Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 6
Author: Goddess Evie
Date: 12/31/2002
Genre: Romance (Remy/Rogue, Scott/Jean, Lance/Kitty), Action, Drama, Angst, AU, heck, it's got it all…just not all in one chapter. ^_^
Rating: G, and I really don't think this'll get above PG.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own X-Men of any incarnation. I am but a poor, fanatical, poor, college student who much enjoys a show so that she writes extensive (and hopefully intriguing, enjoyable, and highly popular) fanfiction to feed her insatiable hunger for anything X-Men and is poor, if I haven't mentioned that already. Also, the song lyric I used as the title doesn't belong to me either. I'm quoting the song "Over My Head" by Lit from the movie soundtrack "Titan A.E.". Gods, I love that movie. But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I can't even pay for college! WAAAAH!
Summary: Rogue and Logan finally make it home. Jean and Kitty run into someone unexpected at the mall and Remy meets the students of the Institute.
Author's notes: Sorry, Remy and Rogue don't meet until next chapter, although I have part of it written out already. I promise that it'll be the first thing I deal with next chapter, so just hang on. I'm still trying to decide how I'm going to end that section, I have about three endings that I'm mulling over. Anyways, I am still writing and working on this, slowly but surely. I have more time now that school's out, but when I go back to school, and have to find a job, things'll get slower again. But I won't give up, I promise!
Chapter 6: "I'm in over my head."
Rogue hadn't slept since they'd left the restaurant. Thanks to Logan her pounding headache, along with any other injury she'd still had, was gone. Still, the journey through the New England states had been long and boring, each and every quaint town looking exactly like every other one. The most interesting sight to look at had been the stars and after a little while even those had gotten old and boring.
Logan had become broodingly quiet after he had touched her at the restaurant. She didn't blame him after she had yelled at him, but he just didn't understand. How she'd had to fight back his jumble of memories, adding them to all the other ones she'd collected along the years of having her Mutant power. Not to mention how dangerous a touch could be to the person she made contact with. And after he had touched her, Carol had gone off in her head, yelling at him about how stupid his actions had been and nothing Rogue did could shut her up.
Since her mind had no other way to occupy itself, and she was looking for a distraction from Carol's rantings, her thoughts naturally turned to the Cajun she had met in New Orleans. Interestingly enough, she found that she was less objectionable to amiable thoughts regarding Remy LeBeau. Since she'd run into Logan, she really hadn't had time to think about the swamp rat and how he'd charmed her so easily with his southern mannerisms. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed the culture of the Deep South until that fateful day at the bar in New Orleans.
He'd been so nice, so irresistible. And being a Mutant himself, he hadn't cared about her Mutant status. Although he really didn't have any idea what her Mutant powers were. And when he did find out, he'd most likely lose interest. But for now she'd just allow herself to daydream about him. It gave her a sense of happiness when she did, and she couldn't remember the last time she'd let herself feel like that. Not even her crush on Scott had given her such a feeling.
{And you'll probably never see him again,} Carol cut into her thoughts, sounding happy about reminding Rogue of this unhappy prospect.
Rogue scowled, putting all her effort into blocking Carol out. She understood that the woman hated her. Rogue would hate herself, too, if she'd done to herself what she'd done to Carol. But maybe if the woman took a little time to try to understand Rogue, since she was stuck anyway, she might see that Rogue wasn't exactly the villain here.
"Bayville," Logan's gruff voice disrupted her thoughts.
Rogue turned her attention to the external, sitting up in order to look around. What she saw made her breath to catch. They were entering the outskirts of Bayville, just as Logan had said, on the opposite side of town than the Mansion was located. There was the junkyard, where her horrible summer had begun. She couldn't take her eyes off of it, despite the cold feeling its decimated sight gave her.
"They decided not to rebuild it. It was just a junkyard, after all. Chalked it up to an act of vandalism gone wrong," Logan spoke up unbidden.
She didn't respond, though. She didn't have anything more that she wanted to say about the incident and she'd already told Logan her story. She really didn't want to think about it anymore than she had to. She dreaded having to repeat telling the dreadful events of the day to Xavier and everybody else at the school. Talking or thinking about them anymore than necessary was something she refused to do.
