* ~
*
"Rogue! You have a delivery!"
Rogue's head turned from the television
screen and to the hallway where Ororo Munroe stood, holding a bouquet of white
lilies. "Y'r sure it's f'r me?" she asked in surprise.
Bobby smiled and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Maybe it's from your secret lover."
"They are addressed to you and sent
from a Remy LeBeau, who says he will see you tonight," Storm said, reading
the card. "Is that your boyfriend?"
She rolled her eyes. "Hardly..."
"Yeah, that's why you're, like, going
on a date with him tonight," Kitty muttered.
Bobby's eyes flashed. "A date? Why
didn't you tell me, Roguey?"
"Mah love life doesn't concern
you," she snapped.
He looked down, trying to hide the
embarrassment his face so plainly broadcasted. "I guess not." He
smiled. "But I thought you didn't have a love life? Just moving from one
guy to another, huh, Rogue? First me in the bathroom and now Gambit? You husslin'
pimptress!"
Ororo raised a perfectly arched eyebrow.
She obviously was curious, but had a feeling she didn't want to know. She
decided to stay on the previous conversation. "Who is this Remy boy?"
"A person who lives and
breathes," Rogue said sardonically.
The woman rolled her eyes. "Take away
the edge in your voice, child, or you might draw blood." A wicked smile
crossed her lips despite her comment. "Could it be that you are
embarrassed to have a boy you care for?"
Rogue looked away quickly and Kitty
giggled. "Ooooh, Storm's got you pegged. Didn't know you were, like,
telepathic too."
"I am not, but I am no fool,"
she replied. Storm handed Rogue the flowers. "I should be so jealous. They
are beautiful."
"Mmmhmmm..." Rogue murmured as
she inhaled the lilies. They were absolutely gorgeous, and smelt great.
Surprisingly enough, they were her favorite flowers. No one knows that but
Kitty... she thought. Ah wonder how he found out.
"So where are you two love birds
going tonight?" Ororo asked. The silver-haired woman took a seat next to
Rogue. Kitty and Bobby had suddenly found interest in watching the end of
Buying the Cow.
"Ah don't know yet," she replied
honestly. "It's supposed t' be a surprise."
"I trust this date is appropriate
and that you will be home by curfew this time," she said with a little
chuckle.
"How'd you-?"
Rogue was cut off as Storm continued.
"And that he is well-mannered and treats you with the respect you deserve?
You know I will not give you permission if those standards are not met. I want
what is best for my students."
One: Who the hell said ah needed y'r
permission? An' two: Who the hell died and made you mah mom? Last time ah
checked, Mystique was still alive. Rogue would have loved to tell the
"Wind Rider" everything that ran through her head, but she decided to
keep her tongue in check that time.
Bobby, however, didn't know when to shut
up. "Not even close, and definitely no cigar. Remy is nothing like that!
He's rude, a total player, talks with an ugly accent-!"
A pillow hit the "Iceman"
squarely in the chest. He toppled off the couch and clutched his torso in
theatrical pain. "That kinda hurt!"
"Ah happen t' like his accent,"
Rogue snapped. "An since when did ya have anythin' against accents? Just
because we all can't be Yankees like you-!"
Storm decided to intervene as subtly as
she could manage. "Well, I shall go and put these in a vase for you,
Rogue."
"Thanks Storm," she said and
watched the weather witch walk into the kitchen.
She poked her head out of the door again.
"Oh, and Rogue?"
"Yeah?"
"I was up in your room earlier. It
seems that you have another present waiting for you."
Kitty grinned and grabbed her friend's
gloved hand. "Come on, Rogue. I'll help you try it on. And plus, I, like,
totally have to tell you what happened in art class."
Rogue felt herself being helplessly tugged
up the stairs by an extremely talkative mutant who put Pietro's speech patterns
to shame. "But what- how do you know about the-?!"
"So, like, anyway, Piotr sat by me in
art class and we were all talking and stuff about art- which I know nothing
about-and he's so totally dreamy! So anyway, we're all, like, flirting and he
goes and asks me if I wanted to go somewhere tonight. Can you believe it?"
Oh Gawd, Rogue thought. Not Valley Kitty
again. The girl could be quite intellectual and understood more mathematical
equations in a day than Rogue could in a year- not to mention Kitty's uncanny
talent with anything computers. Rogue knew a Kitty could talk normally and
could run circles around her brain matter. She just wished Kitty would morph
into the brain child really soon. She couldn't handle anymore ditzyness.
