Love's Past Turmoil

A WEEK LATER

Skye closed her eyes for the moment; she had a serious headache. She had curled up against John, resting her head against his chest as they watched TV in the day room. She tucked her legs up underneath her; making sure the black skirt she wore lay down nicely. She’d matched it up with a soft cashmere sweater and left her hair loose that day.

She took a glance over at Rahne as she sat on the other couch in the room, staring at the telly.

Rahne tucked a stray piece of hair back up into her French braid as she watched the TV, trying to ignore John and Skye all curled up together. She was really happy for them, she was.

She just couldn’t wait till Bobby decided he was ready. She toyed with a piece of lint on her black hipster pants. Her emerald green blouse hugged each of her ripe curves well. She just watched whatever was on... in silence.

Pyro leaned over to grab the bottle of Coke on the table beside the chair, catching Rahne’s rather upset look. *Think we need to like find someone for Wolfsbane, Skye. She’s looking uncomfortable over there.*

Ice blue eyes stared at the Day Room door, and he was almost hesitate to open it. Mana had told him he would find his friends inside and he also knew Mana would be heading down to join them soon. He wasn’t sure if Pyro or Skye new anything but something had been wrong with Mana this past week.

His thoughts were severely interrupted when he walked through the door and saw the young woman sitting by herself near Skye and John.

Skye looked at her boyfriend. *Finding someone for her isn’t the issue love...its finding someone who’s ready for her...she knows who she wants.* she sent to him via their link. She took the bottle of soda and sipped it before handing it back.

Rahne barely looked up when she heard the door open... heck she didn’t look up at all.

Mana basically ran into Bobby as she walked into the room. “Oh shoot. Sorry, Iceman!” she said, sensing he hadn’t even noticed. “What…?” she followed his gaze. ~Oh.~ she thought, grinning. But not even she could have been prepared for what happened next.

Without even a backward glance at her, or a sideways one at Skye and John, he walked past the couple, gently grasping Rahne’s arm, and pulling her to her feet. The kiss he planted on her lips was full of more passion than he thought he was ever capable of.

Pulling away, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist, he grinned. “Um, I think I am ready for that relationship thing now.”

“Um, okay.” Mana whispered, her mouth open in shock.

Rahne looked into his bright blue eyes just before he kissed her. She felt her heart skip about 3 beats as she kissed him back, threading her fingers into his blond curls. She pulled back, a smile on her full lips. "Good. Cause I was getting tired of waiting." she whispered.

Skye looked up and saw the entire scene, feeling the love between them wash over her. "Oooh...told you John...." she giggled.

Iceman's smile widened as he cheekily asked, “So, you wouldn’t have continued to wait then?”

Rahne gave him a look. "Yes I would have. And you know it." she grinned.

He tightened his grip around her waist, seemingly oblivious to the others in the room. Resting his chin on her shoulder he added, “I wouldn’t have blamed you though.”

“Ah, guys, hello.” Pyro piped up. “There are other people here, and what was with that, Iceman? Man! Like, blow me away next time!”

Rahne rested her head against his, closing her eyes for a second before turning and looking at Pyro and Swann. She gave them a smile. "Oh get off it... Skye… you knew..." she said.

Her red-haired best friend nodded. "Yeah...but it’s not my business so I didn’t tell John."

“You knew?!” Pyro exclaimed, in mock annoyance, hitting her arm, playfully.

“Er, so did I.” Mana said, moving to lean up against the back of the couch, smiling at Rahne and Bobby. “’Bout time guys.”

“You both knew and never told me!” Pyro cried. “Aahhh!” He threw his lighter at Mana, knowing full well she would catch it easily.

And she did, the grin on her face widening, even though her emotions were clenching in her stomach. Her friends all had partners. She was the only single one in the group of five, and the one person who had shown the least bit of interest in her hadn’t been seen hide nor hair of since he’d left her standing back against the mansion wall that night.

Skye turned and looked over at Mana, her eyes showing concern as she felt the turmoil in her sister. She turned back to John and gave him her best pout, rubbing her arm where he hit her.

Rahne leaned into Bobby's arms.

Bobby kissed the side of Rahne’s head, then looked around at the others. “Sorry, guys. I have no idea what came over me.”

“It was luuuve, man!” Pyro said, grinning.

Mana giggled, glancing at Skye. *If only that would come my way.* she sent.

Rahne smiled and laughed softly. "Yes it was..." she whispered.

Skye gave the new couple a grin before she looked at Mana. *It will.*

*And how do you know that? The only guy who has shown any interest in me basically bailed me up twice and caused my powers to go out of control.* Mana sent. *And now he has disappeared.*

Bobby gently pulled Rahne down beside him as he sat down, draping his arm around her shoulder. “And what am I missing?” he asked, rasing an eyebrow in Mana and Skye’s direction.

No one but Skye knew about the second time that same night a week ago that Remy had confronted her. If Pyro had even gotten a hint of what had happened he would have gone after the Cajun in a second.

