Chapter 15: House Confrontations

Chantel was laid out over Jacob on the backyard grass staring up into the starry gaze of the night. Both were relieved of their duties of Saturday child watching as all the little ones were back in doors preparing to sleep or watch a group movie under someone else's watch. The sound of the fountain going into its granite bowl was their soundtrack along with the occasional shouts from inside of the mansion from a frustrated adult or playful children running rambunctious. Jacob was gently combing his fingers through her short black hair as they enjoyed each other's company. His claws gently scraped her scalp as they talked about things neither nor there. Chantel grew silent however and this didn't sit well with Jacob as her body tensed next to his. Calmly he sat up to look down at her watching her pensive expression grow.

"So what's on your mind?" he asked. His long hair pulled on the side of his shoulder.

Chantel smiled and rolled so her upper body lied on top of him. She rested herself on her elbows as she stared down into his wonderful eyes. She was silent choosing to shake her head in denial but his hand came up to gently stroke her cheek to encourage her to talk.

He pulled up his hand and entwined his fingers into hers gently. "Come on, you can tell me anything." He said as he tried to soothe her troubles.

Chantel bit her lip. "It's almost time to book our flights to see your folks." She whispered bashfully. "I don't know why I thought about it but…I'm a little worried. I want to meet your pack mates. You've met my mom and she loves you! I hope they feel the same about me as well. Just laying here looking at your markings made me realize that I should learn more about your culture and your family. I would feel so bad if I messed up something or didn't know about…"

Jacob chose that moment to silence her by sealing her lips in a soft kiss. Her words died down and slowly she closed her eyes to return the kiss. The kiss turned heated as Chantel dug her hands in his hair and scratched his scalp. This one wasn't like all the others they shared. He rubbed his tongue on her lips and bit it slightly begging for entrance. Opened her lips and gave him passage to her domain. He explored her sweet cavern with ease and precision. After a while, she explored his by running her tongue over his canines gently to not hurt herself. His hands ran to grip her arms before he pulled away from her. She sighed blissfully looking up at him with awe.

"You would do all of that for me?" Jacob rubbed her hair back as he concentrated on gaining his breath back. He looked down at her to see her face was reddening through her mocha skin.

She looked up at him slowly with big eyes and nodded. "Of course. I'm angry that I didn't start sooner." She muttered.

Jacob rested his head on hers and stared into her eyes taking in her words into his heart. Never had he heard anyone say something like that to him where they desired so much to make him happy. He thought about the additional facts that she would have to learn and he knew that would be a worry for another day and another time. He smiled a grinning canine grin while stroking her cheek lovingly and making plans. He lowered his lips till they were just a breath away from hers before speaking. "Whatever happens, happens." He whispered.

Rogue sat on the living room floor flipping through the channels when Jean walked in with Scott muttering about a few kids that were rambunctious in the movie room. Scott was in mid stride before he stopped moving. He looked at the girls before his hand reached out to grab Jeans.

"Jean. The Professor wants to see me for a sec. 'll be back." Scott stated before moving away from her. Her hand reached out and caught his to pull him back for a second. He turned and looked at her curiously.

Jean smiled and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. "Well ok. Just try to come to bed at a decent hour this time."

Scott smiled and kissed her back before exiting the room with a little skip to his step. Jean smiled and laughed at his antics before moving further into the room. She turned to see Rogue flipping furiously through the channels in their living room mumbling words under her breath.

Jean studied her tight fisted friend as she sat down in the chair across from her. "You know, I don't have to be psychic to know that something is up with you."

Rogue looked at her with beady eyes before flipping back to the screen. "Ah don't know wut you talkin about!"

Jean sighed heavily as she got up and sat with her friend on the couch. She took the remote out of her hand and turned off the T.V. "Come on. Let's go somewhere private." Jean pulled her friend up and they made their way into a study room which was empty. She held onto her friend's arm pulling her dragging form behind her. Of course Jean knew it would be as the kids definitely did not want to spend a Saturday night dedicated to their textbooks and enrichment learning. Two chairs swung out for them to sit on. Jean sat and watched as paced in front of her. "So…what's eating you?" Jean asked with a raised eyebrow.

Rogue growled a little and ruffled her hair a bit. "Ah don't know! That's the problem!" She yelled.

