Chapter Six: Confrontations

"What do you think 'bout this one?" Anna inquired, holding up a modest black dress.

"Ah think Ah'll pass," Rogue replied. She surfed through the rack and snatched a purple mesh top. "Now this is more mah style."

John and Remy, having begged to tag along, were going through the lingerie across the isle. Gambit smirked and held up a red, lace teddy. "How 'bout dis one?" he called.

She rolled her eyes and continued her search. "Grow up."

Anna gave her a sympathetic glance. "Those boys never know when to quit." She emptied a few shirts into Rogue's arms. "I think we're done here, don'tcha agree?"

She nodded. "Thanks, Anna."

"Tis no problem lass. Mi casa es su casa, or whatever the Spanish say."

"Kay, what ya think about this one?" John asked. He displayed a black thong. He and Remy laughed hysterically. "What's your bra size mate? Maybe we can pick ya up a matching one."

Rogue ignored the two pigs and began walking to the check out lane. She barely saw the girl before she ran into her. Their clothes went flying everywhere. "Oh, Ah'm so sorry," she said, holding out her hand to help the girl up.

"Oh my God," the tiny brunette breathed. "It's you."

The terror in the stranger's eyes clicked immediately. "Shadowcat?"

Kitty pulled herself up and pointed a shaking finger at Rogue. "You! You're the one that put Carol into a coma! You're that murderer."

Her green eyes widened. "It was an accident," she whispered.

"Accident?" she repeated incredulously. "I'm sure your hands just, like, happened to grab onto Carol and suck every bit of life from her. I'm so sure that you really didn't mean to freaking kill her! That's why you flung her into the ocean- because it was all one big accident."

Gambit and Pyro joined Rogue. "X-Geek, eh?" John asked. He sneered. "What the bloody hell are you doing in Genosha?"

"I should be asking the same of you," Kitty retorted indignantly. "Trying to finish what you started?"

"Don't flatter yoh self, chere," Gambit answered. '"We just out here shoppin."

"Ah don't need y'r help," Rogue hissed. "Go away."

The two boys shook their heads. By now, a crowd had gathered around the four. Both girls picked up their clothing and glared intently into each other's eyes, as if to almost dare either one of them to make a move.

A redhead pushed through the crowd and grabbed Kitty's arm. "Kitty, are you all right?"

"It's her!"

Rogue felt Jean prodding her mind as soon as her green eyes focused on her. Rogue snapped up her mental shields. "Get outta mah mind, bitch."

"You've got some nerve to show your face around here, murderer," she replied. "It's unfortunate you escaped from Area 51. They should have put you in chains like you deserve."

She's got a point there, Carol snorted.

"Look, Jean Grey, Ah don't want any trouble here. Ah was just shoppin until Ghost Girl knocked inta me."

"Ghost Girl?" Kitty scoffed. "Is that the best you can come up with?"

"Why are you in Genosha?" Jean asked.

"None of y'r business. What are you doing here?"

"None of your business."

"Come on," Anna interrupted, yanking Rogue into the crowd. "Let us get out o' here. I can tell when we've overstayed our welcome."

"Better watch your back, witch," Kitty called.

"Better make sure Ah don't do worse t' you!" she snarled.

"That was a close call, chere," Gambit said as the group climbed into the BMW. "Why do dey hate you so much?"

"Carol," she snapped, massaging her temples. "Just drop it."

"I do wonder what they are doing here," Anna said finally. "It can't be a coincidence. What if they know what we plan t' do?"

"They're too stupid to figure that out," Pyro replied.

Rogue snorted. "Comin' from you that's a small comfort."

"Hey!"

The four rode in silence to the base, and were greeted by Magneto in the garage. "How was your trip into town?" he inquired with a smile.

"Awful," Anna answered. She popped the trunk and climbed out. Placing a small kiss on his cheek, she added, "We had a run in with the X-Men."

"What!"

Rogue balanced several bags in her hands. Gambit shut the trunk when she was done, picking up his own bag. "Yeah, they're all here for Lawd knows what reason."

"I'll have to make a note of that. Come inside. Wanda's prepared dinner for us."

"Not again!" John whined. "She's a worse cook than Anna!"

"You'd better watch it!" Anna cried.

"Hey, chere," Gambit whispered in Rogue's ear. She pulled away, disgust written all over her face. "Remy got ya a present to lighten yoh day."

She snatched the bag from his hand. "How kind," she replied sarcastically, batting her eyes. She reached her room and turned around. "Well? Are ya gonna stop followin' me?"

"O' course, mon ami," he replied with a grin. "Jus' tell Remy what ya t'ink, oui?"

She stepped in and slammed the door in his face. Throwing the bags on the bed, she began hanging the clothing in her closet. Remy's bag caught her eyes. She opened it and pulled out the same red teddy he had shown her at the mall. Sick bastard, she thought and threw it to the floor.