Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 20

Author: Goddess Evie

Date: 07/04/09

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, English teacher 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 Nickelback's "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good". But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I need all my money for my bills!

Summary: The Mutants return to Bayville High!

Chapter 20: Well something's gotta go wrong 'cause I'm feelin' way too damn good.

The next day dawned bright and early, much more bright and early than the mutants at Xavier's Institute had been use to dealing with. It was a school morning, and since the mutants had been cleared to return to Bayville High, everyone was up and dashing around trying to get ready. It felt like the first day back to school after the end of summer vacation all over again, even though the mutants had been banned from attending school for less than two weeks. Bobby couldn't seem to find a clean pair of socks; Kitty couldn't decide what to wear and was enlisting the help of any female she could get near her closet, including Ororo; Jubilee and Amara were complaining about the bathroom being tied up; Evan and Kurt were trying to start a food fight in the dining room without being caught by Hank; and multiple Jamies were running around adding to the general chaos of the morning.

The core X-Men team had been up earlier than the rest of the house for a Danger Room session with Logan, who had wanted to start reintegrating Scott into the team immediately. Since no amount of moaning and groaning ever softened Logan's heart – if he had one, which Kurt and Evan were staunchly claiming that he didn't – and usually only managed to make his training sessions more miserable, the now seven members of the team held off groaning about the early hour until after they were done and could assure the younger mutants how easy they had it.

Still, despite the rush and Kurt's and Evan's best attempts to turn the breakfast table into a battlefield, all the mutants got off to school on time. Scott volunteered to drive some of the students, and Kurt and Evan jumped in the back seat before anyone else could claim the seats, though not without a "no funny stuff" look from Scott. Gambit was standing nearby, admiring the car, though making no move to claim the empty passenger seat, and Scott was glad of it. He still wasn't entirely sure about this addition to the team and he sure didn't want the Cajun riding in his car.

Usually Scott would have saved the last seat for Jean, but she had to drive the second car that was necessary for getting all the Institute Students to the high school. Scott saw Kitty coming up behind Gambit, her eye on the empty passenger seat, but Rogue appeared almost out of nowhere and gracefully hopped into the passenger, literally. She hadn't even bothered to open the door. Scott had managed to hide the wince that had been his automatic reaction, not that Rogue would have cared if she'd seen it. Kitty glowered for a moment, then rolled her eyes and headed for the SUV that Jean was responsible for driving.

Remy, on the other hand, sauntered up to the already full car, where Rogue was checking her make-up in the vanity mirror on the back of the sun visor. Kurt and Evan were wearing grins as they watched him approach, but neither said anything. Remy leaned on the door of the car and let his eyes roll unashamedly, but gentlemanly, over Rogue's form.

"Sorry, swamp rat, no room," Rogue drawled without looking away from the mirror.

Remy let a variety of answers roll around his brain before he decided which one to respond with. "Dat's why I was wond'ring why you chose to ride in dis car 'stead of where you could ride wit' Remy."

Scott was watching from where he was standing by the driver's side-Remy could feel his protective glare even through the Ruby glasses-and he shifted and folded his arms across his chest to remind Remy that he was still there. Remy ignored him with finesse and smiled at Rogue.

Rogue still didn't look at him, nor did she reply right away. She took the time to finish checking her appearance in the mirror before flipping the visor back up and finally turning her gaze to Remy. "Now, why d'ya always assume that Ah make all muh decisions based on yo'?" She lifted one perfectly arched eyebrow at him.

"Cause I know you can't get yo' mind off'a me," Remy returned confidently, grinning the kind of smile that made most girls melt and giggle.

It had no effect on Rogue, which was exactly why Remy loved her so much. Scott sighed audibly and climbed into the driver's seat, loudly slamming the car, which he would usually never have down and would have yelled at anyone else who'd done it. Neither of the southern mutants showed that it affected them, nor did they show that they noticed when he turned the ignition.

"An' that's exactly why Ah'm ridin' with Scott," Rogue said.

Remy had to jump back as Scott gunned the engine and then suddenly took off. He was grinning as he yelled, "Yo' didn't deny dat I'm always on yo' mind!"

