Chapter 7
The sound of a roaring engine came to a stop in front of the only decent bar near Bayville. Taking off his helmet the man growled at two boys standing near the wall, warning them not to take his bike. Brushing a hand through his hair he entered the bar and sat down on a stool. Taking a quick look around he then ordered the usual. Even though it's been a while the bartender still recognized the man and within a few seconds placed the order in front of him. After taking a sniff of the drink he downed the whole glass.
"So you finally came back. Logan..." A woman sat down on the seat next to his and ordered her own glass. She was blonde and overdid it with the make-up, but She had a good body though. "Did you miss me?"
"Buzz off." Normally he would at least flirt with the girl for a few seconds then blow them off, but right now he wasn't in the mood for that, or anything else. The woman frowned and left to go stand by the pool table.
"Are you going to explain why you just blew off a beautiful woman, or is it on a need to know basis." Lue was one of the very few people around here that knew about the X-Men. It was all an accident really. One of the brotherhood's attacks was too close to here; he got caught in the crossfire, and then saw their faces. He thanked them and never mentioned it to anyone who they were.
"I'm just stopping by for a drink. Then I'm going to check up on something down south." Lue nodded and went to tend to some of his other customers. Logan lifted his mug when he heard it. Near the back of the room he could hear someone talking in a Cajun accent. Turning his head slightly he checked the back of the room and saw a crowd around the pool table. He wasn't able to see anything so he relied on his sense of smell instead. Most of the time he tried not to do this in bars. The smell of alcohol, smoke, and cheap perfume usually left him dizzy.
His mind was able to register the first two really easily and then came the males scent. The cheap perfume and strong cologne surrounded it. There was something familiar about it, but there were just too many people around to make sure. Lue made his way back to Logan.
"Do you know what's going on over there?" Logan pulled out a cigar and held it out. Lue had it lighted within seconds.
"It's the Friday pool game. Two people place some money and then play. Whoever loses leaves and then another person comes up. You can challenge the winner as many times as you want, but you got to pay each time." There was some commotion and a man left the table and out the door real quick. "They play up to midnight and then a fourth of the money goes to the bar."
"So who's the guy at the table right now?" Logan didn't even try to hide the fact that he was interested.
"Don't know. He's a new guy. Play's real well. Been here for about three hours now, and hasn't lost." Lue placed his arms onto the counter.
"Get a good look at him?" Logan wasn't sure what to make of it. If it was him then where was Rogue? He wasn't able to pick up her scent, but maybe she's blocking it.
"Not really. All the girls keep hanging off of him. Makes it hard to see the guy's face you know?" Lue let out a chuckle to that, but quickly dropped the smile when Logan let out a growl.
"If the guy's a problem, remember to take him outside. I know your good for paying back the damages, but I really don't want to go through the trouble of picking out new furniture that go with the place." There was a slight sound from Logan showing that he heard, but probably wouldn't obey. "The misses would probably be fine about it. She's been thinking about adding a karaoke machine and a little stage."
"Karaoke?" Lue shook his head in disgrace for merely mentioning the word. It would at least scare off half of the regulars. "Do you know the name of the guy?"
"Not sure of it's his name or not, but all the ladies around here been calling him Gambit."
It was nearly midnight when Logan got up from the stool. His first instinct was to go over there and drag the guy out, but he thought it would be better to wait. Nobody wanted to challenge Gambit so the guy just sat there surrounded by girls. Logan was still unable to see his face but he could recognize that trench coat anywhere. Making his way over to the table he picked up a stick and waited on the other side.
"How about a game, bub?" The girls that were hanging off the guy moved away, and Logan got his first look at Gambit in a long time. The man was taller now. Or maybe it was just the fact that he was older that made it seem that way. His face was rougher and his chin no longer sported the goatee, but fine stubble. It made him seem edgier and wilder. It also seemed that he had more muscle now, but he still held a lean shape. There were few scars mostly unnoticeable if it weren't for Logan's keen eyesight.
The biggest change of all was the man's eyes. And they were a man's eyes. Gone was the playfulness of youth and the red orbs no longer shined. There was now a coldness beneath the facade of happiness. It was a surprise that the girl's wanted to stay anywhere near this guy. /What happened to him?/
Lue stood behind the counter, cleaning one of the glasses, and watching the scene in front of him A frown appeared on his face as the young man looked as if he was going to win. There was something wrong with Logan's playing. It almost seemed like he wasn't concentrating on the game at all. In the few years that he knew the guy he figured out Logan was the type of person that hates to lose.
And with the way things were going it looked like it was about to happen. Putting the glass down he draped the towel over his shoulder and gave Gambit a curious stare. There was something about him that seemed familiar. Lue was pretty sure that he never seen the man before, with those eyes he doubt he would forget him if he did. So what is it?
