Welcome

[Banshee]

After wrestling with the evil of the world for most of his afternoon, Sean had spent most of the rest of his time wrestling with keeping the swelling down. He had been in the medical lab, taken what he needed, and cleaned up after himself. Cuts and bruises would be better in a day or so, thanks to the wonders of modern and traditional medicine. But some things were just going to ache for a while, and called for the liberal use of ice and liquor.

He made a solemn vow to never forget his protective cup again. Generally he didn't need it, since years of practice had taught him to always defend his vital points. But he hadn't counted on opening himself up to get in a sucker shot. He wasn't sure who was the bigger sucker though, him for getting kicked, or Malice for falling for the deception.

He had changed into his most comfortable sweats, deciding that comfort and bloodflow were necessary, even if they made him feel frumpy.

Now that his physical wounds were on the mend, it was time to start easing his mind. He brought his cooler into the rec room, and set it beside the comfy chair that he was oh so fond of. He turned on the stereo, and set in a Lead Belly LP, and set it to play softly.

He listened to the stereo crackle out old tunes. Sean returned to the comfy chair, and opened the cooler. First, he pulled out an ice pack, and set it in place, covering it with a towel. Then he pulled out a Guiness, and cracked it with a grin. With the sound of the bottle opening he could feel his muscles relaxing. The scent wafted over him like a comfortable breeze. He closed his eyes, as he tilted his head back for that first sip. And when it landed, he knew he was back at home.

It had been a rough day. And tomorrow would be a rough day to. But right now, in this fine moment, he could take a few sips, and forget about the weight of the world. He could spend a little time with God, and relish his small place in the universe, and the gifts that had been given him. He could pretend that he had made a difference, and that was good enough.

It wouldn't last. When his wounds had recovered, or even just before, he would have to put his shoulder to the wheel again. Uplifting the world wasn't a hobby. It was a career, and until Heaven was on Earth, Sean had more work to do.

But right now, the kingdom of Heaven was within, and every taste of Ireland took him closer and closer.

[Rogue]

It was not difficult to avoid talking about herself after the mission. In some odd way, she felt thankful for Creed for that. With his sudden appearance and nutcase behavior it was the hot topic of the return trip. Jubilee was obviously spooked and required attention and comfort and Rogue could fade into the background into her own thoughts.

Back home she had a shower, the water hot and pressure high, like trying to take off the outer layer of skin while at it. She could still recall the sounds of her fists cracking into Arclight's body, and the look on her enemy's face. She might've gotten the job done, but she was not proud of how she achieved it.

Nothing she could do about it anymore though, so Rogue changed into her earlier jeans and tee and took flight. She was pretending to patrol around the mansion grounds, but really, it was just to relax with a little wind on her face. Nothing helped to clear the mind like speeding over the familiar terrain, each nook and tree reminding her that this was home.

A few laps later and everything was seeming much brighter already. In her mind, at least, as the evening was beginning to fall around her. Rogue took the long route through backyard and past kitchen, which she could justify as making sure everything was in order, but really was more looking for company. Upstairs the soft melodies of old blues was drifting from the rec room and she smiled brightly. Her kind of music and company, what could be better?

She stopped on the doorway, leaning to it casually and greeted Sean warmly. "Having a private moment or want some company?" Her foot was already tapping to the rhythm of the music, and she looked like she was not really going anywhere despite her polite question.

[Banshee]

Having a private moment or want some company?

The words shot through his head, like a bullet-gram notifying him the real world did still exist, and that he couldn't sit in his fond memories forever. He drifted back from never-never land.

He opened his eyes, and was happy he had. The image was just as lush and welcoming as the world he had left behind. He could see the weariness sitting on Rogue, just as it sat on him. And at the same time, he could also tell she was on her way up. It was always better to drink with friends.

The question wasn't really a question, but it still warranted a proper response. So he grinned a warm and weary grin.

"I'd love some company. But I've got t'warn ya. Only one six pack, of which half is yours, but after that, we'll have to move to get more."

"Besides, can't call me alcoholic so long as I keep the drinking in good company," and he ended the sentence with a chuckle.

"How's the decompression treating you? T'be honest, I thought you'd be off with Remy." He stretched his arms like a cat comming out of a nap.

