A/N: A big thank you to all who have reviewed. Over 300 reviews! You guys are fantastic. :) Okay, if you haven't voted for the wedding, please do so. I will be closing the poll tomorrow night. Thanks to those who have already done so and to helikesitheymikey for adding this to faves.
Chellerbelle: Hehehe......the first step is complete. Now only hundreds more to take. ;)
Courtney Summers: Yay! Thank you.
xdreamernumbuhfour: Hahaha....you have the funniest reviews! I love 'em. Happy birthday a bit early to your brother.
cheerpandagal: lol....I get a picture of him in a pink tux and I start laughing! Thanks for adding this to your favorite stories. :D
Team-JEdward2010: Happy graduation! :) Have fun at your party. Yes, Pete sure regretted his timing that time. Jamie definitely didn't need to see that.
Sweetcornbee: Kitty angry isn't a good thing. I think that between Rogue and Wanda, pink will soon be voted out altogether.
Riley-the-Sadist848: Yay! Thank you. I'm beginning to put things together in my mind now. Yes, between Logan and Kitty, our Southerners would not survive if they eloped. Congratulations to you, too! Storm may come in handy, we'll see. And thanks so much for adding me to your favorite authors. :c)
tfobmv18: I love that you love it. Oh, you'll see.....
scott has a pole up his ass: Happy you enjoyed it. Poor guy, I'm sure he will be extra careful before entering any room, from now on. XD With Logan, it would have meant sure death.
Chica De Los Ojos Cafe: Glad you liked it!
Madame Star: I like pink...to a degree and certain shades. I know, there's just so much to consider and you're already high-strung because of all the other details...nerve-wracking!
b4ndg33k: I can't speak for the others who use that pairing, but for me, it is just a matter of preference. I have always liked the Kitty/Piotr angle and I just can't see her with Lance. No offense to those who like that, but...yeah. I'm glad you like it, otherwise.
roguelover321: lol....here ya are.
Sonar: I think of Professor as the overall father-figure, but Logan may still come around, yet.
"...But pink is such a pretty color! It's, like, so cheery." Remy can hear Kitty protest as Wanda and Rogue groan in exasperation. He chuckles to himself, thinking about how the planning is at a stand-still, because of this one small snag. What he didn't count on, was two young women hearing him. They share a diabolical grin.
"I don' know, Wands. I'm thinkin' we need a man's opinion on this one." Rogue informs her just loud enough for him to hear.
"You're right, Rogue. This is just too big of a decision for us to make on our own." Wanda chimes in, as Kitty stares at them both in confusion.
Rogue and Wanda snicker as they hear footsteps hastily retreating.
"Like, what was that all about?" Kitty questions. "We don't need a man's opinion to totally make a decision on the color scheme."
"We know that, Kit. We were jus' getting' rid a tha peanut gallery." Rogue explains patiently as she takes another sip of coffee.
"Oh. Well....how about it? Can't we use pink, pleeeaaase?" Kitty gives Rogue the patented half-pint eyes.
Rogue remains steadfast in her quest to keep that particular color out. "Kit, when ya get married, ya can have as much pink as ya wan'. I like darker colas, Kit. I'm not inta pastels."
"Hey. How about purple?" Wanda suggests.
"You mean, like lavender or orchid?" Kitty inquires hopefully.
"No....I mean purple, as in plum or royal. A deep, rich shade." Wanda informs her.
As Rogue muses the idea, Amara pipes up. "Ooh, that would be so pretty." She says as she grabs a baggie filled with carrot sticks and joins them at the table, munching happily.
The three look at each other for a moment, then shrug and continue.
"Ya know, I like that. Okay, we got one cola, now we need jus' one more." Rogue answers.
"Blue?" Amara jumps in.
They all look at each other and the answer is unanimous. "Nah."
"Hmm..." Kitty hums pensively. "Rogue, remember how you, like, told me about how much you enjoyed being at Mardi Gras with Remy?"
"Yeah. I think I know where you're going with this, Kitty." Wanda's face lights with comprehension.
"What, what did I miss?" Amara glances at the others in bewilderment.
"Kit, that's a great idea! Why didn' I think a that, before?" Rogue's eyes are bright with excitement.
"We finally have the colors!" Wanda announces in relief as she slumps back in her chair in mock exhaustion.
Kitty turns to Amara. "The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold."
