The next day when it was time for lunch Rogue found herself with a few minutes to spare before classes that day, so she found herself walking towards the Rec Room in hopes of finding Bobby. Just as she passed one of the hallways, she could see him leaning against the door frame of Kitty's room as the girl closed her door with the same smile she always had whenever the two of them talked.
Rogue knew she shouldn't be thinking the worst and knew that they were all friends, but even just the simple way Bobby continued to stare at the smaller girl had Rogue frozen in place bringing with it the unpleasant memory she tried to forget. It was no secret that her and Bobby continued to drift apart, but a part of her was still hoping that they could go back to the way they were in the beginning. Back when things made sense.
"So, what are we starrin' at?" Remy's low voice drawled next to her ear as he quietly tried to peek past her head at the two figures that had caught the girl's attention.
"Urgh not you." Rolling her eyes she began walking away and towards the stairs with Remy giving one final glance at the two before quickening his pace to catch up. "What are you doin' here anyways? This is the girls' side of the mansion."
With a secretive smile he just shrugged. "Figured you in need of a dashin' escort to take you to class. An' since I'm available I'm happy to fulfill my gentlemanly duty for de day."
"Well hate to break it to ya Cajun, but I'm in no mood for any escort at the moment." She briskly made it down the stairs in record time.
"Alright no escort. How 'bout an overly handsome man who's just willin' to lend a listenin' ear."
"Ok well if you find him, point him out to me." She cheekily smiled when she saw him momentarily pause in his steps before chuckling and resuming his pace next to her.
"Hey girl you made it!" Jubilee looked up from her position on one of the tables in the Rec Room as a deck of cards sat between her and Piotr. "Remy was just about to teach us the rules of poker before he disappeared."
"Poker?" She raised a questioning brow as she let her eyes follow him when he moved over to the table. She could see what looked like a phone dissected in pieces on the other side of him along with some tools that no doubt belonged to Kitty that she would see her use to open and clean her computer.
"Don't ask." Jubilee defeatedly shook her head remembering how she and Piotr had found the southern boy intriguingly try and figure out how the device actually worked before she told him how easier it would be to just look it up instead.
"What's wrong Chere? Don't know how to play?" his slow sexy smile spread across his lips as he pulled out a chair to sit on. "Don't worry dis one's a good teacher. I promise to go real nice and slow for ya." He grinned suggestively as he patted the seat next to him.
She instantly felt the heat rise to her cheeks and was about to decline when she noticed him taking off his sunglasses and shuffling the deck of cards while he curiously eyed her. "So, what'll it be Chere? You in?"
"Man, I wish I had eyes like that." Jubilee pouted while Piotr nodded in agreement.
"Hey guys!" Kitty beamed at them as she and Bobby walked to join them. "What's going on?"
"Poker." Jubilee gestured towards the cards in Remy's hands. "Wanna play? Just don't let Scott see us."
"I'm in." Kitty shrugged before sitting down and waiting expectantly for the other two still standing.
"Actually, there's something I need to do." He let his eyes flicker over to Remy who began dealing the cards before turning back to Rogue. "Do you have a minute?"
"Always plenty of room in de table." Remy mumbled with his eyes fixed on the cards.
"There's something I want to talk to you about." Bobby said only low enough for the two of them to hear.
"Sure." Rogue timidly smiled when he grabbed her hand and led her out of the room.
"Alright so are we ready to play or what?" Jubilee eagerly bounced in her seat while Remy's eyes remained on the retreating figures before frustratingly leaning back in his seat and glaring at the cards in his hand instead. "Please tell me that's not your poker face?" Jubilee eyed him skeptically before hearing Piotr chuckle.
-X-
Walking outside the mansion grounds they quietly walked around for a bit before Bobby finally broke the silence. "Rogue, I wanted to apologize about yesterday." he said as they continued walking. "But you gotta understand why I did what I did."
"And why's that?" she slowly exhaled, all hope of this possible turning into something nice quickly diminishing by the second.
"Well come on, I couldn't just stand there and do nothing while that guy disrespected you like that." He gently grabbed her arm to look at her as she confusingly shook her head.
"Bobby what are you talkin' about? It was a trainin' exercise, and we were on different teams. It's common sense that he'd go lookin' to win."
