A/N: I'm so ecstatic that y'all liked the last chap! Thanks to Luna-Procer for adding this to faves. :)
Sonar: Yeah, it's fun writing them, too. Sometimes when I write it, I have to go back and make sure it's 'right'. I'm glad you liked it!
Chellerbelle: You know how I am. Gotta have some fun after all the drama of the last two chaps. Glad it worked out as it did.
xdreamernumbuhfour: Aww...thanks! I try to keep Remy as canon as I can, without really touching too much on 'certain'...ahem, aspects of his personality. It means a lot to me that you like how I write him. What can I say about the Jonda angle, other than 'Ask and you shall receive'? If someone requests a certain character or idea, I will definitely take it under consideration and if it will fit in, then you will eventually see it. If not, then maybe for a future story. This goes for all of my readers. If you have a suggestion, or you want to see something/someone, just ask. :)
Sweetcornbee: Hahaha.....you know, I didn't catch that, until I read your review. Too true...too true! XD
Team-JEdward2010: Yeah, those two have to learn to back off, where Rogue is concerned. Hehehe...Rogue definitely need to take into consideration that it is Remy she's talking to. No, Lance is definitely not too smart, in this regard, but yes, he is smarter than Toad.
Madame Star: Firstly, I think he should have been on the team with Kitty. I really don't know what that screenwriter was thinking! He should be tarred-and-feathered! Things do tend to get scary when she does. Watch out, guys!
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: Thank you! Happy you liked it so much. Watch for Lance to do something incredibly stupid (Not the first time he's done that. ;)).
scott has a pole up his ass: All too easy for Wanda to do, considering who she's dealing with...hehehe. I do believe you hit the proverbial nail on the head with what Lance will do.
KittyPryde's too lazy tosignin: I always try to make that impression in my stories. :) They just naturally fit.
KityPryde: Wow! I really like your review. Thanks for adding this to your favorites. Now that's awesome!
Fostersb: Yep, she just let it all out and put them in their place(s). Methinks Professor knows more than what he's letting on. ;) Writing the Jonda and Toad elements are just fun to write.
Shiro-Kitsune8: LOL!!!! I concur.
roguelover321: Happy you liked! :)
Rogue and Wanda meet at their cafe a week later. After their orders are made they find a table.
"So, how are things going with you and the Cajun hunk?" Wanda asks playfully.
"Jus' peachy an' might I ask how ya an' ya Aussie firebug are gettin' along?" Rogue retorts lightly.
"Well, now that Father's back, he's been a bit edgy, lately. I can see where he's coming from, though, being an ex-employee of my father's. He wasn't the easiest man to be around in the past, to say the least, but he's changing, Rogue. He's even scheduled a meeting with your Professor, to see how he can help. He hasn't even said too much about me dating John. All he asked is if John was who I wanted." Wanda looks at Rogue in amazement.
"An' ya said...?" Rogue motions for her to continue.
"Of course I told him he was!" Wanda answers incredulously. "By the way, I saw the two of you get off that heli-jet and what I saw would definitely be defined as more than 'peachy'." Wanda teases as a blush grazes Rogue's cheeks.
"Yeah...well...okay, maybe they are." Rogue concedes, somewhat shyly.
"I knew it, I just did!" Wanda exults, then glares at the patrons who dare to look their way. "What?" She questions peevishly, causing them to look quickly away. Her attention quickly focuses back on Rogue. "Any wedding plans in the making yet?" She inquires slyly with a wicked grin.
"What?!" Rogue chokes on the sip she just took. "No! I mean...we haven' even been datin' all that long." Rogue sputters as she stares at Wanda in utter shock.
Wanda just laughs. "Rogue, relax! I'm just saying that all it takes is for someone to just mention the name 'Remy' and you get this glazed expression, like you're in.....Oh, wait a minute...you are in love with him!" Wanda exclaims quietly, so as not to draw any attention.
"Pfffft....I am not." Rogue denies, but is unable to look Wanda in the eye.
"Liar. You so are." Wanda argues. "Besides, what would be so bad in admitting that you are?"
"Okay, I'll admit ta it when ya admit that ya'r in love with John." Rogue smirks, thinking that she's called Wanda's bluff.
Wanda chuckles, realizing Rogue's game for what it is. "Fine. I'm in love with John." She states as she looks directly at Rogue.
"Oh crap!" Rogue inwardly panics briefly for a moment, then realizes that this is Wanda. She won't tell anyone, but then this means that not only will Rogue be admitting it to Wanda, but finally, to herself. She looks up to see Wanda gazing at her expectantly, just waiting for her to acknowledge her true feelings for Remy.
She sighs in resignation. "Alrigh'. I love Remy." Rogue tells her point-blank.
"There, now. Don't you feel better now that you've told someone?" Wanda inquires gently.
"Actually, yeah, I do." Rogue says in slight astonishment, then smiles at Wanda. "Jus' don' tell anyone." She requests.
"Tell them what?" Wanda asks lightly. "I'm just happy to see that my friend is in love, that's all." Wanda grins back. "So, tell me more about Kitty and her Russian giant."
Rogue giggles. "Ya should see those two. Tha otha day, Piotr was leanin' ova ta kiss her an' Remy an' I walked in on 'em. They both wen' red in tha face an' couldn' look at us for hours afta that happened." The two girls laugh at the shared recollection. "He treats Kitty so much betta than Lance eva did. He's so gentle an' kin' with her. Ya can tell that he really cares. Lance treated her so bad, when she wouldn' give him what he wanted. He was movin' way too fas' for her." Rogue shakes her head sadly. "Kit was a mess afta that happened. Now, it seems like Pete's helpin' her heal."
