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.
The most of the dialogue between Wanda and St. John is from chapter six of Nine to Five written by Goldylokz with some minor tweaking for plot purposes. Goldylokz has graciously allowed permission to use it.
Attitudes & Feelings, Both Desirable & Sometimes Secretive
Chapter IX : An Attempt To Tip The Scales
The last day of the week came by to see Kitty in a better mood than she had ever been in since she first stepped into Xavier's Institute.
Even Pete noticed the change in their first period science lab.
"Oi," said Pete as he eyed her suspiciously. "Wot's the matter with yo' this mornin'?"
"Nothing's the matter," she said, keeping her eyes on the beaker as she steadily added hydrochloric acid in. She failed to wipe the small smile from her lips, though.
"Has this got anythin' to do with what happened yesterday?" Pete persisted.
This time, Kitty turned to face him. "Like what do you mean?" she asked.
"Something's not bloody right with yo' today," said Pete, narrowing his eyes. "This doesn't have anythin' t' do with that nancy boy Lebeau, does it?!"
Trust him to think of it that way. But speaking of Remy Lebeau…
"What happened yesterday was pretty interesting. I never thought he was really that kind of person," said Kitty, thoughtfully. She turned to look at Rogue meaningfully as she sat with her lab partner, Jubilation Lee, rolling her eyes at whatever the preppy girl was saying, two tables away.
And Pete did not hesitate to jump to his own conclusions.
"Wot are yo' bloody well sayin'?!" he exploded. "You mean t' say you liked wot he did t' yo'? Yo' like those kinds o' blokes that much?!"
Kitty turned back to him, and said matter-of-factly, "I LOVE them!"
And she watched, exasperated, as Pete's eyes widened in shock. He stumbled away, his hands balling into fists. She could swear she heard him muttering under his breath, "is that how it IS? Is that how things bloody well ARE?!"
"Honestly, can't you tell it's like just a joke?!" she called after him, annoyed. "What's it to you, anyway?"
Pete straightened up and glared at her. "Nothin'!" he said before storming off.
"How could it possibly mean anythin' t' me?" he huffed, just for good measure.
Kitty sighed, watching him move away towards the fume hood.
From the look of things now, though, it seems he's back to his usual, unpleasant self, thought Kitty acidly.
And yet why was he there at all yesterday? And to think they had thought he had been beaten to a bloody pulp. Did he happen to just pass by on his way home? But why so convenient? And why would he care at all what happened to her outside school?
She turned her head slightly to look at Pete as he returned to his seat a few feet away from her and started pounding away at the mortar and pestle, crushing some chemical crystals into powder.
Because you're going to have to deal with me!
Why would he even think of saying something like that?
Kitty watched as he continued to wreak havoc with the hapless contents of the mortar, bits of crystals and powder flying in all directions.
I want to ask him so many things, but…
Pete lifted his head to find her staring at him, and effectively shattered the mood by saying, "Wot're yo starin' at? Yo' got a bloody problem or somethin'?"
Kitty sighed.
"What's the point of your crushing the crystals to powder," she found herself telling him, "when you can't even get them to stay in the bowl?"
With that, she turned away. 'Never mind…'
"Yah're lookin' all chirpy today," observed Rogue dryly during homeroom. "It's sickenin'."
"I do?" Kitty asked as she took out her agenda.
"Does it have anything to do with you-know-who's appearance at the scene yesterday?" Rogue asked, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Who? Lebeau?" Kitty teased back, deliberately misinterpreting her.
Bad move.
Rogue's expression automatically darkened.
"Rogue, I'm sorry," Kitty said, wondering what had gotten into her to say such a thing. "That--that was an awful thing to say…"
"Let's leave him out of the conversation, okay?" Rogue almost snapped.
A short silence ensued as the class steadily filled up. Then…
"The guy was a total asshole!" Rogue exploded suddenly.
"He was," Kitty agreed.