Despite the banter between Rogue and Remy, the car ride to school, short as it was, was still quiet and just a little bit tense. The encounter they'd had the last time they'd tried to go to school was still fresh in everyone's mind. Scott kept glancing at Rogue who stared out the windshield as if seeing nothing of the scenery that they passed and wished that Kurt or Evan would say something funny, or even annoying that would set Rogue off. Scott would rather have the three fighting than sitting in stony silence.

Chewing his lip as he navigated the streets of Bayville with Jean close behind, Scott said the first thing that came to mind, "So, your new abilities are pretty powerful."

The only response Scott got from Rogue was a withering glance from the corner of her eyes. Checking his rearview mirror, he saw Kurt and Evan both shaking their heads at him. Scott sighed. He'd thought it would have been the safest subject. She'd used her newly gained abilities with some skill in the danger room, although it was obvious she was still getting used to having super strength. Then again, she had seemed hesitant to use them at all. There were a couple of small instances during the morning session where Scott now realized she'd needed a little extra encouragement to get moving.

"So, that Remy's kind of annoying, isn't he?" he next asked, lost as to what else to talk about, but wanting to give it another try.

This time Rogue just shrugged. Not the reaction Scott had been expecting after being witness to their brief exchange.

"He's okay," was the only comment she would give.

Evan and Kurt had comments of their own to share.

"You love him, admit it Rogue!"

"He vas right zhat you didn't deny thinking about him all zhe time!"

"Have the two of you set a wedding date, yet?"

"Vhat are you going to name your first child?"

"You know you want to make-out with him!"

"ENOUGH!"

Rogue had been rolling her eyes at the barrage of comments from the back seat, but they shut up when she roared at them. Kurt and Evan were masters of pushing buttons and crossing lines, but even they knew when they had gone too far. And they had learned that with Rogue especially it was best to leave things be when they did.

The previous uncomfortable silence was now awkward and tense and Scott was wishing he had just kept his mouth shut. He always seemed to forget that when it came to Rogue, it was best to let her start the talking than try to start a conversation, especially where her sensitive subjects were concerned. Scott had broken that golden rule once again.

Luckily, they were pulling up to Bayville High. Rogue hopped out the exact same way she had hopped in (she had to be using her power of flight), but when Evan and Kurt tried it, Scott yelled at them to use the door. Scott climbed out even though he wasn't here to stay and the four lingered around the sports car, waiting for Jean to park and the rest of the students from the institute to join them.

There was no mob of concerned parents like there had been last time, but it was obvious that the students were giving the foursome a wide berth and casting wary glances their way-at least most of the students. Scott raised his chin and met Duncan's gaze at he approached with a couple of fellow football players.

Great. I never get a rest, do I? he sighed mentally.

"Summers. I see they kicked you out of college and back to high school, not that you fit in here, either."

Duncan was just as cocky as Scott remembered, and Scott wished he could punch him in the jaw like he had with Andrew. He rubbed a fist as he thought about how good it would feel.

At the moment that it seemed like Duncan was about to throw another insult Scott's way, Jean appeared and suddenly the football player was all smiles. He held out his arms for the red head and placed his hands on her shoulders as she came near. Scott could tell that she was cautious as she approached him, but Duncan eased any fears she may have had with his next words.

"I'm sorry I haven't called since you got kicked out of school. My mom wouldn't let me. She's afraid you were gonna do something to hurt me, no matter how harmless I told her you were, but I'm glad to see you're all right." He finished by giving her a soft peck on the mouth.

Scott turned away angrily and refused to watch as Jean smiled and let Duncan pull her against his side and walk away with her. As surprised as he was by everyone else that Duncan hadn't decided to shun Jean for being outed as a mutant, he still couldn't believe that she continued to date him, or even give him the time of day. It never failed to amaze him that a telepath could persistently not see a person for who he really was.