Taking in the man's posture and movement an image started constructing itself in his head. It was only when a pale gothic girl passed by that he finally recognized the guy. There was no denying that look Gambit gave that girl. It was the same exact expression that he saw on that Devlin guy's face when he was talking to his girlfriend, back when he arrested those boys.
It seemed like a lifetime ago. In a sense it was. No longer was he a crime-fighting policeman. Now he ran a bar for probably the most low-life people around here. This wasn't exactly his choice profession. But after what he was asked to do against the supposed "mutant problem" he didn't mind it too much.
Shaking his head he noticed that the expression on the man was gone, and Lue started doubting that it was the same person. He looked awfully different, and the guy was already passed puberty when he was the at the school. Didn't they say that mutations started around then? Deciding that thinking about it was just going to give him a headache he went back to cleaning the glasses. He'll talk to Logan when he's done.
Logan didn't understand what was going on. All this time he suspected that Remy was together with Rogue and they run off. It was one of the reasons he didn't hunt them down after she disappeared. It was only when she didn't return or contact them that he started searching for her. He never liked the Cajun, but it was plain as day that they love each other, or at least that's what he thought.
Now he finds Gambit alone, flirting with a bunch of hookers. After all this time Logan knew better than to pass judgment. There could still be a logical explanation. Remy moved around the table to Logan's side. Logan jumped to the opportunity given and took a subtle sniff.
There wasn't even a trace of Rogue on this guy! But there was a smell of cheap perfume and sex. Logan was seeing red. He felt the need to bring his claws out, but held back. First because he needed to talk to this guy and find out what happened to Rogue. Second he liked the place too much to destroy it.
Logan wondered why Remy was being so indifferent about the situation. He acted like he didn't even recognize Logan. /Fine if he wants to do it the hard way./
"Haven't seen you around here before? Just decided one day to stop by and check the place out?" Remy took careful aim of his shot before answering the question.
"I used to do a little work around here. Wanted to stop by and see if anythin' changed. Dat's all." /What's he playing at? Is this some sort of game to him?/
"You here on your on? Or is one of these girls yours?" Logan watched for a reaction but there wasn't one. Remy kept a poker face as he answered the question.
"I'm jus' here to have fun. I did come here alone, but I ain't plannin' on leavin' dat way." Logan nearly let out a growl. /The kid has a death wish./
"Figures. You don't seem like the faithful type anyways." The white ball followed the colored one into the side pocket. It seemed like Logan hit a nerve with that question.
"Guess yo'r right. Love bein' free too much to settle down." Remy stepped back giving the other ma room.
"Maybe you haven't found the right girl yet." Logan watched carefully as Remy shifted. "Or did you just screw it up?"
"I've made mistakes with de filles before. But trust me if I ever find her, de right one, I'll do everythin' I can to keep her." There was something to his tone. It sounded wistful.
"You've ever come close?" He had enough. It's time to find out what happened to Rogue.
"Once. I did somethin' really awful. It got her in a lot of trouble, but I was able to fix it and she even forgave me for it. We got married a couple weeks after, but it didn't turn out so good." Logan missed his shot. He wasn't expecting the kid to open up and reveal that much. "She was nice and everythin'. Loved me a lot, but it didn't work out."
"So what happened to this girl?" /Maybe this is a remorse type thing. That's why he's telling me all this stuff./
"Don't know. I left her a little after we got married. Sent some divorce papers. Haven't seen her since." /He...left...Rogue?/ The claws were about to come out. Just after he asked one last thing.
"Why?"
"It felt wrong. Like dere was someone better out dere for me. It made her cry when I divorced her, but like I said it wouldn't have worked out." Logan didn't even give Remy time to continue. In seconds he had Gambit pinned to the wall. One hand was holding his shoulder while the other had its claws extended near his face.
Around the room, people were yelling, and running out. Those who were too drunk stayed where they were watching the scene without understanding it. Lue ran out from behind the counter and was going to try to play middleman, until he saw the homicidal look on Logan's face.
"Come on! We all lose sometimes. We just need to be good sports about it, and put the pointy claws away." Okay, he was still going to be the middleman, he just wasn't going to stand in the middle. "I don't want to throw you guys out! So I'm going to count to three."
"How the hell could you do something like that? Do you care about anything except a good lay? Was she not good enough for you? Is that why?" Logan brought the claws closer.
"I just wanted yo' to know de truth. So yo' can tell it to her. I'm sorry, and she'll find someone else." Gambit tried to move his hand but the claws came up close and he stopped.
"You're sorry? You left her and you're just sorry?" Lue was considering just leaving the two and heading back to the counter. It would make his life a whole lot easier if he had all his body part intact and not damaged.
