Disclaimer: Do you really think a company trying to trademark the word 'superhero' would be owned by me?
Author's Notes: Oh look, I'm back again! You must hate me by now…lol.
The fun continues…hehehe. Okay, well, as always, I have to say go and sign a Romy petition! And if you want, join me on thexversedotcom's forum. They're cool.
Oh, and it's the one year anniversary of this fic…wow. It's such an accomplishment…I only wish I had more chapters up for you guys, because in my mind, we should've been a lot further by now…I've also been writing on this site for just over a year now and I'd like to thank you all for reviewing and supporting me all the way through.
We see some more interaction between Remy, Rogue and the inhabitants of the mansion as well as a little band of conspirators forms. We also check in with some of the Morlocks.
Oh and CONTRIBUTE TO X3! Let's make this a Memorial Day weekend to remember and have it trump 'The Da Vinci Code' and screw over all the non-believers and make sure Fox makes an X4! It's already at 107 million. I've paid my dues, what about you? ;) :D!
And I guess I should say that I've recently been reading fics in another fandom with another equally angsty couple…although not as good as Romy…it's Michael and Maria from that canceled WB show, Roswell…It's weird, I love the angsty couples…lol. ; )
Shout Outs: Thanks SO much to Nettlez, musagirl15, ishie, enchantedlight, (I'm gonna guess bored247, because you didn't leave your name…), CatF, and MagCat for leaving me a review!
Wow, my shortest A/N ever….I just didn't have much to say…that may change though.
&
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: SUSPICION
She was eight. She'd already seen and experienced great tragedy. Her life was already hard and difficult, deprived of the sun and the luxuries everyone else took for granted. So why do the least deserving of punishment, always seem gain even more while the world turns a blind eye and laughs?
Torpid's eyes widened in fear.
Screaming. They were taking another one, another one of her friends, people she cared about and soon, it'd be her. It was this again. It was the cell again. It was him again. It was an endless cycle of pain, torture, captivity and loneliness.
They never came back…
Damn stubborn pride.
It was really all that was holding her together. That prevented her from giving her captors any kind of satisfaction when they continued to try and break her body, mind and soul. Although her body wasn't far from being over the edge, the pain had gone a long time ago. She'd stopped feeling it, it was still there, but she didn't feel it anymore. And she didn't scream. She never did. No matter who they brought in, she never screamed, she but looked at her captors with that cold gleam in her eyes, unnerving, dangerous and threatening. She didn't speak, nor did she move. But it got to them and she could tell. In this world, she could win this one battle and that was enough for her right now. It was all she could have. Defiance of an unbreakable will in the very eye of torturous pain to the very end.
For who was she, if not Raven Darkhome?
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, while those they knew suffered, some just tried to live life as normally and as fully as they could, because it was the only thing they could do and desperation is a poor friend.
Rogue was currently rubbing some John Frieda Frizz Ease through her hair in hopes that Remy's attempt to afrolize her hair would be foiled. Kitty would flip when she realized that some of her hair care product had been used without authorization, but she'd deal with an irate Shadowcat later. Praying to whatever blow drying god existed, she prayed that today of all days would allow her hair to dry quickly for she and Remy's little excursion had delayed some precious getting ready time.
Fortunately, Remy's noogies had done some good in draining some excess water from her hair and the drying and straightening process took shorter than usual and with minutes to spare, pinned back the hair framing her face along the crown of her head, flipping out the ends a little with some hair product. Still, her silvery bangs were stubborn as always and some strands escaped to frame her face.
Then came her ritualistic make up, the line of black eyeliner, red and blue eye shadow and a wine red gloss for today. Finally, she was ready to really face the world.
Hurrying, she ran down the hallway and towards the stairs, but in her haste, she failed to see two guests making their way down to breakfast, Tessa and Lucas. One moment she was running to make sure she got some food before Kurt the vacuum ate it all, the next she was on the floor after colliding with a tall dreadlocked Bishop.
