Watching the Thieves move into action reminded Rogue of a well-oiled machine.
Or a well-run crime syndicate, Rogue thought.
In the span of a few minutes, over a dozen phone calls were made on a dozen different phones, each call a garbled mix of French and English. Jean-Luc was issuing orders for the Thieves to return to the Garden District — apparently their stronghold in the city — or they could remain at the Guild Hall and stay in the Bunkhouse. Remy and Emil had a laptop open which they had pulled out from somewhere. They seemed to be checking the city's street cameras in the Garden District for Assassins. Henri was speaking to someone on the phone about setting up a meeting for the following day.
Finally, Jean-Luc called for Remy and Henri to come to his office. Belize was already standing at the doorway. As the four men stepped into the next room and shut the door, Rogue realized that most of the others had disappeared too.
"Child," Rogue looked up to see Tante Mattie and Mercy standing at the doorway to the dining room. "Things seem to be taking a turn for the worst. How about you stay here for the night?"
It didn't take a genius to see the sense in what Tante Mattie was saying. The Assassins would be out for blood tonight. Even if Irene's house was in the Garden District, staying alone in the city would be risky.
"I'd appreciate that, Tante," Rogue said.
"Bien, you stay here with us in the family wing. I don't want those boys giving you trouble out at the Bunkhouse." Rogue nodded in agreement. She couldn't deny she was relieved not to be sleeping in a bunk room with a bunch of men she didn't know.
"Well then, let's give you a tour," Mercy beamed at Rogue. Waving her through the door, Mercy set about pointing out all the principal rooms, the kitchen, breakfast room, library, and at least a half-a-dozen others Rogue couldn't be bothered to remember. Turning up the stairs, the trio made their way to where the family wing was.
"Dat's Henri and my room, and dat's Remy's room. You'll be in dis one." Mercy gestured at two doors up the hall before opening a third door. Mercy paused to eye Rogue, "Mais, you want something else to wear tonight, Sha?" Rogue nodded, and Mercy headed off down the hallway to look for clothes.
"Don't you worry, Child. Everything will be fine. Though things may get worse before they get better." Tante Mattie said from beside Rogue. As Rogue opened her mouth to ask what she meant, Mercy returned with the extra clothes.
"Here, try these on. They should fit."
Stepping into her newly assigned room, Rogue quickly slipped on the yoga pants and tank top Mercy had given her. The clothes fit fine but left Rogue's arms bare. Usually, it wouldn't have been an issue. She and Kitty had shared a room long enough that Rogue trusted her roommate to be wary of any skin she exposed in their room, but Rogue wasn't at Xavier's right now. She couldn't rely on the Thieves to be as careful around her as the X-men were. Carefully stepping back into the hall, Rogue looked at Mercy and Tante Mattie, who were waiting for her.
"Do they fit?"
"Yeah. Umm, any chance you have a sweater or something?" asked Rogue, gesturing helplessly to her exposed arms.
"Sure, Sha," turning and ducking into what looked like a laundry room Mercy reemerged a moment later with a long sleeve button-down shirt, "Is flannel okay?"
"That works." gratefully Rogue slipped the red and black flannel on before realizing it must be a men's shirt since the sleeves were too long. Looking back up she saw Mercy and Tante Mattie still standing in the hallway, both of which were grinning at her. "Yes?"
"Nothing, Sha. You headed for bed, or will you be up for a bit?"
Rogue told them both that she was headed for bed and stepped back into the room, still feeling like she was missing something. Looking around, the room was impressively elegant. The cream walls were offset by a sizeable traditional bed with a canopy, flanked on either side by antique dressers. A silk and wool rug covered the dark wood floors and stretched across the room to a fireplace with a sitting chair on one side. On the other side, French doors led out to the second-story wrap-around porch.
Stepping through the doors onto the porch, the sounds of frogs and crickets filled the dark swamps beyond the property. Somewhere in the inky blackness, Rogue could hear the low growl of a gator. It felt like a little piece of her heart slid back into place for the second time that night.
"Well, what do we have here? Bit late for a stroll isn't it?" Emeric sauntered forward from where he had been standing further down the porch.
