A/N: And the action picks back up again. At least, I hope it does. Wasn't going to go into where Logan and Rogue went, but you people requested it. Thus, you have it. This was originally supposed to be longer, but my Remy muse decided to go on hiatus. I apologize for the delay.
Oh look, another new character. One of my absolute Marvel favorites, by the way. Kudos to you if you guess whom it is before the official introduction. You get a cookie, or something cool.
Okay, so it's been established. Everyone wants more Rogue/Remy AND you want more Pyro too, right? Any other requests? I am but your humble servant and very easy to bribe.
Our Story this far: Rogue was almost kidnapped, but rescued by a knight in shining armor (sorta). Okay, so maybe just a Cajun thief. What does he do? Take her home to meet the Acolytes. The X-Men show up and aren't too happy about that. Rogue leaves with them but not before Gambit flirts with her.
There is more flirting somewhere along the way as Gambit asks Rogue out. Meanwhile, part of the team goes on a recruiting mission, which goes horribly wrong as they run into a nasty bunch called the Marauders. During the fight, Jean suffers from telepathic attack, which also harms the professor who was linked to her mind at the time, sending them both into a coma.
As the entire mansion is in shock, Logan and Rogue leave for a bit, in order to clear their heads. But what is Logan up to, anyway?
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11/?
Had A Bad Day Again
ChaosCat
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Pete Wisdom: "I'm still sore from that bum landing. And I crushed my cigarettes when I landed. I am holding a grudge."
---Excalibur #98---
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The storm had all but vanished as night approached, leaving the sky in an array of russet tones tinged with orange. The sight was soothing to a certain degree. It did wonders for Ororo's nerves. She knelt next to one of her plants, her slim mocha fingers reaching out to caress one vibrant leaf. To the former Goddess Incarnate, her plants were like children, each needing to be carefully nurtured and taken care of. She only wished the students at the Institute were as easy to care for as her plants. And as less demanding.
Allowing herself a wry smile, Ororo rose from the floor, her every movement filled with grace. The smile soon left as other, more depressing matters came to the front of her thoughts. The Professor could be dying. Hank hadn't been able to do anything for him. He hadn't even been able to determine what was wrong with either of their fallen teammates. McCoy wasn't to blame, of course. The man was only a high school biology teacher, even if he was a qualified physician. He had done all her could. That was all that could be asked of him. It didn't make things easier, however.
None of the children had left the mansion since the others had returned. She and Hank had thought it best that they all remain here. None of them had wanted to attend school and she wouldn't be the one to force them. Not after the recent events.
The sudden revving of an engine caught her attention. The African Goddess turned sharply, frown on her features. She went to one of the large bay windows, peering through the afternoon drizzle. Ororo arrived there just in time to see the black motorcycle streaking through the front gates, carrying its two passengers away.
The only one with a motorcycle at the Institute was Logan. The figure driving the bike wasn't wearing a helmet either, she noted, only a cowboy hat. She wasn't really surprised. That man never followed the rules. She knew Logan couldn't bear to be cooped up for very long. She had hoped he would have stayed a little longer though.
Who was with him? One of the students, perhaps?
It was Rogue, more than likely. The two of them had grown closer since she had that unfortunate incident with her powers. Logan knew what the girl was going through, having lost his own memories of the past before the adamantium experiments. Logan and Rogue were more like that either of them wanted to realize. They also enjoyed spending time together more than they wanted to admit. Ororo thought it was good for them both: the Institute's resident loners spending time together. Especially now, neither of them really had anyone to talk to.
As the bike's taillights disappeared from view, a knock sounded at her door. Ororo turned just Kitty Pryde phased her head and shoulders through the door. Her hair was trousled and her eyes were puffy and red. It was a sure sign the usually perky girl had been crying again.
"Ororo?" The brunette queried hesitantly.
"Yes child?" Her voice was gentle when she answered.
"Umm, there's a phone call." Kitty paused, sounding perplexed. "It's from Scotland."
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Having the cigar helped his mood immensely. Xavier didn't like Logan smoking around the Institute. He said it was setting a poor example for the kids. At the moment, Logan didn't quite care about the example he was setting. He glanced over at Rogue, who was perched in the chair across from him. He'd already set a bad enough example was it was.
Bayville had exactly two bars that Logan found suitable, both were in less than respectable parts of the city. With Rogue with him, he couldn't go to the seedier of the two. Some jerk might try something with her then Logan would be forced to kill him. Ororo wouldn't be happy about that. He'd promised the silvery haired woman he'd at least try not to put too many more people in the hospital. Storm wasn't too keen on what she referred to as "needless violence." He didn't think it was needless personally. Some people deserved to get their ass handed to them.