"Ugh. Umm…I'm sorrah, I didn't see ya there…kinda trahin' ta make it down before Kurt the Vacuum does his thing…ya reallah should hurry," said Rogue awkwardly as she got back up.
"Huh, what's that?" asked a confused Bishop, looking at her strangely and it wasn't just because he had noticed she was on the floor, but rather a note of understanding and filing away, an analyzation of his longtime friend Remy LeBeau, so he'd reacted rather slowly…
He was jolted from that moment when Tessa elbowed him in the stomach, "Lucas! God, apologize and help her up for God's sakes. Honestly." Lucas was wearing dark grey knit wool turtleneck sweater, that was slightly itchy and thick black cargo pants.
"I was thinking, Tess," defended Lucas.
"Sure," replied Tessa rolling her eyes. Tessa wore a black velvet blazer over top a pale blue tank top and a black V-neck long sleeved shirt. On her neck hung an ornate chocker or black glass beads, satin and blue sapphires that dangled from short chains of beads off the chocker and matched her eyes. A set of chandelier earrings matched the chocker. She finished off the look with a pair of slightly faded dark indigo flared jeans, tucked into a pair of black scrunched leather boots. Her hair was pulled away from her face in a loose bun with strands of hair framing her face. (That lovely look from X-Treme)
"Well, I was," added Lucas.
"It's never good when you think. You lose all your manners and regress to the Neanderthal man…" regarded Tessa with a smirk.
"Well, Ah'm not on tha floor anymore, so it'a all good," responded Rogue.
"Well, for the record, I'm sorry," said Bishop sincerely, "Happy Tess?" he hissed.
"That was SO ass sucking, you might as well put on a shit faced smile and become a car salesman," replied Tess in a stage whisper.
"Ah'm lahke raht here," replied Rogue with an eye roll.
"Sorry, Rogue, Lucas is a dumbass," said Tessa with a sad smile.
"Yeah, and Tessa is a bitch," quipped Lucas with a glare in Tessa's direction.
Tessa sucked in some air, rather quickly, an offended gesture and glared rather seethingly towards Lucas, in return. After about a tense ten seconds, the pair snorted and burst out in laughter.
(I know, I'm probably making them really OOC, but I really want to give them character. I really loved that in Hellfire and Brimestone about Tess…so she's kinda getting a makeover…Plus, I think it's just SO fun to make Lucas a tad anal retentive.)
"You know, we should probably stop that…people get confused," considered Lucas.
"But it's SO fun to mess with people's minds!" admitted Tessa.
"Oh fine, what the heck, I guess," said Lucas.
"Exactly," agreed Tessa.
"You two have an interesting relationship…" muttered Rogue, sarcastically.
"You have no idea, Rogue," said Tessa with a slightly maniacal smirk.
"Don't confuse the locals, Tess!" stage whispered Bishop.
"Riiight," replied Rogue.
"We'd better get to breakfast, there's a 67.974 chance that all the food will be gone in the next five minutes due to the rate of consumption and factoring in the above average rate of consumption by subject Kurt Wagner," said Tessa.
"Tessa's always right, so I'll see you two ladies at the table," said Lucas as he rushed into the kitchen's breakfast nook.
"Men and their food…" muttered Tessa with a tsk.
"Ah know tha feeling," Rogue sympathized.
"Shall we?" said Tessa with a gesture.
"Let's," replied Rogue as the two walked leisurely to the breakfast nook.
Tessa and Lucas were somewhat strange, but Rogue really did enjoy their company. They were the type of people that didn't let Remy get away with anything, especially Tess, so it was no wonder that they were Remy's oldest friends. She'd have to ask them sometime how they met. It was sure to be an interesting tale.
She had just begun stepping down the stairs when Lucas' booming and jovial voice stopped her, "Hey, Rogue?" he said.
"Yeah?" she questioned, a quizzical expression twisting her eyebrows slightly.
"If LeBeau breaks your heart, don't hesitate to tell me and I'll beat the shit out of him," said Lucas seriously, an excited expression crossed his features as he pounded a fist into his palm in a 'manly' manner, thinking of all the ways he could get back at the mischievous Cajun.
