Yipes it's 2006 already! Wow time's flying. Guess what everybody? I graduate in June. Then I go to college. Scary thought eh? But anyway it seems about time for an update in HD. After this I'll be working on that promised oneshot from Who Needs a Family Anyway and then it's back to Back In Diapers for my writing talent. I need to spend some time on college apps and scholarships stuff so don't count on that right away, but it will get up eventually, that I promise ya. In the meantime HUZZAH! read this the eighth chapter and enjoy!
Disclaimer- I think I'm a liticaphobic so please don't sue me so we can find out? I don't own X-men, evolution or otherwise.
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Tabitha and Remy exchanged a panicky glance. Both knew that trouble would escalate when they were noticed. Rogue would take the opportunity to jump to more conclusions, this time dragging Kitty and Lance who had nothing to do with it into the argument. They both looked back to Kitty and Lance for support of some variety. Kitty shrugged apologetically. The show started in ten minutes, there was no way to really solve this problem now. Lance on the other hand was staring, dumbstruck at the sight of Rogue and Pietro together. They had to be the most unlikely couple he could think of.
"Pietro, quit ya damn fidgetin'. Ya makin' me nervous." Rogue scolded her escort.
"Sorry." He rolled his eyes. "You-know-I-don't-do-well-in-sitting-still-for-a-long-time-situations."
"How do gals put up with you long enough to last a whole date?" Rogue sighed. "Can ya at leas' calm down for ten minutes till the ballet starts?"
"It-isn't-starting-for-ten-whole-minutes?" Pietro groaned. "Kill-me-now!"
Tabitha swallowed a laugh and Remy was clearly amused by the younger boy's impatience as well.
"Maybe if we're quiet they won't notice us." Tabby whispered into his ear.
He nodded doubtfully. He could already hear the fight that would start when Rogue noticed them. She'd accuse them of stalking her or something.
They sat anxiously for a little while until the lights dimmed, signaling that the ballet was about to start. Remy sighed heavily in relief. It was far more unlikely that any trouble would occur while Rogue's attention was on the show.
About ten minutes into the show, Tabitha gently tugged on his sleeve. "Remy?" She whispered quietly. "I need a snack."
He looked at her strangely. "Didn' y' eat 'nuff at dinner, petite?"
She nodded, embarrassed. "I thought so. But...I think the baby's hungry." She smiled sheepishly. "Would you mind if I went and found a concession stand?"
He studied her face and shook his head. "Non, y' stay an' watch de show. Remy go git y' somet'in' t' eat."
"But-" She started.
"Remy non mind, p'ti'e." He whispered with a smile. "B'sides, what kinda date Remy be if he made y' pay fo' snacks?"
"But-"
"Non but, jus' tell Remy what y' wan'."
She rolled her eyes with a smile, knowing the case was closed. "Surprise me?" She asked quietly. He mock saluted her and quietly headed off.
Outside the seat box, he wandered the halls cluelessly in search of a concession stand. He cursed his luck as he could not find one concierge to help. Eventually he happened upon a fancy looking snack stand and he pondered the menu.
"What'll you have?" The young woman taking orders asked in a bored tone.
He hesitated. Tabitha had said to surprise her but he wasn't sure if there was anything she couldn't have in her current state.
"Um..." He looked cluelessly at the menu. The girl looked at him strangely. He gave her half a smile. "Mebe y' could help me..."
"Yea?" She asked curiously.
He took a deep breath. "De girl 'm here wit' want's a snack an' she told m' t' s'prise her but don' know what she'd want." The girl nodded slowly. "Oh an' she be expectin' if dat make any difference."
"Hm. I guess I'd recommend popcorn and something with chocolate." The girl said thoughtfully. "But then, that's about all we have."
"Okay, Remy take a large popcorn an' a Snickers an' a Milky Way." He ordered. "An' deux water bottles."
"That'll be $9.45 please." The clerk rang it up. He paid and she retrieved the snacks. "Enjoy the show."
He made his way slowly back to the section he and Tabitha had been sitting in and quietly reentered. His eyes darted to the front where Rogue and Pietro were sitting.
"Pietro Eric Maximoff, ya had best move that arm rahght now if ya wanna keep the option of eva havin' kids open." Rogue hissed as his arm crept over her shoulders. Remy felt a red hot flash of loathing for the younger mutant but it receded and that was tailed by a smirk as Pietro pulled his arm back in his normal super speed manner.
Remy made his way back to his seat and was going to proudly present Tabitha with her treats but found her sleeping soundly, using his trench as a pillow. He didn't have the heart to wake her up so he just let her sleep. He sat back down and began to watch the show.
He was surprised to find that the story pulled him in. He was getting into the whole story for a while. However, he nearly had a heart attack when something leaned into his shoulder. He jumped about two feet and looked at Tabitha with alarm in his eyes. He was quite relieved to notice she was still sleeping, her head leaned comfortably on his broad shoulder.
He settled back in to his seat and mentally chastised himself for freaking out. He refocused on the ballet. About half an hour later she woke up, and lifted her head quickly as soon as she realized where it had been. "Sorry." She stifled a yawn. "I guess I fell asleep." She whispered apologetically.
