Disclaimer: The characters and events depicted in this story are fictional. Any similarity to any actual person, living or dead, or to any actual events, firms and institutions and other entities is coincidental and unintentional. The story is based on Dokyusei written by Nana to which permission to use its plot has been granted by the author. All characters used are the legal property of Marvel and its constituents.
Attitudes & Feelings, Both Desirable & Sometimes Secretive
Chapter VIII : Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Kitty did not believe her eyes. "Where…where did they go?" She asked, gazing wide-eyed at the empty lawn.
"Nothin'…happened?" Rogue said, clearly surprised, walking over the area where they had been almost ten minutes ago.
A cursory inspection of the nearby premises yielded nothing.
"He couldn't have crawled away tha' fast if he were beaten ta a pulp," said Rogue logically as they returned to the lawn. "So ah guess they really didn't get inta a fight after all."
"What made you think Pete would be the one to get beaten into a pulp?" asked Kitty a bit flatly.
"Well, John is the school's boxin' champion aftah all," Rogue said. "Ya just don't mess with people lahke that with no good reason."
Kitty sighed heavily. "Well, I guess that's like all there is to it. It's really a good thing nothing happened. I don't think I can stand this much excitement all in one day."
"Don't let him get ta yah," said Rogue, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Look, would yah lahke some ice cream before goin' home? Weh can stop by the café near the school. Ah'll call one of mah friends, she should be outta class by now."
"Sure."
After texting her friend, they walked slowly out of the school, talking as they went.
"How's it goin' with Pete as lab partners?"
"Just awful. He's really making things so difficult," said Kitty. "I mean like he's totally exasperating! And noisy, and rude, among other things…"
Rogue smiled. "Really?" she said. "So what's Katherine Pryde's type when it comes ta guys?"
Kitty sighed, beginning to smile as well. "Definitely not someone who's violent and prone to picking fights, or for that matter, somebody who's selfish, malicious and short-tempered. He should be kind, considerate, romantic…"
As she trailed off with a wistful expression on her face, Rogue said, "So definitely naught someone lahke Pete, huh?"
"Definitely," Kitty said with alacrity. "How about you, Rogue? What's your type?"
Rogue was suddenly looking a bit flushed. "Oh, the usual, ah expect," she said.
"You mean cool, calm, intelligent--something like that?" teased Kitty.
"Somethin' lahke that," said Rogue.
"Like Remy, perhaps?" Kitty prodded, grinning.
"Of course NOT!" said Rogue, hotly. "Kitty…!"
For a moment, words appeared to fail Rogue as she tried to voice out something that could properly describe the guy's crimes.
"That swamp rat is absolutely disgustin'! He's shameless, ruthless, completely devoid of morals, an' a player ta boot!" she finally said.
Kitty remembered what he had said to make Rogue nearly jump out of her skin earlier when they had visited the seniors' domain. Of course he was just teasing Rogue, but why would he even think of doing it, in the first place? And there had been something beneath the caressing tone Kitty could not put a name to which made the tease something a bit more than meets the eye.
"He seems to like you," said Kitty.
Rogue shook her head. "He does naught," she said, bitterly. "He just thinks ah'm this big challenge he has ta overcome. Ah'm his current project, if yah'd lahke ta put it that way."
Kitty stared at Rogue.
"He's got it into his head he's irresistible, so the first girl who comes along who openly gets revolted by the idea gets ta become a freak-- someone he has ta examine more closely," said Rogue.
"Rogue…"
"Don't worry, though, Kit," Rogue said quickly. "He's not goin' to get ta meh."
"Good for you, Rogue," said Kitty. "I guess we've got our share of annoying boys to deal with."
"There's no runnin' away from these types in this school, unfortunately," said Rogue. "Of course, there are some who are really not that bad."
"Like Scott?" Kitty asked gently.
Rogue smiled almost sadly. "He's already got a girlfriend," said Rogue with finality, as if closing a case. "All the good ones are already taken."
Kitty found that she could not say anything to that.