They continued through the quiet streets of Bayville, passing sleepy houses and late night hangouts where drunks and people looking for a one-night stand were beginning to filter out into the night. Rogue knew they were heading into familiar territory when they passed Bayville High School, dark and even a little creepy looking at this time of night. But still, seeing the recognizable place again was a comfort to Rogue, as strange as the idea of a school being a comfort seemed. The school had never been her favorite place; too many people in one location for her liking, but it was a sign that she was home, and that felt good.
Home. The idea was a foreign one for Rogue. She hadn't considered any place a home since before she'd developed her Mutant ability. But the Mansion had become a sort of home for her. She was liked there by many people, and at least tolerated by the rest. She definitely felt safe there and that was something she'd missed the entire summer with the Brotherhood.
They were approaching the gates of the Mansion, and while everything else had helped to ease and calm Rogue, the sight of the Mansion was suddenly daunting. What did the rest of the students think of her disappearance? Logan had said they'd been worried, but had he been talking about all of them, or just a select few? Would they accept her a second time? She remembered how hard it had been for both her and them the first time around. She didn't want to go through that again, but she would, because she knew it was worth it and she had no idea where else she would go.
The code Logan possessed to open the gates still worked and he started to creep his truck forward as they opened wider and wider, too impatient to wait for them to be open all the way. He must have been just as anxious as Rogue to finally be home again. The grounds were lit during the night, though not so much that it would bother the sleeping occupants. Still, the lighting created a mosaic of lighted and shadowy areas and Rogue strained her eyes trying to drink in every detail that the light allowed her to as the emotions she'd connected with this place washed over her.
Logan parked the truck in the driveway adjacent to the front entrance. Immediately Rogue got out, though her movements were slow and deliberate. Even though this was the very event she'd dreamed of the whole summer, she was also still very unsure of how she would be received. She hoped with all her might that they would allow her back into the fold.
Logan reached the front door before she did and was opening it when Rogue was just coming up the steps. The light in the foyer was on as always and even thought it was really only light, it felt so warm and inviting to Rogue that she forgot her inhibitions for a moment. She jogged up the rest of the stairs, and although she didn't quite burst in through the door, she did feel a little foolish when she saw Hank, Ororo and Xavier all staring at her. She wasn't too sure about the expressions on their faces and she found herself avoiding looking at them.
So she was surprised when she felt more than one pair of arms encircle her in a warm embrace. Ororo's slender arms and Hank's massive furry ones, with Xavier watching them all from his wheelchair with a pleased smile on his face. At last all of Rogue's insecurities melted away with the tears that streaked down her face. It didn't matter to her, right now, whether or not the rest of the students accepted her. Ororo, Hank and Xavier were more than happy to see her and would see that she was kept safe and relatively happy, here at the Mansion.
"Welcome home, child," Ororo's tender voice whispered to her.
"It's a comfort to our wearied and worried hearts to finally have you both returned," Hank voiced his own sentiments.
They held on for a moment longer before stepping back to allow Xavier access. She couldn't avoid a smile when he grabbed her gloved hand in his own tightly and she saw the unshed tears in his eyes even as he smiled in return. Yes, this was what she had been missing during her travels with the Brotherhood and she scolded herself for ever doubting they would take her back.
"What relief to have you both safely returned to us," Charles finally spoke when he felt he had control of his voice. "Everyone will be excited to see you."
Rogue turned her head to look over at where Logan was standing with Hank and Ororo. She kind of wished that she had something to say, but she was so busy trying to get her emotions back under control that she really couldn't think of anything to say. So she just stood there, smiling dumbly, waiting for someone to tell her what to do.
"She could use a shower, some fresh clothes, probably something to eat and then just some sleep," Logan spoke up.
His words shocked everyone into motion and Rogue found herself being led along by Ororo towards the stairs to the second floor where the dormitories were located, including the bathrooms and showers. A quick glance over her shoulder showed her that Logan was heading off with Mr. McCoy and the Professor in the opposite direction, conversing with each other. They were talking about her, of course. She could guess that much. But the idea of a shower, a warm change of clothing and eventually an actual bed was distracting enough to keep her from wondering about exactly what they were saying about her.
