Alright chapter Four, Let's do this thing.

"Friendship Initiation"

xXx

"Damn it Rogue!"

Remy hit the steering wheel with great force yet again in the set amount of time that it had taken for him to leave the mansion and get to where he currently was, the traffic light at Belmont and Green. He had been out driving for a while now trying to clear his head. Honestly, he had no idea as to where she had taken off to after ever so politely ending their conversation with a grand exit. Hell, she could very well be out blowing off steam just as he was. God, that girl! She can be such a rock, she can be so stubborn and standoffish. At times like these those particular qualities of his girlfriend can only lead him to aggravation and concern.

If this had been any other argument and the glue to the current debacle was not a baby, he honestly would have reached the point of being so aggravated with how things have turned out that he'd have forgotten what it was the argument revolved around.

Oh No, the dropping sensation in his stomach hit full on once the thought of a baby crossed his mind again. A baby…he still could not grasp the concept.

Rogue and him…him and Rogue…they were different. Remy knew they had never gotten along as regular couples did. Their relationship was at times very complicated. For Remy, it was an enormous shift going from the man he once was, someone who went from girl to girl, night from night, just getting by no strings attached. Now this stubborn frustrated girl had captivated his attention and he zeroed in on this one girl…something he had not done for a long time, in his life it had only happened once before and even then his feelings towards the idea of one woman had been out of obligation. But his past was another story, he wasn't about to suck Rogue into the world that was once his past. Because at this point in time, that would only open a whole other door of complications. He could hold off…right?

"Shit shit shit" was all he could seem to muster at that point.

Rogue…how did he feel about Rogue?

He'd been at the institute for a year…he remembered New Orleans and why he had brought her there, he also knew why he was unable to go with the X-men and why he had been gone for quite some time, before and after the Apocalypse debacle.

xXx

Remy raked both hands through his hair, not giving a shit about ruining the perfectly set hair. He had to sit through the grueling two hour torture of the hair stylists combing, parting, trimming, gelling, spraying and adding other questionable products to his hair in attempt to tame the strands for the special occasion completely altering his usual casual, carefree appearance to that of a so perfectly assembled one. And now? Well, the hair was in shambles, as was the rest of his life at this point at least that was how Remy Lebeau viewed it.

Damn, a cigarette would be so good right about now. He did not even bother digging into his pocket, the expensive top of the line tux he was wearing was not going to have what he needed, he had emptied his pocket of his lighter and cigarettes earlier. No, one thing was for sure, his family never went with cheap as an option.

He may not know what he's doing or what his next move was but he sure as hell knew what he was not going to do, and he was not going to go through with this. He swiftly turned away from the mirror and made a mad dash to his wardrobe. He was supposed to leave for the church fifteen minutes ago. He knew his father would be coming up to see what was going on any time now. So he had to move fast. The Lebeau manor was no place for him right now. Grabbing all his essentials, he tossed them quickly into his duffel bag and made to loosen his bow tie. He scanned the room and made his way to the window and unlatched it, if only he had been a few minutes quicker because at right as that window opened, so did the door.

"Remy, get y' ass in gear an' quit looking in de' mirror y' need t' go-" Henri stopped mid-sentence when he saw his brother looking less than ready for the ceremony. His eyes were quizzical but once he saw the duffle bag and his motorcycle keys in Remy's hand he knew exactly what was happening

"Remy what the hell do y' think y' are doing?" Henri was angry and flustered

"Y'knew dis' wasn' gunna work-"

"Bull shit! Y' have an obligation! To the guild, an t' this family"

"Y' really startin' to sound like Jean-Luc Henri."

"Y' know I'm right, come on Remy, if y' do dis' it's goin' to be hell in these here banks for a very long time."

"Jus' can't do dis'. I be takin' off n' I really don' know when an' if I will be back"

"What do y' expect me t' say? What am I gunna tell pere? What are we suppose t' tell their family? Did y' even think about Bella?"

"She ain't fo' me! She's never been fo' me— they just kept pushin' this on us since we were kids"

"Not like it mattered to y' then—y' could have cared less y' were with more women than y' could have counted these past few years. Y' had y' fun Remy but y' know what pere said- it's time to come back t' the plan."

"Fuck the plan Henri, people don' get to decide my life plan! Y' don' understand Henri, y' be so lucky that y' got Mercy. She be amazin' fo' y' bro. So I don' wan t' hear about how I have to follow some God damn plan. That ain't me n' y' know it!"

Henri was silenced by his brothers words. Remy was serious and looked as though he were about to break…a rare thing to be seen in Remy Lebeau.

Henri sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked down.

