Disclaimer: I own the rights to nothing at all here.
Chapter Four
Remy hadn't slept.
He rolled over in his bed to see his alarm clock flashing, mocking him with a bright and cheery 6am. He groaned and rolled back over, squashing his face up against the pillow.
He'd lay awake all night tossing and turning, thinking over what Rogue had said to him the night before.
The impossible ultimatum.
Rogue would only be civil to him if he stopped his advances, because she didn't think his feelings for her were real.
Remy didn't want to stop because he'd never had realer feelings for anyone, and the mere memory of the last night they had spent together was sending him deranged.
He wanted to shake her, to force her to believe that he was being honest this time.
That he really cared for her.
But he couldn't even blame her for not taking him seriously. When he and Rogue had first met hadn't been the most honest person. His true self had been hidden in the middle of so many lies and innuendos, he'd often had trouble keeping them all straight.
Why would Rogue ever believe him?
How believable was it really that he had cared for her a great deal, but he'd had no choice but to choose his family.
Remy was stuck over what to do.
He could gain Rogue's forgiveness right now if he wanted it, she understood family obligations better than anyone else he knew. She certainly understood what it was like to be stuck in a family that you wanted out of.
On the other hand, if she forgave him then she would never trust him because he'd made faking all those feelings seem so real.
Because they had been real, but she'd been fed so many lies she just couldn't see that.
How could she not see that?
The thoughts that had been circling his head all night were beginning to make him dizzy. So he shoved off the comforter, hoping that a cup of coffee would help clear his head.
While also secretly hoping he would find Rogue alone in the kitchen again.
He shoved his head through a t-shirt and opened the door as he pulled it down his chest. He almost collided with another boy hurrying down the corridor as he left his room.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" the blonde boy said brightly, pausing in his assault down the hallway.
Remy looked into those ice chip blue eyes for half a second before he realised who he was talking to. It was Iceboy, the one that had flirted with Rogue in the kitchen yesterday morning.
Bobby.
"Quite alright, mon ami" he said, stepping aside to clear the hallway. "Where yo' off to in such a hurry?"
"Danger Room" Bobby said uneasily, "We have training this morning."
"We?" Remy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The X-Men" Bobby clarified, "And I don't want to be rude but I really should" he motioned down the hallway.
He had started walking again before Remy could stop him.
"Hey, hold up" Remy called, pacing down the hallway after him. "How come Gambit weren't invited?"
Bobby looked awkward as he took the stairs two at a time and avoiding meeting Remy's gaze, "You've only been here a day" he reasoned, "The Professor probably wanted you to get settled first."
"De Prof run dese sessions?" Remy asked as they hit the entryway, Bobby would set a new record if he didn't slow down.
"No" he said awkwardly, clearing his throat and pressing the button to call the elevator. "Logan does."
"Ah."
Well that explained it, the Wolverine wasn't his biggest fan anyway and Remy guessed that he'd only want him in the Danger Room if there was some opportunity to knock seven bells out of him. Otherwise, he doubted the other man wanted him within 100 feet of Rogue.
"Do him an' Rogue got a thing goin'?" he asked as Bobby stepped into the elevator, following him in.
"Rogue and Logan?" Bobby snorted, "Of course not! He's old enough to be her great-great grandfather."
"Her papa, mebe" Remy agreed, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but with his-" Bobby paused as though suddenly sensed he had said too much. He stopped and cleared his throat again, "They're just friends" he clarified.
Remy nodded and followed Bobby out of the elevator into what appeared to be the basement.
"So, what dis Danger Room here involve?" he asked, looking around curiously.
Bobby sighed, finally stopping his military like march he turned to face Remy. "Look, I'll help you out if you want, just don't go making any trouble, alright?"
"Sho' thing, kid" Remy shrugged easily.
"Come on" Bobby sighed again, leading him into another room that appeared to be a men's locker room.
The room was empty aside from one man, who's thighs were easily as big as Rogue's waist. He was changing into a shirt, and his bare chest was solid muscle with a tight row of eight impressive abs.
"Hey Pete" Bobby waved, "This is Remy."
"We met yesterday" he said easily, holding his hand out again.
"You are friend of Rogue" Pete nodded, shaking his hand easily.
"There's some spare gym stuff in that cupboard" Bobby said, indicating with his thumb. "You'd better change."
"Change f'r what?" He asked, opening the cupboard and examining an old pair of sweat pants.
"To get your ass kicked by Rogue probably" Bobby snorted, pulling off his shirt.
Remy paused in pulling on a sweatshirt, "What?"
"Rogue is tough fighter" Pete agreed, nodding to himself as he laced up his trainers.
"Yeah she could totally take you, man" Bobby laughed, shutting his locker.
"Yo' think we ain't fought in de past?" Remy said, pushing the cupboard door shut and shoving his feet into a pair of trainers. "Remy knows all de chere's moves."
"From ten years ago, I heard" Bobby ribbed in a good nature, throwing Remy a grin to show he wasn't being serious. "She's learned some new moves since then."
