Queenofspades19 – Just breathe. It has to get worse before it can get better. I promise I have a plan. Deep breaths, it'll be ok. Just remember that I love these characters as much as you do.
Bologna121 – thank you so much for your kind review and gracious forgiveness of my slow updating. It was wonderful to hear from you, and I hope you're happy to see that I have not in fact waited a year to post a new update. Here's one today! I hope it lives up to your expectations.
Red Skippy – thank you for your continuing support and encouragement. It really does help me with this whole writing process more than I could ever say. Here is a new chapter in a more decent amount of time, and just to compensate its actually longer than normal. Hope you enjoy!
Part 24 – Pandora
When ah came around the corner and saw Remy glowin', he looked angry to me. Ah hadn't had much experience with Remy bein' afraid, so ah didn't realize what ah was seeing. If ah'd known what Irene had said then, ah wouldn't have taken it so lightly. As it was, ah figured it was standard Brotherhood bull honky. Something along the lines of "she'll betray you" or "you don't belong with the X-men, catastrophe will occur if you remain: the only solution is to join us."
Which is why ah was utterly confused at how hard Remy seemed to take it. Admittedly, ah was a little distracted over the next few days. Irene was right. An expedition to Antarctica was imminent, and if ah thought our schedules were crazy befoah, they seemed like playschool now. But even still ah noticed Remy was takin' an awful lot of alone time. Moreover, ah noticed he was lookin' at me funny, like ah'd just done somethin' unspeakably cruel. He also absolutely refused to be in the same room with Irene.
Unfortunately most of the time things were too busy foah me to do anything about it. Hank and Cyclops were havin' big tiffs about the new Blackbird designs, the Professor was totally inaccessible, the Brotherhood were runnin' around causin' problems and keepin' tensions high, especially foah me.
Ah was walkin' down the hall on a summons from Ororo, checkin' mah notebook to figure out how ah could do this and still have time foah the trainin' session when Sabretooth bumped into me hard enough to knock me backwards and into a wall.
"Hey! Watch where yoah walkin', other people exist!"
He snorted, "All I see is a puny little turncoat. Hope we get to work together soon, I'm itchin' to give you a proper goodbye."
"Why Creed, ah had know idea you'd learned to put so many words together in order. Congratulations."
He snarled and leapt at me, but ah dodged and he buried his fist in the wall. Bobby groaned on the other side. "Why is it always my room?!" He came out into the hallway, breath frosty with irritation.
"Hey, monstro, cool it or -,"
"Or what? You'll run tell your daddy? Ha! Not an X-man here with the gumption to stand up to me on their own." He turned a pointed stare at me. "You haven't changed a bit, little girl. Just changed your colors."
Ah glared back at him, removing mah gloves slowly and deliberately. Ah know ah shoulda been the bigger person, but exhaustion and frustration had teamed up to make that insult impossible to ignore.
"Come on and try yoah luck again, see what happens."
"Rogue, come on, the Professor said we're supposed to keep it cool." Bobby pulled on mah arm half-heartedly.
Sabertooth's eyes darted back and forth between mah bare hands and then glared at me more forcefully. "You think I'm scared of you, little vampire?"
About that time, Mystique rounded the corner. "Oh for heaven's sake, stand down Victor. Rogue, I can see the passive nature of a true X-man is really blossoming." Victor doesn't listen to most people, but Mystique had a way with him. He'd thrown a temper tantrum one time and during the scrap she ripped his tongue out. He knew she wouldn't hold back: that was something he could respect.
Ah pulled my gloves back on violently. "Keep your dog on his leash, Mystique."
"Tell your precious Professor to do the same."
Ah opened mah mouth to give her a bitter dose, but Bobby grabbed mah arm and pulled me away.
"Well, good, that's settled, off to the danger room. See ya around!"
Once we got out of earshot he stopped. "Rogue what were you thinking? Can't you pick a fight with Toad outside my room? Why'd you have to pick the bloodthirsty big guy?"
"You coulda stayed in yoah room."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah sure, that's totally the superhero thing to do."
"What makes you think yoah a superhero?"
"Super powers, super good looking, super charming. Plus I just saved the poor damsel in distress outside my room. Don't know what your definition is, but it sounds like a superhero to me."
"Saved me?!"
"Nope, saved Creed."
Ah laughed in spite of mahself. Ah couldn't help but picture Creed in a long flowing gown at the mention of the word "damsel".
"Sorry Bobby. Guess ah shoulda handled that a little smoother."
"Hang out with me kid, the smoothness is bound to rub off."
Ah groaned. "You never know when to stop huh?"
"Hey, someone around here has to keep it fun. Scott and Jean and all the others have turned into real downers. Turn away from the dark side, Rogue. I mean seriously, even Gambit's been all morose lately."