Jean sat back startled at her sudden outburst. She quickly regained her composure and crossed her arms over her chest worried for her friend. "Well if you talk about it, I'm sure we can work something out."

Rogue blew and turned to face her friend. She rested her palms on the table and looked to Jean with tired eyes. "Well…" Rogue started before blowing again from irritation at her own chaotic mind. "Ah know all of ya can see, my life is a mess. Ah know I did a hell of a lot to mess things up and still everyone came to my side. But, the one person I wanted to work things out with was Remy." She stated rubbing her hands through her hair.

"Uh oh." Jean responded not liking where this was going. "Wait…didn't you guys talk before-"

"I tried!" Rogue yelled frustratingly. "He wouldn't listen. He let me say everything I wanted but he wasn't listening. He just nodded and said thank you. Then he left me there. You remember! He didn't talk to anyone after that and even disappeared for a little." Rogue stated pointing at Jean.

Jean did remember the chaos that happened over that ordeal. Their friend was like a shell of himself, and his mind…his mind was so dark." Jean shuddered at the memories. He wouldn't talk to anyone or do anything with them. He packed his things and vanished for a long time afterwards. Then when he came back at the Professors coaxing, he still didn't interact so well with them. He was very nontrusting towards all of them with spilled over into missions. Remy was very much a team player but anything that required him to wait for the others while he risked his neck was definitely nonnegotiable.

"Do yah think, it would be so hard for Remy tah jus' forgive an forget?" Rogue asked while continuing her pacing pattern on the hardwood floor.

Jean cocked her head to the side and frowned. "What?"

"Ever since that incident he won't talk tah me unless we are in battle. And then there is his stupid infatuation with Nicole which is jus' crazy!" Rogue put her face into her hands. "Every time I try to talk to him, he quickly moves away or suddenly Nicole is there taking his attention." She muttered.

"What!?" Jean asked sitting up straighter. "Rogue…" She began trying to word her sentence right. "Do you mean you still have feelings for Remy? Do you love Logan at all?" She asked being a neutral to her as possible. Jean's heart was breaking for their burly friend however if he ever found out about this.

Rogue stilled. "Ah…do. But, it's not the same like what I had with Remy. I actually was goin to break things off with him. Its…not the same." She mumbled feeling horrible for using the wild wolverine as her rebound. She still wanted Remy but Remy didn't give her so much as a backwards glance. Lately, he had been talking to her but when she would start to talk to him he would just look at her with a look she recognized as pity and it pissed her off. But, when Nicole walked by his attention would immediately be on her ready to do whatever she requested of him. Rogue had thought she wanted to gag that day after seeing him pick her up and take her upstairs while laughing about his luck at some card game. The look on his face was so genuinely happy and she wanted to cry to see the reason why which he was holding so close to him like he use to do with her.

Jean nodded now finally understanding Rogue strange behavior. It was a mess but she would be there for her best friend. Jean nodded being nonjudgmental of her situation. Jean felt that Rogue was looking for love in all the wrong places since after he breakup with Remy which was the most disastrous event she had ever witnessed. Jean knew recently too their once arch nemesis now turned good was entertaining Rogue's emotions but she didn't know to what extent that would go about seeing how Rogue was set on getting Remy back. Then there was her anger which looked to be directed at their young recruit. "So you want to be close to Remy again but you feel he doesn't want to and you also feel like Nicole is getting in the way of this?" Jean asked trying to get to the root of the issue.

"Yeah." Rogue stated moving to plop down in the available chair. "And you cannot tell me we aren't similar? Ah mean look at us. She's a southern gal and since she moved in, he really doesn't want tah talk to me now."

Jean frowned. "I don't think that her presence merely causes him to overlook you at times. Give him time. I think you should look at Nicole more as a cure for his dark attitude. You even said it yourself that lately he's happier and somewhat talking to you. "Maybe you should also consider getting closer to Nicole. It could do you some good."

Rogue snorted. "Yeah right. Like that would eva happen. Besides have you seen Miss Prissy?" Rogue stood in defense. "She comes in here with her hair constantly done, her nails and toes manicured, speakin all them languages like she's the United Nations. Remy watches her like an infant! Like she's gold! I bet she does it on purpose too! Besides, he jus' wan' her because she's young and he can touch her!" Rogue shouted looking down at her gloved hands in anger.

