As the screens light reflected off the three eager faces as they read, leaning with mere curiosity in front of Kitty's laptop neatly situated on one of the shiny wooden library tables, the only other noises that could be heard were those of the constant WHIZZ of the printer, the constant scratch of a pen on paper, and the constant flick of a book being opened. The faint sounds of a chair being pulled back every so often or the sound of someone failing to suppress a cough successfully made everyone turn to the source, Kitty couldn't help but relish in this place anytime she came.
Playfully smiling at the other student Kitty returned to typing. "Alright so who are we spying on?"
"It's not spyin'." Rogue objected, ignoring the small blush on her cheeks. "Ah'm just tryin' to find out some information about someone that's all." She nonchalantly explained.
"Right, so let me work my magic." Dismissing that thought, Kitty quickly hovered her fingers over the laptop's keyboard. "Name?"
"Bella Donna…" Rogue quietly mumbled.
Quirking an intriguing brow which quickly turned mischievous, Jubilee painfully obvious turned to grin at Rogue who tried her best to seem as unaffected as she possibly could.
"What?" her green eyes bounced between both girls while trying to keep her voice as quiet as possible since last thing she wanted was to be kicked out of the library.
"Who is Bella Donna?" Kitty turned her full attention now on the southern girl.
"Just some girl Ah heard about." Rogue dismissively explained.
Kitty wasn't going to dwell on the fact that 'just some girl' wasn't necessarily a reason why someone like Rogue would be this interested in finding out about her unless she had a reason. But nonetheless she turned back to the laptop to begin her search.
"Ok so why are we searching for this chick again?" Jubilee leaned her chin against the palm of her hand as she leaned forward, never being one to stay quiet.
"Better question is why are we whispering when there's hardly anyone here?" Kitty asked as she scanned the few students that decided to come here first thing in the morning.
"Kitty's right, it's too early for this." Jubilee pouted as she tiredly leaned back in her seat momentarily forgetting all about her previous question. "No one in their right mind would be in the school's library this early in the day except…" Both her and Rogue briefly paused to give the other girl a small smile.
"Hey! It's not like I come here often." Kitty argued.
"Here's the book you asked for yesterday, Miss. Pryde." The librarian quicky handed her a small worn-out book as she passed by them.
"Ok so where were we?" Clearing her throat Kitty sat up waiting for Rogue to answer. "And Bedside's I happen to think that this is where all the cool kids hang out." She quietly muttered.
"Cool indeed." Jubilee lightly patted her shoulder.
"It's Bella Donna…B..e..l…" Rogue began.
"Is there a last name attached to this mystery woman or are we just winging it?" Kitty chuckled.
"Hey that's the way I always start my tests." Jubilee casually shrugged. "Usually turns out alright."
"Last name?" Kitty fondly smiled at her friend before asking the same questions again.
"No last name…" Rogue confessed which now made both girls quizzically turn to her. "What? Fine if you must know…from my understandin' she was someone Remy knew ok. Happy?"
"Like a friend or a…" Trailing off Jubilee couldn't help the way her grin slowly grew when she saw Rogue averting her eyes. "Oh…"
"You know guys some might consider this an invasion of privacy and unethical for that matter." Kitty sternly raised a brow at the two.
"So?" Jubilee confusingly frowned along with Rogue. "Are any of those people here?"
"Um no. I just wanted to make sure we were all on the same page." The wicked grin Kitty now expressed became quite unnerving yet impressive at the same time. "Alright let's see what we can find." She cracked her knuckles before getting to work.
After a long hour of almost coming up empty-handed, they swiftly leaned forwarded once Kitty's digging finally came up with another match.
"Woah…"
"Think that's her?" Jubilee glanced at Rogue who couldn't seem to answer since she herself didn't know what this girl looked like.
"Don't know, could be. Either her or the various other Bella Donnas we've found."
"True." Jubilee thoughtfully nodded as she looked closer at the photo of a girl around their age with long blond hair, wearing an expensive dress and smiling politely as she posed for the camera.