Despite his anger, Scott was pulled from his thoughts on Jean and Duncan as the rest of the mutants from the SUV joined them. Scott noticed many of the non-mutant students move away without trying to mask what they were doing. It was obvious they were afraid and unsure now that they knew who the X-Men really were. Some of the younger mutants who were newly freshman this year were looking just as afraid and unsure of the reaction they were getting from their non-mutant counterparts. Unconsciously, Scott stood up straighter, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin, the leader in him coming out in response to seeing his crestfallen team. If ever they needed a pep talk, it was now.

"Hey, guys, just remember what Professor Xavier told us," Scott began before he was interrupted.

"I don't like that you have been permitted to be here. Believe you me, I fought very hard to keep you monsters out of my school." Principal Kelly was standing before the group, an untrusting look on his face. "However, since I have to let you in, I want you to know that you will be closely watched. I will NOT allow you to cause damage to this school or injury to these students."

"Principal Kelly," Kitty stepped right up to him, and the rest of the Institute students were suddenly reminded of the way she had faced all those congressman, "I can assure you that none of us intend to do either of those things, and let me remind you that like every other US citizen, we are innocent until we are proven guilty. So, we would appreciate it if you would stop treating us like criminals since we haven't done anything wrong."

With that, Kitty turned her nose up at the principal, turned on her heel, and stalked away, her head held high. Kurt and Evan sent up a whoop of triumph and they and most of the mutants immediately followed her, cheering her as they went. Only Scott, Remy and Rogue were left standing around.

And Principal Kelly, who was standing shell-shocked by Kitty's remarks. It took him a moment to remember himself, and when he did he glared at the three remaining mutants as if to remind them of his warning and then marched back into the front doors of Bayville high. Rogue actually laughed at him, though only loudly enough for Remy and Scott to hear and Scott just barely heard Remy appreciatively comment, "Never new petit 'ad so much fire in her," as he looked towards where she'd left with the rest of the mutants.

Scott wished he could stay and participate in this fight with the rest of his teammates. He longed to give them the moral support they would need to stand up against those who feared them only because they refused to take the time to understand them - and unfortunately they would be surrounded by them all day long. But they were going to have to face this struggle without him.

Remy put a hand to the small of Rogue's back and started to lead her away, but she shrugged away from him, and, almost as if she had read Scott's mind, turned to face the leader of the X-Men, smiled one of her rare smiles, said to him, "We'll be fahn," and then turned and walked with Remy towards the school.

Nodding to himself, Scott climbed back into his car and drove away.

Lunchtime, finally, Rogue thought as the bell rang signaling the end of the period and the rest of the class rushed out the door. Rogue always lingered at the end of classes, waiting for her classmates to leave and putting off joining them in the always crowded halls. However, she wasn't used to getting nervous glances and suggestive glares from her Algebra teacher, and Rogue scurried out of the classroom a little more quickly than she used to before everyone found out that she was a mutant.

Remy was waiting at her locker as usual. When did that become an "as usual"? she mentally asked herself, but then blew the question off as he pulled her locker door open for her, took the stack of books and notebooks out her arms and placed them inside the locker, and replaced them with her brown bag lunch. Rogue had yelled at him the first time he'd showed that he could open her locker without her being there, and had continued to yell for two weeks after, but he'd never stopped. And since yelling turned out to be useless and was getting tiresome (and since he'd never actually stolen anything out of her locker, or –worse – tried filling it with something romantically clichéd like rose petals or conversation hearts or daily love letters from a "secret" admirer) she'd eventually let it go.

"Da X-Men are eatin' out on da lawn," Remy informed, steering her in the direction of the nearest exit.

Rogue didn't bother to ask how he knew. He always knew. She was beginning to wonder if he was a telepath as well as an exploder of objects. Neither of them spoke as they walked towards the exit, not even when Rogue stopped at the first vending machine they passed to buy a milk. It took only a moment and then they were on their way again, neither of them speaking.