Rogue really didn't need Ororo to show her where everything was, but it was nice to have the older woman's presence and Rogue was glad for it. Ororo assured her that she would have a change of clothing set out for her and a warm meal waiting downstairs. That was an idea which Rogue relished and she certainly couldn't wait.
Stepping into the hot stream of water, and Rogue had it as hot as she could bear it, was like dieing and going to heaven. She hadn't bathed since the hotel in Louisiana and hadn't had a clean change of clothes since before that, and it hadn't helped that Logan's truck didn't have any air conditioning. Just a few hours ago being clean had seemed like a dream, but now the dream had become reality and she was letting her brain shut down for a little while she let soap and water do their job.
Ororo had returned with the promised garments, complete with underwear, sometime during the course of Rogue's shower. Rogue hadn't noticed, and had been surprised to see the neatly folded pile on top of a couple of thick, fluffy towels. Rogue bypassed the clothing at first to wrap herself in the towels, one secured around her body, the other draped over her head and hair. Rogue never realized how much she could miss the small luxuries of life until they were gone and she had them back again.
Once she was sufficiently dry, Rogue pulled on the clothing: plain, white cotton underwear, like Jean liked to wear, gray thermal pajama pants with a tie string and a matching long sleeved thermal shirt. They looked like a pair of pajamas that she'd seen Jean wear before, but if they were Jean's then they'd be too big on her, and they seemed to fit just right, so Rogue assumed that they were just extras that were kept around in case of just such emergencies as these. They also made her wonder if they had gotten rid of her possessions. Maybe they'd needed to make room for a new student, or they had simply assumed that she wasn't coming back. Rogue decided she didn't want to go back to that kind of thinking. She was back and that was what mattered most at the moment.
She deposited the used towels and her pile of dirty clothes in the laundry receptacles, hoping they'd just burn the clothes, and exited the bathroom. Her bare feet padded along the carpet in the hallway and then down the stairs. Back on the ground floor, she headed to the dining room and kitchen area, her nose picking up an aroma the nearer she got.
She found, upon entering the dining hall, that the four adults had convened there already. Logan was surfeiting himself on a plate of food and there was another plate awaiting her. Ororo silently gestured for her to sit, wearing the same warm smile she'd had on all night. Rogue quietly took the seat the weather Goddess offered and began to eat as the adults continued their conversation.
Rogue listened as Logan detailed his travels of the summer as he searched for her. It really wasn't anything of interest, and nothing of importance to her, especially when he got to the part where he'd found her, which she'd heard, and experienced, already. She didn't know why Xavier, Ororo and Mr. McCoy would want to hear it, but that was their decision. She was just glad that they didn't ask her about her summer. She knew that eventually they would, but right now she didn't want to have to worry about that and she had a feeling that the Professor knew that, and so left her alone.
When Logan was finished eating, the three men left as Ororo disposed of the used eating utensils and then returned to keep Rogue company.
"Are you feeling better?" Ororo asked, noticing that Rogue definitely looked a lot better than when she had first stood in the front hall.
Rogue nodded, chewing on a mouth full of food. Without fear or hesitation, Ororo pushed a stray lock of half dry hair out of Rogue's eyes. That was the great thing about Ororo. Somehow she managed to treat you like you didn't have a debilitating Mutant ability that could do mass harm with a single touch. Nobody else at the Institute could act so naturally around her like Ororo did.
"I never knew that your hair was curly," Ororo commented nonchalantly.
Rogue shrugged as she swallowed. "Ah always straight'nd it when it was shortah. Didn't have the chance t'ovah the summah," was all she replied, too intent on her food for much more than small talk.
"It looks good," Ororo appraised, meaning it.
Rogue nodded her thanks.
"Are you going to cut it again?" the African woman wanted to know.
Rogue loved Ororo for talking about things that didn't really matter instead of trying to bring up the events of the summer. The elder woman knew that they would be dealt with in due time, and that now was a time for idle chitchat and not soul shaking confessions.