"If you could catch him first…" muttered Tessa with a groan. Why were men such idiots? Was it something genetic? Well…she could very well prove it….
Rogue's face was the epitome of shock, embarrassment and fear, "Uhh…Thanks?" she uttered in a high pitched tone.
Lucas shrugged, oblivious to her discomfort, or Tessa's sour expression, "Tante's wedding thingy is never wrong," he added nonchalantly.
"Urgh!" groaned Tessa slapping her forehead dramatically.
"Riiight," said Rogue finally, before streaking down the final steps to make her getaway in the kitchen.
"You idiot!" shouted Tessa in frustration.
"What?" asked Lucas complete innocence on his face.
Tessa just smacked him hard on the arm.
"What was that for!" screeched Lucas, rubbing the sore area on his bicep.
Tessa rubbed her temples in frustration, "Rogue and Remy are in the denial stage of their relationship, you nitwit," she seethed.
"OHHH!" stated the enlightened Bishop.
"Oh my God! You've GOT to be kidding me," started Tessa, "It's a big fat DUH! And that was just REAL SUBTLE there. I wouldn't expect them tossing bouquets or garters anytime soon. Thanks a LOT Bishop! Now they'll shy away from each other even more!"
"Well, LeBeau's an idiot," remarked Bishop defensively.
"No shit, Einstein," rebuked Tessa with venomous sarcasm.
"I resent that!" argued Lucas.
"Whatever, Grand Imbecile," finished Tessa as she gave a dismissive wave and began to climb down the stairs, not turning back to see Bishop's gaping mouthed expression.
Upon descending the stairs, Rogue headed with Remy's friends to the kitchen where the breakfast nook was located and most importantly the coffee and food. Once again, as in every morning, the kitchen was packed and loaded with hungry teenagers on the quest for stomach satisfaction. The most adventurous and diligent being one Kurt Wagner who was slopping what looked like four pancakes and waffles, bacon and hash browns all onto one plate, while still having enough room to artfully pour on the maple syrup and dallop a large helping of whipped cream along with a bit of butter.
Rogue frowned slightly when she realized that all the Belgian waffles and bacon were gone, upon finding her seat beside Kurt and Kitty and across from Remy who was currently engaged in a 'conversation' between himself, his nephew and cousins. It was three against one in an argument over whether or not the pancakes contained cyanide of all things.
"Just wait, Jacques, in a few seconds we'll find out if de pancakes had cyanide in it when Remy drops dead and right into his plate o' food and ultimately making himself look like a total loser in front of his femme…" announced Lapin obnoxiously.
"Quit tryin' t' corrupt de chile, non?" brushed off Remy.
Jacques just giggled along with his uncles' words.
"Just you wait Jacques, anot'er ten seconds, and splat, Remy LeBeau croaks. We'll tell y' if y' femme ignores it or if she confesses her love upon y' death," added Emil.
"Shut up, Emil. Shut up, Lapin," warned Remy, not enjoying the not so subtle teasing.
"Someone's touchy today, LeBeau," announced Bishop as he sat down next to Remy.
"Well, y' didn't wake up t' ping pong balls, thongs, a priceless broken vase, and a mention of Spice Girls bubble gum and Twinkies," revealed Remy.
"I take it that was Jubilee and Bobby," assessed Sage, "Emil and Lapin are much more extravagant.
"Got it in one, Tess," said Remy.
"Well, the Emils and Lapins of the world love to follow you, LeBeau," acknowledged Lucas.
"I've noticed. If it's not Emil and Lapin, it's John, if it ain't John, it's Jubilee and Bobby. God hates me," said Remy dramatically.
"Well, someone's got to," said Tessa.
"Argh! Tess! You SO just inflated his ego. I can't believe you!" exclaimed Lucas melodramatically.
"Yes, Bish, go call the CIA, Tess inflated the infamous ego of Remy LeBeau. I mean, it's once compared to your 24/7 kiss ass," returned Tess.
