Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Note: This is a retelling of how Gambit joined the X-Men. I've messed with the timeline quite a bit. It takes place before the Mutant Massacre, when Remy's heart was still cold from past losses. The song is Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know I won't be leaving here with you.
We sat crowded around the meeting table, as the professah relayed that he had found a new mutant. Ah myself was hoping for a little action, instead it was just anotha mutant. Ah glanced over at Logan and could see he felt the same. Xavier was rambling about how this mutant wouldn' be easy to catch or persuade. He was some hot shot thief, arrogant from the sounds o' it, and a charmer too. Great, just what we needed round the mansion.
Suddenly, Ah felt my arm shoot up in the air, mah voice speaking before thinking. "Professah, how bout Ah take this mission? Sounds like he'll let a woman get closer ta him than a man. Ah'm sure Ah can whip him into persuasion." The professah looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Perhaps you are right Rogue. The mission is yours.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say you don't show, Don't move, time is slow, I say take me out.
Remy LeBeau, as Xavier's records claimed him to be, was spending his Friday evening at a local club, as he often did. Rogue smirked as she sauntered up to the entrance. Wearing nothing but a tight black mini skirt and matching halter, she felt vulnerable amongst the crowd. Xavier should be paying meh to do this' Rogue thought. She knew she looked good, curly auburn hair let down, her signature white streaks framing her face. That was the idea, she needed to catch the eye of LeBeau. Unfortunately, Xavier's records could not locate a photo of LeBeau, it was only his mutant signature that had led her thus far.
Well, better start asking around Rogue thought.
Before Rogue reached the bar however, her eyes were attracted to the back of the club, where several booths lay tucked away. A man sitting at one of the booths was watching her, she was sure of it. His sunglasses denied her the right to do anything but assume though. What gave him away was his next action. Pulling out a cigarette, he lit it with his finger, the tip glowing magenta, before the smoke began to haze her view. That must be him.
She knew he must be used to women approaching him often. Even from here she could make out his well-sculpted face, mouth curved into a half smile, his long bangs falling against his face. She would not give him the pleasure of throwing herself at him. Rather she would wait for him to come to her. Quite possibly a bad decision given her mission was to approach and persuade him to join the X-Men.
But she didn't have to wait long.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I move, this could die, Eyes move, this could die, I want you to take me out.
Remy wasn't in his usually flirtatious mood. He had come to the bar to drink alone, slinking into the back corner booth. As he pulled out a cigarette though, he couldn't help but notice the emerald eyed beauty that made her entrance. She appeared to be searching for someone, but instantly her eyes caught his. His mouth moved into a small smile. She was perhaps one of the most beautiful women he had seen in a long time, if ever. But rather than approach him, she turned and headed for the bar, placing herself on a stool, long legs crossed. Remy silently laughed. So it's t'be a challenge den, huh chere?
With her back to him, Remy eased his way out of the booth, forgetting his previous notion of drinking alone. Placing himself behind her sitting form, he leaned in to whisper. "Evenin' chere," before settling himself into the stool beside her.
He watched her roll her eyes, but she did not turn to face him.
"Somethin' Ah can do for yah sugah?" her smooth voice purred, with a tint of viciousness.
"Actually chere, Remy was thinkin' dere be something' he might be able t'do for y', since y'were de belle femme starin' at him in de first place.
Great, he was southern, Cajun if she was correct. "Ah was just noticing the way you lit your cigarette swap rat, nothing more.
Startled by her response, but quickly recovering, he replied, "Y'like dat chere? Dere be a lot more dis Cajun can do wit his hands den light a cigarette." Rogue sighed. Did this cocky jerk have to stay at the mansion with her? Slowly she turned to face him, and she found herself holding her breath. He was gorgeous, his tight collared shirt was unbuttoned a bit, rolled up at the sleeves, his suit jacket was placed beside him at the bar. He seemed to pause too upon seeing her face, as he reached up to remove his sunglasses, unsure why he felt he could trust her with what lay behind them. Suddenly she was staring into a pair of beautiful red on black eyes, equally mesmerized as her own.
