The Arcade
Bib:
What do some of the female residants at the mansion think of Remy? When Tabitha tries setting up her best friend, Amara, on a date with the residant Cajun, tempers sore and female rivalleries march on down to the arcade. Meanwhile, Rogue is side tracked as she tries to address why her step brother, Kurt, is so down in the dumps.
Story:
"Hey, what you doing sitting out here all on your lonesome?" Tabitha asked, startling Amara.
Amara turned her head around in a furry, stuttering as she tried to figure out what to say. But Tabitha had already followed her eyes to where Amara had been looking.
Over near the entrance of the mansion, Remy was with Rahne in wolf form, throwing a ball for her to go and fetch it. Tabitha had actually took her time to let Amara know she was there, already seeing who her attention was fixated on.
"You have a thing for him, don't you?" Tabitha asked, folding her arms as she watched Remy.
Amara stood up with her books in hand from where she had been sat hidden under a tree.
"What, no," Amara said, although she'd ducked her head back into her body and wasn't meeting Tabitha's eyes when she said this.
"He's not that great, you know. He gave us a right run around when the pranking wars were on," Tabitha said, watching Remy take the ball from Rahne's month. Tabitha grabbed her chin and watched Remy as he pulled his arm back and threw the ball far. His coat was off and a nice set of biceps were showing as he flexed.
"Come on Tabi. You know he never started that. And he never retaliated when you all went to war against him," Amara defended.
"Ah-huh," was all Tabitha said as she continued to watch Remy's muscles. "He's not that bad looking, is he? Could possibly give Scott a run for his money," Tabitha said.
"Tabitha," Amara muttered under her breath, glancing down shyly at the ground.
"What? You can't tell me you haven't checked him out. You were just staring at the man, for what? Fifteen minutes straight? Girl, your so into him," Tabitha said.
"It's just a crush!" Amara finally admitted. "It doesn't mean I like-him like him."
"Whatever you say," Tabitha said, waving her hand in the air, dismissing Amara's claim. "Although," she said. "You may have some competition."
Tabitha pointed back towards where Remy was. Emerging from inside the mansion was Rogue with Kurt. Neither seemed to realise he was there since they were so deep in conversation, but Remy noticed them. He'd folded his arms over his chest and a smirk that was larger than usual appeared on his face. Tabitha and Amara couldn't hear him too well from where they were, but they could see he let on to Rogue and Kurt, getting their attention.
Slowly, the pair joined Remy and all three began talking. Rahne did come back with the ball which Remy took back, but he was passing it from hand to hand while giving most of his attention to Rogue and Kurt now.
"You mean Rogue?" Amara asked, watching the scene unfold. "Yeah, they do seem to be rather inseparable. There's even some rumours around that Remy only joined the X-Men because of her. Then there's also that training session they did together which no one could get past, except them. Then Scott going off about how touchie feely Remy was with her when they were trying to watch a movie. Oh, and when they both disappeared that time when we went underground because of that storm. I guess he does kinda have a thing for her," Amara said, coming to sound defeated.
Tabitha let out some sort of laugh at Amara's last statement.
"Ha, that vampire? Please. When the ball finally drops that she's nothing special, especially since she can't touch, he'll be free for the taking. So, why not move in now before any other girl sinks their claws into him?" Tabitha asked.
"What? No, I don't think-" Amara tried to say, lifting her hand up and shaking it, no, as she spoke.
Tabitha grabbed the arm Amara held up and began pulling her along.
"Come on. Cupid isn't just going to go shooting his arrows off unless your there to work it," Tabitha said.
Xxxxx
Tabitha stood, leaning against the corridor just outside the men's bathrooms. Remy had ended up playing a game of basketball with a few of the other guys: Ray, Bobby, Sam, Kurt. He'd gotten all sweaty and Tabitha had kept her eye on him entering the showers. She was just waiting for him to come out and when he did, he it was only with half his clothing on. Tabitha couldn't help but check out his toned chest.