"Hey, like, are you listening
Rogue?"
"Uh, Kitty... who's Piotr?"
"Colossus!" she replied huffily.
"Do you, like, not know anything? Jeesh!"
"Well soooorry f'r not conversin'
with y'r man!"
"Anyway... so now I guess you don't
have to wear Jean's uniform! Oooh, which reminds me! I have, like, nothing to
wear! Oh man! I gotta, like, find something that's gonna impress him!"
Bobby watched the two girls run upstairs.
Damn, he thought. Those Acolytes are taking all our women!
* ~
*
Remy LeBeau lifted the red, silk boxers
out of the box with a smirk. She had picked the present out perfectly- right
down to his favorite cologne. She'd done sleuthing that could rival his own.
Then, again, he never pictured her to be the type of girl to buy him some of
the naughty gag gifts in the box. "Never t'ought you'd have it in you,
chere."
Pyro rolled his eyes. "Don't see why
you two got each other shit like that. It's not like any of ya are gonna use
'em around eachother. She can't touch, mate."
"Dough it would be a lot more fun if
she could, it don' really matter t' me. She tries t' play hard t' get an we
both know how Gambit, he love a challenge. 'Sides, homme, I don' t'ink we'd be
doin' that kinda stuff wit' it on, non?"
A slight smile twitched at his lips.
"You're relentless, you know that, right?"
"Dat's de best insult ya could come
up wit? Dis guy wants me t' listen t' him?" he mocked.
"Want my advice, mate? Stop now
before either one of ya get hurt. She's just a kid, ya know?"
"T'ink she's old enough t' take care
o' herself, non? 'Sides, too late t' turn back now. I t'ink if I break her
heart, she gon' break one of my legs!"
John chuckled. "I'll take your word
for it. That shiela sure isn't the friendliest, if ya ask me. But if gothic
babes are ya cuppa tea, go for it."
Piotr walked by, checking his reflection
in the mirror. He turned to the two boys. "How do I look?"
Remy smiled. "Hot date, eh homme?"
John gave him a thumbs-up sign. "Ya
know, if I was a chick, I'd date ya right now."
He shuddered. "Please don't ever say
that again. It was..."
"Disturbin'?" Gambit finished
for him.
The Russian nodded. Something still seemed
to bother him. John seemed to know what it was too. He walked up to Colossus
and sniffed him. Of course, Piotr backed away considerably. "What the
hell?"
He frowned. "Why ya smell like a
sheila, mate?"
Piotr turned three shades of red. "Uh- I was taking a shower and we
were out of soap. So I had to use that body-wash that Wanda left from the last
time she visited us."
"What 'bout cologne? Dat woulda
covered de smell up."
"Quicksilver used the last of mine
the other night."
Gambit rolled his eyes. "I really
hate dat salop <bastard>," he muttered. "Don' worry 'bout it,
Petey. Gotcha covered right here." He threw the bottle of cologne Rogue
had purchased for him. Colossus caught it with ease.
He sprayed him self and then tossed it
back. "Thanks, Remy." He checked his reflection once more, adjusted
his tie, and then turned to his roommates again. "Well, it's almost six.
I'd better go pick up Kitty. When are you and Rogue leaving?"
"Don' know. Told her 'bout
seven."
"Don't worry 'bout it, mate. She'll
be apples."
Colossus gave the boy a quizzical glance.
"Is that supposed to be some sort of a comfort?"
"Sorta. Better light a fire under y'r
arse. Ya know how woman get when the men are late."
Watching Piotr's bulky figure retreat,
Remy turned to John with a grin. "Reckon I should say somet'ing 'bout
Lance bein' at dat resteraunt wit his date t'night?"
"Nah," John said mock-evilly.
"Why ruin the fun?"
* ~
*
Rogue silently padded down the hallway in
the institute, happy that for the most part, the place was void of an activity
and especially the usual craziness. She even had a relaxing bath- without
distractions. The southern belle slipped into her room and out of her bath
robe, sighing contently.
She dried off and glanced at the strapless
dress lying on her bed. She couldn't believe how beautiful it was- nor that
Remy bought it for their date- not to mention that he had even purchased a strapless
bra to compliment the gown that fit as perfectly as the dress. He had even
bought her elbow-high black gloves to match. The dress was so fitting for
her... the color was gorgeous- a dark green at bust and a sheer black skirt
that covered the rest of the dress. Rogue had tried it on earlier and couldn't
help but twirl in front of the mirror. She felt like Scarlet O'Hara in the
dress. She had to give the boy props- he certainly had taste.