By the time they had reached the vending machine, the number of students in the hall had already diminished by half as the student body headed for the cafeteria in order to get prime placement in the lunch line. Still, walking out the door into the bright sunshine of early fall and away from so many bodies in an enclosed space was a freeing feeling for Rogue. She resisted the urge to throw her arms in the air and twirl around, but she did take a deep breath, the first one she felt like she'd been able to take since the before school encounter with Principal Kelly. She'd kept herself reserved from most of her classmates even before they'd known about her mutant abilities. Now that they did know, and many of them had seen what she'd done to Carol Danvers on TV, and the rest had heard outrageously exaggerated stories, they tended to keep well abreast of her, as well. Unfortunately, there was only so much space in a high school hallway or classroom.

"Remy, Rogue, over here!" Jubilee was waving them over to a spot on the lawn where she was surrounded by the usual lunch crowd.

Remy returned her wave and smiled at Rogue as a way of urging her to quicken her pace as they moved to join their peers. The weather was still quite pleasant, even if autumn was setting in. More importantly, not as many students opted to sit outside as in the school cafeteria. No wonder they had opted for the school lawn rather then the lunchroom.

Neither Remy nor Rogue failed to notice the amount of space given to the mutant group by other groups of students wanting to enjoy the last warm days before the true New York autumn and winter set in, bringing cold winds and lots of precipitation. As they joined their friends and fellow mutants, however, they could also tell that the students from the Xavier Institute weren't going to let the actions of other ruin a perfectly beautiful sunny day. The students had arranged themselves in a small circle, and everyone present was making the attempt to laugh and smile and share funny stories to help make the pretense easier.

The mutants widened their circle to make room for Remy and Rogue and it was just as they were sitting down that Rogue realized somebody was, in fact, missing.

"Where's Jean?" It was Remy who had asked, but the question had been on Rogue's lips.

Everyone looked around at each other, shrugging or shaking their heads.

"Eating lunch with Duncan?" Kitty offered.

"I heard she was called to the principal's office," Amara added reluctantly, but no one else seemed to be able to deny or confirm the rumor.

Rogue decided, like she usually did when it came to the red head, that she didn't care. The brown paper bag made a crinkling noise as she unrolled the top and started pulling out her sandwich, sliced fruit, string cheese and something sweet for dessert. Everyone else took her cue and got back to eating their own lunch and becoming absorbed in their conversations.

Rogue munched quietly on her food and refrained from getting caught up in any of the conversations. She only half paid attention when Remy started chatting with Jubilee and Amara. She mostly just wanted to bask in the presence of people who didn't treat her like she carried the plague and enjoy a little relative silence. Though school days had never been exactly fun for Rogue, what with always having to be on the watch for accidental skin to skin contact with her fellow students, now that she and the rest of the Institute students had been exposed as mutants, it felt like she'd had to endure a hundred school days just that morning. Students were constantly inching away from her or outright jumping out of her way, afraid that she would do to them what she'd done to the woman in Magneto's address. Teachers who usually ignored her openly glared at her, or in the least kept casting nervous glances at her while trying to pretend that they weren't treating her any differently. On top of all that, Carol was up to her usually antics, pounding away at the protective barrier all morning that was keeping her quiet. It was still an improvement over her never-ending derogatory comments and mental attacks, but the constant mental whacking was no less headache inducing, it merely took a little longer.

Rogue didn't complain though. She didn't let her temper flare up like she usually would have, snapping at the smallest perceived annoyance. She knew everyone else's morning had to have been as bad as hers, even if they didn't have a second persona battering at them from inside their brain. Rogue just wanted a few moments to find some tranquility and not worry so much about her surroundings. She wanted to be able to let her guard down just a little, and surrounded by the familiar, friendly, sympathetic faces from the institute helped her do just that. Even if she didn't jump in to participate herself, even if much of the laughter sounded forced and faked, it was still good to hear her stressed peers laughing and joking with each other. It was good to hear Kitty gushing about the latest gossip to Remy and the girls as if the latest gossip wasn't about the students about Bayville who had turned out to be mutants. Without realizing it, listening to the familiar, calming sounds, Rogue did let her guard down a little. And without realizing it, she also let her head drop down to rest on Remy's shoulder.

And Remy, being the smart Cajun that he was, pretended that he didn't notice, even though he glanced at her once, to see her striped locks falling down his chest. And when he turned his attention to Amara and Jubilee, they giggled and shared a glance before all three started up the conversation they'd previously been engaged in.

