Disclaimer: I do not own any of the X-Men/Marvel/WB characters, some of these lines are not even mine but taken or paraphrased from various cartoons and comics I've read. What can I say, but I suck with dialogue. Just have some story in my head that won't go away so I'm writing it down. I don't get any money for this, only a mild break in boredom.
St. John is not, by any means, a typical Australian or even a representative of Australians, so please do not journey to Australia expecting to find a whole bunch of trouble-making people to play with matches with. Especially in the forests there 'cause if you burnt those down I would have to hunt you down and beat you with a stick (just kidding but I would be enraged beyond words).
thoughts
NINE TO FIVE: Chapter Nine - Thank God Friday Is Over!
"Here's your change, kid," said Rogue to the customer as she handed him a few dollars and a bag of music paraphernalia. Vinyl Vintage had been busy all Friday afternoon. Rogue looked around the store at the six remaining customers. Ah think Ah already talked ta 'em all. Good. Ah don't wanna pretend that Ah care 'bout findin' the perfect CD for 'em anymore. Ah musta been high when ah desided ta work here. This much forced people interaction makes meh wanna bang mah head up against the wall. The bells above the front door jingled for what seemed to Rogue as the hundredth time that day, and three people entered. Rogue groaned. Why must everyone get paid on the same day?! Rogue nodded at the new customers when they looked in her direction. There, that was good enough. They know Ah exist, an' if they really want somethin' they'll have ta come up an' ask me.
Rogue heard her Deftones CD come to an end. She walked over to the stereo system and switched CD's. She smirked when she saw everyone jump at the sound of Marilyn Manson screeching through the speakers. They'll come up an' ask meh, if they dare ta.
After ruffling through her bag for a few minutes, Rogue pulled out a tattered sci-fi/fantasy novel. She sat on the stool behind the counter and started reading. Just when she had been reading long enough to immerse herself in the dark, intense world her book was set in, she heard those annoying bells above the door again. Ah'm gonna end up stranglin' someone with those damn bells before Ah'm done workin' here. Ah'm not even gonna look up this time. They can just approach meh at their own risk.
Rogue tried to find her place in her book again, but she couldn't concentrate on the book anymore. She had this creepy feeling that someone was too close for comfort. After fighting the urge to look up for another minute, she relented. The book was dog-eared for future reference and an annoyed Rogue glanced up. Her glaze was met by two of her own reflections in the sunglasses of a boy only mere inches from her face.
"Hello, chere," Remy said quietly in his deep sexy voice.
Rogue, the champion ice queen, replied, "Oh, it's just you." Play it cool, girl. Don't let him know you were hoping he'd stop by. Ya are tamed by no man. Ya won' even wait by the phone for a call. Rogue leisurely tossed her book on the counter and ran her hands through her hair. "What do ya want this time, swamp rat?"
Her cold greeting hurt Remy on the inside, but he was not going to give up his quest. She wants to play hard-to-get, fine by me. I don' d'ink I'd want it any other way. "Same thing as last time. What do you say? You, moi, and Saturday night. I guarantee it'll be da best date you've ever had."
"Ya don't have a lotta competition there, bein' that Ah've never been on a date 'fore."
Remy was surprised that her response did not include any sort of rejection, but, in a way, implied a positive response. His heart leap, and he smiled his sweet smile at Rogue. "So is dat a 'yes,' chere?"
"No, that definitely was not a 'yes.'Ah was just commentin' on a hypothetical situation. 'Sides, wouldn't Mrs. Claus be jealous?" Rogue eluded to his chimney predicament earlier that week.
Remy dropped his head so Rogue wouldn't see him blush. "You heard 'bout dat?"
"Ah heard it from Wanda an' John themselves. Serves ya right for calling a self-proclaimed outcast o' society 'normal,'" Rogue scolded.
"Actually, callin' her normal was what got me outta da chimney, callin' her kinky was what got me in it," Remy clarified. "Anyway, I don' d'ink Madam Claus would mind if I took one beautiful lady out dis Saturday, 'specially if she don' find out 'bout it," he played around with the scenario.
