Love's Past Turmoil

Skye suddenly found herself in a quiet mood. She headed back to her room, leaving the door open as she stretched out on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

John flicked the lid off his lighter as he walked down the hall. ~Where did she go?~ he thought.

He headed up a floor, deciding to check Skye’s place of sanctuary, her room. “Skye.” He called, poking his head around the doorframe. “You up for some company?’

Skye cocked her head in the direction of the door and gave him a small smile. "Sure, it’s open.” she said.

John walked in, plonking himself down in the chair beside the bed. “You okay? What exactly happened back there?” he asked, his Zippo lighter ever present in his right hand.

Skye shook her head. "I don’t know..." she said honestly. One moment she was fine and the next she wasn’t.

John looked at her, his eyes studying every movement of her face, leaning forward in the chair. “Care to tell me what actually happened? That telempathy was between you and Mana alone.”

She shook her head. "I don’t really remember what was said...I just remember being jealous over something...its stupid."

“Jealous of the past between me and Rogue?” he asked her outright, shocked at his sudden boldness.

"Yes." she said, softly.

Pyro almost grinned, his insides clenching with that really intense excitement he got every time he looked at the young girl. “You don’t have to worry about that, Skye. Whatever I once felt for Rogue is gone. I think I just grew out of it. I mean, I was jealous of Iceman and his perfect life. That is probably the only reason I ever found myself interested in Rogue.” he explained, standing up and moving over to the bed. Catching her eye he added, “You get that?’

Skye sat up, resting her head against her headboard. "Yeah, I get it.." she said, softly.

John smiled. “Come on. Let’s go see what is on tele in the Day Room. All I feel like doing today is lounging around.”

Skye nodded as she sat up fully, setting her feet on the floor.

Pyro grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the room.

**

Pyro looked around the room. Several more of the institute’s residences had filed in shortly after he and Skye, and he was beginning to become very nervous.

“I’m sorry, Skye.” he said. “I have to go.”

He surprised himself by giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek before walking out of the Day Room, heading for the back door and some quiet time in the gardens beyond.

He glanced up at the mansion as he made himself comfortable up against the trunk of one of the tallest trees he had ever seen, somewhat wishing he could leave the school again, but he’d made a promise to two young women. Two women he couldn’t stand to be without.

He glanced down at his Zippo lighter, the flames drawing him to them as they always did. “Leaving is not an option anymore, John.” he said, softly.

Their quiet time had been ruined. She got up and closed her eyes, concentrating on him. She walked out to the garden. "You go… I follow." she said, softly from behind.

The Zippo lighter nearly hit the ground, but he fumbled at the last minute to catch it. This was one thing he did not like about having friends again - their uncanny ability of turning up right when you really wanted to be alone. The fact it was Skye made it a little easier not to get annoyed.

"I'm not going anywhere, Skye." he answered, watching her sit down.

Skye sat down in front of him. "That’s good...but I meant what I said." she said, softly.

John smiled. “Thanks.” he answered, sighing.

She smiled softly at him and threw a few blades of grass at him. "Sure."

He eyed her, grinning, a sudden look of seriousness coming over his face. He leaned back against the tree again, his eyes never leaving hers. “Um… I… this friendship you and me have, could it be anything more?” His eyes widened at the suddenness of the question. ~Whoa, Pyro, talk about saying what you are truly thinking!~ he thought.

Skye looked at him. Her green eyes searched his for seriousness, as he had a tendency to be smart about things. She found truth lying there. "I.... you already know how I feel on that John... I know you know."

“Yeah,” he started, leaning forward. “But you have gotten to know me now. I mean really gotten to know me.” He motioned to the side of his head. “I know I can be a real jerk sometimes. That’s just me. Comes from my past, and I know there have been countless times lately that you and Mana have confided in each other about my attitude at times. Do you really want to be with someone who acts like that?” He was being completely honest with her. This was not something to be taken lightly. His past was his past, and it would always be there.

She looked at him, her legs tucked up under her as she looked down for a moment. "Yeah I do want to be with you despite that... the past is... just that... its past, done and over with. It’s time for new beginnings for you… for all of us." she said. "You had a hard time with Magneto, it was rough and you acted out because of that.... I think, given enough time and love from those around you.... you’ll get over being a spaz." She grinned at him.