This place served food as well as beer. The food was all right. The booze was better. The short-skirted waitress came towards them, sashaying up to their table and flashing a million-watt smile.
"What can I get for you?"
Logan saw Rogue open her mouth to speak and shot her a sharp look before answering for the both of them
"Soda for her. Bring me a pint of Guinness, will ya darlin'?"
"Sure thing."
As the skirt sashayed off once more, Logan looked over at the girl. She was practically glowering at him. Hell, the girl was scary when she glared. She didn't intimidate him. In fact, if he were being honest with himself, he was proud of the girl. The kid was tough.
"Ah can order for myself, ya know."
"Yer too young, Stripes."
She snorted, flipping her white bangs from her face. He didn't know what had possessed him to allow her to tag along. The kid shouldn't be here. Ororo would have his hide if she found out. Logan didn't think Rogue would tell her but you never knew. He knew that he couldn't have just left her sitting there; looking like the world had ended and no one had bothered to tell her. He was getting soft in his old age, wasn't he?
She had finished scowling at him and was now looking over the place curiously. Kid had probably never been in a bar before. Well, consider this an important part of her education.
He tracked the movement of the patrons at the bar, each with their own scent distinguishable over the stench of cigarettes, sweat, and other unpleasant odors. Oddly enough, Logan felt more at ease in a place like this than a any other upscale joints the town housed. Sure, it was filled with all sorts of scummy bastards but it was inconspicuous as well.
The waitress returned with their drinks. Logan tipped her and she scurried off, promising to return later to see if they needed anything. They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Neither of them were big talkers.
"So," Rogue began hesitantly, playing with her straw. "What are we doing here anyway?"
"Waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
He gave her the "Don't-Be-So-Nosey" look. In return, she frowned at him, sighed heavily, and then leaned back in her chair.
"Fine. Don't tell me," she grumbled. "Ah probably don't wanna know anyway."
With that short exchange, the two of them lapsed back into silence. Logan continued enjoying his beer and Rogue played with the ice in her soda. He watched her for a time. Her brow was furrowed in concentration not required for drinking a soda. Whatever she was thinking about, it probably wasn't pleasant.
Logan was not the sort of guy to play counselor but it was getting to the point where he had to say something. He was considering possible comments when a certain scent in the air gave him pause.
He turned at the door to the bar opened, admitting a very familiar figure.
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Rogue had a lot on her mind. In fact, she always had a lot on her mind, considering all the voices usually running around in there. Thankfully, the Professor had helped her lock them away after her powers had gone berserk and she'd almost killed half the team. It was much quieter in her brain now. Occasionally, she'd get a whisper from one of the psyches but Rogue had grown quite used to ignoring them for the most part. However there were a few occasions when Kitty had caught her talking to herself. That had been embarrassing.
As Logan turned towards the door, Rogue noticed the sudden tense manner of the stocky man that had been absent moments before. Her gaze traveled along his line of sight. A new patron had just entered the bar. Or rather, two of them had. Both were dressed rather prominently in black, which wasn't surprising. The first of the men caught her attention. The gray haired individual might not have been quite as striking if he didn't have the eye patch or the definitely scowl on his features. She'd never seen the man before but she knew his name. Everyone at the Institute knew who he was.
Nick Fury.
Fury came strode towards their table purposefully and Rogue tensed. Her curiosity was fully roused now. She glanced over at Logan, who didn't seem surprised to see his old commander in the slightest. Is this why Logan had gone out? To meet with S.H.I.E.L.D?
"Hello Logan," Fury greeted them amiably. "Hello, Rogue."
She blinked. Since when did he know her name? Of course, he was a government agent. It was no surprise but she didn't have to like it. She frowned at him in response. He only smiled thinly and took a seat at their table.
The man with him did the same, lighting a cigarette as he settled himself into the chair. He was young, probably in his mid-twenties. Beneath the swanky black trench coat, she noted that he was wearing s black suit.. Rogue eyed him curiously while pretending she didn't care who he was or what was going on. For his part, he only gave her a quirk of the brow.
"I wasn't expecting you to bring company, Logan."
"Same goes for you, Patch." Logan rumbled a greeting. He shot a dark look at the man's companion. In response, Rogue noted the man rolled his eyes and took a drag from his cigarette.
"Tonight's just full of surprises then." Fury answered, making himself comfortable. "How's the food here?"