"Y' still hungry?"
"Yeah." She blushed a little, clearly embarrassed.
He rolled his eyes slightly and handed her the bag of popcorn. He removed both candy bars from his pocket and bid her chose which she wanted. She grabbed the Snickers and he tossed her a water bottle.
"Chocolate! You are my hero." She said appreciatively. He tensed before realizing that was merely her way of thanking him for the snacks.
She immediately started munching like she hadn't eaten all day an he watched with morbid curiousity. Shortly thereafter she returned her attention to the ballet. All of a sudden she clutched her stomach looking horribly nauseas.
"Remy!" She whispered franticly. "I need to get past you...now!"
"Int'mission be in five minutes, p'ti'e." He said distractedly, ingrossed in the story. "Remy go git y' anot'er snack den."
"It isn't that." She said frantically. "I hafta...I'm gonna..." With that she blanched and threw up violently. He jumped in the nick of time but his shoes didn't escape a little bit. Tears filled her eyes as she heaved again.
Remy wasted no time in dragging her by the hand into the hall where she collapsed to her knees, sobbing and spluttering weakly.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry!" She whimpered, unable to look at him. "I just..."
"Shhh." He said soothingly, kneeling down and rubbing her back. "It okay. Y' be alright. Jus' calm down, chere. Take a deep breat'."
She did and sniffled. "I feel so stupid." She said softly. "I am so sorry."
He tutted softly. "Y' couldn' help it, Remy shoulda moved his derrière when y' told 'im t' non?" He chuckled lightly and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Mebe dat woulda saved y' some dignity. It Remy who should be sorry, petite."
She sniffled again, not replying. She groaned and her eyes darted. "Is there a bathroom around here?"
He helped her up and gently steered her into a nearby ladies room. He leaned against the wall waiting for her. He sighed in pity. Her emotions were slamming into his empathy and right now she was a mess in every sense of the word. He could feel her shame, embarrassment, and confusion among several other things. He grimaced as his ears, sensitive from years of training and conditioning as a thief, picked up the sounds of her throwing up once again. But his heart melted when he noticed the sounds of muffled sobbing accompanying the heaving. She was crying.
He wondered if he should suggest leaving early. Sure the tickets weren't cheap, and his ride home was still watching the show but would it be fair to keep Tabitha here when she was so miserable?
He closed his eyes and pondered what he should do. After a moment or so a sixth sense or something forced his eyes open only to find himself gazing into an angry glare.
"What the hella yah doin' here?" Rogue snarled. Remy noted warily how very much she resembled her adoptive mother when angry.
"Waitin' fo' Tabit'a t' come outta de bat'room." He said warily, not wanting to start trouble.
"Ah meant what a ya doin' here. At the theater." She growled. She had apparently been spending too much time with Wolverine-she was acting too much like him.
"As Tabit'a tol' y' yest'day, Remy be seein' de ballet."
"Ah ain' stupid." Rogue snapped, crossing her arms. "What in the name of Hell were ya thinkin' bringin' her here?" Green eyes softened as she glanced at the bathroom door. "Ah'da thought anyone with half a brain would realize she ain' well enough ta be out."
Remy blinked, slightly stunned. "Wait...y' ain' mad Remy here? Y' ain' gonna go postal an' accuse de deux o' us o' spyin' or copyin' yo' idea or somethin'?"
She gaped at him. "D' y'all really think Ah'd freak out o'er that? Would somebody please tell me why nobody thinks Ah can' handle life any better way other'n pitchin' a hissy fit like a spoil'd five year old?" She threw up her arms.
Remy shrugged, feeling a little stupid.
Rogue looked at him sternly. "Seriously though, why'd you bring the gal out for anyways? She looks so mis'rable. Ah think ya'da both been better off stayin' home. That way she wouldn'ta had ta sacrifice her dignity like that."
"I wanted to go out, Rogue." Tabitha said softly as she stepped out of the bathroom, wiping her mouth subconsciously. "It's not his fault."
"Well he shoulda known better." Rogue said crossing her arms. "Ya, sugah, need ta be at home, restin', an' ya know that."
"I got plenty of time to rest." Tabby scoffed. "I needed to have a little fun. And besides the tickets were paid for and non-refundable. Besides Rogue, you need to lighten up. I'm fine now."
Rogue gave her a pitying look. "Sugah, ya just threw up at least twice. That ain' what people call fine where Ah come from."
Tabby shrugged and shuffled her feet. "I'm better now." She said in a small voice.
Rogue rolled her eyes and reached into her pocket. "Ah bet ya could use onea these." She handed the younger girl a packet of altoid mints.
"What so my breath smells now?" Tabitha frowned, a playful gleam in her eye.
"Exactly." Rogue nodded. "Besides, Ah know the afta taste of puke ain' fun."
A nauseas look came over Tabitha's face and she quickly excused herself to the bathroom.
"Now look what ya did." Rogue snapped at Remy.
"What Remy do now?"
"Ya make me sick."
"Huh?" Remy stared at her.
"Ya know what Ah'm talkin' bout." She crossed her arms.
"Non, actually Remy don'." He said honestly.