"Cut that out right now Rogue!" Jean stated. "Besides, I highly doubt that now. You now have control over your powers so that isn't the issue." Jean delicately said what she had to say next. "Rogue, you are like a sister to me." Jean stated moving so her hands had gripped her by her shoulders making her look at her and listen. "Nicole is not your enemy here. You moved on so I'm sure Remy did too. It is not our business to tell each other whom to fall in love with. Now I think you should work on your relationship with Nicole and Remy to hopefully get back to the friendship you had. But first maybe today, I do think you should talk to Remy though. This seems to be the only way that peace will be back in this house." She reasoned praying it would do them all some good and not backfire.

Rogue bit her lip knowing the truth inside of her but she just couldn't accept the fact that this time he was really gone. That there would not possibly be a next time for them. They had really messed up big with each other and there was no words, special elixir, potion, or magical spell that could undo the damages they had done to each other and whatever relationship they could possibly have. Even if there was it would require them to get close and at least talk about it but Remy was definitely not having that especially now that his extra time seemed to evolve around Nicole. But, Rogue was tired of walking around like everything was fine. She needed him to talk to her today.

Jean watched as Rogue stood up suddenly and nodded her head. "I'm going ta' talk to him." She stated and moved towards the door quickly.

"I don't think now is the time!" Jean yelled standing and biting her lip but Rogue heard nothing as she continued her journey to where she knew he was.

"The prick!" Nicole muttered while her rag was pressing heavily against the leather material of his boot which now was on the biting end of her wrath. She was now in Remy's room sitting on the floor while grumbling to herself as she polished Remy's boots. Occasionally she would glance upwards at the Cajun and glare then quickly returned to her newly acquired duties. She had finished cleaning his room and was now working on polishing his shoes. His room smelt of lemon and held a shine to it that oddly enough Nicole was proud of. But her hands were growing tired after working on his boots. To make matters worse, she hadn't even touched his dress shoes yet.

How could I have lost! This is so unfair! Stupid game! She looked over at the Cajun as he sat on his bed laid out watching her with a smirk on his face and cards in his hand shuffling. His jacket was hung up and his feet were bare as he lay on his bed free of a shirt and hosting his beige pants. A window was open to allow a bit of cool night air to flow inside the rather hot room. the fan was going above them as well. The smile on his face hadn't left since he carried her all the way upstairs happy to finally have someone shine his shoes for free.

"Don't look so down petite. Yo' only have two more sets t' go. Den yo' can start on my special occasion ones." He said as he flipped over a card and analyzed it.

She looked at him with a look of disdain. He loved to see her as she was in purple striped shorts and a black tank top tucked nicely in his space. Her hands still moved of their own accord trying desperately to get finished as soon as possible. Nicole felt like she should have known better than to get into a card game and bet with the Cajun. She admitted her over confidence may have been her demise but what was done…was done. Her hands were working feverishly now as her mutterings got louder. Her eyes looked to her side and a whimper escaped her to see his many dress shoes. She never understood how this man of all people came to have such expensive taste in things. She once would have associated it with his thieving nature but as she looked around his rather empty room, the things he did have spoke otherwise.

Remy smirked as he saw her hands push harshly against his shoes not liking her aggression towards the material. Nicole was scrubbing now and he quickly leaned downward and took the rag and polish from her. She watched as his other hand grabbed his shoes as well. "You'll be putting holes in em at dis rate. Now mon chere' we don't want dat t' happen. Non?" He placed the items on the night stand next to him. With incredible strength and speed, he picked her up off the floor and sat her next to him on the bed. Nicole watched as his back rested among his giant pillows cushioning him. His head tilted backwards and rested against the headboard. He looked at her as he opened his arms to her and beckoned with for her to come to him.

Nicole moved and sat between his legs comfortably. She laid back into his chest while looking at the abandoned rag and polish. She felt his arm move and she looked over to see him get the polish and the shoes and he sat them in her lap. "Now yo' are comfortable and it shouldn't be so bad."

She laughed at his trickery and took the polish away from him. Nicole grabbed the boots and slowly began shining his shoes being a lot gentler now. "I will admit Remy, you do have great taste. My hands are touching some pretty amazing craftsmanship." She stated appreciatively looking to his black leather lace up Balenciaga boots. She stopped rubbing fiercely and instead ran her finger gently along the stitching.

