Hi again! So the inspiration just keeps coming and this story is just begging to be written. Even though I haven't gotten a huge response from this story, I think I'll wind up finishing it just because it seems to be bombarding my brain right now, and I don't think I'll be able to concentrate on Rock Bottom until the ideas run dry on this one. You may notice that some of the general info about this story has changed. It's looking like this is going to be containing a bit of ROMY. How much? Not sure yet. But as of right now I'm thinking they're going to be making a connection and he's going to play a substantial role in much of the action. As always, honest feedback is always appreciated. If you think it sucks, tell me why (I won't get offended, honest!) and where you think I can improve.
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Deconstruct to Reconstruct: Hide and Seek
It wasn't especially late by the time Anna landed in New York, but she was exhausted and her body ached. She managed to find a cheap room for the night and decided to rest a little while she laid out her plans for the next day. The first thing she needed to do was find a job. After that, she'd find an apartment nearby. She tossed her duffel bag and purse on the bed and gingerly lay down next to them. If there was any doubt before that her ribs were at least bruised, there was none now. It was as if the adrenaline high of the last couple of days had suddenly worn off and she could feel every single bruise on her body at once. Taking a deep breath, she willed the pain away and sat up. There was a computer in the lobby with internet access for guests to use. If it was available, she'd use it to search for work. If not, then she'd buy a newspaper from the gift shop and start with that. But first, I need a shower, she thought as she began to feel the day's grime on her skin.
With some effort, she rose to her feet and made her way to the tiny bathroom near the entrance. Once she disrobed, she took a look at her black and blue self in the mirror. She ran her fingers along the hand-shaped bruise on her arm. Her face crumpled and tears began to pour uncontrollably from her eyes. A torrent of emotion spilled over her as her body racked with sobs. Anger: for the man who made her feel worthless and deserving of the pain he inflicted on her. Sadness: for the four years of her life she wasted with him. Fear: because she'd never been on her own before and she didn't know what to expect. Shame: for being too stupid to know better and letting it all happen in the first place. She sucked a breath in through her tight throat and lungs and held it for a moment while she composed herself. She blew the tension out and met her own eyes in the mirror. "Never again," she whispered, staring into those dull, green eyes that had yet to find their light again. Her eyes moved across her face at the bruise on her cheek that had gotten slightly darker as it healed; at the white wisps of hair around her face that probably better reflected her inner age, rather than her physical one; at her full, pale lips that practically blended in with the rest of the fair skin on her face; at the slightly sunken cheeks that she thought were more from a starved soul than a starved body; and at the bluish-gray shadows that lurked under her eyes. "Never, ever, again," small bits of her voice cracked their way through the whispered tones. She pushed off the sink and turned toward the bathtub. It was time to break through his hollow, shell of a person she allowed herself to become. Anna, "the Rogue" was clawing her way back, and she'd be damned if snivelling Marie was going to push her down again.
~oOo~
Anna took one more glance around the hotel room to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything. Her job search last night was a little disappointing, but when she really thought about it, it wasn't all that surprising. The job market was thin to begin with. Finding some place that was willing to hire someone without their high school diploma was a little more difficult. She managed to find a few bars and pubs looking for waitresses but she would have to travel a little ways. Deciding to set off early, she'd showered, dressed and covered the bruise and dark circles on her face as best as she could before calling a cab to take her to the bus depot. Thankfully, the ibuprofen she took earlier was finally kicking in, so it was easier not to hobble around like a ninety-five-year-old woman. She pushed her shoulders back and down, and straightened her back. Here goes nothing, she thought as she marched, as confidently as she could, out of the room and down to the lobby to check out.
"Hello, what's this?" he mumbled to himself as he watched a familiar figure toss a bag into the back of a taxi cab from across the street. She opened the car door and raised her head to look in both directions before climbing in, giving him a good view of her face. Not that he needed one; her hair was a dead giveaway. It was longer and waved slightly near the bottom, but there was only one young girl he'd ever known to have a white shock of hair around her face. He began to flick the flint of his lighter in one hand, while drawing his cell phone out of his pocket with the other. He dialled his employer's number and waited for the other end to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Avalanche, old bean, is the big boss lady around?"
"She is, but I don't think she'll be too impressed when I tell her what you called her."
"Oh, I don't think she'll mind given the fact that I've got some very important information for her," he drawled out, lips twisting up into a grin. There was a moment of silence before a new voice bombarded his eardrum.
"This had better be good Pyro," she ground out.
"I'd be willing to wager that you'll rather like the little discovery I've made."
"Well? Spit it out already! I don't have time for your games," Mystique was getting impatient.