After all, even Pete, with his foul temper and his notoriety, had somebody like Michelle, however briefly.
"There's the café," Rogue pointed out. "C'mon ah can finally introduce yah ta Wanda. And let's talk about somethin' else, shall weh? What are yah doin' this weekend?"
Laughing, they set out to cross the street, not aware that somebody had seen them from a distance and, after a moment's pause, decided to follow them.
Remy leaned back into his seat, satisfied. Across him, fellow debate team members St. John Allerdyce, Lucas Bishop and Emil Lapin continued to stare at him as they digested what he had to say.
"So the shelia ran away," said St. John, finally.
"After all dis time an' Remy still manages to impress himself." Lebeau smiled behind his sunglasses.
"Because you said what you said." Lucas didn't bother to hide his razor-sharp tone from Lebeau. They were, after all, fellow seniors. And he hated his guts. "Big deal."
Remy leaned on the table, raising his brow at an unimpressed Lucas. "So what are yah sayin', homme?"
"What I'm saying is, any sophomore when faced with a head-on assault like that in a corridor of seniors would react the way she did. That doesn't mean she thinks you're something," said Lucas indifferently. "All in all, I'd say you can't draw a reliable conclusion from that encounter."
"But what 'bout dat episode in de cafeteria? De track field?" Lapin asked, trying to defend Lebeau. "Surely dose incidents will warrant some merit--"
"Look Lebeau," said Lucas, not bothering to acknowledge Lapin's presence. "I'm not saying she's not responding to you. Hell, she's responsive, all right, but that's a long shot from saying she likes you. You should know that! More than anything, she's outdone herself by showing you how much she hates your guts."
"But--but dat's a start," pointed out Lapin. "She wouldn't be hatin' Remy's guts like dat for nothin'! De fact dat she does means she likes him, non?"
"Don' make me give you a time-out, Emil..." Remy turned to him, effectively shutting him up. Remy stared at Lucas coolly, inwardly acknowledging he had a point. Not that he would ever acknowledge it in Bishop's face.
"What would it take, den?" he asked.
"You know, LeBeau, you are indeed something of a jerk," said Lucas, getting bored with the conversation.
"Dere yo' go, mon ami – dere's somethin' yo' can always count on," Remy smirked, leaning back into the booth.
The problem of Rogue was becoming more and more complex. It was clearly not enough that he could make Rogue react. What was the point of proving she could respond, when she could not respond positively? What he had so far was a set of conjectures derived indirectly from her reaction, but face it: The conjectures were not solid evidence. And inconclusive evidence could not hold in any grounds of debate. He needed more solid proof--something short of her clinging to his arm-- that would effectively clarify, once and for all, that he could make her like him. But was that really his primary objective when he started? When he crossed that track oval to declare open war, had he really wanted to make her like him?
'Not really,' thought Remy truthfully.
When he crossed the track field, he had one thing clear in his mind: he wanted to see how much he could rattle her. Because to be perfectly honest, he really did not think he could like a girl like Rogue. And she had to be put in her place. So how did this come about? Why were they sitting here in a corner of a small café discussing possible tactics to bring a mere girl to heel?
'Because,' Remy said to himself, 'yo're absolutely goin' nowhere wit' her…an' admit it, after ya took one good look at her, yo've decided she could be worth all de trouble after all…'
"How 'bout some jealousy?" St. John suggested clicking his lighter. "That would make fo' more solid, more tangible evidence."
'Hmm…' Remy had to acknowledge it was not a bad idea.
The chimes above the café door sounded as it opened, and amidst the chatter within the room, Lebeau looked up to see his chance come in.
"Well, well, look who decided t' drop by," he said, allowing a smile--a full, delighted smile--to show on his face as he stood up. "Well, mon ami, yah're about ta see your suggestion tested."
Quickly, surely he made for the two girls who had entered.
"Looks like Lebeau is gonna make right an ass of 'imself," said St. John laughing not noticing a pair of dark blue eyes narrowing in the booth next to him who had heard the entire conversation.
