The Mask of Ozymandias: Preparations

[x-traction.livejournal.com]

Remy comes to the mansion for a meeting with Ororo and decides to drop by to see Lorna. Unfortunately, he doesn't know that she changed suites. Fortunately...or perhaps not, Lorna's in anyway. Haller plays host to the Awkward.

Remy knocked on the edge of the doorframe, hoping that Lorna hadn't suddenly changed rooms and some new student was about to get a scare from a lanky black coated cripple on a cane looming over them.

"Remy?" Jim blinked, hands still in a half-completed motion of wiping smeared charcoal on his fingers onto a paper towel. Then, recovering from his slight surprise, the telepath raised an eyebrow. "What, did linoleum launch a counter-attack?"

Remy froze, seeing the sudden appearance of the taller man. He'd already heard about him and Lorna together at the prom from Amanda. Now he was answering her door. His fingers tightened slightly on the end of the cane, his mind already started to throw up techniques to render his thoughts even more obaque. "Just dropped in to see Lorna. Didn't know she had company."

"Oh." That was a relief. A visit from Betsy was one thing, but Jim wasn't sure what he would have made of a random housecall from Remy. He stepped back from the door a pace, shaking his head. "Actually, Lorna's three doors down now. But I can tell her you're here." Without missing a beat, the younger man glanced over his shoulder and called, "Hey, Lorna, it's Remy."

The murmur of voices had Lorna responding even before Haller called for her. Brushing crumbs off her thin, faded jean shorts, she got up from the elaborate ten car pile up she'd been engineering and wandered out to see what he needed. She stopped dead as she glanced past Haller and out the door. "Oh...um, Remy, hi." One hand ran itself nervously through her hair and she glanced down automatically to see how she looked, "I, uh, didn't know you guys knew each other."

"I went with Cain and some of the others to help kill the remodeling the other week," Jim explained, stepping away from the door. "We met while I was murdering his floor."

"Oui. We old friends." Remy said, trying to take everything in and failing miserably. His eyes flickered around, looking for escape. "I, uh, I had a meeting wit' Stormy, and figured I'd drop by. Didn't know you were busy."

Finally the mistake clicked in her head, "Oh...yeah, this, um, isn't my suite anymore. When I moved back, I took a different one." Lorna's eyes darted between Haller and Remy for a second then she dashed forward to slide past David and out the door so she was facing Remy and blocking off his view of the room. "David and I were just..." playing with Hot Wheels, okay, so not saying that, "having a snack."

Jim automatically pulled the door closed a fraction as his friend slipped out. He wasn't comfortable with the idea of Remy seeing the interior of his suite. Or just about anyone else, for that matter. Besides, this was obviously not his conversation. "I'm going to get back to that sketch," Jim said from behind the threshold. "I'll see you after dinner, okay, Lorna?"

"Non, it fine. Remy should get to Stormy's office anyhow." He took a look at his watch for the look of it.

Lorna gave Haller a distracted nod and tried not to look quite as nervous and disappointed as she felt. "I...well, I guess if you have to. Um...I can walk you there?"

Remy was about to say no, but the look in her eyes stopped him. He just nodded and turned towards the hall. Obviously they'd totally shuffled the mansion around, and after this encounter, didn't feel up to another random meeting.

Jim met his friend's eyes just long enough to share a wince before he shut the door and withdrew to his suite, thinking, Um. Wow. Good luck, Lorna.

Lorna gripped her elbows and stepped quickly to Remy's side. "I wished I'd known you were coming. I'd have told you that I switched suites. Lucky I was visiting David." She attempted to smile but his silence and obvious dismay made that difficult.

"Dat's what I was thinking. Lucky." Remy said dully. "I wasn't expecting to be early. Just a business trip."

"Early?" Lorna echoed, slightly confused, "You mean for your meeting with 'Ro? I'm sure it won't matter. How long do you think that will take? Will you be staying for dinner?"

"Non. Remy need to get back to de office. Dere's a lot to do before I leave." He shook his head. It was easier to use his job as an excuse, rather then trying to ask her questions that he wasn't ready to take the answers from. "Soon as I'm done wit' Stormy, I'm off."