"Well, I was sitting at a little café that happened to be across the street from a hotel, enjoying a coffee and the daily news. I happened to notice a young woman get into a cab. And I remember thinking, 'My, my, isn't she a sight for sore eyes'…"
"Get to the point!"
"Well, aren't we impatient," he grinned a little wider. He was going to string her along and milk it for all it was worth. Once he dropped this bomb on her, she'll forget all about pummelling him later. He wasn't sure what her interest in Rogue was, but she had spent the last four years looking for her and often took her frustrations out on her lackeys when yet another search came up empty. "As I said, the woman was very familiar. After all, how many young adults do you know have brown hair with two streaks of white in the front?" He heard her gasp on the other end and bit back a chuckle. "Yup, it appears that you're little Rogue has resurfaced after her extended absence."
"Do you know where she might be going?" Mystique fought to compose herself.
"No, but if she's in the state, she won't be too hard to track down."
"Call me the moment you get any leads. Understand?"
"Right-o boss."
Mystique did her best to keep from slamming the receiver down. Her brain was processing a mile a minute. She was back. Her daughter was back after seemingly having fallen off the planet. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice invading her ears.
"What was that about?" Lance asked.
"It appears that Pyro has stumbled upon someone I've been seeking out for a long time."
"Rogue? In Bayville?" Lance's eyes widened. He was sure they'd never see her again after she freaked out the night she discovered Mystique's secrets.
"In New York City, but she might be on the move. Pyro saw her getting into a cab in front of a hotel. She must have just arrived within the last few days," Mystique's mind was churning while she was talking. She was mostly thinking out loud with the last statement she made.
"What are you going to do?"
"Pyro was right when he told me that she won't be hard to track as long as she's in the state. I'm going to try to find out where she's headed." With that she abruptly turned around and walked up the stairs. She needed to tell Destiny, that is, if she didn't already know.
~oOo~
The bus ride was long, and by the end of it, Anna wasn't sure she'd be able to get up out of her seat. She sat and waited until most of the passengers filed off the bus; both because she didn't want anyone to accidently jostle her injuries, but also because she didn't want to wind up touching someone by mistake. It had been years since she'd used her powers. If she went anywhere, besides work, she was mostly always with Gus. He would turn off her powers out in public sometimes so that she wouldn't have to endure an accidental brush of skin from a stranger. From what she remembered about the experience of absorbing someone, the word unpleasant was a complete understatement. Violent mind-rape would probably more aptly describe the feeling. She was not ready to deal with her powers yet. Later, when everything else settled down, then she could focus on controlling her abilities.
Having finally left the bus, she held her purse and her duffel bag close. Her whole life was now contained in a travel bag and a fashion accessory; she couldn't afford to lose either of them. She briskly walked through the bus terminal and into the ladies' room to freshen up. Her hair and makeup wasn't in too bad of shape, but could use a touch-up. Her clothes were a little wrinkled, but they wouldn't be much better in her bag. She sighed and proceeded to fish her cosmetic bag from her purse. She washed her face, careful not to get her shirt wet, put on some fresh deodorant, and re-applied her makeup. Once she was mostly satisfied that her dark circles and the bruise on her cheek were adequately covered, she dabbed her favourite red lip stain on her lips and swiped a coat of clear gloss over top. She dusted her eyes with a neutral eye shadow, and brushed a couple of coats of mascara onto her lashes. She stood back in the mirror to give herself a final once over. A quick spritz of perfume, and she was ready to find one of the pubs on her list.
~oOo~
He furiously paced in the apartment. How could she do this to him? After all he's done for her! After all this time together, to just leave without a word! That ungrateful little slut! He swiped his arm across the side table, dumping the lamp over to join the various other broken objects and upturned furniture on the floor. To top it all off, she had taken half of his money, and those incompetent bank tellers let her. So what if her name was on the account? Had they ever seen her withdrawing money before? No, it was always him. She deposited her paycheques and he was responsible for taking out money for the week. He had tried calling the airline to see if an Anna Marie Richter boarded a plane, but they gave him some bullshit story about privacy issues. She was his wife damn it! He had a right to know where she was going! Still the representative held firm and eventually just hung up on him.
An enraged cry rumbled from his throat as another piece of furniture found itself upended. Then he saw it on the floor amid the debris: a shiny, gold hoop. An eerie calm washed over him as he bent down to pick it up. As he held it between his forefinger and thumb, determination replaced the fury coursing through him. If that bitch thought she could keep what is rightfully his away from him, she had another thing coming. He was going to find her and remind her of their vows. 'Till death do us part… As far as Augustus Richter was concerned, his dear wife only had two choices in the matter, and either way, he'd be happy to oblige.