"Oh, I knew that, but wouldn't that be a bit garish?" Amara questions.
"Not if ya deepen tha colors. Like instead a purple, we'll do a deep plum. For green, we'd have a rich emerald, or even a forest green, an' soften tha gold, usin' that as an accent color. Yeah, I'm seein' it an' I like it." Rogue says enthusiastically.
"Okay, now that that's, like, done, we have the matter of the wedding party to take care of." Kitty reminds them perkily.
"So, who will be your maid of honor?" Amara asks, glancing between Wanda and Kitty.
"I've already decided that." Rogue states with a grin. "Since I can' decide, then they will both be my maids of honor."
"Can that be done?" Wanda inquires.
"Sure. Like, I've seen it done so many times before." Kitty answers, being the supposed 'expert' on this matter, since she enjoys watching bridal shows. That is, when she can gain control of the remote and she doesn't have a bunch of guys moaning over her choice.
"For my bridesmaids, I choose Jubilee, Jean, Amanda, Rahne an'....." Rogue purposely trails off upon seeing the hopeful look on the young girl's face. Just as she is about to fall off the chair from leaning over with anticipation, Rogue replies with a cheeky grin: "Tabitha." She waits for the reaction.
"What?! Why her?" Amara pouts as anger flashes in her eyes. Tabby may be her friend, but she wants the coveted spot.
Rogue chuckles. "'Mara, it's you. I was jus' kiddin' about it bein' Tabby."
Her stormy expression changes quickly to one of sheer delight. She squeals as she jumps out of the chair, grabbing Rogue.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She shouts gleefully.
"Ya sure ya wanna do it?" Rogue asks jokingly.
"Yes, yes, yes,yes, yes!" She shrieks as she runs out of the room. They hear her running upstairs and shouting: "Jubes! Guess what?"
"She didn' even wait ta see who she was gonna be paired up with." Rogue says humorously.
"So who does Remy want to be his groomsmen?" Wanda queries idly, pretending to study her nails.
Rogue smirks knowingly at her. "Someone in particular ya wantin' ta escort ya back up tha aisle?" Rogue teases mildly.
"Rogue." Wanda growls, causing Rogue to giggle. Kitty just watches from her seat, but she also wonders.
"Well, he knows he wants John an' Pete, for sure. In answer ta ya unasked question, Pete an' John will be his bes' men. Tha otha groomsmen-slash-ushers will be Bobby, Kurt, Scott, Ray an' Roberto." Rogue tells them amusedly as the two girls smile at each other.
"This is, like, so awesome! We've got the colors and the bridal party done. I will check around and call, like, one of those fancy bridal salons in the city. You've just got to have a gorgeous gown, Rogue."
"Yeah, Rogue." Wanda chimes in. "When will you get another chance like this?"
Rogue stares at Wanda in surprise.
"What? If I had the opportunity to, I would. Although I wouldn't want a white dress. That's just not my style."
Rogue regards her for a moment longer. "Alright, Kit. Go ahead." She grants permissively as Kitty bounces in her seat, unable to contain her enthusiasm.
"Yay! We're going to have, like, so much fun, you'll see." Kitty tells her with a bright smile.
Rogue and Wanda glance at each other and roll their eyes at her over-exuberance as she scribbles in a notebook.
"Any thoughts on what you would like for a reception?" Wanda asks curiously.
"Since I have Mardi Gras colors, maybe we could do a Mardi Gras themed party, except not as wild."
"Gotcha. No Bourbon Street insanity." Kitty continues writing.
"Yep, so Kit, no flashin' Pete." Rogue jokes, causing Kitty's face to take on a rosy hue.
"Like, I totally wouldn't do that! I'd be, like, in a dress anyway, so I couldn't." Kitty objects as Wanda and Rogue laugh.
"We could have a jazz band perform and get a DJ." Wanda proposes.
"Yeah, I like that. And have some southern, as well as Cajun food, for those that may not like their food so hot and spicy." Rogue puts in.
"Ooh, good idea." Wanda agrees.
"Like, okay. I think we have done enough for today. We seem to be off to a totally good start." Kitty informs them as she rises to go to her room to find a bridal salon.
"I need to be getting back, as well. John and I have a date tonight, so I've got to get ready." Wanda says as she gets up to leave.
"Oh, okay. Have a good time an' don' order tha flambe!" Rogue calls out after her as Wanda chuckles.