"I didn't know that Lance did that." Wanda passes Rogue a concerned glance. "He came home on that night and threatened to bring the house down if anyone asked him what happened. Then he went to his room and didn't come out for the rest of the night. He's gone out with a few girls since then. Ever since we returned from Mexico, he hasn't been around the place too much."
"Wasn' Kit in Mexico with y'all?" Rogue inquires astutely.
"Yeah, she was our team leader....Oohh....I see. Both of them were there and Lance saw Piotr with Kitty." Wanda remembers.
"If Lance comes afta Kit, Pete ain' tha only one he's gonna haveta worry about." Rogue threatens sincerely.
"Umm...I don't think it's Kitty he's coming after, at least not now, anyway." Wanda gestures toward the window.
"He's confrontin' Pete? He's more stupid than I thought!" Rogue declares as she directs her gaze to the scene unfolding outside. Then realization strikes. "Oh no! Kit's with him taday. He was takin' her shoppin' for my birthday."
"Not good. I vote we stay here, in case we need to step-in."
"Fine with me. If things get too dangerous, we can have Kit come in here with us." Rogue agrees.
"Good idea." Wanda accedes.
Outside, Lance shouts at Pete, who has his arm around Kitty. "Hey, Metal Head!"
Pete turns around and angrily narrows his eyes. "You had better not be talking to me." He softly warns Lance.
"Yeah, I'm talking to ya! What're ya gonna do about it?" Lance taunts.
Pete gazes at him coldly. "Katya told me how you treated her. She was smart in leaving you." He informs Lance.
"For your information, I've come to take her back." Lance snarls as he raises his fists.
Kitty's heard enough. "Lance, knock it off!" Kitty yells. "What makes you think I will take you back after what you said to me? It's over, Lance, so you'd better deal with it. Petey is four times the man you could ever hope of being! He treats me like I'm special. That's what we women want, Lance, to be treated like we're precious. We're, like not here, just to meet your needs!" Kitty glares furiously at him.
"Katya, will you go inside and wait for me? I do not want you out here when I teach him a lesson."
"I could help you if you need it." Kitty gazes up at him.
"Nyet. I would rather you waited inside. Please. I want to keep you safe. Do this for me." Pete looks down at her, pleading in his expression.
Lance sneers at him and gives him the 'loser' sign.
Kitty reluctantly surrenders and goes inside to find Wanda and Rogue beckoning her over to their table.
"Like, I didn't know you'd be here." Kitty chirps, but worriedly gazes out the window.
"Yeah, Kit. Remy said somethin' about bein' gone taday ta make plans an' I didn' wanna stay there, with Logan an' Kurt bein' so ovabearin'. I jus' needed some breathin' space."
"I don't get it with those two! Yeah, Remy, like kidnapped you and he used to be an Acolyte, but he had his reasons for doing those things. He's like, totally an X-Man, now and anyone can see that his feelings are genuine for you."
"I don' know, Kit, but I've had it. Those two are drivin' me crazy!"
"Like, I know what you mean! Lance thinks he can just, like step in where Petey is. He is so totally jealous that I'm interested in another guy." Kitty casts a disgusted look at Lance, whose still shouting insults, trying to provoke Piotr. Rogue chuckles, seeing the bored expression cross the giant's face.
"That's his loss, Kit. He's tha one who messed things up." Rogue tells her.
"Like, you're not telling me anything new. If he thinks I'm gonna take him back, then he's completely lost it!" Kitty exclaims.
"Good for ya, hon!" Rogue declares.
Lance strikes the ground, attempting to knock Piotr off his feet, but Pete is ready for it. When that fails, Lance lunges at him. Big mistake. All Pete does is hold out one hand, holding Lance back by the head as Lance tries to swing at him. He waits until Lance is tired out and moves his hand, letting him go. Lance drops to the ground, exhausted. "I....want Kitty....back!" Lance gasps.
"Nyet. You are the one who treated her badly, therefore, you are not deserving of her." Piotr explains to the scruffy-looking guy.
"And I suppose you are?" Lance retorts nastily.
"I hope I am." Pete answers truthfully, then turns to go inside. Lance takes this opportunity for one, last strike. He rushes at Pete and collides with his massive chest, just as Pete turns around. Pete picks him up by the back of his shirt. "Why do you persist in trying to hurt me?" He questions the earth-mover as he drops him back down to the pavement and steps inside. He takes his drink and moves to sit with the girls.
Lance just doesn't know when to give up. He stalks over to their table, determination written on his features. "You and me, we ain't finished yet, Steelface!" Lance calls out.
"I have told you, I'm not going to fight you." Pete softly reiterates.
"Good, then that means I have the advantage!" Lance smiles evilly.
Piotr wags his head in aggravation and stands. "If this is what you wish." Piotr says quietly as he takes his fist and smashes it into Lance's jaw.
The ladies rise to leave, Piotr holding the door for them as they depart. Lance sits on the floor, holding his jaw. Pete looks back at him. "If you try to come after Katya again, you will receive much worse." He quietly informs him as he leaves.
As he drives Kitty home, he is quieter than usual. Kitty gazes at him adoringly. "Petey, you did what you had to. You totally defended me and I think that's so totally sweet. Don't feel bad about Lance. He's, like had it coming for some time, now. I think Rogue was about ready to rip him apart." Kitty giggles slightly. "He's always been, like a big bully."
Pete gently strokes her jaw, then directs his attention back to the road.
"I will try not to feel bad." He says as Kitty leans against his arm.
I will call it a night at this point. More Romyness in the next chap. :D