*Give it time.* Skye sent to Mana. She looked over at Bobby, who was now all cuddled up with Rahne. "Nothing, just girl talk." she told him with a smirk.

Rahne leaned against Bobby, tucking her feet up under her.

Bobby’s eyes moved to take in the young woman’s profile. The first thing he had noticed about Wolfsbane was her red hair and how it framed her elegant face perfectly. Reaching over he took a strand of it in the fingers of his left hand. ~And always so soft too.~ he thought, smiling.

Pyro looked up at Mana, the look of concern palpable. *What’s up, Mana?* he asked.

*Nothing. It’s okay.* she answered, moving to sit in the single couch opposite Rahne and Bobby.

Rahne did not want to let go of Bobby for anything that day. She kept one arm around his waist and the other running up and down his chest.

Skye knew better. She sent her a message. *I know what’s wrong...you’re missing someone…aren’t you?*

Mana’s eyes caught hers. *Yes. And I don’t understand why.*

Skye nodded. *Give it time to develop...we don’t always know why we are attracted to someone...but fate is a funny thing....let things happen.* she sent back.

“Trouble is, do I want something to happen when the guy bails me up two times in one night?”

Pyro would have jumped out of his seat had his girlfriend not been in his arms. “Twice in one night?!” he yelled.

Mana could have slapped herself for saying that out loud. She so hadn’t meant too.

“An’ wha’ is it t’ yo’ if I had, Mon’ami?” came the Cajun accent, from over near the door.

Rahne immediately bristled up. She didn’t like Remy too well… and it showed visibly. Her eyes darkened and a low growl escaped her throat. "I…told you to stay away from her." she said coldly.

“Remy be knowin’ wha’ yo told him, Rahne. Doesn’t mean I be listen.” he answered, looking straight at Mana.

Mana shivered under his red on black gaze.

“Has it been enough time yet, Cher?” he asked.

John gently pushed Skye away, quickly climbing over the chair and staring Remy down. “Enough time for what?!” he demanded, protectively.

Iceman tightened his grip around Rahne’s shoulders, readying himself for her attempted attack on Remy. “Be sensible, Rahne.” he whispered. “This is Gambit we are dealing with here.”

Rahne took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. "I don’t want him around Mana...end of story…he’s just gonna hurt her." she said.

Skye stepped in between Remy and John. "John, calm down...baby please?" she asked him.

“Did you know about this, Swann?” he asked her.

Gambit looked on with amusement, twirling a single playing card in his hand. “Remy be bettin’ de girl has not told any o’ yo’ dat she can now feel me at all times.” he stated, somewhat smugly.

Mana’s mouth fell open. How in the world did he know that?

"I guess he didn’t learn..." she said. She gave both Mana and Remy a look. "You know what John...I’m not gonna do this...I warned him, Rahne warned him...and yet he wont stay away...I’m not gonna bother with this...I’ll see you guys later." she said as she turned and walked out of the room. "I’m not getting involved."

“Good choice, Cher, although I will stay away if de Petite asks me too.” he said, locking eyes with Mana.

Mana hated this. This guy was not only messing with her, he was now causing contentions between her friends. “Leave, Gambit, right now.” she ordered, her face flushed, her eyes blazing.

Gambit didn’t have to be a telepath to know Mana didn’t really mean that deep down but he bowed his head nonetheless, backing away. “As you wish, Cherie.” And with one flick of his wrist, as he walked out the door, past Skye, the playing card landed at Mana’s feet.

John took a deep breath. The last thing he wanted was for Skye to be angry at him, and hearing Mana’s angry voice snapped him out of his own anger. He knew very well his older foster sister was quite capable of taking care of herself, not to mention making her own choices.

Skye was already down the hall by this time, not in the best of moods. She sighed as she headed into the kitchen and found something sweet.

Pyro turned to Mana. “Don’t keep things like that from me again.” he said, in a tone that showed Mana he was deadly serious, before he headed out the door after Skye.

Mana looked stricken. She was now more confused than ever. “I will be outside if anyone needs me.” she said, rushing off before anyone could protest.

Iceman looked at Rahne. “Well, that went well.” he said. “Gambit should have stayed gone.”

Rahne looked back at Bobby. "This is bloody wonderful, Skye’s upset, John’s angry, Mana’s upset...and frankly...I’m so tense right now I could explode." she said softly. She bent down and picked up the fallen card. "Queen of Hearts, fitting."

“Where did she go?” Gambit asked, reappearing at the doorway.

Pyro found Skye in the kitchen, his apology leaving his mouth as soon as she saw her. “I’m sorry, Skye. It’s just… Remy gets me so… so..” his voice trailed off, and he just stood there.

That was it... the gloves were off. Rahne growled low and immediately morphed into Wolfsbane. Seconds later, a huge copper wolf stood in her spot growling wickedly, fangs bared.

Skye looked at John. "It’s fine...I know how you feel...I wanna just....OOH!" she said as she threw a glass across the room.