[Rogue]

The look of pleasant surprise was good on the ego. Especially after Sean had been there on the mission and had seen her and there was not a fraction of hesitation in his voice when he invited her in. "I'd love some company. But I've got t'warn ya. Only one six pack, of which half is yours, but after that, we'll have to move to get more."

"Besides, can't call me alcoholic so long as I keep the drinking in good company."

Rogue padded across the floor and stopped by Sean's chair. "Half o' a six pack is still the best offer I've gotten the whole evenin'," she grinned and reached for the cooler. "Thanks, Sean." She stretched out on the sofa, nice cool Guinness in her still unopened. "T'is just what a girl needs after a long day." Even if she was invulnerable and superstrong, she still got tired with enough effort. In the fight with Arclight she certainly had put in every effort she could muster and now could feel it in her muscles.

"How's the decompression treating you? T'be honest, I thought you'd be off with Remy."

With a flick of her fingers she popped the bottle open to busy herself. "Nah, didn't see him after the mission." She wouldn't have minded running into Remy now, but earlier she had pretty much just bolted to intentionally avoid any inconvenient questions. "I had a shower an' long flight over the grounds. It's a great weather for flyin'." She beamed at the memory of warm air and sky above slowly turning into all the pastel shades of summer evening. "Company, beer an' great music is just what I was lookin' for now."

Rogue looked him over more carefully, noting the towel in his lap, and recalling him getting into melee with both Scrambler and Malice. "How's y'all doin'? Y'all got into some fightin' too back there."

[Banshee]

Rogue strolled in like a comfortable cat. Sean practically expected her to purr. It was a lovely shift from the wrathful tigress she had been earlier. Fortunately that business was over. At least for now. There'd be time to pick up on Creed later.

Half o' a six pack is still the best offer I've gotten the whole evenin'. Thanks, Sean.

"Any time," he said, as she luxuriated onto the couch. Sean smiled easily. It was comforting to have the company. He had seen how rough the fight had been on Rogue. Rogue was indestructible . . . physically. But that in no way made her more emotionally resiliant. She was as tender a heart as any of them. With a great weakness. That indestructible body didn't allow for much physical comfort. And to Sean, that was one of the world's greatest tragedies. And no matter how many times he had these thoughts, he still wished the world were different.

T'is just what a girl needs after a long day.

"Aye. How's the decompression treating you? T'be honest, I thought you'd be off with Remy."

And she punctiated his sentence by popping off the bottle cap with a flick of her fingers. Sean had always required the help of a church key to get into his heaven. He could eventually make a lighter, butterknife or other crowbar open his bottle, but he found it easier to just carry a bottle opener with him.

I had a shower an' long flight over the grounds. It's a great weather for flyin'. Company, beer an' great music is just what I was lookin' for now.

Sean could tell by the warmth of the words that the weather must have been perfect for Rogue. Probably warm and humid, like her homeland.

"Well, maybe when we run out of beer, we can take a flight for some more. . . I mean, after all, it'd be dangerous to drive."

She noticed Sean's towel, and he felt a tad self-conscious for a moment, but it flew away quickly as she openly responded.

How's y'all doin'? Y'all got into some fightin' too back there.

Sean wasn't entirely sure if Rogue was referring to the mission group, or him and his boys. He was more amused by the later, so he went with it.

"Well, we've got intermittent swelling, being treated with intermittent ice. I don't think I have ever missed Bobby more for a mission. It was a necessary sacrifice. Other than that: aches, bruises, and the usual rough housing marks. I'll be fine in a couple days."

"Well, physically. I am nursing a nasty heart ache, but that'll be treated in time." Sean was proud of how matter of factly he had managed to say it. He could feel the ache that was deeper than his bones. But he was getting stronger against it.

"It was good to be on a mission again."

[Rogue]

"Well, maybe when we run out of beer, we can take a flight for some more. . . I mean, after all, it'd be dangerous to drive."

Rogue laughed, suddenly an image of aircop chasing her and Banshee through the skies flashing in her mind. "Yeah, an' not like they'd fine us for... FUI." She considered that and then grinned more mischievously. "They might, if'n all they could catch us." Not that she would get drunk that easily, and she wasn't about to try either. She sipped from her bottle before fixing her gaze on Sean and inquiring about his well-being. "How's y'all doin'? Y'all got into some fightin' too back there."