"Oh." That hurt, though she wouldn't admit it. That he would come all this way and not have made time to spend with her. Or even called ahead so that she had time to look like...well, like she hadn't been sitting on her friend's floor playing with trucks five minutes ago. She tugged on the hem of her old t-shirt self-consciously. "Well, um. Did you want to get together some time soon? We could have dinner again?"

Remy kept his eyes locked on the hall ahead of him. "Remy going to be in Egypt. Not sure how long." He shouldn't have come back to the mansion. It was nothing but a bad idea, between confirmation of Amanda's news about Lorna and the ghosts of his past echoing in the halls. "I'll let you know when I'm back in town."

"Right." Lorna said softly. She took a deep breath and told herself that she wasn't going to be demanding. If he didn't want to see her...she could take a hint when it was strapped to a board and beating her over the head. "Well...uh, I should go...start dinner. Stay safe, okay? I worry about you."

"I will. Don't need to worry 'bout Remy, neh?" Remy ignored the pain, kept it out of his voice. He paused to watch her turn a corner and disappear, taking a moment to take a deep breath and clear his mind before seeing Storm. It was better this way. She'd be better off with Haller in any case, and it was better he didn't have any distractions.

Remy meets with ‘Ro to discuss what two kidnapped professors, a stolen mask and Magneto have in common.

As usual when expecting someone, Ororo was in her office, occupying her time with one of the neverending stacks of paperwork that seemed to crop up quicker than weeds in a garden. On the off chance that she did end up going away, it would be good to get as much done as possible, though she wasn't sure she wanted to do that. There was too much to do, and though she trusted Scott and Dani and the rest to handle things just fine, that was no reason to go running off. She'd hear Remy out, though, it was only fair. Even if she had already made up her mind.

There was a click and the door, and it swung open slowly. Remy had just put something back in his pocket and knocked on the side of doorframe. "You in, Stormy?"

She'd been sure she had locked that door.

"Remy." Sitting back, Ororo smiled at the man framed in the doorway. "It would seem that I am, yes. Please, come in."

Remy limped through, pushing the door open fully. He carefully negotiated the distance and settled into the chair in front of her desk. "Merci, chere. Forgotten 'bout how many damn steps in dis place." He pulled out a couple of plastic cases from his pocket and place them on the desk. "See dat you even gardening indoors now." He used the cane to indicate the plants spread around the office.

“Mm, yes.” Ororo rose as Remy took a seat, moving to stand beside the desk. “It was either that, or move my desk outdoors. This way is less work for Cain.” She smiled and waved a hand to the mini-fridge set against the wall. “Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

"Remy kill for a coffee." He grinned, knowing that she was likely going for a fridge stocked with bottled water and juice.

"Oh, five minutes here and already abusing our hospitality?" Ororo asked, looking amused. She put a finger to her lips and glanced at the door before bending down to pull out a drawer. Pulling out a thermos, she set it on the desk and fished around for a mug.

"I knew it. No one from North Africa going to good without a cup of coffee now and den. Say one thing 'bout Haroun's taste; bad as it was wit' women, it was fantastic with coffee." Remy accepted the cup gratefully and took a long sip. "Ah, merci. Dis is what I needed."

“I’m glad I could help.” Leaning one hip on the desk, Ororo picked up her own mug, which was only half-full and lukewarm. “Now, what else can I help you with? You have certainly come a long way to pick the lock of my door.”

"Maybe Remy's come a wooing? I'd have brought flowers but I see you're already well supplied in dat area." Remy shifted uncomfortably in the chair. "Seriously though, dis visit is all about you."

“I’m honored.” ‘Ro grinned at him, resting her mug in one hand.

"After what I have to say, you might not be." Remy opened one of the cases and passed over a flash drive to her. "What do you know 'bout ancient Egyptian art?"

Taking the drive, ‘Ro leaned over and plugged it into her computer, raising one eyebrow. “I am not as well-versed in it as some… I have never studied it seriously.”

“Me neither, but dere are some things dat interest me. Specifically when Egyptologists go missing." Remy said, as she pulled up the news clippings and reports he'd assembled. "Remember Jake? Well, he's back wit' InfoNet and still owes me a few favours. Actually, he's going to owe me favours until de day he dies, though he doesn't know dat yet. Anyhow, according to his sources, Magneto's been sniffing around two professors working in Cairo. An egyptologist named Ahmedjad and a metallurgist name Rice. Both of dem went missing a few days ago."