"Sorry, Remy, but Ah don' like bein' the other woman."
A couple of the customers cautiously approached the scary Goth who was listening to Marilyn Manson. "Ya'll ready to check out?" They nodded. Remy stepped to the side to make room for them.
A few minutes later, the customers exit was signaled with the ringing of the bells. Remy moved back to his previous location, in front of Rogue, but not before the bells rung again, this time signaled an entrance. And not just the entrance of two regular customers. The entrance of two out of place people in the used CD store.
The Cajun noticed the irritated look return to Rogue's face as the new customers entered. He turned around to take a look. The woman was tall, slender, with long, thick, red hair that hung down to her waist and she was preppy, yet casually dressed. The guy was about the same height with non-descript brown hair, strangely colored red sunglasses, and dressed in what Remy could only describe as "catolog-ordered outfit from American Eagle."
"Hey, Rogue!" the red-head cheerfully called to the Goth as she grabbed the other boy's hand. Rogue was less than amused, Remy noticed. Actually he thought he saw a little pain behind the ice queen's eyes when the red-head grabbed Shades' hand; maybe a little jealousy. He looked back and forth from Rogue to the guy with the sunglasses. No way. Rogue has a crush on dis dweeb?! You've got ta be kiddin' me.
"Hey, Jean, Scott," she said unemotionally and nodded to both as she said their names. "What do ya need?"
"Nothing. We just came to see how things were getting along at work for you," Scott Summers announced.
Rogue looked at them, well, actually, it was almost as she was trying to see through them. "So, really, the Professor asked ya'll ta check up on meh."
An offended look came across Jean Grey's face. "Rogue! I can't believe you. We're just checking out where you work and saying hi."
Rogue was unconvinced. "Why'd the Professor feel the need ta check up on meh, Jean?"
Luckily, Jean was saved by Remy's intervention. "Dis dat Jean Grey you were talkin' 'bout bein' de most beautiful girl in town de other day?" Jean was flattered by the comment, and was about to thank Rogue when Remy looked intently at Rogue and finished his statement: "She's got nothin' on you, chere."
Jean kept her cool. I don't need flattery from handsome, charming strangers. I have a boyfriend.
Scott, at realizing Remy's presence, studied the Cajun. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
Remy shrugged. "Maybe." He did not want to get into some fight here. An' while beatin' up this tight ass Rogue for some odd reason has a crush on might feel good, I donna d'ink dat she would be so eager ta go out wit' me tomorrow if I did. Remy leaned up against the counter and pulled out a deck of cards. He started shuffling, anxiously awaiting the couple's exit so he could get back to the wooing.
Silence, well, except for Marilyn, fell between them. Scott continued to stare at Remy, trying to figure out where he knows him from. Tall, trench coat, cards....cards... It hits him like a bag of bricks. "You're one of Magneto's goons!!" Remy stood up straight and prepared to defend himself. Scott reached up to the side of his glasses. Jean also prepared for a fight. "What is Magneto up to, and what does it have to do with Rogue?" Scott said in his most menacing tone.
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Excuse meh, fellas, but ah gotta job ta do here." Rogue pointed to the line forming behind the conflict.
"Oh, sure." They mumbled and moved out of the way to continue their confrontation.
"What does Magneto want with Rogue?"
"Mine bein' here has nothin' ta do wit' Magneto." Remy's eyes glowed with anger from behind his glasses.
"Then what do you want with Rogue?" Jean asked.
"Her company."
"I won't let you take her anywhere." Scott grew even more protective.
"Dat's up to her, mon ami, not you." Remy looked to Rogue, who was still ringing up customers. "You never did give me a straight answer: You, me, Saturday night."
"In a minute, Remy," Rogue spat as she grabbed a paper bag and shoved some cd's inside. Another customer approached.
Scott and Jean's eyes widened. Scott snickered. "You can't actually believe that she would go out with you?"