"Tess, Tess, not so sizzling at the table please, we all prefer Bishop medium rare rather than burned, like a good chicken," commented Emil and once again everyone burst out laughing at the expense of Lucas.
"I NEVER win!" shouted Lucas, raising his hands in commune with God, "Why do you hate me so?" This only made everyone laugh harder.
Looking on amused, Rogue was surprised when a plate heaping with Belgian waffles, whipped cream and strawberries was presented on her spot.
"Here, Rogue, I zaved you zome of zhe waffles you like," said Kurt while he stuffed what appeared to be an entire pancake rolled into a ball into his mouth.
"Uh…Thanks Kurt," Rogue said, partly in shock to her brother's eating style and partly because he actually saved someone food and didn't horde it all for himself.
"No problem. Oh here's your coffee, just zhe vay you like it vith honey and milk," said Kurt as he handed her beloved customary coffee in a dark emerald green mug, that had glaze that changed shades with the light and had sparkles as well.
"Wow, Thanks Kurt," said Rogue dazed, staring at Kurt oddly.
"Don't zhink anyzhing of it. Aren't you gonna dig in?" he asked with a mouthful of bacon dangling from his chin.
"Huh?" said Rogue, staring at the dangling bacon, "Oh yeah, sure!"
"Oh yeah! Here's your maple syrup. It's got cinnamon in it and it's hot," said Kurt excitedly, passing her a large jug filled with steaming maple syrup.
"Thanks, Kurt," said Rogue again, feeling slightly dazed as she began to pour syrup on her waffles.
As she began to eat, Remy sent her a wink, making Rogue glare at him. He knew what was going on! Kurt was never this generous when it came to food…something was up! Despite this, Rogue continued to eat her food suspiciously. Still, it was her favourite, so not enjoying it was out of the question.
All around her people were caught up in the family atmosphere of the place and a hum of voices could be heard joyously conversing. At her end of the table, Logan sat stoically sipping his Bailey's spiked coffee, a half finished plate of food in front of him. He kept everyone in line simply with the aura he exuded which was certainly a feat considering the type of people living under one roof, placating even the most mischievous. John was sitting with Emil and Lapin, a dangerous threesome, showing them his various lighters, while Henri looked on with a slight fear…Mercy was helping Jacques eat while Tante Mattie was chatting amicably with Ororo who was beside Logan. Tessa and Kitty were conversing on CPUs while Lucas interjected every now and then with a sarcastic remark of when they were gonna talk about hair, make up, clothes and boys to which Tessa would remark, as soon as you leave. However suspicious this was, Rogue found herself enjoying her food, while she and Remy talked, well argued about the significance of her strawberries and whipped cream topped waffles as a come on. Jubilee was gossiping with Tabitha, Amara and Rahne on her upcoming date with Bobby while the boys, consisting of Sam, Jamie, Roberto, Ray, Alex, Evan and Bobby hooted about the new video game they had bought the other day, every now and then, they'd erupt into hoots and 'Dude!'. Warren and Betsy cosied up to each other and flirted beside each other as the professor watched it all with an amused smile, while talking to Hank about a new butterfly species discovered in southern Alberta by a Dr. Ted Pike. What wonderful chaos this was.
Eventually, everyone was ready to be carted off on their way to school. Most were headed to high school, while Remy and John were headed to the train and university. Hank excused himself to his lab, Logan to his errands and Ororo to show the brood from New Orleans around Bayville.
"Ah just gotta grab mah back pack befoh we leave, kay?" said Rogue as she was about to head up the stairs in the grand foyer, before heading to the attached garage.
"Oh, I've got it for you already, Schwester," said Kurt, handing the aforementioned item to an amazed Rogue.
"Don't mention it," said Kurt with a wide grin, before Rogue could even utter a thank you, "Here's your jacket and stuff," he added handing Rogue her green down jacket, along with hat, gloves and mittens.
As Kurt went to start the car and warm it up in the cold weather, Rogue asked Kitty, "What's going on?"