"Bella Donna Boudreaux…daughter of one Marius Boudreaux and sister of…." Kitty mumbled as she looked through the information that began to pop up. "Born in New Orleans, Louisiana to one of the wealthiest families there…eighteen years of age…other known relatives…." Kitty continued to read off.
"She's pretty…." Rogue's gaze lingered on the other woman's face as she naturally smiled at whoever had taken that picture. If this was indeed Remy's Bella Donna, then she could definitely understand why someone like him would be so smitten with her. She seemed to have the grace, looks and everything most men looked for…and that thought alone was enough to make her stomach sink. "She's probably waitin' for him…"
"Really?" Jubilee wrinkled her nose as she gave the picture another once over, catching the way Rogue's eyes momentarily dropped before she tried to disguise it with a small smile.
"Think Rogue's right." Kitty thoughtfully hummed. "Based off the other Bella Donna's we came across this seems like the most likely person."
"You think that's his type though?" Jubilee skeptically raised a brow.
"It's Remy." Rogue bitterly snorted as she leaned away from the computer, not having the stomach to look at the picture anymore. "Any girl's his type."
"Yeah maybe…but my gut tells me otherwise." Jubilee confidently folded her arms over her chest as she pointedly stared at the two-toned haired girl. "By the way, you never got around to telling us why he kidnapped you in the first place."
"He didn't kidnap me." Rogue argued as she shook her head. "Ah chose to come along because he decided to take Mr. Summers's car."
"Right." Jubilee's smile seemed unconvincing which left Rogue wondering why else she thought she had left. Sure she couldn't deny that she actually enjoyed herself more than she initially thought she would and didn't even mind Remy's company, but all that seemed to do was confuse her even more. But she wouldn't allow herself to think about it further after the other day.
"Here you see…" Kitty pointed at her screen. "It says it's the unlawful abduction and confinement of a person against their will, used by force or fear in exchange for ransom or other illegal purposes." She finished reading out loud. "There. See?" Kitty triumphantly grinned.
"Ah wonder if Ms. Munroe knows more about her?" Rogue's gaze drifted off to the computer again.
"You mean this Bella Donna chick?" Jubilee asked. "She could. Her and Remy are close after all."
"What are you guys doing…?"
Snapping their heads up they were startled to see both Bobby and Piotr already standing near the table carefully watching the three girls who looked startled.
"Nothing!" They quickly replied in unison as Kitty snapped her laptop shut to avoid raising any more questions. "What's up?"
"School. As in where we should be heading right now." Bobby raised an amused brow along with the larger boy.
"Oh right!" Shooting to their feet they quickly gathered all their belonging before briskly walking out to already find the hall crowded with students.
"Never thought I'd say this but…time really flies when you're having fun in the library." Jubilee giggled.
"Yeah, what were you guys doing there anyways?" Bobby quizzically asked as he moved over to walk next to Rogue.
"We thought that something was wrong when we didn't find you guys in your rooms." Piotr explained with a small smile since they obviously were almost caught doing something he didn't want to know.
"Nothing wrong with a little studying before classes." Jubilee casually said, unaware that the whole group stopped walking to stare at her. "What? —hey look it's Ms. Grey!"
Turning their heads, they could see the woman quietly talking with Scott inside his classroom.
"Think she's doin' ok?" Rogue asked no one in specific.
"Guess we'll find out." Bobby deeply inhaled before mentally preparing himself for another day of school followed by the others.
Letting her eyes wander around the busy halls she had yet to see Logan today and could only assume that he was most likely down in the Daner Room, so she couldn't help but worry about him after Jeans return.
This news seemed to have been the hottest topic right now and she was just as curious as the others by this sudden turn of events. But just as she was about to walk into class, she caught the faint familiar chuckle of someone she grew so accustomed to with the sound of Lorna Danes giggling along as he leaned against one of the lockers further down.
Seems that the green haired girl managed to conquer her little shyness and finally talk to him after all Rogue thought as she observed the way Remy's charming smile seemed to make the other girl in front of him nearly swoon, and sight only made her frown in disgust because she has no other way to express the complicated mix of feelings that has come over her—especially after their brief conversation on the roof the other day.