Ah did a double take. Foah some reason, when Remy was around ah got so wrapped up in our tight, fierce, and sometimes passionate little world that ah forgot other people. It took me a bit by surprise that ah wasn't the only one aware of him. Particularly, that ah wasn't the only one who noticed him acting funny.
"You noticed that?"
"Dude, Gambit's usually awesome. He's like a gas fire or something. No matter how much water you dump on a situation, he just keeps running his mouth. And when he runs his mouth, it keeps me out of trouble for running mine. Ever since the Brotherhood got here, he's taken on this brooding crap. Who knew he'd turn out to be little Logan junior? He totally snapped at me in the danger room when I hit you with that ice spike. I mean sorry, but it's not like I meant to. He told me to 'stop goofing off and take dis seriously'. Really?? He's accusing me of not taking things seriously? Lame!"
Bobby's impression of Remy's voice was sad. Very sad. But ah hadn't missed the exchange earlier, ah just hadn't thought much of it. Everyone gets snappy with Bobby from time to time. Still, if ah wasn't the only one who thought he was acting strange, maybe this was somethin' ah should be payin' more attention to.
"You know, ah thought it was just me, but he has been actin' strange lately. Maybe ah'll go talk to him."
"Well somebody ought to. And besides, he likes you."
Ah nearly choked. "What?"
Bobby raised an eyebrow at mah less than cool expression. "Um, did you want him to like you? I mean he didn't say anything, just seems to hang around you a lot. I figured you guys were friends and all. But I could ask him, if you wanted. I mean I don't think he's got a girlfriend or anything."
Ah felt mah face heat up to an unsightly and unhuman shade. Bobby started grinning triumphantly. "Oh this is just too good to be true. Seriously? Lebeau?!"
"Shut up Bobby! Ah'm just…embarrassed that you would think that…Remy doesn't really like me more than anybody else. And ah do NOT have a crush on him!"
"Oooh! Remy huh? I don't think he lets anyone else call him 'Remy'. You two must be close."
"Bobby shut UP!
"I mean I can see it. He seems to have a way with the ladies. Much like myself. You know, being able to charge things with his touch is quite an asset. I wonder if there's any recreational uses for that." He waggled his eyebrows at me.
Ah thought ah might have a seizure. Ah sort of hoped ah would. "Bobby, Ah swear on everything good and holy that if you don't drop this right now…"
Ah couldn't think of a threat good enough.
"I think the professor would frown on taking aggressive action against a teammate." He laughed at mah bewildered face. Ah couldn't summon an intimidating amount of rage when ah was so embarrassed. "Aw. You're kinda cute when you're all red. Don't worry doll face, your secret's safe with me. Run along now, go find your sweet Remy."
Why did ah not trust him? Ah hate mah life!
He turned away from me and ah called after him, half-heartedly, "There's nothin' goin' on between me and….Gambit."
He chortled as he turned the corner, but didn't look back. Suck. Ah thought briefly about followin' him and smotherin' to death with a pillow or somethin', but then he'd probably freeze the crap out of me, and then everyone would run in and want to know why and he'd blab his stupid mouth to the whole universe. Maybe ah could just sneak in and sew his lips shut…but then ah remembered that ah had about a million things on mah plate to do first. Patience.
Somethin' was up with Remy. It was up to me to find out what. Havin' a….boyfriend, was it?...was turnin' out to be a lot of work.
Ah didn't really mind. A little part of me that ah would never admit to was already excited about the prospect of seein' his face, was anxious for the little skip mah heart took when he stood too close, was eager for the thick happiness that descended on me when he was around.
Of course ah would never admit that.
Ah went to Ororo first. Ah went through the door and didn't even have a chance to speak befoah she jumped in.
"Rogue, glad you could make it. Hank has designed a new helmet apparatus for we fliers. We need to test it out in the wind simulator to make sure it has adequate ventilation, and that our peripheral vision is not too heavily impaired."
"Is there any way you could just hold off for a few minutes? Ah kinda need to be somewhere."
"We're both due for the combat training session in an hour, and Scott has been actively breathing down my neck. Can't it wait?"
"Ah'm not really sure. See, the training in an hour is mandatory, then ah'm supposed to meet up with Scott to run a simulation to make sure the jet modifications are working properly, then ah have mah study hall class, then its back to-,"
"What is it exactly you're trying to do? I don't see how this appointment is any more negotiable than the others. Or do you want to be blinded by gale force winds?"
Ah sighed. "Would it count if it was foah a friend?"
She groaned. "Can't I be your friend for the next hour?"
"Look, what ah have to do probably won't take an hour, maybe ah can just go and come right back?"
"Oh no you don't! You can either do this first and hope that we can get it done in less than an hour (which we're currently wasting in argument), or you can get permission from Scott. I am not serving as a buffer."
Ah cringed and debated, but in the end ah'd already gotten all excited about seein' Remy so ah decided to be brave. Ah picked up my communicator.
