Rogue and Gambit
Rogue was in the park, waiting to meet Gambit. She leaned on the the rail of the bridge and looked into the water. Periodically she scattered bread crumbs for the ducks to eat. She wondered how long Gambit was going to -
The world went black.
**********
Gambit was looking for Rogue. Odd. She wasn't usually so hard to find. He shook his head in disgust, seeing a grown man lying on top of some girl. Really, some people had no decency these days.
Hang on... that hair look familiar... dang!
Gambit hurried over and pulled the man off. He felt a little strange.
He was dead.
Rogue was unconscious and was bleeding at the back of her head. Gambit carefully picked her up, wondering what had happened.
Wait... the man was dead.
Rogue was unconscious, the man was dead... and he had been touching her skin when Gambit had pulled him off her.
This was not good. Defintely not good.
"Sorry Cheri," Gambit said. "We're gonna have ta call this day short."
**********
A few minutes later, Gambit arrived at the mansion. He carried Rogue inside just as she started coming to.
"What... what's going on?" she asked.
"I think you absorbed someone to death," Gambit replied. "Hey, kid, can you find Jean or Xavier or someone?"
"Now there's a new one," Rogue mused. "Ah've strangled, stabbed, shot, choked, and a few other things, but never absorbed."
A malicious smirk crossed her face as she looked up at Gambit.
He did not like the look in her eye.
They had a problem.
Nathan and Chelsea
Nathan hissed and grabbed at his head. Chelsea looked up, startled. "What's wrong?"
"She's done it now."
"Who, what's happened?"
"She's taken him into herself. She's taken it *all*."
"Who?" Chelsea got up from her seat and walked over to him. His black bandaged face looked up, the way he could still *look* at you through the badages as eerie as usual.
"Tainted, corrupted...she's eaten him whole. He's inside her."
"Nathan..."
"Lost, lost, lost. She's not herself. She's him." Nathan got up fluidly. "I think we should go."
"Wh-what?"
"I can't protect you, and they won't believe me. Obvious that. Don't need my talent to know it." Nathan wrung his hands. "She's going to do bad things. But she's not herself."
"Who, Nathan? Who is it?"
"Whitestreaked. Oh, Marie, Marie, don't you weep for me, you're lost yourself in the darkness of the bar. I can't see your eyes for the tears..." Nathan shook himself, then grabbed her hand. "C'mon. Sometimes the only thing to do is to get out of the line of fire."
Octavian
Octavian walked up, frowning slightly. "Ah...hello." He gave Gambit a puzzled look, then refocused on what he saw as the problem. "What's wrong with Rogue? Does she need to go to the Medlabs, because I can call Demetria, and she can 'port us...if it's urgent?"
Rogue and Gambit
"I found her in the park. There was a dead body on her - I think she absorbed him to dead."
Rogue wriggled a bit in Gambit's arms and then finally gave him an atomic shock.
"Really, Ah'm not helpless," she said. "Don't need to be carried around like some sort of baby."
Gambit stared at her, his face pale.
"An alien... she's absorbed an alien!"
"Human/Dathrian hybrid, if you must know," Rogue answered. "Calvin's the name, and there is something really important Ah'd like ta know."
"What's that?"
"Where the hell am Ah?"
Rogue put her hand to the back of her head, sensing a pain there.
"And for that mattah," she went on. "Why am Ah bleeding?"
"You're somewhere we can get that fixed up," Gambit replied. "And hopefully a few other t'ings as well."
Octavian
"Ah..." Octavian blinked slightly. "Shall we progress to the Medlabs then? I'm sure Dr McCoy can at the least badange your head...Calvin." And then we're assuredly calling Dr Grey, he added silently to himself. Maybe she could do something about this strange behaviour of Rogue's.
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue shrugged.
"After you," she said, then glanced back at Gambit. "Who are you people anyway?"
"Mutants," Gambit replied.
"Ahh..."
Octavian, Mordred and Faolan
"And doesn't that explain all?" Octavian smiled slightly. "We're all mad here. So, I'll escort you to the Medlabs so you can recieve attention for that nasty looking bump." He took a few steps down the hall, then looked back expectantly.
Faolan scittered into the hall, wolfshaped, shifted into cat and leapt for the curtains.
"Faolan!" Mordred walked after his son, frowning. "Ah, hey Tav."
"Problems with your illegitamate son?"
"Bite me," Mordred said easily as he went to the curtains. "Faolan, come down. Now." The kitten eyed him. "And no, it's just the usual. He diesn't want to have a bath."
Baths yuck! The child's telepathic voice echoed through their heads. I do have a tongue...