"Like Hell ya don'." Rogue snorted. "Bad enough she's only a kid herself havin' a baby, ya leavin' her all alone ta deal with it?"
He threw up his arms. "What ay' talkin' bout y' fou femme!" He snapped in exasperation.
"Ah'd think since ya the ass who obviously had a huge part in her making such a stupid choice ya'd at least care bout her an' the kid." Rogue spat.
"Okay Remy admit mebe he shouldn'ta let her have it but she de une who asked for it."
Rogue looked at him, disgusted. "Yo' just a pig without self-control, Gambit." She growled coldly.
"It was only one f-ing candy bar fo' de love of Dieu!" Remy snapped back at her.
"What?" She looked genuinely confused.
"Are y' an' Remy talkin' bout de same t'ing?" He cocked his head to the side.
"Ah think so." Rogue wrinkled her nose.
"Non, Remy t'ink we be on two separate pages...mebe two diff'ren' books at dat."
She may have replied when the bathroom door opened. Tabitha sniffled and the two arguing Southerners turned to her. She was pale and shaking slightly and twin tear streaks lined her face.
"Remy, I...I don't feel good anymore." She said in a tiny and very fragile sounding voice.
"Ya poor gal." Rogue said sympathetically.
"Y' wanna go home, petite?" Remy asked kindly.
She bit her lip and nodded once, very quickly before averting her eyes. "I'm really really sorry. I can just call a cab or something if you want."
Remy looked thunderstruck. "Perish de t'ought. We came t'get'er, we be leavin' t'get'er. Y' wait right here an' Remy go tell Av'lanche et Kitty dat we leavin', daccord?"
"Kit an' Lance are here too?" Rogue raised an eyebrow. "What, is the whole mansion out spyin' on me an' Pietro?"
"We didn' come t' spy on you." Remy said firmly.
"Oh? Ah suppose y'all just happened ta sit behind us on accident, huh?" Rogue's voice gained an icy tone.
"Actually dat be exactly what happened." Remy said with a curt nod. "Yo' roommate bought de tickets, not Remy."
"Prolly cuz ya wouldn' have paid for 'em otherwise." Rogue retorted with a sneer.
Remy was stunned by that. "Dat hurts Rogue. I'm not just a thief y' know."
She was so worked up she didn't pick up on his first person reference. "Yeah, yo' also a womanizin', dirty, rotten, jerk. If Ah didn' know betta Ah'd say all them people done called you a demon gotta be right. What else could ya be with those eyes and that devil may care attitude ya got goin."
He growled. "Den dat makes y' what? De love-chil' of Pepe Le Pew, an Akasha, Queen o de damned?"
White-hot rage pumped through Rogue's blood. "How dare ya? Ya ain' even got any clue what Ah bin through. What makes ya think ya got the right ta-"
"Well who de Hell is t' blame fo' dat!" He snapped. "Y' push everyone away an' rationalize an' blame yo' f-ing powers but really it just y' pushin' anyone who tries t' get close cuz yo' so damn afraid y'll git hurt." He snarled. "Don' even try denyin' it. We bot' know its true." The look on her face told him, too late, he'd gone too far.
"Go ta Hell." Rogue hissed and stormed back to the seat box.
Remy followed her retreat with his eyes before groaning and leaning back. "Remy just blew it, huh."
"Big time." Tabitha nodded, massaging her temples.
Remy beat his head against the wall in frustration. "'M so incredibly stupid! Why'd Remy lose it like dat?"
Tabitha shrugged. "She wasn't exactly in line either." she defended. "But yeah Kitty and I have our work cut out for us now. Least I won't die of boredom before Baby gets here."
Remy sighed miserably. "Remy be his own wors' enemy when it come t' dat femme. Mebe dis be a sign dat me an' her jus' ain' meant t' be."
"Oh no you don't." Tabitha warned. "Don't you go thinking that way, now. So you messed up, news flash, it happens to the best of us." Tears filled the twin sapphires in her eyes. "Please don't give up?"
"Remy must be a glutton fo' punishment." He sighed.
"No. You just love Rogue." Tabby said simply. "Admittedly we gotta lotta work ahead of us to deal with her ...special personality but it can be done. All we need to do is get her to accept herself, accept that people can actually like her for her, get rid of that pesky no touching thing, and convince her this isn't your kid before we can get anywhere for real, but there is hope."
He gaped at her for a few moments. "Why don' y' add repeal de law of gravity, slow the speed of light, reanimate the dead, an' colonize de sun t' dat list?"
"Don't whine." She said sternly. "Are you willing to go the distance for her or not?" She paused. "Are you a Cajun or a kitten?"
He opened his mouth with a wise crack ready but she was faster. "And I happen to know Rogue hate's cats but does have a rather well hidden affection for anything Cajun."
He half-smiled and nodded. "C'mon Tabit'a. Let's go git our coats. Remy tell de chauffeurs dat we non need 'em t' take us home." He gently led the way. They entered quietly but the thirty minute intermission had already begun. They wove their way to their seats to collect their coats. Remy nodded and made his way up to Lance and Kitty.
"Is she alright?" Lance asked, concern in his voice. Remy recalled that he knew nothing about the baby or any of the mess surrounding it.