That pissed Remy off. "An' why de hell not?!"
"You're the enemy!" Scott exclaimed like it was some obvious reason with no grey areas or polka dots.
"An' you're a dick!" Remy yelled back. "Dis good guy/bad guy stuff never gets old to you, does it?"
"Well if the shoe fits," Jean mumbled.
Remy brought a charged card back, preparing to throw it at them. Rogue had just finished up with the last in the line of customers. She sighed and ran her hands through her hair before looking over at Remy, Jean and Scott. She leapt over the counter and grabbed Remy's hand before he released.
"Just what in the blue blazes do ya'll think you're doin'?!"
"Sorry," Remy said and decharged the card. Better to apologize now and look better than Red and Shades.
Scott sneered. "You're crazy to think that Rogue would ever go out with you. She has much better taste than that."
Rogue turned angrily to Scott. "An' what makes ya think ya know what my taste in men is, Scott?"
"I know you, Rogue. He's an arrogant, egotistical flirt who works for Magneto, for God's sake," Scott argued.
"Really, Rogue, to go from liking Scott to dating this guy is a little extreme. It is obviously an act of rebellion," Jean accidentally revealed too much. Her hand flew over her mouth.
Scott blushed, Rogue fumed. "An' how the hell did ya know Ah used ta have a thing for Scott?! Ya've been pokin' around people's heads for fun, now! Is that why you're here? Ya went snoopin' an' decided ya'd have ta see Remy for yourself!" Rogue got right up in Jean's face.
"No! You know I don't do that, Rogue." Jean took a step back, and when Rogue followed suit, she was blocked but a telekinetic barrier.
"Ya've done it before!"
"That was an accident! My powers were out of control!" Jean defended herself. "And everyone knew about your crush on Scott, so don't even go there! And as for him," indicating Remy, "I found this little love letter on the floor of the Jeep and we were all a little concerned for your safety!"
The striped teen snatched the envelope out of Jean's hands and continued the verbal assault, "We?! Who's 'we'? Jean remained silent, refusing comment on the accusation. "Ya'll need ta learn how ta mind your own business!!"
"Maybe you shouldn't leave your personal stuff all over the place! I mean, how was I supposed to know whose letter that was?!"
Remy, who had been silently observing the arguement along with Scott, chimed in, "I d'ink the name 'Rogue' on de outside of de envelope would have been a good clue."
"You stay outta this!" Jean spat at Remy.
"Why should he? He's involved in this now too," Rogue threw at Jean.
"What? You depend on your boy toy to protect you?" Jean knew that comment would strike a nerve.
"Ah can take care of myself!!" Rogue and Jean's faces were just centimeters apart. "And he ain't mah anythin'!"
"Do you think we should do anything to stop this?" Scott asked Remy.
"No. Actually I was thinkin' 'bout gettin' some mud," Remy said, more to himself than to Scott. Scott gave Remy a funny look, not that anyone could tell behind his sunglasses. He then turned back to the argument between Jean and Rogue and shrugged and nodded.
Another bell rang but this one was singular and coming from the cash register area. Rogue was brought out of her glaring contest with Jean and looked toward the counter. Another line of customers had formed.
"Ah don' have time for this!" Rogue said to Jean and went back behind the counter. "Ya'll said your 'hi's' now ah think it's time ya leave."
"I'm not leaving until he leaves." Scott did not trust the Cajun with Rogue.
"Will ya stop actin' like ah'm a baby? Ah can take care of myself!" Rogue pleaded. Scott crossed his arms and would not budge. Rogue looked at Remy, beggin' him to leave with her eyes.
Remy crossed his arms, same as Scott, "I'm not leavin' 'til I get an answer to my question."
Rogue sighed for the umpteenth time that day. "Ya know, Remy," Rogue said in a tone that Jean and Scott already knew the answer to the question. Or did they? "With what happened today, ah don' think now is a good time."