"Bath. It's happening, even if I have to 'port you into it," Mordred threatened.
Rogue and Gambit
"Well," said Gambit. "Dat's a new one on me."
Rogue stretched her arms above her head and cracked her knuckles. She eyed Mordred and Faolan with a calculating smirk as she and Gabit followed Octavian.
Octavian
"Ah yes, the new addition to the fold. If you've been here before..." Octavian threw a glance back at Gambit, "you'll know Nyx. That's Nyx's son with Mordred. He likes being cat or wolf shaped as compared to human shaped. So far, we think it's something to do with the bathing thing. But it could just be him." Octavian shrugged fluidly as he pressed a panel and it slid back to reveal the elevator tot eh lower levels. He stepped inside and waited for Gambit and Rogue to join him.
Rogue and Gambit
"Ahh," Gambit replied.
Rogue looked around.
"Not too shabby," she commented. "How far down does this go?"
Octavian and Sergei
"I'm not sure. I've only been to the levels with the Danger Room and the Medlabs," Octavian said easily as the lift doors slid shut. "And of course, the Blackbird's hanger. Scott loves to give the job of cleaning it to troublemakers." He grinned. "Often me. Anyway, here we are." The doors opened, and Octavian got out. "Dr McCoy?"
"I'm in here," Hank's voice came absently from the Medlabs. "Would you please hold still while I-"
"BORZHEMOI!" Sergei yelled hoarsely. "*Warn* me da next time you're going to use a needle dat big!"
"And next time, you're drunk and feeling self-destructive, you won't fall on a broken bottle," Hank responded tartly.
"Ot'ebis'," Sergei replied sullenly. Octavian walked in to see the Russian mutant getting stiched up on his hand, arm and face by the blue furred doctor.
Rogue and Gambit
"Sucker," Rogue snickered.
Gambit sighed. He hoped this wouldn't last long.
"This is a nice setup you've got here," Rogue went on, looking around.
Sergei
"And yeah, screw you too, tovarischa. Bl'lad'," Sergei spat out. "Oh, MUDLACK!" He panted rapidly as Hank stiched up his arm.
"You know, you could have accepted the aneasthetics..."
"Otsosi. I don't like drugs." (Blow me.)
"As you will...so, what did you need to see me for, Rogue, Gambit, Octavian? I'll finish with Sergei, and then I'll be right with you."
Rogue and Gambit
"Rogue managed to absorb someone - to death," Gambit replied grimly. "Meet Calvin."
"Yo," Rogue replied. "Y'know I have no idea who this Rogue person is you keep talkin' 'bout... Ahh well... think you can patch up the back of my head doc? Don't know how I managed to do it..."
Sergei and Octavian
"Oh my stars and garters," Hank said softly. "Oh, my my my. And this would have to happen at a time when the professor is absent..."
"Hey careful where you put dat ding!" Sergei protested as Hank's attention wavered.
"Hmm, yes, of course..." Hank returned to his careful stitching. "Now, with any luck, this shouldn't scar..."
"Hey, da girls like scars. Makes them feel dey with a bad, bad man. And you know, they always want to reform da bad guy." Sergei grinned, then winced as Hank carefully stitched up the gash in his cheek. "Done now?"
"Yes, I'm done. Now, take these antibacterial tablets three times a dat, and come see me tonight so I can check the bandages..."
"Da, da, doktore." Sergei stood.
"You really are an idiot, Sergei. How are we supposed to practice uf you're banged up like that?"
"Hey, might not be able to finger the guitar strings, but I can still sing." Sergei hit Octavian lightly on the shouler. "See ya later, tovarisch."
"Same, Sergei." Octavian looked around. "Well, guess I'll get going. I've escorted you down here...unless you need an assisstant, Dr McCoy?"
"Im sure M'sieu LeBeau can help me if I need anything, thank you, Octavian." Hank smiled, and the golden haired teen gave everuone half a wave and left. "Now, if you would sit here Calvin while I just get what I need..." He indicated the chair Sergei had been sitting on as he stood.
Rogue
Rogue shrugged.
"Just don't hurt me the way you hurt that other dude."
Hank
"Mr Rasputin does not like anaesthetics. That is why he was in pain," Hank said semi-disapprovingly as he returned after washing his hands and fetching the supplies he needed. "If you would sit here please..." he indicated the seat, "we can get started."
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue sat down.
"Bring on the numbing stuff."
Gambit let out a long, low breath. He hoped Calvin wouldn't be around for long.