"Non, actually." Remy shook his head and both Lance and Kitty looked alarmed. "She ain' feelin' so hot righ' now. She wanna go home. But Remy don' wanna ruin the night fo' y' deux. We call a cab. Jus' wan'ed t' tell y' so y' din' look fo' us."
"Are you, like, sure?" Kitty asked tentatively. "I mean, we totally wouldn't mind leaving to bring you guys home."
Remy shook his head. "Non, y' two stay. Enjoy de show. Remy make sure de fille get home safe."
Kitty nodded and handed over her cell phone. "Here, you can call Scott or something."
"Remy'd rather not." He said with a sigh. However she had already taken off to go talk to Tabitha. He looked at Lance and rolled his eyes.
"I can't say I blame you." Lance chuckled before growing serious. "Seriously is she gonna be okay?" He glanced at Tabitha, chatting feebly with Kitty.
"Remy don' see why not." He shrugged. "Wit' a lil rest she be fine...Remy t'ink."
Lance nodded. "So what happened with you and Rogue?"
A lump formed in Remy's throat. "What y' mean?"
"Well, I thought you were crazy for her." Lance said, remotely puzzled. "I mean, just the other night Kitty was out on the lawn planning your wedding for crying out loud!" Remy gulped and looked uncomfortable. "Then next thing I know, you're taking Boom Boom out to dinner and a ballet. I guess I just don't understand it."
"Remy c'mpletely unde'stand what y' comin' from." He rolled his eyes.
"What happened when she followed you and Tabitha into the hall?"
Remy sighed. "Y' figure it out an' y' a wiser homme den Remy, Alvers."
"So basically you argued."
Remy nodded the affirmative. "Not too sure why. She said some t'in's, lost m' temper, an' said some t'ings dat upset 'er. She stormed off."
Lance nodded sagely. "I guess that explains that then." He gestured down to the front row and Remy wondered how he missed what he was seeing when he had come into the balcony.
He gaped at Rogue, or rather the back of her head. She was sitting facing the stage and her knees were pulled up to her chin. The casual observer might not notice the tears slowly crawling down her face but Remy had spent a lot of time studying her face. Even at this distance he could put that, the slight smudge of her mascara, and the silent shuddering of her shoulders together and derive that she was crying. It pulled at his heart because he knew it was his fault she was upset.
Apparently, Pietro was trying, and failing rather miserably, to comfort her...or at least find out what was wrong.
"C'mon-Rogue. What-happened-out-there?" He said in a surprisingly soothing voice.
"Ah don' wanna talk 'bout it." Rogue sighed. "Ya wouldn' unde'stand."
He rolled his eyes. "Mostly-because-you-won't-tell-me."
"Pietro, could ya mind ya own damn business?" She sighed again.
"News-flash-Rogue. You're-my-date, you're-crying, thus-it-is-my-business." He frowned. "What-happened?"
"Ah'm fine." She insisted.
"No, you're lying." He gave her a look. "I-know-you-Rogue. You-don't-upset-easily. Something-is-wrong, you-don't-cry-for-no-reason."
"You should make that call." Lance said, snapping Remy out of his haze. "Call a cab or Kitty'll have Summers here for you."
Remy shook his head to clear it and nodded before dialing. He kept narrowed eyes focused on Rogue and Pietro as the former continued to deny there was a problem. He requested the cab arrive at the Warrington theater as soon as possible and then hung up, inspecting Kitty's Hello Kitty plated cell phone. "Dey say dey send s'meone right ov'. Is ev'r't'in' yo' gir'frien' owns pink?"
"Pretty much." Lance laughed. "So you and Tabby are taking off then?"
"We gotta. De fille ain' feelin' tres bien." Remy shook his head. "Remy make sure she get s'me food 'n' fluid int' her den he get her int' bed." Lance's eyes bugged and Remy rolled his eyes. "Meant her own bed, Alvers. Remy ain' gonna take advantage o' a pauvre sick fille."
Lance nodded, mildly embarrassed. "Yeah, I guess I just kinda...took it the wrong way, ya know? I mean well, it didn't sound too innocent, especially coming from you."
"De reputation precedes Remy." He said simply. His tone implied that a while ago he would have considered this a compliment but the minor wince revealed that he was sorry that was the case now. "Better go give back de cell an'
"Well ok. Catch ya later." Lance called to Remy who nodded and headed towards Tabitha.
"Y' ready t' go, p'tite?" He whispered into her ear. She turned from her hushed conversation with Kitty, rubbing unconsciously at her tear-streaked eyes and nodded.
"De cab be here soon. T'ank y' fo' de use o' de cell Kitty." He saluted.
"Like, no problem." Kitty smiled taking her phone back. She turned to Tabitha. "We'll, like, worry about it later. Don't worry. Now go home and get some rest. You totally have to feel better soon, you know?"
Tabitha smiled and nodded. "I'll do that." Remy put her coat over her shoulders and she slid her arms into the sleeves. "Catch you later, Kit."
"Like, bye." She headed up to Lance again as Remy gently escorted Tabitha to the door. Before exiting he turned back to Rogue and Pietro for a brief moment, a little helplessly. Tabby followed the lost look in his eye and sighed plaintively, before placing a hand on his arm and pleading with her eyes.
