Propped up on top of one of the cafe counters, Rogue concentrated entirely on the contents of the large black and white newspaper she was reading intently.
A whole week had passed since her 'little' incident at the club and a whole week since she had seen her Cajun savior. She had been worried about meeting with him again, especially since the way in which they parted seven days ago was on his part, intentionally flirtatious.
It made Rogue nervous to think that someone was paying that sort of attention to her, considering her defensive, cold and often aggressive behavior that mostly kept people away. In all, she was glad she hadn't seen or heard anything of him 'Theah must be a Gahd' she thought ruefully.
But still, a part of her felt a little disappointed that he hadn't made an appearance. Thoughts of him began to invade her mind and she shook her head softly to bring herself back to concentrating on the task at hand, barely noticing the presence of someone behind her, looking over her shoulder.
"Sooo, what ya doin'?" came the cheery voice of Tabitha from behind, making Rogue jump unexpectedly.
"Shit Tabby! Do ya have ta do thaht?" Rogue cried indignantly as she glared at her friend. Tabby held her hands up in protest and stepped away.
"Sorry. I was bored, couldn't help it" The girl explained, smiling sheepishly as she grabbed a tea towel and started drying a plate that was on the draining board across from where her friend was sitting. Rogue ceased to glare at her and started reading the paper again.
"Man, I hate it when it rains like this." Tabitha commented off-handedly as she watched the heavy drops of water splash forcefully against the ground from the large shop window of the cafe. Rogue looked up from the paper and to what Tabby was talking about.
"Ah dunno, ah kinda' lahke it" She replied softly.
"Well I hate it. It makes work so boring - no-one goes out when its like this" Rogue smiled at Tabby's huff and decided to ignore her ranting. She was right though, Rogue had to give her that.
The place was practically empty with just a small family over in the corner having a late dinner and a love-sick couple sat at the window letting their coffee's go cold, while staring all gooey-eyed into each others eyes, making Rogue roll her own at the sight.
"So what happened with that guy from the club?" Tabby asked, fully recovered from her tirade about the weather.
"What guy?" Rogue mumbled indifferently as she continued to read not even looking up.
"Y'know, the one who picked you up off the street" Tabby watched closely for a reaction from her friend. Rogue lowered her head and tried desperately to look as if she hadn't been thinking about a certain Cajun for the past week.
"Oh, him. Nothin'" She answered nonchalantly. Tabby looked away a little disappointed that she would have nothing to tease her friend about.
"Well you can't have em' all I s'pose. Hey, you should come out with me and Sam tonight . . ." She looked across at Rogue, hopeful that she would agree.
"What and watch you two all over each other all nahte? Nah thanks" Rogue cut her off.
"Fine, I was just trying to get you out of that stinking mood you've been in all week" Tabby shot back, offended at Rogue's interruption.
"Ah cain't believe yoah goin' out with him" Rogue commented quietly.
"Why? He's nice, there's no reason for me not to see him" Tabby replied in defence. Rogue looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Ya met him in a club Tabs. He could be serial killing maniac foah all ya know" Rogue tried to reason.
Tabitha simply shook her head and turned away, refusing to let her friend continue. Seeing that she wasn't going to answer her, Rogue sighed and looked back down at the open newspaper in her hands, letting the vast amount of accommodation advertisements take hold of her focus once again. Tabby walked up behind her, rubbing her hands nervously.
"Y'know you can stay at mine right. My Mom and Dad wouldn't mind." She spoke quietly. Rogue turned to face her and gave a small smile.
"Thanks. But ah need mah independence . . ."
" . . . and you need to live by your own rules, I know." Tabby finished for her and smiled in return. At that moment, Rogue couldn't help but feel that she had found a real friend in Tabitha Smith.
"But if you ever need anywhere to stay, you know where to go right?" Rogue nodded wordlessly. At that Tabby lunged at her and hugged her. Rogue stiffened at the unexpected show of affection, but putting down the newspaper, returned the gesture non-the less.
Their reconciliation was soon disturbed though by the sound of the cafe door opening.
"Excuse moi, but is dere any chance of a coffee?" Rogue tensed instantly at the sound of the voice.
Her sudden uneasiness did not go unnoticed by Tabby, who let go of her friend and bit her lip firmly when she saw the look of complete shock written all over her friends face. Knowing instantly that Rogue knew this man, whoever he was, she began to back away.
"I'll let you get this one" Tabby tried not to burst into a fit of laughter when she noticed Rogue glare at her dangerously and quickly backed through the kitchen door. Rogue watched her go and then turned slowly to face her nemesis.
Taking in his appearance of faded jeans, black t-shirt with the long tan trench coat and dishevelled hair - she groaned inwardly, it didn't matter that it looked like he hadn't shaved in several days - he still looked hot. Rogue took a deep breath and looked up at him.
"Can ah help ya?" Remy smirked at her blasé attitude and leaned forward on the counter.
"Un café sil vous plait" He repeated huskily noticing a slight pinkness showing on her cheeks. Rogue tried to keep up her nonchalant front, but it was proving more than difficult with the way he was watching her.
"That'll be two-fifty please". He gave her the correct change and placed it in her awaiting hand.
"Thanks, take a seat an' ah'll bring it over ta ya" She muttered and turned away swiftly to make up his coffee. Instead of following her instruction, Remy decided to stay at the counter, knowing it would probably annoy her. He looked around the cafe while he was waiting.
He had purposely come here, seeming as she had told him where she worked a week ago - he had decided that maybe it was time for a little visit. Sighing in boredom, he looked back around at Rogue who was waiting patiently for the water to heat up in the coffee machine.
Even in an apron, with her hair tied back untidily and heavy make-up adorning her face there was still an almost silent cry of seductiveness coming from her, like there had been at the club the night they had met.