"Well, we've got intermittent swelling, being treated with intermittent ice. I don't think I have ever missed Bobby more for a mission. It was a necessary sacrifice."

"Bobby would've been handy in more ways than one," Rogue agreed. She glanced briefly to his lap and winced. It sounded like it had hurt like hell and then some. "Y'all did get her down in the end. Or up." She nodded and winked victoriously. "Still, y' took down two Marauders, that's somethin' to celebrate." An' y'all didn't lose y'rn head while doin' it, either.

"Other than that: aches, bruises, and the usual rough housing marks. I'll be fine in a couple days." "Well, physically. I am nursing a nasty heart ache, but that'll be treated in time."

Rogue raised her eyebrows, curiosity blooming on her features. Curiosity, and compassion. She had known about Sean and Moira, in the round-about of way the gossips travel in the mutant world. She hadn't heard about the break-up though, having been rather absent from normal social interactions for awhile. It did explain Sean's continuous presence in the house, though. Not that she had even wondered about that yet, the getting back into normal life had been big enough effort. What counts as normal life for superheroes, anyway. I've been right selfish bastard lately, almost gettin' blue in the face from navel gaze. Time to start a-fixin' that too.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Sean," she looked at him with an understanding small smile. She could reciprocate. "D'y' wanna talk about it?" She hoped he'd say yes, but she wasn't about to dive and try to make him talk just to satiate her curiosity.

[Banshee]

I'm sorry to hear that, Sean. D'y' wanna talk about it?

The news had taken her by surprise. Sean was mildly comforted that the rumor mill had not been handing out his business. On the other hand, that meant he'd have to tell everyone himself, and hear them say the same words as Rogue. At least Rogue had the natural ease of a Southern Belle to make the whole subject matter seem relaxed, rather than hurtful. It still hurt, but the sweet little smile she wore gave an edge of hope and understanding to the whole affair. It helped keep Sean from taking himself too seriously.

"People keep asking that, and unlike almost any other time, I keep finding me'self at a loss of words. Or maybe just no good reason to share. But since I keep talkin' bout it, I must want to."

Sean's brow furrowed with thought, and he could feel tension building between his shoulders.

"I guess I mostly just want people to know I hurt, even if I don't know what to do about it, besides to wait for time to fix it. " And while Sean seemed to sag a little with the beginning of his speech, he picked himself up and continued, "Which time is already doing. I felt good today. Felt complete."

And Sean gave an evil grin, stretched a bit by physical pain, "Though I did pay for it. I am not entirely sure if I made the sacrifice to win, or to keep me distracted." And he finished that with a long pull off of his guiness. "Physical pain is always a good distraction. Keeps us grounded."

[Rogue]

In his shoes, Rogue would not have liked to talk about it. Or rather, in her shoes and having been dumped, she wouldn't want to talk about it. Maybe - and it was a big maybe - she could sob against a girlfriend's shoulder and... she wasn't quite sure what then. There had been only one man who she would have needed to sob over, and that had been too sore wound to consider something as trivial as sobbing to cure. Still, even if Sean wouldn't want to talk about it, it'd be fair to offer.

Judging from the way Sean was looking, his feelings went more or less along with hers. "People keep asking that, and unlike almost any other time, I keep finding me'self at a loss of words. Or maybe just no good reason to share. But since I keep talkin' bout it, I must want to."

"I guess I mostly just want people to know I hurt, even if I don't know what to do about it, besides to wait for time to fix it. " And while Sean seemed to sag a little with the beginning of his speech, he picked himself up and continued, "Which time is already doing. I felt good today. Felt complete."

"Y'all was doin' very good there today," Rogue agreed warmly, though feeling a pang of guilty. She had not been on her best. "An' I guess I get that too. Ti's good when people know what y're feelin' even if y'all don't talk about it. Comfortin'." She shrugs and smiles. "Like the music. What's this song called?"

She sipped her beer again and to her surprise found the bottle almost empty. Nothing drained booze faster than heartache stories and broken relationships. Despite the sadness over Sean's situation, Rogue found herself oddly comfortable and relaxed. Maybe it was the old tune and raspy voice that to her seemed to say that whatever was wrong, had been wrong to other people too and they had survived. That sadness was part of life, even for superheroes. That in this, they were just like everyone else, and that was a nice thought. Perhaps weird, but still nice.

