Group Fic

Chapter 2 by Bastet (aka Elfkid on hands paused over his chest in surprise, "Oh." The last thing Ororo wanted was to have to pep talk her best friend into his marriage. It was already enough weight to be front and center as the maid of honor and conceal her true feelings behind a false air of gaiety.

"'Roro, you and me… we been friends too long… y' can drop the happy face fo' a bit."

Her heart stung and her eyes rose to meet his defiantly. "That hurts."

"Shouldn't hurt, non too much. I don' care what ya think… no, let me rephrase that. I do care what ya think, jus' don't feel the need fo' you to be the goddess in front o' me. I hate t' see y' torture yo'self."

"It is not torture. I could not live with myself if I rained on your wedding day, pardon the pun."

"I fo'give ya." He smiled half heartedly and scratched his head. "Y' know, you never tol' me exactly why y' haven't been the happiest 'bout this arrangement."

"I would think you would get the hint. Your relationship… has lasted longer than most, not that I would say throw in the towel but… from an outside view, and a friend's, it seems more of a relationship bred from familiarity anymore than true love that used to be there."

"Now that hurts."

Her eyes dropped. "I'm sorry. I should leave. Forget what I've said…" She turned to leave and he grabbed her arm, gently turning her to face him.

"Not yet, chere. I ain't mad. Can't be mad at a frien' fo' answerin' honestly when asked, neh? Now I get de chance to spill my guts." His red eyes studied her intensely for her reaction. She maintained the stone face he was so familiar with. "Dese past few months dis Cajun had a lot o' time to consider dis situation. D' y' know why she chose you as Maid o' Honor?"

"I presumed it was that even though she hadn't formed close ties here, I was the closest female tie to you whom did not desire your head on a plate."

He chuckled. "Dat's what I thought too. 'Cept den de questions came."

"Questions?" One of Ororo's eyebrows raised.

"Bout you an' me. If'n we had unfinished business… if I t'ought she was prettier… was I sure we were jus' friends. O' course I answered what she wanted but it's been nagging at me. Y' see, I t'ink she asked y' as Maid o' Honor so she could keep an eye on you, us, even, t' make sure dis conversation didn't take place. Not dat I blame her. "

The weather goddess' heart raced fast under his intense gaze as she fought to control her breathing, feeling she was suddenly under the spotlight. "Wh-where would she get ideas like that?"

His voice dropped to barely above a whisper, his eyes holding hers steadily. "I wracked my brain too as Anna is no telepath… but… she's absorbed pieces o' me. Things I've had hidden." He stepped closer to her and she took a step back..

"Remy, I'm not sure you should be speaking to me about this before your wedding. I really should go."

"I ain't married yet, 'Ro. And I need to know." He stepped forward again, causing her to step back and trip and fall back sitting onto the bed. Even frightened and nervous, Ororo was gorgeous in his eyes.

"Know what, Remy? What do you want me to tell you?" Flustered, she raised her voice, fighting her emotions and the tears stinging her eyes.

"De truth, 'Ro, an' I don't give a damn what's goin' on t'day. 'Cause I don' believe fo' a minute dat what y' tol' me was de only reason y' upset bout dis." He placed a hand under her chin and gently nudged her up to look him in the eyes. The sun from the window was reflecting on her tears, glistening like diamonds on her blue irisis. "Y' my best frien'. And y' owe it t' me to let me know de truth. Please." He tilted forward, his mouth inches from hers.

"Ok." She whispered, closing her eyes in resignation

With that, he leaned in and tenderly kissed her supple lips.