Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 16
Author: Goddess Evie
Date: 03/04/05
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 graduate 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 Stroke 9's "Little Black Backpack." But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I need all my money for my mission!
Summary: A little time jump. Just a few days. Scott plays the hero. Kitty tried to talk to Lance. Rogue's in trouble again (with Remy there to save her )
Author's notes: Yes, yes, I know. It's been a while. But, I was getting busy with Real Life. That happens every so often. But, I'm glad to be back. Once again, in Scott's scene, there's something else going on besides Scott rescuing the little boy with his name. It's very subtle and hard to pick out, but it'll become apparent in later chapters. Also, I stuck in some Kitty/Lance angst because we needed it and to appease…or piss off…any Kitty/Lance shippers out there. I don't know which I've done…so let me know in a review! And Rogue's got something else going on. Wonder what it could be? HA! I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to figure it out for yourself. But I'm happy that Remy's there to be her hero. He's always so well placed, in this story. I wonder why that is? laughs
Review Responses:
EileenBlazer – I'm back! Don't be sad no more! Smile! There's a whole new chapter for you to enjoy and analyze and what not! Loving Scott? No. I've despised him and Jean since my first meeting with him on Fox's X-Men series (which now plays on Toon Disney, for you people who are looking for a daily X-Man fix). I like how I write him…and that's the closest I'll ever come. Besides, its fun to have characters to hate, giggles As for Evan. I don't see why people don't like him. I love him. I don't use him very much, myself. But I still liked his character. Give the poor guy a chance, people! I wasn't sure how I would write that action scene, but it came out pretty well. Focusing on just Rogue helped me get through it. And Scott back with the X-Men? We shall see… (and that's all I'm gonna say)
Ishandahalf – DEEP depression, Ishie. It's why I haven't posted a new chapter until now. It's all your fault. Everyone blame Ish! wails No, I'm just kidding. But I was very unhappy to see your awesome fic end. And even more unhappy to see no new fic starting. What the heck? Yes, Rogue went for Mags because she knew that ultimately, he was the one who put the orders to have her kidnapped and caused her traumatic summer. Too bad she's just no match for him…huh?
EmeraldKatsEye – Uh oh, is right. But this next chapter is a bit lighter. And then we get into some heavy stuff again. Still, I hope you enjoy this chap. Even if it did take me forever to get out.
Chapter 16: Well, I know it. It's a shame. A shame I can't show it.
The first day of classes was over and Scott, Nathan and Brad had retreated to a nearby park to relax a little before tackling their homework. Or, in Brad and Nathan's case, procrastinate tackling their homework more with video games and what not. They'd already stopped to get something to eat at a nearby restaurant and were now happily digesting as they strolled along.
Brad and Nathan, of course, complained about their classes, their teachers, and their scores of homework. Scott attempted to give comfort while also trying to make them see the silver lining. They, in turn, razzed him about being so perfectly content about his classes. The phrase "teacher's pet" was offered more than once. Scott just rolled his eyes, something he'd mastered back in Bayville. The gesture was hidden behind his dark ruby sunglasses.
Scott was listening while Nathan and Brad argued over what they'd do next in lieu of homework when panicked shouting caught his ears. The voice was young sounding and extremely upset. Scott halted and strained to hear. Nathan and Brad gave him odd looks at his behavior before they caught the sound as well.
"It sounds like it's coming from this direction," Nathan said, heading off to the their left.
Brad and Scott followed, heading into a grove of trees. Nathan's guess was correct. The sound grew louder and more panicky and they finally stumbled upon a boy of eight who was desperately crying.
"What's wrong?" Scott took charge, going to one knee before the boy and talking firmly but softly.
"My brother. Over there. We were playing," the boy could barely talk between his sobs, pointing toward an obvious ditch complete with sewer opening. The trees surrounding it conveniently blocked its ugly view from anyone enjoying the park. Seems it made a swell playground for curious children.
Scott didn't wait for more. He headed towards the ditch, Brad right behind him. Nathan opted to wait with the upset child, try to calm him and get more information.