[Banshee]

Sean mangled his piece as best he could and say it. He almost knew what to say now when people asked. Or at least he seemed to be getting closer.

An' I guess I get that too. Ti's good when people know what y're feelin' even if y'all don't talk about it. Comfortin'. Like the music. What's this song called?

Sean smiled. Rogue understood, so maybe those words would work in the future.

"Goodnight, Irene. Tis a great song. Classic. Think this album is calling it just 'Irene'"

"Captures the mood, sur'enough." And he reached into the cooler for another beer. "Ready for 'nother, or am I drinkin' too fast?" He pulled an extra beer out of the cooler without waiting for her reply. He hoped she needed another, because if he was drinking too fast, he wasn't slowing down now.

He felt around for a change of subject, while he was in the cooler. He came back with the beers, and a new line to pursue. One he preffered. "You did a good job t'day. Arclight's no easy task to tumble with. And you put her down, and down easy. Considering you are both nigh indestructible."

A memory of Malice flit through his head. She had looked terribly attractive for the Devil. But Sean pushed that thought back down with all the other unwanted thoughts in his head. Grief and lust were not the companions he was looking for at the moment. Peace and Comfort had to be around here somewhere.

He looked into Rogue's eyes, and found a mixture of both sets within. He steadied himself, and cracked open the new beer, and took a long pull from it. Drinking didn't make things better, but sometimes it made the inner demons slurr their speech a bit, and slip in the occasional "I love you, man."

"It would have been a far nastier affair, had you not been there. Thank you."

[Rogue]

"Goodnight, Irene. Tis a great song. Classic. Think this album is calling it just 'Irene'"

Goodnight, Irene.

Rogue smiled wistfully and the image of her mother flashed in her mind. The heartache had gotten a bittersweet twinge by now, the good memories and love saturating the blanket of grief.

"T's a good song, I like it," Rogue agreed, her voice quieter and expression softening.

"Captures the mood, sur'enough."

"Ready for 'nother, or am I drinkin' too fast?" [Sean] pulled an extra beer out of the cooler without waiting for her reply.

With a quick few gulps Rogue emptied her beer and accepted a new one with a smile. "Still keepin' up with y'all, no worries." Sean probably knew about her resistance to poisons, and how her enjoyment of alcohol was mostly social or having a placebo effect.

"You did a good job t'day. Arclight's no easy task to tumble with. And you put her down, and down easy. Considering you are both nigh indestructible."

Just the mention of Arclight's name brought a shadow on her face, one that couldn't be lifted even by the compliments. Rogue tried to hide her expression and busied herself with opening the bottle and taking a long draw of her new beer. Some hero I am. Big honkin' coward when it comes to this here thing. Talkin' with my friends shouldn't be this hard.

"It would have been a far nastier affair, had you not been there. Thank you."

Rogue made a frustrated sound and nodded, then offered Sean a wry smile. "Was plenty nasty as it was too. I was - " She paused and lowered her gaze while trying to choose her words. "Not entirely in the right frame o' mind while doin' it." She looked up again at Sean, the green of her eyes more vibrant before and sighed, "This time, it went fine, I had to take her down an' I did. I'm just worried - I just keep thinkin' - what if'n next time it's not like that? What if'n somethin' happens?"

She wasn't the only one afraid of hurting someone with their powers, she knew that. It didn't make it any easier to deal with, though. Hurting someone, that was easy. If she was being honest with herself, Rogue enjoyed the fighting and even hurting their enemies. The real issue she feared was blurring the line and hurting someone she shouldn't.

[Banshee]

Was plenty nasty as it was too. I was - " She paused and lowered her gaze while trying to choose her words. "Not entirely in the right frame o' mind while doin' it." She looked up again and sighed, "This time, it went fine, I had to take her down an' I did. I'm just worried - I just keep thinkin' - what if'n next time it's not like that? What if'n somethin' happens?

Sean looked into those troubled green eyes, and made sure he had her complete attention before answering. His emerald eyes gazed in deep, and made sure she wasn't hiding from what he would say.

