Chapter 11: Waiting for you
"Ok Darlin, this time I'll give you a few extra minutes to make a run for it." Logan said standing among the trees watching Nicole nod her head and smile. Nicole looked down to set her watch.
"Right! I'm sure you won't find me this time! Remember you have one minute." She said before turning and running as fast as she could into the woods. Her heart beat heavy against the chest among the afternoon sun. It shined brightly through the trees guided her along the path she chose to make. Her feet moved and she rubbed her hands along certain trees and bushes to throw the big burly man off from finding her.
The next two weeks were busy at the institute. Mr. Lu and his wife were able to leave and return home with proper surveillance. Jacob and Chantel started to go out a lot more and spend time after dinner with each other. This left more time for Nicole to take on more tasks including helping Logan train much to her suprise. She was happy to be needed by the man since he recently decided to change his mind about taking off again. Nicole found it strange and worrisome when he did because lately the time that he stayed away began to get longer and longer with each passing. A few months ago he tried to announced he was taking off but, to her surprise the next day he was back in the mansion looking as if the thought never occurred to him. Of course everyone bugged him about what changed his mind and he responded that he didn't want to leave when things were unsettled as they were. She of course felt that there was more to it because even though he did not leave, he didn't stay too long around the mansion. He always found some excuse to leave or run an errand. He found her powers helpful for him sense she could manipulate nature in a sense and disguise her scent. This had an effect on Logan's nose and instincts. She would play hide and seek to exercise his own powers by making tracking her with his nose nearly impossible. He became so good after a while that he could find her in a heartbeat.
She flew up to not touch the dirt so she wouldn't leave any footprints for him to find. Finding a spot, she ran behind another tree and waited patiently to see if he could find her. She looked down at her watch and knew he was now looking for her. She stood still calming her heartrate and listening to any signs that he would be near. She smiled looking in front of her victoriously thinking maybe this time she had threw him off and he couldn't track her.
"Well you did good getting rid of your tracks."
Nicole jumped in fright and turned to see Logan on the other side of the tree she was hiding behind. His lips had the signature crooked grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. Nicole pouted and pushed against the tree to look down at her watch. "Well that was ten seconds faster than before." She said as she patted her roughly on the back very pleased with himself. They talked while he guided her towards back towards the mansion.
"I'm glad you decided to stay in case I didn't tell you before."
Nicole was enjoying his conversation until she looked up to see Rogue standing by the door with her arms crossed looking at them. Nicole quickly looked away trying her best to seem as if she didn't even notice her. Rogue had been acting very strange around her. Well strange as if never really saying much to her. Nicole found Rogue to be nice at first but it seemed lately Rogue was not exactly feeling her friendship.
"I think you're in trouble." Nicole said looking to Logan who caught sight of the woman that he felt confusion for now more than ever.
"Yeah well don't count yourself out." Logan stated gruffly knowing that Rogue's temper would stretch far beyond him.
"What is wrong with her? Did I do something?" Nicole asked clearly trying her best to understand the situation. "If this is about Remy, I just want to say I thought she really could care less what he does now." Nicole shifted their path so that they ended up walking back on the grounds but towards the greenhouse.
Logan didn't say anything not quite sure why Rogue was so displeased with Nicole. It was no secret in the house and everyone noticed the subtle changes in reactions between Rogue and Nicole. Everything that happened between the group roughly before Nicole came was still a touchy situation. At one point he entertained the idea of hopping on his bike and leaving for a while just to not get involved until the dust settled. He was going through his own shit with Jean until she finally decided to do both of them a favor and stay with Captain One Eye until death do they part. That made him raw and to put a band aid over that wound he took comfort in Rogue's offered companionship which was as twisted and confused as he was. Their relationship was suffering terrible with him spending more time away from the mansion until he recently decided to just leave again. But even those plans changed thanks to an unexpected event.
Nicole looked up at the taller man as she still held her close to him like a little sister. She sighed heavily hoping that he would find some peace in all of this. She promised herself that whatever Rogue was so caught up in, that it wouldn't affect her and her relationships with others. The sound of a small lovely tune could be heard as the approached the greenhouse. Nicole could feel Logan's hold on her arm stiffen a bit and she furrowed her eyebrows wondering why the sudden tense behavior. They came inside to see Ororo happy as a bird watering a few magnolias and rubbing their petals gently with her finger. Everything was wet and small droplets ran down the stems and the leaves of various plants.
"Ororo those are beautiful!" Nicole exclaimed walking over to the woman urging Logan to follow.
