Authors' note: Well, I hate to start this on a disappointed note but, only five reviews for six chapters:( Do you see how upset this makes me? I have stooped to using silly little face men. Ok, moving on. The reviews I DID receive are encouraging and I thank those that sent them. So, now to answer a few questions or comments. 1. Whatever it is that happened between Rogue and Remy will NOT, repeat, NOT be revealed all at once, just like that. Little clues, little bits will be revealed throughout the story. It would be much too easy to just give everything away! But it really isn't the main issue here. I'm not saying they don't love each other but . . . No. I must control myself. Hee hee, aren't I a stinker? All right, #2. Although this may sound whiny and bitchy, please DO NOT correct my French. If it isn't as formal as a translator will tell you it's simply because it was not meant to sound that way. French is my native language, my first language. I do not correct your English grammar and sentence structuring, so please show me the same courtesy. I thank you and apologize for the scolding. It just makes me soo angry . . . Neway . . . Here's the chapter!
telepathic speech
words in italics are thoughts
Chapter 6
"Kitty, can you pass me the toast please?", Jubilee asked, reaching across Jean to get to the butter.
Kitty wiped her hands daintily on her paper napkin before passing the little plate to her best-friend. Jubilee grasped it, smiling. She put it down before her, and proceeded to butter her bread. She hummed a little to herself as she took a bite, and knew that those around her were watching. She didn't care.
Today was going to be a good day. It was going to be a great day. Jubilee had felt giddy since she had awoken this morning. She had started her day with a smile on her face, one that had still not left her mouth.
"Well, child, you certainly are in a good mood this morning," Ororo exclaimed as she noted Jubilee's expression. "Any particular reason as to why?"
Jubilee shook her head, the smile not leaving her bright visage.
"Well, Ah think it should be illegal tah be so hypah in the mornin'. T'ain't natural," Rogue grumbled as she took a swig of orange juice. One of the long, white stripes of hair that crowned the sides of her face fell into her eyes and was tenderly brushed aside by Bobby, who was sitting on her left.
Kitty shot her a look before taking a bite from her apple. She shook her head at her friend, her sleek pony tail bobbing back and forth.
"Just because you, like, aren't a morning person Rogue, doesn't mean Jubs can't be," Kitty said crossly, coming to her friend's defence.
Rogue mumbled incoherently to herself, choosing to ignore her preppy friend. It was too early to argue. Besides, school started in forty minutes and she had a biology test first period. There were more pressing things to bitch about.
God, whoever thought that monitoring the growth of mold would be exciting needed a new hobby! Two weeks of watching little blue bumps appear on bread was not how Rogue wanted to be spending her last semester of school. (A.N. I hope no one gets offended by that remark. My boyfriend is obsessed with bacteria and molecules like that, so this is just another time to rub in his geekiness!)
At least it was almost over. She was nineteen and so she should have graduated with her friends last year but . . . After the incidents that had occurred last year, the whole mutant identification thing, most of the students had suffered. Rogue was above all a member of the X-Men, and she took her dedication seriously, even if it meant missing out on studying for her finals. School would always be there, and classes could always be retaken. However, would that prick Kelly understand that she needed time to study for science? Excuse me, Mr. Senator? Could you please stop your plans to kill us all for a few weeks? Somehow, Rogue didn't think so.
"God, Jubilee. If you don't shut that smile off were gonna need shades in here," Bobby complained loudly, teasing his friend.
Jean looked over at the bubbly young girl. Could she? No, it wasn't possible, was it? After all, they had gotten home much too late . . .
As if on cue, Jubilee looked over at Jean, her eyes sparkling. Jean raised an eyebrow, and Jubilee nodded. Jean closed her eyes, and sighed deeply.
What is so funny Jubilee, Jean asked her telepathically.
I know who you guys brought home last night, Jubilee's voice exclaimed in Jean's head.
Jean dropped her spoon into her cereal.
"Jean," Scott asked softly as he leaned over toward her, "Jean, what is it?"
Jean could only stare as Jubilee smiled at her.
You guys should know better than to try and hide things from me, the girl's bubbly voice exclaimed, sounding a little hurt. You should know by now that not much gets by me.
But, how? Jean asked once she could concentrate on Jubilee. This was definitely one of those occasions where her gift came in handy. She could only imagine having this conversation out loud. God, she'd have a handful of teenagers crawling all over her, begging for answers she wasn't sure she could give. They had never really agreed to keep Remy's return a secret, but they had never discussed how the students would find out. Jean dared a glance at Rogue, who was absentmindedly twisting a lock of reddish-brown hair. How would Rogue find out?
I was reading when you guys got back, Jubilee continued, her voice echoing through Jean's mind. Remember, I was telling you I'm reading "The Cider House Rules"? John Irving? Member?
Jubilee, please, I don't care right now, Jean said, beginning to lose patience.
Oh right, sorry. Well, I was on my way up from the kitchen when I saw you guys coming in. So I just snuck in. I think Remy saw me though, he winked. Jubilee sounded happy.
Just, don't . . .
Tell anybody, Jubilee interrupted, cutting off Jean's train of thought. Not even Kitty knows. But can we clear this soon? I don't like keeping secrets from my best-friend.
Jean nodded to the girl, who took this as a sign that the mental conversation was over. Still grinning a little to herself, Jubilee finished off her toast and gulped down her glass of milk. Glancing at her watch, she leaned over the table to slap Kitty gently on the wrist.
"Let's go Kit, were gonna be late!"
Kitty looked annoyed as she took a glance at her own wristwatch.