"That, Lass, is exactly why you shouldn't worry. You still question. You still know you are fighting, and you feel guilty for your rage. Sometimes we hit the bad guys because we are saving someone else, but sometimes we are going to hit them, because we're so outraged at their actions. It's okay. Better to vent that rage on the people causing it, than let it eat away at you. You may be of indestructible body, but that soul is as tender as any lilly of the field." Sean paused and put on a more joking air, "You got to take care of it. You're not allowed to get bitter and jaded, I forbid it. Strictly 'gainst the rules here in the house of Xavier."

Sean got serious again. "There will be dark days, both outside and in. But the weather gets bright again, if you let it, and help it. I'm lucky, I've got serious help." And Sean let his gaze roll piously towards the heavens for a moment.

God, forgive me And Sean's grin grew wicked, as his gaze returned to Rogue.

"You know, all those comely lasses who live on this floor and the ones above it, who help me make this world a better place," and he chuckled.

[Rogue]

Sean's eyes were so kind and earnest that Rogue couldn't help but to feel comforted by his undivided attention.

"That, Lass, is exactly why you shouldn't worry. You still question. You still know you are fighting, and you feel guilty for your rage. Sometimes we hit the bad guys because we are saving someone else, but sometimes we are going to hit them, because we're so outraged at their actions. It's okay. Better to vent that rage on the people causing it, than let it eat away at you. You may be of indestructible body, but that soul is as tender as any lilly of the field."

She listened intently, seeking the accept the offered solace and finding some knot loosening. Sean wasn't understanding her real problem with it, but maybe that was okay too. Besides, she did have vast amounts of violent anger all on her own even without Sabretooth. He was meaner, more cruel and calculating in his actions, but maybe that was what had worked to her advantage against Arclight. Maybe his instinct for pain and suffering had helped to guide Rogue's punches in a way to break Arclight's fighting spirit and win the fight.

....a tender lily?

Rogue blinked, feeling her cheeks getting warmer. It was not a compliment she got often, and sometimes even she herself could forget that she too could have that soft, vulnerable side.

Sean paused and put on a more joking air, "You got to take care of it. You're not allowed to get bitter and jaded, I forbid it. Strictly 'gainst the rules here in the house of Xavier."

She grinned back at him, raising her beer in salute. "Yes, sir." She took a long sip and smiled at him more contently. "As long as I got y'all to keep remindin' me o' that.

Sean got serious again. "There will be dark days, both outside and in. But the weather gets bright again, if you let it, and help it. I'm lucky, I've got serious help." And Sean let his gaze roll piously towards the heavens for a moment.

She wondered how much of that he believed when it came to his trouble with Moira, but didn't want to bring it up just after saying she wouldn't. Not that she disagreed. The weather has gotten brighter for her already, and it would for him as well.

God, forgive me And Sean's grin grew wicked, as his gaze returned to Rogue.

"You know, all those comely lasses who live on this floor and the ones above it, who help me make this world a better place," and he chuckled.

The religious reference she had passed with a small smile that turned into laughter at his next words. "Only one o' us that is named goddess," she reminded amusedly. "Rest o' us mere mortals just doin' our share." She stretched and emptied the bottle, letting her mind wander with the old guitar and raspy voice.

"Sometimes I play them what-if's. What if... what if the fight was already over?" Could I go back home an'... raise flowers in the backward an' forget all o' this?"

Home for her, just now, was the old house by the river. House far away from everything. Home, where nothing ever happened. Peace. Solitude.

[Banshee]

Sometimes I play them what-if's. What if... what if the fight was already over? Could I go back home an'... raise flowers in the backward an' forget all o' this?

Sean's smile tensed a bit, as he thought over his halcyon days on Muir Island. He let himself think back on those comfortable evenings by the fire, the cool morning hikes, and other everyday activities the rest of the world took for granted.

"Well, lass, forget is a mighty strong word for it. I didn't forget, any time I settled into me own little home, away from the world. But I did move on, at least for a while. And led me own life, without the weight of the world on me back, for as long as I had to, until it came time to take up that mantle again."

And he grew easy again, looking at her eyes. "See, I have experience, and it does serve to ease the worries of others. Those flowers will still grow, when you settle down to plant them."