"Don't you know you're supposed to be wearing a shirt while walking around these walls?" Tabitha asked, gaining his attention.
He didn't jump like she expected him to. Just simply glanced her way as if he expected her to be there.
"Ain't seen a sign anywhere," Remy responded with.
"Huh, don't say that too loud," she said, pushing herself off the wall and approaching him with her arms still folded. "Summer's might here you and then this place will be full of signs."
"Don't doubt it," he said, setting a loose towel he had to hand around his neck.
"What'd you want petite?" he asked, keeping a solemn expression throughout his exchange with Tabitha.
"Oh, just to let you know a few of us are going out this afternoon. We're taking a drive on up to the arcade. You want in?" Tabitha asked.
"Arcade, huh? Surprised you still be loud t' go t' a place like dat," Remy said, raising his eyebrow at Tabitha knowingly.
"Geesh, you break a few machines one time and everyone holds it against you. The staff at the arcade never figured it out that it was me who broke their lame games, so we're cool," Tabitha said.
"If they be lame, then why y' goin'?" he asked.
"Hey, I didn't say all of them were. We're taking the jeeps out at two, so see you there hucky. Oh, and maybe put on a shirt," Tabitha said, waving her hand in the air as she walked away from Remy. "Or not," she called out.
Xxxxx
"Who's your girl?" Tabitha asked, as she stepped in to the wreck room where she found Amara.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"Set you up with Mr tall, dark and handsome, of course," Tabitha said.
"You didn't?" Amara asked, gobsmacked.
"Ah-huh. He's picking you up at two, so be ready by then, alright. He'll be waiting for you in the garage," Tabitha explained.
"Oh my gosh, I have a date with Remy? Tabitha, is this for real?" Amara near squealed.
"Yeah, yeah, you can thank me later. Just show up, alright?" Tabitha said, waving her hand in the air as she turned and left Amara in the wreck room.
Xxxxx
Amara was stood waiting in the garage besides the jeep, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet, waiting. It had been pretty quiet for a while, then, she heard quite a collective group of voices that seemed to be getting closer.
Amara gasped as the door to the garage opened and in poured Kurt, Kitty, Scott, Jean, Ray, Roberto, Rahne and all sorts.
"What are they doing here?" Amara muttered under her breath.
"Hey Amara, you coming to the arcade too?" Scott asked her, noticing her hidden behind one of the jeeps.
"Erm, the arcade?" Amara questioned.
"Yeah, we're all heading there now. Kind of a last minute plan thrown together, but it should be good. Come on, you can ride with me," Scott said.
Amara began to move out from behind the jeep she had moved behind unconsciously when realising that all these people were heading for the garage. As she appeared from behind it, she began looking around, not seeing Remy anywhere.
Instead, the door to the garage burst open and Tabitha appeared in the door way, her eyes darting around like crazy.
"Tabatha," Amara called out, gaining her attention
When Tabitha spotted Amara, she made her way over to her.
"What's going on?" Amara whispered. "I thought you said this was just going to be me and Remy?"
"He must have opened his mouth about it and invited the whole mansion. I'm sorry 'mare. But I know he's heading this way!" Tabitha said, glancing over her shoulder to the entrance of the garage behind her. "Once he get's here, just jump in the same car he gets in and don't worry! I'm gonna come with you and find you two an opening," Tabitha said, taking her friend by the shoulder.
"That might be harder than you think," Amara said, looking behind Tabitha and pointing towards the garage doors.
Rogue appeared through the doors first and was followed by Remy who had been holding the door open for her. Rogue had this amused look on her face which she was trying to swallow down where Remy was grinning, his teeth on show.
"That girl's becoming a bigger pain in our sides by the second!" Tabitha snarled under her breath.
Scott beeped his horn a couple of times, getting everyone's attention.
"Alright, let's get moving!" He said, giving out orders. "Find a space in one of the cars already and let's go have some fun."
"Some fun with him coming," Tabitha muttered under her breath.