"Could be worse," Logan replied.
"Hmmm."
"Stick with the booze if I were you."
"Take your word on that."
"Oh for Crickety's sake, will you lot get on with it?" The cigarette smoking man muttered. Rogue had never heard a more British accent. The waitress took that moment to come by. "I'll take a Scotch, luv."
Logan just growled at the forwardness of the Brit. Fury said nothing, only looked at the younger man disapprovingly. They were silent for a moment as the sashaying waitress brought over the scotch and Fury's drink.
"Wot now?" The Brit looked at the two of them.
"Fury, I ain't got time to play around." Logan remarked, chewing gruffly on the end of his cigar. "You said this was important."
"This coming from a man who nances about in spandex and names himself after a badger."
Rogue watched Logan's grip tighten around the beer mug. That was never a good sign. However, the big man was clearly going to great lengths to restrain himself. Had anyone else said that, they probably would have gotten a throat full of adamantium.
"That's quite enough," Col. Fury reprimanded the man sternly before looking back at Logan. "It is important, Logan. I'd like you to meet Agent Wisdom. He's from S.T.R.I.K.E."
Logan raised a brow, looking over at Wisdom who saluted him with his glass.
"Heard of ya. Didn't you used to work for Black Air?"
Wisdom grimaced, taking a gulp of Scotch.
"Don't remind me."
Rogue was officially confused. What the hell was everyone talking about? Her confusion must have shown on her face, because Logan leaned over, beer in hand, to explain at least part of it.
"S.T.R.I.K.E's the British version of S.H.I.E.L.D. More government meddling with shit. Apparently, Patch's decided he's found something worth wasting my time. I doubt it."
"Oh." She nodded. More secret government agencies. Perfect.
"What do you want, Fury?" Logan cut straight to the point.
To Rogue's surprise, it was Wisdom that answered, snubbing his cigarette in the ashtray as he spoke.
"Six months ago, one of our agents disappeared without a trace. Apartment was stripped. No word to her family. No leads. It was as if she disappeared from the face of the Earth." Wisdom prattled on. "She's not the sort of girl who does that sort of thing. Especially without contacting her brother first. Of course, that tipped off all the right alarm bells at HQ. We-"
"What's this girl to ya, anyway?"
"She was my partner." Wisdom replied coolly before going on. "Tried all the usual lines of information. Not a bloody thing showed up on 'er. Beginning to think it was hopeless. Well, three weeks ago one our sources spotted someone matching her description upstate-"
"Listen Bub, it's a sad story and all, but I don't see what this has got to do with me," Logan took another swig of beer, reaching for his hat.
"Because Psylocke is a mutant, Logan," Fury said quietly. Had she not been sitting close to him, Rogue probably wouldn't have even heard the word 'mutant.' She understood his need for discretion. They weren't thought of so highly in these parts. "And she's not the first to have mysteriously disappeared over the last year.
"We've got reports of at least four other known mutants. And who knows how many missing persons could have been an unknown mutant as well?"
"So?"
"Is he always this congenial?" Wisdom looked at Rogue questioningly, lighting up another cigarette
The girl couldn't help but smile just slightly.
"Always," she drawled.
"Keep your eyes open, Wolverine. This many mutant disappearances in such a short time span? This is serious business," Fury admonished, causing Logan to snort at him. "Xavier's might not always be as safe as you think. This is the file on our missing girl."
The S.H.I.E.L.D agent pulled a thick manila envelope from the interior of his coat and slid it across the table to Logan. The Canadian eyed it for a moment before nodding. He didn't open it, which made Rogue even more curious about the contents of the folder.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
"Was that so bloody hard?" Wisdom muttered.
Logan and Fury both ignored him.
"If you discover anything, I'd appreciate it you let me know."
"Fine." Logan leaned back, still chewing on his cigar. "Is that it?"
"Actually, there is another matter that I need to speak with you about," Fury said. "Privately, if you don't mind."
"About what?" Logan looked suspicious.
"Your furry friend, Creed."
Logan growled, but still seemed hesitant.
"I ain't leaving the kid in here by herself."
Rogue was almost touched by that unexpected burst of protectiveness from Logan. However, she wasn't a child and was quite able to take care of herself. As it was, Fury wasn't going to talk while she was in there. Knowing Logan, he wanted any information regarding Sabretooth he could get.
"It's fine, Logan." Rogue stood. "Ah needed some fresh air anyway."
Logan looked torn.
"Ah'll be fine," she repeated, hands on her hips.