As they neared the edge of the ditch, the reason for the child's upset had become clear. Another child, perhaps ten, sat silently between two of the bars blocking the sewer entrance. He was trapped half-way in, half-way out. He was silent, but the look on his face showed his fear.
Together, Brad and Scott braved the steep hill that led to the concrete bottom of the ditch. The boy's face blossomed with hope when he saw them coming. Scott was assessing the situation and weighing his options even before they reached the kid.
"Help, get me out of here," the child pleaded as Scott and Brad jogged across the concrete to his precarious position.
"Don't worry. We're here to help," Scott soothed, hearing the shakiness of the child's voice. It sounded of more than just the fear of being stuck forever.
"Are you okay?" Brad asked, taking stock of the child' situation.
"I'm just stuck. But there's a dog in there. I…I wanted to save him. But he's not nice. I think he wants to eat me," with these last words the little boy burst into tears to match his brothers.
Scott followed Brad's gaze farther into the sewer. Sure enough a bit of movement and a low growl gave away the dog's presence. He trotted a little bit farther away form the new comers, wary of their arrival. A spot of light through an overhead entrance showed how emaciated the dog was, and how scrumptious a small boy might look. Scott wondered how the dog had ever gotten into the sewer. But not for very long. The kid was holding a large stick in the hand on the inside of the tunnel. His weapon against the dog trying to eat him.
"Brad, go see if you can find some help. A policeman would be great," Scott ordered. With a curt nod, Brad was off. Scott pulled on one of the bars holding the child, testing its strength. "Let's see if we can get you out of here," he suggested to the child.
The little boy just nodded as he watched Scott work. He tested the bars to find them unbudging. Even though Jean was the one gifted with telepathic powers, Scott could sense the immense fear drifting from the boy. He made small talk in an effort to give the boy some comfort.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Scott," the boy answered.
Scott smiled and huffed a laugh. "That's my name, too."
"Really?"
"Yup," Scott turned his attention to the boy. "How'd you get yourself stuck?"
"Sam, that's my brother, and me, we sometimes use this as a short cut. This was the first time we ever saw the dog. But we didn't want him to be stuck in there. We wanted to help him get out. I thought I could fit. And then the dog started growling and getting really scary. He tried to bite me once, but I hit him with my stick," the kid sniffled as spoke, one eye on his fellow Scott, the other on the monster dog. "Then Sam went for help, and you guys came."
"I'm going to try to pull you out," Scott explained when the child was done. We have to get you out of there."
The child nodded, trusting Scott completely. Sticking his own arms around the boy and the bars, he attempted to push-pull the little guy out. But all he got was a painful scream from the boy.
"I can't get through. It hurts," the boy yelled.
The dog barked angrily at the sudden noise, coming closer. He seemed to sense that his prey was distracted and suddenly lunged for the pair, teeth bared. The younger of the Scotts screamed again, his little arm waggling his stick in defense. Big Scott reacted quickly. He grabbed a stick that lay on the ground nearby, sturdy, and swung it through the bars, bashing the dog over the head. High pitched whimpering followed, along with the dog slinking away, not without keeping an eye its target.
Scott thought fast. He HAD to get out the boy out. Couldn't risk another attack like that. Definitely couldn't wait for help to come. Brad's crying for assistance had faded a while ago. Who knew how long it would be?
"Close your eyes," he ordered.
Smaller Scott complied without questions. His child's faith lending him hope and strength. Scott the hero focused his gaze on the bar pressed against the child's stomach. He had to act quickly, but he also had to be careful. With one hand firmly gripping the poor trapped boy, he slowly lowered his sunglasses, letting only the smallest of beams sneak past.
It was enough. The boy slipped free when the metal bar was blasted away, melted like a marshmallow over a campfire. They both tumbled to the concrete, landing hard. The small boy gave a triumphant laugh.
The dog must have thought it needed to take its one last shot. The whole in the bar Scott had made gave it enough room to escape with how thin it already was. Scott wasn't sure if the dog was attacking because it was hungry or just rabid. But it leaped at them once again.