Hank
"Of course." Hank raised his eyebrows slightly as he busied himself with his supplies. He started quickly and efficently to tend to Rogue's wound. "Now I really would advise you stay at the mansion, at least for the night. So I can keep you under observation. Just in case you develop concussion."
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue shrugged.
"Whatever. So," and Rogue slung an arm around Gambit's shoulders. "What's there to be scene around this joint?"
"Uhh, well," Gambit glanced at Hank, wondering if it were wise to let 'Calvin' look around the mansion.
Hank
"We are primarily a school," Hank said carefully. "Perhaps...I can call some of the students to show you around. I usually stay down here in the labs." He smiled slightly. "Oh, and there are a few individuals I would advise not getting on the wrong side of. Spike, Loki and Emily. They're not students, and they have uncertain tempers. Spike has bleached blond hair and is usually wearing a long black leather coat. Loki actually looks a lot like Matt Damon, but don't comment on it. It tends to annoy him. Emily only looks 14, but don't be fooled by that and don't make any crass comments. She has black hair and very white skin." Hank busied himself with his equipment, wondering if there was anything else he needed to say. "Would you like me to call someone? The school is very big..."
Rogue and Gambit
"Dat would be a good idea," Gambit replied. "I don' quite know my way around."
Rogue cracked her neck and shoulders.
"Ahh... much better."
Demetria
"Of course..." Hank moved across to the phone he had installed and picked it up to ring. "Hello? Yes...if you could send some of the students down? I think that would be best. Thank you."
Demetria appeared, golden hair spilling around her shoulders. "You called, doctor?" She inquired in her cultured accent.
"That was quick."
Demetria studied her nails for a moment. "Teleportation is so handy at times. So..." She looked at Rogue and Gambit lazily. "Shall we get going? My name is Demetria. Pleased to meet you, I'm sure."
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue sidled up to Demetria.
"Hey baby," she said. "How about we find a little corner together? Just you and me and err... little Johnny make three."
"Oh my gosh," Gambit said, his eyes wide. "Sorry, Demetria, but Rogue here's... she absorbed some guy named Calvin to death... and yeah..."
Demetria
"Quite," Demetria drawled as she looked at Rogue distastefully. "Sorry, darrrrling, but I prefer a little more class in the men I bed. You don't quite make the grade." She looked at gambit as she sauntered over to the door, hips swaying in her ripped and faded blue jeans. "Shall we get going?"
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue shrugged.
"Your loss," she said, following.
Gambit shook his head. More like Calvin's loss.
Demetria
"No, darrrling, more like yours," Demetria shot back as she palmed open the door. She knew they were following her so she didn't pause as it slid open and she headed for the lifts. She was floating slightly and then came back down to earth to hit the elevator button. It pinged and opened and she ducked inside. "Come along then."
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue and Gambit followed Demetria in. The trip back up was a silent one.
"Dang it," Rogue muttered all of a sudden.
"What?" asked Gambit.
"I've left my knife somewhere."
Gambit had a sneaking suspicion it was better if she didn't have a knife.
Demetria and Vortigern
"Ah." Demetria raised an eyebrow slightly. The doors of the elevetr opened and they got out. "Welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. I would normally take you to see professor Xavier but he's absent for the moment. Why? I have absolutely no idea. Teachers don't tell students much." She walked down the hall, and opened a door. "This is the usual rec room most of the senior students reside in. And Spike? Vort's human. He needs to breathe sometime. I know that's not a large issue for the undead, but Vortigern is not a vampire."
Spike flipped her the bird without stopping the kissing. Vortigern pushed him off for a moment.
"I'm fine, Demmie sweetest. Why don't you go snog Orlando or something?" Vortigern suggested.
"Ah, but I'm on tour duty, dearest friend."
"Hmm? Who?"
"That's a bit harder to explain."
"Spike, we're in public. Stop that."
"But why, pet?"
Rogue and Gambit
"Calvin's the name," Rogue replied. "And this is... actually... I have no idea who you are."
"Gambit," he supplied.
"Weird name."
"Yo' get dat."
"Hmm..." Rogue turned her attention to Spike and Vortigern. "You're Spike huh? They warned me about you."
A smirk crossed her face and an evil glint appeared in her eye.
"Now, Ah ask you... where's the fun of being dead, if ya don't stay... dead?"
Demtria and Vortigern
"Well, I seem to find the fun is in the fact that you can get away with a lot more if you're dead. And if you're looking to become it, you're going the right way about it," Spike growled, blue eyes flashing gold as he put an arm around Vortigern possessively. "Prefer the term alternitively alive, meself."
Demetria looked at Rogue thoughtfully. "You know, I am going to have a lot of blackmail material when this is over..."