An amused Kitty Pryde answered with a smile, "I don't know…"
"Ah'll get it out of ya, Katherine Rebecca Pryde, just ya wait," threatened Rogue.
"I'm sure you will Rogue," answered Kitty unphased.
Inside the garage, they found Kurt whistling happily in the back seat of their shared car.
"It's your turn to drive, Katzhen," he said.
"Yes!" exclaimed Kitty happily with a fist pump, giddily, settling her bag beside the driver's seat.
Rogue groaned, not moving from her spot in the garage.
"Oh c'mon, Rogue, I've improved," defended Kitty with a pout. It was adorable. Unfortunately, adorable didn't work on Rogue.
"If ya call crashing inta a lamp post instead of a stop sign improvement," returned Rogue.
"That was just that ONE time, besides, I was distracted by Ray and Bobby trying to flirt with random girls on the sidewalk…" explained Kitty, as if that would make a difference, "Besides, it's not like anyone got hurt…"
Rogue let out another groan.
"Let me put it this way, Rogue, you don't get in and you'll be late for first period Art, meaning that you won't be able to protect your piece when Mr. Kinsella unleashes all the morons in the class to get their work…" said Kitty, remembering all the times Rogue complained about the stupid people in her Art class that would damage her work when getting their own.
"She's right, you know…" said Kurt with a smile. Kitty looked smug. Rogue groaned.
Slinking to her and daringly dangling an arm around her shoulders, Remy LeBeau smiled charmingly at Rogue before saying, "Remy'd love t' help y', Chere, but I've got a class first thing, so y' can't bum a ride from m'."
Rogue sighed before climbing into shotgun, which was somewhat odd to her, since Kurt usually stole that seat whenever he could.
Thirty minutes and some mild excitement later, when Kitty took a turn too fast, they had arrived in school, all bright eyed a bushy tailed…right…
Kurt greeted Amanda with a kiss, but she couldn't stay long, having to rush off to Drama for a group presentation.
Just when she was about to leave for her Art class, Kurt volunteered to help Rogue carry her extra large sketchbook, art supplies and portfolio that she refused to store in the room to class and when it ended, he met her just outside the room from Phys Ed all the way down in the depths of the basement of the school, to help her carry her things back to her locker before walking with her to Biology.
Unleashing her 920 page monster of a Biology text book, Rogue was just about to dawdle to the one class she shared with both Kurt and Kitty. To her surprise, Kurt volunteered to carry it for her on the way to class, up two flights of stairs, from first to third floor and across a winding hall way. Sure it was in his ridiculously large back pack, but still, the thing did a number on your back… He held all the doors open for her, even with his load. In class, he collected hers and Kitty's assignments and walked to the front of the class to hand it in. He grabbed the aprons, goggles and other apparatus needed for the heart dissection, allowing her to do the fun part of cutting it open, while Kitty complained about how gross and unethical it was, knowing that he wanted to do it himself.
Kurt even went as far as to lend Rogue his copy of Hamlet for English, so that she wouldn't have to go back to her locker for the forgotten book on the first floor locker before backtracking to the second floor for English. He even sprung a Tupperware container from the depths of his locker, so that his sister would have a safe box to shelter the chocolate swirl cheesecake that she and Kitty would be making in Foods class. Although perhaps that was for his own motives, and Kurt did have more than a few Tupperware containers buried in his locker from all the times he'd forget to bring them home. Although, to no one's surprise, not a speck of mould would be present in any one of them, he was the human vacuum cleaner after all.
Hours earlier, after the high schoolers had left for school, Remy was scouring the mansion with Mercy on a game of hide and seek gone bad with Jacques. He had a clear class block first thing in the morning, so he could perusal at his leisure.
"So y' got any shiny rings in dose dept'less pockets of yours?" asked Mercy with a brilliantly teasing smile.
Remy's shoulders sagged as he let out a groan.
"Tante's intuition is never wrong, y' know dat Remy," returned Mercy.