"Watch yourself, Stripes," Logan warned. "Stay out of trouble."
"Who me?"
Fury gave Wisdom a meaningful look. The Brit frowned at him surly, finishing off his drink in a fluid motion before slamming the glass back down on the table.
"Fine!" He grumbled irritably. "I'll go with 'er. I know when I'm not wanted."
"Ah don't need a babysitter," Rogue snapped, turning toward the door.
"Good, because I wasn't planning on babysitting," Wisdom said to her back, shoving his hands in his pockets as he made for the door as well, mumbling something about leaving the two "grown-ups" to their conversation.
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They stood against the side of the building, each pretending to ignore the other. It would have been a fairly simple task if only Wisdom didn't smoke. As the nicotine haze wafted in the air, Rogue wrinkled her nose, waving the smoke away from her face. Noticing her glare, the Brit just shrugged and took another drag on the cigarette.
"Gawd! Is it a rule that all men wearing trench coats have to smoke and generally be annoyingly mysterious and brooding?"
"Pardon?" Wisdom raised a brow at her.
"Nevahmind."
There was another moment of silence with each of them staring into the night.
"Name's Pete, by the way," The Brit introduced himself again. "Wisdom. Pete Wisdom."
"Rogue." She didn't comment on the James Bond reference. He did have the accent after all.
"Just Rogue?"
The southern girl just looked at him, her un-amused expression blatant. He grimaced back at her.
"Must be a superhero thing."
"Excuse me?" Rogue frowned.
"You're the one that wears spandex," Pete took a drag on his cigarette. "I shudder to think."
"It ain't spandex."
"Now you're quibbling."
"Whatever."
Silence once again.
"Do you have to smoke?"
"Yes, actually," he responded. "I'm on a diet."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm on a diet."
"Of what?"
"Cigarettes and scotch." He took another drag on the cigarette, pausing. At her incredulous look, he attempted to justify himself. "It's a very strict diet."
Before Rogue could properly respond to that, there was a rather large explosion erupting from a few blocks of them. Thus shattering their civil conversation . . .
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Sorry for the cliff-hangerish ending folks. Usually try to avoid them, but in this case, it couldn't be helped. This chapter was not supposed to end here. Next chapter, we'll see more Gambit, and more Pete Wisdom, if you'd like to see more of him. If not, well, I won't write more of him. ^.^ Let me know.
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I love my reviewers! You guys rock!
Starlight12 -- I promise you, there will be more Pyro. And somewhere in the near future at that. I like Kitty/Piotr as well. They are just adorable together. This is my favorite line for any review, EVER! -à "I want to have Gambit's spicy Cajun children." Don't we all, darling, don't we all?
Althaea -- Thanks for your review! It's greatly appreciated! Don't worry, I am continuing. It just takes me a while sometimes.
Rogue4787 – I like to write Rogue and Remy fighting. They are so cute when they do that. And I think the relationship between Rogue and Wolverine is really interesting as well. Malice is one of Sinister's Marauders, she actually led the team for a while after taking over Polaris's body. She's sick, twisted, and evil.
cool-chick-rae – Sorry my updates are slow. Taking classes and working two jobs is beginning to catch up with me. After finals, I should have time to write tons more!
Weeble Wobble Chic -- You really need to see Cajun Spice. It's a Romy-lovers dream come true. Well, mostly anyway. Thanks for the quote, I will have to work it in somehow!
no touchies – I'm glad you like my plot! I enjoy romance fics occasionally, but I prefer more action-bases stories myself, so that is what I tend to write. Hopefully, you'll continue enjoying (and reviewing) my fic!
sandy bunny -- You're request for more romance is duly noted. If all goes to plan, that should happen sometime in the next few chapters.
evanescence kicks ass -- Pyro shows up when he wants to, sorry. I have no control over him. He's absolutely bonkers, you know. But as far as I know, he'll be popping in again soon.
Ishandahalf – We'll be seeing more of Sinister's laboratory in the future *hint hint* Remy lives most of his life in denial, if you ask me. But not nearly so much as Rogue. Those two are a headache, to be sure. Mushiness in the future, if I can bear to write it!
Sabby13 – Betsy is always having a problem. Currently in the comics, she's quite dead. I'd consider that a rather big problem myself. Yes, my spelling sucks. I need a beta-reader, that is what it all comes down to.
Katrina5 -- Hey, I am entirely open to taking bribes. What are you offering?
Like it? Hate it? Want me to write faster? Or prefer that I die and never write anything again? Hey, all you gotta do is review!