Amara glared at Tabitha.
"What? It's true." She said, then turned to glance over her shoulder at Remy.
It looked like Rogue had been pointing at one of the jeeps that had space in it, but Remy had shuck his head and reached for the helmets to his bike. There was a mutter from Rogue, asking about Kurt. Remy, somehow, reassured her he'd be fine for the next ten minutes and to get on his bike. Rogue rolled her eyes, catching the helmet Remy through her way and then clibed on the back of his bike. A smile that she was trying to hide (but clearly, not doing well enough) broke out on her face as she wrapped her arms around Remy's mid-section.
"Come on!" Tabitha said, grabbing a hold of Amara's arm and pulling her along. "We're not getting left behind."
Xxxxx
Scott had tried to organise groups to walk around and stay together, but his orders weren't really being listened to.
Remy had stayed behind when a lot of the others had run off already because Rogue had stuck around. She was looking to Scott and respecting what he was telling them, just like Kitty, Kurt and Jean were. But even then, he found it hard to get them to listen.
"Oh, come on Scott. Like, lighten up a little," Kitty said, having linked Jubilee's arm and began walking off with her.
Tabitha and Amara had both stayed back as well since their mission was Remy. They watched how Kitty and Jubilee went to walk past him and Rogue and how both of them glanced up at Remy from under their lashes.
"What you thinking of playing on first?" Jubilee spoke up.
Her question was generalised, but it was clear who she was asking. Jubilee had found herself crushing on Remy hard after it truly hit her that he really did save her from being sent to a juvie prison that one time she almost got caught stealing. Warm, fuzzy feelings had begun to sprount in her tummy just thinking about a tall, handsome man looking out for her in the shadows.
Rogue, who usually looked like a moody Goth chick, looked way more irritated than usual when Kitty and Jubilee approached with puppy eyes for Remy. She crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrow as she glanced up at Remy from the corner of her eye.
"Might check out de poker tables they got stored away 'round here," he said, his teeth showing through his grin. "It be adults only though, petite. Can't take y'."
As Jubilee and Kitty began to look slightly disappointed, Rogue cracked a small smirk, turning her eyes away from Remy and huffing a single laugh.
"'course ya go for the cards," she said.
Remy's attention turned straight to Rogue as he said: "It be mon forte."
"No gambling!" Scott said, gaining everyone's attention. "Look Gambit, you don't want to be enforcing bad habits on them. They're too young to probably understand what it is you're doing."
"Am not!" Jubilee snapped out.
"I, like, totally understand it. We're not dumb, you know Scott," Kitty followed up with.
"I'm just saying-"Scott began to say.
"Seems like y' might wanna be careful spreadin' y' own bad habits there, one eye," Remy muttered out.
"Oh what? So looking out for everyone is a bad habit?" Scott snapped, approaching Remy. "If you tried looking out for them, they'd all be behind bars within seconds!" Scott said, pointing his finger in Remy's face.
"OK," Jean said, stepping in front of Scott and motioning him back with her raised hand. "Any other ideas of who wants to do what?" Jean asked.
"I wouldn't mind tryin' out that new shooting game they've got," Kurt said, making little guns out of his hands.
"Ah think ah might join' ya," Rogue said, starting to walk to Kurt's side. "But only if ya don't do those shotin' sounds throughout."
"Awww, come on Rogue. You know you love it," Kurt said as he began to walk away while talking to Rogue.
As the two began to head off towards the game Kurt wanted to play, Tabitha watched Remy move to follow them. This was when she stepped in, literally, and took him by the arm.
"Come on hunky. I know of a few card games you can play and you don't even need to be legal to play them," Tabitha said.
She felt Remy resisting a little, but she held on tight and continued to pull. Tabitha glanced back at Amara, her eyes becoming harsh with meaning. Amara sped up then to walk beside Tabitha who was leading Remy in the opposite direction to Rogue.
Kitty and Jubilee had been a little flabbergasted at seeing Tabitha take the reins like that, but they quickly recovered and followed after them, a harsh frown taking over both their faces.