“A spaz!” he cried, laughing. “I’ve don’t believe I have ever been called that before.”

She smiled at him. She knew that he was changing subjects on her and she didn’t mind. Things would come as they did. At least she knew how he felt. "So... do you want more?"

Pyro raised an eyebrow at her, one of Mana’s many pieces of advice popping into his head at that moment, “Actions speak louder than words, Pyro.”

So, he played on that advice, taking a chance; a chance that could very well bite him hard. He leaned forward, the touch of Skye’s lips sending chills down his spine, his hand moving to hold the back of her neck.

Pulling away seconds later, he asked, “Does that answer your question?”

Skye bit her lip as he pulled away, her cheeks warm with heat. "Oh yeah it does." she said with a smile. "Or maybe... you need to answer it again."

Pyro grinned, lifting her hand up so he could kiss the top of it. “A true man never rushes things. The first kiss is always the one to remember. The second, well, that is something you will just have to wait for. It could come at any time.” he told her, a cheeky grin on his face.

She smiled softly at him, her eyes meeting his. "I don’t think Ill ever forget this....." she whispered. "Some things are worth waiting for" she said with a smile. She curled her fingers around his gently. "So... is this an official thing?" she queried him.

Pyro brought the hand holding his lighter up, igniting his element, the flame dancing out of his hand. It flew around the couple a few times before forming a single question in the air above them. --- “FOREVER, if you want, Skye?”

Skye smiled at the words as they flickered in the air above them. "Forever huh? That kinda sounds like a marriage proposal....?" she asked, searching his eyes.

Pyro grinned. “Possibly.” he answered, the look in his eyes not giving away anything more.

Skye’s heart nearly stopped in her chest. ~Oh my goodness.~ she thought to herself. She smiled at him. "Tease." she said, as he refused to say more.

“If there is one thing Mana has taught me, Skye, it is never to play with someone’s heart.” He said, the seriousness in his voice palpable.

Skye turned to him and looked into his eyes. "I don’t play games... when I want something, I mean it... and I’m in for good."

Pyro smiled. “Then we are going to get along just fine.” He chuckled. “I think I am more like Mana than I thought. And considering she isn’t my real sister that is saying a lot.”

She smiled. "Mana is absolutely awesome... she’s the big sister I never had… and never got to be." she said, softly. She took his hand and laced her fingers with his. "Come on... I’m cold.... can we go inside?"

John smiled at her, gently kissing her on the cheek. “You are sitting with a pyrokinetic mutant you know, Skye?” he said, grinning.

"I do know that." she said with a smile. "So what are you gonna do about me being cold?"

John flicked his lighter open, not even looking at the flame as he ignited it. “This.” The flame seemed to grow slightly before it leaped onto the ground, the fire held steady. “See if that helps.” he said, smiling at her.

Skye smiled. "Yeah… it helps some.” she said, as she turned her body around a bit, giving him her back. She scooted backwards till she was leaning against him. "This helps a lot too" she grinned.

Pyro laughed inwardly. “I bet.” he whispered into her ear. “May I ask how long you have liked me for, and for what reason? I mean, I am a jerk at times?”

"Since the first moment I saw you...I felt something..." she told him honestly. She turned her head back and looked at him. "Because I know you are better then that...you are a good person John....and you just need to let that guy out to play more."

John looked into her eyes. “You are the second person to say that to me. Well, in a different way.” With his lighter still in his right hand, he moved them so they were clutching hers. Looking over his shoulder, he stared down into the flame, doubtful thoughts ever present in his mind.

She laced her fingers with his tightly. "What are you thinking?" she asked him, feeling doubt coming from him. She didn’t want to invade his thoughts.

“I have turned once before, Skye.” he said, softly. “I don’t want to ever do it again, but… but… what if I do?”

"I wont let you... between Mana and me... you’re going to be fine..." she said softly.

Pyro smiled. If only she realised just how deep that affected him. He felt…. he felt loved again. Something he needed so desperately in his life. Mana was back and now, along with her, he had met someone who loved him for who he was, his past and all.