"Ah dunno. Haven't really thought 'bout it. Mebbe," she answered as she pushed the last of the food together on the plate in order to get it on the fork and into her mouth.
"You should leave it…just to try something new. Perhaps Kitty can suggest something to keep the frizz minimal," Ororo suggested.
Once again Rogue nodded as she stood up, taking empty plate and dirty fork in hand in order to take them to the kitchen. Ororo rose, also, pushing in the chairs behind them and following Rogue. She stood in the doorway, ready to direct Rogue to her room, once the Southern gal was finished rinsing her dishes before leaving them in the sink. Finished with her task, Rogue turned towards Ororo with an expectant grin and Mother Nature pushed off the doorframe, walking to the opposite entrance, knowing Rogue would join her.
They walked down the hall in silence. No words were needed for the two to enjoy the comfort of each other's presence. Rogue was appreciative of Ororo and all she had done already. She had a feeling that the mistress of the weather wouldn't get much sleep tonight, along with the rest of the adults. Ororo, for her part, was glad to be united with the Institute's prodigal Mutant. She knew that Rogue wouldn't be able to fathom how much she had been missed and worried over until she joined up with the rest of the students.
Heading off down the hall from the top of the stairs, Rogue was confused and even a little hurt when Ororo led her past the room she used to share with Kitty. But Ororo, in her infinite wisdom, had an explanation ready before Rogue could even ask.
"She's been having nightmares lately, and hasn't been getting much sleep. I don't want to disturb her if she's actually asleep so for tonight we'll put you in one of the guest rooms."
Rogue nodded, troubled by this news. Kitty, ever perky and happy, was having nightmares? The most Kitty ever had to worry about was making sure that she looked as primped as ever before leaving the Mansion everyday. What was it that could be giving Kitty Pryde nightmares?
Speaking of dreams, Rogue wondered what kind of dreams she, herself, would have this night as Ororo held open the door to her for the night. She almost didn't want to sleep as that thought entered her mind, but her body was telling her otherwise and refused to be ignored.
Ororo bid her sweet dreams before closing the door on Rogue, who shuffled over to the bed without worrying about a light. Exhaustion blurred her sight as she burrowed under the covers and snuggled her cheek against the pillow.
{Sleep well, Rogue,} Carol's snide voice called to her before she dozed into unconsciousness.
Jean Grey absently flipped a stray strand of her red hair over her shoulder as she walked down the hall, musing to herself. There was something in the back of her mind that was nagging at her, and she knew that it was her developing telepathic power at work. She just couldn't figure out what it was trying to tell her. It was times like this that she wished her telepathy was as developed as her telekinesis.
Last night she had awoken at three in the morning with her telepathy nagging at her. She had wanted to investigate and had even gotten up to do so, but out in the hall Ororo had stopped her, assuring her that everything was okay and that she should go back to bed. Jean hadn't liked the knowing smile Ororo had worn. She never liked not knowing what other's knew. But she couldn't argue and so she had gone back to bed as instructed, erected a mental block to keep her telepathy at bay, and slept soundly for the rest of the night.
But the nagging feeling was back. It hadn't waited long after she had awoken to make itself known again, hitting her in the middle of breakfast. For the most part she tried to ignore it, but there were times when it flared and she was forced to take time and acknowledge it.
But she didn't even know where she was getting the feeling from. She had already trekked all over the Mansion, trying to pinpoint it without any luck. The clairvoyant thought in her brain wasn't going to be of much help other than prodding her that something was different, something was new.
For a while she had thought that perhaps it had been the newest student at the Institute, Remy. But when she had passed his room where he was still snoozing after his late night Danger Room session, she knew it hadn't been him. And it hadn't been any of the other students or faculty at the Mansion, either. So then who or what was it?
"Hey, there you are. What took you so long?" Kitty Pryde asked from where she was standing at the bottom of the steps.
Jean smiled at the petite young woman, using the opportunity to blow off her telepathy. Screw it. If it wasn't going to give her any more information or indications, then it could just learn to forget about it.
"It took longer than I thought to get a word with the Professor," Jean told the girl as they headed across the front hall for the door.
"Didja get it?" Kitty asked excitedly.