"Where are y' going to run to? Y' can't stay here now Rem…"

"I will figure something out. And y' right, there is no way I can stay here right now…not wit' the family, with Bella…wit' Jean-Luc-"

"Y' don' worry about pere. He be a fool if he knew y' weren't goin' t' pull some crazy shit like 'dis. He will cool down eventually…"

Remy just blinked and stared at his brother

"We be talkin' about the same man?"

Henri made his way towards Remy, his brows furrowed with curiosity

"Be straight with me it's the least y' could do after pulling a shit stunt like dis'…is it that girl?"

Henri should have sworn he saw his brother slightly stunned, but the reaction came about as quick as it left. Remy knew exactly who his brother was referring to. He situated the duffel bag over his shoulder, making it so he gave the impression of wanting to take off immediately.

"I have to go"

With that said Remy slipped out of the wide open balcony window and began to maneuver his way down the manor. The runaway groom had taken his leave.

Henri stood there and with a sigh breathed out "Yeah, I thought so."

xXx

She had a hold on him back then, and she didn't even know it. She changed everything. Just something about her attitude… about those eyes, they were enough to intrigue him, to keep him thinking. He knew he wasn't looking for anything serious, but he sure as hell wanted to spend time with her. Then it turned serious, and it shot him through a loop hole.

He had made his way back to the mansion and the X-men had taken him in. Rogue was somewhat stunned…mostly annoyed in the beginning. They would fight. Sometimes it was bicker and banter more than actual arguments, but they definitely had their share of disagreements. He would remember how difficult she would be when she was not okay, how stubborn and temperamental she got when he would call her out on things and try to lend a hand. And how much fun she was when he spent time getting a rise out of her.

Xxxxxx

"Rogue? Chere? Helllloooo-Open up!"

He persistently knocked on her door. If he had a say in it he would have barged in by now, but she made a big deal and had to scream at him last time for walking in on her while she was chaning. She was pissed. It was funny. But even Remy knew when to kindly keep his distance. Haha, just kidding, but still he was trying to respect her space.

He heard a bustle of movement and a short "Stop it! You are so annoying"

He took that as an invitation and waltzed right in her room

"Bonjour Chere, I be bored. How bout you entertain 'dis here Cajun"

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms "Go entertain yourself." Was what he heard her mumble as she went to her dresser to throw a sweater on over her tank top.

"Mmm, what I have in mind for entertainment is goin t' take the both of us-"

"You're an ass!"

Haha, this was entertaining. He knew he would get his time's worth by giving his southern belle a visit. He folded his arms, smirked and cocked his head the side.

"Alright, I am sorry." No he wasn't.

"You are not!"

"Okay."

"Get out."

"Nah."

She fussed with the way the sweater hung loose around her body and gave a quick up and down look at herself in the mirror.

"You know what, do whatever y' want Remy but Ah gotta go." She grabbed her small bag and her car keys and walked past him

"Where y' goin?"

"Out."

"Fo' what?"

"Stuff."

"What kind of stuff"

"Mah kind of stuff."

"Can I come?"

"No"

"Why?"

"You annoy the hell out of me."

"I will be quiet"

"Yeah right."

"Come on, we will go out together, it will be fun chere" He smiled at her and watched as she slowly cocked her head to the side.

"Why do you want to go out so bad? You don't even know what Ah have planned"

"You will be there, an' Remy sure enjoys your company. Plus, y' sure be fun t' be around. Not to mention Remy enjoys being seen wit' a sexy woman…actually y' should enjoy bein' seen wit' 'dis sexy Cajun. "

Oh wow, she though he wasn't going to try a crude and cocky joke. This was interesting. But still if he knew how uneventful her outing was he would probably back down.

"Rem, Ah'm just going out to grab a few things. Like books and stuff, some new drawing pencils, and Ah will probably grab a coffee or something and go over mah planner."

Remy rubbed his chin and then turned to her with suggestive eyes.

"How bout 'dis, y' do all those things and I still go with you, but instead of coffee, let's go out for a drink. My treat, y' look like y' could use a drink. An' go over y' planner another day, for a girl that is taking time off from goin' to school y' sure do a lot of research n' reading chere"

"Well excuse meh for wanting to learn. Ah like learning Rem, y' know that and Ah'm not taking classes yet because Ah am just trying to get a solid plan together." she crossed her arms as if to defend herself

"Fine fine. But we should still go out fo' a drink. Come on."

"Ah don' really-"

"Chere, live a little. No need to tame y' wild ways around me." Oh, he was pushing buttons at this point. Damn smirk.

"Mah wild ways? Ah'm not boring Remy, but Ah sure as hell ain't wild"

"Whatever Rogue."

Blood boiling

"What do y' mean by that you swamp rat."