His charm seemed to have worn down, and in their off guard state of shock, Rogue did not see his hand reach for her face until it was too late, and he fell unconscious into her arms.
Not exactly the way she planned on persuading him.
If I wink, this can die, If I wane, this can die, I want you to take me out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say don't you know? You say you don't know, I say take me out.
Remy woke to the surrounding of bright white light. Cautiously without moving, he took in the space around him with his spatial awareness. There was someone ten feet away if he was correct, and moving towards him.
"I see that you are finally awake Mr. LeBeau, and how are you feeling this morning?" The voice spoke before showing itself, so Remy took the opportunity to glance over himself. Upon reaching his scope of vision, Remy was startled to see a big blue beast checking his vitals.
"Where de fuck am I?" Beast gave a hearty laugh at the Cajun's blatant questioning.
"You, my friend, are in the med lab of Xavier's School for the Gifted. We had hoped you would arrive here on your own accord, but unfortunately, it seems you got a little too grabby with our resident untouchable.
"Untouchable?" Remy repeated. "A femme as beautiful as dat can' touch? Is dat why I was knocked out?
"I am afraid so Remy. I can call you Remy can't I?
"Sure I do-
"Good. Well then, your vitals look fine, so you are free to leave the med bay and take a look around the mansion. If you are hungry, take the elevator up to the ground floor, take a right, and then another right, and the kitchen should be within your sights.
"Thanks monsieur-
"Oh! I'm sorry, my name is Hank McCoy, the mansion's doctor. I would take you upstairs myself, but my workload is restricting me to the lab today.
"Dat's ok Hank, I'll, uh, show myself around, or find somebody else dat can." With that Remy headed for the elevator, making note of every detail, a blueprint already forming inside his head.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm just a crosshair, I'm just a shot away from you.
Remy crept towards the kitchen, his steps as quiet as the polished thief he was. Entering the kitchen he noticed a red headed woman with her back to him, standing in front of a coffee maker. Smirking, he silently walked towards her, eyes roaming her fit body, curiously wondering if all the mansion's residents were beautiful.
"Hope y're makin' enough for two chere," As he said this his arm circled around her waist.
Suddenly, he was flung into the nearby wall, floating in mid air, unable to move.
"I don't know how you snuck up on me mister, but I don't take kindly to being fondled," the red head snapped.
"Ok, ok, sorry petit. Can y'let Remy down now?
"Remy? LeBeau?" Remembering the name from the meeting the previous night, Jean set him down. "I'm sorry Remy, you just took me by surprise.
"Dat's ok chere, and in case y're wonderin', I'm a master thief, dat's how I snuck up on y'.
Jean only smiled. "Hmm, well I'm telepathic, and can usually sense any brain activity in the room, you must have strong mental shields to have gotten within such close range of me.
Remy only smiled at this. "So what's your name chere?
"It's Jean. Jean Grey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remy lay on the bed, glancing around at the room they had assigned him. They had offered him a spot on the X-team, and he had accepted without a second thought. They had not even questioned his rushed decision. He smiled at the opportunity this place could provide for him. It was a way to sever the ties of his past, once and for all. His eyes gleamed a dangerous red, as he lit a cigarette, inhaling the toxic smoke, he couldn't help but think his tables were about to turn.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm just a shot away from you.
Logan was heading to the kitchen for a beer when he got a whiff of smoke. Sniffing his way to the place of origin, he landed in front of the new resident's room.
Damn Cajun,' Logan muttered while simultaneously pounding on Remy's door.
"Doors unlocked mon ami.
Logan opened the door and moved to where the Cajun lay. Extending one claw, Wolverine sliced the tip of the cigarette off. The lit half tumbled down Remy's shirt as he cried out in shock.
"Merde! Y'coulda lit me on fire!
"That's exactly why we don' allow smoking in this house Cajun." With that Logan retreated, leaving a pissed off and bewildered Remy behind him.
"Wait!" Remy exclaimed, rushing off the bed and into the hall.
"Whaddya want bub?