"Ah, that's the way Demetria. Keep your eye on what you can gain." Vortigern rolled his eyes.
"But of course, darrrling!" Demetria sounded surprised. "My family only become aristocracy at the point of a sword and some rather nasty creative politics. I'm keeping up a family tradition."
"Think I ate an Edgerton-Smythe once..." Spike mused.
"Oh, really now, Master William?"
"*You*," Spike moved up enough so that he could point a finger at her, "are not either Dru or Nyx, and they're the only chits who can call me William."
"Frightfully sorry, Spike." Demetria rolled her eyes. "Well. Shall we continue?"
Rogue and Gambit
"I don' do blackmail myself," Gambit mused, but refused to divulge more.
"Onwards!" Rogue declared, with a curious smirk directed at Spike.
How do you kill a dead man? Hmm...
Demetria, Vortigern and Jono
"As thee wills it," Demetria said feyly and walked out of the room. The two followed her, and Spike looked at Vortigern.
"Don't think I liked that look in Rogue's eye..."
"She'll come out of it," Vortigern soothed, and they returned to what they had been doing before they were intrupted.
"Classrooms..." Demetria waved her hand vaguely at the doors they were passing. "And truthfully, once you've seen one classroom, you've seen them all." They continued on. "The study." She opened a door briefly to reveal a tastefully appointed room with dark wooden furniture and red brocade. A Ming vase stood in a corner, and Demetria knew that was a real Renoir on the wall. "We're not allowed in there on pain of death. It's for parents and others that the professor is trying to impress." She closed the door again. Jonothon walked past, frowning. "Jono, whatever is the matter?"
The lead singer went and got himself sliced up. Jonothon replied. How are we supposed to bloody well practice if, argh! Your brother was supposed to be keeping an eye on him!
"You know Sergei, Jono darrrling."
Pfffft. No excuse!
Rogue
Rogue eyed Jono with a delighted fascination.
"Did it hurt?" she asked him.
Demetria and Jono
Jonothon gave Rogue an odd look. Did wot hurt? He turned to Demetria. Ok, what the bleeding 'eck is going on? Why is Rogue all...distorted?
"Ah...she absorbed someone. To death," Demetria said helpfully.
Oh, that would be bleeding right! Jonothon's eyebrows drew together in anger. She wouldn't absorb him, and he wanted to die, but she would absorb someone who probably had every intention of living. So, do we 'ave an essie?
"A what?"
n essie, a guess, an estimate as to 'ow long she's gonna be...Calvin?
"No idea. You're the 'pather you tell us."
Sod, we need wheels.
"You shouldn't call him that, it's very disrespectful," Demetria said admonishingly. In reply, Jonothon gave her the Bowman's salute. "Well, I never!"
Don't be so 'oighty-toighty, missus. Seen ya do it yerself, so no giving me the eye cos I do it. I'm just a street arab meself. Don't expect me to have no snob manners.
Rogue and Gambit
"What's underneath the bandages - did it hurt?" Rogue asked.
Gambit shook his head. This Calvin fellow sure had a fascination with death and pain, didn't he? Then he shuddered, not wanting to know what Calvin had had planned for Rogue back in the park.
Demetria and Jono
Jonothon gave Rogue a considering stare, eyes almost black. Right. He lifted his hands.
"Jono..."
No, if they have the guts to ask... Jonothon started unwrapping the black bandages that covered the bottom half of his face. When me powers came in, I nearly died. Should've by all rights be singing with the bleeding choir invisible by now. He looked up again, bandages hanging like black snakes from his hand as the astral fire glowed, small flickers casting his eyes into deeper shadows. Obviously didn't. And of course it bleeding hurt, ya wanker. The fire surged outwards for a moment, shining like the Northen lights. A bleeding great gout of flame erupted from my mouth and chest. What the *'ell* do you think?
Demetria raised a faltering hand to her mouth. She could see right through the flames to the back of his throat.
Course, I don't need to breath no more, or eat or drink. Jonothon said almost chattily. The blast took out most of my internal organs as well...Just a shell, filled with hell fire, mate. Least that's wot me parentals said.
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue frowned.
"You muties sure have a lot of the living dead around here."
"Ro - Calvin," Gambit said. "It's not -"
"Oh shut up," Rogue said rudely.
Gambit raised an eyebrow.
Demetria and Jono
First off, I'm not dead. Jonothon corrected as he started to rewrap the bandages. Don't you listen? Nah, course not. You're a Yank. Why the 'ell would you listen? I'm still very much alive, ta muchly. I can't seem to die, more's the pity. He finished wrapping the black bandages and strode off. Catch ya later, Dem.