Scott sighed, glancing down to the floor.
"Why do I bother?" he asked.
"Come on Scott," Jean said, touching his shoulder. "You're doing great! Now, let's go try out some of these games you've been dyeing to play."
Scott smiled at hearing what Jean had to say, and let her take his hand and lead him away.
Rogue had glanced over her shoulder to look back at the group. When she saw Remy walking off with Tabitha, Amara, Kitty and Jubilee, she frowned deeply. Then turned back and continued to walk off with Kurt.
"Everything ok?" Kurt asked Rogue, noticing she was stomping her feet a little more than ususal.
"Everythin's peachy," Rogue grunted out.
Xxxxx
"So, why were you, like, jumping him earlier anyway Tabitha?" Kitty asked.
The four girls and Remy had come to find a game that peeked Remy's interest. Hoops. He was currently busy shooting as many hoops as he could while the girls had come to form a small circle a little away from him.
Tabitha lifted her head towards Kitty, pulling a face as she didn't like being interrupted when she was trying to give Amara dating advice.
"What's it to you?" Tabitha asked.
Kitty shrugged her shoulder, glancing away as she did.
"Oh nothing. I was just wondering because you kind of didn't give him a choice to come with us," Kitty said.
"Us?" Tabitha riddled. "No, you two just followed us here. He came with us. Why did you follow us anyway?" Tabitha asked, folding her arms moodily as a bitter pout took over her face. "Don't tell me you have a thing for Remy? Didn't you already pick your bad choice in men with Lance?"
"Tabitha," Amara called out.
Kitty's eyes grew double in size as her hands landed on her hips, furiously.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Kitty demanded to know.
"Yeah, that doesn't seem like a cool thing to say," Jubilee butted in.
"Oh please. You were following him around all puppy dog eyes as well. Now you're about to do that to another guy?" Tabitha questioned. "Maybe fix yourself before you go after a man, Kitty cat."
"Ha! Says the felon who shouldn't even be here. Aren't you, like, supposed to be behind bars right now?" Kitty demanded to know.
"Watch it kitten!" Tabitha said as the two girls came to be at headlocks.
Amara took Tabitha's arm and Jubilee, Kitty's.
"Ok guys, cool it!" Jubilee stressed.
"Cool it?" Kitty sputtered out. "Tabitha's the one acting like a stuck up brat!"
"Errr, guys," Amara tried saying.
"Oh please! Why don't you go back to living in your make believe world where everything revolves around Kitty Pride and what she wants," Tabitha shot back.
"Guys," Amara called.
"I don't live in my own world! Why don't you stop interfering in business that doesn't even concern you!" Kitty said.
"Guys!" Amara finally snapped, getting everyone's attention. "Remy's not here."
Xxxxx
"So, is there somethin' botherin' ya?" Rogue asked gently as she kept her eyes to the ground.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Kurt asked, glancing at Rogue dumbly with the plastic gun still in hand.
"Nothin'," Rogue said, shrugging her shoulders, "it's just…" she trailed off, building the courage to look Kurt in the eyes. "The tips of your ears turn a tiny shade lighter when you're upset over somethin'. Ah mean, its none'a mah business really, but, if you did want to talk about it…"
Kurt's face grew soft as a sad smile took over his face.
"Thanks Rogue. It's nothing, really," he said, scratching the back of his head and glancing away. "Well, it's just…"
"Amanda?" Rogue filled in for him.
Kurt sighed, his face falling.
"Yes. It's that. Her…" Kurt trailed off.
"She moved away," Rogue said, watching Kurt closely for any reaction.
"Yeah," Kurt said, turning so his back was to Rogue.
"Everyone knows about it, but no one has said anything to me about it except they're sorry. I can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing," Kurt said.
"Why ya worryin' 'bout them?" Rogue asked, lifting her gun up and practicing with her aim. "Ain't any'a their business, an' if they wanna make it their business, well, they'll be findin' it rather hard tryna get past meh!" Rogue said, shooting down a target.
