In the last chapter I forgot to mention that Sharky gave me the ideas for the gumbo and lingerie shopping. I don't think I did them justice but I just wanted the chapter up! =( Sorry Sharky
I'm glad everyone liked the last chapter; I really wasn't feeling too good about it so big thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Raven34link: I've always wanted a cat hoodie too but sadly never had any money for one =( The one I used as a reference for chapter 16 was from the Darksiders clothing range. You should try the alternative clothing stores they have quite a few different styled ones.
Okay let me just clear a few things up before I get myself confused. All Rogues memories of the X-Men have been changed or removed. Her memory of Remy is only changed on the night she left, she doesn't remember the kiss but she remembers the rest.
The drive back from the mall was quiet. Rogue was content to glower out of the window as Remy sped along the roads that lead back to the Acolytes base. She could feel his eyes on her a few times but he didn't say anything and she was glad for it. Her headache had gotten worse and the only relief she felt was when she closed her eyes and tried to keep her thoughts away from the X-Men. She quietly rested her forehead on the cool glass window, thankful for the numbing sensation it created.
Eventually they made it back to the base and parked in the massive garage that housed all manner of vehicles that Remy had told her all belonged to Magneto, even the car. He had also told her that he had a motorbike but that it was in storage because he didn't trust the other members of their team not to mess with it. Rogue, of course, loved bikes and she had told him as such so he had promised to take her for a ride on it one day. That conversation felt so long ago now.
"Rogue are y' ok?" He asked pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Hm? Yeah, just a headache is all."
"Y' don't look too good, why don't y' go lie down fo' a bit? We can get de bags later."
Rogue sat thoughtfully for a minute then nodded. A few painkillers and some rest would probably make her feel a lot better and hopefully take care of her headache.
X
"A product of my own design; this chip is made up of two parts." Forge held up the small computer-chip for all the X-Men to see. "One part is a nano-electroencephalograph that reads the electrical charges the neurons in your brain use to communicate and the second part is a micro transmitter that encrypts that information before transmitting it directly to Cerebro, which I've programed with Neuroimaging technology. This technology means that Cerebro can translate Wolverines neuro patterns into images that we can view on the monitor. However, Cerebro first needs to take a controlled reading of Wolverines neuro patterns as a base for it to be able to accurately translate the messages. This base reading is much like a key word that Cryptanalysis' need for code breaking."
His explanation was met with a lot of blank stares. Some were nodding at him but their confused face betrayed the fact they were still trying to process the information. The only two that seemed to complete understand were the Professor and of course Dr McCoy.
"Fascinating, simply fascinating, I assume this base reading will require Logan to visualize set images in order for the program to map his brain activity and accurately gauge what each electrical charge indicates." Beast asked, his eyes sparkling with the excitement of learning a new technology. Forge nodded at him enthusiastically, he always showed an energetic excitement whenever someone understood what he was talking about but that could be forgiven as it wasn't very often that people did genuinely understand and share his enthusiasm.
"Yes, I've programmed it to display images for him to then visual to ensure the margin of error is kept to an absolute minimum."
"Does someone want to explain that to me in English?" Logan grunted from his place at the far end of the table, he was eager to get going and didn't understand why the Professor insisted that they use Forges technology and some long ass plan to get a better understanding of what was going on with Rogue. His own plan was simple; break in, grab Rogue and bring her back to the mansion, whether she wanted to or not.
"Basically this will allow us to read your thoughts without them being blocked by whatever device Magneto is using to keep the Professor from locating and reading Rogues mind." Forge surmised, looking to Hank for confirmation.
"Yes, a sort of technological telepathy and as it is computer based not mutant whatever Magneto has that is blocking Charles should not affect this."
"Ok, so what's this base reading thing and when do we get started?"
"I'll explain it to you in Cerebro, we can get started in a few minutes but first I feel I should tell you there is a down side to this technology." Forge lost his previous enthusiasm and shuffled nervously as he looked at Logan.
"What?"
"The chip needs to be implanted into the base of your skull to ensure it isn't detected" Logan sighed loudly.
"There's always a catch, ain't there. Right well better get on with it then. The soon I get my hands on that damn Cajun the better."
X
Rogue awoke to a strong hand gently shaking her shoulders; she slowly opened her eyes and saw two glowing red orbs staring back at her through the dimness of the room.
"How y' feeling?" he asked as he brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes, being careful not to touch her skin. She sat up and rubbed her temples thoughtfully, noticing that he had stacked all her bags next to the dresser.
"Ah'm feeling much better, thanks." She looked up at him again; the dim red nightlight that filled the room made his skin glow and caused shadows to dance across his strong chiselled features.
"Bien, y' hungry? 'Cause it was my turn t' cook and I thought I'd show y' what real gumbo tastes like." He grinned at her and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah do know what gumbo tastes like Cajun."
"Y've not had real gumbo till y'v had Remy's." He took her hand and led her towards the kitchen.
X
"Ok Ah admit it, that was pretty darn good." She sighed happily as licked the last of the gumbo from her spoon.
