
"Dat so?" Remy replied, never looking up at him as he continued to cook.
"Yeah that's so," Bobby practically growled, angry with Remy's calm demeanor. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Remy never say dat," Remy muttered ignoring the other mutant.
The door opened then and Jubilee and Kitty stepped in. "Hey Ms. Monroe," Kitty greeted, going over to the fridge and grabbing a soda for her and Jubilee.
"Hello girls," Ororo smiled at them, and resumed sipping her tea, glad the girls were there to help break up the tension between the two young men.
"Have you seen Rogue?" Jubilee asked.
"She in de shower," Remy supplied. "Should be down soon."
As if on cue the door opened and Rogue stepped into the kitchen in a pair of pinstriped black pants, a blood red tank top and a matching black blazer with her knee high black boots and the top half of her hair pulled back in a black clip and black silk gloves covering her hands, her promise ring slipped over the outside, for all to see, along with her charm bracelet and matching emerald jewelry. She hummed happily as she walked into the kitchen, dropping her bags near the table. "Mornin' y'all," she smiled strutting over towards the fridge, stopping to drop a kiss on the back of Remy's shoulder.
"Someone's happy," Kitty smiled at her friend.
"Must have gotten laid last night," Jubilee teased causing Kitty to giggle, Ororo's eyes to bulge and Bobby to choke on his sandwich.
"JUBILATION!" Ororo said, almost spitting out her tea while Remy smirked and Rogue rolled her eyes, pulling out a bottle of juice.
"Sorry," Jubilee muttered, blushing slightly.
"Think about what you're saying," Bobby said glaring at her.
"Don't tell meh it's that obvious," Rogue said a sly grin on her face as Remy wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder.
"Oh my god," Kitty muttered, blushing slightly.
"Go Rogue," Jubilee smirked taking a drink of her soda.
"Well," Ororo said trying to come up with a quick change of subject as she noticed Bobby's face grow angrier. "What do you guys have planned today?"
"Class," Kitty and Jubilee said together, before looking at one another and smirking.
"Ah have a presentation Ah gotta take off for," Rogue began. "Which reminds meh," she turned in Remy's arms to face him. "What did ya make meh?" she looked up at him and smiled sweetly.
"Hm, make y'," Remy stroked his chin in mock thought before grinning and turning, grabbing the plate on the counter and holding it out to her. "Eggs."
"Oh Ah love yer eggs," Rogue smiled up at him, taking the plate happily and digging in.
Bobby looked on in shock, the scowl on his face deepening as he watched her dig into the meal, holding out bites to the Cajun who cooked it for her.
Rogue finished the meal and looked over at the clock on the wall. "Oh, Ah gotta go. Kit, Jubilee ya ridin with meh?"
"Yeah. Do we perform in Theater today?" Kitty asked rising with Jubilee and grabbing their bags from nearby chairs.
"We can. It's whoevah volunteers today," Rogue added, grabbing her own bag as the girls headed for the backdoor. "Bye y'all."
"Chere?" Remy asked, a smirk on his face as he crossed his arms and leaned against the nearby wall.
Rogue grinned and rolled her eyes and walked towards him. "Ya can entertain yerself today right?"
"Oui," he grinned, looking at her expectantly.
"Good, cause Ah gotta go," she eyed him for a moment, trying to figure out what he was waiting for. Finally she just asked. "What?"
"Y' know 'what' petite," Remy said, grinning down at her.
"Fahne," she leaned up on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his lips, pulling away before her powers had too much of an effect. "Bettah?"
"Oui," he replied with a shit-eating grin.
"Kay. See ya aftah class," she turned to join the girls who stood giggling a the door. "Love ya."
"J'taime," he replied turning to place the dishes in the sink.
"Wow ain't that sweet. Regular little family. So where's baby making three?" Bobby asked.
Rogue paused before reaching the door as Kitty and Jubilee quickly shot him disapproving glares and Ororo looked shocked. Remy in the meantime gripped the plate in his hand tighter and turned to glare at him. "What dat mean?" None of them noticed that Xavier, Logan and Scott had entered the room.
"Actually I'm not surprise the kid isn't here. I mean, you left him with this jackass right? Probably lost him in a poker match," Bobby went on, taking a bite of his sandwich.
"MR. DRAKE!" Charles yelled, in a rare raise of voice as Scott glared over at the boy and Logan growled low in his throat. In Remy's hand, the plate began to glow red.
"Y' fils d'une chienne," Remy began only to be cut off by Rogue's soft voice, laced with tears.
"He's dead."
Everyone in the kitchen fell silent save fore the humming of the plate in Remy's hand. Slowly Rogue turned to face them, particularly Bobby, anger and grief clouding her features. "And how dare ya even breath a thing about him," she took a step towards him when the plate suddenly flew past her and exploded over Bobby's head, sending shards of glass raining down on him.
Bobby quickly covered his head as Remy moved and intercepted Rogue. "Shh petite," he cupped her head in his hand and pulled it to rest against his chest.