"Scott?"
Ah hoped he wouldn't answer, then ah could just say ah'd tried and go about mah business.
"Yes?" Shoot.
"Ah'm gonna take a few minutes out of helmet testing to handle a personal matter….if that's all right?" Ah hadn't meant to phrase it as a question, but in the end Scott is the leader, and ah thought maybe the deference would count foah somethin'.
"Last time you took a few minutes to handle a personal matter, you were incommunicado for half a day. We need the evaluation of those helmets so Hank will have time to make modifications. No dice."
"Look, ah'm really worried about someone, and ah just want a few minutes to go make sure they're ok. Twenty minutes?"
"Rogue, chances are anyone in the mansion is just as busy as you should be. It makes more sense to wait for the day to be over before you start an elaborate conversation."
Mah shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine. Understood."
"Rogue, I'm sorry. I'd like to give you the time but everyone's been asking. If I start giving you special permissions everyone will jump in. The professor's counting on us. I'm just trying to make sure we don't let him down, ok? If you and Storm are a few minutes late to the danger room this afternoon, I won't take it too personally, but seriously, we need you firing on all pistons."
In the end, ah wouldn't trade places with him. "Ok Scott. Ah'm doin' mah best."
"I know. It shows. Keep it up."
Storm beamed triumphantly and tossed me a hideous looking helmet. Ah stuck out mah tongue at her. Even defensive praise from Scott was always uplifting, but now ah was doubly frustrated. Whenever ah was upset, ah couldn't keep Remy away from me. Now that somethin' had him actin' strange, ah couldn't seem to get to the man to save mah life. Of course Scott was right, he was probably just as busy, but ah'm not a patient person.
We strapped on our helmets and flew through a simulation. It was nice to be able to fly without that cold wind in mah face, but the clear face of the helmet fogged up so easily it was nearly impossible to see. Moreover, we discovered that while peripheral vision was decent (when it wasn't clouded) neither of us could actually turn our heads with the dumb things on. Most unforgiveably, they looked awful.
The hour's progress was painfully slow, but finally the simulation ended.
"Ah don't know about you, Ro, but ah give 'em a 4 out of 10."
"Perfectly useless devices. I'll simply have to improve my control over such extreme elements."
"Ah hope you do, cause ah have no hope of improving mah control over such extreme hair."
Ah could see mah reflection in the Plexiglas face of the helmet ah was now holdin', and it wasn't pretty at all. Ro sighed at her own reflection.
"Pity. My hair did look particularly splendid today."
"Dressed up foah anyone in particular?" Ah teased.
She smiled good naturedly. Nothin' like a good flight to steady tempers. "Unfortunately no, but one can never be sure of what the day will bring. You must always be prepared. I would certainly hate for Prince Charming to walk in while I look like this."
She pointed to herself as she scrunched her face up in an unbecoming way. Ah laughed at her. "Well if ah run into him today, ah'll be sure to stall."
She looked at me sheepishly. "I'm sorry I kept you from your friend, Rogue. My temper has not been what I would like of late."
"We're all getting pretty stressed."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. When difficulty visits, it always brings a guest."
Ah headed back to mah room and tried to get ready foah the trainin' session: in layman's terms, ah went to fix mah hair. As usual, it was bein' stubborn, so ah just pulled it back into a tight ponytail to disguise the hazard. This wouldn't be the quiet moment of confidence ah had hoped to have, but at least it would be a little time with Remy.
When ah got to the danger room, he was already there. Ah flashed a smile a little brighter than ah meant to and he did smile back, but his was hard and less cheerful. Maybe ah was just payin' closer attention after mah talk with Bobby: ah shouldn't start overanalyzin' everything. Probably he was tired.
Logan took his usual place by me, and Jubilee flanked him. This new configuration was slowly becomin' familiar. Jean came in and announced the teams for the day. We broke off into teams of two or three each day and fought in the snow. One of the goals was to develop better fighting techniques that didn't require unnecessary force, and the other more prominent was to learn how to function better in this horrible climate. The computer assigned us randomly each day, so no two days were exactly the same. It also assigned team leaders, so we all had some more valuable field experience should Scott be incapacitated foah some reason. As much as we all razzed him, he was an amazing source of confidence foah us. It was harder to operate when he wasn't callin' the shots.
Today was a two team affair: me, Scott, Jubilee, Logan and Hank against Jean, Remy, Ororo, Bobby, and Colossus. Jean and I were leading our respective teams. Joy. Hank stepped out to start the computer while Jean and ah shook hands.
"Good luck Jean. May the best lady win."
"You too. It'll be good for these boys to listen to their betters for once." She smiled competitively while the boys rolled their eyes.
And then it began. The cold hit like a train; it was impossible not to suck in air. The improved suits were makin' it easier to handle, but it was still no walk in the park. Two minutes until engagement. Ah huddled mah team, tryin' to be professional.