"Oh, ok," Demetria said faintly. She sent a disapproving glare mixed with a lot of superiority Rogue's way. "Ah. Next." She started walking down the hallway, more then a little disturbed.
Rogue and Gambit
"Can't breathe, eat or drink? Maybe as well be living dead," Rogue muttered as they followed Demetria.
"Damnit Rogue," Gambit growled. "Get a grip on yo'self!"
Rogue raised an eyebrow.
"Someone's hearing voices," she smirked.
Demetria
Demetria started to float in her distress. Thankfully, the school had high ceilings. When they got to a wall, she just 'ported to the other side. "Cafeteria. If you want something to eat or drink, just take it. I think the Yoders baked today...which they did, which means fresh cakes!" Demetria zoned in on the pastry goodness and picked up a slice of cake. She crossed her legs and hovered in midair. "There's sfot drink in the fridge," she said helpfully. "Ah, Americans say soda."
Rogue, Gambit and Julie
Rogue watched Demetria float around for a bit and then focuses on the cakes.
"Rogue?" Julie called.
"I'd wouldn' come near her today," Gambit advised.
But it was too late, Rogue had spotted Julie and her children.
"Hey there, girl," she said.
"Rogue?" Julie question, the smirk on Rogue's face making her uneasy.
Rogue glanced at the twins.
"I see you get around. Got any lovin' for me?"
"Sorry, I don't swing that way," Julie replied.
Rogue looked confused.
"Rogue isn't herself today. She's Calvin," Gambit interupted. "Someone she absorbed to death."
"Oh!"
Demetria, Jay, Silent Bob and Loki
"Munchies, munchies, yes, definetely got the munchies." Jay appeared, Silent Bob looming behind him as usual and zoomed to the cakes. "Yo, Matrix, where are the drinks?"
"They're in the fridge, where they usually are," Demetria told him frostily. "And I have asked you not to call me that."
"Then stop doing the floaty, gravity has no meaning thing, and I might think about it," Jay shot back as he grabbed two cans and tossed one to Silent Bob. He caught it easily and looked at Gambit consideringly. "At least it's a change from the Jedi mindtrick tubby here thinks he can do." Silent Bob held up a finger. "Actually, he did it once." Silent Bob nodded, then drank more of his drink. "But that's not the point. I mean, dude! Obi Wan is such an incredible pussy. All the Jedi are." Silent Bob glared at him, then shrugged as if to say, 'well, what can you do?'. "So, what's new in your life, bitch? Decided to dump the fishboy and come have some of the Jay?"
"Not if you were the last man on earth," Demetria said with a sneer. She tossed her can at the bin and it went in. "Where's Loki?"
"Who knows, who the hell cares? Probably bitching with the little girl." Jay shrugged. Loki stalked in, sword held over his shoulder. He gave both Jay and Silent Bob a look of utter contempt. "Yo, wings! We were just talking about you."
"Idiot mortal. God, why did You do this to me? Why? And I thought eternity in Wisconsin was a bad punishment." Loki shook his head. "And now I have to make sure no one kills you two dumb f*cks..."
"Hey, you're the one that nearly ended all of existence."
Loki put out a hand in a stop gesture. "First of all, it was Bartleby's idea. Second of all, I got stabbed in the side after I lost my wings the first time, *by* Bartleby."
"You pick lousy friends, what can I say?" Jay shrugged again.
"I swear, once this is over, I am going to kill you." Loki flung himself down in a chair and started running a whetting stone up the edges of his sword with a rasping sound.
Rogue
"Hey," Rogue said tauntingly, "they're right. You do look like Matt Damon."
Demetria, Loki, Jay and Silent Bob
The stone stopped in midrasp and Loki looked up, hands frozen on the sword. "Right. At least when I was the Angel of Death, I got some respect...not that it means that much in secular America, but still." His wings spread out, shining whitely. Jay punched Silent Bob on the arm.
"Dude, he's gonna snuff the streak haired bitch!" Silent Bob gave Jay a look as Loki slowly rose out of his chair and stuffed the stone back into the pocket of his coat. Demetria squeaked and teleported to stand in front of the angry angel as he started to head for Rogue.
"Stop! You can't kill her! She's not herself at the moment!"
"I can still make her death messy and painful," Loki retorted as he kept moving forward. Demetria placed her hands against Loki's chest and dug her heels in. She started sliding backwards as the angel didn't stop. Jay started to snicker.
Rogue, Gambit and Julie
Rogue laughed maliciously.
"Rogue - Calvin - whoever you are, knock it off," Julie frowned.