"Not like that." He sternly stared at her before frowning with anger. "And I can't believe you're still defending him."
"Ah'm not." She firmly clarified, trying to remain as patient as possible since she didn't want to fight about this.
"After all we've been through, I would have thought you'd be on my side."
The betrayal and hurt in his tone caught her by surprise. "Bobby this ain't about who's side ah'm on. It's about you two not gettin' along."
"Well I'm sorry I get that you're mad I do, but if I see a guy constantly trying to hit on my girlfriend and I feel the need to protect her honor-"
"My honor?" her lips slightly raised in disdain. "When have ah ever asked you to protect my honor, Bobby?" When she saw him open his mouth in protest she quickly interrupted. "Furthermore, what makes you even think you had the need to? I'm not just one of those stupid bimbos who fall for just any guy."
"I know that Rogue. It's just…" dragging his hands down his face he inhaled deeply before turning back to her. "Look I just don't trust that guy, and even less when I see him trying to make a move on my girl."
She frowned when she felt herself wanting to clarified what he really meant when they haven't even so much as held hands lately except now. And as sad as it was to admit she was somewhat glad about that too since she didn't want to run the risk of accidentally hurting him, but it still hurt just thinking about how much she already missed doing these simple things with her boyfriend who didn't even do them when she still could.
"Bobby, whatever you may be thinkin' don't ok." she tried to catch his gaze. "He's not flirtin' with me, and even if he was ah'm not interested. He flirts with anyone you know that."
"It's different with you." Shaking his head he tried to get rid of that nagging feeling in his stomach that made him constantly be on guard around the other boy.
"No it's not, Remy's just…tryin' to get along with us because we have to work together that's all."
"Remy…." His voice dripped with sarcasm which just made her give a small smile. "Ok I get it. You really don't go for that whole bad boy thing?"
"Course not." She tried not to flinch when he wrapped his arms around her waist and was thankful, she decided to wear a long-sleeved shirt today. "Ah can't stand him to be honest." She pensively looked straight at his chest. "He's rude, repulsive, with an ego far too great for anyone to have, annoying and…." Blinking out of her thoughts she forced a small smile. "He's not my type." When she saw his usual smile make an appearance she quickly decided to add. "BUT he is part of the team now Bobby whether you like it or not. And regardless of what ah think of him…we should give him a chance. He might surprise us, and somethin' tells me that underneath all that…he might not be all bad."
"This coming from the girl who came here with Logan." Bobby playfully winked as she lightly shoved him back. "Alright look, I'll work with him, but I can't guarantee anything."
"Thank you." She gratefully smiled until she saw him slowly lean down and she moved her head in time to feel him place his lips on top of her head.
"Alright how about we meet after classes today?"
"Um I have to see Mr. McCoy afterwards. Maybe later?" she gave a hopeful look.
"Sounds good. Kitty, Piotr and I will meet you in the library then."
"Oh, they're coming too?"
"Of course." He stared at her in confusion before squeezing her arm and waving as he began going back inside. "I'll see you then!"
"Yeah, see ya…"
-X-
"So, you see Chemistry is not just about throwing random things together, but a work of art if you will." Hank gleefully checked over the glass flask in his hand with the pink liquid inside.
Chewing on her bottom lip Rogue continued to write down and check mark all of the steps on her paper as she sat next to her chemistry partner for the day who she only remembered having worked with once before.
"So, what do you think?" Lorna Dane asked from her seat next to her.
Carefully eyeing their flask which turned from pink to purple then blue, green and yellow, Rogue proudly nodded. "Seems good to me."
"We're definitely acing this." Lorna grinned as she began to jot down her own notes but momentarily stopped when she heard faint chuckling from behind and took a shy glance over her shoulder. "Hey um Rogue?"
"Hmm?"
"You're friends with Remy, right?"
Startled by the question Rogue quickly looked up to find the green-haired girl blushing and playing with her hair.
'W-well I wouldn't call it that." She followed Lorna's gaze to turn and see him with his back turned as he chatted up another girl on the table behind his and Bobby's who despite their protest got partnered up today. "More like acquaintances really."
"Oh."