"But I don' want you to go out with me now; I want you to go out with me tomorrow." Remy tried to lighten her attitude.
Rogue considered it. Her thoughts were interrupted by a customer in a hurry. "Excuse me, I need my change."
"Oh, yeah," Rogue handed her a couple bills and some coins, which the customer proceeded to count in front of her.
"Hey, this is 42 cents." Rogue gave the customer a blank look. "I should have gotten 53?!"
"Sorry." Rogue gave her another dime. "Don't see why your complainin', 42 is the better number."
"But 42 is less than 53," Jean stated.
"But 6 by 9 is 42," Rogue replied, knowing that Jean would never understand the origin of the statement.
"Hey Roguey," Remy tried to get her attention back.
"Don't call meh that."
"Yes or no?"
"42."
"42? What kind of an answer is dat?"
Between customers, Rogue ruffled through her bookbag and pulled out a small book that had a picture of a green smily face sticking it's tongue out on the cover as well as the words "Don't Panic." She inconspicuously wrote "yes, VV 7pm" at the end of the Deep Thought chapter, then handed it to the confused Cajun.
"Here, ah need it back, it's Kurt's. He made me read it."
"So, I'm supposed to read the book on Saturday night instead of take you out?" Remy questioned.
"No, bayou boy, the significance of the answer 42 is in that book."
"I don' get it." Remy stared at the funny looking book in his hands.
"Just read it. Now will ya'll leave an' let meh have some peace?"
The three filled out of the store: Remy first, staring at the book he held in his hands; then Jean who was trying to contact Kurt to understand the significance of 42, but Kurt was blocking her; and then Scott.
"Wait, no, 6 by 9 is 54.." Scott mused on his way out.
Rogue was finally able to stomp into her room around 11 o'clock that night. Vinyl Vintage was still busy by the time Jamal showed up for the closing shift that she had stayed an extra hour and a half to handle customers. And then, on the way home, there was a huge car accident and Logan and she had to take a three mile detour to get back to the mansion.
"Thank Gawd Friday is over!" Rogue let out an exasperated sigh as she tossed her bookbag across the bedroom. She threw her body down on her bed with equal force. Then after gettin' home two hours late, ah had ta listen ta the Professor lecture meh on respect an' other stuff no one 'round here gives meh an' then he goes into how he an' Jean an' Scott are just concerned for my wellbein' an' don't want me ta get hurt. Blah, blah, blah. How can anyone talk 'bout that for twohours straight!! Ah should be grateful. At least he didn' pull out the star maps this time (1). Ah didn't get grounded either. Jeannie was rootin' for it, ah could tell. Ah got off with a "Just be careful and let us know if you need some help."
Ah just wish ah could get some privacy around here. No one bothered meh at the brotherhood house. But no one cared ta, either. Sigh, why do lovin', honest people have ta be so smootherin'? Let meh breathe! Let meh live! Let meh be! Am ah askin' too much?
Rogue's thoughts were interrupted by the unusual sight of a pissed Kitty phasing through the door. Seeing Kitty phase into their room was nothing that surprised or even startled Rogue anymore, but seeing Kitty upset was unusual.
"I can't believe him," Kitty vented.
"Who, Kitty?" Rogue asked. Might as well add someone else's misery to my day.
"Lance!" She growled and paced back and forth for awhile before sitting down on her bed. Rogue thought that was going to be the end of the listening roommate session for today, but Kitty started up again.
"You know how, like, you think you know a person and that they, like, know you, and then, one day you realize that you were totally wrong, and they have no idea who you are?"
Turning her head toward the Chicago native, Rogue answered, "What?! Kitty, Ah am definitely not the relationship specialist in the house, so if ya wanna tell meh your problems, then you're gonna have ta do better than that."