"Yeah? Who's gonna make me?" Rogue smirked.
Julie's eyes met Rogue's. There was silence between the two for a moment, then Rogue slapped Julie across the face.
"Bitch."
"Speak for yourself," Julie retorted.
Rogue lunged for Julie's throat. Gambit attempted to pull Rogue away, but she gave him another atomic shock. Julie kicked at Rogue, but to no avail.
"Damnit..." Gambit said.
Then he remembered something from his previous dealings with aliens. It didn't always work - depended on the alien. He could only hope...
Gambit grabbed a nearby tea towel and then pulled it over Rogue's eyes. It was enough to distract her enough to get her off Julie, who coughed and spluttered to get her breath back.
"Quick!" Gambit said. "We need to get her restrained. Of all the people she had to absorb... a homicial alien."
MOrdred and Demetria
"MORDRED!" Demetria screamed. He appeared.
"You shouted?"
"Do the mind bendy thing that you did to that bouncer in Soho on Rogue."
"Ah, the mind bendy thing where they go all zombie?"
"Yes! *That* mind bendy thing!" Demetria said in distress.
"Gotcha, chickie." Mordred walked over to Rogue and briefly touched her forehead. "Still." He gasped for a moment as she absorbed some of his energy, then staggered backwards. "Bloody hell, that hurt."
"And if that doesn't work, I can place her in stasis," Loki offered cheerfully as his wings disappeared again.
"Thank you for the offer, but I think we had best get Rogue down to the Medlabs," Demetria said weakly. "Mordred if you would take Gambit..."
"Can do." The two teleporters touched their target's shoulders and the four 'ported to the Medlabs. "Dr McCoy! Need some restraints!"
Rogue
"Get out of my head!" Rogue wept.
"What's going on? Why can't I kill that bitch?" Calvin demanded.
"I hate you! You can't kill Julie!"
"Oooh when I find out how to get out of this, I'll kill them all!"
"Stop it! Stop it!"
"Bastards!"
"Give me back my body..." Rogue sobbed. "Please, just give me back my body..."
Calvin just didn't seem to hear her.
The Mavericks
"What's wrong?" Hank asked as he hurried over.
"The guy Rogue absorbed? More then slightly homicidal. We need to restrain her before my control wears off." Mordred swayed slightly. "Should take at least a few hours..." He crumpled to the floor, out cold. Demetria led the blankly staring body of Rogue to a bed as Hank caught the black haired teen. He put the telepath down on a bed, Mordred's skin deathly white and Demetria made Rogue's body lie down.
"Will he...be alright?" Demetria asked fearfully.
"He should be fine. He overextended himself, that is all. But we should be recieving a visit from an overwrought vampire about-"
"HANK! Vortigern just fainted! What the hell is going?!" Spike showed up, his arms full of a limp Vortigern.
"Mordred overextended his powers and fainted. They should both wake up soon," Hank soothed as he fastened cloth restraints around Rogue's wrists and ankles.
"Right, right..." Spike looked distinctly harried.
"If you want, you can put him on the other hospital bed," Hank suggested. Spike did so, then stared down blankly at his boy, one hand going out to move a strand of golden hair from the ashen face.
Rogue and Gambit
Rogue woke a few hours later. She felt the restraints and growled angrilly, pulling and pushing forcefully at them. She was still blindfolded.
"Bastards! I'll kill you all!"
Gambit winced, seeing her struggle. He hated seeing her like this, but then Rogue wasn't exactly herself at the moment, now was she?
Demetria
Hank made sure the restraints were firm. He didn't want to have a repeat of Cain... Not in the slightest. Spike collected the two Welsh twins, Mordred protesting muzzily that he felt fine. Spike just growled at him and ushered them both out of the labs and towards proper beds and comfort food. Demetria was sitting on air, reading through one of her old favourites, 'Gone with the wind'. She winced as she listened to Rogue rave.
"If Dr McCoy thinks he can handle Rogue until she...comes around, would you like to go upstairs again?" Demetria suggested diplomatically, one finger slipped between the pages of her book.
Rogue and Gambit
"Let me go! Let me go!" Rogue shrieked.
"Stop it! Stop it! I hate you!"
"I'll kill them! I'll kill them all!"
"Now, would everyone please calm down."
"I'm all for company, but this is ridiculas."
"Yeah, you kill them, and I'll help! Mwa ha ha ha ha!"
"Please leave me alone..."
"Who does this Calvin guy think he is anyway?"
"Yeah. I was here first."
"You are such a dick."
"People, please calm down. This is just temporary."