Turning back to Lorna, she saw the girl hesitantly to ask the obvious question on her mind. "Why you ask?"
"I've just seen him around you more than anyone, so I figured you two were either friends or…"
"What, me and him?!" she quietly screeched with a revolting smile. "Never in a million years."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he's more like a fly to me. A really annoying fly." She hummed and nodded to herself.
"Well, I definitely wouldn't call him a fly." Lorna giggled as she snuck another quick glance at him. "I mean look at him. You can't seriously tell me his not hot."
Against her better judgment she discreetly turned to see him still talking with the girl wondering what there was to even talk about. Shouldn't he be concentrating on the work instead of always chatting up a pretty face for heaven's sake? "I wouldn't call him that. Besides, I'm with Bobby."
"Another hottie." Lorna mumbled before returning to her writing.
And just with her luck as if sensing eyes on him, Remy halfway turned to wink at Rogue before she rolled her eyes and returned back to their work.
"Ha look at that." Sticking his tongue out in concentration, Bobby cautiously eyed the liquid in front of him pretty impressed at what he saw. The moment he was paired up with the last person he wanted to be paired up with he thought one of them wouldn't make it out of this classroom alive today. But come to find out Remy wasn't too bad to work with and seemed to know what he was doing, which he could admit shocked him at first until the young mutant's attention quickly shifted to the table behind them.
Shaking his head Bobby's eyes shifted up in time to see their flask suddenly overflowing and quickly spreading purple liquid all over their table. "Shit! Dude a little help!"
Boredly swirling around in his chair when he heard Bobby's panicked voice, Remy shot up in time to see the disaster of their experiment all over their papers. "Mon dieu, I thought you were keppin' an eye on dis icicle!"
"Don't yell at me because you're too busy!"
With an exasperated sigh only a teacher knew all too well, Hank McCoy turned to the others who seemed to be progressing at their own pace. "Remember to keep an eye on your progress otherwise well ahem…you'll find out how hard it is to clean what remains of your project as Mr. Drake and Mr. LeBeau will soon find out."
"Noted." Bobby cringed when he saw the purple liquid already seeping into the table as well as his hands.
"Now moving on." Hank pointed back to the board. "As you can see any chemical reaction can be easily identified when it happens to cause any change in a property of the substances involved that can be easily measured or detected. Now other than what we are working on can anyone give me another example?
Questioningly glancing around Jubilee could feel all eyes turn to her as well as Mr. McCoy's. "Why are you staring at me? You know I don't know the answer!" she pleadingly lifted her hands palms up while some of other students began to quietly chuckle.
Clearing his throat Hank removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I believe that'll be all for today. Class dismissed."
After clearing off their table Rogue quickly picked up her books and made a beeline for her teacher's desk. "Um Mr. McCoy do you have a minute?"
"Of course Rogue, anything for a student of mine." Hank gently smiled up at her.
"It's just that…" hesitantly looking back where she could still see Bobby and Remy throwing away all the wet towels they had to use to get as much of the stain off as possible, she returned her attention to a patiently awaiting Hank. "If you're not busy, could I talk to you about something in the Med Lab?"
Quizzically frowning Hank watched her closely as she nervously shifted from one foot to the other. "Is everything alright?"
Clutching the books tightly to her chest she waited until she could feel Bobby slowly walking up to her. She could see his eyes bouncing between her and their teacher before lightly touching her arm in acknowledgement before heading out followed by Remy who she could feel briefly linger behind her so close in fact that she could feel his intense eyes on her along with his body heat. She kept her stiff posture and her eyes facing their teacher until she was sure they left before finally relaxing.
"If you don't mind my asking Rogue, but what's this about?"
Biting the bullet, she decided to just be honest with the only person who could possibly give her any answers. "It's about…the cure Mr. McCoy."
-X-
Starring deeply into his microscope again Hank could feel Rogue's nervous eyes boring into his back with every minute that ticked by. He could understand her eagerness to find out the results from the blood test he did, especially if what she had told him was true and that she believed her powers were indeed coming back.
"So? What is it?" She couldn't hide the trembling in her voice when he slowly turned around in his chair.