Remy smirked and he took his index finger and lifted her chin to force her to look at his face. "If I made a list o' things to do 'wit yo'r own two hands, trust me, polishing shoes would be far from the top." He smiled an amazing smile as he said the last part. "If you catch my drift."

Nicole's eyes narrowed as a small smile came onto her face. "You're impossible!"

He laughed a deep baritone laugh. "No petite. Just adventurous and interested in my own deck of cards is all." He bent down to kiss her when a knock came at his door.

Remy sighed in frustration as he scraped her lips with his and hovered. "They will go away." He muttered capturing her lips with his own firmly and moving slowly. His hand came up and rubbed her shoulders loving her warm skin against his. His lips pressed firmly on hers coaxing her into a soothing rhythms before another knock came to the door and disturbed him.

"Remy it's Rogue. Can we…can we talk please." The woman on the other side of the door asked.

Remy groaned as he moved to nuzzle his nose in Nicole's neck breathing in her orange citrus shampoo.

"Remy I know this is a really REALLY bad time, but please talk to Rogue." Jeans voice echoed sounding dare he believe desperate.

Remy smirked and looked down at a lost femme in his arms. Her eyes were closed and her lips were parted a bit waiting for him to continue. "I'm busy at de moment." He yelled bending down to capture her lips again.

"Stop playin games Remy. We need tah talk." Rogue's voice echoed.

Remy's face stilled and his face came into a frown. He rested his forehead against Nicole's watching her eyes widened at the seriousness of the situation. She made to shift forward as if to escape him but he held her to him. "Stay." He spoke as he shifted so he could slide from the side. She moved to allow his leg to escape from her other side and he untangled himself from Nicole. He kissed her again on the lips quickly before turning to walk towards the door. His pants hung dangerously low on his lips while he quickly picked up the discarded white cotton T-shirt off the floor and put it on. He walked over to the door and sighed. He looked back at Nicole and gripped the door knob tightly asking the world to give him strength. "Don't run, si'l vous plait." He asked in a whispered plea to Nicole watching her shift to get off the bed.

"Ok." Nicole said as she realized that Remy was getting ready to face something serious. She felt like she shouldn't be here for this…like this was not meant for her ears. But, he asked her to stay and so she would. She just hoped it would be something small like asking him to stop leaving explosives around the kids or something like that. She looked down at herself and frowned knowing it may look like something it wasn't. The pair of boots and rag in her hand did sort of clean it up a bit she supposed. A small groan escaped her but she nodded while rubbing her arms self-consciously.

Remy answered the door but only cracked it so you could see him and nothing behind him. "May I help yo' ladies?"

"We need tah talk now Remy!" Rogue said while Jean slapped herself on the cheek at her brashness. She tried her best to talk Rogue into picking a better opportunity but Rogue wasn't having it. So now she came along to be sure Rogue didn't do anything that would cause a scene. "I jus need tah have some closure about some things is all and yo' can be free."

Nicole carefully focused on his boots again doing her best to distract herself from the situation at the door. Remy stepped out slightly but leaned his body against the door frame. "Can we do dis some other time?" He asked seriously while mentally cursing at the mood killers.

"No." Rogue responded as she leaned to see what the scratching noise from his room was coming from.

He used his foot to prop the door closed and crossed his arms. "Hehn? Fine. What yo' want t' kno'?"

"Can you guys take this inside Remy?" Jean asked as she stepped forward and looked around for prying eyes hoping they would have privacy.

Remy stood again and his head turned at a downward angle at the door frame looking at Nicole in his peripheral vision. She sat on the bed clearly doing her best to drown in her duties. He thought of his options but found them to be slim to none as Rogue just demanded they talk. He knew very well what she wanted to spew up in front of others and he really didn't care anymore. She had moved on…wasn't she happy now? Now he officially was back on his feet and managed to find his own oasis of happiness, couldn't she just let him be? He looked to Rogue and sighed heavily. "Yo' may, but I do hav' company in here." He stated and moved back so they could see Nicole scrubbing away at his shoes.