"Ok so hey I wanted to talk to you about the tutoring Miss. Munroe had mentioned?" Lorna shyly raised her hopefully eyes to Remy.
"Oh yes dat. Now dat you mentioned it Stormy did ask me to tutor someone, an' my guess dat be you?" he understandably nodded remembering how she had previously asked him to help out some of the students that were falling behind.
"Yes. The truth is I'm not doing all that well in our French class and was hoping you'd be able to help me out?" Raising his lips into a lopsided smile, he could tell that this girl was doing her utmost best to gain his attention. And to be honest she wasn't bad to look at so he might as well entertain himself any way he could if it meant getting a certain someone out of his mind while he was here. And just like that he found his traitorous eyes look past the girls' shoulder where he could feel a pair of emerald eyes watching him before she abruptly strolled into class.
"A-anyways I would really appreciate the help, and if you want I could pay-"
Raising his hand up to stop her, he simply bowed, which only made Lorna's blush deepen. "Is no trouble at all Petite. Dis one be more dan happy to help you."
"Really?" her eyes beamed wide as she stepped closer to him.
"Oui, dis one always more dan happy to help any lady in need." He winked before walking around her just as the bell rang. "But I do believe we best be off 'fore Stormy has my hide fo' bein' late again."
Walking into class he playfully saluted an irritate Scott before giving a brief wink at the red head, and moving down the row of desks until he found his seat towards the back and behind Rogue who seemed more tense than usual.
Not once had she turned around during the whole class and seemed overly focused on what their teacher was talking about with his fiancé quietly listening near his desk. Rueful smiling to himself he decided that this would be as best a time as any to pull out his cards and being a small game until class was over.
-X-
Distractedly humming, Jean busied herself by organizing a little bit of the infirmary while Hank seemed to be caught up in something important as he remained hunched over a bunch of papers for the last few hours with a constant frown on his otherwise calm face.
Impressively nodding she couldn't help but admire the way this place still seemed to be spotless and just as she left it until she heard Hank absently humming along the same tune she had which only made her smile.
"Catchy tune." He sheepishly explained before turning back to his work.
"What are you working on?" she asked as she slowly approaches him.
His frustrated frown only deepened before he decided to answer. "It's about the mutant cure."
"You mean from Worthington labs? That cure?" That she wasn't expecting.
"I'm afraid so." He removed his glasses before tiredly rubbing his eyes. "It appears that this 'cure' might not be as permanent as we had initially thought."
"Well how could that be?" she quizzically blinked, remembering the way countless mutants had been shot with that very same cure during the fight on Alcatraz Island.
"Rumors have sprouted about many mutations returning…sometimes even stronger than before." He explained.
"And you think that these reports could be true?" she carefully asked watching as the man's expression turned agitated.
"I'm afraid so…" he admitted. "Mutants have begun showing…signs if you will of that being possible."
"Mutants…? You mean…?" she raised her chin, warily watching the way he averted his eyes before putting his glasses back on and it didn't take her long to understand whom he could be referring to. "Hank?" she waited until he begrudgingly looked over his shoulder. "Please let me know if you need any help, please?"
"Of course." He warmly smiled, sharing a silent understanding with one of his dear friends.
Deciding to give the room another once over she pressed her lips together. "Everything is almost the same way I left it."
"It seems that our young X-man in training was rather adamant about wanting to leave everything in its place." He fondly chuckled.
"You mean Rogue." She acknowledged with a small smile.
"She has proven herself quite well in learning everything there is to know about helping out down here. You would be proud."
"I already am." Her fond smile grew when she remembered the awkward, naïve, shy girl that first stepped foot inside these walls. Never would she have expected to see Rogue grow more into herself and finally shed all of the uncertainty that stopped her from being her true self. "Sometimes I can't help but feel like I've missed out on so much since I left."
"All part of growing up I suppose." Hank replied.
