Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 8
Author: Goddess Evie
Date: March 31, 2003
Genre: Romance (Remy/Rogue, Scott/Jean, Lance/Kitty), Action, Drama, Angst, AU, heck, it's got it all…just not all in this chapter. ^_^
Rating: So far, it's only a 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. The title of this fic, a quote from a popular old song by the same name, does not belong to me (obviously) and actually does belong to the golden oldie band the Animals, but it's still a great song. Also, the song lyric I use as the optional title doesn't belong to me either. I'm quoting the song "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence and if you have not heard this band than you are SO missing out!!!! But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I can't even pay for college! WAAAAH!
Summary: Remy and Rogue's shopping trip and Ororo's observations. Also, some Jean/Scott interactions.
Author's Note: Well, it took me a little while, but I finally finished this chapter. I'm not particularly pleased with the last section, where we kinda see thing through Ororo. But since it's not all that an important part, I'm just going to let it slide (because, in reality, I'm too lazy and I just want to get on with the story and I'm sure you do, too). Anyways, dunno when the next part will be out, but I know what I have planned. Remy and Rogue's DR session, in which tragedy happens. Ororo's meeting with Charles interrupted by the tragedy. And a twist that I won't reveal to you at this moment. You'll just have to wait 'til the next chapter to find out what I have planned.
Chapter 8: "How can you see into my eyes like open doors?"
Rogue kept her eyes on her feet as she walked behind Ororo to the garage. Both women remained silent, so Rogue wasn't expecting to hear any voices-other than Carol's-especially not the one with the charming Cajun accent. But what caused her head to snap up, though her expression didn't change, was when Ororo answered Remy's question.
Rogue met his eyes, holding them willingly and unwillingly. She tried to tell herself to look away, but her heart wouldn't listen to her brain, and there was something about the emotion in his eyes that had her existence confined to his gaze.
"Are you two ready to go?" Ororo's voice was just what Rogue needed as a distraction to stop herself from acting like a fool any longer.
She gave an indifferent shrug as her answer. Remy was all smiles and accent as he answered, though, as Rogue watched him out of the corner of her eyes. She was sure that he was doing the same thing to her, and was his gaze wandering?! How dare he check her out!
[Do you remember what you're wearing? Even a blind man would be checking you out,] Carol muttered snidely to Rogue in the back of her mind.
Rogue took a deep breath, then walked to Ororo's white convertible and waited at the passenger door for the owner to let her in. Ororo used the keyless entry remote on her key ring to unlock the car. Immediately, Rogue opened the car door and clumped down into the passenger seat.
"I was hopin' dat I'd git t'see de grounds, aussi," Remy admitted to Ororo, much to Rogue's amazement, who showed it by raising an eyebrow in the Cajun's direction.
"That will have to wait for another time. School starts tomorrow morning, and both yourself and Rogue need to get appropriate clothing and school supplies so that you'll be ready," Ororo replied.
Remy, for once, couldn't think of any argument to reply with. Already it was getting late in the day and not many stores would be open for much longer. There wasn't another day to put it off to. Like Ororo had said, school started tomorrow, and Rogue obviously needed some new attire. Remy found he was stuck, and by the look on Rogue's face, well, he couldn't really tell how she felt about it. She was keeping her visage cool and expressionless and Remy wasn't close enough to see into her eyes to know what she was really feeling.
"A'ight, den," he gave in, hoping Rogue saw the apologetic look on his face.
Ororo nodded in the direction of the car, and Remy took the gesture for it's meaning, climbing into the back seat of the convertible. Rogue didn't look at him even to acknowledge that he existed. Remy couldn't help wishing he knew what was on her mind. Maybe then he'd have some clue as to how to reach her.
