Afraid to Love

This is an X-Men Evolution story that centers around Gambit and Rogue. It's been a year since the demise of Apocalypse and The Acolytes have disbanded. Gambit, Pyro and Colossus have all left Magneto. Colossus has agreed to join the X-men and runs the idea by Gambit to do the same. He is reluctant at first, but it would mean being around a certain southern belle that he can't seem to get out of his head. Pyro as a new woman in his woman in his life, Wanda Maximoff the infamous Scarlet Witch, but Pyro has also loved bad girls. He has also dawned a new career as the romance novelist with Wanda as his muse. For three of the ex-acolytes the future looks bright.

With little reluctance and a good recommendation from Colossus Gambit is welcomed into the X-Men fold. Rogue is secretly happy about the whole thing but will outwardly deny it. She has gained control of her powers but she has still has fears about touching and is keeping it a secret from everyone. The only people who know are Professor Xavier and Logan. Can Remy quell her fears and help her to trust herself again? Plus, there is danger lurking in the shadow as Gambit's past is coming back to haunt him.

Chapter One: Bar Talk

It was just after midnight and Remy Lebeau had just ordered another drink from the bar. His old friend and colleague Piotr Rasputin had just arrived. He looked happier than he had ever been in his life. He had just returned from Russia with his family. After being held prisoners over a number of years Logan made good on his promise to help free them.

Remy looked upon his old friend and knew that he was truly at peace. "So Remy, at the bar as usual," Poitr said. His attempt at wit was surely lacking.

"It ain't de drinks I'm interested in," Remy said as the bartender sent another beer in front of him.

"Then it is company you seek," Piotr sitting down next to him.

Remy gave a chuckle. "Can I get a vodka for mon friend here?" Remy said. He was hiding the fact that he was truly lonely. He took a big gulp of his beer. "For some reason none a dese filles seem appealin' tonight."

"Ah, my friend, perhaps it is one woman in particular you seek," Piotr said.

Remy knew exactly who he was talking about but he wasn't going to admit it. True, he slept with more women he couldn't count, but none of them ever stuck in his mind. Most he couldn't even remember the names of, but there was one woman, one he never got the chance to even touch, and one who could never touch him, not physically anyway. It seemed ridulous to him to be pining over a woman he could never have, but every woman he made contact with since he would subconsciously compare to her. He was sorry to say that none of them came close.

"You don't know what you're talkin' 'bout," Remy said, finishing his drink. "Bartender, bring me another!"

"Alcohol won't make you forget her," Piotr said. Remy wondered if his old friend took training as a shrink, and even though he didn't want to admit it, Colossus was right, but what was he to do. Show up at her door with a bouquet of flowers admitting his undying love.

Even if she did accept that, there was certain clawed mutant who dawned himself as her protector. That same man almost killed him in New Orleans if she hadn't stepped in and stopped him. Damn, he was stupid that night. How could he have let her go? He should have begged her to stay with him, and gone back to Bayville with her. Either way he still could never have her.

"I've been invited to join the X-Men, and I'd like it very much if you would come along," Piotr said like it was the most natural think in the world.

Remy laughed at that. "What? To fight to good fight. Not my style, mon ami." He thought for a moment. "Den again dare could be a few perks."

"You can show her who you really are," Piotr said which made Remy's head turn. Somehow his old friend knew exactly what was on his mind. "You are a good man, Remy LeBeau, and it's time you show the world."

"At that moment Remy heard a familiar voice. He looked to his left to see he friend John sitting at the bar stool next to him. "Hey, Mates. So what's the story tonight?"

"Well, John, we losin' our homme tonight," Remy said. "Tin man he joinin' de X-Men."

"I may not be the only one," Piotr said. "Will you at least think about what I said?"

"Yeah, sure," Remy said and Piotr stood up to leave.

"If you do make the right decision, meet me tomorrow at the coffee house at seven." Poitr walked off and out of the bar as Remy sat there nursing his drink. "So what was that a about, Mate?"

"You haven't heard, Tim man t'inks it's good idea for ole Remy t'join de X-Men."

John was suddenly laughing hysterically. "Oh, Mate, that's a good one, the infamous Gambit a hero."

"What so funny 'bout dat? Don' you t'ink Gambit can be hero?" he said. "An' besides den X-girls are tres belle."

"Oh, I get it mate, but you're thinkin' of one particular,' John said with a gleam in his eye. "Yeah, she's hot. I'd nail her in second if…"

"Shut your filthy mouth," Remy shouted at him. He had a card in his hand. He must have fished it out on instinct.

"Yeah, yeah, mate, calm down. It was just a joke, and besides ole Pyro is strictly a one woman mutant now."

Remy quickly uncharged the card and looked at his friend with intrigue. "Oh, yeah, never t'ought I'd see de day."

"Well, it happened. Wanda and I are goin' domestic. We got a place in your building, a cozy little love nest."

"Happy for you, mon ami," Remy said. He really started to think about what Poitr's suggestion would mean. It was a chance to prove himself, and prove himself to her. That's was it. He had made his decision, not that there was even a question where Rogue was concerned.

I hope you liked this first chapter. If you do I'll post another one. Rogue and Kitty will definitely be in the next chapter.