"Taught her everythin' she knows" Remy shook his head.
"I'm sure she taught you some things too" Bobby laughed.
"Ain't dat de truth" Remy smiled to himself, pulling out a pair of sneakers before shoving the door to the cupboard closed.
Bobby threw a sideways glance to Pete before saying, "Hey man, can I ask you something?"
Remy glanced up from tying his laces but didn't respond.
Bobby didn't seem to be waiting for a response as he ploughed on, "Are you like, an ex-boyfriend of Rogue's?"
"Hopin' f'r some tips on how t' land de catch?" Remy grinned.
Bobby's cheeks pinked slightly which gave Remy all the answer he needed. "It's just people have been talking a lot, about how close you are with her and why she's so mad with you."
"Come up wit' anythin' good?" Remy raised an eyebrow.
"I suppose people are just curious" Bobby glanced down at his hands and cleared his throat, "About how Rogue could even have a boyfriend with her mutation."
"Yo' curious?" Remy asked, and Bobby finally lifted his head to look into his eyes again.
"We should be going" Pete said, interrupting as he turned to move towards the door. "The training will be starting."
"Yo' gotta learn t' experiment, mon ami" Remy threw Bobby a wink and patted him on the shoulder as he passed. "Takes a real man t' handle de Rogue."
He left Bobby pondering over that as he followed Pete through the door and into the Danger Room. He didn't have chance to think of much else, as he caught sight of Rogue in spandex and all other thoughts were immediately driven from his head.
She was stretching forward to touch her toes, but Logan was stood beside her and as he said something she leaned up and laughed. A tall man with dark hair and wearing a red visor was stood at her other side, talking to a pretty girl with a brown ponytail who Rogue had introduced him to just yesterday.
He vaguely remembered something about a cat.
"Hey guys" Bobby said as they made their way over to the group, "I brought a straggler."
All four of them looked up, both Logan and the visor man narrowed their eyes. Well, Remy assumed he narrowed his eyes, with that visor blocking his face it was difficult to tell.
Kitty blushed and flicked her hair off her face while Rogue slowly roved her eyes up his body.
"See somethin' yo' like, chere?" he asked, holding out his arms so she could fully examine him.
He had no idea what had made him say it, other than being completely unable to control his mouth around her.
"Why'd you bring him?" Logan barked, stepping in front of Rogue and blocking his view.
"We've all got to live together, Logan" Bobby sighed, running a hand through his spiked hair.
"Doesn't mean he needs to be in my Danger Room" Logan pointed out.
"I don't like it either, Logan" said the pretty boy, glaring at Remy though that red tinted visor. "But as the Professor wants him to be a part of the team, we don't have much choice."
"Better hope you don't come across me in there, bub" Logan growled.
"Ain't sure Storm would be too happy if yah turned her friend into sushi, Logan" Rogue teased, softly punching him in the arm.
"Yeah" Kitty agreed, "You are like a walking lighting rod."
Logan huffed but caught Rogue in a headlock, who laughed but allowed him to pull her into him. "What we doin' in here then, One-Eye?"
One-Eye shook his head and Remy imagined, rolled his eyes for good measure. "You're all a pain in my ass."
"Don't pretend to don't love us, Scott" Kitty sang.
Scott shook his head again as he pulled out several pieces of cloth from his pocket, half were red and the other half were blue.
"It's a simple game of capture the flag, with a bit of a twist" he explained, waving the cloth around slightly. "There are two teams, everyone gets one of these and the aim is to capture as many from the opposing team as possible."
"Like gym class all over again" Remy grinned.
"Feel free to leave any time, bub" Logan growled.
"An' miss yo' charming presence?" Remy feigned shock.
"Would you two stop?" Scott cut in, "Remy perhaps you should be on my team, to keep you out of trouble."
"That ain't possible, Scott" Rogue said, crossing her arms over her chest and shoving one shoulder into the wall.
"Yo' bring it out in me, chere" he threw a wink at her as he sauntered past.
"You better be on my team then, kid" Logan put in, grabbing a hold of her elbow and pulling her as far away from Remy as he could manage.
"Are any of the rest of us going to get teams?" Bobby asked, scratching the top of his head.
"I've got no problem being on Remy's team" Kitty grinned, cocking her head as she glanced over towards him.
"Well thanks to Gumbo, the teams are uneven" Logan said, "Maybe someone should sit out."
"How 'bout yo' mon ami?" Remy suggested.
"Hold up, Logan" Rogue reached out to grab his arm before he could stalk over and Remy assumed, stick him full of those metal claws. "We can play a man down, sho' we'll manage."
The way she looked at him, with a little smirk lilting her lips and her eyes sparkling green, she looked just like he remembered.
The way she would look just before Mystique sent her out on a mission, a hot mix of mischievousness and deadliness.
He couldn't help but smile.
"Fine, then I'll have Kitty" Scott nodded.
Kitty squealed happily before hopping over to their group, clapping her hands together happily.
"You're with us, Colossus" Logan said.