Ororo saw Jean's apologetic look to her as she reversed her car out of the garage and headed out of the Mansion grounds. She decided it best not to try to break the stony silence that hung between her passengers, filled only by the soft music playing on the radio. As much as she was the mediator and neutral being, she didn't think it wise to try and incite even small talk. It would only end up getting lost in either one-word answers or some kind of squabble between these two. Instead of risking it, Ororo let herself concentrate on the African tribal chants she usually listened to when she drove. Usually the kids complained about her choice of music, none more loudly than Evan. But Rogue and Remy were too busy being silent at each other to care.
As they pulled into a parking space in front of the Bayville Mall, Remy jumped out of the backseat without using the door and with the utmost suave and politeness opened Rogue's door, adding a flaunting bow.
"Mademoiselle," he offered.
Rogue climbed out, speaking nothing except what she could say through her glare at him and ignoring him as she walked around him to join Ororo.
Remy closed the door without letting on that Rogue's reaction had affected him in any way and went to walk on Ororo's other side. The silence was sustained as they entered the building.
"The professor has given me an allowance for each of you. You may pick out whatever you want, keeping your items strictly to clothing and shoes and school supplies. No extravagances," Ororo instructed them.
"How much is our limit?" Rogue asked.
"Don't worry about it. Just worry about getting what you need," Ororo told her.
Both Remy and Rogue nodded and looked around at the variety of stores that they could choose from.
"Where would you like to start?" Ororo asked to initiate some action from one of the two.
"I assume dat chère has a betteh idea o'where t'shop and where not t', so I leave de decision up t'her," Remy acquiesced.
Rogue huffed, but looked around again, scanning the stores in sight. Remy and Ororo watched her expectantly and patiently. Ororo was slightly surprised that the girl hadn't taken off to her favorite store, a little out of the way shop that always had the latest in goth clothing and styles. She huffed, annoyed, as she looked around, then stalked off, Remy taking off after her.
Ororo watched them go, then turned in a different direction. She had her own list of items to pick up, for herself and various other requests that had been made to her. The Bayville Mall wasn't all that big, but it was filled with last minute school shoppers, not to mention the construction that was still going on after the X-Men's rumble with the Brotherhood a few months ago. A lot of the rebuilding was done, but there were still shops only half finished and integrity issues that were being dealt with. No matter. Ororo had a feeling she'd be able to find the two when she was done. She had a knack for doing that, one her nephew Evan absolutely despised.
Remy found keeping up with Rogue was a task. She kept her walk to a quick pace, spurred on by her anger, he guessed. He wished she would stop so he could talk to her, or at least slow down so he wasn't out of breath from just keeping up with her and could get a few words in. But she was determined not to have anything resembling a conversation with him and wanted to make sure he got the clue. Unfortunately for her, Remy didn't take hints too well when he didn't want to, even when he did catch them.
"Chère, where we goin'?" he finally demanded.
She stopped and whirled around to look at him, her mouth working to say something, anything, but there was no sound. Finally, she gave up and grunted angrily.
"Wha's wrong, chère?" he asked her softly, sensing there was more to her frustration then having to spend the afternoon with him.
She shook her head, the expression of pent up emotions leaving her face as she took a deep breath and then exhaled it. She took the time to really look around before heading off again, making Remy jump to keep up with her. She didn't waste any words on a warning, but at least her pace was more relaxed.
This time she did have a destination and Remy followed her into a store that was relatively empty, save for the sales clerks on duty. Immediately, Rogue began to ruffle through the clothing, though by just comparing the merchandise to Rogue's current apparel, which was hard not to do, Remy could tell easily enough that this wasn't her usual style.
Not that his observation stopped him from picking up a green fitted, button up shirt, holding it up to her, and suggesting, "Dis one perfect for you, chère. It bring out de coloh' in yo' eyes.''
She glared at him as she shoved a pair of jeans back onto the rack she'd been perusing through and asked in return, "What makes you think yah know anythin'?''
"Jus' a suggestion, chère," he assured her, hoping he sounded nonchalant and not hurt as he returned the shirt to its mates.