"Ok, the other team has a big advantage in Storm. They won't be fightin' the climate as hard with her on their side. Cyclops, take her out first chance you get, Jubilee cover him. Logan, Jean will hesitate on her telepathy, favoring her telekinesis. She'll be able to deal a decent amount of damage, and ah need you to barrel through with yoah regeneration factor. With the leader out, they'll have a moment of weakness while they reorganize: that's an opportunity foah us to take offence and win it. In the meantime, Beast, ah want you to cover me while ah take down Colossus. Ah know ah'll be a target since ah'm the leader, but Colossus is the only real heavy hitter they've got. Without him they'll need a whole new strategy."
"What about Iceman and Gambit?" Jubilee asked, tryin' to keep focused.
"If we can slow them down, we can take 'em. If you and Cyclops get Storm out of the way, then you can keep Bobby melted and Gambit blind until we get to them. Otherwise people, when you get through yoah first assignment, pick a favorite and pin 'em down. Last thing: try to save Iceman's death blow foah Beast. Let's not forget that Iceman did try to make Beast a blond this week, we owe him his revenge."
They smiled at mah attempt at humor, and then the buzzer let us know we were out of time. It was a decent plan, or at least the best ah could come up with in two minutes flat. The problem with these exercises is that the other team always has a plan too.
Like ah suspected, they were keepin' Jean under wraps. That was fine, Logan could sniff her out with no trouble. Even now he slunk through the snow with sinuous movements, sure of his prey. Ah had hoped they would send Colossus out first to defer damage, but it was Bobby. Ah had also hoped they would send Storm out to clear the snowy path, but she was a no show. Cyclops and Jubilee were in reserve, waitin' on her. Bein' the leader and a target meant ah couldn't be the first one to charge out: it would leave mah team vulnerable. Ah smiled at Hank.
"Beast, would you do the honors? Ah'll catch up to ya."
He grinned, pleased with his charge. He rushed out to meet Bobby, who was constructin' an ice wall foah extra defense as quickly as he could. At least, that's what ah thought.
Hank leapt to the top of the wall and then handsprung higher in one deft movement, kickin' Bobby in the stomach with enough force to knock the wind out of him. He fell from his ice shoot doubled over, but rather than turnin' to face Hank, he fled towards us away from the wall. Hank had just turned to pursue him when the whole ice wall lit up a blinding and brilliant pink.
"Oh no…" ah lamented under mah breath. Hank's eyes went big foah just a second befoah the wall exploded, sendin' ice shards in every direction. The force knocked Hank backward through the snow in a blaze of glass daggers.
"Maximum damage sustained. Player eliminated." The computer said bluntly as Hank disappeared. Bobby jumped up and down in elation at the success, whoopin' and hollerin'. A red beam and a hail of fireworks blasted around him, meltin' his ice form. Logan jumped in, diverted from his original path by the explosion and pounded Bobby to the ground befoah putting an adamantium blade against his throat.
"Dangit! No fair three on-,"
"Maximum threat level exceeded. Player eliminated." Bobby was gone. Four on four.
A huge chunk of ice floated through the air to where Scott and Jubes were takin' cover, and they fled just befoah it dropped.
"Wolverine, take Jean down!" Ah called. He nodded in mah direction and then took off.
Leader or not, we needed a tank to divert attention. Ah launched mahself forward, but somethin' caught mah collar. Ah swung mahself up and over, shakin' 'em loose befoah throwin' a jab between the shoulder blades. He dodged.
"Just wondering how you enjoyed de light show, chere." Ah'd sorta learned mah lesson about lettin' Gambit talk, so ah swung mah leg around and landed a back kick in his side. He slid through the snow, takin' a card out on the way to retaliate with.
Much as ah'd like to hang out with the Cajun, ah had a different objective. Ah flew away from him, stayin' low but searchin' foah Piotr.
"Rogue!" Scott called from where he was duckin' and dodgin' some big Russian blows. Storm was tryin' to keep the climate under control, but Jubes was throwin' lights all around her and it was clearly makin' it hard to concentrate.
Ah plowed into Piotr, who slid back but stood his ground. The metal version of Colossus is quite heavy and he's one of the few people who can withstand a full blow from me. We kinda liked sparrin' foah this reason; neither of us had to hold back much. But just at present when time was of the essence, a fair fight just wasn't as much fun.
He grabbed mah arm, slung me down to the ground, and dragged me through the rocks and snow. It wasn't pleasant or dignified, but at least it served its purpose of distractin' from Scott. Unfortunately it distracted the wrong person.
Scott had turned back to Storm and wasn't payin' attention to the fault line developin' discreetly around him and Jubilee. Suddenly, a loud crunch shook the ground as the ice broke loose and started shiftin' and breakin' away.