The big Russian swung his arms as he moved over to their team.
"Guess that puts me with Scott by default" Bobby sighed, moving over to their team as Scott handed out the pieces of cloth.
"Remember, no powers" Scott said sternly as he folded up the small peice of cloth and placed it in a pouch on the front of his outfit.
"What's the point in having them if you can't use them?" Bobby wanted to know.
"Wanna demo, Bobby?" Rogue asked, waving her fingers threateningly.
"No questions kid, just get over there" Logan practically growled, pulling his team to the other side of the room.
Remy knew exactly who he was going after first. Rogue hadn't let him within breathing distance of her since he'd arrived, and a little tussle between the two of them would no doubt let her get out some frustrations that she had over him.
His biggest problem would be getting past her guard dog, who as far as Remy could see had a mutation very similar to that of Victor Creed.
If Victor could sniff out Rogue's stash of red vines then he was pretty sure that Cujo could stiff him out no problem.
He needed a plan.
"So, who wants to take on de big bad wolf?" he said, turning to his team members who didn't seem to be phased by the fact that there was obstacles popping up in various locations around the room. "I say de Iceboy an' Cyclops stake him out, prolly take two t' get a handle on him."
"If Wolverine finds you in there, you're on your own man" Bobby laughed.
"And stay away from Rogue" Scott suggested, straightening his visor. "You don't want to spur him on."
They both turned and headed off into the maze without looking back.
"So much f'r de team" he muttered.
"I'll distract him" a voice said from behind him, and he turned to see Kitty looking up at him with those big, blue eyes.
"Pardon?"
"I'll distract him for you" Kitty repeated.
"No offense, petite" he said softly, "But de Wolverine could step on yo'."
"I'm stronger than I look" she assured him, patting him on the shoulder as she jogged past him.
Remy shook his head at the utter madness of this place as he moved into the maze of obstacles. His mutation ensured his agility and his years as a thief meant his footsteps were silent, giving him more than an advantage as could hear the others scuffling already. His empathy meant that he could pick out their emotions, but unfortunately he couldn't decipher the individual person based on what they felt.
Though he was sure to avoid being too close to anyone that was feeling overly angry or particularly murderous.
Even though that could be either Logan or Rogue.
Though she seemed to be itching for the fight just as much as he was, because just then a right hook hit him straight in the cheekbone and knocked the wind tight out of him. Luckily he was agile and fast on his feet, he spun around to meet her kick before she could land it in his ribs.
He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was angry and had been waiting for this moment, but he wasn't going to satisfy her by throwing a punch.
Rogue on the other hand had no such self restraint and side swiped him again. He moved an arm to parry back against her, but she was too fast. She locked her hand around his wrist and twisted him around.
Before he could move she had pinned him up against the wall with her hips.
"Little bit rusty" she whispered in his ear, the tips of her breast rubbing against his chest.
Before he could even respond, not that he was sure he could, she had leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth.
It was like he hadn't been kissed since the last time she had kissed him. She was warm and she tasted like hot coffee, and nothing else existed but Rogue's lips against his and his hands on her waist.
Until she pulled back just a fraction and grinned.
"Bang" she whispered against his mouth, "Game over."
As she took a step back he noticed she was holding the red cloth in her hand, the one that had just two minutes ago been in his front pouch.
As if he gave a damn about that.
He locked his hand around her wrist and pulled her back, "Where yo' goin'" he grinned, reeling her back in.
She twisted her hand out of his grip, "So grabby" she tutted, "Game's over, Cajun."
"Yo' tellin' me that kiss weren't real?" he shook his head, "Yo' ain't no actress, chere."
"Ain't as talented as ya'll" she cut back, glaring at him.
"Woah man!" They were interrupted as Bobby came running over and slapped Remy on the back, "That was insane!"
"What?" Remy's eyebrows knitted together, suddenly confused.
"Rogue kissed him, Bobby" Kitty pointed out, though she was staring at Remy with something a kin to hero worship. "Do you have something on your lips?"
"No way, that doesn't work" Bobby shook his head, before flushing red as everyone turned to stare at him.
"Remy is immune to mah powers" Rogue said, she sounded a little bitter as she leant up against the wall.
"So he can like, touch you?" Kitty asked, suddenly she was blushing too.
"Anyone can touch meh" Rogue rolled her eyes, "Jus' the stupid Cajun stays conscious."
"Never was one t' play by the rules" he teased.
"You so deserve a drink after this, man!" Bobby said, suddenly regaining his good humour.
"Fer what, not dyin'?" Logan said, moving to stand beside Rogue. "I'd say the opposite would have been reason to celebrate."
Remy opened his mouth but Rogue cut him a glare, "Don't start, Cajun" she sighed.
"Rogue" he reached out but she'd already pulled her arm out of his grasp.
"Jus' go back to yah fans, cher" she snapped, storming out of the room before he could stop her.
Remy sighed and pushed his hair off his face.
Somehow he didn't think that letting Rogue go ten rounds with him had improved her mood at all.