“I love you, Skye.” he said, no hesitation within his voice.

She looked at him, her eyes wide. "I love you too, John.." she said, softly in answer.

He squeezed her hand, gently, burying his face in her neck. *Don’t let me go again. Don’t let me turn.* He pleaded with her, via their newly established link.

His greatest fear had changed. No longer was he afraid of never being loved again; of never being seen as important in someone’s eyes. He was now terrified of letting that anger he held so deep inside take over; take over and turn him again.

She shook her head. *Never...Ill never let you go....ever, John, I promise.* she said softly, turning her head enough to leave a kiss on his head.

"Yo' be de perfect couple." came a voice the two lovers knew very well from above them.

John jumped slightly, looking up. "What the?!" he cried. "Gambit!"

Skye looked up. "Remy" she grinned up at him.

"Sorry, Petite." He said, looking directly at her. "Yo' know de Cajun can't resist following a beautiful girl."

Pyro's eyes narrowed, a hint of jealously showing in them.

"Hey, knock that off... I’m taken now... you had your chance." she smirked at the red eyed Cajun teasingly. She nuzzled Johns head with her own

"No offence, Sheri, but it not be yo' de Cajun wants a chance with." Remy admitted, using his bow staff to flip down in front of the pair. Crouching, he added, "An' I be thinkin' I won't be getting the chance wit' dis other one either."

"If you’re talking about Mana... and don’t lie cause I am a telepath...she’s inside. In the kitchen." Skye grinned

"An' yo' just expect me ta walk up to dat girl and be ma usual self?" Remy inquired, incredulously. "She be likely to electrocute me or somethin' considerin' de Cher don even know Remy be existen an' all."

Pyro grinned. "That's right. She's never met you yet. And you're right, Cajun. With your attitude she' is likely to electrocute you." he said, laughing. "I'd like to see that."

"I’d almost pay money to see that." Skye said. "But that would involve moving... and I like this spot too much." she said.

John pulled his arms around her tighter. "You're not going anywhere." He said, looking past Remy. "Hey, Gambit, you may want to rethink what you just said cos now is the chance for you to meet my foster sister properly. She's…"

Mana suddenly appeared out of nowhere, smiling at Pyro broadly. "Ooooh, this is so cool!" she cried. "Nice to see it finally happen."

Gambit's eyes widened slightly, and he backed away. ~Now dis not be like me.~ he thought. Wha' is it 'bout dis girl dat be so dif'rent?~

Skye leaned against him, looking up at Mana. She gave the older girl a happy smile. "Mana… this is Remy... Remy... Mana..."

Mana turned, the smile on her face turning to a gasp, but she hid her initial reaction well. ~Whoa!~ she thought, captivated by his red -on-black eyes almost immediately. "Heya." she said, holding out her hand.

Gambit managed to overcome his unusual nerves, his Cajun Charm easily taking over as he stepped forward, took her hand, and kissed the top of it. "De pleasure be all mine, Cher." he said.

Mana felt her heart skip a beat. ~Oh. That voice.~ she thought. What she failed to notice was her body take on that all-to-familiar purple glow, and Gambit had no idea his kinetic energy was causing his eyes to darken in their redness.

Skye looked back at John. "And another love connection is made." she said, with a soft smile to him. "Now, we just need to work Rahne and Bobby." She grinned.

*When Mana finds out what Remy is like, Skye, she's not going to like it.* Pyro said, via their link. *And personally, I don't want him to hurt her!*

*We won’t let him hurt her... he really likes her... I can feel it... I think it may be a rocky start… but things will work out.*

*If he hurts her I will kill him.* John added. *She's dealt with enough in her life without that happening.*

*Calm down, John...* Skye said.

*Sorry, Skye. It's just… if it was anyone else I probably wouldn't be worrying but you know what Remy can be like. He sleeps around. Mana wants commitment, and he's not the type.*

Mana snapped herself out of her fascination, looking away from the man. "So, ah," She glanced at her friends. "How long have you been here for?" she asked him.

"No' long, Cher." Gambit answered.