"I want my body back... damn it can't you just give me my body back?"
Gambit bit his bottom lip.
"Sure," he replied at last. "I'm not sure how much longer I can watch... that."
Demetria
"I would concur." Demetria sent her book back to her room. "Dr McCoy..."
"I'll be fine," the blue furred medico said gently. "I am quite sure I am able to cope with any emergencies that may arise."
"Quite." Demetria stepped gracefully down onto the ground and walked over to Gambit. "We will be going then." She put her hand on Gambit's shoulder and teleported them both to the recroom. Sergei, Jonothon, Octavian and Angelo looked up briefly before returning to their perusal of some papers Jonothon had his hands on.
Gambit
"Dis has certainly been an int'rusting day," Gambit sighed. "One I could deal with not goin' through again."
He fell back into a seat.
"So, Demetria isn' it?" he asked.
Demetria
"Yes," Demetria said as she sat down in a chair near his. "And I would certainly agree with not wanting to have a repeat of this day. So far, it is ranking right up with the day our parents found out Octavian and I were mutants." She smiled tiredly. "So, where are you from, Gambit, I think you said?"
Gambit
"I'm from N'Awlins," Gambit replied. "And a perdy lady like yo'self can call me Remy."
Demetria
"Pleased to meet you, Remy." Demetria smiled at him. "As you've already guessed, my name is Demetria. But please, call me Dem, or Demmy or something shorter. My parents had the delusion that long names automatically carry an air of breeding. I'm from England, as you might have been able to tell."
Gambit
"Indeed," Gambit replied. "And wha' brings yo to da US? I've lived here all my life."
It was at that moment that Red peeked out of his pocket.
"Dis is Red, by da way," he said. "Wha's da - oh I see. Yes yo' go and find Liber'y and the kiddies."
Gambit picked up Red and put him on the floor, and Red bounded off.
Demetria
"Ah, that would go back a ways. As to why Tavvie and I left England and came here." Demetria looked over at her brother fondly and he raised his head for a moment and sent a grin her way. "Our parents were less then pleased when they found me floating in the library one day, calmly reading. The fact that we were both mutants... Scandalous, simply scandalous. How on earth could we be expected to make a good match if we had had the bad taste to be born different to everyone else in our parents social circles? We left Mother having a very refined fit in the library, and I teleported both Tav and I here. Mordred and Vortigern were good friends of ours, and we knew they'd come here. They were quite surprised..."
Gambit
Gambit nodded.
"I'm sure dey woul' have been. But I'm sure dey also would have been delighted ta see such a perdy lady as yo'self again."
Demetria and Octavian
"You're quite the flatterer." Demetria smiled. "And I think they were...eventually. After they got over the fact that I'd miscalculated slightly and dropped Octavian on top of Mordred. I've got a lot more control now, however." She giggled.
"As you would like to believe, Dem," Octavian said.
"Oh, hush, you. I haven't done anything like that for simply *ages*." She put her hand up and caught the paper airplane he sent flying at her. "And remember, I know where you sleep."
"You wouldn't do anything..."
"Think about what happened the last time you pranked me, and then reconsider that statement." She looked at Gambit. "I don't know...did you see Tavvie darling as a girl?"
Gambit
Gambit eyes Octavian for a moment.
"Yes, I believe I did," He replied at last. "But dat would have been awhile ago now. So you can make things float and teleport? ANything else? I can charge things with kinetic energy and I have slight telekinetic abilities."
Demetria, Octavian, Sergei and Jono
Sergei, Jonothon and Angelo started snickering as Octavian out his head down on the table and closed his eyes. "I am never going to live that down..."
"Hey, tovarischa, do you have..."
"Yes, I have pictures." Demetria smiled wickedly. "I'll send them to you later, if you would like..."
Fantastic. Jonothon smirked. Anyway...see, if I change the dynamic of the bar here... The four returned to their deliberations over the many pieces of paper scattered on the table.
"I can float myself, and anything I can hold normally," Demetria told Gambit. "Teleportation, we're still not sure how strong I am. I did manage to 'port Tav and myself here from London, and that's quite aways. Charging things with kinetic energy sounds useful..."
Gambit
Gambit whiped out one of his playing cards.
"Yo'd be surprised just how explosive a card can be," he nodded. "And dat is quite a distance, London ta here. Quite a distance. Impressive. None of the othe teleporters I've met can quite teleport dat far in one jump. Not dat I've met very many mind yo'."
Demetria and Octavian
"Mordred's a teleporter and telepath, and Tavvie? If you want to *stay* male, I would suggest putting that down now." Octavian looked at the ball of paper in his hand and shrugged.
