Rogue and Jean: Friday Evening

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

While out after going to the opera, Jean and Rogue go for a drink. Things don't go as planned.


"Look at me‎," Rogue exclaimed happily. "I'm cultured. My momma would be so proud of me, going to the opera like a big girl. I enjoyed it too!". She even looked like a big girl, she thought too, with her new Louis Vuitton handbag that Julian refused to take back.

At least it matched her new, out of her budget, shoes.

"And here we are, at a bar we had to stand in line for," she added, swirling her pretty looking drink. "A line. And we got let in. I feel that alone deserves a toast, Jean."

Surveying the crowd, Jean did a double take when she caught the glee radiating from Marie's face. It seemed to catch on, and even Jean found herself smiling. She'd been to the opera before with Adrienne a few times so she'd forgotten what it was like to go for the first time.

The bar they were at was some trendy little bar that clearly used to be an Irish pub that was trying to give itself a facelift by selling microbrews and over priced appetizers. But the atmosphere was nice and it was a short walk from the opera. It also made them fit right in wearing their cocktail dresses.

Raising her amaretto sour, Jean clinked the glass against hers. "I'll drink to that."

"So did you like it enough to see more? I'm sure Adrienne could recommend others."

Rogue nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, please! I don't know why we never did this before...or even why I myself never did this thing. "

The bar was a far cry from where they usually went. In fact, it was impossible to tell who was a mutant and who wasn't. She reached for her martini, and lifted it in the air in a toast. "I'm so glad I came home. Here's to family, and rekindling old friendships." Catching the eye of their waiter, an attractive man in his twenties, she winked. "And other stuff."

Following Rogue's gaze, Jean grinned. "Hear hear," she said, clinking the glass against hers. She then shrugged casually, draping her elbow over the back of the chair as her attention flickered back to the waiter, then to Rogue with a warm smile.

"And perhaps starting new relationships."

Rogue gave a little snort. "As if. It's better to look and not touch, in my case," she responded, dangling a gloved hand in front of her face. "I just enjoy the flirting stage. Sometimes. It's very easy for a conversation to go from fun to horrifying."

She thought for a moment before continuing, a certain nervousness coming over her. "How'd you know that you were meant to be with Scott? I mean, you guys have been together forever and ever, and you're still my role model for ‎relationships."

Taking a long drink, Jean shook her head. "It's different for everyone. I think it was gradual for me. I tried not to give in at first...he was younger than me. Kind of shy, a bit of a nerd. I was just starting college. But the more time I spent with him, the more I realized I didn't want to spend my time with anyone else but him. And then we...started dating. Other than a few....bumps...we haven't looked back."

"You realize you guys have set the standard for love, right? Before I came here, all I had was my parents, and they were a right, proper couple.‎ He supported her. She supported him. They didn't touch if someone was watching,cause what would the neighbours think?" She sniffed. "Sometimes, I think they were angry at me, not for being a mutant, but for kissing a boy in my room. Crazy, huh?"

"That's their job, I suppose: to make teenagers uncomfortable. But they're human, just like Scott and I. We have our fights, and our problems. But we try to work them out. Communication is key," Jean said, her eyes lowering slightly. It was one of their biggest faults. Both of them had their secrets. And it almost destroyed them.

Rogue nodded, oblivious to Jean's inner thoughts. "Yeah, it sure is. My problem is I communicate all the random things, and never the important things‎."

The waiter Rogue had been admiring came to the table, but instead of talking to her, he turned his attention squarely on Jean. "Is there anything else madam would like? Another drink? A special? My phone number?"

Arching her eyebrows, Jean leaned back curiously. It did explain why he kept staring at their table but she was admittedly disappointed for Marie, even if she could only look but not touch. The man didn't know that. She smiled. "That's sweet, but I'm very happily married." Apparently he had a thing for older women. It made her feel good to still be found attractive, even if she would never admit it.

"Good luck, though."

She glanced back to Rogue. "Why do you not think what you say is important?"

Rogue giggled a little at the situation. Sure,it was nice to wink and flirt, but she wasn't surprised in the slightest he wanted Jean. Jean was gorgeous. It didn't matter how old she was, she was a classic beauty w‎ho would only get better with age. "I don't mean it's not important," she clarified," it's just that I tend to ramble about random things and get tongue tied quickly. Especially if there's cute boys around.". She gave a little frown. "Men. Cute men. I'm too old for boys."

She cleared her throat and continued. "Although, being untouchable gives one a certain sense of freedom. I can say or do whatever with no real fear of rejection because well. I wasn't in the running in the first place." this was all said very matter of factly, with a very easy tone of voice.