He shook his head, breaking the spell and headed out the door silently. Tabitha glanced briefly at the unlikely couple and sighed before following Remy.
"It's-Gambit-isn't-it?" Pietro asked Rogue all of a sudden. She looked up, shocked.
"Why would ya say that?" Rogue scowled.
"What'd-he-say-to-you?" Pietro asked, ignoring her question entirely.
"Nothin'." Rogue lied, averting her eyes.
"Rogue, you-always-were-a-horrible-liar." He rolled his eyes. "No, he-said-something-that-hurt-you-when-you-followed-him-and-Tabitha-into-the-hall."
Rogue said nothing, but her silence confirmed his belief more than any words could deny it.
"What'd he say?" Pietro took her gloved hand, concern in his eyes. She flinched at the touch but didn't pull her hand away.
"He said a lot bout how Ah wouldn't give him a chance because Ah'm scared." She mumbled, deliberately not looking at him for fear he had that cheesy smirk of his on his face.
There was silence for a few moments before she narrowed her eyes angrilly. "Ah know what you're thinkin'. Ya think Ah'm jus' bein' stupid, cause ya think he's got it right."
She dropped her feet to the floor and glowered at him, daring to disagree.
"Actually, I-was-just-a-little-surprised-how-much-you-really-like-the-guy." He admitted honestly. Her jaw dropped. "Look, don't-even-start-with-me-Rogue. Your-eyes." He said simply.
"What bout ma eyes?" She growled.
"They-tell-what-you-are-actually-saying." He stared pointedly at her, slowing his speech down to convey his seriousness. "They always have." He pondered the whole situation. "I didn't see what the big deal was at first, why you had to have me come here with you. It hurts you to see him with her."
She gaped at him, stunned. "Ah...Ah dunno what ya talkin' bout."
"No you do." He shook his head. "Its just like what Wanda did with Toad. She pushed and pushed and pushed him away because she didn't want to get hurt. You're doing the same thing."
"Ya wrong." She said weakly.
He merely shook his head. "You know I'm not." He sighed. "The shows coming back on. We'll talk after."
Meanwhile a cab arrived for Tabby and Remy who were waiting outside for a short time.
"Where to, kid?" The driver asked in a gruff voice as the door opened. "Off ter a fancy dinner some place downtown? "He asked upon seeing their nice clothes.
"Non t'ank y'...Larry." Remy said after quickly glancing at the name card taped to the back of the seat. "De fille ain' feelin' too hot so we call it a night."
Larry nodded. "Ah say no more, I fully understand." He winked at Remy. "So, if ol' Larry identifies ya c'rectly, that there's a Cajun accent. You from the South?"
"Yessir." Remy inclined his head. "Lou'siana."
"I mighta guessed it." Larry chuckled. "So which hotel you kids staying in?"
"We ain' at a hotel, m'sieur." Remy quickly corrected. "De address be 1407 Graymalkin Lane. Y' know where dat is?"
The cabbie chuckled. "Sure do sonny." He started the car. "You don' mind me smoking do you?" He called into the backseat.
Tabitha was about to say he could go right ahead but Remy cut her off. "Sorry Larry, we'd 'preciate it if ya didn'. Ain' terribly healthy fo' de babe."
The cabbie nodded. "Expectin' are ya? Good for ye. Greates' show of optimism, that, bringing kids into the world. Congrats."
Tabitha smiled uneasily and shifted closer to Remy.
"Okay well this is going to be about a half hour ride. The radio can't hurt the kid, eh?"
"No that's fine." Tabitha said. She had forgotten till Remy mentioned it that cigarette smoke was bad for babies. She wondered if there was any other information likely to slip her mind, and then she wondered how the heck he of all people knew that. When he first got to Xavier's he'd been smoking at least two entire packs a day.
As of recently he'd quit pretty much cold turkey and she figured that Rogue had a lot to do with that. The rumor was she'd once said casually in passing that she admired anybody who could quit 'that damned habit like a man' and word got round to him. Nobody knew if that was true or not, but Rogue had made it clear she hated smokers from Day one.
Not that that would stop half the kids in the mansion, or Logan in any case from continuing to smoke in the building. Pyro had picked it up from Remy, because it gave him a legitimate reason to carry a lighter, Emma Frost did it mostly to annoy her roommate Betsy Braddock and her competition in winning Scott's affections, his wife Jean Grey-Summers; while Wanda claimed smoking soothed her nerves.
Tabitha shook her mind from the wandering thoughts and brought herself to smile up at Remy. Wow he was a lot taller than she was. She wasn't exactly short for her age, being 5'7" but still he towered over her. And his shoulder was so broad, and warm, and comfortable...
Remy watched her eyes close as she snuggled her head into his shoulder. He had the vaguest of feelings she had deliberately chosen his body as a pillow but decided to just let her be. After all, she wasn't hurting anybody and she seemed comfortable.
"Long day?" Larry asked conversationally.
"Oui, y' could say dat." Remy agreed, gently wrapping his arm around Tabitha so she wasn't crushing his arm. She stirred but didn't wake up.