What he did yesterday was totally unforgivable. Not so much to Kitty as to the person he had intended the whole show for. Kitty should by all rights be offended by what he had done to her, but she felt sorrier for Rogue.
"He must be doing it for a reason," said Kitty trying to stir the conversation in such a way as to prevent Rogue from sinking any deeper into it.
"The reason is obvious enough," said Rogue, bitterly, as she remembered who else had been present in the café to give further motive to his actions.
Kitty briefly considered telling her his newly found merits, however lame they were, but decided against it when she saw Rogue's stormy face.
After all, there was a big chance she could be wrong.
Lebeau may just turn out to be the usual jerk who got kicks out of seeing a girl humiliated. In the end, he could very well hurt Rogue with his persistence.
But Kitty could not help but return to that scene in the seniors' corridor a couple of days ago. There had been something there…
What was it?
It was already at the tip of her tongue…if only she could describe what she had seen on his face and heard in his voice.
She gave up with the thought temporarily and returned to the present to find Rogue still seething.
"Maybe it would help if he sees you're not that affected."
"Ah'm NOT affected, okay?" Rogue said loudly.
Kitty winced. "Erm…Okay."
What was it about certain people, that they could bind themselves to others this way? With no apology, no remorse, and no permission at all?
Against all logic, against all self-control and against all hope, how do some people just creep into one's mind and refuse to leave?
What Rogue had not yet realized, and what Kitty could not bring herself to tell her was, at the rate she was going, she was already fighting a losing battle with Lebeau even in this early stage.
Whether Rogue wanted to or not, he had gotten to her so deeply, so completely, that Rogue had begun to think of him as her ruin…almost lovingly?
Well, maybe not lovingly. But there was no mistaking the passion so clearly evident in Rogue where Remy was concerned.
How strange.
Could it be possible that Remy Lebeau…has become Rogue's precious bane?
Kitty was excited. 'And why shouldn't I be?" she thought with a firm nod. After all the drama she had to go through she deserved to be happy. Nothing was going to bring her down.
"Yah joined the computa club?" said Rogue almost choking on her gum.
"Yes…," replied Kitty slowly as if talking to a child and grabbing back the flyer for the club meeting. "I spoke to this guy called Webber and…"
"Ya know, yah've just committed social suicide," drawled Rogue, leaning back in her chair.
"What?! Like no I haven't! Computers are so in!" said Kitty pointing again at the bubblegum pink flyer as if to justify her cause.
"Sure did. But ah'll still hang out with ya. Social outcasts gotta stick togetha."
"What do you mean?" Kitty huffed and just like that her good mood was shattered.
"What's up with her?" asked Jubilee sitting at the desk opposite Rogue.
"Joined the computa club," smirked Rogue.
"Oh my God! That's social suicide!" shrieked Jubilee with enough dramatic inflection to cause Rogue to snort and a few other students to look over.
"Why do people keep saying that?!"
"As a concerned friend, ah thought yah should know," said Rogue.
"But I like computers…" said Kitty morosely.
"Nevah said it was a bad thin'."
"It so is Rogue. Kitty will never be voted prom queen if she goes through with this," replied Jubilee.
"Ah don't think everyone has the same aspirations as ya, Jubes."
"Urg. Kitty don't listen to her. If it weren't for the school uniform, she'd never wear a skirt. For the sake of your social future, don't go to computer club."
"But…" started Kitty.
"Stop scarin' her, Jubes. No one evah died by joinin'."
"I'm trying to help her."
"Ah'll go to the first meeting with ya, Kit."
"You are both hopeless."
"Yah're comin' with us."
"What?! I am so not!"
"Three words Jubes: Forth of July."
"Are you blackmailing me!?"
"Ah prefer extortion, the x makes it sound more professional lahke."
"But that was never proven!" shouted Jubilee, earning a few raised heads. "Fine, but if word gets out, I'll tell Lebeau that you secretly pine for him and you have a shrine to Wisdom." She locked gazes with both girls.
"Whatevah, no one will believe yah after the time yah were convinced Ms. Monroe could control the weatha," replied Rogue with an arched brow.