She was already ignoring him as she walked away, and Remy felt so helpless watching her go. Why couldn't she just give him a chance? She had been so open that day at the bar, but now she was worlds away.
Remy saw Rogue stiffen out of the corner of his eye and immediately his focus was on her. Shifting his gaze past her prone form he saw the reason for her sudden distress. Even without the goofy costume, Remy recognized the leader of the mutants that had attacked them back at the bar in New Orleans. He wasn't sure how he had figured out that they would be here in Bayville, or why he had come alone this time instead of with his buddies, but he wasn't going to let him have another try at Rogue.
The two stared at each other as Remy made his approach, but then with Rogue's powers, Remy would be wary attacking her, also. Then again, the boy had shown some merit-able tactical skills back at the bar. And yet now he was only one against their two and they had done well enough on their own when there had been four.
"You back again fo'anothah try? Cause we more den happy t'kick yo'ass again, homme," Remy made his presence known.
The boy looked up at him with a grunt of surprise, then took a step back as his eyes narrowed. With the stealth of his thief training, Remy removed a couple of cards from his pocket and charged them.
"Remy, don't," Rogue ordered.
"Don'chu worry 'bout nothin', chère. Remy take care o'dis goon fo'yo, an' yo' won' even have t'dirty yo'hands," he assured her.
She turned to face him, looking straight into his eyes as she repeated with more force, "Remy, Ah said don't."
He was so caught up in her eyes that it took him a second to realized she'd grabbed the charged cards in his hand. Quickly he de-charged them and she let go when he did. He stuffed them back into his coat after she released them, glaring at the offending young man. One glare was all he got before Rogue was pushing him out of the store, an easy task for her with her enhanced strength.
She didn't stop ushering when they were out of the store, but continued to push him out of the populated main walkways and into a deserted side hallway where finally she let go.
Remy caught and supported Rogue as she collapsed against him, slowly wrapping his arms tighter and tighter around her as she fought to control sobs she'd never acknowledge. She didn't stop him. In fact, she seemed to be clinging to him, needing him to sustain her both mentally and physically. Remy waited for most of the sobs to pass before addressing her.
"Why didn't you lemme-"
She didn't let him finish. "Don't you undahstand? We can't staht a fahght lahke that in th'middle of th'mall! That would be a total disastah! Th'world don't know that Mutants exist and rahght now they're not ready t'know!"
Remy's face fell as he felt every bit the hothead that Rogue was insinuating that he was. Rien, but he'd never known a femme that could do that to him. Rogue sighed and spoke again in softer tones.
"Remy, Ah know ya haven't been at th'Institute long, but ya haf'ta r'membah th'Pr'fessor's goal."
Remy nodded, looking into her eyes again to make sure she saw his sincerity. What he glimpsed in her emerald irises was pain hidden and pushed away. Remy couldn't deny that.
"Rogue, let Remy help you," he pleaded to her.
She looked away and Remy thought he could almost see the steel shell unfolding over her skin.
"Ah don't need help," she told him. "'Specially not yours."
She started to pull away, but he stopped her with a mere hand on her arm. "Den a' least…" He paused and she looked at him expectantly. "A' least give Remy a truce."
Scott was sprawled on his bed studying his schedule as Brad and Nathan tossed the Nerf football back and forth. They were playing some game that Scott didn't quite understand and didn't care to participate. But at least they were being semi-quiet so that he could look over his classes.
They were mostly general education credits. The ones that all students had to take unless they tested out of some of the basic ones. Chemistry 200 was at the top of the list, since he had managed to test out of the basic level science classes and had been able to choose from whatever interested him. He'd chosen chemistry because he had a passing interest in it, not to mention he could always e-mail Hank if he had any questions.
Along with that he had a higher-level Math Class, Research Writing, since that was one required class that no student got out of, and a history course and literature class to balance out his classes and meet the gen. Ed. Requirements.