Remy looked away from her and over at the open newspaper sprawled open on the other side of the counter. Reaching over curiously, he pulled the newspaper toward him and frowned as he read the advertisements, not noticing Rogue walking towards him and pushing a mug of steaming coffee toward him knocking him out of his reverie.
He smirked at her and took the coffee. Rogue scowled at him and pulled the newspaper back before sitting back up on the back counter once again and reading through the advertisements. Remy watched her and made no move to go, instead just simply observing her whilst drinking his coffee.
Rogue could feel him watching her 'Now ah remember why ah didn't want ta see that Cajun again' she thought angrily. Finally, after a few minutes and neither making any move of confrontation, Rogue glared over at him.
"What?" She asked irritably. Remy grinned at her conduct, only infuriating her more.
"Nothin'. Just dat I'd be happy t'have y'stay with me again chére" He replied lewdly. Rogue felt her blood boil; she hated being the source of entertainment for anyone, let alone him.
"Ah would rather live in a sewer than stay with ya again Cajun!" She retorted sharply, trying to keep her voice down.
"Dats a shame p'tite, b'cause I t'ink we could have a lot of fun". He continued to smirk as he watched her go from slightly irritated to ready to explode.
It was obvious to him now that his flirting with her made her angry, only he was enjoying it. He waited for another angry reply but instead received a deadly glare, before she simply jumped off the counter she was sat on and stormed into the kitchen. Remy chuckled, almost proudly and made his way over to a corner booth in the near enough empty establishment.
A few minutes passed, before Rogue exited the kitchen - this time with a mid-length black coat thrown on - and headed straight for the exit - completely ignoring Remy, whom she knew was still watching her. She walked through the cafe quickly, opened the door and stepped out into the street, shivering instantly as the rain beat harshly upon her. Reaching down, she zipped up her coat and pulled the hood over her head. Shoving her hands in her pockets she began to walk down the dark, vacant street.
Remy watched her from his seat inside the warm cafe. Gulping down the rest of his drink he stood up hastily and exited the cafe. Stepping outside he spotted her retreating figure and began walking briskly to catch up with her. Rogue continued to meander, seemingly oblivious of everything around her. 'Why does he make meh so angry? Gahd yoah such a fool, why did ya ever bother bein' nahce ta him?' she thought vehemently.
"Goin' anywhere interestin' chérie?" Remy asked, falling in-step alongside her. Rogue groaned inwardly 'Why meh' kept repeating itself in her head.
"Ah'm goin' home, so leave meh alone swamp rat," She answered without bothering to look at him and continued walking.
"So we gonna start usin' pet names. D'ough I wouldn't call 'swamp rat' exactly affectionate" Remy pondered aloud, knowing it would irritate Rogue.
"Yeah well it suits ya and it ain't s'posed ta be a pet name" She spat out fervently. Remy smirked at her insult deciding to push it further.
"Whatever y'say mon river rat" he teased, not expecting her to whirl around to face him angrily.
"Look, ah don't know what th' hell ya want but ah've got four days ta fahnd somewheah ta live an' ah don't need any o'this shit from ya! So why don't ya just leave meh alone!" She screamed furiously at him before instantly turning again and storming away.
Remy stood in shock and could only watch her walk out further into the darkness. Snapping out of the momentarily state of disbelief he was thrown into, Remy began to give chase to Rogue, easily catching her up.
Hearing him behind her this time, Rogue took several deep breaths in preparation for whatever he was going to say next, knowing it would probably anger her no matter what it was.
"Rogue?" Remy began warily. She gave no sign of acknowledgment, but just kept on walking. Remy grimaced internally.
"Look, I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean to make you that angry, I was just playin' wit' y" Still no answer from the girl beside him. Remy sighed and ran a hand through his hair, fed up with the silence he jumped in front of her and made her stop by placing his hands firmly on her shoulders, preventing her from simply walking around him. Rogue looked up at him, eyes ablaze.
"I really am sorry Rogue" He stared intently at her. Seeing that he meant what he was saying, Rogue's face softened and she visibly relaxed. Realising that she didn't really want to be mad at him, she looked at the ground a little lost for words.
"Ah'm sorry too. Ah don't really wanna be angry at ya" she replied tiredly. Remy smiled and let her go. They continued walking in silence before Rogue looked over at him.
"Are ya stalking me or somethin'?" Remy looked over at her thinking that she was angry again, but was surprised to find her smiling.
"Yeah, I'm obsessed wit' y. Naw, I'm goin' dis way anyway" Rogue nodded in response. They continued walking for a while longer until they reached the now familiar exterior of the hostel Rogue was residing in.
Rogue smiled timidly and said a simple 'bye' and began to walk towards the entrance. Reacting promptly, Remy grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
"Look, you'll probably t'ink I'm a perv for sayin' dis but . . .if y' need somewhere t' stay deres a spare room at mine" He muttered.
"Thanks Remy. But ah don't think ah'll do yoah bachelor lifestyle any good" She replied, smiling a bit more confidently. Remy chuckled at her comment.
"It'd be good t'hav someone clean th' place up every now an' again an' I'd get rent money" he joked back. After some more thought, Remy looked back at her, still not letting go of her hand.
"Seriously d'ough, y' t'ink 'bout it Rogue". Rogue looked up at him and gave a small smile of gratitude, to which Remy returned tenderly. 'M' defiantly goin' soft' he thought light-heartedly to himself.
"Ah will. Bye Remy" She spoke softly and stepped away quietly as he let go of her hand and them turned and walked through the hostel doors. Remy looked on as she disappeared into the building and sighed, running a hand through his unkempt hair, he carried on walking into the dark street.