"She's certainly a pretty thing." Larry commented.
Remy took a moment to glance at her. The driver had a fair point. She wasn't overly scrawny like most other blonds her age. She was pretty, in the way that a year ago would have earned her the privilege of being charmed into his bedroom. But right now, he didn't want that, and it was about the last thing she herself needed at the moment.
"1407 Graymalkin Lane, huh? You kids staying with that Xavier fellow?"
"Uh oui." Remy said uncomfortably, not knowing this man's stand on mutants.
"Great man' he is." Larry continued. "Taking in all those mutant kids who need his help, Lord knows we need more like him in this crazy world."
"Def'n'tly." Remy agreed, relief washing over him.
Meanwhile at the mansion, Scott was pacing around his bedroom nervously. Jean, seated at her vanity and brushing her hair, was trying to calm him down.
"They're going to be fine, Scott." Jean laughed lightly.
He turned to her. "I want to believe that Jean, really I do." He sighed. "It's just I don't trust them."
She looked at him sharply. "And what have they done to prove untrustworthy?"
"It's not any of the girls." He assured her. "But Gambit? Quicksilver? Alvers!"
Jean rolled her eyes. "Look Scott, Tabitha, Rogue, and Kitty are all fully capable of choosing who they date."
"But why can't they just choose somebody decent for a change?" Scott ranted. "All three of those guys have served under Magneto for cripes sake! They can't be trusted!"
Jean sighed. "Scott, you know they all had their reasons. Lance didn't have anywhere else to go, Remy was only there because he and his teammates were being blackmailed, and Pietro is the man's son. You can't hold his parentage against him."
"That makes him all that much less trustworthy, Jean." Scott shook his head. "The man is one of our worst enemies. We can't just trust that his son is any different."
Jean frowned. "Do you really believe that?"
"You know it's true." Scott crossed his arms. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Jean set down her brush and turned to face Scott, a look of disbelief etched onto her features. "Are you sure of that, Scott? Really sure that's how you feel?"
He looked smug. "Yeah."
"You labeled Magneto as one of our worst enemies, well I'm sure you know somebody else to add to that list." She took a deep breath, not allowing him to reply. "Do you know who adopted Rogue? Do you know who raised her like a mother?"
Scott's smirk slipped. "That's different."
"How so?" Jean snapped. "I suppose you'll say it's because Rogue was just adopted. Well how bout Kurt. You know who his mother is. You know very well who both of their mother is. Is Rogue not trustworthy? Or Kurt?"
Scott's jaw hung open.
"Rogue and Kurt are valuable members of our team, who've saved your butt more than you'll admit, and beyond that they are our friends. But if you're going to hold that standard for Pietro and Wanda, you have to hold it for Rogue and Kurt."
Scott narrowed his eyes. "I never said anything about Wanda. And Rogue and Kurt are nothing like Pietro."
"How do you know?" Jean sighed. "You never gave him a chance. You've never given him, or Lance, or Remy a fair chance to prove that they aren't what you think they are."
Scott scowled darkly. "People like that don't deserve a chance."
She sighed again. "Scott that isn't fair."
"Life's not fair, Jean." He shook his head. "But what have any of those guys done to prove me wrong?"
"How about making your friend's happy?" Jean's voice quavered. "Haven't you ever seen the way Kitty's eyes light up with happiness when Lance walks into a room? And Rogue...did you know she used to cut herself? She started after that major meltdown she had. That's why she was hospitalized for so long, Mr. McCoy was giving her counseling as well. But when Remy joined, the thought never crossed her mind again. And well, Pietro has quite the following around here. His flirting has even put a blush on X-23's face." Jean smiled wistfully.
"And that's exactly why we need to be careful with him." Scott argued. "The girls around here are all so naive. He's a heartbreaker, and he always will be." He sobered. "I don't want to see my teammates get hurt. Or worse. As it is Tabitha is out of commission. Do we want any other female teammates in that situation?"
"Shhh, please Scott. You know she doesn't want everyone knowing that yet."
"Newsflash Jean, that's exactly the kind of secret that won't stay that way for long." Scott rolled his eyes behind his shades.
"I know that." Jean gazed at him warily. "I just think she has the right to tell everybody when she's ready."
Scott gave her an irritated look. "Well if it isn't soon, her body'll do the talking for her."
Jean looked away. "I know that and so does she. As it is, she is very afraid. Scott, she's only seventeen and now she's terrified and confused. She's little more than a baby herself."
"Well she's old enough to get herself pregnant." Scott said disapprovingly. "If she wasn't ready for a baby she shouldn't have been sleeping around, now should she have?"
Jean sighed again. "I know that too Scott. And I think she does too. Problem is, it's a little late for that piece of advice for her."
"Now you see why Kitty and Rogue shouldn't be out with walking STD's like Alvers, LeBeau, and Maximoff?"
Jean's eyes flashed. "So now you're doubting Kitty's morals?" She paused to glare. "And even worse you're making assumptions about our teammates that clearly aren't true? Scott, even if Lance had any experience in that field, he certainly wouldn't push Kitty to sleep with him. He loves her for her, not what she will or won't do with him. As for Rogue, she has her powers to prevent that as of right now, and I don't think she'd be willing to just hop into bed with somebody she spends most of her time hating, do you?"