Tomorrow he, Nathan and Brad were going to take a tour of the campus and find out where all their classes were. Scott had suggested it earlier, and though Nathan and Brad had been sure that they would be able to find their classes just fine on the first official day of school, Scott had been firm about finding them beforehand.
The telephone rang and Scott reached to answer it, but Nathan was way ahead of him. He snatched up the receiver before Scott had a chance to get his hand on it.
"You've reached Scott's dorm room. This is his answering service. May I ask your name and your business?" he greeted whoever was on the other line in his best professional voice.
Scott watched with a raised eyebrow and an amused smile as Nathan listened to the person's reply. Nathan smiled back with a toothy grin…a smile that soon turned sly. Scott's face turned threatening as he listened to the next words that came out of his friend's mouth.
"Why, yes, Jean, Scott's available. He'll pick you up Friday night at eight."
Scott made frantic gestures at Nathan to stop right now before he did any real damage, but Nathan ignored Scott's silent, though fervent requests.
"Oh, you mean you just want to talk to him? I apologize for the misunderstanding. Here he is now," Nathan finally handed over the receiver, Brad chuckling in the background.
Scott gave Nathan a look that said he was neither amused nor pleased as he snatched the offered receiver, and then he was all smiles and good guy when he greeted Jean.
"Jean! This is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to talk to you again 'til next week."
Brad and Nathan watched their friend's face go from deliriously happy to ecstatically overjoyed. He stood up on his bed, coming dangerously close to knocking his head on the ceiling and gave a whoop.
"You're serious?! She's back…and she's okay?" he exclaimed.
Brad and Nathan exchanged looks questioning Scott's sanity, while their shades wearing friend listened to Jean's reply. Then they shrugged in confusion and turned back to watch the show.
"Well, yeah, she's Rogue. But still, she's back and she's safe," he breathed, flopping back down onto his bed, sitting Indian style.
Taking a deep breath, Scott exhaled all the worry and guilt that had plagued him for the past four months.
Jean smiled as she heard the relief and joy in Scott's voice. Except for the Professor, none of the other students or faculty knew how much Rogue's disappearance had affected Scott. He'd gotten pretty good at hiding it, but it was hard to hide anything from a telepath, especially when Scott was close to both herself and the Professor.
"Can I talk to her?" Scott asked, sounding even more excited.
"Actually, she's out right now with Ororo and Remy," Jean answered apologetically.
"Oh," the excitement left his voice, a little of the depression returning, but now he could shove it away, start being the resilient Scott he used to be. "Who's Remy?"
"A knew student at the Institute, but I'll tell you about him when you call next week. And you should be able to talk to Rogue then, too," Jean assured him. "But I have to go, now. Danger Room session. Logan's back, too," Scott chuckled in understanding, "Xavier said I had just enough time to call and let you know."
"Thanks a lot, Jean," Scott's voice was soft, emotional.
"I didn't want you to keep hurting anymore than you had to," she replied truthfully, hearing the same emotions in her own voice.
"Good luck," he offered for her, his tone becoming lighter.
"I've survived Logan's Danger Room sessions, before. I'm sure I'll survive this one, too," Jean replied, knowing what he had meant. "You take care of yourself," she added.
After they exchanged their good-byes and hung up, Jean continued to sit in Xavier's office, staring at the phone. She knew she should get a move on to change into her X-Men Uniform and get down to the Danger Room, but she wanted a few minutes to herself.
She missed Scott, missed him more than she thought she would. She was glad Xavier let her talk to him during his weekly calls. No other student shared that luxury, and she had a feeling, not because of her telepathy, that Xavier understood more than he let on; maybe more than she and Scott understood.
She had no time for this. She was going to be really late now. She stood up with a sigh and at the same moment the door opened. She watched as Xavier, himself, wheeled into the room as she used her telekinesis to scoot the chair back to where it had been. He smiled at her, one of those genuine smiles he reserved for her, and she returned it.
"Scott's extremely relieved," she said without his having to ask.
