Wendy: Farewell Neverland

[x-storm.livejournal.com]

Ororo and Remy meet to discuss their 'vacation' and... other things.

Remy's note under her door had said 'greenhouse' and arriving there, it was easy to spot him sitting at the table set up at the one end. It often served as her desk and work space while tending to the plants or hands on teaching of botany and horticulture to some of the students. Some of the staff liked to eat there, especially in the winter where they could look out on the snow covered grounds, while warm and comfortable surrounded by the scent of the potted citrus trees that ringed the area.

Remy was sitting on a canvas chair, a cup of coffee in his uninjured hand and the newspaper in the other. The night's rest had removed some of the darkness from around his eyes, but in turn, deepened the purple and black bruises visible on his face and arms. Surprisingly, one of the food trolleys that they used for events or for private meals was sitting on the other side of the table, steam escaping from the edges of the lids.

Remy looked up as she approached, motioning at her with his cup. "You look like you just went ten rounds wit' Cain dere, Stormy."

"It feels like twenty," she replied, sliding carefully into the empty seat. "Although I was allowed to leave the infirmary, so there is no permanent damage. Amelia was impressed with your stitches, by the way... not that she said as much, but her frown was somewhat less disapproving as she inspected them." Ororo realized belatedly that she was babbling a little and shut her mouth, not wanting to make a fool of herself.

Remy almost laughed, covering with a sip from his mug. "Had a little too much practice at dat, I think." He reached over and pulled the lids off the trolley. Under it were plates of breakfast food. "I managed to talk some of de kids into cooking, and Marie was nice enough to wheel dis thing in here."

"Oh..." Ororo smiled slowly, her stomach grumbling. "That was very kind of them. And you. Thank you." She reached for her own mug, folding her hands around it and inhaling the aroma of the fresh-brewed coffee. "It is good to be back," she said with a bit of a sigh, looking around at the familiar sights hungrily.

"I bet it is." Remy had been too tired to be uncomfortable in the mansion last night, but now it was slowly creeping back. He covered by filling his plate, knowing that food was almost as important as sleep at this point.

"Mm." The weatherworker took her share of breakfast as well, moving a bit more slowly and stiffly than usual. She was confident that it wouldn't be long until she was back to normal - extensive physical and mental training helped that way - but for now, she was dreaming of nothing more taxing than grading English papers.

They ate in companionable silence for a little while. During two weeks on the road, hard living and traveling, they'd learned a lot about each other. Sharing silence required almost as much closeness as sharing feelings. After a time, Remy paused, wiping his mouth and refilling his coffee mug.

"De Professor gave me a fax dis morning from Muir. Everything is signed off to transfer Landin, Rory and Sara dere. He's going to help figure out a plan to deal wit' all de damage dat's been done to dere minds."

"Excellent. I am glad they will be receiving help," Ororo said with a nod. She knew the three would receive only the best of care on Muir, and it was some small consolation that at last they would be getting the aid they needed.

"Oui." Remy nodded. Despite Arcade's sick games, he had not only protected his former team from the job in Las Vegas, but also given three people a new chance at lives. That was enough for him. "How 'bout you? How long before dey put you back on de job?"

"There are essays waiting for me on my desk," she replied with wry smile. "I am sure no one will complain if I start on them this afternoon. Training may have to wait a few days, but I can certainly find it within me to hand out grades, I think. And you?" She turned her gaze back to him, meeting his eyes and not allowing herself to look away.

"France. Dere's some work dat we need done in Europe, and I can take care of it while I relax a bit." Remy winced as he shifted. "I heal pretty quick, but not dat much, neh?"

He caught her look and smiled. "Relax chere, you don't need to get yourself worried about it." They both know what it meant. "After two weeks of dat, nearly getting killed, running on empty, it's a pretty natural reaction. Happens in de field all de time, especially de more dangerous de situation is. Just one of dose mistakes dat everyone makes at one time or another. I won't even brag 'bout it."

"Yes, of course," Ororo said, making an effort to sound like she believed him. She wondered for a moment just how he knew this, and bit back the strange feeling the musing brought up in her. Forcing a smile, she nodded, picking up her coffee cup once more. "And we are adults. There is no need to make a big deal over it. It was purely a product of the circumstances, nothing more."

"Bien. Didn't want you thinking dat you suddenly had to worry 'bout me showing up wit' flowers or something. Dey'd never let you here de end of it." Remy said with a chuckle, leaning back in the chair and enjoying the smells of the food and the garden around them. The last thing Ororo needed was to feel guilty or that something was expected of her from Remy, he considered. "Look, you saved me back dere, chere. Without you, well... de way back to Gambit would have been dere. Don't think dat I don't know how much I owe you."

"You owe me nothing," she said with a shake of her head, regarding him over the rim of her mug. "It is the same as I would have done for any friend, Remy. It is as simple as that."

"Dat doesn't change de fact dat you were de one dere to do it." Remy pointed out. It had been too close. Far too close.

"You pulled me from a burning building. One that I was determined to stay in until it fell down around me. I think we are even," Ororo said rationally, though there was the smallest hint of a tremble to her voice. She could still remember the blind panic she had felt at that moment, and she knew that if Remy hadn't been there to drag her out, she might not've made it on her own. It was a sobering thought.

"Guess dat means we stuck wit' each other's company for a little while longer den, neh?" He grinned, picked up a piece of fruit and turning it over in his hands. He held it up for a moment and then charged it, letting it glow purple before it exploded with a small pop.

She let out a relieved laugh, wiping off the pulp that had landed on her nose and flicking it at him."So it would seem, yes," she agreed. "For a little while longer, at least."

Remy grinned back at her. "I'm off to France. Want me to bring one of dose little Eiffel Tower paperweights back for you?"

"Please. Anything to control the paperwork when it threatens to run rampant," Ororo said with a chuckle. "Though if that is the worst of my problems in the future I will be eternally grateful. I hope you enjoy your trip."

"You make sure you take some time off too, you know. Not every day a twisted lunatic forces you to run all over de country nearing getting killed. Dat deserves some time to bounce back from." Remy pointed at her. "Dis place survived before you, it survived de last two weeks, it can survive de time you need to get yourself back together."

"You would have me believe that they do not need me at all here," she said, a bit whimsically.

"I think dat you don't need dis place to have worth. Dat means killing yourself to get back is a bad idea, neh?" Remy said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "We survived de damn race. Shame to undo it."

Glancing down at his hand, Ororo smiled shyly, nodding a little. "Thank you, Remy. For a great many things. I would not want to do that again, ever, but if I had to, I would choose to do it with you."

"If dat's de case, you mind wearing de sexy nurse outfit next time?" He said, ducking to dodge the piece of fruit she flung at him. He sat back with a grin on his face, looking natural for the first time since that lunch place two weeks ago. "Maybe dat one wait for de third date, neh?"

"Only if you promise to wear the sexy cowboy outfit. It is only fair, after all."