Jean grinned as she dangled a set of car keys in front of her friend's face.
"Alright! Bayville Mall, here we come," she celebrated.
Jean giggled. "But we have to be home by two. Remy's official orientation starts at two fifteen and we're all to be present."
Kitty grinned. "Finally! I can't wait to meet him. I swear, they've been keeping that guy under lock and key since he got here."
"Just a little longer and then you'll see him in all his glory," Jean comforted the perky brunette as they entered the garage.
Kitty followed Jean to the vehicle they'd been allowed to borrow, a jeep that reminded her of Lance. But she only let herself dwell on him for second before returning her attention to Jean and their conversation.
But Jean wasn't paying attention. She had paused, key two thirds of the way to being in the door lock and unlocking the vehicle, a troubled frown on her usually cheerful face.
"Jean," Kitty called to the spaced out red head.
"Oh, sorry," Jean apologized, unlocking the vehicle and climbing in before leaning across to unlock the passenger door.
"What was that all about?" Kitty inquired.
Jean shook her head, her red hair shivering back and forth across her back. "It's…nothing," she said.
Kitty was smart enough to not press the subject.
"So, I heard Scott called last night," she picked up instead, leering at Jean.
Jean blushed slightly before gaining control of herself as she started the jeep and eased it out of the garage. "Yeah, he's really enjoying himself at college, although he did assure me that he misses us all."
Kitty chuckled, relaxing in the passenger seat of the jeep. "You mean he misses you."
Jean rolled her eyes. "He misses all of us," she assured. "But he is making friends. He had a lot to say about a couple guys named Nathan and Brad."
"Are they cute?" was the first thing Kitty asked about them.
Jean laughed. "I don't know! I've never met them. Just what I heard from Scott."
Kitty giggled at herself. "Yeah, right. Well, as long as he's happy and not suffering from a severe case of homesickness or something. He didn't say anything about…?"
Even though she hadn't finished the question, Jean knew what the pony-tailed girl was talking about and she shook her head in a negative response. Kitty shrugged and didn't pursue that subject anymore. As they turned off from the road that led to the Mansion, Jean realized that the tickling in her brain from her telepathy was fading. So, whatever it was that had pestered her telepathy was definitely in the Mansion.
"Jean, you're doing it again," Kitty sang at her teasingly.
Jean chuckled. "Yeah, sorry, again," she replied.
"So, as I was saying before, where do you want to start?" Kitty picked up from where she had been ignored.
"Actually, I saw this cute shirt the other day that I thought would be just perfect for Amara," Jean admitted.
Kitty grinned. Jean was always doing things like that, constantly thinking of other people. It was one reason she was so well liked, along with her friendly attitude and warm smile. Kitty really knew of only one person who didn't like Jean, though that person had never really gave reason as to why.
The drive to the mall wasn't a long one. Driving anywhere in the small town of Bayville never took long, and as soon as Jean had found a parking spot and shut off the engine, the two girls hopped out and headed into the mall. Even though the weather outside was gorgeous, the mall was packed with parents and children doing last minute school shopping. Jean and Kitty themselves had been hoping to do that very same thing, although they'd already done most of their school shopping with Ororo and the rest of the students at the Mansion a couple of weeks before.
Jean led the way to the store she'd spotted the shirt for Amara in, while they talked and gossiped. Kitty asked about Duncan, Jean's significant other, and Jean confessed that since football practice and Soccer for herself had started up two weeks ago, she hadn't seen all that much of him. In return Jean asked Kitty if she was still suffering from her nightmares. Kitty answered that she was, but refused to say anything more.
"Deprived of both Scott and Duncan. Bummer!" Kitty teased with a grin, in order to change the subject.
"Oh, stop it," Jean scoffed, turning away to hide her blush.
She had herself under control, however, and Kitty was behaving, when they entered the store. Jean made a beeline straight for the shirt, remembering exactly where she had seen it, and silently triumphing when it was still there. She picked it up and turned to show it to Kitty, who wore an expression of approval.
"You're absolutely right, as usual," Kitty told her. "Amara will love that."