"I'm glad. I was worried that he was starting to let his guilt pull him down too much," Xavier replied.
"He'll be even better after he talks to Rogue, himself," Jean predicted.
"Yes, I think it'll give him some closure," Xavier agreed with a nod.
"Well, I'm late," Jean excused as she headed for the door. "Later Professor."
"Good luck, Jean."
Rogue turned away from Remy and started to walk off to another area of the store. He was trying so hard, but she couldn't let him get close. She'd already made that mistake with him once, and she couldn't let it happen again. Of course, the last thing she had expected was to run into Lance.
*An' workin', too,* she mused to herself, noticing the nametag pinned to his neater than usual shirt.
He saw her only moments after she had spotted him and she couldn't help the tensing of her body as their eyes met. There were so many emotions and instincts coursing through her being that she didn't know how to act. He didn't either by the way he had frozen the moment their gazes had locked.
Calling the moment awkward would have been the understatement of Rogue's life. The summer had put a lot of bad history between them where previously they had been shaky friends at best and opponents at worst. Now, well, Rogue wasn't sure how to describe their relationship. She couldn't forgive how he had treated her, no matter the lame excuse he wanted to give about having to follow Mystique's orders.
Matters went from bad to worse when she heard Remy behind her. Caught in the moment, she'd forgotten he was here and it didn't help that his one time encounter with Lance and his team had not been friendly.
"You back again fo'anothah try? Cause we more den happy t'kick yo'ass again, homme," the Cajun threatened macho like.
Lance grunted in surprise when he realized Remy was with her this time too, and took a wary step backwards. His eyes narrowed, ready to fight. Rogue knew this couldn't happen, and she had to stop it.
"Remy, don't," she ordered.
"Don'chu worry 'bout nothin', chère. Remy take care o'dis goon fo'yo, an' yo' won' even have t'dirty yo'hands," he objected.
Rogue turned to him, putting her back to Lance, and looked straight into his eyes. She came close to forgetting why she had done so as he stared back into hers, gaze intense but unreadable, and her hand reached for his. What she got was a handful of cards, charged cards, and that was more than enough to remind her of what she was supposed to be doing.
"Remy, Ah said don't."
She didn't know what factors caused him to listen to her instead of continuing with his bull headed ways and engaging Lance. She didn't care either, as long as he did as she had asked of him. He de-charged the cards and she let go of them allowing him to return them to his pocket, shooting one last warning glare at Lance.
She didn't give him time for anything more. She had to get him out of there before the situation escalated. She'd been surprised that Lance, usually just as hotheaded as Remy, hadn't returned Remy's repartee with snide remarks of his own. Surprised and pleased as she pushed and ushered Remy out of the store. She kept pushing him through the main hallway and into a side hallway as the emotions she had kept in check so well back in the store now threatened to break past all her barriers.
She managed to keep a hold on them until they were well into the side hallway away from the crowds and the noise. At that moment she collapsed emotionally, and not even Carol had any snide remarks to say to her.
Remy's strong arms felt so good wrapped around her, as if they could protect her from the pitfalls of the whole world. She just wanted him to take her away from here so she didn't have to put up with life anymore. Some people had it so easy and didn't even know it, like Jean. Jean, telepathy aside, didn't have a clue how complicated and difficult it was to be Rogue.
Rogue didn't like to feel sorry for herself, and that trait quickly kicked in, forcing her to fight her sobs and push the weakness of her emotions back behind walls where people couldn't take advantage of and play with them. It was when she finally had herself under control that Remy decided to speak.
"Why didn't you let me-"
Rogue lost it, taking her frustration and anger out on him. "Don't you undahstand? We can't staht a fahght lahke that in th'middle of th'mall! That would be a total disastah! Th'world don't know that Mutants exist and rahght now they're not ready t'know!"
She watched as his face fell, the action making her regret acting so rashly. Why did men have to make you yell at them by acting stupidly and then make you regret yelling? With a sigh Rogue amended her scolding.