Jean grinned. "Men can still be boys sometimes too. And there's nothing wrong with a few years difference in age," she said, swirling her drink straw around in her glass before shaking her head.

"But I know it's difficult, and I'm sorry it has to be that way. Still...there's nothing wrong with getting tongue tied. It happens to the best of us. It--"

She smelled the alcohol first, too engrossed with her conversation with Marie to notice the drunken mental haze coming from the guy that staggered up to their table with the finesse of a newborn giraffe. He had clearly been occupying the bar for much longer than Jean and Marie had. Either that or this was the next stop on his bar crawl.

"Hey...hey hey pretty lady. I heard you...from over there," he said, flapping his arm toward the empty table beside theirs. "Come on...you can tell me the truth....you were just ssssaying that s'just cause you wanted me, right? I saw you lookin at me...." His hooded eyes flickered over to Rogue and he flashed her a dopey smile, complete with a spot of drool.

"You too...I don mind a little Southern Comfort with my Red Hots..."

Rogue looked at the man warily. "I think y'all are needing a glass of water, not ‎anything more to drink." she looked around and didn't see anyone who seemed too concerned about the man. It was clear he was by himself.

"Can I call you a cab or something? My friend and I were kinda in the middle of something, but you look like you need some help..."

Propping his elbow on the table, the man grinned at her. A bit of drool dribbled down his chin that he didn't bother to wipe away. "From you? Now yer speakin my language...You can tooootally help me..." he said, eyes flickering over Rogue like a hungry wolf.

"Help me outta my clothes you can help me."

Jean narrowed her eyes. "That's enough," she said, rising from her chair. "My friend is right. You've had way too much to drink. I think it's about time you left."

The man blinked up at her, incredulous at first, before it was his turn to turn angry. He yanked himself away from the table, staggering up to her.

"You're a bitch, y'know that? A goddamn prude bitch..." He said, pointing his finger at her like he were about to jab it into her chest but Jean didn't flinch.

"Here I was...havin a lilfun...We were hittin it off...Ms. Skunk Belle and me...How about you leave?" the man slurred.

Jean's eyes flickered toward the waiter, then back to the man. "I won't tell you again. Please back away before I call the police."

This was a side of Jean that Rogue had rarely seen. There was a fire in her eyes, a look about her that clearly said to get out of the way. It was a look honed after years of unruly teenagers and squabbling politicians. This man, however, seemed too drunk to properly react to it.

Rogue tried to catch the eye of the wait staff, or the bartender but they all seemed to be ‎ignoring them. In fact, most of the bar was actively ignoring them,leading her to think that this man had to be someone of importance, otherwise she felt that this situation wouldn't have escalated to this point.

"Mister, she's givin' ya fair warning. Leave us be. Just go, and there won't be any trouble."

"Aww...." The man said, waving his arms. "Aw. Not you too? C'mon...." He sidled back over to Rogue.

"C'mon. Don't be like that...I'll makeya change yer mind," he said, leaning in to sniff her hair.

He reached down to grab her ass, but was caught short by Jean grabbing his wrist.

"I warned you," she said, then decked him across the jaw, causing him to collapse to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Jean flexed her knuckles in and out, cringing as she flapped her hand about. "OW."

Rogue's mouth dropped open, as did at least half the bar. It was a sight to see, but the momentary shock would only last so long.

"I think that's our cue, sugar.". She grabbed Jean's arm, and pulled her towards the door, throwing cash on the table. "Great place, y'all. Truly."

Almost pushing Jean, they hustled outside before a full on bar brawl could take place. A few blocks at a brisk pace before it finally hit her. She stopped suddenly, leaning on a building, and was overtaken by giggles. "Oh. My. Gawd. Did that actually happen? You punched someone out!! You!."

"I really...really..." Jean was clutching her fist. "Should not have done that," she said, a little dismayed, then grinned despite herself.

"But it did feel good. Y'know, inside, not...physically." She let out a breath.

"And that's what I get from being around Logan too much."

Rogue looked at Jean's hand. It was already red, and appeared to be swelling up. "Logan never had to deal with the physical consequences though."

Her eyes perked up. "Can I be the one to tell Scott? Please? Pretty please?"

"Which is probably why he does it more," Jean said. She'd always been keen to let her telekinesis do the work.

She blinked at Rogue, then laughed. "Sure. But if I get the lecture for being irresponsible I'm blaming you...kidding. He's been married to me long enough to know what happens when I get angry."
‎
Rogue gave a little wink. "He told me you're always right anyways. Smart man."

"Very smart," Jean replied with a smirk. "Shall we head back? I think I've had enough fun for tonight."

Rogue nodded. "All this adrenaline has made me hungry. I hope Lorna has some goodies made for a midnight snack."