Ah swept one leg under Colossus, but didn't stay long enough to see him hit the ground. The piece of ice holdin' my two ranged teammates was turnin' precariously, and threatenin' to flip them into the icy water below. Ah ran and grabbed both their wrists at the last moment, but was a moment too late. Scott's lower half slipped into the cold water.
"Maximum treat level exceeded. Player eliminated." He vanished from mah grasp. Ah had no time to mourn. Ah flew Jubilee in to the air, away from the treacherous ice.
"Think you can ground Storm?"
"Get me over there and we'll find out."
"Keep a hostage til Logan or ah get back to ya."
Ah flew her over in an instant, and launched her at Storm's back. She jumped and wrapped her arms around Storm's face, blocking her sight.
"Guess who?!" She teased. Ah couldn't help but laugh at her style. Without sight and control, Storm played safe rather than sorry. The climate went back to normal. Jubilee kept her as a hostage, just as ah'd instructed. Good. Now where the hell was Logan?
Ah didn't have much time to think about it cause Colossus grabbed mah ankles and dragged me face first against the ground again. What am ah? A broom? Ah flew up as hard as ah could, draggin' him with me (which was no small feat). He clung to mah ankles persistently as we rose higher and higher into the fierce wind, the ground becomin' a vague whiteness below.
"I do not think this strategy is good. You are leaving us with very poor options."
"Ah was thinkin' maybe you wouldn't be such a big fan of heights."
Just then, a pink missile streamed up, explodin' loudly in front of mah face. The boom was deafening and foah a split second ah lost both sight and concentration. The Russian and ah plummeted. Ah felt an invisible steel blanket take form around me, pinnin' me rigid and drivin' me down faster: damn you, Jean Gray.
Ah managed to look down and saw that we were very unfortunately fallin' towards the watery hole that had claimed Cyclops earlier. Since there was no more superstrength or flying ability available on mah team foah a rescue, ah accepted mah fate. At least the leadership change wouldn't be hard to figure out. Logan and Jubilee left. Looked like Colossus was goin' to be sacrificed to take me out. Poor Piotr.
But then ah heard a series of loud explosions and the invisible blanket lifted. Once the surprise wore off, ah pulled us back up with seconds to spare and landed on the snow safe and sound. Ah turned to face Colossus but then we were both distracted by the shouting.
"What de hell are you doing? Dis is just a trainin' simulation!"
"What was I doing? Gambit did you forget that you're on my team? Why would you turn on me like that?"
"Dat was unnecessary force and you know it! You coulda hurt somebody! It was already handled befoah you turned into lil' miss overkill!"
"What is your problem?! I had the situation perfectly under control!"
The shouting between Jean and Gambit was slowly escalating into screaming. We all looked on, bewildered and unsure of how to proceed.
"How dare you! I blinded de girl to get her back to de ground, not so you could use my powers to make some kinda leadership statement by freezin' her to death!"
"Remy she would have been removed as soon as she hit the water! This is training!"
"Yeah but we're training fo' de real t'ing, and yo' trying to put blood on my hands!"
Suddenly the scenario melted away. Scott came over the intercom. "Hey, everyone chill out and get out here."
Jean glared at Remy, and he glared back, his anger settin' his red eyes aflame. She recoiled a little bit. Apparently she hadn't seen him glow befoah. We started filin' out.
I fell in step beside Remy, reachin' out toward him as ah asked, "Are you ok?"
He yanked his arm away from me, glarin' down. "What does it look like?" he snapped.
Ah jumped at his unexpected hostility and he sighed, relenting. "Sorry." He didn't sound terribly sorry, just like he knew that's what he should say.
The heat outside the danger room was immediately uncomfortable in contrast to the cold we'd just been in. We all started shiverin' as we realized just how deeply the chill penetrated. Ah clenched mah jaw to keep mah teeth from rattlin'.
Remy tried again. "Sorry. Really. Are you hurt?"
Ah shook mah head, too unsure of him just at present to answer out loud. Scott called our attention befoah he could say anything else.
"Ok guys, first off I want to congratulate both our team leaders on a job well done. You both strategized well for the climate and your team, and adapted well to the unexpected. Also, there was a lot of good team interaction out there. Iceman, Gambit, the exploding wall really took the cake."
We just listened. We knew he was just getting through the pleasantries to address the tiff that ended the exercise early.
"Jean, the ice fault idea was a really creative way to integrate the environment into your strategy. Keep thinking like that, but it was also too extreme. In a real life scenario, that would have been a mortal attack. We would have no way of retrieving them from the water, and even if we could the temperature would give us precious little time to provide medical attention."
Jean crossed her arms, clearly planning a retribution foah him later. Gambit kept this face straight, but his posture gloated. "And Gambit, using aggressive force against your team and particularly your leader should be an absolute last resort. It's one thing to refuse orders, but another to actively work against the success of the team. We do encourage everyone to conduct themselves ethically and is good that you're aware of that, but perhaps a less dramatic approach would have been effective."