*What is his accent?* she asked Skye, telempathically. *I've never heard of it.*

*He’s Cajun, from New Orleans in the States...* She sent back. She snuggled into John’s body, looking back at him. *I know you love her...but let her do this, love… ok? Please?* she sent him. *It will be fine.*

John sighed. She was right of course, but it would take some heavy convincing and evidence on Gambit's part to make him believe it could work between the two.

"Nice to meet you, Remy." Mana said, noticing the card in the Cajun's hand. She smiled at the way he was twirling it through his fingers. ~Card trickster. Cool.~ she thought, looking down at Skye and John. "So, when did you two finally get together?' she asked, kneeling down in front of the pair.

Gambit's eyes never left the young woman, and he quietly backed away, disappearing into the bushes with the path beyond.

For some unknown reason Mana felt him go, an intense feeling of disappointment settling in. She glanced back over her shoulder, sighing inwardly. ~Who in the world was that?~ she thought.

Skye watched Remy leave. "Earlier on today I think" she said, in answer to Mana’s question. "Although the feeling was always there."

Mana nodded. "Like I didn't know that already." she said, grinning. "Um, you couldn't…" She hesitated, looking back over her shoulder. "You couldn't tell me more about Remy, could you?' She looked at the ground. "He was cute. Like, those eyes…" She looked back up, grinning.

"John knows him better then I do...he can tell you more if you wanted...you won’t like all of it however." she said, as she pulled her hair out from behind her back. "I’m trying to keep my nose out of it."

Mana looked at Pyro expectantly. "Come on. Spill, FM." she urged.

John's sigh was audible. "I'd rather not." he answered.

Mana frowned. "Then it must be bad. Maybe it's best not to worry about him then."

From his position on the other side of the bushes, Gambit let out a growl of frustration. "Thanks a lot, John!" he hissed, in a low voice. "Yo' keep her from me an' I'll…" His voice trailed off, and he shook his head. "Wha'? Why should I be carin'? It's no' like I be knowin' dis girl an' all. Jus' who are yo', Mana?" he wondered. "To be affectin' Remy like dis dere must be somethin'. Somethin' I intend to find out." He turned, his long black jacket flowing out behind him as he walked away.

He had planned to leave the mansion soon, possibly rejoin the Thieves Guild. Now those plans had drastically changed. ~Remy no' be goin' anywhere now.~ he thought.

~I be catchin' dat one when she is alone.~

Skye looked back towards the path that Remy had taken. *I can tell you more later Mana…girl talk.* she sent via the link. She snuggled into John’s arms more.

Pyro kissed the top of her head, smiling at Mana. "Plans for the rest of the day?" he asked.

"Not really. Although, I was planning to make use of the theatre room. I can't believe this place has its own cinema." Mana said.

"Ooh, what do they have in there now?" Skye asked.

"Fantastic Four is the only one I heard of. The excitement for that movie is clear among the younger students here." Mana said. "It's funny. Humans fear us yet they make movies with us in them. That is just plain odd."

John rolled his eyes. "You've got that right." he agreed.

"I wonder who’d play me in a movie…?" Skye said.

Mana laughed. "Who knows." She stood up, stretching. "I better go. Logan said something about wanting to see me or something. I have no idea why."

"Logan wants to see you?" Pyro asked, frowning. "That can't be good."

Skye looked up. "I’m sure its fine... Logan’s bite is less than his bark...he’s a teddy bear." she said softly

"Nothing to worry about, John." Mana agreed. "You know me and Wolverine. Two peas in a pod at times."

"Yes. Too alike if you ask me." John added, smirking.

Skye laughed softly. "Hey...why don’t we go catch a film while Mana talks to Wolvie?"

"Sounds good." John agreed, smiling.

"Hey! You can' see that movie before me!" Mana protested.

John laughed, helping Skye to her feet.

"Oh yes we can." Skye said, as she took John’s hands and got up.

Mana smiled. Fine. See ya later then." she said, poking out her tongue and turning.

As she walked away she wondered what was so bad about the Cajun that could have Pyro not want to tell her about him.

Skye looked at John. "So you wanna go watch a movie?"

“Of course.” John answered, grinning.