"Remy, Ah know ya haven't been at th'Institute long, but ya haf'ta r'membah th'Pr'fessor's goal."
He nodded at her, and caught her eyes. She saw the sincerity in them and felt relief wash over her. He wasn't angry with her for yelling at him and he had realized the err of his ways. She was half surprised at that. She'd thought maybe that was a trait only Scott possessed. She realized she had let her guard down again when he whispered words of comfort to her.
"Rogue, let Remy help you," his voice held a pleading tone.
She turned away immediately, slamming the wall into place. Somehow she found it too easy to let her guard down around him. She needed to be extra careful about that in the future.
"Ah don't need help," she replied curtly. "'Specially not yours."
She started to turn away from him, but all he had to do was gently touch her arm and she turned back to listen to what he had to say. Damn him for making her so weak!
"Den a' least…" He paused, unsure of himself maybe, and Rogue watched him expectantly "A' least give Remy a truce."
A truce.
Rogue had to admit, at least to herself and, consequently, the psyches in her head, that she hadn't expected that. Once again Remy had surprised her, and in a good way. A truce would be a good way to slow things down, sort things out, without pushing him away so much. They could feel each other out with a little more warning than fate had initially given them. A truce meant she could still enjoy his company, without worrying about whether he was getting too close or whether she was letting him get too close. Yes, a truce could be a good thing.
"Truce," she stated holding her hand out to him.
He smiled, and shook it, repeating her statement.
"Now," he suggested. "How 'bout we go shoppin'?"
Rogue smiled, and chuckled, and agreed.
Ororo was so surprised to find Remy and Rogue actually getting along that she had to stop and watch them for a while to make sure it was really them. She had to admit that it was a pleasant surprise to see them acting friendly to each other, but she couldn't help wondering what had brought about the change. At the same time, she wasn't going to complain and thought it best to just accept their new alliance and enjoy it.
As she approached the two, Rogue was critiquing herself in a three-sided mirror, while Remy watched her with modest appreciation. She wore a black on red plaid, pleated, wraparound skirt with a couple of buckles and an oversized safety pin holding the garment closed; a black tank top with an embossed black skull, cracked in half on the breast; and a black sweater with safety pins up the sleeves and in two rows going down the back of it. She still wore her black stockings, but her sandals had been discarded and Rogue was running around stocking footed.
Rogue scrutinized herself, then walked off towards the shoe section. She bypassed all the maryjane style, thick-soled tennis shoes, the six-inch stiletto heeled hooker pumps, and the flame toed Doc Martins for the combat boots she loved so much. Sturdy rubber soled, patent leather, buckle or tie up, Rogue studied them all until she found the pair she liked the most, grabbed a box in what she estimated to be her size and sat down to try them on. She stood again when she had them both on and tromped around to give them a try. She smiled and nodded and turned to Remy, spreading her arms in a gesture that asked his opinion. Ororo was too far away to hear his reply, but she saw Rogue smile and laugh and then sit down again to remove the boots.
Ororo didn't see any reason to hide her presence any longer so approached the two, coming up to stand next to Remy. He glanced at her with a scoundrel smile and then turned back to watch Rogue at her task.
"Have you found everything you want?" Ororo asked of them.
"At this store, at least," Rogue replied, not looking up from unbuckling the first boot and tugging it off.
"Rogue easy t'please. She know what she want an' take no time findin' it," Remy grinned, gesturing to the pile of merchandise he held in his arms for her.
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Ah jus' don't see th' point in takin' forevah tryin' to find what ya already know ya want," she explained.
Ororo chose not to make any comments. She was enjoying the light banter between the two as opposed to the heavy silence that had previously dominated the conversation between them. They continued to talk back and forth as if half an hour ago they hadn't been stepping on egg shells around one another and it took a few moments for the awe to recede from Ororo, leaving her able to enjoy the company of the two southerners.