"So maybe dis'll be de one time it'll happen and den I can gloat t' y' all at bein' de only person dat's happened to. In fact, it's not a maybe, it's a definite t'ing," replied Remy.
"Y' don' seriously believe dat, d'y'?" asked Mercy with a slight frown.
"Yes, I do, in fact, y' all are wrong," rebutted Remy.
"Now y' not bein' honest, Remy. I know y' better den dat. Is it really dat hard t' take a chance? Stop lyin' t' y'self, because right now, y're not only just hurtin' y'self. Y're hurtin' someone else too and I think y' know dat too. What's so good about dat Remy? The ball's in your court, do somethin'. But don' give up and don' leave, because den y' wouldn't be y'self anymo' and dat's all y' have right now. Y've got everyt'in t' gain and everyt'in t' lose and dat's scary, but it's wort' de risk and Remy, your de reckless gambler. De odds look good, so what's stoppin' y'?" she asked him, glancing at her wedding ring.
"Dere's more t' lose dan y' know, Mercy," said Remy, turning away from her, "Human life is merely pain and I am but one of the sufferers."
"Y' don' have t' be," she whispered.
"Yeah, I do," started Remy, "because it's what I deserve."
"Bullshit, Remy, and you know it," shouted Mercy emotionally, "Dis isn't about some sick desire t' punish y'self for every little wrong dat you've committed. It's simple, so simple. It's about a boy and a girl and what dey could have dat would be wonderful. So just stop being stubborn!"
"Except dat boy and girl don' want it and can't have it, EVER," shouted Remy through gritted teeth.
Mercy let out a humourless laugh.
"Y're not even funny anymore. Dis is pathetic," said Mercy indignantly.
"But it's what I have, what I'll always have. Why can't y' accept dat?" asked Remy.
"Because y' of all people deserve more den dis, y' just have t' take it for y'self. It's not dat hard, Remy," explained Mercy.
"I don't deserve anythin'," said Remy darkly, "Everything's dead t' me."
"Death can't stop it, it merely delays it a little while…" whispered Mercy as Remy walked off to leave Mercy to her search for Jacques.
"What?" asked Remy softly turning his head slightly.
"True love," said Mercy with definity. He stopped for a moment, before walking away, leaving her with nothing but concern in her eyes. True love. The words carried weight that would haunt him though, and maybe that would be enough.
(Well, just in case you noticed, that is definitely a Princess Bride reference. I can't remember if it's in the book, movie or both…but Westly tells Buttercup that death only delays true love a little while or something along those lines…)
"Here, Rogue, let me get zhat hot sauce for you," said Kurt as he reached across his sister to her left to grab a bottle of Tabasco from his seat to her right.
He then proceeded to open said bottle and was about to pour it on her plate of bland cafeteria spaghetti when he stopped and asked her most considerately, in an earnest tone, "Vould you like a light spritzing or a large dallop?"
Rogue simply glared at her overhelpful brother.
"Large dallop it is," said Kurt with a look of fear in his eyes, before liberally spraying the Tabasco to her spaghetti.
"You have Social Studies and Math next, Rogue?" asked Kurt innocently.
Rogue gave him a look, then stirred the offending pasta before popping a twirled forkful into her mouth.
"Ja, I'll uh….take zhat as a yes…" Kurt said nervously, before taking his seat and setting the hot sauce to commence eating again…though a little slower than usual.
It wasn't that Kurt wasn't being sweet and kind, it was just that Rogue was starting to feel more than a little bit smothered by her brother. It had stopped being helpful and was nothing more than a large nuisance to the southerner. He was taking the whole thing much too seriously and began to do the tiniest malign tasks for her which did nothing but to annoy her…but at least it took her mind off a certain uniquely eyed Cajun with a penchant for playing cards.
Remy LeBeau loved his bike. He cherished it, yes, he cherished an inanimate object. Maybe it was because he couldn't stay still for long, couldn't stay in one place for too long, because he was a restless spirit with itchy feet, or maybe it was because he was a trained runner, an instinct embedded into his head after years of neglect from the world around him. Moments of freedom where everything was still and quiet was what sustained him he supposed in all his years and that was because of his Harley.