Jean smiled smugly and then turned to browse for herself. Kitty wandered off, every once in a while looking at something, but not really interested in what this store had to offer. She really wasn't into its style, preferring the fashions of other stores above this one. She soon, however, did see something that caught her eye, and took her totally by surprise.
"Lance?!" she called incredulously to the tall young man who had his back to her, straightening a table of folded t-shirts.
He stiffened, recognizing her voice, and slowly turning around. "Kitty," he said with an unsure smile and looking equally surprised. "I didn't know you shopped here."
"I didn't know you worked here," she responded instead of answering his question as she saw the nametag pinned to his shirt, emblazoned with the word "Trainee".
"Yeah, well, a brother has to get by somehow, right?" he replied with a half grin and a shrug.
She nodded in what he could take as agreement if he wanted, making the time to look him over. Gone were his grungy clothes, hole-in-the-knee jeans and layered, grubby shirts. He was a little more dressed up, as the job expected, with actual nice jeans, and though he still wore his shirts layered, they were nicer shirts, of better quality and style. Although his hair hadn't changed, he looked clean for once instead of like he'd been burrowing in the dirt, and Kitty had to admit that he looked as handsome as she'd ever seen him.
"So, is there anything I can help you find?" he asked, putting on his best "friendly salesman" smile.
She chuckled lightly. "Not really," she told him. "I'm just waiting for Jean." She gestured to the red head with a thumb over the shoulder.
"Oh," she couldn't help thinking how cute the disappointed look on his face was. "Well, I have to finish this," he referred to the table with body language, "but if you do need some help, just holler."
He smiled one last time, a smile she returned, and then turned back to folding the shirts. Shaking her head at Lance, she continued to browse, but she couldn't help glancing in his direction as he wandered around the store, making sure everything was in place, replacing clothing that had carelessly been dropped by a customer, shoe displays that hadn't been put back in their appropriate places, tables exhibiting articles of clothing that had been carelessly rifled through and not been returned to their proper order. She noticed he took his time with everything, being careful and thorough, working on making his actions into the easy habit of his coworker.
"Hey, is that…Lance?" Jean asked from behind her, startling her.
She turned to look at her companion wearing a nonchalant smile. "Sure is."
"Oh," was all Jean could say.
"Are you ready?" Kitty asked, looking at the assortment of garments that Jean had picked out, wondering how many were actually for the telepath and how many she had picked out for other people.
"Yep, just gotta pay," Jean told her, sliding past Kitty and making her way to the cash register.
Kitty followed and Lance slid in behind the till just as the girls reached it. "Hello," he said as if he'd never faced the two in battle. "Did you find everything you need?"
Jean looked at Kitty, then back at Lance, giving him a curt, "Yeah."
Lance nodded, recognizing the tone in her voice, before he began ringing up the clothing. He took his time, not being familiar with the cash register, and Jean huffed and rolled her eyes in impatience.
"Sorry, I'm still getting the hang of this," Lance apologized.
"It's okay. Take your time," Kitty encouraged before Jean could say anything rude.
Jean just rolled her eyes again.
There wasn't anymore talk between the three, but whenever the male Mutant looked at Kitty, he couldn't help but smile, which in turn made her smile. Lance gave Jean her total as he began to fold her purchases and place them in bags. Silently Jean handed him her money, waited patiently for her change, muttered a "thank you" when she received it, grabbed her bags before Lance could hand them to her, and promptly left.
Kitty rolled her eyes at Jean's behavior. "Thanks," she told Lance. "See ya round. Good luck with your job."
"Thank you, too. Have a nice day."
Kitty had heard the same phrase from every other store clerk, but as she jogged out of the store to catch up with her partner, she knew that this one had meant it.
Remy managed not only to sleep, but to sleep in late the next morning. By the time he had finally arisen and exited his room, the rest of the mutants had already been up for hours and had headed off to do their own things. Once again the mansion was relatively quiet. For teen-agers who had to learn to keep both hormones and strange mutant powers under control, they sure did a good job of not letting it take over their lives.