Pyro’s eyes widened and he moved quickly forward, gripping Skye by the shoulders. “What?! What is it?” he demanded.

Iceman dived off the couch, in between the wolf and the Cajun. “What are you playing at, Gambit?” he said, glaring at him. “Get out!”

"I don’t want him to hurt Mana...John I don’t…so help me if he hurts her...he’s gonna suck her in..." Skye said, softly.

Wolfsbane snarled, stalking her prey slowly.

“I think whatever is happening is out of our control, Skye.” John said, slipping his arms around her. “And I hate that!”

Remy kneeled down, his gaze locking with the Wolf’s eyes. “I suggest yo’ keep yo’ girlfriend on a leash, Iceman. I won’ intentionally hurt her, but..” He removed his bow staff from under his jacket. “I will protect maself by any means necessary.”

Skye fell into his arms. "I hate it.." she whispered.

Wolfsbane met his eyes and took the challenge he silently gave to her when he locked his gaze with hers. She lunged.

Remy brought around his staff, the sound of hit hitting Rahne’s shoulder blade reverberating through the room.

Iceman flung his arm out, but Gambit was no longer where the ice from his hand was aiming for.

“Yo’ attempts are commendable, but yo’ forget who yo’ are dealin’ wit’ here.” Gambit said, crouched in the corner between the door and a bookshelf. “I suggest yo’ stop now before dis gets messy.” he added, his eyes blazing with anger.

Wolfsbane yelped but turned around and went for him again…this time aiming to hurt.

Gambit sighed. ~Why does de girl have t’ be so stupid?~ he thought, kicking out with his right leg, hitting her directly under the jaw, hard. “Back off, Wolfsbane!” he hissed, catching the movement of the other occupant of the room, his bow staff extended, the end charged in his direction in barely the blink of an eye. “And yo' too, Bobby.” he added, glaring at both of them.

Wolfsbane yelped in pain and fell back, whimpering. She turned back into her human form, curled up on the floor of the day room, one hand on her shoulder and the other on her jaw, both swelling and bruising rapidly.

Iceman knelt beside her, only moments before the purple bolt of electricity hit Remy in the chest, sending the Cajun flying back against the wall.

Mana advanced from the sliding door, blades unsheathed and eyes glowing. “You mess with my friends, Remy, you mess with me!” she hissed, the protective predatory anger within emerging.

Unlike Wolverine, Mana’s anger was fuelled by emotion, and the one thing that brought it out was seeing her friends’ threatened in even the smallest of ways.

Iceman grabbed Rahne, pulling her out of the way, just as another bolt of electricity snaked to hit Gambit.

Rahne didn’t even look up; she hurt too badly. The kick to her chin from his shoe had made it to where she couldn’t talk. She was embarrassed and hurt and wanted to sink into the floor. ~Oh to have Shadowcat’s power right now.~ she thought.

Mana’s whole attention was focused on the threat to her friends. She may have registered Rahne’s pain but in her anger she took no notice of it.

Gambit watched her advance, a tinge of fear in his heart. This girl was something else. Beautiful, powerful, protective, gentle… he made no move to get out of her way.

Mana brought up her right hand blades, and Gambit caught her wrist once again. His other arm twisted around behind her waist, pulling her towards him. His lips met hers and the electrical energy within her and the room sparked around them, in brilliant purple and red lines.

Rahne was just conscious enough to see this and she turned over, still laying on the floor and cried.

Mana suddenly felt Wolfsbane’s pain all at once and tried to pull away from Gambit, but he held her tight, his lips locked with hers. “Let go of me!” she tried to say, but she didn’t really want him to. The Healer in her was screaming at her to help her friend; the woman that was dying to be loved was melding into Gambit’s embrace.

The two fought within her mind and the healer won out, using all her strength to push back out of the Cajun’s embrace. As she broke contact, there powers imploded between them, and Remy’s memories and thoughts flooded her mind. Crying out, she reached Wolfsbane side, her healing power going to work before she even touched the girl.

Gambit stood where he was, his eyes wide at the experience he had just been a part of; his emotions trying to deal with what he was now seeing in his mind.

Skye sat back in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. All at once, she felt desire, want, and then Mana’s healing power. She looked at John wide-eyed. "Something’s happened…" she said, tearing back to the day room.

Rahne ignored Mana even as she healed her. She felt betrayed. As soon as she was able, she got up off the floor and walked out of the day room.

Mana broke down, Remy’s advances, his thoughts, his memories, his feelings; Rahne’s pain, her anger, her sadness, her disappointment; it was all too much. She cried, the tears falling heavily.

Gambit moved forward, his hand touching her shoulder.

“Leave, Remy. Now.” she whispered. “Go away.”

Those words hurt Gambit more than she would ever know but he did. He caressed the top of her head, turned, and disappeared out the door.

Mana fell forward, weeping. Iceman touched her arm.

“Go find Rahne, Bobby.” was all Mana said, before turning her head away, resting it on the floor.