"Ah'll kill me," she whispered as they all watched the two of them in silence.
"Non. Y' mus' go t' class. Leave 'im t' Remy," Remy whispered, kissing her hair. "Now go," he leaned down and kissed her gently before walking her to her friends at the door.
"Come on Rogue or we'll be late," Jubilee said softly, wrapping an arm around her friends shoulders.
"Kay," Rogue wiped a stray tear from her face before looking back at Bobby, his death in her eyes. "Save meh some," she added before the three headed out the door and towards the car.
As soon as the door closed Bobby was out of his chair and standing before the Professor, Logan, Scott and Ororo explaining quickly. "I didn't know! We just over heard them arguing this morning. How was I supposed to know anything about this, it's not like she ever talks about anything!"
"Don' y' dare try and make dis her fault," Remy spat out at him, turning to face the younger man. "Y' wanted t' hurt her and did de only way y' could t'ink o'," he got up in Bobby's face, glaring down at him. He had a good three inches on the boy and was more built.
"You don't even know me," Bobby growled back, trying his best to be intimidating and failing miserably.
"ENOUGH!" Charles said, drawing everyone's attention back to him. "It's obvious the two of you have some issues to settle here. Follow me," he turned his chair and began rolling towards the elevator.
"Where are we going?" Bobby asked, making sure to put a safe distance between himself and the Cajun, never taking his eyes of the older man.
"To settle them," Charles replied as they all boarded the elevator and he hit the down button, heading to the lower levels.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Rogue fumed as she sat at the front of the lecture size classroom, her flash cards in hand as she waited for the Professor to tell her it was her turn. She still couldn't believe what Bobby had said. 'How can anyone be that insensitive?' she thought as she re-crossed her legs for what seemed like the fiftieth time that afternoon, the tension of the day wearing on her nerves and making the voices in her head act up again.
Jubilee and Kitty had told her how they found out in the car and even offered their condolences. She had thanked them for that, but more for there keeping quiet about the whole thing until they discussed it with her first. At least they had some consideration for others.
'I'll help you kill the little prick if you want?' Carol offered in her mind, which was a rare thing for the two of them to ever agree.
'Just give me five minutes with the little bastard,' Wolverine's voice growled as the two of them began to argue over which death choice was better. Slow and painful, or quick and bloody.
Rogue reached up and began to massage her temples as she built up her blocks against the psyches in her mind finally managing to silence them.
Finally, her professor thanked the speaker and introduced Rogue, who would be the last speaker for the day. She rose and took a deep breath, taking the podium at the center of the stage. 'Here it goes,' she thought as she looked out at the crowd of faces, all of whom knew she was a mutant due to her involvement with Xavier, the Institute and the President, and half of which were glaring daggers at her and began.
"Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single celled organism to the dominant species on the planet. This process is slow, normally taking thousands and thousands of years but every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward." (AN: As I'm sure you all know, this is not mine and I don't own it. But you must admit, it is a powerful opener or closer depending on which of the movies you are watching.)
xoxoxoxoxoxox
The Danger Room was a round steel encased training area where the X-men worked at honing their powers and combat skills. It was also a great place for Xavier to send those that needed to blow off some steam, or in this case, work out any issues they had in an area that was least likely to be damaged or cause others to be harmed in the cross fire.
Remy stood looking around, admiring the area. He had changed into the uniform he went on jobs in. It was mostly leather with some well-placed armor like plating over his chest and other vital organs, in case any assassins decided to show up at an inopportune time. It was designed for easy movement and stealth and was mostly black with blue accents and a purple chest. He had also slipped on his gloves with three fingers missing from each hand and his trench coat, the pockets full with new decks of playing cards and his bow staff.
The doors opened and Bobby and Ororo entered then, both in their uniforms.
"Ororo will be there to referee," Charles voice called from the loud speaker. "Whatever you have to settle, do it now. Because you will not leave this room until you do."
"Fine by me," Bobby replied, popping his knuckles. "What about you Gumbo?" he'd heard Logan use the name out in the hallway and it seemed to fit.
Remy popped his neck, "De name's Gambit. Remember it." (AN: Not mine. This is just a popular Gambit quote.)
"Alright, computer, run simulation 932X, two person spar," Ororo called out, creating a wind to carry her up to the top of the high ceiling room as it transformed into an underground basement type facility, similar to what was in Fight Club (AN: Don't own that either). "Begin when you're ready."
Gambit wasted no time as he pulled out a deck of cards and began shuffling them, his face emotionless as he alternated between charging and uncharging the cards. Without warning he let five fly, aiming directly for Iceman's chest.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Ah am a mutant. It's not a very complex sentence, but it is one muttered by hundreds of people everyday. People just lahke those in this room. People who were born different. Special. But human nonetheless.
"Today we are faced with the fact that mutations are rising, and the mutant population is growing. Sadly, this also means that hostilities are rising as well."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
An ice wall appeared before Iceman, only to shatter as the cards exploded against it, sending it crumbling to the floor.