"It wasn't like she was such a great wife. Always thinkin' that the world revolved around her, and her problems. She was too needy." Logan's arm was being pulled back.
"That was the worst possible thing you could say." Lue knew he should have left it alone, but he resembled that guy so much. /And if he is still with that girl...wait. The girl is a mutant that went to the school that Logan worked for. Logan's mad about him dumping a girl. If the girl is the same.../ "Come on Logan ram those claws into him!"
"I thought yo' were tryin' to help me?" Remy tried to look at the guy, but was pushed into the wall. "I'm gettin' tired of this."
Logan was about to follow Lue's instructions when he felt a foot ram down on his knee. Instinctively he pushed his claws forward, but instead of feeling flesh his hand hit solid wood. Remy was able to tilt his head out of the way and lifted his hand to touch the cuff of Logan's shirt. Charging that up, Logan immediately let go when he felt his wrist start to burn.
Dropping to the floor Remy rolled to the side and brought out his bo staff. Extending it to its full length he held it out in front and waited for Logan's move.
Angered by the situation Logan unsheathed his other set of claws and swung them at Remy's head. Deftly Gambit brought the staff up, and as the two metal met there was a small clang but no damage was done.
"What the hell is that made of?" Logan tried again but it was easily deflected. It seemed that Remy was staying on the defensive instead of fighting back.
"Admantium. Same thin' as dose claws of yo'rs." Taking a step back, Logan calmed down and came up with a better tactic other than swinging. He could keep it up for a while thanks to his mutation, but it would leave him too tired when he's finally able to lay a hit.
Aiming for a swing to the head a watched as the staff connected with the claws. Bringing his other set of claws up they were also deflected but it put Gambit in an odd position. Putting all his strength in his arms, Logan pulled down with his left hand and up with his right. The force caused Remy to let go and send the staff spinning through the air.
Remy reached into his coat pocket but the movement was too slow and Logan was able to pin the guy to the wall again. Retracting his claws he lifted the guy up by the collar with his knuckles facing his chin.
"Don't try that again." Remy was about to nod, but thought better of it and said sure. "Why the hell would you do all that crap to Rogue?"
Remy gave him a strange look that angered Logan even more. Shaking the guy for a second he rammed him back into the wall. "Cat got your tongue? Do you need me to loosen that mouth of yours?"
One of the claws popped out an inch from the other's guy's face. Gambit stared him down and after a minute he finally spoke. "Who de hell is Rogue?"
Author's Note: Okay first off, sorry for the lateness of this chapter. School began and with it came vast amounts of homework. Followed by computer problems. I actually should be doing some homework right now, but this chapter is more important, or fun whichever way you want to think about it.
About the story: In the previous stories I pretty much set it up so only a few days passed between chapters. It isn't the same with this one. There has been a larger lapse of time (goody bag for anyone that can guess how much) and in the next chapter I'll go into detail about what happened to everyone. Also I'll be listing the ages of everybody in the next installment.
The next chapter will hopefully take less time then this one, but no guarantees.
Those who reviewed:
Ishandahalf: Not very explanatory for what happened in the WHAT THE HELL! chapter. I think this chapter ended up as an introduction. The next one will be much longer and more huh? worthy.
IvyZoe: Can't say anything about there being a clone. It would be hard to tell where the clone came from though...unless it was there to begin with...
Aro: After this no more chapters until next week or sooner. Since I sorta feel sorry for making this chapter come out so late.
PomegranateQueen: Been there, and still feeling the head trauma from doing that.
Rogue4787: Good theories. Except that purple liquid was taken out of Remy not put in there. Now this Remy could still be a clone or might not be. So the rest of it could be true. So keep on guessing.
X3P3: Turns out I can't tell, or update. Life just sucks sometimes. And about the ages and stuff, I'm telling them in the next chapter. And who put it will remain a mystery until later.
Episodic: First Rogue doesn't really need Carol's powers. With all the power's she has she's pretty much a killing machine. And about the Bishop, there's a time gap now, so I could probably keep it close to the comic reason if I stressed out my brain. And for the last part. Hey maybe, maybe not.
Dreamcatcher89: I at least updated so no or else right? And I know this doesn't really explain much, but the next chapter is going to be longer and more thought involved.
enchantedlight: I got half of it right...
Dai: Sorry, but this is going to be the end. The most I could do was make a one chapter sequel to sum it up. But I'm going to start another story...just don't know what it is yet.
EmeraldKatsEye: Don't worry, it'll all start making sense at some point. I hope...
xposionedxangelx: Cool! I didn't think people were reading the past stories anymore. And about the quite, quiet thing. I never noticed. I'll try to catch it from now on.