And why not play the what-if game? Now was as good a time for it as any. Long hard day, and a taxing fight would make any one need a little reminder of WHY. So Sean thought about all the places he could start, but in the end, the best starting place was as close to home as a turbulent river.

"So, what kind of flowers are you thinking for your bit of backyard?"

[Rogue]

It felt like treading on forbidden ground, this casual mention of the time when the fight was over. Rogue felt a wave of regret when Sean tensed, but the warmth in Sean's voice settled her again.

"Well, lass, forget is a mighty strong word for it. I didn't forget, any time I settled into me own little home, away from the world. But I did move on, at least for a while. And led me own life, without the weight of the world on me back, for as long as I had to, until it came time to take up that mantle again."

In her own whimsical fantasies, as rare as they were, she had never considered the possibility of the peace being temporary. There was strange appeal to that, as well as discomfort. Does nothin' ever last?

And he grew easy again, looking at her eyes. "See, I have experience, and it does serve to ease the worries of others. Those flowers will still grow, when you settle down to plant them."

It was hard not to smile back at him so Rogue did, and didn't even mind the feel of intimacy that went shivers up her spine. She hadn't met to let her guard down and start talking about her dreams. She blamed the music and the long day.

"So, what kind of flowers are you thinking for your bit of backyard?"

Rogue leaned back and laughed softly. "Roses. Lots of them. And magnolias. Pink ones, and yellow, and some dark red. And trees, apples and cherries. Those white flowers that are like bells. And something that smells real nice in early summer, before the roses will bloom." She had gotten that dreamy look in her eyes and she could almost picture herself walking across her garden when the dusk was falling, and how quiet it would be.

Just her, inside her head and outside of it.

"Wind chimes hanging from the branches, and few lanterns here and there, just a few so it still gets dark." Rogue looked down and chuckled softly, amused and even embarrassed of her longing voice.

"What about you?" She asked, not specifying if she was referring to flowers, dreams, or just general opening for Sean to talk about himself.

[Banshee]

Rogue's face relaxed into a warm smile. It was warmer than Sean expected, but the heat it gave was warmly received by him, and for a moment, he felt less weary. Sean couldn't let the opportunity to dream slip by, so he took the conversation into dreams, asking her about flowers.

Rogue relaxed some more, laughter like gentle joyful bell, as she started mentally travelling Home. It was a place that obviously lived deep in her soul, but that had yet to be carved from the Earth. Sean could watch her looking over her land, as she described it to him. Dreamed of for so long it was real to her minds eye.

Roses. Lots of them. And magnolias. Pink ones, and yellow, and some dark red. And trees, apples and cherries. Those white flowers that are like bells. And something that smells real nice in early summer, before the roses will bloom. Wind chimes hanging from the branches, and few lanterns here and there, just a few so it still gets dark.

Sean could practically smell the lushness of the garden as she wandered through trees and shrubs. The dying light of the sunset hung in her hair, in his mind, as she stopped to smell some of the smaller flowers that lined the walkways. She was gloriously alone, and at peace.

But then she saw that he was still looking at her, and they both were knocked from her dream.

What about you?

It was Sean's turn to be a little embarrassed at his simplistic dreams, that never the less, always seemed to alllude him. He gently wandered through his dream, building the images one block at a time, so that Rogue could be slowly brought in. "Well, right now I'm getting back to saving the world. . . but after this spell. Well, I think I want to go Home. Cassidy Keep. It is truly beautiful, and it's been some time since I was able to just live there. Everything is so green, that it catches the sun and changes it gold. And the air is rich and fragrant. Not as wonderfully lush as the South, but clean and crisp. I'll take long walks on the cool stones set down by my family generations ago. Explore the hide-away holes of my boyhood. Visit with the ghosts of better days. Maybe even set down and get a vegetable garden going, eating food raised from the land itself. Be domestic."

"And it will happen. But I figure I should personally save the world at least a dozen times before doing that, " Sean said, an air of longing on the edge of his voice. But he paused a moment and then smiled.

"So it might take a week or two, way things have been of late. You know, slow and peaceful. The world only threatening to dissolve into chaos every couple days or so." And Sean laughed some more. It was solidly Irish laughter. Full of mirth and joy, but all too familiar with the sadness of what it mocked, cheating sorrow by holding onto the humor of the horror.