"Nuthin chere…jus' that y seem a little tight aroun' those edges. Y' are on the sure track to becoming like Mr. Summers and little Jeany…that's all" He knew what he was doing, and he liked what he was seeing. She was going to crack.

He went there. It was so on.

He loved the spark of frustration and anger that sparked in her eyes It, made him all excited and he really wanted keep poking her. He sure did play the Jean and Scott card, and he knew that right there was the winning play. He knew she wasn't at all on the track of being like those two, nothing against them, but Rogue was way different and all he really wanted was to push those little buttons of hers…and go out for a drink of course.

"Ah want you to shut up and Ah never ever want to hear that Ah am turning into Scott or Jean. Ah'm not boring Ah'm just responsible, unlike you. Ah am not changing Ah am still the same and Ah still have fun and am really loose."

He crossed his arms at this and with an instigating smirk he leaned forward saying,

"Prove it."

Oh yeah, she cracked at that.

"You know what Lebeau, you are on. Grab your wallet, we are goin' out."

And that's what they did.

xXx

They really did end up getting pretty trashed that night. But it was a good thing. It was an unsaid agreement that when they went out, that was the night they went through the initiation of being friends. He remembered them calling up a cab because neither were fit to drive. The tie that he had on loosely earlier was wrapped sloppily across his head and her sweater was tied around her waist and a cigarette dangled from her lips. Yes, Rogue had bummed a cigarette that night…plus five. And several since then.

They sang Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield along with several other '80's songs, at least that is what the others at the institute told them.

xXx

"Remy wanna have a look at this Jessie's girl, Remy will get the final say as to whether a whole song should be dedicated to her." Remy stated with a serious look on his face. But he was drunk and trying to be serious, so clearly he was not gaining any respect. His third person talk was seeping through since he was intoxicated big time.

"You get the say? Helllll no! Y' are a swamp rat. And Swamp Rat's do NOT get fahnal says' in anythang" Her accent was thicker in her drunken state, she flailed her arms around as if to get her point across. They both supported one another as they made their way up the drive way.

"Whaaat? Non non non. My dear cherry, y' are a river rat. An' y have two colors in y' hair. That's why y' don' have a say-"

"Excuse meh! Ah have one color in mah hair! One! It's…uh…it's…Oh God, Rem, what's mah hair color again?" She asked truly distraught.

He ran his hand through hes hair as if to check and snorted with laughter

"Um…Remy don' know. It be purple." He nodded sure of his decision

"Liar! You are thinking of Kitty's hair, her hair is purple, mahne is not! Why would y' say such a thang?"

"Oui, oui, her hair is purple—"

"Ah want a teacup pig."

"Excuse me my cherry?"

"A teacup pig, they are these tiny little pigs that are so small and so adorable and people own them and Ah want one."

"How tiny"

"Tiny tiny"

Remy's eyes glossed over and grew wide

"Aww! A Teacup pig! Remy will get y' one right now!"

He turned away from the mansion but Rogue caught his arm

"Wait Rem, we can't the store is closed!"

"Oh No!" he threw his arms in the air and let out a sad cry.

"Don't cry, or Ah will cry!"

"Non! Don' cry, we must be strong!" He gripped her by her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

"Yes! We also must go inside!"

"Ah, yes! Y' be right ma cherrrrry. Remy almost forgot that we must leave post it notes on all the doors in the mansion with Jessie's girl lyrics! T' remind 'dem of the greatest decade ever. Remy salutes y' 1980's! To the mansion!"

They continued to stumble up the driveway.

xXx

Oh dear God, they had a hell of a hangover the next day. They both had a training session they were leading together with some of the younger kids and the minute they walked in the danger room in their disheveled state Remy had told them to get out and be quiet as they did so, and that the session was cancelled on a count of loud noises. That, and Rogue sent Jamie out for a coffee run. They had sat at the kitchen table, both with their heads buried in their hands and a groan escaping every few minutes, both only mumbling "shut up" to each other over and over again. Whenever Logan would walk in he would roll his eyes and mumble "Get your shit together". Yes, it was a hell of a time.

Remy smiled. He realized that his anger and frustration from earlier had dialed down slightly as he thought of those times with that girl. He took in a deep breath, realizing that none of this was easy on Rogue and he needed to keep his cool. He would not be doing anyone any good if he was freaking out too. He was going to keep it together for her.

He chuckled. She deserved that much and more after putting up with him on their friendship initiation night.

xXx

Alright, not bad for a million flashbacks, huh? I personally like Rogue and Remy drunk together. And about the Teacup pig, I saw a really funny episode of "How I met your mother" that involved a teacup pig.

Hope you enjoyed, thoughts? Concerns? Drop a review

-Lebs