Rogue and Jean's eyes grew wide at Nicole sitting on top of Remy's bed looking quite scandalous while shining shoes frantically. Jean looked at Remy as he held a soft smile watching her work. Jean swallowed thickly before looking at Remy. "I didn't know… you two…were…together." She stuttered.

Remy left the door open and went over to the nightstand. He pulled out a cigarette already feeling his aggravation rise. He lit it with the lighter and mentally prepared himself for the conversation he really didn't want to have. Besides he thought they already talked. Mainly it was Rogue that spoke but he was seriously done with it all. He took a long drag and puffed as he walked near the window to and allow the breeze to sweep the ashes and the smoke with it. He sat on the sill and watched Rogue as she studied Nicole with an unknown expression. Nicole's face was pink a bit and she smiled brightly. "For a long time actually." She responded smiling brightly.

"Listen...uh Nicole. Can yah step outside for this?" Rogue asked in an irritated voice.

Remy watched Nicole nod and made to move. "Non!" Remy said as he got up and walked over to Nicole. He could tell she was a bit nervous and he took his palm and ran it through her hair to sooth her. He turned to Rogue with dark features. "If yo' wan' t' talk den we do dis now in fron o' her." He looked down into Nicole's eyes with a look of determination. "She has da right t' know."

"I don't think that's appropriate." Jean said as she stepped up and clutched Rogue's shoulders to provide support for Rogue.

"Jean is right, I should go." Nicole stated as she scooted forward but Remy held her still. She looked up into his face and she saw the need he had for her to be there as his support system. She understood his request and knew this was deeper than just having her here because of their relationship or because of his desire to not cause her discomfort. He needed her there as his pillar in his corner. She nodded and touched his hand gently in understanding.

"Yo' wanted ta talk so…talk." Remy said through the side of his mouth as he dragged on his cigarette. Remy fixed her with a hard glance. "If it can't be said in fron' of mixed company den wait."

"See another time." Jean stated and reached for Rogue practically pulling her back towards the door. They reached the archway when Rogue stopped her by using her strength to root her to the spot. "Remy, I'm not gonna let you try to weasel your way out of this."

Remy sighed and walked to the door. He ran his fingers through his hair and nodded. "I swear Rogue, yo' will ave yo' time….Again." He stressed dramatically as he pulled on his cigarette drawing what he could from it into his lungs.

Remy looked back and saw Rogue fuming with rage and she turned swiftly before stomping away down the hall. Jean shook her head and mumbled an apology before she too followed.

Remy sighed and locked the door again. He turned to see that Nicole looked like a deer in headlights trying to understand what she just witnessed. He watched her continue her chore doing her best to not make eye contact with him. He made his way to move towards her when there was another knock on the door. He growled frustrated as he did the locks again and swung the door open to have Rogue and Jean walk back into his room.

"I'm so sorry." Jean muttered no longer able to provide a calming presence to Rogue as she seemed to be hell bent on her quest for Remy.

"Mon Dieu! Will yo' pick where you wan' t' go already!" He exclaimed, his cigarette bounding between his lips in the process.

"No Remy! We need tah talk now! Nicole leave please." Rogue crossed her arms in defiance.

"What?" Nicole said not liking her demanding tone. This time she made no move to exit finding the whole situation quite bizarre and childish. She looked to Jean who just shook her head unable to give a proper explanation without betraying her friend's trust. Nicole thought Rogue was seriously crazy now and needed to speak to someone professional as this was not normal behavior for a grown woman. But Rogue had always been like a wild card she supposed. Nicole admittedly didn't have a close bond with her to truly know. But now after watching her in this situation, she had an idea. Nicole suddenly grew protective of Remy almost distrusting Rogue's intentions. Leaving your man alone with another woman was never a good idea. She looked at Remy who's eyes seemed to darken dangerously. She quickly moved to stand off the bed and she slowly rubbed his arms to calm him. She kissed his right arm gently before pointing to the hallway. "Jean we should let these two talk…"

Jean smiled in relief to escape when Remy grabbed Nicole's hand gently and placed a kiss into her palm. "I'm sorry." He muttered into her skin. Nicole gave him a soft understanding smile feeling the warmth of his breath onto her palms. Nicole nodded and looked to Rogue. "I'm going to be just outside the door ok." She spoke more so as a warning than anything.