"Ok, tonight, Lance and I had a date." Kitty illustrated the scenario. "First, all he did was complain about how Wanda drove his Jeep the other day and how she killed some insignificant part of the engine or something. And then I had gotten us tickets to go see Kiss Me Kate at the Bayville Player's Theatre. So we get there and Lance didn't realize it was a play. He thought it was a movie, which is totally understandable 'cause it's, like, an old movie theater. So, anyway, then we were sitting down and halfway through the first song he suddenly realized it was a musical and felt he needed to announce it to the rest of the audience! I was so embarrassed. Afterwards he apologized, so you know, all's forgiven, right? No, he goes on to ask me why we had to go to the stupid musical in the first place, why couldn't we just go to the mall like usual. I told him that I wanted to do something different and that I liked the musical. Then he was like, 'But different stuff happens at the mall, like sales, you like those.' I couldn't believe it. I told him that I was from Chicago and that I need a little, like, culture in my life, and that I wasn't all shopping malls and pink fuzzies. He almost got me with, 'I know, you're really smart too,' but then he added, 'but I like the shopping mall you.' What's that suppose to mean?! Does he just like hanging out at the mall with me 'cause we can talk there or 'cause he can show me off or what?! Or does he just like that part of me that is all cute and obsessed with shoes?! I don't understand!" was Kitty's last call before she plopped her face into her pillow. Kitty turned her face from the pillow to look at Rogue. "You know, in some ways it's almost as if we've grown out of each other. Like, now that we really know each other, we are kinda bored with each other. That's kinda why I wanted to go to the theater tonight, but that plan majority backfired. What do you think, Rogue?"
The Goth yawned, "Ah don't know Kit, sounds ta meh like your relationship's hit a lull an' ya either gotta perk it up o' move on already." Kitty contemplated this.
Rogue pulled off her boots and laid back down, this time throwing her head onto the pillow. Her head hit something between herself and the pillow. She reached up and pulled it out of her hair. It was a rose.
"One thing's for sure, Kitty," Rogue said tossing the flower at her. "Ya gotta stop throwin' your stuff on my side o' the room."
Kitty picked up the flower with a confused look on her face. "But this isn't my rose; Lance only gets me daisies. Wait, there's a card attached to it. Like, a real card."
"As opposed ta what, an imaginary one?"
"No, I mean it's a playing card. It says something on the back. 'Got your message, chere. Can't wait until tomorrow. Adio.' What does that mean?"
Rogue shot up from her bed like a bullet. She snatched the flower from Kitty and read it for herself. How in the world did the Cajun get in here? Rogue glanced over to her bed and right next to her pillow lay Kurt's copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
"Earth to Rogue." Kitty summoned her back. "Still waiting to be filled in on the secret admirer."
Rogue ignored her and opened the glass doors to their balcony. The wind was picking up and the air was humid. Probably gonna be a storm tonight or tomorrow. She leaned out over the edge of the railing, still holding onto the letter and the card.
"I see you got my gift," came a quiet voice from the shadows.
"You're crazy, ya know that," Rogue whispered so that Kitty couldn't hear. "If Logan finds ya here, ya'll be chopped up an' served ta the newbies as sloppy joes."
"You couldn't do that with a Cajun," Remy's replied. "It'd have to be some spicy creole dish."
Rogue smile was hidden by the darkness of the on coming storm. "Ah'm surprised ya read the book that fast," she said changing the subject.
"I have a confession to make." Remy finally showed himself and grabbed her hands in his, "I cheated. John had read it before, actually he formed his own religion around it, real strange, but he knew what you were talkin' 'bout an' helped me find it."
"Ah don' know if ah can forgive ya for that, swamp rat," Rogue said playfully. She noticed that Remy was not only still holding her hands but massaging hers. That made her a uncomfortable. "Ya better go 'fore Logan finds ya," she said pulling away from him and heading into her room.
She shut and locked the doors. Remy was making faces at her through the glass, so she gave him the bird and shut the curtains. While holding the curtain shut, she thought, 'til tomorrow, swamp rat.
(1) See Chapter 3 – Cheeseburgers and Sugar Daddies.
Okay guys, I hope that chapter met your expectations and you can be satisfied for another week or so :)