"It appears that the cure might not be as permanent as we first thought." He pressed his lips together in sympathy knowing that was probably not what she wanted to hear as her eyes dropped to the floor. "We have heard on the news of some mutants showing up with their power returned to them, but there was never any real evidence to prove that that was indeed true, only mere speculation since I'm sure the government is making sure to minimize that information to the public. My guess is to avoid frightening the public as well as not let them know that their one 'weapon'…" his lip turned down in disgust of the word they used. "Is of no use to them anymore."
"So that means…"
"Rogue…" gently placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, Hank regretted to be the one to give her the news but knew she needed to know. "Based on the blood test it shows the same results as it did before, back when you first took the cure...however I do see some slight changes compared to last time which is why I believe that you may be right in assuming that they might come back. That along with what you've experienced with Jubilee at the mall. And as much as I hate to be the one to say this…I think it would be best to prepare ourselves for what could possibly happen."
"But we aren't a hundred percent sure right? M-maybe with more test-"
"Perhaps." Hank slowly nodded. "Leeche luckily is still under our care, therefore I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping us with this matter since it was his mutation that made it possible. But that would also explain why the cure might only temporarily work since Leeches mutation only allows him to dampen or suppress if you will, our mutation." Thinking back on his visit to Worthington Labs, Hank couldn't help but feel the same way as Rogue after watching the blue fur return to him. "Perhaps Warren can give us some insight on the matter too."
"No Mr. McCoy please. I don't want anyone else to find out about this." She shook her head determined not to let this get out.
"But Rogue-"
"Please."
Watching the young mutants pleading watery eyes, Hank couldn't stop himself from nodding. "You do understand my dear that this is not something so easily hidden. If something were to happen-"
"It won't." she shook her head, determined not to let it. "I won't let it."
"Very well. But I must insist for you to think about letting the others know." He saw her eyes drop once more knowing it was the right thing to do. "I will keep working on my end to try and gather more information. But if this indeed is true…I would suggest taking precautionary steps to prevent…"
"Anyone getting hurt." She finished and couldn't keep the strain out of her voice. "I understand. Thank you, Mr. McCoy."
He watched as she quickened her steps until she was out of the lab. Hank had read and heard various news topics about the cure wearing off but had yet to see any solid proof of it happening. If Rogue was one of the ones that it was wearing off on, he could only imagine what the poor girl must be going through.
There were those who frowned on anyone even thinking about taking the cure, but he was well aware that not every mutation felt like a gift and instead more like a curse. Not everyone really knew what it was like to try and blend in with the public when you were big blue and furry or unable to even enjoy human nature's simplest things such as human contact. So, to have it suddenly ripped away from you once more after experiencing it… was cruel all on its own.
Turning back in his seat he decided to dedicate whatever free time he had to try and help her anyway he could.
-X-
Lazily leaning against one of the trees to try and block out the sun, Remy stretched out his arms as he placed them behind his head to enjoy the little time that was left before he was scheduled to help out Ororo in the gardens much to his protest. She had however insisted that it would do him some good, so trying to stay in her good graces he reluctantly agreed.
"There you are."
Peeking an eye open he saw the woman in question staring at him with an amused expression on her face. "Did dis one fall asleep by any chance?"
Shaking her head Ororo made herself comfortable by sitting next to him on the grass. "No, just finished talking to the professor and some of the teachers again."
"Oh." Readjusting his position, he could feel her eyes on him. "About dat…"
"Remy, I thought you were going to give this place a chance."
"Hey now Stormy I never said dat. All I said was I was willin' to stick around for de time bein'."
"Alright well 'for the time being' do you mind explaining to me why I have to keep having these meeting with my friends?" she asked the way a mother would her child after another meeting in the principal's office.
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"Remy…"
"Look Stormy I'm here ain't I? I'm doin' what you ask of me, I'm even goin' to dese classes…"
"And I appreciate it." Her hidden smile gave away how she really felt. "But how is constantly correcting your French teacher helping? Or refusing to do any homework because you think you're going to be sick the next day?"
Mischievously smirking he thought back on the look he'd get anytime he'd do that to Ms. Danvers or Warren. "Alright fine I'll try an' stop, but dat French teacher wouldn't know how to order a damn beignet in Paris if his life depended on it."