"Social suicide, Kitty, I hope you know that," Jubilee said in hopes to convince Kitty.
Ms. Monroe entered the classroom ending further protests from Jubilee. So much for her good mood. At least Rogue looked happy but that could just be because Jubilee looked so pissed off.
"That's so typical of your kind," retorted Jubilee.
"Well, at least ah'm not a sheep like yo'," bit Rogue crossing her arms.
"I am so not a sheep!" shrieked Jubilee.
"Yo' are such a sheep! Yah've nevah had a single opinion ya didn't get from watchin' MTV," said Rogue acidly.
"At least I've got a social life!"
"Oh, don't even try with the snooty, woolly girl."
"Oh!"
"Er, like what's going on here?" asked Kitty dropping her lunch tray down next to Rogue.
"We were just discussin' whether or not we should go ta the club meetin' wit ya, again," responded Rogue.
"No, you weren't," said Kitty looking at the glare Jubilee was giving Rogue.
"Well, our discussions tend to go about three minutes then it's strictly name calling and hair pulling," sighed Jubilee, giving up on the staring contest in favour of her pudding cup.
"Well at least I got company," said Kitty. "It really means a lot."
"Yeah, are we done?" asked Jubilee.
"Never were much fo' small talk, were yah? Unless it's about otha people," said Rogue sarcastically. "God, ah love that."
"Not as much as I love your way of perfecting that brooding goth poser mystique," retorted Jubilee with a glare.
"Goth poser? Ah am not a poser! What about tha way yah always have ta be miss preppy establishment, always givin' that carbon-copy advice about how ta live ta everyone."
"Well, you never listen. You look like walked out of a B-horror movie," said Jubilee looking at Rogue's black opera gloves and choker necklace.
"Always interruptin'," sighed Rogue.
"And your hair. What do they call that thing with your bangs? Radioactive?" continued Jubilee.
"Never much cared for yo', Jubilation. Even if weh're lab partners," said Rogue.
"Cared for you less," bit back Jubilee.
"Fine," said Rogue grabbing her soda.
"Good," replied Jubilee taking a bite out of her apple.
"Uh…guys?" said Kitty, uncomfortable with the stony silence that made the noise of the cafeteria louder. Both girls had focused on eating their lunch as if nothing had happened.
"There is one thing about you," started Jubilee while munching on her apple.
"Really?" said Rogue raising her eyebrows.
"Yeah, I never told anybody this, but I like your music," confided Jubilee.
"Yah like Britney Spears," stated Rogue.
"Whatever, I'll be there at four," said Jubilee. "Ciao, chicas."
Smiling, she cleared her tray and got up and left. Rogue nodded and continued to eat her lunch. Kitty just stared at her.
"Uh, Rogue, like, what was that?" Kitty said looking perplexed.
"What?" asked Rogue, Kitty nodded towards Jubilee's wake. "Oh, that. That's normal. Weh always talk lahke that. Don't worry about it."
"Pete…" Kitty said softly.
"Wot?" Pete said beside her.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kitty asked, looking up from her book to find his face almost pressed against her shoulder.
Pete paused for a moment, thinking. "Copyin' yer answers?" he said in a What-Else-Do-You-Think-I'm-Doing voice.
Kitty shut her science lab manual with a FLAP!
"Oi!" Pete said, swiping at the book unsuccessfully as Kitty moved her manual out of reach. "We're supposed t' be doin' this as a team! You're my lab partner!"
"We're supposed to be doing the questions on our own!" she snapped. She stood up, collected her things, and headed out the library door. "You've like already copied down the experiment's results!"
"Hey, wait a mo!" Pete moved to follow her, oblivious of the librarian's stares.
"Why are yo' bein' so damned difficult?" he said, catching up with her in the corridor.
"Why are you following me all the time?" Kitty hurled back. "Unlike me, you're actually required to attend study hall."
"Give meh yer manual an' I'll stop," he said.