"I guess…" she distractedly answered. "But more often than not I find myself lost Hank…I have missed so much, and I can't even begin to understand why I'm even here." She took a shaky breath when the memory of waking up on the shores of San Francisco continued to haunt her. "All I remember is pain…blinding hot pain as I threatened to destroy everything I hold dear and then…nothing." Turning her head, she wasn't surprised to see the sorrow look on his face. "The flames that engulfed me slowly began to be my salvation…and the next thing I know I've been given another chance. But for what? I don't know…and that's what frightens me so."
"Don't worry Jean." Hank calmly got to his feet to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We will find out what happened to you, no matter what."
Slowly nodding she fondly patted his fury blue hand before he moved back over to his seat. "And I wouldn't worry myself about Emma Frost." He playfully added resulting in a knowing smile from her. "I may not be a telepath, but I do have eyes my dear." He grinned. "Among other things."
"You know I had thought Scott, and I would end up together forever. But I supposed that may have been naïve thinking on my part and refusing to believe he wouldn't eventually move on. Move on from us." she confessed. "And I suppose some part of me wouldn't blame him if he did."
"Ah…I believe Einstein said it best…life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you've got to keep moving." He thoughtfully hummed.
"And if I fall? If I don't know how to get back up or lose my way?" she fearfully asked. "What if she's still inside me Hank? Clawing to get out?"
"Well then my dear…you get back up as many times as you need to and find your path. Lord knows I've had my share of bruises and scrapes." He deeply chuckled, receiving a genuine smile from her.
"Thanks Hank."
"Anytime." He smiled back before there was a faint knock at the door and they turned enough to see Remy standing by the infirmary doorway. "Ah, and as you can see Mr. LeBeau on the other hand refuses to see his limits."
Silently chuckling Jean quickly approached the young man. "Mr. LeBeau, I presume? How can we help you?"
"Remy's fine." He tried to give a seductive smile but failed when the throbbing pain on his forehead that was covered by an ice pack made him wince.
"What'll it be today?" Hank asked, putting away his work for the moment being, while Jean ushered the young mutant to take a seat on the bed. "Training, another brawl with young Bobby Drake perhaps…?"
"Aucune des réponses ci-dessus I'm afraid." He emberassingly shook his head, removing the ice pack to reveal a small red bump already forming. "But so long as my private nurse is here den I guess dat be fine." He said as he let his eyes roam around the room in hopes of finding any trace of her.
"Sorry to disappoint, but Rogue won't be here right now on account that she's still making up work from classes." Jean informed him trying to hide an understanding smile. Since her absence she could feel a sense of closeness between these two. The same way she had with Scott. So, she could only assume that this was one of the reasons for Rogue's sudden progress.
"Is dat so?" he idly scoffed before clicking his tongue. "Well in any case…" Grabbing her hand he let his eyes trail down her physique before lifting her hand to his lips. "Remy LeBeau at your service."
"Quite the charmer." She raised a questioning brow to Hank who began chuckling. "And how did you get this bump on your head?"
He saw her gently look over it before answering. "Playing mutant dodgeball before school was out…"
"Must've been some game." She snuck a brief glance at Hank.
"Well Rogue an' I have a complicated relationship." He frustratedly ran a hand through his hair.
'Oh boy.' She tried not to laugh, she really did. "And who was the PE teacher today?"
"Logan."
Parting her mouth, she was startled when he raised a folded up note for her to read.
"Told me to give you dis."
Glancing down she pursed her lips before reading the man's rushed handwriting.
'Take care of this idiot.'
-Logan
Raising the note towards Hank she dismissively shook her head. "Alright, let's take a look."
"Not wantin' to rush or anythin'…but could we make dis quick?" Remy began to anxiously tap his finger on his thigh.
"I'm afraid Mr. LeBeau's not fond of hospital beds." Hank explained, leaving out the part that it didn't seem that way when a certain mutant was in the same room. "Despite the many times he seems to be in here…"
"Yeah how come she doesn't have to get checked out, but dis one has to come here all the time?" he frowned gesturing to Jean.
"Because she's one of the doctors here and you my dear boy seem to have a fondness for getting on Logan's bad side." Hank pointedly grinned, which only made the young mutant proudly grin back.