The dress was breath-taking and Kitty had
commented on how it even looked better when Rogue put it on. Rogue had to admit
that she also was in love with it, not to mention the fact that it gave Kitty
an excuse not to dress her up for the date. Although, Shadowcat did offer to do
her make-up.
Thank Gawd Piotr picked her up when he
did...
Rogue pulled on her underwear and the bra,
still wondering how Gambit could've known her size. Guess he just stares at me
long enough t' know. she thought with a little smile. She reached for the
dress, but a low whistle stopped her dead in her tracks.
"De t'ings you be keepin' from me,
chere."
She froze and turned around with wide
eyes. Then, she opened her mouth and let out a surprised scream.
Gambit (come on guys, you know it was him)
covered her mouth and grinned. "Shhh... p'tite. Unless ya wanna sell
tickets."
"What are you doin' in mah
room?" Rogue asked, surprised. "Ah wasn't even decent! Ya coulda used
the front door just like any other normal person!"
"Ain't no normal person, an you know
dat," he responded with a smirk. " 'Sides, us t'ieves don' use
doors."
"Well you should start!" she
said, suddenly feeling self-conscious of her practically naked body that Gambit
seemed so keen to leer at. She tried to cover herself up, but ended up cowering
behind the bed. "An you should get out o' here b'fore-"
The door swung open without warning.
"Stripes!" Wolverine bellowed. "What's wrong? I heard ya
scream."
"Wolverine!" Rogue screamed.
"Ah'm gettin' dressed!"
Wolverine blushed and looked away.
"Jesus, kid! Sorry I-" He did a double take, now noting that Gambit
was in her room while Rogue was standing around in nothing but her underwear.
*SNICKT*
He growled. "What did I tell ya,
bub?"
Remy gulped as Wolverine charged toward
him with his claws. Rogue screamed again, wanting to interfere, but jumping
back because she didn't want to absorb them.
"Rogue, what is going on h-?"
Storm started, rushing to the room. She stopped, mid-sentence, however, when
she saw the spectacle of Wolverine and Remy fighting while Rogue stood helpless
in nothing but her undergarments.
Mr. McCoy was not far behind. "Oh my
stars and garters..."
Gambit reached for a lamp and sent it
crashing down on Wolverine's head. It did nothing and the older man tackled
him. Remy pulled out a handful of cards just as Wolverine's claws began to
hover dangerously close to his throat.
"STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!" Storm
commanded.
By now the whole institute had gathered
around to see what was happening.
Logan reluctantly got up, but not before
kicking Remy in the shin. The Cajun responded by slipping a charged card in his
pocket. Needless to say, Wolverine found himself on the other side of the room
very quickly.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Storm asked, hands on her hips.
Wolverine managed to get up from the
floor. He pointed a finger and very maturely pointed out, "He started
it!"
Rogue rolled her eyes and then saw an
audience gathered around her room. She quickly pulled on her robe. "Remy
just came by a little early t' pick me up, that's all. An then Mr. Logan has t'
go off in some psychotic rage episode- not t' mention bargin' in here without
even knockin'!"
"I heard a scream!" he protested.
"What was I supposed to do?"
"Mind y'r own business! Ah'm a big
girl!"
Xavier spoke up. "I will not argue
with that point, but the fact is that it's not appropriate to have a boy
announced in your room- especially when you're only dressed in your
undergarments."
"How can it be inappropriate? It
ain't like we could do anythin'!" Rogue snapped. She received a look from
the Professor and she lowered her head slightly.
Ororo looked sternly at Remy, who winced
slightly. "Mr. LeBeau, is it not? I think it would be wise for you to
leave now."
"We'll talk about your punishment
later," Professor said sharply while looking at Rogue. He turned to all
the students. "And I suggest that the rest of you go back to your
rooms."
"See, I told you that guy was a
creep," Scott whispered to Jean.
Jean shrugged. "I don't think it's
what it looks like."
Kurt shook his head. "I knew I didn't
like zat guy."
Bobby patted his back. "I don't think
anyone did."
Gambit sighed as Beast escorted him out of
the room. "Sorry, chere."
Rogue collapsed on her bed, trying her
best to ignore the adults as the began to reprimand her for the situation.
Great... there goes the date ah've been looking forward to all night... Good
goin' Remy.
* ~
*