"Told y' Remy could cook." He smiled at her as he picked up their dirty dishes and put them in the sink, then turned on the water and added soap. Rogue was again struck by the oddness of seeing Remy LeBeau doing something as ordinary as washing up. She knew that it was silly to be shocked by it but she had just never pictured him doing anything but fighting, stealing and charming. She picked up the dish towel next to him and began drying the clean dishes quietly.
"Y' don't have t' do dat, it's m'turn fo' de dishes tonight." He said as he placed a plate on the dish rack.
"Ah don't mind, kinda owe ya for today anyway." She replied quietly, picking up the plate and drying it.
"Pourquoi? Magneto paid for everyt'ing and it was nice t' have some sane company fo' a while." He smiled and flicked a few bubbles at her.
"Magneto paid?" She asked as she wiped the bubbles off her nose.
"Oui, he pays fo' everyt'ing round here; consider it one of de perks of being an Acolyte." He rolled his eyes unhappily.
"Oh," she turned around and rested her lower back against the worktop while she dried the next plate. She was curious why Remy looked unhappy when he mentioned the perks of being an Acolyte. Wasn't he happy here? Eventually she grew uncomfortable with the silence and asked him the first suitable thing that popped into her head. "What did ya mean sane company?"
"Pyro's not all dere if y' haven't noticed chere." He laughed out loud and shook his head. Rogue thought back to Pyro teaching her how to play poker this morning with Piotr.
"Yeah, it's kinda funny though … and sweet."
"Sweet?" Remy raised his eyebrows at her. "Is dat what Remy's got t' do t' catch yo're eye den; act like a crazy man?"
"No! Ah just think it's oddly cute." She snapped defensively.
"So he's cute now is he?" He smirked at her, "careful chérie, Remy might get jealous."
"That is not what Ah meant. Ah do not think he's cute!" Remy put the last dish on the rack and moved to stand in front of her. He placed one hand on either side of her, resting on the worktop. He was so close he consumed her vision completely and she unconsciously held her breath. His eyes were hard to look away from; they commanded attention and yet, at the same time, seemed to have a calming almost dream like effect on her.
"Do y' t'ink Remy's cute?" He asked softly, a huskiness tainting his tone.
"Yes…" Rogue realised too late that she probably shouldn't admit her feelings towards him and snapped her gaze from his eyes. "No! Ah dunno, what kind of a question is that?" His mood suddenly changed to being light and mischievous which, she decided, was much better for her thought process which seemed to stop completely whenever he looked at her like he did a few moments ago; with the sudden mood change she felt like she could breathe again. She let out her breath and glared at him.
"It's a simple question but yo're right mebbe cute is de wrong word non? How 'bout handsome or gorgeous?" His eyes glittered playfully as he closed the already small distance between them. Not knowing what else to do she pressed her hands flat against his hard stomach and gasped as she felt the powerful muscles ripple beneath her fingers as he tensed at the contact. "How 'bout … sexy?"
"Ya got one hell of an ego there Swamp Rat." She replied deadpan still staring at her hand pressed against his chest.
"Comes wit' being dis good looking," Rogue snorted, "dough yo're not helping looking at m' like dat."
"Dunno what ya getting excited about. Ah'm not looking at ya like anything." She reverting back to glaring at him as menacingly as she could, it seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
"Non? Well how am I meant t' not get excited when y' got y' hands on m'?" He pressed his hips into hers and leant down to whisper in her in her ear. "Putting all sorts of naughty ideas in m' head chere." He held her gaze for a moment with that hungry look in his eye then he just blinked and stepped back, a grin suddenly plastered across his face. "How 'bout we move dat poker game t' tonight?"
She looked back confused. One second he was scorching hot the next he was cool as ice. If he kept changing his moods like this she was sure she was going to get whiplash. "Erm…yeah okay."
"Fantastique," he clapped his hand in front of him before spinning round and walking to the kitchen exit. He stopped half way through the door and looked back at her beckoning her with a hooked finger and a roguish smirk. She rolled her eyes and followed him out of the room.
X
A few minutes later and Rogue found herself sitting crossed legged on the silk sheets of Remy's bed. He sat across from her on a chair casually shuffling cards with one hand and taking a sip of bourbon with the other. All the while his stare was fixed on her.
"So y' 'member how t' play?" he asked as he set his glass on the floor by his feet.
"Sure," she replied with a slight shrug.
"Bien," he began dealing the cards, five each and three in the middle.
"No bets?" She asked a little surprised.
He smirked at her, "s'not poker unless y' bet somet'ing, chéri." She raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Well what we betting then? 'Cause Ah still don't have any money." She tugged at his sheets gently; momentarily distracted she began wishing she could feel the silk with her bare hand. She imagined that it would be soft, and would slide across her naked skin in the most delightful ways… she snapped her attention back to Remy, her cheeks warming in embarrassment as her thoughts betrayed her.
"Wouldn't be interested in y' money if y' did." He replied as he watched her quietly.
"Well then what are ya interested in?" He paused with a smirk, leaning back in the chair as he looked over her playfully. He let his eyes travel over her slowly causing her heart to hammer in her chest.
"If ya say strip poker Ah'm outta here."
"What's wrong wit' strip poker? It's fun, non?" She laughed haughtily at him.