Since it is a beautiful day outside, Rogue decides to take a walk. She is so deep in her musings that she doesn't notice the stray dog trotting beside her. It maintains an even pace with her, until it trots in front of her. Rogue starts when she almost trips over the animal.
"What the-" Rogue sputters as the dog morphs into Mystique. Rogue's eyes narrow dangerously as she takes a fighting stance.
"I want to talk to you, Rogue. I need to explain my actions." Mystique gazes at the young woman before her, taking in the fact that she is wearing less make-up and her hair is longer.
"I thought Kurt an' I tol' ya ta leave us alone! Ya have nothin' that I wanna hear. All ya did was hide me away an' use me when it suited ya interests. I'm done with ya, Mystique." Rogue snarls as she tries to walk away.
Mystique grabs her arm. "But I did all of it for you. My taking you in and leaving you in Irene's care. Getting you away from Caldecott and people who wanted to see you pay for what you did to the Robbins boy. Even the deal I struck with Mesmero was for your own good. Our own good."
"My own good?" Rogue whispers harshly. "Irene was tha only good thing ta happen ta me durin' that time. Don' even bring her inta this! Yeah, ya got me away from Caldecott. That was tha only good thing ya did for me. Tha res' was jus' ta save ya own behin'. Puttin' me with the Brothahood, in a school where ya could control me an' keep me away from tha X-Men, double-crossin me with tha whole Risty thing an' then, as if that wasn' enough, puttin' me unda Mesmero's control so I could absorb tha abilities a my friends, tha Brothahood an' tha Acolytes, all so ya could use me ta wake a mega-mutant. If that's tha way ya show care, then I'm betta off without it. My life is mine now an' I'm gonna live it tha way I wanna." Rogue states with finality as she distances herself from Mystique.
"If you won't go with me, then you will not make it back to them." Mystique states roughly, as her features harden with blind fury. She shape-shifts into a leopard and leaps onto Rogue, but Rogue is ready for her. The girl pushes her off, using her legs and quickly springs back up.
"What? Ya can' face me woman ta woman?" Rogue jeers. Mystique growls menacingly as she changes back into herself. As she runs toward Rogue again, Rogue focuses on Remy's powers and jumps up into a nearby tree, picks an apple, charges it and throws it at her. As it explodes in Mystique's face, effectively catching her off-guard, Rogue lands gracefully and strides up to her, delivering a lethal left-hook. It knocks her back against the tree's trunk, stunning her.
"I don' wanna hear any more a ya excuses. Stay away from me, Mystique." Rogue says heatedly as she turns on her heel and strides back to the mansion. Rogue doesn't say a word to anyone as she runs upstairs and into her room. She changes into her uniform, knowing that DR sessions are over for the day.
Going into the control room, she programs the simulation. During her session, she uses several different abilities, whatever she summons. She fights furiously, pouring out her raw emotions on the foes. When it finally stops, she slumps to the floor in exhaustion.
What she didn't notice was Remy watching from the observation deck. He rushes down and picks her up, bridal style, carrying her back to her room. As he lays her on her bed, he sits down at the edge.
"Okay, cherie. W'at was dat all 'bout?" He asks as he gazes at her frankly, awaiting her explanation.
Rogue sighs deeply. "Ran inta Mystique. She tried ta feed me a bunch a bull about how all tha connivin' she did was for me an' Kurt." She replies wearily as she slowly sits up.
"She really don' take no f'r an answer, does she?" Remy replies ruefully.
"No, she neva did. When I wouldn' listen ta her, she wanted ta kill me."
"Hmph. Sounds like 'er. So dat's w'at y' were doin' in DR, workin' out all de emotions." Remy realizes.
"Yeah. She has a habit a makin' me angry." Rogue jokes.
"S' I see. Tell y' w'at. 'Ow 'bout y' shower an' take a nap, den I'll take y' out t'nigh'. We'll do w'atev'r y' wan', amour." Remy takes her hand and gives her that charming grin.
"Sounds good, Rems. I'll tell ya what we came up with in our plannin' earlier." Rogue tells him.
"Den it sounds like we got a plan. I'll come back at aroun' 6:30." Remy kisses her hand and exits quietly.
A/N II: I know. Not much of a fight scene, but what can I say? It's late and I'm really tired, so apologies if this chap isn't as good as some I've done. Gah!