Kitty shot him a lidded look. "Is that," she said, quietly, "the only thing you're after?"
Pete blinked. "Well, what else is there?" he said a bit defensively.
'Fine. Ruin my day, why don't you?' she thought, tramping down the fluttery feeling in her stomach.
"Well, what about yesterday at the café?" Kitty asked. "Don't tell me you went over there to borrow my lab manual?!"
Pete was so surprised that he sputtered for a full half minute before thinking of something good enough to say.
"Well, yo' should be bloody grateful I got there in time!" he said, loudly, expertly evading the question. "Otherwise he would have been all over yo'!"
"At least he's very kind and attentive," gritted out Kitty. "And he doesn't treat me like I'm some ex-girlfriend he's got some unresolved gripe against!"
God. There it was. After everything that's been said and done, it had to come back to this.
That effectively shut Pete up, and he looked away.
'Oh no, you don't…!' she thought as she seized him by his ever-present trench coat, as well as the opportunity to take full advantage of the elusive topic. Pete's eyes went wide as they met hers.
"Look at me! This is what it's all about, isn't it?" said Kitty, angrily. "You know what? It really riles me up to think every time you see me you get reminded of her. Do you hate her so much you've got to make me her punching bag as well?"
And then unexpectedly, a pained look crossed his blue eyes, and he crushed her hand in his.
"It's not…what you think," he said, softly. "Don't go talkin' 'bout things you have no bleedin' clue 'bout."
Kitty stopped, confused, as she looked into those stormy depths. She could find no trace of hatred, none at all. There were so many things to be deciphered in that look, but there was clearly none of the hatred he had made clear in his voice. Kitty's eyes widened as she suddenly realized who--or what--Michelle was to Pete. It had never occurred to her before…but the look he was giving her now had said it all. Kitty came back just in time to realize that Pete was clutching her hand in a school corridor.
"ACK! What're you doing?!" She quickly pushed him away, embarrassed.
Whatever little happiness she had derived from the incident yesterday was gone. Dissipated by the mere memory of a girl in Pete's mind.
"Kitty…"
But before Pete could say anything else, she turned and walked quickly away.
After the final bell, Kitty and Rogue walked down the hallway adjacent to the computer lab idly chating. Leaning up against the wall near the lab's entrance was a girl wearing wrap-around sunglasses and a bright yellow trench coat with its collar pulled up, covering most of her face. She was glancing around trying not to be noticed.
"Yahr outfit screams low-profile, Jubes," commented Rogue with a grin.
Startled, Jubilee turned towards them, "My God you should both wear bells."
"What's with the getup?" asked Kitty, looking at her outfit.
"I had to wear somethin'. I can't let this get back to everyone. It's social suicide! I'd like to graduate with at least some popularity, chica," said Jubliee.
"Right…and you picked your stealth disguise from the wardrobe of Back ta the Future?" smirked Rogue.
"Ha ha ha, really funny D'Ancanto. It's the best I could do with short notice. I now owe a favour to the Nova princess…God…why did she have to be part of the drama club…"
"If it's such a big deal, you can always leave…" started Kitty but was interrupted by Rogue.
"Sure, sugah, ah bet Xavier's dying ta know who's responsible for the fourth of July fiasco."
"That was never proven."
"Care ta test meh?" asked Rogue, putting her hands on her hips.
"Cow."
"Bitch."
"Guys…guys…let's just go in," said Kitty standing in between them.
Shrugging, the three of them entered the lab. Entering the computer lab, five students were already there playing some computer game.
"And the Iceman remains undefeated!" shouted a blond haired guy around their age. He then began to do some weird touchdown dance.
"See what I mean? Social suicide," stated Jubilee as the three girls looked at the guy dancing in horror.
"Ah wish yah would stop sayin' that, it's makin' it sound lahke a teen movie," replied Rogue, eyes still on the awkward dance.
Realising there where others in the room. The boy had the decency to blush. "Can we help you fine ladies?" the same guy said, seeming to recover his momentary embarrassment.