‘Ro scanned the articles, her smile fading as she took in the import of the two men’s disappearance. “Is there a connection between the two?” she asked, glancing up at Remy. “Surely Magneto has something in mind…”

"Had de kids do some searching, and found out a little 'bout dere research. Turns out dat Ahmedjad is an expert on south Egypt or something. Means nothing to me, but he's done a lot of work on dis deathmask." The files clicked over into an image of a gold and lapis worked funeral mask. "Was a gift to one of de Pharaoh's. It was called de Mask of Ozymandias in dat last tour in de states. Now, guess what Rice happened to have spent de last four months in Egypt studying?"

“The mask.” ‘Ro pursed her lips, staring at the picture on the screen. “It’s beautiful… but somehow I think that Magneto is not after it for its beauty.”

"Non. Dat's de only part dat doesn't make any sense to me." Remy shrugged. "Still, who knows what de evil faeries are telling Buckethead to do dis week?"

Remy leaned forward and passed over the second case. "Now, here's de punchline to all of dis. Guess what was stolen less den eight hours ago?"

She didn’t even need to pull up the files to see where this was heading. “Is there any way to be sure Magneto is involved in all this? I am sure there are others on the trail of this mask, and the professors.”

"Well, dat's where you come in, Stormy." Remy finished off his coffee. "Been talking to de people dat I know in Europe, and none of dem have any idea. No whispers, no nothing. But one name keeps coming up as de person to talk to if something gets stolen in Cairo. So when's de last time you talked to Achmed el-Gibar?"

Ororo's expression immediately flattened into something unreadable. "I have not spoken to him in some time," she said tersely. "For many reasons. He is not a person I choose to associate with, and I would advise you to do the same, Remy."

"As de books say, dere lies de crux." Remy tapped the top of the plastic case. "Dis is all rumour, Stormy. Top to bottom. De only way to figure out if dere is any truth to it is finding someone who's got de connections to know. My contacts have come up empty, and Wisdom's already written off his. Maybe dat Haroun knows someone. Sent him an e-mail yesterday, but he hasn't gotten back to me. Dat leaves you."

"I have not been in Egypt for many years, Remy. I have not spoken to anyone there in just as long. Even if I did agree to help you, there is no way to know if el-Gibar would give me the time of day. I'm sorry, but this seems just as futile as any other avenue of search." For all her protestations, ‘Ro couldn’t deny the urge to return to Africa, even Egypt, was quite strong.

"Look, I can't approach el-Gibar. Even Arlen and his guild get laughed off by dis guy. You, on de other hand, apparently trained wit' him for a few years. Dat's closer den any other connection we've got." Remy carefully stowed the files back in their cases and slipped them into his pocket. "Otherwise, Remy going to be limping around Cairo wit' de worst Arabic accent possible, asking which way to de beach in a loud voice."

‘Ro couldn’t help it – she snickered in spite of her reluctance to get involved with this whole charade. “That is a very appealing prospect, actually… perhaps I ought to come along just to see it.” Tapping at her keyboard, she pulled up a calendar and schedule on her screen, looking over it with pursed lips. “It could not be for very long. And I would only go to consult… whatever action you decide to take will be on your own.”

"Dat means you leave de leather suit in de closet." Remy said. "I've got a reputation as a sadistic homicidal manaic to maintain in dat part of de world, and getting caught tooling 'bout with de superfriends not exactly going to help dat. Arranged for a plane to get us over dere tomorrow if we need it."

“I would think ‘tooling about’ with a woman dressed in leather would only augment your sadistic reputation,” ‘Ro said with a smirk. She glanced over at him, raising an eyebrow. “Tomorrow? So soon? Well… I must clear my absence here, first.”

"Dat's right. Sure dat dis place won't fall down wit' out you for a day or so. Besides, if we happen to open de wrong door in Cairo and Magneto dere, Remy's option of hitting him wit' de stick is not going to go down in history as one of de most inspired battle plans." Remy struggled up from the chair and got his cane under him. "Better go before Kuk has me charged wit' trespassing or something."