"You sure you aren't telepathic?"
"Just experienced." Demetria rested her chin on her hand as the four packed up their stuff and left, talking quietly about the songs they were going to practise. "So, teleporters. Alien, mutant or demon? My horizons as to what is possible have expanded quite considerably since I arrived at the mansion."
Gambit
"Mutant and alien. Haven' met any demons dat I know of, and I wouldn' mind keepin' it dat way," Gambit replied. "And I know what yo' mean abotu expanding horizons. Find out dat I'm a mutant and da next t'ing I know, aliens exist amongst other t'ings. Sometimes yo' wake up in da morning and wonder wha' da world is comin' to."
Demetria
"Um. Spike's a demon. Well, a demon with a soul. Vampires are...odd. At least Dru and her brood haven't been around. Frankly, they give me the creeps. If Spike, Dawn and Nyx didn't have such a hold on Dru, we'd all be vampire bait." Demetria shuddered slightly. "A very frightening thought..."
Gambit
Gambit nodded.
"Ahh yes. It's never pleasent being around people who would take yo life in a moment if given the leeway."
He paused, thinking of Rogue.
Demetria
"Not an experience worth repeating," Demetria agreed with him. "So, what exactly brought you to the school, Remy?" She tried to shift the conversation onto a more pleasant topic. At least, less full of unpleasant reminders of what was happening beneath their feet.
Gambit
"I met Rogue in the park a few months ago. She was playin' with Liber'y, and I had my Red with me," Gambit shrugged. "Red and Liber'y got along really well and we t'ought dey woul' like ta spend more time together."
He grinned wrly.
"Or dat's the offical story. I canna resist a perdy lady, myself, and dere are plenty ta be found around here, cheri."
Demetria
"Ah, official stories. They always smooth over the sometimes unexplainable occurences." Demetria grinned. "For example, my official story on what happened to Scott's computer is that Tavvie did it. Very handy, Tavvie's reputation. They always believe me when I say he did it. But in actual fact, I'm the one who usually comes up with the plans. I just look so innocent like..."
Gambit
Gambit laughed.
"Ahh, da scape goat is always a useful tool," he grinned. "And cheri, if it is true dat what is beautiful is dangerous, den yo' must be very dangerous indeed."
Demetria
"Thank you...I think..." Demetria said thoughtfully. "Not dangerous, really. Just decadantly malicous. If that makes sense. More of a mischief maker then a danger. But you look like a dangerous man, Remy. Which is always intriguing..."
Gambit
"And da question is," Gambit replied, taking her hand, "dangerous, in what way? And ta who?"
He gently kissed Demetria's hand.
Demetria
"Ah, and isn't that always the question? Who's the dangerous one and why? You, I think, would be very dangerous to those who hurt the ones you love, or those you consider a friend." Demetria looked into Gambit's red eyes. "And of course, I get the feeling that you're a bit of a lady killer. In the non-fatal sense," she said, smiling slighty wickedly.
Gambit
"And isn' dat da best kind?" Gambit asked. "O' course, I don' doubt dat yo' boyfriend woul' find da non-fatal lady killer type a very dangerous man indeed."
Demetria
"Currently unattached," Demetria said lightly while a flicker of pain ran through her blue eyes. You couldn't go out with a merman when you had nightmares about water and couldn't even manage to take a bath anymore because of the terror that someone would come and shove you down under the surface of the water...she stuck to showers now. She was sure there was a name for it.
Gambit
"Surely yo' jest cheri," Gambit replied. "A woman as beautiful and formidable as yo'self canna possibly be alone."
Demetria
"Well, I'm not alone at the moment but I am currently free of any romantic entanglements." Demetria smiled slightly. "Apparently, not everyone shares your views..."
Gambit
"Den dey are blind or fools. Or both, in which case dey should be pitied," Gambit replied.
His fingers entaged hers.
"Perhaps sometime, yo' woul' consent ta let me take yo' out somewhere?"
Demetria
"That sounds perfectly delightful, Remy." Demetria smiled at him, her eyes lighting up. "I would be glad to."
Gambit
Gambit smiled.
"Good," he replied. "And I'd hate to eat and run, so ta speak, but I shoul' go now."
He wrote down his mobile phone number and gave it to her.
"I'll talk to yo again soon," he said, standing up.
Demetria
"I'll be looking forward to it." Demetria looked at the piece of paper, memorising the number. "And if anything should change with Rogue...I'll call you right away."
Gambit
Gambit kissed her hand again.
"T'ank you, cheri," Gambit replied. "Talk to yo' soon."
And Gambit left.