Ororo smiled brightly bending down to water the roots with a yellow pale. Her hair was piled messily on her head and her body was in a nice orange dress that hugged her curves with her feet bare. Nicole loved seeing Ororo in her garden. The woman looked really relaxed and happy when she was around the quiet and peace of her plants. "Yes, their petals are plump and they are growing beautifully." She stated very proud in the little lifeforms. She placed the pale down and looked to Nicole and Logan giving them her full attention. "Logan. I'm surprised to see you here." She said clapping her hands to get rid of the dirt on them.
Logan nodded. "I've been busy. This place has grown since the last time I been in here."
Nicole looked between the two clearly feeling something awkward going on. Their conversation seemed strained and a little stressed as if something more was going on here. She listened to them exchange words noticing that both of them seemed to be keeping each other at arm's length not just with body language but even with their conversation. It was like watching two old lovers meet for the first time in ages and try to talk to each other.
"There you are! Oh hey everybody." Chantel greeted looking confused at the odd gathering in the green house.
Nicole looked to see Chantel enter the doorway with a bright smile wearing makeup and a nice little outfit. "What's up?"
"Bobby's jeep is in front of Jacob's car. Can you move it for us? We know he only trusts you to touch his baby." She said quickly looking between the three of them while waving his keys in the air. "He went with Kitty and Kurt somewhere and said it was cool. They probably are getting into trouble so keep your phone nearby."
"Sure." Nicole turned around and waved to the pair. "Get some sleep for tomorrow you guys." She said before waving and rushing off with Chantel.
"So what were you guys talking about?" Chantel asked as they cut through the backyard towards the very large garage.
"Oh Logan and I just finished our little training exercise and we stopped by to see what Ororo was up to. She was very happy about her flowers coming in this season. It was really strange though. It was like they weren't even friends or associates." Nicole explained as they made their way into the garage.
"Hmm. Maybe Rogue might be getting to Logan. You know how bitter she has been lately. Poor guy." Chantel spoke walking alongside her.
Jacob was seated in his truck and he waved in greeting to Nicole while honking the horn. Nicole smiled and took the keys from her. Chantel ran over to the truck and climbed in while Nicole cut on the jeep and backed in out of the way for Jacob to exit. Once it was clear, she parked his car out of the way and in a safe location for him to use it should he need it that night. She got out of the car and locked it. Jacob drove by slowly and stopped alongside of her.
"Thanks Nicole!" He said while Chantel gave her the thumbs up. "We are going to eat. We will grab you something if you want."
"I'm good. I think I might go to bed early." She said leaning on his car.
Chantel and Jacob nodded. "Well for one you are going to need rest if you have to put up with Remy for that mission tomorrow."
Nicole laughed. "Right! It's going to be a long one."
Jacob laughed. "That's what she said."
Nicole rolled her eyes and stepped away from the truck. Chantel laughed hysterically while Jacob honked his horn again clearly pleased with himself at his perverted joke. "We still going to get you something sweet. But thanks again Nicole." Jacob saluted before pulling away and driving out of the garage.
She turned and laughed throwing the keys up in the air and catching them. Nicole walked back into the house enjoying the nice cool air conditioning. She ran upstairs and took Bobby's keys to place it in his room. She opened his door and shook her head at the mess before placing his keys safely by his phone charger on his dresser. Quickly she got out of his room and closed the door behind her. She made her way to her own room to grab her phone and place it in her pocket and exited her room. She hummed to herself before she stopped to see Rogue coming up the stairs. Sighing to herself she walked calmly towards the stairs so she could quickly make her way to the kitchen.
"Hey Rogue!" Nicole said brightly trying to pass her quickly while being friendly at the same time.
"Nicole, hold on." Rogue said while Nicole stopped a few steps below her. Nicole turned around to give Rogue her attention hoping that Rogue wouldn't say anything ugly.
"Have you seen Logan?" She asked looking down at Nicole icily.
Nicole nodded. "Yeah we just finished training. He was in the greenhouse but you know he likes to go out to the pub around this time too after a workout." Nicole nodded and turned to leave.
"You sure know a lot about Logan these days." She said darkly leaning against the railing to look down at Nicole.
Nicole rolled her eyes while continuously descended the steps. "Well maybe if you spend more time with him instead of worrying about me you would too." She threw back walking slowly down the steps and shaking her head at Rogue's behavior. Nicole made it to the bottom and walked briskly into the kitchen a little aggravated by Rogue's blatant dislike for her. She poured herself a glass of juice and made sure to avoid anybody while she went to the backyard again. Her feet took her back across the grass away from the large pool towards the patio swings they had put in place. She sat on one of the nice cushions and curled her legs up around her. She quickly went onto her phone and began playing a game while drinking her juice. The sun was lower now and soon nightfall would be arriving. After a while her mind drifted into deep thought about Rogue, Logan, and Ororo's behavior.