“I will contact you as soon as I am able,” Ororo assured him. “Is the plane piloted, by the way?”

"Frost has pilots for it. Hate having to use dem, but you know, Remy just never got 'round to getting dat jet license."

"If you'd prefer not to use them, I could serve as pilot," 'Ro said casually. "Of course, I don't know that Ms. Frost would approve, so it is your choice."

"In my experience, dere's very little 'bout Remy dat Frost approves of, so I'm all for leaving dem on de tarmac." Remy pulled open the door and shuffled a bit to keep his balance. "I'll see you tomorrow den. Guess I don't have to worry if we'll have good weather for it or not, neh?"

"Perhaps you should stop by the library and look up 'abuse of power' before you go," Ororo said, smirking and shaking her head. "I will see you tomorrow, Remy."

"Maybe Remy do dat. I should warn you though, Stormy, like 'no smoking', it might have to remain a mystery." Remy said and shut the door behind him.

Remy runs into yet another person he would rather not have. He and Marie have an almost civil conversation, but they still know how to thoroughly annoy each other.

Remy limped slowly down the hall, trying not to let the memories take hold. It was a mistake to come to the mansion so soon. Even with just the quick stop, it was like stepping back into his last day again, limping out the door and assuming that would be the last time he'd see this place. Just as he reached the end of the hall, a figure turned the corner, almost colliding with him. He caught a glimpse of the white streak in the dark hair and groaned as his mind threw up the name.

Rogue.

Marie was racing around the corner, trying to hurry up and pick up some last minute paperwork from the office required by Pace for her admission. Rounding a corner, she nearly ran into someone, stopping just before knocking him over. Looking at the man’s face, it took her a few seconds to recognize Remy. Looking at him suspiciously she asked, “What are you doing here?”

"Dat's de traditional Xavier's greeting dat I missed." Remy said, scowling. His relationship with Marie before had been poisonous at best, although to be fair, he'd thought he was eighteen and Xavier was pumping images of bloody death into his head. "Here to talk to Stormy. Thought dat you were up in Canada or something, wit' Logan?"

“It’s the same one Ah got,” she said, crossing her arms over chest. Looking more closely at Remy, she noticed that he looked different than she remembered him. He wasn’t carrying himself the same way he had. “Ah finished what Ah needed in Canada and figured Ah’d be more useful back here.”

"Very loyal. You win a cookie." Remy said, moving forward. He used the cane to nudge her to the side a little, allowing him to step forward and out of the hall on to the landing. "Dey put you back in de leathers yet, or you playing teacher helper for now?"

She glared at him. “An’ what’s wrong with a little loyalty? Its not like Ah’m blindly following something…Ah help my friends when they need it, they help me in return. You should try it.” She purposely didn’t answer his question. It wasn’t any of his goddamn business and it felt like he was just trying to needle her.

"Did. Funny how dat worked out." Remy thumped his cane on the floor twice. "But you probably right, Marie. None of Remy's business now anyway."

He started off down the steps, moving slowly and extremely awkwardly as he tried to lower himself down one by one.

Well this was new and unexpected…she was feeling sorry for Remy. And suddenly unsure of her snap judgment. Taking a few steps towards him, then halting, she asked awkwardly, “Can Ah help?” Most guys would not appreciate help being offered from a girl, even from one that could lift them as easily as a feather.

Remy paused for a minute, ready to refuse but stopping. His hip was a blaze of pain, and while he hated looking weak, collapsing and breaking his neck going down a flight of stairs would hurt worse.

"Oui. Merci.: He said finally, as she took his arm and helped him down the rest of the steps. Once they got to the bottom, he fumbled a pill bottle out of his pocket and dry swallowed a couple of tablets.

Nodding to acknowledge his thanks, she then winced, seeing the pained look on his face. His limp seemed pretty bad and she hadn’t heard of any recent action that could have caused it…then again, she wasn’t exactly up on the gossip that was always flying around the mansion. She generally preferred staying out of it since she herself had been the subject of it many times in the past. But now she found she wished she had paid more attention to the little update Clarice had given her. “What…um, what happened to you?”