"Where's de girl dat knocked me out? I haven't seen her since, she wasn't even at de meeting where you all excepted me," Remy questioned.
"She felt bad about what she did to ya, she always does after she absorbs someone. If ya don' see her, then she don' wannna be found." Logan turned to leave once again, but turning he added, "Oh, and we didn' all except ya Cajun.
Remy merely smiled, putting an unlit cigarette to his lips.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know I won't be leaving here.
Remy climbed off the edge of his balcony, heading for the roof for a smoke. He had briefly thought about searching out the southern belle, but had thought against it. He knew he shouldn't get too personnel with anyone here.
Reaching the top, he sensed someone else already up there, searching he saw a lone figure, knees brought up to her chest, chestnut hair blowing in the slight breeze.
"Evenin' chere, didn' expect t'find y'up here." Remy lit his cigarette, and Rogue glanced up, taking in his appearance. His trench coat blew in the wind, along with tendrils of his long auburn hair. He did not move to sit beside her. Rogue snorted, he was probably afraid to be near her now.
"Yeah, well Ah came up here ta be alone swamp rat.
"Tsk, tsk. Dat ain't no way t'treat someone y'nearly killed." With that Remy crouched down next to her. Close. Too close for Rogue. "De way I see it, y'at least owe me an apology," he huskily whispered, his breath warming her face. Remy noticed her cringe.
Rogue pushed him away. "It's y're own damn fault Cajun. Besides, Ah don' apologize.
"Ah, tough girl I see. Well, cherie, I came up here for a smoke, and I ain't leaving, so tink dat you can put up wit me for a couple minutes?
"As long as y'all don' say anything." Remy sighed. Were all of the X-Men so stiff? Turning to face the direction Rogue was, Remy sat down, right next to Rogue, a darkness filling his eyes. His lips curved up a little, a thought playing its way into his mind, but he did as Rogue requested, and didn't say a single thing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm just a crosshair, I'm just a shot then we can die.
"I don't trust him Jean. He's a thief for God's sake! And beyond that, we know nothing else about him!" Scott was a little testy with Xavier's new recruit. The man was cocky, rude, and disobedient. And he had only been here for one week.
"Scott, just give him time to earn our trust. It's because we know so little about him that we cannot yet judge him." Jean took a sip of her coffee, leaning on the counter's edge.
"I know Jean, it's just that
With that, the resident Cajun waltzed into the kitchen, gave a casual look in their direction, and headed for the coffee pot.
"Mornin'," Remy sleepily stated.
"Actually Remy, it's one o'clock. Around here we consider that the afternoon, " Scott spat.
"Den why is dere fresh coffee made? Havin' your afternoon cup t'keep y'awake after dose four o'clock in de mornin' training sessions?" Remy replied quietly, still not facing the fuming Scott.
"You would understand the fatigue if you showed up once and awhile for the training sessions! Instead you are probably out all night, thieving, disgracing the values of the X-Men! You don't even have a codename!" Scott was angry, although unsure why he was badgering Remy about the codename.
Remy was in his face before he even acknowledged his movements. Grabbing hold of Scott's collar, Remy whispered threateningly, "Listen homme, I'm not much likin' your tone." Scott's collar began to glow pink.
"Remy, maybe-
"Quiet Jean, your boyfriend here needs t'remove de stick from his ass!" Looking Scott straight in the eyes, "And stop degrading my thieving skills Cyke, " Remy leaned in closely, too close for Jean to hear, "Someday, dey might put y'in your place." Vehemently, Remy threw Scott against the counter, releasing the charge on his shirt. "And de codename's Gambit mon ami," Remy sarcastically added, sauntering out of the kitchen.
"What did he say to you Scott?
Scott's eyes narrowed. "Nothing Jean. Nothing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If I move, this could die.
So they didn't trust him. Big deal. The only thing that bugged them was his past as a thief. He grinned at this. If only they knew the rest. But he wouldn't be laying here in their mansion if they did. Sliding off the bed, Remy leaned against the window, watching the rain lightly tap the glass.
Dey won' even know until it be too late. And den, I'll be free.