"I guess that's why I'm not takin' one" Rogue crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.
"Probably for the best. The LeBeaus would be displeased if you disappeared. You seem to be getting the royal treatment from Jean-Luc, Princesse," Emeric smirked at her.
"You going somewhere with all this, or do you just like to hear yourself talk?"
"Just seems to me that Jean-Luc is betting any hopes the Thieves have about finding out why the Assassins are killing off our Guild on you," Emeric scoffed. Rogue could practically feel his eyes flicking down her form, "I'm not so sure."
"Wouldn't be the first time I got secrets from the Assassins for a Thief." Rogue pointed out, shifting to lean a hip against the porch railing.
"Sure, and left a crack in the Thieves Guild afterwards."
"What do you mea—"
"Did you know that Jean-Luc wanted to bring you back down here as soon as he knew what you did? He had Emil hack Sheild's files as soon as he thought that you might be able to do more than just knock people out." Emeric turned to look out at the swamps before continuing.
"Once Jean-Luc realized he had lost his best chance at gaining access to the Assassins' secrets, he was all over Remy to bring you back. Remy wouldn't do it, and it blew up into a huge knock-down, drag-out fight between the two of them. Henri had to jump in and break it up. The LeBeaus tried to cover it up, but everyone knew what had happened."
Rogue frowned, not liking the idea that Jean-Luc was so interested in her and her powers or Remy getting into a fight with his family over it. She didn't doubt Emeric was telling the truth about the argument. With Remy's resentment towards Jean-Luc for using him for his powers, Remy wouldn't have taken it well if Jean-Luc was interested in hers. The argument would have been vicious.
"So tell me," Emeric turned to face her again, "If the LeBeaus can be divided over one fille, what's the chance they're going to be able to lead us against the Assassins?"
"Why don't you leave that to my family to figure out, hein?" Remy replied, sauntering through the French doors. Stopping beside Rogue, he smirked down at Emeric, "Now, dis here's the family wing. Why don't you run along to the Bunkhouse and get settled in for the night?"
Emeric shrugged one shoulder and headed down the porch. Rogue watched him till he turned the corner. Presumably to go find the Bunkhouse or crawl back under a rock, Rogue wasn't sure which.
"Well, he's charming."
Remy snorted, "Don't mind him, Cher. He's just one dat likes to start trouble."
"What happened after Marti Gras Remy?" Rogue pushed off the porch rail with her hip, planting herself in front of him.
"Dat's a long story," Remy replied. Pausing, he looked up over her shoulder. Rogue turned but didn't see anything. Breaking his gaze, Remy looked back down at her. "How 'bout we go into the Garden District tomorrow? Go somewhere the walls don't have ears."
"Do I have a choice?" Rogue groused.
"Not really, non."
"Fine," Rogue sighed, dropping her arms to her sides.
"Bien! I know a place dat serves the best Jambalaya."
Rogue rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling at the Cajun boy in front of her. He could just be so dang charming when he wanted to be. Shaking her head, "I don't think so, Swamp Rat. I don't want to get jumped again before our drinks even hit the table."
"D'accord. D'accord. Somewhere else then."
"Well, I'm headed for bed. I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Till den ma Cherie." Remy paused, looking down at her, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Slowly he stepped forward until Rogue could feel the heat radiating off him. For a split second, Rogue wondered if he would kiss her, but instead, Remy tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "Bonne nuit, Rogue."
As Rogue stepped back. She definitely did not stumble and definitely did not feel the tiniest bit disappointed that Remy hadn't kissed her. She turned on her heel and headed for the doors leading back to her room. Stepping into her room, Remy was still standing there, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark with a smirk on his face.
"Hey, Cher! The shirt looks good on you," Remy called before flipping over the railing like an acrobat.
Closing and locking the door, for whatever good it would do, Rogue drew the curtains and turned back into the room feeling once again like she had missed something. Slipping the flannel shirt off, Rogue draped it over the chair beside the fireplace and froze.
There, on the back of the red and black flannel, was an embroidered Ace of Spades…Remy's personal signa.
XXX
Next Chapter: Rogue helps out at the Training Hall and meets some new faces