"Don't you think that's rude, Nic" Rogue sneered and used her nickname that her friends around her used.

Nicole stopped and turned around. "No but barging into someone's room uninvited is definitely in that category. Especially barging into another man's room when she has no real business here." She responded cheekily before making a move to exit.

Remy was shocked at her response especially coming from such a petite woman. He watched her walk towards the door and scoff. Remy reached out and grabbed her feeling her stiff body in his warm hold. "It's not worth it Mi Petite." He muttered into her skin again except this time Rogue intervened.

"What you mean, it ain't worth it! You think this little girl is worth it!" Rogue shouted almost hysterically.

"Who the hell you think you talkin too?" Nicole yelled as she made to move forward but Remy held her strong.

"Nicole please." Jean begged going to her friend.

"Why me?" Nicole asked getting pissed off. "Jean." She stated exasperatedly, doing her best to hold her tongue.

"Look!" Remy cut in trying t' stop the flames. "What do yo' want Rogue. Say it an' be done."

"Ah jus' want to know how come you completely forget about me and move her in to replace me!"

"Are yo' insane! You really wan' ta talk about dat?" He questioned in disbelief. His arms tightened even more so around Nicole as she stilled. He looked down to see her face was puzzled. "I do talk t' yo'. But, I will admit dat I'm not completely ready t' play nice wit yo' right now. Yo' left me alone in Antarctica wit nuttin. I almost died o' hypothermia because o' yo'. Yo' and the team wouldn't listen t' me or nothing! The only one that did was Ororo. Now yo' wan' us to be back how we were as if nuttin happened? Are yo' dat lost?"

Rogue stepped back a little as she bit the inside of her mouth at the truth. She looked at the rage in his eyes and the hold he had on Nicole. She knew it was wild crazy jealousy fueling her behavior and she hated herself for it. She had moved on but seeing him so happy and free with another woman…doing things together that she use to or wanted to do with him was hurtful. It brought up so many questions about the times when they were together. Her hand came up and rested gently on his biceps hearing his tone take on more base as he continued.

"Yeah, then when yo' and the X-men found out dat I waz tellin da truth and non-murderer or a switch out, yo' tried t' da play savior card but it was too late. Da damage iz done and I had a long time recoverin and thinkin t' come t' a conclusion that dis here Remy has had enough."

Completely at a loss of words, she fired back on her point of anguish. "But that still doesn't explain how quickly you moved to Nicole!"

Remy rubbed his chin as his red eyes were slowly being consumed by the black depths of his irises. What was even more chilling was the pools of dark humor and anguish swirling within them as he stared Rogue down. "Yo' call three years…quick?" He muttered darkly.

"Jus' let it go Remy!" She pleaded desperately to him. "Don't use Nicole as a way to get to me!"

A thump could be heard in the hallway as a battle ready Jacob came running into the room with a frantic Chantel. "What's…. going on?" He asked. "We can hear you guys from the stairs!"

Remy sighed and rubbed his temples. "There's not enough liquor in this house." He muttered as his cigarette drooped between his lips.

"Nothing" Jean responded moving to pull Rogue but she wasn't having it.

"Chantel please get your friend and take her outside so we can have a conversation." Rogue stated placing her hands on her hips while glaring at Remy.

Nicole pushed from Remy's hold. "Why should I be the one to leave when you were the one that was never invited from the get go." Nicole shrieked raising her hands in frustration. "Besides, I don't want to be here for this childish nonsense anyway."

"What did you say?" Rogue stated getting angrier directing her fury onto Nicole. She stepped forward towards Nicole threateningly.

"Did I stutter?" She responded not backing down this time. "All you have done is insult me and throw a tantrum." She stated moving forward as well.

Bobby came sliding into the room and fell on the floor. Everyone paused to look at him as he breathed in heavily. He looked around at the people in the room. "I heard it was a catfight!"

Jacob sighed and grabbed him by the collar as he pulled him to his feet. Tension really increased in the room now. Bobby backed up towards the wall to get away from danger because Remy looked as if he could charge the whole room with his kinetic explosive energy. Jacob pulled Bobby out towards the door as the women went back to arguing. He growled a bit at Bobby's talent for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

"…Xmen! Report to Cerebro! Mystiques on the move!"