"Well Cher. Remy iz flattered you stayed up ta' watch fo' him."
Nicole jumped and turned towards the sound of his voice and looked up into his smoldering eyes. He took a seat on the seat beside her and with his long legs pushed the swing back allowing them to move gently.
"De Rien." She responded back to him with a smile. (You're welcome) She looked at his hands and noticed he still had on his bike gloves. She watched him dig into his trench coat pocket and he pulled out a small bag. He handed the small bag to her and she took it carefully eyeing the package before looking back at him curiously. Nicole opened that package and saw two little butter scotch cookies she loved from the bakery across time that was rather expensive. "Remy…Thanks!" She said moving to allow him more space on the swing very pleased with his purchase.
"Pourquoi…what's da matta' Cheri? No commentary?" Remy asked with an amused expression on his face as he watched Nicole's expression soften greatly while biting her lower lip.
"Things have been a little strange since you left to go God knows where." Nicole mumbled looking down at the cookies in her hands and avoiding his gaze. "I-I have a question and you can answer it when you're ready." She spoke quickly.
He lifted her chin so she would look at him and he noticed her near fearful expression. He didn't like seeing that look directed towards him and knew whatever was eating her he needed to clear. He picked up her legs and laid them across his lap. He turned and got situated and pulled out a cigarette from his breast pocket. He looked at her with pleading eyes begging for her usual service. She sighed and she snapped her finger causing a flame to appear. He leaned forward and lit it. He took a breath and released. "Merci Nicky! Now dat we are comfortable, tell Remy anything!" He pulled again on his death stick and the ashes at the end burned with a passion.
"When did you start calling me Nicky?" She asked with a questioning tone. "I hate those things by the way and you will quit soon."
He blew out in wisps. "Well dat iz your certified nickname n' dis house non? And don't change de' subject. What's got yo' mind?" He asked rubbing her legs soothingly.
She was silent for a while. "You don't need to answer it now like I said. But one day can you tell me why you and Rogue are angry at each other?" She asked. "Recently, Rogue has been really on my case about everything. Even about me being with Logan to train. Like I want him or something. And I heard from Chantel she's been saying things about me that aren't cool." She shook her head thinking now about Logan and Ororo.
He took out his cigarette and tapped it causing the ashes to fall off before returning it to his mouth. He listened to her rant about her treatment and even about the situation in the greenhouse with Ororo and Logan. He smirked having an idea of exactly what transpired between the two. He calmly pulled her in to lay her head against his chest and waited for her to finish. "Do yo' care what she says?"
Nicole frowned. "Normally no. I usually don't pay her any attention. But, lately it's been like she looks for me to make jabs. I'm trying to hold my tongue but I feel it. Next time I'm not going to be nice and I'm going to let her have it. Starting with the fact that she's been seeing Magneto behind everyone's back."
Remy almost choked on his smoke. Nicole sat up and began to immediately pat him on the back while muttering apologies. Remy waved her off and decided to put out his smoke. "What?" He dry heaved while Nicole shoved her juice in his hand to drink.
Nicole nodded. "Yeah, well you know, Magneto has calmed down and all. Have you noticed he's been to the mansion several times as a guest and calmed his shit. He's no longer interested in mutant uprising. Granted he will take the opportunity if given but he's been chill. But anyway, I accidentally walked in on them in the sub-basement and overheard their conversation. Magneto's got a thing for Rogue and she didn't sound too displeased if you catch my drift."
Remy leaned back in his seat looking thoughtfully up to the sky. She waited to see what he would say before he smiled. "As long as she's happy, Cher. I'm sure everything will work out fine."
Nicole looked at him perplexed. "Whoa! That's it!" She nearly shouted. Remy put his fingers to her lips to keep her voice down. She growled and pulled away looking up at him with her big brown eyes. "That's all you can say? That's horrible! She's practically cheating on Logan with the old enemy! And she's getting on my case thinking I want every man in the mansion!" She stared at him with disbelief as he laughed. She eyed him accusingly. "You know something."
"I know many tings." He said picking up her hands and kissing her knuckles. "And I'm warning you that you are workin' yo-self up for nutin'. Do what I do and watch ting's play out." He advised moving her legs off of him so he could stand. He handed his hand out to her in invitation in which she took. "Besides, I'm sure your attentions will be captivated by myself over the next couple of days." His arms came around to rest on her shoulders and together they walked back towards the mansion.
"Ugh, don't remind me." She groaned. "You will keep your hands to yourself and not take anything that we don't need."
"No promises." He muttered before placing a light kiss against her temple and steering her towards the stairs up to his room.