Kurt sighed, but a small smile was on his face.
"Thanks Rogue. You know, you're a pretty great little sister," Kurt said.
"Hey! Ah'm the older sister. You're the kid brother," Rogue shot back at him.
"Hey!" Kurt said, a large smile growing on his face as he throw his hands up. "I make a great older brother."
"Yeah, right. Now will ya pick up ya gun already? Ya leavin' meh hangin' here," Rogue said.
"Oh, right!" Kurt said, jumping into action. "Sorry!"
After they had gotten close to beating the game, Rogue and Kurt put their guns down, deciding to find something else.
"Ya do know that Amanda only moved away because her parents forced her too, right?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah, but… I don't know. She said we'd keep in contact, but she hasn't even called yet and you know what they say about long distance relationships. They never work out," Kurt said.
"So what? You're just gonna give up on her? Maybe she wouldn't be wrong ta not call ya back if that's the attitude ya takin'," Rogue said, folding her arms in front of her chest.
"Hey!" Kurt said,"I thought you were supposed to be in my corner?"
"Ah am, but there's only so much ah can do ta back ya up Kurt. You're the one who's gotta make the effort. If you think this relationship isn't gonna go anywhere, then what must Amanda be thinkin'? One'a ya's gotta have hope that things will turn out alright in the end. Well, that is, until she can get out from under her parents. Just think how she must be feelin'? She's probably listenin' ta em now, tellin' her who she can an' can't see. Tellin' her that all mutants are bad an' tryna stop her from reachin' out ta ya. She's fightin' through that. And what's she gonna think when she finally calls ya, only ta hear that you don't think it can go anywhere? Ya just gotta be a bit more patient, Kurt." Rogue said.
Kurt sighed, lumping his shoulders as he did.
"Yeah, I see your point. Thanks Rogue. I needed that kick," he said, shooting her a small smile.
"No problem. Now come on! Let's go see if they have those disgusting chilli dogs ya love so much ta try an' cheer ya up," Rogue said, letting a small smile grace her lips as well.
"You're the greatest!" Kurt said.
Xxxxx
Scott and Jean were wondering around the arcade, just talking while they found the next game they wanted to play. That was when Scott eyed Remy, standing by himself in between two machines.
"Hey, where are the others?" Scott asked, approaching him.
Remy glanced Scott's way briefly before turning his attention back to where it was before.
"Probably causin' chaos elsewhere," he replied.
"What do you mean? You just left them?" Scott asked, losing his temper far more quickly as Remy seemed to be ignoring him. "Of all the irresponsible things-"
"Relax Scooter. They be old enough t' take car of demselves. Dat idea y' had 'though, 'bout all of us stickin' together," Remy said, halting Scott from his rampage and confusing him a little.
"Yeah, what about it?" Scott huffed, folding his arms over his chest, waiting for the insult.
"Might not have been de worst one y' had."
Xxxxx
The bowling idea had gone down pretty well with every one of the mutants. They couldn't all play in the same lane, but they were in lanes right next to each other.
When Amara, Tabitha, Kitty and Jubilee had made their way around to the bowling section with Jean after she found them, they instantly swammed Remy, saying how they were worried when they lost him and asking him where he disappeared to.
Rogue had been speaking with Remy briefly before the huge mass of girls abducted him. He and Scott had approached her and Kurt and Scott had suggested bowling. While Scott set up their game and Kurt got ready to go first, she had been asking Remy who's idea it was, really, when it came to the bowling. She'd convided in him much earlier on that day about her being worried about Kurt. Later, he'd come back with the suggestion of going to the X-Men all going on a family outing to the arcada where Kurt could have some fun. Remy had also suggested that they could possibly address Kurt and ask why he was so down. Of course, that didn't go so much to plan when Remy had walked off and abandoned her to go entertain the other X-Women. Although, getting some alone time with Kurt did seem to work out and she figured out he'd given the others the slip. Of course, they came back at full force and something inside Rogue just felt hot and bothered.