Scott rolled his eyes again. "That's the thing Jean, I would have thought that you. The second best telepath in the world, would recognize that she doesn't hate Gambit."
"That's where you're wrong." Jean shook her head. "As of really recently, she's been wishing him dead in some rather creative ways that I wouldn't dare repeat this close after dinner. Besides, she isn't out with Remy tonight."
Scott's jaw dropped. "Then who...?"
"She asked Pietro to take her to the ballet." Jean smiled for a moment before taking a seat at her vanity once again.
"How in the name of Bayville did that happen?"
"Well, she just went up to him and asked him. Admittedly she was rather more demanding and forceful than need be but-"
"What happened with her and Gambit!" Scott interrupted.
"Well they had somewhat of a disagreement and-" She screwed up her nose. "That's odd." She moved to the window. "A taxi here at this time."
"I'll bet its either Rogue, Kitty, or Tabitha because their date was horrible." Scott said hopefully.
"Scott!" Jean chastised. "No it's not." She said firmly. "Wait, no you're partially right, it's Tabitha, but she has Remy with her." She said as she sensed their presence. "I'm going to go see what's up." She turned to the door.
"Can't you just read their minds?" Scott asked irritably.
She looked shocked. "Scott, you know I'm not supposed to do that without their permission. And in any case, I stay away from Remy's mind. He doesn't like telepaths prodding around in there so he has a rather unique method of defense against it."
Scott raised an eyebrow. "What, like mental blocks?"
Jean shook her head. "No, more like a mental picture." She blushed a little. "A weird one, that most people would rather not see. (1) He throws it up as soon as he senses a telepath trying to look around in his head."
She walked out of the bedroom she shared with her husband and made her way downstairs. Scott huffed and followed her.
Outside the mansion, Remy climbed out of the cab after paying their fare and looked at the blond who had formerly been using him as a pillow. She was still fast asleep, and he hated to wake her, but they were home.
"Tabby, Tabby, c'mon chere, we be home." He shook her shoulder gently.
"Mmm, just five more minutes." She begged sleepily.
Remy exchanged a glance with Larry and sighed softly. "C'mon Tabby, y' keepin' de nice cabbie waitin'."
She didn't respond so he reached into the cab and unbuckled her. After no response, he gently leaned in and picked her up and out, as if to carry her inside. Instinctively she snuggled close to his warmth. She mumbled something incoherently in her sleep and buried her face into his chest.
He shifted her weight and it didn't pass his notice that she was relatively light. He moved up the stairs and stared at the door as the cab driver drove away. He bit his lip pondering how he was going to open the door while making sure Tabitha didn't fall, when all of a sudden, Jean opened the door.
"Oh my, what happened?" Jean put a hand to her mouth.
"De homme called it mornin' sickness oughta be rottin' in Hell." Remy said with a nod. "She don' feel too well, so Remy bring de fille home."
"What'd you do to her Gambit?" Scott asked angrilly, wanting to make himself heard.
"Remy di'n' do anyt'in' t' her, Cyclops." Remy met the challenge in Scott's voice. "She t'rew up a couple times an' fell asleep on de way home."
"I'm so sorry. We would have come and picked you guys up if you called." Jean sounded apologetic.
"No need." Remy shrugged. "Remy can afford a taxi every now'n'en."
"Not like you pay for anything anyway." Scott pointed out.
Remy looked insulted.
"That was uncalled for Scott." Jean said disapprovingly.
"Non, let de garçon speak what he t'inkin' Jeannie. Let 'im t'ink what he want t'. Don' change de fact dat it ain' true, but it make y' husband feel better bout 'imself an' 'is insecurities. Sticks an' stones, non?"
Scott glowered and crossed his arms, sulking silently.
"But dat be neit'er here nor dere. Remy need t' get Tabby up t' her bedroom. Po' t'in' needs t' git 'erself some sleep."
Jean smiled. "That's nice of you. Its room seven in the girls' wing. Two down from Rogue, Wanda, and Kitty."
"Merci." Remy said gratefully. "Remy jus' gonna bring 'er up dere den retire fo' de evenin'."
"Maybe I should do it." Scott interrupted. "Guys aren't allowed in the girls' wing for a reason." The glare on his face added nonverbally "and you're it."
Remy gave him a disgusted look. "Remy ain't ever takin' advantage o' a fille an' don' intend t' start now, Cyclops. Shame on y' fo' t'inkin' dat, garçon."
Remy started towards the stairs but Scott got in his way.
"I mean it, LeBeau. She's got herself in enough trouble without your help. Or maybe it is your fault, I don't know, and she probably doesn't either."
Much to Scott's surprise, Remy shifted Tabitha's weight and slammed a fist into the team leader's jaw.
"Y' can say whatev' de f-in' Hell y' want bout Remy, but y' do y'self a favor an' leave de fille outta it. Remy not gonna take dat one lyin' down. S'on'y a coward picks on lil girls." Remy's voice was low, almost a growl. If he was a dog his hackles would be raised and his ears would have been pinned against his skull. The effect was completed with the flashing of his demonic eyes.