Jubilee looked disgusted though it was hard to tell with the sunglasses. Rogue looked more amused than anything and was clearly waiting for Kitty to speak.
"Like, we're here for the club meeting," said Kitty with a blush.
That caused five identical looks of surprise.
"You do know you are in the computer lab," said the blonde as if taking to children.
"No duh, boyo. As if the endgame dance was hint enough," said Jubilee crossing her arms, turning towards Rogue. "Can we just leave? We can still catch the late bus."
"Fourth of July," said Rogue stoically.
"I'll take that as a no, then." With a huff, Jubilee sat at a vacant computer.
"Are you sure Rogue?" asked Kitty.
"Solidarity Kit. An' it's pissin' off Jubilee. Win win," grinned Rogue.
"I hate computers," declared Jubilee with her arms crossed.
"Yah only say that cause ya blew up one last year," stated Rogue booting up the PC in front of her.
"That wasn't my fault."
"Sure, sugah," grinned Rogue.
"Shut up, I can feel my popularity dropping," said Jubilee taking off her sunglasses so she could see the screen. "What are you looking at, boyo?"
"Ah…nothing," the blonde from before said quickly said before looking away.
"Probably yahr outfit," laughed Rogue.
"I have a small list of people I try to impress, chica. And surprise, surprise, you ain't on it."
Kitty sighed, this was going to be a long day.
St. John exited the back of the school leisurely. The club meeting had gone surprisingly well. Lucas only tried to kill Remy once and Emil kept his hero worship to a minimum. Which is why it came as a surprise when he was yanked up against the school's wall forcefully by Wanda Maximoff.
"Oi! Wot's the big idea?" he said, preparing for a fight until he noticed that instead of a guy, a girl was holding him to the wall.
"How do you know Remy Lebeau?" she snapped, jerking him harder against the wall when he tried to struggle.
"Bloody hell, not another clingy shelia…" he started before she grabbed his tie. "Could you have been a little more gentle, luv?" he gasped.
"No, it's not in my nature," Wanda replied looking annoyed.
"The gentle ones are no fun anyway," he said as he grinned.
Wanda's eyes narrowed. "Answer the question."
"He's an acquaintance, no need to get jealous, luv," he said cheekily until she tighten her hold on his tie.
"I'm not your luv," snapped Wanda faking his accent. "What are his plans for Rogue?"
"Rogue?"
"You're too young to claim senility," she said tightening her grip on his school tie.
"Aren't you at least gonna let me go?" asked John with a grin.
"Not until you answer me," she replied.
"I'm pressed up against the bloody wall by a shelia who isn't snogging me. What do I have to hide?" she glared at him and he motored onward. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are when you're angry?"
Wanda raised an eyebrow. "Flattery will not get you no where. Now tell me Lebeau's plans before I have to hurt you."
John paid no heed to her warning, "I'd love to, shelia, but I can't seem to remember what with being strangled and all. So if you would be so kind..."
Wanda let go of his tie causing him to bang his head on the wall. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at John when he looked her over, his gaze lingering on her chest. "There, I'm no longer cutting the oxygen to your pea-sized brain. I'll give you one more chance to answer the question."
"A date."
"What?"
"I'll tell yo' everythin', fer a date," he said loosening his tie and leaning against the wall.
"You're kidding, right?" St. John shook his head. Wanda huffed. "I'll even keep tabs on him," said John, sweetening the pot.
"All I wanted to do was to protect Rogue, but nnnoooo, you had to be all difficult and not believe my empty threats," said Wanda.
"Empty?"
"I can't get sent back to juvie again. I just…" John raised an eyebrow at this clearly intrigued. Wanda scowled when she realized she said too much. "AARRRGGGG! You…you…"
"Run out of insults already, yo' can always whisper sweet nothings, luv, I won't mind," John interrupted, smirking.
"No, there is just none so horrible as to describe you!"
"You need to calm down," John tried soothing her but she swatted his hand away. "So the date, then?"