As soon as Rogue had changed back into the apparel she had worn to the mall and everything had been paid for, the three headed out for another store. Ororo hung back between the two, letting them lead her to whatever store they deemed worthy. Remy didn't seem to have a preference, but Ororo knew that Rogue was picky about what she wore. She wouldn't put on just anything, and she usually kept away from anything that most people would classify as fashionable. Still, the young woman had her own sense of style that worked for her, and she was far from what one could call ugly.
Just ask Remy.
The next store Rogue led them to was a surprise for Ororo. These two would never cease to surprise her. Although it wasn't a place that Kitty or Jean would frequent, its apparel was definitely closer to "normal" than Rogue usually wore. Briefly, Ororo wondered if that had anything to do with Carol, but only briefly. Immediately the two began to browse through the racks and shelves, making clothing suggestions for each other like old friends, sometimes taking the advice, sometimes not. Rogue wrinkled her nose when Remy showed her an ankle length khaki skirt with a slit up the back, but welcomed his suggestion of a long sleeved gray t-shirt with dragons running the length of both sleeves. In return he seemed to like the style of pants she picked out for him, but backed away when she started perusing a rack of men's sweaters that Ororo thought were more down Scott's aisle.
Rogue laughed at him, but left the sweater rack and followed him to the table of plain t-shirts that he seemed to like, picking many from the selection. When they were done with that table they roamed the store, talking and laughing. Ororo could see how the newest member of the Institute was pulling Rogue from the usual blanket of anti-social-ness she kept herself wrapped up in. At the same time, she had never seen Remy act so naturally with anyone at the Mansion. He was usually very guarded, but he was nothing but himself for Rogue.
When the kids had decided there was nothing else they wanted, and everything had been paid for, Ororo suggested going to a shoe store, but Rogue had already gotten a pair of new boots, and Remy said he didn't need any. So, instead, they headed to an office supply store to pick up school necessities. Ororo wasn't surprised by the all black accessories Rogue picked out. She'd even have black pencils, instead of the yellow number twos, if she could. Remy's choices weren't far off, although he preferred a range of black and gray items.
"Can we go home, now?" Rogue requested after they had purchased their school supplies. "Ah'm hungry, an' dinnah hour has come an' passed."
"I secon' de notion," Remy agreed with her. "Dis Cajun's achin' fo' de la nourriture."
Ororo smiled at them and nodded in agreement. She, too, was feeling hungry, and Rogue was right in that everyone at the Institute should already have eaten and cleaned up. There would be nothing left for them but cold leftovers. So, as they all climbed into the car, Ororo suggested stopping by a drive through and picking up a meal that way. Both teens eagerly agreed, argued over which restaurant to eat at, and finally settled on one, when Ororo urged them to be quick in their decision.
After buying dinner, they all munched happily on their way home. At least, as happily as two southerners used to the spiciness of the south forced to eat bland northern food could be. Rogue was more used to it than Remy, but she still craved the bold flavor of her native home and wasn't always happy with settling for less. Tonight, however, there were no complaints. Not even passing comments on the lack of taste.
As soon as Ororo had the car parked, her charges jumped out, and started grabbing shopping bags. Remy, ever trying to be the gentleman, offered and even tried to carry all the bags and the trash from their meal. But Rogue wouldn't let him, wouldn't have even had he been able to carry everything. As it was, they shared the load, each supporting a bevy of bags that could have held their own purchases or the others.
Before they charged into the Mansion, Ororo remembered to tell them that they had a Danger Room Session ASAP and to get changed and head on down there. And that Logan was probably already waiting. Rogue groaned, Remy smiled, and then they both disappeared.
Ororo had her own meeting to worry about. Now that she'd had time to observe the two, she could report her findings to Charles and Hank. Logan would be filled in at a later time. Making sure the garage door was closed and secure, she followed Remy and Rogue's example, and made her way inside, heading for Charles' office.