Remy glowered. Jean jerked her chin up petulantly. Scott sighed. "I also realized that everyone here is fighting stress and exhaustion. We're quite simply undermanned for the amount of work we need to do. But I need everyone to stay on board 100%. For that reason, I think everyone could use some time off. We're not going to accomplish anything if we're at each others throats. So let's just call it an early night tonight. I don't know about you guys, but I plan to get some extra sleep just as soon as Jean's done yelling at me."
Scott gave me a meaningful look, and ah smiled gratefully. Jean raised an eyebrow at his blatant announcement, but everyone was jazzed at the idea of a night off so she couldn't get too mad. We got ready to merrily disperse.
"Do keep in mind that tomorrow is integration training with the Brotherhood. It's going to be hell, so use this time wisely."
Scott's jaw tightened at the mere mention of our nare-do-well houseguests. We all shuddered and grumbled respectively, then rushed out the door to make use of a rare and wonderful night off. Remy was one of the first out the door. Ah was nearly miffed, but then figured he was probably just tryin' to get away from Jean in a hurry.
"Hey, wait up!"
Remy didn't look back, but slowed his place a hair. Ah caught up. "So, what do ya have in mind foah a few blessed hours of free time?"
"Je ne sais pas. Probably catch up on my beauty rest." He smiled jovially, tryin' to be light, but ah couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"Right now?"
"Oui. Like Scott said, I could use some quiet time to unwind."
Ah nodded. Normally ah didn't have to wait long foah an invitation from Remy. Ah was startin' to feel a little intrusive. Ah started awkwardly, "You know, maybe ah could help? We could…watch a movie, or play some cards. Ah still owe you a back rub you know." Ah tried to make mah smile alluring, but he didn't look over.
"T'anks but I t'ink I can manage on my own. Honestly I could use de time to catch up on some personal business."
"Personal business?" Ah pressed.
"You know, accounts, correspondence, supplies, personal hygiene, all dose kinds o' t'ings." His non-chalance made me feel pathetic. Here ah'd been pinin' after him all day, and he didn't seem to have any particular desire foah mah company.
Or maybe he was a regular person who was tired, and ah was actin' like a love sick puppy. Ah didn't want to seem immature, so ah tried to smile and keep mah voice light and dejection free.
"Ok, well have fun. Ah'll probably see what Logan's up to. Thanks foah savin' me today by the way. Very smooth."
"Savin' you?!" he turned on me, inexplicably upset again. Foah the second time today, ah jumped at his tone. "I was de one who put you in danger in de first place! If you hadn't started falling…"
"Um, Remy? It was a simulation. Ah'm fine. Ah kicked you earlier, remember? Scott actually fell in the water, and he's ok. Really, ah'm pretty ok with the whole thing, and there's not a scratch on me."
"I know it was a simulation! Why does everyone keep saying dat? Mon dieu, does everyone t'ink I'm stupid? De point is it's supposed to train us fo' de real t'ing! If it had been de real t'ing, it would have been my fault, even if it wasn't my intent to…"
His eyes darted down the hallway, where Bobby and Jubilee openly stared. Bobby coughed and started lookin' at the ceiling, and Jubilee turned away, whistlin' innocently. Ah hate you, Bobby Drake. There will be payback foah that, if it's the last thing ah do.
Ah flushed beet red, wonderin' if he'd filled Jubes in on what he suspected earlier. Remy caught it.
"I'm embarrassing you. I'm sorry."
"No…its not you."
He laughed darkly, "Is dere someone standing here yelling at you dat I don't know about?"
"Look its not you ok? It's something that happened earlier."
He rolled his eyes. "Right." He sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Sorry again, Rogue. S' not yo' fault. I'm just…tired I guess. I should probably just go to bed befo' I can cause any more ruckus."
Ah twisted mah fingers, debating. Ah didn't want him to walk away feelin' like this. And selfishly, ah didn't know when ah'd have another chance to spend any time with him. Ah didn't want to seem clingy, but…
"Could we maybe talk? Just foah a few minutes? Not in this hallway?"
"I don't want to keep taking my frustration out on you."
"Then don't. Just talk to me?"
He sighed and walked on ahead of me. Ah took that as a yes and followed him to his room. He walked in and shrugged out of his jacket without enthusiasm and sat in the chair, eyes wandering the room and not really focusin' on me.
Ah didn't know if ah should sit on the bed, so ah just leaned against the wall with mah hands behind mah back. Ah took a little too long tryin' to phrase what ah wanted to say, and so he looked up at me speculatively.
"T'ought you had somet'ing on yo' mind."
Ah shifted mah weight. "Yeah."
He watched me, interest flickerin' briefly behind his brooding expression. "Well?"