"Lorna dropped a building on me." He said quietly, closing his eyes to let the pills go down and settle. "Look, Marie, things have been complicated. Remy not exactly at his best. Plus, last time I saw you, I figured I was eighteen."

Rogue's eyes widened and she managed to squeak out a surprised "Oh." It kept amazing her how much had happened in the time she'd been gone. Although she supposed it didn't make sense for everything and everyone here to stay the same when she had changed.

"Ah didn't know." With most people, she would insert a joke at this point to help lighten the mood, something along the lines of guessing what he had done to piss off Lorna. But she just didn't feel that comfortable with him…and not knowing what had really happened, she didn't want to chance striking a nerve. He was a different Remy than the one she had gotten to know before leaving for Canada...and she found she no longer knew how to react to him.

"Non, you didn't. And since Remy is a miserable old cripple dese days, anyone wit' an X on dere collar gets to be a target." Remy shook his head. He really was unsettled here, snapping at people. "Look, I need to get a cab into de city. Care to continue dis conversation outside?"

Not sure if she truly wanted to accompany him, but not wanting to appear rude, Marie nodded and began heading outside. She made sure to slow her pace so that Remy would not need to struggle to keep up. "You just stopped by to see 'Ro?" she asked curiously. It seemed odd that he would come to the mansion for just a quick visit with Ororo.

Remy nodded, taking a deep breath as he cleared the doors of the mansion and reached the front landing. Too soon indeed. He tapped out and cigarette and lit it with his finger, limping along to the fountain in the centre of the front courtyard and leaning slightly on it to rest his twisted hip and leg.

"Dere's a lot of rumours coming out of Egypt. Something dat Magento might been involved in. Stormy's got better contacts dere, so Remy figure dat we fly in, look around nice and quiet like to see if dere's any truth to it, and sneak back out again."

At the mention of Magneto, Rogue’s right hand automatically flew up to the white streak in her hair. “Ah see,” was all she said, but the wheels in her mind had been moved into high gear. I need to talk to ‘Ro.

She didn't, but that wasn't Remy's problem. He drew a deep drag on the cigarette and blew out a careful smoke ring. "Dey put you back on de team yet?"

“Pretty much as soon as Ah got back.” And they were convinced I was sane . “Ah got a much better grip on the new stuff than Ah did before Ah left.” She felt odd, just having a conversation with Remy. They were both being fairly civil and it was a nice change from before, but she kept waiting for some biting remark to come her way.

"Dey likely need de people." LeBeau said sourly. "Seems like de pace is increasing." He kept his actual thoughts private, musing darkly on where things were going. It seemed that every new rock he and Wisdom turned over, a dozen secret plots swarmed out of. He should have looked for a safe job, like juggling live grenades.

Marie frowned. “That it is. And it seems like more ‘n more people either aren’t sticking around or aren’t at full functioning. Either that or they’re just kids and aren’t fit to do what needs to be done.”

“Not everyone likes blind obedience." Remy said darkly, his entire discomfort being back here due to Xavier's cynical manipulation of him over the last year. "And dere's all sorts of things to be done dat doesn't involve black leather and explosions."

Rogue thought about that for a few moments. “Ah guess Ah don’t think of it as blind obedience. Ah can be on a team and still think for myself, make my own decisions. And while some things don’t require the leather and explosions, some do. Need people doing things both ways in the world to make it safe.”

"As you say." Remy muttered, eyes searching for the cab. This was exactly what he was afraid of; getting into this argument here and now with one of Xavier's favourites. He quelled the anger, set it aside for later. At least the Professor hadn't come wheeling out. "You see Stormy, you remind her dat we leaving tomorrow. Frost's pilots not likely to wait, neh?"

She hadn't intended to make him defensive, but she just seemed to have a knack for saying the wrong thing to him. She sighed, deciding that trying to explain herself further would just make the situation worse. Instead, she said "Ah will…but why are you using Frost's pilots? Relying on folk like that makes sneaking in and out of some place harder."

"She tends to prefer her planes being flown by her people. Afterall, not all of us have a military grade sleath fighter in de basement, chere." Remy said, looking up to see his ride approaching, finally. His fingers tightened slighty on the cane. Can't even drive properly now.