And once again Scott's instincts kicked in. This time, the hand that itched to grab for the rim of his glasses found one of the sticks they'd been using for a weapon instead. He managed to get a good grip on it with both hands as he swung it like a baseball bat. Once again, the wood connected with the dog's head, this time more soundly. The dog's course was thrown and it landed in a heap to the side.
Stick still in hand and standing quickly, Scott watched as it struggled to get to its feet. It cast them one last glance before painfully trotting off down the ditch, away from the sewer entrance and Scott and Scott. They bigger of the two breathed a sigh of relief and looked at his rescue-ee who was still sitting on the ground and looking back up at him.
"Thanks," his shining eyes spoke where his real voice was too weak.
Voices and the rustling of leaves heralded the arrival of help. Brad led a pair of cops down the steep embankment. Scott glanced at the damage he had done to the bar and wondered how he was going to explain it.
"Is everybody alright?" the darker haired police man asked, sounding only a little out of breath.
The little one grunted his affirmative as he climbed to his feet. Scott nodded for them both.
"Looks like the hostage is free," the second cop joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"There was a dog also," Scott informed. "Wild, hungry, dangerous. It went off that way."
The cop who had made the joke went off the way Scott indicated, talking into his radio for backup. The darker haired guy stayed and introduced himself as Officer Jones and began to ask questions. Scott wasn't sure how he was going to answer him.
They walked as they talked, heading out of the ditch and back towards where Nathan and Sam were waiting. Sam started crying again when he saw his brother free again, and ran and gave him a hug. Officer Jones continued to question Scott about the escape.
"I'm still not sure how you managed to get the kid out," the cop said when Scott got vague on those details.
"He was like a ninja, busting away the metal," the younger Scott interjected, demonstrating with animation and sound effects.
"You know, like those guys who bust bricks and wood with their fists," Scott picked up on the little boys suggestion. "I just found the weakest point, focused myself and-"
"Right, well, what's important is that he's safe. He's glad you guys came along. And we're lucky you sent out a search party and that Asian lady found me and my partner and sent us to Brad here who led us to you. I'll take these guys home. We'll also have to find that dog."
Nathan, Brad and Scott said farewell to Officer Jones and the two young boys. Jones led the boys back towards the safety of the park, and Scott and his companions headed in the direction of the campus.
"That was a good idea, getting others to search for the authorities," Scott complimented Brad.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I figured it was the best," Brad replied with a shrug.
Scott hadn't noticed before that hid friend seemed a little pale, a little distracted. Then again, perhaps he'd just been worried for the little guy. He'd mentioned he had a younger brother back at home.
"I think we deserve something for our heroic efforts," Nathan suggested before Scott could comment.
"Like what?" Scott wanted to know.
"Like not doing our homework as a reward? There are plenty of video games stockpiled in our dorm room and we still have all night," Nathan reminded.
Scott groaned. "I've got way too much homework."
"I don't want to hear about homework," Brad agreed with his comrade, ganging up on Scott. "And we're not giving you a choice."
Scott laughed and resisted a little, but not too much and not with much effort.
Lance had spotted Kitty standing outside the front of the store about five minutes before he was due for a break. She didn't enter, but he caught her looking at him more than once, though she tried to pretend she hadn't been. He had a feeling she was waiting for him. He couldn't help but feeling a little relieved after the way she had been acting towards him lately. Then again, her presence didn't ensure good news. He knew she could just as easily be here to tell him that they could no longer be friends anymore and should stop seeing each other. But that didn't quell that hope that built in his heart and made it beat a little faster.
And when he walked out of the store to grab a soda from the food court, he was still surprised to hear her actually speak to him. He paused and looked at her, unable for once to read the expression in her eyes and not liking it. With a shrug he agreed to let her talk, warning her that he didn't have a lot of time and that she'd have to do it on the fly.
She kept up with him despite his long striding pace. It was a natural defense to put up a wall and give her a slightly frosty shoulder. But his ears and heart were both open, ready to latch onto any positive words.
She tried to broach the subject easily, starting first with small talk about how his day was going. And did he like his job? He replied with short, polite but pert answers. He didn't say anything he wouldn't to anybody else who asked him the same things. Finally, standing in a line for a pretzel place, he looked at her straight for the first time since she'd first approached him.