Ah needed confidence. He wasn't gonna tell me anything so long as ah sat here all jumpy, so ah stalled. "Ah'm not shoah ah know the right thing to say."
"De truth is usually in dat category."
"That's not really the issue. It's arranging the truth in such a way as to not strike a nerve."
His mouth pressed into a hard line. "Guess I deserve dat. Well, spit it out. Gambit is on his best behavior now."
He flashed a gracious smile, but the use of third person hadn't escaped mah notice. "That's good news, but still ah think ah'd rather wait and talk to Remy."
He chuckled. "If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. You sho' are persnickety, chere."
Ah smiled, feelin' encouraged. "Ah'm not bein' persnickety right now. Ah'm bein' perceptive."
His look darkened again. "Not very."
Ah sighed. "See? This is why ah have to chose mah words carefully."
Mah eyes traced the pattern on the carpet and the silence hung towards the point of awkwardness.
Finally he spoke again, givin' me no quarter. "Why don't you just skip de daily jumble and say whatever you need to say? Like I said befo', I'm very tired, and until I get some rest dere's very little chance I'm going to progress socially."
Ah gave up on the idea of findin' some steady ground, and instead decided maybe the pretense of confidence would be enough. Ah smiled as brightly as ah could manage and went to sit in closer physical proximity on the floor across from his chair. Ah stretched mah legs in front of me and leaned back on mah arms so ah could look at him comfortably. It was meant to look casual.
He watched me almost like he was suspicious. Ah swallowed hard and glued that smile to mah face.
"It's really pretty simple, almost stupid foah this level of build up. Ah guess ah'm just a little worried about ya and ah'm hopin' to get to the bottom of it."
He raised an eyebrow. "What have I done dat has you so worried?"
"Ah'd like to quote a good friend of mine and say 'it's not what yo' doin', it's what yo' not doin'', but actually its both."
He smirked. "Would it help if I said dere's no reason to worry and reminded you dat I'm very tired?"
Ah considered it because ah wondered if it would please him if ah let somethin' go foah once, but quickly remembered that ah'm incapable.
"Nope."
"Any chance you might put dis off to a time when I'm halfway conscious?"
Ah might not have a thief's instincts, but ah recognized this maneuver as a dodge. Ah shook mah head slowly.
He looked away again. "Well den, where would you like to start so we can get dis over wit'?"
Ah thought about that, still uncertain of what his mood was or how it related to me. Ah supposed that was as good a place to start as any. "Why don't we start at the most obvious place?"
"Which is?"
"Have ah done somethin' wrong?"
"Why would you t'ink dat?" His eyes flickered back down to me.
"You know, it's very annoyin' when people answer a question with a question."
He lowered his eyebrows. "No, you didn't."
Ah considered that briefly. "Would you tell me if ah had?"
The corner of his mouth turned up. "Still feeling a little distrustful, Rogue?"
"No. Ah just don't want you sparin' mah feelin's if somethin's botherin' you this much."
"I repeat: you haven't done anything wrong."
Ah felt a small tremor of temper and let it leak. "You don't have to make this hard on me."
"I'm not trying to."
"Yes you are!"
"Yo' de one determined to do dis. I'm trying to go to sleep. Of de two o' us, yo' de one bein' difficult."
Ah would have jumped in to bicker if there had been a hint of ire or amusement in his voice, but his tone was matter of fact. Again, if ah couldn't feel confident, ah was gonna fake it. Ah plastered mah smile back on.
"If ah wasn't difficult, how could you be sure it was really me?"
He sighed, exasperated. "Please chere, can't we do dis annudah time?"
"Ah just…want to help."
He looked down at me, weighin' his words. "I don't know if you can…right now."
That stung. Walk it off, soldier. Ah swallowed down the disappointment, clingin' to mah frail smile. "Can't hurt to let a girl try. Ah'm a good listener, if ya wanna talk. Ah can also come up with a creative distraction if yoah in the mood to be distracted, or ah could-,"
"Rogue, stop." He looked down at me again, his face unsure and searching. Ah chewed mah bottom lip in spit of mahself.
His voice gentler when he continued. "Look, everyt'ing is ok. I promise I'll talk to you and let you cheer me up, but right now I really jus' wan' to sleep. I need to sort t'ings out in my head, and I can' do dat right now. I'm sorry, I know you wan' me to, and I don' wan' you to worry, but…not tonight."
Ah started graspin' at straws. His words were meant to soothe me, but instead they made me very nervous. Ah had to focus to keep mah voice from bein' shrill.
"Can't ah even…stay with you foah a while? You can sleep or do whatever you want to. Ah could just keep you company. Sometimes it's easier to deal with things when-,"
He smiled at me apologetically. Ah tried to smile back resignedly, and stood up to leave with as much dignity as ah could muster.