Wanda considered it for a minute. "If you're trying to trick me, it won't work."
"Will you stop being paranoid, already!" said John in exasperation. "Can't a bloke ask a shelia out?"
"It's not paranoia if you're right," Wanda retorted. There was a pause and then she sighed, showing her exasperation. "If I find out that you're lying to me, I'll beat you with a shovel."
"Ooo, kinky."
Choosing to ignore him, she continued to talk. "A vague disclaimer is no one's friend, pick me up at eight on Friday."
And with that she walked away.
Blinking, he realised something. "Oi, shelia, come back! Wot's your name?!"
That evening, as Kitty was lying down on her bed staring at the bleak white ceiling of her room and listening to the sounds of her cat, Lockhead, playing with her laundry, she couldn't help but realize what people meant to each other.
Rogue had her Remy to torture her, and Pete his Michelle. And what about her? Could it be possible that she, herself, now had somebody of her own to call her precious bane? But she couldn't possibly! Pete was certainly her bane, but since when did he start becoming precious? It just wasn't fair! Why would people want to suffer, and why couldn't they get enough? Why do they do it? Why would they want these people--the very same people who have the power to hurt them--close by? Why couldn't they let go?
'Why couldn't I let go of you…Pete?'
'What was I saying?' she thought unhappily. Now she was sounding weird.
'What's really all this precious bane thing?' For a while, she thought she had an idea what it was supposed to mean, but now it just wasn't clear anymore.
The phone suddenly sounded, providing a welcome distraction. It was Rogue, but she sounded different.
"Kit? Is that yah, sugah? Can weh talk?"
"Yes, sure," Kitty said, sitting up quickly. "What's happening?"
There was a long pause. Then a ragged sigh as Rogue fought for control.
"Kitty…ah did it," she said, her voice trembling.
"Did what?"
"Ah've hit him…"
To be continued…
Read & review!
- Swing
Chapter Track: An Attempt To Tip The Scales - Bright Eyes (Fevers & Mirrors)
Author's Note: For a better term, how to stay as canon as possible:
Webber Torque : The name given to Arcade in the Evo universe. Likes computer games, a lot.
Many thanks to the reviewers so far…anyone interested in being my beta for the story? The position is up for grabs.PetiteDiable – Well, it'll be a good while before Kitty and Pete get together…both too ignorant of the truth. Ah, Rogue and Remy…none in this chapter but just you wait. St. John and Wanda? Of course there will be flirting. I love that pairing. Not too many stories have them together. I think it's a must.
NaijaStrawberrie – Hmmm…I think Kitty was more confused that Remy was hitting on her. Pete's got a little stalker in him…but it's high school…two of my friends used to follow this senior around during lunch. They even knew his shirt size…they had codenames for him and his friends and used to write notes to him…it was odd…cause he had a girlfriend…high school is weird. I try to capture the weirdness of it all. Pete just wanted to see if Kitty was alright…the softy. I have been waiting ages for St. John and Wanda to make it to the scene. I have many a plans for them…mhaha.
Mimi The Witch – I know, Remy awesomeness. My friends hate superhero movies too…but I guilt trip them or drag my sister with me. I can't wait for the new Batman movie. I rented Sin City and watched it late last night and was like … oh my God! I needed more…the new Transformers movie should sustain me but I know I will be disappointed…Shia what's his face? That ain't the Transformers I knew…
rubic-cube – I love Remy, so suave. Next chapter will be full of our favourite Cajun.
A few small corrections – Thanks for the info. I posted their ages…just associate it with the grades…where I come from we don't do the whole sophomore or freshman naming thing so I have no idea half the time. I mean, when I was in grade nine…we were sec threes. Or les maudits. Depends on who you talked too.
cooltangarine – Me too! Thanks for the support!!!
Cerdwyn3 – And more there shall be!!!
melissarxy1 – Oui! J'adore la friction entre Pete et Remy. It was my ultimate fight scene. Remy is always the gentleman…