Scott backed up, massaging his jaw. He sneered. "Don't waste your time acting all chivalrous for her sake Gambit. She's hardly worth the trouble you'll find yourself in."
Remy snarled ant pushed roughly past him. "Remy deal wit' y' later, Summers. Y' wanna mess wit' de Gambit, bring it on."
Jean looked in horror from her husband to Remy who had started moving up the stairs. She could practically see the steam rising from his neck but he kept going at a decent and steady pace. Though from her angle, she noticed that Tabitha's grip on Remy's shirt was tighter than it had been previously. She could feel the waves of misery roll off the girl who had obviously heard at the very least one of Scott's rude comments. She turned bewildered to her husband.
"What was that all about, Scott?" She asked softly.
"Just shut up Jean, you aren't a part of this. It's between me and him." He snapped as he stared after Remy's retreating back. A moment later he realized he'd spoken aloud and turned to Jean, perhaps to apologize.
Her eyes were wide and pooled and with tears intermingled with her horror. She gasped and took a step back as he reached toward her. With no prerequisite warning she flew, quite literally, up the stairs and into their shared room. Scott dashed after her only to hear the lock on the door click in his face. She had telekinetically locked it behind her and his heart sunk as he heard his wife crying softly behind the door. He slumped down by the door and decided to wait there until she let him in again.
By the time Remy reached Tabitha's room, he was rubbing her back and whispering softly to her in French as she was crying. She hadn't made a sound to indicate it, but the wet patch on his dress shirt and the twin streams from her eyes confirmed it.
He gently reached over and opened the door to the room, continuously muttering soothingly to her in French. As he stepped in with her in his arms, her three roommates fell silent and gaped at the sight before them.
Remy tenderly set Tabitha down on her bed and leaned in close. "Don' let anyt'in' dat fou piece de merde said git t' y', okay, chere?"
She nodded mutely and he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Bon nuit, Tabitha."
With a smirk and a half bow, he exited the room. Tabitha sat on her bed, stunned. And her roommates crowded around with delirious excitement on their faces.
"Oh my gosh, Tabby, you so have to tell us everything!" Amara grinned.
"Like totally! How did everything go?" Lorna squealed.
" Spill girl!" Jubilee prodded. "We need details chica!"
Tabitha blinked and rubbed at her eyes quickly to erase her tears. "I think I'm going to bed early tonight." She managed. She climbed off her bed and moved to her dresser. She grabbed a set of neon pink pajamas and moved to the bathroom to change.
"Nooo!" Lorna groaned. "You can't do this to us!"
Tabitha smiled and closed the bathroom door and started changing.
Jubilee leaned against the door and sighed. "C'mon girl, at least tell us what you guys did?"
Tabitha smiled to herself and called through the door. "He took me to the Dragonfly Buffet and then we saw the Phantom of the Opera ballet."
"You are so the luckiest girl in the mansion." Lorna sighed dreamily. "I'd pay big money to have gotten to sit close to him, and hold his hand, and have him carry me into my bedroom..."
Tabitha blushed as she pulled on her pajama top. "He carried me in because I fell asleep on him in the taxi."
Tabitha was very thankful that she had the sanctuary of the bathroom. She knew all three girls were staring at the door with wide eyes and open mouths.
"Tabitha, details..." Jubilee called.
Tabby stepped out of the bathroom and shook her head before tossing the dress and shoes to Amara. "Guys, I'm really tired. I really need to call it a night. Please?" She pleaded and got no response. "I promise I'll sit through the date interrogation tomorrow morning?"
"Well ok." Amara sighed. "But you have to answer every question. No passing and no avoiding. And we'll get Betsy to read your mind and see if you're lying." The younger girl promised.
Tabitha nodded and climbed into her bed, snuggling deep into the warmth of her neon green comforter.
"Oh my gosh!" Lorna squealed again. "Amara's dress smells like Gambit's cologne!"
Tabby rolled her eyes, smiling softly. She turned away from her roommates and brought her hand to the spot his lips had touched her forehead. She sighed in wonder. Treacherous thoughts crawled into her mind. She wondered what that kiss would have felt like against her lips instead of her forehead.
Instantly she flushed and shook her head. She was helping him get to Rogue. He practically worshipped Rogue. It wouldn't be right to move in on the other girl's territory, would it?
But then again, a voice in her mind reminded her as she drifted off to sleep. Remy was technically single, and would Rogue even miss what she never had?
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1- Actually canon info. Remy hates telepaths and pulls up an image of Blob in a molecularly unstable costume after the effects of Pyro and Storm hit him. Apparently this wards away telepaths with the side effect of them determining he's somewhat of a weirdo...
Mmmm yes, fresh can of worms anybody? So who saw that one coming, raise your hands. Well now we have a whole new issue to deal with. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I bought an instruction manual. It also covers business principles as set forth by the Japanese. Only trouble is...I can't read Japanese. So I guess you'll just have to trust me on this one. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, next up is the one shot I promised after I did 'Who needs a family anyway' and then we're onto BID so please read and review!
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completed January 30,2006