He stood and caught my wrist. "Rogue?" His voice sounded raw.
Ah tried to muster up as much of a brave face as ah had left. When ah turned, his face was open foah the first time since ah walked in.
He pulled me towards him, wrappin' his arms around mah waist in a gentle embrace. His gaze was earnest. "You really didn't do anyt'ing wrong."
His attempts at reassurance had the opposite effect. Mah breath came quicker. "But apparently ah didn't do anything right either."
He put a hand gently to the side of mah face. "No, no, petit. Don' do dis. I didn' mean to make you t'ink-,"
"INTRUDERS DETECTED. SECTOR 4A. INTRUDERS DETECTED."
The robotic voice made us both jump. Our eyes met foah a moment as realization set in. We had no more time foah pressin' this matter. We broke our embrace and headed out the window to join the rest of the team on the front lawn, which corresponded to the breached sector classification.
Logan was already tearin' out across the lawn, and it wasn't long befoah Storm landed in step with him. Fliers are always the first ones on the scene. And Logan. Logan is first anywhere. Maybe its part of his mutation.
More X-men came out the front door and others through windows until we had a solid line. Scott signaled us to form three groups in order to flank from both sides. They sure picked the wrong dang day to mess with this team: we were already grumpy. Even Hank had fixed his expression into an impressive scowl.
Dark shapes rose out of the shadows on the lawn. They were unidentifiable at this distance, but Scott addressed them.
"Stop where you are and identify yourselves, or we will take aggressive action."
The lumbering shadows halted, taking Scott at his word. There's a shocker.
"We have a right to be where our leader is." A gruff female voice called.
"We are not denying you entrance. We have a right to know who you are and what business you have."
"You of all people should understand that identity can be a most valuable asset. We will not divulge it freely." The voice answered challengingly
"Then you risk the safety of your party. Our job is to protect this residence and its inhabitants. We are very good at it."
"Perhaps if you would admit us to advance enough to show ourselves, that our leader may recognize and acknowledge that our presence is legitimate?"
Scott was quiet foah a moment, considering. "Come forward slowly."
The shadows progressed towards us at a conservative speed. The shapes began to take a more concrete form, and then the glare from a security light revealed them.
The first form was slight, with shortened arms and legs suggestin' that he wasn't fully grown: childlike. His face was a startling green, shiny as though wet. He had rounded, lidless eyes that were disconcerting, but his mouth was curved upward into a sheepish and rascally grin as he loped forward.
The second was a tall, solid looking man. His skin was grey and smooth, his body hairless. Yet his structure produced strange ridges under his skin, giving him a supernatural appearance like a swamp monster or alien from a movie. His hard eyes were a glazed yellow color, but they way they danced around made it obvious that his vision didn't suffer.
The two men flanked the female, ah guess she was the one who had been talkin' this whole time, and it was obvious that she was the leader. Her face wasn't unattractive, just intimidatingly aggressive. A startling magenta shade of hair was close cropped to her head, and her tattered clothes were all the more pulverized by the ivory spikes jutting out of her back. She kept her hands at the ready, both clutching sharp objects ah couldn't quite make out.
Storm stepped up, rolling her eyes. "For heaven's sake, Marrow, must you be so dramatic? You had the entire estate on red alert. What could be so terribly important?"
Marrow sneered. "I will do what I think is necessary for our people's safety, as I'm sure dear leader would prefer. We needed to see you. We would not risk daylight exposure, or let your pretty friends take pictures of us with their precious cameras."
When she said "pretty friends" she looked us all over, letting her eyes spit defiant fire at us individually. She was letting us know that it didn't matter where she was, or who we were: she was in charge. But as soon as her eyes passed over me, her face contorted in obvious shock.
She drew in a sharp breath as her jaw dropped in horror. "YOU!"
She lobbed one of the sharp objects with deadly accuracy. Ah stepped in front of it and let it shatter harmlessly against mah chest, but it more due to autopilot than any real thought. The change came too quickly foah me to make sense of it.
The tension level sprang back up as everyone took an offensive position and whipped out weapons of choice.
The tall grey mean let out a blood curdling growl. "You would shelter HIM??" His voice was a ragged with unfathomable rage.
The source of their sudden alarm dawned on me at last: Remy. Ah turned to look at him, but all ah saw was the last glimpse of his leather jacket as it disappeared inside the door.
The grey man dove to follow him and was brought up short by Logan. Scott had one hand on his visor dial and the other thrust in front of him, tryin' to keep the situation in hand.
"Hey! HEY! Calm down! What's going on here? What's the problem? Somebody go after Gambit!"
Ah took off. Ah heard the shoutin' continue behind me, but ah was too confused to make much sense of it. Why did these people hate Remy so passionately? And why had he run away?
One word from the skirmish behind chased me toward mah destination. The word meant nothing to me, and had no context here.
"MURDERER!!!"
24