"Remy, Mr. Lauchaire's the only non-mutant in this place who was willing to offer classes here, and now by the looks of it he seems close to quitting."
"Très bien den I can teach de class." He stretched out his legs with an overly confident smile.
"Remy."
"Alright Stormy, dis one will try to play nice d'accord."
"Thank you." She fully smiled remembering that there was something else she wanted to ask. "Now since you're so eager to teach how do you feel about giving extra lessons?"
"Moi?"
"Yes, apparently some students are falling behind- and not because Mr. Lauchaire is a bad teacher since he isn't." she quickly added when she saw his pointed smile. "But I'd really appreciate it if you could help them."
Nodding, he let his eyes briefly wander around for another minute before breaking the silence. "Stormy…why do you want me here?"
Startled by the question she tried to see what brought that on but when he continued to stare out without meeting her eyes she slowly began to answer. "I heard about what happened the other day…and well Remy to be honest, other than the X-men, you're the only family I have left. So as much as I know you don't see yourself here…I'm hoping you'd stick around."
Lowly chuckling he slowly shook his head as if remembering something in the far distance. "When I first met you Petite you were this small little fille, an' I always thought to myself dat someday she'll grow out of bein' so stubborn."
"Hate to break it to you, but no such luck." She fondly nudged him.
"I just wouldn't want you to t'ink you ever owed me anythin' Stormy."
"Remy I…" Turning her body to fully face him, realization dawned on her as she slowly nodded. "You were listening."
"Always."
"Yes, well sometimes I can't help but feel like I do." she admitted. "You've done so much for me, and I feel like now's the time I can finally help you. When I was younger this was something I could never do for you, but now that I have the chance, please let me."
"You t'ink someone like me belongs here?"
"I would like to believe there is always room for growth, for evolution of the soul." She saw him remain silent as her soft voice echoed around them. "And you Remy, what do you believe?"
"Not sure yet." He frowned down.
"Maybe it's time for you to figure that out."
"Rogue thought I should talk to you…"
"Oh?" Now curiously glancing sideways at the mention of the girl, she saw him begin to pick at the grass. "Is that so?"
"She t'inks dis conversation was long overdue I s'pose."
"Wise advice." She impressively smiled. "And I'm glad you did."
"Thanks Storm." He gave her a sideways smile.
"Better that than Stormy I suppose."
"Never dat Stormy." He adamantly shook his head when he heard her laugh until a familiar white streaked mutant came speed walking out of the side of the building. Glancing back at Ororo he could see her smile growing knowingly.
"Go ahead, I'll meet you in the gardens."
-X-
Furiously wiping the tears threatening to spill, Rogue continued walking until she could hear the faint footsteps getting closer and closer until she could see Remy walking backwards next to her.
"Why de sudden rush Chere?" He gave her his regular playful smile until he saw the small tears gathering in her eyes and stopped her when he blocked her way. Any playful banter he had reserved just for her quickly being replaced by his serious expression. "Woah everythi' alright?"
Surprised at the concern on his face she'd never seen before, she quickly nodded her head with a forced smile. "Yeah ah'm fine."
Tilting his head, he carefully watched as she tried to hide her face by looking away. "Wanna try dat again?"
"Ah'm just not feelin' well is all."
Unconvinced he tried to reach for her arm but stopped when he saw her visibly flinch away. "Sorry didn't mean no harm."
"Could you just… do me a favor and tell the others I'm not feelin' well."
He slowly nodded but his eyes never left hers. "D'accord. Dey in de library?" He could feel the overpowering sense of helplessness flowing out of her in waves that swiftly took him by surprise.
"Y-yes ah think." She forced a grateful smile but found herself wavering when she saw his intense eyes briefly glowing red. She wasn't sure what it was, but she was suddenly overcome with such warmth, security, and reassurance that everything was going to be alright.
"Whatever it is Rogue…you'll be fine." He waited until he saw her give a faint nod before giving her a small smile. "And if you ever need anythin'…dis handsome man will always keep a listenin' ear open for you if you need it."
Slowly blinking the tears away, she felt the sudden fog lift before she quickly looked away and walked around him. "Ah'll see ya later."