"There is no way in hell Ah'm…"
"Y' already agreed to it dis morning, chere." He cut in swiftly.
"Ah did not! You said poker, not strip poker!"
"Y' agreed t' a game o' poker, not Remy's fault y' didn't ask what sort o' poker." He sat back, clearly amused by her outrage. She seethed and glared at him.
"And what do Ah get out of this! The bets are meant to go both ways."
"Y' saying y' don't want t' see dis Cajun naked? Chéri, I don't believe y'," an image suddenly appeared in her mind; Remy naked, his lower half tangled in silk sheet, his chest and stomach begging to be touched and his eyes glistening with anticipation. She felt her cheeks warm as she tried desperately to push the image from her mind. "Y' blush says it all, ma belle."
Rogue sat at glared at him for a long time. She knew she probably wasn't going to get out of playing and part of her was excited. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins already but she knew Remy was very good at poker; she needed something to even the odds so she wouldn't end up completely naked and him fully dressed within the first few rounds. Ok maybe there wasn't a way to even the odds but she could at least slow him down a little and get some information while she was at it.
"What if we change it, ya have the choice between taking an item of clothing off or answering a question. If ya can't or don't want to answer the question ya have to take something off." He seemed to consider it for a moment, his gaze steady. He didn't have to agree to it, she had lost fair and square this morning so she owed him the game but she wasn't giving up without a fight.
"What type o' question?"
She shrugged, "anything ya want."
"D'ac, but if I agree to dis den can we change de game t' 21 instead." He picked up his glass of bourbon and brought it to his lips.
"Why?"
"Why not?" He said over the rim of the glass.
"Fine, Ah guess." He collected the cards back together and shuffled them deftly. He then placed two cards in front of them; one facing up and one facing down. Rogue's face up card was an ace, Remy's was a three.
"Ladies first," he dipped his head to her in a mock polite gesture.
"Stick." He nodded with a smile and studied his own cards for a second.
"T'ink I'll go wit' hit." He reached for and pick up a card from the stack. The ten of diamonds was revealed. "Stick." They both turned their hidden cards up; Rogue's totalled 18, Remy's 20.
"Guessin' yo're not just gonna take somet'ing off, non?" Rogue lifted her chin defiantly. "Okay den, ever had a crush on any o' yo're fellow X-Men?"
"That's a stupid question." She folded her arms in front of her and felt her cheeks burn; she really didn't want to admit that she used to have a thing for Scott. She had tried her best to forget about it completely.
– Why'd Ah ever have like him, gawd and now Remy's gonna know and he's not gonna let me forget. Jesus Ah must have been out of mah mind. -
"M'choice. Answer it or take somet'ing off and don't say nobody 'cause I can see it on yo're face dat dere was someone. Dough Remy really don't mind if y' don't answer it." He smiled cheekily at her and eyed her shirt.
- Tell him? Don't tell him? Tell him? Don't! – She ground her teeth together and angrily pulled her gloves off. She hoped that she could answer the rest of his questions but she wasn't optimistic.
– How the hell did Ah get myself into this mess -
Remy gathered the cards and shuffled them again, then laid them out as he did before. He looked at her expectantly. She looked down at the cards; she had once again gotten an ace but this time Remy had a king.
"Stick"
He smiled at her, "y' sure bout dat chéri?" She simply nodded in response.
"Hit," he picked up a card. The Queen of hearts. He made a tsk noise and bit his lower lip with a smile playing across his features. Rogue smiled knowing he was as good as bust.
"Not so lucky now, is she?"
"Mebbe it's a blessin' in disguise non?" He replied still holding the card. She turned her cards up; 21 exactly.
"Do Ah get a question?" She asked expectantly.
"M' guessing I can't count dat as yo're question, huh?"
"Nope." She made a popping sound as she pronounced the 'p'.
"Den ask anyway." She sat thoughtfully for a moment as he took another sip of his bourbon.
"Why'd ya leave New Orleans?" He turned his head to look at her as he put his glass down then slowly stood up. His fingers found the hem of his shirt; he pulled it up over his head in one swift motion, leaving Rogue with the glorious view of his bare chest in all its toned perfection. She took a deep breath quietly as she tried to calm her nerves. He sat back in his chair with a smug twinkle in his eye.
" Ya didn't think about answer that." She tried to sound normal and unaffected by his sudden nakedness.
"I know how much y' like m' abs so t'ough I'd do y' a favour," Rogue stared at him, her eyes widening. "Y' weren't exactly being discrete in staring dis morning, chere... or last night." He added thoughtfully.
"Just deal the damn cards Cajun."
I actually played this card game out with myself because I'm useless at making them up and seriously when the queen came out there I felt so sorry for Remy; his beloved queen kinda stabbed him in the back bless him. Anyway, let me know what you think and if anyone has any suggestions for question they want to see the pair ask each other later on in the game let me know and I'll see if I can put them in the next chapter ;)
Also can I just say, I really don't mean to give Logan such a hard time; I love him really!
And no I didn't make up the electroencephalograph it actually is used to measure brain activity, I just twisted the science slightly =P
Aza x