He was defined by that bike as much as the bike defined him.
So that's where he was found now, taking the small country roads too fast, ignoring the ice and snow, teasing the devil dangerously on the edge of life. His only thought was that he missed having a certain pair of arms wrapped around him, taking her along for the ride, where they could both forget and not think and have all the nuisances that came with thought. But it was only him now, and he was okay with that, he always was, for the most part. Because where he went, the places he'd been to, where places where only he could enter alone. Perhaps not by choice, but it was his way and he had yet to break that habit or whatever it was; it was easier to be sure. Maybe he was lonely, but he had resigned himself to that fate a long time ago, until it was nothing more than a dull ache suppressed to the recesses of his mind.
He had driven the bike to university that grey morning instead of taking the train from the station. He liked his solitude…or so he liked to think. Focus had waned in his classes, he came late, but he didn't much care today and he only wanted to be back on his bike again, to be carried away, so he wouldn't have to think, so he could be numb and unfeeling. So his powers were a curse sometimes, because it was impossible. But then, Fate had never been particularly kind to him. His life was evidence of that.
But he was going home now…even though he didn't really want to…he never even thought he'd have one, a place that he once called home was tainted now…but somehow, for some reason, he had to return, because whether or not he acknowledged it or not, his roots lay there, roots that were pulling him in, closer all the time.
His only regret, when he slid into the garage without a single squeal of tires, was that he'd be burdened by thought now and the contemplations set in motion by one Mercy LeBeau.
And oh how he hated that Fate placed her in the room at the same time he was. Sometimes Lady Luck couldn't help him, like with matters of his heart.
The door to the garage opened and slammed shut as quickly as it had been opened and a small figure scurried through to lock the door with a single sigh of relief as she leaned her tired body on the door and slid into a sitting position on the scuffed floor of the garage where an army of exotic cars lay glinting in slight mockery to her.
"Finally escaped Kurt's 'Devote to Rogue Day', eh?" said a scruffy voice from underneath a charcoal grey Prius, a muttering followed along the lines of "Jesus 'Ro, it's about time you changed the oil…"
Rogue simply glared at the lower torso of the body extended from the Prius.
A few seconds later and a few tinkerings of the car, a greasy and grimy Logan emerged from the vehicle, wiping his oily hands on a rag.
Logan saw her look of death she was giving him and rolled his eyes, "Oh c'mon, Stripes, Elf was just being nice."
"There is such a thing as being too nahce, I know that now…" said Rogue with narrowed eyes.
Logan stared at her blankly before going to his prized motorcycle, his baby. No one knew, but her name was Rosette. She hadn't been purring right like she usually did, the snow and slush wreaked havoc on her exhaust, but he couldn't bare to leave her cooped up in a garage.
"He became a second shadow! If Ah wanted a personal slave, I would've got one, but dammit, Ah am NOT an invalid! Ah do NOT need someone to put hot sauce on mah spaghetti!" ranted Rogue…Logan just listened to her shouting. He figured as much would happen when Kurt came up with his brilliant idea at the breakfast table. He shook his head and smiled. Rogue was independent, a do-it-all-yourself type of girl and she hated being smothered.
Just when she as about to reach her tenth minute straight of rage, Logan decided to put a stop to it. His ears were sensitve after all...and she had crescendoed to a rather painful decible.
"Look, he cares about you, I care about you. We all care about you..." grumbled Logan from beneath his motorcycle.
"Wow, now let's all join hands and sing Kumbaya..." said Rogue sarcastically.
"You get the point, right?" asked Logan, as he twisted a wrench.
"Yeah. You know, you're REALLY bad at this..." responded Rogue.
Just as Logan was about to reply, a blast of cold air and the noise of a loud motorcycle engine alerted her to another person, entering the garage, him, and suddenly, her tirade was over and the fury was forgotten.