Rogue turned just in time to see him heading their way, and her face paled. There was nowhere for her to run, no way for her to dodge him in this place…
But he wasn't even looking at her for a change. He was brushing past her, striding over to Kitty.
"Ah, p'tit!" he said to a startled Kitty and, before she could register what he was about to do, he had grasped her hands tightly in his.
"'magine seein' y' here," he said, hoarsely. "You're indeed a sight fo' sore eyes…dis, dis must surely be a sign!"
"EHHH…?" Kitty cried, her eyes wide.
From the corner of his eyes, Remy could see Rogue start in intense surprise before her face began to turn furiously, furiously red.
'Well, dere you have it, Johnny-boy,' he laughed inwardly. 'Befor' Remy finishes wit her, dere's no way you're goin' t' mistake DAT fo' anythin' else!'
But he was not allowed to carry on.
"What…the hell…do yo' think… you're bloody well doin'?" a voice from the doorway asked.
Remy turned to see a strange sight. A boy with black hair and furious dark blue eyes stood just inside the door wearing a rumpled Xavier's uniform and a black trench coat.
"I--Pete!" gasped Kitty in total shock. 'What was he doing here???'
"Get yer hands off her!" Pete said, advancing slowly on Remy just as John had previously done earlier with him.
"Pourquoi?" Remy asked.
"Because Cajun," Pete said, seething with repressed rage, "You're goin' t' have t' deal with ME!"
With that, he let out a fist, swiping at Lebeau's head. Only it did not connect with solid flesh.
"Attends!" Lebeau said as he casually ducked, feeling the boy's fist whiz above him. With astonishing, fluid grace, he swerved behind Pete, his face not even bothering to change its expression.
"You're really violent, aren't you homme?" Remy said calmly, with just a hint of annoyance. "Let's go outside fo' dis kind of thin', shall we? Dere are too many people in 'ere."
With that, he calmly walked out the café, his back to Pete. Kitty and Rogue exchanged glances. How could he manage to even consider something like that, given the situation he was in?
"'pologize to her!" said Pete, following him outside.
"It's okay, Pete," said Kitty nervously as she caught up with him. "Don't worry about it!"
Pete turned to her, his expression one of wild disbelief. "What do you mean, it's bloody well okay??" he asked loudly.
"She's tellin' ya not ta sweat it, Wisdom," said Rogue, coldly. "He's just tryin' ta provoke yo'. He's not worth it."
She stared at Remy steadily as she said this, and Remy realized she had caught onto him. No doubt she had recognized Lapin and Bishop in the crowd of interested spectators and had pieced the puzzle together.
But there was no time for that now. Amidst Kitty's sudden cry of alarm, Pete let fly another punch, but Remy was quick to dodge it.
"Ya do realize de gravity of what you're doin', non?" Remy told him coolly, as he easily blocked Pete's blows with his hands, moving with a startling fluidity as he dodged more blows. "Engagin' a senior in a fight is not exactly a very wise move."
"Well, who started it, anyway?" Pete yelled. Remy merely chuckled, as if the whole thing were highly amusing.
'Dammit, but why can't I get a bloody punch through to this guy?! Who was he anyway?' thought Pete.
At one point, as he swung past Remy, the guy even got hold of his arm in a vice-like grip
"Is dat de best ya can do?" he asked, smirking, as he flung Pete's arm away casually causing him to stumble back.
"Fight back, dammit!"
"Yo' mean yo' dink yo' can handle it?" said Remy, in amused disbelief.
"Apologize!"
"Remy didn't do anythin' ta compromise de fille, if dat's what yah're tryin' ta point out," said Remy. "She doesn't have a boyfriend, after all, does she?"
And then, curiously enough, he stopped as a thought occurred to him. He dodged Pete's last blow and turned to Kitty.
"Do yo', p'tit?" he asked, surprised.
Stunned, Kitty could not speak. Neither could Rogue nor Pete.
Remy turned from Pete to Kitty, taking in their stunned faces and misinterpreting them.