~oOo~
She took a deep breath before pushing the door open. The pub seemed to be lit solely by the hanging, stained glass lamps above the pool tables and dart boards. There were a few customers scattered around between the bar and the tables, but otherwise it was pretty empty (which was no surprise considering it was the middle of the afternoon). She spotted a man behind the bar, arranging glasses on a shelf from a plastic dishwasher tray. Making sure her chin was up, she walked over to the bar. "Excuse me sir, I'm here to inquire about the waitress job."
He turned around and placed the empty tray on the bar top. "Is that so? I only posted that ad yesterday, I wasn't expecting a response so soon." He gave her a critical once-over. "You bring a resume or anything?"
Her chest tightened. She hadn't thought of that. She wasn't even sure she would have been able to make one in such a short time. "Uh, no sir, I don't. I've just moved here and I don't quite have everything settled yet."
She was doing a decent job of staying calm, but he could tell that he caught her off guard. "You have any experience?"
"Yes sir, I do. Three years in a diner and a little less than a year in a small, but busy bar. I know my bar experience doesn't seem like much, but I'll bust my butt. My old boss would vouch for me." She closed her mouth when she realized she had almost started to ramble.
He noticed the rough spot on her cheek where her makeup had built up slightly. On second glance, he could see the slight purple undertones. He decided she'd covered it well if it took him a bit to notice. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"
She had to think quick. "I've never had any sort of run-in with the law and I try not to associate with people who do, if that's what you mean."
He almost smirked. Smart girl, he thought. She was probably just some runaway trying to make it on her own, but he had to make sure. His eyes dropped down to her arms and he motioned his head toward them. "Roll up your sleeves."
"Excuse me?"
"I want to take a look at the insides of your arms." She carefully rolled her sleeves up and held out her arms. He leaned in closer to see better and she pulled away. "I'm not going to hurt you, just checking for track marks. I don't hire drug addicts."
"Sorry, I just… don't like to be touched."
"I suppose it would explain the gloves." Satisfied, he nodded at her and she quickly covered her arms again. "Tell you what, you be here tonight for seven. It's typically not terribly busy this early in the week, but it can fill up. If it looks like you can keep up, then the job is yours."
"Thank you sir, I promise I won't disappoint you."
"Well that remains to be seen. I don't do any sort of dress code here. I just ask that my girls don't show too much skin, but I don't think you'll have that problem. What you've got on now would be just fine to work in. I'll see you at seven – don't be late." He punctuated his last statement with a point of his finger.
"I'll be here, thanks again," she said, turning to leave the bar. She could barely contain the happiness bubbling up in her belly. First try and might already have a job. You don't have it yet, so keep your head, she told herself. She made her way back to the bus terminal to get her things from the locker she rented. She would need to find another place to stay tonight. She still had money left, but it would be gone soon if she had to stay in hotels all the time. If all went well tonight, then maybe she could start apartment hunting tomorrow.
~oOo~
Most of the time, Remy LeBeau was happy that he joined the X-Men. He was grateful that he didn't have to pull jobs for his good-for-nothing father, or be some mutant madman's lackey. He was grateful for his teammates who over the years have become a sort of surrogate family. He was even grateful for the missions and training sessions that ensured is life was never dull. But some days, living in a house full of mutant children whose hormones were raging at full speed was just too much to bear. All of the noise and ridiculous antics at the dinner table had now spilled into the rec room where Remy and Logan were trying to relax with a friendly game of pool. After being accidently bumped by one of said hormonal teenagers, and missing yet another shot, Wolverine threw down his pool cue and growled.
"C'mon Cajun, I need a drink," he grunted as he stalked out of the room.
"I couldn't agree more, mon ami," Remy said, following close behind Logan.
~oOo~
Bingo, Raven Darkholme couldn't believe her luck as she watched the young woman enter the café. She had really just come here for a cup of coffee, but she wound up getting much more. There was no doubt in her mind that it was her. Her appearance obviously changed since she'd last seen her; she'd (thankfully) dropped the whole "teen goth" image and even seemed to lighten-up a little in her interactions with others. Gone was the awkward teenager; in its place was a friendly (if not a little flirty), personable, grown, woman. But despite these positive changes, Raven could see there was still something dark following her. Like an invisible burden weighing on her shoulders. Like Irene had predicted. Her maternal instincts begged her to take the girl in her arms and protect her from these demons in her shadow. The rational side of her remembered that they did not part on good terms and knew that she would not be receptive to any sort of affection from her. But at least now she knew where her daughter was. And if what Destiny's vision foretold does come true, she would be able to protect her. She watched discreetly as Anna tensed for a moment and looked around the shop before walking out the door. Good girl, she thought. Keep those instincts sharp. You're going to need them.