"Stop all this chit chat and just get off your chest what's bothering you," he ordered. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so short with her.
The look she gave told him what she was trying to do wasn't easy. A part of him didn't care. Another part did. He tried to bury that part.
"Look, Rogue told me what happened this summer," she finally spat out. "All of it."
The way she said that last part told him she wasn't happy. But he had already guessed that part. Still, he couldn't look at her anymore, and the guilt that had been plaguing him for days welled up again.
"So?" was the only word he could out, derisive and uncaring.
"How could you do that? I thought you were better than that. I know you're better than that!"
"Really, Kitty? Are you still hoping I'll give the X-Men another try?" he kept his voice low, knowing their fight was not one anybody should be overhearing.
"I never wanted you to be something you're not," she tried to assure him.
"Good, cause I'll never be a bleeding heart," he assured back.
"But you're not a heartless abuser, either," her voice was meek, her eyes pleaded.
"What do you want? To deny that everything Rogue said happened, didn't? I can't. You wouldn't believe me, even if I tried."
"I don't want you to lie."
"Then, what, Kitty? An apology? I don't owe you that."
"What about Rogue?"
"Are we talking about her? Or are we talking about us?"
"Right now, it's all the same," he could hear the angerentering her voice. Her shyness was fading.
"Yeah? Well, seems to me you've already decided I'm the bad guy here," he observed.
"I haven't decided anything."
"And I still don't know what you want."
"I want you to tell me why you did it."
Those words stopped him in his tracks. How he could he tell her such a thing? He was still trying to grasp the reasons himself.
"I thought you cared about her. Even if she had gone to the other side, I thought you guys still counted her as a friend. And I thought you cared about me."
He couldn't answer her. He physically could not make his mouth move to get a word out. Silence reigned between them, and pressure built between Lance's shoulders. He didn't know how much more guilt he could bear. First Rogue. Now Kitty.
"You wouldn't understand," he tried to brush her off. He didn't feel like he was lying.
"You haven't given me a chance to."
"You haven't given me a chance until now."
Kitty began to reply, but Lance cut her off. "I don't have time for this. I have to get back to work."
He slapped down a couple of dollar bills and growled for a large soda. He didn't wait for his change when his drink was placed before him.
"I have to get back to the others anyways," Kitty admitted as he began to walk off.
So, she wasn't here alone, just to see him. It hadmerely been the most convenient time for her.
"Maybe you should try actually making the time to talk," he suggested, his back to her. "Like when neither of us are busy."
He didn't wait for her reply. Strode off again purposely, heading back to work. He knew she wouldn't follow. Like she had said, she had her X-Men waiting for her. But he wondered if she would accept his invitation, as angrily as he had thrown it. His heart wouldn't have let him walk away without throwing her a life line.
Rogue wasn't surprised to see Remy standing by the Danger Room doors even though the practice scheduled was for the younger mutants. And her. Part of her punishment. Logan still hadn't let up since the fight with Magneto a couple days ago. But Remy had helped to make the extra practice sessions easier to bear by joining a few of them of his own free will. Logan hadn't complained and Rogue knew it was because he couldn't complain about any of the students willingly putting in extra drills. Lord knew Evan or Kurt or even Kitty would never think of doing such a thing.
"How many more o'dese t'ings yo' gonna have t'do?" Remy asked as she approached where he stood a little ways away from the rest of the group.
Rogue shrugged, eyeing the people she'd be working with for the evening. Jubilee and Amara, Bobby, even though he was considered a probationary member of the official X-men, and Sam. The foursome laughed and giggled, amusing themselves while they waited for Logan's arrival.
"It's not lahke ya have t'be here," Rogue reminded.
Remy just grinned.
"Alright, listen up," Logan's gruff voice boomed, getting everyone's attention.
The four younger mutants shut up and faced the man quickly. Rogue waited for them to salute. She and Remy both turned to face Logan as well, but at their own leisure and trying to look bored.