Marie watched silently as the taxi pulled up in front of them. She didn’t know what else she could say and making herself stay while he got into the cab instead of running immediately to Ororo’s room to find out more about what was going on was taking all of her energy.

Marie goes to speak with Ororo about Egypt, Remy and Magneto. She refuses to take no for an answer, until ‘Ro points out that she’s asking the wrong person if she can be involved.

As soon as Remy’s taxi was out of eyesight, she ran as quickly as she could to ‘Ro’s room. Her mind was going full tilt….Magneto, Egypt, Remy. Knocking on the door, she didn’t even wait for an answer before opening the door. Slightly out of breath, she stared at Ororo. Now that she was here, she didn’t know what to say or what to ask first and so just stood, staring at ‘Ro.

I really should lock my door... not that it would do much good. 'Ro looked back at Marie curiously, a small duffel bag in one hand that she had just pulled out of the closet. "Hello, Marie... can I help you?" she asked, raising one eyebrow.

“Ah talked to Remy.” Crossing her arms across her chest, she stared at ‘Ro. “What’s going on?”

"Ah. Apparently an artifact of some import has been stolen from the Cairo Museum. Remy and I are going to fly to Egypt to speak with... an old acquaintance of mine to see if he might know anything about its disappearance," 'Ro explained.

“He said Magneto might be involved,” she said, almost accusingly. “Its just him and you going? With Emma’s pilots?”

"Actually, I think we may be leaving the pilots behind as well. It's simpler this way." 'Ro set the bag down on the couch, smiling at Marie before glancing around the room. "It will be a very quick trip."

Marie noted that ‘Ro had not elaborated on Magneto’s involvement. “You can’t know that it’ll be quick. Things don’t always turn out the way people intend.”

"That is true," she said, nodding. "But I cannot stay away for long. I am only going because Remy thinks it is the best chance to find what has happened to the mask."

Marie sat on the couch. “But why are just the two of y’all going? That doesn’t make sense if y’ think Erik might be involved.”

"As I said, I am only going on a consultation basis... I have no intention of going after the mask or confronting those who took it." 'Ro disappeared into her bedroom momentarily, emerging with a handful of clothes a second later. "Remy is welcome to do as he likes, but I am not so foolhardy to think I would be able to confront Magneto successfully."

Marie nodded, relieved that Ororo sounded like she would act sensibly. But something still felt off in her gut. “Ah just think you should have another backup,” she insisted.

Ororo paused in her attempts to put her clothes neatly into the bag, looking up at Marie. "I assure you, Marie, everything will be all right. It has been some time since I have visited Egypt in this capacity, but I don't anticipate any trouble."

Ok, that tactic wasn't work. "Have you told Scott where you're going and why?" she asked, hoping to have better luck with another angle.

"Yes, of course. Besides Charles he was the first person I informed. I don't think he particularly likes the idea of Remy putting his nose 'where it doesn't belong'," 'Ro said with a smirk, "but he knows I am going."

Marie sighed, feeling as though ‘Ro was toying with her. She had to know what Rogue was hinting at, but she wasn’t going to make it easy on her. “Ah’m going with you,” she said firmly, staring at Ororo as if daring her to say no.

Ororo looked back at her steadily, one eyebrow still quirked. "Why?"

“Because my gut is telling me that something’s not right here.” Pausing, she decided to let Ororo know the whole truth. “And Ah don’t completely trust Remy,” she admitted. Sure, he seemed changed during their conversation…but that was one situation.

"If you don't trust him, why would you want to come along? Would that not be motivation to stay away from him?" 'Ro asked.

"If he was going by himself, it would be. But you're going to. Ah don't think he'd intentionally do something to hurt ya, that's not what Ah mean by Ah don't trust him. He's just made his disdain for how we do things clear and Ah wouldn't put it past him to spin a story to benefit himself and his way of thinkin'." Standing up, she walked to the other side of the room and looked out a window. Seeing a bird fly by gave her an idea. "Plus he said y'all were using Frost's pilots…wouldn't it be better to not rely on them, so you can make a speedy exit once you take a quick look at what needs looking at?"