Down in the kitchen Remy sketched himself a quick breakfast, actually, lunch considering it was already past noon. He really didn't feel all that hungry after last night's workout, but he knew that he needed the nutrients for his body and the mass in his stomach. He'd learned that quickly, living the life of a thief. The Guild Father had always made sure that every member in the guild got enough to eat the morning after an assignment, whether they'd been successful in their tasks or not.
After breakfast Remy took a shower, although he'd done that the night before prior to slumping into bed. Still, it was a habit of Remy's and one that was hard to break. And his stiff muscles craved the therapy hot water would afford them. In fact, the steamy water of the shower felt so good that he let himself linger. He didn't think the Professor would mind, and as long as nobody came knocking on the door with complaints, he would stay for whatever length of time suited him.
When his skin started to get the raisin look to it he finally shut off the water and went looking for some towels to dry himself off with. Luckily for him, towels were always kept in good supply and he quickly toweled himself dry. Unluckily for him, he had headed for the showers without stopping off at his room first for a clean change of clothes. Remy shrugged his shoulders. Ah well, he'd just have to wrap a towel around his waist and if anyone saw him, well, then they'd get a free show. He draped a towel over his wet hair in an effort to keep the drips to a minimum and left the bathroom, a death grip on the towel around his mid-section.
He'd almost made it to his room when he heard a door opening and then the distinct sound of females giggling. He looked over his shoulder to see some of the students of the Institute, every single one of them female, staring at him. Most guys in his situation might have blushed and rushed into the safety of their rooms. Not Remy, however. No, he couldn't let this go without a show.
Turning towards the girls, he smiled genuinely at them and bowed a bit; the best he could do in only a towel.
"Morning, mes chères," he drawled out to them in his accent.
He got the desired effect. They all giggled even more before heading quickly for the stairs, pushing and tripping over each other as they went. Remy turned back to his door with a smile on his face. He loved having such an effect on the ladies. It was good for the ego.
Once the door to his room clicked shut behind him, he let both towels drop and went about lazily getting dressed. After last nights grueling workout he didn't feel much like being in a hurry today. Slipping first into some boxers and then grabbing a white cotton undershirt and pulling that on, he let himself flop down onto his bed as he pushed his hands through his hair. He kept his auburn locks on the long side. They often helped to hide his eyes when he didn't want people looking into them. However, he found keeping a brush or comb around to keep them straight was near impossible, so he usually either pulled them back into a tail or settled with a finger combing. The ladies never complained about it, so he just worried about keeping his hair trimmed and let it go after that.
Rising from his bed again, he rummaged in his bureau for something to wear. He'd haphazardly transferred his belongings from his duffel bag the first night he'd been here. The clothing had ended up in the dresser of course, the laptop sat on the bedside table. He'd sent the Guild Father a message that first night stating that he'd successfully infiltrated along with what information he had been able to discover. He hadn't gotten anything back, but that didn't surprise him.
He had opted to bring his thieving tools with him, mostly an assortment of lock picks, but he had a few other devices that made scaling walls easier and an assortment of throwing knives. He felt semi-naked not keeping those on his body, but he felt that for now it would be better for him if he went without. These people would start asking questions and getting suspicious if they discovered he kept weapons on himself. He'd just have to make do with his unassuming cards.
Remy decided on a pair of stone washed jeans, faded and slightly ragged. He pulled them on, and immediately stuck a loose deck of cards into the front pocket, and another one, still in its pack, in a back pocket. Remy's theory was that you could never have enough cards. Not were they only a source of entertainment, but for him at least, they were a handy weapon.
From the top drawer of the bureau Remy grabbed a pair of socks and snatched some grungy sneakers from his closet before heading back to his bed. It took only a few moments to slip into the socks and shoes and rearrange the pant cuffs so that they pooled around the tops of the sneakers. With all the femmes around he couldn't have himself looking like a dorky wanna be. That just wouldn't do.
Standing up, he looked himself over and approved his appearance; laid back, slightly rugged, but still charming and stylish. He was ready for the Institute and all its students. He just hoped everyone was ready for him. Satisfied with himself, Remy opened the door to leave his room, but instead found the lovely Jean Grey standing in his way, fist poised, ready to knock.