Finding all eyes on him, Logan began to explain what their mission for the day would be. At least what their first mission would be. Rogue only half listened. She'd found that the drills the younger mutants endured were nowhere near as difficult or complicated as the ones she was used to running with her usual teammates. Besides, she wasn't here to do anything important, like lead the team. For the most part, that was left up to Bobby, seeing as he was trying to prove himself worthy of the X-Men. She was just there to fill in the team and serve her punishment.
Logan gave as many details as he thought the team needed, then opened the Danger Room doors to let them in. The doors hissed closed behind them again when they were all inside. It was a few minutes wait for Logan to get up to the control panel and then the program began, the metal walls fading out and their current scenario fading in.
This first demonstration was meant specifically to exercise their mutant powers. Ice Man's manipulation of the cold, Jubilee's fireworks, Amara's lava form and Sam the human cannonball. Gambit and Rogue used the exercise as a warm up. But from the beginning Logan had ordered them to hold back. If they used their expertise in the Danger Room, the younger members would never get the practice they needed.
That was no problem for Rogue. She did just enough to keep herself protected and give her body and powers a good warm up. Neither her nor Remy thought about what they were doing, but they could tell the other four were concentrating hard during this exercise. Rogue was surprised at how much they had to exert to keep themselves safe from the many dangers and pitfalls Logan had set up for him.
The simulation ended when Logan was satisfied. His voice boomed over the loudspeaker, detailing their next mission. As all the others Rogue had run with the less experienced members, this program was designed to force the Mutants to work together. Rogue had never realized how much of a challenge it could be to get a bunch of young teens who wanted to outshine each other in order to get a spot on the coveted X-Men team to work together. Sometimes it happened, sometimes it didn't.
Today it did. Rogue hadn't worked with this combination of the younger Mutants before. But they worked well together. Of the few she'd seen, so far, they were best combination. Bobby led them more easily than any of the others, and they gave him the least trouble. About as much as Scott had ever received from his team. Rogue and Remy tried to set a good example, doing what Bobby asked of them without complaint. When he called on them at all. Even though this was his seventh session with Rogue, and his fourth with Remy, he still seemed to hesitate to call on people who were, technically, above him.
Logan called him on that exact issue when the simulation ended. Although they'd completed the simulation, Rogue knew they could have done it faster if Bobby had put her own and Remy's powers to use more often. After Logan ran down the mistakes Bobby had made, as well as suggestions for improvements, he ripped into the others. Remy and Rogue weren't immune to this treatment either. When he was done, they all waited for a summary of the next mission.
She and Remy exchanged looks of surprise when Logan informed them they could go. They didn't hesitate too long before retreating to the opening door. Rogue didn't miss the jealous glances cast their way by the four who had to stay. Nor Logan's warning that this didn't mean her punishment was over and that she was expected to be present for the next morning's practice.
Rogue stretched the few kinks she'd worked up as she and Remy walked towards the elevator. "Why d'ya think Logan let me go?"
"Never question good luck,' Remy replied smoothly. "S'a sure fire way t'turn dat luck aroun'."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "I'm just glad t'be out early enough to get dinnah on tahme."
Remy agreed as they entered the elevator. Rogue hit the button for the main floor and the doors silently closed. The elevator started up. Rogue could feel it in her stomach.
And in her head. Or maybe that wasn't the elevator.
She reached out for anything to hold onto as a migraine washed over her. It affected her vision and her balance. Grasping at Remy's shirt sleeve and the elevator handhold, Rogue lost the strength to stand.
"Rogue, what's wrong?" Remy's voice called out to her in the fog as he helped to support her and ease her to the ground.
"Ah don't know," she replied through gritted teeth.
It wasn't Carol. It didn't have the fire or the hate to be her. And she was still locked up securely behind Xavier's mind shield. No, it felt more like somebody was pulling at her cerebellum. There was a distinct tug on her brain and it hurt like hell.
The elevator doors opened again and Rogue couldn't fight Remy lifting her into his arms. She swung an arm around his shoulders with a little help from him and gave a whimper as the jostle sent a sharp pain to shoot through her head.
"We gonna get you t'da professor," Remy ordered.