The movements as he dismounted his equally precious Harley were smooth and fluid and she couldn't help but notice them and the flying off his hair as he pulled his helmet off and shook his head, letting his hair free. He barely acknowledged hers and Logan's presence in the garage except for a small nod as he put away the helmet and grabbed his things to head to the entrance to the mansion.
Just when Rogue thought he would leave her in peace for once, he uttered a greeting, though it seemed his mind was elsewhere, he regarded her with a single look revealing nothing, "Chere."
"Remy," she returned back with a poker face just as strong.
It was like an unspoken challenge to see who would break first, who would flinch, an endless game of chicken. And then, the game was over, and neither won, and he walked away out of her line of sight.
Logan scoffed, disgusted, having heard the whole exchange from under his bike, "So it's single words now…well, at least it's better than a verbal pissing match…"
"He starts it!" she defended, crossing her arms over her chest.
"And ya just have ta respond, I would tell you to pick your battles, but obviously, you don't," rebuked Logan.
"Who says Ah get ta chose, especially when he comes around?" questioned Rogue.
"I guess I have to say this again: You always have a choice and you always make a decision, but listen," started Logan, it seemed he only ever offered up his free advice to her in particular, "Supressing and ignoring your feelings and emotions is harder and more painful than giving into them, take it from someone who knows, Stripes, trust me." He sent her an intense look and once again, Rogue knew he understood, but in many ways, he would never understand her, couldn't and he never would. He wasn't a teenage girl who couldn't touch.
"But it's the best that I can do," she whispered and with that, she grabbed a coat she had left in the garage, along with her keys dangling on a set of hooks on a wall, the emergency keys for every car or vehicle in the mansion, got in her car and set out on a drive to clear her head. Although, she couldn't help but think it wasn't his motorcycle and that the company was sorely lacking.
Remy stormed through the halls of the mansion, trying to get to his room, the tail of his trench coat trailing after him dramatically, an aura of contained violence and melancholy filled the room and followed in his wake, telling all who saw him to stay away.
His cousins had other ideas.
"Hello, Cousin," smiled Emil brightly.
"Oh, how goes t'ings Cousin?" greeted Lapin with equal happiness.
Remy wondered why on earth, he knew so many people like John…
"I'm not in de mood, go bug Henri," barked Remy, glaring at them dangerously, lesser men would have backed off, smarter for that matter…
"She did de freaky ages-pre wedding planning thing and it's ALWAYS right. Look at Henri and Mercy. I mean, sure, dey were actually a couple when she did dat…but it's never been wrong, Remy," babbled Emil in a whiney tone and before he could stop the boy, Lapin continued.
"She doesn't do dat for just anyone. You've brought plenty of filles home and she's never done dat t' any of them. In fact, she jus' glared at dem, and waved her butcher knife around a lot…" continued Lapin at a rapid speed.
"I don't have any time for y' games," said Remy acidly as he stalked past them, up the stairs to his room.
"SOMEONE NEEDS T' GET LAID!" shouted the twins in unison after him.
"He should be in a perfume commercial with all dat brooding…" mumbled Lapin.
"Oh lookit me, I'm all pretty in excessively expensive cloth'in an' m' life sucks, buy Hugo Boss!" mocked Emil in a high pitched girly voice and mocking gestures.
The twins walked to the kitchen strutting and laughing at Remy's expense…
(that is definitely from reading the sequel to Mix n' Match this morning...)
Okay, here we go! Another chappie, all done! Yay!
GO SEE X3! Anything to bring Remy into X4, besides, it's GOOD, trust me, and stay in the theatre after the credits roll, it's worth it and you'll feel smug!
I hope you guys enjoyed that…but wow, this thing's been milling about since like March, so it's good to get it out…
Please REVIEW! I'll get to any forgotten review replies soon! URX will be up soon, I know some of you are DYING do know what that chapter title means...; )
UP NEXT: CHPATER FOURTEEN: EDGES
It's taking me FOREVER to get to what I've planned a year ago...I keep on getting side tracked and inserting things...oh well, they're good...
simba317