"Well, well, wha' a wond'ful su'prise," he greeted with a charming expression.
Jean smiled back, and Remy could pick out the slight blush in her pale cheeks.
"What can Remy do f'de lovely lady?" he next asked.
"Actually, I was coming up to let you know that we're all meeting in one of the recreation rooms," Jean told him.
"An' I'm invited?" Remy asked, making himself sound completely flattered.
Jean flashed him a grin. "Of course you are. How else are you going to meet everyone around here?"
She didn't wait for him to R.S.V.P. before turning and heading back down the hall. Remy followed immediately, but not without making sure his room was secure. Then he was right behind the red head who was already headed down the stairs, and taking a sidelong glance at the way her cargo panted hips swayed as she walked. He realized she was talking and attuned his ears to her voice, hoping he hadn't missed too much.
"…must think it silly that this is your third day here and you still really haven't met anyone. Not to mention everyone wants to meet you. They're all excited, and really intrigued," she told him.
"M'flattered," Remy responded, really only half as flattered as he made himself sound.
"Good, because Mr. McCoy and everyone else are waiting for you and once you get to know everyone hopefully things will be a lot easier. They're all generally nice, although some do have their quirks," Jean explained as she led him down the hall and towards a set of double, wood paneled doors.
"De world woul' b'borin' if dey didn'," Remy returned.
Jean's smile looked relieved as she opened and held one of the two doors for him, gesturing that he should enter before her. Setting his southern gentile manners aside, he did as she implied, with a quick nod of his head. The room he stepped into could easily be classified for recreation with the entertainment center, foos ball, chess and checkers sets, and air hockey scattered about. But the main attraction was the large group of teen-agers settled on and around the overstuffed couch, matching chairs and other assorted articles of furniture. They animatedly talked amongst themselves or with Mr. McCoy, who stood by the big screen TV, silently keeping an eye out lest someone get overzealous with their Mutant powers.
But as soon as they realized that their new comer had arrived a hushed silence fell over the crowd and they all stared expectantly at him. Pausing for effect, Remy quickly picked out the mutants he recognized. There was Kitty, Kurt, Jubilee, and Evan scattered throughout the group and Jean passed by him to join them, completing the picture. Remy also picked out the group of girls who had caught him in the hall earlier, all sitting together, and he winked at them, sending them into a fit of giggles. He took in note that the Scott guy was missing and immediately his mind began devising a way of finding out where he was without making it look like he had previous knowledge of him.
"So, dis ever'one?" he asked, grinning at the group.
"It certainly is," McCoy assured him, "and if you'll join us, we can get started."
Remy nodded his acceptance and joined McCoy at the front of the crowd instead of taking a seat within the group. He felt McCoy's huge paw-hand thing lay itself gently upon his shoulder, and he felt slightly unnerved by it, but ignored the feeling. He also felt every pair of eyes upon him, staring at him, trying to figure out his secrets. For a thief who was used to avoiding detection and attention, Remy sure thought he was taking this pretty well. It was probably his thespian side that loved the attention that was helping him to get along.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet our newest addition to the Mansion. This is Remy LeBeau," McCoy's soothing voice introduced.
There was mass murmuring of greetings, which McCoy paused for before proceeding, and Remy responded to it with his best smile and a nod.
"Remy, would you please to explain to us how your ability works?" McCoy requested.
Remy took a moment to think before responding. "De way McCoy and Xavier 'splained it t'me, I take an objects p'tential energy…an' turn it int'k'netic energy," the Cajun told the group, remembering precisely how the Professor and giant, blue genius had clarified it for him.
"What does…all that mean?" a young boy, the youngest of the group, asked.
"It means dat I charge up any object I wan't'make it 'splode," Remy switched to terms that were easier to comprehend.
The boy grinned and exclaimed, "Cool!" causing the whole room to break into laughter, which helped to ease some of the tension.
"Alright, students, now it's your turn to introduce yourselves," McCoy told them. "Jaime, why don't you start?"
McCoy gestured to Remy to take a seat as that same little boy from before stood up and, in a tone that sounded more like he was reciting a memorized speech, began to introduce himself.
And so the afternoon proceeded.