"Pardonez-moi, mon brave," he said, scratching his head. "but Remy didn't realize…well, you should have said somethin' at de beginnin'…"
"Wha-what, you…" Pete was beginning to sputter indignantly.
"Remy apologizes p'tit," said Remy formally to Kitty, bowing his head slightly at her direction. "Remy wouldn't have put hims'lf out of line if he'd have realized earlier that you and de garcon... m'excuse…"
With that, he turned away in a flurry of a trench coat and walked off, leaving the three to take in the sudden, startling turn of events.
"HEY!! Come back here, you toe-rag!!!" Pete said, going after him.
"Hey, hey, that's enough, sugah," said Rogue, grabbing his arm. "It's all over."
"That…bloody…wanker!" bit out Pete, angrily, staring at his retreating back incredulously.
"Rogue…" said Kitty, slowly. "I know this sounds crazy, but…you know, he's not really such a bad person after all…"
Rogue shook her head as she watched him walk away, not believing Kitty, and not believing what Remy Lebeau was capable of doing, either. Just as they turned to enter the café, a girl in a black and red pleated skirt and blazer exited carrying a red trench coat.
"You're late," she said startling both girls. She had the same gothic look Rogue had, dark mascara and burgundy lipstick. Her wavy hair was cropped short with red highlights. "Although you have a good excuse this time. Never fail to entertain."
"Wanda, early as usual," said Rogue dryly. "Kit, this is Wanda Maximoff, we've know each otha since middle school."
"Nice to meet you," said Kitty. "I'm Kitty Pryde." Wanda gave her a once over and arched her eyebrow.
"Pleasure's all mine but as nice as it is to converse in front of doors…" started Wanda.
"Come on, miss priss, ah see some tables in the back," said Rogue gesturing to the back of the café.
"Coffee sucks here, come on, there's a place around the corner," said Wanda glancing at the booth St. John still occupied.
Following Wanda's stride they left the café behind them.
"So do what school do you go to?" asked Kitty eyeing Wanda's clothes.
"She goes t' the Lehnsherr Academy."
"Unfortunately," said Wanda darkly loosening her tie.
"Huh?"
"Her father's the headmaster," stated Rogue with a finality that should wrap up Wanda's issues in a neat nutshell.
"Oh," replied Kitty with a weak smile. Sensing an awkward moment, Wanda wedged herself between the duo.
"So, Roguey, I thought the only senior you had interest in was Captain Cardboard," remarked Wanda in a dry tone that started a new slurry of conversation as they entered another restaurant.
To be continued…
Read & review!
- Swing
Chapter Track: Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - Jet (Get Born)
Author's Note: For a better term, how to stay as canon as possible:
St. John Allerdyce – He is a member of the Alcolytes in the Evolution series. The correct pronunciation of his name is Sinjin but a lot of the characters will be calling him John 'cause they think he just sainted himself.
Lucas Bishop – He is a member of the X-Men from the future. He frequently comes to blows with Remy in the canon.
Wanda Maximoff – She's the Scarlet Witch and the daughter of Eric Lehnsherr aka Magneto. Such a happy relationship they have and will be exploited in the story somewhat.
Many thanks to the reviewers so far…anyone interested in being my beta for the story? The position is up for grabs.
NaijaStraberrie– Thanks so much! More Pete action in this chapter!
Mimi The Witch – Thanks! This chapter has more Remy, insert drool. I saw Fantastic Four on Friday…I saw stars each time Chris Evans talked…
PetiteDiable – Well, ask and you shall receive. More Rogue/Remy and Pete/Kitty interaction…flirting will come later…don't worry.
Shi – OMG Pirates!!! Way better than Ocean's 13 and Fantastic Four…gah…I should spend more time studying than watching movies. I would never change his eyes…and this chapter is full of ROMY goodness.
melissarxy1 – Thanks for the support. I hope I didn't stray too much from canon…I have never read any Excalibur comics, I've only watched the '90 cartoon and the stuff that came after. I have another Kitty/Pete story mulling over in my head, still need to work out the kinks in it…