Ororo pursed her lips, resuming her packing. "Perhaps..." It wasn't that Marie wasn't making a perfectly good point. In fact, she was making several. But the fact that there could be danger was all the more reason not to draw anyone else into this - especially not Marie. "I am wary of asking anyone else to go," she said honestly. "I do not want to put them into danger."

“But you aren’t askin’. In fact, you’re doing the opposite. Ah’m telling you that Ah think you should take someone else and Ah’m volunteering to be that someone. After all, what use are my leathers if Ah don’t put some wear into them?” she said, satisfied that the conversation was starting to turn.

"This would be a strictly non-leathers outing... we would not be acting as X-Men. I doubt el-Gibar would agree to see us if we were," 'Ro mused.

“An’ Ah can do things that way too.” No matter what Remy thinks. “Ah own street clothes and Ah can be unobtrusive. Ah won’t get involved unless its needed, Ah’ll just be there in case.” She shrugged.

"I have no doubt that you are capable, Marie," Ororo said, straightening up. "Ultimately, it is not my call. If you insist on coming, I cannot stop you. In fact, I would be welcome of your company. Have you asked Remy, though?"

That was going to be a real battle. “No. Ah didn’t think it would be right to say anything without talking with you first.” She pursed her lips, thinking about her earlier conversation with Remy. “Ah’ll talk to him.”

"Very well. I don't know if he told you, but we are leaving tomorrow. So you must clear this with him soon. If you like, tell him that your strength would be a better match against Magneto than my abilities... not that I intend on ever confronting Magneto about this."

Marie nodded, already formulating a multitude of arguments for why Remy would have to let her go along. If they were leaving tomorrow, she had no time to waste. Hoping she wasn’t being overconfident in her abilities to convince Remy, she said, “Ah’ll see you tomorrow then.”

'Ro nodded, giving the girl a smile. "I have no doubt that you will."

Rogue calls Remy with her request…and begins to wonder if she should have.

Marie had gone straight to her room after talking to Ororo and getting Remy's number. Then she had stared at her phone trying to figure out exactly how to proceed. With an exasperated sigh, she lifted the receiver and dialled.

Remy finally found his cellphone after a frantic search through his jacket. He hated those things. Easy to lose, hard to hear... at least they made an effective weapon when thrown. "Salut?"

“Remy…its Marie. Ah…well, Ah talked to ‘Ro and Ah have a proposition for you,” she said. There was no reason to beat around the bush, best to just attack this head on and get it over with.

"Well, I'm flattered but Remy just as happy to be single right now." Remy said, rolling his eyes. Talk to her for ten minutes, and now he was on the calling list for the mansion.

Of all the… Gritting her teeth, Marie forced herself to focus on the task at hand. “Ah know you don’t much care for me…but Ah have several things to offer that could make your little in and out mission faster and more efficient.”

"In and out mission? Wait, is dis a financial transaction we discussing, chere? De way day Remy hears, dat requires all sorts of special equipment or maybe dat Miles under de bed or something." Remy unlocked the door to the brownstone and walked up the steps.

Rogue clenched her fist…luckily, it wasn’t the one holding the phone, as it would have cracked under the pressure and she doubted she could make herself call Remy again. She kept her tone professional and business-like, not wanting to let him know that he was pushing her buttons. “‘Ro and Ah could pilot a jet, meaning no need for pilots and less people involved. Ah also add to your firepower, should you actually run into Magneto or anyone else and need it. And, despite your thoughts to the contrary, Ah can do things without leathers.”

"Remy willing to bet dat you can." Remy started slowly up the stairs. Still, she did have a point. Rogue was superstrong and apparently nearly invulnerable. That could be useful, especially with him on a stick these days. "You sure dat you allowed to do solo missions? You got a note from dat Summers?"

Reminding herself that she had a good reason for convincing him to make her part of this mission, Marie swallowed the first few words that came to mind. Instead, she replied “Ah’m free to do what Ah want.”

"Good for you. Glad to hear it." Remy finally got to his apartment. "Alright den. You want to come along, you get your seat on de plane. Bring you sunscreen and best Egyptian sandals."

“See you tomorrow,” said Rogue hanging up the phone. Staring at the receiver, she hoped she hadn’t just gotten herself into something she was going to regret.