Gambit was already in motion, his staff out he used it to leap across the room, sending a firm kick into Iceman's chest, sending him flying to the floor and sliding across the room. He sent his hands out straight in front of him and before Gambit could move again, a sheet of ice encased his body.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"This hostility, on both sides is ill directed though. And it has ta do with a lack of understandin' 'tween the two parties. Mutants failin' ta understand normal Homo Sapiens fears of things they don't understand and Homo Sapiens failin' ta understand that we can be jus' as scared of our mutations and what's happin' ta us as they are."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Iceman smirked, and turned around to look up at Storm who suddenly covered her face and arms with her cape. That's when Bobby turned back around in time to see the ice glowing a bright red before it exploded, the fragments and force of the explosion sending him hurtling back into the far wall, hitting his head hard against the metal.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"When Ah discovered who Ah was, what Ah was, I was terrified. Imagine what its lahke ta have the simplest thing ripped from ya. Something everyone takes for granted. Could ya raise yer hands if ya can touch another person's skin without a barricade between ya? Or ta make it easier, let meh ask ya ta raise yer hand if ya need one. Before Ah discovered Ah was a mutant, touch was everything ta me. Ah craved it."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Gambit was on Iceman before the other mutant could recover, and had the collar of his uniform in his hands as he pulled back his arm and hit Bobby hard, right in the face, sending him reeling. He then slammed the younger mutants head hard against his knee, dazing him farther. Before he let go he kicked him hard in the gut, sending him slamming against the wall again before charging a card and sending it flying at the other mutants head, flipping out of reach of the explosion.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Mah powers can hurt people, Ah won't deny that. But they don't hurt anyone more then they hurt meh. Jus' lahke everyone else in this room, there is somethin' about meh that makes meh hate mahself. And at first Ah did. Hated everything about what Ah had become. But then, I learned somethin'."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Iceman managed to roll at the last minute as the blast erupted dangerously close to his head. He then managed to get up and take a swing, but Gambit easily dodged, and sent a kick into the younger boys abdomen before knocking his feet out from under him.
"Non tell moi dat's all y' got garcon," Gambit said, twirling his staff around in his hand easily and smirking down at Iceman.
Iceman growled and swung his legs around quickly, pushing the Cajun back before leaping to his feet and taking another swing.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Ah learned, thru the death of a friend, who gave her life ta save others who were wrongfully endangered bah people who feared somethin' they didn't understand and hated them for it, that we spend too much tahme on hate. Hatin' ourselves and hatin' others, instead of learnin' acceptance."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Why couldn't you have left us alone!" Iceman yelled, sending a blast of ice at Gambit who easily flipped out of the way. "We were happy before you came along."
"Oui. Gambit sure y' were happy. Havin' a belle fille at home while y' went and got some action 'round town," Gambit replied, sending a handful of cars at him. "Dat why she flew int' mon arms?"
"You have no right to her!"
"An' y' do?"
Bobby paused for a moment and looked at Gambit, whose voice seemed to be strangely calm. "You love her," it was a statement, not a question, but Remy still felt obliged to answer.
"More den y' evah understand."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"None of us can help who we are or what we evolve inta. But we can help how e accept others. History has taught us that hatred leads ta violence, death and pain. Maybe if we fahnd a little acceptance we can fahnd peace, life and some relief. Thank ya fer yer tahme."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Bobby reached up and felt the gash on the back of his head and the split skin in his lip. He looked down at the blood on his fingers and cringed before looking up. "Alright. I give up. I'll apologize to her when she gets home. And I am sorry for what I said. If I had known what had happened I would have never have opened my mouth. I know that doesn't make it right…"
"Non, 't doesn't," Remy replied, crossing his arms and eyeing the boy suspiciously.
Bobby looked down at his hands again, ashamed of what he'd done. "True. But I do hope you'll accept my apology," he held out his hand and looked back up at the Cajun.
Remy examined it for a moment, considering the offer. Finally, after observing the beating he gave the boy and determining it was acceptable punishment for now, especially considering the one Rogue was bound to deliver when she came home, he took the boys hand. "Oui."
A flood of relief washed over Bobby's face as he shook the older man's hand. "Good. But let me tell you, if you break her heart, I'll have to kick your ass."
Remy looked at him for a moment before pulling back his hand and gripping his sides in a hearty laugh as he walked out the door, tears coming to his eyes.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Rogue bowed slightly and colleted her cards and headed towards her seat as the room applauded. At that moment, somewhere in a lake in Canada, a bright ball of light erupted from the center of the water and headed straight for the sky. The few people who happened to be around to see it swore it resembled a bird. Encased in flames.
Authors Note: Everyone enjoy that? I thought about continuing on in this chapter, but then I really liked that ending. So, sorry in advance if it was kinda a cliffhanger. And sorry it took so long to get this up. Been busy enjoying the nothing before I have to go back to school. Hope you all liked this and don't worry. I've already started working on chapter 8. R&R please.
Translations: (From Systran)
fils d'une chienne son of a bitch
J'taime I love you
garcon boy