She near stomped off as she took a seat at the bowling alley she was going to be playing in with Kurt and Scott. Kurt took his turn at knocking down a few pins. He didn't get all the pins down on his first roll, but on his second, he did.
Scott high fived him and took up his position to knock down the pins. Rogue's attention drifted away from the anger she was denying she felt to Kurt. He was back to smiling and, although it still looked like something was bothering him, he seemed more confident in himself. With that, Rogue couldn't help but let a small smile set on her face. Remy may have been annoying all day, but she'd got what she wanted which was to check on Kurt and try and make him a little happier.
Just as Rogue was relaxing back more into the wood bench, Remy's head appeared beside her. He was leaning over the back of the beach and smiling down at her.
"Not bowlin' with ya new fan club?" Rogue asked, glancing over her shoulder to see that the girl's had taken up another lane.
"Is dat jealously I be hearin'?" Remy teased her, having the largest toothy grin she'd seen yet.
Rogue twisted her head back around, huffing as she processed to tell Remy how that really wasn't the case.
Not too far away, Amara and Tabatha were stood off to one side, watching Remy speak with Rogue. Kitty and Jubilee did the same, but each set of girls were wareier of each other rather than what Remy was doing.
"Alright," Tabtha said, picking up a bowling ball and knocking it against her other hand. "Time to get serious," she said as she approached the lane to take her turn. "Whoever scores the most strikes gets to decide who takes a shot at the Cajun, agreed?"
There was slight bickering again over the terms of the agreement, but they all eventually agreed and the rivalary between the four girls was taken to the bowling alley.
Else where, Rogue and Remy were brought out of their light bickering as they heard a phone ring. They both looked at Kurt as the noise was coming from him. Kurt had seemed to freeze for a slit second in utter shock. He took his phone out of his coat pocket and when he glanced at the caller ID, a toothy grin set on his face as he rushed to answer it and take his call somewhere more private.
"Ya were listen t' us before, weren't ya?" Rogue asked, not needing to look back at Remy.
"T'ink I be bein' confronted by one eye when y' deux had y' heart t' heart," Remy said. "Y' enjoyin' de bowlin'?" he asked.
Rogue shrugged her shoulders.
"Its alright. Although, ah am wonderin' why ya suggest this then decided not ta play," Rogue said, now peeking a look over her shoulder at him.
"Somet'ings just be more enjoyable t' watch," Remy said, glancing down at her.
"Huh," Rogue said, not quite getting what he meant by that.
"So, what trouble did you an' ya little possy cause?" Rogue asked.
"You an' Scooter must share un brain. He asked de exact same," Remy said.
"Mebbe," Rogue said, still feeling a little disheartened that Remy walked off with the other she tried to hide it. "Although, ah was wonderin' who was gonna 'cause the most trouble. You or Tabitha," Rogue said.
Remy smirk grew at that. He moved his hands so that he was in a position to jump over the bench and land in one smooth move right beside Rogue who jumped a little at his presense. Remy was sure to make it so his arm wrapped around Rogue's shoulders.
"All depends what y' mean by trouble," Remy replied.
Slowly, Rogue's smiles shot up into a smile. She couldn't help it when he'd ended up tilting his head to one side and was smiling down at her the way he was. He was just too cute not to smile at. All the jealously she denied she had fell to the back of Rogue's mind as Remy showered her with attention. Well, as much as he could until someone else interfined.
"Rogue, you're up!" Scott informed her, although, it felt more like he was trying to separate them more than anything else.
Rogue stood up, talking the bowling ball and glancing back at Remy. He was still sat there, watching her and waiting for her to come back to him. Rogue rather looked forward to that idea of returning back to being under Remy's arm. But, then again, they were out with the whole of the mansion who tended to love interfiering and slipting them up. She had a feeling though that, once their little trip to the arcade was over, Remy would find his way back to her. He always seemed to.