Rogue had just finished the last bite of her sandwich when a loud voice disrupted the tranquility she'd managed to find for herself among her friends. Annoyed, because she recognized the voice and found no need for the owner to be so irate, Rogue lifted her head off Remy's shoulder (still without realizing she'd been letting it rest their) and turned an annoyed gaze to Jean Grey who was stalking up to the group of mutants with Duncan trailing, apparently trying to calm the irate red head down.

Any vows from before about her fellow mutants being just as stressed as she was and not getting snappy with them were off. Rogue had been relatively calm, but that was shattered by the shrieking Jean.

"How dare he," she cried, her crimson mane flying behind her. "I would never, EVER-"

"Jean, baby, I know that. Principal Kelly was an idiot to accuse you of those things!" Duncan responded from behind her.

So, the rumor was true. The circled mutants were beginning to pass looks between them again as each and every one of them turned their bodies and their attentions to Jean and Duncan. Kitty and Rogue also took a quick check to make sure that Jean's raging anger wasn't also causing her telekinesis to range out of control as sometimes happened when the telepath's emotions become especially passionate. So far, nothing was floating that shouldn't have been.

"What did Principal Kelly accuse you of?" Kitty was the one bold enough to ask.

Jean opened her mouth to answer, but closed again, apparently too angry to speak. She turned to Duncan, her face signaling that he should speak for her. He told the story as he put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

"Principal Kelly accused Jean of cheating, both in her classes and on the soccer field."

"He stripped me of all my academic accomplishments, and my soccer awards. He assured me that I was no longer in the running for valedictorian and even told me that I was off the soccer team!"

Even angry or upset, it was very unusual to cry. She preferred channeling her emotions into finding a solution to her problems. However, as moisture gathered along the rim of her eyes, Jean turned her head into Duncan's shoulder and stood motionlessly with her face hidden as he hugged her with both arms, stroking her hair comfortingly.

There was no response from the small group still sitting on the lawn, unless shocked and bewildered expressions counted as responses. Even Rogue had forgotten her annoyance at Jean's initial outburst. Slowly the five mutants shook themselves from their stunned looks, but none had anything to say in the way of words of comfort for their distressed friend.

"It's not fair," Jean's voice came muffled and small from the vicinity of Duncan's shoulder.

Silently, everyone agreed.

Author's Notes: I figured I'd try these at the end and see how I like it. First of all, I realize that it has been over two years since my last update and I sincerely apologize for that. This is not my only fanfic that's been ignored, because, truthfully, all of my fanfic have been ignored (I kinda had a lot going on). And since I realize that most of my readers probably don't remember what happened in the previous 19 chapters and 3 prologues, I hope that this little update isn't too confusing. I tried to infuse as much Rogue/Remy HRness as I could. I really wanted to do more, but the plot just wouldn't allow it!

Anyways, I'm not promising to return to regular updates, but it felt like I hadn't written in so long-because I hadn't-that I just needed to sit down and write and get SOMETHING out. This is what I came up with. I had to do a little re-familiarizing myself with my own story and the X-Men: Evolution series, and I don't really feel like it's my best work. Still, I can't complain about writing something (though you guys can and I certainly don't blame you), but maybe it'll get the writing juices flowing again, and in present free time, perhaps I can devote more of it to writing fanfiction in general, if not House of the Rising Sun fanfiction specifically.

As far as the chapter itself, I do think it furthers the plot some, though I really feel too out of touch with this story to really get back into everything I had woven in, and dagnabbit if I don't like to write a complicated plot! Some new complications arise, which is always good. The more the conflict and complications in a story, the better! Please excuse for borrowing a plot device from the actual series, but it worked so perfectly, and I AM trying to make it my own, at least a little!

So, I offer you this. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope it made sense. I hope there was enough Remy/Rogue fluff to satisfy you. And I mostly hope that I can keep writing and posting! Or at least writing! I really can't think of anything else to say and I want to get to bed! Good night and, once more, please forgive me!!!