"Oh my gosh!", the girl exclaimed, jumping up and spilling Hank's coffee.
"Hey!", the gentle man exclaimed in surprise as the brown liquid soaked through his newspaper. He sighed a little as he tried in vain to wipe it off. Well, he should have known better. Sitting next to Kitty was always a little risky.
The girls ran out together, Jubilee nearly running into Gabrielle as the sleepy girl made her way into the kitchen.
"Sorry 'Ri!"Kitty called back over her shoulder. She and Jubilee turned the corner, and were gone.
Gabrielle smiled a little at her new friend's rushing. She supposed that since school started soon she should be hurrying as well. But in truth, she was much too nervous to act quite as anxious as Kitty or Jubilee. It had been nearly, what, five years now? She hadn't attended school since she was twelve, and consequently, Ororo and the Prof would be tutoring her privately during their free periods, until they felt that Gabrielle could join her classmates.
"I don't know if that will ever happen," Gabrielle thought a little dryly to herself. "After all, I dropped out in the middle of grade seven. I don't think I could remember how to do long division."
For other people, education is not only necessary but a perk as well. Training and learning, university and college, knowledge. All these things had but slight importance in the last six years of her life. However, with every good thing must come something not so good.
If they were going to let her stay here, a free bed and warm food at her disposal, she was going to be doing very little complaining. But school. ? Uck. At least the Professor was going to tutor her in literature, her favourite thing in the world, next to dancing of course. But one could not compare the two. Dancing had been her job, had been her way of collecting coin, of supporting herself. And the thoughts and memories that came along, well, there was less pain involved with reading.
She still had her copy of "La Morte d"Arthur," the only book she had carried with her during her days in the troupe. Sir Thomas Mallory had certainly kept her company on many a cold night. Perhaps Professor Xavier had read him too?
But to return to the scene evolving in the kitchen. Gabrielle could have thanked her lucky stars then and there that conversation did not falter off as she entered the room, what would have been a humiliating repeat of the night before. If anything, there seemed to be a sudden interest and effort to fill the room with the sound of talking voices.
Seeing an empty place next to the kindly, blue doctor, Gabrielle made her way to Kitty's vacant seat. Hank smiled at her as she sat down at his side. He moved his papers aside and made room for her, whistling under his breath. Was that "1812 Overture" coming out of the hairy man's lips? Gabrielle shook her head. These people could not surprise her more, even if they suddenly broke into dance. Gabrielle chuckled a little to herself at the thought of Hank in a top hat and tap-shoes. She jumped a little as she noticed Jean snort into her hand as she looked at Gabrielle. Feeling a little self-conscious, Gabrielle tried to look back casually at the redhead.
Come on, Rielle! I'm trying to eat. Besides, I don't think tap would be Beast's strong suit.
How had she...?
I'm a telepath, remember? We'll have to tell the professor to help you work on your mental shields. That image you just projected nearly sent milk out of my nose!
Gabrielle smiled at Jean's kindness, and nodded to her. Ororo seemed to notice the exchange between the girls and raised an eyebrow. Jean raised a hand, and shook her head. Ororo simply rolled her eyes and returned to her muffin.
" So, waddaya want for breakfast Sparks?", the gruff voice of Wolverine called out.
"Pardon?", Gabrielle asked, a little confused.
"It's really not that hard to get. Eggs? French toast? Cereal?", Logan clarified, his voice jovial amid the roughness.
He'd make me breakfast? She suddenly noticed Hank's pancakes. Sure there was toast and spreads on the table, but everyone seemed to be eating something different. Surely, Logan had not cooked for all these people?
"I'm not really hungry, thanks," Gabrielle answered him.
"Nonsense," Hank said, not tearing his eyes from his papers. "You need a balanced meal to help you stay energized throughout the day. Believe me."
"Oh, all right then," Gabrielle said slowly. She never ate breakfast, or much of anything for that matter, while she had travelled with Zephyr. There wasn't much to go around to begin with, and Zephyr had always monitored her weight. So much for love, Gabrielle thought, conditional love, I suppose. Dance for me Rielle. Make me money and keep my bed warm. All I ask is that you stay the way you are now. Why was it the way she was at all times always seemed to get thinner, skinnier?
"Asshole," Gabrielle murmured to herself.
"Huh?", Logan asked, surprised. Oh shit! Gabrielle thought, heightened senses!
She looked at him apologetically, and Logan only shook his head and went back to stacking his dirty dishes in the sink.
"Gabrielle?", Hank asked her.
"I'll just have some fruit," she answered quickly, grabbing an apple.
"Drake, dishes!", Logan barked, secretly enjoying shouting orders at the kid.
"Ah, come on Logan," the boy started. " I have class . . . "
"I'll write you an excuse," Logan snarled. "Just do it."
Bobby looked up at Rogue pathetically as she rose to leave.
"Sorry sugah," she smiled down to her boyfriend. "Ah got an English essay due. It can't be late."
Bobby grumbled something about fair-weather girlfriends and got up and walked to the overflowing sink. Logan tossed him a dishtowel, the smile on his face a little too wide. Rogue smiled at him, and turned to leave. However, there was already someone blocking her path.
"Bonjour, ma chère."
Author's note: I know it's a little shorter than the others, but I just couldn't resist leaving you guys on a cliffhanger. I realise this was a horrible chapter in which nothing of significant importance happened, but it was essential to place everything. I've already started the next chapter, so you won't have long to wait. The more reviews I receive, the quicker I may post it. Hee hee, you have been warned.
The Vampire Pandora